Chapter 26: Being a Captain isn't All Sunshine and Roses; sometimes it's Dark Days and Bitter Thorns

Luffy faces his first difficult choice as a Captain

On a Marine Ship, somewhere in Paradise:

Captain Smoker frowned as he checked the supplies list, and compared it to the bill from when they last resupplied the ship.

"Someone's takin' more than their fair share," his grizzled cook griped, pointing at the list. "Way more."

"What exactly has been taken?" Smoker asked.

"Meat, and lots of it."

Stealing was certainly frowned upon – especially when it was from a communal resource that all of them used and needed.

Smoker decided the only thing he could do was interrogate the crew. He'd need help, so that meant he'd ask Tashigi.

"Oi, Tashigi." He knocked on her door, and heard something inside her cabin.

He tilted his head, trying to listen. She was scrambling? Had she lost her glasses? There was a crash and a yelp of pain. Rolling his eyes, Smoker could just imagine her rolling around on the floor holding a stubbed toe or maybe her shin.

"You have ten seconds to get decent and then I'm coming in."

There was more fumbling, and exactly ten seconds later Smoker opened the door. Tashigi started shouting a protest but quickly silenced herself as she grinned at him shakily. Her room was in disarray. Odd, since she was usually so organized.

Slowly, Smoker took in the sight of the room; strewn books; a sword maintenance kit; a very realistic stuffed lion toy on her bed; pictures of her with her family and one with her cousin on the bedside table; numerous pillows that were more for decoration than sleeping; a throw rug on the floor, a –

Smoker's eyes went back to the lion.

It blinked at him.

He blinked back.

"Tashigi. What is a lion doing in your cabin?"

"…" Tashigi looked exceptionally guilty. Very much like the child that brought home a puppy when they were told they couldn't have pets. Except, this was an adult – a Marine woman with a lion on a ship.

Tashigi looked teary-eyed.

"They were going to kill him." Tashigi hugged the lion's head and it purred loudly as it nuzzled against her. All that could be seen of her was her legs. Tashigi's voice continued, "I just couldn't let it happen…he's an innocent lion!"

Smoker groaned. "That's Beast Tamer's lion, isn't it," which wasn't a question.

"Richie may have belonged to a Pirate, but he didn't do anything!" Tashigi argued from behind the lion's head.

"He's attacked people."

"Only on Beast Tamer's orders! He hasn't attacked anyone on this ship, and he's really smart – there's no way such a beautiful creature deserved to die for something so petty!"

Smoker pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. Tashigi shifted so that she could see him; and was looking at him with pleading eyes, along with the damn lion.

"We have to stop and resupply." Smoker finally said. "The cost of feeding that thing is coming out of your pay – and if it attacks the men or anyone – it's becoming a floor rug. Got it?"

"Thank you, Smoker-san!"

When Tashigi revealed her newest pet to the rest of the crew, all of them cooed, oohed, and ahhed over the lion. It didn't take very long for the crew to tie some Marine-blue material as a scarf around Richie's neck and put a Marine's cap on his head. One of the ladies had some bobby pins to help keep it in place.

"We have a mascot, now!" one of the men joyfully announced.

Smoker grumbled under his breath about the absurdity of it all.

Richie thought that this was the life, reveling under all the attention bestowed upon him.

In a prison cell back in Logue Town, Mohji was for once in his life, thankful to a Marine, bitter as it was. At least, Richie was going to be fine.

0000

With the Straw Hat crew:

Now that they had one more crewmember, that meant clearing out a space for Chopper. They chose a drawer of the dresser that was closest to the floor to make it easier for Chopper to reach. As Naruto was cleaning the drawer out, he found various knickknacks that he and his brothers had collected over the years during their travels.

Naruto nearly got distracted from all the cool things he was finding. Even Chopper was looking over some of the older items with interest.

Old clothes the brothers never really had gotten around to getting rid of; mixed with various scrolls that either contained items or Jutsu.

"What's this?" Pudding asked, pulling out an older scroll that had been stuffed in the back of the bottom dresser drawer, which was a bit crushed and clearly forgotten about.

Naruto took a look at it before saying, "Oh, hey! It's the instructions on summoning Toads!"

"You can summon Toads?" Usopp asked excitedly. "So cool!"

"Yep! And we can use them for messaging people too, 'ttebayou."

"Ohh!" Luffy shared the excitement. "Can you show us?"

"Why haven't we been doing that?" Sanji asked. "That would be so useful."

Rubbing the back of his head, Naruto chuckled uncomfortably. "Oh. Um. Well. I kinda…" Naruto mumbled quickly, "I kinda, sorta, might have…um, forgot…to train how to summon them, 'ttebayou…"

"You forgot?!" the crew echoed.

"Yeah! Ha, heh…how about that, huh?" Naruto quickly went back to clearing out the drawer, not even attempting to come up with an excuse. He'd genuinely forgotten about the scroll; and with all the traveling he and his brothers had done over the past few years the scroll had been packed away. "Look at all this stuff we still gotta clean!"

"Oi, cactus-head." Sanji poked Zoro's leg with his foot.

When Zoro blearily peeked up at him with one eye, Sanji demanded. "Why the hell is the shitty brat just remembering now he can summon shitty Toads?"

"Oh, that." Zoro yawned lazily. "I forgot. Anyway, the Toad Sage is the one who gave the Contract to him, so it was his job to remember."

None of that meant anything to him. Sanji scoffed, and asked Gaara the same question.

Gaara just shrugged. "I figured Naruto would just summon them when he absolutely needed them. Besides, he has to lose his fingers to summon them, so he has a limit of ten." An absentminded thought was spoken aloud: "Maybe he could resort to his toes?"

"Really?!" Chopper tearfully asked, wide-eyed with worry.

"No I don't!" Naruto protested, sticking his head out the cabin window. "Stop telling them weird things, 'ttebayou!"

Gaara stuck his tongue out at Naruto, looking pleased.

00000

Zoro was relieved that he could start getting back into relative normalcy, being able to train again. Chopper though, still wanted him to be careful just in case.

Gaara was more than happy to finally strip down to his regular clothes and be free of his shoes once the weather permitted it.

Pudding started training to increase her endurance and chakra. She wanted to be able to have Seals on her arms to hide weapons, just in case. Plus there were times that Zoro wanted to spar – who was Pudding to deny him that chance? Bonus: he took off his shirt to train. The scars and the muscles made her giddy.

Plus: the sweat, the closed distance, feeling his breath wash over her as he loomed above her where she was completely vulnerable! Pudding squealed to herself and blushed.

There was no use of Jutsu, and no serious injuries. They both agreed that a small cut would be fine. Though, Sanji and Chopper both had reasons of their own for protesting this.

Chopper actually had to talk them down from doing anything that may have required stitches – and really, did the two have to act so disappointed for not being able to make each other bleed?! Once the two reluctantly agreed, Chopper went to grind some herbs in frustration.

Sanji threatened bodily harm to Zoro if he hurt Pudding.

Zoro rolled his eyes, and Pudding giggled.

It was simply Zoro's swords and Pudding's knives.

Zoro had brute strength, while Pudding had flexibility.

They both had speed, and Zoro found himself having to dodge her strikes more than once. She would block with a knife in one hand, and continue blocking with sparks flying from the opposing blades as she charged forward; a second knife ready to stab.

Zoro smirked as he pulled away, clearly enjoying this. He refused to hold back against Pudding when it came to sparing with blades, counting on her to block and strike and hold her own. It was mildly disappointing he did have to hold back to keep from accidently wrecking parts of their ship.

Annoyingly, Sanji would simultaneously threaten Zoro and cheer for Pudding all in one breath every chance he got.

Also annoyingly; at various times, when Pudding closed in – she would make flirtatious comments under her breath and managed to get under Zoro's skin with them. She'd noticed his obliviousness most of the time. Such a wonderful skill she had for this!

Saying things like, "The taste of victory is sweet; but the taste of you is far sweeter,"

She also used euphemisms about swords – and made absolutely sure that Zoro completely understood what she was saying by being as straightforward as possible. Zoro got so thrown by her completely random and outlandish comments she was able to come very close to a "killing" blow more than once. In his frustration, he would hit even harder – and she would make some sort of noise in response.

"None of that is appropriate!" A horribly blushing Usopp yelled from the sidelines, and he pulled their youngest two crewmembers away from such indecency.

Since Zoro wouldn't attack her from behind, she'd get the advantage by turning her back to him and saying something about being defenseless.

She was very satisfied with him getting flustered and annoyed more than once during their spar.

00000

Initially, Naruto had wanted to start training to use his kusarigama at the same time. He sort of had a method of holding onto the handles and spinning – though, his movements were limited while on Merry. He imagined ways he could spin; utilizing his Wind Chakra and Demon Blade Techniques.

He at least practiced what he could with limited space. Finally, he got around to the thing he really needed to be practicing.

With the entire crew observing with different levels of curiosity, Naruto bit his finger and Summoned a Toad. It was a flopping tadpole the size of his fist.

Even so, the crew cheered in their amazement.

"You actually did it!" Usopp was very impressed.

"So cool…" Luffy stared at the tadpole.

Naruto didn't feel too bad for failing in his first attempt.

Going over the instructions again carefully, Naruto tried again. This time, it was a genuine Toad! It was a tiny thing, not that much bigger than the Tadpole.

"I did it!"

"Wow…" the Toad sighed in a squeaky voice, before glancing around curiously. "Such strange people…"

"He's so cute!" Pudding exclaimed, causing the tiny Toad to blush.

"And he talks, too!" Chopper said happily.

"You aren't a Summon," the tiny Toad observed.

"I'm Toni-Toni Chopper, a Human-Reindeer and a Doctor. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Gama-Aoi." Gama-Aoi turned his attention to Naruto. "I need payment now, because you Summoned me."

"Huh? Payment?" Naruto echoed eloquently.

Nami had the look of someone who was curious and annoyed, with a hint of worry. Did the Toad want money? If so, how much?

"What do I owe you?" Naruto asked.

"I want something shiny!" Gama-aoi announced cheerfully.

"Here, you can have this shiny button." Usopp offered, and the Toad happily accepted before disappearing in a poof of smoke.

