Author's Note: Next one coming right up! So, as always,

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Arrive! Marineford

Nami and Mika's Daring Escape

On the Tub Current, Vice Admiral Momonga's battleship was fast approaching the exit to Marineford, its destination. Once so, the stoic marine could finally wash his hands of this mission to bring the Warlord of the Sea Boa Hancock to Marine Headquarters to take part in the war-to-come. Despite some hindrance, the man could finally complete his task without any further problem.

Little did Momonga suspect that he was already carrying trouble.

Inside the private room of Boa Hancock, two stowaways had made it aboard this marine vessel. Both were members of the Straw Hat Pirates as well as members of the D. Monkey family, Nami and Mika. Thanks to the help of Hancock, they would reach Marineford safely and unnoticed. From there, they would enact their own plan to reach Sabaody Archipelago and await for Luffy's return.

But first, Nami had to survive the jealous and stubborn Hancock.

"I can have a hundred chefs cook for Luffy darling every day."

"Yeah, but I bet none of them come close to Sanji's cooking."

"Then, my own cooking shall yield greater results."

"I bet you don't even know how to cook."

"…"

"Ha! Even I know how to cook."

Hancock could not respond, only glare angrily at her smug love rival.

With Mika having fallen asleep some time ago, the two women were left with only each other to pass the time. There was silence for some time before Hancock decided to begin the now long argument of "who would be the better partner for Luffy darling." It annoyed Nami that this woman, who they only just met a few days earlier, would dare try to claim her husband. As both a wife and a thief, she would not allow anyone to steal her precious treasure.

"Seriously," Nami stated confidently. "You're about 2 years too late to get your hands on my man."

While the Kuja ruler frowned upon the comment, Hancock soon became interested in another topic. "You've only been together for 2 years, yes?" she asked.

Nami suspiciously replied, "Yeah…"

"Then, how do you have a daughter this old?"

Like how everyone had asked before, Nami let out an exhaustive sigh. "Family troubles," Nami said before explaining in detail.

"I see," Hancock said, genuinely surprised. She then looked at the sleeping girl with curiosity.

Gazing down, Nami began to smile. "It's amazing what she's been through and yet, still wants to be with a bunch of pirates like us," she commented warmly.

"In my experience, pirates have been far nicer to me than civilians have," Hancock stated. "So, perhaps your daughter is more fortunate to be with you than be somewhere else."

Now, Nami looked at Hancock in disbelief. "You mean my 'demon?'" she stated sarcastically.

Hancock immediately looked regretful. "What your daughter did in the stadium caught me off guard. Just thinking about those monsters…." the older woman trailed off as she felt dread overcome her senses.

"Hancock," Nami said concerned.

Eventually, the Warlord overcame her anxiety and finished her statement. "Your daughter isn't the 'demon' that I fear. She is just a child who wields a special gift and loves her parents enough to use it for them. I understand that now, and, for what it's worth…"

To Nami's surprise, she watched as Hancock bowed her head towards them. The older woman looked sorrowful as she then continued saying, "I apologize for what I said about her."

"Hancock…" said Nami, nearly speechless.

"You know," Hancock said, returning upright, now smiling. "I don't think I've ever had a connection like this, even with my sisters."

The older woman soon began blushing. "It is…nice," she stated, making Nami utterly dumbfounded now.

"Don't get me wrong, though; I will not give up on my Luffy darling just because of this. You are my rival for his affection, and I will snatch him away."

Despite her misgivings, Nami could not help but smile. She had to agree that she never had quite a relationship with a woman like this one. It was, like how Hancock said, nice. A new kind of bond that could only be shared between two women who loved the same man; a rivalry. Nami silently accepted it but would never acknowledge that her rival stood a chance in taking Luffy's heart.

Finally, the Marines informed Hancock, and Nami as well, that they were arriving at Marineford. The call made Mika wake up and, after asking, went immediately to the window to see. Since the Gate of Justice was open, she could see the island ahead with the massive structure built on it. A building made of white stone looking much like a palace. It was a sight that, for once, made the little girl uneasy.

"Mika?" asked Nami, noticing her daughter's mood. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"It's like that one place," Mika said anxiously. "Where you and Daddy and everyone picked me up from."

Quickly realizing what her daughter meant, Nami assured her daughter that this place, Marineford, while a Marine base was nothing like the other base. Also, Mika had her mother protecting her this time. They were just going to sneak through the town and find a ship to take them back to the Sabaody Archipelago. There was definitely no need to enter the base.

It was soon time to leave for Hancock, but she had one last thing to say to two Straw Hat Pirates. "Good luck, and I hope we may see each other again on better terms."

Eventually, the Marine battleship made port. The Marine soldiers disembarked with Boa Hancock following them. She would be heading into the base to await the time of the battle the next day. Many marines were surrounding her, giving her a proper welcoming while also keeping her in check if needed. As a mostly male organization, Hancock was quick to take advantage of them.

"I hope we can all get along," Hancock spoke in a damsel-like tone.

