[A/N: WE HAVE 7K VOTES EEEEEEEEEEE]
[This chapter is 9,325 words long, so get comfy]
[Also, minor disclaimer, I drew a picture of (Y/N), please don't give me any hate, I just want everyone to have a better picture of everyone on the crew, including (Y/N). It isn't supposed to look like anyone, hence her being gray, and her hair was random, so imagine yourself there!]
[Anyway, Enjoy!]
It was very peaceful for a while. We bid goodbye to Lily and her father and were currently just cruising. Most of the guys were goofing around with cherry blossoms on the main floor, Sanji was in the kitchen, Nami was reading with her pop-up lawn chair near the helm, and Robin, Usopp, and I were at the gardening section.
'Wow... most trees can block noise by reducing soundwaves. And some can even retain memories! That's cool...' I read, practically pushing my nose into my book.
I was sitting on a second lawn chair, provided by Nami, as Usopp and Robin worked behind me on their garden. There was a small table next to me with an uneaten dessert and some warm tea. I was too immersed in my book to eat the dessert, but the heat of the sun had kept the tea warm.
I sighed, laying the book on my stomach, and looked up, seeing some of the clouds get a little darker.
'I wonder if there's more. I need something. I need to be stronger for everyone.'
I sat up a little, the book falling onto my legs, and I put my hand in front of me.
I stared hard, and focused, trying to make my vision a reality. The breeze helped me empty my mind as I focused harder, the surrounding noises slowly fading.
I saw my hand shake slightly from my strain, but slowly and surely, a small, singular leaf emerged from my hand. It stung my hand as it grew, but it was a small sapling, a refreshing color green.
I was shocked, and winced at the pain, but overall excited!
Although, it didn't last long.
"Oi, Usopp!" I heard Luffy yell, sounding mad. His yell scared me, and I grabbed my wrist, hissing silently in pain. I watched as the plant turned to an ashy brown, wilding in my hand before disappearing, the stinging pain slightly lingering.
I sighed, watching my hand again, as Usopp yelled about his pesticide. I focused again, and the stinging feeling returned, and now there were two leaves on the new sapling. I held them in my hand, keeping myself relaxed. And after a little bit, the pain was weaker. I still felt a sting, but the pain was not as strong. I made it retreat back into my hand, stinging once again, as I heard rushed footsteps towards me.
"Hey, (Y/N), come with us!" Usopp skidded to a stop next to my chair.
I set the book so the side and stood, "Why? Did something happen?"
"Yeah," He nervously chuckled, "We found some guy drifting at sea."
I nodded and rushed behind him, smiling at his choice of outfit. He was wearing orange and white striped swim shorts, his overalls dangling in front of him, and cute blue boots. He had his hair pulled back, and orange glasses with light blue gloves, for gardening his plants with pesticides. He also had a red bandana with yellow stars around his neck, worn for the pesticides as well.
And, we can't forget the adorable shark hat.
I myself was wearing a pink T-shirt and baggy black shorts. I had a white bandana tied into a bow at the top of my head, working as a headband, and a plain black hoodie tied around my waist, as Nami warned me this morning that the weather is subject to change. I had normal socks and black combat boots, and on my right thigh, was a knife holster, carrying the knife I had newly received, considering I lost my pocket knife at Thriller Bark.
We raced all the way to the basement, catching up with Robin, who was wearing a vibrant blue sweater dress and brown sandals, with her normal white and orange sunglasses resting on her head.
As we entered, I got a better look at every one.
Brook had his afro dyed pink and a large cat-shaped top hat, as well as white and black sunglasses on his forehead. He had a pink flower necklace and a blue button-up shirt with orange flowers, along with dark blue shorts and pink loafers.
Franky was covered head to toe in pink, having a matching pink afro, his shoulders somehow also holding afros, which were littering cherry blossom petals everywhere on the floor. His forearms were pink with darker pink stars and he wore a large pink tank top.
'I guess pink was the color of the day' I smiled, at the fact that the three of us chose pink.
Choper was wearing an adorable cow onesie, with lime green pants, and a darker green backpack, holding a jar of milk.
Sanji looked expensive today. He wore a peach polo with a white tie and an unbuttoned, long-sleeved shirt over it, mainly black with a red diamond pattern, and dark red pants, with a large belt and pure white shoes on, with the classic cigarette dangling from his mouth. The cigarette looked fresh.
Nami was wearing a simple rainbow bikini with a matching necklace, and no shoes, as well as sunglasses on her forehead.
Zoro was wearing an unbuttoned dark grey jacket with black pants and a lighter gray waistband, similar to the red one he always wears. He had pale orange sunglasses that complimented him quite well, black shoes, and, of course, his three swords on his hip.
Luffy's big yellow t-shirt had a big face on it, with the word 'CAPTAIN' along the back. He had an orange hat under his usual straw hat and black shorts with his usual sandals
That's my crew, at least. The man in the middle of their circle was not.
He was a little frightening to look at. He had short but spikey magenta hair, and large baggy black pants, not to mention he was incredibly tall. If he stood completely, I'd probably be halfway up his chest. He also had sunglasses on his face, and bandages already on his chest. Chopper must have already tended to him.
Oh, and the obvious metal arm which was about my height.
That was the most intimidating thing about him! He had a clunky metal arm as his right arm, and it had a large hand at the base, 30x the size of a normal hand! I walked past the group as they talked about his appearance and knelt next to Robin, who was inspecting said arm.
I hesitantly reached out and touched it lightly, feeling a large influx in my energy.
"No doubt," Robin said, probably noticing my shocked expression, as she grabbed everyone's attention.
