Chapter 5: The Dog and the Tamer.

Orange Town, Pet Store.

...

"What's this dog doing here all alone by itself?"

"I dunno, but it'll do whatever it wants to." Zoro grunts while walking off and leaned his back against the wooden beam while trying not to worsen his injury further.

"Is that thing dead?" Luffy questioned curiously. "It's just standing still."

Wilmarina groggily stood on her feet and the puppy growled at her mere act. The heroine slowly waved her hands, signalling to the local pet she posed no threat. Yet the dog bared its teeth and barked.

"Ah! H-hey~! We're not here to hurt you!" Wilmarina smiled as she carefully stepped forth while patting the puppy's head. "It's alright~! We're just here to look for some help-"

*CHOMP!*

"Eh?... KYAAAAAAAHHHHH~!"

Without warning, the young puppy snagged its jaws right in her hand. Wilmarina screamed out in pain while trying to pry off the teeth as she endured the shearing pain. Never in her life, she would expect to this day how it must've felt what it's like to be bitten by a dog. Wilmarina heard stories of how children back in Lescatie feared getting bitten while adults never had to worry.

Luffy was stunned. "Holy cow! It bit her!"

But in this world, this takes it to another level. A prolonged pain that comes straight from the deepest levels of hell. While the heroine cried out while pulling the animal from her hand. Zoro went dumbstruck and Luffy cringed in shock.

"IT HURTS! BY THE CHIEF GOD IT HURTS! LET GO! LET GO~!" Wilmarina wildly flailed her arm around while the dog still has its jaws embedded into her hand. "AAAHHHH~! UWAAAH~! LET GO! I BEG YOU~!"

"Z-Zoro! Do something and help her!" Luffy spoke up as he turns to Zoro. Terrified to believe that Wilmarina is going to die by a mere dog bite.

Unfortunately, the bounty hunter felt weakened as more blood flowed out. "Ugh! Damnit! I'm injured and... I'm all out of... strength!"

Zoro then collapsed while Wilmarina tries to break free from her torment without avail. She might have been beaten and bruised by her previous opponents, such as Alvida, Morgan, and Buggy. However, being bitten by some dog was nothing more but torture, even worse than the emotional pain that she had experienced since the separation from her childhood friend.

"O-Oi Wil! Try apologising to it!" Luffy spoke out loud, panic-stricken.

Wilmarina quickly placed the dog down and begged as tears flowed out. "STOP! STOP IT! LET ME GO! PLEASE~!?"

The dog then let go of her hand once Wilmarina collapsed her knees to the ground, exhausted from her constant screaming and crying from her newfound suffering.

'That was pure torment!' Wilmarina whimpered in tears and rubbed her injured hand to ease the pain. 'I don't want to experience that pain ever again!... EVER!'

"Are you alright, Wil?" Luffy asked in a worried tone.

"I was bitten by a dog! I had never got bitten by a creature that leads to torture me like this!" Wilmarina cried out in despair and then turn her glare towards the dog. She growled. "And you... I bet your owner has never taught you some manners, huh, you freaking mutt?!"

The dog then stood its ground and growled towards the heroine. As Wilmarina puffed her cheeks while caressing her wounds, she realise one thing that comes into her mind that should've been done the easy way... then turned around to Luffy with a spiteful glance.

"Hold on a minute... YOU CAN STRETCH OUT YOUR ARMS!" The Heroine scolded Luffy while shaking the cage in rage. "WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME SOONER!?"

"W-Wha~!? Hold on, Wil!" Luffy tried to explain while waving his hands in surrender. "It's... uhh... umm... You're the one who made it mad!"

"... G-... GRRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! I DON'T CARE!AT LEAST DO SOMETHING TO HELP ME OUT!"

Wilmarina screamed out in anger as if the face she expressed was akin to a demon while her hands rocked the cage violently into the air, causing Luffy to yelp and bumped into different angles from inside. Zoro crawled away to a safer spot from her constant rage until she smashed it into the ground, creating a shockwave and the solid ground cracked. Surprisingly, the cage remains intact.

"Huff! Huff! Huff!... BY THE CHIEF GOD! YOU'RE SUCH A SELFISH BUFFOON!"

"Oi! Oi! Calm down, will 'ya?!" Zoro said out loud in irritation. "Don't cause a scene here or else those pirates will find us!"

"Dear oh, Dear~! Having some troubles with that idiot, huh?" Wilmarina then stopped her act and turns around to see the same girl from before. "Hi~! Thanks for saving me back there!"

"Ooh~! Hey! It's our navigator!" Luffy then smiled in joy once he sees Nami, much to Zoro and Wilmarina's confusion.

Zoro raised his brow in question. "Our navigator?"

"Yep! She'll be a part of our crew!" Luffy replied optimistically. "Isn't it awesome~?"

"Nope, I wouldn't be joining you." Nami crossed her arms while rolling her eyes, unamused. "As I've said before. I don't mingle myself with pirates."

"... Aren't you that girl from earlier?" Wilmarina asked, and Nami responded with a nod. "I thought you don't mingle with us... then why did you follow us?"

"I just came here and say thanks to you guys." Nami then pulls out a key and then tossed it to Wilmarina. "But don't misunderstand me. After all, I didn't want to owe you anything, that's all!"

