Thanks a million for reading and reviewing my 1st chapter… And as I promised, here's the 2nd chapter since we got no classes tomorrow and I have loads of free time… Also, I already thought about the name of the island Luffy's gonna help, and it's Ether. So if you read Ether below, it's the name of the island Luffy helped Oh and I forgot to tell the reason why Luffy didn't want Nami to know, it's because he doesn't want her to be worried that might hinder her from pursuing her dreams. And take note that I divided chapter two to 3 parts. Part 3 is really long, but it's worth it.
Chapter 2: Part One.
It has been three weeks since Luffy left his nakama to help the people of Ether and free them. The others, Nami, Chopper, Robin, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji, continued to their dreams as they promised Luffy before he departed.
12:00 pm, exactly noon, lunch time for the Straw Hat Pirates.
Sanji passed the plates to the others, who became quiet after seeing the meal. Sanji knew why though. The meal for today's lunch was meat, and all of them knows it's Luffy's favorite. Also by judging the faces of everyone as he passed plates, he could see they are really missing their captain. "I remember him, saying 'more meat!' everytime he finishes eating what's on his plate…" Zoro chuckled as he said this to everyone.
"Yeah, I remember him too… complaining if the food for the day isn't meat…" Sanji grinned and passed now the drinks to the others.
"At this very moment, you can prove that everybody on this ship loves their captain." Robin smiled.
"Wonder how's he doing…" Usopp looked outside.
"He's there… wanting to see us as soon as possible… He's there… thinking of us and misses us as much as we do…" Nami said in a low voice then lifted her head to smile at everyone.
"Oh, Nami! The paper's here!" Chopper went outside to receive the paper from the delivering seagull. Dropping a coin to its mini bag as a payment for its effort, Chopper ran inside to hand Nami the paper.
Nami scanned the paper, barely looking at the headlines on each page. She was about to turn the fifth page to the sixth when the word 'Ether' caught her eye. 'Ether… sounds familiar…' She thought. "Hey, don't you think the word Ether is familiar?" Nami asked the others, facing them.
"Oh yes, Navigator-san. That's the island Luffy helped." Robin replied.
'Just as I thought. It might be better for me to read the article.' Nami now read the headline and its content which says:
Who is the hero responsible for Ether's freedom?
By: Rikki
Ether, an island in the eastern coast of the Grand Line, which used to be Andore the cloud beast's territory, is now free and gained their stolen wealth once more. This freedom was made possible by Ether's hero, but who is he? The citizens claim that they indeed saw a man fighting the beast and told them to move out and not to get hurt. But the new question is, who is responsible for the island's freedom? A certain family living close to the place of battle claimed that the man is wearing a straw hat, a red vest, and about the height of an ordinary person. But what was extraordinary was what the five-year old girl of the family saw: She claimed she saw the man can stretch his arms, and any part of his body. And then she flashed a very old, tattered looking paper in my view. As I looked at it, I saw a certain article that talks about the Devil's Fruits and who ate them that became no ordinary human. The article also talks about the abilities they gave them, and on the fifth number, I saw the name of Straw Hat Luffy, eaten the Gomu Gomu no Fruit, gained the abilities to be able to stretch his body as far as anyone would know. So, the mystery's been solved. The man who saved the whole island of Ether was indeed Straw Hat Luffy, who had a hundred million belli bounty on his head. The question now becomes, 'Where is Straw Hat Luffy?' When I asked the people of the island where is their hero, they all flashed lonely faces. When I asked again, a woman in her mid 30's pulled me and told me that, "You shouldn't ask the people. They are sad about what happened." She whispered. "Why sad?" I asked. "Sad because we didn't manage to make him happy in return. He perished in the battle with Andore." The woman gave me a sad smile as she said this. Then she turned away and left.
Now the two mysteries are solved. To cut the long story short, the man who helped Ether was Straw Hat Luffy and he perished along with Andore.
