Well... has been a while huh?
I was finally able not only to edit entire already written and published thing, adding new dialogues and changing a bit line of plot but also managed to write completely new chapter!
And I only rewrote it thrice! Since I never was able to write down proper fight between Luffy and Kuro :(
Oh well, here it is.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Warnings and canon differences:
AU: female, smart, mature, different devil fruit Luffy
AU: pirate titles actually matter. Yonko and most of pirates feel the need to actually somehow adhere to The King's wishes so the title is also a little more formal. To become The King candidate needs: a) nomination from member of previous King's crew (if alive); b) support/acknowledgement of at least 3 Yonko; c) reach the Raftel
AU: additional crew members
OOC: characters' personalities will be changing as a result of interactions with Luffy and other people
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Oda-sensei and his publishers. Idea's mine
√ -√v-√ -√v—
They were few hours in their journey to the Dras Leona, where was the closest bounty exchange point, when Luffy finally managed to sit down and simply talk to their captive.
The second she arrived behind shanty on the Dreamer she had Buggy's eyes on her. Not full of rage or fear as his public mask would have but hard, evaluating.
This was no longer captain of Buggy Pirates, Buggy the Clown of East Blue.
No, sitting on her boat, cuffed in Seastone was Buggy of Roger Pirates, from New World.
And the difference was exhilarating.
"Hope you're not too uncomfortable" Luffy demurred sitting on the other side of him and passing him one of the bottles she brought.
"Your conditions for captives are pretty good all things considered. Or am I a special case?" Even the way he spoke changed.
Though his nonchalance rang warning bells in her mind immediately.
No pirate knowing they're about to be sold for bounty would be so at ease. Especially not one with Devil Fruit after being cuffed in the Seastone. And yeah, he was visibly needing to support himself to sit upright, but…
Motherfucker!
Of course he could use Haki, why wouldn't she think of it?
He did survive on Oro Jackson as a child… He'd be what? 14? When Roger died, so around 12 at Raftel and maybe 9 when the Ebb War was fought.
Fuck…
"Well, unlike my previous guest I'm sure you did hear about Honor of the Seas." She smiled sardonically.
"You speak about Honor of the Seas. And yet, you're going to sell me to marines." Buggy pointed easily, watching her like a hawk.
"The bounty is given from giving pirate up to marines. Not for making them stay there" Luffy smirked and nodded towards the cuff meaningfully, making the other captain laugh.
"That's a lot more cunning than the original owner of that Hat of yours ever showed"
"Is it? Tell me something about him?" She turned big eyes onto the ex-cabin boy on Oro Jackson almost sure she'll get what she wants. Mayor called her Big Eyes of Doom a weapon of mass destruction once. She rather liked the description.
"Shanks didn't do that?"
"Shanks was mostly talking about adventures of Red Hair Pirates and not the Roger ones. Probably to not destroy his own defence about pirate ships not being a place for children."
"Little Luffy wanted to get on the ship?"
"Yonko ship rather than place where Garp Iron Fist would come and hit me with Haki, since that fucking 'Fist of Love' was apparently his 'proof of Love'? Of course I'd love to stay on Yonko ship" At the sardonic way Luffy accented 'proof of Love' Buggy snorted with laughter.
"'Proof of Love'? In my youth we used that excuse to get between someone's legs and not to hit them"
"Garp" Luffy flailed a bit, trying to convey 'what can you do?' Luckily it looked like Buggy understood, what with theatrical shudder. "So? Story time?"
"Fine, brat.. I'll tell you about Captain." He muttered and taken a swing of his sake "Gol D. Roger was… selfish. That's probably what described him the best. He wanted to have an adventure. So he found an adventure, no matter what the rest of us thought. He wanted to have nakama so he collected us one after the other. It didn't matter if we were happier back home, he wanted us. Like he couldn't understand that not everyone wants what he did… But he also cared for us. And was happy to go where we wanted, as long as he could get an adventure out of it."
Luffy was… disappointed mostly. Of course she knew that popular knowledge was calling Gol D. Roger a monster and the devil himself, but… He was Shanks old captain. Somehow she expected hims to be a person of character closer to that of Shanks than to Garp's.
Maybe that was what made Garp to fixate on him so badly.
"Doesn't sound like someone truly worth emulating." She murmured taking a swing from her own bottle. Maybe the burn would make it easier on her…
"He wasn't. Hell girl, if you want to emulate someone, that old bastard Newgate would be a good choice"
And wow… that's some serious bitterness…
"Whitebeard?"
"Yeah. Whitebeard. Old fossil still sails as one of terrors of the Seas."
"Weren't your crews rivals though?"
"Rivals? Nah… Roger wanted adventure, fame… Whitebeard wants family. That's the main difference between the two."
"Family sounds nice"
"Doesn't it?" The blue haired pirate muttered bitterly. "Pity that Roger didn't think like that. After finding out he's sick, asshole took us on that last run to Raftel, and then… Disappeared. For two fucking years, we didn't see even shadow of the man under whose sail we sailed. And then he came to the First Mate and announced that he's disbanding the crew. Month later we heard about the date of his execution."
"He left you…"
Her compassion only caused him to laugh. But not the way he laughed at Orange Town… No, it was laughter of a broken man. Or rather man who broke once, twice, thrice… and never got a chance to pull himself back together.
"He didn't want to die like normal human. Noo… He needed to make a spectacle out of his own death."
"And left you an easy picking, didn't he?"
"Yeah… All of those that wouldn't dare to hurt King of Pirates, had no qualms about going after his crew after his death. And cabin boys were the weakest… Make sure that people on your ship would be nakama to each other and not just to you, girl."
"Being family sounds like a good idea." Luffy smiled wistfully, before changing topic to the one that was the reason for her coming to him "You let me beat you." She accused flatly.
"Did I?"
"Please…" She snorted harshly, looking pointedly at the tips of the fingers of not-cuffed hand that blackened with Haki. "You survived Oro Jackson as a child. Run to Raftel, fucking Edd War… There's no way you couldn't beat me"
"Hmm… Maybe"
"Why?"
"When was the last time you've seen Shanks?"
Why couldn't people just answer fucking question? It's not that hard, honest!
"When he left East Blue… So around 10 years ago?" She answered, moving past her aggravation.
"He was so proud of you then." The man let out a small laugh. " Always bragging about how his cute little nominee was the cutest thing ever. And the smartest. And loveliest there is… In short the fool was smitten. In our last den-den talk he asked me to properly test his cute little daughter." Here he gave Luffy fairly sardonic smile. "He told me that he gave the Fruit that, Captain prepared, to you"
"He did"
"You didn't use it"
"I didn't"
"Not going to elaborate?"
"Why would I?"
"Hahaha… Flashily well." And here's the pirate that was occupying Orange Town… Luffy has been wondering where he went. "Roger Pirates prepared diverse sets of tests for the ones that'd be nominated. Just as we prepared ways to announce nominees success or failure to us and others, watching out for signs."
"Capturing you was one of those?"
"Well, beating me was one. My crew is currently on lower level of Grand Line Pirates, for all we don't really want to bring attention to us. You, being credited with beating me is a sign to those watching."
"Of?"
"Exactly the thing you wanted girly." Here Buggy the Clown grinned savagely "I flashily approve"
At that Luffy could only laugh out loud.
"Good." Smug satisfaction simply oozed of her. One more step towards the Throne… "Still going to exchange you for a bounty though"
"Cash problems?"
"Need a proper ship." Luffy answered blithely, ignoring his mocking. After all not everyone has time to amass the fortune Buggy undoubtedly managed to have. "Not this little boat."
"Some of us are able to do, with that kind of a boat"
She knew. She was not Dracule though...
"I'm not my Shishou though. Besides when he was starting Shishou did have proper ship and crew as well."
"Shi… Shanks got HIM to teach you?"
"With a crate of wine every month till now, yeah" The only Monkey on board shrugged like it was not a big deal… Well objectively it probably was, but… She was used to having insanely strong people around her, so…
"That's… surprisingly low price"
"For month of training every year, last 7 years." She deadpanned. It's not like Mihawk actually spend every single day with her. "I'm very good at self-studying"
"On that, I have no doubt." Buggy agreed mildly before issuing a warning. "You know that wearing that Straw Hat will cause everyone in the know to gun for you, right?"
"I know. But I'm not going to even pretend to be anything other than special."
"Good. Don't let them beat it out of you." Another savage grin for Luffy before he waved imperious hand. "Now flashily scram"
Luffy let out another laugh before heaving herself up, flashing him another grin and moving towards the front where Zoro was napping under the sun.
