On a Marine ship, a man was busy folding an origami figure. As it happened, his fleet was in the middle of trying to attack the Going Merry and Black Pearl.
"Jeez, give us a break already!" Usopp called out.
"Is this gonna be a reoccurring thing?!" Eddy snapped.
"God, I hope not..." Luna grumbled.
"Everyone stand your ground!" Penny called out.
"Is this the life of a pirate? So thrilling!" Gonta excitedly said.
On the Marine ship, a soldier knocked on the door.
"Lieutenant Commander Pasqua! We need you on the bridge!"
Pasqua finished his origami and opened the door. He then proceeded to hit the soldier with a powerful flick to the forehead.
"I'm not deaf, you idiot. You only need to knock once."
"Sorry, sir! But we're currently engaging the Straw Hat Pirates."
Pasqua quickly ran up to the deck, where he was greeted by his fellow officer Isoka.
"You almost missed a historic encounter."
Pasqua took a look through the binoculars.
"That's the Straw Hat's flag. No doubt about it."
"We've been firing warning shots, but they've shown no signs of stopping." The soldier said. "We'd appreciate it if you'd do your special technique."
"I suppose I could," Pasqua said.
The officer grinned as he took off his coat and pulled a one Berri coin out of his pocket. It was his specialFinger Bombtechnique, one that had sunk countless pirate ships in the past.
"Think he's heard us?" Pasqua asked.
"Obviously he would have. And Draco starts aiming right about... Now."
A sudden smog blast hit Pasqua right in the nose, causing him to sneeze and accidentally fire hisFinger Bombright into another Marine ship.
"Whoops! My bad!" Draco apologized.
"Well, it gives us a chance to escape while their formation collapses," Gin said.
Gottfried was looking back at the flagship.
"Something wrong?" Lassoo asked.
"For some reason, the officers on that ship knew that would happen but didn't do nothing to stop it."
Pasqua and Isoka watched as the Merry sailed off while the soldiers scrambled to rescue the floaters.
"Looks like the wheel of fortune is starting to turn," Isoka said.
"Right as history required," Pasqua noted. "From here we should be able to let the Straw Hats do the rest. Once the wounded are tended to, we sail for Ruluka Island as scheduled."
"After fifty long years, we'll finally be able to end our home's misery." Isoka said.
-OP-
"Looks like we lost them," Robin noted.
"They've been coming after us a lot lately," Boss noted.
"Our crew's total bounty is reaching the 400 million Berri mark. Maybe even past that." Zoro pointed out. "Can't blame them for going all out."
"Looks like we're coming up to a harbor," Chopper said.
"Finally, a chance to stretch out. Sea life's been getting rough." Choi said. "Perhaps get some good drinks to go!"
The Merry approached a seaside town near a tower of some kind. As they started to dock near the tower, a patrol officer stopped them.
"Hold on there! All ships docking, even at the rocks, must pay harbor dues!"
"A tax just for docking?" Nojiko asked incredulously.
"That never happened at any other island we were on. Why's it so different here?" Nami wondered.
"Because it's your duty!" the officer said, pointing his rifle. "Now pay up or pay the consequences!"
The rifle was then shot out of his hand by Lassoo.
"Neither."
"That's a fine for damaging tax official property!" the officer declared.
"You're down one gun and facing down people you really are outmatched by. I'd move on if I were you." Sanji said.
The officer took a fighting stance, refusing to back down. However, it was then a bullet went through his skull and he fell over dead, a pool of blood forming around where he lay as the Straw Hats looked shocked.
"Good lord, I think I'm going to be sick!" Double-D gagged.
"I didn't shoot that!" Usopp said defensively.
Ben looked up to see two shadowy figures standing nearby, both of them giving the Straw Hats an acknowledging nod before taking off.
"Excuse me!" An old man said, appearing on the cliff above. "I'd like to ask you all something!"
The man was wearing a lab coat and had a large metal backpack, with a helmet and visor covering his face.
"Some new kind of clown?" Robin wondered.
"Nah, he's not even in Buggy's league," Sonson said dismissively.
"Maybe he's a salesman," Kaya suggested.
"I'm neither!" the old man declared as he lifted up his visor. "Have you seen a rainbow-colored mist at all?"
"I don't think so," Luna said.
"Hang on...I think that was the title of Robin's favorite book." Chopper said.
-OP-
The man named Henzo treated the crew to lunch at a local restaurant.
"I'm a scientist researching the Rainbow Mist," Henzo explained. "You mentioned a book you were reading regarding it."
Robin showed him the fourth volume she had started.
"Just where did you get this?" Henzo asked.
