Apparently the law is so anal about these things, I need to do this every chapter. Well, fine! Whatever!
Bakagaijin does not own "One Piece." He does not own any of its characters. He invented the character of Nicoli.
Chapter 7- Cold Front
Over the cool waters of the Grand Line a ship made its way through a cool fog. Taking advantage of the misty cloak, it glided along the blue ocean in the predawn hours. This new design was long and sleek. Speed was clearly its greatest asset. It shot straight along its path like an arrow from the bow of its figurehead.
This figurehead was a little cherub. Standing firmly and proud with its bow drawn back, and wings spread majestically. It was naked except for the strip of white cloth which flowed along the strategic places of the cherub's hips. The cheeks were rosy and the eyes were mischievous. It matched and capped-off the pink, white, and red decorum of the vessel.
Standing at the helm was the ships captain. With milky white hands clasping the wheel, the ship was expertly guided through any dangers; clearly this captain had some experience in piloting a ship all alone. However, that was no longer the case. As the captain focused on the waters ahead, the crew that now sailed on the boat as well, tended to the many important tasks with an unusually cheery attitude. Each man went about with a smile on his lips.
The captain looked up at the sky. The darkness began to lighten ever more rapidly, and the gray monotones of twilight receded allowing colors to fade in the scenery. Keen senses also gave up the information of changing weather. The fog would lift and the temperature would rise. They were heading for a spring climate on the Grand Line.
So a whistle was sounded from the captain's lips. The particular tune informed the crew of the changing weather patterns, and they acted accordingly. They shed their warm garments allowing for the chill that would soon vanish. Then, they paused to watch their captain do the same. It was a sight of heaven.
There she stood, the captain removing her cloak. It revealed a slender buxom figure with milky white skin to match her hands. She unbuttoned her checkered shirt and realigned it, tying it off in a knot to make it more like a bikini. Her impressive bosom heaved as she bent down to unzip her pants and let them drop; giving all a clear view of the valley that was her chest. This gave some of the men nose bleeds.
She lightly kicked away her pants feeling the chill which exhilarated her entire body. Standing there in her swim suit bottom she waited a minute more before wrapping a light pink cloth around her waist creating a make-shift skirt with a slit up one leg. The men recovered their senses and went back to there work. Those with blood on their faces went to the sick-bay. That was how dawn greeted the ship of Captain Alvida and crew.
"You always did enjoy putting on a show, my dear."
Alvida smiled, but did not turn her head from the task she had returned to. "I simply give the public what it wants," she cooed.
"And let no one say otherwise," the man chuckled.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Did you sleep well?"
"Oh, yes indeed. Thank you Alvida." The man replied. "I must say it's wonderful to see you after so long."
"Yes it is. I was rather worried about you. You weren't exactly in the best shape when I found you. Not to mention your ship was out of commission."
"Hmm. I underestimated the boy. It won't happen again."
"I'm sure it won't," she cooed again.
"I've heard you spent some time with my little cousin. Tell me, how is he? Still brilliantly flashy?" inquired the man.
Alvida turned around for a moment to look at the man whose face was hidden in the shade. It didn't matter of course, considering how long she had known him. He stood there in his high quality clothing. His white ruffled shirt with loose sleeves flowing in the breeze. This was underneath his dominantly yellow vest, which had swirls of red mixed in. His pants were of a matching color and pattern as the vest. Around the waist was a bright orange and blue striped sash which held the man's weaponry. He wore no shoes at this time preferring to enjoy the rapidly warming weather.
"Oh, yes…" she sighed "he's all that and doing quite well. I expect you'll see him again very soon."
"I look forward to it," said the brilliantly dressed man.
In the mid-afternoon aboard the ship of Smoker, the entire crew was treated to superbly made lemon ice. This was a courtesy of Admiral Aokiji, of course. On the poop-deck sat the five officers. Despite their relaxed appearance, they were very much involved in business. Smoker opened his eyes to look at his male subordinate.
"What's the latest intelligence report?"
Nicoli swallowed a spoonful of ice. "It seems that all the characters worthy of playing this game have assembled. They are maneuvering along, positioning their pieces, and readying themselves for the moment of action. Our pieces have been placed along the board accordingly."
"Excellent news," Hina cooed and took a bite of her ice.
"We of course, are equally prepared." Tashigi smiled.
Aokiji sat back finished with his ice, and mumbled with his eyes covered by his sleeping mask. "So, you have sharpened your blade?"
"I have sharpened my soul" replied Tashigi, finishing off her treat.
Smoker lit his cigars and smiled. "Have you given any thought to the name of your new tactic?"
