first stop
CHAPTER 2: ALVIDA PIRATES
Captain: "Iron Mace" Alvida
Bounty: ฿5,000,000
Weapons:
Iron mace with dulled spikes, four feet seven inches long
Flintlock pistol
Other members:
Two to three dozen common thugs; the number fluctuates whenever someone upsets the captain
One cabin boy, no fighting abilities but moderate navigational abilities
Ship: Miss Love Duck
There are no mirrors on the ship.
OOO
Their first stop is Coby.
Luffy's last memory of Coby from his past life is almost as painful as the last memories of his crew; friends though they were, he had met the eager young man in person so few times that he could count them on his fingers. Every time but the last, Coby had showed the same enthusiasm that Luffy had sparked in him, albeit in various ways. He was always the one to try, try hard enough to bleed. The one who had seen the worst of the Marines and still want to save the world through legal means. He never gave up hope, never let the corrupted system sway his sense of justice, and always sought to do good.
But the last time Luffy saw him, a chance encounter on a New World island, his eyes were cold. The young man didn't have much to say to his old friend, but he was no longer a Marine, just a wanderer with no more drive or purpose in his life. Luffy managed to gather that something had happened to Helmeppo, which snuffed out the fire that Luffy had kindled. The world had broken Coby, and Luffy was too broken himself to be of any help.
Luffy shakes himself out of his reflections. That was just a bad memory, and he would make sure that no such thing happened this time around.
Now, in theory, he could just do what he did last time. Sure, a whirlpool swallowed up his pathetic excuse for a boat last time but he turned out just fine, so things would work out that way again this time, right?
But he isn't a complete idiot, despite what others would think and will continue to think. He was one in the past, but he had had to endure too much with the steady loss of his crew. He lived by his whims last time and wound up worse than dead. Now that he was back, he would make sure his nakama reached their dreams as well. And if that meant using his own power to choose their path instead of leaving everything to fate and luck, then that was what he would do.
Besides, doing everything exactly the same way a second time would be boring.
Of course, doing things differently would be a lot easier if his Observation Haki was back; he remembered that Oyal had said it would take time to use it in his younger body, but after using it constantly for so long, it was like losing the ability to stretch.
As he thinks that, he tugs on one of his cheeks, and relaxes as he feels it extend far more than normal flesh could; he still had the Gum-Gum Fruit.
Now, back to Coby… having Haki would make looking for his pink-haired friend so much easier. But it looked like luck was still on Luffy's side; he sees the lady pirate ship that Coby is on not far away, anchored behind a large rock.
Luffy frowns in a bit of confusion; he was certain that that was the right ship, it had the duck figurehead and the heart on the jolly roger, but there was another ship approaching the area, neither pirate nor Marine. He could have sworn that last time it was only the pirate ship, and they were near an island or something…
Oh, well. Gotta roll with the punches. But still, if that changed…
Luffy puts his fingers to his head, pressing the sides and giving an intense stare at the pirate ship.
"What are you doing?" Oyal asks neutrally.
"Staring," Luffy replies, continuing to stare.
"…Let me rephrase that. What do you think you are doing?"
He doesn't look away, "Trying… to… focus… Haki…"
Oyal sighs, they were afraid this might happen. "Luffy, I warned you of this: your contract clearly stated that you will revert back to your original physical state. The drastic decrease in your strength means that it will take some time before you can—"
"Got it!" Whew, that was hard, his mind is nowhere near as sharp as it was after his months of training; that wave had flashed over both ships and given him only a brief glimpse at the presences there, but at least he still got it. Oyal stares in shock.
"That's… impossible." It states clearly in their contract that he would be completely reverted back to his original state, or else they would not be allowed back in time. Unless… he somehow reawakened Observation Haki within the past five minutes. Improbable… but it is the only possible explanation.
Luffy laughs, "I never let that stop me before, and I'm not starting now!" And with that horrible uncontrolled wave of Haki, there is no doubt of the presence he sought on the pirate ship. Weaker than he knew him, but too familiar to be mistaken: Coby.
And… no way!
Luffy giddily rows himself and his crew of one undetected to the side of the rock hidden from Alvida's ship, careful to avoid a whirlpool some ways over. Then he begins emptying the barrel onboard of the apples remaining inside… into his mouth. With the risk of the whirlpool out of the way, he could let things play out as they did before.
