Whoa, this story is getting a good response, all things considered. Thanks a bunch for reading. I hope you keep it up. Here we go!
After leaving the Baratie, Luffy, Miguel and Sanji were on their way to meet up with their friends on the Conomi Islands and find Nami...
''I see...so that's what you were all talking about.'' The cook rubbed his chin in thought ''I've heard a few things about this Arlong. A lot of people steer clear from him, even pirates. The few who even tried to fight his crew were trounced so bad that it spooked others into not even trying. If Nami-san really did hate pirates so much why is she involved with him?''
''She wouldn't ever tell us anything about herself. We just know she's been angling to get all that money for some reason but then this situation comes up...'' Miguel trailed off.
''Is this Arlong guy tough?'' Luffy wondered.
''Well, you can't underestimate fishmen, especially in the water. Their capabilities would exceed a human's by far. Fishmen are merfolk who can adapt to living on land but they're most powerful in the ocean. Physically, they sort of resemble humans but they're generally stronger.''
''That's about right, you sure are knowledgeable huh?'' Sanji nodded appreciatively ''Anything else you can tell us?''
Luffy was equally intrigued ''You met some fishmen before, Miguel?''
''Yeah, we've made a bunch of merfolk friends, Elysia's had connections to Fishman Island for a long time. Some of them are practically family to me.''
''That could be pretty useful. For now, any info that could help if we come to blows?'' Sanji inquired.
''A lot of them learn Fishman Karate, that's a fighting style which relies on manipulating water, even from the air. That's why it's especially dangerous, you'd have a hard time finding somewhere which doesn't have water.''
''Good point.'' He could see why it was so effective, that was quite the dangerous style.
''You think we could have to fight after all?'' Luffy clarified.
Sanji put his hands in his pockets ''I remember what you said about a pirate hurting Nami-san. If the stories about him taking control of the Conomi Islands are true, what if it was Arlong the whole time?''
''It's more likely than you think.'' Both looked at Miguel curiously ''Remember back when Usopp asked about your grandpa, Luffy?''
''Oh...''
''I thought Zoro was kidding. He really is a marine?'' Usopp stared. ''Does he even know what you're up to?''
''Oh, yeah-he hates it but I told him I've wanted to be king for years. He just buckled down and decided I had to be a marine.''
Miguel wondered how he actually expected that to work ''...I can't imagine you as a marine if my life depended on it.''
Nami couldn't have said it better herself ''He wouldn't last a week.''
The teen threw his head back and laughed ''You guys think so too, huh? Gramps really wanted things that way and he wouldn't give up. His fists are the absolute worst, he always beat us up when we said we wouldn't become marines.''
''Fists...? But you're rubber, how does that work?'' The girl blinked.
''I dunno, he sure managed it every time though.''
''Actually, wait-who's us?'' Miguel wondered.
''Oh, me and my brothers! We all decided to become pirates and they went on ahead of me so I'm looking forward to catching up!''
Usopp looked rather curious, Nami had a thought ''Luffy? Did your grandpa come back to the East Blue a lot?''
''Kinda. He always said he had loads of work in the Grand Line so he'd come back when he could.''
''And...did he ever help deal with pirates here?''
Luffy gave her an odd look ''Sure, he wouldn't look away when he knows something's wrong. A lot of them just ran away when they know he's on the scene. At least that's what we heard.''
Nami fought to hide the anger flaring inside her at this. So it just as she expected, those assholes covered everything up and left them to suffer...
''Nami?''
Forcing a smile, the girl quickly moved things along ''...So, what're your brothers like?''
''She looked really pissed off after I mentioned Gramps but she wouldn't ever say why...'' Luffy mused.
''I get it, maybe this really is a pirate related problem after all. If she's that worked up over your grandpa being kept in the dark...'' Sanji's fist clenched. ''...we better brace for the worst.''
''If anyone hurts Nami, I'll kick their butts!'' Their captain declared at once.
Nodding in approval, Sanji still had this to say ''That's more like it. Get in line though, I won't let anyone get away with disrespecting a lady.''
''I've been wondering but you really are chivalrous, huh?'' Miguel mused.
''Oh, this is nothing. I'm just stating a fact. This is a rule as old as dinosaurs, men have to treat women with the utmost of respect.'' Sanji crossed his arms ''Just wondering but...your fishman friends wouldn't actually be a part of a crew who'd just hurt others, right?''
''No way.'' Miguel's response was immediate ''Some of them are pirates yeah, but they wouldn't even think of it. Their leader only became a pirate because it was the only way he had to help the island. I did hear some stories though, fishmen are faced with a lot of discrimination nearly everywhere.''
Both instantly thought of the Baratie, where they'd seen proof of how wizards were actually facing a very similar problem. It wouldn't be surprising if both sides found a common connection there.
