R&R:

SinOfTheFox(Rev): Where'd this story go? :(

(Res): Thanks for the concern, but what with life and everything going on simply put I haven't had time to write as much as I would have liked but this chapter should be EXTRA long and packed with stuff happening. Hope you enjoy and thank you for keeping up with this story. I intend to read one of yours once I have a bit more time.

AN: Jeez it's been too damn long boys and girls. Hope you all haven't lost too much interest in this story because it's been in the back of my mind for months now. I am so pumped for these upcoming chapters, next arc will introduce some of my favorite bits of this Universe, and I hope you all decide to stick around for that! I'm hopefully going to finish this arc within by the end of November; and we can get to Baratie by the New Year, be on the look out because a ton of stuff is happening by the time we get to Sanji's introduction. I hope you all enjoy and that this was worth the wait!

Wildest Son

East Blue Saga

Orange Town Part 1/3

Chapter 4

Day 3, Orange Town

On a gently rocking sea, two teenagers sailed in a dinky row boat for what felt like an eternity before they saw an island in the distance. The more dour of the duo rowed quietly, scowling as if in deep thought, his dark eyes matching the coal mop on his scalp. His friend - whose blond locks poked out beneath a black top hat - called out to no one in particular, "Land ho!" He grinned at his brother, who rolled his eyes at his senior's annoying habits but kept rowing toward their just then located destination.

Wildest Son

Running through otherwise abandoned streets, two women searched for a place to hide as three pirates thundered toward them from like a stampeding yoke of raging oxen. The buccaneers in question were each dressed in a circus-clown motif: one had a large red nose, another wore purple face paint, and the last had a garish green cape that flapped in the wind as he zoomed through the streets.

One screeched, "You idiots! You really thought we wouldn't know who you were didn't you!"

"This is Captain Buggy's turf!"

"No room for Arlong or any of those dirty sogs* here!"

The pair of pursued pickpockets pressed themselves against a wall as they rounded a corner and attempted to ignore the shouted threats behind them though they did flinch upon hearing the use of their commander's most hated slur. Both were extremely attractive, one had short orange hair and a simple white t-shirt while her companion wore a yellow tank top and a red headband tied over her blue mane with a tan purse on her shoulder. She grinned and adjusted the headband to reveal the symbol of the Arlong Empire, a stylized emblem of a needle-nose shark in blue that was enblazoned on it, while her sister's matching - though crimson - tattoo was still visible through her short sleeve.

"Well Nami, it looks like we're not getting away this time," the blunette stressed mockingly.

"I was getting bored anyway Nojiko," Nami replied.

Nojiko set her beige bag on the ground, opened it and searched through one section which held at least a dozen scrolls and a few writing plumes, but those were not what she was looking for. From within her shirt Nami pulled out a three-part staff and clicked it's sections into place revealing a weapon about three feet long. While her sibling revealed a short sickle with a two-foot chain attached to a weighted ball on the end opposite the deadly farming implement.

Nami shook her head, "I'm never gonna figure out where you hide that thing."

"Trade secret little sister," Nojiko said with a wink.

"Whatever..."

"It's in my purse idiot."

"Shut up stupid!" Nami hollered and the two were about to get into a deeper argument before the trio of pirates arrived at the scene to interrupt the sibling rivalry. Two held long knives and one had only his fists - though these were admittedly large enough to swallow up either of the girl's entire heads. The pirate whose face was all made up licked his lips as he eyed the pair up and down, though he stopped when he saw their armaments.

Nojiko whipped the chain into a twirl, and wrapped it around the gawking pirate's stunned hands, making him drop his blade.

"You like what you see?" She mocked as she yanked the man toward her and smacked his scalp with the blunt end of her sickle.

"I guess we're starting then..." Nami shrugged and slammed the other knife wielder in the jaw with her staff, and in a moment all that remained standing was the unarmed attacker. He grinned sheepishly but his large nose twitched like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Listen I -" He started, but was abruptly stopped as a weighted ball was launched at his left eye and a wood bo was smashed into the opposite side of his face in a synchronized crash. And then all three pirates were subdued. The bo user smirked as she bent to check for money in their pockets, and Nojiko scolded mockingly, "Miss Nami... Tsk tsk we've been in this town for a day and how many people have you robbed?"