"This is illogical," Oyal says as they help Luffy into the barrel.
"It makes perfect sense!" Luffy insists; doing everything the same way was boring, but some things would be just as fun to do again. And besides…
"You only get to make a good first impression once a lifetime and I'm going to do it twice."
"This whole reasoning is illogical," Oyal argues. "There is no purpose to bother with this 'Coby' in the first place. From what I can tell, he makes no major impact on your journey, not even as an enemy, though the possibility may present itself which will only hinder you." They shake their head at the very thought of purposely making an enemy. "What is the point in confronting him?"
Luffy turns to fully face them. His face is unreadable, which they hate. Really, for a man who struggles to tell the simplest lie, his poker face is damn good when they want to know what he's thinking. The serious expression that adorns his face is misplaced, looking far too old, and he's looking at them with those far too tired big black eyes. It's starting to make them feel… bad? Yes, they are sure this feeling is a negative one.
He finally breaks the silence. "Because he is my friend."
He speaks with finality; it is pointless arguing with him. But Oyal is still… hesitant, they do not like this idea. Luffy will be gone for an unknown amount of time and they will be on a boat. On their own. In the middle of the sea.
That is incorrect. He will come back for them. He has to. He has to come back and he will. And they will be… alone till then.
Some feeling awakens inside, making their chest feel…tight? They don't like it.
Oyal initially thought that they would be fine out in the open seas, but now that they are finally out of the realm of timeless space, it would seem that 800 years of not having contact with anyone actually has taken a toll on them.
They are shaking from… something. This is a new emotion, they believe; they cannot yet tell if it's good or bad. "Troublesome emotions," they mutter; when was the last time they have even spoken this long? When was the last time they moved this much? Their whole body is shaking. Curse it all, why can't they remember what reaction this is?
Luffy can sense it, though, an overwhelming amount of dread coming from Oyal. It is not quite fear, but they are overwhelmed by everything around them and they need to be grounded again. Fortunately, Luffy has a good idea of how to calm them down.
"Oyal, do you have a pencil?" his voice is soft but firm enough to get through to them.
Oyal hears him. "…I believe so," they respond in an equally soft tone.
"Can you get it out?" he doesn't want to rush them, just in case.
Oyal nods, withdrawing the lead pencil that Luffy had used to sign the contract from their pocket.
Luffy gestures to their journal, "Try catching up on your reading while I'm gone, then." He knew that that would help Oyal; they reminded him a lot of Robin, and she would always read books to make time go by. Sometimes she would even miss dinner, she was so busy reading! Dinner!
Oyal wants—no, they need to do something with their hands, need to do something to fill their time. Oh, yes, they will be dealing with time again. Troublesome.
They want to look at their stars but those are not here. Are days always this long? How long is a long time? How long is a short time? Are they going to start aging again? How are they going to survive on their own when it is very clear that they cannot even survive losing contact without another person for a certain amount of time?
Luffy puts his hands on Oyal's shoulders oh-so-softly, bringing them out of their musings. They still flinch something terrible. Being touched. It feels so… so… real. Too real. It is as horrible as it is not. They don't know whether to lean away or into the touch, so they do neither, standing passively. Simply existing.
Luffy looks at them right through their bandana, and speaks again with the firmness of fact: "I will be back. I promise."
Oyal tries not to squirm under the intense stare, trying to show that the words were unneeded and absolutely unnecessary…but for some reason the words made the bad feeling go away.
Illogical.
No, not illogical, annoying.
Luffy can feel his star-magician calming down and laughs, patting their shoulder once more. "Catch up on that comic book of mine, you'll need to know what you're getting into."
Oyal thought it wise not to push the subject further as they put the lid tightly on the barrel and, with a struggle, push Luffy off the small boat. His vessel would need to float into view of the passenger ship for his plan to work. With one last shove, the barrel finally rolls off, rocking the boat a bit and making Oyal land on their behind.
"Annoying," they mutter aloud.
