Two is Company
Luffy, in an act of desperation, manages to save Nami from being separated on Sabaody; and now joins him on Amazon Lily and beyond. Impel Down, Marineford; none are ready for this company of two.
This story is a Redux of the work Search the Wind by Shadowonthewall6. Link can be found in the post-script.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. That also means I am not responsible for the six-month long anime hiatus.
Chapter Eight: A Cat In The Clouds
Sengoku sat behind his desk, watching the seconds tick by with vicious intent. He hated the job of Fleet Admiral, though he had to admit, he was glad the other candidates hadn't been picked when he was promoted. Responsibility was crucial to justice, after all. Still, Sengoku had to admit he missed the field. When he succeeded Kong, the man had given him a wry smile and said he'd better get used to the chair.
Sengoku had only realized how right Kong was once he was trapped in the position. Damn him.
The veteran Fleet Admiral glanced down at the growing pile of paperwork that had accumulated since the report from Vice Admiral Jonathan. He was grateful it had been Jonathan who delivered the information—Sengoku trusted his judgment, as the Vice Admiral was practically the next generation's Tsuru. Sengoku's fingers drummed on his desk in thought, his quiet contemplation mirrored by the unusually solemn Vice Admiral sitting across from him.
Garp wasn't smiling. There was no hint of his usual joy. His eyes were filled with a serious intent that, while Sengoku knew he could express, didn't appear often. Jonathan's assessment had been clear. The storm, which had emerged from the Calm Belt of all places, was growing in strength, power, and most notably, size.
The wind howled and battered his office for what felt like the millionth time that day—a storm so powerful it seemed ready to rip Navy Headquarters from its foundations. Sengoku glanced at the report from the meteorological department on his desk. According to them, this was one of the greatest storms in 800 years—perhaps the greatest. And it wasn't just the Grand Line. The atmospheric changes were affecting the New World too, whipping up hurricanes across an entire stretch of the sea. Since it had started in the Calm Belt (how, god only knows), it was also spreading to the neighbouring South Blue.
According to the meteorologists (whose report was detailed to the point of absurdity), the Calm Belt should have prevented a storm from forming in the first place. But if one did, well… they were feeling its effects now. The lack of wind meant the storm wouldn't dissipate, instead gathering strength from the hot tropical oceans to reach unprecedented power. This should have kept it contained within the Calm Belt, but something had happened that allowed the storm to breach its boundaries and spread. Sengoku glanced at another report on his desk. Four battleships had been destroyed while in transit, and troops meant to return to Marineford were now pinned down. If Jonathan hadn't anticipated it, Sengoku would have predicted it himself.
Thankfully, the enigmatic G-8 commander had been able to continue his mission, making a prediction that Sengoku agreed with. As a result, Sengoku gave him clearance to enter Impel Down. That was, frankly, the only good news. His mission was of vital importance, after all.
Sengoku felt the need to speak aloud, even if it was just to Garp. He couldn't piece everything together in his head through thought alone.
"This is unprecedented. I could hardly believe Jonathan's report…" Sengoku was surprised at the anger in his voice, though given the circumstances, he realised it was justified. His fingers drummed faster against the table as he glanced over at Garp.
"You read Vice Admiral Momonga's report, correct? He's caught in the heart of it. Frankly, it's a miracle he hasn't sunk yet. I've been told he's heading to seek shelter on Amazon Lily, with the hopes of also completing his assigned mission." Garp's reply made Sengoku want to slam his head into the desk. Nothing was going as planned.
"I doubt Hancock will be happy about that, considering it violates the treaty we signed. But I suppose it can't be helped." A question burned on the tip of Sengoku's tongue, while another retreated to the back of his throat. Before he knew it, he spoke, a desperate attempt to avoid the matter they were both dreading. "This storm… do you think it's him?"
Garp didn't visibly react, but Sengoku knew the old soldier well enough to notice the subtle tension in his face and the way he stiffened in his seat. "No… no, this isn't him. Like it or not, Sengoku, he wouldn't put civilians in the line of fire to this extent. This is something else."
Sengoku's jaw might have dropped, if not for years of training. Never, not once, had he and Garp dared to discuss the morality of the Revolutionary Army. The fact that they were doing so now—or rather, that Sengoku was willing to hear it—spoke volumes about the severity of their current situation. Sengoku tugged uncomfortably at his collar. On second thought, this topic might be even more uncomfortable than the one they were avoiding. The legendary Marine decided to call upon the one person even he deferred to as a quick escape. "Tsuru!"
The third Vice Admiral of their legendary trio entered the room, a knowing look on her face as she glanced at her commanding officer. Before Sengoku could speak, she started talking, reading him like a book. Damn her. "Time is of the essence. We're currently on the storm's outer edge. Once it hits Marineford, we'll need to take action to prevent any loss of staff or damage to the structure."
Sengoku knew what was coming. He didn't want to hear it, but he knew. With a final sigh of resignation, the Fleet Admiral leaned back, feeling an overwhelming urge to retire already. "So, what do you propose?"
And of course, it was Garp who spoke, leaning forward in his chair. "We need to delay the execution of Portgas D. Ace." Maybe it was because Garp said it, or perhaps it was the last vestiges of Sengoku's desperation clawing forward—or maybe he was hoping for a middle ground—but his response emerged before he could even think.
"OUT OF THE QUESTION!" His fist slammed down on the desk, toppling a pile of paperwork. Tsuru raised a lazy eyebrow, though she didn't seem surprised. Damn her. "In five days, that execution must happen. The whole world will be watching! Besides, Whitebeard will make his move! We hardly want to give him more time to prepare against us…"
"We do not have a choice, Sengoku. It's already hard enough to travel in that storm, and you'd have to be crazy to try. In five days, we won't even be able to transfer Ace from Marineford. Even if we could, the storm preparations mean we won't have the manpower or resources to stop Whitebeard if he makes it to Headquarters. Kizaru is still on his way back from Sabaody—he had to escort the Celestial Dragons back to Marijoa. Do you really want to commit to a war against Whitebeard without him?"
As she continued, Sengoku didn't know whether to be relieved or frustrated. After all, she was just voicing the thoughts he'd been unwilling to admit himself. "Besides, this delay gives us more time to make preparations than we anticipated. When the storm passes and we've repaired the damage, we'll be more prepared than before to execute Ace. As for Whitebeard, he's in the same situation as us—there's no way he'd risk his crew in this storm. Plus, I've heard the News Coos are down because of the storm, so the information blackout works in our favour."
Garp nodded as Tsuru finished, and Sengoku set his glasses down to rub his eyes in exhaustion. They were right, and he knew it. He just needed to hear it.
"Very well, we'll postpone the execution until this is resolved. Begin preparations to reinforce Marineford against the storm and delay all troop recalls until further notice. Double the surveillance on Whitebeard, and convert the Enies Lobby reconstruction into a temporary storm shelter for any unavoidable troop movements."
