Robin couldn't take her eyes off the gluttonous captain as he shoveled food into his mouth washing it down with water only to dive into his meals once again. A smile couldn't help reach her lips seeing her former captain in the young man sitting at the dining room table. Aside from a few exceptions everything from his look, demeanor, and appetite all resembled Monkey D. Luffy to a tee.
The swordsman gave a side eyed glance toward her captain rolling her eyes at his table manners. "Would you slow down Edward I'm afraid you'll choke to death if you keep shoveling food into your mouth like that." Kuina said slightly taken aback and unnerved by her Edward's usual eating habits.
"Yeah well I'm not gonna stop gonna stop until there's something better to do!" Edward stated with a mouthful throwing the samurai a glance, starting to steal the others' food off their plates earning groans from the samurai and cook.
Saul glanced around the table giving a smile toward the trio he perceived as enemies the night before. He was relieved to see friendly familiar faces and new ones alike; despite not knowing Edward for a day, he already felt he could trust the man with his life—especially since he was his parent's nakamas' son.
"I suppose I should tell you guys a story about the pirate king and queen." Robin stated with a warm smile. There were countless tales in her endless memory bank just waiting to be unleashed; she went on enough adventures that the tales could last a lifetime.
Kuina's eyes lit up, anytime her father would tell stories about his former crew she would listen until he became too tired to tell her anything anymore. "I can't wait to hear your story aunty, they were heroes of the great world war."
Sora purred with hearts eyes giving her undivided attention to the gorgeous archeologist. "I'll listen to anything you tell me auntie Robin-chaaawn." She sang with hearts floating around her vicinity.
Edward rolled his eyes, "I guess I sorta owe you for making all this food so what the hell..." he said nonchalantly going back to stuffing his face.
Saul watched the others with a smile sipping his green tea enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. He already felt a deep connection to the trio at the table; he wondered if this is what it was like to have trustworthy friends whom you could entrust your life to and in return risk your own life to protect them at all costs.
Robin giggled at the table before speaking, "well as you know Kuina they were the first two to accompany your father on the grand line, long before I joined the crew. From the beginning I always knew there was something special between them; we all did. I suppose it became even more apparent after we were separated for two years. Naturally your mother became emotionally closer to your father as we journeyed farther into the second half of the grand line. It took awhile until their feelings came to a head; I suppose I'll start from the one night it all changed..."
Everyone with the exception of Edward listened intently while he continued gorging himself leaning closer ready to hear Robin's tale:
"The pirate king gathered his alliance from all corners of the earth ready to charge into the great world war head on, I remember that day like it was yesterday." Robin said trailing off as the others shook in their seats from anticipation except the captain who was busy pounding his chest trying to prevent himself from choking on the abundance of food he attempted to swallow at the current moment.
~One week before the first battle of the world war.
The five leaders: Monkey D Luffy, Trafalgar D. Water Law, Eustace Kidd, Stratchmen Appo, and Basil Hawkins of the worst generation gathered in the war room around a massive roundtable with the entirety of their crews standing behind their respective captains. Naturally Monkey D. Luffy took leadership of the meeting being declared the strongest and most battle hardened. He stared at a large world map intricately drawn and designed by his very own navigator. His fists clung to the mahogany table as he listened to his second in command Trafalgar Law explain the enemies' expected countermeasures.
This time around it wasn't just the World Government and Navy to worry about; Blackbeard having retreated from his defeat at Raftel lost most of his lieutenants in the process. Yet he still had thousands of underlings under his command rivaling their forces alone; the alliance were outnumbered eight to one. Compared to Akainu however, Blackbeard was just another nuisance to the pirate king—A dangerous and unpredictable one at that.
"Its not his way, Akainu knows the Navy allied nations are watching, if the countries' forces sense weakness on his part, they'll stop fearing him—he can't have that, fear is his power." Trafalgar stated keeping his eyes placed firmly on the map.
"It's his weakness too," Luffy interjected, "these men don't want to fight for him, they're forced to fight for him. If they feel the tide turning—"
"It's not his men that worry me, it's his battleships. I've seen what those admiral ships can do, they'll cut through us like piss through snow." Kidd spoke with a nervous tone.
"We'll create attack runs along our flanks they won't be able to hit us there, our ships have a speed advantage. We won't get hit the way others have in a double envelopment." Luffy said glaring at the bewildered Kidd. The scarlet haired captain scratched his head continuing to stare at the two men.
"A pincer move," He said trying to make it easier for the captain of the Kidd pirates to understand to no avail. He glanced over at Trafalgar Law before turning his attention back to Kidd. "They won't be able to hit us from the sides, our most vulnerable points."
