"Hahahahaha~! Man, that was close!" Luffy laughs. "I thought we were gonna get killed by those battleships!" Splashing down into the sea was a little...rougher than Run would have liked considering his wounds. Of course, the moment the salt water got into them, they burned as if they were on fire, and fighting against the current while carrying a limp Raye above the water wasn't exactly easy, either. "Oi! Robin! Thanks! You really saved--" A hand sprouts from his chest, clamping itself over his mouth quickly.
"Run...Luffy...everyone...thank you," Robin says, sniffling slightly.
"Say stupid stuff like that after we escape from here," Zoro says bluntly. This instantly instigates a fight between Zoro and Sanji. Fortunately, it doesn't last long, as they have to worry about escaping from the Navy ships which seem intent on sinking them suddenly. Maybe it's just blind luck but when they begin firing, they succeed in hitting only the sea and then each other. Two of the large ships even collide with one another, much to everyone's confusion.
"That worked even better than I expected," Sanji calls, watching the ships crashing into each other.
"What did you do?!" Usopp screams.
"Aah, well, I closed the Gates of Justice. After all, these aren't the kind of guys we can escape from with just blind luck."
"Those whirl-pools are gonna affect us, too, cook," retorts Zoro.
"Everyone relax," Nami tells them. "There was no sea the Merry couldn't cross before, right? Just hang on until I figure out these currents!" With the Navy still firing at them, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp and even Franky go running to the Merry's stern, and begin deflecting any cannon balls that might come too close. They even resort to using Luffy at one more. They stretch him out and bounce the cannon balls back at the ships. Nami comes running out of the lounge onto the deck. "Franky! Could you do that thing?"
"Got it!" Franky calls, sprinting to the stern of the Merry. "Everyone, make sure to hold on tight! It's gonna be a little rough!" He raises his hand, bracing himself. "Coup de Vent!" He propels them forward, skimming along the surface of the ocean and leaving Enies Lobby far behind. Usopp covers their retreat with a massive smoke screen, blocking their view and leaving them with no chance of hitting them...
- - -
"Thanks, Merry," Luffy says. "I never thought you'd come to us...but when I think about it you've always protected us. Thanks again, Merry." They're all gathered at the bow of the ship, in high spirits after the return of Robin and their escape from Enies Lobby. Chopper has done what he can to treat their wounds, and while Luffy is ambulatory again, Raye is still unconscious...although Chopper assure them that her injuries aren't as serious as they'd first believed. Of course, the first thing that Luffy did is jump onto the figure-head.
"Ya know, when I think about it," Franky begins. "It was a pretty stunt outrageous you guys pulled back there. Shooting through a World Government flag like that..."
"It was nothing. All we did was get back a friend who was taken from us." Run, who is leaning against the railing beside Robin, captures one of her hands in his own. She responds by giving it a gentle squeeze, and leaning against him. "Alright! Now, I declare that the fight is over...and we won!" With their morale higher than ever, the only thing they can do now is wait while they sail back to Water Seven. "Huh? Oi! I see a ship!"
"What?! Who is it?!" Usopp screams. In the distance, sailing quickly towards them is a huge ship, it's sails emblazoned with 'Galley-La' company. "Oh! It's Galley-La company!"
"Ahoy, Ice Pops!" The shipwrights, and even Iceburg seem happy to see them returning alive from Enies Lobby with Robin in tow. Their happiness is short-lived, however, when the bow of the Merry suddenly breaks, and pitches forward. It nearly throws them all into the sea but they manage to somehow hold on. "What the?! What happened all of a sudden?!"
"Aah, is it really that unexpected?" Run asks him. "They said that the Merry would never sail again! The old girl did what she could but she's at her breaking point!"
"B...But even so." Luffy suddenly runs forward, and stands on the figure-head. "Oi, Ice Pops! The Merry is in trouble! Help us! You're all shipwrights, right? I'm begging you! She's our friend who has been traveling with us all of this time!"