Then she stopped for a second.
"Buggy? Thank you"
"Scram, brat"
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Dras Leona was… dreadful mostly.
Hell, entire island was… weird.
On the horizon, in the middle of an island if Luffy should judge, there was a… thing. A four-picked mountain made out of black, grey and red rocks. All in all it was a dreary sight and Luffy would be the happiest not even landing in the city.
It seemed like she wasn't the only one feeling that way.
"Couldn't you bring me to Shell's Town? I heard there was nice marine captain there"
Well no reason to not be a bit mean… He's a big, bad pirate, he can take it.
"Vice-Admiral Garp is currently sailing to Shell's Town, but if you insist…" She sing-songed quietly, knowing that the worst she would have to deal with would be Garp aggressive smooshing. It's not like she raised black flag after all.
It garnered suitably horrified look from known pirate though.
"On the other hand, Dras Leona looks nice enough."
"Though so" She chuckled quietly, watching the docks for a suitable place to leave the Dreamer. Suitably out of the way that is. Maybe other towns on the island were better, but Dras Leona did not look like a place she'd want to leave ship unattended.
Well, not needing to pay the docking price was also a plus. Dockmasters in East Blue seemed to have that strange rule where the smaller the ship was, the higher relative price was. Which sucked if anybody would bother asking her…
Some things were Not Okay, alright?
And overpricing docking space was one of those.
…
There it was!
Out of the way, but close enough to fishing vessels so no one would bother questioning them for where they're going.
(She couldn't wait to have proper ship and enough crew, she could safely leave one or two people to stay guard on it. While Weaving illusions was easy after all this time with Devil Fruit, upholding them got harder with the distance. And illusion over Dreamer breaking while she was away was a stuff of nightmares. Her stuff~ Her important stuff…)
They docked already under illusion and then left towards the bounty office, key to the cuff that was on Buggy warm under Luffy's sash.
The road to the office was quiet for them. They went with Luffy at the front and Zoro keeping Buggy behind her and even though she really, really wanted to, she could not ignore the sight on the streets.
While the buildings towering over the narrow streets were obviously expensive, with intricate carvings and black-and-white paintings, the streets… Cobblestone streets were full of disfigured homeless. Some were missing just a few fingers, other were without legs, but all of them had some kind of cilice, which did nothing for their injures.
Or for the smell…
The streets stank with old blood, unwashed bodies and septic wounds.
It was a terrible place to be.
"What is this place?" Zoro was the first one to break the horrified silence he was in.
"This is Dras Leona, the biggest city on Leona Island, home to the Helgrind religion." Unsurprisingly Buggy was the one to answer.
"Wasn't Helgrind the name of that mountain in the middle of the Island?" Luffy was sure that she read something like that in one of the East Blue 'guidebooks'.
"It is. People living here believe the mountain is sacred. If I remember correctly their mythology says that the mountain had only one peak once, but that the Gods decided to cut it down as a sign of their displeasure with wholeness of the formation. And so the humans living on the Island should never be whole as to not bring Gods' wrath on the entire Island." The only official pirate in company explained entire thing to the duo.
"They're doing it to themselves?" Roronoa, widely acclaimed 'demon' blanched at the thought.
"They want to be holy men" Buggy shrugged, uncaring. Then seeing them side eyeing him, sighed and added "Revolutionaries are trying to uproot entire thing, but war against religion is not something that brings effect fast."
"Of course not" Luffy agreed, mild as milk. It was surprising Revolutionaries even tried to intervene on one of East Blue islands though. Generally they waged their war against World Government and ignored the plight of people not being subjected to Marine 'tender mercies'. Maybe they finally grew a heart?
…
Yeah, right.
Speaking about Revolutionaries… Didn't she read that they consider Pirates as scum of the World?
She'll fucking enjoy flaunting her own Jolly Roger into her 'daddy dearest' face.
Seriously, fuck all the Monkeys.
…
"Are we going to do anything about it, Captain?" Zoro's question brought her out of her thoughts.
"What can we do about it? They believe they're doing things to appease their Gods. nothing we'll say or do would change that." Well, maybe not nothing, but… "Unless you're secretly a priest of religion in contact with actual God, then go ahead and preach." She managed bland smile. Yes, that religion was disgusting. No, there was no way for them to do anything about it. Or at least she didn't see any way for them to take.
"She's right boy." Buggy muttered morose, which only earned him a snarl from so called Pirate Hunter "Besides… you should get used to strange or even cruel customs you can do nothing to change. Grand Line is full of little islands without almost any contact with the rest of the World. Some of them have people who don't even speak shared language."
"Are there?" Luffy latched onto change of topic, glaring distractedly at some of the more… religious people who visibly took offense at the lack of visible disfigurement on all three of them.
"Sure there are. In New World there is an island called Gehenna. Full of mountains, canyons and other rocky formations. The only plants that can survive in that climate live in the few caves scattered across the island. Those caves are also the only hubbs of life on otherwise dead landscape. Animals, humans… All live either in or at least close to those caves. Speaking about humans there. They are one of those that don't know Common. In fact what they have is hard to be called language at all. They speak with each other with series of grunts and high pitched shrieks, their skin is ashen with white tattoos, their hair are either black or white… And they're the most stubborn, bloodthirsty little fuckers you'll meet on any island. They almost skewered Captain when he got too close to one of those caves." Buggy's tale was said in something between terror and nostalgia and Luffy could fully understand him.
Those were simpler times for him. Yeah, he did risk his live on half of the islands they landed, but he had Captain who took care of him. And all those damning decision that every pirate captain had to take? They were not his to take.
"Only one was like that? C'mon I'm sure you've seen your fair share of freaky islands."
"Well, there was Skypiea in Paradise of course, it's a sky island after Jaya, if you can visit it, do so. Absolutely worth it."
"Sounds like fun"
"There is of course Amazon Lily, island full of women. It's in Calm Belt and they tend to give a pretty good try to spill male blood. Boa Hancock hails from that there"
"Shichibukai?" That's the one with Melo Melo no Mi, right? "Why would she take the title?"
"Officially for protection of her island."
"And off the record?"
"She took to releasing captured slaves, so it probably have something to do with that"
"You're surprisingly good informed for someone who spends his life in East Blue" Zoro muttered suspiciously from where his hand was clenched on Buggy's arm
"I do keep contact with some of the Grand Line pirates. Even if it's mostly Shanks and his crew."
"Any other strange islands you'd like to warn us about?" Luffy jumped in, before Zoro could offend more experienced man. Especially since he was freely sharing his knowledge with them.
"Weeell…" He started ominously then continued with a shiver "In New World there is an island without official name. Or if there ever was one, it was long forgotten. Sailors usually call it 'that hellhole' or 'the crazy land', though I heard some call it a 'fucking wonderland' and 'floral hell' as well"
"What's so wrong with that place?"
"It's… The island itself has a kraken living in the deeper waters around it and a big fucking sea snake in the shallow. Both like to destroy the ships and eat its' crews. Let's say you somehow managed to maneuver around them (tip: blasting Conqueror Haki around is a generally a good idea), there are those flaming crabs living on the beaches, grasses that do their very best to cut your body, flowers whose pollens are better than any lullaby in getting you to sleep, snares that do their very fucking best to strangle you, trees whose roots are trying to drag you under them, poisoned leaves that also try to cut you… Hallucinogens in the air and other pleasantries."
"If it's so bad why are people sailing there?"
"Because people living there make the best fucking sails I've ever seen. And one of the best vodka on the Seas."
"Worth it, then" Zoro huffed out a short laugh, making Luffy smirk as well… It did sound like an interesting place for training.
Ugh… Garp had to rub off on her.
Blergh.
Any kind of chatter stopped when they neared to the bounty office.
It was a small building with just a signboard in place of any decoration, unsurprisingly it was put right next to the island prison and what was supposed to be island's guard in lieu of actual marine station.
"Well, let's go then" Luffy squared her shoulders, from where she was watching all three buildings with distaste.
"You know, you could just flashily let me go." Buggy offered with exaggerated grin, dragging his feet even more than on the entire way through the city.
"And lose 17 million beri? I need that ship" She snorted and pushed the door to the office open, quickly scanning the only visible room. It was as grey and depressing as the rest of the city and possibly even island.
Behind heavy looking desk there was man in dark suit and fedora similar to the one Bogard was always wearing. Other than him in the room were two men with semi brandished swords, obviously his guards. There were also two doors on every side of the desk.
Luffy just glanced at all of this and turned her full attention towards the man, stopped few steps away from the desk and stood there with cocked hip, hand on it and raised eyebrow. With Zoro and Buggy behind her. The man, probably owner of the entire business smirked at her silence and started talking.
