A little bit after Ben left the Gold Roger Bar, Buggy, Mohji, and Cabaji headed inside to lay low for a bit. As they did, Buggy used poker cards as a makeshift form of fortune-telling.
"Ace of Spades. In some circles, it is considered the card of death."
"So does that mean...?" Cabaji started.
Buggy shook his head. "Not necessarily, the Spade suit represents the king. Depending on the circumstances drawing the Ace of Spades could be an omen of a tragic death, or it could be a sign that one who is king in heart is destined to overcome death. The cards are merely telling us not to take fate at face value. But one thing is certain, Luffy is most definitely in this town. The time to test his worth is at hand."
"Say, do you know where Alvida went?" Mohji asked.
Buggy shrugged. "Probably out shopping, I bet. She did mention she needs new clothes to fit her new physique."
A whistle echoed through the bar as Buggy, Mohji, and Cabaji turned to see a hooded figure sitting at the table next to them with a glass of whiskey on the rocks in hand. His face was hidden but they could see his crimson red eyes.
"Well, well, if it isn't Buggy the Clown himself." The hooded figure chuckled. "In the flesh."
Buggy frowned, a familiar chill running down his spine. He remembered the figure from his childhood as a cabin boy on Roger's Crew. It had only been a passing time, but he had seen the man before.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just here for the show." The hooded figure said as he sipped his drink. "But Monkey D. Luffy is not ready for death just yet."
"We'll just have to see about that, won't we," Buggy noted.
"Don't be surprised when fate decrees that she live to fulfill her dream." Grimm D. Reaper chuckled before standing up and grabbing a bottle of rum before he began walking out of the bar. "The only way she'll truly fall is by natural causes...and that won't be for a long, LONG time."
"Wait! Are you saying Straw Hat is...a girl?!" Mohji asked in shock.
Reaper just smirked before letting out his signature whistle and closing the door behind him, leaving Buggy and his two right-hand men with a lot to think about but their goal was still set.
-OP-
"This is where we go for quality blades. I'm sure you'll find something that suits you."
Tashigi said this as she brought Zoro and Kuina to a specialty sword shop. The two looked around the store with interest as the clerk greeted them.
"Welcome. Our store has been in business for 200 years and has produced the highest quality swords."
"We were given a budget of one million Berris from our crew's finances. And I need three good swords, so that would be at most 500,000 each."
"I need an extra sword myself. Just for safety reasons." Kuina added.
"With a budget like that you could easily afford our most powerful swords," The clerk noted as he stood up. "Here, let me show you our selection."
He then noticed the one undamaged sword in the duo's possession and couldn't help but inspect it.
"Incredible, you must be a professional at least if you have such a legendary sword."
"It's a family heirloom," Kuina explained.
"She and I share it. We're close as siblings, after all." Zoro added.
Tashigi gasped. "I thought I recognized it! That's the Wado Ichimonji! One of the 21 O-Wazamono swords!"
"According to my father, it was passed down through our family for generations," Kuina said.
The clerk cleared his throat. "Miss Tashigi, while you're here I finished polishing your Shigure."
He tossed her the katana, causing her to stumble and crash into a nearby sword display, knocking over several of them. Kuina couldn't help but stiffle a laugh at the sight and even Zoro looked away to hide the smirk on his face.
"How can one so skilled in the art of the sword be so clumsy in everyday life?" The clerk sighed before turning to Zoro and Kuina. "Anyway, as I was saying, let me show you our best swords. You said you needed four?"
"Three for Zoro and just one for me," Kuina said.
"I practice the Three-Sword Style." Zoro clarified.
"Wow, you must really like swords," Tashigi noted. "It reminds me of these two bounty hunters I heard of named Roronoa and Shimotsuki."
Zoro and Kuina looked at each other and smirked playfully. Tashigi clearly didn't know what they looked like if she couldn't identify the very bounty hunters she was talking about on sight.
"We've heard those two a lot on the East Blue. Said one of them has a Devil Fruit that's a legendary Mythical Zoan."
"Yes, but they're both very notorious. Using swords as bounty-hunting tools is unforgivable!" Tashigi said.
"What better way to take a pirate's head?" Zoro pointed out. "So long as the sword is respected, it doesn't matter what it's used for."
