BROTHER ON BOARD
Last chapter ended up being my most successful chapter yet (if you judge 'success' by reviews at least). So thank you to everyone that reviewed and commented. These responses are really starting to take up a large chunk of my chapters. But I love responding to you guys so there's no way I'm getting rid of them. Even if one day my review responses end up being longer than that chapter itself. (Hopefully that won't be the case.)
zack25king - Glad you liked it. It's one of my favorite chapters so far. As for Luffy, let's just say his eyes have been opened to women in general. But you never forget your first kiss. You'll occasionally see Luffy's eyes drifting towards a certain navigator (much to Sabo's annoyance of course).
Lunapok - Wow! Really? Thanks.
pipi96 - The chances for LuNa are a lot more existent than in Canon. But for now I'm just gonna fool around with the idea of Luffy showing an interest in girl (Nami in particular) and see where it takes me.
Johnny Spectre - I didn't really see a point in bringing Nojiko along other than her being somebody's girlfriend. The way I have it she and Sabo have a 'fling' and the integrity of her character remains intact.
Guest (1) - Just because he doesn't have a bounty doesn't mean he'll be unknown. Read this chapter to see where I'm going with it. And what makes you think that Luffy and Hancock's meeting is going to go down like it did in canon? I've started with small changes to the storyline but by the time we get to that point there'll be some really big ones.
lostdog200 - I've been tinkering with ideas for what to do in the Grand Line and I think I have a way that I can include some of the specials. It may take a while to get to that point so don't hold your breath. IS Arlong gone? Read this chapter to find out!
DhanaRagnarok - Well in that case I should probably add a bit to my disclaimer stating that readers should keep an emergency supply of oxygen on hand just in case. I certainly don't want my story to endanger anyone's health.
BedofRoses1989 - Wow! Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like my writing style so much! Expect further delving into Bonnie's character once we get to the Grand Line. I think I've come to a final decision on what I want to do with her.
PsychopathOnADiet - And it looks like Nami might be the founding member of the Anti Bonnie Anne fan club. So far the only other member is Zoro. (And maybe Choo.)
rasEnshur1KEn - I think the official shortened ship name for LuffyxNami is LuNa. We'll see if that goes anywhere. I know I lost some humor in the swap but Zoro was really too injured to be anywhere near Arlong. In this case, Sabo was healthy enough to step in and be the temporary diversion. Also, I wanted Sabo to be with Nojiko during that battle. The payoff for that was Nojiko using Bonnie to blast the furniture so I think everything worked out.
crazyrubsoff - I'd like to think that when I write my dialogue that I do a good job of writing changing expressions. I've written about people grinning, growling and going wide-eyed a lot during my dialogue. This fic sort of relies on the fact that the reader has read the manga or watched the anime. This allows me to skip over doing a highly detailed description of something everyone's already seen. The One Piece manga is nearly at 900 chapters. That's a ridiculous amount of ground to cover. So you'll have to forgive me if I try to press the fast-forward button a bit. I've seen better authors than me get overwhelmed by the daunting task of rewriting the entire series so I'm trying not to fall into that trap.
Hiezen - I needed to give Usopp an opponent since I had Sabo steal Choo which was why I switched the original fishmen out for ones with names and actual character descriptions. All we know is that Ace 'found' Bonnie in the Grand Line. We won't learn how he found her or what their interaction was until Ace tells his brothers about it (or Bonnie finds a way to reveal it herself).
The Patient One - ... ... Yup.
Guest (2) - I'd add you to the Bonnie Anne fan club but I don't have a username to put on the list. As for right now, the LuffyxNami ship is for comedy purposes. Nothing serious just yet. But stay tuned to see if that changes.
Bluejay Blaze - You'd have to wonder what Ace's reaction would have been to seeing Nami kiss Luffy. Here's hoping I can have some fun with him when I finally get to Alabasta.
Mikila94 - So far Luffy knows. Usopp's always had the feeling that Bonnie wasn't just a gun. Nami knows and considers Bonnie the bane of her existence. Zoro doesn't care and Sanji's starting to figure it out. Sabo and Bonnie's (and Luffy's) past will be shown... eventually. I'd say soon-ish.
Fairy of the Friz - Maybe I really should tell people to keep a supply of oxygen on hand while reading... I don't want anyone laughing themselves to death. Minor spoiler, Luffy sensed Bonnie before Sabo because of his ability to hear all living things (as shown most recently with Zunish in the Zou Arc). I have no bigger plans for Perona but I do have plans for some other supporting characters. I'll see what happens when I get to that point in the story. Thriller Bark is a long, long way off.
Son of Whitebeard - More Arlong in the last scene. I even told it from his arrogant/elitist perspective.
Syluk - I'd hold off on writing fanfiction on SaBonnie since I haven't revealed the whole backstory yet. But I can't draw to save my life... I wouldn't say no to fanart if you're feeling artistically inspired. Hang in there with the Luffy/LuNa bit. Remember, most of what I do in this story is played up for laughs. Luffy having an interest in girls is one way I thought of to drive Sabo crazy. I think I've shown that I'm not one for One Piece fanon cliches so don't expect a Luffy ship to play out anywhere close to a normal relationship.
