Luffy awoke in a strange place. His entire body ached. Shifting his head, he found his nakama nearby. He began to sit up when a soft voice called out to him. A woman pushed him back down, saying, "You mustn't move yet!" A man across the room watched spitefully. "He can move if he wants. He's lucky to be alive.", he said. Luffy grasped the woman's arm. "Where am I?", he asked weakly. "Please lie down, Kaizoku-san. I must notify the mistress.", she said. "Mistress?", said Luffy, his eyes getting heavy. He passed out once more just as the man he'd heard prior came over to look him in the face. He had an unpleasant expression and didn't seem to care who knew he was in a foul mood.
The man from before spoke once more. "Go check on the women. I'll stay here." She nodded and fled the room as if afraid to argue. A few minutes passed as he looked over each person.
Zoro shifted. "Who're you?", he asked. The man grinned coyly. "I dare say the man keeping you alive", he snarled. "Where are we?", Zoro asked as he sat up. Approaching, the man said, "My name is Hanran Ito. You and your nakama are on a very secluded isle." He paused to smirk. "It's interesting you all survived the trip." Zoro looked around the room as his vision focused. Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper...They were all accounted for.
Zoro glanced at a loose bandage before asking, "Where are Robin and Nami?" "Down the hall. The mistress insisted on keeping them separate...Womanly comforts and such", sneered Ito. Another man poked his head in the doorway. He was tall and well built with dark skin and gray hair. "I see we're awake in here", he said. Ito begrudgingly leaned on the wall. "One of them, anyway", Ito muttered. The older man offered Zoro his hand. "Yatsu Okii. Welcome to our island", he said with a grin. Zoro cautiously accepted the gesture. "Thanks..." "*Our* island?", snapped Ito. Okii grinned innocently. "We all live here", he said. Ito unamusedly spat back, "Indeed." Okii sighed. "Why don't you go inform the mistress that our guests are beginning to stir?", he suggested. Ito glared mildly. "Very well", he said as he trudged from the room, obviously not wanting to do any work. Okii pulled up a stool next to Zoro's bed.
Okii nodded toward the others. "Looks like your friends are coming to", he said. Zoro looked over to Sanji sitting with his head in his hands. Usopp rolled over and Chopper started snoring. Sanji rubbed his temples. "My head...", he moaned. Okii laughed heartily. "I'd think so after the way we found you", he joked. Sanji glanced up, steadying his vision. "Who're you?", he asked. Okii tossed him his cigarettes. "I work for the mistress of this island. You're all welcomed guests here", he grinned. Catching them, Sanji thanked him. Okii: "We had to dry them out, but I think you'll find them intact", said Okii. Reacting to his confused look, he added, "I found them in one of your pockets." Noticing his change of clothes, Sanji said, "Yeah...Thanks."
Turning, Okii asked, "Anything for you, Roronoa-san?" Zoro looked the man over while Sanji set up a light. "You know my name?", asked Zoro. Okii grinned knowingly. "You'll find I've memorized any wanted poster that's come this way. Relax, none of you are in any danger here. "Our mistress takes good care of her guests", he assured. "Mistress?", Sanji asked. "You keep saying that. Does she have a name?", Zoro asked unamusedly. "Forgive my manners; We don't often get guests here in one piece." Reading their looks, he added, "The reef is especially dangerous in a storm; Most sailors don't make it to our shores alive. You're all quite lucky." Sanji looked about. "Where are Nami and Robin?", he asked concerned. "Down the hall", Zoro boredly. Lighting a cigar, Okii spoke. "In answer to your question, Roronoa-san - My mistress is rather shy, out on this secluded isle. Not many know of her existence, let alone her name." Inhaling deeply, he said, "Her name is Kin Nozomi. I welcome you on her behalf."
