One Piece: The Little Stowaway Ch.4 The Grand Tour Of The Sunny, Slave Hunters In Pursuit!
After finishing up their bath, Nami, Robin, and Miyu all got out and started to dry up their hair, wrapping themselves up with towels. Miyu in her case started to shake herself dry like a dog, sprinkling a bit of water at the two ladies which both ladies chuckled.
"Oops, s-sorry about that, I have a habit of doing it whenever I get wet." She twiddled her thumbs.
"It's fine, Miyu," Nami assures her.
"Yes, there's no need to be sorry for that." Robin smiled, and pat her.
Nami noticed Miyu reach over for her ragged dress, with a quick pace, Nami snatch it away.
"Uh, I don't think you'll need to wear these anymore." Nami looked in disgust. "It's best that you should wear something much more proper clean clothes then these rags here."
"Oh, well, I guess you're right about that," Miyu nodded. "But do you guys have any clothes that would fit me?"
"Apparently, no. But rest assured, I and Nami will try to do much as we can find something for you to wear in the meantime once we'll shop for some new clothes for you." Robin smiled.
"Really?" The young Lycan's ears perked up and so does her tail wagging happily.
"You bet," Nami winked. "Now come, let's get all dried up and get you to dress in the meantime." She takes her hand and the two lady duo escort themselves to the ladies' quarters.
~An Hour Later~
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper are sitting on the port-side railing, fishing for some lunch that can prepare later on, while Zoro was leaning by the tree, snoring as he sleeps, Brook in the meantime practices his usual 45-degree angle pose on the mast pole, while Franky was lounging on a beach chair, drinking his colas.
It wasn't long until Nami and Robin comes out, dressed in new outfits for the day. The navigator was wearing her light blue swimsuit bikini bra with white polka dots on them, a white beach shirt and jean shorts with black g-stings expose on her hips. Robin wore a light purple tank-top and tight black yoga pants. Their hair was fashioned up such as Nami's long orange hair was tied up in a ponytail, and Robin was wearing a hairband on top.
"NAMI SWAN! ROBIN CHWAN!" Sanji exclaim in a lovey-dovey tone, swirling and twirling around with his arms waving like noodles up in the air with hearts in his eyes. "You two look beautiful today!"
Zoro snorted awake, grumbling.
"Will you pipe down, love cook!" The swordsmen complained. "I'm trying to sleep here!"
"I don't give a damn, moss head!" Sanji snapped back at him.
"Ugh!" Nami groans, pinching the bridge of her nose while Robin chuckles.
"Yo, Nami! Robin!" Luffy called out waving to them.
"Oh, hey, Luffy," Nami smiled at the energetic captain. "Any luck?" She asked.
"Nope." He sadly frowns. "No such luck."
"Not only that," Usopp added, reeling up an old worn boot. "The only thing I've caught is a stupid boot!" He groans giving the most deadpanned expression.
"Same here," Chopper whimpered. "All I caught is small fries." He reels in tinny-tiny fish.
Nami softly smiled at the boys, showing them some support to them.
"Don't feel so down, guys. I'm sure you'll get a good catch sooner or later."
"But I'm so hungry~~" He whined.
Nami deeply sighs. "I know, but it's not like I can magical wish you a big fish appear out of thin air."
"Wait, you can do that?!"
'BLAME!'
Nami pounds him on the top of the head.
"IT WAS A FIGURE OF SPEECH, MORON!" She angrily yelled at him. "WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WAS BEING SERIOUS WITH THAT?! WHAT DO TAKE ME FOR A GENIE OR SOMETHING?!"
"OW!" He whined as he rubbed his large bump. "S-Sorry, I thought you were serious about that statement!"
"Um, Nami?" A voice came as everyone looked up to see Miyu and Goo on top of the stairway. "Why are you hitting, Luffy?"
Standing above them as they (Plus Sanji) are all in awe of how pretty she looks. Wearing a little dress with a flower on the center of her chest.
"AWWW~ Miyu-Chan~" Sanji sang smoothly at the cute sight of her. "You look so amazing!"
Miyu remains still, blushing deep red at the praise and the admiration of her cute temporary dress.
"Um...T-Thank you."
"Ooooooo, look at you, Miyu!" Luffy sprung over by stretching his arm out and slinging up to the balcony which freaked both her and Goo out.
"WAAAHHHH!" She shrieked. "Your arm just stretched?!"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm made outta rubber." He grinned.
"Rubber?" She tilt her head confused.
"Miyu," Nami joined in, grabbing Luffy's cheeking, and stretching it. "He'd ate Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, so now his entire body is made of rubber."
"Oh, like, Goo here?" She held his gooey friend. "He acts kinda like rubber, but he can change into anything I'd ask for. Watch." She looked down on and gave the command of... "Goo! Mallet!"
"Goo!" The blob chirped, as he shapeshifted into a big mallet hammer.
"Ta-Da!"
"WHOA!" Luffy's eyes sparkled in awe. "SO COOL!"
"That's not all that Goo can do. He causes shape-shift and imitates any forms of others."
