Chapter 10

The Mermaid Rescue Operation

Maxwell rode through the skies of Sabaodey as a passenger on a flying fish… That seemed a lot less crazy in his mind, then out loud. They already had their destination. The Rosy Life Rider who was piloting him was racing them towards Grove 1, where they should find Camie. Some of the others were already there!

Apparently a group of slavers had complained about not getting as much money for their capture. They had caught a giant, but they weren't going to get as large of a cut since a mermaid suddenly took the spot of the Most Valuable Piece.

"How much longer!" Maxwell yelled over the wind. He was still frustrated about everything that was happening. First he finds out Ace was going to die, then he found out Camie had had been kidnapped!

Apparently she had been caught in Sabaodey Park. He knew Luffy and the others went there! The guys had left her alone for just a moment and then snap, just like that, she was gone! Luffy and the boys then raised the alert, calling the Thousand Sunny. There, Sanji immediately called in his favour with the Flying Fish Riders, and had them scour the archipelago.

Of course they wouldn't know about Ace! They would have been too busy trying to find Camie! Damn that Hawkins!

…Maxwell didn't dare voice any of his knowledge on the radio though. Finding Camie was urgent enough as it was, and he couldn't afford to split their attentions on personal matters. Max needed his mind focused on the now!

"Not too much longer!" his pilot yelled. The biker then spotted something in the air, "Hey! It's more of your friends!" He then unhooked the receiver for his den-den mushi and talked over the frequency. "Hey guys! I found Trevelyan! We're not far from the auction house! Who's still delivering!?"

"[Mike! This is Dave! I have Nico Robin with me!]"

"[Yohoho! Maxwell-san! Over here!]" "[Oi! Hands off!]" Brook called over the radio. Maxwell spotted him, flying on the back of the flying fish. They were both going in the same direction.

"[Having trouble there Harry? Don't worry, I got the Long-nose—]" "[Hey! At least use my name, you bastard!]" Usopp was still on his way as well.

Maxwell nodded. No one else responded, so that meant Luffy, Sanji, Franky, Zoro, Nami, and Chopper where already at the auction house! He just hoped they weren't too late!

Grove 1 eventually came into sight, and it wasn't hard to guess where they were going. There was only one building on the entire plateau, the Human Auction House!

It was a large circular building, surround buy six marble pillars. Both the building and spires were covered in moss, but that didn't detract from the building's prestige or maintenance. The base walls were covered with white plaster. Long iron windows, with crisscrossing bars, made the place both classy and foreboding. Spherical suits were above the base level, likely meant for any VIP guests while the auction was going on. An entrance hall stuck out of it, supported by fullered columns as you walked into the building. It mockingly looked like the entrance to a temple!

The roof itself was a blue tiled dome, with a straw thatched trapezoid on top. Maybe it was meant to be a joke on the word, "house," but Maxwell didn't find it funny. The moss on the tiles made you think of islands or continents, meaning you might find anyone for sale here. Maxwell's blood boiled at the thought!

However there was two things most noticeable about that building. One: There was a pile of debris strung between the foray's pillars. And two—

"[It's a mess down there!]" Dave said over the intercom. "[A wave of people are coming out of the entrance!]"

"That means something's already going down!" said Mike. People were indeed flooding out of the entrance, clearly spooked by something.

Mike then looked at Maxwell while spoke into the radio. "We'll drop you guys off while we crash through the roof! Be prepared for anything, so let's get in there!"

"[Roger that—!]" "[Huh!? Wait, don't roger that! I don't want to—!]"

Maxwell grabbed the speaker from Mike's hand. "Usopp! Do you want to help Camie or not!? We're going to have to fight, so don't you dare back out now!" He knew Usopp was going to help. Usopp was smarter and braver than he gave himself credit for… Besides, if he didn't help, Maxwell swore he was going to find a way to turn Usopp into a toad!