The marine listening in nodded and quickly left the room to relay orders before the storm knocked out any communication equipment. Garp gave the door a side-eye, and Sengoku couldn't stop a sigh from escaping his lips.
"Yes, you are dismissed, Garp." The maverick Vice Admiral gave a silent salute before practically storming out of the room. Tsuru, meanwhile, casually placed a transponder snail on his desk, giving him a knowing look. After all, they had more time to recall forces than they'd expected.
"Go ahead. Call him."
Sengoku struggled to keep his face neutral.
Damn her…
Garp spoke to no one as he strolled through the corridors of Marineford. He couldn't bring himself to speak, weighed down by the knowledge that his agony would stretch on for another month. As he entered the massive courtyard, alarms blared and marines shouted, desperately scrambling to follow the new orders that had upended everything they had been doing.
But Garp remained silent as he boarded his ship, seeing his men already standing at attention. Despite his calm exterior, his heart shuddered with unease, his thoughts consumed by the inner turmoil. Even as he prepared his orders, he still didn't know what he'd do when he reached his destination.
And that terrified him.
From the way Bogard looked at him from beneath his hat, Garp could tell his most loyal subordinate was reading him like a book. The Vice Admiral knew that whatever decision he made, his right-hand man would follow him without question. Garp wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"Sir, shall we help prepare Marineford?" Coby asked meekly, giving a salute. His concern for the troops stationed on the island was clear, and Garp might have smiled at the boy's good nature and optimism—if his thoughts weren't consumed by another. Steeling himself, Garp looked at every Marine under his command.
"Alright men, set sail for Impel Down!"
A pause.
"WWWHHHAAATTT?"
Garp burst out laughing, if only to mask his fear. He didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't know if he'd last the month.
He supposed he'd just have to keep living and find out…
Storms were a simple fact of life for everyone on the planet. With oceans as vast and warm as those in the Blues and the Grand Line, they were inevitable. In fact, most people would be more concerned by the absence of storms, fearing that something had changed with the climate. Yet for the people of Amazon Lily, storms were practically a fairy tale. They were the stuff of Kuja Pirate stories, fascinating children and keeping the fearful within the island's borders.
To the Kuja, storms were omens—beasts of unimaginable power and rage, much like how the ancients might have viewed them. They were forces of godhood, not to be faced or wielded by ordinary mortals. Some, like Margaret, were fascinated by storms, desperately wishing to experience the wind whipping against their skin—the very sensation that had captivated their imaginations. Others, however, were terrified of storms, refusing to leave the Calm Belt for fear of encountering one.
To see a storm above Amazon Lily—well, if the science of meteorology didn't exist, the average Amazonian might think the end of the world was nigh. The sky was completely dark, the sun long gone. The sheer volume of lightning striking the island and the surrounding waters whipped the Sea Kings into a panicked rage, their roars and cries echoing for miles, heard if not for the constant booming of thunder.
Luffy thought back to Water 7 and Aqua Laguna, recalling the massive squall that had ravaged the floating city. The storm Nami had accidentally conjured was eerily similar in strength and terror—perhaps even worse. Though the waves didn't tower miles high, nor did they remain still. Instead, they practically shook the island, ravaging the coast and tearing pieces away. The Clima-Tact continued to expand the storm, showing no signs of stopping, while the City Defenders next to the rubber captain stood frozen in a trance of horror.
The storm clouds had long since stretched to the horizon, showing no signs of stopping, eliciting screams from the nearby village so loud they nearly drowned out the storm and the Sea Kings. Nami couldn't move, feeling the storm she had created in a way no one else could, its implications paralysing her. What had she done? If this continued, the island would likely be swept away by the combined forces of the ocean and wind, killing every innocent person on it.
"What do we do?" The hopelessness in Nami's voice would normally have made her cringe, but this time, it was entirely justified as the force of the wind nearly knocked everyone off their feet. Nami felt her captain's arm steadying her at the small of her back, keeping her from being blown away.
Despite everything, Luffy didn't seem particularly fazed. In fact, he looked like he had a solution. "It's easy!" Nami turned to him, and upon seeing his smirk and the way his hat flapped wildly by its string in the wind, a knot of concern forming in her stomach.
"What?" Nami's question came out more like a demand, knowing that even in a storm like this, Luffy had the potential to make things worse. Given the context, however, Nami would take most solutions offered to her. Luffy, unbothered by the wind, held up a finger as if about to give a lecture.
"When all else fails, there's one thing we can do that always works!" The captain seemed to think his wisdom was profound, but Nami stared at him, deadpan. His words did nothing to reassure her. Nearby, the City Defenders clung to the ground for dear life, watching the two in awe. Their ability to banter in such a situation left them speechless.
"Oh? Tell me your plan, wise one." Nami drawled, but was cut off as Luffy gently pushed her aside. The force of the wind briefly sent her heels over her head, and she had to grab the ground mid-backflip to stop herself from being blown away.
Her panicked screams were ignored by her captain, who charged toward the Thunder Pole without hesitation. In one swift motion, Luffy's foot came crashing down on the device, shattering it into several pieces with the force of his strike. Sparks briefly sputtered, arcing across the ground, but soon died down with a weak, cough-like splutter.
The rubber-man turned back to the women, who stared at him in shock, as he raised his hand and flashed them a peace sign, his grin wide and proud. "Break stuff!" His hat whipped around behind him, but he quickly secured it with a swift motion.
Looking up, Nami noticed the lightning had eased, at least around the island. The wind, though still strong, had calmed enough for her to steady herself on the ground. She stared at her broken Clima-Tact in horror while Luffy continued to celebrate.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!" Nami shrieked, her fists clenched in frustration, made worse by Luffy's casual shrug and grin.
"I just saved the whole island, duh!" His mocking declaration made Nami growl in protest as she stormed toward him, a punch ready, only for a loud crackle of thunder above to stop her in her tracks, making her flinch.
Her brown eyes took another moment to analyse the storm, worry spreading across her face. "The storm's getting worse…"
"Man… someone should probably do something about that." Luffy said nonchalantly. Though Nami couldn't see them, she could feel the gazes of the City Defenders burning into her back. Protest rose in her throat.
"Oh yeah, I'll get right on that," she replied bitterly, rolling her eyes. "AND HOW ON EARTH DO YOU SUGGEST I DO THAT?!" Luffy shrugged, having not even been speaking to her with his initial comment, but he quickly interrupted her attempt to clobber him by stretching his arms to the two intact pieces of the Clima-Tact on the ground and shoving them in her face.
"You're like super smart and stuff. And you've still got two bits left! I know you can fix it!" Nami stared at the two pieces shoved in her face, frustration building at the sight of them. They were what had caused this mess in the first place!
"All that hot air and cold air is what got us into this mess! If you haven't realised, the wind is bad enou—wait, the wind! Luffy, you're a genius!" Nami cut herself off with a gleeful shout, her moment of eureka making her grab the poles from Luffy's hands. She thrust the two ends together, the poles shaking in resistance, but Nami held firm. The streams of Cool Balls and Heat Balls merged, forming a blast of wind that shot upwards, soaring toward the enormous storm above.
