Scene Ten: Travels and Discoveries

After all the excitement, the group headed back to the Thousand Sunny with Luffy bringing along the scorpions for a good meal. Once they reached the ship, Nami went to dry her and Mika's clothes on a clothes-line as Luffy and Akio cooked up scorpion meat. While Luffy, the bird, and Akio munched on their meal, Mika and Nami were now changing into their new outfits; Nami tying her hair into two side ponytail wearing a unique three color band (red, yellow, green) shirt along with incredibly short shorts, and Mika wearing a light orange shirt with three large purple butterflies and dark brown pants with were own hair covered by a black bandana. Both were changing behind a rock, though mostly for the sake of Akio as neither would mind Luffy; Nami being married to him and Mika being too innocent to think otherwise. As Nami finished dressing, she spoke up in curiosity.

"Where's everybody?"

"This place is so big, we haven't been able to meet any of them yet. But I didn't think we'd meet you guys first… Anyway, let's eat, this scorpion is good. Isn't that right, Biri" The bird responded happily as he stopped eating momentarily. Next to Luffy, Akio also responded as he looked back to see the girls done changing.

"He's right; it's delicious."

"Ooh! I want some!"

"No thank you…" While Mika was fully willing to eat anything meat related and cooked, Nami was far from willing. The orange haired navigator spoke in a somewhat frustrated tone as she hanged the last of her and Mika's clothing to dry. However Nami soon realized that Luffy had spoken and unfamiliar name, she looked back to the group as she asked curiously. "Biri? Who?

"This bird, its producing shock (Or in Japanese: biri)" As Luffy explained the bird's new name, he playfully pulled on the bird's cheek amusing the kids watching in awe. Biri, however, did not like this and tried to shock Luffy surprising the kids. Luffy seem to not mind it, barely even feeling, as he let go of the bird's cheek stopping the flow of electricity speaking. "Right?"

"Wow, cool."

"How come you didn't get hurt dad?" As the bird replied happily to his name, the kids were fascinated by the show and how Luffy remained unharmed by the attack. Of course, Nami already knew why. After all, they had experienced an enemy with the same kind of power. Once finishing with the clothes-line, Nami walked over to the kids and explained.

"You see, kids. Luffy is a rubber-man, so electricity doesn't affect him." The kids' mouths made little 'oh' expressions as they seemed to understand. Nami smiled and then turned to address Luffy as the kids ate to discuss their options.

"Anyways, we found Sunny. Should we wait for everyone? Or should we look for them?"

"We'll look for them!" Both Luffy and Mika shouted choosing the more exciting option over the safe one. Both Akio and Nami sweat-dropped as they both knew those two would easily pick the most dangerous options.

Meanwhile racing through a desert environment, Robin and Brook were riding on a new creation of their shipwright's mind; a motorcycle-like vehicle looking much like a red crayfish on wheels with a skull hood-ornament. As the motorcycle crayfish left dust behind the group, the skeleton musician marveled at the crayfish that was indeed still alive.

"This crayfish is amazing!"

"It's my custom design. Call it Zari Davidson."

"Yes! Zari Davidson! Zari Davidson." Brook shouted out with joy calling the crayfish on wheels by its given name from its creator. Brook continued shouting, even singing at some point, all three soon noticed something in the distance with Brook stopping and pointing it out. "Ah. I can see something."

"A town?"

"I think so?" What all three were commenting about was a large rocky hill that existed in this forever flatland called a desert. Indeed, it looked like a town with a wall separating it from the wilderness around it. But most noticeable, was that even though it was the middle of the day there was a dark cloud hovering over it providing shade for the town.

Immediately, the Straw Hats were going to head towards the town, but suddenly the Zari Davidson picked up on a certain sent. After instantly inhaling, the crayfish put on the breaks making Franky lose his control of it. The shellfish then jumped back as far it could with its riders still holding albeit barely. Once the Zari Davidson finally calmed down, Brook made a comment as he hanged off the back. "I bit my tongue… Though I have no tongue."

Frustrated with the crayfish, Franky gave the shellfish a pound to the head as he yelled at it for not listening. "I told you not to jump backwards!" But all the crayfish did was shook his head as his eyes tearing up. Robin then spoke as she realized the crayfish's weird actions.

"It's shaking."

