Before we get back to the story a few notes:

1. There will be Wolf Pack like dynamics in the story

2. When I stated there being mushy scenes it means fluffy moments and maybe implications but no straight up content

3. Luffy is OOC in that he's gota bit brain cells and by extension a slightly different personality. I'm trying to keep him as the fun adventure loving captain we all adore but you know… kinda more mature-ish.

4. Also there'll be POVs from this point onward.

5. Considering changing the rating to M for more graphic depictions of violence. Still on the fence though.

READ: Ok so for any new viewers that may complain about the POVs being included into SWF, please know that it is a writing style that is implemented from Chapters 2(Romance Dawn I) - Chapter 11 (Cocoyashi Village I). Why did I drop it? Well aside from the many reviews commenting on this particular choice of writing, I also just forgot I was doing POVs. Chapter 12 was written after a...2 week hiatus? I had Midterms at the time so school was taking priority. Anyway, Chapter 12 to Chapter 15 I continued writing without POVs without realizing I had stopped...Until I got another review mentioning it and I remembered that oh...I was doing that huh. Useless tangent aside I would just like to request, though I feel like I'm still going to be getting comments on this initial writing style choice anyway, that you stop bringing this up. Now a question some of you may have is, "Why don't you just rewrite the Chapters without POV in them?" In actuality, I have...and I realized after reading it that wow...This changes absolutely nothing to when I stopped doing POV. Aside from pronouns being used, scene shifts largely remain the same, internal dialogue comes up more often I guess, and...that's it really. With POV without POV the story is still the same aside from pronouns and less internal dialogue from other characters being written out explicitly. If you don't like having to guess at what a character may be thinking based on what their reaction was then hooray, it's now spelled out for you more often. Now some of you may feel attacked by this passive aggressive addition to the A/N...but frankly after discussing it with others the majority of us agree that the POV thing is barely noticeable or is primarily just a case of preference. In which case, if it ain't your cup of tea, then just don't drink it or you can wait until the 'issue' has been resolved. This is a One Piece fanfiction, it's going to be having a LOT more chapters that eventually outweigh the initial 10 chapters that have this 'horrible' writing style. Others may still be wondering why I don't just change it and may feel that I'm just lazy to bother doing it, to which I only have one response...Yeah I am lazy what of it? If I, and a LOT of other people don't have a problem with it then I'm just going to go on continuing the story instead of taking a long ass hiatus just to rewrite things that really will not change in the slightest for the story. Long rant over, please stop reviewing on the POV writings style. Thank you.

P.S Yes I know many more people will end up reviewing and commenting on this anyway but now I feel like I've actually been able to say my piece.

ROMANCE DAWN I

COBY AND ALVIDA

LUFFY'S POV

"You have got to be kidding me." I deadpanned watching a whirlpool slowly drawing my rowboat in.

'I close my eyes and take a nap only to wake up to this. Brilliant.' I thought sarcastically as I turned to my now empty barrel that had once been stocked with apples

'…'

No one's POV

"Hey check it out!" A deck crewmember called out to his colleague pointing towards a barrel floating by the boat.

"*Whistle* Nice eye man! Let's pull it up!"

"What do ya thinks inside?" The founder of the barrel asked as he heaved the thing up unto the ship. "DAMN THAT'S HEAVY" he remarked wiping his head

"Don't know. Let's open her up and fi-"

"Ahem" Both deck crewmembers turned to see the disproving look of the ship's head cook who pointed at the barrel with his finger before gesturing to the pantry with his thumb. Both men grumbled as they hoisted the barrel up and brought it down into the pantry.

"OK, THAT AIN'T RUM!" The founder said frowning turning to his companion who sported a scowl. "No kiddin Sherlock" before the two could continue their argument however the ship lurched as the sound of canon fire ringed in their ears. Both men paled facing each other before running out of the pantry.

