Wishfull-star: Thank you! But there's a long way to go until we have any answers about what Luffy actually is!
Okay, so this story is currently being written alongside the manga as it comes out, and something that was announced in chapter 1016 throws some of my plot out the window! Now it's gonna diverge from the canon plot even more! Fuck it, I'm not erasing all that shit. I'm gonna have to put a lot of reminders during Wano's chapters, but only if people actually read my author's notes! Enjoy~
"Tada! I made myself!" Luffy exclaimed proudly. It was snowing, they were in a winter climate. That was so cool! They were on their way to Whiskey Peak, but Luffy and Usopp were enjoying the snow. It would be temporary, which was why neither were wearing anything warm.
"Looks nothing like you!"
"Well, I gave me your nose, see? And my hat is this barrel," Luffy said, pointing to his creature. "You can't compare, you didn't make yourself." Usopp haughtily pointed to his creation. "Hey, is that the princess?"
"She is not a princess! How many times do you need to hear?!" Luffy shrugged. "But no, it's not Kaya!"
"Good, it looks nothing like her. Shishishi!" and they started snowball fighting. He had a lot of fun. He hadn't been in the snow since his island months ago. He could get really used to the Grand Line. Get used to never getting used to it. Already they'd fought off three storms and some sea kings that they chopped up and had for dinner.
"Ah, it's raining now!" Luffy complained as his snow creation dissolved.
"Kaya!" Usopp shouted at his melting creation.
"I knew it was her! You liar!" Luffy shouted back.
Nami demanded they help with the storm, and so they helped Zoro and Sanji messily get them out of that area. After the storm was over, Luffy wondered why they'd gone in a circle. "What? Wha- hey! The ship did turn in a circle- 180 degrees in the wrong direction!"
Luffy was amazed, and they quickly got to righting themselves. "I have to keep my eye on the log pose every moment?" Nami asked, sounding tired. "This is exhausting." Sanji said she could do it. "Shut up," she said sourly. The guests, who were annoying to everybody by now, made fun of Nami for not being used to the sea. "Are you really a navigator?"
"You. Quiet," Luffy commanded. Nami was feeling embarrassed and insecure about this, they didn't need to make it worse. "Go work on something. Just cause you're here and don't belong doesn't mean you don't have to help out." Nami sighed and gave a small smile.
"Shishishi, take a nap, okay? A really short one."
He left the galley, and climbed to the crowsnest. He closed his eyes, using his hearing and sense of sound to make sure the ship didn't turn or run into a storm. They were lucky and Nami got to nap for 20 minutes with no problem. Which was all they got, as the rest of the day was a nightmare. Storm after storm, different types, too! Going between the different climate zones really messed things up!
It was completely unpredictable. They barely had enough time to eat between crises. Zoro didn't wake up, and Luffy was going to yell at him when he had time and wasn't following Nami's orders. The ship hit a random iceberg and damaged the hull, leaking water inside that Usopp plugged up with a plank of wood. It was a mess. The ship got damaged multiple times, and Luffy knew they needed a shipwright. The Merry was having a hard time already. And they were barely in the Grand Line, too.
When they finally had a break, all of them, even the two extra, were laying on deck, panting and taking a break no matter how long it lasted. "Ah, that was a nice nap!" Zoro said, finally getting up. Luffy was draped over the railing like a towel, his arms and upper body sagging. "Hey, why's everyone laying around for? Is the ship going in the right direction?"
Nami was there, and punched him in the head hard enough to make him cry out. "You were sleeping the whole damn time!" Luffy was glad he didn't need to scold him. Nami did it just fine. Zoro glared at her, but just really looked at their two guests, and smirked. Luffy dropped down, landing on his face, and then sat up, wondering what Zoro was making that face for.
"Hmm… there's something sinister about your faces. What did you say your names were again?"
Both guests were uncomfortable. Interesting!
"Miss Wednesday."
"Mr.9." Luffy commented they were strange names.
"Because they're fake." Luffy said that was kind of obvious, he was right. "They're also bounty hunters." Nami asked what he meant. "I was a pretty famous bounty hunter."
