As the Son of Mihawk in One Piece

-1 year and a half later

The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy as Leon moved through a series of fluid motions with his wooden stick.

At six and a half years old, his body had grown more coordinated, his movements more precise.

The makeshift sword cut through the air, each swing following an invisible pattern that seemed to exist in his mind alone.

"One, two, three," he counted under his breath, his voice clearer and more articulate than a year ago. "Cross-step, pivot, slash."

The wooden blade whistled as it completed an arc that would have decapitated an imaginary opponent. Leon paused, golden eyes narrowing as he assessed his own form.

"It still doesn't feel exactly right," he murmured to himself. "The balance is off."

He adjusted his grip, feeling how the weight of the stick distributed through his small hands. Something about holding the weapon felt natural, as though his body remembered movements his mind had never learned.

A twig snapped in the underbrush. Leon didn't flinch or hide his practice; instead, he completed another sequence before acknowledging his observer.

"Morning, Ace," he called, turning to face the older boy who emerged from between the trees.

Ace, now ten, leaned against a tree trunk with his arms crossed, his ever-present metal pipe resting on his shoulder. His expression was a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Ace asked bluntly. "Those aren't just random swings."

Leon shrugged, twirling the stick in his hand. "Nowhere. It just... feels right. Like my body knows what to do even if I don't."

Ace raised an eyebrow. "That's weird."

"Maybe," Leon conceded. "But it works."

'Establishing early that I have a feel for swords - which is true - will make it so my wanting sword training in the future, not be weird for anyone, especially Garp, who can help me get a sword instructor when I join the Marines.' Leon thought to himself.

Ace pushed himself off the tree, bringing his pipe into a ready position. "Let's see how well it works against someone who can hit back."

A smile tugged at Leon's lips. "You sure? Last time we sparred, you said I was getting annoying to fight."

"That's because you're getting better," Ace admitted grudgingly. "But you're still not as good as me."

Leon assumed a fighting stance, wooden sword extended. "We'll see."

Ace lunged forward without warning, pipe whistling through the air. Leon parried the blow with his stick, the impact sending vibrations up his arm. He countered with a quick thrust that Ace narrowly dodged.

"Still want to be a Marine?" Ace asked between exchanges, his pipe a blur as he pressed his attack.

Leon sidestepped, his makeshift sword deflecting Ace's pipe. "Yep. Still planning to be a pirate?"

"Of course," Ace replied, launching a series of strikes that forced Leon to give ground. "Being a Marine means being the Government's dog. Taking orders from people who don't care about justice."

Leon ducked under a horizontal swing and countered with an upward slash that Ace barely blocked. "And being a pirate means being hunted your whole life. Some freedom that is."

"At least pirates make their own choices," Ace shot back, his attacks becoming more aggressive.

Leon matched his intensity, "You know what happens when you become a great pirate, Ace? You inspire others to become pirates too. And most of them won't be like you - they'll hurt innocent people because they can."

Ace faltered slightly at the unexpected response. "If I do good things as a pirate, I'll inspire others to do good too."

Leon saw the opening and pressed forward, forcing Ace to retreat a step. "The World Government would never let that story spread. They'd twist everything you do to make you look evil, no matter how many people you help."

Ace stopped mid-swing, genuine surprise crossing his face. "You're acknowledging that the World Government lies to people? That they'd make good people look bad on purpose?"

Leon shrugged, not lowering his guard. "I'm not stupid, Ace. It's just how things are." He tapped his wooden sword against Ace's pipe. "Maybe I can change that when I become the next Hero of the Marines, like Gramps."

'I honestly doubt it, though,' Leon thought to himself. 'With evil Satan gramps running the show, that's likely impossible. Eh, it is a good cover to gain a good standing in the marines and good training. I'll probably defect and become a pirate later on anyway.'

Ace's eyes narrowed, reassessing the younger boy. Then, without warning, he attacked with renewed vigor.

Their weapons clashed with increasing speed, neither giving ground. Leon felt his arms burning but refused to yield. 

In the final exchange, both weapons connected simultaneously - Ace's pipe tapping Leon's shoulder at the exact moment Leon's wooden sword touched Ace's chest.

