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
Growing Turmoil
Previously on Deadly Drunken Pirate,
Suddenly the Straw Hats also felt it. Something that was there and now, no more. A person who is supposed to out but alive, is not. The others noticed this and were instantly worried. And the ice broke, "Hand me a Den-Den Mushi, now." Luffy spoke up and one of the castaways was able to bring a medium-sized Den-Den Mushi in a snap. The captain then took out a small paper slip, scanned it briefly before tearing it and held it to be burnt by one of the candles.
Some of the sharper minds present guessed that it was a phone number but everyone was going to learn who was the one on the other side when Luffy punched it into the machine and waited for the receiver to pick up. After a moment, a voice was heard for sure and it was deep and serious, "Who is this?"
"Garp's grandson." Luffy simply said. It only took the response on the other side that clued in everyone as who the captain was calling,
"What? Why is a pirate, even his grandson, is calling me? How did you even get my personal number!?" This was definitely not when Luffy called Shanks or Whitebeard or even the Gorosei (Five Elder Stars). No, this was whole different startling phone call.
"For someone as smart as you, common sense has escaped you, Sengoku." Now everyone was scared. The young captain was talking to the head of the very navy! "Now I have something to say to you; I am disappointed. And this is the last straw."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Mugiwara! Not after how you dare barging with the Gorosei, help yourself on one of my ships and even drop off the map despite the title you actually accepted! What do you want?!"
Luffy had a smirk as sharp as his blades and that was always bad news. "Funny you should bring that up, Sengoku. The Gorosei had been good for so long before they went back on their word and broke their promise. And I warned them about this too and what will happened if they don't honor what I offered. A smart man like you knows what I am talking about by now."
Sengoku picked up the underlying threat and it showed on the Den-Den Mushi. "No…no, no, no, no! NO!"
"As a member of the Shichibuki, and the replacement for Crocodile…"
"NO!" The desperation and fear were just fuel to the forest fire as Luffy was not to be stopped or deterred in his decision,
"I. Quit."
"! *$# !&%#&!" That same Den-Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) went on, cursing and swearing close to an actual sailor, and even foaming at the mouth. It was enough to make even the likes of Zoro or Sanji cringe. Nami and Nojiko had to try and protect Aisa from those adulterous words.
"And they call you the Buddha." Luffy just commented without a care in the world.
"Do you have any idea what you have done!?" Sengoku finally got his bearing together to actually speak clearly.
"That is what I should be asking you." Luffy responded. "I had no intent to cause you so much trouble, even though I became a pirate, but Crocodile challenged me anyways and he lost. You wanted a replacement to assure the whole world that you haven't lost your touch yet. I agreed under one simple condition that even a five-year-old in charge could do: keep out a pirate named Teach." Luffy paused to catch his breath and to let it sink in, it still felt heavy somehow. "And you people had broken your promise. You killed off a Shichibuki (Seven Royal Warlords) to make room for a certain pirate who wanted Crocodile's throne until I took it. Now you have lost another Shichibuki because of it, you ought to be ashamed of yourself."
"Is that why you are telling me this, pirate scum. To laugh at my misfortune like your grandfather does!?" Sengoku was still angry. "You had it all, protection from the marines, freedom to sail and your bounty frozen! And now you have forsaken all that, because of a broken promise!?"
"Not just a broken promise but the war that you have just started." Luffy answered and that silenced the whole Thriller Bark once again. "And while you people go to war, the new guy goes to where pirates go to pay for their crimes. That is where he will build his crew and finish the job to take what he really wants: the seat of a Yonko (Four Emperors)!"
Nobody had anything to say, not even Sengoku. "I am only telling you this because you fought beside my grandpa for years. And I am warning you now, Teach will make sure that the war will end with his old captain's death. There will be untold turmoil to follow and you will have only yourselves to blame. This is why I took Crocodile's title and now that Teach is in the ranks anyways, I am not going to play this game anymore. You deal with it now." Luffy ended that call with a mighty slam of the teller onto the machine, prompting the Den-Den Mushi to fall asleep.
