BROTHER ON BOARD
The Poarter - If Nami died the Straw Hats would all die. It's a simple fact. Nami's 'weather sense' has saved them from deadly storms multiple times. Without their Navigator I doubt that the Straw Hats would have even made it to Whisky Peak. Also, if Sabo died I wouldn't have much of a story. Hopefully I'm writing this well enough that you don't actually want him dead.
Johnny Spectre - From across the island? Not likely. She's not Van Auger. But from the other side of a town? Maybe. It depends on the size of the fishman's nose. Arlong's long nose is an easier target than say... Kuroobi's normal-sized one.
Stoneificaunt - Two Devil Fruits on a gun? I think that might be pushing it. Bonnie doesn't really need to be human. The Straw Hats are wacky enough to accept Bonnie as Nakama even if she only ate the Dog Dog Fruit Model: Fox. Half of them accept her as Nakama when she's just a gun.
Transformers g1's-Prime - Would you actually consider twenty years a long life? I'd like to think that the average life expectancy for pirates that aren't nameless henchmen in the Great Pirate Era is a bit longer than just twenty years. Whitebeard was an exception that lived into his seventies. But most of the non-Straw Hat characters seem to have ages that range from the early twenties to the late fifties. There's a cool quiz on Sporcle called 'One Piece: Character Ages Quiz' where you have to match 55 of the One Piece characters to their pre-Time Skip ages. Give it a shot if you're interested in testing your knowledge in that area. I can usually get around 80-90 percent. 100 if I try a second time.
Chrisfragger - I doubt even that would motivate Luffy to actually kill Nami. Maybe give her a beating but even that's pushing it a bit. Luffy considers Nami a friend so if she actually murdered his brother I think he would be more heartbroken than angry. Coincidentally, that's the reaction that I went with.
rasEnshur1KEn - Pay attention to Nami actions in Arlong Park. She blatantly told Sabo where Bonnie was then provided a cover for him to escape and even convinced the fishmen to let Usopp go. Perhaps saving Sabo from the fishmen makes up for kidnapping his girlfriend? Luffy's impulsive creativity is one of the things I love about him. He just does things. He doesn't stop to think if they'll work or if there'll be consequences for it. He just does it and most of the time it ends up working out and looking really cool. Prime example: the Gum Gum Pinwheel.
Pippalina - NAMI... WHHHYYYYYYY? Oh wait... we already know why, don't we?
PipeDream - Is it really idiotically optimistic to want to give people the benefit of the doubt and not judge them without meeting them for yourself? I feel like that's the basis of a happier and more accepting world. Sabo legitimately tried to get along with the fishmen. I'd like to think that if more humans did that there wouldn't be such a divisive split between the two species. But then Arlong revealed his true colors and that set Sabo off.
lostdog200 - No problem. Read you next week!
Syluk - But Nami also took steps to make up for her actions afterwards. She told Sabo where Bonnie was then helped both him and Usopp leave Arlong Park alive. True, things with Luffy are going to get worse before they get better. But since we all know that Nami didn't actually kill Sabo that means Luffy should instantly forgive her when he finally finds out the truth. That's what he does.
Narya Anima - That one's a no can do. Chopper already ate the Hito Hito no Mi/Human Human Fruit. There can't be two version of the same fruit. And there's no way in hell that I'm taking that away from him. I could never use that power as creatively as Oda has Chopper use it. Maybe there's a different Hito Hito no Mi model... but I can't think of anything beyond Sengoku's Buddha model that doesn't stray too far into OP Mystic Zoan territory.
The Patient One - Welcome aboard! Glad you're enjoying the ride so far. Thanks for all the reviews. You picked a good time to start reading because here's the latest new chapter.
This one's a whopper! Almost 10,000 words before I added my review responses. Enjoy my longest chapter yet!
Nezumi-
Two marine ships crossed paths on their way to the Conomi Islands where Arlong Park was located.
"Commodore Pudding Pudding what brings you to these parts?" Marine Captain Nezumi inquired. He wore a gray uniform with rat ears and even had mouse-like whiskers. "Aren't you with the 77th Branch?"
"That's Purin Purin," the higher ranked marine officer corrected the rat-like man. His light purple hair was braided into an elaborate series of loopy ponytails. "I received a distress call that those fishman monsters destroyed a village. I'm here to collect the surviving refugees and bring them to safety."
"Destroyed a village?" Nezumi repeated. "You don't say? I'm on my way to the Conomi Islands as well. Please, allow me to handle things there. I'll collect the refugees and do my best to investigate the situation. This is my jurisdiction and I've proven over the last few years that Arlong can be reasonable."
The Marine Commodore frowned, "I don't like it. I don't like the idea of leaving those fishmen to their own devices. They need to face justice for their crimes."
"What crimes are those exactly?" Nezumi asked. "If you had taken the time to read my regular reports you'd know that Arlong has been mostly quiet since he arrived in the East Blue. In fact, his reputation has been keeping other pirates away from this area. Chichichi!" Nezumi let out a squeaky rat-like laugh as he lied through his large bucked teeth. "Arlong destroying a village is highly irregular. Either someone was exaggerating or something big set him off. That's why I'll be sure to investigate the situation. We need to know what really happened there."
"We should just get rid of that fish bastard now," Purin Purin insisted.
"But he is backed by the Warlord Jinbe," Nezumi reminded. "We wouldn't want to anger one of the Seven Warlords by attacking one of their allies. Arlong's been quiet ever since that first year he claimed the Conomi Islands as his territory. That's the way we want him. Seeing a new face might provoke him and the last thing we need is a crew of angry fishmen raging their way through the East Blue."
"Very well," the Marine Commodore finally conceded. "This is your jurisdiction and you do have years of experience in dealing with Arlong and his fishman cronies. I'll allow you to investigate but I want to hear a full report of your findings in three hours' time. Otherwise I'll come and take a look at things myself."
"Of course," Nezumi agreed, "Expect to hear from me soon."
Captain Nezumi scowled as his ship continued towards Conomi Islands. "Who does that pompous bastard think he is? I haven't spent these last several years keeping Arlong's actions quiet for nothing. Maybe I should have let him investigate… Arlong would've taken care of the Commodore and I'd never have to deal with him again."
Commodore Purin Purin frowned as he watched Captain Nezumi sail away. "I don't trust that rat. Forget the three hours. We'll give him two then go to investigate. I want those fish out of my ocean."
Even closer to the Conomi Islands, Sanji's boat was back to its steady pace as they continued to drift closer to Arlong Park. The small crew had taken a break for lunch so they could refuel their 'engine'.
"DISS ISH SHO GOOD!" Luffy mumbled through a mouthful of meat.
"Yeah, yeah, eat up," Sanji encouraged him. "The faster you finish the faster we can get to Nami."
None of the five noticed the large silhouette that was lurking underneath Sanji's small boat having been drawn by the delicious smell food.
