12 It’s about to start!

December, Year 1511

In party's bar, Foosha Village

*Gulp*Gulp*Gulp*Gulp* x2

*Bang* x2

"seconds!" x2

Both, Shanks and me, said at the same time, after slamming down the jugs. Around us a wild Party was being celebrated as all the Redhair Pirates were in an extremely good mood, so much so that Ace, Sabo and me were invited by them. Obviously we agreed I mean who would say no to free food and drinks? Apparently they made a huge profit during their last expedition a few days ago.

They even paid for the drinks of the villagers to make sure everybody would get wasted and party… everybody except me, Ace and Sabo that is. Honestly I feel that drinking as a kid in this bar proved to be more difficult than beating grandpa!

Now matter how sneaky I was Makino would always appear out of nowhere and snatch the alcohol right out of my hands! Even when I think I'm prepared, deploy observation haki and hold to the alcohol with all I got, she would still suddenly appear out of nowhere and snatch it!

'Stupid One Piece world logic regarding woman!' it was just impossible for me and my brothers to try alcohol anywhere near this bar. Yes I said brothers, plural. During all this time we have spent with Sabo, he always called me 'Jackson-nii' and I, at some point started regarding him as a little brother for real. Guess that's just the charm of a cheeky, free spirited but goodhearted kid.

"Oi, little monster, come and tell me again how many matches you won and how many have I won!"

'fcking bastard!' i couldn't help but curse in my heart! He got so arrogant after our last match. This was clearly a provocation. During the 6 months they have been here for, Shanks and I fought 10 more times after our first match and sadly it stands 6-5 in his favor. Even though my haki is getting stronger and I mastered the coating with conqueror's haki 2 weeks ago, Shanks still managed to improve faster than I did. He even mastered coating his weapon with conqueror's haki as well!

It's no wonder he will be standing at the top next to the emperors in less than 7 years time.

"Hmpf! Quit being so arrogant because of a few wins! Once I set out to sea I will beat you black and blue without giving you a chance to retaliate at all!"

I mean it >:)

"AHAHAHAHAHA!" (the rest of his crew)

"Jahhaha! Captain got himself another rival!"

"You?! My rival?! Ahahaha when you set out I will already be standing on the top of the sea and will be called an emperor with a huge fleet of strong pirates!"

Or so he says but I know there is no way he is actually looking down on me. I remember that after our first fight, Shanks asked me who or what I was and how can I fight like that. Wether I knew whose fighting style I was imitating and if I knew why do I imitate that style. Hearing all that questions I was about to ignore it but on second thought I wondered wether there was a need to hide it from him. I mean it's still a little to early for the world to know but was it too early for shanks to know? In the end I just told him this:

'Like father like son…'

"So what? That's even better! I'm telling you to better hold tightly onto that title for me, because I promise you I'll come for it one day!"

!

Huh? Why did it become quiet so suddenly? What's with the pirates' shit eating grins?!

"Ok then I accept."

"Accept? Accept what?"

"Your challenge of course. It's a promise, we will meet after I become an emperor and fight for the title!"

Ah so that's what he meant. Well that works for me as well. I originally wanted to go and beat Kaido, but I can beat Shanks first I guess. I just nod to confirm this and was about to eat more when suddenly…

"Oi you little bastard who told you to eat my food?!"

*BAM*

"Ouch!! Why did you hit me?! I just ate since you didn't want it anymore!"

"Who the fuck said I didn't want it anymore?!"

Looking to my right, I saw Ace, seemingly preparing to eat Luffy alive. Going by what they just said it was understandable, after all it was an unforgivable crime if someone ate your meat. Luffy met Ace and Sabo a lot earlier than in the series, but I don't really care about wether that will change the plot somehow. So far it seems that Ace is just annoyed by Luffy, where as Sabo is a little friendlier to him.

We stayed till late and went home, when the moon was high in the nightsky.

6 months later.

June, 1512

I was walking towards Foosha Village after handing Shanks ass to him once more. After my 10th birthday and the over 16% increase in my strength, it became a lot easier to fight with Shanks the past few months, much to his dismay. It might be just 5% more of father power, but an increase from 30 to 35 is a 16,66…67% increase for me. Being in as good of a mood as I was, I walked towards party's bar, only to find it empty. Adding to that the fact that Shanks just returned from an expedition yesterday, it wasn't hard to guess, what was happening.

'So it has begun.'

Using my observation haki to confirm my thought and locate the others proved me right as I sensed Luffy, Makino and Woodslap together with some weak and unknown presences. But what are Ace and Sabo doing there?

Instantly being on my way towards them in a hurry and arriving in less then a minute still wasn't enough as I saw Luffy jump infront of Sabo and get shot while Ace was fighting the bandits.

"LUFFY!!!!" (everyone)