We both stood and I turned more towards everyone, though looking mainly at Nami, "This arm is made for battle. It's made of Sea Prism Stone."
"I hate to say it, but it looks like you've picked up trouble," Nami said, then pointed at the mysterious man, "Look at him! The scars on his body, the muscles, and the giant arm. What if he starts swinging it around?"
"Sea Prism stone gives off the same energy as the sea," Sanji said, taking a puff from the fresh cigarette, "Like (Y/N) said, that giant arm is clearly a weapon, and it's designed to fight Devil Fruit users like you."
"Then there's a good chance he's an enemy," Nami said, looking worried, "The New World is dangerous enough without having to worry about this, too."
"Get rid of him, if you're that worried," Zoro said nonchalantly.
"NO! You can't!" [Chopper]
"Don't say that! How cruel!" I yelled at him, and he looked at me.
"Suit yourself. But when he wakes up, he might kill us all." He smirked at me and I looked back at the man.
"Are you actually considering it (Y/N)?!" Chopper gasped, and I turned to him, my hands in a defensive position.
"N-No! I'm just trying to think, is it worth it to have a dangerous guy here? What if we let him go safely?..." I asked, and he hit me in the leg, which surprisingly hurt.
"I'm a doctor! I can't turn my back on him!"
"It's fine, Chopper. You can make sure he's nice and healthy. 'Cause if he tries anything, he'll have to deal with me!" Luffy said, looking between Chopper, Nami, and myself, "Sounds good?"
"Uh-huh! Thank's Luffy!" Chopper cheered, and I looked at the unknown man, getting chills down my spine. I went over to Nami and Robin, as she sighed at the boys.
"Not a care in the world..." She sighed, "I really have a bad feeling about this."
"That makes two of us." I kept my eyes on the man.
"Oh, come on!" Luffy said, joining Nami and me, "This is exciting, don't ya think?"
"I can do without this kind of excitement," She said blandly, and I nodded.
~~~
Chopper and Luffy were inside the medical bay. The medical bay's door is reached through the kitchen. Nami, Brook, and Usopp were in the kitchen. Zoro and Sanji were on stand-by, outside the kitchen's door on the second floor, and I was on the first floor below them, pacing back and forth.
'Wh-What if this guy really is bad news? How will the devil fruit users protect themselves?! I know our non-devil fruit eaters are strong, but how strong is he? There are too many unknown variables...'
I groaned aloud, catching Sanji and Zoro's attention, accidentally cutting off Zoro, "Augh! This is so frustrating!-"
Then, I was cut off by a crash, inside the door they were blocking, "Wh-What was that?!"
Zoro and Sanji raced inside and I used a beam of wood to propel myself up to the second floor, and entered the door, standing between them to see the wall where the medical bay door was had been shattered, and dust was picked up in the now combined rooms.
"Nami, (Y/N), go outside!" Sanji said in a serious voice.
"I knew it!" Nami said, running past me, holding my arm to bring me with her.
"Do your best!" I called before Nami took me from the room.
As soon as we stepped outside, the ship shook violently, and a black ship ran into the side of ours.
Nami, Robin, and I were all on the main floor, waiting, along with Franky as two people came off of the new ship.
One was a blue-haired girl with pink eyes, looking around Robin's age, "I am Vice Admiral Ain of the Neo Navy!"
"Neo Navy?!" I asked aloud.
"Our fleet has surrounded your ship. Do not resist! You'll only be rushing your deaths!"
"You say "don't resist" to a pirate and expect them to do as you say?!" [Franky]
Franky went for the second guy, who looked like a ninja, as the girl named Ain went out of Franky's way.
Franky was suddenly wrapped in vines and was struggling under pressure.
"What was that?!" [Nami]
"Must be a Devil Fruit!" [Robin]
Robin and Nami were attacked by the grow-grow guy, who just kept saying grow, and was practically twice Franky's height, I was attacked by the girl who called herself Ain. She moved faster than I expected and lunged at me with twin daggers, so the first weapon I could think to make was a sword. I blocked both blades, not expecting her strength, and she pushed through. With her relentless attacks, all I could do was dodge and block.
I heard Nami yell for some of our crewmates to stay off the grass and watched as Usopp, Brook, and Chopper were held captive by the grass.
In the split second that I looked, she had shoved me to the ground, slicing a gash across my stomach, though not enough to bleed out, but enough to sting.
I fell back from the impact, and she lunged, landing on top of me, her legs straddling my stomach, with my right arm under her leg, as she kicked the sword away, and reared her own right arm behind her.
She looked at me and yelled, "Return-Return!"
All of a sudden my vision started fading in and out, and I heard some worried cries, Chopper yelling my name, as my vision felt faded with pink, feeling myself fall to the ground, but not feeling an impact.
Although, I hadn't passed out. Oh, no, no, no.
Something large and pink was wrapped around my head, and it was still hard to stand. Though the weird thing was that the pink was different than the haze from before, but rather the same color as my shirt.
I heard Chopper accuse the girl from before of what she did to me, but my body still wouldn't move. I could hear the ailed voices of Nami, Chopper, and I believe Brook until Robin held off Ain for a few seconds. My limbs shook as I tried forcing them to move, to stand up and help.
After hearing the cries, it gave me the motivation to move. I heard Nami's voice, which was strangely high pitched, and Robin get hit with the attack, when I sat up to my pink shirt acting as a hood, and my form being much smaller than it used to be.
"Listen well," The blue-haired girl said as she watched her hand, a pink flame resting gently on her palm, "This power of mine is from the Return-Return fruit. With just one touch I am able to reverse someone's age 12 years back," She looked at Robin, "That would make you probably 18 now," then she turned to me, hidden by the pink shirt and at Robin's feet, making her voice high pitched, as if talking to a child, "And yourself 8."
