DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT RAGNAR AND ALL VIKINGS APPEARING IN THIS STORY. ONE PIECE BELONGS TO EICHIRO ODA, VIZ MANGA, TOEI ANIMATION AND FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT/CRUNCHYROLL LLC.
Chapter 5: A Terrifying Mysterious Power! Captain Buggy, the Clown Pirate!
The girl was the first one to recover from her shock, immediately recognizing him as the boy who saved her before, back aboard the Lady Mary, as well as the guy who stood up to Helmeppo back in Shells Town with that Norseman. It didn't take long for her to think of a plan to save herself and she quickly addressed Luffy.
"Oh, hey boss! Thanks for coming to save me," she exclaimed
Luffy looked to the young woman and immediately recognized her. He saw her before, back as they were escaping from Alvida's attack on the Lady Mary...and even back at Shells Town, when he was trying to get Zoro's swords back from Helmeppo. What was she doing here?! Still, his main priority was food, but he could tell exactly what this girl was doing and decided to play along.
"Get back, and just leave these bozos to me," he told her, giving her a wink to let her know things would be fine.
The girl didn't expect this kind of response. She hoped to initially just abandon him to his fate and die at the hands of those three swordsmen, but she wasn't above accepting help when it was offered. She only nodded and stood behind him. The three swordsmen now focused their attention to Luffy, pissed at him for calling them bozos.
"You're in trouble now, kid," said one of them, "You should've let your crony fend for herself."
"Just stand down and answer the questions I have," said Luffy, trying to act tough like Ragnar, "And you'll be able to walk away from this unscathed."
"That's the least of your worries, pal!" One of the swordsmen shouted as he punched Luffy's hat clean off his head. Acting on instinct, Luffy planted his fist right into his attacker's face, breaking his nose and sending him straight onto his back. He then opened his left hand and caught his straw hat.
"You better keep your hands off my hat!" He growled at them, placing his hat back on his head.
"You bastard!" The two men yelled as they charged at the boy. The girl only looked on in amazement and further shock. How could this boy who was unarmed send a trained swordsman skidding onto his back? Her question was soon about to be answered, as she discovered.
"Gum-Gum Pistol!" Luffy shouted as both of his arms extended outwards, clenched fists punching both of his attackers simultaneously, stopping them both dead in their tracks and forcing them unconscious. "Oof…I think one of these guys is gonna be missing some teeth," Luffy muttered to himself. Then he looked back to the girl who was just looking at him in awe. "Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?" He asked her.
"Oh! No, I'm fine. Thanks for asking, though," she replied, recovering from her awestruck stupor, "You're really strong! Even though all three of them had sabers, you beat them bare-fisted."
Luffy rubbed the back of his head and asked, "Thanks for the compliment, but who are you?"
"I'm a talented thief who steals strictly from pirates. The name's Nami," she replied, smiling at her savior, "Hey! Wanna team up with me?"
"Nice to meet ya, Nami. Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass," Luffy replied as he began to walk away.
"Hold on! At least think about it, first!" Nami shouted as she tried to follow him. Luffy then stopped dead in his tracks as his stomach growled again. All of a sudden, he remembered what his main priority was.
"I just remembered…" he muttered, dropping to his knees, "I'm still so hungry! Ragnar's gonna tear me a new one if I don't find any food."
"Well, come with me, and I'll find ya something to eat," Nami offered, having finally caught up with him. Hearing the offer of food, Luffy stood back up, his eyes glimmering with excitement.
"Huh!? Are you serious!?" He asked with the most idiotic of grins on his face. Clearly, he knew that his best option for the time being was with Nami, and she saw that her best interest was with Luffy as well. After all, they both now had good reason to team up.
Back at the main encampment, Buggy the Clown sat in his tent, still awaiting news about his men's failure to capture Nami for stealing his tribute and the chart of the Grand Line. From the reports he was now hearing, they were not good.
"You're telling me that they still haven't caught the thief, yet?" He asked maliciously. The underling who told him the news was now more than frightened. In fact, he was now fearing for his life.
"Uh…n-n-not yet," the man stuttered, "But they should be in pursuit, right now Captain, sir."
