Ch. 8- Romance Dawn
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Kovar, and Monkey D. Star © Me
"So that's how he and Shanks met," Nami smiled.
"Hmph!" Zoro grinned. "That's Luffy, always full of surprises."
"And it was because of Shanks that Luffy was able to overcome the loss of his mother," Blizzard added.
"So now what's gonna happen?" asked Kumi.
"I think we're about to find out," Chopper answered. "Look!"
The Straw Hats found themselves standing on the deck of a ship...but not just any kind: the moment they saw the black flag that carried the mark the Red-Haired Pirates, they realized they were on the Red Force, and by the looks of all the crates, barrels, and treasure chests on the ship, it looked like the crew had just gotten back from a raid.
"Must have been quite a haul, that day," Robin noted.
"Yeah, look at all that stuff," Sanji said. "Spices, alcohol, preserves...they even have quite a load of treasure, too."
"Yeah, I know," Nami replied, fighting every fiber of her being not to lunge at the treasure chests in a mad frenzy, knowing that she would just phase right through them.
"Hey, where is Luffy, anyways?" Usopp asked.
"Hey! What are you doing up there, Luffy?!" a pirate suddenly called, and immediately, all eyes turned to the figurehead...where Luffy stood, holding up a dagger.
"...Oh, good lord, what is he doing now?" Nami muttered with dread.
"Okay, you guys! Watch this!" Luffy declared. "I'm done joking around! I'll show you what real bravery is!"
"Go on, then," said Shanks, mockingly. "We're waiting."
"What is he talking about?" Aika asked.
"...Hold it," Usopp said as he watched Luffy. "W-where is he putting that knife?!"
"Wait...don't tell me...!" Blizzard whispered.
SNIK! Luffy, though as hesitant as he was, actually pierced the knife through the skin under his left eye before letting out a bloodcurdling scream, to everyone's shock.
"AAAAAH!" Chopper shrieked with his eyes bugging out of his head. "HE STABBED HIMSELF UNDER HIS EYE!"
"Good heavens!" Brook cried.
"Of course it would be self-inflicted!" Zoro groaned, slapping his palm against his forehead.
"YOU DUMB-ASS!" Shanks shouted, although the Straw Hats could tell that his anger was only there to hide his concern. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAHHH~!" Luffy cried in pain. "IT HUUUUUUURRRTS!"
"Of course it woud hurt, you little idiot!" Franky shouted.
"Why would Luffy do something so crazy?!" Chopper questioned. "He could've lost his eye!"
"That's Luffy," Nami said. "Always crazy."
"...So that's how Big Brother got that scar," Aika said.
"Don't you go getting any ideas, missy!" Sanji shouted.
"PLEASE don't!" Kumi cried.
The memory soon shifted, and before the Straw Hats knew it, they found themselves in Makino's Party's Bar, once again, where the Red Haired Pirates were celebrating.
"This place, again?" Zoro groaned.
"Easy, Zoro," Robin said as she put her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"To Luffy's...err...courage!" one pirate declared as he raised a tankard of booze. "And to our next voyage!"
"Let's all drink in celebration!" another shouted.
"Ah," Luffy grinned, a bandage under his left eye, and it was clear by the look on his face that he had been crying. "That didn't hurt at all."
"You little liar!" Shanks retorted. "Don't do anything so heinous again, hear me?!"
The Straw Hats blinked at the Emperor in slight surprise at how unnerved he was.
"I'm not afraid to get hurt," Luffy said. "Next time, take me out to sea with you guys! I wanna be a pirate, too!"
"HA!" Shanks laughed. "Yeah, right. You can't handle being a pirate, Luffy. Besides, you can't even swim."
"That's only half-true," Sanji added.
"Wait, Big Brother couldn't swim, even before he got his Devil Fruit?" Aika asked.
"Apparently," Brook answered.
"As long as I just stay on the ship, I'll be okay!" Luffy reassured.
"Psh!" Zoro scoffed. "Please. He can't even do THAT!"
"Tell me about it," Blizzard murmured in irritation, remembering all the times Luffy fell overboard and one of the Straw Hats had to fish him out of the sea, then squeeze his waterlogged stomach to get the water out.
"I can fight good, too!" Luffy added as he threw a punch. "I've been training since I was 4 years old, and now my punch is as strong as a pistol shot!"
"Is that so?" Shanks asked with a bit of a deadpan tone.
"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Luffy questioned. "HEY! LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU, SHANKS! ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!"
"Jeez, Luffy seemed so mild-mannered back when his mom was around," Usopp noted. "Now, when he's hanging around with Shanks, he's a foul-mouthed, short-tempered kid. Just goes to show you how much someone can influence somebody."
"Wow," Aika said. "I thought Shanks was nice, but...he seems pretty mean to Big Brother, like Mister Garp."
"I don't think he means it, Aika," Robin said. "Garp was abusive. Shanks, on the other hand, is just teasing Luffy, but he actually means well."
"Yeah, it's the same with me" Franky said. "My mentor, Tom, used to tease me a lot, when I was a kid."
Usopp suddenly gasped as another pirate suddenly entered the scene.
"Oh, my god...!" he whispered. "That's...that's my Dad!"
Indeed it was. Yasopp grinned as he ruffled Luffy's hair, causing him to grumble in irritation.
"Come on, Luffy, buck up!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah! Be happy to face anything!" added another pirate.
"The life of a pirate is one of a kind!" exclaimed Lucky Roo, who was eating a hunk of meat.
"The sea is grand and vast!" declared a fourth pirate. "Go out and seek adventure of all kinds! Nothing is greater than freedom!"
Hearing this only caused Luffy to beam in excitement while Shanks rolled his eyes,
"Come on, you guys, don't encourage him," Shanks said.
"Why not, Boss?" asked Lucky Roo. "It's the truth, ain't it?"