"What?!" I yelled, now realizing my voice sounded like a child's as well, but wincing at the pain in my stomach from the yelling. I covered my mouth and my stomach, shocked at the pitch of my voice.
"Aw man, I'm so tiny!" Chopper whined.
"In other words, if I touch you twice more," She looked back to Robin, "That'll be 12 years times two. 24 years younger and your entire existence will be erased." She said calmly. All of a sudden, our crewmates, were sent through the wall of the kitchen through a flaming explosion, setting almost the whole front of the ship on fire.
Zoro and Sanji landed behind all of us, almost immediately landing and then being tied up by grass.
"You think you'll be king of the pirates? Don't make me laugh!" The man with the large metal arm yelled, "You can't even defend your own ship!"
I could hear Luffy struggling in the metal grip.
"Well ain't that a pity. The Pirate King, crushed to death. So young and so foolish. At least tell me your name, boy."
Luffy had struggled clearly written in his expression and voice, "Monkey D... Lufyf."
"I see, you must be Garp's grandson." He said a sadistically low chuckle hinted after. He threw Luffy, who yelled and landed a long distance to my left, staying on his back. Nami and Chopper had already made their way to him, but the gash on my stomach was still bleeding, giving a stinging pain.
"Master Zed, I'm so glad to see that you are safe," Ain said to him, and the name brought a memory to light.
'Master Z! The Leader of the Neo Navy!'
He ordered a retreat and said he would sink our ship, "I am Z, leader of the Neo Marines, do you hear me?! I'm going to destroy every last pirate in this world. Let's see you survive this, Pirate King!"
Our ship was bombarded with cannon balls, and the force was so strong that Nami, Chopper, Robin, and I were all being knocked around by the impacts, to the point where I ran into Nami and Chopper, who then noticed my wound.
Luffy yelled about him being a coward, and that this wasn't over.
I stayed as still as I could, holding onto the ship and breathing heavily, as Nami and Chopper tried untying the grass from Zoro and Sanji.
Luffy gave a conflicted look over everyone, and let out a frustrated tsk.
Luffy freed Franky reluctantly, so we could retreat, then defended the ship of cannonballs by himself, making me marvel at his strength.
We escaped with a Coup de Burst, and once we landed, with the stress slightly lifted from my shoulders, I finally felt the effects of the cut on my stomach, the last thing I saw was Chopper asking for help to the medical bay.
~~~
I awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the hollow, faint sound of hammering throughout the ship as I slowly sat up, holding my head.
I looked down to see new clothes on, and a smaller body than I remembered. Then it all came rushing back to me as I saw Chopper at the end of the bed, looking extremely small.
"Oh, you're awake!" He said as he crawled closer to me, sitting at my feet, "Are you feeling nauseous? Can you stand?" He asked, and I nodded, us both getting off of the hospital bed like children, sliding off on our stomachs, our feet hitting the floor first.
I realized I was wearing a simple white dress and no shoes, and walked over to a mirror Chopper had in his office.
I silently gasped as I saw myself. I was eight again. I have a picture of Vivi, her father, and me in my room, and that was taken the day they let me move in, when I was 7 or 8, and I looked almost identical to that picture.
"Wow, although it's a pain for us, that devil fruit she has is pretty neat," I said, wincing at my child-like voice, as Chopper defeatedly sighed and nodded in agreement.
We went outside and off the ship onto the wharf of the island we were on, where Child Nami was with the rest of the crew, counting money in an identical dress. She looked about my age, as she did before we were changed by Ain.
Everyone was standing around her, as she sat on a stone wall, Chopper and I joining her, but the silence felt deafening. I feel like everyone felt at fault.
I sat across from Nami as she counted, with my legs sprawled out, truly like a child, and my hands holding me up, propped between my legs. Chopper sat the same way, but he just had his legs off of the stone wall, looking towards Sunny.
I wanted to say something, but the atmosphere was a little too heavy for my liking. Chopper apologized for keeping Z on the ship, and Zoro told him, 'Don't gimmie that crap' trying to make him feel better, which I thought was a little insensitive.
"As a pirate and a doctor you should never regret doing what you believe in," Sanji told Chopper, and everyone smiled at him. Sanji is much better at comforting people than Zoro.
Usopp looked between everyone, "Who is this 'Zed' guy anyway? And the 'Neo Marines'?"
I looked at him, "They're a self-formed branch of the Navy who are dedicated to killing every last pirate. Remember what Z said before he left?"
"He seemed nice at first, but he went totally nuts when he found out we were pirates!" Chopper explained, now facing the rest of the group.
Sanji scoffed, "And that plant guy he had with him was a pain in the ass," Where Zoro scowled as well.
"He just took us by surprise last time, that's all. And besides, we gotta avenge the Sunny, she's the one that got us out of that mess," he said the last part with a smile.
I turned my head to my other side, where the ocean and the Sunny lay, as the rest of the crew kept discussing.
I took in some of her features. Some old features, like the red stripes, mast, and lion head, and the new ones, like the broken pieces of wood, the tattered mast, and the marks on the lion head, which ironically looked like a tear, made me frown.
"The first step is to hunt down those Neo Marines, then we'll pay them back properly," Rubin said, and Usopp got irked.
"You mean right now? You saw how dangerous those guys are! I'm not ready to fight again! We should lay low here until the Sunny is fixed!"
Nami scoffed at him, "That's easy for you to say! We have to find them or I'm stuck like this!"