"Greetings to the Bounty Office, state your name and your captured." His voice was gravely enough for her to take a better look at him and notice thin scar on his neck (and a missing part of an earlobe). Wasn't there anyone on entire island without some kind of a scar? What about children?
Please don't tell her, they're harming children for that religion as well…
"Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro, with captured Buggy the Clown." She said clearly, enjoying the double take the man took at her naming Buggy. And the narrowing of his eyes at approximation of their strength, he had to take.
That's right asshole, no swindling her of her money…
"It's 17 million beri for him being alive. If he's dead it's 30% less and if he's damaged behind recognition then you're getting nothing."
"Are you dead Buggy?" Luffy asked mockingly, keeping her eyes on both the man and one of his guards, trusting Zoro to keep watch over their captive and other of the guards… Just in case they'd try to get out of paying their reward, of course.
"Do I look flashily dead to you brat?"
"Had to make sure." She flashed him a smile over her shoulder and turned towards the man again. "My money."
"The captive" He answered without missing a beat, which only earned him savage smile.
"Money."
"I don't think you understand how it goes girl. First you give me your captive and then I give you your reward." He leaned a bit as if trying to appear threatening at which Luffy could only snort with mocking laughter.
"There are exactly 3 pirates with higher bounties in East Blue. We just brought you one of those. I'd truly suggest, you'd at least prove to have enough money before exchange could be done. We wouldn't want for you to find out you lack enough funds after getting Buggy, would we?"
"There is no way we don't have enough money" The man snarled at them, his guards ungluing themselves from where they were leaning against the walls and unsheathing their swords.
"Then there is no problem in you showing us the bounty, is there?" Zoro's voice was definitely a threat. It did make one of the guards to pale a bit and the other to correct his grip on the weapon.
But the most the man behind the desk… He was a gutsy one, that much Luffy would freely admit.
He smiled at them. All teeth and bloodlust and the promise of violence.
Luffy's hands traveled to the handles of her daggers and she was sure Zoro's hands also traveled to his swords.
The stand off grew rather tense, before the man broke it with loud laugh and wave of his hand.
"Bring the money" At his command one of the guards, the one who paled, immediately moved towards one of the doors, to come back few minutes later with bag filled with gold ingots.
After proving that the gold is indeed a gold and that it is worth as much as it should, the man looked at Luffy expectantly.
She smiled beatifically and turned towards Buggy.
"Your crew should be a day, maybe two behind us at most. I'm sure you can take care of yourself" She muttered, barely louder than simple breath, uncuffing him. And blessing Marco for telling her to use gloves. They truly helped when it came to being anywhere near Seastone.
"Sneaky, sneaky little fox" Buggy muttered just as quietly, flexing his hand surreptitiously.
Luffy flashed a smile towards the pirate and grabbed his arm, with coated in Haki hand (just in case).
Then they made an exchange.
Pirate for gold.
"Pleasure doing business with you," she smiled mockingly at the presumed owner and waved towards the one she exchanged for gold "See ya Buggy" She singsonged, her smile getting all teeth when she noticed the bounty office did not put Seastone on him…
Oh well, not her problem.
As she said earlier, reward is paid for bringing pirate to the bounty office. Not for keeping them there.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
After getting gold Luffy and Zoro quickly stocked food and water and left the Leona Island as soon as possible. That place simply creeped them out. Once on the Sea there was a need to decide where to go from there of course. The closest island would be Santa Monica but…
"I promised Yasopp to at least try and recruit his son when leaving" She said to Zoro thoughtfully.
"Yasopp is the Red Hairs' sharpshooter, right?"
"Yeah, apparently his son, Usopp is pretty good as well"
"Define pretty good?" Zoro smirked at his captain, making her smirk as well.
"Yasopp was bragging 10 years ago that Usopp could hit bullseye from 10 metres with his slingshot"
"Slingshot?" Green eyebrow rose up in disbelief.
"Every weapon can be lethal in good hands" Luffy shrugged, before her smile slid down and she looked at him seriously. Those two she met at Yukiryuu… They did say that they know him.
"Do you want to grab Johnny and Yosaku?"
"Where did you hear those names?"
Well, that was not the level of defensiveness she was worried about…
But neither was this enthusiasm that meant he'd like those two with him…
Sooo, they're good?
"I met them on Yukiryuu Island, they told me about you"
"Ah…" The greenet took a second to ponder it before deciding "There's no need, let them grow in East Blue first."
"You know them best" Luffy agreed and bent over the maps, already starting to plot out the course towards that little island Yasopp said, he came from… She couldn't wait for them to fetch Alrong, at least she could throw him at the maps and make him navigate ship until they'd get actual proper navigator.
"Anyone else you know, you want on the ship?" Zoro interrupted her before she could do more than steer the Dreamer into at least 'more or less' proper course.
"Well, there is of course Arlong, I told you about him already." She answered distractedly, trying to decide whether they should take longer route to catch the current or to try and sail there straight away, which could potentially mean a bit longer journey. "But other than that? Well, I'd like to have a proper Sea Chef on the crew before leaving the Blue for the Grand Line, but there is no one specific that I'd like." Then she raised her head to look at him properly. "Why? Have an idea?"
"Not really, some other fighter would be nice, but I guess Arlong will also fight"
"He will"
"And about the chef… There is that place called Baratie, but I have no idea where is it docked"
"I heard about it. Probably worth a try." Luffy shrugged, The Sea Restaurant on the East Blue is probably the place to look for a chief willing to go to the Grand Line anyway. And if they'd be lucky they wouldn't even need to shanghai one. "I think it should be somewhere between Syrup Town and Conomi Islands so we could go there straight or get proper ship before that. Depending on how many of us will be there, the Dreamer will soon become a tight fit."
After all the Dreamer was in no way a proper ship. Barely a big boat but even then it's not big enough for more than 3, maybe 4 people to use at least semi-comfortably.
"No kidding" Zoro muttered "Of course if you'd rather get the ship later Captain, then we'd squish but…"
"Yeah, probably will need to get one sooner than I'd like." Luffy sighed, hanging her head "Hopefully we'll get some additional funds before we'll need to buy new ship."
"Did you already place order?"
One of those days she'll break him out of that samurai-like mindset and make a pirate out of him.
"Nope. I'd like all members of the crew decide what we want in our ship."
"All 4 of them?"
Oh look… He's trying to make fun of her. Good.
"Yeah, all 4 of them" She gave her First Mate a smile and turned her attention to the sails. After all she decided to try and make use of the current, so the sailing would be a bit more complicated than if she'd decide otherwise.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Finally, they landed on that small, barely big enough to be named island. Gecko Island with Syrup Town on it. From what Luffy seen on one of the maps she had in the Dreamer the island is small enough that it should take at maximum an hour or so to walk from one side to another, which… Well, it took around two hours to walk from Fuusha Village to the bandit hut Garp in his great wisdom left three children to be brought up…
It is a good thing Marines do not expect their trainee or even officers to take intelligence test, isn't it?
'Kuso jiji' indeed…
"Nice to be back on land." Zoro murmured after towing the Dreamer onto the beach.
He did gave Luffy the evil eye for getting out of it by the virtue of eating Devil Fruit.
"Yeah. Now, to find a place with some food that's not made by me" This time it was Luffy that gave the other an evil eye. She did not set sail to cook for her crew.
"You never asked if I can cook Captain" Zoro gave her his bad rendition of innocent look, which got her bristling.
"How did you survive up till now?!"
Before he had a chance to answer, Luffy felt her hackles raise in response to noticing another presence on the beach. Feeling that got confirmed moments later by her companion.
"We've got company." Zoro murmured quietly, slowly relaxing his muscles to the form that would allow him to spring into action in virtually seconds if needed. Luffy found herself doing the very same thing.
"If we're lucky it would be Usopp, we're looking for" Luffy mused aloud, hoping that whoever it was, would decide to at least help them locate Yasopp's son.
Suddenly from the bushes around the beach popped head… with a long nose.
"You're looking for the Great Captain Usopp?" The head asked and at twin nods form Luffy and Zoro both followed it rest of the body. "I am The Great Captain Usopp, leader of this island and of an invincible fleet of pirates. I am feared across the world as a monster known as CAPTAIN USOPP! What do you want from me?"
Nice.
Luffy-luck strikes again.
Though she could do without the obvious lying…
Oh well, everyone needs a hobby.
