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by 2ilver8ox

Pirate King Monkey D. Luffy has agreed to go back in time some years when he was first starting out as a pirate. It is clear this decision was based due to his dead crew, no doubt he wishes to stop their demise. All details are on his contract but he has agreed to take me with him and off this godforsaken rock. (Time travel) (Fix it fic) (OC) (All anime and movies) On hiatus

7. Animal Theater

ANIMAL THEATER

Red-Haired Pirates

Captain: Red-Haired Shanks

Bounty: ฿4,048,900,000

Ship: Red Force

Age: 37

Shanks is right as the South Pole is colder. The North Pole is just ice mass while the South Pole is a continent. The land is colder than sea so he is right as the South Pole is colder.

Can use Haki.

Benn Beckman is the smartest man in the East Blue

Birthday is March 9th.

OOO

Oyal knows many things.

They know they do not know everything, first of all. And that terrifies them. It is completely unacceptable, first of all. Information is the most important thing when it comes to creating a plan. The more precise the variables that are taken into account, the most precise the end percentage will be. It is simple math. Lack of information is dangerous, it can and will cost them dearly if taken lightly.

Knowing this, Oyal has many expectations for what they have to do and what will be.

With this in mind, they weren't expecting to like Nami so much.

Of course, they know of Nami's undying loyalty to her friends and her kindhearted nature under her usual lust for money and thievery acts but… they never expected this kindness to be directed at Oyal.

"These maps are amazing!" Nami holds an intricate map of the stars in her hands. It is one of Oyal's simpler versions, covering the sky RS_45 through RS_82 sections. "And you recorded these coordinates yourself?" she asks.

Oyal is 86% sure that Nami is just being polite in her asking, with her social skills miles above anything Oyal could mange. There is no way Nami could actually be interested in their work.

But… they never had someone ask about their work before.

They never had someone interested in them before.

It makes them feel... good.

"Um, yes." Should they… elaborate? They don't want to bore Nami with their ramblings, but at the same time, they don't want to come off as ignorant.

Nami is looking at them expectantly, does that mean yes? Yes! Say something. "I-I use the halo star patterns in order to get a clear view. You take to where the star is but it is making the 2d prescriptive of the star into a 3d model is when it starts needing high forms of mathematics," that was a good place to stop, they don't want to bore Nami more than she probably already is.

"This is incredible!" Nami puts the map down next to one of her own, "It reminds me of ocean navigation, but I always have to worry about constant misdirections."

Oyal also knows Nami is a navigator. They know that. But it would appear that knowing does not always mean understanding as this case seems to be. They don't truly understand just how smart Nami is until now, despite knowing that they are one of the smartest people in the East Blue.

The thought of… intelligent conversation makes their… chest light? A kind of happy where one feels energized...! "Yes! Um, in space we have stardust that kinda gets in the way of the star's brightness, making it harder to determine where the star actually is. Not to mention the constant re-writing of data."

Oyal flinches at Nami's groan, hoping they didn't say anything too stupid. "Don't get me started on data rewrites. One reef goes down and another comes up just like that!" Nami snaps her fingers, "It's not like I can't keep up, but still, making a new map over and over again just to cover that new marker can be tedious."

Oyal feels their chest get kinda bubbly, it reminds them of hunger but this was more… light? Like they want more time with Nami. Like they want to... Laugh? Fascinating.

"Hey, are you sure you're okay here, though?" Nami gestures to the clear blue skies and sunshine, "Your skin isn't going to burn or anything right?"

Oyal feels their heart squeeze yet again. Concern. Not only are they getting better at analyzing their own emotions but now other people's emotions as well! Today is turning out quite educational.

"Yes! Thank you for your concern, but I am functional," they pull their hood over their head and roll their sleeves down, only stumbling a little bit, but hoping Nami doesn't notice, "My eyes are very sensitive to light and my skin is very easily burned in the heat so this outfit is quite useful."

"What about your hand," Nami gestured to her right hands, especially their knobby knuckles.

Oyal looks at their hand, from where they punched Helmeppo. They have been sorely regretting it as now their entire hand is a blue and black mess against her pale skin. It doesn't hurt… much. "Yes… my hand is still functional as well. It looks worse than it is, I assure you."

"As long as you are sure..." Nami points to the small boat's room, "If you need rest you can come in."

"Yes," Oyal had no intention of going inside... inside would mean alone... and being alone would meaning thinking. One of their least favorite pastimes as of late. Talking, as exhausting as it is, is far better than being alone. If only there was a way to simply... be with other people without talking. But that is silly. They cannot simply just sit next to Nami and do math problems without making some communication. Simply absurd.

Nami still looks a little skeptical but in the end, accepts Oyal's assurance. She has her doubts that this kid is a real pirate, anyway. They just seem… so small. They have a good head so there is no reason why they would hang out with murderers. But then again, Luffy isn't your average pirate. How they got caught up in pirating is beyond her.

Speaking of which...

Luffy and Zoro seem to be having fun with the wildlife.

"Hey, little guys!" Luffy is beyond happy to see some panda-birds landing on the ship.

Several… strange birds came to visit them, landing on the railing of the dingy, clustered together in a cute fluff line of feathers.

Luffy puts his arm out where the railing ends, and the birds land on his arm as well. They seem to understand the power of the future Pirate King and salute him respectfully. Luffy laughs making a salute as well as they walk across his arm.

Zoro even has one hand on his sword, saluting him all the way. He has no idea why any of this is happening.

"What are they doing?" Nami deadpans at the flying creatures.

Luffy continues to salute to no-one, "Respecting."

And like that, they were gone, flying with a burst of movement. For being fat birds, Nami is impressed with how fast they moved. She wonders what made them leave so quickly.

"SHARK!" Luffy shouts.

Ah, that's why.

Sure enough, there is the huge fin of a great blue shark circling around their little dingy, it is nothing compared to the size of a sea king but it has been so long since Luffy has seen one. A real shark! A normal one with teeth and everything! He can't believe how small they are. In fact, they are small enough for a person...

"Yeah," Nami observes, "It doesn't look like it will bother us, as long as we keep our distance—"

"Woo-Hoo!" Luffy interrupts her as he is currently riding the shark like the show-off he is.

"LUFFY!" shout the two people who had a full understanding of how very sinkable Devil Fruit users are.

The third and only other Devil Fruit user goes back to their journal, lost in confusion. "When did this happen?" they murmur as they flip through the pages.

Luffy doesn't pay his crew's actions much attention; he is riding the shark like a surfboard and he has to admit he can see why Ace always rode like this! Sharky is pretty cool about the whole 'riding on your back' thing. Luffy just has to lean a certain way and Sharky follows through! Neat!

Time to take it up a notch!

Luffy mounts the shark hanging both his legs on the side. Just to be extra he grabs a rope that is hanging from the fish's mouth, "GIDDY UP!"

Sharky does what any animal naturally does when treated in such a manner...

He mercilessly tries to buck Luffy into the ocean.

But Luffy is not one to go down so easily! Sharky doesn't dive into the sea, which would definitely get Luffy off his back, choosing to stay above the water as much as possible. If he is going to buck Luffy off then he is going to do it with style.

Nami, for one, is not comforted by this fact.

"Luffy, GET BACK HERE!" Nami shouts as Luffy starts getting farther and farther away from their dingy.

Zoro grabs the oars, already knowing where this is going, "Here we go again."

"Yes," Oyal agrees, again, though they are not sure when or if this has happened before.

These are... scenes in forms of little pictures. At first, they just took them as… small events that happen in between. But as they kept reading them, they took them as dreams or wishes. They just seemed so… out of place. The possibility of them actually happening seemed so miscalculated, a 12% chance due to their seemingly random and out of place order that they seemed to have to place within the usual narrative storytelling.

Perhaps they have been reading them wrong. Instead, they were a story within the story. But then, why are they spread out as so? Why all this strangeness?

"Land ahead!" Zoro calls out.

Nami twists her head, "What? But we shouldn't even be near Gecko Island yet!" She looks off in the distance where Zoro had called out.

But there is… an island? A strange one at that. It looks… jumbled for a lack of a better word. From here, she could see mountain formation, a forest, and even quite a bit of plains... so many different landscapes all on one island?

As they got closer, it appeared to be inhabited by all the houses on the coast and docks… but there was a noticeable lack of humans around to maintain them.

Oyal perks up. This had a 75% of being the Bushman's island. This had to be… despite the strangeness of getting here.

"Luffy!" Nami shouts when she spots the lost Captain.

The shark was nowhere to be seen, but Luffy is on a very nice white deck out of the ocean under a bright orange umbrella and drinking a fancy orange drink… with a dolphin.

They row their boat next to the dock… just watching. Taking in the sight and all.

Zoro is the first to get off to join Luffy who silently hands him a drink.

Zoro takes it… leans back... and drinks it.

"Not bad…" he mumbles.

"WHAT IS GOING ON?" Nami shouts getting off the boat as well. Oyal follows, curious to where this is going as well.

Luffy sips the rest of his orange drink, trying to put his straw in his dolphin companion's, "Drinking some juice," the dolphins slaps his attempts away with a flipper and an annoyed look.

Nami could feel her sanity crumble, "With a dolphin."

Oyal interjects, "She is right, Captain. I was not expecting this much… abnormality till much later," drinking and interacting with very human-like animals was more Grand Line normality than East Blue normality. Hell, it was more New World than Paradise normality.

