Chapter 10: Departure of the Cat and Wolf

"PAAARRRTTTYYYY!" These shouts were heard from all around Cocoyashi as music blared and people danced in the streets, stopping only to drink and feast from the hundreds of tables set outside.

Having been sewed up and fixed by the good doctor, my right arm still hung in a sling as the other held a massive leg of meat, dripping its juices upon the ground. Sitting upon a bench watching the festival, a tankard of rum rested next to me as on the other side of me sat Nojiko, who enjoyed a similar meal to mine.

"Ahhh….Delicious!" I laughed after a mouthful of both drink and food.

"Only Cocoyashi's best for our pirate heroes!" Nojiko giggled as she lifted her mug and began chugging it down. "How's your arm feelin', big guy?"

"Better…at least now I can feel my fingers…I bet it'll be all healed up by tomorrow."

"Well that's good…" She smiled as she leaned into me, "It'd be a shame if you were too injured for…anything else…" She said seductively, her face scant inches from my own. This caused me to spit-take, spraying my beverage in front of me as I turned to her. This only caused her to belt out in laughter before throwing her drink all over me.

"Hahaha! I got you good! The look on your face!" She wailed in laughter, failing to notice that I had gotten up and grabbed a nearby bucket of water, throwing its contents all over her. Throwing my head back and let loose a loud bellowing laugh as she shook the water from her fingers. It was then a devilish smile crept on her face as a piercing cry echoed through the streets.

"SHITTY LIGHTNING! HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO NOJIKO-CCHHWWAAAANNN!" The shouting was followed by a flaming Sanji rushing down the streets towards me at full speed.

"You're an evil, evil woman." I said plainly as I began my retreat, Sanji in full pursuit. The chase continued for a few blocks, until I slid under a table in the crowd as the furious cook bolted past. Poking my head out from my hideout, I breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Sanji look around in frustration before disappearing down a side road.

Walking down the road opposite where Sanji had chased me to, I strolled casually down the lane, picking up several delicacies as I did so. Seeing many forms of celebration as I did so, Zoro drinking in a back alley, Usopp high on his table tower boasting his efforts in the battle, and Sanji chasing down several of the village's women (thank the gods he didn't notice me in his womanizing state). I kept walking until I came across a meat-toting Luffy, who as soon as he set his eyes on me, dashing forward, and with several pieces of meat hanging from his mouth, attempted communication.

"Oi, Khurt! Wher dyoo gef dat meat?"

"Hahahaha dunno, Luffy. There's dozens of tables with food on 'em…I think somewhere that way." I said as I pointed back from where I came. Hunger in his eyes, Luffy darted past me, intent on finding where I had gotten the leg of poultry in my hands. Not ten feet away, he suddenly skidded to a halt and swallowed his food whole like a snake, and then turned towards me.

"Oh yeah! Khurt, you wanna join my crew?" I could not register the thought of it in my head…even though I had imagined and played this moment several times in my head during my training….I could only stare and gape where I stood, unable to answer.

"Eh? Khurt? Hellloooooooo?" Luffy walked over, waving his hand in my face.

"BOSS! WAKE UP!" Rapping my head with her umbrella, Lilynette had appeared and broken me out my stupor.

"Ow! Huh?...Oh! Yeah! Course I would, Luffy!" I replied with a grin on my face as big as his was.

"WOOHOO! A NEW NAKAMA!" Luffy shouted to the heavens, and it only was only then I saw that Usopp, Zoro, and Sanji had gathered around us and were cheering along with their captain (In Zoro's case, grinning and chuckling). "LET'S PARTY!"

"We've been partying, numbskull!" I laughed, swigging down my beer as the other Straw Hats gathered around, sans Nami. The festival came forward full swing, Luffy dancing around with Johnny and Yosaku, me jumping up next to Usopp and shooting off lightning fireworks. It was a party to remember, and it even taught an important lesson…never get into a drinking contest with Zoro as neither of us won, both passing out after god-knows-how-many tankards.

Let's just say the morning was not my most pleasant awakening, seeing for the first few minutes a blurred and streaked vision as I arose to noise and clatter. Needless to say, I don't wake up well normally, this one worsened by the alcohol's revenge taking its toll on my head. Poor Usopp made the unfortunate mistake of being the first to approach me.

"Heya, Khurt! Ready to…" He was silenced by a cold glare, testing his wit as if he knew what the glare signified what would happen to him if he continued speaking.

"Coffffffeeeeee….." I broke away and zombie-walked towards Orlo's Deli, in which the mammoth man slipped me a small mug, filled to the brim of the steaming beverage. Sipping carefully, I felt pieces of my hangover melt away.

