Chapter 9: Bounty
The Morning After...
Our hero opens his eyes to see an unfamiliar ceiling. He sits up, stretches his arms and yawns quietly. The raven haired boy looks left to see an open window and a dresser, putting his hand on his chin he thinks "I recognize this place."
He looks right and sees a wall with an open closet containing various outfits. "girl clothes." He tilts his head downward. A dark blue haired beauty lays beside him, her only cover was a thin white sheet that prominently show her voluptuous curves and breasts.
"Oh, now I remember!" He slowly lets his left leg hang on the bed following it with his right leg. He looks towards the door in search of his clothes. He found them and stretched his arm to pick up his; red t-shirt, light black combat pants and of course his underpants.
With these in hand he slowly rises up from the bed before. A soft hand grasps him, his most recent partner had awoken. Nojiko looks at him straight in the eye.
"Going somewhere?" she asks with a sexy grin. He smirks at her determination and sexual hunger. They continue to gaze at one another, and after what can only be described as a mental battle, he gives in and lays back down.
"Why can't I go? I'm hungry!" he whined like a toddler being forced to school.
"You really are something else, Monkey D Luffy. It's no wonder my sister wants to follow you" her mentioning Nami brought up a question.
"Speaking of which, where is Nami?" He asked, Nojiko's answers was a shrug.
"Would it matter to her if she saw us like this?"
"I doubt it. Why would she care?" Luffy spoke in his usual carefree way.
This subject startled her, the older sister recalls the way Nami eyed Luffy for long amounts of time, or her blush when all he did was smile at her. "I hope that's not the case"
"Well even if she doesn't care about what we do to one another, it would still be awkward if she found us like this" both recognizing the possibility of embarrassment, Luffy began to dress while the bluehead hopped in the shower.
Once she finished and Luffy ended his kitchen raid, they both exited Nami and Nojiko's childhood home. As they walked Luffy brought up a surprising question.
"So...why did you screw me?" he asked with his dense expression. She flinched at the explicitness of the question.
"Well... you're cute and you saved the village" Her answer felt rushed and untrue.
"What's the real reason?" the rubberman pressed on.
"SIGH! You've been looking out for Nami, that's something I appreciate from the bottom of my heart. Especially when I couldn't do it myself. So I thought you and I both could use some relief!" a sexy smile crept her face.
Luffy smiled and said. "If you wanna reward me, food is your best bet. Sex is good too, since it's been a while." he finished while they closed in on the village.
Nojiko really wanted to know who on Earth took his virginity, but she restrained herself. "Why do I care? All that matter is that he's a wizard in bed!"
The duo closed in on the village. Zoro who's back was against wall while he viciously rubbed his temples from what they assumed to be a hangover. The long nosed bag of bones known as Usopp was slouched on roof with a megaphone on his hand.
The only Strawhat who was MIA was a certain perverted cook. With the use of Haki, the captain tracked him down fairly easily. Finding him in an alley in a state of limbo with his stupid pervert expression and a ripped open shirt. Luffy gave thought to the scene.
"I don't wanna know!" The captain of the Straw Hat Pirates picked up his chef who was mumbling "beautiful ladies" while being carried over to Zoro and a now awoken Usopp. Nojiko couldn't help but giggle at the antics. "I wonder if this is normal?" The bluehaired babe thought.
"Wake up you useless cook!" A fed up Zoro roared at Sanji who's expression went from bedazzled to scowl.
"What was that you mossheaded bastard" Sanji immediatly responded not letting his rival get an edge over him.
"Who're you calling mosshead, swirly brow!!" Now both combattants head's butted with the other while a visible electric volt manifested between their foreheads.
Luffy laughed at their insults, a still confused Usopp frowned and Nojiko shook her head in disappointment. The villagers had noticed the commotion and greeted the Straw Hats.
Usopp made a fruitless effort to separate the cook and the swordsman, Luffy commuted with the citizens and Nojiko...
The blue haired beauty wondered "Does he love someone?" She didn't particularly love the strawhat boy, although she did great find him hot and attractive, more so after their escapade the night before.
Nojiko was more worried about her sister's situation, the elder sibling had seen the obvious signs of attraction on the orange head's behalf, the question now was, does he have feelings for her too?
"Only one way to find out!"
Luffy could you come over here, I need to talk to you." she almost had to yell as he was surrounded by villagers.
"Uhh" the rubberman tried to shake off the kind but pesky villager. "yeah sure!" he ran to her side while she led him towards the nearest alley.
