Training and The City of Water II

Luffy, Nami, and Usopp have finally reached the shipyard.

They were going to exchange their gold first, but along the way, they saw the crowd gathered around the shipyard, so they decided to go there to look at what was all about. While almost every person there was talking about how they were manly or handsome, one of the citizens, who thought they were sailors, told them the shipwrights beat the pirates who are refusing to pay. He was looking so proud and happy while he was telling that the shipwrights of the Galley-La Company were the idols of the people in the city, and they were all good at both combat and carpentry.

Luffy's face lit up with interest as the man kept talking about how they were the pride of the Water Seven...

After they left there, finally, they were coming out of the large building, which was cashing exchange, as all three of them were now carrying two large black cases.

''It's kind of scary to think that I'm holding 200 million...'' Usopp said nervously, hugging the two cases tightly to his chest, ''It's scary... What if I trip and it all falls out or something...?''

''Shihihihi! Nami's look was super scary~!'' Luffy was laughing as he was swinging his cases around

''I was expecting this much to start with, not just 200 million.'' Nami said with a proud smile ''You two didn't look confident, so he tried to take advantage of you~'' she was too happy to be finally rich

The Appraiser said the gold they brought was looking ancient, and it was high quality, but he offered 200 million berry, causing Nami to lost as he was clearly trying to swindling them. She perfectly handled the situation though. She threatened the man and scared the hell out of him. When it comes to money, Nami was the most trustworthy in the end. So now, they were carrying 600 million berry as each case had 100 million in them.

''I want to buy a bronze statue with what's left!'' Luffy declared, causing Nami to sweatdrop

''No statue! No way!!'' she sternly said as he was talking about this for a while now

''Hey, Luffy!! Stop swing them like that!!'' Usopp nervously yelled at Luffy

''Shihihi!! Anyways, everything went great so... ah!'' before Luffy could finish what was he saying, he accidentally ended up letting go of one of the cases he was swinging as it went flying out over the canal.

Both Nami and Usopp screamed in horror at this,

''Aahhh!! It's going fall into the canal!!!''

''100 million berry!!!''

Usopp and Nami went and jumped into the canal to catch the case with horrified and tearful faces. But just as they were about to catch it, Luffy stretched out his arm and snatched it back.

''Whew... it was so close,'' he casually said as Nami and Usopp completely fell into the water.

When they climbed out back, they gave him a hard beating for that. Both of them were dripping wet,

''Do this again, and I'll beat you up for real!!'' An extremely angry Nami yelled out, even though she was already beat him

''You jerk!!! And I'll be breaking all your teeth!!!'' Usopp also yelled out, teaming up with Nami as Luffy was murmuring sorry.

After their anger finally disappeared, they went back on their boat and let their Yagara to pull them along.

As Usopp was staring around nervously with his hands wrapped around the black cases, ''Nami, are we going to back to Merry and took the gold that left to exchange too?''

''No need for that now,'' Nami answered with a big smile as she remembered there was still gold left, ''If I calculated right, the gold on the ship should be worth around 200 million~~~ We will deal with it later.''

''Wohaa!! We really are rich!'' Luffy happily said before he made a face like he decided something ''Alright! Let's forget about the bronze statue,'' surprising Nami and Usopp for a moment before he continued, ''I want a gold statue!!''

''No statue with any kind!!'' Nami shout out while Usopp was saying that they should spend the money that left on things like canons and weaponry.

Along the way to the shipyard, Luffy was trying to spend their money on every food he saw, only irritating Nami as she was trying to hold him on.

Soon, they finally reached to a large steel door marked with the Number 1. They could see and hear the people working inside, moving large lumbers, rolling cannons, and raising up sails. The sounds of hammers and saws were continually going on with mixed voices of men workers. There were ships starting to form, a pile of boards and nails everywhere as there were also ships that were already done.

''Good!! The crowd is gone!'' Usopp sigh in relief as he made a big smile. He was way too anxious to carry around this much money. Seeing Luffy and Nami was talking about finding the guy named 'Iceburg', ''Is it okay to just walk in there without an appointment?''

Nami made a troubled expression as she noticed that they didn't even know how the man was looked like.

''Excuse me!'' Luffy, on the other hand, was climbing over the fence,

''He is doing it again...'' Nami sweatdropped as she looked at Luffy

But as Luffy was about to get in ''Hey, hold on'' some man pushed Luffy on his forehead with a single finger ''You're not from here. Let's talk outside'' he then raised his head to look at them more clearly ''Only employees are allowed in there.''

He had a smile as he was standing there and looking at them, but the three of them weren't hearing anything he was saying while they were just staring at his face with shock as their jaws were fallen. He was a young man who has big black eyes with three eyelashes on top of his eye and a long nose similar to Usopp's, only rectangular in shape. He was wearing a white cap, a high-collared orange shirt with blue sleeves, jeans, and white sneakers.

''Ah... so what are you here for?'' he casually asked

''Hi... Usopp?'' Luffy's voice sounded also sounded casual but at the same time, hesitated, causing Usopp to slap him on the face as he was reminding him he was right there

''Yeah!! And his nose is rectangular!!'' Nami also added, but she was looking quite shocked too, but she came over her shock in an instant. ''Oh, and... We would like to meet Mr. Iceburg'' as she turned to look at the man again, surprising the man as he asked if they were customers before Nami held out Kokoro's letter.

''Oh, that's nifty,'' the man said as he was reading the letter ''Not every day that youngsters come here with a recommendation letter from Mrs. Kokoro of the Shift Station.''

''Uh... Are you old?'' Luffy asked in confusion as he was trying to look at his face more closely

''I'm twenty-three'' the man politely answered

''Twenty three? But you sound so old...'' Usopp said as he was also confused like Luffy, causing the man to laugh, saying that he was hearing this a lot.

''Do you know who Iceburg is?'' Nami straightforwardly come in the subject, not carrying about the man's talk or nose anymore

''How can I not? Mr. Iceburg is the mayor of Water Seven.'' surprising the three of them as he also added that he was also the president of the Galley-La Company as well as the manager of the Sea Train the Puffing Tom, only shocking them more. He then told them he's always busy, so finding him could be difficult sometimes, so he offered to go and look over their ship himself. After putting his tool belt down, he asked where their ship docked,

''It's docket at the peninsula...'' Usopp answered as they were watching the guy stretching his legs as if he was preparing himself to run.

''While I'm going there and check out the ship's condition, you can also start negotiating the price,''

''Are you going with the Yagara Bull?'' Usopp asked, causing the man to a made big smile

''Hahahaha! If I do that... You'll have to wait forever. I will be back in ten minutes!''

''Ten... minutes?'' Nami repeat with a face that was saying she's not buying what he said

''10 minutes'' the man said again, like confirming, with a serious face this time, just before he runs off... literally.

''He's fast!!'' Usopp shout out in shock as Luffy was also looking after him with a shock

''But wait!!!'' Nami also gasped in shock as she was looking at the running man's back, ''That's... A cliff!!!'' he was literally run over the cliff and jumped right over the edge, practically flying through the air.

Usopp was freaking out, saying he fell after his jump just before a calm voice spoke behind him ''It's all right.'' causing them to spin around and look at him,

''Eh? Who are you?'' Nami asked in shock as she saw a man and a woman standing there beside each other.

He was a tall, middle-aged man with blue hair and similarly colored lips. He was wearing a red and orange striped jacket over an unbuttoned orange shirt with a wide collar, black suit pants, and black shoes. He had a small, white mouse in a pocket on the left side of his jacket, caressing his little head with his right hand's finger. And a slim, pretty woman with blue eyes and glasses. Her strawberry blonde hair was about shoulder length, but it tied up in a bun, made her looked like a typical secretary.