"It's no use. It won't listen to us." As the group stood at a standstill, none of them noticed what just ahead of them; the Daft Green plant. Seeing no over option, Franky decided that it was no use riding the pained crayfish motorcycle. "Che. Let's walk."

Back with Monkey family and Akio, the group was now flying over a forest on Biri. Both adults sat behind the kids -Nami sitting in Luffy's lap- as they scanned below amazed at the sights they could see from the sky. What none of them noticed though was that the air in this surrounding area was riddled with pollen of a specific plant. The moment Biri smelt the pollen, like all the animals, he immediately stopped whatever he was doing and took off.

"What's wrong?" As Luffy spoke, Biri was panicking in pain as he tried to find a way out of the pollen. The bird then shot straight up knocked the kids back forcing Nami to catch them while Luffy held on to Biri.

A bit later, Biri had found a small floating piece of land to relax on as he tried to clear the smell from his senses. With everyone off the bird, Luffy shared his drink with the kids while Nami seemed to searching around. Eventually, she spotted something located in a circle of trees with a lake in the middle. "It's a village."

"Hey, those plants…" Nami looked next to herself seeing Mika now doing the same thing that she was doing. Nami noticed that she was pointing towards the ring itself and took a closer look at the trees surrounding the lake. Mika then continued as she finally remembered where she had seen those trees before. "Those were at that mean old guy's place."

"Yeah, I saw those kinds of trees around Shiki's royal palace too." Nami then realized something. She then turned to Biri, having finally gotten calm, and spoke to him. "Do you dislike that smell?"

"Is that right?" Biri turned to the adults and kids as he gave them a sad nod. Nami frowned as she felt sorry for the bird, though she didn't want to abandon him just like Shiki did. Plus, it was far safer to fly in then to walk where any manner of dangerous creature could come after them.

Nami sighed not sure what to do with the bird. Luffy and Mika were also concerned as they liked having the bird around. With a snap of his fingers, everyone looked over to Akio as he turned to them with a smile as he spoke. "I have an idea!"

Now flying again, Biri now had paper stuffed into his nose and was currently flying within range of the Daft Green's pollen. Thanks to Akio's idea, Biri didn't have to worry about the scent. Once again, the group was back on Biri as they now flew towards the village on the other side of the Daft Green circle. As they did, Nami began to explain a theory she had for the plants surrounding the village.

"I think the area surrounded by the trees is safe from those animals."

"Then, the guys could be there…" Luffy immediately replied back, realizing where Nami was going with her explanation. The kids saw it too, and they both smiled as they flew closer to the village hoping their nakama was safe within the border of Daft Green.

"I'm glad you're both okay, Nami and Mika!" Having instantly found village group still outside, they had Biri land just behind them while also getting their attention. And of course, Sanji was the first to greet them, or the ladies in better terms, as Nami and Mika were the first to get off. The man then continued on speaking in his Casanova-like way. "I was so worried about you that I haven't been able to sleep well."

The moment Sanji finished, the man jumped back and softly landed immediately falling asleep. Everyone around was surprised thinking for the most part he was just exaggerating. Usopp was the one to speak in that confirmation. "He wasn't kidding about not being able to sleep."

"Ah! We haven't found Robin-chwan yet!" Suddenly waking back up, Sanji had somehow realized in his sleep that one more female nakama had yet to been rescued. While he panicked at the idea, Zoro was frustrated with his lovesick attitude and spoke up disgruntled.

"You're noisy as hell!"

"Huh!"

"Anyway, I'm just glad you're all okay." Ignoring Zoro and Sanji, Luffy spoke up with large grin seeing his crew as normal as ever…for this crew. Suddenly, the door behind the group opened and the newcomers looked towards it as Xiao walked out. As the little girl stepped out, she gasped seeing the newcomers.

"There's even more people now."

"Hi I'm Mika."

"I'm Akio." With Akio and Mika immediately introducing themselves to the girl about their age, Xiao instantly fainted from mere surprise. Luckily, her mother caught her just as she too was about to come outside. She too noticed the newcomers, but wasn't as taken aback as her daughter was.

"Looks like you've gathered a crowd." The woman smiled as she greeted her new guest with a smile. "You can rest inside if you'd like." Nami was a bit surprised about the woman's sudden kindness, but she had to admit she was tired. Even Biri was tired slowing nodding off and on again. Luckily, Luffy seemed to pick up on her tiredness and spoke to her with much concern as he looked in her direction.