"Look, Luffy," Shanks said as he turned to face the boy. "The truth of the matter is you're just too young to be on a pirate ship. Wait until...ah, I dunno, 10 years, and then I just might consider bringing you along on my next voyage."
"...Why does that sound familiar?" Aika asked.
"Well, Aika, maybe now you see Luffy gets so worked up when you try to get yourself involved in fights, all the time," Blizzard said. "Strong or not, it's dangerous for a kid to be out at sea."
"But Kumi and I are with you guys," Aika answered, "and we're still kids."
"Well, Aika, that's different," Robin replied. "We took you and Kumi with us because you didn't trust the Marines. Plus, since we found out you're Luffy's sister, it would be too cruel just to drop you off somewhere."
"And besides, we love having you guys around!" Chopper added.
"That's true," Aika smiled.
"Dammit, I'm not a little kid!" Luffy pouted. "I'm a man!"
"Ah, calm down," Shanks said as he gave Luffy a glass of orange juice. "Here, have some juice."
"Oh, wow!" Luffy grinned as he took the glass. "Thanks, Shanks!" He then began to take a sip, and not long after, Shanks began to burst into laughter while slapping his hand on the counter.
"I don't know any man who drinks juice!" he shouted, and that got Luffy all riled up again.
"DAMMIT, YOU TRICKED ME AGAIN!" Luffy yelled, and even the Straw Hats couldn't help snickering...except for Chopper, Aika, and Kumi.
"I drink juice," Aika said.
"Yeah, what's so bad about it?" Chopper asked.
"It's a complicated thing," Zoro answered.
"Ah, simmer down, Luffy," said another pirate as he put his hand on Luffy's shoulder, causing the boy to look up at him.
"Oh," Robin realized. "I think that's Benn Beckman, the first mate of the Red Haired Pirates."
"He looks really strong," Aika noted.
"Oh, of course!" Brook exclaimed. "Benn Beckman is among the strongest members of Red Haired Shanks' crew!"
"It's not fair, Benn," Luffy said. "How come Shanks always picks on me? I'm trying to show him I'm grown up enough for him to take me out to sea...I even stabbed myself and he still won't take me seriously!"
"Don't take it so hard," Benn said. "You gotta understand, Luffy, the captain's not teasing you to be an ass. He really does care for ya."
"Oh, yeah?" Luffy asked, incredulously. "How?"
"Luffy, the life of a pirate is an exciting one, that much is true," Benn told him, "but it's also full of danger. The captain's trying to make you see that."
"I don't see how!" Luffy remarked. "All he does is tease me!"
As he said this, Shanks turned to him and stuck his tongue at him.
"Anchor," he said.
"YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?!" Luffy questioned.
The Straw Hats couldn't help chuckling, despite this.
"I can kinda understand where Shanks is coming from," Nami said, "even though he does have a funny way of showing it."
"I still don't understand," Aika said.
"Shanks is trying to discourage Luffy from going out to sea at his current age," Sanji pouted. "Sure, he could've gone about that another way, but still, his heart was in the right place."
"...Oh," Aika realized. "I see now!"
At that moment, Makino walked in, holding a barrel full of beer.
"Goodness," she said. "You all seem lively, don't you?"
The way she greeted the pirates showed that the bartender had gotten used to their presence and welcomed them as if they were lifelong friends, a deep contrast to how she viewed them back when they first met.
"Well, Makino, what can I say?" asked Shanks as he pointed at Luffy. "Making fun of this kid puts a smile on my face."
Luffy only pouted at this.
"Oh, Luffy, don't fuss," Makino said. "How about I make you some steak?"
"Ooh!" Luffy chirped, his mood shifting from happy to sad almost instantly. "Yes, please!"
"That changed his mood quick," Nami smiled.
"Seriously," Franky added.
"Doesn't take much to make Luffy," Sanji said. "Just say you'll feed him and he's grateful to you, forever."
"Shishishishi!" Aika giggled. "Silly Big Brother!"
"And just how are you going to pay for your food, Luffy?" Shanks asked.
"Oh, I'm gonna pay Makino back with my treasure tab!" Luffy answered. "When I become a pirate, I'll pay her back with all the treasure I find!"
"So you're scamming the poor woman?" asked Shanks, jokingly.
"Am not!" Luffy argued. "Makino understands! Don't you, Makino?"
"Of course I do," Makino answered. "I hope you do pay me back, soon."
The Straw Hats could tell by the sound of her voice that she didn't really mind getting paid back or not. Just like Star, the fact that Luffy was happy was good enough for her.
Within minutes, Makino put down a steak for Luffy, who licked his lips before he began to eat.
"Hey, Shanks," Luffy said with his mouth full.
"Yeah?" asked Shanks.
"How long are you guys gonna be staying, this time?"
"Oh...I dunno. It's been nearly a year now since we first got here. I think we'll take a couple more voyages before we split this place for good and head out north."
"They've been there for nearly a whole year, now?!" Usopp questioned.
"Sheesh!" Sanji exclaimed. "You'd think that if some pirates were taking shelter at the home base of a Vice-Admiral, someone would take notice by then!"
"Well, Garp was gone for a whole year," Nami said. "Plus, I think he was the only Marine there."
"That would make sense," Robin added.
"...Oh..." Luffy muttered, distantly...almost sad, and hearing that downhearted tone in his voice caused the Straw Hats to look at him worriedly.
"Oh, no," Aika said. "Big Brother sounds lonely again."
"Even if Shanks did tease him," Blizzard started, "he was probably the closest thing Luffy had to a best friend. Without him around, who's he gonna hang out with? Not those kids who were always running away from him...not Garp because the guy practically beats him up every time he shows his face around him, even if he does mean well."
"Poor Luffy," Chopper said. "I know how he feels."
"I almost wish Shanks took Luffy with him," Nami said. "At least then, he wouldn't be lonely."
