I really wanted to get this idea off my chest and onto here before I lose my nerve.

Tell me if you like it or not. I'm kinda iffy if I want to continue it or not. Don't worry. If I do continue, the chapters will be longer.

The time is set further back than Coby had intended so this is before Ace joined the Whitebeard pirates.

Disclaimer: I do not nor will I ever own One Piece, let this stand for any and all future chapters.

Burning Rubber

Chapter 1

Marco, Commander and first mate of the Whitebeard pirates, watched through a half lidded gaze as a barrel continued to float innocently towards the Moby Dick. He was perched precariously on the highest mast of the main ship in his phoenix form, relaxing or in other terms keeping away from the bat shit insane cook who was also the fourth division Commander.

Thatch was in one of his 'prankster' moods and was no doubt searching for him.

Hell would freeze over before he let the red headed man close enough to do something (most likely dye his hair an eye watering color) to him.

Now, focusing sharp eyes on the barrel that was still travelling towards the hull of the Moby Dick, Marco was almost certain there was something off about it. The way it floated, leaning heavily but not by too much on its side, was certainly suspicious.

It wasn't as if the Whitebeard pirates were attacked very much (the stupidly ill only came every once in a while), but the things one would do just to take down their captain sometimes ended up on the ridiculous side of the line.

It usually ranged from grown ass men hiding in news coos to spies trying to infiltrate their ranks. They'd had almost everything so a person hiding out in a barrel heading towards their ship wasn't something to gawk at. And every time, they handled the situation. Sometimes they even timed it. Marco himself held the record for finding out about a back stabbing spy. 2 minutes.

Marco watched the barrel heave itself over as a new wave swept it up. Coincidentally right towards their ship. Again.

Giving it one more look, Marco pitched a sigh and took off from the main mast, the blue flames of his wings igniting in all their glory.

The crewmembers currently on the deck of the Moby Dick looked up in fascination or in some of the Commander's cases, confusion.

Marco neatly plucked the spinning barrel up from the sea with his talons, careful not to touch too much of the sea water. It wouldn't do to drown all the sudden and have one of the crew members pitch a fit trying to save his dumbass from the bottom of the ocean.

With a grace that only came from decades of having his devil fruit, Marco set the barrel in the middle of the deck, barely making a noise. He transformed back into his human body and watched amusedly as Thatch let out a squeak of delight (a sound that the man would later deny making).

Marco was careful to keep his body before the barrel, a direction in which led directly to Whitebeard who sat in his large chair, a liquor bottle in hand even though it was roughly nine in the morning.

"What's up with the morning wood?" Thatch joked, walking up to stand beside Marco, a quick glace thrown at the offending barrel.

"Very funny," Marco deadpanned before gesturing to the barrel, "Found it in the water heading for us."

Thatch grinned cheekily. "I know you love my infamous hilarity."

"Ever the annoyance, you mean?" Izo commented lightly, coming to stand beside them.

Thatch made an offended noise and griped his chest. "You wound me."

Izo rolled his neatly done eyes before too, giving the barrel a cautious look. "Is this another surprise attack?"

Marco knocked on the lid, "Wouldn't surprise me," he stated absently. "The Marines have gotten restless lately."

Thatch made a noise of agreement before knocking Marco's hand away. "Well then, we'll just have to find out then." he said before giving a good punch to the center of the lid. The wood splintered and before the three of them could react, out popped a grinning face and risen arms.

Whitebeard shifted his attention, watching carefully.

It was a boy.

"The fuck-"

"AHHH!" the boy cheered, an earsplitting grin on his face. He stretched and twisted, seeming to get out every kink and crack he could. "That was a good nap! Shishishishi." he giggled.

The boy looked no older than 15 or 17 at the most. He wore simple clothing. An open red vest, a yellow sash, and- from what part of they could see- blue shorts or pants. A straw hat sat atop his head, slightly rough around the edges and a simple red ribbon tied around it. Under one of his eyes was a half-moon scar and on his bare chest was horrid X shaped scar that just looked down right painful.

Utterly dumbstruck, (they were sending kids now?) Marco filed away his confusion for later. His eyes hardened and he gazed coldly at the potential enemy. "Who are you?"

"Ah?" The boy cocked his head and they could practically see the cogs turning in his head. He looked at each of them and then to behind them where they were sure was Pops. "Old man?"

And he completely ignored Marco's question too.

Several of the surrounding crew cried in outrage at the blatant disrespect.

Not many of Commanders really minded that much though. It wasn't their problem if the kid didn't understand how powerful that man he was addressing really was.

Edward Newgate watched the boy carefully step out of the barrel he'd been in. He watched Marco step in between him and the younger man. He could feel the power in him and he was sure his eldest son did as well.

"Marco." his voice carried across the Moby Dick and the first mate instantly looked at him. He gave the man a faint nod and without preamble, he stepped out of the way.

The boy instantly stepped up and placed himself at the foot of his chair, a couple meters away. He plopped down and crossed his legs over one another.

"And who are you?" Whitebeard asked.

A gin lit up the face of the boy- no, man.

"Monkey D. Luffy."

What did you guys think?

Tell me if you want more. I'm taking a chance on this and if you all want more; I won't mind obliging.