"Good." Kidd answered simply half impressed and half unsure on how to respond to the battle plan.
Trafalgar Law let out an audible sigh speaking mostly to Luffy. "Its crucial that we let them charge at us. They've got the numbers, we need the patience." Luffy couldn't have agreed more they didn't have the men to start a full frontal assault, it would come down to guerrilla warfare tactics for them.
The pirate king circled around the table examining the table pieces representing the enemies and their alliance acting like a simulation of the planned strategy while he listened to Trafalgar speak.
"If we let him buckle our center straw hat-ya, he'll pursue and we'll have him surrounded on three sides." He said matter-o-factly glancing at each of the five leaders.
Kidd growled turning toward Luffy, "did you really think that cunt would fight you man to man?" He questioned referring to Akainu. The five leaders remembered when they met the fleet commander and his three admirals a few days prior to officially declare war after declining the World Government's offer to surrender.
"No," Luffy answered honestly, "but I wanted to make him angry, I want him coming at us full tilt."
"We should all get some sleep." Trafalgar suggested willing to let their finalized plans be discussed when they met the entirety of their forces in two days. It angered the alliance leaders the Revolutionary Army bowed out of the war against the Navy, their interest only lie in taking down the five elders and the true head of the World Government.
"Rest Monkey D. Luffy, we need you sharp for the upcoming battles. It may be the last decent nights rest you'll get." Basil Hawkins suggested as the meeting ended sending everyone in different sections of the alliance's massive tanker, formerly Kaido's mothership.
The pirate king emerged from his private quarters late that night unable to find a peaceful sleep. To insomniac passerby's he received salutes and nods of respect cementing his status as the alliance's leader. Outsiders assumed maybe he didn't have a specific destination in mind roaming the halls aimlessly. To those that knew him best there was only one place he sought to receive comfort in. Soon he came to stand outside a door raising his fist hesitantly debating with himself wether to knock or leave back to his room.
Gathering his courage the pirate knocked on the oak door a few times awaiting a response from the other side. Moments later a latch could be heard unlocking the door, opening to reveal the straw hat's navigator. The warmth from the fire lit in the room created a warm glow extenuating her orange fiery hair.
Wordlessly she stepped aside to allow him inside the room. Luffy stood directly in front of her encircling his arms around her waist as she placed her hands on his face leading him farther inside the room as he shut the door behind them. The pair didn't notice the curious and satisfied eyes of Nico Robin watching them from the end of the hallway; although she couldn't have been happier for her dear nakama. A small frown came over her features knowing it was a crucial time of a war like none before it, there was a high probability their captain wouldn't come back to them after this.
There wasn't a need to speak their feelings once they started their first passionate night together. The pair's relationship was the epitome of unspoken love and unwavering trust in one another creating a unique companionship only known by them. A special bond forged through the fire of the grand line and nurturing of emotional hardships spanning years had finally reached it's pinnacle.
Nami pinned her captain on the warm bed rolling her naked curves into his waist. The pair kissed passionately whispering each other's names onto one another's lips. Luffy gripped her waist switching their positions as he gently placed his hands on her warm flushed cheeks.
"It was true love." Robin spoke with a deep sigh and a far away look in her eyes addressing the speechless table. "She loved him, and he loved her." A gleam appeared in her eyes as she recounted the tale.
"Luffy..." she spoke breathlessly staring into her savior's onyx eyes.
"Nami..." he said gaping at her hazelnut chocolate eyes and the way her luscious orange hair spread beneath her body.
The pirate king didn't waist time claiming her lips as they began to make love moving their hips into one another's rhythm. The navigator pulled the wool blanket over their lower bodies, gripping onto her lover's back begging him not to stop as they continued their passion into the late night and early morning.
"Boooorrrrrinnnnggg!" Edward called from the end of the table clearly hearing enough of the story. His head came crashing down on the table from an irritated samurai who was clearly pissed by his interruption.
"Show some respect you arrogant jerk!" Kuina shouted with shark teeth threatening to hit him again. The swordsman couldn't have been more enthralled by a tale in her life. Just when her aunt was getting to the good part her idiot captain ruined it.
Sora had a heavy blush adoring her features hearing of Robin's story about Edward's parents. "Wow, I wish I could find love like that." She said in awe showing her heart eyes toward Saul and Edward.
"Don't look at us." They shrugged in unison earning kicks each from the cook.
"Don't flatter yourselves, I would never with either of you jerks anyway!" She shouted in their faces before turning back to a chuckling archeologist. "Auntie Robin-chawn pretty please continue your wonderful story." The cook's toes curled underneath her seat leaving her unable to sit still.
