"Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!" chant Luffy, Usopp and Chopper, staring at the massive pile of gold dumped into the center of the lounge. The three have been celebrating ever since they'd started drifting down towards the sea. As it turns out, it takes far longer to get down safely than any of them had anticipated, and the sun has finally begun to set.
"We've finally become super rich!" exclaims Luffy. "What should we buy first?! How about a giant bronze statue?!"
"What's the point of exchanging gold for bronze?" Usopp questions him. "We should be cannons! Ten of them! We should get ten new cannons!"
"Nami! I want a lockable refrigerator!" Sanji gushes.
"Books!" Chopper cries, rushing in her direction. "I want to read medical books from another country!"
"Hold on a minute!" Nami shouts. "We'll split the treasure once we get down! If we buy whatever you guys want, I have a feeling that it won't do any good for us!"
"Relax!" Run says, staring into the lounge from the deck outside. "If we're going to spend the money, then let's spend it on a shipwright."
"Shipwright?" Luffy echos.
"Yes. Usopp and I do our best to keep the Merry sailing but we're not as skilled as someone who actually does it for a living, Luffy. I say, we should spend some of it to have her repaired properly when we make port. After that, we should really consider trying to find a shipwright."
"Alright! Then, let's make our next crew member a shipwright! And then a musician!" The Merry suddenly shudders violently...and then they begin picking up speed! "Oi, oi, oi! What's happening?!" All heads turn skyward to find the octopus that was carrying them down completely deflated. With nothing keeping them from dropping, they do just that! They fall out of the sky like a stone, eventually smashing into the sea and are almost swallowed by the sea as a result. When everything settles down the crew pulls themselves off the deck and looks around.
"That was close," Sanji says. "It could have been really bad."
"Dropping out of the sky doesn't qualify as bad?"
"Alright!" Luffy suddenly bellows. Apparently nearly being sunk by crashing down hasn't affected him in the slightest. "Set the sails, men! Let's go to the next island!" Before they could do anything, a huge wave suddenly rises up from the sea behind them. "Whaaa! Look at that! Sea Monkeys!" Everyone scrambles across the deck to grab the oars and begin rowing! Thing's always seem to go from bad to worse...!
- - -
"Things have calmed down a little now," Sanji mutters, reclining against the mast. "Well, at least for the time being." It was nearing dawn by the time they gave the slip to the Sea Monkeys, and all of them were thoroughly exhausted.
"We can't lower our guard, yet," Zoro replies.
"Emergency!" Usopp shouts from the crows nest. "Ship spotted at our twelve o'clock!"
"Really?" Run asks, striding up to the bow of the Merry with a limp and water soaked Luffy slung over his shoulder. "Aah, it shouldn't be Marines. They haven't opened first, yet. Is it another pirate ship?"
"I...don't know! The ship has no sails, and no flag! I can't tell what kind of ship it is!" Usopp takes a good long look at the ship. "And the crew...kinda seems...small? And kind of lifeless!" Usopp's call-outs confuse them all but they have little time to dwell on it as the Sea Monkey's they thought they'd given the slip to, suddenly appear once more behind the ship.
"Again?!" Luffy screams, suddenly coming back to life. "Run away!" Everyone scrambles back to the oars, and begins rowing away from the huge wave that rises. They call out to the crew of the unknown ship as they go rowing past, telling them to turn their ship away and retreat like them. Unfortunately, they seem more intent on trying to attack then getting away from the Sea Monkey's and are swallowed by the wave seconds before they lose sight of them...
- - -
Things always seem to go from bad to worse. Just as it seemed they'd given the Sea Monkey's the slip for the second time, they found themselves sailing through a fog so thick that they could barely see their own hands in front of their faces. The whole crew gathers on the bow of the Merry, keeping an eye out for anything that might be a hazard. The last thing they want to do is run aground because they can't see.
"I can't wait, I can't wait!" Luffy laughs, bouncing up and down on the Merry's figure-head. "What's on the other side of this fog?!"