"It's a popular story in my home country of Alabasta. The name of the author was never given, but it was written 40 years ago." Vivi explained. "According to the story, the Rainbow Mist is believed to be the garden of the gods."
"I based one of my first songs off it!" Amingo added proudly. "Some stories even claim it's the entrance to the city of gold!"
"Calm down, Nami, it's only legend." Robin chuckled as the Navigator grumbled as she ate her food.
"I too have heard all the legends. I can tell you for certain that most of them are complete bunk." Henzo said. "Any adventurer that has ever gone in search of the Rainbow Mist has never returned. That includes... My own friends..."
"Don't take what he says seriously, he's one of Mayor Wetton's dogs." The waiter said. "He's just a flimflam scientist receiving research funds and living the easy life."
A sudden drum procession was suddenly heard outside.
"Oh great," the waiter grumbled. "It's the tax collection squad. Better hurry and finish your... Meal?"
He noticed the food was already gone. The other customers were already scrambling to finish their own food. The officers entering the restaurant were led by a red-haired man with a sinister face.
"Greetings, citizens. I hope you're enjoying your meal today."
"I wanna punch this guy," Luffy said.
"Let's wait and see what he's about," Draco said.
"I dunno, I feel like putting a bone where the sun doesn't shine, mate." Ben muttered.
The man started looking at everyone, doling what seemed to be extreme taxation. One man got taxed for drinking liquor even though he'd already paid for it.
"A citizen's obligation is to pay taxes. Those who neglect their obligations have no right to live in this humble town."
"This is just horrible. Yeah, taxes are an important part of the economy. But if Father saw this he'd tear the city apart." Vivi whispered.
"Don't even get me started on the Chimera Carperts," Mifune added.
"How do the taxes work in Alabasta?" Ruby wondered.
"Each town only has to pay a bi-monthly tithe based on five percent of their total sales. It adds up really quick." Vivi explained. "This is less taxes and more bleeding the citizens dry."
"So, who's the schmuck?" Eddy wondered.
"He's Mayor Wetton's son, Flip. A disagreeable sort who extorts all sorts of tax money out of us." The waiter explained.
"How has your economy not collapsed under its own weight?" Double-D wondered.
Flip overheard and grinned when he saw Henzo.
"Well, well, what a surprise. I didn't expect you to be here, Professor. Father was actually looking for you regarding your mist research."
"The same as it always does. Like I said, there's no telling when or where the rainbow mist will appear." Henzo said calmly.
"You do realize your research is being supported by the citizens' tax Berris, and that sort of research does not come cheap." Flip pointed out. "The Rainbow Tower alone cost a small fortune. And the slower your research goes, the more taxes we have to collect. That makes everyone more upset."
He noticed Carue, Lassoo, Hobbes, Boss, Chopper, and Gottfried.
"There's also a pet tax."
"They're not our pets, they're our crew members," Luffy said firmly.
Flip raised an eyebrow. "Devil Fruits?"
"Is there tax on that, too?" Gonta asked.
"With how rare they are? Of course not. Anyway, if they're not pets that's fine." Flip said.
"Wait, you can see me?" Hobbes asked.
"Yes, I see you." Flip said, as if he was annoyed someone was questioning him.
"Um…who're you talking to?" Ruby asked.
"The tiger, of course." Flip pointed.
"…You do realize that's a stuffed animal, right?" Nojiko asked, Marianne hurriedly silencing Calvin from correcting her.
"…Flip, did you bang your head on one of the doors again?" Henzo asked, a concerned tone in his words.
"Well, yes." Flip noted, then realized what was going on. "I mean, no! I mean…..! How do you not see the talking, two legged tiger?!"
"…Buddy. It's a toy." Ussopp said.
"Yeah…" Hobbes grinned evilly. "I'm just a toy…!"
Indiginfied, humiliated and now worried for his sanity and needing a change of pants, Flip took his leave.
The waiter sighed. "You see what I mean? If you don't want people thinking ill of you, you'd be better off not hanging around Henzo."
"How about blaming the mayor for the unfair taxes instead of blaming the scientist who's clearly hurt by your words?" Robin sternly said. "Would you think the same if the mayor simply raised the rational taxes instead of making up so many extortionate ones?"
That seemed to hit a chord in the waiter and the other customers.
"You all should be ashamed of yourselves!" Double-D snapped. "It is clear as anything that Henzo is as much a victim as all of you!"
"I think we've overstayed our welcome. We should leave this town before those tax jerks try to bilk us again." Kuina said.
From Kaya's arms, Kirby blew a raspberry at everyone but Henzo as they left.
-OP-
As the group checked out the shops, they were suddenly stopped by a man in a mech suit.
"I am Mayor Wetton's grandson, Lake! The officer who seizes unpaid taxes from the insolent!"
