A/N: And here, we finally have the 3rd chapter of One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea! Honestly, when I first saw the 2nd episode, I didn't think that Helmeppo would be voiced by Troy Baker, a voice actor who is very well-known by now. As for Nami, well, we're bound to find something out a bit early soon.
One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea
Chapter 3: "Enter the Great Swordsmen!; Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro & Swordswoman Shimotsuki Kuina!"
Act I
At Shells Town, Luffy, Salvia, Nami, and Coby arrived at the dock with Luffy setting foot first.
"We're here! The Marine Base City!", Luffy grinned.
"Wow...! It looks so beautiful.", Salvia beamed.
"Yeah. No kidding...", Nami agreed.
Moments later, the four were now at the center of town.
"Sometimes, I love each and every wiggle that comes from each step.", Salvia grinned, seeing the wiggling from behind her, much to Nami and Coby's perplexed unease.
"What?", Salvia puzzled.
As the four neared the citizens, though, they were flabbergasted from seeing Salvia with Luffy, Nami, and Coby.
"Oh, no...! Is that Lady Alvida?!", one of the citizens spoke in fear.
But as the four stepped closer, they got a closer look at Salvia, who became a bit puzzled.
"Wait a minute. You're not Alvida.", another puzzled.
"Well, I gotta hand it to you. You're right.", Salvia agreed with a warm giggle.
At this point, the citizens became more astonished with her than afraid with the four walking forward.
"But how is she so big?", one citizen puzzled.
"And how is she still able to walk like that?", another pondered.
"Something tells me that girl would give Alvida a run for her money.", a third citizen guessed, making Salvia puzzled a bit before giggling as they had no idea that she and Luffy defeated Alvida as of yet.
As the citizens mumbled in astonishment, Coby spoke to the others.
"Guys, seriously, you're out of your minds if you two think the right thing to do is get those two to join you!", Coby exclaimed in worry.
"Well, we haven't made up our minds yet.", assured Luffy.
"Yeah. We shouldn't judge them before they get to know them. They might not even be bad guys.", Salvia responded.
"Since when?! When, on this great big East Blue, did they ever become quote-unquote good guys?!", Nami reacted.
"I said that they 'might' not be bad. But knowing that for sure is the whole reason we're paying a visit.", Salvia replied.
While Luffy got one pear and ate it, Salvia got 11 more and ate them, too. No sooner had she done so that her body started growing larger again. She moaned in ecstasy as not only did her breasts and butt swell larger than before, but the growth also caused her shirt and shorts to stretch and tear up to a point that they looked as though they're on the verge of tearing off. Nami and Coby were shocked to see this growth happening with Coby half as shocked.
"Mmm...! That really hit the spot...!", Salvia moaned blissfully as her big chest bounced up and down.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that...", Coby sighed, half as shocked while Nami was completely speechless.
But they weren't the only ones. In fact, the whole town saw her grow bigger and became a little bit scared.
"Hold on! Did she just...?", one citizen said, shocked.
"Grow bigger? Yeah, I think she did.", another added.
"I think she might be a Devil Fruit User, guys!", a third said, causing worried mumbling among the town.
Salvia, noticing how worried the crowd was getting and starting to get a bit worried herself, decided to speak up.
"It's okay, everyone! I may be a Devil Fruit user, but I don't mean any harm to you. In fact...", Salvia began before getting out 11 coins and handing them to the store keeper.
"Here you go. I've been meaning to pay for those after eating them, anyway.", Salvia assured.
"And she's not the only one. I ate a Devil Fruit, too. I'm a rubberman.", Luffy responded, stretching his cheeks for a bit before letting go.
"Guess that makes me a chub woman.", Salvia grinned before giggling.
"No way...! A rubber man, too?", one citizen asked.
"Like I said before, we didn't come to hurt you guys. We just wanna know where Zoro and Kuina are.", Salvia assured.
But the moment they heard that name, they flinched and jumped back, even more shocked from hearing the name. Unbeknownst to them, though, the only one who didn't flinch was a little girl, who gasped in awe and rushed over to Salvia and the others
"Uh..., did I say something wrong?", Salvia asked.
"Maybe we shouldn't mention the name Zoro, here, okay?", Coby asked.
Just then, the little girl caught up to Salvia and the others, puzzling her.
"Be careful...", one of the worried villagers said before Salvia then knelt down to the girl, so as to not seem so big.
"What is it?", Salvia asked.
Happily, the girl got out one of the few rice balls she was carrying, only this one had a smiley face drizzled onto it.
"Here.", the girl beamed, astonishing, Salvia before she picked it up and examined the rice ball.
She gasped as it reminded her of the day she got her chub-chub powers and then looked back to the girl.
"Thanks a lot.", Salvia said, touched, earning the girl's giggle with a nod.
This earned the town's sighs of relief and smiles.
"I think I'll have that one as a keepsake.", Salvia grinned.
Nami, as perplexed as she was from this, gave a grin and giggled.
"Let's head to the base and check it out. You wanna be a marine, right?", Luffy asked.
"Well, of course, I do, Luffy. But I really don't think I'm ready just yet. From what I've heard, the man in charge of this base is named Captain Morgan.", Coby explained, shocking the citizens just as much as when Zoro and Kuina were mentioned earlier.
While this puzzled Salvia, Nami, and Coby, Luffy only chuckled.
"This town is a weird place.", Luffy chuckled.
"That was odd. I mean, i understand if they're scared of Zoro and Kuina, but why flip when I mentioned the marine captain's name?", Coby puzzled.
"I don't know. I've got a bad feeling about this.", Nami said.
"Do you know why they're so scared?", Salvia asked to the little girl.
"It's that dumb Helmeppo.", the girl said.
"Helmeppo? Who's that?", Salvia asked.
"He's the son of Captain Morgan.", the girl explained.
Then, it showed a flashback of one day when Helmeppo and his dog arrived.
"Step aside, step aside! Make way for my beautiful pet doggy! Anyone who doesn't move, I'll have executed!", Helmeppo threatened before laughing.
Then, his pet dog burst in and snarled, frightening everyone in sight.
"Stop it, you mean old thing!", Rika shouted, waving her broom around.
"You, little girl! Is there some kind of problem with how my beloved dog is behaving?", Helmeppo asked.
"Rika, put it down! You don't want to get us into trouble!", her mother shouted in worry.
But Helmeppo only laughed before his dog charged straight for Rika, who screamed before a chair was tossed at the dog, knocking him out, much to Helmeppo's shock and the patrons' worries.
"That guy's so dead...!", one patron spoke in worry.
