Slowly we're approaching the moment where the 'well... it has been a while' is a traditional intro to my fics ;) Personally I blame all those excellent authors and their fics, which I'm reading rather than writing my own ;)
Soo...
Well... It has been a while, huh? ;)
To be honest I had everything until the shipwright office part written for a while, just... Entire envisioning a ship was hard... Really hard.
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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
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Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Oda-sensei and his publishers. Idea's mine
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If Luffy though that defeating Black Cat Pirates and getting Kuro to agree to go with her would be the hardest part of the situation, then she was so wrong it wasn't even funny…
Not only they needed to deal with unconscious, injured, dead or dying Black Cat Pirates, because diseases are a thing, but also clean up illusions around 'Young Miss Kaya' and her mansion. Somehow buying enough provisions from the little shops on the islands (which of course couldn't be easy… Noo… the Sea around the island was almost barren from fish and there was not enough farmable land so most of food was bought on other islands, so of course the prices were a lot higher than in Shell's Town or Orange Town).
Then there were of course logistics of grabbing Kuro with them… and the absolute bitch fit Usopp threw at the announcement. Usopp who didn't declare to go with them and yet thought he had the right to decide who's worthy to be in her crew…
Yeah, that discussion went well…
…
So the next few days after defeat of Black Cat Pirates were busy to say at least. Though the crew itself was rather easy to deal with as it was enough to… ah… convince Jango to hypnotise his crew to be loyal to Captain Jango and that they were not trying to attack the Syrup Town on orders of Kuro of Thousand Plans, to deal with that part.
After they parted with their loot that is.
Those few millions were nothing big, but… It was always more cash for when they'll get new ship. Which… Was starting to look rather urgent.
Getting oh so precious 'Young Miss Kaya' was luckily quite easy to sort out as well. After pulling off all of the illusions, Luffy found out that the girl and her companion slept through entire commotion. What was interesting was the fact Usopp allowed her to think he lied when going to warn her. That the pirate attack was a hoax…
That was… disturbing. Oh don't get her wrong, Luffy knew there were times that it was better to protect someone silently, but then… she also was consistent enough to not run screaming about the things she was going to protect people from. Usopp… For all his stories about being Brave Warrior of the Sea… was not. Consistent that is.
So in a bid to protect his little crush he 'forgot' to mention that the attack actually did happen… That Kuro was a pirate… And that Usopp helped to protect the town as well… He chose to suffer knowing that people of his own village would not believe his word ever again. That the same butler who was making sure he was not going hungry in his childhood was also able to shoot him… That his crush thought him an honorless liar as well…
That was something Luffy couldn't understand. Call her petty but she would at least drag the one who shot her onto the battlefield to see the defeated pirate crew… But… It could be because she was a pirate. She knew she wanted to be a pirate… And she was properly warned by both Benny and Mihawk about how different from the rest of the world, pirates think… And both Mayor Woodslap and Makino made valiant effort to try and teach her how civilians think.
They never really succeeded but they tried and that's important.
…
Finally the day to go back to the sea came. All loose ends were tied, everyone was healed and rested up, the provision has been bought and packed, Kuro resigned from his post and have already moved his necessities onto the last few empty shelves at The Dreamer…
Usopp was quiet and after the… discussion about who exactly have any kind of say on the matters of her crew, was avoiding them with zeal, so Luffy resigned herself to not getting the sniper she wanted and turned her attention onto more pressing matters. She had a course to plot and plans to make and a crewmate to get to properly know.
…
"The Dreamer is too small for us to pick up anyone else on it" Zoro interrupted her last check on state of the ropes and that of the sail. Luffy slowly straightened herself and turned towards him. Her First Mate was standing next to the boat, leaning on the railing.
"I know…" She pouted. It wasn't only that she liked Dreamer… Though she did like Dreamer. It was just… Ships were costly as fuck. And ship sturdy enough to survive Reverse Mountain and beyond? They had what? 25 millions? It was not enough. It just wasn't…. "Honestly, I wanted to go and get more funds before commissioning proper ship for us"
"That's… Not really an option anymore" He muttered pointing his chin on the entrance to the boat's cabin. Well, he wasn't wrong. It was looking like a tight fit with the three of them.
"No… It's not." Luffy agreed, resigned. She was ecstatic for more crewmates… more Nakama. She'd be more ecstatic if they'd have a ship with enough space. Waitt… "You know… Syros is rather famous for both their ships and their weapons." And with all the tourneys it was usually hosting it could be pretty good training as well as a way to get them some nice reputation before having to deal with vengeful marines. And weak bounty hunters.
"We're going to Syros?"
"Did you go there already?" What with the way he got so spectacularly lost...
"No." Aww… was that a pout? "Somehow I never landed on the island. I heard there are regular tourneys there…"
"Good. You won't get too bored there, then" She was quite sure there would be enough idiots thinking that starting a fight with them would be a good idea. After all - getting a ship built takes time.
"Bored?" Green eyebrow went up "We still have much training to do"
Her First Mate everyone… Even when Luffy herself would be willing to let go of the training for a day or two, Zoro was making sure to drag her on the deck and spar or at least work on the katas.
