Ch. 34- A Matter of Trust
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Kovar, and Monkey D. Star © Me
Shade © Gakuto1991
"All right!" Luffy exclaimed, his whole body covered in paint and holding a giant paintbrush in his arms. "It's finished!"
It was soon revealed that he had painted a very crude drawing of the Straw Hats' Jolly Roger on Laboon's snout, and there were some large band-aids applied to the spot where Luffy pierced him. The whale didn't seem to mind, though. Brook, on the other hand...seemed rather mortified.
"That's the mark of our contract," said Luffy, "so you better not go ramming your head against rocks and stuff, otherwise it'll rub off! Got that?!"
Bwwooooooooooohh~! Laboon wailed at this.
"He said, 'Yeah, I got it'," said Chopper.
"Well...at least he guaranteed that much," Brook said. "Still...that is a very hideous drawing."
"Sorry, Brook," said Nami. "It was the only way."
Despite that, Crocus seemed rather pleased, as did Luffy, and even Laboon seemed to be smiling a little, which caused Brook to ease up a bit.
"Well...as long as Laboon seems satisfied, that's good enough for me," he said. "Yohohoho!"
"All right then," Past Nami said as she sat at a nearby table. "Time to plan out our next voyage."
"Damn that crazy whale, and Luffy, too!" Past Usopp cursed as he hammered an iron sheet to the mast, which was also braced around the Merry's neck. "Trying to tear our ship apart! Hey, Zoro! Don't just lay there! Gimme a hand!"
But Past Zoro just snored, to Past Usopp's frustration.
"Rrrgh...!" he growled as he kept hammering. "Dammit...do I look like a shipwright to anyone?!"
"You sure don't," said Franky.
"Thank you, Franky," Usopp replied, sarcastically.
Suddenly, the air was soon filled with Past Nami's terrified shrieks. In fact, they were so loud, they frightened Laboon into diving back into the water and startled the rest of the Past Straw Hats.
"Hey, what's with all the screaming?!" Luffy asked, having just washed off all the paint.
"Is something wrong, Nami my dear?" asked Past Sanji as held up plates of food. "If it's food you're looking for, then have no fear!"
"Finally, I'm starving!" Past Usopp exclaimed as he climbed up to the coast.
"Look at this!" Past Nami cried as she showed the group the compass, which had its needle spining around and around. "The compass is broken! The needle keeps spinning!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa...!" Chopper murmured as he watched the needle keep spinning. "I'm getting dizzy~!"
"Me, too~!" Aika slurred while Kumi wobbled about, woozily.
"You were really unprepared for the Grand Line, weren't you?" asked Robin.
"Well...pretty much," Nami replied, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. "Back then, I thought that as a navigator, I knew pretty much...but of course, I realized I still had much to learn."
"That's what experience is for," Robin smiled.
"I see you all came to the Grand Line without really preparing for what's to come," said Crocus as the group sat down to eat. "I hope you kids don't plan on throwing away your lives so recklessly."
"Ooh, yummy!" Luffy exclaimed as he was about to eat, only for Past Sanji to stop him.
"Not for you," he snarled.
"Aww, but I'm hungry!" Luffy complained.
"Like I said," Crocus continued, "the Grand Line is no normal ocean. Your compass isn't broken, young lady."
"Then what's wrong with it?" asked Past Nami. "Some kind of magnetic field or something?"
"Precisely," said Crocus. "The many islands of the Grand Line are rich in minerals. The region is filled with abnormal magnetic fields, and to make matters worse, the sea and wind currents don't follow any clear pattern. As a sailor, you must realize how dangerous that can be. If you were all to set sail without this knowledge, you would all surely perish, and without another way of telling direction, your journey will be hopeless."
While Crocus was busy explaining, no one seemed to notice that Luffy was busy eating all the food.
"Uhh...wow," Past Nami said, sheepishly. "I didn't realize."
"Are we gonna be okay like this?!" Past Usopp questioned.
"Haa...!" Past Sanji sighed. "Nami is so cute, even when she doesn't know what she's doing!"
"So wait, what's bad?" Luffy asked, to busy eating to actually know what was going on.
"SHUT UP, YOU MORONS!" Past Nami yelled, causing Past Usopp to pull his goggles over his eyes while Past Sanji just swooned with his over-exaggerated affection.
"Mmm~! This Bluefin Tuna's trunk is really tasty!" Luffy exclaimed as he kept scarfing the food.
"Seriously, can't he ever go even one second without stuffing his face?" Sanji asked, irritated.
"Well, at least he was listening," Zoro said.
"Oh, sure, unlike your lazy butt," Nami glared.
"Watch it," Zoro glared back.
"If you kids are going to sail through the Grand Line," Crocus went on, "you're going to need a Log Pose."
"What's a Log Pose?" asked Past Nami.
"A Log Pose is a special kind of compass that records magnetic fields," said Crocus.
"You mean a weird-looking compass?" Luffy asked, still munching on the fish.
"Yes," Crocus replied. "They have quite an usual shape. They look like glass globes with a little needles inside."
"You mean like this?" Luffy asked, holding up said-item.
"Yes, exactly like that," said Crocus.
"Wait...how come that only has one needle?" asked Aika. "I thought a Log Pose has 3 needles."
"That Log Pose is for the first half of the Grand Line," Nami answered as she showed Aika her Log Pose. "The Log Pose we have now is meant for the New World because here, the magnetic pull can be really unstable."
"Oh~!" Aika realized.
"Well that makes sense," Kumi said as she looked at the Log Pose, too.
"Just entering the Grand Line is hard enough," said Crocus. "Without a Log Pose, navigating around here is impossible."
"I see, I see," Past Nami nodded. "Except...there's one thing I don't get..." She then glared at Luffy, who suddenly gulped nervously before she punched him in the face. "WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GET THAT?!"
"OW!" Luffy cried as he tumbled across the face. "That hurts, you know! And for your information, those weirdoes from earlier dropped it!"
"Weirdoes?" Past Nami repeated. "You mean those two from earlier?"
"Yeah," Luffy nodded. "Why'd you hit me?!"
"Just because," Past Nami answered.
"Just because?!" Luffy repeated in shock.
"Ugh...wow..." Nami muttered. "I was awful back then."
"Yeah, you were," Zoro said. "Not even gonna sugarcoat it."
"Oh, come on! Cut me a little slack!" Nami complained.
"So this is a Log Pose, huh?" asked her past self as she inspected the Log Pose. "It doesn't have any markings, though."
"The many islands of the Grand Line have magnetic fields that operate according to their peculiar laws," explained Crocus. "Thus, you must record the magnetic field that connects one island to another in the Log Pose and then sail to the island the needle points to. On this sea, normal navigational instruments, like compasses, just don't work, so you have to depend on the Log Pose to display the magnetic fields. Using Reverse Mountain as your starting point, you must pick one of seven magnetic fields. No matter which island you start from, all the routes eventually lead into one...and the very last island of them all...is Raftel. It's very last island of the Grand Line. In all of history, only one group of pirates had ever made landfall there for sure...the crew of the King of the PIrates, Gold Roger. Raftel is the stuff of legends..."
"Raftel..." Aika whispered. "That's where the One Piece is supposed to be hidden, isn't it?"
"So they say," Blizzard said. "We won't really know for sure until we get there."
"So...is there where it is?!" Past Usopp asked, anxiously. "The legendary One Piece?!"
"Who can say?" Crocus asked. "No ther legend is as tempting, yet as far as I know, none have reached the island as of yet."
"You mean," Luffy began as he chomped on the fish bones, "until we get there."
Crocus' eyes went wide upon seeing that broad grin of Luffy. It was almost like he was stricken by shock...no...more like nostalgia.
"You know," Sanji began, "I've always noticed something: people always seem to stop and stare at Luffy a lot when he talks like that. It happened here, and it also happened with Rayleigh and that guy in the Gold Roger bar."
