Blood ties like Iron chains chapter 15
Enter Runny Rum Archipelago
(On the Sunny early morning)
Nami stirred, her eyes blinking as she yawned.
It had gotten late the previous evening, with Nami reading the article (slash commercial) for Rindo and Marguerite (and Viola, Rebecca, Vivi, Carrot, Chopper, Luffy, Usopp and Jinbe, who'd also managed to squeeze into the girls' quarter, much to Sanji's chagrin) and later a fairy tale about a princess, a prince and a tiger, both of whom wanted marry her (most of the time had been spent explaining the two kuja what a prince was, what gender it was, and why the princess would want to marry the prince over the tiger as it seemed pretty pleasant in the story and could fight alongside her if need be).
Blinking again, Nami found that she had fallen asleep upright against the wall, the book in her lab, Luffy leaning against the spot between her shoulder and bosom, his trademark headwear around his neck, fast asleep.
Looking over the other she found Carrot next to Viola and Rebecca, keeping them warm, Jinbe merely sat on the floor, his breathing ca…
Namis' head almost snapped around when she looked down at her captain again.
Many men would go to hades to be where his head were at this point, and truth be told if it wasn't because she knew Luffy, she'd be sending him there too.
She gently lifted up his head and set it to rest against the wall before she dared to moved, only to have Luffy's head immediately slam back, pinning her down on the spot. It wasn't uncomfortable, just awkward, especially if anyone caught her in that position (The ships resident pervs would definitely never forget it, that much was certain, even after she'd beaten them to a pulp).
Nami quickly glanced in Viola's direction, hoping the situation with Shirahoshi hadn't repeated itself. Finding the princess fast asleep, Nami smiled, both at that and that she looked markedly better than Rindo and Marguerite, both Kuja looking horrible, sweaty and tired even in their sleep, but at least they weren't plagued by nightmares.
Perhaps that came from hearing a bit about their father, this Coyle, also called the Fruit Merchant. The article hadn't gone into deep detail about him, only saying he was a smuggler that specialised in devilfruits, and not just acquiring and selling them, but also research and some sort of special unique Haki usage. It also stated that he'd been dead for years, being killed by some Vice Admiral a year or so before Roger was executed. But it also stated that the museum had several journals and a logbook that he'd written telling a lot of his secrets, even, supposedly, something about his family.
And if they could track down some of his relatives, and fast, they could save Rindo and Marguerite.
It was a longshot, but it was the best they had. And they'd gotten by on worse before (Luffy vs Enel, Luffy eating the only normal apple out a basket of poisoned ones, Luffy jumping with her and the others from Zou, Nami not beating him to a pulp long ago for all the stupid things he did, just to name a few).
Taking a hold on the Strawhat, Nami trusted to luck and took it away from the captain, whose eyes immediately shot open and bolted for the headwear.
Nami had to stifle a giggle "Good to see you up captain" glad that she hadn't simply said, Breakfast and have him bolt from his place and wake up the entire room "How about we get up and see how far we've come?"
"Sure, You think Sanji's made food yet?" he said as he stretched, almost hitting her in the head with an arm.
"I don't know, I think he'll jump in to check up on the girls, if he can take his eyes off Shirahoshi on the deck first"
As they left the cabin, Nami made sure not to disturb the others and leave them to have some rest.
Outside a fresh wind blew, filling the sails and sending the Sunny in the right direction.
Nami smiled "If the wind holds, we'll make it to Runny Rum in a few hours"
"Cool, I can't wait" Luffy grinned, whether it was because they were going somewhere else or that they might get a cure, Nami didn't know. Either option appealed to her as well.
"Excuse me, coming through" Chopper darted past them, his medicine bag in one hoof and a stethoscope in the other, aiming straight for the Girls quarters.
Nami barely had time to see what he was doing, before he shut the door with a bang, and then opened it a moment later to shove the men in the cabin out, no doubt to give the women some privacy.
While Usopp grumbled at being woken up, Jinbe took it as stoically as he did everything, his only response brushing his kimono off.
Luffy simply stretched and wandered off for breakfast, laughing as he went, even though Sanji and Brook both stared at him, the skeleton clearly envious and Sanji in a state of shock. A teary-eyed "You spent the night in their room?" was all the chef could manage before Luffy blurted out "Is breakfast ready?" oblivious to his nakama's plight.
Nami couldn't supress a smile as the Vinsmoke prince meekly replied with a "Pancakes", sending Luffy at top speed towards the kitchen. She shook her head as the chef balled a fist and vowed not to leave any of the women's' side when they reached their destination.
As if we'd take all of them with us into the museum she thought as she tried keep pace with Luffy, hoping to ensure that their captain didn't leave the rest of the crew starving.
Fortunately, she had just the means to ensure that.
As soon as she saw Luffy reach the stacked tables, she pursed her lips and said: "Gushishishi…"
The effect on Luffy was instantaneous, sending him shivering to the wall, holding onto it for dear life. Nami knew it wasn't a kind thing to do to him, but it made sure the rest of them could eat without him stealing from their plates (at least for a while, Sanji's cooking could make the dead rise to get a bite, so a terrified glutton was no problem at all).
Hopefully, they'd someday find out what scared him so much about that… laugh.
But right now the important thing was to save their friends. Shirahoshi hadn't looked like she'd be improving anytime soon, but at least Viola could talk, even if she was too weak to walk on her own (a fact which she was sure to exploit with Sanji again).
Shrugging at the thought, Nami focussed on the future:
They had agreed to meet up with the kings of Alabasta, Dressrosa and Ryugu Kingdom on Runny Rum. As soon as that was done, and Shirahoshi and Viola had been given the medical aid and the blood of their fathers, the crew was on to the next point, which was:
Getting Rindo and Marguerite off to whatever distant relative on their fathers side so that they could survive too (while she hadn't had any deepfelt conversations with either, their ignorance about men was endearing).
Franky and Sanji had to gather provisions somehow, since they were a little short on funds perhaps they could get some money from the Kings, since the crew had saved their daughters, it was the least they could do (and give them some food, and a party when they had managed to cure the two kuja).
If they could: prepare for their fight against Kaido and try not to get killed by some other Yonko crew in the meantime. Nami hadn't forgotten about the obliterated ship they'd found the other day, which lead to the last point:
Find out who it was that had destroyed that ship and how they knew about the princesses being on the Sunny. But that particular one could wait until point 1-3 was done with.
Looking at the table as the rest of the crew streamed in, giving Luffy odd glances on the way, Nami ouldnt help but feel that everything would work out to their advantage.
