When you arrived to Dock One, it was when a pile of what seemed to be like Pirates injured and groaning on the floor as you walked up. The pirates blocking from going further in.

You asked a passing foremen, who's eyes brightened at seeing you once more.

"Why, if it isn't (Y/N)! Can't get enough of us can you?" You smiled at the man's tease, him pausing from moving the log on his shoulder to stare down at the pile in disdain. "Idiots thought they can escape their pay from us. Ha! As if we craftsman take any crap like that laying down! If you want to see everybody though, you can try the back entrance since these bodies are in the way."

"Nah," you said, nonchalantly walking on the bodies as one groaned loudly and making other foremen turn their heads at the irritating sound only to see what you were doing. "This is fine. If they wanna be trash, let them commit fully."

"How ruthless!" The foremen said with wide eyes as you blinked, stopping at the captain's body and pointing at your chest with a small pout.

"Eh? That's not nice."

"YOU ARENT EITHER!" They replied loudly, but with smiles and laughter as you just scratched the back of your head.

Kaku turned from his work with his chisels, before smiling at seeing what the commotion was about.

"(Y/N)!" You waved at him from your chosen spot, not minding how said chosen spot is currently breathing hard and twitching excessively. Kaku noting it as he drew closer, releasing a huff from his long square nose. "I see you have been told what occurred. Although maybe it's wise to get off the misbehaving customers."

"Nah."

Kaku's smile twitched a bit more at that before he asked what you were doing here, you replying that you're going to do your final goodbyes now before heading out. At this point, Lucci turned the corner with a hammer and spotted you along with a complaining Paulie that he needs someone to cover him for lunch since he has no money and come on! He buys them drinks all the time, Lucci replying blandly through Hattori he never asked him to with Paulie immediately lifting his jacket sleeves and asking if he wants to fight. Only for Lucci's eyes to turn and stay to the side, ignoring Paulie as the blond scowled.

What's his problem? What is he even looking— Paulie turned to see himself, eyes widening as the hold of his cigar loosened at seeing you speaking easily with Kaku and the others casually. Tilestone loudly proclaiming for one final challenge of an arm wrestle with you declining you don't got time but maybe another day. (Y/N) is here...?!  Thought that woman would've left by now. Is she staying for Aqua Laguna after all?

"Coo! Take that foolish look off your face, oaf." Paulie's hopeful expression immediately turned to a scowl as his eyes went towards Lucci, who had his dark eyes narrowed at him. Except... Paulie blinked at how sharp it looked before Lucci turned his eyes back towards you—ARE YOU ON TOP OF THOSE PIRATES BODIES?! "She's not staying. She clearly has somewhere to be."

What's his problem?

Paulie's eyes narrowed at Lucci who was watching silently as the body under you moved his hand to grab your ankle, only for you to step on it as you get off as the pirate fainted once more due to the pain. You saying that trash should stay down while the foremen called local officials over to take said pirates to jail. Hattori cooing at the scene while Lucci's eyes seemed to glint for a mere moment before disappearing.

Paulie was aware that Lucci acted a little weirdly to you—honestly his shit head nature seemed to just take a different form with you compared to the blond's.

Still...something's off.

And Paulie isn't sure he likes it. He felt his mouth twist around his cigar, tight and about to say something only to nearly fall over. Familiar arms around his shoulders and him immediately flushing at who it was, even before you backed your head away with a mischievous grin. Dark eyes behind you assessing before turning away.

"Oya! Paulie!"

"G-get off me!" You quickly did so, you never really kept these surprise hugs long and backed up eventually when asked or even before. "Weren't you supposed to leave?!"

"I'm just saying bye, don't gotta rush me if you don't want me to." You said, tilting your head at him with a frown. Geez, what's up with him? He seemed like he wanted you to stay just yesterday. Paulie shook his head, putting a hand to his face in exasperation while saying that's not what he meant. "...mmmm, okay. If ya say so." You than lifted your lips again, and elbowed his side. "Sounds like you'll miss me than~. You like my calves after all?"

Paulie dropped his hand, teeth sharp and face hot.

"S-S-SHUT UP! CRAZY WOMAN!"

