Chapter Text
Breakfast started like any other day.
Rosinante leaned back as he pulled out the list of name suggestions from his kids. On the top of the stash was a folder from Law, the most recent one dumped in the box.
The man flipped the stack so he would see the first suggestions given. The boys were working together on names the night before, later they all slipped to different parts of the ship for daily activities and plotting.
Rosinante was surprised to see the the first name suggestion was for him. “Sora is a girl’s name.”
“And your name isn't?” Law shot back immediately, “Sora, Warrior of the Sea is a Marine that is actually cool.”
Rosinante shook his head, “How about something less obvious?”
“Fine!” Law set down his fork and started feeding baby Herzen; his little pout was so cute!
He shook his head and glanced over the other names. Everything on that paper was a reference to the Sora comic.
He shook his head and flipped to the second page. He started reading.
Law will be Sasike
Law will be Gara.
Shachi will be Shikamaru.
Penguin will be Zabuza?
Bepo can be Akamaru.
Haku can be Kurama.
Herzen can be Hinata.
Dad can be Kakashi, Geriah, Tsunade, or Minato.
He blinked at the list. “Did you boys just take names from Naruto now? Kakashi, the lazy instructor who plays favorites, and reads porn. Geriah, the ‘pervy sage,’ and isn't Tsunade a girl… again? Who is Minato? I haven't finished the series. ”
“Are you only going to point out the names we left for you?” Shachi asked.
The man shook his head and sipped his coffee before flipping to the next page.
Shachi signed this one.
‘Me, Orca.
Penguin, Skipper.
Bepo, Cola.
Law, Tasis.
Dad… Dad? Vader?’
The man smiled at the almost normal list. He almost thanked Shachi for not giving him a girl’s name. So what if his name was stupid? His parents chose it! It’s all Rosinante had left of them. As a spy, he left his name behind all the time but the man always went back to it.
The next page was signed by Penguin.
‘ Dad, Alfred Pennyworth.
Law, Bruce Wayne.
Bepo, Richard ‘Dick’ Grayson.
Shachi, Tim Drake.
Hakugan, Damian W.
Herzen, Stephany Brown.
Me, Oswald Cobblepot, Jayson Todd, or Duke Tomas?’
He shook his head. “Why do these names sound familiar?”
“What names?” Shachi asked as he ran behind him. Then he looked at his cousin brother. “Batman? Really?”
“We only found it on that one island, and it is perfect!” The other boy defended himself. “Dad said I needed a practical use for comics if I want to make it a school credit!”
Rosinante shook his head and sipped his coffee. He could already feel the migraine coming on, he should have really left the names for later.
“I'm serious. Alfred is a guy’s name and sophisticated enough to fit! The character is a former spy who adopts the son of two dead doctors. The boy wants to become a superhero and the spy helps him instead of asking the wealthy kid to live a normal life or become a government agent. He is secretly the strongest, coolest and the only one who kills!” Penguin defended himself, “Bruce is the kid he adopts, The hero’s arch-nemesis is the Joker and I know Dofi used that as a code name! Then the family grows: ‘Richard’ or Dick Grayson is the one who makes everyone smile. Tim is a tech wiz, Damian is a former assassin and Duke isn't a normal human… I would actually prefer the real name of the villain called ‘The Penguin.”
The man opened his mouth and paused. He… actually wanted to read that comic now. It sounded good. “If we must use comic book names they can't all be from the same comic.”
A smug grin streaked across the boy’s cheeks. “But Alfred is your favorite so far!”
So what if it is? Rosi wasn’t going to reveal that. “Shachi put Vader, which means ‘father’ in another language.”
“Darth Vader is the villain in a comic he likes. Also, the man is the hero’s father.” Penguin didn't even hesitate.
The man’s smile dropped to a frown.
“What? He is everyone's favorite character and dies to save his son in the end!” The redhead defended.
“Hard pass.” Law’s voice was quick to join the conversation.
Rosi shook his head and flipped to the next page. Bepo signed it.
Dad can be Ailuropodinae.
Law should be Arctotherium.
Shachi should be Ailursus Fulgens.
Penguin can be Ailuropoda Melanoleuca.
Hakugan can be Tremarctos Ornatus,
and I can be Ursus Maritimus!
Bear… everyone is a type of bear… cute?
Okay, Hakugan didn't leave a paper, so all that is left is Law.
Our family name can be Trafalger… or a variation of the letters if it is safe.
Rosi was going to cry.
Dad, Kardia.
Me, Thanataos.
Bepo, Psyki
Shachi, Nous
Penguin, Phulax
Hakugan, Eleutheria
Herzen, can she keep her name? Confusing an infant probably isn’t a good thing.