"Haha! She's actually a good person, after all!" Luffy said jubilantly while turning to Wilmarina. "Isn't that right? Wil?"

"I... see." Wilmarina didn't pay heed to Luffy. "By the way, what's your name?"

"The name's Nami." The Thief introduces herself with a wink. "Nice to meet you!"

"I am Wilmarina Noscrim." The heroine then nods with a friendly gesture. "It's nice knowing you as well."

"Hmm... you're bright, as I recall. Then that means you and I aren't so different, after all!" Nami mused while cupping her chin. "Other than that goofball in the cage. Say, why don't we team up?"

"Team up?... Sounds suspicious." Wilmarina cast her doubtful look while placing her hands on her hips. "Nevertheless, thanks for the key. I'd need to release this buffoon from his cage."

Luffy then raised his arms in relief. "Yosh! It's about time I'm getting out!"

The heroine then went towards the cage to unlock it. Just before she could insert the object into the keyhole, the dog jumps up and swallowed the key whole. Nami, Zoro and Wilmarina widened their eyes as sweat ran down in disbelief.

"... Eh?"

"Wha-!?"

"Huh!? Did that dog swallow it!?"

It didn't take long until Luffy cracked up his eyes and gritted his teeth in frustration. He was nearing freedom, but the local animal took it away. Thus he stretched out his arm to choke the dog with his bare hands.

"AAAAHHH! THAT'S NOT FOOD YOU DAMN DOG!" Luffy cried out while shaking the dog back and forth. "SPIT IT OUT RIGHT NOW!"

"Hey! Leave Shushu alone, you brats!"

Luffy stopped and dropped the young pup once he heard someone calling out. Nami, Wilmarina, and Luffy turn their glances around to see an old man running towards them, wearing some makeshift wooden armour.

"Shushu? Is that his name?" Wilmarina questioned and then turned to the old man. "Also, who are you?"

"I am the mayor of this town! Who are you people, and what were you doing here?" The old man stood firm with a suspicious look until he noticed Zoro lying against the wooden beam with a nasty wound on the left side of his torso. "Oh my, that's a serious injury. I presume you were attacked by Buggy and his crew?"

"Yes. It turns out that pirates were worse than we imagined," Wilmarina answered with a nod. "We need help to patch up our friend here."

"There's an infirmary right on the other side." The old man then points to the building on the other side of the street. "He can rest there and recover."

...

Orange Town, Residential Area.

...

"Huh, there's no help here either."

Elt scanned his surroundings inside an abandoned house, which already has rags packed up in his small pouch while looking for alcohol to help with Zoro's wound as soon as possible.

"I think the next building has one."

Once Elt exited the building, he sensed the vibration rocking the floors and felt his sweat come running down when he turned his glance to see a strange man with white fur riding on a gigantic lion, flanked by two large pirates. Its growl made his feet freeze in trepidation and he knew that he has no chance of facing such a monstrosity under the control of pirates.

"Well Well Well, if it isn't the boy who's a friend of that straw hat." Mohji grinned while casting down an arrogant look towards Elt. "Alright then, you brat. Where are your friends staying before Richie can maul you down?"

The young knight felt his hands shaking and was too scared to pull out his sword from his back. The intimidation emitted from the giant beast gave off a wave of pressure, inciting his fight-or-flight senses.

'Wh-What the hell!? Where did these guys come from!?' Elt then slowly stepped back while gripping the handle of his sword. 'A giant beast under their control!? Damnit! This must've been the worst luck that I ever had!'

"Hehehe~! Hey Mohji, the kid isn't responding." The pirate to Mohji's right laughed as he draw his sword. "Shall we get rid of him?"

"Hmm, sure. I doubt could put up a fight." Mohji answered while waving off his hands. "Be sure don't kill him and we need him to track down those brats."

Elt grits his teeth and unsheathed his large sabre once a Buggy pirate charges in. He has no choice but to fight, despite the odds that he was going to face. The pirate swung down his hilt and Elt ducked down before making an upward slash, sending the pirate back with a nasty wound left behind on his chest. The next pirate then took action as he raised his spear.

"You bastard! Take this!"

Elt then evades the blade as he turned left and the blade missed his right shoulder by a few centimetres before the young knight retaliated with a slash, sending the large pirate to the ground. Mohji clicked his tongue and was unamused to see his two henchmen were knocked out of combat.

"Huh, you were skilled as well. I'm surprised." Mohji spoke as Elt puts a defensive stance. The tamer pats on top of his partner. "Unfortunately for you, I believe Richie is going to end this fight real quick."

Elt stood back when he noticed the large lion pounced on him and raised his sword. The claws clashed against his blade and send him flying backwards, hitting the nearby building. The pain was so intense that Elt could barely catch a breath until a shadow loomed over him.

"D-Damnit...!"

"Well then, let's make you spit it out. Shall we?"

...

Orange Town, local infirmary.

...

"There, that should do it." The mayor finished patching up the bandage to cover Zoro's wounds while the bounty hunter was left asleep. "He needs rest. It'll take a few hours until he's fully recovered."

"That fast? Normally, it would've taken weeks for an average person to recover. Even that nasty injury Zoro has." Wilmarina noted to her surprise while looking down at a jar filled with pills in interest. "Interesting... the medicine in this place is astounding, even far more advanced than the newest medical treatment that I've seen in my homeland."