"Father taught us both that," Kuina added
"But shouldn't a sword be used for justice?" Tashigi asked in confusion.
"A sword is meant to protect life and sometimes that means killing one to save a thousand. But at the end of the day so long as a sword is used to keep everyone alive, its duty has been fulfilled. I'd say there's no greater justice." Zoro clarified.
"I never considered it like that," Tashigi admitted. "It just seems like all the greatest sword masters these days are either pirates or bounty hunters. And all the world's legendary swords are in their hands."
"Better that than gathering dust in a museum or collection," Kuina noted.
Zoro nodded. "Swords want to be used. They have their own soul that seeks their own path. Some are perfectly happy with the masters that wield them. Are you going to be so cruel as to deny them what they really want?"
Tashigi hesitated to answer. Her goal in life was to use her own sword to gather up the most legendary swords to keep them out of evil hands. But now she was wondering if said hands were evil, to begin with. Zoro smiled, then sensed something from the nearby bargain bin. He grasped one particular hilt and felt an intense bloodlust coming from it.
"That sword! That's Sandai Kitetsu!" Tashigi gasped. "It was created as an imitation of the O-Wazamono Nidai Kitetsu, which was an imitation of the Shodai Kitetsu, a Supreme O-Wazamono! How did a respectable Wazamono like this find its way into the bargain bin?!"
"Probably because it's cursed," Zoro noted. "I could tell the second I touched the hilt."
"I'm afraid he's right. The Kitetsu sword line has all been high-quality swords but also carries a terrible curse. Every master swordsman who's ever wielded a Kitetsu has met with a tragic death, even if they use it unknowingly." The clerk said. "These days most swordsmen won't even touch a Kitetsu sword. I felt tossing it in the bargain bin was the only way I could get rid of it without it cursing me too."
Zoro smirked. "Interesting. I'll take it."
"Zoro!" Kuina exclaimed in concern.
"I already decided to put my life on the line to become the World's Greatest Swordman," Zoro pointed out. "So if this sword kills me, then my dream was more fragile than glass. Let's test my luck against this sword's curse."
Kuina still looked worried but she understood Zoro's words and trusted his judgement. Tashigi and the clerk watched with bated breath as Zoro tossed Sandai Kitetsu into the air and held his arm out. They were then left amazed as the sword literally curved in midair to avoid Zoro's arm, then dug into the floor up to the hilt.
Zoro smirked. "I think it likes me."
"You always were one to take any challenge head-on." Kuina sighed but with a smile regardless.
"Unbelievable. I think a true swordsman like you deserves the best sword I have in the shop. One moment while I retrieve it." The clerk said as he headed into the storeroom in the back and came out with a sword that had a black lacquer sheath.
Zoro, having sheathed Sandai Kitetsu, now unsheathed the new blade.
"This sword... Its temper pattern is uneven. Yet the edge is sharper than most swords I've worked with."
"This is the Ryo-Wazamono Yubashiri. It's the finest sword I have in this shop."
"How much does this cost?" Kuina asked.
"Forget the money. Any swordsman who can tame Sandai Kitetsu needs the best swords available. So take them both on the house."
Kuina smiled at Zoro as he nodded and placed both swords in his sash. He then got an extra third sword as well as an extra second sword for Kuina to complete their style once more.
"Feels good to have our blade collection complete again."
-OP-
Draco and Usopp had gotten to chatting with Hilda and Harvey as they walked around town together.
"I cannot believe you got in a shooting contest with Daddy Masterson and let him live," Draco said.
"Hey, my dad did the same thing," Usopp pointed out. "I still can't believe he and Daddy the Parent even had a shootout."
"I can't believe this whole thing was over a pair of specialized goggles," Hilda giggled.
"I can't believe he let you keep the goggles." Gottfried quipped. "Seriously, we must be getting really close to the Grand Line if this kinda stuff is going on."
"Well, when you consider the situation we're in now..." Draco noted.
Said situation was a cooking competition that Sanji had entered to obtain a rare bluefin elephant tuna, native only to the South Blue.
"So this woman named Carmen is supposed to be the number one chef in the East Blue?" Usopp asked.
