Leave your Power Stones!
28 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!
---
Grand Line – Paradise
Going back a bit in time, in Little Garden
"Helloooooooo, darling! Say that again for me, queen! What do you mean they're not on the island?", not believing the news he just received from one of his subordinates, Mr. 2, Bon Clay, asks angrily, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Well, Mr. 2, sir Bon Clay, we searched the whole island, or what's left of it anyway! And there's nothing here anymore, it's just a flat piece of land now, no signs of life, no plants, no animals, and no people either", the subordinate says, sweating buckets with nervousness as he scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"Then explain it to my beautiful porcelain doll face, if there's no one on the island, where are they? Huh? Tell me, queen! Which route did we take to get here?", grabbing the subordinate's shirt collar, Bon Clay asks furiously, the veins on his forehead looking like they were going to burst.
"W... we sailed the direct route from Alabasta to here", stammering, the subordinate replies, never having seen Bon Clay so angry.
"Hrmm, then if they're not here, that can only mean one thing! You didn't pay attention on the way here and let them pass by us! You idiots!", nodding his head in agreement, Bon Clay then explodes with rage, punching the head of the subordinate he was speaking to "BAMMMMM!"
"Ouchhhh! B... b... but Mr. 2, sir Bon Clay! What if they just went on a different direction, or maybe they just died on this island? It looks like it was completely devastated, and it seems like that happened recently!", the subordinate speculates, rubbing his head in pain, a huge bump forming where he was hit.
"... Urgh, I hate it when you bitches have a valid point!... Okay, alright, so, since your intelligence is so superior, tell me, queen! What do you suggest we do? I don't know if you've realized, but if the doll who speaks to you guys doesn't succeed in this capture mission, my name's going on Zero's extermination list! I can't fail, especially now", after a few seconds of silence, Bon Clay groans in frustration before mockingly asking. This idiot had a point, but now he better have a solution too, because the situation wasn't looking good, and not just for him either.
"W... w... we could try going back to Alabasta at full speed and see if we run into them on the way, trying to search on other routes would only delay us, there's no way to know which direction they went", the subordinate stammers, they were racing against time, so that was the best option available to them at the moment.
"Hmm?... Alright, we'll follow your plan, but it better work, darling! If I mess everything up, I'll end up as chopped meat at the hands of Mr. 1 and his partner, and don't be naive thinking they wouldn't kill you guys too, we're in the same boat, we fail, and this boat sinks!... Understood?", scaring them all, Bon Clay asks, wanting to know if they understood the situation they were all in.
"EEEEKK... Y... YE... YES SIR?", frightened and stammering, they respond in unison.
"Good, let's find those four! Now, back to the Swanda, we're heading back to Alabasta as fast as we can! And don't let even a single piece of wood pass us by, I want to be informed about everything, even if you think it's something small, I want to know! I don't want anyone resting, I want at least five men at all times scanning the horizon for ships! You guys are hearing me? This is no joke, our smooth little butts are on the line here, and not in a good way like you might be imagining!", Bon Clay yells to everyone, giving out his orders in what he considers a motivational manner.
"YES SIR, MR. 2, BON CLAY, SIR!!!", they all shout in unison, giving a military salute before they begin moving, going to prepare their ship, the Swanda, to set sail.
And so, they leave behind a devastated Little Garden, an island that was once a closed prehistoric ecosystem, home to animals, dinosaurs, and two giants. Today, it is a shell of what it once was; there is no way of knowing whether it will ever recover from this devastation. Now, this devastation has a name, two, in fact, Dorry and Brogy. Where were they now? Who knows.
=Scene Break=
Back on the Merry, a few hours after departing from Drum, deep into the night, snowflakes falling from the sky and accumulating in the corners of the ship's busy deck, lights neatly positioned illuminating the area.
"Hey, Vivi! When are you gonna say yes to my invitation to join the crew?", among the many conversations happening at once, sitting down next to Vivi, Luffy asks her with a smile.
"As tempted as I am, Alabasta needs me", Vivi says with a slightly sad expression.