The navigator smiled warmly at Vivi when the bluenette sat down next to her, a pondering look on her face
"What's on you mind Vivi?"
"Well Nami…." Vivi began, fingers folded in front of her face "I've been meaning to ask you… if you could do me a favour?"
As she leaned in to whisper her request in Nami's ear, the navigator couldn't help but laugh
"Sure, we'll get to it when we've finished breakfast!"
(On one of Runny Rum archipelagos minor islands)
"Should we wake her up?" a female voice asked, its' owner hiding behind the fence of her house, hoping that her particular neighbour wouldn't notice her.
"It might be best if we let her sleep it off" another woman next to her added, fearfully glancing at that house.
The previous day, their neighbour, or as they might call her (but only late at night when they had had a cup too many and were certain she couldn't hear them) their Benevolent and unintended calamity (usually just Miss Fran, except she insisted she was married, though no one believed her), had gotten a call by den den mushi, a rarity on the island, that someone was nearing their little backwater home. For some reason, she hadn't taken the news well, because she'd almost drunk herself into a stupor and sat down on her porch, cursing all the time, which, if it hadn't all been grumbled, would have enriching all their daughters and sons' vocabulary with a tidalwave of four letter words and phrases that could make a Yonko pause and blush.
As far as they could gather (from extremely careful questioning at a safe distance, and with a healthy bribe of meat) Someone could very well be on the way, someone, whom Miss Fran expected to drop by.
"Wait…" one housewife spoke out, thoughtful "…If she expects company…."
"….then…." continued another, fear evident in her voice
"She'll…." A third housewife added with rising terror
"We-gotta-get-to-work-STAT!" the first spoke so fast her words were barely audible, yet everyone understood, because their thoughts were the same.
We gotta make sure to clean it up before Fran wakes up!
They still hadn't forgotten last time Fran had gone around to do some housework, (some of their cows were still giving sour milk).
So, after tiptoeing back to their own homes for the necessary utilities, the housewives started to sneak towards their objective, praying with all their hearts that Fran wouldn't wake up and try to help.
(on the Sunny)
"You're doing great Vivi!" Nami said, clapping her hands at her friends performance.
Luffy didn't get it personally, to him it was enough that Nami could use her weather-magic, though seeing Nami teaching it to Vivi as they neared the Archipelago wasn't a bad way to pass the time, especially when the princess of Alabasta kept hitting herself over the head with one of Nami's old staves.
After yet another smack to the head Vivi rubbed the sore spot with a groan "Can I try the newer one? This hurts!"
"Sure, just try not to…" she didn't get to say anymore, for as Vivi gripped the latest Clima-Tact activating the extension mechanism.
One point swiftly meet with the railing, while the other connected with the inside of Luffy's mouth, sending him into the wall.
Even Shirahoshi giggled at the sight of a skewered captain, while Nami couldn't stop herself from falling down on her back, holding her stomach in cramps.
Luffy eventually, after he'd been let down by a very sorry Vivi, snickered a little himself.
When it happened again for the third time his patience was a little spent though, which Prompted Vivi to use Nami's first clima-tact, the one she'd used in Alabasta against miss Doublefinger.
"Why'd you want to learn this any way Vivi?" he said with a groan, rubbing his jaw, trying to get the ache out of his mouth.
Looking at him, Vivi gave him a blushing smile "I just want…" she began, looking down sheepishly "…To be able to take care of myself in a fight, just in case…"
"A wise decision, wouldn't you agree Captain?"
Luffy turned, eyeing his newest nakama with a raised eyebrow, chewing a little on his lip "Sure Jinbe… but does she need that? We beat Crocodile in Alabasta so the place's as safe as my Strawhat on my head!" pointing to his namesake headwear, his face remained a mask of confusion.
"It's because…" Vivi began, and as Luffy turned to her, he saw that she giving him the puppy-dog eyes "I'd like to travel with you guys for a while… if that's okay with you?"
As Nami gave her friend a hug and let out a squee, Luffy looked at her lopsidedly, still confused, but eventually smiled "Sure, we'd be happy to have you again" giving her a thumbs-up and a grin, leaving the bluenette smiling beyond belief.
While she and Nami celebrated, mainly jumping up and down like crazy, Luffy felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Captain we'll be at Runny Rum within the hour, I suggest we get ready for it"
"Sure Jinbe, but how? We just need food and to visit that mausoleum, right?"
"Museum Luffy….." Jinbe responded with a deadpan expression "We should decide who are to do what, when we arrive, so as to…"
"Aww planning is so boring!" Luffy moaned at the fishman "Where's the fun in all that?"
"Safety trumps fun captain" Jinbe simply responded, shoulders slouching "And so does completing the mission we've undertaken"
"Can't we have fun in the meantime"
"…I'ts possible…. But not…" Jinbe was going to say prudent but Luffy was already rubbing his hands in glee at the adventure ahead (which so far he was the only one that could see).
Pinching the bridge of his nose, the fishman changed his tone "I may have some suggestions as to who does what so that we all get to have more fun… If that's ok with you of course"
Luffy just gave him the thumbs up and an overeager smile.
Adventure, danger, fun, meat…. Luffy could almost smell all of that meat he was going to get for himself as soon as the girls had been cured of their sickness.
He didn't quite understand why Nami gave Jinbe fist bump as the captain was turning around (with Vivi giving them both a weird look).
Then something strange happened:
Luffy had an idea.
One that didn't have anything to do with battling (or meat).
"Uhhhh, how're we gonna find Rindo and Marguerite's family anyway?"
Turning around again, the rubberman saw that Jinbe was also thinking this over "True, even with their fathers journal, we'll have trouble finding any relatives…"
Nami scoffed with a smile "Don't worry" her tone had a strange finality to it, which Luffy recognised from whenever she said where they should go or when calling dips on treasure "I've got it covered"
"How?" the question was from both captain and helmsman, either men giving her a confused look.
"Nope" Nami simply said with folded arms "If I tell you, it'll just ruin the surprise…."
"But Nami-san, we need to know as much as possible to plan…"
"She said it'll ruin the surprise Jinbe! Stop asking questions!"
"… I assume that means you're both going to the museum then?"
Luffy didn't even realise that Nami was nodding her confirmation, only blurting out "If that's where the surprise is, then YES, I'm definitely going!"
A small look then happened between helmsman and navigator, one cocking ann eyebrow at her, silently asking: what is going on? while the other could answer with a: I'll tell you later.