Above on the deck pirates board from a bright pink pirate ship, a swan figure head sporting heart eyes, hearts on the sails and a jolly roger of a sideways skull with, you guessed it, a heart smack dab right on it. Yes it is as hideous as it sounds. It is only fitting however as the owner of this ship is none other than Iron Mace Alvida an incredibly obese woman with curly black hair reaching her upper back, freckles spread across her pudgy face and a fashion sense as bad as her taste in ship design. Said woman crashes into the lower deck ballroom where her crew already trapped the helpless passengers minus of course a certain orange haired woman observing from the corner. 'Alvida, huh? Well as they say, 'When in Rome'.' Taking off the beige dress she'd worn to blend in with the passengers the orangette now sported a blue shirt, maroon pants and a bandana. 'Let's see what you've got for me, 'Most beautiful woman of the seas'.' Leaving the ballroom she made her way unto the pink monstrosity of a ship.

Back in the pantry a short boy with blue rimmed glasses and light pink hair scoped out the foods and beverages before landing on a large barrel. 'Must be Rum.' Upon reaching the barrel he tries pushing it but to no avail 'That's too heavy to be rum.' The boy thought to himself blinking in surprise but before he could open the thing three pirates walked into the room.

"Hiding away again Coby? Coward" One of them said wearing a blue striped shirt and bandana

"Huh?! NO! Of course not! I was just trying to move this barrel but it's really heavy-" blue bandana cut Coby off saying "Oh? You found the rum cabin boy?" Walking towards the barrel "Don't worry we'll lighten it up for ye."

A tall blonde with a goatee voiced his approval "Great timing, I was getting pretty thirsty."

Panicking Coby's armed flailed about "Wa-wait no! Lady Alvida will kill us if she finds out!"

"Then you just need to keep your mouth shut don't ya!" The shortest of the three wearing a sleeveless purple shirt sneered. "Right Coby?"

"Ah, ah yeah ri-right" Coby whimpered backing down as blue bandana raised his fist to break open the barrel. "Boys we're drinkin ru-" a fist burst from the barrel as a 6 foot tall man stretched yawning "Tha ha a hoo ha" smacking his lips the man blinked at the two slack jawed pirates before turning to Coby wearing a similar expression as the other two and finally landing on blue bandana knocked out cold on the floor.

LUFFY'S POV

"So who are you fellas?" I asked turning back to the two men in front of me

"WE SHOULD BE ASKIN YOU THAT!" They both yelled as I closed my eyes and scrunched up my face

'Loud aren't cha''

I stepped out of the barrel ignoring them gritting their shark teeth turning my attention back to the man on the floor "He's gonna get sick lying down like that you know. Pretty dumb of him if ya ask me." I said narrowing my eyes slightly as I took in their attire. 'Pirates, huh. Wonder who they work under.'

"YOU DID THAT TO HIM!" Jeez, didn't anyone teach these two about indoor voices? I shook my head with closing my eyes only to hear the distinct sound of a blade being drawn the thrust towards me, or rather in front of me in this case.

"You toyin with us even though we're clearly pirates? Pickin a fight brat?" I snorted at the short pirate's statement before asking the pink haired kid the most important question in the world. "You know where they keep the food kid?" pinky just continued staring at me bug eyed and slack jawed

"LISTEN TO WHEN PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO YOU! BASTARD!"

"DAMN IMBECILE!" Both pirates drew their blades and I just turned to them as pinky closed his eyes oozing with fear 'A coward?' I could feel my eyes dropping as their blades descended upon me at a snail's pace, 'Well Sabo did always say the East was the weakest of the four blues' I thought fondly remembering my braniac older brother. Reaching up I grabbed their blades and broke them both in half letting the broken pieces in my hand clatter down onto the floor. "If you were really trying to kill someone shouldn't your blades actually be, you know, sharp?" I asked them bored with half-lidded eyes. Both of their eyes popped out of their heads zooming in on the blades 'I can't tell wether to be amused or disturbed by that' I thought to myself feeling the sweat drop appear behind my head.

"Who-WHO THE HECK ARE YOU?!" Tic mark forming I lifted my fist and smacked both of them on the head down into the floorboards "QUIT YELLING SO MUCH YOU DIMWITS!" I reprimanded before huffing and turning back to pinky who flinched backwards. "Hey kid, you know where the food is?" I asked only for the kid to continue staring blankly at me in fear. Rolling my eyes I opened my mouth to ask again only to smell what I'd been lookin' for since I woke up. Turning to my left I grabbed my backpack out of the barrel and slung it unto my back as I opened the door to reveal rows of fruit and bread, but unfortunately no meat. 'Oh well, least there's something to eat' I shrugged before I started digging in shoveling food into my mouth like a man who hadn't eaten in weeks.

