(Nami)

Nami listened to Zoro talk about his goal of becoming the world’s greatest swordsmen to keep a promise he made to a childhood friend who died when they were kids, who also left him the white sword he carried. Then Luffy talked about how he wants to find the One Piece, to become King of The Pirates, Nami just repeated her plan of raising 100 million berries to buy an island since Zoro wasn’t there when she first told Gohan and Luffy, “…How much do you have left to reach your goal?” Gohan asked.

“…why do you want to know?” Nami asked, hesitantly.

“I just wanted to know how long we’re going to be working together for.” Gohan answered.

“…What do you mean by that?” Nami asked.

“Well once you collect the money and buy the island, we’ll probably go our separate ways.” Gohan replied shrugging.

“…What why? Are you going to take Luffy up on his offer and become a pirate?” Nami worriedly asked, she didn’t know why but the thought of Gohan leaving once he helped her didn’t sit well with her.

“He’s already a member of my crew just like you.” Luffy replied, before Gohan could answer.

“I already told you that I’m not joining your crew!” Nami yelled at Luffy.

“Then why are you with us?” Zoro asked.

“Technically you’re with me, I’m sailing in this direction, because there are a few islands I want to search, and you guys are following me, since none of you know how to navigate.” Nami replied, looking at them.

“She’s got a point.” Luffy said, nodding his head.

“Look we’re getting off topic.” Gohan said, interrupting them, “How much do you need?”

“…30 million.” Nami answered after thinking, it wouldn’t hurt if he knew.

“Hmm…you used to be a bounty hunter, right?” Gohan asked, looking at Zoro.

“…yeah why?” Zoro answered, sitting up a bit.

“What is the best way to turn in a bounty?” Gohan asked.

“…it’s best to turn in bounties alive, because if they’re dead the bounty offices take off a percentage of the total bounty.” Zoro answered.

“Wait! we’re not going to be bounty hunters we’re pirates!” Luffy yelled interrupting them.

“No, you two are pirates, we haven’t joined your crew.” Nami replied pointing at herself and Gohan.

“No, I refuse your refusal.” Luffy said, shaking his head too.

“What! It doesn’t work like that!” Nami yelled at him.

“Yes, it does!” Luffy said, crossing his arms, and nodding.

“No, it doesn’t!” Nami yelled as she attempted to reach over and grab Luffy in anger but stopped when Gohan placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.

“Luffy it was only an idea.” Gohan said holding his hands up, “I was thinking out loud for a way to help Nami collect the remaining money. We don’t even have a way to know who has a bounty so that plan won’t work.”

“Oh, ok, that’s fine.” Luffy said nodding.

“Right how long until we reach the next island?” Gohan asked, looking at her.

“A few days.” Nami answered.

“Woo, I can’t wait!” Luffy shouted, turning away already forgetting what they were talking about.

Nami gave Gohan a nod of thanks which he returned before he leaned back and closed his eyes like Zoro had at some point.

--

“We need a better plan.” Nami said, a few days later looking up from the map of the Grand Line she stole from Buggy.

“What do you mean?” Luffy asked biting an apple.

“The Grand Line is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world and we need to be better prepared if we want to head there.” Nami said looking at him.

“Oh, you mean like buying some more meat.” Luffy replied.

“And some booze.” Zoro added.

“NO! I’m not just talking about supplies, we also need equipment, a better ship, and more crew members.” Nami said, shaking her head, at them.

“Nami’s right, we can’t exactly head to the Grand Line with just the four of us and in these two small boats, it leaves us too vulnerable.” Gohan said, opening his eyes.

“Thank, you at least there’s someone else with a shred of common sense.” Nami thought shaking her head at the other two, who went on about meat and booze.

“There’s an island to the north that we should reach in a couple of days. While there we should see if we can get a better ship and restock our supplies.” Nami said looking back at the map.

“Ok fresh meat here we come!” Luffy shouted.

“Don’t forget the booze.” Zoro said grinning.

“Oh god help me; I don’t think I’ll survive long if I’m stuck with these two.” Nami thought, putting her face in her hands. She looked up when she felt someone tap her shoulder, it was Gohan holding out an apple for her while eating one himself. “…Thank you.” she said, grabbing it.

