Dawn rose on the Going Merry as Axol and Sonson weighed anchor while Ben and Penny set the main sail. Sanji and Noire headed into the galley to start breakfast as Draco brought up the ingredients.
"Things are really starting to come together for this crew," Zoro noted.
"Yeah, I was aiming for ten crew members but we've got over seventeen!" Luffy said. "And we're probably going to get more while in the Grand Line!"
"Well, of course! We're picking people who share our visions from just about every place we visit, savvy?" Ben smirked.
"Nojiko said she met that merchant guy we've run into before," Sonson noted. "I wonder how he gets around."
"I don't know about you, but I don't think it's from a Devil Fruit," Usopp said. "That guy is something different from normal, I can tell."
Bamia nodded. "He did have this otherworldly air around him."
"And he always seems to have a Devil Fruit or two on hand," Gin added. "Still don't know what mine does since I haven't had the opportunity to find out."
"Breakfast is ready!" Sanji called out. "Get it while it's hot!"
-OP-
Soon, the Straw Hats had arrived at Loguetown, marveling at what they saw.
"Here it is, guys! The birthplace of Gold Roger, and the place where he was executed!" Luffy beamed excitedly. "People call it the Town of the Beginning and the End."
"In the days afterward, this place was full of pirates heading for the Grand Line," Nami noted. "It's a one-stop shop for everything we'll need for our own journey."
"Okay, I'll take Usopp, Axol, and Ruby to get some supplies. There's a few things we'll need that are of vital importance." Draco said.
"I'll need to stock up on plenty of ink for Inkweaver!" Axol said as he brandished his giant pen like a mighty staff.
"I'll go with Sanji and Noire to stock up on food supplies," Sonson said. "Zoro, Kuina, you guys go and try to find a place to replace the swords that got broken."
"I'll stay here and guard the ship," Gin said. "Someone of my reputation might be spotted too easily."
"We still have plenty of cash from our adventures so far. So getting everything we need shouldn't be an issue." Nami noted.
"Luffy, what are you gonna do?" Draco asked.
"I'm gonna go check out the execution platform!"
The straw-hatted girl bolted off as Ben gave off a chuckle.
"She always gets excited thinking about the story of Gol D. Roger. After all, she aims to be the new King of the Pirates someday."
"Can't say I blame him. This was Roger's birthplace after all." Gin said. "He's likely walked these streets dozens of times."
-OP-
Zoro sighed as Nami started at a clothing store. Nojiko and Kuina also couldn't help but share in his exasperation.
"100 million Berris in our account and she wastes most of it on fashion."
Fortunately, Nami was more thrifty than to waste money on designer fashions and instead picked up clothes from a more mainstream store.
"I think getting a girlfriend in Luffy helped ground you a little, Sis," Nojiko said with a chuckle.
"Still can't believe she was able to hide her gender so expertly..." Kuina noted.
-OP-
Sanji was looking around town, admiring the young women he passed by. Noire groaned as she harshly pulled him by the ear to keep him focused on the task at hand.
"Honestly, I can't believe you! What does every pretty woman you come across have that I don't?"
Sanji smirked. "Well, you have a boyish charm to you and you're not exactly the type to wear traditionally feminine clothes."
"I'm as much a girl as any other!" Noire snapped as she kicked Sanji upside the head. "Why I put up with you sure beats me!"
Suddenly, Sanji noticed a young woman who caught his interest; she had brown hair in a ponytail and blue eyes and was wearing a white tank shirt, a black vest, denim shorts, and black and pink ankle boots.
However, the most unique thing about her was how fat she was. Her belly was enormous and round. Her enviably massive breasts were undeniably the biggest anyone had ever seen. Her arms and thighs had a layer of fat around them but were also firm enough to suggest some muscles underneath. Her butt was also huge, to the point it could be used like a pillow. Her face and cheeks were round and chubby, which helped her look cute and soft.
"Well, that's a special dish right there." Sanji chuckled as Noire scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"At least you don't just have your eyes on the traditional supermodels..."
Meanwhile, the girl was snacking on some taiyaki before turning to what appeared to be a Transponder Snail that was riding on her shoulder.
"You sure those pirates that have been making waves are here?"
"Absolutely!" The Transponder Snail said in a shrill, grating, yet oddly charmingly goofy voice. "They're definitely in this area or you can dump me in a vat of salt and cook me up!"
"I doubt you'd taste good anyway, Gottfried."
"Oh, come on! I'm a world-class dish!"
"That salesman at the baazar said otherwise."
-OP-
Meanwhile, Draco led Axol and Ruby to an equipment store and went up to the main counter.
