Posting two chapters today because I'm nice.
Enjoy!
"You're missing the point," Zoro said bluntly as he knelt down in front of Igaram. "Like we just said, it's not our problem."
"Please!" Igaram pleaded again. "She needs your help! Surely you're not so heartless as to deny her that!"
"Of course we're not!" A new voice said, startling the crew members already present. A look over confirmed their suspicions as Nami walked up to them, a clearly fake smile on her face.
"When did you wake up?" Nojiko demanded. "I thought you were drunk and passed out in the bar."
"Oh please," Nami said with a giggle as she waved her sister off. "Did you really think I'd lost my touch that badly? No way was I going to just fall asleep amidst a group of suspicious people. I faked it!" Zoro doubted that was completely true, as he himself had watched her downing her drinks at a rapid pace. Regardless, the crews resident money grubber walked up to Igaram and knelt in front of him.
"What're you doing. Big Sis Nami?" Yosaku asked. Nami just giggled.
"We'll help your princess," she told Igaram. "For one easy payment of one billion Berries." How had Zoro not seen that coming?
"O-One billion?!" Igaram cried. "I-I'm only a royal guard, I don't have access to such funds!"
"Are you saying the princess isn't worth that much?" Nami asked innocently, making Nojiko face palm as Johnny and Yosaku watched her with a cold expression.
"She's horrible," Johnny murmured.
"Agreed," Yosaku said, nodding alongside his partner.
"Nami that's enough," Nojiko said, grabbing her sister by the ear and hoisting her up. The redhead looked agitated by the motion, but didn't press her price onto the guards head. "You, Igaram. What'll happen if the princess dies here?"
"Millions of people will die," the man repeated. "She knows valuable information that could save her country! Please, if you were to save her, I'm sure you could discuss costs and rewards more easily!" Nojiko watched the man warily before she sighed.
"Take Yosaku and Johnny and go rescue her," she said, turning to Zoro. He watched her quietly, trying to discern her motive. "Nami and I will stay here and learn what we can."
"Fine, whatever." Zoro replied, gesturing to his students. "Let's go you two. We've got a princess to save."
"Make sure she's in good condition!" Nami shouted as the trio ran off in the same direction Vivi went. "If she's roughed up we won't get paid as much!"
"You're going to hell for this, you know!" Zoro retaliated over his shoulder angrily.
Nami laughed as Zoro ran off, knowing full well his accusation was true. She really would go to hell for this kind of behaviour.
"Is this how you swindled all that money back home?" Nojiko asked. "By black mailing people?"
"Only sometimes," Nami replied as she shrugged. "I mostly stole it." Nojiko rolled her eyes before looking back down at Igaram, who had gone quiet.
"Alright trigger happy musician," she said as she sat down on a nearby barrel. "Tell us what exactly is going on around here. Who is Baroque Works exactly?"
"...You're friend back there wasn't wrong," he replied. "We are indeed a group of mercenaries, pirates hunters, and secret agents. Our boss, Mr. Zero, no one truly knows who he is."
"Why work for him then?" Nami asked. "That's just asking for trouble."
"The Princess and I went undercover," Igaram replied. "We were trying to find who exactly inside the company was responsible for the evil doings in our home country. And soon, we found out who exactly was-!"
"HEY! NOJIKO! NAMI!" Both girls jumped, turning to watch their Captain rush up to them. He looked ready to raise hell, which Nami was grateful for. Zoro might need his help.
"Good, you're up Luffy." she said. "We need you to-!" Nami was interrupted as Luffy ignored her and glared at Nojiko.
"What the hell were you doing?!" He demanded. "I saw a bunch of beat up and shot people, and they told me you, Zoro, Johnny and Yosaku did it! What're you beating these people up for?!"
"Calm down," Nojiko advised. "These people are mercenaries, Luffy. They planned on capturing us and taking us to the Navy for your bounty."
"Huh?" Luffy asked, calming down almost immediately. He saw Igaram on the ground, and watched him like an owl. "Is that true, old man?"
