Calm Before the Storm
The sun was rising in the distance. The water sparkles from its radiance. A stream of orange hair in a ponytail, zips through the scene followed by blond hair. Nami and Kira were jogging together along a wooden path near the ocean. They decided to start jogging together, to keep their mind off two people. It started when Kira moved in which was the day they returned to school.
It's been five days of getting up at 6am and running. It was constant and each time, they were competing with each other. Nami was doing it longer so she was ahead of Kira but slowly, she was reaching her pace. This was helping a lot for the both of them. Keeps them busy and healthy. They can't act depressed over Yusei and Luffy. Besides running and jogging, Kira also added another activity.
Normally, she doesn't do this but at Gold Brook, there was a dojo near it where she went too. She was taught some skills with a sword by a teacher named, Rayleigh. She also remembers his lesson on Haki and what it was. She wasn't too interested at the time to really activate her Haki but when she saw Yusei use it for the first time, it reminded her of Rayleigh's teachings.
"Finished!" Nami said reaching the finish line, feeling exhausted.
Kira finished a few seconds after. She breathed out and leaned back. She was exhausted, tired and sweaty. It was a good thing that their apartment was just a few minutes away. They were directly under Nami's balcony. There was two bags on the sand with towels and water. There was one more thing near the bags that was long, covered with a cloth.
Nami went over and reached for the water and started drinking it quickly. Kira chuckles seeing how thrisy she was. Kira can see the sweat dripping down Nami's neck.
"The more we do this, the more weight we lose" Kira states getting her water and sipping it.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Nami asked raising an eyebrow.
"If you don't mind being a stick..ya" Kira said softly.
"I think it matters on what you caught" Nami said causing her chest to bounce and winks at Kira.
Kira giggles at her response and looks to the long object. She picks it up and unravels it. Nami wasn't told what Kira was planning on doing today. Though, judging by the wooden sword in her hand, it some intense training.
"Are you going to be like Zoro now?" Nami asked curious.
"No" Kira said grabbing the sword by the middle of it and matching the length to the horizon. "You do know that, in Gold Brook...I was a member of the dojo"
"Oh ya...you were scary because of that...besides being the school's president" Nami recalls.
"I was taught by Rayleigh, an interesting teacher who knew a lot...though, I spent a month with him until he left" Kira states grabbing the sword by the handle. "He left me two things…..one a real sword….which Yusei broke….and this one"
"What are you thinking?" Nami asked with her arms crossed.
"I don't really know myself to be honest…" Kira said placing the tip of the sword on the sand. "Raftel Academy….its been normal lately but….after seeing Yusei again...something tells me….we are going to miss it"
"And you think teaching yourself how to use a sword will give you protection?" Nami asked.
"Once I learn how to use and plus.." Kira said chuckling. "This isn't just any wooden sword"
Kira quickly slides her body, directly to the sun with the tip of the sword pointing straight up. Her hands were firmly holding the handle. Nami stood there shocked after feeling a strong gust of wind for a second come out from her. It was like the sword cut the air.
"The faster I am.." Kira said breathing in and quickly moved causing sword to point directly at Nami. "the easier it is to attack"
"Woaah!" Nami said falling to her butt feeling a strong wind push her. "Alright alright I get it"
Kira smiled at Nami and brought her hand in front of her. Nami takes it and gets pulled up. She grins at Kira seeing something new grew in her. Nami won't be able to help Kira on this training. For one thing, she doesn't have any knowledge of how to use a sword or has the desire. The only person she thinks that is interested would be the guy who keeps getting lost.
OOO
A large piece of a boulder falls. Two more falls, hitting the ground making a thud sound. There was a rocky terrain outside his apartment. Zoro decided to use this area for training. Ever since the night he saw Yusei, there was this raging fire inside him. He wanted to fight but, seeing those memories showed him, how far he was from Yusei and Luffy's level. No matter how much he cuts, it would do nothing.
He stares at his blade that shines from the sunlight. He's sees a guy who was weak with three swords. It was hard enough with two but three was impossible. He couldn't get his head around it. There was a technique he heard and read about someone being able to wield three swords. Two in their hands and one in their mouth.
He hasn't trained with the one in his mouth since, it was difficult. The only reason he's thinking of doing it was because he thinks it will get close to their level. Zoro inhales and exhales, staring at a large boulder in front of him that was twice his size. This one rock was difficult to split. There was slice marks within it but not too deep.
