Chapter 4: Whiskey peak

The mysterious duo, Mr.9 and Mrs.Wednesday, asked the Straw Hat pirates to grant their small request. To go to their hometown on a little island called Whiskey Peak. Nami asked them why should they helped the duo since they did try to kill Laboon not a while ago. "who are you guys, really?" asked Usopp with a skeptical expression.

"I'm a King" said Mr.9.

"Liar" Nami pinch his cheek and Mr.9 groaned in pain.

"We can't tell you! We just want to go home! We promise to repay you!" they begged.

They can't tell the crew their real identity, but all they could say is that they're from a secret organization. Zoro asked (y/n) if they are from her organization. But she shakes her head and told everyone that she never those people.

"by the way, we broke the log pose you dropped. Do you still want to come with us?" Nami showed them the broken log pose. The duo got mad because they broke their log pose. But Nami was just playing with them and mentioned that Crocus will give them his log pose. Thus, the duo begged once more to bring them with the crew to go back home. In the end, Luffy lets them come along "are you sure about this, Luffy?" (y/n) asks.

"Yeah. It's fine" Luffy grinned, and (y/n) only followed his order.

The crew has prepared everything they need, including the log pose that has been given by Crocus. They said goodbye to the old man and the giant whale as they set off on their next journey. Crocus smiled to their departure "could that bunch be pirates we've been waiting for all this time? That boy has a strange air about him… eh, Roger?" he said.

On their voyage, the weather keeps changing randomly. It starts hot, windy, and then it's started snowing. Pure white snowy almost covering half of the ship deck. While half of the crew digging the snow out from the ship (included Mr.9 who also digging the snow), (y/n) wearing a thick coat to keep herself warm and watching over the ship and around them. Then she spotted Zoro sleeping soundly and half-covered in the snow 'does that man even bother the extreme weather?' she wondered and went inside to grab something.

(y/n) returned with a thick blanket and approached Zoro who still sleeping. She cleaned the snow away from him first and covered him with the blanket. When no one is watching, she secretly uses her light power and taps Zoro's forehead with one finger.

'there, my power should be able to warm him' she clapped her hands together and make sure Zoro was all warm and tugged.

"that damn marimo isn't worth to take care, (y/n)-tan" said Sanji and walked toward (y/n) with a shovel in his hand, it looks like he just digging the snow out earlier "instead of hanging with that guy, just spend your time with me! I'll made you a warm drink made of my love!!" he offered.

(y/n) chuckled "thank you for the kind offer, but I'm fine. What about you, Mr.Cook? Do you need help with the snow?"

"what, this? This snow is nothing! Look how fast I'm cleaning the snow!" Sanji started digging the snow quickly.

(y/n) was thinking that she could help too and it'll be much faster that way, but it seems she wasn't needed at the moment after looking at Sanji's enthusiasm "I see. Do your best, Mr. Cook" she cheered. Her cheers make Sanji more spirited after seeing (y/n)'s cheerful smile.

"Just leave it to me, (y/n)-tan!! Get out of my way--!!" he shoves energetically until Luffy and the people on the deck are almost thrown away.

When the weather is still snowing, everyone went inside to keep themselves warm. Luffy wrapped himself around (y/n) for warmth, and she didn't mind. But suddenly, thunder appeared from the sky and the snow stopped. They're having a little difficulty passing through the weather. From stormy sea to falling iceberg, to strong wind that keeps blowing them away. Everyone tried to keep the ship together in one piece.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the land covered in sand and under the hot sun, a big city where people could call it an oasis, there's a place in the middle of the city called Rain Dinners. A casino, restaurant, and resort become one, with golden. On the highest floor, there's a resort owner reside. Sitting at his office desk, doing his papers and smoke a cigar.

Then an odd giant bird and weasel wearing black glasses came through his window, the men turned to them and noticed the weasel I handing something to him. It was a picture of (y/n) in Twin Capes. The man stared at the picture for a while.

He pulls his cigar from his mouth and exhales the smoke "…who's this woman?" he asked with a deep voice.

The weasel writes (y/n)'s the full name on another paper "Labelle… D. (y/n)" he says her name once "I'm very looking forward to meeting you… my priceless Jewel" the man looks out at the window and stare at the bright blue sky from his window. Thinking that their fate will cross to each other.

Back to the Straw Hat pirates, it was night time and everyone has fallen asleep. The weather also finally calmed down a little, all that could be heard is raindrops. Even though it is still a little bit raining, someone is still outside and staring out at the sea. Not moving and emotionless "…(y/n)?" someone called from behind. (y/n) turned to see who's calling, it was Luffy approaching her. He asked her why is she doing under the rain.

