"Why are there three more brats here?!"
The roar echoed through the mountain hideout, shaking dust from the ceiling.
Sabo groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Ugh… morning already?"
Dadan stood in front of them, arms crossed, veins bulging on her forehead. Her sharp eyes swept over the unfamiliar faces sprawled across the floor.
"…Who are you kids?"
Sabo blinked once, then smiled brightly as if nothing were wrong.
"Oh! I'm Sabo," he said cheerfully, standing up and bowing slightly. "You must be Dadan."
Dadan frowned. "Sabo…?"
She squinted at him. "Yeah. I've heard of you."
Sabo's smile widened. He suddenly grabbed Dadan's hands with both of his.
"Great! Then I'll be under your care from today on!"
Dadan froze.
"…Hah?"
She yanked her hands back violently. "Don't joke with me, brat! You think I want to take care of you?!"
Sabo puffed his cheeks slightly, then laughed. "Pfft."
"DON'T ANSWER WITH FART SOUNDS!" Dadan roared.
"Hehehe—ah—sorry," Sabo scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
One of the bandits whispered nervously, "Boss… this kid's got guts."
Dadan clicked her tongue. "I heard Sabo was a famous little menace. Looks like the rumors weren't exaggerated."
"Oh?" Sabo tilted his head. "I also heard Dadan was a scary, smelly old woman."
The room froze.
"…WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"Pfft."
The bandits collectively gasped.
"DON'T BELIEVE THAT KIND OF USELESS INFORMATION!" Dadan shouted. "I'm not taking care of any more brats!"
"But you're actually very kind," Sabo said smoothly, eyes narrowing with a knowing smile. "A real man among men."
"…Man?"
Dadan's eyebrow twitched.
"I'M A WOMAN! ARE YOU SAYING I'M SOME KIND OF ANDROGYNOUS MONSTER?!"
She glared at him for several long seconds.
Then she sighed deeply and turned away.
"Tch… troublesome."
She pointed at the remaining two boys. "What about you two?"
Lucas stood up politely, a gentle smile on his face. "Good morning. I'm Lucas. And this is my younger brother, Luffy."
Luffy waved enthusiastically. "Hello!"
Dadan stared at them.
"…You don't expect me to take care of you too, do you?"
"No," Lucas replied calmly. "We'll only be staying for a while."
"…Hah."
Dadan rubbed her temples.
"Fine. Fine! Ace, Sabo, Lucas, Luffy—I'll give you a place to stay. But you brats work for it!"
"Yes!" Lucas and Sabo replied immediately.
Luffy nodded seriously.
Ace stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching silently.
The moment they were released—
"LET'S GO!"
Ace bolted out the door.
"Wait!" Luffy shouted, scrambling after him.
Lucas laughed lightly and followed, while Sabo jogged behind them.
"LUFFY!" Dadan yelled after them. "YOU'RE DOING THE LAUNDRY AND CLEANING!"
"We don't wanna!" Luffy shouted back, sticking his tongue out.
"Hahaha!" Lucas laughed. "Hurry up, Luffy! We'll lose Ace and Sabo!"
"ACE! SABO! WAIT FOR ME!"
Dadan watched their backs disappear into the forest.
"…What a bunch of hateful brats," she muttered.
Lucas suddenly stopped mid‑run.
"Ah—wait."
He turned and shouted back toward the hideout.
"Dadan! Bluejam and his men might come while we're gone. Be careful!"
Dadan's eyes widened. "Bluejam?! Why?!"
"We beat up his men!" Sabo shouted from far ahead.
"HEY—!"
The bandits erupted into chaos.
Sabo laughed as he ran. "See? She's reasonable."
"Yeah," Lucas agreed. "I thought she'd yell more."
"She still will," Ace said flatly. "That won't change."
Luffy caught up, grinning. "She's scary!"
"So," Lucas asked while running, "what's the plan?"
Ace answered without hesitation. "First—"
"EAT!" Luffy yelled, sprinting ahead.
Ace visibly recoiled. Sabo and Lucas laughed.
"…Fine," Sabo said. "Let's eat first."
They gathered near the river, a large grilled fish crackling over the fire.
Luffy devoured meat like a starving beast.
"Lucas," Sabo asked casually, "is Luffy the little brother you mentioned before?"
"Yep," Lucas replied. "He was three back then. Cried every day."
"I DID NOT!" Luffy protested loudly.
"Oh?" Lucas teased. "Really?"
Ace snorted. "He still looks like a crybaby."
"I'M STRONG!" Luffy shouted. "My fists are like pistols!"
Ace lay back, resting his head on his hand. "Sure, sure. Says the guy who can't catch a fish."
"What?!"
"I'LL PROVE IT!"
Before anyone could stop him, Luffy ran and jumped straight into the river.
"…LUFFY!"
A massive crocodile surged upward.
Lucas's heart nearly stopped.
Ace reacted instantly, jamming his pipe into the beast's jaws.
"SPIT HIM OUT!"
Lucas struck its head from the side.
Moments later, Luffy was dragged out, soaked and coughing.
That evening, they carried the crocodile home.
"DON'T EVER JUMP INTO WATER AGAIN," Lucas said angrily.
"Don't take my meat," Luffy replied stubbornly.
"…Deal."
Ace scoffed. "He can't even swim."
"I JUST HAVEN'T LEARNED YET!"
Lucas smiled faintly.
The brothers walked on together.