Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.

Cassie: You guys are amazing, you know that? Thank you for all your kind reviews, story alerts and favorites! Please enjoy. Oh by the way, mind the dates. They're important.

March 2003

"I'm telling you Shanks, that boy you found is no ordinary boy," a tall, black haired man stated. The man, whose long hair was tied in a low ponytail, inhaled deeply from his cigarette as he reclined into a glossy, leather couch. "This is not just a simple abused runaway case. Here, take a look." With that, the man threw a thin file on the sturdy, mahogany table.

Shanks picked up the file apprehensively.

"Ben's right. You sure know how to pick 'em, boss," a blond man clad in a dark blue shirt contributed as the red haired man skimmed through the contents of the yellow folder. "Turn to page four."

Shanks acquiesced and examined the information briefly, his scowl deepening with every line he read. "I see," the man with three scars across his left eye began, onyx eyes never leaving the file. "You think the government has something to do with this?"

"Well, they're not exactly being discreet," the flaxen haired man declared, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Damn right they ain't," a big-boned man wearing a striped green and white shirt injected as his normally cheerful face contorted with obvious disgust. "We could give them the benefit of doubt by assuming that the kid murdered his own mother. After all, you said that the kid was most likely abused so he definitely has the initiative. However, there's another boy who mysteriously vanished on the same day." Shanks raised an eyebrow, looking up at his friend. Seeing Shanks's inquiring look, Ben started to elaborate.

"The boy's name is Sabo. Last month, traces of his blood were found at the outskirts of Fuusha, near the local cemetery. As of now, his body is still missing," Ben explained gravely. The blond man beside him clenched his fists, his knuckles blanching white.

"I reckon the government took the corpse away to experiment on it. I won't put it past those sick bastards," the round man sitting across them cursed, an expression of rage flickering across his chubby face. Ben placed a steady hand on the agitated man's shoulder, attempting to calm him down. The man relaxed, albeit reluctantly.

"How are the incidences related?" Shanks asked impassively, his face dark.

"We don't know. But considering their age, the two kids were most likely friends," the slim blond man suggested. "But that's not the point. The point is that Fuusha has an extremely low crime rate. There's no way these incidences aren't linked," the man added, frustrated. "I don't like this, boss. I don't like this one bit. I have a kid around their age back in East Blue. This just isn't right."

"I agree," Shanks said, "But for now, we need to find out what's going on. Just how is the government associated with all of them?"

"Sabo's father works for them," the stout man paused, glancing at the blond man. "Speaking of which, Yasopp did a little more digging just yesterday night. A few days after these events, the man disappeared." Ben sat up straighter, leaning forward. He hadn't been informed about this.

"That just confirms it then. This is the government's doing," Ben affirmed, taking a long slow drag out of his cancer stick before putting it out with downward stabs in an ashtray.

"Any leads on what the motive is?" Shanks enquired.

"No, but Lucky Roo thinks that it's connected to that kid you found. Even though the other boy's father is directly related to the government, the fact that the boy's missing and most likely dead suggests that the boy could have been an innocent bystander." Yasopp replied.

"What would the government want with a kid?" Shanks pondered out loud.

"No idea. But turn back to page two; the boy certainly has some interesting background," Ben commented. As Shanks quickly scanned the new page, Ben resumed talking. "Supposedly, the kid died in a fire when he was three. Of course, they never actually found the body, but the government decided to declare the kid dead after he went missing for more than six months. Usually, it takes seven years, but they had good reason to believe the kid was dead. That's why there's still a grave with the kid's name on it in Fuusha's cemetery."

"The kid mysteriously reappeared two years ago. No one knows where he spent that one year he was missing. In the records, it states that the boy just showed up at his mother's apartment one day," Yasopp said. Seeing his friends' skeptical stares, he continued. "Suspicious, I know."

"Weirdness aside, Damien Pierce has a relatively normal background. His parents are normal citizens. His father, Lucas John Pierce, was unemployed while his mother, Lindsay Marie Stanley, was a psychologist," Lucky Roo informed them. Shanks felt a sense of nostalgia hit him as the man completed his statement. That name sounded really familiar…

"Is something wrong?" Yasopp inquired after seeing the man's expression. Shanks shook his head, and refocused on the topic.

"It's nothing," the red haired man assured convincingly. Glancing out the window at the rapidly darkening sky, Shanks closed his file. "Anyway, it's getting kind of late. All of you should start heading home. Carry on with the investigation and contact me when you find out something new," the man said. The rest nodded in agreement, packing up their things.

As his friends began to file out, Shank's mind began to wander.

Lucas John Pierce.

Now, just where had he heard that name before?

November 1993

This was hell, Shanks decided.

"I can't take it anymore! I beg you! Give me something alcoholic, Wendy!" The crimson haired teen beseeched dramatically, tossing aside his dignity. "If beer's not possible, give me vodka! I'll even take wine!" The slightly hysterical youth exclaimed, mild disgust flickering across his features at the last word.