At the start of her 'journey' it was the fear that motivated her. Then it was Shanks' faith in her. Arlong's expectation for his 'little captain'... And somehow she managed to find First Mate that will not let her skill stagnate.
Fuck…
The World truly bows to Will of the D, doesn't it?
She smiled up at him gratefully and opened her mouth to agree or maybe even thank him for insisting on constant training, when the presence she mentally tagged as Usopp's finally let itself be known.
"Waaait…" By screaming on top of his lungs, rolling down the hill with enormous backpack.
"What on the Seas…" She started at the sight of that monstrosity on his back but quickly stopped. There were more important things at the moment "Usopp!"
Zoro and Luffy looked at each other and as one moved to stand in Usopp's way.
As he rolled closer, they braced themselves and raised their feet to stop him.
Their feet landed on both sides of his face and with a bit of flailing on his side, they managed to pry the giant pack off of him. Kuro who was making sure the cabin would not get too cluttered (the butler was strong in this one) got out and raised an eyebrow mockingly.
"Great Captain Usopp will join you on your journey and lead towards an adventure! We'll all become Brave Warriors of the Seas!" Usopp made the Grand Announcement, together with super pose and all the shtick…
Luffy felt her eye twitch.
That had to go.
"Usopp…" Kuro beat her to the punch though… Maybe for the better. "I'm well aware that thinking long term is something your brain is unused to doing, but where on The Seas do you want to put all those things at?" He ended his sniping with gesture showing small form of the boat.
"I couldn't just leave my things!"
"For fucks sake…" Luffy's growl caused both of their gazes to snap to her own. "Kuro, be an absolute dear and wait with Usopp-baiting until we're at the Sea again." 'So that I can throw you both into the water' went unsaid, but from the way the older man's shoulders straightened, was not unheard. Then she turned to snap at the other. "Usopp, we don't have space for all that junk. Clothes, your weapon and whatever you need to take care of it. No more."
"But…" The boy went on to protest, only to get cut out by her again. They were off to a great start…
"The Dreamer is a great ship, but even he has his limits for how much can be carried"
"It would be easier to not take needless members aboard, Captain" The ex-butler suggested with innocent air around him, or at least as innocent as a known pirate could have. That cold smirk, broke his impression though. How did he manage to pretend to be harmless butler, again?
"I'm quite sure most people would decide to take sharpshooter in that situation, my dear" Luffy bit out, her smirk just as mocking as his words.
"Then it's good you're not most people, Captain" The utter cat she dragged on board, purred leaning towards her, to the almost audible growl from Zoro.
"No… I'm not." She smiled, glad that there was no resentment between the kitty and the rest of them. Well, he wasn't really happy, but… To her senses he still seemed content. And that's more that she expected when he proposed the Black Rook. Now to deal with the person who did not spend their time on the water. "Necessities only Usopp." Speaking about necessities… That slingshot… "Do you use anything other than a slingshot?"
"Umm… No?"
"Then you better get creative with ammo." Pachinko balls were all good and fancy but bullets at least were able to take an enemy down. "People out there will try to kill us all. It's a sniper's, sharpshooter's and gunner's job to take them out first." As much as she'd love to look only at the 'adventure' aspect of their journey… the second they'll hoist the colours, people will be out for their heads. And it was her duty to make sure her Crew will keep theirs.
"Ummm…" Usopp squirmed but didn't voice whatever the problem was.
Luffy furrowed her brows in incomprehension. He knew what sailing under Black Flag meant, right?
"Black Cat Pirates are not an exception to how pirates behave." She started slowly, trying to find out what it was that Yasopp's son had problem with. "They are much closer to a rule than anything else." Especially in the Blues where the Sea didn't fight them. Grand Line on the other hand… Well the gold is a bit less important in a place where both the Sea and the Islands try to kill you in many, different ways. "Treasure. Power. Infamy… Those are the things that rule the Pirate World." Though it's only New World that beats it out of the Crews, what with Yonko ruling the place with iron fists 'on the above', Underworld and all their players… Emperor's, Brokers and Mercenary groups. Those looking for Power just for Power's sake are assimilated by the Big Players fast. "At least until one reaches New World, where the rulers all have their visions they chase for." Well, other than Shanks. He wanted to be free… Becoming a yonko was, according to Benny, an accident.
That man was completely ridiculous.
"I…" Usopp was trembling, and Luffy didn't think that the cause was anticipation in there. Good. He had to know what he was signing for. Shanghaing someone to join was all fine and good… When they knew what was going on at the Seas. Taking someone who didn't understand the situation and would have problems following orders… Well. That was his last chance to back out.
"Take your time." She managed a kind smile and turned around to the map of East Blue, Kuro prepared. Both declared members leaning above the map as well.
"Any specific course?" Zoro asked idly, intently watching the map. No doubt to estimate how long they'll stay on board. Even though, they tried to do their training on board, the training maniac he was, managed to needle out a spar or two since they landed on Gecko Island. Her and Kuro both.
