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"One Piece." – Speaking
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One Piece. – Flashbacks
One Piece. – Devil Fruits and Techniques
Deadly Drinking Pirate
One Shocking Conversation After Another!
Previously on Deadly Drunken Pirate,
Later that evening, the Straw Hats were in the guest rooms. The girls were given a separate room from the boys but all of them didn't feel like breathing while Luffy stared at the letter. His face was covered in sweet, his eyes were widened almost to the point of falling out and his face was still pale, like he was watching a terrible nightmare.
Then the door opened and one of the royal staff brought in a familiar snail that had a phone receiver built into the shell. It was a Den-Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) and the staff member said nothing to anyone, just walked over to Luffy and place the Den-Den Mushi in front of the nerve-wrecked captain; the staff member didn't even raise an eyebrow to Luffy's behavior.
As soon as the staff member left the room, the ladies flooded in. "You asked for us to come here, Captain?" Alvida tried to be as gentle and considerate as possible considering she, like the rest of Luffy's friends, thought that the pirate captain feared nothing. Thankfully, Luffy looked like the company of his friends had lighten his mood a bit.
"Guys…" Luffy then said, out of the blue. "You all wanted to know how I am so familiar with the Grand Line. You had a ton of hints and I had fun watching you trying to piece the clues together…" The Straw Hats didn't know to be either blushing or twitching to their captain's words. "But now the wait is over, I am going to contact a few important people." Then came the kicker, "And one of them happens to be one of my teachers. His is one of the Yonko, Akagami Shanks."
"AKAGAMI (Red-Hair) SHANKS!?" The entire palace shook at the sheer volume. Luffy wasn't amused,
"Yes, we calling Akagami Shanks. If you are not ready then I am not ordering you to stay." Luffy spoke through his clear annoyance. Then took out a piece of paper out of his pocket, "Hope this number still works." Luffy made that mumble while dialing what was written on the receiver of the Den-Den Mushi (Transponder Snail).
Soon enough, the Den-Den Mushi responded. "Hello? Who's this?" It was a grump, dark tone. Like those stereotypical drill instructors, especially the ones with no room for a sense of humor. "I mean it, we rarely give anyone this number. Do we know you?"
"Of course, Benn. I thought that it was too long since the last time we talked." Luffy said fondly. "To remember it the best, it was a lecture on astrology. The Ursa Major, the Great Bear, right?" The man on the other side then chuckled dryly, not to show how amused he really is.
"Hello Anchor. And it has been a while, but you didn't call me about stars or any shit. You want to talk to our captain." Luffy smirked,
"Nothing ever gets past you, sir. Not the smartest man in the world (1), the first mate of Akagami Shanks, Benn Beckman." Luffy responded which got everyone's attention; especially Kuro's. From what Luffy said, Benn might have an admirer and someone after his title. "But yes, I need to talk with Shanks. And get Yasopp too, his son has some things to say too." Usopp then peered in on Luffy's shoulder too,
"Okay then, Anchor. CAPTAIN! YASOPP! GET YOUR ASSES OFF THE BOOZE AND GET OVER HERE!" Somehow, it sounded like Benn was actually yelling at the Straw Hats when it was clear that he wasn't.
"Yeow! Benn, get me some pills for this headache!" This sounded like a man who had one or twenty drinks too many. "This hangover is just killing me!"
"And watch it! I nearly skinned one of the rookies here!" And this voice was followed by an explosion. "Oh, never mind. He just committed suicide." The Straw Hats just got a flash of inspiration as to what was going on with the Akagami Pirates. "So, what's up?"
"Hey guys! I see, no hear that you haven't changed!" Luffy finally spoke through the speaker end. And this got a lot more noise on the other end,
"ANCHOR!"
"The kid that used to sail with us?"
"…then jumped off our ship…?'
"…In the middle of the Grand Line…?"
"…and sailed the way back on a raft?"
"YES, YOU JERKS!" Luffy shouted back, while his crew was only getting more interested in their captain. "Now where is Shanks and Yasopp!?"
"Our captain needs a few more moments with his killer hangover, Anchor. Why do you ask for us?" Luffy made a glance to Usopp and, by the look of the sniper's face, this was the man Usopp dreamed of seeing again; for now, hearing him on the other end of a Den-Den Mushi is good enough.
"Go on, speak to you dad. I can wait." Luffy said, giving the speaker to Usopp.
"Usopp? Son, is that over there?" Yasopp spoke up and that was the start of a long overdue talk between father and son. Usopp told Yasopp about how the former first met Luffy, then about all the adventures they had; not to mention how Luffy helped Usopp become a lot braver, more as a sniper and even give Usopp a girlfriend. "Very good Usopp! I am sure your mother will proud, not as much as I am right of course!"
