Original Characters © Eiichiro Oda. Cover Art & Creative Story © shipfiend.

"Storm Coming" – Gnarls Barkley

The sunlight hit Usopp as he stared at the water. It took them three weeks to finalize the plans, but Usopp and Brook finally landed in Water 7. At the crux of everything, Brook shared that it was customary to buy the services and information of someone like Franky. Usopp brought together what he could, and with some pulls from Perona, they got a pot together.

"Wow, it's really huge…" Usopp said as he lost himself in the crowd, but Brook pulled him back by the straps of his overalls.

"Now, do not get too distracted- oh panties!" But before Brook could wander off, Usopp smacked him in his shin.

"Oi-yoho! Okay, I get it. Alright, shall we split up then?"

"What? I thought we were going to do this together…" Usopp said as he gripped the briefcase.

Brook tilted his face down and smiled, "You'll be fine Usopp…I need to find someone myself. But just find the Franky House, and I'm sure you'll find Franky. Let's leave the mayor as a last resort."

"Does this have to do with the Revolutionary Army?"

"Yes and no. Let's just say I need to collect all the facts before we chase after another lead…" he looked off into the sunlight, "You know…I haven't felt the sea breeze like this…in so long. I wonder if he would even recognize me but...this head of mine made him laugh..."

Usopp watched the older man get lost in what looked like years of thoughts. "Are you talking about your afro?"

Brook shook his head as his hair bobbed with the motion. He peered down again, a little sterner. "A storm is coming, Sir Computer Genius. You better protect that precious loot of yours."

Usopp chuckled. "As if someone can take this money from me. I think I found a lead on Nami with it…I'd die before anything happens to it."

Brook glared at him for a moment and the younger man was taken back. "Don't make light of your life, Usopp. If I despise anything in this world…it is the act of wasting lives. I have experienced death, so I know more than most about the consequences of dying."

"Experienced death?" Usopp chuckled nervously. "What are you a zombie? Ghost?"

Brook blanched as if his soul had been sucked out through his eye sockets. "Why…why would you say that, Sir Usopp? That's terrifying."

Usopp flinched, "Um...how old are you Brook? 100?"

Brook snapped back, "Ha! I am an evergreen 88 if you must know."

Before Usopp could protest, Brook was gone. "Sheesh…so dramatic. You'd think he was a performer with all his one-liners and quick exists."

"Hey, Zambai? What do you make of the long-nosed boy?" Kiwi handed her sister the binoculars.

Mozu took the binoculars and chuckled, "Doesn't look like much of a fighter."

Zambai laughed as he fixed his own magnifying glasses, "Yeah, but maybe he could be a brother?" Mozu and Kiwi frowned and then held their noses in embarrassment. "I'm joking, girls. He couldn't hold a candle to my beautiful sisters."

The girls laughed but then pouted. "Oh, are we beautiful, again?"

Kiwi chimed in, "Ever since Big Bro met that 'mystery woman'…"

"He hasn't even given us a second glance," Mozu finished.

"Girls," Zambai spoke as he tightened his gloves, "Let's focus. Ever since that…woman…dropped that clue, Big Bro has been searching everywhere for a Usopp. And if this guy's got some money in that case…then maybe we can help Big Bro get some answers."

"And cover our losses…" Kop added.

"And getting some food and alcohol for the family would be nice, too," Kiev said with a chuckle.

The group nodded in agreement and followed the skinny boy as he got lost in the back alleys.

"Oi, Big Bro…look what we brought!" Zambai proudly presented the case to their leader. "Won't this help?"

Franky looked at the stacks of bills and smiled. "How did you guys get this?"

"Some guy was just walking around with it. Can you believe it? He kept saying something…nada? Nappy? Whatever it was, doesn't matter-"

The door busted open and a spray of explosions ricocheted. Franky watched his family get knocked down but extended his hand and caught what he believed to be a bullet, but it exploded in his metallic fist.

"Big Bro!" The Square Sisters screamed.

"So…you're Franky?" a man huffed in the door. "I've been looking for you."

Franky looked at him through his mask. "And who is asking?"

Usopp chuckled, blood still dripping from his mouth as he held up the strange looking gun. "The man who owns that suitcase."

Franky flexed his muscles, "Well, unfortunately, for you…kid…I've got plans with this money."

A/N: As much as I love the Water 7 Arc, I realized as I was outlining how I was adjusting this portion…if I went event by event, we'd be here forever.

Can you imagine if this story took a 2-year hiatus? Ha-ha, no thanks! So, this is the first time (I think) I am using breaks in one chapter to signify time passing.

Otherwise, as I said, we'd be here forever, and I rather not lose momentum. That being said, OH NO. Look what has happened…so dramatic.

I'm trying to make my own flips, since Luffy is a big part of Water 7, too, and unfortunately *looks at a burning pyre and cries* he is not with us anymore. Sad days, but it does make me think about the dynamics and team without him since he is a pivotal piece of sticky rubbery glue that keeps everyone together.

SIDE NOTE: I do have other stories swarming my head. A mythical/medieval AU, a career/professional AU where Nami is indeed a teacher;) and a high school AU that is like…Avatar level saga that breaks into several books. Anyway, these are all on my head, but I promised myself I need to see TF through before I jump anywhere else!

XoXo shipfiend