A/N: Written for tumblr's 20 years at sea, Day 5: Epic Moments. There were many to choose from but this is the one that came to my mind when I first read it.


It was a story that was repeated often, from different perspectives from those who had been close enough to see the events clearly, then put together by those who had a talent for telling stories. It was requested at every opportunity, and not just by the children.

Everyone had heard about the Straw-Hat Pirates before the incident. It was hard not to after all the insane stuff they had been credited with by the government. Friendly sailors passing through had brought stories of them and the events at Enies Lobby that had been in the papers. Then there was what happened at Maineford, events that you had to be living under a rock to not hear about.

Then when he returned to Fishman Island, Boss Jinbe had brought with him tales of what had actually happened in the time that was not broadcast. Tales of a straw-hatted boy who just wanted to save his brother, did his best and almost got him to safety, only to lose him as he gave up his life to save him.

While the rest of the world above may have speculated what had happened to the crew afterward, (many doubting that they still lived, or had gone into hiding after realising they were too weak to continue on) those that listen well to Jinbe knew they were expected eventually. They just needed some time but they would be back soon. Not only that, but they would make waves again when they did.

So, for some, it wasn't that much of a shock to hear that members of the crew had been spotted around Fishman Island, almost exactly two years to the day from the War of the Best.

From there events just snowballed.

The Straw-Hats appearance, Madam Sharley's prediction, the Princess' disappearance, the fight between the pirates and the king's guards. Then Hody Jones made his move.

The New Fishman Pirates took over the Island, holding the king and his sons' hostage and attempted to do the same with the princess. Surrounding themselves with masses of men under his direction.

But she called for Straw-Hat and he came. And he wasn't alone.

Boss Jinbe, the other eight Straw-Hats, even their ship. Ready to fight for Fishman Island. Ten fighters.

Against the combined might of the New Fishman Pirates, stated to be 100,000 strong.

Basic odds would state that the Straw-Hats were at a disadvantage just by numbers, but they were also standing defensively for the princess. It should have been obviously their loss.

Hody should have found more men. (Or picked a better time for his attempted coup.)

The Straw-Hats hadn't been seen for two years, even rumours of where they were had it that they were split apart. But they fought together like they had been doing so for an unbroken lifetime (and allowed Boss Jinbe to join them just as seamlessly). They did it effortlessly, seeming not to even break a sweat.

The Straw-Hats were back, and they were even more formidable than any story about them from two years previously had ever painted them.