AnyMoreBrightIdeasGenius - Luffy with hormones is like a car wreck... its shocking and disturbing but for some reason you can't look away. I'm not going to spoil my plans for Bonnie but I think I've come to a decision on what I want to do with her and Sabo's characters (Devil Fruits included). Sabo's first meeting with Chopper isn't really that far off. According to my grand master plan the Drum Kingdom Arc is going to be a major turning point for Sabo's (and Bonnie's) characters.
News-
"You raised the price again!" Nami complained as she reluctantly paid the News Coo for her daily newspaper. "Raise it again and I'm not paying!"
She made her way over to her lounge chair and tuned out Sanji and Luffy as they fought over her newly planted tangerine bushes. The navigator reached her chair and laid back as she got ready to read.
KER-CHOW!
Nami growled and looked back over her shoulder to see Sabo, Usopp and the riflegeist by the railing.
"Pull!" Sabo called out.
Usopp lobbed a small white shell off the side of the ship.
Sabo quickly aimed his rifle and fired.
KER-CHOW!
The shell shattered as it was struck by Sabo's round.
"Pull!"
KER-CHOW!
"OI! Keep it down!" Zoro complained from up in the crow's nest where he'd been 'supervising' the sails. "Some of us are trying to sleep!"
"I don't complain when you do your training, sword-hoarder!" Sabo retorted.
"That's 'cause I do mine late at night when everyone's sleeping!" Zoro argued.
"Well my training's noisy," Sabo pointed out. "So I make a point to do it during the day when those of us that aren't lazy barnacles are awake."
"I'm with Zoro on this one!" Nami chimed in. "I can't read with you and that skank making a racket."
KER-CHOW!
Nami lurched in her chair as a bullet tore through her paper. She whirled around and glared at Sabo.
"Wasn't me!" he insisted.
"Oh, I know exactly who it was!" Nami snarled as she directed her now murderous glare at Bonnie Anne.
The Quartermaster paled. "You know what Usopp… I think it might be your turn now."
"Good call," Usopp replied, He handed over the bucket of shells and pulled out his slingshot.
Nami shook her head and turned back to the paper. She was greeted by a picture of the destroyed remains of Arlong Park on the front page. The headline read 'East Blue Saved'.
"Oh… my God…" Nami gasped as she started to read the article.
'Saw Tooth' Arlong is the latest of a series of notorious East Blue-based pirates to be apprehended by the Marines. Arlong and his crew of fishman pirates had been seemingly quiet since coming to the East Blue eight years ago. But it has been revealed the fishman had claimed northwest corner of the East Blue as his territory and enslaved everyone that inhabited the villages in that region. Anyone that objected to Arlong's rule was killed. But now Arlong has been defeated and faces a life sentence in a secure Marine Prison to pay for his numerous horrifying crimes.
Commodore Purin Purin of Marine Base Seventy-Seven is the one responsible for taking Arlong and his crew into custody. "I only wish that I could have done more," Commodore Purin Purin says, "Arlong got away with his crimes over the course of the last eight years because of misinformation that was being fed to the Marines by Captain Nezumi of Base Sixteen. Thankfully, both Nezumi and Arlong have been dealt with."
Jinbe of the Seven Warlords has ties with Arlong and had this to say. "Arlong purposely kept his actions in the East Blue quiet. I do not take Arlong's actions lightly and by no means find them acceptable. If I had known what Arlong was doing I would have come and removed him myself. All I can do now I thank those that defeated him and the Marines for taking him into custody. I will strive to do better in my appointed position from now on so this does not happen again."
But while Arlong was ultimately apprehended by the Marines his defeat came at the hands of an unexpected and unlikely hero: Pirate Captain 'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy.
Nami's eyes went wide as the article continued. "GUYS! GUYS! WE'RE IN THE NEWS!"
The others ran over. Even Zoro looked down from the crow's nest to listen in.
"What's it say Nami?" Luffy asked. The Captain had climbed onto the lounge chair behind the Navigator and was looking over her shoulder at the newspaper.
"It's about Arlong being arrested," Nami explained as she attempted to ignore Luffy's close proximity. "The newspaper is controlled by the World Government and they actually admitted that you beat him."
"Hmm… imagine that," Sabo remarked as he sat on the railing nearby with a knowing smirk.
"What else does it say?" Usopp inquired. "Does this mean we're famous?"
"Everyone shut up and I'll read it!" Nami instructed. "'But while Arlong was ultimately apprehended by the Marines his defeat came at the hands of an unexpected and unlikely hero: Pirate Captain 'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy. The new pirate captain appeared out of nowhere a mere two weeks ago and has sailed across the East Blue on a path that's led the Straw Hat Pirates straight through the most notorious pirates in the ocean. It's almost as if the Straw Hat Pirates and the Marines are working together."
"It sounds to me like they're trying to take credit for what we did," Sanji noted.
"Well they did apprehend them," Sabo pointed out. "Maybe someone pointed out that they could rightfully claim their share of the credit if they acknowledged what happened instead of just sweeping it under the carpet."
Everyone stared at the Quartermaster. "Sabo… what did you do?"
"Just keep reading," Sabo suggested.
Nami turned back to the paper and continued where she left off. "Another of Straw Hat's conquests is the infamous 'Pirate Admiral' Don Krieg. Krieg's underhanded tactics and fleet of fifty ships had made him the scourge of the East Blue. But an encounter with the World's Greatest Swordsman 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk in the Grand Line reduced the fleet to a mere one ship and one hundred men."
"Wait… that guy with the funny feathered hat was the World's Greatest Swordsman?" Sabo asked.
