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Chapter Text

“Land Ho! An island of bubbles surrounded by trees!” Sister Amber shouted from the crow-nest, eliciting the attention from her crew-mates below.

Her captain and liberator, ‘Mad Monk’ Urouge, grinned wider than usual, which seems like an impossible image if the crew didn’t witnessed it now firsthand.

“Must be Sabaody Archipelago. It’s been ages since I went there with my family.”

“You went there before, Father Urouge?” Brother Lukas prompted, “what’s the island like?”

“Hmm, I only visited my aunt’s resided bar and the amusement park, for what I know,” The self-made monks’ and nuns’ curiosity peaked as the captain of the Fallen Monk Pirates pondered the question. “It’s mostly a lawless island, a sort-of theme park where survival is the upmost priority,” he hummed nonchalantly, “though there’s a Marine Headquarters located nearby to catch inattentive pirates off guard, it’s usually big-shot bounty hunters that did the job for them.”

“… does that mean your scary Grandpa is nearby?” 

“Pfft! Nah! Grandpa is more of a wanderer than a stationed marine!” The bulking Birkan bellowed as he slapped his fellow worshipper on the back, “Besides! His superiors had banned him from ever entering the Archipelago! Don’t worry about getting spooked like last time, everyone!”

“It’s not our fault for getting spooked when your Grandpa came to us like a torpedo!”

“And punched you over the railings!”

“And threw cannonballs at us when we tried to leave! WHO DOES THAT TO THEIR GRANDSON?!?!?!”

Their captain kept on roaring his laughter out on his crew-mates’ indignant wailing. Sister Amber shook her head fondly before concerning herself with the newspaper that she bought just now. She then frowned at the headlines.

[The Most Notorious Pirate Rookies of Paradise! The Eleven Supernovas!]

Her captain with the bounty of 108 million berries was there. Grinning at the camera while his right hand crushed a slave collar. The twin-bun-haired woman would had been proud that captain was in there if it wasn’t for the fact that he was being lumped with ignoble pirates.

Specifically the likes of Eustass ‘Captain’ Kidd, ‘Massacre Soldier’ Killer, and Capone ‘Gang’ Bege. Their bloody achievements at South Blue and West Blue were famous worldwide for their debut as pirates.

So unlike the noble Father Urouge, who got his bounty from raiding slave ships and liberating them. Distributing the riches among the freed slaves. Enlightening oppressed souls with the wise words of the Almighty Nika.

She gets offended on his behalf! It doesn’t matter if Father Urouge brightened up whenever news of these newly-named Supernovas came up (it was still a mystery why he looked so proud of those hooligans, no one wants to interrupt when the captain took a rare interest on newspapers and the mystery left unasked)! How could they lump her saviour with thieves, attention-seekers, murderers!

Welp, she folded the newspaper roughly as the ship starts to docked, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Hooooooo…! This is indeed the genuine Jade Snake Statue!” The appraiser sucked his breath in awe, adjusting his magnifier to take another look at the ancient artefact, “Legends said that this statue cursed treasure hunters to stone! Never to breath another fresh air again!”

Faust’s mystique captain, Basil Hawkins ‘The Magician’, smiled serenely as he stroke his pet blood raven, “I have my ways, Sir Apser.”

What ways indeed-nya!, The Black Cat Mink sweat dropped as he was reminded what a daredevil his captain is.

Boss is the greatest practitioner of the supernatural, attracting fellow practitioners and adventurers to join him in chasing legends and myths around the world. They greatly admired their captain’s skills, though that admiration and respects fell the moment his reckless risk-taking habit kicked in.

(“Boss-nya! You said it’s 2%-nya!”

“It is never near zero though, dear Faust? I will be fine.”

“Yugi-nya’s inner eye even foresee a bad omen on you-nya!”

“As my brother wisely said once upon a time, ‘an adventure without risk is no fun at all’.”

“WE ARE RETRIEVING A CURSED STATUE-NYA! WHAT FUN-NYA!”)

If Faust could get in touch with Boss’s brother, he is so going to wring his neck for being such a bad influence on his captain. If Boss didn’t deduced correctly that they need a pure silver dagger in time, he would had turned into stone like its previous victims.

Said victims stared in awe at The Magician doing a curse-breaking ritual and swore loyalty to him after realising their original era had been long gone. 

The first mate of Hawkins Pirates pitied them for not foreseeing how reckless Boss can be.

“Shall we discuss the payment?”

“Of course, my good sir! The highest I could give for such rarity is one billion berries! But if you auction this beau at Collector Royal, you could get even higher than that!”

“I see. I will discuss among my crew regarding the Jade Snake Statue.” Boss gestured forward, the Mink set the money case towards Appraiser Apser in exchange of the statue, “This is nothing but a humble tip. We still need your keen eye for the rest of our conquests.”

“You have more?!” The man is in euphoria when he received an affirmed nod, “We will be awaiting for your presence, Master Basil! Do not hesitate to call for our services even for appraising a dump!”

“Hopefully, it will not come down to that. It will ruin your reputation after all, Sir Apser.” The two practitioners and a bird were nobly escorted out of the store, just in time to see their Feng Shui specialist and navigator pointing his acupuncture needles at a large man in a well-dressed suit and a large mechanical right arm.

‘Bullet-Armed’ Gotti of the Fire Tank Pirates, to be specific. The left hand man of a fellow Supernova captain, Capone ‘Gang’ Bege.

“Dear Yun Qi, what happened?”

“He is insulting our ways! As if his gangster life is any better!” The braided man spat, riling up the insulted man easily.

“What did you say?!”

“I said what I said, you deaf lapdog!”

Boss just sighed, his blood raven Annabelle nudged her feathery head to his cheeks in comfort, “Please don’t fight over such trivial stuff. And Sir Gotti,” he pointedly stared at the larger figure, “I thought your captain is sensible enough to tell you not to start a fight pointlessly, no?”

“Apparently, that rule didn’t stick properly,” Gang stride out of the posh restaurant down the street with a chubby, big-lipped woman looping their arms together, gnawing his cigar as he tipped his hat, “My apologies, Hawkins.”

Faust and Yun Qi glanced between the gathering gangster pirates, their own incoming occultists crew and their captain who is staring intensely at the couple.

Oh no, Faust sweated as the Hawkins Pirates all recognised the curiosity glint Boss casted specifically at Gang’s woman, he’s in his hunting mode… to something that is not cursed!

“Oh ho~? What do we have here?” The two pirate crews snapped out of their stare off, quickly glancing to where the sound is coming from, “To think you of all people have a thing for romance, even I didn’t see that coming!”

‘Big Eater’ Jewelry Bonney, Supernova captain of Bonney Pirates, is smirking down at them from the roof she is situated at along with Trafalgar D. Water Law the ‘Surgeon of Death’, another Supernova captain of Heart Pirates.

“Unbelievable, Bege-ya.” The creepy doctor admonished, sounding playful as he wagged his finger, “after what humiliation you put us through too? Shame if she got traumatised.” Both Supernovas jumped down and landed near their fellow rookies, leaving their confused crew to pondered on when Gang had humiliated their respective captains before.