"I-I'm Coby." I heard pinky say behind me. Pausing briefly I swallowed before going to reply, 'Makino and Sabo both drilled manners into me and Ace whenever they could' I thought forming a fond smile on my lips. "Monkey D. Luffy, nice to meet you Coby." I turned back to pig out on whatever I could get my hands on.

"How did you break their blades Luffy-san? It was incredible." Coby said approaching me awe in his voice 'What happened to his fear?' I wondered briefly before deciding that didn't matter as much as getting information, swallowing what I'd been able to shovel into my mouth I turned back to Coby disregarding his question. "This is a pirate ship isn't it?"

The pinkette paused staggering a bit before shaking his head. "No, this is a passenger's ship being raided by Iron Mace Alvida."

"5,000,000 Belli Alvida?" I asked just to be sure frowning as Coby nodded affirmative 'That's pirate's worth less than dumb baboon Hugina' Sighing at the disappointing revelation I asked another question "There any emergency rafts on board?"

"Huh uh yes I think so" Good that means I can take one of those peering back at the pinkette who seemed to shudder under my gaze I asked a different question "You part of Alvida's crew? If you are you're pretty scummy getting all chummy with an enemy pirate." My coat should should've been a pretty large indicator I was a pirate, it was basically a carbon copy of Gol D. Roger's coat for god's sakes not to mention the fact I beat up two of his crew mates… make that three of his crew mates I amended as I recalled what sleeveless purple and blonde goatee said before booking it with blue stripes.

"It was on that fateful day…" My eyes widened 'Oh dear god don't you dare do it' "That day, I got on a boat near the outskirts to go fishing…" Outwardly I maintained impassiveness, inwardly? I was screaming 'I'm not interested in some sob story that's most likely going to end up just making you out to be pathetic' "But it turned out to be a pirate boat that was headed towards a pirate ship…" I couldn't help letting an eye twitch slip my poker face when I heard that '…Of all the-' "It's been two years since and in exchange for my life I became Alvida's cabin boy" the pinkettes eyes were downcast in depression but at the moment I couldn't careless and spoke from the heart, though I actually always tend to do that anyway so really nothing out of the ordinary there.

"You are the dumbest, most pathetic boy I have ever met." The kid looked like he'd been slapped before responding in a voice filled with resignation 'Just how used to comments like that are you' "You're brutally hoinest"

"Im probably going to regret asking this but you did at least try to get away at some point right?"

"N-Never, No! Just the thought of Alvida catching me frightens me and makes me weak in the knees! I-"

"I was wrong" Coby paused and looked at me wide eyed for a second before he slumped down into the ground after I finished

"You're the dumbest, most pathetic coward I've ever met. Man, I hate guys like you" I deadpanned turning back to my quest of sating my hunger.

No one's POV

Back on the deck of the ship Alvida smiles in satisfaction as she watches her crew send more and more of the plunder back into her ship. Smiling more than her however is the orangette surrounded by empty chests and a bag full of gold and jewelry.

'Idiotic pirates.' The orange haired woman mused as she listened to their babbling from below.

Alvida's good mood however is interrupted as she hears screams and turns to see two of her men, sleeveless purple and blonde goatee, popping out of the trapdoor leading to the pantry "ALVIDA-SAMA! THERE'S TROUBLE!"

Scowling at the two she growled "What is it?" only getting more and more irritated as the two spoke over each other before her face contorted in rage hearing their last remark "WHO'RE YOU CALLING A MONSTER?! HUH?!" Flinging her iron mace towards the two. Both men ducked having seen it sail towards them but blue bandana wasn't so lucky being sent flying out of the hole as the projectile smacked him right in the face. The man's screams faded a splash was heard indicating he'd fallen into the ocean.

BONK!

The iron mace having lost its momentum upon hitting blue bandana fell on purple and blonde's heads "N-No Alvida-sama, some weirdo popped out of a barrel down in the pantry. We think he may be a bounty hunter."

"A bounty hunter?" Alvida repeated glaring.