Back at Arlong Park, Nami's distraction banquet was fully underway. Nami had proven that she could even outdrink a fishman as evidenced by the pile of three passed out fishmen that she'd managed to drink under the table.
"Impressive Nami," Arlong praised her, "You're really knocking 'em back."
"Oh this is nothing," Nami boasted as she raised a mug in her now-gloved hand. "I'm just getting started. Maybe I'll actually feel a buzz after another half dozen cups."
"Shahahaha!" Arlong laughed, "Atta girl!"
"Arlong, Arlong! Nyu!" Hachi called out as he came over to Arlong with a fishing pole that had an entire roasted pig dangling from the hook. "Mohmoo never came for his lunch. I don't understand way. Roasted pig is his favorite, nyu."
"Maybe your pet found food somewhere else," Arlong suggested. "This is a party! You shouldn't waste time worrying about insignificant things. Have a drink. Someone needs to outdrink Nami."
"Right, I'm on it, nyu," Hachi happily agreed.
"LUFFY! WHERE ARE YOU!?" Usopp shouted to himself as he ran away from Arlong Park. "If he's not here yet then I've got to grab the Merry and get out of here. Maybe we'll meet halfway and he can come back here for Bonnie and tell her the news. I'm certainly not telling her that Nami killed her boyfriend. There's a huge chance that she'd shoot the messenger!"
"You mean she's finally collected all the money?" Genzo the Mayor of Cocoyashi Village asked. He wore a maroon uniform and an officer's hat with a pinwheel decorating it. His arms, legs and face were covered in numerous vicious-looking stitched scars.
"That's right," Nojiko confirmed. "She even had some leftover."
"Can we trust Arlong to live up to his end of the agreement?" Genzo questioned.
"Nami seems to think so," Nojiko replied. "She claims that Arlong's said he'd rather die before he'd break an agreement involving money."
"Then we've got to hope that's true," Genzo resolved. "I don't like the idea of abandoning the other villages in this area to their fate but at least we'll be out from under their gaze and Nami will be free."
"The last thing any of us wants it for Cocoyashi to end up like Gosa," Nojiko admitted. "I…" She trailed off when she saw a soaking wet Sabo step into the main road. "Excuse me, Genzo. I've got to take care of something for Nami."
Genzo nodded and Nojiko approached the tall blonde. "Hey you!" Sabo turned to look at her. "Do you normally wear a top hat?"
"Yeah…" Sabo answered. "I kinda lost it escaping Arlong Park."
"Then you're the guy I'm looking for," Nojiko realized. "I've got something of yours."
Sabo's eyes lit up. "You've got Bonnie?"
"Well… I've got a certain rifle if that's what you call it," Nojiko confirmed.
Sabo nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, Bonnie Anne… my rifle… my partner… my other half…"
"So that's what the 'B.A.' carved into the handle stood for," Nojiko realized. She'd tuned out his rambling as soon as he'd said 'rifle'. "Well, Bonnie Anne is back at my place."
Sabo's face split into a wide grin, "Then that would make you Nami's sister."
"Nojiko," Nojiko introduced herself as she held out her hand.
"Sabo, Quartermaster of the Straw Hat Pirates," Sabo returned as he reached out and shook it.
"Come with me then Quartermaster Sabo," Nojiko playfully instructed. Sabo nodded and followed Nojiko to a small path the led out of Cocoyashi Village. "Also, Nami asked me to pass on a message. She said she's sorry she stole your rifle and that she didn't even know it was on the ship when she took it."
"She said something like that at Arlong Park," Sabo admitted, "And she made a point of saying Bonnie was back at her place. I was pretty pissed at her for kidnapping Bonnie but then she saved my life and helped me escape the fishmen so I guess I can't hold it against her anymore."
"She also wants you to leave once you have your rifle back," Nojiko added.
"Aw, and here I was thinking we were still friends," Sabo lamented.
"For Nami 'friends' is the most painful word there is," Nojiko told him. "That girl's fought alone for eight years. In the village they call her a witch and a traitor for joining Arlong's Crew. She already risked a lot saving you. Please honor her wishes."
"I would but that's not my call," Sabo informed her. "I'm just the vanguard. I'm still waiting for my younger brother to arrive. He's the Captain of our crew."
"Then pass it on to him and leave as soon as he lands," Nojiko advised. "Trust me, I'm being nice about this. You don't want Nami to have to tell him herself. My sister doesn't want anyone to get hurt so she'll do and say anything to forcibly drive people away from her before Arlong can get to them."
"Ah, but you haven't met my brother," Sabo countered. "He's even more stubborn than Nami is. We'll see what happens when he finally gets here."
"Faster, hippo! Faster!" Luffy cheered. "Take us to Arlong Park!"
The 'hippo' in question was actually a massive sea cow. It had the face, horns, ears and spotted pattern of a cow but the fins and tail of a seal. Luffy didn't seem to care about that and just called it a 'hippo'.
Like the panda shark, Mohmoo was sporting a large lump on his head from his altercation with the Straw Hats. The sea cow had attempted to help itself to some of the Straw Hats' lunch as well as some of their cook. Sanji hadn't taken too kindly to the monsters' attempt to eat him and two kicks later the sea cow was now pulling Sanji's boat towards Arlong Park.
"Hey, I think I see it," Johnny said as he stared ahead of them.
"Oh yeah! There it is!" Luffy exclaimed. "Hurry up, hippo! We're almost there! Faster!"
"MOOOooooo…" Mohmoo moaned weakly as he started to veer to the side.
"Uh oh, it looks like Cook-bro's kick took too much out of him!" Yosaku exclaimed.
"Go left hippo, left!" Luffy ordered.
"Well if that was Arlong Park… we just missed it," Sanji dead-panned.
"And there's the shore," Zoro noted. "LOOK OUT! THE HIPPO'S GONNA CRASH!"
KROOOOM!
Mohmoo slammed head-first into the shore. Sanji's boat kept going and flew over Mohmoo and went soaring onto the island.
"WOOHOO! WE'RE FLYING!" Luffy cheered.
"We've been sent flying, you idiot!" Sanji scolded him.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE! WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Johnny and Yosaku chanted as they hugged each other.
"Hold on! We're going down!" Zoro warned everyone.
WHAM!
The boat hit the ground but then kept going and mowed over trees as it continued inland.
Usopp was still running towards Cocoyashi Village when he heard a loud racket as a forest was leveled. "What the heck is that?" Usopp wondered as he made the big mistake of stopping.
KREK-KRASH!
"HEY! USOPP!" Luffy called out from the fast-moving boat when he spotted the familiar sniper.
Usopp turned and stared in wide-eyed horror. For the second time in the span of an hour he had a ship flying right at him from where he thought he was safe on dry land. The sniper did the only thing he could think of and screamed. "WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
BOOOOOM!
