THE CHILDREN Set Sail!
Disclaimer: …I'm…running out of things to say here. Why don't you readers think of something? It just got to have something around the line of "Normama has no ownership over One Piece or Zettai Karen Children". It should be easy, right? You readers only got to do it this once…
"…Then you add this element to stabilize the mixture," Chopper instructed as he poured in a spoonful of pinkish powder into a bowl with a greenish paste and began mixing the two with a grinding rod, "Stir evenly for about three minutes and you'll be able to get the paste needed to settle the injured area…"
"Uh-huh~!" Aoi nodded attentively, jolting down in her little notebook Chopper's instruction, "…But, Chopper-han, wouldn't adding this instead produce the same result?"
Chopper shook his head at the bottle full of white liquid Aoi picked up. "While it does produce the same result, there's a side-effect that will cause the person to itch there. We need be sure that the patient would not delay the healing of the wound…"
"Ah~! I get it…"
It has been three days since the battle with Baroque Works has ended. The Children, despite being dead tired from the battle, were the first to wake up. Vivi was in the room at the time so they managed a good morning…err, afternoon. They got up earlier than their comrades, but it was still noon by the time they got up.
After washing themselves off, they return to find Nami and Chopper awake. Strictly speaking, compare to the others they were relatively less injured and exhausted from the previous battle.
At that time, Aoi decided to ask Chopper if he was willing to teach her his medical knowledge and skills reasoning that she help him treat their comrades. Chopper was shy and hesitant at first, but after Nami encourage him he accepts Aoi's suggestion.
Aoi figure that he would be passionate, but Chopper went beyond her expectation. He immediately had her study his recommendation of medical books (courteous of the Royal Family's library) and even had her experience some hands-on experiences in helping him mix up medicines and remedies on the very first day. On the second day, he even began to show her how to properly identify types of wounds and diseases and how to properly treat them. He even introduces Aoi to procedure such as surgery and labor management.
Anybody else wound have gave up an eighth of the way from the wave of hardcore education from an expert, but Aoi credibly is a diligent, resourceful, and determine girl by nature. She took Chopper's passion head on, never hesitating to question when she is confused or take unneeded rest. She constantly took notes, use index card, and did her own research outside of Chopper's recommendation.
Adding to Chopper's surprisingly detailed lecture and efficient teaching, Aoi has become a praiseworthy medical assistant to Chopper though it's still too early for her to be a dependable doctor like Chopper. But for the moment, she's content with her current level.
Anyhow, a little while after Chopper agreed to teach Aoi his knowledge, Sanji and Zoro woke up too. But it wasn't until the morning of the second day that Usopp woke up. By then, most of the bandages that Chopper has previously put on him in his haste was deemed "unnecessary" and removed leaving only a few places bandaged most noticeably his head. Luffy on the other hand had a very high fever and has yet to wake up. Chopper and Aoi had been diligently nursing him back to health, with Vivi and even Kaoru helping out whenever they could.
"…! This outstanding combination!" an old Arabasta doctor suddenly commented, having watch the Chopper process the paste at an unknown time, "Quite a fascinating mixture you're making. My, your medical making skills are so innovative! And practical! It's amazing, you're a genius my boy! Really superb! No truly logical! Very amazing!"
"What-!? When did you get here!?" Aoi startled as Chopper merely let his jaw hang after hearing the comment.
"Wherever in the world did you learn such exquisite medicinal techniques?"
A giggled from behind them alerted everyone of Vivi's presence. "Tony-kun was a practicing doctor back from Drum Kingdom…."
"WHAT!? REALLY!?" the old doctor gasped in astonishment, "You mean the same country that was renowned for its advance medicine!?"
"Oh~!" Aoi awed, having first heard this, "That would explain why Chopper is so knowledgeable despite being only five years older than me…"
"Indeed," the old man stroked his age-long beard, "No wonder this little fellow is so talented. They are still ahead of us, I see! I have been a doctor to the Royal Family for Forty Years, but even I don't know the techniques and remedy that he does…"
"Well I've only started but look how far I got under him! That just shows how incredible he is…"
"Truly, I am envious! To be a disciple to such a capable doctor and teacher! He's far younger than I but it's obvious I'm no match for him! He's clearly the superior doctor!"
"And I'm proud of it-!"
"SHUT UP, JERKS~!" Chopper suddenly voiced in what is supposed to be anger…but his goofy embarrass face coupled with him pulling out a chair and serving tea degrade his attempt, "You guys are too noisy~! Morons~! I can't stand it~! Assholes~! Quit talking about me~! Idiots~! You guys go elsewhere, will you~! You bastards~!"
"…He's offering me tea and a chair despite what's he saying. Can I take that to mean: 'please have some tea, and observe all you like'?" the old doctor wondered.
"Most definitely," Aoi chuckled nervously as Vivi nodded in agreement before returning to attending to Luffy. Aoi has been Chopper's apprentice for nearly three days and is accustomed to Chopper's shyness by now, though she is still left sometime sweat dropping.
"Well in that case, show me more of your incredible talents, please…"
"I said shut up~~!" Chopper comically voiced.
"If only I can have splendid skill such as yours! I can't tell you how impress I am!"
"G-Get out here~! I can't take it anymore~~~!
"Hey! Is there any more lumber?" Someone called out.
"Naw! There isn't enough here either!" Another responded, "I'm out too!"
"I have plenty to spare," one merchant called, "Just take whatever you need!"
"…This country really is strong," Kaoru smiled as she walk alongside Sanji and Usopp down the busy street. They had just finished grocery-shopping in town and were on their way back to the palace. She was also currently wearing Luffy's Straw Hat; despite not being a fan of hats, she took an exceptional liking to Luffy's.
"Yeah," Usopp nodded, "Look, everyone's coming together…"
"It's because the Princess is cute~!" Sanji reasoned, causing Usopp to sweat drop.
"Oh please~! Does that matter?"
"It sure does~!" Kaoru agreed with Sanji's idea.
"Damn it!" A citizen suddenly huffed in anger. He was staring through a hole that had gone through every house…the one that Sanji made earlier. "Something broke through the walls between our houses!"
"House after house is like this!" Another cried, "What's with this hole that goes through every house!? How could this have happen!? What the HELL made these holes!? Really, it's like someone kicked a hole through them!"
"How awful," Usopp commented, "look at the damage…"
"…Kicked through, huh?" Kaoru giggled knowingly, giving the now sweating and nervous Sanji an aside glance, "…'Leave that crap for later', huh~?"
"…Uh hey, Usopp~," Sanji called, hurryingly pointing in the opposite direction of the houses, "There's something over there~! Let's check it out~!"
"…?" Usopp tilted his head in confusion, but nevertheless he and the giggling Kaoru followed.
"Hmm~!" Nami glee as she flips through an Oceanology Book, "Wow, there are all sorts of fascinating books! Every book seems to be interesting~! Can I really just take them all with me!?"
"Absolutely! Feel free to do so," King Cobra replied, "I have already read all of them…"
"All of them!?" Shiho exclaimed, flipping through some Meteorology book, "You really do have a lot of free time, don't you?"
"A lot more than you think," King Cobra chuckled.
"Well, either way, thanks so much and I'll definitely take you up on that offer! These books are really going to help!"
"…Are you really that interested in learning about weather?" Nami wondered.
"Now I am," Shiho admitted. Not long after Aoi was administrated as Chopper's apprentice, Shiho also began to think about following the same idea in getting a secondary skill. She was stump because at the time she thought marksmanship would work, but Usopp was still out-cold. That was when…
"…This rain is going to continue forever~!" Shiho had awed as she stared outside the window of the guest room.
"…Actually, it about to stop," Nami casually informed as she too stared out the window, "Though for this country, it wouldn't hurt to have it last longer…"
"Eh?" Shiho blinked in confusion. But just as Nami predicted, the rain stopped soon afterwards. "…EH~!? It really did stop!"
"I told you it would…"
"B-But how…?"
"I told you before, I think, I can accurately determine what the weather is going to be just by reading the atmosphere…"
"…Eh? Really?"
"What? You thought I was joking?"
