beenjammin0421: Yeah, I missed that part until after actually posting the chapter. But then I thought, maybe it could work, you know Nami's so mad that she just slipped up? The point is, she just wanted to know why he spent so much money.
I'm not sure how to handle the Alabasta Arc yet but either way, it wasn't like Miguel's having the water sword would make so much difference, with how skilled Crocodile is. Either way, I'm still thinking it all over.
C.S. Skywalker: Thanks! I'm glad to hear you think so. I hope I don't wind up making Miguel a Gary Stu, if it does happen, that'd be a complete accident. I'll check out your story soon.
After the Straw Hats set off from the Lighthouse, the crew worked hard to maintain their course and keep heading towards their next destination with Nami's guidance.
The aforementioned navigator teamed up with Usopp to find out more about their 'guests'. However, much of their interrogation was going nowhere.
''Would you just leave it alone? We told you all we could!'' Mr. 9 huffed.
''Which is basically nothing!'' Usopp retorted. ''Luffy might be down with you guys coming along but that doesn't mean we can trust you. It only makes sense to fish for information.''
An annoyed sound came from Miss Wednesday ''It can't be helped, secrecy is a very important thing for our work. Especially for us agents. What does it matter? We won't be here for long anyway. You have bigger things to worry about.''
Nami's angry retort died in her throat as she sensed something strange in the air. ''...I hate to say it but she's right, come on, Usopp. I think we're going to have to adjust our course.''
This proved to be a very good call as it wasn't long before chaos broke out. Any semblance of peace had faded in seconds. Between the strong winds and turbulent waves, there was nary a moment to breathe. And if that weren't bad enough, for some reason, it began to snow and there was even the occasional block of ice in the ocean.
''This is crazy!''
Sanji was shoveling snow off as Miguel made the most of his magic to protect the ship ''Yeah, just keep working, Luffy!''
The captain spotted a particular large piece of ice nearby and so opted to stretch his arm out and throw it away before it collided with the Merry. They kept working to sail through the area to the best of their ability, aided by Miguel. Usopp looked unnerved another iceberg they just barely avoided ''Do you have a way to help protect the ship?''
''I thought of that but any shield I can make now would just slow us down.'' Miguel raised another wave of water to smooth the ship's course.
Luffy grabbed on to the side to keep from slipping ''Nami, how long do we have to go like this?''
''Not long, I don't...''
A cry left her as she glanced at the Log Pose, to their surprise ''We have to turn around, now! We're going the opposite way!''
Luffy blinked ''We are? I thought you said-''
Miguel stiffened for a moment, muffling a groan as he took one glance at the Log Pose before using gravity magic to alter their course. The navigator slumped for a moment ''Thanks, I don't get it...I just looked away from the Log Pose for a minute...''
''You're not a very good navigator, are you?'' Miss Wednesday scoffed. ''Everyone knows that the Log Pose is the only surefire way to know your bearings while sailing here.''
''No, that was my mistake.'' Miguel started. ''The magnetic waves are pretty fickle, I heard that gets worse when we're between some islands. That's why keeping track of the Log Pose is so important-sorry, I think I forgot to mentiont that.''
''You forgot?!'' Nami and Sanji exclaimed.
He had the grace to look sheepish at this, apologizing again. Nami sighed as she watched him use wind magic to help them sail in the new direction. Well in all fairness she couldn't really hold it against him, he'd hardly stopped a moment while trying to help them.
''Just...try to make sure this happens less, okay?''
''Ahaha, right...''
Miss Wednesday raised an eye ''Why isn't he the navigator anyway? He clearly knows what to do.''
''I was born on the Grand Line so I've come to learn about it. Nami can more than handle this anyway.''
The girl smiled at him before her expression turned dark ''All right, I've had enough. Guys, what do you say we make sure they actually earn their stay?''
Usopp was no less annoyed ''I think that can be arranged.''
While Sanji was fully onboard with having Mr. 9 earn his keep, he made sure to protect Miss Wednesday having to work. But as always, he was no match for Nami.
