A/N: And now, without further ado, the start of the Buggy Arc!
One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea
Chapter 5: "Luffy and Salvia's Past!; Enter Red-Haired Shanks!"
Act I
It all started one day as a pirate ship flying Buggy's flag was surveying the loot they recently stole.
"Another big haul today. That's two in a row.", one pirate grinned with a chuckle.
"Oh, this should keep Buggy from getting too mad at us.", another grinned.
Then, a third noticed a nearby boat.
"Hey. What's with that boat out here.", the third puzzled.
Then, all 3 turned and noticed a small boat out in the middle of the sea.
"We should check it out.", the pirate stated.
Sure enough, who should happen to be on the boat but Nami? Only, she looked rather thirsty as the Buggy Pirates sailed closer to Nami.
"Oh. It's a lady.", one of the pirates said as another chuckled.
"Hey. Wake up, little girl.", the first pirate said.
In response, Nami looked up.
"Ugh... Please tell me I'm not dreaming this time... Finding help out here in the middle of nowhere... If you're real, then please... Could you get me some water? I'm so thirsty... I'll give you as much jewelry and valuables as you like if you could just get me one little drink...!", Nami said.
"No sweat. We'll help ya. But not until we see what kind of treasure you're holding onto.", the pirate responded.
"Yeah, don't mind us. We'll just be a minute.", another added as the 3 Buggy Pirates stepped on-board.
"Can't get the dang thing open.", the pirate said as he had difficulty unlocking the chest.
"Hold up. Here we go.", the pirate said, finally opening the lock.
But when he opened the chest, it turned out to be a bigger Jack-in-the-box, but without the wind-up lever and it was more like a panda-in-the-chest. Nevertheless, the 3 were certainly surprised. As if that wasn't harrowing enough for them, they heard a boastful chuckle from behind. They turned and saw that the chuckle came from Nami, who had tricked them.
"If you want, you can keep the whole thing! It's not my style.", Nami smirked.
"But that's our boat!", the buggy pirate shouted in shock.
"You tricked us!", another shouted.
Then, Nami looked to her right and put her hand on her forehead.
"From the look of those clouds moving in from the south, I'd say a cold front's coming. So, you can probably expect strong winds and squalls anytime now, really. Also, in that small boat, you run a bit of a chance at capsizing.", Nami stated.
Much to the Buggy Pirates' shock, the storm clouds did indeed start pouring down on the small boat, eventually causing it to capsize like Nami said.
"Bingo! See ya! I'll just take whatever treasure you guys got here!", Nami shouted as the stolen boat drifted away just as the 3 Buggy Pirates resurfaced, livid.
"GET BACK HERE, YOU THIEF!", the pirate shouted as Nami laughed.
"We'll get you for this!", another shouted.
Meanwhile, Salvia was eating one of the four rice balls she brought with her, excluding her keepsake as she was charting where to head off to next with a map on her laps and a compass in her free hand.
"Okay. So, we just left Shells Town. Which means we should come onto land about 3 clicks north. Or is it Northwest?", Salvia pondered.
Soon, she found herself at odds between the two directions with her finger on the map all while Luffy groaned.
"Ohhhh...! I'm so hungry!", Luffy groaned.
"What are you talking about? Didn't you just eat those rice balls I gave you?", Salvia asked.
"Huh? Oh.", Luffy responded, noticing three rice balls near him before eating one.
"Just try not to choke on them...", Salvia sighed.
"I don't think that's possible for him.", Zoro responded.
But suddenly, Luffy started to choke a little on the rice ball he ate, prompting Salvia to turn and notice this.
"Oh, no, Luffy. I told you to try not to choke on them.", Salvia said, heading over to him and gave some bottled water to Luffy in order to help him wash it down before he swallowed it.
"Ah... Thanks, big sis.", Luffy thanked.
"Don't mention it. It's a good thing I brought some bottled water with us, too.", Salvia said.
"I stand corrected... When the heck are we gonna reach land, anyway?", Zoro asked, irritatedly.
"I don't know if it's up North or Northwest. But either way, we should find land in about... 3... maybe 3 and a half hours?", Salvia responded.
"Are you KIDDING ME?!", Zoro shouted in frustration as he inadvertently rocked the boat, causing Luffy's straw hat to get launched off his head with the trio noticing this.
"Oh, no. Not my Shanks hat.", Luffy said.
Then, it showed a brief memory of Shanks speaking to him.
"This hat means more to me than you could possibly know. It's been with me in many, a fight. It's something so precious that I couldn't even give it to you, Luffy.", Shanks spoke in the brief memory before it went to the present.
At this point, the hat went up the sail and started to fly away with Luffy, Zoro, and Salvia noticing this.
"Oh, no!", Salvia said before the trio went to reach for it.
Luckily, Zoro was able to catch it and hand it to Luffy.
"Here you go.", Zoro said.
"Ah... Thanks, Zoro.", Luffy thanked, putting his hat back on.
"You got it for him. What a relief.", Salvia sighed in relief.
"Now that you mention it, why does Luffy value that hat so much?", Zoro asked.
"Well, it's a long story. But it all started one day when Red-Haired Shanks and his daughter, Uta came along to our little home called Windmill Village.", Salvia began.
To start off said flashback, it showed Shanks and Uta smiling at the bar as the former's crew cheered and drank with one of said crewmates drinking from the whole barrel.
"Hey, you gotta take me with you on your next adventure, Shanks. I wanna be a pirate just like you.", young Luffy said, only earning Shanks' laughter.
