"… Big Sis Nami..." The navigator's eye twitched as she used her great mental fortitude to do her best to ignore the bubbling duo that were now aboard, her patience was waning however. Her left hand was busy twirling a pen in her hand while the right was clenching into a fist beside the half-drawn chart she had started after finding some paper to find in the Going Merry's cupboard. Since leaving Syrup village she had been doing what she could to keep the Going Merry on course, even if their Captain had no idea where the hell they were heading. Nami had already devised a plan to lead them to a deserted island, take the ship and the treasure that was aboard and head back to Cocoyasi Village before any of the crew knew which way was left from right. Instead, now they were heading for a sea restaurant so close to the Grand Line that it was borderline suicide!
"Tea Big Sis?"
"Snacks Big Sis?"
It was all because of these two idiots that she was heading closer and closer to the danger of the Grand Line! Johnny and Yosaku had been aboard for a little less than a day and they were already driving her nuts! Yosaku had recovered, even if at an incredible rate, from his scurvy. Sure he wasn't back at full health but he was energetic enough to dance around the ship with Usopp and Luffy while annoy her alongside Johnny the rest of the time. Apparently since she 'saved' Yosaku's life, both Johnny and Yosaku felt the need to wait on her hand and foot. At the start, it had been fun being pampered like princess or something, but now it was just irritation, she was trying to work and their presence wasn't helping! Not to mention they kept calling her Big Sis!
"Johnny, Yosaku." Nami smiled sweetly, the two bounty hunters yet to understand the malicious intent behind the cute smile of the navigator.
"Yes Big Sis!?" Both chorused immediately.
"GET OUT!" The two bounty hunters flew through the open door of the cabin, over the railing and onto the deck below. Nami huffed as she wiped her hands of a good job well done and sat back down at the table. Picking her pen up again ready to start on the chart she grit her teeth as the cabin door opened, raising her head to glare at the one entering she stopped seeing Ichigo entering.
Why she stopped, she herself didn't understand. Ichigo wasn't like the other members of the crew. She could handle their idiocy, but Ichigo was an enigma. He wasn't someone she believed was normal. Like Zoro, he was a fighter, the battle she had witnessed on the beach between Zoro and Ichigo with the Black Cat Pirates was enough to tell her that. But there was something different from Ichigo to Zoro. The way he held himself, similar to Zoro but in a way that made him stand apart from the swordsman.
"Not to mention those weird abilities, disappearing into thin air, sure Kuro had done that but he had explained his technique, the way Ichigo had done it was like it was unnatural as if the air shifted around him because he made it do so." Her eyes followed Ichigo across the small cabin, inconspicuously of course. She hadn't gotten this far by being caught eyeing a potential target. That was another thing about him… there was never opportunity. His defences were always up, as if he was always expecting something to happen, the way his hand unconsciously hovered over the badge in his right pocket, or the way he'd brace himself at a moments notice if anything happened. No… it was like he was expecting something, always. "It'll be a pain getting that badge from him. But it'll be worth it, a weapon like that is bound to come at a high price."
"Hey Nami, any time frame of when we'll get to this restaurant?" Ichigo's voice reached her causing her to turn to look at him fully, he was currently looking inside of the pantry.
"Should be in sight any time now." Nami confirmed. "Or at least that's what Johnny says, could be a week at this rate."
"The way Luffy eats, we're not going to survive a week." Ichigo chuckled lightly as he closed the pantry and looked over to her. "What have you got there?" He questioned eyeing the chart she was drawing, Nami always taking pride in her work and had no problem in showing him what she had been drawing for the past few hours.
"This is the course we've made from Syrup village." She explained as he walked over and sat down opposite her, eyeing the map that was now before him. "As a Navigator it's my role to keep a record of our course, chart maps, steer the ship."
"Give orders." He gave her an amused smile.
"Basically." She grinned in return. "What about you, find a crew position yet?" Ichigo shook his head, Nami tilting her head as she eyed him causing the fellow orange haired teen to raise an eyebrow at her. "Can't hurt to throw some idea's around to pass the time, not like it matters much." She shrugged mentally as she sat back in her chair. "In a small crew like this, there's a few essential positions that need to be filled, no matter what the doofus captain says."
"Let me guess, the Navigator spot is taken." Nami grinned in return.
"Like you could read a map." She scoffed, while her opinion of him had instantly changed after he had joined the crew, for good reason in her mind. He was still able to hold a conversation without the need of arguing, food, or just plain stupidity. He was also surprisingly witty, and rather smart once he picked up on the basics which she presumed that he had led a sheltered life up until now. Very sheltered if what he had told her previously was the truth… like locked in a basement sheltered. He didn't even know who Gold Roger was! Unless he was from another world, which was completely unlikely, he had to have been very sheltered.