"If that's the case," Iceburg says. "Then let her rest. I've done everything I can already."
"What?"
"I'm witnessing a miracle right now. A miracle of a ship that has long since exceeded it's limits. I've been a shipwright for many years but I've never witnessed a pirate ship this incredible! Truly, it's lived a splendid life." Silence reigns for several long moments before Luffy nods firmly in understanding.
"Alright...I understand." With the decision made, Iceburg lends them two large life-boats. Luffy, as the Captain, is going to be the one to send Merry off on her final journey. The rest of the crew gathers on the other life-boat and waits. "Merry. The sea bed is dark and lonesome, so we'll watch you until the end." Saying this, they watch as Luffy sets fire to the Merry, and gently pushes himself and the life-boat back from the ship. "Thank you for carrying us for such a long time, Merry."
They watch as the flames engulf the Merry, quickly consuming the entire ship. They're so focused on watching, they don't notice it snowing until the first flakes actually fall on them. Nami holds a hand out, and looks skyward in confusion. Chopper and Nami break down into tears, watching the Merry. It's...difficult to describe the feeling. Saving one friend, and losing another. If they had done things differently, could this have all been avoided? The red head sniffles slightly and raises a hand, wiping his eyes with the back of his palm. A warm hand captures his free one, and he looks over at Robin as she gives it a gentle squeeze before leaning against him.
"~I'm sorry. I wanted to carry you all even further. I'm sorry...I wanted to keep going on adventures with you forever.~"
"Merry!" cries Chopper, staring through tears at the burning ship. Run reaches down and gently pats Chopper on his head head. The little reindeer immediately turns and hugs tight to his leg, crying his eyes out while Run sniffles himself.
"It's us who have to apologize!" Luffy screams back. "I'm no good at steering...and sometimes I ran you into iceburgs! I tore the sails, too! Zoro, Sanji and Run are idiots, so they broke lots of things as well! Usopp would always fix things but he's no good at it! So it's us who...who..."
"~But I was happy. Thank you very much for taking good care of me all this time. I really have been happy...because I had you!~"
"MERRY...!!"
- - -
Their return to Water 7 wasn't exactly one made in high spirits. While they were happy to have Robin back with them for good, they were also reeling from the loss of the Merry, a ship that had carried them so far for so long. When they'd returned to Water Seven, Iceburg was kind enough to give them a place to sleep, and sleep they did. For two whole days they sleep, only waking to use the bathroom and then drag themselves back to bed.
"You know...I've been struggling ever since I woke up," Run says, staring at Raye sitting across from him. "Do I write Uta and dad and let them know? Or do I not say anything?" He picks up his coffee cup and takes a sip before setting it back down.
"Maybe it's better for both to believe I'm still gone," Raye tells him.
"That's how it is, huh? Just...scattered to the winds."
"How should it be?"
"Are you...!" A soft 'crack!' sounds as a split appears on the surface of his mug and Raye arches a single white brow in response. Run takes a deep breath and sighs heavily. "Whew. I apologize. When I let my temper get the best of me, or I'm on edge my Haoshoku tends to burst out as a result." He motions to the mug. "Like that for example."
"You don't have to apologize. You have every right to be angry. I--"
"Robin told me about your conversation on the Puffing Tom. I won't excuse what you've done, and I won't try to understand it but..." Run actually flashes her a grin. "...we can't change what's done but we can change what's to come. You don't think you deserve forgiveness but have you actually tried to earn it?"
"I think we're well past that."
"No. You're still alive. So is dad, and Uta and me. As far as the World Government knows, you're in the hands of some nasty pirates, or dead...either way, they're not going to come looking for you. This is the chance that you never had, Raye. The chance to live a normal life...to have a family." The red head stands and picks up his mug. "I hope that you'll realize that and pay a visit to dad. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure Robin is back from shopping so I think I'll see if she'll take a walk with me." He leaves the room and is surprised to find Robin leaning against the wall beside the door. "Well, well, eavesdropping, are we? Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"Mm, what can I say?" Robin asks. "I have an insatiable curiosity. I--" Run steps closer and silences her with a kiss. "Mmph. I see someone's feeling better."