"I agree, I'd also like to here the rest of the story about Edward's parents." Kuina stated evenly continuing to modestly eat her meal.
Edward groaned rubbing his hands along his face. "I'd rather not, come on back me up here Saul you don't want to hear this soppy love story do ya?" He asked placing his hands behind his head.
Saul rubbed his chin in contemplation for a few moments, "well it is a pretty good romance tale, I was enjoying it to be honest." He said before sipping from his teacup.
"You bastard your supposed to be on my side about this, bros gotta have each other's backs what the hell's a matter with you?! Don't just sit there drinking your tea damnit!" Edward shouted dramatically waving his hand comically in front of the white haired man before snatching Saul's collar shaking him furiously.
Robin could only chuckle as she watched the women try and seperate the two men who were threatening to pick a childish fight once again. It couldn't help bring back fresh memories of the good times she had with her respective crew. However her time for adventures had come to a close, it was Saul and his friends' turn to explore the world and learn it's deeply rooted secrets.
"Fine," Edward spoke placing his hat onto his head to cover his painful bumps, "what came next? But we have to hurry, there isn't much time to waste."
Robin giggled at the captain's eagerness to start his upcoming adventure. "I know." She said simply with a warm smile.
"So what did come next aunt Robin?" Kuina asked coming to sit beside the former straw hat archeologist.
"The very next day, they took their vows on a nearby island underneath a large sakura tree. It was a private ceremony with only our crew in attendance. However Trafalgar Law was the only outsider from the crew to witness the ceremony, he was the solemner after all; being the captain of a ship in his own right, he had the power to do that." Robin exclaimed with fondness lacing her tone glancing at each person sitting at her table. Surprisingly Edward was listening intently now truly eager to hear the story.
Edward kept hearing that name pop up periodically throughout his life. It was common knowledge that the Surgeon of Life as he was known to people was a miracle healer and one of the new five leaders of the reformed World Government. It surprised him to hear the man had such a close connection to the pirate king. He vowed to himself to seek the man out when the time came to find some answers.
Robin continued her story gaining everyones' attention once again. Edward shifted his eyes under his hat preparing for what came next.
The five pirate captains turned their attention to the tanker as the vessel's loud fog horn blared signaling it was
time to disembark.
The pirate king met with his crew making sure to hug each of them. He practically had to have the reindeer pried from his leg by the others finally to release him.
"Don't get yourself killed out there moss-head." The cook of the ship said with a smirk.
"Aye don't worry about me shit cook I'm too stubborn to die." He said returning the smirk.
The pair of bickering brothers shared a nod of mutual respect before Zoro stood a few feet ahead to wait for his captain.
"I trust no one more to look out for the crew." The pirate king spoke shaking the cook of the Sunny's hand.
"Of course I'll keep them all safe, count on me captain." Sanji said with a small smile.
"I always am." Luffy responded with a grin of his own causing the chef's smile to grow. His eyes shifted towards the navigator who had yet to look in his direction.
The chef smirked noticing where his captain's attention lay. He turned to the crew shooting them away, "come on, back it up folks nothing to see here."
The pirate king rested his hand gently on top of her head bringing their foreheads together. "Why won't you look at me Nami?"
She wrapped her arms around him tightly resting her head against his chest. "I can't watch you leave..." he could tell she was trying to hold tears back.
"I'll be back." He said placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"You don't know that, this war...it's unlike anything in history...I want to come with you to protect you." She said gripping his cardigan tightly glancing up at him for the first time.
"No," he spoke sharply he wouldn't let her get close to the frontlines, "I need you to protect everyone else and the Sunny—thats what's important."
"Luffy, you're important to me...I don't want to lose you after everything." She said softly resting against his chest.
He let out a sigh holding her to him for a moment before speaking again. "Nami," he lifted her chin to look in his eyes, "I need you to have faith in me like you've always had, to believe in me wholeheartedly."
"Idiot." She giggled calling him her favorite pet name placing his hand on her cheek leaning into his touch. "I'll never lose faith and I'll always believe in you with all my heart...its just, why do they always want you to charge headfirst into every battle. I just wish you could stay with us that's all."
The pirate king didn't waste anytime embracing his queen. "I understand Nami but I gave my word to them, I can't just leave." He said softly hugging her closer to him.
"I know." She spoke quietly.
The foghorn blared loudly signaling the last call to board. "I have to go..."
"I know." The pirate queen wrapped her arms around his neck crashing their lips together. Before she could open her eyes he forced himself to let go walking as fast as he could towards the worst generation generals.
"Ready to go Zoro?"