Naruto tried again, and this time, he got a much larger Toad. This one was near Chopper's size.

Yaogama demanded payment in sweets, and Pudding happily offered some of her apple-butter caramel candies. The expression on the Toad's face from trying the sweets was one of euphoria.

Next, was another Toad that was near the same size as Yaogama. This one glanced around and questioned, "We're outside of the Barrier? Interesting."

Rokugama introduced himself, and the crew introduced themselves as well. His payment was something spicy – and Sanji offered up a few spicy meatballs.

Rokugama had a small taste, and then grabbed Naruto's arms. "Please Summon me again, soon!"

Rokugama disappeared.

Another Toad, Yogama, wanted something salty. She was introduced to the crew, and thought that meeting a princess was genuinely fascinating.

Origama wanted a single gold coin, and Nami tearfully parted with it.

"Hey, can we use you to send a message?" Naruto asked.

Origama shook his head. "I'm still too young for that! You need to summon the older Toads."

"Too young…? Okay."

That was disappointing.

There were a few repeat Summons, and this gave the Toads and the crew chances to talk. The Toads wanted payment upon every return; especially if it involved food. They were elated to be able to take something back with them when they left.

It seemed that all the Toads that he'd summoned were all too young to have responsibilities like carrying a message. Apparently, it had to do with how much endurance the Toads themselves had when traveling to meet the receiver.

"So we're just paying you to show up for a few mintes, 'ttebayou?" Naruto griped, sounding very much like Nami just then.

The Toad didn't deny it.

Naruto felt mentally drained, but he pressed on.

Umagama wanted something sweet and salty.

Sanji gave the Toad a few samples of sweet and salty foods, and that was good enough.

"…Maybe you should only practice that on land." Zoro suggested after a few more rounds of repeat Toad Summons. "Some of those Toads can be bigger than the ship, remember. I don't think we wanna crush our ship with an oversized Toad."

Naruto agreed. "At least I can summon, now…I can't wait to summon something really big like the old man, 'ttebayou."

0000

It was starting to get boring. There were only so many rounds of "I spy" a person could go through before they ran out of things to see. Between all of them, chores were finished within hours.

Sanji then figured he'd work in the galley, planning and preparing future meals for the crew. He'd kicked Luffy out for trying to sample the various ingredients.

"Sanji's so mean," Luffy complained, but his crewmembers were equally coldhearted.

Various responses consisted of, 'then you shouldn't have been eating when you weren't supposed to' and 'well, the kitchen's Sanji and Pudding's space, isn't it?'

Luffy then decided that he would fish for his food, so he could have a snack.

"Why're you fishing?" Naruto asked.

"Because I'm hungry, and Sanji kicked me out." Luffy logically explained. "So I'm getting my own food."

"Oh…okay." Naruto frowned at this. "Are you going to cook it yourself, 'ttebayou?"

Because he'd seen Luffy's complete lack of cooking skills all the way back in Orange Town.

"No, I'll have either Sanji or Pudding do it."

Naruto's frown deepened. Luffy's reasoning was a bit…lacking? But it also somehow made sense?

Chopper sat on the railing next to Luffy and swung his legs over the side. "But I thought that Sanji kicked you out."

"If I get my own food, then I can eat." Luffy explained, clearly his reasoning was perfectly logical.

"I guess." Usopp replied, not really thinking too hard about Luffy's logic.

He grabbed a fishing pole as well, simply because he was also bored. He'd already made several sketches of ideas for weapons; whittled a few wooden figurines; messed around a bit more with his own weapons and traps; played a few card games with the others, and then…that was it, really.

He'd run out of things to keep himself occupied.

So now, here he was holding a fishing pole.

If they caught anything, they could probably preserve it. Dried fish was always a nice snack.

He groaned when he pulled up sea weed for what felt like the fiftieth time in three hours.

"It's still useful," Naruto said as he laid it out on the deck to dry.

Karoo happily ate some of the dry seaweed and quacked satisfactorily.

They almost would have caught some sort of sea-cat, but Vivi yelled something about the cats being like deities and she slapped Naruto, Luffy, and Usopp.

Naruto complained that he hadn't even done anything.

Luffy complained that Vivi was mean.

Usopp complained that Vivi hit too hard.

Vivi simply replied that they shouldn't just eat the random creatures they came across.

0000

"Oh! I got something big!" Luffy excitedly declared, as he was nearly yanked overboard. Usopp was quick to latch onto the fishing rod and help Luffy.

Finally! Luffy could already taste the fish that Sanji would prepare – and Pudding would certainly be making a dessert out of it!

Instead of a fish, though; they got a man.

"You saved me!" the waterlogged man coughed. He was dressed very eccentrically. After coughing up what had to be a gallon or more of seawater, the man spoke in a sing-song voice. "My life was saved by Pirates I don't even know~!"

He sounded far too chipper for a guy who'd just been a few watery breaths short of drowning.

The man winked at Vivi who was observing him curiously from the deck above. "Hello, cutie~!"

Vivi grimaced, mildly creeped out. But she was a princess so she plastered on a smile and waved politely.

The crew introduced themselves, and the man introduced himself as Bon Clay.

"What were you doing out here, Bon-sweetie?" Pudding asked, handing him a towel.

"My ship unfortunately hit a weather spot and I fell overboard," he explained, wiping his hair and face before replacing his strange headwear. His makeup wasn't even smudged. "Thankfully, my swans also function as a floating device for situations such as these. But since I'm a hammer, I couldn't do much."

"You poor thing, I'll be right back." Pudding said, and quickly went off to the galley.

"I guess you always have to prepare for the worst." Nami commented. This Bon Clay guy was an example to follow.

"You ate a Devil Fruit, huh?" Luffy inquired sympathetically.

"I did, I did," the eccentric man nodded.

"Which one?" Usopp asked.

"It's very special one!" Bon Clay happily answered with an air of mystery and dramatically waved his hands.

"You look exhausted, here," Pudding now handed him a warm drink and a platter of various sweets. "This should help."

Bon Clay began to cry, because he was cold and starving, and yet this girl; this beautiful girl showed such kindness! He took one sip and began to cry even more about how kind and generous Pudding was. He also raved about the sweets.

"Oh, I'm not very kind," Pudding denied with a small smile.

"Oh, but you are!" Bon Clay then stood up. "Since you've rescued me and shown me such kindness, I'll put on a show just for you! My ship will circle back around eventually to pick me up, they know where I am."

Luffy was closest to him, and Bon Clay drew back a hand and slapped Luffy hard enough that he was slammed into a wall of the ship. Fortunately, he didn't break through it.

"Hey!"

"Luffy!"

The crew was ready to attack, when…

"Wait, wait, wait~!"A second Luffy now stood before them, "Ta-da! I said I was putting on a show!"

Zoro balked. That was uncanny. He had a bad feeling creep into his gut.

"It's me!" Luffy gasped in amazement.

"Surprised you~!" the fake Luffy cried out, echoing the phrase like an annoying parrot as he wiggled in a strange dance. "When I touch myself with my left hand, see, back to normal~! This is the ability I gained from eating the Mane-Mane Fruit!"

"Everything about him…" Usopp was in awe. "His voice, down to even his physique are the same!"

He even had the most recent small scars Luffy had acquired that hadn't quite faded yet.

Being well aware of what a person imitating another could do, Zoro tried to warn the others. He was cut off, though.

"I'm next!" a blushing Pudding stepped up, though she pouted when Bon Clay merely touched her face with a brush of his hand. She huffed and scowled, crossing her arms. Why couldn't that guy slap her?

The guy also moved deceptively fast. Bon Clay proceeded to touch Nami, Naruto, Chopper, and Usopp's faces, spinning and humming a bouncy tune.

"Don't touch me." Gaara glared up at Bon Clay, who wisely didn't push his luck. He just uneasily laughed in response.

Zoro had absolutely no desire to have another him running around, so he also glared and flicked Wado; making a satisfying *shink* sound that made Bon Clay wary.

Not wanting to risk losing a hand, he avoided the Swordsman. Plus those silver eyes were damn creepy!

"Zoro, don't threaten him!" Luffy whined.

Zoro just raised his brow at Luffy.

"Get ready for a fantastic show~!" Bon Clay said with a sing-song voice, and then began to shift through all the faces of the crew quite rapidly.

"Over here, gather 'round, folks!" Bon Clay called out like an announcer at a much larger venue, "If I touch my face with my right hand, I can imitate anyone," His face landed on Pudding's, "just like this! Even the body! Observe carefully!"

With quite the dramatic flair, the fake Pudding proceeded to flash the crew. The boys all averted their eyes rapidly, blush evident on their faces.

"Oh, no, how humiliating!" Pudding cried, putting a hand to her blushing cheek. She made no attempt at reprimanding Bon Clay.

This made up for not slapping her.

"Knock it off!" Nami was the one to deliver a fierce punch to the fake Pudding's head.

"Ouch…"

"Show a little shame!" Nami demanded of Pudding.

"I was forced to expose everything." Pudding was way too happy. "I looked so good, though. I'm glad I have nothing to worry about."

Nami scoffed.

"Hey, are you okay?" Luffy asked Bon Clay, who had a very visible bump on his head.

"I'm fine," Bon Clay groaned, not really sounding fine at all. "Well, I shouldn't show you anymore of my ability then…"

"Do some more!" Luffy pleaded, and Usopp echoed. "Please!"

"A transforming ability is amazing!" Chopper praised.

"But you're so cool! Do my face again, 'ttebayou!"

"Please, please, please!" the small group pleaded.

Naruto went so far as to give Bon Clay the look that more often than not, made even Zoro give in. Bon Clay didn't stand a chance.

Bon Clay blushed, his ego far too easily stroked with their comments. They were so happy about it! His performer heart couldn't deny them.

"Ah, really? I guess I have no choice, then!" Bon Clay said, as if he'd been worn down from their asking. "I'll show you my memory ability!"

Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and Naruto cheered.

"He's going along with them," Nami complained.

"I don't like this." Zoro said, openly glaring. "I don't trust that guy."

Glancing at Zoro, who looked particularly grumpier than his usual self, Nami frowned. "He doesn't seem that threatening."