"Hey, Tilestone! Didn't know you and Paulie were related." You said, turning your head towards the other laughing and teasing foremen at Paulie who told them to shut up or they're fired which only made them laugh and tease more. Tilestone saying, loudly as always, the papers never went through as Paulie shrieked what papers as you laughed. You turning and walking towards Kaku who was laughing quietly with the others only to stop abruptly when you lifted your arm and wrapped it around his shoulder—making him get tugged down and slightly flushing. You turning towards Paulie and pointing at you and Kaku with your other hand. "See? Kaku's fine. He's normal. Even though he talks like an old man sometimes."

"Ah...(Y/N)," Kaku said slowly with a wavering smile as you turned your head towards him and making their faces close. Paulie nearly squawking at the scene better than Hattori ever could as Lucci stared at where your arms were. Kaku swallowed before strengthening his nerve. "Perhaps one day I won't be once you take my advise."

His advise?

"No, it isn't revealing enough."

You flushed, quickly letting him go at that as you stared wide eyed. Paulie flushing along with you as Kaku scratched his nose sheepishly he was just being honest as Paulie pointed and even poked Kaku's nose. Kaku squinting as Paulie quietly and seriously called him a pervert with Kaku taking the giggled man's hand away with an easy smile and replying that the real pervert is Paulie for blushing from such little things. Paulie obviously defending himself, quite loudly and in a defensive tone, as Kaku just made retorts when needed. You still wrapping your head around what you just heard.

Where did this—where did this Kaku come from?!

You mean, you guess you can say it's better than how he was before when you were in CP9 but...what is he even saying?

Lucci's gaze was on your face, brows slightly knitting and lips thinning. Hattori than flew away from Lucci's shoulder and landed on your own as you turned your attention to the bird who immediately started playing with your hair in a coo while saying "(Y/N)~ (Y/N)~!" quite innocently. You finding it odd at Hattori's actions but you started letting him all the same as he closed his eyes. Lucci's face relaxed as he turned away.

The foremen still not used to the sight of Hattori leaving Lucci's side to another.

"So weird..."

"Yeah, I was sure it was stuck on Lucci's shoulder like glue."

"Well, hopefully like glue. That's the only acceptable white substance that can be from that bird."

"You're disgusting!"

"What? What are you—I was talking about bird shit! What were YOU talking about?!"

"Ah. Nothing. Oh look, Iceburg-san."

"Don't change the subject!"

Once Iceburg did indeed arrive, Paulie had to leave and so you gave him a wave with a smile that you'll see him later. Cause goodbyes are lame. Paulie's eyes rounded as he stared at your face and repeated your words over his head before huffing, turning his back towards you and lifting an arm as he also said see you later but not without of course saying to cover up more next time they see each other. You couldn't help but laugh as Paulie went to do an order from Iceburg.

You also gave a wave to Kaku and the other foremen, him having to continue his work as he did the same before noticing something in Iceburg's pocket.

You pointed at the mayor's shirt as he blinked. Hattori giving a pouting coo at you stopping from the pet's and pecked your cheek slightly which you ignored.

"Is that a mouse?"

"Hm? Oh yes." Iceburg casually scratched the mouse's head in his shirt pocket with a distracted smile as the mouse squeaked. Kalifa straightening her glasses as she looked down at her clipboard in thought. "I found him while we were walking over here. I haven't thought of a name yet..."

"Do you usually pick up random animals in the street?" You asked in a mild deadpan.

Iceburg thought it over before answering.

"Only the ones I like. Right Kalifa?"

Kalifa's glasses flashed as she looked up dutifully.

"Iceburg-san likes cute small animals. But only certain ones. He picked up a salamander the other day only to throw it into the water because it felt funny and saying he didn't like it."

You laughed, tears in your eyes at the image as Iceburg turned towards Kalifa with an embarrassed frown.

"You didn't have to say it like that. Besides, others would agree that fur is better."

"Pfft, I guess."

Iceburg turned towards a foremen who said there were potential customers up front that Kaku talked to, Iceburg and Kalifa moving up front as you turned towards Lucci who still stood with hands in his pockets. Hattori flying away with a "Coo!" back towards his shoulder. You were about to say something to the weird kitty that was standing there like a weirdo only for your senses to go off as your eyes brightened. You using Soryu to the front of the Dock as Lucci's eyes narrowed.

Scum.

