Lu sat with her legs to one side as she munched on the apple slices and sandwiches she had prepared for the others. She was enjoying this, never had she been given the chance to talk to other fishmen so the questions were rolling off her tongue as they answered each of her inquiries with smiles of their own.

Arlong grinned as he watched her, she had opened up to them quite a bit but those cheeks still kept getting rosy when him or Chew would make a flattering comment or the slightest of touches as she refilled their glasses. "So tell me." He got her attention as he tossed an apple slice into his mouth. "Since you didn't know we were fishmen, were you and your brother born here?"

"Bon was." She answered as she took a sip from her lemonade. "I was washed ashore here after a terrible storm."

The three men exchanges curious glances, what she said didn't entirely make much sense to them.

She noted their looks and clapped her hands together. "Oh! I'll get my album!" She exclaimed as she rose to her feet and disappeared into the house before any of them could say a word. She emerged just as quickly carrying a large book in her arms. "Mama and Papa made this for me so I'd always know what happened." She sat down next to Arlong with the book on her lap, the other two came over to peer over her shoulder as she opened it to the first page. A long webbed finger pointed to a newspaper article that was neatly cut and glued down. "This was the article from the villages newspaper… 'Days after a fierce storm devastated the island wreckage began to wash ashore…'"

Arlong listened as she read the clipping out loud for them, his eyes staring at the grey scale photo that showed a beach covered in debris from a destroyed ship… And just barely, he could see the outline of bodies amongst the wreckage.

"I was the only survivor…" She said with a sigh that drew in their attention, the others could see the sadness in her eyes as she turned the page in her album but still he me words did not make sense to them.

Once more the shark man eyed her, so if she was the only survivor than who…

"LU!"

A loud voice startled them, all eyes went upward to see a violet haired human running up to them with the old man from before just behind him.

Her sadness temporarily forgotten she set the album down onto the grass and waved happily to them. "Bon! Welcome home!"

"THAT'S Bon?!" The fishmen exclaimed in unison with wide eyes and gapping jaws. "A HUMAN?!"

*In Bon's Mind*

His poor sweet little sister was surrounded, her gentle eyes filled with tears as she called to him. The men around her eyeing her body with lecherous intent, tongues lolling as they crept closer with itching hands reaching to soil her sweet innocence.

*Reality*

Lu continued to wave happily as she smiled brightly, completely oblivious to the shocked expressions of the three around her.

Gran breathed a sigh of relief as he eyed the situation, leave it to little Lu to serve murderous pirates lemonade and snacks. Still, why were those gents just sitting around leisurely considering their intentions when docking… Curious.

Bon didn't stop until he came to stand in front of them, grabbing Lu's waving arm and pulling her behind him defensively. "What do you bastards think you're trying to do to my baby sister!" He glared at them with murderous intent in his eye, he released his hold on her and slipped off the glove from his right hand.

Arlong's initial shock faded away as he met the new man's gaze with a growing scowl, he didn't like the look in the others eye or the way he yanked the girl away. She was much larger and obviously heavier than him but still he managed to man handle her as if she was nothing more than the small child he referred tower her as.

"Bon…" Lu whimpered from behind him as she took note of the removal of his glove, she didn't want them to fight…

"We were just having a friendly chat." The sharkman spoke through clenched teeth, he remained seated but could hear his companions standing up behind him.

"It's true Bon." She spoke quietly as she touched his shoulder gently, he had such a rotten temper when it came to men being alone with her. "They are all really nice…"

He didn't hear her words as he tossed the glove aside, how dare they try to take advantage of her kindness. His precious little sister. "Friendly my ass." He spat. "I know what your type would do to her."

A low growl escaped through those shark teeth. "Your type?" He questioned the phrase as his hands clenched tightly turning his knuckles white as he attempted to control the building rage.

"I didn't stutter…"

Bon's sentence was cut short, in the briefest of instants he felt the pressure on his side before his body was sent forcibly tumbling in a sideways spin that sent him flying through the stone wall of his home.

Gran sighed, still standing in his wide legged stance with open hand occupying the spot the boy's body once stood. He knew Bon would be fine, this wasn't the first time he's used his old man kenpo on the boy. "That's enough boy."

"Ooooooh, Gran Baaaaaa." Lu whined as she looked at the large hole in her wall. "Did you have to break the house again?"