"Thanks Dad! I will definitely get a lot stronger after today! I will be a sniper to honor your skills! Do you hear me, old man!" Usopp summed up his thoughts and Yasopp chuckled through the line.
"I know you will, don't let anything stop you! And look after your woman, you will be lost out on the sea without her!" This causes both Usopp and Kaya to blush at the praise; it was almost like a father telling the couple that he approves.
"Okay Yasopp, I want to talk to Anchor." The moment was broken when everyone heard some drunken man yank away the other speaker from Yasopp. "So, what is it Gaki (Brat)? I thought that you said you were ready for anything that the Grand Line could throw at you."
"I am. But the Grand Line didn't nominate me as Crocodile's replacement, giving me only a week to give my answer." Luffy brought it, straight and forward. And it caused silence to be heard inside the room and wherever the Akagami Pirates were camping out.
XXXXX
It took what felt like a painful eternity for the Den-Den Mushi to spring back to life with Shank's voice. "This conversation is one that I can't turn down, Luffy." Nobody bothered to note Shank's change of addressing the Straw-Hat captain. "What is that you want to know about being a Shichibuki?"
"Just what you, as a Yonko, knows. I am sure that the marines will send someone that I know too well to explain the rest." Luffy replied. "Because I don't want any of you to think that I am considering on being the 'Government's Dog'." There was muttering of agreement on the other end.
"Okay then Luffy, this is all I know…" Shanks went on to explain that a Shichibuki is a pirate of a great reputation, pardoned for their crimes and bounty frozen. All the government wants is that each of the Shichibuki to deal with other pirates should a member be in the area, rather than a marine base. Also, to keep the title, a Shichibuki must grant a share of the loot gathered from stealing from other pirates. But, should see fit, the World Government will revoke the title of Shichibuki, regardless of their behavior.
"I am not giving any of our treasure!" Nami couldn't resist and while everyone flinched, Luffy just sighed. "We don't even raid pirate ships! That is not our style!"
"Exactly what I had in mind Nami-chan." Luffy replied before stretching his neck so that he could kiss his girlfriend while sitting in place. This did calm the navigator done a bit. "And trust me, I will do something about it." Nami could only nod as Luffy somehow kissed her into a daze, one that she didn't feel shameful about.
"Now then Shanks, I need to know if Water Seven is close." Luffy spoke through the speaker. And once again, everyone was in the dark as to what their captain was talking about. "I mean it, I have made my main ship in the East Blue as a remake of another ship." Luffy covered the speaker, turning to Alvida. "I am still guilty about that…"
"I told you before, no worries Captain. I loved the new look and I see no problem with it." Alvida tried to calm everyone down. It seemed that most of them, Sanji especially, were not happy about Luffy stealing a ship when he said that he built the King's Gourd himself.
"Sorry Alvida but I do." Luffy replied and turned back to the Den-Den Mushi. "Shanks, my ship was built with supplies back in the East Blue. It won't survive one moment in the New World. But I know that I can solve this issue with the carpenters at Water Seven. That was where the best in the world can be found."
"…Yes Luffy." Shanks spoke, "Water Seven is nearby, just an island or two between there and Alabastra." Luffy turned to Nami and she nodded, finally out of her stupor and wrote it all down. "But you are think about using…that wood…it is really rare and the people that own it can be really dangerous."
"The Oro Jackson, your old ship, was made with that wood. I aim to have a ship that will rival the Jackson. So, one way or another, I will need that wood." Luffy spoke with pure conviction. "All I need to know is where the black market can be found and is it anywhere near Water Seven."
"…It is. In St. Poplar." Shanks answered. "But you still need enough money to buy it. That wood is very expensive, and it will cost a small fortune to buy enough of it for a ship of the average size."
"All I need is enough for a ship that will be as big or more than the King's Gourd. And I will some leftover to hire some of the carpenters to create it." Luffy replied. "I will worry of the details when we arrive. But thanks for the concerns, Shanks. I will call you later, when I feel necessary."
"Okay then Anchor, and good luck." Shanks lost his serious nature and the Den-Den Mushi fell asleep when it sensed that the line was cut. And with that, the thick atmosphere had been broken, "WHAT THE HELL CAPTAIN!?"
"Yes, jerks." Luffy responded bluntly. "I sailed with Shanks, I have been to the Grand Line before. But the whole time I was on his ship, I was nothing but a cabin boy that ate a bizarre fruit. He taught me everything there is to be a Grand Line Pirate. But Shanks couldn't have given me a crew, I wanted to make one myself."