"Hi, I'm Luffy." There was no way to be impolite, was there? Even if thanks to Yasopp, Luffy did have enough blackmail on Usopp to last a lifetime. Who'd have thought that little Usopp would accidentally knock himself out of a tree while trying to shoot from his slingshot? "Yasopp was always talking about you" The mirthful smile was of course partly because she was glad to see Yasopp's son, but also partly because of the memories (And all the blackmail material Red Haired Pirates shared with her that night… Thank the Seas for the notes she did then.)
"You… know my dad?" Usopp asked astonished and slid down to the pair of not-yet-pirates. Huh… They'll need to design proper flag soon… But that can be done after getting a ship. And finding a victim to throw at Garp as a guilty party as to why 'his innocent little princess' flies the black flag.
But that's not the place to deal with that… Luffy had a sharpshooter to catch.
"Sure I do." She smiled again and bounced over to him, absentmindedly casting illusion over the Dreamer again. (You never know what could happen to the unminded ship left alone at the beach) "Red Haired Pirates were staying in my village some years back"
"Red Haired Pirates? So you know them all?" Now, Usopp was bouncing almost as much as Luffy from the excitement, which… Was good. Very good.
"Well, I know those that were part of the crew then." There was not a chance Shanks didn't pick up someone new to the crew in the last 10 years. But it didn't matter, Shanks' family is a family to her as well… Even if they haven't met yet. "I haven't have contact with them for a while." Well… 'a while' in this case. Though Shishou brought rumours with him whenever he visited for the Training Camp From Hell.
"It's still amazing~" The man… the boy crowed and quickly moved to grab her hands. "You said Dad was talking about me?"
"Sure he did." Talked… Bragged more like. Sometimes she thought that half of the alcohol Red Haired Pirates would consume was to tune out Yasopp's constant bragging about his precious little boy. And if believing Buggy, Shanks' own as well… Being bragged about… is such a nice feeling. She should let Usopp share it as well, shouldn't she? "He wouldn't shut up, it was always 'My little Usopp this' and 'My little Usopp that'."
"It's… It's amazing" Yeah… Yeah, it is.
"Bring me to somewhere where I can eat and I'll tell you all about it"
"Deal!" He beamed and pulled her hand to the visible amusement of the swordsman behind them. "Come this way."
Few minutes later they managed to arrive at the tavern and even order food (there were strawberries there!). Only then did Usopp restarted their conversation.
"So what are you doing in Syrup Town?"
"I'm looking for a sharpshooter for my crew" Luffy answered candidly from where she was seated next to Zoro. Lying to Garp was one thing, lying to the one she was trying to woo to the crew, was absolutely another animal.
"Your crew?" Usopp frowned with something akin to suspicion. Quite a sharp one, wasn't he? After all the only dots to connect were her mentioning Red Hair Pirates and 'her crew', which… Okay, said it like that it was rather obvious what she wanted to do, but…
"The crew of The Pirate King" She answered cheerily, watching sharply from half-lidded eyes.
Which was why she's seen the exact moment his suspicion turned into surety and dread. So he knew who she came for, didn't he? Surprisingly, there was no denial though… Pirate blood was strong in this one, wasn't it?
"P-pirate King?" He sputtered, looking at Zoro hopefully, only to pale a bit more at his confirming nod.
"The Pirate King. The freest person to sail the Seas." She hoped that it'd set him at ease about the whole 'pillaging outlaws thingy'. It didn't seem to make a trick though, if his sputtered excuses were an indication.
"Aaaa… It'd be delightful to share my experience and lead you to the throne of The Pirate King… Unfortunately I suffer a rare sickness cannot-leave-my-island-itis so the only thing I can offer you are well wishes and some good advices." Then Usopp took a deep breath and a bit calmer continued his 'speech'. "Of which I'm sure you could use some, after all good advice is very important. Here's the first step to becoming Pirate King my dear - hoist the colours."
To deadpan at him? Or to laugh in his face?
Laughter bubbling in her throat made a decision for her.
"Shishishi… You're adorable, aren't you?" She smiled at him, after a second or so, allowing her smile to get some teeth. Then she purred leaning in to him. "Tell me Usopp, son of Yasopp, tell me that you don't want to sail the Seas. I dare you."
"I-I'm ill though, I couldn't possibly burden you that way!" Usopp was waving his hands to emphasize scale of a problem.
Luffy though for a second about saying that they'll have the World's best doctor with them as well, but then… Buggy's words about Roger crashed down on her. She would not drag Usopp with her kicking and screaming…
She'd just find a reason for his hesitation and then manipulate entire fucking island to get him to go with her.
"Is that so? What a shame…" Luffy murmured, continuing to observe the sharpshooter, who surprisingly didn't look as relieved as she'd expect him to be. Did he want her to drag him with her? Or was something stopping him in the town? Hmm… "And here I promised Yasopp, that his son would be the best sharpshooter in the world…" Low blow, yes. But maybe?
"Y-yeah… haha ha… what a shame…" Usopp was laughing nervously, scratching the back of his head. Then his head snapped to the clock. "Oh! Look at the time! I uh...got somewhere to be. Everyone here knows me, so eat all you want. It's on me." Suspicious…
Curiosity might have killed the cat, but a kitsune should survive…
"Wonder what's wrong with him?" Zoro muttered from where he was doing his best to prove that humans can breathe in sake.
But before Luffy managed to answer him with anything three little bodies crashed through the tavern's door.
"The Usopp Pirates are here!" The boys who… did look rather peculiar yelled at the top of their lungs, running straight to their table. Waving those adorable wooden swords and little skulls on their clothing. Aww… Were they supposed to be scary?
"Where's our Captain, you savages?!" The shortest one yelled out when they stopped and noticed that Usopp was not there.
And well… Little joke never hurt anyone, did it?
Luffy discreetly bumped her knee to that of her First Mate and ate the rest of her chicken filet.
"Ah, that was some good food." Her murmur was pitched just enough to carry in the otherwise empty tavern. In the corner of her vision, the owner was already, visibly fighting a smile.
"F-Food?" The tallest of the boys stuttered, making Zoro's shoulders to twitch with held back laughter.
"N-no way."
"These guys are cannibals."
The greenet send her a smirk, before leaning towards the boys and showing one to them.
"Your captain… was eaten."
That deadpan delivery was made only better by the furious yells from the brats.
"AAAAHHHHH! CANNIBALS!"
At that moment not only Luffy and Zoro but also the owner-lady didn't manage to stay serious and laughed out loud.
"Shishishi shishishi…"
That was also the moment when the brats noticed that they were being made fun of.
After calming them down and an explanation that their 'captain' left them suddenly and went off The Seas only know where, the three boys (Onion, Carrot and Pepper… What was wrong with naming sense of the people living in here?) agreed to take them to where Usopp should be.
And their destination both surprised them and didn't do that at all…
"Wow, this place is huge" said Luffy eyeing the big mansion with something akin to trepidation. Back at Dawn Island only Nobles had those kind of homes. And nobles from her experience were… a special breed of people.
"If you can't find the Captain around this time, he's probably here" said Onion.
"What does he come here for?" Zoro asked idly, surveying the part of mansion that was visible through the gates.
"He comes here to lie" said Carrot.
"To lie?" Luffy asked, not really surprised with the 'lying' part but still from the way Usopp bailed on them it looked like he cared for whatever reason he had to do said bailing.
"There's nothing wrong with it, it's different" Pepper started to defend his captain name without a pause. Huh… So the people around here were rather cross with Yasopp's son because of all the lying? Wonder why the boy did lie so much…
"What do you mean?" Zoro questioned curiously. Or at least as much as a bushido believer could be curious and not disapproving.
"Lady Kaya lives in this mansion, and she is very weak" Pepper started explaining the situation. Trying to convince them that their captain was a good guy in there.
"A year ago, her parents died of illness and she's been depressed ever since. Despite all the money she has, there was nothing that could cheer her up" Onion added sadly.
"That's why the Captain makes up outrageous lies to make her laugh, Captain's lying ability is first class, I'm sure you've never heard of a Pirate Captain like that before" Carrot spoke ending the story.
"So Usopp is a good guy" Luffy smiled at the boys, saying that. What Usopp was doing was very sweet. She wondered for a moment how long was he sweet on that girl.
The boys nodded seriously in agreement.
"I like the way he keeps meddling in other people's business" said Carrot.
"I like the way he overreact to everything" added Pepper.
"I like the way he lies" finished the list Onion.
"And that cheers her up?" Zoro asked incredulously at that.
Seriously… Men… Every day a boy from the village braved walls around her mansion to tell her outrageous stories… Of course she'd laugh.
