It's been four days since Mario joined Luffy's Straw Hat crew. They stay a day on the island to allow Zoro to heal properly, (after Mario had whacked him unconscious and let him patch up with the village's doctor) and have one last party.
The next day, the crew had prepared everything to set sail. Nami managed to bring a few tangerine trees and plant them on the ship with Mario's help. She was thankful for this.
After Mario had waved goodbye to everyone, (and received several kisses on the cheek from the female population, Nojiko included(Sanji was seething jealous)) as well as giving them insurance protection should that dirty Marine return, and Nami did her goodbye (read: steal everyone's wallet) they were now sailing the waters of the East Blue.
Now, everyone was doing their own thing. Sanji was standing guard on Nami's tangerine trees, trying to stop Luffy from stealing one. Zoro was sleeping(surprising nobody), Usopp was in his thinking mode as he made ammunition, and Nami was reading the paper while answering any questions Mario may have, who was taking a look at the Map of the Grand Line.
"So the world is divided by four oceans and a big line called the Grand Line, with a long land area called the Red Line," Mario repeats as he stares at Nami's map of the world, as well as the Grand Line. "We are in the East Blue, considered the weakest in the sea. Also, the place where the former King of the Pirates was born."
"Correct." Nami nodded while reading the newspaper. "We live in the Great Pirate Era. Before Roger was executed, he left behind one treasure called the One Piece. Everyone has been dying to find it, but nobody has been close to it."
"Hmm…Legendary Treasure, eh?" Mario sighs, "Better hope is not a chest holding a thousand-year old spirit bent on conquering the world."
"...Seriously," Usopp, being close by while fixing his ammunition, looked at Mario in exasperation. "Is there anything you haven't done?"
"Once again. Nope." Mario shook his head with a smile.
"Welp. Having an expert in this field is good, so I won't question it." Nami accepted that Mario was an anomaly far worse than Luffy, and that's saying something.
"Actually Nami, was it wise for you to leave all your hard working money back in the village?" Ussop asked. "I mean, Mario practically fixed everything."
"Yep!" Nami shrugged off. "I'm in debt with Mario for fixing everything, even my mother's grave. So they can have them." She looked at him. "Thanks by the way."
"No problem-o!"
"Besides, who said I left it all?"
"...E-Ehem! H-How much did you take?" Usopp asked, having a hard time controlling himself.
"40,000,000 bellies."
…
…
"...We're fucking rich, boy!" He began to celebrate.
*Twack!*
Only for Nami to throw him something. "What do you mean 'we'? It's my money! If you want some, I'll give you some…with interest~"
Usopp gulps as he dreads. Her interests are always unfair.
"Oh! Speaking of money." Mario fist bump in reminder. "I need to change my currency."
"Oh yeah. You are from out of this world." Nami said. "Let me see it, I can probably deduce how much you can get."
Without a problem, Mario took out one gold coin and Nami felt her eyes just roll out with berry signs. The coin was far bigger than his hand, it's a miracle he could pick it up effortlessly. "I-Is that real?" She asked as Mario handed her the coin. She taps on it, hearing the ringing of real gold. "Holy shit! It is!"
"So I guess I can exchange?" Mario asked.
"Yes you can!" Nami smiled widely. "With this size, you could have 50,000,000 bellies! With two of these I could have bought my hometown! How many do you have besides this one?!"
"Over one-million."
You can hear everyone, even Zoro who was sleeping, just jaw-dropping.
"OVER ONE MILLION?!" Usopp screamed. "Holy shit! That would mean that you are the richest Man alive! And you carry all that in your overalls?!"
"Yep." Mario nodded.
Nami literally went goo-goo ga-ga as she placed herself in a begging position. "Oh God of Money, please teach me your ways!" That surprised the plumber.
"Eh?! Nami?!" Luffy and Usopp felt their brain malfunction at the navigator's sudden shameless action.
"Mario! You bastard!" Sanji got enraged. "How dare you make dear Nami like that?!"
"Silence, Sanji!" Nami shouted at him, "Don't speak to my God and Savior like that! I'll kick your ass!"
"Ah~ You are lovely when you scream and belittle me!" Sanji found that…attractive.
Mario's sweat drops. "N-Now, now. No need to be on your knees. I haven't changed anything yet. And please don't call me God."
"Hai! Teacher!"
"...I don't even know how to feel about that, considering I was a teacher." Mario said.
"Oh course!" Nami said and as she stood up, something fell off the newspaper. "Huh?"