Ito entered the room. "I've done as you asked", he sneered. Turning with a grin, Okii said, "Good, good." Waving him in, he added, "Come and sit with us." Ito squinted, annoyed. "I don't fraternize with castaways", he muttered. "Hey, what's your problem?", said Sanji. Curtly, Ito replied, "My problem is that I now have to look after all of you while orchestrating repairs to your ship along with my usual duties. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm a very busy man." He hurriedly left the room. Looking after him, Okii shook his head. "Try not to mind him. He's - ...(shrugging) Well, he's Ito", he said lamely. "Nice guy", said Zoro, sarcastically. Okii rose from his seat. "You two get some rest. Your captain will be out for a while. From the look of it, he swallowed a lot of seawater, but he'll pull through", he assured. "Any chance of getting something to eat?", asked Zoro. Okii smiled politely. "I'll send Shizuka to get anything you might need", he said. As he left the room, he closed the door behind him. Sanji looked over to a mumbling Usopp.
Sanji tossed a pillow at him. "Wake up, Stupid", he said. Usopp sat up hazily. "Huh? What happened?", he asked still half asleep. "We wrecked the Merry. That's what happened", said Zoro plainly. Usopp's eyes widened. "Wrecked the Merry?!", he gasped. "Relax. Everyone's all right", said Sanji, taking a drag. Usopp calmed some. "What about the ship?", he asked. "We don't know yet. That Hanran guy said they were fixing it", Zoro shrugged. "They can't fix Merry without me!", exclaimed Usopp. He started to get up and quickly landed on his face. Noticing the splint on his leg, he said meekly, "...A little help..." Sanji sighed and helped his friend up. Usopp was just leaning onto the edge of his bed when the door creaked open. All three of them glanced over, but no one seemed to be coming in through the tiny crack.
A meek woman asked, "You needed something, gentlemen?" "You can come in", said Zoro. Sheepishly, she scurried in and tried to stand presentably. She was a small girl, obviously very withdrawn. She huddled into herself and struggled to look him in the eye. "I'm sorry, sir...My...(Straightening up) My name is Shizuka. I'm here to serve your needs", she said. "I could go for a drink", said Zoro, leaning back. "Anything you wish, sir. We have a full bar and wine cellar", she managed. Cocking an eyebrow, he said, "Just some rum for now." She curtsied and looked to Sanji and Usopp. "Water, please", said Sanji. Noticing Usopp on his feet, she again grew frenzied. Shizuka, her eyes wide, exclaimed, "Sir, you mustn't stand!" Usopp waved it off. "This is nothing", he grinned. Shrinking back from her outburst, Shizuka said, "I'm sorry, but that's just the medicines you're feeling now. You had a good sized piece of wood imbedded before." Usopp began noticing the blood seeping through his bandages. "...I think I'll sit down now", he said. She nodded with a shy smile.
Backing out of the room, she said, "I'll get your drinks. I'm sorry to have bothered you." She squeezed back out through another seemingly tiny opening. Sanji helped Usopp back onto his bed. "Interesting group here", he observed. "What do you mean?", asked Usopp. "Seems like the older guy is charge", noted Zoro. Taking a drag, Sanji said, "Yeah. He seemed all right, but I don't know about the other two." "Who?", asked Usopp, confused. They started explaining everything while they waited for Shizuka to return.
In another room, Nami stared out the window. Robin was sound asleep. "I wonder where the guys are...", sighed Nami. She turned at a knock on the door. "Come in." A dark-haired woman about her age came in quietly. She had golden hoops hanging from her ears and a seemingly congenial disposition. Smiling, the woman said, "You must be confused." Nami nodded nervously. Extending her hand, the woman said, "I'm Nozomi. Your ship crashed into my harbor." Nami shook her hand and said, "Nami." Glancing at her wrappings, "Thanks for taking care us." Nozomi sat in the window sill.