"These guys are really trying our patience," Sanji sighed.
Lake charged forward, only for Gonta to move in.
"SWARM STRIKE!"
Surrounding himself in a flurry of insects that manifested from nowhere, Gonta struck rapidly with his bugs, which began eating away at Lake's mech suit.
As Gonta had shown everyone after joining the crew, he had eaten a Devil Fruit called theSwarm-Swarm Fruit, which allowed him to summon and manipulate all manner of insects as he saw fit.
"Dynamo Squad, increase output!" Lake shouted.
"Careful, all those bugs eating away at your suits insides definitely gummed something up." Luna warned.
Lake looked nervous. But suddenly a bell sounded through the town.
"Hey, a galleon's approaching!" A random civilian called out.
A massive ship with a bull figurehead approached the harbor.
"Oh, it's the Talielisin." Henzo realized.
He hurried over to a motorcar he created called the H-1 and headed over. As it leaped off the dock, the vehicle turned into a hovercraft. Everyone was watching when a sudden explosion was heard. Lake coughed as he got out of his power armor.
Luna rolled her eyes. "I tried to warn you, idiot."
-OP-
Henzo searched the galleon, checking through all the rooms.
"Rapanui! Isoka! Rongo! Pukau! Akibi!"
But the galleon appeared to be completely empty. Distraught, Henzo walked back onto the deck.
"Hey, what's wrong, old-timer?" Sonson asked as she floated down on her Nimbus Cloud.
Henzo was briefly startled. "You ate a Devil Fruit?"
"Yup, it turned me into a Monkey Queen." Sonson grinned. "So what was that machine you were using earlier?"
"It's called the H-1. My own creation." Henzo explained.
Sonson was soon joined by Luffy, Draco, Ben, Robin, Gottfried, Gonta, Axol, Hilda, Marianne, Calvin, and Hobbes. Together, they checked the galleon with Henzo.
"This ship looks like an old model," Robin noted.
"And with plenty of battle scars," Draco added.
"But all the food looks fresh. Like there were people here only a little while ago." Luffy said.
"Of course you'd focus on the food." Hilda giggled. "Then again, so would I."
"It was actually fifty years ago. That's when this ship first went adrift." Henzo clarified.
"Pretty good condition for a fifty-year-old ship," Gottfried noted. "This old lady could use a trim though."
Suddenly, the radar dish on Henzo's backpack went off, causing him to gasp as he realized what this meant.
"It's reacting! And the reading is stronger than anything I've ever gotten! We need to head outside!"
Just outside the island, a large rainbow-colored mist was approaching.
Henzo cursed. "Damn it, the H-1 is too small to take on the open sea."
Luffy looked at him. "Gottfried, call the crew to board the Merry and the Pearl. We're helping Henzo reach that mist."
Henzo was surprised. "You'll actually take me out there?"
"I don't buy all the mean things the townsfolk are saying. That Rainbow Mist is a dream of yours, yeah?"
"Well, I suppose that's accurate," Henzo agreed.
"We happen to be in the business of helping people with their dreams whenever possible," Ben explained. "And our crew is one of the finest."
The Merry was up and ready within seconds and started sailing for the mist.
"Why couldn't we take the galleon for this?" Usopp wondered.
"The Talielisin's helm is still broken by Wetton's hand. I know, because I was aboard that vessel fifty years ago." Henzo explained.
"You said earlier that no one who ever sailed into the Rainbow Mist ever returned. What do you expect to find in there?" Marianne asked.
"That is something you need to see to believe," Henzo replied.
And with that, the Rainbow Mist enveloped the Merry and the Pearl. Unbeknownst to everyone, the two mysterious figures from earlier had boarded as well.
"Think this'll help us take down Wetton, Saiko?"
"I hope so, Kaizo..."
-OP-
Within the mist, the Merry came out into a ship graveyard.
"What is this place?" Robin asked.
"Is it some kind of graveyard?" Hobbes wondered.
"It's called Ape's Concert, an infamous location that is said to be impossible to escape from. Hence all the wrecked ships." Henzo explained.
"What have we gotten ourselves into this time?" Zoro wondered.
"Sounds like a mystery is afoot, I think." Ben smirked, rubbing his chin.
"At least we don't have to worry about crazy taxes out here," Nojiko said.
"According to the story, beyond the Rainbow Mist lies the Land of Eternity, the final paradise remaining in the world." Robin said.
"Cheap paradise." Ed shrugged.
"But Rand of Reternity right be rappropriate. For rome reason rone of rhese rips smell of ret or rotting rood." Lassoo noted.