The boat slammed into him and carried the terrified sniper onward across dry land.
"STOOOOP THIIIIS THIIIIIING!" Usopp shrieked as he dangled off the front of the boat.
"Hey! Look out for that rock!" Sanji called out.
"MOMMY!" Usopp cried before they crashed right into it.
KRASH!
Usopp suddenly experienced what it was like to be caught between the irresistible force when it met the immovable object. Short description: IT HURT! But the boat had finally stopped.
"YAY! We landed!" Luffy cheered.
"Yeah… but I think we might've just killed Usopp…" Zoro announced.
"Wait here," Nojiko instructed before she slipped inside and left Sabo waiting outside her house.
Sabo drummed his fingers on his side and casually eyed the modest tangerine grove while he waited.
"Here you go," Nojiko announced as she came back out holding Bonnie Anne.
"BONNIE!" Sabo exclaimed as he darted forward and pulled Bonnie and Nojiko into a tight hug. "I missed you so much."
"Whoa, easy there, big guy," Nojiko remarked, "You're still soaking wet."
Sabo pulled back and fondly stroked his rifle. "This rifle means the world to me. I can't thank you enough for returning her. You're an angel."
"Well I guess that's a step up from being a called a 'tattooed meanie'," Nojiko noted.
"Tattooed…" Sabo repeated before he glanced at the intricate tattoo on Nojiko's arm that ran up to her shoulder and spread across her chest. It was at that point that he also noticed that Nojiko's contact with his wet body had molded her top to her. "Uhh…"
"Hey, eyes up, pal!" Nojiko warned him as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Sorry," Sabo quickly apologized as he averted his eyes. "You've got nice… uh… tattoos. They look really good. I've actually got one myself."
"You have a tattoo?" Nojiko questioned.
"Back when I was fifteen my brother Ace and I got drunk for the first time and decided to get matching tattoos," Sabo explained. "We both got the first letter of our name tattooed on our left shoulder in the same color and font. We agreed that we'd customize them on our own when we set sail as pirates and then we'd show 'em off when we met again on the high seas."
"Well I didn't need to be drunk," Nojiko admitted, "I was thirteen when I got mine and it was a conscious decision that I made… for my sister." Sabo nodded and didn't press further. Nojiko quickly changed the subject to something less personal. "Anyway, I chased some brat with a death wish away from Arlong Park and got called a 'tattooed meanie' for my trouble."
"You're anything but a meanie," Sabo assured her, "You took care of Bonnie for me and I…" Sabo trailed off as he looked down at Bonnie Anne in wide-eyed astonishment. "You polished Bonnie Anne."
"My adoptive mother showed me how to maintain a rifle before she died," Nojiko said, "I kept some of her old cleaning supplies and decided this would be a good time to use them. Plus, I thought you'd be more forgiving of Nami if your rifle looked her best when you got her back." Sabo's insane enthusiasm for his rifle had once again proven to be infectious and Nojiko was now unconsciously referring to the rifle as a 'she'.
"I'm just surprised that Bonnie let you polish her," Sabo admitted. His eyes were still locked on his rifle. "Normally if someone tried that she'd go off and send them flying."
"Oh yeah, that broken safety switch," Nojiko recalled. "Your rifle went off a few times while Nami had her and once when I was taking a look at her. Originally, I thought she had finally run out of bullets but when I opened her to get at the revolving cartridges I found out there was still one left."
"I never needed that switch," Sabo said absently as he continued to stare at Bonnie Anne. "I trust her to fire when it's important. The fact that she didn't go off in your face means she approves of you… or was saving the round for something else."
"Riight," Nojiko replied with a skeptic roll of her eyes. "Well, mom never got around to showing me how to actually shoot a rifle. But I bet Bonnie Anne's a real beauty to see in action."
Sabo finally looked up and raised an eyebrow, "Wanna learn?"
Genzo and a number of villagers from Cocoyashi Village had gathered on the shore to investigate the large indent that Mohmoo's head had made when the massive sea cow had collided with the shore.
The massive sea cow in question was nowhere to be seen since it had sunk down into the water after being knocked out from the hard impact with the shore.
"What do you think could have caused it?" Dr. Nako, an old man with sunglasses and a bandana, asked.
"Maybe it was those fishmen trying to scare us again," Genzo suggested.
"Hey is that a ship?" someone asked.
The villagers stared off the shore and eventually spotted a large marine vessel making its way towards the island.
"It's the Marines," Genzo realized.
"We called for them." The Cocoyashi Villagers turned to see another group of people laden with bags and personal belongings. Among them was a small boy with an orange cap named Chabo who was in the process of being scolded by his mother.
"What were you thinking running off to Arlong Park? You saw what that monster did to our house. What do you think he'd have done if that young woman hadn't stopped you? I expect you to apologize to her the very next time you see her."
"Yes mother…" Chabo groaned.
"You're from Gosa Village, right?" Genzo inquired.
"Yes," an old woman confirmed. "After those monsters destroyed our village we called for the Marines to take us away from here."
"Do you really think that's going to work?" Dr. Nako questioned. "Arlong won't let anyone escape from his control."
The marine ship landed and Captain Nezumi disembarked with his men.
"Are you here to finally take us away from this horrid place?" one of the Gosa Villagers asked.
"I'm here to investigate that incident," Nezumi replied.
"We couldn't afford Arlong's tribute this month and he attacked our village with his enormous pet!"
"Ah, so you broke your agreement with Arlong and he responded appropriately," Nezumi noted.
"Appropriately? He flipped our houses upside down!"
"But the houses are still in one piece, aren't they?" Nezumi retorted. "As expected, your village wasn't destroyed. My report will show that everything was just a huge exaggeration."
"How… you rat! How could you turn your back on us? Are you really going to ignore everything that's happening here?"
"And what is happening here exactly?" Nezumi probed. "From my standpoint all I see are humans being prejudiced against fishmen. You need to be more tolerant."
"TOLERANT? ARLONG'S ENSLAVED THIS ENTIRE ISLAND!"
"Right, and I'm sure that's a gross exaggeration too," Nezumi chided. "You people really need to learn to live with in harmony with the fishmen. Only after you accept them will you be able to live your lives."
"You… you're just as bad as they are!"
"Do you really want to make a Marine Captain angry?" Nezumi barked. "There's a nice, cold prison workhouse on Tequila Wolf if you'd prefer to live there!"
"No…"
"Right then," Nezumi resolved, "I have another more important matter that requires my attention. Which one of you is Genzo?"
"I am," Genzo spoke up.
"You are the Mayor of Cocoyashi Village then?" Nezumi inquired. Genzo nodded. "Very good. I received a disturbing report about one of your citizens. I'm looking for Nami… the thief."
"What business do the Marines have with Nami?" Genzo asked.
