Blood ties like Iron chains chapter 13

What is the unseen?

(On the Sunny)

Another day, another thing to do onboard.

Nami yawned, even as she took in her meal, her mind still not being awake.

It had gotten late last night.

With a lot of questions and the time it took to answer them it was natural for it to draw out.

Especially when someone had wanted to lecture her on how she treated her comrades.

(last night)

"I'd like to talk to you about Sanji-kun"

Viola had politely asked Nami for a little chat after dinner and Nami had reluctantly agreed, being more concerned about the chat she planned to have with Jinbe and Robin. But Viola had insisted and Nami had gone with politeness instead of pragmatism though she soon regretted it.

Finding a secluded are of the ship, the girls' quarter, the two began their little chat.

"I can't help but notice that you've been very harsh with Sanji-kun lately" the princess shifted as she spoke, her arms folded, giving Nami the impression of a scolding schoolteacher trying to break up a fight between her students (and Nami had a feeling that it involved her favourite).

"I have" Nami agreed, folding her arms in turn "And that'll continue"

Viola blinked at this, not satisfied "But… Sanji is very sorry about what he did and…"

"I know he's sorry, that's why I still talk to him or even allows him to be on the ship!" Nami steeled her eyes, her gaze forcing Viola to be silent as the navigator continued "Sanji is part of this crew, he's done a lot for us and saved mine and the rests' lives several times…. But I can't forgive of forget about what he did to Luffy in tottoland, what, he, said to us." Nami bit her lower lip, trying not to snap too hard at the woman in front of her, which gave the princess an opening

"He had his reasons, You know that, don't you? Strawhat-san has forgiven him already, and you did something similar once. Doesn't that deserve to be taken into account?"

Nami's eyes widened at this, anger boiling in her gut "I had reasons too, I admit that, but I wasn't part of the crew then, and I hadn't sailed, lived, bled and fought with Luffy and the crew before that. I didn't spit on others' dreams or beat my captain bloody when he wasn't fighting back…. but Sanji did! So you just focus on him and forgive him if you want to, I won't" and with that she left the stunned princess.

Closing the door behind her, Nami had made her way to the study, to discuss the more important subject with Jinbe and Robin.

(flashback end)

Nami had a little bad conscience about her words and tone, but figured that the princess would bounce back soon enough.

Right now, the important thing was to plan what was going to happen over the next few days,

and in their continuing campaign against Kaido...

(on the seas)

Charlotte Raisin grasped the ringing Den den mushi, still annoyed that the raid on Myron yesterday hadn't yielded a thing.

A little gold and some food, sure, but nothing of note really.

Hopefully this would.

"Whaaaat?" his voice was still filled with the grogginess of being woken too early.

"Hey man, it's me Tablet!" a chipper voice emerged from the snail "Like, I got great news!"

"Hmm-hmm" Raisin started to doze off again, before one of his crewmen nudged him in the side "I'M-UP-I'M-up!" he rambled startled, for a moment he didn't know where he was, then saw that he was on the bridge of his ship, slumped against the railing

"I Know, you're up man, Like, how else could you speak to me?"

"Tablet, why're you calling at this ungodly hour?"

"Because man, like, I got great news!"

"You said that already!" Raisin rubbed his eyes trying to banish the last dredges of sleep. But only managing to turn his eyes red and puffy.

"I found him, like, I found Caesar Clown!"

Raisin immediately stood up, startling the surrounding crewmembers "What! Where is he?"

"Well man, he's currently, like, right next to me! I got him trapped!" Tablet's overexcited voice rung out from the gastropod.

"Already?" Raisin couldn't believe what he was hearing

"Sure, Like, I'm super competent"

"And he can't escape?"

"Nope, got three guys holding him at all times, using haki to keep him down"

"Excellent, where's your position so we can get the heck back to Tottoland, Mama'll be pleased" Raisin smiled happily "Oh, by the way, better knock him out, we don't want him to flee on us now do we?"

(on the Sunny)

"Luffy can we have a word with you?"

Nami had specifically sought Luffy out after he'd had breakfast, it was the time he was most open towards ideas. And hopefully logic.

They were all still gathered around the kitchen table(s), some just finishing off the their breakfast, which had consisted of a mountain of scrambled eggs and several trays piled with toast and bacon. Nami sat on her natural seat, just to Luffy's left side, while Jinbe occupied his right, Robin sitting next to him. The rest of the crew sat here and there, Sanji amongst as many women as possible and Zoro as far away from him as was possible.

"Sure" the captain mumbled in between looking for more food in the kitchen and for some that was unguarded on the others' plates.

"the three of us discussed a few things last night" motioning to the other two on his right Nami "Like when we're going to call and arrange a meeting with our friends fathers'"

Amidst the stream of small protests and complaints from their guests (and resident perverts) Luffy's response could just be heard.

"But they've just gotten here! I wanna have more fun with them!"

"We've just bought supplies and over a third is spent already…" Nami argued, glad to see that Luffy seemed to listen "We can't afford to have them here for long"

"But we'd like to stay for a little longer…" or "Nami please let us stay, it's been so long" some of the women pleaded, while others argued "We can borrow the money from banks, the world government would lend royalty the money" or, "Just threaten them with the wrath of the Snake Empress"

"Luffy-kun" Jinbe started " With all the people looking for our guests, would it not be safer for them to contact their fathers as soon as possible?"

"Luffy we can't get enough women on board this ship!" Sanji and Brook both desperately chimed in, hoping that it'd be a good enough argument for the Strawhat captain.

It's as if they don't know him at all… Nami thought happily hoping that Luffy put two and two together after her argument

The captain merely groaned, his discomfort clear for everyone "if we don't have that much food, we can't party, less partyis less fun, less fun is less adventure!"

Before anyone could beat her to it, Nami tried reasoning with Luffy again "We can always meet up with them again when we've gotten some more food and money, it's not forever after all is it captain?"

The kitchen was silent, most of the crew and guests remained silent as the head of the ship contemplated the proposal.

Eventually the captain groaned while rubbing his head, as if he had a headache

"Gaaaaah! Ok, we'll call and tell 'em to come get 'em"

While Nami smiled alongside Jinbe and Robin, not all of the crew were agreeing. Though some, like Zoro, didn't seem to care at all. The malcontents (which was most of their guests, plus Sanji and Brook) tried to argue and make Luffy reconsider his stance.

"Why'd you want us to leave Lucy-san?" the pinkhaired Rebecca began, hands folded in prayer while looking at Luffy with big puppy dog eyes.

"We can fish and get food that way!" Vivi argued "Jinbe-san and Shirahoshi-chan could rake them in by the ton no problem"

"We could split with all those we don't need on board Luffy" Sanji exclaimed with a raised hand. Nami had no doubts that he had thought of Zoro when he said this, and perhaps Usopp, both of whom seemed to have the same idea, giving the amorous chef a dirty sideways glance.

"But I want to know more about men"

Most of the crew fell silent at the blonde kuja's words, some just blinking, trying not to think of any lewd associations, which others actively sought out.

It was the dark haired kuja that broke the silence

"Here" and with that she threw the den den mushi over to Nami "Make the call, so we can get on with this"

Some at the table groaned, others looked down sullenly, disappointed at her actions

"Rindo-san, don't you want to stay here with our friends a little longer?" Vivi asked, her eyes pleading.

"Sure I do, but we are just guests and that one" she pointed at Nami "speaks sense, besides" she pointed at Luffy, "He's the captain, he's making the calls, we don't and that's all there is to it"

Nodding her (partial) agreement, Nami held the den den mushi in front of Luffy's face "So you wan't to talk to this elder Nyon, or should I?"

(Somewhere in the clouds above the seas, the Sky Island Cielo)

Not for the first time, he cursed his luck.

And it wasn't limited to his current situation, but also his previous projects, his family, his subordinates (former and current), being cheated of his revenge over his most hated enemy, the lies of the marines, having to deal with some foolish royalty on the way to his sky island and in the end…. His past.

Shaking his head violently at the last one, he quickly grabbed his spyglass and looked down from the edge of the sky island.

"Nothing" he swore deeply.

If he couldn't land on a ship or an island, he was done for.

He'd looked forward to a few days of rest and solitude while he gathered what he needed for his future projects, but having his boat shattered upon landing meant that he was now dependent on getting on a ship down on the blue sea to continue his journey.

How he hated being dependent on strangers.

Looking away from the scenery below, he looked up instead.

Even upon the sky islands, the numerous roofs of the world, there was a sky above. At night you could see the stars clearer than anywhere on the Grand Line, the clouds drifted around like the most docile of whales. All the celestial bodies and objects were clearer here, their mysteries open for the initiated to discern (under normal conditions it could be nigh impossible due to numerous natural weather phenomenon, which included drifting sky islands).

Once he'd looked forward to gaze upon them, with some at his side.

But it wasn't night now, and that once was over 25 years in the past.

Another downside to going back to the normal sea was that he had to call Fran and tell her the news.

Why that island didn't get on a paper route was beyond him, most islands in Runny Rum had easy access to news, but not the one that she lived on.

Then again, this news wasn't something they'd write in the Daily News.

Looking down again, he armed himself with patience, it could be a while before a ship emerged down below.

He didn't doubt that he could land without trouble, the question of whether or not the crew had anything he could use after he'd overpowered them, was more prevalent at the moment.

Looking down trough the clouds that normally shielded the Sky Island from view, he smiled

"Aaaahhhhh, there is something I can use….."

(In Marijois)

"So that's where and when you want to meet-nyon?"

"Yes ma'am" the voice trailed out of the snail in front of her. To Nyon's surprise, it was a feminine one, which was not at all unpleasant, since, after meeting him, she didn't have that high expectations to Strawhats' intelligence.

The sounds in the background was a bit confusing though.

"What's going on at your position?"

"Oh, nothing special Elder Nyon" the voice responded peevishly, the speaker trying to hush whomever were causing the noise.

Then another voice emerged from the gastropod, more chipper than the first and far more inquisitive, like that of little child that had been let loose in an art studio.

"Who're you? Is this the old kuja lady? how tall are you? Do you like carrots? How old…" the voice rambled on like a waterfall before the first voice returned "Sorry about that"

Before Nyon could ask what was going on, the first voice started scolding "No Carrot, this is important, you can't garchu her, she's miles away on the Red Line, she's not within jumping distance"

"But I wanna garchu! How does she look? Is she as cute as the other kuja-sans? Does she smoke too? Is her hair long? Does she wear the same kind of clothes like the do?"

Nyon raised an eyebrow. She didn't know what garchu meant, but it seemed to be something physical… as for the rest…

"How about I just tell those kings where it is, and then hang up? Because I'm not going to answer all of that!" she dictated slowly, hoping it didn't need repeating.

"Sounds good" the first voice responded, the voice strained, as if the woman was holding someone back, the muffled sounds indicating that it was the other speaker they were trying to restrain.

And then another voice emerged, one she knew

"Hey old lady, how ya been?"

