I don't own One Piece
Also, I'm not sure if it is Caime or Keimi. I've seen both spellings, but in the manga that I have I've seen it spelt Caime, so I'm gonna stick to that.
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Having only left the crew for a few minutes to grab my sketchbook, as well as a strap on my weapons, I hadn't expected much to change. However, as soon as I made myself comfortable on deck, I learned we were going off course to save the Mermaid's friend.
I should have known something was bound to change. Especially when Luffy is following his stomach. He's already been promised a free meal upon the safe return of the mermaid's friend. I swear this Captain of mine would start a war if he was promised food afterwards.
My attention didn't last long on Luffy. Instead I had quickly turned to Nami, whom I had noticed was strangely quiet and held a worried look in her eyes. A frown had settled on my lips as I stared at the navigator. She had already dismissed me when I had asked what was bothering her, stating she was fine. I don't believe her, but I also didn't push her. She would tell us when she was ready.
"I should probably warn you," I looked over to the starfish, whom I learned was named Pappagg. "It's not just the one gang kidnappers around these parts. The Shabondy Archipelago is home to many more gangs. Trading in human beings is big business around here."
"Disgusting." I clenched my hands, looking away from Pappagg and onto the ocean surrounding us. I've already been informed of the business that goes down there. Mamoru's friend that visited often warned me of it. Though he assured me if I ever found myself there he wouldn't let such things happen to me. Not that Mamoru ever allowed me to actually go and visit his friend.
"And since Mermaids can fetch a particularly high price the Makuro crew, a gang of three fishman, have been after Caime for sometime now." Pappagg continued. I glanced at Caime, her smile had dropped into a unsettled frown. "As for Hachi from the Takoyaki shop," Pappagg sighed, his frown deepening. "Well since we were eaten by that beast and didn't come back for a while he probably thought the Makuro crew had gotten their hands on us, and went after them himself."
"Yes," Caime frowned, looking down to the ground guilt clouding her eyes. "That must be it. Hacchin is such a kind, honest person. It's all my fault."
With a sigh I stood up and patted the mermaid's head, gaining her attention. A soft grin spread across my face. "Ah, don't think like that. It may be your fault, but you just need to put all your effort of feeling guilty into getting stronger. At least strong enough to protect yourself, that will give a little relief to your friend."
Her frown didn't lift, but I also didn't miss a little shine in her eyes. "Thank you, Katsu-chin."
Our attention was brought back to Pappagg, who crossed his arms. "But to think they would bring the Flying Fish Riders into this."
My grin dropped into a frown. "Those guys?"
"You've heard of them?" Franky looked at me, raising an eyebrow with a frown on his face.
"Yeah, one of Mamoru's friends would visit us on the island. They're fairly new, but they're strong enough to gain a name quickly." I tapped my bottom lip in thought. "Though I can't say what their leader looks like. He apparently always wears a mask."
"Yes!" Pappagg nodded to me, "He wears an iron mask. From what I heard he's looking for someone. He's been searching every ship that passes through these waters."
I frowned at the thought. Who could he be looking for that was so important? Glancing around my crew I shrugged, whoever it was they weren't on this ship.
Luffy grinned, looking towards Caime. "Well! Anyway, Caime! Don't worry, we'll save the Takoyaki no matter what!"
I knew it. He was only saving this guy because of the food after. Luffy always thinks with his stomach first.
"You mean the Takoyaki seller." Pappagg muttered.
I snorted, "He always thinks with his stomach. Don't worry, as long as there is food, Luffy will save your friend."
"That's not very reassuring, Katsu." Usopp deadpanned.
Before I could respond to the cowardly sniper, I paused. My eyebrows pulled together in thought as I concentrated. There was a humming sound, and it wasn't coming from the ship. Walking towards the railing, I looked up towards the sky.
"Oi," I yelled, silencing the crew. "We got some company. I'm pretty sure it's the flying fish people." Extending my arm, I pointed at the sky. Immediately our fish friends started screaming.