"Huh, then where do you come from, young lad?" The mayor then kindly asked Wilmarina. "I presume you came from a very remote place. An island perhaps?"

"Well... yeah, it isn't very well known to this outside world," Wilmarina answered with a sheepish smile while nervously scratching the back of her head, then she answered further with a lie. "I and my friend are... the only ones that were trying to explore the outside world!"

"At such a young age, by yourselves? That's really unheard of, but not uncommon." The old man raised a question. "You must've been very brave to traverse these vast oceans. Many young souls who sailed across the sea by themselves on their first voyage perished while getting lost. Then it's a miracle that you've reached out here so far."

"I appreciate your words, Mr Broodle," Wilmarina spoke heartfelt. Hearing the mayor's words, now named Broodle, was true. She would've perished at sea through starvation if Luffy hadn't tried to catch the gigantic bird from earlier or if they had a navigator in the first place. "But... I need to find my friend. He's out there searching for help, and I feel worried if he's going to end up with the Buggy Pirates."

"Goodness me. Youngsters like you these days are putting themselves at risk." Broodle said anxiously and swipes away the sweat from his forehead. "I see that you're armed. But you knew well Buggy is no mere man."

"I know, but I have to save my friend, regardless of the dangers I might face," Wilmarina replied in conviction and then looks back to Zoro. "At least he's safe for now. I should head off."

With that, Wilmarina left the Infirmary before Nami and Luffy noticed the heroine exited the building.

...

"So, how's your friend doing?" Nami asked.

"He's fine," Wilmarina replied. "It would take him a few hours until Zoro's up."

"Ahh~! That sounds great!" Luffy sighed in relief. "Once he wakes up, then we'll beat Buggy! For sure!"

"It's strange... that guy used to be an infamous Bounty Hunter who takes rewards to catch guys like you," Nami expressed her concern. "Mind telling me what happened back there in Shells Town?"

"Oh, him? He got into trouble with the Navy." Wilmarina answered with an awkward smile while pointing her thumb over to the infirmary. "Since we've beaten that ridiculous Marine Captain. He joined us because he has nowhere else to go."

"Then what about you and your friend?" Nami then questioned further as she crossed her arms while turning her glance to Luffy. "Other than that goofball with the straw hat... you're pretty much sane and don't have any ill intentions or whatsoever."

"As I've said before, I have complicated matters to join as pirates," Wilmarina answered, feeling more troublesome as her brows twitched. "Although... I don't wanna hurt people, and all we do is explore stuff and help Luffy become a Pirate King."

"Say, Willy, was that really a promise?" Wilmarina then turns her glance down at Luffy with an annoyed look. The straw hat boy then asked the heroine ecstatically while raising his pinky finger. "A pinky promise that you'll make me the King of the Pirates~?"

"Yes, Luffy. We're making you into a pirate king." The heroine responded while rolling her eyes and accepted his pinky finger. "That's a promise."

"I don't get it..." Nami tilts her head in confusion. "You believe this goofball... can achieve that to gain the title of a Pirate King?"

"Well, Luffy isn't just your ordinary buffoon." Wilmarina then sighed before explaining. "In fact, he's a devil fruit user. Something that I would like to know more about them and they're truly extraordinary."

"Wait... your captain is a Devil Fruit User!?" Nami then stepped back in surprise and then turning to Luffy. "Just like Buggy?... Is that true?"

"Hehe~! Yep! See~?" Luffy replied with a giggle while stretching his cheeks apart, much to the thief's disgust. "I've eaten a Gum-Gum fruit which makes me a Rubber Man!"

"Wait, then why don't you tell me earlier!?" The thief then furrowed her brows as she demanded answers. "You could've used your powers to defeat Buggy!"

"Well... I don't want to show them any secrets." Luffy responded, and cocked his eyebrows. "Who knows if they knew what I'm capable of? Then they would've beaten my ass back then!"

Wilmarina was quite surprised to hear the reason behind his logic. Yet nevertheless, he was still the buffoon the heroine would grow irritated by his childish behaviour in this new, dangerous world. A world that is mostly covered by the vast oceans and millions of islands across, which is teeming with unknown wildlife, and deadly pirates that would make monsters back in her world look like a joke.

"Hmph, alright. I get your point, Luffy." Wilmarina said blatantly in an uncaring demeanour and then turned to Shushu, which Nami was caressing its back without hostility. Yet the heroine shot a disdainful glance. "You're still sitting around, huh?"

"Oh, come on~! He doesn't bite!" Nami said with a smile. "Try to be honest with yourself, Wilmarina."

Wilmarina twitched her eye once more with a cocky smile. "... Nope! Not a chance!"

"Shushu has been guarding the store ever since he passed away..." Wilmarina and Nami look up to see Broodle walking past them and entering the store. A few moments later, he came out with a dog tray with pet food in his hands and placed it near Shushu before the dog dined in. "... The owner of this store was a good friend of mine. After his passing, Shushu never left and thinks that he was still around."

"Oh... I'm... very sorry to hear that." While hearing his words, Wilmarina felt her hatred for Shushu subside, realising the reason behind the dog's hostility. "So that's why he's unfriendly, and I was wondering why he's still standing here."

"Poor you..." Nami sighed while feeling down as she gently pats on top of Shushu's head. "It must've been hard for you how it felt like... losing a loved one."

