DISCLAIMER: What is Oda's shall forever be Oda's, while cover image belongs to Kris Cane. Though it might only Indonesian can relate to some materials written here since they hold special meaning to our country (I'll tag some footnotes if necessary).

That said, I still choose to write this in English, lol. I have no beta whatsoever so please pardon the crappy grammar, and the crappy words iykwim.

Teruntuk:
EVENT DIRGAHAYU 70 TAHUN INDONESIA

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In the Galaxy
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"Alright, gentlemen—"

"One female's here."

"—and she-male—"

"Oi!"

"Oh zip it, Jewelry, I'm trying to build up some serious atmosphere here!" Kid groaned rather loudly from where he currently crouched, not bothered glancing over his shoulder as he knew from the 'Tch' he later received, that girl lying on the couch behind him would clam up for the time being. His stare kept affixed to the rest of men before him, "What I'd like to say is, this...probably gonna be our first and last chance to make them learn there'll be hell to pay when messing with our turf. Ain't nothing like shits we've done so far, but I know—"

Twitch.

"—fucking know this is just like another brawl needs to be done—"

Twitch.

"—and obviously we shall be the victor of this fight—"

Twitch.

"—like seriously..." the male sharply inhaled, twitching intensified, "WILL YOU DOPES JUST LISTEN TO ME!?"

Even if Kid's sudden holler could be taken as everyone's cue to, at least, stir from their current engagement, no one took the hint.

Seated on a chair beside the main table across the man, Law had been impassively flipping the pages of his book. It was unclear whether he actually read it or simply chose to do it over listening to the redhead. Luffy, being Luffy, was rolling on the floor in the other corner, laughing at whatever Capone was showing in his Tablet. The middle-aged man seemed calmly amused as the boy couldn't stop pointing the screen with the chunk of meat he held, shouting 'Ahyahyahyahya—that's SICK!'. And honestly, it wasn't even worth mentioning Hawkins near the two who, also being Hawkins, was putting his dear tarot cards into some sort of formation that, according to him, could tell which dinner set he should buy later on the way home.

"I'm listening." Killer, sitting on the same mat next to Kid, informed him.

"You're not counted." Kid flatly rejected him. He and the blond had been best buddies since they were brats. Although Killer was his senior in high school, he didn't change, somehow kept on thinking highly of the redhead hence regarded him mostly with respect.

"I'm not the only one, you know." Despite the male's ridiculously long bangs, Kid was still able to see Killer's orbs darted across him, to another sitting man whose arms folded in silence with eyes closed.

The redhead snorted skeptically, "You sure he's not sleeping?"

"…Am not." There came a response from the accused man, instantly gained Kid's fully gaze on him. Slowly Drake pried his eyes open, "Don't lump me in with the moss head."

"Oi," the said grass-lad called from behind them. He was doing one arm push up, bare chested, on the floor near the couch where Bonney lay on her stomach, "The hell you mean by that?"

"Exactly what it means."

"Ugh," the pinkette crinkled her nose in distaste, "Can't you take your push up elsewhere!? Your sweat might spatter on my pizza!"

"Hey, Roronoa. Stop wetting the tiles and come here instead."

Zoro scoffed at the blond, "I'm free to do my things. Besides, I'm doing what that redhead wants."

"Oh yeah?" Kid sneered.

"I keep my ears open, alright. Unlike a certain someone."

At this, the men's stare almost simultaneously befell the certain someone perched on the windowsill near entrance door, banging his head in rhythm with the music playing out of his headphone. Apoo seemed aware of the intense looks he suddenly earned 'cause he glanced over them slightly without unlatching his headphone and lightly mouthed, "Ya guys talkin'?"

Kid chose to remain shut. That would be the best for his own sanity at the moment.

This wasn't new. Heck, it was even what daily happened whenever they gathered in this place—this shabby storehouse that had been standing here at a piece of scattered ruins, not far behind the high school area. Some said it belonged to an ex-home industry or something which appeared to get caught in fire accident, they didn't exactly know. What they knew it was already vacant, covered with spider webs and vines from the small woodland nearby the moment they found the very building.