"Right, as if you could ever be a pirate.", Shanks teased.
"Why couldn't I?", young Luffy puzzled as one of his crewmates was smoking.
"Look, you might be a good swimmer, and all, but that doesn't mean you'd make a good pirate, Luffy.", a pirate named Yasopp discouraged.
"But I'm a great fighter, too. My punches are like two pistols!", young Luffy grinned.
"Are they now?", Shanks asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?!", young Luffy snapped angrily.
"It means that you're too much of a kid, kid!", one of Shanks' crewmates teased.
"And he's right, you know. I got boys older than you.", Yasopp agreed.
"I'M NOT A KID! I'M A GROWN-UP!", young Luffy shouted.
"Here. Have some juice and calm down.", Shanks offered, pushing the cup of juice toward young Luffy, who turned to notice said cup.
"Wow, thanks, Shanks.", young Luffy thanked.
But as soon as young Luffy drank it, Shanks just laughed.
"I don't know one pirate who drinks juice!", Shanks said before laughing.
"HEY, YOU TRICKED ME!", young Luffy shouted before the pirates started laughing.
"STOP LAUGHING! THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT!", young Luffy shouted.
"Yeah, saw that coming from a mile away.", Uta and a young Salvia said in unison.
"Wow, Salvy. You weren't kidding about Luffy being gullible. I mean, he wouldn't even last out on the open sea.", Uta said.
"Not like that'd stop him. After all, he was dumb enough to cut himself on the cheek with a sword, hence the bandage. And even then, our grandpa wouldn't even let him be a pirate. He just wanted Luffy to join the marines instead.", young Salvia explained.
"Well, with those kinds of pirates putting smiles on everyone's faces here, it's not hard to see why he wanted to join.", Uta guessed.
"Yeah. Honestly, I don't really care if I become a marine or a pirate. I just want to be the best of either one and be there for my brother.", Salvia responded.
Then, Uta widened her eyes as she remembered something.
"Oh, that's right. I wanted to show you something.", Uta said, puzzling Salvia.
"What is it?", Young Salvia asked.
"This is the treasure chest Shanks found me in when I was little.", Uta said, presenting said chest to Salvia.
"Really? Uh-huh. And inside it now is the treasure that'll be worth a fortune. Behold.", Uta said, opening it to reveal inside, a lemon-shaped fruit with a stem on top as well as some swirl marks on it, especially one particular mark, making it resemble a happy face.
"What's that? Is it some kind of cute fruit?", Salvia asked.
"Not just any fruit. It's the Chub-Chub Fruit, a sister to the Gum-Gum Fruit. I heard it sells for a very high price.", Uta said just as Salvia's belly started to growl.
"Huh? You haven't eaten yet, have you?", Uta guessed.
"To tell you the truth? No.", Salvia blushed.
Just then, someone crashed the door open with a kick, knocking one door off while the other was intact, attracting everyone's attention.
"Excuse us.", the bandit said.
There was a stunned silence all over the room before the bandit stepped forward and continued.
"So, these are what pass for pirates around these parts. Looks rather sad to me.", the bandit commented, stepping on the broken door, breaking it further before he stopped near the counter.
"Welcome, gentlemen. What can I do for you?", the bartender asked.
"We're mountain bandits. But we didn't come here to tear your place apart. All we want is some sake. I'd say... 10 barrels should do.", the mountain bandit leader requested.
"I'm sorry. But actually, we're fresh out of sake right now.", the bartender responded.
"Hm, interesting. These other pirates seem to still be drinking. Is that water in their glasses?", the mountain bandit leader asked.
"No, that just happens to be the last of what I had stocked up.", the bartender responded, worrying Shanks as he realized his error.
"My apologies, gentlemen. Looks like me and my friends drank the whole place dry. But... you can have this if you want. It hasn't even been opened yet. Go ahead.", Shanks offered, holding a big bottle toward the mountain bandit leader.
But after a moment, the mountain bandit leader turned and smashed the bottle into pieces with but a swing of his fist, shocking the bartender and astonishing Uta, Luffy, and Salvia.
"I'm wanted. There's an 8,000,000 berry bounty on my head. One bottle isn't enough for a night cap. So don't insult me.", the mountain bandit leader sneered.
"Just great... Now, the floor is wet.", Shanks said in disbelief, looking toward the shattered bottle and a puddle of sake on the ground.
"Sorry about that, Makano. You got a rag I can clean this up with?", Shanks asked, picking up the bottom half of the bottle.
"Oh, uh don't worry about it. I'll take care of it.", Makano assured.
But the mountain bandit leader drew his sword and... SMASH! He smashed the plates and other bottles with but a swing of his sword.
"Since you like to clean things so much, maybe you'll find this mess more fulfilling. Tch. A place with no sake is a place not worth our time, men. Let's get out of here. See you later, pansies.", the mountain bandit leader said as he then put his sword away and turned to leave.
"Did you see the looks on those pirates' faces?", one bandit asked.
"Yeah, they got doused in liquor and didn't even say a word! How pathetic!", another added.
However, Salvia suddenly charged toward the mountain bandits from behind, worrying Uta.
"Salvy, wait!", Uta said worriedly.
"SHUT UP, JERKS!", Salvia shouted before Makino had to hold Salvia back.
"Salvia, no.", Makino said out of worry.
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW!", Salvia shouted.
"YEAH, STOP MAKING FUN OF SHANKS AND HIS MEN!", Luffy added.
"All we're saying is that pirates are a bunch of wimps, nothing more. They're all talk and no action.", the leader only responded, only serving to anger Uta, too.