Nicoli thought for a moment. "How about the 'Let-the-Pirates-Fight-It-Out- Maneuver'?"
Everyone except Aokiji choked, with a sweat-drop on their foreheads.
"Hina, Hate!"
"What? What's wrong with it?" Nicoli had asked, putting down his empty dish and reaching for his journal.
"I had anticipated this," replied Aokiji. "You were never very good with names, Nicoli. So I came up with a suitable title for your latest example of tactical brilliance. I have already filed it as the 'Rogue Cluster-Maneuver.'"
Tashigi sighed in relief. "Now that's much better."
"A much more fitting codename - Hina like." Cooed the pink-haired officer
Nicoli ignored them and went on to write in his journal. The first words of the first paragraph read as follows.
"Soon, I shall come face to face with my destiny. With the one who can answer for all of my pain and suffering. Soon I shall look into the eyes of Nico Robin."
For three days Sanji never left the kitchen except to eat, perform his duties, or use the bathroom. He could not look Nami in the eye. Nor could he look at Luffy without wanting to toss him into the sea. So he went about his business speaking very little. His only fortune in the matter which plagued him was the timing. If people saw that he was upset, they simply assumed it was Zoro's blindness.
Zoro was the only one who knew better. Since the incident involving Hana, Zoro had come to an epiphany. Whether or not he would get his sight back, Zoro was forever changed, even if he did not show it externally. Zoro's behavior never changed, but inside he felt a world had opened up to him. He had thought that his senses were well trained before, but now he knew otherwise.
As is often the case when such things occur, Zoro's lost sight caused his other senses to pick up the slack. It had been confusing at first, but he had quickly learned to organize the information and process it. It was incredible. He now knew the little secrets whispered by the world. The sound of rain, the cry of the wind, the smell of the sea, the very taste of the air, and even the feeling of the wood on which he walked; everything was different. To Zoro the world was like a woman, and he was now seeing her for the first time completely revealed.
There was one other sense that had increased as well. Because of his abilities Zoro had always been perceptive about the hearts of others. The strong hearts of others would beat and reverberate off the beats of his heart- the strength of which was incalculable. Now it was as though his heart would take the place of his eyes. Though he could not see his nakama, his heart would perceive them. It would perceive their shape, and of course their hearts as well.
Sanji's heart cried out in pain. It was blatantly obvious to the swordsman. As much as Zoro fought with the "Love Cook," he had a grudging respect for the swirly-browed pervert. Sanji was strong. Yet that strength seemed to be fading away.
"Not good." Zoro thought to himself.
"That sorry-excuse for a dartboard is losing his will. He's freaking out over Nami's choice. If he doesn't pull himself together he'll die out here. If that happens…"
He did not want to think about the others trying to cook. His mind still shuddered in horror at Luffy's attempts before Sanji showed up.
"Oh HELL no! I'm not going back to that! No way!"
The shark-ish swordsman stood and made his way into the kitchen. At this point he could move at his regular pace without help from anyone. So without the slightest bit of effort, he found a chair and sat down at the table before Sanji. He sat there, "staring" at the blonde.
Sanji for the most part tried to ignore him. He simply pulled out some sake, and began to marinate some beef for a kabob. He'd hear the swordsman's gut give off a low growl. But the more Sanji attempted to ignore those "eyes," the more intense they became. Finally, he couldn't take it any longer.
"What the hell do you want?"
Zoro smiled. "I know what's bothering you."
Sanji didn't say a word. He didn't doubt the blind Marimo, but he didn't think he was correct. "Oh, really?"
"Yes" Zoro simply replied.
They "looked" at each other for a few moments more. Then Sanji turned around, glad to avoid his "gaze" for a moment. He speared the pieces of beef and vegetable and placed them on a plate before Zoro, who happily picked up the skewer and began to munch on his snack.
"Listen here 'Love Cook.' You need to get your act together, and fast. When the next attack comes no one's gonna save your behind. As weak as you are now, you're a dead man walking."
"What's that, Marimo?!"
Sanji flared up. "Weak" was not a word to be used in description of him.
"I said you're weak!" snarled Zoro. "And I'm willing to bet Zeff would agree if he were here, 'little egg-plant.' "
Zoro wolfed down the last of his snack and set the spit on his plate. The moment he did, Sanji's foot was in his face. He was sent careening across the floor and out the kitchen door. "SCREW YOU!" Sanji screamed. The cook slammed the door with a strength that threatened to break it, frame and all. The strength of "Black-leg Sanji" "Crappy Swordsman," he muttered to himself.
Zoro simply leaned against the railing he had landed by, and went to sleep, leaving passers by to wonder at the footprint across his face.