Franky and Usopp ran towards me to get a better look. "Woah! The fish are flying!" Usopp screached, "Flying fish! Can they really fly like that?!"
I wrinkled my nose raising an eyebrow at our crew's sniper. "Firstly, why do you think they're called the Flying Fish riders? Secondly, I'm positive you can see the fish flying. Why would you ask a stupid question?"
He turned to me, his teeth sharpening. "It was a rhetorical question!"
"A stupid one!" I growled back, my head snapping back to the fish riders as one swooped down. Quickly, I pulled my gun and shot. The rider swerved to avoid my shot and missed our ship thankfully.
"I want a closer look at those fish!" I grinned, my eyes sparkling in thought. "I haven't drawn anything like those before!"
Though before I could try anything, the two riders were gone. I frowned, staring up at the sky. Why would they retreat so fast?
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There was no wonder in my mind as to how Caime could have been captures far too many times. The innocent Mermaid falls for traps too easily. Not to mention she's not the strongest, I wonder if she would even put up an actual fight.
"Why would they...-" I stopped with a sigh, resting my forehead on the railing. "Never mind."
Caime shrieked as we drew closer to the caged fishman. "Hacchin, you're all black! What happened? Did you get burned?!"
I looked up to see the fishman covered in some black ink. My nose wrinkled in confusion. "Why would they cover him in ink?" I muttered.
"No. No, this is... Don't worry about it! More importantly, this is a trap! You have to turn back. You know I'm strong, I'll be fine!" The fishman yelled, I could sense a slight tremor in his voice.
He was nervous. My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. If he was truly as strong as he said, he shouldn't be nervous. Something wasn't right, but I don't know what yet.
"I've definitely heard that voice before, and that silhouette." Zoro grunted, looking towards our navigator. "Nami, what do you think?"
I glanced behind me to look at Nami. Immediately I could see a more stressed look upon her face. Perhaps I was about to find out what has been nagging our navigator. "There's something very suspicious about him." She muttered, her thumb resting on her bottom lip.
"Let's try this." Sanji blew out some smoke, cupping his hand around his mouth. "Oi! How's Arlong doing?"
"Nyuu?! Ahh! Arlong-san!" The fishman answered, "Him and Chuu and Kurobbi. They're all in prison. I'm the only one that escaped! And I've managed to open a Takoyaki shop like I've always wanted!"
"Arlong!" Luffy's eyes widened.
"It is you!" Sanji, Nami, and Zoro yelled.
"Huh?" I rubbed my head looking at them. "What's going on?"
"Oh! Right!" Usopp looked at me, "It was a while ago now. But Nami's town was under control of this nasty pirate crew called the Arlong pirates. And that Octo-guy was one of the crew members."
"Huh. So an old enemy." Franky's mouth pulled down into a frown as he crossed his arms.
I glared at the ink covered fishman. It made sense as to why he covered himself in ink now, he didn't want the crew to recognize him. Nami's worried expression made sense to me now, and she didn't want to say anything in case she had been wrong. I didn't have the full story, but I have enough to know they must have put her through hell.
"Leave him to rot." I growled, crossing my arms now.
"So wait! That Takoyaki seller 'Hacchin' was you all along?!" Luffy demanded, "That crazy Octo-Hachi from Arlong's crew?! Like hell we'd come and save a guy like you dumbass!" I nodded silently in agreement with my captain, thanking god his stomach wasn't driving his brain for once. "But wait! Your takoyaki! Is it really that good?!"
I take that back. With an eye twitching I didn't hesitate to smack Luffy in the back of his head, sending my captain to the ground. Though I'm sure it didn't actually hurt the rubber idiot, he voiced a complaint and looked at me with a pout.
"Katsu!" He whined, "What was that for?"
"Idiot Captain!" I growled, "He hurt Nami. Don't let your stomach make you forget!"
He blinked, then his eyes widened and he nodded. "Yeah! He hurt Nami!"
"Hacchin!" Caime cried, realizing we weren't going to save her friend anymore.
