"Behold!" shouts Luffy proudly. "This is the man that fell from the sky, Mr. Snow Barrel!" Luffy stands proudly next to his creation, a rather large snow man gathered on the deck of the Merry. Since leaving the cape, the weather has swung from one extreme to another before finally settling on snow.
"Hahaha," laughs Usopp, arms crossed. "That's such a crude snowman. Behold!" He motions to a very detailed snow woman. "Behold this soulful work of art, the Snow Queen!" Run watches from the upper deck of the Merry with a grin on his face. While the snow had put a bit of a damper on Nami's mood, it's good to see that some of the crew are at least making the best of the situation. Of course, Luffy responds by launching one of his snow man's wooden arms in Usopp's direction, destroying the head of his creation. "Wha-?! Why you!" Naturally, this spawns a war between the two men who chase one another around the deck, hurling snow balls at one another furiously.
"Dahahaha~!" Run laughs, watching them dash about. "Go, fellas, go!" Robin giggles softly as the two men have their war.
"I'm glad to see them enjoying themselves," Robin says, gently leaning against the red head. The two have changed in response to the cold weather, donning woolen coats in an effort to fight off the chill. Although, it seems to be a difficult thing to do if the sudden shudder that races through Robin's frame is any indication. Run reaches out, wrapping an arm around her waist gently and pulling her a bit closer.
"Stay close now. Wouldn't want you to catch a cold."
"Mm, we wouldn't want that, now would we?"
"You know, those two have been watching you like a pair hawks ever since we left the cape. Makes me wonder if maybe they've got something up their sleeve." Robin leans her head against his shoulder. "And that woman Miss Wednesday? The way she looks at you...that's a look you shoot your enemy." She giggles a bit in response and turns his attention to Sanji who is busy shoveling snow. "Speaking of, if we've giving them a ride, then we might as well put them to work. Where are they anyway?"
"They've been hiding in the lounge ever since it began snowing. Seems they're not a fan of cold weather." Moments later, a scream sounds from the lounge, and both quickly untangle to turn in it's direction.
"What the hell?" The red head quickly moves towards the door and reaches out right as it's thrown open. The edge cracks him in the face, causing him to fall back on his ass against the railing and smack the back of his head. "Oh, fer-! That hurts!" Run furiously rubs the back of his head as Nami storms out past him, completely ignoring him entirely.
"We need to turn the ship around 180 degrees!" Nami yells at them. "We're all turned around and the ship is going the opposite direction!"
"How?"
"I-I only looked away from the Log Pose for a second," confesses Nami sheepishly only seconds before beginning to bark orders that send the crew scrambling across the deck. Even their 'guests' aren't granted reprieve from the work, as Nami quickly kicks the two out of the lounge and onto the deck. The weather is like nothing any of them have ever seen. It changes in an instant from below freezing and snowing to a warm spring breeze that quickly sweeps across the deck, and then to lightning, and raining cat's and dogs, and finally settles on a thick fog. They dodge iceburgs, patch holes in the ship and sail and when all it finally said and done...they're left exhausted, sprawled across the deck.
"Dahahaha~!" laughs Run, leaning against the railing of the Merry. "Well...that's weather on the Grand Line! Just like I remember it...always a world of entertainment." Robin giggles a bit as well, sitting on the railing beside the red head.
"It is rather exciting," Robin agrees. A loud yawn from across the deck attracts their attention to Zoro, who finally appears to have woken up.
"Aaah! That felt amazing," Zoro says, slowly standing up. "Huh?" He looks over the prone bodies of the majority of the crew. "Oi, oi...even if the weather is really nice that doesn't mean you should sleep where ever. I mean, who's steering the ship?" Everyone absolutely radiates hostility at the swordsman while Luffy and Run can only laugh. After a moment he finally seems to notice the two extra bodies they have, and turns to look at the red head. "Oi, Red, I thought these two slipped their ropes?"
"Aah, about that," begins Run. "There's been a change in plans."
"We're giving them a life back to their home," Luffy tells him, looking down at the crew from his seat on the Merry's figure head. "We're going to Whiskey Peak. It's be our first destination."
