Author's Note:

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A Trip to the Park

A New Friend Awaits,

Angelica

Despite it being a distance away, Devil Dias' explosion had been heard faintly even from where Nami and Robin had been shopping. Of the two of them, only Robin had noticed the sound. Nami was too enthralled with the new fashion she saw; for her and her daughter. It was only the faintest of noise; thus, Robin could only deduce that whatever it was it was not of her concern. She just continued her shopping with Nami without little care but a close ear to the ground in case of danger. The two women continued their spree through the mall until finally coming out the other end. They had gained small bubbles of their own to carry the few purchases they made. Now after reaching the end, they were ready to make the second round; to see if the things they saw in passing were now 'really' good for purchasing.

Unfortunately, it had to stop.

"Nami!"

Before heading back in, Nami turned back around. To her surprise, she saw Luffy and the others coming back. She, and Robin as well, noticed the grim expression on all the adults. As for the kids; Luffy carried Mika on his back while the little girl looked scared, and Akio looked as if he has seen a ghost as he sat by Brook and Chopper. In examining the kids, the two women became concerned.

"Luffy!" Nami shouted, running from the mall to go towards the others.

When the two groups met, Luffy and the others explained what had happened. While lacking a full understanding, they revealed that it had started with Mika having an adverse reaction to a scene of a man desperate to be saved. Then, he had unexpectedly exploded to the shock of everyone. Finally, they witnessed the cruelty of those called 'Celestial Dragons' – the World Nobles. That had made both kids uncomfortable, but Mika even more so. Once the Celestial Dragons left, the group decided on a quick detour for the children's sake.

Prostrating himself, Hatchan began apologizing to the group. "I'm so sorry," he began saying desperately, "I hadn't expected that the Celestial Dragons would be on the island today! I never meant to put any of you in such a situation, especially the tykes!"

"Hachi! Hachi!" Nami urgently repeated while carrying her traumatized daughter. Despite the state her daughter was in, the young mother had rationally understood the situation.

She thus told the Fishman, "I don't blame you for what happened. There was no way you could have known."

Hatchan was soon calmed down by Nami's kindness. He still apologized but he eased up as the support of everyone around assured him that he had been faultless. Nevertheless, the octopus Fishman felt the need to reveal some information vital.

"I should've just flat out told you guys. The Celestial Dragons come to this island often to buy slaves. Scenes like this often happen here. Worst, they don't just buy slaves at auctions, they'll take people right off the streets if they're interested in them. It's even worst for Fishmen and Mermaids. And because of their power, if anyone tries to defy them, then their life becomes forfeit. Not even the Marines will defy them. That's why I had you make that promise to me."

After hearing this information, the group looked conflicted by the situation. On the other hand, they were also grateful towards the Hatchan. While most of them understood, it was clear that some of their members (i.e., Luffy, Zoro, etc.) could quickly escalate the situation. Something they did not need right now.

Now, there was what to do with the children.

"I don't think taking them back to the Sunny will necessarily improve their mood," Robin stated out thoughtfully.

Nami agreed with her. She thus suggested, "Maybe we should take a trip to the amusement park then."

Instantly, the kids perked up. "Yeah!" they both shouted out excitedly.

All the adults stare at the kids dumbfounded. "That was too quick!" they shouted out in disbelief.

Regardless, the group settled on splitting up again; this time, one group would meet with the coater, and the others would take the kids to the amusement park. In the end, Robin and Luffy switched places. Seeing how Mika could use both her parents, just in case of relapse, it sounded like a good idea. Robin thus went with Brook and Chopper to be led by Hatchan, and afterward, they would go meet up with them at the park. With all things settled, the two groups split off to do their tasks.

And after a while…

"Whoa!"

The kids and Luffy, even Nami, marveled together as they all saw the amusement park, Sabaody Park. Its front entrance was like a castle full of colorful lights and sounds. Not just the fantastic front gate; several of the rides could be seen even from outside the park. An enormous Ferris wheel with bubble carts, a wild coaster thanks in part to bubbles again, and even a swinging pirate ship as large as a real one. The screams of the patrons echoing from each of the exciting rides from either enjoyment or fear. No matter what, everything about this park looked inviting.