Considering the guy cried about Pudding being nice to him and was currently laughing and dancing with the crew…

"That's what worries me." Zoro said. "You seriously think that a guy who acts like a likable idiot who can get along with people he just met…" he paused. "Luffy doesn't count – and can imitate anyone he touches – isn't a threat?"

"Well…when you put it like that…" Nami shifted so that she could sit beside Zoro.

"Sensei told me that the people who pose the biggest threat are those who don't seem to pose any threat at all." Zoro held Wado in a near-white knuckled grip.

Maybe Zoro was just overthinking it, or at least Nami hoped he was. It was comforting yet made her uneasy in equal parts that Zoro would be so suspicious of someone. This Bon Clay guy was strange, but he seemed so…harmless.

Bon Clay continued dancing and changing faces; and the others clapped and cheered.

"Oh, there's my ship!" Bon Clay called out nearly ten minutes later. He began waving his arms, "I'm here, I'm here~!"

Bon Clay jumped up and landed elegantly on the railing next to Nami. In a very dramatic tone, he said, "So. My time has come to depart. How tragic."

The four he had been dancing around with began to cry and beg Bon Clay not to leave.

Even Luffy called out a wistful, "I wish he'd join my crew…"

"Don't be sad. Journeys and partings go hand-in-hand." Bon Clay turned to look over his shoulder at them. He turned to give them a fabulous thumbs-up. "But, remember this: to true friendship, how long you've known each other means nothing!"

"Such wise words, 'ttebayou!" Naruto sobbed.

"Bon-sweetie," Pudding smiled as she handed him a small bag of treats. "To share some love with your crew."

Bon Clay took the gift appreciatively. He smiled warmly. "I'm sure we'll enjoy every bite. Thank you."

"Oh, fahbu-lous~!" a voice called out from the other ship as it pulled up next to theirs. "Bon-Bon, I'm so glad to see you're okay!"

"White-chan!" Bon Clay greeted with equal enthusiasm.

A person dressed in an eye-blinding outfit from how sparkly and electric blue it was stood by the railing on the opposite ship. They had a massive feathery collar and feathery headdress-crown thing covered in beads that clicked together whenever they moved. They were either a very beautiful man or a very handsome woman.

They raised their hands up, and speaking in a lilting, theatrical voice, "Thank you, dah-ling Pirates for helping my fahbu-lous partner! You're far too kind!"

"Of course!" Luffy smiled. "We didn't mind at all. It was fun!"

Just about every member of the other crew wore some sort of eccentric and colorful outfit. All of those people felt genuinely happy and friendly; their emotions tickled Luffy's Mystery Power in a gentle way.

"Don't cry for me!" Bon Clay called out as he jumped elegantly across and landed on his ship on a pointed toe, pirouetting across the deck.

"Farewell, dah-ling Pirates!" the sparkly, feather-covered one called out, waving their hand like elegant royalty.

The crew waved goodbye to their new friend, tearfully.

00000

It was after Bon Clay and his crew were gone that Vivi dropped a bombshell on them:

"That was Mr. 2! And his partner, Mr. White Day!"

"WHAT!"

"I've heard that Mr. 2 wears swans on his shoulders, and that Mr. White Day wears extremely eye-catching outfits with feathers."

"That would have been good to know earlier!" Nami admonished, but she sighed heavily. There wasn't anything they could do but prepare with the knowledge that they had. "That guy now has our faces."

"Not everyone's, thankfully." Vivi said, only somewhat relieved. "Anyway, one of the faces that he shifted into was that of my father!" She was horrified at the thought. "What could they possibly want my father's face for?!"

"There's a lot a person could do if they have the King's face..." Sanji commented.

Zoro really didn't feel like gloating and saying that he was right. But maybe he did, just a little.

"None of you should have let him touch your face the moment you realized what he could do." Zoro berated them, but he just sighed and shook his head. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done. We need a plan now for what we're going to do when we cross paths with that guy again."

Zoro tried to think of a plan. It took him a few minutes.

"This is what we'll do – have a fake identifier with the real mark hidden underneath."

"Who knew you could have good ideas, Moss-ball?"

Zoro rolled his eyes. "Better than any you've ever had."

Sanji flicked his cigarette at Zoro; and Zoro managed to land a kick on Sanji's shin. The two nearly went into an inelegant brawl, but were cut off by Nami.

"If they know our faces, we don't have to worry." Naruto reassured them. He henged into his red-haired female counterpart (fully clothed). "Call me Kushi-chan!"

Naruto of course, modeled this look after his mother. He still had the whiskers, but with this – there was no way Baroque Agents could recognize him now.

They could hide much easier this way.

Naruto shifted back, then said, "I thought that those Baroque people had boy and girl partners…so…why does Mr. 2's partner go by Mister?"

"Because it's clearly a guy pretending to be a girl." Gaara replied, "Haku does the same thing. Their enemies are easier to kill that way."

"No way! A guy could never be that pretty! That has to mean she's a woman!"

"Mr. is literally in his name."

"Why would any guy want to dress like that?"

The two boys started arguing about whether Mr. White Day was a woman or man.

"Why is this such a big deal?" Zoro asked, pulling his brothers apart. (The irony) "Who cares? What matters is that they're an enemy. We have more important things to discuss, anyway."

Nami was happy that Zoro wanted to plan, but she knew from experience not to get her hopes up.

Upon her request, Usopp made a new weapon for Nami.

"Gaara and Naruto helped a bit too," Usopp explained, "We put some kuroseki and stuff into the staff."

He also handed Nami some written instructions on how to use her new weapon. Usopp thought of everything! Nami was glad to have something of an ally in the Sniper who at least prepared for things like this.

00000

They arrived at the town of Nanohana near mid-morning of the next day. It was a beautiful town built with stone structures. The buildings were various colors of off-whites, grays, and shades of brown. There were a few buildings that had likely fallen into disrepair, but that didn't take anything away from the town.

Gaara wiggled his toes in the sand, having a distant feeling of nostalgia for a faraway desert and a village – with his uncle. He wondered if Yashamaru would have liked this place.

"We should get clothing that's more suited for desert travel," Vivi suggested, bringing everyone's attention to her. "It'd also be better if we blended in, too."

"Yay, shopping!" Pudding and Nami both cheered.

"We should get sunblock, too." Chopper suggested.

"I wouldn't mind a little sunburn," Pudding happily said. "That means getting pampered…"

"I'll help apply the sunblock to your backs!" Sanji volunteered. He also took Pudding's hand in his. "If you get sunburned, I'll take care of you, Sweets-chan."

"Oh, Sanji-dear…"

Zoro scoffed at them.

Naruto, as Kushi, ran ahead. "This place is so cool, 'ttebayou!"

"Let's stick together!" Nami tried to remind everyone, though she knew it was pretty useless even trying.

"I'm hungry," Luffy lamented, as if he hadn't eaten the hearty breakfast his trusty cooks had made that morning. Luffy began looking around for a restaurant when he noticed something as they passed the town square. "Huh? Hey, guys! Come look at this!"

"Luffy, please don't randomly wander off!" Vivi gently chided, worried about what could happen if they split up without a plan.

The crew followed after Luffy, and they stopped at a fountain – that was a statue of Ichibi. It was chipped in places, but it was obviously well-cared for.

"I knew it!" Luffy said. "It looks just like the little statue Gaara made."

Gaara was flattered.

Ichibi didn't know whether or not he should be insulted that Luffy could recognize him from the swollen cow-like blob of a figurine Gaara had made of him.

Everyone else stared at the statue and wondered how the heck Luffy could even make such an observation.

"Yeah, I can see it." Zoro nodded. Sure, Gaara's carving may be a loose interpretation but it was there.

"That's how you look, huh, Kaku?" Usopp grinned.

"He's a tanuki!" Chopper exclaimed, eyes sparkling.

"He looks so cool." Luffy said.

"He's so cute!" Pudding said. "I wish I could pet his little ears."

Ichibi maybe was very thrilled at being praised. The crew could stand to do it more, he wouldn't mind. He felt…almost familiar with this place. Like echoes of distant voices from a time long past.

Vivi tossed a coin into the fountain and whispered a prayer for safe travels and the rescue of her country.

Luffy took a whiff of something delicious, and being reminded of his hunger, he ran off.

"Luffy, remember to meet us back at the ship in an hour!" Nami called after him. Luffy at least turned briefly and waved before he ran into a nearby restaurant.

"At least we know where he is," Naruto said, thankful they wouldn't have to hunt Luffy down.

They formed various groups for certain tasks; supplies, clothing, and food.

Of course, maybe it was some twisted amalgamation of their combined luck that Captain Smoker – all the way from Logue Town – of all people, had tracked them down here.

00000

Luffy came charging towards the others, yelling something about Marines.

"Stop right there, Straw Hats!" Smoker ordered, as his men backed him up.

Pudding's eyes widened when she saw Smoker. "I can't believe he came all this way and actually found us again! This must be some kind of weird fate!"

"He's a stalker." Gaara added.

Smoker temporarily balked at being called a stalker. Annoyed at being called such, for he was just doing his job of upholding Justice, Smoker billowed out towards the Pirates; his men backing him up. Only, they were stopped by massive flames.

To everyone's shock Fire Fist Ace appeared, with a cocky grin on his face and flames in his hand. His casual confidence at facing so many opponents made the Marines slightly uneasy.

"Oi, oi…" Ace drawled, "What're you trying to do to my little brother?"

"Brother?" a few people around them echoed.

"Wow, Ace!" Luffy beamed. "Your flames got even better!"

"Of course, what'd you expect, Luffy?" Ace laughed. "I hope you've improved!"

"You bet! Hey! Let's spar."

"Of course!"

Tired of being ignored, Smoker charged.

But Fire Fist easily intercepted them while the Straw HatPirates escaped – and Ace was gone himself in a swirl of flames.

This was not good…Smoker frowned. One Pirate was already on the rise to infamy – and was a threat, somehow. But he was also the younger brother to Fire Fist of the White Beard was not good at all.

00000

The crew made it back to their ship, where Ace was introduced to Luffy's crew with much enthusiasm and bragging. Luffy's comments made his crewmembers blush.

Naruto revealed his true self before turning back to his Kushi persona.

