Scene Thirteen: Chaos and the Message

With Doctor Indigo giving them the all-go, many burly, gas-mask wearing men working under Shiki began toppling the Daft Green and moving them to the side. Meanwhile Shiki and Nami were floating on the large rock that was meant to crush the Straw Hat pirates. Shiki was grinning knowing his plan was commencing as they floated away while Nami just stood emotionless.

Now at the town in the desert, Shiki's island-ship had docked just behind the biggest building in the town. With many gangplanks stretched out across, the pirates that had been celebrating were now walking across the wooden planks and onto the island-ship.

Back at the village, Shiki's gorilla came walking up the hill nearby the dark village. With a momentary pause, the gorilla then began pounding his chest and shouting out. His loud shouts could be heard from miles around the village attracting various dangerous and evolved animals to the village. Even on other islands, animals came rushing towards the village no longer protected by the Daft Green.

Now on his ship, Shiki walked into the monitor room as he men continued to monitor the screens as the navigation team kept track of the weather. Meanwhile Shiki simply walked to his captain's chair/throne and sat down. Next to the seat, Doctor Indigo sat at the kotatsu enjoying a meal as he greeted his captain.

"Welcome back."

"Ah." Shiki greeted the man casually as he blew smoke from his cigar. He then quickly noticed someone missing and spoke out to bring them forward. "Hey, what're you doing? Come in here."

Obeying, Nami walked into the room as well now in a black dress with a pink boa in black high-heels still looking emotionless. Shiki watched as the woman entered and spoke with much joy. "Ji-ha-ha-ha. The more I look at you, the prettier you become." Ignoring the man's complement, Nami walked up next to Shiki still not giving him any response. Seeing the woman unresponsive, Shiki spoke again trying to reassure her of her decision.

"Look… You made the right decision. You should be grateful that your hometown won't be part of this turmoil." As Shiki finished, Nami slowly looked up having some interest in what the many was saying. On the big monitor, a giant lion creature roared as it began destroying a village building. For the first time in a while, Nami brought her steely expression and gasp at the chaos that was being caused by this islands animals.

At the village itself, the villagers were running around screaming as the animals ruthlessly destroyed their homes and lively hood. As some tried to hide in pathetic places, some villagers offered their help in moving them away. "Hurry, to the underground trench!" Running from the turmoil, Xiao's family was trying to make their escape as well with Xiao's mother carrying the older woman and Xiao herself holding onto her hand. As Xiao looked back, she could see the twisted pillar still untouched by the animals though more worried for her friends still at the base of the pillar unprotected.

Above the chaos, Shiki's island-ship circled around the village safely as it gave its occupants a view of said chaos below. "Awesome, those animals are devouring the village!"

"As expected from Boss Shiki. He sure knows how to roll."

All of the pirates were enjoying the chaos as pirates would while the only one truly horrified by the scene was Nami. As Nami watched the chaos unfold in front of her, Shiki explained what was going to happen. "It's just a little side-show to see what happens if we remove Daft Green from the village." Nami didn't respond as she continued to watch the chaos. She watched for some time before finally saying something.

"I'm not interested…I'm going back to my room." Nami then turned around and walked out of the monitor room. Shiki eyed the woman concernedly as she walked out not really understanding what was wrong.

"Geez, I thought she would go into a frenzy."

Sometime after the beast had finished their destruction of the village, a motorcycle-like vehicle looking like a grasshopper came onto the former battlefield. Having not joined the other pirates on Shiki's ship, the rest of the Straw Hats had finally arrived at the village, but was stunned by the shape of the village. Franky spoke in frustration as they looked around the village.

"Damn it… We're late."

"It's identical to the photo in the newspaper." Robin had noticed certain animals collapsed on the ground and saw that they were indeed similar to the newspaper photo from a week ago.

"They sure did terrible things… It won't be long before East Blue ends up like this." Franky then began the drive the grasshopper cycle slowly as the group looked for their crew. Driving pass burnt buildings and roads, Franky shouted out for the crew.

"Straw Hat, let me know if you're here!"

"Mister Luffy, are you here?!" As the group traveled deeper into the burnt village, they soon came the twisted tower still standing even with the chaos that had ensued earlier. The structure seemed curious and the raced to it. One they reached the pillar, the three immediately jumped off the grasshopper cycle as the got a closer look only to find their nakama unconscious and trapped in the twisted tower of earth. Needless to say, they were shocked.

"Straw Hat!"

"Mister Luffy!"

"What in the world happened?"

"Quick, get them out!" Agreeing with Robin, the three ran to the tower and broke their nakama free from the earthen tower. However they could find the kids or Nami to their great relief, but lead to the question; where are they?

Sometime later, the rest of the crew was now awake and given a quick explanation of what Shiki was planning. The trapped group also explained what happened to them with Usopp going further into it. All of the now awaken Straw Hats were grim as they realized that everything that had happen was Shiki's doing. Understanding this, Luffy spoke up. "Shiki was the one behind all the incidents in East Blue?"