Just remembering those people irked Luffy, Miguel was the nicest person he'd met in a long time. He'd helped complete strangers just because, even setting out to a world he knew would be cruel to him, all for the sake of his home. He'd heard lots of stories about heroes growing up and he'd come to love and admire them. But Luffy felt that Miguel was a much closer example to a real hero than any of those tales.
Miguel checked their map ''It shouldn't be too long before we make it.''
''Good, the sooner the better.'' Their new friend nodded.
''Yup!'' Luffy agreed ''Sanji, can you cook something?''
The cook's ready response elicited a grin ''Sure, what do you guys want?''
Zoro and the others hadn't been sure where to start but after breaking off to search around the island, they had come across a boy who was cursing the witch of Cocoyashi Village. Questioning him revealed that the 'witch' in question was none other than NamiNami, who had stopped him from seeking revenge on Arlong. Though Usopp had rightfully scolded him on that choice, they learned that the boys as hardly the first to want revenge on Arlong and his pirates, who had been in control of the island for years. He had also informed them that Nami was part of Arlong's crew.
''You need to be careful, Zoro-aniki. We can't have you getting lost now.'' Yosaku stated as they kept walking, having just had to drag Zoro with them.
''I wasn't lost!'' He retorted.
''I'm just saying! I remember when we had to make sure you stuck with us...''
''Can it, Yosaku. It's not my fault you guys kept going off on your own so don't blame me!''
''Hey!''
Usopp blinked ''What're you talking about?''
''Nothing for you to worry about. Yosaku's just being annoying, I was thinking...I wasn't sure at first but it looks like Miguel really had the right idea about Nami.'' Zoro told his companions as they watched the boy leave.
''How come, Aniki? She's one of Arlong's crew members!'' Johnny reminded.
''Think about it, what would've happened if Nami hadn't been there?''
Now that really made them understand, as the answer was clear. Johnny frowned thoughtfully ''I get it...from all the rumors about this guy, he would have killed the kid for sure.''
''That's not even mentioning how she hates pirates. Why the hell is she a part of a pirate crew then?'' Zoro pointed out.
''True...'' Usopp trailed off. ''...it was mean and downright crude but Nami saved his life. She seems to have this awful reputation here but she wasn't anything like that, she helped us out a bunch. That village he mentioned was close, right?''
As it turned out, the answer was yes. The boy had actually just been wandering around Cocoyashi when they spotted him. And in good time as well...
A man in a dark red outfit with a number of scars on his face noticed them then, raising an eye. ''I haven't seen any of you before. It's rare that we get any travelers here.''
''I think we know why...'' Usopp spotted the rifle on the man's far left. ''...hey, you're better off hiding that!''
The man hesitated ''I can't just...''
''Listen to him, we saw a whole lot of weapons tossed out in the forest.'' Yosaku remembered the kid's words, Arlong had made it clear that anyone holding a weapon would be seen as trouble and taken care of. ''It's because of Arlong, right? Well, keeping that is only going to make things worse.''
Johnny firmly agreed with his partner ''Don't be stubborn, a rifle isn't going to help you against someone like Arlong!''
''You're just risking your life for no reason that way.'' Usopp added.
''...Fine.'' The man grunted. ''But you should all hide, I heard Arlong's coming.''
Luffy's group was drawing closer to their destination and Sanji had taken some time to prepare lunch.
Luffy grinned ''So good!''
Miguel hummed in agreement and Sanji smiled, it was always nice to see people appreciate one's hard work. ''Well...''
The sound of water splashing loudly behind made him blink and look to the source, to find a giant cow like sea monster swimming towards their boat. Sanji tilted his head ''Huh, it's...a sea cow? I wonder if it was attracted because of the food...''
This served to irritate Luffy, who punched the cow. ''No way! It's not getting anything!''
Miguel cringed ''You didn't have to do that...''
''Yeah, come on, we can share.'' Sanji stated, taking a piece of food and holding it up. ''Here...''
Both were startled when the cow suddenly swooped down and lunged at Sanji, who responded by kicking it back. His eye twitched ''Sharing is one thing but I'm not food, you stupid cow!''
The sea monster recoiled at this, staring at them fearfully. Despite understanding that it did in fact see them as food, Miguel was starting to feel bad for it. ''Guys, that's a little too much...''
''It doesn't deserve pity.'' Sanji waved a hand ''Come on, help tie the rope on this thing so it can tow us ahead.''
Arlong was a huge grey shark fishman with black hair and a brown hat, a yellow shirt and brown pants with sandals. He walked about the village with the swagger and confidence of someone who believed themselves above all others...
Zoro, Usopp, Johnny and Yosaku were watching from a safe distance, the first frowned ''So that's Arlong, huh?''
''He looks really, really tough...'' Yosaku gulped.