"Maybe so," Zoro started, "but Luffy's far too young and...he's probably still trying to get over the loss of his mother, even if Shanks is there."
"...I guess you're right about that," Nami said, solemnly.
"Well...that's okay!" Luffy said, trying to hide his disappointment. "I'll have learned how to swim by the time you get back!"
"Sure you will," Shanks rolled his eyes.
By now, Luffy had finished up his steak, but as usual, he was still hungry. That's when his eyes fell upon something next to him: an open treasure chest of some sort and inside it was some sort of fruit. It looked like a melon, but it was lavendar in color with these peculiar swirls. He blinked curiously before he shrugged, picked it up, and took a bite...and almost instantly, he grimaced and his face turned a sickly green. Yet despite that, Luffy kept eating it.
"Jeez," Kumi said. "That must not have tasted very good."
"And yet, Luffy's still eating it anyway," Blizzard pointed out. "I swear, his appetite amazes me, sometimes."
"...Hey," Nami said. "What's that Luffy's eating?!"
"...Wait...is that...?!" Sanji questioned.
"What is it?" Aika asked. "What's wrong?"
"I think that's the-" Robin started, but before she could finish her sentence, the door was suddenly kicked off its hinges, causing everyone to turn and see a group of men, the one leading them being rather tall with tanned skin, wearing a brown coat, and a rather disheveled appearance.
"Excuse me," said the man in a deep, gruff voice as he and his group barged in. "Hmph! So...these are pirates, huh? Look pretty dumb to me."
"Who the hell is this loser?" Zoro asked.
"Looks like some common thug to me," Sanji answered while Blizzard growled at the man's appearance.
"We're mountain bandits," said the man as he approached the bar. "Just relax. We're not here to start something, miss. We'll just take about 10 barrles of booze to go and we won't hurt anybody...much." He then snickered, as did his men, while Sanji sneered.
"Damn no-necked bastard," Sanji cursed. "That's not how you speak to a lady."
"Sanji, calm down," Nami said. "Remember, this is a memory. There's nothing we can do here except watch."
"I-I'm sorry, sir," Makino answered, trying her hardest not to show any fear. "I'm afraid we're all out of liquor."
Almost instantly, the man's demeanor changed as he glanced at Shanks and his crew.
"...Is that right?" he queried. "Well then what are these idiots drinking? Doesn't look like water to me."
"Well, you see," Makino began, "I gave the last of the liquor to them."
"It's true," Shanks spoke up, nonchalantly. "I'm afraid my men and I cleaned the place out. Sorry about that."
The man sneered at the Red Haired Captain, who held up an opened bottle of rum.
"Here, you can have this," Shanks said. "I was saving this for myself, but I think you should have it-"
SMASH! As quick as a flash, the man back-handed the bottle, smashing it and sending booze and shards of glass all over the floor and counter. Luffy yelped as he shielded himself from the glass while Makino, as well as the Straw Hats, gasped in shock. Even Chopper, Aika, and Kumi, out of instinct, ducked behind the older members in fright, even though the glass shards phased right through them.
"Well that was quite unnecessary!" Brook exclaimed.
"Oh, man," Usopp muttered. "I got a bad feeling about this."
"What kind of idiot do you take me for?" asked the bandit. "What good is one bottle of rum, huh?!"
Everyone looked over at Shanks, who had his eyes covered by his hat...but then, he sighed as he raised his head, revealing a disappointed look.
"Oh, look at this mess you made," he said, to the Straw Hats' surprise.
"Is he serious?" Chopper asked.
"He's not gonna punch him or anything?!" Aika questioned. "But why?!"
"...Because it's not worth it, that's why," Sanji answered as he blew out a puff of smoke. "I'm sure back then, Shanks was a very powerful pirate...which is why he wouldn't waste his time with this moron."
"Lemme show you something," said the bandit leader as he put down a wanted poster with his face on it.
HIGUMA THE BEAR
BOUNTY: 8 MILLION BERRIES
"I'm a wanted criminal, you know," said Higuma. "I've killed 56 people...especially idiots like you."
"8 million?" Aika asked before she pouted. "That's not so big. Why gloat about that?"
"The East Blue is known as the weakest corner of the sea, that's why," Robin replied. "Normally, bounties range between 1-4 million. That's why this Higuma person is boasting so much."
"You best watch your back, pirate," Higuma warned, "because if you cross me again, you won't live to see another day! I suggest you get back on your little boat and get outta here so I never have to see your face again...that clear?"
Shanks didn't answer. In fact, he didn't even acknowledge him. He just quietly picked up some broken glass.
"Here, Makino," he said. "Let me clean this up for you."
"Oh, please!" Makino exclaimed. "Captain, don't trouble yourself! I'll-"
Without a warning single warning, Higuma drew his saber and slashed an entire row of bottles off the counter, soaking Shanks and sending glass shards almost everywhere.
"You like cleaning, huh?" Higuma asked. "Well here! Have another mess to clean up!" He then turned to leave with his men following after him. "You guys are nothing but a bunch of jokes."
As soon as they were out of the bar, Makino ran over to Shanks, putting a hand on his shoulder, worriedly.
"Captain," she said. "Are you all right?!"
"Not a problem in the world, Makino," Shanks said...before he snickered, and soon after, he and his whole crew exploded into laughter.
"That guy sure got you good, boss!" Yasopp exclaimed.
"Talk about a loser!" added another.
"...That Shanks is something else," Nami smiled.
"You got that right," Zoro agreed. "He could tell that idiot was nothing but a bunch of talk. That's why he didn't fight back."
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL LAUGHING AT?!" shouted Luffy, who stood on the stool. "YOU THINK THAT WAS FUNNY?! HE MADE YOU LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS, AND HERE YOU ARE, LAUGHING ABOUT IT! AND YOU CALL YOURSELVES PIRATES?! HE WAS RIGHT, YOU GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF JOKES!"
"...Whoa...!" Usopp whispered.