I gave her an unimpressed glance, and Chopper did the same, "Or we're stuck like this," She gave a nervous chuckle, "But seriously, if you wait for us to 'get over it', then you'll have to wait 12 years." I said to Usopp.
"I don't wanna stay like this either!" Chopper flailed his arms and jumped around, while Nami gave Usopp pouty lips, and I just kept a bored expression.
Nami stood, "How do you expect me to do my job in this body?! Surviving in the new world is tough as it is! I have to be in top form as this ship's navigator, and to do that I need my old body back!" She whined, as she stood and faced him.
"Yeah, Ussop!" Chopper agreed in a teasing tone.
"I-I just meant that we shouldn't rush into things, you know?!" Usopp tried to reason, looking between us three, "Just get some time to rest!"
"I don't wanna be stuck like this either. This is annoying." Robin said from behind him.
'Robin doesn't look like she's changed much... just her height...'
"Right. I know you're happy to be young and 18, with everything right where it belongs." [Usopp]
Robin spawned six arms from his back and started messing with him, but I'm pretty sure everyone here expected that.
'Oh, that reminds me...'
I put my hand on the cement and tried to grow a plank of wood, or a weapon as I would have, but to my surprise, it didn't work.
'Why doesn't mine work? Robin's I understand, because even though she's 18, she's still had it for almost 10 years, while at my age now, I've probably had it for less than one, and I didn't know how to use it at first. I guess that makes sense. It's incredible how her power does that...'
I kept watching my hand and tried to make things grow, but the only thing I could do was make a twig, barely a stick. And it took lots of energy, to the point where I had to slouch over.
I was pulled from my thoughts when someone sat behind me. I was facing Nami, with the ocean to my left and the land to my right, and Zoro sat behind me, facing my right, "Don't be weird," He said, almost sounding disappointed.
"My love is perfectly innocent, okay?!" Sanji barked back. He must've said something while I was zoning out. Sanji nudged Zoro's shoulder, pushing him slightly into my back, "And by the way, if you'd been turned into a kid, I'd just step on your ugly green head!"
"What are you, stupid? Even if I was a kid, I'd still kick your ass!" Zoro shoved back.
"Oh you would, would you? Then I'd just have to be a three-year-old and knock you out, huh?" Sanji shoved again, hitting me again.
"Yeah? Then I'd just have to stomp your ass as a little baby!" Zoro shoved again.
"Yeah? Well, I'd just have to-" Sanji shoved again, and I'd had the last straw.
I went behind Zoro and put my hands over their faces, shoving them apart, "Now's not the time for this! Given, it never is!" I looked between them, and Nami nodded at me, as if telling me if I hadn't done it, she would've.
Sanji now squatted on the ground and I went to my original spot, Zoro turning closer to the middle of the group. Brook told us he aged down as well, but he still looked like any other skeleton... with an afro. No one believed him, though it was possible. He's what, 80?
"It looks the same! How can we tell your hair changed when you dye it anyway?!" Sanji kicked him.
"So even though we lost, you like that she hit you?" [Sanji]
"And even if we win, you wanna stay that way?" [Zoro]
I sighed, trying to draw everyone's attention, which worked, "If we want our old selves back, I guess we just have to find more info about Z and the Neo Marines."
~~~
"You'll have to excuse my grandfather. Z is all he ever seems to talk about these days." The nice lady apologized as she handed me a cup of tea, which I drank graciously.
I was facing the Nice lady, facing her on the edge of her boat house, where we re-grouped with Luffy and Franky. I was facing her, while Nami sat behind me, her legs dangling off of the edge, and Chopper on her side, with Robin on the end.
"So every customer you've had is just Zed and the pirates?" I asked, which she confirmed.
"Correct. We've been in the business of repairing ships for quite some time, and we've seen our share. Grandpa used to be a sailor, and he treats everyone equally, even if they're pirates." She explained.
The grandpa explained with a big smile that he admires people who come to the New World for their dreams. He explained that pirates can be incredibly brave, but when Z attacks, almost the whole crew loses spirit and hope.
He also explained that he liked us because we were beaten by Z, but got us and wanted to fight even still. He told us he'd give us weapons to help us, and it put my mind at ease.
'As an assassin, I've had my fair share of weapon use, and now that my devil fruit's out of commission, I'll need something.'
'Also, powerful weapons sound so cool!'
"Don't get ahead of yourselves!" Nami said.
"B-But Nami!" I whined.
"But they're powerful!" Luffy complained.
"We have to find Z first, otherwise weapons will do us no good!" [Nami]
"That is true. We also need to buy essentials like clothes and more food. A lot of things were destroyed by Z..." I reasoned, still feeling a little bummed, "And, if everyone's still wearing these costumes, we'll be laughed out of town before we get any information," I pointed at all of the guys, as almost everyone was wearing something a little silly, besides Robin, me, Nami, Chopper, and admittedly, Zoro.
"So first clothes, then weapons," Nami got up and stomped towards Luffy, pointing, making him take a nervous step back, "then powerful weapons, and finally defeating Zed, got it?!"
"Uh," He seemed slightly disappointed, but brushed it to the side, "Alright, sure!"
"Wow, you two are very mature for little girls," The nice lady said, pointing at Nami and me. I hid my slightly cringed face as I heard Zoro and Franky snicker, which made my blood boil, while Nami just asked for directions into town.
She explained that the island next to the one we were on is famous for hot springs, party venues, and Volcano tours, so we should try our luck there. She also mentioned that the Sea train makes stops there, and Nami got excited.
~~~
I turned my head from my watching Nami walk on the train tracks when I heard the blow of a train whistle in the distance. I helped Nami up onto the platform and we and the rest of the crew watched the Sea Train pull to a stop.
