The two pirates and Nami made it to Orange Town without any problems.
"So Nami, are we splitting up again?" Luffy asked
"Yeah, I have some business to take care of."
"Ok, same as last time?"
"Yeah, fine." Nami said just waving him off.
"Let's go Zoro."
"Ok but where are we going?"
"We are going to look for some food."
"How can you still be hungry?"
"Is it ok that she is wandering around on her own?"
"Yeah, you don't have to worry about her. I have been using my Haki to keep tabs on her."
"When are you going to explain to me what Haki is?"
"I will explain when we get to the next island."
"Alright, any reason for waiting?"
"I just think we are going to busy on this island."
A little while later Luffy and Zoro had gotten "lost" and they ended up running into Nami. Nami had been busy already. She had stolen something from a bunch of pirates and they were chasing her to get it back for their boss.
"Hey, Nami."
"What are the chances we would run into you?"
"You thief, give back the map!" one pirate said
"We just stole that map of the Grand Line" another pirate said
The pirates had caught up with Nami as she stopped to talk to Zoro and Luffy. Thinking quickly Nami came up with a lie to get out of the situation.
"Boss you came to save me."
"Huh, what are you talking about?"
With that Nami ran away leaving Luffy and Zoro to deal with the pirates who were chasing her.
"What the hell is she doing?" Zoro asked
"That's Nami for you."
"She's getting away." The pirates said
"No problem, her boss is still here"
"Hey you guys, do you know where I can get some food?"
"Stop screwing around." One of the pirates said as he hit Luffy and his hat went flying off his head.
"Don't touch my treasure" was the last thing the pirates heard before he used his Haki to knock them out cold. Luffy went to pick up his hat and placed it back on his head.
"You did it again." Zoro said annoyed
"Warn me next time, I feel a chill run down my spine when you do that."
"Sorry Zoro."
"You're strong, aren't you?"
"Nami, what the hell are you doing up there?"
"I didn't even see you hit them."
"I didn't hit them."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about it for now."
"Can you look and see if there is any food in that house?"
"Well you did save me so I will check."
"Thanks Nami."
Nami went into the house to look around and after a few minutes walked out onto the porch.
"You're lucky there is some food in here."
Inside the house after Luffy had eaten his fill.
"What did you do? Why were those guys chasing you?" Zoro asked
"I stole a map of the Grand Line."
"I guess they wanted it back."
"What do you need that map for?" Zoro asked
"I need it to get 100 million beri."
"What are you going to do with that much money?"
"None of your business"
"With this map the 100 million beri is not a dream."
"I should have asked earlier, but why don't you join us as our navigator?"
"Really?"
"Yeah"
"Ok, that might be fun."
"Our crew of pirates gets bigger."
"You're a pirate?"
"I won't join you and be a pirate."
"Why not?"
"I hate pirates more than anything else in this world! I only like money and tangerines."
"Why are you a pirate anyway?"
"I promised the man who gave me this hat that I'd become a great pirate."
Outside the window
"Where did that girl go?"
"If we don't get the map back, we'll be in trouble."
'I should do something.' Nami thought to herself looking out the window noticing that the pirates haven't given up their search even after being knocked out.
"If you accept my condition I will consider joining you"
"Really, I will do anything"
"I want you to come with me to see Buggy the Clown."
A few minute later and Luffy was all ready to go
"Why did you tie me up?
"It's just rope. Is there a problem?"
"Not really. Let's go"
"Hold on a second Luffy. This is not a good idea."
"Don't worry Zoro I will be ok."
"If we get in trouble come rescue us."
"Just wait for my sign, you will know it when you see it."
"Fine, I will be watching."
A little while later Luffy and Nami had made their way on to the roof of the building where Buggy set up his big top. Nami gave Buggy back his map.
"Thanks for returning my map but what made you change your mind?"
"I had a fight with my boss. I can't stand him anymore."
"Let me join your crew."
"What an interesting woman you are. I like you."
"I am in a good mood today."
"Ok, you can join us."
'My plan succeeded, I knew pirates were simple minded.'
For "his" crimes Luffy was put in a cage
"Woman, what's your name?"
"It's Nami"
"Great, we'll have a party in honor of our new crew member Nami."