"I'm sorry sweet child." The old man brushed himself off a little then produced his pipe with with a reassuring smile. "We'll have it fixed up for you my tonight."

"Do you think he's ok?" She asked as she stood on her tip toes trying to see her brother but all she got a glimpse of was a leg sticking out with a little twitch to it.

"He's fine." Gran stated plainly as he turned his attention to the fishmen, a trail of white smoke trailing from his lips as he puffed on his pipe. "Now, I believe we've had a misunderstanding." He hadn't planned on stepping in line he did but tempers were riding pretty quickly and he didn't want an all out brawl if he could avoid it.

Arlong wasn't quite sure what was going on, that old geezer shoved the guy like it was nothing. The same complacent old man that backed down from him earlier… Was what happened in the town all an act?

Kuroobi had sweat lining his brow as he eyed the old man, that was no ordinary blow and his stance was impeccable. There could be no denying that man was a martial arts master… So why did he back down earlier? And just how many others in that town were as strong as him?

"I'm sorry." Lu stepped forward and bowed her head deeply. "My brother is very protective, he's like that to everybody." She straightened herself and clasped her hands together pleadingly. "Please don't be mad at him."

Arlong still wore a scowl as he stood up finally, the fact that she was apologizing for that human pissed him off. He had been mistaken to think these siblings would be any use to him, it was a shame too. Such a lovely fishwoman and she was tainted by humans raising her in their ways. They didn't even have the decency to tell her about her own people.

"Damn it old man!" Bon yelled from the house as he kicked rubble out of the way and stumbled over bits of his wall in frustration, his stomping feet bringing back over to the old bastard. "You messed up my house! AGAIN!"

Gran didn't look at him as he picked his nose with a tired expression. "You shouldn't lose your temper over little misunderstandings." He flicked the booger away as he gave the boy a sideways glance. "And it's really Lu's house, you're rarely home enough to call it yours."

The two began to bicker back and forth, Lu hugged herself a little as she sighed. They could be at it for hours…

Arlong could feel his patience thinning by the second as the humans carried on as if they weren't even there. So far he had been insulted, disrespected and ignored… All of those events were trying his very last nerve. He raised his hand slowly, a movement his two brothers knew meant he wanted this issue dealt with. He'd spare the girl… It wasn't her fault she had been corrupted by these humans…

"God damn pirates!" Bon yelled abruptly as he turned his attention back to the fishmen. "All you people care about is Belli so let's make a deal, I stock you with enough coin and supplies to be on your way and in return you leave this island and forget this place ever existed." He stepped in between his sister and the intruders, his right hand extended in front of him defensively. "If you don't like that option then I'll kill every last one of your men I have tied up in the village."

Eyes went wide at that revelation and all three of the fishmen bristled, all of the men had been captured? But how?!

Gran stepped forward, hands up to try and calm them. "None of the were harmed, you have my word on that."

"You're… Pirates…" Lu brought a hand to her mouth in shock, she had no idea… they weren't like the other's that had come to the island. She knew that not all pirates were evil… but she finally understood her brother's actions and why these men came to her door in the first place.

Arlong eyed the girl, that look in her eyes… was she afraid of them now? His eyes traveled back to the old man, it had to be him that took his men down… "How did you defeat my crew?"

"That doesn't matter." Bon dismissed the question, they owed these people no explanations. "You heard my arrangement, do we have a deal. Pirate." He spat the title as continued the stare down match with the fishman Captain.

Blue eyes turned back to his companions that shared the same stressing expression, could this be a bluff? Dare he risk the lives of his brothers for this trivial little island?... No, they had all been through enough and they still were recovering from their escape from impel down. "Fine…" He grumbled, he had to swallow his pride now…

"W…wait." Lu spoke up hesitantly and touched Bon's shoulder to get his attention. "I know… I know you want them gone soon… but…" She rubbed her hands together as she shifted her weight, it felt odd asking such a thing but… "Could they stay… just a little while longer…"

"Lu…" Bon sighed as he looked up to her, what's with this request all of a sudden?

