Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

As Luffy and Koby escaped the ship on a little rowboat, Koby asked Luffy a question. While they talked about Luffy and his plans for the Grand Line, Luffy turned to him.

"Hey, who was that pirate hunter guy?"

"You mean Roronoa Zoro?" Koby blinked. "I heard he’s being held at a Marine base."

"Aw, so he's a weakling?" Luffy said, picking his nose.

Koby shot forward and slammed his hand on the barrel between them. "Nothing of the sort! He’s as terrifying as a devil!" Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stared at Luffy. "Why are you asking about him?"

Luffy grinned wide, eyes glinting. "I thought I might have him join my crew. If he’s a good guy!"

Koby looked at Luffy with a shocked face. "You’re being reckless—!"

Koby was cut off as a huge splash erupted just 10 feet from the boat, the force of the wave nearly capsizing them. Koby and Luffy shot each other the same shocked look before whipping their heads toward the impact.

A hand burst up from the water, startling Koby out of his freeze. He snapped back to his senses and grabbed it, hauling with all his strength until two dripping bodies tumbled onto the deck together.

The deck creaked under the sudden weight as water poured off the strangers. One coughed violently, gasping for air, while the other lay motionless with seaweed tangled in their hair.

Luffy leaned in, eyes wide. "Oi, Koby... you think they fell from the sky?"

Koby wiped salt from his face, heart still racing. "I don't know, but if we hadn't been here..." He trailed off, glancing back at the churning water where something massive had just vanished beneath the surface.

"Kuyaaa, I think I died ughh," the one coughing says as she rolled onto her back, clutching her ribs. Her voice was hoarse but laced with sarcasm.

"I think we just got reborn, but like- for real for real this time." The second body groaned and shifted, fingers twitching against the wet planks.

Then Koby really looked at them- and his brain stalled.

Their skin was as black as the night sky, and his eyes glowed through the mask like twin embers.

The other one looked the same. Was he dreaming? Koby was silently panicking and confused, his time as a cabin boy had not prepared him for "glowing people fished out of the ocean."

Luffy, meanwhile, had stars in his eyes. He pointed straight at them and yelled, "Hey! You look cool, join my crew!"

Surely these were costumes or something. After all, humans don't look like that... right?

"Omg, Ye-!" The girl started, excitement flashing in her face as she shot upright. A wet hand clamped over her mouth. The second stranger was awake now, propped on one elbow and glaring daggers at her. Even with half his mask cracked, his own eyes burned like coals.

"Don't you dare," he hissed, voice rough from seawater. He shoved her back down and turned to Luffy “Sorry dear, we might need time to think on that one.”

"Hmm, alright! You can join my crew later!" Luffy shouted, still grinning like he’d just been handed treasure.

Koby, meanwhile, was getting even more nervous. The stranger’s tone of his voice wasn’t nearly as polite as his words. It had an edge to it, flat and cold, like he was measuring how much trouble it’d be to throw both of them overboard.

The glowing figure shifted, water still dripping from his cracked mask, and those ember eyes locked onto Koby. ‘Oh Maiden, this guy was gonna kill him weren't they? He would never become a great Marine, he would neve-’

"Kuyaaa! Why can't we join his crew? I wanna be pirates!" the smaller one whined, tugging at the taller one's sleeve like an impatient kid.

He turned back towards the girl, eyeroll practically tangible through his glowing mask. "Well obviously we're becoming pirates or revolutionaries or something. It's not like we're joining the Marines" His voice was filled with disdain on the last word, as if even the thought disgusted him.

"Uhh—" spoke a timid voice. "wh- what's wrong with joining the Marines?" Koby didn't want strange beings' attention back on him, but- this was his dream. He didn't even know if he could pull it off in the first place, so why did this person think it was so terrible.

The stranger paused before breathing out a sigh, heavy like he didn't want to deal with whatever was happening, before turning back to Koby once again. "Look kiddo, it's not that joining the Marines is bad per say, especially if you have a good reason, but I have hella beef with government. I can't stand my own country's government nor the world government. My father served and I saw what happened to him, I'm not letting the same happen to my little sister, especially not for a cause that I personally find to be a load of shite."

"So then," Koby paused for a moment before continuing, his voice growing more confident. "So if someone wanted to join the Marines to help ordinary people, to protect them from pirates that genuinely want to harm them. Would that be a good enough reason for me to join the Marines!?"

The white haired man let out a slight laugh and his voice began to slip into a grin, "Of course, nary a better reason to. But keep in mind that Marines are just as shite as pirates so be prepared to fight your ass off if you actually want to help people." They leaned back, much more relaxed than before. "Bet you could pull it off though."

Koby was stunned, this complete stranger that didn't even seem to like him that much thought that he could do it. That he could become a great Marine, that he could achieve his dream. He started to tear up, overwhelmed from the emotional rollercoaster the still slightly terrifying man had brought.

On the other hand, Luffy, sensing the tense moment between the two had ended, decided to ask the question he had been doing his best to politely hold back until they were done. "Hey, do you guys poop?"

Dead silence.

The girl choked on air. The taller one slowly turned his head toward Luffy, one ember eye twitching. "What."

"Like, do you poop?" Luffy repeated, dead serious, leaning in to inspect them. "Your skin's all black and your eyes glow. Maybe you don't! Maybe you're like... void people! Do you eat? Where does it go?"

Koby made a strangled noise. "L-Luffy! You can't just-"

"Void people," the taller one echoed flatly. He stared at Luffy for three long seconds.

Then, to everyone's horror, he barked out a laugh. Short. Raspy. Real. "Gods, you're an eejit," he drawled, shaking his head.

The tension in his shoulders actually dropped. "Yeah, kid. We poop. Tragic, I know. Ruins the mysterious aesthetic."

The smaller one wheezed. "Oh my god, I can't believe-" She pointed at Luffy. "I like him. We're keeping him.” The taller one turned back to her once again, “Oh, are we now?” he responded sarcastically. “What did I just say about ‘give us some time to think about it’ eh?”

“But Kuyaaa!” the girl cried, collapsing dramatically into the other's lap. “He's funny!” she whined. “Oh? And I'm not?” he snarked back.

Koby, still focused on Luffy's initial comment, looked seconds away from throwing himself overboard. "Please ignore him, he doesn’t— he’s never—"

"Oh, I know," the taller one cut in, waving a hand. The corner of his mouth was still twitching up. "I’ve met drunks with more sense. Still." He eyed Luffy, assessing. "Takes guts to ask a question like that with a straight face. Or no brain. Same thing."

Luffy beamed like he’d been complimented. "So you DO eat! What’s void people food? Is it tasty?"

The smaller one snorted so hard she started coughing again. "Stop, stop, I’m gonna drown on dry land. He’s gonna ask if we sleep upside down next."

"Do you?" Luffy gasped, eyes sparkling.

The taller one motioned as if pinching the bridge of his nose, but he wasn’t scowling anymore, probably, Koby couldn't quite tell with the masks. "Kid. For your own safety. Stop talking." Then he glanced at Koby’s red face and sighed. "Fine. We eat. We sleep. We poop. We’re disappointing like that. Happy?"

"Very!" Luffy said, throwing his arms up. "That means you can eat meat! We can have a party when we get to land!”

“Nah, I'm practically a vegetarian.” replied the man. It was unclear if he was serious or just trying to mess with Luffy.

“Uhh- right,” Koby spoke up, trying to redirect the conversation into anything else “So ah, Kuya? And,” he turned to the girl “sorry I didn't get your name.”

Despite his best efforts to have a normal conversation, the two glowing figures promptly burst into laughter collapsing onto each other.

“Ha! Hey, looks like you’re a certified kuya now.” The girl called in between wheezes. “Are you gonna adopt him too?” She joked

… What?

The taller of the two let out an overdramatic gasp “Is this what you really think of me? I don’t act like that with everyone younger than me.” In turn, the girl giggled, “Oh, really. So what do you call that big ‘the government sucks and be sure to make good choices now go start a revolution’ speech you gave? I call it chronic kuya energy.” she teased.

Okay so clearly “kuya” was a word but Koby had no idea what it meant. “Adopt” implied a familial dynamic but the two had completely different accents so there's no way they grew up together. But didn't the taller one refer to the other as his little sister?

Wait a sec.

“START A REVOLUTION!?” Koby screamed, “When did you tell me to do that!? I can’t start a revolution! Why would I even start one in the first place!?” he was starting to look pale and panicked. A normal person might’ve tried to calm him down. Unfortunately, there weren’t any of those to be found on the small dinghy. “Eh,” ‘not-Kuya’ started “don’t worry about it, you'll figure out the reason soon enough.” he said boredly.

“LAND HO!!!” Luffy yelled at a volume that seemed to redefine the term ‘outside voice’. Lo and behold, when the other three turned they saw Shells Town in the distance. ‘Not-Kuya’ could feel the playful grin grow on his sister’s face but was too slow to stop her from speaking.

“Hey Koby, I can see the future and I have a feeling you’re going to find that reason on that island there.”

Chapter Text

“Hey Koby, I can see the future and I have a feeling you’re going to find that reason on that island there.”

Koby whipped his head toward her so fast his neck cracked. "You— what?! You can see the future?!"

The small one waved a hand, dismissive. "Mhm. Sometimes. Usually when it’s funny." She tapped her cheek. "Right now I’m seeing you, a really angry guy with an axe-hand, and a whole lot of screaming. Good odds."

"An axe-hand?!" Koby’s voice pitched up two octaves. "Why is there an axe-hand?!”

‘Not Kuya’ groaned and rubbed his temples. “Minami”

She didn’t even look at him. "What? I’m just sharing."

"Yeah, sharing with a Marine-in-training that you can see the future," ‘Not Kuya’ snapped, voice low and sharp. "You just put a target on your back the size of that damn island. You think the World Government’s gonna hear ‘fortune teller’ and send you a fruit basket?"

She finally glanced at him, grin slipping a little. "It’s Koby. He’s not gonna—"

"I don’t care if it’s Koby, Luffy, or a seagull," ‘Not Kuya' cut her off. He jabbed a finger at her face. "We don’t know the rules here. We don’t know what they do to people like us. And you just told a guy who wants to join their Navy that you’re a walking security breach."

Koby’s mouth opened and closed. "I—I wouldn’t! I wouldn’t tell anyone, I swear!"

"Not intentionally," ‘Not Kuya' said, not looking away from her. "But you get caught, you get scared, you get cornered by someone with more stripes than you. People talk, Koby. Especially when they think it’ll save their skin."

The boat went quiet except for the water. Her shoulders dropped. "...sorry," she mumbled. "Was trying to be funny."

‘Not Kuya’ jaw worked. He sighed, all the fight draining out. "I know." He reached over and flicked her forehead, gentler than his voice. "Just... check with me before you decide to be the world’s most interesting wanted poster, alright?"

She nodded, subdued. "Chronic kuya energy. Got it."

"And you," ‘Not kuya’ turned to Koby, ember eyes hard. "You heard nothing. Understand? She’s just a weird kid with a mask. That’s it."

Koby nodded so fast it was a miracle he didn’t give himself whiplash. "Nothing. Weird mask kid. Got it."

Luffy, who’d been suspiciously quiet, piped up. "So she can see the future though, right? Can she see if there’s meat on that island?"

‘Not Kuya' stared at him. "I’m going to have an fucking aneurysm, I swear to the Gods." He put his head in his hands before lowering them and slowly looking between Luffy and Koby. “Hold on, who in the Hells are you bastards anyway?”

Minami promptly lightly whacked the side of her brother’s head. “Kuya, you can't just call everyone you meet bastards.” she said with a pout to her voice. “Oh come on,” he began “I'll bet ya twenty candles that neither of ‘em know their fathers.” His response got him another, harder whack. “Kuya, it's worse if you call random people literal bastards!”

Luffy stood up completely ignoring the squabbling siblings, “My name is Monkey D. Luffy and I’m gonna be King of the pirates!” he shouted loudly enough for ‘not-kuya’ to cover his ears that most likely existed. “You're gonna quiet the hell down is what you're gonn-”

“And that’s Koby.” He said pointing his finger less than a foot away from the boy in question’s face.