She had seen his sincerity from his declaration of being related to Garp. Therefore she trusted he would be sincere. The questionnaire began.
"Luffy when are you leaving?" she asked.
"Uhmmm. In a couple hours, we've been here for days now and I wanna leave." he gave her the straightest possible.
"Okay that's good I just needed to know!"
"So is that it? Is that all you wanted to talk about?"
"Well you see..." she struggled to squeeze out the last part. Luffy raised his brow in concern.
"I was wondering if you...you know...love someone."
"Of course, I love my nakama!" he answered proudly. She cringed at his density but later smiled at his love his for his friends.
"Not like that. I mean do you love some, like do you wanna be with them and marry them and care for them. That kind of love." She needed to know, because if her suspicions were fact, things could get ugly.
"No" he said straight faced and stern. She was afraid of this answer.
"Nobody?" Nojiko pressed for an answer. He shook his head with a sincere expression.
"How about...Nami? do you love her?" Once again he shook his head, she now knew the hard truth. Her sister 'possibly' was in love with someone who didn't reciprocate those feeing.
"Ok, I just needed to know" she was ready to find her little sister.
"Nojiko, why did you wanna know?" he was just interrogated, so he atleast needed to know the motive
"Just curious, you shouldn't worry I don't have feelings towards you, if you thinking that. Last night was still amazing." she winked at him.
"So that's what this is about!" Luffy sighed in false relief, thinking he was being questioned for emotional attachment.
"Well I also enjoyed last night...Anyways I'll round up the crew to prepare to set sail. Where is Nami?" Nojiko stopped him dead in his tracks and said.
"Don't worry I'll get her!" she dashed off in the direction of the the only place her sister could be. Luffy shrugged it off, he rounded up the other Straw Hats and the bounty hunter duo, who were still there.
Nojiko dashed to find her sister. Since she was nowhere near their home, the blue haired babe assumed the next best place would be their mothers grave. The tattooed girl reached the top of the hill, Nami layed their asleep beside a tangerine and a pinwheel. She really loved their late mother. "If only she was alive to see this"
Nojiko slowly closed the gap between herself and the feisty orange head. A slight tap was all she needed to wake her.
"Nojiko?" she rubbed her eyes "what's up?" she gave her older sister a soft smile. The bluehead responded with her own.
"Just came to check up on my little sis, oh and Luffy wants to leave as soon as possible" Nami's response was a groan.
"Honestly how impatient is he?!" a tick appeared on her head, Nojiko was giggling at her sisters short temper.
"Well, you HAVE been here for almost three days, someone as adventure hungry as him needs to be at sea as soon as possible." The orange head was impressed in the speed it took her older sister to figure out Luffy.
"Anyways lets head back, your captain is probably eating the entire islands food." Nojiko said while Nami chuckled at the possibility.
On their way back...
"So Nami..." Nojiko sparked a conversation, "yeah?" the orange head retorted.
"How did you end up falling asleep at Bellemere-san's grave?" Nojiko found it funny and adorable.
"Well I was looking all over for Luffy last night." Nami informed.
"Wait what?" Nojiko had a puzzled expression.
"Yeah I know, it's strange but I needed to talk about something." The orange haired navigator's gaze drifted.
"About what?"
"Well nothing important really," this time Nami's tone suddenly dropped, loosing all positive energy. Sounding almost sad.
"Well I'm sure you can discuss it later" Nojiko said
"Yeah...hopefully" The bluehead picked up on her desperate and sad tone.
"Cheer up little sis, Arlong was defeated and Cocoyashi is free. Isn't that what you've always wanted?" She asked receiving a nod from the younger sibling.
The sisters met with the Straw Hats who were already having breakfast. Luffy was stuffing his face while Zoro and Sanji quarreled about strength. Surprisingly Usopp wasn't lying to anyone but rather enjoying breakfast.
After he finished eating the bounty hunter duo challenged Luffy to an arm wrestling competition, even after both Johnny and Yosaku used all four arms against one of his. They lost miserably.
Nami smiled at the sight of her friends who she truly cared for. Nojiko felt happy for her little sister. She had now found irreplaceable friends who would stick up for her when needed. She was truly happy, and that smile said it all. Could an older sister want anything more for her sister?
Afterwards the crew loaded up the Merry with essentials, and after much arguing with Usopp and Zoro, a tangerine tree.
"You're in charge of that damn tree, it's your responsibility!" Zoro warned Nami he didn't want to do any gardening whatsoever.
"Of coursen you idiot, I don't want any of you anywhere near it!" she hissed the last part. Zoro was more livid, Luffy assured her there would be no issues, Sanji was head over heels, and Usopp brought up a good point.
