Suddenly, there was a baby in the house.
Inside the small room, two adults and one child gathered around a futon. Lying atop it was a tiny baby boy, staring wide-eyed at the world with innocent curiosity.
It had all happened so far. Before Dadan or Naru could register what Garp was saying, the old man had already disappeared to the village, only to return again with a sleeping baby in one arm and a bag of baby supplies in the other.
While Naru studied the newcomer, Dadan looked as though half her soul had drifted off into the void. Then, with a groan of resignation, the older woman shuffled off to drown her sorrows in beer, internally grumbling about how her hideout was starting to look more like a daycare center. One brat was not enough, now there was another.
The grandfather and granddaughter duo ignored her. The latter frowned thoughtfully at the baby Garp had brought from who knows where.
Finally, she asked, "Who's this, Grandpa?"
Surely, he did not kidnap a random person's child, right?
"From now on, he's your little brother," Garp declared simply, as if announcing what they were going to have for dinner.
Naru gave him a doubtful stare. "Did you steal him from somewhere?"
"Steal him? What a rude brat. Do I look like a brat to you?"
"Well…"
"Never mind. Don't answer that," he cut her off quickly. "No, I didn't steal him. He's your brother!"
Intrigued, Naru looked at the baby again. She reached out her hand and poked the baby's chubby cheek. So soft!
Then, her finger was caught by a tiny, determined fist.
Naru blinked. "Well, does my brother already have a name?"
"In fact, he does have a name," Garp answered. "His name is Ace!"
"Ace?" Naru smiled. "Well, hello there, Ace! I'm your big sister!"
As easy as it was, Naru accepted Garp's words without hesitation. If the old man said that this baby was her brother, then from now, he was her brother.
Garp watched the two children interact. Ace seemed to develop a liking to Naru already, smiling as he reached for the strands of blonde hair dangling near his face.
Something flickered in Garp's eyes as he observed them with a deep thought, but whatever it was he was thinking about, he did not voice it.
"You can take care of him, right?" he asked suddenly. "Now that you're a big sister, you have a big responsibility to protect him, keep him safe, teach him right from wrong, and care for him. You think you can do all that?"
"Of course!" Naru nodded determinedly. As strange as it all was, the thought of being a big sister excited her. Even if Ace's sudden appearance raised more questions than answers, she liked the idea of having someone to look after.
"Good!" Garp beamed. "I knew I could count on you."
Since had claimed her futon, Garp made a mental note to bring another from his old house in the village. He had only brought the bare essentials such as a milk bottle, some formula, baby clothes, and diapers. As he mentally listed down what else he would need to bring next time, Naru's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Grandpa?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Are you leaving soon?"
Garp scratched his chin. "Yeah. I'll be heading out in two days."
Naru titled her head. "To the Grand Line?"
Garp raised an eyebrow. "You know about that place?"
"I read about it in those old newspapers," Naru said casually.
"Oh? Then how much do you know about the Grand Line?"
"Nothing much, just your public knowledge."
Garp let out a "Hm", then said, "Next time, I'll bring you some books about it."
"Really?" Naru's eyes lit up. "Okay! Thanks, Grandpa!"
Garp watched her for a moment longer before asking, "Do you want to go there someday?"
Naru shrugged. "Maybe? I haven't thought about it. But it sounds interesting."
"What about becoming a Marine?"
"A Marine like you?"
"Being a marine gives you power. You know, the kind you can use to protect people. Yourself, your brother, the weak. It's a good path," Garp said.
'Power to protect, huh?' Naru found that oddly compelling.
Nobody had told her directly about what Garp was doing for a living, but she had pieced it together from the newspaper. It turned out, the old man was quite of a big shot in this world.
Monkey D Garp, the infamous Vice Admiral of the Marine.
He was a living legend.
The first few people she had seen upon waking up to this strange world, were her grandfather, and a man who was supposed to be her father. The father whom she had not seen since that night.
