Shadow

Zeus and Bonney landed back on Sabaody. They hopped off the cloud and Bonney said "Here?" Zeus grinned and slicked his hair back as he said "Last time was fun no? Plus it was our first date..." he paused for a moment before adding "Eh.. This time eat less, I'm a pauper now."

Bonney giggled and grabbed his arm as she said "But brother-in-law, I'm hungry~" Zeus gasped and said "Vixen!" Bonney giggled and they walked into the town, first stopping at a restaurant. Zeus paid 50 million and bought all the food in the restaurant.

A while later

Bonney ate her fill and the duo roamed the streets, going from shop to shop. They walked into one shop and the lady inside blushed and said "You're back!" Bonney and Zeus were stunned and the lady said quietly "The man with his sister-in-law."

Zeus and Bonney laughed and Zeus said "Don't tell anyone, if my brother finds out, he won't pay for my activities anymore." he winked and held his finger to his mouth, the lady nodded like a chicken pecking rice, how could she not? These two bought so many clothes here before, she had never made so much money in one day!

Zeus and Bonney shopped, well really it was Bonney shopping and Zeus nodding along at everything she wore, occasionally throwing in a head shake and saying "Brother wouldn't like that." only to get a seductive wink and a "What about brother-in-law" in return. The lady boss, had never seen something like this, she felt bad for the husband.

Zeus and Bonney left the store and Zeus sent all the clothes into the cloud before continuing on the streets looking for a hotel. When he found one, Bonney said "Go get a room, I'll be right back!" Zeus nodded and Bonney pinched his waist and said "2 beds! I can feel your perverted thoughts!" before running away with a red face.

Zeus smiled wryly and walked into the hotel. He ordered a suite with 2 beds and put the money on the counter, it was only for one night anyway. He took the keys and waited outside the hotel, sitting on the floor and thinking silently, he eventually fell asleep right at the door step.

A while later

Zeus grabbed the hand that was reaching out to his face and woke up abruptly, he looked up and saw Bonney. He quickly let go and said "Sorry.." Bonney rubbed her wrist and said "What was that?" Zeus smiled wryly "I've had that mask on for 10 years, it's a habit." Bonney was silent before reaching out her hands and rubbing his cheeks saying "Not anymore~"

Zeus smiled and stood up, Bonney smiled and the duo walked into the hotel going up to their room. Zeus used the key and opened the door before walking in, Bonney ran in saying "Don't look at the bags! I'm showering! Don't peek!"

Zeus felt dizzy, did he look like that kind of guy? Then he thought to himself, there was that time at marineford with Aokiji... Then with Nami.. Then when he fell into the girls showers... Soon enough a perverted grin appeared on his face and drool escaped his lips as he thought about all the girls he's seen.

He obviously lost track of time because when he was in the middle of ranking them all, Bonney walked out of the bathroom with a towel on. She saw his perverted face and slapped him, hard, and screamed "You perverted bastard! Thinking about other women while I'm in the shower?!"

Zeus was stunned and said "You told me not to peek, I was thinking about you!" Bonney blushed and slapped him again "Why are you thinking about me!" Zeus was even more confused now, did she want him to think about her or not?!

He shook his head and looked at Bonney again, dismissing the glare of anger, she was stunningly beautiful. Especially without the red heart lipstick and her wet hair, made Zeus have a reaction. Bonney looked down and blushed again before raising her hand, trembling in anger.

Zeus laughed and touched his nose saying "I can't help it." That seemed to set her off and Zeus bolted around the room with Bonney chasing him with one hand up and the other holding her towel. Much to Zeus' dismay, the towel didn't budge at all, he silently cursed whoever made these super towels and kept running.

After a while

Bonney was breathing heavy and pouted "Just let me slap you!" Zeus was stunned and scratched his head "I'm supposed to let you slap me?" Bonney nodded seriously and Zeus said "I'm not sure I- Urk!" Bonney snuck up and slapped him again before grinning and walking away saying "Bring me my clothes!"

Zeus rubbed his cheek and secretly decided to punish her later. He called the cloud inside and took out all of Bonney's clothes, filling up the room, before going to shower himself.

