Marco sighed and went with a hand through his hair. The allies of the Straw Hats were … well, let's just say they fit the main crew(and some of them were annoying).
They had decided to visit some places in the New World and also hitch-ride with some divisions of Straw Hat Grand Fleet (the second, third and sixth division if he remembered it right and a short visit with the fifth division).
Their first stop had been Wano. Luffy had jumped around the samurais and had also demanded food, which was willingly brought to them. Well, it shouldn't surprise him as the Straw Hats had freed the people from Kaido's and the shogun's actions towards them around three years ago and a flag of the Straw Hats together with a flag of the Heart pirates was hoisted as a protection sign.
The eleven-year-old Momonosuke came to greet them and the boy tried to act as mature as possible. This was stopped quickly by Luffy who didn't really take the little samurai leader serious. Then the two started to fool around. Even if the boy was still trying to be superior in the games.
Marco studied the young samurai carefully for the similarities to the father of the boy. Luckily, there weren't much and more hidden.
This was the child of Kozuki Oden, who had travelled with them years ago. He had high respects for the man and the stories about his death made him angry. Maybe… if they had known about Kaido's plans, then they could have done something or help them… they had only heard about everything that happened, when the alliance, Luffy, Law, the Minks and some samurai had formed, had beaten Kaido.
He was interrupted in his thoughts when someone pushed a jar in his hand and said 'Kanpai' to him. Well, looks like this is going to be a party.
Their visit ended the day when the Happo Navy came to pick them up. On the ship, Marco also met the former leader of the Happo Navy, Chinjao. The old man belonged to the same era as his Oyaji. The blonde had never met the older man personal, which was quite a surprise because of the long pirate history, but had heard stories about him. It was nice to talk with someone who knew the sea as long as or even longer than him.
The journey with them was relaxed. Sai presented his child, a healthy two-year-old toddler, to them. Luffy had been delighted to see and play with the baby. It made Marco remember the talk about man pregnancy. His husband looked quite happy when Baby 5 allowed the pirate king to hold the boy in his arms. It made the blonde smile.
The Happo Navy brought them to Elbaf. The giants there were quite surprised about their visit(as they hadn't been sure if they would be able to visit). But Hajrudin seemed honoured to have the pirate king in Elbaf again, as Luffy had visited the island with crew some time ago. Marco did have his worries that his husband would get the fun idea to spare with some of the Giants. Luckily, it didn't happen. But they had the right timing to join in the celebration of the Winter Solstice. Another party.
This ended him in a drinking competition (Luffy had talked him into). His daring husband cheered on him for the first three barrels(normal Jars for some giant), before the food was more interesting for the pirate king. Marco could only shake his head about this. Typical Luffy.
The next day, the New Giant Warrior Pirates offered them a hitch to Dressrosa. The Phoenix was a bit worried about Luffy as his lover seemed really tired, but also a bit pale. Gerth, the ship doctor of the giant, suggested to let him sleep it off, even after Luffy threw up. She just ordered that he should eat light food like a soup until he was better. If it became worse, they should probably check-in with someone who has access to Luffy's health data meaning Tess and Chopper.
In Dressrosa, they were welcomed by Tank Lepanto and a bull, who Luffy directly jumped with a loud "UCY!" Why wasn't he surprise that Luffy knew this animal? Ah, yes, because the pirate king really took a liking into strong animals, who would be described as monsters, and tame them. "This is Marco, Ucy. Marco, this is Ucy. He helped me in the Corrida Colosseum and after that carried me across Dressrosa to beat Mingo", Luffy introduced the bull to him. Marco sighed and just nodded to the bull in a form of a greeting.
