I honestly thought I was going to have to abandon writing fiction altogether, but I love it too much and have way too many ideas to do so. So here we are, the next chapter. I hope you guys like it!


It was close to sundown, which was when the elderly folk of Yasuragi normally gathered at the docks to watch the day end. But today was different. After the first cry for alarm, the news of an approaching pirate ship spread through town rapidly and turned the calm atmosphere into a state of frenzy. Children were ushered inside, any object that could be used as a weapon was picked up. One of the townsmen called out: "We will not let those scoundrels rob our homes or kill our families! Let's defend what we have until our dying breath!" The villagers roared in unison and the group gathered at the beach to meet the oncoming terror they had heard nothing but ghastly stories of. Black flag and sails bringing fearsome, merciless…

"Hey. Aren't those women?"

"Sure are!"

"And fine ones, at that!"

"Look! They're signaling!"

"I'm looking, I'm look… ow! Forgive me, dearest."

On board of the Thousand Sunny, Nami and Robin were waving at the villagers wearing nothing more than their bikini's. "Yoohoo! You handsome fellows seem reaaally nice, can we pléase dock our ship at your beaaautiful island!?" Nami cooed. Robin merely waved and chuckled at her friend's tactics.

"Nami, did you consider the fact that the wives of those 'handsome fellows' might not be persuaded by your strategy?" Her question was answered with a big grin. "Don't worry, I've got that part covered."

"OI! WHO THE HELL TOOK MY CLOTHES!?"

"Although 'covered' might not be the right word…" Waving to the angered swordsman, who was wearing nothing but a towel, Nami yelled: "Down here, Zoro! Come and get them!"

Robin shook her head. "Well, that explains why you ordered him to take a shower after his workout."

After convincing the townspeople that they truly meant no harm, the Strawhat crew was allowed to dock the ship. Since the island was fairly small and there wasn't much to do, they all decided to set up camp on the beach next to the docks and wait for Sanji to come back from buying food supplies.

Standing on a barrel with his index finger pointed in the air, Usopp was bellowing out one of his tall tales to anyone who would listen.

"And thát is how the handsome and courageous Captainnnn Ussssoppp defeated the army of a thousand-and-one bandits and rescued the princess from their filthy clutches!" "Last time you told that story there were only fifty bandits, how come there are so many more now, Usopp?" Chopper asked in honest curiosity, still in awe of the young man's bravery. "Yeah Usopp, please tell us how that happened?" Nami demanded, sticking out her tongue.

The sniper blushed and his brain seemed to work overtime before his face cleared. "Ahhh yes! That is because the first time, Captain Usopp did not want to intimidate any of you by his awesomeness! Because he is so modest and unboastful… and ehm… unpretentious and…"

"All those words mean the same, Captain Humble. And that's quite enough from you for one night." Nami huffed. She clapped her hands and looked at the people around the campfire. "Yosh! Who's next?" "Next? What do you mean, Nami?" Chopper looked up at his nakama, who shrugged. "I thought it might be nice to let someone else tell a story for once. Maybe one we haven't heard a hundred times before…" Saying this, the navigator glared at her long-nosed friend, who'd already opened his mouth to set off another one of his Fantastic Fables.

A very big yawn drew their attention to the Strawhat's swordsman. "Yes, Zoro! Go for it!" Luffy yelled, arms raised in the air, clearly in the mood for more storytelling. Zoro looked up sleepily. "What, is it morning already?" "Shishishi, nope! You just volunteered to tell us a story!" "Why the hell would I do that?" Scratching the back of his head, the 'volunteer' moved to reassume his napping position, but was suddenly dragged by one leg to the barrel Usopp had previously occupied.

"Damnit, Luffy! Why do I have to entertain you people? Usopp lóves to talk, make him do it."

Ignoring Zoro's struggling form, Luffy yanked him up and dropped him on the barrel. Then he sat down in front of him, looking up eagerly, like a child in a candy store.