''He does that frequently.'' The man said as he ignored Nami's question ''People call him, Yamakaze, Mountain Wind. He's the Chief Mechanic of Dock #1, Galley-La Company, Kaku.''

xxx

Sanji was riding a Yagara Bull on the Shopping District as there was a lot of bag on the back of his little boat,

''The city of water is pretty nice...'' he was talking to himself as he was admiring the city with a big smile on his face

Soon, he was holding cabbage in front of some stand, ''Nami-swan already went off with those bastards, but I still wished a date with Luna-cwan and Robin-chan here...'' he was looking around before his face flush in scarlet color. 'It would be so nice to hold a blossom in each hand's' he got in his pink dream world, seeing images of himself, Luna and Robin dating with laughs.

''Hey, boy!'' the owner of the stand, a middle-aged woman, called out Sanji ''What happened your face?'' as she saw his weird smiling expression ''How many Mizu Mizu Cabbage do you want?''

''Huh? Oh...'' Sanji came back to reality, ''Two, please. By the way, madam... Where can I buy some seasonal produce around here? And is there any chocolate shop?'' The middle-aged shop owner answered Sanji's questions as Sanji was paying for cabbages.

Soon, Sanji had a big smile with a blushing face once again as he was getting out of some chocolate shop. ''I will create the best chocolate recipes!'' he was fired up as he was imagining Luna eating a chocolate lollipop and praising Sanji.

''Hm...'' Sanji suddenly stopped and looked around, ''This place is not very pedestrian-friendly is it...?'' as he found himself some empty back alley ''How did I get here...?'' he let a sigh as he was still looking around ''Am I lost...? Probably the curse of the seaweed head swordsman...hm?!''

Sanji's attention had stolen by the two women he saw. The two women who are walking through the bridge just behind him were Luna and Robin, along with two masked people.

''Ahhh! Robin-chan! Luna-cwan!'' Sanji called out with a big smile as he ignored the other two people since his eyes weren't seeing anything but Robin and Luna at the moment.

Luna and Robin walked off the corner as if they didn't even hear Sanji, ''Hey! It's me!!!'' Sanji started to run after them as he still had a big smile

''Robin-chan! Luna-cwa-'' Just as Sanji turned to the corner with hearted eyes as he was thinking, his wish granted, and he can date with them now, his face turned a surprised one, ''Eh?''

There was no one.

''That's so weird...'' Sanji walked a little bit more until he reached the edge. ''There is no door and no road... Where did they go?'' It was a dead-end, surrounded by water and they were disappeared just like that. ''Did they fly?'' he looked up with a surprised and sad mixed expression before it turned into a shocked one

''Usopp?''

What he saw when he looked up was a man with a long nose, who was jumping from one roof to another, looking like he was flying right over him.

''What the hell is wrong with this place?!!'' Sanji shouted out in anger before he calmed down and sweatdropped with a sad expression, ''Am I really cursed...?''

x

The man who's jumping over the roofs, Kaku, on the other hand, was finally reached on the outskirts of the city, Rocky Cape, where the Merry docked.

He looked around for a moment before he finally saw the Merry and jumped on its railing, ''Excuse me.'' he politely said, and after seeing the man with a green head was sleeping, he quietly began to look around. ''It's worn down pretty badly...'' Kaku could hear the cracking voices with every step he took

Zoro opened his one eye to look who came, 'Oh... It's just Usopp' before he calmly closed it again go back to his sleep after seeing the man's long nose.

Kaku was touching the mast and checking it ''We probably have to replace the mast...'' he was murmuring.

Zoro's head suddenly brought Usopp's and the man's face he just saw together. The noses weren't matching.

''Hold on a minute!! Who the hell are you?!'' Zoro got on his feet with an incredible speed and shout out at the man as he also unsheathed his two katana

''Oh, sorry.'' Kaku casually said as if he didn't even startle or surprised by Zoro's angry yellings, ''Did I wake you up?''

xxx

''That was amazing... He flew down from here'' Usopp breathed out as he looked at the cliff once more,

''Don't underestimate our carpenters...'' he had a small smile that one could pick up the proud from it ''In order to repair the ship in the fastest speed and yielding the best result, we don't hire just any average workers with average physique'' he then turned to the woman ''Kalifa?''

''Yes,'' the now named Kalifa adjusted her glasses. ''The investigation is complete,'' before she looked at the clipboard she was carrying. ''Straw Hat Luffy, Pirate Hunter Zoro, De Luna, and Nico Robin.'' no one realized the slight surprise and discomfort that past the man's face for just a brief of a moment when he heard Robin's name as Kalifa went on, ''Their combined bounties are three hundred and nineteen million. Their crew formed in the East Blue, and they currently have eight members. Named after their captain, they're known as Straw Hat Pirates.''

''Ugh, they know everything...'' Usopp murmured with a sweatdrop, ''It's like facing another Luna... How are they even finding out..?''

''Oh, I see. It must not have been easy getting here.'' sounding impressed as he continued to pet his little mouse ''I'm the head of this city, Iceburg, and this rat I adopted not long ago is called... let's see... Tyrannosaurus. Please get him some food and cage.''

''It is done, Iceburg-san.'' Kalifa immediately informed him that she had already ordered those for him

''Oh? That was fast like a shooting star, Kalifa'' as he looked at her with an impressed expression.

''You flatter me!'' she looked proud for a moment before she looked at her clipboard once again, ''May I remind you that you have a meeting with the owner of the Glass Factory in the Chiza Hotel. After that, you have a speech in the Riguria Plaza. After that, you need to meet with the Mayor Bimine of Pucci, The Gourmet City, in a press conference for the newspapers. After that, there are some documents in your office that you need to go over.'' Kalifa list all the things that he had to do today, giving the feeling of the perfect secretary.

''I don't want to!'' Iceburg suddenly declared, sounding like a little child's whining

''I will cancel all of that.'' Kalifa casually said as she began crossing them off the list. She didn't seem the least bit surprised, unlike Usopp,

''Hey! You can't do that!'' He yelled out in shock

''For me, refusing to do things is just one of my privileges.'' Iceburg calmly and coolly spoke, causing Usopp to sweatdrop

''You're not exactly a model mayor.''

''Yeah, he's really unreliable.'' Luffy also agreed with Usopp before he turned to Nami ''So this guy is the one that the old lady told about, right?''

''Yes, I think so,'' Nami hesitantly confirmed with a smile, but at those words, Kalifa suddenly charged and began kicking them all so fast and suddenly

''Ill-mannered brats!!'' she shouted out, causing Nami to duck and cover herself as Usopp was trying to dodge with a shock but ended up one of the kicks to hit his nose while Luffy was also backing and trying to dodge

When it's finally over, ''You want a fight?!'' Luffy furiously asked as both Nami and Usopp were trying to recover from the sudden shock.

''How dare to speak with such disrespect to the world's best ship maker?!'' Kalifa told them all fiercely before calmly pushing her glasses back up her face, looking as if she just noticed what she had done ''Ah... I'm sorry. I lost my calm back there. Iceburg-san is the most respected figure here. Please show some respect.''

''Please do not make Kalifa angry. Otherwise...'' Iceburg warned, causing them to turned to look at him, only to see that he was covered with bumps and bruises. ''All hell breaks loose.'' he even had tears of pain in his eyes

''Most of the kicks landed on him!!'' Usopp shout out in a mix of anger and shock

''You're the ill-mannered one!!'' Luffy added after him with an equal shock and anger

''Well, if you're the man we're looking for...'' Nami butt in as she took out Kokoro's letter and handed it to him with a smile, ''Here, a letter for you!''

Iceburg carefully took it from her and read it out, ''It's from Kokoro... 'Check out their ship' it says...'' he nodded in understanding before he suddenly tore the paper to shreds, shocking all three of them.

''What?! Seriously?!'' Nami asked in shock, ''There has to be something we can do to change your mind!'' she held up the black cases so that he could see it, ''If money's the issue, we can pay!''

''Yeah!'' Luffy also come beside her, ''If you're really the best, then you gotta look at her! Maybe she can still be fixed! Please!''