"I've been fine Strawhat, how about you"

"Can't complain" Luffy answered happily, which only infuriated the first voice

"Big Mom almost killed you!"

"Nami'll do that for me anyway!"

While the pirate captain laughed, and the first voice scolded him, elder Nyon looked over the Strawhats' wanted posters. Finding the one labelled "Nami". It wasn't that the empress had asked her to check up on Strawhats' crew(though she'd definitely ask about it when given the chance), Elder Nyon simply liked knowing who she was talking with.

"Luffy we can't talk too long, Elder Nyon is still in Mariejois! If someone heard about this, it would be a catastrophe for her"

"Ok, see ya old Nyon"

"Bye" was all that Nyon managed to say before the den den mushi clicked and the conversation was over. Scratching her tired old head, Nyon decided two things:

She had to keep an eye on this Cat Burglar, anyone that could speak reason with Strawhat was worth knowing about.

She had to figure out what garchu was.

After further thought, Nyon decided to add an extra point to the list

Tell Boa Hancock about where the princesses and her own guards, Rindo and Marguerite, were. Better before the two returned and told everything they'd seen on Strawhat's ship.

Taking the empress' ideas about Strawhat into account, the last one would without a doubt be the greatest problem of all.

8 or so women in close proximity to the object of Boa Hancocks' affections, was unlikely to make her a happy woman.

(Meanwhile, elsewhere on the seas, on one of Big Mom's ships, the Honey Pie)

Tablet strolled across the deck like a little golden haired peacock.

He had reason to be, he'd captured Caesar Clown, thus making Big Mom's plans for giants in her army a reality.

Now his ship, a golden yellow and brown galleon of normal size with the Big Mom Jolly Roger flying from the mast and Tablets' name scribbled on the sails (a truly shoddy work that had been completed fast, but Tablet felt that Big Mom wouldn't mind it this time around), was on its way to meet with Raisin so that they could escort the prisoner back to Tottoland.

He was so sure that he'd be rewarded, a promotion to be one of the combatants, perhaps a knight like his senpai Tamago, or Bishop like Bobbin. Perhaps he'd even be put under Commander Katakuri's personal command! (if so he was sure to rub Flampe's nose in it, especially after she'd thrown him out of the fanclub!) He was so ecstatic, he felt like flying on a cloud.

It could be considered ironic that approximately 5 seconds later, his ship was heading into the clouds, because someone dropped a stone tower, many times the size of the Honey Pie in the sea right next to it.

The unlucky part was that no crewmember had been prepared for it, and the ship was going to go down again very soon.

Tablet was too busy screaming to note any of that however, as his ship kept ascending towards the heavens,

not showing any signs of stopping.

(On the sky island Cielo, above the Honey Pie)

His smile widened as he saw the little ship launch into the air like a scared frog, the splash from the tower sending the vessel upwards towards his own location.

If he'd attempted to jump and land on one of the islands nearby, he'd have died, that much was certain, but with a ship meeting him halfway there, fortune was much more in his favour.

However, seeing that the ship belonged to Big Mom, made him shrug:

"I was going to piss that old hag off sooner or later, so why not now?"

And then, tracking the trajectory of the Yonko's ship,

He jumped for it!

(on the Sunny)

After having spoken to elder Nyon, Nami had left the kitchen (and the army of people within) to take a bath, with all that had gone on the last day or so, she hadn't kept to her normal routine at all.

A good long soak would do her good, give her some perspective allowing her to get her mind in order.

Lowering herself into the warm tub, Nami thought back to the chat she'd hat the day before with Robin and Jinbe

(Flashback start)

"So you want to see all of those that could ally with us in the New World?"

"Yes Jinbe-chan, after Tottoland and Big Mom, attacking another Yonko would be suicide without more allies"

"Hmm I suppose that Trafalgar isn't enough for us?" Robin mused as she sat down at the table.

"He might not be enough, we don't know much about him and his crews' strength and we need to have as many cards on our hands as possible"

"There's also the Grand Fleet"

"Who's all over the seas! This Bartholomeo has already gone and ticked off Shanks for crying out loud!"

"True, that was pretty stupid" Robin admitted, before adding "besides, they don't have any navigator so they'd have a ton or problems getting to Wano any way…"

Nami's eye twitched at this revelation, a crew without a navigator were both very stupid and even more lucky than the Strawhats themselves. That and they attacked a Yonko's territory, making that cannibal-guy was a madman to the core.

"Robin, can you tell me all about the other representatives of the fleet?"

"As much as I can Nami, I didn't speak with all of them, but I know a little"

"Good enough" Nami then turned to Jinbe "How much can you tell me about those pirates that used to be under whitebeard, and who's currently on Runny Rum?"

"More than enough to fill several books" the massive fishman simply responded

"Perfect, we might need whomever we meet on the way"

"What are you thinking Nami?"

"We've been lucky with whom we've met so far, I don't want that track record broken because we just blindly trust someone"

"You don't want the crew to fail and suffer huh?" Robin gave her an empathic nod, a small understanding smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Nami didn't need to respond, only nod, and then the presentation went on, hours of explanations of whom would be a good idea to contact aside from the Whitebeard Pirates, all of whom had been thrown to the winds after the Blackbeard Pirates defeated them.

The reason why Luffy wasn't there to hear it all was simple, all three knew that he'd have lost focus after 5 minutes (if they were that lucky), so this was just an orientation meeting, which was just to narrow down whom they thought were the best options for the future.

Most of their discussion concerned the Whitebeard Pirates' old subordinate crews, a majority of which had either taken up service under another Yonko or been obliterated by one of the Shichibukai.

A small summary could be: "…..If it's Amadob, you shouldn't speak too much, he has a problem with women giving orders"

Or

"….Whitey is okay, but I've told you that already, she's kinda whimsical of who she supports though..."

Or

"….Hangan will definitely help us, if he's not busy spoiling his daughter rotten, he sure loves that girl… no he doesn't deal in slaves, he frees them, why do you ask?"

Or

"….Blondie'll join us just for the chance to fight someone wahahaha! He has a deep-set loyalty towards Friends and family, he won't be a problem at all"

Considering that the Whitebeard crew had about 50 subordinate crews, it took a while to get through, and the discussions drew out the second Nami suggested Lola and her crew. A daughter of a Yonko (and one they were enemies with) could be a debateable ally at best, even if Big Mom herself had given her a death sentence.

When Nami finally went to bed, she looked through the newspaper she'd nicked the other day, (authors note: see chapter 5) so she could remember who's who of the New World Pirates. She also fell over the article she'd meant to talk to chopper about, that Forest Squid warning seemed like something that might be a good idea to know, but she had fallen asleep almost immediately after reading it.

(flashback end)

Leaning back in the tub, Nami enjoyed the hot water caressing her skin, slowly drawing out the fatigue and the stress that had accumulated within over the past few days. During the hunt sh'ed almost forgotten to enjoy the little things in life. The steam in the room making it impossible to see into the room from the outside. It also gave off a sweet filling scent that, combined with her exhaustion, almost made her fall asleep.

It was wonderful, in every sense of the word.

Yawning and stretching, Nami would've liked nothing better than to surrender and drift into blissful sleep.

Fortune wasn't on her side however, as the door into the bathroom opened up

Startled Nami sat up in the bath "Huh! Who's there?"

"Just me Nami" Nami knew the voice: Vivi "I heard that you had a bath onboard and I felt a little sweaty myself so…."

"Sure, you can join me"

"I hope that goes for the rest too?" Vivi said, slightly nervous

"Wha… how many are you?" Nami dearly hoped that it wasn't all of their guests that were entering at once, the tub had room enough for two to sit and bathe comfortably, not nine (or rather eight, Shirahoshi wasn't able to enter the smaller room). Not to mention, the amount of people that had been onboard for the past two days or so, was starting to give Nami a sense of agoraphobia. The crowded kitchen and main deck could be a drag for everyone on board, even with the new table in place (though Nami had grown far more vexed by the new line to the toilet, especially in the mornings and at night).

"Only me, Rebecca-san, Carrot-san and… Robin…-san" the last one was said a bit reluctantly, Vivi still not all too friendly with Robin, even after Nami's chat with her about the subject, but Nami knew the feeling, she still hadn't forgive Sanji (she knew it wasn't the same situation, but it was the closest she had for the time being, though she highly doubted that Luffy'd ever let someone she (or any of the other crewmembers) had a grudge against join the crew).

Scooting over, Nami allowed the four other women to enter the warm water, making it overflow and spill onto the floor, covering it in a sheet of water, bubbles, soap and bathing salts.

She soon found herself next to the pink-haired niece of Viola, Rebecca, her long pink hair had been looened from its usual braid, hanging loosely into the water, making her appear similar to Shirahoshi in a lot of ways, at least superficially, if what Luffy'd said of her was true, she at the very least knew how to fight. While Nami didn't have much truck with the aunt, perhaps the niece was friendlier, at least of a different view about private thoughts and sticking their nose in other peoples' inter-crew dynamics/grudges.

Aside from Carrot, whom seemed to have the situational sense of a rhino, most oof the women didn't say much aside from how nice it was to have a bath, which was pretty much equivalent to politely, if awkwardly, chatting about the weather.

"So how do you like the Sunny so far?" the navigator began, trying to start an actual conversation, her question aimed, not at her archaeologist friend or the bunny mink, but at the little ex-gladiator next to her. Hopefully the others in the tub would be silent and join in when they saw an opening.

"oh, I've never really been on many ships so…" the blushing girl began, her eyes darting a bit up and down, meeting Nami's eyes one moment and looking at the soapy water the next "everything is so overwhelming… how many ships have a lawn on their decks?"

Nami smiled at her, trying to be as friendly as possible to the nervous girl, she's not used to bathing with other women like this… Nami assumed, not to mention that they hadn't really spoken a word to each other since they saved them from the Long Long Pirates, save for a short introduction when they got on the Sunny.

"I don't think there is any that has that, aside from ours…" she began, a little self-conscious about the sloops' eccentric construction, like shipwright so ship she mused at the back of her mind.

"I think Bartholomeo-kun's ship might have it by now" Robin said, a little smile playing on her lips "He seemed very interested in copying everything that Franky and Usopp said was on the Sunny"

"Wasn't he one of the pirates that helped Lucy-san fight Doflamingo? Why'd you see his ship"

"He was, now he's one of the representatives of the Grand Fleet, those of the crew that were there to see Luffy beat Doflamingo travelled with Bartholomeo to meet with the others at Zou"

"My homeland!" Carrot happily chimed in as she happily blew a handful of translucent bubbles into the air above her, watching them pop against the tips of her long bunny ears.

"Yes, Bartholomeo-kun copied a lot of his ships design from the Going Merry, our original ship, though having modelled the figure head after Luffy is a bit much"

"Really?" Nami blinked as Vivi spoke "Is he that big a fan of the Strawhat crew?"

"You have no idea" Robin continued to smile "He has all of our wanted posters in a gold frame in his own cabin"

"Wauh, that guy is dedicated!"