"I know." She raised her hands to stop him from lecturing. "I know, better than anyone, about what pirates can do…" Her voice trailed off a little, it has been so long since it happened but it was still so fresh in her mind… she felt, for a moment, the tears welling up in her eyes but a soft glove and cupped her cheek effectionatly. She met her brother's eyes and smiled gently to him "But Arlong told me that they'd never hurt one of their own kind… and I believe him." She looked up to meet the fishman's eyes, she had to believe he was telling the truth. "I don't believe he'd hurt me… and I want to know more about fishmen and mermaids and fishman island…" She looked back down to her brother, clenching her fists in determination. "Even if it's only for a little while, I want to learn what I can."

Gran listened quietly as he smoked from his pipe, what a predicament. He'd never guess that she'd ask for something like this… and here he was, powerless to deny her anything. No one on this island could ever deny this sweet child. "May I ask you something Arlong." He looked up to the towering fishmen, all of them were still visibly tense and understandably so. To hear such a thing as the pirate Arlong backing down for the sake of his men… it was all the proof he needed to know he wouldn't hurt the child.

"What." He replied sharply as his eyes moved between the three faces staring at him, the old man seemed to be the most level headed of them all and the boy had the shortest of tempers… then there was her, he wasn't sure what to think of her yet…

"Why did you come to this island?"

"Eh?" He arched a brow at the odd question, his intentions were fairly clear when they spoke down in the village…

"More so…" Gran extended his question. "How did you happen to find this island?" That was the real question, it had taken them many years to erase this island from any maps being made so now only maps from about 20 years ago should have this island marked.

Another odd question but he decided to entertain it. "Purely by chance." He folded his arms in front of his broad chest as he relaxed his posture. "We had been out to sea longer than our supplies could maintain and we came up on this island."

"Why would you sail so close to the calm belt?" That fact alone kept many would be visitors at bay, it was easy for currents to sweep ships into the belt if the man at the helm wasn't paying attention.

"Tch, you make it sound like I couldn't handle navigating something like that."

"Oh ho." Gran mused. "So you navigate your own ship?"

Arlong gave a little growl, he couldn't help but feel mildly insulted by the tone in the old man's voice. "Of course I can, a Captain shouldn't expect his crew to do anything he can't."

Lu smiled a little and exchanged a chuckle with the elderly man. "That sounds like somebody we know huh, Gran-Ba."

Bon's face turned a little red at the teasing and he looked away.

Gran was satisfied with what had been said and nodded his head with a smile, he tapped Bon's arm to get his attention as he took a half step back looking up to Lu. "Sweet child, I noticed that we interrupted your lunch. Why don't you take a seat for a moment while your brother and I have a chat." He eyed the fishmen as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. "And perhaps these gents could stay a moment and help you clean up the mess."

"Ah… Ok." She said questionably as she watched the two men walk off and out of ear shot before turning back to the guest that were still visibly upset. She wanted to say something, anything, to them to make them feel less tense but she thought it best to just be quite as she knelt down to pick up the glasses that had been spilled.

Chew saw the opportunity and knelt down to help her. "Let me give you a hand, chuu." He said with a wink as he picked up the glass she was reaching for; this whole event might have gone south but she was still really cute.

She blushed as she took the glass from him and set it on the tray, his fingers had grazed against hers in the transfer and made her smile. "Th… thank you, Chew-san."

His cheeks got a little rosy at that. 'Lu-chan is so cute!' he thought to himself as he continued to help her pick up the glasses.

"OYE!" Bon's voice yelled at them from the distance. "I see the way you're looking at her!" The outburst warranted him another shove that sent him tumbling but he recovered much quicker this time and returned to his heated conversation with Gran.

Arlong watched everything quietly before directing his full attention to the girl that was giggling in response to his companion's flirtatious antics, even Kuroobi had knelt down to help pick up the apple slices that had been knocked over. She smiled to them both but her eyes still seemed sad. "Are you scared of us, little sister?" He asked finally, the look on her face when she discovered that they are pirates was still fresh in his mind.

She considered his question for a moment as she took the plate of apple slices from Kuroobi and set it on the tray. "A little…" she answered truthfully, keeping her eyes down to prevent her from meeting that piercing gaze of his. "Lots of pirates come to this island and they always cause trouble…" She looked back to the two men still arguing. "They keep us all safe, rarely do pirate make it to my door when Bon isn't home… In fact, you're the first in many years…" She sighed heavily as she went back to cleaning up the mess. "What are the odds that you'd be fishmen?"

He crouched down and touched her chin with his fingertips, gently drawing her face to look up to him. "You barely recognized your own species, did these humans tell you nothing about us?"

