A Fruitless Start
One Piece belongs to Oda.
Chapter-3 Arlong's Bane
Making a map is not easy by any measure. Besides needing to be a bit of a artist, the drawing needs to be as precise and understandable as possible to make it, it is also necessary to have a considerable knowledge about the terrain in question, if it is close to the sea then it's also needed to add the shift of currents and of course there is also math, you need to calculate every position on the map being made and correlate with the place it was based from. There is a logical difference between the map and real life and math is used to explain the differences.
Nami knows every equation, every detail of her home geography to the point that she could make a map with her eyes closed, no rulers and it still would be better than most maps. That was all born from the process of repetition, Arlong made her work from the first day on at every opportunity, for many maps with different angles of the island for the benefit of his fish-men and copies of the best routes for and from the Conomi.
She is exhausted but wants to get it done fast, just a couple of maps then she can go home for a few days, she keeps moving her pen with that purpose, exhausted. Just a few more hours and she could go and rest for a few days.
Suddenly there was a big noise outside but she ignored it, either Momoo came back hungry or Arlong got some bad news, she just needed to finish her work and leave. After a few minutes there was another noise, louder this time, she kept focusing on her task, almost finished. Finally an explosion or something similar made her make a mistake and move her pen in a straight line, right on the middle of the map, she gets frustrated and gets up from her table to go outside and scream to her tormentors a bit for this would be a rare chance to let some of her anger out and they could only accept it.
Going down the stairs she opens the door screaming "CAN YOU ALL SHUT UP FOR TEN MINUTES SO I CAN FINISH THE MAP" then she blinks. Looking around her she sees Hatcham and Kuroobi at the side with mouths open and eyes wide shocked, turning to the side she sees her sister at the gate with the villagers all armed. The vision makes her nervous, leading her to panic and she looks for Arlong to try to apologize and justify their actions in some way, then she notices. The craters on the park, half of the gate damaged and the other half on the ground while in the middle of all destruction there are two figures standing.
To one side a kid(he looks younger than her but she is not sure), blood runs all over his head and his right arm where the jacket and vest he is wearing are damaged with signs of teeth on his shoulder, a straw hat on his back. On the other side Arlong, he is bruised and bleeding as well just not as much, his hat had fallen somewhere(he lost it, she realizes) and he kept his hand on his torso, breathing slowly for there was a lull on the battlefield at the moment, both fighters getting ready for another round.
"WHAT HELL IS GOING ON?" confusion and worry mix together as she screams and every other person in the park turns to look at her with mixed reactions.
….
Arlong was amused, a kid showing up to kill him is not new, Nami herself tried that a lot when younger, and many of the island inhabitants tried over the years just to die either by him or one of his fish-men. But never before has one been so bold, and strong enough, to kick his gate. He couldn't help but laugh, the day is getting better and better for him. "And why... you want to, as you called, oh yes, 'kick my ass'?" holding his laugh he asked curiously.
With a small smile Luffy asks "You are the strongest guy here right?" Arlong nods "That is why" such a simple reasoning made the fish-man laugh even more.
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE HUMAN?" demanded Kuroobi, preparing to attack until Arlong put a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine"
"Fine? Captain what-"
"I'm in a real good mood today, everything is great and if a brat wants to die by my hands I see no problem with it" then he glances to Nojiko, "I don't know why you bother to bring him here, but if it was to give me some fun I can give your sister a extended break."
Nojiko could only stand in silence staring at him, then she looked at Luffy "You can beat him right?" Arlong found it cute, she thought a kid could bet him. Hatchi and Kuroobi got to the side wall while Arlong stands in alway form the building entrance, waiting for the kid.
"Sure, no problem" then Luffy steps forward "Can we fight here or you want to leave?"
"Nah, it's fine. This won't take long."
"Okay" suddenly Luffy moved like a flash and punched Arlong straight on the stomach "ROCK SMASH" the fish-man is pushed a few feet and looks surprised by the hit, the follow up also came fast "CATCHING LEAVES" several punches were thrown on his chest and head in just a couple of seconds until he punches back, hitting his opponent on the face and sending him flying back.
Luffy recovers quickly and falls on his feet, at this point Arlong is still curious about this brat insolence, the attacks were fast and not bad but if that was all, the fish-man would make short work of the kid with no troubles.
"You are stronger than the others," Luffy said, getting back in a fighting position.
"Others?"
"There was a lip bastard and a bunch of weird guys in a village out there" Luffy is ready but Arlong eyes are covered by his hat waiting to listen to the end of this story "they hurt my mom so I punched them." After finishing speaking Luffy charged.
Arlong now is seeing red, this brat dared to harm his comrades. Absurd, he will die just for implying such thing "SHARK ON DARTS" he launches himself to his opponent and Luffy barely has time to dodge and after Arlong passed by him he stops himself and picks the straw hat by a arm "I WILL KILL YOU" he bites on Luffy right shoulder and, while the attack was successful and Luffy bleeds, his teeth break on the attempt, surprising the fish-man.
"RISING SWALLOW" screams Luffy, kicking the pirate on the chin, Arlong face is looking up and he took real damage but he refuses to let his opponent go. He recognizes this pain in a way but focuses on his own counter, lifting Luffy by his arm he smashes the kid on the ground, then he does it again and a final time until Luffy kicks him again this time on the chest. The second kick is weak but just a distraction for the kid. Soon Arlong notices the left arm of his opponents and drops the right before the other hits him, Luffy ends punching the ground, the impact forcing the two to take some distance.
While at a distance Arlong teeth grow back and he pulls the new set out, Luffy charges at him while he does the process once more, then, when Luffy is close, Arlong prepares to use his teeth on hand as a weapon but Luffy ignores it and punched Arlong right on the chest going straight through the fish-man defense. The pain is really familiar but Arlong can't place why the strikes of this kid were hurting now when they didn't before.
Luffy doesn't give time for recovery and follows up with another sequence of fast punches, stronger than the last "CATCHING FIREFLIES" this time he can't counter as easily so he jumps to the water.