"You already have a pretty impressive crew, Luffy!" Ace praised, and Luffy grinned proudly. This made the crew blush even more.

Ace then looked at Zoro for a moment and said, "Hey, you look really familiar…huh…" he then snapped his fingers as he remembered, "You have silver eyes! Are you related to Cherry Comet Cheren Susie? She mentioned she had a fairly large family."

Zoro shook his head. "No, I was an orphan."

"Huh…" Ace shrugged. "Ah, well."

Zoro actually reminded Ace a bit of Touma, given that they both had those odd silver eyes – and Susie had never even heard of Touma – they all had to be some sort of distant relatives somehow.

"What kind of Devil Fruit do you have?" Usopp asked.

"Huh?" Ace frowned a little. "I didn't eat a Devil Fruit."

"What, seriously?!" Nami stared at him wide-eyed.

"That's so cool, 'ttebayou…"

"How could a power like that not be a Devil Fruit?" Usopp demanded. There was no way for someone to have fire powers naturally!

Was there?

"I just could never eat something like that," Ace responded in an off-handed way.

"Your family is insane," Nami told Luffy very factually, and Luffy smiled proudly and didn't disagree.

Luffy happily told Ace about what they were doing in Alabasta – the short and sweet version that pretty much was all over the place. Ace was able to put enough of the details together to understand what Luffy was saying. That sounded pretty intense, and of course his brother would have the sort of luck to get pulled into some sort of Warlord's conspiracy to take over a country.

Ace was on a personal mission but couldn't stay for very long. But he of course spent some more time with Luffy, and they held a few arm-wrestling matches for old time's sake.

Before he left, Ace handed Luffy a small square piece of paper. "Here we go, this is for whenever you want to find me."

Ace grinned, "So, just to be sure – you really don't wanna serve under the Old Man, do you? This is my final offer."

"I don't wanna serve under anyone." Luffy half-complained. "I'm gonna be the Pirate King."

"Alright then," Ace said, adjusting his hat. He sent a challenging smirk to Luffy. "I intend to make the Old Man Pirate King, so I won't hold back when we meet at the top."

"I'll hold you to that." Luffy replied very seriously, looking every bit like the Captain he was.

There was shouting a fair distance away – and they looked to see several Baroque Works ships.

Vivi nearly panicked.

Ace waved at the crew. "I'll take care of these guys, no worries. Good luck."

As the Straw Hats sailed away, Ace easily destroyed the ships as he left. There was little the crews could do. Their target was far too small; and could easily move between ships. Wood, sails, and oil lamps were basically fuel for fire to spread even if people weren't caught in the explosions. Even being surrounded by water wasn't enough to save the ships.

Those that did manage to strike Ace found that their weapons only went right through him – and he had no injuries.

"Seriously, how is a power like that not a Devil Fruit?" Usopp muttered.

"I dunno, really." Luffy hummed. "He just got really angry one time and set on fire, and he could do it ever since."

"Just…how?" Chopper now asked. "How could someone set themselves on fire like that?"

Luffy frowned. "He was protecting someone."

From his darkened expression, Luffy didn't seem like he was too inclined to share any more details.

"I've never heard of anyone being able to do that naturally." Chopper said, looking curious.

"Touma said something about people having powers like that on some island on the Grand Line." Luffy shrugged.

"Whoa…" both Usopp and Chopper were certainly curious about it.

"A-anyway," Vivi spoke up, "we should warn my father. Karoo can send a message."

Karoo quacked.

They set him up with some water.

"Make sure you conserve it, okay?" Vivi reminded, as she scratched Karoo's head.

"Here are some snacks for energy." Pudding put them in Karoo's carry pouch. "Be careful out there."

Karoo quacked appreciatively.

Gaara gave Karoo's neck a goodbye scratch, and Karoo trilled.

He quickly ran off, already drinking his water.

"Conserve your water!" Vivi reminded a bit more harshly, her worry was blatantly obvious.

0000

They then sailed to the west side of the Sandora River. After making sure they had everything they needed for their journey, Naruto made sure Merry was protected with several Seals just in case.

Luffy and Gaara both were fascinated by the Kung-Fu Dugongs.

Within minutes, Luffy pretty much had a small army after beating them.

"Naruto, Gaara!" Luffy commanded, "Both of you take a group of Dugongs and show 'em what you've got!"

The crew all sighed in mild exasperation as the boys went along with Luffy's ridiculous command in showing the Dugongs fighting moves.

Zoro didn't say anything, other than telling his brothers to correct their stances on certain things.

"I can't believe he's just going along with them." Nami muttered, because she'd sort of hoped that Zoro would have been an ally in getting the others to pay attention and keep to their strict schedule.

Unable to help himself any longer, Gaara began rubbing the cheeks of various Dugongs – who all stopped their lessons for a quick break to get pampered. Upon seeing this, the other Dugongs wanted to get pampered as well.

With a loud, collective sigh the rest of crew had to spend some time massaging the Dugong's cheeks before they could leave.

When they were finally, finally finished with the last Dugong, Nami reminded certain members of the crew not to get mixed up in any more crazy shenanigans.

0000

Gaara loved the desert, and it reminded him of his old home in various ways. He slowly began collecting bits of rock and handfuls of sand to add to his gourd and armor.

They soon came upon a destroyed town. The buildings were cracked and falling apart; everything was simply left to the elements. The broken branches of what had to have been formerly full, green trees stuck up out of the sand.

Vivi looked sad upon seeing it. "This is – was Erumalu. The Green City. I use to come here all the time as a little girl." She pointed to the top of a building. "That was Taph Cathedral. Once a month, my father and I would visit to offer prayers…"

She told the crew about the songs people would sing, how people would travel and trade.

Vivi pointed to a few more landmarks, telling the crew what they used to be. How the use of Dance Powder in a neighboring town made Erumalu dry up.

"That's horrible…" Nami said, because she understood enough of the science behind the Dance Powder; and the environmental damage that it had upon the country. It would probably take several years for the air to heal – or maybe the damage was irreversible. The excessive use of Dance Powder probably even accelerated the natural process of an island sinking into the sea.

Vivi didn't need any more on her plate, so Nami remained silent.

There was a section of particularly large trees.

"These were fruit trees, all of them were so good."

The conversation made Pudding's mouth water, and she nearly cried at the idea of fruit trees of that size dying – all the food that went to waste and she missed out on eating it. Of course, she was further saddened at the idea of people who had more than likely relied on the food in the desert – only to have it cruelly ripped out of their hands.

Shukaku felt…anger and sadness – a wistful feeling that he once visited this place, and it'd been so green and filled with life. Someone offered him a basket filled with fruit – he had sat right there on that rock, it was perfect as a stool for him – the taste was juicy and sweet – but it was gone. The rock that he'd often made his seat was nearly buried to the top in the sand.

His memories of Erumalu were…it hurt in a way he didn't like thinking about. Like it never should have happened, not for hundreds and hundreds of more years – why did he feel guilty, somehow? What could he have done, if anything?

Erumalu was soon left behind them.

00000

Luffy got himself into the middle of a wrestling match for the supplies he was carrying with some Warusagi Birds.

But with a few threatening slashes from Zoro and Naruto that merely clipped feathers; and few shots of sand from Gaara, the birds wisely backed off. They complained loudly from a distance – and those – the feather-brained bastards – pooped as they flew overhead.

Fortunately, no-one was hit. There would have been no easy way to bathe, and any water they had was strictly for drinking.

They stopped to relax and eat small meal. And when they weren't paying attention, Zoro up and wandered off. Luffy wanted to go look for him – but that idea was shot down because they didn't want to have to look for Luffy too.

Nearly an hour later, Zoro returned to camp with a camel.

"Saved this dumbass from getting eaten by a lizard," Zoro explained, and didn't offer anything more beyond that.

Sanji thought that it was troublesome with Zoro making them wait.

"You seriously need a leash, shitty-dumbass cactus." Sanji muttered.

Zoro purposefully muttered an insult under his breath to irritate Sanji – making him loudly demand, "What did you say?!"

"I wouldn't mind a leash." Pudding commented, interrupting Sanji's complaints.

Sanji coughed. "I would never do something like that to you…"

"It'd be fun, though."

"Why would you want to wear a leash?" Chopper innocently asked.

"There are children present." Usopp reminded the maybe-couple.

Meanwhile, both Naruto and Gaara were complaining to Zoro about leaving, and Gaara was seriously considering carrying Zoro with his sand.

"Oi, I don't need to be carried."

Nami and Vivi ignored the escalating and frankly childish arguments going on around them to check on the camel. Vivi got Chopper's attention so he could talk to the camel, and also to keep him from asking questions about why some people would want to wear leashes.

Chopper and the camel had a brief discussion, in which Chopper learned that their newest companion's name was Matsuge.

Matsuge rumbled, offering to carry the ladies – only the ladies. Vivi, Nami, Pudding, were thrilled at not having to walk. Naruto, still disguised as Kushi, lorded his foxy-victorious grin over the others from his spot on Matsuge.

"It's so unfair that Naruto can get away with that." Usopp complained.

"I'm the one who saved the stupid beast." Zoro also complained.

Matsuge scoffed and spit. Zoro glared furiously as spit dripped from his headwear. "I'll cut you in half!"

The damn camel was laughing at him!

"Oi, grumpy cactus," Sanji drawled. "I know you enjoy finally being able to speak to a creature of equal intelligence but we really need to get going."

"You calling me an idiot, damn cook?"

Sanji smirked a bit gleefully. "I didn't say that."

They continued walking, but now Sanji and Zoro were glaring at each other and throwing out insults as they went.

"Just watching them argue is making me tired…" Usopp said as he trudged along.

0000

At Spiders Café…

Crocodile was not happy. The Officer Agents all sat surrounded by a heavy tension, waiting.

The Mr. 3 and Mr. 5 pairs were gone, and no-one had seen or heard anything from them. The check-in date had come and gone with no word. The only hint they had to go on was someone named Mr. Prince had something to do with it.

At first, Crocodile had thought that Mr. 3 had betrayed them – it was his Den-Den Mushi that Crocodile had been in contact with. But there had been nothing. None of the other Agents in Baroque Works had seen or heard anything. The Mr. 5 pair had been sent to meet up with Mr. 3 at Little Garden, and that was where everything had stopped.