"That's only because most people don't know about Sanji," Noire pointed out as she had opted to spectate with them. "Sure the Baratie is famous. But how many of its cooks can you name off the top of your head?"
"Just Sanji, you, Zeff, Patty, and Carne," Usopp conceded.
They all winced when Sanji, enamored by Carmen's beauty, tried to kiss her hand only to get a frying pan to the face. Sonson, Kaya, and Penny also came over along with Ben, who seemed to be in good spirits.
"So, a Chef's Duel, eh?" Ben asked as he sat down.
"Ooooh, who's Sanji against now?" Sonson asked excitedly.
Many of the chefs proved to be some of the best, but Sanji easily found himself reaching the top bracket. Though Carmen certainly proved why she was labeled number one in the East Blue, meeting Sanji for the final round. However, it turned out Carmen had a fatal weakness in her cooking style.
"She's dancing around trying to distract her opponent while she uses simple cooking methods," Noire noted. "But the problem is once Sanji gets going in the kitchen, nothing can distract him. Not to mention he has a big motivation for wanting that elephant tuna."
Usopp then realized something. "Oh right! That fish can normally only be found in the South Blue! But this is the East Blue! So for a fish like that to be caught in these waters..."
"Could be taken as evidence that the All Blue exists," Draco finished.
"The four Blue Seas are supposed to be fully separated by the Grand Line and Red Line, but ocean currents are very fickle things," Penny spoke up. "And the South Blue is just one ocean over from the East Blue, so it's possible for a South Blue to wind up here in the East Blue. But one doesn't just cross the Grand Line like it's no big deal."
In the end, Sanji did win the contest. But there was a surprise.
"It really has been some time, eh?" Carmen smirked as she sauntered over to Sanji, riaisng an eyebrow. "Oh? You don't remember? Well, you were a little boy back then, so I don't fault you for forgetting."
Noire glared at Carmen and grit her teeth. The older woman realized this and smiled.
" Oh no worries, sweetheart. This little gentleman and I were on the same ship with Zeff before I quit after the Captain ordered one too many steaks well done. Always meant to check you two out at the Baratie…"
Sanji's eyes widened, him suddenly remembering him trying to make sandwiches or sneaking flowers to a pretty lady chef, opnloy to be opulled away by Zeff.
"My goodness! Such a culinary goddess returns to grave this huble chef." Sanji bowed gentlemanly. "Well, if it is adventure and more cooking you seek, look no further! My crew would happily welcome you!"
Ben frowned, as did Noir.
"That's supposed to be me, Draco, Sonson or Luffy's choice…But sure, why not."
"We've got a Chef, a Sous Chef, and now a Saucier." Usopp joked. "At this point, we're gonna have our own Mini-Baratie crew."
"A girl trying to find you for ten years. I gotta wonder if it was about more than wanting to challenge you." Draco smirked at Sanji, who puffed out his chest in pride before being bonked on his head by a club Noire had manifested.
"Noire…!" The blonde chef whined.
"Excuse me, dumbass! I'm standing right here!"
Carmen furrowed her brows and grabbed Noire's shoulder.
"Listen little lady, I don't know who you are, but unless Sanji does something to you…!" She then paused, giving Noire a look over, then smiling knowingly. "Goodness you're beautiful!"
The Sous-Chef lost her angry look and struck a pose
"yeah, I'm not too bad a catch myself…." She then chuckled in embrassment,
"Well, no worries about me stealing him." Carmen whispered in Noire's ear. "+But do sweep him up; not many ladies are as as…classy as I."
She then turned to the others.
"So, where's your ship?"
"Come on, best to meet up back at the Merry."
-OP-
Most of the crew gathered back together but Luffy and Bamia were the only ones suspiciously absent. As they looked around to see where they could be, Nami looked up and noticed something.
"The air's changed... It's going to rain soon."
"With the weather as nice as this?" Sanji asked.
"No, she's right," Ruby spoke up. "For as long as I've known Nami, she's been the perfect weather forecaster. During rough storms swimming in the ocean can be dangerous even for fishmen, so her being able to predict the weather was a godsend."
"Is it just rain, or are we in for a lightning storm?" Kaya asked. "Because if the Merry's mast gets hit by lightning..."