"Now explain to me, how in the world did she manage to get her hands on that chart?" Buggy asked, irritated by his crew's incompetence, "If we're preparing to enter the Grand Line and make a name for ourselves, then why wasn't the chart properly guarded!?"
"I-I don't know, sir," replied the lacky, "The map was just sitting out, plain as the nose on your face." Everyone else in the crew just looked on in shock. No one dared to mention their captain's nose in his presence, especially if he was well within earshot!
"What did you say!?"
"I mean, it was easy for her to find and take it!"
"DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT MY NOSE!?" Buggy roared as he marched out of his tent into the sunlight. This captain had cross-bones painted on his forehead that extended down past his eyes, a stubble beard barely covered his jaw, his lips were painted red, and he had a red clown nose where a normal one should have been. Buggy wore a white and red striped shirt with short sleeves on his torso, while his hands were covered in two white wrist-length gloves. He wore a dark green sash around his waist in lieu of a belt, below which were a pair of baggy light blue trousers that stopped at his calves, allowing his striped socks and pointed shoes to be put on display. Around his neck, the captain wore a purple scarf like a cravat. A stylized orange tricorne hat covered his blue hair, while around his shoulders sat an orange fur-trimmed coat with green epaulets which he wore like a cloak. He stared down his terrified crony and asked, "So, are you trying to tell me my nose is funny!? Is my nose amusing to you!?"
"No, sir! You misunderstood!"
"Oh no! You were quite clear!"
The poor man fell back onto his rear, scurrying away as fast as he could. The rest of the crew looked on in horror. They knew what was going to happen next for making fun of their captain's nose.
"This isn't good!"
"He's…gonna use the Devil Fruit power!"
Grinning like a madman, Buggy locked his eyes onto his underling, whose eyes widened in terror as he now struggled to breathe and was seemingly afloat in midair!
"Tell me: Who am I!?" Buggy demanded.
The helpless man struggled, but he uttered out his response as he was dragged forward, "C-Captain…! Buggy!"
"And what happens when someone defies me?"
"Flashy…death…awaits…them! Please…forgive me!"
Satisfied with his crewman's response, Buggy unclenched his fist and let the poor sap drop to his knees and regain his breath.
"Quit your groveling. I'll overlook your slip up and forgive you this time," he said, before turning back towards his tent, telling the rest of his crew, "But you'd better get that chart back! Don't screw up again, or else!"
In the heart of town, Luffy and Nami made their way to a local house to lay low and recover. Luffy was eternally grateful to this girl now. She was smart, quick-witted, and incredibly beautiful, and what's more, she even provided him with food! Immediately, he grabbed the tastiest looking sandwich and devoured it in one bite. He then looked to Nami and asked, "So, do you live in this big house all by yourself?"
"This isn't my house. I'm just staying here for the time being," Nami replied, "Everyone's left this town because of Captain Buggy."
"So, you're just a petty thief?"
"How rude! I only steal from people who deserve it – pirates. So, don't compare me to some scumbag petty thief."
"Once a thief, always a thief, as far as I'm concerned."
"My goal is to earn 100 million berries, no matter how hard it is or how long it takes."
"What do you need so many berries for anyway?"
"It's a secret, but with this chart of the Grand Line, the 100 million is now a definite possibility."
Luffy's eyes widened when he heard exactly what Nami said. Perhaps fate did bring them together for a reason.
"A nautical chart? So, you must be a navigator!" He surmised.
"Yep! In fact, I'm the most skilled navigator you're ever likely to meet," she replied, confirming his suspicion.
"Oh wow! That's perfect!" Luffy exclaimed as he rose from his seat, "Then, how about you join my crew? I've been looking for a navigator."
"Really?" Nami asked with initial excitement.
"Sure! You could be our newest crew member!"
Yet Nami was quick to irritation, as her facial expression displayed.
"No," she flat out responded, "I suppose this means you're a pirate?" She asked.
"Yeah," Luffy responded, "I made a solemn promise. I promised the guy who gave me this hat that I'd form a crew and become the greatest pirate ever." Hearing those words, Nami slammed her hands on the table, jolting the plates.
"There's nothing in this world that I despise more than pirates!" She declared, "I only like money and tangerines."