"Supposedly the Land of Eternity is filled with gold and silver. In Alabasta it's used as a cautionary tale." Vivi said. "For desert dwellers water is more valuable than gold. Also, the people who live in this land are said to have eternal life without aging and never feel hunger."
"That sounds horrible! Who would want eternal life?" Luffy cried. "Not to mention never needing to eat. What good's living if you can't enjoy food?"
"Yeah!" Hilda and Rosa chimed in with agreement.
"Well you've certainly got a wise way of thinking, but like I said earlier, that story is nothing more than legend. Fifty years ago I got a brief glimpse of this place. My friends, however, were swallowed up by it." Henzo said. "I've been researching the Rainbow Mist ever since, hoping to rescue them. In the process, I became Wetton's lap dog, forced to endure the scorn of the people so I could reach my goal. When the Talielisin returned I had hoped they returned with it, but no such luck."
"But why would Wetton be willing to fund your research?" Ruby asked. "Everyone in the village seems to think it's a crock."
"Take a look at all these ships. Most of them are pirate vessels that have gotten lost over the last fifty years." Henzo said as he gestured to all te ships. "Many of them likely still have treasure aboard."
There was a splash heard, and Nami coughed and sputtered as Nojiko doused her with the cleaning bucket.
"You really need to soak your head sometimes."
"Sue me for being money-hungry!"
"She got the Berri fits again?" Robin asked.
"Every time someone mentions the possibility of riches," Marianne said with a sigh.
"Hey, can't say I blame her! There's gotta be tons of juicy loot in those ships!" Eddy grinned.
"Yeah! And nobody will mind if we take some!" Calvin added.
A sudden ringing sounded through the sea, catching everyone's attention.
"WHO DARES DISTURB THE ETERNAL REST OF THE DEAD?"
"Anyone else feeling deja vu?" Zoro asked.
Draco nodded. "Gottfried, pinpoint it."
Gottfried created an echolocation with hisNoise-Noise Fruitpowers.
"I'm picking up a few heartbeats. Looks like we ain't the only people here. There's definitely someone living among those ships."
"Hey, no fair! We were supposed to scare you out of this place!"
There was the sound of something being struck, and the second voice yelped in pain. Then, several figures draped in white sheets with eye holes cut into them approached, making the scariest noises they could. The crew just stared at them in bemusement. Suddenly an arrow wisped through Ben's body while leaving a blood trail.
"AH! A REAL GHOST!"
"Over there!" Gottfried called out, pointing to a nearby ship.
Draco, Luffy, Double-D, Gonta, and Robin all quickly used their Devil Fruit to gather up the figures behind the voices. Henzo was stunned when he saw the five kids that had been brought out.
"And just who are you guys?" Luffy asked.
"We're the Pumpkin Pirates!" The leader said. "And Ape's Concert is our territory. My name is-"
"Rapanui...It is you, isn't it? And Isoka, Rongo, Akibi, and Pukau."
The four boys and one girl stared at Henzo in shock.
"It's me Henzo. We all used to play together on Cape Ruluka."
"Is that really Henzo?" Isoka asked.
"It can't be, he's so old, but Henzo's our age," Rapanui said.
Henzo took out a small round device Rapanui had and pressed the button on it. It created a flash of light before popping open to reveal a spring-loaded Jolly Roger with a pumpkin for a skull.
"The old Kaboom Mark III, my earliest invention. A gizmo created for bluffing."
Rapanui looked shocked. "But how...?"
"You have no idea how long it's really been, do you?"
Henzo started to explain his history with these kids. Fifty years ago, the six kids were playing together at a cape on the edge of the island. In those days pirates were seen as explorers, so it was common for kids to band together and playfully call themselves a pirate crew. And these six, Rapanui, Isoka, Rongo, Akibi, Pukau, and Henzo, called themselves the Pumpkin Pirates.
Unfortunately, it wasn't long before tragedy struck. One day the Talielisin pulled up to the island. Wetton, Captain of the Wetton Pirates, was leading a raid on Ruluka Island. The Pumpkin Pirates tried to flee in a ship but Wetton tried to stop them. Fortunately, the kids were able to outwit him. The struggle reached the Talielisin, which the kids managed to set off despite Wetton's best efforts. That was when the Rainbow Mist appeared. Unfortunately, Wetton had wound up destroying the helm during the struggle, so it was impossible to turn the galleon around.
"It was only because of Rapanui's finger strength and me tackling Wetton off the ship that we even survived. But the Talielisin wound up swallowed into the Rainbow Mist." Henzo said.
"But hold on! All that is true, but that only happened a few days ago." Rapanui pointed out.
"Not from outside the Ape's Concert. Time in here is different from outside." Henzo said. "Think about it. Do you really think all these ships would have been swallowed up over the course of a few mere days?"