"… …No, not at all…"
"…Being so sensitive to the weather to the point where can predict it to such accuracy," Shiho smiled to herself, "As a Psychometrist, I should be able to do something similar…"
"Ah~!" Nami chuckled, "I see, as a Psychometrist you are capable of gathering information upon touch. But since up until now you couldn't read the weather…"
"I thought I should try it. It could be useful…"
"…I see," Nami smiled before grinning at Shiho, "Then…do you want some help?"
"… … … …Eh?"
"There's only so much you can learn from books. Plus, you have an expert (me) to guide you. Who knows, you might be able to catch on much quicker if I help…"
Shiho blinked at Nami's generous offer before narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "…How much?"
"… … … …Eh?"
"How much is your help is going to cost me?"
"…You thought I was scamming you?"
"Yes…"
"Ugh…an immediate answer!" Nami coughed a bit before continuing, "Uh, what makes you think I would-?"
Shiho gave Nami a meaningful look, as if challenging her ignorance.
"… … … … … … … … … … … … …Uh… … …Okay! You caught me; you caught me~…"
"Figures," Shiho chuckled as Nami comically slumped on the spot.
"But how did you know?"
"I'm not too unfamiliar with the 'innocent' act. I used that myself several time…"
"Really," Nami chuckled, "Well, putting that aside, would you at least consider? Free of charge?"
"…? Why do you want to teach me in the first place?"
"…Well, it would be nice to have someone to talk to, you know, about the weather. Being on this ship meant I usually have no one to talk to on equal level…"
"Oh~!" Shiho nodded in understanding, "I know what you mean…"
"So? How about it? Like I said, I'll do it free of charge…"
Shiho hummed in thought for a moment before smiling. "You better be a good teacher then, Nami. I intend to master this~!"
Nami smirked back, accepting the challenge. "With pleasure~!"
"We already said we don't know; do you understand!?" Chaka growled. He and Pell refused to budge from their position on the palace stairs, "Did you not hear us say that?"
"Get lost," Pell growled in the same manner, glaring at the group of Marines that were trying to seek entrance into the palace. "We've already told you a hundred times that there are no pirates!"
"It won't do you or your country any good if you're lying!" the Marine Officer in charge of the group protested, "Harboring pirates is a serious crime!"
"We don't know anything about pirates!" Chaka remained firm to his position. He refused to let the Marine search the palace.
"Hey there you two," Sanji called as his group passed by up the stairs and towards the palace, "What's up?"
"How are you two healing?" Kaoru inquired.
"Ah~! Back already?" Pell greeted with a smile, "And yeah, we're in good shape…"
"Found the things you need?" Chaka casually asked.
"Yep," Usopp grinned as all three held up their bags, "there was a lot of stuff…"
"That's good to hear," Chaka nodded with a smile before glaring down at the Marines again, "Can you prove that those pirates are here!?"
"…Well, no," the Marine Officer admitted, "But…"
"Then you can't enter," Pell finalized, "There are no evidence and I don't see any pirates here! Intrude on the palace on assumption alone will make you the enemy, under law, of Arabasta!"
"…Those two really knows how to drive people away, don't they?" Kaoru commented, glancing back to see the Marines hesitantly leave.
"They sure do," Usopp nodded, "I don't think anyone could stand their combine glare for long…"
"Well," Sanji shrugged, "They are meant to protect Vivi-chan and the Royal Family. If they couldn't handle this much, they wouldn't be so…"
"I guess. That aside, with the city in this kind of condition, being able to buy all this is more than enough!"
"Agreed…"
"You think Luffy's awake?" Kaoru suddenly asked a while later as they near the guest room.
"I doubt it," Sanji sighed, "If he was awake, it'll be awfully noisy…"
"AHH~~~~~!" Luffy yawned awake, "WHAT A GREAT NAP~~! I SLEPT GOOD~~!"
Luffy laughed as he places a hand on his head, alerting him that he wasn't wearing his hat.
"…Huh!? Where the heck is my Hat? Hat! Where's my Hat!? Ah-! I'm starving too~! I'm hungry~! Where's my breakfast? Hey, breakfast!? Hat! My breakfast! Hat!? My breakfast!?"
"You've just woke up and already you're making a ruckus!" Sanji sighed, "And it's won't be breakfast! It'll be dinner, it's already evening…"
"Your hat's right here," Kaoru glee, pointing to the straw hat on her head, "Lucky for us a soldier found it in front of the Palace…"
"Phew!" Luffy sighed in relief as he used his rubber power to reach over to where Kaoru is, take the hat and reeled it back to place it happily on his head, "Great! I missed you!"
"I'm so glad, Luffy-san!" Vivi declared, "You've regained your strength!"
"…? Regained my strength?" Luffy stared at Vivi oddly, "But I'm always strong…"
"You idiot," Nami sighed, "You were really in bad shape and sick with a temperature, a high fever, you know! Vivi, Chopper, Aoi, and even Kaoru have been nursing you back to health this whole time!"
"Really!?" Luffy gasped in amazement, staring at each of the people that Nami listed, "Thanks you guys!"
"Aw~! It was nothing~!" Kaoru chuckled in embarrassment, scratching the back of her head.
"It really was nothing," Aoi huffed knowingly, adjusting her glasses and glance at Kaoru knowingly, "Kaoru only changed your wet towel only on the first day before getting bored, and resolve to 'protecting' your hat…"
"Hey~! You didn't need to tell him that~!"
"Well, whatever," Luffy grinned, nevertheless, "Thanks, Kaoru…"
"…Aw~! Shucks!"
"…Why do I even bother?" Aoi sighed.
"Oh, Luffy," Zoro called, walking into the room, "You're awake?"
"Ah~! Zoro, long time no see!" Luffy greeted before blinking in confusion, "…? Wait a minute…'Long time no see'?"
"…!? Ah-HEY!" Chopper exclaimed as he and Aoi suddenly began chasing after Zoro, "How dare you! Don't tell me you went out training again!"
"What's the big deal?" Zoro grumbled, "It's my problem! I didn't need you're permission!"
"It IS my problem! I'm the ship's doctor!"
"And don't take off the bandages!" Aoi lectured.
"It's hard to move with them on," Zoro grumbled in response.
"We put them there so that you WON'T move! What, are you going to wait until your arms and legs completely fall off before you're satisfy!?"
"…Long time no see?" Luffy, meanwhile, repeated again, still confused by his own greeting, "Why did I say that?"
"You're right to be confused," Usopp muttered as he watched Aoi and Chopper try to reapply the bandages on Zoro.
"Yeah," Kaoru nodded, "You were out-cold for three entire days after all…"
"…! Three days!? I slept for three whole days!?" Luffy gasped, before noises similar to a cashier sounded off from his head. CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CHING~! It wasn't long before Luffy jaw dropped in comical shock, "I missed fifteen meals~!"
"GEH-! Fast!"
"Why are you so fast at calculating that!?" Shiho sweat dropped.
"You sure calculate quickly when it comes to food," Nami frowned with an exasperated sweat drop.
"And by his count," Usopp palmed his face, "that's like five meals a day!"
Vivi simply giggled at this. "I've already asked for dinner to be prepared, so don't worry…"
Suddenly, the room's door burst open and a large woman with curly blonde hair in 16th and 17th style found for wigs enter the room, followed by a servant with a trotter full of fruits.
"I see the captain has woken up," the woman noted to the surprised resident of the room, "It will take another 30 minutes for Dinner to be ready. It will be better if we all ate together after all so I hope you're all hungry~!"
"Ah-!? HEY!" Luffy suddenly exclaimed comically, "You're that weird old tube-hair guy from Whiskey Peak! You're still alive!?"
"…Oi~!" Shiho grimaced at the sight of the supposedly familiar person, "Why are you dress like that!? Are you some sort of cross-dresser!?"
"Or," Zoro grimaced nervously, "that cross-dressing thing wasn't just an act! So you weren't kidding when you dress like a girl before!?"
"You guys are rude," Kaoru huffed, "This isn't that guy Igaram!"
"…Eh!?" Everyone else aside from Kaoru and the giggling Vivi.