"I noticed that myself," Blizzard said. "Although, I try not to overthink it."
"Yeah, me neither," Zoro said. "Still, Luffy has that effect on people."
"He sure does," Franky nodded.
Soon, Luffy leaned back in the chair with an overstuffed belly as he gave out a satisfied sigh.
"Well, I'm satisfied," he said. "You guys ready to go?"
It was at that moment that Past Sanji and Past Usopp noticed that Luffy had pretty much inhaled all the food on the table.
"I TOLD YOU THAT WAS FOR ALL OF US!" Past Sanji barked.
"He...even ate the bones...!" Past Usopp gawked at the empty plates.
"Damn glutton..." Sanji cursed. "Seriously, he has no sense of self-control, whatsoever!"
"I STILL don't understand how he did that!" Usopp exclaimed.
"Yeah, how is Luffy able to eat solid bone?" asked Chopper. "Especially after it's been cooked?"
"Speaking from experience," Blizzard started, "Luffy actually has pretty impressive jaw strength that's almost equal to mine. I've always figured that's how he can crunch bones to nothing but powder and not choke on the shards that his molars create."
"A Log Pose..." Past Nami whispered as she looked at the navigational tool on her wrist. "I'd better be careful with this, then. The fate of our voyage depends on it!"
"Why you crap-rubber bastard!" Past Sanji cursed. "I made that especial Nami! I WANTED HER TO HAVE THE BEST PART, AND YOU PRACTICALLY INHALED ALL OF IT!"
WHAK! He kicked Luffy in the back of his head, sending him crashiing through the Log Pose that Past Nami was holding...shattering it.
"Uh-oh..." Zoro muttered.
"And 3...2...1..." Usopp counted.
"...Sanji...Luffy..." Past Nami spoke in an eerily sweet voice.
"Yes, Nami~?" Past Sanji asked, amorously.
"...GO AND SOAK YOUR HEADS IN THE OCEAN!" Past Nami yelled as she kicked both Luffy and Past Sanji in the water, and the memory momentarily went black.
When it returned, the Straw Hats saw Mr. 9 and Vivi (still as Miss Wednesday), bowing before the Past Quintet.
"Whiskey Peak?" Luffy asked. "What's that place?"
"It's the name of our town," said Mr. 9.
"So you lost your ship," Past Nami began, "and now, you need us to get you home? And just why should we help you? You did try and kill Laboon, after all."
"Yeah, who the hell are you creeps, anyway?" asked Past Usopp.
"I'm a king, of course- OW!" Mr. 9 cried as Past Nami pinched his cheek, easily able to see through his lie. "I-I'm sorry! We just can't tell you, okay?!"
"Please, we just want to go home!" Vivi pleaded. "We promise to repay you! It's not our fault, you see! Our work requires us to be as secretive as possible! Our company's motto is 'mystery'! That's all we can tell you...and we can only hope to appeal to your better nature!"
"Don't trust either of 'em," said Crocus. "These two are no good."
"Yeah," Aika said. "Miss Vivi wasn't being very nice."
"Now, Aika," said Nami. "I know she's not acting like the Vivi we told you about, but there's a good reason why she's acting all mean, right now."
"Uh...by he way," said Past Nami as she held up the Log Pose that Luffy and Past Sanji broke. "Isn't this yours? We kinda broke it by accident."
"What?!" Mr. 9 questioned in shock. "Broke it?! That was my Log Pose!"
"We groveled before you, and you mean to tell us that you're stuck, too?!" Vivi shouted in disbelief.
"But we still have one that Crocus gave us!" Past Nami spoke, causing the duo to grovel before her again.
"We appeal to your better nature, again...!" they whimpered.
"Sure," Luffy spoke up. "You guys can come with us."
"Luffy?" Past Nami asked in surprise.
"They just wanna go home, right?" Luffy asked. "And the next island isn't very far, is it? So let's take 'em!"
"But...well..." Past Nami stammered. "It's just that..." She then sighed. "All right..."
"No arguments here~!" Past Sanji sang, standing next to Vivi, who blinked in surprise.
Soon, the Past Straw Hats were all on board the Going Merry with their two so-called "guests".
"It's time to get moving," said Crocus. "Your Log Pose should be all set by now. Did you use the map?"
"Sure did," Past Nami confirmed. "It's all set! It's pointing straight to Whiskey Peak!"
"Boy," Crocus said to Luffy, who blinked at him. "Are you sure about taking those two with you? Once you've chosen your course, there's no changing it."
"Well, if we don't like it," Luffy started, "we'll just sail around again, right?"
Crocus chuckled in his throat.
"So you will," he said, causing Luffy to smirk.
"That Luffy," Zoro grinned. "He's always so blunt."
"Wouldn't have him any other way," Nami said.
"Indeed," Brook agreed.
"Well, so long, Flower Pops!" Luffy said.
"Goodbye, Crocus!" Past Nami waved. "And thanks for the Log Pose!"
"Good luck to you," Crocus said. "May the winds fill your sails!"
"See ya later, whale!" Luffy called out to Laboon, who bellowed out to the heavens as the Merry sailed off, heading out into the vastness of the Grand Line.
"He said 'I can't wait for our rematch'," Chopper translated.
"Yohohohoho!" Brook laughed. "Still as spritely as ever, I see...Laboon hasn't changed one bit!"
"I bet it felt good to see him again," said Robin.
"It did," Brook replied. "I'm glad to see that he was still waiting for me...and thanks to Luffy, he has something to believe in again. I may not have liked the methods he used...but I suppose force was the only way."
"Yeah, nothing makes you see sense like a good hit to the head," said Franky.
Soon, another memory appeared. It was the Merry, sailing along the sea while snowflakes fell gently around them.
"It's snowing!" Aika cheered, happily.
"Wow!" Chopper exclaimed.
Out on the deck, Luffy and Past Usopp were keeping themselves busy by building snow sculptures. For instance, Luffy had made a rather lopsided snowman with a barrel on its head.
"Perfect!" he exclaimed. "All done! Well, look who just dropped in, it's Mr. Snow-Barrel!"
"Hahaha!" Past Usopp laughed, tauntingly. "You amateur. You call that pathetic blob a snowman?"
"What?!" Luffy questioned as he looked at the sniper's snow sculpture, which was a perfectly built likeness of Kaya.
"Behold! A soulful inspired work of art: the Snow Queen!" Past Usopp boasted, proudly.
"That looks like Kaya to me," Zoro smirked.
"Don't even start," Usopp glared.
"I think it looks pretty good, actually," said Franky.
"Whoa, nice!" Luffy exclaimed. "But can your lady do this?"
He then struck the back of Mr. Snow-Barrel, causing his broomstick arm to shoot off and completely pulverize her head, to Past Usopp's horror.
"WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" yelled Past Usopp as he kicked Mr. Snow-Barrel's head, destroying it and causing the barrel to fall on the snowman's lower half.
"HEY, YOU BIG BULLY!" Luffy shouted before he tackled Past Usopp, who proceeded to chase after him while pummeling him with snowballs. However, Luffy soon retaliated by chasing after the sniper with a giant snowball.
"Who's the amateur now, huh?!" he asked as he kept chasing Past Usopp until he eventually flattened him, which prompted him to chase after the captain with said-snowball.
"Come back here and taste your murder!" Past Usopp yelled.
"That looks fun!" Aika said.
"Trust me, Aika," Usopp began, "you wouldn't wanna join in on that."
"Why weren't you and Luffy not wearing coats?" Chopper asked. "It had to be at least 20 below 0 out there."
"That's because they were too stupid to realize just how cold it was," said Nami.
"And where's Zoro?" asked Brook.
"Where do you think?" asked Sanji as he pointed over at Past Zoro, who was snoring on the deck, the snow piling up on top of him as he slept.
"Of course Moss-head's just sleeping in the snow," said Sanji with a sneer.
"Oh, shut it," Zoro glared.