"The pirate hunter. Shishishi, Zoro hunted me." Zoro's face turned red, and Luffy laughed. Nami hit his head lightly. Now was not the time.
"Also, that should be the other way around!" she snapped. Luffy giggled again. She was right, but it was fun making Zoro blush. "Anyways, what were you saying?" Zoro explained that they reminded him of an organization of bounty hunters. He'd turned down their offer. Nami asked if that was true. They both just refused to answer, which was answer enough. "Well, now we know not to trust them. Luffy, you made a mistake bringing them with us."
Luffy hummed. "Maybe." Nami huffed, giving up on scolding him. Then she turned to everyone else. "Listen here! Don't get too comfortable. We'll never know what to expect here. I finally understand how truly terrifying this ocean is! As well as why they call it the Grand Line. I understand because ALL of my navigation skills have failed!"
"You'll do better next time!" Luffy tried to encourage, only to get frowned at.
"Don't act like it's my fault!"
"But you just claimed the blame!"
"I am never the one at fault!"
"That's right Nami-san~!"
"Shut up." Usopp asked if they'd be okay. "It'll work out somehow. And as proof of that, we're finally at our first island. The first leg of the journey is over." She was so pleased.
Luffy commented, "We have a lot of legs left, then. Like a centipede." Sanji said it was more like a millipede. "Yeah, that." Nami took a deep breath, and everyone was excited to land. Tired of being on the ocean when it was pummeling their bodies and spirit. The ship being damaged multiple times a day was a bit disheartening, to be honest.
But they moved on from that. They'd keep the ship okay. Maybe not in pristine condition, but okay.
The island looked like a bunch of cactuses. "So, this is Whiskey Peak? The first island!" Luffy cheered. The two guests thanked them smugly, and then ditched. Usopp asked why they had taken them there anyways. "I don't know. I thought they were good people."
"You were clearly wrong."
"Mmm, maybe." They all sighed, and moved the ship to the island, docking in the river that headed inland. "Hey, I'm worried a little bit. About running out of blood bags," he said suddenly. "Crocus said that some islands had huge gaps in between, right? Well, what if we run out? Or if something happens to the ship and they're ruined?"
"Well, you have Zoro, don't you?" Sanji asked.
"He's not a drinking fountain," Luffy said, voice disapproving. "I just hope nothing happens."
"Don't worry too much. Besides, we've all made it clear we're willing donors. Just not like Zoro is," Nami said nicely. "Now, let's get ready to dock. I don't know how long it will take for the log pose to set on this island. We'll have to find that out." Luffy smiled and nodded.
"Wait, if there's a terrible monster, we'll be stuck here, won't we?!" Nami nodded. Luffy laughed, and said they would worry about it when it happened. "Don't you mean if it will happen?" Luffy shrugged.
"Let's go in already. It's weird to be in front of a river and just not go in it," he complained. Zoro agreed, and Sanji didn't really care. The three of them seemed to be the fighters of the crew. So far, at least. Luffy was excited. He wondered what kind of people they'd meet in the Grand Line, and who was going to join. Shipwright, doctor. He had to admit that a musician was purely for the experience, not a necessity.
He really didn't want to wait, but Luffy didn't like waiting for anything.
"Guys, I think I developed a can't-enter-islands disease," Usopp said. Sanji asked if he would want to be left on the ship at islands. "Well, no," he admitted. "But I'm still sick with it!" Nami sighed, and agreed to go inside.
"Yay!" Luffy cheered. They made sure to all now they had to be ready to fight or run at a moment's notice. "We should fight."
"We should run!"
"Running is no fun!"
"Fighting gets me injured! I can't just drink blood and heal like you can."
"Stop arguing!" Nami snapped. "God, you're all annoying sometimes! I really want a sensible girl to join!" Luffy complained that it wasn't his fault Miss Wednesday was rude. "Wait, what?" she asked in surprise. "Is that why you accepted her? Even when she was a sort of enemy?"
Luffy nodded. "She was a girl your age. I thought maybe we were lucky and found someone early," he admitted. Nami looked touched, and smiled without saying anything. Sanji was scowling at him. Like he was competition when it wasn't like Nami would want either of them.