We were the only ones at our spot, and for some reason, Robin insisted on holding my hand, along with Nami's, until we found a spot.
"Since Luffy, Mosshead, and the skeleton have wanted posters, the Navy knows what they look like. So we'll gather the information. Right, Nami-swan, (Y/N)-chwan, Robin dear?" Sanji cooed and Nami sighed.
"No, you can't come either, Sanji." [Nami]
"No one whose face is known and no one who's quick to pick a fight." [Nami]
"Even though (Y/N) and I have a notable face, we're trained assassins, and 12 years younger," Robin reasoned and I nodded.
"But... it's a resort... and you, ladies..." [Sanji]
"Well, us conspicuous types can hit up the hot springs before the battle," Zoro said, in a scoffy tone.
We got off at the bustling station and I felt my heart sink a little. We haven't- well, I haven't been somewhere this crowded with civilians since Sabaody. After spending two years practically alone, being around crowds made me nervous again.
"Alright, we're here! Whatever you do, don't get caught by the Marines!" Nami ordered as she, myself, and Chopper exited first, the crew behind us.
"We'll split up now and meet up later." [Nami]
"Right." [All]
~~~
Cheering rose through the crowd for Robin, who struck a pose, as I placed a tray of food on the table in front of me, and walked away.
Nami's brilliant plan is to act as waitresses in a bar. I'll be honest, the plan could work because drunk people spout the most nonsense, but I feel bad for Robin, especially since Nami, Robin, and myself are girls.
See, the only problems I have with this plan are that one, I have to talk to people, and especially since these are all drunks, and my devil fruit's inactive, I'll have to be careful.
And two, Robin is dancing on stage, as a clear way for us to get into this bar. I mean, yeah, she's a good dancer, but we all know what these drunkards are looking at. Makes me sick. I'm glad Zoro and the others on the crew can hold their liquor.
I was walking through the crowd as the cheers got louder once more, then died down to idle chatter. My table had three ladies at it, all fairly attractive, and they looked to be on a girls' night out. As I approached, I started mentally planning an out for the three girls on the crew.
Although, the only reason I volunteered for this table, was these ladies looked rugged. They had decently defined muscles and some scars here and there, revealed by their dresses. Basically, they look like they know their way around a fight.
I placed their drinks down, and they cooed at me, being I'm still in an eight-year-olds body.
"Well, aren't you just the cutest thing?" A blond one said, gingerly placing her hand on my head, but her words were clearly slurred, and the others gave their compliments.
"P-Pardon me for asking, but what do you guys do? I-I mean, you look pretty strong... ma'am." I asked, trying to seem polite and innocent, so they know I don't mean trouble.
The brunette across the table took a large sip of bear and placed it on the table, "We work at the dockyard! Lifting metal and lumber for the poor pirates and marines who dared to step in these waters!" She exaggerated, closing one eye and swinging an arm, almost like a sword.
I giggled, "What could be so dangerous around here?"
The lady next to me, the green-haired one, pulled out the fourth seat to the table and patted it. I got onto the chair as she took a sip from her drink, before setting it down quietly, "We've seen our share of dangerous people, but the most dangerous by far... is Zed."
'Bingo!'
"W-Who's Zed?" I asked.
"An ex-marine, who claims justice by making a new organization called the Neo Navy. That's with the influx of marines on this island. They're all looking for Z."
The blonde, clearly peppier than the green-haired one, spoke up, "I heard a sneaky little rumor from that cute guy in shipping, that he's planning something big, on this island!"
"Really?" I asked, trying to sound scared.
She looked at me and extended a confirming hum, though dragging it out, "I heard it's an explosion, and it has to do with this island's natural resources or something like that. That guy always has a way with words. The cute one I mean." The blonde turned to the brunette, and the brunette nodded, and then they kept speaking about the cute guy.
"Ma'am, do you know anything else?" I asked the green-haired girl, and she gave me a side glance.
"Only thing I know for certain is that whatever that bastard Z's planning, he's gonna do it soon," She took a drink as the girls across from her cackled, making her giggle, and I politely excused myself.
"What are the chances! I can't believe I got that good of information out of that one table. If I combine it with everyone else's, we should be okay!'
The deal was after we received our information, I would meet with Robin, and Usopp, Nami, and Chopper would meet separately.
I rushed backstage as Robin finished her dance, and when she saw me, she smiled, "Any information, Strategist?"
I smiled and jumped up and down in front of her like a child, "Uh-huh! Practically everything we need to know! How lucky am I!"
"Well, I've got to get back out there, but you see if your luck can help us anymore." She smiled and patted my head, and I headed back to the kitchen, almost slipping in the uncomfortable shoes Nami got me.
For clothes, Nami and I were dressed relatively the same. We had the same shoes, brown souls with gold bands over the foot, and a white dress, with orange trimming and pink spots, along with jewelry littered along the outfits. Nami had pink trimming and orange spots on her dress.
I caught up with Nami in the kitchen and she told me that she found a table, but she think she'll need my help, so I obliged.
"Here you go, Mr. Marine!" She said as we both placed a beer bottle on the table, being taken by two marines.
"Thank you very much! For two little girls, you surer are hard workers!" He said as he poured more beer into a glass. His words were kind of slurred, and I could tell he had just gotten drunk.
"Mr. Marine?" [(Y/N)]
"Tell me, have you heard any interesting news lately?" [Nami, hiding her face behind a silver tray]
He turned his head in thought, so Nami spoke up, "Do you guys know about Z?"
"Wait a second, how do you know about Z?" [Marine]
"Everybody knows about him!~ The grown-ups are spreading all kinds of rumors around!" I crossed my arms and leaned into the table, "But mostly they're saying you marines are here to catch him!" I put back on a determined face.