"Now that was very uncalled for," Brook said.
"Now THAT doesn't sound like the Luffy we know and love, at all," added Blizzard, sounding utterly disappointed and a little shocked, too.
"Hey, simmer down, Luffy," Shanks answered. "It's nothing to get worked up over. The guy just spilled some booze on me."
"Whatever!" Luffy said as he jumped down from his stool. "Don't ever talk to me! I'll find a new role model!"
"Ah, calm down," Shanks said as he grabbed his arm. "Get back...here...?"
Before anyone realized it...Luffy's arm stretched a considerable length, and upon hearing everyone's gasps, Luffy suddenly took notice, too.
"...Did...did he just...?!" Nami whispered.
"Yep, I knew it," Sanji muttered. "That fruit was eating was the Gum-Gum Fruit."
"What the hell?!" one of the pirates questioned in disbelief.
"H-his arm just stretched!" exclaimed another.
"Wait...don't tell me he...!" added a third.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!" Luffy cried in comical horror.
"BOSS!" Lucky Roo cried. "It's gone! The Gum-Gum Fruit that we stole from that enemy ship! It's gone!"
"...You mean...?!" Shanks whispered.
"Luffy!" Lucky Roo called as he held up a sketch of said Devil Fruit. "You didn't eat this fruit, did you?!"
"Y-yeah, I did," Luffy answered. "I thought it was dessert...it tasted pretty nasty, though-"
Before he could elaborate further, Shanks suddenly grabbed the boy by his face.
"LUFFY, YOU JUST ATE THE GUM-GUM FRUIT!" he shouted. "PART OF A GROUP CALLED THE 'DEVIL FRUITS'! EAT ANY ONE OF THEM CAUSES YOU TO LOSE YOUR ABILITY TO SWIM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, BUT THE ONE YOU ATE TURNS YOUR BODY TO RUBBER!"
Luffy gasped in horror at this.
"NO WAY!" he shrieked. "IT CAAAAAAAAAAAAN'T!"
"YOU DUMB-ASS!" Shanks yelled.
"Oh, my goodness," Nami muttered. "Poor Luffy."
"I had the same reaction when I ate my Devil Fruit," Robin said.
"Same here," Chopper added.
"And I, as well," Brook spoke.
"Me, too," Aika chimed in as she looked down at her hands, which she momentarily transformed into paws before changing them back to human hands, but then, the memory faded away into the darkness.
"Hey, what happened?" Usopp asked. "Why'd it go black all of a sudden? Was the shock so bad that Luffy fainted?"
"No, I think it stopped because we got all the information we need here," Nami said.
"Still, that was surprising!" Aika said. "How Big Brother got that scar under his eye and how he got his powers...I'm still trying to process all this!"
"That was pretty crazy, wasn't it?" Kumi asked.
"I don't think it's over yet," Franky said. "Look."
Sure enough, the darkness fled, showing a new memory this time. Luffy was walking down the street as usual, and he seemed surprisingly cheery, despite what happened in the bar. The Straw Hats could see the Red Force behind him, so either the Red Haired Pirates hadn't left yet or they were preparing to leave.
As Luffy walked, he gasped as he spotted someone up ahead: the children he met back when he was 4. They also looked a little older and were playing a game of Hot Potato in the street.
"Oh, no," Usopp said. "It's those brats, again."
"Why would Big Brother go to them?" asked Aika. "He knows they don't like him."
"It's because he's so desperate for friends," Chopper said, sadly. "I know what that's like."
"Hey, guys!" Luffy called to the children, who all cringed upon hearing his voice.
"Oh, great, it's the village freak, again," muttered the girl.
"Quick!" said the boy with auburn hair. "Let's get outta here! Maybe we can lose him before he gets here!"
"Too late," answered the boy with dark blue hair. "Here he comes now."
"Hey, guys!" Luffy said as he approached him.
"What do you want?" asked the dark blue-haired boy. "You come to break my arm again?"
Luffy seemed a bit hurt by that, but he quickly grinned at him.
"Look, I'm really sorry I hurt you," Luffy said.
"Like we care," said the lavender-haired boy. "Go and bother your pirate friends instead. Monsters should stay with monsters."
"Little jerks," Franky sneered. "He already apologized. Why can't you just accept him already?!"
Blizzard growled viciously, remembering how he was treated by the local dogs on Rivet Island.
"...That's not very nice," Aika said, sadly. "He just wants to be friends."
"I just wanted to show you guys something cool!" Luffy exclaimed.
"This better be good," said the auburn-haired boy, crossing his arms in irritation.
"Okay, watch this!" Luffy said before he grabbed his cheeks and stretched them far apart. "See? Ta-dah~!"
The kids all gasped in horror at what they were seeing.
"Look! I'm made of rubber now!" Luffy exclaimed. "Isn't that cool? Now nothing can hurt me as much!"
A pause...but then the kids screamed and ran off.
"MONSTER!" they cried.
"GET HIM AWAY FROM US!" the blonde-haired girl yelled.
"I thought he was a freak before," the dark blue-haired boy shouted, "BUT NOW HE REALLY IS ONE!"
"DON'T GO NEAR HIM, OR YOU MIGHT TURN INTO RUBBER, TOO!" the lavender-haired boy screamed, and Luffy could only watch as they ran away from him, again. The adults around him watched sadly.
"Not again," a man whispered.
"Poor Luffy," a woman said. "Why can't they just give him a chance?"
"It's like it got worse ever since his mother passed," added another man.
"...Oh, Luffy," Nami said, worriedly.
"The poor thing," Robin whispered.
"Damn those little bastards!" Franky cursed.
"It cannot be helped," Brook said. "It seems no matter what he does, Mister Luffy will never be accepted by those children." He then sighed. "The poor lad."
Luffy sniffled and wiped his eyes before he turned and walked away. He didn't go very far, just went to the nearest pier and sat down on the blanks, watching the water ripple. He then looked up at the sky where he watched a flock seagulls fly away.
