Please sign here

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

17. Arlong Park

ARLONG PARK

Hi Big Sib!

Everything has been great here at home. Captain Ripper has been taking care of all the bad things Morgan did and Mama is smiling more than ever!

Big Bro Coby and Helmeppo have been working hard to. Big Bro Coby has been cleaning and training all the time, he is always worn out but he is happy! Helmeppo is less mean now but he is still a dumb head, all he does is complain and like a baby. A big baby!

They left a while ago which was sad. They are taking Morgan away to the big prisons so he won't hurt anyone else. I really miss them. But it's okay because I gave them really big hugs! And now I know you are looking out for them.

The club cards stuck right on them so that way Big Sib Oyal can use their magic! I know you will keep them safe!

Anyway, that is all I have to say! Good luck on the seas! I can't wait to see you in the papers!

Love, Rika!

OOO

It was hard to see who moved first, but really, it doesn't matter because it is all going to end the same way.

If you can recall the fight, the first time, then please try to remember that it was Arlong that needed a crunch. But this is not the case now. Now, Luffy is the one ready to paint the entire park with Arlong's blood. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Probably.

Needless to say, it doesn't matter who moved first because Luffy got the first punch in.

Nobody saw Luffy appear next to Arlong's phony throne and within a second he sends the fishman flying straight into a wall, making a deep crater. Surprising absolutely nobody that mattered.

The other fishmen immediately circle the rest of the crew, "You bastards!" "How dare you hit Arlong!"

"YOU SMALL FRIES CAN JUST GET THE HELL BACK!" Sanji spat back, making quick work of the first wave of fishmen.

Zoro takes out his single sword and with one slash takes out any form of a second wave, "Honestly, interrupting a battle like this."

Arlong slowly gets up from his rubble seat, eye twitching in anger. They just took out his entire crew with two men.

"lt's not like I'm going to lose," Luffy mutters as Zoro and Sanji joins him in the center of the park.

"Idiot," Sanji kicks Luffy not-so-lightly in the head, "Since when did I say I was worried about you? I'm just telling you not to hog all the fun."

Despite his anger, Luffy actually lets a smile slip, "Okay!"

"Uuh, l don't really mind if you hog them all," Usopp follows, looking back at the passed out enemies, absolutely certain that the fishmen around him were knocked out.

"That's some bravery you got there," Zoro sincerely remarks.

Nami looks on from the gates, regaining her nerves, "Are they really going to fight?"

"Nami!" a voice calls behind both of the intellects.

"Gen!"

There before the Nami and Oyal was the entire town of Cocoyashi, armed with pitchforks and cheap swords. With Gen and two beat up bounty hunters at his side.

"We are sorry, Oyal-Sib," Johnny says, a rather large bump on his head, "We tried to stop them but they refused to listen."

"Yeah," Yosaku with a similar bump on his head, "They were dead serious about fighting no matter how much we explain that Luffy-Bro got this covered."

"Hey, who are those guys?" Gen looks over, eyes settling on Oyal, "You were the ones at Cocoyashi this morning."

"Yes," Oyal explains simply, "Now, unless you want to get in the way, I suggest you pull back."

"What was that?" the villagers were getting restless.

Luckily Johnny and Yosaku cover the entrance, "You heard the small person!" Yosaku barks out, "If you guys join in, you'd just make things worse for them. You'd just get in their way."

Genzo looks down at them, "What reason do you have to meddle here?"

"A reason?" Johnny questions, "Nami-Bro was crying," Yosaku finishes for him, "She risked her life. Do we need any other reason?"

Nami's jaw hung open a bit, "Wha-"

"Nami any one of us would save you," Oyal whispers lowly, "If one of us had just gotten betrayed and forced to work for those who betrayed us, would you just sit and watch?"

Nami doesn't say. She never really gave it thought.

Oyal shakes their head, "You are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for," Sometimes there is only so much you can do until you have to stand up for what you think is right. Even if it means putting your life on the line.

Kuroobi folds his arms, one of the few fishmen wise enough to stand back, "We were right all along. That woman's a traitor!" he told Arlong about Nami and the straw hat boy but he missed the info about the green haired and the rest being involved. He should have connected the dots.

Arlong sits up, not showing how much that punch really hurt, "Pirates, eh? l see. So that's the relationship between you guys," he must has bruised a rib or two, "And here I thought she could forget her mother's death. A cold-blooded witch to the core. Never did trust her from the beginning. You low life human got guts, but aren't you four inferior beings getting ahead of yourselves?"

"You guys are idiots," Hachi starts getting riled up as well, the only reason he is not knocked out as well is that Chu held him back, "You think Arlong will waste his time with the likes of you!? He'll be enough for the job!" he grabs his trunk and blows, "You guys can be his next meal! Come out! Mohmoo!"

At the name, hundreds of gallons of water breaks the surface from the dock. From under the water is the very monster that destroyed Gosa village, the beast from the Grand Line...!

Usopp is the only one to panic, "IT-ITS A MONSTER!" cut him some slack, it is his first time seeing a sea king, "IT'S HUGE!"

"Oh, it's just him," Sanji says casually, recalling the beast from their adventure from the Baratie.

Mohmoo looks down instantly seeing the players… from the Straw Hats to the Arlong Pirates. He is a smart sea-cow. He looks at Arlong sitting in the wall. And he looks at Luffy, seeming far more pissed off than Mohmoo last saw him. He is a wise sea-cow.

"Hold on! Mohmoo! What do you think you're doing?!" Hatchi yells as Mohmoo bows his head politely to the boy in the red coat, "Hey! Stop! Stop, l say! Mohmoo!"

"Hey! Good to see you again," Luffy bows back politely, "Thanks for flying us here, it was nice."

"Mohmoo... What are you doing?" Arlong grits out, still able to look menacing while sitting in his own hole in the wall, "You're not turning traitor too, are you?"

Any other day of the week, Arlong looking at Mohmoo like he is fish food waiting to be fried would have Mohmoo cowering back to Arlong but… Mohmoo rises a brow to the new top dog.

Luffy shrugs his shoulders, "I'm going to kick his ass, either way. So do whatever you want."

And on that note Mohmoo does. He leaves.

Usopp doesn't know why he even bothered making over the top facial expressions anymore, "So... Luffy can just... do that now?"

"Yup," Zoro and Sanji says in sync.

"Surrounded by traitors," Arlong snarls getting up, "I'll deal with that coward once I'm done with this brat. Hey brat, what's your name?"

"Luffy."

"Luffy," Arlong repeats, "I'm going to kill you now."

Kuroobi comes forward, "Looks like we have to get our hands dirty."

Chu narrows his eyes, "I think we need to teach them the difference between our species," the only good fighters finally deciding to step up, "Arlong, please stay right where you are. lf you fight out of rage, Arlong Park would turn to dust."

Hachi gets in front of his captain as well, "Yeah, we'll take care of them!"

Arlong huffs, re-taking his spot in the wall, "Fine, do whatever you like."

Luffy takes a step forward. No fucking way, Arlong gets to sit this out-!

A single hand to his chest stops him, "Zoro?" Luffy diverts his glare to his first mate.

Zoro isn't looking at his Captain, "Sit this one out, Luffy."

"But-"

"But nothing," Sanji steps in front of Luffy, "You think you're the only one who gets in on the action. Don't think so highly of yourself," Sanji rolls his eyes, "Looks like I ended up with a complete moron for my captain."

Zoro huffs, "We're on the same boat."

Usopp makes his final stand in front of Luffy as well, "We are all pissed about Nami getting backstabbed. We all have a say in this," for the first time feeling as certain as he sounds, "So don't think you can push us to the side!"

Luffy looks at the backs of his crew. Each one straight with certainty and the utmost pride at being at the forefront.

It is an all too familiar scene. If those backs were just a little bit wider and the hair a little bit different it would be the exact same image of...

Luffy swallows the bitter bile in the back of his throat, blank face changing into his signature grin, "Right! Kick their asses, guys!" he walks back to the wall, directly across from where Arlong is sitting.

Both Captains look at each other, waiting for different reasons. Luffy is waiting out of respect of his crew's wishes. Arlong is a lazy ass who needs his crew to fight for him. He can't believe that this weak ass is Jinbei's brother. If Arlong was anywhere near Jinbei's level they wouldn't have a chance but nope. While Jinbei got stronger and wiser throughout the years, Arlong stayed the same.

Zoro smirks, "Like we are going to be doing anything else. I'll take the octopus."

"First, you boil the octopus in saltwater, slice, then flavor with olive oil and paprika," Sanji lists off ingredients, "It makes a great appetizer. I'll handle the manta ray."

Usopp gulps, the previous confidence leaving him at rapid speeds, as his eyes fell on the only last fighter glaring right back him, "I'll take… whoever is left," he does everything he can to avoid eye contact.

