I'm in really, really good mood, so I'm givng you another chapter. Thought I wanted to upload tomorrow.
Ubermarine - Yup, that's basically it and she had two reasons to do it. 1st: It's Mariejois where Tenryubito lives, so why not start 'little' fire, right? 2nd: If she only burned that document, Akainu would immediately knew and would go after her. She didn't want to risk it. I hope that answers your question.
Cinnamon-Fudg3 - If everything goes as I am planning now, it will be in 16 chapter I'm now writing. :) Thought things might change little bit. I'm not satisfied with 15th chapter, because... Uh, I don't know... It's just missing something or has too much of something :'(
Last time:
"Your captain is selfish, wanting something like from you. And very brave, she just told me basically to shove it and that you're staying with us." I said this and everyone within hearing reach gaped at this guy. "Yosh, I agree to this. Seems like fun." This led disbelieving stares to be directed at me. Sanji didn't look surprised, if anything he looked like he expected this. (With Sanji and Shanks)
I found the files and then burned it to ashes, together with half of the palace, but who cares. I certainly don't. Now I can finally become pirate! (With Luffy)
Shanks's POV
We were sailing on the sea with new addiction for about week now. Sanji fits really well with us and even the ones who were against having him aboard came to like him. Like might be little too much, but they're not acting hatefully anymore. For marine he reminds us a pirate way too much. Other mates had concerns about them tailing us, that it may be some trap, but it seems that Vice-Admiral keeps her word. I still haven't seen her and Sanji looks more worried every day she doesn't show up. I tried to ask just what is she doing, but he refused to answer, brat.
Things are starting to get interesting, even Benn thinks so. The parties definitely get better after Sanji joined us. He's probably the best cook I ever met. Thought I can't admit it aloud or Eric (his cook) will fillet me alive and I don't want to go through that ever again. I still asked the kid to join my crew.
"The food is really good. So what do you say about joining my crew?" I asked the blond cook after trying his food, eagerly anticipating answer. It would be cool to have him onboard. Alcohol is still the best thing in the world, but having skilled cook is important as well. It's waste of resources to have him in marines.
Suddenly I feel pain, as my head was kicked by him and I flew few meters. "The only one I'm ever going to call captain is her, so don't you ever dare to ask me this question shitty bastard." Not only skilled, loyal as well, shame… "Are you sure?" I asked with pout only to be hit by Benn. "He said no and don't pout it's appalling."
I sigh and went to find some sake it's no use to think about thing I can't help. On the way in I met with Benn, the last few days he seems to be concerned about something. "Shanks, I was looking for you." There goes my sake, maybe I can run? Wait I didn't do anything so I don't need to hide from him, well I could forget it. 'Hmm, hide or not?' My silent debate met it's end as Benn grabbed me and took me to currently abandoned part of ship. "I swear whatever it was it wasn't me. Unless you're talking about the tomatoes on ceiling, but that was-" I started babbling. "No, that's not what I wanted to talk about. Wait tomatoes on ceiling, what the hell did you do?... On the other hand I don't want to know." Oh, so I didn't do anything. Pheewww.
Time skip
It seemed Benn wanted to talk about some minor details of the meeting and didn't want Sanji to hear us. I can't really blame Benn, Sanji may be good kid, however he's still marine so he must report to his superior everything he finds out and that could end badly. I don't have problem confronting marine, but if they planned some trap it could lead to harm of my nakama.
I was thrown of my musing and together with everyone on board faced marine ship as howls of 'Welcome back' and 'Vice-Admiral-sama' reached our ears, truth to be told, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the New World heard that. What a bunch of lively guys. "So she's back. Finally, it was getting boring here." Sanji said coming to stand behind me, smoking his cigarette and then he grinned at me. "I just wonder if you become best friends or will go after each other throat. Knowing her, she will have you wrapped around her little finger two hours after you meet her, if not sooner."
Luffy's POV
I flew 36-hours without sleep to get as far from Mariejois as I could, but my body won't hold anymore so I made choice to stay in one of the hotels that was on the island I stopped. After I get enough sleep and ate till I was full I departed, but instead of going straight for Nami and others I went after Zoro and rest. It was time to see them.
Since my crew didn't know what exactly is the DF I ate, I decided not to give them any more of shock and used geppo to get on Sunny. I almost went pass it as I never seen it before, but fortunately I noticed the jolly roger wearing straw hat.