"Dahahaha~!" Run laughs, patting Luffy on the back. "Relax, relax! We'll figure it out soon enough!"
"Ohhh! I can see it...I see...LAND!" The fog seems to part for them, revealing nothing but an island with rolling plains, and tall trees. "It's all grass as far as the eye can see!" They've barely gotten close to the shore before Luffy goes leaping over board onto the island, followed in short order by Chopper and Usopp.
"Man, what a dull place," Sanji complains.
"Do you think anyone lives here?" Robin wonders.
"Jeez, they barge right in like it's nothing!" complains Nami, watching the three roll around in the grass. Zoro tosses the anchor over the railing of the Merry with ease while Run approaches the railing.
"Aah, don't worry!" Run assures her. "As flat as this place is we'll see any trouble coming from a long way off." Of course, no sooner has he finished that sentence than a tall creature strides out from behind one of the tall trees, walking right past Luffy, Usopp and Chopper.
"Waah, look at it!" Luffy calls, leaping up and jumping onto it's back. "It's so shaggy and fluffy! It's...it's a bear! It's a long bear!" Chopper and Usopp are the next to leap on the creature, apparently sensing no danger in the otherwise passive creature. "Huh? What's that?" Luffy stretches an arm out, snatching a fruit from one of the trees and taking a bite without a second thought. "Ohhh! It's an apple! It a long apple!"
"Don't just eat it!" cries Usopp. "Waah!" The bear shakes the three from it's body and storms off in a huff without a second thought.
"Everything on this island is so tall!" The three laugh in response at all the strange creatures that suddenly begin appearing before Usopp spots a house in the distance, and the three go running off towards it. It happened so fast that the rest of the crew couldn't do anything to stop them.
"Now where did they run off to?" Zoro complains.
"They're fine," Run assures him, giving him a firm pat on the back before leaping the railing of the Merry. "But if it makes you feel better I'll go find 'em!"
"You just wanna look around yourself, don't you?!" Nami accuses.
"What? Nooo! I'm just going to make sure they're alright."
"You JUST said they would be fine!" Ignoring her words, the red head only raises a hand in acknowledgement and follows in the direction of the others. Even with a head start he manages to catch up with the three of them, finding them standing in front of a small hut.
"Oi, Run!" chirps Luffy. "Look! We found someone's home!"
"I see that!" Run says, smiling. "I wonder where--"
"Excuse us!" Luffy opens the door right up, striding in without a second thought. Run follows after him quickly, catching him by the back of the collar.
"Aah, Luffy! You can't just barge in like that. C'mon, show some manners."
"But I wanted to see who lives here? Hmm..." Run quickly picks him up, slinging him over a shoulder with ease even as Luffy scans the interior of the hut. "...there's no one home! I wonder where this person is?"
"Everyone!" Chopper calls, as the two men exit the hut. "I found a giraffe!" Run sets Luffy down and they turn to face this 'giraffe' that Chopper has found, surprised to find a massive white horse standing directly in front of little Chopper.
"T-That ain't a giraffe," Usopp says. "It's a horse with a long neck...a long horse?"
"Awww! C'mere, girl!" Run says, approaching with a gentle smile. The horse cranes it's neck down, shoving it's head into his hands. "Aww! Who's a pretty girl? Huh? Yes, you are! Yes, you are!" Run gently strokes the horses head with a smile on his face.
"She says her name is 'Shelly!'" Chopper tells him, climbing up his back to his shoulders with ease to pat her on her head as well.
"She's saddled, so she must have a rider. Must be whoever lives here."
"Oi, Usopp," calls Luffy. "See those two bamboo trees?"
"Whoa! I can't even see the top!" Usopp shouts, staring up towards the sky. The next second, however, the bamboo tree's begin to move and bowl over Luffy in doing so. "Whaaa! They're alive! They must be some kind of long animal! They're attacking Luffy!" Chopper and Run ignore the screaming, still petting Shelly who seems to be absolutely loving all the attention she's receiving.
"I won't let a tree beat me! Gum-Gum...Whip!"