"Yes." Sadly, Robin quickly confirmed Luffy's statement. Everyone sat around where the tower once stood, now destroyed, as they took in this information gravely. Sanji then spoke understanding what was going down.

"So he intends to use those beasts to turn our hometowns upside-down… Shitty bastard, treating others like fools…"

"In order to protect our hometowns, she left with Shiki." Usopp soon spoke up as Chopper treated him. Everyone seemed grim as they understood the gravity of Nami's actions. "We were saved by Nami."

The group remained silent for some time, but they soon found that they were no longer alone. To the side Xiao's family had survived the rampaging beast along with the others from the village. As the group approached the Straw Hats, Chopper was the first to spot them and spoke up. "Xiao, are you alright?"

The family looked sad as they didn't speak immediately. Xiao especially seemed rather ashamed, but her mother spoke up for them. "We were hiding in the underground trench."

"Anyway, what you guys were talking about… Is it true that East Blue is your home?" No one spoke at first as they wondered how the woman knew this. However Xiao's mother continued to speak sounding greatly saddened. "Is it also that girl's home?"

"Yeah, that's right."

The woman gasped as she was overcome with sadness realizing what she had said earlier. "What have I done?!" She then crouched down as she cried over her earlier statement that had obviously disheartened Nami. She cried out as the rest of her family seemed just as sorrowful as Xiao's mother. "I said I wished Shiki would just leave for East Blue in front of her! How could I say such a terrible thing?!"

"I was so happy, too…" Xiao soon spoke up wiping the tears from her face. "I can't believe how mean I was talking like that to Mika's mom!"

"Mika!" Luffy suddenly shot up remembering he was missing his daughter. The rest of the trapped group soon realized that Mika had been with Nami when Shiki had attack and the little girl was nowhere in sight.

"Where is Akio?" Robin spoke up as well realizing that Akio was nowhere in sight either. The crew was now on their feet as they began to worry about what had happened to the kids. At this time Xiao's mother spoke through her tears and grimly.

"That young boy ran out when he saw your fight, that's all I know."

"Mika was still with Nami before I blacked out." Usopp also adding in as well though was worried greatly. Luffy was practically panicking believing that Shiki had taken those that he held close again. At that moment, he was ready to charge to Shiki's palace in a blind rage to kick Shiki's ass into the next world. Luckily, that would not be the case just yet.

"Biiii!" Everyone turned towards the sky as Biri came flying towards them calling for their attention. While the newcomer group was unaware of whom the bird was, but the rest were familiar with the bird. As they watch the bird fly lower, they all noticed Akio waving to the group looking quite worried.

With Biri now on the ground, Luffy carried the still sleeping Mika while Chopper looked over Akio as they boy had some injuries to take care of. Xiao had run up to Luffy as she was worried for her new friend as she seemed the most injured being knocked out. Luffy then looked over to Chopper asking desperately to the reindeer. "What's wrong with her?!"

"Other than the same wound that Akio has, she just seems over exhausted."

"Over exhausted? Mika practically runs circles around Luffy." Like Usopp, the group didn't seem to believe that the little girl was just exhausted. But Chopper is an expert doctor, and he's never misdiagnosed any injury or disease. Still, even Chopper couldn't believe that Mika had been simply over exhausted even if it was better than the alternative.

"I…I saw what happened." Everyone looked towards Akio as the boy spoke up a bit unsurely. "When Shiki was about to hit Mika….again, Mrs. Monkey got in front of her."

"Did that bastard hurt Nami and Mika?!"

"But then it stopped!" Luffy immediately calmed down and looked back at Akio confused. The rest of the crew seemed to be just the same as they were curious as to what Akio meant. Seeing as he had their attention, Akio got nervous as he looked down to the ground. "The rock, Shiki's attack, just stopped. It didn't even touch them. And then Mika was just asleep. That's all I saw, honest!"

"It's okay Akio, we understand." Robin went to comfort the boy as he seemed to be almost on the verge of crying. However the rest of the crew were wondering what Akio had meant and many of them wondered if Shiki had something to do with it.

While Luffy watched Akio, he didn't notice his daughter starting to wake up. As the girl made a bit of movement Luffy then looked down as the girl began to stir and wake up. Luffy was instantly overjoyed as he shouted. "Mika!"

"Is she waking up?" With Sanji speaking, everyone looked over to Luffy as they all watched Mika wake up.

As she opened her eyes slowly, Mika noticed she was in someone's arms. Was it her mother's? She looked up opening her eyes fully to see her father grinning down and the crew happy to see her awake. Of course, she noticed that almost everyone was here and sat up in her father's arm as she looked around unbelievingly. "Everyone?"

"Yes, Mika were all here….mostly." Mika looked over to see her 'auntie' Robin smiling at her glad that she was okay. The rest of the crew was just as relieved, even Zoro though he wouldn't show it. As she looked through the crowd, she was looking for someone specifically, hoping that somehow she had stopped her mother from leaving.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Luffy spoke as he brought his daughter into a hug glad that Shiki didn't take her again. Though a happy scene to those watching on, it was anything but for the little girl. While Luffy held on to her tight, he soon noticed his shoulder feeling wet. He looked to his daughter as she had her face in his shoulder grabbing his clothes. Soon, all the Straw Hat's smiles were turned to frowns as they too noticed Mika's action. Wondering what was wrong, Luffy spoke curiously.