"So, am I going to get a little more training before we arrive or…." Vivi said after a short while, for which Nami gripped her shoulder and led her towards the main deck, making sure that the others' weren't in her immediate attack-zone.
(near the harbour on Runny Rums' main island)
Wind in the sails, a great port ahead of him, friends at his side and an adventure (and fights, soooo many fights!) waiting to happen from all sides at once, this was life!
On their way there they hadn't heard any news about that blasted mermaid, and truth be told he was only a millimetre away from giving up on the whole thing.
But that millimetre also held the hope that he'd somehow get what he wanted from King Neptune.
And what a hope it was!
His crew would be the strongest of them all!
If only he could get his hands on that mermaid.
The other princesses would give him a nice leverage too, gold and a hefty raise to his bounty was always a bonus after all. The few ships they'd attacked hadn't put their names that far in the news, in fact they hadn't been mentioned. Most of what the journal said was about the missing princesses, and something odd about that has-been-smuggler and disease-ridden octopuses….
Shaking his head, he gazed back at their destination. All those marine ships was forcing them to go in the back door of the place, to one of the seedier piers, where all the poor merchants moored, alongside smugglers, small pirate crews, ships of the underworld and other of the seas' bile and scum.
But soon,
When he'd found that mermaid and cashed in with her dad:
He'd dominate that port and start setting his real mark on the seas!
All his brothers would be green with envy….
(On the main island, within one of the marine bases' evidence locker)
Redcliff leaned back and yawned.
The previous days' work, or rather being told to take the day off, had set him in a foul mood.
Having a day off was one thing, but being on desk duty, watching over some worthless items, especially when he could've been searching the island for pirates and their ilk, was too much!
But, as Rear Admiral Malta had explained to him: obey or you'll be demoted to rank of sailor, he didn't really have a say in such matters.
Fortunately, he'd brought plenty of entertainment: brand new wanted posters of the Strawhat pirate crew, he could stab to his hearts' content.
Redcliff briefly looked at one of the newly arrived items through the bars behind him, a dagger used to kill some minor black-market dealer.
It wasn't particularly special, but to the marine captain, it gave off a strange vibe of bloodshed and coldness that he just didn't like one bit. Looking at the other object that had been fetched from the scene of murder, he wondered what was in the briefcase, but whenever someone had attempted to open it, they'd been scared off by some eerie premonition of death. Most likely by dagger.
In fact, he was getting that feeling right now, the hairs at the back of his neck rising like a cats'. He felt v ery alone in the room all of a sudden, but he'd sent the others away for more evidence that needed to be hauled and stored.
He hurried to look back at the wanted posters on the desk.
Strawhat (monstrous son of Dragon! How Garp ended up having a foul grandson like that, was beyond him. One of life's great tragedies he assumed).
Cat Burglar (SCUM SCUM SCUM! And she dressed lewdly too!).
And that… odd pet of theirs! Cotton candy lover Chopper (why the rear admiral had brushed off his report on the beasts' ability to transform was beyond him as well).
Gripping his dagger tightly, he stabbed repeatedly into either one of the posters, the tearing of paper and dull thud of breaking wood filling the room. And of course, his own frantic laughter as he imagined doing the same with the real ones also joined in eventually.
The crazed captain was so caught up in the act that he didn't notice the dagger begin to tremble.
And the sprout a leg!
And another.
A set of arms followed and finally the dagger turned into a man,
A tall man in a hat and matching trench coat.
Grabbing the suitcase, he walked over to the bars, and, once again, turned partially into a knife, easily slipping through the gates with his luggage, emerging unnoticed behind the stabby happy mariner.
He didn't remain undetected for long.
Redcliff had just raised his dagger, a little higher now than before, preparing to plunge it down hard, aiming right for the cat burglars' neck, when he noticed a person in front of him.
The man had moved so fast he'd practically materialised out of thin air.
But air, he was not, which Redcliff found out the hard way: a punch straight too the face, sending him crashing into the bars behind, effortlessly bending the dark metal and blowing the locked door off it's hinges.
Redcliff slumped back on the ground, his wiry body joining the heap of items and the twisted door, unconscious and as battered as an ancient sandbag.
The standing man merely scoffed at the sight before turning to leave out the barred window.
"You just be happy, I'm not tasked with killing you…." The man said in a voice so monotone that it'd have rattled Redcliff if he'd heard it.
The man hesitated before leaving, a small shade of hope in his words "But the boss might reconsider that, especially after your little idiocy with those posters…. He might take it the wrong way…"
(On the Sunny, an hour later)
"Wooooooooaw! THIS IS SO COOL!"
Luffy had seen plenty of harbours, but this one was really amazing, it was like seeing Water 7, but bigger, with way more ships from a hundred different kingdoms and organisations: Marines, the World Government, Pirate crews, merchants and everyone else that'd travel in the New World.
Even here from a distance, he could see most of the main port sprawl out like a blanket, a town behind it, covering the small mountain that compromised the main island of the archipelago. The town itself was wrought with multiple story houses and was divided in four levels, one was for the ports and beaches, the second was for the houses and the shops and the third level was the wealthy quarter which Nami had said housed the museum they were going to. The final level was compromised of the massive marine base that guarded the entire archipelago, though to anyone that saw it, it was more like an enormous fortress shaped like a white and beige crown.
Luffy could vaguely make out the enormous cannons that pointed outwards at the surrounding waters.
He was certain that they were pointing at them for some reason.
Suddenly one of the cannons fired, belching a cloud of flame and black smoke from its mussel, the roar being akin to the thunderous howls that Big Mom could produce in her quest for wedding cake, the projectile thundering through the air towards the sea.
A moment later it pulverized a ship far off to starboard of the Sunny.
"What the heck are they doing?"
"It was another pirate crew!" Jinbe hollered behind him "This place keeps a tight ship! That's why we struck all flags and changed the sail remember?"
"Yeah…." Luffy simply responded
"And it's also why we don't sail into the middle of the main port, but try and get to one of the smaller ones at the side" Luffy turned to Nami with a smile "But won't that take too long? We need to do this fast right?"
"We also need to be safe remember? We voted on this too and you and Zoro were in the minority" inwardly Luffy didn't like it when Nami used words he didn't know, but if the mino… something was used with food, it was possibly a bad thing.
"As soon as we dock, I'm finding all the things I need to repair the Sunny!" Franky exclaimed happily, striking his signature pose "It's gonna get Suuuuuupeeeeer!"
"And Sanji'll get all the food we need" Chopper added in, jumping with glee before turning deadly serious "And I'll stay on board to see to the sick girls!"