The kids looked at each other, dreading what Henzo would say next.
"It's been fifty years since I last saw you. Fifty years I've been trying to unlock the mystery of the Rainbow Mist to find you again."
"Uh, not to interrupt the moment, but if time is compressed in this place then... DON'T YOU THINK WE SHOULD FIND A WAY TO ESCAPE?!" Usopp screamed in panic.
"Yes! Preferably sooner rather than later!" Double-D said, equally panicked.
"They're right. If we don't find a way to leave, we'll be stuck for fifty years as well." Robin said.
"And it would only feel like a month at most. Perhaps the story has some clues." Kaya offered.
Ed rubbed his chin before creating a large boulder and throwing it behind where everyone came in, only for it to impact right in front of him as it came in from behind.
"I'm afraid the local space is completely distorted. This place is like a maze that doesn't let anyone leave." Henzo said.
"No, a maze would still have an exit of some kind, this is more like a trap." Draco noted.
"Still, there there has to be some way out." Penny said. "The Talielisin eventually made it back, sans any passengers, so it's not like escape is completely impossible."
"True," Henzo said before perking up. "Hey, come to think of it... What happened to Wetton's raid officer Ian?"
"We have him locked up in a wrecked Marine vessel not far from here. We made the place our HQ for the time being." Rapanui explained.
Robin hummed. "I just had a thought; if the Talielisin was Wetton's old ship, and he's been looking for a way into the Rainbow Mist to reach here, surely he'd have the means to safely enter and then leave, correct?"
"The Rainbow Mist did remain for at least a few hours the last time. Meaning it's likely still hanging near Ruluka." Henzo said.
"So we just have to wait for a bit. Noire and I'll make us something to eat." Sanji said.
As Sanji and Noire got ready to prepare lunch, the Straw Hats caught the Pumpkin Pirates up to speed with how the world had changed. Suddenly, there came a rumble. To anyone else, it was like a great beast of an earthquake. But to Sanji and Noire?
"Luffy. Ed. Sonson. Be patient." Sanji said as he grilled some meat and Noire served some drinks.
"…That ain't me." Luffy and Sonson said.
"Not Ed!"
Okay. Now everyone was worried…especially when Draco, Ben, Luffy, Sonson and the swordwielders entered fighting stances, their powers at the ready and their blades drawn.
"Come out." Zoro cried. "We know you're there,"
From behind them, came a boy and a girl.
The girl was quite tall and skinny with a curved figure and a large bust. She had pink, curly hair with two different colored highlights at the tips: purple highlights on the right side, and yellow highlights on the left. Her eyes were purple and almond-shaped, with thick, curly lashes on the ends. The boy had short, unkempt white hair, green eyes, and long black demon horns.
"Saiko! Kaizo! What are you two doing here?!" Henzo demanded.
"Hungry….!" Kaizo Koorumaniru managed, his mouth salivating.
"We've been keeping folks as safe from Wetton's crap as…" Saiko began before she paused. "Wait…G-grandpa?"
Henzo, tears of pride in his eyes, simnply opened his arms up, letting Saiko hug him
"We'll talk later."
-OP-
The kids plus Saiko and Kaizo enjoyed the best lunch they'd had in ages as the crew told them of their adventures.
"And then when I hit the commanding officer with a burst of smog from myDisaster Hurricane. He wound up flicking the coin right into a nearby Marine ship." Draco said. "Not my brightest moment."
"So you're really Edward Newgate's son?" Isoka asked. "He's the Quartermaster for the Rocks Pirates."
"The Rocks Pirates have been defunct for decades. Then came the time of Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates." Vivi said.
Calvin puffed his chest proudly. "Now we're following in his footsteps!"
"And Dad has been a Captain himself ever since that time," Draco added.
"It really has been fifty years...There's so much we missed." Rongo said sadly.
"And you're a princess in Alabasta?" Isoka asked Vivi. "Does that mean you know King Amun?"
"That was my grandfather, and he actually died a few years before I was born. My uncle Solomon is the current king after my dad stepped down."
"What about the Giants said to be on Little Garden?" Akibi asked.
"We actually got them to call their duel a draw. I'm not sure if they're still on the island or if they already sailed off to find their friends." Luffy said.
"But you're looking at their protege!" Calvin said proudly. "And this is my buddy, Hobbes!"
Suddenly, Henzo's Transponder Snail started going off. Gottfried grinned and cleared his throat.
"Go ahead and answer it, but don't actually respond."
Henzo nodded as Wetton's voice came on.
"Henzo, are you there?"
"Captain?" Gottfried called out in a different voice.
The kids were all shocked.
"He copied Ian's voice!" Rapanui said.