"[…O-Okay. Understood! I, Captain Usopp, will bravely—]" "[Going down!]" "[NO WAIT—! I'M NOT READY!]"

The flying fish picked up speed and then dived its nose towards the straw thatched roof. That was going to be the weakest point! Maxwell cast a Barrier around themselves, for a bit of protection. It wouldn't do to have their ride knock itself out as the busted in!

*CRUNCH!* They brook through the roof of the auction house, splinters falling before them! Robin, Brook, and Usopp's rides circled the theatre room with them. Men and woman were still racing out of the exits. Maxwell saw Camie on stage, swimming in a fishbowl half shorn, and Luffy and the others were fighting in the stairwells. They were fighting clowns and knights—! Knights that had been guarding the World Nobles!

"Oh Luffy… You didn't…" Maxwell groaned in desperation. He saw the unconscious body of a Celestial Dragon in the back row. The same one Zoro had nearly cut down and tried to take the nurse as a prize. By the look of things, Luffy had punched him. Hard. And the other two nobles were still in the king's box!

"Good luck!" Mike nodded to him. Maxwell only grimaced and then leapt off the flying fish, turning into mist as he fell.

The Frost Step lessened his impact as he landed. Maxwell then let loose with a barrage of arcane bolts, firing them through the trail of mists he made. They cloaked his aim, magic missiles streaking out as he aimed for the helms of the knights, and stomachs of clowns.

"Max! Usopp! Robin! Brook!" Luffy smiled at them while he fought off a knight. There were two types of knights among their rank. The actual knights, wearing the pointed helms and bulkier armor. They likely wore it for defense and protection, seeing as they were guarding the World Nobles. The other type seemed more like an offensive group. Gladiators. They wore impractical armor, covering their arms, shoulders, and head. And their primary weapons seemed to be their fists, wearing the armored gauntlets. However they were stronger than their counterparts. One gladiator punched through a pew, making a small crater in the stands. Those muscles weren't just for show!

"Clutch!" That meant nothing to Robin though. She was having arms sprout of some gladiators, breaking their backs and misaligning their spines. Robin didn't to be close to choke the life you out!

"My apologies for being late!" Brook called out. "Excuse me!" He was fencing his way through some clowns.

Usopp had ran close to Luffy… DID HE LAND ON ONE OF THE OTHER CELESTIAL DRAGONS!? "Luffy, where's Camie!?"

"Over there!" their captain pointed at the stage. "As soon as we get that bomb off her neck, we're getting out of here. Battleships and an admiral are coming!"

"WHAT!?" Usopp yelled at the thought. They were so screwed!"

"The marines are already here, Straw-Hatya."

Luffy looked back and saw someone still sitting in the stands. "Who are you? …And what's with the bear?"

It was Trafalgar D. Water Law, lounging in one of the pews, close to wear Charlos had been punched. He sat with two guys, both wearing jumpsuits, and a polar bear that in another orange jumpsuit. "The navy's been here since the auction started. They're surrounding the auction house as we speak." He was wearing yellow and black hoodie and snow leopard pants. His arms were covered in tattoos and had multiple piercing in his ears. The bear was holding his sword and Law seemed way too relaxed.

"Eh!? Really!?" Luffy thought, that was quick.

"They have Marine Headquarters nearby after all," Law grinned beneath his fire cap, "I don't know who they wanted to catch, but I'm sure they never dreamed that someone would actually attack a Celestial Dragon."

"You must be Trafalgar Law…!" Robin had retreated into the stands, still fighting off knights. "Luffy, this man is a pirate."

Law chuffed in amusement, "You've shown me something interesting, Straw-Hats."

"P-Please wait, Princess Sharlia," Maxwell heard the auctioneer stutter. "That item hasn't been paid for yet—Grk!"

Maxwell turned and saw Sharlia on a stepping stool up towards the lip of Camie's sliced bowl. She had just shot Disco, "Shut up, you commoner! I'm going to kill this mermaid they're trying to save!"

