"Hey, kid…", a heavyset crewmember named Harroll called out while Kiso was walking over to Buggy's table.

The boy turned, "Yes?"

"Nice tat you got there. Where'd you get it?"

"Oh, um…", Kiso went pale when he realized the man was talking about his Arlong tattoo, then quickly thought up a cover story, "an island I passed by on my boat a few weeks ago."

"Isn't that something?", Harroll gave a mirthless laugh, his eyes having a cold glare to them, "Well, you'd better not keep the cap'n waiting."

Kiso approached Buggy, "You wanted to speak to me, captain?"

"Yes! Yes I did!", Buggy answered, a beer mug in his hand, his body stumbling around in the seat, "So, how do you like the ship?"

"It looks magnificent, sir. A worthy vessel for a great captain like yourself."

Kiso paused when he saw Buggy had his face on the table, clearly passed out.

A voice next to him spoke, "Flattery. You'll fit right in around here, boy."

Kiso turned to see Cabaji standing next to him.

"My name is Cabaji, the chief of staff," he told the boy stoically, "when the captain is absent or…indisposed as he is currently, you will be taking orders from me, is that understood."

Kiso stood at attention, "Yes, sir."

"Now, as my first order, take the captain to his quarters."

…

Kiso, carrying the unconscious Buggy, opened the door and laid him upon the bed, "Here you go, sir."

"Thanksss," Buggy, in a groggily state, spoke before pointing wearily at the hallway, "Your room is on the right."

"Thank you, sir," Kiso made to leave the room before turning around, "Um…sir, might I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead?"

"Well, where are we going?"

"Oh, maybe find an island to settle down for a bit, loot, plunder…"

"I meant-in the long-term, sir."

"Long-term?"

"Will we be heading to places far off-like…" Kiso paused, "I don't know-the Grand Line perhaps?"

"The Grand Line?" Buggy leapt up, seemingly infused with new energy, "Ha! Do you know who you're talking to, boy? The apprentice and destined successor to the Pirate King himself-Gold Roger!"

Kiso was astonished by the mention of the famous sea rogue, "Gold Roger…"

"That's right! You stick with me and you'll go to the farthest corners to the globe!"

Kiso pondered this. If this pirate was a great as he made himself out to be, then staying with this crew could be his best chance to make it back to Fishman Island. To make it back home, "Sounds great, sir."

…

Mohji met with Harroll on deck in the middle of the night, the moonlight shining along the waves.

He began the conversation, tiredly, "You said you needed to speak with me?"

"Yes, sir," Harroll nodded, "it's about the new arrival."

"The fish boy," Mohji pondered, "yes, I have my own suspicions about that one."

"You see, sir, years back, I lived on this island. Nice, quiet place-"

The lion tamer let out an annoyed groan, "When did I indicate I wanted to hear your life story?"

Harroll gave a fierce glare but contined, "Getting to the point, sir, one day, a pirate crew, made up entirely of fishmen," this caught Mohji's attention, "came to our shores, saying that the island belonged to them now, and that we, the people that lived on it, now had to pay rent to them."

Mohji paused before asking, "And what did you do?"

"Well, as soon as the fishies turned their backs, me and a couple of the other folks hopped onto a raft and fled," a trace of shame was evident in Harroll's voice, "Once reaching a port, we split up. Me myself, I joined up with you fine fellows-as you know."

"But later, I heard word that the fishmen, disappointed in the tribute they received from the islanders," Harroll's eyes gave a haunted look, "slaughtered everyone-man, woman, and child…"

Mohji looked at the crewman with a rare trace of pity, "I-I'm sorry to hear that."

"Listen, this kid bears a mark on his arm-the same those damn fishies wore-" Harroll leaned in uncomfortably close to Mohji's face, "the Arlong Pirates."

Mohji gave a yelp, "The Arlong Pirates?!"

"Yessir, I think this boy might be a spy, looking to wait for our back is turned, then make the signal for his brethren to strike. Kill us all and take our treasure for themselves."

Mohji was panicking for the fishman pirate they were talking about was one of the strongest beings in all of the East Blue when Harroll spoke again, "For all we know, they could be circling around us as we speak."

The First Mate let out a deep breath, the possibility of the crew having to confront the dreaded Arlong Pirates thanks to their newest 'member' looming largely over his mind, "Alright, I'll think on this, but you do not make a move till I say so, are we clear?"

"Yessir," was Harroll's reply, but deep down, he felt that something needed to be done about this Fish Boy before the Big Top's crew suffered the same fate as his island.