In fact, it was also not clear who was the one got there first. Everyone seemed to have their own tale of how they discovered the storehouse. In the beginning they thought the place was deserted, and before long, decided to make it their own, till somebody else came and claimed the same. Of course there had been a commotion, but after reaching an agreement they wouldn't poke their nose into each other's affairs, they somewhat agreed to stick together.

The members eventually grew in numbers, and without them realizing, the storehouse was filled with lots of their things, even furnishings—as if it had already become their second home. And it was funny to know that all the members were currently part of the same high school. Luffy, Zoro, Kid, and Bonney, for instance, were all freshmen. There was also Law and Killer who were sophomores, while Apoo, Hawkins, and Drake were in seniors this year. Unlike them, Capone and one other man were the school staffs—Capone was assigned as the school caretaker, though everyone was convinced he also involved in some shady business deal.

Being in the same quarter for…well, God knew how long, it seemed they had unwittingly come to term with each other's personalities—including each other's messes. While it was true their characters might greatly vary, they actually had this one thing in common.

They were all magnet for troubles.

They had lost count as to how many times random punks hit up the place for settling some unfinished business with one of the members. In the end, anyone present at that time was inevitably bound to the duty of disposing of the 'garbage', or else they couldn't do their own things at the storehouse in peace. Getting dragged into some stray brawls initiated by Kid or Zoro had too become their usual snacks. Or abruptly getting kicked out of some restaurant just because they were accused to be acquainted with Bonney or Luffy. And as composed as Law and Drake might look, they had their own share of trouble as well.

Still, they were able to manage. All of them were exceptionally sturdy when it came to survival, which in fact at par with their natural talent to piss people off, thus gaining them infamous reputation among the communities.

Some called them delinquents—always looked for problems, or rather, problems grew fond of them. So many hoodlums swarmed around the vicinity yet they managed to make their names known only by eleven persons.

Some called them worst generations.

Some called them stars—shone in their own popular ways, shrouded by this peculiar charm. Sometimes, unbeknownst to most, their offending deeds could bring gift to others when legal means couldn't make any. Never once they needed the title of hero, but at times, they were gleamed more than one. Like that of explosion which briefly outshone an entire galaxy and then soon fading, vanished from view. Yet its semblance persisted.

Some called them supernovas.

"Honestly though," Drake shifted his weight, spared the redhead a look, "It is rare to see you getting so worked up on this kind of thing."

"What?" Kid snapped, "I just try to remind you lot of that deal we've got ourselves in 'cause, mind you, I'm still hating the idea of us teaming up so you all'd better don't drag me down!"

"Heh, mind you, I can tell you the same." The marimo guy jeered in between his work out.

"Please," deliberately Law took his eyes off his book, "Should I mention who cleans after your messes the most? And you two still think you are the ones at a disadvantage?" He blandly noted.

"Oh knock it off, you, how much longer it takes you to admit we're all on the same boat." The glutton cut in, chomping yet another pizza when she went on with a snicker, "And poor Eustass just doesn't wanna lose a place to bring in his sleeping buddies."

The said male rolled his eyes, "Uh-huh, and where do you think I take them?"

Bonney startled, nearly coughed out her food, "No shit!?" She promptly got up off the couch, a clear look of disgust on her face, "Damn it, Eustass, you know I always eat on this couch!"

"Apapapapa, there now." A distinct chortle broke in from the window was signaling that Apoo had decided to join the fray, "You guys know Kid loves being in here so much. Dude takes most of his things to this storehouse. I mean, every time I think I'm the first one to arrive, he always beats me to it."

"Well," Killer tilted his head, "Kid did say he prefers to have his workshop here than at home. His Mom still makes a fuss whenever it gets noisy."

"Mom doesn't approve, eh?"

"Mom rules the whole things, you know."

"And hence bad Eustass never gets any chocolates."

"I think all his enemies can learn a lot from Mom."

The redhead tiredly sighed, "So it takes a Eustass-teasing-session first to make you lot finally pay attention, huh? Why am I not surprised?"