"Yeah let's get goin." The swordsman fell in line with his captain's strides as they met the four captains waiting farther down the beach for them.
The crew came to stand behind their queen watching the men leave. Nami laid her head on Robin's shoulder finally letting the tears fall that she held back from Luffy;,she wanted to stay strong for him.
Robin smiled warmly at her friend as she nuzzled into her shoulder. "Go after him." The archeologist whispered causing the orangette to glance up at her. "Go." She said nudging Nami's head with her shoulder.
Without hesitation she sprinted after the captains nearing the tanker. She pumped her arms furiously exerting all her energy to reach the man she married, her beloved captain.
The crew wiped tears away watching the navigator run along the beach after their captain. They cheered her on trailing after the queen.
"GO GET 'EM NAMI-SWAAAN!" Sanji yelled bounding with tears of happiness in his eyes.
"If we sail past their sea territory slugs, we'll be able to meet Bege and the Fire Tank—"
"LUUUFFFYYY!"
Luffy halted his words turning from the group. "O-NAMI!" He shouted with joy walking hurriedly toward the orangette.
He barley had time to open his arms before an orange blur crashed into him wrapping her arms around his neck nearly knocking him onto the ground.
"Take your time straw hat-ya." Law said as he and others with the exception of Zoro made their way to the tanker.
"You missed me already?" Luffy chuckled throwing up his hat to see his navigator. His wide grin disappeared feeling her warm tears on his shoulder.
"Please come back..." she whispered so only he could hear.
"I promise I will, for our future...the one we talked about remember?" He asked placing a hand on her flat stomach.
"Mmhmm." She murmured placing her forehead on his, mirroring what he did to her earlier. The last two nights they spent together were their first and most passionate moments in their young lives.
She reached down to her left wrist struggling for a few moments before slipping a familiar golden bangle on his wrist.
Luffy glanced down to see what she was doing exactly, "Nami this is... I can't take this..."
"You can and you will." She commanded making sure the bangle was tightly secured. "You know what this bracelet means to me Luffy, so make sure you bring it back to me."
The pair shared another passionate kiss letting their emotions flow in the moment wishing desperately to stay in one another's arms.
"I love you Luffy." She said plain as day making sure everyone heard.
"I love you too Nami." He pulled her closer in his embrace if it were possible. They enjoyed their hug for a few moments longer before taking a step back.
Nami placed her hands on his chest. "You better go." She said reluctantly releasing him.
"I'll be back." He said giving her a longing kiss on her forehead before swiftly leaving toward the tanker.
"Watch each other's backs out there! Come back both of you!" She yelled at the duo as they waved running off to the vessel disappearing in a matter of minutes.
The crew came to stand behind their pirate queen and navigator. Robin placed her arm around her shoulders leaning into the younger woman. "It'll be alright, he'll be back Nami."
Robin could notice a difference in the orangette's demeanor than she had moments ago. "I know he will, I just know it." She smiled toward the tanker as they watched the ship disappear into the horizon before heading toward Sunny preparing for the upcoming world war.
Everyone at the table remained speechless creating a deafening silence at the table, a pin could be heard dropping onto the floor. Saul, Kuina, and Sora sat unblinking mouths slightly agape staring at Robin who sipped her tea calmly.
Loud obnoxious snoring broke the four from their thoughts as Edward leaned back in his chair snoozing away.
"That punk fell asleep after hearing something like that?!" Saul shouted unbelieving the captain passed out from the epic retelling of his mom's story—he didn't know wether to be offended or amused.
The samurai jabbed the navigator in his head with the hilt of her sword waking him up from his slumber. "What is it over already? Man that one sure rocked me to sleep." He said jerking awake before stretching his arms above his head.
"You dolt! How dare you fall asleep during Auntie Robin-chawn's story!" Sora screamed steam shooting from her ears in frustration.
"Relax will ya? I heard most of it. So basically the pirate king was some romantic sap, I get it." Edward said yawning again and placing his hat in it's usual spot.
The moment those words left his mouth, Robin began to laugh loudly holding her mouth failing miserable to contain the sudden laughter.
"Huh?" Edward arched a brow. "Just what the hell's so funny?" He asked scratching his head in confusion.
"Aunt Robin are you feeling alright?" Kuina questioned just as bewildered as her captain. She'd never heard the archeologist laugh that hard about something before.
"Just fine dear," she wiped tears from corners of her eyes, "it's just that; your father was the most clueless, and when I say this I mean it literally, the most clueless person in the world pertaining to romance."
"Well that's explains a lot. Guess it all makes sense now." Sora teased with a smirk.
