After the initial introduction between the mermaid Caimie and the talking orange starfish, Pappagg, they needed help rescuing a friend, Hachi who makes takoyaki.
"Hello, Hachi?" Caimie spoke into a tiny DenDen Mushi. "This is Caimie! Sorry I got kinda lost. Where are you right now?"
"Oh, that voice must be Caimie, right?" a strange voice laughed.
"Hachi?"
"Do you know who're you talking to? This ain't Hachi, y'know.!"
"EEEH! YOU'RE NOT Hachi!"
"This is Makuro! From the simple-minded Makuro crew!......Wait, I shouldn't say that of myself..."
"Seems like trouble..." Robin commented.
"Why do you guys have Hachi's DenDen Mushi?" Caimie demanded.
The voice laughed. "'Cause we beat up Hachi! Isn't that obvious?"
"Liar! There's no way Hachi would lose to you guys!"
"Yeah, you have a point. Usually we'd be no match for him, but this time, we had the Flying Fish Riders on our side!"
The voice on the DenDen Mushi then changed. "Nyuu... Caimie, you're still alright? Thank goodness."
"H- Hachi! Did they really beat you!"
"Nyuu, sorry... I let my guard down. Listen! Don't come here! I'll take these guys out and come straight back! It'll be fine!"
"Hachi..."
The voice on the DenDen Mushi changed again. "Y'know, Caimie, we're just about to sell this guy. Octopus Fishmen are pretty rare, so he should fetch us quite the price. Feel free to come and save him! We're close to the Sabaody Archipelago, in the waters five kilometres east of Grove 44. This is where the Flying Fish Riders' base is!"
"Nyuu! No! Caimie! Don't come here!"
"Shut up, you damn octopus!" a sound of blunt impact could be heard. "See ya..." the call ominously ended.
"Hachi..." Caimie bowed her head in sorrow.
"O- Oi..."
"Caimie..." Yukiko said with a sad look
Luffy still seemed as oblivious as ever. "So, where's the takoyaki?"
He received a kick and a punch to the head from Sanji and Franky respectively. "This isn't the time for that!"
"That voice seems familiar..." Nami mused. "It seemed kinda familiar... It's just my imagination, right? There's no way..."
"Sorry, Luffy," Caimie was apologising. "Can we do takoyaki later? I've got to go save my friend!"
"Heh...?" Luffy complained.
"Hey!" he was promptly punched and kicked in the head.
"Wait, Caimie," Nami answered. "I know we shouldn't be meddling here, but if you want to save your friend, then we'll help you! No, that's wrong! I mean, they'll help you!"
"Hey! Why, you...!" Usopp and Franky complained.
"And in exchange, can you show us how get to Fishman Island?" Nami ignored both of them.
"Really, Nami?" Caimie exclaimed.
"Of course! Right, Luffy?"
"Huh? Sure." Luffy answered, confused.
"You're gonna help me save Hachi, Luffy?"
"Well, I'm fine with it," Luffy shrugged. "But, who is this Hachi anyway?"
"He runs the takoyaki store I work at. Our takoyaki is the best in the world!"
And that was how the Straw Hats' route towards saving Hachi was decided.
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"Zoro!"
The first mate finally descended from the crow's nest. "Are we already setting off? Does it look like we can get to Fishman Island?"
"Forget that, and look here! It's Caimie the mermaid! She's real! Awesome, right?" Sanji said.
"Although this is the first time I've seen one." Yukiko said as she let Pachi and Varian greet Caimie.
"Anyway, you guys are quick to offer your help," Pappagg stated. "But, are you sure you can handle this?"
"Yeah!" Luffy grinned. "We're strong, you know!"
"I should warn you, there's not just one gang of kidnappers around here," the starfish grimly stated. "There are plenty of these guys on the Sabaody Archipelago. Human trading is big business around here."
"What?" Yukiko heard. In her world, all forms of slavery was strictly forbidden as it was the word of Arceus. Those who broke that rule in the ancient past faced severe consequences.
"Selling human lives?" Sanji growled. "That's horrible!"
"Mermaids are particularly valuable, and the Makuro crew, a gang of three Fishmen, have been after Caimie for a while now." Pappagg continued to explain. Hachi from the takoyaki shop, probably thought that we had been kidnapped by the Makuro crew and went after them since we've been missing for a while after being eaten by that monster."