Calming himself, feeling safe in his element, Arlong starts to wonder how the boy is doing this, it makes no sense why he is having that much difficulty against such a small human… who just jumped on water and started to swim at him…. he is a idiot or just wanted to commit suicide. It doesn't matter if he wants to die fighting a fish-man on water, where they are at their strongest, Arlong will oblige with gusto.
He aimed his nose and used his shark on darts to finish the kid off once for all when, out of nowhere he was kicked again, he can't understand how, he was faster in the water than on land, and there was no way a kid could hit him like this or move like that. Being kicked out of the water he falls on the ground, angrier than before "HOW? YOU ARE JUST A HUMAN, HOW YOU MOVED LIKE THAT ON WATER?" demanded Arlong.
"Training." getting back to land, Luffy places his hat back on his head from the ground as he looks at Arlong, then he puts it on his back and charges again. Arlong, growing more frustrated by the second throws a punch which is deflected and countered "GORILLA SMASH". This one was stronger than the last and enough for Arlong to hit a wall at the back of the park, opposed to the gate.
Getting up he looks over his opponent's head and sees the villagers coming to the park, all of them armed with spears, swords and knives of many kinds with a huge woman armed with an axe leading the march with Genzo. When they notice Arlong bleeding they are surprised but none more than Nami who exited the park screaming.
…
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" all are looking at her now and for the first time in a long time she feels small from so many stares. No one answered her for a while until the kid with the hat started talking.
"I'm fighting the big guy. Huh… and who are you?" … is he for real? Why is he fighting Arlong? Why were the villagers there? And why is no one else saying anything?
"NAMI GET HERE THIS INSTANT" screams Genzo, he looks fine and with his usual pinwheel, he is stepping to the side of Nojiko and soon all the villagers are calling her as well.
"What is going on here? Where are the others?" asked Hatcham, the octopus looking at all this confused and disturbed.
"This is a rebellion, they dare to turn against us" stated Kuroobi getting ready for a fight.
"WAIT! Kuroobi let me talk to them" begged Nami, she fought all this time, all her effort to stop the slaughter of her people she won't give up now "Guys what are you doing here?" She tries to smile going to them, ignoring the fighters at the center of the park, for some reason neither is moving, just watching her "Are you insane? Get to your homes where is safe and-"
"We know" stated Genzo. Suddenly Nami stops, looking right in his eyes "We know" he repeats a bit louder and firmer than before.
She looks at Nojiko who just nods "THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?" desperately she screams "DON'T YOU REALIZE YOU ARE DOING? ALL THIS TIME AND YOU ARE GOING TO THROW IT ALL OUT?" she sounded more frustrated and irritated by the minute "I JUST NEED SOME TIME WHY ARE YOU ALL HERE YOU ALL SHOULD HATE ME-"
"WE NEVER DID" shout Genzo silencing her "We shouldn't had let you fight alone, from the very first day Nojiko told us about your deal with Arlong" he paused to breath "If Belle-mère was alive she would call us all idiots 'Letting a child do the fighting while the big men run for their mother's' or something like that" he smiled a bit there, some of the crowd looked down ashamed of their actions "But no more, all that are here decided: either we free you and kick these pirates of our island or we die" nobody retreated, they all were there for this, all ready for there would be no other chance.
Nami was stunned, tear threatening to leave her eyes but she kept resolute "You can't win" the certainty in her voice was absolute "Just go, Arlong won't attack while I'm here, just please I… don't I want anyone else to die."
"GIrl" started the big woman "It's not about what you want but what you need" she looked at the fish-man "And you don't need to be a slave to that lot."
Kuroobi smiled and stepped forward, while his captain fought the kid he would have to deal with the villagers "And what a weak human like you can do?" He prepared to fight assuming the starting position of the fish-man karate, a martial art that uses all the power of a fish-man.
She looks unimpressed at the fish-man, without saying a word she pulls a gun and shoots him. The ray fish-man looks down on his stomach where he had been hit then looks to the woman "You can be as strong as you want, until you learn how to survive bullets you can fall the same way as any man" and then she threw the gun to the side while Kuroobi fell to his knees trying to stop the blood, the weapon, the kind found with a captain from a ship, had just a bullet and she must not had extra ammo but with only two enemies left it was no great loss, Arlong tried to move to strike but Luffy intercepted punching the captain down "And girl, you are so afraid of this guys you didn't see any other solution to your problem, if you are such a great thief you should have tried to get guns and fought back. It's funny in a way, you all were so focused in protecting each other that didn't think about fighting for one another. LUFFY KICK THIS FISH ASS SO WE CAN GO HOME."
"SURE THING MOM shishishi" Arlong gets back up and charges again but Luffy just dodge all his strikes, the fish-man can't catch him. While this is all happening Hatcham can't comprehend what is happening, he wants to move inside the park and get his swords but hesitates.
Nami knows that among all pirates Hatcham was the most kind to her and the villagers, so much so that Arlong pretty much ordered him to not go get tribute for he would either give the people time or just ignore a house or two. Now, with the only comrade standing being Arlong himself Hatchi is hesitating but she knows if he fights the villagers many will die winning or not. "HATCHAN" he looks at her confused "LEAVE, THE ISLAND DOESN'T WANT THE FISH-MAN ANYMORE. IF YOU FIGHT YOU WILL KILL AND YOU DON'T LIKE THAT. LEAVE!" If her people are going to fight she will with them but she needs to be smart about it, if the guy fighting Arlong wins, there is no guarantee he can fight Hatcham too soon after and she has seen his six sword style.
"HATCHI KILL THESE PEASANTS NOW" Arlong finally punches Luffy on the gut but he can't capitalize because the kid punches him back forcing another split. Both are bleeding more and looking more exhausted than she ever saw him.
All the while the octopus looks at the villagers and his captain confused, he really doesn't like killing, he is complacent of murders but he can't do it himself easily. Noticing this the big woman said "If you want to fight, come at it, but these people won't be slaves anymore."