Luffy'd laugh too…
"We're here." Carrot announced and tried to gate before turning around. He failed to notice mischievous smile on Luffy's face… Zoro didn't and tried to inch a bit farther away from her, before she grabbed him and scooped the boys. "The gate's locked tho-"
Then she jumped over the gate…
Unfortunately Luffy was a bit too used to making big jumps, what with Dawn Island's fauna and flora and so they landed almost right under one of the mansion's window…
Auch.
"My word. Are you alright?" Even the way she was talking simply screamed 'nice, little lamb'. Ugh… There was a part of Luffy's mind that wondered how many wolves were after that little lamb…
"Don't worry. We're okay." The other part was busy taking care of conversation and tracking of the stronger than usually found in East Blue presence coming closer to them.
"Who are you all?" The blond chick that had to be that 'Lady Kaya' that Usopp liked so much… Well, alright she did look sickly, but
"Oh them? They're just fans of mine who wanted to join the Usopp Pirates." Nice save Usopp, truly…
"Greetings, we're here to see you miss." Luffy smiled disarmingly at the girl. There was a chance that the little birdy would support Usopp's departure to the sea. If she was as soft hearted as the brats led her to believe then it was almost sure that she would.
"Me? For what reason?"
Then luffy got even more distracted, that presence she noticed before was almost there… Who are they? And what are they doing on this sleepy, little island?
"Well, we're hoping that-" She started just to be interrupted by sharp voice.
"What is the meaning of all this?!"
The man who said it was… tall, lean and dark. Black hair, black eyes hidden by glasses and black, butler suit. And the air of both commanding and quiet menace, no doubt used generously in the past if not at present.
Huh… Interesting fellow, wasn't he?
"Klahadore." Kaya gasped at the sight of… her butler? Why? Granted, Luffy didn't spend a lot of time anywhere close to nobility to know the intricates of their households, but she did know general rule. That is: servants fuckin serve.
"Out with you all." The man… And Klahadore definitely was a man ordered them all, his eyes dismissing his employer and the brats, staying a bit longer at Luffy and her hips, or specifically at where handhelds of her daggers were visible from under the sash, and locked onto Zoro. "You're trespassing."
Luffy absentmindedly noticed that Usopp was taking the utmost care to not be noticed, but more of her attention was on the way Klahadore was measuring Zoro and the way her First Mate was bristling at the other's presence… Like cats and dogs, huh?
Well, at least she knew who a 'dog' in there would be…
"Klahadore, these people are-" The girl started talking only to be shushed and talked over by the Tall, Dark and Mean.
Youngest Monkey felt her eyebrow crawling up, almost on their own.
"Not now Miss Kaya." That… was not balance of power she expected between lady of the house and a servant. "We'll talk after this rabble has left." Then he turned more of their attention onto them. Luffy almost joined her Swordsman in bristling at the clear dismissal in the servant's eyes. "Now all of you. Leave the grounds unless you have business with me." Saying this he adjusted his glasses in the move that immediately caught her attention.
Usually when one did need to adjust them, they did it with their fingers, or even knuckles… Not with their palm with the fingers facing away from the face…
"We don't have business with you." Luffy answered dismissively, more feeling than noticing the way, dark eyes focused on her again, since he did a good job of keeping eye on perceived 'greater threat' between her and her Swordsman. "We're here to talk to the lady of the house."
"She is ill and cannot deal with the likes of you miscreants." Now was it that, that Klahadore was trying to play the card of concerned caretaker? After letting them see him dismissing his 'charge'? Really?
"Oh? Is that right?" She turned towards the strangely silent girl, her dismissal of the butler evident in both her words and body language…
For fucks' sake, she was not here to teach manners to a servant but if that's what has a chance to help her take sharpshooter out of the island…
"That's…" Klahadore took a breath and started to talk something, probably about how it was up to him to decide when Usopp screwed up his hiding place and fell out of the tree, causing Kaya to gasp loudly… It seemed like the boy still needed some work when it came to his balance, didn't he? Both Klahadore and Luffy turned towards the lump on the ground made out of the boy and bunch of leaves. "USOPP!"
"Crap. He saw me." Long nosed boy muttered aloud and hunched shoulders, just in time for Klahadore to start accusing him.
"What are you doing here? Trying to worm your way into Miss Kaya's good books to get a go at her fortune?"
"Khlahadore!" Miss Kaya scolded… well, tried to scold her employee… It wasn't very effective though.
"Of course you would." Tall, Dark and Mean ignored her to continue spewing his venom. "Only the son of a filthy pirate would make up a scheme like that." Only 'son of a filthy pirate', huh? Quick to go for sore points, isn't he?
And it worked.
Usopp got red in the face and drawn himself up (on a more… muscled person it'd make impression, on him though… well.)
"What did you just say about my father?!" He barked out loudly coming closer to the butler.
"Calm down Usopp." Klahadore only smirked viciously. And went for the kill. "Why not just do what you do best and lie? Tell us how your father is a traveling salesman. Or that you're really adopted?"
"BASTARD! SHUT UP!" Usopp screamed out and punched the butler.
Luffy's eyes narrowed at the way Tall, Dark and Mean almost moved out of the way and purposely stilled himself, rolling with a punch to make it look even more impressively and to minimize potential hurt.
That… was not move of an untrained fighter.
In fact, she quite fondly remembered Thatch and Marco showing her similar tricks on each other, once upon a time.
"Usopp!" Kaya screamed out, fear in her voice…
And… Luffy couldn't understand it. The fear of a boy that punched someone who was so obviously provoking him. In fact Luffy was more surprised that the punch landed (even with Klahadore helping him), rather than it was thrown.
"See that! He immediately turned violent. No wonder, they say 'like Father, like Son'" The butler continued, cold triumph in his eyes.
All according to a plan, huh?
"SHUT UP" Usopp yelled out, making Klahadore flinch from the volume. "I'm proud that my Father is a Pirate, a brave warrior of the sea. I'm very proud of him. Although it's true I lie a lot, but I'm not ashamed of my heritage and that's something I should be honored about because his blood is running through my veins. For I'm Son of a Pirate" he declared loudly for everyone to hear. Luffy smiled fondly. Yasopp's son would fit with Red Haired Pirates, alright. Brave and respectful.
Klahadore just snorted disdainfully.
"Pirates are brave warriors of the sea, huh? You're pretty naïve to have that belief" He finally rose from the grass and nonchalantly dusted off his suit.
"What!"
"But you did right for one thing," the butler steamrolled over Usopp's shouted protest "you admitted that the Pirate blood flows within you. You like to lie and would resort for violence whenever something upsets you, your ultimate goal was to get Lady Kaya's fortune and that's you get close to her"
Alright… That man? He was an outlaw himself, he had to be with that skill of turning the table on the other.
"W-What are you talking about?" Usopp stuttered and turned owlish eyes on the older man "I would never…"
"A pirate is a Pirate no matter what you say, and because you father's a pirate is proof enough" Klahadore accused again, completely ignoring whatever 'son of a pirate' would say.
"That's enough; I won't let you insult my Father ever again" Usopp grabbed lapels of the suit and looked ready to punch him again when Kaya stopped him.
"Stop it Usopp, please don't use violence again, Klahadore is not a bad person, he's only… he's only protecting me, so please" Kaya begged him and Luffy closed her eyes, her feeling edging towards despair. Why would Usopp be sweet on that naive child. Cause it'd be hard to even call her a girl again.
Okay, so maybe she's a bit harsh for pampered, rich, little girl… But how could she not? In her circumstances?
"Get out now and don't come close to Lady Kaya again" Klahadore snapped, furiously.
"Yeah, you don't have to tell me twice" Usopp walked past Klahadore without another glance neither at him nor at Kaya, the Usopp Pirates were quick to react in anger for the insult for their captain.
They furiously spat at Klahadore's feet.
"You bastard, stupid butler, our Captain is not kind of a person" cried Carrot.
"That's right, you idiot" growled Pepper.
"Yeah, you idiot"
"Leave at once" Klahadore snapped again, this time at everyone in the yard.
Before the brats could say anything else, Luffy cut in coldly.
"It seems like in here too… It's a cat that rules over the house…" Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully at the way Tall, Dark and Mean stilled. "What a shame… Come on brats." She and Zoro grabbed all three of brats and herded them outside.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Luffy found Usopp on a cliff on the other side from the island. He made a rather sorry picture, sitting there alone and looking at the horizon. And something in her was ready to snarl at the cause of one of hers' pain.
One of hers?
She let the anger to fill her and promised herself to smack Klahadore at least few times before leaving the island.