"That is right," Vivi nodded in agreement, "This is Terracotta. She is Igaram's wife and also the palace's head servant…"
"Thank you for looking after Princess Vivi and My Husband," Terracotta gave a curt bow.
"…I heard of the expression of 'wife resembling their husband' but this is too weird," Zoro frowned in vexation.
"You got to be kidding me," Aoi agreed with a sweat drop, "There should be a limit to how similar a couple should be…"
"A couple can only be so much alike," Shiho added, before glaring curiously at her redhead friend, "but I'm surprise Kaoru could tell the difference…"
"Isn't obvious?" Kaoru tilted her head in confusion, "The guy had six rollers. She only has four and has a female charm…"
"THAT'S how you could tell!?"
"I heard that the captain eats a lot," Terracotta continued, "So while food is being ready, I had my staff put together a little snack to entice you and your friends up. Please enjoy these fruits first before dinner, okay?"
She indicated the trotter stuffed with fruits… …or, well, was stuff with fruits.
"I understand, thank you," Luffy pouted, burping and rubbing his still hungry stomach.
"IS THIS MAGIC!?" Zoro and Sanji comically exclaimed, realizing that at some unknown time Luffy had gobbled every single morsel on the trotter.
"You GREEDY pig~!" The Children exclaimed in rage.
"Oi, Auntie!" Luffy called to Terracotta, "I want Three Whole Days' worth of food!"
"Oh~, a challenge, eh~?" Terracotta grinned, pumping her arm in determination, "Good, I'm looking forward to it! Fear not! I have worked in the Kitchen for 30 Years; I've never lost to anyone's stomach before, so just eat to your heart's content!"
A little while later, the entire Straw Hat Pirate crew found themselves in the Royal Dining Hall with Vivi and her father Cobra, along with Pell, Chaka, Igaram, and even Carue. Although, being a in a royal dining hall, the Children knew that they should show manners and eat with dignity, but seeing their pirate comrades gorging themselves wildly without a care in the world allowed them to throw caution into the wind. Luffy, for one, stuffed himself with rice-balls, meats, fishes (bones and all), and anything else he could grab.
"Even pigs eat less," one of the guards commented in astonishment.
"And with more manners too," Another guard added, "this is the Royal Dinning Hall, not a feeding frenzy…"
Empty plates kept on piling, almost faster than new plates full of food can be brought out.
"This stuff's good," Zoro commented as he went to take a bite out of meat he cut out, only for Luffy to snatch it away for himself.
"Ah-!" Kaoru exclaimed as Luffy snatched her food off her plate.
"Oi! Luffy!" Usopp comically accused, "You just snatch my food, didn't you!?"
"No, I didn't-," Luffy mumbled through his stuffed mouth before being punched in the face on either side by Nami and Shiho.
"You liar!" Shiho rightfully proclaimed, "Don't stretch!"
"Don't talk with your mouth full!" Nami lectured since she was eating rather normally compare to most of everyone else, "You're spitting food everywhere!"
"Hey, Chopper," Aoi sweat dropped as she watch Chopper slurp noodle after noodle into his already stuffed mouth, "If you keep eating like that, you're going to choke…"
"There's plenty more," Vivi added with a sweat drop, though Chopper continued eating as he did.
"Snatch my food, will you?" Usopp smirked mischievously as he pulled a plastic bag fill with red sauce and douse a rice-ball on his plate with it, "Some Hot-Sauce will fix you…"
No sooner was he done, predictably Luffy snatched and gobble it. Kaoru watched with satisfaction as Luffy's face quickly turn red before fire comically burst out of his mouth in comical pain.
"Serve you right, Luffy," Kaoru laughed alongside Usopp and Eyelash… …Wait, Eyelash!? "Whoa-!?"
"What the-!?" Usopp comically reeled back, halting his laughter, also startled at the Camel's sudden appearance, "E-Eyelash!? When did you get here!?"
Eyelash just chuckled as it continues eating (somehow operating the fork and knife with its hooves like a regular human hand).
"Excuse me," Sanji called as he caught sight of a cuisine of interest, "What is that dish there?"
"They are noodles baked in a brick oven," the waiter that Sanji directed to answered.
"Mm~! Yummy!" Nami commented.
"Seconds please!" Shiho called after finishing a dish she liked and immediately the plate was replace with a full one.
"Hey, old man," Luffy suddenly called out to Cobra with a mouth filled with food, "I never knew you were the king. I guess that means you're Vivi's dad, huh? That's pretty cool…"
"… …Uh," Cobra nervously sweat dropped, since he wasn't even able to pick up half of what Luffy was saying through his stuffed mouth, "maybe we should talk after dinner…"
"Yeah, okay," Luffy agreed before speeding up his snatching of food.
"I need another refill of ale over here!" Zoro called, holding up his empty jug.
"And water over here!" Aoi called in panic as she tries to help Chopper, who was comically choking on his swallowed food.
"… …They're loud, unrefined, and disgusting," the first guard managed again.
"…I'll say," The second guard added again, "What a boisterous meal. I can barely watch this…"
"…Still, the Princess," the guard directed to Vivi, who was laughing honestly at the spectacle before her, "how can she keep laughing like that? I'm amazed…"
Despite all the guards' comment of disgust, it wasn't long before they found themselves dragged into laughing as well as Luffy (with a comically inflated full stomach), Chopper (with chopsticks in his nose and mouth), Usopp (with plates balancing on the tip of his nose), and Kaoru (Dancing in the sky with Carue in hand) took the stage on top (or in Carue and Kaoru's case, above) the dinner table. No one escape the contagious laughter they were promoting and soon everyone was having a time of their life.
"…N-No way~!" Kaoru exclaimed, "This is…the Royal Bath~!?"
"Huge~~!" Aoi exclaimed in shock, "And fashionable~!"
"…Even the B.A.B.E.L.'s indoor bath isn't this spacious and luxurious," Shiho simply awed, but was nevertheless impressed with the accommodation.
It hasn't been long since dinner had wildly ended and everyone decided to have a nice bath afterwards. The Children had been taking baths in-between their relaxation and training in the past three days, but they have only been using what one can consider normal showers. This time, Vivi insisted that they use one of the Royal Baths that were available. Of course, the bath was rightfully segregated to prevent any unwanted activities so currently only The Children, Vivi and Nami were present in the designated "Ladies" bath. The rest of the boys had join Cobra, Igaram, Pell and Chaka in the "Men" bath, which according to Vivi was separated from theirs only by a high wall.
"This is the Palace's esteemed bathhouse," Vivi explained, "It's usually only used during the rainy seasons, but today is an exception…"
"Sweet~!" Kaoru cheered as she cannonball into a nearby pool, only to comically leap out again redden and sizzling, "HOT~~~!"
"Real mature, Kaoru," Aoi and Shiho rolled their eyes at their childhood friend's predictable reaction.
"…Phew," Kaoru unwind as she merely floats in the pool she nearly boiled herself in, "This is a nice change in pace…"
"And how," Aoi scrubbed behind her ear with a wet towel.
"It feels like all the dirt we accumulated up until now was all a bad dream," Shiho sighed.
"Yeah…" Kaoru nodded in agreement, before suddenly jolted and launch out of the water, "Oh, crap~!"
"…!? Kaoru?"
"Nami and Vivi are here, so what are we doing!? We forgot all about the erotic comedy-ness~!"
"… … …Oi," Aoi sweat dropped, "You know…"
"Could you not say 'we'?" Shiho retorted in the same manner.
"This feels good~!" Nami commented, as she gaze at the dragon head fountain that was constantly spilling out hot bath water, "I wonder if there is a ship equipped with such bath…"
"There must be one with the sea so vast!" Vivi chimed as she gently scrub her companions back, "Think about everything we've seen up until now! Giants, dinosaur, Sakura Flowers blooming in a Snowy Country! The sea must contain so many more unimaginable things-!"
Vivi paused in her train of thoughts when she notices Nami staring knowingly at her.