"Well, it felt like I'd sprung a hundred leaks but thanks to Chopper I'm feeling like a million Beli! After it heals we could play a game of connect the dots." He winks at her and she giggles in response. "How about you? They didn't rough you up too badly, did they?"
"Just a few bruises." A loud explosion immediately draws their attention down the hall to the main room. "What's happening?!" Both move quickly, finding a large hole knocked in the wall and large Marine with a strange dog-like head covering. "Is...Is that...?"
"Aah, you've got to be kidding me!"
"So, you guys are the Straw Hats!" calls the man. "I've got some guys here who are interested in meeting your Captain and his First Mate!" The man stares across the room and they follow his line of sight to a sleeping Luffy, sitting at the table in front of a pile of food. "Jeez, he's as hopeless as ever." The man disappears from their sight, reappearing in front of Luffy quickly. "Wake up!" With a single powerful punch, he drives Luffy through his chair and into the floor.
"That hurts!" screams Luffy, leaning up quickly with a knot on his forehead.
"It hurts?!" echos Sanji. "What are you talking about?! You're made of rubber!"
"There's no means to ward off a fist of love!" the man informs Sanji.
"Aah, yep, that's him alright," Run sighs.
"Looks like you've gone on quite the rampage, huh, Luffy?"
"G-Grampa?!" screams Luffy, staring up at the man. This naturally catches the rest of the people gathered in the room completely off guard. Of course, the first time Robin and Run had learned about it it had caught the two of them off guard as well. Someone who wants to be a pirate with a Vice Admiral for a grandfather?
"Luffy, isn't there something you need to apologize to me for?"
"Your grandfather is Garp?!" Nami questions him.
"That's right!" Luffy tells her. "Don't you dare mess with him! When I was small, he almost killed me a bunch of time!"
"Now, now, don't go giving me a bad name!" Garp barks at him. "I shoved you into a bottomless pit, I threw you into the jungle at night, I attached balloons to you and let them fly...I did all of those things in order to make you into a strong man! I eventually entrusted you with my friend and had you train with Ace but I take my eyes off of you for a moment and look what happens! You were supposed to become a strong Marine!"
"I told you over and over again, I wanted to be a pirate!"
"You got corrupted by 'Red Hair'--" Garp raises a hand and points firmly at the red head. "--and those kids of his!"
"Aah, long time no see, Garp," Run says, flashing a grin at the man as he strides out of the hall. "Uh, if you'll excuse me, I'm just--" Garp silences the man immediately by driving his fist into the top of his head. Run remains completely still for several moments before a shiver races through his body. "That...HURTS!!" He squats down, rubbing the knot on his head furiously for a moment before suddenly turning and actually crawling on all fours back towards Robin and quickly standing up behind her before pointing at Garp. "Robin! Garp hit me!"
"Shanks saved my life!" Luffy screams at Garp. "Don't you dare bad mouth him!" Garp closes the distance quickly and picks up Luffy by the front of his shirt.
"How dare you speak to your grandfather like that?!" demands Garp.
"Waaaah! I'm sorry!" However, rather than deliver another beating they're surprised when both Luffy and Garp fall asleep. Several long tense moments pass before Garp finally wakes back up, and THEN gives Luffy a beating for falling asleep during his scolding. "Th-Th-That hurt!"
"For starters, do you even know what kind of pirate 'Red Hair' is?"
"Shanks?! Is he doing alright?! Are the others doing alright?!"
"Aah, yeah, how is dad doing these days?" Run questions him, still not leaving his position behind Robin.