The ragtag gang were still shivering from the argument with the head of the Navy and said nothing. The senior Straw Hats knew by now that Luffy will never do something like this without good intentions and on the basis of honor and dignity, they may have done the same. For some reason, not even Nero and T-bone could get themselves to protest quitting the Shichibuki.
Yet the trouble was just starting to brew, "Show yourself already, Kuma."
XXXXX
That name was feared even among fellow sailors of the Grand Line and it is no wonder that the ragtag gang started to panic. Nero and T-bone pailed at the face and even Robin started to shiver, as if it was Kuzan all over again. Perona also knew about this man and cowered behind her new captain. Luffy finally got to his feet and with a turn of his attention directed everyone else's to what could only be a giant of a man.
"Mugiwara (Straw Hat). Or if you prefer, the Liber Glade." Kuma is an enormous man. He is carrying a Bible. His overall appearance resembles that of a bear, though there are a few key differences. His eyes are strangely covered by either a pair of glasses or clear-mirrored lenses. His hat features a pair of rounded ears, and, along with the dark blue fabric of his pants, is covered in brown spots. His jacket contains a large white design reminiscent of a target cross-hair or a coda sign. There are also several white paw prints lining the bottom hem of his coat. He also has a long protruding chin.
"Don't bother because I know that you are not here for a social call." Luffy responded causally, while his crew were mixed on this mountain of a man; ranging from not caring, to be cautious, to be terrified. "You are here because of two things: Moria and myself." While Kuma truly hadn't changed his expression, one can have the nagging feeling that Luffy had hit the nail on the head.
"Correct. We have all decided that Gekko Moria truly has gotten 'soft' and 'weak', not at all the same pirate that matched blows with Kaido." Kuma finally spoke up. "And you, Mugiwara, have already determined who was sent to finish off Moria, to be granted the latter's title. What we never counted on was you leaving the Shichibuki."
"What can I say? When it comes to a certain club of five old bone bags, a deal can only last so long before it is broken. And for a chance, the joke was on them." Kuma did not respond and nor did anyone else. Because to get nosy will be a dead wish when two Shichibuki-level pirates, even just one current and the other former, are involved. "But I am still peeved that they couldn't say no even to a slimeball that Teach is. I don't care if he served twenty years under Shirohige (Whitebeard)-sama, that just makes him like a flea ridding on a dog's back and away from anything that will crush him. Not to mention what he did before jumping the Moby Dick…"
"Nevertheless, you had quitted the ranks right when the disgrace got disposed of and now there is only six of us left. Why have you forfeited such privileges when the Gorosei (Five Elder Stars) invited you themselves?" Kuma responded, still as emotional and fluid as a robot. Luffy just snorted at the question,
"They didn't invite anyone in that letter they sent with their carrier bat. They demanded that I fix my 'mistake', by taking the throne I kicked Crocodile off. The evidence recovered from Baroque Works of Crocodile's attempt at a coup at Alabastra was far stronger than their own word. They couldn't deny the facts so they did their next favorite thing, have someone else be in the guilty light. They avoided answering to the world about their poor judgement regarding how the Shichibuki are supposed to be obedient of the World Government." No matter how many things they hear it, the Strawhats still feel the weight of this criticism
"But the other point I want to make because you move on your orders, is that I don't want to hurt someone that works for my Dad." That really broke the ice and the Straw Hats turned towards Kuma with widened eyes. Before anyone from the ragtag gang, and newest Straw Hat could ask,
"YOU WORK FOR DRAGON!?" Now, at this point, everyone was struggling to process how one of the Shichibuki was also a Revolutionist, right under the World's Most Wanted Man. As for Kuma himself, it was like that frown of his couldn't get any more redefined.
"Impressive, you will make even your father fear you. After all, secrecy is how he runs his organization." The tall man stated. "Now I know you are too smart to actually try to sell me out to the World Government, which means…" Despite one hand holding his Bible, Kuma still removed one of his gloves. "I still will use force to carry out my mission."