Koby flailed. "D-don’t point at me like I’m— hi. I’m Koby. Just Koby. Nice to meet you?" He gave a weak, panicked wave.

‘Not Kuya' stared at both of them for a long moment. Then he sighed, rubbed his face, and gestured vaguely at himself. "Salem. Not a bastard. Have a father." His ember eyes flicked to his sister.

She perked up immediately, bouncing on her heels. "And I’m Minami! Also not a bastard! Hi hi!" She gave an enthusiastic two-handed wave. "Nice to meet you, Koby! Nice to meet you, future Pirate King!"

"There is no way you're going to call him that all the time," Salem muttered, but he knew his sister and ‘don’t do that’ was a phrase she rarely listened to.

“I am because it's funny hehehe.” She giggled, "Also, Kuya, you owe me twenty candles. Koby totally knows his dad."

Koby blinked. "I... I don’t, actually."

Salem pointed at him without looking. "See? Payment due."

"That doesn’t count, he told you after you bet!" Minami argued, grabbing his arm and shaking it. "Scam artist! Chronic kuya scam energy!"

Salem peeled her off him. "Names are done. Introductions over. Can we go back to not dying now?"

"YOSHAAAA! TO SHELLS TOWN!" Luffy hollered, completely unprompted.

Salem turned to Minami. "I hate it here."

Minami patted his shoulder. "You love us. Chronic kuya love energy."

"I’m throwing you to the Sea."

“No you won't, you love me :).”

“Fair point, also how in the Hells did you say that out loud.” Salem squinted at her. If this cartoon world lets her speak emoticon, he's jumping overboard.

Minami tilted her head, mask glinting. "Skill issue. Maybe you just can’t hear punctuation."

"I can hear my blood pressure," Salem deadpanned. "It’s screaming."

Koby was watching them like he’d been dropped into a play halfway through act three. "I... I have so many questions. Like, all of them."

"Get in line," Salem muttered. He glanced at the approaching island, then at the two glowing misfits and the rubber idiot currently steering with his face. "New rule. When we hit land, nobody mentions the void thing, the future thing, or the punctuation thing. We’re weird tourists. Got it?"

"Got it!" Minami saluted. "Operation: Be Normal."

"You’re terrible at that," Salem deadpanned. Admittedly, he was worse than her, but at least people tended to ignore his insanity.

"And you’re a bastard," she shot back sweetly.

Salem pointed at her. "See? That’s why I call people bastards. You make me do it."

"Chronic kuya victim complex," Minami stage-whispered to Koby, who looked like he wanted to evaporate.

Luffy, still face-steering, called over his shoulder. "If we’re tourists, can we get meat? Tourists eat meat, right?"

"Yes," Salem said. "Tourists also don’t announce their intent to commit treason within ten minutes of meeting new people, but here we are."

The rowboat crested a wave and Shells Town’s docks came into full view — Marines everywhere, and a massive statue of a man with an axe for a hand looming over the port.

Minami sucked in a breath. "Oh. That’s a literal axe-hand. My future vision was NOT exaggerated."

————————

The rowboat bumped against the dock with a dull thunk. Marines were everywhere hauling crates, shouting orders, a few already eyeing the weird little boat.

"Shit," Salem hissed. He scanned the pier. His eyes landed on a clothesline strung between two posts, heavy cloaks hanging out to dry. Probably for night patrol.

He didn’t hesitate. One quick step, one yank, and two Marine-issue cloaks were in his hands. He tossed the larger one at Minami. "On. Now."

She caught it, blinking. "Ooo, crime! I love field trips with you."

"Stealing government property is survival, it's also more than ethical enough to balance out the crime," Salem said, already swinging the other cloak around his shoulders. The thick fabric covered most of his frame, but his height plus the faint glow leaking from his cracked mask wasn’t doing them favors.

He yanked his hood lower. "Pull yours tight. If anyone sees skin, you’re ‘badly burned.’ If they see your eyes, you’re ‘demonic.’ Got it?"

"Demonic and hot," Minami corrected, fastening the cloak. It swallowed her whole. She looked like a child playing dress-up as a grim reaper. "How do I look?"

"Like a tax-evasion case," Salem muttered. He turned to Koby and Luffy, who were watching the felony with matching expressions of horror and awe. "We were never here. You docked alone. We stowed away. If anyone asks, we threatened you."

"But you didn’t—" Koby started.

"Chronically threatening aura," Minami supplied helpfully. "It counts."

Luffy squinted at them. "You look itchy. And kinda scary. I like it!”

Salem ignores Luffy, grabbing Minami's hand and dragging her off in the direction of the Marine base. Once they had made it close enough to see the wall of where they knew Zoro was being held Salem pulled Minami into an empty side alley. “Okay, we need to talk.”

The girl let out a soft sigh. “Are you still mad about the future sight thing?” Salem put a hand on his sister's shoulder, “No, it's- look, we're in One Piece and we're fucking Sky Kids for some reason. This all feels like some insane hallucination and it's not even like we can find some magic portal home because we're not human anymore.” he moved his arm across her back to her other shoulder and pulled her into a side hug before sliding them both down the wall behind them and onto the floor.

“I need to know what you want to do and I need to know that you've thought it through. I'll follow you anywhere but this is all real now. You're a swordswoman, if you want to be a pirate you're probably gonna end up having to kill people.” He pulled her closer to his side and rested his head against hers.

His voice softened as he spoke, “We also have the chance to change things, if you want. We already know the story and I doubt Luffy wants spoilers. Do you wanna make our own adventure? And-” his breath stuttered as he turned to look her in the eye. “are you willing to deal with the consequences of doing so.”

Minami was quiet for a long time. Her hands fisted in the stolen Marine cloak, knuckles white against the dark fabric. When she finally spoke, her voice was small, stripped of all her usual chaos.

"I’ll do anything to save everyone," she said. "Luffy, Ace, Zoro, Nami, all of them. You. Even strangers. If it comes down to it... I will."

She swallowed hard. The glow of her eyes dimmed under the hood.

"But Kuya... I’m scared to have blood on my hands." The words cracked coming out. "I don’t want to be the reason someone stops breathing. I don’t want to see that in my head every time I close my eyes. I don’t—"

Her breath hitched. Salem’s arm tightened around her, but he didn’t interrupt.

"But if worse comes to worst," Minami whispered, "if it’s us or them... if it’s you or them... I’ll kill."

She looked up at him, tears catching the ember-light of his eyes. "I hate that I mean it. I hate that I can mean it. But I’m not gonna stand there and watch you die because I was too scared to move my sword. I won’t."

Her jaw set. "So yeah. I wanna make our own adventure. I wanna change things. And I’ll deal with the consequences. Even if the consequence is me."

Salem gave a sad smile behind his mask. He had come to terms years ago with the fact that death didn't bother him like it did for other people. Whether family or lifelong pets, he hadn't mourned a life since he was a child. Most importantly, he had never mourned a human life. There was a reason he would follow Minami anywhere, he knew he could stomach keeping her safe. He just wished she wouldn't have to test whether or not she could stomach it.

“Well then,” He stood up, brushing the dirt off of his clothes, and offered Minami a hand. “Our dear Captain will be meeting our first mate soon and we wouldn't want to miss that, would we?” A pleased smile could be heard in his voice. As much as Salem feared what may come next, he was far more excited than afraid.

Minami took his hand and let him haul her up. The stolen cloak dragged in the dirt as she dusted herself off. "Ugh, I’m gonna have to burn this thing later. Smells like government."

"Focus," Salem said, but he was already tugging her toward the edge of the Marine base.

They found a low stone wall overlooking the courtyard out of the way, shadowed, with a clear view of the wooden cross in the center. Zoro, tied up, bloody, and glaring at the sun like it personally offended him.

Salem hopped up first, then pulled Minami up beside him. Their cloaks pooled around them, two dark shapes pretending to be bored Marines on break.

"There he is," Salem murmured, nodding toward Zoro. "Roronoa Zoro. Future World’s Greatest Swordsman. Current... Jesus cosplayer."

Minami kicked her legs, leaning into Salem’s side. "He looks like he bites. I like him already."

"Don’t bite him," Salem said flatly. "He’s our first mate. We need him to be functional."

"I didn't say I wanted to bite him," she whispered back. "Said he looks like he bites. Important distinction."

Salem stared at her. "You’re going to be the death of me."

"I thought you were already dead, y'know with how all your clothes back home made you look like a vampire," Minami pointed out. "Checkmate, Kuya."

He flicked her hood. "Shut up and watch history."

Down below, Luffy and Koby approached the courtyard, arguing. Luffy’s voice carried even from here "He’s gonna join! He just doesn’t know it yet!" and Koby’s panicked hissing in response. Zoro hadn’t even looked at them yet.

Minami rested her chin on Salem’s shoulder. "Kinda wild, huh? We know how this goes. We know he says yes. But right now... he’s just a pissed off guy tied to a pole."

"Yeah," Salem said quietly. "It feels illegal to watch."

"Good thing we’re already criminals," Minami said.

They sat in silence as Luffy started yelling at Zoro, as Koby tried and failed to mediate, as Zoro finally turned his head and barked something that made Koby flinch.

Eventually, Luffy grabbed Koby and dragged him off, probably to go and punch Morgan or find food. Same thing, really.

———————

The courtyard emptied except for the guards posted nearby and Zoro, alone again under the sun.

Salem and Minami didn’t move.

"...So," Minami said after a beat, grinning. "We staying to annoy the shit out of him or what?"

Salem’s mask tilted as he looked at her. Then at Zoro. Then back at her. He tilted his head and leaned forward in a way that told of the terrible grin that was surely hidden beneath his mask.

"Oh, absolutely," he said. "If he doesn't get used to us now, how will he manage being on the same boat with us?"

Minami gasped in delight. "Operation: Psychological Warfare. I call dibs on the first insult."

"You’re terrible," Salem said fondly, already swinging his legs over the wall. "At insults that is. Try not to get stabbed before he’s officially our problem." He teased.

"No promises," Minami said, dropping down after him.

Salem and Minami dropped down from the wall, landing in the courtyard with soft thuds that got the guards to glance over. Salem straightened, hands behind his back, slipping into a “bored Marine on patrol” stance like he was born to it.

Minami, naturally, had no such chill. She strolled right up to the base of Zoro’s cross, tilted her head, and stared.

Zoro didn’t even look at her. “If you’re here to gloat, piss off.”

“Gloat?” Minami echoed, voice way too cheerful for a Marine base. “Nah. I’m here to observe.” She circled him once, slow. “You look like a scarecrow.”

Zoro’s eye twitched. “Wow. Never heard that one before.”

“—but possessed,” Minami finished, her grin sharpening. “Like a scarecrow that got kicked out of hell for being too angry. Did they tie you up here because you keep trying to fight the sun? Or did the sun file a complaint?” Salem had to stifle a laugh at that. It was a terribly ironic statement considering Luffy's devil fruit.

But it did get him to actually turn his head. Green eyes narrowed at her, taking in the oversized cloak, the mask, the fact that she was definitely not a real Marine. “What are you supposed to be?”

“Classified,” Salem cut in smoothly from a few feet back, not moving from his guard act. “She’s new. Ignore her. She does this to everyone.”

“I do not,” Minami said, affronted. “Only to people who look like they use cactus juice as hair gel.”

Zoro’s mouth pulled into a scowl. “You’ve got a smart mouth for a Marine.”

“Good thing I’m not one,” Minami said, too fast.

Salem cleared his throat, loud. “She means she’s not a smart Marine. Obviously. Just a regular dumb one. Unlike me.”

Zoro’s gaze flicked between them, suspicion bleeding through the exhaustion. “You two are shit at lying.” The swordsman didn't know if this qualified as psychological torture, but it was annoying enough that maybe it should.

“We’re shit at lots of things,” Minami agreed instantly. “But you? You’re shit at dodging. How’d you even get caught if you’re so tough? Did you trip? Did a mean bird bully you into it?”

Salem put a hand over his mask. “Minami.”

Zoro stared. Then, slowly, he snorted. “You’re both insane.”

“Insane and possessed,” Minami said, pointing at him. “Scarecrow club. We should get jackets.”

Salem sighed. “I regret everything. I should've left you in the death-rain forest to die.”

