Another short one, but as I said, you'd rather have them short and often, right? Anyways, I'm quite satisfied with this. I apologise for any mistakes. Nobody beta reads for me and I don't really have the time to go through the chapter myself. I barely have the time to write them! Anyways, enjoy.
Toddler Troubles
Chapter 4: The Explanation
The villagers seemed to sense the tension emanating from Nami and Franky when the pirates returned with their chief, and steered well clear of the foreigners. Golonzo muttered soft greetings to his people and they smiled and bowed respectfully. Nami looked around the villagers thoroughly this time around, her mind working like a freight train. A quick scan of the people around them showed no aged faces.
"Where exactly are you taking us?"
"We go see elder."
"Elder?" Nami echoed, "So there are some old people around here."
"He pass the knowledge."
"So one guy stays old while the rest of you stay young?" Franky asked, as he lifted his sunglasses and looked around the village. "How long have you been alive, anyways?"
Golonzo glanced at the cyborg uncertainly, as though he hadn't expected the pirate to catch onto his village's way of life so quickly. "It is circle."
Nami and Franky shared a look and the cyborg shrugged. Golonzo struggled to find the words to explain their way of life better to the strangers.
"My people... have three elder." He stuttered out, searching for the right words. "Always have three."
"So there are three elders?" Nami repeated, and raised an eyebrow. "And I guess you will become one of the three elders when you grow old?"
"I am elder. I always be elder." The native corrected. "This life not my first."
"The lake..." Nami muttered breathlessly, as she finally caught on to what the chief was trying to tell her. "You use the lake to make yourself young again, don't you?"
The tanned man nodded and Nami laughed breathlessly. "Unbelievable," she said finally, "So how old are you then? Just how long have you been alive?"
"I not know."
"What? You're so old you lost count?" Franky questioned in disbelief.
"No, I not know. You talk with elder."
Golonzo's words held a finality that stopped the straw hats' questions and they walked in silence through the small village to a small dirt path that wound deep into a tangled vine patch. The native moved through the vines with ease, as though he had done it a thousand times before, but Nami, and more so Franky with his bulky structure, struggled to follow. Golonzo waited for them through the tangle of vines and when they emerged, they found themselves in a spacious cave. A small fire crackled lazily in the middle of the hollowed room and tribal trinkets littered the walls and floor; on an animal pelt beside the fire, sat an old man.
"Elder," Golonzo spoke, his voice loud and firm. "I bring strangers."
"Strangers...?" A soft, raspy voice drifted back. "It has been many years since strangers entered this room, Golonzo, not since you last sat here."
"They come questions." The young chief continued, and the old native chuckled; a croaky sound that rattled into a hoarse cough.
"You have much to learn before your language skills return to what they were."
"Can you give us the answers we need?" Nami asked suddenly. It was obvious this man knew much more than the young chief beside them. "Our friends fell into the lake. We need to find a way to reverse what's happened to them."
"Nobody has ever wished to reverse the effects of the Chia Lalaki." The elder answered, as tired eyes settled on Nami's youthful face. "I am jealous of you, Golonzo. If it had been my rule I would have taken this strange woman for my wife."
Nami's cheeks burned red and she huffed indignantly. "Nobody takes me for anything, old man."
The elder laughed hoarsely again and Franky stepped forward. "Oi, old man," he questioned, "How come you speak out language so well?"
"Age brings knowledge, pirate. I will no longer speak to my young comrade in our native tongue, for he must learn the many tongues of the world so that he might speak with strangers that threaten or come upon our village."
"But you said he ruled before you," Nami interrupted, "Shouldn't he know them already?"
"He once did, but with his new years' comes new life."
"What exactly does that mean, old man?" Franky asked, a feeling of dread rising in his stomach.
"Your comrades have the chance for a new life. Their old one will be washed away, a mere smudge in time."
"What?" the blue haired man shouted.
"I do not know how to reverse the effects of the Chia Lalaki." The elder continued, ignorant of Franky's outburst. "There are stories of another lake – one which does that which you seek – however, none have found it."
"We will." Said Nami, tone firm. "Tell us about these stories, old man."
"As you wish."
By the time the Robin had escorted her group through the forest, twilight had set in and the monster trio were sound asleep. Though they'd tried to mask it, it was obvious that the transformation they'd undergone had exhausted them. Chopper had been eager to examine all three as soon as they'd arrived back, but Robin had suggested he let them sleep on for a time whilst she explained the day's happenings to Brooke.