…
…
…
"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH?!" Her scream alerts everyone, minus Zoro.
"Nami! What is it?!" Sanji quickly asked.
"Look!" Nami pointed at the floor, where two papers lay down, everyone looked at it and gasped.
It was a wanted poster. Two of them…with two familiar faces.
'Straw Hat' Luffy
Wanted
Dead or Alive
30,000,000
"Woohoo! I have a bounty!" Luffy cheered as he looked at his wanted poster in joy.
'Red Cap' Mario
Wanted
Dead or Alive
50,000,000
"Oh no." Mario gasps in surprise. "A wanted poster of me?"
"It was probably that rat marine's revenge." Sanji said.
"...Well, at least it's just me and not Nojiko or Genzo." Mario took the news very well.
"Hey! Why is your bounty bigger than mine?" Luffy asked, a little miffed that he, the captain, had a bounty lower than his nakama.
"Is probably because he defeated Arlong and his crew alone and without effort." Zoro, having finally woken up, said. "I mean, his bounty was around 20 million bellies, and his friend must have at least 5 or 10 million."
"Yeah." Nami nodded. "Kuroobi and Chew had 17 million, while Hachi had 18 million…Wait a second." She realized something and turned to Mario. "Mario, I didn't see Hachi along with the rest, what happened to him?"
"Is he the octopus?" He asked, making Nami nod. "Oh. Well, I let him go."
"...You what?!" She yelled at him.
"He didn't seem completely evil. Just someone who was having trouble with not breaking his loyalty." Mario explained. "He reminded me of a dear friend, she was kind and had sisters, but her eldest treated her badly. When I helped her out, she saw how independent she can be and stood up to her, becoming her own person. I let him leave, promising to never return again. He even took a giant cowfish."
"...Well that explains why Moo Moo wasn't around." Nami's sweat drops. "And I guess I can let it pass. Hachi was the nice one in the whole crew." She sighs as she looks up and perks up. "Heads up! We are reaching land!"
Everyone quickly went up to the deck, Luffy standing on Merry's figurine head and the rest standing to the side. "What Island is that?"
"That's Loguetown," Nami said. "That's where Gold Roger was born…and executed." She saw as her rubbery captain stared in awe. "Want to go there?"
"Yes," Luffy stated. "I want to see it."
(Later)
"Mama Mia! It's-a beautiful." Mario was in awe at the sight of the city. The Going Merry had reached the island and dock.
"Alright! Listen up!" Nami clapped her hands. "We have a lot of things to do before we reach the Grand Line! We need gear, food and ammunition." She looked at Mario, "Mario, you are coming with me so we exchanged your money at the local jewelry store." She received a nod. "Everyone else knows what to do, so try to finish quickly and NOT get lost." She said, looking intensely at Zoro.
"Oh, wait!" Mario's lightbulb turned on as he took out his suitcase. "Stuffwell? Do it."
"At once." Stuffwell said as an antenna popped out from inside.
"Huh?! A talking briefcase?!" Everyone shouted in shock.
"Good day, Straw Hats. I'm Stuffwell. A portable device with an infinite storage design by Prof. to assist Mario in his journey." Stuffwell explained, just as the antenna folded back and six sheets of paper popped out from near the handle. "Mapping complete."
"Mapping?" Nami blinks as Mario pulls one sheet and gives it to her to see, gasping as seeing a layout of Loguetown, with names of all locations and in color. "You made a map of the town in seconds! And with all the information!" The crew quickly took one.
"Hey! So that's the execution platform!" Luffy said in eagerness.
"Huh…Seems there's only one sword shop." Zoro said.
"There's even shops named with what they are offering to sell." Sanji said.
"This…is so useful!" Usopp grinned.
"I feel cheated." Nami felt a part die. "It feels like my dream of making a map of the world is worthless."
"Oh, is your dream to make a map of the world?" Stuffwell asked before bowing…somehow. "I apologize for making you sad, Lady Nami. It was not my intention to make your dream feel worthless." He stopped bowing, "If it makes you feel better, I can only map a town, not the entire world."
"...Bah! As if I will let something like this get the best of me!" Nami returned with a fiery determination. "I'll just use this as inspiration as to how I must draw it! So thank you, Stuffwell." The suitcase sighs in relief.
"Yeah! Don't let the awesome, talking suitcase best you Nami!" Luffy cheered.
"I fully support you, Nami my dear!" Sanji joined in, full of hearty eyes.
"Not to sound in a hurry, but can we go?" Zoro asked.