Lucci went towards the front as well, spotting you with a rising pirate captain who has an interesting crew member. Lucci stayed back as you got up to them.

"Luffy!"

The Straw Hat quickly turned from the mayor and smiled at you as he ran up towards you with eagerness and a call of your name.

"(Y/N)!"

"Whoa!" Usopp's eyes widened at your form, surprised. "(Y/N)'s here too?!" He than moved close to the equally surprised Nami, raining his hand to his mouth and muttering, "You think she knows people here too?"

Nami looked towards Usopp, also raising her hand and keeping her eyes on you, as you patted the sunny storm's head in greeting as you asked him if they're repairing their ship and you met up with Chopper and Robin beforehand, him replying with wide eyes and excited "Really?!" and asking if you knew they were repairing the ship before Chopper and Robin and used your mind reader powers to do that. Making you laugh at how he somehow still thinks that as Luffy tilted his head, wondering what was funny.

"Surely she can't know everybody. We're going to need to take her with us if she does though." Usopp blinked as Nami continued, making a mischievous smile as she raised a pointed finger. "It'll be easier. Think about having to avoid all these fights and weirdos if she talked to the ones she knows."

Usopp thought it over nodding, before turning doubtful as Nami asked what.

"Well...isn't she a weirdo too? Will she help with that?"

"..."

"..."

At once, crocodile tears went down Nami's and Usopp's face as their faces fell. Nami's eyes than brightening in determination.

"I can still use her for her money...!"

"You can get pretty heartless, Nami." Usopp said flatly.

You nodded at Luffy with a smile at his words and gave another pat of his head as you looked over at Nami and Usopp, nodding towards them as well. You squinting your eyes as her face seemed to widen into a large overtaking greedy grin with her eyes being Beli's instead.

"You're making it obvious!" Usopp shouted, his nose to Nami's cheek as Nami waved eagerly at you and practically sparkled.

"Where's that fifty thousand Beli you owe me, (Y/N)~?" You paled as Nami's face darkened threateningly as she kept her smile and her tone light. "Don't forget I have blackmail information from you~."

You remembered your words to her about having bad luck in saunas back in Alabasta as apprehension went through you.

You have to get out of here! Quick!

"Eh? Blackmail?"

"Woahhh," Luffy laughed easily, "Nami is really excited to see you (Y/N)! Shishishishishi! Me too!"

Iceburg rose an eyebrow, amused at the scene before him. Kalifa observing with a thoughtful expression as Lucci analyzed behind his cold one.

"You know them, (Y/N)?"

You blinked, straightening and turned your eyes towards the lazy mayor. Wrapping your arm around the young man of dreams shoulder as you grinned, seeming to match with Luffy's own.

"Yeah. They ain't nothing to be scared of though, they're nice and friendly. Especially with this captain." You said as you rubbed Luffy's head to which he laughed out loud. You than moving to pinch his cheek cause why not, making him slightly slap your hands playfully. "Still gotta wide smile I see."

"Hey! Stop!"

Your grin turned playful.

"No~."

You continued to rub his head, this time harder, Luffy laughing harder at the action. Trying to match your energy by pulling on your own cheek as you spoke oddly that yours doesn't stretch like his as he just laughed easily at your pulled out face. You eventually letting him go with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" Nami asked and seemed to have calm down from her greedy air. Usopp making a low mutter only Nami could hear that it looks like you know the mayor. Nami elbowed his stomach, making Usopp double over in surprise as she kept her eyes on you. "Are you staying?"

You answered that you were actually leaving today. Maybe you said it a little too quickly. You rather leave before you somehow get charged more for breathing. Luffy pouted, to which you smiled and promised you'll tell more stories of Shanks next time. He quickly grinned and gave a quick nod.

In (Y/N)'s mind however, you knew that Luffy and the others will probably cause a big fuss here. You think you can bet on it actually, as you stood back as Iceburg explained how this will work when they fix the ship. And apparently his mouse's name is now Tyrannosaurus, Kalifa also stating the facts of the crew that is clearly growing large in a fast rate.

In fact, you internally smiled as you thought on how the Straw Hats were, they would probably be able to defeat CP9. Or just stop them if things get out of hand. You hoped however, that by the time that comes, they will be stronger. Hopefully their mission will take awhile for the Straw Hats to build up strength. Whatever the mission truly is.