"…Uh, well, you know…"
Nami giggled. "Let's swap…"
"…Yes, thank you…"
"…-mi~~~! Vivi~~~!" Kaoru suddenly appeared and dived towards Nami. Seeing that, Nami instinctively dove out of the way, causing Kaoru to tackle Vivi instead. Unfazed, Kaoru instead grope her Princess friend. "Let's sexually harass-…I mean, take a bath together~~~!"
"Kaoru-chan~!" Vivi exclaimed in shock and horror as she struggle to remove Kaoru from her person. "Wait a-!"
"Ugh," Nami sweat dropped, instinctively covering her body with her towel, "I knew this was going to happen eventually, but…"
"Sorry," Shiho sweat dropped as she and Aoi walked onto the scene, "We couldn't stop her…"
"When Kaoru gets like this," Aoi grimaced, pointing out Kaoru's expression that you wouldn't normally see on a girl's face, "No power in the world can stop her…"
"I-I see," Vivi nervously chuckled, giving up on trying to remove Kaoru, before sensing something on the dividing wall. Staring up at it, Vivi jolted when she saw that the majority of the Straw Hats male (minus Zoro), Eyelash, Igaram and even her father peering over wall, leering at the girls (well, Luffy was more like hanging over the wall like how a high school delinquent would hang over a school rail out of boredom). "HUH!? What are you all doing up there!?"
"KYAAH~~~!" Aoi screamed, covering herself in a hurry with her towel, "How Impure~~!"
"Sanji~!" Shiho frowned with a growl, noticing the various impossible love hearts floating out from the Pirate Chef's head.
"…Uh," Kaoru's personality on the other hand went a total 180 as she resolve to shrinking behind Vivi.
"…? Kaoru?" Vivi wondered.
"I-I'm used to sexual harassing, but when it's done on me…"
"…What a complicated person you are, Kaoru," Vivi chuckled nervously with a sweat drop.
"…Peeping, huh?" Nami sighed before getting up and facing the boys, "Alright~! This is going to cost each of you 100 Thousand Belis!"
"…Eh?" Kaoru managed in confusion, as did the boys.
"…Happiness Punch~!" Suddenly, without warning, Nami drop the towel that she had used to cover herself, revealing her alluring exposed body. The sudden action caused all the boys on the wall to have a massive nosebleed and fall backwards out of view (well, in Luffy's case, perhaps due to the nature of his simple-mindedness coupled with the name, Luffy's face contracted as if it really was punched before falling out of sight).
"…! N-NAMI!?" Vivi, Shiho and Aoi exclaimed in horror as Nami just simply smile mischievously at them.
"…That kind of attack," Kaoru managed slowly before comically roaring with, what I like to call, a super-creepy-glowing-eyes-psychopathic-lustful face and tackled Nami, "ONLY TURNS ME ON MORE~~~!"
"KYAH~~~!" Nami screamed in shock, panicking from the unexpected reaction, and trying to stop Kaoru from groping her breast, "SOMEONE HELP ME~~~!"
"Knock it off~!" Shiho and Aoi comically drop kicked Kaoru in the face in response.
"…Ugh," Nami sulked as she and everyone else submerges in one of the pools, "I didn't think you'll react like that, Kaoru…"
"E-he~!" Kaoru innocently giggled, "No need to flatter me~!"
"She wasn't flattering you," Aoi sweat dropped.
"Still though," Kaoru giggled lustfully in reminisce, "Nami's sizes~! 95-I~!"
"So accurate!" Nami covered her chest, disturb.
"And Vivi's~! 76-D~!"
"You got mine as well!?" Vivi exclaimed in the same manner as Nami.
"Can it, Kaoru," Shiho comically chop Kaoru on the head in annoyance, "You're ruining the relaxing atmosphere…"
"Sorry," Kaoru apologized.
"…So," Nami suddenly voiced as after a few seconds of tranquility, "Vivi, can't make up your mind?"
"Hmm?" Vivi blinked at Nami's vague question.
"Better think quick…we're thinking of leaving tonight…"
"… …HUH!?" Vivi and the Children exclaimed, "Really!?"
"Yeah…What, did you three forget?"
"…Eh!?" The Children noted in confusion before thumping their palm, "Oh~! Right~!"
"You guys are really leaving today!?" Vivi managed, "That's so soon…"
"Well," Aoi sighed, "We don't have any reason to stay here anymore because Luffy has recovered…"
"Plus the Marines are guarding the coast," Shiho added, "Our ship is in danger…"
"Besides," Kaoru added, "the longer we stay here the more likely you'll be discovered harboring pirates. We wouldn't want that on your Royal Family's shoulders now, right?"
"… …I guess," Vivi nodded sadly.
Suddenly from the other side of the dividing wall, Cobra's voice was heard.
"…Thank you!" Cobra voice was loud enough to be heard even by the girls.
"…Pervert old man," the Children and Nami called alongside most of the boys' same response.
"I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT~!" Cobra's voice exclaimed, denying that his statement was referring to the scene with Nami. "… … …I'm talking about the country!"
There was a long silent following that last comment before Zoro's voice was heard.
"Uh, not that we don't appreciate it," Zoro noted, "But is a king supposed to do that?"
"…? Do what?" Aoi wondered to herself.
"The swordsman is right, Your Majesty," Igaram's voice was suddenly heard, "This is no small matter! You are this land sovereign ruler. Kings should not bow their head to others…!"
"…! Bow his head?" Kaoru noted in shock.
"Listen Igaram," Cobra's voice was heard again, "Status and authority are something you wear over your clothes. But we're in the bath now and there are no such thing as a naked king, are there? I want to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart, as both a father and as a native citizen of this land. Arabasta will forever be in your debt, Straw Hats…"
Luffy can be heard giggling. "No big deal…"
"…Thank you all very much! I cannot tell you how much we appreciate all of you…"
Hearing this, The Children giggled with a smile. Up until this point, the Children had done a lot of things for others but they hardly ever thank for it by those that asked them to. Not from the would-be victims of an accident they prevented or from the authorities (fireman and police officers) on the site of the resolved situation. Having someone saying that now, what's more from a king representing an entire country, is quite a warm feeling to feel.
"Tonight?" Usopp noted.
"Yeah," Nami nodded.
"We have to leave?" Chopper hummed a bit in thought.
"I agree with Nami," Zoro nodded, "No reason to stick around here any longer. We need to get out now!"
"The Marines are starting to get bolder with their approaches," Sanji added.
"I suppose it would be unwise to stay longer," Shiho admitted.
"The longer we stay the harder it will be to get away," Aoi calculated in her head.
"At this point," Kaoru noted, turning to Luffy, "it's up to you, Luffy…"
"Right!" Luffy nodded seriously, "We should have another Arabasta Meal before we go-!"
"We're leaving NOW, idiot!" Nami, Aoi and Shiho comically smacked Luffy on the head.
"OW~~!"
"…Um, excuse me," one of the guards suddenly voiced from the entrance of the guest room. He was holding a tray with a large snail on it, "There seems to be a call for the Straw Hat Pirates on the Transponder Snail…"
"…? A Transponder Snail?" Nami blinked, "From who?"
"Don't know. He calls himself Bon-chan…"
"Bon-chan?" Sanji hummed at the unfamiliar name, "Do we know someone like that?"
"I never heard of the guy," Usopp admitted after thinking for a moment.
"That's strange," the guard blinked, "He insists that you guys are all good friends…"
"Friends with us?" Sanji pondered before picking up the mikes of the Transponder Snail
"…Hello~~!" A familiar voice swooned with laughter over the snail, "Hey old friends~~! It's me~~! I bet you never thought you'll hear from me again, didn't-!
CLICK! That was the sound of Sanji abruptly hanging up, disturb by what he heard. Everyone was making that face. They all by now know who it was that was calling them.
"…It's Mr. 2," Kaoru grimaced as the Transponder Snail ringed again.
This time Shiho was the one who picked it up.
"Hey there~~!" Mr. 2 voiced through the Snail in anger and shock, "Did you hang up on me~~!?"
"I don't know. Did it sound like this?" Shiho spoke through before…CLICK…hanging up again.
"…Even if it's him," Aoi sweat dropped, "That was mean, Shiho…"
Shiho simply shrugged before the Transponder Snail ringed again, this time in comical impatient.
