(Nami Night Before)

Nami was woken by another nightmare which had begun again after seeing Arlong’s poster, after tossing and turning for a while she got up deciding that some fresh air would do her some good. When she got outside, she noticed something moving away from the ship. “…Gohan?” she mumbled, noticing the figure floating in the air. She walked to the mast, grabbing the binoculars hanging from it and looking through them. “Where is he going?”

Nami watched him until she couldn’t see him anymore, she was thinking about going to wake the others when suddenly, a blue glow appeared in the direction of where Gohan disappeared, “What is that!?” she wondered, looking through the binoculars again. She could barely make out a small blue ball of light in the distance, she watched as it slowly grew larger and brighter followed by a large beam of blue light firing into the sky. “W-what the hell!” Nami exclaimed as more flashes of light started popping up.

“I…is that, Gohan!? It must be him he’s the only one I know who can do something like that.” Nami thought watching in awe as more beams and balls of light shot off into the sky and the ocean, “I knew he was holding back some since he said that he had a few more tricks up his sleeve but I never suspected something like this. Whatever that first attack was, it was incredible if someone got hit by that…” she trailed off trying to imagine someone getting hit by the first attack.

Nami didn’t know how long she watched Gohan’s light show, but the next thing she knew was the sun had started appearing over the horizon, noticing this, she quickly made her way back to her room before Gohan came back. When she arrived, she laid in bed thinking about what she saw and she came to realize two very important things, One that Gohan was extremely powerful and Two that she would take him up on his offer to help her.

After hearing Gohan explain Zoro that he went out last night to train she decided to wait until the tonight to see if Gohan would go out again, which is why she was waiting for him, and she didn’t have to wait long to hear the hatch that led to the men’s quarters to open. She peaked around the mast and waited until he closed the hatch before speaking. “Going out again?”

Gohan turned around and saw her, “Hey, Nami what’s up?”

“I need your help.” She said, deciding to get to the point.

“Yeah, sure what do you need?” Gohan asked.

“…let’s talk somewhere else.” Nami said, gesturing towards the kitchen.

 “Sure, lead the way.” Gohan said, following her.

They sat in silence as she tried to think of where to start, “…you said that if I needed help, all I had to do is ask. Is that still true?”

“Yeah of course.” Gohan said nodding his head, “Is this about Arlong?” Gohan asked, surprising her.

“I…yeah how did you know?” Nami asked.

“You’ve been off ever since I found that poster of him, so I did some thinking and concluded that he had something to do with it.” Gohan explained. “He’s also the reason you need the 100 million berries, right?”

“I…yes he’s taken over my home and is holding it ransom.” Nami said, nodding, realizing that Gohan was smarter than he looked.

“Ok, I’ll help you.” Gohan said, with no hesitation.

“T-that’s it you won’t ask me why!?” Nami asked shocked.

“I’ve told you before that I was raised to help people in need, and you need my help it’s that simple. If this Arlong person is holding your loved one’s hostage than I’ll do everything in my power to help you.” Gohan said, giving her a smile.

“Ha!” Nami laughed, not believing that things could be that simple. She felt the sting of tears, but she shook her head not wanting to cry so she grabbed her shoulders, dug her nails into them, and squeezed tightly.

The next thing she knew was that Gohan was hugging her, “Hey, it’s alright, let it all out. I’m here for you.” He said softly.

That was it, that was what broke the dam of years of repressed emotions, she let everything go since her mother’s death, she wailed into his shoulders. Nami didn’t know how long she cried for, but she did know that she felt a lot better afterwards. “S-sorry.” She muttered, noticing that the front of his shirt was all wet.

“It’s fine, I can always make more.” Gohan said smiling, creating a handkerchief, and handing it to her.

“You’ve gotten better.” Nami said, taking it with a small chuckle.

“Yeah, I’ve been practicing.” Gohan said smiling at her, “I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I can tell it’s painful for you to talk about, so you don’t have to if you don’t want to but...”

“No!”  Nami said shaking her head, “I need to get this off my chest.”, she said taking a deep breath and releasing it.

“Ok, I’m listening.” Gohan said.

“It all started when…” Nami said as she started telling him everything.

--

Once Nami started talking she couldn’t stop, she told him about how Arlong had suddenly arrived and taken over her home island, forcing them to pay a ransom for their lives each month. How her mother Bellemere sacrificed her life for her and her sister because she only had enough money to pay for the two of them, which led to Arlong shooting her in front of them.

