"I just had breakfast." Zack swiftly turned his head as he spoke.
Suddenly, his fishing rod twitched. It began to pull down.
"Wow Zack, you caught another big fish." Usopp excitedly looked at the bottom of the ship.
"Fish?"That word entered his ear and the next moment, Luffy's head reached near his fishing rod.
'Is it really fish though?' Zack thought to himself as he slowly pulled a strange creature. It was a man ... a woman... a bird….. no, it was Mr.2.
'Look like crocodile still sent this guy to retrieve Mr.3. Well, his organization truly doesn't have stronger manpower. He has Mr.1 and the lady with him, Mr. 2, and someone who barely made up to the list, Mr.3. Except for them, there was no one else worthy to fight.
"Is it a person? Wow, Zack, you are amazing. You truly caught a person with a fishing rod." Usopp's eyes fell on the man and he looked at Zack with amazement. He couldn't believe that Zack truly caught a man with his fishing rod.
Zack was looking at him as well. Unlike the original, they weren't using Karoo. So, he wasn't sure if he would be lucky to catch this guy. But now looking at him, it seemed like the hook caught its crane set behind him.
"Hello, my friends! I am truly grateful that you saved me despite being from two different pirate crews. Though may I ask for hot soup!" Mr. 2 spoke while sitting on his knees.
"So, you can't swim either huh!" Luffy crouched down as he smiled and asked.
"Yes, I ate a devil fruit." Mr. 2 replied.
"Really? What kind?" Usopp curiously asked.
"Well, since my crew isn't going to find me soon, I will put a show for you." Saying so, he stood up and pushed his hand toward Luffy.
"This is my power."
He slammed Luffy on his face.
"What are you?" Zoro unsheathed his sword while others looked at him with horror.
"Wait, wait, wait, I said this was just a show, right?" Suddenly, Luffy's voice rang from his mouth. It surprised everyone except for Zack who already was standing next to Nami.
"Woah! That's me…" Luffy opened his mouth wide as he spoke.
"Hahahaha! That's identical, right?" Mr. 2 laughed as he asked. Then, he touched his face with his left hand and continued "If I touch it with my left hand, I go back to normal. This is the power of Mane-Mane No Mi."
"Wow! Not only voice but also face." Usopp looked at him with wide eyes.
Mr. 2 moved toward them and started touching them on their face.
"That being said, I don't need to hit you on your face.... Ahh"
Mr. 2 paused when someone caught his hand before he could touch Nami. He turned his head and saw Zack catching his hand.
Zack moved his hand to the side and patted his shoulder.
"You are not bad. But, there are people you shouldn't touch."
Hearing his words, Mr. 2 looked at him with confusion and shrugged his shoulder.
"Well, anyway, I can not only change my voice or face but also my body."
This time though he couldn't show Nami's body.
"Wowwww! Awesomeee! Moreeee" Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp got excited as they shouted at the same time.
"Gahahaha! Not only I can change my face now but also in the future. No matter how many faces I touch, as long as I remember the person, I can easily change."
While saying so, he kept changing into different people, one of them being the king of Alabasta which made Vivi tremble. Soon after his crew came to take him and only then, did the crew learn about his name.
"What? He is Mr. 2?" Usopp shouted in horror.
"Vivi, didn't you know him?" Luffy asked.
"I didn't know. I never met Mr. 2 or Mr. pair." Vivi fell to her knees as she felt incredibly frustrated.
"There is no need to be so anxious. Don't forget we have someone who knows almost everything in this world." Nami suddenly spoke as she stared at Zack.
"Correction! I do not know everything. That being said I did know him which is why I didn't let him touch Nami's face." Zack answered as he singled all of them to gather around him.
"Vivi, call Sanji and Valentine! That girl has some nerve sleeping till the lunch when she can be a perfect training weight for Zoro."
"I won't use her as the training weights." Zoro rolled his eyes and answered.
"I was just kidding." Zack chuckled and waited.
After Vivi called him, all of them gathered around him and sat down.
"So, from the information I've gathered, we know that there are five groups in the enemy's team that works in pair. Basically, there are twelve people. We have defeated five of them."
"One of them is with us. That leaves six but actually, Mr. 2 is single. Because he doesn't have a male or female identity, he works alone except for his crew."
"That leaves us to five. Luffy will obviously face Crocodile which means we also have exactly five people. As for those below them, we will handle it. Although Valentine doesn't care about fighting them, I don't want her to fight right now."
Hearing his words, everyone looked at him with confusion.
"You guys all know that we are currently incredibly weak right now, right? Well, the battle is basically the best way to improve. Even for you three." Saying so, Zack pointed at Nami, Chopper, and Usopp.
"I don't care what kind of method you use. You can use trickery, weapons, tactics, and many more but you have to fight. Only then, you will have more confidence to face enemies in the future."
"That's why, Zoro will face Mr. 1, Nami will face Mr. 1 pair, Sanji will face Mr. 6 and Mr 2, Usopp and Chopper will face Mr. 4 and his partner. With that out of the way, I will fight against any other normal enemies and step in if someone strong appears."
