The Return Of Joyboy!

The next morning, Dragon was sitting near the injured boys, watching them sleep soundly. He was informed by Ivankov after yesterday's night that they would be near Shimotsuki village, to stock and would wait for him to return to Baltigo together. Dragon watched the kids' chests rising up and down. They looked too cute, limbs sprawled over each other. He felt tempted to click a picture, but his camera was not with him. He will get chances later on, but right now he needs to think.

He could clearly make a guess that Sabo's parents want him back, to have a good impression on the Celestial Dragons. And from what he had heard from Ace last night, he could clearly connect the dots and see that Ace was also in danger of letting his identity slip. If he didn't arrive yesterday to check on the boys, worse could have happen. He can't let the boys stay here. This place is no more safe for them. His Dad would surely give him a handful of scolding and lectures, but he was ready for it. He can't just leave these defenseless kids, not completely, all alone, to fend for themselves.

He wants to take the kids away from here. Far away. In Baltigo. Within his eyes, and his trusted people. They could learn many things in Baltigo and he could see and help them bring storms into the World. No doubt they will be the major figures in the New Era, which will dawn soon. Sabo had expressed his desire to become a revolutionary while Ace and Luffy wanted to be pirates. He was sure they would make their dreams come true. They would all fly with bright colors someday.

He saw the blonde groan and woke up. He blinked his eyes at Dragon and then smiled.

"Thank you for saving me and my brothers," Sabo gave a polite bow to him, "But I can't stay here. My parents will come again in search of me and if I don't return they will hurt Luffy and Ace and I don't want that."

"Shut up, 'Bo!" Ace said groggily and pulled Sabo down, making him collapse on the bed. Ace snuggled into him, his chin on his hair. It was the first time Ace was showing affection to Sabo, which made him shocked and unable to move at all and red till neck.

"What were you even thinking? Giving yourself up?" Ace spoke and pushed Sabo, making him sit up in the makeshift blankets, and glared at him. "I am the big brother and you are not going anywhere." Ace bonked Sabo on his head, "Don't even think about giving up your freedom for us."

"But Ace..." Sabo bit his lips, "They will find out then and I don't want to risk you both. You both are my treasures and I don't want to lose you both." Sabo's eyes got glossy and he looked at the ground. He didn't want to return to the hellhole, to his fake family, to all those tortures. He wanted to stay, stay with his brothers always, but he didn't want to risk them.

"How about the three of you come with me?" Dragon asked with a smile gracing his lips. He had got the perfect opportunity to get his son and new sons back. That way Sabo won't have to bargain his freedom for his brothers, Ace would be able to know some facts and Luffy wouldn't have to get any more upset on his departure.

Ace and Sabo titled their heads in confusion, "Why will you want that?" Ace asked, his hands crossed over his chest.

"Now, I can't leave my sons in danger, can I?" Dragon grinned at the duo, who looked shocked. "Brothers of my son are my sons too." Dragon saw Sabo look down, probably hiding his tears, which threatened to flow. They never had a proper family except for each other so this was expected. Ace glared at Dragon with no heat but thousands of questions revolved around his mind. He was a son of a demon, how can Dragon accept a son of a demon to live with him?

"You can get stronger and Sabo can become a revolutionary," Dragon said, his hands on his chin and a smirk on his lips.

"You can learn things about Marines, which will definitely help in your pirate careers," Dragon spoke, giving them plenty of reasons to consider his offer, "Learn to spy, which will again help you in the future and Haki." Dragon looked at Ace directly, "And you can learn more about the government's propaganda. I have things to show and give you."

Ace and Sabo looked at each other, talking silently about the offer. It was tempting and they really liked it. The one time Dragon had come, he had spent all his time with them and Luffy. He never discriminated between them. He loved, cared and protected them. It felt good. But both Sabo and Ace would not say it aloud.

"Are we finally going to live with Papa?" Luffy jumped up from his bed and bounced onto his Dad's lap. He looked like he was over the clouds. Dragon chuckled and looked at Luffy fondly, ruffling his hair softly.

"Yes, Lu!" Dragon grinned, "If your brothers agree to it." Luffy grinned brighter than the sun and looked at his brothers with his brown puppy doe eyes, pleading with them to agree. He always wanted to live with his father and brothers together. It was like a dream come true. Ace and Sabo looked at each other, silently contemplating the words, then nodded their head and grinned at Luffy. They will do anything for their baby brother to smile.

If they will get stronger and closer to their goal then why not? Moreover, this will make their younger brother happy and not to forget, they really liked Dragon. He played with them, told them stories, bought them clothes, and loved them like how he does Luffy. He even cared about them like no one else had done, except Makino.

They packed the little things which they like from their treehouse and their treasure stack. Unfortunately, their treasure stack won't be growing now. Now that they would be living in the Revolutionary Army's base. But Sabo changed the grim face of Ace by reminding him that they can go to missions and loot the marines and the pirates blind. That got a glint of mischief from both the brothers and Ace and Luffy chuckled darkly. If Dragon was to know what he was calling in his base, then, let's guess, he would not approve it much but he wouldn't like it any other way.

They said their goodbyes to Makino and Dadan, telling them they will return when they will get big and Ace and Luffy promised to start their journey to become pirates from Dawn Island, their home island.

.

They landed on the ship, Wind Granma, the ship of the Revolutionary. Dragon got raised eyebrows from his comrades but only Ivankov had a shit-eating grin on his face.

