Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.
"One Piece." – Speaking
'One Piece.' – Thinking
One Piece. – Flashbacks
One Piece. – Devil Fruits and Techniques
Deadly Drinking Pirate
Goodbye East Blue, Hello Reverse Mountain
Previously on Deadly Drunken Pirate,
"Luffy! You have finally returned!" Zoro was surprised but Luffy waved at the owner who walked up and shook his hand.
"Hello Ippon-Matsu, I knew that I will find you still in business." Luffy said like meeting an old friend. Ippon-Matsu is a short man, with black hair that goes to the sides of his head. He has tan skin and wears a blue shirt. His nose is red, also. "Now I will ask of your skills with my blades. Blood and flesh is bad for their edge."
"Yeah. Considering that you keep getting them covered in such messy stuff." Ippon-Matsu chuckled. "You should learn some day to kill fast enough to not even leave a speck of dirt on your blade afterwards, their scabbards could only keep them in shape so much." He then took Luffy's Katana and Rapier. "Hello again Reimei Itami (2) and Yuudoku Toge (3). I will have you both ready for more action, wherever your master will go." And then Ippon-Matsu left for out back of the store to sharpen and clean both weapons.
"That guy is creepy Luffy. And he has your swords!" Zoro shouted but Luffy just shrugged it off.
"Say whatever you like about the shop owner. I trust him with any weapon or mine because it was him that granted me those two blades through some string pulling and that I protected his wife from debit collectors." Luffy said. "I will never settle for anyone to sharpen and clean my blades and that is why they will tolerate him. If you try to even touch my blades then I will not be able to stop the girls from killing you off in retaliation. They are like lovers, lovers that don't want anyone to touch them." Luffy had this spookiness and serious tone in his voice, one that gave Zoro the shivers. "It took me half the time training on my island to tame them Zoro. Can you do it in five seconds?"
Zoro knew that his captain was now daring him and any dare from Monkey D. Luffy will always be crazy and dangerous. And Zoro is not an idiot to take it. "Sorry Luffy. I didn't mean it!" But while Zoro tried to back out and get away before Luffy starts to get the swordsmen too involved,
"Did you say Luffy?" They all turned to see that there was another customer to the Shop of Arms, one that charged towards the captain. Zoro got on his guard for an enemy trying to get at his captain's head but instead, Luffy welcomed it in warm arms since
"Luffy!" The woman ran and landed right into Luffy with arms around his chest, "Big Brother!"
"Tashigi, you have grown so much again since the last time I seen you with a sword book in hand." Luffy said as if this woman was his slightly childish, older sister. Zoro just got a good glimpse of this 'Tashigi' woman.
Tashigi has dark brown eyes and wears her black hair between chin- and shoulder-length. She wears rectangular glasses with red frames. Tashigi is wearing short-sleeved shirts of varying different colors and designs but usually covered them with her white-trimmed, waist-length blue leather coat. She tended to wear blue jeans with black shoes but has also paired white capris with tan shoes.
But there was just something off about this woman with a katana and when Tashigi finally showed her face in plain view, Zoro had realized it. "Hey!" He just had to barge in on the sweet reunion in the Arms Shop. "Why do you look like her!? Are you a copycat!?"
"What!?" Tashigi snapped in retort. "I'm not a copycat! And I always looked like this!"
"That is enough!" Luffy shouted while getting between both his first mate and this female swordsman. And by the blades in their scabbards and on his belt, Zoro saw that Luffy had gotten them from the 'creepy' shop owner in such short time. "I understand that this is this uncanny resemblance but Tashigi is her own woman, not a copy in any way. Understand!?"
Zoro growled that he still couldn't retort against his captain with that expression on his face. "Now I have a personal errand to do before we will leave Loguetown so do what you want here and don't get lost when you are done."
"Yes Luffy." Zoro agreed with a mumble that somehow made Tashigi giggle like a young girl. "Hey! You are smart about swords right?" Zoro then faced Tashigi to get her attention.
"Y-yeah…" Tashigi was still a little nervous around strangers and especially those who demand of her.
"Then help me please." Tashigi wondered why Zoro had suddenly turned gentle. "I idolized swordsman, pirate or marine, as a boy and I had been training with swords since I first entered the dojo back on my homeland. But I practice Santoryu so just having one sword is uncomfortable and makes me feel insecure. I need to find two more swords, ones that won't be destroyed by any other. I really need the help." Tashigi nodded, glad to meet someone that is interested in swords; and personally, more interested in her extensive knowledge on swords in general.
