Strongest man in the world

by Bluewr

Few know which are the strongest Devil Fruits, and even among these few, the consensus of which is the strongest of all is non-existent. But everyone agrees that a fruit depends much more on its user's potential than on its own power. And what happens when someone with immense potential gets a fruit with as much potential as he does? Luffy happens.

10. Whiskey Peak

Well, this took much longer than I would have liked. Mostly because I was working on the new fic, that will probably be the next one updated. Either way, here is the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece, because if I did, fuck some powers that just appear on the sideline would have much more focus.

---

"A-ah...huh?"

Mr.9 woke up, and looked around, instanly getting confused by his surroundings. His memory had yet to return, but he realizes he's tied to something, then he feels his head aching and wonders what's going on.

"Mr.9! You finally woke up!"

His partner's voice catches his attention making him look to the side, and seeing in how much of a different situation she is from him, making him question their current whereabouts even more. But when he looks at the bluenette, behinds her he see faces that makes him remember exactly what happened.

"MISS WEDNESDAY? THEY CAPTURED US, YOU GOT RUN?"

The one in the crown screams and begins to struggle in panic, trying to free himself from the ropes in a completely futile effort.

His partner, on the other hand, just gives him a dull smile. But before Mr.9 could question what was happening, a knife is throw at him, passing inches from his head, being stuck in the mast. A chill runs down his spine as he slowly looks to the side and sees the knife that could have taken his life.

"Oh, nice played Barto."

Said Usopp, impressed by Bartolomeo's skill with the knife.

"Hehe. It's no big deal Usopp-san, I've learned a thing or two dealing with delinquents and the mafia."

He speaks puffing out his chest with pride.

"M-mafia?"

The one with the mohawk fails to hear the surprise in Usopp's voice.

"Yeah, no big deal."

Bartolomeo said waving his hand. He seemed to be talking about the weather with how casual he was.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?"

Mr.9 yells trying to demand some answer. This time another knife is thrown from another direction, almost hitting his face again. Seeing the act repeat itself, he shuts up and stays still, completely unmoving, trying to not to piss himself in fear.

"Hey Luffy, don't use kitchen cutlery as a weapon!"

Sanji complains as he tries to choose which card to play.

"Sorry, but he was distracting me."

The captain responds without taking his eyes off his deck.

"You throwed it well."

Commented Zoro after taking another sip of sake, from a bottle left over from breakfast.

Mr.9 could no longer process what was happening. They were on the Grand Line of all places, so why were these pirates so casual? And why only he was attached to the mast? He looked at his partner looking for answers. The bluenette looked at him with pity and went a little closer to him.

"They got our log pose but are taking us back home."

She said, fastly updating him on the situation. The man looked like he was going to protest, both that the pirates had stolen the log pose and that he was the only one being tied, but the entire crew looked at him with a frightening look. Instead of complaining he had to worry about not pissing his pants.

Once again Miss Wednesday could only awkwardly smile at him as an apologize. After talking with him she climbed the stairs to the upper deck and went to the navigator's orange grove. Nami was taking care of the trees with great dedication, but the bluenette, that was already more used to the Grand Line, saw this attitude with concern.

"Navigator-san, have you checked the ship's route yet?"

The thief looks at the blue haired one with a questioning look.

"I looked a minute ago."

Then she looks at the log pose on her wrist wanting to show that everything was fine, only to see that the needle was pointing in a completely different direction than it was a minute before.

"BUT I LOOKED A MINUTE AGO!"

Nami's sudden scream catches everyone's attention. Bartolomeo and Usopp stop their little aiming competition. Luffy, Zoro and Sanji stop their card game. Law takes his eyes off his book and Bonney and Ucy leave the kitchen. All of them wearing the same confused expression.

In reaction to what the navigator said Miss Wednesday snorts.

"This is the Grand Line. I'm sure the old man told you, neither the seas nor the winds of this ocean can be predicted."

The navigator bites her bottom lip in frustration, before starting to organize things again.

"Luffy, turn the entire ship to the opposite side. Usopp correct the direction of the sails!"

She started ordering everyone to do something, and they did just as she said, correcting the route. Moments later the sunny weather was replaced by a cold snow falling from the sky.

"W-what the fuck is this?"

The pinkette gathered the snowflakes in her hand, looking at them in amazement. Ucy had to enter in the kitchen again because of the cold.

"We are now at the exit of a magnetic field, this is the biggest point of instability within the beginning of the Grand Line. The whole weather and environment becomes unpredictable, it's impossible to know what might happen next."

The Straw Hats swallow hard listening to Miss Wednesday's explanation and Nami's frustration grows even more, but this was just the beginning. After that the snow was soon replaced by a heavy storm, with the winds pushing the Merry away from their destination causing them to retract the sails again and again.

The rain also reduced their view of the horizon to almost nothing, the winds and waves dragged the Merry from one side to the other, it took all the effort of the crew and even the help of Mr.9, who was released to do that job, and Miss Wednesday to deal with that. The bluenette worked together with Nami so that the navigator could understand a little better about navigating the Grand Line.

Bartolomeo had some difficulty following orders as he had no knowledge of navigating ships or such, so Usopp or Luffy had to guide him on what to do. It took a while and at first it was more of a hindrance than a help, but he got a rough feel for it after a while.

This routine was repeated for several hours for the rest of the day, without giving them a moment of rest. The whole weather could change in seconds, the oceans could calm or insane by the difference of eyes blinking. As Crocus said there was simply no pattern here. It was only towards the end of the afternoon that things seemed to have begun to stabilize.

"We must have been through the worst by now... The weather won't... be so erratic anymore."

Miss Wednesday said lying on the floor trying to catch some breath.

"Tsk. I just got to train now."

Zoro complained while lifting a dumbbell that Mr.9 judged to be enough to crush him completely.

"Speak for yourself."

Luffy said laughing. After saying that he removed the heavy barrels that were on his back. They had sea water and even some weights, so he was exercising his whole body all the time. After that he climbs up to the crow's nest and starts doing sit-ups with his upper part facing the deck.

Miss Wednesday sees the brunette's muscles twitching and turns her face away with her cheeks burning. On the other hand, Nami and Bonney don't take their eyes off him, with the redhead even biting her lower lip feeling a more carnal desire.

"I want to talk to you."

She whispers in Bonney's ear, who nods in agreement and the two go to their room to talk.

...

Luffy had just gotten out of the shower after dinner and training. His muscles were a little sore, but that was what pleased him as it meant it was showing results. It was decided that Mr.9 would sleep in the men's room with the rest, they thought they would do the same with Miss Wednesday, but Nami and Bonney refused, causing the bluenette to end up in the warehouse. There was nothing really important there, so no one cared, they just thought Nami and Bonney's refusal was strange.

The brunette's thoughts, however, were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He looks to the side and Bonney, without saying anything, grabs his rigth wrist and leads him straight to the women's room, where Nami also was.

"Bonney? Nami?"

Thinking that his girlfriends attitude was strange he tries to question, but they don't answer, and the brunette notices that their faces are a little red. Both remain silent as he enters the room and Bonney closes the door.

"Bonney? Nami? Are you both ok?"

He asks with a raised eyebrow.

"L-Luffy..." Bonney begins, but doesn't elaborate.

"It's just..." Nami also tries to explain, but words fail her.

They both avoid eye contact and stare down, their faces red as a tomato. They were fidgeting with their hands trying to decide how to proceed.

"Hey, what's the problem?"

The brunette comes closer and gently puts his hand on their chins, trying to lift their faces to look them in the eyes. His action proved to be much more effective than he would have imagined. Hearing the care and sweetness in his voice, the two got to the same conclusion.

'Screw it.'

The two kiss him at the same time, and also begin to take off his clothes. The kiss was deep and contained their full feelings. When it was over Luffy widened his eyes seeing the naked body of the two.

"Y-Your turn..."

The navigator speaks timidly. With a nod, the brunette also takes off his clothes, and is then dragged to bed. That would be one of the best night of their lives.

...

The first thing Luffy noticed when he woke up was that even though the room was cold, his body was still warm. It must have been barely six in the morning and the cold air of the beginning of the day would be enough to make someone shiver, only that the bodies of the three together kept them warm.

Bonney was on Luffy's left side, sleeping hugging his arm. She seemed to be having a great dream if her amazing smile as any indication of it. On the right side Nami had her head on the captain's chest, with little drool on spilling on him. Their naked bodies were being covered by a sheet, their clothes were all on the floor and the Luffy's hat was on Bonney's bed.

In this very delicate state to get up and not wake them, Luffy moved slowly until he managed to get out. In the mirror of the bedroom he saw his sweaty body, with marks of kisses and Bonney's lipstick on various parts of his body.

"Luffy..."

The redhead grumbled in a dream and adjusted her position on the bed. She was clearly looking for her boyfriend to sleep clinging on him again. The boyfriend in question couldn't help but think she looked pretty cute. Bonney also seemed to have missed the captain, but luckily the two of them only adjusted themselves a little and didn't wake up.

Luffy put on his clothes, took his straw hat and went to take a shower. It was a little earlier than he'd imagined, so no one saw him. As for explanations of where he was, they could be thought of later.

As soon as he finished his shower and put on his clothes, which were still clean, the brunette went to the Going Merry's head and sat there quietly watching the sea. He didn't even notice as time passed, soon the whole crew was waking up. The first was Sanji, who went to cook breakfast. The second was Zoro, who was used to meditate early in the morning. Followed by him came Bartolomeo, Mr.9 and Miss Wednesday, with the latter complaining that sleeping in the warehouse had destroyed her back.

Indeed, the happiness of some could be the sadness of others. The two would join for the breakfast since no one considered them a real threat, and it was more work to keep them tied up and having to constantly watch them than just letting them loose with someone of the crew on their back. After them was Usopp, who seemed to be having a hangover after a little drinking competition with Bartolomeo, the two seemed to be getting along quite well. The next to wake up was Law who took advantage of the moment of peace they finally had to organize the books he bought. And soon Bonney and Nami showed up, both woke up at the same time, but they were still yawning a lot, almost as if they hadn't gotten enough sleep.

The last to wake up was Ucy, who ironically had been in the kitchen the whole time, but only opened his eyes when the chief had finished preparing the breakfast.

"Luffy, where did you end up? You disappeared and I didn't even see you in the room."

Usopp asked as he put butter on his bread. If anyone stopped to listen, they would hear the two women on the crew gulping. The brunette in the straw hat himself froze for a second, before answering naturally.

"I ended up sleeping around."

It wasn't exactly a lie, and since no one there, apart from possibly the surgeon, had any idea what could happen between the captain, the counter-master and the navigator, no one asked further.

"Hey there!" Bartolomeo called the one in the crown and the bluenette woith an intimidating face, which worked to scare them. "Tell us a little about your island."

The others silently approved of his action. These people were suspects, so they could only imagine what the place they came from was really like. Having information, especially on the Grand Line, could make a life-or-death difference.

"So... yeah..." Miss Wednesday started, not seeing like she wanted to explain further.

Aside from Luffy and Ucy, all the pirates squinted.

"We don't want to spoil the surprise. Hehe." Mr.9 said, not really helping their case.

Law slowly his hands on his katana on the hilt of his katana.

"That's pretty suspicious."

"It's okay."

Luffy said, making everyone look at him. His friends weren't surprised, but the suspicious pair were.

"Whatever's in there doesn't matter. If it's something good, then it's good, if it's something bad, we just finish them off. And also, it's not like we can go back halfway."

Despite still wanting to know about the place, they nod in agreement with the captain's words.

"I totally agree with Luffy. So Miss Wednesday-chan, enjoy the food~~."

Said the blonde with a flirty tone at the end. Miss Wednesday only agreed with an awkward smile and a drop of sweat running down her forehead.

After that they went about the day normally. Nami took care of the navigation and her orange trees, Usopp seemed to be trying to create some trinket, and then had a target shooting competition with Bartolomeo. Ucy lazily sunbathed while the odd pair did their best to avoid the tiger. Luffy and Zoro maintained their training routine, even training together with Zoro's swordsmanship technique.

Bonney was taking a nap wearing sunglasses and lying on a beach chair. Sanji was preparing some appetizers for Miss Wednesday, as the other two ladies had been clear that they didn't want anything and they didn't want to be interrupted.

Despite the chaotic first impression of the Grand Line, the navigator now never let her guard down and since the weather was already more, stable it was a more peaceful part of the trip. It was late afternoon when a fog starte covering the entire Merry.

"Already more of that madness?"

Usopp whimpered, not at all prepared for a second battle against the insanity of the pirate graveyard.

