Ace, Sabo, and Lucias hid in the tall grass, branches comically stuck to their heads for camouflage. Luffy, meanwhile, sat beside them with grass and flowers adorning his hair, giggling quietly as he peeked through the blades at Bluejam's men combing through the trees near their old treasure stash.
"Luckily, we moved the pirate deposits ahead of time," Sabo whispered in relief.
"You guys planning to head back to the Waste Terminal?" Lucias asked, keeping his voice low.
Ace and Luffy both turned to look at Sabo.
"Yeah," Sabo nodded. "Ace and I will go. Lucias, you take Luffy back to Dadan first." Ace stayed close to Luffy, ready to clamp his mouth shut if needed.
"Alright. Just be careful. Don't let them spot you," Lucias said quietly.
"No!" Luffy suddenly shouted, too excited to hold it in.
Everyone froze.
Sabo and Lucias stared at him in horror.
Ace immediately tackled Luffy into the grass and clamped his hand over his mouth.
"You idiot!" he whispered furiously.
Lucias sighed, covering his face.
"There's no helping it," Sabo muttered.
The four of them relocated and now hid behind a large boulder overlooking the Waste Terminal. Bluejam and his men were patrolling heavily, combing through the ruins like angry hornets.
"The mountain thugs and their gang are swarming around. They're seriously pissed off this time," Sabo said, balancing on Ace's shoulders as he peered over.
"Bluejam must be losing his mind," Ace muttered, now awkwardly sitting on Lucias's head while holding Sabo steady.
"They're determined. We'd better lay low for now," Lucias said, concern in his voice.
"Lucias, I can't see!" Luffy whined, jumping around behind them to get a better look.
"Hey! The ones you're looking for are right here!" a sudden voice shouted.
A middle-aged man had appeared behind them, pointing straight at the group.
"Run!"
They all scattered in a panic, grabbing Luffy and dashing into the forest. Using the twisted terrain and thickets of the jungle, they finally managed to shake off Bluejam's men.
Later, they slumped down in exhaustion beneath a tree.
"Even the people at the Terminal have been bought off," Sabo said bitterly. "We should just stay put until this storm passes."
"If they show up again, we'll just fight," Ace grunted.
"Let's not be reckless," Sabo replied calmly. "They're real pirates, not just petty thugs."
Lucias gently adjusted the sleeping Luffy in his arms. "Bluejam already knows about Luffy. It's not safe for me to be taking him up and down the mountain every day. Ace, Sabo—can I leave him with you for a while?"
"Huh?!" Ace and Sabo looked at each other, stunned.
"What! I'm not babysitting!" Ace snapped.
"Lucias, aren't you staying with us?" Sabo asked.
"Not yet. I've got to help out at Makino's tavern in the village to earn money for me and Luffy. Besides, Dadan's place doesn't have room for four boys running around," Lucias said, rubbing the back of his head.
"We're not looking after that crybaby!" Ace turned away, arms crossed.
Lucias smirked. "Come on, Ace. You like Luffy."
"N-No, I don't!" Ace blushed furiously, turning his head.
Lucias and Sabo exchanged knowing smiles.
That night, Ace and Sabo carried a crocodile between them, grinning, while Lucias walked behind with a sleepy Luffy in his arms, heading back to Dadan's house.
Over the next year, the four boys lived and trained together. Luffy stayed at Dadan's house with Ace and Sabo, joining them on hunts in the jungle. Lucias continued traveling back and forth between Windmill Village and the forest, hunting with the boys and helping them hide from Bluejam's men whenever needed.
One afternoon...
"Ace, Sabo, I want to go to the Waste Terminal with you!" Luffy begged, his huge, watery eyes glistening as he looked up at them.
"Ugh..." Ace and Sabo both turned away, trying to dodge the effect of the infamous "eye attack."
"No. You're still too young," Ace said firmly.
"But I'm seven now! I'm a big boy!" Luffy insisted, stomping his foot.
"Actually, you're six," Sabo corrected gently with a grin.
"We'll take you when you're seven. No arguing," Ace said, arms crossed.
"Ace is so mean. Sabo's the nicest," Luffy mumbled under his breath.
"What did you say?!" Ace bonked him on the head.
"Waaah! Sabo would never hit me!" Luffy cried, crouching with tears in his eyes.
"Hey, don't fight," Sabo chuckled. "We're having crocodile rice today, remember? Lucias should be here soon."
"Yay! Crocodile, crocodile! Delicious crocodile rice!" Luffy cheered, his mood flipping instantly.
The boys waited in the trees near the river where crocodiles surfaced.
"Luffy, don't get eaten again," Sabo warned.
"Last time you got swallowed whole."
"Okay!" Luffy replied with a mouth full of drool, gripping his pipe.
"Just stay and watch, landlubber," Ace smirked. "You'll only get in the way."
"It's coming out! Let's go, Sabo!"
"Wait—Luffy!" Ace gasped as Luffy suddenly leapt from the tree.
"Didn't I tell you to stay up there?!" Ace shouted after pulling the crocodile ashore.
"Alright, alright..." Sabo laughed and pulled Ace back.
"Fine, you caught it this time," Ace muttered, back turned.
"Really? I love Ace the most!" Luffy shouted, hugging him tightly.
"Wha—?!" Ace blushed bright red, steam practically coming out of his ears.
Sabo laughed.
"What's going on with Ace?" Lucias said, walking up behind Sabo.
"Ah, Lucias! Just in time. We're having crocodile rice," Sabo grinned.
"Let's cook it up then!" Ace yelled, changing the subject quickly.
"Yay! I caught this one!" Luffy bounced happily.
"You did awesome, Luffy," Lucias ruffled his hair.
The four boys tore into their grilled crocodile meat. As they ate, Lucias looked at Ace and Sabo.
"Bluejam should be done looking for us by now. It might be safe to visit the Waste Terminal again."