"…Because the answer is obvious: Probability of truth, 33%. You say it for sarcasm purposes only: Probability of truth, 31%. It is rhetorical question: Probability of truth, 30%. Any—"

"—Hawkins, for fuck's sake, spare me your divination."

"Heheh, kiddo, chill." Capone's chuckle shortly evoked a glare from the redhead. Kid always loathed it when he called him that, "Look at yourself, you're unusually tense. Can't really blame them for picking at you. You're an easy target now."

"Hmph, so you take pity on me?"

"Oh don't be rude," the man waved nonchalantly, "Adults have their own timing to make an entrance to a party."

"Hey, hey, old man!" Luffy beamed, "Show me something else! Can't you make some meaty-er this time? Come on~! I know you can do it!" His tongue was eagerly wagging as drool was tempted to drip.

"No," Capone made a stern face, "I won't let you snack on this Tablet too."

"Awwwwwww…"

This typical antics that formed the very group made Kid wonder again why, oh why he kept sticking around in this storehouse. After all this time, he still didn't manage an answer. Yet here he was, never failed to find his way back to the place—to deal with these insane people again and whatever problems that always barged into their bizarre life. Always. Every single day.

Though.

He never imagined there would come the day when one of those problems was one that he, or perhaps they too kept avoiding 'cause…well, simply because musing it over would be such pain in the arse.

The problem came in the form of a man. A man whom they, of all, had known too damn well.

Like, who didn't know Gol D. Roger? The man who had everything in this city, for lack of better word. A genuine, real life millionaire. One of those anomaly beings who preferred to be seen like that of peasant and could be randomly found at your everyday noodle shop, indulged in booze while laughing at some cheap jokes the shop keeper always shared. An eccentric old man.

A school board's chairman of the school where these eleven went to.

And like the oddball he was, Roger just abruptly decided to drop by the storehouse a couple of days ago, dressed in his formal suit, and with big goofy smile announced his ownership rights over the piece of land including its properties.

Actually, this was very much expected. They knew it was going to happen. Heck, with reputation like theirs, it wasn't even strange to have the law enforcers stopped by instead. And yet they could still remain thanks to those shady things Capone pulled from behind. That was why what truly made them confused was…why now? The man could have marked this land long before they had the chance to occupy it, or even while they were still adjusting with the place, so why the claim now?

Then without missing a beat, he told them something else.

"This storehouse? If you want it, you may have it! That, after you can prove you are worth for it."

Prove, he said. Prove? Worth for it?

For real though, this wasn't a joke.

They had long prepared to lose the land in case things didn't go in their favor again. It wasn't like they were going to lose their real house after all. The storehouse was merely some place they used for killing time. A place to go when classes were boring as hell. A place to crash in when there was time home didn't feel like home. A place where they could go their way, did crazy stuff, be themselves without giving a damn to what the world judged them and—

—Well, what did they know? Someone else happened to have the same purpose regarding the storehouse.

But that's it, okay. That. Was. It.

That was why when instead, they were offered with a chance to keep the place in exchange for proving their worth—it was complicated. Really. A bona fide pain in the arse, as they had expected.

The question wasn't about could they prove their worth or not, but rather, was it worth it for them to prove their worth?

For the land.

For that home.

Was it?

And it took a single saying from a certain straw hat to yank themselves out of their lengthy muse.

"What? Of course I want this storehouse back! I like it here! And being with you guys is so much fun~! Right? Aren't we already friends?"

Seriously.

Only those of monkey guys who could pull off something like that. Always fancy putting his belief on matters so simple yet his determination couldn't be taken as one. And the uncanny charm that lingered whenever that toothy smile was put into show.

Seriously.

There must be something with dudes in "D" and their goofy grins.

Something egged the group on thinking over troublesome things it was troublesome.

And as troublesome as it got, they troublesomely found themselves sealing a deal with the "D" millionaire.

"Oh!" The hyper boy swiftly blurted and gawked at the redhead, "If you're jumpy, want me to give you meat? I think I still have some. Trust me, you'll feel good!"

"My mental health doesn't work like yours, Straw Hat," Kid retorted, "'Sides, I ain't no jumpy."