"OYE OYE! Hands off my sister!" Once more Bon's voice erupted from behind them.

"Tch." Arlong spat as he glared at the man, for someone in the middle of a yelling match with the old man he sure isn't letting that distract him from what's going on over here.

She shook her head with a smile at Bon's over protectiveness and went back to picking up the mess, rearranging the tray a little to fit the plate of sandwiches. "The islanders told me as much as they could, but none of them have really left the island let alone met fishmen, mermaids or have been to fishmen island. In fact, my brother and sister are the only ones who have."

"Sister?"

"Oh!" Her eyes got a little wide and she leaned in a bit to whisper to them. "Don't mention her to Bon, they haven't spoken in years and he doesn't know that I still talk to her."

'Curious' Arlong thought to himself, what type of person was this sister of hers? "If you want to learn more about us then come with us when we leave." He said it confidently with a wide smile.

His two companions shared the same shocked expression as the girls, who would have thought he'd make such an offer out of the blue and she had to admit that she was tempted but… "I can't." She said it with a sigh, she would really love to. Being able to travel the ocean was a dream of hers but still… with a sigh she stood up, tray in hands and the mess picked up. "I'm needed here."

His frown returned as he and the other two fishmen stood up with her, his hands resting on his hips as he eyed her. "Needed for what? To be there pretty little slave?"

"What?" She looked at him a little shocked, where in the world did that assumption come from? "No, all of the islanders are very nice to me."

"Then why are you dressed in rags?" He asked as he eyed the clothes she was wearing, the fact that they were torn and soiled by, what looked like, soot pissed him off a little. The way she thought so highly of these humans didn't help matters at all either.

"These?" She looked down at her clothes, not thinking that they looked nearly as bad as he described. "These are my work clothes." She smiled a little, slightly embarrassed by the fact they apparently made her look like a slave. "I'm a bit of a klutz and kept burning my good clothes so I wear these instead." She nodded towards the workshop with the wooden shades. "I'm the only blacksmith on this island."

"Oh?" They didn't expect that; she didn't seem like the type but nevertheless it was interesting. "What can you…"

"Lu!"

Bon's voice interrupted Arlong's question as he walked back over with Gran in tow, he bent down to pick up the glove he removed earlier and slipped it back on. With a sigh he made a 'come here' gesture with his finger that got her to bend down to his level and he planted an affectionate kiss on her cheek as he took the tray from her. "I'll bring these inside, the Captain and I need to speak in private."

"We do?" Arlong crossed his arms as he looked down at the man, what could he and the old man have said to bring this about.

He looked up to the shark a with a scowl. "I have another proposition for you." He didn't entirely agree with the old man's idea but he couldn't deny there were a few good points to what was said.

"Please Arlong-sama." Lu stepped closer to him a little bit, she had a good feeling about this and her instincts were rarely ever wrong. "Listen to what my brother has to say."

"Oye, oye, oye." Bon stepped in-between them. "What's with the formal name, what did you do to my baby sister while I was away!" He glared at the fishman distrustfully.

"Enough." Gran jabbed the boy in the ribs with his elbow, no need to turn things sour before anything could be talked over.

Bon grumbled as he nodded towards the house and began walking.

Arlong didn't immediately follow but finally gave in when the girl gave him another pleading look, what the hell, it couldn't hurt to listen. He walked a few paces behind the one eyed man, when he entered the home he found that everything was built to accommodate the girl but not so tall that the man couldn't use the home as well. The open layout of the home actually seemed comfortable to him… he shut the door behind him, eyeing her one last time and the soft smile on her lips before the door closed completely and the two men were alone.

Bon set the tray down on the counter and turned back to his… guest. "Needless to say we don't like each other and I can safely say that opinion won't be changing anytime in the near… well, let's just say never." He sat down in the cushioned chair and directed the larger man to the sofa in front of him. "But how much do you like belli?"

He arched a brow as he sat down on the soft furniture, his body sinking into the cushions as he extended his arms out along the back of the sofa. "You have my attention." Yes, it was clear these two hated each other but he did need to get his hands on more belli if he ever hoped to rebuild his empire.