Zoro’s head snapped toward Salem. His scowl deepened, but there was a flicker of something else under it, surprise, maybe suspicion.

"Death rainforest?" Zoro echoed, voice low. "What the hell’s that supposed to be?"

"No no, death-rain forest. You added a compound word and you're missing a hyphen”

"What the hell are you talking about!?"

"it's not a rainforest of death, it's a forest with death-rain.”

Minami’s head whipped toward him. “SALEM.” She slapped a hand over his mask before he could keep going. “Stop. You are so bad at this. That is classified Kuya bullshit and you know it.”

Salem didn't really care though. After all, it's not like he expected anyone to believe him. “…It’s technically accurate.”

“It’s technically gonna get us stabbed,” Minami hissed. She turned back to Zoro, who was staring at them like they’d both grown second heads. “Ignore him. He’s concussed. From the, uh. The bureaucracy. Lots of paperwork falls from the sky in our hometown.”

Zoro did not look convinced. “Death-rain,” he repeated slowly. “Bureaucracy.”

“Yep,” Minami said, too bright. “Super boring. You wouldn’t like it. Scarecrows hate rain.”

“Minami,” Salem said from under her hand, muffled. “You’re making it worse.”

“You started it!” She finally dropped her hand, then jabbed a finger at Zoro. “And you! Stop looking at us like we’re puzzles! We’re very normal Marines! With normal, non-forest trauma!”

Zoro stared at her. Then at Salem. Then he snorted. “You’re both insane.”

“Told you,” Minami said, flopping down to sit cross-legged in the dirt. “Scarecrow club. Membership pending.”

Salem rubbed his mask where Minami had smacked it. “I hate both of you.”

“Love you too, Kuya,” Minami said sweetly.

Zoro leaned his head back against the wood, closing his eyes. “If you’re gonna kill me, do it. If not, shut up. I’ve got a headache.”

“Can’t kill you,” Salem said, dropping the guard act for a second. “You’re too important.” If Minami was gonna pretend to be an oracle, why shouldn't he?

Zoro’s eyes snapped open. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

Minami just giggled. “Spoilers∼.”

Chapter Text

The sound of boots skidding on stone cut them off. Koby came sprinting into the courtyard, face pale, tripping over his own feet.

“Z-Zoro!” he gasped, catching himself on the edge of the platform. He didn’t even glance at Salem or Minami, too panicked to register the two cloaked figures.

Zoro’s expression went flat. “What.”

Koby swallowed, hands shaking. “I—I just talked to Helmeppo. He— he went back on his word. He’s not letting you go after the thirty days. He said— he said he’s going to execute you tomorrow. In the town square.”

The courtyard went dead quiet.

Minami’s grin vanished. Salem went very, very still. Turns out, even when you know what's gonna happen, it's still revolting to hear that. Especially now that this world is no longer fiction.

Zoro didn’t move. Didn’t even blink. Then, slow, he exhaled through his nose. “Tch. Figures.”

“Koby,” Salem said, voice low. Not asking, just confirming. “He told you himself?”

Koby nodded frantically, finally noticing the two cloaked figures. “Y-yeah. He laughed about it. Said a pirate’s word means nothing, and neither does a Marine’s when it’s his dad in charge. I’m sorry, I tried—”

“Don’t apologize,” Zoro cut in. His voice was rough, but steady. “Not your fault some rich brat can’t keep his mouth shut.” He tugged at the ropes, testing them. “Guess I should’ve expected it.”

A whistle cut through the air.

“OI! MOSSHEAD!”

Every head snapped toward the shout. Luffy came vaulting over the courtyard wall, landing in a crouch with a grin that promised violence. “I heard you need a rescue!”

“YOU IDIOT, IT’S A TRAP—” Koby started.

Too late. Marines poured into the courtyard from every archway, rifles up. “It’s Straw Hat! And those two! Surround them!”

“Shit,” Salem muttered. Quickly coming to Zoro and untying his rope's

He didn't wait for orders or openings. Salem hit the base of the cross at a dead sprint, shoulder-checking the nearest guard into the stone. His hands were on Zoro's wrists in the next heartbeat, tearing at the knots. "Hold still, damn it."

"Took you long enough," Zoro growled, but he went slack so Salem could work. Minami was right behind him, cloak snapping. She dropped to her knee, untying the ropes around his ankles. “These are stupidly tight. Did they use an anchor line? Overachievers.”

A Marine shouted, “Stop them!” and raised his rifle.

Salem’s elbow shot back without him looking, catching the guy in the gut and folding him in half. “Busy,” he snapped. “Die later.” He was mildly shocked that had worked. As a human he had known martial arts but his body was too weak for it to matter much in a fight.

Minami untied the last strand. “He’s free!”

Zoro landed on his feet, rolling his neck. He grabbed the broken rifle off the Marine Salem just dropped. “About time.”

Salem and Minami didn’t waste a second. They both stood up sharp, backs to Zoro, facing the ring of Marines now closing in.

Then, in near perfect sync, they dropped their cloaks.

The heavy Marine-issue fabric hit the dirt at their feet.

And the courtyard went silent.

Two luminescent capes were revealed. Salem's cape, gold-trimmed with two-toned segments; the white underlayer shaped like a bird's wing plumage and overlapping in the front. The black upper layer draws around the neck, and forms a wide fanned out tail at the back. A star-shaped lapel pin chain adorned the front left panel. Minami's cape had two distinct sections: the upper; a white cloth with gold tips and folds. While the bottom appeared completely transparent with a glowing yellow outline forming the shape of a flower’s petals.

"What the-"

"Monsters!"

"Devil fruit users?!"

Zoro stared at them from behind. Then down at his new 'sword'. Then back up at them. "The hell are you two?"

"No time," Salem said, voice deeper now, layered. His cape flared, knocking back the closest Marines.

"Captain!" Luffy, who'd been watching with his jaw on the floor, snapped to attention. "Yeah?"

“Minami and I don't have our blades with us so we'll meet you at that food place when you're done here!" Salem shouted.

Luffy pointed at them, vibrating. "YOU'RE SO COOL! YES! Save me meat!"

"GO!" Minami yelled, grabbing Salem's arm.

They beat their capes once, hard. The backdraft sent Marines tumbling and kicked up a wall of dust. By the time it cleared, they were already over the courtyard wall, two black shapes cutting across the sky.

Later the two might think of how lucky they were that that had worked given that they had technically never flown before.

Or not. Their flight had come naturally enough that they didn't even seem to consider that they possibly couldn't fly.

————————

Upon arriving at Ririka’s Bar, Minami didn’t hesitate. She slipped inside ahead of the others and went straight to the counter, already calling out an order like she owned the place.

Salem lingered near the entrance.

His thoughts had already drifted elsewhere, to Sabo. He was a significant character of interest to Salem. He wanted to save Ace, he knew he was going to meet the man and he couldn't just let him die. If Ace was anything like his portrayal Salem would get far too attached for that. And so, Sabo. He would be in Loguetown if the live-action is anything to go by and if Salem could bring him into the plot early (or even fix his amnesia early) it would give him the best chances at changi–.

“HEY!!”

The shout cut through his thoughts like a blade.

Salem blinked and turned.

Luffy stood in the doorway, grinning like nothing in the world was wrong, except for the fact that Zoro was draped over him, barely conscious, one arm hanging limply while the other clung weakly to Luffy’s shoulder. Koby hovered behind them, panting and wringing his hands, eyes darting between Zoro’s pale face and Luffy’s oblivious grin.

“…Ah.”

Salem stared for a second longer. Right. That, he’d almost forgotten.

Which, honestly, said a lot considering the situation.

Still… nine days. The swordsman had lasted nine days in that condition. That wasn’t just endurance that was something else entirely. Stubbornness, maybe. Or sheer refusal to die.

Either way, it was… impressive.

————————

“MEAT!!!” Luffy roared as he charged fully into the bar, completely disregarding the state of the person he was carrying.

Koby stumbled in behind him, panting and wide-eyed. "L-Luffy-san! You can’t just barge in like that! And Zoro-san is injured!"

A few patrons turned at the noise. One man flinched. Another muttered something under his breath. The bartender, Ririka, didn’t even look surprised. She just sighed and grabbed another plate.

Minami, meanwhile, had already made herself at home. She was crouched beside Rika, gently flicking the little girl’s forehead and laughing when the child tried to swat her hand away. There was an ease to her, like the chaos surrounding them didn’t exist.

Salem took a seat at one of the tables, resting his elbow against the wood as he watched the scene unfold. Or… appeared to. His mask remained still, its blank expression unreadable as ever. No shift, no hint of emotion. But his attention was clearly on them. On Minami. On Rika. On Luffy loudly demanding food like the world depended on it.

…Was he frowning under there? Or amused? Maybe annoyed. Maybe all three. It was impossible to tell.

Luffy dropped into a chair with zero care, letting Zoro slide halfway onto the table with a dull thud. "Food first," he declared, as if that solved everything.

Koby rushed over, hands hovering uselessly. "Z-Zoro-san! You shouldn’t move him like that! He needs a doctor! Luffy-san, please listen to me for once!"

Minami glanced over her shoulder, took in the scene, and sighed. “You’re going to break him before he wakes up.”

“He’s fine,” Luffy said immediately, already reaching for a bowl Ririka set down. "He’s tough! Right, Zoro?"

Zoro didn’t answer. Just grunted.

Koby wrung his hands. "B-but Luffy-san, with Captain Morgan… gone… the Marines are in disarray! We should lay low, not—not announce ourselves to the whole bar! What if someone reports us?"

Salem’s head tilted slightly. That confidence… was either admirable or completely insane. Koby’s voice shook, but he still spoke up. Noted.

For a moment, Salem said nothing. Just watched. Listened. Filed everything away. The way Luffy moved, reckless but certain. The way Zoro breathed, shallow, but steady. The way Koby fidgeted, caught between terror and loyalty. The way the town felt… quieter. No metal jaw barking orders. No axe hand slamming tables.

This day was exhausting and he was glad for the reprieve.

Minami stood up from where she was crouching and gently patted Rika’s head, her expression softening for a brief moment.

“I think I’m gonna explore this place while you guys eat,” she said casually, straightening up and brushing the dust from her hands. She wasn't too hungry and she had some things to ‘borrow’ before they left for Orange Town.

Rika looked up at her, a little disappointed but still smiling. “You’ll come back?” the girl asked.

Minami grinned. “Maybe. If they don’t eat everything first.”

“Hey!” Luffy immediately protested from across the room, already halfway through his first plate. “I heard that!”

“You were supposed to,” Minami shot back without missing a beat.

Zoro groaned faintly from where he was slumped over the table, barely reacting.

Koby blinked, then turned to Minami, alarmed. "W-wait! Miss Minami! You can’t just wander off! The town’s still dangerous! There are still Marines, and if they—if they see you—" He swallowed. "I-I mean, you should at least take someone with you! For backup!"

Salem didn’t move, but his gaze followed Minami as she turned toward the door.

“…Exploring?” he repeated quietly. There was a pause.

Minami glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable for just a second then it slipped back into something lighter.

“Relax,” she said. “I won’t cause too much trouble.”

Koby stepped forward, still wringing his hands. "B-but trouble finds Luffy-san! And you’re with him, so—so it’ll find you too! Please be careful!"

Salem tilted his head slightly, that wasn’t reassuring, not even a little but he didn’t stop her. Didn’t question it further, just watched as she stepped out, the door creaking softly behind her.

For a moment, the noise of the bar filled the space she left behind, Luffy eating, plates clattering, low chatter from strangers.

Koby let out a shaky breath and sank into a chair, staring at the door. "I hope… I hope she knows what she’s doing. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened because I didn’t say anything…”

And Salem… sat there, silent, unmoving. Still planning. Still calculating.

If Minami was ‘exploring,’ that meant she’d had something specific in mind or was planning to cause general chaos for Garp to deal with when he got here; it might be both. Either way, he could stand to be a bit less overprotective and this would make for great entertainment.

—----------

Minami slipped out of Ririka's Bar with the door creaking shut behind her, the noise of Luffy inhaling food fading into the Shells Town streets. No point hiding the cape now everyone in that courtyard saw it. Better to look like a weird kid than a deserter. Hard to miss the glowing eyes, but people here were too busy to stare, except for some but she didn't care.