"Crap, Camie!" Sanji yelled.

"Dammit!" Maxwell cursed. The knights had been steadily ganging on him. Sowly pushing him away from the stage. If he tried to step into their formation with the Fade Step, timer would out before he cleared their group! They were competent, and made Maxwell remember fighting Templars! That only made him fight harder, but he wouldn't reach Camie in time!

"Die, you damn fish!" Sharlia pointed her pistol at Camie's head. The mermaid even swam to the back of the tank, trying to cover her face in of terror.

Usopp, Robin, Zoro, and Maxwell all aimed they're projectiles at the female noble. Maxwell deciding to damn the consequences! However two things happened at once.

One, Princess Sharlia suddenly shook at fainted onto her back.

And two, Maxwell froze in terror!

He could see it in the Fade. A monstrous dragon, no, demon—! Rising out of the earth and looming before them all, legs still lodged in the fiery pit! A hideous fanged mouth hidden beneath a curtain of shadow. A wreath of wicked horns crowning it's head beneath a miasmic sky!

What the hell was this!? Maxwell hadn't felt like this since—

"You see my dear giant? This place is completely messed up."

The feeling suddenly disappeared.

Maxwell snapped his attention back towards the stage, where he saw two figures ripping through the backdrop. One was a giant, with a leather cap and scar beneath its eye. The other was an old man drinking from a flask. And he was the only one stepping through.

Then Maxwell realized why he hadn't been skewered yet. All the knights were too focused on their princess!

"The auction's over, and I've stolen their money, and it looks like I can do some gambling…"

"You're pretty sneaky old man…" The giants crouched down to be more eye level with the geezer, "Were you just here to get some money?"

Rayleigh grinned, "Well, I was hoping to steal some more from whoever bought me. Just think about it. What fool would possibly want an old man for a slave!? Wahahahaha!"

Then he noticed there were still people in the theatre. Everyone was staring at him.

"Hm? Looks like we've garnered some attention."

"What's with that old man and the giant!?" "Aren't they auction items!? How did they get out of the cage?" "How did they open the locks!?"

There wasn't a single chain on them! And the knights were inwardly panicking.

"What do we do…!?" "What? I'd don't know! We're not trained to capture people!" "And we don't stand a chance against a giant who isn't chained!"

"R—Rayleigh!" Maxwell looked back, realizing Hachi had been leaning against a pew. Chopper was tending to his wounds. When had he been shot!?

"Eh? That's the coating guy!? Which one!?" Chopper looked back between Hachi and the stage.

"Oh!?" Rayleigh grinned with pleasant surprise. "Is that you Hachi!? Hey, it's been a while! What are you doing here!?" He then noticed the blood and bandages being put on. "Where did you get that wound?" His tone became less exuberant when he noticed that.

Rayleigh then looked around, studying the seen. "Ah… No, no seed to say it." There mermaid was in a fishbowl, with a collar around her neck. Hachi's ams we're exposed and had a gunshot wound in his chest. Three Celestial Dragons were on the ground. And the theatre was full of armed knights and clowns, watching his every move.

"I see… In other words, you've gotten yourself in a real pickle, Hachi…" Rayleigh then looked around at all the Straw-Hats. "You guys helped him out? Well then…"

Maxwell jerked back as he saw the mental image of the demon king again. This time it wasn't just standing there, it was actually reaching out a clawed hand.

Then all of a sudden the projection disappeared! And Maxwell realized every clown and knight now laid on the floor, passed out. Rayleigh hadn't even moved from his spot on the stage!

"Eh…? What!? What did he do!?" Usopp exclaimed. They were all frothing at the mouth and lying all over the place!

Rayleigh then stared at Luffy, with an appraising look.

"That straw hat really does suit a dauntless man…! I've been wanting to meet you, Monkey D. Luffy."