''No problem'' Iceburg casually and easily agreed

''Ehhh??!! Agreeing so fast?!'' Usopp fall over before he got up fastly and look at him ''Then why did you rip apart the recommendation letter?!'' demanding to know

''I didn't like the lip mark.'' he answered as if it was obvious, ''Kokoro was my drinking partner. Anyways... Kaku already went to check out your ship, so we'll wait until he returns.'' he then stretched out his arms and even began to pick his nose while looking bored, ''Since I'm so bored today, I'll show you around the place.''

As Luffy was happy about this, ''Then why did you cancel all those appointments?'' Usopp asked with a sweatdrop

''Okay! Let's go to see the shipyard!'' Luffy said happily and began walking while swinging one of the cases he was holding again, only to cause Nami to yelled at him to stop swinging

''Ah!'' Usopp made face as he remembered now ''I almost forget our money...'' and turned his back, only to found six men who are wearing some strange outfits, like roundish, metal lederhosen with a pink star on it that wore like overalls. They were also covered with tattoos and had goggles, but they were also looking they were just beaten up by someone just before they come there. They were crouching down to look inside of their cases with dirty smiles on their faces.

''Ah!'' Usopp had a face like he had found the thing he wanted to most, but it was already gone.

''Uh-oh... We find out'' the man who was looking beaten up, shamelessly said before closing the case and took both of them and started to run off,

''What?!!'' Nami also saw them shout out with horror

''Stop!!! Who are you!!'' Usopp also yelled out with rage and horror mixed expression ''Robbers!! Give me my 200 million berry back!!'' as he also started running after them.

Hearing them yelling, Iceburg also turned to look at them, and he made a surprised face upon seeing them ''The Franky Family...''

''Stop!!! Stop, you bastards!'' Usopp was yelling out with rage as the six men hopped on a couple of Yagara, and began to sail off

''Hahahahah!! He said 200 million!!'' they laugh with happiness as they waved their hands to Usopp ''Thanks for the money, bro!! Hahaha!!''

Usopp was chasing after the boat on the sidewalk, looking ready to jump into the canal and swim up to them ''Stop!! Give it back!!''

Just that moment, on the bridge over where the Yagara's going towards, a man was chasing by the debt collectors. The man was shouting at them that he had no money before he realized the Yagara Bulls just under him. And with the fast-thinking, wanting to get rid of the men he was chased after, he jumped off the bridge.

The man had blond hair that was slicked back, and a pair of orange goggles as well as a cigar in his mouth. As he jumped, a set of ropes came out from his sleeves, ''Rope Action,''

''It's... that carpenter from the Galley-La Company!'' the man who looked the leader of the six men shout out with shock as he saw the blond man jumping on them

''Sorry man,'' the blond man said with a big smile, looking like he didn't mean at all ''But I need to borrow the yagara bulls!'' they all yelled out at him to no way or stop but ''Round tie!'' using the ropes like whips, he was able to knock the Franky Family right into the canal.

Usopp let a tired but relieved sigh upon seeing this ''Phew... He is one of the shipwrights here, right?'' As he looked at his back

''Yes, he is!'' Nami also looked relieved

''Hey!!'' Usopp shout at him with a big smile, waving his hand, ''Thank you!! That money is ours, by the way!!''

''Hm? Money?'' The blond man looked at the cases as soon as he heard the word of 'money,' and his face brightened with a big smile before he began to sail off, waving his hand as if saying goodbye with his brightened smile, causing Usopp to yelled at him this time.

Finally, getting enough, Luffy held up his hand, ready to stretch out and grab the blond man himself, but just as he was about to stretch out, someone stopped him.

He was a tall and slim, yet muscular man with arched eyebrows and a close-shaved goatee. He had shoulder-length wavy black hair and a tattoo of a crossed-out square on each upper arm. He was wearing brown trousers with caramel suspenders over a white tank-top and shoes with black toe-caps.

His face was emotionless as the white pigeon, which was wearing a light red tie, perched on his right shoulder, spoke up with a rough voice, ''I'll get your money back, leave it to me.''

Luffy looked at the talking pigeon in surprise before the man went running off.

It was ended up quite quickly as the pigeon man was so fast, and they were coming back on the boat. He was holding onto the blond man's ear like a child who misbehaved, ''Hey, hey!! Stop that! What do you think you're doing?!'' the blond man yelled out with a pained expression, ''I said, I won't run anymore! Let go of my ear! It wasn't easy getting all this money too!!!'' as he pushed him away and rubbed his red ear, ''I will remember this, Lucci!''

''You tried to steal other people's money to pay your debt?'' the pigeon talked as the man had still an emotionless face, ''You are shameless.''

''I found this money!'' the blond man argued back with pigeon

Meanwhile, Usopp was letting another relieved sigh ''They're coming back...''

''Yeah! What a relief! Right, Usopp?'' Luffy laughed with a relaxed look, causing Usopp to snap at him

''What kind of attitude is that?!'' pulling and stretching his cheek, ''That was our 200 million berry!!''

''Yeah!!'' Nami also joined to Usopp, looking also angry, ''Why didn't you go and get the money back?!''

''But... That pigeon said to leave it to me...'' Luffy answered as much as he could since his pulled cheeks weren't helping

''Nmaa... It was a domestic problem, so we had to take care of it ourselves.'' Iceburg indifferently explained to them while petting his mouse, ''If you had taken it into your own hands, we would lose face.''

''I was thinking that it was lucky the Franky Family didn't succeed in stealing, but then...'' Kalifa trailed off, getting Nami's attention, who's still pulling out Luffy's cheek,

''Yeah, my feelings exactly... But who were those strangely dressed people?''

''They are Franky Family, professional ship scavengers,'' Kalifa answered as she pushed her glasses back up

''Ship scavengers?'' Nami asked in surprise as she let go of Luffy's cheek, ''Well, no wonder they didn't look like serious mechanics...''

Kalifa then explained that the Franky family was a troublesome bunch, and they were also working as Bounty Hunters and attack pirates that came there. After they take down the pirates, they would take their ships and then dismantle them before they sell them on the black market. It was their business, and they wouldn't leave behind any remains of the pirates.

''But, they didn't look so tough'' Luffy said with a smile

''Those were just the small fries'' Iceburg told them as he saw Luffy's smile ''Their boss hasn't done anything lately, but you should never underestimate Franky himself.'' as he gave them a warning with a serious expression now

''Franky?'' Luffy asked with confusion, but before Iceburg even had a chance to give an answer, Lucci and the blond man come back with Lucci carrying the two cases in one hand, and dragging the blond one over by his ear with the other one.

''He is here, Iceburg-san!'' the pigeon said as the blond one was whining about his ear, and after Iceburg complimented him on his excellent work, the pigeon turned to Luffy, Nami, and Usopp, ''Our group's scumbag cost you some problems. For that, we apologize.''

''It talked again!!!'' Luffy yelled as his eyes widened with shock

Lucci then threw the blond man on the ground and tossed him the cases, ''Hurry up and beg for forgiveness, Paulie!''

''Why is that pigeon acts stronger and bosses around?'' Luffy gasp in shock once again

''He's practically the guy's spokesman... But at least we got our money back'' Usopp said in bewilderment as he watched the blond man, now named Paulie, got up,

''Oh,'' Paulie walked over to Luffy with cases, ''So this money belongs to you?'' As he passed them into Luffy's arms ''I got your money back.''

''Ah, thanks a lot!'' Luffy held the cases with a big smile before Paulie put his hands on his shoulders and looked at him seriously,

''If you really wanna thank me, give me ten percent!'' causing Lucci to hit him over the head with a hammer

''Sorry customers. This punk owes a lot of money and is really desperate for money'' the pigeon talked again, and Luffy got shocked again as he yelled out how come it could speak.

Paulie, on the other hand, was pissed off and began to fight him. The moment Paulie's ropes came out, the pigeon got out of the way as it flew over them. The rope wrapped around Lucci's arm, and when he pulled, he swung him around like a ball. As Nami was panicking that Lucci was about to hit his head into the cement, Iceburg was calmly watching as if an everyday show, and just like he expected, Lucci was able to stop with his arm. His fingers were digging into the ground and holding him up as straight as an arrow.