"YOU'RE A DEAD MAN FOR SAYING THAT!", Uta snapped, shocking the leader and the bandits, especially surprising Luffy and Salvia.
"I may not be a pirate, but I've spent enough time with Shanks and his crew to know that they're not wimps at all! They're the greatest band of pirates I have ever known! And you have no right to say otherwise! Even if you do, we still wouldn't let you get away with that!", Uta shouted.
"Oh? And what makes you so sure?", the leader smirked.
"If you spilled all that sake on us, maybe we would've let that slide. Heck, maybe we could've laughed it off. But if you try to mess with the man I've looked up to, let alone hurt him, you'll pay for it no matter what your reason!", Uta shouted.
"Uta...", Shanks said, mystified with surprise.
After a moment, the leader only spoke.
"You know what? You kids have just made my list. But you should consider yourselves lucky you get that for free. After all, like I said, I didn't come here to tear this place apart. The next time we meet, we're settling this.", the leader said before walking out with several bandits following behind him.
Salvia, Uta, and Luffy only maintained their glare for a few moments as the bandits left before Makino went over to Shanks.
"Captain, are you okay? Are you hurt?", Makino asked.
"Not a problem in the world, Makino.", Shanks responded.
After a moment, Shanks gave a grin with him and the other pirates then laughing.
"That fella really got you good, boss!", Yasopp shouted.
"Talk about a loser!", another crewmate added as Shanks laughed, much to Uta and Salvia's puzzlement.
"I wonder what they're all laughing about.", Uta puzzled.
"Maybe it's the way you told off those bandits?", Salvia puzzled before her belly growled again, making her groan and turn toward the Chub-Chub Fruit in the chest.
"Well, it looks kinda weird. Adorable, but weird. I wonder if it'd even taste good.", Salvia pondered to herself.
But the only one who was not having it was Luffy, who suddenly shouted in anger.
"WHY ARE YOU ALL LAUGHING?! What's so funny?! You should've fought back, Shanks! It doesn't matter how strong they look, or how many of them there are! If you just laugh it off, you're not a man; or a pirate!", Luffy shouted.
This left Shanks puzzled for a moment before he spoke to Luffy, neither him or Uta aware that Salvia just snuck out the Chub-Chub Fruit and took a bite out of it, the moment she did, she widened her eyes and gave a look people normally give in response to food or drinks that taste bitter.
"It tastes so bitter...!", Salvia thought to herself.
"Look, Luffy, I know how you feel. But the guy just spilled some booze on me. It's not worth getting bent out of shape.", assured Shanks.
"Whatever.", Luffy sighed before looking toward a similar Devil Fruit in the chest.
By the time he even started eating it, Salvia had already eaten the whole thing.
"Ugh... That was hard to stomach. But at least I'm not hungry anymore.", Salvia grinned, only for her belly to grumble again, worrying her.
"Uh... But I could be wrong...", Salvia blushed, earning Makino and Shanks' giggled just before the latter turned and noticed Luffy eating something.
"You shouldn't eat out of frustration, Luffy.", Shanks advised.
"Shut up!", Luffy retorted, his mouth full.
Meanwhile, Salvia pressed her hands against her belly.
"Ohhh, it's like my stomach is a bottomless pit...!", Salvia moaned.
Suddenly, her belly started to expand and push out past her shirt, shocking her, not to mention everyone else who noticed, especially Luffy, who was more surprised than shocked.
"WHAT THE HECK?!", Luffy shouted.
"Huh...?! What's happening to me?", Salvia puzzled in worry just before her arms and legs were the next to suddenly bloat up with fat, albeit much more quickly than her belly, basically turning her into a human ball.
The sight of that caused the patrons to spit out their booze from their mouths to the air in shock.
"Why did she suddenly get so chubby?", Shanks asked in shock just as Uta gasped in stark realization.
"Oh, no...! Don't tell me that she...!", Uta said before she turned and noticed the empty treasure chest where the Chub-Chub Fruit used to be.
"No way! It's gone! That Chub-Chub Fruit I looted was right in here!", Uta panicked before she turned to Salvia.
"Salvy, tell me the truth! Did you, or did you not eat the Chub-Chub Fruit?!", Uta asked in panic.
"Uh..., yeah? It tasted bitter, though. And it didn't help that I suddenly turned into such a fatty after eating that!", Salvia responded before her belly growled again.
"Ohhhh, and the worst part is, after all that, I'm still hungry...", Salvia groaned, making Uta exclaim in shock.
Worried, Shanks realized that Luffy might be in a similar position.
"Wait, what are you eating?!", Shanks shouted to Luffy, worrying him, especially since Shanks just noticed that he had recently taken a bite out of the Gum-Gum Fruit.
"No, you didn't! Don't tell me you ate the fruit that was inside that box!", Shanks spoke in panic.
"Uh... yeah. It tasted gross, though.", Luffy responded.
"What have you done?!", Shanks exclaimed before he picked Luffy up and started shaking him while Uta started bouncing on Salvia by the belly with..., well, less than success.
"SPIT IT OUT RIGHT NOW! EVERY SINGLE BIT!", both Shanks and Uta shouted in panic, trying in vain to force the Devil Fruits off them.
"What are you doing?! Why are you shaking me?!", Luffy exclaimed before suddenly, his legs stretched, causing his face to hit the ground.
Not long after, his legs stretched back as did his head.
"Uh..., Luffy?", Salvia aske,d blinking her eyes in surprise.