"LET'S HAVE SOME FUN MEN." Buggy shouted for everyone to hear
After a little partying Buggy decided it was time to have some more fun
"I'm having such a great time, I think it's time for a little destruction."
"Men, prepare a Buggy Ball!"
Buggy's men got a cannon ready and set off a buggy ball. The buggy ball destroyed all of the buildings in its path.
"With the Buggy Balls and my Devil Fruit powers, I will rule the Grand Line."
"You, rule the Grand Line?"
"I am the one who's going to rule the Grand Line." Luffy said
"I'm going to become the Pirate King."
"I can see why you can't stand him Nami."
"He is so simple minded about everything."
"In that case, I Captain Buggy will give you a present. How does blowing up your old boss sound?"
'Huh' was all Nami thought.
Buggies men moved the cannon and pointed it at Luffy's cage. They then proceeded to load the cannon with another Buggy Ball. Finally one of the pirates gave Nami the matches to light the fuse.
"What's wrong? Your hands are shaking." Buggy said growing impatient
"This is what happens if you aren't prepared to play pirate."
"What kill people needlessly, Is that the way of the pirate?"
"No, it's not. It's being prepared to risk your own life to get what you want."
Nami was taking too long to light the fuse so one of Buggy's crew members took the matches from her and tried to light the fuse. Nami replied by taking out her staff and knocking the man out who was going to kill Luffy.
"What are you doing? Why did you just save me?"
"This is ridiculous; I won't stoop to the same level as these pirates."
"I will never be like the pirates who took the life of the person who was most important to me."
"Do you think you can defy me?" Buggy said annoyed
Four of the Buggy pirates went to attack Nami. That was when Luffy noticed that the fuse had actually been lit most likely by another pirate while Nami was fighting. Nami was going to fight the pirates but opted to try to stop the fuse from firing the Buggy Ball. However she had taken too long and couldn't stop the fuse from firing. Just before the cannon went off Luffy said what were thought to be his final words.
"Praying before you die kid?" Buggy said in between laughing fits
"No way Big Nose"
"Karada Busoshoku Koka"
Luffy finished saying just after the cannon went off.
The Buggy Ball hit the cage and left a large cloud of smoke in its path. As the smoke was clearing the Buggy pirates thought they could see something standing in the smoke. One last gust of wind cleared the smoke and revealed a perfectly fine Luffy.
"Nami it's time to go" Luffy yelled
Nami was standing there shocked by what she had seen or hadn't seen. How did someone survive getting shot at by a cannon? When Luffy yelled to her she didn't argue with the man. She only followed orders and ran over to him.
"How did you survive the Buggy Ball?" Buggy asked both confused and angry that it didn't work.
"None of your business big nose." Luffy said sticking his tongue out.
With that Luffy grabbed onto Nami and jumped off the roof of the bar and landed safely on the ground. Soon they disappeared in between the buildings out of sight. During all the commotion Luffy had signaled to Zoro to follow him.
"Cabaji, Mohji get out here now." Buggy yelled
"What's the matter senchou? Cabaji asked
"There is someone I want you to kill." Buggy said
The trio found themselves in front of the pet food store. And Chouchou was guarding it.
"I'm not in the cage this time. I will be able to protect your treasure." Luffy said whispering to the dog
"Please tell me, can you talk to animals as well?" Nami asked
"No of course I can't. But I think he can understand us." Luffy said
"Ok Luffy, what did you do this time?" Zoro asked
"What do you mean?" Nami asked curiously
"This kid is a lot more powerful than we give him credit for." Zoro said
"If I had to guess, right now there is not a single person in the East Blue who could defeat him, maybe even the first half of the Grand Line." Zoro said confidently but not knowing where that information came from
"No one can beat him?" Nami asked
"Do you really believe that?"
"You bet I do. I bet we have only just seen the tip of the iceberg when it what comes to what this kid can do."
"You know, you might be right." Nami said full of hope, not really sure why she was feeling so confident over someone she only recently met.
A few minutes later a man wearing brown armor appeared from behind a building near the pet food store.
"Who are you old man?" Zoro asked
"I am the mayor of this town. My name is Boodle"
"What are you kids doing here?" Boodle asked
"We were just relaxing." Nami said
"I don't think you should be doing that around here. Not with the Buggy pirates around." The three just looked at each other and exchanged glances of it's already too late for that.