"... Hmm, nah! I reject your rejection! Anyway, you grew up in Alabasta, right? What was your childhood like?", after a few seconds of silence, Luffy says without caring about what Vivi just said. She would join the crew; he had already decided that and wouldn't change his mind. Now, leaving that topic behind, he asks, wanting to know more about Vivi.
"... Hmm... well, I spent a good part of my childhood inside the royal castle in Alubarna, the capital of the Kingdom, so there's not much to say about that time, things only started to get more interesting when...", and so they keep talking for a while, getting closer and closer, Nami from afar noticing this growing closeness, the way Luffy made Vivi laugh, just like he did with her, the smiles that began to appear on the princess's face when she lookes at her boyfriend, the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't looking, all of this has made something very clear to the crew's navigator: her friend was falling hopelessly in love with her boyfriend, and it wasn't just her, she had already noticed for a while, even if only through conversations, that Reiju felt the same, even though she tried to hide it. Now, what was she supposed to do in this kind of situation?
"Hey, Luffy, everything's ready, I got the hang of the equipment you showed me, just give the signal and we start!", after a while, in the middle of Luffy and Vivi's conversation, Usopp arrives and lets his captain know that all the equipment was ready, all that was left was the signal from the one who had the idea.
"Alright! Hey, everyone! Attention here, we've been through a tough time, some of us got sick, but we got through it unharmed, our friends got stronger and defeated an obstacle that until not long ago would've been insurmountable, and finally, we welcome a new crewmember, Chopper, our doctor reindeer who can turn into a helicopter!!! He's amazing, and to celebrate his entry, tonight we party, we eat and drink to our heart's content, like true pirates, hit the music, DJ!!!!", standing up, Luffy jumps onto the Merry's side railing and calls the whole crew's attention, shouting excitedly as he talks about the newest crewmember, his arms raised in celebration.
And as soon as he finishes his 'Captain's Speech', an instrumental melody starts playing through the ship, loud, setting the festive mood for the night.
[Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand: In case you guys want to listen to the song while reading the chapter]
"So, if you're lonely"
"Come on Chopper! Get that butt up and come dance with us!!", Luffy, doing a silly dance with Usopp, who had returned to the deck after having set everything to work, yells to Chopper, calling him to join their dance.
"You know I'm here waiting for you
I'm just a crosshair
I'm just a shot away from you"
"Dancing is my fat dick, come drink with us, Chopper!! You gotta learn how to be a man", drinking with Sabo, Zoro yells when he sees Chopper, like a child, imitating those two's goofy dance.
"And if you leave here
You leave me broken, shattered I lie"
"BAMMMMM! What the fuck do you have in that tiny brain of yours, offering alcohol to a kid, you fucking serious?", punching the clueless idiot on the head, Nami says angrily, her fist exhaling smoke.
"I'm just a crosshair
I'm just a shot, then we can die"
"Ouchh, fuck! Why'd you hit me, you fucking witch? What's the problem with him drinking a little? When I was a kid, I did the same and I became a strong man", Zoro complains while rubbing his head where he was hit.
"I know I won't be leaving here
With you"
"You became a drunk with no sense of direction, that's what you mean!", walking out of the kitchen with trays full of food in his arms, Sanji says, mocking the swordsman, having overheard the conversation from afar.
"A drunkard, and that still doesn't change the fact that I'm stronger than you!", Zoro retorts, drinking from his mug.
"Hrm! Keep believing in those delusions of yours! Just don't think I forgot of the shit you said earlier", Sanji says mockingly as he begins handing out plates of food to those sitting down.
"SHISHISHISHISHI! Come dance with me, Tangerine!!!", laughing loudly, Luffy says with a smile, pulling Nami to dance.
" I say: Don't you know? You say you don't know", Luffy sings along while dancing excitedly with Nami.
"Hahahaha!", Nami laughs cheerfully, being led in the dance by Luffy.