"Oh Yeah! Take this!" Hachi spits out ink at the three, "TAKO-HACHI-BLACK! OCTOPUS INK!"

...it isn't really effective considering everyone move out of the way.

"Laaaaaaame!" Luffy and Usopp call out in sync from the side.

"SHUT UP!" Hachi yells at both of them.

Kuroobi rolls his eyes, "You humans are truly moronic if you believe that you have a chance against us. Your captain is sending you to your deaths."

"Our captain may be a moron, but at least it's a hundred times better than being with a low-life bunch that hurts a lady," Sanji gives a not so friendly smile.

"A lady?" Kuroobi folds his arms, "You came here all the way here for that kind of woman?" he is not impressed, "A pirate who fights by chivalry can only be mediocre."

"That kind of woman?" Sanji cocks his head slowly looking more and more demonic, "Say that again, and I'll cook you in a buttered frying pan. Making you into a Meuniere, fishman!" he snarks, "Why don't you see for yourself, if my chivalry is mediocre? l was raised by an unbeatable pirate."

"Seems like you're really unfamiliar with the superiority of the mermen race," Kuroobi takes a step forward, ya know, like a bastard.

Oyal sighs, "Annoying," better speed this up, "Hey, Zoro, the octopus is a swordsman."

"Swords. Now," Zoro goes straight into battle mode.

"Nyu, I don't know who you are!" Hachi grabs a piece of the wall rubble, "But I'm going to defeat you!" and throws it at Zoro.

"That ain't happening," Zoro jumps out of the way, landing perfectly "You aren't going to be doing the killing," he gets his sword out, "It's us that are going to be killing you!"

"You tell 'em Zoro, I'll let you handle that octopus," Usopp starts to sweat at the sight. Maybe he could escape this without fighting after all.

Disregarding his supposed 'opponent,' Chu's attention turns elsewhere, "Aren't those civilians of Cocoyashi Village?" his gaze falling to the doors, "Seeing that they have all these weapons, I can assume they are rebelling?" he starts to crack his knuckles walking to the gates, "Perhaps this will motivate Nami to be more cooperative in the future-"

"FLAME STAR!"

The fishmen lights up like a candlestick, falling to his back, "AAAAAAH!"

A gust of wind brushes past Nami and Oyal, "Usopp!" as Usopp runs right past everyone into open terrain. He turns around when he is a couple yards away, "Hey, fish lips! Your opponent is ME!"

The fishman gets up as quickly as he went down, chasing after the nuisance, "lf you wanna die so badly, I'll kill you right now!"

Usopp runs away crying, "AGGGGHHHHHHH!"

The villagers look on more confused than anything else, "What's with that guy?" "He stands up to fight, and then he runs away He's a strange one." "Isn't that the guy who saved Genzo, though?"

The 'fighters' voices could be heard in the distance, "Get back here, you long-nose!"

"Hey, you have no right to make fun of facial appearances!"

Nami looks back, sweat dropping, "Should we… help?"

Oyal shakes their head, "Negative. He needs this."

Luffy doesn't say anything, back still leaning against the wall.

Zoro takes out his single sword "Don't get in my way, cook."

Sanji raises a leg, "Please, if you lose don't expect me to save you."

Kuroobi looks own, "Humans are such inferior beings."

Hachi cocks his head, "Is that human named Zoro? Like Roronoa? Aren't you supposed to have three swords?"

"I ONLY NEED ONE TO DEFEAT YOU!" Zoro runs to the fishman attacking him head-on, "SWORDS. NOW!"

"One is not all you need!" Oyal actually raises their voice.

"Hey, shut up!" Zoro huffs out, already losing his breath, "I haven't gotten serious yet!"

"Johnny. Yosaku. Just give Zoro your swords and finish this already!"

"Sir, yes, sir!" As both bounty hunters fling their swords into the sky at their bro.

Sanji's fight goes into the swing as well with Kuroobi getting the first punch in, "Don't tell me you can't fight because of your chivalry?"

"A fish fighting against the cook!?" Sanji easily dodges the blow, "Don't make me laugh."

"You should pay attention," Kuroobi dies not miss the second blow, coming faster than humanly possible, "I'm a 40th Level Merman Karate Master!" sending Sanji flying to the other side of the wall, "Humans still can't compete against me and my wonderful, amazing six-sword style! You can't touch me!"

Sanji slowly pulls himself out of the wall, "If that was a 40th level punch right now," blood trickles down his head, "then the old geezer's kicks were about 400."

"The truth is that human swordsmen don't stand a chance against me," Hachi confidently boasts, "It'll surprise you! Astound you! Shock you!" blah blah blah, "Did you know that aside from one man, I, Hachi of the 6 swords styles, am the number 1 swordsman in fishmen island?!" Hachi gets all six of his swords out, "Even if the heavens were to be flipped over, you would have no chance of beating me!"

"I guess the standards are quite low on fishmen island then," Oyal mutters under their breath.

"Where did he even get those swords?" Johnny comments.

"Six-swords style, huh? You're full of crap," Zoro grabs the dramatically still-falling swords behind him without even looking like some kind of badass, "Let me just make one thing very clear, Octopus. There is someone that l must meet again. And until that day not even Death himself can take my life away!"

Johnny looks on worryingly, "I know you said he is okay, Oyal-Sib but... if that wound opens again, he'll die without a doubt."

"That's why he must finish this quickly," Oyal stresses.

"I'll show you the vast gap in skill, Nyu!" Hachi gets all six of his swords in the air, "Hah! The unsurpassable barrier that two-handed humans will never overcome!"

They have a dramatic (silly) duel ending with the two having one of those blink-and-miss slashes at the end... the two stand there for a moment. Zoro stands without a single wound, sweating profusely. Hachi, unsurprisingly, has a full body flinch as a large wound opened on his chest, "NYU~!"

"The six swords didn't touch him! Bro's awesome!" Johnny cheers. "Such concentration and persistence!" Yosaku praises.

"How could this be?" Hachi turns around bleeding hard, "I'm really mad now! Just think about it logically, would you? You cannot match six swords when you can only carry three yourself."

"Logically?" Zoro narrows his eyes "That's a major miscalculation on your part," Zoro lifts his swords "Three swords. Six swords. Numbers don't matter! I may only have three swords, but yours will NEVER be as heavy as mine!"

Oyal bends over, "Hrk!"

"What's wrong Oyal-Sib?!" Yusuke looks over the hunched over kid.

"N-Nothing…" Oyal wheezes, "It's just… Zoro using logic… hurts."

Hachi narrows his eyes, "The weight, is it? Now, I understand," no, he doesn't, "Your swords are heavier? Eh? But don't think that'll help, each of my swords weighs 300kg, you know! They're much heavier and more powerful than any of your swords, you moron!"

"It's useless talking to an idiot," Zoro gets into position again.

"Six swords style, Octopus Pot stance!" Hachi aims all six of this swords at Zoro's two sword defense, "New Year's Octopus Opener!" forcing the swords out of the way, "BODY SLAM!" and body slams himself in Zoro's wounded chest, sending Zoro flying into the air, blood coming from his wound.

"That's dirty! Aiming for his wound!" Johnny screams, "Watch out! Bro! Bro's gonna be killed!" Yosaku cries.

"You won't hit the ground alive," Hachi gets under Zoro's failing body and started a tornado of swords for him to land in, "SIX SWORDS WALTS! Touch these for second and you're mincemeat! You don't have a chance!"

"Bro!" Johnny and Yosaku cries seeing their bro not even opening his eyes.

"What a show-off."

"You said it, Oyal," Nami agrees.

Zoro hits the swords and in a mass of steel and iron there was spats of blood everywhere, "ZORO!"

As said swordsman lands on his feet, dodging every single one of the attacks, and Hachi falls from another bloody wound, "ARRGHHHH!" This time all his hands are cut up, "That jerk! He spun with me in the air and did somersaults on my swords! Then he cut my hands like some kind of circus trick!" the octopus cries out, "Now I'm REALLY PISSED, and I'm going to destroy you!"

Zoro's wounds start to bleed even more, "Zoro-Bro is in so much pain," Yosaku starts to cry, "That probably opened his wound again. Ah, if only I could suffer in his place!"

"No. You would definitely die," Oyal shuts him him, "A wound that'd make an ordinary man unconscious."

"This technique with 100% foolproof," Hachi goes for the same attack as last time, "New Year's Octopus Opener!"

"l can't allow myself to be ordinary!" Zoro sets up a frontal assault, "Demon..." he breaks every single one of Hachi's swords, "SLASH!"

"How?" Hachi squeaks.

"Now do you understand how much heavier my swords are?" Zoro glares at him, "Tatsu..."

"NYU!" Hachi goes for a last desperate attack, "Takoyaki punch!"

