Everyday Life with the Straw Hats

Author's notes: hello to everyone that has still been wondering where the story has been. Its been a 3-year hiatus since I last posted a chapter. Things have just been crazy with life, and I lost the drive I had for the story, but I knew there were still things I wanted to do with it. Sooner or later. So I'm back again. I have a better outline made for this arc so it should be easier for me to get chapters made. I also have went back and updated all the previous chapters with grammatical fixes, capitalization, and some re-writes to some character dialogue and interactions that I think are slightly better, no major changes though. And I updated the story cover with a brand new image as an added bonus. Anyway, here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy!

Liminal Tournament arc: part 5: Meet the MON squad!

Once Luffy and Miia were through with their encounter with Lycan. They made their way back to the central hall where Smith was waiting for them along with the other straw hats.

"So, when is the tournament beginning?" Luffy asked enthusiastically.

"Soon, but first I want to introduce some of my colleagues to you" replied Smith

Zoro and Cerea arrive moments later. "My apologies for causing anyone to wait." Cerea said humbly.

"This whole place is one big maze, how is anyone expected to know there way around here?" Zoro said in an irritated tone.

"Don't blame the architecture, you would get lost going in a straight line..in an open field...with arrows telling you where to go!" harassed Sanji.

Mero, who was in her wheelchair beside Sanji, adds "Oh my, a warrior, looking for a purpose, but is bound to an eternal cycle of being lost with no guidance to their goal, ending up back where they first began…how tragic." her eyes look deeply saddened.

Sanji had a smug smile, because now he even got his girlfriend to view Zoro as pitiful.

"Master, you are more than welcome to ride on me, centaurs are great at navigational skills and memorizing our trails. That is..." Cerea clasped her hands together shyly "If you would be interested in riding upon me"

Zoro got a flustered look on his face, especially embarrassed since his other crew mates were around to see it.

"Heh, I knew centaurs were vegetarian, but I didn't know they had a preference for moss." Sanji said mockingly, giving his rival a cheeky glare.

Cerea raised an eyebrow at Sanji's remark towards Zoro.

"Sh-shut up! Eyebrows!" Zoro roared back. Then coughed nervously to regain his composure. "Uh, sure…Cerea. I wouldn't mind riding with you. From one honorable warrior to another"

Cerea smiled back.

"Enough chit chat, remember, we are on a mission. These fine individuals with me are apart of my team, they are known as the MON squad." Smith informed.

Standing beside smith was a read-headed zombie, who had a toothy grin. Named Zombina, an ogre with blonde hair, and she was significantly taller than many others, that was Tio. A short, shy girl with a single eye, Manako was her name. And a dark skinned women with silver hair that wrapped around her body, which was last but not least, Doppel.

"Howdy, I'm Zombina, nice to meet ya!" Zombina greeted and shook hands with Luffy.

"You remind me of this old guy with serious injuries I met back on a place called Thriller Bark"

"THAT TOO WAS A ZOMBIE! DUMB ASS!" Zoro and Sanji scolded in unison towards their captain

"Oh yeah, but I put him back in the ground, so everything worked out well, right?" replied Luffy in a matter-of-fact sort of way.

Zoro and Sanji turn to each other, and facepalm. If there was one thing those two could agree on, it was how dense their captain could be at times.

"Oh my, your clothes, so lovely!" said Tio, admiring Nami's outfit.

"I'll tell you where you can get them, and I can give you a few pointer on how to haggle the price down." offered Nami.

Manako shyly stepped forward and waved her hand to the straw hats, "H-Hello, its nice...to meet...you all."

Usopp noticed her sniper rifle, "You're a fellow sniper, aren't you, well from one pro sharp shooter to another. Its nice to meet you. I'm the great Usopp, son of a legendary sniper, and a world renowned warrior!"

"Only half of that is true..." Nami said dryly.