Luffy knew at that moment that there was something deeply wrong with Nami. He looked deep into her eyes, and that was when he sensed it: why she deeply hated pirates. He could sense Nami's suffering, hear the sounds of her crying coming from her heart. In that instant, the confusion he felt turned to horror and rage. He recalled another memory from his childhood: unable to believe what he heard all those years ago. He still remembered seeing the refugees coming into port from across the sea. He remembered sitting next to Ragnar that day in Paty's Bar as those poor people told their story, of how a fishman from the Grand Line named Arlong led a band of pirates and conquered the island, killing all those who refused to pay him tribute, foremost among them a strong young woman who sacrificed her life to protect her two daughters, and now...here was one of them! Luffy recalled the disgust he felt that day, and yet, he couldn't help but admire Nami for having stayed strong through all of it. He knew he had to let her know she wasn't alone. She needed to hear him say that he knew where he was coming from.
"I understand," he said simply and sincerely, Nami raised an eyebrow in surprise, "It must've been heartbreaking to lose your mom and then be forced to work for the monster who killed her. Still, you never lost sight about your ultimate goal, to protect those you love the most. I respect people like you, in fact I admire you. I heard about Arlong's invasion when I was just a little kid. They all say the same things: for some reason, that monster hates humans with a passion. I don't know why, but I do know that what he did to you was unjust. I'm truly sorry for your loss. If you don't want to join my crew, then I won't force you."
Nami was in shock as to how much Luffy knew about her, and how sympathetic he was. 'He claims he's a pirate, but he doesn't like seeing innocent people suffer? Who the hell is this guy and how does he know my past?!' she thought, not expecting this at all. Nami was unsure about what to think of all this as she made her way to look out the window. Outside, it was soon clear that she couldn't stay low for long. Buggy's crew were still looking for her after the stunt she pulled. 'I gotta do something about those guys,' she thought, turning her gaze back to Luffy as he continued eating, 'If I join him, he'll help me get to my goal, but I'll also be joining a pirate crew: something I swore I'd never do. Then again, he did save me twice, and he genuinely seems to really want to help me. I guess I can trust him for now and see how this unfolds.' Deep down, Nami knew that she was still in Luffy's debt after having been saved by him twice now. Perhaps she could finally repay some of that debt. Finally, she returned to the table and smiled at Luffy, "Alright. I'll consider joining you," she told him, "But only if you'll agree to certain conditions."
"Sure! What conditions are we talking about?" Luffy asked, glad to know that his plea of sympathy got to her.
"Well, I did manage to steal a load of Buggy's treasure hoard on the sea, and he's bound to have more tucked away on his ship…"
"Alright, I'm open for that idea, and in return, you'll join my crew," Luffy declared, "Before you agree, I just wanna let you know, even though I'm a pirate, that doesn't mean I'm a bad guy. Though, I'll let you make the final decision on that."
"You got it," Nami replied with a nod, "So, I think I got an idea on how we can get close to Buggy." She then took out a rope she had on her, "I noticed that you had some pretty good acting skills when you rescued me earlier. Think you could do it again?"
"Pretty sure I can," replied Luffy, before he found himself bound with said rope. "Did ya really have to tie me up?" He asked.
"The rope's just for show," Nami replied, winking at him. Luffy only smiled back at her in response.
"Okay then," he responded, "I've been looking forward to meeting other pirates. So, let's get going."
"Hold your horses! What's the big rush?"
Meanwhile, back at the roof of the local tavern, Buggy's three swordsmen returned after having recovered from their encounter with Luffy and Nami, and they were already regretting having to return empty handed.
"WHAAAAAAATTTT!?" Buggy yelled at them, "ARE YOU TELLING ME THE THIEF ESCAPED!?"
"Please forgive us, Captain Buggy!" They cried out in unison.
"I'VE NEVER SEEN A MORE PATHETIC LOT THAN YOU THREE! TIME TO DIE!" He declared, causing them to scream in terror. At that moment, however, another man came rushing towards the tent.
"Captain Buggy, I have news!" He announced, "The girl who stole our chart is back, and she's got a prisoner in tow."
"What!?" Buggy asked in disbelief, but then he saw Nami approaching, with Luffy bound up in her ropes. The rest of Buggy's crew made a clearing so that she could approach their captain.