Every regular soldier and even several commanders were instantly smitten by the display. Even those not taken by her feminine wilds, every marine had their attention on her. It was the perfect distraction.

From the battleship, Nami and Mika were able to safely enter the island without any marine noticing them. Nami silently thanked the woman for giving them this opportunity, though, Mika was sure that her mother could do the same thing and effect more. It was now the time of sneaking, and Nami led them around the cargo and pass the soldiers as they traversed the dock. There were, of course, a few close calls due to Mika's inexperience, but Nami was quick and resourceful. Soon, the two girls were out of the docks and into the town itself.

More accurately, into the "ghost town."

Unlike the busy docks, where marines were about doing their chores and task, Marineford Town was without any activity whatsoever. Buildings were dark and hollow, many doors were left unlocked as if in a hurry, and the roads had litter scattered sparsely throughout. Silent as a graveyard and equally as lifeless. In short, Nami and Mika would have no problem making their way through to the other side.

And, one could speak freely. "So, what is this place?" asked Mika curiously.

Nami answered, "This is where the families of high-ranking Marines live, so they can be protected."

Mika understood and then asked, "Do you think you and Auntie Nojiko would live here if Grandma Bellemere was still a Marine?"

"Who knows," Nami said facetiously.

"Hey!" spoke a male voice down an adjacent road. "Did you hear something?"

Quickly stopping, Nami lead Mika down an alleyway, and they hid. Nami carefully peered from her own hiding space to see who was coming. Appearing soon after was two Marine soldiers with rifles. Keeping herself hidden, she waited for the two men to move on. Neither man gave much effort in the search and soon moved on, claiming that it must have been hearing things. The two sailors began to walk off and were quickly out of eyesight. Cautiously, Nami guided her daughter from their hiding spot and started heading for the other side of the alley.

"That was close," Mika said a bit excited. "It's like we're playing hide-'n'-seek."

"Looks like they aren't taking any chances," Nami said seriously. "We need to be more careful now."

The two pirates proceeded to exit the alley. As the light from the sun partially blinded them, neither could see what was on the other side. Mika and then Nami, thus, bumped into something as they left the passageway. Both fell back with Mika landing directly in front of her mother. The mother-daughter duo immediately looked up to see what it was they hit. It was a large man with a scruffy grey beard wearing a white suit with a coat on his shoulder. The man, of course, noticed someone bumping into him and looked down to see the two pirates. Shock grew on both adults' expression while Mika let out a gasp in joyous surprise.

"Garp!?"

"You two?!

"Grandpa!"

The shouts immediately attracted the attention of other marines in the area. Many of them soon appeared with their rifles ready and swords in hand. What they found, however, was only Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp standing nonchalantly between two buildings. He was even whistling a tune. When asked about the noise, the old marine quickly deflected. The soldiers were easily convinced since he was both their superior officer and the hero of the Marines, and they soon left to continue their patrols. Garp let out a sigh of relief before checking one last time that he was alone. He then turned to the alley and picked up both Nami and Mika.

"What in the blazes are you two doing here?" asked Garp concernedly as he set Nami down. "You do know we're on high alert, right?"

After brushing the dust off herself, Nami replied, "It's a long story, but trust me, I rather we be anywhere but here."

Within her great-grandfather's hand, Mika began to giddily smile towards the man. "Hi, Grandpa!"

Despite his misgiving, Garp began grinning back at the girl. "Nice to see you too, Little Monkey," he greeted jovially.

"Do you wanna tell me why you and your mom are here?" asked Garp.

"We're trying to get back to the Sa-ba-ody place that has the amusement park and bubbles," said Mika happily.

"I see." Garp then looked over to Nami, who was remaining stoic. "And you didn't hear about Luffy then."

Nami was careful to answer, not fully trusting the old marine. "We haven't seen him in a while," she stated.

Surprisingly, Garp did not seem to want to ask for further details. He, of course, already had information on his grandson, and the information would not be pleasing for either of his family members to hear. The man soon suggested that they retire to his private quarters in town. Nami willingly accepted if only because Garp assured her that he would not apprehend them.

The vice admiral led the two through town, avoiding the patrols until they finally reached the man's abode. It was a small home close to Marine Headquarters. Large enough to keep a man Garp's size comfortable. While much of the town was deserted and empty, Garp still had his store of food and drinks. Most of the food was snacks, which he happily gave some to Mika when she asked. He assured Nami they would not be disturbed here and that they could freely speak as well.

To which, Mika took immediate advantage. "Grandpa! I've done so much since I went back with Mama and Daddy!"

Garp began to smirk with intrigue. "Oh, really…"

Before Mika could gab, Nami quickly pulled her daughter aside. She whispered, "Don't tell your grandpa about where we came from while you tell him your adventures."