LUFFY'S POV

"If only I too had the courage to hide in a barrel and drift off somewhere on the ocean to get away… There's actually something I want to do ya know…"

I stopped eating and turned to Coby 'So the kid does have ambition huh.' Coby looked up at me before asking nervously "What compelled you to set sail Luffy-san? I mean obviously you're a pirate but-"

"I'm going to become the King of the Pirates." I said simply with a smile amused watching the blood drain away from Coby's face "K-k-k-king of the Pirates?!" he cried so loudly my head actually started ringing. I could see him mouth a few more questions I just nodded in response too as my ears still rung 'When I get my bearings, I'm smacking him with a baguette.' I thought bitterly as Coby stood up 'Oh here comes the speech.'

"K-k-k-king of the Pirates is the title given to the person who obtains everything the world has to offer, that means seeking the great treasure of wealth, fame and power… THE ONE PIECE!"

'Oh dear lord why'd I have to get a fruit with such sensitive hearing.' I thought giving a "Yup" in response as I grinned through the pain thinking of the great treasure of the late pirate king.

"Yup?! PIRATES ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE AFTER THAT TREASURE!"

"Yeah and so am I." My eyes now openly twitching as a tic mark formed on my head. 'Pretty sure steams coming out my ear at this point as well'

"No way! No way! No way! No way! Never! Absolutely no way! No way! No way! There's mp way you can stand at the apex of this Great Pirate Era! No way! No way!"

'ALL RIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!' The limit to my patience having been broken I took a page out of gramps book and bonked Coby on the head with a Fist of Love.

"Why'd you hit me?" Coby whimpered "Cuz' I wanted to"

"Whatever I'm used to this" I sweatdropped at the boy's affirmation of his resignation to his pathetic situation.

"It's not about wether I can or not Coby, I'm gonna do it because I want to." I said taking of my precious straw hat 'Shanks…'

"Huh?" I see Coby watching me from the corner of my eye as I continue "I've decided I want to become the King of the Pirates, and if I die fighting for that, that's fine with me!" Coby's eyes widened 'Ah seems I struck a chord in him' I mused to myself before I walked out of the room feeling stuffed. "Now let's get a boat and get outta here."

"I never once thought of it that way. Do you think I could do it, Luffy-san? If I'm prepared to die for it?" I paused at the door and turned back to Coby. "Do what Coby?"

"Do you think… even someone like me could join the marines?"

"Marines?" A small smile tugged at my lips at the image of Gramps trying to beat the cowardice out of Coby with Fists of Love.

"Yes! A Marine! My dream is catching bad guys!" Coby cried as he stood up and turned to face me clenching his fists "It's been my dream ever since I was little! Do you think I can do it?!"

'Least out here the echo doesn't kill me as much' "How am I supposed to know?" I asked back rhetorically already expecting Coby to drone onwards on his own. 'Hmm?' my eyes flickered upwards as I sensed malicious intent seeping from the ceiling. 'That's one nasty voice' I thought flickering to the stairs that lead upstairs also filled with similarly unsavory voices.

"No! I will do it! If I'm gonna be a cabin boy for the rest of my life, then I'll break out of this hell and catch even Alvida-sa- no, ALVIDA!"

As if that was her cue Alvida crashed down from the ceiling in all her hideous glory. 'Wow she's even more repulsive in real life.' I thought my face breaking and contorting into a grimace for a brief second before I composed myself once more.

"You're gonna team up with him to catch who?! HUH! COBY!" the fat tub of lard grilled Coby who began cowering again as Alvida stared down at him with a sneer, her iron mace resting on her shoulder. Swords raised and pointed towards me from behind my back. 'More dull blades? Really? Not a single competent swordsman here huh." My eyes became half-lidded as I became bored once again.

"Heh you're not Pirate Hunter Zoro." Alvida smirked at me 'Zoro?'

"COBY!" Said boy flinched as the hag turned her attention to him. "Who's the most beautiful of all on these seas?!"

"Of course that would be-" 'Ok this kid really needs some help to get some confidence' I internally sighed before smiling at what I was planning on doing.

"Oi Coby who's the obese, oily witch?" I asked putting on my best dum-dum face while cackling internally watching every single person's, even Alvida's, jaw drop at my comment.

"O-obese?"

"Wi-witch?"