Soon after she woke up, she had been abandoned twice. First by her father, then again when Garp handed her over to Dadan and her bandit crew, thus omitting his responsibility in being her guardian. Though, the old man still did his best to come and visit her once a while, unlike her 'father'.
Naru did not ask Garp or anyone else about her father. Nor did she even plan to ask about the mother that had given birth to her body. She knew that this world was just as dangerous as the shinobi world, and the possibility of dying due to childbirth was a normal case in both worlds.
If no one wanted to talk about her father or her mother, then she would not bring it up either.
And as for her appearance…
It had been quite a shock, truly, the first time she had seen her appearance reflected in the water.
She was not the daughter of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina anymore, so she had expected herself to look different. But blonde hair, blue eyes, and the whisker marks?
The whiskers had to be Kurama's doing. That was her best guess. As for the rest, she probably took after her second mother, well whoever that was.
It would be a lie to say that she was not curious of who was the person that gave birth to her body, of course. However, Naru had always been aware that a lot of mothers often died in childbirth. It was a harsh truth in both her old life and this one.
And now, with Ace's arrival, there were even more questions swirling in her head. But for now, she kept them to herself.
Back to Garp, the marine hero. The old man had power, no doubt. And if she became a marine too, she could rise just like he had. Maybe even higher.
But,
"If I become a Marine, would I have to take orders?"
Garp raised an eyebrow at the unexpected question. "Well, yeah. Even the Fleet Admiral answers to the World Nobles."
So even at the top, she would still be under someone else's thumb.
"Then I'm not interested," she quickly decided.
Without waiting for his reaction, Naru turned back to Ace.
She di not see the amused knowing glint in Garp's sharp eyes.
"Oh? Why not?" he asked, grinning.
"I don't want to be controlled by anyone."
She immediately regretted saying it. What would a brat, who was only three, know about the concept of control and manipulation anyway?
But instead of questioning her, Garp burst out laughing, startling both her and Ace.
The old man placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair with a grin. "Alright. As long as you don't turn into some awful criminal, do whatever you want. You can even conquer the sea if you feel like it! Grandpa's got your back!"
Before she could respond, he turned and headed for the door, his booming laughter echoing into the night.
"Conquer the sea?" Naru snorted softly. "What a ridiculous old man."
Still, she touched the top of her head where his hand had been moments before, and smiled.
Ace giggled beside her, as if agreeing.
.
.
.
Even though Dadan and the rest of the men were far from optimistic about being forced to raise another brat, the boy eventually fit right in with their family of mountain bandits.
Time passed, and it had already been three years since Ace joined the family.
From the moment he could crawl, the boy had always been glued to his big sister's side, following her around like a little follower.
Whether she was out there collecting firewood, practicing her strange exercises that none of the bandits could make sense of, or simply doing chores around the house, Ace had always been there, watching her with wide, curious eyes.
If Naru climbed trees, Ace would be at the bottom, flailing his little arms in a clumsy attempt to follow.
When she sharpened sticks or tried to catch fish in the river, he was right there, splashing water.
Once he learned to walk, he began copying her actions in earnest, though plenty of tumbles and scraped knees came with the effort.
As she did her exercises, the little boy would be right beside her, mimicking her every movement with exaggerated concentration.
For Naru, being an older sister came naturally. She had played that role for many children in her past life, so guiding Ace felt familiar. She taught him everything from small chores to how to dodge Dadan's sandal whenever the woman was in a foul mood.
Ace idolized her.
He would puff out his little chest and declare, "I'm gonna be just as strong as Naru!"
The bandits always chuckled when they heard it, but Naru took his words seriously. She encouraged his curiosity and daring nature, though she also knew when to pull him back with a firm tone that kept him from diving headfirst into danger.