When he came out of the shower, Bonney was sitting on the bed with basically the same clothes she had before but a new hat. It was still green but it had ear muffs now. Zeus walked over to the cloud and pulled out a black t-shirt with a mechanic type jumpsuit and boots, he put the t-shirt and the jumpsuit on before tying the jumpsuit sleeves around his waist.

He slicked his hair back and lit a cigarette as he sat down on the couch in the room. Bonney threw all the bags onto the cloud and Zeus made them sink inside. She held a bag in her arms and looked at Zeus quietly before getting lost in thought. Now that he cleaned himself up, his hair was pure white and slicked back, his face was completely visible and he had sharp features and a scar under his right eye.

The t-shirt was tight enough to see all his muscles and his scar from Akainu peeked out from his right shoulder onto his neck. She walked over and touched the neck scar before saying "Does it hurt?" Zeus shook his head and looked at Bonney's face, seeing concern in her eyes. He smiled slightly and said proudly "You should've seen the other guy!"

Bonney paused and giggled before sitting on his lap and hold out the bag. Zeus grunted and said "What is it?" Bonney smiled and said "Some things for you." Zeus was shocked and said "You bought something for me?!" Bonney nodded and said with a sly grin "You might be a pervert but you're still MY pervert." before hearing her words and blushing furiously, she waved her hands and said quickly "That's n-"

Zeus cut her off by kissing her lips and hugging her tightly, nothing sexual at all, surprising Bonney, but she thought back to what Milly said when she was in the marine cell "You must be pretty special." her heartbeat increased and she smiled before wrapping her arms around his neck.

The duo separated and looked into each other's eyes, a thin line of saliva connecting their, still wet, lips. An ambiguous atmosphere fell in the room and they were silent for a few moments before Bonney grabbed the bag and said quickly "So anyway I got you something."

Zeus smiled slightly and said "Show me!" as he flicked his cigarette and vaporized it in the air.

Bonney pulled out a hat, the same as hers with earmuffs, the only different was this one was black with white lining. Zeus held the hat in his hands and looked at Bonney, he put it on and smiled brightly before saying "Finally! Did you know, that all my brothers have hats and I'm the only one that doesn't?"

Bonney smiled and said "Do you like it?" Zeus nodded excitedly and said "Thank god it's not green!" Bonney choked and snapped "What's wrong with green?!" Zeus coughed and said "That's not what I meant, let me tell you a story.." he told her the story of a husband and a cheating wife, basically the story went like this: Every time the woman's husband would go to work, he would wear a green hat. The wife would know he was leaving and sneak into the neighbor's house to have an affair, so the green hat became a term for being a cuckold.

Bonney burst out laughing and Zeus smiled a bit, Bonney abruptly stopped laughing and blinked before her face turned completely red and she slapped Zeus snapping "Who's your wife?!" Zeus didn't even react, because he was so shocked. Where did this woman's mind go to?!

Zeus grabbed her waist and said "If you slap me again, I'll spank you, do you believe it?" Bonney grit her teeth and Zeus laughed before kissing her lips again, subduing Bonney. She became like an obedient cat in his arms and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Bonney opened the bag and said "There's more inside." Zeus pulled out two cloaks and two blank masks, he looked at Bonney in confusion and she said "Well last time you have to use the Dragon mask and I figured since you're doing Underworld stuff you should have your own mask.." Bonney's face scrunched up and she said bitterly "Since MILLY has your old mask now. I bought you a new one."

Zeus smiled wryly and said "She's just a friend.." Bonney snorted and Zeus coughed and changed the subject "Why are there two?" Bonney looked at him and said "One for me obviously!" Zeus looked at Bonney and said "One for you?!" Bonney nodded with a smile and Zeus didn't know what to say, what more could he ask for really.

He threw the cloaks and masks into the cloud and pulled Bonney to himself before kissing her deeply, she wrapped her arms around his neck and responded with a kiss of her own. Zeus hands moved from her lower back to her ass and he squeezed lightly, making Bonney groan.

He slid his tongue into her mouth and intertwined it with hers. They separated after a bit and Bonney had a natural blush across her face, she breathed out and said quietly "Zeus.. I.. I don't think I'm ready yet.." Zeus stopped and brought his hands back to her lower back before hugging her close to him as he said "I'll wait." Bonney smiled and melted into his chest before closing her eyes and falling asleep with a smile.