"N-n-not good"

The sound of gritting teeth could be heard as Alvida's face popped tic marks like it was fireworks "YOU RUNT!" Alvida shrieked as she brought down her club only to hit the ground as I shaved towards Coby "Time to go." "Huh? HUH!" Coby voiced his surprise as to him we were suddenly on deck. Blinking once, the pirates got over their shock and charge me all at once. 'Might as well take them all out at once." I threw Coby to the side so he wouldn't be caught in the hail of blades my eyes catching a the eyes of a orange haired woman as she walked out a door on another ship her eyes widening before turning away as if not wanting to see the blood that would be spilled if I were a normal man. "LUFFY!" I heard Coby cry before the sun was blocked out and swords smacked into me making a cacophony of metal hitting skin noises. "Not so tough after all huh you cheeky-" Alvida's words were cut as gasps rung out amongst the pirates who'd realized they hadn't penetrated my skin.

"Chi o Abita" My body glowed briefly as I grew taller reaching my Gramp's impressive 9'5" height, my lean toned body blowing up into a robust muscled one, my ear popping out pushing my hat off my head and unto my back, thankfully after many years of training my tail didn't pop out. 'That would've been uncomfortable with my coat.' I mused crossing my arms and tensing them further inwards wisps of black flames surrounding them "Donaru-" before I thrust them outwards shouting to the stars "TSUKI!" A dome of black flame blades burst forth in a two meter radius. A beat of silence before Alvida's crew started dropping like flies.

"W-What a-a-a-are you?" One of the few pirates who hadn't charged asked backing up just grit her teeth seemingly unfazed but I could see the fear in her eyes 'Least she isn't a coward' I thought as I observed the orange haired woman out of the corner of my eye shake her head before running off with a bag. 'She recovered rather quickly... probably more concerned with getting away' I mused to myself turning away from the thief.

"You ate a devil fruit didn't you?" Alvida asked, her grip on her mace tightening

"What was your first clue? The ears?" Turning back Alvida I crossed my arms and looked down at her smiling internally as she realized I was regarding her as inferior. Her few conscious crew members stayed away swords lowered 'While I'd prefer they stand up and fight I can't exactly fault them for recognizing the gap in our strengths.'

"LISTEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING YOU ARROGANT DOG!"

'Oops. Didn't realize she was giving monologue, then again that isn't necessarily a bad thing' I pondered as I heard the sound of a boat hitting water 'The thief gets away while the pirates fight. Opportunistic, Quick to adapt to the situation and clever enough not to get caught' I look back to Alvida who looked like volcano as she had noticed I'd comepletely ignored her again. 'I can't tell wether Makino would be amused or disappointed in this scenario' Snorting as the hag opened her mouth "YOU DARE IGNORE ME?! DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!" 'I know you're oozing with insecurity.'

"The one person in the world with a face even their mother couldn't love?" Paling white as sheets Alvida's crew shuddered under Alvida's withering gaze which had become so red and filled with tic marks it looked like a wrinkly rotten tomato. "COBY!" Turning towards the pinkette who'd also become pale as a sheet "Who am I?! Educate this mangy mutt!"

Flinching the boy stuttered "A-lvida-sama is of course t-the-" catching his eyes I saw them fill with something other than fear that caused me to grin "THE BIGGEST FATTEST WHALE IN THE WORLD! "

'Hehe maybe theres hope for you after all' I chuckled as Alvida completely lost it "YOU DAMN BRAT!" Raising her club Coby closed his eyes accepting his fate. Too bad for him he's grown on me. Grabbing the mace and pulling it towards me I cocked my fist back before socking the tub of lard across the face and into the floorboards with a resounding crash.

BOOM!

"Ke-hah!" I smirked hearing her gasp of pain before tilting my head to the right, the distinct sound of a cannon whistling through the air followed by the voices of stuck up self-righteousness. "All right Coby! We're outta here!" I said pulling the pinkette towards me as the canonball whizzed past where he previously was. "EEP" ... 'Eep?' I look at him incredeously before shaking my head at his red embarrassed face before turning towards the only remaining evacuation boat. 'Looks like my lucks turni-' I sidestepped a canonball that was on a straight collision course with me only to groan in exasperation. 'Of fricking course the damn thing would land on the boat' Turning towards the direction I'd meant to go in before this whole mess started I tossed Coby over my shoulder. "SORU!"