Their bond soon became part of daily life on the mountain. Naru, patient but strict, guided Ace with a balance of warmth and practicality. Ace, in turn, brought out a softer side of her that even she did not realize existed. He was her little shadow, her partner in crime, and sometimes her greatest headache when his wild energy overwhelmed her patience.
The bandits, for their part, became reluctant guardians. They complained about having another child around but secretly enjoyed teaching Ace their tricks. They showed him how to make a slingshot, how to hide during games of tag, and even how to play cards, though Naru quickly put a stop to any gambling habits before they could start.
Dadan herself acted as if she did not care, but her actions told another story.
She barked commands like, "Stop crying, brat! Eat your food!", yet she was the first to scold anyone who treated Ace too harshly. She yelled at Ace for being too loud and at Naru for dragging him into her escapades, but more than once, she was caught sneaking extra food onto their plates.
"It's just leftovers," she would grumble defensively whenever the bandits teased her.
By the time Ace turned three, he had become a whirlwind of energy and mischief. He loved to climb, run, and laugh, his wild black hair sticking out in every direction like a storm. Naru often joked that he was part monkey, and Ace embraced the comparison with glee, swinging from low tree branches whenever he could.
The two of them became inseparable, a perfect sibling pair that balanced each other out. Naru's calm confidence tempered Ace's fiery spirit, while Ace's endless enthusiasm brought life and color to Naru's otherwise straightforward nature. Together, they turned the mountains into their playground, filling the air with laughter, shouts, and the occasional scolding from Dadan.
Life with the Dadan family was far from perfect, but for Naru and Ace, it was home. A messy, chaotic, imperfect home that, despite everything, gave them what they had both longed for.
A family to call their own.
.
.
.
Like many fishing villages, Foosha Village was a peaceful place with a small population. Yet, despite its quiet nature, it was well-known across the island as the birthplace of the infamous Marine Hero, Vice Admiral Garp.
Garp had spent many years of his youth in Foosha Village before leaving to pursue his career in the Marine Force.
However, he often returned for short vacations, a habit that reassured the locals of his enduring attachment to the place. His mere presence was enough to guarantee the village's safety, as it automatically fell under his protection.
It was common knowledge that ever since Garp's rise to fame as a marine who could rival even the late Pirate King, no outlaw with any sense dared to stir trouble in Foosha Village.
Today marked another day of Garp's return to his hometown.
The village's small port was quiet that night, disturbed only by the gentle creaking of a large ship moored at the dock. Its towering sails carried the unmistakable seagull emblem of the Marines. Even a quick glance was enough to identify it.
If the sails did not make it obvious, the sight of men in crisp white and blue uniforms did. Most villagers were familiar with Garp's crew, as they regularly accompanied him on his visits. But at this late hour, long past midnight, the villagers were sound asleep, sparing the marines from the usual crowd of cheerful greeters.
Mindful of the hour, the marines moved with quiet precision, careful not to disturb the peace.
"Garp-san, will you be resting at your house tonight?" one of them asked, addressing the Vice Admiral, who still wore his uniform and his trademark dog mask.
"Of course I will. Why would I stay here if I have a house?" Garp replied bluntly.
"Then, Garp-san, have a pleasant rest!" The marine saluted him smartly.
With a casual wave, Garp set off toward his old home. Nestled at the edge of the village near the base of Mt. Colubo, the house stood in a quiet, secluded spot. It also sat conveniently close to the mountain trails that led to his grandchildren's current home.
As Garp stepped into the yard, he paused. His sharp eyes narrowed at the sight of a lone figure standing by the front door. Cloaked in shadow, the person faced him silently.
Garp's posture stayed relaxed, though his gaze sharpened on the silhouette.
"Here to turn yourself in?" he quipped in his usual dry tone, continuing forward without hesitation.
The figure turned fully, the dark cloak shifting slightly. Garp's steps slowed when his eyes caught the small bundle resting in the man's arms.
"Huh?" his expression shifted to one of deadpan exasperation. "Another one?"
Dragon said nothing, his face impassive as ever.