They managed to find out how they could compliment each other while in fight.
For all her training Luffy was still primarily fast. Even if her strength and endurance was nothing to spit upon, Shishou would flay her if she wouldn't train that as well, she was primarily a speed fighter.
Zoro was most assuredly strong. Where Luffy was prone to dancing around her opponent and deal multiple little wounds, he was hitting with all the strength of a battering ram. Going for a crippling if not a killing wound immediately. He'll be terrifying after accessing his Haki.
Kuro on the other hand… When not sacrificing his accuracy for speed was definitely favouring precision. Using ten blades allowed him to bypass defense of slower opponent without a problem, but when he was caught, Zoro was able to overpower him without any problems.
"Syros." She repeated her earlier idea quietly, pointing the island on the map. They could get both ship and weapons there. Well, not Luffy since she was supposed to get her first Sword from her Shishou, but boys should be able to buy proper quality steel on the island. Half of their business was in either shipyards or weaponry after all.
"For the ship?" Kuro immediately connected the dots, his voice approving.
"It's not like Dreamer will take more people…" Luffy shrugged languidly. Honestly, she hasn't expected to gather enough people for them to need a ship so soon, but… She was not complaining.
"Neorion has good reputation" He continued the thought aloud, making her raise an eyebrow in question. Why continue now? They've already agreed, haven't they?
"More than simply good." Neorion was the best shipyard of the East Blue. They were not on Water 7's shipwrights, but their own were good enough for them to have business ties with almost all possible fractions living in East Blue. "And Ermoupolis has enough smiths for everyone to find something for them" Here she gave a pointed look to Kuro's hands. Those gloves of his were all good and dandy, but that was not steel of what Shishou taught her to consider quality. The second one of his blades break, he had holes in his defence and if worse came to worse and all of them break, he had no other weapon. That was going to change on Syros, even if she had to drag him to the weaponsmith by herself.
"It'll take us awhile to get there though" Well, he wasn't necessarily wrong. But.
"Not as long as it could be if we'd take the current there" Luffy tapped the current she was talking about with a finger. It was one of those fast and treacherous ones, she would not even attempt to take by herself. But with two, maybe three more people, all of them swimming she felt confident enough to do so.
"A lot of pirates in East Blue use that current to set traps" He cautioned seriously and she had to nod at that. After all he had more experience in that area, but…
"It's not like they would be anything worse than an annoyance" Worse came to worse she'll practice cutting through things at distance. Shishou was able to cut through a mountain while standing on the beach. One day she will be too.
"True enough" Kuro finally inclined his head, in his eyes a glint, Luffy was tentatively calling a satisfaction. Was that… Oh. Sneaky.
"I'm repacked Luffy" Usopp's announcement stopped her from doing anything more than softening her eyes. She turned to see definitely smaller pack next to the one he had prepared at the start.
"Captain" Kuro corrected sharply. Huh… So his ship was one where the titles mattered. Not that it was a surprise, but still…
"Wha…?"
"She is the crew's Captain. It's important to acknowledge it" Kuro explained looking aggravated. Zoro, from what Luffy was seeing in the corner of her eye, was looking rather approving at that. Of course the samurai-like swordsman would approve at clear definition of the roles…
"It's fine." She dismissed with a laugh "Put your things in the cabin then"
"No, it's not" Zoro's rebuttal was hard enough, she could tell that if she insisted, he would loosen up about it, but he would not be happy. "You are the Captain. We are following you, not some spirit of friendship"
It wasn't only Zoro that looked incensed though. Under Kuro's calm, Luffy could sense storm brewing. She looked at him questioning.
"I was convinced by the pirate captain wanting to be the King of Pirates." He corrected his glasses and added sharply "I agreed to sail under Pirate Captain."
That…
Luffy closed her eyes to review the situation, just like Benny taught her so long ago. Zoro was a Swordsman, he swore himself to her in that plaza, only later bringing up his ambition. For all that he was ready to indulge her in general silliness or cuddless, there was still a bit of stiffness there. Especially whenever he wasn't sure if he was supposed to treat her as a Captain, Nakama or a woman… Kuro for all his dastardly plans was an experienced pirate captain. It wasn't a surprise that the title was something he put real meaning in, was it?
Clear lines, then… At least at the start.
"I see…" She inclined her head in understanding, opening eyes and looking at both of them sincerely. The crew was young, they had time to become truly relaxed with each other. "My apologies."
"I'm sorry too… Umm… Captain" Usopp muttered, just loud enough for all of them to hear. Did that mean that the 'Great Captain Usopp' was dealt with? She sure hoped so.
"Here, we're all sorry now, all is forgiven." Luffy clapped hands together and smiling mischievously "Let's get onto the Sea before we'll start forming circle of friendship or some other…"
Chorus of more or less amused 'aye, captain' was her answer.
