Luffy raced around in front of her as he glanced into each shop window he came across. The large grin on his face never faltered even when he was shooed away by an irritated shopkeeper but a quick glare from Naia had them eating their words. Most people didn't pay them much mind. Preferring to ignore the commoners amongst them. They bounced from shop to shop picking up clothes in bulk, bathroom supplies, extra towels and sheets, shoes along with various other books for more lesson ideas. It wasn't long before Naia was weighed down with bags and they weren't even completely done yet! Luffy was kind enough to grab a few bags but some were bigger than his body so he could only hold so many.
"Thank you and you'll have them delivered to Fuusha Village?" Naia asked. The shop owner gave a slight gulp in fear when she stared the man down.
"Yes, ma'am! I'll get in contact with a delivery merchant and he can bring the order to you," The man stammered, "No extra cost!"
"Very good!" Naia smiled, "I expect it to be as good of quality as the rest of your work."
"Come on, Naia! I'm hungry!" Luffy whined, pulling on her arm. "Hungry!"
"Have a good day, ma'am. I will begin working on your order right away!" The shop owner waved them out as Naia let Luffy pull her away.
"Food, food, food," Luffy chanted, his face set in determination.
"Yes, yes, yes," Naia hummed, "We said we would meet up ahead."
"Hey! Over here!" Shanks waved them over to where they were sitting.
"Already found a restaurant?" Naia asked as she took a seat across from the man.
"This one couldn't wait any longer to have a drink," Benn scolded. Shanks gave him a cheesy grin before turning back to his beverage and ordering another one.
"You're an alcoholic," Naia observed.
"Hey! I can function with or without it!" Shanks declared, "I am in perfect control of how much I consume."
"Right," Naia said, disbelief coating her voice. "I bet you can't even go a day without it."
"Can too!"
"I agree with Naia! You wouldn't last," Luffy stated seriously. "You've been here for a couple of months and I've never seen you go without it."
"He would probably get withdrawal if he stopped now," Naia pointed out.
"I hate to admit it but you're probably right," Benn sighed in defeat. "My captain is rarely without a drink in his hands."
"Not you too Benn!" Shanks wailed, "You're supposed to be on my side. I can't have you ganging up on me!"
"Sorry, Cap'n, but I only speak the truth." Benn shrugged and Shanks sagged in defeat causing Luffy to go into a fit of giggles. Naia bit her lip to keep from laughing outright but a few chuckles escaped her when Shanks turned pitiful eyes toward her.
"You turned my first mate against me."
"You did that yourself. I only spoke my mind." Naia glanced away from the pouting man, her cheeks burning from the adorable sight Shanks made.
"You're all so mean!" Shanks grumbled, finishing off the last of his beverage. "I'll show you! Starting now I will go without any alcohol until tomorrow!"
"Don't hurt yourself, Red," Naia mused as she waved over the waitress.
"What can I get started for you today, Miss?" The waitress asked, pad at the ready.
"I'll take a sashimi platter and he'll have about 3 bowls of ramen with a glass of juice," Naia said, "Anything for you?"
"We'll take a combo platter," Benn said. Shanks was still mourning over his loss of alcohol, for the time being, staring into the abyss of his empty cup. "Did you find all you needed?"
"Yeah, we should be getting a few shipments over the course of the week." Naia nodded to the waitress as she walked away. "Hopefully the cabin won't feel too small with the new additions."
"Naia was super cool!" Luffy boasted, "A few of the shops didn't want to sell to us because we weren't nobles but Naia was able to persuade them into giving us what we wanted. At a discount too!"
"That is very impressive but I would expect nothing else from someone who works with merchants for a living," Shanks praised.
"You pick up a few things after a couple of years." Naia waved them off. "I assume you found what you needed?"
"It took some persuading but we managed." Shanks shrugged. "We didn't get any discounts though."
"We aren't made for this kind of negotiations," Benn pointed out. "We typically pick up in harbors and ports not towns like this."
"It is a different variety here or I guess a different breed." Naia slid a glance over to the pirate captain.
"Dahahaha, I suppose you're right!" The conversation lulled as the food was presented in front of them and the two pirates could only stare in awe as Luffy consumed as much food for a small village.
"Where on earth does it all go?" Benn asked in awe. Luffy rubbed his now rounded stomach before taking a deep breath causing it to disappear.
"I think it's part of the devil fruit?" Naia theorized, "He used to eat a lot as a kid but now it's about three times what he used to. I imagine being rubber burns a lot of calories as his body tried to keep up with the rapid changes."
"That actually makes sense," Shanks acknowledged, "I never thought about it in such a way."
"Naia! I'm still hungry!" Luffy nagged, "Can I-"
"Can you believe they serve people like them?"
