Cześć(hello)! I'm kinmokusei! How are you doing?! I know people don't really like these note thingies, but I think it's good way to kinda communicate with everyone. Is that weird? But One Piece! An underrated series me thinks! I hope this story is up to your standards and please let me know what you think. It's good motivation. Also rated M for violence, language and other future happenings. Have fun!
Passage One: Caught in the Doldrums of the Great Blue Sea
Calm were the waters of the sea. Still was the air. Silently floating in the vast blue was a ship with a sheep for a figure head. Aboard was the weary crew of the Straw Hats. Not long after they left the previous island they were attacked by bounty hunters. Overwhelmed by their numbers, the pirates and their ship took more damage then they would like to admit. They fended them off though and escaped further into field of unending blue. Here they sit, waiting within the Doldrums for the slightest lick of wind and shift of the currents.
"It's been four days," Nami grumbled. "How can Mother Nature be so evil?"
The orange haired navigator was sitting on the back deck, taking in the endless sun with a black and white polka dot bikini. Though worried, she couldn't resist a moment to relax. Since departing, it had been storms. Gentle ones to capsizing ship tempests. Then the calm. Clear night skies. Cloudless during the day. Just their little ship and the seas. Animals were scarce too.
"Do you think this is a good time to be so nonchalant?" Robin, who was equally relaxed at a little table with a book under an umbrella, asked Nami.
The navigator sat up with an angered look. "What else are we suppose to do?! Even if we were to make the boys use the oars, who knows how long it'll be before they tire out. Our supplies are low thanks to those damn pirate hunters. It's only a matter of time before we start going crazy. And you're equally guilty of relaxing!""
Robin brushed off that last statement with a smile. "Using the oars may be our only option. We could end up staying in the Doldrums much longer than we'd like."
The raven haired archeologist was right and Nami knew that. The Doldrums are difficult to predict. Even Nami has trouble with them. She's read about crews finding ghost ships eerily floating along the seas after possibly spending weeks in the calm waters. It could only be a few hours. Or it could be days. And Nami doesn't know how much further until the next island.
"Nami-swaaaan!" Sanji's singsong voice rang out. "I finished the inventory for you!"
The navigator sat up again as Sanji pranced to her side. He greeted Robin with a wide smile as well. Nami took the list from his hands without a word and read it over.
"We'll have enough food and water for a couple more days," Sanji told her. "As long as our bottomless pit of a captain doesn't get to it. Chopper also said a bit of his stuff was ruined."
"You better make sure Luffy stays away."
"Oh don't worry Nami-swan my dear. Chopper gave him a sedative and we tied him up to the mast. That should keep him somewhat still until we can reach the next island."
Nami rose a hand to her mouth and bit the nail of her thumb. "Whenever that will be," she muttered under her breath. "Thank you Sanji. Make sure you all keep an eye on Luffy."
The cook happily danced away before he got into his usually argument with the green haired swordsman. Being driven mad by the Doldrums was another problem Nami had to worry about. Even the most sane person can be go completely crazy by the stillness. It was a dangerous place to be. She began to wonder when the hallucinations would start, when the loss of all sense would overcome them.
"I'm starving!"
If the calmness wasn't going to make Nami go insane first, Luffy constantly shouting about food would. She heaved a sigh and rubbed her face with her hands. It'll be fine, she thought to herself. Everything will be fine. She kept repeating that like a mantra through her mind.
"Reassuring yourself will only make matter worse for you, Ms. Navigator."
Nami jumped a little from Robin's comment. "What else is there to do? I don't mind the relaxing part of this whole situation. No one knows when we'll get wind and I really don't want to force the boys to use the oars."
"Just incase those pirate hunters come back?"
"No...yes." Robin laughed softly. "You should be more worried! They could end up getting the upper hand of us."
Robin closed her book. "If we're stuck in the Doldrums, they won't be able to catch up easily. Unless their ship is more sea capable then ours."
"Unfortunately you have a point," Nami said as she laid back again. "Let's face it though, we're stuck here for the time being."