Helmeppo then turned to the man who knocked out his dog.
"WHO THE HECK ARE YOU?! Wait..., you're him. It's you! You're the Pirate Hunter Zoro!", Helmeppo realized.
"And if I am?", Zoro asked as Rika hurried back to her mother, who picked her up.
"What is a pirate hunter doing defying the marines, huh?!", Helmeppo exclaimed.
"Can it and let me finish my meal in peace.", Zoro said.
But not willing to take this lightly, Helmeppo tried to attack him with his sword only for Zoro to dodge it and kick his sword up to the ceiling, distracting Helmeppo just enough for Kuina to appear and punch him into the wall. Then, she stabbed her sword into the wall near Helmeppo's face, making him scream in shock.
"Honestly, it's scum like you that always make me sick.", Kuina glared toward Helmeppo, making him tremble in fear.
"Darn it, Kuina, I had him...", Zoro sighed.
"Yeah, sure, you did.", Kuina teased.
After a moment, Helmeppo only smirked and spoke up.
"You two do realize if dad finds out about this..., he'll surely execute the girl and her mother.", Helmeppo warned smugly.
"Not. Gonna. Happen. You corrupt piece of trash...!", Kuina glared.
"So, what do you say to a little deal between men? In place of the kid and her mom, we string you and your girlfriend up for a month instead. For..., uh, say, one month. You two survive that one month and I'll be so nice as to let you two live, too. What do you say? Sound fair?", Helmeppo asked.
"And how do I know you'll keep your word?", Kuina glared.
"Would you rather that these two plus you and Zoro get executed?", Helmeppo asked, making Kuina growl in tensing anger for a bit before she sighed.
"Then one month it is.", Zoro responded before letting go of his sword, which dropped into the ground.
"It's been three weeks since that day. Helmeppo keeps punching and kicking them while they're tied up... He's being so unfair! I don't...! I don't know how to help him!", Rika spoke sadly.
"I see why you're upset...", Coby said sadly.
"But if it happened 3 months ago, how could they have survived? There's no way anyone would last this long.", Nami said in worry.
"Well, why don't we go see for ourselves over here?", Salvia asked, gesturing to the fact that they had already arrived at the gates.
"This looks like the place.", Luffy grinned.
Then, without even having to climb up, Salvia peeped out from the gates and saw both Zoro and Kuina in the Crucifixion yard.
"Hey, guys. I see two people out in the crucifixion yard. Is it them?", Salvia asked.
"What are you doing?! Get back here!", Nami shouted as Luffy and Coby climbed up to get a better view, much to the latter's surprise upon seeing the two people in question.
"I said get back here! Right...!", Nami began before noticing the two as well.
"...now?", Nami finished in surprise.
"That hood on his head.. And the Haramaki. Not to mention that dark blue hair... It's Roronoa Zoro and Kuina...!", Coby said in surprise.
"No way...!", Nami added.
"If we untie those ropes, they can just walk away.", Luffy guessed.
"DON'T BE SUCH AN IDIOT, LUFFY!", Coby and Nami shouted.
"If anyone else catches us, we're as good as cooked!", Nami added.
"As much as I don't like that anymore than you do, Luffy's not the only strong one here. I can help protect us.", Salvia assured.
"What are you, crazy?", Nami asked worriedly.
"Hey, you three!", Zoro called, taking Coby aback.
"You're an eyesore. Get lost.", Zoro said.
"What was that?!", Salvia glared angrily.
But before she could vent her rage, she suddenly felt Rika climbing up on her body from behind, even peeping out behind her when she got to the wall, holding some rice balls.
"Huh? What are you...?", Salvia puzzled before Rika turned to her and shushed her.
Then, she looked both ways and got to the other side via rope, holding onto the rice balls she made.
"Hey, are you crazy?! You could be killed out there...! If not by Zoro and Kuina, then definitely by those marines!", Nami whisper-shouted in concern.
But Rika only ran toward Kuina and Zoro.
"What are you doing here?", Kuina asked.
"I thought you two might be getting hungry now. So, I made a couple of rice balls, one for each of you.", Rika grinned.
"You got a death wish, kid? Just scram.", Zoro said.
"But neither of you have eaten anything the whole time you've been tied up.", Rika said, untying the blanket, unveiling the two rice balls.
"Here. I never really made them before. I did my best, so I think they're fine.", Rika offered.
But Zoro and Kuina gasped in worry.
"Listen, kid, we're not hungry. Now stop irritating us and get out of here.", Zoro urged.
"But...", Rika began.
"Do not make me kick your butt, little girl!", Zoro shouted.
"Please. Just get to safety and never come back.", Kuina urged.
Before anyone could continue, Helmeppo and the marines arrived on the other side.
"Now, now. It's rude to drive away company.", Helmeppo began.
Zoro and Kuina growled angrily at Helmeppo, who chuckled.
"Roronoa Zoro and Kuina, you two seem to be handling this well. Don't you agree?", Helmeppo asked.
"Hey, look. Now, there's another weird guy.", Luffy said.
"That must be Helmeppo.", Salvia guessed.
Speaking of, he looked down toward Rika.
"Looky. Some tasty rice balls.", Helmeppo said before he took one.
"That's not for you!", Rika scolded as Helmeppo then took a bite.
But when he did, he found something less than desirable and gave a negative response.
"AAH! TOO SWEET! They're packed with sugar! You're supposed to use salt, you idiot! SALT!", Helmeppo harshly critiqued.
"But I... I thought they'd taste better sweet.", Rika explained sadly.
"GIVE ME THAT!", Helmeppo shouted, slapping it away into the ground.
And worst of all, he stomped all over the rice ball that landed, much to Rika's panic.
"No, stop! I worked so hard!", Rika begged.
"How could he?!", Nami exclaimed.
"He's wasting them...!", Salvia added in shock.
"I know, that's just awful...", Coby agreed.
Once he was finished, Helmeppo moved his foot away, breaking Rika's heart.
"But I... worked so hard to make those...!", Rika sobbed.
"Too bad. You must have not read the notice that was posted. Those who assist criminals in any way will be executed. Signed, Marine Captain Morgan.", Helmeppo smirked, making Rika recoil in fear.
"Captain Morgan...?! So, that's why they're all afraid of him...", Nami realized as Salvia growled angrily.
"It seems even little brats fear my daddy.", Helmeppo mocked.
"His daddy?", Luffy puzzled.
"So, that guy's father is Captain Morgan?", Coby puzzled in fear.
"I don't care if he is that guy's father...! He's going to pay for what he did to her...!", Salvia growled angrily, clenching the wall tightly and even going so far as to break it, causing cracks to form at the top.