"To have such filth in such a fine establishment."
"Should burn them all."
"The kid is a demon. Did you see how much he ate? Completely uncivilized." Murmurs and whispers swirled around them as the townspeople grew emboldened as more joined in the crowd.
"I heard the girl threatened a couple of shop owners. You would think the guards would have the sense to toss them out."
"Never seen the other two but they don't look much better."
"And so we begin." Naia sighed. Luffy turned his gaze to the table. Even though he knew better than to let the talk of strangers get to him, it was always better in theory than practice. Shanks and Benn seemed to be pretty chill about the whole situation but Naia wasn't all that surprised by it. The mountain bandits were worse.
"Luffy?" Naia put her hand on his shoulder. "Their words only hold power when you let them. They know nothing of the world outside these walls."
"I know," Luffy said downcasted, "I can achieve so much more than they can."
"That you can, mi amour," Naia announced, her face lighting up with excitement. "Just think of the endless possibilities. Most here wouldn't even have the strength to leave their homes."
"She's right, Anchor!" Shanks joined in. "You don't see very many nobles out at sea. Unless they've been expelled from their home."
"They will never be able to match up to you," Benn agreed.
"They'll bow to you before you know it, little King." Naia winked at the boy who gave a large D grin in response.
"Little King?" Shanks questioned.
"Shishishishi, it's been her nickname for me for as long as I can remember," Luffy giggled.
"I can't help it. He reminds me-" Naia paused. Her eyes concentrated on something just beyond Shanks' shoulder.
"Naia? You okay?" Shanks waved a hand in front of her face. Her eyes sharpened and she leaned to her right. Just in time to miss the wad of mush as it sailed passed her face, hitting Shanks front and center. Naia hid her mouth behind her hand, her shoulders started to shake as she tried to hold back her laughter.
"Shishishi, you got hit in the face!" Luffy fell into a fit of laughter as he pointed at the captain's face. Naia's laugh broke from behind her hand as she joined Luffy and Benn wasn't much better.
"Oh my gods," Naia giggled, "It actually hit you!"
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up!" Shanks groaned, wiping his face of the substance. "I wasn't expecting it! I'll be prepared next time!"
"I wasn't even facing the right way and I saw it coming!" Naia laughed, ducking as more goop was flung in their direction and once more it landed right on Shanks' face. Luffy squealed with renewed laughter and Naia was bent over as her laughter increased.
"I thought you said you would be ready, Shanks!" Luffy said between giggles, his face stretched impossibly wide.
"It was too soon!" Shanks argued. More food came flying their way and Naia couldn't hold back as she dissolved into a giggle fit, not caring as food started to weigh her hair down.
"You would think for nobles they would know not to play with their food," Naia joked as she grabbed her shopping bags, hoisting Luffy onto her shoulders. "Guess they really want us to dine and dash!"
"Yosh! Let's go!" Luffy exclaimed as they started running. They ran the entire way back to Grey Terminal, laughing the whole way. Their skin was caked in food and grime by the time they made it to the gate opening and guards were hot on their tails but it did nothing to deter them from their goal. They didn't stop until they were well hidden in the jungle that was between the kingdom and Fuusha Village where they collapsed into a mess of pants and dirty bodies.
"That was so much fun!" Luffy exclaimed, "Let's do it again!"
"I think that was enough fun for today," Naia panted.
"Yeah, Anchor, not all of us have the energy of our youth," Shanks agreed.
"I think it would be a good idea to rest for a minute," Benn advised. The other two adults nodded in agreement and Naia set her shopping bags down while she leaned against a tree not too far from the group. Luffy set about climbing one of the trees to see how far away they were from the village. The sun was sinking lower in the sky and Naia had a feeling that Makino would not be too pleased with her. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath and it burned with each strain.
"So you can use Haki?" Shanks asked.
"Oh, just a bit!" Naia gasped out. She rubbed her knuckles against her chest trying to sooth the burning and catch her breath. "Nothing to write home about."
"Are you alright?" Shanks asked as he came to stand above her.
"I'm fine." Naia took a deep breath before crumpling into a coughing fit. "All that running just irritated my wound."
"Shit, what can we do?" Shanks fretted. Naia cracked a small smile as the pirate captain fluttered about above her, not knowing what to do. Naia shoved her hand to her mouth as she continued to cough. The feeling of something wet and sticky followed after. Naia cursed in her head as she peaked at the red stains coating the palm of her hand. Apparently,moving through time had done nothing for her healing process.
"You don't have to do anything." Naia waved the man off. "I only need to catch my breath."
"It looks far worse than just catching your breath," Benn observed. Luffy scaled down the tree and retrieved the waterpack they had brought from the shopping bags.