"What can I say - girls gotta eat."

"Girls gotta find a way back to Cocoyashi; We need a boat."

"I know Nojiko, we'll just steal one hehe."

And it was just then that a tiny rowboat appeared, it's Captain waiting for his first crewman** to tie what amounted to their pirate ship to the dock. The dark haired leader got out first; his compatriot followed up with an overly dramatic barrel roll across the planks of the quiet dock. Luffy saw the girls first, though his brother's reaction was a great deal more obvious. Sabo went into a hard sprint toward them, waving and shouting, "Hey it's you guys!"

Nami poked Nojiko with her elbow, "I think he sees us."

"I think he's got a boat, and we've got our feminine wiles," Nojiko reminded her sister with a wink, before she started toward the two pirates.

Luffy looked down at the boy's simple transport, noticing a long pipe that sat where Sabo had left it. He shook his head, but started after his sibling. Once Luffy caught up with the rest, the trio had started to meet him as they all decided to walk through town.

Sabo started with a deep bow and tipping his hat, "Ladies, I'm not sure I caught your names, but I'm Sabo and this is my brother Luffy."

Luffy nodded and moved to walk next to Sabo, whose other side was occupied by the blunette rogue. Nami was on the opposite side of the pack, holding Nojiko's bag as she shuffled through the maps and other things within. "I'm Nojiko," said the blunette.

"And I'm Nami."

"Well it's nice to meet you both again, what brings you to Orange Town?"

"We're looking for a boat," Nami said quickly before Nojiko had any chance to say something different.

"Haha! I see - I guess that must be going around then 'cause Luffy and I are looking for a more piraty ship. I guess the rowing is not very becoming for the future King of the Pirates," Sabo nudged his brother then, who merely shrugged the blond boy off.

So this kid is really trying to be something, Nami thought for a moment but returned to her senses, - No he's just another no-good pirate. His brother doesn't seem to bright though. She scowled, a look that was not lost to Sabo's observation. Nor did her sister miss it, while the dark-haired pirate Captain either failed to notice or didn't react whatsoever.

"Well," Nojiko interjected, "Maybe you guys could escort us for a bit after we 'acquire' a boat, then we can kill two birds with one stone."

"Where?" Luffy asked simply.

"Cocoyashi."

Sabo cut in then, "Isn't that where Arlong Park is?"

Nami flinched, but her blue-haired sister quickly responded with a nod, "We're ambassadors for the humans to the Fishman Empire."

Neither brother called Nojiko on her lie, but both silently noticed.

"We can take you," Luffy affirmed.

Then Sabo pulled his brother close to him and said to the rest of the group, "Crew talk for a minute please..."

Nojiko and Nami both gave the sea-faring scalawags some space, walking past them while keeping along the sidewalk. The pale blue-haired woman called as they left the others behind, "We're going to find some place to eat around here - we're starving!"

Sabo gave them the thumbs up, but then turned to Luffy as soon as the girls got out of earshot.

"You didn't forget about your promise to Koby have you?"

"No."

"So what's the plan Captain?! We can't exactly be parading around with 'ambassadors' for the Arlong Empire if we're going to be taking down the King of the East!"

"I don't see why not."

"Those two work with Arlong! They're probably spies or something! They'll find out what they need to know and report right to Arlong as soon as we get them there!"

"Then we'll just have to beat them too."

"It's not that simple Luffy: if they tell Arlong anything about us we'll be at a disadvantage. Or worse - if anybody finds out about you then the whole damned East will be after us!"

"We'll leave the East soon enough. After we kick Arlong's ass we'll leave for the Grand Line and we won't have to ever come back."

There was a long pause before the older of the two decided, "...We had better get back to them before they get worried or suspicious."

The brothers's huddle was ended more abruptly than expected as they heard an ear shattering scream cut through the air like a baker's knife through fresh bread. They kicked themselves into motion, instantly charging toward the direction of the sound: right down the street at the bottom of a hill. The situation was far enough away that the duo couldn't quite make out the particularities but they could see an orange head bobbing next to a blue one, with at least five others in front of them all seeming none too friendly based on context.