"Where's your rider, girl?" Run asks, receiving a nicker in response. "Hmm?"
"She says she doesn't know," Chopper translates.
"Aww, you poor thing. You must be awfully lonely. Don't worry, we'll help you look for him!" A loud explosion sounds and all three immediately turn in it's direction. "It could be trouble! You stay here and hide! We'll be right back!" Run quickly circles the hut with Chopper still riding on his shoulders. The two rapidly approach the source of the explosion, finding Luffy and Usopp standing several feet from it.
"What's going on?!"
"Well...I cut a bamboo tree," Luffy begins, watching the smoke slowly begin to clear, revealing an old man. "And a spirit appeared!"
"A spirit?" echos Run, crouching down beside the man. "Well, it looks more like an old man. Hey, are you alright, old timer?" The old man slowly sits up, scanning their faces for a few moments before finally standing himself up with a grunt.
"My name is Tonjit! You have my thanks!" Tonjit tells them. "I assume you're the one's who knocked me off my stilts?"
"Stilts?" Usopp echos.
"Yeah, there was something like that," agrees Luffy. "But they were so long we couldn't see the top at all!"
"So, why were you at the top?" Run asks him. "I mean, that was an awfully impressive set of stilts, Tonjit!"
"Well, I've always been fond of stilts," Tonjit tells them. "So, I tried to make the worlds longest pair of stilts using this islands bamboo! I managed to get on them but I was too scared to try getting back down! I guess it turns out that I'm afraid of heights! I was up there for ten years!"
"Ten years?!" demands Usopp. "You were up there for ten years?!"
"Correct! The bamboo continued to grow for ten years making it even more difficult for me to come down! Luckily, there are some trees on this island that were just as tall, so I had plenty to eat! Aaah...it was so scary!"
"Dahahaha~! That's a pretty relaxed attitude!" laughs Run. "Especially for being up there so long!"
"Speaking of long," begins Luffy. "Why is everything on this island long?"
"Well, it's long because it desires excitement of course!" Tonjit tells them. Tonjit takes this opportunity to invite them into his home. It's apparently customary in the village to treat visitors to milk from the farm animals...but seeing as there isn't exactly a village around anymore, and the man has been gone for more than ten years, they have their doubts about what exactly he can serve them. Unfortunately, their fears are confirmed when the man serves them a plate of 'cheese' that immediately starts to stink up his whole home. It seems little more than ten year curdled milk, and after taking a bite he immediately falls foul of food poisoning which Chopper quickly treats.
While the man seems a little scatter-brained, he's none the less quite amusing to Luffy and Run. After his quick recovery, he explains that his people are nomads, and this island is actually a part of one great big island shaped like a ring; Long Ring Long Land. But on one day a year, the tide gets especially low, it allows passage by foot to another part of the island. So, his people migrate from one part of the island to another every three years. Which means that it'll take him around twenty years before he'll see his people again.
"Twenty years," mutters Run. "That's a long time to wait."
"Well, I could catch up with them if I had a 'hooorse'," Tonjit tells him.
"'Hooorse'?" echos Chopper.
"Yes! The most beautiful animals on this island. They gallop through the grassy plains so gracefully. They're necessary to migrate from island to island. They're very strong and can carry quite the heavy load. I can't even migrate by foot either, the tide would come back in before I could get to the next island."
"Why not just sail?" Luffy asks him.
"Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of sailing. Besides, even if I charged a Log Pose here, it wouldn't point to the next island in the cycle. I'll just have to wait here for twenty years."
"Wait!" calls Chopper. "Is a 'hooorse' a horse?"
"Yeah!" agrees Run. "We saw a horse, didn't we?" They quickly stand and walk outside of the hut where Shelly is waiting. The four of them watch as Tonjit dashes in Shelly's direction, the horse lowering her head with excitement quickly.
"Ohh! Shelly!" shouts Tonjit, embracing her head. "You waited for me! Oh, Shelly! You're so adorable! This sure brings back memories!"