"Good thing we didn't piss him off," Usopp remarked.
"You two, shut up and let her finish!" Zoro barked at them.
Nami rolled her eyes and continued, "The Warlord had this to say about the incident: 'His fleet was an eyesore. So I got rid of it.' When asked to elaborate, Mihawk said 'The flagship managed to get away while I was sinking the other forty-nine ships. I decided to follow it to the East Blue so I could finish what I started. I caught up to them at a restaurant [the Ocean Going Restaurant the Baratie] and found the coward already in the midst of a battle with those Straw Hat Pirates that you mentioned. I tested one of them and found the crew up to the task of defeating what was left of Krieg's crew so I left them to it.'"
Everyone looked up at Zoro and saw an unreadable expression on the Boatswain's face. But there was no mistaking the determined glint in the swordsman's eyes.
Nami went back to the article, "'Straw Hat' Luffy managed to defeat Don Krieg and successfully defended the Baratie Restaurant. This was confirmed because the following day, the remains of Krieg's crew were apprehended by none other than Straw Hat's grandfather Monkey D. Garp the Legendary Marine Hero." Nami looked back at Luffy. "Your Grandpa's a Marine?""
Luffy had gone stiff and pale.
"That's the guy we ran away from after beating Kuro," Sabo took it upon himself to explain. "He's really strong. If he caught us he could have literally lifted the Merry and thrown her across the island."
"WOW! Thank God that didn't happen!" Usopp exclaimed.
None of the Straw Hats noticed as the Going Merry gave a small heave as she let out a sigh of relief.
"So that's the guy that kicked all three of your asses when you, Luffy and your other brother were kids," Sanji realized. "Trained by a legendary marine… No wonder Luffy's still traumatized."
"Vice Admiral Garp had this to say about the incident," Nami continued, "'I was in a bad mood that day and was really looking for a fight. Some chump with an ax on his hand had jumped me in the middle of a nap! I found a little boat stuffed with over sixty pirates but only one of 'em was in any condition to fight. One punch and that punk was gone. I think he went flying to the next island but I didn't have the time to chase him down. I took in Kreaky [Krieg] and the punks that were with him.' Garp was then informed that his grandson had been the one to defeat the Krieg Pirates. The Marine Vice Admiral did not seem pleased…" Nami trailed off and handed the newspaper off to Usopp. "You read the next bit. He shouts a lot."
"Oh, okay," Usopp agreed, "Eh-hem, 'WHAT? HE BEAT THOSE GUYS TOO? WHAT'S THAT BRAT DOING MAKING ME CLEAN UP HIS MESSES? FIRST THOSE CATS NOW THIS? THE NEXT TIME I SEE HIM I'LL TEACH HIM A LESSON! IF HE HAD BECOME A MARINE LIKE I TOLD HIM TO THIS WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM!'"
"Ew, gross!" Nami suddenly complained, "Luffy you're sweating on my back."
Everyone turned to see that Luffy was now pale, sweating and looking absolutely terrified. The Straw Hats could only wonder what kind of Garp-inflicted horror Luffy was reliving.
"Easy Luffy," Sabo reassured him. "It's a big ocean. And the Grand Line's even bigger. The chances of us running into him are really slim."
Nami snatched the newspaper back from Usopp, "Let's just finish the article. Then I'm taking a shower." Nami glared at Luffy, "You get to draw the water."
"…" Luffy nodded silently. His eyes were still wide as he continued to relive the childhood trauma of having Garp 'the Fist' for a grandpa.
"'Those cats' that Vice Admiral Garp was referring to were the infamous Black Cat Pirates. Their Captain, Kuro 'of a Thousand Plans', was believed to be dead. But that was exposed as a ruse concocted by Kuro, his First Mate 'One Two' Jango and former Marine Captain 'Axe-Hand' Morgan. Once again the Straw Hats were in the midst of the situation and had left Kuro, Jango and the remains of the Black Cat Pirates on the shore of the Gecko Islands for the Marines to take into custody."
Nami looked up almost as if she was expecting someone to interrupt her again but when no one did she kept reading. "Further digging has revealed that the earliest appearances of the Straw Hat Pirates saw them defeat infamous pirates Buggy 'the Clown' and 'Iron Mace' Alvida. But while the Marines were able to apprehend the crews of those pirates Buggy and Alvida still remain at large following their defeats. But this goes to show that in the span of a mere two weeks the newly formed Straw Hat Pirates have defeated every notorious pirate in the East Blue. With the assistance of the Straw Hats the Marines were able to capture a collection of rogues whose bounties total sixty-two million berries. The East Blue is now a much safer place."
"Cool! We're heroes!" Usopp exclaimed.
"Should pirates be heroes?" Luffy wondered as he scratched his hat like a monkey.
"We're not your typical example of pirates," Sabo supplied with a small grin.
"Okay… what's with the face?" Nami demanded as she eyed Sabo suspiciously.
"Keep reading," Sabo urged her.
"But what are these pirates up to? What are their intentions? Are they even more dangerous than the pirates they defeated? To answer these questions this reporter sat down and interviewed one of the Straw Hat Pirates. 'I'm Sabo, Quartermaster of the Straw Hat Pirates. 'Straw Hat' Luffy is my younger brother. We're not your typical example of pirates.'"
Everyone turned to stare at Sabo. "You gave an interview?" Usopp blurted out.