"Forgive me if my manners are a bit rusty. I don't get many visitors here", said Nozomi. Nami waved it off. "No, you're fine", she said. "You were on Straw-Hat Luffy's ship. Are you nakama?", asked Nozomi. Nami nodded. "I'm the navigator. He'd get lost without me", she replied with a grin. "No sense of direction?", chuckled Nozomi. "None", said Nami dryly. They both looked over as a murmur came from Robin. "Your friends are down the hall", stated Nozomi. "Is everyone okay?", asked Nami. "Yes, nothing too serious. I think your boss will be down for a while, though", answered Nozomi. Remembering what happened, Nami asked, "Sea water?" Nozomi quietly nodded.
Two days ago...
Usopp and Chopper were fishing off the side of the Merry-Go, Zoro was strength training, and Sanji was chasing Luffy out of the fridge again. Robin smiled at the daily antics as Nami came out from a long map-drawing session. Nami stretched deeply. "How's the weather look?", she asked. "It's been sunny all morning", smiled Robin. Nami glanced at the log pose. "That's weird", she said. Sanji pranced over. "Nami-san! Your beauty brings a ray of light to my day!" She didn't respond. She was looking at the pose more intently. Concerned, he asked, "What is it, Nami-san?" She slowly raised her wrist and he too stared in amazement. Intrigued, Luffy sneaked over. Luffy watched the arrow spin. "Ooo, neat!", he said. Smacking him upside the head, Nami seethed, "It isn't neat! It's bad!" Usopp and Chopper trotted over to see what the commotion was about. "What's going on?", asked Usopp. "The log pose is acting strangely", said Nami. Lighting up, Sanji asked, "Is it broken?" "It can't be broken! We'll be lost forever!", panicked Chopper. By this time Zoro and Robin had joined the group. Zoro wiped the sweat his brow. "What's all the fuss about?", he inquired. "It seems something is wrong with the pose", replied Robin.
The clear, blue sky suddenly clouded over, turning dark as night. Everyone looked to Nami. She would normally have already seen this coming. Something was wrong. Glancing up, Nami said, "...Pull in the sails." Sanji nodded and took off. Usopp looked overboard at the deadly calm sea. "What's happening?", shouted Chopper. Robin used her ability to secure the tarp over the fruit trees. Luffy stared straight ahead. Tapping his navigator's shoulder, he said, "Uh...Nami?" Shaking her head, she said, "Not now, I'm thinking." "Nami...", Luffy insisted. Looking up, she shouted, "What?!" Her expression quickly shifted to one of horror. Zoro grabbed Luffy's arm. "Robin, Chopper - Get inside!", he shouted. It was too late. A massive wave knocked the Merry a kinder. Sanji held onto the ropes tightly until it had passed. Glancing out into the blackness, he saw another headed for them. Jumping down, Sanji hollered, "Is everyone all right?" Looking around, Chopper hazarded, "I think so." Usopp staggered to his feet. "Where did that come from?", he asked. "Here comes another!", yelled Nami over the roar of the sea.
They braced for it, but Robin was knocked overboard. Running after her, Luffy shouted her name. Catching him by the shoulder, Zoro snapped, "Stop, you idiot! You'll drown, too!" Sanji dove in after her. The waves were getting worse, the lulls getting shorter. It began pelting rain and hail. Usopp tossed over a rope, yelling, "Grab on!" Chopper shifted forms and helped pull them back on deck. Robin coughed the seawater out from her lungs. She was weakened, but unharmed. "Luffy!", shouted Nami. He was so busy checking on his friend, he had turned his back against the storm. Looking across his shoulder, his face met with a piece of flailing wood. Pulling it loose, he asked, "Where did that come from?" He followed Nami's shaking finger to a detached mast flying through the air. "It must have come from a wreck!", Usopp yelled above the wind. Bracing, Zoro shouted, "Get ready for the rest of it!"
