This is a perfectly normal disclaimer, stating I do not own One Piece, make money from it, or intend to, but now with added soap! =D
"We welcome you graciously to our home . . . ," intoned Cindry, the stitched up house-keeper of the mansion, as she threw plates at the trio.
"How is this gracious!" yelled Usopp, ducking from yet another plate, as Dr Hogback tried unsuccessfully to hold Cindry back. They'd only just made it to his mansion, and they were already under attack in such a bizarre manner . . . Nami idly wondered if it was too late to go back and greet the zombies.
A shiny new Nami: Part four- Shower scenes are good for ratings
After a somewhat uneventful trip, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper had made it to the famous Dr Hogback's Mansion. Chopper continued to swoon whenever his name was mentioned, but Nami had little idea what he practiced; only that he had disappeared years ago. He seemed a little odd, constantly rubbing his hands together and grinning, but he could hardly be worse than the zombies outside.
All the same, Nami decided to keep an eye on him . . . her beauty could drive men to do strange things. And he could have some money- this was a mansion after all.
Regardless, they were now safe from the zombies, waiting at the table as Hogback insisted they have something to eat.
"Psst, Nami," hissed Usopp. "What do you make of this guy? Can we trust him?"
"I don't know . . . Chopper thinks a lot of him, and we are safe from the zombies here."
"Hmm . . . that's true, but I have a weird feeling. This place smells really foul!"
Nami frowned at that last exclamation from the sniper.
"I can't smell anything- I think you've held onto that garlic for too long." Usopp tried tentatively removing the garlic necklace he'd been wearing the whole time, before deciding he needed it after all. Sighing, Nami looked up just in time to avoid a massive clump of spaghetti, which landed on the table in front of her.
"What the hell!" Cindry ignored her, slamming spaghetti on the table directly in front of everyone for diner, staining the cloth badly.
"Cindry-chan, couldn't you try to give our guests a bowl or plate of some kind-" Hogback pleaded, before being interrupted by his own servant.
"Plates are evil. They should all be smashed." She merely glared at him, before throwing the rest of the spaghetti at his chair.
"But why no fork or spoon either . . . ," grumbled Usopp, proceeding to eat the spaghetti with his head sideways on the table. Chopper joined in, his hoofs uselessly pulling on the spaghetti strands. They were actually going to eat it!
"Um, thanks anyway for the food and shelter, Doctor." Nami addressed Hogback, hoping to find a little more about the man.
"It's no problem at all; it's been such an age since we had visitors." He looked up, eager to take his mind off the ruined dinner.
"I could imagine . . . If you don't mind me asking, why did you move to this deserted island? It can't be safe with all of the zombies around."
"That's exactly why, my dear. I must study the zombies, and understand them. Imagine, a world without death! Surely, that is the ultimate goal of all doctors?"
Wow, someone seemed passionate all of a sudden. This gives me a bad feeling . . .
"Wow, you're so dedicated! You really are a magnificent doctor, sir!" beamed Chopper, stars in his eyes.
"Now now, you seem like quite the medical researcher yourself, doctor Chopper."
"Oh, I'm really not pleased you said something so flattering," Chopper danced in his chair, hugging himself in complete contradiction to his words.
Nami sighed, as the conversation was smoothly steered to medical research, and the topic of the zombies barely brushed on. Well, maybe later then . . .
Gulping, Nami frowned at the shower. She really, really wanted a shower, after the zombies had grabbed her and tried to pull her under the earth. Dirt and dust and grime . . . shivering, she stepped in. The reason for her fear was simple- she hadn't had a shower since becoming a devil fruit user- she'd simply used her powers to rub off any dirt over the last days.
The water was meant to weaken a DF user, and she didn't want that to happen at all. Beyond that, her new-found soap power reacted strangely, compared to other devil fruits. What if she was weakened further? No, she was being stupid . . . the shower ought to make her stronger, considering there would be soap all over her, right? Right?
It felt like so long since she'd just enjoyed a hot shower . . . She couldn't put it off any longer, she decided. Turning the tap, Nami sighed audibly when nothing strange happened. That was one worry gone . . .
"So, Nami," Usopp began. He was kneeling outside the door, keeping watch with Chopper.
"You're like a little kid, huh? Can't go the bathroom or have a shower by yourself in a strange place . . . ."
"This place gives me the creeps! Don't you think something's fishy about the island?" Nami defended herself.
"I guess, but aren't you being a little paranoid? Let's just wait for daylight and get out of here, I'm sure Luffy and the other's are hopeless without us."
"No, I definitely get the feeling that Hogback knows more about the island then he's letting on. Did you see his face when I asked him about the zombies?"
"Hey! Dr Hogback is a great man!" Obviously enough, Chopper refused to admit anything strange was up when talking about the doctor. Nami thought for a while, eyes closed against the water. It felt nice, but a little colder all of a sudden. Hang on-
Frowning, Nami realised the window was now open. Turning off the water regretfully, she was about to close it when cold hands pushed her against the wall. What the hell! Kicking out, Nami felt someone in front of her!
