Savior -Luffy-

-4-

AN: I am currently on the childhood episodes after the MarineFord battle so I'm literally playing by ear on this story 💀 Please forgive me. So, as for an update, here's a childhood memory chapter.

-Twelve years ago-

Luffy had just moved in with the Dadan Family, Ace, and Sabo while I lived with Makino. Shanks had convinced her to take me in before he left, though she didn't need much convincing when she grew attached to my attitude. Now was the time when Makino made her visit with the mayor, who of which was waiting outside for us to leave.

"I'm going outside already, Makino!" I shout to the front of the bar. She peeks through the kitchen doorway and smiles softly.

"Alright, I'll be out in a sec!" I nod and shut the door behind me, looking up at the mayor with a wide grin.

"Well, good morning, Miss Kaneko." He smiles softly at my presence. "How has your day started?"

"It's been well!" I reply. "I get to see Luffy and the boys again today, so it's just gonna get better."

"I don't see why a nice girl like you hangs around with little brats like them," He comments. "You're clever, mature, and have a good eye for things that it seems like you've lived a life before." I feel my lips press into a flat line to avoid showing emotion to the statement. "Those boys, however..." His voice trails off and I can't stop the frown that overcomes me.

"Those boys are my friends," I argue. "If you don't like them then you don't have to come, Mayor!" I stick my tongue out at him with a huff. "And you say I'm mature but I'm still a kid." He sighs and shakes his head with a light laugh at my actions.

"Maylene, you're much smarter than you lead on." I don't look at him. "Anyways, Maniko is coming so let's hurry up now." I nod and follow Mayor and Makino toward the mountain where the group all lived together. The walk was steep and honestly a bit annoying, but every step got me closer to seeing my friends. I could see the house up ahead and bolted, knocking rapidly on the door. Magra opens the wooden frame and glances down at my small form. His smile brightens as he hoists me up with a light laugh.

"May!" He shouts, earning looks from the men and Dadan herself. "Look, everyone! May's visiting with Makino and the mayor!" He brings me inside the cabin-like structure and I smile wide at the family.

"Hey, everyone!" I shout as I hug their legs. They seemingly melt at my gesture and I pull back, head whipping around as I look for my friends.

"They're out hunting," Dogra informs me, already knowing who I was searching for. "They should be back soon." I nod in plop myself down, clacking the toes of my shoes together as I heard Makino speaking amongst the family as a friend would.

"How's the town?" Magra questions as he takes a seat beside me on the wooden flooring.

"It's not bad," I reply. "It's just really far from Luffy and the others."

"I've noticed that you still hang around even though they've ditched you multiple times." I nod at his words. "Why?"

"I have to." I lean up and curl my legs to my chest, poking at the wood with my finger. "They're all I have."

"That's not true, you have everyone here plus Makino!" He tries to make it sound better, but he didn't understand what I meant; No one did. Every time I said it they tried to make it sound like I have so many people in my life, but really my main focus is Luffy. If he grows up without me then my rebirth is for nothing.

"They're back," I hear Dogra mention behind me. I shot up from my seat and rushed outside, seeing the three kids dirty and covered in their game's blood. Dadan grabs the three of them, tossing them into the bathroom and slamming the door shut. She comes to me with a wide grin and pats my hair.