With that, Goo morph and change into a copy version of Miyu.
"WHAAAA?!" Luffy's eyes bugged out and his jaw dropped down. "N-Nami! There's two of them!"
"Calm down Luffy, that's only Goo." Nami snorted to hold her laughter from her boyfriend captain's reaction.
"But sadly he can't maintain that form for long, but I'm trying my best to help to improve it."
The other copy of Miyu changes right back to the little floating blob.
"Well, I must say." Robin and others looked upon his interesting ability. "It may sure be useful to our advantage for what we'd encounter in the New World."
"Hmm..." Usopp thought to him that he can use Goo's ability to make a copy of himself to lore enemies away while making his a quick getaway. "I wonder." He smirked.
"Could be useful." Nami thought of that idea of having Goo copy herself, woo a marine soldier or pirate lackey while she'd sneak herself in and out with large bags of treasures and other riches. Just thinking of that made Berri symbol appear in her eyes, wearing a big toothy grin.
"Nami? What's wrong? What's with her eyes?" Miyu is concerned about the navigator's bizarre expressions.
"Don't mind her, it's just a weird obsession of hers." He said in deadpanned expression.
Obsession?" Miyu repeated, tilting her head confused.
"You see, Nami loves treasures and money." Luffy smiled, knowing too well about his secret girlfriend.
"Sometimes she just gets too much obsessed with it it becomes a hassle..." The sniper muttered, failing to notice Nami standing next to him, giving the unsettling death glare he'd ever seen from her.
"You know I can hear you, jackass!" Nami angrily hissed.
He yelped as he hid behind Zoro. "I-I mean I'm telling the truth... Even though I'm just joking around... ha, ha, ha!" He nervously laughed.
Nami sighed and turn towards the little Lycan, smiling.
"True I'm obsessive with money and treasure, but those are the least of things I'd care about. My true treasures are here." He gestured to the whole crew. "They're my true national treasures." She said, looking over at Luffy, winking at him as if she's saying that he is her true passionate treasure.
The rest of the crew smiled back, even Luffy smiled the most with her signature ''Shishishishi'' laugh of his.
"Wow, that must've been so best treasure to ever have." She smiled with glee.
"It does," Nami then takes her hand. "Now then, shall we all give out our tour for little, Miss Miyu here?" She asked the crew.
Of course, great captain Ussop will give you the honor of touring you in the great Sunny go!
"Wait, I thought, Luffy is the captain." Miyu looked puzzled.
"He just thinks he is," She said in a deadpanned tone. "But let's give it our best here!" Nami ordered.
"Yeah!" The whole crew cheered.
"Yeah!" Miyu cheered along with them. "Where shall we start?"
"Well since you've asked, I was thinking we'll start with me giving you a little tour around my tangerine grove," Nami suggested to which Miyu wagged her tail excitedly in agreement.
"Oh yes, yes, yes!" She jumped up and down.
I"'ll even let you have one if you like. She said with a wink.
"Thanks, Nami!" She smiled.
And so Miyu's little adventure in the Thousand Sunny begins, after spending some time with Nami's tangerine grove, Robin observes her beautiful garden to which, the archaeologist asks her to volunteer to help her plant some new flowers she'd recently bought, to which the little wolf-girl accepted the offer.
"Pretty," Miyu said as she observed herself with each of the most beautiful flowers she'd ever seen.
They sure are, my dear. It was fortunate that I've managed to find some few pansies earlier, so how about you dig me up some few holes for me while I plant them, okay?" Robin instructed her.
"Okay!" Miyu ecstatically.
With that said, Miyu starts scooping up some dirt with a trowel. After each hole is dug, Robin place the pansies and patted the dirt back in to cover up the roots.
"Now that's taken care of, perhaps you can get the watering can over there?" She points out the direction where the water can is.
"Sure thing, Robin." Miyu nodded. As she retrieved the water can and huddled back over until her sandal caught on a loose nail sticking out from the wooden floorboard, causing her to topple down hard to her chest as the water spilled out of the can.
"Miyu! Are you ok?" She gasped.
Miyu gets herself up with her ear drooping down sadly.
"Y-Yes," She whines. "I'm sorry, so sorry!" She bows her head with beads of tears stinging through the side of her eyes.
"Don't worry it's okay." Robin softly smiles. "I'm not mad."
"B-But I caused so much trouble and mess up things whenever I trip over things!" She whined more loudly, bawling her eyes out. "I'm such a total klutz!"
"We all make mistakes, it's ok to mess up."
"But... the water..." Miyu whimpered, wiping her tears away.
"It's ok, we'll just get another one." She patted her head.
O-Okay." The little lycan whimpered, picking up the can and Nami told her that she'll get more water from Sanji's kitchen.
"Still, I'm sorry for tripping..." She sniffed.
"Quit apologizing, Miyu. We're not mad." Nami assures her. "Now hurry over, those plants ain't going to water themselves!" She gave her a confident grin to her.
The little wolf-girl smiled as she takes off with the watering can, making her way down to the kitchen.