Nothing more was said. Robin sat up and left, most likely to get another book from the girl's room. Nami laid back in her lounge chair and stared up at the pristine sky through her sunglasses. It was another one of those moments she wondered why she joined with this band of misfits. Even if the boys are a bunch of children and Robin is a mystery, this was much better than her old life. This world has so much to be discovered and Nami wants to be there. She wants to see the world and map it.
"Fiiiiish!"
The loud, obnoxious shout of Chopper and Usopp made Nami jump from her chair and race down the steps. She ignored Sanji's advances as she peered over the railing. She didn't see anything. She squinted into the still surface as the quiet seconds ticked on then she saw it. A ripple. A gentle streamline of an aquatic creature. Nami's eyes widen as more fish began to swim by. It was a sight for sore eyes. Her gaze shot up to the sky. Wisps of clouds. She quickly looked over to the flag. A gently flutter.
"Drop the sail!" she shouted with relief.
There was a scramble on deck, besides Luffy. Zoro and Sanji raced up to the mast to release the sail while Chopper and Usopp tied the ropes to the rail. Nami raced back up to her sunbathing spot and grabbed her robe. There was a faint breezed that fluttered through. It was great feeling. The past four days had felt like an eternity. She glanced down at the log pose, seeing their course on target.
"I'm sure this won't be the last time we get stuck in calm waters."
Nami looked over her shoulder at Robin. "Don't ruin the moment."
"We still have to reach the next island without any other problems. Anything can and will happen."
"Shush! Let me enjoy this!"
Robin chuckled at the flustered Nami when she brushed past her. The navigator made her way down to the girls room to change and add another entry to her log. The ship rocked as the sail caught the wind, making her stumble a little. She almost forgot what a rocking ship felt like.
After adding her entry, she hurried back up to the deck where the boys, minus Luffy who was still tied up and the already sleeping Zoro, were happily dancing around like five year olds. Nami took a deep breath, letting the cool sea scented wind fill her lungs. As long as nothing happens between now and when they reached the island, Nami decided to postpone her mental breakdown.
"Alright then once we reach the island we'll need food first," Nami announced loudly, gathering the attention of the crew. "I'll leave that to you Sanji. I'll take Luffy with me to find someone to look over our ship. The rest of you stay out of trouble."
"When we reach the island if we ever do," Usopp muttered dejectedly.
"Don't even start," growled Nami.
The navigator headed towards the front of the ship with a pair of binoculars and scanned the horizon. They most likely have already entered the waters of the nearby island. It was just a matter of time before finding it. The wind began to pick up, sending the Going Merry gliding through the indigo ocean. Gulls screeched above the ship and flying fish with dolphins played along the waves. The sound seemed deafening after the days of silence.
Nami suddenly got a sinking feeling in her stomach as she set the binoculars down. She began to worry that they won't reach the island soon. She glanced up, seeing the sun had passed its zenith. There was still plenty of light in the day yet Nami couldn't help but feel the longer they stay out in open waters, the higher the chance of those bounty hunters could reach them. If the pirates were having fair weather, that means those head hunters were having the same luck. Possibly.
"Is everything alright Nami-swan?" Sanji asked from behind.
The redhead shook her head. "It's nothing. Once we rea-"
"Island!"
The shout from Chopper up in the crow's nest made the two jump and Nami scrambled to raise the binoculars to her face again. Just to the left of the ship was the distant outline of an island. Nami's stomach fluttered with relief again. But she couldn't get her hopes up yet. She handed the binoculars to Sanji and told him to keep an eye out. When she passed Zoro on the lower deck, she kicked him awake and ordered him and Usopp at the helm. Zoro grumbled under his breath as he rubbed his smarting thigh and dragged the sharpshooter with him. Luffy was losing it after hearing the announcement. He wiggled about in his bindings, screaming like a child about food. Nami ignored him then walked to the end of the ship where Robin was watching the back.
"Anything?" Nami questioned her.
"It's just the ocean behind us. It'll will take a while for those pirate hunters to catch up if that's what you're worried about."
"We all know how unpredictable the seas can be. Because we have good weather now means the ships chasing us could easily reach us."
"The island is just in sight Ms. Navigator. I think you can stop worrying now."