"...At least they have friends," the boy said before he looked down. "I have...nobody."
"That's not really true, you know."
Luffy looked up to see Shanks, who smiled warmly at him as he walked up to him. The boy only sneered before he looked away from him, obviously still a bit peeved after what happened in the tavern. Shanks didn't seem to care, though, but instead sat down next to the 7-year-old.
"...I saw how those kids were treating you," he said, causing Luffy to look up at him. "I'm sorry about that, Luffy."
"...I just thought that...if I showed them my new powers," Luffy said, "that they'd think I was cool and they'd wanna hang out with me."
"Makino told me about those kids," Shanks said. "They said they always run away from you...call a freak...and yet you still try and be friends with them. Why?"
"...Because I don't know who else to turn to," Luffy answered. "Makino's nice and all...but she's not into all the stuff that I'm into, plus she's busy with her bar. My Grandpa's hardly around and...whenever he does come and see me, all he does is beat me up, throw me off cliffs, tie me up to balloons, and leaves me in the forest to get eaten by animals. The only one who would ever play with me...was...was..."
"Your mother?" Shanks concluded, and Luffy nodded his head.
"...My Mom always made me feel better when something like this happened," he said, "but now that she's gone..."
"...I understand," Shanks replied as he looked up at the sky.
"...I think you're lucky, Shanks," Luffy said. "You're surrounded by your crew and...they all get to have fun with you."
"Yeah," Shanks said. "Sometimes, they're a pain, but...I love them all, too." He then sighed. "It's too bad that someday, I might have to say goodbye to them."
"...What makes you say that?" Luffy asked.
"Well, Luffy," Shanks began, "sometimes, when a pirate crew is all done with their adventures...they go their separate ways. Sure, it's sad, but that's why I always cherish whatever moments I have with my crew."
"...If I became a pirate," Luffy began, "do you think...I'll get some friends?"
The Straw Hats felt their hearts go out to their captain as he asked this, and Shanks chuckled as he gently ruffled Luffy's hair.
"Well...maybe," he said before he gave a playful smirk. "I still don't think you have what it takes, though."
"Oh, come on, that doesn't help!" Luffy complained.
"It really doesn't," Nami agreed.
"Still, it was kind of Shanks to at least try and comfort him," Robin added.
The memory shifted, once more, and the Straw Hats once again were in the Party's Bar, where it was just Luffy and Makino, the former holding a glass in his mouth.
"Shanks and his crew sure have been gone a while," said Luffy.
"Do you miss them?" Makino asked.
"Of course I don't miss them!" Luffy answered. "Especially after what those bandits did!" He then took out an ice cube from the glass and chomped on it. "I really misjudged Shanks...he and his crew really a bunch of losers."
"You'd think he'd change his tune about them after Shanks went out of his way to make him feel better that day," Usopp sneered.
"That's Luffy," Sanji said. "Always stubborn."
"Well, I thought they were very brave," said Makino. "It takes a lot for someone not to get angry and fight back, you know?"
"You don't know what you're talking about, Makino," said Luffy. "A real man would stand for himself, not let himself get humiliated like that."
"Is that right?" asked Makino. "Well...I guess I really don't know, then."
"No, you don't," Luffy answered.
"Make way for the Terror of the Highlands!"
Luffy and Makino both looked up, only to gasp upon seeing Higuma and his gang, again.
"So, those pirate bastards aren't here, are they?" asked Higuma. "Hmph! Smells a lot better in here without them."
"What are you all doing here?" Makino asked.
"Well, we were just in the area," said Higuma, "so we figured we'd just stop by and say 'hello'." He then sat down in a cheer and propped his feet up on the table. "So, are you just gonna stand there and gawk at us? We're customers and we demand service!"
Sanji growled as he attempted to attack Higuma, but once again, Nami stopped him and shook her head, reminding him there was nothing he could do, to the cook's anger.
Luffy only watched as Makino begrudgingly began to serve the bandits. After she had gotten them their drinks, they began to talk amongst themselves.
"Hey, speaking of those pirates," said one bandit, "did you see their faces the other day?"
"Ha!" Higuma laughed. "How could I forget? I broke a bottle over that guy's head, and he didn't say one word of protest! How pathetic, right boys?!"
The bandits only guffawed while Luffy scowled at them.
"Cowards like that make me wanna puke," Higuma said. "I wanted to kill that bastard. Those pirates were nothing but a bunch of talk."
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!
The Straw Hats and Makino gasped while Higuma glanced back and saw Luffy...who was seething at them.
"TAKE BACK WHAT YOU SAID, RIGHT NOW!" Luffy yelled. TAKE IT BACK, DAMMIT!"
"Luffy, stop it!" Makino cried as she tried to hold him back.
"SHANKS IS NOT A COWARD, YOU JERK!" Luffy barked. "DON'T YOU DARE BADMOUTH HIM IN FRONT OF ME!"
"...Oh...my god...!" Nami whispered in awe.
"Wait, I don't understand," Aika said. "Why would Big Brother stand up for Mister Shanks when he was just insulting him, not too long ago?"
"Insulting the person you respect is one thing," Usopp answered, "but it's when someone else insults him, that's a different matter."
"Yeah," Franky said. "I mean, sure, I used to talk trash about Iceburg all the time, but when someone else badmouthed him, I'd beat 'em to a pulp!"
"Excuse me?" Higuma asked as he approached Luffy. "What did you say to me, you little punk?"
"You heard me...!" Luffy hissed. "Take back what you said! Right now!"
"And what are you gonna do if I don't?" asked Higuma...who got his answer when Luffy hocked a loogie and spat in his face.
That did it. Higuma growled as he grabbed Luffy by the throat, causing him to cry out in surprise.
"Luffy!" Makino cried as Higuma threw him to the floor.