As for Gang, Faust thought it’s weird for him to looked so resigned and stressed about a potential fight, contrast to his bloody reputation. His men thought so too as he just ceased his cigar and reassuring his partner before stepping into an unprompted circle with Boss.

~~~~~~~~~~

“You want us to keep quiet?!” 

‘Medic Drummer’ Astro looked at his captain in bewilderment along with his fellow musicians with their extra-dramatic shocked poses. They had secured a really good quality of a penthouse, the rent-lord being their fan, when Apoo declared indefinite hiatus for their time in Sabaody Archipelago.

Scratchmen Apoo! Their party freak of a captain! The man who made even the NAVY screamed for encores! The Roar of the fucking Sea!

Who the hell is this imposter?!, All of them screamed internally as they dogpiled onto the Long-Arm simultaneously, making the man yelped in pain at the unexpected assault.

Astro, being the one directly on top of the imposter(?), forcefully pried their prisoner’s mouth wide as much mobility as he have and tapped onto the teeth.

“🎶! ACK! 🎶! HEY!”

“…huh.” The ship doctor blinked at his not-an-imposter captain, who stared back, looking unimpressed with his mouth wide open, “So you are our Apoo.”

“Yes, I am, Astro! Get off! All of you!”

The crew sheepishly giggled as they started to removed themselves from the dogpile, leaving Apoo to sit up crossing his legs with the same unimpressed look while he readjusted his spectacles. 

“It really warms my heart on how much love you gave for music, guys.” He deadpanned, crossing his long arms, “To the point you attack me when I was about to explain why!”

“But it wasn’t like you to not hold a flash mob, cap! We panicked!”

“Apapapapa! It’s fine! I too will dogpile any of you if you announced a hiatus without a why! Apapapapa!” He beamed as he gestured to his crew, “All forgiven!”

“Lil Cakey still doesn’t understand why the sudden hiatus, Apoo-kins~” The tall drag king pouted from his position, “Lil Cakey even prepared some killer~ tunes too! What gives~!”

“It is because of~,” the captain took a newspaper clipping under his garb, “This! My dearest~ bassist!”

[The Most Notorious Pirate Rookies of Paradise! The Eleven Supernovas!]

Astro gaped at his captain’s bounty of 198 million under the mentions. Because holy shit! This is making the On Air Pirates even more famous with this acknowledgment! Their concerts are going to overflowed with people who wants a glimpse of a Supernova! 

The first mate, ‘Screaming’ Nirvana, starts having berries signs on his eyes. Probably thinking that their albums are going to sell like hotcakes. Astro can’t blame him at all because holy shit! They are going to be more famous just for having a Supernova for a captain!

The crew started to whooped and cheered for their Apoo, throwing their captain up in the air for this worthy achievement. They didn’t even stop to hear his explanation, some of the crew had dashed out to buy alcohols and fizzy drinks to celebrate. Lil Cakey immediately stationed himself in the kitchen to make a feast.

If they did stop and calm down first, maybe they could celebrate for entirely different but still joyous of an occasion.

“Captain! There’s a Supernova showdown in Grove 47! You gotta come!” The wristwatch Den Den Mushi on Nirvana called suddenly, halting every movement in the penthouse, except for Apoo who had dashed off to the location.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Hah?! Supernova Showdown?! We just arrived!”

“Eh?! They are here?! Where is it?!”

“Luffy! Are you insane?! I got the can’t-go-near-destructive-showdown-disease! Care about that!”

“I got it too, Luffy! Please don’t- AAAAAHH! RED FLAG X DRAKE!!! LUFFY, DON’T-!”

“Drakey! I missed you!”

“Yo, Drake.”

“Long time no see, Luffy, Zoro.”

“YOU GUYS KNOW EACH OTHER?!”

“Yeah! Ne ne, Drakey! Do you know where’s the showdown?”

“In that direction, number 47. I think there’s-”

“GOMU GOMU NO ROCKET!”

“-a misunderstanding annnnnd he’s gone. *sigh*”

“Come on, Drake. Got to make sure he don’t get lost.”

“YOU ARE THE ONE THAT GETS LOST!”

~~~~~~~~~~

Wire sauntered behind his captain and the first mate with his crew, gathering at the particular grove after they heard about the rumour of a Supernova showdown.

The rumour was proven to be true, with the majority being present.

‘Surgeon of Death’, Trafalgar D. Water Law, notorious for ending incurable diseases with his Devil Fruit and making an ‘art’ out of the still-living bodies of royalties. Haikei had declared him a handsome man of culture; Wire and the rest of the crew, especially a then-raging Kidd, said otherwise.

‘Big Eater’, Jewelry Bonney, notorious for depleting food sources of every island she visited. A walking famine with the power to turn people to babies or the elderly. Hopefully, they can re-supply their rations first before they search for the brothers’ ship-coating uncle.

‘The Magician’, Basil Hawkins, the only Supernova that is wanted alive only for some unknown reasons. The triton wielder had speculated that it must be because he was notorious for his Non-Devil Fruit magical-like abilities; Killer just said he was a former ‘prince’, which is bullshit because there are other nobles who sailed as pirates and got the same ‘Death or Alive’ treatment.

‘Roar of the Sea’, Scratchmen Apoo, notorious for making siren-like concerts that tempted people to be pro-pirates. Rumours said that even marines can’t help but swayed to the beats. Wire can attested to that since the Kidd Pirates are an extreme fan of their death rock genre (Kidd made everyone swear that they don’t let the musical pirates knew he’s a fan, perhaps he’s in denial about his celebrity crush on Scratchmen?).

‘Gang’, Capone Bege, notorious for destroying the Five Families of the West and assimilated the remnants into his crew. The pirate was also infamous in the underground as ‘The Void’, if the island wasn’t up to his questioning standard, the people in power will get death torture or brutally murdered, like the West Blue that is still in the uproar of the sudden power void.

Adding onto Eustass ‘Captain’ Kidd and ‘Massacre Soldier’ Killer, the vicious brothers-by-bond, the grove have a total seven out of the Eleven Supernovas. 

I like the odds, Wire smirked as the captain and his first mate stepped into the distancing circle, especially with Kidd and Killer together.

Now they are just missing ‘Red Flag’ X Drake, ‘Mad Monk’ Urouge, ‘Straw Hat’ Monkey D. Luffy and ‘Pirate Hunter’ Roronoa Zoro. He have some reservations about the other pirate-brothers duo of Straw Hat Pirates, since they had declared war on the World Government and managed to escaped the Buster Call (impressive feat, that he can admit), but he have the utmost faith in their own pirate-brothers duo.

Although it’s good to mentioned the fact most of them, sans the joined duo and Roar, cast a shit-eating grin at Gang, who looked resigned about this whole affair.

“Fuck’s going on, shitheads?”

“Ah, Kidd-ya, Killer-ya, Apoo-ya,” Surgeon impolitely answered the rather eloquent question, “Guess which hypocrite have a lover~?”

His captain choked in the air as he stared in feral disbelief at the gangster. The brutal Void have now looking anywhere but the surrounding pirate captains plus a first mate, looking like he wanted to bolt, which is surprising considered his reputation.

“Fafafafafafafa!” Killer clutched his stomach, which is, what?, “Bege! After all that shit you put us through?” He howled louder, “FAFAFAFAFAFA!”

“EXACTLY!” Big Eater exclaimed as she pointed at the accused. Roar shamelessly played ‘Wedding March’ with his instrument-turned arm, which making the present Supernovas laughed even harder, or cackled in Kidd’s and Eater’s case, at the now-blushing Gang.

Which is, again, what? 

“What’s the context…?” ‘Screaming’ Nirvana (he’s a fan of his Screamo!) whispered among his crew nearby, which is the same question Wire wanted answers to.

“Hah~! Never had I laughed this hard before!” Kidd regained his composure, crackling his knuckles, “You know what this means now, right~?” He cracked his neck for effect.

Magician swished his hair behind after he wiped his tears, “Indeed, after all, it’s karma well-deserved.”

Finally! A good fight!

Before anyone move, a swooshing sound echoed loudly along with its owner.

“KILLION!”

Straw Hat slammed himself onto Killer out of nowhere, making them both tumbled into the ground unceremoniously.

Wire tutted pitifully for that poor boy. To attempt a sneak attack on possibly the bloodiest member of this Supernova showdown? Not wise-

The Massacre Soldier hugged the cheery captain, his steel-masked cheek squished onto the boyish cheek, “BABY-CHAN!”

…Huh?

“Luffy-chan! Talk about blatant favouritism!” The only female captain strutted towards the cuddling duo before any of them could comprehend what on earth is going on, touched the younger one with her power, and hoisted the shrinking figure up, ignoring the complaining Killer, “Your favourite sister is very sad~!”

“Shishishishi! Sorry! Bon Bon-nee!” Straw Hat snuggled his baby cheeks against hers cheekily, “There! Love you~ Bon Bon-nee! Shishishishi!”

Huh?

The pinkette cooed as she snuggled back, “Aw~! How could I stay mad at you?! So cu-” the baby suddenly disappeared, a stick was dropped, “Hey! What gives, Law?!”

Surgeon only smirked as he hugged the giggling baby, “Confiscating Baby Rights,” he pecked on the forehead, “By the way, you are our only sister so that doesn’t give much credit, isn’t it?”

“You are just petty that you are not his favourite brother right now,” Killer harrumphed as he made way to them with his hands in grabby motion, “If anyone have Baby Rights, it’s me, the clear favourite, who got hugged first.”

“But I only hug you first because I see you first?” Straw Hat furrowed in confusion. Wire internally cooed at the cute expression before being mortified himself for thinking that.

Especially when he and the rest of the crews gathered had only a barest idea what’s going on, since this whole fiasco is started to take a strange turn from ‘Beating Bege’s Ass For Humilation’ to ‘Merry-making and Laughter’, seeing that each Supernova (even Kidd?!) started to gathered around without the supposed hostility.

Like, the fuck’s going on?

“That means we all have equal rights, my precious ones,” Magician plucked Baby Straw Hat off from behind, softly smiled as he cradled him gently, “Long time no see, precious Luffy. You and precious Zoro gave me a heart attack when news reported that you stormed in Enies Lobby.”

Roar widened his arm dramatically, agitated at the mention, “More like a death drop! If it wasn’t for the fact it had already happened, I will rush to you! Concerts be damned, Loof!”