Nami closes her eyes when she remembers a woman who tried to protect her from someone until she snapped back to reality. Broodle then sat down while igniting his smoke pipe.

"We tried our best for Shushu and convince him he won't come back..." Broodle sighed with a pitiful look. "But Shushu stayed, even though we tried to move him away, and he always came back... as if this store is his valuable treasure."

Wilmarina has no words to say and felt even more sympathy for Shushu, knowing the dog has nowhere else to go but to guard the Pet Store, which was left behind after the passing of its owner.

"... Shushu must've missed him a lot. It's sad that he's all alone." Wilmarina then hunkers down while closing her knees, giving a smile at Shushu. "At least you still have friends in this town who look after you."

Shushu didn't budge as the dog scratches his ears. However, their moment of peace was soon disrupted by the vibration and the sounds of heavy footsteps. Then they heard a savage roar of a beast coming from around the corner.

"Oh no! It's one of Buggy's men!" Broodle stood up in a panic with shaken knees and ran away. "That one must've brought a dangerous beast to rip us apart!"

"W-Wait a minute!" Nami then followed the Mayor as they head for cover and noticed Wilmarina wasn't going anywhere to safety. "H-Hey! Wilmarina! It'll be dangerous if you stand there!"

"Everyone, I'll handle this!" Wilmarina responded firmly and stood her ground while unsheathing Oruforyo. "A Hero's Duty is of utmost important to save the innocents."

"Hey Wil, are you going to be okay?" Luffy asked while looking up at Wilmarina and then picking his nose. "Say, why aren't you running away with them?"

"Are you stupid!? No way!" Wilmarina gritted her teeth and then turned her scorn at Luffy. "I'm the Chief God's Hero, for crying out loud! I would never run away from my enemies, even if they are dangerous that might kill me!"

"So that's a duty of being a hero?... Oh... I see! Then that means you're more stupid than I thought! Probably you're being too sheltered!" Luffy giggled, causing Wilmarina to shake agitatedly after hearing his nonsense. "If you don't value yourself, then what's the point of living on an adventure when you're stuck in a mindset like that?"

"Just shut up, will ya!? You dare have the guts to tell such words! I will never devalue my life to die for nothing or something worse that will happen to me!" Wilmarina lashed out with her words. "I will put my life on the line as a hero! And... and... I-... I don't care what else people will say otherwise... even when I join your stupid crew as a pirate! All I want... All I ever want is to become the strongest hero that everyone wanted in need!"

"Hehe! So you do value yourself, huh? Then make sure it counts!" Luffy expressed his smile. "Although it sounds stupid. But that was your dream anyway, wasn't it?"

In a strange sensation. Wilmarina felt her temper die down and felt relieved as her heart was beating at a normal rate. She knew her words alone would be normally taboo if her father were here, forbidding her to think independently from her virtuous faith in the Order of the Chief God.

"I... have never felt so.. so relieved while saying these words... otherwise I would've been branded as a heretic," Wilmarina mumbled to herself as if she was no longer insecure about her own feelings and looked into the palms of her own hand, shaking slightly. "But this feeling... what is this feeling?"

"Huh? What're you talking about?" Luffy cocked his eyebrow in confusion. "... You're talking to yourself."

"Just shut your mouth or I'll beat your ass senseless-... Huh!?" Wilmarina then stopped after what she had just said as she quickly covered her own mouth in disbelief. 'D-Did I just said that out loud!? I-... I never spoke such a vulgar word in front of someone! My dad will kill my ass for that-... AAAHH! Wait! SHIT-AAAH! Oh no! Now I'm cussing words in my own mind!'

"Huh, you're acting strange," Luffy stated while watching Wilmarina's uncanny behaviour.

"Th-This is your fault!" Wilmarina stuttered out before scolding Luffy once again and shaking his shoulders back and forth, erratically. "You ruined my entire noble image from your stupidity, you damn buffoon!"

"Oh, really~? That's great!" Luffy replied merrily with a toothy grin, much to her dismay. "Now you can become an actual hero like that for sure!"

"That was the importance of being a hero, which I should remain virtuous, you dumbass!" Wilmarina shrieked out with another cuss, gritting her teeth. "My heroic image will be tarnished forever if I ever came back to Lescatie!"

"Eh~? But... weren't you angry most of the time?" Luffy questioned casually. "I know they weren't that gentle, and you're being way too polite when you're speaking."

"THAT DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE~! THEY'LL CALL ME A FALLEN HERO WHEN I GOT HOME!" Wilmarina clenched his shoulders tight. Crying out in insanity, with comical tears running down her cheeks and then laughing madly. "My sanity just left me because what you just said everything was nothing more but ridiculous nonsense and are you happy right now~?! At least I'm not in Lescatie, right!? Eh, Luffy!? I can do whatever I wanted here! Am I right!?"

"Oi, what with all the fuss going on here?" Wilmarina then dropped Luffy back into the cage and then spun around to see a strange man covered in fur while sitting on top of a giant lion. "So, you must be the brats which Buggy wanted."

"Man, that guy has a weird costume," Luffy stated in a casual tone, peeking out from the cage. "What do you think, Wil?"

"Wh-What are you talking about!?" Wilmarina yelled at Luffy while pointing at the beast. "Can't you see he got a monster with him!?"