"There are countless pirates out there but he's ranked in the top four with Whitebeard," Garp tells them. "These four reign over the second half of the Grand Line like emperors. So people call them the four Yonko. Navy Headquarters and the Shichibukai have joined forces to fight against these four. If the balance among these three great powers is lost, it's said that the world peace will fall apart. That's how large their power is!"
"That...I don't mean to be rude but that didn't answer my question, Garp."
"I don't really get it but it's good to hear he's doing alright," chirps Luffy.
"I had no idea that Shanks guy was so important," Nami mutters, turning her attention to the red head. "That guy is really your dad?"
"Dahahaha~! What's wrong?" Run asks her, flashing her a grin. "Is it that hard to imagine?"
"Yes."
"Hurtful." The sounds of fighting begin to echo through the house and Garp looks over his shoulder quickly.
"What's going on?" Garp demands.
"That's 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro," begins a man. "A criminal with a bounty on his head."
"That's Luffy's friend, isn't it? He's quite energetic. You two, go try stopping him." Two men take off at a sprint while Luffy quickly chases after them. Garp trails out while Run follows as the old man. It's over in a flash with the blond man held at sword point by Zoro while Luffy retrains a pink haired man against the ground. "You guys are no match for them after all!"
"You're really strong," says the pink haired man. "I'd expect nothing less." Luffy releases him and both stand as Run approaches, staring intently at the man. There's something awfully familiar about him but he can't quite put his finger on it. "Luffy, Zoro, Run, it's been a while. Do you recognize me?"
"Who are you?" Luffy asks, tilting his head.
"It's me, Coby!"
"Coby?!"
"Dahahahaha~! Look at you!" laughs Run and steps forward with a grin. "Boy, you shot up like a weed, Coby!" He reaches out and actually pats him on the head. "Last time I saw you you were barely up to my hip!" The boy chuckles sheepishly, and Run lowers his hand.
"Why are you in the Grand Line?" Zoro questions him.
"Well," Coby begins. "I've still got a ways to become a Navy Officer, but when I heard you guys were nearby I just wanted to see you so badly!" He snaps to the position of attention and renders them a salute. "We owe you three for helping us become who we are now! For various reasons Vice Admiral Garp is currently training us at Navy Headquarters."
"Hmm, well, you know, usually people can only grow so much," Luffy tells him. "I'm really surprised! You were kinda flabby before!" Saying that, they all turn and start walking back towards the place Iceburg has given them to rest in. "Come on! It's been a while, so let's have a party!"
"Oi, wait a second!" calls the blond who attacked Zoro. "Didn't you notice me?!" They stop and look back at him. "It's me!"
"Who are you?" Zoro grunts out in question.
"Helmeppo! The son of Captain Morgan! I'm the man who nearly executed you, Roronoa Zoro!"
"I remember you!" Run calls, snapping his fingers as if it's all come back to him. "You were the guy with that strange onion hair-cut!"
"Oh, yeah," Luffy drawls. "There was a guy like that, wasn't there." Garp, seeing a break in the conversation, takes this opportunity to put the still conscious Marines and those coming around to repairing the wall. They immediately argue in protest, asking him to help since he's the one who did it. So, he assists them rather than yelling, since it is his fault after all. Although, he'd have helped regardless. He isn't the kind of man to throw his rank around, after all.
"Come to think of it, Luffy," Grap calls, driving a nail into a board. "I heard you ran into your father."
"My father?" Luffy echos. "I have a father?"
"Oh, then, he didn't tell you who he was. I heard that he saw you off in Lougetown."
"What's my dad like?"
"Your father's name is Monkey D. Dragon. He's a revolutionary!" Everyone around the man stares in wide-eyed surprise. Only Luffy is the one who doesn't seem to get exactly what this means, and so he slowly turns to look at everyone.
"Oi, what's everyone so worked up about?"
"You've never heard that name before?!" Sanji demands.