"Lu?" Ivankov crouched in front of the jumpy little boy, who grinned at him and jumped over him, and got inside his hair. His laughter resounded throughout the whole ship, making people automatically smile at the adorable kid. His laughter is damn contagious.

Ace and Sabo were a little bit wary in the unknown ship and Dragon saw through them. He ushered them and Ivankov with his son to the galley and the boys didn't even care about the World and started eating like feral kids. Dragon could only chuckle seeing them fight over food. He had told them many times, even in the forest, that no one will snatch their food and they will get plenty to eat but the boys refused and he soon found out it was their way of showing affection to each other and in a way training. So, he doesn't mind it. He glanced at the people who were eating food. They had dropped their forks and knives and had horrified expressions on their faces.

The people were horrified coz of three main reasons:

1. The kids ate like they were raised by a pack of wolves or bandits (which they were.)

2. They could see the stacks of plates, with sauces and juices dripping from them, lining up one by one. It petrified them. Where was the food even going? The chefs were terrorized and tired of serving them. (Dragon pitied the chefs who were falling one by one. The food stocks would be going down drastically.)

3. Many people in the galley ignored the kids in favor of seeing the smiles and chuckles that Dragon was giving. They were scared out of their minds, thinking if he really was Dragon the Revolutionary or not. (Ivankov mentally laughed at the sight of Kuma, who was gaping like a fish.)

"Is that really you, Dragon?" Kuma finally asked, making the people turn towards Dragon and Kuma, except the brothers, who ate without a care about the world. Some people were ducking and keeping their food out of the reach of the small, grabby, rubbery hands which was flying all over the table to snatch their food. Dragon chuckled and patted Luffy on his back. He could see his little sunshine was getting sleepy slowly.

Dragon turned towards Kuma and couldn't help the small smile which came upon his face. He made a gesture telling him that they will talk later. When the brothers finished their eating, Luffy was fast asleep on the table while Ace and Sabo were looking around the galley for the first time.

"Come on, boys! I'll show you your rooms for tonight!" Dragon said in a low voice and made them follow him. The ship was full of the residents of Gray Terminal in it, so it only left one room for them. His room, which he wasn't at all hesitant in sharing with them. He opened the room and showed the boys the bed. He placed Luffy on the bed and the boys climbed up on it. He could see them cuddling with each other. He tucked the boys and placed the blanket on them and chuckled at the red faces the brothers made.

He smiled and switched off the lights. He had to explain to Kuma what was going on. He felt sorry for keeping him in the dark.

It was Ivankov's cabin, where they decided to talk. Kuma was seeing Dragon in a funny way. Dragon couldn't expect less. His reputation as a stoic serious leader was crumbling to pieces already, and he really couldn't blame him. How could someone be serious when Luffy was smiling and giggling and when Ace and Sabo were making red faces? He couldn't.

"They are my sons," Dragon said and things started to click to Kuma. So, that was the reason he was chuckling and grinning.

"The reason you disappear...?"

Dragon nodded his head, "I don't like to stay away from my sunshine for a long time." Dragon gave a small smile and started explaining everything, except the part about Luffy's abilities.

"Sabo wants to be a revolutionary and Ace and Luffy pirates," Dragon smirked, "And I want to support them. They are strong for their age and can beat up grown-up men. If they are trained properly then they can bring lots of chaos for the World Government."

Kuma took the words with a grain of salt. He couldn't believe those feral kids were Dragon's son, especially the smallest one. He looked nothing like Dragon. He was the exact opposite of Dragon. Where Dragon was serious all the time, the kid was playful. Where Dragon was smart, the kid looked dumb.

.

When Garp reached Dadan's hideout, he tried feeling his grandsons which he couldn't find at all. He felt worry clinging to him with each passing second. He knocked on the door of the bandits violently, making Dadan and the bandits burst out of it.

He could see Dadan paling at his sight. Dogra and Magra with the other bandits were already stepping back, he could see the fear creeping into them. It made Garp tense. He glared at Dadan with full intensity.

"Where. Are. My. Brats?" Garp hissed each word. He wouldn't accept that his grandkids went missing. He was thinking the worse. What would he do if the Celestial Dragons found them out? Where are they? Are they ok?

Dadan felt a shiver run through her. She rummaged through her pockets and pulled out a piece of paper and presented it to Garp, "Dragon left this for you." She said and backed up from Garp. She was sure she would be getting a punch, which she got, making her sprawl on the floor.

Garp made his way to the forest wanting to read the letter in solitude.

Father,

I can't allow my sons to stay in a place where they can't be safe anymore.

Garp felt himself taking a breath of relief. His grandsons were alive and well.

For your information, Sabo was captured by his parents but escaped. Ace's identity was guessed by a pirate, Bluejam, who no longer exists and I didn't want to risk my son's brother's life.

Garp felt himself boiling in rage. It was definitely a close call for Ace and Sabo and from the letter, he could feel that Dragon considered the two brats as his own.

Thanks for taking care of them.

Garp laughed but he couldn't help but feel that he wouldn't be able to see his grandsons so much. Maybe he can call sometime and check on them. But it still didn't feel ok, that they won't be Marines now. But he knew Luffy will be the happiest one, he had always expressed his desire to stay with his Dad, and Ace and Sabo will get a proper family. Maybe it isn't too bad and he will see them all again.