"There she is!"
"That's the sly thief who stole our chart!"
Nami then pushed Luffy to the ground, another part of their plan, and stood to face down Buggy the Clown.
"I've captured the thief, Captain Buggy the Clown," she said, approaching the captain with the map she stole in her right hand, "And here's your chart back."
"Not that I don't appreciate it," said Buggy, grinning menacingly, "But why the sudden change of heart, little girl?"
"I had another fight with my boss, and I just couldn't take it anymore," she responded, handing Buggy back the map, "So, I thought I'd see if I could join your crew."
A long sneer came from Buggy's teeth, causing most of his crew to assume he would use his Devil Fruit power on her, but it soon turned into a cackle of amusement, much to their relief.
"You're fed up, huh?" He asked Nami, "I must admit, you're a very amusing girl. I like you, of course you can join my crew!" Even as Buggy laughed at what he thought he witnessed, Nami and Luffy couldn't help but feel a sense of pride knowing that their plan was working.
'Phase one complete!' Nami thought, 'That idiot fell for it, hook, line and sinker!' Luffy then found himself locked up in a cage, and this time his feet were bound as well, totally immobilizing him.
"It's a great day to be a pirate," Buggy chuckled as he stepped out of his tent, "Girl, what do you call yourself?"
"I'm Nami."
"Heh! Then let's have a welcome party for our new crew member, Nami! Let's celebrate!" At their captain's declaration, all of Buggy's crew cheered with raucous approval: a chance to finally kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Before long, most of the pirates were guzzling down booze and shoveling food into their faces. Some were even performing circus tricks, such as balancing bottles on a sword hilt, while holding the tip of the blade between their teeth and balancing on one foot, and Nami had the seat of honor, sitting across from Buggy at a table from the tavern. "What's wrong, my dear?" He asked, "We're throwing this party in your honor. Now, eat up!"
"Thanks for the party, Captain Buggy," she replied, biding her time as she had her fill of food and booze, thinking to herself, 'I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a chance to recover that chart. Maybe we'll be able to swipe all of Buggy's treasure too, if all goes as planned.'
Meanwhile, Luffy tried his best to get his hands on some delicious food. Even though he agreed to Nami's plan, he was still driven by food.
"Almost…there…c'mon…" he muttered, trying to get two slices of meat without being seen, only for his arm to snap back to him empty handed, "Dammit…"
Buggy then cackled like a madman at the sight of his crew in such a jolly mood.
"This is such a flashy party," he muttered, before turning to address his crew, "Now, listen up! Men, it's time to prepare…the Buggy Ball!" Once again did the crew cheer with raucous approval, as a gigantic cannon was set up in the middle of the encampment. The same messenger who reported Nami's apparent actions then stepped forward with a red cannon ball emblazoned with their captain's jolly roger on it, proceeding to load the cannon for a test round.
Nami looked on concerned. This was not what she expected to happen.
"Wh-What are you gonna do with that thing?" She asked.
"Just observe: the awesome might of the Buggy Ball," he told her, then he gave the order, "Open fire!" At his command, the two gunners readied the fuse, priming it with a tiny pyramid of gunpowder. Another man wearing special earmuffs lowered his linstock to the pile, and everyone gathered watch the cannon shoot out its load with a thunderous crack and a flash of light that shone brighter than the sun and moon combined, destroying any buildings in its line of fire.
At the port of town, Ragnar and Zoro were able to see the cloud and dim burst of light caused by the path of destruction.
"Freyja's bosom! What in all of Asgard happened!?" Ragnar asked as he had his shield ready and sword drawn for an attack, obviously spooked by what he saw.
"That was one heck of an explosion," remarked Zoro.
"It looked like it was one of the captain's beloved Buggy Balls," muttered one of the marooned pirates.
"Let's just hope that Luffy wasn't caught in the blast," said Ragnar, looking as to where the shot was fired from, "If they said that the shot belonged to their captain, then the trajectory of the blast should lead us right to him."
