Author's note: Time for a little more fun, this time from the anime itself. I would also like to note that, I will probably rewrite STRONG(ER) WORLD sometime after I've finished both this and another fic of mine. Probably just make it its own story and keep the old one up. Compare and contrast.

Now, without further delay,

Read, Reveiw, & Enjoy!

Twenty-two years ago, in the inescapable government prison known as Impel Down, there came for the first time in its history a breach. The culprit was the first and only man at the time to successfully break out of this legendary prison. By cutting off his own legs, this man fought through the prison to eventually see the light of day again. And with this astonishing feat, he wrote his name in the pages of history. This man was the captain of the dreaded Flying Pirates…

"Golden Lion" Shiki

The events that transpired here today are only days away before Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates faced Shiki himself in battle.

Welcome to Little East Blue!

A Gold Lion's Ambition on the Move

Deep under the ocean of the Grand Line, sonar echoed through the water being produced by a rather festive and Hispanic looking submarine. On its haul was painted a Jolly Roger; a sharp-looking skull wearing a tall sombrero hat with a maraca on either side. As this submersible vessel cruised through the sea, inside the crew was having a jolly happy time. With the submarine's interior looking like an old western tavern, it seemed that all the crew was celebrating. The men of this crew all wore fine clothes appearing similarly to the clothes worn by mariachi performers as they ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves wholeheartedly with the music playing in the background. Though while all these men partied, one of their members climbed a latter to a second level of this room. Unlike the rest of the room, this part was dimly lit with only two, large men sitting on comfortable couches. Both men looked distinguished; the thin one looking like a Mexico-styled cowboy with a guitar out, and the other more burly man appeared to be like a decorated Luchador.

Once the man had reached this level, he began shouting out to the two men, speaking with a slight Spanish accent. "Captain! Senor Colt!"

The larger of the two men, Senor Colt, spoke. "Si? What is it?" He asked quickly.

"There's a call." The crew member stated. "I think it's from Big Boss Shiki's people!"

Upon hearing the man's shout, the music stopped playing. Everyone in the room stopped talking and looked to the opposite side of the room, where their leaders sat. They all wondered what it is the "Big Boss" wanted and how their leaders would respond.

"About time." Colt spoke, sounding impatient. "Sure kept us waiting. Bring me the Transponder Snail!"

"Yes, sir! Right away!" said the same crew member before taking off to do said duty.

With that crew member gone, Colt then looked over to his partner. "You hear that, Big Bro?" He asked, "We might get to team up with Shiki's crew." The man gave out a snicker thinking of both selfish and greedy things to potentially come their way. "If this pans out, we'll be in the Grande leagues, just you wait!"

Before responding, the man's brother began playing on the guitar he had on him. He strum a soothing noise, probably Latin in song origin, and played for many seconds. He soon finished playing, but then began to gasp though looking happy. With his hair and hat shading over his eyes, it was impossible to tell what mood this man was in. Yet, his brother seemed to know.

"Hey, Big Bro." Colt called out. "Uh. Are those happy tears?"

"Sad tears." The man replied, though keeping his grin. "The saddest, hermano Colt. I'm filled with a beautiful sorrow. Ennui."

"Eh?" Colt responded back confused.

"If senor Shiki succeeds in the implementation if his odious machinations, the world will be drowned in a tidal wave of despair. Si. When I imagine the thousands of wailing voices, crying out in agony, I feel simply, overwhelmingly sad."

As he watched his brother gasp a few more times, Colt simply stared at his brother, unable to respond back. He felt that his brother could be deep at times, but he simply did not understand why he acted the way he does.

Luckily, the previous crew member had returned back. "Sir." He called to Colt, holding at the device requested. "Here's the Transponder Snail!"

Looking away from his brother, Colt began grinning excitedly. "Good. Put 'im through."

The crew member placed the snail down and picked up the receiver. After handing over to Colt, the snail began speaking with the voice of the person, a Flying Pirate crew member, on the other end. "Am I speaking with the captain of the Amigo Pirates? Captain Largo?"

"No, this is Vice Captain Colt. But I'm speaking on behalf of Captain Largo."

"Very well." The voice said sounding slightly annoyed, but continued on in a professional manner. "This call is to inform you that Captain Shiki has decided to accept Mr. Largo into his assembly as our 51st pirate captain. Congratulations."