Besides, Luffy was pretty open about his feelings for Zoro. Sanji getting jealous of Luffy and Nami being close in a best friend sort of way was kind of annoying. Zoro was there to taunt him. "Maybe if you had an actual personality other than horny around Nami, she'd smile at you like that," he said in a gloating way.
Sanji turned around to kick him, and Zoro drew his swords. "No hurting the ship," Luffy said lightly, and went to sit on the repaired Merry figurehead. "Hey, there's people around. A lot of them." They all heard the welcome chants. Nami took a deep breath and turned around. "We all have to remember that this place is supposedly the home to bounty hunters. Don't do anything stupid, okay?"
They all nodded, and Usopp's legs were shaking. Luffy pat his back. "You're gonna be a brave warrior of the sea, right? This is the starting line, shishishi. Do your best!"
The chorus of voices welcoming them continued. Luffy smelled food and a lot of alcohol. And the scent of used money. The scent of money was stronger if it was passed around a lot. There were only a few things that stunk of so many different people. "Shishishi. I think we'll have fun here."
"Why?"
"Alcohol, food, money. Hehe," Luffy mumbled. Nami's eyes lit up at the prospect of money. Zoro was asking what alcohol smelled like, looking forward to diverse alcohol. If they were all welcoming them, why not take advantage of the offers? "Hey, do you think they actually saw my eyes? Or do people on the Grand Linenot think that's weird?" he asked, the thought popping into his head. Maybe at the wrong moment.
Nami said, "I noticed that, too! Neither reacted to your eyes at all. Maybe people on the Grand Line are more understanding of diverse appearances." Luffy hoped so. Cause he didn't know where he would get colored contacts, and it honestly felt better to not have them in. When they docked, they were welcomed by a tall man with long, roll hair. Like long, cinnamon rolled hair. It was so hard to explain.
"Mamama~ welcome, my name is Igarappoi. You might be surprised with such a warm welcome to this town. The town of music and liquor. Hospitality is our middle name. If it's fine liquor you want, we have an ocean's worth. So please, I cordially invite you to our banquet and hope you may entreat us with your stories!"
He led them away, and they followed at a small distance. "That's not his real name, he lied. He was telling the truth about this place having a lot of booze and food," Luffy explained quietly. Sanji mused that he sure was useful to have around. "Hehehe, when I'm not dying."
They scolded him for that, hitting his head. "I was kidding!"
"It's not funny!"
"Okay… sorry." Zoro wrapped his arm around Luffy's waist. He softly said he didn't want to hear Luffy say that again. "Sorry, Zoro," Luffy said sincerely. "I was just thinking the whole thing was stupid and inconvenient. But not a joke, I guess."
"Not a joke."
"His hair looks like layers of cinnamon rolls," Luffy observed. Those on the crew snorted and laughed, unable to help it. Nami scolded him for making her laugh in such a disgusting way. "Shishishi. Not sorry." They were all in a very good mood. Aware of the dangers, but going to enjoy the time while also being careful.
Luffy thought the place was boring, even if it smelled like dead people. He didn't say that to anyone. They were stuck at this island until the log pose set. There was no reason to scare them like that.
Nami went to Igaroppoi and asked how long it would take for the log pose to set. He didn't answer. Nami frowned, but was not surprised. Luffy was glad he was able to make sure they were all prepared. And Usopp was relaxing by there being no monsters there. Luffy couldn't wait to battle monsters. Though they might be afraid of him like other animals were. Laboon was the bravest animal he'd ever come across. Even sea kings ran away!
They couldn't help but enjoy the food and alcohol. Luffy was aware that some of his food had sedatives in it, so he actually chewed around those bits. He kept hearing weird animal noises, and he was curious. So, he slipped outside, and went running towards the weird noises. He climbed a building and peeked over the side.
An otter in a baby onesie was on a vulture's back. "Whoa! I didn't know otters flew!" he couldn't help but say. He stood up and hurried to them. But he was immediately shot in the face with a gun, and was thrown over the side of the building, landing with a bounce. The bullet was dented in his face, so he pulled it out, sour.