"Fair point." Ichigo nodded, fully aware that his skills did not involve reading a sea chart. "Luffy's Captain, Zoro is the First Mate or Swordsman, I guess he'll be in command if Luffy's out of it?" Nami shrugged, not having thought of it much but seeing as he was the second one to be recruited, it was only logical that Luffy would but him second in charge… Nami had to stop for a second, a foul taste in her mouth. Just thinking that Luffy was logical had put a bad taste in her mouth. "Luffy stationed Usopp as the crews sniper, although I figured that'd be a good position for him as well."
"Agreed, Usopp has uncanny aim. It's freaky to be honest." Nami told him. "There's the cook, which we'll hopefully pick up at the Baratie, knowing Luffy he'll rope some hopeless sack into this mess of a crew." Ichigo rose an eyebrow at that but Nami decided to continue, ignoring the look. She knew she had to be careful with what she said around Ichigo he was smart, and if she wasn't careful he was bound to pick up on her scheme. "The next priority after the cook is definitely a doctor, someone with the capability of dealing with the injuries these morons are going to get, yourself included. If the Grandline is the set destination, we'll definitely need a doctor."
"The Grand Line is dangerous then?" Nami leaned forward and flicked Ichigo in the forehead causing him to scowl at her.
"Were you not listening to anything I told you last time? The Grand Line is the most dangerous sea in the world, there are pirates far stronger then what we're capable of, not to mention the other anomalies that we have no idea about. The Grand Line is not just another ocean, it's like an entire new world. Between the simple blue seas, it's like hell." She huffed as she crossed her arms, sitting back in her seat as she gave him a half glare, she was considering taking back everything, he was just an idiot too.
"You been?" Ichigo questioned.
"Well, no..." Nami shook her head. "But I've heard enough stories to be wary, I'm not an idiot like some people." She huffed turning away. "We're getting off point, we're deciding a place for you on the crew." She told him.
"Well, I guess I could be the lookout for now." Ichigo shrugged, having had a minor thought about it since they had been talking. "I've basically been up in the crow's nest since we left Syrup Village, if Luffy wants me in another position..." Ichigo shrugged. "Guess we'll see how it works out." Nami thought for a few moments, usually the spot of lookout would simply be the snipers, or gunner position of the crew. But Usopp could barely function with the boredom on his own, plus he was always busy with either Luffy or tinkering with the items he had brought from home. Zoro slept constantly, Ichigo was the only one alert and ready at all times. For now, the lookout position would be perfect for him.
"Sure, I guess that could work." Nami nodded to herself. "Just keep an eye out over the sea, you'll have to get an eyeglass, or binoculars since I've looked all over the Merry and haven't been able to find one yet. Whichever is your preference really." Ichigo nodded, it would probably be better to have something rather to rely solely on his ability of Reiatsu Chikaku. Not everyone would have an easy to read presence, nor could he expect large forces like back on Syrup Village. After all, he had never been truly trained how to master his Reikaku. The two orange haired teens continued to speak for a while, Nami explained some details that came with the position of being the crew's lookout. The basic necessity of time equals opportunity. The earlier that Ichigo spotted something, the more time they had to assess the situation and come up with a plan to deal with it.
"Big Sis!" The door to the cabin crashed open causing Nami to scowl as Yosaku puffed and panted in the doorway.
"I told you to get out." Nami growled at the bounty hunter, however Yosaku just pointed over his shoulder.
"We're here, the Baratie is just ahead." Nami blinked before looking at Ichigo who shrugged. The two got up and headed for the door, Yosaku stepping to the side to let them out as they stepped out onto the deck looking out over the bow to see the floating restaurant straight ahead. Ichigo had to blink several times as the ship came into view, while he had already resigned himself to seeing weird things on the ocean… it didn't mean he couldn't be surprised by what he saw. After all… a ship wasn't suppose to look like a fish, was it?
As the Baratie came into view, it's features began to stand out more and more as they grew closer to the fairly large ship. It was built in an oval shape, with normal masts but has a fish as a front-piece/head. The Baratie has a round bottom. A small array of cannons are lined on the sides, which would obviously be used for battle, whether defensive or offensive Ichigo wasn't sure. The crazy people who built this ship, had actually put a restaurant on the ship itself.
Ichigo had to rub his forehead, mentally reminding himself that he had to accept this world for what it was, even all the weird stuff he was going to come across. He just hoped that a Rubber Man, a Sheep Man and a fish ship restaurant was as weird as it was going to get… while he wanted to be optimistic that that was the limit of the weirdness, he wasn't having much luck convincing himself that, that was the limit of the weirdness he would come across.