"No, we're approaching the island."

Nami said with a confidence that made Miss Wednesday look at her in surprise. The information was true, but the bluenette herself only knew this because she was already went to the island. How would a novice navigator who, until yesterday didn't know what a log pose was, know about that? The woman's incredulous gaze did not escape the redhead's perception, who gave of a victorious smile.

"What? The Grand Line may have taken me by surprise before, but now that I've learned it, I'll be able to navigate this sea without any problem!"

She declares for all to hear. Luffy look at her giving a big and proud smile.

"We can already see the island!"

The punk says, pointing at the silhouette of an island that seemed to be getting closer.

"So that's our cue. Miss Wednesday!"

"Yes Mr.9! Thank you so much for the help pirates, see you another day."

The weird duo suddenly says, and then both jump right into the sea. Sanji runs to the edge.

"Goodbye Miss Wednesday! I hope to see you soon!"

Sanji said waving a handkerchief, looking like a damsel in distress.

"Mr.9... Miss Wednesday... this is not strange to me..."

Zoro mutters while looking at the direction the duo went. Law, that was next to him, hears him.

"They must be members of some group."

The first mate's eyes light up, Law's words made him remember of something.

"That's it! Luffy, I think I figured out what's their deal."

Everyone looks at him in surprise, waiting for the explanation.

"What do you mean?" Luffy asks with crossed arms, curiously looking at Zoro.

"Baroque Works. It's an organization of pirate hunters. Long before I met you they tried to recruit me."

Luffy slowly nods with his head hearing Zoro's explanation..

"And what did you say?"

He asked imagining the answer would be quite funny.

"I would if they let me be the boss."

Zoro said with a cunning smile, causing almost everyone to start laughing.

"Shishishi, well done."

"Zoro-san is really cool!" Bartolomeo with a fanboy like expression.

But there were two that weren't taking the situation so happily.

"WAIT A MINUTE!"

Usopp and Nami screamed, making everyone curious. The fearful duo seem to be in a mixture of anger and fear.

"Hmm? What was it?"

Bonney asked without understanding why they were acting like that.

"What happened? The thing is, we helped two bounty hunters, from a bounty hunter organization, get back to their island! What if that's their whole base? We are gonna meet an army!"

Nami spoke frantically. She couldn't understand why they were so calm.

"Alas, we've barely reached the Grand Line and we're already surrounded by hunters." Usopp said, sharing the same panic as Nami.

However Zoro just shrugged.

"Whatever, those guys were weak and so was the one who tried to recruit me. If they had to team up to get results it means they are no big deal."

The two seem to try to think of something to counter the swordsman words, but it end up making sense to them. Then all fear becomes trust.

"You bet! If those guys came I'm sure Luffy will send them all to hell."

She said patting the captain's back, they were both laughing a lot.

"I'll send them to hell for you too Nami-swan."

Sanji said, but ended up not getting the red-haired attention.

"That's it Zoro, if they come, you can slice them to pieces."

Usopp puffed out his chest saying that, as if he was the one that should be proud.

Bartolomeo then frowned, remembering something.

"Captain, what was that other reason for helping them that you didn't tell us at that time?"

This made everyone remember the brunette's words of a few days, saying that there was a secret reason for him to help that duo.

"Oh, that? I just felt that woman wasn't being honest and I was curious."

He said laughing, but the crew had mixed reactions.

"What's that even supposed to mean?" Usopp asked with a frown, not really understanding Luffy's line of logic.

"Obviously she wasn't being honest, she was a bounty hunter next to pirates." Nami said, pushing Luffy's cheek as if he was a child.

The sniper and navigator didn't seem to think much about it.

"You felt?" Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Your instincts again? Maybe they're right, but I don't think it's a big deal." Law supposed, though he had the feeling that there could be more to it.

"It's like Nami said, she's a hunter with pirates."

Bonney said with a shrug.

"Grr."

The swordsmen seemed the least bit interested in the way the captain had explained the reason to them, but on the whole the four of them agreed with the redhead.

"If the captain spoke, maybe it's something."

The one with the mohawk seemed genuinely interested.

"I can't believe a lady like Miss Wednesday-chan would lie to us!"

Sanji said firmly in his beliefs.

What they thought or felt didn't matter. With little information and no way of knowing what was on the other side of the fog, they were approaching the island. The fog dissipated as they approached. All the Straw Hats were on deck, and they noticed that there were silhouettes of several people on the coast of the island.

"Those little shits must have warned us about our arrival, they already have an army ready for us."

Bonney said snapping her neck and fingers, with a face that showed how eager for a fight she was. Luffy took out his steel pipe. Zoro was excited at the thought of finally being able to test out the three new swords and already had his hands at their tilts. Law wanted to stretch a little, Usopp prepared one of the new guns he barely had the opportunity to use.

Nami let out a sigh as she readied her staff, and also stayed a step behind Luffy just in case. Sanji lit a cigarette and stretched out his legs, which were starting to itch for a fight. Bartolomeo was excited to finally have an opportunity to show his real fighting skills. And Ucy saw the silhouettes as a great feast he would soon have.

But instead of people with swords and guns trying to shoot them, the pirates had a completely different view. Instead of bounty hunters ready for a fight, there were several people, that looked like normal civillians, celebrating. The city, or village, and by extension the whole island had an old western look to it, vaguely resembling a cowboy type of place. On the horizon the crew could see gigantic cactus. They felt that there was something off about them, but couldn't point out what.

"PIRATES! WOW!"

"THE HEROES OF THE SEA HAVE ARRIVED!"

"WELCOME TO WHISKEY PEAK!"

Several people waved wildly at them, some jumped in excitement and others shouted. But once again the captain of the Straw Hats felt beyond, it was as if he could hear the inner voice of these people who were just waiting for them to let their guard down to capture them.

"It's a pretty obvious trap." He said with a somewhat disappointed face.

His friends nodded in agreement. Perhaps the hunters would have been able to fool at least Usopp and Sanji, as the rest would either see it through how obvious it was or sense the lies. However when Zoro remembered the organization that tried to recruit him long ago, the fate of most of those people was sealed.

"How are we going to proceed? We kill everyone now or..."

Zoro wondered, lefting it to his captain to complete. The smile on the brunette's face showed that he wanted to know where this was going.

"Let's see how they act first. When they are about to attack, we attack first."

"I think that's as close as we're going to get to a complex plan all this time."

Said Law sarcastically, which made the entire crew laugh.

As they approached the harbor the people's "celebration" did not subside. When they finally dropped anchor a man at the front of the crowd introduced himself.

He was a tall man, dressed in a blue coat and pants of the same color, with golden details, a gray blazer and underneath a white shirt with a red scarf. His black sneakers were way too big. The man was also blond, with the ends forming big curls. In his left hand he held a saxophone.

"Ma ma ma. Please don't be scared, dear ones. I know this must be a unique sight for you, but we at Whiskey Peak love pirates and hearing their stories. We even pride ourselves on our hospitality. I am the mayor of the city, Igarrapoi, and I invite you to join us in a great party!"

The smile he gave as he said those words didn't fool any Straw Hats. Waiting to see what Luffy's decision would be, they looked at him, who had a big smile on his face.

"If it's a party, we should enjoy it, right?"

The two groups looked at each other smiling, the hunters thought that they had tricked these idiot pirates and that they had the complete advantage... The pirates first wanted to see how much enemy supplies they could use before an attack happened.

...

Amazingly, the hunters were actually having a party to try and let the pirates' guard down. However they were fastly coming to regret that decision. Luffy, Bonney and Ucy alone were finishing off all the food they had in the warehouse. Just to keep the trio satiated, they were running down the stock levels dangerously, and even the chiefs didn't seem to be able to prepare the food that quickly, some even falling down from exhaustion.

As if that wasn't enough, Zoro and Nami were finishing off several of their members in a drinking competition, and neither the green haired man nor the redhead seemed to be over. At this point it had already become a competition between the two, obviously betting money, people around only came in for fun but ended up in an alcoholic coma. The other green ahired one, Bartolomeo, was taking all their money in gambling. It doesn't matter if it was poker, snooker, it could even be games of chance, he kept undefeated victories, emptying the pockets of many there.

For the male bounty hunters, Sanji was one of the most annoying, as he managed to keep almost all the women's attention on his own. He wouldn't get anything out of it but he was happy, almost letting himself forget that they were hunters wanting their heads... almost. Usopp had insisted on showing his proficiency in aiming and getting into party tricks, wasting many of their most basic supplies. Only Law looked normal in the hunters' eyes, but he also didn't take his eyes off the mayor, making them have a hard time looking for an opening to get out.

The hours that passed made Igarappoi's heart bleed from the various losses of resources they were having. His only relief was the astronomical value these pirates had, that would make up for it all.

Finally they all seemed to have fallen asleep, it was time to put the plan into action. Leaving the precinct, the mayor meets three people, two being Mr.9 and Miss Wednesday. The third person was a tall, muscular woman with dark skin. She wore a nun's outfit, covering her pink hair, with two short chucks near the back of her neck. Her codename was Miss Monday.

"That was a mistake, they practically ran us out of supplies, and because of certain people..." She narrows her eyes staring at the one on the crown and the bluenette. "We have no more reservations."

Mr.9 seems annoyed at her insistence that they failed in the mission.

"That old man was strong! There was nothing we could do."

At his side Miss Wednesday nods.

Igarappoi, also known as Mr.8, interferes on their small argument.

"Ma ma ma, aham, it doesn't matter now. Thanks to these pirates we will have all the money we need. See this."

He shows off the wanted posters of all the Straw Hats, causing the other three to widen their eyes in shock, especially Mr.9 and Miss Wednesday as they had spent considerable time with the crew, not even knowing their head's value.

Mr.9 swallows deep before asking.

"I-I wonder if we're not trying to bite more than we can this time."

Miss Monday was going to tell him to stop being such a coward and that it was all right. The pirates were already out, they just needed to capture them and get the reward. But before, someone else decided to say something.

"You guys sure are. Shishishi, but thanks for showing us the new rewards."

The four felt a chill go through their spines. Slowly looking back, wishing they had heard things, they see those people that almost made their hearts bleed. On top of one of the buildings in the city, looking down on them, were four members of the Straw Hat Pirates.

The captain, Straw Hat Luffy, watched them with a smile on his face as if he was enjoying himself. On his right side, Ucy the Crimson Tiger, licked his lips as his stomach rumbled and he watched the hunters as a great appetizer. Still on the right side, the counter-master Bonney, the Witch of Gluttony, appeared to be in a good mood. On the left side, the Devil Roronoa Zoro looked slightly annoyed.

"Why is my bounty smaller than the seaweed head?"

Another voice came from their side. With a fright, they look to the right and a few meters away from them, the four see Black Leg Sanji lighting a cigarette, and Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death, with his sword in hand. He seemed to share Bonney's good mood, as he looked at the hunters with a small smile.

"Twenty-five million, I think for a first bounty it's not bad at all." Law said rubbing his chin with satisfaction.

"You could stop celebrating that our lives have a price? That's why we're in this situation."

This time the voice came from the left side. Horrified, the hunters turn once again, seeing the Cat Burglar, Nami, the Elite Sniper, Usopp, and Bartolomeo, the only crew member yet to not have a bounty. The three of them were carrying bags that look pretty heavy, unbeknownst to the Baroque Wors members, those were their last berries.

The hunters grit their teeth in frustration as they realize they've been completely tricked and used. Miss Monday rips off her nun outfit, revealing her developed muscles and short dress, patterned with magenta and white diamonds and three flowers. All four prepare for a fight, and around them other hunters begin to gather, but some realized that those who were at the party were nowhere to be seen.

Luffy seeing all of that however only raises the palms of both hands asking for they to stay calm.

"Wait, you guys had a nice party for us, so I don't feel like killing you. Nami, is the log pose ready yet?" Luffy said, not bothering with the countless eyes filled with murder intention at him.

"Yes captain!"

Nami answers, simulating a marina saudation when she says that. The red-haired seemed to be enjoying the situation.

Nodding his head to his girlfriend he once again turn to the hunters.

"So you guys let us go and nobody gets hurt."

The members of Baroque Works however looked offended, especially the former nun.

"Stop with this shit! You are outnumbered, you will die here, and we will still get your bounties later! Fuck the redution price, none of you are getting out for underestimating us!"

Once again, however, the brunette looked calm. He just sighed in disappointment and looked at his crew.

"Then don't say I didn't warn you."

Not a single of those hunters saw the pirates next move.

