Italics indicate thinking
Bold is for attacks
Steve's POV
"Well we're supposed to stop a wedding, save Sanji's family and get away from Big Mom with nothing more than the three of us, Nami, Chopper, Wyper, Brook, Monet, Carrot, Pedro and Jinbei?" I said "That's a lot for eleven people."
"Wait Jinbei's here?" Sanji said "And Monet too!"
"You were way too excited about that second one." I sighed.
"Yeah Monet's part of our crew now." Luffy smiled "And Jinbei showed up all the sudden, how are we supposed to meet up with them though?"
"I caused them all a lot of trouble." Sanji said.
"So what, when don't we cause each other trouble." I shrugged.
"HEY! LUFFY!"
"Chopper?" Luffy stood up hearing a voice.
I looked around and saw the noise was coming from a mirror shard.
"Chopper you doing alright?" I picked up the sliver "I'm here with Luffy and Sanji."
"You found Sanji?" Nami appeared in the shard.
"We rescued everyone with the mirrors!" Carrot smiled.
"It was touch and go but we managed to get the rubbing too." Wyper said.
"It's good you found Sanji." Pedro appeared "Were you able to reach an understanding?"
"He's not coming back yet." Luffy said "First we gotta bust up the Wedding and Tea Party so we can save his family."
"Wait, hold on." Sanji said "This isn't that easy we're talking about one of the Four Emperors here. The last thing I want is everyone getting put in danger because I'm being selfish."
"YEA!" The mirror yelled "SANJI'S BACK!"
"So, all we gotta do it mess up the wedding huh, good I wanted to do that from the start!" Wyper laughed.
"I was all worried you dummy!" Chopper cried.
"So if we can accomplish that we'll be able to get Sanji back on the crew." Nami smiled.
"Nami…" he paused.
"About before…" she took a breath "I'm not gonna just forgive you."
"ACK!" Sanji grabbed his chest.
"Stop you'll kill him!" I yelped "his hearts sensitive to women you know that!"
"But for the time being." Nami resumed her thought "I suppose I can put it behind me for now, the tea party is just around the corner after all, so I'll bring you back even if I have to drag you."
"Nami-swan!"
"Playing with his emotions, how cold." Monet laughed.
"Even though we don't have to take on Big Mom herself this will not be easy." Jinbei warned "Every time she has one of these parties, she looks forward to it with excitement, to destroy that would mean inciting her full wrath. Most of the opponents you've seen so far are just the tip of the iceberg, the ones above them are even stronger. There will be many fierce warriors and emperors of the underworld in attendance."
"They've got an army in the thousands; we've got a little more than a dozen." I sighed "Not to mention some of our side aren't really fighters."
"Forgive the sudden change of subject but are you familiar with Capone 'Gang' Bege?" Jinbei asked.
"Yeah he's one of those big-time rookies that was coming up around the same time as Luffy and I." I shrugged "He's also the one that brought Sanji here."
"Correct like you and Luffy he is one of the 'Worst Generation' he's essentially your contemporary." He explained "He's originally from the North Blue where there are five major mafia families controlling that sea, Bege is the boss of one of those families. They call him 'Gang' as a remnant of his younger days when he was quite the loose cannon. Even when he was your age, he was known for cutting down other organizations' heads, yet he showed no interest in territory, only wealth and objects."
"He sounds peachy." I sighed.
"Yeah he sounds weird, what's the point?" Luffy asked.
"Bege became a subordinate of Big Mom, he's earned the rank of Rook in her army in a very short period of time." Jinbei said "He's been given the authority to handle the security for this Tea Party. Since he's in charge he'll have no one in his way, the main event of the Party is the Wedding between Sanji and Pudding, as you know Big Mom also plans to execute the Vinsmokes in a surprise attack at this event as well, but during these festivities, Bege is planning to take Big Mom's head right there."
"What about this party isn't a conspiracy?!" Sanji groaned.
"As for Pekoms who you came with, the truth is he was taken captive by Bege and given the chance to join him." Jinbei said "But Pekoms has a strong sense of honor and duty so he refused, to keep him quiet he was shot and dropped into the sea. Luckily one of my comrades found him and saved him, he's recuperating at the moment."
