*Note: This story was actually a dream I had back in 2009 and has no bearing, impact, or relation to my main fic time line.
Sanji hummed as he strolled through town, groceries in hand. Usopp was idly going on about a new modification he had in mind for the Climatact when something caught his attention. He stopped in his tracks, trailing off mid-sentence, and peered down an alley. Noticing he'd lost him, Sanji turned to see what the hold up was. "Hey, Usopp", he called. Shaking it off, the sniper replied, "What?...Where was I?" Sanji followed his friend's line of sight in curiosity. "What's with you?", he chided. "I thought I saw someone", explained Usopp. Resuming pace, Sanji passed it over with, "Probably." Usopp hurried to catch up. "No, I thought I saw Nami", he replied. "Maybe she decided to do some shopping", shrugged the chef. "It wasn't her, but she looked just like her", continued Usopp. "That, I'd like to see", smirked Sanji.
The duo paused at a shout from ahead. "Stop!", the voice yelled. A young boy ran around the corner and almost ran into them. Narrowly dodging, he mumbled something about not getting caught and high-tailed it out of there. Usopp looked after the boy's trail. "I wonder what that was about", he said. They shrugged it off and started walking again when someone slammed right into Usopp, knocking him to the ground. A woman struggled to her feet. "Dammit!", she exclaimed. Offering a hand, Sanji asked, "Are you all right, miss?" He froze as she looked up. She was an exact double of Nami, but her hair was tied into a long ponytail. Dusting herself off, he noticed the marine logo on her shirt. "Where'd that brat go?!", snapped the woman. Usopp got up and dusted himself off. "Don't worry, I'm okay", he ventured. He too stood stolid upon seeing her face. "What?!", said the stranger, annoyed with their stares. Usopp waved nervously. "Nothing", he replied. The woman scanned the street. "If that kid gets away again...", she fumed. Sanji stared at her intently. "Nami-san?", he muttered. Snapping her gaze to him, she said, "Huh?"
A man came running after her. "Shimura-san!", he called. Shimura glared scathingly at the newcomer. Shrinking back, the man panted, "Did you get the boy?" "Does it look like I have him?", she snapped, irritated. "No, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am. I'll go on ahead", he said. He ran off in the general direction the child had fled in. Shimura cursed under her breath as she knocked the last bit of dust from her clothing. Adjusting her sword, she met the pirates' gaze. "Did you two see where that kid went?", she inquired. "What'd he do?", asked Sanji. "I'm asking the questions. Did you see which way he went or not?", she replied. Usopp pointed down another road. "That way", he said. "Riggs better catch that little imp. It doesn't matter, though; I'm blaming the whole thing on him anyway", she vented.
She got a smug look on her face and started back the way she came. Sanji grabbed her wrist without thinking and she was *not* amused. "Unhand me, Filth", sneered Shimura. Ignoring her rage, he asked, "Who are you?" Snatching back her hand, she replied, "Lt. Shimura Yukari. What's it to you?" Usopp and Sanji exchanged glances. "I'm sorry. It's just that you - ", began the cook. "That I what?!", she snapped. "You look just like a friend of ours", ceded Usopp. Her haughty demeanor suddenly faded into a wide eyed expression. "What...did you just say?", she asked with interest. "You look just like our friend, Nami", replied Usopp. "Where is this 'Nami' from?", asked the marine reflectively. "She was raised in the East Blue, but I don't know where her mother found her", said Sanji, trying not to reveal too much information. "Found her?", she repeated, intrigued. "Yeah, as a baby", said Sanji.
Her gaze frosted over and she stood in thought. Usopp reached a hand toward her. "Are you all right?", he inquired. Snapping out of it, Shimura said, "Don't touch me!" Regaining her composure, she added, "I want to meet this 'Nami' of yours." The man from before returned with the boy in hand. "Lt. Shimura, I've caught the thief", he reported.
"Good. Take him back to base. I'll follow shortly", replied Shimura. "But - ", argued Riggs. "Now!", she bellowed. "Yes, ma'am", nodded Riggs. The boy laughed at how whipped he was. Riggs argued that she was his superior, but the boy still chuckled as they left. "I'll be at the tavern on the southern dock tonight at 8. Bring her", stated Shimura. She walked confidently away before they could reply. Usopp gathered his bags. "Now what?", he asked. "I guess we've got a date", said Sanji.