While there, Sanji was washing the dishes until she hears the little wolf-girl enter.
"Good thing that wasn't, Luffy coming in." He whispered to himself before facing her. "Is there something you need, little miss?"
"U-hm can I have this refilled?" She said as she gave Sanji the empty watering can.
"Sure thing, Mi Mi." He takes the water can and fills it up.
"Mi Mi?" She looked at him confused. "Why do you call me, Mi Mi?"
"I just thought it sounds cute for you." He answered with a charming smile.
Upon that compliment, she looked away blushing.
"I-I'll be going now!"
"Sure thing," He handed her the water can. "Just don't forget the water, okay?."
"Oh, thank you!" She cheerfully smiled.
Before she was about head toward the exit, Luffy burst through the door, barely hitting her. However this caused her to jump in fright by Luffy busting through the door open, the water can high up into it landed on Sanji's head with all the cold water splashed all over his blonde hair and soaked half of the clothes he was wearing.
"SANJI!" Luffy called out from the top of his lungs. "Make me some meat, I'm so hungry that I can eat a whale whole!" He laughed and joyfully marched toward the table.
"LUFFY! BE CAREFUL YOU RUBBER IDIOT! YOU ALMOST GOT MIYU-CHAN HURT!" The cook shouted with a comical angry expression.
"Huh?" He look over to the little Lycan who looked utterly shocked that Sanji had just gotten wet. "Sorry, didn't see ya there."
"Oh no! S-Sanji! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't me to throw the water can on top of your head, Luffy was surprised and such!" Miyu panicked and bowed her head up and down frantically.
*The cook went to the young Lycan and petted her head*
"It's ok Miyu, it was an accident." Then he turns towards, Luffy. "And no! No meat for you!"
"Awwww, come on, Sanji!" The straw hat boy whined. "I need to eat meat, just give me a little?"
"Tsk, fine!:" He grunted.
~Meanwhile back at Robin's Garden~
After the whole shenanigans in the kitchen, Miyu manages to get another refill of water as she makes herself back to where Robin was waiting for Miyu's return.
"Sorry I'd kept you waiting, Miss Robin."
"It's alright," Robin waved her off her apology. "I was being patient."
~The Aquarium Room~
After helping out Robin with her garden, Nami escorts her to the aquarium room, which caught the little lycan all in awe by the size of this enormous tank containing numerous fishes and other sea creatures.
"Wow!" Her eyes sparkled all in awe at the beautiful scenery.
"Yep," Nami chuckled from her cute reactions. "This is where we hang out, enjoying each other's company and admiring the beautiful sea creatures we've collected and displayed in his huge fish tank, here."
Miyu presses her face against the glass, wagging her tail with thrills and fascination.
"We also use it to contain them as a food source once Sanji plans on making lovely meals for us," Nami added.
"It's so amazing." She then noticed a pufferfish right in front of her until it instantly blows up like a balloon causing Miyu to hurl herself backward only for Nami to catch her in time, as she'd laughed.
"Whoa-ho ho there!" Nami chuckled. "You could've bumped the back of your head there, dear."
"Shishishishi! Guess that surprised ya, didn't it?" Luffy laughed.
"You should also be careful whenever that happens like that," Nami said while helping her up.
"Sorry..." Miyu twiddles her thumbs.
"Hey, It's alright, no biggie." He grinned.
"Still, this is the most wonderful aquarium room I've ever seen?" Miyu still couldn't get over how amazing everything is in this large aquarium. "How are you able to fit something like this on a pirate ship?" She asked.
"It's because of our best ship, right? Franky put a lot of effort to build this."
"So true, Luffy. It's the best ship that's ever built by Franky and Iceberg since we've lost Merry." Said Nami who caught Miyu's attention by the name Merry.
"Merry? Who's Merry?" She asked.
"Oh, Merry was our old ship..." Luffy answered.
"Oh, I see. But what happens to your old ship?" She asked even further.
"It broke down when we were just in the first part of the grand line... It was the first ship we'd ever got."
"So I guess that's the reason this ship here is your second?"
"Yep!" Luffy nodded.
"You might say that the Going Merry was a family to us than just a ship," Nami added while a sad smile.
"Never thought you guys call your ship a family member." Miyu thought.
"You can say we are a strange bunch," Nami added.
"Oh? Hmm..." He put her finger under his chin. "Kinda like me and Goo?"
Nami chuckled. "Yeah, you can say about that, Miyu."
Miyu smiled and wagged her tail happily until the mere mention of Goo hits her.
"Speaking of which, where's Goo at?" She asked.
"Oh, the blue jelly thing?" Luffy cocked his head. "He's with Chopper at the sickbay. He said that wanted to do some extermination on him." Luffy misspoken on saying examination which made Miyu's eyes widen and shout.
"Chopper is doing WHAT?!" She screamed in total shock.
"Extermination... you know the stuff doctors do?"
Nami pounds him on the head, leaving a massive bump growing on top of him.