However when the boys finally got down there, they were a bit surprised on the exact circumstances that Nami and Nojiko had come to find themselves in. Seven pirates blocked their path toward the bar - though one was already on the floor, teeth crunched into a bloody mass within his opened and swollen lips.

Nojiko groaned, "UGH! You got blood on my shoes you prick!"

She drove a leather sandaled foot into the poor soul's already ruined jaw, then pulled out a familiar chain-kama, and whipped the ball into a dangerous spin staring woefully at the drop of sticky dark crimson on her shoe as she did so. Nami followed suit with her three-section staff from within her shirt and the two began to make quick work of the remaining toughs.

Knocking one out with a quick swipe to the head with her bo, Nami kicked another in the gut. A swing from her sister's chain whipped and hit three before wrapping around another's hands. Nojiko yanked and kneed the man in the chin as he came toward her in a deft finale. The blunette coiled her chain like a fierce metal serpent, wrapping it in her hands while still giving the ball a little room to swing as both sisters eyed the sole opponent standing. They looked from each other to the enemy, who started to try to back away in horror.

When he turned to run however Sabo appeared at the thug's other side with his arms crossed. This man was shaved bald, some chin stubble and a purple bandana decorated his face and he stumbled onto all fours as he tripped over one of his friends in an attempt to back up again. Nami sadistically licked her lips and patted her staff as she murmured, "We've got some questions for you about your boss."

Wildest Sons

In what would likely have amounted to the shortest and most concise interrogation of all time, the four were told of approximately how many of the Buggy Pirates there were, how big the ship was, how much treasure they were carrying, and they'd been alerted to the fact that the man's captain had some sort of Devil Fruit, as well as where he and the rest of the crew were staying in town. Following the questioning the man was knocked clean out with a precise punch from Nojiko, who had her chain wrapped around her knuckles.

"Where'd you guys learn how to fight like that?" Sabo asked curiously.

Nojiko answered, "Our mom taught us."

Wildest Sons

It was a few minutes walk to the Buggy Pirate Headquarters which was actually a repurposed barber's shop rooftop, completed by a tall technicolor circus tent had been pitched on said roof for what could only be guessed as some odd egotistical advertising. The group gathered in a quick circle, huddled up like bison protecting young except their backs were facing out.

"Let's just rob them then take their ship," Nami suggested.

"We can't just do that, they'll be on our tails as soon as we turn our backs..." Sabo corrected.

"What if we take a hostage," Nojiko wondered.

"That could work," the blond responded, "Nami, you get the treasure while Luffy and I make Hell for the crew."

"What do you want me to do?"

"You've got the most important job - you're going to hold Buggy hostage for us Nojiko."

Wildest Sons

"Hell yes! This will be a flashy base for our crew, we'll start here and fight off those damned dirty fish sticks from here for a while then spread out!" Buggy the Clown declared to his assembled crew. He hadn't seemed to notice the missing members, but he had been pretty occupied in noticing his own glory nearly the entire day after they had successfully taken over the town and run out all of its people. This is just the beginning of my flashy Buggy Empire!

We didn't even have to use most of my flashy Buggy Balls! Those cowardly villagers all ran off as soon as we shot off a test shot before we made land. And now I'm the proud owner of an entire town - but I'll have to take over the rest of this island. For now we can just have a little celebration, and if those poor bastards come back... - Well they won't be coming back. Even if they make it to Shellstown, Morgan is wayyy too occupied with his base to even think about coming after us. And he knows better than to try and pick a fight with the glorious Buggy!

Buggy wore a long orange Captain's jacket over his shoulders covering the top of a simple red and white striped t-shirt, a blue scarf around his neck with matching cross bones make-up on his eyes. His melon colored tricorn hat was decorated by his Jolly Roger on the front - which itself was a standard skull with made-up eyes and a bulbous red nose that matched the namesake Captain's own schnoz. He had elfish wooden red clogs on his feet and long socks that came up to where his scarlet shorts ended. At his waist was a simple crimson belt that had six curved knives tucked into it, while his short arms were crossed over his small chest.

"Men - let's load up the Buggy Balls again, we'll light off a big one to celebrate our flashy victory. We've done good today boys! So let's get this party started!" Buggy roared to his crew, but unbeknownst to him a grapple hook was thrown onto the ledge of the roof.