"Then let's see what this cheapskate had to offer." Tashigi offered and Zoro smile to hear something like that from such a clumsy and shy girl. The shop owner just wept at the disrespect and that he couldn't be angry about it instead of afraid. And as for Luffy, he had reached his destination right when they started looking in the shop,
"There it is." Luffy said once he got to the very center of Loguetown, where he wanted to go before he will leave the town and the entire East Blue for the Grand Line. The long closed execution stand, the very place where Gold Roger himself died twenty years ago. 'Gold Roger? More like Gol D. Roger.' Luffy thought to himself, 'That's right, to anyone up there that just heard that. It is like me, I possess the 'D'. And this is unavoidable, no matter who has to say. I will show the world why all the liars in their high seats fear the 'D'.' That was what Luffy swore at that moment.
Elsewhere in Loguetown and while Luffy was staring at the execution stand, Nami was outside with a couple of overstuffed bags and with Alvida keeping her company while Nojiko was instead a store that happened to be a combo barber shop and tattoo shop so her sister was getting a new and complete makeover with her hair and body tattoos that she only had to make Nami feel better about her former Arlong own.
"Wasn't it nice that captain-kun gave us all this money knowing what we wanted to do here!? It was like Luffy knew of this place already and spoiled us to it. You are so lucky to have him for a boyfriend!" Alvida said to try and start a conversation but Nami didn't say another word. Alvida didn't mind because her smile despite the appearance of tears had gave away for some happy memories that awoke tears of freedom and relieve for a lifetime of guilt and pain.
Flashback Begins!
It was when Luffy had finally defeated Arlong with a finishing move to top off destroying Nami's prison within the tower of Arlong Park. And speaking of which, it was at the time that the battle damage had finally taken its toll on the structure. And caused it to collapse completely.
"LUFFY!" Nami yelled like never before and joined everyone on edge to see for themselves if the tower had killed of raven haired captain or not. It didn't matter if they knew about Luffy's Gomu-Gomu no Mi powers granting nigh invulnerability to blunt trauma of all kinds. After a while, the debris that once was the proud tower within Arlong Park had moved and stirred once again. To reveal the one man that everyone on the island wanted to see, alive.
"Luffy!"
"Captain!"
"Kid!"
"Big Brother!"
And all the other cries were heard and mixed in with the crowds, inhabitants and pirates alike. But Luffy didn't say a word, just felt the breeze that turned into a strong wind on his battle wore body and messy raven black hair with shadows covering his eyes like the times before. Then he took in a huge breath, "Nami!" Everyone flinched at Luffy's voice. "You are one of us, from now and forever!"
That was exactly what Nami wanted to hear and broke back into tears of joy again, still wearing Luffy's straw hat. "Yes, Captain Luffy." And like their cue on a play script, the rest of the witnessing crowd cheered loud and clear. This was the day they only dreamed off, to be free once again and from the tyranny of the seemingly unstoppable pirate Arlong and his pirate crew.
The majority of inhabitants had intercepted Luffy climbing out of the wreckage and wanted to toss him into the air but Luffy gently and politely declined for the sake of his exhaustion and battle weariness. And yet, there was still some nasty business to take care off before they can bring out the party music and drinks.
"Silence!" That was the same screeching voice that is the closest thing a human can speak that resembled that of a rat. "Chi-chi-chi-chi, I see that even Arlong was still a pirate that can be defeated but since you all had to allow another pirate crew on your island despite hating all pirates in general, I will have to take action as a captain in the marines." It was a captain alright, it was also Nezumi and his squad of marine subordinates. "I think that all the money and glory from the ruins of Arlong Park will be a good trade for me keeping quiet about thisss~!"
Everyone was just about the scream when they saw that a menacing man with cactus green hair had appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Nezumi so hard that he screamed. "Raining on our parade so soon? You are so rude. Everyone just wants no pirates or any other scum of the seas on their island."
"Let me go! Men kill him!" Nezumi was still thinking that his status as a marine captain with armed men will be enough to remain untouched and free to do what he wants. But he definitely hadn't heard about Morgan from Shells Town. And his 'marines' never even moved from their spot, "What are you waiting for!? Save me and kill him already!"