"What's going on...?", Luffy asked in shock.
"Luffy, you and your sister just ate the Gum-Gum Fruit and the Chub-Chub Fruit; part of a group called the Devil Fruits! Eating any of them takes away your ability to swim for the rest of your life! But while the one Salvia ate turns her big and fat, the one you ate also turns your body to rubber!", Shanks shouted.
"WHAT?! NO WAY!", Salvia shouted.
"HUH?! THAT CAN'T BEEEEEEE!", Luffy exclaimed.
"YOU IDIOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!", Shanks added in frustration.
Later, Luffy and Salvia paid a visit to the fish shop.
"Hey, fish guy. Can we have fishies?", Luffy asked.
"Oh, and make it double for me, please?", Salvia asked.
"Luffy, Salvia, it's you two! I heard you two missed out on another big adventure with the pirates.", the fisherman said.
"That's okay. My body's made out of rubber now. This is more fun than going on a voyage, anyways. See?", Luffy asked as he played with his face before letting go and chuckling.
"Glad to see you're enjoying yourself, Luffy. Actually, I think I'm starting to like this body, now.", Salvia grinned.
"Really?", Luffy asked.
"Yeah. For one thing, I can roll around everywhere, every food I eat tastes amazing, and I can change all this fat into muscle. I could even change my clothes to any size or shape I want. And another thing...", Salvia began as she suddenly made made her fat body appear muscular for a moment before reverting back and then making her tight clothes grow bigger in size to compliment her body's own size before jumping up 5 times higher than an average building of its tallest height, astonishing the fisherman.
Some time after, she landed on the ground with a thud.
"I can jump really high and cause a huge quake when I land! I don't wanna do it too often, though.", Salvia grinned with a slightly nervous giggle.
"Oh. Uh, good call.", the fisherman responded.
Later, Makino was already drying a glass chalice.
"The crew's been out at sea for a long time. Isn't that right, you two? I bet you miss them.", Makino guessed.
"No way. I'm still upset with those guys. I thought Shanks and his crew were cool pirates, but it turns out they're all totally wimpy.", Luffy responded.
"I don't know. I think being able to laugh after somebody humiliates you like those bandits did is cool, too.", Makino responded.
"You don't understand, Makino. Sometimes, a man's gotta stand up and fight.", Luffy pouted.
"You're right. Maybe I don't get it, huh?", Makino responded.
"Well, I miss them. Especially Uta. We didn't exactly leave off on good terms after I ate the Chub-Chub Fruit. I had no idea that she was going to sell it. And you were no better with the Gum-Gum Fruit, Luffy.", Salvia said, glaring towards Luffy, who groaned.
Just then, a voice called out from an unwelcome guest, who opened the door and went inside.
"We're back for more.", the leader said, attracting Luffy, Salvia, and Makino's attention.
"Looks like those danged pirates aren't here today. And look. There's only 2 out of 3 kids here. Guess that one is lucky. We'll go after her after we deal with those two. But first, we were in the neighborhood, so we thought we'd stop in for a drink.", the leader explained before he and the other bandits went inside with a chuckle and all sat down with the leader smacking his hand against the table.
"What's the hold-up, honey? Bring the booze!", the leader demanded.
A few minutes later, the bar was already empty, let alone trashed, and Makino was rushing by while Luffy and Salvia were in big trouble with the mountain bandit leader. IN fact, he was holding Luffy up and laughing as he stretched the poor boy's face.
"Let go of me or else, you big, dumb jerk! You're gonna pay for that!", Luffy shouted, trying, but failing, to hit him.
"You heard him! Let..! Him... GO!", Salvia shouted, bumping the leader back with a belly bump.
While Salvia caught Luffy, the leader was knocked back straight toward a barrel from behind, causing a drop of water to fall into said barrel, shocking the bandits.
"Are you okay, Luffy?", Salvia asked.
"Uh-huh.", Luffy nodded.
"Well, this is interesting. Those kids're freaks of nature. I wonder how much money we could get if we sold 'em off.", the leader smirked.
"You apologize! No one messes with Shanks' crew!", Luffy shouted as he grabbed a stick and ran toward him with a jump.
"Again, huh? Fine!", the leader shouted before disarming Luffy and quickly placing him under his foot on the ground.
"Luffy, no!", Salvia shouted in worry before she got pushed to the ground and stepped on, leaving her just about as much the same position as Luffy.
"I don't think I said anything to offend you personally.", the leader smirked.
"You think wrong! Now, apologize!", Luffy demanded.
"And get your feet off us!", Salvia added.
At that moment, Makino burst into the mayor's office and shouted.
"Mayor, please help!", Makino shouted.
"What's the matter, Makino?", the mayor asked, puzzled.
"It's Luffy and Salvia! They're in big trouble!", Makino shouted before moments later, she and the mayor were running off.
Just outside, they finally caught up to see Luffy and Salvia cornered.
"You should watch your flapping gums, kids. No one who's ever made me mad has ever lived to tell the horrifying and painful tale.", the leader warned, grabbing his sword.
"Wait, hold on! Let the children go, I beg you!", the mayor shouted, puzzling the bandit leader.
"They're children! I don't know what they've done and I certainly don't intend to fight you over it! If you'll accept, I'll even pay you to stop this! Just let them live! That's all I ask!", the mayor pleaded, much to Luffy and Salvia's shock and worry.
"Mayor...", Salvia said in worry.