"I'll need ten packs of ink cartridges please!" Axol said. "Don't worry, we have money to spend!"
"Anything else while you're here?" The clerk asked.
Draco nodded. "Yes, we'll need a standard Log Pose set."
"Yes, sir. That's one standard Log Pose and one Eternal Pose for every major port in Paradise." The clerk said. "I suppose that means your crew is preparing to enter the Grand Line?"
"Well, our crew has four captains and I'm one of the four," Draco smirked. "So that means quadruple the dreams."
"Well, then I recommend you peruse our selection of ammunition while you're here," the clerk suggested. "Plenty of dangerous types in the Grand Line, not to mention lots of Sea Kings."
"Not a bad idea. Me and Ruby here are Grand Line natives, but not even we know everything about it." Draco said. "Usopp, you go and check out the ammo selection. I'll check out the sea charts and compare them to the one we have to see what islands we might be making landfall on."
"I've already got what I need!" Axol grinned as he carried all the ink cartridges he bought. "I'll see you all back on the Merry!"
-OP-
Elsewhere, a Marine had just entered the office of the local captain stationed in Loguetown.
"Captain Smoker, a message from headquarters!"
The room was filled with smoke, but the silhouette of a large man chomping on two cigars could be seen.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant."
"We've received word that four wanted individuals, Monkey D. Luffy, Lor D. Draco, Rainha D. Sonson, and Sparrow D. Benjamin, have just arrived in Loguetown with their pirate crew. All of them have bounties that exceed Saw Tooth Arlong!"
The man chuckled. "Talk about impressive. Especially since they're so young. Do we have a list of their crimes?"
"No actual crimes committed, but they've been deemed dangerous by virtue of having beaten the top three pirates in the East Blue."
"If they're pirates with no crimes, then there's no rush. We can take our time and observe them." The man, 'White Chase' Smoker, said. "See if they need to be dealt with before they become a threat."
He opened the window and let the smoke ventilate out of the room. He took a puff of the two cigars in his mouth before moving out and putting on his jacket, which had numerous cigars strapped to it.
"So far no pirate that has set foot in Loguetown has ever escaped after I took charge here. And all of them so far have been actual criminals. But I've got a feeling these so-called 'Four Great Captains' may put up an actual fight."
"Just a warning, Captain; Draco and Ben are confirmed to have eaten THREE Devil Fruits each. That's definitely a lot of power stacked up."
"Well then, they might actually just beat me, won't they?" Smoker chuckled as he grabbed his jitte while heading out of the office. "By the way, where's Tashigi?"
"She headed out early this morning. She said she'd show up for training."
As Smoker stepped out, a little girl accidentally ran into him while holding a three-scoop ice cream. Seeing her tears, Smoker bent down.
"Sorry for getting in your way like that." He handed her a 100 Berri coin. "Here, this should be enough to buy you a replacement."
"Thank you, Mister."
Smoker smiled as he watched the girl off.
"Helping people in need is what the Marines are supposed to be about. It's a shame so many are either morally bankrupt or blindly fanatical about 'absolute' justice."
As it happened, the next person he ran into was a rather typical pirate with a crescent-styled beard.
"Loot the entire area for food, men! Kill anyone who tries to stop you! This town's resources will be the first step on my way to becoming King of the Pirates!"
Smoker scoffed. "Gally the Crescent. Bounty of only 3,450,000 Berris, pretty average for the East Blue. And you think you can become King of the Pirates? You're not even strong enough to be Gol D. Roger's cabin boy, much less take his throne. I was hoping for a warm-up before my real hunt, but this won't even count for exercise."
"You dare mock me?!" Galley snapped incredulously. "Men, kill this idiot!"
Smoker simply smirked in amusement as his body began turning into actual smoke, shocking Galley and his crew as he lunged at them.
"WHITE LAUNCHER!"
-OP-
"Captain Smoker?" Nami asked as she, Nojiko, Penny, and Kaya finished their shopping trip.
"Yeah, he's the toughest guy from the Marine HQ. After the initial boom of pirates doing business here before sailing for the Grand Line, things eventually took a turn for the worse when villainous pirates started raiding just because they thought they could." The clerk explained. "But then Smoker took over and ever since most pirates wind up in the slammer after just one case of trying to raid a shop. The man's strength is extraordinary. Some say he even has powers from a Devil Fruit."
"So it's not just pirates that can get their hands on a Devil Fruit..." Kaya said, a look of intrigue on her face.
"I know this to be fact. A very close friend of my father has a Devil Fruit and he isn't a pirate, but one of the most well-respected scientists in the world!" Penny clarified.