So after you said your goodbyes to Luffy, Nami, and Usopp and told them to say hello to the others for you, you said goodbye to Iceburg. And hence Kalifa, blocking a kick to your face from saying his name casually as you smirked and said bye. While adding to give Iceburg some ice on his face with a laugh from the pun due to Kalifa miskicking at him. You moved towards the direction of a predator waiting under the shadow of one of the open tool shed's.

Lucci staring at you with hard to read eyes, Hattori giving a flap of his wings as you put your hand out. Lucci watching as Hattori made a pleased coo as you pet from his head to his back in an even motion with crossed arms. Lucci didn't say anything when your eyes eventually turned towards him, your hand still on Hattori as you did absent scratches. You didn't say anything either as your eyes connected.

The corner of your lip twitched up once before you put your hand back to your side, nodding at him.

"See ya later, Lucci."

Lucci stared for a moment more before he turned his head away, eyes slightly shadowed due to his top hat. Hattori tilted his head at you.

That's all the goodbye you're getting. Which is fine. You expected it. It could've been worse. Maybe Lucci actually wants to not be a bastard for once.

You hid a snort that wanted to come out as you turned your back on him.

He's always a bastard, you think of quiet moments by campfires, of awkwardness of holding and taking care of a baby, of training between claws and swords. You hid a shadowed quirk of the lips, eyes distant. But...it's been awhile after all.

"Oh," you say, turning your head over your shoulder and Lucci glanced at you with one eye as his head stayed turned away. "Almost forgot. Don't underestimate the Straw Hats." Lucci's crossed arms tensed for a moment but before he surely would breathe out a scoff, you used Geppo and left like that.

Him back alone and staring where you were before moving to continue to do his job and be a "good little shipwright."

You gave your warning.

The kitty just had to listen.

But cats aren't good at following orders.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Right when you left, you used the Sea Train to go towards San Faldo(atop the train of course! You're not stupid enough to try to get a ticket and just show your face everywhere.) and have been in the carnival island with all these masked people(the masks are pretty creepy) but the food has been good! At least, nothing seems too bad. You have just been here the past day, your gut telling you to stay close to Water 7 so you did.

And so here you are, eating greasy/oily food standard where you would find in other carnivals at a table with an umbrella to give you shade. Looking in thought as you chewed and munched as you stared at one of the rides in the distance. Hearing the screams and laughter as you sat alone with people passing by your table every now and again, whether groups or couples.

Man you wanna ride that. But rides are for two people or more! Not just one.

You think Luffy would like to ride with you. A good roller coaster or a chainsaw! Or Ace. But you think he would want to sit next to Isuka. Hina would be more into casinos than rides. A lot like Paulie actually—Oh! Maybe the new Kaku would! SmoBaka has rode stuff with you before when they were younger depending on the island. After you asking him a certain amount of times(he thinks you never asked. Not really. Since you would ask him to go somewhere with you but you're already pulling or pushing him towards it as you ask. It still counts!) but sometimes he wouldn't like it. The Old Man would like it even if it would induce a heart attack.

I think Shanks would like it too, you thought of which rides he would like. You think it would be all the adrenaline like ones that you like. Would he like the relaxing ones like Smoker? Your mind envisioned the two of you on a Ferris wheel, all the way on the top and his right arm around your shoulders as he laughed and did that smile. You choked on your food, blushing as you punched your chest. Ack! No!

As you were trying to recover from your stupid brain and hopefully not die by food, a strange duo was passing by your table. One had a pink cloak while the other was yellow, with masks just covering the top half of their face, matching their color scheme.

Oh. And the square shaped hair would be something noticeable too.

"Where did Aniki go, waina~?" The pink one asked, her curls on her square shaped head going over her forehead being swept in the wind as they both stood a few feet away from your table and your hacking form. "He went to get the wood, didn't he?"

"You know how Aniki is, Kiwi. " The yellow one answered with a hand to her hip, head cocked and looking up obnoxiously to the sky with sharp nose pointing up ahead similar to a lance. "He should be coming here soon, waina~. Oh look! There he is!"