"Your father is a dangerous man!" Nami screams. Luffy scratches his head slowly in confusion before turning to Robin for further explanation. She tells him Dragon is the leader of a group of revolutionaries attempting to bring down the World Government. He's hunted as the worlds most heinous criminal but no one knows anything about the man.
"Aah...I guess I shouldn't have said anything about it, huh?" Garp asks. "Well, forget I said anything, then..."
- - -
"Since you're my grandson, I've decided not to capture you on this island!" Garp tells him. "That's the excuse I'm going to give the Navy, so stay here and rest easy!" Garp's right hand man tells him that's not a good excuse, and they'll just tell them instead that they escaped. "I came here with these two but it seems they want to visit for a while. So, I'm going to go on ahead."
"Aah, see ya," Luffy replies. Garp punches him in the head, throwing him to the ground quickly.
"Be more reluctant to say goodbye, idiot! You haven't seen your grandpa in forever!"
"What do you want from me?! All you ever did was hit me!"
"Even so, I still want my grandson to love me!"
"Dahahaha~! He got you--"
"And you, brat!" He punches Run right in the top of the head, and he squats down immediately, rubbing it furiously once again. "Don't think I'm going to forgive you and your family for poisoning my grandson's mind with all this piracy nonsense. You could have been a proper Marine, too, if you'd been given the chance." When the pain finally dulls, he slowly stands. "Alright. I'm going to go now." Saying that, he walks away, the rest of the Marines following while Coby and Helmeppo watch them go.
"That old man can really hate," complains Run, turning away from Luffy, Coby and Helmeppo. He stops when he see's Robin leaning against the newly rebuilt window frame. He approaches her with a grin on his face while she watches, tapping a finger against her chin. "Yes?"
"Nothing," Robin tells him. "Just watching. I'd almost forgotten how violent Garp could be."
"The old man is a handful that's for sure...and his punches still hurt like hell!" He pauses for a moment before signing. "Speaking of family...I told Raye to pay a visit to the old man. Whether she actually does is entirely up to her but...I'm hoping she can at least find some sort of closure in all of this."
"Mm, it's a tall order. Not everyone is so forgiving but...I know Shanks will at least hear her out..."
- - -
Eventually, Coby and Helmeppo have to go, and after they leave the whole crew gathers in the pool adjacent to the house Iceburg has lent them. Sanji gets to work setting up a barbecue to grill some lunch on. It isn't just them, either, but also Kokoro, Chimney, Gombe and the giant frog Yokozuna. Run was, at first, rather surprised to find out that Kokoro was an actual mermaid but like the rest of the crew, it eventually wore off. After all the things they've seen on their travels, a mermaid isn't all that strange, after all.
Upon seeing the pool, Run dives right in. Swimming is one of his favorite things, after all. Robin takes a seat in one of the reclining chairs under a large parasol, watching him splash around and have fun. Chimney and Gombe cling to him, riding his shoulders or his head as he joins in knocking a volley-ball around with Kokoro, Yokozuna and Nami.
"Nami~! Water-Water Meat barbecue is ready~!" Sanji suddenly calls, attracting their attention. Kokoro is the first out of the water, leaping out with great power to land on beside him. Sanji breaks down in tears when she accepts the shish kebab spears from his hands, and polishes them both off in a single bite. Everyone else gathers around, eating the food offered.
"Oi, why are you crying?" Zoro asks.
"Shut-up! There's just smoke in my eyes!" He turns to Robin quickly. "Robin! How is it? You can tell it was well marinated, right?" Robin responds with a smile and a nod of her head. Hearing running foot-steps, all heads turn to find the Franky Family rapidly approaching.
"Straw Hat! We heard that you woke up!" Zambai calls.
"Oh! Franky Family! Come here and eat with us!" Not one's to turn down a free meal, the men come rushing forward in an instant. An earth-shaking rumble follows several moments later, and the two King Bulls belonging to the Franky Family appear. Naturally, Chopper invites them to the party, as well. Flanking them are two giants, who Run remembers Usopp telling him about. They're Kashi and Oimo, the gate guards from Enies Lobby. No sooner have they joined in the party then the shipwrights of Galley-La appear, including Iceburg.