“Yeah, you little shit! What is going on in your shitty rubber brain?!” Kidd forcefully pried said little shit, frowning angrily at the pouting baby before turning to Big Eater, “Oi, Bitch! Turn him back! I can’t smack him like this!” 

“Oh?! You can smack me when I’m baby or granny but when it’s Luffy you can’t?!”

“You are a bitch! He is a crybaby!”

“Why you-!”

“Settle down, children,” Gang huffed irritatingly at the almost-brawling duo, hands grabbing at the growing baby’s collar before setting him down after he properly turned back, “Haven’t see you all since I left Dawn and yet,” he smirked condescendingly, “still children.”

Before the two could turned their fists to Gang, or any of the crew could comprehend properly, Mad Monk’s loud laugh echoed through the grove as he emerged from Wire’s left direction, “My, my! Look who do we have here!” Behind him were jogged-to-a-stop Red Flag and Pirate Hunter, and their respective crew, “My family! All in one place! Such a reunion!”

……

“EEEEEEEEEEH! FAMILY?!”

Chapter Text

One moment, Bege seems to prepared himself for the onslaught of his fellow Supernovas. 

Another moment, with ‘Straw Hat’ Luffy in the fray, he seems to… softened up and jested with them? As if the hostility just now was just a display.

Then, ‘Mad Monk’ Urouge came out of nowhere, announcing about a family reunion?

And here Chiffon thought having Garp The Fist as a future grandfather-in-law was a big enough of a shock! Now, adding on ten powerhouse siblings that she barely knew about?

Unbelievable!

Chiffon told him about her family when he decided to court her a year ago! How could he hide this vital information until the last moment?! She wore her sexy date outfit! It’s not a suitable first impressions for future in-laws! 

“Lola? Did you finally bag the man of your dreams?! Congrats!”

Startled by the familiar name, the chubby woman turned towards the oncoming ‘Cat Burglar’ Nami, who seems to managed to shook off the shock of the family revelation and smiled widely at her ‘friend’.

“No, I’m Chiffon, Lola’s my twin.” She teared up slowly, “You met her? How is she?”

If anything, Cat Burglar looked even more ecstatic, “Oh! So you are her beloved sister! She told me a lot about you! I’m her friend, Nami. And Lola is great! I mean, as great as she can be after the whole shadow fiasco!”

“I’m glad she’s doing well! Mind telling me the shadow fiasco?”

“It’s a long story. We might need to sit down for this.”

The older woman, wanting to know more about her sister in firsthand account, looked towards her dear boyfriend.

“Bege, honey? Can we postpone our date evening? I want to spend some time with my sister’s friend.”

“Sure-”

“Honey, huh? And a date evening?” Pirate Hunter smirked down at his eldest brother, “so this is what the showdown is about?”

“Zoro…” Bege grumbled, massaging his stressed forehead as his siblings restarted their original goal, jabbing and teasing and plainly being an annoyance.

On one hand, she almost wanted those interactions for herself, a normal sibling behaviour; on the other hand, serves him right for not telling her.

“We pick up the tab. Shall we dine and talk, Nami?”

“I wouldn’t say no to anything free, Chiffon!”

“You guys can join too, if you want!”

“Yosh! You hear Bege’s girlfriend! Let’s eat!”

~~~~~~~~~~

Hallucinations.

There is no other damned reasons Billy can come up with as he witnessed his captain sharing her meals with other people.

Then again, these particular other people are apparently her Supernovas brothers, two of which have her gluttonous appetite, who made eating like a goddamn battlefield.

But still. Jewelry Bonney, their captain, who needs an entirely different schedule to eat her meals, share food?

You tell one of the Bonney Pirates that claim, they will laugh at you for such blasphemy!

“Luffy! Try this! It’s goddamn juicy!”

“Really?! Aaaaa- HEY! What gives, Gizao?!”

“*gulp* Ya snooze, ya lose!”

On second thought, maybe he should join his fellow cooks in support first. Billy could pondered his life crisis on an appropriate time.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Jest aside. How did you meet Lady Chiffon, precious Bege?”

“Yes! Was it love at first sight? Or enemies to lovers? *gasp* Romeo and Juliet? Give all the deets, bro!”

“I couldn’t imagine myself an enemy of Chiffon but I could tell you we fell in love step by step.”

“Ooooh~! *sips tea*”

“She was a baker. Managed her bakery in a flour-specialised island in Paradise but she hates it since her mother put her there to not getting reminded of a failed marriage. I got to know her when one of my men accidentally fired a cannonball on her supply ship.”

“*snort*”

“*snicker*”

“Shush. Anyway, the Log Pose have to set for half a year. So I volunteered my ship to get her supplies to pay the debt but she wasn’t convinced. One argument to another, she guested on my ship to see if I did honour my promise.”

“But you always made good on your promises, Bege-nii!”

“We are pirates, Luffy. I did told you that pirates are commonly backstabbers, yes?”

“Hmmph! Stupid nakama-killers…”

“There, there, Baby-chan. Have some steak.”

“I honoured the debt. Even getting her the limited supply of Cherry Cheese. That put us in her good book and became her temporary suppliers until her ship is repaired and the Log Pose is set. I grow fond of her each time we interact. She’s sweet, caring and passionate. She’s my ideal woman, alright.”

“Knowing you, Bege-ya, that’s not all, right?”

“… I saw her crushed a man’s, that is thrice her size, ball and judo-flipped him in ease. It’s that moment I knew I am totally in love and courted her right away…”

~~~~~~~~~~

Robin smiled fondly at the direction of her captain, who is laughing boisterously with his siblings at a flushed Capone ‘Gang’ Bege.

Who would have thought the ruthless Void have such adorable side?

Giggling to herself as she sipped her tea, she observed around the restaurant the Fire Tank Pirates had fully booked, noting how unusual this gathering had become about. Sanji, a handful of pirate chefs from other crews and the Bonney Pirates had already took over the kitchen when the restaurant’s chefs surrendered after the absolute vacuums the three gluttonous captains had displayed.

The most obviously entertaining corner will be the ‘Rebooting Corner’, where Usopp, Chopper, the Heart Pirates and the Fallen Monk Pirates were stewing around with their absurd theories as they compared each Supernovas and come up with the most laughable conclusions.

Although ‘adoption’ is the first thing comes in her mind, she can admit it’s hilarious to think the Most Wanted Criminal fooled around with rich ladies to gained financial support.

On the ‘Not Surprised Anymore Corner’, Nami and Chiffon-san were exchanging stories of their ‘horrible’ childhood (Nami almost had a heart attack when she discovered she have Big Mom’s Vivre Card). The Drake Pirates and the Fire Tank Pirates have to witnessed a heated discourse about comic book villains held between ‘Thick Skull’ Ulti and ‘Monster Gun’ Vito, even cataloguing the statistics to prove their respective Germa 66 villain is the strongest.

Robin have her money on Stealth Black. Striking enemies without them noticing is more appealing than having winches for limbs. This reminded her about the absolute waste of Clear-Clear Fruit on that incompetent pervert at Thriller Bark. Hopefully, he was tortured at who-knows-where.

Mingling on the ‘Awe Corner’, were the Hawkins Pirates, Kidd Pirates and On Air Pirates, where the center of their attentions were a self-made cyborg and a living skeleton. The occultists and some of the Kidd Pirates were prodding Brook in morbid fascination while the skeleton regaled his fellow musical pirates of his Rumbar Pirates days. The rest of the punks, along with ‘Heart-Slice’ Shachi and Ikkaku ‘The Bloody’ of the Heart Pirates, presumably mechanics and robotic fanatics, looked inspired as they took note of Franky’s lecture on cyborgenetic implants.

If one of them died attempting to do what is considered bizarre luck, Robin will do nothing to defend the eccentric man from homicidal pirate captains, adoration notwithstanding.

“Care for a refill, Miss Nico?”

Subtly startled out of her musings, she glanced at the bearded man approaching her with a pot of hot water, who dressed like a typical adventurer with his brown fedora, brown leather jacket and a whip on his hip. 

A Hawkins Pirate. Non-bountied yet but have an aura of an experienced and deadly traveler. Be cautious.

Smiling politely, she allowed the man poured the hot water into the empty teapot. He then proceed to removed his arsenals in front of her, including pocket-sized knives under his boots. He took off his fedora, revealing the starting of grey hairs and placed it besides the removed weapons and folded leather jacket.

“I mean no harm.” He raised both his hands with sincerity, “I just want to talk.”

Her interest piqued, producing a hand to pulled out the chair for the man, “Why don’t you introduce yourself first, gentleman?” 