Miss Monday were in position ready for a fight, and suddenly there was a boot in her face throwing her backwards. Her chin was punctured because of the heel of the boot and the kick almost broke her neck. Igarappoi wanted to react, however before he could use his saxophone to attack a bullet pierced the instrument causing a small explosion. Terrified Mr.9 and Miss Wednesday catch the falling Mr.8, who had some of his clothes and a small amount of skin burned, but was generally ok, and hide. Nami did similar to them, hiding behind Luffy who had already jumped to the ground.

After kicking the other pink-haired woman in the face, Bonney stretches from side to side, snaps her neck and fingers, and prepares for the fight. Several tried to go after her, a common mistake for those who don't know the pinkette. She dodged one's punch and tapped him on the shoulder, making him an old man. She grabs him by the neck and uses him to block a sword swing, with the newly turned old man dying in the process. The huntress who tried to attack with the sword was stunned by Bonney's attitude and couldn't defend herself from a punch that turned her into a helpless little baby on the battlefield. The last one tried to run away because of fear, but it only took a slap on the back of the head and he became an old man who died when he tripped and fell on his head.

Bonney didn't need more than two attacks to kill these people. Some died after being slapped or punched, turning over babies or old people and dying either because she threw them too far, or because they were caught in the crossfire, or any other reason, since they were quite vunerable with the change of age.

Basically, she was having a lot of fun and wasn't even having to try very hard.

Zoro finally got the opportunity to test out his new katanas. First he should test the ones he got at the store.

With the Wado Ichimonji between his teeth, the Sandai Kitetsu in his right hand and the Yubashiri in his left hand, he charged forward.

A line of hunters with swords and weapons drawn advanced towards him, causing the green haired to slash to his right side, using the cursed sword.

The force of the attack is impressive, one of the hunters was cut in half, his organs sliced and blood spattered on his allies, who were not much better off. Some had their stomachs cut, others lost parts of their arms. Those who didn't die instantly fell to the ground crying and screaming in pain. It was an effective blow, but stronger than Zoro had intended.

Thinking of something and wanting to test his theory, he once again uses the Sandai Kitetsu on an approaching group, this time they came from behind. Turning around he makes a diagonal slash with less force than the last one, but the katana in his hands seems to tremble in protest and uses even more brutality.

This time two people were sliced in half, with slashes running from their waists to their chests. Those who were a little luckier than these two were also more unlucky than the other group. The force of the blade seemed to have gone deeper, the cut in the chest of one of the hunters was almost visible on the other side. Zoro decided to have some mercy and killed everyone quickly, what also seemed to satisfy the cursed katana.

"As expected of a cursed sword, it's a troublesome child. It will be fun to learn to control you."

The psychotic smile on his bloodstained face was enough to make all the enemies tremble, some even started to cry. Fortunately those who came soon after were a little luckier, as they weren't victims of Sandai Kitetsu's bloodlust.

Testing the Yubashiri Zoro gives three slashes, killing three hunters at once. One with a cut on the stomach, one on the neck and one on the head, all clean cuts. They didn't even realize their fate as their cold bodies fell to the ground.

"Light, fast, nice cuts. I like it."

He was satisfied, the seller's family heirloom really was a great sword.

A group of at least fifteen gathered to try to compete in brute strength with the swordsman, a mistake that would cost more lives. Trying to use this as an opportunity to train with the cursed katana, he tried to use as little force as possible, but once again Kitetsu seemed to protest and almost attacked. Reinforcing his strenght on the fist with which he was holding it, the swordsman speaks.

"A sword listens to its swordsman, so calm down."

No one understood what he was saying, but they wouldn't have time to understand either. The force the first mate was applying increased and all fifteen were pushed back, some manage to stay on their feets but some fell. Placing both the Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu in an X shape in front of his chest, as well as the Wado Ichimonji vertically to the floor, he advanced.

"Onigiri!"

All fifteen died, the ones who ended up being hit by Kitetsu suffered the most as the cuts lacerated them as violently as possible. Their own souls seemed to be stunned by that sword. The victims of Yubashiri and Wado Ichimonji were less worst, having only suffered practical cuts that killed them on the spot.

"When I learn to control you properly..." Zoro comments with his eyes on the cursed katana. "I'll be a little better."

A desperate hunter attacks, he cried screaming that Roronoa had killed his friends, but the green haired one didn't listen to him and simply pierced his head with the sword in his right hand. The sword penetrated the space between the man's eyes and came out one the back of his head. Bringing it back to him the blade had blood and brain debris on it, and this time it looked satisfied.

"If I satisfy your brutality, you cooperate, huh. But I will still control you."

The katana trembled a little, but it didn't seem to protest. Perhaps it was simply agreeing.

Now it was time to test the third new sword. Keeping Yubashiri in his haramakiri, Zoro finally pulls Shigure.

At this point most hunters are too scared of him, running away or trying to avoid a fight at all costs. Zoro didn't see the point in doing things this way, but he needed to test the sword.

Jumping in front of some, he raises Shigure calling for a fight. The body bathed in blood, the terrifying look and the obvious desire to continue their slaughter took all the spirits of the hunters.

"DEMON!"

"DIE YOU SON OF A BITCH, RORONOA!"

They screamed to feign courage, but cried and trembled with fear. With the sword in his left hand, Zoro makes two cuts, knocking five people down. The cuts are deep, but not brutal like those caused by the cursed sword. They are also clean and accurate cuts.

"A very sharp blade. Perfect."

The first mate continued on his way making several corpses. A real battle was the best opportunity to learn about his new weapons, and also improve his control over them, the dead hunters were just unfortunates who came across him.

Law was in his own world, or rather his own operating table. The Room was over a larger area than all the other times they'd been in combat before. The experience with the Merry on the Reverse Mountain had slightly expanded the area of influence he could use without getting too tired. At the same time the tattooed one used this opportunity to train. This was the Grand Line, if later down the line he lost because his stamina was too low then all the effort so far, both as a member of the Straw Hats and for his revenge, would be wasted.

The enemies were having the normal reaction that someone facing the surgeon usually had. Confusion, terror, stun. With their bodies separated they were precluded from any kind of resistance.

"Shambles."

Different body parts began to float in a circular pattern, the hunters at Baroque Works never felt as weak as they did at this moment. Then the body parts of different people started to come together, in a completely deformed way.

A head took the place of a chest, a woman's left leg was connected to the torso, only that instead of a right leg at her side was a left arm. In place of arms, there was a right arm and a right leg. And where the head should be was the stomach.

This sort of thing was common inside the Room, and it broke the sanity of everyone inside, of course, except the user Ope Ope no Mi himself.

"WHAT HAVE I BECOME?"

A woman who had her body torn apart and reconstructed screamed crazily as she ran. Without realizing it she stepped out of the blue sphere that covered them, her screams stopped and she fell dead, with blood dripping from the parts where the limbs had been put together. Outside of Room's area of influence, if Law chooose so, it would be impossible to stay alive with such a body, the parts were often incompatible and the limbs were often not in the right place. It wasn't a painless death either, but it was quick.

Sighing, Law undoes the Room and what happened to the woman is repeated with several others, since that was his will. Indifferent, the surgeon passes over them, soon joining a battle against another group of hunters, who would fall on his operating table.

Usopp shot and a person fell. He had climbed to the top of a building, making full use of his great eyesight and aim. First he was using one of the pistols he had bought in Loguetown. It was of excellent quality, much better than the usual, East Blue's cheap, low-quality guns he had before. Luckily, the first island they stopped on was home to an organization of bounty hunters. The sniper made a point of getting all the weapons and ammo possible, the quality of the weapons could make the difference in life or death on the Grand Line.

After a few more shots, he changed his weapons to test other ones.

"I still have to get used to loading this thing faster."

His legs were shaking a little, but his gaze was determined and he didn't fail to live up to his sniper nickname. The first steps for him to become a brave warrior of the seas had already been taken.

Sanji was second to none in terms of brutality, but he was killing less as he avoided fighting woman. That would have been a problem against a capable opponent, but none of the female hunters could touch him, so he they had no choice but to try to fight with the other pirates or run.

But with men, he was one of the most brutal in combat, perhaps even comparing himself to Zoro. It may be that the smoker is compensating for not laying a finger on women by being as violent as possible against any male enemy.

With a kick to the side of the chest, he broke the arm and several ribs of one of the hunters. Then he put his right foot on this guy's left shoulder and pushed down, dislocating the shoulder and even tearing the flesh. The scream of pain was interrupted by a kick to the stomach and then a kick to the neck, both of which resulted in a noise of bones being broken, but the one in the neck was much louder.

Another member of Baroque Works tried to attack him with a sword, but all that Sanji had to do was kick his hand, then painstakingly break his arm with three kicks in different places. After that he kicked the man's left knee, bringing him to his knees, and in a final blow he gave him a strong rotating kick, which made the man's neck hang unnaturally to the side.

Ucy might have eaten a lot at the party, but a late snack wasn't a bad idea. With his monstrous strength he grabbed a man by the neck, obviously killing him on the spot, and struck down three people who soon had their chests or throats slashed by the tiger's claws.

While the others were stunned by the violent deaths of their companions, the feline calmly ripped chunks of flesh from the bodies, feeding itself.

"They are demons... ALL OF THEM ARE DEMONS!"

Desperate, a hunter tries to shoot Ucy, but before she realizes it, the tiger was on top of her, ripping her head off with its powerful fangs. More people tried to attack him, and they all ended up becoming an accompaniment to the tiger after the party.

Bartolomeo might be the newest member, but he didn't want to be left behind and was doing his best to show service. Before a hunter could react, he'd grabbed him by the head and smashed it into a wall, blood and teeth and disgusting remains being what was left of the man's face.

Then he kicks one of them in the knee, similarly to Sanji, knocking him down, except that unlike the blond, the punk uses the hunter's body as a human shield, protecting himself from some shots that were fired at his direction.

He throws the corpse in the direction of those who were the dead man's friends, and taking advantage of their stun, he leaps up, grabs the head of one and crushes it with his knee. Before they can regroup, he picks up a pistol from the ground and shoots them point-blank, killing or wounding them enough that they soon die.

After that he took a knife from one of the corpses, and with a pistol in his left hand, the blade in his right and his legs ready to kick any hunter that got in his way he was making a trail of bodies as well. Some died from a gunshot to the head, others from a cut to the neck. Bartolomeo might be the newest member, and not even have a bounty yet, but it didn't take long for the Baroque Works members to understand that he shouldn't be underestimated.

He looked like he was having a great night.

Obviously the captain would not be left out. Nami was on his back, along with all the stolen money, so he wasn't moving around much. If someone got too close, the brunette would simply form a black hole in front of him and then repel them back.

"For the Grand Line, this is a little too easy"

He commented with Nami, looking quite bored.

"Maybe you're too strong." The navigator answered, thinking his speech was just too funny.

Taking advantage of the fact that she was alone with her boyfriend, and that the others were either too busy or completely out of sight, she gave him a kiss on the cheek after saying that.

"Shishishi, maybe."

At least her small attitude cheered him up a little.

More hunters tried to attack, one after another, but Luffy simply used his steelpipe, with his darkness covering it all, to attack.

Swords, skulls, ribs, all broke alike under the blows of dark-infused steel. The straw hat wearer was using this opportunity to stretch a little, but it's been some time since he had a real fight, that Loguetown captain didn't even make to the entrance. He seemed to have a logia, but since these fruits mean nothing to the brunette, it was a very one-sided fight.

Someone tried to make a side cut, Luffy only blocked with the pipe breaking the sword and then attacking the enemy's neck, killing him instantly.

He and the redhead had their backs to a house, some tried to attack them by jumping from the top of the building to the ground, but with a movement that formed a wave of dark mass, the captain sent all these people flying away. If they didn't die from the attack, they died from the fall.

If someone tried to shoot from a distance, Luffy would simply raise a hand and pull the person with gravitational pull, and then kill them. If several tried to shoot from afar, he created a black hole and sucked them all in.

"This is getting boring."

His face of boredom however was replaced by pure hatred when a man tried to attack Nami to take her hostage. He approached the pair, thinking he hadn't been noticed, and raised his sword in the redhead's direction. However, a hand grabbed his arm and before the hunter understood what was happening, his bones had been twisted in such a way that he basically had his arm crippled.

The man fell to the ground screaming in pain. The redhead counted the money indifferently, she hadn't even blinked at the attack, having complete confidence in her boyfriend. Luffy was furious that someone dared to try to harm his navigator, his Nami. After the incident with Arlong, her safety was one of the things he held most dear, not even realizing he was becoming a little overprotective of her.