They suppose it is an acceptable line of reasoning. Illogical, but they have come to understand the reasoning behind it. Emotions rarely follow logic, but there is a rhyme to its reason. It seems their new captain is used to letting his emotions control his actions. He is going to make it harder for them to help him, but then again, they know the kind of man he is. The kind to give up the obvious path of becoming The King to save his friends. Their whole deal was based on that loyalty, so they shouldn't complain as they take advantage of that.
…Still, helping a child become a powerful Marine would no doubt bite them in the future.
Oyal starts rowing their way to the other side of the rock, endeavoring to reach the pirates' blind side while staying far enough away to avoid being struck and crushed by the much, much larger boat. They park the dinghy to the side of the pirate ship and take their captain's advice, ready to start annotating the first page.
Romance Dawn. Strange that it would start with his childhood when they had not traveled that far back. Perhaps memories are also included? But why was Luffy thinking about how he got his scar at this moment, then? Why couldn't this have been a normal contract?
Very annoying.
Meanwhile, said annoying teen in a barrel feels it roll a bit as he floats his way to the ship. He can't stop the smile that is on his face. He is back! It almost doesn't feel real, like he will wake up any minute now and all of this would be a dream. That he will be alone again, just slowly dying, waiting to join his crew.
But, no, not again. He feels alive for the first time in years, this unbridled joy he is feeling is unmatched, he is practically shaking with excitement.
He can feel a line being roped in to take him in, that was fast! He could have sworn it took longer last time. He can't really hear what is going on but there are a lot of loud noises. Shouts and yelling? Did he float to the wrong ship? The guys drop the barrel, leaving him to roll again until he crashes into something that sounded very breakable.
Better just wait to see how this plays out; if his euphoria were any weaker, he might have tried taking a nap. Fortunately, before his boredom can overtake him, he hears the squeak of a door opening.
OOO
"Um…hello?"
The timid voice comes from an equally timid figure, a short and somewhat chubby young man with pink hair and thick round glasses; glancing at him, one would think he was a decade younger than Luffy rather than only a year.
At the lack of reply, Coby steps closer, looking around to make sure he was alone. And as nobody meets his eyes or speaks up, he sighs in relief. "Nobody's here… that's a relief." It isn't long before his eyes fall on the hiding place of the only other person nearby.
"Wow, that's one big barrel. I wonder what's inside it?" he wonders aloud. Moving over to it, he begins rolling it away, but he doesn't get far before a growling voice interrupts him.
"Well, if it isn't our favorite coward. Trying to hide in here and duck out on all the action again?"
Coby jumps in shock as he sees the three pirates in the doorway, and then waves his hands trying to explain himself, "O-Of course not. I was, um, just bringing this barrel of beer to you!"
The pirates laugh at Coby, "Well, ain't you sweet? Here, let's help you lighten the load."
"You can't!" Coby cries out, "Lady Alvida will kill us if she ever finds out!"
"She won't if you keep your trap shut," one says with a cruel smile. "Right, Coby?"
"Y-Yeah, right," Coby answers, looking ready to agree with anything they say.
"Hold on, boys," the fat pirate cracks his knuckles, "I'll open it now!"
Though why would anyone want to open barrel of liquor with a punch… it's kinda dumb. What if this barrel was filled with beer? It would have been a waste of good liquor, Zoro would be so disappointed.
There is a beat of silence as the pirate got ready a very over dramatic display of punching the barrel. Luffy didn't need Haki to sense that this was his cue.
CRASH! "I SLEPT GREAT!"
With a great burst, smashing through the lid to pieces, the familiar figure of Monkey D. Luffy comes out of the barrel with his arms stretched.
And just like before, everyone is in utter shock. Oh, he punches a guy too, but Luffy only has eyes for a very shocked and a very scared Coby as he gets out of the barrel.
"Hey, you got any food? I'm starving."
Coby's mouth hangs open. Just what is this guy!? Instead of beer, there is a skinny young teen looking right at him. He looks harmless enough but he just punched one of Alvida's pirate out cold. That had to be just luck, right?
The other two pirates try to save face. "Who the hell are you?!"
Luffy has to draw his gaze away off the little Coby, he was so small. No wonder Luffy didn't recognize him in Water 7.
"Who the hell are you?" he asks, completely unbothered by this turn of events.