" I say:... Take me out!!!", Luffy sings the first part and then spins Nami on her own axis, stepping away a few paces from her while playing an imaginary guitar before then singing the final part of the song's chorus and returning to dance with his girlfriend.
"Wow, you're really having fun, huh?", Nami comments with a smile, Luffy's contagious joy affecting her, making her dance.
"Shishishi! Of course I'm having fun, you're here!", Luffy says with a beaming smile, making her blush deeply.
"I've never had this much fun!!", dancing together with Usopp and Kaya, Chopper shouts with a smile.
"Go Chopper! Go Chopper! Go Chopper! Go Chopper!", Nojiko, drinking rum from her mug, starts a chant upon seeing Chopper dance as if his life depended on it, everyone quickly joining her and forming a circle around the little reindeer, who danced with even more fervor, motivated by the chant.
And so the festive night continues as the Merry glides across the sea, rocking to the rhythm of the music, as if nodding its head, enjoying the party.
The night goes on and the deck of the Merry buzzed in festive chaos, loud music, food and drinks being handed out left and right, Sanji and Zoro fighting each other to decide who killed Aramaki, everyone dancing and talking with smiles on their faces, loud laughter echoing from time to time, highlight being when Luffy and Chouchou started dancing like in that Brazilian meme while Karoo next to them danced Freestep.
=Scene Break=
This party lasted an entire day, a night, and a day, in that order, to be specific. At sunset on the second day, a few hours after all the festive chaos had ended, in the kitchen, Sanji stares at the mountain of dirty dishes in front of him, challenging him.
"Need some help?", seeing the scene as she enters the kitchen, Nojiko, having just taken a shower, her hair still damp, asks with a smile.
"No, I would never make the woman of my dreams wash dishes!", Sanji says with a cheeky smile, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt as he starts to work.
A few seconds later, he feels something bump into his waist, pushing him aside. It was Nojiko using her hip to nudge him, standing beside him with a playful smile.
"Step aside, Cowboy! The woman of your dreams wants to help and won't take no for an answer", Nojiko says with a teasing grin, grabbing a dirty plate and starting to soap it.
"Careful now, you're making me dream!", Sanji says, glancing at her, flirting.
"And do you want to just keep dreaming or make it real?", Nojiko asks, teasing him.
"I'm just waiting for you to say the word!", Sanji says, looking at her gallantly.
"So, Cowboy! I'm right in front of you, what are you waiting for?", finishing rinsing a plate, Nojiko sets it aside and turns to Sanji, looking at him with a seductive smile.
Finishing rinsing the plate on his hands, Sanji turns off the faucet and turns to Nojiko, asking, "I thought you said you wouldn't be as easy as your sister was with the captain. What changed?"
"Hmm, a certain charming prince was so persistent and cute that I found myself falling in love! He's a bit of a pervert and weak when it comes to women, but I think I can handle it!", Nojiko says, her body moving closer to the cook until they're almost touching, her face near his.
"Just so you know, I only have eyes for you!", Sanji says, leaning in even more, gripping her waist firmly as their bodies practically merge, their faces dangerously close, their lips almost brushing.
"Then I'll have to make an effort to keep it that way!", Nojiko whispers before attacking Sanji's lips with hers, the two kissing passionately.
"Oh! Looks like I'm interrupting something!", at that moment, entering the kitchen carrying a Den Den Mushi in her hands, Nami says, surprised to have caught her sister and Sanji kissing in the middle of the kitchen.
Reluctantly pulling away from Sanji, Nojiko, blushing, turns to her sister and says in an annoyed tone, "Perfect timing, sis, subtle as a rock! Just so you know, when you have your moments with your boyfriend, I don't interrupt!"
"Sorry! But just for the record, this wouldn't have happened if you two had done it in a more private place", Nami apologizes, but says with a playful smile.
"Hey, Nami! What's going on?", a seductive female voice comes from the Den Den Mushi, asking curiously.
"Your brother was kissing my sister in the middle of the kitchen!", Nami replies to the voice, Reiju, in this case.