"Nami~!" Past Sanji called. "Aren't I doing such a wonderful job shoveling snow for you~?"
"You're doing good," Past Nami called from the galley, wrapped up in her coat, scarf, gloves, and earmuffs. "Keep it up."
"Yes, ma'am!" Past Sanji exclaimed.
"And what were YOU doing?" Usopp asked as he glared at Nami.
"For your information," Nami started, "I was just checking our course."
"And you had to do it from inside?" asked Zoro.
"It was freezing!" Nami complained. "Anyway, you were just lying there on the deck, asleep!"
"Yeah, Moss-head," said Sanji. "You should talk."
"Come to think of it, you didn't do anything, did you?" Usopp asked.
"Shut your traps!" Zoro barked, only for the sound of booming thunder to interrupt him, which prompted Aika and Kumi to yelp before they hid underneath Blizzard.
"What was that?!" Aika asked.
"Scary!" Kumi cried.
"Girls, relax, it was only thunder," Robin said.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of Past Nami letting out a horrified shriek before she came outside.
"What's the matter, Nami?" Luffy asked as he rolled up another snowball to hit Past Usopp with.
"T-turn the ship around, 180 degrees!" Past Nami shouted. "HURRY!"
"What?!" Past Usopp questioned. "180 degrees?! Why are we turning around?!"
"Did you forget something back at the capes with Flower Pops?" Luffy asked.
"No, you doofus!" Past Nami yelled as she looked at the Log Pose. "Somehow, we got turned around! We're going back the way we came! How is this even possible?! I only took my eyes off the Log Pose for just a second, and the sea was so smooth!"
"The sea is having her way with us, you fool," said Mr. 9, snidely.
"Some navigator you are," said Vivi, mockingly. "Here on the Grand Line, you can't trust the wind, sky, the waves, or even the clouds. Everything here is treacherous. The only thing you can count on is the Log Pose...understand, girl?"
"Hey!" Luffy shouted. "Don't talk about Nami that way! She's the best navigator there is! And I know because I picked her!"
"Luffy, I can handle this," said Past Nami...before she promptly kicked Vivi and Mr. 9 outside. "SINCE YOU SEEM TO KNOW EVERYTHING, WHY DON'T YOU IDIOTS GET YOUR ASSES OUT THERE AND HELP!"
"AAH!" they screamed.
"Haha!" Luffy laughed. "Serves you right!"
"Luffy, that goes for you, too!" Past Nami ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," Luffy squeaked as he retreated.
Soon, the group started to run into all kinds of problems, like wild storms and rough waves, icebergs, and giant dolphins leaping out of the water. As if that wasn't bad enough, the hull started to leak after hitting the iceberg, and the harsh winds threatened to tear the sails. Past Sanji tried to help everyone keep up their strength by feeding them rice balls, but Luffy tried to eat most of them while barely leaving some for the others, and the whole time, Past Zoro still remained asleep!
"Ugh...I feel so embarrassed," Nami said as she put her hand to her forehead. "I can't believe that I still had so much to learn. I thought I knew what I was doing!"
"That's what experience is for, you know," said Robin.
"Yeah, don't beat yourself up, Nami!" Usopp added. "Even though it was your first time, navigating in the Grand Line, you still got us all out of some tough scrapes, now and then! We would've been sunk long ago if it weren't for you!"
"And those skills get us through the New World, today!" Franky added.
"Aww, shucks," Nami smiled. "Thanks, guys."
"Some help you were, though," Usopp said as he glared at Zoro. "How could you sleep through the whole damn thing?! Our lives were at stake!"
"I was tired, all right?" Zoro tried to justify himself.
"Tired from what?" Sanji quipped. "Drinking until your ass was numb?"
"Why you-!" Zoro snarled.
Before too long, the Past Straw Hats had managed to hit calmer waters, and while everybody else was lying around on the deck (save for Luffy, of course), Past Zoro finally decided to wake up.
"Ahh..." he sighed. "That felt good." He then looked around and spotted the others, lying about. "Huh? How come you guys are just lying around? I know the weather's nice, but come on. This is no time to be lazy. We better be going in the right direction."
"You hypocrite..." Nami growled.
"Oh, shut up..." Zoro sneered.
"Hmm?" Past Zoro hummed as he noticed Vivi and Mr. 9. "What are you doing here?"
"Where the hell have you even been?!" asked Mr. 9, angrily.
"We're taking them back to their hometown," Luffy said.
"What?" Past Zoro asked, incredulous. "You're not serious, are you? We don't owe these two anything."
"You're right, we don't," Luffy replied, clapping his sandals together.
"Well," Past Zoro began as he grinned at the two "guests" on board, "if I didn't know better, I'd say you two are up something. So...what are your names?"
"I...I'm Mr. 9," said Mr. 9, nervously.
"And...and I'm Miss Wednesday," Vivi said.
"Really?" Past Zoro asked. "Those names have been stuck in my head for a while...it almost seems like I've heard names like those before."
Both Mr. 9 and Vivi tensed up at this.
"Nah...couldn't have been- OOF!" Past Zoro started, only for Past Nami to bop him on the head.
"What the hell were you doing, sleeping through everything we've been through, you lazy ass?!" Past Nami asked. "You wouldn't even budge!"
"What was that?" Past Zoro sneered.
"Uh...Zoro?" Luffy asked, worriedly. "I wouldn't do that if I were you!"
BAP! BAM! BONK!
"OW! DAMMIT, NAMI, THAT HURTS!" Past Zoro cried, nursing the three new bumps on the back of his head.
"Tried to tell ya," Luffy said.
"Big Sis is scary...!" Aika squeaked.
"You're lucky, Aika," Zoro said. "Since you're a kid, she goes easy on you- OW!" Nami pinched his cheek at this.
"Leave Aika outta this," she said.
"Stay alert, everyone!" her past self called out. "Who knows what might happen, next! Now I know who dangerous the Grand Line truly is and how it got its reputation! My skills at navigation are useless here!"
"Yeah, you tell 'em, Nami!" Luffy cheered. "...Wait...did you just call yourself useless?"
"Are you sure we're gonna be okay?" Past Usopp asked.
"Of course I'm sure!" Past Nami answered. "Something good is sure to come along!" She then looked out to the horizon and smirked. "And if you don't believe me, just look ahead. The first leg of our journey...is over."
The Past Straw Hats all looked and spotted an island that had what looked like giant cacti growing around.
"Whoa!" Luffy exclaimed as he sat on the Merry's head. "Look at that! It's an island of giant cactuses!"
"Actually, the correct plural is cacti," Robin said. "And they're not really cacti. They're just rock formations that look like cacti. The needles are actually grave stones."
"Huh?!" Chopper questioned. "Grave stones?! Why?!"
"Whiskey Peak was actually a bounty hunter's nest," said Zoro. "Back then, Vivi and Mr. 9 led us right into a trap. Whenever a pirate gets killed there, they bury him or her on the Cactus Rocks."
"Whiskey Peak! We're here!" Luffy cheered.
"Thank goodness, we made it back early!" exclaimed Mr. 9 before he and Vivi jumped up on the railing. "Well, thank you very much for the ride!"
"We'll see you again, fate willing!" said Viv. "Until then..."
"Bye-bye, baby!" they exclaimed before they both did a back flip and splashed into the water.
"...Well that was weird," said Aika.
"Really weird," added Kumi.
"Yeah, and I know weird," said Franky.
"...They're gone," said Past Usopp.
"Who were those freaks, anyway?" asked Past Zoro.
"Who cares?" Luffy asked. "Let's land!"
"Look, there's a canal up ahead!" said Past Nami. "It looks like we have to sail inland to make landfall."
"Uh...there aren't monsters around here...right?" Past Usopp asked, nervously.
"That's a possibility," said Past Sanji. "After all, we are in the Grand Line."
"If there are," Luffy began, "we'll just run away."