Usopp was shocked at this, even feared as he was questioning what's wrong with those shipwrights while Luffy was irritated,

''Hey, goggle guy!!'' Luffy called out to Paulie, ''Think about it. The one who has been ordering you around and talking smack is... The pigeon!'' he declared as he was looking quite serious and actually still shocked.

''That things don't matter!'' Paulie argued back as he pointed out Lucci ''Lucci is the one who hit me!'' looking still pissed

''But that's because the pigeon can't hit you'' Luffy also argued back, ''So, it made the guy hit you!!'' he then turned to the pigeon that was flying over to Lucci ''Listen up, pigeon! Fight your own fight!'' looking too angry as he pointed out an accusing finger at it, and seeing that it wasn't giving an answer, he was yelling why it was not talking now.

After Lucci got back on his foot back, Paulie was preparing for another round until Iceburg stopped him, saying that was enough.

''How embarrassing, we made a fool of ourselves.'' the pigeon talked to Luffy as he was on Lucci's shoulder once again. ''I'm Rob Lucci's pigeon, Hattori. This is Rob Lucci,'' it pointed out Lucci with his wing ''Nice to meet you.''

''Eh? Now it's talking like a person...'' Nami slowly said as she was looking surprised before she gasped in realization, ''I get it now!! He's a ventriloquist!!'' as she pointed out a finger at Lucci.

Luffy and Usopp were impressed way too much and were clapping him while saying that was so cool. Paulie was also calmed down now, and he was started to laugh,

''Hahahaha!! This guy never talks directly! He is a freak!'' he was laughing so much before he noticed Nami and began to freak out, ''What's wrong with you!!? You are so shameless!!!'' he roared out, turning red and pointing a finger at her, as Nami was looking at him with a mix of shock and confusion. ''Showing you legs like that!! This is an all men factory! What are you trying to do?! Taunt us?!''

Lucci was holding him back as Kalifa also stepped in front of Nami ''Calm down, Paulie!''

''Shit!'' Paulie only freaked out more after seeing Kalifa, ''Even Kalifa is wearing such a shameless sexy outfit!!''

''What the hell is he talking about?'' Usopp whispered with a sweatdrop, watching Paulie as if there was no saving for him

''He is the real freak!'' Luffy exclaimed as he was laughing so much that there were even tears in his eyes

''Nma... These people may be slightly crazy, but... In carpentry, they're part of the five chief mechanics in this dock. Kaku is one too'' Iceburg tried to explain as they finally began to the enormous door with the 1 marked on it ''The only thing that matters is one's carpentry skills. It doesn't matter how strange his personalty is... weird.'' as he was telling them the 'Dock 1#' was the best out of every one of them, the enormous doors finally opened.

Iceburg began to show them around the yard as all of them were looking around in amazement at every little thing they could see. It was a really bustling place with shipwrights working non-stop, and seeing that there were ships being built from the ground up, was enough to make them look there in awe.

As Iceburg was giving them a tour as he said he would, all the workers were greeting him with smiles. After Luffy saw how popular and loved Iceburg is, Kalifa explained that there had been several shipbuilding companies, and roughly five years ago, they all united under him as Galley-La. He was apparently amazed everyone with his genius carpentry techniques, and his love for it was still the same even after he became the leader. So, the workers loved and respected him more.

While Kalifa was saying that the only thing carpenters respect is the skill and they won't bow to any pirates or political powers, Luffy went and offered Iceburg to join his crew. Iceburg politely refused as he was the mayor, but told him that they had plenty of shipwrights, he didn't know if any of them would be a pirate, but if Luffy found one who's willing, he wouldn't get in the way.

''By the way,'' Iceburg changed the subject ''There is a woman named Nico Robin on your ship, right?''

''Yeah,'' Luffy confirmed with a big smile ''She is an archaeologist and also so smart!'' he made a proud smile as he said the word right since Luna was trying so hard on this, but his smile faded off when he saw Iceburg's serious face. ''Why? Is there something wrong?''

''Oh, no,'' Iceburg suddenly said as he wawed his hand dismissively.

Though he was quick to hide, if one would look carefully, they could see the lie and discomfort. However, no one saw it, and Luffy, who's believed, went running over to look and climb up some of the ships as his smile return his face.

After a short while later, while Luffy was looking at the yard from up, Kaku suddenly came.

''Hm?'' Paulie turned to look at him, ''Kaku? Where did you go?''

''I went to check out our customers' ship.'' Kake politely answered as he looked at him ''Are they here?''

Meanwhile, Usopp was looking at the cannon he saw, ''Wow!! A demi cannon!!'' his eyes were shining as he was looking at it with awe, ''It's so long! Is it made of bronze?! Looks expensive...!''

Usopp didn't realize as he was too amazed, but there were shadows of six men just behind him, looking at him hungrily.

Just a moment later, there was no trace from Usopp as the only thing left from where he was, were two black cases.

xxx

Luna was sitting on a chair inside a little wooden shack.

After noticing Sanji, the masked man, who's Luna recognized as Blueno, one of the assassins of Cipher Pol 9, opened a door in the air. All of them were got inside of the pocket dimension that was apparently within the air itself. It was a weird experience, and Luna and the girl were the only ones who left first. Apparently, they would have a private talk as the girl stated.

Luna and Robin were looked into their eyes just before Luna left, and the door closed.

Luna knew Robin would do what they were saying as she would protect the crew with the way she knew. She was sure that Robin would sacrifice herself once again.

Robin, on the other hand, saw right through Luna, just like how she saw her. She knew Luna wouldn't agree with anything they wanted or say and do the things on her way. She didn't know who that girl was under the mask or what they were wanting yet, but she trusted that Luna would get rid of her and go back to the crew, and 'hopefully' leave with them.

After they left, they came to some back alley and a little wooden shack that no one would care.

Luna could tell there was no civilian that close to them, but they were encircled. She could say that they were at least twenty people around them, and they were not that weak either. There was nothing inside the shack, a little square table and two chairs that were across each other. The girl wasn't sitting, and Luna didn't wait for her to sit either. She has pulled out a transponder snail from her clock and put on the table.

There was only one button on it, and the moment she took the receiver and pushed the button, Luna heard the snail's familiar voice.

*purupurupuru* *purupurupuru*

She didn't know who she was calling. They never talked as they didn't even have time.

*Clachak*

''Knight,'' an old man's voice sounded

''She is here.'' the girl talked through the receiver with a respectful tone

'Knight?' Luna didn't know why the girl called like that, and it irritated her

''Grant D. Luna.'' the same old man's voice sounded once again, ''After all this time later, it's finally nice to meet you.''

''I can't say the same since I don't know who I am talking to,'' Luna's voice sounded cold as she narrowed her eyes. Every passing second, her irritation was increasing more, and not knowing why only made it worse.

''Right, this is the first time we talked,'' the man paused for a moment before his unfriendly voice sounded again ''Five Elders.''

Those two words were enough to make Luna erase every bit of emotion in her.

''And what might you want from me?'' Luna asked with an emotionless tone. There was no way they would sit and talk like this if they didn't want something.

''A deal.''

xxx

Upon Kaku's arriving, Nami called out Luffy to come down,

''Where is Usopp?'' Luffy asked as he looked around but didn't saw Usopp anywhere

''I don't know...'' Nami also looked around, ''Last time I saw him he was looking at the cannons'' she looked at the cases that brought where they were by a worker as he said they were just there ''Well, he left the money, so never mind. I'm sure he's around here, looking for cannons and all'' Nami nonchalantly said as Luffy came beside her with a big smile.

All six bag was there, on the ground, ''So, did you looked at her? Can she be fixed? We have a lot of money, so it's fine how much it costs...'' Luffy talked without stopping as he had still smile on his face while Nami was anxiously waiting to hear what they were going to say

''Allow me to speak frankly,'' Kaku interrupted Luffy, his expression was grim ''That ship of yours... She's gone on some really extraordinary journeys, hasn't she?''

