The fleets came flooding in, avoiding the bridge of hesitation (much to the relief of everyone on it. Robin was on the brink of a full blown panic attack, it wasn't pretty.
She kept holding her arms, curling in on herself while laughing. Mirroring that little girl on the boat that Tani kept seeing... Only shit...
That was Robin wasn't it.
That revelation only brought on more questions. However Tani had more important things to deal with, like helping Robin now.
"Robin," Tani grabbed her shoulders, full blown eyes stared into swampy green. "I know this is scary, and that the odds aren't in our favour." she started, Robin was shaking. "But we need to push through, we need to help save our allies, the marines left behind by their leader, ourselves." she spoke with grounded seriousness.
"You're Nico Robin. Survivor of Ohara, the only woman in the world who can uncover the secrets of the void century." Tani grinned, Robin's shaking slowed, "A beloved member of the Straw hat pirates, and a dear friend," Tani assured. She had no experience when dealing with panic attacks, she hoped she was helping.
Robin blinked, then she scrunched her face up. Her hands lessening their grip on her arms. When she opened her eyes again, a reserved determination replaced the stone cold fear.
"Thank you, Tani." Robin said softly. Tani gave her a thumbs up.
"Just doing my best," she beamed. Robin covered her mouth with one hand.
"Derashishishi~"
"Let's go beat up-"
*Bang*
Many heads turned to face the massive fist that came flying through the tower.
Bricks, metal, dust, a guy's body, more bricks.
You know, your average Luffy brawl. Buildings exploding and all that jazz.
Lucci (she was guessing it's Lucci) came barrelling towards a marine boat. His enlarged, feline body covered in bleeding spots and dirt. Devil fruit... Got it.
"Can we sink that ship?" Tani asked absentmindedly. Robin was standing next to Tani, clutching and snapping any marine that managed to escape the wrath of Franky.
"A splendid idea," Robin snickered. "But I'm sure Luffy wouldn't appreciate someone jumping to his aid, unrequested." she stated. Yeah he would whine like a baby, only satisfied when fed a mountain of meat.
Luffy bounced out of the tower, the air from his arm managing to shift towards his leg. How that worked when inflating the bones? Luffy logic that's how! Tani watched in amazement as he lifted the gigantic limb and slammed it down onto the boat Lucci was on. Splitting it in half.
"Well, looks like we don't need to sink that boat anymore," Tani joked. Robin snapped another marines neck.
Lucci managed to jump ships, which Luffy simply attacked. Going for a giga whip-
"Tani, pay attention please," Robin instructed. Tani turned to find a man running towards her with a sword. Tani whipped out her yo-yo's and knocked him over.
Tani turned back to find Luffy was gone, his body being launched backwards into the tower the fight started in, while Lucci remained on the boat with a destroyed mast.
If Luffy wasn't in gear 3rd anymore... Oh dear.
Luffy better not die while he's shrunk down! That would be super embarrassing and kinda hilarious in a really dumb way.
"Your little captains been defeated! You brats have a big storm coming," Spandam! Of all people, mocked. "The buster call is in action! Your pesky allies have either abandoned you or-"
"HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!" Tani shrieked. Turning around to literally pummel the weasel, but Franky beat her to the punch... Literally!
"Oi Oi, there's some boats we can hijack at the end of the bridge," Franky pointed with a thumb over his shoulder. Tani and Robin followed behind the cyborg, it was time to pirate these boats!
Tani paused in their rush to the boats, her ears picking up on a whistling sound.
*Bang*
Pressurised wind blew from behind her, a bright glowing orange and yellow tone back lit her vision. She knew what it was, she'd heard these sound effects before.
Turning around felt like an agonising task, behind her was a blasted off bridge. The gap far too wide now for anyone on the other side to jump across.
The side of the bridge that her nakama would be arriving on.
Tani couldn't move, she couldn't think, her mind completely blanking out with only one question repeating over and over.
How are they going to survive this?
A little dramatic yes, but the reality of just how dangerous this was had hit Tani like a truck. Sometimes the magic of living life on the edge, blinded the girl from the true dangers she was facing.
Nobody was safe, it's not like everyone has plot armour. This isn't a cartoon...
Wait a minute...
Yes it is! Hell Oscar said the Straw hats are the main characters!
Well... They may have plot armour, but Tani. Yeah that's not as likely, she could die at any moment. Boom! Out like a light.
Why is she still standing there like an open mouthed idiot, thinking about her own mortality when she could be doing cool stuff? Like hijacking a boat with a cyborg and a lady that could snap you in half with her hands.
Let's do that instead, the crew will be just fine.
Loud bangs came from the Luffy v Lucci tower. The both of them still at it, Tani guessed Luffy had popped back into shape again.