Of course, most of the group was excited to be entering. After paying admissions, at a severely reduced price ("Thanks, Nami/Mama/Mrs. Monkey!"), the group hurriedly rushed into the amusement park. Just moments in, they all again marveled now at the sights, the lights, and all the sensations that came with them.

"So," Nami began saying to the group with a content smile, "what should we do first?"

And the others replied together, "Everything!"

Her smile dipping slightly, Nami let out a sigh. "Of course."

So, the group rushed to the first of the rides. Not wanting to go easy, they went straight for the most exciting of the rides. They went straight to the entrance to this ride, but as they got closer to it, there seemed to have been a commotion. Amusement park paramedics and staff were carrying many unconscious people away from the roller coaster. The group was amazed by this sight, believing wholeheartedly that these were patrons of the roller coaster ride. The ride frightened Nami but enticed the likes of Luffy and the kids. Nami immediately tried to back out, but Luffy in his eagerness, as well as cluelessness, dragged Nami into line. Of course, the kids took the first spots ahead of the adults as they were excited to ride.

Especially with the line so short.

"I can't wait to ride this," Mika told Akio eagerly.

Akio nodded before commenting out, "Yeah, I can't believe the line is so short."

Overhearing him, a young, pig-tailed, black-haired turned around. The girl smiled and spoke to the girl, "Yeah, a bunch of people just dropped out." She then stated vainly, "I guess they couldn't handle it."

"Awesome," stated Akio contently.

Now curious about the girl, Mika began introducing herself. "Hi, I'm Mika," she stated happily.

Akio followed suit. "I'm Akio," he said coolly.

The new girl smiled. "My name's Angelica," she said, "nice to meet you both."

The interaction between the kids did not go unnoticed. While still scared to go on the ride, Nami had taken a moment to witness her daughter and crewmate make a new friend. She became especially proud of them.

Luffy too noticed this interaction and spoke up. "Hey, guys," he said as he crouched next to Mika and Akio. He then asked, "Make a new friend?"

"Yeah!" Mika said excitedly. She then grabbed the slightly taller girl's hand and pulled her closer as she explained cheerfully, "This is Angelica, Daddy."

Upon introduction, Angelica immediately lost some of her interest. "Oh," she said, "your parents are here."

"Just hers," Akio stated.

Tilting her head in confusion, Mika asked, "What's wrong with Daddy and Mama?"

"Yeah," Luffy asked out indignant.

Angelica let out a sigh. "Adults are honestly the worst in my opinion," she stated indifferently. "All they do is hamper on us kids' fun."

"Only Mama does that," Mika stated loudly.

Nami immediately began glaring down at her daughter. Then she heard her husband speak, "Yeah, only Nam…" As she threw her intense gave at Luffy, the man immediately went quiet. He then began flashing her a nervous and small smile.

"Shishi, uh, love ya, Sweetheart."

Of course, Nami arched her brow critically towards Luffy. She let it slide in the end; her husband was too adorable and innocent to stay too mad at him.

In no time, the group soon reached the front of the line. Immediately, the kids and Angelica took up the cart first in line on the roller coaster. Luffy and Nami thus took the one behind them. While the kids were all excited, Nami was starting to get nervous about doing this. Luffy was utterly oblivious and as enthusiastic as the kids. Then, once enough people were on, the ride began. As it jerked forward and started moving, Nami instinctively grabbed Luffy's hand. Neither minding or seemingly noticing, Luffy kept becoming excited. She kept a hold of his hand right as they began climbing up the track. Then finally, once at the top, the carts plummeted down the path.

"Aaaaah!" screamed the kids and Luffy joyfully.

"Waaaah!" screamed out Nami in fright.

After many twist and turns, ups and downs, and spins and flips the group took their leave of the ride. All of them were dizzy with Nami feeling also nauseous. Luffy tried helping her but instead tripped over himself as well as thanks to being so dizzy as well. While this happened, to Nami's frustration, the kids were okay for the most part and laughing too.

