Italics indicate thinking
Bold is for attacks
Steve's POV
We decided to go a join Nami at the pool. While we were there Sanji set up a BBQ and eventually everyone who given us a hand back at Enies Lobby showed up to join our little party, even Usopp's Giant pals came.
"Hey Nami!" I yelled over the music "Have you seen Robin?"
"She's over there." Nami said pointing to Robin leaning against a wall.
I saw Robin was leaning against the wall and mumbling to herself.
Robin never talks to herself. Who the hell is she talking to?
I slowly got out of my seat and started making my way toward Robin.
"Is everything alright." I asked once I close to her.
"Huh…yes its fine." She smiled "Would you like to take a walk?"
"Yeah sure." I said following her out the archway and away from the pool.
We walked around the streets for a while casually chatting.
"This is nice." I said.
"It's really something I never thought I be able to do." She said.
"The whole town must be at the party the streets are barren." I told her.
"Yes, Luffy's charisma really draws people in." she laughed and then she grabbed my hand with her own putting her fingers around mine "You're pretty charismatic too."
"Thanks." I smiled holding her hand "any place you'd like to go?"
"Right here is fine." She said "As long as you're there I don't care where I am, this date has been the happiest I've ever been."
"Robin this ain't a date this is just the two of us walking around town."
"No this is what I wanted." She said looking me in the eye "I just want you; I don't need all that other stuff. Besides, if we actually went on a date in public people would look at us kinda strange don't you think?"
"What because we're wanted pirates." I asked.
"No because I'm 28 and you're 18."
"So what." I said pushing her against the wall of a nearby building "Who gives a crap about them. Didn't you just say all you needed was me, then why do you care what other people think?"
She just smiled "You right, it's just odd. How we met and all, first as enemies then you saved my life, twice, the two of us certainly have a special relationship."
"All that stuff just makes for a better story." I told her leaning in close.
"I suppose it does." She said placing her lips over mine.
We stood against that building for a few minutes, just holding each other, kissing and stuff.
"Why didn't you tell me who your parents were?" Robin asked.
"It never came up. Why, does it matter?"
"No reason." She answered "I doubt the world will be too happy if they discover the son of Shanks and the Devil child are in a relationship."
"You're caring what other people think again, but you're right, they won't be pleased. Now that I think about it, I wonder how my parents will take that revelation."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Well Dad will probably throw a party and congratulate me, and then he might try and hit on you. Mom she'll probably cry about how her little boy is growing up too fast. Then she'd drag you off to make sure you're good enough for her son." I laughed.
"You have an interesting family."
"Yeah that's just what they'd probably do I'm not positive I haven't seen my parents in years so who knows what they're like now. I'm curious how they'll react if they hear about Rose's arm."
"She certainly will have some challenges ahead of her, trying to adapt to just having just one arm will be hard."
"She can handle it." I told her.
"I guess she can, I heard she 'handled' Zoro this afternoon." Robin chuckled.
"So you heard that too." I smirked "I'm not happy about it but I'm not gonna argue about it with her again."
"We should head back to the pool." Robin said "Before the others wonder where we wandered off to."
"Alright." I held her hand "But can we take the long way, I'd like a little more time with just the two of us."
She leaned her head on my shoulder "I'd like that too."
LATER
When the paper came a few days later we finally had a report on what happened at Enies Lobby. The paper only talked about us and thankfully it ignored the Franky Family and the shipwrights. It said we had declared war on the World Government.
"You know what this means right." Zoro said "Our bounties will go up again."
"I wonder if I'll get one!" Chopper said all excited.
"Mine will probably say that a superstar has arrived." Sanji gloated.
"Yeah I doubt it." Wyper spat from across the room.
"What was that?!"
We goofed off in the room for a while when Luffy discovered Franky was going to build our new ship.
"Oh, that's right you were asleep." I laughed.
"In the meantime, we can go shopping" Nami suggested "Where's the money?"
"We spent it on the party yesterday." Luffy told her.
"You idiot! I was gonna use that money to furnish the ship!"
Nami beat Luffy up for his mismanagement of the money and then split the remaining amount between the rests of us to buy what we needed.
LATER
A few days passed when Nami told us the Log Pose was set and ready to go.
"You know where that Log's pointing don't cha?" Kokoro asked.
"That's odd it's pointing down a little." Nami said.
"That's because it's pointing to Fishman Island."
"Fishman Island is one of the most famous spots on the Grand Line!" Sanji cheered "It's where the mermaids live!"
"How do you even get down there?" Wyper asked "Do just fall down like we did to get off my island."
"You can get to that when you get there." Kokoro explained "It's the obstacles on the way there that will cause a problem."
"Like what?"
She threw two newspapers down on the table
"It says fourteen ships have disappeared this month." Rose explained "And this other one talks about a how a large number of pirates have been caught in a place called 'The Frozen Highway'?"
"That first article refers to a place called the Florian Triangle" Kokoro explained "more than 100 ships go missing there each year. They say you can find ghost ships in that sea."
"What about that other one?" Zoro asked.