"What? A weird costume?" Mohji growled, feeling offended. "This is my natural hair! You get it!?"

"... That's even weirder! / Sounds disgusting." Both Luffy and Wilmarina said plainly in unison, adding much to Mohji's frustration. Then the Heroine questioned in prudence. "By the way, who are you?"

"The name's Mohji, a Beast Tamer of Buggy's crew!" Mohji introduced his identity with a mad grin. "I've grown restless because you brats had caused so much trouble to Captain Buggy."

Wilmarina was about to raise her weapon when she saw the tamer toss someone into the ground. She gasped in dismay to see Elt was battered and bruised. Not in a good way. Surprisingly, he was still alive despite his condition, breathing and coughing out blood as he tried to crawl away.

"Oh crap! Elt's beaten up!" Luffy was appalled and then glared towards Mohji. "You bastard! I won't forgive you for hurting my crewmate!"

"M-Mary!... This monster is t-too strong!" Elt tried to reach for Wilmarina until his consciousness failed him. "G-Go and take Luffy... to.. safety...!"

Elt then collapsed, and the tamer laughed out, pitying the young knight's struggle. Wilmarina dilated and bared her teeth, unleashing her anger while holding her weapon tight, and then dashed into the fray within a blink, swinging the sword across the lion's face, which caught her opponent off-guard.

"Exploding Glacier!"

The element manifested itself from thin air and gives off a powerful blast that sends the lion backwards. The tamer immediately jumped off his mount and then looks up at the heroine with a tense glare.

"Whoo~! Wilmarina! Go kick his ass!" Luffy cheered from inside the cage, watching the entire battle. "Show him who's the boss!"

"Wh-What was that!?" Mohji stood in disbelief to see Wilmarina's aura manifesting around her with a whirl of icy wind. "Just now... that isn't normal! Then that means you're a Devil Fruit User!"

"I'm not a Devil Fruit User." Wilmarina's bitter response gave Mohji a fearful look. "I'm a hero, chosen by the Gods of my lands."

"A hero...? It makes little sense when you're a pirate." The beast tamer cocked his brow and tilts his head sideways. "A hero and pirate...? Hmm, are you trying to make a name for yourself?"

"More likely or less." The Hero of Lescatie responded with a scowl once she stepped forth. "But... I will not forgive you for hurting Elt."

"I-I see... s-sorry! My mistake!" Mohji waved his hands in surrender while stepping back until he noticed something came around her back. "But actually... looks like you're out of luck."

Wilmarina raised her brow in question until she heard a growl behind her. She spun around and saw the giant lion raise its paws and sends her off flying into a distant building in the midst of a town square, and crashing through the walls.

"Hehe... looks like her powers don't seem to be that strong." Mohji chuckled while turning to Richie. "At least we still have one more brat to get rid of from the kill list."

"Wh-Wha-!? No way!" Luffy slacked down his jaws after seeing Mohji putting up a facade to distract Wilmarina and then he protested while raising his fists. "Hey! You cowards! Attacking her from behind isn't fair!"

"Eh? Oh please, kid. It's all fair in love and war." Mohji chuckled while shrugging off his shoulders. "Unfortunately for you, your time to live has ended... Richie~?"

Once the tamer snapped his fingers, the lion roared while raising its paws one more time. Breaking the cage apart as Luffy was sent flying to the same place where Wilmarina crashed into. This time, half of an entire building collapsed. Mohji then turns to Richie, seeing the beast heading towards the Pet Food store and Shushu barked, trying to ward off the giant lion bearing for the food store.

"Huh, since when did this place have a guard dog?" Mohji questioned with an unamused stare until he expressed his crooked smile. "Never mind. Richie, if you want some pet food, make it quick."

...

Orange Town, Town Square.

...

"... Ugh! I... sh-shouldn't have... lower my g-guard like that... Hnngh!" Wilmarina groaned in pain while trying to get up and clenched her head to ward off the shearing pain. "AGH! Th-That damn son of a bitch...! He'll pay for what he's done!"

"Whoo~! Yosh! I'm finally free!" The heroine jerked up in surprise and turn her attention around to see Luffy, who stood up while stretching his arm. "Alright, now I'm going to beat that guy's ass!... Oh, hey! Wil, you're still alright!"

"... How did you end up here?" She cocked her brow.

"Oh, that?... That big guy has sent me flying." Luffy said coolly while dusting off his straw hat and Wilmarina felt stunned that he didn't bother anything after getting hit. "At least the cage has been broken. Then how about you?"

"I'm fine... nothing too serious," Wilmarina responded as she stood up. "That beast took a brunt of my mana and I would have turned into a bloody paste if it weren't for Chief God's blessing... But how were you unscathed?"

"Hehe! You forget that I'm a rubber man!" Luffy made a big grin as he crossed his arms in pride. "No matter what they would throw at me! I'm hard to be beaten down!"

"I guess being Devil Fruit User is built differently." Wilmarina acknowledged and her ears picked up the sounds of footsteps rushing nearby. "Someone's coming."

Wilmarina and Luffy turned around to see Nami and Broodle come around to inspect the damage. Both were shocked to see the two remained unscathed from the Beast Tamer's attack.

"Wh-What the-!?" Nami went wide-eyed in incredulity. "How were you two still alive!?"