"Slaves?" for some reason that word got to him the woman pounced on it immediately, she may look able to fight but there was an attempt of avoiding it.
"What else do you call people who live to cater your every need?" she raised an eyebrow and continued "You take their money, force them to sell to your allies and have one of them working to the bone for the very right to live. If they are not slaves what are they?"
For some reason the pink pirate looked sick, he kept looking to his captain, to the villagers and to the big woman, she prepared her axe but didn't attack, Nami noticed her bandages, she was hurt and this was a risk the bigger problem was….
"HATCHAM STOP SCREWING AROUND AND DEAL WITH THE THRASH" even fighting Arlong had enough presence of mind to not disconsider the situation, he needed help "OUR BROTHERS MUST BE DEAD AT THE HANDS OF THOSE, WORMS KILL THEM" another punch shut him up and he almost fell on the ground but he straightened himself and attacked again, but his opponent never let himself be caught in any of the attacks.
Hatcham looked ready to fight now, the thought of his comrades made him resolute, Nami was almost panicking but Nako the doctor intervened "We, unlike you, don't kill easily" he had the attention of the octopus now "We tied them with as much rope we could get and, while most have broken bones, the only killers here are you.'' Once again the fish-man stopped. Everyone was ready to fight many afraid, Nami most of them all.
Finally Hatcham did the unthinkable. He looked at Arlong "I'm sorry" and gunned for the water, jumped and disappeared. All signed in relief except the last member of the Arlong Pirates: Arlong himself.
…
Luffy was starting to wonder what to eat after the fight, it was starting to get boring for him. Now it's not that the other guy was weak, he was just slow…really slow. Well that is not fair, Luffy is just faster. Arlong is stronger but after many, many, many, many of gramps beatings there is a lesson that Luffy learned, if you can dodge you are cool, if you can't you are screwed. And right now that is his greatest advantage, he used too much energy on his attacks early, he needs to get stronger, this fight helped but now with the other guy getting even slower there is nothing more for him to gain from this.
"LUFFY KICK THIS FISH ASS SO WE CAN GO HOME." well time to finish this.
"SURE THING MOM shishishi" he is happy she didn't tell him to stop calling her mom yet, he likes it. Arlong tries to get to the others, a punch pushes him to the ground. Luffy has to give him that, the fish-man doesn't quit, he can respect it. He is trying to force his comrade to kill and that is bad, shame really this would be more fun if he wasn't a bad guy.
Oh look the pink one left, well that was too bad Luffy wanted to fight him too, he wonders how fun it would be to have six arms. "ARH" looks like Arlong got more angry with his friend leaving. It's sad, no one deserves to be abandoned but he hurt those people. He gets up, eyes red and starts to move faster, not as fast like he was on water but he is still slow. Now that Luffy has his rhythm the result didn't change, the boy just dodges "WHY I CAN'T HIT YOU?" demanded the pirate.
"Because you are slow" dodge again, problem is Luffy is tired and all his attacks are much weaker than before, Haki is really tiring to use, he needs to learn how to pace himself better.
The pirate suddenly stops and jumps back "SLOW? I WILL SHOW YOU SLOW! YOU ARE DEAD" then he jumps again and starts spinning "SHARK ON TOOTH" this time he is going to try and rip Luffy apart, the problem for him is…
"YOU ARE STILL TOO SLOW" dropping on his knees below right when Arlong is passing Luffy uses the last of his stamina in a powerful strike "RISING HAAAAANK" hitting Arlong right on the stomach and launching him on the air, the fish-man flies higher until he is above his own building. Finally gravity starts to take its due and the pirate captain falls on the ground on his back completely passed out.
For a moment nobody said anything"YOU IDIOT" mom starts hitting him on the head, he falls on the ground exhausted "WHAT PART OF WE WERE LEAVING YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND" she picks him by his jacket and vest and scream on his face "DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS?"
"Shishishi, hey mom."
"WHAT?" he really was feeling tired after all this but he just wanted to say.
"I won against the strong guy here and it helped a lot." he is smiling again, too pleased with himself "It was a really fun vacation trip."
…
That damn brat. She can't be mad at him, a mother can't….. great now even she thinks that she is his mother. Well that is fine, that means she can do this "Idiot son of mine" he smiled more at that "You are grounded" still smiling "No meat for a week" still smiling.
"Okay" huf what an idiot son.
Suddenly the cheers started. All from the villagers were smiling or crying celebrating the victory, the orange haired girl, Nami fell on her knees and was stunned with her sister at her side and the officer looking very pleased with himself. Nako moved to help Luffy and faster than she could blink he helped her to put him on the ground to take a look at his shoulder the boy still smiling like a loon, she can feel the year catching up to her and swears to never make a trip like this but the job is not done even if this villagers can't see it.
"Listen here you idiots" everyone stopped to give her attention, "There is still a lot to be done don't think for a moment that this is over and if you relax we can get in a worse situation" nobody moved, the relief replaced with fear. Good focus is really important now "Where is the den den mushi of this island?".
"Arlong had it in his office" said Nami, the advantages and utilities of someone with inside information and preemptive knowledge, now that she finished worrying work can be done.
"Get it for me, we need to call the marines'' with any luck, not one marine specific because if he gets wind of what she did either he will laugh a lot or arrest her for good. She likes her odds but there is no reason to risk it. "Unless any of you wants to kill them we need the navy, besides that get more ropes or find some chains for the big guy" she pointed at Arlong and the villagers began to move, many entered the building of the park, while others got some rope or chains to tie the remaining fish-man, speaking of…
"Your bitch…" Kuroobi is still alive but it was obvious he can't do anything right now, his voice barely a whisper. Looks like blood loss affects both humans and fish-man equally(who knew right?), the doctor moved to help him but the pirate tried to keep him at bay, "I refuse to accept… any help from your kind."