"Aah, what a good girl she is." Shelly nickers loudly, rearing up in front of the man. "Oh?"
"She says she wants you to ride her!" translates Chopper. Shelly kneels down quickly, allowing Tonjit to get himself in the saddle before the two are up and moving again. They go galloping through the fields as fast as Shelly can sprint while the four of them watch on.
"So she was waiting on him that whole time," Usopp says, watching them.
"What a good horse," adds Luffy. "Man, she's fast! I wanna ride her, too!"
"Yeah," agrees Run. "She's--" A gunshot pierces the air, and all four watch in horror as Shelly strikes the ground, tossing Tonjit several meters away from her. Chopper and Usopp are up and moving the next moment, sprinting in the direction of Tonjit and Shelly. "Luffy!"
"The shot came from there!" Luffy growls, whirling around quickly. Both men take off in the direction of the gunshot, quickly finding themselves confronting a trio of people. A large gorilla looking man, a woman with a pointy nose and man with a strange hair cut and large nose, clutching a rifle.
"That horse is mine now!" exclaims the man with the large nose.
"Who are you guys?!"
"Who am I, you ask? Don't pretend you don't know this--"
"Are you the one who shot that horse?" demands Run, approaching past Luffy quickly.
"What?" asks the woman. "Don't you know it's rude to--"
"Did you shoot her?!" The three recoil slightly from the red head as he comes to a stop directly in front of them.
"My name is Foxy!" exclaims the long nosed man. "I take whatever I want! What business of yours is it--" Run moves before any of them can react, his fist connecting with the face of the larger of the three. A soft 'crunch!' sounds as his head snaps back and he follows it to the ground.
"It's THAT fuckin' business of MINE!! I'mma snap yer fuckin' trigger finger off an' feed it ta the fuckin' seagulls!"
"H-Hamburg!" shouts the woman, circling around to the unconscious man. Luffy reacts the next second, grasping tightly to Luffy's shoulders and slinging him around to exchange positions with him. He staggers several feet in the opposite direction before he catches himself, approaching again before Luffy places a hand on his chest. "What do you think you're doing?!"
"Why are you so worked up over a single horse, red hair?! It's nothing but a little sport!"
"Sport?!" demands Run, glaring down at the man. "That's a horse not a game animal!"
"Now, now, control your First Mate, Straw Hat Luffy!" Both men pause slightly, staring at the man. "That's right, we know exactly who the two of you are! See, we've done our research!"
"M-Monkey D. Luffy with a bounty of one-hundred million Beli," speaks the woman. "Run with a bounty of one-hundred million Beli. Roronoa Zoro with a bounty of sixty million Beli. A total bounty of two-hundred and sixty million with only eight people. That's really something."
"We Foxy Pirates challenge you Straw Hats to a 'Davy Back Fight'!"
"Stop talking nonsense!" growls Luffy. "If you wanna fight then let's fight!"
"That's not how it works, Luffy," Run tells him, still glaring at Foxy. "A Davy Back Fight isn't a real fight so much as it is a game. It's a way for pirate crews to challenge one another with their top crew members up for grabs to the winner. After each match, the winner can take a crew member from the opposing crew. It's a way to strengthen the crew without risking life or limb...well, with minimal risk to life and limb. Those picked, must swear loyalty to the opposing Captain in the name of Davy Jones."
"Fool!" shouts Foxy. "I heard you say it, Straw Hat Luffy! You clearly agreed to my challenge just now! Didn't he, Porche?!"
"Yes, boss, I heard him, too!" agrees Porche. "Do you honestly believe you can--"
"You shut your mouth, you little shit, or I WILL shut it for you," growls Run, glaring down at the woman, who immediately falls silent.
"Now, now, there's no need for harsh language!" laughs Foxy, producing a pistol and holding it out in Luffy's direction. "Or are you not man enough to keep your word?" Without a second thought Luffy takes the pistol and fires it into the air...