"You. Toss this kid out right now.", Helmeppo ordered, worrying one of the marines, only further angering Salvia, whose eyes widened with pure rage while her grip tightened, worsening the cracks.
"I said throw her over the wall, soldier! Now, if you won't follow my orders, I'll tell my father.", Helmeppo threatened.
"Y-Yes, sir! I'll do it!", the marine soldier spoke fearfully.
That only made her angrier as her grip tightened again on the wall.
"That selfish brat thinks he can order people around and make everyone so miserable here?! He's wrong!", Salvia growled.
Hesitantly, the marine soldier walked over to Rika.
"No!", Rika sshouted.
"Sorry about this.. Try curling up into a ball.", the marine said.
As angry as Salvia was, she suddenly realized something.
"Wait. That's it.", Salvia spoke before turning to Nami.
"Nami, do you think you can catch her if you jump high enough?", Salvia asked.
"Maybe. But why are you asking me that?", Nami asked just before Salvia laid down back first with her belly sticking out, that is, until she sucked it in.
"This should give you the boost you need. On the count of three, I'm gonna push my belly upwards, launching you into the air so you can catch her.", Salvia assured.
"Uh..., are you sure?", Nami asked, perplexed.
"There's not enough time for a debate right now!", Salvia urged.
"Okay, okay.", Nami responded before she lightly stepped on Salvia's belly.
"Okay. One..., two...", Salvia began just before Rika was tossed over the wall.
"THREE!", Salvia shouted before pushing her belly upward, launching Nami up into the air.
But when she did, while Nami raised her arms to catch the girl, Salvia grew surprised upon seeing a little bit of an apparent tattoo on Nami's left arm before she caught the girl and landed on the ground.
"There. You're safe now.", Nami grinned.
"Thanks, Miss.", Rika thanked.
"Good catch, Nami.", Luffy grinned.
"Nami, are you two okay?", Coby asked, rushing over to Rika and Nami and checked on the former while a perplexed Salvia sat up and turned toward Nami.
"What about you, little girl? Are you all right? I can't believe how wretched a person he is! Now, where are you hurt? Anywhere?", Coby asked.
"That was a tattoo... Is that what I think it is...?", Salvia puzzled to herself.
Meanwhile, Zoro and Kuina were less than pleased.
"Curse you...", Zoro cursed before Helmeppo laughed.
But this only angered Kuina to the point that she kicked Helmeppo right in the groin with a grunt, making the jerk blanch out in shock before he fell to the side, much to Kuina's amusement as she giggled with a bit of a snort.
"Wh-why..., you...! You two are just dead-set on staying alive, aren't you...?!", Helmeppo squeaked.
"That's right. And we're gonna make it to the month without any problems.", Zoro responded.
"And when we do, we're going to make you regret everything you've done!", Kuina snarked.
"Yeah...?! Good luck with that...!", Helmeppo spoke before laughing again only to recoil in pain.
"I don't know. I'd say we're off to a good start there.", Kuina smirked.
"Ugh...! Now, I can't even laugh without feeling the pain...!", Helmeppo groaned.
"Heh. I hope not.", Kuina smirked.
"What was that?!", Helmeppo snapped.
"Only ten days left!", Zoro said.
"Oh, you still assume you both will make it to the end of those ten days.", Helmeppo said before laughing only to feel pain again.
"Ooh, I think I got an ulcer...!", Helmeppo groaned.
"How can that man be so cruel?", Coby spoke in fear.
"If you ask me, it sounded like he had this coming for what he did just now. I think I like Kuina's style.", Nami said before she and Coby found out that Luffy and Salvia were nowhere to be seen.
"Luffy? What the?! Where did he go?!", Coby spoke in surprise.
"Yeah, and Salvia's gone, too.", Nami responded.
It turned out that Luffy and Salvia were meeting Zoro and Kuina face-to-face, puzzling the two swordsmen, let alone surprising them from seeing Salvia's massive size compared to Luffy.
"So, you're Zoro and Kuina. Nice to meet you. I'm Salvia. This is my brother, Luffy.", Salvia introduced.
"Hi.", Luffy waved.
"How is that girl so big?!", Kuina thought in shock before coming to a realization.
"Wait a minute. She must be their half sister that they told me about.", Kuina realized before it went to a flashback of when she, when she was young and already on her journey with the two mysterious figures.
"So, do you two have any family out there?", young Kuina asked.
"Well, actually, we have three half-brothers and one half-sister. Our half sis ate the Chub-Chub Fruit and one of our half bro ate the Gum-Gum one.", one of the mysterious girls responded.
"Really? They did that?", young Kuina puzzled.
"That's right. So, if you see a big round girl and a guy who's too stupid to keep his mouth shut one of these days, you'll know it's them.", the 2nd mysterious girl explained before it went back to the present.
"We heard everything about what happened to you two.", Salvia said.
"You two are still here?", Zoro asked in surprise.
"You two're stuck out here for all the world to see and nothing. Are you guys really all that strong?", Luffy asked.
"Mind your own business!", Kuina responded, annoyed.
"Well, I gotta say, I'm impressed. If it were us over there, we'd die of starvation in 3 days.", Salvia said.
"We've got more spirit than you could ever have, which is how we're gonna survive this ordeal. This, I swear.", Zoro vowed.
"Heh. What a weirdo.", Luffy said.
"Well, here's hoping that you two do.", Salvia grinned.
But before they could leave, Kuina stopped them.
"Wait. Could you two pick those up for us?", Kuina asked, gesturing to the trashed rice ball.
"Huh? You mean those?", Salvia asked as Luffy picked them up.
"'Cause they're mostly balls of mud.", Luffy puzzled.
"Yeah, well, I had to deal with eating stuff like this during my training, so it's nothing new.", Kuina responded.
"But are you sure?", Salvia asked.
"SHUT UP AND GIVE IT TO US, NOW!", Zoro urged.
This took the two siblings aback somewhat.
"Well, if you're that sure..., here you go.", Salvia said, cautiously handing Kuina a messed-up rice ball before she ate it just as Zoro did the same when Luffy gave the other one to him.
After they finished eating, they gave slight coughs.
"Should've listened to us.", Luffy said.
"We did try to warn you.", Salvia added.
"That was good.", Kuina responded.
"Wait. It was?", Salvia asked, surprised.
"Thanks for the food.", Zoro added, astonishing Salvia before she and Luffy grinned.
Moments later, Salvia explained what happened earlier to Rika.
"Really?!", Rika spoke in surprise.
"That's right. They ate every last grain of rice there was.", Luffy responded.