"Ah, a senior citizen. Leave it to you to be reasonable. But you're out of luck. I'm sorry, but these rotten kids have already made me angry. So, not even your pitiful prayers can save 'em now.", the bandit leader said, drawing his sword.
"Please, no!", the mayor pleaded as Makino gasped.
"You're the rotten ones around here!", Salvia snapped at the bandits only to get practically squished.
"That rubber face and tubby body of yours were real entertaining for a sec, but now, all I wanna do is bash 'em in.", the bandit leader smirked.
"You guys don't fight fair, you're scum! Let us go!", Luffy demanded before he pressed his grip down further on Luffy's head.
"Forget sellin' em. Let's just kill 'em.", the bandit leader ordered.
"No! Luffy, Salvia!", Makino pleaded.
"Please, you have to let them go!", the mayor shouted.
"LET THEM GO, YOU HORRIBLE MONSTER!", a familiar voice shouted.
Much to the bandit leader's puzzlement, let alone genuine, eager surprise, he finally saw a livid Uta again, let alone with Shanks and the others, also much to Luffy and Salvia's relief.
"Uta...!", Salvia gasped.
"Ah, there you are! I was wondering where you went.", the bandit leader smirked.
"Shut up!", Uta snapped.
"I was wondering why the bar was empty on such a fine day. So, it's the mountain bandits again.", Shanks said as he and his crew stepped forward.
"Captain Shanks, you're here!", Makino spoke in surprise, earning the bandit leader's growl as well as Luffy and Salvia's gasp.
"Shanks...!", Luffy said.
Act II
Frankly, the bandit leader was less than pleased.
"Pirates... You're just now showing your heads? Have you been spending all this time scrubbing the village?", the bandit leader hissed.
"You take that back!", Salvia shouted.
"Can it, will ya?", the bandit leader retorted, squeezing her for a moment again.
"Hey, Luffy. Didn't you say earlier that your punches were stronger than pistols?", Shanks asked.
"Shut your mouth, okay?", Luffy asked.
"You're still in town? Shove off already.", the bandit leader spoke.
But Shanks only started stepping forward toward the bandit leader.
"You'd best leave before you get hurt. Take one step closer and my friend here's gonna blow your head clean off.", the bandit leader warned just as said accomplice drew his pistol at point blank range.
"I'll prove that point if I have to, but that's up to you, my friend.", the bandit sneered before the other bandits, including their leader, chuckled while Makino and the mayor gasped in fear and Luffy, Salvia, and Uta tensed in anger.
"Would you risk your life?", Shanks puzzled.
"Huh?", the bandit pondered.
"Now that you've drawn your pistol, are you willing to use it?", Shanks asked, puzzling said bandit.
"What the heck are you talking about?", the bandit asked.
"What I'm trying to tell you is that guns aren't for threats. They're made for actions.", Shanks explained.
It was right then that the bigger crewmate snuck a pistol near the bandit and shot him, surprising everyone. The crewmate even pulled a bite off his meat before the downed bandit even landed.
"Did Lucky Roux just...?", Salvia began.
"No way; I don't believe it!", one bandit shouted.
"Yeah, these dastards fight dirty!", another exclaimed.
"A little.", Yasopp responded.
"Oh, were you expecting saints? Who the heck do you think you're dealing with here?", the black-haired crewmate added.
"In case wasn't obvious, you fellas are staring down a crew of pirates.", Shanks stated.
"Shut your trap! This ain't about you, so take your crew and go!", a bandit shouted.
"Listen up, bandits. If I'm sprayed with alcohol or doused with food, heck, even if I'm spit on, most of the time, I'll laugh it off and forget it. But... regardless of what your reasoning may be..., if you hurt a friend of mine, you can believe you're gonna pay for it.", Shanks warned, making Uta gasp before giving a warm grin.
"Shanks...", Salvia gasped in awe.
"Is he for real...?", Luffy gasped in equal awe.
Then, the mountain bandit leader laughed boisterously.
"Oh, we are, are we? Go on, fellas. Show these lousy pirates a thing or two!", the bandit leader commanded before the bandits yelled out and charged into battle.
"I'll handle this. It should be easy.", the black-haired crewmate assured, stepping forward as he lit his cigarette.
One bandit charged toward him only to wind up having his eye burnt by the cigar, making him reel in pain and agony while the rest charged in only to get whacked by the crewmate's pistol's big barrel, swiftly defeated in seconds.
"Don't get too cocky. Stay focused. If you wanted to fight us, you should've brought a warship, or something bigger.", the crewmate said as he lit a match for his cigar.
"Wow... Benn Beckman just beat them all...", Salvia spoke in awe.
"This is so cool...!", Luffy added.
"Amazing...!", the speechless Makino gasped.
"Now, hold on! The kids were the ones who attacked us first, all right?", the bandit leader panicked.
"Either way, you're still a wanted man, aren't you?", Shanks asked, frightening the mountain bandit to no end.
"This is what happens when you threaten them, bandit! Now, you pay!", Uta shouted.
But then, the mountain bandit leader, in his panic, got out a smokescreen bomb and tossed it at the ground, surprising Uta, as well as Shanks and his crew.
"A smokescreen...!", the bigger crewmate stated.
"Hey! What are you doing?!", Uta exclaimed.
"Stop it!", Salvia exclaimed.
"Come with me!", the bandit leader exclaimed.
"Let us go already!", Luffy exclaimed.
When the smoke cleared, only the downed bandits were left.
"Luffy...? Salvia...?! Oh, no! Uta! Oh, crap! I let the bandit take 'em! AND my daughter! WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?!", Shanks exclaimed in shock.