"Really? What for?" Zoro asks him, turning his attention back to the two. "It's not like we owe them or anythin'. In fact, I'd say they were more of a pain in the ass." After a moment he sighs and cracks his neck. "But, whatever. If it's the Captain's orders." The two of them, who have moved to a sitting position stare up at the swordsman. "Aaah, but ya know, the two of you look like you've got some dirty little secret." They begin sweating immediately. "What did you say your names were, again?"
"A-Ah, I'm Mr. N-Nine," the man tells him.
"M-Miss Wednesday," she replies.
"Yeah," drawls Zoro, grinning from ear to ear. "Something has been bothering me about that...about your names. I feel like maybe I've heard them somewhere before. I wonder where that could have been...?" Seconds later, Nami punches the swordsman in the back of the head much to Luffy and Run's amusement.
"You've got a lot of nerve acting like this," Nami tells him. "Especially after sleeping through everything that happened." She proceeds to soundly beat the swordsman for several minutes and when she's finished he has several large knots on top of his head. "Alright! Even after hearing all the stories I'll admit that I wasn't prepared for what happened! I've finally realized just how dangerous this sea is! Unfortunately, it seems that my skills as a Navigator are going to be useless here! But don't worry because I'll figure it out!"
"Aah, you'll figure it out," Run says, letting his head fall back and staring at the blue sky. "We learn by doing, after all."
"Do you have even an ounce of worry in your body?"
"Of course I do. You should see how worried I become when the sake goes dry."
"You're an idiot."
"Oh! Oh! Look! It's an island!" calls Luffy from the bow, earning the attention of everyone present. The fog that has surrounded the ship clears momentarily, revealing a strange island covered in mountain sized cacti which numerous growth's reaching skyward from them. "Our first stop! Whiskey Peak!" No sooner have those words left his mouth than Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday leap up onto the railing, say their goodbyes and dive into the sea to swim on ahead of them.
"There's a river there." Nami points past the bow towards an inlet. "Looks like we go inland by ship."
"D...Do you think that there could be monsters?" Usopp asks, his knees shaking violently.
"On the Grand Line," begins Sanji, taking a drag on his cigarette. "Probably."
"Well, it's no big deal!" chirps Luffy, grinning like a fool. "If there ARE monsters than we'll just run away! Simple, right?"
"Oi, we can't just run away," Nami tells him. "We have to wait for the Log Pose to record this island magnetic field of this island! It could take hours or days but if we don't do it then there's no way that we can sail on to the next island!" The thought of potentially having to stay on an island covered in monsters for an undetermined amount of time panic's Usopp, who quickly confesses to the crew that his 'chronic illness' is suddenly acting up...his 'do not go to the island' illness, that is. Regardless, they sail onward up the river, the fog growing thicker and thicker still until one could barely see a hand in front of their face. Though they can't see anything they can certainly hear things...voices, to be exact, echoing through the fog that surrounds them.
"Aah, boy," Run says, scanning their surroundings. "Let's hope they're friendly." The fog slowly begins to clear...and reveals to the crew a whole town of people who begin cheering for them.
"We're...We're being welcomed?" Usopp asks aloud, looking around at all the people. They sail forward, surrounded by cheering people until they finally dock the ship and disembark to be greeted by a man with the strangest, curled hair they've seen.
"Wel-" he coughs loudly, unable to finish even a single word it seems. "Ma~Ma~Ma~! Welcome to our town! My name is Igarappoi! I am the Mayor of Whiskey Peak!" Run, noticing that Robin isn't with them turns to look back toward the ship. He calls after her, and after several moments she leaves the ship, walking up the dock towards them. "Whiskey Peak is a town that thrives on making music, and liquor. Hospitality is the pride of our town! Come, allow us to throw you a party!"
"I don't mean to be rude," Nami begins, attracting the man's attention. "But could you tell me how long will it take for the Log Pose to store this islands magnetic field?"
"Aah, don't worry about-" Igarappoi stops mid-sentence just as Robin steps up beside the red head. Of course, he launches into a coughing fit seconds later, causing Nami to cringe as a result of his proximity. "Ma~Ma~Ma~! A-Ahh, as I was saying, don't worry about such boring things for now! Come! Let's celebrate...!"