“Yeah.” Gohan said nodding at her, “Can I ask you something?”

“...yeah sure.” Nami said, nodding slowly.

“Who’s Bellemare?” Gohan whispered as he bit into his apple.

“W-what where did you hear that name!?” Nami exclaimed.

“Are you ok Nami?” Luffy asked, turning to look at her.

“…yeah, I’m fine.” Nami said nodding her head and forcing a fake smile on her face.

“Ok.” Luffy said, shrugging his shoulders, before looking away.

“Where did you hear that name?” Nami asked again in a whisper.

“You’ve said it in your sleep a few times.” Gohan said, looking at her.

“I…she was my mom.” Nami said, her eyes stinging, “I can’t talk about her...not right now.” She added before, shaking her head.

“…that’s fine, sorry for asking and brining up any unpleasant memories.” Gohan said, bowing his head, “…just remember if you want to talk, I’m here.”

“I...” Nami started but didn’t trust herself to say anything else, so she just nodded her head and gave him a small smile which he returned before finishing his apple, and then closing his eyes.

Nami stared at him a little longer, not knowing what to do, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he could be the answer to all her troubles, there was something about him that made her feel safe. Which is why she had been thinking over his offer, especially after seeing what he could do if what he said was true and that he could make stronger attacks than she could ask him to deal with the problem directly.

The only problem with that was that she didn’t know much about him, he didn’t talk much about his past but considering that was the same she couldn’t hold it against him. That’s why she decided to wait and watch him a little longer to see what he was truly capable of and see who he was as a person before making her decision, even if a voice in the back of her mind kept whispering that he was trustworthy.

--

(Gohan)

They eventually made land fall and disembarked, “It’s good to be on dry land again.” Zoro said stretching.

“You said there was a village here, right?” Luffy asked, turning to Nami.

“Yeah, it looks like a small one though.” Nami said, looking at the map again.

“Great that means we can get some meat somewhere!” Luffy said practically drooling.

Gohan was planning on stretching out his senses to see how many people were on the island, but he stopped when he felt four energies coming near them, Gohan stepped forward on guard, “What’s wrong?” Nami asked.

“We’re not alone.” Gohan said, eyes narrowing towards where he felt the energies. Zoro stepped forward and placed a hand on his katana at Gohan’s word glancing at him for confirmation.

“Who are they, where are they, do they have meat?” Luffy asked looking around eagerly.

“LOOK OUT!” Gohan and Zoro shouted as shots were fired at Luffy’s feet making him jump around to avoid them.

Gohan moved Nami behind him, with one hand and placed the other on the Power Pole, staying still when he noticed that they were warning shots. The shooting eventually stopped followed by many Jolly Rogers coming up from the bushes, “That’s awesome!” Luffy shouted, waving his arms excitedly.

Suddenly a slim tan-skinned teen stepped out of some bushes he had medium-length black curly hair, with a long nose that reminded him a little of Pinocchio, he had a green plaid bandanna, a blue and white striped armband on his left arm, brown overalls with a white sash and a yellow satchel.

“I am the great Captain Usopp, leader of the great pirate fleet that rein over this island. I would think twice before attacking this village, or else my Eighty Million followers will squash you before you make a move.” Usopp said standing there with his arms crossed in front of him.

“…you mean the four of you.” Gohan said, pointing at where he felt three smaller energies, “…and by the looks of it they’re just kids.”

“Ahh! He knows!” Three kids shouted popping out of the bushes before running off leaving Usopp alone.

“OH NO!” Usopp said grabbing his head, “He figured it out, how could I be so careless.” He muttered shaking his body from side-to-side.

“A pirate using a slingshot.” Nami said stepping from behind him and picking up one of the metal shots, “You see something new every day.”

“That’s pretty cool.” Luffy said holding his stomach laughing.

“…D-don’t laugh at me. I’m a proud man and I won’t stand for that.” Usopp said pulling out his slingshot and aiming it at them. “This is your last chance, leave or you’ll see why they call me Usopp the Proud. You’ve already seen how good I am with this; I’m as good as anyone with a pistol.” He added, his arm shaking slightly.