"You won't get anywhere, if you keep going at it like that" Robin spoke.
"When did you get here?" Zoro asked not noticing her.
"A few minutes ago...I decided to get some air...walk a little...then I heard something here so..I followed the sound which lead me here" Robin said crossing her arms.
"Is that right" Zoro replies.
"You may know how to use a sword but….you don't have the power" Robin said looking up at the sky. "None of us does"
"I don't need power…" Zoro said looking back at the rock. "I just need my strength"
"No human can match the level of a devil users capabilities….you seen their power….Yusei's and Luffy's-"
Zoro makes a slice in the rock which did nothing.
"If you think training alone here will do anything...you might just be an idiot" Robin exclaims.
"...eh?" Zoro said looking over his shoulder. "...at least I'm doing something...what you ever do is make notes"
"Gather information is more like it….though, seeing how Yusei's information beats mine by a mile...it seems I'm going to have to do something else" Robin states. "To help….thats why your training isn't?"
Zoro quickly makes an X mark in the rock. He stares at the center of it. He was frustrated but not because he was just weak. There was more to it that he didn't want to admit. Being useless is the worse thing than being weak. Yusei and Luffy didn't even try to ask them for help in their problem. Yusei said it himself. They were nothing because they didn't have powers like them. Zoro needed to get stronger.
"...your not the only person who feels that way" Robin said sighing. "...our curly eyed brow friend also feels the same"
OOO
Smoke leaves his mouth and disappear into the trees. Sanji was sitting on a bench near a beautiful view of the sun rise. He was looking straight up feeling lost in what to do. Everyone knows about his family well more like what kind of family. After that day when Yusei revealed it, no one really asked questions. It probably was because Yusei and Luffy's situation was much greater than his.
Sanji was surprised and angry at what Yusei did. He never thought he would find out and use it to blackmail, Reiju. Yusei became more deadly when he first met him. Dangerous even but Sanji believes there was a reason. If he didn't know Yusei, he probably would think he is a bad guy but they were friends.
The difference now is that his friend thinks he and everyone else can't help them. Luffy even made a deal to protect all of them. Sanji was happy to hear that but, there must be more that he can do. Sanji arches his back and stares at his feet. He doesn't want to rely on Luffy or Yusei. There just two people. He bites on his cigar hard.
"...out here again?" Vivi spoke.
Sanji slightly opened his mouth, causing the cigar to fall. He turned to see Vivi. He's been coming to this spot on the island to relax and think. The second time he came here, Vivi was there. It seem like she was having trouble with this situation too.
"Well..I don't want to miss this sunrise" Sanji replies looking at the sun shining brightly.
"Hmm...its peaceful looking at it now" Vivi said with a smile. "Wish this feeling can stay forever"
"It can" Sanji said standing up and walking to her side.
There was handrail at the edge. Sanji laid his arms on it with a small smile.
"If you don't move from here" Sanji states.
"But we can't" Vivi said crossing her arms. "It's not fair to have this peace all to ourselves...Sanji, what are you going to do?"
"...about?" Sanji asked.
"About your thoughts...you have been thinking too much" Vivi said facing him. "Your not yourself when your like this"
Sanji smiles, letting out a soft chuckle and turned to her.
"Don't worry, just give me time….then I'll be praising you all day" Sanji said grinning.
"..a-all d-day" Vivi said with a blush and giggling. "I bet everyone is thinking about all this..wondering what they should do"
"...you think so" Sanji said not sure she was completely right.
There was one person he thinks that might have trouble dealing with this knowing his personality.
OOO
A ball gets launched into the ceiling, making a small thud sound. It falls back down, returning to its long nose owner who had his staff against his chest. He was launching the ball using the slingshot feature of his staff.
Usopp was sad and never left his apartment after the encounter with Yusei. He even gets nightmares. He was afraid to go out and was debating with himself about leaving the island. Just watching Luffy's memories, told him that there was no chance he would survive. Not when power was involved.
Watching how Yusei and Luffy fought with each other and that Magellan, opened Usopp's eyes. This wasn't some game, this was real life. There is another part of him that wants to stay because all his friends are here. He doesn't think they will see his point of view.
There is many signs telling him to leave but, how can't he be selfish. Since, he also sees the reason why Yusei acted the way he did along with how Luffy actions. It's not like he was being forced too. Usopp has a decision to make. Though, he doesn't know what he will choose.