"What the hell's that supposed to me?!" He growled toward the chef who only giggled at his outburst.
Edward composed himself turning his attention toward Robin. "Isn't there another story you could tell? Maybe one with a little more adventure."
Robin checked her watch throwing a hand over her mouth. "I'm afraid there isn't any time we have to meet Franky to construct your ship, we don't want to be late now."
Edward nearly pulled his hair out, "OH YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!"
Robin giggled summoning her hands to collect the plates placing them in the sink much to the amazement of the young crew.
"Alright let's head out everyone." She said gesturing the others to follow her. They made their way outside covering their eyes as the heat blared down nearly blinding them from the intense sunlight.
"Okay everyone follow me." Robin said sprouting wings earning ooh's and ah's from the group. She took flight into the air leaving them behind.
"Come on don't get left behind slow pokes." Saul laughed summoning ice under his feet and from his hands sliding on an ice slide mid-air following after his mother.
"Now that is cool." Edward smirked watching them go. He closed his eyes in concentration kneeling down while placing his open palms on the outside of his ankles gathering concentrated vibrations. His eyes snapped open as he slammed his fists into the ground. A large pillar emerged from the ground lifting the captain an impressive twelve feet sending him flying high into the sky pursuing the duo.
"YAHOOOOO!" Edward shouted with joy flying through the air.
The ladies' jaws hung open at the captain's impressive flight ability. "Wow that was really impressive." Sora said still in awe at the other's abilities.
"Well then, shall we take a walk?" Kuina suggested with a warm smile.
Sora rolled her eyes. "Are you crazy moss-hair that will take forever, and we don't want to be late—especially you ms. I-wanna-be-perfect." The brunette chuckled.
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Kuina asked not getting the meaning of the cook's teasing.
"You looked like you enjoyed Aunt Robin's story earlier a little too much." Sora smirked seeing the samurai's aloof reaction to her usual prodding.
"Sure it was great, but I don't see where you're going—"
"Oh come on," Sora interjected, "remember as kids you used to read those fairytale books wishing a prince would come and sweep you off your feet."
"No." Kuina deadpanned not willing to put up with the cook's nonsense any longer.
"Deny it all you want but behind your samurai persona there's still that same girl longing for a prince." Sora snickered folding her arms at the unreadable expression.
"I could say the same for you. Can we just get going already?" Kuina mirrored her childhood friend's stance unwilling to play along with her childish game.
Sora let out a humorous laugh after a few moments, "lighten up marimo, I was only teasing." She grinned walking past the swordsman. "Now come on hop on my back we don't want to be late."
"Huh? What for?" Kuina adjusted her red framed glasses before wrapping her arms around the cook's neck.
"Whatever you do, don't look down."
"What do you me—" the samurai screamed as Sora's feet bounded off the air ascending high into the sky.
Minutes later they landed in front of the ship wright's shack near the edge of the island.
The moment the women landed on the ground Kuina smacked Sora across the back of the head.
"What the hell was that for moss head?!" Sora growled as her lone curly brow twitched in frustration.
"For not warning me, you know I'm afraid of heights." Kuina stated turning away in mock anger with her arms crossed.
Sora's curly brow arched in amusement. "For being such a badass samurai you sure are a scaredy cat Kuina."
A shut up was thrown in the cook's direction as they entered the ship wright's warehouse.
"Ah there's the two ladies! What took you so long?" Franky yelled waving them over to the rest of the group.
They both embraced the cyborg greeting him happily. "Man you girls sure have grown up." He said wiping a tear from his face. "But now that you are here this is super!" Franky made his signature pose as Edward's eyes sparkled.
Franky explained to the girls that he'd been showing Edward and Saul the new ship he was designing. Due to a call from a scared Sanji and a furious Pudding a few days prior the shipwright worked tirelessly to put together a manageable ship for them to sail the beginning of the grand line.
"Sorry your ship couldn't be extravagant like I wanted it to be, it's the best I can do on short notice." He said feeling a little glum about the moderately sized ship.
"Are you kidding?! This is perfect!" Edward cheered examining every aspect of the vessel. "As long as their cannons I'm happy."
Franky grinned seeing his former captain in the young man that stood before him.
"Oi Oi it's not going to outrun the big guns or overpower fully fledged vessels but it will get you guys from point a to b." Franky smirked seeing the group examine his craftsmanship.
Saul put his arms around his parents. "Well you guys did again, you really are the best parents a guy could ask for." The white haired man chuckled embracing his parents.
"I didn't do it for you son, I did it to get rid of ya so I can spend more alone time with your mother." He laughed loudly before receiving a playful slap from his wife. "Oi Robin I was kidding."