Luffy shrugs again, "The sea is a mysterious place," he says sagely.

Translation: He has no idea what was going on either.

Oyal is starting to get a headache. If that is the case, then why is this recorded in his contract? Is this all a dream? Have they all gone mad? Mass hallucination is very improbable (3%) but should not be ruled out. Nothing should ever be ruled out.

Luffy stands up leisurely, seeing as he is having no luck getting any more drinks out of the dolphins. He stretches and bows, "Thank you for the drink."

The dolphin, still a bit annoyed, accepts the bow with a nod.

Manners out of the way, Luffy points to the end of the dock where the land meets, "Let's go explore!"

And like that he runs off into the island, Zoro following unquestioningly. "Might as well."

Nami hangs her head but doesn't let it bother with it for long, "Come on, Oyal," making her way off the very nice deck onto the very nice beach front property.

Oyal bows to the dolphin as Luffy did, animal or not they did not want to come off as rude either, and follows, "Yes, perhaps answers will be found more inland."

They are not.

Luffy runs to a plain-like terrain, there were a few scattered trees but it was mostly dirt and grass for what seems to be miles until a forest ended it. A part of him knows that they should be making their way to Gecko Island because there is a bloodthirsty shit butler ready to murder a little girl any day now…

But a bigger part of him is just so happy to be seeing something new! Yes, he is happy to see his friends alive and well and even visit islands he hasn't seen in years in his past life. Don't get him wrong he is loving every second being here again and messing with everyone!

But nobody is there to mess with him! Tricking people and pissing them off is loads of fun but it can be repetitive when he never gets a surprise. All that wonder going around the world the first time around has made him… less naïve than before. He doesn't want to think that he has lost his excitement for adventure but it's hardly an adventure when he knows how to solve all his problems.

Enemies? No problem.

Destination? Charted.

Excitement? Lessened.

He may be in his old body again… but can he really never be as carefree like before?

Oh, there's a cheetah!

That is... staring at Luffy.

And he is staring back.

Oyal and Nami finally caught up to their Captain watching the watching, "Should I even ask?" Nami asks no one.

Oyal shrugs, "I believe they are... measuring each other up."

Both parties slowly turn until they were facing each other side-by-side, facing the same direction.

Nami lifts an eyebrow, "You have got to be kidding—"

"GO!" Luffy yells.

Annnnnnnnnd they're off!

Luffy is taking a head start, being the one to shout the starting point, but the Cheetah is not far behind as she felt, that's right, felt Luffy giving the go before he even said them.

Who is going to win?

Nami certainly doesn't care, "I'm out."

Oyal watches her back turn in a random direction. Oyal... has an idea... perhaps they should... suggest it. Maybe, they mean, it's so obvious though, Nami would have certainly already have thought of it, so there is no reason for them to say it out loud. But… just to be sure. Just let them prepare themselves for rejection, don't be… upset when they are rejected, "Nami?"

Nami turns to them, "Yeah, Oyal?"

Deep breath… "Wouldyouliketocharterthisisland?"

Nami blinks taking in what Oyal said, "Charter? The island?"

Oyal was talking about making a map. She really shouldn't. Making maps kinda leaves a bad taste in her mouth, makes her think of him.

She opens her mouth to gently let Oyal down but… she can't.

The kid is standing as rigid as a board, shoulders so straight it looks like they are going to break… maybe… she can give it a try. When was the last time she did something for herself, after all? It's not like she doesn't like making maps, she loves it, but she just hates how they all go to him.

She still loves it because of her. Bellemere. Mom.

She breaks into a huge grin, "Actually, yeah!" It has been… years since she could categorize an island for pleasure and for… no, she isn't going to think about that, not now, "But… I don't have any paper."

Wordlessly, Oyal forcefully pulls their sleeve back, exposing their arm as they pinch a corner of their skin… and rips out a big piece of paper. Like their arm was a paper tube. They also take out their pencil from their pocket and hold it out.

"Here!" Their actions were fast and bold…. They know this is not in their usual characteristics. Their actions are being heightened by the emotions they are sure… they want to give Nami paper fast. They want… Nami to be pleased... They are scared if they aren't fast enough Nami would lose interest and be sad...?

They really need to speak with their Captain about this recurring feeling.

Nami takes the paper, interrupting their self-analysis, "Thanks, Oyal! This is perfect!" She takes the gifts gratefully, "Let's get some of the equipment from the dingy. I actually have some of the tools I need."

While both intellectuals went back to get their stuff, the two monsters keep themselves busy.

Zoro takes a seat in the more hilly lands of the island, finding a nice spot to sit down and clean his swords. Might as well take advantage of the peace and quiet to get some mundane stuff done.

Now... Zoro will deny this even under the pain of death... but during Zoro's little sitdown, there was this cow. Now this certain cow meant absolutely no harm, she was just hungry was all and Zoro just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong colored hair.

Long story short... this cow regrets ever looking for an afternoon snack.

Let it also be said that Zoro was not amused.

The poor, unknowing cow was trapped in a sitting position with its nose rings to the ground, keeping the creature in place. The cruel swordsman enjoys his new seat on her back for the remaining of his delicate sword cleaning.

Luffy came around some time he was done, not even looking winded, "Aaaa, I lost the cheetah..."

Zoro opens one eye, enjoying a nap, cow no longer trapped, "You lost to the cheetah?"

Luffy groans, "No, I left her in the dust, I think, but I ran so fast I loooooost her," he falls face down on the floor and groans.

Zoro closes his eye again, not bothering with his moping captain.

Luffy continues to lay on the ground, wanting something to do but not wanting to go back to the ship yet.

Peck.

"No, Zoro."

Peck!

"Stop that, Zoro!"

PECK!

"Ow," Luffy lifts his head, "What the heck, Zoro!"

Zoro opens his eye again," Huh? I didn't move."

Luffy turns his head the other way to be met face to face with... a pack of strange, ostrich-like birds with green and black stripes and pink tails.

Luffy gets up, keeping close eye contact with said bird. He lifts his head high, the bird follows. He lowers his head, the bird follows. Cool! He moves to the left. Then slides to the right! One hop!

The bird copied all his movement. He makes a really cool pose where their backs were against each other, "Hey Zoro, how cool do I look?"

Zoro nods looking with faint interest, "The coolest," and leaves it like that... but if he is being honest with himself, "It would be cooler with a background... like a pirate flag or something."

Luffy gaps, "You're right! Hey, do we—?"

"No," Zoro cuts him off, "No, we do not."

Luffy slouches, sad he can't even try to paint, "That sucks! I can improve my skills!" he might even be as good as Usopp if he tries really hard!

Zoro shrugs closing his eyes again, "Those clowns might have a bunch of stuff in that dingy but paint isn't one of them, so finding any—"

"Found some!"

Zoro properly shuts up and looks at the scene in front of him. Luffy holding a white paint can while standing alongside a bear who conventionally had some foldable chairs and table. Who was having some bread for lunch...

Zoro... accepts it, this might as well happen, "You still need a canvas."

"I have one," Luffy says.

Zoro raises a single green eyebrow.

Luffy slowly points to the bear.

"That's not a canvas Luffy," Zoro calmly explains, "that's a bear."

Luffy waves his hand, "Same thing," he addresses the bear, "Hey bend down a bit, I'm going to practice making a skull on you," the bear gets on his bear knees and looks as ready as any bear can be. Luffy gets in position where he was just touching Zoro's shoe.

Luffy, don't paint the bear… is what Zoro should be saying... but he wants to see where this is going, so paint away he guesses.

Luffy... actually does a decent job. Nothing like Usopp and he got some on a bird that landed on his canvas but he was able to get both a skull and crossbones on a bear. Zoro helps too by sitting there and sleeping. The bear seemed very accepting as he sat very still throughout the whole painting process.

On the other side of the island, in a landscape actually not that far away, Nami takes it upon herself to start her cartography near the desert part of the island...

"Strange..." Oyal observes, "While there are signs of an active civilization there doesn't appear to be any people," they address a street lined with adobe houses, all empty, "I can't say if there is a sign of departure or not, I am not an archaeologist after all."

Nami comes back from the desert coast, glasses still on her face. Apparently, when she says she needed supplies she also meant her reading glasses. She finished her notes for this part of the island, "So if there are no people... I guess that makes all these houses unowned?"

"Yes," Oyal aren't sure what that has to do with anything though, "that is a logical conclusion."

Nami continues, "And since these houses are unowned that would mean everything inside is unowned as well, right?" she drags on a few keywords.

"Uh... yes?" Oyal hesitates to answer.

"Which means," Nami has Berries in her eyes now, "Anything we find is up for grabs!"

Oyal... aren't so sure of that, "I..."

Nami twists her arm through Oyal's, "Logically speaking of course!"

Oyal's entire body gets an electric shock from Nami hugging their arm, "I- uh- yes- you are not wrong... but-"

"Then let's get to it!" Nami, with her prisoner in tow, starts roaming around the small abandoned village.

"Nami," Oyal interrupts her thoughts, "we have an assistant."

Nami cocks her head in confusion, there is no one else but them.

Oyal point downward… to see a big pink pig with a green bandana around its head off to the side, staring at them intently.

"Oyal," Nami calmly says, "That's a pig."

"Yes," Oyal agrees, "and he wants to help."

Nami has her doubts, "Oyal a pig can't really want anything."