They froze, eyes locked, breathing heavily.

"Draw," Leon declared, stepping back.

Ace looked both frustrated and impressed. "Lucky hit."

Leon knew he could have moved faster, struck harder, but as his motto was - hide your true power unless truly necessary.

"Let's get some breakfast," Ace said, slinging his pipe over his shoulder. "I'm thinking we should hunt boar today."

Leon's face immediately contorted into an expression of utter disgust. "Ugh, not boar. I'd need to skip it and eat vegetable soup again."

Ace looked at him like he'd grown a second head. "What's wrong with boar?"

"It tastes like sweaty feet wrapped in dirty socks," Leon declared dramatically, making gagging noises.

"How would you even know what that tastes like?" Ace demanded, genuinely baffled.

"I don't need to jump off a cliff to know it would hurt," Leon countered. "Boar meat is gross. The texture is all wrong, and it smells weird when it cooks."

Ace looked personally offended. "It's meat! All meat is good!"

"Birds are better," Leon insisted. "They eat berries and seeds, not garbage from the Gray Terminal. Their meat is cleaner."

"Boars are stronger," Ace argued, flexing his arm. "You should eat strong animals to get strong yourself!"

"Then why don't you eat tigers?" Leon challenged. "Or bears? They're stronger than boars."

Ace's eyes lit up. "Fine! Let's hunt a bear then!"

Leon's eyes widened in horror. "I didn't mean it literally! We can't take down a bear!"

"Speak for yourself," Ace scoffed.

"Look," Leon said, trying a different approach. "How about we hunt pheasants today? They're faster, so they're harder to catch. Better training."

Ace considered this, clearly wanting to continue arguing but also hungry. "Fine," he conceded reluctantly. "But only because they're challenging to hunt."

As they moved deeper into the forest, Leon couldn't help but smile at how things evolved.

Eighteen months ago, Ace had barely acknowledged his existence. Now they hunted together, trained together, and sometimes - though Ace would never admit it - actually enjoyed each other's company.

They spotted a pheasant pecking at the ground near a fallen log. Leon readied his stick while Ace circled around to drive the bird toward him.

With coordination that came from months of hunting together, they executed their plan perfectly. Ace flushed the bird, and Leon's wooden sword struck, knocking it from the air.

"Nice hit," Ace admitted as Leon retrieved their prey. "For someone who uses a stick instead of a real weapon."

"This stick works just fine," Leon replied, examining the bird. "So, are you meeting Sabo today?"

Ace nodded. "After we eat. He's got some new information about the nobles in High Town."

"Can I come?" Leon asked, trying to sound casual. "You talk about him all the time, but I've never met him."

Ace hesitated, clearly protective of his friendship with Sabo. After a moment's consideration, he shrugged. "I guess. But don't be annoying."

"When am I ever annoying?" Leon asked innocently.

Ace snorted. "Every time you open your mouth about boar meat."

They continued hunting, collecting three more pheasants before heading back toward Dadan's hideout.

As they approached, they noticed unusual commotion - bandits rushing around, Dadan shouting orders, and a familiar booming laugh echoing from inside.

"Gramps is here," Ace muttered, his posture immediately becoming defensive.

Leon's eyes lit up with genuine excitement. "Gramps! I didn't know he was visiting today."

They entered to find Garp seated at the table, devouring a massive bowl of rice while Dadan hovered nervously nearby.

"There they are!" Garp boomed upon spotting them. "My grandsons! Getting stronger, I hope!"

"Gramps!" Leon called cheerfully, still holding his wooden sword. "Look what we caught!"

Garp's eyes flicked for a moment to the makeshift sword in Leon's hand.

"Good, good! But hunting isn't enough!" He rose to his feet, towering over both boys. "Time for training! Outside, both of you!"

Ace groaned while Leon handed the pheasants to Dogra, who looked relieved not to be included in Garp's "training."

Outside, Garp put them through a grueling series of exercises - punches, kicks, dodges, and runs up the mountain and back. When they moved to combat practice, Leon spoke up.

"Gramps, can I use my stick? For practice?"

Garp studied the wooden sword in Leon's hand, then nodded with a knowing smile. "Let's see what you can do with it."