"That's great.", Rika grinned.
"Any chance I could try making them?", Salvia asked.
"Mm-hmm. But it's not easy to make them.", Rika warned.
"I'm not exactly expecting easy anyway.", Salvia responded.
Once inside the bar, Rika and her mother presented to Salvia all the ingredients gathered around in the counter necessary to make rice balls.
"Here you go. These are the ingredients we used to make rice balls.", Rika said.
"The recipe upfront should help make it easier for you to make them. Of course, you can do some substitutes for it if you like.", assured Rika's mother.
"Really? Thanks. I should be able to make rice balls in no time.", Salvia grinned.
"And here, I thought pirates don't usually spend time with the citizens here.", Nami spoke, amazed.
With that, Salvia started making her first rice ball. But even with the recipe, she had trouble making sure it retained its shape, so she had to use her hands. But the end result was not quite what Luffy expected.
"Is that even a rice ball? 'Cause it looks too smashed.", Luffy commented.
"What?! My hands are not that big!", Salvia exclaimed.
At the 2nd time, Salvia was too worried about smashing up her rice ball to consider the fact that it could melt, in which case, it wound up melting.
"Now, it's more like rice pudding, because it's too melty.", Luffy critiqued.
"Well, how was I supposed to use my hands at this size?!", Salvia snapped.
Still, Luffy ate the rice pudding.
"At least it's still good, though.", Luffy grinned, confounding Salvia with perplexity as she grinned nervously.
Then, at the third time around, it wasn't melted or smashed. But at the same time, it was starting to come apart as some rice grains fell off.
"I don't think you made it sticky enough.", Rika said.
"I didn't want to get too sticky, okay?!", Salvia shouted.
At the 4th time, her rice ball was so sticky, in fact, that it stuck on Rika's hand.
"Well, that's better. Only..., it's too sticky now.", Rika giggled a bit nervously.
"See?! I knew this would happen!", Salvia snapped.
Then, at the 5th one, her rice ball was perfected upon, except that it was too small.
"Well, it's definitely small enough for a baby to eat.", Rika's mother said.
"What?! But how?!", Salvia shouted in surprise.
Then, it went to the 6th rice ball, which looked bigger than before.
"Oh, my! That's a really big rice ball, Salvia.", Rika's mother spoke in surprise.
"I don't know. I guess it's perfect if I was making it for me. But since I'm making it for everyone else, I see your point.", Salvia responded calmly.
"At least you're on the right track.", Rika grinned.
"Well, I'm not letting this big one go to waste. So, bottoms up.", Salvia said before she ate the 6th rice ball she made in one bite and swallowed, causing her belly to grumble.
"Oh, I think I know what this means!", Salvia grinned.
In no time, her body started growing bigger and fatter again, earning her moans as her breasts and butt grew curiver and her belly stuck out in the right way all while her clothes morphed into patches on her breasts with straps for the upper part of her body while the lower part developed into straps above and in-between her rump from behind. Of course, while Nami, Coby, Rika, and her mother were understandably shocked and blushed beet red from seeing this, Luffy, on the other hand, he showed no reaction. Then, the growth stopped just in time for one of the chairs that Salvia was sitting in to break apart, causing her to land on the ground, making her big body wobble for a couple of seconds.
"Uh..., oops? I guess I should've tried to stand up before this happened.", Salvia said, embarrassed.
"Salvia, are you okay?", Nami asked, getting her attention.
"Yeah, Nami. I'm okay. In fact...,", Salvia began before standing up tall and stretching, heaving her big breasts for the present patrons to see for a moment before finishing up, causing her chest to bounce.
"Didn't even feel a thing.", Salvia grinned before noticing how embarrassed Nami, Coby, Rika, and her mother were.
"Hey, what's wrong, guys?", Salvia asked.
"Your clothes. They just disappeared.", Rika explained.
"Huh? Disappeared?", Salvia puzzled.
Then, she looked down and saw the patches on her breasts only strung together by straps and looked from behind to see straps on her as well.
"Oh. It's okay, guys. You can all look at me like this. I don't mind. Think of it as more like my clothes turned into a swimsuit.", Salvia responded.
Hearing this, as perplexed as they are, at least they became relieved and less embarrassed.
"Why were you so casual about this, Luffy?", Nami asked.
"Because. I've seen it happen for years now.", Luffy responded.
"Huh?!", Nami exclaimed.
"Don't you have any sense of dignity, Luffy?!", Coby shouted.
"It's okay, Coby. Really. See, when I ate the Chub-Chub Fruit, it didn't just affect my whole body. It affected my clothes, too.", Salvia responded.
"Wait, really? Devil Fruits can do that?", Coby asked.
"Well, at least the one I ate.", Salvia responded.
"No way...", Coby responded.
"Anyway, let's try again.", Salvia grinned.
Moments later, Salvia presented to Rika the 7th rice ball. And this time... it's perfect! By that point, some of the patrons have already entered and were having something to eat or drink.
"Here you are, Rika.", Salvia grinned, much to Rika's surprise as she gasped.
"That looks like the one I gave you.", Rika spoke in surprise.
"It is! Well, isn't it?", Luffy asked before getting slapped back.
"No, it isn't! I mean, it looks like it, but that's not the case!", Salvia snapped out of annoyance before clearing her throat and calming down.
"Anyway, I wanted to pay you back for giving it to me earlier. Same for this big blanket, too. So I figured I'd learn to make some so I can return the favor.", Salvia grinned.
"Aw... Thank you, Salvia.", Rika thanked, earning her nod.
"You know, for a pirate, that was really sweet of you.", Nami said, starting to drink some juice.
"Well, not as sweet as that tattoo on your arm.", Salvia responded.
But suddenly Nami widened her eyes, spat it out, and coughed in shock from hearing this, much to everyone's puzzlement as they mumbled.
"Are you okay, miss?", one patron asked.
"It wasn't poisoned, was it?", another asked.
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine.", Nami responded before turning to Salvia.
"Salvia...! A little word in private, please...!", Nami requested with a glare and a whisper, worrying her.
A moment later, outside at the alley, Nami angrily whispered to Salvia.
"How did you know about that...?!", Nami whispered.
"It was while we all saved Rika. Right after I launched you up so you could catch her. When you raised your arms, your sleeve rolled back and I saw a glimpse of the tattoo. I've seen that symbol before. That's Arlong, isn't it?", Salvia asked.
"So, what if it is?", Nami retorted.
"So, what's a nice girl like you doing with a jerk like him?", Salvia retorted back.
"Because it's none of your business, okay?! Now do us both a favor and pretend you never saw it, got that?", Nami asked whisperingly.