Nako tried to convince him "If I Don't close the wound, you will die" he explained "You also will need a blood transfer" even all this, these people were willing to assist their tyrants, she wished to know why but there was no point.
"Why are you helping me?" or the guy himself would ask, either way is good she supposes.
"We decided to be better than you...also the idea of you spending the rest of your lifes in hell appeals many of us more than a quick death would" that was a lie, even after all this Dadan can tell they just don't want blood on their hands, the only ones with guts on this village were the two girls of 'Belle-mère', it made the bandit wish she had meet the ex-marine, either for a fight or a drink it would be interesting either way.
The fish-man decided to let the doctor look at the wound, a pensive look on his face while some villagers stayed around him with weapons ready, maybe these people have a spine and are just too nice for their own good.
"We found it" someone screamed and they brought a big, the size of a person's head, snail connected with a board with numbers, it looked well fed and had a small police hat on its head.
"It used to be mine on the station" said Genzo, Arlong just took the one already here and used for his purposes "I'm surprised they left the hat."
He prepared to call the marines but before he could "I would suggest you don't do that" Kuroobi started "We had a lot of sponsors on the navy and the market around this place, if you call one of ours you will end the same way." he smiled a bit at the information.
All just stayed quiet and looked at each other, Nojiko broke the silence "Nami, is he telling the truth?"
"He is" there was no argument there she was sure "I made a ton of maps to a lot of their sponsors, I would not be surprised" she looks at Kuroobi "Why tell us this"
"Because I don't trust you humans, if you surrender and behave all this can be forgotten" he offers "And if you not, it will not be much longer until one of ours comes here and claims our resources as their own." Damned if you do, damned if you don't it seems.
Luffy punches the karate user on the head, knocking him out. "I refuse that" he turns and looks at Dadan…. and keeps looking at her.
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"
"NO"
"YES"
Back and forward they keep going at it, Luffy insistent and Dadan reluctant. The villagers are confused and can only guess how long this will take.
"Mom call him already."
"Luffy he is never, and I mean NEVER, going to let me live this down" she was sounding really desperate but she can't help it, she doesn't want to admit she left her mountains and got lost to that man.
"MOM…" he looks at her and waits….. she will not budge on this….he kept looking.
"Luffy I'm a bandit, you will not make me feel guilty" but he was, just by staring and not saying anything to her. She turns around and only silence, she holds her head high for a bit and looks back. Luffy is still there just staring at her.
After a few minutes of absolute silence…..she breaks.
"You are a scary kid when you want to be" she then picks the caller, "I will make this clear now I will regret this".
"Shishishishishi" yep she knows she will.
….
Purupurupuru Purupurupuru.
Garp was eating and no one called him on mid lunch, no one except Sengoku, his old friend and arguably his only equal on the marines, dared to interrupt him at lunch. Of course it didn't help that he ate whenever he wanted and used his subordinates to do most of the office work but this time he is on the official time lunch break instituted for the navy, in general, most if not all personnel ate at this time unless they were the bunch who had to work on it for whatever reason(there must always be someone at a post at any time).
So after the fourth attempt of calling him he takes it just to have some peace at lunch "WHAT? I'm having my meal here". The voice on the other side was Dadan much to the vice admiral's surprise."What happened woman?"..."Arlong, really? Well how did you two ended there?"..."BWAHAHAHA. Really? Got lost even? THAT IS HILARIOUS BWAHAHAHA"..."He said that huh?"..."Yes I can see the problem, and to think Arlong was that smart, Krieg at least the navy avoids going after for the sheer numbers of his fleet"..."Alright, alright let me think on something"... "I will let you know I will come up with a brilliant idea"..."Well, you did raise him right if he can beat a Grand Line pirate at fifteen"..."Oh Spot, yeh Luffy introduced me, nice fella. Wish I had the idea of training with a sea king"..."Oh don't be such a-"..."OKAY, jeez I get that he was reckless but give ME a break"..."Look, I will do what I can to make sure the right people are punish for this…. actually I have a idea, just keep Luffy on the island for a few days at least at most a week"..."Don't worry, it's a good plan." he hangs up.
Well there are three ways of going at it, first go there himself and he had no time for that, second call Sengoku for a favor….yeh no. Three it is then, which means calling a competent officer and setting the situation up in such a way that the old bastards can't cover up… this will ruffle sooo many feathers and piss off soooo many people, he shouldn't go for this, calling Sengoku is the sensible option, the safe option….who was he kidding? It was the third option from the beginning and all the way.
"SOMEONE REMEMBERS KUZAN'S NUMBER?" he screams to all his subordinates, "ALSO BRING ME MORE PASTA" with that settled he called the other number he planned for. "If this doesn't get Luffy on the marines…. I will try other stuff" some people weren't made to quit.
…
After Dadan made the call, the villagers helped clean the park of everything of value, Nami is still on a lull with all that happened. Apparently the woman and her son( adopted and there is a funny joke there somewhere but for the life of her she is just tired right now) ended on the island by complete accident, riding a giant cow(she had no courage to tell the woman anymore about it), fought the fish-man and, because Arlong was strong, Luffy decided to fight him...insanity doesn't cover their last few hours.
After all of value was taken from the park, torches were used to burn it, Genzo, after seeing her room and specially her pen which she tried to hide, offered her the first torch, after it everything was destroyed, stone by stone.
Right now Nami can't figure out what to do with herself, many villagers are apologizing to her(it was not needed), offering her stuff(she didn't want) and in general trying to compensate for 'leaving her to fight by herself'. She insisted that was her choice. They looked worse when she said that. After a while, Neko offered to rid her of Arlong's mark she accepted. She planned on a pinwheel and a tangerine but before that there is something that she must do.
She waited for the night when most would be asleep, then she moved to the center of the village, a few tents were up, a bit of protection against the elements, there were also three guards around ready to shout if anything happened and inside these tents were the fish-man, the Arlong pirates, tied to ropes and chains, beaten and bruised.