The moment the sword-like gust hit the clouds, the black sky above the island split apart, as though commanded by two Conquerors. The wind corridor pushed the storm further away from the island, allowing the sun to shine on Amazon Lily once again.
For the Kuja, the sky was now a bright blue, though dark clouds still loomed on all sides of the island, like a pack of lions waiting to strike. Amazon Lily was now in the eye of the storm, safe, bringing relief to its residents.
The City Defenders gawked at Nami's weather display as the navigator collapsed in relief, her arms shaking. She dropped the poles in exhaustion and struggled to catch her breath. Luffy, however, just cheered, jumping up and down with a wide smile at the blue sky.
"See?! I knew you could do it! That was amazing!" He sat down beside her, peering at his navigator, and the exhausted grin she gave him reassured Luffy that everything was fine. She collapsed onto her back with another sigh of relief.
The sound of Nyon pulling herself out of a pile of trees caught everyone's attention, and if that didn't, her shout certainly did. "WHYAT JUST HAPPENED HYERE?!" It seemed the old woman had been swept away earlier while leaving the springs, unable to keep herself grounded due to her age and the unexpected gust, which sent her crashing into the destroyed treeline.
Nami didn't respond, pulling herself into a sitting position. She picked up one of the broken pieces from the ground, frowning as she realised that while they were no longer out of control, they weren't working at all. Recalling Usopp's maintenance instructions, the navigator carefully unscrewed the top of the part in her hands, peering inside with a wary expression.
"Hey Luffy, look at this…" The shuffling beside her confirmed that he was indeed looking, leaning over to peer inside the device with her. His eyes widened at the sight of the seashell, a large crack running through it and spreading across the width of the dial. In fact, it seemed the Clima-Tact's chassis was the only thing holding it together. Nyon's demands for an explanation were ignored as the City Defenders did their best to catch the former Empress up to speed with what they knew.
"I'm guessing that had something to do with the malfunction." Her tone couldn't hide her worry, her mind racing to figure out what had caused it and how on earth she was going to fix it. "How did it even break like that?" Luffy's shrug was almost palpable, given how close they were.
"I dunno, things have been crazy! It could have been during that fight against the snake girls, the battle against the paw guy, that time I landed on it as we crashed. Anything really…" His speculation was genuine, and Nami appreciated his efforts.
The pin waited in the air.
"I guess all of that strained the dials beyond their capacity. The pressure within them must have been off the charts…" Her mumbling was met with a moment of silence as she thought over the variables Luffy had given her.
And so the pin dropped.
"WAIT, YOU LANDED ON MY CLIMA-TACT?!" Her angry yell was accompanied by a glare as she rounded on her captain, who quickly raised his hands in fear, nodding frantically.
"Hang on! You said it might've broken due to that overload thing or whatever, don't blame this on me!" His pleas fell on deaf ears.
"That was BEFORE I knew you LANDED on my Clima-Tact! You probably cracked it and then that prevented it from keeping up with the amount I had to use it. Thanks a lot, IDIOT!"
Luffy simply nodded as if he were being informed, not blamed, cupping his chin thoughtfully. "So, it was a mystery crack huh?"
The angry growl and punch to his head were well deserved; the captain shook his head in pain, a soft "ow" escaping his lips. Still, they were alive and well, so Luffy couldn't really complain—except maybe for some food.
Luffy looked up at the blue sky, his eyes widening like dinner plates and his jaw dropping. Raising an eyebrow, Nami turned to see what had captured his attention this time. Only for her own draw to drop as well.
The City Defenders and Nyon followed their line of sight and mirrored the same wide-eyed expression as a certain lightning god from Sky Island.
"What…"
"the…"
"hell…"
"is…"
"that?!"
The two Straw Hat pirates exchanged a brief, confused glance before turning back to the sight, as if it might somehow explain itself.
"Hey Nami…" Luffy's tone was overly casual given the circumstances.
"Yeah?"
"Since when did islands float on giant bubbles? Huh, come to think of it, since when did giant bubbles float under islands?!" Luffy's tone grew more excited as he spoke, scratching his head while twitching with energy.
Before Nami could respond, the familiar sound of clicking heels sent a shiver down her spine. Only one person on this island could be recognised by that haughty gait. The two pirates turned, sheepish expressions on their faces.
Hancock was, simply put, irritated. Though, perhaps that was an understatement. Two pirates had defeated her sisters and were now being allowed to stay on the island, despite Amazon Lily's rules and traditions, all accompanied by a whirlwind of mixed feelings she couldn't begin to understand. Three hours ago, she had opened herself before them, and in that time, a storm had appeared in the Calm Belt for the first time in recorded history; AND now a floating island was resting above her kingdom. In a simple deduction, she had headed to the Hot Springs, the most likely source of these events.
After parting the panicked crowd held back by her Kuja warriors, Hancock finally found the culprits. The shadow of the floating island above gave some respite from the glaring sun, though the sight of the unnatural phenomenon made her shudder.
"One problem at a time…" she murmured briefly, steeling herself as she stood above the two pirates, who were sneaking glances at Nami's broken Clima-Tact and the floating island.
Hancock felt her teeth grit together. She did not like to be ignored.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice strained as she stared down at the orange-haired woman. A storm of emotion churned in Hancock's stomach, most of it negative, though she couldn't quite interpret it. Nami's chocolate eyes defiantly met the Princess's dark ones, though there was a hint of acquiescence. After what felt like an eternity of half-glaring at each other, Nami finally replied with a sheepish look.
"My Clima-Tact… it, uh… it broke. And… accidentally created a storm…"
If Nami didn't know weather phenomena as well as she did, she would've sworn a thundercloud had appeared above the Warlord's head as she snarled. "SO, IT WAS YOU WHO BROUGHT THAT FOUL STORM TO MY KINGDOM?"
Nami's somewhat innocent, cat-like nod only seemed to enrage Hancock further, as she stepped forward with clenched fists. Or perhaps it was the fact that Nami didn't flinch that vexed her more. "How dare you…" Hancock's Haki flared. "I should have your head for this, Weather Witch!"
"Try it, and you'll wish you hadn't…" Hancock looked up at the sound of Luffy's voice, his tone demanding and harsh. The captain of the Straw Hat Pirates was in no mood for games, and his threat, despite her own powere, made her shudder.
Nami didn't look away from Hancock. In fact, she didn't seem surprised by Luffy's words, instead leaning on her palm and raising an unconsciously arrogant brow in the Warlord's direction. Something about the look in Nami's eyes, even if subconscious, infuriated Hancock more than the storm ever could.
Still, Luffy's demanding tone echoed in the Snake Princess's mind, and she felt a heat rise in her cheeks. "B-b-but Luffy…"
"The storm's gone now, but that thing is still her. We should be finding out what it is…" His implication was clear. He wouldn't tolerate any threat towards Nami under any circumstances, but he also seemed incredibly distracted by the flying island, his greyish-black eyes scanning it in fascination.