"Tani-sis, hurry up!" Franky called from the boat. Tani needed to stay focused. The whole situation was overwhelming and confusing, so many things going on that she just-
A strong right was launched her way, grabbing around her waist and pulling her towards the boat. OK she was slow but not that! Slow!
"We need to set sail now," Franky said. Tani looked back at the bridge.
"We can't leave! What about our nakama?" she pleaded. Franky shook his head.
"There's no way they're making it over that gap, you saw how large that was," he reasoned. Tani knew he was right, she'd made that conclusion already. Yet her brain wasn't letting her accept that information.
"We can't leave them behind-"
*Splash*
"Incoming!" came a loud, slightly slurred, old ladies voice. Followed by a loud slap into metal, Franky to be exact, as well as a thunk to the wooden deck. Several groans, both male and female voices.
"That is super not sight I wanna see," Franky looked grossed out. Tani turned around to find... Well it sure was something.
Let's start with the least disturbing imagery. Wrapped in a brown strip of cloth, was the entirety of the Straw hat crew (sans Luffy for obvious reasons). They were all drenched like sewer rats, hacking up salt water or twisting the water from their clothes.
Next was... Kokoro. Now Tani doesn't think shaming someone for their body shape is at all appropriate. There are comments that should be left unsaid, when someone's appearance looks strange or scary. So the disturbance of an old, wrinkly lady having a split fish tail for legs! While her breasts are held in place with seashells like some rip off princess Ariel... Tani held her tongue, it would be rude to speak aloud.
"Thank you," Robin said to Kokoro. The older woman waved her off and started pulling on a pair of pants.
"Yeah, that was like some super crazy timing," Tani blurted. Kokoro chuckled.
"You're startin to sound like that dumbass," she teased, pointing to Franky who had his hands at the wheel of the boat.
"You got a problem with that?" both Franky and Tani spat at the same time. Leaving Kokoro to burst into more laughter.
"Straw hat pirates," came an announcement from the speaker den den mushi's that scattered the island. "Your allies from the Franky family and Galley-La have perished, or abandoned you." it declared. Franky froze, his hands still plastered to the steering wheel. Not moving the boat from port.
"Your attempts to escape will be futile," the voice nailed down into the coffin. This pissed off half the population of the ships crew.
"Bullshit claims from a bullshit government," Sanji snickered, lighting up a cigarette. His legs itching for a fight. Zoro stood beside him, already pulling out his swords.
"Betcha I can defeat more marines than you, Curly whirls," Zoro mocked. Sanji sneered with playful intent.
"Your on, sea sponge for brains," Sanji teased back. The both of them stormed off the boat to engage in the slowly encroaching marine pirates that were heading towards their ship.
It's not like they can leave yet, they were missing a captain.
"Defend the boat," Sogeking commanded, jumping towards the bridge to follow after Zoro and Sanji. Tani couldn't stand back and watch the fight from the side lines. Not when she's capable of helping.
Plus Nami and Robin are more than capable of kicking total ass, with Chopper cheering from the sidelines in his limp state.
"Take care," Tani gave a salute to the girls and Chopper. Who nodded in response.
It's time to kick some total ass!
...
Sanji was missing, Zoro broke one of his swords thanks to some guy that can rust things. Sogeking was frozen on the spot, staring at the gaping hole in the tower that Luffy was fighting in. Tani had failed to notice that Luffy... Luffy wasn't moving.
Until Sogeking started screaming at Luffy to "Get up!" but Luffy couldn't, he couldn't move. Everything hurt, his limbs ached. Sogeking grit his teeth before ripping the mask from his face.
"I DIDN'T COME HERE TO WATCH YOU FALL SO EASILY!" Usopp yelled passionately towards Luffy. Tani turned her attention towards the sniper. His mask removed, that persona dropped in Luffy's time of need.
"I CAME HERE TO SAVE ROBIN, SO DON'T YOU DARE DIE NOW! YOUR CREW NEEDS YOU!" Usopp encouraged.
Tani ran towards Usopp, taking a stand beside him to find Luffy's fallen form. She'd never seen him so immobile, and she had things to say... Yet now wasn't her time, this was between Usopp and Luffy. She just hoped her presence was enough to help encourage the captain.
Luffy looked wide eyed at Usopp, a spark forming within his whole chest.
Everyone was here.
Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Tani, Sanji, Chopper, Robin... Everyone he cared for and loved as nakama. They were all here, alive and breathing.
He can't lose, not when everyone needed their captain's strength to lean on. Not when he was meant to lead them towards their dreams.
He felt a twitch in his limbs, starting with his fingers and toes. Usopp continued to encourage him.
