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"One Piece." – Speaking

'One Piece.' – Thinking

One Piece. – Flashbacks

One Piece. – Devil Fruits and Techniques

Deadly Drinking Pirate

Settling the Score

Previously on Deadly Drunken Pirate,

On the bridge, uglier and smeller than a rock covered in algae, was the head of a man. The neck was cut clean, in one stroke, and all the blood had already dried up around the stump. The hair on top and in the slick beard were also stained with blood and unkempt. Finally, the expression was one of pain and terror. "Lady and gents, I present the man who was truly responsible for the destruction of the scholarly island of Ohara; Spandine."

The marines glared at the dead head with hatred while their boss was really about to faint and already was foaming at the mouth. Robin, on the other hand, was stuck between being frightened by the gruesome sight or relived that the man who destroyed her home island had been killed in a painful way indeed. That was when she noticed a revolver being handed over to her, by Luffy. "I had most of the work done but it needs a finishing touch. While the rest of the body was shark bait, you have the right to erase what is left."

Robin couldn't believe how things turned up. The Straw Hats showing up and not having fear in their eyes when the flag was burned had made her heart aflutter. But the captain had taken out the ace of CP9, stopped the idiot director in his tracks and brought the head of the man she hated the most, at her feet. When Robin heard Luffy's words, she took the revolver firmly in hand. Steeling herself and aimed the pistol at the rotting human head, and pulled the trigger. The blood and gore and bone bits scattered everywhere yet none landed on Robin nor Luffy; most of it littered on the idiot just kneeling there with little to no life left in his eyes.

"Finally, the dead don't feel pain…" Luffy spoke up again and directed Robin to little coward on the ground. "But for what he did to you today, why not?" What followed was a barrage of gunshots and screams of pain. But that was short-lived before the sound of an empty gun were heard; Robin was still reeling in the adrenaline of shooting a still target. "Enough." Luffy placed hand on the empty pistol that Robin was still clutching with her hands; his voice was both stern yet caring.

Then he turned to the same marines that hadn't budged from their positions. "I trust that the deal is still in effect."

"Our lips are sealed, Sir Luffy." One of them answered and the others picked up the heavily wounded bodies of both Spandam and Lucci. Judging by how the bodies are dragged away like potato sacks, that says a lot about how the marines 'care' about them. "Because after today, we quit."

"I still don't believe it."

"That's the hundred time you said that, Kitty Cat." Luffy chuckled as he relaxed on the ship railing. "Besides, we did come on a runaway train and obviously, we can't get back the same way." Nami nuzzled in her boyfriend's neck even more.

"But to give us one of their navy ships?" She tried to scream out her point but her voice was too relaxed. "All because you are one of the Shichibuki (Seven Royal Warlords)? I wish these things will happen more often." Nami then gave her boyfriend a quick kiss, "And I can't believe what you did for Robin back there. You are one of a kind."

"Just the kind of guy for the best crew one can ask for in the whole world." Luffy responded and cuddled with Nami while everyone else enjoyed a relaxing trip after the adrenaline trip to Enies Lobby. Robin, on the other hand, was wondering why she wasn't feeling jealous of the couple and instead a longing to be in his arms even more.

"By the way…" Luffy spoke to break the ice, turning to address the passengers relaxing on the ship. "Thanks again for looking after Aisa and keeping an eye on Umi." Luffy spoke to Kokoro who just nodded; it was a cute sight actually to see a little girl clutching onto her adopted older brother and captain while the sea snake from the East Blue was enjoying the rubbing from the captain's girlfriend. "And I know that it wasn't appropriate at the time, are you going to tell my crew about it or should I?" It was pretty vague and while almost everyone was confused, Kokoro just laughed.

"Go ahead, boy. You are the 'one who knows all'." Luffy sighed with annoyance at that title. Everyone just turned to hear what the big deal is about.