Then she went on to tell him how Arlong had taken her hostage, how he would sometimes shackle her in her room forcing her to draw maps for him and his crew until her hands bled, how he forced his tattoo on her, and how she ended up striking a deal with him to buy back her island for 100 million berries. Then she told him about how she spent her childhood and most of her adulthood stealing, searching for treasure, and selling anything of value that she found. When she finally finished, she felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“…I’ll make him pay.” Gohan said in a tone that sent a shiver down her spine. “When do you have to report back?” Gohan asked, taking a deep breath.

“Not for another few days why?” Nami asked.

“…Well, I was wondering if waiting for Luffy to convince Sanji to join us would affect your plans in anyway.” Gohan explained.

“No, I should be able to make it in time as long as I leave by the day after tomorrow.” Nami said to him.

“Ok, well if Luffy can’t convince Sanji to join him by tomorrow. Then we can borrow Johnny and Yosaku’s boat and head to your home so I can deal with Arlong.” Gohan said. “Although…”

“Although what?” Nami asked.

“I think you should tell Luffy and the others.” Gohan said.

“Why?” Nami asked.

“They’ll want to help.” Gohan answered.

“How do you know that?” Nami asked.

“That’s the type of person Luffy is, he’ll do everything in his power to defend his friends.” Gohan said, with a smile. “And Zoro and Usopp will want to help too because they care about you.”

“Y-you think so?” Nami asked.

“Yeah, look what they did for Usopp, after getting to know him.” Gohan pointed out. “And Usopp will probably help in his own way.”

“You have a point…I’ll tell them tonight.” Nami said, agreeing that even though Gohan was strong and powerful he was still one man, and he could probably use some help. There was also the fact that she had come to like spending time with them.

“Oh, wow time flew by.” Gohan said pointing out the window where the morning sun was rising.

“Wow, I didn’t realize that I talked for so long.” Nami said.

“Yeah…” Gohan said his eyes staring off into the distance, as a frown appeared on his face.

“…Gohan.” Nami called out, concerned.

“Yeah.” Gohan said, turning to look at her.

“Are you ok?” Nami asked.

“Yeah, sorry…a little tired” Gohan said, shaking his head before getting up, “I’m going to go mediate.”

“…Ok.” Nami said looking at him, “Hey, Gohan.”

“Yeah, what’s up.” Gohan asked, stopping to look at her.

“Thank you.” Nami said smiling at him.

“No, problem.” Gohan said smiling back as he walked out.

--

(Gohan)

Gohan was sitting down mediating thinking about what his conversation with Nami, speaking of while talking with Nami a new message popped up telling him that he had received a new quest, but the screen had suddenly disappeared before he could read it and now, he couldn’t bring it back. Gohan thought something happened to the system and that worried him since it was his only way back home so he was thinking of how he could contact Polycosmos when a large group of energies appeared at the edge of his senses.

His eyes snapped open as he quickly stood up and looked towards where he felt the energies, “What is it?” Zoro asked, noticing him first.

“…there’s a large group of people heading this way.” Gohan answered, just as a large ship appeared from the morning mist, the Jolly Roger was a skull with two hourglasses on its side.

“I-it’s Don Kreig’s Ship!” Johnny cried out when he saw it.

“This is bad, we should run away.” Usopp said, looking at Zoro and him.

“Yeah, Bro we should set sail! We don’t want to die!” Johnny and Yosaku said, looking at Zoro.

“We can’t leave, Luffy and Nami are on the Baratie.” Gohan reminded them. Luffy had gone over to The Baratie to try and convince Sanji to join them, while Nami went to eat some more free food.

“The ship is a wreck.” Zoro pointed out, as the ship came to a stop.

“Y-yeah, you’re right.” Usopp said, peaking from behind Zoro.

“The energies on board are all weak expect one.” Gohan said, standing next to Zoro and closing his eyes, “…And that person is heading towards The Baratie with someone else.

“Can you tell how many there are on board?” Zoro asked.

“...it’s hard to tell exactly because they’re all weak but it’s a big group.” Gohan answered, as he opened his eyes.

“Hey something is going on” Usopp said pointing at the Baratie as people came rushing out after a while.

“It looks bad.” Yosaku said.

“Yeah… let’s go inside and see what’s going on.” Zoro said.

“D-do we have to?” Usopp asked.

“You can stay here with the ship while we check things out.” Gohan said glancing at Usopp.