"Nyuu! Caime! That's enough!" He ordered, "You should go home! This is a trap!"
"No shit," I muttered my eyes rolling involuntary.
"I can't!" Caime protested stubbornly. "I'm going to save you! You always come to save us, don't you!"
My frown deepened as Caime hopped towards the rails of the ship. She wasn't really going to jump in the water. Right?
"That's right! Hah!!" I raised an eyebrow at Pappagg as he humped onto the railing beside Caime. "I never thought you guys would be such a load of unfeeling halfwits."
My eye twitched as I looked at the starfish. "We're pirates. We could have left you to die days ago."
Much to my annoyance, I was ignored. "Duuummmies!" Why did I feel the need to pound my fist into the Starfish's skull?
Then both idiots jumped into the ocean, which I responded with slapping my hand to my forehead. Seconds later Caime and Pappagg were being held hostage. Shocker.
"Two seconds." I muttered.
"Come on! That's just pathetic!" Usopp yelled, his eyes bugging out of his head.
"Oh, we're all in the money now!" They cheered. "No Hachi coming to save you now!"
"Why those little..." Sanji growled, "Caime-chan never did anything wrong! I'm gonna go save her at least!"
"Wait a minute, Sanji-kun!" I paused at Nami's voice. Turning to look at her I noticed she held up a hand. "I've decided! Let's save Hachi as well."
I blinked, "Really?"
She looked at me and gave a small smile. "He's alright. To be honest, he's harmless. Besides we made a promise to Caime, didn't we?"
For a moment I paused. Had Nami been offered money for Hachi's return? After a moment of thinking it over, I didn't remember such a conversation happening. Only Luffy had been promised something out of that. It was then that a smile crept onto my lips. After we saved these guys, I was going to ensure this fishman was on his knees and apologizes to Nami.
I crossed my arms as Luffy sprang from the ship, grabbing Caime and Pappagg, then landed on the ground of the island.
"Zoro! Cut Octo-boy's cage and rope!" Luffy ordered, turning to look back at the ship.
Zoro walked past me with a smirk. "Gotcha!"
My ears twitched. Below us I could hear a soft humming, one that I recognized from earlier. "Ah, the fist guys are under us."
"Straw Hats! You need to watch out!" Hachi yelled, "You're already in the middle of a trap! You're surrounded by the flying fish riders!"
My hand reached down to my belt around my waist where my fingers wrapped around a new weapon I had acquired. The weapon was cooler than my other guns, and I could swear I felt a slight buzzing from the cold gun. Pulling it from the strap, I glanced at the gun for a moment before shrugging. Now was a good time to test this gun.
"Here they come!" I warned just before they broke the surface of the ocean. Water splashed over us as the fish soared above us. Bombs dropped from the fish as they flew over us. I ran to one side, gripping the air as I twisted my body.
"You're not touching Sunny!" I growled as I spun on my heel, reflecting the bombs back at the flying fish.
I blinked when Luffy threw one fish pilot off the flying fish and took control. "Nice," I whispered, "He can explain it if I don't get a closer look."
Then, the fish dove back into the water. My Captain included.
"Luffy!" I yelled, running to the rails as I watched him go under.
"Luffy-san!"
"Luffy!!"
My eyes widened as two more figured jumped after our captain. "Brook! Chopper!"
"Those idiots!" Franky and Nami growled, jumping in after them.
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A low hiss trailed from the gun as I shot another rider off his fish. Rather than the weapon feel warmed with each shot, it felt cooler. The metal around my hand fogged with my body heat.
I paused to glance at the gun in my hand for a moment. "This is weird." I muttered, "The speed is faster though, and it's definitely quieter."
I ignored my loud crew as I took another shot. My eyes widened as another hiss left my gun. Though, this time, a bit of frost covered the barrel.
"That's definitely not normal." I turned the gun around in my hand, my nose wrinkling. "Is it broken?"
Sighing, I pocketed the cold gun. My hand traveled to my dagger where I pulled it out and twisted the blade in my palm for a second and looked up. Hopping for a second, I created a platform to jump on.