(y/n) turned back to the dark sea and sky "…there's no stars…" she said.

Luffy blinked and looked up "of course there isn't. there are only rains" he looked back to (y/n) "do you want to start so badly?"

"not really, but--… I like to see bright star night"

"hmm" he stares at (y/n) for a moment "well, there won't be stars for tonight but there's always another night. C'mon, you'll catch a cold" Luffy pulled her inside the dining room.

Both of them are now pretty wet from the rain, (y/n) grab a hand towel and rubbed Luffy's hair so it'll dry. Luffy complains and telling her that he's not a kid anymore, but (y/n) keeps rubbing the towel. He told her that she needs to find a towel to dry herself too, but (y/n) said she's fine. Luffy don't believe that and put his towel over (y/n)'s head. He tried his best to dry her head "really, Luffy. I'm fine" (y/n) chuckled.

"shut up, I'm trying to dry you" he said while continuing rubbing the towel.

"but the towel is too damp now"

Luffy moved the towel away and now both of them are still wet and messy. They laugh together because of their ridiculous look now. (y/n) smiled at him and patted his head "you haven't changed, Luffy" she said.

"I've grown stronger, you know"

(y/n) nodded "I could tell. And in the future, there will be many obstacles ahead but you will keep getting stronger… and someday I might won't be there for you"

Luffy felt a little complicated when (y/n) says the last part, does it mean that she will disappear again. He doesn't want that. After all these years, he was finally able to meet her again. Both of them start chatting about their lives and where they doing.

Then someone entered the dining room "I thought it was Luffy trying to steal food again, I guess I'm right. And I can't believe that you brought (y/n) with you" said Nami. It appears when Luffy is out from his room to find food, he spotted (y/n). at first, he tried to make her compromise with him, but… it sorta go with his plan in the end. Except, he failed to steal the food from the storage. Nami scolds him and told everyone to back to their room. Luffy hurried back and (y/n) goes back to their room together.

The next day, the weather is finally calmed down and the sky is bright blue. Everyone went outside to feel the fresh sea breeze passing through their skin and warm sunlight touches their face the first thing they stepped outside the door. Zoro who just woke up from his slumber start stretched his arms out and yawned. He noticed the blanket on top of him 'I don't remember using this blanket…?' he thought. When he finally gets up and greets the crew, it looks like he fell asleep through the extreme weather. He spotted the mysterious duo laying on the floor "what are you two doing here?" he asked casually.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!!" shouted Mr.9, it looks like both of them were very tired to help the crew pass through the storm.

"we're sailing to their town" Luffy said to Zoro.

"you're not taking them home, aren't you? We don't owe them anything"

"no, we sure don't"

Zoro crouched in front of the duo, he's inspecting Mr. 9 and Ms. Wednesday. "that's right, they've been stuck in my head. Seems like I've heard them somewhere before… or maybe not? Whatever—"

Suddenly somebody hit his head very hard. He turned to see Nami glaring down at him "how could you sleep through everything?! We've tried to waking you, but you wouldn't wake up!!" she scolds him and hits him some more. And then she walks away.

Zoro groaned in pain where Nami hits him on the head "damn, how should I know—" when he recalled it, he was having a pleasant sleep. It feels like he's dreaming something warm and comfortable like he doesn't want to wake up from a very pleasing dream. But he did remember dreaming about a woman.

'…I wonder who's that in my dream…' he thought as he tried recalling his dream.

"Mr. Swordsman is a heavy-sleeper, huh?" said a familiar voice.

Zoro turned to see (y/n) standing behind him "yeah, you've got a problem with that?"

"no" (y/n) she shakes her head "your sleeping face reminds me of someone"

"huh? Who?"

"hmmm" (y/n) turned her back to him "it's a secret" she give a mysterious smile and leave.

Zoro tilted his head in confusion and watch her walk away "what a weird guy" he said and folds the blanket.

Then Sanji approached him "oi, Marimo" he called.

"you should at least thanked her" Sanji says with some tray of food in both of his arms.

"why would I do that?"

"that blanket—" Sanji pointed at the blanket "it's (y/n)'s" he said.

Zoro stares at the blanket, he was pretty surprised. Even Sanji told him about (y/n) did something to keep his body warm through the extreme weather. After telling Zoro everything, Sanji went back to share the food with everyone.

Zoro still look at the blanket for a moment, and then he turned to (y/n)'s direction. He watches her talking with everyone while eating meals made by Sanji. Zoro wonders why would she taking care of him, though he gave a bad impression to her. He did hate marines, any pirate would hate them, but she… 'she's not a marine…' Zoro thought as he went somewhere first with the blanket. After that, he joined eating with everyone.