Leon moved through the forms that felt natural to him, his small body flowing from stance to stance. Garp watched with an unreadable expression, occasionally calling out corrections or encouragement.

"Good eye, boy!" Garp praised. "You watch and learn fast!"

Ace, nursing a bruise from Garp's "Fist of Love," scowled like always at the praise directed at Leon.

As the sun began to set, Garp finally called an end to training. "You boys have improved! You'll make fine Marines someday!"

"Never!" Ace declared immediately, like always.

"I'll be the best Marine ever!" Leon countered, partly to please Garp and partly to annoy Ace.

Garp laughed heartily, then turned to Leon. "Come with me, boy. I have something for you."

Leon followed Garp to a cliff overlooking the ocean, still clutching his wooden sword. The setting sun painted the water gold.

"You've taken to that sword like you were born with one in your hand," Garp commented, watching as Leon unconsciously moved through a basic form while waiting.

"It just feels right," Leon replied honestly.

Garp nodded, as if this confirmed something he already knew. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small package wrapped in cloth.

"I promised you this when you were old enough to understand," Garp said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "I think that time has come."

Leon took the package with genuine curiosity. Unwrapping it carefully, he found himself looking once again at a photograph of a beautiful woman with golden blonde hair and a warm smile.

Something stirred in his chest.

"My mother," he whispered, tracing her face with his finger.

"Elise Aurelius," Garp confirmed. "A kind woman with a strong spirit. She died bringing you into this world."

Leon looked up at Garp, his questions both strategic and sincere. He wasn't going to put Garp in the spot and force him to lie. He'll keep it open enough for the old man to give a story that needs no lies. "And my father?"

Garp's expression grew more serious. "A wandering swordsman with powerful enemies. He brought you to me when your mother died, knowing I could keep you safe."

"Is he still alive?" Leon pressed.

"As far as I know," Garp replied carefully. "But he can't be part of your life. His enemies would find you."

Leon nodded slowly, looking back at the photograph. "She was beautiful."

"She was," Garp agreed.

Leon continued studying the photograph, "I want to be a swordsman," he said finally. "Like my father. It feels... right when I hold a sword."

Garp placed a heavy hand on Leon's shoulder. "Some things run in the blood, boy. Can't be helped." There was understanding in his voice, and something like resignation.

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That evening, after Garp had fallen asleep (his snores shaking the hideout's walls), Leon approached Dadan with the photograph clutched in his hand.

"Dadan-san," he began, his voice determined. "I need a favor."

The mountain bandit leader looked up from her sake cup, suspicious. "What kind of favor?"

'Time to set things into motion. Can't look like dad when meeting big shots.' Leon thought to himself.

Leon held up the photograph. "This is my mother. I want to dye my hair blonde, like hers."

Dadan nearly choked on her drink. "You want to what?"

"Dye my hair," Leon repeated calmly. "I want to look like her."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Dadan declared. "Boys don't dye their hair."

"Some do," Leon countered. "Please, Dadan-san. It's important to me. I want something of me to look like my mom..."

Dadan looked at the photograph, then at Leon's earnest expression, and sighed heavily. "Fine. But I'm not doing it. And I don't know where to get hair dye."

"Dogra could get some from the village," Leon suggested. "I have some treasure saved up from hunting. I can pay for it."

Dadan threw her hands up in surrender. "Whatever! Just don't blame me when the other brats make fun of you!"

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Two days later, the hideout witnessed the unusual spectacle of Dadan awkwardly attempting to apply blonde dye to Leon's black hair, muttering curses the entire time.

"Stay still, brat! This stuff stinks!"

"Sorry, Dadan-san," Leon replied, trying not to laugh at her discomfort. "Is it working?"

"How should I know? I've never done this before!" she grumbled, applying more dye with her cloth-wrapped hands.

The other bandits gathered around, offering unhelpful commentary and laughing at Dadan's increasingly colorful language. When Ace returned from meeting Sabo, he stopped dead in his tracks at the doorway, staring at the scene in disbelief.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

Leon grinned through the strands of half-blonde hair hanging in his face. "Dyeing my hair like my mom's."