Then out of nowhere - as if the planet itself had intended to interrupt the clown corsair's celebration - the ground shook like Whitebeard himself had decided to ruin Buggy's day.

A building right next to the former barbershop seemed to crumble into the earth, apparently collapsing. All of the pirates were a bit too stunned to try to move to see the remains of the structure each wary of possible aftershocks. Clearly occupied by the odd happening enough to completely miss a blunette woman climbing onto the top of the barbershop from the side, and were also oblivious to her as she pulled up her sister quietly.

Then all Hell broke loose as the quickest to recover of the Buggy Pirates started to walk toward the edge of the building to see the felled complex, or whatever remained of it.

None did, instead bricks started to rain from the sky, a fountain coming from an alley in a cloud so thick none would try to see its source. Then the sound of gunfire hammered through everyone's ears joining along with the thumping noise of bricks meeting rooftops and stonework meeting people. The chaos continued unebedded with those pirates that had not been knocked out by falling bricks ran in helpess circles like headless chickens attempting to understand just what was going on.

Well, the Captain of his namesake crew may not have been screaming or running around in circles along with his men, his jaw was nearly on the floor as he could only watch his men desperately avoid falling debris. He was so entrenched in confusion that he didn't notice Nojiko's approach until he felt cold steel lightly brush across his throat. It was held there by some force behind him. He stiffened, before chortling, "Who do you think you are?"

Nojiko held firm, holding her blade close to his throbbing jugular and tightly gripping his shoulder, she murmurs, "Don't even think about using that Devil Fruit of your's clown."

Then Nami yelled, "Nobody move or my sister will cut your boss's head right off!" Everyone stopped moving, despite the random gunfire on the street and the still precipitating masonry all around them. She hollered louder, "LUFFY! SABO! QUIT IT!" And just as the rifle fell silent and the last brick seemed to fall, another came out of nowhere and smashed right into Nami's foot, which she painfully clutched and screamed, "DAMN IT! Just get up here you idiots!"

Nojiko tensed as Buggy cleared his throat, kicking out the back of his right leg, bringing him to his knees. "Don't try anything stupid clown," Nojiko warned. The hostage taker eased slightly as she saw her sister hold a door open to the roof from within the building and a friendly blond appeared, tipping his hat to the girls and handing Nami a large brown burlap sack. Sabo held his simple rifle in one hand like a twirling baton. Luffy just stood in the doorway, eying all of them as Nami made her rounds. No one even tried to stop her, yet none moved even the slightest inch to assist.

"I will kill this jerk right now!" Nojiko called, but the mottley crew of two pairs of siblings started to hear the beginnings of some odd rumble. None could place it but as it grew louder, it became quite clear they were not as in control of the situation as they would have liked. Sabo tensed, but Luffy only unfolded his arms and let his hands swing minutely by his hips like a ready gunslinger. Sabo held his rifle, waving his gun in everyone's faces and groaning, "What's so funny?" Nami paled as the laughter turned into a chorus of cackles.

Luffy started off from the door, walking toward the orange haired thief, who'd frozen stiff. Just as the dark-haired captain crossed in front of Nojiko and her hostage, the 'hostage's head flew clean off and slammed straight into Luffy's chest. Buggy roared, "I'll kill of you flashy bastards!" At the same time his now decapitated buddy kicked Nojiko in the stomach, knocking her back.

Before he could make another move, the hovering head of the Clown Pirate froze for a moment. His eyes locked with those of the tattoo on the boy he'd just struck. No, it couldn't be, Buggy thought, Does he take me for an idiot? The disembodied head slammed into the younger pirate's chin and squealed, "Nice fake tattoo kid but I've seen better get them men!"

Luffy shook off the blow easily, but everything went to hell in a hand basket as the still conscious Buggy Pirates went after their attempted robbers. The majority of Buggy's body spun around, facing Nojiko who swung her chain and him/it. The chest did a quick dip to the right and managed to duck under the swing, and pulled out six knives from the belt. Three blades in each hand, even headless the body was still threatening as it tossed the cape onto the hat that had been discarded as a consequence of the Clown's surprise counter attack. Nojiko groaned, "You wouldn't hurt a woman would you?"

Buggy snickered as his head returned to his body and three of his men piled on top of Luffy, wrestling with him. He retorted, "What kind of idiot do you take me for?"