He gave a nod as he leaned forward and opened a small box sitting on the coffee table. "As you've no doubt noticed this island and all of her inhabitants are far from your typical folk." As he talked he removed his gloves and pulled out two stone rings that he slipped onto his middle fingers. "Think of us as an island full of bounty hunters, we capture the fool pirates that come here looking for treasure. Usually the old man and me will take care of the heavy hitters, you guys for example." He added with a smirk as he sat back. "Collecting all those bounties is our main source of income here."

Arlong tilted his head to the side, so that's what their deal is. "And why would so many pirates be looking for a treasure here?" He questioned the statement, he clearly knew how strong the old man was and this man as well considering being able to brush off those hits that could level a building. "And how would they find an island that's not on any maps?"

"Because that's the rumor I've been spreading." He smiled wickedly at that. "An island in the west blue that sits beside the calm belt holds a treasure that can rival the one piece."

"Heh." The sharkman smirked, tricky bastard. "That's a pretty boastful claim."

"Yes…" He said with a sigh, while it has worked to bring in many bounties… "A little flaw has developed in our methods unfortunately. You proved that today."

"You mean by having that alone time with little sister." He said with a wide grin.

Bon's eyebrow twitched at that as he tightened his fist. "Yes." He said through clenched teeth. "My work used to keep me away for a few weeks at a time… now it's taking me months to get back home." He looked out the window were he could still see Lu talking to Gran and the other two fishmen and his heart ached. "I can't protect Lu if I'm not around."

Arlong's brow raised in curiosity, he could tell the man's feelings were sincere. He genuinely cared for the girl and that he could respect… to a certain degree but still. "Aside from pointing out how weak humans are and their inability to protect anything, what is the point you're trying to make." He made the comment sharper than it needed to be but he couldn't let himself get to friendly or understanding with this guy.

The remark earned the fishman a hard glare, so the stories on this guy's extreme bigotry weren't an exaggeration. "My point, is that I want to pay you to stay on this island." He stood up with a growl, he still didn't like the idea but damn it all to hell if it wasn't a good idea. "Help to protect the island while I'm away."

"Shahahahahaha!" He roared into laughter at that. "Do I look like a 'protector' to you? Especially for a bunch of human?"

"No, you look like a damn pirate that loves Belli and I'm not gonna pay you to protect the humans, I'm paying you to protect Lulu!" He shot back. "If there were better options present then I'd take them, you really think I enjoy the idea of paying you're type to be around my little sister!"

Arlong stood abruptly, towering over the other man, there it was again. That damn phrase that told him how this guy really felt about his kind. "That's the second time you've said 'you're type'… if you got a problem with fishmen then…"

"I don't give a damn about your species!" Bon interrupted him. "Hu-MAN, Fish-MAN, Beast-MAN! The reoccurring problem is you're all MEN!"

He rubbed the bridge of his saw nose with a grumble, the girl did say he was protective but this was way beyond all that. "You really think I'd hurt her?"

"I think you'd try a lot more than that!" Bon yelled. "You saw her!" He flung his arm outwards towards the front of the house. "She's gorgeous! She perfect in every way and clearly the most beautiful thing on this island! She's gentle and sweet and caring…"

Arlong arched a brow as the man rambled on, he really did love her but damn was he obsessive. She might have been cute but he doubted she was as hyped up as this guy was making her out to be.

"And you!" Bon thrust a finger towards the man abruptly. "Are just the type that would prey on her innocence!"

"Innocence?!" He bellowed with a large hearty laugh. "Shahahahahahaha!" That was a good ending to his little rant, he couldn't help but laugh. "She looks old enough to make her own decisions and too old for you to be worrying about her 'innocence' anyways."

Bon growled a little. "You don't have a sister do you." He said with a touch of venom in his voice.

Arlong's eyes got a little wide at that remark, his mind wandering to Shyarly… it had been a very long time since he doted over her like this man did for the girl outside… He grunted to himself as he turned away to hide the scowl on his face. "Back to point… If, and that's a big if, we stay then where would you have us stay? Down in the village with all the other humans playing nice?"

"Hmph…" Bon crossed his arms in front of him, so the big guy did have a sister. "Far from it." He answered as he made a whistling sound to catch the other man's attention. "Literally."

"Eh?" He turned to see him pointing to a large map of the island.

"On the back side of this island, running right on the calm belt, is an abandoned Marine base. Considering its location there's more threats from Sea Kings attacking, it's too much for my people to deal with it on a regular basis but I'm certain you and your people can handle it."