A large lumbering man came with a cloak covering his body that would appear extraordinarily lumpy in some areas underneath with a large mask covering his face, light blue hair curling up atop of the mask in pompadour. Once he found the square hair sisters he called out in greeting.

"Yow! Kiwi! Mozu! You ready to super get out of here?" The man called out strongly, making a move with his arms by first circling them in front of his chest and than making a pose by half lowering himself and connecting the back of his forearms together. "We finally got what we need!"

The two sisters instantly got on each of his sides and matched his 'Super!' pose with their own cloaks covering them.

"How awesome, Aniki!" They both called out, tapping their feet along with the large masked man as they heard a beat only they could hear. Moving their heads and craning their necks as they did so from side to side in sync with the man.

The dancing was drawing a crowd of the other masked residents of the carnival island San Faldo, with families pointing at the debacle.

"Look mommy! It's a dancing circus!" A child called out, pointing as the man started swinging and moving his hips along with the women.

The mom pulled the child back and covered their eyes with a small concerned sweatdrop.

"I don't think so honey. For some reason, I have a sense that whats under that cloak is inappropriate..."

"But they're just dancing! Look!" The child now copying the dance moves of thrusting the hips from side to side and forward with arms locked behind his head. Only to be grabbed by the ear. "Ow!"

The mother wagging her finger at her child in reprimand that those moves were inappropriate and proceed to turn them away.

You recovered from the choking and coughing by now, you staring with a brow arched at what was happening a little ways away from your table. Your plate empty and done to the side as you just stared at the cloaked trio that kept saying "Yow!" or "Super!" or "Super Adam!" as they moved their lower bodies and tapped or moved their feet. It looked like the weird masked guy was leading and the women were his backup dancers.

"Why do I feel like I should use Hantei...?" You wondered to yourself, getting up from the table and about to move.

The cloaked masked man stopped, his ear twitching obnoxiously.

"Eh? Did I hear hentai?" He looked towards you as you stared with blinking eyes. What did he say? He immediately honed in towards you, you leaning slightly back as he moved forward and unblinking eyes if the colorful mask going close to your face. "Listen onna-chan, I'm no pervert! Would a pervert do this?!"

He slightly backed away, than dramatically did a pose by putting an arm behind his head and thrusting his hips out to the side and back repeatedly while saying "Well? Pretty super, right?"

You had a slow sweatdrop coming down your head.

"Uhhhhhhhhh. Your other move was better." The man let out a "Yow!" from surprise and stopped as you kept going. "And I don't know what perverts would do. Since I'm not one. And since you apparently know what they wouldn't do...do whatever you were doing with your junk, wouldn't that mean you know how perverts think and are therefore a pervert?"

"..."

"..."

The wind blew as the crowd watched in silence. All with sweatdrops, including Kiwi and Mozu.

What backwards thinking. Is that woman okay?

"Oh," the weird cloaked man said, putting a hand to his chin as he looked up in thought. "Huh. Never thought about it like that. Am I pervert?"

"THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE A PERVERT?!" The crowd including the mother and excluding the children angrily shouted.

"Hey! What are you saying to our Aniki, waina~?!" The pink garbed woman asked you, hand on her hips as you turned towards her. You think you heard her name was Mozu. "You stopped him from doing his super moves!"

"What do you think you're doing?" The other one came closer to you as well, blocking your view from the masked man as you blinked. "Making Aniki have an identity breakdown! Can't you tell he's more than a pervert or are you like the others that can't see our Franky, waina~?!"

Is her name Mozu? Or is it Kiwi? You think with brows furrowed as you looked between the two women with their square shaped hair. One curly and the other straight. Both with pretty sharp noses though. You wonder if they've poked someone's eye out with those before. Wait, they're accusing me of something.

"Hah? Didn't you just call him a pervert?" You scratched the back of your neck, seeing the sisters seeming to stop. You stopped as well, hand to your chin and looking up in thought. "Wait. Did I ever call him a pervert? Or did I just ask if he thinks like a pervert he may be a pervert?"

"You implied it!" Mozu(you think) accused with a pointed finger.

Kiwi scratched her forehead. "Or did she question it?"

The three of you hummed to yourselves in thought while looking up. At this point, the crowd has long since dispersed. The mother having to pull her child by the arm and giving advise to not talk to cloaked men or seemingly slow marine women with large swords.