Garp snorted, crossing his arms. "You sure worked hard, huh?"
"…"
"Well," Garp muttered, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smirk, "at least I won't have to worry about the family bloodline."
"…"
.
.
.
It was already deep into the night when Naru suddenly senses two distinct presences approaching the house. She recognized one of them to be Garp's, but was unsure of the other.
Still, knowing full well that her grandfather had the notorious habit of being loud and oblivious to the hour or situation, Naru quietly slipped out of the room she shared with Ace and padded silently to the living room area. The other men sprawled across their futon remained blissfully undisturbed, snoring peacefully as she moved like a shadow towards the main door.
She opened it just in time before Garp's strong fist could thunder against the door and rattle the whole house awake.
"Grandpa," she said flatly, her eyes meeting his own with mild exasperation. It had been several months since she last saw him.
With his fist still in midair, Garp froze, surprised to see his granddaughter appear without a sound or a trace of presence.
With a glint in his eyes, he lowered his fist and asked, "How come you are still awake at this hour?"
Then, he habitually reached out his hand to ruffle her short blond hair. Considering his tall, burly frame, he had to bend his knees slightly to reach her properly.
Naru scowled, glaring at him as her short hair was tousled into what now resembled a small, unkempt bird's nest.
"And what are you doing here in the middle of the night? You do realize you could have waited until morning, right? Everyone else is already asleep," she said as she tried to fix her hair as best as she could with her fingers.
"What a cold treatment," Garp commented when she did not even ask about his well-being but instead reprimanding him for visiting at such a late hour. However, despite his words, he did not appear to be offended at all. Instead, his grin became wider.
Naru ignored him, shifting her gaze to the figure standing a few steps behind him. "And that person is?"
The cloaked man stiffened under her piercing stare and cleared his throat awkwardly. "...Hello."
She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing. He might have thought she did not recognize him, but how could she miss the distinct red tattoo etched across the left side of his face?
Who else would it be if it was not her own cheap father? The father she had not seen since the night of her rebirth.
Still, she kept her face blank. After all, she was not supposed to recognize this man as her father. With a polite nod and a composed tone, she returned the greeting with a simple "Hello", as though he was just some passing stranger, which in this setting, he was indeed just a stranger to her.
An awkward silence settled between the three of them. Naru made no effort to inquire about the man's identity, and Dragon seemed unsure of how to approach the daughter he had not seen in years. As for Garp, he wanted to be the quiet observer. Eventually, both father and daughter did nothing but play the staring game.
It lasted for almost half a minute before Garp decided to intervene, much to Dragon's quiet relief.
"Are you two done?" Garp asked. It was obvious that the father and daughter's awkward interaction was amusing to him, the elder of the small family.
"Who's this, Grandpa? A subordinate of yours?" Naru asked deliberately, choosing to stay ignorant.
Dragon grimaced, but Garp burst into a fit of laughter. "That's a good one! But people like us don't just become someone's underling."
Naru arched her brow. "Don't you take orders from the Fleet Admiral?"
She still remembered the conversation from a few years ago, mostly him complaining about his superiors.
Garp's grin widened. "If I truly acted as I wanted, not even Sengoku or those crusty fossils at Mary Geoise could force me to lift a finger."
"Oh?" she replied, mildly intrigued. So he could be a rebel when he wanted. She was unsure if that was comforting or worrying.
Dragon, however, knew his father well. He cleared his throat as if to signal a shift in the conversation.
Garp, realizing he had said too much, changed direction. "Anyway, this man is your father. Your real full-blooded father, and my son."
Dragon winced at the blunt announcement, almost flinching under the look his daughter gave him. It was a gaze filled with judgment, silently questioning his presence.
Just like how he had not seen his daughter for many years, he also had not appeared before his father in those several years. Earlier, as they climbed the mountain, Garp had decided to fill him in on a few details about his first-born daughter.