Meanwhile, Nami looked on in utter shock at how destructive the force of the blast was. It just destroyed an entire residential block in a single shot! There was no telling what sort of violence that kind of weaponry could do to an entire army. Now, Nami was beginning to fear for her life. All thoughts of riches were starting to go out the window, and she was only starting to focus on both hers and Luffy's survival at this point. Yet even so, she was still unsure if she could still trust Luffy. Yes, he genuinely wanted to help her, but she still couldn't quite believe it after what she endured under Arlong. Even so, the boy saved her life twice. She couldn't just let him die on her watch without repaying him back at least.
"That was flashy!" Buggy exclaimed as the rest of his crew cheered, "With these Buggy balls and my Devil Fruit power, I should have no problem conquering the Grand Line." Then he turned to Nami with a menacing grin, "Right Nami?"
"R-Right! Of course," she replied, trying her damnedest not to show any sign of fear.
"You said earlier that you were sick of your old boss, didn't you?"
"Oh, heck yeah! He never takes anything seriously; thinks that life is just one big game. He acts like a little kid sometimes…"
"I see…then how about I give you a Buggy Ball to end your misery?" Buggy then asked, forcing Nami to raise her suspicions, "It'll be a great opportunity for you to prove your loyalty to me, your new captain." Nami was horrified, and as the cannon was now aimed directly at Luffy, she was beginning to reconsider her initial mistrust of the boy.
"That's alright, Captain," she told Buggy, "We don't have to finish him off quite yet. Let's just get back to the welcoming party and have some more fun."
Buggy only grinned menacingly at her and replied with a sinister chuckle, "This is my idea of having more fun." Then he handed Nami the linstock as the crew chanted at her, encouraging her to light the touch-hole.
'If I don't shoot, I'll be killed,' she thought, conflicted with herself, 'But if I do shoot, then this boy's gonna die! Sure, he's a pirate, but he's putting his life on the line to help me. If I kill him here and now, I'll be no better than Arlong.'
"Come now! Light the touch hole, Nami!" Buggy shouted, unable to take the suspense. Yet Nami just locked eyes with Luffy, terrified of what she was being asked to do. Buggy saw this, though, "Hey! You're not wimping out on me, are you?" He asked her. Nami only tried her best not to tremble, but her hands proved otherwise.
"What's the matter?" Luffy asked, "Your hands are shaking. That's what happens when you take on pirates with half-assed resolve."
"Resolve to do what!?" Nami asked, "To kill someone like it's nothing? Is that a pirate's resolve?"
"No. You gotta be willing to risk your own life." Those words finally got to Nami as she was beginning to realize that if Luffy was willing to risk his life, then so too would she.
"Here, new chick!" One of the circus themed pirates told her, trying to take the linstock from her hands, "Quit bein' such a tease; let me show ya how to light the cannon." At that exact moment, however, Nami sidestepped and struck him on the head with the butt end of the linstock, shocking everyone gathered. Quickly, however, she realized what she did.
"My mistake! Sorry," she told the clown captain, who was by now furious at what she just did.
"Nami! What's the meaning of this outrage!?" He asked, "What's wrong!? Just shoot him already!"
"No!" She replied, glaring at Buggy, and pointing the spearhead of the linstock right at him, "I refuse to lower myself to your level! Pirates like you took the life of a person very dear to me! I'll never be as cruel and inhuman as you!"
"Nami! The touch-hole!" Luffy shouted, and Nami turned to see that someone else in the crew held a musket rest with a slow burning match-cord on one end and was lowering it to the touch hole!
"So, you think pirates are just inhuman filth, is that right!?" Buggy asked angrily, then he turned to his crew and shouted, "Kill her, men!"
Four pirates immediately charged towards her armed with sabers and cutlasses. Nami was lucky she knew how to use a staff, and swung the linstock to parry the pirates' attack, before sidestepping out of the way and running as fast as she could towards the match-cord before it was able to light the touch hole. Quickly she kicked the man holding the musket rest in his groin for good measure, then held the lit fuse with both her hands. The pain was so intense, she couldn't help but scream as her hands burned. Yet still, she couldn't let Luffy die, not when she could save him after he did the same for her.
Luffy was awestruck by Nami's determination and selflessness. He admired her newfound spunk and courage in the face of overwhelming danger.
"Watch out! Behind you!" He shouted, and three more swordsmen came charging behind her. Nami would have been killed right then and there, but then as all hope seemed lost, a horn blared out shrill and long. Everyone stood frozen at the very sound of it.