Sanji shoved Nami inside the cabin and shielded Robin with his body. Another vessel was flying at them in pieces, battering the Merry and her crew. The ship shuddered with the impact. Grasping his shoulder, Robin hollered, "Chef-kun, I'm all right!" He responded with a slight smile as he fell to the side. He had shards of wood sticking out of his back and blood pouring from his brow. Looking out the door, Nami yelled, "Sanji!" Searching the deck, Zoro asked, "Where's Luffy?" A shout from the sea confirmed his suspicion. He handed the rope to Usopp and leapt in after him. He struggled to hold onto the icy chord. "Usopp, your leg!", fretted Chopper. He knew he was bleeding, but he stood his ground and held the line. Lurching forward with their weight, he almost lost his balance, but Chopper quickly came to his aid. Zoro climbed over the railing with Luffy barely hanging onto him. The ship lurched, sending them forward.
"What was that?!", shouted Zoro. The ship stopped moving as the water receded faster than ever. "We hit something!", responded Nami. She looked overboard just enough to make out a small light in the distance. She tried to focus her vision, but the conditions got worse; Visibility dropped to zero as a wave larger than all of the others combined aimed straight for them.
-
Shizuka had brought food and drink. By this time, Chopper had woken up and the boys talked amongst themselves as Okii came back into the room. "Good to see most of you up and about", said Okii. "How are the girls?", asked Sanji. "How's the ship?", inquired Usopp. Okii chuckled in response. "Fine, fine", he assured. Nami came into the room with a cup of hot tea in hand. "Nami-swan! You're all right!", cried Sanji with joy. Smiling, she replied, "I'm fine, but Robin's still asleep." She sat on the edge of Luffy's bed and looked him over. "He'll come to when he smells dinner cooking", said Zoro. "Probably", replied Nami dryly. "Is Robin okay?", asked Chopper. Nami nodded. "She should be up soon", she assured. Chopper breathed a sigh of relief.
Lightening the mood, Nami uttered, "Some storm, huh?" Okii took a seat casually. "We get a lot like that here", he said. "How does the island stay afloat?", asked Usopp in disbelief. "I did warn you it was difficult to get on the island. That's just one of the reasons", grinned Okii. Nami glanced out the window. "So, you're saying another could hit any time?", she inquired, mapping the weather pattern in her mind. "About four days, I'd guess. It tends to cycle around", he explained. "You mean that thing's just off shore at any given time?", asked Sanji. "Pretty much", laughed the older man. "How do you get supplies out here?", inquired Usopp. "I have my ways, Lad", replied Okii coyly.
Luffy sat up with a hazy expression. Rubbing his eye, he muttered, "Sanji, I'm hungry." Sanji grinned wryly. "Glad you're okay, too", he teased. "Huh?", mumbled Luffy. He looked at his bandaged body and everyone else's. "...So that wasn't a dream?", he ventured. "I'd say not, Monkey-san", replied Okii. Luffy turned toward the voice. "Who're you?", he asked. "Yatsu Okii; I help run things around here", said the old sailor.
Ito stepped through the door. "Dinner will be ready in an hour. Don't be late", he sneered, surveying the faces present. "Will Nozomi be eating with us?", inquired Nami. Ito headed for the door, but paused. "Kin-san will dine alone", he replied haughtily. He silently departed. "You met Nozomi?", asked Zoro. "Yeah, she came in to check on us", replied Nami. "Is she nice?", inquired Chopper. "She is taking care of us", shrugged Sanji. "She's very nice", assured Nami. "What's she like?", asked Usopp. "Well, she had dark hair and gold earrings...", began Nami. "I remember her!", said Luffy, perking to attention. Everyone turned in surprise. "So, you were awake then", said Okii with a knowing smile. "Yeah...She had these purple eyes", said Luffy. Okii sat back in his seat. "That's her, all right", he grinned. "When did you meet her?", asked Usopp, intrigued. Luffy blinked plainly. "...I don't remember", he ceded. "You don't remember?", repeated Nami, hanging her head. "You were drifting in and out of consciousness yesterday. She came and changed all of your bandages herself", explained Okii. "Herself?", repeated Zoro. "Aye, she seems to have taken a shining to your crew", began Okii. Scratching his beard, he added, "Then again, you are the first outsiders to get here alive in about six years." "Six years?! Isn't she lonely?", inquired Chopper. "That she is, Lad", winked the older man.