"Not just that, I did catch a glimpse of the execution platform while Gottfried and I were wandering around town and it's tall," Hilda said. "Tall buildings tend to get hit by lightning more than any other area."
"Well, Luffy wouldn't have to worry about getting struck by lightning. Her body is rubber, after all." Penny pointed out.
"I can attest. She's been hit by lightning before and it didn't affect her." Draco added.
"Hilda, where did you see the platform?" Axol asked.
"Right in the town square, actually."
-OP-
Sure enough, Luffy and Bamia had finally reached the execution platform, staring up at it in wonder.
"So this is where Gol D. Roger's story ended, but his legacy began," Luffy said in wonder before grinning. "I wonder what he'd think of me for wanting to succeed him as King of the Pirates. There's so much I'd like to talk with him about."
Suddenly, a massive explosion hit the nearby fountain, destroying it and sending the crowd scattering. Bamia and Luffy looked around for the source, only to see Buggy approaching.
Bamia sighed. "So you're still around, Buggy? Are you looking for revenge?"
"Surprisingly, no, There's something more important on my mind. You see, the last time we met I didn't know your sister's full name...or that she was a girl, honestly." Buggy said. "And when I heard it... Well, to be frank, I couldn't believe it."
With a snap of Buggy's fingers, Cabaji suddenly grabbed Luffy from out of nowhere, dragging her up to the platform by threads before having a pillory slammed on her body.
"Even for someone with a rubber body, getting out of this should be impossible. The weight is more than most people can lift."
"Luffy!" Bamia exclaimed as mist poured off of her, only to quickly jump out of the way to dodge a familiar-looking mace.
"Been a while, ghosty." Alvida smirked as she sauntered over.
"Alvida? Did you lose weight?" Bamia asked.
"I just so happened to come across a Devil Fruit after I escaped the Marines," Alvida explained. "It made my skin smooth enough that just about anything slides off it without issue
Buggy smirked as he made his way up the platform with a sword in hand.
"This will test if you truly have the same will as Roger. If you do, then either you'll find some way to escape or fate will tip its hand in your favor. If not... You'll be flashily executed!"
"No!" Bamia cried as she tried to use her Mist Gate technique, only for Alvida to block her path.
Smoker and Tashigi had been alerted to the commotion and ran in to see Bamia locked in battle with Alvida while Buggy had his sword raised to cut Luffy's head off. Despite it all, the straw hat girl was smiling.
"She's...smiling?" Tashigi asked in bewilderment.
"Roger was the same. The entire time he was being marched to his execution, he was smiling. And he never dropped even when the execution was being carried out." Smoker said, recalling that fateful moment from his childhood.
Thunder and lightning was starting to close in as the storm kicked into high gear. Buggy prepared to bring his blade down with the intent of decapitating Luffy. For once in her life, Bamia's eyes widened in horror, her face portraying one of anguish but despite it all, Luffy still smiled.
"Sorry, Sis...Guess I died."
However, the blade never came down. Instead, a lightning strike hit the platform, causing it to come apart. Buggy wound up stunned from the shock, but Luffy was able to leap clear as the pillory fell away from her body.
Alvida smirked. "So...she really does have that Will of D Buggy was talking about."
"LUFFY!" Bamia cried out, the most vocal she had ever been as she ran and hugged her sister tightly just as the rest of the Straw Hats came over.
"Should have known you'd get yourself into trouble," Draco smirked.
Suddenly, a Marine unit moved in to surround the square. Fortunately, the Buggy Pirates were making a helpful diversion for the Straw Hats to make their escape.
"Did Luffy know she'd be saved?" Tashigi wondered as she turned to Smoker.
"No, I don't think so. She probably thought her life was going to end there and accepted it. Just like what happened with Gol D Roger." Smoker then turned to his lieutenant. "Where are the Straw Hat Pirates heading?"
"Out to the harbor, sir. Likely to reach their ship. Unfortunately, Unit One had to quickly return for refitting since the sudden rain made the gunpowder useless."
"The wind's blowing towards the west. It's the perfect tailwind for sailing." Tashigi noted.
