Once the sound of gunfire was heard everyone was immediately up and focused. Zoro and Luffy prepared to intercept an cannonballs that came there way however...there were no ships in sight. Usopp climbed partially up the mast for a better view. "No good guys. I don't see anyone." Some relaxed a little. "No...they're out there that's for sure. Eh Luffy?" The captain nods to his first mate. "Ya. I can tell they're out there...but I dunno where."

The ship starts to shake violently as the sea around them starts to churn. Within moments ship after ship rise out of the sea surrounding the Thousand Sunny. Turning to his furry companion Zoro gives him an order as he starts to unsheathe his blades. "Chopper! Get below deck and protect the kids."

"Huh? What? No Zoro I can fight. I'm a man!" Chopper pleads. Pausing just long enough to look in the reindeers direction. "I know very well you can fight Chopper. However...If we're all up here fighting then who will protect the children!" Zoro propels himself forward and races towards the railing. As he closes in on the railing he leaps over towards the closest ship. "Luffy this one is mine!"

"Shishishi. Ya got it Zoro. Have fun!" Luffy starts to grin as he walks forward to the ship of his choice to take on. Leaping into the air he places his thumb on his right hand up to his mouth "Gear Three!" he blows an enormous amount of air through his thumb into his fist resulting in his entire arm to greatly increase in size. "Color of Armament-Hardening!" The gigantic arm darkens as he stretches it high into the air. "ELEPHANT GUN!" He propels his arm forward and strikes the ship in front of him to decimate the ship and any unfortunate crew on it. "Sorry about the ship!" Luffy laughs as the ship sinks.

Once Zoro lands on the ship he notices something weird about the crew. Everyone seemed to be part animal. He moves to the centre of the ship. "Heh heh heh. You guys picked the wrong crew to mess with. Now...I'll send this ship and all of you back to the ocean floor." Straightening his arms out he angles his swords so they're all pointing in the same direction. "Three Sword Style...Black Rope Dragon Twister!" Zoro quickly swings his swords around him in the same direction creating a whirlwind of blades that quickly proceeded to tear the ship apart. Just before the ship sinks he leaps back onto the Sunny. "Heh...too easy..."

The remaining members of the Straw Hats took down several more ships that afternoon. However one ship still remained. As the crew returned to the Sunny they watched the remaining ship in case they chose to attack. From the ship one man stood out. He wore a bright pink outfit with a red undershirt. But the most remarkable part about him was the fact that he had a lions mane as well as a tail.

"Huh...Zorro...Sanji...haven't we seen that guy somewhere? He seems familiar for some reason." Luffy stated as he proceeded to pick his nose. Sanji moves closer to the railing to try and get a better look. "Ya you know what. We have met that lion bastard before...back on Fishman Island. The crew watches as the ship slowly gets closer until it comes to a stop right beside the Sunny.

The lion man leaps onto the ship. "You just can't seem to stay out of trouble can you Monkey D. Luffy? First you eat all those delicious sweets that were meant for our Captain Big Mom...and just a few days after that you take down Caesar...who was a valuable part in our Captains plans for creating an army or Zoan users... and now you manage to sink half a dozen of our ships!" The stops just in front of Luffy and growls menacingly at him. He takes a paw our of his pocket and points it at the straw hat captain. "Oh but rest assured. Since you already declared war on Big Mom, this does make things a lot easier...Captain Luffy...I've come here to officially state that I Pekoms, a vassal of one of the Yonko, the Four Emperors. We are at war!" Pekoms turns around and starts to head back to his ship.

Both Sanji and Zoro prepare to attack. "STOP! Sanji, Zoro...Stand down. Let him go. And...Peko was it? Tell Big Mom that I will kick her ass and send her flying when we meet." Both grinning from their captains comment they stand down and allow Pekoms to leave.

It doesn't take too long for Pekoms ship to sail out of sight. Tashigi soon comes out holding the young dragon Momonosuke with Chopper hot on her heels. He races over and stops before Zoro. Raising his hand to his forehead. "I've completed my duty! The children are safe. Though one did manage to sneak by you guys...luckily miss Tashigi noticed and brought him down."

Smiling Zoro reached down and pats Chopper on the shoulder. "Nice work. Sorry you couldn't join us this time." Before Chopper can do anything else he's lifted up and placed upon Zoro's shoulders. "Now the way I see it. We should celebrate and have a pre-war party with our hero up here."

"Shut up you big dummy. Don't think I'm happy just because you said that!" Chopper yells as he does his little happy dance upon Zoros shoulders. Franky and Sanji head back into the ship and bring out a bunch or food and drinks so they can get to celebrating their victory.

Everyone including their guests join in the party, Chopper even brings Mocha up to the deck so she can enjoy some fresh air and try to have some fun. Zoro sits down on the grass and proceeds to drink as much as he can. He stops for a moment as he notices Tashigi standing a little ways away staring in his direction. A grin flashes across his face as he motions for her to come over.

Tashigis heart almost skips a beat as she notices Zoro actually inviting her over to have a drink with him. She walks over there slowly and makes eye contact with both Robin and Nami through the crowd of party goers. Flashing them a smile as she makes her way over to Zoro. Once reaching Zoro she sits down to his right. As she tries to get comfortable a mug is suddenly shoved in front of her. "Eeep" Tashigi exclaims in surprise as she then falls backwards resulting in a short roar of laughter from the rest of the crew.

She quickly sits up and does her best to regain her composure. Zoro smiles as he once again attempts to hand her the mug, but this time not so close to her face and not as quickly. She slowly accepts the cup as Zoro picks up his own and quickly downs it.

Just how can he drink that much booze and not get sick? I mean I can't handle more than a glass or two at a time...

Tashigi just sits there quietly with her drink in hand. Zoro notices and sets his mug down to the side for a moment. "I guess I should thank you for helping Chopper protect the kids." He smiles a little before noticing a concerned look on her face. "Is something wrong?"

She stays quiet for a moment before replying. "Sort of...did you guys really declare war on one of the Yonko. And why would you guys do something that dangerous?!" Zoro stats silent for a moment as he thinks about how to respond. "Well...if I had to give a reason it would be because of what happened on Fishman Island..." He tells her about what happened during their time on the island. "So that's the reason. Big Mom was going to sic her crew on the island and utterly destroy it. So Luffy did what he usually does, jump right into the pits of hell. Then again...I wouldn't have it any other way." Zoro looks towards the rest of the crew partying and smiles at them.

"But...this is one of the Yonko! No matter how strong you guys are you can't match them! You guys could die!" Tashigi exclaims with a very worried expression on her face.

"No...we have no intention of dying. Also aren't you a marine? Why should it matter if a bunch of pirates die?" Zoro passively replies

"What does it matter if I'm a Marine? That doesn't change the way I feel about yo..." She suddenly cuts herself off, slowly stands up and walks towards the womens quarters.

Zoro just sits there trying to make sense of what she tried to say. Meanwhile both Nami and Robin were watching the exchange. "Aww and she was so close to telling him." Nami states. "If only she managed to tell him. Then maybe something interesting would happen."

Robin looks towards Nami. "I do hope you don't have some ulterior motive for helping her. Like blackmailing either her or Zoro."

Nami looks away as small smile crosses her face. "At first ya I was planning on making a bundle off of her...however now I don't think I will. Besides I do owe that damn swordsman for saving me so many times in the past. Besides it couldn't hurt to give him even a small measure of happiness."

With a smile in return Robin nods. "Now we have to find a way to get it into that thick skull of his.

Looking back in Robins direction Nami says just one word. "Tomorrow?" Robin nods. "Yes...tomorrow."