"You can do it Luffy! Don't fail us now!" Usopp lifted his Kabuto in the air with pride. Now was Tani's time to speak.
"You promised you wouldn't lose! I'll never let you live it down if you lose!" she shouted. Luffy's arms and legs twitched to life. Tani and Usopp shared a growing smile.
"Keep going!"
"Don't let pigeon guy win!"
"No pirate king would ever lose to someone like this!"
"Get up! Come on Luffy, get up!"
Every spout of rambled encouragement. Every cry from his nakama. Brought new life to his aching limbs.
Just... One... More... Hit!
Luffy sprang back to life, his body bouncing towards his opponent with renewed vigour.
He had a crew to protect.
"Oi Usopp," Zoro called from the bridge battlefield. The sniper turned to face the crews first mate, Zoro looked pleased to see him. "You finally showed up," he said with a softness to his tone. Awww, Zoro was slipping into his big brother mode. Franky appreciated that a lot, he had the massive sobbing tears to prove it!
"Let's keep fighting!" Usopp shouted. Tani gave him a playful elbow to the ribs. Usopp gave her a grin.
The pair ran off into battle, joining Zoro and Franky in whacking, shooting, slicing and punching all their enemies as a crew (and honestly Franky felt like he meshed in with the crew perfectly). The sounds of snapping bones and crackling lightening from the other end of the bridge, indicated that the ladies were kicking just as much ass.
It felt nice to have everyone back.
"GUM GUM JET GATTLING!" Luffy's voice screamed from the tower. Followed by the smashing of bricks. The world felt like it was rumbling with electricity, and not the Enel kind.
Luffy's fight was pretty much over, Tani knew it, Usopp knew it, everyone knew it.
"HE DID IT!" Came the cheers of the crew. Usopp and Tani linked arms and started kicking their legs up in a victory dance.
"Oi! Luffy did it! Straw hat won!" came a mystery choir of voices from a far more static quality den den. Franky's head shot up with recognition. A wide smug grin on his face, tears already pooling under his sunglasses.
"Those bastards! I knew they wouldn't die!" he sobbed happily. Guess the Franky family and Galley-La guys manages to survive.
"We gotta go meet up with Luffy, let's go," Zoro commanded. Taking the lead, only to be stopped by another marine captain... Oh right there was still a fight going on. Zoro growled under his breath. Turning to Tani with authority. He didn't even need to utter the command. She turned heel and ran towards the last spot she saw Luffy, ready to collect him and bring him back to the escape ship.
"Straw hat hasn't moved since his victory," came an announcement over the Den den speakers. "Destroy the tower now!" came the command that sealed the deal. Usopp was quick to repeat his encouragement from moments ago.
"Get up Luffy! You'll die if you don't!"
Tani joined in too.
"Come on Luffy! You're so close! Everyone's alive and well, let's go home!"
He didn't twitch. Not even his fingers or toes. He was frozen from fatigue. An issue that would cause his death if someone didn't move!
Tani was already doing the maths in her head to make the jump. She didn't care about how massive the fall would be if she failed, she didn't care that the chances of her actually managing to make the jump, collect Luffy and fly back was low. She wasn't letting his efforts go to waste.
"Usopp," she called. The sniper looked away from Luffy to stare at the girl. "Tie a rope around my waist now," she commanded. "I'm about to do something really stupid, and if I fail and fall into the ocean from this height. I will die," she provides the stakes at play. Usopp wastes no time tying a rope around her waist, double knotting it just to be safe.
"No backing out now!" Tani said with a nervous laugh. She took a couple steps back.
Deep breathes.
Canons fired, some hitting the tower that Luffy was trapped in.
It's now or never.
She sprinted towards the edge of the bridge, Usopp held the rope connected to her like a lifeline... Well it was a lifeline so that makes sense.
The edge approached.
Tani jumped, the second her feet left the stability of the bridge, she clicked her heels hard. Her wavers roaring to life and rocketing her towards Luffy.
She was about half way when the issues started to arise. Mainly the fact that there were canon balls.
The wavers worked like high speed skates, without breaks. She could keep moving and only stopped then turning them off, or smacking into a hard surface. This was fine, if they kept her in the air, she would change directions all she wanted. It was just staying still that was an impossibility.
A future fix? She can ask Usopp about that later.
Back to the issue at hand! Cannonballs. The need to keep moving, makes it really freaking hard to predict and avoid all the cannonballs being launched her way.
She looped, dropped, twirled, and zigzagged around any of the stray projectiles. She had no time for this, every second counted.
Almost there.
More cannonballs hit the tower, a large rock dropping far too close to Luffy.
So close!
Luffy's expression was unreadable. Tani didn't care, she had a job to do. She held her hand out to reach him.
He was so close.