Hancock spluttered in agreement, and Nami couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, confused by the Warlord's odd behaviour. Luffy, meanwhile, spotted something in the distance and pointed at it.
"Whoa! Something's coming down from that island!" His excitement was unmistakable, and both Nami and Hancock followed the direction he was pointing. Sure enough, something was floating downwards—a single dot in the distance that steadily grew larger as it approached.
"KUJA! TO ARMS!" Hancock's yell practically shook the ground, and the warriors holding back the crowd instantly reacted, drawing their bows and aiming at the object descending from the sky island. Nami tried to move away from what was clearly going to be a landing zone, but Luffy refused to budge.
"Luffy, come on! Let's go!" Nami called, but Luffy didn't respond, staying exactly where he was. Nami sighed. That idiot wouldn't pass up the chance to be the first to see whatever "cool" thing was approaching. With very little hesitation, Nami stood beside him, knowing that getting him out of this whim would take a herculean effort on her part—though if anyone on the crew could manage it, it would certainly be her.
After a brief moment, the descending object came into full view: a small circular, upside-down dome suspended in the air by a balloon—at least from what Nami could tell. It reminded her of the bikes in Sabaody. Luffy was the first to notice the short, old man inside the device. The man wore a long blue robe and a large, pointed hat. He also had a long, flowing beard that nearly reached the ground.
The flying contraption landed in the spring water, resting peacefully without even disturbing the surface tension. Nami's eyes widened—it seemed insignificant, but the engineering to pull that off was staggering. Franky would have been impressed.
The Kuja Pirates tightened the strings of their bows as the stranger emerged from his contraption, leaping out with a smile and remaining unperturbed by the hostility.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, nice to meet you!" His large grin and peculiar way of speaking froze the Kuja in place, though they still watched him warily.
"Who are you?" Hancock's demand was immediate, her glare sharp with anger, though once again, it didn't seem to deter the old man, who smiled happily and gave the Warlord a friendly wave.
"My name is Haredas, it's nice to meet you… miss?" His response was met with gasps from Hancock and the Kuja, who glared at the old man as if he had just claimed to have bedded all their mothers on the same night.
"HOW DARE YOU NOT KNOW OUR BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS!" The response erupted in unison, and Haredas tilted his head in confusion, continuing to speak in an attempt to address the woman who seemed to be in charge.
"Well, you see, I am here because… well, it is all rather complicated." The explanation came as quickly and scattered as one would expect from an elderly, eccentric scientist. "You see, I was told to come here by…" He hesitated for a moment, met with cynical glares. "This… giant person. I know it sounds weird, but it's true! He appeared out of nowhere and… well, made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I mean, when are we ever going to get a chance to study the Calm Belt? And during what seems to be the most unique weather phenomenon I've ever heard of. NEVER! THAT'S WHEN!"
He took a moment to breathe.
"That's why I accepted his 'mission', if you will. I was supposed to find someone called the 'Weather Witch.'" Immediately, all eyes turned towards Nami, even Luffy's, who leaned closer to her.
"Hey Nami, do you know any other weather witches? This old man could use your help." Nami pursed her lips in a sheepish, guilty manner and turned to Luffy with an exasperated look.
"He's talking about me, Luffy." Her drawl was met with widening eyes on behalf of her counterpart.
"Huh? Why didn't he just say that, then? Your name isn't Weather Witch, ya know?"
"It wouldn't surprise me…" A mutter from behind her cut in, and Nami rounded on Hancock with a glare, who met it with her own. Not that Hancock didn't have a reason. After all, Nami understood that the storm had caused more than just physical damage to the island. Hancock seemed more hostile than before, likely viewing her as a threat to the stability of her kingdom. Nami didn't want to be a threat, but she couldn't deny that her Clima-Tact had made her exactly that.
"So, you're the Weather Witch?" Haredas asked, approaching Nami with a curious, almost scrutinising gaze. "Nice to meet you, young lady!"
Nami felt the sweat-drop gather on her head. "Er… likewise…" Haredas grinned at her reply, then looked down to spot the Heat Pole at her feet.
"What's this?" His voice brimmed with fascination as he dropped to his knees to pick up a piece of the Clima-Tact.
"Hey, don't touch it!" Nami protested, but Haredas didn't even listen, continuing to examine the Clima-Tact with wide eyes.
"This... how did you make this?" Both Nami and Luffy blinked at the awe in his voice, as if he were holding a piece of treasure.
"She didn't." Luffy interrupted, looking down at the old man with an owlish expression. "Usopp was the one who made that weather pole thingy. Why do you wanna know, old guy?" Haredas immediately grew excited at Luffy's response, leaping toward him with a scientist's enthusiasm.
"Where is this Usopp? I must meet him! This machine is an absolutely incredible contraption! On Weatheria, we've made many advancements in weather science, but I've never seen anything so complex and yet so… compact…" The old man's excited explanation was followed by him scanning the irritated crowd, eagerly searching for this 'Usopp'.
"Well, Usopp's in our crew. But we don't really know where he is, or where any of them are, right now…" Luffy's answer was downcast, his gaze lowering sadly towards the water. Haredas' excitement quickly faded, and he shook his head, glancing at the Clima-Tact again.
"Strange… odd… but then again, this is the Calm Belt. Oh! I'm so excited to be here! Tell me…" Haredas exclaimed gleefully as he turned to Hancock with a broad smile. "What's the ecosystem like here? The culture? How did your ancestors reach this island in the first place? Do you even have records that far back? How do you function without rain? How does that affect the food chain? How do the plants survive? How do you travel? How much do you know about the outside world? Do you know this Usopp fellow?"
The barrage of questions continued, each one irritating Hancock more and more. "Look!" Her loud interruption stunned Haredas into silence. "I am Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily. I am far too beautiful to answer the questions of foolish commoners, especially from a foolish man. All I want to know is why you're on my island and what the witch can do to make you leave."
In response to Hancock's speech, Haredas' eyes became hearts and he swooned in place, cooing praises of Hancock's beauty. Much to the Warlord's relief. After all, after today, she was begun to wonder if her powers of beauty no longer worked; and it was a cold, harsh relief that her worth remained unchanged.
Nami sighed loudly at the old man's perverted nature but listened to his response all the same.
"Oh, beautiful princess!" Haredas exclaimed, nearly falling to his knees. "I was sent here by a man who told me to seek out a 'Weather Witch'… but he didn't tell me what to do once I found her. Just to find her!" After a few more seconds of swooning, Haredas turned away from the Warlord to focus on Nami, leaving Hancock both stunned and offended.
"However… this machine fascinates me! I'd love to study it further. May I borrow it for a while?" Haredas' request was met with a sharp glare from Nami, while Hancock still grappled with the fact that she was being ignored. That had never quite happened before, especially from a man who seemed like a regular civilian.