"We asked you first!" the pirates yell hysterically. Luffy glances past them at the one on the floor.
"Your friend is going to catch a cold sleeping there," he carries on conversationally.
"IT'S YOUR FAULT!" the pirates shout back.
But Luffy is already ignoring them in favor of a slightly less scared looking Coby, looking more curious than anything. He probably calmed down since Luffy is acting so nonchalant, still looking nervous because of the pirates but still. Of course, if these bozos left then he could finally get down to business.
That is, until one of the pirates points a sword at Luffy's face, "Hold up! Are you messing with us? Don't you know that we're vicious pirates?!"
Oh, he did know, he just can't find it in himself to care at all. He is tempted to test out his Conqueror's Haki on these guys and leave, but if his control was anything like his Observation Haki, he might take down Coby in the wave. Even if Conqueror's Haki had always been his specialty of the three, he wasn't going to take that chance at such a crucial moment.
"You guys sure are lame," is all he says aloud.
"You damn kid!" the second shouts as they attempt to attack him with their swords. Luffy doesn't so much as blink as he backhands the cheap swords. They snap in half, the metal embedding itself in the ceiling while the hilts remain in the pirates' hands. Zoro would be disappointed again. The two fell to their knees, shaking in terror as they stared at Luffy.
Luffy looks down upon them, eyes showed under his hat.
"Get lost," he orders.
They immediately run away screaming, dragging out their unconscious friend behind them. And Luffy didn't even use his Haki.
Coby gulps a bit, almost unwilling to ask, but he had to know: "Wh…who are you?" he croaks out, eyes wide and sweat pouring down his face.
Luffy feels his heart clench a little, he doesn't want Coby to be scared of him. Luffy easily dons his typical D-shaped grin in hopes of making himself look less threatening.
"Me? My name's Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy tips his hat a bit. "Hi."
Coby puts on his brave face, which ain't saying much but still, he is still able to introduce himself to the stranger, "Um… Coby…" Then his clarity of the situation finally breaks through his incredulity.
"WAIT, YOU'RE IN DANGER!" He gestures to the door. "They got a gang on the deck!"
"I'll deal with that later," Luffy shrugs; they aren't on the island like last time but things seem to be going good. "Right now, we're getting out of here!"
Coby is about to argue again, but a familiar-sounding grumble interrupts both of their thoughts. "After lunch!" Luffy corrects himself.
Coby isn't sure how this came to be, but this came to that and now the next thing he knows, they're under the deck eating apples when Coby should be on deck helping Alvida on pain of death. But no. He's just sitting with Luffy. Eating apples.
How is this his life?
Luffy is… strange for a stranger. It isn't in the way of looks but Coby can just feel something off with the guy, he seems to have this aura of overwhelming power. Like a mouse being around a lion. Two completely different species and the only grace was that the mouse knows he is too small to be bothered with.
Luffy doesn't hesitate to start diving in, enjoying another bite of food. Though 'bite' is hardly the right word; from what Coby can tell, the older boy is practically swallowing them whole. Coby watches, half fascinated, half horrified, just wondering where all that food is going. How is this guy not choking?
"Hey, um, what are you exactly?" Coby tries to keep his voice as steady as he can. He doesn't know why, but he didn't want to look any more pathetic than he usually did in front of this guy.
Luffy looks up from his feast (though a true feast would have meat) and swallows another apple whole before parroting his question. "What am I? Oh!" Luffy grabs his cheek stretching it beyond reason, "I ate the Gum-Gum Fruit and became a rubber man." He lets go and the flesh snaps back into shape.
Coby gapes, his eyes wide in amazement. "A Devil Fruit user! I thought that they were just a legend!" But it explained everything, Luffy wasn't a normal human at all. Those swords came down right on him… "Is that how you were able to break those swords?"
Luffy gives a smile, this one genuine. "I broke them with my hands."
Well, that was a useful response, Coby thinks sarcastically. He nods anyway. Luffy, for his part, is wondering if he should tell Coby about Haki. Grandpa would probably teach him anyway, but a head start could help… Rayleigh had said that Luffy's rate of growth was rare, but Coby had been fast, too… or was that just his Grandpa? Meh… he'd think about it later.
"So what were you doing in a barrel in the first place?" Coby asks to pass time.