"Oh! Fufufufu! My little brother finally got himself a girlfriend?", Reiju asks with a mischievous laugh, teasing Sanji.
"Haha! Very funny! At least I have a girlfriend! I mean… we are dating, right?", Sanji shoots back, trying to tease his sister, only to realize he wasn't sure if he and Nojiko were actually dating.
"Yes, go on, brag all you want! We're dating!", Nojiko says with a playful grin, gesturing for him to continue bragging.
"Ha! See? I have a girlfriend!... So, how are you, sis? Have you arrived at Water 7 yet?", celebrating like he'd just won a world championship upon getting the confirmation from his girlfriend, Sanji asks after composing himself, wanting to know how his sister was doing.
"I'm good, it just gets a little boring when we're at sea, but these calls we have really help with the boredom! And no, we haven't arrived at Water 7 yet, but I'm close, we should get there in a few weeks! And you guys? How are you? I heard from Nami that you met giants and fought a strong guy, and that the girls got sick and almost died", Reiju says, updating them on where and how she is.
"Nami told you?", Sanji asks, casting a curious glance at Nami, who just shrugs.
"Yes, the last time you guys got in touch was on the way to Little Garden. I got worried because I didn't hear from you guys after that. It was the first thing I asked when she called", Reiju replies. Asking what happened that they hadn't called in the last few days was the first thing she did as soon as she answered the call.
"Yeah, all of that really happened! But everyone's okay and healthy, thanks to the newest member of the crew, Chopper! You have to meet him", Sanji says, reassuring her.
"Call him over, Nami was about to hang up, but I wanted to talk to you! So call Chopper to join the conversation too! I want to meet him", Reiju says, wanting to meet Chopper.
"I'll call him", Nojiko says, stepping away to go get Chopper.
"And come back to join the conversation too, Nojiko", Reiju says, wanting to talk with her friend and her little brother's new girlfriend.
"Will do!", Nojiko says, giving a thumbs-up, even though Reiju can't see it.
"Anyway, I'll leave the Den Den Mushi here! By the way, do you guys know where Luffy is?", seeing that everything was settled, Nami asks, wanting to know where her boyfriend was.
"I have no idea!", Sanji replies, having no clue where the captain was.
"Luffy's on the figurehead talking with the Merry! By the way, can I borrow the Den Den Mushi once you're done?", entering the kitchen at that exact moment, Sabo answers, having caught that part of the conversation just as he was about to walk in. And after replying to Nami's question, Sabo turns to Sanji and asks, pointing to the modified white Den Den Mushi, needing to make a call to Dragon to report on how the journey was going so far.
"Of course!", Sanji answers positively before going back to washing the dirty dishes while talking with his sister, waiting for Nojiko to return with Chopper.
And so, Nami leaves them talking, going out to the deck and heading to Luffy sitting on the figurehead chatting animatedly with Merry, the purple-orange horizon signaling the end of the sunset and the beginning of another starry night.
---
(AN: 2,981 Words)
If you guys decide to give ideas or suggestions about things I should pay attention to in the story, keep in mind that on Patreon, the fic is currently at the Alabasta Arc, more specifically, on Rainbase/Katorea/Alubarna.
Thank you for reading another chapter!
Leave a Review!
Comment!
Add to Library!
Leave your Power Stones!
28 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!
Besides this one, you can find more fics at: patreon.com/_Luizinho_
-----
Thanks to the members supporting on Patreon:
Bartłomiej, 66835, Thomas Pappaianni jr, Marco, avatoa, Daniel John, Kaimana Rosaga, Castermaster7, Haha93, Scott Waters, corinne fradet, The Milf Emperor, Anita Torres, Liam finn, The Infiltrator, Vochel, Monkey D Tobi, Ell92, cl, Harley Morrison, Alexander Schrammen, Mitchell Howard, Karl Moore, Jaege D Lucifer, Brian Ramsey, Bruno rocha, Chris Vance, Hayden evans, Dana Haring, brian bates, Ryne Ameden, Dre Lauderdale, Abdullah, Alexander Amundsen