"Silence, Marimo!" Sanji insulted.
"The fuck you said, Curly Shit stain?!"
Before they continue, Nami hits them both. "Quiet! Everyone! Let us move!"
"Later!" Luffy jumped down and quickly began to run, looking at the map. "Sweet! There are directions I can understand!" Was the last outburst as he disappeared in the crowd.
"And there he goes." Nami sighed as Mario patted her back. "Well, at least I know who will be the main center of attention in any trouble. Let's go, Mario."
"Okie dokie!"
As everyone left, they never noticed the marine peeking out from behind a wall. "Straw Hat and Red Cap are together? I must inform the captain!"
We focus on a room, covered in thick smoke. In the middle of it was a man, white hair smoking three cigars at the same time. He was placing stones on top of each other, forming a tower.
As he began to place his final stone, the doors swung open. "Captain Smoker, sir!" The marine's shout causes the towering stones to crumble, making him flinch at his superior's work.
"...Damn. Almost close." Smoker sighs as he fails to finish his tower. "So? What is it?" He asked the marine.
"W-We have spotted two pirate docks not too long ago, sir!" He said as he handed the wanted poster. "And it seems they both are together!"
Smoker took the posters and looked at them. "...Straw Hat Luffy and Red Cap Mario."
"Yes sir!" The marine salute. "Straw Hat took down Former Captain Morgan of Shell Town, Buggy the Clown, and Don Krieg! We also received information that he took down and revealed Kuro of the Thousand Plans being alive!"
"...Heh, so thirty millions for taking down two of the biggest names in the East Blue, beat down an idiot with a strong ideology and raise a hidden name from the grave." Smoke puff smoke out before looking at the other one. "What about Red Cap? What did he do to earn the biggest bounty right now?"
"According to the report, Red Cap single-handedly defeated Arlong The Saw! Along with all members of the crew!" That made Smoke look impressed. "But when Captain Nezumi asked to collect the pirates' treasure, Red Cap refused and became hostile by, and I quote, becoming a Giant that could rival Kaido and Big Mom!"
"So a devil fruit that can make him as tall as the two Emperor's…Meaning his punches are as strong as a Giant." He could believe he had taken down Arlong with that power. However, he found it suspicious the last part, ('Nezumi the rat is in charge of that place, right?') He looked at the marine. "Keep an eye on them."
"S-Sir!"
Smoker stood up, grabbing a towel to clean his sweaty body. "Either way, if Red Cap is with pirates, I will capture him. I have never let a pirate escape from here, and they will not be an exception."
"And that's a haul!"
"Mama Mia! I can't believe that guy was trying to extort me."
Nami and Mario were coming out of the jewelry store. Mario holding three bags of money that he quickly put away.
"Be thankful I was here. He tried to leave you with 50 million when it was supposed to be 100 million." Nami said while counting the cash in her hand that she 'received' for compensation for the extortion attempt.
"And I'm very thankful, Nami." Mario thanked with his usual smile, making the navigator blush at the honesty in his voice. "So, what now?"
"Shopping!" Nami dramatically states.
"Okay. Have fun." Mario said as he spun around and walked away…for about one step.
"Now, hold on buddy!" Nami quickly grabbed his arm to stop him. "We are going shopping for you! No offense, but I don't think I want you walking around, making people see you as a plumber."
Mario raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. "But I am a plumber."
"And that is the issue." Nami said. "Listen, I am in debt to you for saving my hometown but I don't think I want to see you wear that outfit all the time. I mean, that isn't your only custom, right?"
Mario looks at his clothes, seeing her point. "I see your point."
"No worries!" Nami placed her hand on Mario's shoulder. "I will help you get the best outfit to fit in this world, free of charge!" She said with her iconic wink and money sign.
Mario simply deadpanned. "Free of charge?" Emphasis on the sentence, please.
"Of course!"
…
…
…
…
…
"...I mean it!" Nami finally began to sweat. "Take this as proper compensation for everything you have done for my village!"
"...Alright. I accepted the offer." Mario had grasped the personality of Nami (he won't blame her for it since she had a bad childhood) and heard the sincerity in her tone.
"Great! Let's go!"
A few minutes later, Nami was walking out of a clothes store with a bag of clothes. "Hmm, I must say that this isn't bad!" She said as Mario came out with new clothes.
Mario had a deep red coat over a red shirt that said *Golden Star* with a belli sign on it. He now had brown pants with several pockets and a blue sash. His red hat switched to a red polka dot band that covered his hair, the red M right in the middle. His boots change to sneakers. The only thing being the same was his gloves.