There was no way a Weather Spot had taken both pairs out. Crocodile was clearly irritated that he couldn't put his finger on what had happened to them.

"What about the Princess?" Crocodile said to Miss All Sunday, his voice leaked irritation. His tone almost seemed accusing; as if he'd react very negatively to being told bad news. "Do you even know where she is? Or do we have to wonder about that, too?"

"She's with a group of Pirates," Miss All Sunday replied with practiced ease. "They intended to make their way here."

The Otter of the Unlucky pair raised a paw, holding up a sign. 'We ran into the Pirates she's with.'

They spread out a few sketched portraits.

Crocodile's eye visibly twitched.

"Is this a joke?"

Crocodile's irritation and anger rolled off of him in waves.

The Unluckies looked at him, confused and a little afraid.

He gripped a portrait in his hand, wrinkling the paper, and held it up. "This guy is dead." He balled the portrait up and threw the offending paper ball at the Unluckies. It bounced off of Mr. 13's head. Crocodile wasn't exactly shouting, but he was near it. "The next one is currently leading the Billions, this one is Miss Valentine's Day, and this one…who the hell is this?!"

Crocodile held up the final portrait.

Mr. 2 then stood up. "That girl! I know her! I…did I run into them?" Mr. 2's eyes widened in realization. "I ran into them!"

"Confirm with Mr. 2 that those are the Pirates," Crocodile said to Miss All Sunday and the Unluckies.

The Unluckies seemed to be extremely confused upon seeing the Pirates as Bon Clay shifted into them; while Miss All Sunday easily confirmed who the Pirates were.

After shifting into the Pirates he'd come into contact with, he finally transformed into Pudding.

Mr. 2 stopped, confused. When he'd transformed into the girl before, he hadn't noticed it – shifting through the various faces so fast. He'd also been distracted because he'd been putting on a show. Slowly, he pushed the bangs back to reveal a third eye.

Crocodile was on his feet so fast, he knocked his chair to the floor. He was staring wide-eyed at Mr. 2.

"They have a Third-Eye Tribe member on their crew?!" His reaction made everyone stare. Miss All Sunday's jaw dropped – she regained control within seconds – thankfully, no-one noticed her control slip.

"I want that girl captured alive." Crocodile said, orders absolute. "And no harm to her third eye, no injuries at all."

"Why's the fahbu-lous girl so important, Croco-chan?" Mr. White Day asked tentatively.

"Because she'll help us in founding our Utopia."

They got what pictures they could of the crew to have them distributed throughout their group.

Crocodile smiled. This was just one step closer to his ultimate goal.

The Officer Agents smiled along with him. They wanted their promised Utopia.

Mr. 2 felt a bit conflicted, even as he smiled.

Miss All Sunday didn't know what to do.

0000

It was the near evening when the crew reached a town called Yuba Oasis where an old man was working. It had been Vivi's hope that they'd meet the rebels there, because it was their base of operations. But they were already gone. They had just missed the rebels by a day or so.

It took Vivi a moment to recognize the old man, but when she did, "Toto-san!"

He was pretty much an uncle to her. She gripped him in a tight hug. Vivi honestly missed his usual plumpness – because this – she could feel the thinness of his frame. He looked so exhausted and worn; just like the surrounding buildings.

Vivi introduced the crew to him, telling Toto that they would be helping. She wished she could tell him that there were two Biju right here next to him. But it was such a complicated thing, and not even she fully understood their unique situation.

Toto did stare at Vivi curiously, she seemed so filled with hope and referred to the Pirates with an odd reverence.

Vivi began to explain that she and Koza, Toto's son, used to play together.

Sanji and Pudding prepared a meal for them, and Toto was extremely grateful to have such a full meal. Pudding and Sanji prepared a few future meals for him, since Toto was by himself. He shouldn't have to worry about such things when he was working so hard. He described having to work so many hours a day to keep ahead of the frequent sand storms. They would have a deep well and a prosperous Green City once again!

Toto gripped Vivi's hand in his own, promising her that it would be okay.

Vivi smiled sadly, feeling the thick calluses on his hand – and wished Koza were here. He should be here, helping Toto – not – not leading a rebellion against her father. If only she could talk to him!

"What's this?" Usopp asked, picking up a worn children's book out from a nearby table.

"Oh, that?" Toto smiled sadly. "That the story of how our beautiful country was founded. You know the tale of the great Ichibi, don't you?"

The Pirates all looked at him strangely. Perhaps they did know it, and thought that he was a bit strange for believing that the Biju were more than mere stories.

"I used to read that book to Koza every night when he was little," Toto looked at the old book wistfully. "Of course, he would always deny enjoying it – would never ask directly to read it. He'd just so happen to leave it on his nightstand…"

There had been a night so many years ago, before he'd turned so callous to the world, when Toto read that book to Koza.

He sat with a young Koza, who looked up at Toto after they finished reading the book for the umpteenth time.

"The Ichibi is so cool! I wish I could see him…he's like…he's as big as a mountain! No…the sky!"

Toto laughed. "He really seems like it, doesn't he?"

With all childish innocence, Koza asked, "Where are the Biju? How come they don't come around anymore?"

Toto wasn't sure what to tell him. He didn't want to ruin the boy's fantasies – to disappoint him by not having an answer.

"I…don't really know." Toto admitted. "I imagine the Biju are quite busy."

"With what, though?" Koza asked, in that insistent-childish way. He'd likely keep asking until he finally received an answer that satisfied his curiosity. "They saved Alabasta and all those other countries, right? But…but there are places now that are always in trouble…I've heard people talk about them."

Koza looked up at Toto, as if his father held all the answers to ever exist. "Why don't the Biju help them anymore, dad?"

"Hmm." Toto thought for a moment. "Perhaps they want us to deal with certain problems on our own, because they know we can handle it." Toto reached forward, and ran his fingers through Koza's hair. "But you want to know a secret? I believe that the Biju will come again, especially when we need their help the most."

"Really?" Koza looked at his book. "I still kinda want to see them – but – if they show up, that must mean we're in really big trouble, huh…" Looking thoughtful he added, "So maybe I shouldn't want to see them too much."

Koza's pouting expression housed all of his childish disappointment.

Toto laughed heartily at Koza's logic and his pouting. "Yes, let's hope we never reach that point!"

Toto wished the crew a good night, as he had an early start tomorrow.

Toto had been up early in the day to dig for just one small canteen of water – which he gave to Luffy.

They wished Toto good luck and goodbye, with Vivi promising to visit again. It was a promise she hoped she could keep.

00000

As they walked, Vivi was trying to think of a plan – one that could stop Koza from making an irreversible mistake.

"I…I think we should we head back to Nanohana." Vivi announced, and everyone stopped to look at her in surprise. "Gaara-sama and Naruto-sama could talk to Koza." She sounded desperate and hopeful. "You could reveal the Biju to him, and then maybe he'll listen and won't go forward with his plans of revolt."

"But it's already been a few days." Usopp pointed out. "We might not make it in time."

"I know you're worried for your lover, Vivi-chan," Pudding said, making Vivi splutter and blush about her and Koza being more like siblings, "We can't head back or split up easily. Our supplies are already limited as it is."

"Vivi," Zoro was very blunt. "What makes you think that this Koza guy will even listen to the brats? It won't matter that you're vouching for them."

"Surprisingly, I agree with the shitty cactus," Sanji said, puffing out a stream of smoke. "He's fighting against your father, he'll just think it's a trap or something."

"But we're friends!" Vivi argued. "He'll have to listen. Koza will listen! If we go back, I'll be able to-!"

"NO!" Luffy interrupted, and plopped down. "Don't wanna. I wanna fight Crocodile!"

Vivi clenched her fists. "You just want to fight?! These are my people! I don't want to lose anyone!"

"I don't wanna go back to Namohima!" Luffy argued right back, rising to his feet. "It's a waste of time! I'd rather fight Crocodile!"

"Is fighting all you care about?!" Vivi demanded.

"It's better to go after Crocodile, otherwise he'll just keep causing trouble while we're out here and he's not!" Luffy's logic was surprisingly sound.

Frustrated and angry, Vivi slapped Luffy, hard. And then continued hitting him. It was a sad sight as Vivi began taking out all of her anger and stress on Luffy.

"I can't lose anyone! My people are fighting a senseless war, and they have no idea they're being manipulated! Why can't you understand that I need to stop them?! I don't want anyone to die!"

Luffy grabbed Vivi's wrist, and held on.

"You're being unrealistic," Luffy was unexpectedly serious. Wow…seeing Luffy like this was… Before the crew could react, Luffy slapped Vivi hard enough that she fell to the ground. They all gaped at him. (Pudding tried not to be jealous.)

"There is a good chance that people will die, and there's no stopping it, you idiot!" Luffy stood tall. "So let me kick Crocodile's ass so you can focus on saving your country!"

There was certainly a more diplomatic way Luffy could have said what he needed to, but he'd gotten his point across.

0000

They had a plan, or at least something of a plan, as makeshift as it was. Rainbase was where Crocodile lived, and Luffy could fight him there.

Any innocent people would quickly leave, while the rest of the crew took on the Baroque Works members.

Upon reaching Rainbase, it turned out to be very developed. There was so much life there. It was a party town, which was exciting. Luffy felt the thrill of the people around him.

"Oh, look at that!" Luffy pointed, but he didn't get a chance to run off and check out the awesome thing that had caught his interest.

Nami gripped Luffy's cheek. "Stay focused, please! We have to check if Crocodile is even here – and if he's not, we'll destroy his base of operations, steal the treasure, find Vivi's dad, and save the country."

"I feel like you added a little something extra to that list." Usopp said.

"I'll help you get your treasure, Nami." Gaara volunteered.

"I knew I could count on you, Gaara-kun!" Nami ruffled his hair.

"Luffy-sweetie, Usopp-sweetie, and Naruto-sweetie just left." Pudding jovially announced with a bounce in her step. "It's okay, though. They just went to that restaurant."