"Yeah," Sabo answered. "The reporter was poking around with a camera during the first day of the celebration. We did some negotiating and I agreed to give up our claim on the bounties of Kuro and Jango if the World Government agreed not to alter my responses. So keep reading. I want to make sure they lived up to their end."
Nami went back and continued Sabo's statement. "'Luffy and I have always been strong believers in the philosophy that with great power comes great responsibility. We've been fortunate enough to be in a position to do something about pirates that are much worse than us… and so we did it. We've had a great string of luck and have found ourselves in the right place at the right time. Alvida attacked a cruise ship we were on… so I fought her off. Buggy had a map we wanted and we had planned to negotiate with him for it. But when we found him he had taken over a town and was using the buildings for a target practice with his cannon. So we took care of him. Next we needed a ship. We arrived at the Gecko Islands and discovered Kuro posing as a butler and caught wind of his scheme to attack one of the villages. So we stayed overnight and fought off Kuro, Jango and the Black Cat Pirates. We were at the Baratie to work off damages that we'd accidentally dealt to the restaurant when Don Krieg showed up and announced that he wanted to steal it. The Head Chef and my Captain came to an agreement that if he fought off Don Krieg we'd be released from our work contracts. And that's what he did. That brings us to Arlong. A friend of ours asked us to help her… so we did. Other than fly the black flag we have yet to do anything that's actually illegal. We set sail as pirates so we could be free to pursue our dreams.'"
"Wow, they actually kept the whole thing!" Sabo exclaimed. "Let it be known, the World Government can be bribed."
"You gave up twenty five million berries… for that?" Nami questioned.
"Never underestimate the power of positive press," Sabo told her. "There's more right?"
Nami took up the newspaper again. "When asked what their plans are now that they've defeated all the big names in the East Blue. Quartermaster Sabo smiles and answers 'That's not really my decision. But I'll get you the man whose it is.' Sabo picks up a large slab of meat and waves it over his head. Almost as if he was summoned, Straw Hat Luffy appears and snatches the meat out of his brother's hand. 'Luffy, this guy wants to know what we plan to do next now that you've beaten Arlong'. Straw Hat grins widely and answers. 'We're heading for the Grand Line. I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!'"
"You told them that!?" Sanji exclaimed. "Now everyone's gonna think we're dangerous… or crazy!"
"Which isn't really that far off," Sabo pointed out.
"Let me just finish this…" Nami resolved. "Once his Captain departs, Sabo makes one last statement. 'I know the last thing that the World wants is another Pirate King. But if you had to pick one… wouldn't it be better to have a friendly Pirate King that works with the Marines to apprehend the pirates that are much worse? We don't attack passenger ships, we don't raid towns and we don't kill civilians. Each town we land in we leave a better place than when we first arrived. I think that says something about the kind of pirates that we are. Heads up, Grand Line, we're coming your way.' Will the Straw Hats become a major factor in the Grand Line? Only time will tell. For now, they're leaving the East Blue a safer place."
"Why would the World Government agree to promote pirates?" Sanji wondered.
"Yeah, we're not working with them," Luffy pointed out.
"But they think we are," Sabo explained. "By cashing in on Arlong's bounty and acknowledging but giving up our claim to the bounties on Kuro and Jango they'll treat us more like bounty hunters. That means they won't consider us a major threat and won't send high ranking marines or assassins after us." Sabo looked up at the crow's nest, "Did the Marines give you trouble when you were a bounty hunter?"
"Just that bratty son," Zoro admitted.
"Now the Marines and the World Government know we're reasonable and can be negotiated with so they won't be expending lethal amounts of effort to try and kill us like they would with normal pirates."
"I'm all for that!" Usopp admitted.
"But we're not working with them." Luffy insisted. "We're supposed to be free pirates. They don't get to tell us what to do."
"They're not telling us what to do," Sabo reassured him. "But since we keep leaving the pirates we beat for the Marines to arrest… it gives the illusion that we're working with them. The Marines get to share in the credit for our exploits, we get painted in a positive light and civilians won't be terrified when our ship docks in their town. It's an ideal situation that's a lot safer for everybody."
"There's one big problem with your publicity plan," Nami said as she turned the newspaper around to reveal a picture that had been taken of Luffy and Sabo. Luffy was grinning like a buffoon and had a slab of meat in his hand while Sabo was smirking as he stood next to him with his arm slung his arm over his brother's shoulders. "We're public figures now. People all over the world will see this article and they'll know what you two look like."
"That was always going to happen," Sabo pointed out, "But the alternative is that they'd put bounties on our heads and make the world see us as violent criminals. Luffy's potential bounty is bound to be even bigger than Arlong's. That's the kind of money that people would betray us for. This'll make things a lot safer for us. If we keep things going the way that they are the World Government won't bother coming after us until we publicly go against them."
"I'll certainly sleep better without having to worry about assassins and bounty hunters coming after us," Nami admitted.
"Same here," Usopp quickly agreed.
"Don't rest too easy," Zoro warned them, "Other pirates may see this fame as a challenge and will want to make a name for themselves at our expense."
"Forget about that!" Sanji scolded her, "The ladies love a hero!"
Luffy nodded as he surveyed his crew. "Okay. I guess we can go along with this… for now. But that stops when the Marines get in our way."
"Now we just have to wonder how the rest of the world will take this…" Sabo commented.