''Sure was!'' Luffy agreed in a heartbeat, ''We've done a lot! A while back we flew to the sky and then fell back down, and we climbed a big mountain too! So she should be repaired good.'' Kaku didn't say anything as he listened to Luffy, and noticing this, Luffy lost his smile as he seriously looked at Kaku ''What?'' he asked with an emotionless expression as a heavy air was making itself around them

''...The truth is,'' Kaku began with a slight pause, ''Even we aren't able to fix your ship.'' Luffy and Nami felt like they took a hit on their gut, as Kaku went on, ''Even if we patch it as much as we can, the probability of you making it to the next island is... zero.''

Paulie came over to sit down on the timber as well before he puffed out his cigar, ''Is something wrong with the keel?''

''Yes, it's severely damaged.'' Kaku grimly, but bluntly answered

''Then you can't fix the Going Merry?'' Luffy asked as his face still held no emotion, but his eyes were looking at them like he doesn't want to believe, ''Why? Aren't you the best shipwrights in the world?!'' looking angry now as he smacked one of the cases, ''If it's money that you want, we have lots!''

Nami looked at him, ''Luffy...'' looking miserable as she was holding herself not to cry.

They all knew the truth... they had known it for a while. Everyone was preparing themselves, but they still had some hope in them. The world's best shipwrights... they all thought, maybe. And here they were, hearing there was no hope was difficult to bear, no matter how much they prepared to hear it.

''That's...not the problem.'' Kaku informed him, ''The ship cannot be repaired no matter how much money you have.'' as Luffy and Nami were looking as if he slapped them on the face, ''It's already a miracle that you sailed here safely with that ship. I'm really impressed about that...'' he sounded as he meant it

''The keel,'' Nami stated in a hushed tone, but everyone that gathered around there heard of her

''Oh, you know what keel is, shameless girl?'' Paulie asked Nami,

''The thing on the bottom of the boat... We know that it's important. The heart of the ship...'' Nami trailed off as she remembered Luna's words about the keel.

Only Luffy didn't know much about it since when Luna talked about the keel, Luffy was fighting with Bellamy.

''Correct.'' Paulie confirmed, breathing out some smoke, ''It's the support that goes from the head to the tail of the ship. It's the most important part of the entire ship. When you build up a ship, you have to start with the keel. Then the head, the tail, the spine, the rip, the pillar... Every piece of wood in the ship is put together with the keel at the center. That is the basics of ship construction. The keel at the center of the ship is the 'lifeline' of the ship. If the keel is broken, you can't just take it off and put in a new one. Replacing the keel is the same as building a whole new ship.''

As Luffy and Nami were listening in silence, Paulie breathed out more smoke after he explained it all and added for the last time, ''Thus, no one can 'repair' your ship. Your ship is nothing more than a pile of wood waiting to be scrapped.''

Their eyes got harden at this. As Luffy was fiercely looking at him, ''Hey! How could you say that?!!'' Nami hotly yelled at him, he didn't know anything, and here he was saying as if nothing. Like wasn't worth it.

''I'm only telling the truth.'' Paulie indifferently said as the two of them glared at him

''Then... Just remake the ship!'' Luffy's harsh voice suddenly heard, ''Just rebuilt her as you said before!''

''That's not possible either, Koo-Koo!!'' Lucci's pigeon, Hattori, said

''Why not?!'' Luffy asked in frustration. Why there was nothing to do?

''We could build you a very similar ship,'' the pigeon explained, holding up his wings like hands, ''But no one can build you one that's 'exactly' the same! In this world, there are no two identical ships.''

''What do you mean?'' Nami, who's looking like she doesn't know who she should look between Lucci and the pigeon, asked. Even if the Merry remade, was it really impossible for her soul to keep existing?

''Are there two completely identical trees in the world?'' Hattori asked them, causing Nami to blink as she thought over it, ''And ships are built from pieces of wood. The size and shape of the ship depending on the wood. So, even if we have the blueprints, we can't build an identical ship.'' pointing out his wings like a finger, Hattori went on ''Even if we do make a nearly identical ship, the one who will most strongly fell; 'This is not the same ship.' Will be yourselves! Koo-Koo!''

Nami's hands curled into fists as all of her hopes are crushed, ''So, you're saying that it's absolutely impossible for her to continue?''

''Unfortunately, yes,'' Kaku confessed, ''You can either wait around for her to sink or, you can dismantle her immediately.''

'It's finished! This is our own pirate ship, Going Merry!'

'Merry is dying.'

'She said, it's alright, I will carry all of you a little while longer.'

'It's not just luck! Merry said she would make it! It's her being tough!'

Voices echoed in Luffy's ears as he was standing there silently. Merry wasn't a human, he knew it, but he couldn't help to feel helpless as their friend was dying.

''Nmaa... The ship has lived out its life,'' Iceburg talked as he saw they were just standing there without saying anything. ''But if you think of it another way, with your old one gone, you can buy a brand new ship. You have the money for it, no? I heard about your ship's caliber. It's a very old model. The sea beyond this point is too rough for it even if it's not broken...It's better if you scrapped the ship and take another one.''

''Stop talking like you know her!'' Luffy furiously yelled at him, ''We won't take her apart. Plus, you have no idea how strong she is!''

Iceburg looked at Luffy's outraged expression and Nami's sad expression that was clearly looking like she was trying to hold on for not to cry. What was it..? Why they were talking about the ship like it was a person? With the sudden thought that came to his mind, Iceburg eyes widen for a brief of a moment before he immediately dismissed 'No...' It was a legend. He had never come across someone saying that they had seen it.

''If you're not let dismantle her, then you can just sit in that ship and sink with it.'' Iceburg coldly said even though his voice sounded calm, ''Lil' punk, you call yourself a captain?''

Luffy startled with his words as he stared at him. It wasn't that. Luffy thought about it ever since he first heard Merry was dying. He wouldn't dismantle her or let her slowly sink as he knew it would be hard on her. It's just... he didn't know what he would do. How to say goodbye to a friend who's dying?

Seeing Luffy's glare that was looking lost, he let a sigh and shut his eyes, ''That's enough talking for today.'' he told them, ''Think about it. Come back when you want to buy a new ship. With 600 million, you can very easily afford the best ship we can make.'' he said before he turned to Kalifa, who handed him a catalog of all their used and new models to use as a price reference.

Luffy was still looking lost as to what to do as Nami took it miserably, looking as if some truck just passed over her. She was telling Luffy that they should head back to the ship and tell everyone the bad news when someone came walking over towards them.

He was a muscular man with black hair and a mustache who's wearing sunglasses. His upper body was covered with intricate tattoos, green on his chest, and red on his arms. He was wearing pants that had lighter colored stripes around his waist and on the top of the legs, and regular shoes. On his head, there was a part of his hair that stuck up like a spike.

''Iceburg-san! There are customers at the front door!'' as he walked towards Iceburg, ''They're representatives of the World Government again. Should I tell them to leave?''

''Nmaa... Tell them I'm not here.'' he casually said before he looked at the man carefully, ''Also... did you comb your hair after your nap, Lulu?'' looking at the part of his hair that stuck up like a spike.

''Excuse me.'' Lulu said as he pushed it down, only to cause to popped out from the other side once again, shocking Iceburg as he went on as if nothing happened, ''I'll tell them to come back at another time.''

Iceburg nodded, getting over his shock really quick, but it was too late as several men in suits were heading towards them. Paulie warned Luffy and Nami to hide, causing them to went behind the large stack of lumber as they heard them talk. The middle man claimed that he could smell pirates around but told him that wasn't important, he just wanted to talk to him. Iceburg told him to go away, and he doesn't like him, acting childish as the man also implied the same, telling him not to be stubborn, and he had some good news for him.

In the end, they walked away with government men to talk somewhere private, leaving the other shipwright talking with each other as they were clearly annoyed by the government men.

While Nami was watching them move, her attention slide to Luffy as he made a confused sound, ''What?''

Luffy lifted one of the cases and looked at her, ''It's light.''

''What?'' Nami asked him before putting on a fake smile ''Don't joke around! There are 100 million in there. How can it be light..?'' She then took one of the cases she was carrying and weighed the one Luffy was holding up.