The pig oinks in disagreement. How either of the two knew it was disagreement was lost to both of them but facts are facts. It is an oink against Nami's bias views.

"... Okay, maybe then," Nami rethinks her argument, "They can want, but we don't know if he wants to steal."

The pig takes his bandana around his neck in its mouth and turns it around... to have a tradition theft mask, with the knot right under its pig nose!

"It would appear that the pig wants to steal," Oyal points out.

Nami folds her arms, studying the pig with a hard stare. He returns the stare with his little black piggy eyes unflinching.

She likes it. She gives a thumbs up, "Welcome to the team!"

And so the trio ransacks a town, looking for any treasure in their midst. And low and behold there was treasure there as well! Score! In the end, they found themselves with an actually impressive chest of gold and valuable items like swords or jewelry.

They made their way out of the even more deserted village with the pig carrying the treasure to the dingy.

"Perfect!" Nami grins like a pleased cat, "Hey you don't mind putting that on the ship do you," she asks the pig politely.

The Pig shakes his head not bothered at all, just happy to be there.

Nami scratches behind his ear in thanks, turning back to Oyal, "Let's go back to the forested area so I can square off that part of the island."

Oyal also gives the pig a scratch, a new way of saying 'thank you.' Interesting.

Both of them make their way to the forested area following a river that carved its way into the forest area. Luckily the river leads them right to Luffy... who is fishing… with fish.

"Luffy," Nami takes a seat on the river bed, "I don't think you are going to get a bite that way..."

Luffy shakes his head sadly, "Oh, Nami. You have so much to learn..."

"What that's supposed to mean?!" She does not want to be hearing that from this guy.

But to answer her question the fish bait went under water!

He got a bite!… of turtles!

Luffy reels it in, "Got it!" Fishing is fine and all but fishing for turtles on the other hand, now that was fun! He remembers how he and Usopp took this game up when Sanji suggested something different than fish for dinner. And so turtles fishing was born!

Nami can't help it, she laughs, "Great catch there, Luffy!" The absurdity of it all just dawns on her... and she really has to admit it has been a while since she had... fun. Actual good-hearted fun. She is always worrying about her next prize or about getting caught but actually, this is the most she has had in... well... a while.

And it has been fun. She is having fun with pirates of all people.

But... should she be having fun? Is she allowed to have fun at all? Here she is laughing and galavanting while her island is still under siege by Arlong. How dare she be happy while her island is still under attack. How dare she be smiling while she is so close to her goal, closer than she has ever been!

Her smile grows less and less at the thoughts, making her chest feel hollow at it all.

She feels a tingle behind her ear, "What the he-!"

Oyal is standing there hand still outstretched, "I… Thank you. For the, um, cartography lessons."

Nami snorts, not feeling any better but… she isn't feeling worse now, "Not really lessons, really it was more… for fun than anything."

Oyal stares at her for the longest moment... At least Nami thinks they do. Still hard to read that face with half of it covered.

"Hey!" Zoro calls over from out of the woods, "I got us a ride over the mountains."

All three look over, surprised at his claim, "We are going over the mountain?" Oyal didn't know they were going on a venture.

Zoro shrugs, "Yeah, might as well," he gestures them to follow him, "Come on, I can't keep him waiting."

The three look at each other then back at Zoro, "Uh, Zoro," Nami gets up, "You came from the other way."

Zoro stops, "I knew that! It's a shortcut!" he grumbles trying to cover his embarrassment.

Luffy shakes his head, throwing his turtles back in the river, "I think I know what way you are talking about," he starts making the actual way.

That's how they met face to face with a woolly mammoth.

"Zoro," Nami starts, "where did you find this?" she really... shouldn't be surprised at this point.

He shrugs, "Found him."

"Okay," Nami puts her hands on her hips, "We need to start having a buddy system in place to make sure Zoro stops getting lost," her other two crewmembers nod in agreement, very seriously.

This time Zoro blushes, "Shut up and get on the hairy elephant!"

"Really Zoro, getting lost in time is another level, even for you," Oyal supplies.

Before Zoro could grab them, they were out of arm's reach. Nami got on top of the elephant's back, with Oyal right behind her. Luffy grabs on the trunk while Zoro took a position on the poor thing's horn. The mammoth didn't move a single inch until they were set and started moving upwards.

From there they saw more of the mountains and snowy parts of the islands. Nami noted that there was only one mountain range but still it is on an island this size was amazing and she was taking every opportunity to categorize it in her maps.

While traveling the island they would soon discover that the animals they will encounter will only get bigger… and bolder … and stranger, as well as time, goes on... They were in a whole different world by the time they were on the other side.

… and still not a single human in sight.

That didn't stop them in the least. If anything they were having even more fun without being interrupted!

Like their meeting with the Pengu-Pirates!

Luffy hit it right off with the captain, a blue penguin with decorative swirls on his feathers and in a green pirate hat, both having a little dance as Captain with one another "Follow my lead Pengu-guy!" as Luffy teaches his fellow captain a rather complex dance.

He should have a dance with Law when they meet again! This is totally how Captains should make alliances!

"This… isn't normal right?" Nami asks, looking at the sight in front of her. A yellow penguin with clothes has already offered her a raw fish and she is all for intelligent animals but come on! They even had a ship! How can penguins make a ship! They don't even have a ship!

Oyal shrugs, "Normality is an illusion. It varies from person to person with no objective. For example what is normal for predators is chaos to the prey."

"They ain't too bad," Zoro looks at three red penguins with blue bandanas, "They sure do like to help."

Nami rolls her eyes, "Please, you just like them because they are treating your swords like they were gold bars," as each penguin did hold the swords with great prestige. It was the kind of care of a mother to her child, waiting for the captain's orders taking their responsibility of the swords very seriously.

Zoro crosses his arms, "They know good craft when they see it."

"Okay this next step is a little tricky but just hear me out," Luffy puts one leg in front of the other, twisting them around each other in an inhumane fashion. He has his feet push him off the ground three feet in the air where is legs unravel so he lands in a perfect split, hands high in the air.

"Think you can do it?" he wasn't even out of breath.

The Captain of the Pengu Pirates stares at Luffy for the longest moment, eyes unreadable.

He waddles in a little circle and lifts his hands in the air.

Luffy gets up clapping, "Close enough!"

The Pengu Captain points to their ship, "Oh, a tour, huh?" he turns to his own crew, "Hey you guys wanna come?"

Zoro yawns, "Nah, you go ahead."

Oyal starts to get up, "This could be informative."

Nami shrugs, "Might as well see how much penguins are better off than us."

Luffy grins, "That's the spirit!"

Once boarded, Nami actually does find something to get into the spirit about, "See here, this is how you land formations are from the north and east ends. Now while it looks like your mountain range goes all the way to the South it really is Southeast," she explains to the very stressed looking lemur.

The lemur is obviously a scholar and seems to be the navigator on the penguin ship. He has glasses, a bow tie, and even a graduation hat so that is how you know he is a smart lemur. He looks at Nami's map, at his own, back at hers, and lets out a lemur sigh, she is right. His drawings here are all wrong!

Nami pats his shoulder, "It's okay, here let me help," she patiently explains his errors while he gracefully accepts her help.

Luffy takes up one of the papers, "Ah, this must be the barren wasteland. Nothing but desert for miles."

"Luffy," Nami says with every inch of calmness she could muster, "You're holding the map backward."

And so he was.

"I knew that," he puts the map down and makes the most dignified exit he could.

An exit that lead him to the other side of the ship where three rabbits in human clothing, one in orange overalls, one with a pink shirt and a black hat, and the last with five earrings in one ear and goggles are all trying to make mochi!

Luffy can't help the grin spread across his face. Mochi. He was never a big fan of the sweet but it is still one of his favorites regardless. Thanks for the help of a certain someone Luffy is confident he could make the best mochi in the goddamn world by now.

He hopes that poor bastard is okay right now.

Well, he is with his mother...

He taps one of the rabbits on the shoulder, "May I?" he asks as politely as Luffy-ly possibly. The rabbits were doing a good job at hitting the hammer but Luffy knows he was the best, after all.

Said rabbit look Luffy up and down sceptically but reluctantly gives the mallet to him.

Luffy gives the mallet a practice swing, "Get ready for the best mochi you have ever had!"

He winds up his arm, lining up his line of sight perfectly with the bowl.

CLOCK!

Destroying the bowl of mochi...

"Oops, my bad..." Luffy scratches the back of his head. Note to self: not all bowl are made of Sea Prism Stone. End note.

That rabbits put their heads in the hands, not mad just… disappointed.

"Wait! Give me another chance, I can do this I swear!" Mochi-Man will never let this go if he heard he couldn't make some fucking mochi! Not in his past lifetime, and especially not in this one.

The rabbits got him another bowl and Luffy takes a deep breath. He gives another, very controlled, hit with the hammer.

CLUNK

He whips up again and started on a nice fast pace, not too hard, but not to light. Like delicately punching someone in the face. There is an art to it. The goggled rabbit gets under and starts flipping the mochi over at the same time. It was like a mochi-making machine!

Oyal pokes their head around the corner of the ship, "There you are," they make their way to the four mochi makers, "...may I ask what you thinking you are doing?"

"Well I think I am making mochi," he said not breaking his pace, "but who actually know. Want some?"