"Dragon Tornado!" and with one last attack, Zoro sends him flying in a bleeding mess, "Sorry Octopus, but I'm not impressed."

Zoro sinks to the floor, taking a knee. His wounds were bleeding but shockingly his wounds did not reopen. He just needs to catch his breath…

Kuroobi appears behind the victorious Zoro, "How dare you cut down my comrade!" he aims a punch right at the downed Zoro-!

...Just to be kicked away, "Hm?" Kuroobi takes in the sight before him, "I didn't think there was anyone who could stand up to my punch, not in all of East Blue," Kuroobi looks to the blond chef standing between him and the first mate.

"Oh, I bet you'll find plenty who could," Sanji smiles, "Especially in a certain sea restaurant."

"Zoro, get back here," Oyal nearly shouts, "you are getting your DNA all over the place."

"Please, never say that again," Zoro tries not to limp his way off to the side where Luffy was leaning, "And I thought I told you not to get in my way, cook."

"Get out of here," Sanji doesn't even look behind him, "your blood is sticking up the battlefield."

Neither Luffy nor Zoro say anything as the latter leans heavily against the wall, slipping down so he is sitting. He breathes heavily as he rips his bandana off, "I'm going to take a nap," and with those final words, he is out.

Luffy smiles, "Good job, Zoro."

"He could have been 15% faster," Oyal walks into the park towards the two. Paper gauze already in hand as they go to work on Zoro's bleeding wound, "But I suppose it was sufficient."

"You mere humans!" Kuroobi refocuses back on Sanji, "You're really trying to challenge me?!" he takes a stance, "Fishman Karate! Arm Blade Slash!" he throws his elongated elbow at Sanji's chest.

Sanji easily blocks it with one foot but this gave Kuroobi an opening, "Threat Grapple!" the fishman wraps his wired hair tail around Sanji's waist having him trapped.

"Shit!" Sanji tries to kick the bastard but the hair was holding him at a distance.

And leaves Sanji open for an attack to the mid-section, "Sea-speed Stomach Drop Kick!" which would have sent Sanji flying but the hair keeps him in place, "Fire Flower Heel Drop Kick!" hitting him down, "Rising Thrust Kick," hitting him up, "High-Level Exploding Palm!" and then right in the face, finally letting Sanji go, flying to the wall yet again, "Finished."

Sanji gets back up, bloody and bruised but mostly pissed, "Is that all you got?"

"What amazing perseverance," Kuroobi smirks, "Never thought a human would have any," his look easily turns condescending, "Wasn't it you who said a man who hurts a lady is a piece of shit? But take a look! Look where your mediocre chivalry has gotten you! There's no escape for you, so you'll die by my hand."

Sanji grits his teeth, wishing for a cigarette.

"Roronoa, the long-nosed guy, the grey child, I'll massacre all of the villagers who revolted!" Kuroobi pushes his luck, "And of course, that little traitor, Nami, will be no exception! Understand? In the end, once your smooth talk of chivalry gets past your mouth, you can't protect anyone! You may have some skill, but all you really are is a puny, weak human."

"Ohhhhh~ he is going to get it," Luffy loudly whispers to Oyal.

Oyal taps the gauze on a sleeping Zoro, "Correct."

Sanji grits his teeth, "l can't protect a single person, you say?" as he slowly starts making his way to the fishman, "Now, who's getting really ahead of themself?!"

"You still don't understand, do you?" Kuroobi looks serious, "I'll show you the essence of Merman Karate. The move that blew you out of the park was a 100 Tile Smashing True Punch! But my special move is the 1000 Tile Smashing True Punch! The chances of you surviving are ZERO!"

By the time he is done talking Sanji's foot is a milimeter away from his face, "COLLIER!" Sanji kicks him in the fucking face, "You said my chivalry was naive? EPAULE!" Smashes his face into the fucking ground, "That I can't protect anyone, huh? COTELETTE! SELLE! POITRINE! GIGOT!" and proceeds to break every bone in this guy's fucking body.

"Why you," the poor smuk actually tries to get up, "Bastard! 1000 Tile Smashing True Punch-"

"MENTON SHOT!" Sanji just sends this guy flying off with only a gush of blood in his wake, "...guess you don't need dessert."

"Wow," Oyal claps their hands, "He did that so much faster than you."

"I'm going to stab you," Zoro says in his sleep.

You could hear Arlong grind his teeth, "Kuroobi... Hachi..." he calls out each one. Neither could answer.

Sanji smirks, "In the end, they're just seafood salad. A fish taking on a cook? Not in a hundred years."

The entire village looks on in shock. Two of the highest ranking members of Arlong's crew are down for the count.

"You bastards... How dare you do this to so many of my beloved brethren…" Arlong growls, his pupils turning into pinpoints, "One after the other... don't you think you've gotten a little caught up in the moment!?" Arlong gets up to gather some water in the palm of his hand, "To kill humans like you... I don't need to do it myself. A little water is all it takes. That's the difference between you humans and us mermen."

With a bend of his wrist, he sends the water bullets straight at the unsuspecting Sanji and Zoro-!

Nah, you know it's Luffy time.

Like catching ping-pong balls, Luffy stops each bullet with a single hand, "Zoro. Sanji," his face was a careful neutral, "Thanks."

Sanji rolls his eyes, "Like I said, not doing it for you," he says cooly making his way to the entrance, "Just go and fight the shark."

Zoro doesn't bother opening his eyes, "Kick his ass, already."

Luffy cracks his knuckles, glaring Arlong down, "Happily."

"LUFFY!"

Both Luffy and Arlong look behind them.

Nami stands at the entrance, bo in hand.

Arlong looks her way, "Yo, Nami," he says casually, "You ready to talk again? I was just about to give your loser pirate friend a demonstration of our power. Don't tell me you are trying to stop me?"

"I'm not going to stop you," Nami says calmly, "You are going to die."

"SHAHAHAHAHA!" Arlong just laughs, "Die? You think I can be killed by some human? You still haven't given up," he stretches his arms out, "How many times have you tried to kill me? Murder, poison, assault," everyone flinches at the sound of Nami's many assassination attempts, "Has it ever worked? You should know better than anyone else, that we can't be killed by you humans so easily," Arlong looks Nami right in the eye, "Listen well, you can never kill me. And you can never run away from me, Nami. You'll remain as my cartographer."

Nami has mastered the art of poker face years ago, but the panic in her eye shown through. She believes him.

"Besides, you know I've been good to you. I really hope that you'll continue the map-making, if possible," he waves his hand flippantly, "So, how does this sound? Normally, I'd kill all of Cocoyashi village, except you. But, if you make a decision now to return to the Arlong Pirates quietly, forget this whole buying back your village business, I'll spare the people of Cocoyashi," he gestures to the direction of the Straw Hats, "But these guys won't be spared. They were too foolish. So, it's your choice. If you choose me, the people of your village will be safe. Or you could choose to fight against me with these fools," he points to Luffy alone, "Once I am done with him I will take out the other two easily. They are in such bad shape right now I don't think there's any way to avoid this ending in tragedy," his fishy face looks right at her, "Nami. Are you my nakama? Or are you theirs?"

Nami takes a deep breath. Panic floods her senses. Stay with Luffy and everyone is killed. Stay with Arlong and save everyone. She knows her choice.

It is so obvious.

She looks right at Luffy. He hasn't said a single word. He hasn't even turned around to see her reaction.

She grips the side of the straw hat and stares at his back.

It is so obvious.

"Everyone, I'm sorry!" Nami re-adjusts her grip on her bo staff, "But… please trust me with this!" she asks with a smile.

"YOSHA!" not a single person objects.

"So, you wish to be slaughtered," Arlong grunts out, disappointment written all over his face.

"DON'T MOVE, ARLONG!" A brave voice shouts from the sidelines, rubberband in place, "You come one step closer and face your doom!"

"Usopp-Bro!" Johnny cheers, "Are you alright?" "How brave! He's facing him without fear!" Yosaku says with awe.

"Oh, yeah! I fight with no fear!" Usopp sees Nami standing tall and smiled, "Hey Nami, check it out! One of their guys, one of 'em was finished off by ME! Me, of all people! A guy with a face like this!" Usopp, are you okay? "These fishmen are NOTHING compared to my RUBBERBAND OF DOOM!"

"Bro, look, over there!" Johnny points to a rising member. "Ah! That octopus jerk woke up!" Yosaku screams.

Hachi is just getting on his feet, "Huh? Wha-" Hachi lifts all six of his arms in front of his face.

Johnny cocks his head, "What's he doing?"

Hachi opens one eye, "Crap! I thought a rubber band was coming right at me!"

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Everyone screams.

"Of course, I was aiming for him!" Usopp shouts.

"Didn't you shout, 'Arlong?'" Oyal questions.

WHAMP!