"Luffy actually suggested that you guys run away?" Blizzard asked. "This coming from the guy who would sooner punch a monster than run away from one?"
"I know, I was surprised to hear him say that, too," said Usopp.
"Wait a minute," Past Nami said. "Don't forget, we can't just leave the island right away."
"We can't?" Luffy asked. "Why?"
"We have to record the island's magnetic field with the Log Pose before we can go to the next island," said Past Nami. "The time it takes to log on each island varies. Some islands may take a few hours, but others could take days."
"You're saying that if this island was full of monsters, we might have to stay and hide for days?!" Past Usopp questioned.
"Pretty much," Past Nami answered, nonchalantly.
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "Well, we'll worry about it when the time comes. Let's get going already!"
"But Luffy!" Past Usopp cried.
"We have to sail up the river because it's the only way in and out, right?" Luffy asked.
"Looks like it, to me," said Past Nami.
"Luffy's right," said Past Zoro. "There's no use in sitting around, waiting. Let's get moving."
"Don't worry Nami," Past Sanji grinned. "I'll be sure to keep you safe!"
Although Luffy tried not to show it, the Straw Hats could see the memory turn red while Luffy himself turned a bit green, again.
'I'll be the one protecting Nami, you jerk! ...Whoa, where'd that come from?'
"Uh...guys?" Past Usopp asked, nervously. "I think I'm coming down with 'I-Better-Not-Go-On-This-Island' Sickness!"
"Sure, Usopp, whatever," said Past Nami.
"No, wait!" Past Usopp cried. "This island..."
"We're going in," said Past Zoro. "Remember, stay alert and be ready for anything. We might end up getting into a fight."
"Gotcha!" Luffy nodded.
As the group sailed through the mist, the Straw Hats, both past and present, could hear the sound of voices.
"Hey...I think I see a pirate ship...!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, right there! It's coming towards the docks!"
"Who's that?" Chopper asked.
"I dunno," said Franky.
"Hmm?" Luffy hummed, inquisitively. "Hey, I can hear people talking...but it's hard to see through all this fog."
"Wait, people?!" Past Usopp questioned. "What do you mean 'people'?!"
That's when the group broke through the mist, and instead of seeing an angry mob, they were instead welcomed by a crowd of celebrating people.
"Welcome to Whiskey Peak!" they exclaimed, cheering, waving banners, and throwing confetti into the air.
"Huh?" the Past Straw Hats muttered.
"Hey, Zoro," Aika said. "I thought you said this was a bounty hunter's nest."
"It is," Zoro answered. "This is just a little ploy they use to get pirates to lower their guard. They throw them a huge party to make them thing they're safe, and then they kill them."
"...Sorry I asked," Aika said, worriedly.
"Suddenly, I don't like the sound of this place, anymore," said Chopper.
"Hmm?" Brook hummed as he looked over at Robin, who seemed a bit uneasy. "Miss Robin? Are you all right? You've been awfully quiet, all of a sudden."
"...Soon it will be my turn," Robin whispered.
"What?" Franky asked.
"Never mind," Robin replied. "Just watch and you'll see what I mean."
"Whoa, check it out!" Luffy exclaimed.
"They're...welcoming us?" Past Usopp asked.
"I don't know what's going on here," Past Sanji began before he looked at the scores of cheering young girls, which caused him to grin with hearts in his eyes and flared up nostrils, "but I like it! Hello, ladies~!"
"Oh, brother..." Past Nami murmured.
"Man, what a welcome!" Past Usopp exclaimed before he began to blow kisses to the crowd. "These guys are treating us like heroes!"
"Wow!" Luffy cheered. "Hi, everybody! Thanks for welcoming us!"
That's when the small crew was approached by a man with curls in his hair, like he was wearing a powdered wig, like that of an opera singer, and holding a saxophone in his hand.
"Ahem!" he cleared his throat. "Ma-ma-ma~! ...Welcome. My name is Igarappoi."
"Iga-what?" Aika asked.
"Igarappoi," said Robin. "Although his real name is actually Igaram. While he was working for Baroque Works, he was originally called 'Mr. 8'. He was Princess Vivi's loyal attendant."
"Oh, I see," said Aika.
"No doubt this all comes to a surprise to you," said Igaram. "This is Whiskey Peak, a bustling town of ale brewing and music. We pride ourselves on our hospitality, as well as our ale. In fact, we practically have an ocean of it. We would love to hear the tales of your journey! Now would you be so kind as to join our-err...ahem! Ma-ma-ma~! ...As to join our celebration in your honor?"
"Dude," Luffy began, "your hair is curled way too much." He then grinned as he hooked his arms around Past Usopp and Past Sanji. "But sure! Why not?"
"Let's party!" exclaimed Past Usopp and Past Sanji cheered as they went to join in the festivities. The memory soon shifted, and it was nightfall. The Past Straw Hats all sat in a huge cabin, surrounded by their hosts. Past Usopp was weaving some tall tale, as usual, while drinking a mug of grog, Past Sanji was busy canoodling with a bunch of women, Past Nami and Past Zoro were having a drinking contest...which the latter lost, and as for Luffy, where else would he be but stuffing his face. In fact, by now, he had eaten so much, his stomach had bulged out at least twice its size, but unsurprisingly, he was still hungry.
"Gimme more!" Luffy shouted as he held up an empty plate with at least 30 stacked around him, while one of the cooks collapsed behind him, completely exhausted.
"Hahahahaha!" Blizzard laughed. "It figures! No one can keep up with Luffy's appetite!"
"No one except for me," said Sanji. "Of course, I have my little helper."
"That's me!" Aika grinned.
Eventually, the party was still going. Luffy had eaten had so much, that his stomach looked like an overly inflated beach ball. He had at least a hundred plates stacked around him by now, but after he took that last bite, he finally decided he couldn't eat anymore and fell backwards onto the floor, rubbing his bloated belly.
"This is a new feeling," he groaned. "I think it's full."
Not long after, 2 more chefs collapsed on the floor as well.
"3 cooks are down!" someone exclaimed.
"Glad to hear it...thanks..." one of the cooks slurred, and before too long, Luffy closed his eyes and fell asleep, causing the memory to turn black.
"...How much food did Luffy eat?" Chopper asked.
"More than enough to put him in a food coma," said Nami.
"That much?!" Chopper questioned. "Even if he was made of rubber, his stomach would've ruptured from eating all that food at once!"
"How long did Big Brother sleep, anyway?" asked Aika.
"Eh...not sure, really," Zoro said. "While everyone else was dead drunk, I was busy saving their lives by fighting off Baroque Works. One of them tried to kill Luffy while he was sleeping, but thanks to his fat gut, I actually managed to win."
"How?" Usopp asked.
"I jumped on Luffy's belly like a trampoline," said Zoro, which caused Aika to giggle.
"Was it fun?" she asked.
"...Well...a little," Zoro admitted with a bit of a smirk.
Just then, the memory returned, and Luffy suddenly woke up, only for some reason, he was outside, and although the sound was a bit muffled, due to him feeling groggy, he could hear Past Nami and Past Zoro arguing about something. That's when he used forward momentum to stand up straight, despite still being bloated, before he walked off, his belly bouncing and jiggling with every step he made.
"Bathroom..." he murmured as he waddled off. The Straw Hats had to admit, it was a little funny, seeing their fattened captain waddling off all bloated like that before he stopped in front of a river. The moment the Straw Hats heard the sound of a zipper going down, they immediately covered their eyes, including Aika and Kumi, since they knew that sound meant only one thing. After they heard liquid splashing, followed by Luffy zipping up his fly, the Straw Hats opened their eyes.
"Ahh..." Luffy sighed in relief. "That's better, now back to sleep..." He soon stopped, however, when he saw a shocking sight: the same people who greeted him at the island's coast, all cut up and covered in blood. "AAAAAAH! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?!"
"What happened to the people?!" Aika asked.
"Aika, remember?" Zoro asked. "I told you, this is a bounty hunter's nest. I just got through cutting these guys up!"