She moved fast. Quiet. She had met Salem when he was sixteen and angry. As such, he wasn't the best influence at the time. Teaching her to pick locks over video calls and fostering a distrust for authority. Luffy and Zoro may be saviors of the town but Minami wasn't there for that fight and she wasn't about to test if their hosts’ grace extended to her as well.

But her fingers were itching. She and Salem dropped into this world with nothing but the clothes on their backs and capes that couldn't cut butter. If they were sticking around, they needed tools.

The street narrowed. Then she smelled it, oil, metal, smoke.

A tool shop.

The sign was faded, hanging crooked: Rook's Irons & Arms. Weapons, ship fittings, and probably a few illegal modifications if the barred windows were any clue.

Minami ghosted up to the doorway. No bell. No Marine guards posted. Convenient.

She peered inside. Shelves of nails, rope, harpoons. A wall of blades behind the counter - cheap cutlasses, machetes, fishing knives. Nothing that sang to her.

"Hello?" she called, voice pitching up to sound smaller, harmless. Silence. The back room door was ajar, but no footsteps. No breathing. Shopkeep must've run off to watch the execution that wasn't happening anymore. Thanks, Luffy.

Minami's grin went sharp.

She vaulted to the counter in one smooth motion, cape flaring behind her. Her eyes swept the walls again, dismissing the junk. Then she saw it.

Tucked in the back, under a tarp: a rack of throwing knives. Balanced, clean edges, actual steel. Not the rusted crap on display. And beside it, leaning in the corner like it was a forgotten katana. Simple black saya, worn grip, but the weight looked right.

"Jackpot," she whispered. She moved fast. Finding a sack and throwing it all in there. The sack was thrown on her shoulder, the familiar weight settling her, grounding and comforting. Then she grabbed the katana.

She drew it an inch.Shing.

No glow. No special Sky properties. Just good, honest steel. It'd do.

Minami re-sheathed it and slung it across her back, adjusting her cape so the hilt sat hidden at her shoulder. She glanced at the door one last time. Still no owner.

She could leave money. She should leave money. Instead, she grabbed a piece of chalk from the counter and scrawled on the wood:

IOU 1 sword + 5 throwing knives - M.

P.S. Tell Rook his security sucks.

Her light pulsed once, amused. Then she was out the window, cape snapping, already three rooftops away before anyone in the bar noticed she was gone.

Weapons secured. But they still looked like targets.

She slipped back out onto the street, eyes scanning again. One block over: laundry lines sagging between buildings, and a shop with a sign that read Sato's Outfitters Cloaks, Coats, Sailcloth. Even better, the back door was propped open with a crate. Someone was airing out inventory.

Minami ghosted through the alley. Inside, racks of heavy wool cloaks, waxed canvas coats, fur-lined winter gear meant for North Blue trade routes. All sized for adults, but that never stopped her. Salem would tailor it for her later. She might have to annoy him into though.

She grabbed fast and quiet: two thick navy cloaks, nondescript and sturdy. A fur-trimmed coat that looked like it'd fit Salem if he rolled the sleeves. Two pairs of gloves. A scarf that was way too long but aggressively warm-looking. She shoved it all into her sack with the knives. The clatter of steel on steel made her wince.

No owner in sight. Probably also at the failed execution. Shells Town really needed a better work ethic.

She hesitated, then snagged the chalk from Rook's shop she'd pocketed earlier. On the wooden floor she wrote:

IOU 2 cloaks + 1 coat + gloves - M.

P.S. Your back door was open. Fix that before someone worse than me shows up.

Her light pulsed once, amused. She hefted the now-bulky sack, the katana strapped tight to her back under her Sky cape. Then she was out the window, cape snapping, already three rooftops away before anyone in the shop noticed she was there.

The streets, two minutes later

The shouting started behind her.

"THIEF! STOP THAT KID!"

Minami didn't look back. She vaulted a clothesline, flipped over a cart of fish, and landed in a dead sprint. The sack bounced against her shoulder, steel clanking with every step. Subtle was never the plan.

"Get back here, you little demon!" Rook’s voice bellowed from the ground. He was red-faced, eyes blazing red, clutching a harpoon like he actually planned to throw it. "I'll mount your head on my wall!"

Beside him, a wiry man in an apron-Sato, probably-was wheezing, waving a broom. "My winter stock! That's premium North Blue fur!"

Minami grinned, eyes bright. She kicked off a wall, used a drainpipe to launch herself higher, and took to the sky.

"Should’ve locked your doors!" she called back, voice echoing."Consider it a tax for bad security!"

A Marine fired a warning shot. It whistled past her ear and cracked into a chimney.

Minami didn’t flinch. Cape snapping behind her, and flew straight for the harbor. Sato’s screaming faded, replaced by the wind in her ears and the clatter of steel in her sack.

Salem was gonna lecture her. She could already hear it. Reckless. Unnecessary. We don’t steal from civilians, Minami.

She rolled her eyes mid-air. Then maybe you shouldn't have let me leave Kuya.

Ririka’s Bar came into view. She spotted the alley behind it and the bar’s back door. Perfect.

Minami angled down, dropped two stories in a dead drop, and hit the sloped roof of the bar running. Tiles clattered under her boots. She didn’t break stride.

Ririka’s Bar

Salem’s head snapped up. He’d been tracking the shouting for the last forty seconds. Getting closer. Angrier.

"...Minami," he said flatly.

Luffy looked up from his fourth plate. "She’s back?"

Koby froze, rice halfway to his mouth. "W-wait, was that shouting for her!? Miss Minami, she didn’t—"

The answer came as a crash.

The back door, exploded inward as Minami kicked through it. She landed in a crouch on one of the tables, sending plates jumping. Zoro, who’d finally sat up, nearly fell back over.

Koby yelped and dove under the table. "Eep! She’s got a weapon!"

Minami didn’t say a word. She stood, hefted the bulging, clanking sack off her shoulder, and hurled it.

It sailed across the room and hit the table in front of Salem with a THUD that rattled every dish. Knives clinked. Something loopheavy, shifted inside.

"Delivery," Minami said, chest heaving, eyes still bright from the chase. Her cape still flaring, glowing faintly with adrenaline. "You’re welcome."

Koby peeked over the table, eyes wide. "D-delivery!? Luffy-san, she’s being chased by Marines! We have to hide her!"

Salem didn’t move. He just stared at the sack. Then at her. The fur-trimmed coat she’d stolen for him was poking out the top.

Outside, the sound of the Marines and Rook’s voice hit the street. "WHERE DID THAT THIEF WHO TOOK MY STEEL GO!?"

Ririka slowly set down the ladle. "...Kid. What did you do."

Minami hopped off the table, adjusted the katana at her back, and grinned sharply. "Shopping. Told you I was exploring."

Zoro stared at the sack, then at Minami, then at the katana. "You stole from civilian's?" A beat. Then, reluctantly impressed: "Ballsy."

"I left IOUs," Minami said, like that fixed everything. She pouted and pointed at the sack. "Check it. Got you a coat. And gloves. Be grateful."

Salem finally exhaled. Long. Suffering. He shook his head disappointedly. "Minami. How many people did you steal from?."

Minami rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "Like I said, I didn’t steal. I left IOUs. Not the same thing."

Salem stared at her. "That’s exactly the same thing."

"Nope," Minami said, popping the p. "Stealing is when you take it and run. I took it, told them I took it, and promised to pay them back. That’s called credit. Merchants do it all the time."

Luffy pointed at her with a chicken leg. "She’s right! I do that with meat!"

"That’s not helping," Zoro muttered, but he was smirking into his arm.

Koby grabbed his hair. "Luffy-san! Don’t encourage her! If the Marines find out we’re harboring a thief, we’ll all go to jail! I wanted to be a real Marine, not a cellmate!"

Ririka rubbed her temples. "I am not explaining this to the Marines."

Outside, Rook’s voice got farther and farther as he finally lost trail of Minami

Koby slumped, breathing hard. "Oh thank goodness… he’s gone. But they’ll be back! We have to—we have to make a plan! Or run! Or something!"

Salem dragged a hand down his mask. "Two shops. You hit two shops, didn’t you."

"Two and a half if you count the scarf," Minami said cheerfully. "But Sato’s door was open. That’s on him."

"Minami."

"What? You taught me to pick locks. This was easier."

"I taught you to pick locks so you wouldn't get caught," Salem said, voice flat. He grabbed the sack and yanked out the fur-trimmed coat. "And so you wouldn’t leave a trail straight back to us."

Minami shrugged, unrepentant. "We needed gear. You were busy brooding about something. I solved a problem."

"By creating five more," Salem said. He pulled the coat on anyway. It fit. Damn her.

Koby looked between them, then at the coat, then at the door. "Um… so we’re just… keeping it? The stolen coat? Sir, with all due respect, that’s evidence!"

Salem ignored him.

Koby waved his arms, voice cracking. "Hello!? Marines! Laws! Jail! Is anyone listening to me!?”

Salem just looked at him blankly, then went to inspect the throwing knives.

Koby deflated. "...Right. Ignored. Again. As usual.”

Chapter Text

Hey everyone. Sorry but me and Clover have been really busy lately and we're running out of our chapter backlog.

And so, we will be switching from uploading twice a week to once a week on Fridays or Saturdays. We're gonna try to switch back to biweekly once we have the chance but for now you'll be seeing a bit less of us.

In an attempt to not leave you all too empty handed I'll be linking my (currently very empty) Tumblr so that you can throw a rock at me or something.

Thank you all for the support on our fic, it's our first one so it means the world to us, and we will see you on Saturday. -Decay

Chapter Text

Zoro finally stood up and took a seat, grabbing a bowl to eat. He shoveled food into his mouth like he hadn’t seen a meal in years.

"I'm stuffed," he said between bites. "I was definitely at my rope's end, having not eaten for three weeks."

Koby, Ririka, and Rika all laughed. Koby nearly choked on his rice, shoulders shaking.

In the background, Minami had claimed the far corner of the table. She was perched on the bench with one leg tucked under her, the hem of her loose, short-sleeved dress pooling around her knee. The dress had a high, open collar and faded from white at the top to a soft blue at the bottom. Swirling tattoos coiled up her arm and leg, stark against her skin as she picked through a plate with her fingers.

Across from her, Salem sat straight-backed, his soft blue kimono-style top falling neatly over wide, darker blue pants. A dark blue obi cinched his waist, the wave-like cyan lines swirling at the front of both sash and pants catching the light when he moved. The fur-trimmed coat from her “shopping trip” was already draped over his shoulders. He set his chopsticks down with a quiet, clink after methodically cutting a piece of fish.

"You gonna lecture me the whole meal?" Minami muttered around a mouthful of rice, not looking up.

"I’m considering it. You brought half the town down on us," Salem said, his voice flat behind the mask.

Minami snorted, flicking a pea at him. It bounced off his mask and landed in the folds of his sash. "Please. You look good in the coat. Admit it."

"...It fits," Salem said, brushing the pea away. But he didn’t take the coat off.

"Huh? You're finished already?" Luffy said, staring at Zoro’s empty bowl with wide eyes.

Zoro paused, chopsticks hovering mid-air, and looked at Luffy, dumbfounded. "How the heck can you have a bigger appetite than me?"

Luffy grinned around a mouthful of meat, cheeks bulging. "It tastes good! Right, Koby?" he asked, nudging Koby with his elbow.

Koby set his bowl down and bowed his head slightly toward Ririka. "Thank you for treating me to food, too..."

Ririka waved a ladle, smiling warmly. "It's no problem! The town has been saved, after all!"

Rika beamed up at Luffy, tugging on his sleeve. "You really are amazing!" she said, eyes sparkling.

Salem quietly slid the sack of stolen goods under the table with his boot, the cyan wave patterns on his pants shifting as he moved. Minami reached over and stole a piece of fish off his plate, the tattoos on her arm flexing.

He didn’t stop her. Just sighed.

"IOUs," Minami whispered, grinning. "Told you it’d work."

"You’re impossible," Salem muttered, pushing his plate closer to her anyway. The soft blue of his kimono top contrasted with the white-to-blue fade of her dress.