Luffy's eyes widened, his eyes shining with a bright red sheen.
"Tani look out!" she screamed at her. The warning gave her enough time to react to the stray cannonball that was hurtling towards the opening of the tower. A cannonball that Luffy shouldn't have been able to see from the angle he was.
Tani dodged the rubble that followed the collision. She clicked her heels off and dove forward, her hands hitting the cold stone flooring of the tower. She rolled messily, until her body slowed down right beside Luffy. Her breathing was heavy and uneven, the adrenaline rush she felt from flying was hitting her now that she'd stopped moving.
Luffy was barely able to move his neck, his eyes full of relief at the state of Tani. Only covered in a couple of scraps and bruises. Nothing as bad as Skypiea had been.
"Let's get the hell outta here," Tani coughed. Pushing herself off the ground to dust off all the rubble and grime on her red pants. Luffy looked like he was going to be heavier than before. "How much can you move?" she asked. Crouching down to roll him on his back, ready to princess carry him back.
"Tani," Luffy smiled. Not answering her question. "I wanna touch your arms," he admitted. Tani froze in her movement to scoop under his knees.
"You wha-what?" she stuttered. Focus idiot! He's in a state of delusion, that means he's gonna pass out soon... Right?
"Your arms, I wanna touch'em" he repeated. Tani could already fell herself growing more and more embarrassed. Oh god she had to carry him with her heart hammering next to his ear... Curse you universe!
"You can do that a-after we get to safety," she fumbled. God she looked like an idiot. Luffy didn't pay attention to that muck up, just laughed his iconic laugh and leaned into the hold.
Luffy was heavy, his body deflated and floppy with the lack of control he has over his own limbs. She slung one of his arms over her shoulder, while the other was shoved over his stomach. His head resting comfortably in the crook of her neck. Much better than having it anywhere near her hammering chest.
She turned back to the exit. Usopp stood on the other side of the bridge, still holding the rope for dear life.
"Let's just hope they don't shoot any more cannonballs at us," Tani laughed weakly. Her mobility was, as the French would say.
Totally scuffed. (No, French people do not say this, the author is just dumb)
"Ready?" she asked. Luffy didn't answer, too busy dozing off. "I'll take that as a yes," she snickered.
She prepared to take the leap-
"Everyone,"
She paused, one foot over the edge. Luffy's eyes shot open, his breath hitching.
Tani wasn't the only one that heard the whisper among the screams of war and chaos.
"Everyone, can you hear me?"
Tani looked over at the bridge, spotting the rest of the crew there. Why weren't they on the boat-
"My nakama, please look below," came that voice again. Soft and weak, but loud enough for the crew to hear.
"I'll catch you, let me take you to safety... One last time,"
Was that... It can't be...
"TANI!" Usopp's voice called from the other side of the bridge. His body edging closer to the end. "You heard her too... Didn't you?" he called. So she wasn't the only one. She nodded back.
Usopp jumped over the edge. The rest of the crew following in suit, starting with Robin, then Zoro, Nami and Chopper, Sanji, even Franky, Kokoro, Chimney and Gonbe made the leap.
Tani held onto Luffy. Leaning her body forward and letting gravity take her.
It was a strange feeling.
There was no fear within her as she plummeted towards the ocean below. A free fall that would normally freak her out, and would probably still would freak her out in the future. Left her feeling excitement.
The blue of the ocean engulfed her vision. She flipped herself into a pin drop form, Luffy being pulled into her body as much as possible.
They landed with a splash. Luffy's body weighting her down, but powerful legs built for swimming could counter that.
She pushed them upwards, breaking the surface of the ocean to inhale deeply. Her body felt a pull from the waist area, when she turned to follow the rope that was still attached to her. She found Usopp with a wide grin, pulling her towards the battered form of Merry.
Tani couldn't be happier to see the little boat she called home.
Kokoro swam up under Tani, grabbing the girl with strength that shouldn't be possible for a woman her age, and tossed her onto the boat with Luffy. The pair slapping into the familiar wooden decking.
Zoro and Sanji were quick to lift Luffy off of Tani, Zoro being the one to sling the immobile captain over his shoulders. Nami grabbed Tani by the hand and pulled her off the ground, grabbing her into a bone crushing hug.
"I'm so glad you're alright," Nami sighed with relief. Tani hugged her back.
A splash to the side of Merry broke the moment.
They weren't out of dangerous waters yet.
"There's a current that's about it form," Nami informed. Running to her station, the crew jumped into action. Tani took on the task that Zoro or Luffy would take. Those two plus Sanji were at the back of the ship deflecting cannon fire (Apparently Luffy makes an amazing sling shot)
Franky managed to merge into the rhythm of the crew with no qualms. Like he knew what to do before being asked. He took the helm and steered according to Nami's instructions.