"I'm really getting sick of this Bege guy." Luffy whined.
"This is the important part of the conversation." Jinbei said drawing our attention "I've heard everything about this plan from Pekoms, and having thought about it I have a suggestion about our plan of action."
"Hmm?" Luffy and I listened in.
"The party begins at 10 AM that's about five hours from now, the clock is already running, Bege and his crew already have a plan." Jinbei said "I know it's a lot to ask but would you be willing to-."
"Work with Bege." I cut him off "He's already caused us a ton of flack you know...Jinbei is right though, it's probably a good idea."
"Okay." Luffy shrugged.
"You agreed so fast?!" I shook his shoulders "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?!"
"If Jinbei thinks it's a good idea we should do it." he shrugged.
"I've already made preparations for a meeting; shall we go see him?" Jinbei asked.
"Alright then." I cracked my back "Let's do it."
LATER
I took Luffy and Sanji and flew them to the Fire Tank Pirates' hideout on the north-side of the island, we only had a little over four hours to go.
"This is the place?" Sanji asked looking at a castle like structure.
"It says Fire Tank." I told him.
"What's this Bege guy like?" Luffy asked.
"Never met him." I shrugged.
"He's a Mafia Boss." Sanji said "You two should be fine you're both too stubborn to be pulled into his personality."
The doors opened and a slimy looking guy with a long tongue stepped out.
"Ah it's my Germa hero!" he said.
"Oh you." Sanji sighed.
"Where's everyone else?" I asked.
"Don't get twisted the others are he-rero." He said as his tongue thrashed around like some kind of drunk frog.
"Say it don't spray it man." I sighed.
"You guys!" Chopper walked out from behind him waving and wearing a towel "You wanna take a bath too?"
"Why are you so relaxed?" Luffy said.
Wow he's serious?!
"Haha!" Chopper ran up and hugged me "I can't believe you really came."
"Yeah sorry I was late." I smiled.
"I thought you hated baths." Sanji asked the dear.
"You guys need one too." Vito, the slimy looking guy, said "Father won't meet with you if you're all dirty."
"So there's a dress code?" I sighed.
Monet's POV
"Nami I don't-."
"Come on this is a chance to dress up and look nice why not take it." She said "Oh this looks cute."
She picked up a sleeveless red dress and started changing.
"I told you I don't really understand fashion." I frowned "I have trouble finding a connection with things I don't understand."
"So, you don't have to understand fashion to understand cute clothes." She laughed "Hmm, here this would look perfect on you."
"I-!"
She yanked me into a changing room and started throwing garments around.
"Wait I can't wear that-OH-That's a bit tight and-AAHH!" I yelped.
"Wow your skin is so soft and pale, must be nice to be a snow woman." She laughed "now then-TADAA!"
Despite my protests Nami has somehow managed to get me into a sleevless green dress that was rather slimming, the bottom went down to my ankles where it was ruffled and split on one side to allow my left leg more freedom.
"It's a bit…tight in the chest." I blushed.
"Ah who cares about that." She waved it off and pulled my hair.
"OW!"
"Jeez you have such wavy hair. Rose never let me brush her hair but you're is so pretty too." She brushed it "Hmm, what about a ponytail I bet you'd look cute like that."
Nami tied my hair back and made me look at my reflection.
"You're stunning." She smiled.
"I suppose." I said.
"What's wrong?" she asked "Do you not like it?"
"I just…" I saw my mostly bare arms, the cleavage and legs "I'm not very comfortable showing off my body, I used to…I was more appealing when I dressed like this and..."
"Hey, it's okay." She smiled and handed me a sweater "If you're more comfortable covered up that's fine but-."
She touched her arm, the one with the tattoo.
"I don't think we should be afraid of showing our bodies because of what happened to them in the past." She smiled at me "You did what you needed to do for you and your sister to survive, that's nothing you ever should feel ashamed of."
"Yes." I placed the white sweater over my shoulders "Thank you, it's nice to have such supportive people around."
"What are friends for." She smiled.
"Yay Friends!" Carrot cheered jumping out now wearing a cute skirt and blouse.