Eventually, they made it through safely, Sanji had to give them provisions to keep up their strength but the rough patch was soon over after that. Now it was back to smooth sailing. Needless to say, the ordeal had left most understandably weary.
Luffy being the clear exception ''We made it!''
''We're finally in the clear.'' Nami's entire frame slumped, wondering how he could possibly have that much energy. ''What a disaster.''
''It really was but you were amazing, Nami-san! I'd hate to think of where we'd be without you.'' Sanji almost swooned at the grin she shot him then. Sanji .
Both quickly noticed Miguel lying against a wall, his breathing a little labored. Sanji blinked ''Hey, you all right?''
''Y-yeah, just winded I guess...using magic like I did back there tends to do that.''
''I think that's understandable but hey, you did great.'' Nami assured, the cook nodding.
''Man, I'm glad that's over.'' Usopp noticed Luffy looking around ''What's up?''
''Where's Zoro?''
That was a good question, actually ''Now that you mention it, I haven't even seen him for a while...''
''Me neither...'' Miguel added as the two started to look. They didn't have to wait long though as the swordsman made his presence known, walking over while muffling a yawn.
''That was some nap.''
Luffy blinked, baffled ''Nap?''
''? So then...'' Miguel wondered if they heard that right. He couldn't possibly mean...?
''What kind of brain dead moron sleeps through something like that?!'' For once, everyone agreed with Mr. 9. How could anyone rest through such a dangerous storm?
Miss Wednesday was likewise dumbfounded, flinching as she felt the air shiver with tension. If she didn't know any better, she would've said Nami, Usopp and Sanji were practically burning with rage.
''What's the matter with you guys? Don't start lazing about now.'' Zoro went on, oblivious to their growing ire.
Miguel refused to dignify that with a response, looking at Miss Wednesday. If he knew his friends, he had a feeling he knew how this would end. ''For the record, you'll want to steer clear.''
Noticing the three advancing behind the swordsman, she could only nod. Zoro then carried on ''So what're you names again?'' He asked, a wicked smirk beginning to settle on his face.
''I-I'm Mr. 9.''
''I'm called Miss Wednesday.''
''Right...so here's the thing, for some reason those names sound really familiar.'' He particularly enjoyed how this unnerved them. ''I know I heard something like it before...''
But then something hard and fast hit him on the back of the head, leaving him to look and see that it had been Nami's fist.
''What the heck was that for?!''
''We're just getting started, moron!'' Sanji snapped. ''Calling us lazy? That's rich! We just went through a freaking nightmare while you were lost in dreamland.''
''You're lucky we didn't throw you overboard!'' Nami raised her fist again. The next thing Zoro knew, they were in a middle of a fist fight. One he was rapidl losing, much to his surprise. Since when were they all so strong?
Mr. 9 stared as Luffy just laughed at the whole thing ''Are you for real, kid?'' He looked at Miguel ''Clearly you're the bastion of sense here, you're just ignoring this too?''
''I figure it's better if they get it out of their systems. Besides, can you really blame them?''
Both wayward agents shook their heads at once. They were all in agreement that Zoro had this coming in spades.
Zoro had three lumps on his head as he collapsed, the three walking away with evident satisfaction. Nami turning to look at everyone ''Listen up!'' She called. ''I can really see that the Grand Line earned its reputation after this nightmare. But even with this, I'll do my best to see us all through!''
''I believe in you, Nami-san!'' Sanji exclaimed.
''We're counting on you!'' Luffy added.
''Hey, chaotic beginnings aside, we're doing pretty good. That counts for something, we'll just try to do better next time.'' Miguel offered.
''Jeez...what's their problem...?'' Zoro groused, slumping near the door.
''Zoro, how about you give your mouth a break before you go digging your grave even deeper?'' Miguel drawled. Luffy sniggering openly at this. Much to her surprise, even Miss Wednesday fought back a laugh.
Usopp had gone up to look ahead once he noticed an island in the distance ''Hey guys, land ho!''
Luffy perked up ''We made it! Our first island in the Grand Line!''
''Which means it's...''