"Almost like fate is conspiring to let them leave the island and continue to the Grand Line," Smoker noted. "But I've yet to gauge how strong they are. So for this one brief moment, I'll defy fate and stand in their way."
Meanwhile, Buggy pulled himself out of the rubble.
"Haven't had a headache like that since we broke the curse of the Ocean's Navel."
"That was just last week!" Cabaji pointed out.
"I'm aware, you idiot!" Buggy snapped. "But at least this proves it beyond all doubt. Luffy truly is marked by the Will of D, just like Roger was."
"Then there's no doubt the Straw Hats will break through the Marines' barricade. This might be our best time to vacate." Cabaji noted.
"Good idea. Make sure everyone gets back to the Big Top." Buggy said before turning to Mohji and Ritchie. "Boys, we need an escape route!"
The Marines were suddenly screaming in terror as the giant lion Ritchie rampaged through their encirclement. Alvida laughed as she joined in on the chaos with her mace and Slip-Slip Fruit powers.
"Don't go hogging all the fun, Buggy!" She cackled as she rampaged; ever since gaining her powers (and new looks), walloping lovestruck fun had never been so fun!
-OP-
Several more Marines were trying to chase down the Straw Hats as they raced for the Going Merry.
"Say, I was gonna ask but got sidetracked; who's that girl sleeping on Kirby's head?" Nojiko asked.
"I don't know, I tripped over her while I was making my way back to the Merry with Kirby and Ruby." Axol explained. "It's amazing she's still asleep during all this!"
Suddenly, the sleeping girl woke up, revealing her eyes to be red. She groaned as she got off Kirby's head without the little puffball realizing it and yawned loudly before looking around and seeing the commotion, letting out a hum of curiosity.
"Sorry about this!" Axol apologized as he picked up the girl, who was surprised as he carried her off.
Just as Draco transformed into his King Kong Form with the Kaiju-Kaiju Fruit to knock the Marines out of the way, the sound of a motorbike roared through everyone's ears as Smoker pulled up to them.
"You're not getting away so easily. I still haven't had the chance to properly evaluate you, 'Four Great Captains'."
"Ah, had a feeling we'd meet again," Ben smirked.
Smoker returned the expression as his body began turning into pure white smoke.
"Let's see how you handle my Plume-Plume Fruit. With it, I've been able to capture many small-time pirates who tried to attack this town."
"Bring it on!" Sonson grinned as she twirled out her Ruyi Jingu Bang.
"WHITE OUT!" Smoker shouted, shooting plumes of smoke from both hands to try and entrap the four.
"Sorry, mate. Don't think smoke affects pure blood!" Ben smirked as his body turned into crimson blood fog, which moved around the smoke without issue.
Draco had also turned into pure fire, which canceled out the smoke as well. Sonson flipped and rolled around Smoker's attempts to grab her before cupping her hands together and tossing Luffy into the air.
"GUM-GUM PISTOL!"
Stretching out her fist, Luffy frowned when she saw Smoker easily phase through the attack.
"You're all pretty good. But I do have several years more experience than you in combat. This fight isn't..."
Just then, a powerful wind hit the entire town, blowing everyone in several directions. Luckily, the Straw Hats all wound up near their ship.
"What the heck just happened?!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Well, we're not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. Let's set sail!" Sonson shouted.
Within minutes the Merry had left the harbor and was sailing off. Meanwhile, Smoker got up thanks to his subordinates, and looked around. He gasped when he saw a cloaked man standing on a roof, his face very familiar with a distinctive tattoo.
"Monkey D. Dragon the Revolutionary..." He said, making sure to call out liud enough to get the man's attention. "What happened to acting all covert in your operations?"
Dragon paid Smoker no mind, just smirking before he said:
"I have my reasons. The world is still waiting for our answer."
Tashigi blinked. "What does that even mean?"
"He's being deliberately vague. It means he's not ready to set the World Government on fire." Smoker sighed as Dragon vanished. "For now, we report the incident to HQ. What we do from there is up to them."
-OP-
As the storm started to subside, the Straw Hats saw a nearby lighthouse.
"There it is. Beyond that lighthouse is the entrance to the Grand Line." Nami said.
"Oh, this is absolutely sensational!" Penny cheered. "Setting out to adventure with all my friends!"