"Really? I guess it was supposed to be a secret, but I guess it got out." [Marine]
"Hey, hold on." [Marine2]
"It's no big deal." [Marine]
Nami smirked from behind the tray.
"Then it is true that he's on the island?" I asked, earning a little genuine shock from Nami.
"Yeah, he sure is, but no need to be afraid because the good guys are gonna teach him a lesson!" [Marine]
"So, does Z have some evil plan? Is he looking for something?" Nami asked, getting closer to the table, practically against it.
"Or Someone?" I asked, getting equally as close.
"I think you'd better stop." [Marine 2]
"He's trying to destroy the End Point." [Marine]
'End Point?'
"The End Points are real? I thought they were just fairytales to scare children?" [Nami]
I hood footsteps closer than anyone's yet.
"Believe it or not, they're a hundred percent real!" [Marine]
"That's enough out of you." A low voice bellowed from behind Nami and me, "You two must be drunk. Show a little integrity, men."
"We're sorry captain!"
'Shit.'
I glanced behind me to see just a man's shoes, but his shoes and pants seemed to be somewhat in uniform. A captain in the Navy.
"You girls are awfully interested in Z, considering your age. You're not up to something, are you?" He asked, in an almost amused tone, and Nami held the tray closer to her face, as I tightened my fist.
She turned, grabbing my hand and pointing with the tray "It's not us! That creepy man up there made us ask your friends about Z!"
I looked to where she pointed to see Usopp and Chopper freak out.
'Nami, no need to throw them under the bus...'
"He looks suspicious, doesn't he?" The captain said and gave a notion to his men, who went to the stairs, as Usopp was on the second floor.
"Guess I better get back to work, so..." Nami said, starting to walk away and holding my hand, but a strong hand on my shoulder stopped the both of us.
"You're coming with us too, young ladies." The captain said, having an almost accomplished look on his face.
Nami pulled on my arm harder but her grip slipped when the man grabbed my hand instead of my shoulder. She landed on the ground as I kept pulling, "Let me go!"
I heard a faint and familiar yell, and some hands sprouted from the marine's back, holding his arms to his side, as I stumbled back. Robin ran towards us from the stage, "Let's move!"
I helped Nami up, as Robin grabbed her hand, and Nami grabbed mine, running out of the bar.
We met up with Usopp, and he ended up holding Nami's hand, while Robin had Choper on her head, and I ran in between them.
"We work so hard to disguise ourselves, and all hell breaks loose anyway?!" Usopp said as we ran.
"Well, we got our info!" I reasoned.
"That's good enough for me!" Nami smiled.
"Let's regroup with the crew, then we'll all share our info!" [(Y/N)]
"Right!" [All]
"There they are!" A bunch of marines yelled from behind us. Usopp let go of Nami and successfully stalled for us, and we kept running, him joining us shortly. We ran until the sky was a lighter orange than Nami's hair until we got to the docks where we boarded the Sea Train.
We had run down a dirt trail to where we could actually see the ocean, the path is lined with stone walls and a tower, where the rest of our crew minus Franky was waiting.
Robin was still holding Chopper, and I was on her left, running on my own, as Usopp was holding Nami on my left, with the Marines still hot on our tail.
I saw Zoro and Sanji get ready to fight, but Luffy did the same thing he did at Fishman Island and went in between them, the setting sun making it hard to see his face with his hat on.
We ran past Luffy, as he still walked towards the marines.
"Off to you, captain!" Usopp said.
"Good to see you!" Robin said, and I passed last.
"You okay?" I asked, not really expecting a response, as I got a safe distance away.
He set off Conquerors Haki without a sitch. The only person left standing was the marine who grabbed my arm in the bar, the captain.
I didn't hear much of both captains' conversation, but what I heard was the other side of the island, sand dunes, and currently attacking.
As soon as the sun went under the horizon, the volcano on the island unexpectedly exploded, while Luffy already planned on going after Z, running in that direction. The ones who turned stayed back under my judgment because if any of us get his one more time, we could easily die, except for Brook, who stayed anyway.
As we piled back to the Sea Train's Platform with other civilians, I noticed by the second explosion that the first one was an explosion, but the second one was an eruption. I wanted desperately to help in any way I can, but in my form, I can do nothing.
Now we were the only ones left on the platform, while we watched and heard the commotion from behind the volcano, while the train conductor yelled at us.
I let out a nervous breath I knew I was holding when the four of them ran toward us, but sadly, only three of them were physically running. Someone got hurt. All of us boarded the Sea train, and Usopp set Luffy down, but while everyone was watching the lava overcome the island, I was looking over Luffy's wounds, and using some of Chopper's materials that he brought in his bag. Luffy's stomach and shoulder were badly hurt. One was a bullet, and I knew why it hurt him as soon as Chopper removed it. Sea Prism stone.
I also took another thing into notice. When Chopper was done treating him, we leaned him on the wall inside of the cabin, and I went with him. As I looked at him, making sure he was comfortable, I realized he was missing his signature, which must've been why his unconscious face seemed so concerned. Straw Hat Luffy was missing his Straw hat.
It was weird to see Luffy with a concerned face, let alone without his straw hat.
~~~
When we got back to the original island, with Franky and the nice lady, We properly treated Luffy, and I showed everyone what was inside Luffy's shoulder, as we huddled under the house's awning for protection from the rain.
I couldn't focus as I held the bullet for everyone to see, my eyes were glued on Luffy. He was sitting in the rain, watching the water hit the ocean in groups. I excused myself, handing the bullet to Nami, and grabbed an umbrella, setting out to join Luffy.