"It's an examination, idiot!" She yelled with a comical anger expression on her face. "Geez, Luffy, you really can't pronounce it right!"
"Sorry! I thought I was saying it right!" Luffy whined, rubbing the top of his throbbing.
"Well, it's obvious you haven't don't reading dictionaries for the past two years!" Luffy complained.
Miyu calmed down a bit after knowing her friend isn't being exterminated, as how Luffy said as she let out a deep sigh of relief. "Phew!"
Nami turns towards Miyu. "But in the meantime, I'm pretty sure you're curious to know more about what Chopper does in the sickbay, right?"
"Mmhm!" She nodded.
Very well, then." She takes her hand and passes it to the straw hat boy. "Luffy, why don't you give her a tour and show what Chopper does."
"Alright!" Luffy was pumped up to do so. "Let goes see what, Chopper's doing with Goo."
"A-Are you sure...?" Miyu wasn't too sure about having this strange boy switching places on the tour.
"Relax, I won't bite."
"Unless he does try to eat ya alive if you have candy on ya." Nami teased to which Miyu took it seriously.
"Eh!?" Miyu shrieked as her fur turned pale white.
"Whoa, she didn't mean it!" Luffy quickly assured her, waving his hands for a while.
"Yeah, I was just joking!" Nami added, doing the same as Luffy.
"O-Oh? Phew!" She puffy sighed.
"Come on, let go see what Chopper is up to at the sickbay!" Luffy grab her wrist and dashed off, dragging the little lycan along.
"Luffy! Don't drag her so hard, Idiot!" Nami yelled.
As they took off, Nami just sighed irritably but smiled nonetheless.
~In the Sickbay~
"Okay, I just need to abstract some samples from you," said Chopper, taking a syringe out.
"Now you might not feel thin since you just made of...well, uh... gooey substance."
On Cue, Luffy kicked the door open. "Yo! Chopper!"
"WAAAHHHH!" Chopper cried out, accidentally flinging the syringe upwards until it stick on the roof. "LUFFY!" The little reindeer shouted. "How many times have I told you not to bust in the door like that! Haven't you heard the term 'Knocking?!'
"Sorry, sorry..." He stretched the back of his head, embarrassed.
"It's alight." He let out a sigh."So is there something you need?" The ship's doctor asked.
Miyu here wants to see her friend, see how he's doing well." Luffy answered.
Oh yeah, Goo, right?"
"Yeah, how's he doing?" Miyu asked a bit concerned for her little blob friend.
"Well, I can assure you that your little friend is doing fine. I'm more intrigued on how this specimen can do all sorts of shapeshifting abilities." He said, sounding more exciting and fascinated by this discovery of a being they never come across before.
"By the way, how did you and Goo end up together?" Luffy asked.
"It's kinda a long story. I'll one day explain more details on our first meeting." Miyu heads over to take pick up her friend and hold him close.
"So you two had been friends for a long time, huh?" Chopper smiled.
"Yup!" Miyu nodded.
"But It makes me wonder what Goo is and where he comes from." Chopper puzzled.
"To be honest, I don't know what he is and where he'd come from. Goo himself doesn't even remember where he came from." Miyu shrugged.
"Strange." Simply said Chopper.
"Yeah," She looks at him sadly Goo understands her grief. "He's almost like he's a... a lost child separated by their family."
Mentioning the word ''separated'' painfully reminds both Luffy and Chopper of how their crew was separated from each other by Kuma for two years.
"Yeah..." Luffy coldly said, with his eyes shaded by the shadow of the brim of his straw hat.
"Hmhmm..." Chopper sadly nodded.
"W-What's wrong?" Miyu looked confused.
"Oh, it's nothing," Luffy said with a fake smile.
"Anyway, you say this life-form, Goo: can change and shapeshift to any other living thing or object?"
"Why of course," She nodded before turning toward Goo. "Watch... Goo! Turn into a beautiful butterfly!"
With that command, Goo transforms into one and flutters around the air.
"Wow!" The reindeer looked amazed. "That's so cool!"
"I with ya little buddy, it's ten times cooler!" Luffy looked up in awe with sparkles in his eyes.
"That's not all... Goo! Umbrella!"
Soon enough, Goo immediately turns into an umbrella as she grabs it and opens it up.
"Goo can turn into any useful equipment or items to handle ant situations. "She said, twirling around happily.
"Oooo, He sure is useful, isn't he?" Chopper clapped his hooves.
"Can it turn into food?" Luffy asked drooling.
"Uhh, yes..." Miyu answered, not sure why he'd asked while noticing his drools dripping down from his mouth.
"Good! In that case... Goo turn into the meat!" He commanded.
"LUFFY NO!" Chopper cried out.
But it was too late, as Goo transform into a big hunk of meat.
Without warning, Luffy chowed down goo who's currently a large piece of meat.
But by doing so, Goo shrieked in pain as he takes the first bite.
"GOO!" Miyu squealed as she grabs the meat Goo transform into and yank out of his chompers. "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!"
"Eating it," Luffy said bluntly.