It was the next day that Nami had called a meeting in the kitchen. It didn't take much work to get them all together; all she had to do was simply keep them there after breakfast. To accomplish this she sat Zoro in front of the door and told him not to move. Zoro sensed the importance of her request and decided to comply without an argument for once.
"Alright, everyone listen up!" Nami started.
"Yo, woman! Where's the fire?" Franky grumbled. Nami was blocking the fridge, preventing him from reaching his supply of cola.
"We're in a dangerous part of the Grand Line now. 'The Devil's Maze.' For kilometers in every direction there is a network of coral reefs that could even wreck the Sunny."
"WHOOAH!" The faces of Usopp, Luffy and Chopper were something to behold.
"So we've finally entered Devil's Maze. I never thought it would be so soon."
"Robin-chan! You've heard of it?" Sanji inquired as he poured her another cup of coffee. Robin nodded.
"As expected of my Nii-san. What have you heard?" Nami asked.
"As you said it is a network or coral reefs that form a maze. If ships fail to navigate the waters correctly they will find themselves beached on the coral… or worse." As Robin continued to speak, the mood of the room grew heavier. "Not only that, but there are other dangers. It is known to have countless creatures dwelling in the water; from sharks, to giant squids, to baby sea-kings. On top of that, it is a natural place for mermen bandits. They take to this place like thieves to a forest. They ambush ships and rob them of everything they can carry, and then dive into the waters for a clean getaway."
"Well, it doesn't sound like anything we can't handle." Zoro piped up from across the room.
Usopp nodded in a rare moment of true confidence. "That's right. We've faced all of these before, and in much worse conditions." Then his face fell with Robin's next words.
"But, that's not all long-nose-kun." She chirped.
"Robin-chwan, is so sexy when she's foreboding!" Sanji had begun to sway.
"Pipe down and let her talk!" Nami scolded with a punch to Sanji's head.
"Hai, Nami-san!"
Robin cleared her throat before continuing. "The devil's maze is legendary. It is said to be the birthplace of the original demons that created the devil's fruit. Legends say that devil-fruit users who aren't careful will be taken to back to the hells of their progenitors." At this Chopper gulped and began to shiver.
"Wha-wha-what do we d-d-do?" Chopper stammered.
Robin picked up the little reindeer and cooed as she pet his head, like a mother to a child. While she did this, Nami spoke to calm him down.
"We'll all just have to be careful. I just wanted you all to know what kind of situation we were in. Now that you know, you'll be ready."
"There's still more Ms. Navigator." Everyone's attention was back on Robin. Nami blanched; apparently Robin had more history to share- a history that she DIDN'T know.
"This spot is especially dangerous for ships on the defensive. With so little room to move we'll be sitting ducks. It's the ideal place to set a trap. There are countless records of ships that terrorized the ocean, only to be brought down by a Naval ambush here at the maze; and we are the Navy's greatest threat right now. We are especially vulnerable here, Captain. Even Gold Roger was caught in Devil's Maze."
Luffy began to shiver. Gol D. Roger- THE GOLD ROGER was captured here. Although his face was hidden by the shadow of his hat, everyone could feel the smile radiating from Luffy. He stood up and pushed back his hat to reveal that winning smile with a chuckle. "I believe in my navigator! I believe in all of you!"
The air, which had felt so heavy, was immediately lightened with those words. Everyone else began to smile. This was Luffy's greatest ability. His confidence shined through the darkness and made anything possible. This was why he was the captain.
"And this is why she loves him…" Sanji found himself thinking, as he caught Nami with a slight pink on her cheeks as she looked in Luffy's direction.
"Yosh!" she yelled. "Are we ready?"
"Yes!" they all chorused.
"Damn straight!" yelled Luffy.
"Alright, Luffy. You win. Just don't blow it, or I'll turn you into 'rubber-man soufflé.'" Sanji conceded in his thoughts.
Not far away, in many different directions. Several ships had positioned themselves to make their move. The night was unusually cold. The wind carried a chill of premonition to all the different crews. Something big was going to happen. Something that had never before been seen on the Grand Line; and that was saying something.
Over the skies of Devil's Maze, the hot and cold air mingled together. A dark cloud was swiftly forming overhead blocking out the stars in the sky. Birds left the area, and aquatic beasts hid away in their underwater shelters, to wait out the oncoming storm.
Author's Section
Well there it is, once again. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to make it longer, but I seem to have accomplished the purpose of this chapter quicker than expected. Ah, well. Time for your reviews. And please, tell others of this story.
-bakagaijin
P.S. Please check out my Naruto Fanfic "A Bright Light, A Sunny Place." It should be up.