Maxwell gulped. This was the guy they were looking for…? By the Maker, he hadn't felt this intimidated since Zoro took on Mihawk at the Beratie! And those images…! Just what the hell did he do!? Some sort of Dream Walk!? Invading another's mind was supposed to be impossible without some sort of blood connection!

"…But first, let's get that collar off, shall we?"

Everyone slowly backed up as Rayleigh walked up to the tank. He stepped onto the stepping stool Sharlia had been using. Getting close to eye level with the young mermaid. Camie had long since popped her head out of the water after Sharlia had fainted. But even she swam there in stunned silence as Rayleigh started fiddling with her chains.

"Oi, oi, Gramps! Don't be reckless! It's going to explode!" Pappagu cried in terror.

"Those slave collars explodes!" Chopper warned, "We've seen it ourselves!" Camie might very well die if that collar goes off!

"I saw it too," Brook fretted, "That collar is very bad news!"

"It's alright, just stay still," Rayleigh ignored them.

"No! We told you, you can't take it off without a key!" Pappagu wailed.

*Tink*

*Tink*

*Tink*

*Tink*

The ticking sound of the collar's bomb began to sound. The explosives were armed, making Pappagu scream! "IT'S ALREADY COUNTING DOWN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

*Tink-Tink*

*Tink-Tink*

*Tink-Tink*

Rayleigh just stood there, hands on the locks.

"WE'RE DONE FOR! YOU WON'T MAKE IT IN TIME!"

*Tinktinktinktinktink—*

"CAMIIIIEEEEE!"

*BOOM!*

…

…

…

…The collar was off…

And Camie was unharmed!

Maxwell couldn't understand it! It was like Rayleigh had just thrown the collar away! "…It came off!?"

"Hey, hey! What was that!?" Franky then came in from backstage, a ring keys was in his hands. "The collar and cuffs are already gone!? I found the keys and everything!" He had just raided the offices to find the damn things!

"Ah, good work. But it's fine," Rayleigh waved off the cyborg. "You, take this girl now!"

"Oh, um… thank you!" Camie said realizing she was free.

"What the hell was that!? What's going on!? Who are you!?" Franky barked at the old man. Maxwell wanted to stop him after Rayleigh's display, but he just didn't have the courage.

"What did he do? That old man just did something weird again…!" Usopp hid behind one of the seats. He thought he bomb was going to kill Camie too. Pappagu actually went barreling down when he realized Camie was no longer in danger.

"He took the collar off with his bare hands…!" Zoro also looked puzzled trying to figure it out. That wasn't just some skill. It was a technique!

"That old man also took out all the guards at once," Sanji observed. "Maybe he's using some kind of magical or demonic power. What do you think Maxwell?" The crew had been slowly grouping together since the timer started.

"That wasn't a spell…!" Maxwell stared, thinking hard while Franky threw the keys to the slaves backstage. He was thinking about the Colours of the King again. After watching Luffy do something similar back on Thriller Bark, and again a the Riders' base, he wanted to know if the technique was teachable. "…Whatever it was, that technique is powerful…!" It was another power unique to this world.

"That was something called, Haki," Hachi croaked out. Chopper had finished wrapped his chest in bandages after extracting the bullets. "I don't really know much about it either, though…"

Haki… So that's what it was called. "Salem, keep note of that name. We may need it for future reference…" Maxwell mentally told his familiar.

"Understood."

"Sorry about that… I didn't realize others were watching." Maxwell looked around and realized they weren't the only people conscious. Rayleigh was talking to two other groups still in the theatre. Max already recognized Law sitting in the pews. However, he didn't realize Eustace "Captain" Kid was already in here, standing in the back of the stands. He as with his lieutenant Killer, only coming out when they had finally been noticed. "You guys must be quite strong to resist that at all."