A certain thief's POV ( a few minutes ago )

I closed my eyes as I watched the pirates descend on the tall stranger with a straw hat, shaking as unpleasant memories resurfaced that horrid creatures laughter ringing in my ears 'Shashashashasha! Shashashashashashasha!' Clenching my fist I grit my teeth. 'Blasted pirates to hell with all of them!'

"-TSUKI!" I opened my eyes to see the man facing the sky arms spread as a dome of black flames expanded outwards. 'W-WHAT THE HELL?!' My grip on my treasure tightened as I took in the man's new 9 foot 5 height and 'DOG EARS?!' Ok yeah no I'm getting out of here. Taking advantage of the Alvida pirates focus on the strange man I ran out with the gold. Jumping onto a decent sized sailboat I lowered down to sea before cursing as I noticed the marine ship coming only a few minutes away.

"LISTEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING YOU ARROGANT DOG!"

'Well that bitch is pissed' I couldn't help the smirk that formed on my face as I unfurled the sails and headed towards the next town on my list. 'I get that map I'm golden' I smiled as more profanities came out of Alvida's moth. 'You'd think she'd noticed the Marine Ship just a few clicks away from canon range' I mused to myself before I heard a crash like something just broke through a floorboard on the ship. Before I could turn and figure out what the heck that was, a cannonball landed a bit too close for comfort. Standing up to the start rowing the boat lurched as the strange man with dog ears appeared, a pink haired boy on his shoulders.

"Talk later, run first" Was all he said before he grabbed the paddles and started rowing. Now normally when a strange man boards my ship as I make a getaway I kick them where the sun don't shine and throw them overboard. While thinking of doing just that however another cannonball dropped into the seas right behind me, so without much choice I, and the pink haired boy who seemed to grasp the situation as well, took up our own pair of paddles and made to get the hell outta there.

Watching the passenger ship being torn apart by cannon fire slowly fade in the distance I turned to look at the strange man again taking in his clothes with a grimace. 'A pirate?' as if sensing a gaze on him he looked up at me questioningly with a quirked eyebrow. "Something wrong Miss…?"

"Nojiko." I wasn't about to give him my real name but he seemed to have noticed the cover up as his eyes narrowed in suspicion but I just continued before he could voice it out. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong with this situation pirate."

He blinked as a brief look of surprise came upon his face before he smiled as if to cover it up. "You planned on making a clean getaway while all the treasure you plundered from Alvida only to have another pirate appear on your ship." While the statement seemed like a question it wasn't one. "Smart for a pirate." I said slowly reaching towards the collapsible staff I kept in front of me hidden from view. What happened next left me silenced and pale as a sheet. I blink for one moment, one, and then he's gone without a trace, the pink haired boy also blinking confused before he turned to look at me. 'No not at me… through me' I realized but stopped moving as the temperature seemed to drop to absolute zero. Slowly turning I come face to face with the man now leaning over me staring dead into my eyes. That alone would have been intimidating enough. The massive black wolf made of dark flames with golden irises certainly didn't help. Gulping I could only sit still as the man inched closer to the side of me face his cheek only millimeters away from my own the jet black wolf seemingly doing the same. He inhaled deeply before he breathed out huskily next to my ear, now I blushed hot red despite myself as I realized what he'd done not really registering the wolf has disappeared as he exhaled. Lifting up my arm to sock the perv on the head for smelling me, I stopped in shock at the next words that came out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry for whatever those Fishmen did to you."

LUFFY'S POV

Slowly standing back up straight I walked passed 'Nojiko' who seemed to turned into a statue and adjusted the sails to take us back on track towards Shell's Town. 'I'd never forget that scent' I thought recalling the time Gramps showed up carrying it.

"Oh that? That's probably from Jimbei." Gramps said after I asked him why he smelled like shark "Far as Warlords go he's probably the only one with noble causes in mind." I blinked at that in shock. "Don't get me wrong Luffy he's still a pirate to me when it boils down to it." Rolling his eyes Gramps took a seat next to me with a faraway look in his eyes. "But I can't hate a man who'd sacrifice so much for his family and his country."