"You should have seen him when he got our autographs, I'm certain that he and his crew cried tears of joy for a whole 15 minutes"

"Are you serious? No one is that big a fan!" Vivi looked at her in disbelief, her previous unease around Robin slowly dissipating

"You should have seen him when Luffy complimented his food, he almost gave over his entire hoard of treasure" Robin continued, only to be stopped when Nami raised a hand

"Wait… You didn't have any gold with you when you got to Zou… Don't tell me…." Nami looked seriously at Robin before she leaned back her head with a loud groan "Luffy turned him down, didn't he?"

"Yeah"

"He just asked for more food, didn't he?" Nami continued, her eyes closed beneath the hands that she held to her face. Deep in her heart she couldn't be surprised at this, but she hadn't heard about any treasure being given up so readily beforehand.

"He did…" although Nami couldn't see her, she was certain that the raven-haired woman was smiling that little mysterious smile, splitting her between being amused and pitying at the same time. It fit her mood perfectly at the moment.

"Figures. Only two things on that Luffy's mind: Meat and Adventure" Nami scoffed, it was always like this… but when she looked up she was smiling lopsided "Well, what done is done…." Robin and Vivi had stopped smiling at this, both knew how greedy and avaricious Nami were, and how vicious she could be when it came to loosing money or the chance to get gold "…I guess I can just charge him twice the amount he didn't take…" Nami smiled conspiringly at the other women in the tub, her voice as sweet and melodic as a birds' on a summer morning "…Which was how much again Robin?"

The laughter of the 5 women filled the bathroom, the tense atmosphere evaporating like morning mist before the sun. Even Rebecca and Carrot joined in, more than happy to hear that it wasn't as serious as it appeared.

Nami stopped laughing abruptly

"I'm serious, how much did Luffy let slip through our (my) fingers this time?!"

(On the ruined wreck of the Honey Pie, 20 minutes later)

Sighing heavily, his disappointment all too clear, he looked over the destruction he'd caused.

For a bunch of Yonko underlings, their crew had been about as potent as a half-dead rat in a vipers nest. He was willing to say that a lot of it was because of the circumstances however.

First off, he imagined that the majority had already passed out when the galleon slammed back into the seas' surface, perhaps even before that when he'd dropped the tower.

Second, the confusion that had reigned had meant that they didn't even notice him landing on the bridge, where he swiftly took care of the helmsman.

Thirdly, the splash of water when the ship landed, not only shattered most of the hull and divided the panicking crew further, but it also provided a nice mist cover. Going through the fog like aa grim reaper, he'd taken care of the most prevalent threads. Like three men holding unto an unconscious and tied up figure with haki empowered arms, in the middle of the deck.

Scooting up the figure, figuring a prisoner of Big Mom could be quite useful for him somehow, he went on, kicking some little blonde runt hard enough to crack a wall when the makeshift football hit it. From the sounds of moaning and groaning the rat of a man was still alive, though that didn't really matter to him in the least.

Quickly looking over the now cleared deck, he grasped a barrel of water and another which he crammed the prisoner into. Throwing the two containers into a life boat he took a moment to survey the destruction he'd caused.

The similarities to when Fran did house work were mindblowing.

Cursing himself for a fool, he knew had had to call her, though he didn't want to.

He had looked forward to a few days of peace and quiet, but since his boat had shattered as he rode on the knock up stream, he had been forced to descend from the Sky Island a little sooner than he would've liked. Specifically, a full day ahead of schedule.

Grabbing hold of his Den den mushi, he kicked a crate of food into the lifeboat while waiting for the obnoxious woman to pick up her own receiver.

"Hey Fran, it's me, you asked about something yesterday…"

"Yeah, News, I still haven't gotten the World News" the angry voice of Fran erupted from the snail, not bothering with questions about who me were in this case, as she knew perfectly well who the speaker was.

"It's about those princesses" he stated, his voice even, despite that he also knew, all too well, the way Fran would react in a moment.

"Who the hell cares about them?" the gruff voice responded, no respect whatsoever for him, which had been like that ever since they were kids "I wanna hear about…"

"Strawhat found them" he simply stated, and for a glorious moment, the voice in the other end was silent, but he knew it'd return with a vengeance with less than a moment's notice.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" the voice rang out like a waterfall, the stream of words that proceeded to gush out of the gastropod more akin to salvo of 50 machineguns firing at a steel statue, a porcelain shop and a whole orchestra of bagpipe players rather than intelligible sentences.

However, he somehow got the gist of it: Luffy's travelling around with 6 young girls?

Against his better judgement he decided to correct her "Actually, he's travelling around with 8, there's two on his crew remember" the tidalwave of her ramblings managed to rise after that, partially arguing that Nico Robin wasn't a young girl but mostly going on about him being too young for that sort of thing.

He honestly didn't think that Strawhat would do anything with any of them, he didn't seem the sort.

But Fran obviously disagreed with an expected vigour.

"LUUUUUUUUUFFYYYYYYYYYYYY! YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO HAVE KIDS!"

That was when he didn't bother listening to her anymore and ended the call.

He had more important things to do than be a pretend news reporter anyway. Pushing the lifeboat off the side of the damaged ship he left the battered crew to what ever fate the seas would give them, or Big Mom if they could manage to get back to her.

(meanwhile, on the sunny)

The feeling hadn't come suddenly, it had gradually built up like a small storm in the back of her mind. Most people first realised that a storm was about to hit, when they saw the first flash and heard the rumble.

Nami wasn't inherently familiar with that sort of thing in particular, but it was pretty much the same feeling.

Excusing herself from the others in the tub, the navigator hurried to put on a towel and make for the door.

On the deck there was nothing wrong, neither on the bridge (though at both places she'd been met with confused stares at her choice of clothing, though it hadn't been an unpopular choice to some of the crew, Brook would no doubt come with his usual panty request later on, for which she'd punish him severely).

Finally, Nami reached the kitchen, and from the look of things something was going on inside.

As she opened the door, she found herself seeing something she'd never thought she'd see:

Luffy simply sat there, both hands clasping a sandwich, filled to the brim with meat of different sizes and cuts, which he held in front of him, complete and utterly still. The others, Sanji behind the kitchencounter tending to his pots and pans, Chopper reading at the table and Viola who seemingly had kept the chef company, all of them simply gave the pirate captain confused looks, not knowing what was going on.

Even for Nami it took a few seconds to process what had happened:

Luffy had stopped eating mid bite!

Nami had expected quite a number of things to happen before that sort of event: Hell freezing over and opening a ski resort, the Red Line and the Grand Line changing places, Usopp quitting his lies for good, Franky wearing long pants or Nami herself letting go of all of her money.

The rest of the present crew quickly came to the same conclusion: this wasn't good!

Chopper was the first at the rubberman's side, checking his pulse as fast as he could, a hoof on his forehead to gauge his temperature.

"He's not warm, he's cold, and sweating!" the little reindeer went on, though that much was obvious from looking at Luffy.

His skin was as moist and dripping as Nami's own, and he'd gone pale as parchment. If Nami didn't know better, she'd think he was afraid of something. But there had been no alarm from Jinbe or any of the others, and Nami herself couldn't sense a storm on the horizon.

Nami put a hand on his head, pushing up his hat to reveal his eyes.

Large and shifting as if he'd gotten a concussion, his pupils seemed to be unable to focus.

"What happened?"

"Well Nami-schwaaaa-sama" Sanji quickly corrected himself "One moment he was eating, the next, he wasn't!"

"Sanji's telling the truth Nami, nothing weird happened, he just stopped all of a sudden!" Chopper rambled on, still trying to figure out what had afflicted his captain.

"What the hell is going on with him?" she mumbled beneath her breath, worry starting to seep into her voice

"I don't know, his mind's not easy to read…"

Turning around, Nami was a bit angered to see Viola, her hand in its reader position, peering into Luffy's mind like an open book.

But, given the circumstances, she could tolerate it,

But only momentarily.

"Enough of that, What's going through his mind?"

Her tone had been curt and cold, but Viola didn't seem to mind, though Sanji had taken up a safety position behind his stove, hoping that it'd be enough.

"As I said… it's hard to read his mind, it's like a… I don't know…" the princess said, still looking at Luffy with surprise and bewilderment.

"So we have nothing?"

"No Nami… I did see something… but I don't get it…" Viola kept blinking "At least not without context…."

"What is it then, perhaps it'll help us…"

Looking at Nami, Viola couldn't do much better than shrug "it's just a… a duster and… a laugh, I think…."

"Well… try laughing it!"

Shaking her head in disbelief, the princess eventually caved in, took a breath and pursed her lips "Gushishishishi….?"

The effect was instantaneous, Luffy jumped back from from his seat and slammed into the wall behind him, dragging Chopper along like a sprinter walking their exhausted dog.

His jaw hit the floor between his feet and his trembling fingers dug into the wooden wall. His face looked like…. It should have, when they had arrived on Thriller Bark and encountered all of Moriah's zombies.

At the least he was responding now, even if he was shaking like a leaf in autumn. Chopper was lay sprawled on the floor head down, but moving, a hoof rubbing his overlarge head.

Then his arm twitched and moved away from the wall, while his hand released its grip on the woodwork. Unfortunately, it was the left arm that moved and the right hand that released its grip. The sound of splitting wood filled the kitchen as the hand pointed over at the table, followed by the sound of Luffy's mouth shutting close with a snap, and that was soon replaced by the captain's, surprisingly level, voice "Why's my sandwich on the floor?"

Nami, mostly due too her previous worry for him, didn't slap him silly (everyone knew she'd get that chance later, so why rush it?).

"Luffy… do you remember anything from a moment ago?" Chopper tried nervously, looking up at his captain, his mouth agape.

"I was eating…." Then shock hit him and his jaw hit the floor again "I haven't eaten it for a full minute, what the heck happened?"

If she hadn't been used to his weird food oriented internal clock, Nami would have been as shocked at Viola.

Deciding not to waste time asking the captain again, Nami simply turned to Viola

"Would you watch his mind again for a second?"

Viola obeyed immediately, while Luffy simply looked questioningly at the others, his default expression when someone talked about something he didn't get . Chopper smiled a little as he opened his mouth, fully aware of what Nami was planning "Gushishishi"

This time Luffy curled up in a ball and rocked back and forth while repeating a single sentence like a chant "Don't' hide under the tables, just run!"

Raising an eyebrow at his behaviour, Nami turned to Viola again, hoping that she knew something.

"Not much better, a burning building, during an earthquake… that was being hit by a tidalwave…. and a monsoon…." She trailed off looking downwards "Also, there was a woman that kept repeating some names"

"And were the woman beautiful?"

"You know what Sanji-kun, I'll get back to that later" Viola smiled kindly at him, before she continued "The names were: Fortunato, Fernando and Francisco, the last one was repeated several times for some reason…"

"Does any of those names mean anything to you Luffy?"