"The ship is big, but asking us to stay completely away from it is impossible. We got things to do and places to be." Nami rolled her eyes and warned them again.
The villagers were there to give their new heros a send off. Nami was their suspiciously hugging them, and too the trained eye like Luffy's, Zoro's and Sanji's, pickpocketing them all.
"Well big bro Luffy, it was an honor to battle alongside you, but we will stay and protect the village!" A declaration of strength.
"Well if that's the case, I'm sure you'll do a great job." Luffy was proud of how far they had come, Zoro also congratulated them and bid them farewell.
Nojiko arrived to the docks with a satchel and a backpack. This caught everyone by surprise especially the Straw Hats who were about to unfurl the sails. Luffy stared in disbelief as he wasn't expecting this, especially not her.
"Uhhh, Nojiko sis, where are you going?" Nami was nervous at the possibility. The blue haired babe began chuckling, setting off her little sister even more.
"I'm going with you silly"
WHAT!!!
1 day ago in Marine 16th Branch and HQ...
"HELLO, HELLO, AM I SPEAKING WITH MARINE HQ!"
"Yes yes, there's no need to yell we can her you perfectly fine" the Marine on the other side was dumbfounded.
"I'm the commanding officer of the 16th Marine branch in the East Blue, Captain Nezumi, I wanna inform you of a new powerful pirate that has emerged." The rat faced Marine was about to denounce Luffy
"I'm listening"
"The new pirate's name is Monkey D Luffy, he wears a strawhat and is the captain."
"Wait! Monkey D!" the Marine in HQ couldn't believe it.
"That's right, he's the grandson of our very own Monkey D Garp, The Hero of the Marines!"
"This is huge indeed, what has he done?"
"His supposed first mate, former bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro defeated the former Captain Morgan of the 153rd branch in Shell Town. He personally defeated the biggest names in the East Blue, Don Krieg, Arlong the Saw, the pressumed dead Kuro of 100 plans and he drove away Buggy the Clown from Orange Town!"
The Marine in HQ was speechless at Luffy's feats and lineage.
"Send his image immediately!" he practically ordered it. Nezumi sent the picture to HQ right after demanding his face be plastered on every wall all over the world.
The photo was shot showing Luffy from the torso up. He is shirtless, smiling and waving at the camera in front of a destroyed Arlong Park. If observed closely two things are visible, the first is a sideways shot of Usopp on the far left, and the other is Luffy's ASL tattoo on the left arm.
Once Nezumi hung up, the Marine at HQ ran to Lieutenant Commander Brannew's office.
"Lt Cdr Brannew, Lt Cdr Brannew HUF! HUF! You have to see this! HUF!" The Marine said.
"Woah, woah take a breather." after seconds of rest the Marine handed Luffy's picture and the info to Lt Cdr Brannew. He stared at the picture and read the notes in silence for what seemed like an eternity.
His eyes widened in realization, he lost his breath for a while, he couldn't believe what he was reading.
"This is bad! Really bad!" the curly haired man ran out the door to inform the Fleet Admiral himself. This was unexpected.
Present Time...
The news of Nojiko joining the crew was bewildering. Nami was shocked at her sisters stubborn attitude towards "helping her achieve her dream." The red head new her older sister meant well, but this was weird. After much convincing the crew gave in and Nojiko joined the Straw Hats. The cat burglar left all the 100 mil on the island, leaving the village plenty of money to rebuild and move on.
As they got further and further from the island Nami stood before the railing silently. She faced the villagers and pulled up her shirt. They at the docks in awe watching all those wallets and purses fall from under her shirt. They insulted her and bid her farewell, wishing to see her again.
"She never changes" Nojiko stood on the deck shaking her head.
"We need to hide our valuables from her or we're done for." Usopp already putting his valuables in his satchel. Not that it would do much against Nami.
"How do we know she won't betray us again?" Zoro was frustrated at her greedy nature. Luffy laughed his ass off while Sanji swooned over the new females.
After some recomposure Luffy thought of the next destinations, eventually deciding Loguetown to then head to the Grandline immediately.
"Nami let's head to Loguetown!!"
"Yeahh!" everyone else said in unison.
Several hours later...
The Straw Hats routine continued as usual, Zoro slept, Sanji swooned over Nami and Usopp messed around with the cannons.
Luffy however was showing Nojiko around. She was impressed at the large size of the caravel type ship. An awkward conversation sparked.
"So...Luffy, can you promise to keep it a secret?" the blue head asked.