"No…" Nami crossed her arms and quickly snatched the Heat Pole back from his grasp. There was no way she was handing over her most valuable weapon.
Sure, it didn't work anymore. But she could still use it to pummel someone black and blue if needed.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!" Haredas ranted, as if personally affronted by her refusal. Perhaps he was. Haredas exclaimed, sounding personally offended by her refusal. Perhaps he was. "Why not? If you help me, then I'll help you! Yes! I have various weather devices scattered around the island that I could bring together, and I'm sure we can make this deal work for both of us. The other scientists could help too, and we could turn you into a real weather witch, giving you control over all of nature. I'm not asking to keep your device—just to study it! That way, we could create blueprints and even replicate it. Imagine the benefits for mankind!"
Nami was silent under the old man's gaze, and the entire crowd turned to her, interested in her response. Though, many of them were confused by her silence. The navigator, however, was lost in thought, barely aware of anything beyond the comforting presence of her captain beside her. Improving mankind didn't hold much appeal to her, but…
A real weather witch.
She could be stronger, better. She could protect those she cared about.
She wouldn't be a burden to Luffy anymore…
She'd never lose anyone again, not if she could help it.
Never again.
"Nami?" Luffy's voice snapped Nami out of it, and his gaze communicated some form of sympathetic disapproval. As if he could sense her inner diatribe. "You okay?" Grounded, Nami turned to Haredas with a new sense of determination.
"You can analyse my Clima-Tact…" she replied, focusing on Haredas as his face lit up with excitement. "But it's broken right now. It runs on dials... so, I'll make a deal. You can study it all you want, even make blueprints and create your own version. But first, you need to fix mine. The Lightning Pole's completely shattered. If you can repair it and give me upgrades to improve it, then you can do whatever you want with the blueprints."
Haredas went silent for a moment, stroking his beard in deep thought. Just as he was about to speak, Nami practically jumped as if struck by lightning, a sudden thought hitting her.
"Oh, and I want the patent in my crew's name!" A sly grin was spread across her face. Nami didn't think the old men would approve of intellectual property theft after they had just credited the design to Usopp. And, the account belonged to her anyway in a roundabout sense. So, she could still cash in!
Her eyes gleamed with the thought of Berris, and Luffy burst into laughter, clutching his stomach at his navigator's antics.
Haredas lost a bit of his enthusiasm, but after a moment of consideration, he sighed. "Very well, we have a deal." In an instant, the Clima-Tact pieces were snatched away from her, and the weather wizard grinned down at them. "So, shall we get started on fixing this?"
He finished his suggestion with a confident strut towards the small machine he had used to descend in the first place. As he was about to board, he glanced back at the group of Kuja watching him with curiosity, then turned his gaze towards the two Straw Hat pirates. "Well then, aren't you coming?"
Nami and Luffy's eyes widened, and they pointed to themselves, as if wondering whether Haredas could be referring to someone else. The old man's nod was immediately followed by Luffy leaping from his spot to stand beside him, dancing in joy.
"YEAH! COME ON NAMI! LET'S GO ON AN ADVENTURE!" His arms stretched and coiled around his navigator, who didn't bother resisting as she was pulled into Luffy's chest with a fond smile. As Luffy climbed into the contraption, Hancock's sapphire eyes widened in shock.
"But… Luffy! Where are you two going?"
"WEREN'T YA LISTENING HAMMOCK? WE'RE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE!" Hancock swooned at his wide grin, gushing over his attempt to remember her name, though she didn't understand why she reacted that way. Nami sighed as she was pulled into the machine, trying to free herself from Luffy's coiled grip, but was slightly surprised by how little effort she made to do so.
The navigator glanced towards the Warlord and her citizens with a sheepish expression. "Sorry for this. We'll be back as soon as we can." The machine rose mid-sentence, and Nami looked upwards in resignation, flopping into her seat as Luffy finally released her.
How had she gotten into this mess?
Nami was smart, and she prided herself on it. As such, she could appreciate the complexity and brilliance of this floating island the old man called Weatheria. Instinctively, her mind began documenting facts and figures, which would allow her to draw a map later. The engineering behind this place... it was beyond belief.
The contraption they were seated in docked with some kind of bubble room, and by now, Nami was sure her sanity had been left behind on Sabaody Archipelago. The giant bubble surrounding the room acted as a shield for the arrival area, making the pressure differential irrelevant. Light green grass covered the floor, except for the white stone path that led from the smaller entrance bubble to a larger room.
Nami glanced at the distant island, shocked by its beauty. An island travelling on a bubble seemed crazy, but now that she was seeing the engineering up close, she could understand it—though it still baffled her.
Luffy twitched in excitement beside her, and Nami chuckled. That boy was so easily impressed.
Outside the bubble, standing on part of the white stone walkway, Nami could make out a large group of individuals dressed identically to Haredas. It was clear they were waiting for them, Nami could tell as much. As they docked, Nami easily heard the questions being shouted at them.
"Hey Haredas, what happened down there?"
"Who are these people?"
"Do they have anything to do with the storm?"
Haredas tried to keep the swarming crowd at bay while parking the flying contraption, lest he crush them under its weight. Luckily, after a brief moment, the long-bearded men calmed and allowed the machine to park. The bubble around the contraption dissipated, allowing Haredas to properly address his fellows.
"Well, you see my comrades, these people are from the Blue Sea, and they've come to help us with our research. This here is the Weather Witch…"
"Nami." The correction came quickly.
"And this here is her servant!"
"Luffy." That correction came even quicker, though Luffy's nose-picking showed his lack of concern.
"They've given us a great challenge!" Haredas explained, ignoring the two pirates as he fished in his pockets. "They have allowed us to study this device!" With that, Haredas pulled the Clima-Tact pieces from his pockets to show his fellow other researchers whispered excitedly among themselves. "If we can provide the required dials to fit in the machine and repair it to full capacity, we'll be able to keep the blueprints to this fascinating device, as well as the improved version. Perhaps, with this, manipulating the weather will be easier than ever!"
The other old men nodded in agreement, pleased with the arrangement. "Is the woman the one your friend spoke of?" a man with a light brown beard asked, staring at Nami in interest. The navigator tilted her head thoughtfully. Hadn't Haredas said he had been tasked by a stranger? Or was she misremembering?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the brown-haired man approaching her, adjusting his hat with a sly wink. "~Why, hello hot stuff~…"
The man couldn't finish his flirtatious introduction before Nami's hand struck him, sending him flying backwards. The other men gasped and slowly backed away from the navigator, fearing her sudden strength.
"Any of you got any of the same bright ideas?" The navigator grit her teeth. Normally, she lapped up compliments, but not from weird old men! Not unless they had money, of course. The reply she received was satisfactory—the rapid, terrified shaking of heads.
"That's just how Philander is," another wizard piped up with a sigh. "That fool is always flirting with women."
"And then, getting slapped by them." Haredas agreed with a nod, causing Nami to sigh while Luffy chuckled, slamming his fist into his palm in realisation.