- - -
"It's time for the opening ceremony!" shouts the announcer, his voice echoing across the island. It seems that the Foxy Pirates have already leaped into action, having set up a number of booths, stalls and even a stage all for the upcoming 'Davy Back Fight' between their crews. Chopper had patched up Shelly as best he could and so she was out of danger...but the red head was still pissed off by the man's cavalier attitude. After a bit of time Luffy and Foxy finally took center stage to listen to the rules of the game. Run stands with arms crossed at the back of the crowd while Porche rattles the rules off. He's so intently focused on her and her Captain that he doesn't notice Robin approaching from behind until her hand lands on his back.
"You seem to be in a bad mood," Robin begins, stepping up beside him. "I heard what happened from Usopp and Chopper. I've also heard that she's not in any danger. Chopper says she'll make a full recovery after some time."
"I lost my temper," Run admits.
"Anyone would be upset. It was enough to irritate me as well."
"That's twice now I've let my temper get the best of me. Once in Jaya and now here. I'm the First Mate, I need to stay calm no matter what." Robin sighs and reaches down to grasp his hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze as their fingers twine together.
"Isn't the point of living life to relax and do as you please?" After a few moments he smiles, and nods in agreement. "Mm, good. No one is perfect, Run, and no one expects you to be." He raises their hands, and presses a kiss to her knuckles.
"Alright, Straw Hat!" echos Foxy's voice from the stage. "Since I'm a generous man, I'll let you choose! One coin! Two coins! Or three coins!"
"What are they for?" Luffy questions him.
"It's the number of games," Porche tells him. "You can choose from one coin all the way up to three!"
"Well...it'll be more fun with more games so--"
"LUFFY!" exclaim Nami and Usopp in unison. The two appear at Robin and Run's side, both holding up a single digit. Run glances past them at a familiar figure holding up a single digit as well while Luffy turns away from them with a grin.
"Aah, alright! Three coins!"
"Idiot! Why did you add them together?! And why did you include an enemy?!"
"So many moron!" laughs Hamburg...at least until he notices the red head standing several feet away. A large bandage covers his nose, and the man reacts by immediately raising his hands to his face, and taking a very large step backwards from them before quickly rushing away from them.
"I here-by announce a three coin game!" screams Foxy, turning and throwing the coins into the sea. After that, it was time to pick who is going to take part in which event. The three events are the Donut Race, the Groggy Ring and finally Combat between opposing Captains. Since a crew member could only compete once, in one event, and Luffy was obviously going to be fighting Foxy so they had to choose who was going to do what.
"Make sure you give this to the organizer," one of Foxy's men says, tossing them a roster. "Once you decide it's set in stone." Zoro glares at the man before picking up the paper.
"It says the race is open to everyone," Zoro tells them. "The ball game is only for three people, and then it's the Captain's fight." While Luffy wants to compete in all events, it takes the whole crew telling him it isn't allowed before he finally relents. Eventually, they decide that Nami, Robin and Usopp are going to take part in the race. Sanji, Zoro and Run will take part in the ball game, and finally Luffy is going to be fighting Foxy. So, this leaves Chopper sitting out of the games.
After they've turned their roster in, the rules are then explained. The race will be only one lap around the island, with both teams using only three barrels and two oars to fashion a raft out of. No easy task, even for a skilled shipwright, but one Usopp tackles head on. In the end, he produces a decent raft for them, and they float it out to the starting position.
"Alright!" exclaims the announcer, a man this time. "Both teams are ready, and have been given an Eternal Pose to make sure they can find their way back to the island in case they sail too far out! By the way...gun, sword, cannon, any weapon is permitted! The Straw Hat's competing for their crew will be Navigator Nami, Sniper Usopp, and Archeologist Robin in the Barrel Tiger! Competing for the Foxy Pirates are the lovely Porche, swordfish Fishman Capote, and star shark Monda in the Cutie Wagon!"
"Oi! You're using a fish!" Nami complains, pointing at it. "That's cheating!"
"These no rule against it, you know!" Porche retorts. A gunshot signals the start of the match...and apparently the start of the cheating. They've barely left the starting line before the Foxy Pirates start shooting, aiming at the ship and the Straw Hats.