(for complete details, turn to page 7)
Nami eyes widened like saucers and fell silent. 'It's too… impossible…' She thought. And she couldn't find the courage anymore to turn the page to page 7.
"Nami, anything the matter?" Chopper asked and looked at her expression. Nami then crumpled the paper in both hands, and cried.
"What's wrong? Oi Nami!" Usopp asked and went beside her. In reply ,Nami threw the paper at Usopp who had it hit him directly on the face. Usopp straightened up and fixed the paper to read. As he read the article, everyone noticed that his face became more and more serious and finally became shocked.
"Long nose-kun?" Robin asked. "He… He couldn't have…" Usopp muttered. Nami's sobs became more loud than before.
"What's in that paper that made the two of you startled all of the sudden?" Zoro demanded. He wanted answers.
"He… Luffy…" Usopp said again.
"Luffy what!" Sanji and Zoro asked at the same time.
"He… He… is now…"
"He is now what, Usopp?" Chopper asked.
"He perished in his battle along with Andore!" Usopp finally shouted and burst into tears that brought startled faces in the others.
"HE ISN'T DEAD! HE-IS-NOT-DEAD, USOPP!" Nami shouted angrily. 'He can't fall just like that. I can't imagine,.. it isn't true… He said he could take care of it… He said we'll meet again… He promised me…' Nami thought and she stood up, ran outside and climbed the crow's nest, leaving the others with their heads bowed down, Chopper and Usopp with tears in their eyes, and the three who are all quiet.
When Nami reached the crow's nest, she faced the east and shouted. "Luffy! I know you can hear me! I know you're there! I'll still wait for you! I know that someday we'll see each other again, and I will wait until that time comes… I'll…Wait for you even if it takes forever!" Nami shouted at the top of her voice then burst into tears.
This lunch time was probably the most miserable for the Straw Hat Pirates.
Chapter 2: Part 2:
It has been a year since the Straw Hats knew that they don't have a captain now, and intended to follow their navigator. They decided to stay in a little town where they can stuck up as much for their next voyages. Sanji and Usopp were assigned to go get firewood and water. While Zoro and Robin are to get tools for repair in case the ship gets damaged. Nami and Chopper went to the town to get food, books and maps that they will need in case there are places they don't know.
"Nami? Don't you… um… hate him?" Chopper asked as they walked back to the ship to put the second batch of supplies.
"Who, Luffy?" Nami smiled sadly and looked at the sea. "I can't hate him, just because I can't see him… There are times I'm lonely… But I still believe, even if it's already a year…" Nami faced Chopper again, smiling, and patted the concerned reindeer's head.
"But… don't you think…?"
"You know what I think about the matter." Nami winked at him. As they were about to turn a corner, the thought of Luffy entered Nami's head. She remembered the last time she saw him, the last time he grinned at her, and the last time he was in the ship, doing whatever he wants to do.
Since she was thinking of Luffy, she hadn't realized that she'll bump onto someone when they turned the corner. "Nami!" Chopper shouted.
"Wha--? Ouch!" Nami bumped the person in front of her, dropping all the things she carried and nearly losing her balance. She was about to fall when the person she bumped grabbed her hand and helped her stood up.
"Thank you…" Nami said as the man picked up her supplies and handed them back to her. Without another word, the man turned the corner from where they came and became out of sight.
"Are you alright, Nami?" Chopper asked.
"Yes…" Nami replied as she rubbed the spot where the man held her, preventing her to fall. She knew there was something extraordinary on his touch. 'Wait… wait… Couldn't that be..?" Nami ran back the corner, hoping to see the man.
"Luffy…!" She called. But much to her dismay, there was no one there except her and Chopper. 'I guess, I'm just dreaming about it… Even thought I want to believe he's there, I just can't… since I already know that he…' Nami thought.
"Something wrong Nami? Why did you call him?" Chopper asked and went to see what she's looking at.
"Nothing… I… I just…Let's go now…" Nami flashed a smile for Chopper not to worry anymore.