"Chichichi! Don't worry about that," Nezumi reassured him with a rat-like chuckle. "Just take me to her."
Genzo nodded and let Nezumi and his dozen men away. The villagers from Cocoyashi and Gosa glared at the Marine Captain as he left. He'd completely ignored their plight in favor of his own business.
"This is our reality…" Dr. Nako stated, "No one escapes Arlong."
"Arlong, I just received word that Captain Nezumi has arrived in Cocoyashi Village," Kuroobi reported.
"Very good," Arlong replied as he looked over at Nami who was out of earshot. "He'll have all the treasure cleared out in a matter of minutes. We'll let her go now and she'll arrive just in time to see her stolen money stolen."
A moment later, Nami was walking along the shore towards home. It was finally over. She was almost free!
Along the way, she spotted the large indent Mohmoo had made during the Straw Hats' crash landing.
"If I were a betting girl... and I am... I'd bet that's Luffy's handiwork," Nami noted. "Just dealing with the other two was bad enough. Now it looks like the gang's all here. I've gotta get rid of them before those idiots do something stupid like pick a fight with Arlong."
"Usopp! Usopp! Are you okay?" Luffy asked as he, Zoro, Sanji, Johnny and Yosaku all crowded around the Master Gunner.
"Uuuggghhh…" Usopp groaned as he finally regained consciousness. "I feel like I was just bit by a…" Usopp opened his eyes and spotted the boat that'd hit him. "YOU JERKS! WHY DIDN'T YOU WATCH WHERE YOU WERE GOING? DRY LAND IS NO PLACE FOR A BOAT!"
"He's got enough energy to shout," Sanji noted, "It looks like he'll make a full recovery."
"So you're here… where are the gun-nut and the thief?" Zoro inquired.
"Sabo and…" Usopp trailed off and shuddered. "LUFFY! THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE! IT'S HORRIBLE!"
"What happened?" Luffy questioned. "What's horrible?"
"We managed to find the Merry but Bonnie was gone," Usopp recounted. "Some fishmen took us to Arlong Park. I had a bad feeling about it but Sabo insisted that it was going to be okay but it wasn't okay! Those fishmen are monsters! And Nami… she's one of them! SHE KILLED SABO!"
"WHAT?" all five newcomers shouted in shock.
"The fishmen attacked us but Nami…" Usopp rubbed his eye, "She stabbed him. She killed him!"
"NO! YOU'RE LYING!" Luffy snapped at him. "NAMI WOULD NEVER KILL SABO! SHE'S ONE OF US!"
"I WISH I WAS LYING!" Usopp yelled back as he broke down in tears. "BUT I SAW IT! THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO! Sabo's gone…"
"I had a feeling that girl was more devious than she let on," Zoro admitted.
"Devious?" Sanji repeated. "THERE'S NO WAY THAT BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IS A MURDERER!"
"USOPP, YOU SAW WRONG!" Luffy insisted. "THERE'S NO WAY NAMI KILLED HIM! She wouldn't do that! She's our friend!"
"Who's your friend, Luffy?"
Everyone stopped and turned to see the orange haired thief that they were just arguing about.
"NAMI!" Luffy cheered. "There you are! Usopp thinks you killed Sabo. He's lying again, right?"
"Usopp knows what he saw," Nami replied as she gave the sniper a hard stare. "He's telling the truth."
Luffy smile faltered. "What? Where's Sabo?"
"Sleeping with the fishes," Nami answered.
"CUT THE CRAP!" Zoro berated her.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR CRAP!" Sanji snapped at him as he swung his leg at the swordsman's face.
KLAK!
Zoro blocked Sanji's kick with his sheathed sword, "You're pissing me off, Love-Cook!"
"Only a crude brute like you would think so poorly of a lady!" Sanji scolded him.
"I… I don't believe it…" Luffy insisted.
"Then how about some proof?" Nami offered as she tossed a familiar top hat at Luffy.
Luffy froze and stared at his brother's hat in shock. Zoro and Sanji immediately stopped fighting. Usopp let out a whimper. Johnny and Yosaku glared at her.
"You witch!" Johnny growled.
"How could you?" Yosaku demanded.
"Sabo made the mistake of getting in my way," Nami stated. "So I took care of him. I paid him the courtesy of killing him myself instead of letting the fishmen do it. I'd suggest that you guys take your ship and get out of here before the same thing happens to you."
"But Nami…" Luffy weakly protested. "You're our friend… We're… nakama…"
"Friend?" Nami repeated. "I have no friends. I was just using you idiots to get more treasure. Now that I have all the money that I need I don't have to put up with your nonsense anymore. I'm done with you."
FWUMP!
"Luffy?" Zoro called out in concern as the Captain dropped to the ground.
"Nami… killed Sabo…" Luffy mumbled. "I don't… feel so good…"
The news that Nami had killed his brother and no longer considered them friends had been more devastating to Luffy than everything Don Krieg had thrown at him put together.
Nami glared at the others, "Get off my island," she ordered. "I never want to see any of you again."
With that the thief turned and stalked off and left her former friends behind her.
"Now take a deep breath and pull the trigger," Sabo instructed as he and Nojiko stood near a grave overlooking the sea. Nojiko was pressed back into Sabo and his arms were around her as he held her hands and guided her through the proper way to hold his rifle.
"Which one?" Nojiko asked. "There's two here..."
"The first one," Sabo clarified. "The other one is for her signature Scatterblast ability. You're not ready for that yet."
Nojiko took a deep breath and was assaulted by a strong scent of gun smoke and rifle polish that even Sabo's recent 'bath' hadn't washed off. She curled her finger and pulled Bonnie's trigger.
KER-CHOW!
Nojiko braced for the recoil but the sturdy, well-built pirate behind her kept her rooted in place so she could see the round she'd just shot off strike the water right where she'd aimed.
"Wow…" Nojiko gasped as she prodded her elbow experimentally against a defined set of abs that she never would have noticed through all the layers of old-style clothes. "That was… something…"
"Yeah, Bonnie's the best," Sabo replied as he stepped back from her.
Nojiko turned to face him as he reloaded his rifle and took a moment to look him up and down.
"Nami never told me they made pirates like you," Nojiko remarked.
Sabo grinned as he snapped his rifle closed, "To be fair, I've only been sailing for a little over a week."
"Nami? Are you here?"
Nojiko pushed passed Sabo and looked through her tangerine grove to see Genzo and a group of thirteen marines outside her house. "Genzo… and some marines… This doesn't look good…"
Nojiko didn't spare Sabo a second glance as she made her way through the grove to the group of uniformed men. "What's going on here?"
"Ah, Nojiko," Genzo greeted her. He motioned to the rat-like man next to him. "This is Captain Nezumi from Marine Base 16. He's here looking for Nami."
"I'm her sister," Nojiko stated. "What do the Marines want with Nami?"