And just then, somewhere in the East a simple cook sneezed.

Wildest Son

Steam and smoke filled a cramped and heated kitchen. Waiters called orders that needed filled, chefs screamed meals that had been completed. A broad-chested cook in black boots and an impossibly tall chef's hat on his head. This was a keen eyed old man who without saying a word watched the seamless machine that was his restaurant as it pleased his often less than esteemed clientele.

The smell of sea salt was an always lending a slight flavor to the air of his restaurant, one he appreciated nearly as much as the smells of assorted sauces and roasting meats. Soups were poured, wine was brought out, but something was a bit off. Something that had been an aspect of his business since he'd started, an element that was as much a part of the Baratie as he was, as the ideas that built it.

Where is that sensitive idiot? Zeff wondered, and walked to his Sous Chef's quarters. He knocked gently before entering, as he figured he knew exactly what the boy was doing. Blond hair cut into a semi-bowl was the first thing the older man saw as a pile of cigarette smoke flowed out through his eyes. Zeff stroked his long and impossibly curled mustache thoughtfully as he stepped into the boy's room.

"Sanji it's still there boy," Zeff said.

A well-dressed blond in a black suit and blue undershirt turned, shutting a wooden box that's contents he'd been looking at***. He turned to his employer, but Sanji's eyes averted to the man's feet. Zeff knew this was purposeful, and had grown used to his protege's odd habit. The boy's eyes never moved up from his elder's boots, no matter what the conversation or what most would have seen as respectful.

"It's time to get back to work, I'm taking a lunch break you can join me in a half an hour."

"Of course Chef."

"Carne and Patty are fighting again."

Wildest Son

Buggy's head reattached itself to his body, clutching his knives with deathly intent as he raised his hands up for a slash that would likely reduce the trembling Nojiko to ribbons. Just as the Clown attempted to bring down his terrible blades, Nami drove her foot into the back of his leg with an impressive slide kick. He yelped in pain, and Nojiko rolled over and ended up next to Nami.

Meanwhile as Buggy began to confront the thieving sisters, Sabo swung his rifle like a melee club into some members of Buggy's crew. There's still a couple dozen pirates left, Sabo figured, They're not so tough but there is quite a few of them. He eyed the massive cannon on the opposite end of the building, but shakes his head as he blocks a punch to his face with his arm. This in turn was replied with a high kick to the pirate's jaw.

Luffy clawed his way ferociously through the three men that had piled on top of him. He growled, "Buggy..."

The Clown Pirate crooned hysterically, "Someone blow these flashy bastards straight to Hell! Load the Buggy Balls!"

These orders went unanswered until a small man scurried over to the cannon, and was about to load a heavy ball into it when a swing from an incoming bo staff knocked him into it and out, dropping the ammunition. At the same time Luffy made his way to Buggy, and grabbed him by the collar. Dark wisps of smoke-like air came up into Buggy's eyes, burning them like wood smoke.

His body fell into pieces, flying around the future King of the Pirates like cloud of furious bats. Cubes slammed into him from various parts of Buggy's body, some held knives and cut into Luffy.

"Where's your Whitebeard now you flashy phony?! Death by a thousand cuts!" Buggy mocked.
"- ergh - Shut the Hell up."

Stepping on the grounded feet of his opponent, Luffy's hands filled with black swirling energies. Flowing outwards, all the flying bits of chaos that attempted to overwhelm him froze stiff, unsure of what this odd feeling was. Dread filled all of Buggy's body as he looked, seeing the false pirate grab his feet. Then Buggy felt his body being forced to recompose itself.

As his enemy was forced into a single piece, Luffy slammed his head against Buggy's furiously. Blood choked out of Buggy's mouth onto his enemy's face, but the dark haired boy never let go of his shoulders. Dazed, Buggy wasn't prepared for the knee that knocked the wind of out his abdomen.

Where are Cabaji and Mohji? Those damned bastards must still be sleeping on the boat! Buggy realized, and seemed to resign himself at least for the moment. He'd dropped his knives when that girl had kicked him, and he hadn't had the chance to grab them. He clenched his fist and went to smack the side of the grappling kid's head, who ducked and drove another knee into Buggy's gut, knocking him to the ground as he finally let go.

