Time to relax and celebrate. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. If I did, I would be busy drawing instead of writing Fanfictions

38: The Great Celebration of Fishman Island

"Get back here now! This will help you feel better!" a fishman doctor had told Luffy, having to chase him around the room with a syringe in his hand.

"No way!" exclaimed Luffy, skillfully avoiding the doctor's movements. "I already told you, I got my rubber body back and I can recover easier now!"

"Your injuries are more severe than you think!" he yelled. "It is my duty as a doctor to make sure you have a speedy recovery!"

Luffy had already tuned the doctor out as he looked outside absent-mindedly and said, "I'm going to go find some meat."

With that, he hopped out of the window and landed on the street, leaving the fuming doctor alone with his syringe.

It had been three hours since Farraday's defeat, and already he had been shackled and taken into custody, with Jimbei personally leading the effort to capture every last Breakneck Pirate and hold them accountable for what they did.

Arashi's Point, the massive volcano, had quickly gone back to its dormant state. People speculated that it had accumulated a large amount of pressure over the years and it finally relieved it all with one massive explosion before returning to normal, but the generally accepted consensus was that it had to deal with fate, and a sign that the island would be taken back. Their main proof for this was that the lava the volcano exhumed missed every single bubble on Fishman Island, drifting away into relative obscurity.

Despite the troubles only happening a few hours earlier, the residents on Fishman Island seemed very eager to celebrate and return things to the way they were earlier. Of course, the Straw Hats—who were touted as the saviors of the island—happily accepted this proposal, taking their few remaining hours left on the island to celebrate.

While Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Hancock were checked into the hospital due to injuries received (although Hancock was kicked out due to her refusal to leave Luffy's side), Luffy was the only one who stayed there for more than an hour, leaving him itching to go and join his crew with the festivities, hence having him leave the doctors sooner than intended.

As soon as Luffy landed, he ran towards where the sounds were coming from. He eventually ended up at the town square in Bubble One, where the real celebration was going on. Everywhere he looked, he saw booths and tables and balloons, and all other manners of party paraphernalia. Giving a bit cheer, he followed his nose to the nearest place he smelled food.

He didn't have to travel far, and he ended up at a booth labeled "The Chef's Fancy," and, not even caring for lines, Luffy ran right to the front, pounded on the table, and said, "I want you to give me all the meat you got."

"Coming right up," the Chef said, turning around to see the customer.

To Luffy's surprise, it was Sanji. He was wearing chef's whites and a chef's hat, but he had gotten rid of his glasses and had a cigarette dangling from his mouth. Even with the new clothes, Luffy could see the bandages underneath, and Sanji had a large swath of white cotton put over his right cheek.

"Why are you out so early Luffy?" he asked with a smile on his face. "You were more wrecked than all of us put together."

He pointed to Luffy's heavy bandaging on his chest and Luffy simply smiled and replied, "It was boring, so I got out of there; this party seems much more interesting. Why are you stuck here cooking though?"

Sanji sighed and explained. "I was hoping to cash in on our victory by going to some of the local booths getting set up for the celebration and asking them for some of their recipes, but apparently, saving all of them wasn't enough, so I had to make a deal to cook for them in exchange for some of their recipes."

"That sucks," Luffy said bluntly. "Now where's my fo—"

"Excuse me," a mermaid said, coming to the front and cutting Luffy off. "But if I may have an order of scallops please."

Sanji's eyes turned into hearts as he said, "Of course my lady! I'll have it ready in a flash!"

Within two minutes, he presented her a plate of steaming scallops. She thanked him and paid him, leaving him to stare at her leaving. Luffy simply looked at Sanji angrily, and he was forced to explain himself.

"It's also a great way to meet a lot of young mermaids," he said. "Without, you know, seeming too strange."

Luffy still appeared angry, but when Sanji gave him a full plate of meat, his anger disappeared. He happily accepted it, took a bite, and said, "Thanks Sanji; I'm going to go around some more, hope you have fun."

"Cya," he said as Luffy walked away before tending to more customers.

Luffy walked all through the party, through the loud music, through all of the happy (and probably drunk) people. He even passed Usopp standing high on a pedestal and explaining why he was the hero who saved them all.

"And it was I, who heroically rescued the Straw Hats from their captivity by using my trust slingshot! Then I proceeded to beat Farraday with my own hands; of course he was no match for the great Captain Usopp, and before you knew it, he was begging for mercy!"

"Captain Usopp, he's so cool!" the crowd listening all said, believing his every word.

Luffy continued checking out several booths, playing a few games, talking to a few people, and even passing Zoro who was sitting at a table and partaking in his usual drinking game of "who can take the most alcohol at once," which he of course was winning.