"Mayor!" Makino called out as she held up a newspaper in her tavern. "Have you read the news? Luffy and Sabo are famous."
"Yes…" Mayor Woop Slap answered, "I'm still… coming to terms with it. Those rascals haven't embarrassed our village!"
"And look at how happy the boys are," Makino remarked.
"Put that up on that wall," the Mayor instructed. "Those are pirates to be proud of!"
"Dadan! Look! Luffy and Sabo are in the news!"
Curly Dadan was handed the morning's newspaper and scanned the article on the front page. She eyed the picture of the grinning Luffy and smirking Sabo.
A faint smile spread across the bandit clan leader's face. "Not bad, boys. Not bad."
"Stelly! it's Sabo! That brat was alive this whole time!" Outlook III exclaimed, "He's become a pirate. He could ruin all our plans. What should we do about him?"
"Ignore him," Stelly decided. "If Sabo truly wishes to associate with pirate trash then we cast him out of the family like trash. Once the World Government puts a bounty on his head he'll be known as a wanted criminal and will lose any claims to noble status. Our plans can continue as intended. Soon I'll be King."
"DAMN YOU STRAW HATS!" Buggy the Clown snarled as he balled up his newspaper and threw it at the wall of the bar he was drinking in. "I LOST EVERYTHING TO THOSE FLASHY BASTARDS!"
"We did manage to get your body back," the attractive dark-haired woman next to him pointed out. A familiar iron mace was propped against the bar next to her.
"Yes… I'm whole again thanks to you and your flashy new Devil Fruit Powers, Alvida," Buggy admitted. "I may have my body back but I lost my treasure, I lost my map, I lost my ship and I lost my crew because of those damn Straw Hats! All I've got left are those three idiots."
Buggy and Alvida looked to the side to see Mohji the Beast Tamer, Cabaji the Acrobat and Richie the Lion drinking in the corner. Yes, the lion was drinking from a mug along with the two pirates.
"One of these days I'm gonna get my revenge!" Buggy growled. "I'll pop that rubber buffoon! All I need is a flashy plan to catch him off guard…"
"If you're looking for a plan… I might be able to help you there."
Buggy and Alvida turned and saw three men standing in the doorway. The one who had spoken was none other than Captain Kuro. 'Ax-Hand' Morgan and 'One Two' Jango stood behind him.
All three men were wearing black and white striped prison jumpsuits and looked like they'd been through hell. Kuro's hair was a mess. His glasses were still shattered. He was walking with a limp due to a bandaged foot that still hadn't fully healed from when Zoro had stabbed a sword through it.
Jango had numerous bandages wrapped around his chest from when Usopp had shot him. His breathing was ragged and he was supporting most of his weight on a crutch.
Morgan appeared to be physically fine. But the large former Marine Captain's shoulders were slumped and he no longer held the air of command that he'd once held dear.
"You're Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates," Buggy realized. "I heard you were taken in by Garp 'the Fist'."
"My First Mate Jango's injuries at the hands of the Straw Hats were very severe," Kuro explained. "He required a great deal of medical attention just to ensure that he'd survive his wounds. It also helps that my new ally former Marine Captain Morgan has an axe replacing his arm so can never be disarmed."
"I only have it because you cut my arm off three years ago…" Morgan mumbled.
"Yes, you're welcome," Kuro replied offhandedly. "I timed it perfectly. They opened our cell door just as Garp nodded off for a nap after eating too many doughnuts. We were even able to cut down Garp as we made our escape on a lifeboat."
"He's still alive," Alvida stated. "Today's newspaper even had a quote from him. It turns out your attack only angered him. He ended up capturing Don Krieg the next day."
"That was a sneaky plan though," Buggy admitted, "Are you saying you're interested in joining up with us to get our flashy revenge on Straw Hat?"
"Like you, we are men who have lost a great deal because of those pests," Kuro stated. "My plan for a peaceful retirement went up in smoke."
"I lost my rank and my authority," Morgan admitted, "Now I'm associating with cutthroat pirates. Even my pansy of a son thinks I'm a disgrace."
"I'll… KOFF! KOFF! …I'll never dance again…" Jango wheezed.
Everyone stared at the hypnotist.
"Riiight…" Buggy said then grinned, "Welcome aboard! What's your flashy plan to murder Straw Hat?"
"Straw Hat wants to become King of the Pirates," Kuro recounted. "There's one place in the East Blue that he won't be able to resist going. We'll lie in wait there and catch Straw Hat off guard."
"That's it?" Buggy asked. "I thought you were supposed to be some flashy master planner? Your brilliant plan is to jump him at Loguetown? I could've thought of that!"
"Ah, but that's merely the second stop in our journey," Kuro corrected him. "Don Krieg may be a lost cause but there is another who has lost a great deal because of the Straw Hats."
Alvida's eyes widened, "You want us to free Arlong? He's a fishman that hates humans."
"My association with the man who was credited for capturing and executing me has taught me that misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows," Kuro replied. "I believe he could be persuaded to join our cause for revenge. Straw Hat may have defeated us all separately… but if we all work together… he won't stand a chance."
Buggy's painted face spread into a wide grin, "Now that's a flashy plan. I'm in."
"I am as well," Alvida decided. "But I want to make one thing clear with you boys… Sabo's mine."
"That can be arranged," Kuro agreed.
"LET'S DO THIS!" Buggy cheered. "STRAW HAT WON'T KNOW WHAT HIT HIM!"