"My friend is not food you knuckled-headed jerk!"
Soon the meat transforms back to its normal form as it glares at Luffy angrily before morphing into a hand and slapping him across the face.
"Ow! Hey, I'm sorry!"
Miyu huffed as she took goo by her arms.
"Well, you should be," Chopper scolded him. "I should've expected you to pull something like that."
Miyu takes Goo with her and storms off. "I think it's time I should have someone else guide me along than some stupid rubber head that tries to eat my best friend!"
If things couldn't get any worse, Nami comes in before Miyu pass her.
"Miyu? Where are you going?" She asked but Miyu didn't answer as she stormed out with Goo. "What the hell is going on here?" Nami demanded with her arms crossed.
"Um, nothing." Luffy gave the worst poker face to look innocent, but his girlfriend isn't buying it.
She pulled Luffy toward her face. "Don't give me that look, mister! What is going on?! TELL ME!"
"I didn't do anything, I swear!" Luffy countered.
"If that's so, then why is Miyu like that? You didn't do anything rash, didn't you?"
"Luffy tried to eat her friend Goo when he turned to meat, that is what upset her." Chopper gave away.
"Blabbermouth..." Luffy muttered.
"YOU WHAT!?" She shouted.
Luffy makes a wide innocent grin even though he's shaken by Nami's anger.
In a split second, she hits him with her fist got him flying a few feet, and crashed into the wall.
"Luffy, I'm not talking to you for the rest of the day unless you apologize to Miyu! And you're not having any one of my tangerines for a week!" With that, she too stormed off and slam the door causing the whole room to shake while Chopper cowered in behind his chair.
"Nami's scary!" He shivered.
He rubbed his head. "Yeah... she really can be."
~Outside~
"That idiot!" Nami grumbled to herself as she stomp through the balcony frustrated. "Should've known he'll do something stupid to upset her. I mean what did I expect? Of course, he's going to do something stupid, he's done that every single time for years since I've been in this crew. Sheesh, to think I'd started to form a relationship with that moron!"
As Nami was ranting, she failed to notice Miyu was standing by the corner with Goo wrapped around her arms.
"So you two are in a relationship?"
Hearing her made the cat burglar jump.
"M-miyu!?" She stuttered loudly.
"I guess you're his girlfriend, huh?" She wagged her tail and smiled.
Nami sighed in defeat. "You caught me..." She bemoaned.
Her tail wagged even more wildly.
"It knew it! So how long have you been dating? Have you two kissed yet? Or go out to places?" She anxiously asked her questions that's is too much for the navigator herself to answer.
Whoa! Hold your horses! One at a time please." She waved her arms out.
She lowers her ears down and whimpers.
"S-Sorry... I was just curious... I know I shouldn't stick my nose to other people's business...but..." She was about to cry before Nami quickly tries to assure her to settle down.
"Hey, it's okay, Miyu. I know you're very curious." She smiled.
"Okay...sorry..." She smiled. "So does anyone know you two are in a relationship?" She asked.
"So far none, except for you two of course."
"Well, not to worry me and Goo we'll keep our lips sealed, right little buddy?"
"Goo, goo."
"Goo said... ''Yes, we will.''
"You two aren't the only one who knows Nami's secret relationship with Luffy." Came a voice to which Nami can already know who that voice belongs.
And sure enough, Robin was standing behind the three, with a devious smile on her face.
"R-ROBIN!?" Nami shrieked, her eyes went blank white as saucers.
"Fufufu~" She chuckled. "Surprised you, huh?"
"You sure did, Miss Robin, and you surprise me and Goo as well," Miyu admitted she jumped a bit too for the raven-black-haired woman would appear out of nowhere.
"U-uh, h-h-how did you even know..." Nami shivered in her tone.
"Oh let's just say I did a little observing with my devil fruit powers." She winked which made Nami feel her heart drop.
"Don't tell me you..." She murmured, her eyes comical widening and her mouth agape way down it almost hit the floor. "You told everyone?!"
"Maybe~" She giggled.
Nami held both hands from her temples as she was in total dread by Robin deliberately telling the whole crew of her and Luffy's newfound secret relationship. She is now in a mental breakdown.
"So I guess it's no use to keep it a secret, huh?" She hung her head in utter defeat.
"Afraid so," Robin places a hand on her left shoulder. "But I assure everyone here we'll keep both your secrets safe." She winks at her.
Nami then smiled at the archeologist. "Thank you..." She sighed.
"Although I would apologize for spilling all the beans." She chuckled.
"It's okay, Robin, I know you didn't mean any harm." She smiled with reassurance, which made Robin more relieved. "I'm thankful you would say that." The archeologist said with a sweet smile to which, Nami returns an equal smile at her.
While the two girls are having this conversion, Miyu politely tugs her hand to get Nami's attention.
"You think, Luffy is mad at me?" She asked in a worried tone to which Nami patted her and stroke her ear.
"Oh Miyu, why do you think he has a reason to be mad at you?" She said, giving her a soft sweet smile to her.