"I wanna stay with the girl-chans too!"
"You can't stay crappy chef, who's going to get the food? Usopp?"
"Why don't you do it mosshead?"
"Because I'm parched, I'm going to get a drink and stock up before I do anything!"
"Plus, he'll get lost before he's out of sight" Usopp piped in.
"I won't get lost, the food will get lost, sure, and the rest of you… but not me! As long as I can smell Sake I'm not lost in that city"
"Let's focus for a second guys! Luffy, Robin, Jinbe and I are off to the museum, Sanji goes for food and Franky gets the wood for repairs, the rest needs to stay put or try not to stray too far from the ship"
"Depends on where the bars are" the swordsman dryly responded with a shrug
"Could someone go with Zoro and keep him close to the ship? Please?"
"I could do that Nami-san if you'd, yohohoho, let me see…." The skeleton fell instantly silent when he saw that Nami was checking her clima-tact whether to strike him or not, he couldn't know, but Brook shut up regardless, valuing his un-life a little higher than his fetishes.
"Relax Nami, Usopp can go with him"
"Sure I… wait , why'd you say that Luffy?!" the sniper started to panic, just as Zoro drapped him over his shoulder and jump off the ship before the Sunny had made it to the dock yet.
A moment later, amidst the panic of the rest of the crew, Nami could see Usopp's afro pop up from the waves, and the undertoad and the bubbles from Zoro's breath strokes.
"He really likes his sake…" she could hear Robin muse behind her, giving the swordsman an amused look as he made for the port, struggling sniper on his back.
"So that leaves Carrot, Chopper, Brook and… you two -" she pointed at Vivi and Rebecca "- To guard the ship"
"But I want to go too Nami!" the bluenette whined, clinging the navigators old clima-tact in her hands.
"Vivi" Nami began, steeling herself from falling for the old puppy-eyes routine "I think it's best if you stay on the Sunny, the less we're divided while we're here, the better…"
"Okay, if you say it like that…" Vivi said in defeat before adding "But You let Zoro-san go…" with a little pout
"You try to stop Zoro when he's needing a drink, it can't be done" Nami shrugged in response
"But Vivi-chan can go with me to the market!" Sanji cut in, trying to help the bluenette "I'm always happy to help any lady in need of recreation" he added with a bow, much to Nami's chagrin
"This isn't a trip for fun! We're here to save our friends! And get the supplies we need…" Nami scolded the chef, making the man bow his head in depression.
"Aw don't be sad Sanji…" Vivi said consolingly "We can cook together when you come back"
The chef almost immediately lit up,
which was perfect,
as the Sunny was almost in position to dock,
allowing the crew to spilt up and get some work done.
(On the beach)
"Captain, I think you should hear this!" a bulky man in swim trunks blurted out as he came to a halt at a snowflake covered parasol.
"If it's the cannon, I heard it quite well Bering" a female voice cooed from beneath the parasol "Now if you don't mind I'm trying to have a friendly chat with old friend here…. and get a nice tan"
"It's not the cannon captain, our sentries have spotted what looks like the Strawhat crew entering the side harbour, not far from here"
"Now that could be interesting, bring him to me as soon as possible"
"Ay Captain" Bering hurried off, leaving his captain alone with the two others
"What about you two, are you interested in meeting the son of Dragon? Amadob, Hangan?" The woman trailed off, waiting for answers from her companions.
"No." one curtly responded with a derisive scoff
"I'd like to… but first, I have something to see to first…." The other excused himself
"Just me then?" She mused as the two men left her alone "Hmm it'll be a short chat then, Hopefully I won't have to kill him immediately…"
(In the port, a small seedy tavern)
Sighing heavily at the sight before her, Amande looked for another smoke in her handbag.
Durum was currently trying to fight a table, thinking it was an ignorant homie. Dacquise was giving a long tirade about why it was a good idea for him to marry either Galette or Poire, Amande's dear little sisters, because that'd serve as a: good incentive for the rest of the crew, cement the rule of the Charlotte family, which seemed to have dropped since the loss of both Firetank and Sun pirate crews (the one place the bat-winged, chain-smoking brute actually got a point) and serve as a good reward for him personally, since he'd done a lot for the crew lately (though Amande didn't consider handing Mama marshmallow baked in chocolate a great contribution, though Mama might see things differently, but neither Amande, Randolph, or Diesel had received anything for their work in that department, so Amande wasn't worried about that one). The point about it only fit because they were half breeds and he was pureblooded and it'd fit Big Mom's dream, was beyond laughable and when he mentioned that he deserved to get one of them, Amande had a hard time stopping herself from laughing and slap him across the face.
Instead she puffed her cigarette and signalled the barmaid for another drink, feeling vaguely sorry for her as she tried to avoid Durum thrashing around on the floor with the plank table, arms continually raised to pound the wood into the floor.
"Durum, the table lost when you hit it the first time, stop hitting it and go for a walk!" Seeing the huge idiot obey, Amande leaned back, thinking about Dacquise's words. Not that she'd ever agree that he was worthy of one of her siblings, but the crews' situation was a problematic one. The loss of two strong subordinates, and Amande and Galettes' limited success at getting new one to replace them, neither of the two infamous crews had yet to join them properly and a third remained undecided. Which meant that Mama would be on the lookout for new in-laws.
Despite the number of crews under them (most of whom were because of Mama's frequent marriages, the husbands could be discarded but not their crews/kingdoms), there were still some of her sisters that remained unwed, herself included. Her power had ensured that she hadn't been traded off like a sack of flour, yet, a strong pirate couldn't be taken off the seas to tend to a child and husband, and their crew.
Amande didn't fancy a husband herself, and quite definitely had a type she'd prefer, one that was almost as strong as her was to be preferred, which limited the prospects somewhat. If any more suitors showed up, her sword might start to be whittled down.
"You sure you did right there?" Dacquise's words brought the Snakeneck back to reality "Durum's so dumb he'd probably wander into the marine base thinking it's the toilet"
"Or walk into a wall thinking it's a door, either one would see him not causing that much harm, so stop worrying!" Despite herself, Amande did worry that Durum's stupidity would ruin something for them on the archipelago, after all, Galette and Kato were still out in the town and could run into marines at any moment…..
(elsewhere in the port)
"Okay we just need to…. LUFFY! stop stopping at every stall!"
"What?" the captain responded absentmindedly, not able to take his eyes off a glassblowers wares (a sign outside advertised that they could hold anything (though at Luffy's question about if it could hold a months' worth of meat, the merchant had gone strangely silent)).