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After the general bustling that followed them setting sail towards Syros and figuring out how to distribute everything so they could travel in at least mild comfort, Zoro grabbed Usopp and dragged him on the deck with a promise of starting him on meditation and breathing exercises. Luffy on the other hand patted the bed (which both boys refused to take, even if Usopp looked tempted before glancing on the other one) to get Kuro to sit with her. They were on the Sea, the wind was slow and steady, it was some time 'till they'd reach the current and need people with actual sense of direction on the deck, Usopp was warned to keep the rudder steady… Another, that good, opportunity to talk would be on Syros itself.
"Say… Why did you first go onto the Sea?" She started softly, letting her Observation be free. To sense Usopp's nervousness, Zoro's patience when teaching and Kuro's amused realisation.
"For the first time?"
"Mhmm…"
"Like the countless others… I wanted more than the quaint, little island I was living in could offer" His offered answer was true… Even if that wasn't the whole truth, but… That was fine. They didn't need to share their darkest secrets with each other. Just enough for them to know who they were dealing with. The rest will come with time.
"Did you found what you wanted?"
"Did I?" He smiled bitterly. "I got stronger, got some treasure… And became hunted like an animal. They will hunt us like that too"
"For all the infamy you amassed Black Cat Pirates were still just a bunch of kitties for them to hunt" She disagreed softly. With just captain with a bounty worth mentioning in the East Blue. The Straw Hats on the other hand… "We will be monsters in comparison."
"Careful… There are monster hunters everywhere"
"But they're used to hunting single monsters… Never a pack" For that they will be. A pack. Nakama. Never alone.
"That's what you want to build?" Kuro questioned, watching her like a hawk "Pack of monsters?"
"I want a pack." She quickly corrected "My pack. Skulk. Nakama. Family…" However one would call it. She would not be alone again. None of them would "The monster part? It's a side effect of the Dreams"
"Being the Pirate King" The man agreed, inclining his head in recognition. The crew of Gol D. Roger was full of monsters. Monsters that Marines, even fully knowing where their 'den' was, were making sure not to bother still.
Buggy the Clown in East Blue, Hawkeye Riza in North Blue, The Fiery Mustang in South Blue and Ruth the Builder in West Blue. For all that they had relatively low bounties they were never seriously threatened by the Marines. Neither was The Harpooner Crocus at Reverse Mountain, Dark King Rayleigh in Sabaody, multiple ex-Roger Pirates in New World… Nevermind Redhair Shanks and his crew. The only one Marines dared to execute was the builder of Oro Jackson and even then, Tom has never joined the crew.
She wanted that for her Crew, should she lose.
That safety brought by the sheer terror people felt at the mention of Roger even twenty years later.
"Zoro wants to be The World's Greatest Swordsman" She announced off-handedly, looking at him with bare expectation. Choose your dream and let's achieve it together.
"Big dream" Kuro's smirk was enough for her to know that the asshole was just teasing her there.
"Is it? Usopp wants to become 'Brave Warrior of the Sea'." Come one… You know you want to tell it…
"And suddenly your First Mate's dream sounds reasonable" Her strategist snorted amused, making Luffy puff up in indignation.
"He has potential. One day he'll find his courage" She chose good crewmate, thank you very much.
"Up till then he'll need to be protected though"
"It's not like sharpshooters are expected to be frontline fighters" She shrugged again and hugged her pillow. If she'd need to be direct, then she will.
"True…"
"What is your Dream, Kuro?"
"My dream?" At his faux innocent question she could only roll her eyes and precise what she was asking about.
"Why did you decide to come back on the Sea with me?"
"I lost to you"
"You didn't need to offer Black Rook"
"No… I didn't" Silence, Luffy was simply looking at him. Waiting for an answer. She wasn't going blind in it, she was cheating with Observation. She heard him. She knew that Kuro would be loyal. That Kuro would go with her to the top. But… why?
After a bit of that stand off, Kuro sighed and smiled ruefully.
"At the end of the day I'm a pirate." He admitted softly.
"Ah…" That she understood. The adventures, freedom… Thrill of a fight. Ambition to achieve unachievable. Even power that would come with it…
"And… Being the one to help put new King on her throne…" Kuro raised his hand and let it hover near her head questioningly. She smiled at that and pressed her cheek into his palm. They were Nakama. He shouldn't be wary of touching her. "Isn't that the biggest achievement for a strategist?" With deft movement he tilted her head up and smirked at her deliberately innocent expression.
"Shishishishi…" She quickly burst in giggles though, almost folding in half. "Only the Greatest Mind of all could tame my insane luck"
Because looking back?
What were the chances that one of the only two Yonko that would be willing to help daughter of Revolutionary Dragon without using her as a way to blackmail that man, would end up docking in the same little village Garp stashed her in? What were the chances that Shanks would take a liking to her? What were the chances that he would help her survive? What were the chances, that he would Nominate a seven years old? What were the chances that he would part ways with His Captain's journal?
Her luck was absolutely insane.
Well, according to Roger's journal that was the effect of Will of the D, but 'luck' was something easier to swallow for the rest of the world.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge then"
"Shishishishi…"
Kuro waited till she was able to breath without wheezing before posing a question on his own.
"Say… Why Pirate King?"
At that, Luffy felt any hilarity fleeing.