"Bastards!" Sanji shouts, charging in the direction of the men firing. Interference from the audience is to be expected. It's a game played amongst pirates but that doesn't cool his anger in the slightest. Sanji goes bowling into them and delivering kick after kick. He finishes the last one off just in time to watch Nami, Robin and Usopp go blasting past Porche, Capote and Monda, taking the lead. This doesn't last long unfortunately, thanks to the shark pulling their opponents.
Robin, however, kept them in the race by using a number of arms sprouted from her hand to grasp the Foxy crew's raft, and tow themselves behind it. This comes to an end, however, when Captoe notices and takes a swing at her arms with a sword. He ends up missing, and takes a tumble into the water, which allows them time to take the lead once more, this time heading straight into a coral field. While the Foxy crew has trouble navigating the currents, Nami sails them through with ease.
Seeing this, Foxy decides it's time to run interference again. His tricks are...well, poor to say the least. From smoke screens, to false signs, and even a poor performance asking for help as a little old lady, none of it slows down Nami. They even use a few dirty tricks of their own when the Foxy crew catches up; Usopp uses his sling shot to knock down some huge bamboo that knocks out Capote.
"They're nearing the finish line!" Sanji cheers. "Nami, Robin! You two are always so cute~!"
"Go!! You can win!!" Luffy bellows, laughing. Seeing the Foxy crew gaining on them Run decides it's time to interfere as well. After all, it's only fair since they're using a shark...right? He steps forward close to the shore and looks pointedly at the shark, Monda. It's frenzied swimming comes to a sudden, and abrupt halt, much to almost everyone's immediate confusion.
"What are you doing, Monda?!" Porche yells, running to the front of the raft. "You can't stop now! I know you're tired but we're gonna win!" A single light burst of Haoshoku was all it took to paralyze the shark with fear. It isn't surprising to Run. It's not like it's a Sea King, after all. It slowly turns it's head in the direction of the red head, who stands with arms crossed while staring down at it. "What are you looking at? Come on! I know you can do it! Here! How about a kiss to keep you going?"
"So, you guys are pretty tough, huh?" Foxy shouts, appearing from out of the crowd. "Even so, it won't matter! Slow-Slow Beam!" Porche leans forward and actually kisses the shark on the snout. He sails forward like a rocket seconds later, his fear apparently forgotten entirely.
"Yeah! Go, go!"
"Aah, pervy power for the win, huh?" Run sighs, watching the Foxy crew sail past a suddenly slowed Nami, Usopp and Robin straight to the finish line. "I should've knocked her out while I had the chance..."
- - -
While still grappling with their loss, and his own failure, Run returns to the center of the small festival with the rest of the crew to await Foxy's pick of their crew. Foxy first takes the time to explain how they lost. He tells them that it's the result of his Devil Fruit abilities, which robs whatever he uses it on of it's speed. It will retain all of it's strength but the speed will be reduced for several precious seconds.
"Now, for the long awaited spoils!" calls the announcer, as Foxy takes center stage accompanied by a dull roll. "It's time to claim one member of the opposing crew!"
"Alright, the first person I want is...YOU! Tony Tony Chopper!" Foxy explains. "The ship's doctor!" They can do nothing but watch as Chopper is pulled, kicking and screaming straight to Foxy. Every one of their instincts demands that they give chase, and take him back from them...but they can't. It's the name of the game.
"What a rare creature! And so soft!"
"Chopper!" Luffy screams.
"So, that bastard was after Chopper the whole time," Sanji growls. "I guess he is the rarest of animals...maybe he's a collector of rare pets?"
"Hopefully not a collector of rare pelts," Robin murmurs.
"Guys!" Chopper cries. "I only set sail so I could be with you! No, I don't want this! Luffy! I only set sail because you asked me to! I don't want to go with these guys! No, no, no! I'm the Straw Hat Pirates' ship doctor, Tony Tony Chopper! I don't want to go with them!" Zoro growls and slams the bottle he's been drinking from into the ground.