The man pondered silently as he poured tea, steeling himself as he spoke, “… It is not a joke but my name is Nico Robin.” Not flinching at the scrutinised stare, he continued, “Can I ask what is your relations to Nico Petunia?”

“… I only recalled that she’s my grandmother. What about you, Mister Nico? Are you perhaps a distant cousin?”

The man with the same name as her looked downcast as he sipped his tea under the continuous subtle suspicious stare, “The Jade Snake Statue cursed me to stoned for years before Mister Basil broke the curse few weeks ago… Petunia was my daughter.”

Female Nico Robin widened her eyes as she placed her hand over her widened mouth in shock. To think there are still…

No. It must be a trick. She might knew about the legend of that cursed statue but it could be his flimsy excuse to get close to her and hand her over to the World Government.

“…Can you tell me about what you remembered last?”

Ohara might be the worst reminder of her life as the sole survivor and being called the Devil Child, but she remembered a few stuff other than her studies as an archaeologist. She needs to know if this man, this ‘Nico Robin’, is really what he said he is.

“A Den Den Mushi call from my husband Jonathan that Petunia’s expecting. He gushed to me about being grandparents and wanted me to come straight home after my expedition.”

Here Lies Nico Jonathan. A Devoted Husband, A Loving Father, A Doting Grandfather.

That’s one check. She remembered Aunt Roji doesn’t want to clean a ‘fag’’s tombstone that she immediately pushed those chores to her when she started living with them. 

“Anything else?”

“Well… when I was about to tell him I might not make it back in time, my daughter snatched the Mushi and asked my opinion about baby names. Oran for a boy and Olvia for a girl. I said they are great.”

Uncle Oran. Mom.

Another check. A huge one. Because while her mother had a bounty just for being able to read Poneglyph, her uncle was just a no-name street vendor.

“… Do you know what happened to Ohara now?”

“… Destroyed.” The man attempted to not letting his tear drop, “… For having a Poneglyph containing about the Void Century, I assume.”

News outlet depicted Oharans as terrorists looking for global destructions using their knowledge. Ancient Weapons that World Government wanted for themselves and destroyed others, guilty or not, for even mentioning them.

However, for this man, her great-grandfather, to know the exact detail about the Oharan Poneglyph?

Right after weeks of validating that, Yes, She deserves to live and it’s not selfish for wishing it?

“… It’s hard… I had to survive…” she choked on her forming tears, “just because I am able to read this language.”

The male Robin hugged her sideways to comfort. She noticed blurrily that a handful of the Hawkins Pirates, probably her fellow Oharans (fate works weirdly on her behalf), glancing worryingly between the two. 

“How dare you made Robin-chan cried, you bastard?!”

“Ocho Fleur: Clutch.”

Sanji, who has incredible radar when it comes to women (despite his closeted feelings for Zoro) and almost kicking her bloodkin (not blood-related most probably but you may never know), had a look between anger and bewilderment, which she couldn’t really faulted him for that reaction. 

“Robin,” Luffy stared at them from his table, tone serious and demanding, “What’s going on?”

So protective, the Straw Hat archaeologist smiled warmly as she released their cook gently. Her captain toned down, seeing as she dried her tears using the tissue her companion provided. His siblings, specifically Magician-san, looked settled, trusting their crews not to start a pointless fight.

“I’m fine, Luffy. Just ecstatic to know my great-grandfather and his friends are alive through a vile curse, broken thanks to Magician-san.”

……

“EEEEHHH?! GREAT-GRANDFATHER?!”

“Is that so? Good for you, Robin! Thanks for saving her family, Hawky!”

“I was merely killing two birds with one stone, precious Luffy. Now, continue your tale about Noland’s descendant…”

Just brushing off like that? Maybe ‘Dragon having love affairs’ theory does have merit.

~~~~~~~~~~

“So, the Beast Pirates had already made contact with you guys?”

“Affirmative, Granny.” Page One reported to his Den Den Mushi, situating himself on top of the grove tree, “Had to drive them away first. Can’t make ourselves looked desperate.”

Snail!Tsuru nodded her agreement, “Wise decision. Kaido might want more Zoans on his crew, but we cannot allow King suspect your allegiance.”

“I know, Granny. It’s a good thing that Big Sis is distracted when this exchange happened.”

“I heard that Garp’s grandchildren made it to Sabaody nearly at the same time. So it’s true?”

“Affirmative. Big Sis is having a debate with ‘Monster Gun’ Vito of the Fire Tank Pirates.”

“No headbutts involved?”

“I’m just as surprised as you are, Granny.” The purplette smiled wryly, “Her ‘Winch Green’ is getting insulted so she’s in there regaining his honour.”

His grandmother giggled lightly, “Well, I’m relieved you guys can get a respite. Staying undercover as bountied pirates wasn’t easy.”

Page One frowned at the subtle regret tone, “Don’t say it like that, Granny. The Drake Pirates knew the risks of our mission. As long as we get evidence that Warlord Gild Tesoro and Cipher Pol are actively working with an Emperor, it will be worth it.”

“… just make sure to take care of yourselves, alright? A grandmother will never stop worrying.”

He smiled warmly underneath his mask, “Of course, Granny. Shipshape and Bristol Fashion.”

“May you have fair winds and following seas, Page.”

A ‘ka-cha’ sound went off and the call was hanged. Petting his snail, he took a deep breath-

“And here I thought I have to explain myself why I have the head of ‘Sail Back’ Page One to my nephew Drake,” a feminine voice startled out the undercover marine officer, making him snapped towards where it had originated, a blond freckled woman in a wavy dress appeared out of nowhere, “If he’s in this and exposing alliances is your goal, who am I to stop you?”

‘Hibiscus’ Rouge, the Current Top Bounty Hunter, highest bounty she hunted was the late Shiki the ‘Golden Lion’, who was a former candidate of the Emperor title and an infamous Impel Down escapee.

And also an aunt to his best friend, along with his crazy siblings?

Drake is so responsible for his forthcoming alcoholism.

Chapter Text

“Yo! You troublemakers!”

“Shit! It’s Hibiscus Rouge! We gotta-”

“Auntie Rouge!”

“AUNTIE?!”

“*sob* I can’t handle much shock anymore… *sob*”

“This may as well happen.”

“My poor throat…”

“Drake, I love you! But! For the sake of my mind! Please tell me the rest of your family tree!”

“… Hehe… oh Page… you definitely wouldn’t like it when I tell you about them…”

~~~~~~~~~~

“DARK KING?! YOUR UNCLE?!”

“Pirate King’s first mate and shipwright?! Rumoured to be able to fight toe-to-toe against Whitebeard solo?! That Silvers Rayleigh?!”

“-ohmygodsuchalegendarypirateisgoingtocoatourshipwhatdowedowhatdowedoIdidnotpreparedshitforthis-”

“Shishishishi! And then there’s Ace and Shanks and Buggy! They are our cousins through Auntie Rouge and Uncle Ray and Auntie Shakky!”

“Let’s also not forget about your de-facto brother Sabo that we endearingly proclaimed cousin, precious Luffy.”

“‘Fire Fist’ Ace?! ‘Dragon Claw’ Sabo?! ‘Red-Haired’ Shanks?! Those big names are your COUSINS?!”

“*whisper* At least this ‘Buggy’ wasn’t someone we recognised…”

“*whisper* this ‘Auntie Shakky’ too but Straw Hat butchered up a lot of names so I wouldn’t put much faith in it…”

“I still loathe that bastard… How dare he made me mourned for his fakeass death!”

“Sabo-ya had amnesia before you punched him bloody, Kidd-ya. Be grateful that Dragon-ya saved him in a nick of time.”

“*choke*”

“DRAGON THE REVOLUTIONARY?!”

“Wait, we knew that since Water 7-”

“WE DON’T!”