But before she could answer, there was a sudden crash of glass breaking from in the bar. Nami and Salvia went inside and saw Helmeppo at the table as he rested his foot on it, though, not without crushing the fruit bowl.
"I'm hungry. Bring us whatever you got and keep the check for yourself.", Helmeppo ordered.
Salvia tensed with a growl.
"It's that jerk again...!", Salvia said to herself.
"And bring me a bottle of your finest moonshine or whatever crap you serve. And put some speed to it, lady. I don't have all day.", Helmeppo demanded.
"Just where does that guy get off doing that?", Nami asked to herself as Rika's mother poured some wine into his glass.
"Ah, that's more like it. I'm trying to think of something interesting to do seeing as how I'm bored out of my skull here. I suppose I could execute Zoro and Kuina.", Helmeppo said before laughing, only serving to anger both Luffy and Salvia, the latter widening her eyes in rage.
"WHAT?!", Salvia thought before splintering the arch of the door with her big hand with a growl.
At the same time, Helmeppo winced and groaned in pain after the laughter.
"Let's face it. They practically had it coming for the whole kick to the groin, earlier. I mean, what was Kuina made of, anyway? Iron?", Helmeppo joked right before Luffy charged swung and struck at Helmeppo by the cheek straight into the wall.
"You...! You just hit me!", Helmeppo shouted.
"And it's about to get worse!", Salvia shouted in response before he turned in time to see Salvia about to sit on her and screamed; he fled, trying to escape, but to no avail as he wasn't able to leave in time, resulting in Salvia sitting on his back with her arms crossed and giving a disapproving glare.
"That's for ruining Rika's sweet rice balls! Hmph!", Salvia scolded, turning her head away in a huff.
"Wh-what the?! Where did YOU come from?!", Helmeppo shouted before Luffy prepared to attack again only for Nami and Coby to hold him back.
"Luffy, no! You can't hit him!", Coby shouted.
"Besides that, your big sis already has that covered!", Nami added.
"I don't care! This guy is scum!", Luffy retorted angrily.
"You ACTUALLY hit me! AND crushed me! I'm Captain Morgan's son, you know!", Helmeppo shouted as Salvia sat up, Helmeppo still stuck on him.
"After what you've done to those poor people for 3 weeks straight, why should we care!", Salvia retorted before going through the archway, practically getting her butt stuck on purpose just to crush him further.
"AAAAHH! YOU'LL BOTH CARE AFTER HE EXECUTES THE BOTH OF YOU FOR THIS!", Helmeppo shouted.
"He can try all he wants, but he won't get anywhere with me.", Salvia only smirked before then squeezing her big butt through the door and popping outside.
"You wanna tattle to your daddy about us, that's fine. But when you do...", Salvia began, peeling Helmeppo off her butt and holding him up to glare at him as she finished.
"TELL HIM WE WON'T FORGIVE YOU OR HIM FOR ALL THE CRUEL AND UNFORGIVABLE THINGS YOU TWO HAVE DONE TO THIS POOR TOWN AND WE WON'T REST UNTIL YOU TWO ARE DEALT WITH FOR GOOD!", Salvia shouted before then spinning him around and tossing him away as he shouted before he went so far away, he practically blipped out like a star.
While this was amazing, Nami, Coby, Rika, and her mother were worried as Luffy laughed.
"Your butt's shaped like Helmeppo, Salvy.", Luffy said, laughing like a child.
"What?", Salvia puzzled before she looked behind and saw the mold on her butt still there.
"Grrr...! Figures that doing this would leave a molding shape like that. Oh, well...", Salvia sighed before clapping her butt cheeks together 3 times with only the movement from her cheeks, causing them to appear as they were again when she first arrived.
"Ah... That's better.", Salvia grinned.
"Do you realize what you just did, Salvia? You basically just challenged Captain Morgan!", Nami shouted.
"Why are you trying to get on the marines' bad side?!", Coby shouted.
"Any marine who gets off on terrorizing innocent towns like this has no right to be a marine at all!", Salvia retorted.
"Well said. And I made up my mind. Today, Zoro and Kuina join our crew.", Luffy responded.
"And today..., Morgan and Helmeppo are gonna pay!", Salvia glared, cracking her knuckles.
"It's official. They're both stubborn and stupid. Although, as long as they keep the marines, Helmeppo, and Morgan distracted, I can go in and get the map.", Nami thought to herself before sneaking away.
Meanwhile, at the marine base, Captain Morgan was looking out the window.
"I am... great!", Morgan said proudly to himself.
"Yes, sir! You are right, Captain Morgan, sir!", a marine soldier agreed with a salute.
"And yet, the taxes we collect don't even compare to my sheer degree of greatness.", Morgan responded.
"Yes, right, sir, I guess that the citizens' wallets just aren't very deep these days, sir.", the soldier reported.
"The issue at hand, here, is the level of respect for me.", Morgan said before looking up through the window.
"Wouldn't you agree?"
Just then, a blip in the sky shone with Helmeppo's screaming getting closer. Of course, Captain Morgan showed no reaction, even when Helmeppo crashed through the window, breaking it apart, and then landed right on his lap. Although, it did take the soldier aback by complete surprise.
"Helmeppo...?!", the soldier spoke in surprise.
"Daddy! There are two people outside that I want you to slaughter! AND I WANT IT DONE NOW!", Helmeppo demanded.
Act II
Meanwhile, at the crucifixion yard, Zoro and Kuina waited out in the sun with the latter turning to the former.
"Doesn't this heat take you back? Back when you were trying to one-up me?", Kuina asked.
Then, it showed a flashback of Zoro and Kuina sparring back then with the latter coming out on top.
"You're weak, Zoro. Nothing ever changes.", young Kuina said.
"You just had to bring one of those days up, didn't you?", Zoro asked as it then went back to the present.
"Well, I can't help it if I feel nostalgic.", Kuina responded.
"You know what? It's fine. After all, we did make a promise, and we can't afford to die in a place like this.", Zoro responded.
It was right then that the two swordsmen noticed Luffy and Salvia in front of them.
"You two again? What are you doing here?", Kuina asked.
"We'll untie you, but only if you promise to join our crew.", Luffy said.
"Wait, your crew?", Kuina asked.
"I run a pirate crew and I'm looking for people to join up.", Luffy responded.
"No way. I'd never stoop to joining up with criminals. Forget that business.", Zoro refused.
"What's wrong with being a pirate?", Luffy asked.
"They're despicable. Like I'd ever wanna join up with one.", Zoro responded.