She froze and stared at them for a moment. They looked at each other before they took the two cases Usopp was carrying and opened them. They only peeked inside them before they screamed out, so loud that it seemed to echoed the entire shipyard, and all the shipwrights were turned in their direction, looking startled.

Both of the cases were completely empty.

xxx

''Shit..'' Sanji was frowning as he was puffing out smoke

''Sorry, Sanji...'' Chopper's voice was sad. ''I was too focused on reading those books, and..''

Sanji cut him off, ''You don't need to apologize.'' his voice was kind as he talked to Chopper ''I was an idiot too, thinking that masked guy with Robin and Luna was you in human form... And I thought the other girl might be someone they know...''

Both of them were come across each other entirely by chance. Sanji was looking for Luna and Robin after they disappeared as well as Chopper. After looking around for a while and founding nothing, they were got on a Yagara Bull, going back to ship as they thought that maybe they were gone back.

''I wonder who was that the man and woman with the masks were...'' As he thought that the man was Chopper, he assumed that the girl was someone they knew since they were both in the Grand Line before. ''I hope nothing went wrong... I have this strange feeling in my chest...'' Sanji said as his face was serious

''Eh..?!'' Chopper, on the other hand, was still stranger these kinds of terms, ''Should I take a look?''

''I'm not ill!!'' Sanji shouted out with shark teeth before he immediately calmed down, ''I'm feeling uneasy about what Aokiji said.'' he said with a frown.

''What did he said?'' Chopper asked with a tilted head, that man was said a lot in the end

''He talked about Robin's past and said that soon we will regret having her. And Luna was bound to die soon, and we should just leave her to die when they come for her...'' his frown got thicker as the feeling he got worsen, ''Let's go back to Going Merry for now...''

''I hope they went back there safely...'' Chopper's eyes were filled with worry after what Sanji said

They both hope to find them on the ship. Safe and sound.

xxx

The girl looked at Luna as she tried to understand what's going on.

Luna's face was shadowed with the cap she was wearing, and the hook over it wasn't helping the girl to see her face. But Luna was suddenly started to shake, causing the girl to slightly narrow her light amber-colored eyes.

What broke the silence was Luna's laughs that sounded as if she heard the funniest thing ever.

Minutes. Luna laughed for minutes. So much that there were tears coming down from her eyes.

''...Wahahahahaha!!! Mother of hell! This is the funniest thing I heard!! Wahahahaha...''

The girl called 'Knight,' and the Five Elder across the snail waited for her laughs to stop with patience. After minutes later, Luna finally calmed down. Her expression was like she didn't even laugh in the beginning. Her cap shadowed her eyes as she looked at the snail with an emotionless face,

''You call this a deal? Do I look like a stupid?'' Luna might not use her brain all the time, and she wasn't the most clever one out there, but that didn't mean that she was an idiot. ''You want me to betray Dragon? As in the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the one known as the 'World's Worst Criminal'?'' Luna asked, mockery was dripping from her voice as she still held an emotionless face.

The deal they offered was simple.

Give them information about Dragon and the Revolutionary Army, and they would change her bounty poster from 'Only Dead' to 'Dead or Alive,' and they would let her go as long as she didn't cause a stir.

''And here I thought you would be better than this... maybe because you guys got older, huh?'' Luna tilted her head

''Are you saying you prefer to hunt down all the time? You know the meaning of only dead.'' the old man spoke as if he was the one who chosen to be their spokesman, ''No... Are you saying you prefer to die 'now'?'' his cold voice filled the room.

Luna's voice was as cold as his, ''No,'' she honestly responded, ''Let me tell you correctly... First, I don't make deal with the murderers of my brother.'' she talked without an ounce of emotion in her voice ''Second, I'm not an idiot to betray to a man like Dragon.''

Well, that wasn't entirely true. It wasn't a lie, but the meaning Luna meant and the meaning they understand was probably different. What they heard was Luna wouldn't betray Dragon because she can't hope to survive after that. They thought that she was scared to betray him... What Luna meant, on the other hand, she would never betray the man she owned her life and all of her freedom. She wasn't that kind of idiot. Dragon was one of the people she would trust closed eyes and one of the three people who know the worst of her.

Dragon was one of them.

The girl in front of her was the other one.

And Luna couldn't wait to see the last one.

''Third, I'm definitely not an idiot to ever trust you.'' as she glanced at the girl in front of her and felt the presence of men outside. Just after the moment, Luna had ever said something, they would try to kill her. She wasn't an idiot to think that the World Government let her live just like that.

''I see,'' the old man talked again after hearing Luna. There was a moment of silence that made Luna wonder if the five of them were talking to each other without making a sound or something, ''Seems like it's time for you to join back to your family. Knight,''

''Yes, sir.''

Though the girl's face wasn't showed due to the mask she was wearing up until now, Luna caught a glimpse of mock in her eyes, but also happiness.

xxx

''What the hell are you screaming for?!'' Paulie yelled as he walked around and glared at them ''Shameless girl!!'' his eyes widen, and he turned red when he saw how Nami was sitting on the ground with a shocked look on her face, ''Why do you sit like that?!''

However, Nami ignored him, as well as Luffy. They both looked at the cases. Though the outsides were glossy and looked new, the insides were all patched and sewed together, but most importantly, they were empty.

''Two hundred million berry!!!'' Luffy shouted out

''Gone!!!'' Nami also screamed out, ''If you looked closely, these two briefcases are not even ours!!!''

They were having the shock of their life as they were looking down at the empty cases, looking as if they saw a ghost.

While Hattori was saying them not to scream, Luffy and Nami finally saw Paulie and looked at him with their jaws on the ground, now looking like they were the ghosts,

''What's that look?!!'' Paulie's jaw also fell on the ground as he yelled at them ''I didn't take it!!!''

Meanwhile, Lulu was walking talking with Kaku, asking him what he was doing with Frank Family earlier. Kaku looked confused at this, claiming that he hadn't seen them that day, at all. Lulu seemed baffled at this as he mentioned that he was sure he saw a long nose.

The word 'long nose' immediately took both Nami and Luffy's attention as they were just beside him in a matter of second.

''Hey, hold it!! What did you just say?!'' Nami yelled, demanding to know what he was talking about, starling Lulu for a moment,

''Just outside the gate, I saw someone who looked like Kaku with the Franky Family.'' he didn't understand their sudden, fierce interest, but he talked anyway, ''They had four cases with them, but they left two of them behind, and the guy with them looked like he was about to cry.''

''Usopp!!!'' Luffy exclaimed

''Is he with the Franky Family?!'' Nami asked/yelled, looking shocked

''Well, more precisely,'' Lulu began as he pushed the spike of hair into his head to fix it, only ending up to push out in his mustache, ''They were carrying him.''

''Kidnapped?!!'' Nami yelled out and as if possible, she looked more shocked before she turned to Luffy, telling him that they had to find him, but Luffy had already run off so fast that he was leaving a cloud of dust behind him.

''Hey!'' Nami turned to Paulie with a rush, ''Where do the Franky Family live?''

''Their base...?'' Paulie looked startled for a moment as he saw Nami looking so fierce, ''The Scrap Factory... Go from where you docked your ship, and then go northeast along the beach. You will see the 'Franky House' there.''

Nami also run off while yelling thanks, not waiting for more.

She looked for Luffy along the way, but he was already gone. Fuming herself that he couldn't find them himself, Nami was jumped on the Yagara, taking all four of the cases herself now. She was telling Yagara to go to Bull Rental Place while taking the shortest route. She decided to leave the money on the ship first. She couldn't carry around four hundred million with her since that would be dangerous.

''I'll take Zoro to take care of those chumps. The Franky Family... You must have a death wish to steal from pirates!!'' Nami was still fuming to herself as the Yagara was going at a very fast pace, ''I hope Usopp escaped safely...''

As Nami finally passing the Shopping District on some bridge, she noticed the crowd under the street of her. Nami's face was as white as a sheet as when she went there with as fast as she can.