Robin gave her a soft smile and left Nami alone. She heaved a sigh. Robin was right. She should just focus on getting the Going Merry safely to the island. She gave her cheeks a light slap and hurried back to the bow. Chopper had joined Sanji up front and was happily hanging onto the railing as the island crept into view.
"What kind of island is it going to be?" inquired Chopper.
"Probably a spring island," Nami answered. "I just hope that it has a town. It feels like weeks since we last saw a person that wasn't trying to kill us."
"We left the last island well over a week ago. But don't worry Nami-swan! Your beautiful intelligence kept us alive and safe!" Sanji said as he tried to hug Nami who side stepped him and crashed into Chopper.
Nami let out a heavy breath, but smiled. It was her job to keep these idiots alive out at sea. She turned her attention back to their destination. It looked hilly with brightly colored foliage of pink, white and yellow dotted along the sides. That's all she could tell. She estimated about an hour before they reached the island.
And a little over an hour it was. During that time, Sanji had cooked just enough food to calm Luffy while Nami explained the plan again. Of course, Luffy didn't pay attention to a single word she said. He was just excited to have food. Nami left the captain to the rest of the boys and stood next to Robin keeping an eye on shore. There was a town, a large one that spread out along the hills. Several docks of varying sizes jutted beyond the shoreline that lead to brick roads and large wooden buildings that looked like gleamingly painted log cabins. Most of the establishments near the docks were smaller with signs indicating they were shops. People bustled about in the late afternoon sun, seemingly unbothered by the incoming pirate ship.
Nami crossed her arms as she scanned the vibrant spring trees and cheery residents. "It looks nice enough."
"That means it hides darker secrets."
"Why do you have to say such scary things all the time Robin? We'll stay here as long as we need to, resupply and have someone look at our ship."
When the pirates reached the larger docks, several harbor workers came over and greeted the pirates. They offered to help which Nami agreed to and began asking questions once she climbed down the ladder. The eldest pointed her towards the mayor's office, saying the dock hands just help the new arrivals. She thanked him and grabbed Luffy by his shirt collar. The rest of the pirates went their separate ways except Usopp and Zoro who stayed behind to watch the ship.
"Where we going?" Luffy asked, shoving a figure up his nose. "Food?"
"No dimwit. Sanji is getting food. We are going to talk to the mayor and ask for someone to look over our ship. And besides, you already ate before we got here."
"I'm hungry again."
Nami said nothing more to him. She asked a few townspeople for directions to the mayor's office and that lead the pirates up a cobblestone path where a lone single story building stood. It was painted a pale blue and had several flowering bushes surrounding the foundation. A little ways behind it was a beautiful white and green gazebo. Nami walked in without knocking into a large room with a dark wooden desk in the far back with whicker chairs in front of it. On both sides were tall windows and coffee tables with similar whicker chairs. There wasn't anyone inside. Nami noticed a small bell next to a yellow transponder snail on the desk and rang it. A few moments passed by before a rotund elderly woman with a head full of wavy maroon hair appeared from the doorway on the right. She smiled brightly at the two.
"Why hello!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "Some new faces I see. I'm Berta the mayor. How I can I help you two dearies?"
Nami kept a firm grip on Luffy's collar to stop him from wondering around and breaking anything. "Do you have an shipwrights here?"
"Shipwrights hmm? I'm afraid we don't have anyone on a professional level. We have plenty of people who are skilled enough to patch your ship. Are you pirates perhaps?"
"Uh w-we..." Nami stammered.
The old lady laughed. "No worries dearie. We are welcoming to all. As long as they don't caused trouble. Now the people you should see are Tahgu and Kirsi. The live up near the forge that you'll find directly behind my office to the west. I can call my carriage driver to take you. It's quite the walk through the woods otherwise."
"We'd like that thank you."
Another bright smile from Berta as she called for her driver using the transponder snail. "Just wait for him outside and he'll take you up to the forge. I should warn you though. The blacksmiths are...strict. Scary at times, but you'll be fine as long as behave. Tell them Berta sent you yes?"