"Jinbe-chan means that we're in a hurry, so we can't get distracted by everything that we come across"
"Okay…." Luffy responded, his shoulder sacking, though he deep down knew they were in a hurry.
And as he walked, he did so straight into the back on someone huge.
Nami starred at the man, easily a head taller than and just as wide as Jinbe, a behemoth of muscle, looked down at them with an angry look in his pig-like little eyes. Almost no hair on the bent and angular skull, sharp ears and possibly the biggest pair of buckteeth with a gap in between them that produced a whistling sound when he breathed, Nami almost couldn't believe a man that ugly existed. (part of her also detested his wardrobe: yellow suit with ripped sleeves, allowing his scared musclebound arms to show, the word: YUM on his chest and a pair of suspenders holding up his pants).
"Oi wazzat your doin ya lil'… ya lil'…." The big man began to scratch his chin looking thoughfull for a moment, before loudly proclaiming "SOURCANDY!" at a stunned Luffy and crew. Standing still for a moment as the group sized up the man in front of them, somehow made the brute confused
"Wait a seconnn…. " again he scratched his chin, looking at the group searchingly "Yuzz ar wandedpostas 'ight?"
"Yes…." Robin began, joining the others in giving the man an incredulous look, not quite believing that there were anyone home upstairs.
After a moment, buckteeth spoke again
"Damn! Gotta look elsieswear den…." Nami breathed a sigh of relief as the man made to leave "Oi was sure yozz wur dat Straw'at kreu…. But yuzz just deir wadedpostas…."
The group quickly stepped aside as the brute walked past them, looking down at the ground as he went "Lil-kousin Gallett and kousin Amand's gunna be angri if A break an udda wall…" Stopping up while looking at the ground he briefly looked at ground in front of Nami, who was starting to get a little nervous at the man "naise shoues"
"Thank you…." Nami managed with a shaky wave to the man, before he walked away "Bai bai lil wandedposta…"
As they saw him off Nami turned to the others "What the heck?"
"the seas are full of stupid people huh?" Luffy mumbled "How about we get going?"
"We should, and fast!" Jinbe added, his face a mask of worry
"What's wrong Jinbe?"
"That man mentioned Galette and Amande, both are daughters of Big Mom, both were in the group that assaulted Luffy and Nami-san on Tottoland"
"So Big Mom's crew area here?" Nami gasped
"It could be a coincidence; the seas and the New World is a big place after all" Robin chimed in
"Any way…." Nami began, but an angry roar interrupted her
"OI WAID A MINUTTE! WANDEDPOSTAS AIN'T GOT SHOUES!"
The four quickly dived to the side, away from the main street (actually it was only three that dived, But Jinbe managed to grab Luffy and drag him along).
A moment later the group could hear numerous crashes and shouts of terror as the man juggernauted his way through stalls, wares, various shoppers and merchants that didn't get out of the way fast enough.
"WER YUZ AT?" the man kept yelling through his buckteeth, looking around wildly, trying to locate his prey.
Nami and the group silently tried to wind their way through the droves of panicking people, hoping to avoid a battle that'd alert the marines to their presence.
Settling into a small alley, Jinbe looked around a corner
"No need for that Jinbe, I've got the lookout covered"
"Aaaaah, Robin-sans devilfruit" the fishman nodded with a gracious smile "How does it look?"
"That guy is still looking for us, but it'll take him a while to find us, but I think we might need to run again already…" turning around, the group found themselves face to face with another group of men, normal of size and all dressed in winterwear, with huge beards and determined eyes.
"You wanna go?" Luffy simply asked, cracking his knuckles in anticipation, making Nami cringe, although she prepared her climatact for a, hopefully, swift battle.
"Oh we wanna go all right…" said a large man, his beard marginally wilder than his companions "…To a tavern, and we'd like to take you with us… mr. Strawhat and crew" he smiled and bowed "See our captain'd like a word with you, and ol' Berring hates disappointing 'is captain" His smile continued, but took on a more predatory character (Nami could briefly recognise it from a dozen different merchants she'd dealt with over the years) "You coming, or do you prefer to deal with Big Mom's lackey out there?"
Looking at her companions, Luffy giving her a questioning look in return, Nami couldn't do much but try to advise her captain as best she could "I don't think it'll be a from the ashes and into the fire scenario with these guys"
"Okay, lead the way Bear-ring" the rubberman responded after a moment of thought
"It's Berring Mr. Strawhat sir, and right this way here, if you'd be so kind…"
(In the market square)
Where there ever a reason to be more happy?
Or, were there ever a man happier than Him at the moment?
If Sanji had been told yes, he wouldn't have believed it (Unless it involved him with more women or Nami-schwan forgiving him).
He was currently going through a market that had everything, having a practical bonanza of choices for spoiling the princess- and women-chans (and his crew, but most were only by proxy) and with a beautiful woman at his side no less! Viola-chan, or Violet as he liked to call her (he could see the shiver that went up her spine when he called her that, and he couldn't help but find it endearing) had asked to accompany him, reasoning that she was going a bit stir crazy and were strong enough to handle the trip, which was partially true, much to Sanji's fortune.
She needed to lean on him for support, and often. He practically hadn't left her side the entire trip! Now if only Nami-schama and Robin-chan would ever need him like that he could die happy, and then keep on carrying them to the heavens from whence they had descended on some glorious day in the past (despite repeated attempts he'd never managed to get either to tell him their birthdays, Carrot, in contrast, had told him right away).
"I hope I can give you a good meal before you leave us Violet-chan, fortunately this market has everything!" feeling Viola nod at his side, the chef had a hard time concentrating on the different ingredients that were on sale in the stalls.
But he tried anyway, his crew needed food too.
Fortunately, he'd already paid for some food to be sent to the ship.
"They got caviar from West Blue, Yasa Camel meat from Alabasta (Vivi-chans homeland), White Walkies meat from Drum Kingdom (Chopper's homeland) and lots of vegetables and fruit from all over the world!" he spoke excitedly as he showed Viola all the wares, her smile making him weak in the knees "Why look over there, they even got one of…." Sanji shut his trap immediately and swiftly carried Viola behind one of the stalls.
"What's going on, Sanii, what did you see?"
Holding a finger to his lips, Sanji silenced her questions "We've got to find the others! I just saw one of Big Moms' daughters! We didn't exactly part on good terms last time…." Carrying his companion bridal style, the chef sped off to try and find his crew.