----
'Raucous' is the word that could be best used to describe the party thrown for them. Things have been going strong for hours with the alcohol flowing quite liberally, and so far things show no sign of winding down. Everyone from the crew has separated, and seems to be surrounded by the people of the town. Usopp is telling tall tales to entertain the more gullible people, Luffy is busy stuffing his face with what seems to be a never-ending amount of food quickly cooked up for him by a number of chef's, Sanji is flirting with the women of the town, the other four are sitting at a table surrounded by people attempting to get them to drink.
"Now, please don't hold back!" Igarappoi tells them, placing another drink on the table. "Please! Drink up!"
"Well, don't mind if I do!" Zoro and Run say in unison, picking up their drinks without reservation.
"Aah, actually, I'd prefer not to," Nami tells him.
"So, then, I suppose you would prefer not to participate in our usual contest?"
"Contest?"
"Of course! Our drinking contest! The last one standing is the winner, and the winner will receive a cash prize of 100,000 Beli!" Igarappoi tells them, pulling out a large sack of Beli for show. This seems to be all the motivation that Nami needs as she immediately seizes her glass, and knocks it back in less than a second.
"Another round!" Nami yells. "Robin! Zoro! Run! You join, too!"
"Huh?" grunts Zoro in question. "Why should I?"
"You need money, right?"
"I never needed a reason to drink," Run admits with a lop sided grin. "But if I'm going to drink anyway, I might as well get paid for it!"
"Come on, Robin! If we all compete we can increase our chances!"
"I'll pass, I'm afraid," Robin tells her, nursing a glass of wine. "I'm well aware of Run's tolerance, you see."
"Well, then, let's go!" announces Run, topping his cup up to the brim with a smile. They emptied and filled their glasses without end it seemed, knocking out almost every competitor in the process of doing. The red head empties his glass without much effort and slams it down on the table. "Dahahaha~! C'mon, fill 'er up!"
"Amazing! That guy just finished his thirteenth cup!" A man slumps across the table as Zoro slams his cup down on the table.
"What's wrong? You're slowing down, Zoro!"
"Shut it, Red!" demands Zoro, watching a man fill his glass before he starts drinking again. Nami knocks out two more competitors, and then more, and more until finally only she, Zoro, Run and a large woman in a nun's habit are the only one's left. "Aaah, that's it! I quit. I'm going to sleep." Zoro slumps over the table, leaving only Nami, Run and a woman in a nuns habit.
"Aah, you're hopeless, Zoro!" complains Nami, turning her blurry eyes to the red head who appears no worse for wear. In fact, as he slams his glass down on the table, he appears to still be going strong...except for his flushed face you wouldn't think he's had any alcohol at all. He reaches out, lifting Zoro's mug and draining it's contents before slamming it down on the table beside his own.
"Aaah! Top 'em both up, would ya kindly! I'm gettin' a bit thirsty between rounds, fellas!" A man steps forward, quickly attempting to fill both mugs.
"Jeez, are you really a normal person?"
"Eh? C'mon, Nami! Yer fallin' behind!" He grasps the bottle from the man, and leans forward filling her cup and then the nuns with a broad grin. "Dahahaha~! C'mon! Drink, drink, drink!" Feeling oddly unable to turn the red head down both women lift their mugs. "Just like that! Chug! Chug! Chug! Dahahaha~!" The red head lifts one of his mugs, draining it's contents and slamming it down in time with Nami and the nun. His second follows and he slams it down with a broad grin, rapidly topping both of them off.
"I...Is this guy...for real? What's that make? Twenty four cups...and he's going back for more?"
"Don't you think you should slow down?" the nun asks him. "For your health, I mean."
"Isn't the point of partying to forget about things like that? Come on, come on! Don't sweat the small stuff!" calls red head, urging Nami and the nun to continue drinking with him as he knocks the glass back, draining it in a few gulps. "Aaah! This kind of lively party...it's just like being back with the old man and his crew! Now those were some wild parties!" He looks down at the table, noticing that both Nami and the nun are lying across it.
"And we have a winner! The red haired guy has won!"