"...Oh, yeah," Aika realized.
"Jeez!" Blizzard exclaimed. "You could've held back a little bit, Zoro, y'know?! What'd you do, use Dragon Twister on 'em?!"
Soon, Luffy waddled up to one of the men that Past Zoro had attacked and gently held him up.
"Hey, what happened?!" he asked. "Who did this to you?!"
"It...it was that friend of yours," the man choked. "The swordsman with the green hair...!"
"Zoro...?!" Luffy whispered in shock. "Why would he do this?!" He then growled. "Where did Zoro go?!"
"Th...that way...!" the man groaned as he pointed off towards the town, which caused Luffy to gently lay him down to the ground and run off...although it looked a little awkward, since he was still so fat.
"Zoro's gonna pay for this...!" he hissed.
"So, wait, I'm confused," said Franky. "Why did Luffy get pissed?"
"It was all just some stupid misunderstanding," said Zoro. "Luffy thought I did that to them just to be mean."
"Wow," Brook muttered in disbelief.
"I know!" Zoro replied.
That's when Luffy finally found Past Zoro, as well as Vivi, who had her hair down and was sitting the back of her pet Spot-Billed Duck, Carue, and a man with dark skin and a spiky afro, wearing a dark red jacket, as well as another woman with light blonde hair and yellow clothes with a citrus design. However, his eyes were more focused on Past Zoro. Luffy growled before he took in a deep breath and then yelled out at the top of his lungs...
"I FOUND YOU~!" he roared, gaining everyone's attention. "ZORO~!"
"Oh, boy, here it comes..." Zoro bemoaned.
"Here what comes?" Aika asked.
"Luffy!" Past Zoro exclaimed. "Thanks for coming, but I got this one...unless that greedy brat dragged you into this, too."
"Greedy brat?" asked Usopp.
"He was talking about me," Nami answered.
"Ah," Usopp realized. "Lemme guess, you used that 'debt' thing, right?"
"Pretty much," Nami said, nonchalantly.
"Thank god I finally paid her off..." Zoro muttered.
Luffy seethed angrily as he glared at Past Zoro. If it weren't for the fact that he looked like an overstuffed blowfish, he would've looked a bit more intimidating.
"YOU ARE GONNA PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID!" Luffy shouted, snarling like a wild beast. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
"...HUH?!" Past Zoro questioned, and the present day Straw Hats were just as confused, except for Zoro himself.
"He doesn't really mean that, does he?!" asked Blizzard.
"Yeah, why would Luffy wanna kill you?!" Chopper asked.
"I told you, it was a misunderstanding!" Zoro answered.
"WHAT KIND OF NONSENSE HAVE YOU GOTTEN INTO YOUR HEAD, THIS TIME?!" Past Zoro yelled.
"SHUT UP AND GET READY," Luffy spat, "BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO KICK YOUR UNGRATEFUL LITTLE ASS!"
"Un...grateful?" Past Zoro repeated, still bewildered by what his idiot captain meant.
"That's right!" Luffy answered between pants, his belly bouncing with each breath he took. "Everyone here was nothing but nice to us! They welcomed us and threw us a party and they gave us food, and you repaid them by cutting them all up WITH THOSE SWORDS OF YOURS!"
"Yeah, but...there's something you don't know!" Past Zoro shouted, trying to reason with him.
"JUST SHUT UP AND FIGHT ME!" Luffy shouted, refusing to listen.
"This guy is a total idiot...!" whispered Vivi in disbelief, and Carus seemed to quack in agreement.
"You know...it's kinda hard to take Luffy seriously with him being all bloated like that," said Franky.
"Tell me about it," said Sanji.
"Well, looks like they're fighting amongst themselves," said the man with the spiky Afro.
"If we wait long enough, maybe they'll just kill each other," said the woman with the parasol.
"Hey, who are those two, anyway?" Aika asked.
"Mr. 5 and his partner, Miss Valentine," said Robin.
"Now Luffy, hold on!" Past Zoro said. "Can you just listen to me for a second?! Those guys were actually-"
"NO EXCUSES!" Luffy shouted as he somehow managed to lunge at the swordsman and was on top of him within moments, despite his current girth. Past Zoro, in a state of shock, momentarily forgot to dodge when Luffy attempted to punch him, and the result was enough to shatter a boulder!
"Even though he's so fat," Kumi began, "Luffy's still so fast!"
"And did you see that punch?!" Chopper questioned.
"What are you trying to do, kill me?!" Past Zoro asked in shock.
"Uh-huh!" Luffy confirmed. "Die!"
Past Zoro gaped, but then immediately ducked out of the way when Luffy attempted to kick him in the head, only to hit a rock face. When he tried to hit him again, he only ended up missing and ramming his head into another boulder.
"He's gone nuts!" Past Zoro whispered. "Luffy, stop it! Please, listen to me!"
But it appeared that his pleas fell on deaf ears, for Luffy kept trying to attack him.
"Unbelievable! He really wants to kill him!" Brook cried.
"But why?!" Chopper asked. "Zoro is practically Luffy's best friend!"
"...It's because Luffy actually doesn't trust Zoro as much as he says he does," said Robin, causing everyone to look at her.
"What do you mean he doesn't trust Moss-head?" asked Sanji.
"Yeah, Robin, I just thought he was being an idiot," said Nami.
"Think about it," Robin replied. "If Luffy really did trust Zoro, then why didn't he believe him over some stranger he just met? Deep down, Luffy actually knows that Zoro is capable of killing someone, so he doesn't bother to let him explain himself."
"...Luffy doesn't trust me...?" Zoro whispered.
"Hey, tough guy!" Luffy shouted as he tried to punch Past Zoro again. "Stop running away!"
"Dammit!" Past Zoro cursed. "QUIT SCREWING AROUND!"
BAM! He kicked Luffy viciously in the belly, causing him to be sent flying like a giant rubber ball. He ended up crashing into Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, and they all went flying into a nearby building.
"Big Brother!" Aika cried.
"That was a really hard kick!" Kumi exclaimed.
That's when Mr. 5 stood up and rubbed his forehead, clearly irritated by Luffy and Past Zoro's shenanigans.
"Now you and your friend really managed to get in the way of our plans," he said.
"What happened?" asked Miss Valentine, dizzily. "What's going on?"
"Since you two wanna kill each other so badly," Mr. 5 said, "we're gonna do you a favor." He glowered down at Luffy, who was still lying bloated on the floor. "We'll kill you both, ourselves...okay?!"
Luffy only burped in response.
The fight didn't even last a good minute. It only took about half that time before Mr. 5 was vanquished, and after that, Luffy came out, dragging the beaten bomb-man behind him while patting his now flattened stomach.
"Whew!" he sighed. "Well, that was a good workout. I finally managed to digest some of that food."
"...Some of it?" Blizzard muttered.
"Well, that was...boring," said Sanji.
"Are these Baroque Work guys really all they're cracked up to be?" asked Franky.
"In the face of Luffy?" Nami asked. "Not likely."
Robin could only sigh and shake her head at her former cohorts. They had clearly underestimated Luffy.
"Alright," Luffy said as he fiercely glared at Past Zoro. "Let's finish this!"
"Okay, Luffy, just calm down and hear me out," said Past Zoro, trying to explain himself while Miss Valentine floated over his head, ranting about something. "Everyone who lives on Whiskey Peak is actually a bounty hunter, and that makes them all our enemies."
"Hey!" Miss Valentine shouted. "Pay attention to me, you jackass!"
"Seriously?" asked Usopp. "What did she want?"
"Just ignore her," said Robin. "Miss Valentine was always one to try and get someone's attention."
"Why is she floating?" asked Aika.
"She has a Devil Fruit ability called the Kilo Kilo Fruit," Robin answered. "She can manipulate her weight at will, making her lighter or heavier by her choice."