The Baroque Works member who attempted the attack found himself suddenly surrounded by darkness, with the very density and gravity of this place seeming to try to destroy him. It was the worst pain the man had ever felt, and that was exactly what Luffy wanted.

...

As the Straw Hats carried out their usual massacre against anyone who tried to harm them, and Miss Wednesday and Mr.9 tended to Mr.8's injuries, two people arrived on the island.

This pairing was similar to the pairs of Mr.9 and Miss Wednesday, or Mr.8 and Miss Monday, in the sense that again it was a pair formed by a man and a woman, with codenames referring to numbers and dates. In this case they were Mr.5 and Miss Valentine.

The man was tall, with dark skin and short, spiky hair. He wore a brown coat, which covered his legs, with the number five on his chest, as well as a pink tie around his neck. The most curious thing was the sunglasses he used, since it was late at night.

The woman was shorter, had short blond hair and dark eyes. She wore a yellow and orange hat, a yellow dress with various lemon prints, lemon earrings, and white high heels. And even if it was late at night, with not a single drop of rain, she had an umbrella in her hands.

The two newcomers to the island hear the noise of a fight and head to where the action is taking place. But while the man seemed indifferent to the situation, the one with the lemons looked at the ground anxiously.

"If you do fuck up again I won't cover this time." He said brutally, not minding how her anxious state.

She swallows hard in response. It was supposed to be an easy mission, but if she failed, she shivered just imagining the things the boss might decide to do. How she missed the days when she was just an ordinary bounty hunter with her friends...

...

She had a lot of conlicting feelings at the moment. She was mostly scared, Igaram would be fine, the explosion was mostly for show and he wasn't much injured. That was not the problem. She had mixed feelings about the massacre, though was against it.

If possible she would like a more pacific solution, but even if she didn't like it, she had to agree that it was naive on her part to expect that from pirates and bounty hunters. And having passed some time with the pirates in question, she knew they were not as bad as some other crews, that she learned from Igaram, that passed earlier on the island.

Also, as much as she didn't like the violent approach, is not like the bounty hunters were innocents that didn't deserve what was happening to them. Fuck, the whole reason Igaram sent her on that mission with the whale was because he couldn't trust her around those bounty hunters wannabe like criminals.

Didn't mean she liked or understood why the pirates acted like that. But in the end, what her thoughts were didn't matter. Maybe this was the opportunity she and Igaram were looking for, to go out unnoticed by the organization. Because she had a strong feeling that if they didn't act soon, the scene happening now, would repeat itself in much greater scale at her home.

...

The view around the Straw Hats was not pretty. The village was covered by the bodies of hunters who attempt to go against the crew. Said crew however were just stretching.

Luffy kept the pipe on his back and was helping Nami carry all the money, just like Usopp and Bartolomeo. Only that unlike the brunette they were more coerced into helping, well, Usopp had been coerced since Bartolomeo had gladly accepted. Bonney was using water they got from some barrels to clean up Ucy, while Zoro was doing the same but for his katanas. Law had his eyes closed in rest, sitting with his back to a wall.

Sanji smoked a cigarette while praying for the souls of the gone ladies. It was the least he felt he could do for them.

"What about them?"

Bonney asks after getting out all the blood she could from the tiger, who was shivering a little because of the cold night wind and the water in his fur. The counter-master was refering to Mr.9, Miss Wednesday and, the already counscious, Mr.8.

The trio were scared, but the captain noticed that underneath all that fear there was a determination in Miss Wednesday's eyes, but it didn't seem to be to continue the fight.

"The two of them helped in the ship, so we can let them go. They didn't even try partaking in the battle."

The others shrug their shoulders in agreement. It was all right with them, as long as the three didn't attack them anymore they wouldn't attack back either. Like Luffy said, even if Miss Wednesday and Mr.9 attracted them to the island, they also helped on the ship, and one of their log poses came from them, so now they were even.

"While this place was cool, I wonder if the next island will be just as fun."

Bartolomeo was practically already used to his new life.

"You're incredibly relaxed for someone who's never been on a ship before."

Usopp couldn't help but point. In response, the one with the mohawk just gave a friendly smile and waved his hand, signing to let it go.

"I was practically a gangster. From gangster to pirate was just a small leap."

Usopp had to admit that it made sense, in some way.

"A-are you really going to leave us?"

Miss Wednesday finally said something. It looked like it took all her courage to say that, she was pale and sweating, obviously scared, but in Luffy's eyes it didn't look like she was scared for herself.

"If you don't go after us, we don't mind leaving you alone."

None of the three showed the slightest fighting spirit, so it was more than obvious that they had zero plans to go after the crew.

After saying that, Luffy was turning to head towards Merry, everyone had already finished what they had to do. The ship was already loaded with new supplies and they were ready to go.

Then a huge explosion happened a few meters away from them, alarming all of them.

The crew's reactions were instantaneous. Luffy covered his left arm with a mass of darkness, and with his right fist he grabbed the steel pipe also covering it in darkness. Instinctively, the brunette positioned himself in front of Nami, to protect her if necessary, which she was very grateful for. Bonney and Ucy looked like two wild animals, one in fact was, waiting for a fight. Zoro was back with his swords in hand and teeth, just like Law who could make a Room at any moment.

Usopp pulled out two pistols he had taken from the hunters and aimed them at the point of the explosion. Sanji dropped his cigarette on the floor and had his leg up ready for a fight. Bartolomeo also had a gun in his right hand aimed at the point of the explosion, and in his left hand he carried a knife in case the fight escalated into a close-quarter confrontation.

The trio made up of the remaining three hunters was also surprised, causing the surgeon, the most observant of the crew, to raise the possibility that a third group is entering the scene and that this was certainly not part of Baroque Works' plans. At least from these Baroque Works members.

Out of the explosion came a man and a woman, who seem to be in a very low mood. Luffy notices her distress, her lack of will. Not because he saw her appearance, or because she looked down, he just somewhat could feel it.

Noticing who the newcomers were, Mr.9 had his confused expression replaced by one of excitement.

"Mr.5, Miss Valentine!" He then turns to the Straw Hats, all his fear was gone and he seemed full of confidence. "That's the end of you pirates!"

Miss Wednesday and Mr.8 also looked relieved, but again Luffy felt that there was something more there, they didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm as Mr.9.

"Reinforcements?"

Asked Usopp, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sure everyone was too busy to contact more people. There's something wrong." Law replied with a frown.

Mr.5 didn't seem to share his "coworker's" excitement, he just looked around indifferently.

"You guys are fucking incompetent, although you can't expect much from border guards, I guess."

He then seems to take notice of the pirates, who are waiting to see how things turn out, and automatically remembers the rewards he saw earlier. The biggest bounty in all of East Blue, not that it meant much, but the captain's bounty was also bigger than that of many of the pirates of the other three seas, and it was big even on this initial part of the Grand Line. And they weren't even considering the full value of the crew yet.

"Apparently they tried to bite off more than they could swallow."

He says with a smile of depise. Those words seem to strike Mr.8's pride.

"It doesn't matter. Our mission is different anyways."

It was the first time the blonde had said something, and as she did she looked resolute, but once again Luffy noticed that she was anxious. He was just having a hard time understanding why.

"Mission?"

After what she said, the one in the crown was no longer understanding what was happening. Didn't they come here because everyone else was killed by pirates? Beside him, Miss Wednesday and Mr.8 were tense upon hearing about this unknown mission.

Miss Valentine looks at agent number nine, then looks behind him at Miss Wednesday, who turns pale.

"We received information that people from a certain kingdom, a guard and a princess, infiltrated the organization and got information on the boss."

The information dropped as a bomb in a silent place. Even the Straw-Hats looked at the blue-haired one with widened eyes of surprise.

"I always knew that Miss Wednesday-chan was a princess."

Sanji said with hearts for eyes.

"Not the best moment for it." Law said wondering if the newcomers would also try to fight them or not. They didn't seem interested in doing so at least.

The said princess was completely colorless now. She and Igarappoi, or Igaram, were sweating cold. But despite that, the girl didn't stop squeezing her own hand in frustration. They had come this far, and they would lose everything now. At that moment she couldn't think of her death, but what would happen to her country.

"Princess?"

Mr.9 says as he looks back in surprise, facing the bluenette. When their eyes meet, an explosion catches him in the back, sending him flying for meters. The princess and her guard are both hit by the shock, but other than ringing ears and some minor injuries, they were fine, they'd just been thrown a little further away from where they were before.

"MR.9!"

The princess looked genuinely worried, and would have run to see her friend if her guard hadn't grabbed her arm.

"Princess it's too late!" He screamed, seeming just as shocked as her, but still keeping his priorities in mind.

But she seemed reluctant to believe that. At the corner of her eyes tears seemed to form as she stared at Mr.9's body. His back was completely burned, it was possible to see the bones of his spine, and a small pool of blood was already forming on the floor.

"Princess huh..."

Only Zoro, Bonney, Nami and Law noticed the contempt in the captain's voice, which surprised them. Ucy didn't seem to react well to the word either, giving a small growl.

"This... what the fuck is going on?"

Bartolomeo asked a question that half of them had.

"It seems that said princess over there got into something she shouldn't. It's none of our business."

After saying that, Law turned his back and started walking towards Merry. This conflict had nothing to do with them, so he saw no reason to bother with it.

"Smart." Mr.5 commented with an arrogant smile.

The chief however did not share the surgeon's opinion.

"The fuck I'll leave a innocent maiden in d-"

Only for the first time, Luffy couldn't muster patience to deal with Sanji's antics.

"Sanji, it's none of our business."

The blonde stopped, surprised by the captain's attitude. Normally the brunette would let him do whatever he wanted, but now he seemed completely serious about not getting involved, which left him in an internal conflict. He didn't want to disobey his captain, but could he ignore a lady in need of help?

"Wait, please!"

Looking at the pirates, the guard has a sudden idea, that could or not work. Either way he faces them and decides to beg. It might not work, they didn't even seem interested in helping, but maybe if he promised one thing or another...

"If you help us, we'll give you as much money as you want."

The desperation in the his eyes were visable.

"Shouldn't we finish this soon?"

Miss Valentine asked, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible. The faster the mission was accomplished, the less risks for her.

"Wait, this looks fun. And then even if those brats get involved, just kill them. If we manage to capture one or the other for the boss to sell later..."

The thought of earning a bonus cheered him up, while Miss Valentine clutched her umbrella in frustration. She could only hope these people would leave without getting involved.

"We don't need the money, let's go with this."

Usopp seemed to agree with the captain and Law. The others nodded and were walking away, even Sanji would be dragged by Bonney if necessary.

"I...I promise a billion!"

Miss Wednesday looked at him widened eyes. Their nation would not be able to raise half of that money, even if these pirates accepted. She could only imagine what they would do when they discovered the lie.

Upon hearing a billion, even Mr.5 and Miss Valentine crashed. Then the boy in the straw hat felt a shiver down his spine, and grudgingly looked at his red-haired girlfriend, and saw that her pupils had already turned to berries.

"Luffyyyyyy!"

She asked tearfully. The brunette sighed, but seeing her face practically pleading, he couldn't say no.

"Okay."

Yet he was strangely unmotivated, and both his girlfriends decided, exchanging silent glances, to question him later.

Sanji also looked more excited, and was ready for another fight.

"Not that smart. And here I thought that the most feared of East Blue would have more neurons than that." Mr.5 said sarcastically, adjusting his sunglasses and looking at the crew with despise.

Igaram, on the other hand, looked relieved. These pirates had no problem taking down an entire army by themselves, taking out just two agents should be easy. The princess wasn't as relaxed, her expression was still anxious, wondering what might happen after the lie is discovered.

Miss Valentine sighed. Since they would interfere the best thing to do is kill them, the thought of letting these people live only to sell them later disgusts her. It was a little sad that her life ended up with her in this profession, but she had no other options. Especially after having joined the organization.

"They made a serious mistake. Don't think too high of yourselves because you the terror of the East, the Grand Line is very different."

She talks while running, then does a jump and instead of going down, she goes up. She was trying to maintain a certain aggressiveness, but the captain felt that something was wrong there. He'd felt a lot of things involving people lately, what was that?

"A Devil Fruit?" Bonney wondered, seeing the blondie defy gravity.

Seeing Miss Valetine's move, the bluenette remembered of something she discovered on their investigations.

"BE CAREFUL! BOTH ARE DEVIL FRUIT USERS!"

Instead of the panic she imagined they would show, what she sees on the crew's faces is a sneer. Even those who had never seen Luffy fighting another Devil Fruit user had already been warned of the brunette's powers.