Hearing this, the Amigo pirates gasped with astonishment. They had never expected such a big name pirate to accept them into his armada of pirates.

On the other hand, Colt chuckled with pride. "Well! Of course!" He replied back happily.

"However," spoke the man on the line quickly, "there is one condition."

"Huh?"

"A mere formality that must be completed before you join."

"Oh?"

Catching the captain's interest, Captain Largo asked out, "Un condition?"

From deep below the sea to sailing back on top of it, we turn now to the Thousand Sunny as she lazily sailed through the Grand Line. It was another bright and sunny day; how odd for the Grand Line, and already some of the crew was facing a major dilemma. Sitting off the side of the ship, six fishing lines were cast off the side of the Sunny. Each line belonged to one crew member; Luffy, Mika, Usopp, Akio, Brook, and Chopper sitting in that order. Each one wearing a new outfit different from their regular ones.

"Still no bites." Chopper said worriedly. He was currently in his Brain Point form wearing a black bandanna over his head in place of his regular hat. He wore a green shirt with a cute picture of a tiger on it along with some pink shorts.

"Where are you, fish?" asked Brook rhetorically and downtrodden. While still wearing his black, top hat, Brook now wore a pink bandana around his neck. His shirt was a light purple with Japanese kanji written down and gray pants.

Looking frustrated, Akio blew his hair up annoyed. "Why can't fish just jump onboard already?" He asked as well and also rhetorically. The boy was currently wearing a sleeveless black shirt and green shorts that pass his knees

Usopp gave out a long sigh. His own outfit was not as special with just a pale white tank top and brown pants.

"Daddy~" whined Mika looking almost tearfully bored, "make the fishes get caught already. I'm hungry." Little Mika was wearing a reddish-pink t-shirt with a mikan on it and light blue skirt.

With his face slightly bloated, Luffy frowned towards his daughter disappointingly. "I would if I could, baby girl. I'm hungry too." Though he said that, he stomach was completely bloated; protruding out of his orange-red hoodie. Even still, his stomach growled, wanting even more food.

Again, Usopp let out another sigh. "Ya don't say." He responded to his captain. "'Cuz you look pretty full to me."

"Well we have been eating giant banquets every night." Chopper stated, releasing out his own sigh. "Our stomachs expanded. And as a result, we need to eat more to fill them up."

"Ugh. I know." Brook stated as his cheeks (or lack of) began blushing while he rubbed his facial bone. "It's ridiculous how heavy my bones have gotten these past few days."

"That is not how it works." Usopp stated, shooting down the skeleton's claim.

Instantly, Akio blushed with embarrassment. "No one asked you guys to keep celebrating me." He stated softly yet letting his annoyance be known to the older members.

Hearing the boy, Usopp smirked happily and gave the boy a pat on the back. "Don't worry about, kid." He told the boy, being assuring. "This kind of stuff happens to us all the time, and we've always managed to pull through somehow."

Despite smiling, feeling slightly appreciated, Akio couldn't help but respond back. "That doesn't seem to make me feel better." He told the long nose man.

Usopp chuckled. "Yeah, I guess not."

Behind the fishing group, Zoro was lifting two, small dumbbells each arm. He was wearing a plain, dark blue shirt with a red star in a yellow circle in the middle. While he was unconcerned with what his crewmates were doing, soon Sanji came walking up behind them. He like the rest of his friends was wearing different clothes; he was wearing a tropical, yellow shirt with black pants.

"How's it goin'?" Sanji asked to the group. "Catch anything yet?"

"Not yet." Mika said back.

"Not even a nibble." Akio added, sounding annoyed.

"That's a shame, we're completely out of food." Sanji then looked to the adults. "You guys better catch something or the kids won't be able to eat."

"We're doin' the best we can." Usopp stated before casting his line again.

"Why is it so important for the kids to eat first?!" asked Luffy whining slightly. "I'm way more hungry."

"Idiot." Sanji said irritated. "Kids eat first. They need the proper nutrients to grow properly."

Curious, Mika looked down to Chopper and asked, "What does that mean?"

"What he means is that you and Akio may not grow to your full potential if you don't eat right." Chopper replied earnestly.

"Oh." Mika said apparently understanding.