''...time for us to go!'' Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday were similarly pleased but for different reasons.
The two flew off with a pair of rocket like devices ''Bye bye, baby!''
Luffy blinked ''That was fast...''
''No kidding.'' Sanji agreed. They couldn't help but wonder, who were those two, really?
Whatever the crew expected upon disembarking, this never would've made the list.
Quite a number of people were gathered at the port, what looked like it could be trouble turned out to be the exact opposite. It was in fact...
''Wow, pirates!''
''So cool! And brave!''
''Yeah, awesome, pirates are the best!''
Yup, it was quite the warm welcome. The town's mayor, Igarappoi, had even invited them to spend the night and remained eager to hear all their stories, over a feast they prepare for travelers.
Nami couldn't help staring at Luffy and Usopp. Okay, Luffy was a lost cause since free food was on the table but she thought Usopp had more sense than that!
She looked at the two swordsmen ''Just making sure, we're all clear that this screams trap, right?''
''You need to ask?'' Zoro thought it went without saying, especially since those two agents had definitely come here. If their so called organization operated here...
''Well, considering we're not likely to pull Luffy away from a feast, no choice but to play along.'' Both readily agreed with Miguel. They'd have a fight worse than anything those guys could pull if came to that...
Nami had a thought ''Maybe Sanji-kun can check if the food is...''
''How about I stop you right there?'' Blinking at Miguel, she followed his line of sight to find said cook practically drooling over three women without a care in the world.
That stupid lech!
''Idiots, the lot of them...'' Zoro shook his head in disgust ''...well, any ideas?''
Nami sighed ''Let's walk and talk.''
''This'll be a blast!'' Usopp cheered.
''Whiskey Peak is the best!'' Sanji whooped.
No one noticed Miguel's hand thrumming with magic as he kept walking, a rather faint trail of silver in his way...
The festivities were going strong and everyone was having a good time. Luffy gleefully ate all the food he could reach. Usopp and Miguel managed to get a little food before a few townpeople asked the former to describe their adventures, a request the sniper gladly took on, albeit not without a few exaggerations. The latter went to join Nami and Zoro. Sanji fctonined flirting, though while they listened raptly, trying to include Nami failed miserably.
Zoro got in a drinking contest with a few locals, who tried to rope Nami in but failed again. Not that it was about to deter them...
''You sure? We were just deciding what prize to give for the winner. Maybe even a few thousand berris.'' One of them informed.
This did the trick at once. In seconds, Nami was all for it; holding a mug in hand she cried. ''Fill 'er up!''
Zoro rolled his eyes while the others cheered and one of them proceeded to pour her a drink. Igarappoi merely chuckled ''That's more like it.''
Things kept going for a while, with all the participants of the contest getting more and more drunk, only Zoro and Nami appeared to be handling it well. One of the people who decided to watch the contest stared at the two pirates. He glanced at the others, seeing how Luffy was still gorging himself and finally asked.
''How the hell are they still going?!''
''You really can hold your drink, huh?'' Zoro mused.
Nami gave him a smug smirk ''Of course! I grew up out drinking fishmen, those guys never would've stood a chance.''
''Yeah well, you're still not winning here.''
''Ha! We'll see about that.''
''Master Usopp, you're so amazing!'' A girl gushed.
He grinned ''Of course, you've just heard a little of my escapades. Let me tell you about the time I faced a giant condor...''
''Come to think of it, where's Miguel anyway?'' Usopp asked after a few moments.
''Hey yeah, wasn't he just here?'' Luffy looked around.
''He went to rest in the house next door.'' Igarappoi informed ''Seems you've had quite the rough journey to get here, your friend looked tired.''
''Oh...'' Nami immediately thought of how his skill with magic helped keep Merry safe in that chaotic spot of weather. ''...can't say I blame him, he's earned it.'' She cast an annoyed look at Zoro. ''Of course, some of us weren't quite as lucky.''
''What're you...'' He was left wheezing in surprise as she elbowed him sharply.
''Just...shut up.'' Taking a swig of her mug, she didn't miss Igarappoi's face turning into a wicked grin...