"GLORY FOR RAGNAR!" A voice bellowed out, and in that instant, Ragnar and Zoro stepped in front of Nami, blocking the oncoming assault from her attackers. Zoro with two of his swords, and Ragnar with a round wooden shield covered in rawhide. Nami turned and saw the two warriors fending off her opponents for her.
"Hey now," Zoro told the three men, "It's not very nice of you guys to gang up on a poor girl."
"Zoro! Ragnar!" Luffy exclaimed, the most idiotic of grins on his face as he saw his first mate and quartermaster here to rescue the two of them. Nami looked in awe at Luffy's allies.
'Did he just say "Zoro"!?' she thought, 'This boy's crew are a Viking and Zoro the Pirate Hunter!?'
"You hurt?" Zoro asked, to which Nami just stared at him still in shock, "I said are you hurt?"
"N-No. I'm fine, I think," she replied, recovering from her initial shock. She still couldn't believe that Luffy had the likes of the great pirate hunter as a crewmate.
"Phew! What a relief!" Luffy sighed, "I'm glad you guys found us. Now, hurry up and come get me outta here."
"How do you keep getting yourself into these situations?" Zoro asked his captain, "First, a bird flies off with you, and now Ragnar and I find you trapped in a cage?"
"It's an interesting story, actually," explained the boy.
"Ja, one that may have to wait till we have time to rest," Ragnar added as he made his way over towards the cage, and smashed the lock holding it with the blunt end of an axe. However, he was unable to lift the cage door open, given how heavy it appeared. He crouched down, though, and handed Luffy a small knife he wore round his neck. "Here, captain," he whispered, "Use this."
"So, you're Zoro, huh?" Buggy asked the green-haired swordsman, "If you're here for my head, you've got quite the struggle before you."
"Nah, not interested," Zoro replied, "I gave up pirate hunting. My partner and I are here for our friend."
"But I'm interested, though. Killing you would bolster my reputation." At that remark, Zoro turned to face Buggy and glared at him.
"If you try," he warned, "You'll die." However Buggy just drew out four daggers, three in his left hand and one in his right.
"Oh, is that so?" He asked in defiance.
"I tried to warn you," Zoro replied with a sigh, "But it can't be helped." The men formed a circle to allow this duel. Buggy grinned menacingly with confidence, while Zoro drew all three of his swords, placing the white one in his teeth. Cackling like a hyena, Buggy charged directly at the swordsman, expecting him to die flashily, but Zoro let his opponent come to him, seeing that Buggy left himself wide open. With a single strike from all three swords, he appeared to cleave Buggy in half, and separated his right leg and half of his right arm. Nami turned away at the sight, but everyone else looked on as the harlequin captain fell to the ground, seemingly lifeless.
"That wasn't much of a fight, now was it?" Zoro asked, annoyed by the fact that he was forced to fight a seemingly useless opponent.
"Hold on…" Luffy muttered, "Zoro, I don't think it's over just yet."
"He's right," Ragnar muttered, noting that something about Buggy's body was amiss. That was when he noticed the pirates laughing, and the defining trait, "There's no blood! Zoro! Something's not right!"
Zoro looked on in disbelief. Suddenly a sharp pain resonated throughout his body. A dagger managed to stab him in the abdomen, causing him to drop to his knees.
"Your Viking friend was right," Nami told Luffy, "Buggy's still alive!" Zoro and Ragnar turned to see Buggy's severed limbs returning to his body.
"What kind of damned seiðr is this!?" Ragnar asked in utter disbelief at the sight.
"The Chop-Chop Fruit," explained Buggy, "That's the name of the Devil Fruit that's given me my powers. I'm a Chop-Chop person, and now I can never be defeated by the sword!"
"His limbs reattached!?" Nami asked in awe, "And I thought that Devil Fruits were just a story that pirates told."
"Damn it! I should've seen that one coming!" Luffy grumbled, mentally kicking himself for not realizing this sooner.
"I didn't hit any vital organs, but that's a serious wound you have there," Buggy declared, "So, I'm guessing…that I am the winner!"
'Oh crap! The tables have really turned now,' Nami thought, 'If we don't come up with something quick, they're gonna kill all four of us!'