"That's probably it," Caimie looked forlorn. "Hachi is a kind, straightforward person after all. It's my fault..."
Zoro downed a cup of water. "Hearing about this octopus named Hachi, I can't help but think of that stupid Fishman."
Sanji blew a plume of smoke. "If it's him, then we're not gonna help. Well, there's no way..."
"Usually, Hachi could beat those guys easily, but who'd have thought that the Flying Fish Riders would help them?" Pappagg stated.
"Who're they?" Franky drawled.
"Another kidnapping gang who started causing a lot of trouble around these parts recently," Pappagg volunteered. "They say that if they target you, you're doomed. Their boss, Duval, is a guy with an iron mask. Nobody knows what he really looks like. It seems like he's searching for someone, since they check every ship that passes this area."
"What an annoying guy," Franky commented.
"Well, anyway, there's no need for you to worry, Caimie." Luffy smiled. "We'll definitely save the takoyaki!"
"It's the takoyaki seller!" Pappagg yelled out.
"Thank you, Luffy -chin!"
"Sure! Well then, Brook! Play a song to get us in the mood!"
Brook chuckled as he produced his violin. "With pleasure!"
As the strains of 'Bink's Sake' filled the air, everything seemed peaceful.
And then, the flying fishes rained down on them.
"The fish are flying!" Usopp yelled.
"So cool~!" Luffy gazed in awe.
"Is this the time to be impressed?" Zoro yelled at him.
"Damn, they're gonna attack us!" Franky swore.
"So the Flying Fish really CAN fly?" Chopper exclaimed.
"First time I've seen fish like this that aren't Pokémon." Yukiko said.
"Don't come any closer!" Usopp hurriedly spun the wheel to avoid the diving fish, as small torpedoes dropped on them.
"Come out, Suicune, Monstro!" Yukiko said as she took out her two Pokemon.
"Wow! Is that some water dog?!"
"And that's the biggest catfish I've ever seen!" Usopp yelled.
"Monstro, Wave Crash! Suicune, Blizzard!"
"Gomu Gomu no... Pistol!"
"Nana Juu Ni Pound Hou!"
"That was close..." Usopp wiped his brow.
"Be careful!" Caimie screeched. "Once the flying fish jump out of the water, they can stay in the air for five minutes!"
"We won't lose in aerial combat," Yukiko said as she took out another Pokeball. "Lets go, Melbourne!" She said as her paradox dragon roared.
"The Hell?!"
"I didn't sign up to fight a dragon!"
Usopp looked up. "They're... running away?"
"What the...?" Luffy blinked from his place on the figurehead.
"The Flying Fish just... left?" Chopper blinked.
"Even though they were really on the offence back there..." Franky commented.
"It seems like they received some kind of message," Robin commented. "Maybe they were ordered to retreat?..."
"Cool! Who are these two Pokemon though!" Luffy clapped his hands at Suicune and Monstro.
Cue Sparks.
"Suicune the Aurora Pokémon and one of the Three Legendary Johto Guardians. SUICUNE embodies the North Wind with the compassion of a pure spring of water. It runs across the land with gracefulness. This POKéMON has the power to purify dirty water.
Dondozo the Big Catfish Pokémon.
It treats Tatsugiri like its boss and follows it loyally. Though powerful, Dondozo is apparently not very smart. This Pokémon is a glutton, but it’s bad at getting food. It teams up with a Tatsugiri to catch prey."
"Wow! So cool!" Caimie said.
"Anyway, the place we're headed now is their base, right?" Sanji asked. "In that case, we'd better be prepared to fight them again." He then blew a plume of smoke. "But, who'd have guessed that they'd come at us from the sky?"
"How about getting the cannons out on the deck?" Usopp offered. "I'll shoot them all down!"
"Nice going!" Franky answered.
"I could have Melbourne check." Yukiko offered.
"I wanna fly!" Luffy complained.
"NO!" Zoro and Nami yelled at him together.
"Knowing your luck, you'll fall over and drown!" Nami added.
Luffy then blinked as the base came in view. "Huh? I can see something now!"