Nako gave some medical assistance(the bare minimum in reality, no one wanted them able to go on a rampage), most were awake, glaring at her but she wasn't bothered or even cared about them. She kept moving to the center where, tied to a tree with chains, was Arlong. The captain had seen better days. If there was a pirate no one wanted on their feet, it was Arlong and to make sure of that he received zero treatment of any kind so there he was, tied up, still covered on his on blood and with obvious difficult to breath, not that he was bleeding, for the wounds had already healed, but he also is not getting any water or food. The fear of him made anyone unwilling to risk any kind of recovery.
"Look who finally came, the traitor." Arlong speaks slowly, he can't muster the strength to look at her properly, head still down. "Shouldn't have expected more of you humans. Are you going to kill me now?" Everyone else on the place was quiet, even the guards were tense but silent. If Nami wants to, she can just stab him and no one would stop her.
She doesn't move neither speak, just stands there and stares at Arlong, minutes pass and no one says a thing for a good time. Losing his patience, the fish-man raises his head with great difficulty, his eyes are full of rage but he can't do a thing.
"What do you want? Say something. Are you here to brag? Finish the job?" nothing, she just stands there "Answer me damned." he stops to breath and the silence continues.
She began to talk then "I hate you…. I hate you with every fiber of my being. You made me a slave, extorted my home, hurt my friend but more importantly you killed MY MOTHER" she is breathing hard and glares at him fiercely, pulling a knife from behind her.
"She could have lied, she choose to die-" the knife was pressed on his neck in a instant, her eyes full of murder.
"SHUT UP."
"You know I'm right."
"YOU KNOW NOTHING, YOU KILLED HER FOR NOTHING." she pressed the knife further, Arlong was bleeding a bit.
"Do it, come on. Don't you want your revenge?" when he said that she stopped, looked at him and started laughing like a maniac. It was not a beautiful laugh, it was one bitter and full of resentment.
"You want to die don't you?"
"It's not why you are here? Do it already." and she doesn't.
She takes her knife out of his necks and starts to walk away. "No, the marines can have you. We are done and I will never see you again."
"You are nothing without me." Arlong tried to get up, to do anything. But he couldn't he was beaten and the damage was taking its toll "I was the one who brought out your real potential. I was the one who gave you the tools for you to hone your craft. I made you who you are. Don't walk away FROM ME."
Nami stops, she looks back and just walks out, there was no need to say anything to him. Made her? No, Belle-mère raised her as best as she could and her values are still with her, Nojiko supported her and kept her steady on the many times she felt like failing, Genzo, before and during pretending with the other villagers that they hated her, always looked worried, it was for her now that she thinks of it, in hindsight. She started to run to the cliff of her mother's grave not noticing someone had seen her, and while running she was not sure what to do when she got there, what she would say. Should she apologize for taking that long? Should she just cry and say how much she missed her?
Finally she reached the grave, it was a simple one, just a cross of wood on the ground. She wondered if Nojiko should be here with her right now. She didn't know what to do, she had been here before but this is the first time it didn't feel like the weight of the world was not on her shoulders, she was free. There were many things to say but where to even begin?
Steps come from behind her "Are you alright?" It was the kid who beat Arlong, Luffy, he had some bandages on him but mostly he looked fine, someone fixed his jacket and the straw hat was on his head(how did that thing survive the fight?). He also had some bone and meat on a hand, a huge piece half eaten.
"I'm fine" she says "Shouldn't you be sleeping?" If Nami could, she would like to be alone but she also would like to not insult the person who beat Arlong.
"Nah slept a lot after the fight" he looks at her for a bit "You sure you are fine?"
"Yes. Could you please leave me alone?" she really doesn't want to deal with him right now. "I really want to be alone right now."
"Okay" then he sits down a little behind her and she looks at him incredulously.
"Didn't you hear what I just said?" she complains but the kid stays in place.
"Yes."
"Then why are you here?" she is getting stressed at that point.
"Because it looks like that is not what you want" he starts to eat his meat and she can just stare.
"I said-"
He interrupts "You said you want to be alone, but you don't look like you want to be" he looks at her right in the eyes "If you did, then why come here?"
"To speak with my mother." he nods.
"Yep, so how can you be alone when you are speaking with her?" is this kid mad.
"She is dead."
"I know."
"HOW?" She is growing frustrated with this idiot.
"Your sister told me" Nami shutted up there, "She told me while asking me to kick Arlong's ass" clarified the straw hat, calm.
"Why are you here?"
"Oh, I saw you running with a knife, that is dangerous and you shouldn't do that" his eyes move to the knife and Nami also looks at it, she was going to use it on Arlong but after seeing him beaten she found it was best to let him to his own misery.
For a minute she just stared at it, then turned around and looked at the grave, Luffy still on the same spot as before. For a while that was it, he was silent with just the sound of him eating from time to time, besides that it was just silence.
"Why did you do it?" she finally asks.
"Did what?"
"Fought Arlong. Why did you do it?"
"Because I wanted to."
"That is no reason" she had no strength to scream on that. "Why did you want to fight him then?"
"To get stronger." This guy must be doing this on purpose to provoke her.
"Fine. Then why do you need to be stronger?"
"To become Pirate King" is he a pirate? "Ah, I'm not supposed to tell anyone that on this trip" he is insane that is for sure. "Can you forget about it?"
"YOU ARE A PIRATE?" she panicked and prepared the knife….
"No" she stops on her tracks at the answer "Not yet" what the…"Can only be a pirate in two years"
"Why?"
"I promised to my brothers" he looked nostalgically to the horizon at that point "We would become pirates when we had our seventeen birthday" he looked at her still smiling "Ace left a year ago, now I'm waiting for my turn."
"WHY TO YOU WANT TO BE A PIRATE" this is the guy who saved her village, he should be a hero, not a pirate "ALL THEY DO IS STEAL, PILLAGE AND HURT PEOPLE. THEY ARE THE WORST KIND OF PERSON. AND PIRATE KING? WHY?" she stopped to breathe, after screaming so much she felt exhausted.