As they both heard Chopper, they both imagined what he said meant to them. In Akio's own imagination, his imaginary self was an adult but looking frail, thin, and weak. So much so even the wind was able to push him over.

Immediately, Akio shook the imagination out of his head. "That probably won't happen." He said to himself and continued fishing.

For Mika, she imagined herself looking exactly the same despite being aged to adulthood. In her imagination, a large, full grown, adult thug was able to easily manhandle the girl while she helplessly screamed out for help, which none came. This immediately freaked her out.

"Daddy!" She shouted as she tossed her fishing pole and began tugging at her father's shirt. "I don't wanna be short forever! Feed me now!"

"M-Mika?" Luffy said confused, unable to respond with anything. So, he called out for a solution. "Nami~!"

Not too far off, sitting in the shade of the large mast, Nami and Robin sat around a table reading magazines. Like the rest of the crew, they too had on different clothing. Robin was wearing a very short white shirt with a turquoise shirt with buttons adorned around her sleeves and collar. Nami was wearing a black spaghetti-string shirt with jean pants. Hearing her husband's call, Nami did absolutely nothing besides turning the page in her magazine.

"I told you not have so many parties," she told the man unsympathetically, "you better make sure neither kid grows up weak and helpless."

"Nami~" whined Luffy.

While everyone was distracted, the line on Brook's pole began tugging. "Huh?" The skeleton man quickly noticed the movement and looked back at his line. As the line began moving around, Brook became excited thus attracting everyone's attention. "Oh, a bite! A bite! A bite! I've got a bite!"

Immediately, Luffy and Usopp screamed out, "Ah! Reel it in!"

"Yay, Uncle Brook!" Mika cheered out as her worries vanished instantly.

Excited, Akio tossed his pole back. "'Bout time!" He said as he quickly rushed over to Brook's side.

Along with the boy, Luffy and Usopp quickly joined in to help Brook reel in the catch. Mika and Chopper remained on the side watching with anticipation. With all the commotion being made. Sanji quickly joined the group again, knowing this may be their last catch for a while. In the water, the group could make up the size of the fish; it looked to be as big a man. This made the men and boy even more determined to reel in this huge catch. Added with Mika's cheers of support and the men wouldn't dare to lose this fish.

Watching on, Nami couldn't help but comment on the commotion. "We might starve but at least they're having fun." She stated amused.

In response, Robin simply chuckled; silently agreeing with her friend.

Meanwhile, as most everyone's attention was on the fishers, Franky was at the helm currently wearing a red jacket. He whistled a jaunty tune not minding the noise behind him. As he observed the sea and sky ahead, the cyborg soon noticed something. In the distance, heading towards the ship, was a something brown and flying. As it got closer, Franky got a clearer look at what the object flying was, and what it was shocked him greatly. Even making him gasp.

Hearing the cyborg, Zoro stopped lifting his weights. "Hmm?" He said glancing up in the direction of them helm.

"Pull!" Mika shouted out as it seemed that the catch was in the bag.

Usopp, Brook, Akio, and Luffy all pulled together with all their might; most of them not wanting to disappoint the girl. "Here it comes!" shouted the group together, full of determination.

Splashing out of the ocean by the fishing line, the fish revealed itself to be a Blue-Finned Elephant Tuna and a big one too. The fishing group watched it fly up into the air, completely excited that this would be their meal. Most of them didn't notice the commotion coming from the helm.

"Aaaaaah!" Franky began screaming, but not at the catch his crewmates caught. Flying right over him was a giant, flying beetle with two tusks.

Zoro gasped in shock as the beetle flew over him.

As the beetle flew, it also went over the women, shocking and surprising them as well. "What is that?!" Nami shouted.

Hearing everyone behind him, Sanji looked over and then up as he saw the beast. "Huh?" He said caught completely off guard.

Chopper also caught sight of the bug, having been watching the fish as he flew through the air. He too had been shocked to see such a creature. "That's not good."

"Yay! We got the—!" Mika was about to shout out with joy over the group's accomplishment when she too noticed the giant bug in the air. She, and the others, watched as their salvation literally disappeared as the giant bug took their catch and flew away.

"Wha-?!" shouted Franky still shocked.

"It's a huge beetle!" Nami shouted surprised.

"Our fish." Akio said disappointed while lying on the ground.