“*cough violently*”

“WATER! WE NEED WATER! STAY WITH US! CAKEY-SAN! HEAT-SAN! CHIFFON-SAN!”

~~~~~~~~~~

Hearing about the family tree, and meeting the godfather of her son next after he finished examining the ships at Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar in the early night, seems to make her niece’s and nephews’ crews resigned theatrically and peacefully, somehow separately and together at the same time.

Uncle Garpy is right! Those crews are a hoot!

Grinning into her glass of Whiskey On The Rock, Rouge looked on fondly at the chaotic scene of first mates (navigator and sniper, navigator and doctor, shipwright, lover/vice-captain in Straw Hat, Kidd, Heart and Fire Tank Pirates’ case) wringing half-heartedly the necks of their respective Supernovas.

Supernovas! Can’t believe those little rascals became such big shot troublemakers! 

Speaking of, she wondered how Big Mom reacted on having one of her daughters ‘kidnapped’ via seduced right on her territory. Hopefully explosive. She never did like that obese bitch for using children as pawns.

Then again, Bege did things throughly both the Mafia and the Shakuyaku Way, which kinda explains how Shakky-chan never knew about Charlotte Chiffon until they arrived at Sabaody Archipelago. 

“At least she seems happy. Even if I didn’t like not knowing things.” Shakky-chan puffed out her smoke cheekily as she too looked at the scene with fondness.

“Chill out, Info Queen! Bege was your student after all. Give him a medal for successfully hiding things from you, gal!”

Her bestie chuckled heartily, agreeing at the notion as she pumped out pints of her best brew for those that wanted to get wasted after the crazy revelation.

“USOOOOOPPPPP!!!”

The bustling noisy bar fell in silence. Rouge instantly focused on her youngest nephew, who had stomped onto a table and glaring at his sniper. Subtly glancing at Ray-chan, she knew exactly what had occurred for their happy-go-lucky Luffy to be in this state.

An occurrence she can’t believe have happen again. This time, Shakky-chan have it on camera.

“I don’t wanna hear where the treasure is! I don’t even wanna hear if there is a treasure or not!” A fuming tiny Luffy image lapsed beside the current equally fuming Luffy, against the image of a shocked tiny Kidd lapsed beside the trembling Sogeking, “I don’t know anything about it! But everyone sets off to the sea to find out for themselves! If Uncle Ray were to tell us anything here…”

He looked straight into his sniper’s eyes, dead serious.

(He grabbed Kidd’s collar down to meet eye-to-eye, dead serious.)

“I’LL QUIT ON BECOMING THE PIRATE KING! IF WE ARE GONNA HAVE A BORING ADVENTURE LIKE THAT, THEN I WOULD RATHER DIE!”

Quiet gasps, widening jaws and sucked-in breathes resonated in the awe-filled silence at the declaration. Nobody dared to say a word as they stared at the unfamiliar sight of the goofy captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. Not even his own crew. 

“…Can you do it?” Chiffon broke the silence, breath-held as she asked, “Even Mama will kill for such information. Can you conquer the seas without this advantage?”

(“Can you do it?” Rayleigh grinned with inner viciousness, “The Grand Line far exceeds anything than you can imagine. The enemies will be stronger too. Can you conquer such a terrifying sea?”)

Laughters were barked and howled by the members of the Monkey D. Family, even the more quiet ones, at the question. Some were banging on their tables, smirking at the startled crowd and the suddenly-grinning Monkey D. Luffy.

“I don’t wanna conquer anything, silly Chiffon-nee-chan!” He grinned even bigger, showing his teeth, “It’s just that the person with the most freedom on the sea is the Pirate King!”

(“Being a pirate means being the freest person, Rouge! Conquering is the opposite of that!”)

If only Roger was here to witness this, the lover of the former Pirate King smiled wistfully as her narcolepsy started to kicked in during the uproar, he will definitely be proud of this Pirate King.

~~~~~~~~~~

For such a chaotic first day arriving at the starting line towards the New World, the next few days were surprisingly mundane. 

Not that Uni wants it any other way, god no, it was a good breather for his brain to properly process some stuff.

And here he thought that nothing will shocked him more than his captain’s grandfather The Marine Hero.

Knowing that little shit he called captain, Law purposely withheld these information about his family to watch his crew to burn in chaos. That’s just how bored and evil he is, Uni wouldn’t put it past him, that sadistic motherfucker.

At least he found like-minded comrades in these mess. Nami-tan, Noe-tan and Nirvana-tan are splendid and knows the true value on keeping their pockets full of money in this piracy business.

“Black! 22! Triple payout for this beautiful lady and her gentlemen!”

Especially how fucking well they get along as they bleed their opponents dry out of their pockets! Where were they in his pre-pirate life?! 

“Baccarat? Or Blackjack, boys?” Nami-tan grinned devilishly as they walked away from the Roulette table, the Treasure Besties had already carried their casino tokens neatly onto the tray, cackling internally.

“I’m leaning more to Baccarat, Nami-chan!” Noe-tan hooked his arms onto hers, eyes glinting mischievously under his bucket hat, “I’m looking forward to see our friendship bloom more money through pure luck!”

“Is it luck though?” Uni smirked under his bandana mask as he lightly shook his tray, making the tokens clicked and clacked.

“Careful now, naughty imps,” the silver-haired musical pirate playfully admonished, “We can’t alert them for things we don’t do just because you all have beginners’ luck, right?” He pointedly winked behind him. A bouncer, probably new in this type of environment, promptly backed off and focused on other patrons.

“Remind me to browse through your albums, Nirvana-tan!” The Heart pirate fanned himself mockingly as they settled in a Baccarat table, the dealer in charge started to shuffle the cards.

“Nirvana-chan’s music are entirely death metal, Uni-chan!” The bucket-hatted punk put a ‘100 Berries’ chip on ‘Player’, “You sure you don’t rather listen to EDM with how uniformed your crew are?”

"Hey-"

“I have two albums, ten songs each. For EDM, we have EXOTIC, co-ed, who have the sexy summer vibe in their music,” ‘Manager Mode’ Nirvana pulled out his crew’s album catalogue out of nowhere, advertising as he interrupted Uni’s rebuke, “Or do you prefer our bubblegum-pop soloist Peachette? Crazy Beagles, our Dog Mink brothers, are more hip-hop focused if you leaned into that genre.”

“You are surprisingly prepared, Nirvana-tan,” Uni quirked his eyebrow but didn’t refuse the catalogue.

“I am, what my dear captain lovingly called, an opportunistic bastard.”

“If only my captain is open-minded about having a lucrative side business,” the orangette sighed enviously as she scooped her winning tokens back into her haul, “I don’t even have to worry about going broke over his black hole stomach!”

Noe nodded rapidly in agreement, “Hear, hear! Most of my crew are innovative mechanics! And what did they use their talents for?” He flipped open the cards, winning his besties’ next deal, “Self-destructive weapons! And when they are in a good mood?” He hanged his head for effect, “Free repairs for islanders!”

“No!” Even Uni and Nirvana joined in with Nami, appalled at such waste of money-making chance.

“Yes!”

~~~~~~~~~~

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

*SPLASH* *SPLASH* *SPLASH*

“SUUUUUUUUU!!!!” ‘Cyborg’ Franky swam up the shore first, his arms go over his head, wrist to wrist as he leaned, “PEEEEEEER!!!! COOOOL!!!!”

Hip and Hop, the quirky fraternal twins, joined him by the side after shaking the water off, posing similarly as they beamed ferally, “SUPER!”

Great, they succeeded unscathed, Quincy palmed her forehead as her mechanic pals from her crew and sister crews excitedly crowded the three self-volunteers of the ‘Human Cannon #68’, the medics are going to have heart attacks now.

What Killer had feared when he learnt about the twins’ project, have now happened thanks to the great aid Cyborg had gave. And now knowing more about his other reckless family members these past few days?

Quincy didn’t envy the over-worrisome brother at all. Even as an appointed supervisor, she felt way too stressed overseeing each attempt.

“Who wanna go next?!”

“OOH! OOH! ME! ME! PICK ME!”

Emptying her whiskey flask in one go, she glared lightly at her ‘supervising partner’, who cawed at her with wings shrugged back.

“I’m blaming your owner for ‘foretelling no casualties’,” Annabelle just nipped at her accusing finger, “They are getting suicidally cocky because of that.”

Killer didn’t pay enough whiskeys for this.

~~~~~~~~~~

“-and then! Just like you predicted! He confessed to me on the ferris wheel right after the clouds cleared to show a full moon!” Giotto clenched his two hands together, blushing like a love-sick teenager despite his scarred and rugged appearance, “I’m so glad I asked for your insights, Lady Prom!”

Who knew gangsters could be so cute when it comes to love!

The Three-Eye love fortune teller giggled, puffing out smoke from her onyx cigarette holder, “Please, I told you to call me Nestria, Giotto darling~. Besides,” she smized at her patron, “even without my insights, that Victorio lover boy will burst sooner than later. Anyone could feel the tension between you two~!”

“His exes were all so…”

She tutted, cutting him off as she placed a finger against his lips, “An advice, darling~? No need to dwell onto the past. All you should focus on is nurturing the present~.”

With a determined and love-sick nod, the gangster skipped (skipped! Nestria squealed so hard at that!) merrily out of Shakky’s Rip-Out Bar to meet up with his boyfriend. She sincerely hoped their relationship goes well, despite not being each other’s Fated Ones.

Not that Fated Ones matters much in this unpredictable, cruel world. Meeting your Fated One is much more rarer than possessing a Devil Fruit power. Nestria had already consulted her flowers that unless her latest patron encounter his Fated One, his current relationship is the next best thing.