Later, everyone was led downstairs to an extravagant meal. Almost everything imaginable was set out on sterling silver plates. "The mistress wasn't sure what you would want, so you got a little of everything", uttered Shizuka meekly. "Awesome!", exclaimed Luffy. Nami shook her head as the boys dug in. Robin sat quietly in a chair, admiring the decor. "Quite the place here", she said. Shizuka nodded silently. Ito brought one last tray from the kitchen. "You'll find the mistress owns many nice things", said Ito. Squinting, he added, "Don't steal any of it." "Ito-kun!", chided Shizuka. He gave her an icy glare. Clearing her throat, the maid corrected herself with, "Hanran-san, I'm sure these are fine, trustworthy people." Wiping his mouth, Zoro said, "Don't worry, Hanran. As long as all the treasure stays on our ship, all yours will stay here." Nami decided to break the tension. "We're thankful for the care. We wouldn't dream of doing anything to insult Nozomi's hospitality", she assured. Ito cocked an eyebrow. "Since when were you so close to Kin-san that you call her by her first name?", he sneered. "She introduced herself that way", interjected Robin. "Is that so?", replied Ito. Snorting in disapproval, he said, "Just be glad she's taken a liking to the lot of you moochers." He seethed in aggravation as he left.
"Please, forgive his poor manners", said Shizuka quietly. "That's okay. At least he speaks his mind", laughed Luffy. Sanji served the girls some wine. "I still don't like his attitude", he said. Entering the room, Okii added, "No one does. He's a rotten one." "Yatsu-oji! Did you come to eat with us?", cried Luffy. "No, no. Just checking in...and please, call me Okii", said the older man. "Okii, is Hanran always like that?", inquired Chopper. Okii smiled down at the tiny reindeer. "I'm pretty sure he was born that way", he teased. Everyone looked over at the tiny snicker Shizuka let out. Realizing she had been noticed, she fled with a bright red face. Usopp sat down with a heaping plate. "She's really shy, huh?", he ventured. "I think she was born that way, too", nodded Okii.
Sanji took a seat next to Robin as Luffy piled his dish with another serving. "I see you've got quite the appetite, there", observed Okii. "That's putting it mildly", replied Zoro dryly. Seeing his own overfull plate, Nami chided, "You're one to talk!" Okii laughed heartily. "Eat up, my friends", he encouraged. Turning, he began, "Monkey-san - " "Luffy", corrected Mugiwara. Okii smiled in response. "Luffy-san, would you please meet with the mistress after you've had your fill? She has some important matters to discuss", he said. Luffy downed his mug. "Sure! I'd haven't had a chance to thank her yet", he replied with a grin.
A day ago...
The Merry had landed harshly into the harbor. The last massive wave had knocked her loose from the reef. Her crew lay strewn about the deck. Chopper was under Usopp's arm, Sanji had slid headfirst into the helm, and Robin was huddled against what was left of the railing. Nami lie unconscious in the cabin floor where Luffy was spread through the doorway. Zoro had one arm severely tangled in the ropes and half-stood, half-hanged, with the blood dripping from his wounds.
Shouts from the beach were quickly followed by footsteps. "Get the doctor! They're wounded!", yelled Nozomi from the deck. "They're still alive?!", asked Ito in disbelief. "Hurry!", called Nozomi. Okii had climbed up with her and began to lay everyone out for easier transport. Nozomi was surveying their numbers when Luffy suddenly grabbed her ankle. She jumped, startled, but quickly knelt down to hear him. Blurry-eyed, Luffy pleaded, "My nakama...Please...Help them..." He passed out once more. Okii came over to see who they'd managed find. Okii tipped Luffy's hat to see his face. "Just as I thought", he said. Nozomi turned him onto his back. "Who is he?", she asked. "Straw-Hat Luffy", replied Okii. Pointing elsewhere, he said, "And there, Roronoa Zoro." "Nice catch. What would you say they're worth?", said Ito, climbing over the railing. "That's not funny", chided Nozomi. Ito bowed. "My apologies, my lady", he said.