"YOU'RE WRONG!" Luffy roared. "ENEMIES WOULDN'T GIVE US TASTY FOOD, WOULD THEY~?!"
"Luffy really does think with his stomach, sometimes," Blizzard muttered in irritation.
"Taste my Ten-Thousand Kilogram Press!" Miss Valentine yelled as she dropped to the ground.
"Fine then," muttered Past Zoro as he side-stepped out of the way, causing Miss Valentine to crash into the cobblestone street.
"...Well that was anti-climactic," Brook muttered.
"Tell me about it," said Franky.
"It looks like there isn't any sense trying to talk to you," said Past Zoro as he tied his bandanna around his head, showing that he was about to get serious.
"Uh-oh...!" Chopper muttered, worriedly.
"I don't like this," Aika said, just as nervous.
"Damn," Sanji cursed. "Had I known about this, I would've brought popcorn."
"Blow it out your ass!" Zoro barked.
"You know, you really are an idiot!" Past Zoro shouted. "Don't expect me to hold back then!" He then drew his swords from their sheathes. "Just don't blame me if you die!"
"Fine by me!" Luffy shouted as he took a fighting stance.
"You weren't really gonna kill him, were you?" Brook asked.
"Oh, come on, you and I both know I wouldn't really kill Luffy," said Zoro.
"Wait, what's going on?!" asked a bewildered and frightened Vivi. "I thought these guys were on the same side!"
"GUM-GUUUUUUUUUM..." Luffy stretched both arms behind him.
"ONI..." Past Zoro charged with all three swords ready to slice.
"BAZOOKA/GIRI!"
KATHWAM! The two attacks collided, but both of them were locked in a vicious stalemate, Luffy using his foot to block Past Zoro's blades while Past Zoro tried to push back Luffy's hands with his shoulders.
"Now we'll see which one of us is superior," Past Zoro sneered. "My swords...or your fists!"
"Good," Luffy said with an almost bloodthirsty smirk. "Let's settle this, once and for all!"
"Tell me when it's over," Kumi said as she covered her eyes with her paws, and Aika soon did the same.
Soon, Luffy and Past Zoro began their brawl, the latter sending the former flying with a quick spin of his swords. Luffy attempted to deck Past Zoro in the face with a Gum-Gum Pistol, but the force of both attacks ended up sending both of them flying into two different buildings. Vivi and Carue attempted to try and run way, but when Luffy and Past Zoro came charging out again, the princess and her duck were forced to get out of their way as they collided, once more, their eyes momentarily flashing red.
As the fight went on, Zoro had to admit that it was actually quite fulfilling to fight Luffy, sometimes. Since Luffy hardly ever wanted to spar with him, that was actually the first time he actually got to experience the strength of his captain, first hand. He just wished that the circumstances behind it weren't so stupid.
By now, Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine had gotten back on their feet, and needless to say, they weren't the least bit happy about being defeated and humiliated like they had been and charged into the fray...which would soon turn out to be a mistake.
"You won't defeat us so easily!" Mr. 5 shouted. "Prepare to die at the hands of Baroque Works officer agents!"
That's when Luffy and Past Zoro both looked up with this savage glare in their eyes, causing them to freeze in their tracks.
"Shut up!" they barked. "You're interrupting our fight!"
On that, they soon sent the two agents flying through the air.
"Seriously?" Sanji asked. "Luffy punched a lady?"
"Oh, get over it," said Zoro.
"Still, that was SUPER impressive!" Franky exclaimed. "You two practically went toe-to-toe and didn't break a sweat!"
"Yeah," Zoro muttered.
"Something the matter?" asked Blizzard.
"...No," Zoro answered. "Nothing."
Truth be told, something actually was the matter. Zoro couldn't get what Robin said about Luffy not trusting him out of his head. He always thought that he and Luffy had been joined up at the hip since they first came together...and yet, to realize that Luffy didn't fully trust him all the way bothered him. He had to wonder if maybe this might have something to do with what happened at the Baratie that brought about this underlying lack of trust.
One thing was for sure, though, Zoro was definitely going to have a talk with Luffy when this was over.
At that moment, his attention had returned to the memory, where he saw his past self and Luffy glaring at each other.
"Damn, noisy pests," Past Zoro sneered.
"Messin' with our fight!" Luffy added, while Vivi and Carue both shuddered in fear.
"So...shall we finish this?" asked Past Zoro with an almost wicked grin.
"Hell yeah," Luffy answered with as much bloodlust as the swordsman before they both got ready to strike.
"Oh, no...!" Chopper whimpered.
Just then, a familiar shadow appeared behind the two...and it was soon revealed to be Past Nami, who punched the two in their jaws.
"STOOOOOOOOOP!" she yelled, causing the Straw Hats to gape in disbelief.
"...Well," Usopp began, "we know who the stronger one is, here."
"Yep...!" Chopper squeaked.
"Damn...!" Franky cursed in awe.
"Nami sure knows how to handle these idiots," said Sanji.
"Thank you, Sanji," Nami smirked while Zoro grumbled in annoyance.
"...Big Sis is scary...!" Aika muttered with Kumi nodding her head in agreement.
"Wicked scary...!" Kumi added.
"You idiots!" Past Nami shouted. "What the hell are you two even doing here?!" She then sighed as she picked Luffy and Past Zoro up off the ground by the back of their shirts. "At least the girl's okay. That's the main thing. Still, you almost cost us a billion berries, you know!"
"Uh...excuse me," Vivi spoke up. "What are you talking about? Why are you helping me?"
"Oh, yeah, about that," said Past Nami while Luffy and Past Zoro were still trying to go at it. "You see, you and I need to negotiate a contract for a reward."
"R...reward?" Vivi repeated.
"Was that all this was to you?" Usopp asked in annoyance. "Another one of your get-rich-quick schemes?!"
"Oh, stop it!" Nami argued. "I decided to forget about the money after getting to know Vivi more, okay?!"
"KNOCK IT OFF!" Past Nami shouted as she slammed her fists into Luffy's and Past Zoro's skulls, knocking them to the ground.
Soon, the memory shifted, and the Straw Hats found Luffy, sitting on a barrel, back to his normal, goofy self and laughing his head off while Past Zoro sat against some hay bales with an annoyed glare in his eyes.
"So that's what happened!" Luffy said. "Why didn't you just say so in the first place? I thought you got mad and cut all those people up because they didn't have the kind of food you liked, Zoro!"
"WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD THINK THAT?!" Past Zoro yelled, angrily.
"Hahahaha!" Luffy laughed. "What a funny mix-up!"
"GUYS! SHUT UP!" Past Nami shouted, and Luffy and Past Zoro immediately clammed up.
"Did he really think that?" asked Usopp.
"He could just be making up an excuse," said Robin. "Maybe he didn't want Zoro to think he didn't trust him."
"I'm definitely talking to him when this is over," said Zoro.
"Well," Past Nami began as she looked over at Vivi, who looked quite nervous, "there it is. In exchange for bringing you home, we'll be taking 1 billion Berries as a reward. What do you think? Sounds pretty good, right?"
"...No," Vivi answered, firmly. "It's impossible. Although I am grateful that you all saved my life."
"But why not?" asked Past Nami, sounding disappointed. "You are a princess from a noble country, aren't you? What's a billion Berries to you, anyway?"
"...Tell me," Vivi began, "do you people know anything about the Kingdom of Alabasta?"
"Can't say I heard of it, before," said Past Nami.
"Yeah, me neither," Luffy spoke.
"Ditto," Past Zoro added.
"You see," Vivi began, "Alabasta was once the most civilized nation on the Grand Line, and the most peaceful one at one time, as well."
"At one time?" Past Nami asked, incredulously.
"What does she mean by that?" asked Aika.
Robin sighed at this as she held her arms.
"...Aunt Robin?" Aika asked in concern.
"Aika...remember when I said it was my turn, next?" Robin asked.
"...Oh, no," Aika said with dread.