Across the world in the Grand Line a News Coo swooped down to deliver a newspaper to man wearing an orange cowboy hat.
"Thanks," Portgas D. Ace said as he tossed a coin in the News Coo's money sack.
"Coo!" The News Coo flew off again and Ace casually sat down against a building to read his paper.
"'East Blue Saved'," Ace recited. "Well that's good news." He quickly scanned the article. "Nice going Luffy. You're already making a name for yourself. And Sabo… looks like you've managed to do the impossible and keep Luffy out of trouble." Ace smiled. "Now they're headed for the Grand Line. I'll be seeing them soon. I just need to figure out which path they'll take so I can—ZZZZZZZZZZ…"
"Mommy… why is that man sleeping under a newspaper?" a young boy asked.
"He's probably homeless, sweetie," the mother replied. "That's why it's really important for you to get a good job otherwise you'll end up a homeless bum like him."
The mother hurried her son away from Ace but there was no mistaking the proud smile on the face of the narcoleptic pirate.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood in front of the Five Elder Stars AKA the Gorosei.
"Did we actually devote the front page of today's paper to the exploits of a pirate in the East Blue?" Sengoku inquired. "Admiral Akainu just blew down the door to my office and demanded answers that I didn't have. Do any of you have an explanation I can share before he burns down half of headquarters? You know he's been in a bad mood ever since his daughter went missing earlier this year."
"Look at the boy's name," came the response, "Monkey D. Luffy… He's the son of the Revolutionary and the Grandson of the Marine Hero. Given his heritage he could be a powerful ally or a dangerous enemy. He claims he wants to be King of the Pirates but the boy is young and naïve. There's a chance that his desires could still be shifted and changed. We had his exploits published as front page news to encourage his continued cooperation with the World Government."
"Sounds risky," Sengoku admitted, "If he's anything like Garp he'll be hardheaded and stubborn. But I can see the potential payoff. You're playing a very dangerous game here."
"We'll be sure to keep a close eye on his endeavors once he reaches the Grand Line."
"BOSS! BOSS! IT'S HAWK EYE!" a pirate in the New World shouted.
"Damn it, quit shouting!" 'Red Haired' Shanks complained. "I've got the world's worst hangover…"
"Yes, and I'm sure that the next one will be the world's worst hangover as well."
Shanks looked up to see the World Greatest Swordsman 'Hawk Eye' Mihawk standing in front of him.
"What're you doing here Hawk Eye?" Shanks asked. "Come for a fight?"
"I have no interest in dueling a one-armed has-been," Mihawk stated. "I thought that since you're rarely up before noon I'd take the liberty of personally delivering today's issue of the paper." Mihawk offered a newspaper to Shanks. "I even gave a quote. Normally I never talk to the press but the article is about some pirates that caught my interest. The Captain reminded me of a story you told me about how you gave up your arm and your old hat for a boy in the East Blue."
"'East Blue Saved'…" Shanks read as he stared blearily down at the paper. "Bloody hell, man! Do I look like I'm in any condition to read?"
"Then perhaps you can look at the pictures?" Mihawk suggested to the hungover pirate.
"Oh, hey! That's Luffy!" Shanks exclaimed. "You mean he saved the East Blue?"
"More or less," Mihawk replied. "The fact that the World Government actually printed it tells me that they've got their eye on him."
"HEY GUYS!" Shanks shouted as he jumped to his feet and tossed the newspaper aside. Yasopp casually scooped up the discarded paper and started reading it. "LUFFY'S FAMOUS! LET'S PARTY!"
"I thought you were hungover," Mihawk reminded him.
"Screw that! Luffy made the front page! I can't not drink in a situation like this! C'mon, Hawk Eye! Don't be a stick in the mud. Have some grog!"
"It's two in the afternoon," the World Greatest Swordsman reminded him.
"Well that's sure not gonna stop me!" Shanks exclaimed.
"Hey… it says here Luffy beat the Black Cat Pirates at the Gecko Islands," Yasopp remarked. "He could've met Usopp! Hey Captain! I think I'll drink with you!"
"Me too!" Lucky Roo exclaimed. He didn't even need an excuse.
Soon all the Red Haired Pirates were drinking.
"Well… I suppose one drink wouldn't hurt," Mihawk relented.
"That's the spirit Hawk Eye!" Shanks called out. "Drink up buddy!" Shanks turned and raised his mug to someone who wasn't there. "Here's to you Luffy. The whole world's watching you now, kid. Let's see what you do."
Nami came out of the storage room in a new outfit and with her hair still damp from her shower.
"GAH!" she yelped when Luffy suddenly dropped down from the railing outside the galley and landed in front of her. "ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?"
"No, I wanted to say I'm sorry," Luffy stated, "Sorry I made you have to take a shower."
Nami blinked in surprise at the fact that the impulsive blockhead had actually apologized to her. But then she noticed him looking off to the side and followed his line of sight to Sabo, who nodded. Clearly Luffy had been 'encouraged' to apologize. Either way it was a nice thought.
"It's alright Luffy," Nami reassured him. "You were clearly traumatized. I guess I'm not the only one on this ship that had a rough childhood."
"But every time Grandpa hit me with his 'Fist of Love' it made me stronger," Luffy insisted.
"I guess it paid off in the long run then," Nami reasoned. She decided to move the subject away from childhood trauma. "Anyway, I've got good news for you. We're heading for the Grand Line."
