The world spun in a whirl of colors and light. Naia couldn't make heads or tails of what was happening. She was set for execution one moment and the next it was like she was being sucked into a vortex. Naia screwed her eyes shut as the lights intensified almost blinding her in how bright they were. By the sea, nothing like this had ever happened to her in all her years. And as soon as it started, it ended. A dull throb echoed through her head and she groaned as she rubbed her head pushing herself into a seated position. The heat of the sun beat down on her skin and the salty smell of the sea assaulted her nose as the crashing sounds of waves beat in her ear. They sounded off. Not like the waves in the New World. Naia blinked rapidly clearing her vision of a haze that had settled in her sight. She twisted her head around trying to gauge where she was in the world but it looked all too familiar and at the same time not. Like she had forgotten about it.
Naia pushed herself up, grabbing her white coat that was laying oh so innocently next to her. Dusting off the white sand that clung to the offending material. Why did she have this thing? Something wasn't right and none of this made sense. She stumbled her way across the beach. Each of her limbs felt like a wet noodle, tired and useless, holding her up just enough to make it to the closest settlement. As she came to stand at the base of the village, Naia had to do a double-take.
"Fuusha Village!?" Naia couldn't believe her eyes. No wonder it had looked so familiar. This was Dawn Island but she hasn't been here since Luffy was 17 and that was years ago. How on earth did she get here? Did that mean-?
"Luffy!" Naia breathed, racing through the village toward the cabin she knew Garp owned. She threw open the door causing a layer of dust that had clung to the wall puff out in a hazy cloud.
"Luffy?" Naia coughed, waving her hand to clear the air.
"Naia?" a small voice spoke behind her. She whirled around coming face to face with a 7-year-old Luffy. "You're here!" The boy sprang into her arms giving her a tight hug. Naia hesitated for a moment before returning it.
"Luffy, what on earth is going on?"
"We were ambushed at an island just before Laugh Tale. A trap set up by Akainu and Blackbeard. No one got out," Luffy said, harshly. "I think I died. I remember waking up to Roger and he gave me the chance to fix it all, to start anew."
"To start anew?" Naia questioned, "So we're-"
"About 15 years in the past," Luffy answered, "On Dawn Island right before Shanks and his crew show up."
"Why am I here then? I only took care of you off and on until this moment," Naia voiced her confusion, "If we are keeping to the same timeline, I should be at Marineford training with Garp."
"This is a mystery thing so who knows," Luffy shrugged, giving a large grin brimming with excitement. "Another mystery adventure!" Naia returned his grin with just as much gusto.
"I should probably call Garp and see if I am needed back or if I can stay. My coat tells me I'm back to being a captain but if I reach admiral level I might be of more use to us," Naia contemplated, "As well as clean this place up. If you are going to be living here, I want it to be liveable."
"Shishishishi, not a bad plan," Luffy agreed, "Call Gramps and then meet me at Makino's. I have a feeling you're going to be staying." Naia shook her head as she watched him runoff. The boy never seemed to change. Now, where did that den-den mushi go? Naia cleaned as she went searching through the house, clearing away the dust and debris that had built up over time. Thankfully, she found the little snail resting in the main bedroom still alive and working.
"Purupurupurupuru...clank… Hello?" Naia let her shoulders sag in relief at the familiar sound of her mentor's voice.
"Garp-san," Naia greeted.
"Ahh, Naia! I hope my brat of a grandson is behaving for you! Bwahahahaha!" The man's booming laugh had the snail hopping all over the nightstand and Naia feared for a moment it would hop right off the table.
"He's doing great, actually," Naia insisted, "I was only wondering for how long I would be staying this time around."
"Most likely indefinitely," Garp replied, his serious tone catching Naia's attention, "Things are getting rough and Ace is causing too much of a stir. I'll be over in about a week or so to bring him over to you. I want you to look after them. Consider it training for the future!"
"For the future?" Naia whispered to herself, "I have a feeling I won't be wanting kids after this."
"Nonsense!" Garp laughed, "I'll let you know when I'm close! Otherwise, tell my brat of a grandson I say hello!..gatcha." The snail grew quiet as he hung up on her. 'Indefinitely?' Naia thought, a slow smile spreading across her face, 'I can work with that!' Naia practically skipped her way down to Party's Bar letting her excitement run through her. She caught reflection on her way out of the room. How long had it been since she had had hair this long again? Dark brown curls fell in waves down her back and her eyes sparkled with knowledge and wisdom but with the playfulness, they had lacked over the years. Who knew only a couple of years could make a difference. With a nod to her reflection, Naia made her way through the village.
"You really are something else, Anchor!" Shanks' voice boomed out of the bar, laughter following not far behind. Naia felt her heart skip a beat at the sound of his husky tenor filtering into her ears.
"But it's true!" Luffy whined, "There is a tiger as big as a house in the forest!" Naia slowly made her way through the bar, catching the eye of Makino whose eyes were dancing in amusement. The barmaid gave her a nod in greeting but the rest of the pirate crew seemed to brush her off as soon as they looked at her.
"Naia! Tell him!" Luffy raced up to her and started pulling on her pant leg. Thank the sea for jumpsuits because the kid seemed to forget his own strength sometimes.