Despite his fears, Viola couldn't help herself but smile "Didn't you look longingly at that Pudding-girl?" she teased, her smile deepening when she saw Sanji's blush
"Why wouldn't I? She was beautiful, especially that third eye…."
"Sanii, focus" Viola cautioned, just in time to avoid the pair running into a wall
"Thank you Violet…"
"Don't mention it…. Could you please call me something else in the future"
To her displeasure, Sanji didn't hear the rest of her sentence, his attention on what was ahead of him, and what he didn't want to notice them!
(in a tavern)
"So who're you and what do you want?"
"This is Whitey Bay Nami-san, we spoke of her recently…" Jinbe reminded her, a hand on her shoulder holding her from interrupting the bluehaired woman in front of them, sitting on the other end of the table only dressed in a sarong, a (small) bikini top (leaving nothing to the imagination), both with the same white striped pattern on blue and a Bandanna over her curly bluehair
"Good to see you too Jinbe-sama, it's been so long, have a seat, all of you, please!" it sounded like an invitation, but to Nami it bore all the markings of a barely concealed order. All of which went over her captains' head as Luffy simply sat down, looking directly at his blue haired (and obviously female) colleague.
Said woman didn't waste any time "Glad to meet you, I didn't get to see you much during the battle at Marineford, had my hands full with holding a flank"
"Everyone was a bit tied up during that battle Whitey-san" Jinbe responded as he sat next to Luffy, Nami took up position on his other side, with Robin choosing to stand, keeping a close watch at the crewmembers of the Icewitch "We actually hoped to meet you at some point soon…"
"Not for a fight I hope, after the number you pulled at Dressrosa, I don't think I'd have an easy time with you…" Nami saw the smile, and quickly guessed what the woman was really after…
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we're in a bit of a rush…." She began, drawing the other woman's attention "… Please, what do you want from us?"
"To meet you, obviously, and hear what you got planned now?" the bluenette responded cheerily.
Before Nami could answer, Luffy opened his mouth, perhaps the most dreadful thing that could happen during a negotiation with another captain "We're helping some friends, after that we're gonna fight Kaido, and then Big Mom, and then…." The look that Whitey sent him ranged from mild amusement to dumbfounded shock. "Are you serious?"
"Why wouldn't I be? I'm gonna help my friends. Then fight Kaido in Wano. I'm going to become Pirate King, I gotta be serious about these things!"
Nami knew he'd blurt out his dream as soon as he got the chance, but she still wanted to slap him for telling about their plans (or perhaps lack thereof) right off the bat.
And to a complete stranger no less.
She reminded herself they wanted to ally with her (possibly, but no sane person would join them after hearing about taking on two Yonko (nevermind that Law had practically joined up for all four, but the Worst Generation were all insane anyway).
"You are, aren't you?"
"Indeed he is Whitey-san, and I believe, some would have said the same about you when you joined in on the attack on Marineford" Both Nami and Whitey looked at Jinbe, one hopeful that he knew what he was doing, the other with a more searching look.
"Indeed…" the bluenette responded "…Say, Strawhat…." She continued, leaning in over the table as if to whisper, though Nami noted that it accentuated two prominent things about her figure more than anything else "How do you intend to accomplish that?"
"First we gotta go to the museum…." Luffy began, before Nami interrupted him "Luffy, I think she means about the Yonko"
"That's for later! We'll fight 'em with all we've got, then we'll see how it goes!"
If Nami hadn't known him, she would've been surprised. Luffy: dense and happy-go-lucky to the core
"You're right, that is for later…" Nami conceded, much to Luffys' surprise, before she turned to their host "As our captain said, we have things to do that can't wait, which unfortunately means that we can't stay for long…" she let her words linger, just long enough to allow anyone to formulate an answer, but not to speak it "We need to get going for now, but we're interested in a possible alliance against any of the Yonko in the future…"
"And since Jinbe mentioned you by name… " Robin continued, a half sincere smile playing at her lips "We hope you'll consider discussing it later?"
For a moment, the bluehaired captain seemed like she wanted to argue, but then she smiled "Or…" Whitey said with a flick of her wrist "…you can go to the museum now and I can discuss things with Jinbe-sama here, surely you don't need to be four people to look at old dusty relics?"
Nami and Luffy both Looked at each other and at Jinbe (Robin were looking at Whitey seemingly ticked off at her last comment)
"I'll be fine, I doubt Whitey-san would try and kill me not her style, besides…" he turned to Whitey "any attempts on my life would be avenged almost immediately…"
Holding up either palm the female pirate chuckled "You have my word I won't do anything"
"Okay later" Nami made to follow Luffy, giving Whitey aa final look, noting that the captain also gave her a searching stare, not just Luffy.
Giving a nod to Jinbe as a way of parting, Nami and the others left the tavern.
(out on the street)
Sanji rushed into the throng of people, carrying Viola at his side, one arm draped over his shoulder (and if he hadn't been in a hurry he'd have relished the feel of her pressed against his body).
Got to find them and warn them! got to find them and warn them! That sentence was the only thing that went through his head as he scanned the crowded streets for any sign of his nakama.
Look at me! Not being able to find Robin-chan and Nami-schwan in a little town!
Twisting his head around again as he darted down the street, Viola at his side, who were taking the rush in stride.
Even if I can't find them, Jinbe shouldn't be that hard to spot in a crowd! His fat ass should stand out like Luffy in a vegetarian restaurant!
Finally he spotted something he knew!
A strawhat.
Going straight for the headwear, Sanji was dismayed to find that it was a farmer coming to market.
Just as he was about to turn around a hand tapped him on the shoulder
"Hey sanji, what's up?"
Sanji knew the voice and tried to, while ignoring his fatigue, smile at his captain.
"Luffy, I got bad news!" he huffed, watching the rubberman pale at his words
"There's no meat in the market!"
"No… there's plenty of meat, I just saw one of…" Sanji began, before Robin interrupted him (not to his chagrin)
"If it's about Big Moms' crew, we already know they're here"
"oh…"
"Anyways we've got to be careful!" Nami said with a serious voice "With the ruckus Big Moms' lackey from before caused, the marines are bound to be sending patrols, and we're all either wanted… or missing…" the last bit was directed at Viola, still at Sanji's side.
"Sanji, I think you should take Viola-san back to the Sunny, I think the stress is getting to her…."
While Viola waved off her concern, despite the sweat the ran from her forehead, Sanji was starring aghast at the navigator
"And leave you and Robin-chan un protected! NEVER!"
Nami's response was to simply give him a deadpan stare and gesture to either Luffy, her clima-tact or Robin (though Luffy would've been enough).