As they walk the path that leads to the Going Merry, Nami still rubbed the spot that strange man in brown cloak held her. 'Maybe it's because it was a long time ago when I felt his last touch… That's why I thought he was that man…'
When they reached the ship, Chopper climbed the rope ladder and saw that Zoro already came back and beside Zoro were boxes that contained tools. As usual, he was sleeping. Robin, however was out of sight. 'She might have decided to take a tour in the town.' Chopper thought as he placed the food beside the sleeping swordsman and went down again to get the things Nami was carrying. But, instead of Nami, he saw that the books and maps she held a while ago were scattered on the floor, and a small piece of note attached to one of the books.
He hurriedly waked Zoro up, and as soon as the swordsman opened his eyes, Chopper told him the news. "Nami! She was… she was…" Chopper was pointing down at the deck and panicking.
"What about her?" Zoro asked as he yawned and stretched. "She was… she was gone! She was here when I placed the supplies beside you and when I looked down to help her, she was out of sight!" Chopper said in a panicking voice.
"Oh, what happened here? And where's Navigator-san? I thought she was with you?" Robin appeared out of nowhere, and Chopper ran to her.
"She was with me! She was! But, she's now gone!" Chopper said in a shaky voice.
"Maybe, somebody took her." Robin said calmly.
"How can you be so calm about it! We have to tell Sanji and Usopp and find Nami!" Chopper ran around Zoro and Robin.
"No need for that, Chopper! We already heard. Nami-san was taken away huh?" Sanji asked in a low voice as he lit his cigarette.
"Nothing to worry about! The Great Captain Usopp is here!" Usopp stood beside Sanji and raised his slingshot.
"But your legs are shaking…" Zoro pointed at Usopp's legs. "I know that!" Usopp barked at him.
"There's no time! We have to find Nami and get her back!" Chopper shouted.
"Oh, there's a note… They left a note…" Robin picked up the book and studied the note. "The ink's still fresh…" She said as she stared at the paper.
"What does it say, Robin-chan?" Sanji asked.
"We have your Navigator. If you want to see her again, you are to go to the square tonight. And bring all your gold with you.' That what it said."
"The square? Then we have to wait for the night?" Usopp asked.
"It's already sunset, you dork" Zoro pointed behind him.
"Then we shall go to the square and wait. However, we have no gold and money with us. We'll just go there without nothing." Sanji told everyone.
"Then let's head for the Square! It's pretty far from here, so by the time we arrive, it's already night." Chopper said and went down the rope ladder.
"Yosh. Operation Rescue Nami led by Captain Usopp has started." Usopp exclaimed.
"Will you quit it… Be serious. They got Nami-san…" Sanji followed. The last to climb down were Zoro and Robin. "Why did this have to happen when there's no Luffy around?" Zoro sighed. They are now running for the square, unaware that there is someone that heard them that will aid them…
Chapter 2: Part 3
Nami is now tied at the middle post of the town square and surrounded by unknown pirates. All she knew was that these people hated the Straw Hat Pirates for some reason, she didn't want to know.
Her thoughts were disturbed by the sound of breaking wall, and saw that it was Sanji's foot that caused the noise.
"Everyone! How did you..?" Nami said to them. She was really happy to find that there is still hope for her, and everything is not too late.
"You're the idiots that kidnapped Nami-san, aren't you?" Sanji glared angrily at the pirates the surround Nami.
"Well… where's our gold?" one of them spoke up.
"Sorry… we don't have anything… You're just to free our Navigator and it's over…" Robin grinned.
"Are you telling me, woman, that are efforts will come to waste?" The captain of the unknown group stood up and walked towards Robin.
"A fine summarization and right in content… Yes…" Robin said, still grinning.
The captain was now in front of her pointing a knife at her neck. His crewmates are now pointing their guns at Robin, who still smiled and even winked at the others, motioning them not to help.
"Do not point those dangerous things at me, gentlemen." Robin said as she made her arms pop out, grab the weapons and threw them away.