"Mika?"

"I'm sorry." Though a bit muffled, everyone could hear the girl's random apology and were shocked by it. Luffy himself was confused as he tried to ask her, but was cut off as she spoke with tears. "I couldn't protect mommy!"

"Mika…"

"Hey, hey, it's okay Mika. You're only-"

"I couldn't stop mom from joining that mean old guy!" Usopp was quickly interrupted by Mika as she shouted out in tears. The crew was stunned hearing what Mika just said while Akio just held his head done. Xiao, though wanting to greet her friend, couldn't move as she became uncomfortable much like her own family.

Luffy though was in complete shock. He just stared at Mika wide-eyed as she continued to cry into her father's shoulders. He simply didn't understand. However Akio walked up to him as he held his hand up with a conch. Luffy noticed the boy and looked up as he stared at the conch a bit confused. "Akio, what's that?"

"I picked it up from here…."

"Let me see it."

"Sure." Akio didn't argue as he handed the conch to Luffy. The captain then begrudgingly sat his daughter down still in tears allowing for Akio to comfort her in Luffy's place. As Luffy and crew gathered, Xiao quickly joined Akio in comforting Mika as well though shedding her own tears due to her selfish statement earlier that day.

"What's that? A Tone Dial?" Usopp was the first to get a good look at the conch as the rest of the crew circled Luffy. However Luffy had immediately recognized the shell.

"Yeah, it's the one Shiki was using." As Luffy spoke, he pushed on the apex wondering if the bastard Shiki had left some kind of arrogant message. Much to his and crew's shock, it wasn't.

"Please forgive me for being unable to say farewell to you all directly."

"It's Nami's voice." Like Chopper, everyone recognized the voice as Nami. Though while Chopper was happy that it was Nami, everyone else knew this message would not be good. Even from their spot some ways, the kids could hear the dial and turned to it with Mika tears still flowing as she listened.

"I've decided to join Shiki's crew as their navigator. Shiki is a legendary pirate whom Luffy and you guys can't oppose. You will only be wasting your life if you come after me. That's why I'll say this…"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" Everyone stepped back from the sheer magnitude of Luffy's furious scream. Mika herself returned to crying helplessly jumping onto Akio for some sort of comfort. Since Akio was stunned by Luffy's yell, Aki had no qualm about it. Xiao had fainted from the surprise of Luffy's shout, but was luckily caught by Akio unconsciously. Xiao's family was also just as shocked. Luffy then continued to shout though at a lower tone.

"What's wrong with her?! Why is she leaving this kind of message?!"

"Calm down…" Usopp tried to get Luffy to calm down, though it was useless. After all, this was the woman he loved and she was just left them/him.

"She said we can't beat him?! What the hell was she thinking when she said all that?!"

Franky then spoke up, recalling how he and his group found the Luffy's group. "But in reality you were all beaten by him, weren't you?"

"What did you say? I was just… Doesn't really mean…"

"Calm down…Stop…" Once again Usopp tried to calm Luffy, but also try to shut Franky up from speaking any further. Finally getting fed up, Luffy pushed the conch shell into Usopp's hands.

"Damn…" Luffy then continued forward as he was raging in anger. As Luffy continued further away from the group, Sanji spoke to Usopp sounding curious in the message.

"Usopp, let me hear it again." Hearing Sanji's request, Usopp stumbled a bit as he pressed the apex of the shell. Once again, the crew minus Luffy listened to the dial.

"Please forgive me for being unable to say farewell to you all directly." Luffy continued forward as the message played out again. He momentarily stopped as he looked over to where the kids were as Mika still continued to cry into Akio helplessly. It only seemed to make him angrier.

Why did she have so little faith in them? In him?! Weren't they husband and wife? Didn't they agree to always work as a team in certain situations? Doesn't she care for Mika? Doesn't she love them? Why? Why? Why?! All these questions just made Luffy even angrier as her stomped forward even more.

I've decided to join Shiki's crew as their navigator. Shiki is a legendary pirate whom Luffy and you guys can't oppose. You will only be wasting your life if you come after me. That's why I'll say this…" As the crew listened, Luffy had reached a rock blocking his way. And in his rage he only had one option. Luffy stretched his arm back ready to destroy the rock. Meanwhile the crew was able to completely her Nami's message surprising the crew. However the kids could not hear the message as Mika continued to cry. His arm still stretched, Luffy then reeled his fist back forward smashing the rock into piece with a big boom. With his rage silently vented out, Luffy now looked determined as now only one thought was in his mind.

This was not over yet!

Author's note: Yo! Okay, this one might have been a bit cheesy, or just emotionally. And I'm sure if anyone has watched the movie recently or has a good enough memory, I'm missing a few lines. That will come later.

I hope you enjoyed it, next comes the fun!

Until next time, Ja Ne!