"Yup, I am!" Luffy said, puffing out his chest. "And I'm gonna be even more amazing!"

He slammed his hands on the table, sending chopsticks rattling. "Because I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

Minami perked up from her corner, pointing at him with a fish bone. "And I even have a crew!" Luffy added.

Zoro raised an eyebrow, setting his bowl down. "So, how many others have you gathered besides me? You said you were in the middle of gathering a crew. To be King of the Pirates, you must have a good number gathered."

Luffy popped another piece of fish in his mouth and said, "Just you, Salem, and Minami."

Zoro blinked. "Huh? Then..."

"Yup," Luffy said, grinning wide. "Just us four!"

"We're gonna call just the four of us a pirate crew?" Zoro said, frowning. He pointed at them without even looking. "Do those two even know how to fight?"

"Hey, rude," Minami said, tossing the fish bone back onto her plate.

Zoro ignored her.

"They're cool, and what's wrong with that? We are strong!" Luffy said, flexing his scrawny arm.

"What about a ship? Where's your pirate ship?" Zoro asked.

"There." Luffy pointed outside using his forked fish. Through the window, they could see a 'ship'—if you could call it that with how small it was. A rowboat was a more appropriate word for it.

"That?" Zoro said, leaning over to look out the window and squinting. "That’s a dinghy."

"We'll have a ship this big before long!" Luffy said, stretching his arm wide to demonstrate how big. "Huge! With a figurehead and everything!"

"L-Luffy-san, that’s still just four people and a rowboat!" Koby said.

Salem didn’t look up from his food. "He’s not wrong."

Zoro laughed. "And how's that?"

"And I'd like a pirate flag, too!" Luffy said, eating a fish and daydreaming. He pictured himself on a big ship with his own pirate flag, laughing at the front of it. "Yeah, yeah! So cool!" Luffy said, his mouth still full of food.

"I think Luffy was born without any sense of planning," Koby said.

"I think he was born without any sense for anything, Koby," Minami said, stifling her giggles.

"Did I really make this guy my captain?" Zoro muttered, a hand on his forehead.

"Well, we'll get more crew members before long!" Luffy said, unfazed.

"Hey, hey! Where are you guys gonna go now?" Rika asked, bouncing on her toes as she refilled Zoro’s bowl. She looked at Luffy with wide, excited eyes.

"Isn't it obvious?" Luffy said around a mouthful of rice. He swallowed, then slammed his fist on the table. "The Grand Line!"

Koby choked. He spat out his juice — it shot out of his nose and splattered across the table. "You only have four members!" he wheezed, coughing. "No way! No way! No way!"

Minami snorted, then slid a napkin across the table to him without looking up from her plate. "Breathe, Koby. You’re gonna die before you even enlist."

She glanced between Koby’s red face and Luffy’s grin. "Is the Grand Line... that terrible of a place?" she asked, voice small.

"Naturally!" Koby said, finally catching his breath. He pushed his glasses up with a trembling hand. "You know this world has two oceans, right? And the giant continent that cuts them in two is the Red Line. Supposedly there's a town right in the middle of the Red Line, and the Grand Line cuts through it at a right angle... and stretches all the way around the world."

He leaned forward, lowering his voice like he was telling a ghost story. "It was said that Gold Roger, King of the Pirates, once obtained everything this world has to offer. And before he died, he said he left the great treasure, One Piece, there."

Koby’s hands shook as he gestured wildly. "So pirates everywhere have since set sail for the Grand Line! It's now an intense battlefield, and even called a pirate graveyard!"

"But the One Piece is somewhere there, so we're going there!" Luffy said, slamming his chopsticks down. A piece of fish flew off the table.

"Guess it can't be helped!" Zoro said, picking up the fallen fish and popping it in his mouth.

"Not you too, Zoro!" Koby said, shooting to his feet. His chair scraped loud against the floor.

"What's the matter? You're not going, are you?" Zoro said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"No, but I'm worried about you guys! Is that wrong?" Koby’s voice cracked. He looked at Luffy, desperate. "Luffy and I haven't known each other long, but... we're friends, right?"

"Right?"

Salem let out a huff. "Of course, kiddo." He put his hand on Koby's shoulder. "Look, focus on the Marines and don't worry too much about us. I've looked after Minami for the last three years and she's still in one piece, despite her best efforts."

He paused for a second when Minami flicked another pea at his head.

"Point is, I'm sure I can handle keeping a few more idiots alive, so do me a favor and get strong enough to make the Marines an organization worth respecting." Salem let go of the pink-haired boy’s shoulder and leaned back comfortably, still watching him. "Besides, it's not like I'll let us go to the Grand Line without a navigator. Since, y'know, today was Minami and I's first time on a boat.”

"Yeah! We're gonna part ways, but we'll always be friends!" Luffy said, grinning with his cheeks stuffed full.

Koby’s shoulders dropped. He smiled and looked down at his lap, fingers curling into his shorts. "Since I was a little kid, I've never had friends... much less anyone who would fight for my sake..."

He took a shaky breath. "But more than anything, I never tried to fight for anything... But you four taught me to live for my beliefs!"

Koby slammed his hands on the table, standing up so fast his chair toppled back with a clatter. "I've decided to make my childhood dream come true! I want to join the Navy!"

Zoro didn’t look up from his bowl. "Shouldn't you be more worried about yourself, then?"

"Even if you were just a chore boy, you did spend two years on Alvida's pirate ship," he said, picking fish bones from his teeth. "Don't underestimate the Navy's info-gathering skills."

He finally met Koby’s eyes. "If they find out about that, you'll never get to join."

"Now that you mentioned it..." Koby trailed off, color draining from his face.

The door slid open.

"Pardon me," a voice said.

A Marine stood in the doorway, hand resting on his back. Behind him, more blocked the light.

"Salem, quick, hide the evidence,” Minami whispered. ”And by evidence I mean me."

Salem’s eye twitched behind his mask. He leaned down, whispering back. "Mimi, I can’t hide you. You’re not a cape cosmetic. And we’re in a bar."

"Is it true that you are pirates?"

Luffy swallowed the last of his rice, thumped his chest, and beamed. "Yeah. We gained a member and became a pirate group just now!" Luffy said, grinning.

Koby made a strangled noise. His chair was still on the floor.

"We appreciate that you saved our base and this town from that tyrant," the lead Marine said, his jaw tight. "However, now that we know you are pirates, in the name of the Navy, we cannot stand by quietly!"

He stepped forward, boots loud on the wooden floor. "You will need to leave this town at once!"

The Marine’s eyes flicked to Salem and Minami. "Out of obligation, we will refrain from contacting headquarters and reporting you two odd ones."

Minami raised an eyebrow. "Odd ones?"

"Hey, Navy guy! How can you talk like that?" A voice shouted from the crowd of townspeople peeking through the windows. An old man pushed forward, pointing a shaky finger. "Even you guys were subdued and terrified of Morgan!”

"We owe these people our lives!” “Yeah, yeah!" The citizens shouted, fists in the air.

"Well, guess we should go!" Luffy said, standing up and stretching. "Thanks for the food, lady!" he said, looking at Rika’s Mom.

"You guys are leaving already?" Rika asked, clutching her empty tray.

"Yeah," Luffy answered, smiling and hoisting the rest of his food onto his shoulder in a cloth wrap. Zoro stood up as well, slinging his three swords over his shoulder.

Minami and Salem stood up too, Salem casually grabbing the sack of "requisitioned" supplies like it was theirs all along. Before Minami left, she snagged a handful of peas from the bowl and popped them in her mouth.

"Aren't you part of their crew?" The Marine asked Koby, his back facing the Marines as they filed toward the door.

"Eh? I'm... I'm..." Koby clenched his jaw, staring at the floorboards.

Luffy glanced back at him over his shoulder, then kept walking. "C’mon, Zoro."

"Hold it!"

"Well? Is he?" The Marine asked Luffy, his hand still on his saber.

"I know what he's done until now," Luffy answered, not even turning around.

Koby whipped around to look at Luffy, his face white. Luffy! You wouldn't!

"There's this really fat pirate lady," Luffy said, stretching his arms wide to his sides to illustrate. "I think her name was Ahiruda."

"Luffy!" Koby shouted, sweat pouring down his face. If they find out I was on a pirate ship, I'll never get to join the Navy!

"And she had this iron club," Luffy continued, stepping closer to Koby until he stopped right at his side. He leaned in and poked Koby’s forehead with every word. "Gee, she was an ugly hag!"

Poke. "And." Poke. "For." Poke. "Two." Poke. "Whole." Poke. "Years." Poke. "This." Poke. "Guy." Poke. "Was." Poke. "Her..."

Please don’t! Please don’t! Luffy! Koby’s thoughts screamed.

Then Koby’s fist flew out. THWACK.

He punched Luffy square in the face.

The bar went dead silent. Rika’s tray clattered to the floor. The Marines’ mouths hung open. The townspeople froze mid-cheer.

Everyone was shocked, mouth agape — except for Zoro, who was smirking.

Meanwhile, Minami just held out her palm to Salem, offering him a pea. They watched it unfold like it was dinner theater.

Luffy stumbled back one step, rubbing his cheek. Then he grinned.

"Now you've done it, you bastard!" Luffy shouted, rearing his fist back.

"Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!" Luffy yelled, punching Koby in the face over and over. Koby’s head snapped back with each hit.

"Stop that! We won't allow you to cause any more trouble in this town!" the Marine shouted, drawing his saber halfway out of its sheath.

"Hey! You've gone too far. That's enough." Zoro grabbed Luffy by the back of his shirt, yanking him off Koby like a misbehaving dog.

Koby collapsed to his knees, then pitched forward onto the floorboards, gasping. Blood dripped from his nose onto the wood.

"Ooh, that must've hurt," Minami said, casually tossing a pea into her mouth. She said it like she’d just noticed it might rain.

Salem didn’t even look up from the sack of supplies. "Real perceptive, Mimi.”

"It's very clear that you guys aren't crewmates! Now leave this town at once!" The Marine shouted.

Luffy looked down, smirking, and pulled his hat low over his eyes. "Alright."

They left the bar.

On purpose. He did that on purpose... For me.... He purposely got me riled up to make me hit him... Even in the very end, I wound up relying on him! Nothing's changed at all! Am I an idiot?

Koby stood up, fists clenched. "Please! Please... Let me join the Navy! I'll do chores or anything else! If it means I can be a Marine!" He bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the floor.

A Marine stepped up to the one in front. "Lieutenant Colonel! I'm against the idea! I still don't fully trust this kid! There have been cases of Marines being pirate spies! We'll first need to conduct a background check..." the Marine behind the Colonel said.

"I'm a man who will become a Navy officer!" Koby shouted, not raising his head.

The Colonel looked at him, then stepped forward, stopping right behind him. "Countless comrades of ours have been killed by pirates. Don't take the Navy lightly."

"Then..."

"Permission to join granted!"

Koby’s head snapped up. He spun around, grinning through the blood, and saluted. "Yes, sir!"

———————

Zoro, Luffy, Minami, and Salem walk down to the harbor, the stolen sack thumping against Salem’s back.

"That was a pretty lame act. Wouldn't be shocked if they saw through it," Zoro said, adjusting his swords.

Minami hopped over a puddle, still chewing peas. "Bet you ten candles that the next town’s got a clown, and he’s definitely gonna think he’s scary."

Salem choked on air. He stopped walking. "Mimi."

Zoro’s hand drifted to the hilt of his sword. He eyed her sideways. "How the hell would you know that?"

Luffy just laughed, bright and unbothered. "A clown? Awesome! I wanna see!" He threw his arms out, already picturing it. "Do you think he juggles? Or shoots out of cannons?"

Salem pinched the bridge of his nose. Or at least, that's what it looked like "She doesn’t know know. She’s guessing. Badly." He glared at Minami. "Right?"

Minami shrugged, and popped another pea in her mouth. "Just a guess. We'll see, won't we?”

Zoro grunted. "Tch. Weirdo." But he didn’t take his hand off his sword.

"Koby'll handle the rest on his own now, I just know it," Luffy said, grinning out at the sea, already forgetting the clown comment.