"That's not too far from here." Kokoro explained "You'll hit the Frozen Highway first; it's a den for bounty hunters, specifically the Accino Family. They are a literal family of bounty hunters. The father Don and his wife, Sena, run the show. I've heard rumors that their youngest daughter has some kind of special power, so they keep her locked away in a tower."
"What could be so special that they had to look the girl away?" I asked "Is she dangerous. Does she have a Devil Fruit?"
"No I hear it's almost the complete opposite." Kokoro explained "It's just a ten year old girl but they say she can make animals appear out of thin air. The parents use her abilities to create these animals to catch pirates that wander onto their turf. They can't afford to lose the girl if they lose her they lose their business. So they keep her locked away as a precaution to make sure she doesn't run off."
"That's terrible." Nami said "To treat you own child like a prisoner."
"To use your kid as a staple of your business." I grumbled "It's disgusting."
"Yeah it's sad" Kokoro said "But those are just the rumors, hopefully they're not true."
The door burst open and the square sisters and Chimney came in.
"We have a message from Big Bro."
"The Dream ship, it finished!"
"He finished in under a week!" we said surprised.
"What are we waiting for let's go!" Sanji yelled.
"STAWHAT!"
We went to the back window to find Zambai and the rest of the Franky Family out on the lawn.
"What's up?" Luffy asked.
"I have a favor to ask…but first, the new bounty posters are in" Zambai explained "Do you want to see them."
"Hell yes!"
"You all have outrageous bounties on your heads" he explained laying the posters out.
"Strawhat" Monkey D. Luffy-300,000,000
"Torturer" Steve-200,000,000
"Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro-120,000,000
"Deathblossom" Rose-90,000,000
"Devil's Child" Nico Robin-80,000,000
"Black Leg" Sanji (picture unavailable)-77,000,000
"War Demon" Wyper-55,000,000
"King of the Snipers" Sogeking-30,000,000
"Cat Burglar" Nami- 16,000,000
"Cotton Candy Lover" Chopper (pet)-50
"Ours went up!" Luffy and I cheered.
"Only fifty!" Chopper nearly passed out.
"Who the hell is that!" Sanji yelled saddened
"You're looking good blondie!" Wyper laughed.
"I know you guys must be real happy but please look at this." Zambai pulled out on last poster.
"Cyborg" Franky-44,000,000
"Even Franky…"
"I know it's terrible." He explained "Bro will surely leave the island to try and protect us. So we all agreed, please take Bro out to sea with you! He's the son of pirates it's in his blood!"
"Yeah sure." Luffy and I told him "We were gonna ask him anyway."
We headed inside to back our things and get ready to set sail.
"We all understand what the deal is with Usopp right?" Zoro asked.
"Yes." We all answered.
The Other Night.
"Usopp's coming back?!"
"Yeah I heard him rehearsing his speech the other night." Sanji said.
"Alright let's go get him now!" Luffy cheered.
"WAIT!" Zoro yelled "I won't let you just go and get him."
"Huh?"
"You can't take such a modest approach." Zoro told them "I won't accept him back here till he apologizes."
"Zoro!" "Don't be so mean!" Chopper and Nami yelled.
"Quiet!" I told them "Zoro is right. We fought and the outcome was decided. He lost and left. Listen Luffy you may be the captain of this crew but so am I. Normally I let you have your way and goof around but this is one time I can't let you. If you don't start to take some things seriously bad things are going to happen, I'll have to take charge and this place won't be as fun. Sure I want Usopp to come back, but not until he apologizes."
"If he tries to make an excuse we leave him behind." Zoro added
"We can talk about it after he comes back." Nami told him.
"Is leaving a crew such a simple thing? Do you want to put your trust in someone who acts like that?" he asked
"I'm sorry Nami but Zoro's right." Sanji told her.
"It's simple" I said "If the first thing out of Usopp's mouth is a heartfelt apology, then we're square. If her tries to make up some lame excuse then he's no longer welcome here." I looked Luffy in the eye "This isn't a game Luffy, am I being clear."
"Yeah." He nodded "I got it."
Flashback over
We arrived at the place where Franky was building our boat. There was something covered up by a huge curtain.
"We're here" Luffy yelled "Give us the ship."
"Franky's not around right now, but the ship is ready."
"Iceberg."
"This ship is amazing." Iceberg explained "It can cross any sea."
"Show us!"
"Franky left a message; he says "If you going to be the King of the Pirates you need to sail with the king of beasts!" Iceberg pulled back the curtain and reviled our new ship.
"It's huge!"
This new ship was easily twice the size of Merry. It had a ton of sails and an awesome figurehead. We hopped up on the ship without wasting a moment.
"There's a lawn!" "The fridge has a lock!"
"Where's Franky, we have to thank him" Luffy said.
"It seems he doesn't want to see you anymore. You came to this island to recruit a shipwright did you not?"
"Yeah we had planned to ask Franky." I told him.
"I thought so, he probably noticed that." Iceberg explained.
"Why would he not want to?"
"No it's the opposite; he wants to go with you very much. So much so that he wouldn't be able to reject the offer if you asked him to his face. That is why he's hiding. Franky really likes being with all of you, but he thinks his duty is to this island. If you really want to take him with you, you'll need to use force."