Seeing Luffy tilt his head and simply look at her blank faced, Nami knew that she might as well have asked him where One Piece was or the location of all three of the Ancient Weapons. Interrogating him would award them absolutely nothing.

The rest of those present seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

And as Luffy stretched his arm and got his sandwich back, there really wasn't much they could do, it was all in Choppers' field now.

Sighing, Nami could only look worried at the captain, despite him looking completely normal, as he consumed his snack in two quick gluttonous chomps, a frantic Chopper at his side, busy checking the captains' temperature and checking vitals like crazy.

Behind her, Nami could hear the door open, but she didn't turn to see whom was entering. They'd ask what had happened soon enough.

And sure as rain they did:

"What the heck happened to my ship?" even if she hadn't been able to recognise the voice, as soon as the cyborg rushed past her to take a look at the damaged wall, no one would have doubted that Franky was in the room.

Next to her, Nami could hear Sanji take up place next to Viola, his breathing heavy, and she could even hear his tongue lopping out of his mouth, going full panting dog mode.

As she turned around, she noted the stare he was sending her, going over her towel-covered figure as if he was an art connoisseur, which in his own mind, he probably was. Next to him, Viola was giving him a small smirk, as if to say You never change do you?

However, instead of trying to gain his attention, the oldest princess on board turned to Nami with a smile "I didn't know that you had a tub onboard, can I use it as well?"

"Sure, but we're five in it now so…." She stopped as Sanji began to sway from side to side with a nosebleed, forcing Viola to support him, hugging him closely, which didn't exactly help the already staggering chef. Nami was happy she hadn't mentioned whom, it was that were in the bath with her. No doubt it'd have sent the chef over the edge.

"I'll just use it later, how's that? Sanji-kun seems a bit unwell"

Nami nodded and left the kitchen, shivering a little as the wind hit her, and briefly threatened to rip off her towel, but didn't (much to Brooks' and Usopp's chagrin).

She briefly greeted Shirahoshi on her way back to the bathroom, the large mermaid professing her envy at not being able to enjoy the water with the others. Despite feeling bad for her to be naturally excluded from the fun they were having, Nami hurried into the steamy warmth of the batroom.

As soon as she entered, Carrot tackled her with tight a Garchu-hug

"What happened Nami?"

Nami didn't know how best to answer that one, she didn't want to worry them too much, but she wasn't a huge fan of lying either.

"Nothing you need worry about yet, I just heard something…." Nami sid while patting her head, deciding it was best to delay a long and tedious explanation for the time being.

"Well what was it? I was worried" Vivi complained as Nami broke free of Carrot's embrace and entered the tub again.

"I honestly don't know what it was about, I really don't!" Nami sighed heavily, sinking into the water, almost going under the surface.

When she emerged, the navigator felt only marginally better, scrubbing her face vigorously to try and get the stress and worry and more stress to leave by getting a clean face.

It didn't work well enough, but fortunately the other girls in the tub changed the subject after a brief, silence, devoting their chats to another member of the Grand fleet, Leo, the adorable dwarf (which Rebecca and Viola sewed little dolls' clothes for) and his dreaded dinghy, the Usoland.

Somewhere else on the ship, Usopp couldn't help but feel that someone was laughing at him (and for completely justifiable reasons too (while somewhere in Mariejois, Leo was experiencing something very similar, though his was more a feeling of rage rather than of deepfelt paranoia)).

(On the seas, on a heavily modified ship)

Ramming him fist into the railing again, he looked out over the sea.

Their hunt had yielded them nothing!

Even their generous bribe to the town of Myron hadn't heled them much so far, the only report they'd gotten, told of the Strawhats dropping by, and there was no way he was ready to meet them, it was far too soon for that! And If he didn't get that mermaid and make a trade with her father, then he might never be able to.

"Captain, perhaps you shouldn't go about smashing the ship, you know what damage you can do…" his second said, a bit of a chastising tone to his voice, but also a teasing one.

"Not now man, this isn't my day…" his fingers drummed over the railing, until he finally gave it a final tap, and slammed down his palm, flat on the wood.

"You got a plan capn'?"

"We've lost the trail… for now, but somebody is bound to know where that mermaid is… At Runny Rum Archipelago!"

"We'll set the course immediately captain, if someone got that little pampered girl, then we'll just take her from 'em"

Both laughed as they moved towards the bridge, their new course set.

(about half-an-hour Later, on the Sunny)

"So there's nothing wrong with Luffy at All?"

"No I'm telling you Nami, I can't find anything at all!" Chopper responded for the umpteenth time, his patience starting to wear thin "It was just a fluke"

Not one to discuss something with the resident medical expert, Nami sighed and straightened up. Luffy had already left the infirmary for the kitchen, which was too normal to arouse any worry for his health, mental or physical.

"Should we join him?"

Nodding her affirmation, Nami held out her arms so that the little reindeer could jump up and get an easy ride to the kitchen, the two of them laughing all the way.

When they entered they found that Luffy wasn't eating anything, instead looking bored into the air, his trademark hat askew. He barely looked up as Nami walked in with Chopper.

That didn't stop Rebecca from pinching his cheek and pull, just too see how elastic the pirate actually was, a small smile grazing her lips, while the other hand tried to stifle a giggle.

Next to her, Vivi was leaning over the table, laughing at the sight as well. In the background she could hear Brook playing his violin. Robin was lounging on the couch, a book in her hands (while a dozen of her other hands was holding onto Brook as a precaution). Carrot going through an old newspaper, on occasion going "The seas are a wonderland" and gushing over some marvel or great battle that had been fought in the New World. Like Nami, all the women present were still damp from the bath earlier, mostly wrapped in towels and just relaxing.

Something about the whole scene felt weird.

Five women laughing and having fun, damp and lightly dressed…

In the Sunny's kitchen.

There was no chance in 20 million, that Sanji would leave them be.

Though the whole scene made her raise an eyebrow in surprise, Nami reasoned that his perv-voyancy was off for the time being.

Especially since Viola and the two kuja were also unaccounted for. If Sanji had been anywhere near Shirahoshi, Nami would have seen him when she'd been out on the deck.

Shrugging, the navigator down with the others at the table, joining in the conversation (and the teasing of Luffy) which seemingly revolved around what Vivi had experienced on board of Cavendish's ship, the Narcissism Flagship, or as Robin would correct her, the Sleeping white horse in the forest.

Some of the things that the first division commander did, just to sleep, made Nami doubt that they'd have much use of him. Though it seemed to her, shed' get along swimmingly with that first mate, both having a captain that did things seemingly on a whim, though Nami didn't feel so certain about her more servile personality.

But that could be postponed until they actually met in person, if that ever happened.

Right now, Nami had to consider what it was that scared Luffy so much.

And what that might mean for the crews' future?

(On the seas)

As was to be expected, the lifeboat he'd taken from the Big Mom Pirates was a horrible seagoing vessel, its meagre sail not managing to catch the wind properly.

Fortunately, he could remedy that. Control of One's devil fruit was a marvellous thing indeed.

A groan from one of the barrels made him sit up, walking over to the one that he'd stuffed the prisoner in.

Lifting the lid and peering down, he was surprised by whom he'd liberated.

"As I live and breathe, Ceasar Clown…."

Coating his fist in haki, he punched the semi-conscious scientist's lights out.

Putting the lid back on, he smiled as he retrieved one of the scrolls that he'd stolen from the fools in Germa kingdom. Now the blasted paper had become useful all of a sudden.

But now he had a different problem, he'd have to ditch the crazed weapons supplier at some port for him to be of some use to his future plans and stratagems.

The man's simple weaknesses were well known, so controlling him shouldn't prove too hard. Just give him beautiful women in abundance and the feeling that he was the one in control and he'd be easy to manipulate. If not, the twisted little creature could be dealt with just as easily.

But, a scientist required a lab and a steady influx of resources to perform his craft. Permanent facilities.

The question: was where?

The Sky Islands were out of the question and he'd create too much chaos on Runny Rum, then again, he could always just conquer one of the Germa's snails. Considering his previous visit to the kingdom, and how that had gone, it shouldn't prove too hard to take over the entire country. But that, in and of itself, wasn't necessarily the best long-term plan.

That imbecile to Doflamingo had proven that for all the world to see and learn from.

And he himself was, despite his own pride, or, as some would be stupid enough to say (the especially stupid would do it to his face) his own arrogance, not adverse to learning.

As he opened the keg again and punched the scientist once more for good measure, he couldn't help but think back to the days before…. Even before Roger's death, 26 years ago, when he'd been concerned about other things than power and war.

Back when family mattered more to him.

Thoughts, which inevitably led him to think of when he'd see fit to visit Fran again, although for the time being he hoped that it was after she encountered Strawhat again.

If he knew her right, and he did, she definitely wouldn't approve of his crew (not the women at least), nor the kind of person that old relic Garp had turned him into.

Though he guessed that he couldn't blame one fool for making another….

(on the Sunny)

"Oh come on Sanji-kun, show me!" Viola pleaded with the chef.

Sitting for themselves at the back of the bridge, their only company being the crews' new helmsman. Jinbe tried his best to ignore them, leaving them to look at the midday clouds and the way the waves reflected the rays in a display of colours that could only be found in a pile of gems. The sparkling display of the spectrum of light clashed against all the little green, sand coloured island chain that they had entered, the shiny and the pale, the divine and the mundane.

Viola knew she didn't have to plead with Sanji, he'd do quite a lot for her even without being asked first, but it felt funny to ask and flirt with him at the same time.

"I don't' know Viola-chan, I think the other girl-chans wouldn't like that I showed you the bath, just when they're in it"

Viola knew that he feared angering Nami further (even though he'd relish the sight himself), she also knew, thanks to her devilfruit abilities, that the temperamental navigator was currently telling her darling niece Rebecca, and everyone else in the kitchen, about one time when they travelled to a sky island and fought a logia user with a god complex. Rebecca was listening with great fascination, her head rested on one hand, eyes shining so beautifully, like her mother Scarlett's, when she heard about Kyros and how he'd protected the country's inhabitants that particular day. The bunny Mink was the same, while the bony musician seemed to take it all in stride. The blue haired princess was taking it as a tall tale, and Viola would too, if it hadn't been for the gold pillar from that fabled region which Bellamy had brought as a gift for Doflamingo (Viola had seen that ostentatious piece of metallurgy, it was massive!). The mere thought of it made her shiver with the possibilities of what her father could use the wealth for, at least when they found the blasted thing in the ruins of their nation.

"I can see that they're all in the kitchen now… so what's stopping you Sanji-kun?"

Smiling at her, the disowned prince rose and with a smile offered her a hand, escorting her past Jinbe, who, very briefly, looked after the pair, one eyebrow raised and a small blush on his cheeks.

Viola knew, and prudently choose to ignore it, instead focusing on the chef at her side.

He deserves to have a treat, he's had a very rough patch with his family and then Navigator-san's reaction to his attack on Strawhat-san… Viola thought as she walked arm in arm with the former prince towards the bathroom.