"Agreed." Mario nodded. "I'm not much into clothing fashion, that's Peach turf, but I look good."
"I take that compliment with pride." Nami said. "Alright. You can leave now. Make sure to meet up with everyone at the Merry in about an hour."
"Sounds fair to me!" Mario tips his fedora before taking out a cyan pouch with a golden ribbon and a mushroom image. "Here Nami. For you to put your things inside and not get back pain."
"And this is?" Nami asked, as well as accepted.
Mario motions her to get close. She kneels a little, enough for him to whisper in her ear quickly, and her eyes widened. "No way…" She moved back to look at him, getting a nod. She looked at her giant bag and then at the pouch.
"Have fun with it! See you later!" Mario said as he ran away.
A few minutes later. "Was that a good idea Mario?" Cappy spoke up.
"What do you mean?"
"She's a thief." Cappy deadpanned.
…
…
…
"...Oops." Mario cringed when he realized he had just given a skillful thief the unlimited ability to hide anything away without consequences.
"F."
"F indeed."
His sweat dropped when his two companions spoke. He would tell them something, but his eyes noticed that he had come close to a tent shop. Stopping in his tracks, he saw the purple circus tent with a sign of 'Mystic Fortune'.
"Huh…Fortune." Mario hummed, reminding himself of how often he had done this to know where he must go in his adventures.
"Well, this is wonderful."
He jumped a little when he heard a voice from inside. The entrance opens a little as a man in a blue pouch that covers his body and only shows his green eyes. "It seems my services are in need once again."
"Merlin?!" Mario gasps at the old clayvoriant. "W-Why are you here? H-How are you here?"
"I cannot say how I got here. Simply know that if someone like you would like guidance, I will be there to assist." Merlin said as he stepped to the side. "Now then, I do believe you want guidance to find the Power Stars?"
"Same deal?" Mario asked as he accepted the invitation,
"As always." Merline placed the 'in use' sign as he closed the carpet.
In a few moments, Mario and Merlin stood in the center of the room, where a stand with a crystal ball lay. "Now then, what exactly do you wish to know, Star Child?"
Mario took out 50 coins. "Everything." He handed Merlin the cash, who accepted it.
"As you wish. I will tell you what you need to know." Merlin's cloak began to flutter as the crystal ball shone. "I see…I see!" Marline began to say as images form above him. "A star…in a dessert." An image of the Power Star being surrounded by sand flying around. "I see…A star in the sky." An image of a Star surrounded by clouds. "I see a Star…inside a haunted mansion…taken by the sea." An image of a Star inside a mansion. "I see…I see…Danger."
The images began to form as a few images appeared. A crocodile with sand. The lighting. A leopard. A shadow bat. A lion. An ice man. A bright man. A lava man. A body of total darkness.
"I see…a man on Green." An image of Luigi appeared, making Mario gasp as he saw he was trapped. "Captured by sand…" The image changes to a burning kingdom. "In a kingdom in danger." Now the sky is getting hit by thunder. "The sky is breaking and suffering." The face of a young woman crying in the jaws of the leopard. "A life chain to despair and suffering." Now the bat from before appeared while stealing a person's shadow, "A broken man putting pain on innocent." Then, the lion roared whole some islands beneath him burned. "A ruler wanting revenge." The ice, light, and lava man stood in front. "Three pillars, sporting their sense of justice…" And finally, a big shadow with an evil smile. "A darkness void, full of ambition and desires."
Mario took the information with a serious look. They all look strong, stronger than Arlong, and if the stars are with them, they will be a challenge to beat. However, his concern was Luigi. "Luigi, please be safe."
"That is all I can offer." Merlin said, his floating clothes calming down.
Starlow quickly came out. "Wait a minute Merlin! We only got three Power Stars locations! Where is the last one?"
Merlin shook his head. "I don't know. I have looked through everything, yet the last star is nowhere to be seen." Now that surprised Mario and Starlow. "It seems that something is blocking my view of its location, or it hasn't exactly landed just yet."
"Just yet?" What does that even mean?
"Now then, I suggest you go and reunite with your friends." Merlin suddenly said as the crystal ball gleamed and showed an image.
Mario gasps at seeing Luffy being clasped in the execution platform, a clown pirate above with sword in hand. "Luffy!" Without hesitation, he spun around to leave.
"Wait for me!" Starlow said she floated after him, but not before turning to Merlin and bowing. "Thanks for the information, Merlin! Take care!" Merlin waved at her as she left.