The two could only laugh at Franky's grumblings as he went to put the finishing touches on the ship.
Edward ran his hands along the side of the boat not believing he was going to be in command of legitimate ship soon with his very own crew.
"Oi Edward," Franky called setting his toolbox down, "this ship isn't permanent you know. You'll need to upgrade if you want to traverse the new world." He exclaimed earning a nod from the captain.
"Sounds good, would you be able to help us out again. I can pay you for your troubles." He suggested reaching into his backpack.
Franky waved his hands furiously. "No that's okay, it's free bro. You'll just need to journey to Water Seven when you're ready. I'll wait there with my family for you, and we'll build you the best damn ship on the world—that's a promise brother." The cyborg stuck his hand out to shake.
Edward shook the cyborg's hand earning a grin from him. "Well alright, now how about you guys grab that boat of yours and we'll meet up on the shoreline."
"Cool sounds like a plan Franky." Edward grinned. "Hey Kuina, Sora lets get a move on we gotta go get the rest of our stuff." He shouted as they jumped down from the ship.
"Wow uncle Franky you really out did yourself." Kuina smiled admiring the work he'd done in the short amount of time given.
"Thanks Kuina, that means a lot." Franky said returning to the smile.
Robin approached the group that chatted away. "Alright kids, it's time to get a move on." She spoke sweetly.
The group abruptly left waving to the pair as they exited.
Franky exhaled grabbing onto to the nearest wall to support his body.
"Are you alright Franky?" Robin asked concern lacing her tone.
"I'm fine babe it's just...every time I looked at him I saw both of them, especially Luffy." He said letting out a sharp exhale.
"I know, I know...I did too." Robin said wrapping her arms around his neck embracing the cyborg as he let a few silent tears fall.
—
Kuina pulled Edward's wrist slowing his movements as they drifted out of hearing range behind Sora and Saul.
"Huh? What's up Kuina?" He asked with raised brows unsure if he was going to get scolded or hit or both.
"Why are you taking all this so casually? First it was the stories about your parents, then about the ship. You do realize we're starting the journey down the grand line, you're being to nonchalant about this." She scolded much to the captain's annoyance.
He stopped on a dime turning her shoulder so she would halt and face him. "Why do care about what I think about the former pirate king and queen? Also just because I act carefree doesn't mean I'm not serious Kuina."
She rolled her eyes at the last part not buying it. "Because they're your birth parents and they had a connection to my parents, to Sora's, to Saul's. We're all family and you don't see it, is all you care about money and food?" The samurai asked through gritted teeth, yet Edward still wasn't sure what she was getting at.
"Family? We're not even friends remember? You said you only saved my life because I was useful to you, some family huh Kuina?" He mocked placing his hands in his pockets.
Kuina scoffed as if offended, "I only said that because of what you said to me, you were being a real jerk...I didn't mean it. Seriously Edward, the grand line isn't a joke we all need to be on the same page." Her tone sounded emotional for the first time since he traveled with her.
"Look I get it alright, I'll focus on the upcoming tasks at hand and I'll try to be a little...less selfish." He mumbled the last part.
Kuina let out a sigh of relief to at least put some sense into him before they officially set out on their adventure. "Thanks for listening to me Edward, friends?" She asked placing his hand out for him to shake.
He glanced at her smile to her outstretched hand for a moment. "Let's uh...take it slow." He said with a smirk walking ahead without her.
Kuina sweat dropped having been rejected a simple friendly gesture. Her brow twitched as her hand balled into a fist. "Edward." She growled causing him to turn around.
"Yeah? Hey what the hell why do you look like that? Come on Kuina I was just messing around." He shouted backing away slowly as she hid her eyes under bangs approaching him.
"You better get back here Edward and shake my hand you jerk!" She screamed chasing him along the trail. He sprinted past Sora and Saul yelling for his life.
"What's up with him?" Saul asked turning toward Sora who just shrugged.
"I never know with him." She said before quickly jumping out of the path of a furious samurai aiming to kill their captain.
"Ohhh that's why he was running." The pair said in unison before hearing loud yelps of pain from Edward up ahead.
Kuina joined the pair walking with them. They didn't dare ask her what happened seeing her angry and annoyed expression.
Sora and Kuina stepped over the slumped body of Edward that laid unmoving on the dirt path.
"Hey, you dead buddy?" Saul questioned kicking the navigator a few times.
He let out a loud gasp steadily climbing to his feet. Saul took a few horrified steps back seeing Edward's face covered in lumps. "Jeez what the hell happened to you?"
