Chapter - 7

"Thanks Luffy bro for being honest. I had a feeling it wouldn't really do much. I didn't see this Kaido guy up close but I'll tell you this. WE WILL beat him captain. It might take awhile and as you know there are no shortcuts but we'll figure this thing out, we always do brother!" The two fistbumped again before Franky turned around and got back to work. "I'll try and make this thing as powerful as I can, we'll test one out soon ya?" The cyborg joyful asked.

"Can't wait!" The raven haired captain smiled back. In Luffy's mind if there was a somewhat father figure to the group it would undoubtedly be Franky. He was always looking out for everyone constantly almost as if he never had humanly cyborg needs. If there was someone to protect their home he would bank all his money on Franky. When he was plugged into the Sunny, it truly could transform into a weapon of mass destruction.

"You can test that bomb sooner then later Franky." Luffy exclaimed folding his hands behind his head. "We can use it against Big Mom when we encounter her next, I'll be fighting her before Kaido."

"Really?" The cyborg half asked in awe and amazement. "Well I'm glad you said something I can't freaking wait to get this puppy going!" Said Franky comical tears flowing from his eyes.

"You can't blow the island up until we get Pudding out then it's fair game!" Luffy couldn't contain his excitement at the prospect of blowing that damned island to hell. He would love to see Big Mom's face when all her food is gone and she starved. The young captain threw his left fist into his right hand. "And not until I defeat Big Mom and her crew!"

All Franky could do was smile at his always positive enthusiasm. "Glad to hear it boss." Turning back to his current work project, Luffy began to explore the workshop a little hoping to maybe pick up something useful. After a few minutes of searching he found nothing of use as a lot of the inventions were prototypes therefore not in use.

After a comfortable few minutes of letting Franky work Luffy spoke.

"Do you think I made the right decision? Y'know retreating from Wano? Franky stopped what he was doing to hear Luffys question before working again.

"Look I don't know if it was right or wrong. I'm not really one to say. It depends on what you do next I guess? So what now captain? How long before Kaido comes for us?

It was hard to say. "I'm positive he's comfortable in Wano. He didn't bat an eye when we retreated. He's probably preparing for Shanks and the Red Haired Pirates." Luffy spoke while remembering Red Haired Shanks the man who taught Luffy all about sacrifice. The man gave up an arm for him; talk about badass. The man stopped the War at Marineford without so much as raising a sword. This only angered Luffy, he needed to beat Kaido before anyone, even Shanks, by any means necessary.

"We should choose the next move carefully hopefully regroup with allies down the line before we enter Totto Land eh?" Franky said never taking his eyes away from his pet project.

"Yup that's the plan, regroup with Tra-guy and hopefully the others. Anyway I'll let you get back to it Franky!" The young captain waved leaving the cyborg to his work.

After visiting with Franky, Luffy sought out Usopp his trusty sniper. Something that Franky and Usopp shared was their private time. Both could lock themselves away for days only to work on an invention that never gets finished. It's just a mostly a past time. It keeps one sane during times of war. Some people are talkers, some are thinkers, the young captain was attempting to find a balance between the two. Luffy went back outside to the upper deck looking around. Deciding to check the gardens he found none other than Nico Robin and Usopp who were conversing while planting in their respective gardens. It was common place for everyone to plant their own but none were more adamant about their certain spices and herbs from their respective homelands than these two. They made sure whenever they ate Sanji's delicious dishes it was with their natural homemade herbs and spices making them feel like they never left home. Luffy was a bit envious but why would meat need extra spice and herbs, meat is perfect, meat was meat.. Luffy trailed off in his head while his stomach growled. 'Damn need to eat soon.'

Robin and Usopp greeted the young captain.

"Oi guys!"

They both smiled warmly welcoming the captain in their conversation.

"Luffy I could use your help." Robin smiled while gesturing Luffy to dig a small hole while he placing a few red beats into the ground before handing him a small green can used for pouring water onto the plants. "Okay that's it thank you Luffy."

"No problem Robin, but did you really need my help?" Luffy asked scratching the back of his head confused.

Robin just chuckled. "No I have plenty of helping hands."

"Oh how nice." Luffy and Usopp both sweat dropped towards the raven haired woman.

"How did it feel to plant captain?" The former demon child asked curious for an honest answer. With Luffy you'd always get one. Usopp was curious as well.

"It felt..nice..relaxing. I felt a certain..peace." Hearing a satisfactory answer Robin nodded. "How I stayed so calm throughout the years on the run or even in a stressful situation now, I always plant, whatever was on my mind was one it will be off it by the completion of this simple task. It's really quite remarkable. So Luffy if you ever feel upset this will provide peace of mind, if only for awhile." She emphasized the last part.

Luffy was soaking in the words Robin had told him. She was absolutely right. That simple task of farming even a few plants was quite nice. It was so easy anyone could do it and it was..relaxing. He might have to get his own garden.. if only gardens grew meat.

"Thanks a bunch Robin!" Luffy said while sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. It was relaxing almost too relaxing. It was nice to see Usopp and Robin bond over such a simple endeavor. What really piqued his interest was why when he was near Robin he didn't feel the same as it was with Nami. It wasn't like he likes any one more than the other. Well not necessarily, just one feeling was different to the other;incomparable by nature.

Robin had almost a motherly figure to the crew. When it came down to it the crew would all look up to her for advice. He had to admit he needed a lot of people on his crew but without Robin his journey would be pointless. In order to find out Ratfael's location they needed to find the four red markers intersection point to find the One Piece. Her biggest and most vital role had yet to come he couldn't wait for them to solve the mystery of the world.

Robin stood up dusting herself off.

"Well you two have fun, I'm going to go get cleaned up." Robin smiled warmly before heading inside.

"Going to join Franky huh?" Usopp snickered into his hand clutching at his sides. Luffy imitated Franky with his "Super!" Before rolling over laughing along with Usopp who was now in tears.

"Oh Luffy?" Robin called.

"Huh?" Luffy sat upright looking at Robin who was halfway in the door.

"Don't be late." She said with a certain seriousness in her voice that made the two men immediately stop goofing off.

"What uh- What was that all about?" Usopp started.

Luffy his eyes under his hat. "N-Nothing."

Usopp was not convinced he just crossed his arms. "Uh-huh. Alright so what was it you wanted to talk about? Just spit it out man something's bugging you?" Usopp didn't take his eyes off the plant he was currently tending to.