"Oh no, you don't," Nami bo staffs Hachi straight in the head, "Stay out of this!" taking a single blow Hachi's eyes rolled back into his head and he falls for sure this time.

Nami doesn't stop her swing, twirling the bo right out of her hand and into the air.

There isn't even a second of hesitation. The bo reaches the back of Luffy's head but Nami isn't the least bit worried. Not anymore. Never again.

Luffy catches the bo single handingly, "GUM GUM..." he stabs the bo into the ground, leaning back, "ROCKET!" and launches himself at the bastard, hitting Arlong right in the chest. With one hand still on the bo he rips it out of the ground toward himself mid-air, "and BAT!" to Arlong's gut. The second he lands, "and PISTOL!" right into the building.

Three attacks in the span of a second and a half. Arlong forces himself out of the rubble. Eyes gone predatory. Ribs cracked. Teeth broken, "Not holding back, are you?"

"Please," Luffy spins the bo staff lightly, "That was just the warm-up."

Arlong rips out his broken teeth. A new pair already coming in, "What's wrong with you pathetic scum? Are you looking down on me?"

"No, actually," Luffy balancing the staff, "I'm just pretty thankful to be able to kick your ass, right now. "

"You don't seem to understand just how angry I am," Arlong bites out, "To see my brethren crushed by your lame pals. Soon enough, you're going to be wishing you had let me kill you earlier," he slowly gets out of the rubble, "Do you know what the difference is between me and you?"

Luffy sends his own glare back, "I don't have slaves," the silence in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife, "I don't hate an entire race based off the actions of a select few?"

"Is Luffy-Bro trying to joke to piss him off?" Johnny whispers harshly.

"No, I'm afraid he's quite serious," Oyal replies.

"Oh, I know," Luffy stops spinning the staff, "I don't actively destroy the dream my mentor fought so hard to achieve, is that it?" he hit his fist in his open palm as if solving a simple puzzle.

The second he finishes talking Arlong lungs at him, "SHUT UP!" Luffy easily dodges Arlong's pointy teeth coming after him.

"YOU KNOW NOTHING!" Luffy kept dodging until Arlong bit through a column, "The Heavens only gave you humans enough strength to exist below us. You are inferior animals! From the very moment we were born, everything was different, humans fighting against us defies the laws of nature! I'll show you just how different we really are."

"Don't get so cocky," Luffy jumps back cracking his finger, "I'm going to be the Pirate King!"

"Pirate King? Don't make me laugh," Arlong charges, "You think a mere human like you can become someone like that? You can't even navigate through the sea without the girl. Can you bite through marble? Can you survive underwater? Can you lift buildings?"

Luffy yawns, "You're just showing off. I can do a lot a shit in my own way."

Arlong charges, "You're so stupid! The whole human race is pathetic! You can't even save yourself in the ocean," he screams, "You can't do anything!"

"And when I can't do anything," Luffy stops dodging, taking a stance with staff in hand, "I have others to help me!" he starts twisting his arms, around and around and letting it go, "Gum, Gum…" he sends the metal pipe right at Arlong, "PINWHEEL!"

Arlong tries to dodge the attack, nicking him at his shoulder, "I'm not interested in fooling around with you."

The bo returns to Luffy for him to send the bo's end right at Arlong's face, "Then eat this!" forcing Arlong to move, "I don't know a damn thing about navigation, you dumbass!" Luffy yells as others try to see where he was going through this, "I don't know shit about swords, either. I can't cook. I can't math. I can't even lie!"

"Hey," as a single person feels called out.

"I know that I need others to HELP me if I want to keep on living!" he relies so fucking much on them, it is pathetic. He should have been stronger. Better. A real captain.

"How pitiful. And such a pathetic guy is their captain? They must really resent you," Arlong spits out, "Why should they risk their lives to save someone like you? Someone they can't be proud of, why should you be their captain?"

Luffy asked himself that every day in another life, "I can't do a lot…" he still doesn't have an answer, "but I can kick your ass."

"That goes without saying, piece of shit," he hears Sanji say over the sound of cheering villagers.

"If you get yourself killed, I'll kill you," Zoro supports as well.

"Yeah! I'll back you up!" Usopp calls out, being the brave soul he is.

"SHUT UP! You've got to be joking, weaklings!" Arlong rips his teeth out as a row grew back, "This is a trait the Heavens gave me!" he rips out another row, "Are you beginning to understand just how superior I am? TWIST GUM!"

Luffy ducks the teeth attack, "Then I guess," he grabs Arlong's arm, staff hitting the back of Arlong's neck, "I need to break your jaw instead!" smashing his face to the ground.

CRACK!

The crater created by Arlong's face sends shockwaves, even the base of the building started to crumble from the impact. There is a silence from the entire village.

"Is he...?" someone questions.

"Not yet," Nami answers easily.

Arlong gets up slowly, grabbing his jaw. He looks up at Luffy, for the first time truly understanding the situation he has gotten himself into. It it clear in his eyes. Fear.

He jumps in the water, but he isn't escaping.

Luffy can feel him coming a mile away, "SHARK ON DARTS!"

Arlong coming out of the water like a missile would have been much more intimidating if Luffy didn't dodge by silently moving his head to the right. Instead, it looks like Arlong just put another hole into his mansion.

"You dodged that well," Arlong snaps his overly large jaw back into place, "But dodging is just dodging, the next one will send you to hell!"

Luffy sighs, "Guess, I'm gonna break that nose now," Luffy puts the staff on his back under his coat, "GUM GUM..." Luffy stretches his fingers...

"I'll pierce your heart this time!" Arlong shoots himself right at Luffy, "SHARK ON DARTS!"

"GUM GUM...!" Luffy slightly stretches his fingers in front of him, "Shield!"

Sanji furrows his brow, "That's not going to wor-"

It utterly works. Arlong is flung backward like a fucking spring, sending Luffy skyward.

"...son of a bitch."

"And now SPEAR!" Luffy takes the impact from the recoil and pummels a mid-air Arlong into the ground.

Luffy lands on the mansion, perfectly unharmed. Arlong's doesn't get up for the longest time. Slowly, but surely sitting up.

Nami starts to fidget, "What is Luffy doing?" she folds her arms, "He… he could have won already," she knows this. As much as she fears Arlong she knows Luffy and what he is capable of. This fight… was like game. He wasn't taking this seriously.

"Yes," Oyal agrees, "But don't take it as Luffy being lazy. He is simply a selfish man," they take the scene in front of them. Luffy on top of the building, utterly unharmed, a cruel smile on his face. Arlong at the bottom, looking more broken and beaten with each attack, "He isn't fighting to win. He is fighting to hurt."

Arlong's eyes had changed in berserker mode, "You inferior human! How did you do this to me, a fishman!?"

Luffy sticks his tongue out, "More like an ass."

Arlong gets up and punches his own mansion's wall, pulling out a big ass sword, the Kiribachi!

Luffy smiles at the sight of the very damage inducing weapon, "Well, if you want me..." he gestures to the second floor of Arlong Park under his feet, "Come get me!"

It is almost too easy to get Arlong to cause damage to his own home. Luffy leads Arlong up and up and up till half the building has been sliced. Leaving only one room untouched...

The top floor left window.

Luffy breaks in easily as Arlong follows in a huffing, bleeding mess, "Now you have nowhere to run…" Arlong still not seeing how unequipped he was, "This is the top floor of Arlong Park. Your last moments have come."

Luffy ignores the threat, taking his time to look at the maps everywhere, eyeing each one with painstaking familiarity, "Nami's maps..."

Arlong mistakes it as a question, "This is the cartography room! All of them are sea maps that Nami drew for me. It's impressive, isn't it?" Despite being at the end of his rope he still has the energy to brag, "Her eight years of work. My treasure. We know the sea like the back of our hands, but it's hard for us to make maps. We needed a skilled cartographer. Then I found that girl, with her talented eye! That girl's a genius," he says with almost a sick kind of fondness.

Luffy hums going to the writing desk.

"You won't find anyone who can draw more accurately. She's too good to serve you humans!" he spits out, "Her talent exists to serve us mermen forever! Nami is our nakama."

"Your nakama?" Luffy repeats so softly picking up a feathered pen not looking behind him, "No, Nami is my nakama."

"Is that right? You want her to pilot that crappy little boat of yours, eh?" Arlong laughs at him, "Heh, her talent would only be wasted on you. Look around. How many people in the world can draw such perfect maps? There couldn't be anything more stupid than wasting such a talent. For that girl, it's best for her to continue her work here. Her greatest happiness."

"This pen has blood on it," Luffy replies back or says to himself.

Arlong doesn't even hear him, too enwrapped in his own rantings, "For me to rule the world, Nami's maps are a necessity! She will keep drawing maps for the sake of my ambition. And once I have the maps of all the seas in the world, no one will be able to stand against me! The whole world will be mine! And it all starts right here, on this island in East Blue," he put his sword up to Luffy's neck, "How could you possibly use her better than I can?"

