"And that's my cue to leave," Naia stepped out of Shanks' grasp and headed back down the beach. "Boys, you may stay if you wish."

"Wait, Naia!" Shanks grabbed her arm. "Let her apologize."

"Why?"

"I don't think she understood the gravity of her actions! She was-"

"She was jealous that I had spent so much time with you. Which is absurd because we have rarely spent time alone. I don't need excuses, Red. I can't use my left hand because she decided to spite me."

"I'm not making excuses." Shanks glared at her as the nickname rolled off her tongue.

"Naia, is that you?" Makino came to a halt as she came closer to the group.

"Hello, Makino." Naia felt her shoulders slump as Shanks tightened his grip.

"What on earth happened to your hand?" Makino gasped, horror etched into her eyes.

"A very upset man when I refused him once more." Shanks clenched his hand around her wrist once more, a growl emitting from his throat. "He wanted me to learn my place when I refused to wear the dress he wanted me to wear and for daring to talk back to him."

"Naia, please, I had no idea he was such a bad man," Makino cried. "I only wanted to-to-"

"Take what you wanted?" Naia surmised, her eyes glinting, "You wanted something and I was in the way so you got rid of me."

"It's not like that! I was foolish and childish in my reasoning and nothing I can say would ever rationalize what I did but I didn't mean for you to get hurt!" Makino dropped to a low bow in front of her and Naia couldn't help but stare in surprise at the repenting woman. Her head turned as Luffy tugged on her sleeve, his eyes searched her before giving a short nod. Naia huffed but dropped to her knees.

"Makino, get up." Naia tugged on the woman's shoulders. "It was a mistake. One I hope you learned from."

"I did! I promise!" Makino cried as she launched herself into Naia's arms, tears of happiness sliding down her cheek. Naia awkwardly patted the sobbing woman's back. "Please, let me treat you and the boys to some food. I've missed yours and their company. The crews too! It's been so quiet."

"Yes, yes! Just please stop crying." Naia helped Makino to her feet, letting her lead the way back to her bar. "It's all right. We're here."

"Makino! I want meat!" Luffy demanded as he bounced in front of them. Makino let out a wet chuckle as she led the three boys ahead. Naia held back, preferring to stay behind the group to watch over them.

"I told-"

"Don't even think about finishing that statement, Red. Or so help me, I will never speak to you again!" Naia glared at the man as he laughed.

"You like me too much for that." Shanks winked at her. His fingers threaded through hers as he tugged her forward. "Come on or we'll be left behind."

"What makes you think I like you at all? Perhaps I merely tolerate you for that boy," Naia snarked, sticking her tongue out at the pirate. Naia's breath hitched as Shanks' hand caressed her cheek.

"If you keep that tongue out, I'm going to have to put it to better use," Shanks purred, leaning down over her. Naia's cheeks burned as she tried to free herself from his grasp.

"My tongue is doing just fine," Naia retorted, her eyes wandering from his eyes to his lips that seemed way too close for comfort. Her heart fluttered and Naia couldn't deny that breathing was becoming harder as he inched down toward her.

"I disagree and with that lovely blush on your face, it makes it all the more enticing," Shanks smirked at her, putting their foreheads together. Naia's heart pounded as the man in front of her continued to lean forward. The world seemed so small and spun around them almost nauseatingly so.

"How could you deceive us like this? Deceive me!" Shanks glared at her with all his might, haki leaking off his body. "I loved you and this is how you treat my heart!? You conniving witch, you will pay!"

"I'm going to go catch up to them," Naia mumbled, pushing away from the pirate captain. Naia all but ran back to Makino's bar and she didn't dare look back. She knew his face would show the confusion and conflict her actions caused. She wasn't ready for this.

"Alright boys, I hope you saved some food for me." Naia's voice died as she took in the damage done to the bar. The bar was deserted of anyone. Tables were broken, chairs were strewn around, and the bar had a rather large crack in it. What on earth happened here? "Boys!?"

"Naia! Naia! Come quick! It's those mountain bandits again!" Makino gasped for air as she raced toward Naia.

"Makino? What happened?"

"There isn't time! He took Luffy!" Makino pulled on her arm. The fear and urgency in the barmaid's eyes had a cold sensation spread through Naia's chest. Luffy could defend himself against simple bandits but with his brothers and Makino there, it could cause unwanted attention as to why a 7-year-old can fight so well. Luffy wanted to be stronger but they had decided that keeping appearances would keep the World Government away for as long as possible.

Naia gritted her teeth as the bandit leader rubbed the heel of his foot into Luffy's stomach. Why hadn't Makino and the Mayor grabbed her sooner? Now, they were in the middle of town with plenty of witnesses and Naia wasn't ready to expose her profession to the pirate crew just yet. Her eyes glared at the chuckling bandits as Higuma continued to taunt and threaten them. Naia took a step forward, her anger rising.

"You will let him go, Higuma," Naia ordered, her voice like steel. "Don't make this worse for you than it already is."

"You dare threaten me?" Higuma laughed. "I have no problem killing you nor do my men."

"You think this is the only life-threatening situation I have been in? You are nothing," Naia hissed her eyes narrowing into slits. "Let him go now or regret your decision to piss me off."

"You're in no position to demand anything from me or would you prefer I give him back to you in pieces?" Higuma grinned, holding a sword just above Luffy's body. Said boy continued to squirm and glare up at the man holding him down. Naia let her anger flare a bit, relishing in the shivers and fearful expressions on the bandits in front of her. Naia took a step forward, a sharp smirk twisting on her lips.

"You want to do this the hard way?"

"I wouldn't step too close there, missy," Higuma smirked, "You might find yourself biting a ball of metal."

"You currently have my little boy under your foot. I'm not going anywhere," Naia mused.

"Do you have any idea who we are?" Higuma asked, his brow creasing in frustration, "Killing both of you won't be an issue."

"Whatever you say," Naia hummed. A click of a gun off to her right had her giving Higuma's subordinate a side glare. Luffy gave her a large grin and a light chuckle. He really did love to stir the pot when he was able to.

"I would listen to her. She's pretty pissed off," Luffy sang, his eyes dancing with amusement. "She won't hesitate to behead you either."

"Shut up, brat!" Higuma shouted as he brought his foot down heavily onto Luffy's stomach. Luffy coughed as the air was forced out of his lungs.

"Luffy!" Ace shouted.

"Stay back, Ace," Naia ordered, holding her hand up to stop him. "This isn't a battle for children."

"But-"

"Makino, keep him back!" Naia could hear Ace continue to struggle and Sabo was letting out a string of curses no child should know but Naia returned her focus to the men in front of her. The air cracked as her anger flared when the man stomped on Luffy's stomach once more. Thanks the sea, the kid was made out of rubber. The wind howled around them as the ocean roared with power. Shanks and his crew were already in the village which meant that Naia wasn't able to go all out. Pity, she really wanted to beat the man into a pulp.

"Stay back!" Higuma cried as she took another step.

"Hey, lady! Weren't you listening? Don't move!" The subordinate cocked the gun once more; although, the subtle shake in his hands said his resolve was crumbling. "I will shoot you!"

"I was wondering why no one was there to greet us at the bar." Shanks' voice echoed behind her. "It's not nice to hold a lovely lady at gunpoint."