Sanji and Usopp told their tale once they returned to the Sunny. "Another Nami?!", asked Luffy. "You sure you weren't just daydreaming again?", chided Zoro. "I know what I saw", said Sanji sternly. "Yeah, and I saw her, too", added Usopp. "Sounds like an interesting ordeal. What will you do, Ms. Navigator?", inquired Robin. Nami sat with a thoughtful look on her face. "Nami-san?", uttered Sanji. "If you don't wanna go, then don't", said Luffy. "Long lost twin, huh?", said Franky. "We don't know that for sure", replied Sanji. Nami eventually said, "...I'm going." "You sure that's a good idea?", asked Franky. "I want to see for myself", she replied. "It might be kind of weird, though. I mean, she is a marine", said Usopp. "It could be a trap", added Zoro flatly. "But why trap Nami?", asked Luffy, confused. "We all have bounties. If those two show up with her, they bag three of us right there", replied the swordsman. "And then they'll draw the rest out in a rescue", added Robin. "Probably", shrugged Zoro. "Then I'll go alone", said Nami. "No. I'll go with you", replied Luffy. "But - ", began Sanji. "No buts. Sanji, you stay here. Usopp, you'll lead us to the meeting place", said the captain firmly. "Sure", nodded the sniper.
"Good idea. I don't think that idiot could handle seeing two of her at once", teased Zoro.
A loud boom came from on deck. The group ran outside, thinking they were under attack, merely to find Brook and Chopper ducking behind a crate. "That was a close one", said Chopper, swallowing hard. "Maybe next time I'll get it right", ventured Brook. "No!...I mean - that's okay. I can mix it myself", replied Chopper. "What happened?", inquired Luffy. Usopp surveyed the char marks. "Franky won't like this...", he said. "Won't like what?", asked the shipwright. Stepping around Usopp, he yelled, "What'd you do to my ship?!" Shaking the duo, one in each hand, he continued, "What'd you do that for?!" Being throttled, both cried, "We're sorry!" Franky grumbled and dropped them back to the deck. "You're gonna clean this up", he stated. Brook scurried off. "Right away!", he said. "Chopper, what did you guys do?", asked Usopp. "Brook wanted to help mix up some medicine...but he confused the gun powder for zinc", sighed Chopper. "Man, what an idiot!", laughed Luffy. "Shouldn't you be more upset? They nearly blew a hole in our ship", said Zoro. Suddenly serious, Luffy exclaimed, "Hey, that's right!" "At least everyone's okay", said Robin with a grin.
Nami stood aside from the chatter and stared idly into town. Sanji watched her carefully before approaching. "You all right?", he ventured. "I'm fine. That blast was more noise than anything", she replied absently. "I mean about that Shimura woman", he stated. Snapping out of it, she answered, "Right. Sorry, I've just got a lot on my mind." Luffy couldn't help but laugh at the frantic cleaning. Franky was steamed, but there was no lasting damage. "We're lucky that didn't alert the marines to our location", said Zoro. "I'm sure they heard it", replied Robin. "You guys will just have to keep an eye out while we're gone", said Luffy. "We're leaving now?", asked Usopp. "Heck no! We haven't had dinner yet!", exclaimed the captain.
Later that evening, the trio walked into the tavern, faces shadowed. They sat in the back corner and waited. Eventually Shimura entered and took a seat at the bar. Glancing around, she spotted Usopp. Shimura approached the table. "Where's the blonde?", she inquired. Looking up, Luffy smirked, "I came instead." "You!", she cried. She caught herself and sat down calmly. There was no point in causing a scene. "You really do look just like her", grinned Straw-Hat. "Where is she?", asked Shimura. Lowering her hood, Nami responded, "Right here."