"Eeeeeh…but meat's really good, you know! Don't make fun of—Ah," he blinked at his big pocket, one hand still rummaging in it, "Meh, I can't give you any, I'm outta meat myself. Aww, and here I thought I can eat some more…" He then steered his sullen look to Capone.

"No." The man stood his ground, distancing his Tablet off him, "Stop assuming everything is edible."

"But Reddy won't get his food t—"

"—Would it kill you to listen to me for once!?" Honestly, the dude was out of Kid's league sometimes.

"You'll keep feeling jum—"

"—I'M NOT!"

"Hahahahaha!" The sudden guffaw drew all attentions to the entrance door. A huge man presented himself to their view, "I see Luffy has made his way again to get under your skin, eh, Kid?"

"Urouge!"

"Yo, Urouge."

"Urouge, man, you're late!"

"Things took longer than I have guessed," Urouge strolled further into the place, "But I still get you this." He threw a small package to Apoo who caught it effortlessly. The man's face shortly lit up.

"Sweet!" Apoo waved the thing eagerly, "Thanks, big guy. Wow, I can't believe you managed to find this. I thought the CD won't get released anymore. This kind of heavy metal isn't really popular, I'm surprised you know it too. You have good taste."

"You just don't know me yet, child."

"How did you come across this?"

Urouge shrugged, "The band gave it to me."

"Whoa, you're friends with those punkers!?"

"Old buddies."

"…Tell me how come you were monk again?" Apoo arched an eyebrow, "Wait, never mind. I see why you're an ex now."

"Please, I am just an old happy gardener now."

"And did our school gardener do his real task properly?" Kid's irritated voice cut them short.

The said gardener chuckled, "Easy, kiddo. Don't round on me if you are tense because of that extra deal you made with the chairman."

"Wh—"

"—Extra?"

This, of course, quickly squeezed some reactions out of them all.

"Oi, what do you mean by 'extra'?"

"Kid, I swear if you tryna—"

"—Spill it, Eustass!"

"Urouge-ya." Law's grayish orbs calmly fixed on the older man, undoubtedly filled with a demand for some explanation.

"Oh he just made the chairman agree to do something with his marks in the recent exam so he doesn't need to take the makeup test." The big guy told them.

"Ah, cheater!"

"I can't believe you made a deal only for yourself."

"You should've brought us with you too, jerk!"

The first graders instantly vented their fury to the redhead.

"Tsk, pipe down, guys!" Kid held up his hands, annoyed, yet it didn't restrain him to glare daggers at the gardener, "Urouge, you ass, how could you know that!?"

The man chimed merrily, "Gardener has his own way to catch up with rumors, you know."

"Heheh, so that's why you're jumpy. Want to make sure this mission won't be failed, huh?" Capone amusedly remarked.

"I'm NOT jumpy!"

"You guys seem calm." Killer stated, turning to the third graders. He didn't say anything to Law who had been back to his book again since…well, didn't mean to brag but the sophomores in this crowd were quiet the brainy themselves, "I heard the seniors had it tough too in the recent exam."

"Hmph," Drake's lips quirked a bit, "I'm not part of those seniors."

"Well, I don't really care about the exam myself," Apoo casually informed him, "Got my own music career to pursue, marks don't make any difference to me."

Killer only nodded, intuitively turned to the last third grader…who was still quietly arranging his cards.

"Uh, Hawkins?"

"…It is not in my fate to fail the exam."

Ah. Yeah. Killer should have known, his mistake for asking.

"Argh!" Kid brushed off the complaints poured into him, "Why don't you try talking to the geezer himself then!? It's not like you can gain something from protesting me! And Urouge!" He whipped around, "You're not gonna tell me that's all you got from there, are you!?"

The gardener laughed, "Why of course. I just cannot let this side entertainment slip by, that is all." He slowly approached, pulling out something of his coat before tossing it onto the main table. It didn't take long to have everyone circled the furniture, "Additional info from the chairman for his request."

Spreading out on the table was stack of papers, filled with notes and pictures. Everybody took some that piqued their interest, studying them or simply wanted to get a closer look.

