A new brother!

Higuan Shot repeatedly at Ace who was beating his subordinates like a beast would slaughter sheep. Strangely he couldn't hit him even once. The closest he got was a minimal graze to Ace's left shoulder which surprisingly did little to slow him down.

Being irritated at the fact that he couldn't shoot Ace, he decided to first get rid off the other kid that was also beating his subordinates. Taking aim at Sabo he shot again.

*BANG!*

Unlike Ace, Sabo still hasn't awaken his observation haki and couldn't sense Higuan taking aim at him. The bullet should have hit him and even if he survived the initial shot, the few bandits around him would finish him off.

But he didn't get hit!

Instead it was Luffy, who jumped in front of Sabo and got shot! Being thrown back by the momentum of the bullet that hit him Luffy landed right in front of Sabo lying face down on the ground.

That was when I arrivedy

"LUFFY!!!"

Makino and Woodslap shouted at the same time and Makino tried to rush to his side but was held back. Sabo was frozen in place, petrified by the shock. Even Ace stood in place with his eyes wide open, staring at the little unmoving body. Before anyone noticed I instantly arrived next to Luffy turned him on his back and looked at the wound… or rather searched for it. There is no blood.

'Fuck me sideways, I'm stupid! Since Higuan appeared here but wasn't in the bar Luffy should have already eaten the fruit yesterday when Shanks arrived. He is fcking made out of rubber so how can he get shot?!'

"Oi Luffy… wake up you weren't shot."

"…Eh? …EHHH?! You're right! I feel fine!"

Much to the shock of everyone around us, Luffy opened his eyes after hearing what I said and felt his body. After confirming what I said to be true he shot up and shouted.

"Luffy you…"

*plump*

A sound next to us caught my attention and I saw Sabo's legs gave out from the fright he just experienced. He was muttering 'thanks god' over and over again. Ironic since it was a devil fruit that saved him. Well it's good that Luffy is ok, but even I was so shocked from the sight that I nearly lost my ability to think.

*Clank*

Higuan loaded his gun as he walked over and held it directly next to my head when he arrived next to us.

"who are you? What did you do? Why isn't that brat dead? Answer me or I will shoot you!"

And so on. I'm not even really listening since I was busy planning on how to massacre them all. I may have never killed before but I really feel like I could do it at this moment.

'Well it turns out, that it wasn't necessary for me to do it.'

When I suddenly sense the appearance of some strong people I decide to shamelessly recite, what 'he' would have said in my situation. While pointing my finger at the gun without really looking at it I tell Higuan to put his life on the line.

"What are you saying in this situation?!"

"I am saying that these aren't for threatening people."

*Bang*

Everyone flinched when they heard the sound but it wasn't me who got shot. As expected 'they' understood what I meant and demonstrated what guns are used for! Higuan's body fell to the ground after Lucky Roo, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, put a bullet in his head. Only now did the others notice the arrival of shanks and his crew.

"Sorry for getting here only now. We went to the bar first but no one was there."

"Never expected something else from you so it's fine."

I tell him. Helping Sabo up I tell him, Luffy and Ace to fall back and maybe because they still seemed to be slightly shocked or confused they listened to me. After they were out of danger, I draw my sword and face the rest of the bandits. The boss was dead but his rabid dogs were still here.

'Seems like I still get to experience my first kill today.'

Was what I thought but Shanks stepped forward and tried to take care of them himself, saying that a problem that has started with them should be ended by them. Technically he isn't wrong but my brothers also got involved in this and Sabo almost got shot. Thinking about it now, he would have died if it weren't for Luffy. That was a really hard wake-up call to my face.

Just because there are almost no dangers for me in east blue doesn't mean that it is safe for others. Still I won't be able to always guard them so they have to grow stronger fast and protect themselves as well then I can handle anything they can't.

Tightening my grip on my sword, and confirming my will I send a flying slash that killed the bandits who didn't know wether to flee or fight. It was brutal but neither excessively violent nor over the top. Quick and precise. Killing them, who tried to kill us, in a fast way shouldn't be wrong. Especially since they might cause problems for others if left alone. Besides who knows how many they have killed until now.

'So why… why do I have this sinking feeling in my stomach?'

The next few days were without much drama. Besides feeling a bit gloomy and having a slightly weaker appetite nothing changed, and even that didn't last long. Sabo and Ace on the other hand have increased their training quite a lot and Ace even asked me to help with their training. We saw Shanks and his crew off with the others. Luffy, after shouting that he would find a crew better than Shank's to beat him and become the king of the pirates, received the hat from Shanks. I can't say that I wasn't interested a bit in that strawhat but my old man gave it to Shanks, so it's up to him what to do with it.

As for why Luffy wants to become the Pirateking? It's because shanks isn't the only one he wants to surpass now. During a party in the bar, Shanks and I told him about how the greatest pirate would become the pirateking after sailing the grand line and finding the one piece. I halfjokingly mentioned how I would beat Shanks and then proceed to become the pirateking, which by the way started another argument between us but Luffy surprisingly joined in and said he would beat both me and Shanks and then he would become the pirate king.

Unlike me he said it completely serious as if stating a fact. Being drawn in and swept along by his pace I accepted what I perceived as a challenge and a promise just like Shanks accepted my challenge back then.

'Let's see wether you will outgrow me, or watch how I claim my fathers treasure!'

And just like expected not even a week passed since Shanks departure before grandpa visited, but this time he brought Luffy along.

Ace and Sabo accepted him almost instantly, probably because they were impressed by what Luffy did to save Sabo. Even if I asked they probably wouldn't admit anyway. Luffy made himself a space in our hearts without noticing it.

And like this a month has gone by. One night Ace brought a bottle of Sake and four cups and honestly I am moved. Being moved as a fan back than was one thing but being a part of it… no, being their brother isn't comparable to how I felt while just watching and reading it.

'I am happy and thankful for having officially gained 2 more brothers!'

(AN: here is something I find wholesome

https://youtu.be/JAvf0xfeCZU)