Chapter 452: The Talk

Ben woke up the next day. He thought the party went crazy overnight. There was singing, dancing, and games being played. He thought it was good for everyone to let their hair down and relax. Ben thought we should have more parties. He looked over to see Kaya, Mikita, Honey, Nojiko, Vivi, Marianne, Zala, Saphir, Conis, Raki, Maya and Robin all sleeping on his bed. He smiled, thinking they all looked very happy. He felt like a king between all the beauties. 

Ben slowly got out of bed, letting them all sleep for longer in bed. He saw fresh clothes on the table. He walked over and grabbed the clothes and tip toed out of the room. 

He walked to the Shower Room. He saw there was no one there. He thought he had not seen Alvida or Kalifa. He wondered where they were. HQ and NT seem to stay near the Miss Love Duck at all times or something related to it. He entered the shower. Ben had a shower. He let warm water go over his skin. It felt nice after the long battles and the party. He turned off the shower and wore his clothes. Ben then exited the shower.

He heard footsteps and saw something running down the corridor. It looked like she had a hammer in her hand and was wearing a sailor coat. She turned the corner. Ben smiled. She was shy. "When you are ready," Ben said. 

He walked up to the Dining Room and saw Alvida and Kalifa drinking coffee. "Morning Ladies," Ben said.

"Morning my love," Alvida said.

"Sexual harassment," Kalifa said as she touched her glasses. 

Ben smiled. "Good to see you as well, we missed you last night,," Ben remarked. 

"I thought it was not appropriate for me to be better. I also wanted to keep low here," Kalifa replied. 

"I don't think it was. Luffy and the crew would have welcomed you can Iceburg and Paulie were not around," Ben said. He added, "But I will never force you to do anything you are not comfortable with." 

Kalifa nodded. "Sexual harassment," Kalifa responded. 

"That does sound like my love," Alvida teased. 

Ben sighed and smiled. "Everyone seems to be sleeping in," Ben remarked. 

"They were partying late last night," Alvida replied. She leaned onto Ben. "They could not get away from you," she added as she winked at Ben. 

"They do have a schedule to follow," Kalifa responded. 

"Schedule for training?" Ben asked. 

"Yes Captain," Kalifa replied. 

"Well, I think for today let them lie in and maybe have them go shopping to buy things for themselves," Ben tated. 

"That is a good idea my love, we can wear more things for you," Alvida said. 

"I will make a note of that," Kalifa said. 

Ben thought he was not going to win this argument. He smiled. "I do want them to get some furniture and personal items as well. The rooms feel a bit generic and the same. I know they have their own preferences," Ben added.

"Visiting your crewmates crew my love, what were you doing in there?" she teased.

"I will also make a note of that," Kalifa added. 

Ben stretched his arms. He thought he had missed the Going Merry passing away. An important moment, however he was not going to miss the next important scene. Ben knows Garp is coming in a few days, he will leave before that. He did not want to mess around with him. 

"Alvida, Kalifa, I am going to see Luffy and the crew," Ben said. 

"I can come as well my love," Alvida said. 

"I will stay here and let everyone know," Kalifa reported. 

"Okay, feel free to walk around as well," Ben said as he got up. Alvida got up as well and grabbed Ben`s arm. 

"Let's go, my love," Alvida said. Ben and Alvida walked to the cabin where they were staying. All the time, Alvida had made sure to stay as close as possible to Ben. Ben smiled. He thought it had been a little while since they had walked together somewhere. 

They arrived at the cabin and saw it was open. Ben looked inside and saw the Strawhats. "What Usopp wants to come back?" Then let's get him right now," Luffy shouted as he waved his hand. 

"Yeah," Chopper shouted. Porche smiled and drank her tea. 

"He was practising his speech to come back," Sanji said. He thought back to Usopp on his knees practising. 

Luffy turned around and saw Ben and Alvida. "Ben, we are going to get Usopp back," Luffy said. Nami had a smile on her face. 

"The beautiful Alvida is here," Sanji said. 

"So you are going to bring Usopp back?" Alvida said. Her tone and facial expression changed. 

"Hold it guys," Zoro shouted. His voice sounded angry. 

"My love, we should come back later," Alvida said. 

Zoro looked at Alvida who had the same serious tone. "I won't allow any of you guys to go get him," Zoro stated. "Whatever you do, don't assume a subservient attitude towards him, Luffy," Zoro added. He had crossed his arms. 

"I am not going to accept him until he apologies," Zoro stated. "No matter what feelings were involved in Luffy and Usopp argument or no matter who the right one is," Zoro added as he took his sword out. "Once two men decide a duel, the outcome of the duel decides the argument," he added as he walked towards Luffy. 

Ben and Alvida watched in silence. 

"He lost and walked away from us," Zoro said. Zoro then banged Luffy's head with his sword. "Now listen, you guys. He might be an idiot, but he is still our Captain," he added. Zoro then grabbed Luffy`s cheek. "If Usopp can't treat him with respect when things are critical, we are better off not having him," Zoro said. 

His voice deepened. "If a Captain stops commanding respect, his gang will fail apart without fail," Zoro stated.

Zoro grabbed his cheek. "Listen, I don't care if you want to act happy-go-lucky, but if you, the man who is above me, ever shows weakness, next time the one who is leaving the crew is me," Zoro said as he let go of Luffy. Luffy fell backwards towards Ben. 

"It's good that the idiot now wants to come back," Zoro said. He paused and said, "But, if he tried to fudge on the issue without taking any responsibility. I won't accept that no matter what," Zoro stated. "If that happens, we will leave him on this island," Zoro said.

"Hold on Zoro. It's true his actions were not appropriate but we can talk this out," Nami tried to say. 

Zoro took his sword out and planted it on the ground. "Is leaving the gang such a trivial matter?" Zoro asked. 

"No but," Nami tried to say. 

"There is no way we can trust a man who would do such a thing on impulse. It comes down to this. If the first words coming from Usopp are a sincere apology then we are good," Zoro stated.

Chopper was sweating. Porsche stayed silent. "Otherwise there is no place for him to come back," Zoro said. "We are not little kids playing pirates," Zoro stated. 

Luffy stayed silent. "But," Nami said. Porche but a hand on her shoulder. 

"Nami-swan he is right," Sanji said. 

"Okay, let's stay here until the ship is built," Luffy said. "Franky and Ice-pops should finish it in the next few days," Luffy added. Luffy looked at Ben and Alvida. "Sorry, I guess we are going to be here," Luffy said. 

"We are friends and allies, Luffy. I understand. We might leave a little earlier," Ben said. "I think everyone will be fine in the end," Ben said. 

Ben and Alvida left. "He was right. I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting you my love," Alvida stated. 

Ben smiled and kissed her forehead. "You are cute when you are serious," Ben said. Alvida smiled and kissed his cheek. 

"I can also play that my love," she said back.