"Nami, go rest inside."

"Eh? Okay…"

"Wake up, Xiao. Bring them some tea…"

"Yes."

"Hey! Come play with us Xiao!

"O-Okay." While everyone was distracted with their own stuff, no one noticed the pair of eyes watching them silently capturing everything.

At the monitor room, the image of the group had been sent back by the spying Transponder Snail. Immediately recognizing who was in the picture, a different than last time turned as he addressed Shiki. "We've found her, Lord Shiki."

"Ah. Then why don't I head off to welcome back our navigator." Shiki then laughed as he began walking, obviously heading towards the village where Nami and others were staying.

Back at the ominous town in the desert, many well-dressed pirates had gathered into a large building currently feasting. All throughout the building, grotesque pirates in suits were given food and drinks by smiling young maidens with feathers on their arms as they celebrated for whatever reason. Even at the bar, well-dressed pirates ate and drink while the bartender* minded his work. Standing near a beam, the remaining separated Straw Hats observed the cheerful men wondering why so many pirates had gathered together. As well as searching for their nakama.

"They're not here." Franky spoke up as he concluded that none of the nakama will ever be found here. However he soon became more interested in the crowd itself as he observed a table nearby. "On the other hand, why are there so many pirates gathered around here? Are they preparing for war?"

"From the Eternal Poses they are bearing, it looks like they were summoned here by someone." Being the ever observant type, Robin had spotted several island-set Log Poses on tables all with the name of this 'adventure island' Shiki had told them before dropping them. The rest of the group seemed just as interested as well.

As a young feather-armed, brown hair ed, waitress walked towards them, Brook immediately stepped in front of the girl stopping her movement. At first, Franky and Robin thought it was the purpose of information, but were quickly proven wrong with his first sentence. "Excuse me, would you show me your panties?"

Upon hearing the question, the young woman was quickly angered. And with an impressive show of balance and skill, she jumped up and kicked the top of the skeleton's head all while still keeping her platter balanced. She then shouted at the pervert with a typical reply to such a question. "Like Hell I Would!"

Unconcerned for the damage the perverted skeleton was receiving, Robin curiously noticed the abnormality on the woman's arm. Something she had noticed on many of the workers. Once the woman was done with Brook, Robin quickly went to gain her attention. "Your arms…"

"Eh?" Once grounded, the young woman heard Robin and turned to her. Mentioning her arms, the woman spoke to her with happy tone. "Oh this? I think it's because we want to become birds."

"Become birds? Do you think you can become one just because you want to?" Franky spoke up finding the idea somewhat ridiculous for people to think they could become such. Though with the girl having feathers on her arms, he couldn't argue against it the theory.

"Yes."

"Um…Panties…" Sounding confident in her people's belief, the woman left the group though Brook seemed to want to make one last remark. This got him a very painful stomp as she walked over him without concern. Franky and Robin watched the girl leave, finding her belief very interesting.

"You guys are Straw Hat's mates, right?"

"Huh?" Robin and Franky were quickly redirected to the crowd as a man spoke to them having recognized what crew they were from. Sitting away from the table, a well-dressed fat pirate spoke to them wondering loudly.

"Are you guys here to seek alliance with Boss Shiki as well?"

Franky was about to speak, probably telling the man off and that they would never join a guy like Shiki. However Robin spoke first wanting to get some information out of the man. "Yeah, that's what we intend to do. Why has Boss Shiki gathered so many pirates for?"

"Why you ask?" Once he finished his drink, he replied with a surprise look unbelieving that such famous pirates wouldn't know. . "Don't play dumb. Didn't you read the newspaper?" He then began digging around in his suit looking for something. Eventually he found what he was looking for; a newspaper. He then held it up showing the group the front page. "Here!"

"Huh?"

"That's…"

"Eh?" The group, even Brook sitting up to see, looked at the newspaper as they saw a familiar headline.

Back at the village, a large crowd of elderly women were talking amongst themselves as they were excited about something. Pushing through the crowd, Xiao exited the crowd carrying a corked bottle looking very happy about whatever she saw. Walking up the stairs, her family's guest-the Straw Hats- were sleeping peacefully and probably for the first time in a week. She was careful not to wake any of them as she ran inside shouting excitedly.

