Chapter 33
Life
Garp puffed up his chest, "Now… Because you are my grandson, I won't capture you on this island. That's how I'll give my report to the Marines, so don't worry and stay here as long as you like!"
"That's not an excuse at all…" His fedora wearing subordinate grimaced, "Let's just say, 'They got away.'"
Both Luffy and Maxwell stood outside the Galley-La Headquarters talking with Vice Admiral Garp. Now that the wall was repaired, Garp was actually going to let them go. Honestly, were it any other man, Maxwell wouldn't have believed him. However, this was Luffy's grandfather. His selfish, air-headed, marine grandfather…
Why did Maxwell feel like this was going to bite them in the ass?
Garp just kept talking, ignoring his advisor, "Besides, I'm just tagging along with these two kids. You can… Well, just have fun catching up with them. I'm leaving."
"Okay, see ya," said Luffy.
"THAT WAS WAY TO CASUAL!" Garp suddenly clocked Luffy across the face. "BE A LITTLE MORE RELUCTANT, YOU IDIOT! YOU HAVEN'T SEEN YOUR GRANDPA IN A WHILE!"
Luffy clutched his head, "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!? ALL YOU'VE EVER DONE WAS HIT ME!"
"EVEN SO, I STILL WANT TO BE LOVED BY MY GRANDSON, MORON!"
"Maker preserve us…" Maxwell sighed. This was definitely going to bite them in the ass. Luffy and his grandfather were so similar, it wasn't even funny. The mage then looked over at Coby and Helmeppo, who were staying around a bit longer, "You guys want to head over there too catch up?"
Both marines winced at how Luffy and Garp were yelling at each other, so they nod, "Sure…" It was mostly Coby who wanted to catch up, seeing as he was the one who was actually friends with them before. Helmeppo was just offering support. He might not have liked the Straw-Hat Pirates, but Helmeppo did recognized that it was them who changed his life. Perhaps for the better.
Maxwell, Coby, and Helmeppo head over to a pile of rubble that was once part of the old headquarters building. The clean up crew did need to clear some space for the building after all. Luffy soon joined them after "saying" goodbye to his grandfather. The rest of the marines just marched back to port where their ship was docked.
So, here they were, sitting on a pile of rubble. Luffy and Coby sat on the top while Maxwell and Helmeppo sat on the lower mounds. Zoro would have joined them, but he didn't know Coby like they did. He earlier told Maxwell this was more their thing.
"Man, it's great to see you Coby!" Luffy smiled at the petty officer.
Coby smiled back, "Yeah, it's great to see you guys as well! How's it been, sailing on the Grand Line?"
"Never boring," Maxwell replied, "I can tell you that much."
"Yeah! It's been awesome!" Luffy bounced in his seat, "We've seen giant cactuses, dinosaurs, cherry blossoms, really long animals—man now I want some meat. Some of it has been so delicious! Oh, and we've even been up to the sky."
"THE SKY!?" Coby and Helmeppo yell incredulously.
"Yep! We shot up on this giant water thingy and flew right up into the clouds!" Luffy extended his arm as if the exaggerated a zoom.
"Awesome! I knew the weather on the Grand Line was crazy, but that's amazing!" Coby gushed at Luffy's retelling. Of course, Luffy left out a few details. Like how they had escorted an endangered princess back to her kingdom. Or that they fought a man who fancied himself a god.
"So, did you guys also go over that mountain to enter the Grand Line?" Luffy asked.
"Ah… No, we didn't cross Reverse Mountain," Coby admitted.
Maxwell and Luffy looked at him curiously. "Really?" "Why?"
"Marine warships can cross the Calm Belts without being detected by Sea Kings," Coby explained, "But, it's not 100 percent guaranteed."
"What!? But how!? That's not fair!" Luffy exclaimed, "There are so many Sea Kings in there that are several times bigger than any warship! It was like hell when we tried going through that place!"