Gohan noticed a shift in Luffy after Usopp pulled out his Slingshot and aimed it at them, Luffy placed his hand on his hat and glanced up at Usopp, “…Now that you’ve drawn your pistol are you willing to use it.”

Usopp was struck silent as he stared at Luffy in awe the only sounds heard were the crashing of the waves on the shore, and the cries of seagulls, “Guns aren’t used for threats, they’re for action are you willing to risk your life?” Luffy continued.

Zoro glanced at Luffy before looking back at Usopp and grinned, “…What you are looking at are real pirates. So, you should think twice before acting.”

Gohan didn’t say anything since he didn’t sense any hostile intent coming from either of the two so he decided to see what they would do. Luffy and Usopp continued staring at each other neither one making a move, until Usopp eventually dropped his slingshot, falling to his knees, his face drenched in sweat, “…real pirates words have more weight to them since they can back them up. That’s awesome.”

Soon Luffy and Zoro started laughing, “I stole that line.” Luffy said looking up at Usopp.

“What!?” Usopp cried out.

“Yeah, you’re Yasopp’s son, right?” Luffy asked, smiling at him.

Hearing that name made Usopp fall off the cliff and come crashing on to the beach below before rushing up to them, “Y-yeah, that is my dad’s name, but how do you know that?”

“He wouldn’t shut up about you.” Luffy said smiling.

“Y-you knew my dad?!” Usopp asked excitedly.

“Yeah, he used to come by my home island a lot when I was a kid.” Luffy said grinning.

“I hate to interrupt but can we take this conversation elsewhere?” Nami asked speaking up, from his side. “I don’t want to stand on this shore all day.”

“Oh! yeah, follow me.” Usopp said, leading them into the village.

--

Usopp took them to a restaurant where they were served and where Luffy told Usopp stories about his father. Gohan, Zoro, and Nami ate while Luffy talked, “…So, you’re telling me my dad is a member of Red-Haired Shanks Crew?” Usopp asked with a big smile on his face, “That’s awesome.”

“Yeah, he was an awesome sharpshooter, I would love to have someone like him on my crew too.” Luffy said, once he finished eating.

“Oh, that reminds me, do you know of anyone on this island that could provide us with a decent ship?” Nami asked.

“…this island is pretty small, but if there is one place where you may find a ship it would be at that huge mansion.” Usopp said pointing out the window, “I know the owner, if you want to call her that.”

“What do you mean?” Gohan asked, noticing Usopp frown when talking about them.

“She’s a young girl, who’s been weak, sick, and practically bedridden ever since her parents died a year ago to a sudden sickness. All she has is a massive fortune, mansion, and her servants...” Usopp explained leaning back in his chair. “It’s kind of tragic if you think about it.”

“…forget it, let’s look somewhere else for a ship.” Nami sighed.

“That’s fine we’re in no rush.” Luffy said, grinning.

“…I gotta go, I have something to do.” Usopp said, suddenly standing up, “Stay and eat as much as you want.” He added, rushing out.

“I wonder what he had to do that had him leave in such a hurry.” Nami wondered.

“…ahh who cares, more meat please.” Luffy said to their server.

“And sake.” Zoro said holding up his empty cup.

“More of everything please.” Gohan added, deciding to eat a little more since Usopp said they could.

They continued eating until they were all full, they were planning on what to do next when the three boys from earlier came rushing into the restaurant, “The great Usopp pirate crew is here!” they shouted, holding up wooden swords.

“…who are they?” Nami asked, leaning over to look at them.

“They’re the kids that were with Usopp earlier.” Gohan answered.

“Captain Usopp is gone.” They said, looking around. “Where is he?” they asked, running up to their table.

“He ran off a while ago.” Gohan answered looking at the kids, “You guys would know where he is better than us.”

“Oh! he probably went off to see Kaya.” The blond-haired boy said smiling.

“Who’s that?” Nami asked.

“The girl who lives in the mansion.” The black-haired boy explained.

“What’s he do up there?” Luffy asked.

“He lies.” They all said, at once with smiles on their faces.

“Isn’t that a bad thing?” Luffy asked.

“No!” they all said shaking their heads. “He goes up there and makes up stories to tell her in hopes of making her feel better.”

“Huh, that’s nice of him.” Nami said, with a smile.