"Have most of you heard of…Mermaids?" Various reactions were seen, from shock to puzzled. "Well, they are as real as Fishman. If that is what you are wondering." A few of the males were excited to hear that the 'beauties of the sea' are indeed real. "I brought this up because the conductor of the Puffing Tom, is a mermaid."

This caused the air to crack like a sheet of glass under pressure when the audience turned to Kokoro again who was still laughing like the drunk she was; even Chimmey and her pet were shocked. "Mind your manners because this is no lie. I lost a whole day's meals when I first learned of this." Luffy commented while most rushed to either off the deck or over the railing to hide their upheaval. Even Nami had to when it was too much, but she appreciated the nice and slow backrub from her boyfriend. "We can tell the guys later that they can repress this impression once you meet a real young mermaid." Never before did these pirates wish so strongly that they were back in Water Seven.

XXXXX

They reached the haven for carpenters in no time, where almost everyone was awaiting them. It was a good thing that the Straw Hats had used their portable Den-Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) to inform Iceburg that they were 'loaned' a marine ship. "Hello Mayor, how is the progress on our ships?" Luffy asked as he disembarked right as their loaned ship arrived at the docks. The look on Iceburg's face was of both annoyance and yet amusement.

"You people sure went above and beyond, and behind my back to actually hire Franky to work on your vessels. Just how did you convince him?" The mayor asked and Luffy smirked in a way that spoke a lot actually; like he had done this before and while not proud, he didn't regret his actions either.

"We all learn how difficult it actually is to leave our dreams behind. As a dreamer myself, I will never laugh nor leave that man as he is, just rotting away hoping to be forgotten." Luffy responded and Iceburg felt like making up to his old fellow student and 'friend' about what the mayor said in their last encounter in private. "but never mind that, the World Government is having its hands full back there so I say it is time…" Luffy dramatically took in a deep breath and shouted to the heavens.

"TO PARTY!"
"YEAH!"

XXXXX

Later,

Robin, with a champagne glass in hand, felt that the party was becoming a little too chaotic for her taste. Finding a spot near a rather unspecific stone wall, she leaned to relax and was about to drink again when,

"Nico Robin." That voice was as cold as the ice she felt on the other side. It was Kuzan! "You truly are a woman from hell. You dare defy the one who helped you escape from Ohara as it was sinking, make a deal with the CP9, have those pirates come to the Government's backyard and worst of all, they got away scot free. What is your agenda with all this?" Childhood trauma started to surface and Robin couldn't get the words out of her mouth. "You know what really gets me hot under the collar?" Robin didn't even want to point out the irony in that statement.

"It is because the giant that was in the Marines before he was kicked out and became friends with you, Jaguar D. Saul, was also my best friend." Robin took a hand to her mouth at that fact. "I respected how Saul was better than the rest of the marines. He will never harm an innocent soul, which is more than any of us can say about the rest of the navy. He had a heart bigger than any battleship and bigger than himself, so why did he give up his life for you?"

"Because he was a holder of a 'D'." Robin finally spoke and Kuzan was puzzled. "In my travels, I have read in several books which all said the same vague message; that those with the 'Will of D' will have the courage and selflessness to change the world. And that is why I want to be free, for Saul's sacrifice." '…any my captain's heart, too.' Robin thought to herself, which was rather inappropriate when talking to an Admiral.

"Old man Garp is a holder of a 'D' and he became the Hero of the Marines. And Saul ended up dead." Kuzan muttered. "Just what does that demonic middle name have to do with any of this?"

"My captain is also a holder of the 'D', he told me that himself." This time, Kuzan was at lost for words. "And already, he has proven that he has what it takes to protect those he cares about, those he loves, because he has a 'D' in his name."