"My branch of the Marines has received intelligence about your sister's activities," Nezumi explained. "Reports say that she's 'a Pirate Thief'. This is an interesting case. Chichichi! My sources say that she exclusively robs pirates. But a thief is a thief. While she may be stealing from criminals… she is in fact taking money that never belonged to them in the first place. These pirates that your sister stole from actually stole that treasure from innocent law abiding citizens. I'm afraid that it falls upon me to confiscate that money in order to ensure that it's returned to the people that it belongs to."
"You can't be serious," Nojiko dead-panned, "You're going to completely ignore all the crimes that Arlong has committed just so you can confiscate some treasure from a thief? Arlong has killed dozens of people. He's destroyed villages, torn families apart and has enslaved this entire island. What kind of marines are you that you'd ignore all that just to focus on some money?"
"Chichichi!" Nezumi laughed in response, "The way I hear it, this isn't just some money… this is one hundred million berries we're talking about!"
Both Nojiko and Genzo's eyes narrowed.
"How do you know how much money she has?" Genzo demanded.
"Lucky guess?" Nezumi replied. "Chichichi! Look, I'm just trying to do my job."
"Trying to..." Nojiko sputtered. "YOUR JOB IS TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM PIRATES LIKE ARLONG! You want that money? Then why don't you fight for actual justice and get rid of those fishmen? If you free this island… you can have the hundred million berries!"
"Ah-ha!" Nezumi exclaimed, "So you do know about your sister's stolen treasure! I order you to turn it over to us. Otherwise I'll have to arrest you for obstruction of justice and hold you in custody while my men search for the treasure."
"You barely even heard a word I said!" Nojiko realized, "Now you're threatening to arrest me without even bothering to investigate those fishmen?"
"I'm already in the middle of an investigation," Nezumi chided her, "And I won't let you impede it. Men, search the place."
"YOU DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO ENTER MY HOUSE!" Nojiko shouted.
"Girl, we're the Government!" Nezumi reminded her, "We don't need your permission to do anything! You know what, men? Forget the house! There's no way a hundred million berries would fit in that run-down looking shack. Search the grove instead. Maybe it's buried there."
"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING MY TANGERINES!" Nojiko yelled.
"That girl is going against the Marines," Nezumi pointed out. "Men, take her out!"
Six of Nezumi's corrupt marines raised their rifles and aimed at Nojiko.
"Wait… what're you doing?" Genzo protested.
"FIRE!" Nezumi commanded.
A blue blur rushed passed Nojiko, "SCATTER BLAST!"
KER-CHOW!
The six marines were blasted backwards before they got a chance to open fire. The six men hit the ground and didn't get up.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't listen to much more of that without being sick," Sabo apologized.
"No… no problem," Nojiko said as she stared in surprise at the pirate who'd just saved her. He'd gone from a goofy rifle fanatic to a lethal warrior in an instant. He'd just killed a half a dozen marines to save her.
"You! What do you think you're doing!?" Nezumi demanded. "I'm a Captain of the Marines!"
"Like I give a shit," Sabo retorted. "I became a pirate so I'd be free to fight crooked marines like you."
"KILL THAT PIRATE!" Nezumi shrieked. The remaining marines raised their rifles.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?"
Everyone stopped and turned to stare at Nami as she ran over.
"Hey Nami!" Sabo greeted her. "These corrupt marines are trying to steal your money. It fell upon me as the law-abiding pirate to fight for justice and stop them." Sabo grimaced and turned to Nojiko. "That sounded wrong to you too, right?" Nojiko nodded. "These are strange times we're living in."
"Is that right?" Nami asked as she turned to Nezumi. "Are you trying to steal from me?"
"I'm not stealing anything," Nezumi insisted. "I received intelligence that you're a thief that robs from pirates so I'm here to confiscate that money and return it to the people that it rightfully belongs to."
"Do you even have a warrant to do that?" Sabo inquired.
"I don't need a—" Nezumi protested.
"Sure you do," Sabo cut him off. "The only thing that separates us is the law. You can't produce the proper paperwork to prove you're here upholding the law then that makes you no better than me."
"I'd definitely prefer a cute pirate over a corrupt marine," Nojiko chimed in. She was the only one in a position to see Sabo discretely reloading his rifle behind his back.
"Both of you stay out of this!" Nami berated them before she turned back to Nezumi. "Your information was only half-right. I'm not just a thief. I'm also a member of the Arlong Pirates. Do you really think Arlong will let you get away with robbing a valued member of his crew?"
"Arlong?" Nezumi repeated with a crooked smile. "Chichichi! I doubt he'll mind at all." Nezumi addressed his men. "Dig up this grove until you find the treasure. Shoot anyone that tries to stop you."
"I'M NOT GIVING YOU GUYS ONE BERRI OF MY MONEY!" Nami snapped, "THAT MONEY IS TO…"
"THAT MONEY IS TO SAVE COCOYASHI VILLAGE!" Genzo shouted.
"Genzo…" Nami gasped in shock.
"Ooh! Now I remember!" Sabo exclaimed, "She said something about collecting money to buy a village after we beat Buggy the Clown." Sabo leaned towards Nojiko, "I take it she didn't know that he knew." Nojiko nodded.
"We all knew Nami," Genzo confessed. "We couldn't believe that you'd join Arlong just for money. Not after what he did to Bellemere. So we pressed Nojiko."
"Sorry Nami," Nojiko apologized. "I had the entire village twisting my arm."
"We didn't want you to know that we were all depending on you," Genzo admitted, "We didn't want you to think that you couldn't run away if things got too hard."
"What's this?" Nezumi questioned, "Everyone in this village knew that you were stealing? Are you saying that everyone here is a thief?"
"THEY'RE SAYING WE CAN'T DEPEND ON YOU PEOPLE!" Nojiko snapped at him. "We've had to fend for ourselves these last eight years while you did nothing! SO IF YOU'RE NOT HERE TO GET RID OF THE FISHMEN THEN GET THE HELL OUT!"
"I've heard enough out of you!" Nezumi growled, "GET THEM OUT OF THE WAY!"
"SCATTER BLAST!"
KER-CHOW!
Nezumi's six remaining men dropped to the ground. The dirty marine gaped in shock as he now found himself alone with four people that seemed rather displeased with his actions.
"You know I'm starting to wonder how deep this rat's corruption actually goes," Sabo remarked. "I know for a fact that there are marines in this ocean that could beat these fishmen. We ran away from one of them when we left the Gecko Islands."
"That dog-guy?" Nami questioned.
"Yes... him..." Sabo as he suppressed a shiver. "Anyway, I'm willing to bet that this crooked rat has been taking bribes all this time to keep Arlong's actions quiet."
Genzo glared at Nezumi, "YOU RAT-BASTARD! YOU'RE THE REASON ARLONG'S BEEN GETTING AWAY WITH HIS CRIMES ALL THESE YEARS! YOU'RE IN HIS POCKET!"
