Invitation
It was 6 in the morning. Nami was awake and jogging in her sweats. She had a white top and grey shorts on. She had her hair tied up in a ponytail along with a white baseball cap on. It wasn't too bright outside. The sun was slowly rising. Ever since arriving to Raftel, she hasn't been jogging. Her mind was filled with Luffy to really focus on herself. So, she decided to wake up early and do an hour of jogging.
She was glad that she followed through since, she was walking on a wooden path with the ocean a few minutes away. Being able to run in the beach was so much better than running through a neighborhood. It was also empty. She slows her pace until she was walking. She turns her head to the horizon. What she thought would help her clear her mind from him was not completely working. Last night was another night that Luffy jumped out of her balcony and head off to who knows where to sleep.
Nami turns her head to the apartment building she is in. Looking up at her balcony, gives her an idea on how far down he jumped. Plus, there was nothing much of anything around for him to go and sleep. She imagined that she would run into Luffy sleeping on the sand but no luck. That brings up a question.
"Where the hell are you Luffy?" She asked to herself.
Her hat covers her eyes and she begins jogging again.
OOO
School begins and Kira was seen walking through the halls. She notice not many people arrived. It wasn't too different from her old high school. She notice the janitor mopping a large portion of the floor. Surprisingly, the hallway to her class is behind him. She sighs and feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns around.
"Hi Kira" Nami spoke with a smile with Robin next to her.
"Hi Nami, Robin...you two came early" Kira states surprised.
"When aren't we" Nami said with a giggle. "So where have you been?"
"Exploring" Kira answers.
"Exploring the school?" Robin asked.
"ya…"Kira replies.
"Did you find anything new?" Nami asked curious.
"Hmm...maybe…" Kira said with something on her mind.
"Like what?"
"There was a building separate from this...it looks different and I don't think it was a place for study….a dome shape-" Kira said until getting cut off.
"Our event building" Sabo spoke, entering the conversation. "Where we held most of our events...basically a place for dancing, balls, parties"
"Oh really" Nami said surprised and excited about it.
"And there will be an opening party for the gold tournament there…" Sabo said handing the three a card. "Here's your invite"
On the invitation it said the time and place of the event but there was also content added at the end of the card.
"A poll?..who would you want to see in the battle playground against Doflamingo?" Nami reads not sure who the name was.
"Yes...so you know about the opening match that will get the tournament going….the competitors is actually going to be two members in the student council...one was decided because of last year" Sabo exclaims.
"Which is this Doflamingo student?" Kira said wondered about his name.
"He's quite popular...plus comes from a rich family..who is one of the academy's contributors" Sabo said.
"Uh..why haven't we seen him or heard of him?" Nami asked wondering who this person.
"He doesn't show himself too often around school...usually hangs out in a private area he only owns" Sabo answers her.
"Isn't he special" Nami said crossing her arms.
"Well..he's rank quite high...a powerful guy with a powerful...devil power" Sabo said lowering his eyes.
"May I ask..what his power is?" Robin asked curious and want to added it to her book.
"He is a paramecia type...able to control string basically" Sabo states.
"So do we have to decide which student council member should fight him" Nami said looking down at the invitation.
"Yup...just bring your cards to the event building and you will get in" Sabo said turning away. "Oh and remember...wear something pretty"
"Uh?" Nami said confused.
"Oh...looks like its a banquet too" Robin said turning the invitation around. "Sounds fun"
"So that's what he meant" Nami said a little interested.
Kira was also interested. She never been in a banquet before.
"This calls for a girls day out!" Nami said, slapping her hands together, looking at the two.
"Girls day out?" Kira repeats not sure what Nami is implying.
"Ya..I don't think you brought a dress from home now" Nami said knowingly knew since she didn't have one of her own either. "Plus...it sounds fun...this is something we all need, lets have fun..we should tell Vivi to join and for the boys to buy their suits"
"It will be an interesting experience" Robin states with a smile. "Probably will get to see unique people too"
"You never know...Yusei might even show" Nami said looking over to Kira.
"Haha..don't think he's that type of guy for this kind of event" Kira said with a chuckle.
"Maybe.." Nami said getting excited. "So let's find everyone and tell them the news"
The two nods to Nami and the three began walking down the other hallway the janitor was not blocking.
OOO
The sunlight hits off the steel blade which was in Zoro's hands. He brought two Katanna's from home. He couldn't live without them. It became a habit for him to train using them by himself. Even more ever since Yusei and Luffy showed them who they truly are. Their abilities scared him and excited him. Just the thought of people like them around the world just makes him shake but not out of fear.
Zoro waited for the day to meet them again and show them, he is capable to reach their level with his sword skills. At the moment, he was standing in a field near the academy building with Usopp and Luffy. He took out his katanna's from a case he brought them in.
"Wado Ichimonji...Sandai Kitetsu…" Zoro calls their names.