"Our banquet!" shouted Brook in terror, also lying on the ground.

On the other hand, both Luffy and Usopp were completely captivated and excited by the sudden appearance of a giant beetle. "Awesome!" They both shouted amazed.

Even Akio had been amazed by the bug. "Whoa…"

"Revenge!" roared Mika furiously. She was even blowing steam from her nostrils, figuratively.

As this all occurred, none of the crew realized that they were being watched. Hidden on a ledge on an island nearby, a lone girl wearing a tattered marine overcoat and hat spied on the Thousand Sunny through a telescope.

"Huh?" The girl said surprised as she saw the ship. Instantly though, she was already mad. "Don't tell me…"

On closer inspection, she saw that the ship was flying a black flag, which only seemed to enrage her further. "It's a pirate ship? Those evil bastards aren't landing here!"

As put the spyglass down, she glared at the ship. In her mind, she called out, 'Boss! Take 'em down!'

Flying upwards in the sky, having already devoured the fish, the bug moaned out as if responding with the girl's thoughts. Upon closer inspection, the beetle known as Boss also had the symbol of the Marines painted on the side of his head. Once high enough, the beetle quickly made an aerial U-turn and headed straight back down. Before he could hit the ocean, Boss pulled himself up and was now speeding at the pirate ship at high speeds, skimming across the ocean.

"It's coming back!" shouted Nami sighting the bug along with Robin and Sanji.

As the beetle flew above them, Sanji couldn't help but comment on the creature. "That thing is freakin' enormous!" He shouted out amazed.

Seeing the beetle up close, Luffy began shivering and laughing with excitement. "I wanna ride on it!" He stated with glee.

"What?!" shouted Chopper in shock. "That's just nuts, Luffy!"

"Hey, Usopp!" Luffy said, ignoring Chopper's statement, still excited. "Let's catch it!"

"Ready!" Immediately, Usopp appeared behind Luffy ready and excited. He was geared up with two shoulder bags, a hat and sunglasses, and his weapons of choice; his Kabuto on his back and a net in his hands.

"Hold on! Were you waiting for this?!" shouted Chopper in shock, again.

Mika soon joined next to Usopp, but still looking mad. "Yeah! Let's catch it and then beat it up!"

"No way, little girl." Usopp said back quickly. "We gotta preserve it! We'll be the envy of bug collectors around the world!"

The giant beetle soon turned back around, getting ready to swoop at them again. This time though, one of the pirates was prepared. Franky jumped onto the railing opposite of where the guys were fishing. As he connected the t-cog into his arms, the cyborg shouted out, "I'm not lettin' that bug destroy our ship!"

"Coup de…" Franky shouted as air began being sucked in and compressed into his arms. He then fired, "Vent!" The compressed air bullet hit the beetle dead on, but it didn't stop it. He did however fly up just missing the blue-haired man.

Though covered with smoke, the giant beetle looked completely unharmed. "Franky's attack didn't even phase it!" Sanji commented irritated.

"But I'm so super." Franky said confused.

Already running, Luffy told his crew, "I got this one, guys!" He then shot his left arm up towards the Crow's Nest and shot up to the top of the mast. He then ran out a short distance and readied to fight.

"Hey beetle! Bring it on!" Luffy shouted at the bug excited and determined.

Understanding the man, the beetle accepted his challenge. He soon turned around and sped towards the man.

Of course, Luffy was anticipating the bug's attack. "Gum-Gum…" Luffy shouted as he stretched both his arms backwards, preparing his attack.

As the beetle approached the pirate captain, his whole body began glowing a fire hot red. Then, all the glowing began concentrating into the middle of the beetle's horn, where there was a natural cleft. From it, fire shot forth towards Luffy.

"Luffy/Daddy!" shouted both Nami and Mika in fear.

Unable to move, Luffy withstood the flame burst. He grunted out, bearing the searing pain of the fire, as he finally launched his attack. "Bazooka!" He shouted and launched his arms and hands forward through the flames at the beast.

The big bug hadn't expected the attack. He was completely knocked back, ceasing his flamethrower like attack, and rolled back in the air. Before getting too far, he used his wings to stop his spinning. Now furious, the beetle released another roar towards the man.

Back at the ledge, the young girl in the Marine outfit had witnessed this and was astonished. "He knocked Boss away." She said worriedly. "That's crazy!"