"Wait, why am I fighting against Mr. 1 pair?" Nami suddenly asked with horror in her eyes.
"Yes, she can't defeat her. Miss Doublefinger will pierce right through her body." Valentine nodded and supported Nami.
"Zack-san, this plan might be risky." Vivi also supported her.
"Zack, you bastard! How could you plan to let Nami-san fight against such a strong woman?" Sanji roared as his jealousy sparked the flames around him.
"Does that mean you are admitting defeat?" Zack stared at Nami and asked.
At this moment, she suddenly paused, and everyone paused. Nami rubbed her hand around the new weapon she got. She got the feeling that Zack had trusted her.
'Then, why am I freaking out? If he is letting me fight, he must know that I would win, right?'
"Well, it is true that you will die. That woman has a devil fruit ability that allows her body to change her body into spikes. It would be deadly since it can easily pierce through you."
"That being said, if you don't want to, I will fight for you. The worst, I will need to use my fist, and might go injured the battle which might worsen my injuries." Zack spoke.
His eyes were filled with sadness that he was trying to reflect on her.
Nami frustratingly clenched her fist and shouted "Alright! Alright! I will do it. Humph! If you dare to fight anyone, I won't show you any mercy."
"Hahahaha! That's the spirit." Zack laughed for a moment but soon got his serious face as he continued.
"Though I am serious. She is deadly. Be careful while fighting her."
Then, Zack looked at Sanji and said "Mr. 2 has an ability to turn into anyone he wants. He can even change his body but I'm pretty sure just the face would be enough to make you useless. And Mr six too has his devil fruit ability"
"Ahh! That's why you didn't let him touch me." Nami suddenly realized that moment when Zack stopped his hand. And now, for some reason, she felt frustrated.
"Currently, he doesn't have the power to transform into Nami or Vivi but he might accidentally turn into ladies. During that moment, don't show your face to him especially if it is a beautiful woman. Your lustful face would be enough to give your weakness to the enemy." Zack continued after her.
"My face is not lustful. And, why am I not fighting Mr. 1? Why did you let that moss head fight him?" Sanji roared at him and pointed at Zoro.
"What did you say, Lustful bastard?" Zoro clenched his fist and shouted.
"Come on, you two! Stop for a moment. The reason Zoro is fighting Mr. 1 is because of his devil fruit. Mr. 1 has a devil fruit that allows his body to turn into steel."
"That means without Haki, he will cut your feet in half. And, even Zoro at his current strength might not be able to defeat him."
Saying so, Zack looked at Zoro and said.
"If you don't find what you are trying to find for so long, you will lose against him. That being said, I hope you will realize it during the battle. Also sanji I am giving you two opponents, be happy with it ."
"I will. My goal is to surpass that man, I will definitely realize it." Zoro nodded his head with a strong expression and spoke.
"And, finally, you captain." Zack looked at Luffy who was already snoring. He slapped his own forehead while Nami slapped Luffy.
"Wake up when someone is telling you something."
"Yawn! Zack, what were you saying again?" Luffy rubbed his eyes and looked at him while asking.
"I was saying that you can't defeat crocodiles, so you should let me fight him." Zack answered.
"No! I can defeat him. I will show you. And, you can't even fight." Luffy instantly woke up from his boredom and shouted at Zack.
"Nope! Not only you can't defeat him, but you also won't be able to land a punch on him." Zack shook his head.
Hearing his words, everyone else got confused and serious as well. They knew Zack was teasing Luffy and it would be Luffy who will fight crocodile but they could sense some truth in his tone.
"Ahh! I remember now. Zack, you previously said that only Haki can affect Logia Devil Fruit and Crocodile has sand logia fruit which is why Luffy can't fight him with learning Haki."
"But wait, you also don't know Haki. How are you planning on fighting him?" Usopp asked with confusion.
"It's easy." Nami suddenly interrupted and smiled.
"We just have to find the natural weakness of that devil fruit. And, fortunately, we know its weakness."
Hearing her words, Usopp's eyes widened.
"Ahh, yes! Zack did tell us about the weakness of Sand Logia fruit to be water. Yes, with water, you would be able to fight him."
Thud!
Luffy suddenly sat down in front of Zack and pointed at himself.
"I am the Captain. I will fight him."
"No, you are too foolish. You will die." Zack shook his head.
"I won't fight foolishly. I will defeat him using water." Luffy answered.
"Even if you can use water to make him touchable, you still need to punch him on time."
"Then, I will put water on my fist and punch him."
"But, what if he sucks away your water?"
"He can do that?"
"Yes, he can suck the moisture in your body, turning you into a living corpse."
"Then, I will simply defeat him before he could do that."
"But, he is also fast. Don't underestimate him!"
"I won't. I said I will fight him and defeat him."
"Alright"
"Believe me, I can de... you said alright?"
"Alright, I believe you."
At this moment, Luffy raised both of his hands and shouted.
"Hurray!"
Hearing him shouting, Zack helplessly shook his head.
"You completely manipulated him into being serious during the battle and listening to your words. Congratulations!" Nami shook her head while looking at Luffy and spoke.