"Well, I'd snapped at him, and called him a rubber-headed jerk." She whimpered.
"Luffy isn't the type of person to hold grudges."
"Really? Well, in that case, should I at least apologize to him?" Miyu asked.
Nami giggled. "I think he should be the one to apologize first since he's the idiot who tried to eat your friend there." She petted her some more, which prompted her to nod in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right, Nami."
"Good, now how about I show you around the library and I can show you where I do my map charting." Nami offered a hand.
"Sure!" Miyu obliged.
But before could, her ears then perked up as she hears something coming from the distance, her nose twitched, catching a scent of something she'd recognized from before. Her eyes widen, stood there, stiff as a board, her tail curled down between her legs, and her body shivered in fear.
"Miyu," Nami noticed something was acting up with her. "What's wrong?"
"Is something the matter?" Robin asked who is more concerned for the little lycan.
She stood there, not responding to them while Goo can tell something is up.
"Miyu? Miyu!" Nami kneels to her level and places her hand by her shoulder, shaking her. "What's the matter? Answer me!"
"T...T...T...They...They...They...found me..." Miyu frightfully whispered.
"Who?" Nami asked, confused. "Who's they?"
"The...Slave Hunters." She said dreadfully in her tone before she took off running towards Nami and Robin's bedroom and hides under one of the beds.
Their blood ran cold at the mention of the word 'slave hunters'.
"Slave Hunter?" Robin repeated.
"Oh no, this isn't good!" Nami said with dread.
Usopp was just up on the crow's nest since he's put on watching duties, using a spyglass to scan the horizon until he'd notice a ship from the far distance.
"G-G-G-GUYS! THERE'S A VERY SUSPICIOUS-LOOKING SHIP ON THE HORIZON!" He cried out through the intercom, alerting both the navigator and the archaeologist.
Nami called out to him. "Usopp, alert everyone!"
He does so by speaking into all the connecting intercoms.
"Attention! ATTENTION! An unidentified ship over the horizon has been spotted near southeast, starboard side. This is not a drill! I repeat this is not a drill!"
Nami rushed over to warn Luffy, only for her to almost bumping into him.
"Luffy, there you are!" She exclaimed, panting under her breath.
"What's going on, Nami? Usopp said-"
"Yes, I know, which is why we should get in positions, come on!"
Right!" He nodded as he follows her behind.
The rest hustled over to the starboard side, with what they see from the distance was ironed steel ship almost the same size of compare to the Sunny, the appearance is like an armored battleship armed to the teeth with cannons and turrets. The appearance brought dread to Usopp and Chopper, feeling like they'd wet themselves while Nami too felt anxious with her heart pounding, but calmly watches to maintain her cool. However, it's hard to due to this situation what they're about to come against.
"It's okay," Luffy softly said, holding her hand to help her relieve herself. "Just stay close to us, and we'll protect ya." He winked at her.
She let out a sigh and slowly reduce her anxiety. "Alright." She smiled, knowing how Luffy wouldn't allow anyone to harm a single hair on her.
"HEY!" A loud voice came from the transponder speakers. "Identify yourselves! Or we'll force to take action!" The voice demanded.
I'M LUFFY! AND ILL BE THE KING OF THE PIRATES!
"That idiot?!" Both Nami and Sanji shouted.
Usopp slaps him across the head, showing his comically angry face at him.
"Must you always do this, dunderhead!" He shouted.
"What a minute, Luffy? The Monkey D. Luffy?!" The voice asked. "Hmm, never thought we've come across the Straw Hat Pirates ever since you no good for nothings had vanished after two years ago."
"So what?!" Luffy retorted. "What's it to ya?" He asked with a demanded attitude.
"Don't you dare try to detest us or give us demands, straw-head! Do you know who we are?!"
"Nope." Luffy nonchalantly tilts his head to the side. "I sure don't."
Are you serious?! We're the Iron Fist Slavers! Group of slave hunters under the influence of the mighty and more fierce leader and captain, Brutus The Slaver himself!"
"It's just as Miyu described." Robin quietly whispered so they wouldn't be hearing her to Nami and she nod.
That's when they hear something coming from the background.
"O-Oh! B-Boss... Well, it's the Straw Hat Pirates, sir."
As they hear the conversation was getting tense, and whoever is in the background sounded bombastic and deep.
"Y-Yes but..." Give by the expression of the transponder snail sounds like was in total fear and full of dread. "Aye, sir!"
"Something tells me that things are about to get hairy." Sanji sternly said, light as smoke.
"Please tell me they're planning to board us, are they?!" Usopp's whole body shivers more violently.
"Oh no, we're going to be enslaved by slavers!" Chopper wailed.
"Not if we have to say about it!" Sanji growled. "No way a bunch of slavers is going to touch my beautiful goddesses here." With that said he zip towards Nami and Robin and pulled them in close to him. "Don't you worry Nami-Swan and Robin-Chwan, you knight and shining armor will protect you and keep you safe from those filthy slave hunters!" He soothing sang in his voice, smoke shape hearts puffing out from his cigarette.