"Aah? Well, that's no fun!" The red head stands, raising his second full glass as he does. "Come on! Who here thinks that they can out drink me? I'll even give you a shot at the 100,000 Beli! Let's have some fun!" Robin chuckles and stands as well.
"Alright, Run," Robin says, reaching up and taking his glass. "I think that's enough for one night. How about a glass of water, instead?"
"Eh? But I haven't even hit my second wind, yet! C'mon! The night's still young! Let's have a drink just like old times!" Robin surprises him by raising the mug and emptying it's contents quickly before placing it back down on the table. "Dahahaha~! There she is!" Run's hands grasp her waist and lift her up with easy. "The only woman who could ever match me drink for drink!" She actually giggles a bit, holding tight to his biceps as he lowers her back to her feet.
"Yes, yes. Now, lover boy, match me drink for drink and have some water." He releases her with a heavy sigh and sits back down, stretching his arms out across the back of the couch he's flopped onto. His head tilts back and he stares at the ceiling while Robin pours him a glass of water. When she turns back however she's surprised to find him snoring away. "Or not..."
----
Loud snoring fills the otherwise dark room, loud enough that it slowly rouses the red head from his sleep. He leans his head up, slowly scanning his surroundings in search of the offending noise, and eventually focusing on the face down Zoro. So...it's their swordsman who's been rattling the windows. His brow furrows as he looks away from Zoro, finding the room entirely empty but for the crew. No, actually, Robin appears to be gone as well. Shaking the sleep from his head, Run stands and walks around the table towards the swordsman.
"Oi," Run says, pausing to yawn loudly. "Wakey-wakey, Zoro." He gives the swordsman a life tap on the back of the head and the snoring stops abruptly with a loud snort. The swordsman pushes himself up, slowly scanning the room for a moment before focusing on the red head. He yawns loudly before slowly standing, and stretching.
"What happened?" Zoro asks him, scanning the room. "Where is everyone?"
"Ya blacked out light weight," Run teases him, earning a sour look from him in response. "As for your second question, I don't know. But I've got a sneaking suspicion that something's wrong." The red head motions to a ladder across the room. "Let's take the ladder. We'll get a better picture from a birds eye view." They cross the room and climb the ladder to the roof, stepping out into the moonlight and finding themselves staring down a small gathering of people. Among them is Igarappoi, the two they'd helped back here, a very muscular woman and another dark haired woman...with her back to them it's impossible to see her face but her figure...it's fairly familiar. "Oh, this looks interesting." From what little they can hear it appears that they're discussing the capture of Luffy and Run...or at least FOUR of them are.
"E-Even if you say that, Miss All-Sunday, there are the order we were given," Igarappoi tells the apparent woman, sweating profusely. "Mr. One told us to capture anyone with a bounty who comes through here so-"
"Ooh, sounds like you're talking about me!" shouts Run, alerting them to the presence of the two. The next second, a pair of men come sprinting out of the place they were just in, shouting to those gathered that two of the pirates inside are missing. "I was wondering when I was going to be targeted by bounty hunters. Honestly, I'm kinda excited! It's a really a first for me!" The whole town seems to fill the streets in the next few moments, at least a hundred of them.
"So, this whole place is a den for bounty hunters, then?" Zoro asks. "You target anyone who made it to the Grand Line with a bounty before they can wise up, is that it? Jeez, you Baroque Works guys just follow orders without a second thought, huh?"
"How do you know our organization?!" demands Igarappoi.
"I count one-hundred, Red. Plus the five at the front. Ya know, I really wanna test out my new swords, so what do ya say? First to fifty?"
"Sure," Run says, cracking his knuckles loudly. "It's been a while since I've had a good contest."
"I guess there's no helping it," Igarappoi tells them. "Even if it's Miss All Sunday who asks for it we can't let you live if you know about our Organization...kill them!" Though he says that, the two are already gone from the sight of everyone present. They're staring at nothing but an empty roof-top silhouetted by the moon. "Wh-What the?! Where did they go?!" From the group of bounty-hunters gathered, a dull 'thud!' sounds and all heads turn to find the red head standing over the fallen body of one of their comrades.