Nami warned everyone to stay on guard because they're almost reaching their destination, Whiskey Peak. From distance, Whiskey Peak looked like an island covered in cactus but there's a village life there as well. Then the mysterious duo thanked the crew for sending them home, but they started to jump off from the ship and swim away before they could place their ship in the harbor. The crew thought the duo was really weird but they decided to ignore them and keep went ahead.

When they entered the island, they pass through a river. The rest of the crew was excited to see their first island in Grand Line. Once they entered, they were greeted by the townsfolk with a festive welcome. The crew was confused because why would anyone greets pirates so happily. Yuna looked around the townsfolk and gives displeasing look. "what's wrong, Yuna?" ask Usopp.

"…no, please continue"

"??" Usopp tilted his head and wondered what's on her mind, he thought maybe Yuna is not comfortable with the crowd of people.

After the crew finally stepped their foot on Whiskey Peak, the town's mayor named Igarappoi greeted them himself. He even invited them to have a feast with them. But when Nami asked him about the log pose, he quickly brush it off and pushed her and the others into the building. Everyone starts partying inside and having fun. They eat lots of food, drinks lots of alcohol, and having lots of fun.

Meanwhile, Yuna manage to sneak out from the party and went to the rooftop. She looks around to make sure no one is following her nor watching her. Yuna spread her wings and fly toward the mountain area. She looks closely at what could be up there.

Turns out, it wasn't real spikes that makes the mountain looked like a cactus. It was cross for the graveyard, and there's hundreds of them spreading over the ground. Yuna looked around the graveyard "as I thought, these people are no good"

Then she heard something from the town, it looks like a ramble has started "oh Dear, it looks like I almost missed the fun" she smiled and fly back toward the loud noises that came from.

Yuna spotted Zoro running away from the townsfolk on the rooftop, it looks like they wanted to kill him. A muscular woman finally caught Zoro's with her bare hand and smashed him on the solid ground until it cracked. Yuna dispel her wings as she landed right in front of Zoro. The muscular woman was surprised by Yuna's sudden appearance "w-who the hell are you?!" she asked while keeping Zoro down.

Yuna leaned down a little "Oh My, it looks like you are in trouble, Mr. Swordsman" she chuckled and leaning closer "…are you dying?" her smile went wider.

All of the sudden, Zoro gets up and grabs the muscular woman's head in one quick swift with one hand. He grabs her head so hard that the woman turned pale and fainted. Zoro turned to Yuna with a bleeding head "I don't get you" he said, "you were taking care of me before, and now you enjoy watching me dying?"

"that's unfortunate, you were not dying?" Yuna gives a disappointed look "then I'm guessing that Mr. Cook has told you?"

"you're a weird one, but yeah… thanks for the blanket"

Unfortunately, the battle is not quite finished. Both of them noticed that they were still being surrounded by the townsfolks that trying to kill them. Zoro grinned "shall we keep going Baroque Works?"

It looks like the enemies are underestimating them. Zoro and Yuna easily defeating the small enemy and they not even moving an inch. Zoro is using the back of his swords and Yuna just uses a cross-shaped light dagger in one hit. And then Mrs. Wednesday appeared with her giant duck "all right! Show them the powers that put a panther to shame!" she shouted and ordered her duck instruction. But instead, the duck starts to sit on the spot "hey! Who told you to sit?!" she scolds and smacked the duck on the head.

Zoro stares at them "what the heck is that?" he sweat-dropped.

"oh my, what a cute duck" Yuna smiled while keep stabbing her enemies.

Out of nowhere, Mr. 9 appeared with dual metal bats in his hands "hot-blood-bats of guts!!!" he aimed at Zoro.

"no" Yuna said and casually kicked Mr. 9 in the face as he threw away across the rooftop and fell.

Now it's Mrs. Wednesday turn to attack, she start posing and make both of them stare at her spiral pattern on her shirt. "enchanting-vertigo dance!!" she tried to make both of them dizzy with her technique. Zoro started feeling dizzy while Yuna only stares at her with a confused look. When Mrs. Wednesday that they lowered their defense, she uses her chance to attack them "and now for the finale—all right, Karoo! Peacock Slasher!!" she's aiming at both of them.

But the duck went to the other side and Mrs. Wednesday miss her aim. Karoo the duck, runs too fast as they went off the building and fall as well "it's embarrassing to fight these guys…" Zoro groaned in annoyance.

"hey, Mr. Swordsman. If the girl died maybe we could take the duck away" Yuna suggested.

"that's what you after?!!" Zoro shocked.