Oyal actually considers it, "Maybe later, right now I have something I have been meaning to ask you," being on a small dinghy with two others had been making one on one conversation... difficult. They hopes this would not be the case when they get the Going Merry.

"Yeah, shoot."

Oyal takes a deep breath, there was nothing to be ashamed about it was only logical for them to go to Luffy about this after all, "What does it mean if someone is… hurting for another person?"

Luffy doesn't say anything at first, the rabbits have been switching the mochi in and out under his hammer for a while now, "I guess it means you don't want them to be sad," he states simply.

Oyal pushes on not satisfied with that answer, "No, I get that but… what does that mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything," Luffy replies in the same tone of voice, "just that you don't like it when your friends are sad."

Oyal pauses, letting the information sink in, "Friends?"

Oh Diana and all her stars, what are they doing? How did they not account for that? Something so obvious yet so subtle. They are back at square one! Just when they thought they had a hold of when and where their emotions are coming from they somehow still form without their knowledge or consent. This was not supposed to happen. How can they have let this happen? "So I am feeling… friendship?"

Luffy stops hammering at that, "Is friendship an emotion?" he puts the mallet on his shoulder looking deep in thought... or as much as Luffy can look like that, "Yeah, sure, why not. That is the feeling of friendship."

Oyal felt their chest go hollow and cold… "Oh, Diana."

Luffy puts down the mallet, "Hey, hey, what's wrong?" he could feel the despair coming off them. Was it something he said?

"I... am a terrible being," it takes everything they had not to let their voice waver.

Luffy studies them for a moment, he sighs, "Here," and gives the hammer back to the rabbits. His sole focus is back on Oyal, "Hey,"

Oyal lifts their head with great difficulty. They wish they could just fall asleep forever and never have to deal with these emotions again. All they have done is throwing them off and taking into account variables that are useless like they are and they can't possibly hope to be of any help with that sad state-

Knock!

"Ow," Oyal lifts their hand to their forehead. Luffy gave a single knock with his knuckles looking too stern for their liking.

"Stop overthinking everything in life, it's annoying," he says bluntly, "Just... live it."

Oyal rubs their head though it barely hurts, "How do I live..."

Luffy shrugs, "You gotta find that on your own. Just... feel it out before you think it out," He remembers how he would go head first into battle, no plan, no thoughts, just running on pure emotion and fists. It got him into a lot of trouble but at the same time, he never could regret it. His feelings lead him to the most amazing people he had ever met despite what everyone else would say. Bounty hunters, thieves, liars, failures, monsters, demons, perverts, creeps, traitors, and more. None of that matters. It just feels right to have them around him, does he have to think anymore about that?

"Why did you punch Helmeppo?" Luffy asks.

"Because... because it was the most reasonable-!"

"No," he cuts them off, "No, it wasn't and you know it wasn't.'"

They know it wasn't, "It was a mistake. I let my emotions get the better of me, I-" they remember the embarrassment of trying to actually teach Coby something that could never be recaptured. What a foolish notice. Them teaching someone else. Pathetic, "I shouldn't have done that. I should have-"

He grabs their hand. Firm yet oh-so gentle on their bruised knuckles bringing it to both their faces, "You hit him. Because you wanted to right..."

Oyal says nothing. They have nothing to say.

"Just... next time say what you feel... even if you don't understand it, say it, and go from there."

"...And if it makes things worse?" their voice is just barely above a whisper.

"Then it does that. You can't be responsible for everything," Luffy says confidently, "Any help?"

"...Thank you, Captain," Oyal says in their monotone voice, but he knows they aren't thanking him because of his answer. They make their way to leave.

"Why do you draw stars?" Luffy calls out.

They stop, they know this answer, "To keep busy."

Luffy doesn't move, "And now?"

Oyal turns back to their exit, "I hate leaving things unfinished," and like that, they are gone.

They walk aimlessly off the boat and on the shore. Thinking. They hate thinking.

At least this kind of thinking. They started star gazing to avoid this kind of thinking.

Drawing stars. Simple math. Solving equations.

Measuring the brightness from the naked eyes to determine their distance, calculating the patterns at which they moved, recording the seven moons and the effects they have on the planet. It took centuries, taking account of every variable, adding new variables like comets and the occasional space dust cloud came in.

They had to keep busy, to keep moving somehow, not letting the overwhelming feeling of... anything consume them and letting just simple apathy take over. For centuries it was no feeling just thinking, no understanding just reasoning, no guessing just solving.

Pure and simple mathematics. They had a perfect picture of the night sky in their journals from every angle she could get on Raftel.

And now... they are alive.

Now they have to live.

Annoying.

...

5x-6=3x-8

Add 6 to both sides

5x-6+6=3x-8+6

Simplify

5x=3x-2

Subtract 3x from both sides

5x-3x=3x-2-3x

Simplify

2x=-2

Divide both sides by 2

(2x/2)=(-2/2)

Simplify

x=-1

Simple…

Strange, it left them... not what they wanted. Usually, a simple equation cleared their head but now they feel... unfulfilled.

When did their calculations become not enough for them?

The sound of cutting forcibly takes them out of her musing. Oh, it would appear that their feet took them farther than expected, to a bamboo grove to be exact. How foolish, they should have been paying attention.

Zoro as it would seem has been filling his time by cutting bamboo stalks by the dozens with each swing of his swords.

Oyal walks up to a panda standing idly to the side... they... think this was the perfect chance to have a conversation. An 89% perfect chance to be exact. There are no other crew members and Zoro is not busy.

All they have to do is walk up to Zoro and talk to him.

...Simple as that.

...

Why is this harder than originally calculated. Just go!

… it is like Luffy said, don't think, li—

"What is it?"

Oyal felt 2% of disappointment for not starting the conversation but that is overshadowed by the 98% relief for not having to be the one.

"What are you doing exactly?"

Zoro shrugs, "Helping out," he gestures to the panda farmer near to them, "He needed them cut down for his newest harvest," he gives another swing, "Just to pass the time, you know."

Oyal hums, greeting the panda as politely as they could as they made their way to Zoro, "Zoro, we- I would like to have a conversation about- with you."

Zoro looks at them, letting them know they have his attention, but he doesn't stop cutting, "What?"

"About your position with the crew."

Zoro doesn't hesitate his work at that, "What about it? Just get to the point." he never knows what this girl is trying to get at. At least with Luffy, he is to the point but Oyal could run in circles all day without ever really saying what they're thinking.

They don't know Zoro. Not personally. They've only read about him. They know that Zoro respects and generally likes Luffy from what they has seen but they know where his values lie. On top of it all, despite feelings, despite preference, Zoro views Luffy as the captain first and foremost. They could not measure if Zoro is more loyal to Luffy the Friend or to Luffy the Captain. They suppose in the end it doesn't matter but still, it holds that thought that if Luffy was anything less than Zoro's captain, would he leave?

"Your position in the crew is currently 'Swordsman,' is that correct?"

They had seen his actions in both Thriller Bark and Water 7. Zoro refuses to respect a Captain that would allow someone to disrespect the Captain position. At the same time, he could have saved Luffy with the intentions that without Luffy, The Captain, the crew would fall apart and therefore Zoro's dream would be null. Zoro never mentioned living by a code, has he?

Zoro takes another swing, "That sounds about right, yeah," he never claimed to be anything else than what he is. A Swordsman, simple as that.

Zoro doesn't let friendship get in the way of his dreams or Luffy's responsibility as Captain. He does have respect for Luffy, but he also recognizes the position that Luffy represents and holds Luffy to that standard. If he wishes to be Captain, then he must act like a Captain. Luffy must earn his respect.

"Yes, and I find that title to be inadequate."

Zoro puts down his swords at that, "What's the problem?" his tone isn't accusatory but it was starting to get annoyed.

Luffy in the first timeline, as powerful as he was, was not the best Captain. He didn't plan, he let his emotions run, he did things out of order, and constantly got his crew into trouble. While these actions did... encourage his crew to get stronger it did show lack of consideration. Luffy trusts his crew, that they can take care of themselves but his disregard for consequences did lead them through many trials and even in danger because of his attitude. They doubt that Luffy is going to be reckless as he was but... still.

"It is not so much of a problem as it is simply wasteful. I believe that you should serve a higher position in the crew."

If Zoro had lived… would he have eventually fought Luffy? Would Luffy eventually make a decision that Zoro could not respect as a Captain and leave? Would he question whether to stay even for Luffy the friend? Would he put his expectation for his Captain to the side like he did his ambition on Thriller Bark and humbled himself in front of Mihawk so he could stay? Would he take back his word that he would leave if Luffy ever got in his way? Even she can't calculate the outcome to these questions.

Zoro turns to face them, he isn't stupid, he knows where this is going, "No. I am a swordsman. I don't need another title holding me back," he tries to look them right in the eyes, despite the bandana, "I'm going to live and die as the World's Greatest Swordsman, not Second Hand of the Pirate King."

Oyal feels their blood burn… no they need to be calm, can't have last time happening again, "I see the advantages to addressing Luffy as more of a Captain than a friend. Keep things professional," Usopp had been seeing Luffy as just a friend till Water 7 when he realized he had to respect Luffy as a Captain as well, "But Luffy is not a traditional Captain."

Zoro glare hardened, "The answer is no. We agree my ambition comes first. I'll help him till the ends of the Earth but he agreed not to get in my way."

The blood would not stop, they could hear it in their ears. Their chances of convincing Zoro are lowering by the second. They need to back out now, before their emotions got the best of them. Come back later when they are calm and reevaluate the situation till it is in their favor again.