"Anyway, we will reach Nanohana tomorrow. We will restock our food and water so that we can continue our journey to the Rainbase." Zack explained and stood up. He walked toward the edge of the ship and started fishing once again.
"Zack, can you teach me how to fish like you?" Chopper ran toward him, jumped, and sat next to him while asking.
"Of course, you have to be extremely silent and let the fish get the bait. Once those fish eat the bait, we pull the string." Zack nodded his head and explained.
"Alright!" Chopper happily answered as he put his fishing rod on the water. They were silently waiting for the fish while Luffy approached them from behind and spoke.
"Chooopeeerrrr!"
Hearing his voice, Chopper turned around. Luffy was standing behind him with sticks on his nose and mouth.
"Hahahahaha!" The next moment, Chopper burst into laughter.
"Luffy, it appears you want to go hungry today." Zack's words rang in their ears. It was cold as ice. Even Chopper who had been living in ice felt chills on his fur.
Luffy turned stiff as he turned his head away. Zack spent the entire day meditating. It was a kind of meditation since he was basically focusing on nothing but fishing.
And, for fishing, he couldn't make movement or noise. That means one way or another, he was meditating. This was the secret way he found to help him learn Observation Haki faster since he couldn't ask others to beat him on his head.
Soon, the sun started setting in the west and they were called for dinner. During this time, Zack had caught a lot of fish. He didn't let Luffy eat those baits.
This night, after dinner, Nami walked out of the cabin. Zack curiously followed her. Some were interested, some weren't. But, nobody stepped out. Nami was standing on the deck. Zack walked from behind and reached incredibly close to her.
"Is something bothering you?" Zack asked.
Nami didn't speak for some time. But after a while, she finally opened her mouth.
"Do you think I can truly fight?"
"Of course, you can. You survived alone in the seas for so long and also managed to steal so much. There is nothing you can't do. You just have to believe in yourself." Zack smiled and put his hands around her belly as he spoke.
"Come on, I am serious. You are asking me to fight someone who is matched with the second boss of our enemy." Nami put his hands away and turned around as she spoke.
"Well, then you have to believe in yourself even more. Listen, I know it would be deadly but if you can fight her, and win, then there will be nothing stopping you in the future. Just use whatever means you have." Zack continued to make her agree.
Nami tried not to think about it and suddenly put her arms around his shoulder. Zack was stunned for a moment but he quickly realized what kind of an amazing chance was this.
He pulled her closer by her waist and put his lips on hers. The soft lips felt like heaven. After four long years, he finally got a kiss.
Out of nowhere, it started raining. But, they continued to kiss. It was getting good until someone opened the Cabin door.
"Nami, there might be a storm!" That person was none other than Chopper. When he saw Zack and Nami standing in front of each and he could only see them touching each other's lips, Chopper was confused, not knowing what they were doing.
Zack and Nami suddenly pushed each other away. Both awkwardly stared at each other.
"Ahh! I need will move the sail."
"Yes, move to the left by a little bit!"
Nami quickly ran up the stairs and reached the cabin.
Inside the cabin, Sanji gave thumbs up to Usopp.
"If you wanted to stop it so much, why didn't you go by yourself? Or are you too scared to stop it?" Zoro suddenly mocked him.
"Mosh Head, watch your mouth! This is the best strategy to let Chopper get used to these kinds of scenes." Sanji fired up as he shouted at Zoro.
Creek!
"What's going on?" Nami asked as he entered the cabin room. She was wet and she was wetting the floor.
"Nothing!" Sanji instantly returned to his normal expression and shook his head. Zoro stared at him but decided not to say anything.
"Whatever!" Nami walked toward a hanger with a towel. She rubbed her hair and dried it. After a while, Zack also entered the room and used the same towel to dry himself.
Of course, it wasn't awkward at this moment. Zack and Nami had made a promise not to make anything awkward when it comes to their relationship with the crew.
"There might be rain the whole night so there is no need to stay at guard. We should be at a reasonable distance from any storm. So, let's go to bed!" Nami spoke as she took Vivi to the bed.
Luffy also rushed toward the hammock. Usopp and Chopper also chased them. But after running a few steps, Chopper stopped and walked toward Zack.
He pulled Zack's pants and asked.
"Zack, why were you licking Nami's lips? Are they tasty?"
At this moment, Zack felt awkward. He shook his head and said "How about this? If you ever feel like your heart is beating out too fast but you are not affected by any sickness or disease, you will ask me and I will tell you the answer."
Chopper rubbed his horn and muttered "Why would my heart beat too fast when I am not sick? Is it some sort of disease that I don't know?"
Suddenly, his eyes widened. He looked at Zack and said, "If I manage to cure this disease, will I become a great doctor?"
"Hmm… How do I say this? It's not something you can simply cure. But, if you do manage to cure it, you will undoubtedly become the best doctor in the world."
"Puff!" Suddenly, Usopp who was eavesdropping on them burst into laughter.
Chopper didn't hear him but Zack's words made him burst into flames.
"I will definitely cure that disease."
"Yeah! Yeah, you will." Sanji patted his head and walked toward the hammock.