"Luffy, we didn't try to cross the Calm Belt, we drifted in," Maxwell corrected his captain. Luffy wasn't exaggerating about the Sea Kings. The Calm Belts were the breeding grounds of those monsters, and they were once on the snout of one of them. They were lucky not to be noticed before they were sneezed off.
"Well, you see the bottoms of our warships are inlaid with pieces of kairoseki."
"Seastone?" Maxwell asked. That resource was sounding more and more valuable every time they heard about it. Maxwell hoped Nami was listening in. He already placed the den den mushi when the others weren't looking. It behind some rocks for her to listen in on.
"So what?" Luffy didn't see the importance on the mineral.
"Well, kairoseki emits the same type of energy as the sea, so for sea creatures, those ships are invisible."
"Wait, does kairoseki absorb the sound waves crashing against the haul, or is it some sort of visual camouflage?" Maxwell wanted to clarify.
Coby rubbed his chin in thought, "To be honest, I'm not sure. But the man who came up with the technology is none other than Dr. Vegapunk! He's an amazing scientist for the marines."
"Mhm!" Helmeppo nodded, "He really is amazing. Straw-Hat, you know that Devil Fruit you ate? The explanation of how Devil Fruits reincarnate a give their abilities are all from his recent work! He even made it possible to make inanimate objects 'eat' them."
"Hm…" Maxwell stroked his beard at that piece knowledge. So this Doctor Vegapunk was the one who created the process? If this scientist was working for the marines, that made Maxwell wonder how some of those creations got out on the blackmarket. He already destroyed one weapon, and so far they've all been with a Zoan Fruit. Was it possible to give a weapon a Paramecia? Maybe even a Logia? That was a terrifying thought…
"So there's some amazing guy out there, huh?" Luffy nodded, somewhat understanding.
"The world is filled with amazing people!" Coby exclaimed, looked up into space, "I thought that the world was so small until I met you Luffy. I'd probably be still doing Alvida's chores, stuck on her ship, if not for you."
"Ahahaha! Yeah, yeah, you were on Alvida's ship! It was hilarious! I mean the reason you were on her ship!"
"Really? I haven't heard this one yet!" Helmeppo grinned at his fellow petty officer, lifting his sunglasses.
"…Didn't you say you were on a fishing trip?" Maxwell asked.
"Yeah!" Luffy laughed, "He got onto the wrong boat and was too scared to leave!"
"Aha! So you were a pirate!" Helmeppo teased, though he knew Coby was dedicated to the marines.
Coby rubbed the back of his head, "Ah… hehe. I was more of a chore boy than anything… But I don't regret it! Or else I wouldn't have been able to meet any of you guys!"
"Grk!" Helmeppo put his glasses back on and looked away. He was a little bit embarrassed at Coby saying that.
"Speaking of meeting," Maxwell frowned, "How did you guys wind up working under Luffy's grandfather?"
"Well…" Coby noticed Helmeppo didn't speak up about it, "While we were chore boys at the marine base, we were instructed to witness the prisoner transfer of Captain Morgan. When Vice Admiral Garp's ship showed up, Morgan escaped and took Helmeppo hostage. Helmeppo actually confronted his dad and wanted to be a better marine than him. So he jumped out of the boat while I… I may have gone a little crazy."
"You stood in front of a loaded cannon, with pistols to the sky, so the marines wouldn't fire on me," Helmeppo pointed out.
"What!?"
"Not that I wouldn't have deserved it."
"Helmeppo…!" Cobby moaned at his marine friend, "Anyways, Garp saw something in us and decided to train us himself! It was gruelling…!" Coby made a face, "It was really, really, gruelling… But I'm grateful for it, all the same!"
"…You really have become a little bit strong, huh Coby?" Luffy smiled at the pink-haired marine.
"…Aw, shucks!" Now Coby was really embarrassed.
"Well, it's only thanks to your grandpa," Helmeppo points out, "I swear, that old man puts us through the wringer, every single day!"
"Yeah, I know what that's like…" Luffy nodded in agreement, "But you seemed to have improved as well, Split-Chin!"