Luffy smiled happily, "Really? Oh boy! This'll be great! That's where we'll find One Piece!"
"But before we go there…" Nami continued once he'd gotten that out of his system, "I think there's a stop we should make. It's a special town called Loguetown."
"Oh, what's so special about it?" Luffy asked as he scratched his head through his hat like a monkey.
"It's the town where the Pirate King Gold Roger was born and executed," Nami informed him.
Luffy's face lit up even brighter than before. "THE PLACE WHERE THE GREAT PIRATE ERA BEGAN?"
Nami smirked and tried not to look too proud of herself, "I take it you're interest—URK!" Nami was cut of when she suddenly found herself hoisted off the ground in the tightest hug she'd ever felt.
"THANKS NAMI!" Luffy shouted right in her ear. "YOU'RE THE BEST NAVIGATOR EVER!"
Luffy finally deposited a ruffled and half-deaf Nami on the ground. She might not have been able to hear Usopp sniggering but she did see him, Sabo and Zoro all smirking at her. She quickly reacted and knocked him to the ground with a blow to the head.
BONK!
"DON'T MANHANDLE ME AND DON'T SCREAM IN MY EAR!" the Navigator berated the Captain. She stomped away and proceeded to shout sailing instructions up at the Boatswain.
Sabo made his way over to Luffy and was surprised to find him laughing. "Shishishishi!"
"What's with you?" Sabo asked.
"She hits like Grandpa," Luffy told him as he got up and ran off.
"How is that a good thing?" Sabo wondered. He watched his brother as he climbed up to his special seat on the figure head.
Sabo turned to his girlfriend and raised an eyebrow. "Did that seem odd to you?"
Bonnie Anne was notably silent.
"Yeah, you're right," Sabo said, "I don't want you to answer that. I'm inclined to ignore it." He surveyed the deck and noted that the Navigator was watching the Captain out of the corner of her eye. "Yeah… I'm gonna ignore that too." Sabo promptly turned around and headed in the opposite direction.
"Not so high and mighty now, are ya?" the offensive and soon-to-be-dead marine guard taunted.
Arlong glared at the marine outside his cell. That was about all he could do. His arms and legs had been bound and shackled by thick steel chains that even his immense fishman strength couldn't break. They'd even chained his mouth shut. Good decision on their part, if his mouth was free he'd have bitten through his chains and made his escape two days ago when he'd finally regained consciousness following his fight with Straw Hat.
But with the chains on his mouth acting as a muzzle Arlong couldn't help feeling like the dangerous animal that most of the pathetic human marines had treated him as. All of them except for this scum-sucking human bastard outside his cell that had been assigned guard duty.
Bound in chains Arlong was powerless to do anything about the annoying human guard. He couldn't even respond to the spineless unevolved monkey's taunts. The only thing that kept from going into a rage was the thought that with just one of his limbs free he could easily tear the pathetic waste-of-life's throat out.
"Quit taunting the prisoner," the other less annoying but still pathetic guard instructed.
"Aw, what's he gonna do?" the worthless waste of life asked. "We've got him chained up so tight that he can barely move."
"I'd prefer it if you didn't provoke him," the not-annoying guard stated. "He'll be easier to deal with if he's just sitting there."
"It serves him right," the pain-in-the-ass human insisted. "This fish-monster thought he could enslave all the humans in the East Blue. He deserves to be punished."
"It's not your job to punish him," the slightly bearable guard argued. "We've been assigned guard duty so that means our only job is to ensure he doesn't get out."
"Fine, take all the fun out of it," the asshole marine grumbled. But Arlong knew he'd start again in a bit.
Another marine suddenly came running into the brig. "The Commodore needs all hands on deck."
"What's going on?"
"Former Marine Captain Morgan just showed up outside the base!" the newcomer marine explained. "He's brought Kuro and Jango with him!"
"I thought they were all arrested by Garp?" the not quite a pathetic waste of life inquired.
"Apparently they got free," the new human said, "But it looks like Morgan's turning the two pirates in. The Commodore doesn't want any funny business so he's calling everyone that can be spared to help receive the prisoners. One of you can stay here and lock down the brig the other come with me."
"I'll take care of things over here," the asshole marine volunteered.
"Keep the cell locked and don't piss him off!" the non-asshole guard ordered before he and the other marine left the brig.
"Alone at last," the pathetic useless marine remarked as he turned to face Arlong in his cell. "You know… I had a cousin in Gosa. I had wondered why he spotted writing. He's dead because of you!" The marine took the key and unlocked the cell. "This has been a long time coming fish-freak!"
CHUNK!
Arlong's eyes widened in surprise as the marine crumbled to the ground with a knife in his back. That had been coming for a long time. The only problem was that Arlong hadn't done it himself.
Arlong was further surprised when he couldn't see an assailant. That was until a dismembered hand floated up into the air holding the fallen asshole's keys. Arlong spotted an eyeball on the hand as it floated towards him then went around him.
Click!
Arlong felt the lock on his chains come undone and the hand unbound his arms. With his arms free Arlong reached up and ripped the chains off his mouth.
KRESH!
Then he reached down and tore off the shackles on his legs.
KRESH!
Arlong stood up and watched the hand float out of the cell and motion for him to follow it. He made to step over the stabbed marine guard as he went to leave the cell but stopped and decided against it. Arlong grinned maliciously as he reached down and rolled the guard over so he could do something he'd wanted to do for a long, long time.