OOO
Luffy was standing on the beach, staring at the horizon. He was told what happened when he was sleeping and how he got to Yusei's base. He can't believe his memories was being shown like a film. He was furious and panicking on how he should approach them. Specifically, Nami. So up until now, he's been staying with Yusei.
It wasn't mainly because he was too afraid to see his friend. There was another reason involving what is happening this week. An event that will change the way things are. His memories may have been seen but not everything was revealed to them.
Luffy breathes out slowly, hearing the water float to the sand. This was calming. He may not enjoy this feeling again for some time. He adjust his straw hat and stretches his arms up.
"Yosh!" Luffy said looking up at the sky.
There was something different in him. He didn't feel that much stress than before or worry. He felt loose and flexible. It could be that knowing that his friends now knows why he was keeping a secret and why Yusei acts so distant, made him lighter.
"Luffy"
Luffy turns to Aokiji who came out from the skeleton house.
"Ya" Luffy responds.
"Yusei wants you" Aokiji tells him.
Luffy nods and stretches his arm toward a window and pulled himself up in it. He lands inside to see Yusei sitting in front of his 3d checkerboard.
"Ya need me more for something?" Luffy asked.
"Just want to let you know" Yusei said lifting up a pawn piece. "What will happen in the next days...you can't see them"
"I know" Luffy said simply.
"Do you now" Yusei replies not believing it and placed the pawn down.
"Yep" Luffy said.
"You sure" Yusei said looking up at him.
"Yup" Luffy said nodding.
"...hmm" Yusei said staring intensely at him.
Luffy kept staring at him with a plain look. The two continues to stare at each other. It wasn't until Yusei blinked that Luffy broke the silence.
"Shishi..you blink" Luffy states.
"...ugh" Yusei said sighing. "...aren't you acting yourself"
"Uh?...what do you mean?" Luffy asked.
"Well, whenever you had to come here….your usually..tense….scared-" Yusei said staring at the king piece. "...your less stressed now...why?"
"Hmm..don't know" Luffy said shrugging his shoulders, turning to the window. "Just feel like something good is coming"
"Good?" Yusei said tilting his head in confusion. "What I see is more like a disaster"
"I see a beginning of something new" Luffy said grinning.
"Something new" Yusei said softly. "It might be...if things goes as plan"
Yusei stands up and walks over to the map. Luffy turns around.
"hey….I want to ask a favor" Luffy said.
"What favor is that?" Yusei asked curious.
OOO
"Mmmm!..ahh…" Nami said after drinking a tangerine smoothie. "My new favourite drink"
"Well it does have your favorite fruit in it" Robin exclaims.
"The strawberry isn't half bad" Vivi states drinking her smoothie, happily.
"The apple might be the best one" Kira said with a big smile.
The four girls were sitting in a Cafe shop. They all decided to meet in the afternoon to hang out. They haven't really gotten together from that day but it's been long enough and now they need each other. What better way than to have the best smoothies in the whole island.
"The guys are missing out on this" Nami states noticing Sanji, Zoro and Usopp were with them.
"Zoro is in his training session" Robin said lightly sighing.
"Sanji is on a nature walk" Vivi states.
"Oooh" Nami and Kira said in sync staring at the two looking suspicious, seeing how the two knew their whereabouts.
"Eh-h" Vivi said noticing their reaction and blushes slightly.
"hmph...Usopp is still sleeping" Robin said sipping her drink wanting to change the subject.
"Hmm.." Kira said swirling her straw around. "So, what has everyone been up to?"
"Relaxing" Robin answers smiling. "I was in need of one"
"Really" Vivi said feeling the same way.
"Everyone needs it" Kira said leaning back on her chair. "I needed it...or I would go insane"
"Hehe...we all had a bomb dropped on us...we didn't expect we would find the builder of it" Robin exclaims. "Let me say what we all are feeling since, we can't hide this under the rug….what we all witness that day was….both frightening, confusing, painful...it was a lot to process-"
"That's an understatement" Nami spoke biting on her straw.
"You forgot angry in that list" Kira said sipping her smoothie angrily.
"Right.." Robin said letting out a soft chuckle. "Back to what I was saying….what I understand from all this is that….Yusei and Luffy uncovered something connected to the Smile Formula….more specifically, the person who is producing it...and they both know the identity of the person and even have evidence but...Yusei doesn't want to arrest the person-"
"He wants revenge" Vivi states. "But from the way he was acting….its revenge on a greater scale"
"If he was able to sing, dance and even attack the student council and wasn't afraid to do it without worry-" Nami said crossing her arms.