"If I'm going to be hunted for something…" She started, looking at him with stone face "It will be something I'll do and not someone else."
"Sins of a father…" He mused, proving that he was indeed quick witted.
"Fuck him sideways for all I care" This time it was her flippant answer, that caused him to laugh.
"Kukukuku…"
Even after he calmed down, they continued there, sitting together and talking about the crew's immediate problems and how could they deal with them. Namely the ship and the funds, needed crew members and where to find them and where to find corrupt marine to throw at Garp's mercy as a 'reason' for raising the roger.
"Puru puru puru…" The sound of Den Den Mushi tore them from their discussion on whether they should find a doctor in East Blue or try for Grand Line one. With Luffy lobbying for a doctor from Drum or one of other, smaller islands littering the Paradise, while Kuro was for finding a doctor or at least a medic in the East Blue and educating him along the line. With no more than a look, Kuro murmured that he was going to check their heading and pester Zoro for meditation tricks. Luffy on the other hand… Looked at the snail suspiciously. Please don't be Garp… "Puru puru… kacha."
"Greetings"
"Luffy" Gruff voice of her favourite Shichibukai was like a balm on her poor, scared of Garp soul.
"Shishou!" She greeted softly, barely keeping in the one question that had to be asked… After all, he still had her sword! "Are you well Shishou?"
"Well enough…" Mihawk answered, the snail trying (and failing) to give his smirk justice.
"You sound like you have fun"
"Ahh… Chasing idiotic rookies into Calm Belt is always fun"
Poor rookies… Sailing straight into Mihawk after entering the Grand Line was… some serious bad luck. Hell meeting any of the Shichibukai near Reverse Mountain was a terrifyingly bad luck.
"What did the rookies do?"
"They interrupted my nap" Mihawk groused with the same annoyed expression he always had, when Luffy tried to glomp him or join him in the napping.
"Aww…" She cooed "Don't they know that sleep is important?"
"Luffy…" At the warning in his voice she let out a chuckle.
"Fine, fine… No making fun of grumpy teachers"
"I think…" Her Shishou pitched his voice lower "you'll need one more lesson before leaving East Blue…" That… was a threat she was going to heed.
"Um… Do I have to?" After all those years under his care, she was no longer as terrified as she was once. There was still healthy dose of respect though.
"Yes… Yes, you do" The snail bared teeth, in bad imitation of Mihawk's fearsome grin.
"But I was a good girl Shishou" Yes, Luffy whined. She was not ashamed of trying to get out of what World's Greatest Swordsman considered an extra lesson.
"I believe you and I have quite different definitions of a 'good girl'." He chuckled again before getting a bit more serious "Let's say I believe you though… How's your progress?"
"I'm able to consistently use wind blades Shishou." With all the years of working on her swordsmanship, it probably shouldn't feel like such an accomplishment. "With different amount of force unfortunately. But I have gotten better at cutting steel!"
"How much better?"
"Good quality steel is still something finicky, but otherwise I'm pretty consistent" And yes, she was fucking proud of herself. Seeing as how little of actual instructions she got from him or others capable of that feat, her progress was absolutely astounding.
"Good." Mihawk had to acknowledge it too, for his rumble left distinct pleased taste in the air. Even through a den den. "And Haki?"
"Mostly working on Observation since I'm on a small boat right now" Luffy admitted quietly. She would absolutely love to be able to spend some time on land and polish he armament… Or try to force Conqueror out of herself. She knew it was somewhere down there. She knew…
"And?"
"I'm able to constantly track all three of my crewmates. Though if I need to hear something more I need to focus." Which… While good enough, wasn't really the kind of progress she was happy with. Of course it was enough to steamroll over most of East Blue but… Who cared about East Blue? Raftel… Poneglyphs… New World… That was the Endgame.
Not the 'weakest of the Blues'.
"You're making pretty good progress then"
It was nice. Being given honestly earned praise was… Nice.
"Thank you Shishou"
That was the moment Mihawk's allergy to feelings simply had to rear back it's head.
Of course.
"How far are you from Baratie?" His tone was back to the gruff professional that greeted her in Party Bar all those years ago.
"A 'Baratie', shishou?" Hadn't she heard something about a restaurant under that name? Was that what Mihawk had in mind?
"Restaurant headed by the Red Leg Zeff. In East Blue"
Huh… So she remembered correctly. Wasn't Red leg Zeff a New World pirate once? The cooking captain?
"Ooo… No idea. Where is it? More or less that is?" After she got restaurant's coordinates she did two things. Most importantly, she raised eyebrow, since she was pretty sure there was no island under those coordinates… And less importantly she did some quick calculations. "We're currently sailing towards Syros to at least place the order for proper ship, soo… a week? Something around that."
"Be there." And that was an order she wasn't going to contest. Because that was what it was - an order. Which was quickly proved by following explanation of consequences. "Unless you'd rather go to Grand Line with your bokken…"
For all the gentlemanly facade Mihawk was a pirate at heart. So a cruel, cruel man.