"Urk!" the marine let out a gurgle and his eyes went wide on horror.
"You've had this coming for a long time," Arlong told the marine before he tore his throat out.
SQUELCH!
Arlong smiled as he stood back up and the hand motioned for him to follow it again. The hand led Arlong out of the brig and down a long hallway.
"This is a dead end," Arlong pointed out when they reached the end of the hallway. "Is this what you call a rescue?"
KROOM!
The wall exploded inward to reveal a woman with a mace.
"The ship's this way," the woman announced. The hand floated out passed her while she hefted her mace onto her shoulder. Arlong followed the woman and the hand along a ledge that ran around the outside of Marine Base 77. They reached the back of the base and found a small ship waiting.
The hand floated down towards the ship and the woman jumped after it. Arlong looked back at the base and thought briefly about his fishman brothers that were still trapped in the base. But he couldn't afford to go back and free them now.
Decision made, Arlong leapt off the ledge and landed on the deck of the ship.
TMP!
Arlong watched the dismembered hand and eye reattach to a human with clown make up. At least he seemed to understand that inferior humans were a joke and dressed the part. The clown's painted mouth stretched into a wide grin. "WELCOME ABOARD! I'm—"
"I don't care who you are," Arlong cut him off. "And don't hold your breath waiting for me to thank you. I know that you only did it because you need something from me. Spit it out, clown, what do you want?"
"Right to the point, eh?" the clown questioned. "Alright. I can deal with that. What I want I something that you probably want as well: revenge on Straw Hat Luffy!"
That was something that Arlong wanted. "So what if I do?" he challenged the painted buffoon. "Why would I need your help to get my revenge?"
"Like you, I lost everything because of a run-in with those lousy Straw Hat Pirates," the clown stated. "I've assembled a flashy crew of rouges that all have an ax to grind with those punks! All of us lost to those bastards separately… but with all of us working together… they don't stand a chance! We've got a hunch that we know exactly where Straw Hat's heading. If you stick with us and donate your strength to the cause… you'll get a front row seat to the death of Straw Hat Luffy."
Arlong didn't want to admit it… especially to an interior human… but he was still suffering from some lingering injuries that he'd received during his battle with Straw Hat. Since he wasn't recovered enough to be in top form just yet he could use these humans to temporarily pick up the slack.
"Normally I'd never join up with a bunch of puny humans," Arlong admitted, "But… your offer is tempting. What I want more than anything right now is to see that rubber brat dead. He took my prized pet—uh navigator and destroyed my empire… He'll pay for that with his life! I'll ride with you for the time being… but once the rubber brat is dead… we part ways and I never deal with you humans again."
"With that kind of attitude we definitely won't miss you," the iron mace woman stated.
"We knew he hated humans going into this rescue, Alvida," the clown stated. "I don't expect this fishman to change his entire view of humans at the drop of a hat. My flashy plan for revenge relies on us temporarily working together. No one ever said anything about liking each other. Now let's go pick up the others. HURRY IT UP STOOGES!"
A human that looked like he was half rabbit made his big pet lion push the ship away from the shore and then a human with mismatched hair steered the ship around the base. They eventually found three humans in striped prison jumpsuits waiting for them out in front of the base. Everything was quiet.
"You didn't have to kill all of them," a human with an ax-hand complained to a blood soaked human holding two swords. "Those were skilled marines. Your hypnotist had already put them to sleep. What purpose did slaughtering them all fulfill?"
The blood soaked man handed his blood stained swords over to an injured human with a mushroom stalk beard. The injured human used the swords as a crutch while the blood soaked human adjusted his broken glasses with his palm.
"They were witnesses," he said in a pompous know-it-all tone. "The fewer people that know about our actions here the more likely we'll have the element of surprise when we catch Straw Hat in Loguetown."
"Loguetown?" Arlong repeated.
"Yes, I think there'll be a sense of flashy poetic justice if we can catch Straw Hat off guard and kill him on the same execution platform that the Pirate King died on," the clown boasted. He turned and shouted to his henchmen, "LET'S GO STOOGES! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! NEXT STOP, LOGUETOWN!"
"He taking credit for your plan," Arlong heard the ax-man whisper to the murderer.
"Let him," the cat-like schemer whispered. "Once we kill Straw Hat the World Government will be looking for someone to blame. That buffoon will be the perfect patsy. He'll go to prison for orchestrating the whole thing while the rest of us slip through the cracks and make our escape."
Arlong looked back over at the clown and noticed him scowling. One of his ears was notably missing.
Honestly, Arlong didn't care who was in charge of this scheme. He'd tolerate these scheming humans long enough to get revenge on Straw Hat.
"Your days are numbered rubber brat," Arlong growled as they set off for Loguetown and their revenge. "Vengeance will be mine!"
ANNOUNCEMENT: I realized while I was writing my news article that Sabo doesn't have an official epithet/nickname. Some villains call him 'Top Hat' but that's not his official name. I'm honestly not sure what to use so I'm going to leave it open for you guys to decide. Anyone that has a suggestion for my Sabo's epithet submit it in a review. Keep in mind that the government officials don't know about Sabo's weird relationship. Next week I'll take all the suggestions and put them on a poll on my profile page. The suggestion with the most votes will become Sabo's official epithet in this story.
Silver signing off…
Edited 6-13-16