"You freak!" Sanji exclaimed at the noisy Snail, "Shut up~!"
At that point, Luffy suddenly snatch the Snail and picked up. "So! You escape Mr. 2! What do you want!?"
"Oh~, Straw-chan~~!" Mr. 2 voiced happily from the other side, "I recognized your voice anywhere~~! You're right, I escape~! And~, I want to keep it that way~, so don't call me Mr. 2~! If the Marine intercept this call, they'll be able to pinpoint my location of me and you~~~!"
"Thanks a lot, you jerk!" Chopper exclaimed.
"…And about not calling him that," Aoi sweat dropped, "Didn't he just said it himself?"
"Just spit it out!" Zoro huffed loudly so that even Mr. 2 could hear through the Snail. "Tell us what you want!"
"Oh~! It's not what I want~!" Mr. 2 snickered, "It's what I have~! You're ship! I took your little ship~!"
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Everyone exclaimed in anger. "STOP JOKING!"
"You Moron! That ain't funny!" Kaoru hissed.
"I'm going to kick your butt for say that!" Usopp declared into the Transponder Snail, "Where are you now!?"
"On your ship, of course, the Merry Go~!" Mr. 2 informed.
"Of all the annoying bastards in the world!" Sanji growled, "I should have kicked him harder!"
"Ah~, that's right," Shiho remembered, "You fought against him…"
"Hey~! Calm down~! Please~~~!" Mr.2 plead from the other side, "You've got it wrong, all wrong~~~! I mean~, we're friends~~! Right~~~!?"
"…He's at the upper part of the Sandora River," Shiho hummed.
"Can we trust him?" Aoi wondered.
"We did become friends that one time," Luffy began, "But…"
"That was before we knew he was part of Baroque Works," Zoro finished.
"Plus I like to point out now," Aoi managed, adjusting her glasses nervously, "the idea of you and Kaoru becoming friends again scares me…"
"I'm with you…"
"But…I guess," Chopper sighed, "we have no choice…"
"You're right," Sanji nodded, "he has our ship. If he ties to trick us I'll be more than happy to kick the crap out of him again…"
"We'll help too," the Children nodded determinedly.
"Alright," Zoro huffed, "We got to move guys!"
"Yeah," Usopp shivered, "Before he changes the ship's figurehead into a swan…"
"Cute, but disturbing," Kaoru shivered as well.
"… …Hey, you guys," Vivi suddenly sounded, catching everyone's attention, "…I…uh…I don't know what to do. If you were me… … …what would you do?"
"Ah-!" The Children froze. They were confused at what Vivi was asking at first, but they soon understood. Vivi is one of their comrades; there was no doubt about that. But she is also a princess; a princess of a nearly destroyed country but still princess. They know by now that Vivi loves her country, willing to sacrifice herself for it nevertheless. But they have also notice that she didn't exactly not enjoy her time with the Straw Hats either. They realize now that she is conflicted, between her country and her friends.
"…Listen carefully, Vivi," Nami suddenly voiced, "We can give you twelve hours to make a decision. We'll travel down to the Sandora, after teaching Ballerina-Boy why he shouldn't steal from us, and by noon tomorrow we'll draw near the eastern harbor. I doubt we'll be able to drop anchor though. If you do decide to join and keep adventuring with us, that's going to be the last and only chance you have to board. 12 o'clock, on the dot…"
"…It's your choice," Shiho smiled as everyone prepare to leave through the guest window, "You can stay a princess or become a pirate like we did…"
"I'm sure being a pirate doesn't compare to being a princess," Sanji admitted, "But we sure love to have you…"
"I agree," Aoi nodded, "You're the Princess of the Kingdom, so I suppose this is the best invitation we can give you…"
"Yeah, so why wait?" Luffy cheered, "Come with us now Vivi!"
"Yeah!" Kaoru cheered as well, "Don't think too much!"
"Knock it off, you two," Usopp sighed.
"Yeah, come on!" Zoro huffed as he started out the window.
"Why?" Luffy wondered, "Don't you guys want her to join us?"
"We do," Shiho sighed, "But that's something she has to decide on her own…"
"Oh~!" Kaoru and Luffy nodded, though hesitantly.
"Hey, Vivi," Aoi called, getting ready to follow her mentor, "You don't mind if we borrow the Super Sonic Ducks, do you?"
"…Ah, no of course not," Vivi shook her head, "Please take them to help you get to the Sandora River…"
"Thanks…"
"…This quite comfortable," Zoro noted, "I like this…"
The Straw Hats were now riding the Super Sonic Ducks through the desert and towards the Sandora River where Mr. 2 Bon Kurei was waiting with their ship. Since the Children were small enough, they all manage to share a duck with one of their pirate comrades. Kaoru was riding with Luffy, Aoi sat behind Zoro, and Shiho sat in front of Nami.
"We're saying goodbye to the Sand Kingdom, I won't forget this battle," Usopp comically cried in reminisce of all he went through up until now.
"Hey, Luffy," Kaoru asked, as she watches Luffy continue to stuff himself sill with a meat he brought along, "When are you going to finish eating?"
"The food from Arabasta is great," Luffy managed through a stuffed mouth, "Sanji, tomorrow, cook them!"
"I plan to," Sanji noted, "I was interested in it too! That's why I asked Terracotta for some recipes and some spice…"
"Ready to make them," Shiho added with determination.
"…Nami?" Chopper suddenly voiced in concern, "Are you okay? You've been quiet this entire time. Are you sick?"
Nami remain silent, a downcast expression on her face.
"…Nami, you want a piece of meats!" Luffy offered, "But only one, ok?"
"Luffy!" Aoi sweat dropped from behind Zoro, "You're not helping! But thanks anyhow…"
Nami continued to be silent.
"Nami-san, it's about Vivi-chan, isn't it?" Sanji guessed, "I understand your feeling…but moping around about it won't help…"
"Yeah," Aoi nodded with a reassuring smile, "We know you it's hard for since two were good friends for so long but get your spirit up! Vivi doesn't want to see you troubled. Shiho, you say something too!"
Shiho thought about it for a moment before giving a nervous knowing chuckle. "… …I rather not…"
"…?"
"…It not about that," Nami suddenly stated, "I'm…just sad…"
"…?" Aoi and Kaoru tilted their head in confusion while Shiho sighed knowingly.
"…That I didn't collect…the 10 Billion Belis …"
"OF COURSE YOU ARE~!" Every one of the senior members, except for the comically gasping Sanji, comically exclaimed.
"THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE WORRY ABOUT!?"Kaoru and Aoi exclaimed comically as well. "Since the beginning, it's about money!?"
"You really are a natural money loving witch!" Zoro growled.
"…!? Ah-!" Chopper suddenly called, "Usopp fell off!"
"EH!?" Shiho jolted before looking back to see that Usopp had really fell off from the shock of Nami's confession.
"Don't mislead us like that, Nami!" Aoi and Kaoru grumbled.
"…? What's everyone's problem?" Nami innocently asked, "What did you think I was upset about? We left a huge payday we've actually earn! Oh, about Vivi, there's no point worrying about her…"
"Guys~!" Chopper called again, "Usopp fell off!"
"He deserved it," Nami shrugged it off, "Who ask him not to hang on tight?"
"It's YOUR fault!" Everyone exclaimed, "YOU CAUSED IT!"
"…Why is everyone placing blame on me?" Nami asked down to Shiho.
"Everyone's a critic, Nami," Shiho simply answered.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN!?" Everyone else yelled.
"…I'll go get Usopp," Aoi sighed, realizing that this point only she can get their relatively abandoned comrade.
"Finally~!" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei exclaimed from on top of the Merry Go's crow's nest. "Long time no see my friends~! I was waiting~ for you guys~~! How lovely to see you again~!"
"Alright we made it," Zoro noted, ignoring the okama, "Unload our stuff…"
"No problem," Aoi nodded, using her power to reposition the cargos they were carrying off of the ducks.
"…Handy…"
"Thanks a lot, guys," Sanji called to the ducks as they began to make their way back.
"This is farewell to you all as well~!" Usopp dramatist his goodbye.
