Hello all,
Thanks for coming this far. It means a lot.
My sincerest gratitude to those who joined and remained the 10 dollar Advanced Tier
Angel Zamora
Robert Clegg
Seriously, you guys are great.
…
Chapter 10
The Girls Who Like Luffy
With Igor already knowing about Luffy from his old friend Sona, he was more accepting of aide from the Straw Hat crew. He went on to say that Sona said if he ever encountered him, Igor should get Luffy to help him out if he ever needed it since he owed Sona so much.
"I don't owe her anything!" Luffy shouted furiously.
"She told me to tell you "remember your sisters' birthdays". Whatever that means."
Luffy's face twisted with irritation. "Dammit. Fine, but she can only use that against me five more times. We were going to help you guys anyway!"
"What does that mean?" Nami asked. "You're sisters' birthdays?"
"Doesn't matter!" Luffy snapped.
"You're certainly in a mood, Lu-chan."
Luffy glared at her, who looked at him teasingly. "Don't you start!"
"Whatever you say, Lu-chan."
"Nami!"
"Quit it," Zoro said. "We have more important things than teasing Lu-chan!"
"Zoro!"
"I'm going to go see if I can patch up this damage," Franky said. "That okay with you, Igor-bro?"
"…Normally I wouldn't be okay with an outsider working on my ship, but considering the shipwrights are either coughing up blood or totally out of it, I'd appreciate it. Besides, if you're on Lu-chan's crew, you must be trustworthy."
"I said don't call me that!"
As Franky worked on the ship and Chopper treated the crew, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami sat and talked with Igor.
"So, you asked what happened to us," Igor said. "It's pretty simple, really. We picked a fight with some marines, but they weren't the usual sort. They were different. Stronger."
"Were they that strong?" Nami asked.
"They might've been the strongest marines we ever fought. Actually, not might. They were the strongest. They kicked our asses."
"How'd you escape?" Zoro asked.
"Escape isn't the right word. They let us go. After doing all this to us, of course." He gestured to the sorry state of his ship and crew.
Nami looked confused. Marines either arrested pirates or killed them. They wouldn't just let them go. "Why did they do that?"
"The leader's exact words was "Crushing you and wrecking your ship is enough for me. Next time, be careful who you pick fights with, rookies." I have to say, never been so terrified of anybody in my life before I saw those cold beautiful eyes stare down at me. It was honestly really exhilarating…"
Nami and Zoro cringed at his last sentence. This guy was as bad a pervert as Franky. Then a thought occurred to them.
"The leader was a woman?" Zoro asked. "What rank?"
"I believe she was a vice admiral."
"A vice admiral, huh?" Nami said, uneasy. "What was she like?"
"Beautiful. Scary. Really powerful and strong. She didn't fight, but that was very obvious. Her crew only sent a handful of their officers to take us on. And on our own ship, no less. We were no match at all against most of them. It was a humbling experience to say the least."
"Sounds rough," Luffy said. It looks like he had not yet made the same connection that Zoro and Nami had. "She sounds like the worst."
"I wouldn't say that. Most marines would have just killed us or arrested us."
"Tell us about the marines who took part in the battle," Zoro asked. "What were they like?"
"Unbelievably strong, for starters. A few of them seemed inexperienced and manageable, but most of them were just too much for us!"
There was a large man bigger than even Igor. He wielded a large hammer that he used to destroy part of his ship.
There was a man with an afro who fought like a boxer. His punches were just as destructive as the hammer man!
There was a woman who moved with a dancer's grace and a master fighter's brutality. She seemed angry, for some reason, and she took it out on them. Nobody could lay a finger on her.
A man with a large sword sliced a who section off their ship.
Then there was a woman who wore robes like a priestess. She may have been the worst of them all. She just stood in a corner observing the fighting until some of his men decided to pick a fight with her, and it didn't end well for them. In a blur, she cut them all down with his claw like nails.
The younger ones were definitely not as strong as the others, but they were definitely not weak. The strongest of his crew were all struggling against them.