"Yes…friends." I smiled.
"Come on we don't wanna keep the guys waiting." She said.
Steve's POV
"Hmph." I pulled my tie up "I sure hope Bege doesn't get upset I only wore the vest portion of the suit."
"Sit still Luffy!" Sanji groaned.
"It's choking me!" Luffy gagged.
"It's a tie relax!" Sanji said.
"I can't really call this comfortable either." Wyper hissed fiddling with his wings which were stuffed into the back "Damn cook how do you wear these all the time?"
"Come on we have a meeting to get too." I put a formal hat over Luffy's strawhat "We've already wasted enough time playing dress up and taking baths."
We headed out into the halls and saw the girls waiting for us.
"Well aren't you ladies looking spiffy." I smiled.
"Hmm." Sanji turned away from Nami seeming uncomfortable but seemed to perk up when he saw Monet "Ah, the darling dove of Punk Hazard graces us with her brains and beauty."
"Yes, we haven't had the chance to see each other since I joined officially." She smiled "Well shall we get going, the sands of time wait for no one."
"Right." I nodded.
We were shown into the ballroom first and told to take seats around the meeting table which was already adored with snacks and such. The table was surrounded by couches, the whole set up was fancy and formal.
Luffy sat at the head of the table with Nami on his right and me and Chopper on his left. From there the rest of our team sat in a U-shape around us with Brook, Carrot, Jinbei and Wyper on the right couch and Sanji, Monet and Pedro on the left one.
"Looks like everyone's here." The back doors to the room opened and a crowd filed in "I trust you lot managed to clean yourselves up, I have no interest in talking with people who can't present themselves."
"Well clothes make the man." I said stretching my arms out to rest on the back of the couch.
"Let's cut the chatter and get to business." He said moving his cigar around in his mouth "you gonna join with me on this or not, cause as far as I'm concerned you are all a big pain in my ass."
"If I die the chances of assassinating Big Mom drop to Zero." Sanji said "The ceremony will get called off and if I'm not back two hours before the party starts things will look suspicious."
"We don't have time to argue about this." Jinbei said.
"Luffy I'm not so sure about this guy, what does your gut say?" I asked "It usually leads us to the most interesting path."
"This isn't about what's interesting." Nami rolled her eyes.
"Monet…" Luffy looked at her.
"Hmm?"
"That's Caesar isn't it?" he looked at one of the men a few seats down from her.
Monet simply smiled and adjusted her glasses "Yes Captain."
"GAH!" the man gasped a bit.
He was wearing a yellow suit and his hair was up and spiky instead of down but it was clearly him.
"What no…" he said "I'm Bege's brother, the gangster Gastino. Shlololo"
"At least change your laugh you idiot!" I yelled.
"What are you doing here?!" Luffy yelled "I'm gonna-!"
"You idiots handed me over to Big Mom what did you think was gonna happen?!"
"Luffy sit down." I sighed "Monet, you originally wanted to come here with Luffy to check on Caesar so what do you think?"
"You do care, you're still my assistant at heart I knew it!" Caesar smiled.
She turned to him "I quit."
"GAH!"
"I only came because we worked together for some time, I thought it would be wrong to leave you in the clutches of Big Mom because you might make her another dangerous weapon, but seeing as you aren't, I don't care." She said.
"Are we working together or not?" Bege growled.
"Fine!" Luffy said "But first let me punch you for shooting Pekoms."
"Luffy don't!" I yelled.
"But he shot him!"
Suddenly most of the people on Bege's side started pulling out guys and knives saying we disrespected 'Father'.
"ENOUGH!" Jinbei yelled "We gathered like this because we all need to deal with Big Mom."
"Yeah I hate her!" Luffy yelled.
"Then you can all kill each other later, after with deal with her." He said.
"Fine, what's the plan?" Luffy huffed.
"Let's just get this over with so I can finally be free of these people." Caesar said.
"Don't worry that feeling's mutual." I glared.
"I've already got the perfect plan." Bege said.
"Then let's hear it."
Three Hours and Twenty Minutes till the Tea Party.
AN
Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.
Pick Up- Chapter 859
Till Next Time!