The cloaked man seemed to have enough however as he snapped.

"Who cares?! What matters is we should get out of here before the next train leaves. Mozu. Kiwi." They both looked at him in attention and walked back towards him, you staring as they did so and brow arching when the cloaked man bowed at you. You slightly tilted your head at the sense of having a moving dream at sea. A shipwright? "Nice to have met ya, hentai onna. We have to go now but safe travels!"

The three hightailed out of there before you can think twice. When you did though, a tick got on your face.

"Who ya calling a pervert, pervert?!"

"Ah!" The three of them said and stopped with mouth open as they pointed at you from at this point blocks away. "You said it!"

"Oh. Yeah I did." You turned back again to see them gone and you outwardly said "Hah?!" again before you just shrugged it off. They seemed okay. And if that guy is a shipwright like you felt, than he can't be that bad.

Weird though. The name Franky sounds familiar. Was it about those ship dismantled everyone told you about and you heard?

Didn't Iceburg mention them?

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A few blocks away as they got into the train station and in a hidden alleyway, the three were panting as the cloaked man took off his mask briefly and took a large puff of air.

"Pah!" Franky said, fixing his shades on as sweat was gathered all over his brow and wiped it. "That was super close!"

Kiwi and Mozu were confused, asking him why they ran and Franky whirled on them, face notably pale.

"You didn't recognize her? Although it did take me a bit too so I can see why...I was lost in thought about what she said—"

"We know." Kiwi and Mozu replied flatly.

"But than when the two of you were thinking, I snapped out of it and actually looked at who accused me! That was Ex-Marine Silver Blood (Y/N)!"

Kiwi and Mozu gasped, faces pale as they put hands to their mouths.

"What?! That was her?" Kiwi asked.

"I can't believe she's the one that beat Zambai and the others in her sleep when she first slept at her boat!" Mozu exclaimed, shock clear in her voice. "They said she didn't even seem to notice they were there or that anything happened the next day!"

"But than why did she stop sleeping there?" Kiwi inquired. "There has to be a reason!"

It was due to three men nagging at her, the narrator supplied helpfully. It was for naught. Since no one could hear.

"It doesn't matter," Franky said, face serious although he frowned. "I would've liked to have seen what Zambai meant though by Silver Blood's boat seem to have some of my work though. That was the only reason I okayed such a small boat for dismantling anyways. There's no way. I would've remembered making something like that for someone like her...unless..."

Franky's frown deepened, thinking of an old drunken woman that raised two brats asking for a favor years ago. His thoughts got interrupted when he heard a train whistle.

"Oh, that's the train for Water 7!" Kiwi stated, fixing her attire along with her sister.

"Yow!" Franky fixed his glasses once more, as well as putting the mask back on his face and fixing his cloak, his grin sharp beneath the mask. "Let's party once we arrive to the others! We got Adam now!"

"Hai, Hai, Aniki, waina~!" Both sisters cheered as the three entered the train.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was barely a few hours later that newspapers fall from the sky with the News Coo, grabbing your attention as you were in line for bumper cars.

You grabbing one falling, reading the headline and your eyes widening as the rest of the island panicked and distressed.

"Mayor Iceburg of Water 7 Attempted Assassination..." you read in growing confusion and alarm, your eyes narrowing as you read the next. "By the Straw Hats? No...that's not right."

The others were just after an information retrieval. They didn't want someone as powerful and connected as Iceburg to be taken out. It would be more of a hindrance if he was actually killed. They would have done it a long time ago if than.

This was a mission of establishing trust to get what they need and get out. The night at Blueno's Bar, they even agreed to your words...

You frowned, putting the newspaper down.

Or was it more silently agreeing to your words and you took it as you being correct?

No. You know these missions.

You may be rusty, and you hated being in CP9–but you were one of the best. You know your stuff. That's why you and Lucci were such good partners after all.

Luffy and the others must've found something. And so they're trying to pin it on them. But than wouldn't Iceburg see his would be assassin? Unless he was sleeping...no...the newspaper said it was the Straw Hats.

You looked back at the newspaper, eyes quickly scanning before your eyes widened.

Robin? You thought distantly, of dislikes of oranges and the yellows of the sky due to looking like a distant island burning, of history being weaved, the smell of a new book, how she looked when looking at Chopper by the bookshop. No...she wouldn't...would she?