"You little piece of shit!" the bandit leader shouted as he pinned Luffy down. "Spit on my face, will you?!" He then punched the boy across the face...but to his surprise, his fist bounced right off him. "Huh?!"
"Heh..." Luffy smirked, which made Higuma growl as he began to punch Luffy again, but still, they had no effect.
"Dammit, what the hell is up with this kid?!" Higuma questioned as he kept trying to punch Luffy, but still, they had no effect on him. "My punches just keep bouncing off of him!"
"What'd you expect from a kid made of rubber?" asked Blizzard.
"Stop it!" Makino cried as she tried to help Luffy. "Leave him alone, he's just a child-OOF!" Higuma suddenly got up and punched her across the face, causing her to stumble back and fall to the floor, and it took everything Sanji had not to try and attack Higuma, knowing that it would be futile.
"Stay outta this you bitch!" Higuma barked as he grabbed Luffy. "All right, brat...how about I take you outside and teach you some manners?! Let's go, boys!"
On that, the bandits filed outside, carrying Luffy with them, and then, Higuma threw the boy down to the ground.
"Big Brother!" Aika cried, only for Robin to grab her and cover her eyes.
"Don't look, Aika," Robin answered.
"Kumi, don't you look, either!" Blizzard added as he covered the pup's eyes with his paw.
"I don't care much impoliteness, runt," Higuma said. "However, if you apologize, I might just forgive you."
"Not until you apologize first!" Luffy shouted. "Apologize for what you said about Shanks!"
"Still running your mouth, are you?!" Higuma questioned as he kicked Luffy in the stomach, and the other bandits attempted to join in, but their kicks and stomps did nothing to Luffy's rubbery body. Still, the sight made the Straw Hats angry.
"How could they just gang up on him like that?!" Nami questioned.
"Disgraceful!" Brook added.
"Thank goodness Luffy had his powers back then," Chopper said. "Otherwise, he would've suffered a lot of broken bones!"
"I can hear, you know!" Aika cried.
"Why isn't Luffy using any of his moves?!" Franky questioned.
"He just got his Devil Fruit, genius!" Zoro replied. "He hasn't figured them out, yet!"
"Hmph!" Higuma scoffed as he picked Luffy up and stretched his cheek. "You've got a weird body, kid. Our punches or kicks don't work on you, at all."
"Damn you!" Luffy cursed. "Take back what you said!" He then tried to punch Higuma in the face, but he simply moved his head out of the way. "You jerkface!"
"I guess there really are some strange creatures in the world," said Higuma, "eh, rubber boy?!" He then threw Luffy to the ground, causing him to bounce along the ground like a rubber ball.
"Rrrrgh...!" Luffy growled as he spat out a tooth. "Damn you! You'll pay for what you said!"
"Even though he can't really fight," Brook began, "he's still trying so hard. Even back then, he still had such spirit!"
"Looks like I discovered a new form of life," Higuma joked. "I might just sell the kid to a circus and get a ton of cash for him."
Despite her eyes being covered, Aika squeaked when she heard the word "circus", since Caesar himself had also said such things about her during her captivity on Punk Hazard.
Luffy then grabbed a nearby stick and ran at Higuma, attempting to break his kneecaps with it, but the bandit only smirked as he raised his foot.
"Stubborn little bastard!" he shouted as he stamped his foot against Luffy's face and pinned him to the ground.
"Luffy!" Nami cried in horror.
"What did I ever do to you, huh?" Higuma asked. "I was only drinking and having a conversation with my men. I didn't do anything to offend you, did I?"
"You liar!" Luffy barked. "You better apologize!"
The Straw Hats could see people hiding inside their houses, and yet, they did nothing to stop this senseless violence.
"How can they just sit in their homes and let this happen?!" Usopp questioned. "Are they really that scared to do anything about it?!"
"Sometimes, fear overcomes the need to help," Robin answered.
"Get your foot off me, you stupid mountain ape!" Luffy yelled as he tried to push Higuma's foot off his face.
"Stop it! Let the poor boy go!"
At that moment, Makino and Woop Slap finally arrived on the scene.
"Please!" Woop Slap pleaded. "I don't know what the lad did to you all, and I have no intention of fighting any of you!" He then dropped down on his hands and knees. "But if it's money you're after, I'll gladly pay you! Just spare the poor boy's life! Please!"
"Mayor...!" Luffy said in surprise.
"Well at least SOMEONE cares!" Nami exclaimed.
"Nice try, pops," said Higuma. "I can tell you know the ways of the world...but I'm afraid it won't work here. The kid attacked me and called me names, and because of that, I can't forgive him. Unlike those pirates, I don't take shit from anyone, especially a little snot-nosed, rubber freak like this oen!" He then stomped on Luffy's skull multiple times.
"You're the one who started it!" Luffy shouted. "You damn mountain monkey! Take back what you said about Shanks!"
"...That does it," Higuma hissed as he drew his saber. "Screw selling you...I'll just kill you, instead!"
"No! Luffy!" Makino cried.
"No! Spare him, please!" shouted Woop Slap, while the Straw Hats, though futile in their attempt, moved to save the boy...but then...
"What's going on here? Nobody came to the harbor to greet us."
Everyone gasped as Shanks and his crew suddenly appeared.
"Captain Shanks!" Makino exclaimed.
"Mister Shanks!" Aika cheered. "Big Brother's saved!"
"Oh, thank god!" Usopp added.
"Oh!" Shanks said. "It's you bandits again, is it?" He then noticed Luffy. "Hey, Luffy! I thought you said your punch was as powerful as a pistol!"
"Sh-shut up!" Luffy barked, now feeling a little embarrassed about his boasting, earlier.
"Hmph!" Higuma scoffed. "You pirates are still around? Don't you have some cleaning to do? I don't know what the hell you idiots are doing here, but you better back off now, before you get hurt. Come any closer and we might just kill you cowards."