Eventually, he bumped into Camie, Hachi, and Pappug, and they all looked overjoyed to see each other again. Hugs were exchanged, happy words were spoken, and a few tears even came out of Hachi and Pappug's eyes.

"We really want to thank you for saving Camie," Pappug said, wiping his eyes. "We don't know what we would have done if something happened to her."

"Don't mention it," Luffy grinned, turning to Camie. "That was a good job escaping from his ship; how'd you do that?"

Camie chuckled and said, "Nami showed us how to pick a lock; she even told us that hair pins are very effective."

"Where is Nami anyway?" Luffy asked, looking around.

"I think I saw her going around and accepting donations from drunken people," Hachi said with a laugh. "She's always trying to make a profit no matter what the situation."

"I guess so," Luffy laughed.

"Oh, that reminds me," Camie said. "The Mermaid Princess Kalyn wants you to go to her office so she can meet you personally."

"Really?" asked Luffy, tilting his head. "How come?"

"Probably to thank you for saving the island," Hachi sighed.

Luffy smiled and said, "All right! I'll go see her!"

After a few seconds, he turned to the group and asked, "Where is she again?"

"She's at the building you fought Farraday at," Pappug explained with a sigh.

"Oh, right!" exclaimed Luffy, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I'm going to go see her now, bye!"

With that, he sped off, leaving the group standing there alone.

"He sure is a strange one," Pappug remarked.

Camie laughed and said, "Strange, but likeable!"

— — —

For Princess Kalyn, there was no celebration.

Unfortunately, being the leader of an entire island had its drawbacks. For one, she was the one stuck with all of the paperwork after the invasion, and due to the damage the Breakneck Pirates caused, there was quite a lot of it.

Jimbei, the First Son of the Sea, however, decided not to celebrate as well, as he stayed in the Princess's office giving her his status report.

"We've successfully rounded up the majority of the pirates," he said. "There will be a few stragglers, but they're not strong enough to do anything alone, and they'll be found soon enough."

"I see," she said, taking a sip of tea and shifting through her papers.

"I also suggest that we turn the entire crew, including Farraday, over to the marines," he continued. "We can't hold them here forever."

"That Farraday had a bounty of 160 million berries did he not?" she asked.

"Yes."

Kalyn turned to Jimbei and beamed at him. "Well I'd say that's a 160 million going to help the island, wouldn't you say?"

"Very good your Majesty."

Kalyn took another sip of tea before saying, "I also have a suggestion."

"What would that be?" asked Jimbei.

"I think we've relied on Whitebeard's protection for too long," she said. "And since his untimely demise, we've been fortunate enough not to be attacked—until now obviously—and I think this should open our eyes a bit."

"What do you mean?"

Kalyn stood up and walked right towards Jimbei. "I'm saying that we need an organized defense group, ready to defend us against future attacks, and I want you to be the leader of such a group."

Jimbei looked at her a little surprised. "Me? Why?"

"Isn't it obvious," she stated. "You were able to successfully round up fishmen and inspire them to fight back. It was thanks to you that we were saved, as well as Mr. Straw Hat."

"I don't know what to say…" Jimbei said, a little nervous.

"Just say yes," she smiled.

After a few seconds, Jimbei nodded and said, "I gladly accept your Majesty."

Kalyn put her hand on his shoulder. "Good!" She went back to her desk and continued, "Now for our next order of business…"

"HEYYYYYYYYY!"

Both Kalyn and Jimbei looked towards where the noise was coming from, and they suddenly saw Luffy shooting himself in through the broken window and flying through the room, before landing shakily on his feet in front of Kalyn's desk.

"Don't be so reckless you fool!" Jimbei scolded. "Do you know how dangerous that is? Especially in your condition and with the Princess in the room!"

Kalyn chuckled and waved her hand at Jimbei. "It's alright, it's alright. I'm glad you're here Mr. Straw Hat."

"It's Luffy, and Camie told me that you wanted to see me?"

"That's exactly right," she said. She stood up and went over to a bookshelf by the wall. "Both Camie and Hachi have told me that you're in pursuit of a man who's already in the New World, correct?"

"Yeah," he responded. "His name's Victor."

Kalyn nodded and continued ruffling through her bookshelf. "I see. Well, if he's already in the New World, there's no doubt that he might be several islands ahead of you, and it would be a shame if you had to go to all of those islands just to log your position."

Luffy nodded.

"Well, I got to thinking, and I've decided to help you out with that," she said, turning away from the bookshelf and walking towards Luffy.

She held her hand out and showed an eternal pose in her hands. "Ta-dah!"

Luffy took hold of it and simply asked, "Where does it lead to?"