"It's a nice way to leave, though. Being unable to turn back 'cause everyone hates you... It's pirate-like!" Zoro said, one hand on the hilt of his sword, watching the town shrink behind them.

Luffy laughed. "That's true!" He grabbed the rope tied to the mooring ball, knuckles white as he hauled it up.

"Luffy!"

Luffy turned toward the voice and saw Koby sprinting down the dock with Ririka and Rika beside him. Koby skidded to a stop, chest heaving, and snapped into a salute. "Thank you! I'll never forget all you've done for me!"

"I've never heard of a pirate being thanked by a Marine..." Zoro muttered, eyebrows raising.

Luffy laughed, letting the sails down. The canvas caught the wind with a loud snap. He waved to Koby with both arms. "Let's meet again sometime, Koby!"

"Luffy..." Koby’s voice cracked.

"Bye!" Rika shouted, standing on her tiptoes and waving her tiny arms like she could push the boat faster with them.

A voice rang out behind Koby, sharp and official. "All hands! Salute!"

It was the Marines. A whole line of them, standing at attention on the dock.

"See you!" Luffy waved back. Salem and Minami waved too. Minami with both hands, like she was trying to flag down a taxi. Salem’s wave was more of a twitch.

"That's a great friend you have there," Koby looked up at the Colonel beside him, eyes glassy. He swallowed hard, holding it back.

"Yes, sir!" Koby answered, watching the rowboat drift farther and farther away until Luffy’s straw hat was just a speck.

"Our salute just now is in violation of naval law! Therefore, we will all go without food for three days! Understood?" the Colonel barked.

"Yes, sir!" the Marines answered in unison.

“Oh, for fucks sake! Just run laps or something you masochists!” Salem shouted.

I'm sure... I'm sure we'll meet again sometime, somewhere, Luffy! Even if we're divided as pirates and Marines, let's meet again someday! Koby thought, fist clenched so tight his nails dug into his palm.

"Alright! Our pirate crew finally set sail!" Luffy said, holding on to his straw hat as the boat pitched over a wave. Water splashed onto the deck.

"Looks like some pretty good adventures'll be waiting for us," Zoro said, bracing his feet against the roll.

"I will be King of the Pirates!" Luffy yelled into the wind.

"You really seem obsessed with this King of the Pirates thing. Is there some sorta reason for it?" Zoro asked, glancing over.

"No reason. It's just..." Luffy trailed off, eyes on the horizon.

"It's just?" Zoro prompted.

"I swore to a certain man that someday I will gather a great crew, find the world's greatest treasure, and become King of the Pirates!" Luffy grinned, but his voice went quiet on 'certain man.'

"This straw hat knows." He tapped the brim.

"I see..." Zoro said. He didn’t push.

Salem and Minami just sat there in a damp crate, dripping. Their hair was still salt-crusted. Their clothes clung to them. They watched history begin and looked like two drowned cats who’d wandered onto the wrong set.

"Ah, I ate all my peas," Minami said, staring at her empty hand like it had personally betrayed her. She turned to Salem, dead serious. "Salem. Crisis. Do you think this boat has a crab dispenser? I’m running on empty."

Salem was staring at the horizon anticipating the adventures they'll have, not bothering to answer Minami.

Zoro finally turned to look at them. Really looked. His eyes dragged from their soggy clothes and the way they flinched when the boat creaked. His hand settled on his swords.

"I never did get to ask you guys," he said, slow. "What are you even supposed to be?"

“Oh? Our species are called Nau’ade if that's what you mean.” Salem responded casually.

———————

‘Why did I just say that?’

Here's the thing, Salem has said a lot of stupid things in his life, and yet, he's not sure any of them measure up to this lie.

‘Nau’ade.’ Clearly the Star Wars hyperfixation he had right before ending up here was not serving him well, given that he just translated ‘Children of the Light' into Mando’a and called it a day.

Minami was looking at him weird. Probably because she'd never heard that word in her life. He really hoped she'd commit to the lie or else he's screwed.

“Eh? The hell is a Nau’ade?” Zoro’s voice broke through his panic. “Nau’ad.” Salem corrected, voice not betraying his panic. “Nau’ade is the plural form and Nau’ad is the singular.”

Zoro squinted. "So there’s more of you?"

Salem’s brain short-circuited. Say no. Say no. Say no. "Uh."

Minami perked up, finally catching on. She nodded, solemn as a prophet. "Lots. We migrate. In capes."

Salem wanted to jump overboard.

"Right," Zoro said. "Migrating cape people. Who flinch at boats." He didn’t move his hand off his sword. "And eat peas. And fall out of the sky."

Luffy swung down from the rigging, landing between them with a thump. "Nau’ade? Cool! Do Nau’ade like meat? Can you stretch?" He grabbed his own cheek and pulled it. "Like this?"

"No, but I can do this," Minami said.

She reached into nothing— like literally into empty air beside her hip — and pulled out a red candle. It just... appeared. One second air, next second wax and wick. She held it up, proud.

Zoro’s sword was half-drawn before he even processed it. "What the—"

Salem made a noise like a dying modem. "Minami. Pocket space is not subtle."

Luffy’s jaw dropped. Then he grinned so wide it looked painful. "WHOA! Do it again! Where’d it go?! Do you have meat in there?!"

Minami tilted her head. "No meat. But I have..." She frowned, patting the air again like she was checking invisible shelves. "Crab plushie. And a lantern. And..." Her face lit up. "White Candle!"

Another pop. Now she was holding a pristine white candle in one hand, a crab plushie tucked under her arm, and a small lantern swinging from her finger. The crab plushie had beady little eyes.

Zoro took a full step back. "Okay. No. Absolutely not." He pointed his sword at the plushie. "Why is the crab staring at me?"

Salem lifted his head off the deck just enough to glare. "It’s for comfort," he said, voice hollow. "Minami is very… emotionally unstable. She needs to carry her emotional support crabs. During migration."

"Hey! I'm right here, you know!" Minami pouted, clutching the crab plushie tighter. "I’m not mentally unhinged. I’m prepared."

Zoro snorted. "Prepared for what? A crab invasion?"

"For sadness!" Minami shot back. She held the plushie up like evidence. "Nau’ade get sad when there’s no light. Or when we run out of peas. Or when people call us emotionally unstable." She glared at Salem.

Salem winced. "Okay, bad wording. Poor choice. I meant... spiritually sensitive. Nau’ade are spiritually sensitive. The crabs help. With the vibes."

"Is it alive?!" Zoro demanded, pointing at the crab.

"Define alive," Salem muttered into the wood.

Luffy had already grabbed the white candle. He held it up to the sun, squinting. "It’s different! It’s fancier! Can I eat it?"

"NO!" Salem shot up so fast he hit his head on the crate. "Ow— non-consumable! Ritual! Cultural! Very important Nau’ade culture! You do not eat the white ones!"

Minami nodded sagely, hugging the crab plushie. "He’s right. Red is for friends. White is for..." She paused, thinking hard. "...for bigger friends."

Luffy gasped. "Like giants?! Do you know giants?!"

Zoro dragged a hand down his face. "I am trapped on a boat with two lunatics who speak in riddles and summon crabs. This is my life now."

Salem looked at him, dead in the eyes. "Welcome to the migration."

The lantern in Minami’s hand flickered on by itself, spilling warm light across the deck.

Salem started laughing. It wasn’t a happy laugh. It was the laugh of a man who’d just watched his fake species develop a theology he didn’t approve.

Chapter Text

The sun hung dead overhead. No wind. No land. Just a tiny rowboat with four very lost, very hungry people.

Luffy’s stomach growled loud enough to echo. "Zorooo... food..."

"Don’t look at me," Zoro snapped, still rowing. "You’re the captain. Navigate."

"I am navigating!" Luffy said, pointing straight up. "Bird! That means land! And dinner!"

Salem was squinting at the waves, trying to read them. "If we follow the swells northeast and watch the gulls, there should be—"

GUM-GUM ROCKET!

Luffy’s arm shot past Salem’s face and latched onto the bird’s leg.

The bird was not a seagull.

The bird was the size of a house. It honked in outrage, flapped once, and took off — with Luffy now dangling from its beak.

"LUFFY, YOU IDIOT!" Zoro roared.

"Salem! Do something!" Minami yelled, already scrambling up.

"I’m a tailor, not a—" Salem started, but Minami was already gone.

She jumped, cape snapping open. For three glorious seconds she flew, arms out, chasing the bird.

Then her wings flickered.

"Oh no," she said. "Ten wing power—"

She stalled. Glided. Dropped like a very confused kite.

SPLASH.

Zoro cursed and rowed harder, one eye on the shrinking dot of Luffy in the sky. He hooked Minami’s cape with an oar and hauled her back in, dripping.

"Stupid... wing recharge..." Minami coughed, spitting salt. "Sky’s easier..."

"Focus," Zoro grunted. "We gotta catch—"

"Help! Please!"

Three men were flailing in the water ahead, clinging to splintered wood.

Zoro didn’t slow down. He couldn’t. Luffy was still airborne.

Didn’t matter. The second the boat passed, the three pirates lunged. They hit the water, swam, and dragged themselves over the side.

The boat tipped dangerously. Salem grabbed Minami so she wouldn’t fall out again.

"Thanks for the rescue!" the biggest pirate panted. Then he drew a rusty cutlass and grinned. "Now get out. We’re taking the boat!"

Zoro stopped rowing.

He turned. Slowly. His hand went to his swords.

"Say that again," he said. His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

The pirate opened his mouth. "I said—"

WHAM. CRACK. THUD.

Twenty seconds later, all three were in a groaning heap at the bottom of the boat.

"Y-you..." the skinny one stammered, staring up at Zoro. His face went white. "Three swords... that bandana... You’re Roronoa Zoro! The Pirate Hunter!"

The other two froze. "We’re dead. We’re so dead."

"We’re sorry!" the big one blurted, hands up. "We didn’t know! Please don’t cut us!"

Zoro clicked his tongue. "Start talking. Why are you idiots drowning in the middle of nowhere?"

The big one rubbed his new bruise. "We got played, sir. Hunter's honor. We’re victims too."

"Victims?" Minami perked up, wringing out Mr. Pinchy. "Who stole from pirates?"

"A witch," the skinny pirate said miserably. "We’d just cleaned out a merchant ship. Hold was stuffed. We were heading back, counting money, when we saw this tiny boat drifting. Just a girl on it. Looked half-starved."

"She begged us," the third one added. "Said she hadn’t eaten in days. Offered us a treasure chest for some food and water."

"So naturally," the big one said, "we check the chest first. Ain’t no honor among thieves, right? We pop it open and—"

"Empty," Salem finished, already knowing where this was going. "Let me guess. When you looked up, she was gone."

"With our ship!" the skinny one wailed. "Left us her busted little rowboat! And then— then the sea just opened up! Maelstrom came outta nowhere and sucked the rowboat down! Last thing we saw was her on our deck, waving bye-bye like we were old friends!"

Minami gasped, scandalized. "That’s so mean! Who does that?!"

The big pirate slammed his fist against the boat’s edge. "When we find that thief, we’ll string her up! No one makes fools of us!"

"Yeah!" the third one growled. "We’ll—" He stopped, face paling. "Wait. Captain Buggy. He’s gonna kill us if we come back empty-handed."

"Buggy?" Zoro said, one eyebrow raising. He kept rowing, eyes on the sky where Luffy was still a speck. "Who’s Buggy?"

The skinny pirate flinched. "You don’t know Captain Buggy? Buggy the Clown? The most dangerous pirate in the East Blue?"

Salem lifted his head off the deck. "Clown. Great. As if we needed more circus people."

Zoro’s gaze slid to Minami. His eyes narrowed.

Minami blinked, clutching the crab plushie like a shield. "What? I don’t know any clowns. And besides I've never even seen a clown in my whole life"

"Uh-huh," Zoro said flatly. "You. Who can warn us if clowns show up." He rowed harder. "Real convenient."

"Hey!" Minami squawked, offended. "I said I can warn you! I didn’t say I brought them!"

Zoro looked at her, the look that said he still didn't believe her still. Then he looked at the three pirates and shoved a paddle into the big one’s chest.