The crew had settled around the large dining table and with a little toddler juggling, Usopp settled with Luffy in his lap, Chopper in his human form with Zoro in his lap and Robin with Sanji in hers. Thankfully for the crew, Sanji had prepared a large stew pot the night before with enough stored the feed the crew for a couple of days. Robin busied her extra limbs in heating the nutritious food as she explained the situation to Brooke, and impressed her crewmates with her phenomenal multitasking skills.
Sanji was the first to stir from his slumber, as sleepy blue eyes fluttered open blearily. He looked around in a haze of confusion for a few seconds before he bolted upright from his slumped position in Robin's arms and looked around.
"I... fell asleep?" he mumbled softly, and then his eyes widened and he looked up at Robin. "You had to carry me all the way back, Robin-chan?"
The tiny chef looked mortified and Robin had to chuckle. "It was nothing, Sanji-san." She replied. "Here, you must be hungry, have some soup."
Several disembodied arms passed along a small bowl of soup until it was placed in front of Sanji and the blonde fought back a blush at the reversal of roles. "But Robin-chwan~," he crooned, "It should be me cooking for you~!" and the little blondes stomach rumbled in betrayal. "Though... a bite to eat does sound quite good."
Sanji tucked into his food as Luffy and Zoro slept on. Robin wrapped up her explanation to Brooke, which had been interrupted by Sanji's waking just as Nami and Franky could be heard as they boarded the ship. By now the sky was dark outside.
"Nami-swaaaan~!" Sanji cheered.
Nami looked from Sanji to Robin and pulled a disapproving face. "Robin, you shouldn't encourage him." She said.
"It's no trouble, Nami-san." The dark haired woman replied. She actually found the little chef and her other affected crewmates very cute. "Did you gather any information?"
"There's supposedly another lake – thank you." Nami explained, as she sat down and Robin passed her and Franky their own share of supper. "It reverses the effects, but nobody's ever seen it or made it there."
"Sounds like a challenge." Usopp spoke up.
"Since when do we ever back down from challenges?" Sanji retorted between mouthfuls of stew.
"It's supposed to be in one of the surrounding four islands, though they have no maps, no information, and no idea what might be inhabiting those islands." The red head sighed and listed her arms in a 'what-can-you-do' shrug. "However, there's another island to the east. It's not listed on the map, but it's small and uncharted according to the village elder. He said 'people like us' live there, so we might be able to get a little more information there. If nothing else, we should be able to buy these three some decent clothes."
"A fine idea." Robin answered, as she absorbed all of the information Nami had to offer. The two women exchanged a knowing look as Nami glanced from Sanji to Robin. There was more to be told, but it would have to wait until all of the crew were listening. "For now we should get some sleep and ready the ship for sail in the morning."
"The old guy said it was a half a day's sail away with a strong wind." Nami spoke, her words muffled by a yawn as she stretched her arms above her head. "And when we've restocked, we can set out on putting these idiots right again."
"Nami-swan doesn't mean that, right?" Sanji whined softly, on the verge of pouting. "Not about me anyway, right?"
"Yes, yes Sanji-kun, not about you." Nami answered with a dismissive flick of her hand.
Brooke set about storing Luffy's and Zoro's supper in the cooler and the rest of the crew readied themselves for bed. They decided amongst themselves that it would be best to keep the three affected crew members with somebody for the night, and Robin, who was to take first watch offered to keep one eye on the sea and one on the boys.
The weary crew settled down for the night.
Morning brought with it the rest of the explanation and with it the heavy reality that set in with the crew. Their three strongest were now almost helpless, with no guarantee they would be able to change back. On top of that, the affected crew members would slowly lose their memories. Sanji had seemed mortified at the thought and Zoro remained as stoic as ever. Luffy though, as always, took the new in his stride and ordered Nami to set sail for the next island so that they could find the lake soon.
For now things were still okay, and Luffy trusted his unaffected nakama to protect him, Sanji and Zoro whilst they were unable. As far as he was concerned, it was just like being in the after affects of gear third. It was nothing he hadn't experienced before and nothing he couldn't handle. For the captain of the Sunny-Go, it was just another big adventure unfolding.
You guys will start noticing a fair few changes from here. I'm shuffling around ideas and such from the old version. Thanks for all the reviews and support. I try to reply to everyone and I'm very sorry if I miss you.