"Please, navigator-san, I can handle a little meeting with the marines and a dusty museum and Sanii can be of great help later on, I'm sure of it"
The orangette merely shrugged as Luffy gave them both a thumbs up
"As long as he's ordered the food for the Sunny, I'm okay with anything"
"…As long as we can find a place to hide… I can accept it too"
Sanji beamed at Luffys' and Nami-schwans' words, having a little extra spunk in his step as the quintet ascended up the hill towards the museum.
(Inside the tavern)
Jinbe watched his nakama leave with a bit anxiety. Hopefully they wouldn't run into any problems. But given that he stuck out like a sore thump in most places, him not being there would serve to their advantage.
"A penny for your thoughts Knight of the sea…"
"I was just worrying a bit about my crew Whitey-san, nothing more… I hope that we can get to a mutual understanding about any potential alliance…."
"Possibly…." The woman mused, tapping her chin in mock thought
"I hope that my captains' rushed exit didn't give off a bad first impression, but we really are in a hurry!"
"No worries Jinbe-sama…." Whitey replied with aa lazy smile "He kept eye contact…." She said, spreading her arms to accentuate her skimpy top "I'd be offended if it wasn't so refreshing!" she finished with a genuine smile and a laugh before continuing:
"And he listens to the women on his crew, that could never be a minus by my standards, never ever!" as she finished she took a sip of her drink, calling the barmaid over for a new one and ordering one for Jinbe as well.
Part of Jinbe was suddenly happy that they hadn't brought Brook and Sanji…. or Usopp (the sniper might hide it, but he was a pervert at heart).
"So… lets' talk business" Jinbe folded his hands, looking seriously at his companion
"Yes, an alliance is certainly a good idea, especially with Blackbeard taking over Whitebeards' territories and that Shichibukai Weevil hunting down us Marineford veterans…" she paused her brow furrowing "Oh! And one more thing, I have to warn you about someone" Whitey looked imploringly at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions, some which Jinbe knew all too well, fear, disappointment and a bit of anger.
"About whom?"
"The Big Mom crew are pretty active around here, been looking to recruit new subordinates, especially from us Marineford veterans…."
Jinbe knew what that meant "So who's getting hitched? You?"
"Oh heavens NO!" Whitey said with an aghast tone to her voice, bordering on a laugh "Marriage is just another form of chains, besides, they wouldn't allow me to pick my husband…. Or wife if that was my fancy, so why bother?"
Calming down a little, Whitey's voice dropped low, looking at Jinbe as if she were about to reveal state secrets
"But others aren't as resistant…. some are, but aren't exactly friendly with you either…"
Jinbe likewise leaned in so he could better hear her, his face full of worry
"Please, go on…."
As she began to explain all that had been going on behind the scenes, Jinbe took a long sip of his drink, not really paying attention to flavour, almost too focussed on whom and what they might face later on,
And whom!
(On the second level of the town, the restaurant: Hannibals)
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose.
Due to the increased number of Marine patrols, they'd been forced to seek refuge inside a restaurant.
And highend one of that!
She could practically see the beli's it cost just to look at the place.
But to hide, they'd been forced to get a table and menus' just to conceal their faces even more.
Sanji and Luffy loved it however, one for love of food, the other for the variety of dishes the place served, but she'd managed to put her foot down and curb their urges to indulge.
It didn't stop the chef from enthusiastically tell all about the dishes on the menu
"…Vierno Oil soup, started out as a dish for the poor, made out of whatever leftover oils from cooking that could be found, the flavours mingle and…" at this point Robin stopped him, a pair of hands emerging from his cheeks, holding his mouth shut, just as someone entered the restaurant.
Nami gulped as she saw it was a group of marines.
Led by two women, one whom She'd personally met on an earlier adventure.
He bluehaired Ain from the Neo Marines.
The one that had turned her, Brook, Chopper and Robin 12 years younger and if ZOro hadn't dealt with her, they'd remained so.
But now the woman was in the company of the marines, and in chains.
Nami watched the other woman with anxiety.
A highranking one no doubt, judging from the cape and the way the other marines looked to her for commands. Next to Nami, she could hear Sanji (yes hear!) start drooling at the sight of the womans' clothes, hot pants showing her loing legs (including a large spider tattoo) and a tight vest. Nami was more noting of the sword at her side and that she hadn't noted them, yet.
"… 'm not saying you're going to get off scot-free from all charges, but the service you're providing us will be taken into consideration when it comes to your trial" the highranking one told Ain, her features soft and emphatic.
"Are the hits I've taken also going to be considered, vice admiral Gion? Or that mans'…. advances" the last words were spoken with more venom than one of Caesars gas weapons, and Nami cringed at the tone, and she wasn't alone.
"…I assure you, commodore Durkey will be punished for his behaviour, even if you're a prisoner, his actions are unforgiveable, and it will be a factor in the trial, that I promise." The two woemnaa sat down at a table, just close enough for Nami to hear what they were talking about "But for now, I think a good lunch will do you wonders, the soup here is almost as good as the authentic one" the vice admiral ended with a smile, just as a waiter gave them their menues.
"…and the then there's the other patrons…" Gion continued, looking at the other customers. Nami breathed a sigh of relief as the marine ignored their table and pointed at on in the opposite end of the room.
"That one for example, is a new one, but has come in every day for a week! And I can't help but think the little guy is adorable!"
Nami wasn't forced to agree.
The tables' sole occupant, sitting on a pile of cushions on a chair, a large steak and glass of sparkly water next to it, was a small pug with a squished-in face.
It did strike her as odd that it managed to use a knife and fork (which were practically taller than it self) to eat. That someone had taken their time to teach their pet that sort of thing bespoke off either extreme boredom or maddened ability. That, assumingly, the same person had dressed it in a tailored pinstriped tuxedo was lees of a surprise to her though, some people had all too crazy tastes.
Suddenly the entrance to the restaurant slammed open and another marine stormed in.
Another woman, Nami noted (Sanji too), with a pistol and machette in the belt.
"Rear Admiral Malta, what's the hurry?"
"Vice admiral, there's been sightings on the lower levels, Some of Big Mom's crew are on Runny Rum, and so is the Strawhat crew!"
"Garp-samas' grandson… No time to waste!" the vice admiral immediately stood up "You too Ain-san one more thinkg you can help with!"
As the group exited Hannibals', much to the staffs' disappointment (one was wailing that he didn't get to cook for Gion-chan-sama), Nami dropped her menu and urged the others too follow her as soon as possible.