"Take care going home~!" Kaoru called.
"Send our regards to the King and the Old Tube Hair Guy~!" Luffy called.
"Stay well~!" Shiho called as well.
"Farewell~!" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei bid farewell with tears in his eyes, "May you ugly ducklings turn to beautiful swans~~! Someday~, let us meet again-! WAIT A BIG MINUTE!"
"That took him long enough," Shiho commented at Mr. 2's (now on the rail of the ship) slow reaction to them ignoring.
"What is it now?" Sanji huffed.
"What do you mean, 'What is it now'!?" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei comically huffed in anger as he stomped repeatedly, "That's rude! What kind of attitude is that towards your friend!?"
"What do you mean 'friend', you weirdo?" Luffy frowned, "You're our enemy! You tricked us…"
"I did NOT trick you! I didn't know either! Besides, none of that really matter now, does it? Baroque Works has crumbled. That means we're not enemies anymore…"
"Hey," Zoro mumbled as he and Aoi try to board the ship with some of the cargo, "Shift over…"
"Oh, sorry…" Mr. 2 shifted from his current position to let them pass.
"Well, if we're not enemies, Ballerina-Guy," Kaoru huffed, "why the hell did you steal our ship!?"
"You silly, silly little girl~! How dumb are you~?"
"WHAT WAS THAT!? YOU BETTER WATCH IT!"
"Listen! If I hadn't taken your little ship, from where it was port, what do you think would have happened to it!?"
"The Marines probably would have taken it," Nami guessed.
"Not 'probably would' have!" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei exclaimed as Kaoru and Luffy gasp in shock, "Change it to a definitely, Honey~! The Marine has been looking all over for you guys and your ship! Do you know~ what's happening to this island right now!? It's entire blockaded by Marine ships, every port in the country! Blockaded~! Lockdown~!"
"Eh!?" Kaoru blinked, "Are you telling us you took the Merry Go so that the Marines wouldn't?"
"Wait, hold on," Luffy exclaimed, "So then…You protected the Merry Go from the Marines!?"
"Why!?" Usopp exclaimed in confusion.
"What for!?" Chopper exclaimed in same manner.
Tears of overwhelmed emotion drizzle from his eyes as Mr. 2 gave a dramatic answer, "…Because you guys are my friends~!"
"Ah-!" Kaoru, Luffy, Chopper and Usopp had a shock expression before joining Mr. 2 in an arm-link dance, cheering in joy. "This ain't no joke~~~! This ain't no joke~~~!"
"This ain't joke~~~! This ain't no joke~~~!"
"This ain't joke~~~! This ain't no joke~~~!"
"This ain't joke~~~! This ain't no joke~~~!"
"Is there any more to bring on?" Nami inquired Sanji, ignoring the five idiots.
"Nope!" Sanji answered, "This is the last of it…"
"Friends, yeah right!" Zoro muttered as the five idiots continued to celebrate, "Tell the truth, Twinkle-Toes, with the Marines blockading the entire island that would mean you couldn't escape either, right?"
"Ah, I see," Aoi adjusted her glasses, "so he's using us to escape safely?"
"Alone he has no chance," Shiho chuckled darkly, watching as the five idiots freeze either in realization or out being caught red-handed, "But with us as your allies, he has a chance…"
"BON-CHAN!?" Kaoru, Chopper, Usopp and Luffy gasped in shock.
"… …Yes~! You got me~!" Mr. 2 admitted, "But in trying times such as these we have to band together under the flag of friendship~! Because we need each other! Because of the times in which we live! IN THE NAME OF SACRED FRIENDSHIP, LET US COMBINE OUR FORCES AND FIGHT TOGETHER AS ONE~~!"
"YEAH~~~!"
"…Why do we even bother," Shiho and Aoi sighed with a sweat drop.
"YEAH~~~!" Cries of joy suddenly shout from the other side of the ship as Mr. 2's ship, fill with his followers suddenly appear out of nowhere, "Thanks for helping us out!"
"WHAT THE-!?"
"How long have you been there!?" Zoro exclaimed in shock.
With Mr. 2's okama crew in toll, the Straw Hat Pirates and their ship the Merry Go set off towards out of the Sandora River and towards the open ocean. Their goal: reach the Eastern Sea Port of Arabasta by noon.
Unfortunately…
"Fire~! Fire~!" An order called out as large iron spears sail through the sky and implant themselves into the ship.
"Damn it!" Luffy roared in frustration, "Shoot cannon balls! I can't deflect pointy things!"
"Seriously~!" Usopp yelled, "Give me a break~!"
"If we take anymore iron spears to the bottom of the ship," Shiho informed, reading the condition of the ship, "It'll only be a matter of time before we sink!"
"Stop spearing holes into our ship~!" Kaoru roared as she did her best to keep as many spears from striking their ship, along with Mr. 2's ship.
"Here comes more!" Nami exclaimed as another rain of spears crash into their ships.
"No more~!" Aoi cried as she teleported some of the spears out of the ships, "It's not fair! One ship shooting is enough! So why are all Eight of them shooting spears!?"
"Hey," Chopper called, popping up from beneath the deck with some lumber and a working hammer. He was evidently trying his best to mend the holes that were being created on the Merry. "I can't patch up anymore holes!"
"Don't just stand there!" Nami called to Luffy, Zoro and Sanji who hadn't been moving from their battle position. "Do something!"
"What more can we do?" Sanji managed, using his kicks to deflect as many spears as he possibly could, "It's taking everything we got just to secure ONE side of the ship!"
"One ship verses eight isn't exactly a fair fight!" Shiho moaned.
"Yeah," Zoro huffed, defecting some of the spears, "If this was hand to hand combat we would have a better chance…"
"We're stuck! Whether we chase or flee they're not going to change their formation, let alone their distance…"
Not long after leaving the Sandora River, the ship soon found themselves surrounded by eight Marine Ships; there were two in each cardinal direction and they kept their distance from the pirate's cannon ranges. Each ships are armed with long cannons, loaded with iron spears so the two pirate ships, caught in the center of their formation, was well in their range.
"I defend one side the rest of the other side gets attack!" Kaoru cried plaintively, "Seriously! Why is it that my usually law-defying powers aren't helpful when it counts!?"
"It can't be help!" Aoi grunted, "The spears are incredibly durable for some reason and it doesn't help that they are shooting from so far away with hardly any pause in-between firing!"
"An over-shield doesn't work either~! I can't properly defect them with my power so spread out too~!"
Suddenly laughter cried out from the two Marine Ships south most of the Merry Go caught everyone's attention. Glaring over, two distinctive people stood out. One had fisher cap with shoulder-long gray hair, heart-shape glasses, and a short braided beard. The other had short pink hair with a cap and had brazed-knuckle on one of his hand.
"It's the Black Cage Specialty~!" the brazed-knuckle guy laughed loudly, so loud that the Children could hear them, "Idiots~~!"
"…! Hey, Hypnos-Guy!" Luffy exclaimed, recognizing one of them, "I thought you were a pirate~!"
"Who? The guy that was screaming at us?" Kaoru frowned.
"No, the guy with the funny glasses…"
"I was~!" the Hypnos-Guy exclaimed in response to Luffy's earlier exclamation, "Now why don't you shut up~! My reasons are my own…"
"…Where do I know that guy from?" Sanji stroke his chin upon seeing the brazed-knuckle guy.
"… …You met him briefly around the time you met Luffy," Shiho answered after reading his memories, "You beat him up after he spill soup…"
"Ah~! That guy…"
"It took me a long time," the brazed-knuckled guy called, "But I finally found you! You annoying crazy cook and your gang of violent cut-throats~! Here today, I vow to sink you-!"
BOOM~!
An explosion erupted on the Brazed-Knuckle guy's neighboring ship; the ship that had the Hypnos-Guy on it. Shock by that development, he cried out to his comrades only to see what was left of the damaged ship falling on their ship, crushing and destroying it as well.
Everyone widen their eyes, begging for someone to tell them what just happen. That was when from the corner of her eyes, Shiho saw smoke. Turing in that direction, she saw the still smoking cannon that was fire by Usopp.