00000

Of all the luck for Luffy to have, he, Usopp and Naruto-as-Kushi crossed paths with Smoker and Tashigi – and a lion.

"What are they doing here?!" Usopp practically yelled.

"Marine!" Luffy yelled upon seeing Smoker.

Mostly panicking in his shock, Naruto threw a smoke-bomb as they ran; Smoker easily burst through the haze – and Kyuubi yelled insults in the back of Naruto's mind that he should have remembered smoke-bombs obviously wouldn't have worked.

"Stop right there!" Smoker demanded, chasing after them. And when the hell did they manage to gain yet another crewmember in such a short amount of time?!

"Let's go, Richie!" Tashigi commanded as she mounted the lion. Tashigi kept her eyes peeled for Zoro. He had to be here, somewhere! Richie roared as he charged forward with his rider.

"Why does she have a lion?!" Usopp wailed. He didn't want to get eaten!

This of course, got the attention of all the Baroque Works Agents in the town who began to chase after the strange entourage.

The remaining crewmembers heard the commotion and looked, wondering what was going on.

"It looks dangerous…" Pudding said, not really being able to see just yet who was being chased. "I wonder if they're vastly outnumbered…" she paused in her building fantasy to ask, "Isn't that the smoke Marine and the others?"

"Oh, no…" Nami was about to make them hide when –

"GUYS! GUYS!" Luffy's voice called out to them, dragging them into the chaos. Irritated at the fact they now had no choice but to join in and run, Nami swore that she'd pay Luffy back for this somehow!

Everyone else cursed Luffy – he felt a shiver ripple up his spine from the irritation of his crewmembers – and they all rapidly split into various pairs to escape.

Tashigi targeted Zoro in particular. Except he up and disappeared yet again, almost as if he were a ghost. Why would he run away like that?! The nerve! Tashigi cursed him for many things; not fighting her properly; not taking her seriously; and most of all, for keeping Wado Ichimonji.

She'd get her cousin's beloved sword back, one way or another.

0000

"Quick, into the casino!" Pudding shouted. "Marines can't enter places owned by Warlords!"

Nami, Luffy, Usopp, and Naruto were right behind her. Smoker didn't care for such rules and continued chasing the Straw Hats.

Luffy pointed at a sign as they were running, "Hey, that's us!"

Sure enough, there was a VIP sign welcoming the Straw Hats, with arrows pointing down a hallway. Luffy followed the directions without question. This meant the others had to as well.

They were led to a dead end. Where were they supposed to go?

"Got you!" Smoker yelled, charging at Luffy.

"Hey!" Luffy dodged, and Smoker's jitte struck through the floor – which opened up beneath them. Not wanting to fall, everyone instinctively grabbed onto the most likely person to get them out of falling. That person was unfortunately Smoker – via Luffy – who had wrapped his arms several times around Smoker. Everyone else grabbed onto Luffy.

Smoker didn't have a chance to accommodate all of the sudden extra weight.

The trapdoor slammed shut overhead, effectively trapping them.

00000

It turned out to be a prison. Underneath the casino, with an aquarium and an office.

Smoker was really the only one who thought that it was rather strange, and questioned everything. Why was a solitary cell here of all places? It just seemed impractical, even if it was a place reserved for those caught trying to cheat the casino. It was simply a very odd layout.

"This VIP room sucks, I wanted food." Luffy complained. He slammed his fist on one of the bars only to have his energy drain out of him.

"Oh, no!" Nami panicked. "We have to get out of here!"

"I wonder if I could cut my way out." Naruto said, holding up his weapon.

"You'd probably risk cutting us too…" Usopp glumly pointed out. "This cell is far too small for one of your attacks."

Naruto then began trying to kick the bars. But they wouldn't even budge. He began trying various Jutsu, except he was barely even making a crack or dent. The floor around them felt thick and strangely off. He tried flowing chakra into the bars, but it still wouldn't respond.

It felt sort of like water…? But it was also stone and metal…? Naruto was good a flushing chakra into solid surfaces, but he'd never felt something like this before.

"Let us out, 'ttebayou!" Naruto started chanting and slapping the bars.

"We're in a prison…" Pudding was blushing happily as she muttered. "No chance of escape…"

Smoker looked on with a rapidly growing headache.

"Quiet, all of you!" he commanded, bringing their attention to him.

"Say Smoker, you could let us out." Luffy said.

"I can't. That stuff's kuroseki. The entire cell has elements of it mixed in. It's a Devil Fruit user's weakness."

"Oh. Let us out!" Luffy touched the bars again and collapsed.

Smoker took a deep breath, trying to quell his annoyance.

"Hey…why are you here?" Pudding asked, leaning towards Smoker. Since they were trapped here, they might as well have a friendly conversation. Before he had the chance to respond, she continued, "Are you stalking Luffy-sweetie?"

"What? No!" Smoker denied, annoyed that this girl was asking such strange things. "I'm trying to do my job!"

"But then…" Pudding suppressed a strange squeak. "You…how do you explain finding us – finding him?"

A grin slowly spread across Pudding's face, and she was blushing even redder now. "It can't be a coincidence!"

Pudding then grabbed Luffy's hands. "Smoker-sweetie is clearly in love with you, Luffy-sweetie! You should at least consider his feelings! You should tell him now, before you're interrupted – whether or not you'll reciprocate!"

She practically shoved Luffy over by Smoker.

"What the hell…" Smoker couldn't believe this madness.

"…You're in love with me?" Luffy asked slowly. He was bewildered and slightly disturbed. "You're too old. I'm not interested."

"I'm not in love with you, you idiot!" Smoker shouted, finally losing all composure. "And what the hell are you on about, putting that idea in his head?!"

"It's a forbidden romance between a Marine and Pirate! The Marine is torn between his true love and duty!" Pudding babbled excitedly. "The Pirate can never settle down, for sailing on the high seas is his dream! Now it's a romance in prison…! Shackles! Risking getting caught! Eeeee~!"

Pudding hugged herself and giggled happily.

Naruto looked exceptionally confused.

"Uh…Pudding…" Usopp asked a very blunt question. "Are you a fujoshi?"

"Absolutely not! That sort of thing is unnatural and perverted!" Her increasingly blushing cheeks and bloody nose made the truth abundantly clear. Pudding then turned away hiding her face. In a very small voice, she said, "…yes."

She looked up at them, "I'm so ashamed that my ultimate secret is out…"

"This of all things is what you're embarrassed about?!" Nami yelled.

Pudding was about to respond, when Crocodile entered the room; followed closely by Miss All Sunday who was dragging Vivi with her.

Crocodile was staring at them – though Pudding had an uneasy feeling that Crocodile's eyes seemed to linger on her in particular for some reason. She began nervously twisting a lock of her hair – she'd learned to be especially cautious while living in Mama's house.

Crocodile didn't mind gloating a little, revealing his plan. Vivi snarled and yelled, and slipped away from Miss All Sunday, and attacked Crocodile.

Vivi was shocked when Crocodile's head exploded with her strike, surely it wasn't that easy…when Crocodile was on his feet and he slammed his fist into Vivi's stomach.

She coughed and choked and collapsed to the floor, just barely hearing the others yell and curse Crocodile. He yanked Vivi up off the floor with such force that Vivi thought that he'd pulled her arm out of its socket.

Just then, the Den-Den Mushi rang. Crocodile shoved Vivi towards Miss All Sunday, and Vivi glared. She was such an idiot…Miss All Sunday had only let her go – because Crocodile was making a point. Vivi was powerless, and all she could do was watch her beloved country; her people tear each other apart due to his twisted schemes.

"You bastard!" Vivi cursed and yelled, thrashing against Miss All Sunday's hold, and the Agent had to sprout a few extra arms to hold her back and stop the enraged princess from kicking her shins. A hand covered Vivi's mouth, as she shook with fury.

"This is Mr. Prince." Sanji's voice came out of the receiver.

There was screaming coming from somewhere outside.

"You!" Crocodile snarled to the man on the other end. He slammed down the receiver and turned to Miss All Sunday. "Stay here."

He ran out to deal with the troublesome Mr. Prince.

It was just seconds after he'd left, that another door opened; and an annoyed-looking Zoro wandered in.

"Now how the hell did I get here…?"

Various voices called out, "Zoro!"

Zoro stopped to take in the situation. His crew (and a Marine) in a cage, a bruised and angry Vivi, and Miss All Sunday with several hands all over her.

Zoro grinned and unsheathed his sword. "We aren't on a ship this time, you handsy bitch."

Miss All Sunday sprouted several hands all over Zoro and rapidly twisted his limbs and body – the bones snapped and popped and all the blood – everyone looked on in horror – then it was water and not blood that hit the floor.

Miss All Sunday gaped. What? How? Sweat rolled down her temple. She'd never encountered something like this before. Her eyes began rapidly scanning the room. She turned towards one of the tanks and her eyes widened upon seeing a ferociously grinning Zoro who raised his sword and somehow, impossibly – he moved through the water so easily – as if there was absolutely no resistance at all – then he sliced through the glass keeping all the water at bay.

Those in the cage stared, Luffy's eyes sparkled, while the others all looked on in horror.

"What the actual hell, Zoro?!" Usopp barely had time to demand.

Smoker couldn't believe it. This was insane! How? How could someone with such an ability not even be affected by the water?! It was as if Roronoa was just as easily one with the water.

The water exploded out of the tank, and Miss All Sunday blinked –– a wave slammed into her. Her hands disappeared as her strength rapidly left her. And someone grabbed her – who – why would they save her? They were supposed to be enemies. She would have left them behind if their situations were reversed.

A sudden queasiness erupted in her stomach, and it felt like she was being squeezed in between thick walls. Miss All Sunday was dumped unceremoniously onto the ground. She coughed up some of the water she'd swallowed. Miss All Sunday blinked blearily, trying to see who her rescuer was – a flash of an orange head covering that strangely seemed to disappear into thin air…

Why? Why had he saved her too? She didn't understand.

Miss All Sunday pulled herself up. She was inexplicably far away from the casino. She shakily pulled herself to her feet. She quickly began searching for Crocodile, working on some kind of excuse just in case – and was prepared to help if she had to – but – a part of her hesitated.

She hated that they made her question herself. She couldn't be doing that – not now of all times.