"Calm down, boss! There's no use freakin' out over it. We'll find 'em in no time, I swear.", the bigger crewmate assured.
"Oh, boy... Can't believe this guy.", Benn smirked.
Meanwhile, the mountain bandit leader was now in the middle of the sea with Luffy, Salvia, and Uta as his hostages.
"Guess I made a clean getaway. They'd never think to look for a mountain bandit escaping onto the ocean.", the bandit leader chuckled, holding Luffy and Uta up with each hand.
"Let us go, you big jerk!", Uta shouted.
"I really hope you die!", Luffy shouted.
"In fact, I'll kill you myself if you toss Luffy OR Uta into the water!", Salvia threatened.
"Yes. I know that's what you want. But you're the ones dying today. Remember what I said about making me angry? See you, runts.", the bandit leader only smirked before tossing Uta in first.
"UTA!", Luffy and Salvia shouted in unison.
Then, Uta splashed in the water and started drowning, much to Luffy and Salvia's shock as the bandit leader laughed.
"Darn it...! I suck! These guys are worthless bandits, but I still couldn't get one hit in! I hate this! It's not fair!", Luffy thought to himself.
"Stupid brat. Sorry. Got no need for you two anymore.", the bandit leader said as Salvia started to tense and growl angrily.
For a moment, it puzzled him, but then Salvia just jumped into the air and then started zooming down towards the bandit leader.
"YOU MONSTEEEEEEEEEEEER!", Salvia roared, shocking the bandit leader.
"What the heck?!", the bandit leader exclaimed right before she landed on top of him, crushing him to death with her feet as Luffy watched in awe.
"Remember what I said about killing you if you tossed any of them into the water?!", Salvia glared angrily.
Before it could continue though, a giant sea monster resembling a giant brown eel with blue fins and red, cat-slit-like eyes emerged right behind the trio with Luffy noticing first.
"Uh..., guys?", Luffy puzzled, pointing to where he was seeing it.
To Salvia and the bandit leader's shock, they saw the same sea monster Luffy saw.
"What the...?! WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!", the bandit leader exclaimed.
"Grab onto my back, Luffy!", Salvia warned before Luffy did so.
"And as for you, Higuma...! Hope you like being seafood!", Salvia shouted before she pushed the bandit leader toward the sea king's path and then jumped off the ship just as the sea king chowed down, destroying the boat and eating Higuma along with it.
Then, the two landed on top of the sea king's head.
"Well, there goes our way back home.", Salvia said.
"Help...!", Uta shouted, attracting Luffy and Salvia's attention.
"Uta...!", Luffy and Salvia said in worry.
"Help me!", Uta shouted.
"She's a sitting duck out there...!", Luffy said in worry just as the sea monster focused its gaze on Uta.
"Luffy, I'll try and slow that thing down! You try and see if you can use your rubberiness to save Uta.", Salvia urged.
"Yeah.", Luffy nodded.
With that, Salvia grabbed onto the fins of the creature and started doing her best to try and restrain it as it slowly got closer to Uta.
"Hang on, Uta! We're coming!", Salvia shouted.
"Help is on the way!", Luffy added, stretching his rubber arms toward Uta.
But just as his rubber arms neared her, the sea monster began to resist, making it especially difficult for Luffy to reach her.
"Come on...! We're so close!", Luffy exclaimed.
"You leave our friend alone, you stupid fish!", Salvia shouted before she bit into the sea king's head, making it wince in pain before roaring in agony whilst finally shaking off Luffy and Salvia straight into the water near Uta.
"No...! Luffy! Salvia!", Uta shouted as they, too, started to drown.
The three children were doomed to be fed to the monster like Higuma was! That is..., until Luffy moved up in front of Salvia and Uta in spite of drowning.
"HEY! YOU LEAVE THOSE TWO ALONE! YOU HEAR ME?!", Luffy shouted.
Unfortunately, it did nothing to stop the Sea King as it chomped down. Fortunately, who should appear in the nick of time but Shanks, who was now holding onto both Luffy, Salvia, and Uta.
"Shanks, you found us...!", Luffy whimpered as the others gasped in surprise, relief, and/or awe.
Then, the creature charged in for the kill. But no sooner had it done so that
Shanks stopped it dead on its tracks with but a fierce glare of his eyes, which developed white irises around his pupils.
"Get lost.", Shanks demanded.
The creature's eyes shook with fear as they stared at Shanks' own pair. After a long moment, the creature finally swam away, astonishing Salvia and Uta.
"Whoa... He stopped it dead in its tracks with a stare. How did he do that?", Salvia asked.
"Well, actually...", Uta began before whispering into her ear, surprising her.
"Really?", Salvia asked, earning Uta's nod in reply.
"I think I might have to learn more about that some time.", Salvia said.
But then, she and Uta noticed how sad Luffy was. Not only that, but also the reason why, much to their shock before turning back to Shanks.
"Shanks, you saved us...! Thank you...!", Salvia said, amazed.
"Actually, I'm the one who should be thanking you three.", Shanks responded, puzzling the trio.
"I'm in your debt, you three. Makino told me about how you two stood up for us. And how you were both willing to fight and put yourselves on the line. And Uta, you reminded me of what I said just now to Higuma earlier.", Shanks explained as Luffy sobbed.
"Yeah, but...", Uta began as Luffy started to break down as if on the verge of sobbing.
"Hold on, you can't cry. You're a man now.", Shanks said.
"I know, but... this is bad! You lost your arm!", Luffy shouted in sadness.