The craziest among them was definitely a silver haired lady who looked mentally broken. The vice admiral had thrown her dead center in the middle of the fighting. It almost seemed like she was trying to get her killed, but in the midst of it all, that woman snapped and started rampaging on the ship like a psychopath.
"All the while, that Vice-Admiral was just standing on top of the crow's nest. Watching it all unfold."
"She sounds terrible," Luffy said. Nami and Zoro looked at him incredulously. Did he not realize who the vice admiral and her crew actually were? It was blatantly clear to the two of them.
"She wasn't pleasant," Igor agreed. He was rubbing his bare arm. "But the one who left the biggest impression was definitely the girl who destroyed my namesake. She had the power of the devil fruit. It let her transform into a black bird."
The swordsman and navigator flinched. That was definitely Yuki, the one called the Princess of Hell. Robin had told them some stories about her. Luffy was a friend of hers. And he had told them she had eaten the Hawk devil fruit. Right now, the Iron Fist Pirates definitely hated Luffy's mother and her crew. If he blurted out that he was her son, he would almost certainly pick a fight against them.
"Black bird?" Luffy said, tilting his head in confusion. Nami and Zoro exchanged urgent looks. "That sounds familiar. Wonder why?"
Luckily for them, their captain was quite the dummy.
"She discerned me as the captain and immediately came after me. I was overwhelmed by her sheer strength and speed and combat power. She wasn't huge, but she packed a huge wallop. She was incredibly strong. I stood no chance, but I thought that if I could just land a blow with my iron gauntlet, then I could somehow defeat her. But I couldn't touch her and then she used an incredible attack that shattered my gauntlet like glass and I was blown away. I suppose I should be thankful I didn't lose my arm!"
Nami was both amazed and terrified that a girl her age could be capable of overpowering a huge guy like this. Unlike her, who would rely on her wit and charm (or if all else failed, her climatact) to overcome stronger opponents, this girl actually took him on in a proper head to head fight and not only won, but crushed him. She had started to gain something like respect for her and Luffy's mother.
The fact that she potentially might actually desire Luffy made her uneasy, though.
Zoro listened with a blank face. According to Robin, these pirates were quite notorious and capable. Yet they were soundly and completely beaten. Their situation sounded quite similar to what happened to Don Krieg and his crew from the East Blue. They were in the Grand Line for a mere week and had the misfortune of encountering Mihawk.
He glanced at the sliced off part of the ship. Only a first rate swordsman could accomplish such a feat. Could he?
He gripped Wano in his hand. No, not yet. But someday he'd surpass all the world's best. Mihawk most of all. He knew it.
"The funny part is," Igor continued. "That wasn't even my first time getting my ass kicked by a girl like that. That honor belongs to Sona. Didn't think there was another monstrous girl like her in the world, but the sea is vast, isn't it? Sona warned me about that girl called Yuki. Your mother, too, Lu-chan. You've got a scary family.
The three of them all stared, shocked.
"Wait a minute!" Luffy gaped. "That was my mom and Yuki?!"
"You didn't know?!" Igor, Zoro, and Nami shouted.
"I thought you were just playing dumb!" Igor shouted.
"No, I really didn't!" Luffy asserted. "How was I supposed to know that that demonic woman and her bird girl friend were my mom and Yuki? Oh…"
"Yeah, 'Oh'." Nami sighed. How could anybody be so dense.
"Claw woman. That's my godmother, Aunt Nagika! And the guy who cut your ship up must be my godfather, Uncle Rizen! My cousins Ren and Shauna might've been apart of this, too! Was there a girl using an iron bo staff?"
"Yeah."
"That's her! Ren had to be there, too! Those two are always together."
If the twins were there, they might've denied such a statement.
"I thought you were just playing dumb," Igor sighed. "But you really are dense. Sona wasn't exaggerating about that."
"You knew the vice admiral who wrecked your ship was Luffy's mom?" Zoro asked.
"Yeah, Sona talked a lot about her two best friends. Lu-chan and Kyo-chan. She told me tons about the two of you."
"Big mouth," Luffy muttered.