"That's one down! Forty-nine more to go, and I win our contest!" Loud groans sound at the back of the group and several bounty hunters collapse.
"Don't get too full of yourself, Red," Zoro tells him. "That's five for me."
"Aah, don't suppose I could get a handicap here, could I?"
"Contest has already started. It's too late to change the rules."
"Hmm. Spoil sport." The group turns and fires at Zoro, who dodges the rounds and results in them only firing on each other. Run uses the confusion to close the distance between himself and Igarappoi.
"Just kill 'em! It's only two men!" demands Igarappoi seconds before a hand like an iron band grasps his shoulder. "Gah...aaah!" Run's strength forces him down to his knees without a delay. Igarappoi reaches up, grasping at the red head's hand as he looks back at him. Run finds himself surrounded on all sides by bounty hunters quickly, weapons raised and pointed in his directions. His arm snakes around Igarappoi's neck, lifting him up and pulling him close with ease.
"Careful now, fellas. Let's not do anything we'll regret."
"W-Wait! Don't fire! You'll hit me, too!" Seconds later a saxophone appears in the red head's field of view, and by instinct he dodges. When he blows into it, a hail of bullets peppers the nearest bounty hunters, cutting them down where they stand while Run takes cover behind a building...conveniently beside Zoro.
"Seems that sax is a shotgun," Zoro mutters.
"Aah, points for originality," Run agrees, and pauses for a moment to look at the swordsman. "Wait a minute, have you been hiding here this whole time? Could've really used your swords out-"
"Found 'em!" calls a bounty-hunter, who appears over head, alerting the rest of them to their hiding spot. The red head kicks the door behind them, and they both dodge back into the house. Unfortunately, this only succeeds in cornering them for the rest of the bounty hunters who appear in the windows and doors, guns raised. Zoro flips the nearby table up, and the two drop down behind it, hiding from the hail of bullets. They are still for only a moment before Zoro nods firmly to the red head and he slams his palm against the table in response, sending it sailing towards the entrance.
They split up there, Zoro charging ahead and Run diving through the nearest window and heading the opposite direction. He charges into the nearest group of bounty hunters, intent on delivering a beating to every single last one of them. Bob, weave, and sway, he's in constant motion, always on the offense, and constantly pushing forward against any defense. It's a way of fighting that requires inhuman stamina, and if it wasn't for inheriting that from his father than he wouldn't be able to do it. He, and Shanks are probably the only Humans who can do it...it is an old Fishman's fighting style, after all.
"Red! Up here!" calls Zoro from a roof-top. The red head leaps into a group of bounty hunters, using the face of one as a stepping stone to reach a roof-top. He quickly scales a nearby ladder, and the kicks it away before anyone can climb up after him. "Whew...these guys are like roaches. No matter how many you kill it's like they keep coming back...I'm on fifty-three, by the way."
"Fourty-seven," Run replies with a heavy sigh. "I guess you win. So, what'd ya want?"
"I'll be counting on you to cover my debt to Nami."
"Aah, gimmie a break. There go my winnings, I guess. Huh?" Both look down at the ground moments later as a large shadow appears behind them. They glance back just in time to see the same muscular woman from earlier swing a whole wooden ladder in their direction. "Down!" Zoro feels a hand grasp the back of his neck and quickly shove him down as Run spins, arm raising. The sound of wood splintering sounds loudly, a resulting shower of splinters raining across the roof. Zoro rolls forward, bounding to his feet to face the two quickly. The woman stands with the remains of a ladder in her hands while Run lowers his left arm, shaking his hand slowly. "Ohh-ho! That stings!" The woman discards the remains of the ladder quickly, and produces a set of brass knuckles immediately after.
"You should have just quietly gone to sleep," the woman tells him, slipping the knuckles on slowly. "There's no man who can match my strength."
"Oh? By all means, show me what you've got, then." The woman quickly moves in, covering the distance between them in a few steps.
"Hmph! Don't test my patience, red hair! Superhuman..." Her fist sails forward, aiming towards the red head's stomach. "...Brass Knuckles!" Her fist strikes his stomach...and the red head remains completely still. Pain races up her arm like a bolt of lightening and she winces as she quickly lunges backwards from Run. He reaches up and very casually brushes a hand across his stomach as if brushing off some dust. "Wha...What the...?"