"…What-!? No way!" Shiho gasped, "Usopp! Did you do that!?"
"EH!?" Everyone else exclaimed in shock.
"Are you telling me that you manage to shoot them from here!?" Aoi managed.
"Amazing~!" Kaoru exclaimed, "Even Shiho said it was impossible for even her, and yet…!"
"… … …Uh," Usopp blinked, recovering from some sort of shock, "Yes! Just as I calculated! That was me! That's what happen to enemy's ships when I'm on the job~!"
Shiho chuckled nervously. Considering how he was acting before he responded and during the entire battle, Usopp had panicky shot the cannon out of desperation and was shock himself that he had unintentionally made so much damaged. She didn't even need to read his mind to know that.
"..Well," Shiho began, "Whatever the case, he got them good…"
"That was amazing Nosy~!" Mr. 2 complimented, "The ships in the south are all sunk~! Now nothing can prevent us from breaking through-!"
"Bon Kurei~!" one of Mr. 2 minion on lookout suddenly exclaimed, "We got trouble~!"
"What's wrong now~!"
"It's Black Cage~!"
"…! Oh no~!"
"…? What's going on?" Luffy asked out of curiosity.
"Black Cage Hina! She a Marine Captain! We're in her jurisdiction~!"
"Black Cage Hina?" Kaoru blinked excitedly, "Is she hot~!?"
"Kaoru! Not now~!" Aoi comically smacked her head.
"I don't know about pretty," Mr. 2 admitted, "But she's a real pain~! We need to hurry up and fly the coop!"
His men shouted their acknowledgement before making preparation to sail off fast.
"We need to sail south now, Straw Hats~!"
"No!" Luffy gave an immediate reply, "We're going east!"
"What!?"
"You heard our Captain," Kaoru shrugged with a smile, "East is our course…"
"You guys need to wake up~! We have to run~~! If we can pass through the south of the formation, we'll be able to escape~~! But if we don't change course immediately, they'll take us down for sure~~~!"
"…If you want to go," Aoi sighed, "then go! We can't go that way…"
"And exactly why NOT~~~~~!?"
"Mr. 2 Bon Kurei," one his minions called from the ship frantically, "We need to set sail while we still can! There's no more time sir!"
"…Noon at the Eastern Harbor," Nami responded to Mr. 2's question, "We got an appointment…"
"There's no time to go around," Shiho added, "We'll go straight through…"
"WHAT!?" Mr. 2 exclaimed angrily as he began making his way back towards his ship, "Suicide~~! It's insane! Is this a treasure you're not telling me about that is worth more than your lives!? Fine, run off and die-!"
"We have go get one of our friends," Luffy informed.
"…!" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei stopped in his tracks and slowly turns to them with shock face, "… … …So…it's for your pal that you risk it all~?"
"…To be honest," Kaoru suddenly added, "We don't even know if she'll be there or come aboard…"
"But if our tardiness," Aoi spoke next, "cause her falter being there or joining…"
"…If there's even the slightest chance, paper-thin chance she is waiting there and even join us," Shiho admitted, "We have-no, we must go…"
Mr. 2 seems to have fallen into a state of speechlessness for a while before turning back to his crew.
"Boy~~~!" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei exclaimed with a cracked voice, "We CANNOT run away~~~!"
"…EH~~~!?" His crew exclaimed, "Mr. 2 Bon Kurei~~~!?"
"…Eh?" The Children sounded in shock and confusion at Mr. 2's sudden declaration.
"…Running now will go against everything Bon Kurei stands for~," Mr. 2 announced, "If we abandon allies who are risking their lives to pick up a friend, could we live with ourselves tomorrow~~~!?"
As if realizing the meaning of his words, his crew reeled back in shock and understanding, rivers of tears forming down their faces.
"Listen, guys~~~! Straw Hats, too!" Mr. 2 dramatically turn to them, rivers of tears streaming from his eyes, "What I must say next is of great importance~~!"
"…?" The Children and the Straw Hats frowned in confusion.
"You all…for three minute…hides below deck! We, my crew and I~, shall draw away the Marines…as far away in those three minutes as we can~!"
"…!?"
"Fear not~! We shall insure… that we shall draw them far enough away so that you are well out of their firing range…"
"…You'll…be decoys!?" Aoi gasped.
"For us!?" Shiho managed.
"Yeah~~!" Mr. 2's crew cried out in agreement, some of them were already beginning to dress up like members of the Straw Hats.
"Three minutes, my friends~~~!" Mr. 2 Bon Kurei yelled, jumping back on his ship before touching his face with his right hand. His appearance immediately changed into Luffy's as someone handed him a hat that resemble the Straw Hat Luffy wore. "Three minutes of hiding and off you go at full speed, you hear~~~!? Full speed~~~! I pray that you shall be able to receive your friend~~~!"
"W-What-!?" Kaoru managed, "Wait a min-!"
"NOW~~~!" And with that, Mr. 2 sailed off with his crew, paddling like crazy towards the south.
"…E-Emergency Teleport!" Aoi exclaimed, causing everyone to glow faintly green before reappearing below deck.
"Timing!" Nami announced, pulling out a pocket watch, "Three minutes!"
"…What," Kaoru managed in a daze, "What just happen? Shiho? Aoi?"
"If I have to say definitely," Zoro muttered, "I say he's giving us a chance to go meet up with Vivi…"
"But would it really work?" Usopp managed, "I mean would the Marines really fall for that?"
"Hard to say," Sanji admitted, "It's a huge gamble. The Marines could take either one of the ships as decoys. Him transforming to Luffy must had been a precaution in the event the Marine used binoculars to see them. They're after Luffy, so they may chase them…"
Everyone remained silent for a time afterwards, listening for any sound of Marine Ships coming up or the pocket watch's ticking away. It felt like an hour has gone by before Nami nodded.
"Three minutes!" Nami called as everyone rush onto top deck, "Full speed ahead!"
Without hesitation, everyone worked to get the ship heading east as fast as they could. Kaoru even used her powers to increase the speed of their escape.
"How many are on to us?"
Aoi stared around, but could see any ships in sight. "…Uh, none?"
"…Ah-!" Shiho and Kaoru cried out, having been at the rear, "There they are!"
Everyone moved to the back of the ship to see what they've seen. In the horizon, the Marine ships could be seen, supposedly surrounding the swan ship that belonged to Mr. 2 and his crew. At first, nothing happen. But it wasn't long before cannon fires were heard from that that direction. Many of the Marine Ships were blown up and began to sink. Just enough sank so that they could see that the Swan ship was heavily riddled with spears. Yet more cannon fire and explosion continued to sound off as the battle between the Marines and Mr. 2's crew rages on, fading as they pulled even further away.
"…They really did…give us a chance!" Aoi managed, tears forming in her eyes. They were too far away at this point for her to teleport them to safety.
"They…sacrifice themselves!" Shiho managed in nearly the same manner.
"…Bon Kurei," Kaoru managed, tears already flowing down her face. Her powers could not save them from their currently growing distance.
Everyone else gasped for a while before Luffy, Chopper, Usopp, and even Sanji too form rives of tears down their face.
"…I promise you, Bon-chan~!" Luffy cried out as they watch the Swan Ship begin to burn, adding smoke to the sky above the battle, "We'll never forget you~~~!"
A few hours after departing Mr. 2, the Straw Hats sail with determination towards the Eastern Harbor. The Children vowed to themselves secretly to not let Mr. 2's sacrifice be in vain.
But it wasn't long before another fleet that was not part of the battle with Mr. 2 appeared behind them.
"GAH~~!" Usopp yelled, "They're after us again~~!"
"Damn it!" Luffy and Kaoru screamed at the sight of the ships, "Stay out of our way~!"
"We have no time for this nonsense!" Aoi hissed, her hands began to glow bright green, "They're close enough, so who wants some close-combat?"
"I do~!" Kaoru, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Shiho announced.
With a smile, Aoi teleported herself and all the volunteers to the nearest Marine Ship. Caught off guard, the Marines panicked as all six of them began to tear the ship apart. Once they were done, the Children boarded the next ship as the other three boarded a separate Marine ship.