Boss seemed to be getting exhausted from this fight, but having been surprisingly beaten back he would not allow to be defeated. He began glowing again, mostly with heat though definitely with rage as well, and charged back at Luffy.

From down on the deck, the group was observing the fight. "Not only is it gigantic, but it breathes fire." Zoro stated irritated.

"Shoot." Franky said, minding his language for the kids. "That thing's gonna roast our ship to crisp!"

"Luffy!" shouted Chopper, currently in Heavy Point form. "Are you okay up there?"

"It's super big. Super strong. And it breathes fire." Luffy said back to group. Though his tone sounded somewhat worried, this was far from the truth as the young man's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's the coolest thing ever!"

"Uh…" Chopper said confused, unsure how to answer back.

Though having been worried, Nami quickly recovered. Her expression showed some relief, but she was definitely annoyed with her husband's recklessness. "Of course he's okay." She said.

Like her mother, Mika has also stopped worrying. Now though, unlike her mother, she was now even more amazed with her father having withstood a fire blast and knocked back the giant beetle. "Daddy's so cool!" She stated amazed.

"I gotta plan." Luffy said, yelling back down to his crew. "I'm gonna make him join our crew!"

Instantly, most everyone freaked. "Wait, what?! Hang on, Luffy!" Most of the men shouted with disbelief.

Of course, Akio was also shocked. "C-Can a pirate crew have a bug for a crewmate?" He asked rhetorically. He then recalled, and looked at, that this already had a few strange beings already: a talking reindeer man, a cyborg, and a living skeleton. He then answered for himself in a deadpan manner, "I guess this crew can."

Luffy let out an excited giggle. "Alright, big guy." He said as he looked back at his opponent. "You're gonna join—Ah!"

As Luffy had been speaking, the bug had already been on him. Without warning, the beast knocked Luffy off the rigging. Though Luffy fell, he quickly shot and stretched his arm up at the beetle itself. He wrapped his arm around the bug's horn and shot up right to him. Luffy then held on to the horn, close to bug's eyes, and laughed triumphantly.

"Yeah, I got ya now!"

Immediately, Boss began trying to shake the man off. He flew in every direction, preforming dizzying moves, in vain attempts to shake the pirate off. All the while, Luffy was just laughing and enjoying the ride.

Of course again, watching all this, the young girl was stunned with disbelief by what she was witnessing. "This can't be happening." She stated with annoyance.

Back at the Sunny, everyone was also watching as Luffy continued to have his fun with the giant bug. "What is he trying to do?" asked Usopp, slightly confused over Luffy's action.

As he and Brook watched them, they soon notice the bug approaching back at them. "They're coming back this way." Brook commented calmly.

"Yeah, they do seem to be getting bigger…" Usopp responded back calmly, almost absentminded of the fact as to why they were until the two were almost upon. "Wait! He's aiming at us again!"

Quickly, the two crewmates ran to avoid the bug; unfortunately, Usopp had made an error in judgement. What happened next practically occurred in an instant for the sniper. As he was running adjacent to the flight path of the beetle, the beetle's claw had caught the man by his shirt and by the holder which currently kept his butterfly net and weapon in place on his back. He was soon lifted up into the air as the beetle began rising. He immediately spoke, at first sounding very calm, "Help… Help…" until finally freaking out, "Help me!"

"Mr. Usopp!" shouted Akio in worry.

"Damn that idiot!" Sanji shouted agitated by his crewmate's bad luck.

Stepping up next to the chef, Zoro prepared himself as the bug flew back towards. "Come on, let's go rescue those two idiots." He stated before making a dash forward.

Though annoyed, Sanji agreed with the swordsman. "Right." He then accompanied the green-haired man.

Both Zoro and Sanji, using the railing, jumped out and forward at the bug. While the bug flew over the ship, both men grabbed on to one of the other limbs of the bug. Usopp, having gotten himself unstuck from the claw, was now also holding onto the limb; for dear life. Boss, feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of humans on him, he flew straight ahead towards the island; no longer bothering the rest of the crew.

Witnessing this, Nami ran to the other side of the ship. "He's flying away!" She shouted out with worry.

Mika quickly joined her mother, a little worried about her father. "Daddy!" She called out hoping to reach her parent. There came no response unfortunately.