He climbed back on the building and threw his arm at the otter, ripping it off of the vulture. "Otters should be in the water!" he shouted, and chucked it at the sea. He got up and looked at the vulture with a glare, making it shrink and then back away a few paces. "You don't bother me again," he snarled.
The vulture nodded and flew off, no doubt to get the otter. Stupid jerks! Now he was in a bad mood. He jumped back down, and found people were watching him around corners. Well, might as well get some more food. He went back inside, and Zoro asked where he went. "Some stupid otter shot me in the face with a gun."
Those around turned silent. "Really?" Zoro asked.
"Yeah, so I threw it into the ocean. Why would an otter be on a bird?" he wondered. "That made me mad, but I'm better now." The building slowly evacuated. "What?"
Sanji was angry that they all left. "Do you think you shouldn't have messed with those animals?" Luffy shrugged. "Well, that's enough for tonight, I think. Obviously the company is gone, now. Let's get back to the ship," Sanji said, sounding sour about the women. "Damn you Luffy! I was surrounded by women, and you had to go and beat up an otter!"
Luffy argued that it had shot him in the face, first. "Besides, those women were all hired and fake!"
"Doesn't mean I didn't like it!" Sanji shouted. The four left the building, and found the area empty. Nami looked around and smiled. She pointed out that nobody was around. So where was the treasure?
"Shouldn't we run? I mean, everyone has left for a reason," Usopp said shakily. Nami pointed out Luffy would be able to tell them if something was wrong. Luffy wasn't too bothered, but Zoro was.
"Luffy is our captain, not our watchdog," he said sourly. Luffy laughed and said he enjoyed being useful. His boyfriend still didn't like it. Luffy looked up and said, "There is it! The vulture and otter!" Luffy shouted. "You want a piece of me?!" he challenged. But they squacked and flew away quickly. "Shishishi…"
Sanji took a drag of his cigarette. "So proud. A captain that abuses animals."
"It shot me first and I never hit them!" They got in a petty argument when they heard much louder booms and screams going off. They hurried to the ledge and looked over it closely. It was a man turning on Miss Wednesday. He listened easily, and relayed everything happening to the others. "I knew she wasn't bad."
Nami looked uncertain. "Well, we shouldn't butt in. It's not our business." But she hesitated. "Well… she is a princess in danger, right? Yeah! Can you imagine how much money I could get for us taking her back?"
Usopp accused her of just wanting a girlfriend. "You don't like being surrounded by guys." Luffy added that it sounded really fun. Escorting a princess to her kingdom! It was totally going to be an adventure. When Zoro and Luffy ran down with Nami, Sanji and Usopp went to the place Luffy directed them, and went to ransack the place now that everyone had evacuated to the other side of the river spitting the town.
All because Luffy got mad at some animals. Luffy kicked the face in of the guy making all of the explosions, and they found multiple people wounded. It looked like they didn't know about the otter since they were still here. Nami walked up to Vivi, and grinned. "I heard you're a princess and need to go home?"
"Wha-? How? How do you know that? You were sup-posed to be tricked!" Nami smiled slyly and said they weren't very quiet.
"Remember what I said about Luffy?" Luffy pointed to his ears. "So, we'll take you back. For a billion berries." Vivi and the cinnamon roll head were both beaten up a bit. Cinnamon roll head promised, if they took her home, then they'd come up with the money then. "You want us to save her first, then?"
"Y-yes, please! Her life is in danger!" Luffy could hear Sanji and Usopp with the sounds of heavy footsteps and metallic jingles. They'd gotten a ton of money. Nami would be so happy. "The Unluckies are after us."
Zoro said, "I hope you don't mean a flying otter and a bird. Yeah, Luffy beat them up. That's why it's so quiet, everyone evacuated." Luffy laughed. "Well, you'd probably actually be protected better from them. He terrifies animals."
Cinnamon roll head said, "please, just get princess Vivi to safety. Return her to Alabasta. Then we will give you the money!" Then the bomb man reappeared. He was angry, a foot step on his face. He picked his nose and he and Zoro watched them in interest. But Luffy felt he was noting much and would be a hindrance. He punched his face hard, and knocked him out, before he grabbed the woman and tossed her in the direction of the river.