"I have the Kilo Kilo no Mi, I can change my weight any way I want." While saying that, she stays meters above the crew. "From one kilo, to ten thousand!"

Saying that, she stops gliding in the air and falls quickly towards the pirates, like a meteor. They move a little to the side, opening up more space, but the captain remains still.

"Ha, we overestimate them too much."

Ignoring the surprised and shocked looks from the Baroque Works members, or insiders, all Luffy did was jump up to meet the one with the umbrella. Those who didn't know of his skill expected to see him being crushed, but breaking their expectation, when Miss Valentine was just inches from hitting him, the brunette, with his hand covered in darkness, pulled her by the waist and put her on his shoulder, as if she was a sack of potatoes.

Only Miss Valentine understood what really happened, that, for some reason, she couldn't use her powers. Miss Wednesday and Mr.9 were completely shocked, and Mr.5 was furious. A vein throbbed in his forehead as he screamed.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS MISS VALENTINE?"

Hearing how much anger was in his voice, she froze. At that moment she was sure he was very likely to get rid of her now, or contact their superiors, which would be even worse.

"I...I don't know, my powers..."

She had no idea how to explain it. Losing her powers out of nowhere made no sense to her, she was ok seconds ago. She struggled, punched Luffy on the back, but resulted in nothing.

"It's me. I nullify Devil Fruit abilities." Luffy explains with a non-chalantly face, not seeming to mind the shock this would cause.

The blonde froze completely listening to what he said. Everyone who had no idea that such an ability existed was with open mouths and widened eyes. Even a little scared, Mr.5 included, but he is also the first to resume his posture.

"Basically what you're telling me is that she's completely useless."

Luffy feels the woman on his shoulder freeze and fear build up inside her, at the same time as another feeling he couldn't understand. In this case, Miss Valentine was beginning to accept that the worst was inevitable.

The boy in the straw hat had no idea how he was feeling these things, and he wasn't even sure what that sad feeling coming from the bounty hunter on his shoulders were. But none of that mattered to him.

"What did you say?"

His brows were furrowed, clearly annoyed. Mr.5 looked at him with contempt and replied with a grin.

"Simple, she's completely useless."

As soon as he said that, the man stuck his finger in one of his nostrils, and then took it out with a snot on the tip. He points that hand towards Luffy, with the index finger and presses it with his thumb, leaving the other three fingers pointed forward. His index finger presses against his thumb, pushing it back and flinging the booger in the air, towards Luffy.

"DODGE!"

She instinctively screamed, but was surprised when the pirate actually heard her and jumped, avoiding the explosion that followed.

Mr.5 didn't seem irritated by his partner, or ex-partner if it were up to him, that she had warned Luffy. On the contrary, he had a smile on his face.

"Great, I'll take that as a sign of your betrayal. I can finally get rid of you. If you weren't so useless, I would already have been Mr.4 by now! Hope my best partner makes me luckier."

He said with relief and anger. Maybe Miss Valentine never endangered their missions before, but she always holded him back from going further. He was sure if he she didn't stop him from getting more people or goods he would already had taken that brain dead's place as Mr.4

Miss Valentine didn't answer, no one could see her face, but Luffy felt as she squeezed his shirt in frustration, eagerness and sadness.

'Mari, I am sorry...' The thought of leaving her alone on that place felt worst than ever. The will to fight Mr.5 raised, she knew she wasn't an actual fighter, but remembering what was important, she couldn't back down. And as all of that happened in her mind, Luffy felt it all. He looked even angrier, as if her feelings were his feelings too.

"You are trying to kill her because you think you didn't get a promotion because of her?"

The hatred in the Luffy's voice was clear, confusing everyone except his crew, who had full understanding of how much the boy despised, above all, those who turned against their own. And particularly Sanji, even though annoyed on how the captain was holding the lady, was proud of Luffy for defending her.

"Absolutely. I know I could do more, and she was holding me back. And how is that your problem?"

Luffy didn't answer, he just glared at the man one last time, before turning away. He put Miss Valentine on the ground, holding her by her waist, and ignoring the blush on her cheeks. When facing her, looking up because she was a few centimeters taller than him, however, he carried his usual grin from ear to ear, which confused her.

Luffy, even though he himself had no idea how, could tell a lot of what feelings she had at the moment, and from where they coming from. He knew what would help her, and because he saw how her old partner and because he knew how she felt, he decided to be the one to give her what she needed.

"Hey, you are cool, do you want to join my crew?"

It took some moments for the blonde to understand who the straw hat user was talking. And when she did, she just got more confused.

"What?"

She asked open-mouthed, thinking she must have heard it wrong. It was a natural reaction to Luffy's bluntness. Only the other pirates weren't surprised, the princess and her guard were even more shocked than Miss Valetine herself.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Rumors said you were crazy, but this far exceeds my expectations!"

Luffy ignores Mr.5 and keeps a smiling when looking at Miss Valentine. That's when she was sure she heard it right, and that he wasn't just joking around.

"Are you serious?"

The question still seemed increduluos, and reluctant, but for the first time the captain felt something positive coming from her, a little hope. But sunk in a lot of panic, disbelief and confusion.

"Of course!" Sensing that he was getting somewhere his smile widened. "If I defeat that guy, will you join us?"

He says pointing to Mr.5. Miss Valetine seems to consider, even if she didn't join this guy he didn't seem like a bad person, and at the very least was ready to kill Mr.5. She tried to think about the situation very carefully, but there was not much she could do. With or without Mr.5 she doubt this mission would be completed, with Straw Hat being able to nullify devil fruits, she was not confident in her ex-partner chances.

'Maybe... that's the best chance to get out of here alive... but the boss won't forgive me... and what about Mari...' The more she thought the worst she was feeling. A sense of anxiety started to deep itself in her chest. And then, as if he could feel it, Luffy gently put a hand on her shoulder and looked at her with a pacific, calming and inviting smile.

"I can think of it if you help me, but that's not a yes yet." She said, deciding to risk it. If it came to the worst, the boss probably wouldn't use her sister against her, the little girl was just too useful to them. Maybe she could allow herself to take this risk.

Luffy's smile didn't diminish in the slightest, on the contrary, it widened.

"That's great then!"

After saying that he turns to face Mr.5 as the crew approaches them.

"There he goes again."

The surgeon says, but he wasn't complaining.

Zoro only shrugs.

"He seems happier now."

Nami went to greet the new member of the crew, even though she still had to decide that. But they knew that if Luffy wanted her on the crew, that was it.

"Welcome."

She says putting her hand on the woman's shoulder.

"But I still haven't-"

Nami shakes her head before the blondie's even finished speaking.

"Believe me, welcome."

A drop of sweat trickled down the blonde's forehead, but strangely she indeed felt welcomed.

Luffy was in a good mood again. The princess story reminded him of his brother and the Gray Terminal... shitty nobles. But now he finally had an interesting Devil Fruit user in front of him, and behind him, a new person to join the crew. Now he was feeling like he was on the Grand Line.

"You have some weird ideas, but they're kind of fun, I'll admit that. And your skill seems to be very interesting boy. If you had chosen another path, or just kept quiet about what you can do, maybe would have lived much longer."

Even though Mr.5 knew he was facing someone who could basically nullify his powers, the one with the sunglasses didn't seem hesitant. If the confidence was misplaced or not, he would soon know.

"Too confident in your ability?"

The brunette was warned several times that this was a common mistake made by powerful fruit users, and was a big advantage for him.

"Of course. From what I've seen if you don't touch me I keep my powers perfectly fine. I usually like to fight close range, but I have a whole lot of options on how to approach this."

Mr.5 logic made sense to him, since Luffy made a point of reaching out and touching Miss Valentine before. If he could nullify the blondie's powers without touching her there would be no point in doing that. Of course he could be lying and it could all be part of a strategy, but Mr.5 had faced enough pirates to know which were the trickster ones and which weren't. The boy was not one of them.

"Maybe you are right... but this changes nothing."

The two face each other smilling, Luffy in excitement and Mr.5 in derision.

The captain was right, the Baroque Works member was very confident in his devil fruit, and he had even made the mistake of underestimating Luffy, thinking that if he kept his distance he would have the absolute advantage. He doesn't even find the pirate's smiling face strange, judging it only as excessive confidence.

"Bonney, Zoro. I'll show you what I was talking about at that time." He says with a grin of anticipation.

The other crew members frown in doubt, and look to the first mate and the counter-master for some clarification. But both the pinkette and the green-haired share the same expressions as the others, that is until Bonney remembers a conversation they had a long time ago, right when the crew was formed. Then the doubt on her face turned to expectation.

"You mean..."

Seeing that she understands Luffy simply laughs. He couldn't wait to see how they would react.

"Exactly, shishishi."

Zoro finally gets what they mean, and a small smile also spreads across his face.

"It better be worth all the secrecy."

As their small exchange went on, everyone got more lost, so Usopp decides to question it.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Our captain seems to have kept a few tricks up his sleeve so far."

This makes the rest of the crew look at Luffy in surprise and curiosity, looking forward to what this secret he's kept for so long would turn out to be.

"An ace up your sleeve? So scary."

Mr,5 says ironically as he takes out a revolver.

"I ate the Bomu Bomu no Mi, I'm a human bomb, my whole body is explosive." To exemplify he gives a breath that results in a small explosion. "And this is a weapon created in South Blue, specifically for devil fruit users." Opening the part of the weapon where the ammunition should be put the one with the sunglasses gives a breath on it, closes and aim at Luffy. "Die!"

The gun's trigger is pressed, but instead of a bullet what comes out is compressed air and, due to the man's powers, explosive.

Luffy however has no problem dodging the shot, walking right past at him, only being affected by the shock wave that shakes his clothing and hair. The boy's agility takes Mr.5 by surprise, but it's still not a reason for him to lose his confidence. He was already trying to aim at the pirate for a second shot, also remembering to keep his distance at all costs.

"You know, my fruit has some different properties, is not only nullification. The first, black hole."

Luffy's shadow seemed to leave the ground, rising in a dark mass that headed straight for Mr.5. With a fright, the bounty hunter tried to dodge it, jumping to the side, but the gravitational pull pulled him straight into the black hole. Before he could even scream he had been sucked in.

"Liberation."

Mr.5 is regurgitated from the black hole, which had already been undone, and fell to the ground still conscious. His clothes were now with shredded and bloodstained, his glasses were cracked, blood was dripping from his nostrils, ears, mouth and even one of his eyes. His fingers and toes, which couldn't be seen because of his sneakers, were twisted. In addition to several burst veins and other injuries and abrasions.

Miss Valentine was wide-eyed seeing how easy it was for the brunette to take down Mr.5. That with the fact that he sounded extremely serious about his offer was making her seriously consider joining the crew right now. Maybe he could help her and her sister.

Luffy still keeps the big smile on his face as he raises his right hand towards the already practically defeated Baroque Works agent.

"The second property is gravitational attraction. Kurouzo." The gravitational pull pushes the injured man to his hand, and brunette grabs him by the neck. Mr.5 even tries to punch him or blow his neck off to make him drop him, but his powers, not surprisingly, don't work. "The third property is the ability to nullify Devil Fruit users' powers."

Miss Wednesday, Mr.8 and Miss Valentine could only gulp, their skins pale, as they saw how far-reaching and destructive the boy's powers could be. It took no effort to take down one of the strongest agents in the organization, so how far could he really go?

The blonde was actually pretty sure she would accept the invitation now, at least he seemed like a good person and in case the worst came he should be strong enough when someone from Baroque Works tried something. And she had a good feeling that if she asked, he could also help her little sister. Igaram, on the other hand, was even more certain that if he really managed to convince these people, his country could be saved.

A vortex of darkness has formed in the palm of Luffy's hand holding Mr.5, and once again the man's entire body is pulled into a black hole. Luffy undoes the dark mass in his hand, leaving the one with the sunglasses there for a while longer, not that there was any concept of time in that space. He stretches a little and looks smiling at Miss Valentine, it takes her by surprise but also makes her feel comfortable.

After giving a yawn, Luffy once again raises his hand and another vortex, this time one that rotates in the opposite direction to the previous one, is formed.

"Liberation."

Mr.5's body is thrown a few meters away, hitting the ground and lying on his back. His wounds got even worse, the wounds that were once minor were so wide open that it was possible to see raw flesh and even bits of bone. Every orifice in his face was now bleeding profusely, his glasses were in pieces, some shards on his face. His clothing was not better, and his eyes looked like they had been squeezed, crushed into something disgusting with blood and pus.

