Luffy and his friends were walking towards the ship, which was noticed by the rest of the crew.
"HOLY CRAP! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU GUYS?!" Usopp shouted.
"Are any of you ladies hurt?!" Sanji yelled in worry.
"THEY NEED A DOCTOR! WHERE'S A DOCTOR?!" Chopper yelled in panic.
"That's you." Usopp said as he smacked him in the back of the head.
"Oh yeah!" Chopper said before he started tending to their wounds.
"So, what happened to you guys?" Usopp asked as Vivi sat next to Carue, her mask dissolving back into her body. "You look like shit."
"Just a fight." Luffy said with his head down. "Nothing to worry about."
"Wasn't the worst beating of our lives." Johnny said as he removed his broken shades.
"We've lived through worse." Yosaku added while Chopper tended to Gin's busted lip.
"Worse than just standing there and getting hit?" Nami asked in anger before she started ranting. "WHAT KIND OF MAN LET'S HIMSELF GET BEATEN TO A BLOODY PULP AND DOES NOTHING?! YOU SHOULD'VE JUST BUSTED THEIR SKULLS AND THROWN THEM INTO THE SEA BEFORE BURNING THIS SHITHOLE OF A TOWN TO ASHES!"
"And who was it that made us promise not to fight in the first place?" Zoro asked, but quickly shut up when Nami glared at him.
"THAT'S IN THE PAST, SO SHUT UP!" she yelled.
"She doesn't have a scratch on her, but she's so angry. What happened?" Usopp asked.
"Dunno." said the men.
"Still, I wish you'd have at leasted decked that bastard who said he wanted to buy us." Valerie said as she stared at the town with a hateful glare.
"Did you just say...someone wanted...to BUY YOU?!" Sanji roared as flames of rage licked his body. "WHO WAS IT?! I'LL BREAK EVERY BONE IN HIS SHITTY BODY!"
"Please calm down Sanji!" Vivi begged as Sanji seethed.
"I'm with Sanji on this." Nojiko said with angered look on her face. "I'd like to meet this guy who wanted to buy my little sister!
"Forget it." Zoro said, earning a glare from Nojiko and Sanji. "They're not worth it."
"What'd you say, Moss-Head?!" Sanji yelled. While they were arguing, Luffy was quietly sitting on the deck, looking at each and everyone of his crew. He looked at those who were with him before, then to all those who weren't with a small smile. Ace, his crew, and all the friends he met and will meet again were the most important people in his life. His smile widened as he felt his resolve harden.
'No one will take you guys away again.' he thought as images of those who had a hand in taking away everything he loved flashed through his mind. "Not Blackbeard. Not Akainu. Not the World Government. Nobody.'
"Well, things seem rather lively here." Robin said as she walked up on deck with a few bags in hand. "What's going on?"
"Welcome back, Robin-chan~!" Sanji yelled with hearts in his eyes. "Would you like some food? Or perhaps a bath?"
"Hey Robin." Luffy called. "Where'd you run off to?"
"To get some new clothes, provisions, and any information about Sky Island." she said.
"DON'T MENTION THAT STUPID ISLAND!" Nami shouted, causing the crew to freak out again. "NEXT PERSON WHO MENTIONS IT GETS THROWN OVERBOARD!"
"It might be a good idea to avoid her for awhile." Usopp said.
"I'll say." Johnny said as he and Yosaku hid behind the mast away from Nami.
"She's scarier than any of the pirates in town." Yosaku whimpered while one of Robin's arms appeared and handed Luffy a map.
"Here you are, Captain." she said.
"A map. Thanks Robin." Luffy said as he and a few others looked at it.
"Where's this place?" Usopp asked.
"This island." Robin said. "The picture of the town on the left is our current position, Mocktown. On the opposite side is an X, right? That's where we'll find an outcast of Jaya."
"An outcast?" some of them asked.
"A man by the name Montblanc Cricket. A man who was chased out of town for speaking about dreams." she explained. "Sound familiar?" she asked before disappearing into the ship.
"That's the guy we meet." Luffy said with a big grin.