Suddenly, Luffy moved from his spot into a defensive stance with both hands showing their palms, right before a powerful force collided and picked up almost everything in sight. The Straw Hats all got up and ready to fight while Nojiko got Aisa into her arms, the ragtag people hurried away and even Perona moved to safety. "It will take a lot more than that to bring my head in, Kuma." Luffy said in a confident tone to the massive man with smoke drifting from his big palm.
"How dare…" Everyone knew that this was the voice of a certain blonde. "You try to harm the lovely ladies!?" Sanji charged in with a mighty kick to Kuma's face, only for the chef to cry out in pain. After falling to the ground, he rolled around while clutching his leg. "Dammit! What is that guy made off!?" This spooked everyone; there was barely anything that Sanji couldn't kick, especially when he learned Haki.
"I am more than just a pirate, little chef. If you look down on the Shichibuki then you will die. Now stay out of our way." Kuma answered in a tone as expressionless and emotionless as his face.
That was when, "Hyakuhachi Pound Ho (108 Pound Phoenix)!" Zoro sent a mighty energy attack from his three swords at Kuma, who just moved his palm in its way. Yet it didn't even budge him and instead, the attack was sent back again! And while everyone nearby was trying not to get cut, Kuma got ready to attack himself.
Suddenly, everyone saw for a split second that a rapier was sent right through Kuma. But instead of damaging the large man, he disappeared! Yet Luffy, who was the one who attempted to ambush Kuma, did not even twitch his eyebrow. It was like he actually expected that to happen and so was the large man appearing behind him, with his own massive hand ready to strike.
Yet Luffy moved out of the way with ease, while everyone else tried not to be blown away. Those who were near enough to the strike point were shocked to see a crater in the perfect shape of a kitten's paw! This of course scared and confused the witnesses, Luffy just chuckled. "I can never know how you keep a straight face saying the silly name of your power. And it still scares me."
Kuma moved himself back up to stand up and it was when everyone saw what was on his palm: actual kitten paws! "Correct, Mugiwara. I ate the Nikyu-Nikyu no Mi (Paw-Paw Fruit). I now hold the power to repel anything in both hands as a 'Paw Human'." Suddenly the tension turned to awkwardness, they were scared of cat paws!? Now they agree with Luffy, how was it possible to say such a ridiculous name with a straight face.
"Now then…" Kuma silently said and raised his palm at the Straw Hats again, this time they were on high alert. They raised their hands just in time for another shockwave in the shape of kitten paws was sent their way at the speed of a cannonball. "I believe that I still have my mission to take you in for desertion of the ranks of Shichibuki, Mugiwara."
"I quit, Kuma." Luffy answered in a casual tone. He didn't even wait for a response because at this point, Kuma truly was a robot; speaking only when he wishes. "How many times do I have to say it that even the likes of you can get it? And you don't lose much either, just a member. I know Akagami (Red Hair) Shanks and that's just it. My bounty set a new record in my home ocean of the East Blue, look it up. I don't see why they sent in their 'loyal lapdog' to dispose a simple, lowly pirate."
Luffy glared at Kuma who still hadn't answered his jibes. "Besides, I know that my father will never allow you to turn in his son. You are just here to show that you mean business and keep up your façade. You are not even trying to hid anything from me. I even know that you won't go with your mission."
"…" Kuma was still silent and yet he lowered his hand, then moved to put his gloves back on. "You have not thrown in a pebble this time, Mugiwara…" He finally spoke which broke the ice. "You dropped a handful into the pond and the ripples will clash continuingly with no end in sight. You better be ready for the future that will very much end, in war."
With that said, Kuma had vanished. Everyone searched with their eyes and their senses and it was confirmed that the Tyrant had actually left the island for places unknown. Where, they didn't care. Just to let a breath they were holding in for their lives. And they had no idea what could this day have led to.