"That's the power of the Noise-Noise fruit, baby!" Hila whispered, beaming in pride for her partner.
"Wait, that voice...Ian, is that you? I haven't heard from you in fifty years!"
"It's been that long?" Gottfried said, still using Ian's voice. "Felt more like days. Those brats had me locked up in a wrecked Marine ship after the Talielisin sailed off without us."
"Is there an old professor with you?"
"Yeah, but I killed him when he got close. That's how I got this Transponder Snail."
"Well, that's fine. I was only using him to get the treasure inside Ape's Concert. The poor fool thought I'd actually help him find his friends. Still, his genius was the real deal. Thanks to him I was able to successfully construct a tower that can connect the Rainbow Mist with Ruluka."
"What's he talking about?" Nami whispered.
"What did you think the Rainbow Tower was for?" Henzo whispered back. "It makes a poor lighthouse, I can tell you that."
Meanwhile, Luffy was sitting with Rapanui.
"I can't believe fifty years have passed. Seeing Henzo so old like that and having grandkids... I hate that he has to feel what I felt." Rapanui said as he got out a locket with a picture of his father. "After Dad became a Marine, he left on a journey. I waited years for him to return, but he never did. The Marine ship is actually his. When we wound up here I recognized it and searched for him. But there was no sign of him anywhere."
Suddenly, a large metal ship started floating through the waters. It was Wetton's forces.
"Now's our chance, folks!" Eddy called out. "It's time to get out of here!"
Melony yawned, having been sleeping through everything as she rubbed her eyes before seeing Axol give her a nod.
"Bad guys are coming, Melony."
Melony nodded and suddenly transformed, her green hair turning pure white and her watermelon seed-shaped whiskers turning into red jagged stripes as she took out a helix sword.
"FIERCE DEITY!"
The tax officers were shocked by the sudden attack of transformed Melony, as they were assailed by the Straw Hats.
"What the heck's going on out here?!" Wetton demanded.
He had stepped out in another powered armor, this one with attached flamethrowers. However, he was startled when Draco landed down along with Saiko and Kaizo.
"Hold on...That face... That grin... I've seen it before! That monster Edward Newgate!" Wetton exclaimed. "And you two! You're those brats who have been killing my tax officers!"
"You're not the only pirate who decided to start a family after fifty years. The former Quartermaster you knew became quite the big deal since then. He became a captain in his own right, got strong enough to become a Yonko, now being known as Whitebeard. Oh yeah, and he also fathered a son." Draco said as he transformed into a Hybrid Godzilla Form. "That would be me. Name's Apocalypse Lor D. Draco!"
Wetton unleashed his flamethrowers, but Saiko got in front and summoned a large fire-proof shield.
"This is the power of theDraw-Draw Fruit! With it, I can pull out any weapon in existence from my imagination!"
Kaizo laughed as his skin became dark red, his eyes pitch black with slit red pupils, his teeth becoming even sharper, his hands turning into claws, a barbed tail poking out of his backside, and his horns becoming more pronounced.
"And I ate theHuman-Human Fruit: Model Devil!" He then charged up blood red energy over his arm. "SIN BASH!"
Wetton quickly abandoned his armor as Kaizo struck it, causing a massive explosion that caused a chain reaction and collapsed the Rainbow Tower.
"No! My ship!" Wetton cried. "How am I supposed to haul off all that treasure?!"
"I'm pretty sure our navigator's already gotten what we can carry on our own ship," Draco quipped.
The explosion seemed to be causing a distortion in the Ape's Concert.
"Not good, that explosion disrupted the delicate balance of this space! The warping effect is quickly expanding!" Henzo exclaimed.
Rapanui then noticed something.
"Hey! There's a crack with the sun shining through it!"
"Guys, we need to scramble!" Luffy ordered.
The Straw Hats worked in tandem to grab everything and everyone they could and pile on the Merry and Pearl.
"We're not moving fast enough!" Nami cried. "If that light disappears we could be stuck here!"
"Rolf always knew we would perish this way!" Rolf cried. "Alas, the journey was a great one, comrades!"
Rapanui quickly dove into the water and swam for the ship.
"Hey! What are ya doing?!" Saiko called out.
"We'll detonate my dad's old ship! It's fully loaded with explosives, so it should be enough to get a tailwind!"
Isoka, Akibi, Pukau, and Rongo dove after him to help.
"Wait, Rapanui! You don't know what will happen to you if stay behind!" Henzo cried.
"We're already fifty years out of time. At this point, we've got nothing to lose." Rapanui pointed out.
"We'll find someway to come back!" Isoka promised. "Just don't give up hope. That's the Pumpkin Pirate way!"