"Why don't you come back with me to the camp we set up outside of town?"
"That's alright, thanks anyway." Luffy said
"What about this dog?" Nami asked
"Oh, Chouchou. No matter what I do I can't get him to leave the store."
"Ever since his master died he has stood guard there."
"I come three times a day to check on him and feed him."
Just as he finished saying that they heard a loud roar.
"What's that roar?" Nami asked
"That's Beast Tamer Mohji."
The mayor said as he ran off to hide. Luffy, Zoro and Nami stayed behind.
"Are you sure you want to stay behind Nami?" Zoro asked
"I want to see for myself if what you think is true or not."
"Zoro, while I fight you protect her and vice versa."
"Whatever you say senchou." Zoro said a little annoyed that he was stuck essentially babysitting.
Zoro grabbed Nami by the wrist and dragged her off to hide behind a nearby building where they had a good view of what was about to happen.
"Hey you don't have to protect me"
"You wanted to stay behind, didn't you?"
"Luffy trusts you and I can't understand why."
"But if he wants me to protect you I will do that."
Back with Luffy in front of the pet food store
"Who are you?" Luffy asked as Beast Tamer Mohji stood in front of him
"I'm beast tamer Mohji from Buggy's crew."
"I am here to kill you three."
"Good luck with that" Luffy said
"Get him Richie." Mohji said
Luffy stayed standing firm in front of the pet food store
"Get out of the way idiot he is going to kill you." Nami said
"If an explosion didn't kill him, what are the chances this guy can." Zoro asked
Luffy didn't even move as Richie the lion ran towards him. The only thing Luffy did was that he released a blast of Haoshoku Haki and Richie passed out mid step and fell down. Mohji was sent tumbling off of Richie's back.
"You bastard, what did you do to Richie?"
"Zoro what did he do to the lion? Was it the same thing he did to the three pirates who were chasing me?"
"Not sure what he did. I asked him earlier. He told tell me it was called Haki but that was all he told me. That must have been how he survived the explosion." Zoro said
"Have you ever heard of it?" Nami asked
"I haven't but something feels oddly familiar about it."
"You too?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nevermind, It's probably nothing."
"Who the hell are you?" Mohji asked getting up after falling on the ground.
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy. I am the man who is going to be King of the Pirates."
"He really believes he can do it doesn't he." Nami said
"What?" Zoro replied
"Become King of the Pirates." Nami said
"Yeah I really think he intends to do it. And there is something in me telling me that he really will do it."
Luffy didn't waste any time listening to anything Mohji had to say
"Gomu Gomu no…"
"Bazooka" was the last thing Mohji heard before he was sent flying into the wall of a house.
Luffy had done it this time. He had protected Chouchou's treasure.
"You did it" Nami said running over to him.
"Yeah was there any doubt?" Zoro asked making his way over to the other two.
"So Luffy, what exactly are you?" Nami asked
"I am a rubber man. I ate the Gomu Gomu no mi." Luffy said
"I thought devil fruits were just a rumor." Nami said.
"Well it looks like they are very real."
"Let's get out of here" Luffy said
"You mean we are running?" Zoro asked
"No, of course not, I just don't want to accidently destroy this dog's treasure."
The trio walked up a half dozen streets before Luffy stopped and turned ninety degrees.
"Zoro, I think your turn is coming up."
"Let's go Nami."
"What, why?"
"We don't want to get in Zoro's way while he is fighting."
"Roronoa Zoro, I have come for your head." Cabaji said
"Of course you have, but you are not going to succeed." Zoro said tying his bandana around his head.
Nami and Luffy were sitting off to the side against a building watching Zoro's fight
"Why did you protect that store?" Nami asked
"Because I didn't think that Chouchou should have to lose the only thing his master left him."
"There is more to it than that isn't there?" Nami asked
"What do you mean?"
"Not entirely sure."
"Well it was still nice of you to protect that dog's treasure."
"Thanks Nami, You know I will protect anyone's treasure as long as they are still willing to fight for it."
"You know, you aren't such a bad guy." Nami said
"Not all pirates are evil Nami."
Nami wasn't sure what to say to that.