Luffy puts the pen down gently, with the utmost respect. He then quite carefully grabs the sword.

It is then and there Arlong felt the familiar inkling of fear when he notices he can't move his Kiribachi a single inch...

"Use," Luffy says calmly, far too much so for the situation, "Like a slave."

Arlong subtly tries tugging his sword but to no avail, "She is part of the inferior race, but still a smart woman. A cat among rats. And a cute one to boot," Arlong points out, "Here, she gets food and shelter. And we buy her all the clothes she wants. As long as she lives, she will have nothing to worry about. As long as she keeps drawing maps for me, it's all good. She will forever be my tool," Arlong smiles, blood pouring from his mouth, "No, My NAKAMA."

The silence after his dramatic ranting is deafening. All he could hear was the sound over his own heartbeat. Arlong was expecting a reaction at least. What he doesn't expect was the room temperature to drop 10 degrees.

Luffy finally looks up, eye to eye to Arlong. His big bug eyes, while usually blank, looked far more... dead than should be normal.

Meanwhile...

"Nami... how are you fairing?" Oyal asks silently.

Nami sighs, "Truthfully? Terrified," she hasn't taken her eyes off the window, "What is taking them so long?"

A crash came out, from the window-!

"What's that?!" Johnny screams.

Sanji looks up, "A desk?" indeed, as it crashed into the ground.

"That scared me, I was afraid that it was gonna be Luffy-Bro or something," Yusuke mutters. "Hey, partner! Don't you have faith in Luffy-bro's strength?!" Johnny scolds.

Another writing desk crashes out.

"Nami?" Oyal voice their concerns again, "You are... paler."

And she was, freckles more prominent on her skin, "Luffy?"

A bookshelf follows after.

"What's up with all this furniture flying out?" Usopp yells as chairs and debris started flying out.

Nami's breath starts to pick up as each one hit the floor and is smashed into pieces.

"Not even the best carpenter in the world can reassemble that," Oyal offers. Not that Franky would want to.

"Man, they're fighting so brutally," Yusuke notes, "Indeed a fight to the death," Johnny agrees, "No kidding."

Nami looks up. Her face turning red as tears filled her eyes. But she looks... happy.

Inside is different matters.

Luffy holds a half-dead Arlong by his broken nose. Eyes fading in and out of consciousness but no, Arlong doesn't deserve a sweet escape like that. Luffy made sure of that. Not when Nami had to live through her hell every waking moment.

"I don't care how great you think fishmen are to humans," Jinbe helping him in his greatest time of need. Weak-Hoshi standing up for herself against unbeatable odds. Fishmen island and his promise to protect each one of them, "Or what happens to your stupid maps," Nami and her dream, "All I care about is what I've gotta do to help her. And it's this room," he breaks the rest of Kiribuki within his other hand, "I can't let it exist. This room is her cage," he lifts Arlong to meet his eye, "AND I'LL DESTROY IT ALL."

Luffy drops the fucker to the ground, "GUM GUM..." Arlong watches uselessly from the floor as everything he has ever built started to crumble around him, "AXE!"

The foot falls right on Arlong's chest. The foot rams him through every single floor Arlong Park, right smack dab in the middle of the entire castle.

"Look! That last attack is causing Arlong Park to" of villager calls out, "No way! It's collapsing!" another shouts, "Everyone, run!"

"Nami, hurry!" Oyal grabs her arm.

"But Luffy's still in there!"

"We have to move Nami-swan," Sanji presses gently, reluctantly carrying Zoro whose arm was thrown over his shoulder, "That moron isn't going to die that easily."

"Damned noisy" Zoro mutters in and out of consciousness. Not because of blood loss or anything. He is just taking a nap.

Usopp runs over to meet his crew, "Is Luffy...?"

"Arlong Park is demolished!" Johnny shouts. "Oyal-Sib, what happened inside? Who won?" Yosaku yells, "It all happened so quickly. Could he?"

The whole building is unrecognizable. Nothing like the proud standing building that it once was.

And out from the rubble, a single form stands up, dusted but strong.

"LUFFY!" They cheers. "B-R-OOOOO!"

Luffy doesn't react, as if he didn't hear them, "Is he okay?" Usopp furrows his brow.

"NAMI!" he cries out from his mountain of destruction. His shout was for anyone to hear but it is only for one person, "YOU ARE MY NAKAMA!"

It is more than a confirmation. It is a promise. Nami wipes her eyes, nodding her head, "Right…"

"He won?!" Genzo shouts, "He won!" Nojoko confirms.

"We won! WE WON!" every villager cheers, "Arlong Park has fallen!" "Are we dreaming?" "I can't believe this day has finally come!"

"You did it, Luffy! You deserve the praise!" Usopp cheers, "But if you let me have some, I'd really appreciate it!"

Sanji rolls an eye, "Man, you had me worried there for a bit," dropping Zoro onto Usopp, shutting him up.

"Be quicker next time, you bastard," Zoro snaps, finally recognizing what was going on.

Luffy smiles, making his way down from the mountain. Looking genuinely happy for the first time in a while.

"That's enough, scumbags!"

Oh, it that's bitch, again.

"Well, this must be my lucky day! Nice work," Rat man says, "I enjoyed the show, but I never would've thought that these fishmen would be defeated by the likes of you silly pirates," Nezumi, looking pretty banged up with a whole banged up platoon of marines behind him, "But thanks to you, Arlong's bounty, as well as all of Arlong Park's riches, will be mine. Everyone, put down your weapons! I, Captain Nezumi, of the Marine's 16th Battalion, will be taking over from here~!"

Zoro pushes off Usopp to grabs the man by the back of the head, "Don't spoil the mood when people are trying to celebrate, asshole."

After a quick beatdown, the four guys stand over the bodies.

"I thought you would have done a better job handling these guys," Zoro glares at the cook, "Guess it was too much for you."

"What was that?" Sanji sneers, "I put these guys six feet underground, perfect fertilizer for Nami-swan's plants."

"But they aren't poop," Luffy points out, "They are people. Oh! It is so they can poop underground!"

"What the hell, guys," Usopp questions his fellow crew members. It was like seeing three men trying to share the last brain cell.

"Don't bother, Usopp," Oyal puts a hand on the shoulder of their fellow sane crew member, "They live in another world."

Nami wordlessly puts Luffy's hat back on his head.

"I-If you dare hit me, I won't let you live," Nezumi weakly threatens.

"You're still talking?" Sanji glares.

"Actually," Oyal drops down to the barely seeing marine, "You are 78% correct in our wrong-doings and as such. Resisting Arrest. Assaulting an officer. Meddling in official marine business. I would highly appreciate it if you," they held out a piece of paper, "Please sign here. I think that it would be very useful to report us right now. In fact, Garp the Fist is in the East Blue right now, I highly suggest you tattle to him about us."

"I will!" Nezumi yells seeming to be completely out of it, grabbing blindly at the offered pencil and writing his name.

"What are you doing?!" Usopp hisses in the astronomer's ear.

Oyal ignores him, "Fantastic!" giving another too wide smile, "Nami, I believe you have some business."

"Yes," she walks forward as Luffy wordlessly hands her the bo staff, "Thank you," kneeling in front of Nezumi, "This is for 8 years of abandonment," she gently pats his face.

"Huh?" and then he is sent flying like a stone skipping over water, "Captain!" his platoon shouts.

Nojiko smiles, "That was satisfying.

Genzo huffs, "And there's a thousand more where that came from, jerk!"

That seemed to waken Nezumi up from his delusions as he swims back to the dock, gasping for air.

Nami pinches his whiskered cheek, "Now. You guys will take care of cleaning up after the mermen, and help reconstruct Gosa Village. But you will not touch even the slightest bit of the fishmen's riches! They belong to the people of this island. Understand?"

"Ow, ow! I'll do as you say," the guy pathetically whines back.

"And one more thing," Nami hols his face up to hers, "DON'T TOUCH MY MONEY!"

"I won't, honestly!"

"Don't worry, Nami," Oyal shows her the piece of paper, "He has already agreed to it in his contract.

Nami lets go of the gross man happily, "Oh, good," she kicks him in the face one more time for good measure, "NOW, SCRAM!"

"This won't be forgotten, you lousy pirates!" Nezumi tries to threaten as he and his crew got on a single dinghy, "Straw Hat guy! Luffy, you're the captain, aren't you? Don't forget this! You're gonna be big, after messing with me!"

Luffy stars this guy down, striking the fear of a king into him.

They piss off quickly after that.

"He said we're gonna be big," Sanji folds his arms.

"How'd he know I was gonna be the Pirate King?" Luffy smiles, previous expression gone.