Law still sat with his arms hung over the bench. However his head was leaned forward, clearly interested in what was happening here. "I never thought I'd meet someone like you in a place like this…"

"…The Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh…!" Kid had a smile on his face, but it was clear he was trying to put up a front before the former pirate. "There's no mistaking it. Why is a legendary man like you here…?"

Kid wore shirt. All he had was a pair of boots, pants, and a champion's belt underneath a pirate's coat. He wore a pair of googles, holding back his red hair, and had several guns tucked into his belt.

Rayleigh smiled confidently as he walked up the stairs. "On these islands, I'm a coating craftsman by the name of 'Ray.' Don't go throwing that name around. I'm already an old man, and I'd like to live a peaceful life."

The pirate veteran then kneels down beside his young friend, "Don't go dying on me Hachi, alright?" Rayleigh patted the bandages, making sure Chopper was doing a good job. Chopper was nervous, being so close to the strange human, but Rayleigh was more focused on Hachi. "Hachi. Don't I always tell you not to go walking around these islands?"

"Nyu… I'm sorry." Hachi moans like a child being caught doing something deliberate, even when he knew he shouldn't do it. Just who was this guy!?

Rayleigh looks up at all the pirates standing on the stairs, "Straw-Hats, thank you. You saved my friend."

"…So, what's this about you wanting to meet me, gramps?" Luffy asked the former pirate.

"Hm…" Rayleigh nodded, as if confirming something in his head, "We'll have save that for later. We need to get out of here first."

"[ATTENTION CRIMINALS! WE HAVE THE BUILDING SURROUNDED!]" Maxwell looked back at the entrance. It seems the marines were finally ready.

"[RELEASE THE ROSWALD FAMILY AT ONCE! AN ADMIRAL WILL SOON ARRIVE, SO I SUGGEST YOU SURRENDER, NOW! OTHERWISE, WHO KNOWS WHAT'LL HAPPEN TO YOU ROOKIES!]"

…Maxwell blinked. It felt odd to be called rookies again. They had already fought 4 life altering battles, explored 15 islands, and this marine, who wasn't even in the same profession as them, was calling them rookies!? He had to admit, it was a little jarring.

"Looks like we're involved now," Law spoke to Kid in his aloof tone. "They totally think we're accomplices."

"Heh. I got to see just how crazy Straw-Hat Luffy really was, so I've got no complaints here…" Kid had been curious about the captain with the highest bounty beneath him. Just how insane he was. "But I'll pass on taking on an admiral."

"Ah right. I won't be using that power anymore either, so I'll leave it up to you rookies," Rayleigh said jovially. "It'll just make my life harder if the marines figure out who I really am." So they'll have to fight their own way out…

"The longer we wait, the more soldiers there are. So I'll be leaving first," Kid told them. "We'll even lend you guys a hand! We'll clean up out front so you guys just rest easy." He even laughed as he walked towards the entrance, waving his hand as he did. Clearly, the size of his bounty had gone straight to his head.

It was condescending. And it seemed to piss both Law AND Luffy off!

"Hey, Luffy!" Maxwell called after him. Both he and Law were already heading to the entrance to confront the marines outside. Law even took his longsword from the strange bear. "Dammit…"

So he instead turned towards the crew. "Alright. Chopper, Mr. Rayleigh, would you please carry Hachi out as soon as we have a path."

"Of course!" Chopper nodded. He moved to get under Hachi's arm but Rayleigh stopped him.

"Don't worry about us, boys." He was already lifting up the fishman with an arm over his shoulders. Rayleigh said he wouldn't use THAT power. Not that he wouldn't help. "If we get separated, we'll meet up a Grove 13. Sound agreeable?" The old pirate seemed to smile as Maxwell saw the lines between his words.

"Done," Maxwell nodded. They needed a destination point anyways. "Franky, since you're already carrying Camie, it'll be your job to keep her safe. Understood?"

The cyborg grinned as he walked up the steps, "You got it Max!"