Shanks was family, Yasopp was family… Yasopp's son was family too.
And no one hurts her family!
"So this is where you were?" Luffy dropped from where she was crouching on a tree branch above him.
Usopp twitched so violently, it looked like he was ready t jump out of his skin.
"Sheesh, it's only you," He brought hand to his heart and continued complaining "can you greet people in a normal way…" Then he threw her suspicious look and turned defensive "What is it? What do you want?"
"Nothing really" She answered airyly, sitting down next to him and turning her best kit-eyes on him. Little kits are surprisingly cute.
Usopp clearly knew what she was doing, for he only sighed in defeat and answered her unvoiced question with voice trembling minutely from anger.
"That damn butler. How dare he insult my Father like that".
Fair enough.
"Yeah, that guy is a jerk, it doesn't matter what anyone says though. Yasopp still is and always will be a great Pirate" To say lightly… There was a reason Shanks is a Yonko on par with Whitebeard, Big Mom and Kaidou with core crew a size of no more than one third of the smallest of the other's crew. She's not saying it's entirely thanks to Yasopp, but him being one of the very best sharpshooters in the World (if not the best by now) certainly didn't hurt the crew's prospects.
"Yeah, he sure is." the boy agreed enthusiastically with her, nodding energetically "In the Great Pirate Era, my Father sails the ocean without knowing what's ahead, I feel really proud of him… say, what about you? Is your Father a Pirate too?"
"Hmmm nope, my father has better things to do than to mind a brat." Like funding his fight with World Government and saving children pursued by them. Not his own daughter, of course but there were rumours about Revolutionaries saving children from South Blue around the purges and of course freeing slaves and slave children from tenryuubito.
Never his own child, though.
Fucker…
"Oh, I'm sorry" Usopp's enthusiasm immediately dropped and Luffy felt a bit… guilty of it.
"It's okay," That guilt was the only reason she even considered voicing the things, she never said aloud before. Only that. "I may have never met my biological father, but… I have Shanks. And that'd more than I could ever ask for. He told me about the Sea, gave me tools to protect myself and then made first step towards realising my dream."
"Wow," he gaped at her soft smile before smiling as well "he must've really love you so much to make you sail through the ocean, huh"
"Shishishi… yep and one day we'll meet again and I'll show him how strong I've become" Luffy giggled, almost giddy for the day she'll be able to stand next to Shanks not as one he'd need to protect but as equal…
She couldn't wait.
"I wish I could sail to the open waters one day as a Pirate, but first I want Klahadore to come here and beg me for forgiveness for insulting my Dad"
Yeah, like that'd happen…
"You mean him, down there with the weirdo?" Luffy asked with fake innocence pointing down to where Klahadore was about to meet with another violent aura she's noticed on the island.
One that was at a point close to Zoro.
"Yeah, that's him… WAIT A MINUTE, what's he doing here?" Luckily Usopp still have had enough brains to not raise his voice and alert those two down there to having audience.
"Jango, didn't I tell you not to attract any attention in this Village." Klahadore started sternly, though with an air of resignation that said not only he knew the weirdo but also already gave up on getting him to stay inconspicuous. "Yet you were sleeping in the middle of the road"
'Jango' as Klahadore called him was even weirder when Luffy took a closer look at him. Black coat with fitting fedora, creepy heart shaped glasses, mouse-like hair and a really strange beard in shape of a bound stump…
Not only a weirdo, even worse a creepy weirdo.
And like the weirdo was able to hear her thoughts…
"That's ridiculous. I didn't attract any attention at all, I'm not weird either"
Klahadore looked like he dearly wished to disagree but nonetheless let it go with a sigh.
"So, are the preparations for the operation complete?" He asked coldly.
"Of course, we can start at any time…" 'Jango' nodded enthusiastically, "the operation to assassinate Lady Kaya"
Pardon?
"Don't say assassinate," Klahadore admonished with a mean smirk, Luffy could make out even from the distance "that sound wicked, Jango"
"Ah yes, an accident… it was an accident"
"We can't just kill her; Lady Kaya has to die from an accident. Don't ever forget that." Tall, Dark and Mean had it all worked out, huh?
"Sorry, we just have to wait for the signal to attack the Village and then kill the little girl, right? Then you will take her inheritance."
"Are you an idiot? Can't you use your brain for once? An outsider like me can't take her inheritance!" Klahadore scowled derisively at his company before sighing with resignation. His hand going automatically up to knead the bridge of his nose. "I guess I have to retell you the plan again. Before we kill her, you'll have to hypnotize Kaya to write a will. In that will, you'll make her write that all her fortune will go to her trusted and faithful butler, Klahadore"
"Of course I will" Jango agreed enthusiastically.
Luffy narrowed her eyes thoughtfully… That's rather complicated plan just to get some gold. So why?
"It will be the first step of my plan to take over the huge inheritance. It's… perfect" Klahadore continued, looking more and more like a man obsessed. "I spent three whole years to win everyone's trust. So no one would be suspicious. Even if she leaves all her inheritance to me"
"You became her butler for three years just for this." The hypnotist commented somewhat neutrally "It really surprised me back then, Captain Kuro"
What?!
Luffy and Usopp turned to each other to make sure they've heard the same thing…
'Captain Kuro?' Like in Kuro of Thousand Plans of Black Cat Pirates? 16 million beri if Luffy remembered correctly, captured around 3 years ago by… Captain Morgan of Yutsuba Island…
Okay, she took it back, it had to be an excellent scam, to make anyone believe Morgan was able to capture that kind of pirate.
Meanwhile Jango was continuing spilling all the secrets.
Why the need to explain to people exactly what 'evil plan' they've had?
"Three years ago… you suddenly said that you quit being a Pirate. You got one of your Crew to act as you in order to have the world to think that Captain Kuro was executed. That marked the beginning of your devious plan, no wonder they call you Captain Kuro of a Thousands Plans"
Men…
It looked like Klahadore… well Kuro agreed with her on this. With deft movements he had black gloves with long blades on, with one of the blades being thrust close to the throat of the one, who Luffy was almost sure was his First Mate.
"Don't call me by that name again" He growled threateningly and only after getting carefull nod in response, did he move the blade away from his subordinate. "I gave up my name three years ago. I just want her fortune and not get chased by the Government anymore, then I will become a peaceful citizen"
What?
Who is he trying to lie to?
Himself?
Entire time he was talking, Kuro was looking at the Sea…
"I can hardly imagine as you a peaceful citizen," Jango snorted and smirked vindictively "so for the sake of your own peace, you even go so far to kill the brat's parents"
Peaceful citizen, indeed… Well for a pirate it could almost count.
"Now now Jango," Kuro smirked confidently "her parents' death has nothing to do with me, it was shockingly unexpected"
"Oh well, it doesn't matter now," Jango shrugged languidly and turned around to walk out "just hurry up and give the signal. Our ship is anchored nearby for almost a week already, my men are getting impatient"
Both Usopp and Luffy took few steps back and turned to each other with serious expressions.
"Luffy, we have to get out of here, these guys are the real deal." Usopp started panicked, his hands going straight to Luffy's shoulders "That Captain Kuro is said to be the smartest and also the cruelest among all the Pirates, I heard he was dead three years ago but now he is alive and here, and he is been personating as a butler to get to Kaya's fortune all this time, if we let this happen, the Village will be attacked, and Kaya will be in danger"
Luffy grit her teeth and grabbed his hands before he could try and shake her more… She was not a halfwit, thank you very much.
"Go and bring Zoro. I'll wait for you here." She ordered quietly and grabbed his elbow before he could run off "Tell no one."
"Wha…? Why?" the boy immediately protested and Luffy had to bit down a response of 'because you're a well known liar, you idiot'. Rather than that, she forced calm smile and explained soothingly.
"We don't need them to get scared… Don't worry Usopp, we'll take care of it."
"H-hai…"
"Get my First Mate" She ordered again and smirked at the way Usopp run to do just that. Time will tell if it's a sign he's going to go with them, but Luffy had a good feeling.
Now… Did she want to at least try and catch a kitty?
Well… She always wanted to have one.
…
That decided, Luffy took a deep breath, forcing herself into a state of calm. If she wanted to be able to achieve anything here, she'd need to be calm, collected and convincing.
Inhale…
Hold…
Exhale…
She took the shortest, not-obvious route down to find pirate captain still down there, watching the Sea.
"You know…" She started with a smirk, enjoying the way Kuro immediately pivoted towards her, blades in defensive position. "They say that if you feed an abandoned dog once, it'll follow you to the end of times." Her eyes glinted with mischief when she was finished divulging great secret of dog-kind. "But if you'll feed abandoned cat, it'll plot your murder and steal your fortune."