"Chopper!" Zoro screams. "Quit your bitching! This is the life you chose! No one else is to blame if you end up dying somewhere. We agreed to this, and everyone did their best. No real pirate would sympathize with your tears. A real man...would just roll up his sleeves and quietly watch the rest of contest silently!"
"How can you say that?! Don't you care how he feels?!" Nami demands. Chopper wipes his face, and then plops down on the chair.
"Alright!" Chopper calls. "Do anything you like with me...!"
- - -
"Oi, cook, you can drop out if you want," Zoro tells Sanji. "It's not like we need your help." The next game is the Groggy Ring in which Zoro, Sanji and Run will be participating. They have to win this match, and take back Chopper or they'll never be able to. Putting that out of their minds, the three walk into the middle of their playing field calmly.
"Why don't you?" Sanji counters. "What good are you going to be, loser?" This spawns an argument between the two of them all while the announcer explains the rules. It seems simple enough. Knock the opposing teams ball into their own goal, and win the match. The twist comes in when the announcer tells them that one of them has to be the 'ball' for their team. When some of the Foxy pirates approach them, Zoro points at Sanji immediately, and they place the ball on his head.
"Here's your ball," one of the men says.
"Who the hell made you boss, moss head?! You be the ball!"
"Dahahaha~!" laughs Run. "That's a pretty good look for you, casanova!"
"You wanna fight, too?!"
"Relax, relax! It's not gonna be on there long!"
"Now, introducing the undefeated kings of the Groggy Ring!" calls the announcer. Three huge men slowly enter the ring, with the tallest of them towering above even the others on his team. "The famous Groggy Monster's have taken the field! At the front is 'Full Dash' Hamburg! He's followed by 'Tackle Machine' Pickles! Last but not least is Big Pan the wotan; he's a half fishman half giant! Their victory is certain!"
"Damn! Those are some big ass crew members!" Naturally, it doesn't take any of them more than a second to figure out which one of them is going to be the 'ball' for their team.
"Our mighty Groggy Ring combatants have taken the field! Opposing them is the violent cook who kicked the interference squad: Cook Sanji! The pirate hunter with a bounty of sixty million: Roronoa Zoro! And lastly, the man who knocked out Hamburg a man with a bounty of one hundred million: 'Red' Run!"
"This is what they called us out here for?" asks Pickles. "What a laugh! Right, Big Pan?" He's silent for several long seconds before raising a hand up to his ear slowly.
"Huh?" grunts Big Pan.
"Alright! Let's start the game!" calls the announcer. "Remember, the rules are you have to knock your opponent into their ring to win the match! Everyone take your places!"
"Oi, oi...I don't care what you say, I ain't gonna be the damn ball," Sanji tells them. "You do it."
"Aah, look, fellas," begins Run. "There's clearly only a single way to solve this-- not it!"
"Not it!"
"Not-- damn it!" shouts Sanji. "No! I'm NOT gonna be the ball! Someone else do it!"
"No way, cook," grunts Zoro. "You lost fair and square." Eventually, after a bit of arguing, they all take their spots to start the match. Before they start, however, Zoro is told to hand over his swords as weapons aren't allowed. It appears it's going to be a contest of physical strength and agility...a fact that brings a grin to Run's face. A loud blow of a whistle signals the of the match, and Pickles goes charging forward at Sanji.
"Sling--"
"Sea King's Rush!" Run exclaims, knee smashing into the man's forehead. Pickles' mind goes blank, and he's thrown straight back into the stomach of Big Pan with so much force that it knocks the wotan off his feet and right back into the goal behind him. Everyone except for the Straw Hat Crew stands in silence, mouth's open and staring at the field.
"YEEEAAAAHHH!!" screams Usopp. "Good job, Run!"
"I-I-Incredible!" screams the announcer. "Pickles and Big Pan were sent skyward with a single blow! Goal! Goal! Goal!"
"That is?" Zoro asks, yawning. "What a let down."
"We didn't even get to do anything," Sanji adds. A whistle suddenly blows, signaling the end of the match...