Zeus stroked her back and felt weird, usually he would be upset if he didn't get to have sex after that, but strangely, this time he didn't feel that way at all. He felt strangely.. Happy? He looked down at the sleeping Bonney and smiled warmly before resting his chin on her head and falling asleep as well.

The next day

After eating Zeus and Bonney flew away on Zeus' cloud. Bonney was sitting next to Zeus with her head on his shoulder as she said "Where are we going now?" Zeus had a serious look on his face and took a deep breath before saying "A quick pit stop before doing something extremely dangerous." he looked at Bonney and said "I will drop you off somewhere and go alone."

Bonney sat up and frowned "Why can't I come with you?!" Zeus said "I'm going to break into Impel Down, it's too dangerous to bring you with me." Bonney was stunned into silence for a moment before saying "I can help!" Zeus shook his head and caressed her cheek softly as he said "Just listen to me okay? The last thing I want is you getting hurt." his tone was extremely gentle, even Zeus was surprised.

Bonney went silent and clenched her fists as she said "I'm not a wall flower!" Zeus sighed and said "I know you're not. But you're not strong enough yet. I will teach you. Plus I won't be long, in and out." Bonney clenched her fists even tighter, she never felt so useless, what was the point of being with him if she was just going to hold him back? She reluctantly nodded and Zeus smiled and added "Don't worry. I don't think you're a burden if you were wondering."

Bonney pouted and Zeus mumbled "Maybe a burden on my wallet though..." she blinked and giggled a bit and Zeus smiled as they flew through the air to a certain place.

A while later

Zeus hovered above an island and looked down with a complex look in his eyes. Bonney squeezed his hand and smiled at him, he looked at her and smiled before slowly descending to the beach. He put his blank mask and cloak on before touching the ground.

Bonney masked and cloaked herself as well and immediately after two people appeared in front of Zeus and Bonney.

It was Hancock and Rayleigh! Naturally the island was Rusukaina, where Luffy was.

Seeing that Luffy didn't come out Zeus was relieved but at the same time disappointed.

Hancock tilted her head back and pointed at Zeus and Bonney and said "Who dares to trespass here?!" Zeus had an annoyed look on his face and flashed behind Hancock, chopping at her neck, as he said "Noisy."

After knocking Hancock out he looked at Rayleigh and said "I need to talk to you." Rayleigh was surprised and grinned before disappearing along with Zeus, Bonney was left behind to look after Hancock, who was face down on the ground, unconscious.

Bonney walked over and mumbled "I didn't like her anyway.." she resisted the urge to kick Hancock and stood by her silently, when a person stumbled out of the bushes and said "Hancock!" Bonney looked over and said "Oh, fuck me!"

Zeus and Rayleigh appeared on another part of the island and Zeus took off his mask and let out a breath saying "How's it going?"

Rayleigh smiled and said "Not too bad, you look good." Zeus chuckled and said "Better than a corpse I guess." Rayleigh laughed and said "Why did you come? Obviously you don't want him to see you."

Zeus nodded and said "I want to make sure he's okay.." he hesitated before adding "Is he okay?" Rayleigh scratched his beard and laughed "He's doing alright, though he sometimes can't sleep at night." Zeus' eyes flashed with pain and his face contorted, Rayleigh patted his shoulder and said "If you want me to tell him-"

Zeus shook his head and said "Eventually, but not now. It would distract from his training.. He's the only one I came to see, the rest I know will work even harder than him." he thought about all the others on the crew before sighing, Rayleigh sat down and threw Zeus his flask as he said "Tell me what happened."

Zeus sat down and drank from the flask before telling Rayleigh what happened after Sabaody to now. Rayleigh nodded and sighed as he said "That's a lot for you to take care of." Zeus shrugged and said "It's what he needs. Even if he doesn't want it, it's good to have. I'm confident I can take a up a big chunk of the market."

Rayleigh was silent before finally saying "You're talking about doing all these things but are YOU okay?" Zeus was silent and Rayleigh added "He wasn't just Luffy's brother, he was yours too." Zeus teared up and gritted his teeth as he said "It was completely my fault..."