"I pranked the wrong the person," he coughed trying to catch his breath, "I swear if the grand line doesn't kill me she defiantly will." He wheezed placing his hat on his head.
"Alright onward lets go Saul!" He shouted heading off the trail.
"No no no wrong way buddy, come on." Saul said grabbing the captain's collar practically dragging him after the girls.
The group stopped at the edge of town to see the citizens running for the hills evacuating the town.
"Mayor Donnell!" Saul grasped the man's shoulders halting him from falling onto the ground from his panic attack.
The mayor gave a wide smile toward the man. "Thank goodness you are here, those pirate are back and they brought friends please help us!" He shouted grasping the man's collar.
"I'm on it mayor just sit tight." Saul said gesturing the group to follow him.
"It's about damn time." Edward grinned launching himself high in the air toward the docks on the edge of town. Sora ran into the sky following her captain while Kuina and Saul ran into the town.
"Just relax woman, I'll be gentle." A pirate grabbed a young woman attempting to drag her into a nearby house.
Before he could move an inch more he looked at his frozen legs as they shattered into pieces dismembering him from the waist down. He screamed in horror at the loss of his limbs.
"Thank you." The woman said running past Saul who gave a nod in return. The nearby pirates hearing their comrades yells coming to stand in front of Saul swinging their weapons around.
"You're gunna pay for that buddy, we're prolly gunna skin you alive." One of em said causing the others to cackle.
Saul pointed his thumb upwards causing them to glance up. Without warning Kuina appeared slashing her sword toward the pirates cutting them across their sternums putting the group down for good.
"Nice one." Saul held a thumbs up.
"This isn't over." Kuina stated. On cue more pirates emerged from side streets and alleyways surrounding the pair.
Immediately they got back to back. Saul summoned his ice sword from his hands glaring at each of the pirates.
"I'll this half you take the other huh?" Saul asked glancing back at the samurai.
"How about we just see who kills the most." Kuina said coldly dashing toward the group of men.
Saul let out a sigh, "always the buzzkill." He said extending his ice blade impaling the nearest pirate.
The two disposed the lesser pirates within a minute heading to meet up with the others.
Powerful vibrations gathered in Edward's palm as he dug it into gut of one the pirates sending him flying into his group knocking them out. "Tch, and here I thought that wanted to fight." He glanced over at Sora to see her surrounded on the far side of the beach, he wasted no time running toward her position.
"Hey there pretty lady, we don't want no trouble how bout I take you out." The laser smirked licking his lips.
"Men like you..." Sora lifted her right foot in the air decorating it in flames. "Disgust the hell out me!"
The pirates stepped back in astonishment at her powers.
"Don't just stand there you idiots, take her down!" The pirate leader yelled as the bandits closed in around the cook.
"Diablo Jiambe." She growled kicking the pirates with fiery feet. The men took kicks to the heads, chest, and legs. Their limbs incinerated as they fell onto the sand in pain screaming bloody mary.
Sora's fiery kicks were ineffective against the leader.
"Face it girl, you'll never beat someone like me." He challenged.
"That so," she grinned igniting her leg in flames once again before taking off into the sky bounding high above the leader's head. Her body began to rapidly spin into a flaming circle heading directly toward the man placed firmly on the beach.
Edward stopped meters away watching in amazement as Sora's foot broke the through the man's metal guard.
"Concasse!" She yelled as the leader fell back passing out from the flaming head trauma.
"Holy hell that was damn impressive!" Edward shouted fist pumping in the air excited for his crew mate's victory.
Sora glared at Edward for a moment before her heart eyes reappeared throwing him for a loop.
"Edward-saaan!" She sang hugging him tightly.
Edward chuckled hugging her back causing blood to leak on to his shoulder as it squirted from her nose.
"Hey stop bleeding on me damnit." Edward shouted stepping back to wipe the blood from his shoulder. "But helluva a job Sora." The captain couldn't have been more proud.
Sora turned to glance at Kuina and Saul as they arrived along with the townspeople trailing behind them.
"Saul-saaan!" Sora shouted with glee tackling the white haired man as he grunted from the force of her embrace.
"You alright?" Edward asked coming to stand next to the samurai.
"Yeah it was no big deal they were just a bunch of scrubs." She chuckled examining the defeated adversaries spread across the beach.
Edward frowned slightly at the swordsman. "What Edward?" She asked returning his frown.
"So much for taking things more seriously huh shishsi?" He grinned widely causing the swordsman to lose her frown relenting to give him a small smile.
"Friends?" He asked with a content smile placing his hand out for her to shake.
Kuina contemplated for a minute before offering a smile. "Let's...take it slow for now." She said with a sly grin leaning his hanging.