Your lips thinned, knowing what you would do. What you have done.

To protect.

We're too alike, your lips twitch to a small ironic smile. We could be friends.

You move, getting out of the line and throwing the newspaper away.

Well. It looks like there may be a mess of things.

And you always found a way to be in the middle.

So, when you heard of a government train passing through, presumably the last from Water 7 as the island is going through Aqua Laguna—you decide to have some fun and get on your boat. Kuroi ten'nosabaki gleaming on your back and Karasu glinting excitedly on your hip as you set sail with a sharp grin it might as well be a smirk.

Time to go visit Enies Lobby!

It's been awhile after all!

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Woah!" You steadied yourself on your rowboat against the rough waves, the wind billowing and moving your hair and causing confusion to your sail, the sky above you all dark as night and rain pouring down. "This Aqua Laguna is no joke! If only the wind would decide to blow and this can actually turn to a bit of a ride..." You muttered to yourself in disappointment.

You were caught up in Aqua Laguna despite not being close to Water 7, the storm able to affect miles out with rain and rough waves and only darkness to see due to thick black clouds. The harsh waves coming over you at times and making you more drenched than you already are, the water making your swords glisten and your clothes stick like second skin.

It didn't help that the wind is just making you more cold.

You swiped at your face, clearing some water as you tried to squint where you are.

Enies Lobby shouldn't be much farther now. You haven't been in the place in years, but you know you'll be close once you spot the lit up and "Never Night" Island. It would be easy to spot yet it seems you still have to make some ground.

Or you guess waves in this case.

You snorted at your own joke, before almost choking as a wave came towards you, you quickly having to face it to avoid more damage. Saltwater entering some parts of your small boat but still holding as you tasted the seawater in your mouth.

Me having to keep doing this is getting annoying, you thought in irritation.

"Help!"

You stiffened, eyes widening as your eyes scanned around you to find the childlike voice you heard.

"I don't know where I am!" They repeated, pleading and voice quivering as you tried to find where it could be coming from. What's a kid doing out here?! "Help! I...have to help my crew...!"

You turned, eyes widening with what you spotted in the distance. A caravel ship maintains itself on the rough waves despite how it would batter, the figurehead of a sheep with drawn eyes appearing tearful yet resolute.

The Going Merry? You frowned, going towards the caravel ship with your boat. Tying your boat to the small ship that seems it's seen better days, metal holding the figurehead on as well as the mast. You jumped up onto the wet railing, boots maintaining their hold on the slippery surface as drops fell from cap as you scanned the ship only to see no one. As I thought. The Straw Hats are all in Enies Lobby. Who did I hear?

"Please," you flicked your wide eyes around, trying to find the source of the soft childish voice only for your eyes to turn back towards the figurehead. The sheep's eyes staring and seeming to bore into yours with...determination? "You helped before. Please help the crew again. They...they need me!"

Your jaw loosened. You stepped onto the ship, looking at how worn it is. How despite the chips in it's wood, the barely kept together mast and figurehead, it arrived at this point.

This can't be... You thought of what the shipwrights in Water 7 would sometimes joke about. How maybe they will have a ship that had it's own spirit. You stepped in front of the mast, hand reaching towards the wet wood and avoiding the metal bandage. Maybe...

You closed your eyes, hand meeting wood.

One last great adventure.

Your eyes snapped open, a disbelieving smile on your lips.

"Hah...there's really a lot I still haven't seen..." You moved your hand in a small caress on the mast, an action of comfort, before turning your head back towards the figurehead. You smiled. "Don't have to worry, Merry. I'll take you to them. To Enies Lobby."

"T-Thank you!"

You shrugged away the thanks, as if it was no big deal. Probably because it wasn't.

"I was heading over there anyways. Besides, never helped a klau...klawbetter...er, hold on." You put a hand to your chin, your mouth trying to form the word of what the shipwright's said as Merry's figurehead seemed to form a slow sweatdrop with a collection of raindrops falling atop it, "Klabowter...Kluebowter...Ah! Wait!" Your eyes shined as you held a finger, grin on your lips. "Kluebooterman!"

There was a pause.

Than you heard a giggle. It was the surprised sort, all giggles and softness and chimes that makes your eyes turn half lidded. Pleased at the joyous sound.