"Good. Usopp, Chopper, guard our escort. Zoro, Sanji, Brook, Robin, you guys will make a path as we engage the navy. I don't doubt those three won't take out any marines, but there will be reinforcements!"

Both Zoro and Sanji smiled, looking forward to the fight.

"Alright, old man." "Hmph. We'll break through with one push."

"What about me, Max?" Nami asked the mage.

Maxwell only gave her an evil grin. "You, and I, are going to make it rain." He was curious what they could accomplish together after Thriller Bark.

Rayleigh paused for a moment, turning back to the stage. "Hey giant, what about you? You coming with us?"

Right, Maxwell had forgotten about the giant. He was already through the backdrop with all the freed slaves around his legs. "I'll stick with these other slaves and escape somewhere!"

Rayleigh nodded, "I see. Try not to stand out too much. Be careful."

"Old man! Straw-Hats!" the giant called to them. "If I ever meet you guys again, I'll repay this debt! Thank you!"

"Really, thanks!" "Thank you!"

All the men and women on stage waved there hands in farewell. They were grateful for the chance at freedom, even if it wasn't their intent.

Usopp waved back at them, "Yeah, don't mention it."

"You're taking credit!?" Chopper gawked at the sniper.

"WILL YOU TOO HURRY UP!" Maxwell grabbed Usopp by the collar, and Chopper by his pack, and started dragging them up the stairs. They didn't have any time to waste!

"Woah! Hey Max—!" "GAH! PUT ME DOWN!"

Maxwell felt something vibrate on his leg and stopped to look down. "Huh?" All for of his foci were jittering on their hooks and slings.

"Whoa! Hold on there!" Then they came off their hooks as if pulled by some unseen force! Maxwell let go of Usopp and and Chopper reached out to energize his foci. Salem, Mordred, and Mineive all possessed their anchors, lessening whatever force had been pulling them.

"What the devil!?" "Interesting…!" "Hm… Magnetism."

Maxwell had to apply a bit more energy on his staff, but he was able to levitate all the foci back around him.

"Max, watch out!" Usopp yelled, and Maxwell quickly ducked in response. Spears, rebar, and pieces of armor were all flying in the air, heading straight out the door! There was no guidance to it, just a strong magnetic pull! You either had to duck or dodge so you wouldn't get clipped!

The building shook as they went outside. "UWAH!"

Maxwell raced up the stairs, "Let's go!" All that metal had to go somewhere!

When they reached the end of the pilot stairway, it was damage. "Hey, what happened all of a sudden…!?" The marine's front line had been completely taken out.

"Of course those two are Devil Fruit users, too!" Sanji cursed. Luffy, Kid, and Law stood in front of it with barely a nick on them. It was full of broken cannons, chains, riot shields, rifles, and unsheathed weapons. Marines were strewn about, heads stuck in the debris. Maxwell couldn't tell if some of those body parts were even sticking out right!

"A-Amazing! I can't believe my eyes! Even though I don't have any eyes!" Brook both gawked and joked. That must have been at least a hundred men!

"Wahahahaha! You guys sure took care of that!" Rayleigh laughed as he saw the decimated marines.

"What's with that look Straw-Hatya? That's not a very good finish," Law tried to tease Luffy. He was in his midget form after using Gear Third.

"Really?" Luffy, of course, was oblivious to it.

Kid was still looking at the marines, "Their formations don't amount to crap." There was still a thousand more waiting in the wings.

"Commodore! It looks like they've all come out!" Maxwell spied one of the marines yelling. He was beside a taller man wearing full plate, and the signature white ball-cap. Maxwell had began to thought marines didn't wear armor.

"They're trying to escape!" the commodore barked. "Don't look down on us, you little brats! Reinforcements are on their way!" The marine then received a call… "We've managed to secure the hostages out back! All unites, aim the mortars at the pirates without Devil Fruits! Firing squads to the rear! All soldiers, attack at once! Take those pirates down!"