"So we meet this Cricket guy and he helps us get to Sky Island?" Grace asked as she put the final touches on her painting.
"Sounds about it." Gin said.
"Also, we happened to see Masira's ship sail off towards the other end of the island while you all were in town." Alvida said.
"What are we waiting for?" Nojiko asked. "Let's set sail!"
"You heard my sister! Let's go!" Nami yelled.
"AYE!" everyone shouted before they got the ship ready and sailed off towards the other end of the island.
"Hey Luffy." Sanji said. "While you were away getting your ass kicked, some weird little black bat came out of nowhere and dropped this off.
"A bat?" Luffy asked as those who weren't there before were looking at it with curiosity. "Who's it from?"
"Dunno, but it's adressed specifically to you." Sanji said as he gave him the envelope.
"Did you say a black bat?" Robin asked with her eyes widened a bit.
"You know something Robin?" Nojiko asked.
"Those are special messenger bats that are used by the World Government." Robin explained.
"The World Government?!" shouted the crew.
"Correct. And when they deliver a message to a pirate, it's mostly for one purpose only." Robin explained as Luffy opened the letter.
"What's it say?" Vivi asked as Nami looked over Luffy's shoulder and read it. She didn't even get half-way through before her jaw dropped. Seeing her reaction, the whole crew got behind Luffy and began to read it.
Dear Monkey D. Luffy,
We of the World Government highly wish for the safe return of Princess Nerfertari Vivi, and her pet duck Carue, to their home country of Alabasta. In doing so, the World Government will reward your cooperation with the position as one of the Seven Warlords. Seeing as how you defeated Sir Crocodile, along with your reputation, we believe that the spot is ample for a pirate such as yourself. With the position, your bounty will be frozen, and you will be free to roam the seas as you see fit. Though in doing so, remember that as a Warlord, you and your crew will respond to the World Government whenever we call for your presence, along with handing over a portion of your future plunders. Please respond at the nearest Marine Base if you accept the terms of the agreement.
-The Five Elder Stars
A collective sound of strangled gasps came from the ship as most of the crew had their jaws practically scraping the deck.
"Am I reading this right?!" Usopp asked as his eyes bugged out of his head.
"The...World Government...wants to make you...a WARLORD?!" Valerie yelled.
"Heh. Guess that means that they're finally taking you seriously, Luffy." Zoro said with a smirk.
"Who are the Five Elder Stars?" Alvida asked. "A group high up in the government."
"More like the highest group. Basically, they're a group of five that run the entire World Government." Robin explained.
"The WHOLE World Government?!" Johnny yelled.
"Only FIVE?!" Yosaku added.
"Correct. And they decide matters such as who is a Warlord and other matters." Robin explained before turning to Luffy. "What will you do, Captain? There are pros and cons to being a Warlord."
"She's right." Nami said. "For starters, Vivi would have to go home."
"Rejected!" Sanji yelled.
"The Marines would no longer try to sink us." Grace said.
"Plus, other pirates would know to back off." Valerie added.
"But we'd also have to give up some of our loot." Nojiko said.
"NO WAY!" Nami roared. "DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WE WENT THROUGH TO GET ALL THAT TREASURE?! THEY'LL HAVE TO KILL ME FIRST BEFORE I GIVE THOSE ASSHOLES ONE STINKIN BERRY!"
"Still, you're bounty wouldn't get any bigger." Alvida said.
"And bounty hunters would leave us alone as well." Johnny added while Yosaku nodded.
RIIIP
The crew looked to see Luffy ripping the letter into tiny pieces before throwing them out to sea.
"Forget it." Luffy said.
"Not complaining, but you sure Luffy?" Zoro asked.
"Didn't want anything to do with them when I was a kid, don't want anything to do with them now." Luffy said. "I became a pirate for freedom and adventure. No point in it being a Government dog."
"Good point." Zoro said with a smirk.
"Still, we should give the World Government some answer." Nojiko said.
"If we do, it'll have to be later." Gin said. "We got company." Everyone looked towards the front to see a ship sailing towards them. It had a monkey theme all over the ship, but was different from Masira's ship.