Still. What a strange crew.

0000

Smoker knew that the Straw Hats were crazy. He knew that going in. But no, that was an understatement. They were fucking insane.

Not only was Luffy some kind of absurd potential danger who was related to Dragon and Fire Fist, but that ability whatever it was – not Devil Fruit because the guy had been fucking torn up and used the fucking water to attack – fucking swam in the water – rescued him…

Oh, and to top it all off!

That blasted Straw Hat left him with, "I'm sorry that I won't ever be able to return your feelings. But I'm sure you'll find someone someday."

And that girl.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out. I do hope you find someone who returns their love as passionately as you express yours, Smoker-sweetie."

They'd said this in front of his subordinates.

Smoker practically snarled at them to leave, his face burning with mortified anger.

His subordinates valued their well-being and wisely said nothing.

0000

No. No! Crocodile stared at the wreckage surrounding the casino. His soldiers had been beaten up.

The responsible party was gone.

"I am Mr. Prince!" a voice yelled, and Crocodile ran in the direction the voice came from. That bastard was suddenly gone.

Crocodile noticed a black-haired man with raccoon-eyes grinning at him from an alley, clearly mocking him. That had to be Mr. Prince. Again, Crocodile gave chase, but the man disappeared into thin air, again.

He returned to see his casino flooded, and Marines swarming the area. Miss All Sunday walked up to him, completely drenched.

Rage pulsed through Cocodile. The Third-Eye girl was gone!

He glanced out at the desert, and he could just barely make out those troublesome Pirates escaping. If he hurried, he still had a chance…

0000

Billowing sand roared across the dessert, and Rains Base was a small speck in the distance.

The crew was currently riding a Moving Crab named Hasami, who was a friend of Matsuge. The crab ran quickly, and it turned out he moved much faster when the girls danced. His creepy, beady eyes seemed a bit too happy to watch.

But they wanted to get as much in traveling as they could.

"Isn't that sand getting closer?" Gaara asked, pointing out the storm.

"Oh…that's a dust storm." Vivi said, sounding downtrodden. "We need to seek shelter – or have Gaara shield us. People can get lost in them – and I knew a boy who got caught in one – he got so much sand in his eyes that he went blind. Others have pretty much suffocated and choked because they breathed in the sand"

Nami frowned, watching the dust storm. Her eyes scanned the desert, she had a bad feeling about that storm. "The wind is moving south-south-east… That storm is…" her eyes widened and her stomach pretty much dropped. "It's coming right for us!"

It had to be Crocodile.

The crew of course quickly prepared themselves to fight back. Usopp honestly believed that this was where he was going to die. He didn't feel prepared at all to go against a Warlord.

All of them covered their eyes, while just barely peeking out to see what they could. Gaara pulled on his goggles as the storm overtook them. Suddenly, Hasami let out a pained groan and fell.

At the speed they were going, they slid and tumbled several feet.

Luffy stretched out his arms; grabbing his crewmembers and pulling them into a tight hug. Gaara's sand wrapped around them as they crashed through thick rock pillars; rolling like an oversized bowling ball. Thrusting out his hand, several spikes shot out of the sand shield and forced them to a stop. Luffy's body acted like enough of a barrier that they thankfully didn't experience any whiplash.

Each of them were dazed, and Gaara slowly lowered the shield.

Where was Crocodile?

That question was answered as sand shot around them, and Crocodile was standing there. Gaara snarled and charged, sand enveloping his arm into a claw, and he swiped at Crocodile who disintegrated – huh? That…didn't feel right. Gaara didn't hit him.

Crocodile reformed, but he seemed…not as put together. "What was that?"

He glanced down at himself – and his head disintegrated as Gaara swiped at it.

Crocodile reformed within seconds following the attack, but now his hair didn't exactly look slicked back. He snarled himself and he attacked an oncoming Gaara, only for his sand to break apart upon contact and then reform once that contact stopped.

"I…I can't hit him?" Gaara slowly questioned. Frustrated, he began rapidly striking at Crocodile, who quickly pulled away.

"Stop doing that!" Crocodile angrily demanded, looking flustered.

Gaara instead decided to just use his fists and still –

"I just want to get one hit in!" Gaara raged in frustration.

Crocodile attacked on his own, but his sand only disintegrated upon contact and reformed within seconds.

"I think it's like how two magnets repel each other…" Usopp theorized.

Crocodile gave a fierce sweep of his arms, and sand billowed through the air – and Crocodile shot past Gaara, heading towards the rest of their group.

Gaara snarled and ran after him.

Several things happened at once:

Crocodile shot towards Vivi, and Luffy and the others ran to assist Luffy and protect Vivi.

Hands sprouted from everyone's bodies, and twisted them around; pulling them off their feet and ramming them into each other. Luffy, meanwhile, didn't have any hands sprouting from his person. He managed to reach Crocodile and punched him, hard.

Crocodile was shocked of course, that some unknown and young rookie already knew Haki. But that didn't deter him. Crocodile pulled his arm back, and powering his strike with a bit of his own Haki; thrust his hook through Luffy's gut; dehydrating Luffy as he charged and dodged around Vivi.

"LUFFY!" one of the others screamed.

More sand sprung up around them; and the others had no choice but to protect their faces. Their exposed skin felt as if hundreds of thousands of microscopic razor blades were tearing at them; and all of it was mixing with the sand that already surrounded them.

Vivi lashed out blindly, trying to do something, anything. Sand tore through the air, and Vivi cried out in pain as she was cut. But she refused to stop. Vivi had a bleeding cut above her eye, blinding her even more. But she kept going.

She heard yelling and charged towards it.

Crocodile ignored Vivi, and used his free hand to grab the three-eyed girl, who was struggling against the hands holding her in place.

Vivi peeked, squinting just enough to see – there was Crocodile! Vivi managed to tackle him.

Vivi reached up – her fingers were somewhat bloody – and she scratched at Crocodile's face.

He snarled, and twisted, slamming Vivi to the ground. She wheezed as the wind was knocked out of her. She quickly covered her mouth, gasping for air.

"Hurry up!" Miss All Sunday called out, sounding pained.

Zoro had managed to twist out of the hands, and ran towards Crocodile. He ghosted, and appeared behind Crocodile. He wasn't a Swordsman, so he didn't deserve the same level of respect. Zoro was ready to cut, when Crocodile held up a dehydrated Luffy as a shield.

Zoro didn't have much choice; he couldn't risk cutting Luffy. He shifted around, to the other side, ready to strike again.

"Pudding!" Sanji yelled as he thrashed against the hands.

"Sanji!"

Crocodile thrust his hook downwards in a violent swipe that met Zoro's blade. "Tazón de Polvo!"

The hands holding onto them disappeared.

The storm shoved at them bodily; tearing at them even more brutally than before.

The storm raged for several minutes; and then it finally stopped. They were all spread out several feet from each other.

Crocodile, Miss All Sunday, Pudding, Luffy, and Gaara – were gone.

00000

"We have to get Pudding! We need to get her back!" Sanji was near hysterics.

"Stop! Do you seriously think that gallivanting through the desert is a good idea?!" Zoro demanded. "We have no idea where he took her!"

Sanji rounded on Zoro, near-yelling. "How can you be so cold-hearted?!"

"I'm not being cold-hearted, I'm being realistic!" Zoro shot back.

The two of them had their foreheads pressed together as they glared and practically snarled at each other in their argument.

"Will the two of you back down?! This isn't helping anyone!" Nami got in between Zoro and Sanji before a serious fight could break out. That wasn't what any of them needed right now. "Look, Pudding is smart, okay? She won't let herself get killed so easily."

Nami was saying that to reassure herself as much as she was trying to reassure the others. Because Crocodile was unpredictable. He was a man who was willing to destroy an entire country for his own gain. What would he be willing to do to just one person to get what he wanted? Nami refused to let her thoughts go there.

Pudding had her annoying moments, definitely. Always going on about them competing or some nonsense like that. But Pudding always made her favorite desserts and always came to her with new recipes designed just for her; always made sure Nami's workspace had everything it needed so Nami wouldn't have to; listened to Nami complain about the guys when they annoyed her…

She'd be fine. Had to be.

"Pudding's also good at fighting," Naruto spoke up. "She's really good at fighting. And I've seen her escape those knots she likes doing, 'ttebayou."

Usopp looked hopeful and worried. "That means she can escape, right?"

Zoro sighed, not looking happy as he answered, "That's only if she has the chance. Croc took her for a reason, so that means he's likely going to have a guard on her." His scowl deepened as he added, "At all times, if he's smart."

"Let's wait." Vivi suggested. Even though they were pressed for time, and maybe they'd be pushing it a little. But they could wait. It was better that she suggest it, and not someone else. Vivi didn't want them feeling guilty about waiting for the others; not when she was counting so much on them. She forced optimism into her tone. "I mean, they're bound to come back with her, right?"

"Yeah, they will!" Usopp agreed far too optimistically.

Sanji took in a shaky breath. "Yeah, okay. They'll come back with her."

Why had Crocodile's target shifted from her to Pudding? Vivi had no idea, and she racked her brain trying to think of what Pudding could do that Vivi couldn't.

Soon enough, Luffy and Gaara would return with a probably shaken up Pudding – or maybe she'd be thrilled at having been kidnapped. Have some strange, morbid fantasy about the experience. They'd all act annoyed and yet be so relieved, and everything would be fine.

It had to be.

When Luffy and Gaara finally came back, Pudding wasn't with them.

Sanji was on his feet first. "Where is she?!"

Luffy looked distraught and Gaara looked irritated.

"How could you not get Pudding back from that shitty bastard?!"

"He…he took her." Luffy said far too quietly. "That hand-lady was there to help Croc, and Gaara didn't show up until… I couldn't…I'm sorry."

"I couldn't do anything." Gaara said quietly, not looking at the others. He sounded his age and looked guilty. He tugged at his scarf, pulling it up a bit to cover his face. "I should have been faster."

"Are you sure we can't go after them?" Vivi asked, for the sake of the others.

Her guilt and sadness swept over Luffy.

"But we're short on time, aren't we?" Usopp asked. He quickly waved his hands at Sanji's feral glare. "H-hey! I-I'm not saying we shouldn't go after her! I mean…can we?"