"Oh! So, he's just like Sanji then. Nami, do you remember that time we found Sanji tied to that bed after those wome—" Nami instantly interrupted him, slamming her fist onto Luffy's head to stop him from saying more.
Though the memory was funny, she had to admit, especially given Sanji's expression when it was Zoro, of all people, who had found him naked and restrained by each limb.
Haredas chuckled at their interaction, gesturing to a nearby elevator. "Shall we begin repairing your… you called it a 'Clima-Tact', correct?" Nami nodded in response, following Haredas to the lift. Luffy, as usual, walked right next to her, laughing at the funny old man whose face was planted in the grass.
It hadn't taken the two pirates long to reach Haredas' house, and it took even less time for Luffy to lose interest in Haredas' nonsensical explanation of how he intended to repair and upgrade the device. Nami seemed to be following along, and that was all that mattered.
Luffy exited the house and lay down on the grass to gaze at the clear sky and distant storm in wonder. He could still hear the conversation inside the house, but it all sounded like gibberish to him.
"No, the cool dial inserts into the circuitry there, and connects to the main wiring once you lock it into place."
Luffy missed the Sunny. He missed being able to look at the horizon each morning and night. He missed the smell of the ocean and the rocking of the waves. They called to him, even now.
"Then, if I'm right, the dial should work by pressing this button, right, Weather Witch?"
Would the others be looking at the same sky right now? Would they run into Nami's storm? He hoped they'd know it was them who made it, so they'd know they were alright. Where did they end up? He hoped the places were at least cool. Unlike him and Nami, they were on their own. His stomach twisted at the thought, but he calmed himself. They'd find each other, no matter what.
"IT WORKS!" Nami's excited cry came from within Haredas' house, and Luffy instantly turned at the sound. Through the doorway, he could see his navigator jumping and dancing in joy, holding the Cool Pole in her hand. Luffy beamed at the sight. Ah, it was that mystery thing again.
"I think this piece is back to normal now!" Nami concluded, twirling it deftly in her hand with relief.
"You should see if it works again." Luffy called, though his mind was still focused on his crew and something else. From inside the house, Nami didn't notice his distracted state and nodded in agreement.
"Okay then, here we go!" she called, twirling the piece in her hand to generate a cool breeze, which soon encompassed her. Without a moment's fault, she disappeared, her cheer of success ringing out over the area. "Alright! The mirage power is still working pretty well!"
Luffy smiled at that, springing up to look around for his navigator, only to see the empty area and Haredas' fascinated expression. "Nami? Where'd ya go?" Luffy's head turned from side to side in search of her, and the laughter that followed briefly infuriated him.
Then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He listened. But more importantly, he felt.
The world faded around him until he felt something behind him. A spark of Nami.
The colour orange. Tangerines. The stars and the moon. And that mystery.
His arm shot out like a cobra, snaking around what appeared to be air to the observing Haredas, until the mirage faded and the navigator was pulled into the beaming Luffy's chest. Rather than annoyed, Nami was shocked for once, staring at her captain's face in surprise.
"How did you know I was there?" Nami practically gawped, her jaw nearly dropping as she stared at Luffy's simple expression, as if she had just asked him the time.
"Huh? I always know where you are, idiot! Shishishishi!" His laugh was met by a stunned expression from the orange-haired pirate, who stared at him in awe. Luffy stopped laughing after a moment, staring back into Nami's eyes intently.
Nami could have gasped. There it was again, that seemingly psychic connection. Now, all she had to do was grasp it an-
"HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY!" Haredas yelled, looking out of the window with wide eyes. The spell shattered instantly, with both Nami and Luffy staring at the old man from their coiled position with owlish expressions. "Did you just make a mirage around yourself?"
Nami, about to respond, suddenly remembered her proximity to her captain, coiled against his chest. She stared at her captain with a deadpan expression, ignoring the feeling of his breath on her neck as she grit her teeth. "Luffy…"
"Yuh huh?"
His face met the floor with a resounding 'THUD', causing him to whine petulantly. Nami untangled herself from his arm and turned to Haredas with a curious expression. "Yeah, the Clima-Tact allows me to make mirages. Can't you guys do that?"
Haredas looked almost offended. "Of course we can! We students of Weatheria are masters of weather! We discovered that ability a long time ago, but it never seemed useful to us, so it's become a lost idea." His sad tone might have earned sympathy from the navigator if not for her confusion.
"Really? You can't find a use for it at all?" Her voice was sarcastic beyond measure.
"What do you man?" Haredas was practically leaning through the windowsill, nearly tipping over.
Nami raised an eyebrow, wondering if he really was that clueless. "The people on the island below were confused and terrified by a floating island in the sky. Don't you think you could use a mirage on the base of the Weatheria and its sides to prevent panic whenever you visit any island?"
Haredas stroked his beard thoughtfully. He hadn't considered that. Fascinating! "I see, what an excellent idea! We do have quite a few cool dials to spare. We could certainly use them for that!" The old man exited his house with a spring in his step, practically skipping towards the captain and navigator.
"I'll go discuss the situation with the other weather scientists, and together, we'll sort out the mirage in about… an hour or so. You might want to head back down to the surface and talk things over with that lovely Snake Princess. She did seem upset we were here, and we still want to study the Calm Belt."
Haredas turned to Luffy with a pleading expression. "Do you think you could speak on our behalf, young man? And arrange our stay at the island, as well as its study?"
Luffy picked his nose, confused as to why the old man was asking him, but nodded anyway. He was stopped from following by his navigator, who grabbed his arm. "Hold it! How do I know you won't take off with my Clima-Tact as soon as we leave? You flew here; I wouldn't be able to get it back if you flew away."
Haredas blinked, stroking his beard as he thought it over. "I don't think it's that simple." His admission came with slight nervousness. "You see, this island is powered by the wind. And, well… we're in the Calm Belt right now, which, as you know, has no wind at all. We can't simply leave whenever we want. My friend, who brought us here, said he'll return when he's able to take our call. I'm not sure when or how that will happen, though."
Nami let her suspicious stare drop, smiling at the weather scientist. He seemed sincere, if nothing else. "All right then, I'll believe you. But if you pull any funny business, I swear, leaving the Calm Belt will be the least of your worries." The old man shivered at Nami's threat and decided to stroll towards the elevator for his own safety.
"Come on, I'll take you back down." Nami nodded in response and walked ahead of him, determined to finally put the day to rest. But it was Luffy who, for once, was more insightful on this occasion—a rare sight indeed.
"Who is this friend of yours, old guy?" Haredas paused for a moment, taking time to conjure his answer.
"I don't know his name. He visited this island many years ago to cure an affliction his daughter had; a girl named Bonney. Sapphire Scales, a rare and deadly disease. Sadly, we couldn't help him." His tone was regretful, as if the matter kept him up at night.
"What does he look like then?" Luffy persisted, his curiosity rising as he stroked his chin. This old man sure was funny, after all. He wondered if Chopper knew about those Sapphire things...