…
…
…
"Man. My nose is itching." Luffy whined as he was trapped on the execution platform. Next to him was a pirate he had previously defeated, someone who sailed with Shanks when they were young. "Hey Buffoon! Can you scratch my nose?"
"Who is Buffoon?! It's Buggy!" Buggy yelled at him.
It has been a few minutes after trapping Luffy. Buggy revealed himself and chaos happened. Before anyone could escape, his crew aimed their guns and froze them on the spot. Now, the clown pirate was going to execute the moron who humiliated him
"Hmph! That's what anyone gets for making fun of Captain Buggy." Cabaji commented with a smirk, hidden on his scarf.
"So this is how he falls…so disappointing." Alvida, former captain of the Alvida Pirates, now a coworker of Buggy, sighs in disappointment and acceptance.
"Behold!" Buggy dramatically spoke. "Now we execute the idiot known as Monkey D. Luffy for mocking my greatness!"
On one of the buildings, Marines stationed themselves, with Smoker and his right hand, Tashigi. "Report."
"Sir! Three pirates have been spotted! 'Iron Mace' Alvida! Buggy 'The Clown'! And 'Straw Hat' Luffy!" The marine reported. "It seems that Buggy is going to execute Straw Hat!"
Smoker huffed. ('So much for thirty millions.') He was hoping for a challenge. "Once Straw Hat's head rolls off, captured the pirates." He ordered.
"Hahahahaha! Any last words, Straw Hat!?" Buggy asked as he raised the sword above him.
Luffy kept thinking for a moment before taking a deep breath and yelling. "I'M GOING TO BE KING OF THE PIRATES!"
His outburst made several reactions, from laughter at the statement, to absolute shock.
"Mwahahahaha!" Buggy and his crew, band Alvida, mock him. "If that's it, then let's bet on it!"
"Stop the execution!"
A shout of defiance came out as the pirates, and the civilians, looked at the far side to see Zoro and Sanji running at full speed. In an instant, they quickly began to cut and kick their way through.
Buggy found it amusing. "Hahahahaha! Roronoa came! But it's too late!" He was already swinging his weapon down to Luffy's neck. "Sayonara, Straw Hat!"
Time slows down. The crowd gasps. The Marines prepared. The pirates cheer. Zoro and Sanji panic.
Luffy…simply smile. "Zoro! Sanji! Usopp! Nami! Mario!" With a grin on his face. "Sorry. I'm dead."
Time froze for Smoker as his eyes widened. ('That smile…') He remembered a smile like that.
But before he could contemplate, or Buggy could cut Luffy.
"LET'S-A GO!"
A red blur came from the crowd and before the clown pirate could do anything, a devastating punch to his nose, which made a squeak sound, sent him flying back, smashing into the ground hard enough to form a spider form and create an earthquake.
Everyone froze as they all stared in shock at the now unconscious and twitching Buggy before slowly looking at the top of the platform.
"Mama Mia! That was close!" Mario sighs in relief.
"Mario!" Luffy cheered before he shone at his attire. "You look awesome!"
"Why thank you-a so much." Mario said as he grabbed the cuff holding Luffy down and effortlessly broke them off, releasing his friend.
"W-Who the hell is that guy?!" Cabaji asked in horror. This chubby man just straight-up punched his captain hard enough to create a small shake.
"T-That's Red Cap!" Alvida gasps out, her eyes not believing what she just witnessed. "He defeated Arlong single-handedly!" Her comment made the rest gasp in shock.
('So that's Red Cap…') Smoker thought with an impressed look.
"He's…far shorter than I thought," Tashigi commented, surprised by the guy's size, and a tint of pink. "...But I must say that he looks handsome."
"...Strangely enough, I have to agree." Smoker huffed. "Especially that mustache."
"Woohoo! Freedom!" Luffy exclaimed. "Let's get out of here!" He said as he and Mario leap off the platform-
*CRACK! BOOM!*
Just as a lightning bolt struck the platform, incinerating it in an instant rain started to fall. Such a display was breathtaking; their leaping figures were for all to see, and in a simple moment, they looked different.
Luffy was smiling, his clothes having changed to white, his hair as well and became more saggy, a drumming sound echoing out. His straw hat flew back while a puffy cloud thing was around his shoulders.
Mario was back in his original outfit, all white and gold, his blue eyes brightly glowing like the sky, and a magnificent white cape with sparkles behind him.
From the crowd, a green-mohawk-haired man was sweating in shock before it morphed into an extreme amazement. ('S-So awesome!')