"T-they look...dangerous" Usopp states gulping from the site holding onto his green staff which looks like a pebble compared to Zoro's katanas.
While, Luffy was staring at them with interest. He was getting a strange vibe from them. He raises his head to Zoro.
"They look cool!" Luffy said with a cheery tone.
Zoro smiles a bit but then twist the handles of his Katanas. He begins swinging from left in right with speed that impressed Luffy and made Usopp hide behind him thinking that Zoro might slice him in half. Zoro then looks at the corner of his eye at Luffy. In one swift motion, the point of his blade was seconds away from Luffys face who showed no emotion from the sudden action except his air was pushed a little by the force.
"Hmm...you could be" Luffy starts quietly to himself then shaking his head. "You won't be able to beat me…"
Luffy pressed his right index finger against the point of the blade surprising Zoro but notice his finger changing colour. Luffy smirks.
Suddenly, Zoro feels something past him. All his senses started to act up. He fell to one knee and dropped one katana. He used his second one to support himself from falling. His mind was hazzy and he didn't know why. He notice after looking at his hands, he was shaking. "What is happening to me?" Zoro thought and looks at Luffy who was staring at him the whole time. That's when he realized. "No it can't be...what did he do?" He thought wondering if Luffy made him shake.
"Your strong Zoro...but, you should be more careful who you point your sword too" Luffy said in a serious tone and looks up.
Luffy grins at him and stands up. He stretches his arms up and bends backward all the way. Meanwhile, Usopp was sleeping on the ground peacefully.
OOO
In a different part of the academy, Sanji and Vivi were sitting together after exploring the school. They stopped after Sanji received a newspaper. His eyes widen after seeing something traumatizing. Vivi didn't know why since she didn't get the chance to see the newspaper herself.
"Sanji?" Vivi calls. "Sanji.."
Sanji blinks a few times and turns to Vivi. He tilted the newspaper so Vivi could see it. She was shocked once she laid her eyes upon the big image on the front cover.
"Oh my…" Vivi said worried about how Nami was feeling after seeing this kind of picture of Luffy.
"yes...WHY HER OF ALL PEOPLE!?" Sanji shouts in rage.
"Wait what?" Vivi asked confused on his reaction.
Sanji was growling at the picture and squishes it. He doesn't know what to feel at the moment. Anger maybe disgust. He can't think straight. He slides his hand down his face, wishing he didn't see that image.
"Hey what's wrong?" Vivi asked worried about him.
Sanji looks at her and wonders what he should say. Looking back at the now crunched image, it surprised him that she went to this school.
"The girl in the picture...is my step sister Reiju" Sanji tells her.
"Your step sister..I didn't know you had any siblings" Vivi responds.
"Well because most of them were awful...well almost all of them" Sanji said leaning back to the wall. "But I lost connection with them years ago once I moved out….though I am surprised that my sister goes to this school..that must mean-"
"She is a devil user" Vivi said finishing his sentence.
"Yup...and I want to know" Sanji said crossing his arms. "Why Luffy had his lips on her!"
"Judging from the picture...it looks like she-" Vivi said until Sanji stood up.
"No, No...someone like her couldn't be attracted to that idiot…" Sanji said nodding satisfied with that answer. "She's too cold hearted and rude"
"Uh.." Vivi replies, thinking he is in denial.
Vivi eyes notice something pink coming from behind Sanji. Though before Vivi could say anything to him, Sanji spoke again.
"Can't let her find me here...or who knows what that witch will do" Sanji said biting his thumb.
"What witch?"
Sanji hears a light tone female voice from behind him. There was a part of him that wanted to greet the woman with the most respect and love but the other half was shouting at him to run. His mix emotions caused him to turn around. His eyes widen and twitch once he noticed who she was.
"hello...Sanji" Reiju said with a big smile with Pudding next to her.
"Rei- Reiju...been awhile" Sanji said smiling back nervously."what brings you here?"
"I was just on my way to the student councils room..why don't you come by" Reiju said beginning to walk past him. "We have much to talk about"
Her last sentence was a whisper that only Sanji heard that made his smile shrink. Pudding past him by too. She was looking at him from the corner of her eye. "So he's the other brother...heh...the only thing going for him would be his looks" Pudding thought and looks straight with a small smirk.
"That's your sister" Vivi said look at Reiju walking away.
"Hmm..ya" Sanji replies softly and starts walking away.
"hey-" Vivi said wondering what made him upset.
"Vivi!"
Vivi turns around, hearing her name being called. She sees Nami, Robin and Kira coming to her.
"Hi" Vivi responds with a smile.
"Are you feeling better?" Robin asked remembering that she didn't look too great the other day.
"Ya, just needed some rest...thanks for asking" Vivi said in a kind tone.
"Did you get an invitation like this one?" Nami showing her the card.
"Ya, there were students giving them out" Vivi answers."Why?"