"Everyone I missed you so much, guys!" I exclaimed the second my feet were touching floor. They were shocked to see me, but I didn't waste time and went to group hug every single one of them (which no one knows, how the hell she did, as everyone was in completely different places, but Luffy being Luffy, they didn't question it, this way the sanity might last longer).
Zoro's POV
Luffy is sailing with us three days already, after asking Robin about location of Shanks ship she told us to go that way. The first night she told us she went and burned part of Mariejois, which freaked Brook a bit. I went with it, after all Luffy did the most insane things.
"Captain-san, I believe when I read the newspaper there was mention of 'winged angel' leaving at the same time as the fires occurred. Do you happen to know something about it?" Robin asked Luffy and I remembered this one. Robin showed us the article together with photo of said 'angel' cause she found it interesting. Not all the time happens that someplace as Mariejois caught on fire and 'divine being' is present.
"Yup, I know," she started all happy, however shortly after pout find its way on Luffy's face "but I wanted to tell you everything once we're all together." I patted her on the head. "We can wait. It's not like world is going to end, because we don't know." As I said this I glared at rest, particularly Brook and Franky seemed unhappy at the thought of waiting. "Thanks Zoro!" At least someone is happy.
"They managed to snap nice picture of said angel. It's only silhouette against moon, but very well taken." Robin chuckled, clearly ignoring my warning, damn woman. At hearing this particular information Luffy seemed to pale. "Picture, there's a picture?" she said, looking quite scared and I didn't like seeing her like this. Luffy is cheerful and fearless idiot, this doesn't suit her at all, others obviously agreed, but before they could say something… "Do you wish to see it?" Robin asked this time there was worry in her voice, she didn't like Luffy's reaction as well.
Luffy nodded and went to Robin who was sitting once again at her chair near mikan shrubs. Robin handed her newspaper and we watched her as she looked at it. "I guess I'm lucky only Ace, Sabo and Dadan knows." she mumbled under her nose, we still heard her thought and Robin even narrowed her eyes at the names. I need to remember to ask her later. Or not, sleep sound way better now. (A/N: can't help, but agree with Zoro. I'm kinda sleeping right now, so don't blame me for many errors in this chapter.)
After that she told us, or rather she had Robin tell us what's gonna happen now. Most of us (not me) were surprised at her decision to go after everyone and actually staying together with marines till the meeting of two Yonko. From what she told us, Garp's crew is very loyal to Luffy and if she asked them they won't tell about us anyone else. And Luffy may be an idiot, but she's good judge of character. Thought I find it interesting she wants to meet with Shirohige. When I asked her, she only said to me that there's something she need to verify and if she and Robin are right, Shirohige has rogue on board.
Franky's POV
In those four days Luffy's aboard I made sure to introduce her to Sunny. It was heart-warming, seeing her reaction and sparkling eyes as she took all in. When I showed her to captain's room, her room, and I thought I'll die from the bone-crushing hug and lack of oxygen I received in return.
We told Luffy about our adventures and all the guys we beat up on our way and got proud hugs as reward. It was good to see her again. It's not nearly as enjoyable without her, we simple miss her too much and the rest of Strawhats as well. We're nakama after all!
"I can feel them already. I'm going to go ahead and tell them the situation before they started to shoot at us." Luffy informed us and took off before anyone could say a thing.
Nami's POV
The hell's taking her so long. It's already a week since the newspapers published about half of the Mariejois being burned to the ground. Was she caught or what?! No, if she was caught they would be after our asses as well. And here I thought dealing with Luffy when she's around is bad.
"Oi, Nami! If you keep frowning you'll get wrinkles. So stop it and smile, you're prettier that way." Informed me Luffy, but I ignored her. "Luffy stop it! I'm worried about you! What if the marines get their hands on you!" I exclaimed turning towards her, only then situation sinking in. "Luffy, you're back!" I cried out and hugged her. "Why didn't you come back earlier?!" I punched Luffy for stressing me.
"VICE-ADMIRAL-SAMA!" exclaimed half of the ship, shocked to see Luffy coming seemingly out of nowhere, before recovering and hollering even louder. "WELCOME BACK!" Luffy laughed when she heard and replied "I'm back" grinning.