"Row," Zoro ordered.

The big pirate blinked. "Huh?"

"Row," Zoro repeated, voice low. "All of you. Unless you want me to explain to your Captain Buggy why I found you floating instead of his ship."

The skinny one grabbed a paddle so fast he nearly fell overboard. "Rowing! We’re rowing, sir!"

Salem dragged himself upright, eyeing the town getting closer on the horizon. Smoke rose from it. So did the sound of cannon fire. "This is a bad idea," he muttered.

"No," Zoro said, watching the carousel ship in the harbor. "This is a terrible idea. But that idiot’s down there somewhere."

—-----------

In the streets of Orange Town.

Dust kicked up as boots pounded the dirt.

"Get back here, you thieving witch!" a pirate roared, tripping over a crate. "That map belongs to Captain Buggy!"

"Dammit!" another one yelled, vaulting a barrel. "If we don't get it back, we're dead meat too!"

"I don't wanna be killed by one of the captain's cannonballs!" the third one whimpered, clutching his head. "He uses us for target practice!"

Ahead of them, a flash of orange hair darted between buildings. Nami clutched a rolled-up map to her chest, sandals slapping the cobblestones.

"Should’ve thought of that before you left it sitting on your deck!" she shouted back. "Amateurs!"

---

At the port.

A massive circus tent loomed over the docks, red and white stripes flapping in the sea breeze. Beside it, the carousel ship Big Top creaked at anchor.

In the shadow of the tent, a figure with a huge red nose and blue hair turned. His grin was sharp enough to cut rope.

"Captain Buggy!" A pirate in the crow’s nest lowered his telescope, pointing at the sky. "I see something in the sky above the port! Big bird!”

Buggy’s eyes gleamed. He spread his arms wide. "Shoot it down!" he ordered, voice booming.

"Aye, Captain!" A crewman spun one of the elephant cannons. BOOM.

---

Nami skidded to a stop in the street, the pirates behind her stumbling to a halt too. She looked up as a shadow raced across the sun.

"What?" they all said in unison.

A black speck plummeted from the sky, whistling as it fell.

"A person fell from the sky!" one of the Buggy Pirates yelped, pointing.

CRASH.

The impact shook the street. Smoke and dust billowed up from the new crater in the middle of town square, blotting out the sun.

Nami coughed, waving a hand in front of her face. The three pirates behind her were frozen, jaws slack.

From inside the smoke, a voice echoed, annoyed: "Dammit! What are cannonballs flying at me for?!"

The dust settled.

Luffy stood up in the crater, stretching with a loud pop. His straw hat was still somehow on his head. He grinned, brushing rubble off his vest.

"But now I'm safe!" Luffy announced to nobody in particular. He looked up at the sky. "That was a pretty neat experience I had!"

Nami stared. The pirates stared.

—-----------------------

Out at sea, seconds from the dock.

BOOM.

The cannon fire echoed again. The three Buggy Pirates in Zoro’s boat didn’t need to be told twice. They rowed like devils were behind them.

"Captain’s shooting!" the skinny one gasped, oar splashing wildly. "If we don’t get to shore with info, we’re the next cannonballs!"

Zoro ignored them. His eyes were locked on the smoke rising from town. On the crater. On the idiot shouting for meat.

Salem was hunched over, rummaging frantically in the air beside his hip. His hand vanished up to the wrist, then reappeared clutching a white candle, intricate markings carved deep into the wax. The candle was already lit. "This is bad. This is very, very bad. Clowns. Cannons-."

He thrust the candle out. "Minami. Come closer to me."

Minami blinked, still clutching the traumatized crab plushie to her chest. "Huh?"

"Come here!" Salem snapped. The white candle’s flame didn’t flicker. It hummed, low and steady, like a tuning fork. Soft light spilled across the boat.

The three pirates stopped rowing for a second. "What in the—"

"Empty wings won’t cut it," Salem said, grabbing Minami’s wrist. "Not with clowns. Now come here."

Minami set the crab plushie down in the bottom of the boat and held out her palms, eyes wide. Salem cupped her hands around the candle. The flame flared, bright enough to hurt, and light sank into her skin like water into sand.

Minami gasped. Her cape hovered. For a second, the outline of wings shimmered behind her, huge, translucent, made of light and wind. The entire cape underwent a color-change animation, whites rippling through the fabric like a wave.

Then it was gone. The cape settled back to normal.

She slumped, breathing hard, but her eyes were bright and her grin was feral. "Whoa. Full wings. I feel... fizzy. Like I drank a whole bottle of wine."

"What did you just do?" the big pirate said, paddling slower, terrified. His voice shook. "That ain’t Devil Fruit. That’s— that’s witchcraft!"

"Recharge," Salem said flatly, blowing the candle out. The hum cut off instantly. He shoved it back into the air beside his hip and it vanished. "Nau’ade culture. Very important. Do not eat the white ones."

Zoro stared at them both. "You’re telling me you had a power-up candle this whole time?"

"We were lost!" Salem hissed, still shaking. "You don’t burn ritual candles when you’re lost! You burn them when there’s a killer clown with a cannon!”

BOOM.

Another shot shook the air. Splinters flew from the dock as a cannonball hit a crate. The docks were right there.

Zoro looked from Salem to Minami, to the faint glow still clinging to her fingertips, to the circus ship Big Top with its painted grin.

"Can you fly now?" he asked.

Minami rolled her shoulders. Her cape fluttered without wind. She grinned, sharp and wild. "Wanna see me do a loop? Maybe a divebomb? I could grab Luffy before the next—"

"No," Zoro and Salem said in unison.

"Row," Zoro ordered the pirates, his hand dropping to Wado Ichimonji. "We’re docking. And you," he pointed at Minami, eyes hard, "don’t you dare light up until I say so. You glow, the clown sees you. You get shot. We all get shot." The constant dim glow the Nau’ade gave off went unacknowledged, it probably wasn’t bright enough to draw attention in daylight anyway.

Minami pouted but nodded, bouncing on her heels. "Fine. But if Luffy gets blown up, I’m blaming you.

—-----------------------

A flag snapped in the wind above the circus tent, a grinning pirate skull with a bulbous red nose painted on.

"They still haven't caught the thief?" The shadow of a clown loomed against the tent wall, arms spread wide.

"They should be pursuing her as we speak, Captain Buggy! Yes!" A voice called from outside.

"How did the map get stolen so easily in the first place? Huh?" Buggy demanded, his voice dropping to a growl. "Just when we're about to enter the Grand Line and go on a rampage!"

A pirate shuffled forward, sweating through his bandana. "Actually, the shack was unlocked, sir... so it was easy to take for foes..."

"What did you say?" Buggy’s eye flashed red.

The pirate flinched. "As I— As I said, it was easy to take for foes..." His voice cracked.

"Who has a fake nose?" Buggy’s shadow shifted. He ducked out of the tent, blue hair bouncing, huge red nose gleaming in the sun. He stalked closer until he was nose-to-nose with the pirate.

"Do you find this nose funny?" Buggy asked softly, pressing his own nose against the man’s. "Just like a fake nose?"

"You have it all wrong!" the pirate squeaked, trying to lean back. His boots scraped dirt.

"It’s huge and all red?" Buggy tilted his head, eyes wide and manic.

The pirate was shaking now, sweat running down his temples. He started backing off. "Help!"

"Here it comes..." the other pirates muttered from the sidelines, edging away.

"The Devil Fruit power..." someone whispered.

The pirate suddenly choked. His feet left the ground. He clawed at his neck, held aloft by an invisible force.

Buggy hadn’t moved his hands.

"Who am I?" Buggy asked, pulling the pirate close until their noses almost touched again.

"Captain... Buggy..." the pirate gasped, face beginning to turn purple.

"What happens if someone defies me?" Buggy’s voice was light. Conversational.

"A— A flashy death awaits them... Please forgive me!" the pirate wheezed.

Buggy smiled, sharp and wide. He snapped his fingers.

The pirate dropped, hitting the dirt hard and coughing.

"I'll overlook your verbal slip-up and forgive you just this once," Buggy said, adjusting his gloves. He turned his back on the man. "Now get that map back! Screw up... and you know what happens."

He strolled back toward the tent, cape swishing.

"Yes, Captain Buggy!" the pirates shouted in unison, saluting so hard they nearly fell over.

—-------------------------

"Yum!" Luffy said, stuffing a whole burger in his mouth. Crumbs flew everywhere.

"Do you live alone in this house?" he asked, mouth still full, cheeks bulging.

"I don't live in this town," Nami said, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. "Everyone here ran away because of Buggy."

"Then you're a sneak thief," Luffy mumbled through the food.

"I'm a thief who only steals from pirates!" Nami snapped, pointing at him. "Don't compare me to scumbag sneak thieves!"

"But a thief's a thief," Luffy said, swallowing and immediately reaching for another burger.

"My goal is to earn one-hundred million Berries, no matter what it takes," Nami said, eyes flashing.

Luffy paused mid-bite. "What do you need that much for?"

"It's a secret!" Nami said, turning around and hugging herself. "But with a map of the Grand Line, 100 million is a real possibility!"

Luffy’s eyes lit up. He looked up from his food, mayo on his cheek. "A map? Are you a navigator?"

"Much more skilled than your average navigator!" Nami said, tossing her hair. A hint of pride slipped into her voice.

"Oh, that's perfect! Do you wanna be our navigator?" Luffy said, shooting to his feet.

"Really?" Nami said, her whole face lighting up for half a second.

"Yeah! Our new pirate crew member!" Luffy shouted, stretching his arm up toward the ceiling with a grin.

Nami’s smile died instantly.

"So you're a pirate?" she said, voice dropping cold.

"Yeah." Luffy grabbed the brim of his straw hat and pulled it down over his eyes. "I swore to the person who gave me this straw hat... that I'd gather a crew and become a pirate!"

"There's nothing I hate more in this world than pirates!" Nami shouted, slamming her hand against the table. The plates rattled. "I only like money and tangerines!"

Luffy didn’t flinch. He just tilted his head. "Hey. Be our navigator."

"I said no," Nami said, walking to the window. She shoved it open, scanning the street. Her shoulders were tense.

"No?" Luffy echoed, confused.

"Hey! You find her?" A voice called from outside.

Chapter Text

“Hey! You find her?” a voice called from outside. “Where’d that girl thief go?”

“We’re in trouble if we don’t get that chart back!” another one barked.

Nami leaned against the wall by the window, arms crossed, watching the buggy pirates.

The Buggy Pirates were tearing the town apart looking for her and for the Grand Line map she’d stolen.

I gotta do something about them... she thought, eyes narrowing. I need a way out. I need bait.

She pushed off the wall and walked back to Luffy, who was now happily licking his fingers clean.

“Well,” Nami said, forcing her sweetest smile, “I might consider giving you that map back… if you agree to certain conditions!”

Luffy’s head shot up. Crumbs flew everywhere. “Really? I’ll do anything!”

“Anything?” Her smile sharpened. “I want you to come with me to see Buggy the pirate.”

“Bu—”

He didn’t get to finish. Nami produced a thick coil of rope from god knows where and, with terrifying efficiency, looped it around his chest and hands, then cinched it tight.

“Why am I tied up?” Luffy asked, twisting his head to stare at the ropes crisscrossing his torso. He didn’t sound mad. Just confused.

Nami stood behind him, holding the other end like a dog leash, looking entirely too pleased with herself. “It’s just rope,” she said breezily. “Is there a problem?”

Luffy rolled his shoulders, testing the bonds. The rope didn’t even creak.

He grinned. “Oh well! I was hoping to meet other pirates! Let’s go!”

And he started walking, immediately with zero hesitation.

“Hold on, now!” Nami yelped as the rope snapped taut, nearly yanking her off her feet.

—------------

Orange Town — Drinker Pub Plaza

“What?! The thief got away?” Buggy shouted, his face turning blotchy red. The Buggy Ball gleamed behind him, ready to fire.

“Please forgive us, Captain!” Three crew members huddled together, trembling under his glare.

“Captain Buggy!” A panting pirate burst into the plaza, skidding to a stop.

“What is it?” Buggy snapped.

“That thief from earlier—she came back on her own!” the pirate gasped, pointing down the street.