Okii and Ito lowered the crew to the beach one by one where the island's doctor assessed their wounds. Shizuka scurried to and fro, helping where ever possible. Okii pointed out the known fruit users, Robin and Luffy. Nozomi tended to them personally, doing her best to revive them from the sheer amount of sea water they had been exposed to.
-
Presently...
After dinner, the crew was led to a large foyer where they settled in by an antiqued fireplace. Luffy followed Okii upstairs, to the third floor. They paused outside an ornate wooden door. It had bronze insets and must have weighed a ton. Unlocking the door, Okii explained, "This is Kin-chan's personal library. This entire floor is solely hers. Not many are allowed up here." Grinning, he added, "Don't abuse the privilege." Luffy nodded and looked the room over, awestruck. It was huge; Bookshelves eight tiers high, beautiful archways along the domed ceiling, and an etched glass door leading out to a balcony. Noticing Luffy's expression, Okii said, "Impressive, isn't it?" "Nami and Chopper would have a field day with all these books", replied Mugiwara. "Perhaps they can look around tomorrow", offered Nozomi.
Luffy's vision traced the source of the voice. Nozomi was sitting near the windows with a flute in her hand. Shizuka stood silently beside her. Setting down her flute, Nozomi said, "Thank you, Okii. Please, see to the others." "As you wish", he nodded. He quietly left the room. Nozomi stood up with an inviting smile. "Please, have a seat, Luffy-san", she invited. Luffy made himself comfortable. "You don't have to be so formal", he grinned. "Luffy, then", she replied with a smile. He smiled wide as the formalities ceased. Shizuka shifted slightly in discomfort of the situation. Sitting near him, Nozomi said, "Welcome to my island. I hope you and your nakama are finding everything to your liking." Luffy surveyed the decor. "This is place is great", he said. "You'll all be free to roam the mansion tomorrow. I'll see to it that you all get the grand tour", she assured.
Luffy looked the room over while he listened. Several statues and large planters adorned the spaces between shelving. Nozomi blushed faintly. "Forgive my decadence...I try to keep the place nice even if there's no one to show it to", she said. Luffy poked an ornate figurine. "Where'd you get all this stuff anyway?", he asked. Looking down, she replied, "Most of it washed up from the various wrecks." Noticing her sullen demeanor, he tried to lighten the mood. "Oh...Fair game, then." She smiled subtly at his words. Shizuka fiddled with her hands as they spoke. Nozomi turned toward her maid. "Shizuka, if you're bored, go sit with the others", she said simply. Alarmed, Shizuka replied, "No, my lady!" Catching herself, she meekly added, "I mean, it wouldn't be proper to leave you alone with this man."
Nozomi glanced over to Luffy who blinked with a blank expression; He didn't seem to understand the comment. "Very well", she said. Turning back to Luffy, she continued, "I'm sorry about Ito. I hear he's been causing you trouble." "You're doing a lot for us. I don't think one grouchy guy is enough to make us reject your hospitality", shrugged Luffy. "I see", she replied with a warm smile. "How bad's the Merry?", he inquired. "Your ship? It needs quite a few repairs. It'll probably be about two weeks before you can leave. I'm sorry for the delay", she explained. "We'll come help out tomorrow", he said. Nozomi glanced at his bandages. "But you're hurt", she argued. Luffy followed her line of vision. "Eh, this is nothing", he said. "You pirates are a tough lot, aren't you?", she teased.
Downstairs, the rest of the crew chatted idly. "What do you think they're talking about up there?", ventured Usopp. "Who knows...", shrugged Sanji, taking a deep drag.
"I wonder when she'll talk to the rest of us", said Chopper. "Maybe tomorrow", replied Nami. "It makes sense that she'd want to talk to Luffy first. After all, he is captain", said Robin. Chopper idly kicked his feet. "Yeah, I guess", he ceded. Zoro leaned against the wall and looked out into the darkness. He wasn't interested in chit-chat. "Maybe tomorrow we can go see what kind of shape the Merry's in", said Usopp. "Yeah! We can help with the repairs!", replied Chopper.