Back with Zoro fighting Cabaji
Cabaji began riding around in circles on the unicycle he had with him
"Are you going to take this serious?" Zoro asked getting annoyed
"Oh, I am already very serious about this fight Roronoa."
"Acrobatic special, old man's flame." Cabaji said as he breathed fire
Zoro was able to dodge easily this time as he had not been stabbed by Buggy.
"Murder under a cloud of smoke" Cabaji began spinning his sword around kicking up a cloud of smoke.
Zoro was standing several feet away from the cloud when a sword came right at him. Zoro blocked the sword and went to attack Cabaji.
"Ok, this isn't fun at all. I think I am just going to end this." Zoro said
Cabaji began charging at Zoro ready to attack. However Zoro was standing still with his arms crossed ready to attack.
"Oni…Giri" was all Zoro said as he effortlessly avoided Cabaji's attack and countered it.
Cabaji fell to the ground with three slices in various directions across his chest.
"Very nice Zoro." Luffy said as he and Nami walked up to Zoro
"He wasn't much of a challenge." Zoro said
"That was very impressive young ones." The mayor said having just seen the end of the fight.
"Oh, that was nothing." Luffy said
"I can't believe it." The mayor said
"What do you mean?" Nami asked
"Your friends here have taken care of most of this town's problems. And what have I done?"
"I haven't done a thing to protect my treasure."
"Don't worry old man" Luffy said. "I won't let anything else happen to your town."
"I appreciate it but I must be the one to finish Buggy."
"Thanks for the offer, but no."
"Wha…" was all the mayor could say before he passed out
Luffy ran over to catch the man before he fell over.
"Why did you do that?" Nami asked
"If he tried to attack Buggy he would have gotten himself killed."
"Yeah, true. But why did you have to knock him out?"
"He was going to follow us no matter what we said, at least I didn't hit him."
Luffy cracked a smile and started laughing. Nami and Zoro only looked at each other trying to figure out if the other knew why he was laughing. They didn't say anything but they both felt that something like this happened before.
"Well, I am going to go set him down over there. Then we are going to deal with Buggy."
"Fine, you do that but I am going to go look for treasure."
"Alright, but stay out of sight until the fight is over."
"That was the plan."
"Zoro, let's go kick Buggy's ass."
"Sounds good to me."
So Nami went off by herself, while Luffy and Zoro went to fight Buggy.
Luffy and Zoro were walking back to where they had met Buggy
"Zoro, just so you know. Swords don't work on Buggy."
"What, how do you know that?"
"Don't worry about how, just remember that if you end up slicing him he is not dead even if he is in pieces."
"Let me guess, Devil fruit?"
"That's right."
It went silent for a few minutes after that until Zoro broke the silence
"Luffy, how do you know about all of this stuff."
"I haven't even heard of Haki before a few days ago."
"Yeah, it's not really common around here."
"I will tell you guys more eventually."
"Why all the secrecy?"
"No reason really."
With that they made it back to the building with the big top on the roof.
"Big Nose" was all Luffy had to yell for Buggy's crew to come running.
"I can't believe you said that." A nameless pirate said
"I can't believe you are both still alive." Buggy said
"Your lackeys weren't strong enough to kill us." Zoro said
"Yeah, we beat them pretty good."
"It's your turn to fight me Buggy."
Buggy jumped down off the roof of the building onto a lower level and finally onto the ground about thirty feet from Luffy and Zoro.
"Well kid, are you ready to die flashily?"
"I would like to see you try."
Buggy stomped down and a blade came out of the tip of each shoe
"Bara Bara Pinwheel" Buggy said as he sent his bottom half spinning and flying towards Luffy and Zoro.
Luffy and Zoro easily dodged the attack
The attack came back and Buggy's body became whole again.
Annoyed Buggy ordered his men to prepare the cannon.
"Men, fire another Buggy Ball at Mugiwara."
"Buggy, you don't want to do that. It will just end badly." Luffy said
"You just got lucky Mugiwara, it won't happen again."
With that the cannon was loaded, aimed and ready to fire.
What Luffy and Zoro didn't know was that Buggy had ordered all the fuses be cut in half. Doing this drastically shortened the window Luffy would have to react.
"Zoro, back up. Something is wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"Buggy is way too confident that he will be able to kill me."
"Fire the Buggy Ball."