"Why would a current form so suddenly?!" Tani yelled from the mast, tightening the ropes.
"The closing of the gates, the water flow has been blocked." Nami informed. Who the hell shut the gates? What kind of marine idiot would do that.
"Wait, I caused that?" Sanji called from the back of the deck. "I was just trying to shut the gates so they couldn't take Robin away." he laughed nervously. Nami gave him a thumbs up.
"Excellent work Sanji, you might have just given us the opportunity to escape unharmed." the navigator praised. Sanji sheepishly twirled on the spot happily, before Zoro knocked him over the head.
"Idiot love cook, we still have shit to do," Zoro huffed. Sanji growled but rejoined the fray.
"KEEP FIRING! THEY'RE GETTING AWAY!" Spandam! Who is still alive?! What kind of witchcraft did this bastard have?! Commanded. Robin gave a tired sigh, held her arms up and clutched down. The snapping of bones was so loud, it made the whole crew cringe.
"We're not gonna make it," Nami cried from her spot. "The winds not strong enough, even with the currents working in our favour." she panicked.
"So you're saying we need a boost of air?" Franky asked. Nami nodded.
"I really powerful one at that," she groaned. What the hell was she gonna do... Why is Franky moving from the helm? Nami quickly ran to grab the pole.
"Grab on to something!" Franky told everyone. He knew exactly what he was doing, and the crew decided to wager on that trust. Everyone grabbed something and held on tight.
Franky held his palms out. Angling just right, the ship was extremely fragile. She wouldn't last much longer after the landing.
"Coup de vent!"
Merry blasted from the ocean, flying over the marine barricade that had formed in their path.
They'd made it out? They got away!
Merry continued to soar through the sky, the crew cheering and screaming wildly as she took them on her final voyage.
...
Merry landed with a harsh splash into the ocean, far away from Ended lobby. That nightmare was out of the way... Oscar was right, they did all make it out alright.
Luffy was hugging Merry's mast head, his body finally able to move (though very limited) the crew took a moment to relax. Falling into old habits-
*snap*
The sound of wood crackling under everyone's feet.
*snap*
The Going Merry snapped completely in half. Everyone toppled over.
Right... Merry was broken beyond repair. How in the hell would they manage to sail to the next island?
"Oi!" called out a voice Tani didn't recognise. The crew looked towards an approaching boat, though they relaxed at the sight of a purple haired man, his body covered in bandages.
"Finally showing up to the party huh?" Franky teased. The purple haired gave looked relieved at the sight of Franky. Was he part of the Franky family? He looked too... Sophisticated for that brand.
"Iceberg guy," Luffy begged. "Please... Merry just saved our lives! You have to fix-"
"That boats about to completely break down," Iceberg informed. He gave a solemn expression. "She's beyond repair. I've already done all I can for her," he finalised.
All he's done?
"What do you mean?" Tani asked. Iceberg looked towards the Merry.
"I found her washed up, her voice called to me. Begging for one last chance to save her nakama... I've never seen so much loyalty from a ship," he said with immense respect. "So I fixed her up, Aqua lagoona carried her out." he explained. The crew could already feel their hearts growing heavier by the second.
Merry was dying... She's worked so hard to save them... And now she was on her last limb.
Luffy clenched his fists.
"I know what we have to do," he said with a steely conviction.
Tani had a feeling she knew what was going to happen.
...
It didn't take long for everyone to switch from the dying Merry, to the life boat that Iceberg had brought. The small boat had a torch, ready to be lit.
Sanji and Franky helped start the fire, as the boat was pulled away from Merry. Luffy tossed the torch into her. The flames started off small, but like any fire it grew faster and more bright.
Merry glowed like a star.
The crew stood in a line, watching as their beloved nakama lit up the ocean in a burning blaze of glory.
"Thank you,"
They froze, Merry was speaking with them.
"Thank you so much, for all the adventures we shared."
Tani couldn't take it...
"Thank you for loving me, and caring for me the best you could,"
Nobody else could take it...
"My only regret... Is that I couldn't take you further than this,"
That was the final straw!
"MERRY!" All of them screamed. Even Zoro got emotional, though to a lesser extent.
"We're sorry we didn't take Bette rare of you,"
"Or that we caused so much damage to you and couldn't fix it,"
"You did the best you could! We're sorry you have to die!"
"The adventure wouldn't have been possible without you!"
"We promise," they all said together. "To finish this adventure, and never forget you," the declared. Those present during Alabasta pulled up their sleeves and held up their arms.
The X mark wasn't there. Yet the action was still just as impactful, much like their farewells to Vivi. It was time to say goodbye to Merry.