"He would want a bigger stage" Kira said. "His type of revenge….the only time we saw him get his revenge was-"
"With me" Nami said quietly hugging herself more. "And believe me...that was the worse"
"His next target will be way worse" Robin states. "Seeing how he is now"
"He's angry that's obvious" Vivi said staring at her glass.
"The week as finally arrived"
The four girls turned their heads to the television which became louder by the request of a customer sitting at the bar. The tv was flat and against the wall.
"The Gold Tournament...like every year, it's an exciting event Raftel Academy holds...where the toughest teams battle out with their unique...abilities….it will be broadcasted all around the island….many eyes will be watching to see who will win this year's tournament!...and this years opening fight is one of the best of Raftel Academy has to offer...Doflamingo….and his opponent will be announced tomorrow where it begins!...stay tuned!"
"The Gold Tournament will be interesting if Doffy is the one fighting first"
"Ya...undefeated...though, his team does all the work"
"No, Doffy plan is what leads his team to victory"
"He hardly ever fights"
"Doffy will win!"
Many of the people sitting in tables were hyped for the tournament. The four girls on the other hand were uneasy.
"Thanks for raising the volume" said the customer putting his headphones on.
"Your welcome" the owner said with a smile.
"The gold tournament" Kira said letting out a chuckle. "...how does he-"
"I think we're done talking about this" Nami said rising from her seat. "Its time for our next destination"
"What next destination?" Vivi said never heard of it.
"Hehe...well Robin did say we need to relax sooo" Nami said grinning.
OOO
A big splash echoed in the outdoor hot spring. Nami went in first feeling the hot warm water against her skin. She couldn't help but close her eyes and lay her bare back against the smooth rock that surrounded the pond. Robin and Vivi went in right, already feeling content with the water temperature. It was like their stress just disappeared instantly when their bodies touched the water. Kira was the only one not in the water. She had a towel covering herself while her hair was in a ball.
"Uh…" Kira said a little nervous.
"What's wrong Kira" Nami asked turning around, laying her chest against the rock. "Come in already"
"I think she's shy" Robin said chuckling.
"I-its my first time ok!" Kira states looking at the steamy water. "Never thought you would go fully nude in this"
"Its better this way" Robin states.
"You get use to it" Vivi said chuckling. "I was nervous on my first time"
"Ya so" Nami said reaching her hand out and grabbed Kira's towel. "Jump in!"
"WoaHH!" Kira said beginning to twirl and fall right in the pond. "NAMI!"
"Hehehe" Nami laughs at her reaction.
"Why you!" Kira said splashing water against her face.
"H-hey!..." Nami said getting up and start splashing back.
"You two do know this isn't a swimming pool" Robin said acting like an adult.
"...neh!" Nami and Kira said splashing loads of water to Robin who sat there shocked.
"This isn't what I call relaxing" Vivi said smiling nervously.
"Heh...your right" Kira said sitting down and breathing heavily. "We came here to relax"
"...relaxing" Nami said leaning against a rock with her chest slightly above water. "Right"
"It's getting dark" Kira said noticing the sky turning a shade of purple.
"We might get too see the stars" Vivi said excited.
"I might fall asleep by then" Kira said yawning.
"Hmm...this was a good idea Nami" Robin said smiling.
"Of course it was" Nami states.
Vivi raises her arm out of the water. She watches the water slide down her silky smooth skin. Robin inhales the fresh fragrance and closes her eyes. She can feel every inch of her body get swallowed up by this warm sensation. Kira kept snapping in and out from her sleep. The water was too good for her to handle. Her body is surrendering to it no matter how much she tries fighting it. Nami just continues to lay on the comfortable rock. She stares at the sky and watches it changes.
Time went by and the sky completely went dark. Vivi and Kira passed out and were leaning against each other. Robin and Nami were still awake.
"I think it's time to go" Robin said softly, not wanting to wake them.
"Ya.." Nami said giving a heavy sigh.
"I'll say this again...this was a good idea" Robin said slowly standing up causing the water to fall quickly down her slender body. She had her arm covering her chest.
"So, who's going to wake-" Nami said.