“…N-no, I’ll go with you.” Usopp said, shaking his head as his knees shook.

“Ok, let’s prep the boat, and go.” Gohan said. “Will you two stay with the ship?”

“Yes, Gohan Bro.” Johnny and Yosaku answered, nodding.

“Thanks.” Gohan said as they boarded the boat and headed to The Baratie.

They arrived to see the chefs’ pointing guns at Sanji, while a large man he recognized as Don Krieg from his poster stood at the main entrance, with another person he recognized as Gin on the ground next to him. They made their way over to where Nami was where she told them that Gin had come back after Sanji had fed him, Gin had brought back his starving crew so they could eat and now Don Krieg wanted to take The Baratie as his new ship.

“We’re tired of your insane and reckless actions. We’re not letting you step foot in that kitchen.” The Chefs said surrounding Sanji.

“Go ahead and shoot then.” Sanji said with no fear, “I know that they’re scum, but as a cook I have a sworn duty to feed anyone who’s starving.”

Patty then came up and hit Sanji from behind knocking him down to the ground, “Hold him down.” The other chefs cried out rushing to try and hold Sanji down.

“Sanji, I know you’ve fed people that I’ve chased away, and I’ve ignored it because it didn’t really matter much, but this time it does. I will not allow you to put this restaurant in danger by feeding Don Kreig’s men.” Patty said pulling out large shrimp-shaped hand cannon, “Here have some dessert!” he shouted, firing it.

The resulting explosion sent Don Kreig flying out the door’s and crashing into the railing outside, “Don!” Gin shouted from the floor.

“Damn, I destroyed the entrance, Zeff’s going to be angry.” Patty said, with a chuckle.

“It’s fine, Zeff won’t get too mad since it happened while protecting the restaurant.” Another chef said.

“What about the rest of his crew?” Sanji asked from where the ground where he was being held.

“That dessert wasn’t that great.” Kreig said walking back in, with not even a scratch. Showing that he was wearing golden armor that covered his entire upper body.

“…Get him!” Patty yelled recovering from the shock as he and the other cooks grabbed whatever weapon they could and charged towards Krieg.

“You’re all annoying pests!” Kreig shouted, pulling out two pistols as ten more appeared out of his armor, firing at the rushing chiefs.

“Shit!” Gohan thought as he quickly pulled out the Power Pole, vanished and reappeared in front of the chefs as he spun the Power Pole around diverting the bullets away from the chefs.

“W-what!?” The chefs and the others exclaimed when they realized they hadn’t been shot.

“W-where did you come from?” Kreig exclaimed looking at him in shock.

“I suggest you leave, while you still can.” Gohan said, tapping the Power Pole into the ground, as he glared at Don Kreig.

“Gohan!” Luffy and the others shouted when they saw what he had done.

“W-what!?” Kreig uttered shocked, before he got angry, “I don’t know who you are or how you saved those pests but don’t think you can get away with defying me! I’m the strongest, this arm, and this body is stronger and tougher than anyone else’s. With this diamond fist I can pulverize anything, my entire body is a fine-tuned weapon. But I’m not in the mood to deal with you right now, feeding my crew takes priority, so you cooks better get to it, I already told you I want 100 meals for my men and I want it now!”

Gohan chuckled when he heard Kreig say that he wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, “You got something to say boy!” Kreig said, turning to glare at him.

“Yeah, you say you’re not in the mood to deal with me, but the truth is that you don’t have any more ammo.” Gohan said, shaking his head, “There’s also the fact that you call yourself the strongest, but you rely on all those toys that’s not true strength.”

“What did you just say brat!” Kreig shouted.

“…I’m calling you weak.” Gohan said glaring at him.

Kreig was about to say something about them ignoring him but stopped when Zeff dropped a large bag in front of Kreig, “What is this?”

“It’s food for hundred men, so hurry up and take it to your crew.” Zeff said.

“Owner Zeff!” the chefs cried out.

“Did they just call you Zeff?” Krieg said, looking at him.

“Sir how could you do that. Once they get their strength back, they’ll attack us.” The chefs cried out.

“That’s only if they still have any fighting spirits left. Isn’t that right, Grand Line Dropouts!” Zeff said staring at Kreig, who flinched at the name.

“…So, you’re still alive Red-Leg Zeff.” Kreig said.

“Me being alive has nothing to do with you, I’m just a cook now.” Zeff said.