"I like you Sanji-kun…" she started, noting the blush on the Chef's cheeks spreading like wildfire "…so I'd like to call you Sanii from now on, is that okay?" naturally it was, Sanji would have agreed to walk through a lake of acid naked if any beautiful woman had asked him that "you can call me something sweet too if you like…"

"Vi-vi-v-vio…." Sanji stuttered, his heartbeat racing against his imagination, trying to come up with something the ex-dancer would like.

"I would object to being called violent…" Viola teased, before musing "even though it would fit what I did to you most perfectly…."

"That? that was nothing Viola-schwann"

Viola knew that he meant every word, he'd probably say the same about that three-eye tribe girl Big Mom, and his bastard of a father, had wanted him to marry, all for sealing some stupid alliance between their terrible families.

"How about…." Sanji mused, his brow slightly furrowed, until his eyes lit up with a spark of joy "Violet?"

Viola cringed a little at that one. It was the same that Doffy had used after they'd been… She cringed again, a blush appearing on her cheeks, which Sanji noted

"You like it?" he beamed, his mouth widening in a smile that almost saw him loose his cigarette.

Again, Viola cringed at the memories and shook her head sadly "I think you can come up with something better Sanii"

Letting him lead her to the bathroom, the chef pondered some more while she had some thoughts of her own. All of which concerned her great secret and shame, she couldn't never let anyone know about it…. Doflamingo could rant about it all he wanted, no one believed him, not even his closest subordinates had believed everything he'd say, But if she talked about it, ever gave an admittance to it… it'd be a completely different story.

And so she wanted to keep quiet about it at all times. Avoid any reference of even slight hint that she'd ever even….

"We're here Viola-schwann"

Sanji's words brought her back to reality.

As he opened the door, Viola was greeted by the most charming little bathroom that sh'ed ever seen (the keyword was little, she'd seen much bigger and more luxurious ones back home and in Marijois (built in for the royal houses' convenience of course, most with a view to the skies and the nearby forest)).

"Oh It's beautiful!" she chimed "do you think that it'd be a problem if I used it?"

"Not at all!" Sanji beamed, his mind already giving him a vivid picture of what that'd look like, making him radiate enough heat for Viola to break a sweat.

"What's with all the water on the floor though? I can't imagine that I'm supposed to bathe before going into the tub?" Viola cocked an eyebrow at the overflowing floor, bubbles and soap floating on the surface, filling the room with a subtle fragrance of flowers.

"I can clean it if you'd like!"

He is always so eager to please…. Viola thought with a grateful smile as the chef stepped into the room while smiling at her, which made him promptly trip and fall flat.

"Oh no! did you get hurt Sanii?"

"No, not at all Viola-schwann" Sanji responded, a large swell appearing on his face, covering most of the forehead and the cheek, still he was smiling at her like nothing had happened, and the smile widened ever more a moment later.

But… Viola noted, it wasn't her he was looking at anymore.

Turning around she saw why.

Behind her, only wrapped in towels, stood the two Kuja pirates.

Viola was both vexed and surprised to see the pair. Mostly the former since it disturbed her plans for a private moment with Sanii.

"The two of you are going to take a bath I see?" she smiled at the pair, the blonde, obnoxious to Viola's vexation, happily nodding her consent, while the dark haired (that Viola didn't get that well along with, but the pair of them could at least be civil), simply responded "That's not a problem is it? We've already asked both Strawhat-san and Nami-san and neither were against it"

She then bent forwards, her face almost level with Sanji's "Could you spare a smoke chef-san? I've unfortunately run out"

All Sanji could do was watch her, specifically her figure, nodding appraisingly, his face growing more and more crimson. Taking it as a yes, the dark haired Rindo took the packet from his pocket and lit a cigarette.

As she straightened up, Sanji still gawking at her, pounding hearts for eyes at the trio of beauties in front of him, Rindo turned to Viola

"You were going to take a bath as well I assume?"

"Yes indeed, me and Sanii were…" Villa began, only for Rindo to cut her off

"Oh, You were going to take a bath together?" and despite her blush and waving hands Viola didn't manage to stop Rindo in time "There should still be room for the two of us in there with you…. Considering that since they were five in here before us, it should be feasible" on the floor Sanji was starting to sweat profoundly, the thought of all the women in that one little tub driving him crazy, a bonanza of beauty welling in his mind. Viola had seen that in some men before and got the gist of it, but neither of the kuja understood that, as the blonde Marguerite proved, by her next words:

"But if we're all going in, then we might still have to squish tightly together"

Then there was a CRASH!

(on the seas)

For a moment she trembled, rage filling her up like a balloon, no to bursting point, but neither to full capacity, juuuust enough for it to be visible.

Both she and a half-full balloon were a sad sight, neither ever coming to their full right: one as an object of joy at parties, brightening up the room and making kids squeal in happiness, while the other would be a raging harpy, that'd be able to cow a shichibukai or go 1-1 with one of the ancient weapons on a particularly bad day.

Hell had no wrath like a woman scorned…. Or having gotten the feeling that her partner was looking a bit too longingly at other women (which in a lot of ways is the same).

"Is something the matter Pudding-chan?" the subtle voice of Stussy asked from the other end of the couch, a book in her lap.

"…Y-yes, erhm.. I mean NO. Nothing is wrong, nothing at all" She hurriedly responded

Tilting her head at the younger woman, Stussy cocked an eyebrow and a smirk emerged on her lips

"Very well then…." She cooed " By the way, who's Jiji?"

A small giggle escaped Stussy's lips as Pudding trembled all over, looked down and blushed until her face was redder than a strawberry.

"Don't worry about it… us women sometimes feel that way…." She said knowingly, watching Pudding as the girl turned and watched her attentively "… Especially when a man had wronged us most seriously…. Does it again…"

Pudding looked down, sad and angry at being reminded of Sanji again. She didn't know what had made her feel that way, just that Sanji was doing something that he really should NOT! and it had madee her tremble in anger. Perhaps he'd been flirting with that navigator on his crew, that normal eyed navigator with that long beautiful orange hair and those nice big… or perhaps it was that Devilchild that was also on the Strawhat crew (normal eyes and her wanted poster made her look so mysterious and sexy (after her engagement to Sanji had been made official, she'd caught several of her brothers gawking at that Nico Robins' poster for ages)) or even that little bunny mink with the huge appetite… all of her speculations were making Puddings' head spin!

How Stussy could tell what was on her mind, just by looking at her, was a mystery though.

Only one way to find out, and distract her host at the same time:

"Forgive me for asking… but have you ever felt such yourself?"

The older woman didn't smile or tilt her head anymore, in less than a heartbeat it snapped up in an upright position, her eyes growing cold like newly drawn steel, her hands balling into fists. The biggest change, however, was in her face, it grew weary, aging before Pudding's eyes, like it had before, when they'd talked about the mysterious benefactor of the Strawhat pirate crew (which she had yet to tell her siblings about, since either Stussy kept being a good host and entertaining Pudding at every opportunity, never leaving her alone, or the butler kept creeping up on her to offer a refreshment (callback to chapter 7)).

She looked middle aged, tired and weary, looking back at something from long ago. Her butler had also noticed it, and had made himself scarce as fast as possible, a fearful expression on his face. Eventually Stussy turned back to her usual young appearance.

"Once..." she smiled at Pudding, who could almost feel the fangs that were beneath that mysterious stare of her host "And… I made certain to punish him ac-cor-ding-ly!" the last words had been drawn out in a way that made Pudding think of a guitar being strung too tightly, almost to the point of breaking. At which point it would catch fire and every person that had ever heard it would catch it too, and those who knew them would combust as well and so on to forever.

It was the type of tone, that'd make most people want to face Big Mom on a normal day, rather than be near the person who spoke. Pudding certainly felt that way, and so quickly changed the subject, her voice shaky and fast, hoping that Stussy would be distracted

"But… I've been thinking about who you said couldn't be Strawhats' benefactor…."

(back on the Sunny, in the kitchen)

Luffy's head snapped up as if a pistol had been fired. Nami had just enough time to tilt her head at him and begin to open her mouth to ask what was wrong, when she heard it too.

A loud crash that came from the outside, swift as one of Nami's own thunderbolts, the sound of breaking stone and splintering wood heavy in the air.

When the crew got out on the deck, Nami's jaw nearly hit the railing at the sight before her eyes.

The bathroom with the tub had been obliterated, torn asunder, wooden panels splintered, pipes bent and broken stones and tiles lying all over the deck, A shocked Viola and the two Kuja (both in bathing towels), looking out from the sad remains of the bathroom.

A blood trail could be followed from the trio, ending on the other end of the Sunny, with Sanji, looking happier than ever, even if his nosebleed had turned him paler than bleached chalk.

Looking from Sanji to the trio of women in the now demolished bathroom, all three looking at the chef with shocked expression (two of whom weren't wearing much garments), Nami didn't even need an explanation of what had happened. The rest of the crew however, a furious Franky in particular, weren't so perceptice.

"Oi you bastard, what the hell do you think you're doing?" the shipwright yelled at the happy and unconscious Sanji, tears starting to flow from the cybrogs' eyes "I don't have enough materials to repair all of that right now!"

The only thing that saved Sanji from getting throttled by a very angry shipwright, was Chopper, stepping in between the charging cyborg and prone chef "Stoooop Franky! Can't you see he's almost dead! He needs medical attention!" after which he yelled, even more panicking "Someone get a doctor!"

"That's you!" Franky shot back still trying to get past the small reindeer.

"More doctors then! And a bloodbank!" the doctor howled, shifting into his strong point and carrying the now very anaemic chef off to the infirmary.

Franky was left to look at the devastation, his metallic form starting to shake a little a low whistling sound coming from his tightly pressed lips.

"What happened?" a voice yelled next to Nami. She knew the voice and its' owner well and was not surprised that Luffy didn't get what was going on, that Rebecca and Vivi asked the same was understandable too.

"Well….." Viola responded, a hand scratching the back of her head, a drop of sweat running down her forehead.

"I asked if we could join them in the bath and he started… flash-bleeding…" Viola turned to Rindo with a horrified expression and a deep crimson blush, looking like she was about to protest but didn't know how. She hadn't the time either as Rebecca was looking at her aunt with an even deeper blush, but as Nami noted her voice didn't carry notes of outrage: "Aunt Viola-san!"

"I just had him show me where the bathtub was!" the aunt responded hands flailing in protest, her face taking a burning shade of red.

"I asked if you were there for a bath, you said you were" Rindo simply responded, the deadpan expression still on her face.

"I was speaking for myself! Sanii just showed me, that's all!"

While the rest of the crew looked blushing at the trio, Nami couldn't help but giggle to herself, Sanii? really?

"Uuuuhhhh, Rindo, I think we're to blame for this one …." Marguerite said slowly, a thoughtful finger on her chin.