Suddenly, something huge fell right in the center of the spring causing the water to explode out of it. Kira and Vivi quickly wake up and stood right up in shock and surprised. Nami and Robin were also standing with surprised faces.
Flashback
"What's the favor?" Yusei asked.
"I'm going to see Nami" Luffy answers.
"Uh uh...going to say your farewells?" Yusei said raising an eyebrow.
"well...I don't want things to be the way they are now" Luffy said crossing his arms behind his head.
"Alright then" Yusei said shrugging his shoulders. "Go off"
"Osh" Luffy replies nodding.
He leaves and starts heading over to Nami's apartment. Though, to his surprise she wasn't there plus, the door was lock. He went to her balcony and saw no one inside. He was confused, wondering where she was.
He left the apartment and went searching elsewhere. He started wandering the streets, trying to guess where she was. He went over the stores Nami took him before but nothing. He then went to other stores that has things girls like and nothing. The more he searches, the more time he was wasting.
Hours as passed and still nothing. He could even see the sun setting. He started to lose hope.
"Nothing" Yusei said coming out from a store with a apple in his hand.
"Nope" Luffy answers lowering his head in defeat.
"Hmm.." Yusei said taking another bite. "Want my help?"
"You know where she is?" Luffy asked.
"...hmahhmm...meh" Yusei said shrugging his shoulders. "It's a small island"
"Where is she-" Luffy said until feeling Yusei grab his arm.
"Don't mention this" Yusei said squeezing his arm tight.
"Uh?" Luffy replies.
Yusei started swinging Luffy around soon releasing him upward to a random direction. Luffy didn't show a reaction just a blank expression. He was taking in what just happened. It wasn't until seconds he fell into a pool, that he realized what Yusei just did.
Flashback ended
OOO
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHA"
Yusei heard a loud scream coming from the building next to him belonging to girls. He was smiling while he was walking. He had his hands in his pockets. "You shouldn't follow my path" he thought.
"That sounded like trouble" said a guy with headphones on.
"Hehe...it wouldn't be a spa without a perv falling in" a girl said laugh next to him.
The two walked past Yusei.
OOO
"Tomorrow is the day" Monet said.
"Are you ready..Doffy?" Corazon asked.
Doffy was laying on the couch with a wide grin.
"Always"
OOO
"Koala!" Sabo shouts.
"When are you going to get off my case!" she responds.
"Until you answer me...why were you helping Yusei!?" Sabo asked.
"What...it was a duet" Koala answers.
"Really!?" Sabo said in disbelief.
"Can you drop it now" Koala states. "Its kinda annoying and I think this is more important"
The two were in the academy, on their way to a classroom. Koala kept dodging the question that Sabo was annoying her about. Sabo was pissed at her but needed to cool down. They entered the classroom and saw Ace and Reiju there along with another third year student.
"Sorry we were late, Sharley" Sabo said.
"It's fine" she responds.
"Well since we were all here...can you show us now?" Ace asked Sharley.
"Hmm...its been a long time since I did this for you...it should have been my last" Sharely replies.
"Well...let's say this is something much bigger...and we need some insight" Ace said.
"We wouldn't be asking you if there was another way but….this is a serious matter" Reiju exclaims.
"You two are scared…: Sharley said looking at a pearl ball in front of her. "Let see what the future holds for us"
Smoke appears within the ball and begins to glow. It starts swirling quickly within.
A bright golden glow flashes within the ball along with a figure covered in crimson appears. The crimson zips through.
"The gold tournament….is in for a surprise" Sharley states. "It will shock everyone who witness it"
Nine silhouettes rises from the shadows. They were standing above the raftel building.
"What this?...a takeover...no...it's more like-" Sharley starts until seeing it change quickly into red.
Smoke was covering the sky. A dark cloud started coming from the ocean covering the entire island. Flashes of colours shined within the darkness. A big fire appears but quickly disappears. A figure was grinning within the darkness.
"...n-no...i-it can't" Sharley said shaking from what she saw.
"What's wrong?" Reiju asked worried.
"What did you see?" Ace asked.
"...a-a...a war is coming..to this island, one that will destroy this academy and...raftel.." Sharley answers.
"S-she must be joking" Koala said shivering.
"That can't be" Sabo said rubbing his temple.
"T-there's more…" Sharley said looking up at Ace.
OOO
Yusei stands on top of his house and stares at the moon. He reaches his hand out to it. Crimson fire soon flies out from his arm.
OOO
"A flame will get...extinguished"