"In his pocket…" Nami mused as she came to a horrifying conclusion, "DID ARLONG SEND YOU HERE?"
"Look at the time!" Nezumi claimed, "I must be off!" The rat turned tail and ran.
"I've got him," Sabo assured them as he loaded another batch of bullets into his rifle and aimed down the path at the fleeing Nezumi. "PARTING SHOT!"
KER-CHOW!
Nezumi dropped to the ground and clutched his shoulder, "AUUGGHH!"
"That didn't kill him," Genzo observed, "You left him alive."
"Of course," Sabo replied as he headed after Nezumi. "Now we can get some answers."
The scarred Mayor's face turned feral as he followed Sabo down the path.
Nojiko fell into step beside Nami. "Nami… you didn't tell me your pirate friend was a sexy badass!"
"Sexy?" Nami repeated. "The guy's insane! Did he tell you about his rifle?"
"You mean Bonnie Anne?" Nojiko asked, "Sure. He even showed me how to fire her."
"Oh dear God… he's corrupted my sister," Nami grumbled, "SABO! YOU BASTARD!"
KER-CHOW!
"AUUUUGGHH!" The two sisters looked ahead to see Nezumi clutching at his leg and raced over. "MMMFFFMMFF!" They arrived in time to see Sabo clamp his hand over Nezumi's mouth to muffle the marine's screams.
"That was your knee," Sabo stated. "I doubt you'll ever be able to walk on it again. Start talking… or I'm gonna see how many places I can shoot you without killing you." He removed his hand. "Who sent you?"
"AARRGGG! IT WAS ARLONG!" Nezumi wailed. "ARLONG SENT ME! HE'S BEEN PAYING ME OFF FOR YEARS TO KEEP THINGS QUIET! HE DOESN'T WANT JINBE TO FIND OUT WHAT HE'S DOING HERE!"
Nami's hands clenched as she turned and ran off.
Sabo shook his head as he glared down at Nezumi. "You disgust me. You had a job to do and you betrayed all these people by selling out for that fish."
"You… you'll pay for this!" Nezumi hissed. "I'll place a bounty on your head! A big one! You'll regret the day you crossed me, pirate!"
"Oh yeah? Well, there's just one problem with that, chief," Sabo said. "You have to be alive to place that hit."
KER-CHOW!
Nami heard a distant gunshot ring out as she sprinted towards Arlong Park.
"I don't care how long it takes you. I'll honor our agreement. I'm the type of fishman that would rather die than break an agreement involving money."
"AAARRRLOOOONG!" Nami screamed as she ran up to Arlong Park and burst through the doors.
"My precious navigator, what could you be so angry about?" Arlong inquired.
"YOU SENT THOSE MARINES TO STEAL MY MONEY!" Nami shouted at him.
"I'm sorry your stolen money got stolen," Arlong retorted, "But if you can't come up with the agreed upon amount then I can't sell you Cocoyashi Village."
"THEY DIDN'T STEAL IT!" Nami yelled at him, "YOUR PET RAT AND HIS MEN ARE ALL DEAD!"
"What?" Arlong's eyes widened in surprise and the fishmen gaped in shock.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THAT CRAP ABOUT HOW YOU'D DIE BEFORE YOU BROKE AN AGREEMENT INVOLVING MONEY?"
Arlong frowned, "This is more serious than I thought. It looks like you've gained a taste for blood after killing that pirate. Now you've killed a Marine Officer. That's not something that can just be swept under the carpet. The Marines aren't going to like this. You killed one of their own. That's the kind of offense that the Marines will place a bounty on your head for."
"You… you never intended to honor our agreement…" Nami realized.
"I'm trying to look out for you, girl," Arlong assured her, "I can protect you from the Marines. But you're going to have to stay with my crew for another few years until the heat dies down. I'm afraid you're not going to be able to leave this island without the risk of being arrested."
"No way!" Nami refused. "I left my home and worked for you because of your promise… but you betrayed me. You lied to me! I'll never draw another map for you again! I'm done with you!"
"Is that right?" Arlong growled. "Then that means all the blood spilled in Cocoyashi Village will be on your hands. That sister of yours has been getting rowdy lately. We've been giving her leeway because you're a member of my crew. But if you're no longer one of us… that protection ends."
"You… you bastard! YOU FOUL, EVIL, HEARTLESS SNAKE! YOU KILLED MY MOTHER IN FRONT OF ME AND NOW YOU'RE TARGETING MY SISTER!?"
"I heard word that someone in Cocoyashi Village received a weapon," Arlong calmly commented, "I owe that village of yours a personal visit. If you agree to rejoin my crew and be my navigator again I'll forget all about it. But if you refuse… if you try to run away… What I did to Gosa will pale in comparison to what happens to Cocoyashi and all the people in it. You've got one hour to rethink your loyalties girl. Once that's up… then we attack."
"Damn you… DAMN YOU ARLONG!" Nami spat as she turned and ran out, "YOU MONSTER!"
"That was cruel, nyu," Hachi remarked. "Nami's never gonna forgive you for that."
"I don't need her to forgive me," Arlong insisted. "I just need her to keep drawing maps. The girl is the key to my Arlong Empire. I'll keep her no matter what I have to do. If I have to break a promise… so be it. If I have to demolish a village to make a statement... so be it. If I have to keep her sister as a hostage… so be it. There's no force in this world that will take that girl from me."
"You should have let me kill him," Genzo remarked as he, Sabo and Nojiko stood over Nezumi. "I've got a new sword I'm looking to break in."
"I sail under the black flag so that means I'm already an outlaw," Sabo replied, "I wouldn't want you to have to dirty your hands or reputation offing this scumbag. Plus, guns are more efficient killing instruments than swords."
"I guess this means Arlong broke their agreement," Nojiko reasoned, "Nami's going to be furious."
Sabo hefted Bonnie Anne over his shoulder and turned to face Nojiko. "If you could have any wish what would it be?"
"What? Be serious."
"Just… humor me, alright?" Sabo requested. "If I was a magic djinn and could grant you any wish… what would it be?"
"Obviously I'd wish for Arlong and his crew to be gone," Nojiko answered, "That way my sister and my home would be free from that monster."
Sabo nodded. "That's what I thought." He turned to leave. "Coming right up."
"Wait… what?"
"You gave me back Bonnie Anne so I'm in a generous mood," Sabo called over his shoulder.
"A dozen crooked marines are one thing! You can't fight the fishmen!" Nojiko protested, "You'd need an army to even stand a chance against Arlong!"
"Then I guess I'd better go find my troops," Sabo decided as he walked off towards the dock.
"Genzo! What's going on?" Genzo and Nojiko turned to see Dr. Nako and a crowd of other villagers. "We heard gunshots." The villagers spotted Nezumi. "What happened to him?"