"Did you know it was Luffy's mother you picked a fight with?" Nami asked.
"Not at first, but it was pretty obvious after the fight was over. Sona said how some of the strongest and scariest people would be on her Aunt Lilia's ship. She was not exaggerating."
"So mom and them were the ones who kicked your crew's butts," Luffy said tactlessly. "Sorry about that."
"Don't apologize." Igor said, raising his hand. "Were the ones who picked the fight. They hurt our pride, but none of my crew was killed or arrested. Can't really complain after that. Trying to get revenge by going after her kid is what a coward would do."
The three of them shared a look and grinned, glad things didn't turn ugly.
"So, how do you know Sona?"
"We met back at our home sea. In West Blue."
"West Blue?" Luffy looked confused. "But we're from East Blue. She left home two months before me from our hometown."
"She told me that she ended up in West Blue by accident."
"How does somebody get from East Blue to West Blue by accident?" Nami asked, genuinely confused. It wasn't easy to travel between the seas. In fact, going from the East Blue to the West was almost impossible for normal people, but from the sound of it, this Sona girl was anything but ordinary. Still, accidentally?
"She said it was a long story."
"Well, it's Sona, so it's better not to to think about it," Luffy shrugged. "So, what did she tell you about me?"
"Lots of things. She told me your birthday is May 5. You love to eat, especially meat. You have six sisters. Two older ones, a twin sister, three younger ones. You're the grandson of Vice Admiral Garp, and also the one who was called the world's greatest martial artist, Aura D. Hiryuin. Your grandmother is a famous hunter who discovered over a thousand new species in the Grand Line. You have a horrible sense of direction-"
"WHAT THE HELL DIDN'T SHE TELL YOU?!" Luffy snapped. This was more than a big mouth. He was a horrible liar, but she was a damn blabber mouth!
"You know more things about our captain than we do," Zoro said, impressed.
"I know so much more. Sona loved to talk about you and Kyo-chan, Lu-chan. You three are an interesting bunch, if you can really believe everything she said. Did you three really get chased by a giant boulder all day once?"
"…That happened," Luffy said, remembering that it was Angel who caused that. If Sona and Kyosuke found out, they'd be pissed.
"So, you're trying to become King of the Pirates, huh?"
Zoro and Nami became alert at the shift in Igor's tone. Luffy however, smiled like normal. "Yup! I'm going to find the One Piece!"
"I see. Let's fight, then, Straw Hat Luffy."
"What?!" Nami screamed. "But you said you wouldn't hold a grudge against Luffy for what his mom did!"
"This has nothing to do with that. Sona told me that if I ever met you, I should take you on."
Luffy stared at him. "Sona said that, huh? Then I guess I have no choice. It's better to just do what she says."
"She isn't even here!" Nami snapped. "Besides, Igor. You're still hurt, aren't you?"
Igor got to his feet. "I can fight. I might be missing my gauntlet, but I won't run. You fine with that, Straw Hat?"
"Fine. Let's do this!" Luffy smiled as if Igor had asked him to go play.
"You guys are terrifying," June said. Inside a common area of the Demon Unit's ship, the younger members of the crew were sitting and chatting about the recent battle.
"Certainly, Master, Yuki-senpai and the other Demonic Six are frightening," Akina said. "But me?"
"Yes, even you, Akina-san. I heard and saw the fight. You really are in your element in those situations, aren't you?"
"Well, your sister wasn't exactly elegant, was she?"
The battle against the Iron Fist Pirates was one-sided at best. June had heard hardened pirates cry and beg for their lives in the assault. The biggest instigators were definitely Lilia and the Demonic Six, but the others like Akina, who normally seemed so lovely and gentle, played a part, too. June's older sister, Jillian, who had been in despair since their Vice Admiral's surprising revelation, threw herself into the fighting and became like a spirit of war. She was basically psychotic.
"Well, I'm glad she's in better spirits," June said. She couldn't say she was back to normal, but at least Jillian wasn't a hollow shell of despair anymore. That was something. Although, now she was vowing to punish Dragon for laying hands on Vice Admiral Lilia, which was a problem on its own, but baby steps.