"He wasn't talking about that, you numbskull." Zoro glares.

"What do we do now?!" Usopp starts sweating, "And WHY would you suggest Garp the Fist to him?! If we become notorious, what'll happen to us? What'll we do? Huh? Huh?!" he asks sensibly being the only one with a brain.

Oyal shrugs, "Profit."

"Oh, I like the sound of that!" Nami grins.

"NOT YOU TOO!"

"Hey, everyone!" a village shouts, "We can't just celebrate this by ourselves! Carry the news to the whole island!" everyone starts running in different directions, "YEAH! Arlong Park has fallen!"

Nojiko stays behind, "Isn't it great, Nami? Who would've thought that we'd be saved by pirates?"

"What's the world coming to?" Genzo mutters but no unhappily.

"We did well in the end, right?" Nami smiles, looking skyward. It's finally over. At long last, Belle-mere's soul could be in peace.

OOO

"Hello! Hellooo?!"

"Yes, Marine Headquarters here."

"This is the Marine's 16th Battalion Captain Nezumi! Marine code #OO733! I have a report to make!"

"No need to yell. We can hear you..."

"Listen up! There's a pirate who wears a straw hat, called Luffy! He and his five accomplices are all against the government! They were able to crumble Arlong Park and defeat the fearsome Arlong and his mermen! We must beware of them! I wish to place a heavy bounty on the head of their captain! I'm sending his picture."

"Roger."

"What's this? Couldn't you find a better picture?"

"Not really, this is all we got."

"The authenticity of the bounty will be reviewed later. After we send it to the higher-ups."

"I don't just want any higher ups! I want Smoker on this case. I want Garp on this case! Get every East Blue marine here if you have to! You got it?! He is a villainous pirate! I want him DEAD OR ALIVE! I WANT A HIGH BOUNTY ON HIS HEAD!"

Oyal looks at the words that magically formed one by one on the piece of paper, "Interesting," they looks at the new picture they took of their captain, "Very interesting."

OOO

"We're free! We're free!" "Everyone! We're gonna dance and celebrate!" "Arlong Park has fallen! We've been living for this day for eight years!" "We've been living to rejoice upon this day!" "YEAAAHH! Tomorrow and the next, let's party until we drop!"

The night fell upon the island once more, and the waves were as quiet as always. However, the thunderous festivities did not subside this night nor the next, for the people had all endured for this moment. They had endured everything in order to laugh again.

"Onee-chan!" a small boy shouts, "I just had a look at Arlong Park. It's amazing! It's all smashed to bits!"

"Oh, Chabo!" Nojiko seeing the small boy she had helped previously, "Pretty impressive, huh?"

"Yeah!" Chabo agrees, "Whoever did it must be an awesome guy! Who was it?" he looks left and right at the party going on around them, "He's still here, isn't he? The man who defeated Arlong?

"Yeah, he's right over there," she points to the buffet, one person in specifically really getting into it.

"Which one?" Chabo askes, not seeing anyone special.

"The guy wearing the straw hat," she grins.

Chabo gives him a once-over as the man stuffed four meat logs into his mouth at once, "Is that really the guy who freed the island?" another man in overalls shoving his hand in his supposed savior mouth to keep him from choking on the bones.

Nojiko just smiles, "I found it hard to believe myself..." she stares at the little boy in front of her for a while before dramatically goraning, "Man, this's so lame. I thought you'd be more like, 'It's not fair! Why couldn't this happen before my father had to die?' Or something," she says with a mocking voice.

"Well, I did think that, at first," Chabo says holding his corn cob, "But now, I'm more concerned about my future."

"Your future?"

"Yeah, we were saved by Straw-hat Big Bro. But starting tomorrow, we're gonna have to take care of ourselves," he looks down thoughtfully at his food, "We shouldn't forget the past, but it's not important now. Rather, the important thing now, is the future," he smiles with conviction, "What do we do from now on? What did we learn? We are the future of this village. That's what I've been thinking about."

Nojiko stares for a second longer before pouting, "You're too mature!" she whines, pinching his cheek.

"W-Why are you pinching me? What did I do?!" the young boy shouts back.

"Man," she lets go "I wanted to pick on you a little more."

"You ARE picking on me!" he grabs his tender cheek, "You- you violent tattooed lady!"

Nojiko laughs at the pathic insult, "Tattoo lady fine by me!" she hears a yell from the doctor's building, "They're still working on him?"

"He looked pretty torn up," a random villager overhears, "Any other guy would've taken a year or two to heal!"

Inside the doctor's office...

"Fool!" the town doctor mercilessly stitches away, "You tried to handle an injury this serious by yourself?"

Zoro grits his teeth, refusing to answer, "HNN!"

"Are you guys really pirates?" the old man keeps at it, not bothered by the lack of response, "Don't you, have a doctor on your ship?"

"We will get one," Oyal answers. The doctor thought they were sick as well, considering their physical pale condition… but that is just how they look, "And a musician, right Zoro?"

Zoro does respond to that, "Why?!" barbely gritting it out.

Oyal gives a ghost of a smile, "Because, pirates love to sing. Don't you know?"

Zoro tries to say something but is cut off from another hard stitch, "HNNNN!"

"Doctor, would you happen to know where Nami is?" Oyal asks neutrally. Zoro is in a far better state than he was the first time, serves him right for being so slow, "I have not seen her yet and wish to return her snail."

"Nami, huh? Well, if she's not here, then she must be there," the doctor answers vaguely. Not knowing that Oyal knew what he is talking about. Somewhere, alone at the top of a hill sits a daughter in front of her mother's grave.

"Well, I shall leave you to check on your other patient then," as Oyal get up to the other side of the room.

"Patient? More like corpse," The doctor shakes his head, "I swear you guys are asking for a death sentence."

Oyal says nothing to refute that as they check on the 'corpse,' "You are awake now."

The corpse opens his eyes, "Yeah, kinda hard to sleep with all that noise," Gin says through his breathing mask, "Heard I missed all the action."

Oyal nods, stomach twisting at the sight, "Yes…" they bite their lip, "I would like to make a formal apology for what happened at the Baratie. If I knew that your situation would have gotten worse I would have never-"

"Shut up," Gin growls cutting them off. He may be ¾ dead but still has a glare that could kill a man, "I didn't do anything that I didn't want and I don't want to hear some brat trying to making a pity party out of it. This is my choice and I'm living with it, so don't think you have any say in it."

Oyal opens their mouth… to say nothing. At one point he is right. They did not make his choices. But at another, he is so wrong because this would have never happened without them.

"Please forget my previous statement then," Oyal states.

Gin huffs, "Forgotten."

"Regardless, I still have something to say," Oyal continues despite Gin's glare, "I said back then you would be a useful tool. I see now my vocabulary was... off. I should not say that you are a tool. Rather, you are a person. Something I cannot control or decide for," they take a deep breath, "That is why I am going to ask… would you please take the position of 1st commander of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet?"

Gin doesn't move. Doesn't even blink. The only signs of life is that his breathing mask fogged with air every few seconds, "...What?"

"My crew shall be leaving for the Grand Line soon," Oyal explains calmly, "However, I have seen that there are… resources here that can be vitalized. People who are willing to help. Targets that should be kept an eye on. Projects to manage. You were in charge of 50 ships under Krieg. I would think this would… fit your expertise."

Gin just glares at the kid, "Why the fuck would I agree to any of that?" he slowly starts to get up, "You think just because your captain got my ass out of a shitty situation I'm going to work for you now? I may owe Luffy and Sanji big time but that doesn't mean I am going to grovel to the next line of work at my feet."

"Of course not. I don't expect you to," Oyal doesn't turn away from the glare, "I'm just giving you a choice. You've seen what Luffy is capable of. You know he's going to win. Up-pup-up," Oyal raised a hand to silence Gin's outrage, "I'm still talking."

Gin just sneers as Oyal continues, "We both know, so moving on. This job entails covering the whole East Blue. I am forming a science division at the moment and a technology division starting up as well. Those two can be handled fine under their own leadership, but what I'm really aiming for is someone who can handle an offensive group."

Gin doesn't let up his glare but his tense shoulder reliax a fraction. Oyal tries to talk through a dry mouth, "I have connections but I need a leader, someone who can guide them and bring them together," Oyal leans back, "At the core, this is a choice. You may do with your life what you will but I am offering you a chance, for better or worse, I cannot say. All I can say is that it will be challenging."

Gin doesn't lose the intensity in his eyes.

Oyal doesn't wait for an answer, "Just… think about it. You have my card," and walk away.

Right into Sanji.

"Oh, excuse me."

"No, no, the fault is mind," Sanji says not quiet with a swoon. He side stepped easily, a huge bowl of fried rice and beef in one hand not shifting an inch, "Actually came here to see mister dead on his feet."

