The next several days were dedicated to training haki. Usopp and Nami were able to get further than Luna had intended. Sanji was still struggling with ignoring her and the girls. Then there was Luffy, he hadn't made the progress Luna would like going into Water 7, but there was nothing she could do about that. They all were able to get the basics down and Luna knew Luffy learned better in the field. All she could hope for was she gave them a better chance against CP-9. As they entered the waters leading to Water 7, Luna called Zoro to the back with her.
Luna caught Robin's ear trying to listen in, she surrounded herself and Zoro with water. When given a look by Zoro she jerked her head to the ear. With a nod he turned back to her.
"What's up?"
Luna sighed rubbing her temples, "it seems that I always having these talk with you, but it's because I know you'll always do what's good for the crew."
She opened her eyes and looked into Zoro's own, "a lot is about to happen at the next stop. Robin's conviction will be tested, Usopp will leave the crew, and I need you to stand as a pillar for Luffy."
"You plan to stay with Robin?"
"Yes she's going to need me for more emotional struggles, but Luffy is going to suffer too. That's why I need you to make him to stand firm as a captain. The only thing I can promise you is that things you will hear are not to be taken at face value. I feel horrible to throw this all on you, I've dropped a lot on you since joining."
"Stop." The woman went quiet as he continued, "my job is first mate. If you can't go to the captain about this I need to step up. Second though you haven't been with us long, Luffy trust you, and you've never lead us down the wrong path. It's why you pushed for us to train in Haki, right?"
Luna smiled at him, "yeah." It came out with a relieved sigh, "we're up against an organization known as CP-9. They are the government's assassin." She went quiet as she rubbed her arm, "this will also be the end of the Going Merry's story."
Zoro's eyes widen as he looked down at the ship Luna continued, "essentially her back is broken. Nothing will fix her, that's why Usopp will fight Luffy."
After their talk they parted ways, Luna and Nami were relaxing on some chairs, while Zoro slept near by. Sanji came running up to the girls with a new dish he made as well as some mochi for Luna. His yelling awoke the sleeping swordsman, starting their argument.
On the lower deck Usopp and Chopper were cheering for Luffy, who was doing impersonations of his time frozen much to their enjoyment.
"Ugh I can't believe this is how he behaves after almost freezing to death," Nami scoff looking down at the group.
Luna didn't look up from her book munching on a mochi, "he's always been like this. Him and Ace would always make light of their injuries but lose their minds when I would get as much as a scrap."
Luffy became interested once he saw Nami and Luna eating, "hey I like potatoes. Hey Sanji make me some!"
Nami was able to break up the boy's bickering by telling Sanji to make Luffy some food. Everyone on deck minus Luna and Sanji were currently eating the dish Sanji prepared.
The door to the lower deck opened revealing Robin catching everyone's attention for the time being. Chopper was quick to go into doctor mode, "Robin! Are you doing okay? Do you still have a chill?"
"Your treatment helped me out tremendously, thanks you're a wonderful doctor."
Chopper did his happy dance as Nami warned her to be careful, earning a scoff from Luna, remembering how careful Nami had been. Sanji asked if she wanted anything to eat to warm up, she agreed and asked for coffee.
Zoro suddenly cried out about a frog doing the front crawl through the water. As the others looked Luna closed her book knowing they have started the newest arch and relaxing time was over. As the others chase Yokozuna Luna went below deck to get ready. She placed supplies into her backpack as they hit the Sea Train tracks.
Luna came back on deck telling them to move the Merry before the train came. Nami stood and was in shock that what Luna just said was true. While everyone was frozen Luna used the waves to push Merry off the tracks and away enough not to get hit.
While everyone continued to be shocked at the train, Yokozuna took a full hit from it.
"GRANNY! GRANNY! WE HAVE PIRATES!" A voice yelled out before another drunken on joined it.
Luna jumped down a before calling out, "Kokoro how have you've been?"
"LUNA! Is that you?"
Luna stood by as everyone spoke about Smoking Tom and Yokozuna, before Kokoro spoke about the different towns. Kokoro confirmed they were heading to Water 7 and endorsed their shipyard before giving a "reference" to give Iceberg.
As they sailed toward Water 7 as they spoke about a shipwright. Luna stood next to Robin as Nami gave out their allowance. They spoke about the Merry's condition, as Zoro called out that the 'island' was coming up.
"Everyone welcome to Water 7, the floating island of water."
Zoro spoke up, "what do all those numbers mean?"
"They're different shipyards, Water 7 caters to both Marine and pirates alike. As long as you have money they don't care."
A fisherman called out to them about using the backstreet entrance. The city amazed them, Chopper was confused by all the water. Robin pointed out how the architecture was planned around the flooded streets.
Another man called out to them about if they were here to plunder, when Luffy said about getting Merry repaired the man pointed them to a place to anchor.