"We were thinking on having a girls day out to buy our outfit for the event...we want you to join us?" Nami exclaims with a cheery tone.
"Ya sure...sounds like fun" Vivi states getting excited about this. "When should we go?"
"It would be best if we did it on the weekend" Kira suggested.
"That's a great idea...we have no school or any plans...we can have the whole day for ourselves" Robin said liking the idea.
"Then it's decided but...we need to get the boys to go on their own shopping trip" Nami said.
"So while we are having a girls day out...the boys will have their own" Vivi said with a smile.
"basically...I can message, Zoro, Sanji and Usopp however….for Luffy" Nami said saying Luffy's name a little quiet.
"Aren't you two living together now?" Robin said with a small smirk, raising her eyebrow.
"He comes then just leaves...literally!" Nami said throwing her arms up. "He follows me to the apartment then leaves right after"
"Thats odd...where does he sleep then?" Kira asked.
"I don't have the faintest idea….he won't tell me either.." Nami said and turning her head from left to right. "I think Luffy is hiding something dangerous he doesn't want us to know"
Nami whispered to the group who became curious about what she said and a little worried. A few seconds after, a group of chatter echos through the hallway. The girls turned their heads to the direction of the chatter and notice a big crowd of students walking down the hallway.
"Whats going on?" Vivi asked.
"Doflamingo" Bartolomeo said with his knees bent to the floor holding onto a camera.
"Eh!" Vivi said startled not noticing he was there. "Where did you come from?"
"Clear the way!" Bartolomeo said raising his voice and went up against the lockers, ignoring Vivi.
The girls did the same though did not know why until they turned their eyes to the hallway again. Many students were against the walls making a path for Doffy who is seen walking down the hall with a big grin on his face. There was two other students next to him. One was Corazon and the other was Law. Doffy had a pink furry coat over his school uniform.
"His name sounds like flamingo" Robin said trying to make a joke but she didn't giggle. Doffy's expression was no joking matter even though his outfit screams it.
"It's Corazon and Law" Nami said remembering them from yesterday.
That memory also came with Luffy's impression on them. She notice the three coming closer to them. Her fingers were shaking a little when they passed. She looks at the corner of her eye to Doffy who was looking back through his glasses. The hallway return back to normal with students filling it.
"Wow.." Vivi said breathing in. "that was...new"
"Something is off with that guy" Kira states feeling her heart pulse quickly.
"And he's the guy who will be fighting at the opening match" Robin said remembering it.
"With Ace" Bartolomeo said looking through his camera.
"With Ace?...how come you say that...I don't think everyone voted yet?" Nami asked him.
"He's a fan favorite for everyone in this school...they all cheer for him and like him...he is also a good fighter to watch...it would be a shock if he isn't picked to fight him" Bartolomeo answers, raising his camera to Nami.
"You know an awful lot..Bart...care to share some information with me?" Robin asked kindly.
"My sources aren't for sale... sorry" Bartolomeo said with a grin and snaps their photo.
"Hey!...you don't have permission to take our picture!" Nami tells him.
"Its just to archive" Bartolomeo said not caring about what she said. "I take everyones picture who goes to this school"
"Everyone.." Kira repeats to herself. "Can I see?"
"What?" Bartolomeo asked tilting his head.
"I want to look through your pictures" Kira said and reaches for the camera but Bartolomeo reacts quicker and brings it against his chest.
"Uhm...if you wish to see them...purchase the year book" Bartolomeo states walking away a little freaked out by her.
"Ugh.." Kira said exhaling.
"Kira…" Nami said rubbing her back. "Come on"
"Hm?" Kira said turning to her.
"We will find him sooner or later" Nami whispers to her with a wink.
Kira blushed surprised that Nami understood what she was planning to do. She shakes her head and starts walking quicker in front of them.
"A-alright let's get a move on then" Kira said. "Class won't wait for us..so we need to pick up the pace!"
The three girls giggled at her reaction and starts following her.
OOO
Nearing the end of the day, Luffy jumped off Nami's Balcony again and lands on the sand. Nami came out and looks down at him.
"Hey!...Don't forget what you and the guys are doing this weekend!" Nami shouts at him.
"Ya ya" Luffy said looking back at her, pressing the top of his straw hat Nami fixed.
At first, when Nami told him about the event, he wasn't all for it until she used the you owe me card. For fixing his hat, he needed to buy a suit with the guys. He sighs and starts walking away while Nami watches him leave.
However, there is another reason. Luffy takes a look at the card in his hand while he walks. The name on it brought a memory into his mind. He can hear cries and fire burning. He shakes his head and looks forward.
It has been an hour of walking and Luffy finally stopped. He was still on the beach but on a different part of it. He was looking at an oddly shaped cavern looking like a distorted skull connected to the land. One of its eyes lit up. Luffy starts walking to the mouth of the skull.