Back with the Marines, Smoker stared in disbelief when he suddenly felt an unknown feeling ring inside him. ('What the Hell?') He felt sweat forming as his fist clenched without him knowing.
These two were dangerous…heavily dangerous.
And they are together!
"Hey, shit head. Do you believe in God?" Sanji asked.
"Stop that! We need to leave!" Zoro replied as they both had made a path to escape.
Both Luffy and Mario landed on the ground before the Straw Hat Captain held tight to his hat and began to run. "Everyone! Run!" And without waiting, the four ran away.
"Captain Smoker!"
Smoker finally recovered his senses as he realized that the Marines were moving to capture the pirates. "...Status," he said.
"Sir! Straw Hat and Red Cap have left! Roronoa and the blonde one are right with them!" The marine informed him.
"So the rumors of Pirate Hunter going rogue were true." Smoker commented before noticing Tashigi was gone. "Where's the idiot?"
"Sergeant Tashigi went after the pirates! She looks really mad!"
"...Get the men stationed on the west side to be ready to intercept them." Smoker.
"A-Actually sir, the sudden rain damp the gunpowder and they went to reload it!"
Smoker almost choked on his three cigars. ('What?! That means the west side is unprotected!') He looked at the rainy sky, ('And the wind is blowing at that direction…Is this coincidence!?') He shook his head. "No matter…I, 'White Chaser' Smoker will not let a pirate leave this island."
…
…
…
"Man! This wind isn't letting down!" Sanji cursed as they all ran through the wet streets.
"We are almost to Merry!" Zoro, shockingly, said while looking at his map. "Thank God this map Mario gave us is useful."
"Are Nami and Usopp back on the Merry!?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah! Thankfully, the infinite bag that Mario gave Nami was helpful!" Sanji said before looking at the plumber. "That thing fitted the giant Elephant Tuna I bought so easily! What is that?!"
"Is an Item Bag!" Mario replied, "It can store a lot of items! Best thing, it can separate clothes, weapons, money and food on separate parts without mixing them!"
"Eh?! So I can store all the meat I want in one of them!?" Luffy was drooling so hard, a river was forming.
"Well, I think." Mario said, thinking, "I don't know how much, but I have held over 100 items before."
"Well ain't that so fucking convenient!" Sanji said.
"RORONOA ZORO!"
The group came to a sudden stop as someone stood in front of them, beneath the pouring rain, stood a young woman, her eyes shadowed by her blue hair and holding a sheathed katana in her hand.
"Oooooooohhhh! What a beauty!" Sanji went full ladies' man as his eyes changed into hearts, quite literally. Mario had to blink to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
"You were a pirate…you trick me!" Tashigi shouted before looking up and then with anger, Zoro more specifically. "How dare you!"
"Oy! Marimo!" Sani quickly glared at Zoro. "What the hell did you do?!"
"Shut it, love-sick cook!" Zoro yelled at him before looking at the girl. "And what do you mean trick?! You never asked for my name!"
Tashigi took her katana and positioned herself. "I will take that Wado Ichimonji from your filthy hands!"
Zoro smirked as he stood forward. "You think you can take my katana? Feel free to try!" He took out his two new katanas, "You guys go ahead! I'll catch up!"
"Like hell-" Sanji was saying before Mario had picked him up. "H-Hey!"
"Okay! Hurry up, Zoro!" Luffy shouted as he and Mario ran past, an angry Sanji cursing and trying to get off.
Five minutes later, the trio was intercepted by another figure.
"Straw Hat Luffy…Red Cap Mario." Smoker said as the trio stopped.
"Whose 'dis guy?" Sanji asked.
"A marine." Mario responded as he observed. "And by the looks of it…I think this is a Captain."
"You're correct, Red Cap." Smoker said, "My name is Smoker…and no pirates are escaping my grasp! White Out!" Suddenly, a bunch of smoke came out of his body and headed to them.
Mario, first to react quickly, took out his cape and began to spin. In a matter of seconds, the smoke was swallowed and made into a tornado, followed by flying into the air before bursting into particles.
"What the?!" Smoker gasped in surprise.
"Wow!"
"That was smoke, right?" Mario stopped spinning, not even dizzy. "Does that mean he has a Devil Fruit?"
"Yep!" Starlow came out and said, "That much smoke has to be one. Besides, look at the guy! He's smoking three cigars! Who is sane enough to smoke that much?"