"Justice," Genzo answered. "This treacherous rat was sent by Arlong to confiscate Nami's treasure."
"You mean the treasure she was collecting for Arlong? It's gone?"
"No. A young pirate took care of things for us," Genzo explained. "But that doesn't change the fact that Arlong betrayed Nami and broke their agreement." Genzo kicked Nezumi's corpse, "This bastard is the reason why no one ever came to help us. He's been in Arlong's pocket for years and was feeding the Marines false reports. Because of him we're on our own against the fishmen. I've had it with that fish!"
"The Marines aren't going to help us," Nojiko resolved, "So now we have to help ourselves."
"YEAH!" the villagers cheered.
Genzo turned to Nojiko, "We might not stand much of a chance… but we've found our army."
"Hmmm…" Sabo said as he stared at the large indent in the shore, "This looks like Luffy's handiwork." Sabo turned and with Bonnie Anne still slung over his shoulder he made his way inland.
It wasn't long before he spotted the toppled trees, "Yup, definitely Luffy's handiwork."
"Hey…" Sanji called out to Zoo and the swordsman sat with Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku sat near Luffy who had fallen into a fitful sleep. "Do you think Nami actually killed Sabo?"
"She killed Sabo? Well that's news to me."
Everyone turned to see the blonde Quartermaster step into the clearing.
"Sabo…" Usopp blurted out. "YOU'RE ALIVE!"
"Last time I checked," Sabo replied. He made a show of pressing his hand against his chest to check for a heartbeat. "Yup. Still alive."
"And… you found Bonnie," Usopp observed.
"Where do you think I've been all this time?" Sabo replied.
"LYING DEAD ON THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN!" Usopp snapped.
"You know that dead bodies float, right?" Sabo asked.
Usopp blinked. "They do?"
Sabo made his way over to Luffy. "What's with him?"
"Nami came by and insisted that she killed you," Zoro stated, "She dropped off your hat to prove it. Luffy… didn't take it well… he's been sleeping ever since."
"Oh, that was nice of her," Sabo said as he scooped up his lost top hat and put it back on. He looked down at his sleeping brother. "I guess I should wake him up." Sabo pointed Bonnie Anne at the ground next to Luffy.
KER-CHOW!
"WAH! BONNIE!" Luffy yelped as he sat up with a start.
"Yo!" Sabo greeted him.
"SABO!" Luffy exclaimed. "Usopp said you were dead!"
"I got better," Sabo dead-panned.
"But this means that Nami didn't kill you," Luffy realized, "She's still our friend!"
"Yeah," Sabo confirmed, "she's been working with Arlong because he said he'd let her buy village from him if she collected a hundred million berries. But he betrayed her and broke the deal."
"Sounds like a good reason to go kick his ass," Luffy decided as he stood up and pounded his fists together. "I think I'll go for a walk."
"Nami's village is off that way," Sabo informed him, "There's a chance you could see her there."
Luffy nodded and headed off in the indicated direction.
Usopp seemed to have finally recovered, "But… she stabbed you! I saw it! Her hands were covered in your blood."
"That was her blood," Sabo explained, "Those fishmen weren't going to let me leave Arlong Park alive… so she stabbed the back of her hand to make it look like she'd killed me. Nami saved my life."
"I KNEW IT!" Sanji exclaimed, "I KNEW THAT BEAUTIFUL WOMAN COULDN'T BE ANYTHING LESS THAN AN ANGEL!"
"We were wrong about her…" Johnny realized.
"We've got to make amends for what we said," Yosaku added.
The two bounty hunters turned and raced towards Arlong Park, "PREPARE YOURSELVES, FISHMEN!"
Sabo addressed the rest of the Straw Hats, "So… long story short, Arlong's blackmailing Nami into working for him by holding her village hostage. She'll never be one of us unless we can free her from Arlong. If Luffy's up for it… I say we head over to Arlong Park and teach those fish-bastards that just because they've got gills doesn't mean they're more evolved and better than everyone else. Plus, I kind of promised a pretty girl that I'd take care of the fishmen so her sister would be free."
Sanji grinned, "I knew there was a reason I liked you. I'm with you."
"I don't take orders from you," Zoro insisted. "But if that's what the Captain wants to do… I'm in."
"Nami saved your life…" Usopp recounted, "I guess we've gotta pay her back by saving her."
KER-CHOW!
Sabo smiled and patted his rifle. "I guess that means it's unanimous. Follow me."
The four Straw Hats turned and headed for Cocoyashi.
Nami was greeted by an angry mob when she returned to Cocoyashi Village. Genzo had retrieved his sword and was leading the group. Nojiko had found a hammer and the other villagers were wielding makeshift weapons.
"So it's true then," Genzo noted, "Arlong won't honor your agreement."
"No… he doesn't want me to leave…" Nami confessed. Her neighbors who had been viewing her with nothing but scorn over the last eight years now showed open concern. Genzo was telling the truth. Everyone knew about her deal with Arlong and now they all knew that he'd broken it.
"That bastard! He betrayed our Nami!"
"Look… nobody do anything hasty," Nami advised. "I'll… I'll figure something out. Attacking Arlong is the last thing any of you should be thinking of doing."
"So you're just going to keep working for him then?" Nojiko asked.
"I don't have a choice," Nami told her.
"Sure you do," Nojiko replied, "You can leave."
Nami shook her head. "I can't abandon you. Arlong wouldn't hesitate to kill everyone here if he thought it would keep me working for him. Nojiko… where'd Sabo go?"
"He left," Nojiko answered.
"Go after him," Nami instructed, "Ask him and the others to take you along with them as a favor to me. Arlong… he… I can't lose you too!"
"Do you know what Sabo asked me before he left?" Nojiko asked. "He asked me what I'd wish for if I had a magic djinn. I didn't even have to think about it. I want Arlong and his crew gone so that my home and you could be free. But wishes and magic are for kids. Sitting and waiting while Arlong reigns over this island isn't accomplishing anything. If I want something good to happen… I've got to make it happen. That's why I've got to fight. So in the meantime… why don't you get on that boat and leave with your friends. That way even if we don't win… part of my wish will still come true."
"You won't win," Nami insisted. "I can't let you do this. I won't let you throw your lives away." She pulled out her knife. "You'll have to get through me to get to him."
"Nami… we've made our decision," Genzo said as he stepped passed Nojiko and grabbed Nami's blade with his bare hand. "You've fought bravely on our behalf for the last eight years. But we won't allow ourselves to be your burden anymore. We won't condemn you to work for that murderous monster any longer." Genzo pulled Nami's knife away from her and tossed it aside. "If this is our end… so be it. We've accepted that. GET OUT OF THE WAY NAMI!"
Nami staggered backwards in shock and Genzo led the mob passed her.
"NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS… THIS'LL BE OUR LAST DAY SUFFERING UNDER ARLONG'S RULE!"