"That was awesome!" Akio shouted while steadying himself.

Mika then cheered out dizzily, "Again! Again!"

Immediately, Nami shouted out nauseously, "No!"

After finally finding her footing, Angelica replaced her goofy smile with an indifference expression as if she was trying to appear cool. She thus stated, "Yeah, that's not bad, but I've had more fun on the high sea."

Mika immediately gasped. "Are you a pirate too?" she asked excitedly and bluntly.

"Shh!" Akio shushed instantly. "Don't go asking if other kids are pirates! She's probably-"

Angelica then interrupted him with an answer, "I am actually."

"Wha?!" Akio shouted with shock.

The black-haired girl then continued speaking, "So, you and your parents are pirates too?" she asked curiously.

"Yep!" Mika cheerfully said.

"Huh," said Angelica as she looked back at the two adults. Though they were still recovering, the woman more so than the man, she looked at them with complete surprise and a bit more impressed.

"I guess I was wrong about them…" From then on, Angelica was a little nicer towards Nami. Luffy had seemed like such a kid himself she didn't mind him.

From there, the group now with Angelica traveled throughout the amusement park going on each ride along the way. Not the wild and fast rides but also the friendly and slow rides. On the latter, Nami went on those while deciding to leave some of the more extreme rides for Luffy. From the carousel to the log flume to the swinging pirate ship to the spinning teacups. Unfortunately, on that last ride, both the kids and Luffy spun their cups too fast. All of them became nauseous and deposited the contents of their stomach off to the side. Regardless, the still had fun.

Except when Nami made the kids go on the "Tunnel of Love" ride. It was boring for them. Despite feeling the love, Luffy mainly was bored with this kind of ride as well, but it made his wife happy, so he didn't complain. The kids did that for him.

"This is boring~," whined Mika

Akio too whined, "Couldn't you have left us outside?"

And not one to miss an opportunity to voice her own opinion, Angelica too whined, "Mrs. Nami, you're boring."

All three were met with a threatening glare like that of a lioness defending its kill from Nami. Instantly, the kids went quiet and remained so until the ride ended. Nami then enjoyed the whole ride; however, Luffy was now a little afraid of his wife; again.

Then, after many more rides, more of their group arrived.

"Hi everyone!" Mika shouted and waved happily to the incoming group.

"Hey Mika," greeted Robin and the other Straw Hats.

For a moment, the two groups had a short meeting to learn what the other group had learned. As they did, Angelica had asked Mika and Akio about the other members. Of course, they both gave Chopper, Robin, and Brook a glowing assessment of each, which impressed the girl much.

Meanwhile, the adults got down to business. Hatchan's group had reached his old acquaintance's place, dealing with a few bounty hunters along the way, but he had not been there. They then met with another friend of Hatchan's, Shakuyaku or Shakky; a former pirate now a bar owner with a knack for information-gathering. She had informed them that Rayleigh, the coater as well as a former pirate himself, could be potentially found in this amusement park. So now, they had to find the man here, and possibly go on every ride again.

"Seriously?" Nami stated towards Luffy, the one who suggested it.

"Yeah!" cheered the kids excitedly.

Before heading off, Robin also informed the two adults of one other interesting information that Shakky had provided them. On this island, many rookie pirates and crews had arrived having large bounties of over one-hundred million. Counting Luffy and Zoro, the number now totaled to eleven, and were deemed the "11 Supernovas". Even more interesting, out of the group Luffy was only the second highest bounty. The information intrigued the young pirate captain a little, and he also felt an interest in meeting one of his fellow rookies. But for now, he felt more inclined to enjoy himself with his friends and family. Thus, the group took off again to enjoy the rides.

At this, Nami let out a sigh. "Here we go again," Nami said exhaustively.

Having stayed back, Robin let out a chuckle with amusement. She then took a moment to look at the group ahead of them, precisely at the kids. "They look like they are feeling better," she said to Nami.

"Honestly," Nami began saying jokingly, "I almost think they were faking it."