"Well, he's a large man with bushy hair in a cloak, and the kindest of smiles! Oh! And he wears an oddly shaped hat." The old man recalled the information fondly, looking ahead as if picturing the person he was describing.
A giant man with a cloak and long bushy hair? An oddly shaped hat?
Could it be?
But… a kind smile?
Luffy stopped thinking, shrugging as his mind came up blank.
He needed to stop thinking so hard…
To its credit, the palace of Amazon Lily was bright and vibrant with colour, even with the sun fading over the horizon. Luffy and Nami remained silent under Hancock's questioning stare, having relayed the information to the Snake Princess, who was clearly displeased by the growing complexity of the situation.
"Allow me to set the matter straight…" Hancock began, desperately trying to maintain her composure in the room where she had bared herself to the two of them mere hours ago. "Your weather machine went haywire and caused a storm, which you dispersed—though not before it damaged Amazon Lily. Then, a strange man appeared, with whom you've made a deal to repair your device. Not only does this mean he'll be staying within my kingdom, but these men also wish to study and communicate with us? And finally, because of all this, you both wish to stay on my island LONGER than we initially agreed?"
Both Luffy and Nami nodded in response, shattering Hancock's mask of calm as she stood from her throne in a flash. The sheer disrespect!
"You've caused chaos and damage to my island, battled my sisters, created a storm, made a deal with magical weather mages—who now live above us on an INVISIBLE FLOATING ISLAND—want to allow these men to communicate with us in VIOLATION of TRADITION… and on top of all that, you wish to stay LONGER THAN WE FIRST AGREED?"
Another nod.
"I see. You're taking advantage of my kindness! Give me one reason I SHOULD EVEN AGREE TO THESE TERMS!" The Snake Princess' bellow could have torn the walls down, but Nami stayed silent. She knew they were asking too much, but they didn't have much choice in the matter. She couldn't afford to leave Amazon Lily without her weapon, and if the deal worked, she could grow much stronger too. They also couldn't afford to upset the scientists now that they had her Clima-Tact—and there was potential monetary gain to be made too!
Thankfully, Luffy had already acted, dropping to his knees and bowing before the Warlord, just as Vivi had once instructed.
"Please Hammock!" His plea was desperate. "We really need your help! We've got no way of leaving and Nami's Clima-Tact is really important to her. And, ya know, those old geezers aren't so bad! They won't hurt you I promise! Could you please help us? I promise we'll be good, and that they'll be good! We'll do anything to make it up to you, I pinky promise!"
Hancock was stunned by his humble plea and felt her knees give way beneath her. No one had ever had an effect like this on her before. She nearly lost her footing, barely managing to stay upright. A small blush crept onto her cheeks, and a pant escaped her lips, as if she'd just fought a day-long battle.
"I… I…" Her stutter was unbecoming, and she knew it, but she couldn't help it! She gazed down at the pirate in uncertainty, while he looked up at her with a focused, committed gaze. Hancock could have fainted right then and there.
"Please…" Luffy's murmur was quiet, but it might as well have shattered the Warlord's eardrums, as she turned a deep, dark crimson.
"I… I will allow it! But any communication between the wizards and Amazon Lily must occur on their island—they may not set foot on our grounds." Hancock had to force herself to turn away from the raven-haired pirate.
"Really?!" Luffy's announcement brimmed with happiness as a face-splitting grin appeared on his face. "THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
A small smile crept onto Hancock's face, and her chest began to ache. But… it was a good ache? Strange.
Nami, however, was left speechless by the turn of events, glancing at her captain in curiosity. Luffy had always been magnetic and insanely charismatic in his own Luffy way, but this was absurd. He really had the luck of the devil. The navigator allowed a beaming smile to cross her face alongside Luffy's.
Of course, it was Sandersonia who burst through the doors at the far end of the room, ready to make the situation worse yet again. The three turned to her in confusion as the Snake Sister sprinted across the room, nearly crashing to a kneeling position beside the two Straw Hat pirates.
"Forgive me, Sister, but… it was that man! The one whose crew you petrified. He demanded escort and entry to the island. He threatened us with the presence of the admiralty if we didn't let him come to the palace! Mari is bringing him as we speak. We tried to contact you, but we got no response. I… apologise, Sister!" Her tone was pleading, panicked, and rushed. Hancock would have been furious at allowing a man to step foot on their island, but… the precedent had already been broken twice today. If there was ever a day for anyone to falter, it was today.
Besides, a threat from the admiralty? Normally, Hancock wouldn't care, but three times today her powers hadn't worked as expected—especially when that old man had managed to tear his eyes away from her. If her abilities were weakening, she couldn't risk that with the likes of a Navy Admiral. Hancock sighed and straightened her spine. "Calm down, Sonia. I will handle the matter."
The Warlord turned to the two pirates, panic barely restrained. "Luffy! Weather Witch! Hide behind the curtains. Sonia, conceal them!" Her command was met with an angry murmur from Nami about being called "Weather Witch," but Nami accepted the order nonetheless, grabbing Luffy's hand and pulling him behind her.
The two slipped behind the pink curtain, Sandersonia pulling it closed once they were fully concealed. The Kuja Pirate closed the rest of the curtains in the room to make it seem intentional and reduce suspicion. Just in time, the door slammed open, revealing Marigold and a tall marine beside her.
The man had a small, dark-brown moustache under his nose and a short mohawk on top of his head. He wore a light purple and white pinstripe suit, with a long, flowing naval jacket draped over his shoulders. Nami peered through the curtains with Luffy, panic written across her face.
This man… he was a Navy officer. And judging by the reaction, he wasn't someone low on the ladder.
"Boa Hancock…" His voice was grizzled and worn, but impeccably professional. "Thank you for permitting this meeting."
"Permitting?" Hancock's reply was angry, emerging through gritted teeth. "You threaten me with a visit from the admiralty? In violation of our treaty? I've told you before, I will not fight in your war! No man shall ever set foot on my island. Leave now!" The moustached man stayed silent for a moment, then slowly pulled a transponder snail from his inner suit pocket, glancing around the room as he did so.
"The kingdom of Amazon Lily has beauty beyond words." His words, though kind, were a threat, and he made no effort to hide it. "Shall I call Admiral Akainu to visit? I'm sure he would appreciate the recommendation." Sandersonia and Marigold gasped while Hancock growled. The moustached man smiled, his point made clear, as he gave a respectful bow.
"Once again, I am Vice Admiral Momonga. A pleasure." Nami shuddered at the thought. A Navy Vice Admiral? That was the same rank as Luffy's grandfather. "As a representative of Navy Headquarters, I must call upon your duty as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea to aid the Marines in their time of need. You will join our forces, or we will remove your title, as I stated earlier. And that course of action, I would not recommend."
A loud, muffled shout caught Momonga's attention, and he turned to look at one of the pink curtains. But it remained still and silent. Hancock's eyes followed, and her heart skipped a beat.