"W-Well technically yes, but..."
"Well then you deserved it!" Luffy shouted, stomping a foot down on Igaram's back, making him cry out in pain. "Good job Nojiko, they really had me fooled!"
"We could tell," she replied with a smile. "You really stuffed your face back there."
"Ha! Well, that guy was a good cook! Not as good as Sanji, but still pretty good!"
"Can we discuss this later?" Nami demanded, making Luffy look at her in confusion. "Luffy, long story short Zoro needs your help saving someone right now. He ran off that way, so go and help him!" Luffy looked even more confused before he nodded
"I don't really get it, but sure. Hey, make sure we take any of the food left here. I really liked the-"
"Get going!" Nami shouted, slamming her fist against his head angrily. She watched as the Captain ran off in a fright, looking for Zoro and the others.
"Sometimes i wonder about him," Nojiko said. Nami sighed and crossed her arms.
"I know, I do too." she replied as she looked back at Igaram. "Now, explain everything. In detail, please"
It hadn't taken Zoro, Yosaku and Johnny long to catch up to the agents chasing the princess, stepping in front of them to prevent them getting any closer to her.
"Why're you guys back here?!" She demanded angrily. "I don't have time to take you on right now!"
"You misunderstand Princess," Zoro replied. "Your lovely friend back there has employed our services."
"Huh?"
"We're here to help, I guess!" Johnny said with a smirk, arms crossed.
"Please leave these guys to us!" Yosaku agreed. "We'll make sure that they're dealt with!"
"U-Um...Thank you?" Zoro heard the duck that she was riding on begin to run off, which signalled the advance by the two agents chasing her.
"Let's go, Mr. Five!" The woman shouted as she took flight.
"After you, Ms. Valentine!" Ms. Valentine flew high up into the air before she began to descend at a violent rate. Zoro and the others jumped out of the way just before she created a crater with her impact, throwing up dirt and debris as she did so. Before they could totally recover an explosion rang out, presumably from Mr. Five. Drawing his blades, Zoro burst out of the smoke and ran towards Mr. Five, who was watching him with his hands in his pockets. He reached up and picked his nose, flicking a booger at him. Reacting out of instinct, Zoro raised his blade and sliced through the oncoming explosion.
"This power so so gross," he hissed. Mr. Five laughed.
"Perhaps, but it's powerful all the same." He said. "I'm an explosion man. I can make any part of me explode whenever I want. So it'd be in your best interest to-!"
Mr. Five was cut off as an elastic fist slammed into the back of his head, forcing him down into the dirt and creating a small crater. Looking up, Zoro saw Luffy land nearby with a smile on his face.
"Zoro!"He greeted. "Glad I caught up to you!"
"Glad to see you finally woke up," Zoro said as he rested a blade on his shoulder. "I'm surprised you didn't wake up when I told Nojiko to shoot you."
"Huh?"
"I'll explain later," He replied, looking back at Mr. Five as he began to stand up. "For now, we need to deal with these guys and save that blue haired girl. You understand?"
"Barely, but let's kick this guys ass!"
"Hahahaha!" Ms. Valentine laughed as she flew above both Johnny and Yosaku's strikes. "Did you two scummy pirates really think you could take me on? I'm way out of your league, in more than one way!"
"How is she flying exactly?" Yosaku asked as the pair regrouped. "I don't get it!"
"That curly haired guy said these two ate Devil Fruits," Johnny replied as he gripped his blade tightly. "So it stands to reason she's using it's powers." Ms Valentine laughed at this.
"Oh, so Mr. Eight's been running his mouth huh?" She asked. I'll have to make sure he's punished for that later. He's right though. I ate the Kilo Kilo Fruit. It lets me change my weight whenever I want. It makes it so easy to crush silly young men like you two!" With this she took off into the sky, flying above them with her umbrella. Soon enough she began to descend at a rapid rate, and Johnny dove out of the way as she hit the ground. Another crater was created in the ground, throwing up debris and smoke. Growling, Johnny rushed through the smoke towards the center, finding Ms. Valentine at he center. He swung his blade at her, but she easily dodged the strike. Yosaku came out of the smoke from behind her and slashed downwards at her, but she dodged that one was well. The two worked in tandem, hacking and slashing at her with all their might, but she managed to avoid every strike.