Nami nodded, feeling a stone drop in her stomach. Dealing with scary people was the last thing she wanted to do. But this was the only option from the sounds of it. Even if there aren't any professionals here, anything to help would suffice at this point. Nami dragged Luffy outside where a middle aged man in the driver seat of the carriage waited. The horse of chestnut brown snorted at the pirates.
"Are you the two Berta mentioned?"
Nami nodded. "We want to go to the forge."
The driver stiffened. "I can take you to the end of the path that's all."
"That's fine."
She climbed up into the carriage with Luffy in tow. He exclaimed loudly when he noticed a large basket of fruits and started scarfing them down without asking. The driver said it was fine as it was for his guests anyways. As they traveled up the sloped dirt path, Nami asked some questions about the forge and blacksmiths. She noticed he was weary, almost frightened when he answered.
"What's so bad about them?"
"The forgemaster is a monster. A man that can kill a bear with just his hands they say. Some say he has a dog with fur darker than a moonless and starless night sky. He doesn't come down from the forge which makes it sound like he doesn't exist. People are scared to go to him."
Nami gulped. "What about Kirsi?"
"His apprentice? Never meet the kid. Probably just as bad as Tahgu. No more questions about them please. His devil dog might be listening."
The driver fell silent, quickly looking from side to side. Nami glanced outside into the woods. There was a gentle breeze rustling the almost luminescent leaves and berry bushes below. Sunlight filtered through the branches, giving everything an ethereal feel. It looked peaceful. But the words of Robin saying this place might have dark secrets echoed quietly in her mind. She shook her head and assured herself nothing was going to happen.
"Where we going?"
Nami groaned and looked at Luffy, "We are going to talk to someone to look at Going Merry. How many times do I have repeat myself before you understand?"
"We're getting a musician?"
"What? How does...no we aren't. A musician isn't important right now. We need our ship looked at Luffy."
"A musician is important! Doesn't Usopp fix Merry?"
She pinched the bridge of her nose. "How have you survived this long?"
Luffy just laughed loudly. Nami muttered angerly to herself about her airheaded captain and went back to looking outside. The path began to level out with a stone fence lining the edges neatly. Nami stuck her head out, seeing a pillar of smoke up ahead. The carriage stopped and the driver told them this was as far as he goes, but he'll wait here until they are done. Nami thanked him, payed and pushed Luffy outside. He charged ahead towards the end of the path while yelling like a moron. Birds resting in the trees scattered from the broken silence. Nami caught up to him and bopped him on the head.
"Quiet you! The driver was saying the blacksmith is a scary person."
"Who cares! We have a new person joining our crew!"
"Where did you hear that? Just stay quiet."
The pirates left the carriage behind as the walked down the path. Nami kept looking around and jumping at every small noise she heard. For a place that looks peaceful, Nami suddenly started to feel like something was going to happen. As if someone or something deep within the forest was watching her. She stayed close to Luffy who didn't have a single care in the world.
Her anxiety vanished when they reached the opening of the forest to a large clearing with the forge connected to a small brick house in the center. A water wheel slowly spun from the creek running through that snaked around and vanished into the trees. Vines climbed along the white walls of the forge. A garden surrounded the forge and was filled with a variety of flowers and bushes. Planter boxes had vegetables creeping up posts, falling over the edge with watermelons and pumpkins and large heads of lettuce and cabbage. There were smaller trees at the further outer ring of the clearing with apples and pears. Several beehives boxes were tucked neatly at the edge of the forest within some rose bushes. It was completely different that what Nami was expecting. She thought it was going to be rundown. Luffy was running around in the tall grass which frightened several beetles.
Nami loudly called him over, chewing him out about how dangerous it was. Luffy just laughed his usual carefree laugh. Nami looked around for any sign of life. She could hear faint banging of metal on metal hidden among the rustling of wind blown leaves.
"Can I help you guys?"
Terrible ain't it? My bad! This story could have been uploaded sooner if it didn't take me forever to figure out how to start it...and come up with a title and summary. I'm not the only one that has that problem right? But thank you for taking the time to read this nonetheless. Have a weebtastic day you lovely snowflakes owo/