But there will be no next time.

It is now or never.

"And there lies the problem," Oyal pushes, "you see it as holding you back, in reality, it will only bring you closer to your goal."

Zoro harden face doesn't change, "...go on."

One chance, that's all you get, "As you no doubt have seen Luffy is not one for hierarchy. While this has many advantages this also has many drawbacks. I am asking you to take the position of First Mate in order to keep not only the crew in line but Luffy as well," though they doubt Luffy will be as bad as last time, "I have no doubt you will fulfill this obligation anyway but I want to make this official, that when the situation arises I can count on you to protect the crew."

They said it. Their heart is racing and they can feel the blood under their skin. They… they don't remember what they just said. It was all so fast and they were just… thinking on the spot.

They thought about what was best. They risked and they chanced and now...

"Damn, you're annoying."

Their head whiplashes to Zoro, "...elaborate."

"Annoying," Zoro repeats himself, "You can never make it easy can you? Yeah I kinda knew what kind of boat I was boarding with Luffy. As long as he doesn't get in my way he can act however he wants but that doesn't mean I will let get away half-assing his duties," he looks away a bit, "...I ain't going to order people around or anything like that shit, I don't do 'orders.' My first goal is still being the Greatest Swordsman…"

He looks back at them, his stare hard but honest, "But yeah I'll... be the First Mate."

Oyal could cry. The emotions were multiple and fast but they were all good... they think, "Y-yes. Thank you," they breath, "forgive me I lost my... cool."

Zoro snorts, "Can't lose what you never had."

Oyal regains their composure immediately… is what they would like to say, "I- You-" she can't say 'Moss-head' or 'Marimo' that's plagiarism, they have to think of something else, something that doesn't have to do with his hair!

"Windchimes!"

Zoro folds his arms, looking more amused than insulted, "Windchimes?"

Oyal nods, "Yes, allow me to explain," they lean over, her creepy spidery-like hand outstretched to the left side of Zoro's head.

TINKLE!

… and jingles his three earrings together.

There is a silence in the bamboo grove, the light noise carrying on throughout the shoots innocently enough.

Zoro's face is like stone, nothing showing but an immovable force, "...you got three seconds before I break you like like a twig."

"Rude," Oyal pulls their hand back, not because he said to because they wanted to, "Can you please sign this then?" they hold out a piece of paper.

Zoro takes it, "Did you..." he narrows his eyes at them, "make a contract?"

"I have been listing all your standings on what is expected out of you in your new position while we were talking. It holds your standing views of what you want. Really, it is all just to make it official."

Zoro highly doubts that as he looked through the paper. And looks. And looks…

"Zoro," Oyal softly speaks up, "Do you know how to read?"

Zoro starts to sweat, "OF COURSE I DO!" he snaps, "It's just… there are a lot of words here."

Oyal sighs, "Give it here," they take the contract and start reading it outloud. It was everything Oyal had to explain to him what was expected. Keeping Luffy in line with his captain duties. Keeping crew in line with crew duties. Protecting the crew when Luffy is busy 'kicking ass'... "Being the second strongest on the ship?" he asks the last one out loud.

Oyal nods, "Absolutely. As being the second in command it is recommended that you should always be the second strongest when it comes to strength, right behind Luffy of course," it will take a while for Zoro to be on the level Luffy is at right now, but with time and experience he may be at the Yonko killing stage soon. Hopefully when they get Sanji it will be incentive to get both of them to fight for the position… logically speaking.

Oyal still doesn't know Zoro, they can't calculate his movements to truly know someone. But there is a feeling that they are certain they cannot deny. One that they are sure is due to this 'friendship' emotion. They trust him.

Illogical.

Zoro hums, "Well I'm not against that," after looking through the paper again, it was pretty short for a contract, he sighs, "Okay, whatever floats your boat, where do I sign then?"

Oyal handed him the pencil, "Please sign here..." she points to the bottom.

Zoro rolls his eyes at the formality of it all, Roronoa Zoro.

"So you can write you name."

"Shut up."

And he hands it back. Oyal takes it, puts it between their palms facing opposite directions... and then opens them dramatically to show that the paper is gone.

Zoro stares at them.

They wiggle their fingers.

"...Why are you like this?"

"The list is too long."

On another side of the island, a Captain who unknowingly just got his first mate is enjoying a solitary basket that he was offered from his new Pengu friends and finds a nice patch of dry land to have himself a little feast.

A feast for two as it would seem as a Tiger sits down next to Luffy.

The tiger bows his head and looks at him with big old eyes not-so subtly asking for food.

Luffy... only stares back, unmoved as Impel Down. He really doesn't want to share his meat. That was only what heroes do…

"You wanna fight! Get out of here!" he makes shooing motions at the tiger. He doesn't want to fight but it's his meat, damn it!

The tiger didn't move but put his ears down and pouts! Shamelessly pouting!

"No! Squam!"

The tiger only gives him sad eyes, turning wateryer and wateryer by the second!

That will not work on Luffy though! Luffy is not only the Pirate King, he is the king of pathetic faces! But… a voice very strangely like Sanji keeps scolding him in his head. He's hungry, you should never let someone go hungry, even assholes.

He's a tiger, Sanji would probably make him into food.

Memories of Sanji feeding stray cats entered his head.

That means nothing! We have eaten tigers before!

But you aren't eating a tiger now, another voice too much like Ace's, only kill what you eat, and kill them quickly else you are just being cruel.

AaaaHH! Stupid Brain Sanji. Stupid Brain Ace! Stupid Brain! "Ugh fine! You're lucky I don't like eating alone though," he gives the tiger a bowl of rice, a little lunch box, and his own meat.

The tiger bows his head grateful and they both enjoy a nice meal, despite Luffy giving up his meat. The years have made him gone soft!

Bellies full, Luffy ends up taking a nap on the tiger's side, "Okay, but don't tell anybody about this. I have a reputation to keep up," he even puts his hat on his head while the tiger licks his lips in satisfaction from a full meal.

Nami drops right next to him out of nowhere, "Didn't leave anything for me?"

Luffy jump, "I DIDN'T SHARE!" then he sees it's Nami that sat next to him and groans, "Not you too, Nami. Why is everyone taking my meat!"

Luffy has to force his body to not lean into Nami's. Another thing he noticed is how much he just wants to be near his crew. Doesn't matter what, a brush, a pat, a shoulder bump, just… making sure they were alive. Zoro doesn't seem to mind as Luffy has taken several naps on top of him but Nami isn't there at that level of comfortableness yet and Oyal...

Nami laughs, "Don't be selfish," she grabs a leftover bento box, "Have you seen Zoro or Oyal, I haven't seen them in a while."

Luffy has a thoughtful look on his face. Last he'd seen Oyal was on the pirate ship and they were... distressed for one thing. They remind him a lot of Robin before she realized she was a part of the crew. Just... overthinking and holding back what they really feel. It was really troublesome... but he can wait. He may not be the most patient *cough*notpatientatall*cough* but he knows when his friends need time to figure their own stuff out. He'll keep her from getting worse. They have to see that what they really wants. He can't hold their hand through that.

Zoro on the other hand... "I have no idea!"

Nami sighs but it isn't dejected, just accepting, "Yeah thought not," she leans back, taking a bite out of her fried shrimp, "This island is insane,"

"Shishishi, you haven't seen anything yet!" Sure, this was a weird place with very intelligent animals and no humans but damn if it compares to flying islands and Amazon warriors.

Nami gives a small smile at that, "Yeah..."

Nami really does want to go to the Grand Line. No doubt she would get a butt load more cash that way. But... at the way she has been making money, she might never get that chance. She is so close and if she meets that goal before going to the Grand Line then... heh, funny, she wouldn't think she would be so sad that she could make money too fast.

She hopes Luffy and them would get a good navigator when she leaves. No, a great one.

Luffy lowers his hat over his eyes and doesn't say a goddamn thing.

Oyal let their feet walk for her again. They she may not understand what Luffy said he still made valid points. Letting them feel before thinking. Not the easiest thing to do consciously but they are trying! They are not even sure where they are going, no percentages this time! They will not focus on the thousands of millions of variables around them and just move. Whatever may happen will!

They trip a little.

Okay, a little more focus...

They put their hands out in front of them as they walks blindly into the forest. They do a little jump over some roots, jumps over a rock or two, and jumps into some gorillas.

Feet haven't failed them yet.

He doesn't act in her presence, completely absorbed into whatever he is drawing.

Oyal stands behind him, standing on her top-toes, trying to look over.

He stiffens, finally feeling the pressure of someone looking at him and turns around quickly!

Oh wait, they are being rude aren't they? They give a sheepish smile.

He covers his work quickly trying to hide any evidence.

"Oh come now," Oyal jesters, "It must be important if you are working so hard," it had a 87.% importance, decimal point ranging depending on art form or writing style.

He look at Oyal, then back at his work, seeming to have an internal battle within himself. Finally after one side won out he slumped his shoulders and moved out of the way.

Oyal finally took a look over his shoulder to let out a little gasp. Nevermind 87 importance, this was 98% importance!

The reaction gave the gorilla some confidence, attitude turning at complete 180 now encouraging them see to show off his creation. They were quite impressive showing!

"Excuse me, Mister Gorilla, is this your original work?"

He nods with a wide grin, quite proud of himself.