"I'm quite sure the saying goes a bit different" Kuro relaxed his stance and put the blades down, his eyes cataloguing her stance and the way she moved.
"Does it?" Luffy chuckled, stopping few steps before him, just outside of the reach of his blades. "Silly me…"
"Who are you?" Kuro demanded stiffly, nowhere was the dismissal he attempted at Kaya's manor, there was only a fighter, aware that the other fights as well.
"Hmm… You may call me Luffy." Her smile could cut steel when she looked at the famous Kuro of Thousand Plans, being wary of little Luffy, not even officially a pirate yet. That was what she wanted, from even stronger players. "I came to the island for a sharpshooter." She explained airily, observing the way Kuro relaxed even more, deducing what she wanted, she was sure. "And here I found a kitty away from Home"
"Home?" Kuro corrected his glasses nonchalantly… and then she understood why did he move them like that, what with blades being so long.
"Sea."
"Sea?" Cold chuckles left the older of the pair, before he explained condescending "Don't be naive… Sea is hard work, pain, sweat and blood."
"But isn't it worth the prize?" Luffy lilted her voice in a childlike manner, wishing for him to lose his balance.
"Adventure?" Yet more condescension… He met Ace and Sabo when they set sail, didn't he?
She let her smile get steel edge and teeth before leaning in a bit, as in telling the secret. Her eyes holding just as black pair of the man before her.
"The Throne of the Pirate King" Her steady voice, so at odds with her posture, made it so Kuro needed few seconds for her words to sink in…
Then he snorted dismissively.
"Fairy tale." And yet, his eyes held curious glint, Luffy's seen in Arlong's eyes when she told him that that little girl with too big eyes will be the King.
"Reality." She answered easily, her hand going towards the Hat on her head.
"Is it?" In the face of her certainty, his voice lost the cutting edge from before, this time simply leaning towards 'flat'.
"Isn't it?" She parried again, her eyes no longer on him, but rather on the blue, blue Sea surrounding the island.
'Curiosity killed the cat', wasn't it?
Will you stay true?
…
They stood in silence for few minutes more, Luffy's still not-really-trained Haki telling her, that Kuro was stealing glances at her from time to time.
Curious.
Evaluating.
Judging…
And she let him…
Let him see surety in her posture. Muscles relaxed in the way of warriors everywhere, ready to spring to action.
Let him see her Will.
Then he sighed, also moving his eyes to the horizon.
"What do you want girl?" He asked tiredly, in a way that made it clear that he knew exactly what she wanted.
"Three years on land…" She mused quietly… Now that she actually took to the Sea, she couldn't stand even the thought of staying on land for long again. Not like she stayed as a child. She was finally free. "Aren't you chafing, staying in one place for so long?"
"Of course depressed Klahadore couldn't stay on the island his beloved Miss Kaya lived"
"And what if Kaya'll live still next morrow, Kuro of Thousands Plan?"
"Even those simpletons couldn't screw it up" He snorted.
"But they can still be stopped" Luffy murmured idly.
"By you?"
"Maybe." She shrugged, not really caring that it was as good as confirmation. He's already seen her with Usopp and after staying here for so long is no doubt aware of the boy's crush on Kaya. "What will you do then?" She questioned again, this time deliberately catching and holding his eyes. This was important. "Suffer more as a butler to that naive, little girl?"
Ex-captain of pirate crew clenched his teeth before biting out forcefully.
"Captain Kuro of Black Cat Pirates is dead"
"Long live Kuro of Straw Hat Pirates" She murmured in a voice that just barely could be seen as joking and relished in the way his eyes widened, seemingly shocked at her audacity.
He was pirate captain after all.
And yet… She was offering him place on future King's crew.
She held his, narrowed by then eyes for a few seconds more before inclining her head a bit and turning back towards the slope.
"You know where to find me, child of the Seas" He quiet murmur, both invitation, challenge and farewells.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Shortly after Kuro left the slope to go towards the mansion, angry Usopp managed to drag annoyed Zoro to her.
She smelt blood.
"What happened?" Were Luffy's first words at the sight of impotent anger in who she was still hoping would be her sharpshooter and the annoyed expression her First Mate was wearing.
"Apparently he's running every morning, screaming that pirates are coming." The greenet growled at the sheepish expression of the boy and Luffy was solely tempted into growling right along side, the second her mind connected the dots.
"You really tried to warn the people?" She barely stopped the growl from entering her voice. Then she took a better look at him and sighed at the luckily barely more than a scrape at Usopp's arm.
"I thought…" He murmured and Luffy felt herself melting at how similar to the little kits back at Dawn Island he looked. Then she steeled herself. Someone had to tell him this, it should've been told him long time ago.
"Actions have consequences Usopp…" She murmured softly, raising and searching under her sash for something to steam the blood flow. "I don't know why you started your runs and your lies, but with your history people would find it harder to trust in your words. That's how humanity simply is." She explained gently, finally finding handkerchief and softly swearing to herself to start carrying along first-aid materials… And get proper doctor. Soon. "Who did this to you?"
"K-Kaya's butler" Usopp hiccuped the answer to her soft question, causing Zoro to growl angrily from where he was pacing.
"That bastard Klahadore?"
"Kuro was here until few minutes before you came." Luffy immediately explained. There was no need for her First Mate to be angry from the start at the kitty she's trying to court aboard her ship. It was bad enough that Usopp would kick a fuss, whether he'd decide to come with them or stay with his beloved Kaya, the second he'd see Kuro joining them.
"Kuro?" Zoro looked at her kneeling form suspiciously, making her flutter eyelashes in perfect innocence.
The Swordsman looked quite fetching with pink hue on his cheeks.
"Kuro of Thousand Plan, generally known on this island as butler Klahadore."
"Wasn't he executed few years back?"
"Yeah, by captain Morgan"
"Morgan?" Greenet snorted as he also caught up to the scam Kuro ran on the island. Then he looked at her pointedly, question evident in his posture, Luffy nodded slowly.
Pleased, that Zoro looked more thoughtful than angry at the idea of recruiting another experienced pirate to go with them, she gave him radiant smile and turned her attention back to Usopp. This… This was as much about Tall, Dark and Mean as it was about a boy she promised to try and take with her to the Seas.
"What do you want to do, Usopp?"
"I? Of course it is excellent that you've asked the Great Captain… ouch" He stopped the exact moment, Luffy smacked his uninjured arm with serious expression.
"Usopp… This is your village, your island. What do you want to do?"
"What can we do?" His question was bitter and his hands on his knees were shaking with fine tremors. "I'm no match for the real pirates"
"No, you're not" Luffy agreed with pleasant smile, raising her hand to her Swordsman demandingly. After he rolled his eye but obliged and helped her up, she continued with what she knew she needed to say to him rather than with the 'Luckily neither are they' that was simply begging to be let out. "But you're not alone, are you?"
And then at his uncomprehending look, she moved her head towards Zoro.
Known Pirate Hunter of the East Blue. Who had cocky smirk on his lips and a hand on his three blades.
The boy understood.
"Will you help me?" He asked hopefully and both Zoro and Luffy smiled.
"It'll be a pleasure" She purred, happy with the fact that he was not only ready to ask for help but also ready to fight with them there. And amused at the way his ears tinted pink at her tone.
"O-okay!" He slapped his cheeks to focus and looked at both Luffy and Zoro determined "They're planning to attack the Village tomorrow morning from this very coast" He waved towards said coast with flourish "However, this is the only route that leads to the Village, the rest are cliffs, there's no other way to attack. In other words, if we hold them firm to this slope the Village won't be attacked" Usopp described his plan proudly and generally Luffy would be glad that he found the simplest solution to the problem. She had just that one tiny problem with it…
"And the one we arrived at?" Zoro asked, voicing her own doubts.
"Ahh… T-that's right, there's another slope. B-but I have only so much traps…" And back with stutter… Damn it. She leant back on the rock she took for herself and reviewed what she already know. Kuro needed Kaya to will her fortune to him. She could either sign it under duress or after being hypnotised Jango. Only then did he need an accident to happen. He didn't need pirate attack, neither could she assume that with her knowing about the plan, would it stay unchanged. Not on Black Cat Pirates, of course… But Kuro of Thousand Plans couldn't be assumed to not be able to think about something.
And to get him to consider her proposition deeper, she needed him to fail.
She huffed out air, frustrated with problem and tuned back towards the plan Usopp and Zoro were making.
"Put half here and half on the other? Since the other one is the only other slope, right? Or are there more?"