"Kuina! What the hell?! I thought we finally found common ground, don't you ignore me!" He yelled jogging after her as the group headed toward the docks to get their ship.
"That's not good." Saul commented seeing half a dozen more ships sailing toward the small harbor.
"Shit, looks like their bringing reinforcements." Edward said turning toward the incoming vessels.
"OI KIDS YOU ENJOYING YOURSELVES YET?!"
"Franky! Father!" The group yelled in unison seeing the Franky and Robin sail on their newly acquired ship towards them.
"Captain our ground forces have been taken down, should we continue on?" The lieutenant asked awaiting orders.
"Don't be a fool! We never back down carry onwards!" The captain shouted from the wheel.
Before he could comprehend arms appeared below the wheel holding it in place.
"What kind of sorcery is this?!" The captain yelled searching for answer.
"Sir!" The lieutenant screamed. "All our ships have stopped the wheels are jammed with some kind of arms!"
"It can't be...Nico Robin..?" The captain's eyes widened in horror. "Abandon ships!" He yelled terrified of the arms that fought off he and his crew's attempts to remove them.
"Alright dear I got it from here." Franky spoke to Robin before placing his hands in an oval shape in front of him.
"Franky Radical Beam!" The yellow energy blast seared through the sky aiming directly for the six ships.
Robin's arms disappeared into petals as the blast neared the ships.
"We're done for!" The captain yelled running helplessly with his hands wildly up in the air. The radical beam shredded the ship's effortlessly sending pirates and debris flying for miles into the open sea.
The group on docks along with the townspeople cheered and whistled sharing high fives at the impressive display from the two former straw hats.
Edward's eyes sparkled thinking how cool the cyborg's powers were.
"F-Franky that was so cool."
"Yeah Edward ya think so? Check this out." Franky pressed his cybernetic nose causing his spiky hair to change into an afro. He pressed it again changing his hairstyle into a mullet.
"S-so cool! I have to touch it." Edward stated reaching up to press Franky's nose desperately.
The swordsman grabbed his shoulders before his finger could reach. "Come on Edward stop! This isn't a time to be fooling around we need to get going." She said unimpressed by the cyborg.
Edward calmed down as the group said their goodbyes.
"Edward." Robin called as she hugged her sobbing nieces.
"What's up Robin?" He asked with a grin.
She held out his hand placing a piece of paper in his palm.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Coordinates. About two days from here we have another friend from our old crew to meet, he's lonely and could use a group like you guys to keep him company." Robin said with a warm smile. She was so damn friendly the navigator couldn't deny her request.
"Alright we'll check it out." He said giving her a hug. The archeologist held her tears back feeling the spirits of her former captain and navigator through his embrace.
"Hey Edward I'll see you in Water seven ya?" He asked the captain as the navigator climbed on board.
"Count on it Franky." The captain said with a wave disappearing on the ship.
"So you ready to go curly brows?"
"Ugh shut it already scaredy cat!"
What'd you say love cook?!"
"You heard me marimo!"
Edward groaned throwing a hand on his face. "Will you two shaddduuuppp! I can't even think straight with you two sometimes."
Before he could blink he received a punch and a kick to the head from each of them slumping to the floor in a agony. "Ow..." He wheezed with a cough.
Robin giggled at the group's antics before receiving a loving hug from her son. "I'll be sure to call you."
"You better." Robin said hugging her only child tightly.
"Take care of the crew and the ship son, you remember everything I taught you right?" Franky questioned as his son reluctantly let his mother go.
"Yeah I remember dad, I'll keep it tidy." He nodded earning one back from Franky as father and son embraced causing Robin's heart to swell.
"You have your archeology books I have you?" Robin asked placing a hand over her heart.
Saul grinned widely, "of course mom, I'd never forget those." He said softly.
The raven haired woman let out a sigh of relief knowing he'd also indulge himself in her teachings as well.
"Hey Saul, get on board or we're leaving your sorry ass!" Edward laughed receiving a kick from Sora.
"Don't say a stupid thing like that you shitty captain." She growled. "Come on Saul-san!" Hearts twirled around the cook as danced aboard the deck of the ship.
Kuina just sat against the side railing, willing to nap instead of waiting.
Saul hugged both his parents tightly before climbing on board giving a final wave as the sails raised.
The ship sailed from the dock leaving the two former straw hats behind.
Franky wiped Robin's tears from her eyes. "Oi babe they'll be fine, I promise." He said pulling her close.
"I know," she said with a sniffle, "now that we met Edward I feel like it's going to be okay, they'll be okay with him around."
"Couldn't have said it better myself." He said quietly pulling her closer.