''Let's just watch, we should try figure out what's going on.'' Usopp told them.
''So you're saying the rumors were false?'' He asked Genzo.
''Yeah. It's probably started because of the weapons in the forest, have you looked at the place lately?''
''Well I've heard from some of my men, so I suppose you have a point.'' Arlong stated. ''Just keep in mind that no one is to keep weapons, it's a practice that breeds rebellious thoughts and it's just something that I can't allow.''
''This island is the foundation of my growing Arlong Empire after all.'' The fishman went on, oblivious to the many eyes on him. ''So I refuse to let anything ruin that, make sure you stay in line and we won't have problems. Most importantly, don't forget about the payments.''
Arlong left while Genzo glared at his back, wishing there was something he could do about him. Zoro decided to go and ask the man for more details and the others followed him.
Sanji's idea had been a big help as the sea cow had really helped them get to the destination much faster. The trio had wasted no time in beginning their search for their wayward comrades...
''I can't wait to see Nami-san! She's over 90% of the reason I joined this crew!'' Sanji exclaimed.
''Your own dream is less than 10%?'' Miguel wondered.
''Semantics, semantics.'' He waved a dismissing hand. ''Anyway, do we have any idea how we go from here?''
Miguel was about to reply that they didn't but then he saw that Luffy was already walking off ''Luffy, where are you going?''
''There's something I wanna see!''
''Hey, this isn't the time for sight seeing!'' Sanji chided.
''It's not that, I found something weird when the cow was still dragging us.'' The teen cocked his head. ''So I'll...''
''Hold it.'' Miguel cut in at once ''Do you even have a clue where you're going? I seem to remember you getting lost when you took off on your own.''
''But it's over there!'' Luffy gestured to their left but all they could see was an empty area.
''...There's your answer.'' Sanji immediately saw where Miguel was coming from ''Look, can't this wait? We need to go and find Nami-san and those guys. What did you even see anyway?''
''That's the weird part...''
After getting more details, Miguel flew around the area with Meteor and he suddenly got a very clear image as to what just had Luffy so stumped.
It had actually been a village, but one could barely identify it as such as all the homes were an absolute wreck, even the paths were barely passable. It was almost as if a calamity had torn through the place and this was all what was left as a result...
''What in the...?'' Sanji looked dumbfounded as he and Luffy were guided there. ''What hit this place?''
Luffy had a thought ''You think that Arlong guy did this?''
Sanji considered that ''Maybe...''
Just as they were about to leave, they heard a new voice. ''Nyuu, this is unusual...''
The three pirates were found by a pink octopus fishman with spiky white hair in a striped shirt and beige pants. ''...I don't think I've seen any of you before.''
''We're just taking a walk.'' Luffy returned casually.
''Oh...well, I guess that's fine. But who are you guys?''
''Just travelers.'' Sanji decided to keep things simple for now. ''We're looking to catch up with our friends and leave, don't mind us.''
''All right then, nyuu...''
Miguel made to follow the two as they walked away but he suddenly paused when his eyes fell on the red sun crest on the fishman's forehead. 'Wait, that mark-! So, he...'
''Miguel, come on!''
Luffy's voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he quickened his pace, oblivious to the fishman who watching them curiously. Unbeknownst to the three, they had been among the few humans he had seen in a long while that hadn't been frightened of him.
''What's wrong?'' The captain prompted upon seeing his friend's distracted look.
''Ah...it's nothing...'' Thinking of that mark left Miguel with more and more questions.
He had a bad feeling about this...
While Genzo took them to his house, the group was startled as the sound of slamming doors reached them.
''What's going on?'' Yosaku wondered.
''I think the witch is back...''
''Witch? Wait, Nami's here?'' Usopp clarified.
''Yeah, I heard you mentioned her. She was actually raised here. So you're another one of the crew she stole from...'' Genzo exhaled. ''...well, you're better off leaving, you're almost definitely not getting that money back.''
''That's not really our concern right now.'' He stared at Usopp ''Sure, we can look into having her give back the stuff she took from us but there's more to it. One of our friends picked up on something strange and well, let's just say he made a deal with her. We want to hear what she has to say.''
''I...see.'' Genzo looked surprised. ''I admit, I didn't expect that. But why go through the trouble? It can't be this important..right?''
''It's complicated but let's just say it's the captain's orders.'' Zoro returned. ''We're just getting some info together and waiting for him. For future reference though, can you tell us where her home is?''
Okay, I'll stop here.
I hope it was good. Sorry, it's short but I need to set things up. As much as I enjoy the canon stuff, I also enjoy making my own spin on things. They'll be meeting up next chapter and hearing the truth from Nami herself like they intended all along. I've just finished sorting out most of my plans for this arc, so I'll be able to work on it faster now. Till next time.