“So, he’s a good guy.” Luffy said.

“Yeah, he is.” The boys said happily, “He’s the best.”

“…Let’s go see him.” Luffy said standing up.

“Ok follow us.” The boys said, walking out the door with Luffy, Zoro, and Nami following them.

“Thank you for the food.” Gohan said bowing to the old man sitting behind the counter before leaving.

“No, problem, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” The old man said waving at him with a smile.

The boys led them up to the mansion which was surrounded by a gate and had a few guards outside it, “This is it.” The boys said.

“Why did you want to come here Luffy?” Gohan asked.

“To ask her if we can have a boat.” Luffy answered.

“I thought…” Gohan started saying but paused when he felt an unpleasant energy inside the mansion.

The momentary pause was all Luffy needed as he stretched out his arms and grabbed the top of the gate, “Gum-Gum…”

The boys seeing Luffy’s arm stretch freaked out and called Luffy a monster, before they quickly grabbed on to Luffy trying to stop him, “…Parden the intrusion!” Luffy shouted as he launched them into the air.

“Luffy you idiot!” Nami yelled as they flew into the air.

“Crapbaskets!” Gohan uttered as he quickly flew into the air and grabbed Nami, put her on his back and grabbed Zoro and the boys by the back of their shirts just as Luffy came crashing down, near Usopp.

“HOLY CRAP YOU CAN FLY!” Usopp cried out seeing him land safely with Nami, Zoro and the boys.

“Thanks.” Nami and Zoro said, as the boys stared up at him in awe.

“Yeah.” Gohan said, as Nami got off his back with a blush on her face.

“Oh, I forgot you could fly.” Luffy said chuckling.

“What were you thinking you idiot!” Nami shouted, grabbing Luffy by the collar and shaking him. “We could have been hurt!”

“Are you guys ok!?” a blond-haired girl asked them from her window, making Nami let go of Luffy to look up at her.

“…ah don’t mind them Kaya they’re just new recruits that want to join the Usopp pirates.” Usopp lied quickly.

“No not me.” Luffy said standing up.  “I wanted to ask you a favor.”

“A favor from me?” Kaya asked leaning out her window a little.

“Yes, I wanted to ask if there was a way we could get a large boat.” Luffy said looking up at Kaya.

Before Kaya could answer a man dressed in black butler uniform came walking up to them, “You there, you can’t just barge in like this!”

“Klahadore! Wait!” Kaya said speaking up, but stopped when he held up his hand.

“I don’t care, they’re trespassing, and I want them to leave. Unless they have something to say.” Klahadore said, staring at them.

“Yes, I want a boat.” Luffy said looking at Klahadore.

“No! now leave.” Klahadore said, before noticing Usopp. “Ah, you must be Usopp, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Ah you must have heard about how great I am.” Usopp said smiling. “You can call me Captain Usopp if you wish.”

“…I’ve also heard about your father as well… He’s a filthy pirate, right?” Klahadore said, ignoring what Usopp had said as he pushed up his glasses with the palm of his hands.

“…what did you say!?” Usopp asked, anger clear in his voice.

“I don’t want you coming near the Mistress anymore, is it money you want? How much do you want?” Klahadore asked, staring at Usopp with disdain.

“That’s enough Klahadore! Apologize to Usopp now!” Kaya shouted.

“Why should I, it’s the truth.” Klahadore said, pushing up his glasses again, “Although I do feel bad for you, you must hate your father for leaving his family and village behind.”

“Shut up!” Usopp shouted, “Don’t say another bad thing about my father!” he said his fist clinching in anger.

“I said that’s enough Klahadore!” Kaya shouted. “Apologize now!”

“Why are you getting so worked up, I would expect you to make up another one of your lies, to not be associated with scum like him.” Klahadore said, ignoring Kaya as he pushed his glasses again.

“I said Shut Up!” Usopp said as he charged towards Klahadore ready to punch him, but Gohan stepped forward and caught his fist stopping him, “W-what are you doing!?”

“He’s doing this to get a rise out of you to make you look bad in front of your friend.” Gohan whispered in Usopp’s ear.