"Keep what a secret?"
"Our night together"
"Yeah, I can do that" he answered quickly wanting to get away from the subject.
"Thanks, I wouldn't mind doing it again though" she had her seductive smile. Luffy was immune to it so he simply smiled at her as a response. A couple seconds of silence passed until.
"I'm kinda glad you're here" he said wearing his infectious smile.
"And why is that?"
"Because from the looks of it, you're the only one who can keep Nami's greed in check, that's something we need asap!" they both burst into laughter.
"Yeah, I think I can help" Nojiko said wiping a happy tear of her face. (due to laughing)
"I wo-"
"AHHHH!" The raven head and blue head ran to the front deck wanting to assess the situation.
"What's wrong?!" they both asked.
"Can you believe the price of this stupid newspaper!!" Nami's greed kicked in.
"Shaddup ya damn witch, can't you see I'm trynna sleep!" Zoro wasn't having it today.
"Don't call Nami-swan a witch you damn mosshead!" Sanji jumped in to 'defend' Nami's honor
"Lemme see that" Luffy snatched the newspaper off Nami who was busy beating up Zoro. Nojiko leaned over to see the newspaper. Both of their eyes widened as they saw the headline
"WHAAA!!/YEAHH!!!!" They roared in unison.
Wanted: Dead or Alive Monkey D Luffy
70,000,000
He defeated the following pirates; Arlong the Saw 20,000,000, Don Krieg 17,000,000, Kuro of a Hundred Plans 16,000,000 and Buggy the Clown 15,000,000. He is the Grandson of the Marine Hero Monkey D Garp and is very powerful. According to eyewitness he defeated these pirates with exteme ease. All and any information regarding this man must be submitted to Marine HQ immediately.
"I cant believe this you broke the record for highest bounty in the East Blue. I think." Usopp said in amazement.
"They know your relation to Garp the Fist! You're definitely gonna be taken seriously" Sanji complimented him while lighting a cigarette.
"That's huge for a first! I guess they combined the bounties of the pirates you defeated." Zoro was happy for his captain expecting no less from the man he chose to follow.
"This is awesome I -"
"How is this awesome you morons! we're gonna be chased by Marines constantly and hunted by bounty hunters and-"
Everyone ignored Nami's rant and went on with their business. Mostly sleeping and sitting.
Hours later...
"Luffy I see Loguetown" Usopp was by the railing looking sideways towards the island.
Everyone else dropped whatever they were doing and ran to the front. Luffy came out of his quarters with money in hand.
"The place where it all began and where it ended." Luffy audibly said making everyone look at him.
"The place where the King Of The Pirates was born and executed. I need to see the platform!" everyone also had their personal goals in mind.
"Luffy don-" Nami was cut off by the captain
"Alright guys I'll give you guys money, since we have more than 25 mil or so due to the bounties and whatnot. Regardless tell me what you need and I'll fund you" Luffy once again displaying preparation as they approached Loguetown.
"Well I'm going to need new swords and quality ones too." Zoro explained and Luffy gave him 500k
Nami still pissed about being cut off started. "Hey Luffy, since when is it your money and what about us!"
"Nami. One I'm the captain and I collected all this money so it's rightfully mine. Two I was gonna get to you, before you interrupted me." he said nonchalantly.
"Well since you are a bottomless pit, I'm gonna need to buy a shit ton of food." Sanji explained prompting Luffy to give him the same amount as Zoro.
"Nami I was gonna make you the treasurer before you went apeshit, so if you still-" she ran up to him hugging him with berry symbols in her eyes.
"All of the money is now under my-"
"However, if a crew member like Zoro or Usopp need something I expect you to let them borrow a reasonable amount. And since I'm captain I can use money when I want, your job is to make sure we don't buy useless stuff and only what's necessary. So giving lot's of money to Sanji is essential. Don't worry you can still buy what you want."
Luffy displayed his leadership skills while Nami sulked that she wasn't the corrupt banker she wanted to be.
After he set the rules Luffy turned to give Nojiko a thumbs up, she responded with a wink. The bluehead was the one who came up with the plan to limit Nami's greediness, Luffy just said as he was told, with his authority he could dish out orders.
As they docked on an isolated area everyone was now funded for save Usopp who needed some tools and gadgets. Nojiko just wanted to go shopping so she also asked for cash. Zoro took off into town and Sanji offered to go with Nojiko, but was instead stuck with Usopp.
The sisters went shopping and Luffy disappeared into the city to search for the famous execution platform. The Straw Hats were unaware of the day they would have.