"Captain Nezumi of the Sixteenth Branch within the East Blue, Marine code 00733." Everyone held their breath when Luffy made way to the greedy marine, wondering what their savior had in mind for Nezumi. "I believe that I got you right on and for a very important message for all to hear. Hit it boys." Luffy spoke like a real crime boss and everyone was surprised to see more of the Marines obeying Luffy instead of Nezumi, a pirate instead of their captain. Regardless, those same marines activated some kind of tech before showing thumbs up and then took out a Transponder Snail with the colors of the Marines and even their flag symbol.
[Greetings people of the Conomi Islands within the East Blue.] No one recognized that voice other than Nezumi, who was sweating buckets down his face and collar, but they were under the impression that it was speaking to all those who can heard from any place on the island chain. [I, a lowly marine myself, speak of Marineford, the base of operations for the Marine Headquarters. I have been asked by my various superiors to give you all this message, that we are discharging and removing Captain Nezumi and the Sixteenth Marine Branch from your islands on the base of neglect and abusing national responsibilities, accepting briberies and housing a pirate crew for eight years. We will see to it that this will not happen to you all on our behalf.]
Everyone just couldn't believe it, Marine Headquarters had not only listened to their cries but also finally took measures to remove the corruption that aided Arlong in keeping them captured for eight long years. "You stupid pirate boy! I will see to it that the world hates you! That everyone wants you dead! If not then I will kill you myself!"
Nezumi tried to intimidate Luffy but he was not be taken seriously as he could even escaped Zoro's grasp. "You can't kill me with power you don't have any more and yet I will let you know that despite me and my crew freeing the island, we will still get bounties of some of our heads." Ignoring the protests to the island of their savior being treated like some kind of prey as well as an outcast instead. "And you didn't do a thing to help yourself so Zoro," Luffy turned to his male first mate, "Leave him from the boys to take care off."
Zoro turned his focus to the marines and his captain a couple of times before shrugging and throwing Nezumi away and to the men with uniforms and guns as well as hats covering most of their faces. Everyone was still wondering why the 'marines' had suddenly decided to turn traitor and obey Luffy instead of the former captain. But all that was answered when the 'marines' shifted their hats to reveal some familiar faces.
"Mizo!" (1)
"Gary!" (1)
"Kang!" (1)
"Dingo!" (1)
Everyone kept firing names off like bullets out of a machinegun and it seemed that Nezumi's 'marines' that accompanied him to ruin the inhabitants' day were none other than disguised hunters and other residents that got the idea from Luffy himself. But everyone didn't care anymore because the real angry inhabitants had ganged up on the poor and defenseless Nezumi so thick that Luffy or any one in his crew could no longer see the former marine captain anymore.
Nami just gave Luffy's hat and walked over to the crowd who already had their hit on Nezumi who looked pretty hideous with all his bruises; there maybe one each in places that the rat like, former Marine never knew he had. "This for shooting Nojiko and for tearing up Belle-mere's tangerine groves." And the next thing Nezumi knew was him kissing the concrete with a large bump on his cheek while another at the back of his head.
"Thanks Nami." Nojiko giggled. "I feel much better."
"Give him a thousand more for good measure!" Genzo shouted since he couldn't help it. Yet he didn't care if Nami heard him or not. She just kneeled to the twitching Nezumi.
"Good that you are still alive because I want to let you know that your men will clean up Arlong Park and return any treasure to the people of Gosa and anyone else whose money was exported from them by force." Nezumi weakly obeyed to try and get Nami to stop tugging on his surprisingly realistic whiskers. "And another thing, I…want…my…money…back!"
"I will do what you want! Please don't kill me!" Nezumi shouted despite some broken rib poking at his lungs. And Nami just released him by pulling on the whiskers extra hard and let them snap back.
"You heard him boys, give the marines his word and have fun doing it!" Luffy stepped in and the imposter Marines saluted to mock Nezumi and the marines in general before marching off in the same manner. "That was really hardcore back there Nami. I always knew you had it in you." Anyone could pass that off but to all those who need Luffy also knew that last sentence had strong meaning behind each word.