"We have a holder of the 'D' in our ranks?!" Robin was frightened at the tone of anger in a man that was as cold and indifference as ice (pun intended). "What are those old bags of bones thinking?" Robin then felt a terrible chill coming from the other side of the wall and even made white breath. "Doesn't matter because you just left the company and protection of your 'captain', which means that I will have to take you in…" In that split second, Robin felt the same fear as twenty years ago and was about to run again when,

"Hey." The conversation was cut suddenly when Kuzan felt like the devil was staring down on him and the feeling, and the face, were familiar. The lanky man then felt something hit his back side and sent him to his knees forward. "I noticed that Robin wasn't at the party and where do I find her? Being harassed, by you. Again." Kuzan didn't need to see the other side to know that the young captain was responsible. "And I wasn't going to be noisy and barge in but you just threatened her, right after Robin was freed from you jerks, I couldn't help myself." As he heard Luffy's voice, dark and deep, Kuzan turned to notice a nasty spider-web crack in that wall yet it didn't collapse. "I made a promise to Robin and I will protect her better than you ever can, Kuzan."

That was when Kuzan noticed something thrown from the other side of the wall and he caught it by reflex. It was the same golden Den-Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) that Spandam somehow had and was stolen by Luffy. "Now you take that tiny time bomb, leave us alone and I won't let your bosses know you letting it get stolen from you. Or else, they will demote you, to Chore Boy." Kuzan shivered at that title, which was colder to him than any ice he can conjure up; the thought of never-ending work was a nightmare to a man who loves to relax. He said nothing, tucked away the little annihilation button and vanished in a burst of ice.

On the other side of the wall,

Luffy was staring at the wall that he just punched with a powerful punch that was held back still to not destroy the piece of property. That was not what Luffy was worried about. Turning to face Robin who had already dropped her glass, he pressed his hat against his face. "Sorry Robin, that was not my place and…" Luffy nearly lost his hold on his hat when the woman in question charged into his chest.

"Why?" Robin spoke in a soft tone. "Why are you fighting for me? No one is stupid enough to challenge an Admiral and the World Government, just for me." Luffy started to rub the top of her head,

"I am a man; we're supposed to be that stupid." Luffy said in a sheepish tone, "Besides, I don't mind. Every man worth his salt wants to help out a beautiful woman with her troubles." Luffy then gently cupped Robin on the cheeks and moved her face to his attention. "You are no longer a woman on the run, you are free and no one will ever use you again. I promise."

Almost instantly, Robin was brought to tears; tears not of pain or sadness but overwhelming happiness. Yet the shocker came when she suddenly leaned forward, kissing Luffy on the lips!

After a moment that seemed like forever, Luffy managed to separate his lips from Robin's with his pointer finger. "While I didn't mind that, I already have a girlfriend, Robin."

"Yes, he does." Robin felt like she was truly frozen solid while Luffy braced for the banshee that had plenty to say to both of them. Indeed, Nami looked like she was going to bring a thunderstorm to the one who kissed her boyfriend. "Now why don't we take this away from any prying eyes?" Nami, instead of sending down bolts of thunder, just grabbed the wrists of both Luffy and Robin dragging them away to where they will definitely get an earful. Or will they…?

XXXXX

Meanwhile,

"Damn that kid…" Kuzan was muttering to himself the whole trip from that wall to where he parked his trusty bike. Usually he was as chill as the ice he commands but being showed up and threatened to told on by the same boy was rubbing him the wrong way. "What kind of guts does he have to boss me around? Even if he is the Fist's grandson."

Once the large, lanky man found his bike, Kuzan started to ride on a thin streak of ice. While on the way of leaving Water Seven, he took out that same golden Den-Den Mushi Luffy 'returned' to him. "To think that this little thing is the reason that Mugiwara (Straw Hat) is still one of our government dogs. Just what kind of kid is he?" Kuzan didn't expect an answer and just rode his bike along the ice streak, wondering what trouble will come next for the marines and probably the whole world as well.

End of Chapter 51.

*Hey guys, I am feeling grateful that you stuck with me after the last chapter. I really appreciate it! I will be taking a break to focus on the side-story that I had been meaning to start. All I got to say about is that it is going to hot and add a hint towards the next chapter. Tune in and see you then!*