"Why is there an abandoned base here?" He asked as he eyed the map carefully, not a lot of roads on this island… there's one main path that runs from the village, right passed this house and to the base…

"Because long ago in a land far far away…. Why the hell does it matter?!" Bon rolled his eyes.

He growled slightly. "Because I don't want the surprise of a random visit from the Marines."

Bon sighed heavily, suppose he has a point there. "My grandfather bought this place from the Navy, they had bigger issues to deal with than trying to run a base on a no name island like this one."

"Interesting…" Arlong held his chin in thought, a base like that would offer them plenty of security and no doubt it had a large enough dock… it'd be as good as anything to start rebuilding his fleet… "And what would you pay me for these… services?"

"200 million Belli… a month." He considered the price, it wasn't too much… have to eye the books later to manage it into the islands budget…

His jaw went slack, he tossed out that number like it was chump change.

"If that's not enough for a greedy bastard like yourself then I'll even sweeten it." He tapped his chin with a sigh, what else was there… he didn't want too nice to em… "How does, taking a cut of the treasure procured from the pirate ships?"

"Hmmmm…." It all sounded much too good… "What's the cut?"

"25% for you, that belli does go to support this island so I can't be too generous."

"45%" He countered. "It's never good to accept the first offer, any proper businessman knows that."

Bon smirked, smart man. "35 is as high as I'll go."

"Heh…" He wasn't bad at negotiating… Arlong mulled over the thought, was he seriously talking this over? Letting himself be hired by this human?... But damn was it a good deal… "What do you do with the pirate ships?"

"Sell them usually." He waved off the question. "Sometimes we keep the smaller ones, we have no use for large ships."

The fishman was intrigued by that, ships can go for a pretty good price… but they interested him in different ways. "Let me have my pick of the ships and you'll have a deal."

"You want the ships?" Bon arched his brow, he was being pretty generous as is but giving him those ships would put quite the hit on the islands income. "And what exactly do you want the ships for?"

Arlong grinned. "You know who I am, so you should already know the answer."

He smirked at that, the guy had ambition. Yes, he had heard about this pirate's previous attempt at taking over the East Blue. A stunt that doesn't go unnoticed. "You failed in the East, the weakest ocean out of the four, and want to try taking over the West Blue huh?"

He snarled at that remark, his embarrassing defeat still fresh in his mind. "You got a problem with that?"

Bon shook his head with a chuckle. "Not in particular, just as long as you don't cause any trouble for this island I don't give a damn what happens to the rest of the West Blue." He took a few steps closer to the man. "But about those ships, I'll let you take whichever ones you want in exchange for your cut of the treasure for that raid. I can't be too generous now." He said with a grin as he extended his hand. "Do we have a deal?"

This guy was pretty good with business… damn, he still couldn't believe he was doing this. "It's a deal." He took the other man's hand and shook on it, who would've thought this would happen.

"Well then." He released the man's hand with a big smile. "I hate the idea but Lu will be happy. Let's go tell her, hm?"

Arlong rolled his eyes at the stupid grin on the man's face now, he'd make a deal with the damn devil himself if it would make that girl happy.

Bon went to and opened the door, stepping out and calling to his sister as he did. "Lu sweety! We're…" Before he could finish the sentence he looked down to see Lu, the old man and the two fishmen crouching beside the door as if they had been trying to listen in. He stepped to one side as the vein in his forehead started to throb. "What have I told you about eaves dropping!" He yelled as he glared at all of them in turn.

The question was directed to the two native islanders but all of them offered up a nervous laugh.

Lu tapped the tips of her index fingers together as she timidly kept her eyes from meeting her brothers. "If I'm going to do it I shouldn't get caught… right?"

"Exact… wait." Bon paused as he arched a brow. "Did I really say that?"

"Sounds like you." Gran mused as he lit another heaping of tobacco to puff on.

"So…" Lu quickly changed the subject before they could start another argument. "Are you gonna let them stay for a little while?"

He sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yes, we made a deal…"

"Yay!" Her loud reaction interrupted him and she shifted enough to dive forward and tackle her brother affectionately.

Arlong exited the home just in time to inadvertently block the sister's playful hug and found himself in a very awkward position as her arms wrapped around his waist while she blindly nuzzled her face dangerously close to his man bits. "Ah…Uh…" He froze as he tried to figure out what to do.