"ok, now they know we're here, so we've got to hurry even more!" rising from the table, Nami noted something horrible
"Where's Luffy?"
Sanning the room, Nami quickly found him, the rubberman had the stealth of a drunk rhino in a porcelain shop.
Naturally, he was trying to steal the pugs' steak.
The pug in question was trying to stop him with it's cutlery.
Even from behind him, Nami could hear the dog playing an elaborate version of the knife between fingers game, preventing Luffy from eating it's food.
"Luffy, Sanji'll cook for you when we get to the Sunny, leave the poor dog to its' food…"
"It's just a snack! And it's bigger than it anyway! Plenty for two…"
"Luffy, people are starting to stare at us, lets…" Nami stopped talking as the pug dug out a pistol from underneath the table, pointing it at Luffys' head with a grin, before it made a small bark.
And another
And then one more.
Then it looked at the gun in confusion, before giving it a little shake.
Nami's eyebrow quivered a little, just as one of Robins' hands emerged from the table, taking the pistol away from the dog, while simultaneously scratching it behind the ear, pacifying it for the time being.
"Let's get going, shall we?" the ravenhaired woman said, while Luffy gorged himself on the steak and Sanji, still supporting Viola, snatched up the dogs' menu, looking at it in shocked awe.
"Yes definitely!" Nami conceded, dragging the two men with her to the entrance (her captain struggling because he wanted more food, the chef keeping babbling about how exquisite the food that the dog (apparently named Bertram) had ordered were, and that he wanted to meet the gourmet in person) ignoring the complaints of both men.
Museum of piracy, here we come!
(Outside Hannibals)
She couldn't believe her eyes!
Right before her, a group of the Strawhats had just snuck out of Hannibals', just as she was about to enter it for some lunch.
She quickly grabbed a den den mushi, a plan forming in her mind.
"Amande, Galette here…" she whispered hurriedly "I'm at Hannibals' and I've just seen Strawhat leave it, with one of the missing princesses! Get our guys at sea to be ready to blast their ship and get here as fast as you can! I'm going to see what they're up to…"
She didn't bother to hear the response, ending the call and rushing her pumpkinheaded companion towards cover, hoping to remain unseen.
If this goes according to plan, I can verify Puddings' intel too! thought Galette, as she watched the group of pirates go in the direction of the museum.
(on the seas)
"VI can see the them! VI'm very excited about this!"
Ivankov smiled as he looked through the spyglass, the vessels ahead of him taking up much of the horizon.
"Ready for me my little king-boiys nfufufufu?" he laughed
"TO BAD! HERE I COME! FULL SPEED AHEAD!" he howled at the whale dragging his own ship before plunging his hormone needles into its' tail making the gargantuan animal speed up.
"I can't wait to meet Sanji-boys' family! This is going to be hilarious!" the large headed man snickered, remembering the chefs' delightful response to his okama brethren's advances very clearly.
"I thought Dragon-sama sent us to negotiate with them about our upcoming war with the Tenryubito?"
"Doesn't mean I can't have fun Inazuma!" the king of Kamabaka kingdom and revolutionary responded flatly, waving his seconds' comments aside.
"Beside this'll be an impromptu miniature reverie, we'll all be kings having a chat! Heehaw!" he laughed as the Germa kingdom came closer and closer…
(In the museum on Runny Rum)
Nami smiled as Robin left their little group, off to fetch a certain someone.
I can't wait to see his face when I tell him! She thought with a squee, looking at the back of her captain as he looked up at the sign, showing what wing it was they were about to enter:
The battle of Marineford, a great victory for justice and the World Government
Nami had sent Sanji off to get Viola a chair so she could rest a little, leaving Luffy alone to grasp what he was about to see.
The first thing he saw was a fullsized banner, displaying Whitebeard and Ace and what Nami could only assume was the rest of their crew. Since it was a marine depiction, it showed them in all sorts of dynamic poses, looking threatening and grim, not like Nami supposed they were if you met them in the flesh.
As soon that he'd laid his eyes on it, Luffy had grown silent, with one of his hands, tentatively reaching out towards the depiction of his brother, Flaming Fist Ace, true to his name one of his hands were aflame, and as a nod to his heritage, a small crown had been added to his hat, making him look gaudy and fake.
It had been a while since Ace had died at Marineford, but as Nami knew, when you'd see someone you loved right in front of your eyes, dying for you, then you could never forget it, the feeling of the whole world being wrong.
But it wasn't the time for that, regardless of what Luffy might feel at seeing a depiction of his brother again, they had something they had to do. But Nami dearly wanted him to have this moment, he'd have done the same for her after all, all the crew would.
With all that's been happening today, I hope we can make it on time…
"Luffy…" Nami began, sorry to break the spell he was under "…I know you'd rather stay and look at Ace, remember him… but we have to get going… but we can also return here, and soon…" Looking at Luffy she could see his shoulders sack, not from sulking, but because he knew that she was right, and he had other duties to attend to.
"Ok, lets go…" Nami gave him a small pat on the shoulder as the pair walked out of the pirates' wing.
In the hallway Sanji and viola joined them, and together the quartet walked towards the entrance to the smugglers' wing, where Upon entry, it was Nami's turn to stand stock still, jaw nearly hitting the floor eyes like saucers,
Starring balefully,
at the humongous, metalskinned figure that were there,
brandishing a red cutlass,
face marred by a maddened grin,
waiting for them….
End of chapter 15
Well, I did say it was going to be a while before I updated, but here it is (I also said it'd be a short chapter, but I can never keep that promise anyway).
I finally get to Runny Rum archipelago, where so many of the threads of this story will be tied together and peoples' secrets come back to haunt them!
I promise that the next few chapters willl be action packed! Which is why this chapter has been pretty slow and have included a lot of buildup.
There's been some canon reveals about the Charlotte family since I started this fic. Dacquise and Kato are apparently also Big Mom's children, which contradicts what I've called them and used them for in my story. While I'm normally in favour of staying as true to the canon as possible, I'm going to continue using them as I've done so far: Kato's an obedient homie, while Dacquise is a creepy and perverted stalker with delusions of power.
Threads:
Strawhat pirates: arrived on Runny Rum archipelago, met some other pirates and made for the museum.
Marines: really don't know what's going on, but has been attacked and are out in force.
Princess hunters: one has arrived on the archipelago, and he isn't going to bow down to anyone!
Big Mom Pirates: are present on the main island.
Revolutionaries: Ivankov is coming (hide every semi-attractive man!).
RnR if you'd be so kind