Maybe it’s because she was spoiled by five Fated Ones encounters just on her captain’s family meeting alone, that she wished that gangster luck for his love.

Mister Bege (he didn’t want to be associated with ‘Capone’)-and-Miss Chiffon and Mister Franky-and-Miss Nico are prime examples of perfectly compatible and doting pairs of Fated Ones. Documenting their entanglement for each other was an exciting and fawn-worthy experience for a budding love fortune teller, especially with how shiny their Red Strings are.

The other two pairs, Mister Killer-and-Mister Penguin and Mister Turquoise-and-Miss Betty, are not properly acquainted, their Strings are still dull. One is too focused on catch up with his family and the other is comparing medical notes with his sister crews; one is scouting the slave auctions with his crew and the other is busying concocting her poisons.

Time will tell for those two pairs.

The final pair is what confused her the most. Their Strings are not dull, but they are also not shiny. Grandmother never told her that this could happen.

“Why the frown, Nestria-san~?” Mister Sanji glided towards her, refilling her cup of Earl Grey.

Exhaling her smoke, she mulled over the question, “What’s your actual relationship with Mister Roronoa?”

“That moss head? A stupid prideful headache,” he huffed with no hesitation, “Can’t believe such brute is related to sweet Bonney-chan!”

“Eh~ truly? Not even one teensy bit of positive feelings?”

“Of course, my dear Nestria-san! All my positive feelings, especially romantic ones, are all for my beautiful and delicate ladies!”

Ah. Mister Sanji is most probably grow up in an all-male environment with possible lack of female interactions. Perverted magazines and romantic fairytales might reinforced his views. Closeted?

“Is that so~?” She giggled as she removed her diminished cigarette slowly, “Even if this dear lady here like ladies only~?”

His eyes turned to hearts, perversely conjuring images, “Even better! No men is worthy to touch even your toenail, Nestria-san~!”

Closeted, with no intention of getting out or discovering. Have the knowledge but only preserved due to hot lesbian actions.

Prom ‘Love Witch’ Nestria feels awful for Mister Roronoa, and she is going to meddle in order to move forward their fate! Mister Sanji will be thankful when she help open his over-normalised eyes! 

“Shakky! This is bad!” An octopus fishman barged in just as she was about to continue the conversation, “Camie is abducted by slave traders!”

“What did you said, Hatchan?!” Mister Sanji grabbed the fishman’s collar, “Did you just said precious Camie-chan is abducted?!”

“Sanji-san! Yes-”

“You stupid seafood! How dare you let down your guard?! Just because we reformed Duval’s gang doesn’t mean she’s safe from dirty, grabby hands!”

“I’m sorry, nu! I didn’t know! I thought they are just simply buying our takoyaki!”

“Che!” Black Leg let go of this Hatchan fellow, taking out his wristwatch Mushi, hissing, “They are not going to like this, especially Moss Head and Luffy and their monk brother…”

~~~~~~~~~~

*BANG*

“GARP! IT’S YOUR DAMN FAMILY AGAIN! AND THIS TIME IT’S WORSE! YOUR BRATS ARE THE WORST!”

“Now, now, Senny! Don’t get your panties up into a twist! *burp* Which one are we talking about? Monk brat? Medic brat? You always screamed the loudest when it comes to them.”

“ALL OF THEM! THEY PUNCHED EVERY SINGLE WORLD NOBLE IN SABAODY ARCHIPELAGO!”

“BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” 

“THIS IS NOT FUNNY, GARP! IT’S A SERIOUS MATTER!”

“You are right! It is serious! Do you have the pics?”

“THEY ARE NOT ACCOMPLISHMENTS, GARP!”

~~~~~~~~~~

“I wonder what’s this tell us…” Shachi blinked blankly at the sight of three bloody World Nobles, handing his bet money to the ‘Four Money Sharks’, who looked equally gleeful and mad. They are winning big time in the betting pool, ‘Which Supernova will punch the World Nobles?’.

He should really need to learn better not to bet against the crew’s finance manager, especially when he have evil back-ups.

Then again, who would have thought that Captain could packed a mean hook with that flimsy-looking arms? Did he just use his sword Kikoku for convenience? 

Usopp dryly chuckled beside him, looking in peace despite the tears coming out in drops, “Haha… Sanity?… What’s that?…”

Chapter Text

Nico Robin Sr once lived in an era where it was not a crime to pursue knowledge, infamous pirates were a minority that you can count on both hands, the Navy were still beloved and protected peace all around the world, and World Nobles are not to be offended no matter how self-entitled they are.

Currently, he was in an era where his homeland got blown off the map just because the Oharan archaeologists knew too much, infamous pirates are dimes a dozen that they have ranks, the Navy had been broken up to three core types of Justice (Absolute, Moral, Beneficial) and only protected countries that are with the World Government, and World Nobles are not to be offended no matter how self-entitled they are.

He was only a bit fortunate than his friends that his kin survived, even if he had to know it through the Enies Lobby news and nearly raged about the execution attempted on Junior. All of them Oharans got their closures together these past few days, talking about their cultures and traditions for their youngest to absorbed up greedily, until her wristwatch Mushi rang up.

“Camie-chan got kidnapped by slave traders!”

By that alarmed look on his great-granddaughter, they immediately departed towards the lawless groves no question asked. Since they were on the other side of the archipelago, it took them too long to reach their destination. They were almost near the first auction house before they got ‘front-seat views’ of World Nobles soaring through the roof, their faces are bloody for the public to witness.

World Nobles are not to be offended no matter how self-entitled they are… Or did something drastic happened in this Golden Age of Piracy?

Senior’s answer came out from the terrified crowd who came rushing out of the Human Auction House, few of the Supernovas siblings strolled out casually, their knuckles blooded.

“Youngsters these days…” he sweatdropped in bewilderment, Junior giggled beside him.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Page is going to maul me for jeopardising…” The man with a x-shaped scar on the chin hanged his head down, looking stressed and vindicated at the same time, “but goddamn it’s worth punching them!”

“Seems like Former Rear Admiral had pent up stress for serving those god wannabes, eh?” The blue-and-white-striped helmeted man wiped his knuckle using his shirt, “Can’t imagine resisting to punch myself. You must had it bad, Drake.”

“The worst.”

The green-haired man and the pink-haired woman cackled at the man’s once dismay, the former shrugged off the blood of the Holy Soldiers from his three swords and the latter pulled out a lunch box out of nowhere. The smoker, the Long-Arm and the red-haired man had already went outside. From where Jean Bart can see, they seem to be reassuring colourful and mismatched people in their own ways.

The straw-hatted boy and the winged man had started taking off slave collars with their bare hands since the auctioneer had ran off with the keys. Explosives happened, but none had hurt the former slaves (how he salivated this term). Bart winced when the collar on the giant exploded loudly.

“Oi! Throw that away from us next time!” The heavily-tattooed doctor yelled, not looking away from his duty as he beckoned the next freed victim. Beside him, the gloomy man is examining his floating cards, brows furrowed in confusion and contemplation.

“Shishishi! Sorry, Torao!” The boy grinned as he jogged up to the doctor, “How’s Hatchan?”

“I’m okay, Luffy-san…” The octopus fishman carefully sat up with the help of his mermaid companion, “but if I didn’t panic and reveal myself…”

“There’s no buts and ifs, Hatchan! I’m doing this because you and Camie and Pappag are my friends now! It’s only natural to help you guys!”

“Luffy-san…!” The sea-folks teared up gratefully.

Bart understood that gratefulness as he bowed, his scars no longer aching thanks to the doctor, “Thank you all for freeing us. I’m forever indebted to you.”

“No need to thank us nor put yourself into a debt. My crew and I were supposed to break the poor unfortunate souls out tonight,” the winged man put his hands together, prayer-like, “the arrival of the god wannabes merely hastened our schedule, om shanti.”

The former pirate captain quirked in interest, “A crew, you say? May I join? You people seem fearless and mighty enough to harm World Nobles.”

The doctor snorted amusingly, “Well, we have pointers… and choose a crew. Minus that two,” he pointed at the helmeted man and the three-sword user, “we are captains of our own rights and specializations.”

“… are you all in an alliance?”

The boy, Luffy, answered cheerfully, “Shishishishi! Nope! We are a family! If you have a dream, you can join my crew of dreamers, Mister Fire Eyebrows! Shishishishi!”

“I will think about my options, boy. My name is Jean Bart.” 

“I’m Luffy! The one who will become the Pirate King! My first mate and brother Zoro is going to become the next World’s Greatest Swordsman!”

Annnnd he crossed off Luffy’s crew in his mind. Bart is just a simple man with the simple desire to be with the freeing sea after all.

“As soon as you guys finish up your business, brace yourselves,” the smoker poked his head in, “According to Jimmy, the Navy sent Admiral Kizaru and Warlord Kuma onto us.”