"Is that a fairy?" Smoker felt incredulous when the yellow ball came out. ('Is this some kind of new devil fruit?')
"Fairy?! How dare you!" Starlow glared hard. "I'm far better than a fairy! Don't compare me to that annoying, squeaking, bug!" Everyone sweats at her outburst. "Here! A demonstration!"
Starlow's star-shaped antenna began to glow, and in an instant, Smoker found himself trapped in a glowing shield. "Eh?!" The marine looked around in surprise.
"Now stay there and reflect on your words!" Starlow said before going inside Mario's hat. "Move along! The shield will only last for 5 minutes!"
"Right!" Sanji said as he began to run.
"Eh?!" Luffy pouted, going after them. "But he looked strong! I want to fight him!"
"Hold it!" Smoker shouted as he took out his weapon, a stone-like sword. He swung it with all his strength. The sword simply bounced back, the shield still intact. "What?!" He continued to swing, still having no result. "What is this?!"
"Sorry about this." Mario apologized as he stood close by. "You made Starlow mad, and I can't do anything when she makes this shield." He then proceeded to take out the jar where the Fishmen Pirates were and placed them on the ground, "Please accept this as an apology. I'm sure you are far better than the marine back in Coni Island." Mario tapped his hat before running away.
"Wait!" Smoker shouted as he tried banging his fist on the shield, but it was for naught as they all disappeared in the distance. "Just what the Hell is this?!" Concern fills his spirit.
This shield was powerful…far more powerful than him. If he couldn't do shit with his special sword, this truly makes that fairy a threat.
"Well, wasn't that curious."
Smoker turned to his side to see a cloaked figure standing next to his prison. "A shield that not even your Sea-Stone Sword can shatter…Seems that rumors of Red Cap might not be an exaggeration."
"Who are you?!" He demands, but when a sudden lighting flashes on the cloak's hidden face, Smoker widens in disbelief. "YOU…What are you doing here?!"
"...Not much." The cloaked figure said before looking at where the pirates (and plumber) left. "I simply wanted to have a few minutes for myself…and became witness to an amazing sight." He looked at the jar left behind, "Also, I suggest you keep an eye on that jar…Red Cap has been very generous with you."
*Boom*
And in a flash of light, the cloaked figure was gone. Smoker couldn't even comprehend how he vanished so fast, but he didn't need to as the shield finally disappeared. He growled as he could guess the pirates managed to at least get to their ship and began to sail. ('Even if I use my Plum-Plum Fruit, the storm is getting worse. Flying would be difficult.') He looked down at the jar, using his smoke to pick it up. ('What the Hell is in this?')
…
…
…
"...You gotta be shitting me."
"But I wanted to fight him!"
Sanji kicked Luffy's head, "Could you just shut up about that?!"
The trio had managed to regroup with Zoro (who stated that he was sent flying by a burst of wind) and they all made it to Merry, which was away from the port.
"You guys!" Nami shouted with Usopp. "Get in! We need to leave now!"
"Alright!" Luffy stretched his arms and pulled himself back. "Gum-Gum…!"
"He is not going to/You better not!"
"Rocket!" Luffy let himself go as he took a screaming Zoro and Sanji to the Merry.
*Thud!*
The landing wasn't nice.
"Ouch!" Usopp cringes at the pain Zoro and Sanji are in.
"Good…Where's Mario?" Nami asked when he noticed the lack of red.
"Wahoo!" From the side of Merry, Mario landed on the railing, wearing a frog suit.
"…Mario. What is that?" Nami asked, pointing at the suit while feeling a twitching in her eye, repeated by the rest.
"Is my Frog Suit!" Mario said as he hopped off the railing, his suit vanishing. "It helps me swim fast in the water."
"So you noticed what Luffy was going to do and decided to just ditch us!?" Zoro and Sanji yelled at him.
Mario blink. "He what?" He looked at Luffy, "...Ah, right. I forgot you could stretch yourself into the ship. That would have been far quicker than swimming."
"Shishishishi!" Luffy said his iconic laugh while the rest sweatdropped.
After getting their bearings together, the Going Merry sails forward, "Guys! There it is!" Nami shouted through the rain as she pointed at the lighthouse far away.
"What is that?" Usopp asked.
"It's the guidepost, somewhere in there is the entrance to the Grand Line!" Nami said.
"Woohoo! Grand Line, here we come!" Luffy cheered.
"But do we have to go in the middle of this storm?!" Usopp asked, clutching the mast as Merry moved a bit harshly.