"Oho! An ability of the Devil's Fruit eh? Perhaps you're captain might have succeeded weakening me but that doesn't mean I won't go back for revenge! Pity he's gone now, I just have to focus my dearly desired revenge at his nakama…." Then the man lifted his face and realization came to them as the face grinned to them.
"ANDORE!" They all shouted. "I… I thought you are dead!" Nami sputtered.
"Oh yes, young lady… You thought I was dead…" He then broke into a gleeful laughter.
'Does that mean that… Luffy's efforts have come to waste… He's gone yet his opponent is still here… His efforts were… useless..!' Nami thought furiously.
Zoro and Sanji attacked him at the same time, while Usopp removed the ties around her. But they all know this Andore is really strong, so Sanji's kicks and Zoro's slashes bounce back and never even left a single scratch to Andore.
'No use… This beast is really indeed a beast!' Zoro thought.
When Nami was already free, Chopper pulled her to safety as Usopp used his smoke-bullet to cloud everything up. As they all ran for escape, they heard gunshots and Robin fell.
"Robin! The bullet…. It had her!" Nami stopped running as she helped the archaeologist stand by carrying on of her arms and the other side, carried by Zoro.
They heard more gunshots and one almost had her foot. When she looked at Robin's injured shoulder, she saw that there is some purple smoke coming out from the wound. 'Smoke? It can't be….' "Everyone! They are using poison bullets!" Nami shouted at the others.
"What, Nami-san? Argghh" Sanji was shot at his arm and fell also. Usopp and Chopepr quickly picked him up and ran alongside Nami.
"These bullets weaken the person and as long as they are in there, Robin and Sanji-kun's lives are in danger! You have to get them out, Chopper!" Nami shouted.
"So that's why they can no longer move… Look out Zoro!" Usopp aimed at the bullet that almost had Zoro and hit it.
"Escaping?" They heard Andore's voice in front of them. "Oh man… they found us!" Usopp saw that there are figures around them.
"Use normal bullets for the long nose, the reindeer and Roronoa Zoro... but don't touch their navigator. She'll be the first to die." Andore ordered and his nakama already fired bullets at Usopp and Zoro, who fell without having the chance to get back.
Nami is now alone, and guns are already aimed at her. "Since the others are so concerned about you, why don't you die first?" Andore raised his arm as a signal. "NAMI!" everybody on the ground shouted. 'It's hopeless… At least, I'll see him…' Nami thought sadly. "Fire!" Andore lowered his arm as a signal.
Just when the bullets are about to hit Nami, the man in the brown cloak jumped in front of her and blocked the bullets. "Are you alright…" He asked. Nami nodded but was later shocked when she saw that the bullets did not harm him, instead caused the part of his body to stretch. "…Nami?" he finished his sentence with a familiar grin and took of his cloak.
'That voice… You…' Nami's eyes filled with tears as she realized who was that strange man that she bumped a few hours ago. She knew that her instincts were right when the cloak revealed a straw hat, a red vest, and a man with a black hair.
"How is it going, everyone?" He asked as he turned his head and smiled.
"LUFFY!" Chopper, Usopp, Sanji, and Zoro shouted. Chopper and Usopp had tears in their eyes.
"You ba-ka… Making us wait for that long…" Sanji whispered. "I guess, you'll go get revenge for us, eh?"
"Yeah… Chopper, treat everyone… And Nami…" Luffy faced her before he finished his sentence. "…I'll explain later…" He winked and motioned for her to go with Chopper and help as much as she could. Nami followed, still crying.
When they made their way to the ship, Nami shouted at him, "Don't lose now, idiot! You already lost once and don't get back here if he's still alive! You made me wait for so long!" Nami shouted in mixed emotions, happiness and anger for making her wait.
"I promise, Nami!" Luffy shouted and focused his attention to his opponent.
'I guess I'll just wait for him to go back to the Merry…' Nami thought as they went back to the ship to treat wounds.
sheesh, this one's pretty long, but the ending is on chapter three… I'll put it up again some other time,….