"S-S-S-SPLIT-CHIN!?" Helmeppo sputtered at Luffy's nickname for him. The others just laughed. "COBY! I'M NOT SURE I CAN FOR GIVE THEM ANY MORE!"
"GYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
O O O
"Well I think it's time for us to head back…"
"Eh!? You're going back already!?" Luffy asked Coby. The group had already moved to the front of Galley-La Headquarters, and Luffy and Maxwell were about to head inside. "Eat something with us! Sanji makes the best meat!"
"Sorry, but we probably shouldn't be to friendly with each other… We are enemies after all." Coby rubbed the back of his head. Helmeppo stood behind him with his arms crossed, eager to get going. They were pirates, and they were marines, after all.
"Luffy. Do you know what the latter half of the Grand Line is called?" Both Maxwell and Luffy look at each other, then listen for Coby to continue, "Beyond the Red Line, people know the last part of the Grand Line by one name... The New World."
Luffy and Maxwell could feel a sort of jubilation, just by that name alone. A place no one has fully recorded. One filled with mystery and great things to be discovered, "The New World, huh…?"
"It's a sea where whoever conquers it will become the Pirate King! Pirates are gathering there, ready to begin the next generation. Luffy!" Coby decided to make a declaration, "Let's meet again, over there! I'll be sure to capture you next time! I will be much, much stronger! I'll even become a… a Marine Admiral!"
Luffy and Maxwell look at each other and smile. Coby really had grown, so much.
Coby collapsed on the ground, his nerves all a flutter, "S-S-S-Sorry, I… I got cared away. I'm so embarrassed, I wish the earth would just swallow me up. I… I just felt a little taller when I finally got to see you and—!"
"Coby!" The petty officer pauses and looked back at Pirate who called his name. Luffy grins, "You're going to fight me, right? Then you better become an admiral!"
Coby looks at him stunned, "…B-But an admiral is…"
Luffy crosses his arm, "The Straw-Hats will be a lot stronger the next time we meet. Much stronger!"
Maxwell also smiles, "Think you can keep up?" Coby looks between them. These were the first people to acknowledge his dream. Who encouraged him to think beyond his fear and self-doubt. But to become an admiral…!
Zoro opens the window sill behind them, "What? Are you still a crybaby, Coby?" The swordsman grins, remembering his courage back at Shells Town. He was such a wimp back then, always proclaiming something incredible was impossible. However, Zoro could also see how far he had come since then. Even Chopper and Sanji smiled, tuning in to this farewell. They could tell Coby was a good person.
The marine blinks, realizing he had tears in his eyes, "I'm really glad I got to see you today…!" Coby then runs off, Helmeppo sputtering behind him. However, Cobby then stops and throws a fist in the air, "We—We'll be much, much stronger! So let's meet again in the New World!"
Helmeppo points one of his kukri knives at them, "Be prepared for it, punks! We'll surprises you the next time we meet! Heheheh!"
"So long!" Luffy waves to them with both arms.
"…Hey Luffy. Did you just create another archenemy?" Zoro smirks.
"Coby's a man of his word. I know it. Shishishishi!" Luffy just smiles, watching them go. "…Now Sanji, I'm hungry. When are we gonna eat!?"
"Right, right, just hold your horses. We're heading to the pool."
"Pool?" Maxwell looked at him confused.
O O O
Apparently, Galley-La had something of a private resort for all their employees, when they had downtime. The pool was a massive ring of water, surrounded by smoothed out cobblestone. Lawn benches, umbrellas, and palm trees surrounded the area for people to relax under, and there were also two waterfalls on either side of a large fountain. With a bit of redecorating, Maxwell could have seen this at a amphitheater or a colosseum with the tiers leading down to this place.
However, he was relaxing in something call a jacuzzi. Iceberg had already been generous enough for giving them a change of clothes. Apparently this also included swimsuits. Maxwell sat, somewhat floating, in a pair of orange swimming trunks while jets of hot water battered his sides, "Ah~ This is nice…" It was like being in a hot spring and a massage at the same time.