"Oh, that? My boat was kinda pulled into that whirlpool outside and I was able to escape by going into the barrel." It wasn't technically a lie if it was the truth last time, right?
"That big one outside?!" Coby cries out in amazement, "NO WAY! No one could've survived that!"
"I gotta say, it took me by surprise, but nothing I couldn't handle. I'm going to be King of the Pirates, after all," Luffy laughed.
Coby's mouth is moving but no sound comes out, until he croaks out, "The King?"
Luffy nods cheerfully as if pleased with Coby's reaction. "Yup."
"Are you serious?" Coby asks in disbelief.
"Yup."
"But that would mean you're a pirate too!"
"Right."
"Your crew?"
Luffy smirks. "Working on it. I already have one crew member."
Coby barely acknowledges that. "Do you even know what that means?"
"Yes," Luffy simply states.
Coby still isn't paying attention, though. "Impossible, impossible, impossible! King of the Pirates means going after everything the world has to offer! It means going after the legendary One Piece!" Coby's voice rises in fear for this guy; he had just started to like him and he is actively trying to die a horrible, gruesome death, "You should just give up now, there's no way a guy like you could make it on the Grand Line!"
Luffy doesn't bother to hit him this time, a part of him is almost disappointed in himself for choosing a more mature response. "Coby," Luffy gets his attention with his serious tone, "I know. I know and understand the dangers set before me and I know I can die. I have accepted that. If I die, then I die; as long as I am following my dream, that's all that matters."
Coby stares at amazement. This teen—no, this man is completely undeterred by the thought of meeting his death, so determined to follow his dreams even if it means putting his life on the line. Such amazing resolution hits hard with Coby.
"…Do… Do you think I could accomplish my dream…?" he asks tentatively.
Luffy cocks his head, asking a question he already knew the answer to: "What is your dream?"
Coby clenches his fists, forcing his voice to be steady. "To become a Marine Admiral!" Coby pauses but sees that Luffy is still listening, and not laughing. Coby grows more confident. "It has always been my dream to join the Marines and catch bad guys! Do you think I can do it?"
Luffy gives a huge smile. "I know you can!"
Coby's eyes tear up at the statement. He never said his dream out loud, let alone had someone believe in him so readily. But Luffy doesn't look like he was humoring or pitying him; no, Luffy looks at him like he is an equal.
Coby rattles on, drunk on confidence. "Then I'll do it! I'll get off this damn pirate ship and join the Marines! Then I'll come back and arrest that big whale Alvida!"
Luffy smiles even wider, feeling good about this. "Who are you going to capture?"
Coby's eyes widen when he realizes what he said, but he doesn't regret it; in fact, it is something he swears. "I'm going to arrest Alvida…" he repeats it softly, but his eyes are determined and stronger than ever.
"Who? I can't hear you!" Luffy eggs him on.
Coby hesitates only a moment until he felt his teeth grit and his fist clench, making the most menacing face he could. He meets Luffy's gaze head-on. "I'm going to arrest Alvida!"
"Who?"
"I'M GOING TO ARREST ALVIDA!"
"ONE MORE TIME!"
"I'M GOING TO ARREST IRON MACE ALVIDA!"
CRASH!
And just like that the upper deck had a giant mace came down upon it with a giant woman attached to the end.
"Just who do you plan on arresting, Coby?" said woman growls.
Coby stands in horror at what he has just done. He slowly turns his head to Luffy who still has that stupid grin on his face. Was this guy setting him up from the start? Why, to kill him?
"Do you think you can escape from me?" Alvida sneers as she looks Luffy up and down unimpressed. "Here I was worried that Roronoa Zoro was here for my head, but here is some brat coming to take me on." She swings her mace back over her shoulder. "Before you die, I'm going to ask you one thing, who's the most beautiful woman in the sea?"
Coby rubs the back of his head, answer waiting on his tongue, more bitter and hesitant than ever before.
"Eh…. eh heh hehe. Of…. of course that'll be…"
Luffy doesn't even blink, almost looking bored at the whole interaction. "Hey, Coby, who's this rude woman?"
…Yup. Luffy is actively trying to kill him. All that talk and near friendship was just a ruse and Luffy is actually the persona of fate trying to lead him down the most painful death in history.