“What?”

Buggy’s eye twitched. He turned, slowly, in the direction they were pointing.

And there they were, Nami holding a rope like it was a leash, and Luffy grinning ear to ear.

"That's them!" the pirate shrieked. "She's the one who stole the chart!"

Without a word, Nami let go of the rope and shoved Luffy forward.

"Ow!" Luffy hit the ground face-first with a dull thud, bouncing slightly. He blinked up at her, confused but not angry.

Nami just stuck her tongue out at him, then spun on her heel. She smoothed her hair, straightened her top, and plastered on a cunning, fawning smile, the kind she used when money was involved.

"I've captured the thief, Captain Buggy the Clown!" she announced, holding the stolen chart in her arms.

She walked toward Buggy, eyes downcast and obedient. "Here's your chart back!" she said, offering it like a peace offering.

His eyes narrowed as he stared intently at her. "I appreciate it," he said, voice low and suspicious. "But why the change of heart?"

"My boss and I had a fight!" Nami said, voice trembling just enough to sound real. She forced a watery smile, playing innocent. "I'm fed up with him! Please, let me join your crew!"

Buggy's eyes went blood red. The air in the plaza shifted. "Captain Buggy is angry!" the pirates exclaimed, scrambling back. "He's gonna use his Devil Fruit power!”

"Devil?" Luffy muttered from the ground. His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Buggy threw his head back and laughed, loud and grating, like broken glass. "Fed up, huh?" He wiped a tear from his eye. "You're a flashily amusing girl! I like you! You can join my crew!"

Nami smiled sweetly, hands clasped in gratitude. Infiltration successful, she thought, eyes glinting. Pirates are so dumb and easy to manipulate.

Before she could enjoy it, two pirates grabbed Luffy by the arms and hoisted him up.

"Wait-why am I in a cage?" Luffy yelped as they tossed him inside a cage and slammed the door shut with a metallic clang. The lock clicked into place.

“I feel great today!” Buggy declared, spreading his arms wide as the crowd of pirates cheered and raised their bottles high.

Then his eyes locked onto Nami.“Girl! What name do you go by?”

“Nami!” she answered smoothly.

“Alright!” Buggy’s grin split wide. “Let’s hold a welcome party for Nami here!” He raised a hand, voice booming across the plaza.“Celebrate flashily!”

The Buggy Pirates erupted into raucous cheers. The plaza transformed in seconds, barrels were rolled out, meat sizzled over open flames, and bottles clanked as pirates stomped, laughed, and challenged each other to arm-wrestling matches right on the cobblestones. Music from a wheezing accordion clashed with drunken singing, turning the square into a chaotic, drunken festival.

Buggy looked up to Nami, holding a beer in one hand and a slab of meat in the other. “What’s wrong? This party’s in your honor!” He shoved the food toward her. “Eat up!”

“Yes! Thank you!” Nami took a piece of bread, keeping her expression grateful.

I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a chance to take the chart back, she thought, glancing toward the cage. And maybe I’ll swipe all of Buggy’s treasure too, while I’m at it.

Across the plaza, a hand snaked out from the cage, stretching toward the table.
“I… wanna eat, too!”

Luffy’s face smushed against the bars as he strained for a piece of meat, but it was too far. His arm snapped back with a boing, yanking him off his feet and slamming him onto the cage floor.

“Darn it!” he muttered, rubbing his head.

The pirates didn’t even notice. They were too busy drinking and shouting.

“This is flashily great!” Buggy yelled, his smile widening.

“Men! Prepare a Special Buggy Ball!” Buggy barked, pointing toward the cannon.

Two pirates heaved a cannonball forward and loaded it with exaggerated care.
“All set, Sir!”

Buggy grinned manic, eyes gleaming.
“Observe the might of the Buggy Ball!”

Meanwhile in an unspecified part of Orange Town

“C’mon, take me to your captain. Maybe he knows where Luffy is.” Zoro said, addressing the Buggy Pirates.

Then suddenly,

Boom-oom-oom

A cannonball shot through several vacated houses.

“Hey Zoro,” Minami called “I think I found the clown!”

Back at Drinker Pub Plaza

“Fire! Fire!”

All the pirates shouted it over and over, stomping their boots and pounding the tables in rhythm.

Nami stood frozen beside the cannon, sweat dripping down her temple as she held the lighter in trembling fingers.

If I don’t shoot, I’ll be killed. But if I do shoot, I’ll wind up no better than pirates.

“Nami! Don’t wimp out on me now!” Buggy shouted, his arms crossed.

“Your hands are shaking!” Luffy called from his cage, pressing his face between the bars. “That’s what happens when you take on pirates with half-assed resolve.”

“Resolve to do what?” Nami snapped, glaring at him.
“To kill people like it’s nothing? Is that a pirate’s resolve?”

Luffy’s eyes sharpened, suddenly serious. “The resolve to put your own life on the line!”

Before Nami could answer, a burly pirate snatched the lighter from her hand.

“Hey, new chick! Quit being a tease!” He flicked it open, struck a match, and held the flame inches from her face.

“This is how you light it!” he cackled, grinning with blackened teeth. The flame flickered, reflected in Nami’s wide eyes.

“What the...? What the…?”
Luffy wasn’t shocked—not really. His eyes were just wide, processing.

Nami didn’t waste a second. She snapped her wooden staff up and cracked it right across the pirate’s face. Bone met wood with a sharp crack and the guy crumpled, clutching his nose.

“Darn it! I didn’t mean to—” she thought, breathing hard.

“Nami! What is the meaning of this?” Buggy snapped.

“Woah, are you gonna save me after all?” Luffy asked.

Nami whirled on him, staff raised. “Don’t be stupid!”.

“I only did it because of the situation! I just didn’t want to wind up like these inhuman pirates!” She spun back, planting her feet, staff gripped in both hands and ready to fight if she had to. “Pirates took the life of a person dear to me! As if I’d ever be one!” Nami shouted, voice shaking with more than just fear.

“Oh, so that’s why... Huh?” Luffy said from his cage. His gaze drifted past her, down to the cannon. His eyes went wide. “It’s lit!”

Nami’s head snapped around. The fuse hissed, sparks crawling up the burning lanyard toward the Buggy Ball.

“Keep your ridicule to a minimum, girl!” Buggy roared. “Kill her flashily!”

“Die!” Four pirates surged forward, blades flashing as they rushed her.

Nami deflected the first sword with her staff, the impact vibrating up her arms. She didn’t stop moving, eyes locked on the cannon as she darted forward.

“I don’t wanna get blown up!” Luffy somehow shouted while trying to gnaw his way out of the cage.

“Shit!” Nami lunged and grabbed the burning lanyard with her bare hand, screaming as the flame seared her skin. Smoke curled up as she tried to rip it free.

“You…” Luffy looked shocked, truly shocked this time.

“Behind you!” Luffy yelled.

“Die flashily!” the pirates behind her roared, swords raised for the kill.

A figure suddenly appeared, three swords flashing as they stopped inches from the pirates’ faces. Steel gleamed in the firelight. “Hey, now… Does it really take that many pirates to handle one little girl?”

“Zoro!” Luffy shouted from the cage.

“You hurt?” Zoro asked Nami, eyes flicking to her burned hand.

Nami just hissed through her teeth, cradling the red, blistered skin against her chest.

“Are you hurt?” Zoro asked again, voice lower but firmer.

“No, I’m fine…” Nami answered, though her hand was shaking.

Minami and Salem skidded in beside him, both breathing hard.“There’s so many of them, kuya…” Minami sweatdropped, katana already drawn but fingers trembling.

“Phew, what a relief! How’d you find us? Hurry and get me outta here already!” Luffy rattled the bars, grinning like this was all a game.

“We followed the massive cannonball’s wreckage.” Salem started, “Or, well, I followed it while dragging these two behind me.” He deadpaned.

“Oh, hey future Pirate King!” Minami waved at Luffy with her free hand while whacking her brother with the hilt of her sword.

Luffy grinned back at her from between the bars.

“So, you’re the Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro,” Called the clown’s voice, drawing the group’s attention back to him. “I suppose you’re here to capture me then.” Buggy grinned.

“Nah,” Zoro replied, “I gave up bounty hunting. I have no interest in you.” He said looking at Buggy over his shoulder.

Buggy pulled out a knife and twirled it in his hands. “Well that’s too bad, since I happen to be interested in killing you.” He threw the knife into the ground at Zoro’s feet, his face adorned with a bloodthirsty grin. “C’mon Pirate Hunter! Gimme all you got!”

Zoro drew his blades, placing the Wado Ichimonji in his mouth. “You asked for it!”

“Okay, how in the everloving fuck is he talking right now?” Salem loudly questioned, head turning between the still caged Luffy and Zoro.

Just then, Buggy was cut to pieces.

“No way..” Nami whispered to herself, shaken by the swordsman’s ruthlessness.

“Well, that was disappointing.” Zoro remarked, sword still in his mouth.

“Hey, hurry up and get me out of here!” Luffy whined. Zoro finally took the sword out of his mouth and crouched down to the rubber boy’s cage. “We can’t open this thing without a key, the bars are too thick for me to cut.” The swordsman stated.

“Why the hell are you even thinking about cutting the damn thing? It’s metal. Of course you can’t cut it with a sword.” Salem complained while continuing to question the logic of this world.

“Yeah, yeah.” Zoro snarked back. “Now someone get me the damn ke-” His demand was cut short by the knife that was now impailing his torso.

“Kuyaaa,” Minami started nervously. “This is why we don’t question the anime logic.” She lightly scolded while slipping into a fighting stance.

“That hand- It’s floating!” Nami exclaimed.

What the hell? Zoro thought to himself as he tried to slash the floating hand.

Buggy's body rose again, pieces snapping back together with a wet shilck sound until he was whole once more.

Zoro surged forward again “Santoryu: Oni Giri.” His blades crossed in a X and carved through Buggy's floating limbs again. Severed arms and legs tumbled to the cobblestone, knives clattering loose.

A detached leg shot towards Zoro’s head. He ducked, then slashed upward thunk splitting it at the knee. The piece bounced away, still twitching on the stone.

“Minami, cover the cage!” Zoro barked without turning.

“Got it!” Minami darted forward, katana flashing in the firelight. A pirate lunged for her and she met him head on. Clang Steel rang as she deflected his sword, then spun around and swept his legs out. She planted her blade tip against his throat. “Don't move if you wanna die.”

Salem whistled low and flicked his wrist. Three throwing knives flew in a perfect arc. Tuk-tuk-tuk. They pinned another pirate's coat to a wooden barrel, freezing him mid charge. “If the parts don't bleed, we just keep cutting ‘em till there's nothing left to float,” Salem said.

He turned toward Luffy in his cage, already sprinting. Knives kept flying from his hand tuk, tuk, tuk dropping pirates who tried to intercept him. He skidded to a stop at the cage, “Hold still, Captain.” He reached his arms in the cage and grabbed under Luffy’s armpits before yanking. Luckily the cage wasn’t made from seastone so this strategy would work fine despite looking insane.

“What are you doing?” Nami asked, her attention being drawn away from the fighting

“Well, miss red, I’m currently attempting to remove my captain fro-” Before Salem could finish his sentence Luffy had been pulled from the cage, the momentum both knocking over Salem as well as launching Luffy clear into the abandoned town.

“Godsdamned anime physics.” The teen muttered from his new place on the floor.

While Salem was attempting to get Luffy out of the cage, Minami kept protecting them from the pirates.

She pivoted, katana sweeping in a wide arc. A pirate rushed her from the right and she caught his blade on her own, sparks flying.

Clang!

“Not today,” Minami muttered, twisting her wrist and disarming him. The sword clattered away. She drove her elbow into his gut, then kicked his knees out. He hit the cobblestones hard.

Two more pirates charged from the left, shouting “Die flashily!” Minami dropped low and slashed across their shins. They stumbled, and she followed up with the flat of her blade to their temples. Both dropped, groaning.

Sweat dripped down her temple, but her stance never wavered. She positioned herself between the cage and the crowd, katana held out in a steady guard. Firelight flickered across the steel.

“Get him back here, kuya! Fly and get him back!” Minami shouted, deadpanning at him.