"Oh dear, the explosion might risk damaging the Merry and the Pearl!" Double-D panicked. "Everyone, brace yourselves!AQUA BUBBLE!"
"I've got ya, Double-D!" Eddy said as he formed liquid metal from his arms."SILVER SPHERE!"
"CRYSTAL BLOSSOM!"Ed shouted as he produced jade crystals.
The combined Logia powers created a large bubble armored by solid steel and crystals over both the Merry and the Pearl just as the Marine ship's powder magazine was detonated, creating a powerful tailwind that launched the two ships out of the Ape's Concert through the crack.
The cushion prevented catastrophic damage as the Merry and Pearl hit the water just outside of Ruluka. Meanwhile, the collapse of the Rainbow Mist created a vacuum that destroyed Wetton's mansion, dropping all the tax money he extorted in the process. The sight of it practically broke Wetton.
"No... All my peaceful days..."
"Someone want to explain to me what the hell is going on?!" Ian asked.
Wetton was confused. "You... You called me in here. And what is Henzo doing still alive?"
"I was locked up in an old Marine ship the entire time until those pirates busted me out telling me we were escaping. I didn't think to question it until just now."
"Funny how easily you can be tricked," Gottfried said in Ian's voice before swapping to his real voice. "You must be going senile."
"About damn time we had you were we wanted you..." Kaizo growled as he formed a scythe made of hellfire and raised it to decapitate Wetton.
"This is for Grandpa!" Saiko snarled, forming a shotgun and putting it under Wetton's chin.
"That's enough!"
The Straw Hats looked to see the same Marine fleet that had chased them to Ruluka in the first place. Flip quickly ran over.
"Thank goodness you're here! Those terrible criminals have taken every last bit of the mayor's property!"
Pasqua grabbed Flip's hand and looked at his ring.
"Interesting. This is the ring of Princess Illusia. As I recall, it was stolen by pirates years ago. What's it doing sitting on your finger now?"
Flip was stunned. "Uh... This was part of a treasure that was resting inside Ape's Concert! We pulled it out of a shipwreck!"
"That means it doesn't really belong to anyone," Pasqua noted.
"That ring is property of my family!" Wetton demanded, "And I'll thank you to leave it with us after you arrest these violent…!"
Saiko kicked the old crook in the stomach, making him keel over and cough weakly as she kept her shotgun under his chin.
"Any treasure without an owner belongs to the World Government," Pasqua pointed out. "If you're claiming it's your property, then that confirms it's been obtained illegally and it will be considered an act of piracy."
Pasqua approached Wetton calmly, the man unable to move under fear of being killed by Saiko and Kaizo.
"The years have not been kind to you, Wetton. You're not nearly the terror you were fifty years ago."
"Can we kill him?" Kaizo snarled.
"No, there's been enough killing." Pasqua said before flicking Wetton right in the forehead, sending him flying back unconscious.
"It can't be..." Henzo gasped as a flicker of recognition hit him.
"Good to see you again, Henzo," Pasqua said before noticing everyone's attention on him. "Ah, I should introduce myself. Though you all technically know me. Lieutenant Commander Rapanui Pasqua, at your service."
The Straw Hats' jaws all dropped.
"We promised we'd come back, didn't we?" Isoka said as she stepped forward.
Akibi, Pukau, and Rongo were right behind them, all of them properly aged by fifty years.
"Take Wetton and his crew into custody." Rapanui ordered his men. "Leavc the kids be for now."
Saiko and Kaizo, while grateful for this and stepping back, returned their weapons and glared at Wetton.
"You know what?" Kaizo asked. "He's not even worth it."
"50 years and he loses to the same bunch of kids and their grandkids." Saiko smirked. "That is just sad."
"Great... Out of one cell and into another." Ian grumbled.
"Considering you were left out of the Wetton Pirates shenanigans, we might go a little easier on you." Akibi joked.
"Poyo!" Kirby chirped as he hugged the five Marines.
"Good to see you too, Kirby." Isoka chuckled.
"How are you guys even alive?" Usopp asked.
"Something of a miracle, actually. When we detonated the powder magazine on Dad's ship, the explosion threw us back into the outside world." Rapanui explained.
"But we wound up back fifty years ago, only a few days after we disappeared. And we were nowhere near Ruluka." Isoka added.
"I thought that might have been possible. Some of the ships in Ape's Concert looked to be two hundred years old. Which meant the Rainbow Mist likely has the ability to warp the axis of time." Robin said.
"Ugh, time travel..." Luna grumbled. "This is hurting my brain..."
Fuu giggled. "You aren't the only one."
"But why didn't you come back sooner?" Henzo asked.