"Looks like that's the Flying Fish Riders' base," Franky commented.
"And this Hachi guy is being kept over there?" Luffy asked.
"Seems like that, honey!" Yukiko said
"Hey, let's hurry up and save the takoyaki!" Luffy yelled.
"But everyone, be careful!" Keimi called. "The Makuro crew alone has captured me about thirty times already!"
"You get captured too much!" Usopp exclaimed. "You get eaten too much, too...!"
Complete and utter silence greeted them as the Thousand Sunny sailed into the circular base.
"Seems like we've entered their territory, huh?" Franky commented loudly.
"It seems like someone built their base floating on top of the water," Yukiko said.
Usopp's voice rang over. "Luffy, should we...?"
"FORWARD!" the captain's voice called.
"Hey, shouldn't we at least think over the plan for a second?"
"HEY! HACHI! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" Keimi called, loud enough for Yusei to hear it over the winds howling.
"GET OUT HERE, MAKURO GANG!" Pappagg joined in. "GIVE HACHI BACK!"
The ship soon came to an iron cage suspended over the ocean as Shield Wing lowered itself towards the Sunny once more.
"It seems like someone is like that cage," Robin commented.
"Who's that guy?" Franky commented.
"Huh? Move over..." Keimi squinted. "Could that be Hachi...?"
"This is great, Keimi! There aren't any enemies around! This will be easy!"
"Seems like it." Keimi answered.
"Are you guys even serious!?" Usopp raged. "Anyone could tell that this is a trap!"
"Everyone is obviously hiding in there, waiting to ambush us," Franky commented.
"AAAH! WHAT BRILLIANT DEDUCTION!" Keimi exclaimed.
"I NEVER WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED THAT!" Pappagg added.
"THAT'S WHY YOU KEEP GETTING CAUGHT!" Franky yelled at them both.
"Nyuu, I'm here! Keimi, I'm okay, so you don't have to worry!" the black man called.
"Hachi, it really is you!" Keimi called.
Yukiko squinted. "Is he covered in ink?"
"YOU'RE ALL BLACK! WHAT HAPPENED!" Keimi screamed.
"Well, this is kinda my own fault..." it sheepishly replied. "Anyway, this is a trap, so hurry up and turn back! You know that I'm strong, right? So it's fine, just go!" he screamed at the sight of the pirate flag of the Strawhats.
"Hey, is Arlong doing alright?" Sanji yelled.
"Nyuu? Huh? Arlong? No, him, Choo, Kuroobi, and everyone else got caught by the Navy," Hachi replied. "I was the only one who escaped, and I'm now living out my old dream of running a takoyaki stand."
"Arlong...?" Luffy echoed.
Zoro and Nami sighed together. "I knew it..."
"Ah? Ah, Ah, Ah, AHHHHHHH!" Luffy realised. "SO IT WAS YOU, HUH, YOU DAMN SQUID?"
"GGYYYYAAAAHHH! DAMN IT!" Hachi yelled.
So you're the damn squid that was with Arlong?" Luffy yelled. "You're that takoyaki seller, Hachi?"
"What?" Yukiko and Robin asked.
"Well, it was a while ago..." Usopp sighed. "But, Nami's home-town was once under the control of a nasty crew of Fishmen called the Arlong Pirates... Nami was in quite a terrible situation herself... and the octopus was one of the top members."
"Ah, so he's an old enemy, huh?" Franky nodded.
"Of course, I took Luffy and the others along, and kicked the crap out of the whole crew!" Usopp boasted.
"Usopp, you're awesome!" Sparkles danced around Chopper.
"Liar," Yukiko muttered.
"Y... yeah, I guess..." Usopp sighed dejectedly. "I thought all the Fishmen were arrested by the Navy, but it seems like that guy managed to get away..."
"I see," Brook sipped delicately at his tea. "You have experienced quite a lot..."
"But.....He's been running a takoyaki stand, meaning he's not causing trouble now." Yukiko said trying to make them understand.
"HEY, SQUID!" Luffy was bellowing. "Now that we know it's you, there's no way we'll save you!"
Hachi looked crestfallen.
"B... but..." Luffy seemed to be wavering between two choices. "I.. is... Is your takoyaki really as good as I heard it was?"
