Angel thank you for the review, nice as always. You're totaly right about that, Luffy's plans are mostly the muscleheaded easy ones. Yes he too has his smart times, but is generaly straight-to-the-point type in my opinion at least.
So, here goes the new chapter, hope the gramar is ok, enjoy reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Chapter 7
"We're going to beat your uncle and get the whole Kingdom back!"
After Luffy's statement, they all agreed with silent, determined nods. Zoro looked at them with love and gratitude in his eyes. Savannah just cried more. "Thank you, thank you so much!!..."
Later, when she calmed down Nami asked Savannah if she had some map of the Amaya Island. Savan confirmed that there should be one in grandpa Joaquins belongings and went to get it.
They started planning the invasion and attack as soon as she got back with it. Now they were all standing arond the table in galley, Nami studying the map, her eyes turning wide, then twitching calculatingly and in the end narrowing in thought.
Everyone was counting on her to create the basis of their plan, as no one expected a strategy from Luffy anymore. it was a common knowledge that he would more likely start swimming than make up a plan other than "reach the town, break your way to the palace, beat the bad guys into the ground, save the day and have a meat party".
"The island is huge." Nami exclaimed."As Savannah-chan said, we can't sail directly to the Capital, it's well guarded. As soon as we'd be in sight, they'll know we're coming and we would loose the advantage of surprise attack, which is essential. We also can't dock anywhere near the Capital, since I doubt the Sehyr-guy will leave the ports unguarded. I think the best solution would be to come from the entirely opposite side of the island, near this village." She pointed to the nord side of the island, close to a town, "Ibaga" written next to it. " This is an area that should be full of caves. We'll anchor there, hide the ship a cave and leave someone behind to guide it. Then-"
"If I may," Savannah interupted suddenly. She waited for all heads to be focused on her, then continued."I might be able to help with this a bit."
Nami observed her with interest. "Please, continue..."
Savan came closer to the map and put her finger where Nami did moment before."Nami-san's right about the caves. There is innumerable amount of them there, it's a perfect spot to hide the ship and go ashore without anyone noticing. That's why this is the first place they'll search if something happens." grumbles could be heard, the truth hit the crew. If they accidentaly made a scene or got exposed, the soldiers would naturally search areas most convenient for hiding a ship. They would play right into their hands. Nami cursed and thoughtfully eyed the map.
"But I may have a solution." Savan moved her finger from its former spot to stop few miles from Ibaga. "Big bro Diego happened to have an...old acquaintance in Ibaga, named Futashi Pajanaki. I know him quite well too, since they were long-time childhood friends, and they worked together before Diego was taken away. He can arrange practicaly anything: export and import of anything from food to people, new identities, weapon trades, ships, clothes... Simply the kind of guy-for-everything." She tapped the spot on the map with her finger. "And here's one of his secret ilegal harbors."
As Nami listened to the other girl, her face brightened with excitement. She quickly observed the map, smirk appearing on her face. "Will he be able to hide Sunny?"
Savannah nodded. "He can do more than that. Futashi has a lot of loyal minions all over Amaya, he can guard the ship and sail with it whenever and wherever we'll need it. He might be eccentric, but he's absolutely reliable. I would trust him with my life."
Nami looked at the others questioningly, earning a round of aproving hums.
"Well then Savannah-chan, we'll count on you with this matter." another nod from the young woman. "Okay, on with the matter at hand. After we go ashore, first we'll travel to the nearest village - other than Ibaga - around 170 miles from the Futashi-guys port, named Koluka." her finger drew a line thrue the northern part of forests down to a village south of Ibaga. "We'll restock food suplies there and continue to another town about 200-300 miles to the south-west from Koluka, named Tsubaki, which is just about 50 miles from Amaya-capital.
On the way to Tsubaki we cannot use the trade roads, it'll be full of soldiers guiding men working in the mines around the Capital to work and back home. We can't go through the Tiger Claws either." she pointed at huge mountains in the middle of the map, occupying majority of the island. It's shape actually reminded claws of a feline. "It would be too risky. The earth is covered in slippery ice, and the rocks there are unstable. Weather high in the mountains it unpredictable. The best way is to go through the woods on the west of Tiger Claws."
"I wouldn't say so." Nami looked at Zoro, who speaked for the first time that meeting. He was a bit pale and sweaty, but no one except Chopper didn't say anything about it, they knew it would only make things worse.
Nami cast curious look at the swordsman. "What do you mean?"
With crossed hands Zoro turned his gaze to the dark ink-painted woods on the map. "Traveling through Tiger Claws might be dangerous, but going through Ryunokokyu Forest is a suidcide.
Once someone enters there, he never comes out, at least not as sane as he used to be. The forest possesses dark energy that somehow...sucks the persons sanity and drives him crazy. He starts talking nervously about strange sounds, lights or movements, about slick gentle touchs one time causing deep pain, other times on the contrary great pleasure. He screams avake from nightmares every night, sweating and all. It continues to get worse until his mind and body won't take it anymore and the person dies.
I personaly don't really know why those things happen. The rumors have it that something really bad happened there, so bad that the trees blackened, plants grew huge and animals ran nut." tense, scared gulps could be heard.
"Anyway no one comes near Ryunokokyu Forest from a long time ago, even Sehyr wouldn't dare to go there. Therefore going through the mountains might be a longer journey due to tge safety, but it's practicaly the only way we've got."
Nami frowned but agreed. This was Zoros homeland, he should know it better then any of them except Savannah maybe. Plus if he said something was too dangerous, only a madman wouldn't listen to him.
"While in Tsubaki well call Futashi with den-den snail and tell him to set sail and go to Amaya-capital. After we out get to the Capital Zoro'll help us sneak into the palace. We'll split into three groups. First one will look for Savannahs brother and grandpa. The second one will stay a bit behind to fight Sehyr and his minions while the first group with the Yoru-guys makes their escape to the harbor where Futashi will be waiting with Sunny. The last group will hide place bombs all over the castle just in case it will be necessary and if it comes to that will evacuate the city. The main battle is usualy Luffy's part, but this time I believe if his health, Chopper and probably also Joaquin-san allows it, Zoro would be the one to defeat Sehyr." Luffy nodded and Zoro growled. "Okay, all understood? Any questions?"
"Yeah, just one." Usopp spoke. "If we travell across the kingdom just like that, won't it be suspicious?" the sniper asked, what everyone had in their minds.
Nami's face was cut in half by a large demon-sneer and her eyes narrowed with mischief as her aura grew evil sending goosebumps over their bodys (although Sanji from different reasons...). "Oh, don't worry, leave that to me. I'll have to confirm something with Savannah-chan later, but I have all planned just fine."
to be continued...