"Hmm…. I think you're right on that one…" the dark-haired kuja responded her pose mimicking her comrades' "We apologize for our misconduct then…." Bowing in front of Viola, the princess stood stock still, only a twitch appearing in one of her eyes, the telltale signs of a person that were about to give up, and then not doing it.

"How are any of us getting clean now?!"

Nami found it all quite delightful, even though Luffy was starting to hyperventilate next to her.

"What's wrong Luffy?" she managed, not understanding anything, usually he'd laugh this kind of thing off, being worried about anyone's usual antics didn't seem like him.

"With Sanji in the sickbay, who's gonna cook?"

Nami made an internal facepalm, she hadn't thought of that, with Sanji out of commission, she was one of the few that could cook, and for so many!

What was worse:

was that they didn't have enough to pay her!

(In Germa Kingdom)

"So it's all settled with a meeting place then?"

"Yes Neptune-dono-nyon" the voice of elder Nyon "Runny Rum Archipelago, in a few days time"

"Thank you, that is excellent news" the merman howled into the den den mushi, which on the other end in Marijois came out as a deafening cacophony.

Turning to his colleagues, he shared another glass of wine with them before turning towards the bedridden Cobra, the ever vigilant Pell at his side at all times.

"King Nefeltari, you'll get to see you daughter soon, hang in there, not just for your daughter's sake, but for your kingdoms'"

He received no response, the Alabastan king too weak to talk for the time being, yet the desert king's eyes still shone with the vigour of a tigers, even if it was caged.

Hopefully, he'd make it till they reunited with their daughters.

(On the Sunny)

"I can see a ship!"

Luffy's face lit up as he pointed from the stern towards a small dot in the horizon, barely visible between the myriad of little islands, mountain peaks that rose form the sea and odd formation that Nami could only think of as risen reefs that had turned to stone.

Looking through the spyglass Nami could see it much clearer, the dot was indeed a ship, a galleon to be precise and bearing a flag she knew all too well.

"It's one of Big Mom's ships!" Turning to Jinbe, she was glad the fishman was already changing their course

"Let's fight 'em!" Luffy called out, standing up and, even from the bridge, Nami could hear his knuckles crack. It didn't take much thought to imagine him smiling, looking forward to the battle to come.

She could also imagine how hard it'd be to convince him not to do what he wanted.

"NO! we can't do that!"

"Yeah Luffy!" Usopp chimed in "We can't endanger our guests (and especially me)!"

"But we haven't fought any one for days!" the captain called back, Zoro voicing his support (both liked a good fight and after days of inactivity it was inevitable that either would jump on the chance for a scrap).

"I don't think it's a good idea to fight them captain, swordsman…" Robin interjected "If you'd listen to my suggestion, I think…. mostly everyone will be satisfied…."

(on the seas)

"Faster! The sooner we can get to Tablet the better!"

Raisin smiled as his order was carried out, the crew on this ship being professional and diligent in their chores, and whatever their captain had decided.

Still he was more than a bit peeved.

He'd called Tablet to hear how far they'd come, but no one had answered his calls.

If something had happened to the diminutive man, Raisin would be held accountable, especially of something had happened to the prisoner!

(On the Sunny)

He swore deeply and meant every word.

Being left behind on the Sunny while the others were out doing the exciting things, could make any man furious. And Zoro was furious a lot these days. Half a dozen women on board, few of whom seemed to be able to handle themselves was one thing, their little squabbles were something he could sleep from, even when the shitty chef had destroyed the bathroom, he'd been soundly asleep. What irked him was that it felt like his stores of Sake was disappearing rapidly and there was no restocking in sight, six more mouths to fill was bound to have something to do with it.

That, and he hadn't fought anything for days, though it felt like weeks, not even weirdo eyebrows had provided any sport in that time.

Watching over the guests and having Franky steer the ship into some small inlet where they could anchor up and wait for the other.

That there was a forest that could entertain them (and provide timber for Franky's repairs, which the chef had been responsible for (Zoro didn't care that the Kuja said it was their fault, he'd take any chance to tick off Sanji)).

"Okay, let's settle here, Franky, you can get that wood alone right?"

"Sure can, I'm super productive this week"

"Brook, you stay here with pervy-cook and Chopper, guard the boat"

"'Kay"

"What about me Zoro?"

"You're with me and Carrot, Usopp, we'll do the guard thing, and explore a little at the same time…" the bloodthirsty grin on the swordsman's face was the polar opposite of the look of dread that came over the snipers'. Carrot jumped in excitement at the change to go sightseeing.

"I'd like to stay here if that's all the same to you?"

"If you want Vivi, one less person to watch out for"

"Are you always this cold swordsman-san?" he dressrosan princess asked him, not with ill intent, but her voice didn't lack an edge. Perhaps because he'd suggested they could keelhaul Sanji as punishment for damaging the Sunny (and for fun).

"You got a problem with it, you can stay too" turning to the others' neither his face or his tone changed "If there's nothing else, let's get moving!"

Behind him, Zoro was vaguely aware of Shirahoshi squealing in anticipation somewhere behind him, the mermaid being all too excited about finally getting to see a real surface forest (though she also spoke about one in Marijois that was much different from the one they were entering).

Walking determinedly into the undergrowth, Zoro kept seething about why it wasn't him that was out spying on the Yonko's ship?

(in the Submersible III beneath the waves)

"Why did you want me with you again Robin?"

"Why simple, you're better at steering this than I am, Nami"

"And why did you want to go as well Robin?"

"I am better at spying than most"

"And why Jinbe and Luffy?"

"Our captain was cheated from a good fight the other day, and this will entertain him, Jinbe-san is a great protector beneath the water, so he was of more use here than elsewhere"

"And you're sure it'll help us later on if we eavesdrop on them?"

"Positive"

Sighing, Nami hoped that she was right. She hadn't been the most enthusiastic, when it came to this spymission, snooping around Big Mom's business, just so they could anticipate what would go on when next they encountered the monstrous mother and her brood of descendants.

But, she mused, even if this little trip turned out to be a waste of time, at least they could enjoy the scenery, and beneath the waves it was a whole other world.

Nami was excited to see, that she'd been right about the giant petrified reefs, beneath the surface there were far more of them and they were beautiful!

Clad in a dozen different colours Nami was delighted to see the multitude of species that dwelled under the water. Schools of fish, she'd never seen before, danced around drifting turtles and playing dolphins all congregated within the of the corals, in between the humongous sea anemone and the floating kelp strands.

Lucky, Nami thought, looks they don't have a care in the world.

What really caught her attention in the gigantic reef however, was when they'd turned another island.

Part of the reef had been absolutely demolished, huge chunks of coral shattered into rubble and sharpened stone spires beneath the waves

and she was particularly surprised to see by what:

A huge pile of stone rubble had recently smashed into the seabed. Nami was further surprised to see that the stones had too many right angles to not be from some humongous structure, a theory only affirmed by the arches and holes in the stone that could very well have been windows.

Her companions were likewise looking at the ruin with shocked awe.

Tearing her eyes from the sight below, Nami looked up instead

Near the surface, Nami could see the ship from before, had seta direct course towards another ship. Jinbe was hot in pursuit but made no sign that the big mom ship was attacking. Silently, stealthily, the former shichibukai neared the ships, intent on listening in on whatever conversation they were going to have.

Nami turned to Robin

"Is he saying anything?"

"Only that I've made him look ridiculous"

Nami giggled, the sight of Robin growing a pair of human ears on the sides of Jinbe's head was as odd as it was endearing, which the fishman had been very self-conscious about, trying to hide the behind his golden sideburns (it didn't help).

Remaining silent (and putting a hand over Luffy's mouth to silence the worst of his protests) Nami let Robin concentrate on what ever was being said on the ships above, waiting for the archaeologist to tell them everything she heard.

Hopefully, it didn't spell more trouble for them.

(meanwhile on the surface)

"What the hell happened here?" Someone yelled so loud that Jinbe had no trouble hearing it. Pressing himself close up against the hull of the ship, he could hear what could only be identified as Charlotte Raisin talking to some subordinate. Whom, Jinbe didn't know, but he was certain that the name would come up eventually.

"Like, man… I don't know! One moment, like, everything is super and I'm gonna like get promoted and get to serve under commander Katakuri and everything, and then man, like the next second, something slams into the sea from above and makes this, like, huuuuge tidal wave that messed up everything, like…" a voice rambled out loudly, the waterfall of words making even the crash of the sea seems silent in comparison, and far less frequent "…then there was all this spray and fog and everything, and man you won't believe what happened next! Like, there was something that just killed some of my men, like, it was some sort of terminator! He smacked me into the wall of the ship like I was a flea man! And then he took one of our boats and made some den den mushi call, like, man, like he didn't even think that we we're here! And he took Caesar too!" (In the Submerge, Nami and Luffy both scowled at the name)

"Tablet, slow down! I can hardly keep up" Raisin raised his voice significantly, making the panicked Tablet shut his mouth instantaneously.

"There was a tidalwave out of nowhere, this is the New World, so that's not uncommon, but someone boarded one of Mama's ships and slew several of your crew and abducted Caesar Clown… That's not just uncommon, it's madness."

"I'm with you on that one man! Guy was crazy!"

"And… then he called someone, who?"

"He never used a name, just told someone that… like, man, it was super weird! He said that Strawhat…" he trailed off for a moment lost in thought, letting Raisin say something for a change. (in the submersible, Nami and Robin paid extra attention now, the same with Jinbe on the side of the ship).

"Strawhat? What does he have to do with anything?"

"I don't know, but that attacker said that he had those missing girls!"

"The missing princesses? Are you certain?"

"Like, I'm super positive man! Guy said it, clear as day, and that other voice didn't like that one bit, like NOoooo sir! Sounding like a storm hitting another storm and birthing an earthquake! I didn't hear why, things were, like, getting kinda blurry at that point man!"

"Hmm, better report this to Mama, it could be important…. We better be on our guard while we get this ship repaired…" he paused, raised an eyebrow and scanned the ship before adding, his voice low and inquisitive "Why's it called the Honey Pie anyway?"

"I don't know…" Tablet admitted, before mumbling "Yours is called the Sultana Triffle…."

(((((((((((((((((

(on the Shark Submerge III)

Robin swallowed as she heard the last part.

As she told Nami and Luffy she could see the surprise being all too evident on their faces.

"How the…. How could anyone know that we got the princesses?"

"I don't know Luffy…." Robin answered, a hand scratching her chin thoughtfully "…but whomever it was, they sure know how to make an impact!"

"That's for sure…." Nami said, looking down at the ruin in the reef below, having a bad feeling about what was going on behind the scenes without their knowledge.

"Let's get back, I don't think we're going to hear much more" Nami muttered, turning the submersible around "Is Jinbe ready to go too?"

"He was practically saying the same thing a moment ago" Robin began "He's already on his way towards us"

"Hope he can keep up, I don't want to be around here for much longer"

"Aren't we going to fight them?"

Neither woman spoke, only giving each other a look, mentally debating who should tell him a big resounding no.