"Here, Naia." Luffy held out the moleskine pouch. Naia drank the water greedily as her heart thudded harshly against her ribs while her breathing evened out.
"It surely does." Shanks pulled out her hand to reveal the artwork the droplets of blood had created. "Naia, how old is your wound?"
"Maybe a month old?"
"One month and 9 days," Luffy recited. Naia peered sadly at the young charge whose expression had darkened considerably. "That's how long it's been."
"Lu." Naia swept the little boy into a tight hug. "I'm fine. A few more weeks and it'll be like it never happened!"
"It better," Luffy pouted.
"Please tell me, Anchor wasn't there for it."
"Not exactly. Garp brought him to visit me when I was first recovering." Naia tightened her grip on the small boy in her arms. "It wasn't a pretty sight."
"So much red," Luffy mumbled into her chest.
"We should get going. I would like to get home before it's dark out." Naia didn't wait for a response as she shifted Luffy onto her shoulders with practiced ease. Luffy leaped from her shoulders into Shanks' arms, putting his mouth up the red haired pirate's ear. Benn leaned in too and suddenly, Naia felt out of place.
"Naia," Shanks whispered, his eyes were a flurry of anger and confusion. Naia narrowed her gaze at Luffy's back as the boy hid his face in Shanks' shoulder.
"Luffy, what did you say?"
"Nothing in particular! Let's go!" Naia huffed but let the issue go. She made to grab her shopping bags only for Benn to grab a few of the larger bags.
"I can carry those!"
"I know," Been said simply. Naia glared at the man who shrugged in response. Spinning on her heels, Naia led the group back to the village. They traveled in silence with Luffy whispering into the pirates' ears and every time Naia tried to hear what the boy was saying they would all clam up. Naia shook her head at their antics and was grateful when the cabin came into view. They said their goodbyes before splitting for the night.
"Are you going to tell me what you all were conspiring about?"
"No," Luffy said with a large grin.
"Fine," Naia sighed, "We will be continuing training today. Have you decided whether you wish to learn a weapon this time around?"
"I was debating a sword but swords are Zoro's thing and it needs to be something that I can use with my power."
"That makes sense, but I have no idea what weapon would go with rubber," Naia scrunched her brows together in thought. "We'll think about it. A staff? No, too stiff. Chains could be an option but also limit your range."
"All this thinking is going to give me a fever!" Luffy complained, his face going red from exertion.
"Don't over exert yourself, Lu," Naia said, carraling the little boy inside. "I'll put this stuff away while you go change."
"On it!" Luffy raced off toward his room and Naia set about placing her items away before changing into clothes more fitting for combat. A simple set of black cotton pants and tunic shirt which allowed for easy movement. She forewent any shoes as she always felt better without such constrictions.
"We will race to our clearing." Naia didn't wait for a response before she took off. The landscape blurred around her as she ran and she could tell Luffy wasn't far behind her but still wouldn't manage to keep up with her just yet.
"You're slow."
"I'm 7! My legs can only be so fast!" Luffy argued but Naia wouldn't be swayed.
"I was faster than you when I was your age." Naia smirked. "Besides I was going slow for you."
"You tricky witch!" Luffy stuck his tongue out at her. Naia rolled her eyes at his antics while bringing up a small board.
"Hit this." Luffy grinned and sent a punch flying, only for it to swerve to the right and ricochet back into his face.
"Again!" Luffy bit his lip and sent another punch which veered once more. They continued like this for a couple of hours and while Luffy knew how to punch with his rubber body, his body didn't. He had to relearn the entire process again. By the time night fell, Luffy had managed to get closer to the target and pull it before it could ricochet back at him.
"You're getting better but still not quite there," Naia observed, "Let us try hand to hand."
"Yosh!" Naia blocked and snuck in a few hits but mostly let Luffy attempt to gain traction with his new body. It wasn't working and the boy would usually end up leaving a limb behind, unknowingly stretching it to its capacity. The boy was getting more and more frustrated as they progressed.
"I don't understand! What am I doing wrong?" Luffy slammed his fist into the ground.
"Nothing, Lu. You've had this devil fruit for a couple of months not years," Naia explained. "Your brain is remembering what your body could do when you were older, not when you were 7."
"This is so laaaame!" Luffy whined, "And confusing!"
"You'll get it in no time, Little King." Naia smiled down at the boy as his eyes glinted with determination. "Shall we continue or are you done for night?"
"I wanna go see if Ace and Sabo are around. I haven't seen them in some time and I want to make it better this time around."
"Very well, do come home before midnight though." Naia smiled as she watched Luffy race further into the forest. He really did love his brothers so much. Naia practically danced her way to the beach. The idea of a night swim sent hums of happiness through her body, making her vibrate with excitement. When was the last time she had had the free time to just swim?