"We kicked ass, it's true," Leoha said proudly. "I even beat a guy with a fifty million bounty!"
"That was impressive," Shauna said.
"But the real MVP was definitely you, Yuki," Ren said, looking at the girl who had not a scratch or even particularly messed up clothing, even after that brutal fight. "You were ridiculously awesome!"
"For real," Shauna said.
"I agree!" Akina said.
"Meh," Leoha scoffed. "It was just one guy."
"It was the captain," June said. "Who had a 295 million berry bounty! That was fierce!"
"It wasn't a big deal," Yuki dismissed. "He was strong, so I couldn't afford to hold back."
"Well, you certainly didn't hold back," Akina said, recalling their fight. "I didn't think iron could shatter like that."
"Yeah, Yuki!" Ren said. "Be more proud. That guy's bounty was only 5 mil' less than Luffy's current bounty."
At the mention of the Vice Admiral's son, the girls looked curious.
"I still can't believe Vice Admiral Lilia has children," June said. "And seven of them! One of whom is a pirate. I can't imagine it at all."
"And their father is Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's leader," Akina said. "Master's husband. It's so unexpected."
"I mean, when you think about who the Master is," Leoha said. "It isn't so surprising. Makes more sense than some random dude, don't you think?"
"It's all a lot to digest," Shauna admitted. "The Most Wanted Man in The World is our uncle."
"Honestly, I'm really annoyed with you three," June said, looking at the twins and Yuki. "How could you never tell us that the Vice Admiral's son is Straw Hat Luffy? He's like the biggest pirate out there right now."
"Sorry," the twins shrugged.
"Nobody knew about Aunt Lily's kids," Ren said. "We figured it was a big secret. So we never said anything."
"Although, to be fair," Shauna added. "She also didn't say to keep anything a secret."
"I always figured the truth would come out eventually," Yuki said. "After Luffy became a pirate, I knew he would go on to do newsworthy things. I'm not the slightest bit surprised he took on the World Government at Enies Lobby."
The three girls noticed the gleam in her eyes as she spoke of the Vice Admiral's son.
"So, what's he like?" June asked.
"Luffy," Ren said, thinking carefully. "You'd have to meet him to understand, but he can be a lot. Honestly, all of them can be like that."
"I can't disagree," Shayna mused. "I'd love to blame it all on the Monkey D. side of family, but the Vice Admiral isn't exactly any different."
"He wrecked Enies Lobby," Leoha said. "He's ok in my book."
"At least, he seems as wild as one would imagine the Master's child," Akina said, smiling.
"Luffy is…" Yuki started to say, tapping the table rhythmically in thought. She had a wistful expression. "He can be a lot of things. Kind and selfish. Stubborn, yet reasonable. Thoughtful, yet dense. He's got a very strong sense of self, and will never yield his dreams to anybody. Not even to Master. He's the embodiment of freedom. He's difficult to pin down."
A poor choice of words on Yuki's part. Leoha leaped down on it like a ruthless cat about to murder a mouse.
"Oh, you've tried to pin him down?" Leoha teased. She put her fingers over her lips like a noble lady listening to hot gossip. "How scandalous!"
Yuki's cheeks reddened. She glared at Leoha with murderous intent. "Shut up, Leo-Baka!"
The other girls also joined in the teasing. Yuki was so strong, even if the other younger members of the Demon Unit joined together to fight her, they would still likely be bested by her. She was that strong. But when it came to teasing and taunts, she was vulnerable as any 18 year old girl.
"I didn't know you were so bold, Senpai," Akina grinned.
"That Luffy guy is a lucky dude if a hottie like you wants him!" June said, holding back a laugh.
"That's my cousin, you know," Shauna said in fake admonishment. "I'd appreciate it if you respected his boundaries."
Ren had chosen to exit the room at that moment. The conversation had veered towards a very girls-only sort of thing that he really didn't want to be a part of. Not when Luffy was the subject of conversation. That just felt wrong.
Besides teasing somebody the sea called Hell's Princess was a risk he didn't feel like taking.