The dark-haired one slowly walks towards the man, all the attention of both his crew and the former Baroque Works members focused on him.

His hand goes to the already dead enemy's chest, and he closes his eyes while pulling something with his powers. Because it's the first time he's done this, he has a certain anxiety and even a little sweat ran down his forehead. This was the most focused the crew had ever seen him get outside of a fight. Luffy was looking for something, it was similar to when he nullified the powers of a Devil Fruit user, but when he did it it was automatic, now he manually needed to look for the essence of the fruit, or as he was told when he was a child, it's demon.

To his surprise, it didn't take long. Soon he felt as if his fingers were covered by a gooey substance, it had a heavy air and seemed to put some pressure on Luffy. Despite the sensation his touch was giving him, his hands were still Mr.5's chest. It took a few moments for Luffy to have a firm grip on whatever it was, causing his hand to finally move up. At that moment everyone present saw something they would never forget in their whole lives.

Raising the palm of his hand, everyone's eyes widened when they saw an object coming out of the late Mr.5's chest, even more so for those who understood at the moment what it was. It was a fruit that looked like a black apple, with several swirls of yellowish coloring around it. The apple's handle resembled more of a rope and at the end there were lints that looked like fire spreading through said rope. The fruit as a whole resembled a bomb.

"T-h-that's..."

Miss Valentine simply couldn't believe her eyes.

Bonney was wide-eyed too, everyone was in fact, and a line escaped her mouth before she even realized it.

"A Devil Fruit..."

Those who had never seen one or seen anything about it, like Zoro, Usopp and Bartolomeo looked at the captain in surprise.

"H-how?" The blondie asked. She thought that being part of the Baroque Works, and being on the Grand Line, she had a seen a lot of things. But now, she could only question her view of the world.

At least she wasn't alone, as her question was everyone's else question.

"The fourth property is that I can get the fruit, or the essence of it, from a user who has just died."

Silence. No one says anything, surprised as they absorb this information. As if it wasn't enough that Luffy was able to nullify someone's powers, he was also able to grab the fruit right away. He was basically every devil fruit user nightmare, especially those who depended too much on it.

"Shishishi, you guys are so surprised by just that? Then look!"

His hand, covered with dark mass, closes around the fruit, absorbing it. Luffy then closes his eyes, no one notices but he feels like a big shock occurs inside his body for some seconds. He was prepared to it, so it wasn't too bad and it only took a few moments to stop.

"Captain?"

Bartolomeo calls out worriedly at the sight of the one in the straw hat pale and sweating cold. However, the worry fades when Luffy looks up with a triumphant expression on his face.

"And the fifth property." He says looking at his left hand, closing the fingers around the palm, making a small explosion on it. "I am the only person in the world capable of having more than one Devil Fruit."

"THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"

Bonney, Law and Miss Valentine were the ones who reacted with the most shock to the information and what they saw Luffy do. As devil fruit users they that trying to eat, or whatever Luffy did, two fruits was a fast way to commit suicide.

"For me it's possible." The captain simply says as if it was nothing.

Proving that he was right, he made small explosions with the palms of his hands, and the tips of his fingers. Everyone looked for his hands for seconds, processing what they were seeing. It was both impressive and scary.

The first to calm down was Law. He took a deep breath and asked a simple question.

"How?"

Luffy kept his typical big smile as he started explaining.

"The darkness in my body is capable of absorbing anything, including devils, or essences, I don't know, I never understood that part right. Anyway, I'm able to absorb them and keep them trapped inside, like in a black hole. But with the fruits I can't release it back, after I took it, it's mine for good."

He explains with some simplicity, and everyone takes a deep breath, absorbing this information. It was really something impressive, unique actually. What was in front of them was a miracle, or perhaps a sin against the natural order of things.

"It's like the..." He's looking for some middle term. "Essence or demon, is trapped inside that black hole. Maybe it's the density plus the theorically unlimited space that allows it to not only not destroy your body, but for you to be able to use those powers." He theorized, stopping for some seconds to see Luffy nodding at him.

"Of course, because my body is the black hole. You're pretty smart Tral, shishishi."

The surgeon sighs, and decides that any other question he should ask letter. They already got shocked enough for today.

The rest of crew were the first to recover from this shock, even if they, like Law, still had a lot of questions to ask later. Even so, they were the ones who were more used to Luffy doing the impossible.

"I didn't quite understand, but basically the captain is really cool, right?"

Bartolomeo asked with his eyes shining.

"I think this is a way of putting it..."

Usopp had a large drop of sweat running down his forehead. The fact that Luffy now had two different fruits was both impressive and insane.

"This one I didn't expect."

Bonney commented, still a little wide-eyed.

"Nobody expected it."

Even Zoro, who normally always maintained a calm demeanor, was shocked.

"As if with just one he wasn't already monstrously strong."

Despite saying that Nami had a smile on her face seeing how happy Luffy was with his new acquisition.

"That's really impressive, I've never even heard of it. For anyone else this would be impossible... I think this just proves how different Luffy is."

Law said adjusting his hat. It was quite a shock, but he would get used to it.

Ucy was licking his paw calmly, which made the others think that this was nothing new for him. It made sense considering he was the one with Luffy the longest.

With his crew absorbing the news, the brunette decided to go and question Miss Valentine one more time.

S"o? Want to join my crew now?"

Luffy's question snapped the blonde out of her shock. But she still had a hard time answering the straw hat wearer.

"I...I..." She tried to answer, but was at a complete loss for words. Things turned out completely out of the way on either side. But for some reason, this boy who had killed her partner and done something that should have been impossible seemed like someone she could trust, someone she could really count on. Gulping, she looks at Luffy in the eye. "If I really join your crew, the organization won't leave you alone."

She decides to be honest, and is surprised to see that his smile hasn't dimmed.

"Baroque Works right? No problem, if they want to mess with one of my crew they have to deal with me first."

The confidence in his speech was evident, it could even seem arrogant, but the blonde couldn't think about that after seeing everything the boy did. She started to have hope that he could help, both her and her sister.

"Do you really want me in your crew?"

He nods his head.

"Don't worry, if they really come I'll protect you."

With that, for the first time in a long time, Miss Valentine felt something. Safety. The captain also felt that she was ok now, that her anxieties and fears seemed to disappear. She also couldn't help but blush a little at the brunette's words.

"What's your name?"

She takes a while to respond, seeming to not understand that the question was for her. But when she did, Luffy noticed her eyes light up and the comfort she felt at hearing that question.

"Mikita."

A small, shy smile appears on her face, still flushed, after saying that.

"Welcome to the crew, Mikita."

At first her face shows disbelief, but when she realizes that this is all real, she almost shed tears of happiness.

"Thank you so much!"

She said hugging him, making Luffy smiles even more. Bonney were a little turn off by that, but decided to let the blondie have her moment. When she noticed what she was doing, smacking Luffy's head against her breasts, Mikita blushed even more, and took some steps back, looking at the ground shyly. This only made Luffy laugh more, he was in great mood.

Finally having resolved that he looks back at Miss Wednesday and Mr.8.

"So, can someone explain what the princess thing was?"

The blue haired girl and Igaram look at each other and then at Luffy. In a silent conversation they decide that the best thing to do is to be sincere.

The older man bows to Luffy, taking the brunette by surprise.

"Ma ma ma, thank you so much, you saved our lives."

Luffy, however, doesn't seem to mind this formality too much.

"Nah, it was nothing. That guy was pissing me off and his fruit looked good."

Nami approaches, and her boyfriend noticed that her pupils are shaped like berries.

"So, as for that billion berries conversation..."

Nami almost drooled as she thought about all that money. To her sadness however, the princess knelt down and put her head on the floor.

"Please forgive us, but we can't pay that much. Sorry for his lie, please..."

She was terrified of getting their fury, which only went to show how she didn't know them. Actually, only Nami was saddened by this news.

"A billion is a lot even for a big country, I didn't expect it to be true."

Law said in a voice so calm that the blue-haired was surprised.

"So you're not angry?"

She looked up as she asked, the relief clear in her voice.

"No."

Luffy answered, once again looking a little harsher, and only a few of his friends noticed.

"H-However, even if we can't give you a billion, I can still guarantee that if you help the princess return to our country, you will be immensely rewarded!"

The royal guard added quickly, a little desperate even. In the battle they were fighting these people could very well be their best chance, after all he knews there was probably not a single other person like Luffy in this world. He couldn't let this chance pass.

To the man's delight, Nami seemed to have been rekindled by this offer.

"WE ACCEPT IT!"

In addition to berries in their eyes, they also seemed to contain fire now.

"No, we don't. We don't even know what we're getting into."

Law interrupted seemed to be the voice of reason in that situation. Nami pouted at him, and the surgeon rolled his eyes. Some part of him remembered how his little sister would act like that sometimes, but he soon waved his head to forgot about it. Nami and his sister didn't have much in common.

"Shut up! Do you really wanna let a maiden in danger? If Nami-swan has decided that we're going to help Miss Wednesday-chan, then we are!"

Sanji answered with passion. There was simply no way for him to just ignore a woman in danger. Law wanted to argue, but Zoro interrupted.

"In the end, only the captain's decision matters. So, what you say Luffy?"

Everyone looks at the the dark haired, waiting for his saying in the matter. They know Zoro is right, so they can only wait for Luffy's decision.

"There are some things I want to understand before anything else."

He said adjusting the straw hat on his head.

"First, what does Baroque Works have to do with your country and why is the princess herself here?"

Both Mikita and the princess had complicated looks with his question.

"Mikita?"

Bonney decides to question the new member of the crew. The blondie was about to answer them, whe something occured to her.

"How do you know the organization name?"

Before she was too worried to notice that they have been referring to Baroque Works, as Baroque Works all this time along. She didn't think they had time to ask the now corpses around them, so they must have learned in some other way.

"They tried to recruit Zoro." Luffy said pointing at the swordsman with his thumb. "And he said no. He remembered about them when we were getting to the island and told us about it."

Mikita nods her head slowly in agreement, until she understands what has been said and looks shocked at the first mate.

"Wait, you said no?"

In response Zoro just shrugs.

"Kinda. The guy was weak either way."

Mikita blinks, she remembered hearing about one of the top agenst being killed while he went in a mission on one of the four blues.

"Was it you who defeated Mr.7?"

He nodded his head, it really looked like no deal for him. She was starting to understand the kinda of people she joined.

"Got it... but..." She shakes her head from side to side and gets back to the point. "I'll be honest. The organization's motto is secrecy, we just took orders and carried out, so I have no idea what the boss wants with Alabasta."

Hearing the newest member say this, the entire crew looks at the blue haired and the royal guard waiting for an explanation. The princess takes a deep breath, to get some courage and to calm down after everything that happened, before finally introducing herself.

"I am Nefertari Vivi, princess of the kingdom of Alabasta."

She said it calmly and elegantly, though still pale and scared. Sometimes her eyes wandered to Mr.9's body and it was clear that she was still affected by her friend's death.

"Igaram and I discovered that several incidents that have been blamed on the royal family, were actually all put together by a secret organization. One that very little is known about."

"And to learn more about them, you guys went undercover."

Complemented Bonney with crossed arms, impressed that the princess went to deal with the problem herself.

"Wait. And why did you get involved with it?"

Luffy asked pointing to Vivi, who made a doubtful face. His friends thought he was acting a little weird, they also noticed Ucy facing the princess with not the friendliest of the expressions.

"Sorry, I didn't understand your question..."

"Why did the princess get involved? Wouldn't they usually just sending a servant or something?"

Vivi made a face of understanding, but then shook her head.

"I would be putting those people's lives at risk. If I want to save my country it's my life I have to risk."

She said that with calm and confidence, placing her hand on her chest. Her eyes for the first time don't show sadness or fear, but courage and will, a will that didn't lose anything regarding to Luffy's own will, and that took not only the crew, but Luffy himself by surprise.

'There are good pirates and bad pirates. There are good nobles and bad nobles.' He gives himself a small self-deprecating smile 'I won't make this mistake again.'

Is not because some nobles killed his brother and dozens of other people that all of them will be like that. It's also not because some pirates are heartless monsters that all of them are. Even without being in position, he had judged the princess without knowing her, just now having realized his mistake. Once again a small shift was taking place inside his heart, his soul.

Even Ucy's expression changed, now he looked to empathize with Vivi, no longer having that silent fury he showed.

"And what could an organization of bounty hunters want with an entire country?" Law asked, looking between Mikita and Vivi.

The blondie shrugged, having already made it clear that at Baroque Works itself things were kept secret even among the members. Then everyone could only look at the princess, waiting for an explanation. They also noticed that her guard had left without a word and no one saw him around the place.