''Usopp!!!!'' she made her way on the crowd and kneeled beside Usopp ''Usopp!!! Wake up!!'' Horror washed over Nami as she looked at him

Usopp was beaten up, and just lying on the street with blood covering all over him.

Nami was telling he was going to be okay, sounding more like she was telling this to herself, and she was yelling at the people with irritation that surrounded them as they were asking if they weren't pirates.

Seeing Usopp was breathing hard and trying to open his eyes, ''Usopp!! Did the Franky Family do this to you?!''

''Yes... I'm so useless...'' Usopp choked out, breathing hardly, ''The money... They took it... Nami...'' tears were flowing down from his eyes, mixing with the blood on his face, ''I'm... sorry, everyone,'' Usopp cried ''That money was for our ship,'' Nami startled as she listened to Usopp's cries, ''You all trusted me with the money... but I lost... I'm so useless...''

Usopp looked like he could lose his conciseness any moment, but he kept telling he was sorry and he was useless as his tears mixed with his blood,

''It will be fine, Usopp!'' Nami firmly said, her eyes were burning with anger for her friend who's crying in her arms, ''We will definitely get our money back!''

She looked over Usopp as she was thinking what to do, 'He is injured really badly... Better not move around too much..' she held up Usopp, trying to make sure he was listening, ''Usopp, wait here. I'll go back to the ship and get help. I'll bring Chopper to tend your wounds here. I think Franky's Base just ahead... We will definitely get them back!!'' she talked with resolution as Usopp's eyes were closing up, as if he was about to fell unconscious any given moment now.

''And don't worry about the money! We still have much!'' but as soon as she told this, she gasped in shock as she realized the people around them, so she took Usopp to a little bit more safe place. It was still not far, but at least people finally gave them some space, ''Can you hear me, Usopp?!'' Nami leaned Usopp's back on some wall, trying to make him stand still and not slide down ''Wait here! I'll be right back!''

Nami then ran off to the Yagara with anxious emotions. She didn't want to leave Usopp behind like this, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't carry him, and waiting was also meaningless as she couldn't tend his wounds.

She needed to get help.

'That money was for our ship. You all trust me with the money... but I lost... I'm so useless...'

Nami made a serious face as she rode the Yagara with so much speed that the people who saw her were yelling that her Yagara was gone berserk.

Be it repairing, rebuilding, or buying a new ship... They needed money. They could still handle the ship with their current money, but they still needed it if they want to survive in the sea beyond them...

'We will get that money back and made them pay!'

xxx

Meanwhile, on the Merry,

''You're serious?!'' Sanji asked with grim air around him, ''That's what the shipwright said? Merry is...''

''Even they can't repair it? Even if they are the best?'' Chopper also asked looking like he was about to cry, ''Why... Did it ended up like this...?''

''We already knew this would happen.'' Zoro stated, causing Chopper to frown with sad eyes and look down as Zoro went on with his blank face, ''I wonder what Luffy finally decided,'' they never talked about what they were going to do. ''Those three probably came up with a good answer at the shipyard already...''

''I still don't understand...'' Sanji suddenly said, ''She looks as good as always... Didn't it make it all the way here from East Blue with us? She even manifested a spirit...'' he trailed off,

''Yeah, but remember... The spirit only shows itself when the ship's life is ending. It may be a legend but legends born from truths.'' Zoro talked with his still blank look ''She is still a ship. A person gets stronger with wounds, but... for a ship, the wounds only stack up and weaken it more and more.''

''I just can't accept this...'' Sanji said as he looked around before he murmured to himself, ''I wonder what's Usopp thinking...'' Sanji and Luna saw Usopp crying and trying to talk with Merry numerous times while they were on their training. They were never interrupted and acted like they never saw it.

''But I like Merry very much!!'' Chopper said, looking hopeless

''Everyone does, that's how she was able to have a spirit, but there is no way to save it.'' Zoro bluntly said because someone had to. They shouldn't be delusional when they already knew for a while now.

''Now we learned that there is really no hope for the Merry...'' Sanji said as he looked ahead, waiting there, ''Luna and Robin are missing... This afternoon filled with trouble.'' He was tired, worried, uneasy...

After a short while later, they heard Nami's voice that was calling for them.

''Huh?'' Sanji blinked in confusion as he saw her, ''Why is she alone? Where are Luffy and Usopp?'' he asked, sounding more like to himself, ''Nami-swan!!! Did something happen?!''

And they all knew something bad happened when they saw Nami's paled, horror and anger mixed face.

xxx

Usopp was standing in front of the house that had big gold letters reading 'FRANKY HOUSE' in front and has large robot-like "arms" hanging off the sides.

He could hear how happy they were to steal their money as he was covered with his own blood, breathing hard.

It wasn't about money. Usopp knew they had enough money even this much had stolen. But he couldn't lay down there just like that. They had trusted him to guard the money, the money they would spend on their ship, and he couldn't even do that much. He always knew he wasn't as strong as they were, but that's why he couldn't just lay down there.

He wanted to take back money himself.

Usopp held up his slingshot, 'Ginga Pachinko,' and the moment the Frank Family was throwing money with laughs, one of their door blown up with an explosion.

''Whaa!!''

''What was that?!!''

They yelled out in shock as the ones who are close to the door blown away as many of them were crouching down and protecting themselves,

''Hm?'' a big man who's wearing a masked costume narrowed his eyes as he looked towards the spot that explosion happened

''Damn it!''

''Who's that?''

''Who dares to attack the Franky Family!?''

Men were yelling out with anger and irritation as they looked at the hole that was where their door was and saw a man standing there.

''Ah! You're that weakling!'' one of them, who remembered Usopp, said before he also added with a surprise, ''How did you manage to stand back up?!''

''...The money...'' Usopp's eyes were bloody as he ferociously glared at them, talking with his hoarse voice, ''Give it back!''

''Give the money back to you?'' the big, masked man asked with a surprise, ''So you are one of the Straw Hat's crew?''

''That's right, bro!!'' one of the men turned to him with a big smile, pointing out Usopp in a mocking manner, ''He's with the Straw Hat Luffy!! I thought he was strong but actually... Ahahahah!!'' he was laughing, can't even finish what he was going to say.

''He's a weak piece of crap!!'' another one continued for him as Usopp was running towards the money

''I can't give the money back to you'' The man with a mask casually said as he stepped aside with the case in his hand, ''Too slow!'' as Usopp fell on his face, missing the change to catch the case

''Give it back!! That money is important!! It's for our ship! You can't have it!!'' Usopp screamed out as blood was dripping out from his nose

''Calm down... Ahahahaha! So, your ship is quite important to you, eh?'' he laughed even though it didn't seem because of the mask that had a star on the forehead, ''But, no matter what happens to your ship, this money is ours now!!'' he declared with a laugh as Usopp was trying to get up,

''And sadly for you, we don't get prosecuted for robbing from pirates. I don't want to know where you got the dirty money. If you don't like it, go ahead and go to the marines! You'll just get arrested!! Too bad for Straw Hat Luffy!!! He has a worthless crew...'' he was sounding like he was pitying Luffy for having a weak crew, ''Who can't even keep money in his hands!!''

He held up the case that was money in it and suddenly hit Usopp on the head, causing him to fell down on his back before he could even get up, but what hurt Usopp was not the hit.

''Play with him if you like, guys...'' The masked man said as he walked away towards the door, ''I'm going shopping with this money. Ahahahaha, I can't wait...''

Just then, Usopp managed to sit up, ''Eat this! Certain death,'' as he held up his slingshot, ''Fire Star!'' fired a flame pellet directly targeted back of the masked man's head, but he was able to see it.

The masked man held up his fist and punched Usopp's attack. It had no effect on him as it was as if it hit the metal wall, shocking Usopp.

''Remember this, long nose freak, my name is Franky!'' Usopp could see his eyes through the mask that was glaring down at him, ''If you want to leave this city alive, don't agitate me.''

Usopp wanted to go after him, but he held down by several of man, pinned down as he was yelling at them to let him go while they were laughing at him, mocking with him, even with his weapon.