"Ahh…more and more I like this world…if only every hangover I had went away as quickly…" I beamed as the coffee worked its magic, leaving a few small coins along with the empty cup as I left the deli. My mood returned as I strolled down the lane, discarding the sling which held my injured arm the night before, testing out my healed limb and cracking its joints.

Reaching the crowded pier, I approached the Going Merry, a little disappointed to honest.

"Huh…looks a lot bigger in the manga…" I thought to myself as I entered the tide of villagers.

"Oi! Khurt!" A bellowing shout reached my ears as Orlo waddled at a quick pace down the road, two large crates on his shoulders. Reaching me, he shoved the boxes into my arms and caught his breath. "(huff)…Ya (puff) bloody…young'n…leavin' the (huff) deli without yer gift…"

"Gift?" Setting the crates down, I opened the first, rows upon rows of green and orange bottles lay inside. Cocking an eyebrow, the bald gorilla-man merely guffawed at my expression.

"Buwahahahahaha! I remember'd you're quite the soda fiend, so's I gathered up all the lemon-lime and orange pop in me store and brought 'em 'ere…as a farewell present."

This being true, I began to drool a little bit before turning back towards him and bowing to him in thanks before gathering them up and handing them off to Sanji onboard. Hopping aboard, I apologized to Usopp for before and began helping put away supplies and preparing for voyage. It was here Johnny and Yosaku took their leave, as the rest of us made the final measures to sail.

"Alright! Let's get going!" Usopp cheered.

"Wait! What about Nami-san?" Sanji asked, pulling away from his cigarette.

"Maybe she's not coming." Zoro interjected bluntly.

"WHAT? WHY THE HELL NOT? YOU SAID SOMETHING TO UPSET DIDN'T YOU, MARIMO?"

"MAYBE SHE GOT TIRED OF YOUR CONSTANT WOMANIZING AS THE REST OF US!" Zoro yelled back.

"Heheh…hey Zoro, one thing I've learned from working at a restaurant…never upset the people who handle your food…" I chuckled, watching the fight between them.

"IF NAMI-SAN DOESN'T COME BACK, I LOSE 98.72% OF MY REASON TO BE HERE!" Sanji fumed, his teeth turning to fangs.

"There she is." I pointed past the crowd of villagers, where Nami stood, her hair shadowing her face as the air filled with the cries of her name.

"SET SAIL!" She shouted at us as she bolted through the crowd.

"Set sail!" Luffy repeated, and the rest of us snapped to and began unfurled the sails and lifting anchor, Nami weaving to and fro in the crowd. Finally reached the dock, she leapt the ten foot gap between it and the Merry as if she was Scotty Pippen. Safely on board, she lifted her shirt barely and out poured wallets, purses, coinpouches…anything that could hold money.

"Take care, everywhere!" Nami jeered, her tongue sticking out as she faced the villagers.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT!" They shouted in unison. Hopping on top of the banister of the rear of the ship, I took in a big breath of air.

"ADIOS, NOJIKO! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!" I yelled at the island, knowing her to be smiling at the sentiment. It wasn't long before Commi Island drifted out of sight, me and Nami still staring in its direction as it faded from sight. It was only until Luffy began shouting at us that we broke out of our daze to find the other three with Sanji holding several mugs, filled to the brim with rum.

Grabbing and tossing one into the air, Luffy smiled as he caught it perfectly, barely spilling a drop. "Everyone got one?" Nabbing one for myself, I held it high as he continued, "Then, for the return of our nakama Nami, and our new nakama, Khurt….KANPAI!"

"KANPAI!" The Merry erupted in cheers as all downed their beverages, whooping and hollering as we did so. Lilynette even joined in as she perched on my shoulder, even though no one else could see her, she even stole sips here and there from my new crewmates' drinks.

After a while, I made my way to the crow's nest, a fresh soda in my hands. I looked out where the Merry headed, and all I could do was smile…my story finally begun…

End of Chapter

AN: Bonus! I decided to make a small info card about Khurt, even throwing in things Oda usually answers about the original characters in SBS (i.e. Animal Resemblance, What do they Smell Like, etc.)

Vanguard Khurt (Real Name: Khurt Vanguard)

Age: 24

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 170 lbs

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Brown

Birthday: Nov 11th

Powers: Lightning Avatar/ Muay Thai/ Wrestling

What animal does Khurt resemble? Wolf

What color is used to represent him? Silver

What is his favorite island type? Autumn on a Winter Isle

What are Khurt's favorite foods? Hoagie Sandwiches and Lemon-Lime/Orange Soda

In the One Piece family, what is Khurt? Cousin

What number represents Khurt? 11

What does Khurt smell like? Fresh Rain and Ink