"NAMI~" Sanji called from the island in the middle of the swimming pool, "The mizu-mizu barbecue is ready~!"
Maxwell blinks his eyes open. That was the dinner bell! Generally, whenever Sanji says food's ready, he calls out to the girls first. Maxwell sat up and got out of the hot tub, ready for something to eat. Mizu-Mizu meat was apparently a specialty here in Water 7. Although Maxwell noticed Water 7 had a habit of naming things with "mizu-mizu" at the front.
"WOOOHOOO!" Maxwell noticed Luffy, Chopper, and—Usopp!? What was he doing here?
"Alright, eat up guys!" Sanji didn't seem to concerned by it. The chef had set out plates for anyone to grab what was on the table. He was serving meat and vegetable skewers, and they were at least two feet long. A hefty serving, if you weren't a bottomless pit.
"MMMMM YUUMMYY!" "MMMMM YUUMMYY!" "MMMMM YUUMMYY, MIZU-MIZU BARBECUE!"
"SOGEKING—!? When—!?" Zoro just noticed Usopp was here, in his Sogeking disguise. Or at least a version of it. Usopp was in swimming trunks with only his mask and cape to keep hidden.
"How is it Robin~?" Sanji cozied up to Robin, wringing his hands and tilted to the side, "Does it taste great?"
"Yup, it's delicious." Robin smiled with her mouth full.
"What about you guys? Enjoying your meal?" Maxwell asked his familiars. He had left Mordred, Mineive, and Salem in Sanji's care while he soaked in the hot water. Apparently the spirits had woken up yesterday, recovering enough energy for them to interact in their anchors.
"Mrm, Delicious!" Mordred moaned.
"Delectable, darling," Mineive seemed to be savouring the memory. While spirits didn't eat in the traditional sense, theses guys still enjoyed the psychic feed back that came from food. They just had to pluck out any wisps of memory or sensations to enjoy the meal. And Luffy's bottomless stomach just made it so more wisps appeared in the Fade.
"Green peppers, onions, and the local mizu-mizu meat… Mm~ It's very well seasoned," Salem explained as Maxwell pick up a kabob.
Maxwell bit into it starting on the end, "…Mmm! Sanji's outdone himself," and immediately enjoyed the savoury tender meat and vegetables on a stick. This beats campfire survival any day!
"STRAW-HAT! I HEARD YOU WOKE UP!" Zambai voice called from one of the staircases. The whole Franky Family was here, and happy they had recovered.
"Hey! Franky Family!" Luffy waved at them, "Come 'ere and eat!"
Not to decline such a generous offer, the Franky Familly rushed to join them. "UWAH, BARBECUE!" "My favourite!" "Hey! Save some for us!"
Two king yagura bulls soon lifted their heads over the walls of the resort, sniffing the smell of cooked food. "It's Sodom and Gomorrah!" Chopper cheered.
"I'm starved." "Me too." "WUOOOO! STRAW-HAT! YOU'RE AWAKE!" "BARBECUE!" The giants and the Galley-La company had come down the steps as well. It seems word of their recovery had gotten around.
Paulie was with them of course, "Guys, what are you doing in the swimming pool area—? GYAAAAH! YOU SHAMELESS WOMAN! ARE YOU ALL PERVERTS!?" He saw Nami sitting in a chair, wearing a two-piece bikini and towel over her shoulders.
"It's a swimming pool," Nami told him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She had stopped playing with Chimney to have dinner.
"It smells good here," Icebeg also walked in, with a pet mouse on his shoulder.
"ICEBURG, SIR!" Paulie immediately tried to stand in front of Nami, not wanting to expose his boss to this level lewdness.
"OW~ Let's postpone the shipbuilding for now!" Franky arrived with Mozu and Kiwi behind them. They were posing with their arms making a square, and stretching heir left legs. "That's right! Rejecting an invitation to a party would hurt my reputation! You'd better have my seat ready!"