The brunette who was currently feeding an eleven month old Ace paused in annoyance, her head snapping towards the desperate teenager. "Sir, with all due respect, you're seventeen! You shouldn't even be drinking at your age!" The young maid in her late twenties berated. The baby in her arms giggled. Look, even Ace was laughing at his misery.

"Oh, come on! We'll keep this between you and me. No one has to know!" The teen whined, persistent.

"No. I'm not risking my job just so you can have alcohol," the maid stated firmly, directing her attention back to the happy infant. Shanks sulked at her clear dismissal, collapsing on the red couch.

What kind of punishment was this? He wasn't allowed to work. He wasn't allowed leave his mentor's house. And now, he wasn't even allowed to drink! Shanks mentally cringed at his predicament. Remind him to never piss off Roger again. Not when his mentor knows his every weakness.

The teen sighed, resigned. Making himself comfortable on the lumpy couch, the almost adult decided to take a nap. At least this way time would pass faster.

He was dreaming of drowning Roger in a pool of beer when the door bell screeched. Shanks groaned miserably, shielding his ears. Was the entire universe against him today? Burying his face into a soft cushion, he growled, extremely annoyed with the fact that he was unable to fall back to sleep. After a moment of continuous self-pity, the red headed teen gave up. 'Forget it, I'll watch television,' Shanks grumbled, sitting up.

The creak of the front door drew his attention. The teenager turned to see the maid letting a tall stranger in, Ace still cradled in her arms. The man had spiky black hair and a few days stubble on his face. He also had no eyebrows.

"Wendy, it's been a while," the man greeted. Shanks narrowed his eyes at the familiarity the man was displaying.

"Yes, it has. I haven't seen you since we moved. How have you been?" The maid asked politely, smiling.

"Busy. Ace has grown a lot since I last visited," the stranger commented, looking at the sleeping baby affectionately. "He has his mother's freckles." Wendy laughed.

"You always say that," the green eyed woman remarked. Before the man could answer, Shanks cleared his throat, drawing both their attention. The maid frowned at him for interrupting.

"Who's he?" Shanks asked warily, examining the rather intimidating figure. The dark red tribal tattoos on the left side of the man's face made him appear sinister. The teen was suspicious.

"He's an old friend of Roger's," the brown haired maid said sweetly, shooting the teen a pointed look. "Show him to Roger's study, would you?" The maid asked with a dangerous smile. 'Behave, you little twat or you'll be vomiting your insides out tomorrow.'

Shanks gulped nervously as he recognized that smile. "Sure, I guess. Right this way then, guy with weird tattoo- Uh I mean, Sir," the teen edited at the maid's impressive glare, leading the man up the stairs. 'She cooks your meals, idiot. Stop angering her before you end up poisoned,' the adolescent mentally chided himself as he brought the amused stranger down a corridor. Passing by several rooms, they finally arrived at his mentor's study.

"Roger, there's someone here to see you," Shanks announced as he opened the door without knocking.

Roger seemed to be preoccupied with some files. The teen grimaced, slightly worried. Ever since Rouge died eleven months ago, his mentor had been working incessantly. It was unhealthy, but Shanks supposed it was Roger's way of grieving. At least now his mentor was getting some decent sleep, which was more than he could say for the first few months.

At the sound of the teen's voice, the man looked up, surprised. Noticing his visitor, the man quickly composed himself and forced a smile.

"Dragon! To what do I owe this pleasure?" His mentor said, straightening up. Shanks could immediately see through the façade the man put up.

"I came to check on you," Dragon began, frowning. "And I was right to do so too. You don't seem to be coping well," the tall man accused. "Rouge would slap you if she could see you now." The teen saw his mentor flinched at the mention of his deceased wife's name. Roger dropped the pretense, fake smile vanishing from his tired face.

"It's really none of your business, Dragon," Roger stated, his voice strained.

"Oh, but it is. I can't believe Rayleigh hasn't snapped you out of this yet," the man continued, shaking his head. "It's been eleven months, Roger. You can't keep living like this."

"What would you know? It's not like your wife died during childbirth!" His mentor snapped resentfully. As quick as it appeared, the spike of anger faded. Roger's eyes widened at the words that came out of his mouth. Instantly, regret consumed the man. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me," Roger apologized, inhaling deeply.

"It's alright, I know you didn't mean it," Dragon said. "Do you feel better now?"

"Yes," the mustached man confirmed. Then, his mentor grinned weakly. "Now, as much as I'm honored that you came to check on me, I highly doubt that was the only reason you came."

"You know me so well," Dragon replied, smirking. "I need a favor, Roger. However, now may not be the best time," the man stated, glancing at Shanks briefly. The teen bristled at the obvious implication.