"I see that you have been... observing us in order to make these," it was true as each blueprint was made in style of each person of the crew.

Gorilla rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

"Though I must say you are quiet ahead of your time," Oyal picks up one of the plans, "Air Planes. I wasn't expecting to see these for quite some time," or never if the World Government had anything to say about it. Can't have islands having aircrafts that can out maneuver their ships after all.

"May I… borrow some of these plans."

The gorilla gave them a look.

"I will give you all the credit, of course, we can even form a contract over it."

He puts a hand to his chin, thinking it over for a bit, till he nods asking to see a contract. They make one right then and there with the bases that he would be fully responsible for the creation and so on... he raises a brow at any future engineers modifying his creation.

"Just precaution is all," they hold out a pencil.

He shrugs and sign his name, Gori Illa, and gives them some of his plans…. He even drew Zoro and Nami some skulls to have on the side of theirs.

Fascinating!

He grunts showing Oyal something… else.

It was Luffy, Zoro, and Nami… as robots…

"... do you have the plans for these in the future?"

The gorilla flattens his hand waning tilting it back and forth, 'sorta' fashion.

Oyal gives the monkey a card, The Two of Clubs, "Call me when you are done," This... is far beyond what they can tell. Hopelessly fascinating. They don't know where to begin their calculations of what this can do but Jupiter curse it if they aren't going to try. Imagine Cutty Franky Flam getting his hands on these plans.

While that is all fine and dandy there are other very important things happening on the island as well. One such example… Luffy helping with dental hygiene.

A hippo has been trying to brush her teeth and failing horribly to do so as she does not have any fingers to hold her oversized (correct size for her) toothbrush.

Luffy jumps right to the things, "Hey, need some help?"

The Hippo nods slowly, holding her brush out carefully.

Luffy takes a seat on a very convenient barrel and fearlessly opens her mouth, "You gotta do it in little circles," just like Sabo said. Despite his noble starting, Sabo understood the importance of hygiene which he passed on to Ace who passed it on to Luffy... kinda.

Nami continues down her own path twirling a pink umbrella in her free time. She finally caught sight of a shade of green she has been looking for.

"Hey Zoro!" Nami waves her hand.

Zoro looks back from his work, "Yo!" he was sitting in the middle of a pond helping a huge Frog making some barrel on some lily pads.

"Hey, Nami, Luffy! Grab that hammer would ya and get over here!" Zoro yells holding a barrel in place as the frog hammers in the iron outlines.

"I got it," Luffy puts down the brush as the Hippo happily takes it now trying to make small circles with her thumbless fingers.

He makes a hop and skip over to the lily pond grabbing hammer flawlessly in hand on his way over, "Hey, Frog-san!"

Nami overlooks them both but seeing as they were fine ("Luffy that's not how you hit nails") she continue with her walk.

She walks a bit to see just around the corner a 25 foot snake circling a nest of unprotected baby birds on the ground.

How cliche.

Nami calmy puts down her umbrella...

The snake gets closer to the birds, mouth open and hungry.

She arranges her bo...

The snake is right over the babies!

And proceeds to beat the snake into submission.

After giving a good thrashing to a certain snake, baby birds chirp happily as Nami takes a bite out of her apple and taps the snake she's sitting on.

The snake flinches but obediently gets her another apple from the tree, tail curled around the birds, not out of hunger, but now out of protection since in case any harm came to them he would be the one to be punished. He gets another little apple for the babies.

"That's more like it," Nami states sharply, it doesn't matter if human or not, no babies were going to be hurt in her presence.

"Nami?"

"Hey, Oyal!" Nami chirps happily, throwing her apple behind her.

Oyal... doesn't question the scene in front of them, it said enough on it's own, "It is getting late, I think we should think about camping out here tonight."

Nami hums, "Well there certainly is enough space," Nami notices again the abandoned ruins still in living condition, "Let's go get the boys then."

Before moving from her spot she grabs the snake face to her own, "Remember, if you hurt these babies..." her soft grib now turning to iron, "Mama is getting herself a new pair of boots, isn't she?"

And with one last step on the snake, a final warning, the two made their way to the pond. Oyal again, refusing to question anything.

Actually… they should… clear some things out with Nami as well.

Oyal takes another breath, don't calculate, "Luffy is not one to kill."

Nami's eyes fall on them, surprised to hear her speak, "... What brings that up?"

"I… know that you claim your time in our crew is temporary until your goals are met and in that meantime I would like to… clarify several things," Oyal tries to reason.

Nami raises a brow, "...Alright."

Oyal continues, "To Luffy, everyone lives to fight for their dreams," they remember word by word this part of Luffy's contract, "He defeats them by shattering their dreams, and that is as painful as death. It is not about killing his enemy but giving them another chance to fight for their dreams. To Luffy, killing is taking away that freedom to follow your dreams and he would never take away someone's freedom. Not even his enemies."

Nami... doesn't say a thing. Oyal doesn't know if that means they have made the situation better or worse. All they knew is that they said it and that is that.

The guys were wrapping up their misadventures with Frog guy, "Are you sure you don't know another giant frog named Yokozuna?" "Luffy for the last time, not all frogs know each other. You're embarrassing us."

After arguing whether to head back to the ship or not the vote ended with going to the ruins… Or rather Luffy started heading to the ruins and no one could stop him. There was a section of cleared forest, clearly man-made but utterly deserted. It was a well-built town, with a church bell in the back.

Luffy looks around, "Let's see if there is anything cool in here!"

Nami lets out a disappointed sigh, "My money senses aren't picking anything up."

Zoro raises a brow, "Money senses?"

Oyal shakes their head, "This place has to be at least a decade abandoned, if they were to leave the chances of anything to be left behind is-"

"Found some stuff!"

Oyal should stop trying to reason at this rate. Just stop right here and now. They had no one to blame but themself truly. The chances of something, of course, happening in Luffy's favor was higher than any chance logic had.

Oyal goes into the building that Luffy roamed around in and found it like a store, full of clothes.

Oyal has to ask... "May we... take some?"

Nami cocks her head, "You need some clothes?"

Oyal shrugs trying to not let their emotional excitement surface, "I mean... we shall be needing more clothes for later anyway."

Nami nods eagerly, "Agreed! I'm not one to back away from free clothes."

Zoro folds his arms, "Well have fun,"

Nami grabs his ear, "Oh, no mister, you have been wearing the same clothes for the past month, we are getting you a wardrobe."

Zoro, against his will, follows Nami into the store, "Let go of my ear, witch!"

And... things happened.

Nami dresses to the nines with a beautiful traditional tight red dress and feather fan, she even did her hair up in two buns, "I'm just checking my size is all," she waves her fan, "This is some really cool clothes actually, really cultural."

Oyal nods, "It reminds me of the long-arm tribes' clothes."

"Now it's your turn," she cheers getting another traditional dress in hand.

Oyal had to force themselves to keep from backing away, "I- Really that is not necessary Nami, I have been keeping check of my clothes cleanliness-" a hand on their shoulder stops them.

She looks to at a Zoro, clad in a strange sleeveless shirt and baggy pants, "If I'm going down you are coming with me," there is no mercy in those eyes.

And that's how Oyal is forced in a dress, not as short or as tight as Nami's, no, theirs had long sleeves and went all the way down to their feet, completely covering them like a silk robe, "I feel... small."

"You are small," Nami supplies helpfully tying up their dress's back, "You look like about a size smaller than me, so we can share if you don't mind baggy clothes."

So sharing clothes is normal between friends, "I do not mind at all."

Even Luffy got into it, coming out with a more collared shirt and sleeves but similar baggy pants like Zoro, "Hey look at me!" he started wielding a bo-staff like weapon for some reason next to the clothes, "I'm Goku!"

Zoro grabs the same weapon as well, "Who?"

Luffy face went from smiling to confused in a second, "I... don't know."

Before anyone could question a sound came from the door. All of them froze, remembering despite being abandoned they are still in a store and ransacking it of its clothes.

But it is still not a human, rather it was a golden creature crawling on the ground.

"Is that... a dragon?" Nami guesses. It isn't much bigger than an alligator but it was as twice as long. Despite the cartoonish look on the dragon's face he still looks quite stern, gesturing to the door with a nod of his head.

"He wants us to leave," Luffy explains, "Apparently this is his home and he's tired."

Oyal has a feeling like this went on quite enough, heading back to the dressing room post haste, "Understood, completely agree, let's go."

With a quick change and taking several articles of clothing, the dragon owned the store not the clothes, they made their leave to be greeted with a black lit sky.

"Alright! we are camping here tonight," Luffy jumps excitedly, "I'll start a fire!"

"LUFFY, NO!"

"A campfire!" Luffy shouts back, "Geez, you think I'm an idiot."

Nami gives him a leveled stare down.

Luffy holds up his hands, "Okay… fair. But I'm still going to make a campfire," and like that he gets started in a clearing that seemed to be the backyard of the old church.

"Is it even safe to camp here tonight?" Nami asks putting their bags down and taking a seat on an old stone bench. She was not one for creepy abandoned towns at night, thank you very much.

Oyal shrugs taking a seat as well, "On the account that these ruins don't seem to be destroyed or deuterated suggests there is a 61% of a battle, 54% of some natural disaster, and 89% of disease. However the latter goes down to 34% as we have seen multiple mammals throughout this island act normal despite a higher intelligence and showed little to no signs of fatigue."