Outside, Usopp was teasing Chopper about a fart he had just pulled, completely oblivious to the muffled cries she was emitting. She struggled harder, panicking when the invisible pervert pushed away the soap bubbles covering her lady parts. The invisible hands moved even faster, as Nami realised soap bubbles had automatically retracted over to keep her privacy. The soap!
In her panic, she had completely forgotten about the power. Thinking frantically, a whirlwind of foam poured from the still-soapy shower, attacking the unseen man. The bubbles flooded the room again and again, Nami panicking and continuing the assault.
Gasping for air, Nami confronted the silhouette.
"Wh- who are you? Pervert!"
"Nami? Is something up?" Usopp and Chopper finally noticed something, too late to help.
"Stay out there! Some creep just tried to attack me!" Alarmed for her, they both came in to help, receiving a wash-bucket to the face.
"I'm still nude, jackass!" Nami roared, before facing her attacker again.
She barely looked up in time to see a man's figure leaving the window, bubbles leaking from stitches around his joints. Another zombie!
"Hey, get back here!" She made an attempt to fling more soap at him, but was too late, the figure fleeing quickly. What had happened?
Absalom ran as fast as he could, freaked out. Somehow, that girl had paralysed him for almost a minute! Panting, he pervertedly thought of her curves, disappointed. He hadn't been able to see anything he wouldn't see at the beach, thanks to that damn soap she was controlling. Was it some kind of power? No, that couldn't be it, he decided. Whoever heard of soap-based powers helping a pirate? The idea was just too silly.
Whatever it was, that decided his plans then. After encountering the other Strawhats on their boat, he had assumed the other girl was the strong one. Granted, she could still give him some trouble, but it wasn't like she was hiding her body with powers. That was just mean. Licking his lips, he decided he would have to find the dark-haired woman again, and capture her instead.
Nami blanched, looking down at her body. After all of the soap she had used attacking him (she had kind of gotten carried away, drenching the room several times over), her body had turned all slippery and cartoonish again. Damn it! She felt like punching Luffy or one of the guys in the head right about now; it was the only thing that helped her on bad days.
Sliding on the tiles a few times, she haltingly got dressed. While a skirt and boots wasn't so hard to get into, her bra was another matter. Looking at her hands- which had joined all of the fingers together leaving only the thumb on each hand normal- she had two options.
1. Call one of the others for help.
2. Don't wear a bra.
Seeing as Chopper had hooves, and Usopp had eyes, she was presented with one real option. She pulled her long-sleeve T over, feeling confident no one would notice. Her curves were smaller now anyway, thanks to the stupid soap. For quite possibly the first time in her life, Nami saw an advantage in not having huge boobs.
Only a little advantage though, mind. If her boobs were to get any bigger, by anyone's influence outside her control, she wouldn't be complaining or anything. Even if the person who decided that was a perverted manga artist, and enjoyed drawing big boobs. Just saying.
And so, Nami left her bra inside the washroom, and joined the others outside. Usopp and Chopper were somewhat confused by the slippery effect on her skin, until she explained how it sapped away half of her strength. Then, instead of being confused, they laughed, the little ingrates. This was exactly why she hadn't told anyone about it- it was just embarrassing.
A short while later, they found themselves wandering around the mansion, 'lost' on the way back to their room. It sure was creepy . . . paintings with giant grins and carpets made from weird beasts filled the hallways. Nami was sure they'd find something, but wasn't sure what. Just as she was thinking there was nothing to hide (on this floor, anyway), they stumbled upon an odd room. Or shrine, to be more specific.
Dozens of pictures, photos, and clippings of Cindry the house-keeper filled the room. All of them showed her without the horrible scarring, and she was really quite beautiful- short, well-kept blonde hair, thin, model-like body . . . she was even wearing fancy gowns and dresses, far better than what was wearing now.
"Wow . . . look at this," breathed Nami, going through a photo album.
"Looks like she was a huge stage actress at one point." Commented Chopper, going through newspaper clippings.
"Then why is she stuck here as a servant to some doctor? What happened?" questioned Usopp, leaning against a wall unhelpfully.
"Victoria Cindry . . . says here she died ten years ago!" Nami sat up straighter, reading another newspaper clipping. What was going on?
"None of these mention plates, either," frowned Chopper.
"Wait- she died? But we just saw her!" Usopp started to sweat nervously.
"And she just happens to be alive on an island where the doctor studies zombies . . . ," Nami muttered, chills going down her spine. This had just gotten scarier . . .
A/N: Finally, the plot starts to seriously differ from the actual manga, with poor Robin being targeted by Absalom instead. I like this chapter much better than the last, hope they're not too OOC or anything. This is where I'd promise to update quickly again (and I do intend to), but being realistic . . . See you in 3 weeks T^T Thanks everyone who reviewed, you make me feel like dancin'~