The princess and her guard were in shock. "Well we can leave now. If the log pose sets. What about you?" Luffy asked Igaram, who said he had an eternal pose to Alabasta, and would follow that. "Lucky for you!" The cinnamon roll head said them taking the standard road was safer, even if it took longer.
Vivi demanded to know why he wanted to help her. "Cause you're a good person. Shishishi! Even if you were rude before." Then he looked up and stretched his arms up, grabbing onto the vulture. He yanked it down. "So. You're enemies, huh?" Luffy wondered, holding the vulture and otter tightly.
"Listen here. You won't bother us. Any of us. I will know if you're around, and I will come find you. This is a warning. The last one. Don't bother us. Understand?" he had his lip curled up and eyes wide, trying to look terrifying. The otter bowed forward dn the vulture nodded vehemently. "Good! I'll just take this stuff," he mused as he took everything that they were carrying from them. "Run along, now."
They fled as fast as they could. Luffy looked at everything he was holding. Vivi and her guard looked shocked. After all, he didn't look scary enough to freak out those animals. But they were long gone, he couldn't hear or smell them anymore.
Igaram - cinnamon roll head - dressed as Viv, poorly. "Wow, you'll fool everyone, cinnamon roll head." Nami and Zoro looked at him like he was an idiot. He looked happy, though he was injured. He was going to go off and pretend to be her. The unluckies couldn't speak, and they'd lost everything to show who they were and what they looked like.
Plus, they genuinely looked terrified of Luffy, and believed his words. Good for everyone if they heeded his warnings. They waved goodbye to Igaram as he sailed off on the boat. Luffy hoped he did okay. He really liked his hair. He was going to ask Sanji for cinnamon rolls for breakfast tomorrow.
"Aw, he left. And he was such a funny guy, too. I wonder how long it took to do his hair," Luffy mused. Zoro just shook his head.
"He's always been so dependable. I… Thank you so much. I'm sorry for being a bitch before. It was all an act, I promise." Luffy smiled. He believed her, and so they all did. "What a relief-"
BOOM!
They all froze as they watched the huge plume of smoke, of fire, consume the ocean where Igaram's boat was. Luffy was furious, but ashamed. "I should have been able to smell explosives!" he raged. Zoro held him back. He couldn't swim.
"Nami, how long until the log pose is set!?" Zoro demanded.
"It's ready! Vivi, we have to go, or Igaram's sacrifice will be in vain!" Luffy was hurried by Zoro, still furious. Nami hugged Vivi and promised her safety. Luffy knew they would click. He didn't know why or how. Nami would finally have a female friend. At least until they took her home. The four hurried away, away from whatever attacked Igaram.
"It's not your fault, you didn't even know him," Zoro said.
"... I know. It's not my fault. I know," Luffy replied, voice serious and unwavering. Everyone else's safety was not his responsibility. Everyone besides his crew. They reached the ship, and everyone jumped on, setting sail immediately. There was a duck on their ship, for some reason.
"Carue! I'm glad you're safe," she said. Nami hurried her inside as they left the island. Lucky the log pose set so quickly. As they sailed, Vivi came back out when there was nobody around anymore. He wondered if people would be after them, now. "No doubt. Just because the Unluckies are afraid doesn't mean the other number agents there won't tell him. The boss, Mr. 0. It doesn't matter anymore not to say it, but he's a Warlord of the sea. Someone the government sponsors as a pirate so they'll help out the marines if they ask. Sir Crocodile!"
"He's started a coup in Alabasta. A civil war is brewing, because he tricked everyone. He's trying to destroy my kingdom from the inside out. Baroque Works is run by him. People will be after us now…" Vivi sounded guilty to bring them problems, but it wasn't a big deal. A fun adventure was awaiting them!
"Luffy, you showed you were dangerous, so you'll probably be a big target, now." Luffy was unbothered. He looked forward to fighting someone strong. He wanted to get stronger, and that would come with experience.
He said, "Well, I'm strong. I'll be okay. Don't worry! We'll protect you just fine. Shishishi!" Zoro smiled up at him fondly.
God damn I had such a fun time writing Luffy lol. See you next week!