"Psychic~," Kaoru yelled as she created a twister on the ship, sucking up the shocked Marines, "Tornado~!"
"Silent Guillotine~!" Shiho kicked everyone in the throat, causing them to gag in the attempt to speak through a temporarily crushed voice box.
"Bird of Paradise~!" Aoi spun continuously as she hops around with her teleportation, cut everyone unfortunate enough to be in the area that she appears at.
"…It all started on that day~!" A familiar voice suddenly rang out in an echo; it was Vivi's voice, "I went on a little adventure~! A journey across the dark sea but what I found was a grand adventure~!"
"Eh!?" Kaoru sounded as she shove soldiers off of the ship with her powers, "Was that Vivi?"
"The sheer vastness of the ocean was overwhelming~! And yet it brought to a series of islands so unbelievable that they defy imagination~! With such wondrous environments, inhabited by strange creatures~!"
"That's definitely Vivi's voice," Shiho noted, stamping hard on a downed Marine's stomach, "But it sound like she's making a speech over a telecom…"
"At times, the melody of the waves were quiet, swaying gently as if easing my soul~! And there other times where the melody was violently laughing at me as if threating to rip my very heart in two~!"
"Okay~! We're done here~!" Aoi noted as she saw that Zoro and the other two look done as well, "I'll teleport everyone back!"
"In that dark, dark storm I encounter a single small ship~! The ship spoke to me while pushing me onward~! It said, with a clear singular voice: Can't you see the light~?"
With her powers, Aoi teleported the six back onto the Merry Go. Once back on, they continue their beeline towards the Eastern Harbor.
"This wondrous ship, which never stray from its course even through pitch black darkness, dance it way across the huge waves~! The mighty ship kept its stem pointing straight ahead, thwarting every obstacle the ocean could throw at it~! Finally, as the ship rouses my spirit it said: Look, there is a light~! History will one day catalog this experience as an illusion~! But, I will always remember it as a singular truth~! And~…"
Finally, the ship draws closed to the Eastern Harbor of Arabasta. At that point, the speech was suddenly cut off.
"Vivi," Chopper wondered worryingly after scanning the port with his eyes.
"…Forget about it," Zoro sighed, "You heard the speech. That was Vivi's without a doubt…"
"…They're just broadcasting the ceremony that is being held in Arubana," Sanji sighed with a sad frown, "Vivi-chan already made up her mind not to come here…"
"No!" Luffy huffed, "I don't buy it! I say she's here!"
"There's no way she would not have come," Kaoru cried in desperately, "She's definitely here, like Luffy said! Let's get out and look for her-!"
"This is bad, guys!" Usopp shouted, "The Marines are after us again!"
"Again?" Aoi frowned, already accepting the fact that Vivi isn't coming, "Tenacious doesn't even begin to describe them…"
"How many do you see?" Zoro called in wonder.
"Damn it!" Shiho cursed, in a foul mood since Vivi didn't appear, "I see six of them!"
"Damn it! We got to move!"
"Give it up, you two," Sanji sighed before rushing off to help prepare the ship to make a full get away, "Vivi-chan's course is on a road far different than ours…"
"He's right," Aoi sighed, "It's pass noon by now, anyway…"
Kaoru hesitated for another moment before sighing and began to help the others. Luffy soon join too, but his eyes showed that he still thinks Vivi would be there.
"…Everyone~!" Vivi's voice suddenly called out, not through a speaker but as an actual voice though it still sounds quite distant.
"…!?" Luffy and Kaoru turned back towards the shore of the port. And there she was, waving to them in a beautiful Princess Gown. Carue was also there, waving to them with a Transponder Snail on its head. "…! Vivi~!"
"Carue~!" Usopp exclaimed, arriving on the back of the ship with everyone else in toll, having all heard Vivi's voice.
"Vivi~!" Nami, Shiho and Aoi exclaimed in joy.
"See!?" Luffy grinned, "I told you she'll come!"
"I never doubt you~!" Kaoru grinned, happy that she had trust Luffy's instinct all the way.
"Vivi-chan~!" Sanji swooned upon seeing her.
"We need to go back," Shiho started, heading towards the stirring rudder, "Better hurry!"
"The Marines are still behind us too," Aoi noted as she watch Chopper happily wave to Vivi.
"…I came to say…goodbye~!" Vivi suddenly called.
"… … …Eh?" The Children stopped in their tracks from whatever they were doing or about to do. In fact, everyone on the ship did and stared back in shock.
"…What she said?" Luffy asked dumbly.
On shore, Carue handed Vivi the mike of the Transponder Snail and Vivi once again spoke through it.
"Sorry~!" Vivi's voiced echoed through the speakers, "But I can't go with you~! Thank you so much for everything~! I like to go on more adventures…but can't ignore the need of my country~! Which I love more than anything~! I have to stay~! I hope you understand~!"
Luffy remain silent for a moment before smiling. "I see!"
The Children soon smiled too. Although they had known Vivi for a short time, they quickly befriended her. Because of that, perhaps in the deepest part of their heart they knew Vivi wasn't going to join them. In a small way, now that Vivi herself had said it out loud, they can finally say they were prepare for it
Vivi has duty to her country; the Children knew that she knew that. That's what they had like about her. She devoted to her people; she couldn't abandon them. In a way, just like themselves. They had a duty to B.A.B.E.L. and all the people that are counting on them to bridge the gap between Esper and Normal. And thanks to Vivi, they too understand how they could not forget about it.
"Thank you~!" Vivi's voice rang out again, apparently hearing Luffy's responds. But when she spoke again it now sound as if it was cracking. She was now crying. "I will…I will remain here and fulfill my duty~! But…If we ever meet again…no matter how much time has pass…will you…will you still call me your friend~!?"
"You'll forever-!" Luffy and Kaoru began to call back.
"Idiot!" Nami exclaimed in panic as she and Shiho stop their respective "idiot" up, "Don't reply, got it!?"
"The Marines now know about Vivi and us," Shiho reasoned, "If they prove she has a connection to us then it's all over! She'll be considered a criminal!"
"Eh!?" Aoi exclaimed, "Then how do we-?"
"…Turn away," Nami informed after a while, "Not another word…"
"Eh!?"
"Without even a reply?" Chopper exclaimed.
"Is that really okay-?" Usopp began.
"Just turn away," Sanji affirmed Nami's command…before holding onto the sleeves of his left arm.
"…!" Kaoru, if not everyone, suddenly understood and turn around, gripping their left arm.
In a singular, synchronized movement, everyone raised their left arm into the air. Those with long sleeves pulled them down, so that the X mark on their arm are visible. The Children chance a glance behind them to see that Vivi understood this gesture they made. She and Carue raised their left arm (or in Carue's case, his left wing).
A secret message was successfully passed between the pirates and the princess. It was an answer to Vivi's question. Why it worked, the Children remembered clearly. It was when they were deciding the countermeasure to Mr. 2's power.
"Our sign needs to be an 'X'!" Luffy exclaimed.
"How come?" Nami had asked, curious.
"We're pirates!"
"You know it's literal translation means death to the opponents, right?" Usopp informed.
"That's fine! It must be an 'X'!"
"Well," Kaoru had snickered, "It'll look cool~! Right, Vivi?"
"Yeah," Vivi had agreed, "I like it!"
"It doesn't matter what it is!" Zoro rolled his eyes, "That's not the point, just write it…"
"…This 'X'," Kaoru softly spoke, "Is a sign of our friendship…"
"As long as we have this," Shiho smiled.
"We'll always be friends," Aoi finalized the hidden spoken message they sent.
Cannonball suddenly began to rain down all around the ship, indicating that the Marines are closing in.
With a final grin, the Children turn to Luffy, who has his goofy face on, leaping high into the air.
"SET SAIL~!" Luffy ordered.
Normama: "The Arabasta Arc is finally over~! ... ... ...Almost..."
Kaoru (Tilt her head in confusion): "Almost? You mean there's still more?"
Normama: "That's right...so be patient until next month for the final part..."
Mysterious Woman (Giggling): "I can't wait..."
The Children: "! Eh~!? Who are you~!?"