"Are you guys really this weak?" She demanded as she took her umbrella out again. "I think I'd rather go fight your friends back there. They seem actually tough!" She opened the umbrella, preparing to float. But nothing happened. Johnny smirked as she stared up at her umbrella in surprise.
"What the...?" She asked in confusion. "When did you do that?!"
A giant slash had cut through the fabric of the umbrella, rendering it useless.
"Don't make your weapon something so easily destroyed," Johnny replied, readying his blade. "If you do, you only open yourself up to attacks!"
"Good job Johnny!" Yosaku said, sounding excited. "I never thought of that!"
"That's because I'm the smart one, Yosaku!" Johnny replied as his smirk widened. "Now, let us defeat this woman and rejoin our crew!" Before either could rush, an explosion sounded off behind the battle. Johnny watched as a body flew in from Whiskey Peak, and hit the dirt near the group.
"W-What the..." Ms. Valentine said weakly. "Mr. Five?!" Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the person was indeed an unconscious Mr. Five. Had he really already been taken care of already?
"Are you guys still working over here?" Zoro demanded, Luffy following close behind him as they came to join the pair. "I'm going to need to up your training. Apparently we haven't worked hard enough yet."
"I-I don't know if that's necessary Big Bro..." Yosaku said weakly. Luffy laughed and cracked his knuckles.
"Well, let's finish this and help that Wednesday lady!" He said.
After Ms. Valentine had been dispatched by the four crew members, they found Princess Vivi watching nearby. Nojiko and Nami had come to join them, and Vivi then launched into her explanation of the situation, after saying she couldn't pay Nami her one billion Berries.
She explained how Alabasta, her nation, was one of the most advanced and peaceful in the Grand Line. However, there was a civil war being waged currently, as it had for the last two to three years. Vivi said that she'd heard of the name Baroque Works, and how it may have had a hand in starting the war in the first place. In essence, she had joined the company to find out who exactly was pulling the strings, and had discovered that Baroque Works was intending to take over the country for themselves. Luffy pressed her for the identity of the boss, but Vivi refused to give it to him.
Well, she did. It just so happened to slip out.
"Crocodile?!" Yosaku and Johnny shouted in fright as Vivi looked faint as Nami began to panic. "He's one of the Seven Warlords!"
"What the hell are you doing?!" Nami shouted as she shook Vivi angrily. "I'd rather not know that!"
"I'm sorry!" Vivi said.
"That's not good enough!" Nami released the princess and sighed, turning to march away. "We only knew each other for a short while, but it was nice knowing you guys! Thanks for everything. Let's go Nojiko!"
"I don't think we'll get that option," Nojiko said, gesturing to the vulture and otter that had cut Nami off. The pair produced perfect pictures of Nami and the others, which at first was impressive before they realised that meant there was no escape now. This only made Nami angrier, Johnny and Yosaku also beginning to panic.
"Looks like we're in deep now," Zoro said with a smirk.
"I wasn't expecting to meet one of these guys so early!" Luffy said. "I wonder how strong he is!"
"Can we not find out?!" Nami wailed.
"Not to worry!" A new voice said. Nojiko turned to find Igaram standing there...Dressed like Vivi.
"What the hell are you doing?" She demanded as Vivi rushed to her protector.
"I have a plan," he said as he hugged Vivi, before releasing her. "Vivi, give me an Eternal Pose."
"Eternal Pose?" Nami asked as Vivi forked over the item. "What's that?"
"It's a Pose that it always locked onto one location," Igaram replied as he showed the Navigator what he had. "This is always locked onto Alabasta, and will always lead you there. They're very useful for travellers and traders in the Grand Line." He then shifted his gaze back to the Straw Hats. "I will take this Pose and disguise myself as Vivi, taking the direct route to Alabasta. You will take Vivi and take the longer route." With this the man turned to walk away, everyone following him.