"Baroque Works may look like just an organization of bounty hunters, but that's a lie!" She clenched her fists in frustration and stared at the ground with hatred. Her entire body was shaking, and Luffy felt that in addition to anger she was also filled with sadness and desperation. "Their real objective is to take Alabasta, turning the people against the king."

Her voice was frustrated, tired, but also unwillingly to admit defeat.

"And unfortunately they are succeeding, so I once again implore your help."

Igaram suddenly said before entering everyone's field of vision, causing them to instinctively turn to look at him, and get a little surprise.

"Ah, so he was an okama." Bonney comments with her right hand on her chin.

"Considering he was having to go undercover before, it makes sense." Says Bartolomeo with a nod.

"But isn't it kind of weird that he's like the princess?"

Usopp spoke, scratching his chin.

"Don't judge others' fetish. Though, yeah, it is kinda weird"

Said Sanji as he was smoking.

"Grr."

Ucy seemed to agree.

The reason for these reactions was because the old man was wearing a dress, had red lipstick on his lips and was using a blue wig that seemed to imitate Vivi's hair.

"THAT'S NOT IT!"

He yelled in denial, a vein throbbing in his forehead.

"Ma ma ma, anyway. Please, I beg you, help us."

Once again the plead is made, and now the crew is a little more divided. Nami is interested in the reward and Luffy out of a sense of guilt and also having a respect for Vivi would like to help. Law and Usopp thought it was still something they shouldn't mess with and the rest were almost indifferent.

At that moment, Mikita is the first to say something.

"Excuse me." She catches the others' attention by raising her hand shyly. "Even if we don't get involved with the princess directly, the fact that you guys got in the way of the mission, and that I joined you, already makes you targets."

This makes the captain and some of the other members pensive, and makes her scared that she will be sent away for it.

"I don't think there's other way then." Luffy stretches out as he says that, his decision was made. "If these guys are going to come after Mikita, it's better to get rid of them soon. We'll help, shishishi."

The attitude leaves the blonde speechless. After so long, someone was willing to fight for her. Unable to contain her emotion properly, the one with the lemons puts her hand to her mouth and starts to cry. A friendly hand touches her shoulder, she looks back and sees Bonney smiling.

"Welcome to the crew."

Swallowing her tears, she smiles back in response.

"Thank you."

Luffy was happy to see that the blonde was gonna do well with them. At the same time he had his hand raised to shake Igaram's and close the deal, despite still finding the princess cosplay strange.

Igaram looked relieved that they were accepting, and he was also raising his hand to shake Luffy's when the princess intervened.

"Wait Igaram! They have nothing to do with it, we can't put them in danger." Luffy's assessment of her increased even more, as did the shame of having judged her so badly and his willingness to help her. "And then, we don't even know if they have a chance against Crocodile!"

For a second everything went still, until Vivi realizes what she's said. She goes completely pale and covers her mouth with both hands, Igaram's face loses all color and Luffy feels the despair growing in him. In the crew, only Law and Mikita react, with the surgeon getting wide-eyed and the blonde making the same expression.

"Crocodile?"

Law doesn't seem to believe it when he says that name.

"THE BOSS IS A WARLORD?"

Mikitas desperation comes through in her voice.

"WAIT! A WARLORD? THE GUY BEHIND THIS IS SOMEONE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THE GUY WHO BEATED ZORO?"

This is the Namis first reaction, with all her hope and expectation turning to fear. Zoro himself feels a shiver down his spine as he is reminded of his defeat at the hands of Mihawk.

"No, no, no, no..."

Nami proceeds to say several "no's" shaking her head right to left as she walks over to Luffy, takes him by the arm, then walks over to Bonney and takes her by the arm as well.

"Eh... Nami, where are we going?"

Luffy asks and Bonney one also looks confused.

"Where? Far away from here! There's no way we're going to get involved with a shichibukai!"

The navigator looked pretty resolute saying that, she was not interested in letting room to argue.

"Yeah... Nami-san, I don't know if we have much choice in not getting involved with this shichibukai thing."

Bartolomeo speaks, causing the redhead to turn around and see him pointing in a specific direction, the top of a house, with two animals there. One was a large vulture, with black feathers covering most of its body and white feathers covering around its neck. It's head was covered with pink fur and a light yellow beak, besides a yellow aviator cap dotted with red flowers, and black glasses. The other animal was an otter, a male, brown with white fur around its snout. He wore a light blue long-sleeved coat with purple dots, as well as sunglasses.

Mikita, Vivi and Igaram got a fright when they saw those two there.

"The unluckies!"

The blondie exclaimed. She knew that those two were fast at their work, but she had no idea they would already be here.

The group noticed that the otter had in it's hands a piece of paper and pencil, and it seemed to be drawing something. By the time he's finished, he first shows it to the vulture, who nods in agreement, and then to the rest. It were realistic face drawings of all crew members, representing them to their minimum details.

"Hahaha, this guy draws well."

"Yes, yes."

For a moment they actually seemed impressed by the otter's artistic skill, or at least that was its way of dealing with despair.

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"

However despair finally seems to overtake Nami.

The otter and the vulture look at each other and once again nod in agreement. Then the land animal gets on the flyer and they look ready to leave.

"No way! Tral!"

Luffy had no need to say more.

The captain raised his right hand, and a gravitational force pulled the vulture, which was already taking flight. Taken by surprise, neither animal knew how to react. At the same time, following his captain's call, Law raises his hand in the level of his chest.

"Room."

A large blue sphere covers the entire area, and the two animals, with no chance of reacting, were pulled inside.

"Shambles."

The otter lands at the surgeon's feet, and once again, without having a chance to react, is killed by Ucy's claws. The vulture ended up in the hands of the captain, who was holding her by the neck with his left hand. The animal could breathe, and struggled trying to free itself from the brunette's grip. Luffy's right hand closed, and he delivered an explosive punch to the side of the animal's head. His natural strength, plus the powers of the newly acquired Bomu Bomu no Mi were enough to break the vulture's neck, and even blow a hole in its skull.

"This power is pretty cool."

Commented after letting the animal's body fall off the ground.

"I think with this, we are completely involved in this matter. At least they don't know our faces yet."

Despite being the one who has already faced and lost miserably to a shichibukai, Zoro looked excited.

"Why is our luck so shit..."

Nami on the other hand, wasn't.

"I understand your pain."

Usopp spoke with the same expression one would have at a funeral.

"T-they killed the unluckies so easily..."

Mikita however was still pondering about what just happened, and her surprise was shared by Vivi and Igaram.

'If it's them...'

"Please h-"

Before he could start, Luffy interrupts him.

"It's okay, we'll help."

The guard's eyes lit up with hope, and even the princess looked relieved, though a little flustered by the group's display of violence.

"Thank you very much!"

Luffy's response was just a smile.

Nami sighed. Even if she didn't exactly like it, it was Luffy's decision in the end. And if they came after because of their involvement with Mikita either way, so it was probably better to be the first to attack.

"We don't have time to waste, go fast to prepare the ship." Now resolute, she took her role as their navigator.

Usopp, Sanji, Ucy and Bartolomeo were the first run to follow the red head's orders.

"CARUE!"

The princess seems to cry out to nothing, but shortly after that a large duck appears running. He was human-sized, with yellow feathers, a blue hat with white details on his head as well as pink glasses with blue lenses.

"Dinner?"

Asked the captain almost innocently, to the horror of the bluenette.

"No." She puts herself in front of the duck, who was trembling with fear, seeming to have understood what Luffy said. "Carue is my friend!" Her irritation was visible.

"Ah, I'm sorry then."

The sincerity in his voice takes her by surprise, and ends up calming her anger.

"All right."

She couldn't figure out this pirate in front of her. He seemed like a cold hearted murderer at a moment, then someone that deeply cared for his friends, or people he got interested on like Mikita, and at other moments, he seemed simple minded.

"Princess, give me the eternal pose for Alabasta."

The sudden request from Igaram takes Vivi out of her daze and surprises her. It also got Nami's attention, because of the term she never heard about before.

"What is an Eternal Pose?" She asks, getting close to them.

The royal guard thinks a little, before explaining as best he can.

"It's a permanent version of a log pose, one that never forgets the gravitational field of the island it was marked from, and always points there."

That made Nami widen her eyes, but she couldn't ask more as Igaram looked seriously at Vivi.

"Princess, I already have a separate ship with dolls that must serve to deceive enemies. With the unluckies out, we should have some time before someone else is sent here, so I'll be the distraction. As I follow the standard route to Alabasta, you go with the pirates following the log pose."

The bluenette one didn't obviously didn't like the idea and was hesitant. To Luffy it was crystal clear that she didn't want to put the man at risk, it was respectable of her, but also very naive.

"Okay."

But in the end, even though she didn't like that approach, she knew she had to agree with it. Igaram nodded, took the Eternal Pose to give to her and hugged the princess. It was the least he knew he could do to confort her before the difficulties she will pass through.

"Good luck princess."

Luffy could feel her holding back her tears. She also couldn't figure her out, she could be strong or weak, determinated or hesitant. At least he was sure she was different then those that sealed his brother destiny.

"Thanks."

Not wanting to stay longer, be it because of the mission, or to make things easier for Vivi, without another word, the royal guard heads to the shore of the beach and boards a ship that is ready to leave.

"Nice guy."

Luffy comments adjusting his hat on his head.

"Yeah..."

Though she was nervous, she knew she had to go on.

"Eh... princess..."

Mikita approached shyly, seeming to not know what to say.

"You can just call me Vivi."

The smile on her face as she said that was welcoming, and added to Mikita's guilt.

"I... I'm sorry."

At the end blondie chose to speak bluntly, going direct to what she wanted to say. And she was happy to see that Vivi's smile got wider.

"Don't worry about it, it's okay now."

The blonde questioned to herself, after being forgiven, if she really deserved to have found such good people. Before she could think too much about it, the captain grabbed her shoulder.

"Let's go?"

His calling made her realize, it didn't matter whether she deserved it or not. They had already called and accepted her, there was no need to think too much about it.

"Let's go."

Luffy could sense that she was happy, and if anyone in his crew was happy, he was happy.

Everyone had their backs to where Igaram had left, as they headed towards Merry. The duck, Carue, was trying to cheer up the princess and seemed to be succeeding. Their spirits were up, and even the princess, though still doubtful, seemed better. And then a big explosion happened in the sea, right where Igaram was.

Instinctively they looked back, to see that the boat that was there had turned into a bunch of burning wreckage, with a lot of smoke rising in the air.

"They've arrived!"

Mikita screamed, clutching her umbrella in frustration.

"IGARAM!"

Vivi was going to try run to the beach, but Luffy grabs her by the waist and puts her on his shoulder.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Sorry, but we don't have time to waste."

Despite resisting, punching him in the back, the one with the straw hat doesn't let go of her until they're on the ship, where everyone else went running too.

"Everyone aboard?"

He looks one by one. Everyone was already on the Merry and looking determined, even Mikita who had just joined. Despite her frustration, Vivi could only stare in dismay at Igaram's wrecked ship as they departed the island. No one seemed to notice the presence of another person on board, except the captain.

Luffy was annoyed. He felt that something was wrong inside the ship, it was a weird feeling that was making him anxious.

"The fog is already passing, soon we will leave Whiskey Peak." Nami said, seeming relieved that they were lefting whereaver that was on the island behind.

Unlike Luffy, the rest were fine managing the ship and following the navigator's orders. Maybe it was just his impression, but...

"Who's there?"

He asked turning from side to side, looking for a person who might not even be there. He was just guessing, but still...

The crew looked at him confused and Bonney was going to question what he was talking about, when they hear a voice no one was familiar with.

"How insightful. Worthy of a man with sixty million bounty."

Confirming the brunette's bad feeling, and surprising everyone they heard an unknown woman coming from the front of the kitchen door. Each one of them took a step back, getting ready for an eventual fight, before looking at her.

The woman was seaeting, but it was noticeable that she was tall, with olive skin, shoulder-length dark hair. She had eyes with wide dark pupils, and a long, thin nose. She was wearing a cowgirl outfit with a purple cleavage-exposing corset and matching miniskirt, both with white hanging ornaments, and a white fur-lined coat paired with a white cowboy hat and white high-heeled boots.

"MISS ALL-SUNDAY!"

The Kilo Kilo no Mi user looked scared in front of this woman. She subcounsciously got after Luffy, feeling a little reassured with that.

"Who is she?" Usopp asked pointing his gun to her.