Luffy was so proud… Zoro took his still informal First Mate position seriously enough to try and plan the approach.
To be honest she took him for a guy that'd just charge at first. It was nice to be proven wrong on that.
"No, there's no other way up"
"Then let's put the traps and find a place we could observe both of the slopes?"
"B-but what with Kaya? She's in danger!"
"You told me they need the will" Green eyebrow was cocked up and Usopp jumped up from where he was sitting, his fist raised up in determination.
"R-right… Will… Let's make sure they'll never get it, yeah?!"
"Hold your horses boys" She stopped them before they'll agree to something rather short-sighted. Then, before Usopp could protest, she explained. "Worst case scenario, Kaya could sign the will under threat and then fall from stairs or window… Or sickly girl could not live through the night… Tragedies do happen after all."
"T-that's true…" Usopp muttered, while Zoro scowled.
"It's not like we can protect her at the cost of the town."
"No, it's not." Luffy agreed with her Swordsman before turning to Usopp again "Does she have any friends? Maybe some nice young girls from the town? A teacher? Anyone?"
"Kuro could kill them too" Greenet warned her seriously at what Luffy nodded
"Arranging accident would be harder with more people around her. The same as with will. Of course he could simply kill everyone and pillage the mansion old-pirate style but that would be admitting defeat."
"And calling marines back onto his head!" Usopp stopped himself before continuing, no doubt remembering the talk between Kuro and his First Mate "And he said he doesn't want to run again!"
"That's right. I'll go to town and try to get her some additional protection." She smiled at the males near her "Usopp, put the traps in this place and wait with Zoro at the other shore? The Dreamer's there. If the Black Cat Pirates will not attack that shore they'll still need to climb over your traps, so they'll be slowed down."
"You'll be here? Or will you come to us?" Zoro questioned slowly.
"I'm planning to hide them under another illusion and then join you when I'll be sure she'll be safe. I'll find you wherever you'll be defending." The only D in company explained, before adding "Stay together, keep each other safe. Usopp, Zoro has terrible sense of direction so it's on you" She joked which get a shaky smile from sharpshooter and loud 'Oi!' from the swordsman.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Luckily it took only few hints dropped in the village to get some other girls to join Kaya in her manor, where Luffy hid herself close enough to be able to intervene in case Kuro would try something drastic. Even more luckily it didn't happen.
And so in the morning she carefully put the girls and serving them butler - Mery under another illusion and carefully keeping her focus on her powers, followed Kuro to the coast where his ex-crew was being beaten by her First Mate…
Of course they were at the same side as The Dreamer…
Of fucking course…
Luckily the ship was still under her illusion and so in pristine condition… Which couldn't be said about her First Mate and sharpshooter.
Zoro was slowly bleeding through different scratches littered along his body, but stood proud among the rabble that was the Black Cat crew. Usopp behind him, also few scratches on him, knees shaking but still slingshot in the ready stance and more than simply few of the bodies around had bruises from pellets, stones and whatever he had under his hand.
"It's past the appointed time to attack." Kuro said in a calm voice from on top of the hill. "Yet, everyone is unconscious or being held off by children." He adjusted his glasses in that creepy way that makes so much sense with his weapon drawn, before bellowing out "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!
"C-captain I-I…"
"Look at that Kuro… It took only my First Mate to stop your so-called crew." Luffy chuckled coldly, quickly coming to where her Swordsman was standing. "You okay Zoro?" With soft murmur she raised her hand and wiped sweat from his face.
He worked really hard…
"That was fun Captain" he chuckled and leaned his head into her hand a bit.
"Glad you were having fun then. Rest, I'll deal with it now."
"Aye" With that last word, Zoro dragged himself behind her and next to where Usopp was staying. Luffy gave Kuro challenging look.
"This is disgraceful. To think that the Black Cat Pirates could be beaten by mere children. Have you all really gotten that weak?" Kuro asked in a bored tone.
"Weak?!" One of the more… exotic members of Black Cat Pirates screeched out as he and his partner charged towards their ex-captain. He was a big man, clothed only in pants and cape… Luffy frowned at the sight in distaste… Alright, Marco also was walking showing his chest to the world… but what a chest that was…
"You're the one who spent three years as a butler while we've been sailing the seas!" The partner - the thin man of the duet screamed, before both of them cried out "We'll show you who's weak!"
Kuro remained motionless in the face of the attack, save for a quick glance at the girl moving out of the way from where she was standing between him and his previous crew. Nonetheless he disappeared a split second before their claws managed to hit him.
Just to reappear behind both of the Black Cats with his bladed gloves poised to strike at both of them.
"It seems I have gotten a bit slower these past few years." He said in a low tone as the pirates started crying. "I'm giving you all just five minutes to kill these pests." The ex-butler said as he withdrew his claws and stepped back. "If you don't, then you all die by my hand."
"Five minutes?!" one of the Black Cats said as they all started to tremble.
"We can't do it in five minutes!"
"That guy is a monster!" They cried, clearly still sore from the beating Zoro gave them. The strange duo that previously attacked Kuro went to attack Luffy, only to be stopped with her daggers. She grinned savagely and quicker than those low level mooks could see, grabbed both of them by the scruffs of their necks and threw them into the Sea… With a bit of luck sharks would get a bit of revenge for all the fish eaten by cats around the world..
Usopp stared at this dumbfounded, but snapped out of it relatively quickly, and pointed his weapon at Kuro.
"Hey Butler!" Usopp screamed as he shook in fear and rage. "This is your last warning! Leave this island, or my 8000 men will destroy you!"
"One more minute and counting." Kuro said, ignoring Usopp. At his words, Jango hypnotized his crew to get stronger and send them after her again…
She grinned, baring her teeth and jumped into the fray.
Less than that minute, Kuro threatened them by, later Luffy stood next to the pile of knocked out pirates. With their 'hard earned' skills in melee, it was truly no wonder Zoro had such an easy time with them.
The hardest part was no killing all of them.
(Luffy suddenly longed for Conqueror Haki even more. It felt distinctly not fair to have to deal with crews of that level.)
"Time's up." Tall, Dark and Mean said as he flexed his claws and looked her in the eye with equal challenge to the one she threw earlier. "Black Rook?" He proposed coldly, making her smirk triumphantly and the Black Cats gasp in surprise.
Black Rook was tradition from the time before Gol D. Roger was even a thought in his parents minds… It was a fight between two captains, with their crews being except from the results… Which is loser serves the winner.
Normally she wouldn't agree but… this is East Blue and a man that spend three years playing house.
"Black Rook" She agreed gleefully.
Then he started swaying…
And the Black Cats started screaming…
"No!"
"C-captain K-Kuro please don't!"
"You'll kill us!"
Luffy quickly learned why, since after few sways Kuro started to move…
He was fast, that's true but it looked like he was swinging his blades blind, what with the way said blades were cutting the Black Cats and stone but almost never did they get even close enough to Luffy herself.
Though she did need to more once or twice when those blades got dangerously close to Usopp and resting Zoro.
In few words - while whatever he was doing did seem pretty impressive, Kuro lacked control to make it into real weapon… Something to beat into him after he'd lose. Because she was sure he would lose. And he would lose fast.
Luffy took deep, deep breath and then exhaled carefully…
She let go of her senses, discarding the smell of copper in the air, sound of blades cutting through flesh, screech of steel on the rocks and howls of pain and fear from the Black Cats.
All of it…
It wasn't important then.
…
She reached into herself for the more detailed results her usual grasp on Observation Haki would give and smiled, mapping Kuro's erratic movements in her mind, as well as doing her very best to predict his next few moves.
After all being able to see him and being able to catch him are two different things.
And she needed the other one.
…
There!
She sheathed back her daggers and coated her hand with thin layer of Armament before jumping in the path, Kuro was set to take and going straight for the jugular!
He hand went straight for his throat and the rest of her body followed.
Short struggle commenced, but between Kuro's lack of practice in the last few years and Luffy severely cheating with Haki…
Both Black Cats and who soon would be known as Straw Hat Pirates were greeted to the sight of Kuro of Thousand Plans being splayed on the ground, with his hands wide away from the body… And the short slip of a girl keeping him down.
Black eyes flashing red for all to see and savage grin on her lips, Luffy leant down, tightening her hand on his windpipe.
"Yield" She demanded. Almost growling, as the sudden, a bit unhinged chuckle left the man under her.
"Not even a pirate yet… and already this strong, huh?" He chuckled before, closing his eyes for a second and looking up at her with glint as savage as the green of Devil Fruit user above him. "I yield, Captain."