"Now, Aika," Robin began as she knelt before the child, "remember...I might have been different in the past...but it won't change the fact that I'm still the Aunt Robin that you love and loves you in return...right?"
"...Yeah," Aika nodded as she hugged Robin, who gently kissed her forehead.
"Thank you, sweetie," said Robin.
"The citizens of Alabasta have grown rebellious over the years," said Vivi. "Riots and uprisings have thrown the entire kingdom into turmoil. Then, one day, I learned of a secret criminal organization...called 'Baroque Works'."
"Baroque Works, huh?" Luffy muttered.
"The rumor was that agents of Baroque Works had been stirring up the citizens," Vivi continued, "but try as I might, I couldn't uncover information that would help us fight these criminals. So I went to Igaram, who has looked after me since I was a little girl."
"Curly-Haired Pops?" Luffy asked.
"Yes," Vivi nodded. "I hoped to find the source of the rumors and infiltrate Baroque Works. I could then find out who was pulling the strings and learn his intentions."
"That's pretty brave for a princess," said Past Zoro.
"It is, indeed!" Brook exclaimed. "Such courage!"
"Vivi was willing to do anything for her country," said Sanji. "She was even willing to put her life on the line."
"Yes," Robin agreed, "but I was the one who found out she was a spy among Baroque Works."
"Hold up," Past Nami said. "I thought Baroque Works was supposed to create the ideal country. Why would they do something like them?"
"Their boss deceives his minions with the talk of an 'ideal country'," said Vivi. "The true aim of Baroque Works is the conquest of Alabasta! I've got to return to my homeland and stop the rebellion before my people throw themselves into Baroque Works' clutches!"
"Wait, I don't understand," said Kumi. "How come Baroque Works wanted to conquer this Alabasta place?"
"They were after some kind of weapon," said Blizzard. "That's what I heard from Robin, anyway."
"I see," said Past Nami. "So that's how it is, huh? I'm starting to get the picture. With your country in disarray like this, there's no money to be made."
"Does everything have to be money with you?" Zoro asked.
"Will you let it go?!" Nami questioned. "My god! You gotta nitpick about every little thing with me!"
"So who is it?" Luffy asked, sounding all too eager to know. "You know, the boss...who's the guy pullin' the strings?"
"What?!" Vivi questioned. "You can't be serious! I can't tell you that! If I did, they'd hunt you down to the ends of the world!"
"Yeah, I can see what you mean!" said Past Nami, letting her cowardice take over. "I mean, if he wants to conquer a kingdom, he must be one scary guy, right?"
"He is," Vivi confirmed. "I know you people are very strong...but there's no way you stand a chance against one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea...against Crocodile!"
All color left Past Nami's face while Luffy and Past Zoro blinked.
"...Who now?" Luffy asked, causing Vivi to gasp and cover her mouth while Past Nami gaped in horror.
"...Wow," Franky muttered.
"Yeah...Vivi had a tendency to let things slip," Nami said, sheepishly.
"I guess in her worry, she forgot to keep it secret," said Robin.
"...Hey," Chopper said as he pointed up at a rooftop. "Who're they?"
The Straw Hats looked up to see a vulture and an otter, both of them wearing sunglasses, before they glanced at each other, and then the otter got on the back of the vulture and they flew away into the night.
"Those were Mr. 13 and his partner, Miss Friday," Robin said. "In Baroque Works, we called them the Unluckies, because if any Baroque Work agent messed up and they were around to hear it, they'd be unlucky enough to suffer their wrath."
"Huh," Aika muttered. "The otter looks pretty cute."
"WHO WERE THOSE TWO, JUST NOW?!" Past Nami questioned as she began to violently shake Vivi. "ARE THEY GOING TO REPORT THAT YOU JUST TOLD US THEIR SECRET?! HUH?!"
"AH! I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY!" Vivi cried.
"Hey, Zoro, did ya hear that?" asked Luffy, excitedly. "One of the Seven Warlords!"
"Sounds like fun," Past Zoro smirked.
"I'm sorry! It just slipped out!" Vivi cried.
"SLIPPED OUT?!" Past Nami shrieked. "NOW, AND BECAUSE OF YOU, THOSE CREEPS ARE GONNA BE GUNNING FOR US, NEXT!" She then broke down in tears. "We finally managed to reach the Grand Line after all this, and we're already on the hit list of one of the Seven Walords! This is just too much!"
"Nami, I actually feel your pain," said Usopp as he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Usopp!" Nami exclaimed. "At least somebody gets it."
"Looks like we got lucky," said Past Zoro. "Well get to meet him soon."
"Yeah," Luffy said. "I wonder what he's like."
"BOTH OF YOU, CAN IT!" Past Nami shouted before she turned and stormed off. "Well, it was fun while it lasted, you guys!"
"Hey, Nami, where are ya goin'?!" Luffy asked.
"At least Crocodile doesn't know what I look like!" Past Nami answered. "I'm getting outta here!"
Unfortunately for her, she didn't get very far, for Mr. 13 soon revealed sketches of Past Nami, Past Zoro, and Luffy, and although the navigator praised his artwork, she was soon forced to change her mind when she realized that now, Crocodile would know her face.
"Well, now I can't leave!" Past Nami shouted.
"I'm sorry...!" Vivi squeaked.
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "Isn't Nami funny?"
"Where would you run, anyway?" asked Past Zoro.
"You sure changed your mind, quick," said Zoro.
"Oh, shut up," Nami glared. "It's not like I could leave you guys, anyway! You'd all be hopeless without me!"
"That's true," Sanji said. "Without Nami, we couldn't sail our way out of a paper bag."
"Looks like the three of us are on Baroque Works' hit list," said Past Zoro with an amused grin.
"This is getting exciting!" Luffy exclaimed while Past Nami sat in a corner in comical depression.
"I...if you want," Vivi began, "I can pay you 500,000 Berries in advance and pay you the other half later...okay?"
"Fear not, Princess!"
The group turned to see Igaram...only, for some reason, he was dressed up like Vivi, and holding three dummies with him.
"I will...err...ahem! Ma-ma-ma~!" Igaram started. "Everything is under control! I have a plan!"
"...What is he doing?" asked Franky.
"He's using himself as a decoy," said Nami.
"I must say," Brook began, "he's quite bold."
"Igaram, what are you doing dressed up like that?!" Vivi questioned.
"Wow! You look great, Curly-Haired Pops!" Luffy exclaimed.
"My god, they're all crazy, here...!" Past Nami bemoaned.
"Luffy's actually in to crossdressers?" Blizzard asked in disbelief. "Well...I guess that makes sense, considering Bon Clay..."
"Who's Bon Clay?" Aika asked.
"You'll see him after a while," said Chopper.
"Now, listen carefully," said Igaram. "Now that you are wanted by Baroque Works, they'll be sending someone after you, right away, especially since you beat Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine!"
"Mm," Luffy nodded. "Gotcha."
"There's something else you should know," Igaram said. "Right now, there is no current bounty on the boss of Baroque Works, even though he is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. However, Sir Crocodile once had a bounty of 80 million Berries on his head."
"80 million?" Aika asked.
"That's pretty big," said Kumi.
"By the way," Igaram began, "about escorting the princess to Alabasta."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Luffy asked.
"He wants us to take her back home," said Past Zoro as he pointed at Vivi.
"Oh, is that the deal?" Luffy asked. "Sure, we'll do it!"
"80 MILLION?!" Past Nami questioned. "THAT'S 4 TIMES AS MUCH AS ARLONG! TURN IT DOWN!"
"Princess," Igaram said. "Please...give me your Eternal Pose."
Vivi, though hesitant, nodded her head and gave Igaram said-Eternal Pose.
"What's an Eternal Pose?" asked Past Nami.
"You mean you don't know?" asked Igaram. "Simply put, it's like a permanent Log Pose. A normal Log Pose guides you from one island to the next along the Grand Line, but the Eternal Pose remembers one location forever. No matter where you go, it always points to the same island. This is our Eternal Pose. The magnetic coordinates of Alabasta are recorded in it."