This immediately got Nami mad. "What were they thinking?!" She said pouting.

As Akio joined them, he looked out as well and spotted something different. "Miss. Monkey," he said, "the bug is heading to that island." He then pointed at said island.

Surprised, Nami took a second look. Having been concerned over her reckless husband and idiot crewmates, she completely overlooked the island not too far off from their course. "That must be where the beetle came from." She reasoned.

"What should we do, Miss. Nami?" asked Brook curious.

Instantly, Nami pointed to the island. "Let's get closer to that island." She stated promptly. "I don't know what they're planning, but at least we'll be close by to provide backup."

"Aye-aye, Girly!" Franky said readily. He then went back to the helm to steer the ship in that direction.

Observing the island, Robin made her own comment. "Hopefully, it will not be an island filled with vicious beast that'll tear them limb from bloody limb."

Instantly, Chopper, Brook, and Akio got shivers. "That's twisted." Akio commented back.

In response, Robin just chuckled playfully. At least she found her own dark humor amusing.

Unlike the others, Mika wasn't paying attention to what was happening onboard. Oddly, her complete focus was on that island. While she knew of course that her father was there, probably already beaten up the beetle in her mind, she had a feeling of anxiety not being able to see or hear her father. And yet, she could feel that he was there and doing okay. As the Thousand Sunny began turning towards the island, Mika felt a strange sense to keep looking in the same direction. With the view of her current vantage point becoming difficult, she moved herself from the side of the ship to the helm.

"Hmm?" While preoccupied with navigating ship, Nami spotted her daughter rush up onto the helm's deck. She watched curiously as he daughter ran along the side of the railing and then climb the stairs onto the figurehead. Not realizing what was going on with her daughter, Nami just smiled believing that her daughter was just worried over her father. 'How cute.' She thought fondly.

Mika soon reached the spot her father often sat in; his special seat. Which extended to both herself and her mother, though the latter only did so with her husband. Mika stood then sat in the spot as the Sunny sailed closer to the new island. Her expression remained both neutral and slightly confused as she sat quietly staring at the island. In her mind, she couldn't help but feel how odd this was just staring at the island she knew her father was on, yet she felt compelled to do so anyway. Even if she didn't understand this odd phenomenon going on within her mind, she still felt it better doing this than doing nothing at all.

After an hour of waiting, with no sign of either the guys, the beetle, or anything else, the Transponder Snail began ringing. The remaining Straw Hats had been waiting patiently for some kind of sound or signal from the guys; something obvious like an explosion. They were starting to get worried. Everyone was surprised when the snail began making noise. Immediately, those closest went to answer the call. The only one who didn't move was Mika, who was now looking at the cliff of the island.

"That must be them." Nami said as she approached the snail. She picked up the dial and instantly their came out Luffy's loud voice through the snail.

"Hey! Nami? Is Nami there?"

"Yes, Luffy, it's me. What's wrong? Did you catch it already?" Nami asked upbeat and curious.

Suddenly, in the background of the phone came several amazed gasps that Nami found curious. It was soon followed by Luffy shouting, "Shush! Stay quiet!" Quickly, the extra voices went quiet with hushes and shushes. He then went back to speaking to his wife respectfully. "Don't worry about the big bug. You guys gotta take the Sunny around the island."

"Huh?" Nami said confused.

"Trust me! You gotta see what they got here, Nami. Oh! And keep it a surprise for Mika!"

"Eh? Why?"

"Shishishishi! Trust me! It'll be great!"

"O…Okay." Nami said surprised. After Luffy hanged up, Nami looked at the rest of the crew, Akio included but Mika not as she was not with them at the moment, looking confused. "What was that about?" She asked to the crew.

"It sounded like he mostly wanted to show you and Mika something." Robin said curiously.

Chopper, now back at Brain Point form, was curious as well. "I wonder what they found."

"Hopefully not bloody limbs." Akio commented, eyeing Robin suspiciously. The woman just chuckled in response to him.

"Well, you heard the captain." Franky said as he went off to get the Sunny sailing. "Let's see what this island has."

"Yohohoho!" Brook laughed with calm excitement. "I wonder what had Mr. Luffy so excited."