-OP-
As the smoke in the port cleared, Galley and his men had been knocked out and tied up.
"Amazing work as always, Captain!" The lieutenant said.
"Just another small fry. Trash on the side of the road to be picked up." Smoker casually said.
Just then, Smoker eyed a familiar straw hat but the person wearing it didn't match the description of who he saw on the wanted poster. Still, being better safe than sorry, he approached.
"Excuse me, Miss. Are you lost?"
"Oh, hey! Do you know how to get to the execution platform? I'm new to this town and it is huge."
"One second," Smoker said as he took a large puff and let the smoke create a trail. "Follow the smoke."
"Thanks!"
"Luffy, wait up."
Hearing the calm monotone voice, Smoker noticed Bamia running up to the straw hat-wearing girl and arched his eyebrow in interest.
"So THAT'S Monkey D. Luffy...didn't think he was actually a SHE but then again, not everyone matches their profile."
"Sir, what should we do?" The lieutenant asked.
"We keep watch over her. I have a feeling she's about to do something special."
-OP-
Zoro and Kuina were taking a look at the selection of swords available for purchase.
"You're perfectly comfortable with Wado Ichimonji but I need something that fits my style," Zoro said to Kuina.
"Well you know I'm always happy to share Wado with you."
The duo then overheard a fight going on, with two thugs named Koze and Packy confronting a woman with glasses who carried a sword.
"Our boss is behind bars because of that monster!" Koze yelled.
"He's behind bars because he's a criminal who was attacking people," the woman retorted.
"Oh, you think you're funny!" Packy said. "Well, maybe your captain will find it funny when we bring him your corpse!"
"I don't know about that, but I do know he'll find it funny when I bring in two idiots who underestimate people based on their appearance."
The thugs laughed as they moved to attack, only for the woman to effortlessly draw her blade and dispatch the two before her sheath hit the ground. Zoro was impressed, at least until the woman tripped and fell, dropping her glasses in the process.
"Are you okay?" Zoro asked as he picked up the glasses and handed them to the girl.
"Ah, thanks."
As the girl stood up, Kuina's eyes widened in shock. The girl looked like she could be her twin sister with the only difference being the glasses she wore. The girl seemed to notice as well.
"Whoa! What the-?!"
"Y-You look just like me!"
"Who the heck are you?!"
"Okay, listen, hold on-"
"How dare you point at me!"
"You-you were pointing first!"
"It's rude to point!"
"You're being very rude! You're not even believing what I'm saying, you're saying I'm not who I say I am when I tell you who I am-!"
Zoro looked between the two as they began arguing while continuing to point fingers at each other. A part of him felt like this could be the perfect comedy set-up in another universe.
"You're pointing at me right now, as you say that! Look at you! Look at your finger! Look at your finger right now! What is it doing? You are pointing at me — YOU'RE ACCUSING ME OF POINTING WHILE YOU'RE—!"
"I'm not pointing, you're pointing! I'm just pointing at your pointing, which is different than normal pointing! You haven't seen pointing until I'm through with you, and then you'll know—!"
-OP-
Ben hummed as he strolled around town before finding a bar called the Gold Roger. With a hum of interest, he headed inside to see that the bar looked completely abandoned, save for one old man sitting at a table next to a human skull.
"Any chance I can have a bottle of rum, mate?"
"Sorry, the place is closed for good."
Ben arched an eyebrow. "Business went under? Taxes too high?"
"Nah, just decided to shut it down. What's a chap like you doing here anyway?"
"The bar got my eye. Mighty bold to name it after the Ol' King of the Pirates, eh?" Ben smirked. "Any stories on that giant skull you have with you?"
"This once belonged to a guy named Killer Giant. He was a villain who sent hundreds of pirates to the afterlife." The man explained before grinning. "But he finally met his match when he ran into Gol D. Roger, who sent him to the grave with just one blow."
He turned the skull around to show a large gash in the forehead. Ben couldn't help but admire the details.
"Roger struck with lightning speed! Despite the huge blade Killer Giant was famous for, Roger easily dodged it and ended the fight in the blink of an eye! Stabbed him right in the forehead where you see the wound! Killer Giant was accepting of his defeat in his final moments, wishing honor upon Roger as an Eternal Pirate, one whose legacy would last a hundred generations."
"Make that a thousand, savvy?" Ben chuckled.
"And he's not the only infamous pirate Roger defeated in his time," the man continued. "King Eric Down, the legendary gunman Silver Silver, the giant Gowns Brothers. They were all tough men feared as demons. But Roger made them seem as weak as newborn babies."