Luffy just looks at her tilting his head and nods a bit and starts talking "There are good people and bad people, good pirates and bad pirates, good marines and bad marines." he said absolute certainty of what he was talking about. "When I was little, I met a cool awesome pirate called Shanks and my grandfather always wanted me to be a marine, always, so when I saw Shanks just having fun and being nice I liked it and wanted to be like him. To be free to do what I want." Then his expression turns cold "Years later I met this bad pirate called SomethingJam, I don't remember his name, he hurted my family and started a fire that killed a lot of people" he looks at her with a strong look, "He did it because the nobles of the town told him to".
Then he just finished eating his meat, got up, picked the knife from her hand and started to walk away.
"There are good people and bad people" he turns around with a dumb grin "don't be sad, you too are a good person." and then he left.
After the stress of the day Nami finally started to cry she sat there and just let it all out, she cried for her mother, for her wounds and all she passed, she moved closer to the grave and told her how much she missed her, that Arlong was gone and that she would be fine.
…
On the next day, Nojiko found her sister on their mother's grave, she had slept there and looked at peace. For a time Nojiko debated waking her up or not and decided to do it on the basis that it was not a good idea to sleep on the ground. After waking her sister both of them moved into the house for a good breakfast and then to go to the village, until the pirates were taken from there it was all hands on deck to keep an eye and guarantee that if anything happened the fish-man wouldn't be able to harm anyone.
While eating both sisters talked about a lot of stuff and Nojiko couldn't help but to feel relief. Nami was free now and she is acting like it, the day before she looked sad or in a trance after all the commotion. She thought it was because Arlong is still on the island, there was nothing to be done about that for now Dadan said that until the end of the week at the latest all would be solved. She didn't understand why but trusted the woman, she had no reason to lie, especially being treated like a hero by all in the village.
"Can't wait to have you here helping with the tangerines" after saying that Nojiko noticed Nami's look, a smile but at the same time not "You are leaving again aren't you?"
"I'm thinking about it" she replies looking sheepish "Haven't decided yet" it was predictable really, after all this time living for others…
"If it is about your dream I say go for it" in the end the sisters just want to see each other happy.
"You sure? Once I'm gone there is little reason for me to come back" she looks to the side "Maybe to just visit once in a while" and that is what matters. Distance is irrelevant, they will always be family.
"Any plans?"
"Well no, but I want to start on the East Blue and work from there. For money, I could always steal."
"What about the treasure that you have here?"
"It's yours" that doesn't sound right.
"Mine?"
"I stole it for the village and while I talked to mom yesterday, I decided to part with it. I want a new start so you can keep this one, I will get a bigger one later."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes that one has…memories, the goal was for the village, you can have it." Nami decided on that, she will be fine.
….
A few days later Nami was still admiring the new tattoo, Nako did a great job, the pinwheel embarassed Genzo and she loved it for that. The day was a good one and she was still deciding when to go on her next voyage, she told no one other then her sister and she isn't planning to, she plans to come back, especially since before going to all other seas she plans to roam for quite a bit of East Blue, not all, not enough treasure, sooner or later she will have to go to others including the Grand Line and while some of the other seas have some maps, the Grand Line has so few that most of the stuff there is only heard in legend.
Suddenly one of the fishermen comes running into the village "A navy ship is coming" he said. "There is another ship at the side with no identification" At that moment the people started to move and get ready, if one of Arlong's allies then they would fight if not, well preparations were still necessary. The unknown ship may be commercial or enemies but the navy was the real danger.
"Luffy you keep an eye on the fish-men, wait to see if the marine is trustworth, if not, punch them we settle all the rest later." Dadan warned her son while she hid in one of the houses, not out of cowardness but on the risk that if was a good marine, they would have to arrest her but she had her axe and was ready for a fight.
A few minutes later both ships stopped at the port, the smaller one first, it was a transport ship and there were a lot of people exiting it, the marine ship started to let out their troops and there was a massive man with grey hair and a weapon strapped on his back giving instructions, all the villagers were nervous but Luffy looked curious if nothing else.
The marines started to secure the area while the other group picked notebooks and were going around asking questions, Nami goes close to Luffy "Any idea of what is going on here?" he shakes his head.
The huge man looked to the others and let out a gruf, all the while he moved closer to Genzo, "Are you the responsible for this settlement?" Genzo could only nod at the man who then asked "Where are the fish-men and the person who beat them?"
"And what you will do with this information" credit where is due Genzo could really handle pressure.
"In accordance with the act of bounty collecting and regards of the established laws, to give the bounty I need both the pirate in question and the one who, by acting on good faith, beaten him." After a small pause to let the words sink in he proceeded "After some signatures the person will receive the bounty and the gratitude of the world government."
"LUFFY COME HERE" called Genzo, apparently there was no reason for hiding, this marine sounded legit.
The captain looked at Luffy, who's a fifteen year old kid and it showed with his enthusiasm, ran at him and stopped at an arm's length "You are the one who got Arlong?" not disbelieving just curious the marine asked.
"Yep, name's Luffy nice to meet you." Again he just smiled like the guy wasn't a man of importance but an acquaintance on the street.
The big guy just nodded and didn't see to mind his attitude "My name is Smoker and I'm the captain stationed at LogueTown, I was sent here for a investigation of certain accusations and incidents regarding this islands" he then look to one of his people, a woman with short hair, glasses and typical marine uniform, she comes closer and gives him some papers while whispering on his ear. After a few seconds, "We confirmed some of HQ suspicion and I promise that those bribed and any who helped Arlong will be punished accordingly. Now if you would be so kind as to escort my men to the pirates, we will give the rewards and go our own way."
No one could believe it was finally happening, Nami watched as the pirates were properly cuffed and escorted to the ships, from the corner of her eye she noticed flashes and the people which came with the marines taking notes and had cameras with them. Nami realized that they were reporters and she really was happy to never been caught stealing before and that Dadan was hiding, on the other hand now the bandit can't leave with the marines in absolutely no way, a picture and she will be wanted for more than just the Goa Kingdom.