Even Franky, and the girls usually accompanying him, Mozu and Kiwi, join in. Apparently, they're taking a break from building a ship. Run is naturally curious about this, and Robin tells him that Franky is building a ship for them as his way of apologizing for stealing their money. The hours seem to fly by from there in a blur of food, drink and laughter. The red head eventually notices Robin at the outskirts of the party, and approaches, glass in hand. She picks him out of the crowd, smiling and leaning against the wall behind her. When her smile suddenly fades he slows his steps for a moment before doubling his pace, approaching quickly.
"Robin, what's wrong?" ventures Run. "You--"
"Good timing," calls a familiar voice.
"Aah, well, here I was hoping we'd never bump into each other again, Aokiji. Hope you're not here for round two."
"Relax. I'm not here to fight. I just want to talk. To Nico Robin, and to you, Run."
"So, why not pop in for a drink, then? There's plenty to go around."
"I appreciate the offer but I doubt your crew holds that same view. So, I won't stay longer than necessary. I heard that you resisted CP9 with all your might rather than just running away, Nico Robin. It would have been easy for you to make a quick escape if you'd been so inclined."
"I told you before it's different now," Robin tells Aokiji. Soft fingers gently intertwine with Run's own, and he gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "I just couldn't...I couldn't stand by and watch someone I love die."
"Jaguar D. Saul, that Giant who fought for Ohara twenty years ago, he was a close friend of mine. On that day, I let you escape according to his wishes. I'm obligated to watch over your life to it's end. Eventually, after so many betrayals, it seemed as if you'd found a home with 'Red Hair' and his boy; you, Run. But when I learned that you were no longer with them, I realized I could no longer allow a ticking time bomb to bounce around as it pleased. I decided that I should settle things...I could never have imagined that CP9 would be defeated, however. Not just them but an agent of CP0."
"Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans," Run says with a grin. "How are the ribs by the way? I cracked a rib once, and I remember that it hurt to even breathe. Ice it and chase it with pain killers. Make sure to sleep flat on your back, preferably on a firm mattress."
"I'll try that, thank you. Now, tell me, can you bear the burden that comes with loving a woman like Nico Robin? A woman condemned to be hunted by the World Government until the end of her days? People as strong as, if not stronger than myself, will never keep looking for her. You'll never know a moments peace, even in old age. Do you have the strength for it? The will to see such a life through?"
"I guess there's only one way to find out, isn't there?"
"Whether Saul was right or wrong...will you show me the answer from here on out?"
"I intend to," Robin replies simply.
"Good. Now, live and love strongly, Nico Robin." Both of them hear the sound of foot-steps departing and Run chuckles a bit.
"Boy, that guy really knows how to kill a good time," Run complains. "You could say he really put it on ice, eh?" He wiggles his eyebrows at Robin who giggles a bit in response.
"Save the puns for the party, lover boy..."
- - -
It turned into quite the raucous party for them, and nearly the entire town showed up for it. When all was said and done, it took the crew a few days to recover from the festivities and clean up the mess that was made. Eventually, a newspaper detailing the events of Enies Lobby makes it's way into their hands while they're recovering. It covers up the Buster Call quite well by blaming everything on the Straw Hat Pirates. The asserts that they'd declared war on the World Government and even set fire to Enies Lobby during their storming of the island. But there isn't a single mention of the Franky Family, or Galley-La to be found anywhere. The World Government certainly knows how to commit to a cover-up, it seems.
"It must have been Aokiji," Robin whispers to Run, sitting on the window-sill. "Although, why he did it...I couldn't imagine."
"Aah, who knows?" Run asks her. "Maybe he's not actually as bad of a guy as he seems like."
"He tried to kill you."