While Franky went to lift the anchors up, Nami walked over to and up the figurehead. She walked onto Sunny's head to where Mika sat. "Mika," Nami said smiling happily, "Daddy called us a few seconds ago."

Quickly, Mika looked at her mother with big, round eyes full of excitement. "He's okay?!" She asked joyful.

Nami nodded, and then continued. "He also said there's a surprise waiting for us on the other side."

"Really?!" Mika said now standing up with excitement.

The Thousand Sunny soon began sailing again. As the island was surrounded by many rock outcrops and coral reefs, Nami carefully navigated the ship around the island. Mika remained on the Sunny's head, waiting with anticipation of what her father had in store for her. In no time at all, the rocks disappeared and a clear, unobstructed cove could be seen. The ship sailed into the cove and immediately the whole crew could see an entire town on the ledges of this island. Even more curious, almost downright strange, there was a crowd of village people cheering and waving at them. Among them was Luffy and the others, Luffy and Usopp were cheering with the rest of the crowd beckoning for Nami and Mika to specifically come ashore. Once the Sunny was anchored, the rest of the crew went ashore in the Mini Merry 2 and White Rocking Horse 1. Once they landed on the beach, the group, specifically two of the, was greeted by the whole village.

"Welcome to Little East Blue!"

"Little East Blue?" Robin repeated finding some interest in the term.

The Sunny group was caught by surprise by the cheer of the crowd. On the other hand, Mika was totally caught up in the excitement. "Cool!" She shouted amazed.

"Welcome, Straw Hat pirates."

Then, a group of youths, two guys and two girls, began shouting.

"N!" shouted Roniku, a young man with brown and blonde hair.

"A!" announced Fang, a young woman with wild, long white hair.

"M!" cheered B.R. Rose, another young man with bright, blood-red hair.

"I!" exclaimed Yuki-Rin, another young woman with long black hair.

They all then spoke together, "Welcome, Mistress Nami!"

Clearly hearing the group, Robin chuckled with amusement. "Looks like you have a fan club, Nami." She said teasingly.

Nami frowned and crossed her arms. "As long as they aren't creeps." She stated shrewdly.

"Hey!" shouted Sanji peeved. "You better behave yourselves! Our Nami is happily married!"

The group of fans gasped in surprise. "Really?!"

The rest of the crew, those that had just come ashore, looked at the crowd confused. "What's going on?" asked Chopper curious.

"Hey, guys!" Luffy said as he and his group approached the rest of the crew. He then walked over to his wife and child, speaking to them directly. "What do you think? Pretty awesome, right?"

"Luffy," Nami spoke as she looked around, "what is this place?"

"Ah! Let me explain." From the crowd, a portly, friendly old man approached the newcomers. He was the mayor of this village, Mayor Fabre. He explained to the group, "You see, here on Kansorn Island, a particular group of people from a certain sea have gathered here from shipwreck after shipwreck. We all here hail from the East Blue! And now, we welcome you, the Straw Hat pirates, to our home, Little East Blue!"

"East Blue, eh." Franky commented with intrigue. "Isn't that where guys"- referring to Luffy's group and Nami included - "came from?"

"Yeah." Nami said, still surprised by everything.

"I didn't know there was a place called 'East Blue'. Akio stated curiously.

Immediately, Brook crouched down to speak to the boy. "There are many seas, Young Akio. East Blue is just one of four Great Blue seas."

"Whoa…" said Akio and Mika, the latter having been listening as well.

Usopp rushed forward next, looking excited. "It's not just the people from East Blue either. They got Kaya's mansion – kinda – here too!"

"They also have a Baratie." Sanji added coolly.

"And a windmill too!" Luffy added ecstatic. He also spoke for Zoro. "And they got a dojo from Zoro's home too."

"Really!" Mika shouted, completely amazed.

Mayor Fabre laughed jollily. "Of course! Feel free to roam around to your hearts' content. In honor of your arrival, we would enjoy having you all join us for a banquet celebrating your fame, or infamy as it were."

Brook and Chopper gasped happily. "Banquet!" They shouted overjoyed.

"Awesome!" shouted Luffy joyfully. "Thanks Old man

"Come on!" Usopp said excitedly, beckoning Mika to follow him. "I'll show you all the stuff."

"Yeah! Hurry up!" shouted Luffy already running off.