"Luffy…" Nami looked up to her savior, her hero, her idol and her man. She then tackled him and gave the strongest kiss she could muster, which was enough for the raven haired pirate captain. "Thanks, for everything."
"I wasn't lying when you are my navigator Nami. Never think that I will trade for anyone else. I think that without you, I will always be lost." Luffy responded and Nami nodded, he could feel her head moving like that on his chest.
Later,
After the hunters and civilians continued to impersonate the marines that once served under Nezumi, they got the real marines to believe Nami's demands as Nezumi's orders and did as such. They just didn't count on the townspeople to kick them off the island shore and into a boat along with the barely alive Nezumi, to be at the bottom of a pile of confused and underdressed Marines. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of the Conomi Islands finally started to use the money celebrate.
But since Luffy and his group are pirates, they will have to leave before a new set of marines and captain to come and patrol the island in the place of Nezumi. So while they were allowed to party, there were some things to be done before they could leave. Zoro moved in anything heavy into the King's Gourd. Sanji restocked the kitchen for real. Usopp reloaded himself on ammo and even bring along some rifles to experiment with. Kaya brought along some spare medical books from Dr. Nato himself. And Alvida asked of Gin, politely of course, to help place the Going Merry within the King's Gourd like Luffy had designed his main ship to do.
Meanwhile, the captain and his girl had some more to do. They followed Genzo to a grave made out of a wooden cross. When they arrived, he was spilling some wine over as ritual that believes that in order to share an earthly drink with a spirit in heaven will be to give it to the grave and the wine will follow the same path of the deceased supposedly. "You." Genzo said a lot softer than back when the marines ransacked the tangerine groves, he had gotten somewhat over his hatred of pirates to make room for some respect towards Luffy. He then said nothing else when Luffy revealed to have bought a bouquet of flowers with Nami's guidance to place on the grave while Nami did a fresh tangerine and a seed in the soil.
Luffy stayed with Nami as they paid their respects to the one whose grave they are at; Nami and Nojiko's adoptive mother, Belle-mere. Luffy may truthfully not know a thing about her but Nami filled him in on what he needed to know to silently thanking Belle-mere for doing the right thing for her daughters and being a person that Nami can truly love. Nami herself thanked Belle-mere for loving her and teaching her how to follow her heart and purse her dream; that was how she met Luffy and everything else that she thought she will never find for herself.
"You boy." Genzo said as Luffy and Nami started to part for the village. "I can no longer stop Nami now so you will need to look after her. To always make her happy, never sad. If someone does make her sad, kill him. If you do then I will kill you myself. Understand!?"
"Yes I do."
"Not good enough! I want to hear you swear! And on your life and blood!"
"I swear! With all my heart and soul and body!" Luffy answered and Genzo smiled a smile that no one saw but he didn't care.
"Then go and protect Nami, do what I can no longer do." Luffy nodded and slightly tighten his embrace on his girl who was feeling lighthearted from all this. Of course, Belle-mere was her mother but Nami never got to tell Genzo that he was the father as well.
And then the next day came and it was time to shove off. Johnny and Yosaku said that they just weren't for bounty hunting anymore and stayed with the village in order to truly regain their honor by distrusting Nami all along. But Nami still hadn't arrived yet, "We can we leave Captain? There is no time to waste once the new marines come!" Gin demanded to know but Luffy ignored him with a large smirk on his face.
"Be patient, she is coming…" Luffy said in a not caring tone with a dreamy look on his face, kinda like those cartoon characters in love. "And remember, when she reaches the pier, start to take off okay?" Luffy said with a much more serious tone and after a few more minutes, Nami did appear and right at the pier where everyone on the island were piled in. "Go!"
While everyone hurried to kick off, Luffy had a show seeing Nami moving a zigzagging motion throughout the crowds. Then she ran off the pier and right on the ship, just in time to steal a kiss on the captain. "Did you do it? Did you remember to say goodbye in Nami fashion?"
Nami just kissed Luffy again before dropping from the railing of the King's Gourd and onto the deck. Then she clutched the edges of her shirt and unloaded purses and wallets. When everyone was panicking as to where their money went, Nami smirked at them all with a berry bill in between her fingers at them. "See you all later suckers~!"