'Jimbei, huh' I thought absentmindedly of what the Knight of the Sea may truly be like 'Well guess I'll find out when I meet him.' Leaving it at that I disabled my Bathed in Blood technique and returned to my 6 foot tall height but kept my ears out as they were. "Um Luffy-san?" Turning my attention to Coby I nodded for him to continue "What did you say to her? She's been silent since you came back to this side of the ship… staring at you" Shifting my focus to 'Nojiko' I could see that she was indeed quiet and rather reserved but was turned away as I faced her. 'Doesn't really matter since I already noticed but sure let's pretend I didn't' Putting my backpack down I pulled out my compass and handed it as well as the rope controlling the sails to Coby "Keep going North. We're headed for Shell's town." Nodding in confirmation Coby turned to give me and the woman privacy to talk.

I sighed scratching the back of my head walking towards the woman who wasn't trying to hide her stare at this point, now doing so with open hostility. Taking a seat in front of her I waited for what she had to say first.

"Who are you?"

"Monkey D. Luffy"

"Why were you on that ship?"

"Boat got caught in a whirlpool and I jumped into my barrel hoping for the best. Woke up later to find Alvida raiding the passenger ship that took me aboard probably thinking the barrel was full of alcohol." I summarized and smiled as she blinked at the incredulously at me before narrowing her eyes and going forward.

"How did you know about the Fishman?"

"I ate the Inu Inu no Mi which lets me take on the traits of canines. As such I was able to smell their scent on you… a bit late but sorry for the invasion of your private space." I said scratching my head sheepishly. That seemed to catch her off guard again but probably more because of my apology rather than my devil fruit.

"Uh yeah sure..." She trailed off as if deep in thought before she sighed "Just to be clear am I your prisoner? Or are you going to keep breaking my image of pirates even further?" I raised my eyebrow at her last statement but decided it was probably a question for another day. "Depends…" She tensed "You heading to Shell's town as well?"

"… yes…"

"Then you're a fellow passenger. If you'd been heading somewhere else then I'd have probably said you were a prisoner until Coby and I get off there, after which you'd be free to go." She swallowed before continuing on

"What are you planning to do to him when you get off there?"

"From what I remember there's supposed to be a marine base there and since Coby wants to be a marine I thought I'd drop him off. Maybe make a scene to show he was just a defenseless kid being dragged around by a pirate so they'd sympathize with him." I disregarded Coby's gasp and the scent of tears forming. 'Coby if you glomp me later I swear to God you'll get another taste of a Fist of Love again.' Silently promising what would probably happen after this talk I watched as the woman opened and closed her mouth like a fish, blinking rapidly.

"B-b-but wasn't he on an enemy pirate's crew?"

"Not by choice… honestly the kid's story for how he ended up as the bowling ball's cabin boy was so pathetic I couldn't see him as an enemy even if I wanted to." Cue Coby sinking unto his knees as a cloud of depression hovered above his head.

"So that's why you helped him? You didn't see him as a threat?" She seemed to energize at that claim, a 'Ha! Gotcha!' comic bubble practically appearing behind her as the thinks she's figured me out.

"I helped him because he has a dream and, more importantly, was willing to sacrifice all he had left for that dream." Shock was plastered on her face she gaped at me as I continued. "If you were a stranger but had a dream and the will to see it through, you'd become my friend, if you were willing to put your life on the line to achieve it?" I looked her dead in the eyes as I finished "I'll set sail with you to the ends of the Earth to see it come true. We could be rivals for the same dream or enemies for choosing different paths it doesn't matter, as long as you have to the will to chase that dream until you breathe your last breath I will carve your name as my brother or sister unto my soul forevermore."

Coby openly wept behind me as his grip on the sail tightened and his eyes glistening with cascading tears. 'If you cried like that in a lake it'd become so salty it'll turn into an ocean.' I thought sweatdropping

(A/N: Call me out in a review if you get the reference)

The orange haired woman just stared at me with her mouth parted in disbelief before her body began shaking. Then as if completely forgetting what I was capable of grabbed me by my coat and screeched. "WHAT KIND OF PIRATE ARE YOU?!" I scrunched up my face as my ears rang in agony. 'Deep breaths Luffy. You got yourself into this mess when you got too nosey, it's only right I let the lady vent.' I thought to myself calling upon every lesson Makino ever drilled into me and whatever patience I could muster. 'Maybe that speech was bit too against her perceptions about pirates.'