"What, did you forget the last time we fought Wetton? We only survived by the skin of our teeth." Rapanui said. "We had to figure out a different way to defeat and punish him. And I knew we'd need help. So we trained up for several years, then enlisted in the Marines."
"During that time we saw all the amazing events you guys told us about. Heck, we were there at Loguetown for Roger's execution." Pukau said.
"Really? That's so cool!" Luffy beamed.
"Must have been quite the thrill seeing his glorious last moments." Ben chuckled.
"I think we also came across this charming fellow named Jack. Kinda reminded me of you, actually." Isoka said.
Ben blinked. "You met my old man?"
"It did take a while to get to a level where we could override Wetton's authority as mayor, though, but eventually Rapanui's strength and capturing so many bad pirates got him elevated to Lieutenant Commander," Rongo said.
"Then when we got the wanted posters of you following Crocodile's death, we knew it was time to put our plan into motion," Akibi said.
"And so you started chasing us to herd us right to Ruluka in order for history to repeat and ensure you'd be rescued from Ape's Concert." Robin realized.
"We remembered the stories you told us, especially Gottfried'sNoise-Noise Fruitand Draco'sDisaster-Disaster Fruit. We took that into account as we made our plans."
"You did all this for our home?" Henzo asked.
Rapanui smiled warmly. "We may be wearing the uniforms of Marines, but at heart, we're still the Pumpkin Pirates. And we're still friends, no matter how many decades pass."
"That's all well and good, but aren't your superiors going to be mad if you wind up letting us go?" Ruby asked awkwardly. "I mean, we are still wanted pirates."
Rapanui chuckled. "Oh, I think they'll understand that we had our hands full escorting Wetton and his crew back to Marine HQ. Not to mention we do have to help the town stabilize now that Wetton's control over it has ended. Besides, a certain newly promoted commodore suggested it was better that you continue to sail free."
The four captains grinned at each other, knowing Rapanui was referring to Smoker.
"Looks like our Garp' is less crazy than grandpa." Sonson noted.
"In his own way." Ben mused, then turning to the two vigilantes. "So, what ya going to do now that Wetton and Flip are out of the way?'
Saiko looked at her grandfather, who smiled and nodded, mouthing:
'Just write when you can.'
She then looked to her best friend, whose eyes were shining at the awesomeness of this whole thing: Savibng their home, time travel and meeting the same pirates who were causing waves?
"…Is there any room for us?" Saiko asked.
"Depends." Draco smirked. "You got a dream?"
The two teens gave each other a look, smiled and declared:
"TO BECOME STRONG ENOUGH TO BEAT ANY VILLAIN WE COME ACROSS!"
The Captains, their loves and the rest of the crew shared glances before, clearing his breath, Ben announced:
"Then welcome aboard the Black Pearl and into the Straw Hat Pirates."
-OP-
And so, the Going Merry and Black Pearl sailed away from Ruluka.
"In the end, Henzo was able to properly reunite with his friends," Chopper said.
"Yeah, since they wound up returning to the past, they got to take the long path back home." Hobbes said.
"And now Henzo's reputation with the townsfolk has improved. After all, just because Ape's Concert collapsed doesn't mean the Rainbow Mist is gone forever." Penny noted.
Hilda nodded. "Who knows when or where it will turn up again? And Henzo's the only one who's studied it enough to know how to help people survive it."
"That reminds me; I was thinking we'd find out who wrote that novel on the Rainbow Mist, but we never did." Axol said.
"Actually, it turns out it was Rapanui himself." Robin said.
"REALLY?!" Marianne and Axol gawked.
Robin nodded. "I only just now got to the final volume. And take a look at the final illustration."
The group looked and was shocked. Right there on the last page was a picture of the five friends, along with the pirate crew that had rescued them; The Straw Hat Pirates.
"I think I have a tear in my eyes, guy!" Ed sniffled happily.
Rolf was also tearing up. "This truly touches Rolf as, despite the occupation, we have proven true heroes this day!"
"And already, in the hearts and minds of this small island...our legend has been cemented." Mifune chuckled.
Knightmare Lord A/N:
Phew! Another big chapter covering another filler arc! And of course, we have two new crew members, both originating from SMG4; Saiko Bichitaru and Kaizo Koorumaniru!
But now that we've got the filler arc crap out of the way, it's time to get into the real meat of this saga as we journey to Jaya!
Anything you'd like to say, Mrotrax?
Mrotrax A/N:
Added a little humor with Flip seeing Hobbes and glad to see more of the SM64 gang join up, especially our fave brawloing buddies!
For Wetton's final interaction with Saiko and Kaizo, we drew inspiration from the 2003 TMNT series, when Casey Jones decides to spare Hun in spite of everything he did to him.
Until we meet again? Stay safe, warm and happy!