"Oh, come on. Give me a break. Everyone already knows you were some vicious bounty hunter always out for blood.", Luffy responded.
"But after what we heard before we saw the both of you, you two are actually good people.", Salvia added.
"People can say whatever they want about me. But I've never done a single thing in my life that I regret. We will make it through this challenge. And after that, I'll accomplish what I want.", Zoro responded.
"I don't think that's possible anymore right now. You see, we overheard Helmeppo saying that he's going to execute you and Kuina.", Salvia responded.
"What?! That two-timing liar!", Kuina shouted.
"I can't believe we fell for that little coward!", Zoro growled.
"Look, if you two wanna fulfill your ambitions, that's fine with us. But you two have to join our crew so that you can both live long enough to fulfill them.", Salvia responded.
"Actually, about that, I'm already in a pirate crew of my own.", Kuina responded, shocking Zoro.
"Well, how do you think I've been training while I was out at sea?", Kuina asked.
Zoro tensed for a bit before he then spoke up.
"All right, fine. I'll join your crew. But on two conditions. First off, that idiot captain's son took my swords away and Kuina's. Think you two can take those back?", Zoro asked.
"Hah. Think so? I know we can.", Salvia smirked.
"What?", Zoro asked.
"You two are actually gonna bust in there?", Kuina asked.
"Why not? With a body like mine, busting in's gonna be a cinch.", Salvia grinned.
"And what's the second thing?", Luffy asked.
"I want you to know one thing. While I'm with you two, the only thing I dedicate myself to is fulfilling my ambition.", Zoro responded.
"Which is?", Luffy and Salvia puzzled in unison.
"To be nothing less than the world's greatest swordsman. If somewhere along the way, I have to give that up, then I want you two to accept responsibility. After which, you get to apologize to me.", Zoro stated.
"The world's greatest swordsman. Sounds pretty good. The King of the Pirates wouldn't have any less than the best on his crew.", Luffy responded.
"That's right. 'Cause even the best have to get better some time. And if you want, you could even try practicing your techniques on me.", Salvia added with a cute grin.
"Big talker. From this point on, no matter if i'm a criminal or not, I will spread the name Zoro throughout the world!", Zoro vowed.
"I hope you do, Zoro. But one thing, though... Do you know where Helmeppo keeps your swords?", Salvia asked.
"It should be in the base. And it's that way.", Zoro replied, looking to his left.
"Got it. We'll have those swords back for you in no time, Zoro.", Salvia vowed before Luffy started taking off first.
"Gum-Gum... ROCKET!", Luffy shouted, launching himself away toward the base.
"Hey, wait for me!", Salvia shouted, stomping toward him with a hefty run.
"Wh... What the heck are those two?", Zoro asked, surprised.
"Well, they are Devil Fruit users.", Kuina grinned.
Meanwhile, the two arrived at the base, but there was no one to be found.
"Huh? That's weird. There's nobody here but us.", Salvia puzzled.
"We gotta find that crazy idiot son and get Zoro and Kuina's swords back for 'em.", Luffy said.
Then, Salvia looked up and saw a statue starting to get erected, or at the very least moved.
"There!", Salvia shouted, pointing up before Luffy looked up and saw it.
"Heave... Ho! Heave... Ho!", the marines shouted.
"It sounds like everyone else is up at the top.", Salvia guessed.
"Sounds like something's going on up there.", Luffy pondered.
"Maybe we can find out what that is as we sneak inside.", Salvia responded.
"Yeah. No problem.", Luffy nodded.
"I've got an idea to get up there, but I'm gonna need you to hold on tight, all right?", Salvia asked.
"Like this?", Luffy asked, wrapping himself around her like a cape.
Salvia nodded in response and looked up at the top of the base, getting ready to jump.
"Chub-Chub...! BOUNCE!", Salvia shouted before jumping upward, causing the ground to leave a crater from where she jumped, although not very big.
As she started to fall, she leaned herself toward the wall and managed to grab onto the wall, though not without leaving finger-shaped holes from grabbing onto it.
"Got it!", Salvia grinned.
Then, she started to climb up the wall, leaving holes with her fingers and thumbs as she climbed up until she saw the marines and Captain Morgan before moving down a bit to avoid being seen.
"That's it! Stop right there. Now, stand it up in one final pull.", Morgan ordered.
"Huh? Who's that up there?", Luffy asked, stretching his head and peeping it out behind her shoulder.
"That must be Captain Morgan...", Salvia guessed with a whisper.
Just then, she overheard Helmeppo's voice and she glared angrily upon seeing Helmeppo.
"Well, Dad?! Are you gonna get revenge on those two miscreants, or what?! I mean he just outright punched me and she outright crushed me in-between her buttocks in public!", Helmeppo tattled.
"Just the voice I don't wanna hear!", Salvia glared.
"She even had the nerve to challenge our authority and declare it cruel and unforgivable! The NERVE! You've never hit me before; why should they be able to?!", Helmeppo whined.
"Do you have any remote idea as to why I've never hit you? Well?", Morgan asked, puzzling, if not worrying, his son.
"Uh..., is it because you think I'm great?", Helmeppo asked.
"No. It's because...", Captain Morgan began.
Then, suddenly, he turned around and struck Helmeppo on the other cheek, knocking him to the edge of the small wall and on the ground, earning Salvia's gasp and Luffy's bewildered look.
Then, Captain Morgan stepped closer to his own son.
"You're a stupid fool... who isn't even worth hitting. I don't want you to get the wrong idea.", Captain Morgan said before picking him up by the collar of his shirt with the top of his axe-hand.
"The only great one around here is the man you call your father! And another thing, I'm not enraged because a girl hit you. I'm only enraged because she had the nerve to CHALLENGE me!", Morgan added before dropping Helmeppo, who fell to the ground before Morgan turned his back on him, putting Salvia on edge.
"Great. I don't know who's worse. Helmeppo or Morgan?", Salvia growled whisperingly.
"Which reminds me. I heard a rat snuck into the crucifixion yard.", Morgan said, worrying Salvia.
"Yes... That's right. The little girl, but I-I had her dealt with.", Helmeppo assured.
"I hope that means killed.", Morgan said, turning to him.
"No. I... I didn't kill her, she's just a kid.", Helmeppo responded.
"Unbelievable... You spare her execution and look what happens. She defies you like a traitor and calls you out on your authority.", Morgan said to himself.
"Hold on. Does he really think that Rika called Helmeppo out?", Salvia puzzled to herself.
Before she could dwell on it any longer, Captain Morgan turned to his closest lieutenant.