Sanji watched Zoro silently for a while before speaking up. "Hey, Marimo. What's your problem?", he inquired. "Am I the only one that finds this place strange?", replied the swordsman. Usopp glanced over. "What do you mean?", he asked. Zoro shifted his gaze toward the group. "Does Whiskey Peak ring a bell?", he said plainly. Glances were exchanged amidst most of the crew. Chopper looked around in confusion while Robin stared into the flames. "That was different", said Sanji. "How?", asked Zoro. "They were bounty hunters looking for an easy mark", replied the chef. "Yeah, and they treated us great until we dropped our guard", retorted Zoro. "Don't be stupid. If that was the case, Nozomi would've taken us to the marines when we were unconscious to start with", said Nami. "Yeah, but she took us into her home instead", added Usopp. "He does have a point", uttered Robin. "Robin-chan...Not you, too", said Sanji. "This all does seem just a little too good to be true. However, we've no reason to doubt the intentions of our host", she replied.
Okii leaned against the wall just outside the room. He listened carefully, but made no judgments. "Robin's right. No one here has done anything to make us suspicious", stated Nami. "Serving us hand and foot with no request for payment doesn't seem out of place to you?", offered Zoro. "Let it go, Sword-boy", said Sanji. They were in the middle of a stare-off when Okii came in with a smile on his face. "Everybody comfortable? Good. Now tomorrow we'll take you down to your ship and give you a tour of the island. You can go anywhere you like with few exceptions", said the old sailor. "Like what?", inquired Zoro. "We ask you remain on the first and second floors. The third floor is private", stated Okii. "Is that where Nozomi lives?", asked Nami. "Aye, Lass. She'll come to you, so don't go looking for her", nodded Okii. "We can help with the repairs, right?", inquired Usopp. "If you wish", replied Okii. "That'll make the work go faster", said Chopper. "We're estimating about two weeks right now", stated Okii. "Two whole weeks?", uttered Sanji. "That storm must have done a number on our ship", observed Robin. "Aye...Feel free to walk the island as you please; There's only two places we ask you to avoid", replied Okii. "Oh?", she asked. "The storm will be to the north side of the island right now, so it'd be best to avoid that area. The second is the southern-most point. You'll see some rather large boulders out that way", he explained. "What's so dangerous about that?", inquired Nami. Okii glanced at Robin. "It's a deposit of kairoseki stone", he replied.
"Chopper, you better stay away from there, too", added Usopp. "Right", nodded the doctor. Smiling, Okii said, "So, you are something special then. A talking reindeer of nature would be quite unusual, but a devil fruit would explain it." Chopper laughed nervously. "Shut up! I'm not that different!", he said with a faint dance.
Okii grinned and the group continued talking for some time. Nami asked questions about the storm that circled the island and how long it would take for the log pose to adjust. The fire was beginning to die down by the time Luffy rejoined his crew. "So that's how it works!", said Nami. "Aye, Lass. A natural wonder, it is", replied Okii. Espying his captain, Sanji said, "Oi, Luffy. It's about time you came down." "What'd you talk about for so long?", asked Usopp. "Lots of stuff", yawned Luffy. "That narrows it down", said Zoro wryly. "I'm tired. Can't we talk about it tomorrow?", whined the captain. Okii chuckled. "It is getting late, Luffy-san. I suggest you all turn in soon", he said. Nami stretched deeply. "Yeah, bed sounds good", she ceded. Shaking off a sleepy look, Chopper said, "But I'm not tired yet. What'd she say, Luffy?" He nodded off while standing. "I guess we'll find out later", said Sanji. Robin sprouted arms from Luffy's shoulders and shook him lightly. Luffy looked around sleepily. "Huh?" Robin smiled warmly. "You were just saying that you were headed to bed, Captain", she said. Scratching his side, Luffy uttered, "Yeah..."