Zambai called out to him, "We we're waiting for you, Bro!"
"Here we go!" Sogeking stood on the top of a pile of stacked tables, "I'll sing Entry #1, Sogeking! OH~!" Some of the crowd had started cheering. Had the whole city come to join them?
"IT'S A PARTY!" Luffy cheered at the top of his lungs.
"OH THE WIND CARRIES MY NAME~ FROM SNIPER ISLAND FAR AWAY~ WHEN I AIM, IT'S STRAIGHT AND TRUE. LU LU LALA LU~" Soon enough everyone was eating, laughing, and partying. Usopp was singing his superhero theme song while Franky and some of his gang danced to the melody. Nami enjoyed the attention of some of the Franky boys attending her. Thankfully Sanji didn't notice, cooking while enjoying the atmosphere. Chopper was playing with Sodom and Gomorrah, being tossed from one snout to another. Zoro had yelled at some the people, wanting to eat in peace, but that quickly turned into a drinking contest with all the water barrel mugs they had. Iceburg and Kokoro had sat down to have a drink, being the drinking buddies that they were. Maxwell saw Chimney and Gombe rush past him, running when they shouldn't be. Still, he let them have their fun.
Then he saw Luffy climbing on one of the giant's kabobs.
"LUFFY! YOU GET DOWN FROM THERE! THAT'S NOT YOURS!" Of course Luffy would try to eat a giant's meat… How big were those servings anyways?
Maxwell tried to play chaperone for as long as he could. However, he eventually he got caught up with the party atmosphere and had some fun. He drank with Icebug and Kokoro for a bit, and got caught up in a dance called the conga. Apparently there was a lot of fun to be had dancing in a line of people. Maxwell lost track of time before realizing it was sunset.
"Hey guys look at this!" Luffy had his mouth stuffed like a chipmunk and pulled his cheeks down, making a face. Maxwell couldn't help but snort, trying not to laugh. Now Luffy really did look like a monkey!
Maxwell looked around at his crew still partying. Chopper was laughing hard at Luffy's funny expressions, while Usopp was retelling his tall tales under his Sogeking persona. Zoro was interacting with the Galley-La crew that came with them. Sanji was cooking, fast as ever. He even entertained some kids with how to make a mountain of dessert, which Maxwell was definitely going to try. Nami looked like a noblewoman enjoying a spa day, and Robin…
She was leaning against the wall, with a cup of juice in hand. Maxwell then watched as she dropped her drink and ran to the exit to look behind the wall.
The mage decided to walk over, "Everything alright Robin?"
Robin snapped her head towards Maxwell, surprised at one of her crewmates being so close. "I—I'm fine… Hey, Maxwell?" The mage stopped from walking back to look at her, "…How do you know when you living to your fullest?"
Maxwell paused to think about it for a moment, "…You know, before all this, before being a pirate, I would have told you living for others would have been the most fulfilling thing one could do in this life."
Robin looked at him curiously, "What changed?"
Maxwell snorted, "Luffy, of course… but he opened my eyes to something." Maxwell looked out at the crowd, "You just need to be happy. Look for what makes you happy. Live for what makes you happy... For me, that is learning new magic, and being able to use it freely. I have my regrets… but joining the crew isn't one of them." Robin smiled know she wasn't the only one affected by Luffy's charisma. "Have any regrets?"
"…No. Not here I don't." Robin walked down the stairs sh was standing on, and gave Maxwell a peck on the cheek, "Thank you, Max."
Maxwell froze stiff as he began to blush. When was the last time a girl actually kissed him like that? "…Sweet Andraste…!"
"HEY ROBIN! LOOK! LOOK! ARE YOU EATING MEAT!?" Luffy caught both there attention with another stuff cheeked gorilla face. Only this one had chopsticks between his lower lip and nostrils.
Maxwell facepalmed, "Oh, sweet Andraste…"
"Should I try that too?" Robin asked.
"Please don't…"
"Derishishishi!"