It was a pinkish red, and it stuck out in the gray gloominess, as I had the plain white dress on again. I found Luffy sitting where we all sat previously on the island. The path was sort of a T, and where the paths crossed, was where he was, in the middle of it all.
I watched Luffy from afar for a split second, pausing to think of what I was going to say.
As I did, I heard footsteps behind me, and I assumed it was another crew member.
"You gonna fight? Or are you gonna sit there n' feel sorry for yourself?" The voice belonging to the footsteps hollered, sounding unfamiliar.
I turned, and shocked, I stumbled back a considerable way, all the way to the wall where Luffy sat, "A-Aokiji!"
I also noticed the rest of the crew had joined me as well, when I heard their calls from my right, past Luffy.
Luffy turned around, facing Aokiji, "It's okay. This time, he's on our side."
'Hm...'
~~~
As Aokiji and Nami traded information, and after I gave them all I knew, I sat with Luffy on his left, using my umbrella for the both of us, as Brook stood on my right, Nami, Aokiji, Usopp, Chopper, and Zoro sat on the path I arrived on, and Robin and Sanji to Luffy's right.
Aokiji explained that Z stole something called Dyna stones from the navy, and Robin explained that they're explosives with power that rival the ancient weapons. When they come in contact with oxygen, they explode.
Luffy leaned in slightly as Robin explained, 'Ancient weapons are strong, right?' he whispered, and I giggled, nodding, and he gave me a smile.
Then Nami explained that Z's goal is to destroy the End Points, which are basically the three largest volcanos in the New World. Nami gave Aokiji a question, but he just looked at her.
"How can the Neo Marines preach justice when they turn such a hot girl into this little shrimp?" [Aokiji]
"Whatever! Just answer my question! Are the Endpoints real or not, just tell me!" [Nami]
He explained that they are real, and the public research that the Government did was a setup, to trick pirates and civilians.
Aokiji explained something sciency, but the gist of it was, if Z destroys the third endpoint, everything will be burnt to a crisp in the New World, pirates along with islands.
"I don't care!" Luffy yelled, standing where he sat, though gently pushing my umbrella aside before that, "My hat, is all that matters to me. I'm getting it back and that's it!"
"Are you kidding me?! We gotta get out of here! I'd rather not be burned alive!" [Usopp]
Lufy took a deep breath, "I can't break my promise to Shanks! I said I'd return his hat, and that I'd be a great pirate! If I can't even keep a promise like that, then I'm never gonna be King of the Pirates!"
"Sure, but if the New World is burning down, then we might as well-..." [Usopp]
"Just give it up. Heh, Captain says he doesn't care, he's made up his mind." [Sanji]
"Nami, which way?" [Zoro]
"Uh... well, gimmie a minute!" [Nami]
"My second life, I have pledged to you, captain, Wherever you go, I will gladly follow." [Brook]
"After you," I said, handing Luffy my umbrella. He jumped from the wall and took it from me, now being the taller one, he held it for both of us.
Not that our normal height is any different. He's less than an inch taller than me when I'm 12 years older.
Usopp called after Luffy, Brook, and me, but it fell on deaf ears. Luffy made up his mind.
I paused for a split second, seeing Robin and Aokiji talking, and I continued with Luffy, deciding to leave them alone.
~~~
"Franky, is the Sunny all done?" [Robin]
"WAOW! She's all ready! The question is, are you all ready?!" [Franky]
"YEAH!" [All]
"Thanks for sticking with me, you guys." [Luffy]
"Seriously, why are you thanking us now?" [All]
Aokiji handed us an eternal log pose that pointed to an island called Piriodo.
Franky reminded us of the powerful weapons, and I got excited, along with Chopper, Usopp, and Luffy.
As we entered the shed, Franky re-explained why these weapons were there, but my eye immediately caught something.
I looked through some swords and found a katana, in a yellow sheath. I smiled, then thought.
'Does my Haki still work? If so, I can use that new move, without my devil fruit.'
I unsheathed the sword and to my surprise the sword fused with my haki, covering my arm and its blade in the sensation. I smirked and walked back to the crew, the sword on my hip, with the sheath. I also grabbed a gun I found, with tons of rounds laying next to it.
'It makes sense. My body changed, not my mindset, I've learned everything mentally, so the mental things, along with knowledge and friendships remain untouched.'
Nami and I were slightly matching when the outfits came to a completion. Everyone was wearing some form of bright red or black.
I myself was wearing a large red coat, that looked to be too big even if I was my adult size. I put a black belt around the waist to hold it up and rolled up the sleeves, as well as putting on a matt black helmet.
~~~
Sunny boarded the island when we got there, and somehow was still going on land.
Once the ship lost momentum, we all jumped off and landed in front of it.
Everyone was wearing a lot, so I'm going to sum it up. Usopp, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and I were all wearing trench coats of bright red. Sanji had a fluffy black coat on, while Robin had a black and gold pullover. Brook had an orange trench coat, and Chopper had pink. And, per usual, Franky was shirtless, wearing black pants, and covered his arms with black.
As soon as the fighting began, we all made our own paths. I lost sight of Zoro, but I got more nervous when I started losing sight of everyone.
Until I was completely on my own.
That made me nervous, solely because I didn't have my devil fruit ability, and I could still sense someone's presence here.
"I've been waiting for you."
I turned my head around to meet eyes with... a rather attractive man. And the voice was no different.
He was a tall man, still taller than me, even if I was an adult, and his hair was messy and dark black. He looked around his lower twenties, a little older than my age.