"I've seen your fight against that giant beast!" Broodle said while feeling his sweat running down his face. "That beast would've killed you, but you survived!"

"I'll explain it to you about that later on." Wilmarina then ran off. "Our friend is in grave danger!"

...

...

"Arf!... Arf! Arf!"

Wilmarina and Luffy arrived at the scene where they saw an injured Shushu howling at the burning building. The heroine looks up at the store and felt heartbroken to see the dog's most valuable treasure collapse in front of its very eyes. Then she noticed Luffy standing in silence and then walking off, where Mohji left.

"This is horrible..." she muttered and looked around to see Elt was trying to move his feet. "Elt?... Elt, are you okay?!"

Meanwhile, Elt regains consciousness and slowly stands up. Despite the pain from his injuries bogging him down, he noticed Wilmarina coming to him to treat his wounds and Luffy walking past them.

"L-Luffy...? Where is he going-!... Argh!" Elt uttered as he felt the searing pain spreading through his right side. "Agh!... That truly hurts!"

"Don't move," Wilmarina whispered and helped Elt to stand back up to his feet. "You're in a terrible state."

"G-Guh... that bastard just beat my ass for interrogating me," Elt responded with heavy breaths before gritting his teeth. "I'm sorry... I wasn't strong enough! Even when I try to pick up a fight against that, I'm hopeless!"

"D-Don't speak about that! That makes you even worthless for yourself!" Wilmarina responded with tears in her eyes and embraced Elt. "I was so worried when I saw you like this!... But... I'm so glad that you're alive!"

Elt was surprised by her response and knew Wilmarina was extremely worried about his well-being. The young knight smiled as he slowly caressed her head. Although, he wasn't as strong as Wilmarina, Zoro and Luffy. But he did try his best to fend off the evil pirates.

'I need to get stronger...' Elt closes his eyes. 'Perhaps... I can ask Zoro to teach me so I can help someone!'

"Hey! Are you alright!?" Elt's thoughts were interrupted once he heard Nami and Broodle arrive. "Oh god, you don't look good."

"Oh, no... the Pet Store..." Broodle was in shock to see the building lying in burning heaps of rubble. "My friend's store is in shambles...!"

Nami stared at the rubble for a moment with troubling thoughts running in her head before casting her doubtful look towards Wilmarina and Elt.

"... Look at this... That is exactly why I don't mingle with pirates. They're all the same." Nami said with spite. "They destroy people's lives and ruin everything they valued the most... do you now get it? This is the reality of pirates. I hope you'll regret joining Luffy to be his crew and end up like them!"

At this moment, Broodle reeled back in surprise at their real identity. "Wait... you're telling me these youngsters are pirates as well!?"

Wilmarina and Elt knew her words were true that the fact pirates were nothing more but thieves and murderers. Choosing the path of pirates was considered a way to become a criminal. But a strange sensation caught up to their heads and knew one thing... they have done no crimes since they joined Luffy's crew from the beginning. The only deeds they do was to save Shells Town from the tyranny of Captain Morgan and the only crime they did... was simply becoming pirates for no ill reason.

Their only sole purpose in this world is to form Luffy's pirate crew while heading for the Grand Line and searching for the lost treasure, known as One Piece. That is Wilmarina and Elt's only goal in order to find their way home.

"No... That isn't true... w-we're not like those guys...!" Elt began speaking up, catching Wilmarina off-guard. "We admitted... we joined as pirates, but... you have no right to talk about Luffy!"

Nami's face then turned sour and crossed her arms. "Oh..? Then tell me, how?"

"Luffy might be our reckless captain... a fool, even... and yet he has no ill will while being a pirate!" Elt spoke firmly with determination in his eyes. "We joined him as the only purpose to find our way back home!... And I-... I also believe in myself that we can make him into a Pirate King, no matter what!"

"... He's right. We became pirates, not for a greedy cause." Wilmarina added and straightens herself up. "But to share a goal to achieve our own dreams! Then what else can you say about yourself?"

"... Tsk!" Nami then turns her glance away from them. "I thought you were bright, Wilmarina."

Nami was fuming until she heard someone arriving. Everyone turns around and saw Luffy with pet food in his hands. Then she mocked the straw hat.

"Oh? So you came back, you pirate! Why haven't you got eaten by that lion yet!?" Nami then stepped in to teach him a lesson, but she was blocked by Broodle. "Tell me, Pirate! You'd like to do the same when you got more comrades, huh?! I'll kill you right away!"

"That's enough!" Broodle begged while wrestling her down. "I said stop it!"

"... You don't have the power to kill me." Luffy's response was casual and brushed off her words while heading off to Shushu.

"I haven't started yet!" Nami yelled. "Get back here!"

Luffy didn't speak another word and placed a box filled with dog food in front of Shushu. Nami and Broodle stopped after they see his generous act while Wilmarina and Elt were smiling at their captain for avenging Shushu's valuable treasure.

"Heh... this is all that's left I could bring back," Luffy spoke exultantly and then turned his glance to the burning rubble. "Too bad that lion ate everything else!"

'Did he... fight that lion...?' Nami's thoughts spoke in surprise. '... Just for the dog?'

"Hey, Luffy!" Luffy heard Wilmarina and stood beside him with an injured Elt being carried on her shoulder. "Did you follow that guy and beat him?"

"Yep!" Luffy replied with a wide smile. "All I did is beating him up!"