The captain, Smoker, steps forward with three briefcases he gives them to Luffy and patiently waits as the guy looked confuse "Here is your reward, the world government officially wants to thank you for your help in apprehending such dangerous entities" Luffy smiles and puts the money(how much is on those briefcases?) "Since one of the officials, Hatcham of the six swords, was not found the reward his part is taken out leaving you with a total of 34,500,000 belly" Nami's brain needed to restart after hearing that. Maybe she should have gone the bounty hunter route? She wasn't listening for a bit but managed to come back at the end of a speech that was obviously rehearsed. "...therefore, the government thanks you…. your name please?"
"Monkey D. Luffy" more flashes and the captain nodded again.
"...Thanks you Monkey D. Luffy for the capture of such a criminal. Sign here please" he signed slowly, obviously not being used to it. Once signed, Smoker checked and extended his hand and Luffy didn't hesitate to shake it. More flashes happen and the captain turns to leave with his troops.
"SIR, SIR CAN WE HAVE A INTERVIEW?" "WHAT HAPPENED HERE ON THIS VILLAGE EXACTLY?" "YOUR FAMILY NAME IS THE SAME AS THE HERO OF THE MARINES, ARE YOU RELATIVES?" the questions go one after another, Luffy looks confused but he just nods and after a while starts answering.
"Sure I can do a interwhatever, I'm here on vacation and who is this Hero guy?" after someone says the name Monkey D. Garp the kid answered "Oh, he is my gramps" the shock on the faces of everyone around him didn't phase Luffy at all "Say where you all came from?"
"Huh, we are journalists, sir" the power of the name of a legend is huge, every reporter there is treating him like royalty.
"I asked where you came from, not what you are." For the next ten minutes they gave various answers and once satisfied the straw hat asked more "How is the food from there?" and continued after they answered "Cool and are the people there strong" and continued "It's the place nice" and so on,
Suddenly Nami started to laugh and even her sister looked at her confused but she couldn't help it. "Nami, why are you laughing" it was an energetic laugh, the first in a really long time, a sincere form of expressing joy. Soon all were smiling even if they didn't understand why.
"You can't tell?" She stopped a bit holding her joy just enough to explain "Look at the reporters" most did still confuse "They are not interviewing him anymore, he is asking the questions. Professional reporters, who can make celebrities and kings squirm on their questions are being completely destroyed by a fifteen year old kid" after that comment, many smiled and noticed that all the reporters were doing from there was just giving into the curiosity of a kid. That lasted for hours and soon they left to their branches of the newspaper to guarantee that the story of the Conomi Islands was told to all. She can't wait to read that edition.
….
On the next day, it was time to go. Luffy and his mom were about to leave. They would leave really early so the people of the village didn't bother them (something about a bandit not needing a hero's exit) Unfortunately they couldn't go with the marines and with the possibility that the trade routes would bring too many people to see where Arlong tried to make his empire the older woman wanted to go fast. Problem is they had no idea how to get back to Goa, the people of the village gave them a dingy (with a sail this time) and some maps but they still didn't know how to navigate.
Fortunately someone gave them a solution "Take me with you" said Nami with a smile that said she was getting what she wanted and nobody could stop her. She walked to the port and had a backpack and a suitcase with plenty of stuff and clothes.
"Sure" said Luffy before his mom could even get a word in.
"Wait, that is it? Aren't you going to ask why I want to go? I could be going to steal you money as far as you are concerned" he didn't care for the money that much, besides for food (and paying Makino for all of it over the years) he can't see the value of it.
"No" the mountain bandit just stayed silent, used to Luffy's way of doing things at this point "Why? You want to?"
"You said you wanted to be Pirate King right?" he nodded "Well I want to make a map of the world. You cover my back and I will navigate for you" he had no problems with that deal but there was just a small problem.
"I'm only going to be a pirate in two years. Why are you leaving now?" to Luffy that is a fair question, it doesn't matter that he, kinda, needed this navigator right now, he can't be a pirate yet for a promise is a promise.
"It's fine, we won't go for the Grand Line in a couple of years yet and we need to get ready."
"Can't get a crew yet, not a pirate."
"Look you don't need to be a pirate to get ready to be a pirate, right?" Now she has his attention.
"I don't?"
"No, we start getting a crew together and explore the East Blue." She must really have thought about this. "You take care of the fights and I organize it as your navigator and first mate, I will do the logistical job and you take charge on emergencies."
"Logistical?"
"You are not good at planning are you?"
"No he isn't." the woman won't hesitate, this was a chance for her to have someone keep an eye on Luffy for her.
"There you go, I plan you execute." That was fine with Luffy and if he can have adventures before being a pirate then it was great but….
"Then what are we? Can't be a pirate for two years." Now even the girl stopped, she hadn't thought about it. After a few seconds she snapped her fingers.
"We are explorers."
"Explorers?"
"Explorers" seeing him confuse she explained, "You said you wanted to be a pirate to be free, right?" he nodded "If we don't break any laws that is what we are, sure we can't have a jolly roger either and we have to obey the marines if they demand anything but we won't be pirates and we can recruit people for when we become pirates."
Luffy looked almost convinced, the girl was smart and explained in a way he could understand "So we are pirates but not pirates" he can live with that.
"Luffy, by god just accept the girl's deal so she can be the one to deal with your insanity" the woman then entered the dingy "And you. Why do you want to come with him? Please tell me it wasn't love at first sight or something."
"WHAT? NO, I mean no offense ma'am but no. The reason is simple: he wants to be a pirate and I kinda have a history of piracy, if the marines get wind of it I will be arrested so I can't be a cartographer the normal way." Luffy just nods even if he doesn't get all that is happening. "Besides the normal way to have too many restrictions, he wants to explore, I want to make maps and the fact that he did save my village is just a bonus." she explained, but at this point the two woman are in the conversation by themselves because Luffy already accepted that Nami is going.