"Not dead yet you know," Gin snaps sharp enough but was betrayed by the softness in his eye, "Once I get my strength back I can take you again."

"Pfft," Sanji scoffs as he makes his way to the bedside, "The day you could take me down is a one on one is the day I retired from cooking." He sets the plate down in front of the Ex-Commander, "Now eat your food and shut up."

Gin looks at the meal, "Is it… yours?"

Sanji blows a stream of nicotine, "Of course. You think I would serve a friend anything less?"

Oyal saw themselves out the door before they could hear Gin's soft answer. As the two gentlemen continued their quiet conversation they didn't see reason to let their presence be known. Who knows the next time they will meet.

OOO

"How's your wound, Zoro?" Luffy asks in between bites.

"With rest and a good meal, I'll heal up soon enough," the previously hurting swordsman carried a facade of utter nonchalant as he drinks his beer.

"That's good," Luffy says sincerely. Better than last time when his wound was completely open and bleeding out like a waterfall.

"Seriously, why's this stupid party still going on?" Zoro groans, "It's been three days now."

"Ain't that a good thing?" Sanji plomps himself right next to him, "When you feel happy, you should be able to enjoy yourself."

"Hey, Sanji! You were eating some kind of melon earlier," Luffy's mind quickly going back to food, "What was it? What about all that meat you've got there in your hands?"

"Oh, that? It's called Namu-Hamu-Melon, because it had Namu-Hamu on top."

"NAMU-HAMU-MELON? Sounds tasty! Where was it?"

"Beats me. It's a potluck party for the whole island, so someone must have brought them," Sanji finishes saying before seeing he was talking to air, "And he's gone."

Zoro snorts, "He's been eating like that for three days."

Sanji gets up, "Well, my stomach's full. So now it's time TO PICK UP THE CHICKS!" as he dances happily away.

"I'm the one who defeated the invincible fishmen!" Usopp shouts from the top of a tower of tables as the crowd went, "Go Go!" "I'm the one who defeated the invincible fishmen! The hero who fights bravely, for the sake of love!" "SNIPER USOPP!" the crowd cheers back! "So let's sing about the exploits of the brave Usopp! Who? Who? Who defeated the mermen~? Who? Who? Who defeated the mermen~?" Usopp asks with as much flair as he could muster.

"SNIPER USOPP!" the crowds, high on the atmosphere and booze, eat it up.

"He sure knows how to work a crowd," Zoro says before taking a well deserved nap.

Unbeknownst to all of them that the doctor had one more patient that night.

"Can it be removed?"

"Leave it to me," the doc says in full confidence, "I've been thinking of how to erase it. But there will be some scarring, it's a tattoo after all."

"Are you sure you don't want me to bring back any of your maps, Nami?" Oyal sits in their chair, not moving since Zoro left, "I could go back to the rubble and repair them all."

"No," Nami says firmly, "I don't want my dream to have anything to do with the work Arlong made me do," it broke her heart to see eight years of her work to go to Arlong, she would have rather see them burn.

Arlong just saw her as a tool to be used and thrown away despite saying she was part of the crew. He just thought of her as another arrogant human, a smart one, but a self centered cold hearted witch at the core. He misjudged her. And it cost him everything. Seeing Luffy destroy everything Arlong ever took from her… it was the greatest thing she had ever seen.

Oyal hands their head, "I understand. I feel sorrow that you must redraw the whole East Blue again, especially because we are leaving for the Grand Line so soon," they bite their lip, "I just wish there was more I can do."

"You're already helped," Nami says simply, "That's the nature of these things," she looks at her brand, "I was stupid. I knew I couldn't take it off," she thought of when she first got her it. She felt so shameful and disgusting. But then her sister got a tattoo after that as well. Nothing like her Arlong brand. Hers was beautiful and detailed and... "Hey, Doc. I'd like you to make a new one for me," she gets out the piece of paper, "Of this."

The doctor picks it up, "What is it?"

Nami smiles, "A Tangerine and a Pinwheel, of course," seeing no further questions Nami turned to Oyal, "Hey speaking, you little thief," making Oyal sit up straight, "You still have my house snail."

Oyal blushes deeply, "I-I had very good reason to do so at the time and-"

"You owe me," Nami points, "Stealing a snail is going right on your tab."

Oyal's facial expression stays the same but the slup in their shoulders said it all, "I… understood," great they are the first to get a tab, "That is two I owe you."

Nami raises a brow, "Two?"

Oyal nods, "Yes. Stealing and you teaching me how to play cards."

Nami stares at the kid for a moment before laughing it off, "For someone so smart you sure can be dumb sometimes," Oyal pouts making Nami laugh again, "Go get Nojiko to return the house snail."

Oyal, thoroughly embarrassed, pardons themselves to go search for the sister. They had to go… outside.

There is a reason they spent most of the party in the doctor's office. It is not that they disliked parties. The small ones where it was only the five of them celebrating are fine but full blown loud festivities like this… they are not to their liking.

So with great speed, Oyal finds who they were looking for, "Nojiko."

The blue-haired woman, nurturing a drink with the small boy who Oyal bother to learn the name of, "Oyal? What are you doing here?"

"I have come to return your snail," Oyal explains holding out the small creature.

Nojiko gives her a deadpan expression, "You stole from me. When I was such a gracious host," she takes a sip of her drink, "How rude."

Oyal flushes red in a second, "I-I," they take a deep breath, "I… have no excuse," bowing lowly.

Nojiko keep the stern face for a moment before laughing, "I'm just messing with you! Jeez, so serious," she laughs putting her drink down, "Come on, follow me."

With those words both make their way out of the party to the quieter streets of the tangerine plantation.

Nojiko opens the door to one of the rooms, "You can put back where you found it."

Oyal goes to the side room where they found the small thing. It was a heat of the moment quick calculated decision so they didn't get to study the room they snuck in. It is the master bedroom. Despite probably being the biggest room in the house it smelled… stale and unused.

Oyal makes an educated guess, "This is your mother's room."

Nojiko nods from the doorframe, "Yeah," she looks around, "Could never bring myself to change it. With Nami always gone and Arlong keeping her on a tight leash she was rarely home. I just changed our bedroom into mine and let her stay here whenever she dropped by."

Oyal nods, trying to push the guilt of offending such a sacred place. That is until they see the walls. There are pictures. Of Belle-mere and her daughters. Of Genzo and other villagers. Of her in the marines. Of her and- "This picture... this is your mother and... a friend?"

Nojiko looks over, "Oh yeah, that was one of her marine buddies apparently," walking in for a closer look at the frame, "God, he was such a tall one. Never met him personally but mom always spoke fondly of him. Let's see, what was his name again? It started with an 'R' or something..."

"Rocinante."

Two marines are in the picture. An average sized woman with pink hair and an enteric haircut. She is wearing a coat suggesting Ensign or higher position. She might be wearing a standard uniform but the single cigarette in her smiling mouth suggested a more rebellious spirit. The man behind her had to lean down to fit the frame. He had a strong jaw but gentle eyes almost covered by a mess of blonde shaggy hair. His smile had its own lit cigarette, same brand as the womans by the look of it. The bright smiles of both parties suggested a least one of them isn't aware that the male marine's coat shoulder was on fire.

They both look… happy.

"Yeah! Rocinante," Nojiko snaps her finger, "Such a fancy name," she raises a brow, "You know him or something? Or was that another one of your 'predictions?'"

Oyal touches the framed glass, "No. I... did not see this coming. I never met him personally. Just... someone I... respect. He was a good man," they let their hand fall, "They were both good marines."

Nojiko hums at the picture, "Not a lot of those anymore," her smile turning bittersweet, "Come on," she gestures to the doors, "Let's go before your captain eats all the food."

Oyal nods following behind, only turning once more, "Very interesting."

OOO

So the night went on with dancing and Song #185 of ''The Praise of Sniper Usopp!'' All while a single man made his way out of the festivities.

"Hey, BelIe-mere," Genzo approaches the grave with a battle, "Your daughters have grown into wonderful, strong individuals. Just like you were, long ago."

He remembered a woman who wouldn't take no for answer. Who followed what she believed in no matter what others thought of her.

"We'll work hard, to live our lives to the fullest," he takes the bottle and starts pouring it on her grave, "We've been through so many hardships. Our freedom came at the cost of so many lives. We have to live our fullest for their sake. And so, I think we'll have to laugh and smile until our very cheek's hurt."

"NAMU-HAMU-MELON!" Genzo flinches at the loud call, "Eh? There's nothing to eat here," turning back to see his village's savior, "Guess I'm goin' back."

"WAIT RIGHT THERE!" Genzo yells.

"Oh Pinwheel guy!" Luffy smiles, seeing the grave right behind him, "Ah. Is that Bell-mere's grave?"

Genzo's eyes narrow at the boy, "Yes. You know about her?"