Instantly, Mika took off to join her father; looking excited doing so. Being curious himself, Akio ran right after her to join them. Even Chopper and Brook joined them. The other were being swarmed by the crowd, mostly around those from the East Blue. Everyone was getting swept away with excitement and praise from the denizens of the East Blue. Though among them, Nami was still surprised with all this attention, especially when the 'Nami fan club' came her way.

"We're sorry if overstepped our boundaries, Ms. Nami." Fang said to the woman, looking sincere and apologetic.

"We're all pretty big fans, not just of you, but the whole crew." B.R. Rose said behaving slightly bashful.

Nami flashed a smile, attempting to ease the group's worries. "It's no problem." She replied happily.

"If you don't mind me asking," spoke Yuki-Rin curiously, "but who is it that you are married to?"

"Is it Sanji?" asked Roniku, sounding a bit apprehensive.

"No." Nami said quickly, much to the woman's relief. "It's Luffy."

Surprisingly, the whole group gasped. "No way!" They all shouted amazed.

"What?" Nami asked confused. She immediately began frowning, thinking that the group may be disapproving of her relationship. "Is that a problem?"

The group began huddling together. They seem to be working on something as quickly as possible. Then, they all turned around wearing pink headband with the names 'Luffy', then a red heart, and 'Nami' written on them. Two of them even, the guys, even held up a banner with the words 'LuNa Forever Club' written on it. They all then replied grinning happily, "No! We love it!"

"We've been hoping for that since we first saw your bounty." Roniku added unashamed.

"You All Are Creeps!" shouted Nami in anger and disbelief.

"Nami!" From over the crowd, Luffy shouted to reach his wife. Once he saw that he had her attention, he began shouting again. "They have a mikan plantation here too! We should check it out later!"

Forgetting her justified rage against the group of weirdos (not sorry), Nami was completely surprised by Luffy's announcement. This island seem to have everything from their homes in the East Blue. She couldn't help but feel like this was an amazing coincidence. So, she smiled and nodded. "Sure!" She replied back happily.

"Aww." The group of LuNa romantics said in unison. "That's sweet."

Nami quickly then reprimanded the group. "If I see any of you following us, I'll fine you each one million belis with 300% interest by the day." She said sternly.

Her threat worked. Most of the group immediately began shaking a little in fear, though not Roniku. He looked to actually be willing to try. "Challenge accepted." He replied back, wearing a bold grin.

Immediately, the rest of the members of this group gave the man a knock to his head. "Don't even!" They all said scolding the man.

Though she had her doubts, after seeing what the group did, Nami was beginning to approve of the group somewhat. As long as they kept in line for the rest of their stay.

Not too far off from the villagers, the little girl from earlier wearing the tattered Marine clothes was watching everything with disdain while hiding behind some bushes. She was Yoko, the self-proclaimed protector of the island along with her companion, the giant beetle named Boss. While hardly of age yet to be an actual Marine, she sought to protect the justice and peace as inspired by someone some time ago and thus wore his uniform in his honor. She would fight any pirate that threatened her home. Including the Straw Hat pirates. She had been completely baffled and shocked that the whole village accepted this group ne'er-do-wells so easily just because some of their crewmembers came from the same sea as them. But she wouldn't be fooled through, she would defend her home.

"Dirty, no good pirates." Yoko grumbled madly and full of distrust. "You may have all the villagers fooled, but I won't-"

The young girl stopped herself as she caught sight of some of the pirates leaving the crowd. It was the two that had come along with Boss when he had crashed earlier; 'Straw Hat' Luffy and some long-nose guy. While immediately suspicious, it was who was following behind them that caught her attention and concern greatly. Chasing after the pirates, with happy grins full of excitement, were two kids, one girl and boy, she had never seen before. She knew every kid on the island, and these two were not one of them. This meant that they came with the pirates, but she didn't understand why pirates would have two kids on their ship. It was then that she came to a drastic conclusion, one that only helped fuel her anger towards the pirates even more.

"They're kidnappers!"

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's note: Gave a special shout out to long time supporters, xfangheart, Oxenstierna D. Yuki-Rin, and bloodyredrose1994, as special guest stars for this arc. And also yours truly as 'Roniku' which is a clever name based on the numbers in my name 'roku ni roku'. Yes, we're all weirdos XD

Until next time, Ja Ne!