"We could wait," Mario said as he moved a small barrel. "But we would also give the Marines time to catch us." The sniper wisely decided to shut up.
"Alright!" Sanji shouted as he brought a big barrel and placed it in the center of the ship. "Since we are close by, how about we officially send off?"
Now, everyone was surrounding the barrel. Sanji began by placing his feet on it. "I'm going to find the All- blue!"
Luffy eagerly went next, "I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"
Zoro was next, "I'm going to be the Greatest Swordsman in the World!"
Nami was next, "I'm going to draw a map of the world!"
Usopp was next but he was a bit flustered on placing his foot. "I-I will become…a brave warrior of the Sea!"
Mario quickly placed the barrel he was rolling next to Usopp. He hops over it to be on the same height as the rest before putting his feet on the barrel. "I'm going to find the Power Stars and my brother!" He then looked at everyone present, "And, by your permission, help my friends achieve their dreams!"
That made everyone smile at the implications. With their vows declared, they rose their feet and smashed the barrel wide open, "LET'S GO TO THE GRAND LINE!"
"OOOOOOOOOH!"
It was forty minutes after the Straw Hat Pirates had escaped. Smoker returned to his base, full of anger and shame.
He let a bunch of pirates escape for the first time in his work. But he didn't lose them by losing a battle, no…He was captured by a fairy and had to watch as they all escaped from his very eyes helplessly!
"Sir!" A Marine came close and saluted, "W-We are sorry! The pirates have escaped!"
"...Get my ship ready." Smoker order.
"Sir?! Are you planning to go after them?!"
"I never let a pirate escape."
"But sir! Headquarters said-"
Smoker glared at him. "That they don't order me around!"
"I'm coming too!" Tashigi, drenching in water, said with a glaring determination. "Roronoa Zoro…I swear I will capture him!"
Smoker didn't need to question her decision. "...We leave soon." He then went to his office. "I have a call to make. Once I'm done, I better have my ship ready."
"Sir!"
Closing the door of his, soon-to-be old, office. Smoker quickly went to the Transporter snail that connects to the main base. After putting in a number, the snail began to ring.
*Puru Puru Puru…puru puru puru…puru puru puru…gacha!*
"This is Marine Headquarters speaking." The snail spoke.
"This is Captain Smoker of Loguetown. I wish to report an important development." He said as he took out the jar that Mario gave him.
"What would that be?"
"Right now, in my very hands, is a jar…containing Saw Tooth Arlong and his Fishmen Pirates."
"...I'm sorry. I didn't believe I heard correctly. Did you just say that-"
"I didn't stutter." Smoker growled. "In my 'literary' hands are the Fishmen Pirates, all trapped and unconscious…and you will never believe this, but it was Red Cap Mario who handed them to me personally."
"...Please hold a second." The snail went quiet for a second, small muttering coming out from its mouth. A second later, it returned to speak. "A nearby Commodore will arrive shortly at your location. Please stand by for further details-"
"Yeah, sorry." Smoker denies. "I won't be here when they arrive. I have a pirate crew to capture."
"C-Captain Smoker!" The snail panicked. "Your orders are to stay-"
"Have your orders shove right through where the sun isn't shining! I'm going after pirates, which is my GODDAMN job!" Smoker responded. "Also, get someone to Coni Island! I smell a lying rat!" It was all he said before ending the call, the snail going to sleep.
Taking a deep breath, Smoker looked at the jar, ('Just how did Red Cap do this?') He only was informed how the man could grow size and have the strength of a giant. He witnessed his strength, and his speed was to be respected, despite his size. He also remembers how he took a yellow cape and began to spin to counter his smoke attack.
And that fairy creature that came from Red Cap's headband. Why wasn't this informed? Was he hiding it well enough?
Either Nezumi didn't know or there was something he cared about more than just that.
That's why he said to send someone to go to Coni Island, not only because he didn't trust Nezumi, but because he was the one to put a bounty on Red Cap.
Then there's what Red Cap said. ('I look far better than the Marine in Coni Island. If that's not an implication of something, I'll eat my sea stone sword.')
*Knock-Knock!*
A tap on his door caught his attention.
"Captain Smoker! The ship is ready!"
He stood up, used his smoke to grab a pen, and wrote everything that happened today. As well, as putting a warning of the jar until Commoner comes to collect the trap pirates.
"I have many questions for you, Red Cap." Smoker said as he placed everything on the desk. "You and Straw Hat may have escaped, but I will get you both!" And with that said, 'White Chaser' Smoker left his office, sworn to capture the two pirates.