"Tell them what?" Naia questioned, "About the Tiger Lord?" Luffy nodded frantically as he pulled her toward the bar. Naia laughed as the boy excitedly reiterated the story he had been telling the pirate captain.
"Who is this lovely lady, Luffy? Been keeping her all to yourself have you?" Shanks winked at her over Luffy's head as she took a seat.
"Why would I want to share her with the likes of you!" Luffy stuck his tongue out at the man. "She's all mine!" Naia snickered behind her hand with Makino following not far behind.
"It's not fair to keep such beauty locked away," Shanks grumbled, "Mighty selfish of you!"
"I'm going to be a pirate of course I'm selfish!" Luffy rolled his eyes. "I might tell you her name if you take me sailing at least once!"
"Or I can ask her," Shanks challenged. Luffy stood on his chair glaring down at the pirate captain. Naia shrugged her shoulders, turning away from the argument that was about to unfold.
"Naia, I didn't know you were back in town," Makino said, a frown settling on her face, "I didn't see a ship."
"It was a surprise for this guy," Naia said, bringing a finger to her lip, "I managed to catch a ride on a merchant ship." Makino's eyes widened in understanding and she nodded.
"You must be hungry! I'll make you and Luffy a plate to eat." Makino swept into the kitchen leaving Naia alone to handle a rowdy Luffy and Pirate crew.
"FOOD!" Luffy shouted, drool already making its way down his chin. Naia giggled as she wiped his face off with a napkin.
"I'll buy you another plate if you tell me~" Shanks sang. Luffy's eyes grew wide at the prospect of more food and he seemed to have a serious debate with himself over it.
"This is Naia! She teaches me things," Luffy explained as he dug into the plate Makino set in front of him. "She used to travel and help merchants out but now she gets to stay!"
"You get to stay?" Makino asked.
"Seems like it. His grandfather asked me to keep an eye on him along with another boy while I recover from this last bout at sea." Naia nodded as she rubbed her chest. A dull ache radiated from the scar that resided dead center.
"Recover? That sounds like a story." Shanks grinned at her.
"I bet the story is even better than the ones you tell!" Luffy stuck his tongue out at the captain. Shanks blinked at him with a dumbfounded expression and Naia couldn't hold back her laugh.
"I'm a pirate! My stories are twice as good as any merchant stories could be!" Shanks argued.
"Nuh-uh! I bet Naia has seen and done things that even you haven't done!"
"Really? Name one thing!" Shanks challenged.
"Tomb raiding!"
"Nope done that. Next."
"Uh, swimming in the deep!"
"You're the only one here who can't swim, Anchor." Luffy pouted as the pirate crew howled in laughter.
"Time travel!" Naia choked on her drink as Luffy proudly proclaimed his answer.
"Look at that, Luffy. You startled the poor girl!" Shanks smiled softly at her and a glass of water made its way into her line of sight. Naia glanced at her right taking in the image of a young Benn Beckman. She smiled in gratitude before taking the offered glass.
"Thank you," Naia whispered between her coughing fit. Benn smiled and waved her off before returning to his seat by the window.
"So about that story," Shanks drawled as he peered at her above Luffy's head. "While I don't even think this one knows what time travel is, I'm sure it is quite the story."
"It really isn't," Naia denied, "The last merchant ship I was helping was attacked by pirates or at least it was presumed to be pirates."
"Presumed? Don't people usually know when they are attacking?" Makino asked, confusion flickering in her voice.
"Typically yes but these ones attacked from behind in the dead of night. As far as I know, no one caught sight of them or the ship they were on," Naia shrugged as she explained. The lie flowing easily off her tongue. Luffy climbed over her lap into the chair next to her as her voice tightened conveying the only serious emotion she had concerning the story. "Nothing was stolen and the only damage was to the people on board and where the attackers were thought to have boarded the ship."
"That is peculiar but not time travel." Shanks blew a raspberry at Luffy who returned it with as much gusto. Naia shook her head at their antics.
"Well then, Mr. Pirate, care to regale us with one of your tales?" Naia smirked as she leaned onto the counter causing her blouse to strain and pull against her chest. Makino giggled at her antics but followed suit. Shanks had a light flush settle across his cheeks as he stuttered out a reply,
"O-of course! Let me tell you about the time..." Naia drowned him out as she let her eyes sweep across the bar. His crew filled the entirety of it save for a few tables and were as lively as ever. Her eyes briefly met Luffy's as he fiddled with her jacket before looking up at the chest sitting just to the right of her. Naia was drawn out of her mind as one of the doors to the bar shot inside. Bandits. Naia glared at the door as the small group of men sauntered in and if she remembered correctly they didn't fully retaliate until after Shanks and his crew were gone. The leader, Higuma, held his head high as a smug smile stretched across his face.
"We don't want any trouble. Just give us some booze and we will be on our way," Higuma stated as he leaned against the counter.
"I'm sorry but we just finished our last barrel," Makino apologized, her body going tense. Naia tensed ready to spring into action at any point. Where was Dadan? As queen of the mountain, why was she not taking care of such lowlifes?
"Interesting. Then what are all these pirates drinking?" Higuma gestured to the crew seated behind him with a sneer.
"I feel a little guilty. I guess we drank it all," Shanks said sheepishly, "Here this bottle is still untouched. Have this one!" Crack!