“Well, that explains the bear.” The gloomy man spoke out for the first time since punching the World Nobles, tidying up his possessions into his inner pocket of his cape, “I kept reinterpreting the meanings with Sir Bepo in mind.”

“Well? What does you cards say, Hawkins-ya?”

“‘Entrust your voyage to your enemy’. My Oracle cards pulled up ‘The Bear’ for ‘enemy’ and ‘The Meditation’ for ‘reason for voyage’. However, even if the cards got explained due to the presence of the Paw Human, I am wary to trust our crews' well-beings to the unknown probability."

The greenette grunted, straightened up at the mention of the warlord, "Kuma's bad news, that's for sure. However, with things going south, along the fact that only Law and Drake can proceed to the New World, we need to take advantage on anything else to leave this island with zero casualties on our side."

"You know it's serious when Zoro uses his brain." The smoker said as he ignored the glare sent, "And I agreed. Let's hope whatever this Kuma had planned for us, it's highly beneficial for us."

~~~~~~~~~~

Borsalino yawned with boredom as he escorted the wounded Celestial Dragons as gently as possible up to Mary Geoise, then immediately went back out to the middle of where grove 'Kuma Slap Express' located at. If it wasn't for the fact that his main priority is to 'get the Nobles to safety', he would already sit tight to enjoy the first slap.

Alas, duty calls. At least 'get rid of the goddamn problem, you lowlife!' can be widely interpreted. As per ordered, he was here to observe all the related pirates getting blasted off from the Archipelago. If Saint Rosward had complaints, welp, he is not bright enough to comprehend the true meaning behind that order.

There is a reason why Admiral Kizaru was the least favored Marine under their payroll. Too unpredictable, yet too valuable. Just the way he wants it to.

At least he can be excused this time with a proper reason, fighting the Dark King and prevent him from disrupting Kuma's duty. With the last pair of pirates got sent off, the Admiral immediately halted, lazily grinned back at the questioning stare his opponent gave.

"I was not paid enough to fight someone of your caliber. May I leave?"

"Youngsters these days, no more bites..." Dark King tutted playfully, sheathing his sword, "Won't cha get demoted for showing such blatant Beneficial Justice?"

"Mu~ It's not like there's no pirates left in this area. Sengoku will forgive me if I clean up the place once and for all."

"Hmph. Just leave the ones with tattered clothings. They are mine to deal with."

Borsalino winked, finger-gunning, "You got a deal." He woke his wristwatch Mushi to dialed his incoming platoon, "Men. Prepare the dungeons for about..." He glanced towards the retired pirate.

"Eh, at least five hundred."

"Five hundred prisoners. Chop chop." With affirmations as the call was hang up, he skipped away from the musing old man and started to do what he had preached, which was pretty taxing and boring, but he had wagered that 'Dark King' Rayleigh and the hidden 'Hibiscus' Rouge had assumed what people normally assumed and bought his facade.

Which is perfect. If even the rest of the Monkey D. family show real hostility to him, it made things easier for him. Just the way he wants it to.

"Sentomaru-kun~! Do you want some pastries?" The Admiral languidly dial his Den Den Mushi, already handed off the promised five hundred pirates for his fellow marines to deal with. His nephew figure glared halfheartedly at him before going back to record their prisoners.

"No thank you, uncle. Your favorite bakery is either too bitter, too sweet or too bland for my tastebuds."

"Ah, well~! More for me then~"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Good afternoon, this is Rosy Afternoon Bakery! How may I help you?"

"Aw~ Micki-kun~! Can't even recognize this old man?"

"Ah! Our favorite regular! What are you in the mood for?"

Ready for report. Please begin.

"Well, I'm in the mood for relaxation. Got to reward myself after all this Sabaody nonsense! Any top recommendations?"

This is not time sensitive but the current task in Sabaody is done. Tell that to Dragon.

"Top rec? Roger that! Let's see... Our current rec are Milky Sweet Bites, Death By Chocolate and Icy Donuts, Borsalino-san!"

Affirmative. Are you heading anywhere near Mislo Beach, Datoba Country and Impel Down?

"Tell me more about Icy Donuts, Micki-kun. Is that a literal naming or are there some surprises?"

Impel Down. What are you planning? Check-ins or something else?

"Well, our baker decided to brush up his skill by using imported Icy Sugar Cubes! We melt the cubes and whipped it into the donut! Extremely delicious! Want a batch?"

Chief decided it's time for a breakout. Targets are the Okamas. Largescale. Want to help?

"Sounds interesting! Does it taste icy?"

Sure. My role?

"Absolutely! Don't worry, Borsalino-san, it won't give you a brain-freeze. Our bakery doesn't mind giving you a free sample."

Freeze the comms. We start at your signal.

"Hmmm... You convinced me, lad! Remember my usuals? Two batches, and one batch of those donuts."

Second order is code.

"Of course we remember! We'll always have Coffee Biscuit The Collection in stock for our favorite regular! The usual locations, yes?"

Understood.

"That's right. Since I still have a box of Americano left, send the collection tomorrow before ten in the morning. As for the donuts... hang on, let me check with my lad real quick. Sentomaru-kun~! How long are we staying at Impel Down?"

"They are understaffed for our quantity of criminals so we are going to help them as soon as we arrive. So, at the latest, five o' clock in the evening."

"Eh~! But my tea time~!"

"Stop whining and start acting like an Admiral, uncle!"

"Che~! Maa! I can always use the Gates of Justice to travel between so~ Micki-kun, send the donut batch at two-thirty, capiche?"

Two hours from now. Only thirty minutes.

"Roger that! Anything else, Borsalino-san?"

Affirmative. Additional?

"A jar of your finest vanilla jam would be nice. And that's all."

I have intels regarding Vegapunk.

"Of course! We tell the baker to make yours the freshest! Thank you for your patronage!"

Chief will take the intel ASAP.

~~~~~~~~~~

{Weatheria, Sky Region}

"Urgh... couldn't Bege give more details than 'brace yourselves'?!" Nami caressed her pained forehead, her only companion, Heat she remembered briefly, too winced at the pain as he slowly sit himself up.

"On the good note, at least we didn't face Admiral Kizaru." Heat caressed his aching back while trying to be optimistic. 

"Yeah, on the bad note though," the duo looked around at their balloon-and-windmill-filled surroundings, most notably an old man donning a blue dunce hat and matching robe dashing to them in panic with a medic box, "Where the hell are we?!"

#

{Karakuri Island, Paradise Region}

"Brrrrr!" Most of them, who had instantly felt the chill as they landed, moved closer to Franky The Walking Heater. The Kidd Pirates here weren't dressed for winter afterall, so does a handful members of the Fire Tanks, who wore their summer suits (who make suits for summer???).

Ikkaku, being the one to lead them to safety, spotted an abandoned laboratory.

"Guys! Pick up your pace!" She shouted over the sudden squall, reaching for her modified pistol inside the pocket from her boiler suit, "better pray the electrical wire's not fried!"

*BANG*

#

{Tequila Wolf, East Blue Region}

"Namo amituofo." Father Urouge chanted calmly, using his Inverse-Inverse Fruit to convert the damage into strength, bulking up considerably as the random pillar looks like a bat in his grasp. His handful of fellow monks and the Oharan people did quick job on releasing the prisoners.

"You damned souls are beyond saving, ones that thrive on the suffering of the abused and the unjust," he raised his weapon high, "I do not envy the path you partook to become the person you are right now."

#

{Pitwide Island, West Blue Region}

"You know~? For a cafe in the middle of nowhere," the most gorgeous woman Paula have ever met puffed out a smoke, her three shiny ruby-like eyes twinkled, "you really are generous to host us penniless~" Her cigarette-holding hand gestured at her friends; half of them had already zipped down their boiler suit due to the heat, and the other half (Babe had already fainted at the sight of EXODUS) had already start mingling with the Spider Cafes staffs.

Paula refocused on her very beautiful customer, blushing again at the sight of the sensual smoking, "Well, despite our unseemly location, we are pretty popular for wanderers." 

"Oh~ Like bounty hunters, Paula dearie~?" The same hand gestured nonchalantly at the only framed bounty poster, 'Prom 'Love Witch' Nestria, 27,500,000 berries', behind the bartender. Said bartender hanged her head in embarrassment, couldn't even glare back at Mikita and Gem who have matching shit-eating grins at the blatant display of infatuation.

#

{Hei An, North Blue Region}

"This place is fascinating, Yun Qi-sama..." Yugi the omen-feeler said in amazement, "Who knew there's an occult-only market in our North Blue..."