"Can't tell you how handy those are," said Nami.
"Tell me about it," Usopp said. "Although, lately, you don't see as many of those in the New World."
"Probably because of how chaotic it can be," said Robin.
"Princess Vivi, I've disguised myself as you," said Igaram. "I'm going to set out for Alabasta with dummies of these three. While I divert Baroque Works' attention, you must go with these people on their ship and return to Alabasta by the usual route."
"Yes, Igaram," said Vivi.
"I've never gone that way," said Igaram, "but Alabasta should be only two or three Log Pose stops away from here. May we meet again on our homeland."
Soon, he boared a boat with the three dummies, off the other side of the island.
"Please take care of the princess," he said.
"That outfit looks really good on you, Pops!" Luffy said, as if not really caring for the situation.
"On who, exactly?" asked Past Zoro.
"Princess Vivi," Igaram said as he firmly shook her hand, "it may be a difficult journey...so please, be careful."
"And you, too, Igaram," said Vivi.
With that, Igaram sailed off, heading for Alabasta.
"He's gone," Luffy said. "That guy sure was a laugh!"
"I know he doesn't look it," Vivi said with a hopeful smile, "but Igaram is quite reliable."
"Such a gallant man, indeed," Brook said.
"Yeah," Nami smiled.
"...I feel sorry for what's going to happen, next, though," said Robin.
"Huh?" Aika asked. "What do you mean, Aunt Robin?"
As if to answer her question, KABOOM! A huge explosion was heard, causing the group to turn around and see a huge ball of flames erupting from the sea...right where Igaram was, and needless to say, everyone, save for the ones who had been present at the time, was absolutely horrified at the sight.
"...No...!" Vivi whispered. "This can't be happening...they got to him, already?!"
"What the hell just happened?!" Franky questioned.
"...I happened," Robin whispered with the utmost remorse.
"W-what?" Brook asked.
"Aunt Robin...you...?" Aika whispered in disbelief.
Luffy, whose hat had been sent flying from the blast, quietly stared out at the horizon. Then, he turned around, picked up his hat, and then let out a furious yell as he began to run. Soon after, Past Zoro joined him.
"Luffy! Go get Usopp and the cook!" he told him. "I'll go on ahead to the ship!"
"Right!" Luffy answered. Soon, he made it into the cabin where he found Past Usopp and Past Sanji still snoozing away. He soon grabbed the former by his nose and the latter by his leg before he ran out, accidentally dragging them through the wall and along the ground.
"LET'S GO!" Luffy shouted as he ran.
"OW-OW-OW-OW-OW!" Past Usopp cried.
"HEY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, LUFFY?!" Past Sanji yelled. "STOP IT! WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
"MY NOSE IS GONNA FALL OFF!" Past Usopp shouted.
"I SAID LET GO, DAMMIT!" Past Sanji cursed. "PUT ME DOWN-AAAGH!"
"That jackass," Sanji cursed.
"He really bruised up my nose when he did that!" Usopp added.
Soon, Luffy managed to arrive at the Merry, where Past Zoro, Past Nami, and Vivi were already here.
"Hey! I'm here!" Luffy called. "I got Usopp and Sanji, too!"
"Great!" Past Zoro replied. "Hurry up and get them on board! We're ready to set sail!"
"Right!" Luffy nodded before he looked back at Past Usopp and Past Sanji, who were out cold. "Hey guys, we're- huh?! Oh, come on! They're still sleeping?!"
Sanji groaned and shook his head at this.
"Vivi, we don't have time to look for him!" Past Nami cried.
"But I can't just leave him here!" Vivi replied.
"What's going on?" asked Past Zoro.
"She says her duck, Carue, is missing!" Past Nami answered. "He's supposed to come when she whistles, but he hasn't come since!"
"Wait...you mean this guy?" asked Past Zoro, pointing at the duck in question, standing right next to him. "He was already on board when I got here."
"YOU WERE HERE THE WHOLE TIME?!" questioned Past Nami and Vivi.
"Stupid duck..." Nami muttered in irritation.
Soon, the group were all on board the Merry.
"Sail the ship upriver!" Vivi told them. "We can catch the current a little farther up! That'll put us on course faster, at least!"
"Then set the sails!" Past Nami ordered as the sails were soon unfurled.
"Hey, guys!" Luffy called. "How many agents do you think they'll send after us, anyways?"
"I'm not sure," Vivi answered. "Baroque Works has about 2,000 members, and I've heard somewhere that there are other towns like Whiskey Peak in these waters."
"That means we could have a thousand coming after us!" Past Nami cried.
"It's a possibility," said Vivi. "They'd do anything to keep their boss's identity a secret."
"Hey, wait a minute!" Past Sanji shouted. "What the hell's going on?! Why are we setting sail?!"
"We're leaving," Luffy answered, casually.
"What?!" Past Sanji questioned. "Are you outta your mind?! Why can't we stay one more night, here?! This place is teeming with pretty girls!"
"Even pirates need a vacation once in a while!" Past Usopp agreed. "Who knows when we'll get the chance to unwind again?! We should relax and have fun! It's not even morning, yet! Turn around!"
BA-BONK! They were soon silenced when Past Nami bopped them both on the head.
"...Was that necessary?" Vivi asked with a sweatdrop.
"Yes, yes it was," Past Nami smirked.
"What a couple of morons..." Blizzard muttered.
"You said it," Zoro concurred.
"Hey, to be fair, we didn't know about the situation until later!" Usopp chastised.
Soon, the group was sailing up the river, away from the island.
"Sure is getting foggy out here," Luffy said.
"Yeah, and the sun should be coming up soon," said Past Nami.
"Just be careful to avoid the rocks," a voice spoke.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm fully aware of..." Past Nami started, only to stop when she realized she didn't recognize the voice. "Uh...Luffy? Did you say something?"
"Nope," Luffy answered, causing Past Nami to whimper as he glanced back, and that's when the group saw a woman with tanned skin, wearing a purple leather outfit and a ten gallon hat. The smirk on her face...it was devious, like that of a chess master.
"This ship is nice," the mysterious woman spoke, causing Vivi to gasp in horror.
"What the-?!" Past Zoro questioned. "Who the hell is that?!"
"Aunt...Robin...?!" Aika whispered in shock.
"...Yes, Aika," Robin said. "That's me...back when I used to be in Baroque Works." She then looked down at Aika, solemnly. "In other words...I was once your brother's enemy."
"But...but that can't be you!" Aika said as she looked back and forth between Robin and her past self. "The Aunt Robin I know has kind, warm eyes and a sweet smile that greets me every day! This Aunt Robin's eyes are cold and icy, and that smile looks so cruel! It has to be a fake!"
"No, Aika," Robin answered. "That's really me...back when I was Miss All Sunday."
"No! I don't believe that!" Aika shouted. "I refuse to!"
"...Poor kid," Zoro whispered. "Can't accept reality when she sees it."
"Aika, I'm sorry," said Nami, "but that really is Robin."
"...No way...!" Aika whispered as tears formed in her eyes while Kumi put a paw on her arm in consolation.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next time on One Piece: The Fire Within!
Past Robin: I met your friend, Mr. 8, earlier...or should I say 'Igaram'.
Vivi: You killed him!
Luffy: Who's that?
Vivi: Mr. 0's partner, Miss All Sunday!
Past Robin: Your next stop is Little Garden, by the way. But if you want, I can give you a safer route.
Luffy: You don't decide where this ship goes.
Past Robin: I see.
Chopper: So wait, where's this?
Nami: Wait, this is...?
Usopp: It's Little Garden!
Dorry: Gegyagyagya~!
Brogy: Gababababa~!
Next time: The Land of Giants
Damn, this was a LONG one! Almost 11,000 words, not counting the author's note here.
Anyway, review, please!