"SHE TRICKED US! AND WHEN WE WANTED TO SAY GOODBYE TOO!" They all shouted at once while Luffy laughed at the whole scene with his crew shaking their heads in disbelief that only their captain can even find this amusing. "WE WILL MISS YOU, YOU BRATS!" And that was the last of the Conomi Islands any of the pirates had ever seen in a while.
Flashback Ends!
"Yeah." Nami said in a distant tone. "I am lucky, lucky to remember that love is and feel it again. And it is all thanks to my captain, my man, my Luffy." Alvida smiled to see that Nami was now filled with nothing but pure happiness, instead of fear-kept secrets and painful memories.
"But it is too bad that you got him first." Alvida suddenly said. "I mean that I wanted to be his girlfriend after how he had given me what I really wanted more than anything in the world and even gave me a lifelong dream. I love him too." She said while Nami looked more conflicted than angry. "What is wrong? Did I make you feel crushed?"
"No, I did. There was this to Luffy that I still haven't decided." Nami said in an encrypted tone. "If I decide yes then you will be able to date Luffy as well as me. But the captain couldn't give his word without harming my own feelings so it is all in my word."
Alvida really didn't know what is going on but she knew better not to. And that was when Nojiko had come out of the salon with her hair dyed into a sky blue and her tattoos were now more like a tangerine grove with windmills on a few of the vine ends. "Looking pretty nice Nojiko."
"Thanks Sister. And you should relax because that is what Luffy-kun wanted us to do right?" Nojiko responded and somehow found Nami nodding quite cute. And after heading off to maybe find the others since they had been around for over a good three hours. It was amazing that they weren't found out to be pirates and arrested yet.
They managed to find Kaya, leaving with some medicine books and some more doctor supplies with Usopp who already gotten all the 'secret ingredients' for some more surprise ammunition to his slingshot and rifle; he also had gotten some kind of headgear with scopes that can be easily adjusted for long range shooting and it rested perfectly on Usopp's head cap. Then they managed to find Sanji who had Gin help him with the food he discovered in the market and with some kind of giant fish. And finally, they ran into Zoro who had two new swords in hand already; and it seemed that he was also in some good mood, nothing they expected from simply buying two new swords.
But regardless, they felt like they needed to split up to make it back to their ship to restock and get ready to ship out but they couldn't leave without Luffy. While Nami, Nojiko, Kaya and Usopp stayed to protect the ship, the others left for Luffy
XXXXX
Yet elsewhere in Loguetown,
"What the hell!?" Smoker shouted at the top of his voice, seeming for the umpteenth time to his subordinates as the captain paced back in force. There was already a grove in the pavement. "I can't believe it! I had that man, I even ran into his crew but let them go! And I am a Marine Captain that never lets pirate roam free in my turf!"
Smoker was not too happy that he had searched the market and ran into Sanji but that was before Gin managed to regroup with the cook so Smoker didn't do them in. He didn't do that even when he saw Tashigi discussing swords. He didn't while Usopp and Kaya were in a bookstore. He didn't even when he ran into the girls on their shopping trips. And now, Smoker was told that he had to let them all feel welcome in Loguetown despite being pirates
"Sir." That could have been another marine addressing Smoker but it wasn't. It was a young man wearing only a pair of pants and a towel over his shoulders. Something of an apprentice. The same could be said for his companion that was dressed the same way. The only difference was that the first apprentice had pink hair and the other had blonde hair. "What is Headquarters going to say about this? They won't like it Master."
"Of course not!" A large man, hidden in the shadows with only his uniform showing. "That is why I am here! I knew that he and his little ragtag band of pirates will stop here as their final stop before the Grand Line! To follow his foolish dream!"
"I assure you, vice admiral." Smoker said with a much more respectful tone towards the shadowed man. "I will not let him get away."
"And when you do, I will take over brat!" That same man retorted. "That idiotic brat has already caused enough trouble for the government back in his home island and he is not the typical pirate. You are not his level, Smoker brat!"
Smoker grumbly agreed since it was hard to deny the word of a vice admiral. He just went to where Strawhat was last reported. And that was where a crowd was watching something horrifying so Smoker simply asked of his marines to try and keep the people down while noticing that there was a mob at the base of the execution stand and with the guards all tied up. Smoker was only tempted to capture the pirates since a few of Strawhat's fighters were there, busy with the numbers of the Buggy Pirates.