“You are maybe just a cook now but that’s because it’s the only thing you can do now. Since you’re missing one of your legs, legs that used to be covered in the blood of your enemies, earning you the name Red-Leg.” Kreig said, not taking his eyes off him.

“What’s your point?” Zeff asked.

“Red-Leg Zeff you entered the devilish waters of the Grand Line and returned without injury; a man like you would have kept a log of his time there. You’re going to hand it over to me.” Kreig said holding his hand out.

“Woah that old man has been to the Grand Line.” Luffy said in awe.

“Yeah, I have a log, but I’m not giving it to you, it’s the pride of me and my men who traveled the Grand Line together. It’s too valuable to give to the likes of you.” Zeff said.

“Then I’ll have to pry it from your dead hands! I may have been defeated by the Grand Line but that’s only because I lacked one vital thing…information!” Kreig said clenching his fist in anger. “Once I steal your log, this ship, and reassemble my crew, I’ll find the One Piece and become the greatest pirate of this era!”

“Hold it right there!” Luffy said stepping forward, “I’m the one who’ll become King of the Pirates!” pointing at himself.

“What did you just say you brat?” Kreig asked, glaring at Luffy. “This isn’t a game.”

“I know that.” Luffy said smiling. “But I’ll still conquer the Grand Line.”

“Come on Luffy, you just heard how terrible that place is, why don’t we just give up.” Usopp cried.

“Need a hand Luffy?” Zoro asked, gripping his katana.

“Don’t draw attention to us!” Usopp whispered.

“It’s fine I can handle things.” Luffy said shaking his head.

“You know I hate people like you, just because they have some strength, they think they can bully those weaker than them. But once they run into someone stronger than them, they take the first opportunity to run away.” Gohan said, staring at Kreig. “I’m going to teach you a lesson.”

“No, I’m going to fight him since he said that he wants to be King of The Pirates, but that’s going to be me!” Luffy said, crossing his arms as he stepped up next to him.

Gohan was going to reply but was interrupted by Kreig laughing, “These are your crewmates? You don’t have that many.”

“I have one more.” Luffy said holding up his finger.

“Hey, you counted me as well didn’t you!?” Sanji yelled from where he was standing.

“Don’t joke with me brat! My fleet of 50 ships and 5,000 crew were complete wiped out in just seven days!” Kreig yelled at Luffy.

“S-seven days, that’s crazy!” Usopp said.

“I hate people like you two who are ignorant to reality…” Kreig said staring at Luffy and Gohan, “I need to feed my crew, and once I come back this place better be empty, or I’ll kill every one of you.” He said taking the food Zeff gave him and leaving.

Gohan made to stop him, but something made him stop he didn’t know why but he felt bad about fighting weakened men, so he decided to let Kreig feed his men so that they could put up a decent fight. So, he put away his Power Pole and looked around to see that Gin hadn’t moved from where he was.

“Sanji…please forgive me, I didn’t know this would happen.” Gin said from the floor crying.

“You don’t have to apologize.” Zeff said surprising his crew, “He acted of his own free will and this is that result.”

“B-but Sir how could you side with him, he’s the reason we’re in this mess in the first place.” The other cooks said.

“Shut Up!” Zeff shouted, “Do any of you know what it’s like to be so hungry that you wished to die to escape the pain? Do you know how terrifying and painful it is to be stuck on the ocean with no food or water?”

“W-what are you talking about sir?” Patty asked.

“The difference between you guys and Sanji is that he’s lived through that.” Zeff said, making the cooks go silent, “…if you want to leave, then go out the back.” Zeff said pointing.

“…I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, if I left.” Patty said shaking his head, “I’m staying right here.”

“…yeah, it’s not like I can go anywhere else.” Other cooks said as they started picking up weapons.

“W-what are you guys doing, you need to run away!” Gin yelled staring at all of them.

“Gin as a cook it’s my duty to feed anyone who’s starving, but if they want to bite the hand that feeds them then I’ll kill them, even if that person is you!” Sanji said, sitting on a table and glaring down at Gin.

“Hey, Gin you lied to me, you said you didn’t know anything about the Grand Line, but you went there.” Luffy said, as Zoro, Usopp, and Nami made their way towards them.

“I…I wasn’t lying, we were just there for seven days but it was like a nightmare, especially how we were all destroyed by a single man!” Gin stated, shocking everyone as he held his head.

“What!” everyone shouted.