"Oh, brother..." Zoro groaned in annoyance. "Luffy, everyone, be on your guard."
The Straw Hats brace themselves for what's to come as the ironed ship sided with the Sunny. By the deck are crooked baddies, armed with rifles, flintlocks, cutlass blades, chains, spears, and maces. Their outfits are rugged, worn, and filthy as if they've never been washed for ages.
"Bring it!" He punches his fist into his palm.
Just as things were about to get chaotic and the Straw Hats are ready for a battle, all of a sudden...
"MEN!" A loud booming voice shook the atmosphere. "STAND DOWN!"
"Eh?!" Everyone exclaimed dumbfounded by what the mysterious man said.
"But, Boss," One of the slavers asked confused. "What do you mean we should stand-" But was cut off mid-sentence when he get grabbed by the throat by a massive hand, choking him before flanging over the Sunny and splashing in the sea.
"Anyone other objections?" The voice asked to which everyone shocked their heads.
"Good..."
They hear big thunderers' footsteps approaching out of the chain of the ship.
What Luffy and the others all see emerging out was an abnormally tall man whole looks as if he is 11 feet. he was topless, wearing a brown leather captain's coat draped over his shoulder with spiked shoulder pads, brown pants, a red sash, and a belt with a bull's skull as a buckled. Has mid-length reddish-orange hair as the top of his head was bald with three birthmarks, and a pork-chop sideburn beard.
He held a massive battle ax that rested on his right side shoulder, staring down upon the Straw Hats with a menacing gaze.
"Who are you!? What do want from us!" Luffy demanded.
With a smug grin creeping across his face, he lets out a very ominous booming chuckle.
"Who am I? WHO AM I?! You'd dare to ask me?!" He bellowed with laughter with his entire crew tagging along.
"In case you haven't heard from one of my weak lackeys, I am Brutus! The mighty slaver of the seas!"
Nami and Robin gritted their teeth, while Zoro and Sanji gave him a scowling gaze. Usopp and Chopper on the other hand are shaking in their bones in fear.
"Hey, what are you laughing at baldy," Luffy shouted which caused everyone (Minus Luffy's crew) to gasp at his insults.
"What did you call me?" Brutus snarled.
"Baldy, what else do you want me to call you?"
"You dare to insult me, boy?!" He bound over and landed with a thunderous landing, causing a tremor that shook the whole ship. "Repeat that insult you have given me, Straw Hat, and I will consider chopping you down with my mighty ax!"
I don't know what you're talking about, but if you want a fight. THEN BRING IT!" Luffy shouted, ready for his fighting stance.
"I would love to break every little bone in your body and smash your skull right the fuck in! But..." He paused for a moment, sniffing in the air. "...Mmmmm, I couldn't help but notice a slight scent of a Lycan here. Funny I should mention it because we uses to have a small little wolf-girl in our possession."
This brought the attention to both Nami and Robin (Mainly Nami) as the orange-haired woman glared and gritted their teeth more furiously, reaching over the three pieces to assemble her Clima-Tact staff till Robin stopped her.
"No, it would be unwise for you to strike this man." She whispered.
"I know I don't stand a chance against him, but-" She stopped mid-sentence.
'But they're the ones that tortured her! I'll be willing to take the risk if I would ever allow let those bastard take her again!' She thought mentally.
"Nami, calm down." Robin restrains her. "That's what he wants you to do."
She then looked towards the door where Robin and her room is.
"Miyu..." She mentally thought in her head.
"Lycan? you mean something like mi-"
His sentence was cut off by Nami, putting her hand to his mouth avoiding him to give it away.
"No, we don't."
"Really?" He grinned, giving a signal that he doesn't buy that crap. "I think you're lying, missy." Said in a sinister, creepy tone that would make her feel uneasy.
"Why would I lie?" Nami countered.
"... Nami does lie and manipulate..." Usopp hushfully whispers and Sanji bonk him on the head. "OW! Kidding! I'm kidding!" He whined, rubbing his head.
"I'm telling you this, there's no lycan here on our ship." Nami once again acknowledged the tall man. "So I suggest you should leave our ship and go about your own business!"
"Nami we d-"
She yank his ear, stretching as she whispered.
"Luffy, we can't have them to find out we have, Miyu here. She's the one who's been enslaving and tortured her."
Luffy knowing this made him frown in anger as he nodded.
"Yes, she's right! We don't have a lycan here!" He played along with her. "So either you get off our ship or you'll be answering it to us!"
"Choose wisely though," Zoro added, giving them the most imitating grin. "My swords are itching for a few swings here and there."
"Is that so...?" He bent over close to Luffy's face. "If that's the case, then why is it that I can smell one from here, hmm?"
"Dunno, maybe you smelled something else."
"Y-Yeah! Maybe you smell something similar animal, like a reindeer!." Usopp played along with him.
"Hey!" Chopper protested.
"SHUT IT LONG-NOSE, I DIDN't ASK YOU!" Brutus shouted.