The Straw Hats were speechless. But not for any longer, "Still Captain, you could've told us earlier. You were just playing with us…"
"I know and I will apologize a thousand times for it. And to make up, I am actually thinking about becoming a Shichibuki." Luffy said. "Because, even though you all are stronger, my crew still wants protection." The Straw Hats felt guilt-trapped after their captain pointed that out. "Now then, I have a couple more calls to make. And if you are not interested, I am not going to make you stay this time." Nobody bothered anymore.
With that said, Luffy fed the Den-Den Mushi some food; that he picked from who knows where. When the snail was stuffed, Luffy dialed a separate number. And this time, Luffy spoke first. "Hello, Edward Newgate." Luffy said to the man on the other side, "Or do you like the name, Shirohige (Whitebeard)?"
XXXXX
"Gura-gura-gura! Hello you little boy! Have you finally decided to join my sons?" This man sounded truly of an advanced age, yet with the authority of a king and the experience of a war veteran. This reminded a few of the Straw Hats of a certain old man that tried to stop them back in Loguetown (guess which because he will appear in the next chapter).
"I am afraid that is not possible, for the time being, Shirohige-sama." By this time, the Straw Hats kept their surprised/shocked expressions to themselves. "And I called because Ace didn't respond to the number he gave me. I am hoping to contact him too, is he on your ship?"
"…No." That was a disappointing messenger, delivered in a disappointed tone. "I did try to warn your brother about his business, but he was as stubborn as his old man. Why?" Luffy took a huge sigh before responding,
"Because I could…give Ace some more time to listen, if I decide to do what he refused to do; become a Shichibuki to replaced Crocodile." That was done in a single breath, truly a remarkable feat.
"If you think that 'he' still has plans for Ace in order to get the title, like you kept pestering me about, then you have my blessings to do what you want for your thickheaded brother." The old man answered, a lot like a parent thinking about letting his child finally leave the nest.
"Shirohige-sama, if you wanted a thickheaded Ace, you will wish that my brother never learned manners. He was a real jerk, a rude emo. Ace practically spat on my foot for a first impression." Luffy let out an amused chuckle, the complete opposite from how he was so serious about all this.
"Gura-gura-gura! Okay then brat! I will let him know! I can want to see the reaction on that boy's face!" Shirohige responded with equal cheeriness. Then his tone dropped back down, "Also, if you think that being a Shichibuki is going to make you the Pirate King, then I will have to beat the truth into that hardhead of yours! Got it!?"
Luffy suddenly turned pale again, like when he first got the letter from the messenger bat. The Straw Hats were really over their heads; Luffy looked at Crocodile and Shanks like they were good buddies but he actually feared this Shirohige? "Y-yes Shirohige-sama. Thank you!"
Luffy then promptly put away the speaker and released a huge breath of relief. "Just how does that old man do that?" Luffy muttered to himself, "And to think Shanks is just as scary." That he hoped nobody heard.
But instead, that clinked it all in place. Now most of the entire crew figured out just who Luffy was talking too. "YOU WERE CHATTING WITH THE SHIROHIGE!? OF THE YONKO!?"
"You guys need extra practice. The New World makes no room for those who are that slow." Luffy got most of the crew to glare at him; but it was justifiable so they let him off the hook that time. "And you will just die of a heart attack if I told you everything there is to know about me. That's all I am going to say at this point, sounds good?"
There was a strong silence in the room, once again. Like a terrible running gag, this time the silence was almost suffocating. Everyone didn't have words to say but Luffy could check up on their thoughts; thoughts on how much respect they had for him, gaining connections to powerful people that most could only dream of. There were also the thoughts about how amazing it was to just listen to the voices of two of the Yonko; it was a same taste, but one nevertheless of the power belonging to two of the strongest pirates in the world.
Then came the 'ringing' of the Den-Den Mushi, which almost scared everyone out of their skin. "They are calling back already? Damn them and their swift responses, for once in my life." Luffy muttered as he picked up the speaker. "Hello?"
"Hello Mugiwara." This time, the voice from the other end sounded like that of a high official; a lot of authority, a demand for respect and ready to talk important business. "You said in your response letters, sent to the Marines, that you wanted to speak with us about your new position." Then the whole world started to crash once the man on the receiver end spoke, "To discuss with us, the Gorosei (Five Great Elders), about you becoming the one to replace Crocodile as a Shichibuki."
End of Chapter 28.
*Things are as slow as ever but that is a good change from the fast-paced times, so fast that you can barely catch your breath. Wish me luck!*
1. I read about Mr. Oda responding to a fan's question and he said that Benn Beckman has the highest IQ of the series. He is then followed by Kuro and then Nami.