Mika, though not understanding why, agreed to her mother's request. It did not bother her too much as she had many other stories to tell her great-grandfather. Thus began a lengthy and almost nonstop tale of Mika's misadventures. Of the many, she told him about when her parents wanted to finally get married and everything surrounding it. Garp began to beam with pride when his great-granddaughter mentioned getting some help from the Marines. She then went on to tell him about finding Little East Blue and even showing him her "battle scar," her still missing tooth. Again, the old marine was proud of hearing how she befriended a future sailor. Then, Mika told him about what happened on Spa Island, Merveille and Shiki, and finally, Sabaody Archipelago. Garp was very entertained by the stories, but he was also secretly concerned. He did not like the amount of danger his precious great-granddaughter was getting into thanks to his reckless grandson.

"You sure are having a lot of adventures, aren't ya, Little Monkey," Garp said casually. He then leaned towards the girl and whispered to her, "If you go upstairs and into my room, I bet you can find pictures of your father as a kid."

The prospect of seeing her father her age was too enticing for Mika. She immediately excused herself and rushed to the stairs. Nami was going to ask what her daughter was doing, but she quickly noticed the stern expression Garp was giving her. Once the girl ran up the stairs, the adults soon had their conversation.

"I knew my grandson was reckless, but…"

Nami was quick, and contemptuously, to interrupt. "You don't get to judge us, old man. Not after the bullshit, you pulled. We may have gotten into a lot of trouble, but the worst damage Mika has ever received is losing her tooth."

Though a bit appalled, Garp understood completely. "Yeah, I guess you're right about that," he said.

"So," Nami said immediately, "are you—"

"Grandpa!" came Mika's shout suddenly from upstairs. "I can't find anything!"

Garp replied, "Check under the bed!"

Nami restated, "Are you going to help us or not?"

After scratching the back of his head, giving it some thought, Garp relented. "I'll help you and Mika get off the island. My family is already in enough trouble as is."

"Good, so now," Nami said before becoming more serious. "Tell me what you know about Luffy."

Garp appeared more apprehensive than previously to speak. "You see…" he began saying before telling Nami the report he received recently.

"Luffy's—"

"I found it!" Mika shouted again from upstairs

Though paused, Garp continued what he was about to say. "Luffy's been apprehended…"

Nami's stern expression soon changed to shock as Garp spoke further. "By Warden Magellan, a man who ate the Venom-Venom Fruit… It is confirmed that he fought Luffy."

Visibly upset, Nami asked urgently, "What does that mean?"

"That, in all likeliness, Luffy is as good as poisoned and dead."

Suddenly, Nami stood up from her seat. "Don't Kill Him Off So Quickly!" she berated furiously.

"N-N-Nami?!" said Garp, legitimately scared.

"That man will never die until he's finally the Pirate King! He's done the most incredible things and survived stuff that would kill a normal person 10 times over! I know he'll make it through whatever he's going through because he'll never give up that dream! And he won't give up and rescuing Ace either! He'll find a way! No matter how impossible it is!

"10 years of your life!"

In the great sea prison Impel Down, there are publicly known levels that house criminals. Each floor containing more dangerous villains than the last. Unbeknownst to the public, there is also a sixth level, the very most bottom of the prison. It is there that felons reside with crimes so heinous that they were erased from history. On this level is where the Marines are keeping Portgas D. Ace. An essential piece of information, but not where the focus is currently.

"That is what it will cost to save your life…"

Further hidden from even the jailers themselves, there is a secret level where inmates live a carefree life of glee without torture or fear of death. It is level five-and-a-half, created by a prisoner long ago as a haven and now used by someone famous. Whisking away prisoners to their paradise within hell, here lived a member of the Revolutionary Army known as Emporio Ivankov. Here, in New Kama Land, this man ruled with the criminals who have since rediscovered themselves and now basked in the glory of their new freedom. It is thanks to this man that an impossible procedure is about to take place.

To help a certain someone important. "Straw Hat boy."

Monkey D. Luffy, currently at death's door, laid on a black rock chained while staring at the man known as Emporio Ivankov weakly. Since arriving some hours ago, this man as traversed the five known levels of this hell prison to rescue his dear brother, Portgas D. Ace. He has fought battles through most floors until reaching level four, where he met his match. The chief warden of Impel Down, Magellan, and his venom powers have left the man nearly dead. It was thanks in part to his dear friend and prisoner here in this jail, Bon Clay, as well as his own determination that has given him this one chance to continue his quest.

"Okay…" said Luffy weakly.

For you see, Ivankov, often considered a "miracle worker," held an extraordinary power. After eating the Horm-Horm Fruit, he became a "Hormone Controlling Human." From adrenaline-boosting to even changing sex, the man could do many miraculous things with his power. It also could heal but at a high cost. It would take ten years off his life, and it would only give him only the slightest chance of survival.

"I can only raise your chances to a mere 2 or 3 percent. Whether you live or die depends on your willpower!"

"Now, off you go." From his fingers, the tips suddenly grew spikes as the man's tone became more serious.

"To the valley of death!" Without warning, the man then jabbed all his fingers into Luffy.

"Emporio Healing Hormone!"

Luffy's body surged with new energy and vitality. The hormones injected activating the latent abilities of the man's body. All to fight the ridiculous amount of poison he incurred in fighting Magellan some time ago. Unfortunately, the process was anything but painless.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

26 HOURS REMAIN…

TO BE

CONTINUED…