Rosinante blinked. Law has been going through his language books. That, or medical terms are still usually in Greek.
Before he could formulate a response to all the options delivered, Hakugan came charging in.
“We reached Elgia’s climate. For now we will table the names for later.” He shook his head. “I want you to all pick your favorite names, personal favorite names for yourselves, got it? We can reconvene on this tomorrow.”
…
When they reached the island, Cora-san put everything on mute and pulled Law to his side as he directed where everyone else would go. While the boy argued that Shachi should have that job as the communications officer, his father disagreed. Law wanted to be the captain; that means he needs to learn how to start directing the crew soon.
All the boys were starting to expertly sense the void in haki that was their dad’s powers. It was safe. It was home.
Cora-san held Penguin’s Vivre card as the boy checked the island. When he returned, their scout confirmed that there were only two people asore.
Then they parked the sub as far away from the people as possible. The crew broke into teams of two, Law was in charge of deciding the grouping again.
Shachi and Bepo stayed on the ship with the baby.
Cora-san led the next group with Hakugan, Law wanted to join this group but knew this was better.
Law stayed close to the water with Penguin.
It was safest to keep the two fruit-users on separate teams. Also a smart idea just in case Cora-san falls into the water. The man is way too tall for his own good.
Within an hour they found the catacombs; all the haunted stuff was cool, but creepy, Law loved it!
Sadly, things got boring as he was waiting for his dad to translate the island’s curse. All he could do was sit and wait or spy on a music lesson. This island was so boring!
Law shook his head. He wanted to travel but this place was hot and… destroyed. Why did he think of Flevance? It’s better to think of the hospitals Cora-san destroyed for him; that was good destruction. This place… it was empty but there was a small patch of rubble from mindless violence that hadn’t been cleared yet. Who did this?
…
Smoker took a deep breath.
Was it polite to smoke at the dinner table? No.
Did he care? No.
Viola can kick him under the table as many times as she wants. He needs this. The man is trying to resist a mental breakdown. Why must he have dinner with an Emperor of the Sea!? He just escaped one!
Viola paused and looked at him with eyes wide. She was reading his mind. Great. Now she is going to prod about Shanks!
The man tried to pay attention to the conversation at the head of the table. Before the meal started, Whitebeard and King Riku argued about who should be the head of the table. It ended with nobody sitting at the head of the table. They flipped a coin to see who would sit at the right side of the empty head and who would get the left. It was a collector’s coin, Law already had it.
From there they started talking about trivial things. Apparently Thatch is the pirate’s cook and prankster. Last time Whitebeard ate enchiladas it was extremely spicy. The biggest shock was how much the blasted Yonko liked the spicy surprise and thoroughly enjoyed the reaction his son, Marco, had when he received the same treatment.
Then Riku started talking about his definitely not oldest daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
It was so mundane.
Here he was, in his nicest Marine whites, sitting next to the crown princess. On his right side was Kyros and next to him was Scarlet. She wanted to be in the corner so she could leave quietly with Rebecca if need be.
Why was he sitting with the royal family?
After moving into his quarters, Viola gave him a paper to sign in exchange for her filing the adoption papers. Technically Rosinante-san was from Dressrosa: from there he can lean on the authority of the adoption if he needed, but nobody in the World Government would discover it.
What was that paper he signed anyway?
Smoker shook his head, he had a spare copy of the adoption on him. Really he needs to find a place to settle down. Hopefully soon he could return to the east. Resting at home and getting away from all this chaos sounds wonderful.
Viola kicked him again!
What is wrong with her?
Some pirate ran in and handed a report to Marco the Phoenix. The man hadn't done much more than complain about Whitebeard drinking too much, it reminded Smoker of Law nagging his dad about smoking. The main difference was Law’s nagging actually worked.
Why is he thinking about them right now?
It doesn't matter, he doesn't care about these pirates. He doesn't care if Marco organized his medical report for King Riku a lot like Law would. They are both rogue doctors, of course they act slightly similar.
"What happened?" Whitebeard asked as he downed a beer keg that he was obviously trying to hide from Marco.
"Someone seems to have declared war on Shanks. The Red Haired Pirates are in shambles-yoi." Marco's words caused multiple pirates to start swarming around him. Smoker didn't have time to read up on all of them, he wasn't looking for this pirate crew.
"Gararararaarara! Must be an interesting upstart! I didn't think I saw any on Shank's level." The captain laughed, is he really discussing pirate politics in front of a Marine ? Are pirate politics really that similar to Marine and national politics? Who declared war on Shanks and how did he miss this pirate?
"It was a Marine."