"I told you they do business with anyone. As long as you have money and are respectful, we'll be fine."
As they anchored Zoro was pulling up the sail just as Merry's mast snapped. He was able to stand it back up. Luffy and Usopp tried to run off before Nami stopped them.
"We have to follow Kokoro's instructions and find this Iceberg guy about getting our ship fixed. Then a place to turn in our gold."
As Robin and Chopper made plans to go to a bookstore later. Luna, in a simple pair of blue shorts and a teal tee-shirt once again no shoes, gave Zoro a look before announcing her leave.
"I'll be taking my leave. I have some errands to run, I'll catch up later."
Luna followed the others from above, she didn't want to go to the same place as Nami for her gold trade. She didn't go with them earlier because of the Franky family robbing them later. She wanted to have a supply as a back up for emergencies. She couldn't stop a chuckle at Luffy being distracted by meat. She went ahead to find a bank, quickly she entered.
"Hello, I need to see the owner."
"Ma'am I'm sure we can help you."
Luna just gave a closed eye smile as she opened her bigger bag to show a large amount of gold. The clerk's eyes bugged out in shock before they ran off to get the owner. She was escorted to a private room, the owner came stumbling into the room.
"Apologies ma'am my staff didn't realize who you were, Lady Luna."
Luna just smiled, "oh James don't worry I've been gone quite a while."
"So my staff says you have some gold to trade in?"
Luna pulled up her bag, "yes though I fear it might be a bit out of your league." She poured the gold onto the table, James picked up several pieces. Looking them over he excitedly looked at more pieces. When he finished he excused himself for a minute, Luna sat back with her arms on the back of the couch she sat at crossing her legs.
Several more men entered staring in amazement at the gold and the large bounty woman. The recognition didn't only come from her bounty but her past dealings, she always came by with rare treasure. Though today's treasure was promised to be the rarest. The men weren't disappointed either.
"Ah! These items date back nearly 100 years!"
Luna smirked as she leaned her head on her hand, "now don't go lowballing me either. I know exactly what I have and what it's valued at."
James quickly spoke up as the others sweated in fear, "N-now Lady Luna we would never dream of doing that to you. Iceberg made it clear after last year's Aqua Laguna that you were an honored guest permanently."
Luna gave a small laugh, "calm down boys. I'm just joking." Her eyes fell on the window next to them, "she's due soon correct?"
One of the other men spoke up, "yes in the coming days. The city has started preparing."
James usher several tellers in with cases, "I hope this covers the trade you expected." Luna looked over the cases one by one, there was a total of eight. After securing the large amount, Luna stood with a smile.
"Pleasure doing business with you boys. Perfect like always, send my regards to Iceberg."
Luna couldn't stop herself after Usopp got attacked, she found him before Nami. He was as beaten as he was in the show, the bystanders haven't found him yet. Luna jumped down landing next to the sharp shooter, "Usopp it's going to be okay. It's Luna."
She let her eyes move over his body taking in the damage the Franky Family inflicted on him. He tried to talk but she stopped him, "no you don't need to talk I know what happened and I'll deal with it after looking at you."
She straightened his body out to lay flat on his back before placing a towel under his neck to support his spine. She moved to grab his arms when his hand grabbed hers.
"L-l-luna..." she tried to stop him again but he continued. "H-how c-c-can I... f-face the o-others?"
His voice filled with pain both physical and emotional, her eyes darkened as she looked to the ground so he wouldn't see them.
"Usopp no one will blame you. I know what this attack is doing to your mind. I know you've been questioning your worth for sometime now. How can we call ourselves a crew when we can't care for each other? I know I seem mean, I know I can be hard on you. I was trying to prepare you for this. The farther we enter the Grand Line the worse opponents we'll face. I wasn't lying when I said I expect greatness from you. You already shattered my expectations with your haki training. Even though you view yourself as a coward, you're not you are highly intelligent when it comes to strategizing. Don't sell yourself short by comparing yourself to the others. We all have our strengths and weaknesses."
The boy remained quiet as she spoke tears falling from his eyes, "I'm going to deal with the Frankies. I won't be back to the ship for sometime, there's other things that need to be done. I need you to know something before I leave..." She leaned down and whispered into Usopp's ear. Shouts from the main road were heard, as Luna disappeared and more tears fell from Usopp's eyes.
Luna landed before the Franky Family hideout. Anger hot in her veins, an unholy glow from her eyes. Her scythe appeared in her hand.
A knock on the door was heard from the party inside the Franky Family. A large male answered the door, "hello?"
The male went flying into the house ending the party as everyone's eyes went to the door. Standing there as light peered in, was a woman with white hair, and a large scythe. The Franky Family immediately recognized her.
"Lunar Reaper!"
"You.Hurt.My.Friend!"