"Oh, come on!" Sanji commented. "Getting caught between your appetite and your reason?"
"How stupid," Zoro commented.
"Maybe, you know Hachi?" Keimi happily asked. "Is Hachi an old friend of yours?"
"HE'S NOT OUR FRIEND!" An evil aura surrounded Zoro as he growled, Keimi freaking out at the terrifying sight.
"Turn the ship around!" Usopp's cry rang out.
"Guys....." Yukiko said.
"Nami..."
"Sorry, Keimi..." Nami sighed. "We never would have thought your friend was that guy..."
"No way..." Tears gathered in her eyes. "Then you won';t help me save him after all? Hachi!"
"Keimi! That's okay! Just turn back!" Hachi called. "This is a trap!"
"No... I'll save you... you're always saving us, after all!" Keimi called. "Pappagg!"
"That's right!" the starfish retorted. "I never thought you guys would be such a load of unfeeling halfwits! Idiots! Idiots!"
"Shut up!" Zoro growled at them.
"Wait for us, Hachi!" Pappagg declared.
"We definitely won't abandon you, Hachi!" Keimi declared. "Here we go!" both dove into the water.
"Keimi Chan!"
"That idiot!"
"Will they be alright?" Chopper asked.
"We should help!" Yukiko protested.
"I'm sure they wouldn't just jump in like that..." Usopp commented. "They should have some sort of plan..."
The water surface broke, Keimi crying in the hands of three Fishmen. "We've got you now, Keimi!"
"Oh come on, that's just pathetic!" Usopp yelled.
"Now, we're gonna be rich!"
"With Hachi, who always saves you, in that state and all!"
"You won't get away, Keimi!"
Keimi just cried, thrashing about.
"That's why I told you to run!" Hachi called. "Keimi! Pappagg!"
"Why, you..." Sanji growled. "Keimi hasn't done anything!"
"Wait, Sanji Kun!" Nami held up a hand.
Hachi was now thrashing against the bars of the steel cage in an effort to get out. "I'll save you right now, Keimi!" He continued to thrash his skull against the steel bars.
Nami seemed to be warring with herself before she came to a decision. "Fine, let's save Hachi as well."
"Eh?" Usopp started.
"Hachi isn't that bad," Nami defended. "Actually, he's harmless! And we promised Keimi, too." Nami winked.
"N... Nami Swan... that firm, determined appearance is just wonderful!" Sanji praised, hearts appearing in his eyes.
Yukiko smiled.
"Oi, Nami..."
"Is that alright?" Zoro muttered.
"Luffy!" Nami called.
"If you say so, then I guess there's no choice." Luffy turned around. "Let's save the octopus as well."
"Your eyes turned into takoyaki!" Usopp screamed at him as Yukiko giggled.
"Gomu Gomu no... Pistol!" Luffy threw an arm to stretch and wrap around Keimi and Pappagg, lifting them from the hands of the Makuro crew and into either arm, as he used the cage as a foothold to the floating land.
"I'll need one more member to help. Lugia! You're up!" Yukiko threw her Pokeball up as the Diving Pokémon emerged.
Caime, Pappagg and Hachi were the most surprised.
"Pappagg, is that.....?"
"It, it can't be! I thought he was a legend!"
"The Guardian of the Sea!" Hachi gasped in shock and amazement as Luffy and Yukiko had Lugia retrieve the fishfolk.
"Strawhat, nyuu?"
"Luffy Chin!"
"You!"
"Alright!" Luffy declared. "I got them back!"
"Nyuu, Strawhat! Thank you so much! I'm indebted to you!"
"Zoro!" Luffy hollered. "Cut the octopus's ropes and the cage!"
Zoro prepared a sword. "Yeah!"
"Strawhat! Be careful! You've already sprung the trap!" Hachi called warningly. "The Flying Fish Riders have you surrounded!"
"Luffy Chin..." Keimi said.
"Whether it's from the sea or the sky, we're ready fish folk. Yukiko said as Luffy declared finishing. "We're gonna beat them all!"
"Ahhh!" Keimi and Pappagg grinned.
"YOU GUYS!" Luffy hollered the the Sunny.
On board, the crew awaited orders.
"PREPARE FOR BATTLE!"
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