"Is this really the best we have?" Zoro asked. Igaram nodded.
"Vivi must return home," he said as they reached the edge of Whiskey Peak, where a small boat was waiting. "If my disguise can give you some time, I'll take that chance. You should pass by a couple of islands on the regular way to Alabasta, but you should be able to make it there. I hope to reunite with all of you there."
"Igaram..." Vivi started, not sure what to say. Igaram smiled at her and reached out to shake her hand.
"Be safe, Princess." he said. Vivi stared at him for a moment before she nodded and shook his hand.
"You too, Igaram." She said.
"Don't worry, old guy!" Luffy said with a smile. "We'll bring Vivi to Alabasta in one piece, I promise!" Nodding gratefully, the crew watched as the man set sail on his own, setting out for Alabasta. Nojiko had to admit, this turn of events was not something she had expected. Having to save a member of Baroque Works and return her to her home country, of which she was a princess of, was a wild right turn she had not been expecting.
"He was cool, huh?" Luffy asked, hands behind his head.
"Good luck Big Bro Igaram!" Yosaku shouted, waving widely for the man to see. "We'll take care of Big Sis Vivi, I promise!"
"Well lets get going," Nojiko said as she crossed her arms. "We shouldn't make Igaram's risk go-!"
The ship sailing away exploded into flames, silencing everyone watching in shock. No one spoke for a long time, unable to find the words.
"Big Bro Igaram!" Yosaku shouted as he began to cry.
"Did they seriously already find out?" Johnny hissed. "That can't be...!"
"Nami, is the Log Pose ready?" Luffy asked, voice steady. In her confusion and panic, Nojiko turned to her Captain, He had a steady look on his face, almost unaffected by what had just happened.
"Yeah, it's ready." Nami said.
"Good," he said, turning to leave. "Let's get out of here and get Vivi to Alabasta. I'll wake up Usopp and Sanji, you guys get Vivi to the ship." With this Luffy ran off, leaving everyone else basking in the flames.
"Vivi, we have to go." Nami said weakly, shielding the struggling princess from the explosion. "Come on, if we get caught it was all for nothing. We have to go."
"...Y-Yeah, I know." Nojiko helped her sister guide Vivi away from the fire, trying to drown out the sound out with her own thoughts, Sadly, it barely helped. After all, all of her thoughts just rounded back to the man who had just sacrificed himself for the Princess and country he loved.
"What the hell do you mean we have to leave?!" Sanji shouted angrily. "There were so many cute girls back there!"
"Exactly!" Usopp replied. "It was so nice there! Let's go back."
"Did you guys hear any of what we just said?" Nami demanded, unsure if the two of them were serious. "We have to go, we're not going back." This only seemed to depress both men, who collapsed to the deck in their depression, Karoo pecking at them in confusion.
"This sucks..." Sanji said weakly. "They were so cute..."
"The food was so good..." Usopp whispered.
"It really was..." Luffy agreed, beginning to drool.
"I think it was pretty good as well," another voice said. Nami made a face at this, not recognising the voice. Whirling, she saw a woman sitting on the railing on the upper deck. She was wearing all purple and a cowboy hat of the same colour, had raven black hair and bright blue eyes. She watched the crew with a sense of mirth in her eyes.
"Who the hell is that?!" Zoro demanded, drawing his swords.
"Intruder!" Johnny shouted, also preparing for combat. However, the woman ignored the men.
"Hello Ms. Wednesday." She said,watching Vivi's horrified expression. "I just saw Mr. Eight near here. Was a lovely reunion."
"You..." Vivi hissed, sweat dripping down her forehead. "Did you kill Igaram?" The woman only smiled at this.
"Vivi, who is that?" Luffy asked, looking tense. Vivi swallowed hard at this question.
"She's Ms. All Sunday. The Vice-President of Barque Works. Mr. Zero's partner."