Nami sighs, "Well that makes me feel better," she says in a tone that clearly conveyed it did not.

Oyal does not take notice, "Happy to help," more focusing that they are really glad they could provide information. How... nice.

"Hey," Zoro interrupts, "Where did Luffy go?"

Both look to the spot in front of them that their rubbery captain was just at. But he is not accounted for, the only evidence of his presence being a rock circle and wood for an unused campfire.

There was a noise coming from inside the church, "Luffy?" Nami asks in that direction.

SLAM!

All heads turn not to inside the church but to the top of it! Right in the moonlights night wrapped in a cloak of darkness, "I am-" a pack of bats flew behind the figure, "THE BAT KING!"

With the ruins in the background, their windows being lighted by whatever force, and bats swarming Luffy like he was their commander, everything did add to the dramatics.

The other three are not impressed.

Luffy doesn't let that bother him, "I know. I look awesome."

Nami puts her hand on her head, "Why me…"

Zoro actually looks thoughtful, "The Captain Coat actually does look cool."

Luffy grins, coming down from the roof, "I know right! I might make it a permanent thing!" It reminds him of his other shirt he gets in two years but you know… in coat form. It is red and doesn't go all the way down to his feet, stopping at his back. The coat has only gold outlines, no fancy shoulder pads or intricate designs but just simple buttons that he will next use and simple cuffs.

It makes it look like a cheaper version of regular captain's coat but Luffy likes it! Makes it easier to move and stuff.

And it is red! The best color!

"It looks more captainy!" Luffy gave that wide grin.

Zoro rolled his eyes a bit but let out a snort at his captain's antics anyway. The kid had no muscle despite the power he displaced. The coat made him… grown up a bit.

Oyal saw how his clothing made no major difference to the story and just nodded.

Oyal prefers to observe the lighted buildings in the background, "It would seem that the animals do live in these buildings but only for living use and don't actually run the shops. I wonder what happened?"

Nami looks around worriedly, "You don't think the people here died do you?"

Luffy shakes his head, think what Robin would say, probably something smart like "Nah, if there was then there would be corpses throughout the street, rotting in the sunlight," yeah, she would totally say something like that, "Besides the town would be affected by the disease too or something," he was sure Robin also said something about sickness affecting buildings? Which is weird because buildings can't get sick. Silly Robin.

Nami raises a brow, "How do you know that?" she makes an executive decision not to question the first part of what Luffy said, no matter how out of character it was.

Shit, he said that out loud didn't he... "I... read it in a book?"

"I don't believe you," Nami quickly catches the lie.

Zoro takes it upon himself to finish up lighting the fireplace, "Who cares, we ain't going to die and there is nothing to kill us anyway."

"...What if all the humans here turned into animals."

Everyone turns to Oyal when they said that.

Oyal bulks under the attention, the feeling to explain themself heighten, "I mean... they clearly show human-like characteristics and above average intelligence, it would not be completely out of the way to suggest some sort of transformation."

Everyone kept staring, letting the thought sink in.

"Right..." Zoro draws out getting in nap position, "Humans turning into animals, that makes sense."

Luffy nods not hearing any sarcasm, "Good thinking Oyal, if this place is cursed hopefully we won't turn into animals in a single night."

Nami gives a little smile, she knows that sounds absurd but, damn it, she does not want to be thinking about being cursed before sleeping, "Luffy don't you think that is a little... impossible?"

Luffy shakes his head, "Rule 1 of being a Straw Hat Pirate: Literally nothing is impossible."

Oyal feels a bit better at the words. Sure it is... improbable this place is cursed but more for the fact that this is the East Blue and nothing happens in the East Blue. But even so they know better than not to account for every possible situation. Every. Single. One. Even the ones that don't make sense.

Variables are variables after all. They don't need to understand, thye just need to account for them.

"What do the stars mean tonight?"

Oyal barely hides her jump at Nami's voice, "... Mean?"

"Yeah," Nami points to the very clear sky hanging over their heads, "you said you read them, right?"

Oyal feels her mouth dry as their gaze is forced upon the sky, "Yes," It is section SF_56 through SF_98 tonight.

"So do you know what they mean tonight?" Nami asks again.

Oyal hesitates for only a moment. A moment too long.

Nami waves her hand, "It's okay if you don't know. I know you don't like stories-"

"No," they interrupt, "It is not that... I..." they just forgot... that they mattered, "I- I love stories, it's reading that is the hard part," they point to string of stars in the sky, "That one is called The Dragon: The Left Eye of the Demon,"

Nami looks to where she he pointing, "Where?"

"About several light years under... I mean," simple terms you fool, "It is little ways under the waning moon. The bright star connected to the Red Planet and then the two other bright star near the end."

Nami studies the sky for a moment, "Oh! I think I see it!"

"Yeah, that is because it is connected to the Demon consultation, which is about six stars formation a hexagon a little to it's left so really it is just the dragon by itself."

Nami hums at the response, quiet for a moment, "Why is it called that?"

Oyal doesn't miss a beat, like they didn't completely forget the meaning behind the stars they cherished for the past 800 years, "There was once a Demon of the Underworld, and he was feared and respected by all. However he had one fatal flaw, he was loyal and so when his fellow demon brother went into battle he predictably followed only to be captured and tortured by his own kind.

"'We sent him off to die' is all they told him, 'With him out of the way we can rule, but you are strong and can live with us' but the Demon didn't want to live under their rule so they tortured him for a thousand years and took his Left Eye. He eventually escaped with the Help of a Maiden but the story goes on to where he is not the Demon Lord and he meets the Dragon."

"The Dragon was respected as well, but rather than feared by all he was only feared by his enemies and loved by all with good hearts. His good heart leads him to difficult paths in order to protect the humans he so loved. He had to lose his position among the gods and fell to earth with humans and demons."

"The Demon found the Dragon beautiful. Strong, Unstoppable, Powerful, everything a demon loves, but more than that: Trustworthy, which is not something you get often with demons. The Demon offered the Dragon to be his pet and to be will forever be loyal to the Demon, and in return the Demon will grant whatever the Dragon will.."

"The Dragon was a selfless being and had nothing to want for himself, but he had humans to protect from the gods and so he took the demon's offer if in return he gave protection to his humans. The Demon being loyal to his new pet obeyed and protected all the humans while the Dragon in return obeyed the Demon's every command."

"The Dragon was known as the Left Eye as his loyalty to his new Lord was so fierce and so true he was the missing part of the Demon's Lord's sight. The Demon's Left Eye."

Oyal doesn't realize they had gathered an audience at their story... Zoro, Nami, and Luffy are enraptured by... oh Jupiter.

A beautiful paper dragon and a paper demon are in front of the fireplace, moving on their own. So intricately done that even the horns on their heads were there in the greatest detail.

And were probably moving during their whole speech... which just kinda just... spilled out.

Oyal quickly unraveled the origami pieces, "Well goodnight!" they get up too quickly for anyone to stop them and hid behind the corner of the church.

They hear the others talking, whispering something or another, but they don't go after Oyal. It makes their chest feel tighter than it already was. They don't feel good at all.

Their blood feels like it was on fire, and they never realize how cold they were before. Their hands tingle to the point they almost hurt. They don't know what this meant, they don' know what to do.

They pick up her pencil, looks to the sky, and starts writing.

OOO

"COME ON ZORO! DON'T BE A WUSS!" Luffy shouts at the top of his lungs, "I got some meat betting on you!"

Morning came without a hitch and they continued like normal… ish.

The Pengu Pirates wished to put their best fighter to the test against their own and well...

"I'm getting there, Captain!" Zoro stresses out the last word as he blocks another blow. Really, fighting a mother kangaroo and her child should be regarded as unfair considering it is practically fighting two on one. They are using bamboo sticks for safety reasons but the duel is still impressive nonetheless.

"Get used to it, Zoro," Oyal raises their voice as well, it can't really be called shouting, "this is not the last time you will face a four sword style."

Zoro gets distracted, "Wha-?" barely blocking another attack at last second.

"Oyal, your distracting Zoro! Focus!" Luffy barks, "I bet like three meats over this!"

Oyal thought it was quite humorous how Zoro is losing his cool to a mother and her child. But Luffy did bet three meat... whatever that means. They make their leave to the forest.

They are still on the other side of the mountain but now they are on the western point. Nami is finishing up her charts at this end so they were just wandering until she was done. It is for the best she is not here now. If she knew Zoro was fighting a child she would probably have a few words about it.

As such Oyal wanders… into an area of blue grass in a checkered pattern, "Now this is… different," Using the word 'abnormal' here just seems repetitive.

While the blue grass is a surprise, they are glad they took the giant floating fish in stride.

"How fascinating," they poke the side of the fish, it was the size of the mammoth they rode before and feels dry. Could it breath on land? But it had gills. How could something with gills have no need for water?

"Hey Oyal," Nami comes from behind her, putting her glasses away, "I finished with the Western front now we just need to check the mountains again," Nami doesn't even blink at the land fish, "Ah good, you got us a ride!" As she got on top of it and starts re-reading her notes on it's back.

Luffy and Zoro constantly come back in tow, "You could have shared, you know." "I bet my meat, if you wanted some you should have betted!" "I WAS THE ONE FIGHTING!"

Luffy doesn't even hesitate to grab on the side of the fish, "Zoro won! It was really emotional," it doesn't seem the best way to hold on but Luffy is somehow managing.