"EEP!" Usopp squeaked, as he hid behind, Zoro. "Sorry!"
"Oh for the love of Whitebeard's ghost, boss! They're lying to us! Let's just raid up the ship and drag the lycan out of there!" One of the slaves protested while the others chanted in agreement with that idea.
"SILENCE!" The tall giant man, roared, so loud it echoed the entire area that causes their eardrums to ring.
"B-But boss-"
Brutus gave an intense death glare, making his lackey cower and shut his mouth before he turns back to his attention to the Straw Hats.
"I guess I should apologize for our intrusion, It appears that we've made a huge mistake." He said, bowing his head. "We'll take our leave, now." He turned to make his leave but halted for a moment and glanced over them.
But now just be clear Straw Hats, you won't be seeing the last of us. So you all better watch your back, until then, Farewell... for now."
With that, he'd jump back over to his ship and give out the commands.
"Full speed ahead!" He ordered.
"Aye-aye!" His crew saluted.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." Nami muttered, placing her hand on her chest, feeling the beating of her heart. "I can feel deep down in me."
"I'm with you for once," Zoro agreed. "Something telling us that he's up to no good. Pff! What do we expect?"
"There's no telling when or how they'll plan to strike at us and recapture, Miyu," Robin said in a serious tone. "We must be on our guard."
"Speaking of which..." Usopp looks around, noticing someone is missing from the group. "Where's Miyu?"
"She ran off in my and Robin's room. I'll go see if she's alright." Nami said, heading off toward the steps and making her way to the door.
"Miyu?"
With no answer, Nami decided to let herself in her room. The little lycan girl was nowhere in sight, looking around she hear little whimpers and sobbing that were coming under Nami's bed. Kneel on all fours and lifted the sheets, load and behold was Miyu, curled up in a ball as her face was buried close to her kneels, trembling in fright.
Goo notice her as she slowly emerge out of the to greet her Nami petted him.
"Miyu, are you okay?" Nami asked.
"Yes, they're gone."
Nami tries to reach out to her.
"It's alright, you can come out."
The little wolf-girl slowly crawls out of her hiding spot.
"I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry!" Her voice was choked up by her tears.
"Miyu, why are you sorry?" Nami asked confusedly.
"I brought all this trouble upon you and your friends. I-I'm sorry I should've told you all that I'm an escaped slave and they're tracking me down!" She lunges toward her, burying her face in between Nami's bosoms as she breaks down.
"Miyu..." She cooed. "It's alright."
She calms her down by stroking her back up and down while she let her cry all her tears out as Goo watches them sadly.
~2 Hours Later~
"So that explains it," Sanji was lean by his side of the railing, smoking his cigarette. "Those bastards were responsible for Miyu's conditions."
After Nami and Robin had gone over Miyu's revelation, everyone was shocked, angry, and even felt so much remorse for the poor little lycan.
"I can't imagine how much she's been through," Usopp said, sighing softly. "It's almost as if she been through so much as Nami did from Arlong's enslavement."
The mention of that brought hateful tension in a few of them, mainly Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Nami herself.
"It's unacceptable!" Luffy pounded his fist on the table which made Usopp jump in fright.
"Luffy, calm down! I'm pissed off as more as you are." Nami tried to soothe him down. "We all are, right everyone?"
He grunted as he murmured some curses.
"Still, there's no telling what these slavers and their leader is planning their next moves on us," Robin informs. "I suggest we keep our eyes peeled at any cost."
"Right." Everyone agreed.
"So where's Miyu, now?" Chopper wondered.
"She's sleeping in her room at the moment," Nami answered. "She'd been tuckered out from her mewling.
"Poor kid, that must be traumatizing to her." Chopper sniffled with beads of tears in his eyes.
"I should go check on her, she's probably sound asleep by now." Nami stood up from a chair, escorting herself out of the aquarium. "In the meantime, we should be stopping somewhere on an island since my log pose won't reset to the next island till a week."
The whole crew nodded.
~Nami and Robin's Ladies Quarters~
It was nearly nightfall as Miyu had slept in Nami's bed for an hour now, Goo snuggled in with her as he sleep peacefully. Nami quietly opens the door, doing her best not to wake her, and tiptoes softly towards her.
"Miyu?" She whispered, however, there was no answer.
She then sat down next to her, and reached her hand towards her face, trailing her fingers across her cheek-fur before she let out a weak moan, she seems to have no idea that Nami was there as she snooze which caused her to smile down on her.
She then starts to whimper as if she was having a nightmare of some sort. This of course made Nami decide to stay here, giving her comfort and warmth. With that she scoots into the bed and lay next to Miyu, holding her close with her arms warp around her.
"Don't worry, dear, I'll make sure no one harms you ever again. I'll stay by your side and never let you go." Nami promised as she let out a yawn.
Nami slowly closes her eyes and drifts off.
Robin was peering by the door as she smiles upon witnessing the most precious slight she'd ever seen.
"Sleep tight you two." She whispered, closing the door quietly not to wake them and leaving them alone in their peaceful slumber.
To Be Continued.