"Oh, no need to worry about that. I've got another one. I'm just glad you three are safe.", Shanks responded.
Sensing that Luffy is about to completely burst into tears, Salvia hugged both Uta and Luffy along with Shanks.
"It's okay, Luffy. Let it all out. We're here for you.", assured Salvia.
A moment afterward, in compliance, Luffy let out the loudest wail he could into the air while Salvia, Uta, and Shanks comforted him.
"We all learned many important things that day. The sea's cruelty, our powerlessness, and most importantly, Shanks' greatness itself. That's when we resolved with all our hearts that we'd become pirates like him.", Salvia responded.
Then, it showed Shanks and his crew preparing to leave.
"So, you're all leaving?", Salvia asked.
"Uh-huh. Yep, it's time for us to part ways. I bet you'll miss us, won't you?", Shanks guessed.
"Yeah. We both will.", Salvia nodded before turning to Uta.
"And Uta? We're sorry about eating those Devil Fruits. We had no idea you two were planning on selling 'em.", Salvia apologized.
"It's okay, Salvia. What's done is done. Besides, in spite of how it ended, you two looked pretty capable out there.", Uta grinned.
"Thanks. You're my friend, Uta. I couldn't just leave you to drown.", Salvia responded.
"And Luffy? Thanks for trying to save me back there.", Uta thanked.
"Eh, it was nothing. And Shanks? This time's different. I won't beg you to take me with you. 'Cause I'm gonna become a pirate all on my own.", Luffy vowed.
"That's good, because I wouldn't bring you with me anyways. I mean you'll never make it as a pirate, kiddo.", Shanks teased.
"Will too! Just wait and see! I'll round up a crew that's every bit as good as yours! And we'll find the world's greatest treasure! And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!", Luffy shouted.
Emboldened, Salvia grinned and joined up next to Luffy.
"And I'm going to be the first crewmate of my brother's crew!", Salvia shouted.
"Oh? Planning to outdo me, are ya? Okay.", Shanks grinned, taking off his Straw Hat and placing it on top of Luffy's head.
"If that's the case, I'll leave this here. It means more to me than anything." Shanks said as Luffy started to tear up.
Then, Uta remembered something.
"Oh, that's right! There was something I wanted to give you before I go.", Uta said.
"What is it?", Salvia asked before giving her a white bracelet.
"A bracelet?", Salvia asked.
"Not just any bracelet. It's the symbol of our vow! If either one of us isn't in our own crew, then one of us will join that crew.", Uta vowed.
Salvia grinned before then giving doing a pinky swear with her.
"It's a vow!", Salvia grinned.
Then, Shanks and Uta both started to leave.
"Give it back someday. After you two became great pirates.", Shanks said, Luffy still sobbing a bit softly.
"Okay...!", Luffy sobbed.
"They really do have potential.", Benn said.
"I know. They remind me of Uta and myself back when I was a kid.", Shanks said before he and his crew then left port.
"Set sail!", Shanks shouted.
"What happened right after that was a really long story, but 10 years later, our own adventure outside the village really kicked off at that very port.", Salvia narrated as it then showed her and Luffy when they first appeared aboard a passenger ship in barrels.
"I can't believe Luffy and Salvia are finally leaving.", Makino grinned.
But the mayor wasn't exactly fond of the idea.
"Becoming a pirate is a great dishonor to our village.", the mayor scolded.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Salvia were both out in the middle of the sea on a boat with a couple of barrels.
"You know, it kinda looks nice out here, Luffy.", Salvia grinned.
"Couldn't ask for a better day than this.", Luffy sighed with a chuckle.
But the celebration was seemingly short-lived as the same sea creature from before emerged behind them.
"Hey, it's you. Back for more after feasting on that bandit a decade ago, huh?", Salvia smirked.
"You shouldn't have done that. 'Cause we've been trainin' a lot over these past 10 years.", Luffy grinned.
As Luffy and Salvia stood up to face the creature, it only roared at the two of them.
"Ready for the combo move?", Salvia asked.
"You bet!", Luffy smirked, wrapping his arms around her big belly.
"Gum-Chub...!", Luffy and Salvia began in unison.
Then, suddenly, Luffy tossed Salvia toward the monster.
"CANNONBALL!", the duo finished in unison.
"Whoo!", Salvia cheered before descending downward as Luffy retracted his arm back and chuckled.
"That oughta teach you, you stupid fish.", Luffy smirked before Salvia fell inside her barrel with the sea creature landing behind Luffy and Salvia soon after.
"Oops. Uh, I think I got stuck inside.", Salvia blushed.
"Hey, don't sweat it, big sis. It's time to get going! I'm setting out to become King of the Pirates!", Luffy vowed.
Then, it went to the present with Salvia finishing the flashback.
"And that was right before we fought Alvida and met up with you in Shells Town.", Salvia finished.
"Wow. That's a good story.", Zoro said in genuine surprise.
"It is. Thanks.", Salvia thanked as Luffy grinned with a chuckle.
Then, Zoro's stomach groaned.
"I'm so hungry... It's killing me...!", Zoro groaned.
"Well, I guess it had to happen at some point.", Salvia sighed.
Then, she and Luffy looked up as did Zoro. And when they did, they all saw a bird in the sky.
"Hey, look. A bird.", Zoro said before Luffy grinned.
"I know! Let's eat it!", Luffy shouted.
"Huh?", Salvia and Zoro puzzled.
"How do we catch it?", Zoro asked.
"Leave that to me.", Luffy responded.