A couple days ago...
Vice-Admiral Garp had arrived at Shell Town to pick up the corrupt Captain Morgan and take him to Impel Down. A scuffle broke out when Morgan attempted an escape while Garp talked about his donut eating record.
Morgan slashed Garp who fell asleep (due to the attacks lameness) and attempted escape. Of course it failed and he was recaptured.
Right as Garp was leavin the commanding officer of Shell Town's Marine base Ripper ran to him with the purpose of delivering Luffy's letter along with a certain pink headed boy.
"What's this?" The Marine hero asked looking at the letter and then at Coby.
"Sir it's a letter from your grandson, along with a request!" Ripper said attempting to remain as formal as possible.
"Wait.. From Luffy!" He asked getting a nod in response. "HMPF! that brat goes off to become a pirate and then asks for a favor, he needs at least 500 Fists of Love!"
Ripper sweatdropped at his antics.
"Uhm sir?"
"Oh yes of course!" The Vice-Admiral snatches the letter from his hands and slowly reads it. His expression slowly altered as he read it, he went from initially angry to sad and guilty.
After what felt like an eternity Garp put the letter away and looked up. I guess your coming with me Coby. The boy in question was beyond excited, he saluted the Vice-Admiral and began walking before he stopped dead in his tracks. He turned to see a sad and disappointed Helmeppo waving at him.
Even though they were initially enemies, Coby had grown close to the blonde due to them being chore boys. They talked to one another when no one else would. It was inevitable but Helmeppo had warmed up to Coby.
Garp saw their interaction and sighed in defeat "I'm not one to separate friends, you can come too." he mumbled. Helmeppo raised his fist in the air excited to be under the wing of arguably one of the strongest Marines ever, if not the strongest.
"Thank you Vice-Admiral Garp we'll make the best of this!" Coby said saluting the man alongside Helmeppo.
Present day on a Navy ship...
"Holy crap! how does everyone know Luffy-san is related to Vice-Admiral Garp" Coby yelled with the newspaper nearly plastered to his face.
"Unless he told everyone!" Helmeppo replied.
"That's exactly what happened!" Garp was frustrated, even though he new this would eventually get out and Luffy would be considered more dangerous, it was decades better than the revelation of his father. That is what Garp truly feared.
In the New World on the Moby Dick...
A blonde haired man with an open purple jacket looked down at the newspaper as he drank from his mug. He immediately noticed the headline and thought.
"Luffy huh... could it be?"
"Hey Vista!" The sleepy faced man called out to one of his crewmates.
"What is it Marco?" A tanned muscular man with a curly mustache and a top hat
walks over to Marco.
"Luffy is the name of Ace's little brother, right? The one he always talks about." Marco sought confirmation.
"Yeah that's his name. Better question is how can you forget? He never shuts up about him!" Vista commented slightly annoyed at the idiocy of his brother.
"That's probably why I forgot, I supressed the name from my memory, because Ace never shuts up about him." Marco said.
Vista has never heard such a mediocre excuse, he inwardly cringed and asked.
"Well if you want to forget it so much, why did you ask?"
"Check it out" Marco tossed the newspaper over to Vista. He stared at it for a good ten seconds before whistling in awe.
"Taking down the strongest pirates in the East Blue and leaving unscathed, plus being the grandson of Garp the Fist. The bounty makes sense, but 70,000,000 is sure to be a record breaker especially in the East Blue." Vista said while looking at Luffy's photo.
"It is. I have a feeling that hefty bounty is as high as it is equally due to his lineage and accomplishments. Going against Arlong and not bleeding once is a helluva feat, and according to Ace he's a Paramecia so he's definitely tangible. I wonder what tricks this kid has up his sleeve?" Marco finished while Vista made one last comment.
"He he, how jealous do you think Ace is?"
They both bursted into laughter at the thought of Ace being jealous of his "weak crybaby" little brother. They got up to show the newspaper to their dear old pops.
Somewhere in Paradise (first half of the Grandline)...
"Hey daddy what's that?" The son of a fisherman asked as he looked at he horizon to see something strange in the ocean.
"I don't know son, it looks like a human sized flare, I think it's saying something." The fisherman replied focusing his attention to the phenomenon.
"What's it saying" The boy asked, the fisherman gave up and shrugged.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!" The human sized flare screamed at the top of it's lungs while looking at a newspaper.
A/N: Sorry about the weird update schedule. Now that we're past the East Blue I'm getting excited to write. Not sure when I'll post the next chapter. As always thanks for reading :)
PS: i feel like I'm forgetting something /