"Aye, shishou." She was not sailing Grand Line with a bokken. And she was not breaking tradition by getting her first blade from someone other than the one who taught her. For all that she tried to fight it, Greatest Swordsman in the World did make a little Swordmistress from her as well… Ah… Speaking about Swordsmen… "Ah… There is that tiny, little think I'd like to request…"
There was a sigh from the snail and then voice as hard and capable of cutting as Yoru herself.
"Speak up girl. Did I train swordmistress or a blubbering idiot?"
Fine.
"My First Mate is a Swordsman with a metric fuckton of potential. Do not kill him. Please." There. She spoke up and laid out what she wanted of him. Happy?
"And here I thought you would support mercy killings."
From the pleased, dare she say teasing tone he took she'd say that - yeah, he was.
"He's just… a bit overeager."
"An East Blue pirate who thinks they have a chance against me is too stupid to live, Luffy"
Well… He wasn't wrong.
If only they weren't talking about her First Mate, she would even agree with him.
"I am hammering into his skull exactly how outclassed we all are, but just in case his manly pride, or whatever other excuse most of you have for that kind of stupidity, strikes, could you not kill him? Please?" Puppy eyes on a zoan were always devastating and with Makino's help, Luffy made an art form out of them long time ago. Even sending them through den den didn't make them less effective by much.
"Hmm… We'll see"
Yes!
"Thank you Shishou"
"I didn't agree."
"But Shishou… I will pout if you'd kill him"
"I'm not that grandfather of yours."
"I will cry!"
"Why on The Seas you think it'll work?"
"I will cry and be sad and pitiful. Even more than that time you broke my fake straw hat." Granted, it took some serious moping, but Mihawk did make her new one. From the grimace on the snail, her Shishou remembered that as well.
"Fine… Your little swordsman will live."
"Thank you Shishou, love you"
"Wait for me at Baratie"
*ka-chang*
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Ermoupolis was… busy town. From the guarded, full docks where Luffy didn't even try to get out of paying for space, through couriers were running up and down the streets, carrying both missives and packages between manufactures and the offices. Up to merchants with their open stalls calling out what excellent merchandise they have and the people of all stations swarming around the place.
All in all the place was colorful and loud enough for Luffy to want to cringe and clamp down at her ears to muffle the sounds a bit.
Just a bit…
And the Neorion's shipyard itself was… no less busy than the city. Numerous ship skeletons were being worked at by workers scattered around the yard. Different breed of wood were stacked around, next to spools of rope and entire sheets of material for sails. Entire place was full of sounds from hammers, saws, yells and laughs of workers.
It was…
"Whoa… this place is pretty busy, huh?" Usopp almost-whispered with undisguised awe, which… well, the place was more than impressive enough to deserve that awe. Syros as an island was one of the wealthiest islands in the East Blue. What with being trading hub and having Neorion. And other shipyards of course.
"They are the best in East Blue"
"Did your ship come from here too?" Luffy cut in before they could start arguing. And to think she was worried about how Zoro and Kuro would deal with each other… Not Usopp.
"The Claw? Yeah." Tall, Dark and Mean smiled with that special fondness one always have towards their ship. It was nice to see him starting to open up to rest of them. Few days ago he would still try to convince them that he was an unfeeling asshole.
"Anyone specific you'd recommend?" The idle question… wasn't so idle in truth. If he'd remember who created his ship then maybe was it someone worth looking into.
"I do not recall the names, Captain"
Damn… Evil plan foiled again.
"I see… That's a pity." Luffy pouted for about half a second before smiling again, giddy at the thought of getting their ship soon. Their new home! "Let's find someone to talk with, then" She grabbed silently glaring Zoro around the wrist and bounced towards what looked like the offices.
Luckily she wasn't wrong and inside they found an older man looking over a small mountain of paperwork and smoking from a pipe.
In fact the office was full of smoke which Luffy's zoan-nose protested. Violently.
"H'llo there… What d'ya need from Neorion"? The man raised his head at the sound of Luffy's coughs and quickly snuffed out the source of smoke in the pipe as well as opened the window. His slightly suspicious and yet just a bit condescending gaze did cause Luffy to narrow her eyes and curtly answer in the place of open bristling.
"Probably the same any other crew came here for."
"Well then missy… What d'ya want?" This time it was his turn to narrow his eyes and quirk a mocking eyebrow.
Which of course caused the one member of her crew that has an actual, clear idea what an honor is, bristle.
"Treat my captain with respect, would ya?" Zoro snarled, his hand going down towards his katanas and Luffy felt her eyes go wide. Yes, the catcalls and people trying to sell things to Kuro or Zoro rather than her was annoying but nothing she was not prepared for, so why would he… ?
"My 'pologies capt'n missy…" The shipwright drawled amused, this time looking straight at Luffy "What d'ya want?"
Oh…
Suddenly she felt simply stupid.
Of course.
"My apologies for my First Mate's reaction, master shipwright." Luffy swallowed down the somewhat gleeful and definitely inappropriate laughter that bubbled in her throat and laid a soothing hand on Zoro's shoulder. Then was not a time to help her dear Swordsman to relax… Besides once they'll get bounties the problem should solve itself. "He's a bit sensitive about people trying to look down on me, even with evidence that it's a bad idea staring into their faces"
Now that she looked back greenet was similarly high strung in Dras Leona.