Zeus held up his trembling hands and said "I can't even avenge my own brother, what kind of piece of trash am I?" he laughed sadly as tears streamed down his face and he clenched his fists, Rayleigh took a sip from his flask and said "You know, I felt the same way when Roger died."

Zeus looked at Rayleigh, who continued "Although we weren't brothers we were extremely close." he wiped his eyes and continued "My best friend, willingly turned himself in to be executed." he poured out the alcohol in his flask and Zeus said "What did you do?"

Rayleigh sighed and said "What else could I do? I respected his last wish and lived happily. It's better to remember the good times than to stay on the bad ones. What's past is past." he looked up at Zeus and said seriously "It's not your fault and it never was. You talk about doing all these things to prevent it, but even if you knew what would happen in the future. How would you know if you would get the outcome you wanted?"

Rayleigh shook his head and said "How would you know that Ace would have wanted you to help him? What could you have done if he didn't agree? Tie him up and keep him by your side forever? Even if you saved him, what about the next time and the time after that?"

Zeus was stunned and Rayleigh continued on "Being a pirate means that you're ready to die at any moment! Living your life to it's fullest and doing whatever you want! That's why we go out to sea, that's why we dream!"

Every word rang in Zeus' brain over and over again and Rayleigh looked at Zeus seriously and said "What's the point in living if we live in cages, blocked off from experiencing the outside world? The last thing Roger told me was 'I hope we sail again in the next life!' before he turned himself in. I can imagine Ace was the same way.."

Rayleigh lifted his flask with tears in his eyes as he said emotionally "Dying protecting his family was his choice and he happily would do it again!" Zeus trembled and his tears fell to the ground, Rayleigh wiped his eyes and smiled "Don't let his death shackle you, it's not what he would've wanted."

Although he said that to Zeus, it sounded as though he was also saying it to himself.

Zeus wiped his eyes and choked out "Thank you Rayleigh." Rayleigh patted his shoulder and stood up saying "No problem kiddo. You're too young to fall from this setback.." he flashed a grin and said "Your brother has already stepped out of the shadows. It's your turn now."

Zeus wiped his eyes again and stood up slowly before smiling softly and saying "Yeah." Rayleigh slapped his shoulders and laughed, Zeus smiled and bowed 90 degrees as he said "Thank you for training him. I owe you a favor, Rayleigh."

Rayleigh waved and said "What could you do for me? Get up." Zeus straightened out and said "Not much but I can try." Rayleigh grinned and said "You want to do me a favor? Live. Live for that brat." Zeus nodded with a smile and said "Of course." Rayleigh smiled and said "Let's go back." Zeus put his mask back on and said "Oh by the way, if you can make him stronger than myself, that would be nice. Shishishishi"

Rayleigh grinned and said "Just you? I'm going to make him a monster!" Zeus chuckled and they both disappeared.

They reappeared back on the beach and saw Bonney and Luffy fighting. Zeus was amused and flashed behind Bonney before whisking her away in his arms, Rayleigh just tripped Luffy with his foot and watched him face plant as he said "What happened?"

Luffy got up and said "She beat up Hancock!" Rayleigh smacked him and said "It wasn't her!" Luffy made an 'O' with his mouth and said "Sorry! Shishishishishi" Bonney flared up and Zeus patted her head before saying in a hoarse voice "Let's go." they hopped on a boat and sailed away.

Luffy watched them go and said "Who was that?" Rayleigh smiled slightly and said "A brat just like you." Luffy said excitedly "Is he strong?!" Rayleigh smacked him and said "Stronger than you! Let's go! I'm tripling your training!" Luffy cheered and followed Rayleigh back into the jungle.

Poor Hancock was still face down on the ground after everyone left, seemingly forgetting about her. Who would've thought that the most beautiful woman in the sea was forgotten about and left on the ground?

(Author's Note)

hehe little relationship building and putting Zeus out of Ace's shadow once and for all. Next time the end of the Underworld stuff and the start of the training.

You can check out my OTHER books while you wait:

One Piece: Another Chance (Completed)

Saiyan in Marvel (Completed)

My Hero Academia: Quirkless

One Piece: Price of Freedom

One Piece: Shadow King

Another Dragonball Adventure

DISCORD LINK: https://discord.gg/VUJYbRX7Ej (IT NEVER EXPIRES)