The child was a prodigy.
And with any prodigy, she was mature beyond her age, and very sensitive to her surroundings. She had understood her circumstances deeply, and yet never once had she asked why her parents were absent or why she had to stay on the mountain with a group of mountain bandits, even though her grandfather was a famous marine with wealth and a house in the village.
Dragon felt immense guilt for his absence, but circumstances had left him with few options. He had come seeking his father's assistance because he believed that blood was thicker than water, even when the old man disapproved of the choices he made. Garp could never refuse his family, especially when he knew that his granddaughter was innocent. Thus, hiding her on the mountain had seemed the safest choice.
Time passed, and five years had gone by.
Dragon finally stepped forward, though not without a sense of hesitation. Softly, he spoke, "Yes, I… I am your father. You have so much since the last time I saw you."
As soon as he finished his sentence, he cringed at his own words.
Of course she had grown! It had been five damn years!
At the side, Garp snorted at his lousy son's pathetic attempt to reconnect with his own daughter, and judging by the unimpressed look on the little girl's face, she most likely thought that Dragon was being ridiculous as well.
The sound of chirping crickets in the background surely did not help as well.
"So why have you decided to show up now?" Naru asked without much expression on her face.
The words felt like icy blades stabbing straight into Dragons's heart. He tried not to let it show, but inwardly, he was scrambling for a response that would not make him even more like the world's worst dad.
Regardless of how smart and mature she was despite her age, as a father, Dragon thought that Naru must have felt aggrieved
Meanwhile, Naru was carefully thinking of what she should say. Now that he had admitted his identity as her father, Naru could not help the small bit of resentment that suddenly resurfaced in her heart.
She just could not help it.
Truth to be told, Naru had never truly held a grudge against her supposed parents. After all, she never had the true experience of being cared for and loved by her parents, both in this life or the previous one. Minato and Kushina died on the day she was born, and Dragon was nowhere to be seen since that day she opened her eyes.
She was already twenty-two, and she had enough people who cared for her like her own brother, her grandfather, and the Dadan Family. They were more than enough.
However, she was, after all, a human being with feelings.
She was still capable of feeling disappointed and angry.
When she first woke up in this world, a small part of her had naively hoped that she might finally experience the warmth of a real family. Yet, that fragile dream shattered not long after when the truth finally settled in, which did not take long for her to figure out.
It would be a lie to say that she was not disappointed, but she eventually buried that disappointment deep into her heart and decided to focus on those who were present in her life.
Now, facing the man who could have been a huge part of her life, the old feeling of disappointment resurfaced, now dressed as quiet resentment.
Still, she kept her emotions in check. She was not a teenager prone to emotional outbursts anymore, and although this man had been absent in her life, she had sensed no negative feelings from her. If anything, his presence radiated sincerity, and the affection in his eyes genuine.
It was the same genuine affection she had seen in his eyes that night five years ago.
Anyway, Dragon still had not responded to her question.
But who would have expected that her question would be answered by a sudden crying of a baby that startled the three of them.
"WAAA!"
Naru felt strange.
Ace could not be considered a baby anymore, and he never cried like this since he passed the first year of his life. Plus, the crying did not sound like him at all.
Her eyes went to the flustered Dragon, who suddenly started to fuss over a bundle that he had carried in his arm.
Huh? How could she miss that?
Naru was confused, but soon after that, she made a weird face as she realized what it was that had such a weak presence that could barely be felt.
In the name of the first Hokage,
"That's a baby," she said out loud. Her eyes went to Garp, and noticed that he did not seem as surprised as she was.
Seeing that Naru had finally noticed the bundle in his arm, Dragon cleared his throat and awkwardly said, "This is your younger brother. He was born not too long ago… and his name is Luffy."
"…." Naru just gave him a silent stare.
"…." Dragon was silent due to Naru being silent.
"…." Garp stayed silent, watching the drama unfold like his favorite late-night soap opera.