"So did Vivi, and she's our friend." Robin giggles a bit in response.
"Looks like our bounties are gonna go up," Zoro announces, grinning.
"Do you think I'll get a bounty, too?" Chopper asks excitedly.
"Maybe," Sanji tells him. "But I'm the one who should be worried. 'A superstar appears!'...that's what it'll say!"
"Why are you guys so happy?!" demands Nami. "What, are you stupid or something?!" While they're talking, and arguing, the topic of Franky building a ship pops up. Luffy is beside himself with anticipation when he leans that the ship he's building is going to be for them. Something he might have learned if he were actually awake for it. Nami sighs heavily, and stands. "I'm going to go shopping while we wait." She approaches the safe they've placed the money in, and when she opens it, she simply stares in for several long moments. "Where did the hundred million Beli we had go?"
"Oh, that?" Luffy asks. "We spent it on the party to buy meat, booze and party things."
"You idiot! That was our money! Now we hardly have anything left!"
"I can imagine! Nearly everyone showed up for it!" Nami tosses Luffy a beating worse than any of the one's they've seen her give him before.
"I wanted to get beautiful furniture for the ship," whines Nami.
"Run," calls a voice, attracting their attention to Raye. The woman is dressed in a black suit with her long hair hanging free now. "I realize your busy but do you feel up to taking a walk with me?" The red head sighs and scratches the stubble on his jaw before nodding. The two depart from the house in silence, closing the door behind them.
"I've been meaning to ask but...is it really alright for that woman to be here with us? Isn't she a member of CP0?"
"It's...complicated," Robin tells her.
"Who is that lady?" Luffy wonders. "She seems to know Run real well."
"That's...she's his mother, Luffy."
"Eh? Ehhhhhh...?!"
- - -
"...I mean, we must have told Yasopp twenty times that his hammock wasn't secured," Run tells her. "Well, imagine his surprise when in the middle of his nap, the knots come undone and he drops a good six feet straight onto his back! He comes crawling out of his room on all fours gasping for breath, 'This is it boys! I'm on my way out!'"
"Ahahahaha~! Yasopp always was head strong!" laughs Raye.
"Yeah, that's Yasopp. So...I don't mean to be rude but why did you call me out here? Just to hear me tell stories?"
"Aah, as much as I've enjoyed them, no. I wanted to tell you that...you're right." Raye picks her coffee cup up and takes a sip from it. "I'm going to see Shanks. I can't just keep avoiding this."
"That's good. I hope that things work out for you." Raye nods and then stands. "What? Done already?"
"Well, I have a long journey ahead of me, don't I? The New World is still quite a ways from here."
"You're leaving?"
"My wounds have already healed. Besides...it's better for everyone this way. I can't just keep imposing on your crews hospitality, now can I?" Raye offers him a grin as she steps around the table and actually cups his cheeks before kissing him on the forehead. "Take care of yourself, Run." She releases him and steps off the patio of the cafe before disappearing into the crowd.
"You, too, mom..."
- - -
"Do you guys know where that'll take you?" Kokoro questions them. Several days have passed since Nami's little explosion, and Raye's departure. The crew was full to the brim with questions when Run had returned after his meeting and Run had done everything he could to answer them, although he had precious few answers to give them. Eventually, however, Nami announces to them all that the Log Pose has been set and is pointing to their next destination.
"No, where?" Nami asks, raising her wrist to closely examine the needle. "Now that you mention it...it does look like it's pointing slightly down."
"Of course it is! The next island is a paradise on the seabed...Fishman Island." Sanji is beside himself with happiness, claiming the place as one of the most famous in all of the Grand Line. Again, Kokoro breaks out into laughter and nods. "That's right. But it's not easy getting to this island, you know."
"Aah, that's right," Run agrees. "We'll need to swing through Sabaody Archipelago and get the ship coated, Luffy."
"Coated?" echos Luffy.