Nami snagged her sister's wrist as she went passed. "Nojiko… please… don't go…"
Nojiko turned and used Nami's hold on her to pull her sister into a long hug.
A familiar pirate with a Straw Hat watched as the mob marched passed him just outside the village.
"Hey, that guy had a pinwheel on his hat!" Luffy exclaimed, "That's so cool!"
Nojiko finally released Nami and gave her a sad smile. "I love you, Nami."
"Nojiko… Nami… love you…"
BANG!
Nojiko had slipped away while Nami was caught up in the memory. Nami felt her eyes burning. She hadn't let anyone see her cry since her mother died. But this was too much. She didn't hold any delusions about how this battle would go. It would be a one-sided slaughter if the Cocoyashi Villagers were lucky and a bloodbath if they weren't. Arlong couldn't be killed. She'd learned that much over the years.
The marines she'd tipped off her first time off the island? They hadn't even made it to shore. Arlong sunk their ship and they all drowned in a whirlpool.
The poison she'd put in his drink? He drank it down then held out his mug to her and asked for more.
The bounty hunters she'd hired? They'd at least made it to shore. But even trained assassins were no match for Arlong's fishman power. He'd toyed with them before killing them then left their heads on the wall of Arlong Park for a week. Nami's window out of the chart room 'conveniently' had the perfect view.
If marines, poison and bounty hunters didn't work what chance did a mob of civilians weilding pots and pans have? This was all too much. Arlong had betrayed her and now everyone that she had fought for over the last eight years was marching to their deaths.
"Ar…long…" Nami seethed as she picked up her knife. That evil fish had taken everything from her. She wouldn't bare his mark a second longer. "ARLONG!" Nami drove her knife into the Arlong tattoo on her shoulder.
CHUNK!
"ARLONG!" She screamed out in pain. Not from the knife wound but from loss. She pulled the knife out and jammed it in again.
CHUNK!
"ARLONG!" She was going to be rid of his branding mark even if she had to cut it off!
WHAP!
Someone caught Nami's wrist and held it in place.
Nami looked back over her shoulder and saw Luffy standing there with a frown on his face.
"What're you still doing here?" Nami asked as she pulled her hand away. "You have no idea what's happening on this island!"
"You're right," he agreed. "I don't know anything."
"I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE!"
"Yeah, you did."
Nami scraped her hand through the dirt and threw it back at him. She was so emotionally drained that it was all she could do at the moment.
Skish!
"GET OUT!"
Skish!
"LEAVE!"
Skish!
Nami trailed off held her hand over her eyes as the dam finally broke and she cried. She turned to look back at him with tears running down her cheeks.
"Luffy… help me…"
"…" Luffy took his hat off and placed it on her head.
"That hat sure means a lot to you," Nami noted after she'd fixed the damage Buggy had done to it.
"Sure does," Luffy agreed, "A great pirate gave this to me after he saved my life. He told me to give it back to him when I become a great pirate too. That's when I vowed to become King of the Pirates."
Luffy stepped passed Nami and let out a loud shout, "OF COURSE I'LL HELP YOU!"
"Luffy…" Nami whimpered as she grabbed the rim of his hat.
Luffy walked over to the other four Straw Hats who had been waiting for him at the edge of town.
"Let's go."
"RIGHT!" Sabo, Zoro, Usopp and Sanji all chorused.
Nami watched in shock as her five friends marched off towards Arlong Park.
"Hey you! What're you doing?" Genzo called out when the Cocoyashi Mob found a badly beaten Johnny and Yosaku sitting in front of the door to Arlong Park blocking their entry. "Did the fishmen beat you?"
"We came here to make amends for misjudging Nami-sis," Johnny answered. "We almost got him… but we still lost."
"Get you of the way!" Genzo ordered. "We have business with the fishmen."
"I'm sorry… we can't let you through," Yosaku apologized. "We're waiting for 'those guys' to show up."
"Those guys?" Genzo repeated.
"Bet your life on it," Johnny assured them. "'Those guys' will definitely come."
Overtaken started to play somewhere in the background.
"THERE!" Yosaku exclaimed as he and Johnny stood back up.
The Cocoyashi Mob turned to see five pirates approaching.
Luffy stood in the middle of the group. His hat was gone and his smile had been replaced by a frown of grim determination. He didn't know what was happening here and he didn't care. Arlong had made Nami cry. That was all the reason he needed to kick the fish's ass.
At Luffy's sides were Sabo and Zoro. Sabo stood a full head taller than his shorter brother and looked even taller with his top hat on. Bonnie Anne was slung across his shoulder and there was an almost 'eager' smile on his face. It was time show the uppity elitist fish what humans could really do.
Zoro was on Luffy's other side. His lone sword Wado Ichimonji was on his shoulder. His mummy bandages could still be seen through the opened green coat that Yosaku had loaned him. But his injuries didn't matter. The Captain had ordered them to fight so he was going to give it everything he had.
Usopp was on Zoro's other side. His sniper goggles were down over his eyes. Nami was their friend and they were going to save her from the monsters. That's what Brave Warriors of the Sea did. Usopp wasn't scared of the fishmen anymore. Not while his Nakama were beside him.
Finally, Sanji was on Sabo's other side. The newest Straw Hat Pirate's determined glare showed that he was just as invested as the others. These fishmen had hurt a lady. Not just any lady but that beautiful swan Nami. His Nami-swan. It was on his honor as a gentleman to beat the ever-loving shit out of those fish.
"Them?" Nojiko blurted out as she recognized the familiar rifle-wielding blonde.
"Those guys?" Genzo asked. "What about them?"
"If those guys can't stand up to the fishmen… then there's no hope," Johnny proclaimed. "Not just for this island but for the entire East Blue.
"Remember the faces of these five," Yosaku advised them "They've come to change the future and save the world."
The five pirates reached the crowd.
"Move," Luffy ordered.
The crowd parted and the Straw Hats made their way through.
Sabo grinned at Nojiko as he went passed, "I brought my army." He gave her a quick wink then turned to Luffy as they stepped up to the door. "So... should we knock or just let ourselves in?"
"I'll knock," Luffy volunteered. He drew his arm back and punched the huge metal double door with all his strength.
BANG!
The metal door warped and bent from the impact of Luffy's fist. He pulled his hand away and left a large indent behind.
BANG!
Luffy pounded the door again and it started to buckle under the power of his punches.
BOOOM!
The third punch blasted the doors off their hinges and sent them flying inside.
Luffy didn't hesitate and walked right in. He stared at the fishmen then took a deep breath and shouted.
"WHICH ONE OF YOU IS ARLONG?"
Forget all the kickass fights. The march to Arlong Park is my favorite scene from the East Blue Saga. I loved being able to include my Sabo in it.
The action starts next chapter!
Silver signing off