"Fine girl, get on the boat" finally they were ready to leave.
"TO THE NEXT ADVENTURE" Luffy was really excited for the next time.
"COUNT ME OUT OF IT" his mother wasn't. But none of them knew that events would start to happen that would shape Luffy's future adventures in a more….grandiose fashion.
…..
Sengoku marched getting ready for a fight, the man known as 'the Buddha' was ready to face his greatest enemy, a fierce opponent that has been trading blows with him for years, then stopping to retreat and recover to the next fight, they would surely have for, as destiny has it, neither can win and the Fleet Admiral had no choice but to accept that. Dressed in his long coat, his chest full of medals, his hat covering his afro like black hair with a bird on top of it steps forward and opens the door with a mighty shout "GARP" for his enemy is also his friend and he really hates the man for the stress he causes.
"Hey Sengoku, you are here early." The buffon looked way calmer than he should sitting behind a desk like the professional marine he was. The problem is, as any who knew Garp can tell, that is not usual at all.
"What did you do?"
"What did I do?"
"What did YOU DO?"
"Sengoku you need to be more specific" he didn't, the newspaper on the desk said it all and it was the reason for the wrath of his superior officer.
"YOU EXPOSED TO THE NEWS THE ARLONG PROBLEM, WE HAD NO CONDITION OF DEALING WITH THAT AND THE BAD PRESS IS NOT GOING TO HELP" because the edition of the day exposed the disgrace that happened on the east, the suffering of a village and the bribes that many, including marines, took which helped the pirate and almost doomed a whole island. Now Sengoku had no problem with someone dealing with that, he had no problems in helping people, it was the reason why he joined the navy. But he has a problem when corrupt officers are doing anything, in a normal situation, there is a procedure to deal with all that.
And the man in front of him skipped all that and called the press. "Now, I can explain" it must be good or else he is taking a punch on the face. "Remember my grandson?" of course he did "It was him who found all that and solved the problem and since there was a chance he could get hurt if any marine that was not a really good one was the one in the scene I took precautions" bullshit.
"You called Aokiji and had him contact Smoker, that man is as honest as you can get, tell me the truth Garp" he grabbed the man and demanded an honest answer.
Garp looked frustrated and replied "I want my grandson to be a marine" he started and made the Fleet Admiral let him go "You know who his father is" he is the only one of the few who do, that man, the most wanted man in the world Monkey D. Dragon, known only as 'the Revolutionary Dragon,' his full name hidden from the public for the safety of the reputation of the navy, since the man before him is the father of the revolutionary. "If Luffy doesn't get on the navy I can't protect him, not forever, so this is my attempt to show him a hero's life, if he likes it he may join".
Sengoku sympathizes with his friend but as his superior he needs to point out "If you don't realize it, let me tell you what you did besides trying to convince your grandson...YOU PUT OUR REPUTATION TIED TO HIS ACTIONS! ANYTHING THAT HE DOES NOW WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE GOVERNMENT INDIRECT APPROVAL! ESPECIALLY THE MARINES WE CAN'T EVER CHASE HIM IF HE GOES ON HIS FATHER FOOTSTEPS."
"AH, didn't think about that" the marines thanked the kid for his contributions, a 'thank you' which was photographed and is now headlines for all the world to see because Arlong was a 'big fish'. "Don't worry he won't become a revolutionary."
"AND IF HE DOES?" Sengoku really wanted to kill Garp on time like this.
"He won't, he doesn't even know who his father is." Garp sounded too certain of something, but at this point Sengoku needs to run damage control.
"Pray he does not, even a pirate will be more tolerated" Garp flinched at that but the Fleet Admiral was done. "Make sure he joins our organization, if not I will have your hide." Sengoku then walks out slamming the door making the papers fall.
On the cover is a picture of a kid shaking a marine's captain and it is being spread all over the globe.
….
Ace is thrown on the ground after another attempt of beating the legendary 'Whitebeard' "Yoi Ace you should really quit don't cha think." Spoke a blonde haired man named Marco, he and his comrades are eating in the hall when Ace becomes intimate with one of the walls.
"Shut up I will beat that old man one day" getting up and putting his hat Ace prepares to face his opponent again when he glances at the newspaper in the hands of Teach, a member of the crew.
Immediately Ace snatchs the paper "HEY DO YOU WANT A FIGHT" but Ace isn't listening, reading and growing slightly miffed.
"THAT IDIOT!"
….
On an island on the middle of nowhere stands a tower, a man with marks on his face sees the paper and can't help but smile, he closes it and goes back to his work.
….
In this world there is just one font of information that all can count on: The newspaper, which has branches on all oceans and gives the news in a way that the population can always receive only what is relevant to them.
On that day an event happened that all branches had to share for it was too big of an event for it to be ignored. The corruption of marines and merchants, the plans of a mad fish-man to take over one of the seas, the suffering of innocents to make the story a even bigger event,
Finally, the birth of a legend, someone who standed against all that and, while young, represented the future for both his lineage and for the world. One day he will be know by many names for now he is only:
STRAW HAT LUFFY, ARLONG'S BANE.
….
Can't see anything coming out of this….anything at all…..ok some of you will be happy I changed my mind about a OC on the crew, describing people on text is hard so I looked for someone else on the story that could make the part….I found one.
So there will be 3 more crewmates for the strawhats when we get there, the story is already planned and the problem is writing it. I now will forget this exists for a couple of days to recover, and just for info I have plans that goes until the end of Paradise but nothing to the new world is concrete. Kinda need more info there. ON THE OTHER HAND I may break One Piece really early here.
PS: because someone will ask no, Nami is not in love with Luffy, she has an opportunity and she is going for it nothing more…. for now that can change, but romance is only in the background anyway.
Comments and thoughts?
Next chapter(in the next month I have work and need to sleep vs my damn insomnia) Tales of the East.