"UWAAAAAARRRRRRHHHHH!" The marines yelled unison. A wordless roar meant for battle! They drew swords, shouldered riffles, formed lines, all to take these pirates down!

"Here they come," said Kid. "Looks like they don't even have a plan anymore. It's just a straight-up brawl from here on out!

Luffy jumped as he regained his original size, "Oh, back to normal."

"See you later Straw-Hat. I'm glad I met you here, The next time I see you though, I not going to show you any mercy…!" Kid's grin promised only violence.

Luffy nodded, "Hmm. Yeah, but, I'm the one who's going to find the One Piece!" —barely acknowledging the threat.

Both captains snapped their heads to look a the rubber-man. Their attention was on the word, "One Piece."

Killer ran up in front of his captain and blocked an axe a Marine was trying to swing at Kid. He caught it with one of his wrist mounted mower blades. Killer then jumped over the marine, using the combined momentum of the axe and his motorized weapon. He sliced the enemy on both shoulders, citing deep into the marine's muscle.

"Hey, Kid! What're you standing around for!?" He wore a seamless domed mask and helmet, with only two line s of holes to see and breath through. His hair was long, blonde, growing out from beneath that helmet. Killer's attire was more tame than the rest of Kid's crew. He had a blue dress shirt with his chest expose, and tan beige pants with dress shoes.

"Hey Killer…" he acknowledged his crewmate, though he was still talking to the other pirates.

"On our journey, everyone would laugh and jeer at us whenever we mentioned getting our hands on the One Piece… And each time that happened I slaughtered everyone of them who laughed. But ahead of us is a sea of death, and those without the guts to sail that won't survive."

Kid grinned, despite himself, "Let's meet again in the New World." He had finally found his rivals. "Let's go guys!"

Killer and another crew member lunged forward taking the marines head on. "YEAH!"

"Trafalgar Law!" One marine wielding a kanabo club charged Law, intending to crush the pirate. "You'll pay for what you did to my buddies!"

Law turned around. "Bepo!"

"Aye-aye, Captain!" The polar bear, Bepo leapt at the marine. Delivering a flying kick to the man's face!

"Aye-aye-aye-aye!" The bear yelled and a high pitched cry as he kicked other marines in a flurry of blows. Bepo was clearly a skilled martial artist!

"Guhoh…! What's with that bear…!?" Marines groaned on the ground, having never been kicked like that before.

"HUWaaaaAH!" Bepo stood in a crane stance overlooking the marines… Then he noticed his captain was walking away, "Huh!? Captain, where are you going!?"

"Yo!"

"Oh, Sanji!" Luffy watched as his chef came flying in with his own kick.

"Luffy, look over there," Sanji calmly pointed.

"Hm?" Luffy looked back towards a moss covered root sticking above the rest of the ground. "Ah!" He saw what Sanji was pointed at.

"Heeeeey! Young Master!"

"Flying Fish guy!" Luffy waved back. It was Duval and the Rosy Life Riders!

"Eh!? I'm handsome!?" Duval yelled back. "More importantly, preparations for your escape are complete! Isn't that right men!?"

"Yes!" Three of his men did jazz hands, posing, "Life is Rosy!"

Sanji took out a fresh cigarette, "It bothers me that we'll be in their debt again, but we'd better get out of here." He had already told Maxwell that they would be their get away vehicles.

"Okay! Let's go!" Luffy grinned and started running towards the biker gang.

"Flèche Lullaby!" Brook swung his sword-cane, unleashing another string of musical notes. "Quickly, you two!"

"OH~! …Guh—!"

"DON'T GO TO SLEEP!" Sanji bopped him on the head.

O O O

"You! Are you accomplices of those pirates!?" A squad of marines pointed their riffles at Duval.

"Gah! I—I've got nothing to do with them! I'm not even a pirate!" Duval held his hands up, realizing he was staring down marines again.