"And all that without a Devil Fruit. Just goes to show that despite the fun powers it can give you, you don't necessarily need it to be glorious." Ben smiled.
"Name's Raoul by the way. If you're interested in another story, then stick around for a bit. Though this is one most people don't believe." The man introduced himself before continuing. "In the days before Roger was known as the King of the Pirates, he was the only man who didn't fear the Grand Line. The area was largely unknown, and no one who went inside ever came back out, their ships swallowed by the waves. People feared it as a sea of evil that only devils could dwell in. But for Roger, it was nothing more than a simple stroll along the coast."
"Man had not an ounce of fear from what I've heard." Ben nodded.
"I could hardly believe it when he told me has was going. I thought he was mad." Raoul said as he leaned back in his chair. "I tried to convince him not to forget about going there. But my advice only made him more excited. He drank the whole bar and three others dry that day, then set off the next morning with a motley crew of the craziest pirates I'd ever seen. By the time I heard from him again a year later, he had successfully conquered the Grand Line. I was so happy, I almost forgot to be surprised. I was excited to hear the tales he told, the discoveries he made!"
Ben hummed. "I've heard more than a few tall tales myself. Always knew they had an ounce of truth to them."
"And then, 22 years ago today, Roger died on the execution platform. But he made sure he would not be forgotten, just as Killer Giant desired." Raoul sighed somberly. "He announced that his treasure was up for grabs, and his title of King of the Pirates along with it. The Marines who hoped to end piracy instead found themselves with more pirates than they knew how to handle. Every man or woman who knew how to navigate the seas tossed their hat into the ring. It was the beginning of the Great Pirate Era! But now it feels like the only pirates left are cowards and scumbags."
Raoul had poured himself and Ben a glass of rum each, both taking a swig from their glasses as Raoul continued.
"Men crazy enough to challenge the Grand Line are so few and far between, I can't remember the last time I saw one. I used to rub shoulders with some of the greatest adventurers of the early years of the Great Pirate Era. But now no one ever comes down here. So I decided to close the bar down for good."
Ben smiled. "Well, it just so happens that me and a motley crew of my own are just mad enough to challenge the Grand Line ourselves."
This surprised Raoul as Ben chuckled, taking out a gold coin with a skull engraved on it as he twirled it around his fingers before pocketing it.
"We couldn't settle on one captain, so we have FOUR, and I happen to be one of them. True swashbuckling adventurers are the pirates we strive to be, but one of us has the biggest dream of all; to find the One Piece and become the new King of the Pirates."
Raoul chuckled. "Seems the world still has just enough crazy left in it for true adventurers. Maybe I'll hold off on closing this place for a bit longer."
The two shared a toast just as Smoker and his lieutenant arrived.
"'Suave' Sparrow D. Benjamin." Smoker addressed. "Your reputation precedes you."
"So you've heard of me. Quite touched I am." Ben chuckled. "Here to arrest me?"
"There are no criminal activities on your record yet. I have no reason to try and apprehend you." Smoker clarified as he sat down.
"Good timing, Captain. I just recently decided to keep the place open for a bit longer thanks to this young man here." Raoul said.
"Glad to hear that. Not sure how I'd get through my day without my usual hangout spot. Shame it's so empty these days." Smoker said.
"Ah, too many pirates who just want to watch the world burn," Raoul said dismissively. "This lad here helped put me in a good mood."
Raoul poured Smoker his own glass of rum, which the Marine Captain took a swig from.
"22 years ago today when you first came in here, wasn't it? Just after that fateful event."
"Ah, so you were there?" Ben noted as Smoker nodded.
"I still remember the look on Roger's face that day... His hands were shackled as he was led down Main Street, yet he walked like a triumphant general. He spared only a single glance at me, but he was smiling the entire time. Gol D. Roger was a man who had everything the world had to offer. His final eulogy was one to remember."
"Destiny! Fate! Dreams! These unstoppable ideals are held deep in the hearts of Man! As long as there are people who seek freedom in this life, these things shall not vanish from the Earth!"
Raoul chuckled. "I still remember the look of disbelief on those Marines's faces as the entire crowd cheered."
"Well, I think I've taken your time, gentlemen," Ben said as he stood up after one last swig of rum. "But I'll be seeing you again soon, from the looks of it."
Smoker smirked. "I'll give you and your crew a headstart in that case."
-OP-
"Poyo!" Kirby cried as he followed Axol back to the Going Merry. Ruby had also decided to tag along since there wasn't much she needed at the equipment store.
"Do you have to run so fast, Axol?!"
"There are many ideas in my head right now, Ruby! The story needs me! It beckons!"
