"(Name)?" Makino knocked on your door. You immediately stood up from your bed and opened the door. She gave you a smile as she greeted you. "Yeah, good morning." You said back.

"I came to bring you breakfast." She said as she placed the plate full of food on the table that you had in your room. "Thanks." You smiled at her and sat down and began to eat. She stared at you for a moment and smiled.

"You never told me how far you were." Your smile reappeared on your face once Makino opened the subject. "Five months now." You answered. She sat down on the other chair and leaned her head on her hand. "How is it like?" You chuckled at her question.

"Well, the first months were a challenge, but you get used to it. You have to. Other than that, I feel blessed to be able to experience this changes." You smiled. "But what about you, Makino-san, don't you have any lover at your age? You don't really seem the ugly type." You joked.

Makino blushed and tried to hide her smile with her hand. "Well... We haven't really talked about our relationship, but you can consider it as a boyfriend-girlfriend connection." She confessed. Your eyes widened and then clapped your hands together. "Oh my! That's amazing! Who is he?" You asked.

"Well..." Makino started to look in another direction. "Oh come on, you can tell me." You playfully hit her. "He's a pirate. Quite a famous one that is." She said. You furrowed your eyes but you softened your expression. "A pirate? Who? Maybe I've heard of him before."

She hesitated for a moment but when she finally felt ready to say it she put on a huge smile. "His name is Shanks." She started to play with her fingers. "We knew each other for a very long time, all the way to when Luffy was just a little kid. He's kind, gentle. He's an amazing man with a even more amazing heart." She began to describe him.

You were in shock. Shanks? As in Shanks the Yonko? Your family friend? That Shanks?! Your jaw dropped as you listened to Makino's story. That sneaky bastard never said a word about his love life! He made you think he'll die alone when, in reality, he had something everyone still searches for up to this day. True love.

"Wow... Shanks? T-that's truly unexpected." You replied as you leaned on your back. "Right?" Makino laughed awkwardly. "I just - Wow... I actually know Shanks; we're good friends but he never really talked about his personal life." Makino looked down, probably a bit disappointed. "But I'm sure he does this to protect you. The World Government could use you against him if they learn about your relationship." You placed your hands on top of hers, assuring her that Shanks meant no harm.

"He said he's gonna visit in a few months actually." Makino smiled. "Oh really? That's great then!" You cheered for her. "Maybe you'll still be here by then." She said. "I hope so. I don't really want to sail alone with a newborn. Who knows what can happen... I won't leave unless something big happens." You sighed.

The two of you stood in silence for a moment. Nothing awkward about it, just pure silence. You continued to eat as Makino looked out the window at the ocean. You saw yourself in Makino. Although she was just a few years older than you, she just started to experience love. You don't want her to suffer the same way you do now.

Although this child you are bearing is the proof of yours and Ace's love, you couldn't help but ask, if love is truly that powerful, where is Ace now? Ace protected the one he loved and died for Luffy. Love didn't bring him back. In the end, love only killed him.

You brushed that thought away. Sometimes you think that this pregnancy only brings the worst, deepest thoughts you ever had, making you feel bad for them even crossing your mind.

"Say Makino, where does Dadan-san live?" You asked her. "It's not that far away actually. I'll take you there if you want. I can close the bar for today." She said. You shook your head in response. "No need. Just tell me how to arrive there. Just some directions."

"Sure."

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Marco watched as the sun sparkled on the blue sea in front of him. He was currently sitting on a edge, thinking about everything that happened last week.

He was mad. He was angry. Marco couldn't bare the thought that Blackbeard won two times. He clenched his fist. He knew that Pops won't get any rest until Blackbeard is dead. That bastard hid his real powers all that time on Pops ship and now he was letting it loose.

He grabbed a near by rock and threw it, angrily in the water. That Blackbeard has touched his last nerve. The fight between them last week did not go well. Marco never felt this angry before. A lot of the old crew were gone. Only a few remained, up to this day alive, after last week's battle.

Vista slowly walked towards Marco and watched as he threw rocks in the ocean. The remaining crew knew not to bother the others when someone had a breakdown like this. After all these major loses, no one afforded to set sail again. They have been defeated and there was nothing else to do about it. Everything that they once had, it was gone. They only had each other.

"I'm fine." Marco said quietly even though Vista didn't asked him anything. Vista only sighed and sat down next to Marco. No, he was not fine. Both of them knew that.

"It's almost time for lunch." Vista said after a few moments of silence. "I'm not hungry." Marco replied immediately. "Me neither. I just came here to not be forced to eat something. Lost my appetite a week ago." Vista sighed. Marco clenched his teeth as he, once again, remembered the events.

"That Teach will feel sorry for the day when he was born. He doesn't deserve a place in this world." Marco mumbled as he played with his devil fruit power. "He managed to make us seem like fools. Now the whole world makes fun of our names." Vista said frustrated.

Just as Marco was about to say something he was cut off by another voice. The two of them looked behind them and saw Haruta running towards them.

"Marco! Vista! You gotta come back." Haruta said between his breath. Marco furrowed his brows as Vista remained silent. "What happened?" Marco asked but didn't get a reply. Haruta only nod at them but it was enough of them to understand what that meant.

The two of them gasped. Marco immediately used his devil fruit and flew deeper in the island, where the others were, leaving behind Vista and Haruta.

After all this time, could it really be?

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Gasp. Bet you didn't expect Marco in this chapter. I wonder what happened at the end. Let's just hope they don't get in trouble again.

I wanted to make the chapter longer but longer chapter means more days spent trying to search for some inspiration.

But no worries cause in the next chapter we'll finally get to meet Dadan! 

My shipping game is strong in this chapter. I regret nothing.