Her face became bright red. Pissed off, she activated her Gift. Her eyes glowed red and dark miasma exuded from her body. Four sharp blades made of darkness shot out of her miasma and flew straight at the ones teasing her. They stopped just before piercing them, floating mid air mere centimeters from their necks. "Everyone… please don't push me."
While having their lives threatened at dark blade point wasn't exactly something they could ignore, they were used to that sort of thing at this point. They carefully pressed her further.
"Come on, Yuki," Shana said, slowly moving away from the sharp and pointy construct that would tear into her flesh like a razor blade. The others did the same. "Don't be shy."
"Yeah, loosen up," June said. "We were just teasing."
"Besides, we never get to have these girly types of talks," Akina said. There wasn't much to fuel romance talks on the Demon Unit's ship, despite the fact the ratio of men and women on the unit was almost even. Chalk it up to the fact that they were all pretty focused on the job, and the only known couples on the ship were Nagika and Rizen, and Ellie and Oscar.
"Yeah, give us something," Leoha said. "If you got the hots for the Master's son, give us the details!"
Yuki glowered. Unless she gave them something, they wouldn't leave her alone. She could do that much. Her experience with Sona, who was far more persistent than any of them, made at least. that easy
The sharp constructs faded and the girls relaxed.
"Fine. I may have the slightest, tiniest crush on Luffy. Happy?!"
"No way!" They shouted.
"That was so basic," June complained. "You got to paint a picture."
"Yeah, bird brain," Leoha said. "We want a snack. That wasn't even a crumb."
Yuki mumbled a few curses. "You want me to be more expressive? You want me to say how I love how he smiles so genuinely and from the heart? Like how I love how earnestly he pursued his dreams? Do you want me to talk for hours about how I just adore how he can be the most dense boy on earth and also can see through anything? Do you want me to go into agonizing detail about how no one else makes my heart race like him? Is that what you nosy people want to hear?"
"Yeah, that sounds lovely," Akina sighed.
"Well, too bad!"
Shauna laughed. "Yuki, I must say. I always knew you were into my cousin, but I don't think I quite got how bad you had it with him."
"Whatever," she dismissed. "It isn't as though it matters. Luffy has never been interested in such things."
"Sure, not now. But who knows? Maybe somewhere down the line, he will. In ten or so years, maybe he'll come to want something like that. If that happens, what would you say then?"
"I'd say that's very wishful thinking," she said, although there was an almost hopeful look in her eyes.
"It could happen. When it does, I imagine he'll go for the familiar. Wouldn't you rather be familiar? From the looks, your biggest competition is on his ship."
Yuki's eyes twitched. After the Enies Lobby incident, she knew all of the names and faces of Luffy's crewmates. One such face was a sexy young woman posing boldly in a swim suit in her wanted poster. Yuki couldn't pretend that the fact such a woman was on Luffy's ship didn't bother her, but it was Luffy! He was probably more interested in the meat kabobs the two men in the background were holding than anything she was wearing (or wasn't wearing).
"It doesn't matter. He's a pirate. I'm a marine. Our paths are separate."
"No," June said. "Your paths will cross. We're on the way to go see him, aren't we?"
"Master's going to see him. We're just along for the ride."
"You're still going to see him, though," Akina offered. "You should dress up. Although you always look good, Senpai."
"This isn't a rendezvous. Besides, I could dress up in the hottest dress or wear nothing at all and he wouldn't look at me any differently."
The three who had never met him stared incredulously. "Really?"
All jokes aside, Yuki was stunning. It was hard to imagine any boy just dismissing her looks, especially if she dressed up.
"She's right," Shauna giggled. "My cousin's many things. A pervert isn't one of them. Although, I guess in that situation, Yuki would be the pervert."
Yuki rolled her eyes.
"The original question was what he's like, wasn't it? Then I will answer it like this." Yuki smiled. It was much like seeing the sun shine after the clouds had cleared. "He's kind. That's all you need to know."
…
Once again, thanks for coming this far. I'm so grateful. I hope you all will continue to read the stuff I write.