A while later...
''I can't believe it took this long to work...'' A woman with pink hair shook her head as they stood near the entrance of the building where the celebrations took place. ''...I was beginning to think we'd have to nix the whole plan, Mr. 8.''
Igarappoi, who was in fact Mr. 8 chuckled ''I told you, you're just too impatient sometimes, Miss Monday. As they say you capture more bees with honey than vinegar.''
''Fair enough.'' She turned slightly as Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 joined them. ''Well earlier mishaps aside, you did help pull this off.''
''We had to do something.'' The blue haired girl stated. ''Are you sure we can make this work, Mr. 8?''
''We will. It's already settled, we'll finish them all off soon and claim the captain's bounty.''
Both were left wondering if Luffy really had that much of a bounty only to be stumped when Miss Monday held up the poster.
''Th-thirty million?!'' Mr. 9 spluttered ''You've got to be kidding me! That knucklehead?''
His partner blinked ''It does seem hard to believe...''
Miss Monday shrugged ''Okay, so we mug them all and hand the captain over to the marines. When do we start?''
''About that...'' The familiar voice made them freeze as the building's door opened to reveal Zoro ''...I'll have to ask you to hold off those plans. They're all wornout after the day we had.''
''H-how...?'' Miss Wednesday stared. ''Weren't you supposed to be drunk?!''
''Oh, please. I wouldn't be much of a swordsman if I got drunk from a little alcohol.''
Igarappoi scowled ''It makes no difference. You can't possibly take us all on!''
''Wanna bet?'' Zoro touched his blades ''We already figured something was up but now it all falls in place. No wonder those names sounded familiar...you're all bounty hunters who lure pirates in with this friendly act before robbing them blind. Isn't that right, agents of Baroque works?''
''How did you know?!''
''One of your agents found me a long time ago and suggested that I join you. I wouldn't go for it but I've come to learn how your little organization works after that day. You all use code names and are usually paired with a man and woman on each team. You guys don't even know who you work for, right?''
''Even if you know this, we're still capturing you all right now!'' Miss Monday declared.
''Good luck with that.'' Zoro returned. ''We've already handled your buddies over there and your pal from back then wasn't anything special. Think you can top them?''
''Oh, most certainly,'' Igaram smirked. ''Let's see how you fare against a 100 bounty hunters then!''
At the call, people began coming out of alleys and a few buildings nearby, making for quite a crowd. Despite that, Zoro appeared calm as he drew on his blades.
''Bring it!''
Zoro smirked as he dodged a round of bullets flying at him before cutting the two shooters down. Seeing one charging with a club, he side stepped the weapon before quickly disposing of him. He attacked two swordsmen nearby, quickly cutting them down with Sandai Kitetsu. The swordsman noted how his attack also destroyed their blades. ''Those are some really lousy swords. You're not of much bounty hunters, huh?''
When more bounty hunters rushed at him, he took up a stance.
''Three Sword Style: Hawk Wave!''
In a few minutes, it was becoming very clear that Zoro completely outmatched all the bounty hunters. In fact, it wasn't very long before all his adversaries were finished.
''He's barely even winded.'' Miss Wednesday noted. ''Just how is he so strong?''
''No wonder they tried to scout him before...'' Her partner trailed off, missing her look at Zoro intensely.
Maybe...with such power...
Igarappoi harrumphed ''You might have won so far but the end result won't change!''
''Yeah...'' Miss Monday smirked. ''...actually, shouldn't you go check on your friend? I imagine he could be in quite a bind now.''
Zoro raised an eye, suddenly realizing they meant Miguel. Sure, they talked about not letting the guards down but the fact was Miguel was just as tired if not more so than the others after what happened earlier...
Wasting no time, he made to head over to the house but the four agents blocked his path. Zoro's eyes narrowed as he spotted two of the bounty hunters having entered the destination.
Igarappoi smirked ''Not so fast.''
Miss Monday charged at him with a fist aimed at his face while Miss Wednesday attacked with her chakram like weapons while rushing on a big yellow duck.