Oh…
Oh no.
Viola was looking at him.
Her jaw was dropping as her eyes widened.
He wasn't trying to cause a political incident! It was just…
Yassop owes a debt!
Viola snorted before covering her mouth and trying to mask her laugh into choking on her food. Why won't she stop reading his mind?
"Stop projecting your thoughts." She answered in a whisper.
"A Marine you say?" Oh no. Whitebeard was looking at him, he just escaped Shanks. Nonononononono. "Sengoku must have gotten bold."
"It wasn't approved." Smoker said as he stared at his plate. "It was a private matter with one member of Shank's crew, this had nothing to do with world politics. I assure you the Fleet Admiral has no intention to start a war with a Yonko right now."
"Yonko?" The old pirate's eyes gleamed. "You talk as if you know the Fleet Admiral. I don't believe I've made your acquaintance."
"Commander Smoker." The rank still felt so strange. He should only be a captain at his age. "I'm just here to escort the royal family to the Reverie."
Viola dropped her head into her hands and started muttering to herself with a thick accent. Why does it terrify him when she gets like this? What is she even saying? Oh… she called him stupid.
Nope!
He didn't say anything wrong. He has nothing to do with the kingdom! He’s just here to be here! There is no reason she should worry his words have repercussions on her or her kingdom!
Why does King Riku look confused?
"Viola." The king's tone of voice spoke warning.
"I'm fixing it." She pushed her chair back and stood up. Then she glared at him, this woman is terrifying.
Beautiful , but terrifying.
Wait, why are her cheeks suddenly red?
"Shut up!" She yelled as she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and dragged him out of the room.
The last thing he heard was one of the pirates muttering that Smoker didn't say anything. Lovely, now the pirates are concerned for him!
Viola just marched on as she dragged him through the castle into a private room. She slammed the door with strength that would make Garp proud.
"Did you really not read the paper I asked you to sign?" She asked.
Smoker shrugged. "You know that, you always read my mind."
"I was giving you privacy!" She threw her arms out.
"Why?" Smoker shook his head. "What did you have me sign?"
She didn't answer. Instead she pulled out a chest and opened it before handing the paper back to him. Smoker… he actually laughed. "Betrothal?" He shook his head. "This has to be a prank."
He didn't need to read her mind, her face said enough.
"But I'm just a kid from Logue Town." He blinked at the Princess. She is a Princess!
"Idiot!" She screamed at him.
Yes. Smoker felt like an idiot. "Isn't this asking for a diplomatic incident?"
When she reached out her arm towards his side, Smoker turned into smoke by instinct. He fazed out, and she pulled out his copy of Rosinante's adoption papers…
Oh.
Ohhhhhh.
He is technically…
"Wait, you started planning my wedding without talking to me? Since when were we dating?"
She slapped him.
"I can't read your mind!"
"I thought Rosinante trained you better than just signing your name on legal contracts! I asked if you had any questions on why this is mutually beneficial for both of us!" She finally spoke… and she did it in a way that he couldn't understand.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry for trusting you!"
"I'm sorry I decided not to read your mind for one hour!" She was making wide gestures with her arms holding the legal papers in her hand.
Loudly, the door creaked open. A member of Whitebeard's crew stepped through the door… not the one they entered. Another door was leading deeper into the castle, the pirate looked like he had a mop on his head. "Sorry, I was looking for the kitchen."
"In my quarters?" Viola's eyes twitched. "Thatch, your father warned you not to pull another prank."
Smoker felt his blood run hot. "Why were you in the princess' room?" He felt himself steaming.
The man threw his hands up in surrender. "I swear, I wasn't looking for her undergarments. I was just… she hasn't even been sleeping in the castle! I didn't know it was…"
"Smoker!" Viola grabbed his arm before he could step towards the pirate. "I thought I was the one with the temper!"
The Marine was imagining every single way he could kill this criminal.
"Ai yi yi! Smokey, you can't pick a fight with two Emperors in one week!"
Smoker flicked his attention to the blasted woman. "Why can't I! He broke into your room!"
"I've been sleeping at my sister's house! Whitebeard's daughters have been using my room!" She was just an inch away from him.
"And that makes breaking into a girl's room okay?" He shook his head. "My Co… My mentor would make my life miserable if I attempted that!'
"Well, this entire wing of the castle is my room! You just marched into my room! How will he react to that!"
"You dragged me here!"
"And you kept trying not to think about the fact you liked it!"
Their noses were less than an inch apart.
Smoker felt hot.
This…
She might actually…
No…
Maybe?
His mouth dropped open in shock causing his cigar to fall. It landed on the frill of her dress, setting it on fire.