"PIRATES ARE PLUNDERERS, RAPISTS, AND MURDERERS! THEY DON'T LET THEIR ENEMIES LIVE! THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT HONORING THEIR FOES! THEY ONLY LIVE FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR NO ONE ELSE!" Tears began cascading down her eyes but unlike Coby's tears of admiration and respect these were filled anger, anguish, and despair. "Pirates killed my mother in front of me." Her eyes were shadowed as her voice softened and her grip on my coat loosened. Amidst her rant she'd ended up straddling me, her sitting up on my stomach as I lay on the floorboards of the boat. "Pirates can't be good or heroic. They can't think of anyone but themselves. They shouldn't have any mercy or love for anything." Choking on her words she sobbed unable to go on as it seemed her whole world had shattered. 'That escalated quickly…' I stopped that train of thought as even I couldn't brush off and be sarcastic about something like this. I pushed myself up and wrapped an arm around the girl's waist "Let it all out, Nojiko." I said as she had tensed before breaking down even further as I brought my other hand up to her head and pushed her towards my chest. I rocked back and forth whispering words of comfort as she continued to breakdown well into the night. Thankfully Coby stayed focused on navigating us towards Shell's town.

The girl and I stayed like until the sun set and the moon rose, her sobs had lessened and become hiccups after a while and now she would just sniffle occasionally. At some point she'd wrapped her arms around me pushing herself deeper into my chest but I didn't voice any comment of it. 'Plunderers, Rapists and Murderers huh, just what kind of scum did you come across.' Eventually I had to separate the two of us and I did so gently removing her arms from me and seating her down to ponder over things. Walking towards Coby, the boy turned to me with a smile when I stopped by his side. "You are really weird for a pirate Luffy-san." I gave a half-hearted smile before ruffling the kid's hair "I'm what a pirate should be like Coby. What pirates used to be like." Taking the ropes of the sail and locking them in a set position I walked towards a chest where I smelled the distinct scent of alcohol, cloth, metal and some non-perishable meats. Opening the chest I smiled knowing I'd been spot on save for the addition of water skins which were honestly a welcome bonus. Bringing out the alcohol lamp, tripod and pan to the center of the small vessel I dug the approximately 5 kilos of Sea King meat I'd saved from the Lord of the Coast out of it as well as some butter, salt and pepper. 'Cooked meat is good but it's so much better even with just basic seasoning' I chuckled watching Coby's mouth water as the scent of grilled Sea King wafted through the air. Hell even 'Nojiko' was drooling a bit as the wind blew its delectable scent towards her. Bringing out some bread I'd taken from the Passenger ship, I broke them apart and handed portions to the other two along with cuts of grilled Sea King. Dinner was a silent affair as we all dug in to the juicy sandwiches. Knowing Coby was probably dead tired and 'Nojiko similarly so I volunteered to keep watch in case the weather decided to mess with them or someone else came along picking a fight.

'It's certainly not how I pictured my first day on the seas to go but then again what's life without its twists and turns.' I mused staring at the night sky, stars twinkling above.

"Brrrrr" I looked away from the skies and turned to 'Nojiko' who hadn't fallen asleep yet and shivering as cold sea winds passed by while Coby was conked out snoring. 'Normally this should be reserved for when I court someone but…' I shrugged 'Ah what the hell, why not.' Taking off my coat and I approached the shivering woman who opened her eyes as I stood in front of her. She tensed a bit sitting up staring at me defiantly before I crouched and slowly threw my coat over her shoulders and brushed a strand of hair that had stuck to the side of her face backwards over her ears. Even in the dead of night I could see her blush. "Goodnight Nojiko." I said standing up

"Nami." I paused my ascent and looked at her with a raised eye brow but she just turned away still red

"My name's Nami, not Nojiko… though I assume you knew that from the beginning." Chuckling I replied "Yeah, I did." Smiling I stood up and took in appearance. Short tangerine orange hair, large warm chocolate brown eyes, a sharp adorable nose, plump pouty lips and smooth pale skin. 'If not for her aversion towards pirates I wouldn't have minded making her my Luna wolf.' I walked away chuckling to myself 'What am I thinking? I barely even know this woman.'

"Goodnight Nami."

"Goodnight… Luffy" I didn't even need to look at her to know she was smiling as she told me that.