They stared at one another for what seemed like minutes, each studying the other. "Where did your family find you?", asked Shimura skeptically. "My mother was a marine named Bellemare", replied Nami. "Hmm. Bellemare? I could look that up", replied Shimura. Usopp watched, uneasy. "How can someone raised by a marine turn into a pirate? It's disgusting", she sneered. "Actually - ", began Luffy. She glared hard at him and knew to shut up. "Drop this nonsense and come home, your real home. I'll see to it that your bounty is taken care of", stated the marine. "What?", asked Nami in surprise. "You can't have her", said Luffy stubbornly. "I didn't ask you", replied Shimura coldly. "Who do you think you are? You can't just boss me around!", replied Nami. Shimura grit her teeth. "I'm trying to save your ass", she chided. "Well, who asked you to?!", cried Nami, standing abruptly.
Shimura looked about, trying to keep things low key. "Pirates killed your real mother. Doesn't that mean something?", she asked. Resuming her seat, Nami replied, "Yeah, Arlong killed Bellemare. I know; I was there." "I mean your birth mother. We were just infants then. Let me help you. I couldn't do anything to save her back then, but I can save you now if you let me", said Shimura. "I'm fine where I am", stated Nami firmly. "Your life is forfeit if you stay with these fiends. Your captain's worth over 100 million beri. Your price tag can be removed under the right conditions, but if you stay with them, I can't help you", pleaded Shimura. "Why do you think I need help? I'm happy with my friends", said Nami. Shimura sighed. "Fine. I'll just have to sever those bonds and open your eyes...Once I alert command that Mugiwara is here, it'll be a blitz on your ship. Maybe when they're all dead, you'll figure out who's right", she stated without emotion. "Just a minute!", exclaimed Usopp. "No one threatens my crew", said Luffy, annoyed. Rising, he added, "Come on. We're leaving."
Shimura smirked with cold eyes. Glancing across her shoulder, she quickly threw herself to the ground, knocking over her chair. Playing it up, she called, "Help! Straw-Hat Luffy's trying to kill me!" Everyone jumped from their seats. Chaos quickly ensued. "I tried to cut him a plea bargain and his only answer was that's he'd destroy the whole island!", she cried melodramatically. She smiled darkly at Luffy's expression as the townsfolk scrambled. The barkeeper set off an alarm. Shimura eyed Nami closely. "More marines will be here any second. I suggest you think over what I've said", she stated. Nami glared at her in defiance before being dragged off by Usopp. Luffy glanced back as he followed. That woman was something else...
Back at the ship, the crew sat in disbelief. Zoro took a swig of his booze. "I told you", he sighed. "What if they surround the island?!", panicked Chopper. "Calm down. She was probably bluffing", replied Sanji. "How do you know?", asked Zoro. "I can't believe this! She really did all that?", chimed Franky. "Sounds like she could be trouble", said Robin in thought. Luffy set his mug down hard. All eyes turned on him. "What do we know about this island?", he asked in a serious tone. Nami pulled out a chart. "There's a large tower complex in the center of town. It belongs to the marines and it's armed with a massive cannon that's said to be able to hit any target on the island", she explained. "How many men do they have?", inquired Robin. "I don't know", sighed the navigator. "We don't even know who the commanding officer is. It could be her", added Usopp. "That would be problematic", said Brook.
"We'll have to make a break for it", stated Luffy. "But if we just run out there, we'd be sitting ducks! We don't know how far out that cannon of theirs will fire!", cried Usopp. "He's right. That weapon is the pride of the town", said Nami. Franky looked over the map. "If it can fire anywhere on the island, that means the far side, too...They could hit us near the shore", he added. "If that happens, we'll be in for some trouble", said Robin.
Quiet descended as the gravity of the situation sank in. "What do you want to do, Captain?", asked Zoro. Luffy thought hard. He wanted to avoid a fight here if possible. "Robin, can you get us more information?", he inquired. "Of course", she nodded. "Good. Take Zoro with you", said the captain. "Luffy, I'll go. If I get caught, they'll just think it's her", volunteered Nami. "That's a good point", said Usopp. "Isn't that dangerous?", asked Chopper. "Nami-san, you can't just head off into the unknown like that. It's too risky", fussed Sanji. "But it's our best bet", grinned Luffy.
To be continued...