Despite his warnings, Shanks just casually approached anyway, causing one of the bandits to stand next to him with a gun pointed at his head.
"Didn't you hear him say don't move, asshole?" the bandit asked.
"Oh, no!" Aika cried. "He's gonna shoot him!"
"Ah-ah-ah-ah!" Zoro exclaimed. "Just watch, Aika."
"But...but..." Aika stammered.
"Trust me," Zoro reassured.
"...Okay," Aika replied as she watched Shanks just stand there, stoically, before he grinned.
"...Would you risk your life?" he asked.
"Huh?" the bandit muttered.
"Now that you've drawn your pistol," Shanks began, "are you willing to use it?"
"What the hell are you talking about?!" the bandit asked, more confused than ever.
"I'm saying guns aren't for threats," Shanks answered. "They're for actions."
Before anyone could even blink, Lucky Roo suddenly appeared next to the bandit...and shot him point-blank in the skull, causing him to drop to the ground, dead as a doornail.
"What the-?!" the bandits questioned while the Straw Hats also gaped in shock.
"W-where the hell did he come from?!" Sanji questioned. "He wasn't even there a second ago!"
"Even if he is fat," Zoro began, "he's not a member of the Red-Haired Pirates for nothing."
"...Amazing...!" Aika whispered in awe. "My Observation Haki hardly sensed him!"
"Such speed!" Brook added in disbelief.
As for the bandits, they were visibly unnerved by what had just happened.
"N-now you bastards have done it!" shouted one of the bandits.
"That was a cheap shot!" added another. That's when the Red Haired Pirates glared up at them...like they were on a manhunt, and truth be told, the Straw Hats felt a bit unnerved at the sight. It was a deep contrast to the pirates who got drunk and partied all day.
"Cheap shots, huh?" Yasopp asked in a tone that sent chills down Usopp's back. "Don't make us laugh."
"What do you think we are, saints?" asked Benn in a cold tone.
"We're pirates," Shanks answered, "and we don't play by the rules."
"Sh-shut up!" one bandit shouted, trying to mask his growing fear with anger. "This is none of your damn business! We just want the boy, not you!"
"Listen up, bandits," Shanks said. "Whether I'm sprayed with alcohol or doused with food...hell, even if I'm spit on, most of the time, I'll just laugh it off and forget about it..." He then raised his head, revealing a furious glare in his eyes. "But when you hurt a friend of mine, you'll pay for it, regardless of your reason!"
"...Shanks...!" Luffy whispered in disbelief. Even after he said about him, the pirate captain still considered him his friend...and it almost made him teary-eyed.
"...So that's where Luffy got it from," Sanji smiled.
"That Shanks is one hell of a guy," said Franky.
Higuma, on the other hand, just laughed.
"We're gonna pay, huh?!" he asked. "What a waste of time...men! Kill these so-called pirates!"
Though they showed some hesitance, the bandits charged, drawing their weapons.
"Stand back," Benn said as he stepped forward. "Let me handle this." He then took out his cigarette and shoved it in between the eyes of one bandit, causing him to scream at the burning sensation, but then, Benn grabbed his rifle and swung it like a baseball bat, striking them all down. In just 5 seconds flat, he had sent them all to the ground.
"Holy crap!" Franky exclaimed. "You see that?!"
"Like I said," Zoro began, "these are the Red-Haired Pirates."
"Good lord!" Brook gaped. "They didn't stand a chance!"
"I wouldn't underestimate us if I were you," said Benn as he put his foot on one of the bandits and pointed his rifle at Higuma. "Next time you wanna fight us, bring a battleship!"
"Ha!" Zoro laughed. "I doubt even a battleship would help!"
"That was amazing!" Aika exclaimed.
"What would you expect from one of the Four Emperors?" asked Blizzard with a grin.
By now, it looked like Higuma was about to soil himself. It was at that moment he realized just how badly he underestimated Shanks and his crew.
"N-now wait a minute!" he cried. "The brat started it, not me!"
"Typical," Usopp said. "All bark and no bite. Bandits really are cowards, huh?"
"Doesn't matter," Shanks replied. "Which reminds me...didn't you say you had a price on your head?"
Higuma gasped before he reached into his coat and pulled out a black ball, which he then threw to the ground, which caused it to explode in a puff of smoke!
"GAH!" Shanks cried. "SMOKE BOMB!"
The Straw Hats instinctively covered their mouths, even though they knew the smoke wouldn't effect them. Just then, they heard some voices.
"Hey, kid! Come here!"
"H-hey! Put me down! SHANKS!"
It was then that the Straw Hats realized that in the chaos, Higuma had grabbed Luffy and run off with him. The bandit leader rushed to the harbor, jumped onto a dinghy, and began to paddle away with an oar. Soon, the two were out in the middle of the ocean.
"Put me down, you damn mountain monkey!" Luffy cursed as he struggled to get away.
"Hahahahaha!" Higuma laughed, triumphantly. "What a brilliant escape! Who would ever expect a mountain bandit to escape to the sea?!" He then looked down at Luffy, who glared up at him. "At first, I thought I could use you as a hostage...but I don't need you anymore. I've already killed 56 people who were foolish to cross me, kid...what's one more?"
"That bastard!" Sanji cursed.
"Why you!" Luffy shouted as he tried to punch Higuma, who simply side-stepped out of the way.
"Heheh," he smirked...before he kicked Luffy into the sea. "See ya, kid!"
"AAAAAAHH!" Luffy screamed.
'DAMMIT! I was so close to that jerk and I couldn't even get in one hit!' he thought.
SPLASH! The helpless fell into the water, but to everyone's surprise, he was able to stay afloat, despite his Devil Fruit.
"How is he managing to stay above the surface?!" Usopp questioned.
"I think Luffy's so desperate to live," Zoro began, "he's actually trying his hardest to swim, despite his Devil Fruit powers."