"Busoshoku koka"
"What the hell Mugiwara."
"I can't believe my eyes." Buggy said
"He actually caught a Buggy Ball bare handed." A nameless pirate said
"Not bare handed." Buggy said
"I can't believe someone like you possess Haki." Buggy said looking at Luffy's black forearm
"It has been so long since I have seen those abilities."
"That is pretty incredible." Zoro said
"Why didn't you do that last time?"
Luffy looked at him funny
"Oh yeah, never mind."
"You know Luffy you still have the Buggy Ball in your hand." Zoro said
"Oh yeah" Luffy said as he threw the ball off into the water harmlessly exploding
"Why didn't you throw it back at them?" Zoro asked
"I don't have to use a cannonball to beat them."
"You know Zoro I think it's time I finish this."
"You think you will be able to beat me."
"I don't think, I know I can beat you."
"Gear Second" Luffy said as he punched his right arm into the air pumping the blood in his arm. The next thing Buggy noticed was that his arm had turned red and steam was coming off of it.
"Gomu Gomu no… "Luffy said as Buggy prepared to stop or dodge the attack
"Jet Pistol"
The next thing anyone around notices is that buggy is on the ground unconscious.
"Anybody else want some?" Luffy said to the crew on top of the building
"No" all of the pirates said shaking their heads furiously
"Alright, I will say it one more time. That was incredible Luffy. I couldn't even see it."
Off behind a building with all of Buggys treasure is our favorite cat burglar. She had seen everything that has happened since Luffy caught the cannonball. She was rather impressed. She was also happy that he didn't cause any more unnecessary destruction.
"Maybe just maybe he can beat Arlong" Nami said to herself
"Nami we are all done you can come out now."
"That is annoying, how did you know I was there?"
"Haki? Never mind stupid question."
"Shishishi" Luffy laughed.
"That's right"
"Find anything good Nami?"
"Yeah I got all of his treasure and a chart of the grand line"
The mayor had woken up and found the three kids talking
"Where is Buggy?" the mayor asked
"He is over there unconscious." Luffy said pointing to Buggy
During their conversation Luffy turned his attention to the pirates on the roof
"Hey you guys still up there on the roof." Luffy said
"Load up your captain and any other crew members around and get the hell off this island."
"Yes sir" the remaining Buggy pirates said in unison
"What you are just going to let them go." Nami and the Mayor asked annoyed
"Yeah, they won't come back here anytime soon."
"Mayor it should be safe for the villagers to come back soon" Luffy said
"I don't know how to thank you for all that you have done." The mayor said
"Don't worry about it."
With that the mayor walked off and went to go talk with the other villagers.
"Nami why don't we put that into two sacks so it's easier to carry."
"Fine, whatever"
They dumped out all the treasure, tore the sack in half and put treasure into both sacks. Now with Luffy carrying one and Nami carrying the other they made their way to the harbor. And set sail for the next island. Only for Nami to realize that Luffy left half the treasure there.
"Luffy, you didn't forget your bag of treasure did you?"
"Nope, I left it there for them to rebuild their village."
Nami hit him over the head leaving a large bump
"Are you sure you don't already know Haki?" Luffy asked massaging the bump on his head
"No, why do you ask?" Nami said
"Oh, no reason" Luffy said
Back to the future Straw Hats watching through the portal
"So what changed this time." Robin asked
"Wow, a lot changed" Nami said looking to Zoro for some sort of comment
"Yeah, the witch is right." Zoro said
"Luffy using Haki is new, as well as his speed attacks."
"Catching the cannonball was pretty cool."
"Luffy getting locked in the cage was pretty funny." Franky said
"Saving the pet food store." Nami said
"Last time it was burnt to the ground."
"Also you didn't get stabbed by Buggy this time."
"What the marimo got stabbed by Buggy when he first fought him." Sanji said laughing
"Shut up swirly." Zoro said
"How does that change the future?" Robin asked the ghost.
"It shouldn't that much. As long as you stay on the island for relatively the same amount of time the only thing that will change are…" The ghost stopped
"I don't know what will change." The ghost said
"WHAT" seven Straw Hats said with shark teeth
"Technically they are living in an alternate time line even though it is just the past but they are changing things."
"Eventually time might synchronize and who knows what will happen then."