XXXXX
After everything that happened with the phone call and the coming of Kuma, nobody wanted to stay up any longer and got comfy somewhere to sleep. And so, in the next morning,
"Okay guys! I managed to fix the rudder on this thing so now it is sail-worthy!" Franky shouted down from the 'ghost ship' that is now repaired and in no danger of sailing around in circles again. Brook felt a bit sad since that floating hunk of wood was his home and was where his old crew perished along with his old body. At least it will help the ragtag gang finally leave what is left of Thriller Bark, after so many nights and days of hiding from the zombies and the sun respectably.
"Thank you all!" Lola addressed the Straw Hats and took out a piece of paper from her pocket. "Take this when you enter the New World, it might come in handy!" Luffy grinned a bit when Nami took the paper in hand; he knew what it was for and there was this nagging feeling it will be a big help in the future.
"It's no problem at all, Lola. I just hope you won't run into anymore trouble on your way to Water Seven." Luffy said with a firm handshake. "In the meanwhile, we will continue on our way in the opposite direction. And I know that we are just one island left to visit in Paradise."
"Ah yes, the Sabaody Archipelago. You are in luck because that island is the closest one to the end of Paradise that meets the Red Line. Plenty of sailors go there to get ready for the New World. As it happens to have means to reach the dream of many sailors, Fishman Island." As soon as she spoke those words, a certain chief got fired up.
"Oh! Fishman Island, home to the fishman and more importantly the mermaids~!" Sanji started to dance and sing like an actual fool to which everyone twitched too. It was sad to see such a sight and especially in front of actual couples. Kaya and Carol just made sure their boyfriends don't get any ideas; Nami on the other hand knows for sure that her boyfriend won't bat an eye.
"Never mind our chef, he will break out of it soon. I still wish you and your gang the best of luck on your way to Water Seven." Luffy stated with a handshake with Lola. "We need to be getting ready to leave ourselves."
"No problem, Mugiwara. And thanks again!" Lola waved goodbye as she boarded Brook's old ship for Water Seven. What will happen next will be her own story to tell.
XXXXX
Later,
"Oh my! What a lovely vessel you have~!" Brook, despite his age, acted like a kid in a new candy store as he literally spun around on the deck of the Grand King's Brew. "I am amazed how it appears to be a battleship and a galleon in one ship~! Omph-!" Brook's excited was grounded when someone shoved a barrel into his arms.
"Listen, Bones. We get that you are new on this ship but we are casting off now on Captain's orders. The tour will come later. So, get busy and follow the guys into the hold." Frank pointed out to where the guys were heading and Brook hurried to catch up. "Yeesh, to think it will be exciting to recruit new mates but we keep forgetting about this bit." No one remaining on deck wanted to respond to that, not that Frank cared.
"Are you sure that we ought to allow such a clown on our ship?" Nami knew by now to trust Luffy's judgement but as a young woman, she was not afraid to voice what she thought. Which is why she is being patient with not one more woman but two now competing with her to share time with the captain. Nami now treasures the times she has Luffy all to herself.
"We all are goofs when we feel like relaxing but I know that Brook will soon be part of the family we are growing. Besides, his sword style still interests me." Nami giggled to know that nothing is going to change his mind but it was somehow cute to see Luffy interested in something new; for a seemingly unstoppable pirate, there is a little kid in the captain. Is it any wonder how he can attract lovely ladies with a charm of a confident adult and an honest child?
Thankfully it didn't take long to finish and the Grand King's Brew left Thriller Bark behind and headed for Saboady Archipelago, the final stop before Fishman Island and afterwards the New World. But with the growing turmoil in the center of the World Government, who knows what will happen next?
End of Chapter 56.
*Hello everyone. What do you think? This is how I envisioned the end of the Thriller Bark arc with the coming and going of Kuma. And as much as it pained me, it was necessary for Ace to be captured to bring about the War of the Best. And I have got plans of my own for that arc that will come eventually. As usual, flamers will be ignored and CC will be appreciated so thanks!*