(meanwhile on the forest island)

"this is marvellous!" Shirahoshi droned on for the umpteenth time, looking at the multitude of trees that rose majestically from the ground in a dozen different shapes. Some stood like normal trees, while others twisted and turned as if they were stings in a bundle, going this way and that, and if pulled, would instantly tighten into a knot.

The wonder shone though her eyes at the sight of all those trees.

They were magnificent, the sight of them was breath-taking, the way the leaves and needles moved in the wind, how the crowns only let the smallest amount of rain or sunlight come in from above, the humidity that was held in by the thick boughs and intertwining branches, or the scent, of things that she'd never even heard of before, things that the little furry surface dweller, the mink, had called moss and flowers.

Shirahoshi had felt like a little child when she'd touched one of the trees.

She'd touched the ones in Marijois naturally, but here, they weren't smooth, they were rougher than even Megalo's skin and so much more uneven. When first she'd touched it, she'd withdrawn her hand as if stung, the roughness scaring her, as did the warmth it possessed, but then only wanted to get the true feel of the big bough, so much larger than herself.

The others had given her a fair share of odd stares from her behaviour, but that wasn't surprising, they were used to trees and had seen them up close, Shirahoshi was still getting used to the way the sun felt when it wasn't being filtered through a tree beneath the Red Line.

She was both afraid and excited at the sights and smells that surrounded her. She wished she had Luffy-sama or Nami-sama with her, but they had to protect them from something else, so she knew that they were guarding them from pretty much anything.

"Hey, look over here!"

Turning towards Marguerite-sama's voice, Shirahoshi was glad she called out.

Before her eyes was perhaps the most adorable forest lake, surrounded by moss-covered rocks, little water plants she didn't know the name of and an abundance of little smoothly rounded stones. It made it easier to slide down to the shore.

"hmm, this gives me an idea…"

"What is it Viola-sama?" Shirahoshi asked, curiosity shining out of her eyes.

"Well, back on the ship, I didin't get to have a good soak so….."

"You'd bathe here?"

"Why not? This little lake seems deep enough for even you to have a good dip, and having been cramped up on the deck can't have been pleasant and after all that work you put into dragging us around you must still be tired, no?"

A slight affirmative nod was all that Shirahoshi could give in response. Trutfully she had been more tired them she ever had before (it was very limited what exercise could be done when you were locked up in a tower for years on end) and a little rest where she could stretch out was more than appealing to her.

"If you want to have a dip, I can tell the boys to not come looking" barely had Carrot said it before she jumped off, her bunny legs carrying her away in an instant, leaving the princesses and Kuja alone.

"So who's in?"

Shirahoshi blushed a little as the older woman stripped and descended into the water "oh this is heavenly! You have to try this Rebecca"

"I got a great bath earlier Viola-san, I don't need one so soon" the pinkhaired maid responded, settling on one of the huge rocks.

"Well, we lost the opportunity before due to… unforeseen circumstances…." The darkhaired kuja began, laying her clothes to the side and joining the other woman in the water, though at a certain distance.

"yeah!" marguerite jumped in with a splash, doing a quick swim in the water before Shirahoshi joined them.

"Wauw, this is heavenly" the mermaid murmured, stretching to her full length, letting the water envelop her like a blanket, relishing in the feel of the fresh water and the tingling sensation it gave her. It was so much different from seawater, no salt at all, only a rejuvenating feeling of stress leaving her body.

"Ok the boys won't come near the pool now, are you guys enjoying it so far?"

"Yes Carrot-sama its' wonderful" Shirahoshi beamed at the smaller mink.

"this pool is fantastic, the coolness, the stones at the bottom, and just look at all these small squid that keeps swimming all over us, they're so adorable!" Viola smiled holding up a little cephalopod in the palm of her hands, watching the fingernail sized yellow and green-and-red-and purple-ringed animal with fascination "I wonder why they do that though?"

"Probably eating our dead skincells" Rindo muttered between puffs on her cigarette "I've heard some fish do that from time to time in the sea"

"I've heard that too, but I think our resident expert could clarify that for us" Shirahoshi blushed a little at Viola's words, but she nodded in confirmation.

"we often do that on Fishman island, there's several beauty parlour where you can get your skin cleaned, even in the human quarter… or so I've heard…" she said, her voice growing a little low at the last part, as she didn't have direct firsthand experience with the different areas of fishman islands capitol.

Much to the mermaid princess' relief, Viola was quick to change the subject

"By the way, Rindo… you said that you were out of cigarettes earlier… so were did you get that one?" pointing at the smoke in the kuja's mouth.

"I got that from the chef you walk around with like a partner…. Does that bother you" still the kuja had that same dry tone to her voice that made her seem apathetic.

Viola flushed a little (the same with her niece and Shirahoshi) "We're not partners, Rindo… I'm a bit surprised you know what that is…"

"Back home, all kuja have partners, we carry them around until we need them" marguerite said cheerfully, before continuing with a sadder tone "I wish I could have taken mine with me, and Tam gets so cranky when I don't pet her regularly…"

The other women in the pool blushed a little at the implications of the blonde's statements, it spoke about a part of kuja culture that they didn't foresee.

"And that's why I stick to a bazooka instead of a snake weapon, no feelings that can get hut" looking at the blushes of the other women in the pool, Rindo cocked an eyebrow "I'm talking about snake weapons of course, what did you think?"

"…nothing… Rindo-sama…. Nothing at all"

"Say, Shirahoshi-chan how is life in Ryugou Kingdom? I expect there's a lot of things that you don't have at the bottom of the ocean aside from forests"

Happy that someone had the wit to change the subject before it got into the realm of romance and intimacy, Shirahoshi enthusiastically responded

"Well, Rebecca-chan, naturally there's a lot of reefs and fish and no birds or…."

(on the seas)

"So what you're telling me…" the large headed man began, none too amused as he walked on the stone pier like half a regiment of marines (he certainly weighed about the same) in front of the towns inhabitants and the men he'd brought with him.

"Iz, that Vi'm supposed to go south to get west and then turn left at some huge chalice shaped rock and the Vi'm going to find those king-boys?"

The townspeople looked at the man in front of them in despair, not sure he understood anything he'd just been told.

"VI don't think so" the man turned at the them, watching then like a hawk (or rather a humongous chicken, only waiting for them to do something that'd benefit it somehow)

"That's because we told you the exact opposite, go north, then east, and turn a little right at the cliff shaped like a huge co…."

"Silence you dirty mouthed boy you!" the huge headed man yelled at the mayor of the town, making the entire crowd grow silent immediately "VI'm perfectly aware of what you said before, VI just like my version better-buru!"

Straightening up, the huge headed man stared down the mayor, resting his thumbs in the suspenders of his onepiece bathing suit, the Jolly Roger on his chest standing proudly.

"VI'm going to enjoy this hunt Heehaw!" laughing loudly while spinning around on his heel, a wine bottle falling out of his large purple afro, baffling the crowd. They were eve more surprised when a hand reached out and grabbed it before it fell past his shoulders.

"Besides" the huge man added, as he swung back around to lock eyes with the mayor once more "why should VI believe anything you say hmmm? You could be lying to my face!" he punctuated it by pointing to his own massive head.

"They treated us like trash! That's why!" the mayor responded angrily, his voice rising to a cry that resonated across the waves "One of them came to our town and after getting a little beat up, they practically imprisoned our whole town looking for the guy! And when they finally found him and released us, they gave us not apology or compensation, parts of the town are still in ruins after their searches! Those kings and their scum in the World Government, as soon as it fits their devices they'll do away with us and even their own countrymen! How could I not tell the truth if it meant getting those bastards down?"

"Nfufufufufu!" the large headed man chuckled deeply, his smile widening "VI believe you now-buru"

Turning to his own men on the pier he shouted with unfettered joy "Come on my little Candies! Time to get those king-boys! Heeeehaw!"

The candies responded in kind, their enthusiasm and outrage evident

"Yes, Queen Ivankow-sama!"

(In the forest)

Despite the worries she had after hearing what had happened with the Big Mom pirates, and then having to deal with Luffy's childish sulking at not being allowed to hit anything, Nami's mood was almost instantly lifted when she laid yes on the tranquil scene before her.

"Well you seem to be enjoying yourself" she said with a smirk, giving the women in the pool a quick survey, noting how relaxed they all seemed. After she'd returned to the ship and had a quick chat with her comrades, she and Vivi had ventured out into the forest to look for the other guests.

"Look, I'm sorry, but you gotta get up soon, Franky's done with his lumberjacking and Zoro hasn't found anything dangerous on the island-" (the last part wasn't entirely true, the swordsman had taken out a minor herd of giantic boar, filling their stores of meat to the brimming point (which helped Luffy's mood, still being denied a battle)) "-so we're good to go"

"Five more minutes! This is amazing…" Marguerite pleaded next to her fellow kuja, who had fallen asleep, with the last burnt-out remains of her cigarette hanging from her lips.

"does that go for miss ashtray-lips over there?"

"Nami-sama, be nice, please!"

"Have Sanii recovered yet?"

"Unfortunately not… Chopper says he'll be out cold for the time being, but he should be better tomorrow…" Nami said with a sulk, taking a deep breath

"I'm surprised, Navigator-san, usually you would be very angry at Sanii"

"Well Viola-san, I'm generally not a fan of kicking someone when they're down…." The navigator shrugged slightly "Besides….." Nami's head dropped significantly, "With Sanji out cold… I'm the only one on the ship that can cook!"

Despite looking down, Nami knew Viola was looking at her with scrutiny, not all that happy her sanii wasn't paid more attention/were pitied more. Nami reasoned that the dressrosan princess would personally remedy that later.

"Aww Don't' feel bad Navigator-san, even with Lucy-san's appetite, I don't think there's that much that needs doing, last night most of the meat he ate was rare"

"There's still 16 other people that needs feeding Rebecca-chan…"

"15 aside from Luffy, VIvi" Nami corrected her "I don't think Sanji will eat all that much when he's in the infirmary... and I'm likely to pass out after being done, so only 14 others, minus our captain..." Nami could already feel the fatigue assault her like a storm. Feeding the group that went to Tottoland had been a herculean task in itself, mostly because they had to catch their food first. As soon as Franky had repaired the bathroom Nami was going to soak for a week!

"Oh, I can help you Nami, Terracotta gave me some lessons while you guys had your break…"

Smiling at her blue haired friend, Nami couldn't help herself "It really was a training period, captain's orders…." She corrected again with a sheepish grimace "but I'm happy you'll help me…" turning to leave, Nami called over her shoulder "Don't be too long, we're setting out as soon as possible"

(On the seas, on a ship entering a very ostentatious harbour)

"Hurry up Pudding-chan, we're almost there!" Stussy called out, her happy tone unsettling her young ward even further.

The girl had tried to convince her that she was very nervous about seeing the pleasure district, and she were, but not as much as if Pudding thought that Stussy had seen through her ruse.