“We we’re lucky that storm appeared letting us escape from that Hawk-Eyed man.” Gin muttered as he started shaking.

Gohan noticed that Zoro tensed up when the man was mentioned, “You know him?” he asked.

“…He’s the man I’m searching for.” Zoro replied.

“Did you guys do something to him to make him attack you all of a sudden?” Sanji asked.

“…not that I remember he just attacked us all of a sudden.” Gin said shaking his head.

“If it’s who I think it is he may have attacked you because you disturbed his nap.” Zeff said.

“Bullshit! You’re telling me he wiped us all out for a reason like that!?” Gin shouted.

“It’s possible, that’s just the kind of place The Grand Line is.” Zeff said, rubbing his chin.

“What do you mean old man?” Luffy asked, sitting down on the table, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp had sat at.

“He means it’s a place where anything can happen.” Zoro said smiling.

“…that sounds awesome, I can’t wait!” Luffy said grinning.

“You could at least try, and sound concerned.” Usopp and Nami said.

“Forget about it you two, that’s just how he is.” Gohan said, shaking his head, before finding a table that had some untouched food on it. Hey if he was going to fight, he would at least do it with a full stomach.

“It looks like my goal is in the Grand Line.” Zoro said, smiling.

“You guys are all idiots rushing towards your deaths.” Sanji said, taking a drag of his cigarette,

“Ever since I decided to become the World’s Greatest Swordsman, I threw away my attachment to life. So, the only one who can call me an idiot is me.” Zoro said, staring at Sanji.

“…As a brave warrior of the sea, it’s the same for me.” Usopp said, making Nami and Zoro stare at him. “What it’s true!”

“Hey, this is no time to be lounging around or did you forget about that Galleon parked out front!” Patty yelled.

“No, we didn’t but there’s no point in worrying.” Gohan said, as he finished a plate and grabbed another, “This is really good.”

“What are you doing?” Nami asked.

“I’m not going to fight on an empty stomach.” Gohan answered, before turning to look at Sanji, “You made this right?”

“Y-yeah” Sajni replied in surprise, “How could you tell?”

“When I first tasted your food yesterday it brought back memories of my mom’s cooking.” Gohan said, grabbing another plate, “I thought that it was almost as good as hers.” he said, making Sanji smile at the compliment. “This tastes the same as the food I had yesterday which obviously means you made it.”

“I pride myself in my cooking, but I would never dare compare it to that of a lady’s.” Sanji said seriously.

“…Well, you have my compliments especially since it’s been years since I’ve been able to eat anything close to her cooking.” Gohan said, as he grabbed another plate.

“Thank you.” Sanji said smiling, Gohan nodded back.

“Hey, Gin who’s the second strongest person in your crew?” Gohan asked, glancing at Gin.

“I…I am why?” Gin asked, staring as Gohan’s stack of plates piled up.

“Well, I decided to let Luffy fight Krieg, so I want dibs on whoever’s next on the list but since that’s you I guess I’ll have to settle for the third best.” Gohan said as he grabbed another one, “…Unless you are planning on fighting us.” He added as finished eating and stared down at him.

Gin looked conflicted about what to do and was about to answer when they all heard yelling coming from Krieg’s ship, “Looks like they’re coming.” Zeff said, looking up.

Gohan and the others stood up getting ready to fight when suddenly a loud splash was heard followed by yells of panic and then large waves that started shaking The Baratie, “What was that!?” Usopp yelled, as he grabbed onto a table to stabilize himself.

“Rise the anchor or we’ll sink with them!” Zeff yelled to his cooks, who quickly rushed to follow his orders.

“Wait, the Going Merry!” Nami shouted, trying to rush outside.

“I’ll take care of it.” Gohan said, flying towards the Going Merry.

“G-Gohan Bro, Help!” Johnny and Yosaku shouted, as the Going Merry violently shook.

“Hold on!” Gohan shouted back, taking out the Power Pole and changing the shape into something to help him stabilize the ship until things calmed down.

“Thank you, Bro!” They called back.

“Yeah.” Gohan said, “Protect the ship.” he said, leaving before they could say something.

“Is Merry, ok?” Usopp asked when he arrived.

“Yeah, so are Johnny and Yosaku.” Gohan said, nodding at them before his head snapped up, his eyes narrowed in the direction of the strongest energy he’s felt since arriving in this world.

“What is it, Gohan?” Luffy asked.

“…someone strong is coming.” Gohan muttered.