That is one way to make a woman hate you.
“The legal papers!” A voice said as Viola handed them off. Smoker focused all his attention on his powers to suffocate the flames with smoke before she could get hurt.
It worked!
Viola was unharmed with a ruined dress. A beautiful dress that belongs to a beautiful princess. That is probably a year's worth of his salary.
After the war, she can’t be focusing on spending beri on dresses… but she needs to look her best at the Reverie. Oh no.
Viola laughed. “The dress isn't that valuable. Do you think I’d waste beri like that?” She placed her hands on his cheeks.
Oh…
Did he not screw it up?
Something here is wrong. Is she planning to kiss him, or snap his neck?
Is there any way to know?
“Gurarararararaeara!” The castle shook with laughter.
“We found him!” Could be heard through the walls.
Viola blinked.
Smoker blinked.
“What happened to the pirate?” The man asked.
“Thatch?” Viola stared at the wall as her mouth dropped in horror.
She ran and Smoker followed.
They charged into the dining room like entering a warzone. The princess was dressed for the part.
Oh no…
Why did he charge into this room?
Who is the most terrifying, King Riku, Whitebeard, or Viola?
He looked at the woman beside him.
Viola.
The answer is definitely Viola.
He didn’t know why. He just knew it was true.
Oh… did her neck just flush pink where it pokes out of her turtleneck?
“It's not what you think.” He turned his focus to the king who glared at his daughter in judgment. He must be looking at her ruined dress.
“So my daughter didn’t manipulate you into a multi-year engagement that will be difficult to break even if both of you find new suitors?” His tone was stern. “Do you know the weight of this relationship?”
“Ease up on the kids!” When did Whitebeard get behind him? Smoker felt trapped as the man’s large hand landed on his shoulder. “We are all family here! I'm sure that if my nephew here can handle Shanks, he can protect your daughter! They are just flirting! Your dad must not have had that chat to teach you to be careful with your powers when… you cinged her dress kid.”
“What are you implying we did?” He glared at the pirate in the corner. Thatch was looking away and whistling. Smoker would find a way to arrest him.
“We weren't making out!” Viola yelled.
He was trying to ignore what the pirates were implying, but now that she mentioned it…
Impulsive thoughts…
She slapped him across the face and ran out of the room.
“You got a feisty one there, Smoky-yoi.” Marko shook his head as he lounged back in his seat. “Good luck, I'm not that brave.”
Whitebeard gave him a heavy pat on the back. “Go easy on your cousin here! It's not like you or I ever found girlfriends, my son.”
Wait, cousin? Nephew?
“Who are you calling cousin?” He heard about this man’s adoption addiction. Many marines fell from rank to join his family… but nephew?
Did his disappearing act father actually become a pirate?
If he did, Smoker will find a way to arrest him.
“Don't you think your dad needs a better big brother-yoi?” Marco held up his adoption papers.
Wait…
His father…
Commander Rosinante?
“Tell me about your war on Shanks!”
“Welcome to the family!”
“Can he be our cousin and still be a Marine!”
“Is he a Marine or prince consort?"
“Shanks will be so pissed!”
Smoker suddenly realized that he should have run with Viola.
This is worse than Shanks and Yassop trying to kill him.
…
Dr Hogback was crying over the corpse of his beloved in his study.
No, he is not a necrophile for digging her up! That is just misinformation! Fake news! Propaganda! Nothing to see here!
Anyway, this was the first day of peace the doctor had in weeks. Finally, all the crazy celestial dragons were all gone.
Why is the DonQuixote family obsessed with him? Hogback knew he was amazing! But why do these freaks need to know it?
The Trafalgars… Doctor Heart. Dofi seemed to think the doctor obsessed with ruining him was Law.
Nobody understands but his sweet Cindry. So perfect, so beautiful, so… lifeless.
Someone knocked at his door.
Strange. None of his recent home invaders guests ever knocked.
A pirate. Wasn't this man a warlord or something? Just like Dofi…
“If you would kindly let me in, I have an offer for you.”
Hogback blinked. “You are asking for permission?”
The pirate looked confused before nodding.
“Sure.” He was too shocked to register what he said before the pirate already saw the body.
“It's not what you think!!!” He scrambled into the room.
“I hope it is. Keke.” The pirate smiled. “My name is Geko Moria, and I’d like you to join my crew.”
Hogback blinked. “Okay.”
“I know piracy is a hard sell for an esteemed doctor, but as a Warlord's crewmember, you have no need to…. did you say okay?”
“Let me keep Cindry and keep it a secret. Also, protect me from the DonQuixote and it's a deal.”
“I had this whole speech and… who?”
…