"No harm in a closer look then." I grinned, creating more platforms as I ran towards a flying fish.
"Watch out!" One of the fish riders tried to warn the man in front of me.
"Too late!" I grinned, hoping on the fish. Kicking the man off, I grabbed the controls. Wind whipped my hair around as I flew the fish towards the other rider.
"W-Wait! We'll crash!" He yelled.
Just before we made contact, I jumped off. Creating another platform to land on, I turned my head around and stuck out my tongue before shrugging. "Ah, I'm not very good at driving." I grinned, jumping out of the way as a fish tried to run into me.
"You guys are too loud to try to sneak up on me." I sighed, jumping onto another fish.
"Well your hair is too bright to try to sneak on anyone!" The pilot growled, swinging a knife at me.
I brought my dagger up and blocked his attack easily. A frown pulled at my lips, "That's rude. I happen to like my hair." Slicing at him, he cried out and dripped his knife as I cut his arm. Grabbing him around the shoulders, I swung my body to the side and threw him off the fish.
Then, seeing the fish move towards the ocean, I jumped. Giving myself a boost of air, I landed back on the ship. Slightly out of breath now, I couldn't stop the grin that stretched across my face.
"Franky! Let's attach the ship to the dock!" Usopp yelled, "If we're in the middle of the sea like this, those guys have an advantage."
I gave a silent nod in agreement, though my attention was brought to Nami as she fought. It has come to my realization that this has been my first time actually seeing her, and Usopp, fight. Somehow, through my time here, I have completely missed any fight those two have gotten into. It just made me assume they couldn't fight.
Nami deserved more credit than I gave her. Though her fighting wasn't direct, it definitely was effective and incredibly unique. She could definitely fight. I needed to remember to draw her fighting later.
Then I glanced towards Usopp. I will be the first to say Usopp is far from brave, half the time I call him a coward. However, I can now fully say he isn't completely a coward. Plus, he can fight, and when push comes to shove he'll give it his hardest. That wasn't surprising to me though, not after fighting Oars. Though I am surprised at his incredible accuracy with his slingshot and the cannons. He rightfully deserves the title of our crew's sniper.
"Ne, I feel like they're slowing down." I said, walking over to my crew as they stood by the rails.
"Isn't that guy looking as us while he talks?" Usopp asked.
"Hmm?" I blinked, looking around Franky as the tall figure standing on land. I recognized the mask, though only from the bounty picture. He never landed on Gol's island.
"THAT MAN!" He bellowed, "Who on a certain day, sent me to hell!"
"He seems a bit dramatic." I muttered.
"Today, I..." He shook his head, "Even if it comes down to a battle of stabbing each other. I will definitely kill you! Black Leg Sanji!"
I blinked, looking over at our Chef. "Sanji?! What did you do to anger this guy?"
"If we're talking about back then..." Sanji paused, rubbing his head as he counted on his fingers. "I made a lot of people get grudges against me."
"Ah," I crossed my arms and shrugged. "Well I wouldn't worry too much. He never landed on Gol's island." My crew blinked and frowned at me.
"So?" Nami scoffed.
"Well, it is a hidden island." I said, "Only those who are given clues find it. And you only get a clue for one of three reasons. One, you're really strong physically. I think Mamoru wants to asses anyone who has a running in being the next pirate king. Two, you have a decent bounty. Or three, the person giving you the clue just really liked you."
I glanced back at the guy. "Which means our scouts didn't think he was strong enough, or like him. His bounty is new too." I looked back at Sanji. "So, I don't think you'll have too much of a problem." I paused, "Oh, and you can't lose. We won't be able to replace a chef like you."
Instantly, Sanji's eyes were replaced by hearts as he wiggled. Beside him Franky and Robin narrowed their eyes at the chef. "Katsu-chan cares!!"
"I like your food." I answered, "And you're not too bad."
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End of Chapter 26!
Ohhh we're getting closer to Sabaody Archipelago! And Katsu should be getting a bounty very soon!
This is not edited.