Suddenly, Axol tripped and stumbled over something and crashed, groaning in pain as he quickly picked up the ink cartridges he dropped, sighing in relief that none of them were broken before he, Kirby, and Ruby noticed what he had tripped over.
It was a girl wearing a black and red watermelon-themed hoodie dress with a thin green zig-zag line in the middle and a watermelon on the bottom left, black socks and red eyes, shoulder-length green hair with two thick strands sticking up in the back along with watermelon hair clips on the bangs, and black marks on her cheeks that resembled watermelon seeds.
She seemed to be asleep, judging from the cute little snores she made as she tossed and turned.
"Poyo?" Kirby wondered as he picked up a nearby stick and gently poked the girl curiously only for her to suddenly turn and pull him into a hug, snuggling him like a teddy bear.
"Uh...who is she and why is she sleeping on the ground like it's no big deal?" Ruby pondered.
"I don't know..." Axol hummed, scratching his head. "Still...she looks kinda cute!"
"Wait until she's awake before you try acting all Prince Charming with her." The Kraken Fishman dryly said.
Kirby giggled, wanting to snuggle and nap with the girl but he knew that they needed to get back to the Merry, so he hoisted her on his head and began marching off. Axol and Ruby looked at each other and shrugged before following after them.
-OP-
"Do you think Axol and Ruby made it back to the Merry okay?" Usopp asked Draco as they took the time to walk around Loguetown.
"No doubt, Ussop." Draco smiled. "Axol's shop was practically right at port and with their natural navigation? They'll be fine. It's Zoro I'd be concerned about.
They laughed, only for Draco to bump into someone; a large girl in a white cap with brown hair and a vest.
"Oh, hey!" The girl giggled as she got up, pulling Draco off her belly. "Sorry about that. I'm Hilda, nice to meet you!"
"Uh, yeah, I'm Draco..." The boy muttered, blushing slightly.
"Hey! That's him! We found one of 'em!" A Transponder Snail said.
"Whoa! Did that Transponder Snail just talk?!" Usopp gawked.
"That's right! Gottfried's the name and talking is my game!"
"Never thought a Transponder Snail could learn to talk." Draco said in intrigue. "What's your deal, buddy?"
"I ate the Noise-Noise Fruit is what I did!" Gottfried explained. "Made me super smart and let me talk like a human!"
"Much to my ears' pain." Hilda smirked. "But yeah, we've been looking top join you guys; we wanna join if that's cool. I'd be happy as a Guardsmen and Gottfried is a natural Communications Officer."
"It's cause I can talk, ain't it?"
"And your species, yes." Hilda remarked.
"Oh, hey!" Noire suddenly called out as she and Sanji came over. "Fancy seeing you again."
"Well, I do stand out quite a bit." Hilda giggled. "I wasn't always so big, you know."
"Yup, this lady ate like a real pig!" Gottfried laughed. "She was thin as a rail, now look at 'er!"
"I'd like to think I'm drop-dead gorgeous now," Hilda smirked. "Standards of beauty are BS."
"Preach it, sister!" Noire smiled.
"Hold on, did that Transponder Snail just talk?" Sanji asked as he noticed Gottfried.
"That would be our new Transponder Snail partner," Draco clarified. "He and Hilda have been looking for us to join our crew."
Hilda nodded. "Harvey wants his voice to be heard and loved by all while I want to be the very best that no one ever was!"
"I hope that doesn't mean King of the Pirates because our friend Luffy already has that dream." Usopp chuckled.
"Don't worry, I'm not after that title. I just want to prove myself as the Strongest Woman Alive!" Hilda clarified. "Also...I want to fulfill a promise I made to someone before he died. A pirate captain who lost everything but still has a loved one out there who I need to see and make sure he's okay."
Draco nodded. "That's a kind-hearted promise you made and for a pirate captain you probably barely knew, no less."
Knightmare Lord A/N:
We introduce another SMG4 character in Melony as well as Hilda from Pokemon Black & White, who's looking a bit more...THICC, if you get my meaning. If you want an idea of what she looks like, check out Pig Out by Jeetdoh on DeviantArt. Be warned, it's Fat Girl art, so don't look if that doesn't interest you.
Also, like This Bites! and Ash & Rubber, we have a sentient Transponder Snail companion. Only this time, he's based on and sounds like the legendary Gilbert Gottfried!
Since Kuina is alive and Tashigi looks just like her, I decided to do something fun and make a reference to the Spider-Man Point Meme. I hope you all liked it!
I'll turn the mic over to Mrotrax now. Anything you'd like to comment on, buddy?
Mrotrax A/N: Nothing on my end! Great work!