XXXXX
Back at the execution stand, Luffy was not comfortable. Not the least when you are in his position. "How did I get into this…mess?" Luffy asked as he was shackled with something that was draining away his power by touch. 'Just where did he get this shackles made out of Kairōseki? It is supposed to be well out of reach for pirates like himself.'
And anything else Luffy could was as to watch Sanji, Zoro, Alvida and Gin fend off the pirates with clown makeup, just like with Orange Town. Zoro got the acrobatic swordsman while the others have the numbers since there was only one officer under Buggy, who at the time was standing right on Luffy's bound body.
"Isn't this a flashy day and one that is all for me because I have got you Strawhat right where I want you! To personally kill and behead you right where the great Pirate King once was as well!" Buggy thought that he was damping Luffy's spirits with the 'irony' of the circumstances. And the captain was glad to see that his crew were successfully keeping the marines away with a mob and also keeping the Strawhat pirates from reaching Luffy. "And now it is time!" Buggy then took out a cutlass from nowhere, sharpen and ready for slicing.
And, as Buggy took positon, everyone on the island felt dread all of a sudden. The air had gotten slightly warm and felt wet. There was this wind coming from all directions gently, above the platform that everyone ignored. But on the King's Gourd, the guarding Strawhats had looked towards Loguetown while, in ropes, were the animal trainer from Bugger's crew and his prized lion; they also had a large bump on their head to complement their various bruises.
"Luffy…" Nami softly said. "Why do I feel this? I thought you were going to be fine on your own and we are going to set sail together. Instead this happens, why?" Nami asked whoever is listening but didn't actually want an answer. Just kept looking in the direction of the execution platform and could have sworn to see all the way to the sight, just in time to see Luffy smiling and a cutlass inches from his neck.
"Sorry everyone. But…I'm dead!" Luffy said that with a smiled on his face that just mocked everything with Buggy's cutlass finally nearing his neck.
'NO!'
"Dammit!'
'Don't say that!'
"Luffy!'
'LUFFY-KUN!'
'He laughed!?'
And this were settled in the Strawhats' minds, followed by Smoker's own thoughts. But then came it. Came that stray thunderbolt followed by a rainstorm that had stopped Buggy from beheading Luffy. It even destroyed the entire platform while attacking the clown pirates at the base below. Yet somehow avoiding any civilians and the Strawhats as well.
"Ha-ha-ha!" Luffy laughed as he picked himself from the ground of the destroyed platform with only dusting and slight burses. "Sorry about that guys. Seriously, I thought I was going to die." Luffy said, strangely for a man who was saved by a stray bolt of lightning and only survived because being rubber had allowed the sheer electricity to flow off the body instead of harming it.
"Just what kind of captain do we have?" Gin asked the rest of the baffled Strawhats who just shrug in response. But meanwhile,
"Just what kind of captain do they have!?' Smoker shouted in disbelief from his room, after witnessing it all.
"Captain! The rain had ruined all of our gunpowder and the wind is heading towards the west, the same direction as the Strawhat Pirates!" Another of Smoker's marines reported to him.
"Dammit! Was this coincidence or any other force that controls one's fate!? It is like the storm is going to prevent us from capturing Strawhat and allow him and his crew to escape!?" Smoker shouted.
"Sir! If we hurry, we can still catch them!"
"Sure…" Smoker said and that same marine noticed that the captain was trailing off. "But that man was a lot like the Pirate King. And this proves it."
"What do you mean Captain?"
"When the best of us were just kids, we all were there when Gold Roger died with a smile that never left his face. Like he already accepted death all the way to his final word." Smoker continued. "And that man, Strawhat, laughed and smiled as well! How!? Does all pirates smile before their deaths!?"
"No captain." The marine answered. "Pirates are cowards and scream instead when they are about to die."
"But not him! That pirate! He did what no one else did, smile before near death!" Smoker repeated. "That means everything soldier! The government will now want him dead and I am going to be what Garp was! Whatever they liked it or not!" Smoker shouted and finally faced that same marine. "Prepare the Billower Bike, I am going to see that Strawhat will never leave here!"
"Yes sir!" The marine ran like his life depended on the captain's bike being ready ASAP. And while this was happening, a familiar big man with a marine coat was also frowning at this turn of events.