...

Ten minutes earlier

...

"That damn mutt just bit me!" Mohji growled while looking down at his injured hand. "Well, I guess I've got rid of those brats. Sure, Buggy will be delighted to hear this!"

While his giant mount, Richie, was strolling down the town with a box of pet food. The lion noticed someone standing in their way was no other but the straw hat boy they'd met earlier. Mohji was surprised to see him standing and unscathed, despite his beast having already sent the young pirate flying to his death.

"Impossible! Y-You're still alive!?" Mohji reeled back. "How the hell did you survive!?"

"... Heh, find that for yourself." Luffy grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "I didn't die because of that!"

"Grr! This time it'll bite your head!" Mohji then jumps down, and the beast growled. "Kill him off, now!"

The great lion roared and pounced into the straw hat boy with its jaws wide open. Luffy then extends his arms into a whirl, then grabbing the lion's head, which caught the beast in surprise.

"As if your lion can do something to me!" Luffy jumped high into the air and swung his arms into an arch. "Gum-Gum... SCREW!"

A single straw hat flew up from the blast as the young pirates slammed the gigantic beast into the solid ground, knocking it out cold. Mohji's jaw fell and reeled back in terror to see Richie taken out in one go.

"What was that!? What the hell are you!?... W-Wait a minute...!" Then Mohji yelped in realisation how the young straw hat survived. "Y-You're a Devil Fruit User as well!?"

"Yeah... I've eaten a Gum-Gum Fruit." Luffy spoke and then turned a cold glare at Mohji. "That store you burnt down... that was Shushu's treasure. Even worse, you hurt my crewmates."

"HIEEK! I-... uhh... I understand!" Mohji then stood back, raising his hands in surrender. "I apologise for what I did there earlier!"

"It doesn't matter if you apologise or not. That treasure is not coming back because of you." Luffy then cracked his knuckles as his thoughts flashed to Shushu's howling at the burning Pet Store. "So that's why... I'm going to kick your ass!"

In an instant, Luffy extended his arms and grabbed Mohji by the collar before pulling him in. Then the straw hat slams him hard into the ground with his fist, knocking him out cold.

...

Present Time.

...

"Haha! That's our captain!" Elt smirked while giving Luffy a thumbs-up.

"Jeez, Elt! I've never seen you rooting like that for Luffy~!" Wilmarina chuckled heartily and then looked down at Shushu. "I felt bad for Shushu. His treasure is now gone."

"He fought bravely to the end." Luffy sighed in relief. "Although, I didn't see it. But I can tell!"

Shushu then moved on and grabbed the pet food with his jaws while leaving. The two Lescatians stared at the dog in wonder if Shushu appreciated and then it dropped the pet food into the ground. Thus, Shushu gave a few barks at the Straw Hat Pirates as a farewell.

"Yeah! Do your best as well!" Luffy waved his hands.

Wilmarina felt a heartwarming sensation resonating deep within her. She felt bad that they haven't saved the store. Nevertheless, the dog appreciated Luffy for saving what was still left behind. After all, as far as she could tell that he isn't a selfish buffoon after all, and surprisingly, he could read the emotions of others and how they felt. Sometimes, he would choose to be an idiot as he wanted.

'Perhaps... I was judging too much.' Wilmarina's mind spoke. 'Then again, I'm in a different world... maybe I should adapt to its customs and what this place could show me.'

...

Orange Town, Ruins of the Drinker's Pub. Top Floor.

...

"GYEEEHH~!? You failed to get rid of them!?"

"I-I apologise Buggy...!" On the ground, Mohji was panting from exhaustion. "Those brats... th-they're aren't ordinary people...!"

Buggy growled and demanded answers when grabbing Mohji by the collar. "Tell me... how the hell did they beat you to this pitiful state of yours?"

"Th-... They're... ugh..!"

Before he could say anything, Mohji passed out and Buggy dropped him to the ground. The captain then turns to one of his crewmates and signalled the order.

"That's it! Enough of this!" He cried out. "We'll destroy this entire town to get rid of them! Prepare the Buggy Ball!"

...

"Oh jeez, Buggy's going to waste some of our precious bombs for this town, huh." A slender woman with cat features said unamused while observing their crewmates preparing the cannon. "I can't believe Mohji got beaten by a group of kids playing pirates... isn't that right, Cabaji?"

"Buggy will do what he wants." Cabaji chuckled while looking over the town from the top floor of the Drinker's Pub. "It is indeed humiliating for Mohji. Say, Josie... I still have a question up to this day."

"Hmm?" Josie raised her cat's ear. "What is it?"

"I've been thinking... how were you born with cat features?"

Upon hearing his question, Josie's tail clenched and expressed her annoyance to Cabaji for asking about her unusual body features.

"Again? For the last time, I don't know why. Just ask my dimwit grandmother in Loguetown," Josie grunts, brushing off her shoulders with her paws. "It's nothing important why I was born with cat features!"

"Cabaji... Josie!"

The two pirates then stood up from their seats once they saw their captain entering the lounge room.

"You two... track down those brats while we're going to blow up this town!" Buggy ordered his crewmate with a mad smile. "Make sure they will die... flashily~! Gyehehehehe~!"

...

Orange Town, Town Square.

...