"Another monkey ship?" Alvida said as they sailed close enough to be within earshot.
"Hey, little fellas!" called a man that looked like an orangutan with long green hair. "Stop flappin your gums over there!" A chorus of monkey cries could be heard from his ship as everyone looked at him.
'Weirdo.' thought the crew.
"My heart was all a pitter-patter wondering who you guys were!" called Shojo.
"What do you want ape man?" Zoro yelled.
"I'm human, you rude jerk!" said Shojo while his crew angrily yelled at Luffy's crew, telling them to respect the Big Boss of Underwater Exploration. Shojo merely waved his hand, calming his crew down as he looked down at Luffy and his crew. He then began talking about how Crocodile was removed as a Warlord, and that he was waiting for his invitation to replace him.
"You think he'd believe that Luffy was just offered that very seat?" Grace asked with a smile.
"I don't know. You think we could find that letter that Luffy tossed into the sea?" Valerie replied, causing the both of them to snicker.
"You mind if I try and talk to him?" Vivi asked as her mask reformed over her face.
"Choose your words carefully." Nojiko warned. Vivi nodded and stepped forward until she was next to Luffy.
"Excuse, Mr. Shojo?" Vivi called out. Shojo looked down at her as she continued. "We don't want any trouble. We just want to find a man named Montblanc Cricket."
"What do you want with the old man?" Shojo asked, surprise in his voice.
"He knows the guy?" Alvida said.
"Dunno." Nojiko said.
"We heard that maybe he could help us get to Sky Island and-"
"Sky Island?" Shojo interrupted. "Did you just say you wanna go to Sky Island?!"
"If he and his crew laughs, I'm gonna sink them myself!" Nami snarled quietly. Shojo just glared down at them before a smile pulled at his lips, which was shortly followed by his entire crew making monkey sounds at the top of their lungs.
"My heart's all a pitter-patter from hearing all that!" Shojo yelled. "The old man's gonna flip! Just follow us! We'll show you where it is! Next stop, the base of the Saruyama Alliance!" The Straw Hats grinned as they followed Shojo's ship.
"We're gonna go to Sky Island~! An island in the clouds~!" Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Johnny, and Yosaku as they danced on the deck, big smiles on their faces at the thought of an immense adventure that was awaiting them. Most of the crew was either sailing the ship, or watching them act like nutballs. All except for one.
-Women's Bedroom-
Valerie walked inside the room and flopped onto her bed, a look of disappointment on her face. She sighed before she turned over and looked down at herself, examining her choice of clothing.
"Maybe he doesn't care for clothes." she said.
"Were you trying to get someone's attention?" Valerie looked to see Robin walking in with a smile on her face.
"Oh. Hi Robin." Valerie said. "Yeah. Problem is, I don't know how to grab his attention, so I thought I'd try by dressing like this. But I guess Luffy didn't care."
"Luffy?" said Robin as she looked at her. "Our Captain?"
"Yeah." Valerie said. "Evidently he knows how to please a woman, so...I was curious."
"Well, this is new." Robin said with an amused smile.
"Don't believe me? Ask the others." Valerie said. "Better yet, ask Paula."
"Miss Doublerfinger?" Robin asked. She knew all the agents of Baroque Works, so she knew of Paula's picky nature when it came to men.
"The very same." Valerie said with a laugh. "Call me crazy, but, given the chance, I'm betting that Luffy could probably charm even you." Robin merely smiled with a chuckle as she found herself a book to read before leaving. Valerie still had on a smile before she lay back onto the bed, feeling better than she was a moment ago. "Maybe I need a more direct approach. Maybe I'll just shove his head into my boobs." she said before laughing.
-Back at the bar-
A few men were talking about a strange woman that appeared out of nowhere, asking them where Cricket lived as arms sprouted out of nowhere. They talked and laughed before they brought up the word 'Gold' into the conversation.
"Hey," came a voice from the bar. Everyone turned to see Bellamy looking at them with a deranged smile. "I heard the word gold. Care to tell me about it?"
A/N: And the chapter ends there. Tell me what you thought of it.