"GLAARRGH! GLURRRBGH!" Luffy cried out, his speech garbled by the water. However, while Higuma was laughing at his "victory"...something huge appeared behind him: a gigantic moray eel Sea King with piercing red eyes.
"Oh, my god!" Nami cried, as if he could hear her, Higuma's eyes went wide as he looked back...and saw the beast, glowering down at him.
"W-what the-?!" Higuma questioned...as the monster opened its jaws. "No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
CHOMP! In one bite, the Sea King crushed Higuma's boat and swallowed the bandit up in a single gulp. However...it was still hungry. That's when the monster spotted Luffy, who gasped in horror.
"Oh, no!" Aika cried. "Run, Big Brother, run! I mean, swim! Whatever, just get away!"
"He can't hear you, Aika!" Kumi cried. "Besides, he won't be able to get away fast enough!"
Soon, the Sea King began to dart towards Luffy, who screamed as he struggled to escape...but alas, his body could no longer move.
"HELP!" he cried. "SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME!"
That's when the Sea King opened its humongous jaws once more, and Luffy held out another shriek, while the Straw Hats shielded their eyes, fearing the worst. Then, they heard the sound of the beast's jaws snapping loudly, and as they opened their eyes, they saw blood spraying into the air.
"...D-don't tell me...!" Brook whispered. "Was he...?!"
"No, wait!" Usopp exclaimed. "Look! Over there!"
Everyone looked up to see Luffy...who was being held by Shanks.
"Mister Shanks!" Aika exclaimed, happily.
"Shanks!" Luffy cried.
The Sea King turned and glared at the two...but then, it seemed to gasp as Shanks glared right back at it...and the very sight made all the color vanish from its face.
"Get lost," Shanks hissed, and just like that, the Sea King turned and fled.
"Was that...Conqueror's Haki...?!" Blizzard questioned.
"Whoa...!" Chopper whispered in awe. "He scared it away...with just one look!"
"...Shanks was amazing...!" Nami gasped.
As soon as the beast was gone, Shanks smiled as he looked down at Luffy, who, for some reason, was in tears.
"I'm in your debt, Luffy," Shanks said. "Makino told me about what happened. Thank you...for standing up for me and my crew."
Luffy only sniffled in response, clutching the man's shirt.
"Hey, don't cry," Shanks said. "You're a man, right?"
"But...but Shanks, your arm!" Luffy cried. "YOUR AAAAAAAAARM!"
At that moment, the Straw Hats saw the damage that had been done: Shanks' left arm...had been torn right off.
"...My god...!" Sanji gasped.
Once again, Robin and Blizzard were forced to cover Aika's and Kumi's eyes at the sight.
"Luffy, it's just an arm," said Shanks. "I'm just glad you're all right."
Despite his attempt to reassure him, Luffy just kept crying while the Straw Hats gaped in complete awe.
"...Now THAT is a real man," Franky said.
"You said it," Zoro agreed.
"It's like...it's like he doesn't even bother him," Chopper added.
"...No wonder he's one of the Four Emperors," Usopp said. "This guy's just plain badass!"
"And to think," Nami began, "he was once on Gold Roger's crew. Imagine how strong he must've been back then compared to now."
"...I'm almost afraid to know," Sanji replied.
At that, the memory shifted once more, and the Straw Hats found themselves back on dry land. This time, they were at the harbor, where Luffy and Makino were seen, watching Shanks and his men load some cargo onto their ship.
"So you're leaving for good this time?" asked Luffy.
"Yep," Shanks answered. "We've been here long enough, Luffy. It's time for us to sail with the tide." He then looked at the boy in concern. "You're...not sad, are you?"
"Well, a little," Luffy admitted, "but I'm not gonna ask you to take me along anymore. I decided I'm gonna be a pirate on my own!"
"Bleh!" Shanks stuck his tongue out at Luffy, teasingly. "Yeah, right! I wouldn't bring you along, even if you begged me! There's no way you're cut out to be a pirate."
"Ugh," Nami groaned. "Of course he'd try and tease him before he left. Why am I not surprised?"
"Yes I am!" Luffy shouted. "One day, I'm gonna start my own pirate crew, and it'll better than yours! And then I'm gonna find the greatest treasure in the world! I'll become the King of the Pirates! Just you wait!"
Upon hearing that, the Straw Hats all blinked slightly in surprise before they smiled.
"Oh?" Shanks asked. "You think you'll surpass us?"
Luffy only stared up at him, but it looked like he was trying to fight back tears.
"...In that case," Shanks started as he took off his hat...and set it upon Luffy's crown, "I'll leave this hat with you. It means more to me than anything in the world, so you better take good care of it, you hear me?"
Luffy sniffled as tears fell from his eyes while the Straw Hats gaped.
"I want you to bring this hat back to me," Shanks said, "in good condition...and only after you've become a great pirate. That's our promise, Luffy."
"...Okay...!" Luffy nodded his head.
Shanks chuckled before he turned and walked up the gangplank.
"Raise the anchor, men!" he called out. "Set the sails!"
"Aye-aye, Captain!" the Red Haired Pirates exclaimed as th Red Force began to drift off with the tide. All the while, Luffy, Makino, and the Straw Hats watched as they sailed away, and Luffy never left the spot...still holding the precious hat in his arms.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next time on One Piece: The Fire Within!
Garp: From now on, Luffy, you're living here!
Dadan: What?! You're leaving with me with another brat?! It's already bad enough you dumped Ace on me, and he's about 10 years old!
Ace: *glares down at Luffy, coldly*
Garp: That's your new big brother, Luffy. You two had better get along!
Sabo: Is this that Luffy guy you were talking about?
Porchemy: Where's the treasure? Talk boy!
Luffy: Never! I'll never tell!
Next time: Enter Ace and Sabo
JEEZ! This was a LONG ONE! Worked on it for almost three days!
Anyway, review, please!