"Hey! Look, over there!" Elt called out, catching everyone's attention as he points his finger towards the Drinker's Pub. "What are they doing...?"

Nami leaned forth to take a closer look and spotted several men in the distance. Preparing a large red cannonball into the barrel.

"They're...!"

*BOOOOM~!*

An explosion blast its way through and rocked the entire place. Everyone ducked into cover to avoid the flying debris, except for Luffy. The straw hat boy was staring at the Drinker's Pub where the Buggy Ball coming from until a brick fell from the air and bounced off from the top of his head... he didn't budge.

Then he realise something was off.

"Hold on a second, I like I forget something..." Luffy cupped his chin in deep thought and then he perked up in horror. "HEY! ISN'T ZORO IN THAT HOUSE!?"

Everyone was shocked when Luffy pointed out to the ruined infirmary building, then they heard someone coughing under the heavy smoke and saw Zoro waking up, stretching his arms with a yawn. Wilmarina, Elt and Nami felt their jaws fall to the ground.

"Ugh...! What happened...?" Zoro grunts while rubbing at the back of his head. "I was sleeping... and now I just heard an explosion."

"HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU SURVIVE THAT!?" Wilmarina cried out. "Did you use mana!?... Wait, you don't have mana!"

"I-... I don't know." Elt uttered in disbelief. "Perhaps he's just built differently."

"The hell are you talking about? I have no clue what mana is or what..." Zoro stood up and brushed off the dust from his shirt. "I've been worse, but this is just nothing."

"N-NOTHING!?" Both Wilmarina and Nami spoke out in unison.

"Whoa~! You were so cool~!" Luffy jumped ecstatically with stars in his eyes. "I'm glad you're still alive!"

"... Something like this is unforgivable!"

Luffy and everyone turned their attention to Broodle, glaring at the celebrating pirates standing on top of the Drinker's Pub.

"Shushu and the youngsters had fought so hard... but I felt so useless! I, the mayor of this town, can't stand here and watch them destroy this settlement!" Broodle closes his eyes with tears leaking out. "I've been here in this place for forty years. Before this town came into existence, it was just an empty field and we took years' worth of effort to build them! As the mayor of this town, I had enough, and they have no right to destroy this place I call home!"

Then he raised his spear in firm determination. "I will... protect this town!"

"W-Wait a second!"

"Old man! You can't! You will get hurt!"

Both Nami and Elt grabbed the major by his shoulders, but the old man used his strength to barge through.

"As a man... I should fight! Am I right, you brats!?"

"... Hehe! You're right!" Luffy agreed while looking up at him. "Then let's kick their butts, together!"

"A-Are you crazy!? Don't encourage him!" Nami struggled, trying to hold the man down. "It will be reckless if you're going up against him!"

"I know it's reckless. But I must do what I need to protect!" Broodle then brushed Nami and Elt off his shoulders before running off. "Just wait and see, Buggy the Clown!"

"... Should we go and assist him?" Wilmarina asked while preparing her sword. Luffy then grinned while nodding. "Good, then let's go!"

"Me too as well." Nami turns around to see Zoro tying his black bandana over his head. "It's about time that we'll kick that clown's ass."

"But Zoro, you're injured!" Nami asked worriedly.

"I can still move, so what?" Zoro responded with a grin. "That'll hurt my name more than me."

"I'll help too." Wilmarina then turns her glance to Elt, seeing him pulling out his sword from his shoulder. "I just don't to see that old man die to the likes of them!"

"... Alright. Be sure careful with your wounds, Elt." Wilmarina tapped Elt on his left shoulder. "Don't get too far ahead"

"So Nami, why won't you become our comrade?" Luffy asked Nami as he extends his hand.

"... I won't become a pirate... heh!" Nami smiled and slapped off his hand in refusal. "But~!... We'll team up since we share a common goal to save this town, how about that?"

...

Orange Town, Drinker's Pub.

...

"Captain, the second ball is ready to fire!"

Alright, on my command!" Buggy then raised his hand upwards. "Open fire-"

"Buggy! Come out!" Before the pirate captain could bring down his orders, he saw an old man wearing improvised wooden armour. "I am Broodle, the Mayor of this town! I won't let you destroy this precious place-... Hurgk!"

"Well, now this is amusing. Isn't it? Just another idiot!" Buggy grinned while raising his levitating hand to choke the mayor. "The most precious things that existed in this world are only gold and jewellery. As you can see here, you're going to witness the pirate who's about to conquer the Grand Line! Gyahahaha~! Isn't that right, everyone~?"

"Y-You don't dare destroy this town! Even if I lose my own life!"

"Now I'll just kill you right there!"

The rest of his crew laughed as the mayor struggled until, in a single flash, Buggy felt his hand grabbed by someone else. He looks down to see the same straw hat boy from earlier. Luffy carefully dropped Broodle back to the solid ground. Then they noticed the rest of the Straw Hat Crew and the Thief came along to face them.

"It's you again! That boy with the straw hat!?"

Luffy smirked in confidence and then looked up to Buggy.

"As promised, Captain Buggy... we're here to kick your ass!"

...

Chapter 5: Ends

...

AN: Just for short info; Elt's new sword is a single-blade sword with the length of an Odachi. Albeit, the blade of the sword itself is broader instead of a slender look. Much akin to Cloud's Sword from the Final Fantasy series, but smaller.