I stared at him in silence, but he kept giving me a smirk. Not as if he had the upper hand, but as if he was truly happy to see me.
I put my hand on the sheath, and my dominant hand on the handle of my katana, "Who are you?" Damnit, it's hard to sound intimidating with the voice of an eight-year-old.
He chuckled a- wow, why is this guy hot?
He chuckled and leaned on a rock next to him, his arms crossed, "No need to be hostile. Let's fix this, situation, shall we?" he pointed with a lazy arm, then snapped, and before I knew it, the powers of the Return-Return fruit had disappeared!
I was back to my normal body, but the trench coat I had modified earlier was still modified, so it looked as if I was wearing a very mini skirt.
I flushed and untucked the bottom of the trenchcoat, so it got to my mid-thigh, but I also racked my brain with questions, Who is this guy? Does he know me? He was waiting for me? What's his power?
Before any of these could be answered, I put my arms up to block a kick sent in my direction, but it was no use as it sent me flying until I hit a rock, cracking the surface and indenting me in the side of it.
I coughed a little blood, and as the debris of smoke cleared, I saw him walking towards me, then I noticed-
'An inverted marines jacked? Just like that Ain girl! So he's with them.'
"I told you there was no use for violence, but now look what you made me do," The voice called, and now he was right in front of me, his hands behind his back. He had a flattering dark blue suit on, lighter than his hair, but still dark nonetheless. He had the sleeves rolled up and gloves on that wrapped around his wrist, but uncovered the back of his hands, only covering the fingers.
He had the inverted marine jacket on, and one of the more peculiar things about him was his eye color. It was a striking pale blue, almost Ice colored. I couldn't help but get lost in them until he was right in front of me, our bodies inches apart.
He was looking at me with a satisfied smirk, inspecting me up and down.
It hit me that now I was an adult, I should be able to use my Devil Fruit. I shakily turned my hand to touch the rock, still stunned by the impact, but before it could land, the man in front of me grabbed it, his body now leaning onto mine, "How many times will I have to say it? There is no need for violence. Unless it will take a fight to make you listen?" He asked, his eyes half-lidded and a smirk still present.
I scowled and used my other hand to touch the rock, making a large trunk of wood shove him away roughly, doing exactly what he did to me, and sending him into a boulder.
I stood, still stunned, and readied my weapon. As he stood up, I thought about it. Is it that bad if he just wants to talk?
As he stood, seemingly unfazed, I stood straight, my hand still on the sheath of the sword.
"I am not here for you!" I called out, cursing myself at the apparent shaking in my tone.
"Yes, we both have different objectives, but if that's how you feel, I guess we'll have to battle for you to actually listen to me," he smirked, then he lunged toward me. He punched, but I blocked, sending a kick in his direction, which he blocked, and this went on. He stepped back, and to my surprise, he sent pale blue fireballs, similar to his eyes, towards me, but from his hands.
I narrowly dodged the first one but what surprised me was it was cold. Ice cold, you could say.
I got on my guard, and activated my observation haki, enhancing it to the surrounding area. When I looked back towards him, he disappeared, and I put a hand on the sword's handle.
'Ice? But Aokiji already has that Devil Fruit, and he hasn't passed yet. Seeing him today was living proof!'
As soon as I felt a quake, I reinforced the sword with Haki and sent a wave towards the place I sensed, where it took off the top of a boulder.
"Ooh, scary~" The man spoke behind me, and it was over. He knocked my sword away with a haki-covered hand and used his other hand to trap my arms at my waist, soon wrapping both arms around me, and I couldn't move.
I felt something cold touch the side of my head and to my surprise, it was a gun, but not any other gun, I could already sense the-
"Sea Prism stone," I said, clear struggle in my voice, as his Haki-covered arm was still tight around my waist, holding both arms hostage.
"Indeed," he said in almost a sing-songy voice, "Now, will you let me say my piece?"
I nodded, looking at my feet, "You better hurry so I can kick your ass."
He chuckled, "Doubtful, honey~" I scoffed and he hummed, "Although I cannot reveal my true name to you right now, you may call me by my bounty poster name, Kori." he told me, sounding bored.
There was a swift silence, then a similar laugh to before.
"You've really piqued my interest, (Y/N) (L/N)."
I froze at the name reference.
I glanced behind me, not facing him, "How'd you get that information."
He tightened his hold on my waist, and I winced, trying my best not to make it audible "I have my ways. I'm more interested in you. How your life went, and how you got here? I can't wait to see how it progresses."
I felt a pressure relieve from my stomach and stumbled forward. I turned to see him a distance away.
He bowed, "Au Revoir, my love! Trust me, we will meet again."
And all that was left was some ice beneath his feet, but when that happened, I turned back to my height of an eight-year-old, and the trench coat was big on me once more.
'Wh-What the hell just happened?!'
~~~
I ran back, now an eight-year-old, to the rest of the people who had changed to a younger age, but as I was running, all of us were enveloped in a pink haze, and one by one, we all changed back to normal.
We now were all turned back, and waiting on the monster trio to return. I know whoever fought Ain should be finished now since we all turned back.
We ended up going to the center of the volcano, everyone making it there, as Luffy beat Z, then ambushed by Kizaru, the Navy Admiral.
Z ended up protecting us, but he said something that... stuck with me, for some reason.
"I did what I wanted until the end, but I have to pay the price for all the men I walked over to get here. Otherwise, I won't be able to face the ones who went before me. You won, Straw Hat Luffy, and that means you've earned the right to continue your adventure. Stand back. Let ol' man Zed take care of this." he finished saying this with a smirk.
[Y'all, watching the movie, when Nami and Robin changed back, the noises they made were crazy 💀]