AN: Alright, going back to a earlier project. I doubt anyone will read it, but, hey, a girl can dream! Here comes chapter 2~

Better or Worse?

Chapter 2: And we're off!

Luffy frowned, crossing his arms. "I can't believe it. The group we got just decided to try to beat us to One Piece…and we didn't even have to bring them here in the first place! And if they get there first, my dream of being the pirate king is gone!" He sighed.

Ussop frowned. "I'm sorry, Luffy…this is all my fault…" He said, kicking the new invention aside. "It's all my fault…"

"…Don't blame yourself, Ussop. I just have to know that we'll beat 'em!" Luffy grinned, trying to stay happy. "It's okay! I like to have races, anyway!"

"Alright…" Ussop sighed, but reluctantly agreed. If these were the people they were taking on, so be it. They thought they were 'nation-tans' anyway. What a laugh. The great and mighty Sogeking could beat any of them. Especially that smug one that started it. Sogeking laughs at those who do not truly know their limitations…and is very hypocritical, but that is beside the point!

Meanwhile, on the Hetalia Pirates ship, it was a bit odd with the changes. Not everyone was adapting to their roles as best as Arthur and Alfred were, especially not those who had no experience whatsoever with the sea. Predictably, this did earn them some comments on how they're not 'doing well enough', and they tried to do better, but the question became less and less 'how do I get better' and more and more 'why are we doing this, anyway'? But, still, no one commented on it. It was a hopeless matter, anyway. When you got England out on the sea, you don't dare separate him from it so quickly.

China ended up being the navigator, and this was actually going very well, except that all these places were…so different from the normal world.

Grand line? That had never existed…but, still, it was worth giving a try looking for the right spot…there were markings, but, of course, it was worth giving a try…especially since Japan knew the locations in this show, and knew it well enough to help out. Pondering some things, however, Japan did notice that most of his friends and the Mugiwara did bare more of a resemblance to each other. It was sort of odd…being too similar.

It was almost horrifying.

"Alright, so, are we getting any closer?" Arthur asked, peering into the room.

"Ah…well…a bit. It's still the matter of going to certain places first, however…" China sighed. "We're…still at the beginning, but we should get there in…days….weeks…a month…"

"A month? Bloody…they've probably got a shortcut or something for that long! Keep looking!" Arthur snapped, closing the door, and once again, bringing up the question of 'why were they doing it'.

Sure, it was a matter of personal pride, and they were Arthur's friends, but it wasn't like they had to. They only did it out of kindness…but, of course, at the moment, he wasn't being very kind.

Mostly, this was brushed off. It was just a minor detail, after all…

But, if it got too far, it would be a problem.

"Approaching the first landmark!"

"Good. Keep going."

"Alright!"

Alfred hadn't minded this change - it was a bit odd, but it wasn't like it wasn't interesting. It was a nice change of pace, and being in a race was pretty exciting. Though he had wondered exactly why he was made first mate…it's not like Arthur and himself were ve-okay, scratch that, they were close friends, but he thought Arthur considered him more of a annoyance than a friend, to be certain. It was…odd. But he didn't mind, of course - this new role suited him well. If he couldn't be 'the captain', then second-best thing suited him fine. He was still the hero, anyway. And that wouldn't change.

Arthur…his new role had definitely been stressful. He didn't know what kind of fever dream he had when he chose their positions, especially Alfred's, but it wasn't going to go away soon.

"You brought this upon yourself," the little voice in his head chimed in, but he quickly told it to shut up and leave him alone. That Luffy boy was arrogant and annoying…somewhat like Alfred, to be honest…but he needed to be taught a lesson badly, and who better to teach him than the real pirate king, Arthur Kirkland? No one better, that's who. One Piece wouldn't be that easy to get with him around to show him his real place…amateur.

However, both Luffy and Arthur knew that their crews were roughly equal…in size…in strength…even in number. But what they didn't know is that competition can most certainly bring someone down…especially when that competition is based entirely on pride alone.

(AN: So, this is basically a 'filler chapter' at best. But I promise I'll update this one more, and try to string something along to keep it alive. . Anyway, R&R, people. That's what keeps me going.)