And she was too wrapped in his annoyance to notice it… She was not a good captain yet, was she?
"H'ppens often?" Old coot looked at her mockingly.
If he wasn't the one to point out…
Luffy took deep breath and smiled sweetly. Makino would kill him a smile… Think about Makino!
"Arrogant people are everywhere"
"Tha' they are… So?"
Was it time for business then?
"I require vessel for long distance travel that's sailable by possibly small crew." They still didn't know how many people would they have at Reverse Mountain and they could not afford the ship to not be on 100% then. "Ideally the ship would be fast and maneuverable." The mountain was reportedly a bitch to deal with even for fully manned ship after all.
The shipwright narrowed his eyes at them. Assessing.
"How small we talkin 'bout?"
"Minimum 6 people." Worse come to worse they could steal more people from Arlong Pirates. There was no way, Luffy would let cunning old coot to know that entire crew was in his office. There was no need to let him have ideas after all… "It needs to be fully sailable in Grand Line by the crew of 6." And if it had even a shade of a chance of escaping Garp's Bulldog with 6 people aboard, it'd be one excellent ship.
"Huh… Grand Line? You p'rates?" Surprisingly there was no accusation in shipwright question. Neither really a surprise. Like he had them pegged from the moment they came into his office.
He probably had.
"We're paying customers" Luffy smiled sweetly since she really, really couldn't answer that question. For the old man's own good.
He'll thank her once Garp'll start tracing back her route.
No one ever called her oh-so-dear grandfather subtle.
"Ha! Very well then 'paying cust'mers'. If you want something sailable f'r small crew it'd be a car'vel, maybe small carrack."
Carrack for 6? Weren't they…?
"Carracks are bigger, right?" Usopp voiced the question before Luffy could do it herself. Like she knew he was the only one she could expect it from. Samurai were all for 'do, not question' once they swore so there was no way he could interrupt once they had an audience (she'll try to work on that). And Kuro, from what she gathered expected his crew to simply obey and so extended her the same courtesy… And he knew what a carrack was.
White eyebrow went up again and old shipwright took out two catalogues, before passing them into Zoro's waiting hands. One for caravels and one for carracks.
"Aye… more space for cargo and people there. Three or four masts, able to sail windward as opposing to car'vels. Here're the cat'logs with outlines of what we offer." He explained and went straight to the doors with a mocking "Take your time. Proper ship's important for every… 'paying cust'mers' on the Grand Line"
Though only after Luffy thanked him, he closed the door behind.
There were visibly designated seats for choosing one's ship in the office. Small couch and a coffee table. They went there and cracked both catalogues open.
There was sudden tension in the air, that was after all them choosing their new ship. Their new pirate ship. Luffy felt excitement rise and noticed similar glint in Zoro's eyes. As well as one, albeit a bit weaker in the eyes of Kuro and Usopp… But that was okay, they didn't have a dream propelling them forward from childhood.
One day they'll understand. They will share her excitement and determination. And they'll reach all of the little goals like in all those absolutely-illegal books where the various 'Chosen Ones' have to battle bigger and badder bosses before reaching their final goal. That's what nakama do, isn't it?
"Soo… Carrack and caravel? What's the difference?" Once again Usopp was the first one to break silence.
"Never checked out different ship designs Usopp?" Kuro asked idly, flicking through the caravel catalogue, from the sight of distaste on his face, there was nothing worth consideration there.
"Never had an option"
"Ships are… Diverse." Tall Dark and no-longer-as-Mean explained distractedly. "There are of course rafts, boats and barges that are technically ships but are in no way what we need." To put it lightly. Even if Mihawk was able to pull it off, rafts were not long distance traveling ship. "Then there are caravels, their bigger cousins carracks and even biger ones - the galeons. The Claw was a galeon."
"Weren't galeons supposed to be bigger?" Usopp asked and well… The 'that was what she said' joke was simply begging to be made.
Luckily Kuro explained before she made it.
"Ships come in different shapes and sizes. The Claw able to house around hundred of pirates and it was by no means big galeon." No it wasn't. Not in the world where giants also sailed on galeons.
That reminds her…
"Moby Dick is able to comfortably house up to 8 divisions of Whitebeard Pirates, even if they usually sail only 4 divisions per galeon" She explained to give him some scale. Not that it was publicly acknowledged information. General public politely pretended that they knew nothing about the pirates and in exchange pirates were often dealing with small problems plaguing every island.
Quid pro quo.
"How many people that is?" Kuro murmured his question, pushing his catalogue towards the middle of coffee table so they could take a closer look at caravel's spec.
"Each of Whitebeards division has around one hundred people." This time it was Zoro that answered, raising his head from his file to take a look at the caravel and point at the relatively low ceiling. "And they come in different sizes." Which was a good point. They couldn't say that no one taller than 7 feet would join their crew.
They looked at each other and nodded agreeing that that specific design would be a bad idea. This time Usopp taking over the file while the rest discussed… things. Not gossiped! Discussed.
