[OP] Matchless 無双 / AceLu

04 PROLOGUE: A Name to Remember

Both boys ignored the utter silence in the room, because everyone was busy doing their own thing.

To begin with, Garp was obviously gawking at the VOICE of Ace, that he had just talked.. in fact, he had stated a complete sentence...!

Making was quiet because she was observing such a cute moment between the two newly introduced boys.

Luffy was still holding onto Ace's hand as he smiled warmly.

And Ace was mentally all over the place as he stared into the other.

Garp shook his head, he, of course, was the first to break the silence, "Ahem!!" Garp cleared his throat, trying to regain composure, "Yes, uh.. Ace... this is Luffy, my grandson. And Luffy, this is Ace. He's older than you by three years."

The last few braincells in Ace did the math and figured that Luffy was seven. The little boy's big eyes widened more, he then gave Ace a look, one that pierced into his soul and searched. Then he grinned, "Nii-chan!!" He called out.

The words echoed in Ace's head. They were enough to melt any tension in the room, and it was threatening to melt Ace as well. The innocent grin, the genuine voice, and his... his hand... it was so.. unbelievably familiar to Ace.

That wasn't even the exact way to describe it. Ace was stunned. He felt his stomach burning up weirdly as he stared blankly at Luffy. He even felt his ears heating and his cheeks flushing.

Garp blinked as he glanced between the two, "Okay.. uh.. great... Great news..." He tried to assure himself. It was indeed good that Luffy had met Ace anyway, "Well.. I was initially going to take you up the mountain in a few days.. but this is fine too." He nodded, muttering lowly.

"Oh they're adorable, Garp-san..!" Makino cried out, wiping her tears away with a handkerchief, "I'm sure they'll get along real well. Just look at them!"

"Yeah..." Garp agreed absentmindedly. Damnit the wholesomeness was killing his memory, what was he here for again? This is why old marines don't do "cute", too much for their hearts and brains.

They were missing the main point here, Ace was a boy that supposedly couldn't talk... or at least refused to for his whole life?? So why and how was he speaking up now?

Garp realized by the time he thought of that was already too late for an appointment with a medical professional. He sighed. Maybe he'd try again tomorrow.

But was there really a need if Ace could talk just fine?

Was it because of Luffy?

"Screw the doctor," Garp mumbled, he stood up straight and walked over to the shore.

"Playing your useless games again?" Garp walked closer to the little boy in the middle of building a small raft.

Luffy looked up, "It's not useless, Gramps!! It's my dream! And thus will be my boat!" He said in defense.

Garp huffed and picked him up by the shirt, "Whatever you say, boy, you're coming with me."

"Huh? Why???"

"Because I'm your grandfather."

"...Fine!" Luffy groaned, "Only if you keep my boat safe!" The words earned a scoff from said grandfather.

"Alright." Garp said slowly, before he gave the logs Luffy spent hours building up, a very much personal kick.

The boy gasped with a heartbroken expression plastered across his face, "Gramps!!! Why did you do that, evil Gramps!! Bad Gramps!! How could you!!!" Luffy kicked and screamed as Garp carried him off.

"Will you shut up if I told you we were going to see Ace?" Garp asked the bawling child, who immediately stopped.

Luffy sniffled, "A-Ace?"

"That's right."