Robin said nothing to the conjecture. Without being there, she wouldn't know. On the other hand, seeing how they were behaving earlier led her to believe otherwise. She was pretty sure the other woman felt the same. Regardless, at least the kids looked indeed happier.

From there, the two women caught up with the others. Now with more members a part of their party, Nami felt more inclined to sit out and wait for them to finish. At least, for the wilder rides. Much to her surprise, Robin was not allowed this luxury thanks to Mika. Now, the kids, Luffy, and everyone from the other group were partaking in the rides.

After their first roller coaster though…

As the kids, Luffy, and Chopper carrying Keimi got off, the other two adults, Hatchan and Brook, looked as if they had lost years off their lifespan. Then came Robin; with her hair slightly tousled and a thousand-mile stare, she seemed to have had a wild time.

In seeing her, Nami chuckled. "Did you have fun, Robin?" she asked teasingly.

Robin, of course, gave the younger woman a venomous gaze. She was not above getting revenge on a friend when provoked.

"Auntie!" Mika called out excitedly. "Come on! Let's go on the up-and-down ride next!"

Thus, Robin made her move. "I think your mother wishes to go on this ride with you," she soundly lied with a smirk.

Nami immediately gasped. "What?!" she shouted.

Without a moment to explain, Mika was already with her mother and grabbed her hand. "Come on, Mama," she said before pulling her mother along.

Unable to decline, Nami did the only thing she could. She shot a glare at Robin, who was now smiling amusedly and waving her off.

Afterward, Nami and Robin had decided to be on the sidelines for most rides. Only ever joining in if it were something slow and gentle. Oddly, despite a weakness to fast rides himself, Brook would strangely pass on the very same rides that Nami and Robin would go on. Regardless, everyone had their fun one way or the other. Especially the mermaid in disguise Keimi.

Then, the group came to Sabaody Park's Ferris Wheel. Everyone decided to participate in this ride. Being a simple ride, Nami even allowed the kids to have a cart of their own. The kids were excited by this. Altogether, the group took up three of the rides bubble cabins. Luffy, Chopper, Keimi, Pappug took up the second one, and the remaining took the third. As this was a giant wheel, this ride would take several minutes to make one full rotation. Here, a conversation had begun.

"…and that's why we're here at the park," Mika explained joylessly.

With the topic brought up, Akio had become curious. "Why did you get sad like that," he asked.

Mika shrugged unhappily. "Dunno," she said.

Looking amazed, Angelica answered, "You were using Haki, Mika."

Both kids look at their new friend with confusion. "Haki?" they both repeated.

"Yeah, my dad told me a bit about it. It's like some sort of power that sets you apart from average people."

"Whoa! Really?" Akio exclaimed with amazement.

Angelica nodded. "One of Haki's powers is to be able to feel what other people feel and sense them, that's what Mika did when that guy came."

"Whoa," Mika said almost speechlessly amazed.

Akio then commented out, "Your dad sounds like a pretty smart guy."

Surprisingly, Angelica scoffed at the notion. "He's totally lazy," she told the others disapprovingly.

"Unlike your dad Mika, mine doesn't even have a bounty. All he does is hang out with his crew and do a lot of boring talking about 'pirate king' this and 'One Piece' that. He barely does anything fun. He's so boring."

Mika then began grinning. "My daddy isn't like that," she stated proudly. She then declared equally as so while also punching her fist into the air, "Because he's gonna be the king of the pirates!"

Akio then added teasingly, "And then, Mika will be the 'Pirate Princess.'"

Instantly, Mika looked back at the boy and let out a hiss of disapproval. The action only got a laugh out of Akio.

As for Angelica, she seemed a little jealous. "Yeah, well, it's not like my dad isn't going to let your dad be the Pirate King," she stated pridefully.

"He's got a plan that'll get him to the top fast, so your crew better watch out!"

Not about to be outdone, Mika boasted as well. "I bet my daddy will be the Pirate King first!"

And of course, Angelica replied as boastful, "Well, I bet my dad will be the Pirate King before yours!"