So, why is he trying to save him? Maybe it's just that otherwise Alvida will kill him too. EIther way, Coby grabs Luffy by his shoulder and looks him in the eye. "Luffy! Quick, repeat after me! In all the seas, this lady is the most…"
The words won't come. Coby sees the look in Luffy's eyes, and discerns what it means.
This is it, isn't it? This is the time to really show who you are. Putting your life on the line and that means not backing down from anyone. No self-respecting Marine would be treated like this by a pirate.
His grip on Luffy slackens.
"… the… THE FATTEST, UGLIEST WHALE IN THE EAST BLUE!" Coby shouts at the top of his lungs, and at that moment, Coby is the bravest soul in the East Blue.
In the next moment, however, all he hears is the stunning silence of a woman's wrath followed by the childish laughter of Luffy.
Alvida is more than royally pissed, she is Celestial Dragon pissed.
But Coby stands his ground like the fool he is. Those legs may be shaking and tears may be coming down his eyes but he doesn't regret a thing damn it! He said what he wanted to say and if that means dying here and now then at least he fought for his dreams!
Alvida's club went high in the sky ready to smash his head in. "YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
She swings down with all her strength only to hit the wrong insolent brat; Luffy pulls Coby out of the way and Coby can only watch in horror as his new friend is killed right in front of him.
"Well said, Coby!"
Or not. Alvida is no less shocked at this development. "Impossible! My mace!"
"That won't work on me!" Luffy pulls back his arm, grinning victoriously. "Now, Gum-Gum…"
And slingshotting it back. "PISTOL!"
With a single punch, he sends Iron Mace Alvida flying into the sky going who knows where. Cough*Buggy*Cough.
Everyone on the upper deck just stands there for a moment, staring down at them and not really processing what had just happened. Coby having his tormenter being defeated so easily, and the pirates watching their strongest fighter and captain being sent flying like she wasn't the size of a whale.
"HEY!' Luffy shouts, which every pirate stood at attention for as he climbs his way out of the hole, "Give us your best boat! Coby is going to join the Marines."
"Aye-aye!" All the men start to scramble, not really having a destination in mind but too terrified to defy the teen.
Coby can't believe this is really happening.
Luffy holds out a rubbery hand for Coby to grab.
Coby takes it, never wanting to let go.
Alvida was taken down like she was nothing and now… he is free. All because he happened to meet a pirate in a barrel. Words could not begin to describe how much gratitude he feels toward Luffy at that moment. He felt tears coming down his face but he can't make them stop, he probably looks like such a crybaby right now. "Luffy…"
Luffy put a hand on his head and gives a good shake. "Shishishishi! Come on, Coby, we better book it."
Coby wipes his tears quickly, trying to pull himself together. He is going to be a Marine, damn it! He can't be crying like this, especially in front of Luffy.
Luffy's words finally processed in his head and he looks to where Luffy is gesturing.
"Th-the Marines!" Coby gasps, "I can't be caught with pirates, they'll arrest me too!"
"That would suck," Luffy acknowledges.
Coby does not appreciate the reaction, or lack thereof. "What are we going to do?!"
"My Captain!" A voice comes over the edge of the ship.
Luffy smiles. "What any pirate does when the Marines are around, Coby. RUN!" He literally grabs the boy—"We're leaving now!"—and then very literally throws him over the ship.
"AAAAAAAAAA—" Thud!
Coby can feel the gratitude begin to simmer away as he lands face-first in a waiting boat. Just a little.
"Where have you been, Oyal?" Luffy asks.
"You cannot accuse me in such a manner. You left for the pirate ship and ended up in the passenger ship. I had to circle the ship twice before realizing you were still on the other ship. And you are the one who just threw a child into our pathetic dinghy," they conclude, gesturing to the boy still on the deck floor.
"I said I would be back," Luffy claims it if that solves everything.
Oyal can feel a headache coming on. "Your dramatic entrances are going to be the death of us, I swear," they sigh.
"This was the only time, I promise," Luffy says, waving his hand.
Oyal thought of it, another feeling coming up, but this time they could clearly name it. "…Doubt."