"Lucky me and Gottfried caught you guys." Hilda giggled. "This is it, the big adventure I've been dreaming of!"
"Um, guys...what do we do about her, though?" Gin asked as he gestured to the girl Axol had found. "We've all but essentially kidnapped her."
The girl didn't seem too bothered, she was just looking around the ship with curiosity before finding a spot and laying down to nap, only for Nami to snap her fingers and get her attention.
"Hey, don't go falling asleep on us!" The oranged haired Navighator shouited. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Melony..." The girl replied in a tired tone, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Melony. Sorry for dragging you along but we were wondering if you'd like to be part of our crew!" Luffy grinned.
"Okay." Melony nodded. "I actually was looking for a crew to join."
"This must be fate!" Axol smiled. "It is an honor to have you aboard with us, Melony!"
"I'm actually trying to find a way to learn how to use my power," Melony explained. "Are you guys Devil Fruit users?"
"Most of us are, yeah." Gin shrugged. "But I don't know what mine is at the moment."
"Well, we have3 something in common." Melony smiled. "I don't remember anything. Well, I know my name…and I ate a Devil Fruit!"
"What kind?"
"I…I don't know. I think it's Mythical Zoan…" Melony began, seeing the beaming eyes on Penny, Kuina and Kaya's faces.
"Well, we'll be happy to help you learn more!" Axol said.
"All Devil Fruits are special, lass. And I do enjoy learning all about 'im." Ben smirked.
"Well, how about that, huh?" Carmen chuckled. "This crew is already 22 members strong."
"I say it's only fair to hold a launching ceremony," Luffy said. "Everyone, let's shout our dreams to the world!"
One by one the crew yelled out their dreams.
"To become King of the Pirates!" Luffy declared.
"To vindicate my father!" Draco declared.
"To become the Great Sage Equal to God!" Sonson declared.
"To see the entire world and all its wonders before I die!" Ben declared.
"To accompany my family through thick and thin!" Bamia declared.
"To become a master swordsman!" Zoro and Kuina declared together.
"To draw a map of the world!" Nami declared.
"To have the greatest adventure with my friends!" Penny declared.
"To become a brave warrior of the sea!" Usopp declared.
"To help all those in need!" Kaya declared.
"Poyo!" Kirby declared.
To find the All Blue!" Sanji, Noire, and Carmen declared together.
"To truly brave the Grand Line!" Gin declared.
"To draw the greatest story ever told!" Axol declared.
"To reunite with my family!" Ruby declared.
"To see that Nami's dream is realized!" Nojiko declared.
"To become the Strongest Woman Alive!" Hilda declared.
"To broadcast my voice to the world!" Gottfried declared.
"To discover the truth of my powers and learn who I really am." Melony declared in a sleepy yet still enthusiastic tone.
They each joined hands in the center of their group, one by one.
"LET'S SAIL! TO THE GRAND LINE!"
-OP-
Away from the port, hidden from view but allowing just enough room to spy the leaving Merry as it sailed away, Dragon stood from the crow's nest, a proud smile on his face.
He remembered a breathtakingly beautiful woman showing him two newborn babies; one laughing at birth and the other holding tightly onto their mother and then his own cloak.
'You'd be so proud, Hoshi.' The smirking man thought before, even though eh doubted they'd hear, he called out::
"Go fourth, my daughters. Live your lives as you see fit. We'll reunite soon enough."
He then leapt down and hardened his face.
"SET FOURTH!"
"Yessir!"
Knightmare Lord A/N:
We're almost at the end of the East Blue Saga! And it only took twenty-something chapters!
However, there's a Filler Arc from the anime we need to cover first before we can get to the Grand Line! Prepare to set sail...FOR WARSHIP ISLE!
Mrotrax A/N:
WOHOOO!
THE GRAND LINE BEGINS!
Added Carmen going mama Bear/shipper on deck for Sanji and Noire and took inspiration for Luffy and Bamia's mother's name from XFangXHearts's Monkey D. Bell. We may see more of Hoshi down the line, so keep reading!
Next time; the first and one of the best 'filler' arcs starts, but keeping reading! The events of this arc will lead to major changes!