Merry's giggles turned to soft chuckles, before settling. You squinted your eyes, water getting into them and making your vision blur momentarily. But you're sure you saw a small figure on the sheep's head.

"You're nice. I'm...I'm sorry I couldn't be your home too."

Your eyes widened, a part of you clenching before you shook your head. It's grieving for it's confused.

"Don't focus on that. Let's go help you out, okay? And you can save your family."

One last time.

It was unsaid. But Merry knew. And you knew too, as your gaze turned back towards the mast that creaked and crushed from each wind that passed by. You touched the mast once more, lips pulling into a frown before pulling back and pointing to the direction of Enies Lobby.

Merry able to sail itself. You don't know how but frankly you're grateful. You don't know how to use a stick to sail caravels anyways. You're grateful for your knowledge of sailing how it is.

You're sure Mihawk found that part of teaching the most irritating.

Your lips lifted at the memories of you getting lost before deciding to leave Merry once you spotted Enies Lobby. Just a few miles away from their position. You gave Merry a goodbye pat on the railing before jumping back on your attached boat, releasing the knots and going your own way while Merry went theirs.

You think it said goodbye too, the Jolly Roger flag moving one way and to the other with the wind in a semblance of a wave.

You stared until it left your eyesight, going to another side of the island and avoiding Marine ships on it's way. Miraculously staying afloat and moving with the waves, the waves almost seeming to be in it's side. To save the Straw Hat's—despite the storm and despite how ships and cannons use weapons to slowly turn Enies Lobby into nothing.

It sailed.

From the rough waves and dark seas to one filled with light and beginnings of the end.

Your lips twitched, thinking of the sunny storm and of Dawn before turning away. Your boat going your own way, careful of ships but seeing their attention solely on the Straw Hats in the Bridge of Hesitation only for them to fall into safety.

You grinned, so sharp and quirked on one side it might as well be a smirk.

You punched a fist into an open hand.

"Time to help bastards!"

.

.

.

Edited 03/30/22

This used to be The Meaning of a Friend but I made too many extra details compared to before. SB not even reaching the injured Lucci yet now.

Added extra scenes instead with the Straw Hat's, Franky and what exactly made you stop him and His Family from bothering the shipwrights/city when you were there, and of course—Merry. Rest In Peace Merry. You the GOAT.

Well. Sheep. But it could still work.

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**Kuroi ten'nosabaki🗡🎇 💀(Black Heaven's Judgement): your black sword with a sheen of silver buster sword that's carrie son your back. Think of it like Cloud's sword from Final Fantasy or Zabuza's sword from Naruto.

(Your sword is a mix of Cloud's and Zabuza's, there is no hole in your sword, but there IS a half moon cut in it. But the half moon cut near the top of the sword.)

**Karasu(Raven): your noticeably smaller and total black sword that is on your hip. You can imagine whatever sword you want, but perhaps the Chokuto sword will fit. Like Sasuke's sword from Naruto Shippuden.

**Tekkai: Iron Body. Defense technique taught by the marines where your body turns hard like iron.

**Soryu: Shave. Where you can move in an instant flash in a burst of high speed. Taught and learned normally by marines.

**Geppo: Moon Walk. A move where it appears you're jumping in midair, when it's just the strength of your legs moving quickly and touching the ground that keeps you upright. You often used this when you're on your small boat so you can go faster on sea. Taught and learned normally by marines.

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Revealing, but not revealing enough to explain why you left. Your past is still a mystery.

And aren't YOU just the most precious cinnamon roll with your friends~ (*cough*cough*besides Luffy*cough*) But really. Maybe you ARE too nice.

^_^

LOOK AT THAT!

Mihawk and Shanks are now tied! X3
One vote for our Warlord Swordsman and another for our Yonko~

WHO WILL BE NEXT I WONDER?!

FIND OUT! NEXT TIME ON STRONG!! XD

THANK YOU THOSE WHO HAVE VOTED AND COMMENTED! THEY ARE VERY APPRECIATED!! XD

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A NICE DAY/NIGHT!!! XD

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**FANART CORNER**

(Protect Male!SB like Female!SB)
@Jo_h3e

By: @dreamingnerd @Strong Discord Server