"I let my guard down…a stupid mistake," Zoro uttered, trying to endure the pain as he looked up at Buggy hovering over him like a vulture.
"STABBING HIM IN THE BACK WAS A CHEAP SHOT, YOU BIG-NOSED COWARD!" Luffy yelled out, causing the cheering pirates to fall silent. Even those who were recovering from having fallen unconscious were roused and just dropped their jaws at what they just heard.
'You idiot! Don't call him that! What are you doing!?' Nami thought, assuming that Luffy wasn't using his senses, but the boy only winked at her to let her know everything would be fine.
"WHAT…DID YOU…SAY!?" Buggy asked, absolutely livid that this foolish boy would dare point out his most sensitive of insecurities, "WHO'S GOT A BIG NOSE!?" The clown captain then sent his severed right forearm flying straight at Luffy's head, the dagger blade aimed for the boy's face. Ragnar smiled in confidence. He knew exactly what would happen. Nami and Zoro looked on in relief and awe: Luffy managed to free himself from the ropes and get out of the way of the dagger.
"Hey! Buggy!" He said with another confident grin on his face, "I'm gonna kick your ass once I get outta this cage!" Hearing this, Buggy laughed incredulously.
"You kick my ass!?" He asked, "You got some nerve, kid! No, I'm afraid all four of you are going to die here today, by my own hands! So if you're going to do any ass-kicking, you'd better do it…!"
He didn't finish. Ragnar struck Buggy right on the face with the butt end of his bearded axe, sending the clown pirate falling onto his back.
"Oh, shut up," He told Buggy, "You threaten a Norseman with play of swords and expect to walk away from it? Hah! I have been 8 days at sea without a drop of pirate blood on my sword or axe. So, spare the chatter, bacraut!" Then he turned to Nami, telling her, "Catch this!" And then he threw her a shield.
Nami caught the shield in her left hand, steadying the linstock in her right. She didn't know how to fight this way, but it seemed pretty basic to get the hang of, especially now that she could have some practice.
"So…what now?" She asked the Viking.
"Now, we turn the tables on them," he said with a grin, moving to help Zoro to his feet, "Quickly! All of us, while that clown's still reeling, follow me!"
Nami didn't know what was happening, but she knew their lives depended on it. She and Zoro followed Ragnar to the cannon. The Viking quarter master pushed against the great piece of artillery, with Zoro and Nami helping out. As Buggy recovered from Ragnar's hit to the head, his eyes widened in shock as the cannon was no longer facing the cage, but at his own crew.
"CRAP! The cannon's pointed at us!" He screamed, the rest of his crew trembling in fear.
"Now, light the touch hole!" Ragnar instructed Nami. She only nodded and lowered the linstock slowly towards the touch hole.
"WAIT! JUST WAIT!" Buggy pleaded, "THE CANNON'S STILL LOADED WITH A SPECIAL BUGGY BALL! I DON'T WANNA GO OUT LIKE THIS!" Yet his pleas for mercy seemed to fall on deaf ears. Ragnar gave Nami a pair of earmuffs off the man she knocked out earlier, then he and Zoro both covered their ears while Luffy just laughed like an idiot at the sight. Finally, Nami lit the gunpowder on the touch-hole, and then… BOOM!
A/N: At last! We finally get introduced to everyone's favorite cat-burglar, cartographer, navigator and all-round citrus enthusiast, Nami! As you may have seen from earlier chapters, she made an appearance already, and yes...she and Luffy have been definitely making goo-goo eyes at each other. Also, it seems that Luffy's uncontrollable Haki also includes Observation Haki. We also have noted that Luffy may have heard about what happened when Arlong invaded the Coconomi Islands when he was a boy, Ragnar as well.
Now, why did I have Nami wield a linstock and shield instead of her bo-staff? Well, don't worry, she won't kill anyone, but a linstock does have a little spearhead on the end of it, but it is normally only used as a last minute resort. As for the shield, this is the "Age of Vikings" after all, so what better way for Nami to have additional protection than with a shield? Don't worry, though, she'll definitely get some training in on how to fight with this weapons combo. But for now, what will happen next for the Straw Hats? Stay tuned!