"Well then we'll just have to go get him." I told Luffy.
It didn't take long for Luffy and Chopper to get back with Franky…and his pants. Zoro and Sanji were still out there but they'd be back soon.
"Hey Franky!" we yelled "Thanks for the ship!"
"Yeah have a great trip."
"If you want these back." Luffy said showing him his underwear "You'll have to join our crew."
"Don't assume you can make me you're friend by taking my pants."
Franky jumped up on a nearby pile of wood and did his signature pose "Standing like a lion naked and proud, you wouldn't make an animal wear clothes so why a man!"
"We were such fools!" I yelled "He's too strong, he a real man!"
"He just a pervert!" Nami shrieked.
"If you'd allow it I'll help out." Robin said.
"Yeah go ahead."
"Dos Fleur: Grab!"
"GAHH!"
"She grabbed them!"
"There gonna get crushed!"
"Don't go touching other men like that!" I said.
"Robin I want him to join us as a man!" Luffy yelled "Don't rip them off!"
"I want to go with you but I have stuff to take care of here!" Franky yelled through a severe pain "I quit being a shipwright. That ship will be the last one I make, that was my wish to make my dream ship."
"That's a lie Franky." Iceberg told him "This hasn't become the dream ship yet."
"I changed my mind."
"No that's not true, what you're doing on this island is just atonement. You haven't forgiven yourself for what happened to Tom, but Tom already forgave you. You became a bounty hunter to protect the island; you united the punks on the backstreets and did all this to protect the city Tom loved. Even if Tom and I forgave you, why won't you just forgive yourself Franky?"
The Franky Family came by and threw Franky a bag and told him it was the things he would need for his journey. Franky started rolling on the ground in pain.
"I think he's had enough." Chopper cried.
"You're gonna turn him into a girl!" Wyper yelled.
"You stopped a long time ago, didn't you?" I said raising an eyebrow.
"He's just using it as an excuse to cry." Robin smiled.
"Luffy! Steve!" Sanji and Zoro yelled running back "It's real bad! Your grandfather's coming back and he's already taken up and offensive position on the coast."
"Why do you still not have any pants?!" Sanji yelled.
"Here Franky!" Luffy threw him his clothes "Get on my ship!"
"Already calling it your ship? You're all hopeless." Franky said "Alright. I, Franky, will be the shipwright for your crew."
"YEAH!"
Franky hopped onboard and we got set to leave, lifted the anchor and started to sail away.
"Aren't you short a guy?" Franky asked.
"I waited in that room at Galley-La all week" Luffy said "This is his answer. I'm sure he won't quit being a pirate…he'll have fun."
The ship shook as a cannonball almost hit us.
"They found us!"
"Hey Luffy! It's your grandpa."
"What the hell you said you'd leave us alone!" Luffy yelled.
"Yeah." Garp said "Something came up so I'm gonna have to sink you now."
"Everybody get ready." I told them.
"Meteor Fist!" Garp threw a cannonball with his bare hands.
"He's coming closer!" Wyper yelled "What are we gonna do?"
"Protect the ship, keep them from hitting us!"
We moved to the back of the ship and started knocking the cannonballs away.
"Usopp's here!"
About time…what's his answer?
Usopp just yelled out a bunch of weak excuses like he always does.
Just say it!
"He's calling you." Chopper said.
"I don't hear anything."
"I'M SORRY! I take back everything I said! Please let me stay!"
Finally.
Luffy threw his arm out to Usopp "Idiot! Hurry up!"
Luffy pulled Usopp back over to us and now we were all back together.
"Roll up the sails." Franky told us "Trust the ship."
"Alright do it!"
"Before we can leave we need to name the ship." Franky told us.
Luffy listed off a number of random animal names. Frank told us Iceberg suggested the name Thousand Sunny.
"I like it." I said.
"It's better than the other names."
"Let do it. This ship is The Thousand Sunny!"
"Fine then." Franky said grumbling "Take a good look at Water Seven, cause it'll be gone in a flash."
"Okay then." Luffy said "Grandpa and Coby and…other guy. It was nice to see you again! We'll be escaping now!"
Garp pulled out his gigantic Iron Ball and chain and threw it at us.
"Franky!"
"Here we go, Coup De Burst!"
The back off the ship let out a gust and we flew into the sky.
"It takes three barrels of Cola." Franky explained "But with it we can fly, this ship can do anything the Merry could plus some more. If it breaks I'll fix it, you can count on me."
When we landed Luffy wasted no time getting stuff ready to have a party.
"To our old friends Robin and Usopp, our new friend Franky, and our new ship Thousand Sunny. Next stop Fishman Island!"
"Cheers!"
? POV
"Just a few more days and I can leave…I can finally go outside."
"What are you doing girl?!"
"Mama!"
*Slap*
"What are you even staring outside for, you're not leaving Lil. You will stay in this tower and command the penguins to help us catch the pirates, understand."
"Yes…Mama."
AN
Thank you for reading. Feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me any questions or concerns.
An adapted version of the post Water Seven Filler arc comes next.
Till Next Time!