"You there. Go into town, find this girl who challenged me, and kill her.", Morgan ordered, earning Salvia's shocked gasp.
"But..., sir! You can't be serious. She's just a little girl, sir!", the lieutenant said in shock.
"I don't care if she's a child or not! Anyone who disobeys my orders is a traitor!", Morgan retorted.
"No, sir. I can't do it.", the lieutenant refused.
Angered, Captain Morgan swiftly cut down the lieutenant with a swift slash down the front of the lieutenant, much to Salvia and Luffy's shock, especially Helmeppo's as he screamed.
"Lieutenant!", the two marine soldiers shouted.
"You...! You slashed him!", Helmeppo panicked.
Seeing this was enough to send Salvia into a rising fury as she growled angrily as Captain Morgan added to his statement.
"My strength was what I used to rise to the rank of Captain. Listen! In this world, titles are what matter. That means by being the captain of this base and the highest-ranking officer, I am the most superior person as far as the eye can see! This means... that I do everything right! Am I correct, men?!", Captain Morgan shouted.
"Sir! You are correct, sir!", the marines shouted with a salute out of fear.
But Salvia does not agree. At all.
"You have no right to call yourself a marine, let alone a captain after what you've just done...! You are unforgivable...!", Salvia thought angrily as she tensed with a growl.
"Let's put killing the girl on hold for now. Observe: the greatest symbol of my unending authority. It took me years to complete, but here it is. Now, stand it up! Display my greatness at the top of this base for all to see!", Captain Morgan ordered as the marines were lifting up the statue again.
Unbeknownst to Captain Morgan, however, Salvia was finally starting to reach a breaking point if she hadn't already.
"You're no better than pirates! You're even worse than them! How have I not seen you for what you are?! You're scum!", Salvia thought angrily as a portion of the wall started to crumble from her right hand clenching harder in anger.
"Pull, men! Harder!", Captain Morgan ordered.
But one of the marines, as he was pulling, finally noticed the trembling Salvia.
"Huh? Who's that?", the marine puzzled.
But before he can dwell on it, he accidentally bonked the statue's hand onto the top of the dome, making him blanch out in panic with Captain Morgan emerging behind him.
"You, there. You bonked it.", Captain Morgan said.
Meanwhile, Salvia was growling angrily at Captain Morgan, still, fit to be tied.
"How could you even think to execute her just because she wanted to feed Zoro and Kuina! She's just a little girl!", Salvia thought angrily.
Captain Morgan was angry, too. But at the marine soldier who accidentally bonked the statue.
"I'm sorry, sir! I was reckless! I didn't mean it!", the marine soldier pleaded.
But the captain was less than reasonable.
"I consider the slightest scratch on this nothing less than a traitorous activity that's punishable by death!", Captain Morgan threatened.
"Hear me, you false marine...! If it's the last thing I do...!", Salvia thought just as Captain Morgan raised his axe hand, ready to kill the marine soldier with a slash.
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO WILL BE EXECUTED!", Salvia thought just as she finally lost it, roared vehemently in a berserk fit of rage, leapt toward Captain Morgan, and punched him right in the left jaw right into the ground.
The tyrannical captain was much too surprised to fight back. The shockwave of the strike even caused the building to shake, causing the rope to break apart, thereby causing the statue itself to land with a thud, break in half, and fall down, shocking the marines.
"Who is that?!", one marine shouted.
"She flew up from the wall!", another exclaimed.
Then, the top half of the statue broke apart as soon as it landed.
"YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE CALLED THE GREATEST WITH HEARTLESS BEHAVIOR LIKE THAT!", Salvia berated angrily.
As taken aback by the sudden appearance as he was, Helmeppo realized who that is.
"That's her! That's the girl! She's the one who crushed me and challenged your authority, Daddy!", Helmeppo shouted.
"Hey, it's you.", Luffy spoke, stretching his head toward Helmeppo, who screamed in shock.
When Captain Morgan recovered, noticed that his metallic jaw had cracked, though not too severely, and turned to face her, he was more than shocked from seeing her for the first time. Matter of fact, he was seeing red as he growled.
"HOW DARE YOU ATTACK CAPTAIN MORGAN, ESPECIALLY WEARING INDECENT CLOTHES LIKE THAT?!", Captain Morgan shouted.
"You gave me every right to the moment you planned to have Rika executed just because she wanted to feed Zoro and Kuina! She's not the girl who challenged your authority! I AM!", Salvia shouted, much to Captain Morgan's rage.
He was more than ticked. He was mad.
"SEIZE HER AND HOLD HER SO I CAN KILL HER MYSELF!", Morgan ordered.
"Sir! Right away!", the marines shouted.
"DON'T YOU DARE!", Salvia only shouted before she stomped on the ground, causing the ceiling to crack into pieces, barring the marines from doing so.
"Luffy, take Helmeppo and make him tell you where those swords are. Captain Morgan's mine!", Salvia ordered.
"You got it, sis. Now, kick his butt and make it hurt!", Luffy encouraged as she finally came off her, much to Helmeppo and Captain Morgan's surprise.
"I've been looking for you all over the place. You have something that I really need to get back.", Luffy grinned before he took off with Helmeppo.
"Let me go! Someone help me!", Helmeppo shouted.
"Helmeppo!", the two marines shouted.
"Do NOT let that man escape!", Morgan shouted.
"I WON'T LET YOU HURT MY BROTHER!", Salvia shouted before stomping again, causing the marines to lose their balance and drop to the ground.
Then, Salvia turned to the lieutenant, who was barely breathing, but is still alive, much to her slight relief, before she then saw Coby and Rika running up to Zoro and Kuina while thinking to herself.
"He's still alive... What a relief. And it looks like Coby and Rika're trying to free Zoro and Kuina, too. This is bad...! If Morgan spots her again, he'll...! No... If I can just buy enough time for Rika and Coby to free them while Luffy returns their swords, they should be free in no time. I just have to keep Morgan busy. I have more than a few words for him, anyway.", Salvia thought to herself.
"Traitorous upstart...! How could you dare think to stand against my greatness and walk away unscathed...?!", Morgan growled.
Salvia then entered a stance with her left hand raised while her right was enclosed into a fist.
"That's simple! I consider the cruelest act of executing innocent people... NOTHING LESS THAN AN UNFORGIVABLE ACT PUNISHABLE BY DEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH!", Salvia roared vehemently as she leapt toward him with a roar.
"THAT'S MY LINE! AND THAT'S NOT HOW YOU SAY IIIIIIIIT!", Morgan roared in the same tone, charging toward her.
Meanwhile, inside, Nami was already sneaking around when she felt the quakes from above.