If she ever realised that Stussy had never been fooled, the poor girl would panic like Tottoland during one of Big Mom's seizures.

Right now, the girl was pretend rushing in her cabin, acting as if she was gathering her few meagre belongings and packing them into har little cute suitcase, when in fact, she was using a hidden den den mushi (most likely stored away in her new haircut or in the hem of her dress) to call her family, telling them all about what Stussy had told her about the Strawhat's benefactor. All, that Stussy thought was prudent to tell her about it anyway.

It was almost too adorable that Pudding had fallen for her arranged bridesgroom in the middle of it all, and it was only icing on the cake that she refused to admit it to herself. Stussy had seen the look she'd given Black Leg as soon as he'd called her third eye beautiful, so broken and so hopeful at the same time, which the older woman theorized was true for all of Linlin's children (there had to be a reason for Katakuri to wear his scarf at all times). That Pudding had subconsciously given the pirate the pet name Jiji, wasn't something Stussy had foreseen however, but that one hadn't been hard to figure out at all. Which made it a bit boring, but not enough for her to ignore it, it could still be used after all.

Taking a sip of her glass, Stussy relished the taste of both the depths and tones of the wine, and the more subtle and intricate flavour of her own manipulations. Soon the girl would open up and tell her everything she wanted, and dear, sweet, little, naïve and blind Pudding wouldn't even realise it.

She giggled, remembering the wedding ceremony, the Vinsmoke Prince and member of the Strawhat Pirates paired with a daughter of Big Mom. If only the humongous sow that was Charlotte Linlin and that idiot to Judge had talked things over with Strawhat first, they could've formed an alliance capable of toppling Kaido within a few months.

Now, the Strawhats were headed out to fight him alongside their allies in the Hearts Pirates and on the Yonkos' own turf no less. It was almost too good to be true!

Another little crew or organisation that caused some trouble and got away with it for far too long, angering and mocking either pirate or world government, was about to have themselves killed because of their arrogance or audacity.

It was all too perfect!

That Strawhat was a "D" was all the more delicious!

Stussy briefly wondered if it was something that ran in his family, the rapid rise to power and importance, to infamy! The amount of cheekiness that he had.

Everyone had their own theories about what the "D" stood for, some thought it stood for dream, others, dimwit, doom, dastardly, deicide (which could very well be why so many of the Tenryubito feared them), damnation or even that it wasn't a letter at all, but a smile that had been turned lopsided, very lopsided. To Stussy it seemed that the "D" stood for Destiny, the destiny to fall that was.

Fall, like another "D" had, because she willed it. So long ago….

Tomorrow, if all went as planned, Morgans would bring the article she had requested in the World Economic Journal, and then it was only a matter of waiting.

Waiting, for one of Strawhats' crew, to realise that they needed more intel before they tried to challenge Kaido directly. Stussy' guess would be either devilchild, JInbe or the cat burglar. Having seen the orange haired navigator in action, the queen of the pleasure quarter highly doubted that her bounty of a measly 66 million beli was a fair estimate of her abilities. As a side note, the bounty on God Usopp, 200 million, was far too high by her calculations. If she ever pressed her case with the world government, perhaps they could see reason and switch the two.

But back on the subject, if the Strawhats' didn't send one of their Grand Fleet divisions, then they'd come and gather the intel themselves.

And that's when the trap would spring!

If her imbecilic superiors got their way, destroying the Strawhat crew directly was an especially bad plan when he was going to get himself killed all on his own.

If they had the sense to follow her plan however, the world government might even be capable of taking out Kaido, if they played their cards right.

But if memory served no superiors she 'd ever had could think that far. Cringing as the voice of her father emerged from the distant past, forcing Stussy to empty her glass in a quick gulp before carelessly throwing it away.

"Stupid men…." She hissed under her breath

"…Madam?" a Stony voice asked tentatively, the owner eying her nervously, shifting in his place

"Nothing Bellliworth" Stussy coldly scolded the butler, despite that he'd served her family since before he could walk, the old man wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer (sometimes she thought that he was more like a spoon or perhaps a whisk was better) "Get me another glass, I'm thirsty, something with a bit more body this time and from a better year!"

Hearing her butler scurry off, Stussy forced a smile to appear on her face.

Her little ward had shown up.

"Ah there you are! We're almost ready to dock now!" placing a hand on Pudding's trembling shoulder, the queen of the pleasure district continued, spreading an arm out to encompass the port leading to her very own, private, little kingdom "I think you'll love it here"

At least you'll act like it, she thought as Pudding smiled nervously at her host.

"You don't need to be afraid here!" Stussy said overbearingly, gently walking her shaking guest down the plank to the pier, while simultaneously complimenting the younger woman in her mind: Smart little girl, aren't you? Not believing me at all.

(on the Sunny, around night time)

Nami swayed a little as she took a break from the feast inside.

Her and Vivi had been worked to the bone. The bluenette was a competent chef, but the pair had been very fatigued after cooking all that food, and it hadn't gotten better when Luffy had asked for more, only to be told that they needed food for tomorrow too (half the boars Zoro had hunted down had been used almost instantly after the captain had sat down, boredom seemed to make him as hungry as adventure did!).

The rest of the table were an odd combination of excited and tired, Brook and Carrot had energy to spare, neither really having been that active today, the same went for Zoro (guess a few boars only counted as minor sport for him) while Usopp and Franky were far more worn out, one from cutting down trees for temporary repairs (but only until the cyborg could get his hands on more Adam wood, which they could probably find on Runny Rum (the black market was everywhere, if you knew where to look)) while the other had tried to keep up with Zoro as he'd run down the pork for the evenings' dinner, simultaneously panicking all the way.

Robin and Jinbe both acted stoically, both not having overexerted themselves during the day's covert spying mission.

Chopper and the majority of their guests that had been in the forest were tired, Chopper for obvious reasons, checking up on their captain after his strange seizure and then having to use up most of his medical supplies to prevent Sanji from being too affected by his bloodloss. Why the… forest bathers were tired, Nami didn't know, but she was almost too fatigued to think about it herself.

Looking down at her hands, she noted how worm they looked, even in the sparse light that was outside on the deck she could see how red they were, but she knew that with a bit of rest, she could use them as dexterously as she used to.

But there were other things that bothered her, who was the person that had attacked the Big Mom Pirates? And how did they know that the princesses (plus two Kuja) were sailing with them? And who had they called to tell about it?

All the questions were starting to spin around in Nami's head and was fast giving her a headache.

"Are you ok Nami-sama?"

Turning to the mermaid princess, despite all the things on her mind, Nami didn't have to force a smile to greet her.

"Just a little worn out Shirahoshi, nothing a good nights' sleep won't cure"

"Ah I see…" the mermaid murmured, her large eyes shifting from Nami to the islands they were leaving behind, their forms obscured by the mists

"Why did you call up all those… clouds for Nami-sama?"

"It's mist Shirahoshi, and they're there to conceal us and keep others from wanting to sail in that direction" Nami explained, her mind concerned solely with the potential for Big mom's ships accidentally stumbling on them in the night.

"Vivi-sama was really impressed by it"

"She sure was, I got my first Climatact when I was in Alabasta helping save the country"

"I think Vivi-sama would like her own one day"

"I don't need one of my old ones, so I don't see why she shouldn't have one" despite that Vivi didn't know the first thing about the improved versions of the weapon, only having seen the original, Nami liked the idea of having another swing it around, showing the world what the device was able to do.

"I was really happy to see a real forest today…." Shirahoshi suddenly said, her words bordering on a whisper, part awe and part fear "But I would have liked for you to be there Nami-sama, and Luffy-sama too… and the rest of the crew…."

Nami nodded "Yeah, we all made that promise with you, didn't we?" Nami scratched her head in embarrassment, a little ashamed that she hadn't been able to keep her end of the promise, Nami patted the princess' arm.

"ugh" the groan was barely audible, but Nami heard it regardless.

"You okay Shirahoshi? I only brushed your arm a little" Nami watched the huge girl on the deck with concern.

"I… I'm fine Nami-sama, just… tired…. I don't know, a good nights' rest might help me too…"

Holding out a hand again towards the mermaid, Nami stopped short, just before touching the princess' skin.

Why is her skin so warm? She thought, it's like she's radiating heat!

"Shirahoshi, are you okay? Should I get Chopper?"

"No need-Nami-sama…'m-jst-hppi-t c-a-fore-"

Nami didn't have the time to get out of the way when Shirahoshi toppled, burying the navigator underneath her head and an avalanche of pink hair, the rest of her body landing on the deck with a heavy thump. Digging though the sweet-smelling strawberry-mane, Nami finally emerged from under the mermaid princess' burning hot neck.

First came her head and Nami gasped for breath, preferring the smell of salty sea air with a faint tint of her beloved orange trees over Shirahoshi's personal aroma any day. Struggling further, the mermaid's weight pinning her down, Nami finally managed to get the rest of her body free.

Fetching a lamp, Nami noted how sweaty and oddly reddish the mermaids' skin was, and yet with areas where she shivered. Her breath uneven, her whole body still and although her eyes were closed, Nami could see all sorts of movement beneath the lids.

"What the hell?" Nami muttered to herself, before whipping around and yelling as loud as she could

"CHOPPER! Get out here quick! Something is seriously wrong with Shirahoshi!"

End of chapter 13

welcome to new followers / people who favorited this fic

Well this got long, 19.000+ words long in fact. Which means I've hit a landmark, a fic of over 100.000 words. And bloody hell did it take a while to finish!

I've said it before, I have to make shorter chapters.

Threads this time around – all of which are beginning to form a nice tight knot without any of them knowing.

Strawhats: plans to pass over the princesses to their fathers, the sunny gets damaged, Luffy gets very nervous for some reason, and the crew hears that someone is keeping close tabs on them, much to their fear. Viola tries to get closer to the chef, while struggling wiht some secrets. Also baths in abundance, Sanji hasn't been that happy since he swam with mermaids on Fishman island, even though he almost dies of blood loss…. Again. Speaking of weakened people, someone is feeling a bit under the weather too.

Big mom pirates: gets their sticky hands on Caesar and loses him again soon after. Both Tablet and Raisin are canon characters btw. The readers can check put this link if you want to be certain of who's who: wiki/Big_Mom_Pirates

The mysterious party: leaves the sky island, grabs Caesar from big moms' crew and gives Fran a call, much to Fran's displeasure.

The royals: finding out where they're going to see their daughters again. Cobra isn't getting any better.

CP0: Stussy is still with Pudding, sailing the seas together, sharing experiences, but are just about to arrive at their destination. Pudding doesn't know what Sanji is doing, but, she can feel some of it, and it's ticking her off. Stussy is planning and scheming like crazy.

The princess hunters: still out there, the guy that obliterated the Macro pirates and battered part of the Long Long crew has set sails for Runny Rum.

The revolution: Ivankov finally shows up, after 12 chapters the hormone king makes his debut, looking for the royals that are looking for their daughters.

RnR if you'd be so kind