The other men had their jaws in the dirt as she continued to rub her face with a torrent of joyful giggles into what she thought was her brother's stomach…

"LULU!" Bon finally managed to scream, his body had seized up from the initial shock of seeing her like that and it took all his effort to call out to her.

"Huh?" She finally opened her eyes when she heard her name being yelled, her gaze focusing on blue skin a few mere centimeters away from her face. Before she could say anything else there was a resounding 'crack' from Bon's fist connecting with her head followed by him dragging her away from the fishman, the bump on her head growing as she rubbed it with a tear in her eye.

Comically He pulled out a conveniently created poster board with the outline of a man on it and multiple 'X' marks over the nether regions of the outline, he slammed his fist against the picture as she knelt in front of him apologetically and he screamed "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" repeatedly to the rhythm of his pounding hand.

Gran chuckled to himself as he watched the display with the other fishmen, he noted how Arlong's cheeks were still flushed from the encounter. This was going to turn out to be an interesting arrangement.

Bon sighed as he rubbed Lu's head apologetically, it had already been a long day… "Let's go see Mom and Dad." He said softly. "Gran, can you take these… Gentlemen back down to the village. Release his men and explain what's going on."

"Of course." The old man gave a nod as he waved to the fishmen to follow him. "Give my regards to your parents."

"Of course." Bon said as he stood up, his eyes darting over to the brush as he put his hands on his hips. "BAS!" He yelled the name abruptly and startled everyone.

Gran looked around at the mention of his grandson's name, when did he get here?

"Aw man…" The voice came from the bushes that Bon was staring at. "I thought hiding my presence all the way from the village would've worked." Bas stood up and stepped out while scratching his head.

"It'll be a cold day in hell before you can hide your presence from me kid." Bon replied as he crossed in arms in front of him with a frown. "And what have I told you about spying?"

"If I'm gonna do it then don't get caught." He said in a tone that sounded like he's been through this lecture about a million times before.

"Exact… wait."

Gran tapped the ash out of his pipe as he gave the one eyed man a sideways glance. "What exactly are you teaching this kids?"

Bon ignored the comment as he eyed the bundle on the boy's back. "You brought my bag?"

"Yea!" The boy responded brightly as he swung the pack off his back and handed it over. "Figured you'd need it for sis."

"Ah." He took the bag with a smile. "As a matter of fact I do." He reached into the pack for a small bundle that fit in the palm of his hand, then removed the ring on his left hand. The moment he touched the package with that hand it popped with a bit of smoke back to its original size which was three times larger. He handed the gift to his sister then replaced the ring. "Here Lu, go and put this on before we see them."

"Ooooooh, thank you Bon!" She kissed his cheek and ran excitedly inside the house.

Arlong watched the trick with a scrutinizing look, the man must have been a devil fruit user. That was the only explanation he could think of, which meant the gloves he wore and those rings must have sea prism stones on or in them.

"Come on then." Gran waved to the fishmen so they could follow. "I'll explain his power to you as we walk." No sense in trying to be secretive about it and he saw the curious look on their faces.

"I'll run ahead!" Bas chimed in. "I'll give everyone the heads up." He bolted before his grandfather could offer up an argument, he was really excited now because nothing like this had ever happened before. His crew is going to be so excited when they hear about this!

The old man just shook his head at the boy's youthfulness and carried on at a casual pace, he wondered if the rest of the villages would be as excited as the boy about all this…

Arlong looked back after a bit to make sure they were a good distance away from the house. "So are you going to explain that devil fruit or not?"

"I suppose I said I would." Was his reply. "Bon ate the Tiny Tiny fruit when he was younger, silly lad thought it was a cherry…" He chuckled to himself a little, that was one hell of a day. "Everything he touches with his right hand shrinks; it will continue to do so until he lets go but it only takes one touch from his left hand to return it to normal. That's why he wears the gloves embedded with sea prism stones and those rings made out of the stuff, it's not a power he can turn on and off."

Interesting… the shark man was a little intrigued by it, a power like that could even cause him some trouble considering a shrunken fishman would lose his height and strength advantage… no wonder they seemed so calm, they weren't threatened in the least with that guy around… now that really pissed him off, the idea that humans could disregard them so easily…

A small part of him was starting to wonder if he was going to regret making this deal.

To Be Continued…