"Yeah. I don't know the specifics but basically the ship is coated completely with a special resin that makes the ship less buoyant that the sea water around it. When the ship sinks the coating expands and forms a giant bubble that protects the crew and the ship from the crushing depths of the sea. That's the only way for pirates like us to reach Fishman Island, and the New World beyond it. The only place that it can be done for us is Sabaody Archipelago. As it happens, I know a Coating Mechanic that will cut is a pretty good deal on it, too."
"Hahahaha~! That sounds like fun! I can't wait!"
"You sure know a lot, red hair," Kokoro says, lifting her bottle and taking a long drink from it. "But you're right. Of course, that's not the biggest problem." Kokoro tosses a newspaper onto the table, and Nami promptly picks it up. According to the paper, fourteen ships have disappeared in this month alone. "That's right. It's the Devil's Triangle. Also known as the Florian Triangle. You can't reach Fishman Island without passing through those seas. More than one-hundred ships a year go missing in those waters, never to be seen again. On occasion, the ships will turn up, missing their crew, or crewed only by the dead sailors."
"Nope," Nami says simply. "We're not going! I don't want to go there!"
"Isn't there something you're forgetting, Nami?" Robin questions her. "If there are ghost-ships floating out there...then obviously, there might be treasure ships as well." Robin knows well how to play their Navigators greed to their benefit..
"Let's go!" Robin knows well how to play their Navigators greed to their benefit. Hearing someone calling, all heads turn towards the doors to the room where are thrown open. Kiwi, Mozu, Chimney and Gombe all charge in, panting heavily.
"Franky asked is to come get you!" Mozu pants.
"The dream ship is finished!" Kiwi adds.
"That was fast!" Luffy laughs.
"Alright! Let's get going!" Sanji shouts. Hearing more screaming for 'Straw Hat', they all head outside to find the Franky Family sprinting in their direction. By their heavy breathing and sweating, it seems pretty obvious that they ran the whole way from wherever they're coming from. They all nearly collapse on the ground in front of the crew.
"We have a huge favor to ask of you," Zambai begins. "Did you guys see the wanted posters?!"
"Wanted posters!" says Run, grinning from ear to ear. "Is it finally time?"
"Yeah! The bounty on your and Luffy's heads has gotten crazy! All the others have gotten them, too!" The crew is a mixed bag of emotions. Some are excited, and others seem worried. "Instead of explaining, just look for yourselves!" Zambai throws down several wanted posters on the ground in front of them.
'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy -- 300,000,000
'Red' Run -- 300,000,000
'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro -- 120,000,00
'Cat Burglar' Nami -- 16,000,000
'Cotten Candy Lover' Tony Tony Chopper -- 50
'Devil Child' Nico Robin -- 80,000,000
'Black Leg' Sanji -- 77,000,000
'King of Snipers' Sogeking -- 30,000,000
"Dahahahaha~! YES! It went up even more!" laughs Run, over the moon with happiness along side Luffy. "At this rate, it won't be long before we breach a billion Beli!"
"What the?" Sanji whispers, staring at his poorly drawn likeness on the poster. "Who is that?" Zoro actually laughs at the cook, staring at it.
"Fifty?" Chopper reads, dejected. Nami seems to be on the verge of fainting as she stares at her bounty.
"Oi, look! Sogeking has a bounty, too!" Luffy points out, laughing.
"W-Well, we sympathize with you," Zambai begins. "But the favor we're talking about regards this!" He pulls out a final wanted poster from within his shirt.
'Cyborg' Franky -- 44,000,000
"We were somehow about to get off the hook but Bro had no such luck. He can't continue to stay in Water 7! If he does, then his life will be in danger! There's no way we'll be strong enough to rescue him from someone who comes after him! But he'll never leave the island because he's worried about us! So...so we talked about it. Please! Please, take Bro out to sea with you, even if you need to use force! He's a pirates son to start with! It's in his blood...!"