Akio just rolled his eyes. "Oh brother," he said drolly.

"I'll even join your crew if your dad becomes Pirate King," Angelica added on with a proud smile.

For a moment, Mika paused. "Do I have to join your crew then?" she asked to clarify.

"Nope!" Angelica said easily. "Dad doesn't like having weaklings in his crew."

Curious, Akio asked, "Then why are you with them?"

Angelica gasped with indignation. "You think I'm like you little kids?" she reproached critically.

"You're only like two years older than me," Akio commented out indignantly.

"I've got a special power," Angelica continued without concern. "And it can make anyone lose in an instant."

Now, Mika and Akio were both curious about Angelica's extraordinary power. As their experiences go, they expected that it must be a Devil Fruit power. They wondered now what that power could be though to be able to beat anyone.

Unfortunately, that would have to come another time. Before either could ask, the ride had reached one full rotation. The kids had to exit out immediately. Before long, Luffy's group came out next soon followed by Nami's group. The kids' earlier conversation was quickly forgotten, and now they could continue to go on more rides. The group continued further into the park towards more rides.

None of them realize though that they had someone tailing them. By a suspicious looking man adorning one of the amusement park's mascot costumes. What could he be planning?

Meanwhile, a lot had been happening on the Sabaody Archipelago.

Each of the remaining "Supernovas" had an encounter with one and the other. Some did so from afar in a restaurant while others took a more personal approach: a fight. Those called "super rookies" were as follows;

From the West Blue, captain of the Firetank Pirates: Capone "Gang" Bege – bounty: 138 million belis

From the South Blue, captain of the Bonney Pirates: "Glutton" Jewelry Bonney – bounty: 140 million belis

From the North Blue, captain of the Hawkins Pirates: "Magician" Basil Hawkins – bounty: 249 million belis

From the South Blue, captain of the Kidd Pirates: Eustass "Captain" Kidd – bounty: 315 million belis

From the Grand Line, belonging to the Long-arm Tribe, captain of the On-Air Pirates: "Roar of the Sea" Scratchmen Apoo – bounty: 198 million belis

From the North Blue, captain of the Drake Pirates: "Red Flag" X. (Dias) Drake – bounty: 222 million belis

From the Sky Island, captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates: "Mad Monk" Urouge – bounty: 108 million belis

From the South Blue, a crew member of the Kidd Pirates: "Murder Machine" Killer – bounty: 162 million belis

From the North Blue, captain of the Heart Pirates: "Surgeon of Death" Trafalgar Law – bounty: 200 million belis

Not only had these rookie pirate meet, but many of them were to witness a rare sight; the Celestial Dragon Saint Charloss. Of them already gone, Law, Drake, Kidd, and Killer had left to attend to other business. Centered around in the lawless area, many them had incidentally gathered to witness the might and cruelty of this World Noble. First, by sight; Saint Charloss road upon a man like a steed that could barely carry him. Then, he knocked down a stretcher carrying a bleeding patient. Soon following up was the man was taking an interest in the nurse and unceremoniously making her his thirteenth wife; at the same time, dismissing five of his previous ones. Though the woman's fiancée had attempted to stop this, he only made himself a target and was promptly shot by the noble.

Then, Zoro entered the area.

His attitude made him obviously ignore the situation that he had entered unwittingly into at this moment. Of course, he never cared for formalities. A problem unfortunately when facing someone as shallow-minded and privilege as a Celestia Dragon. Entirely shocked at the man's noncompliance, Saint Charloss shot at the man. Big mistake on his part; Zoro easily dodged the bullet in a split second and prepared to take the man's life as he had attempted on him. Luckily, for he did not know, Zoro was stopped from harming the noble by the interference of a, somehow, child Bonney. After a bit of acting and deception, Saint Charloss assumed he had taken the man's life and had been satisfied. After the World Noble moved on, Zoro had been chewed out by the adult, somehow, Bonney but had no time for it. He instead took the downed fiancée to the hospital.

None of them realized the storm brewing upon the island.

TO BE

CONTINUED…