Buggy cried a desperate order, "SOMEONE LOAD THE BUGGY BALLS!" Sabo was trying to fight off a few pirates at a time; he was getting tired Luffy realized, and the Captain looked at his other allies that were getting tired as well but faring better than the Buggy Pirates over all. But before Sabo could manage to maneuver himself in front of the cannon, one man managed to crawl over despite a bleeding scalp to the firearm and load the weapon.

The Clown pirate shot his right hand toward a brick, then slammed it into Luffy's head, but he shook it off wearily. He grabbed at Buggy again but the other buccaneer dodged it this time.

"FIRE!" Buggy screamed, and the wounded subordinate lit the wick of the cannon. Everyone looked in horror, freezing. The Buggy Pirates dived off the building, thinking the fall had a higher chance of survival than risking the powerful weapon.

Buggy held Luffy this time, using his power to hold his hands around the boys arms, he was barely concious from the brick to the skull just before. Luffy looked up, seeing the cannon nearly firing. He wrenched his arms away quickly as Buggy let go just before the weapon was firing, as he too ducked behind something. The tent had been destroyed by the rain of bricks that he realized was these idiots doing, but the cannon would have done the same thing so it was no real loss. Screw that punk with the phony tattoo, try to fool me again flashy bastard... That power is too dangerous though I have to get rid of him now or my Buggy Empire won't have a chance. Buggy thought as he lobbed a brick again at Luffy, who took it to the back and the cannon went off.

Blackness appeared around the boy in only the briefest of moments before the ball slammed into the darkness, and an explosion went off, destroying the building in it's entirety and sending anyone in front of Luffy to be completely killed, and most knocked back some ways.

When the smoke cleared, Luffy had been thrown far and away from the building, Buggy was completely unconscious as were many of his pirates. Sabo was the first to awaken, he got up shakily and called, "Luffy! LUFFY!"

Desperately searching, he saw a dusty Nami carrying a limping and bruised Nojiko. Nojiko coughed, "I think I see someone over there..."

Sabo raced over to a building that stood behind where the barbershop had been. After finding a pair of feet adorned in worn wooden sandals, the blond crouched and started digging through dust and brick and cement. He groped and shuffled through the dirt and grime, the materials getting stickier as he smelled blood. His brother's broken nose gushed a fountain of blood as he yanked him out of the debris, feeling for a heartbeat.

Finding one, Sabo looked up at the two girls and nodded, grateful tears streaking down his face. "He's - he's alright - but we have to go." They heard shouting and groans in the distance, but Nami and Nojiko hesitated for a moment. But Sabo's tears kept flowing as he carried his wounded sibling in his arms, murmuring, "Please,"

They relented, and the group all ran off into the still dusty street.

AN:

*I wanted to come up with a racial slur to be used against Fishmen by Humans.

**I plan to make Sabo Luffy's Quartermaster when the time comes when the Wild Son Pirates come together with some actual numbers when it comes to members, he's literally the 'first mate' as in he is the first crewmember but I want the rank of 'First Mate' to be given to someone else.

***What's in the box?

We're so close to 2,000 views on this story, I hope to get to 2,500 by the time I post the next chapter, so everyone remember to review, follow, favorite just like you've been doing so keep up the good work. As always shout-out to the people who've favorited and followed this story thus far, so thanks to JadeHoliC(whose recently favorited), Loldino(who favorited and followed), Systemofadown65(who favorited), Taiski(who favorited), diwinter(who favorited), firewolf467(who favorited), hoyt(who favorited and followed), midoKchie(who favorited), nur-chan(who favorited and followed), seshlover(who favorited), AEthereal Devastation(who followed), Aino Mafin(who followed), (who followed), AmaltheaLuchiaAizen(who followed), apocalyps24(who followed), and colonelguigui(who followed). - If any of you are interested I recently started A song of Ice and Fire fic, it's a Peggy Sue!Ned Stark story I'm desperately in need of a Beta to proofread my chapters for that story and someone to bounce ideas off of.

Thanks everyone, don't worry the next update is coming much sooner than this one, life has been super heavy lately, but this should be a great stress reliever from school and the stuff I've got going at home.

Please remember to read, review, and get your game on!