"Men! Listen to me!" I don't know what's going on, but the twinkle in her eyes and mischievous grin, that would bring even Robin in shame, told me it's nothing good. "The rest of my nakama is coming to meet with us and I would appreciate if we could keep it between ourselves. Do you think you can keep it from Ji-chan, Senny and rest?" 'She wouldn't,… what am I thinking she definitely would.' "For you everything." Luffy is lucky, this guys love her so much. Otherwise we would be in real trouble.
"You are the best. By the way, don't be surprised, but they're pirates, so don't attack them." As expected many jaws dropped at this statement. "Our innocent Luffy-sama friends with pirates? There's no way we let them!" was angry reply. "They are not friends." Luffy corrected crew and you could hear the relieved sighs. "They're my nakama and I'm their captain. This is probably good time to say it, so… I'm quitting marines, but I want meet Whitebeard. Would you be so kind and let us sail along with you?" Can she be any more blunt? I couldn't help but face-palm. The crew just about to refuse, but Luffy used her puppy eyes and they were utterly defeated. They admitted their defeat and agreed to her request, Luffy squealed with joy and I could see few guys passing out from nose-bleed murmuring about how cute 'Luffy-sama' is.
I stopped paying attention to the idiots and looked at the sea, scanning surrounding for Sunny. There it was very colorful ship with lion figurehead. I sweat dropped as it sailed closer, it looked more like sunflower. Maybe I misheard Robin? It was marvelous ship and I couldn't wait to look inside. I smiled bright smile, we're finally getting together and this is going to be another step to everyone's dreams.
Zoro's dream to become best swordsman after defeating Mihawk.
My dream to draw map of whole world.
Ussop's dream to become brave warrior of the sea.
Sanji's dream to find All Blue.
Chopper's dream to become doctor capable of healing every illness.
Robin's dream to find Rio Poneglyph and uncover the secrets behind the Void Century.
Franky's dream to build dream ship and sail with it.
Brook's dream to reunite with Laboon.
And Luffy's dream to become Pirate King.
Omake
"…setting on fire." Thatch finished sentence, when I got close enough to hear him. Are they talking about me? I don't remember setting something on fire in the last few days. I glanced at Sabo who was walking right at me, but he looked as clueless as me. "I don't think its real angel. More like someone has eaten Zoan fruit and has wings like that. It's not impossible. After all, Marco is Phoenix, so why not." Haruta answered him and Marco gave her look. I found myself thinking about Luffy. "What are you talking about?" Sabo asked what we both wanted to know.
"It seems Mariejois caught on fire. If Ace wasn't here when it happened I would have thought it was him." Yeah, pin everything on me, but then again I'm cause of most things. Well me, Sabo or Thatch. "What about the 'angel'?" Sabo asked uneasy, which gave him funny looks from Thatch, Marco and Haruta. "Don't tell me, you believe in that? We don't really know, but someone has taken photo of this angel." Haruta answered and offered him newspaper. We almost rip the news in half in our haste to look at the picture.
My breath caught and I could feel myself paling. Even if it was just silhouette we saw Luffy's wings enough times to recognize them. "It's not possible." Sabo said answering my thoughts. He narrowed the eyes at the photo. "Someone must have eaten her DF." He tried to use logic, after all Luffy died from the wound 4 years ago, Dadan said so.
"Ace, Sabo? What's wrong, you look like you saw a ghost." Haruta asked worriedly. "Haruta, I think you've got something wrong, it's not a ghost but an angel. Get the facts right." Thatch tried to joke and Marco punched his head. "We knew someone with DF like this." The commanders glanced at them surprised. "So your friend burned down Mariejois." Marco said trying to make sense of the situation. "No, she died." Sabo answered.
Marco tried to think about it. "So, someone must have eaten her DF in this case, right?" he asked. "Yes, must have. Marco. I want to find this person, to find out if he's worthy to have her powers." Sabo nodded, agreeing with Ace. 'Could this be the girl they talk about earlier?' (In the bonus chapter) Marco thought. "It's not like we can stop you, but at least wait after the meeting with Shanks." Marco said to them, knowing that if he was in their shoes, he would do the same. Pops will agree as well.
By some miracle I finished this chapter without falling asleep in middle of it. I'm sorry if it's not one of my best, but hey, at least I tried. And before I forget. I like to listen to music while I'm writing, so could you recommend some to me? Thanks!