Usopp looked back at Kaya and saw that she was looking at him in shock, and then he looked back at Klahadore who was smirking, “…fine you’re right.” Usopp said sighing as Gohan let go of him. “…you want me gone than fine, I’ll leave.” He added, turning away.

“Usopp don’t go!” Kaya shouted after him, but Usopp continued walking away with his hands in his pocket.

“Now I want the rest of you gone as well.” Klahadore said to them, pushing his glasses up again.

“The Captain isn’t like that!” “Yeah, you stupid head!” the boys shouted.

“Yeah, stupid head!” Luffy shouted as well.

“Don’t scream with them.” Zoro said punching Luffy in the head.

“…I apologize for the intrusion.” Gohan said to Kaya after glancing at the man one more time, “…Come on guys lets go.” He added, grabbing the kids and pulling them away as Zoro did the same with Luffy.

--

After leaving the mansion they found a nice place to sit, by a fence under a large tree, where two of the boys Piiman and Ninjin stayed and introduced themselves while the third Tamanegi left somewhere, “Where did Luffy go?” Nami asked, noticing he wasn’t with them.

“He went after that Captain guy.” Zoro answered.

“Where are they?” Nami asked.

“They’re near the edge of the island in that direction.” Gohan said, taking a moment to find Luffy’s unusual energy.

“Oh! they’re at the shore. The captain always goes there to think.” Piiman said. “Are you going to go?”

“Nah, there’s no point.” Zoro said shrugging.

“What’s wrong Gohan?” Nami asked, noticing him frown.

“…did you notice something off about that butler?” Gohan asked, looking up.

“…nothing besides the way he adjusted his glasses.” Nami said, looking at him, “Why?”

“…what about you Zoro?” Gohan asked.

“…I don’t know he looks sort of familiar, but I can’t place him.” Zoro answered. “Why?”

“I…nothing never mind.” Gohan said shaking his head, “I seem to have problems sensing things…must be because I’m still not used to this world. It cold be my imagination but I can’t seem to shake the feeling that there’s something off about that butler.”

“Hey, where’s your friend?” Nami asked, suddenly breaking him out of his thoughts.

“Tamanegi, disappears often and comes back screaming about something.” Piiman said.

“AHH! This is bad!” Tamanegi cried out moments later, running towards them.

“See.”  Ninjin said watching Tamanegi stop in front of them.

“There’s a weird guy and he’s walking backwards!” Tamanegi panted, “…Look!”

They looked in the direction he pointed and saw a skinny, looking man with grey hair, a purple jacket and hat, and brown pants was walking backwards towards them. “Hey, who called me weird?” he asked stopping in front of them.

The man had a white shirt, brown gloves, red heart shaped glasses, purple shoes, and something stripped coming off his chin. “I’m just a normal guy.”

“…doesn’t matter how you look at it you’re weird.” Nami said.

“Don’t be rude, I’m just a passing Hypnotist.” The man said.

“OH! Wow” “Show us your skills.” “Yeah, show us.” The boys said.

“…now why would I show my skills to some people sitting by the roadside.” The Hypnotist said, before taking out a pendulum. “Ok, when I say One, Two, Jango you will fall asleep.” He said as he started swinging the pendulum, in front of the kids.

“One…Two…Jango.” He said falling asleep alongside the kids.

“What the hell is he doing?!” Zoro exclaimed.

“…a hypnotist that hypnotize himself. That’s something new.” Gohan said shaking his head.

“…yeah.” Nami said nodding her head.

They sat there for a while longer doing nothing, waiting for Luffy to come back, eventually the hypnotist and kids woke up with the hypnotist quickly leaving, then a while later Usopp came towards them, “Huh is he still mad about what the butler said.” Nami said seeing him run past them.

“…no, I don’t think so, that hypnotist went off in the same direction earlier.” Gohan said. “…And Luffy is still there.” He added noticing that Luffy hadn’t moved.

“…well let’s go see why Luffy’s still there.” Zoro said standing up.

“Sure, let’s go.” Gohan said standing up as well.

“Come on follow us we’ll take you there.” The boys said, leading them to the shore.

___

(AN: I’ve written all the way up to when Loguetown, which is where I’ll leave things for now, I will post two chapters a week until the last one is posted. If you find any mistakes, please let me know.)