It was time to bid their beloved nakama goodbye.
There was ugly sobbing, shaking knees, hiccups, "I'm not crying, you're crying", and stoic lamenting. Everyone dealt with Merry's slow burning send off.
Her body finally submerged...
"Thank you... For the wonderful adventure." Merry's final words echoed. Before she completely disappeared into the oceans grasp.
The trip back to Water 7 was silent, as they all mourned in their own separate ways.
...
It had been two days since the events of Enies lobby, the only one who woke up before the rest was Tani. The rest of the crew having passed out and stayed asleep. Much like Alabasta.
Tani spent the first day wandering around Water 7, helping people clean up after the mess that was Aqua Lagoona (she even earned a hot meal and some berri for her efforts).
The second day was when the crew started waking up. The first being Usopp, Tani was there to greet him, her hair a mess while she lazily shovelled a spoonful of cereal into her mouth. Usopp was relieved and awkward about Tani being the first one he saw when waking up.
"Morning sunshine," she greeted. Usopp sat in the chair across from her. She grabbed the box of cereal from the table and filled another bowl she had out with the coloured pebbles... What? Sanji was asleep and she couldn't really go out and buy ingredients, so she went to the IDCS and bought some fruit loops.
Usopp accepted the quick meal and started eating. The pair sat in a comfortable silence. Tani let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you're here," Tani smiled softly at Usopp. "As cool as that Sogeking guy was," she winked. "Nobody could replace you." she shoved her spoon into her mouth. Usopp looked away sheepishly.
"I... I don't know if I'm staying," he admitted. Tani bit down on her spoon, spitting it out with a confused look.
"Why?" she asked. Usopp rubbed behind is neck.
"Luffy never said he wanted me back," Usopp sighed. "He probably still-"
"Don't finish that sentence," Tani interrupted, holding her finger up. "You must be really dumb, or have lost all your memories of the last couple days... Because if it wasn't for you, Luffy would be dead," Tani said gravely. Staring right into Usopp's eyes. "It was your voice that called out to Luffy when he was down. Not mine, not Sogeking, it was you," she said.
"That doesn't change the results of our fight," Usopp spoke back. Tani rolled her eyes.
"Do you wanna know how much he cried after that fight? Hell even before the fight," she pointed at her shirt. It wasn't the one she was wearing that day but she wanted to emphasis the spot. "I was covered in Luffy tears. That guy doesn't ever cry," Tani sighed and thumped back into her chair.
"That doesn't mean he wants me back," Usopp repeated. Tani let out a sigh.
"Luffy has this saying, he's told me more times then I can count." she says, a small smirk crawling up her cheeks, "Whenever I'm insecure about my place on the crew, which is all the time. Luffy will tell me that he "Can't be the pirate king, without everyone there."," she laughs. Tilting her head to face the still snoozing Luffy.
Usopp was silent.
"He knows that without Nami's navigation skills, or Choppers medical abilities, Sanji's cooking, Zoro's protection,Robins guidance... Without your brilliant inventions and quick mends to Merry. That he would be dead." she assured. "Luffy would be lost without you there by his side when he finds the one piece." Tani lifted her head, grinning at Usopp from her seat.
Usopp was looking down at his bowl of cereal. Yet the bright blush on his cheeks, followed by Usopp sheepishly rubbing behind his neck with a happy sound akin to Chopper.
"How about when Luffy wakes up, ask to come back? Seal the deal," Tani suggested. Usopp hummed.
"Yeah... That sounds like a good idea," Usopp grinned. Tani smiled back.
"Wanna help me clean up the city a bit more? I've been getting free stuff for my hard work." Tani asked. Usopp nodded.
"It'll give me time to think about what to say," he grinned.
That was the Usopp we all know and love.
The pair finished their bowls of cereal, and left the room. Spending the rest of the day helping the folks of Water 7 clean up.
...
By the time Usopp and Tani were done helping this man to fix up his broken fish stand, when a member Paulie came running towards them with a grin. Tani was glad they had no hard feelings after she totally kicked his ass. Though he still thinks she dresses way too indecently.
"Iceberg asked me to tell you guys that the rest of your crew are awake." he informed. Tani and Usopp lit up, running all the way back to the small house they'd been using as refuge.
They burst through the door to the sight of Nami hugging her trees, which had been uprooted and stored safely for the last couple of days. Sanji was cooking, Zoro was cleaning one of his swords, and everyone else was relaxing.
"Tani, Usopp!" Chopper cheered, running towards the pair and giving them a hug. "How are you? Did you guys get hurt? How are you healing?"
Chopper belted out question after question. It was just like on the Merry...
That wound still hurt quite a bit.