Ace approached, circling Leon with a critical eye. "You look weird."

"Thanks," Leon replied dryly.

"Maybe this explains why you have such weird taste in meat," Ace added with a smirk. "Blonde hair, gold eyes, bird preference - you're practically a bird yourself."

"Better a bird than a smelly boar," Leon shot back.

When the process was finally complete and Leon's hair rinsed clean, he stood examining his reflection in a bucket of water.

The transformation was striking - golden blonde hair framing his face, making his unusual golden eyes even more prominent.

"It looks... good," he said softly, touching the now-blonde strands.

Behind him, Dadan huffed. "It better. My hands will smell like shit for days."

"Thank you, Dadan-san," he said sincerely.

She waved him off, embarrassed by the gratitude. "Just don't expect me to do it again when it grows out!"

---------------------------

After that, six months passed quickly.

Leon continued his daily sword practice, his blonde hair and eyes became his trademark around the mountain, being the golden boy to everyone. Even Ace had stopped teasing him about it - mostly.

He still called him 'bird boy' sometimes.

His friendship with Ace had deepened, and he'd even met Sabo a few times, though the blonde boy remained primarily Ace's friend.

Leon had been carefully laying the groundwork for future interventions, paying particular attention to rumors about noble activities and visiting dignitaries.

It isn't guarenteed in this world that Sabo would survive like in the original story - Leon would rather make sure, Sabo didn't meet his dad in Edge Town, so that his father won't set the Bluejam pirates after him, and kidnap him, which eventually led to Saint Jam- something - to shoot a canon at him.

On a warm afternoon, Leon and Ace returned from training to find Dadan's hideout in chaos - like always when Garp visited.

"What now?" Ace muttered as they approached the clearing.

The answer came in the form of Garp's booming voice from inside: "BWAHAHA! He'll fit right in with the other two!"

They entered to find Garp standing proudly beside a small boy with messy black hair and a wide, guileless grin. The boy couldn't have been more than seven - about Leon's age.

"Ace! Leon!" Garp called upon seeing them. "Meet your new brother! This is Luffy!"

The boy bounced forward eagerly. "Hi! I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

Ace's face immediately darkened at the declaration, while Leon assessed the newcomer.

"Cool sword!" Luffy exclaimed, reaching for Leon's wooden practice weapon. "Can I see it?"

Before Leon could respond, Luffy had grabbed the sword and was swinging it wildly. Within seconds, the carefully crafted practice weapon snapped in half against a support beam.

"Oops! Sorry!" Luffy said, not looking particularly sorry at all.

Ace turned without a word and stalked out of the hideout, his body language radiating irritation.

"I like your hair!" Luffy continued, undeterred by Ace's departure. "It's all golden and shiny! And your eyes are gold too! That's super cool!"

"Thanks," Leon replied, taking the broken pieces of his sword with a resigned sigh.

No point in making a big deal out of it - he knew Luffy didn't do it out of malice.

He was the adult here - he had to be.

Despite how he internally wanted to smack the boy across the room, and beat him with the broken remains.

"He's taken to the sword like he was born for it," Garp commented proudly, slapping Leon on the back hard enough to make him stumble. "Just like his father!"

"Do you have any meat?" Luffy asked, already rummaging through the hideout's supplies. "I really want some boar meat!"

Leon groaned while Dadan began shouting about greedy brats eating all her food.

"Luffy will be staying with you from now on," Garp announced over the chaos. "Make him feel welcome!"

As the hideout erupted into arguments and complaints, Leon stood quietly assessing things.

Luffy's presence changed everything - timeline, opportunities, threats. The path forward would need to keep him in mind.

But first, he needed a new sword.

That got another sigh out of him.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter.

Do tell me how you found it.

So... Luffy's here.

Do tell me though, who do you guys suggest Leon eventually get into his crew? 

Even as a Marine after all he'll have his own crew.

Just no straw hats, well, maybe besides Robin - I don't want to add them to Leon's crew. Leon would find it best to have Luffy have his crew, because of how important he is with the whole Joyboy thing. He'd rather not mess with that right now, because he can use that to his advantage.

Well, I hope to see you all later,

Bye!)