"To the first major island in the New World," she explained. "See, as soon as you enter, there are all these small islands in the beginning, but this one takes you to the first important island, the Vespian Isles."

"Vespian?" Luffy repeated.

Kalyn nodded. "It's the island that has the most supplies for you to stock up on, and I'm willing to bet that this Victor is going there to re-supply and restock. With the eternal pose, however, you should be able to catch up to him much faster."

Luffy smiled broadly and said happily, "Thanks a lot Princess. You know, for a leader, you're really nice!"

"Consider it our thanks for saving the island," she said, matching his grin.

Luffy then looked at Jimbei and asked, "Do you wanna come with us?"

He shook his head and said, "I would love to help you, but unfortunately I can't. I have a duty to protect the people here, and I have to honor that. I do, however, wish you good luck with your journey."

"If that's the case," Luffy said, "then can I ask you to give the other half of my crew a message when they get here?"

Jimbei nodded. "What would that be?"

"It's that our next major island is on the Vespian Isles, and that hopefully we can meet up there!"

"We'll have an eternal pose prepared for them when they get here as well," Kalyn said.

Luffy nodded and thanked them. He then turned around towards the window and said, "Thanks guys! I'm going to go and rejoin the party again!"

He left, leaving Jimbei and Kalyn alone again. They both looked at each other, and, as if they both knew some terribly funny inside joke, they both laughed aloud, letting the laughter ring throughout the entire office.

— — —

It had been a little over ten hours since the Straw Hats first landed on Fishman Island (reaching the late night hours), and now it was time for them to go again (they could have gone earlier with the eternal pose, but in the midst of the party, Luffy forgot to give it to Nami, who was the only one who remembered that fact). The entire crew was aboard the Thousand Sunny minus Hachi, Camie, and Pappug, who had decided to stay behind on the island, and the townspeople went to send them off.

Sanji hung out on the railing and sighed. "I wish we could have enjoyed ourselves a little longer; I would have loved to meet some more mermaids."

"Get over it," Zoro said, leaning against the wall. "You can swoon over women any day."

Sanji looked as if he was about to attack Zoro, but Nami intervened and said, "Zoro's right; we don't have time to enjoy ourselves. Not when we're trying to catch up with Victor." She took out the eternal pose Luffy had given here (after the party). "And this will certainly help us a lot. If only someone gave it to me sooner, we could have been gone by now." She looked at Luffy

Luffy then hopped on the deck and said, "Ah, it's not like we're that far behind, and besides, I wanted to enjoy the party a little more! Now come on, let's go; I bet more adventures await us in the New World."

"That's seems like a bad thing," Usopp said in a cowardly voice. "Dealing with Farraday was enough."

"But Victor hired Farraday, so we can't just let this slide," replied Zoro. "We're gonna catch the bastard and make him wish he never tried to attack us."

Hancock stood silently, just staring at Luffy, who was, in turn, looking out at the crowd. Finally, he yelled to them, "Thanks a lot for your hospitality, but we have to go now!"

The crowd all spoke up at once, yelling thanks to the crew, and they hoped they could see them again.

"We'll be back, don't worry!" Luffy said with a grin.

"So we can meet some more mermaids!" Sanji added before getting mocked by Zoro again.

Luffy looked at Camie, Hachi, Pappug, Jimbei, and Kalyn, who were in the crowd, and with one final wave, he turned towards Nami.

"Let's go!"

She nodded and the ship started to move again, sending them to leave Bubble One and bringing them back to their own personal bubble which surrounded their ship. They gave one final pass by Arashi's Point, and they all looked at it and thought the same thing. Then, they didn't look back anymore and only thought ahead.

Thought of what would await them in the New World.

— — —

While Colossal Battleship San Juan Wolf was swimming, bringing everyone on his back with him, Victor sat brooding in his own personal captain's room, sitting in a chair with his arms set across his chest; Tobias was the only one in the room with him.

"He's failed," Victor finally said, sparking Tobias's interest.

"Hmm?"

"Farraday," explained Victor. "He failed to capture Straw Hat."

"How can you be certain?"

"That idiot forgot to hang up his den-den mushi after he spoke to me," Victor replied.

("Dully noted," Farraday said, before putting the den-den mushi down on the table)

"And while I could only hear mumbles and unclear words, after a massive crash the den-den mushi went out. Now while it doesn't say for certain, I think we should operate under the assumption that he failed to complete his mission."

Tobias remained quiet for a second, before asking, "So what should we do then?"

Silence reigned for a minute or so, before Victor finally spoke.

"Gather the Corps of Kings and bring them here."

Enemies still loom on the horizon...

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