"Oh, welcome back you too. You just missed Franky," Nami informed. Standing up and walking over to the pair to drag them over to the table.
It was then that Tani noticed that Luffy, who was stuffing his face... Was still asleep.
"Is he gonna choke?" Tani pointed at him. Zoro scoffed.
"The idiots throat expands like a snake. He'll be fine," the swordsman said, while taping away at his swords blade with the cotton swab.
"Anyway," Nami said with an eye roll. "Franky's giving us a boat," she said with a glimmer to her eyes.
"Wait! Really?" Tani said with excitement. "That's awesome!"
Usopp seemed to have this solemn expression, though it wasn't hate filled or as intense as his reaction to the idea of them replacing Merry.
He was still grieving.
"Franky asked for a list of things we wanted. So we took into account what you guys said on the way over." she assured. "He said it shouldn't take too long for the ship to be finished. Iceberg and the rest of Galley-La are helping out," she gave a thumbs up.
"Marines!" came a shout from outside.
"It's Garp the hero?!" came another call.
The Straw hats all remained silent, as the thundering of loud footsteps, rumbled the structure of the house they were staying in.
"Vice admiral Garp! Please don't-"
*smash*
The entire front wall burst open, a large man. At least 9ft tall, donning a dog mask over his face. The crew all jumped for their weapons, Tani ran to grab the still sleeping Luffy.
Garp was faster than the girl, he lifted his fist and slammed it down harshly into Luffy's head.
The boy woke up with shock, holding his head in pain.
"Luffy felt that?" Sanji said with surprise. That shouldn't be possible! He's impervious to blunt damage.
Luffy rubbed his scalp before looking up at the man who hit him, unable to recognise who it is.
Until he took off his mask.
Garp was aged, with greying hair and a scar travelling all the way up his face. For an old guy, he was built like a tank.
"GRAMPS?!" Luffy shrieked with fear.
Fear! Straw hat Luffy, future king of the pirates. Was terrified of this guy... Wait did he say Gramps?
"You idiot brat!" Garp punched him in the head again. Luffy flopped to the ground and rolled in pain. The crew kinda stood back in shock at the whole situation.
"Nobody fight him, Gramps will kill you if you even try to fight him," Luffy warned. "He almost killed me a bunch of times," Luffy said offhandedly.
"He what?!" a couple of crew members barked. Luffy got up off the ground and started picking his nose, like the classy man he is.
"Brat, painting me in a bad light," Garp grumbled. "I did it for your own good. To train you up to be a strong marine," Garp said with pride. Luffy poked his tongue out in disgust. Garp hit him with another fist of love. "Then that no good Red-hair influenced this pirate nonsense," Garp said grumpily.
"Shanks saved my life, he's way cooler and more free than a boring marine," Luffy argued.
He was met with a fist of love.
"Do you even know what Shanks is up to at the moment?" Garp questioned. Luffy put his hands over his ears.
"Don't say anything! I don't wanna spoil my adventure," he yelled to compensate for his lack of hearing.
He was met with another fist of love.
"Is that how you treated Ace too?" Tani asked with narrow eyes. Crossing her arms, she didn't like this Garp guy much. He may be Luffy grandpa, but that's straight up abusive behaviour.
"What's that girly?" he questioned. Luffy turned to look at Tani with straight up terror.
"I'm asking if you treated Ace just as shitty as you did Luffy, that's all." she glared. "Because I don't know about you, but almost murdering a child or two would get you landed in jail back where I'm from," Tani said. Garp looked at her with a narrow eyes, before bursting into laughter.
"She's a spunky little brat, ain't she?" he said with a slap to Luffy's back. "Better watch your tongue though," he said, pointing at her, "An attitude like that will land you into plenty of trouble." he ended.
Zoro got up from his spot on the ground, his senses going off. Luffy seemed to catch that feeling. The two of them rushing out of the building to engage in a fight? The crew jumped up to watch what was happening.
Blurs of yellow, pink and white whirled around Luffy and Zoro. A man with a lanky build and blonde hair was welding some kind of blade that Tani couldn't identify. While Luffy was fighting off some pink haired kid with a green bandana and glasses resting on top of his head.
Who the hell are these guys?
It isn't long before Luffy and Zoro pin the guys done. And-
"Koby?" Luffy says aloud. Zoro looks over from his guy to stare at the pink haired kid. Who sheepishly grinned.
"Still too strong for me, Luffy," Koby laughs without any ill will. Guessing this is an old friend.
Garp broke up the reunion, with the sound of his hammer banging against the wall he broke. He was boarding up?
"So Luffy," he started. "I heard you met your father in Loguetown," Garp started. Luffy looked confused.
"I have a dad?"
"Everyone has a dad," his crew all droned out. Maybe he received one too many fist of loves to the head as a child.