- - -
"Thank you!" Chopper cries, rushing towards the red head who crouches down as Chopper launches himself into his arms. "I just knew you guys would win me back!" He pats him on the head in response, even allowing him to dry his face on his shirt. After leaving the field, everyone gathered around center stage to await Luffy's decision. While many of them were nervous, it's not like they had any other choice in mind beside Chopper.
"Relax, relax," Run tells him. "We weren't gonna let anything happen to you, Doc."
"That guy sure is strong," one of the Foxy pirates whispers. "He knocked out Pickles and Big Pan in a single shot."
"We should have made him our first pick," adds another.
"Alright!" calls the announcer. "The last battle ended with an unexpected win by the Straw Hat Crew! But now it's time for the much anticipated...Combat Round!!" While the battlefield is supposed to be picked by 'chance' was very apparent that it was rigged as the battlefield ended up being the Foxy Pirates own ship. Since it was fairly obvious that rules didn't apply to this contest, none of them bothered to raise any issue and instead just let it be. The whole crew tries to impress upon Luffy the importance of this final battle, and then sends him off with Usopp to get ready.
"Let's go find some seats," Robin tells Run. Everyone crowds into the large stands set up by the Foxy Pirates to watch the match. When everyone is in their seats, and both contestants are ready, the two make a huge entrance on the ship...with Luffy wearing a huge fake afro.
"Dahahahaha~!" laughs Run, pressing a hand to his stomach. "G-Good job, Luffy! Dahahaha~!" Robin giggles a bit and then leans gently against him. They began the match moments later, with Luffy seeking to end it in a single punch. Unfortunately, Foxy's Slow-Slow Beam struck his fist. Luffy takes a few blows from him before his arm finally returned to normal speed. His Devil Fruit abilities certainly seem to be a pain in the ass, to say the least. When Luffy gives chase, Foxy again resorts to the same dirty tricks he'd used during the race. Caught in a smoke screen, Luffy swings wildly at anything that looks like Foxy.
"Luffy, don't fall for his tricks!" Run screams. "Just be patient and use your head!" His words don't seem to reach his Captain, as the man swings again and again while surrounded by the smoke.
Foxy ambushes him during his wild swinging, catching him in with his Slow-Slow Beam before closing the gap and delivering a withering number of punches to a slowed Luffy. When the beam wears off, it seems to catch up with him all at once, the punches throwing him straight back and nearly tossing him off the ship. Luffy has barely recovered before Foxy pulls and hidden lever and sends them both in the bowels of the ship. It feels like an eternity of waiting before an explosion signals their return.
When the smoke clears, it reveals Luffy lying face down on the deck...although, he doesn't stay down for long. He pulls himself up again, and again every time he's knocked down. Luffy has absolutely no intention of giving up or being defeated. Seeing this, Foxy pulls out what they assume to be his final move. Luffy is struck with his Slow-Slow Beam, and the man fires a cannon ball which he does much the same to before tossing some kind of wooden glider on top of.
"Oi, Luffy!" Sanji screams. "He used the beam on you before the cannon ball! You need to dodge as soon as you can move!" The moment Luffy can move, he does. He attempts to dodge but he still ends up being hit by the man's punch, and then by the glider which exploded on contact. "Luffy!!" The smoke slowly clears on deck, and reveals a badly beaten but still standing Luffy. Foxy rushes him, the two exchanging a number of blows almost faster than they can see.
"Damn it! Take this!" growls Foxy. "Slow-Slow...Beammm...!" The beam has somehow been reflected back at him...and the reason is revealed when Luffy opens his hand. A shard of what looks like a broken mirror is clutched tightly.
"It's over."
"Gum-Gum...Flail!!" Luffy bellows, whirling his fist around before smashing into the man's face again and again. Usopp suddenly jumps up, and begins leading a count down from the front of the stands.
"Eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one!!!" cheers Usopp, watching as Foxy finally returns to normal speed, goes smashing through the railing of the ship and crashes into the water, ending the match...