Johnny was standing up at the bow with Luffy, Usopp and Zoro who were all looking towards the Baratie with grins on their faces. Seemingly more accepting of the fish shaped ship then what Ichigo was. Luffy and Usopp began to cheer at how 'cool' the place looked causing Ichigo to sigh, maybe joining the first band of pirates he came across wasn't the best choice. The sound of a bell ringing brought Ichigo's attention to the side, along with Nami's as a massive ship came up the side of the small caravel. Ichigo instantly spotted the massive white letters writing out 'MARINE' across the Port side of the ship. Ichigo tilted his head as he stared up at it.
"A Marine ship!?" Yosaku shouted in surprise. "All the way out here!?"
"If there's pirates, there would obviously be a Navy set on stopping the pirates I guess." Ichigo mused as he took the ship in, it was obviously built for battle with how many cannon's it had. "The Marines." All the canon port holes were opened causing Ichigo to raise an eyebrow, was it open fire on a pirate vessel without even an order of surrender out here or something? His hand drifted over his badge.
"Hey Luffy, they're not going to start firing on us, are they?" Usopp questioned quietly to Luffy who shrugged as he looked up at the Marine ship without a care in the world.
"Damn it, just my luck." Zoro huffed. "Of course the Marines would show up." Ichigo and Nami headed up to where the others were, while Ichigo noticed that Yosaku and Johnny had snuck back into the cabin, hiding behind the door observing what was going on from a 'hiding spot'. Ichigo heard them mutter about questioning if the Marines knew if they weren't pirates or not. Ichigo had to scoff at that, they were just looking after their own hides. Seeing a figure in a white pin striped suit appear on the deck, heading for the rail that was closest to the Merry Ichigo readied himself for anything that might go down, he had no idea how pirates were
"I've never seen that pirate flag before." The man muttered as he approached, placing a hand on the railing that was covered in an iron bolt knuckle duster, it was presumed that his other hand hidden in his pocket housed a similar knuckle duster. "I am Lieutenant Iron Fist Fullbody!" He declared with a sense of pride in his own words, as if it was a title that he had earned. "But you can just call me sir." Ichigo had to sweat drop, was this guy serious? "Who is the Captain of this vessel, identify yourself at once!" Without hesitation, Luffy stepped forward and with the same tone that Fullbody announced himself with, Luffy did the same.
"My name is Luffy!" Before he could continue, Usopp stepped up in front of him.
"And my name, is Usopp!" The sniper declared as Luffy gave him an irritated look in return but turned back to the Marine to continue as he took another step forward in front of Usopp.
"We only made out Flag the day before yesterday."
"That's right Marine, and I'm the one who drew it!" Usopp declared again once more stepping in front of Luffy causing the Captain's eyebrow to twitch. The Marine simply cocked his head to the side with a snide little smirk as he saw he was dealing with nothing but amateurs.
"Huh, you did, did you?" He questioned, getting a nod from both Luffy and Usopp, the duo unsure of who he was addressing not realising it had been a rhetorical question. "Is that so..." He continued as he glanced over the other members of the crew, his attention stopping on the duo bounty hunters trying to conceal themselves behind the cabin door with little to no luck on their part. "Hey, you two right there." Fullbody spoke up. "I've seen you before, you're the bounty hunter duo that go after the small fish."
"Uh…"
"Well… we..."
"So, you've finally been caught by pirates." Johnny tried to answer in return but to the bounty hunter the Marine was a little intimidating. "Eh he he now that's a laugh." He chuckled lightly before a beautiful blonde woman in a dress came up behind him, lacing her arm with his.
"Hey, come on Baby let's get going." She told him.
"Sure." Fullbody nodded as the two turned, walking away from the railing. Johnny no longer able to take the disrespect that they had received from the duo rushed forward reaching into his jacket and pulling out a stack of paper.
"Hey wait a minute! You think small time bounty hunters would go after these guys!?" The bounty hunter shouted throwing the pages on the deck, however received no answer from the Marine as the pages of bounties floated to the deck, scattering across the wooden surface gaining the attention of Nami.
It didn't take a genius to know what was coming next, as the Marines on deck had been given an order out of earshot and started to move about. Johnny and Yosaku were speaking with Nami about the bounties below as one in particular seemed to grab her attention. While Ichigo would have asked who the bounty was of, there was something more critical to deal with. The canon being aimed right at them. Before Ichigo or Zoro who had seen the commotion on deck of the Marine ship could give out a warning the Marines fired.