"Who was it?" Sanji asked curiously, standing outside with a cigarette in his mouth. "We might have saw him," Sanji justifies.
"Huh? Oh its Monkey D. Dragon," Garp says nonchalantly. "The leader of the revolutionaries, and the most wanted man in the world," he said. Hammering into his thumb, which seemed to wake him up at what he just said. "Pretend I didn't say that," he waved off.
Everyone but Luffy freaked out.
"That explains a lot," Robin said with mild surprise.
"The most wanted man alive?! How could you not know that?!" Nami panicked, grabbing Luffy by the shirt and shaking him.
"I've never met him before... Or I don't think I have," Luffy shrugged. That's when a memory hit Tani like the most obvious brick to the head.
"He was that guy that saved us from Smoker, when we were heading for the ship in the rain." Tani said with a click of the fingers. "He had the same kind of smile you do," Tani explained.
"Oh that mystery guy!" Luffy finally registered.
"So Garp," Nami asked. The older man looked at the small navigator. "Why are you here?" she asked curiously. Garp pointed at the boys behind him.
"Those two wanted to meet Luffy's crew. We heard about you lot settling here for a bit, so we paid a visit." Garp recounted. "I won't arrest you lot, since Luffy's my grandson." he stated. Tani didn't feel like she could 100% trust that statement.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of Luffy and Koby catching up on their adventures. Tani didn't want to bother the pair as they spoke animatedly about their very different experiences on the Grandline.
Tani spent the rest of the day relaxing with her Walkman playing music.
...
The Franky family and Galley-La company threw a surprise BBQ party, in honour of the Straw hats victory and the failed assassination of Iceberg. It was a small (by Straw hat party standards) gathering for the groups.
Tani was in a similar predicament as the last time she was at a party like this. Mainly that her punch cup was empty, and the drink bowls were on the other side of the party zone.
Luffy was distracted with lots of grilled meats, so she wouldn't be pulled into a dance. So she casually walked over to Sanji, who was plating up smaller portions of the barbeque meat. Tani poured herself another glass of punch and started talking with Sanji. Noticing three of the small hair clips that Nami had gotten him.
"Your hair looks pretty," she complimented. Sanji looked at her with a tinge of pink to his cheeks. "only wearing then for special occasions?" she asked. Sanji huffed a laugh.
"When I feel like wearing them I guess," he shrugged. Tani took a sip of the punch, man this stuff's good. "I wanna take good care of them, since Nami bought them as a gift," he said with flushed cheeks.
"Do you have a crush on Nami?" Tani asked out of the blue. Sanji sputtered and fumbled at his words.
"N-no," he waved his hands in denial. "Plus Nami is only into other women," he revealed. Tani blinked owlishly at that.
That made... An odd amount of sense. Nami always found herself magnetised towards women. You learn something new everyday.
"So you would have a crush on her, if she didn't like girls?" Tani pried. Sanji gave her a pout.
"I think all women are beautiful, I'd be a lucky person to have any woman that returned my feelings," he lamented. Tani rolled her eyes, then a devious grin.
"Have you ever had a crush on me?" she teased. Sanji turned his gaze away from her, fumbling for another plate to distract himself. "Oh my god you have!" she laughed. "It's OK, I won't judge," she promised. Sanji huffed at her.
"I'm not the one with a crush on the captain," he mocked playfully. Tani froze...
Someone else had noticed!
She looked over at Luffy, who wasn't close enough to hear the conversation. Thank god.
"How did you-"
"The whole crew knows Tani... Except for Luffy. The bastard's as dense as a brick wall." Sanji said with a laugh. "And no, we won't say anything about it. Your secrets safe with us," he promised. Tani huffed.
"It's not like he'd be interested in me anyway," she chuckled. "Luffy's the kinda guy that can score any person he wants." Tani takes another sip of her drink.
Sanji used a spoon to lightly bonk her on the head, not enough to hurt her. Just enough to give her a little jolt.
"You're just as much of a moron as he is," Sanji teased. Tani poked her tongue out in indignation. "Luffy's been dropping the most obvious hints imaginable for someone as simple as him." Sanji pointed out. Tani rolled her eyes.
"I dunno, Luffy is pretty hard to read in terms of romantic stuff. That or I'm really not sure what the hell I'm doing... Not like I have any experience at all," yeah and the movies all lied!
"Give it some time," Sanji said with a tilt of the head, Tani turned to see Luffy running towards them with his cheeks filled with meat. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"Tani, they have this really good meat on a stick thing, it's just like the one from that carnival guy." he informed, before clamping his greasy hand into her free hand and dragging her off.
Sanji watched with amusement at the pair.
Dense morons...