"Dammit brat! You have done it! You have proven yourself a threat to the world as a holder of the 'D'!" He shouted, which surprisingly, no one paid any attention to. "You can't escape family brat! I will get you to be a marine if I will have to die doing it!" The man then charged into the rain to the west, following the wind.
XXXXX
"Glad you guys came or I will have to bulldoze myself through that army all by myself. What a waste of good time?" Luffy remarked and his crew weren't really appreciating it. They had to pass Tashigi who was clumsily debating to aid or stop her 'big brother' so it was easy to move around her, while only wasting a second of their time.
"I thought you would have known that the red nose was about to ambush you Captain. With your Haki of course!" Alvida shouted but Luffy just nodded.
"Yeah, I need to sharpen up my Kenbunshoku Haki and my instincts. That clown face had managed to hide his Haki signature so it didn't appear on my radar." Luffy said. "Guess that even the blackest of sheep can hold diamonds. Too bad he is still a coward."
"Just what do you know about big nose Captain?" Gin asked as it is what the whole crew wanted to know as well. But they never got their answer that evening when
"Not so fast you brats!" The Strawhats stopped right in front of some man that just suddenly appeared. And it seems that this was no stranger to Luffy who started to shake a little in fear. "What the hell were you think of calling your old man as a pirate, using a marine reserved line!?"
"Like you stopped me from being friend with Shanks and eating that accursed fruit. You weren't even there to love me but pound me to the ground for not being as strong as you when you were the same as age as I!" Luffy shouted back. "Besides, you didn't break Coby and that idiotic captain's son right? Grandpa Garp?"
"Grandpa!" The Strawhats shouted.
Garp is a tall, tanned, broad-chested, muscular old man who is bearded and has a scar over his left eye. His eye colors are blue and his hair gray. He was one of the few to have special shoulder-pads; his was black and red whereas the standard color is blue.
"I just wish that our family reunion was of better circumstances." Luffy said with sweat down his neck along with the rain and his hands were nervously holding his blades. "But we are in a hurry."
"I didn't come to see you off to be a lowly pirate like that idiot Shanks!" Garp retorted but didn't say anything else. That was what got the Strawhats confused, all except for Luffy that is.
"But someone else is doing it right Gramps?" Luffy said, "And I bet it will nice for you to see your son again." Luffy said and the Strawhats all saw that there was someone behind them. A large man with a green cloak covering most of his body. The occasional lighting strikes only showed that this man had some kind of tattoo over the right side of his face.
"How dare you show yourself here in the East Blue brat!" Garp suddenly ignored the Strawhats and focused on this man behind the pirates.
"Don't be like that Father. I missed you."
"The feeling isn't mutual brat! Not since what you did to your wife and to my grandson Dragon!" Garp retorted but then noticed the sound of steam. In fact, everyone saw that Luffy was suddenly pink in skin color and steam was emitting from his some sections of his body.
"Sorry Gramps but I don't want to ruin your chance with your son so I will move out of your way. Grab on and don't let go everyone!" Luffy shouted and when his crew grasped on tightly, they all disappeared in a flash of light. But, there was this that seemed to be left behind by Luffy,
"…thanks for the few seconds and Good Bye, Father…" That was to be faint, like in the wind but both Dragon and Garp heard it clearly. Dragon raced and grabbed his own father by the collar,
"You told him about me!?" Dragon was outraged, enough to strike at Garp who was in shock as well. It was like Luffy wasn't supposed to know this for whatever reason Dragon has to justify not being there for his son until that same evening.
"N-no…I…" Garp tried to make out all this but at least, the Strawhats managed to get to their ship. Meanwhile, Smoker was in shock himself.
'Is that why the boy smiled!? Because he knew that his father will not let him die!?' Smoker tried to make something out of this. 'In that case, I better not let them know or it will be denied of what my destiny is with that man! If Strawhat thinks that he will continue to outrun me then I will show him! I will show them all!' And just like that, history is about to repeat and nobody saw it like that, yet.
End of Chapter 8
*And that is the makes two chapters in one single arc. I hope you don't mind that I planned to change the pairings to a harem for Luffy given how I desired a lot more crew members but also more women to be attracted to Luffy as more than their captain.
I made these names up for the sake of this little part of the chapter that is an even smaller part of the story.
Translations:
Kairōseki – Seastone
Kenbunshoku Haki – Observation Haki