"…Very well…" She had been defeated. Besides, as long as he didn't find Luffy (and the Weather Witch, a traitorous voice whispered in her head), she could go to war over that. "What would you have me do?"
"Don't do it, Hammock! KICK THIS MARINE'S ASS!" Luffy tried desperately to yell in protest for his new friend, but Nami's hand clamped firmly over his mouth, muffling him completely.
"Luffy!" Nami whispered harshly into his ear, holding his struggling form. "She has to play along with their game for now. I was here when she first heard about this war, and Nyon said if she refused, they'd put the whole island in danger. You need to let her do this." Nami, perhaps the best person to calm him given her sway over her captain, felt Luffy's struggling cease as he gave a reluctant nod.
"Well…" Momonga continued, evident relief in his tone at Hancock's agreement. "It appears the war has been postponed due to a freak storm. A storm that seems to be avoiding your island like the plague…"
Luffy and Nami exchanged shocked glances but said nothing. They could guess what the Vice Admiral was referring to.
"Our methods and techniques are of no concern to you…" Hancock's drawl was met with silence from Momonga, who merely stared at her with narrowed eyes.
"But in a few weeks, after the storm has passed, you will accompany me to Marineford to help defend the execution grounds. Do you agree to these terms, Boa Hancock?" Nami could tell from Hancock's breathing that she was furious, unimaginably so. But what else could she do? She was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Luffy furrowed his brows. The Navy was going to war? Why? Over an execution? Who was going to be executed? Gramps was strong, but would he be okay? Luffy listened more intently, hoping to find something to dispel his worry for his Grandpa. Even if Gramps was mean and hit him all the time, Luffy still loved him—quite dearly. And he didn't want him to die...
"Fine. I'll fight in this war of yours, without reservation," Hancock concluded bitterly, interrupting Luffy's thoughts as the two pirates behind the curtain could practically hear Momonga's smug smile.
"Excellent!" Peering through the gap in the curtain, they could spy the Marine's annoying smirk. "Of course, if I am to report this cooperation, I will need fresh supplies for my ship. And, in addition, I will need to dock my ship off the coast of your island after my men are unpetrified. I won't allow myself or any of my men to set foot on your island, but we'll need to escape the storm's reach."
Nami clenched her fists. This Vice Admiral was really pushing his luck, but Hancock couldn't refuse his request. What a dick…
"Very well." Hancock's rage made the Vice Admiral take a brief step back, though it was so quick it might as well not have happened. "I shall do as you wish, but in return, the Navy will pay reparations and concessions for initially violating the treaty our agreement is based on."
Momonga shifted as he considered his options. "Very well, Pirate Empress. I will not set foot on this island any longer, and I will contact Headquarters about reparations once you revive my men in the morning."
Hancock nodded angrily, stewing in her rage. The day felt unending to her—one blow to her pride after another. She wished for it to end.
"Then, the matter is settled." Momonga seemed gleeful, his mission a success. "I shall contact you at the agreed time, and then, Boa Hancock, you will allow us to escort you to Marineford."
Luffy and Nami breathed a sigh of relief, glad the Vice Admiral was leaving. But Momonga wasn't finished.
"And from there, you will witness and assist in the execution of Portgas D. Ace..."
Luffy froze.
He didn't move.
He didn't breathe.
He didn't notice Momonga leaving the room.
He didn't even feel Nami place a hand on his shoulder.
Nami turned to him, her eyes wide with horror, but mostly concern for her captain—and for Ace. After all, she knew him, too, to some extent.
"Luffy… Ace is?" she began, but Luffy cut her off with a simple nod. He had wanted to know who would be executed… but now… now, he just felt…
Empty.
Luffy shivered and clenched his fists so tightly that it drew blood, which dripped from his fingers onto the floor. Nami pressed her hand more firmly into his shoulder, trying to catch his eyes, but they were hidden beneath his hat. Luffy's left hand reached up to his mouth, and he bit into his skin, drawing more blood in a desperate bid to stay quiet and not alert the Vice Admiral of their presence.
Before he could rip a chunk of flesh from his hand, he felt Nami's hand cup his cheek, the other moving from his shoulder to gently pull his hand away from his mouth. Luffy felt himself relax, if only a little, as Nami pressed her forehead to his.
Luffy's mind raced, but he focused on the rhythm of Nami's breathing, and slowly his own began to sync with it. He leaned his forehead more firmly into hers, hoping it would calm his thoughts. But all Luffy felt was a rising panic that threatened to overwhelm him.
Ace…
He didn't notice the small tears falling from his face—not until Nami's thumbs wiped them away, her right-hand brushing against his scar tissue in what should have been a comforting sensation.
But, in that moment, Luffy felt nothing.
He let his head drop from Nami's to rest on his navigator's shoulder, her arms immediately wrapping around him in response. The embrace was tight, but so utterly comforting that Luffy was simply glad, of all people, to have Nami here with him.
Luffy tried to wake himself from the nightmare he was trapped in, but to no avail.
"Ace, what happened to you?"
Chapter Eight is done. We're getting so close to where Search the Wind left off, and I'm so excited to branch out on my own. What I've got planned; well, I'm so excited to write it!
I've decided not to include a Bonus Piece of content at the end (usually there would be one at the beginning and one at the end), but it just didn't feel write considering how the chapter ended.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this one! Let me know what you've thought of the story so far, and/or what you're looking forward to. Or don't. Idrm.
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Saramus92: Through push-ups, sit-ups, and plenty of juice. But yeah, even if you read the original Search the Wind fanfic, I think this storm is arguably the most important thing in the story given the butterfly effect it has. But you'll have to see that as the story goes on. But let me tell you, this goes BEYOND just delaying the Paramount War. Shit's gonna get real!
Andy Rahman: Glad ya thought so! And I do intend on doing so, hence this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it!
LadyGabiLun: Hey! Nice to meet ya! And no problem in taking up the story. If you want something done, do it yourself, amirite? I don't know why this story called to me more than any other. I'm not sure there's been a dedicated story just to a Straw Hat accompanying Luffy to Marineford (larger stories like XFangHeartX's entire chronicle and Coby's Choice notwithstanding), but do let me know.
About the romance, I totally get it! Like, it is less. And I don't want to elaborate too much without spoiling anything. But, as you may have guessed from the text, my interpretation of an in-character LuNa is that the two love one another already, but have different ways of figuring it out and are at different stages of realisation. Again, don't want to go too much into it, but my summary would be. Luffy is more emotionally along the way, but is too stupid. And Nami is more logically along the way, but is too afraid. Or something. Like, for me personally, my LuNa headcanon is that Nami figures out her feelings when hearing that Ace died/the separation occured, similar to the fanfic Veritas by deleria.
Anyway, I've talked too much. You gotta read and find out after all! I hope you enjoyed this one and how it differs from Search the Wind, etc.
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s/6495693/8/Search-the-wind
Anyway, thanks for reading this one. See ya all next time!
This is, TheHumulisScriptor, signing out!