''Goodbye.'' Franky waved his hand as his back turned to them, ''Thanks for the two hundred million.'' before he got out and disappeared.

Usopp screamed after him, told him to wait, and give money the back with tears in his eyes. But the several of men that was holding him did not let him go. They were laughing, punching, and kicking him as Usopp was watching Franky left with the money he couldn't protect.

He gritted his teeth as his eyesight blurred out by tears, and he lastly screamed out,

''GIVE IT BACK!!''

His voice echoed before he shut down by the men surrounded him.

xxx

The girl, Knight, was put the snail in her cloak as Luna was also standing up now.

''You were the last person I had been expecting to see'' Luna coolly said as she blankly observed the masked girl

''I was searching for you from the moment you got disappeared.'' The girl responded, as her eyes were looking at Luna with a mix of happiness and hatred

''Really?'' Luna asked, but she didn't seem like she cared at all ''I don't have time for you. I have to go after the woman you guys kidnapped,''

''You think I would just let you go after what you caused me?'' The girl asked as she suddenly surrounded by a white light, causing Luna to narrow her eyes as it was too dazzling.

Her clothes disappeared as something white began to wrap around her body. It didn't take much longer. And when it finally ended, Luna stared at her with an unimpressed expression, but she was shocked inside. No, she wasn't sure the word of 'shock' would be enough to decipher her feelings.

The girl in front of her had a white armor that wrapped her body like a second skin, but Luna could understand that it would be too hard to do anything that armor even if it was looking light. It was covering all of her body, even her fingers, but her collar bones were open. She had a white, metal-looking skirt, consisting of bands protecting the hips and thighs, as it had eight bands. Her spaulders were also white, small, and thin dish-like plates that was directly covering the shoulders and shield the upper arms. She had a white cape coming down to her hips that had no mark on it. Her shoes were looking like a mix of sabatons and high top sneakers, and there were white wings on her shoes, each side had little white wings.

She also had a white helmet that was covering half of her face. It was coming down to her nose and ending there, leaving exposed her mouth as there were also small wings on its ear spots. Her eyes were more obvious now, helping Luna to see the hatred there more clearly. Her soft-looking light brown hair that was coming to her waist was free due to the helmet was covering all-around half of her head.

And lastly, the claymore, with a golden hilt and a pair of white wings acting as its guard, was hanging on her left side.

She was graceful.

Luna knew this devil fruit as she saw the news about the Goddess of War, but she didn't know it was her.

''It was you who told them that I made a deal with Dragon, don't you?'' Luna asked as she stared right into her eyes

''It is quite sad that he knocked me out before I could hear more'' as her hand moved to her claymore

''Where is Robin?'' Luna asked threateningly this time

''Who knows?'' She made a slight smile as she was looking too graceful for Luna's taste, ''I'm not a part of 9.''

Luna frown at this. ''Then what?'' as she had no idea what exactly this girl was doing until now

''You can not guess?'' she still had a smile, ''Let me present you a clue... It is the organization you hate the most.''

Luna looked at her with frozen eyes before they began to got darken ''Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.'' her voice had venom in it.

Luna truly hated them.

''You said you do not have time for me? Well, I also do not have time for you.'' her melodic voice had mock in it that one could miss easily, ''If you want to go after that 'Devil Child' guess you have to get past me first.''

Luna's hand also moved to hold her pitch-black katana.

xxx

Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper were on the place Nami told where Usopp was.

They were looking around for a while but couldn't find him yet. Just then, Chopper came up, showing the blood trails on the street.

''Did he go on his own?!'' Sanji asked as he bit down his cigarette with frustration

''...No way. He went there?'' Zoro grit his teeth as his face darkened

Just at that moment, they heard Luffy's screams, and before they could even find out where he was, Luffy suddenly fell from the sky, hit to the wall of the building beside them and then fell to the ground, after rolling down without stopping, he fell into the canal.

Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper were standing beside each other and watched what happened in silence. They didn't move for a while, as if trying to understand what just happened. They only come back to the world and move when Luffy called out for help while he was drowning.

After Sanji saved Luffy from drowning, Luffy was coughing and spouting up water. Sanji was kneeling beside him as Luffy was trying to breathe.

''What the hell were you thinking? Where did you jump down from?'' Sanji asked as he was trying to help Luffy to cough the water

''I tried to fly down... like the carpenter guy and... find Usopp'' Luffy talked as he was also trying to breathe before he suddenly remembered what was going on, ''Ah! That's right! Usopp disappeared!!'' he immediately got on his feet back, ''He kidnapped along with the money!''

''We know,'' Sanji seriously stated, ''Come on, we're going to their place right now. Usopp got beaten, and the money got stolen.''

Luffy eyes narrowed as his eyebrows knitted, ''Did he feel responsible and went to Franky's place alone?'' but his question left unanswered as there was no need for an answer.

x

After they walk for a couple of miles, they finally found Franky House. It was impossible to miss since it was large and colorful. But the four of them weren't looking at the house as they were all gathered around the person, who's lying on the ground and looking at him with unreadable expressions.

Usopp's body was all mangled and twisted. He was covered with bruises, cuts, and his face was dripping blood. There were several dust imprints of footprints covering all of his body, as if he had been stepped over, over and over again, and dried tears that were making tracks down his face.

''Is he still breathing, Chopper?'' Luffy calmly questioned but his voice was unfamiliar

Chopper was examining Usopp, turning over his body very gently so that he could see him ''He's alive. He's unconscious, but...'' he was sounding close to crying, ''Yes, he's breathing. I can still save him.''

After hearing Usopp is alive, Luffy's hand moved to his hat and lowered it down a little, shadowing his eyes. ''Wait here a little bit, Usopp.'' his voice was now sounded soft, not matching with his face.

Everyone seemed to prepare themselves for what they were going to do. Sanji lit up another cigarette. Zoro tied his bandana over his head, and one could almost see the steam coming out Chopper's nose. Luffy's face was blank, but he was emitting an aura that one could say that he was furious.

The four of them walked side by side, heading to the colorful house with dark, shadowed expressions.

''Let's send that stupid house flying with a kick.'' Luffy's voice also held no emotion, but it was still somehow radiating his deep anger.

xxx

''I will stay here and wait for Luna and Robin to come back. I will only be a burden if I go anyways...'' Nami was speaking to herself as she was wearing Luna's bullet hostler across her chest ''Plus, it's scary.''

She was on the deck, four cases, and a sack of gold was encircled with pistols on the floor. There was a bucket of swords on her left side that Zoro usually brought when he found them from the places they went. In her hand, she was holding Luna's 'Fun Gun,' She was already thrown away all of the party bullets and replaced them with the ones Luna and Usopp were working on for a while.

Looking at every direction with her guard up, ''I will protect the ship and the money. Please take care, everyone.''

Nami prayed for everyone to be fine as she never let her guard down while protecting the money and the ship.

xxx

Robin was making a deal with the people in the shadows to assassinate the man that everyone on the island they were in loved and respected. She didn't care to risk everything just for the sake of all of her friends to leave the island without any harm. Not knowing Luna was just ordered to be killed.

xxx

The four men of the Straw Hat Pirates walked towards the colorful house that people inside of it were partying. They stood out the front door for only a short minute as the door opened and a large man had appeared. His head was turned over his shoulder, and he seemed to be laughing at someone before he turned, ready to leave until he looked down and spotted all four of them.

Before he could even understand what's going on, Luffy stretched his arm out and took him out with a single punch, sending him flying back and breaking the door off its joints.

The party was over with the man fell right in the middle of the room with Luffy's punch.

xxx

Luna and the girl called Knight was looking at each other as if seizing the other, both gripping the hilt of their weapons. And as if they had in synch with each other, they unsheathed their swords and swung it as they launch forward. Just the clash of their swords was enough to make the little wooden shack to blown away, revealing the twenty man who's wearing something looked like a ghost costume.

Hatred and desperation.

The demon and the Goddess clashed as one had a hatred for the other, and the other had a desperation to find her friend before it's too late.