"It's alright, Dragon. He's trustworthy," Roger stated. Facing them both, the man said, "Shanks, meet my old friend, Dragon. Dragon, meet my apprentice, Shanks." Just like that, the youth's anger was rapidly replaced by pride.

"Ah, so this is the young man I've been hearing so much about. Nice to finally meet you," Dragon said, offering his right hand.

"I would say the same but Roger has never mentioned you," Shanks said sheepishly, shaking the man's outreached hand firmly. The man just laughed.

"No, he wouldn't have," Dragon said. Turning to Roger, the man started, "Back to the topic on hand, I need new identifications for a man named Dante Lucas Pierce."

His mentor simply nodded. "I see. Who is he hiding from?"

"The government," Dragon answered. "Make him an alias under the name Lucas Pierce. His girlfriend doesn't know the exact reason why they're moving to East Blue," the man added. "The man always thought the name Dante was weird. His girlfriend wouldn't be surprised if he officially changed his middle name to his first."

Roger didn't even hesitate. "Consider it done. May I ask why the government is after him?"

"Let's just say I convinced the man to do something that pissed them off," the man grinned mysteriously. On the sidelines, Shanks smiled as well. Anyone who aids in pissing the government off was a good man to him.

March 2003

Shanks was on his way to the dining room when he came across an interesting sight. Soundlessly, the red haired man walked into the training hall and leaned against the entrance, eyes following the fluid movements of two sparring kids.

It was clear who was winning. Ace had been doing this ever since the child was put into his care. He had years of experience and the skills to go with it. It was easy to see that in his fierce kicks and punches. The ten year old's attacks were forceful and precise, very much unlike the sloppy street bawling performed by teenage delinquents. Ace knew exactly where he needed to strike to cause someone pain. Shanks took great pride in the fact that the boy could take on adults twice his size and win almost effortlessly.

On the other hand, the man had to admit that Damien had talent. With each defeat, the younger boy only fought back with more vigor. It was incredible how fast the kid was learning. Unconsciously, Damien had been picking up Ace's techniques. The kid had already started to move a little faster, hit a little harder.

But perhaps the most admirable thing was the boy's determination. Shanks could tell that Damien's sprained ankle had not fully recovered. Despite that, the small boy continued to get up no matter how many times he got knocked down. The red haired man could see the unwavering will in Damien's sable eyes. It would still take the boy ages to get to Ace's level, but the man had no doubt that the boy could do it.

Staring at the two boys, Shanks felt relieved; ironic as any other adult witnessing this situation would probably be freaking out. The man chuckled. It was easy to see that that the children weren't actually fighting. Ace was holding back, and there was no tension in the surrounding air. It was almost as if the older boy was teaching the younger.

"Watch your stance, Damien. It's still unstable," Ace remarked, dodging a punch aimed at his jaw. Shanks laughed quietly to himself.

Strike that, Ace was definitely teaching Damien how to fight.

Shaking his head in amusement, the man finally decided to interrupt them.

"I see you two are getting along fine," Shanks said, grinning. The result was simultaneous. Two heads immediately whipped around to face him, punches and kicks halted. The red headed man briefly wondered how it came to this. Just yesterday, Damien had been avoiding them like the plague. Now, they were acting like long lost siblings. 'Whatever happened, I'm glad it did,' Shanks thought, looking at a smiling Damien.

"Of course we are. What are you implying?" Ace shot back innocently, lowering his fists.

"I'm not implying anything," Shanks said, playing along, "Time to take a break, kids. It's dinner time." Ace grinned.

"Good, I'm hungry! Let's go, Damien, before Makino comes to nag us." Ace said, heading towards the exit. Luffy followed the older boy wordlessly. As the black haired boy reached the door, he paused, looking up at the red headed adult. The boy seemed to hesitate for a moment before opening his mouth.

"Mr. Shanks, I think I want to stay here," the boy said softly. It sounded very much like a plea. Shanks's felt his heart clench.

"Oh really? What made you change your mind?" The man asked, trying to remain impassive.

"I really like it here." Luffy admitted sincerely, his gaze drifting down to the floorboards. The red headed man's eyes softened marginally. He squat down to the boy's level, looking at him seriously.

"Fine then, you can stay on one condition…" Shanks trailed off dramatically, eyes shining with mischief.

"What is it?" The seven year old asked nervously, eyes hopeful. Shanks just grinned.

"Call me Shanks," the man said, ruffling the boy's ebony locks. Luffy didn't flinch this time. Instead, the boy's eyes were wide in disbelief. "Come on, dinner's almost ready." Shanks declared offhandedly as he walked after Ace.

Slowly, a small smile formed on the boy's face.

"Hurry up, you two, or else I'll finish all the meat!" Ace shouted down the corridor.

Cassie: Unfortunately, I have some very important examinations this year so I'm not sure whether my updates would ever be regular. However, I'll try my best. Okay, there's a few more chapters before a large time skip.