"Feels like Salvia's rocking the boat...!", Nami said to herself before she took off on her left.
As for Luffy, he was dragging the screaming Helmeppo around as the building shook.
"Okay, so tell me where Zoro and Kuina's swords are.", Luffy said.
"I'll tell you, I promise! Just please stop dragging me across the carpet!", Helmeppo pleaded before Luffy stopped.
"Fine. Which way?", Luffy asked.
"In my room. We just passed it. Behind you on the left.", Helmeppo groaned.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? Now, we gotta go all the way back.", Luffy spoke in slight annoyance.
At the crucifixion yard, Coby and Rika were starting to untie Zoro and Kuina.
"You have to get out of here, Zoro.", Coby urged.
"You, too, Kuina.", Rika added.
"You realize that maniac would kill you if he sees you two there, right?', Kuina asked.
"I can't stand to watch the marines behave like this anymore. A true marine should be honorable.", Coby responded.
"He's right. Besides, you two got yourselves punished for us. Luffy and Salvia even hit Helmeppo for you. This is the best way I can help out now.", Rika added.
"Rika...", Kuina said in surprise.
"They did?", Zoro asked, earning Rika's nod.
"Now that the marines are mad, they're dead-set on catching Luffy and Salvia. Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask you two to become pirates, though. But I hope you'll help them. You both have a lot of strength you can offer.", Coby grinned.
"They may be the only ones who can save you if not us. And both of you are the only ones who can save them when they need help.", Rika added.
"Yeah, well, if we weren't told earlier that Helmeppo lied about our agreement just to kill us, we would've argued, but I guess there's really no point, is there?", Zoro asked, making Rika gasp a bit.
Suddenly, there was a crash just outside the yard. The 4 looked and saw Salvia pinning Captain Morgan to the ground, holding up his arms while her feet are on his back.
"Salvia?!", the 4 shouted in unison before Salvia turned and saw them at the yard with a gasp, which was even more fearful as Morgan looked up and finally saw them.
"Oh, crap!", Salvia said in fear.
"I'm surrounded by traitors... MEN! AT ARMS!", Morgan shouted.
Then, several marines appeared and accompanied him, making Salvia glare at him angrily.
"You monster!", Salvia snapped.
"End of the line! For the crime of treason against me, I sentence you four to die where you stand.", Morgan smirked as Coby and Rika gasped in fear.
As for Luffy and Helmeppo, they entered the latter's room.
"This looks like yours.", Luffy grinned.
Then, he looked around and saw 12 swords in all.
"Bingo! Hold on. There are 12, here. Hey, weirdo. Which ones of those are Zoro and Kuina's?", Luffy asked.
But when he looked, Helmeppo was out cold.
"Guess he passed out.", Luffy guessed.
He looked out the window and saw Coby and Rika in danger.
"Coby! Rika!", Luffy shouted. Meanwhile, outside, Coby and Rika were afraid as the marines trained their guns at the four, albeit hesitantly, out of fear.
"You've been pulling some interesting moves around here. What is this? Some kind of poorly-executed coup you four planned with the Straw Hat and the rotund girl?", Morgan asked as Salvia growled angrily.
"If I wasn't so angry at you for everything you've done up to now, I'd say it's a good nickname.", Salvia commented.
"There may have been times when Zoro and I often teamed up, but beyond that, we've always fought alone!", Kuina shouted.
"Yeah. Like a real man does! Not like a coward who hides behind his wall of expendable cronies.", Zoro added.
"Roronoa Zoro and Shimotsuki Kuina. Don't you dare underestimate me. You may be strong fighters, but under my authority, you're just a couple of rats to throw out in the trash!", Morgan sneered.
"You take that back!", Salvia snapped, pushing him deeper into the ground, only earning his smirk.
"Your choice. Me, or your traitorous little friends.", Morgan smirked, making her gasp.
"Take aim!", Morgan ordered.
"This isn't an execution! This is a massive shoot-out!", Salvia commented.
"No...! I can't afford to die here...!", Zoro thought to himself.
"I have to keep my promise...! I have to...!", Kuina thought to herself.
Salvia tensed at the situation she found herself in until she noticed Luffy at the window.
"Huh? Luffy! He's found the swords!", Salvia said in a bit of relief before looking down toward Morgan just as Luffy prepared to eject himself from the room straight through the window.
"Gum-Gum...! ROCKET!", Luffy shouted before launching himself.
Salvia grunted a bit as she raised her right arm and yelled out as she swung her arm.
"FIR...!', Morgan began before he wound up struck in the left jaw again.
"Chub-Chub...! SKIPPING LEAP!", Salvia shouted before she leapt a great deal of distance faster than bullets, which just so happened to be fired.
By that point, Luffy burst out of the window and both he and Salvia got in front of the bullets' path, taking the hit for Zoro, Kuina, Coby, and Rika, making the latter giggle.
"What?!", Zoro exclaimed as Kuina gasped.
"Luffy, no!", Coby shouted.
"Salvia!", Rika exclaimed.
"Straw Hat...! Rotund Girl...!", Morgan growled as he was recovering from the most recent blow.
Once blocked, the bullets started to stretch past Luffy, though not getting very far. As for Salvia, some of them just stuck on her belly, tickling her.
"That actually tickled!", Salvia giggled as the marines all stared in shock from what has transpired in front of them.
Then, Luffy smirked before he and Salvia both bounced the bullets off them.
"See ya!", Luffy shouted.
Then, one of the bullets shot past Morgan from Luffy while another bullet (bounced back from Salvia) wound up hitting Morgan in the right arm just above the axe-hand, making the marine captain exclaim and groan in pain before another chipped at the metallic jaw, astonishing the marines while Luffy laughed.
"That won't work on me! Told you I was strong!", Luffy grinned.
"Ah... We made it.", Salvia grinned.
"What the...?!", Zoro gasped.
"Rika, are you and Coby all right?", Salvia asked.
"Uh-huh.", Rika nodded before Salvia then turned to Zoro and Kuina.
"We got you back your swords, Zoro, Kuina. Like we promised.", Salvia grinned as Zoro was still speechless.
"You know, I don't think we got names from you two yet. Who are you?", Kuina asked.
"My name's Monkey D. Luffy. And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!", Luffy introduced with a grin of wonder.
"And my name is Monkey D. Salvia. And I'm gonna be the biggest pirate there ever was!", Salvia added with just as much resolve, making Kuina gasp a bit in surprise before giving a light grin to them.
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: Looks like things are starting to get more interesting from here on out. And with the fact that Kuina is in the mix, who knows how the next chapter could unfold?