"Nueve Fleur. Twist!" Three arms grew out of every marine pointing a gun at Duval. Two arms caught each marine's wrist and pulled it around their necks as another arm pushed their shoulder. You could hear their backs crack with the twist.

"Oh… Oh~ that was scary!" Duval breathed in relief as he fell down to his knees. Nico Robin had saved him from the firing squad.

"Boss!" one of his men shouted in concern, "Even though you're still traumatized from when the navy came after you, you held on! How admirable!"

"Sh-Shut up!" Duval looked back at his men, "Now's not the time to talk about trauma or anything! I owe my life to the Young Master and his friends, so we'll help them when they're in trouble!" Robin smiled, knowing they had such dependable friends around.

O O O

Meanwhile, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper were clearing the way for their escort. "Old man! Franky! You guys go ahead!"

"Got it! Thanks!" Rayleigh shouted as he carried Hachi. Franky was carrying both Camie an Pappagu as he ran.

Usopp fired another star in a cluster of marines, "They just keep coming!"

"Heh!" Zoro slashed another marine, "Good thing we have a couple of witches with us."

"I heard that, Zoro!" Maxwell yelled as he spun his staff. He was a mage, not a witch! Maxwell was also working in tandem with Nami, creating a black storm cloud that loomed over everyone!

It was already raining! "Wahahahaha! Sure gets your blood boiling, eh!?"

"Your a lively old man!" Franky grunted as he ran with Rayleigh.

"Don't let the Straw-Hats get away!" Several marines tried firing the riffles, but the rain water had seeped into many of their power chambers. "They're the main culprits here!"

*RUMBLE!*

The marine then looked up, realizing just how dark the cloud had become. "Huh?"

"Hurry up, you three!" Usopp called to Brook, Sanji, and Luffy.

"Nami, now!" Maxwell yelled, releasing his hold on the thundercloud!

"Thunderbolt… TEMPO!"

*KABOOM!*

Nami slammed her own staff down, guiding the thunderbolts down from the cloud above. The lightning streams were huge! So much energy, collected by Maxwell and conducted by Nami, came striking down as if a god had chosen to smite the earth!

Wood splintered and moss sheets tore as the lighting ripped into the marines! Those that weren't electrocuted fell into the holes left by the thunder. Usopp, Sanji, Luffy, and Brook all had to jump just to get out of the way!

"Alright! On the fish!" Maxwell barked, rolling his arm. "We're getting out of here!"

Everyone hoped onto a flying fish, each person having a pilot to drive them. Motobaro held more people, since he had a wider back to ride on. Hachi, Rayleigh, Camie, Pappagu and Franky rode with Duval.

"Alright! It's up to you!" Luffy called out as the Rosy Life Riders pulled away from the wooden shore.

"Leave it to us!" The riders rev their handlebars and the flying fish pick up speed. They briefly dip into the water before turning upwards into the sky! Marine tried to fire at them, but their bullets just weren't accurate at long ranges!

9 flying fish flew through the sky, on their way to Grove 13.

"…Did we lose 'em?" Usopp looked back, not seeing any marines behind them.

"Alright!" Luffy cheered. "Let's head straight towards the amusement park!"

"ARE YOU CRAZY!" Both Sanji and Usopp yell at their captain. Now was not the time to go goof off!

Maxwell does a headcount, "…Wait! Where are Duval and Franky!?"

"Ah, crap! I forgot!" Sanji ruffles his hair in frustration, "That bison of his is totally slow! Marines are probably following them as—"

The mechanized puffing and rumbling cut him off. Everyone looked down to see Franky, Duval, and everyone else riding on Motobaro in the water. The buffalo was outpacing everyone, in a new motorized harness. It had two decks on either side, a giant face mask, and two six cylinder engines puffing out on either side.

Maxwell could still see Franky working on a hatch, with a wrench in his hands. He built another contraption in record time, didn't he?

"…Well, I'm not explaining that! Let's go!"