BOOM~!
The sounding explosion was much larger than the ones of the Merry's cannons since the Marines ship cannons were much larger and more powerful than the pirate crew.
"Leave it to me!" Luffy shouted jumping up onto the railing so that he was sitting on it, his legs wrapping around the wound in an impossible way as he flung both arms outwards his right wrapping around the main mast of the ship while his left grabbed onto the ear of the goat figurehead of the Merry. "Gum Gum!" The cannon ball hit the teen directly in the stomach sending him flying back across the deck of the ship, far off the side of the Merry and some ways over the open ocean. "Slingshot!"
However the force that the cannon ball had been shot at, along with being at such a close proximity, it looked to be that Luffy hadn't been expecting the strength behind the shot and his grip on the figurehead broke a piece off the ear of the goat and he was sent swinging to his right, re-aiming the trajectory of where he was going to shoot the cannonball. Right at the Baratie. The cannonball launched forward over the bow straight for the restaurant as Luffy impacted the back of the figurehead.
It seemed after all the commotion, the Marines had been given the order to stand down giving the Going Merry the ability to dock without much trouble as Zoro dropped the anchor off of the ship to get them stationary. It didn't take long for the restaurant to send a couple of chefs to collect the one responsible. While Nami was ready to blame it on the Marines, Luffy idiotically told him that he had sent the cannon ball flying resulting in the Chefs taking him to talk with the head chef of the Baratie. It was over an hour when Nami had, had enough and decided that since they were here and there had been no sign of Luffy for over an hour, they should just go in and eat without him. Ichigo seeing no problem with that, along with Zoro untethered the small boat that had been docked alongside the Going Merry since Johnny and Yosaku had come aboard.
Both Johnny and Yosaku chose to stay aboard the Merry, to fix the railing that had been initially broken during the scuffle between Johnny and Luffy when Johnny had first come aboard and started to destroy the place, leaving the four pirates to head towards the Baratie. Before they had even managed to tie the boat to the Baratie there was a loud crash from inside, drawing their attention. Glancing at the others Ichigo saw that they were slightly surprised but since it didn't effect them it didn't warren that much concern.
Stepping off of the small boat with Zoro, the two headed towards the Baratie front doors Zoro reached up and pushing them in only to find a scene unfolding within the restaurant. There was a blonde man in a black suit, a cigarette hanging from his mouth as he held up the same Marine, Iron Fist Fullbody by the neck bloody and battered from an intense beating that he had received. The blonde woman that had accompanied the Marine was completely stunned and obviously frightened by the man's ferocity towards a Marine.
It wasn't long before another member of the restaurant staff came and lectured the blonde man who simply discarded Fullbody without a care, not caring for the man at all. The four pirates simply stood and watched from the doorway, the entire restaurant was watching the situation unfold in stunned silence. When Fullbody finally worked up the nerve, he threatened to have the entire restaurant shut down only for the blonde sous chef to react rashly needing to be held back by several other members of the restaurant staff. Only when the ceiling caved in and Luffy along with the Head Chef of the restaurant came tumbling down did it break up the commotion of what was going on. When Zeff removed himself from atop Luffy where he had landed Luffy shot up, taking a deep breath.
"I can breath again!" Another member of the restaurant came up to ask Zeff if he was alright, or if he was injured, the Head Chef ignored him and looked up at the ceiling with an annoyed expression before punching Luffy back down to the ground with a growl.
"My ceiling! Something else that will need to be fixed! This is all your fault, ya brat!"
"How is this my fault! You attacked me!" Luffy shouted back at him. Zeff and Luffy shouted at one another until the other cooks restraining Sanji pleaded for the head chef's help with the cook. It was clear to the pirates that Sanji respected the head chef at least as he listened to him without much of a fuss, sure he called him names and received a kick to the face via peg leg, but he listened to what Zeff had to say on the matter. Not only did Zeff give the sous chef an asskicking, but also the Marine Lieutenant who Zeff told to get out of his restaurant.
While the argument was going on, the four pirates, Zoro, Ichigo, Nami and Usopp decided to find themselves a table to watch the whole thing play out. It was only after a Marine soldier had come in, apologising about an escaped prisoner did things start to truly become serious. The entire restaurant was up in a panic as a man shot the Marine soldier in the back before entering the restaurant and sitting down at a table. It didn't take long for the large waiter, that oddly reminded Ichigo of the old cartoon character Popeye to throw the escaped pirate out on his ass.
Following this, they were told that Luffy had to work at the restaurant for an entire year to work off the damage that had been done to the restaurant. When they had seen Luffy next, it had been a riot of laughter.