"Your tall tales are quite extraordinary, aren't they honey?" Rachnera quipped, licking her licks. "But if you like making stories, perhaps we can make a few stories of our own sometime...and they can be all real"

Usopp had a shiver go down his spine, and took a gulp, "Knowing you Rachnera, it would probably involve me being tied up, wouldn't it?" Usopp asked hesitantly

"Now you're getting the picture" Rachnera replied back seductively

"Hey Smith, I thought we were on a tight schedule?" Doppel asked her superior teasingly.

Smith coughed into her fist to get everyone's attention. "Yes...well. Now that introductions are out of the way. It is time we officially put the plan into action! Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Centorea. I think it is time for you to make your way down to the waiting rooms where all the combatants will be. The tournament is going to begin any minute now. Nami, Chopper, Robin, Miia, and Mero, you will be in the spectator stands, being our eyes and ears if you see anything suspicious going on. And let us know on the advancements of everyone in the tournament.

"With my power, I can handle that job quite literally." robin stated. Holding up a transponder snail communicator "We'll keep you posted."

"Now everyone in MON, with Usopp, Rachnera, Franky, and Brook, along with myself. Its time we put our infiltration mission into action." Smith commanded. As people were starting to line up in their seats, Smith and her group discretely started blending in with the massive crowds until they were completely lost, as the crowds started to lessen, they were nowhere to be seen, not a trace to be found. They were on the move.

Luffy and his group made their way to the fighters waiting room. Miia waving to Luffy "Good luck darling! I'll be cheering for you in the sidelines!" Luffy looked back at her with a determined smile, and gave her a thumbs up.

"Do your best good sir, even if something tragic happens, I'll always remember you!" Mero called out to Sanji

"I'll do my very best for you! Mero-chan!" Sanji declared back, down on one knee, arms out and hearts in his eyes.

"Keep it together, eyebrows, we're competing against some tough opponents. Maintain your battle-ready focus" Zoro said with an annoyed tone. Shaking his head.

"I look forward to battling side by side with you master. And I think I'm starting to have a better grasp at that technique you taught me about during our training." Cerea said to Zoro, feeling honored to fight with him.

"So long as you still understand the basics. I think you should be just fine." Zoro replied back.

"So with this technique, even my replica sword...will have the strength to clash with real ones?" Cerea questioned, still perplexed by how it all works.

Zoro nodded "Yes, when I learned how to use this technique, I was taught the motto 'any sword has the potential to become a black blade' and that includes even a replica blade like the one you have."

they all made their way into the fighter's room. Waiting behind a gate that would open up into the arena like an indoor coliseum. Luffy spotted lycan, who was noticed Luffy back, he gave a predatory smile and was bearing his fangs.

Luffy said to his team mates "See that wolf guy over there, don't fight him, I'll handle him myself." his three allies looked at one another, but just shrugged and agreed to not fight against him. They knew that whatever reason Luffy had, there must have been some personal conviction to it. There were plenty of fighters all crowded around, all just waiting in anticipation to cause some bloodshed. Like caged animals that haven't been fed in days, just itching to pounce the moment they taste freedom.

Suddenly, over the loud speaker. A booming voice is heard. "Now ladies and gentlemen, cutthroats and criminal scum alike. Who is ready for this year's annual liminal tournament showdown! We have 25 contestants, all ready to mutilate one another for your sick and twisted entertainment! It will be a bloody battle royale until there's only one left!"

"A battle royale?!" Luffy, Zoro and Sanji said in confusion.

"Remember what Ms. Smith said. Only one of us needs to win. So since we all will be fighting on the same side, we should actually have ourselves an advantage. We can aid each other when necessary." Cerea informed her friends.

"We get to fight all of them back to back?" the monster trio thought to themselves "This just got more interesting!" they each had their own look of determination and excitement.

"Now, without further ado" the announcer continued over the loud speaker. "LET'S. GET. READY. TO. RUMBLE!"

next chapter: the smack down begins!