The next morning, everyone was anxious to see the island. Breakfast was served and Okii saw to them, personally. He led them out the main door onto a grand staircase. Everyone smiled in amazement as they looked around. Lush, tropical vegetation filled the island with huge trees. The cove sparkled in the sun and the cyclone could easily be seen due north. "That's the storm that wrecked us?!", cried Nami. "It's huge!", exclaimed Usopp, aghast. "It is a beauty, isn't it?", said Okii with a knowing grin. The spiral was massive. Even from this far away, it was magnificent. Okii pointed south. "Out that way is the kairoseki deposit", he explained. Winking, he added, "I suggest you stay way from there."
Luffy looked toward the cove and Ito could be seen ranting madly at a worker. Okii led them down and they stood affronted at the sheer damage to the Merry. Usopp looked over the ship. "There's no way this can be fixed in two weeks!", he cried. "You'd be surprised at our efficiency", replied Okii. "Great, just great. More people to get in my way", sneered Ito. "Ito, why don't you stop fussing and just do your work?", sighed Okii. Ito gave an unamused 'hmph' and laid his hands on a piece of the mast in the sand. It shifted and the crew stood back in awe. The splinters reverted inward, the grain lined up, and screws came undone as if being pushed out. "Awesome!", exclaimed Luffy. "An ability user?", observed Robin, intrigued.
Ito sighed, his work complete, and stood smugly. "You wondered how everything was in such good repair despite the ever present storm?", he ventured. "That's pretty neat!", said Usopp, impressed. "Wow! I wish I could fix things like that!", said Chopper excitedly. Luffy pointed at the irritable man. "Can we take him with us?", he asked. Okii laughed. "You'd likely be doing us a favor", he said. "No way! That guy's a creep", said Sanji. "I *can* hear you, you know", seethed Ito. "...Sorry about that", ceded the chef. Zoro observed the scarce workers. "How many people live on this island anyway?", he inquired. "This one? Including Ito, Shizuka, and myself - about six", replied Okii. Nami eyed him wryly. "What other island would there be?", she asked flatly. "We have four satellite isles in the cardinal directions. We have lighthouses and at least two people stationed on each", explained the old sailor. "So we did see a light in the storm", ventured Robin. Luffy looked about the area. "Where does everyone else live?", he asked. "Yeah, I've barely seen anyone in the mansion", added Chopper. "There's some housing to the west. They do gardening, maintenance, things like that. Only the three of us stay with Kin-chan", replied Okii. "Why so secluded?", asked Sanji. Changing the subject, Okii said, "You're all welcome to board your vessel and get your personal belongings. Don't worry about any treasure. It'll be safe." Shrugging it off, they did just that.
Looking around, they found a large, bloodied shard of wood. Eying its size, Usopp cried, "*That* was in my leg?!" Okii laughed heartily. "It was", he stated. Waving Sanji over, he added, "And you, boy. Your head was stuck in that hole." Sanji reflexively touched his bandages. "That would explain the headache", he said bashfully. Zoro fingered some cut ropes that dangled from above. They had frayed badly during they're disentanglement. "What idiot got stuck in these?", he asked. "That would be you", replied Okii. "...Oh", said the swordsman. Luffy cracked up. "You called yourself an idiot!", he laughed. "Did you hear that, Nami-san? He admitted it!", cried Sanji. "Shut up. At least I didn't get my head stuck in a hole", glared Zoro. "Technically, his head *made* that hole", stated Okii.
Robin glanced over the scene, remembering everything that had transpired. She stood where Sanji had protected her and stared in thought. "Did you find all of us out here?", inquired Nami. Pointing, Okii replied, "No, you were just inside there and your captain was here in the doorway." "I guess I couldn't decide if I wanted in or out", grinned Luffy amiably. Nami smacked the back of his head. "You idiot! This is serious! We could have been killed!", she chided. "But we weren't", he replied. "I give up...", she sighed.
To be continued...