"This beautiful lady, I mean, gourgeous enemy, was here all this time?"

Even worried, Sanji could see that some habits die hard. He lights a cigarette to smoke, he hoped it didn't, but things could go south really fast now.

Vivi looked tense and scared, she was by Mikita side and behind, and none of the two seemed to be doing well.

"Miss Valentine, can I safely assume you won't be going back?"

Despite being dealing with a traitor to the organization, the woman in the cowgirl outfit appeared to be enjoying herself and taking it all in stride.

The blonde and the bluenette look terribly anxious, but Luffy takes a step further, chalengefully looking at her. The message was clear, and it gave Mikita courage.

"Of course!"

She said aggressively, and yet Miss All Sunday's smile did not diminish.

"I see. A shame, I guess."

Bonney stands by Luffy's side. Zoro prepares to pull his swords from their scabbards at any moment. Ucy's hair stands on end, both from anger and fear. Usopp and Bartolomeo had guns pointed at the woman, and Law was ready to create a Room at any moment. Nami was also behind Luffy and Sanji was smoking waiting for something to happen. He wouldn't fight a woman, but that didn't mean he wasn't able to protect the others if necessary.

"YOU... WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IGARAM? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS NOW IF YOU LET US DISCOVER THE BOSS'S IDENTITY?"

This information came as thunder to everyone's ears, making them share confused and wary looks.

"I see, that explains a lot."

Mikita seemed calmer, although she was still tense from the situation.

"Who is she?"

Law asks, a little confused by the situation.

"The partner of Mr.0, Crocodile. It was following her footsteps that I discovered his identity."

"If she helped you, then why did she attack the old man and is here now?"

Asked the one in the straw hat, with his right hand on the steel pipe, ready for a fight at any moment. Vivi, however, didn't seem to have an answer to the question.

"Well, it's quite simple actually. A little princess, alone fighting an entire large organization that wants to take over her country. This was such a moving tale that I couldn't help but give her a small hand.

She looked happy as she explained. A sadistic joy. But Luffy felt, again, that it, not only that seemed falst, but it also wasn't just that, there was something more, but he didn't know what. For the first time, he encountered a person who seemed to be able to cloud his senses, someone he couldn't quite tell how they felt.

Vivi was trembling in frustration. All her effort, the lives of her people, was just a game for that woman?

"It really is a tragic tale. And so the poor princess in an act of desperation asks pirates for help. I'll give them credit for being able to take down the unlickies and kill Mr.5." She didn't seem to be aware that Luffy had stolen the Bomu Bomu no Mi from the dead agent so it was likely she only saw the bodies and not the conflict. Or she knew, and was just not faded by it, which was unlikely. "But honestly, if you continue following this route, you will not survive the next island."

Despite her words, it didn't sound like a threat.

"You seem pretty sure about that."

Mikita spoke in a defiant tone that also failed to wipe the amusement off the woman's face.

Miss All Sunday doesn't respond, just keeps her gaze on her interest. At that moment, Luffy feels something on his back, together with a small breeze that seems to take his hat in the air, towards the woman in the cowgirl outfit.

Mr.0's partner reached for the hat, but the object seemed to be drawn back to the owner's right hand, who put it back on his head, this time keeping his hand there holding it.

"I don't like it when an enemy touches my hat."

He was completely serious, and a small drop of sweat almost runned through Miss All Sunday's forehead.

"I apologize then."

Even without the expression on her face changing, the more observant ones like Law, Bonney, Nami and even Luffy felt it. For the first time, Miss All Sunday tensed, because something took her by surprise.

"Captain, an arm came out of your back. That's what threw the hat."

Bartolomeo spoke without taking his eyes off the dark-haired one. He would shoot when you needed to.

"Got it. Hey, what you mean we that wouldn't survive the next island?"

Luffy's voice showed he wasn't taking her "warning" seriously.

"The next island is Little Garden."

Only Mikita and Vivi reacted to that name, both differently. The bluenetee seemed to vaguely remember that name, but not what it was referring to. The blonde on the other hand swallowed hard.

"Anyway, I think it would be really sad if the princess fight ended here."

Saying that, she throws an object to Vivi, who instinctively takes it. It was an Eternal Pose, one similar to the one the princess had given Igaram.

"Why are you giving me this?"

She suestions, squeezing the object with frustration. Was Miss All Sunday still playing with her or really helping? More and more, her actions made less sense.

"It's an Eternal Pose for an island near Alabasta, but uninhabited. Not even Baroque Works knows this route, so it will be safe for you."

"This is coming from a very reliable source."

Zoro was making fun of her, but he could feel the tension of the situation. The green haired one was waiting for this woman to give some opening, but so far there was absolutely nothing.

While everyone had their attention completely focused on the dark-haired, Vivi had an internal debate about whether or not to accept this Eternal Pose. She didn't want to trust Miss All Sunday, but this might actually be a quicker ticket home. Besides being possibly safer, and she didn't feel entitled to put these people's lives in even more danger.

Before she can come to any decision, the compass is taken from her hands by the captain, without warning.

Luffy first observes the object, then shows it to everyone and crushes it between his fingers.

"Only one person decides the course of this ship, me!"

Even though a possible ticket home had just been destroyed, Vivi felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. She felt safe, felt that she could trust Luffy, that he would protect her.

"I see that I offended you again, I apologize. Since we have nothing else to discuss, I will make my departure now."

Things had once again gone out of her way, this time however she was in awe of the decision this man had made. She can't help but think he was very interesting.

"And why would we let an enemy out?"

The woman's eyes give away that she was having fun waiting for what was going to happen.

"BANCHI!"

In response to her scream, an impact happens to the rear of the Merry, rocking the entire ship and unbalancing the crew, except for Miss All-Sunday, who jumps off the wall straight into the ocean.

"Shit!"

It all happened so fast that by the time they had recovered, the woman was already on top of a giant tortoise, far enough that Room couldn't reach.

"Can you pull her here?"

He asks to the captain, who nods in the negative. They could barely see her anymore, so it was useless.

"A giant tortoise? So cool..." Bartolomeo comments impressed.

"Will we see Miss All-Sunday-chan again?"

Now that the tension had passed, Sanji went back to normal.

"If we do, you can go with her and never come back."

Said Zoro as he put his swords in their scabbards.

"Shut up marimo!"

"Fuck you pervert!"

Once again the two looked like they were about to fight, just to be interrupted by an angry redhead.

"Not now!"

Nami screams, slapping them both on the head.

"We have other concerns now." She said, looking at Vivi with empathy.

With all the shock gone, Vivi looked like she was going to burst into tears with Igaram's death. They didn't even have time to find the body, to give him a proper burial. And to top that, all the things that had changed overnight. Suddenly everything felt even more dangerous than it already was.

"Don't worry, just trust us."

Said Bonney, putting a hand on the princess's shoulder. It made her realize that despite everything, these people, very strong people, were willing to help her.

"Thank you."

She takes a deep breath. The problems weren't forgotten, and she still had a lot on her mind, but it wasn't time now. Above all, she should be strong for her country.

"What is this Little Garden that woman was talking about? Why won't we survive there?"

Usopp asked terrified as he remembered these words.

"I don't know much about it, I just heard that most of those who go there never leave. They say that even for the Grand Line, that island has a completely different climate, completely isolated and without even civilization."

Mikita explained everything she had ever heard about the place, which only increased Usopp's fear.

"And what's so bad there?"

In response, the one with the lemons just shrugs.

"If there are no survivors, there are no people telling stories."

There was a certain funereal tone in the Law's speech, making almost all of them feel a chill down their spines.

Ignoring them, Law headed towards the captain.

"I need to speak with you in private."

Luffy is get by surprise, but agrees without cerimony and follows Law inside the Merry.

Zoro lies down in any corner, appearing unaffected by recent events. Sanji goes to cook while declaring his love to all the women present. Bartolomeo raises the idea of a betting game, cheering Usopp for entertainment and Nami for the chance to win money. She was also fully focused on navigation, but she could do both at the same time.

Ucy was petted by Bonney, who had her back against him while talking to Mikita and Vivi. And Carue was on the other side of the deck, afraid of the tiger.

"With the unluckies out, I think communication at Baroque Works will be down for awhile. The only problem is that since Miss All-Sunday found us, she should be reporting us to the boss by now. At least, it will be more troublesome for other agents, especially the lower ranking ones."

The other two nodded, agreeing with her logic.

"Can they set an ambush?" Bonney wondered, crossing her arms.

"It's the attitude that Mr.0, I mean Crocodile..." She corrected herself, still not used to to the real identity of her former boss. "...would take. Now, whether they're going to attack us, at sea or in Little Garden, I don't know. There's also the unlikely possibility that they'll actually leave us to Little Garden, but I wouldn't count on that."

Mikita explains, making Vivi sigh. They were able to give a small hit on the giant that was Baroque Works, but the troubles hadn't even started yet.

...

Out at sea, far from the Going Merry, was Miss All-Sunday on top of her giant transport turtle Banchi. The animal had a dark brown hoof, a grayish green belly, and a bored look. He was smoking a cigar and wearing a horizontal white-striped cowboy hat with a pink cloth that tied his head.

On top of the bark was a shawl that would fit on top of the animal. Inside there was only a purple rug, a couch of the same color, two windows on opposite sides, a door in front of the couch and a desk next to it. The dark-haired woman was sitting cross-legged and holding a Den Den Mushi in her right hand.

"So we lost the unluckies and Mr.5. Miss Valentine betrayed us and a bunch with a total bounty of one hundred ninety-eight million berries got involved?"

The voice coming out of the snail was thick, hoarse and dry. It was the voice of one of the government pirates, Crocodile.

"Basically."

Despite still maintaining a confident facade, some like Luffy would notice a nervous feeling coming from her.

"Why didn't you kill them?"

He didn't look angry, in fact he looked almost uninterested.

"Honestly, I don't believe I would be able to beat them in a battle."

Miss All Sunday said with honesty was completely sincere. She was never a born fighter to begin with, and she also had enough life experience to know who was dangerous, and she counted at least four people who were a threat here. The captain, the swordsman, the counter-master and the surgeon. The blond cook also looked capable, but he didn't seem interested in a fight.

"Anyway, their destination is Little Garden."

On the other side of the conversation, the man nodded, getting her point.

"For now you will be responsible for communication. Send some agents to Little Garden, Mr.3 and Miss Goldenweek, and promote Mr.6 to Mr.5, along with Miss Mother's Day."

Miss All Sunday almost widened her eyes hearing the orders. Crocodile was taking this situation more seriously than she imagined, sending Mr.3 directly and with reinforcements still.

"Understood, I will contact them now."

There was no further reply and the call was disconnected. The dark haired looked out the window, thinking about that little crew and the fate that awaited them, but strangely, she didn't feel like they would be defeated. She didn't knew if this was good or not.

---

Thoughts? I tried to make Mikita joining a little different them other fics did, though Mr.5 being a jerk is nothing new, he was right on this one. If it wasn't for Mikita, he would probably be Mr.4 by now. Mr.4 and Miss Merry Christmas are not exactly the best pair, so if Mikita didn't stopped him from doing extra work, immoral extra, he would probably have taken the role.

What do you think of Luffy's first new fruit? Because the Bomu Bomu no Mi can be much, and will be, much more. And that's just the first from many to come.

Reviews:

NinjaFang1331: Thanks.

Breakingbad02: No problem, also isn't mine, lol. Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed.

PraetorXyn: Haki will show up MUCH earlier than in canon, and fuck, when Bonney learns it she will get just more broken.

Robin Chwan Fatliyansyah: Probably never happening.

Xerso LotCN: Fair enough.

Yeah, this is a good moment to say, the harem will be big, and yes, obviously Robin is on it.

Yes, I wanted to use that to develop and trigger their relation. Hope it worked as well as I wanted.

I just thought that it fit perfectly for Ucy to be the one against Laboon this time around.

Exactly, is a good practice, especially as the crew grows.

Me too, that's why I am doing it.

Thanks.

Scooby Doo 150: Thanks, and yes, I do plan to add more moments between them.

Guest: Thanks.

Guest: Yeah, harem is not for everybody, I can understand that.

Agent Frank: Well, that's a good question... sometime I will try to give a proper explanation in universe.

Nemesis Hereje: Thanks.

A Reader: Thanks, I do, as most writers I guess, like to guess reviews, lol. And, fuck, that is a great question, because I've been wanting to talk about this since 2 chapters ago, but I always forget. But no, I wanna try something different with Barto for this one.

Tenderroast: I am not insane to kill Chopper, of course he is joining.