"Hey," Coby finally sits up, still being ignored, and rubs his poor face.
"I was trying to see if it worked again," Luffy pouts.
"Captain, we have to do this logically. Yes, your meeting happened last time, but the chances of it happening twice in a different setting are—"
"Hey, guys! The Marines are here!" Coby points off the coast to where Marine ships are coming even closer. How were they not worried about the impending doom that is looming near them?!
Oyal turns right, being brought back to reality. The boy is right, what are they doing arguing like children? None of this is in any way productive. They compose themselves again, voice as monotonous as they can make it. "The boy is correct, Captain. While I would rather have a more suitable vessel, I am afraid we are cutting time short."
Coby kinda deflates at being called 'the boy' but Luffy shakes his head. "Don't worry about it, We're about to get a better ride."
Oyal takes a small breath, patiently keeping their composure. "I do not understand what you mean," they say in a tone of deliberate calm; this sad dinghy wouldn't last them another day, and according to the story, they needed at least a small ship to get them to Buggy to steal one of his boats.
Even Coby is befuddled. What is Luffy thinking? Sure, he asked for a boat, but they jumped down without getting in one, and he doubts the Alvida Pirates will do them any favors now. And boats didn't just fall from the sky, whether you ask for them to or not. He's racking his brains for something he can say that'll convince Luffy to start rowing the boat and leave rather than just waiting like sitting ducks.
Luffy lifts his hand, all five fingers raised, he doesn't want to hope too hard.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
He lowers one finger, four left.
It is just a slight feeling….
"Quick, grab her!"
Lowers another, three to go.
It is faint, but he would have known her presence even on his deathbed.
"She's heading for the boats!"
Another down, two.
And what are the chances that she would be here, right now, and headed this way?
"THIEF!"
One more to go.
His navigator, his thief, his precious nakama.
CR-ASH!
A boat comes out of the sky crashing down right next to their little dingy much to the shock of only two of the three patrons on the dinghy.
While the boat is quite a surprise, it is nothing compared to the orange-haired girl on it. She looks equally surprised to see the three there are well.
Coby's jaw drops, which was happening a lot today. A boat—a small but suitable boat—had just fallen out of the sky right as he asked for it. Is there anything Luffy can't do?
Oyal feels their headache come into full focus. What the hell was the point of reading the past if he is just going to do this to them?
Luffy smiles, a small fond smile, and waves at the teen.
The orange-haired teen hesitantly waves back, more out of habit than actually saying hello.
There's so much he wants to say to her. He wants to hug her and tell her that it will be alright and she doesn't have to steal anymore and that he is going to take her away so she could fulfill her dreams and that she is the greatest nakama he could ask for. He wants to do so many things and his heart bleeds just a bit more for not doing any of them. For the fact that he can't do any of them. Not yet.
Instead, he asks, "Hey! Do you know how to navigate?"
"Um… wha…?" Out of all the things she expects out of this weirdo it was not that. She doesn't like the way he is looking at her; not a perverted stare or anything, but just like… he knows her or something. It is kinda creepy. But as fast as the look came it vanishes, only a silly grin in its place.
"I said, do you know how to navigate? We need to get to the nearest Navy base so Coby can become a Marine," Luffy puts a hand on Coby.
Oyal, ever the practical one, is already getting on her boat. "We shall pay you for your services," they explain, sitting down without waiting for Nami's answer.
Rude, she thinks; Nami isn't some service and she didn't even know these guys… but, hey, money's money.
"Fine. You're lucky, I was going to Shells Town anyway," Nami conceded; the nearest Marine base was also the best lead she had at the moment for the map she was looking for. Probably best to just deal with these guys for now till she could ditch them there.
Luffy grins, snickering a bit as he unnecessarily throws Coby again onto the boat.
He feels the obvious signs of distrust coming off Nami under the indifferent persona and it saddens him. She had unwavering trust in him after Arlong Park but he needs to gain it again. It was a bitch to get her complete loyalty the first time around but he knows that he can do it again. He would fight for her a million times if it means she could trust him again. He will turn her fear into trust, and not just in him but in the world again. He owes her that much.
OOO
I would like to thank The Patient One, Miep42, and MadGirl for editing!
"Great! Next stop, Shells Town!"