''Careful now,'' she purred. ''We wouldn't want your head to be cut off by my Peacock Slashers would we?''
He cut Miss Monday's side before elbowing the blue haired girl and knocking her down. Just as he made to advance, he was forced to dodge Mr. 9's club before Igarappoi stepped up.
''Igarappa!'' The man blew on a saxophone, which surprisingly enough, sent out a scatter shot of bullets. Zoro deflected all those that came nearby, though a few grazed him.
Two of them broke the windows, which was when Miss Wednesday noticed something ''Wait, it's empty?!''
Nami, who had snuck out during the chaos, seized the opportunity to begin looting the houses. Hey, if the islanders wanted to trap them like that, she thought it was fair game.
''You've been busy.''
Perking up at the familiar face, she turned to face the newly arrived Miguel ''Good timing. Can you help with this?''
Nodding, he tapped the sacks of money she gathered and they disappeared into his personal dimension. Nami let out a satisfied breath ''This is going nicely. And if all the ruckus I keep hearing is anything to by, Zoro's probably kicking their butts by now...but I guess they could have more tricks in wait.''
''Oh, I think that'd be fine.'' Miguel looked back for a moment ''They'll have to try a lot to get past Zoro and on the low chance that they do, they'll still have a hard time of it.''
''You know something.'' It wasn't a question and they both knew it.
''I might have left a couple of traps where Luffy and the others were sleeping. They're set to activate when anyone besides us comes close. Plus, well...is Stardust Refraction worked like I'm hoping it...'' Nami quirked a brow ''...oh, it's a new spell. I haven't really had the chance to try it on others but it should at least help keep the others safe.''
''Nice!'' She hummed appreciatively, making a note to ask about that later. What she did come to learn about magic told her that the spell wasn't as simple as protecting them from anything. But a little extra help was always welcome.
''I think it's best to see what's going on. What do you want to do?'' Miguel clarified.
Nami considered that ''I'll catch up in a bit. I think we should check on Merry too, if those creeps did anything to her. They'll wish Zoro got to finish them first...''
Igarappoi was forced to dodge another slash, Miss Monday and Mr. 9 long defeated. Miss Wednesday was only able to avoid a similar fate thanks to her pet deck Carue, but they knew they wouldn't last long at this rate.
All three were baffled to find no sign of the wizard anywhere and Mr. 9 had actually been caught off guard by a lacrima that sent a gust of wind which threw him out of the house. So not only had he and Roronoa known something was amiss, they even planned ahead like this?
''Tiger Hunt!''
The attack caught both agents at once, knocking the shocked duo down. Zoro craned his neck to look through the inn, finding Usopp and Sanji right where he left them.
''...How the hell are they asleep now?!''
He wondered if this could count as karma.
Miguel had been rather confused to find Luffy storming through one of the alleys ''Luffy? What's wrong?''
''I'll tell you what, where's that jerk, Zoro?! He beat those nice people up!'' He furmed ''They were super nice and they gave us great food. That's just cruel!''
''Before you go make a big mistake...'' Miguel began ''...this was a glorified trap right from the get go. Everyone here is in cahoots with those two we picked up.''
''Ehh?! No way! But they were so good to us...''
''That's how a trap would work, Luffy.'' He paused ''Let's put it this way, you used to hunt a lot as a kid, right?'' A nod ''Weren't there times where you had to lay bait to catch a quick target?''
The answer was automatic ''Sure!'' That was when it sunk in ''Ohhh...oh.''
''Yes, oh. So just keep in mind that Zoro was looking out for the crew.'' Luffy nodded contritely.
A thought occured to him ''Hold up, so you guys knew this was a trap? Why didn't you tell us?''
Miguel arched an eye ''Luffy, be level with me. Do you really think you would've listened with a feast in the wait?''
''...Fair enough.''
Okay, let's stop here.
I hope this was good. I've been having quite a hard time lately so this is a way to get me back in the spirit of things. For now though, it's back to the drawing board for me.
Thanks for reading and I hope you keep it up. Till next time!