"You do realize that bird won't make it easy for you.", Salvia glared.
"Gum-Gum... ROCKET!", Luffy shouted as he grabbed the top of the mast with his arms and launched himself up into the air toward the bird.
"He tends to think with his stomach rather than his head when he's hungry.", Salvia explained.
"Makes sense.", Zoro said.
Suddenly, Luffy got stuck in the bird's mouth, much to Salvia's annoyance and Zoro's puzzlement. After a moment, Luffy shouted in pain as his head was stuck in the bird's mouth.
"It's no use. Luffy's stubborn to a fault when it comes to ideas like that. Once he sets his mind on something, he sees it through to the end.", Salvia explained.
"AH! HELP ME!", Luffy shouted in pain.
Then, Salvia and Zoro started pedaling fast.
"YOU MORON! WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON NOW?!", Zoro exclaimed.
"Hang on, Luffy! We're coming!", Salvia shouted.
By that point, the buggy pirate trio turned and noticed Zoro and Salvia on the boat.
"Hey, you, there! Stop! Please, man overboard! STOP! MAN OVERBOARD!", a buggy pirate shouted while waving.
"Seriously?! The one time we find shipwreckers is at a time like this?", Salvia groaned.
"Yeah, I hear you! We can't stop! You're just gonna have to jump in!", Zoro shouted.
This worried the buggy pirates as the boat closed in.
"What?!", the trio shouted before, as per Zoro's advice, they all jumped onto the boat.
"Whoa! You all got in without a hitch. And at that speed, too?", Salvia asked.
"Yeah, I'm actually impressed you made it on-board.", Zoro agreed.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US?!", the buggy pirate trio shouted.
Then, one of the buggy pirates drew his sword.
"Stop the boat now.", the pirate threatened.
"Excuse me?", Salvia asked with a glare.
"The three of us are members of Buggy the Clown's pirate crew. This boat is ours now.", the buggy pirate said.
"Huh?", Zoro asked with a glare.
"Oh, really? And what makes you think that?", Salvia glared.
"Let's lay out the facts, here, lady. At your state, you ain't much of a problem to deal with. And after we push your buddy off, we'll push you into the water, too. How's that sound?", the buggy pirate asked.
"Oh, is that right? Well, here's what's really going to happen instead.", Salvia smirked as she turned to Zoro, who nodded, puzzling, if not shocking the trio.
Very soon, all three were struck and were now pedaling for Salvia and Zoro as one of them giggled nervously.
"I'm sorry. We had no idea that you're actually so strong, let alone that your buddy was the famous pirate hunter, Zoro!", one pirate apologized.
"Please forgive us!", the trio begged.
"Thanks to you three idiots, I lost sight of my friend. So keep paddling.", Zoro ordered.
"Yes, sir!", the trio shouted.
"Well, knowing my brother as well as I do, I'm sure he'll pull something when he spots land.", Salvia guessed.
"That's just what I was thinking.", Zoro said.
"So... any ideas about what we do now?", one of the buggy pirates asked.
"Good question. If Captain Buggy finds out a girl stole our boat and our treasure, we're history.", another responded.
"I know...", an third agreed.
"Huh? Wait a sec. Did you say a girl?", Salvia asked.
"So what if I did?", the pirate asked.
"Did she have short orange hair and brown eyes?", Salvia asked.
"How could we forget? She basically humiliated us!", one of the pirates responded, making Salvia grin in response form the answer and giggle.
"That's Nami! It means she's not far behind!", Salvia grinned.
Meanwhile, at a nearby island, Buggy's pirate ship was near the shore as elsewhere, Nami just so happened to be running from Buggy's crew, a map to the Grand Line in hand.
"Yes..., I finally got it!", Nami thought.
"Hey, girl, get back here!", one pirate shouted.
"You'd better give us that map back or else!", another exclaimed.
"We just stole that chart of the Grand Line! It belongs to us!", the 3rd shouted.
"Blast it! If we don't get that thing back, then we're as good as dead!", the first pirate said in worry.
"We'll be blasted by one of the captain's cannonballs!", the 2nd added.
Meanwhile, at a tent where Buggy seems to reside in shadow, one of his crewmates reported to him.
"Captain Buggy! I spotted something high in the sky out at the port!", a pirate reported.
"Well, shoot it down.", Buggy ordered.
At the same time, Nami was running as fast as she could when an explosion suddenly caught her attention and the others'.
"What's that?", one of the pirates asked.
Then, they all saw Luffy falling down with a scream from the smoke. He then landed right in-between Nami and the Buggy Pirates.
"What... was that?!", Nami exclaimed, shielding herself from the dust.
"What the heck?", a pirate puzzled.
"A guy fell from the sky.", another added, just as puzzled.
"Dang it... Why were there cannonballs flying at me...?", Luffy groaned before Nami gasped upon realizing who it is, especially as the smoke cleared, revealing that it was, in fact, Luffy, who spoke as he stood up.
"At least I'm safe now. AND what just happened to me was awesome.", Luffy said, astonishing everyone nearby, Nami, most of all, as Luffy turned to her.
"Oh, hey, Nami. What's up?", Luffy greeted.
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: Looks like Luffy finally caught up to Nami. Who knows what crazy things may happen alongside the story going similar to how it went before? But before I proceed, please be sure to make some guesses as to what you think could happen in the next chapter of the story in your reviews for this chapter. In case you're wondering why I'm asking you to make said guesses, it's just that I realized some time ago that I need to get back to my roots and be more mindful of what you fellow readers need to see and/or read.