"They put up a good fight but the kid needs more arm strength," Zoro doesn't get on but get next to it like it was a horse to be lead.

Nami lowers her notes, "Kid?" her voice cold.

Oyal hesitates for only a moment, calculating all the ways they could avoid this confrontation, then calculating all the ways they could not. They got on right behind Nami, "Good job on fighting children Zoro, you must be really proud."

"And her mom!" he snaps back, "It was two against one!"

"Of course, excuse me. Good job on fighting a child and her mother," Oyal corrects themselves.

"Zoro," Nami had a pleasant smile on her face, but anyone who knew her enough knows how empty that smile really is, promising nothing but disomation, "Do we need to have a talk about who you fight?"

Zoro feels his hair stand on the back of his neck but refusing to back down as he leads the fish deeper in the forest, "A fighter is a fighter," he said irritated, "If they thought they could fight then it doesn't matter which gender or age."

Nami hums, "Okay, sound argument, good structure, but counter argument: have you throughout of this," she narrows her eyes, "Don't."

If looks could kill Zoro would be dead, then brought back to life, only to die again.

Oyal sees his point. They aren't going to say that out loud of course, rather forcing the conversation back on the fish, "It must be the grass! The fish seems to only float above blue grass as it cannot leave the forest. Fascinating!" They simply must take a sample.

Luffy giggles, "Do you think mermaids can float here too?"

Nami lets the conversation go, "Mermaids? Luffy, don't be silly, mermaids aren't real. They are just a myth created by horny sailors."

Zoro huffs, "Says the woman riding a floating fish."

They reach a clearing in the forest to... farmland? They had to get off the fish as the blue grassed forest ended to explore a bit.

"Thank you for the ride," Oyal pats the fish, there are no ears to scratch behind so it is the best she can do.

"Wow, I didn't know animals could farm," Nami notices the rows of plants sprouting, "I wonder what kind could be able."

Luffy snorts, "Obviously it is farm animals, Nami."

Zoro shakes his head, "Impossible, they don't have thumbs."

"No, Luffy has a point," Oyal interjects, "If they are knowledgeable enough they can get by without thumbs."

Luffy point in the distance, "See there is the famer!"

Sure enough, there was a cow tied to a cart full of produce as Luffy crouches right in front of her, "Hello! We love your farm, you're doing a great job without thumbs!"

"Uh... thanks," a voice replied back.

Luffy gasps grabbing the cow's face between his hands, "A talking cow!" He really wants to ask her to be part of his crew... but he mustn't! She's too delicate, too precious.

"What the-" Nami looks around, they may be on an island of animals but talking animals... well she can't say that crosses the line but you know... she just looks, okay!

And good thing she does because right behind them is… a person!

And actually human person. With hands and legs and everything.

The four stare at him in utter shock. His face was… young for one thing, looking about in his late twenties or so. With fire head hair and farming clothes, looking as natural as any civilian could on a farm, "Hey,"

"You're... a human," Nami intelligently points out.

The guy looks at his dirty farm clothes and looks back up, "I mean... I guess."

Before any of them could further comment he asks, "You guys need a ride, I'm heading back to the village with my haul if you're willing to help out?"

The four look at him, then at each other, then back at him, multiple silent conversations happening at once.

Nami switching between shaking and nodding her head, Zoro making several arguments with just his eyebrows, Oyal biting their lip, and Luffy speaking just with his hands.

Long story short the four Straw Hat pirates end up in working clothes and somehow found themselves working in the fields for a couple of hours. If any of them look back on this, none of them could remember for the life of them how the conversation went to how they came to this conclusion, but they ended up in his cart full of produce by the end of it.

It was all very dreamlike as the four got into the back of the Red Haired Farmer's cart as he made his way to his "village."

It was all so… relaxed… all so unreal. Luffy even put his hat on the Farmer, his red hair under the straw hat just seems to make sense….

"Oyal, what the hell happen to your hands?" Nami takes her arm in her hand, "You look like you got into several fistfights."

Oyal tries to keep still as Nami touches them, "It looks worse than it is really. I bruise easily is all," it is true, their skin is cover in black and blue marks up and down their bare arms, but none of them really hurt per say. They just look... concerning.

Luffy laughs a bit, "You look as purple as the eggplants!"

Nami picks up an eggplant and shoves it Luffy face, "Hey!" Luffy scrambles back as it seemed some of the products have eyes and a face.

Zoro balances three potatoes on his head just for the hell of it. None of them taking into account that products should not have teeth and eyes and be jumping out of the cart trying to get away from an enviable death by being eaten. The abnormality of it all didn't even cross their minds.

The farmer and his cow lead them... far. Like really far. There wasn't a village anywhere in sight. He just kept climbing up the mountain. How long it took and how a cow and cart got up so high was not asked or even considered. Just accepted.

They were so high in the mountains that they could touch the clouds, "These aren't regular cumulus clouds," Nami explains, "I have never seen clouds like this before. They are able to keep their shape despite being on a mountain… amazing!"

It was the most moldable clouds they have seen. Luffy was sure this was part of a sky island by how moldable it was. He was able to make a cloud ship and command it. Zoro made a cloud sword bed and pretended to drink a barrel of sake. Oyal made star after star after star of the little clouds until they had a little hill going. And Nami made her treasure trove of her dreams. It was all so surreal.

No one said anything. Or at least no one remembered anything being said. No one remembers asking a question either.

"If you wonder what happened to everyone…" the farmer explain, going back down the mountain, "they were taken."

The next coherent thought they could recall was only after the farmer was gone, luckily Luffy got his hat back, and now they were stuck on top of a cold mountain.

...

"What the hell just happened?" Zoro deadpans.

Luffy shrugs, "I have no idea but i like it!"

Nami takes a deep breath, "... let just... go back to the boat," she doesn't want to think of what just happened, she wants to sleep.

Oyal is trying and failing to get some of the what they think is sky island cloud. They have a 86% of being right as they have never seen them personally. And sadly it would seem that one needs a dial in order to store this cloud as they are not cooperating with their little paper boxes. Juno curse it all, they could have Nami's weapon upgraded before Reverse Mountain if they could just get a sample!

... Well, they guess the blue grass and this other sample will do for now.

"Zoro, you still have our clothes?" Nami asks.

Zoro nods getting out some of the winter coats they were able to snag.

Oyal looks at some of the trees, "Zoro, how well do you say you can cut objects out of trees?"

Zoro tilts his head thinking for only a second, "Pretty well, why do you ask?"

They point to four trees, "It would be an appropriate time to show off."

Another long story short of how they ended up snowboarding down the other side of the mountain.

Luffy was the most natural, doing backflips whenever he could and acting like gravity wasn't even a thing. Zoro sat down like it was a sleigh, somehow still able to make the board obey him despite him looking like he was giving absolutely no effort. Oyal having the most difficulties as their legs shook and they had to constantly stop in order to make the turns. Nami being the only normal one, waiting for Oyal to catch up to her. Again no question really asked just acceptance.

The snow surprisingly went all the way down to the mountain... all the way down the forest they first came too.

"Well that is convenient," Nami takes off her coat and puts it back in the bag.

"We should get going," Luffy already making his way inland.

But before any of them could think about heading to the white docks they first board the animals surrounding them.

It is like the entire island was there, ones they have met and one they have never seen, in human clothes and naked, standing around them, staring. Waiting

The four of them covered each other's back. Zoro tense grabbing his swords, getting ready for a fight. To his left, Nami is worried too but doesn't let it show while to her left, Oyal watches impassively. Only Luffy has a smile on his face as he watched the animals watching them.

It is all quiet... until one cat moves out of the circle.

Got on her two hind legs...

And holds up a flute, "Meow!"

The animals cheer at the call, getting out instruments as well.

The three stood in shock for a moment until Luffy laughs, "All right! Party time!"

And so the party ensued.

Llama on keyboards, Nami on xylophone, Zoro on trumpet, Dog on violin, Rooster on accordion, Cat on flute, Luffy on cymbals, Oyal on the triangle, and Frogs for harmony all making a final farewell song as the Straw Hats made their final leave on the strange, strange, strange island.

Soon all three, back in their normal clothes, with new clothes and treasure the only proof that that was not all a dream started making their leave.

Luffy holds his binoculars looking at the island in the distance, "That… was awesome…."

Some woodpeckers are looking as well, hanging on the ship as long as they can before they were forced to head back. One on Luffy's head, One stuck to the crow mast...

"SHIT!" One making the mast fall down as Zoro made a break for it before his idiot of a captain would fall into the sea, "LUFFY GET DOWN!"

Nami puts a hand over her eyes as she looks over the side as well, "Did that… really just happen?"

Oyal closes their book, "Yup," making the p pop at the end, making their way in the only indoor room of the dinghy.

They put the clothes away, next to Nami's treasure, and put their own treasure on the little desk.

They put down the paper holding blue grass in it.

And another sample they have no idea.

A pink flower-like plant that hung like a bell. The 'bud' was round and pink with a little "Q" tip at the bottom with another, pinker circle in the middle…

They have never seen a flower like this before but it seems… interesting. Not the most logical reason to take it but variables are variable.

...Oyal knows many things. At least they like to think they do.

And one thing they know for sure is that they will never ever know everything….

OOO

I would like to thank The Patient One, Miep42, and MadGirl for editing!

And maybe… that is okay.