"Not bad. Form is good but...you need to work on-" She lunges in again, this time aiming at his jaw. A loud 'smack!' echos across the roof as he catches her fist with ease.
"Wha-" A fist strikes her jaw seconds later, her head twisting and her vision immediately going black as she drops to her knees and then face first to the roof-top.
"Alright! Now that that's taken care of..."
"Shall we continue, Baroque Works?" Zoro asks aloud.
"Huh, do you think we'll be that easy to be?" Mr. 9 asks them. "You may or may not know this but with members of Baroque Works, the lower your number the best your abilites! Those guys you fought aren't even in the same league as us! That means the three of us-"
"I hate useless titles. The stronger fighter wins in a battle. Isn't it that simple?" A volley of gunfire is their response, as Igarappoi blows into his sax sending the two diving for cover. Mr. 9 comes dashing up the building after them seconds later, apparently far lighter on his feet than they gave him credit for while Miss Wednesday whistles to summon some strange bird.
"Awww! Look at him!" calls Run, motioning to the large duck. "Oi, Zoro! I don't think I've got it in me to hurt that little guy! Look at him in his little hat! Tell ya what, I'll take Mr. 9 instead!"
"He's all yours then."
"Do you really think you should let your guard down?" Mr. 9 shouts, quickly leaping in the red head's direction. He produces a pair of metal bats quickly. "Hot Blooded...Bat of Guts!" Run ducks, dodging his strike with ease as the man slides to a stop several feet away, bats raised in front of him. "Well? What do you think? Or are you too scared to speak?"
"Aah, sorry," Run tells him. "I was distracted with the duck down there. Could you repeat that for me?"
"You...! Fine! Make sure you watch closely if you can!" The man once again goes through his acrobatic routine, flipping this way and that...at least until he back flips off the roof-top, dropping to the street below with a loud crash while Run nods.
"Alright, then." The red head looks around for a moment, eventually spotting Zoro in a nearby alley. He drops off the roof, landing several feet away as he does. "Oi! Zoro, I took care of that other guy. Tell me that you didn't hurt that-" The boxes behind the red head very suddenly explode into a shower of splinters as Mr. 9 emerges from them. "Whoops. Mighta spoke a bit too soon."
"You...how dare you beat me like that?! I won't forgive you!"
"Hey, now, I didn't do a thing. You did that to you." Mr. 9 suddenly points the end of one bat at him, and Run blinks in surprise as the end fires right off in his direction, attached by a chain.
"Home Run Sneaky Bat!" The end of the bat wraps rightly around one of Run's arms. "Ha! Now that I've caught you, you aren't going anywhere!" Run very suddenly grasps the chain connecting the two of them tightly, surprising the man who breaks out in a cold sweat. "W-Wait."
"Don't even think about it," calls Miss Wednesday, appearing with Luffy and a blade pointed at his throat. "Not if you value your friends life, that is."
"That idiot," complains Zoro. "At least have the sense to wake up in a bad situation."
"Prepare to open fire!" calls Igarappoi, pulling on his tie. A number of gun barrels appear out of the curls in his hair. "Preparations complete! Fire!" He pulls the tie and sends a volley of rounds flying at the two of them. Run whips the chain violently, sending a wave through it that quickly yanks Mr. 9 off his feet. Run spins quickly, pulling Mr. 9 around in the direction of the rounds.
"What the hell is he?! A toy?!" The chain snaps as a result, and the man barrels into Miss Wednesday, knocking them both down. "Red, I'm going!" Zoro charges forward, uses Luffy's swollen belly as a trampoline and bounces straight up to cut down Igarappoi easily. He collapses in a spray of blood and both men heave a heavy sigh in response. "Alright...that's the end of that."
"Aah, I could use another drink." He slowly unwinds the chain from his arm, pausing only when he's freed himself to look around at all the damage they've caused. They've defeated the bounty hunters and the members of Baroque Works but...it feels like there's something missing. And then it hits him. "Where did Robin get off to?"
"Huh? You say something?"
"No, nothing..."