Luffy shrugs walking towards the man "Nojiko told us about her. She sounds like a brave woman. 'Goshuushou-sama deshita!'" giving his best condolences to Nami's mom.

"She was," Genzo chugs the rest of the bottle before speaking, "Listen' boy. I know Nami's going to sail with you, to be a pirate. It's a dangerous journey, I know it can't be helped. That's okay" he says seriously, "But if you ever take Nami's smile away, I'm gonna hunt you down... and kill you."

Luffy has heard many threats in his line of work, but this is one of the few that he believed to be absolutely true. It is in his voice. Not the sound of a friend looking after a friend. The sound of a father protecting their child.

He never got a chance to tell that father that he kept his promise in the worst way. That his child was smiling until the very end... "Understood," Luffy bows to the man, "I'll do everything in my power to keep her happy."

Genzo huffs, "That's what I like to hear," sounding very confident.

He is taken off guard when a stick of meat was shoved in his face, "So… do you have any embarrassing stories about Nami?" the boy asks with a mischievous smile on his face.

Genzo blinks before matching the smile with his own, "Sit down, boy," grabbing the offered meat, "We got a long night ahead of us!"

The two sit together drinking and eating, sharing stories of this and that. Why he wore a pinwheel. (She didn't like your old man face!) Why Luffy had a scar. (That is the dumbest reason I ever heard!) Why Nami's hair was orange. (She ate too many tangerines!)

The night lasted like that with #368 of ''The Praise of Sniper Usopp!'' as weariness finally caught up with the small village. Only one person was left having a conversation that no one would hear.

"It's finally here. It took eight long years, but we're finally free. Me, and everyone else. It's just like you said Belle-mere. As long as you keep living, good times will eventually come again. It came true! And now, everyone in the village is smiling, from the bottom of their hearts. Me? I've decided to leave the island! Don't worry, I'll be okay. They're really good people, and pretty strong, too! For the last eight years, I've drawn so many maps. But this is the only one I managed to save. From now on, I'll only draw maps for myself. I want to see the world! Together with my nakama! That's my dream. So, I'm not sure when I'll be coming back. I'm going now, okay?"

OOO

"This is the last one, right?" "Yup!" Everything's onboard?" A villager calls up, "Yeah!"

"Alright then. They've stocked us with food. Looks like we're ready," Sanji confirms

"We've only been here a few days, but I feel like we've made so many memories on this island, y'know?" Usopp says getting the last of the supplies.

"Well, you did spend three of the four days we were hearing singing about yourself," Oyal points out, "That is, we spent 75% of our time here partying."

"Is that so wrong?" Luffy sighs contently.

"Bros. We want to thank you. We owe you all so much," Johnny called from the port, posing "We're going back to our normal jobs as bounty hunters."

"We'll bid our farewells for now, but hopefully we'll meet again one day," Yosaku posed as well.

Zoro smiles down, "Take care, a'right?"

"You too, Bro!" they both say in sync.

"Don't forget your agreement!" Oyal calls down.

"We will, Sibling!" They repeat back.

"What did you do?" Zoro's eyes narrows in suspicion. He trusts his friends but they aren't the sharpest swords in the shed, "You trick them into something?"

"Nothing," Oyal says innocently, "... that they didn't agree to."

"Alright, let's get going too!" Usopp interrupts the argument forming.

"H-Hey! Wait a minute! What about Nami-swan?" Sanji looks over the rails.

Zoro lets the conversation go… for now, "I thought she wasn't coming."

"WHY NOT?! Bastard!" he gets in Zoro's face, "You said something rude to her again didn't you?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Why else?! "

"That's true," Zoro actually looks considerate.

"You're trying to get in the way of me and Nami-swan's true love!" Sanji barks looking even more pissed off.

"She doesn't have a reason to be a pirate anymore," Zoro shrugs, "She'll be happier if she stayed here."

"What'd you say!?" Sanji grabs Zoro by the shirt and starts shaking him, "WHAT ABOUT MY HAPPINESS?! IF NAMI-SWAN DOESN'T GET ONBOARD, I LOSE 98% OF MY REASON TO BE HERE!"

"Your happiness doesn't matter," Oyal explains before Zoro could murder their cook, "If Nami made her choice then we must respect it. Right, Sanji," it isn't a question.

Sanji lets go, looking a little sheepish, "Uh, right..."

"Hey, y'know I never found that Namu-Hamu-MeIon…" Luffy mentions off handley as the two men behind him started getting into a fight.

"What did you say?!" Genzo barks, "She left all the money? The whole 100 million beli? But she worked so hard for it!"

"Yeah, she left it with a letter," Nojiko sighs fingering her hair, "She said she'd just steal more. Once she makes up her mind, there's no changing it."

"This is ridiculous!" Genzo growls bitterly, "We didn't even get to thank her."

"SET SAIL!" a voice rings out from the top of town.

"Nami!" "Nami!" "Nami?" "NAMI-SWAAAAAN!" "You pirates always have to make the most dramatic entrances," five voices say at once.

The redhead in question starts sprinting at full speed to the docks.

"What's up with her? She started running?" Usopp leans over the rails.

"She said to set sail," Luffy repeats, already on the move, "Let's go! Lower the sail!"

"B-But! Wait, does she plan on leaving without hearing our thanks and appreciation? She can't-!" the villagers start muttering seeing their favorite girl running too fast to stop, "Hey, they're setting off! Wait! We haven't thanked you yet!" "Stop, Na-chan! Stop right there!" "This is terribly rude! I won't allow it!"

The rest of the crew follow in suit, "Hey, you sure you wanna let her leave this way?" Sanji questions, seeing the villagers reactions.

"It's alright," Luffy says, "It's her decision."

Nami dodges and passed each villager with practiced ease, "NAMI!" as she makes an impossible large jump between the dock to landing perfectly onto the Going Merry. Villagers could only look on, arms stretched out, all of them asking "WHY?"

Nami lifts her shirt just to her midriff.

CLUNK. CLUNK. CLUNK. Wallets fell to the floor.

"NAMI! Don't tell me?!" "My wallet's gone!" "Mine too! Mine too! Mine too!"

Nami gives one last cheeky grin over her shoulder, "Take care, everyone!"

'You-" the collective crowd thinking the same thing, "YOU LITTLE BRAT!"

"She hasn't changed a bit," Usopp deadpanned.

"Who knows when she'll turn on us again," Zoro barks with no bite.

"Nami-swan, GOOD JOB!" Sanji praised.

"She even took Johnny and Yosaku's wallet. Impressive," Oyal notes from the rows of shark teeth people.

"SHISHISHISHISHISHI!" Luffy just laughs and laughs and laughs.

"You lil' thieving cat!" "Come back here with my wallet!" "You bad girl!" They can hear the villager's calls as they sailed away, "Come back anytime!" "Take care!" "Thank you so much!" "BOY! Don't you dare forget our promise!"

The last one was strange to any passersby, only making sense to one individual. A thumbs up was answered in kind.

"Goodbye, everyone!" Nami shouts, both arms in the air, her cheeks red from how hard she was smiling, "I'm off!"

Nami waves until she couldn't see the island anymore and once it is gone she still looked off.

Oyal is the first to approach her, "Nami... you are the sole reason we are not dead."

"Huh?" Nami turns, really not expecting that.

Oyal continues on as if there was no confusion, "This is not an exaggeration. Without you, Zoro and Luffy would have sailed on that dingey and died of starvation. Luffy's navigational skills are at 0 but Zoro's is -60. Luffy stumbling upon you is the greatest thing he could have ever done for his career to become the Pirate King. You are the smartest woman in all of the East Blue and because Benn Beckman isn't here, you are currently the smartest being in the East Blue. Kuro has been lowered on the list, so he does not count," the kid looks at the sea, not meeting Nami's eyes, "That is why I believe I should ask you to be... the Quartermaster of the ship."

Nami fully turns to Oyal, "Quartermaster?"

"Yes," Oyal takes a deep breath, "The job entails taking care of the daily day to day chores of the ship. Whatever you order we shall do. Even the captain must follow your instructions," they fidget a bit under Nami's stare, "So… nothing different from before, per say, but… just to make it official."

Nami stares at Oyal a little more, sighing, "You are a weird one," before smiling, "But sure, another title does sound like it has benefits."

Oyal relaxes a bit at that, "I'm… glad."

"Okay, enough talk!" Luffy shouts slamming a barrel into the middle of the ship, "Time to celebrate!"

"We have celebrated for three days," Zoro raises a brow.

Luffy waves a hand, "That was their celebration. This is ours!" He gets a glass out, "This for our new nakama and our current nakama's freedom!"

Everyone looks at one another smiling. They grab their glass mugs filled with cinder, "Okay everyone, on three! One… Two... Three…!"

CLANK! "KANPAI!"

OOO

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