"We can split up, then!" Sanji suggested desperately. "Some of us can look for Pudding, while the rest go and stop the revolt."

"But…" Chopper finally spoke up. "We're limited on water and resources, remember – and – regular compasses don't work around here – I mean…" Chopper looked teary-eyed as he added, "Looking for Pudding isn't just unsafe, it's unrealistic…"

Chopper pushed forward, even though Sanji's glare was directed towards him. "You could end up getting even more lost, dehydrated in the middle of the dessert! You could die and we would have no idea where to even look!"

"Let's just double-back and try!" Sanji angrily snapped, but the pleading was evident in his voice.

"They're gone, though…" Luffy said sadly. "My Mystery Power isn't picking any up any of them."

"You can't seriously be suggesting that we abandon her!"

"I'm not-!" Luffy tried to say, but Sanji grabbed his collar and yanked him forward.

"Luffy, you-!"

"Cut it out now." Zoro said firmly, gripping Sanji's wrist. "Let him go. This isn't your decision."

Sanji's expression shifted from anger to something else before he let go and collapsed to his knees. In a quiet, choked voice he said, "…I promised her I'd never leave her behind."

Zoro's scowl lessened considerably. He thought of that time several years ago – when Naruto was almost taken from him – and the panic that he felt at just almost.

This was probably the most touchy-feely he would ever get with Sanji. His hand shifted to Sanji's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "I'm not suggesting we leave her behind."

He then pulled away. Zoro wasn't good at giving comfort like that without feeling awkward. Sighing and scratching his head, Zoro added, "Look, Pudding was taken for a reason. That means she's valuable alive – and we know where he's heading. We just…have to find him in Alubarna before he gets what he wants from Pudding."

Zoro looked at Luffy who looked a bit as if he had been crying. But maybe it was because he'd gotten sand in his eyes. That's what it was, definitely. "Luffy, it's your decision." He then added, probably unnecessarily, "As Captain."

"I…" Luffy's voice trailed off as he looked at his crew. They were all waiting for him to make a decision. Shanks and Touma both had told him of times they had to leave people behind. Luffy had sworn up and down he would never do that. Leaving behind your nakama was equivalent to abandoning them no matter the circumstances.

"Sometimes, you don't really get a choice," Shanks had told him. "It's the hardest decision you have to make as a Captain."

Shanks told him of a time that they had no choice – of the precious nakama he'd been forced to leave behind – him protesting and begging – and Shanks having to be physically dragged away by those fleeing.

"Your nakama and the moments you spend with them become all the more precious," Shanks was uncharacteristically despondent as he looked at the contents of his glass. "You don't want to experience that loss ever again, so you get stronger."

When he'd imagined himself in those scenarios Shanks and his crew had told him about, Luffy thought about all the ways he could have done something differently so everyone came back safe. This always involved kicking the ass of whoever was attacking them with not much variation. But they said it was desperate circumstances with little to no options of all them escaping alive.

One or two people had to be left behind. But in almost all those circumstances, those people volunteered. Sometimes, they'd had to tell people to stay behind – because they could give the others the chance to escape. Sometimes they'd had no choice – it was far too risky to risk the lives of many for the sake of one.

This was never something Luffy had actively considered happening in his Pirating career – the idea of it had been lingering in the back of his mind, certainly. Except – he'd never thought it would happen to him. If it did, he could just kick the other guy's ass and he and his nakama would party, and all would be right with the world.

He just – he didn't think he'd be making such a decision so soon into it.

Luffy didn't want to be making decision like this.

He thought of Pudding – being sucked into the sand just as he reached her. He looked at Vivi, who was right in front of him, he could feel her desperation and worry, and overflowing guilt. Sanji's emotions were a mix of rage, worry, fear, guilt, and sadness.

Everyone was scared and worried, and it enveloped him like a suffocating blanket.

As Captain, it was his job to alleviate those worries, right?

But – he…

His voice shook as he clenched his fists tightly, and quietly admitted, "I-I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"Luffy, whatever decision you make, we'll stick by it no matter what." Nami said. She could see how difficult this was for him. Luffy being so distraught and hesitant with this, made her glad that she had chosen such a man to follow after, and appreciated him even more. Someone who genuinely cared about his crew and didn't want to leave one of their own behind. "We won't think less of you."

Sanji shakily lit a cigarette; took a deep breath, and let it out. The nicotine calmed him, somewhat. "Listen, Luffy. I promised to follow you, and…we'll get her back. You clearly won't let any of us go so easily without a fight, so…"

Luffy nodded, even though that was obviously not what he wanted to do. "Okay…let's…let's keep going. I'll kick Croc's ass, save Vivi's country, and we'll get Pudding back."

They were on the move again within seconds. Luffy turned back the direction they had come in, cupping his hands around his mouth and yelled as loud as he could, "PUDDING! I'LL KICK CROC'S ASS AND WE'LL GET YOU BACK, YOU HEAR ME?! NO MATTER WHAT!"

His shout was carried away with the wind.

As they continued on their journey, despondent, Luffy hugged his knees as he glared out at the passing scenery. It looked as empty as he felt right then.

Luffy felt a fierce determination rise in his gut. They were going to get Pudding back – and if something happened to her – if Croc did anything to her, Luffy would…he couldn't think like that. He gripped his hat and promised himself that from now on, no matter what…he was never going to leave any of his nakama behind ever again. He would never make that choice if he could help it. He would chase them down to the ends of the Grand Line and back if he had to, and damn anyone no matter who they were – who got in the way of rescuing his beloved nakama.

0000

Pudding took in grateful gasps of air as she was pulled from the sand. Several hands wrapped around her, making it difficult to escape. Ropes bound her hands together firmly behind her back. If Pudding wiggled a bit and managed to get her hands on one of her knives or a kunai, she could get free. There was just the little matter of her having that window of a chance.

But then she'd have the desert to contend with.

She finally was able to really take in Crocodile's appearance. He hadn't really changed that much since she saw him last time. His hair was longer and he was actively slicking it back now that they were away from Luffy-sweetie and her crew. He'd also bulked up. Or maybe the coat gave him that appearance.

Pudding wasn't sure if Crocodile even recognized her. She'd been a tiny thing living in Mama's house back then. She'd always covered her forehead when guests were over, since her third eye was supposed to be a tightly-kept family secret.

Crocodile eyed Pudding, making her only slightly nervous. She had to have a plan…somehow.

"Oh, I'm entirely helpless," Pudding said with a sigh, "All tied up. You could have your way with me and I couldn't do anything about it. I bet your sand is so coarse…Just imagine those bits of sand exploring the most intimate of places and being left behind."

"Shut up." Crocodile said, and his hook was large enough to fit behind her neck as he lifted her up. Pudding struggled to no avail. She stopped when the tips of her toes brushed barely against the sand – and – if she wasn't careful, she'd probably rip her own throat out trying to escape. Or maybe impel herself on his hook through her skull.

What would Sanji and the crew do then? They were worried, right? There was a lingering fear that they'd leave her behind. They wouldn't do that, right? She reminded herself that Sanji had promised to never leave her and that Luffy had essentially begged her to come with him.

It calmed her down, a little. Maybe it was a good thing her hands were bound. She had a habit of twisting a lock of her hair practically into knots when she was nervous.

Crocodile used his other hand to push her bangs back to reveal her eye.

His eyes widened before they shifted into something else. His eyes glittered with anticipation and greed.

That was exactly how Mama looked at her, before…

"W-what do you want?" Pudding asked uneasily, fighting to keep a smile on her face. Though she probably wasn't doing a very good job. People looking at her like that was never a good sign.

"You're my backup. You're going to read a Poneglyph."

Pudding's eyes widened. Oh, no. Crap. Shit. This was bad.

Next to her, Miss All Sunday was frowning.

"Oh, a Poneglyph, hmm?" Pudding was extremely worried now. She did her best to mask it, smiling anyway. Her fingers twitched, wanting to twist a lock of hair into knots. "Of course, anything for you, sweetie."

She put a purr into her voice and half-lidded her eyes as seductively as she could; while smiling. Crocodile was unmoved. That made things a bit more difficult. She counted on men getting flustered to exploit weaknesses.

Perhaps she wasn't his type; or maybe he had too much self-control to fall for any wiles she used. Hell, there was a chance he wasn't even attracted to women either because that simply wasn't his thing – or maybe he liked men.

He set her down quite unceremoniously. Pudding stood, wishing she could brush herself off. But a little sand on her clothes wasn't so bad.

"Oh, you like doing it rough, hm?" Pudding asked teasingly. "We'd have to progress our relationship a bit further before we get to that point, don't you agree?"

Crocodile narrowed his eyes at her before scoffing. "Let's go. Keep an eye on her."

Miss All Sunday gripped Pudding's arm with what felt like unnecessary tightness and forced her to move forward. This was really, really bad! If Crocodile realized that Pudding couldn't read that ancient language, then he was definitely going to kill her for sure.

"Is there anyone you like, Sir Crocodile? I could give you relationship advice if you want. " Pudding said in a chipper tone, while trying to think of what she could do if she couldn't escape before the Poneglyph reading. "I do love gossip."

"Be quiet." Crocodile ordered – more like demanded. "Or I'll have you gagged."

Rude.

"Kinky." Pudding's filter (or lack thereof) let slip through.

Miss All Sunday giggled, though. From the way she was looking at Crocodile, she was clearly laughing at his expense. Crocodile looked very displeased.

Pudding stayed quiet as they walked back towards the flooded casino. She had to think, desperately. Wait. He'd called her 'backup'. That meant…that meant he had to have someone who could read the Poneglyphs. So why did he need her? Oh. He probably didn't trust the one who could read them. That had to be it.

He probably wanted to see if they would read the same thing. If she lied about what she read and the person told the truth, she'd be killed; or they both lied and told two different stories, they both would be killed.

Pudding would have to charm and bullshit her way through this if she wanted to surrive.

Hopefully.

Everyone: I can't wait to see Gaara and Croc fight!

Gaara and Croc: repel each other instead

I had the prison scene in mind for so long, I'm glad I finally got to write it.