"Grandma, mom, I have big news!" Without her knowing, it seemed that only Zoro was awake watching the girl with one eye open. He caught what the girl had said and looked very concerned about what the news was. As he try to go back to sleep, he suddenly felt something bad and looked to the side even more concerned.

"What did you say?"

"It's true! Shuu's dad has returned home!" Xiao's mom had stood up hearing the news. It was so unlike that man to do something like this. But Xiao just reconfirmed as she walked up to her mother with jar in hand as she continued with the news. "He said everybody will be able to return soon!"

Having been resting on the side of a dresser, Nami listened in on the girl's news. Sleeping soundly, both Mika and Akio were resting on Nami's lap having finally gotten tired out. They were completely oblivious to the news while Nami continued to listen. "We'll be to see Dad and Sister soon!"

"Are you sure?" Hearing the news, Xiao's grandma sat up in her bed just as surprised as like Xiao's mother was. She looked at her granddaughter with a serious stare as she couldn't believe what she heard. "I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"In other words…"

"That's right. Shiki is leaving this place. He's going to take all of the animals with him to the Sea of Stratagems…..To the East Blue!" While everyone was talking happily about their oppressor leaving, this good news wasn't so good for the one listening in. Nami's eyes were as wide as they could be, unable to believe what she was hearing. As she processed through the information she gathered, she remembered the newspaper a week ago. The picture in the newspaper, it wasn't a relic or anything close….they were the animals of this island. She then recalled what Shiki had told her.

For one reason or another, Mika seemed to have suddenly become restless as she turned in her sleep her face currently blank of any clear expression. At the same time, Nami began recalling certain memories of Shiki. 'I see…East Blue is your home, eh' Nami remembered the smirk Shiki had when he spoke about where they wanted to go and why. She then remembered earlier today when Shiki had visited them in the pool. 'You will know what my goal is. You will one beg me to allow you to you.' She then recalled a very specific memory having occurred just minutes after her and Mika's abduction. 'Become my navigator, Baby-chan.' But soon that memory mixed in with another showing Shiki's cruel grin. 'Because there's always something you'd want to request your nakama, no? Ji-ha-ha-ha-ha!' Everything Nami had ever heard from Shiki, all his little subtle hints, starting turning the gears in her head becoming horrified with what she realized Shiki was doing. Only one thing remained that she just couldn't solve.

Why did he want Mika?

"It feels like I'm dreaming when there's a hope for living after being here for so long." Back to the family, Xiao's grandma looked ready to burst into tears. After all, they had been under Shiki's rule and in fear of the animals for the last twenty-two years. Xiao's mother then approached her own mother with a smile as she comforted her.

"You're right. I wish they'd leave for the East Blue even if it was a minute or a second earlier." While these words were comforting for those that had lived under Shiki's oppression, the single former East Blue inhabitant was tormented by her words as well as conflicted with her own.

Nami then slipped her hand off Mika's head, the young girl seemingly restless for some reason, as she touched the ringlet neck to her Log Pose. The ringlet reminded her of someone special to her, but she quickly realized she needed to tell the crew. "Luffy…" With sadness in her voice, she tried to carefully remove the kids from her lap setting them gently down on the ground. As she was about to take her leave a small voice spoke up that stopped her.

"Mommy?" Nami froze in her tracks and looked back as she saw her daughter now awake…looking confusedly at her. The girl's eyes stared into her own wanting an answer to a question she did not know herself. But Nami could see it; the girl seemed to be riddled with emotions that her daughter did not understand. But why was she feeling these.

"Are you okay Mika dear?" That was only question she could ask, she wasn't sure what her own daughter was going through at this moment. Xiao's family, having noticed the woman get up, were now watching as they wondered what was going on between them. Xiao herself seemed worried as she had gotten to know the girl well in the last few hours that Mika and Akio had energy, even becoming friends. However, the poor little girl didn't know how to answer her mother's question as she placed her hands on her head looking down at the floor unable to comprehend this….feeling she had. But she soon spoke.

"I…I don't…know?"

Author's note: Just something quick! Where I placed the * on the bartender is reference to who he is. That very bartender was also bartending at a bar in the One Piece movie, Dead End Adventure! Cool right? Read and Review, until next time, Ja Ne!