"Buggy, huh?" Zoro spoke, kept eyeing the paper in his hand, "Who's this guy again?"

"Roger's ex-disciple or something." Urouge answered him.

"So…we already knew he wants us to take—no, steal his stuff back from this Buggy." Bonney glanced up from her paper, "What stuff is his stuff, by the way?"

"He didn't tell." Killer shrugged, "Just saying it'll be in, uh, a box with his symbol engraved on it."

"Symbol?"

"It's in the paper."

She was back to stare down her own one, brow furrowed, "If I didn't know better I'd say this is more like a Jolly Roger to me."

"Well, the chairman is kind of 'jolly'," Law dully reasoned out, "Still, these are not enough. Buggy is supposed to be this…leader of some dubious syndicate, right? Aren't there any more details on the syndicate itself? These are too general."

"Already on it." Capone called from his computer seat, typing proficiently. Everybody automatically ran their eyes over the projector screen near them that connected to the computer. The projected image on it flickered as notes and pictures kept showing up, "There's nothing interesting to tell yet."

"Think you can pry into it?"

"Give me a few minutes."

That was it. In a few minutes they were going to get what they so wished. That was how Capone's network worked its wonder.

"Well then, while we're waiting, why don't we ask one other person to do some look-up too?" Apoo peeked over his shoulder, "Oi Hawkins, it's your cards' turn now. Anything you can tell us?"

The said man sit still in mute, hands busy aligning his tarot cards on the mat. As much as they loved to jeer at that weird trait of his, Hawkins' divination actually had its own share of wonder too. All the members had personally experienced it before. One of the great things it had achieved was when it could brilliantly find a lost Zoro during their last school trip in record time.

After a moment, he deliberately mouthed, "Red and white [1]."

"Huh?"

"We all shall wear something in red and white on the mission day."

"Uh…okay. Anything else?"

He paused, "…Eustass Kid shall meet his luck in that of bird."

"Bird?" Kid cocked his—supposed—eyebrow, "What bird?"

He didn't reply, moving his stare to another male, "And Monkey D. Luffy shall meet his doom in that of bean."

"Eh? Bean?" Luffy pursed his lips, head tilted while pondering hard, "Hnnnnnnnnggg…I do hate natto though, always get my stomach doomed."

"What about me?" Apoo inquired.

"…"

"What?"

"…You should speak less. Those teeth are unsightly."

"…Was that your divination or your own opinion?"

"…"

"Alright, let me get this straight." Drake declared. He was leaning forward, palms pushed on the table, "In order to make the chairman let us keep this place, we must fulfill his request which is to infiltrate some villain base and retrieve the thing that has been stolen from him…" he halted, then slowly inhaling, "…Is this something a school board's chairman normally asks to high schoolers nowadays?"

"Is that problem?" The redhead queried, "It's simpler this way to be honest."

"Yeah, I thought he's gonna make us take some pop quiz or something when he said we should 'prove our worth'." The moss head complied.

"In short, we just need to kick some ass and beat everyone there to pulp and we'll get this storehouse back, right?" The straw hat boy added, "Oh, and retrieve the thingy too."

Drake deadpanned, "Forget I asked."

An amused smile brought its way to Urouge's lips, "Okay, children, shall we move to strategy session? I know the thing is alien to you but we must do it for the issue at hand."

Bonney snorted, "Need to ready a plan to keep these hot heads at bay, huh?"

"That also goes for your appetite, Jewelry-ya." Law remarked.

"Hah, since it'll be the only time I must team up with you lot, why don't we make it a bit flashy?" A compromising grin spread across Kid's face.

"Something in mind, Kid?" Killer flashed him a curious look. But the redhead only snickered, arms reaching to both side of the table as he bent down a little.

"Alright, curs," his eyes fixed on them with unusual spark of thrill, "Prepare to cut loose."

[1] Red and white: The color of Indonesian national flag.

A/N: I'm in the middle of wrapping up the last part in my draft, it'll be a total of 3 chapters. I'll try to update the next part (hopefully) soon. Expect some 'action'-ish in the later chappies, lol. So, what do you guys think so far?