The Feng Shui master, being in charge of their humble crew since Boss and Faust are not with them (along with Nestria and the Oharans), nodded in agreement as he starry-eyed the calligraphy set, "It's a pity Boss is not fated to be here. However, this is a good place for our new recruits to get a hang of our ways."

"I do hope Faust-sama is not alone... His aura was separated from Boss-sama last I seen them through the sky..."

#

{Torino Kingdom, South Blue Region}

"YOU BARBARIANS! LET GO OF THEM!"

Faust and the Crazy Beagles brothers made a mad dash towards the panicking Chopper and Bepo, their friends tied up on the pole and got shoved an apple into their mouth. The primitive men were boggled at the exclamation, pausing the rotating pole over the fire.

#

{Arcobaleno Archipelago, Paradise Region}

"Madam! We are so glad you are alrig-"

"Will you marry me?"

"... SHIT! MADAM'S SISTER?!"

#

{Unnamed Island, Calm Belt Region}

“Pinch me awake, Uni-chan, tell me I’m not dreaming.” 

Noe yelped in high-pitch, wincing painfully and at the same time, gawking in awe at this island full of multi-versions of Den Den Mushi. 

Bege grinned manically, “The Warlord did his homework after all! Auntie Shakky and Buggy are going to be thrilled at this goldmine!”

“It’s a wonder that the Four Emperors of the Sea or the World Government didn’t find this island yet…” His girlfriend finger-petted at the baby White Den Den Mushi, “So we are going to do what again?”

“We contact Auntie first. To see why Bartolomew Kuma did this. Especially since he sent information specialists to this place.”

#

{Lehavah He, Sky Region}

A much more better warning than 'brace yourselves' would be fucking appreciated, Kidd vehemently thought as he spread his Observation Haki in this depressingly dark forest. He had finished flinging off bits and pieces from his coat when three Haki signatures pinged up fast and dead-straight to him from above.

Scoffing at the smart ambush, he dodged to his right and grabbed his torchlight from his inner pocket, switching on to see who he is dealing with. What he saw made his blood boiled with feral excitement.

Dark skin, white hair and black fucking wings.

"Oh my, what's this?" The only female of the trio fluttered her wings, her tone too in feral excitement, "To think a Human Tribesman of the Blue Sea can use Mantra too, how intriguing!"

"We called it Haki down there." He generated his iconic magnetic field, "Fucking fight me, Lunarian!"

"With pleasure, Human!"

*CLASH*

#

{Namakura Island, Paradise Region}

"- and that's why you are, frankly honest, useless to me!" Brook played along with Nirvana's script, inspiring and depressing the souls of the natives, "If you want my contract, prove to me by working hard and not laze around! Yohohohoho!"

"We will do as you wish, Satan-sama!" The crowd once again prostrated themselves before the skeletal man, dispersing at once to achieve what their lord preach about. The Screamo singer took this as cue, beckoning his senior musician back into their shared hut. With the kidnappers dealt with and sent drifting to the seas, they have other important things to discuss, mainly-

"How do you feel about making an album, Brook-senpai?"

"Yohohohoho~! I'm all ears~! Not that I have one! Skull Joke! Yohohohohoho!"

#

{Yamazaki Brewery, New World Region}

“Ne ne! Dray-Dray!” Ulti skipped into the comm rooms, “Are the Beast Pirates on their way?”

“Mm. Kaido sent Who’s Who to check the commotion. If we play our cards right, he will be convinced that he can tempt us to join their ranks.”

“Hmm… sounds boring, Dray-Dray!” She pouted at her sweat-dropped big brother figure, “I’m going to find Pay-Pay! Call me when there’s a fight!”

“Noted…”

#

{Kamabakka Kingdom, Paradise Region}

"I still scarcely believed this island exist!" Haikei squealed loudly as their tour guide leads them enthusiastically deep into their island.

"Lil Cakey fully agrees~!"

Paisley from the Bonney Pirates nodded in visible happiness, bouncing his feet along with his companions.

Sanji, who already felt like an asshole when he made the mute crossdressing chef cried in shame just few minutes ago, could only quietly follow along as he forced himself not to flinch at the sight of unfeminine women-wannabes. 

Wherever the Moss Head is, I hope he suffers more than me!

#

{Amazon Lily, Calm Belt Region}

“Really?! I’m glad!” The straw-hatted male exclaimed in relief, “Then these guys can be saved, right?” He grinned behind him, the heart-eyed rock statues of his sister and new friends, before turning back to the Snake Empress and prostrate himself in gratitude, “Thank you so much!”

Gloriosa could only admired the male from afar as his zero hesitation to put himself for the sake of others had shocked the Gorgon sisters speechless.

#

{Kuraigana Island, Paradise Region}

*CLASH* *KLANG*

"Y-you ar-are," Roronoa panted with exhilaration, smirked viciously as he finally catch his breath, "You are getting stronger, Miss Independence!"

Matching his smirk, the former Baroque Work agent wiped the sweat off her forehead, "You too, Pirate Hunter! It's an honour to have you as a rival!"

"It is mine as well!" Biting his Yubashiri tighter, Zoro sprang forward ferociously with Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui.

Grasping her Wado Ichimonji tighter, Kuina sprang forward swiftly to meet his might.

*KLANG*

"Such brutes! They don't even know restraint!" Perona pouted, pouring herself and her prince charming cups of tea, "Shouldn't they at least remember we are here too?!"

Hawkins chuckled as he sipped his tea, making the Ghost Princess blushed at the eye-pleasing sight and forgotten about why she was mad in the first place. 

#

{Orange Town, East Blue Region}

Buggy was having a nice rest, his latest treasure haul had already split among the townspeople, when all of a sudden the roof of newly-built Pet Food Shop was demolished inwards with a sudden explosion. 

"Tch! Just when we got rid of that Alvida bitch... now another flashy upstart bastard?!" The Clown shouted furiously, "We just built that! Mohji! You lead the evacuation! Richie! Take care of Chouchou! Cabaji! With me!"

"Yes, captain!" "*roars loudly*"

"Should I start phoning the marines?" Boodle pursed his lips angrily as he watched his business partner stomped towards the wreckage.

"Yea-WAIT! HOLD ON! I KNOW THIS FLASHY BASTARD!" the pirate captain paled, his hands immediately parted away to grabbed his annoying but endearing cousin, "CABAJI, GRAB POLKA! LAW, STAY WITH ME!"

"*cough* Bugg-gy *cough* my tr-true nemesis...!"

"SAVE YOUR BREATH FOR SLAPSTICK LATER, BRAT!"

#

{Elegia, Calm Belt Region}

"THE WORLD'S FAMOUS DIVA IS YOUR NIECE, APOO?!?!?!"

"Only by title! He's more of big brother, heehee! Ah! Please don't tell the world I'm Shanks' daughter! I still want to perform without getting hunted!"

"STOP! NO MORE FAMILY REVELATION! WE COULDN'T HANDLE IT ANYMORE!"

"Apapapapa! So dramatic!"

#

{Boin Archipelago, Paradise Region}

"Captain Bonney will kill to live in this island..."

First mate Bazic 'The Piper' snorted, elbowing his awed crewmate for good measure, "Please, Captain will kill for less. She'll trade us in a heartbeat just to have a taste of this soup fountain."

"Right..."

"If it's my captain, he would just declared territory on this island." Wire joked as he passed the Ketchup Flower to his seatmate.

"Luffy too!" Usopp joined in, slurping his noodle, contented as he turned to their benefactor, "just so we are clear, we make no promises if our captains found this place, okay?"

Heracles chortled humorously, "Don't worry, Usoppun! This archipelago can definitely survive your friends' appetite! This place is humongous, after all!"

Usopp, Wire and the rest of the Bonney Pirates deadpanned at the senior warrior, one hand waving in denial.

“You don’t know our captain well at all.”

#

{Banaro Island, Paradise Region}

"Zehaha-*cough*-hahaha! I have to admit, commander!" Blackbeard spit the blood out from his mouth, "If it wasn't for the fact that you ripped my fucking arm off, I might try even harder to convince you to join my crew!"

Ace's scoff is barely audible, had already muster the rest of his energy to picked himself up and glared at the backstabbing traitor and his bloody half-dead crew, his position barely shielded the fainted (half way to the Flying Dutchman) figures of Deuce and Kotatsu.

I'm so sorry... Tama-chan... Yamato..., Ace bitterly cursed himself for breaking a promise, Mom... Auntie Shakky... Everyone, he closed his eyes shut as Blackbeard summoned another Black Hole, every single member of his family flashed through his mind, Please don't challenge Davy Jones for-

*CRASH*

His breath hitched as the sudden impact landed between them, disrupting the confused bastard’s concentration. Ace quickly released his weakened Observation Haki, feeling the three foreign signatures and…

“KILLER?!”