"True, Whitebeard himself is what? 20 feet tall?" Even saying that, Luffy sincerely hoped that they would not… adopt someone so tall. The logistics would be a nightmare. "His ships are enormous." She did remember Thatch's joking that their crew is so big just so people could rest a bit between all the cleaning needing to be done. Damn… She missed him. Nevermind. Back to her own crew.
"How many people did you need to sail The Claw?"
It was… nice that everyone was involved…
Even if they all scowled at Usopp's choice as soon as he put the catalogue down. Zoro, snatching it immediately and starting to leaf through it just so they wouldn't need to look at the low decked ship that had no chance of surviving Reverse Mountain.
"30? Sometimes 40 at once." Kuro shrugged languidly before adding thoughtfully "But physically stronger people would be able to sail him in lower numbers"
And yeah, that was also something to consider. It's not like they would need four or more people just to fold the sails… But! But it's also not like they would continue with East Blue weather…
"That is true…" Luffy admitted, turning the idea in her mind. Other than Usopp they were all significantly stronger than what served on The Claw. "Red Dawn was Shank's galeon 10 years ago. They had a crew of maybe 20 people then and needed only 10 people at once to sail her."
"Even in the storm?" Green eyebrow went up with a question.
"Grand Line storm?" Luffy parred right back, managing to convey the 'are you an idiot?' with just a look.
"Then all hands had to be on the deck."
"But they were using all the sails, haven't they?"
"Thinking about sailing only at one or two sails?"
"There's no way we could control the ship with three/four sails in the full storm."
"True… You like the idea of carrack, don't you?" Luffy finally asked the 'big question', say what you want but Tall Dark and Mean was pretty convincing.
"Caravels are smaller and have less cargo rooms. So less place for food, luggage, weapons, treasure and if needed prisoners."
"Zoro? Usopp?" She prompted. It wasn't that she didn't agree with him, it's just that the ship meant the costs and they did have hard limits on those.
"We're going to get at least two more people in East Blue, right?"
"Arlong and I'd love to get a proper chef, yeah"
"And fishmen are physically stronger than humans." Zoro agreed and smirked. Savage enough to be considered almost-pirate straight away. "Let's go with carrack"
"Usopp?"
"More space sounds like a good idea"
"Well, here are the carracks then." Kuro said, looking pretty satisfied with himself, opening the carrack catalogue on the table and starting to leisurely leaf through it. Letting everyone take at least a good look at every model.
"They're a bit… bulky"
"They only look that heavy"
"I like this one" Luffy pointed to slick looking, three levels tall ship with three masts "Read this, apparently this one can become rather fast when using all the sails and even without that, this one can give us enough space without losing on speed"
"Enough space?"
"If I'd have to decide between having us all comfortable on our own ship or having a big crew, I'd take the comfort" And that… That was not up to discussion. There was no way, Luffy'd have her nakama anything but comfortable. Their current situation on a Dreamer was pushing it as it was… She spent much too much time near Red Haired Pirates for it to fly over with her for long.
"Really?"
"Are you saying we shouldn't be?"
"Comfortable that is…" Kuro conceded with a nod. "We need captain quarters, crew quarters, cargo, kitchen, infirmary and mess, what else?"
"Bathrooms with plumbing." Luffy quickly decreed. It was criminal that there were ships still using buckets as a 'bathroom equipment'... "I don't care how expensive getting proper bathrooms with filtered water will be. We are getting it."
"Working shed for my chemicals" Usopp added quickly since… it was pretty important as well. safety and all that.
"We can train on deck" Zoro grumbled, looking down on the list Kuro was creating with all mentioned requirements.
"Navigation room?"
"Make it logistic office and we can put navigation, provision control and of course your scheming together? Or do you want your own 'office' for that?" She asked their strategist, since in theory they could simply throw all of this under his purview and be done with it.
"I'm fine with sharing. It's not like we won't get bigger ship somewhere in the Grand Line anyway"
"True…"
"Sleeping rooms?"
"Let's get three of them. Just in case"
"For female members?"
"And maybe those more voluntary guests? We can use it as an additional cargo space anyway."
"How is that model steered? By a lever?"
"A wheel on the deck, see?" Usopp pointed to the proper place on the page
"Lever would be easier"
"Wheel is more sensitive" Sails were one thing and the rudder was another. Luffy knew that. She almost managed to crash the ship first time a merchant let her try steering wheeled-rudder ship.
"Can you use a wheel to steer a ship?"
"Yeah. Arlong is able to steer it as well."
"No objection to this one then."
"What about figurehead? Traditional siren?"
"Well, the captain is a fox, so…"
"I'd rather not announce what my Fruit is… A cat, maybe?" It would be a nice nod to the fact they practically won Kuro out of another crew…
"If it's a big cat… Panther maybe?"
"With a canon hidden in its mouth?"
"Why not? Speaking about canons… Usopp where do you have them?"
"One at the front, at least one on every side of the ship and… I'd like one at the back?"
"Doable. Someone call the shipwright back?"