A Dragon and A Hero

"IGARAM," Vivi screamed in horror, seeing the flames reaching the sky itself; her legs moved on her own, wanting to jump on the water.

But Luffy grabs her by the waist and puts her on his shoulder.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Sorry, but we don't have time to waste."

Vivi tried to fight back, but it was all in vain; Luffy was much stronger than her, eventually giving up; seeing the princess had stopped struggling against him, he put her on the wooden floor of the main deck.

After a few minutes of silence except for Vivi, who was crying her eyes out, Nami thought of perhaps saying a few things to cheer her up somehow; her duck approached the princess leaving out a 'Quack' sound; the princess raised her head looking at her friend before hugging him tightly.

"Can Someone fill us with information about who we are dealing with?" Usopp asks, still not understanding the weight of the situation.

"Crocodile, we are going to face the Warlord," Luffy answered immediately; no point in dancing around the bush; Usopp went pale, almost losing his conciseness. Vivi apologized again for putting them in such significant danger.

"No need to apologize, princess; sooner or later, we were going to face them anyway," Luffy answered respectfully towards the princess; Garp had made sure to tell Luffy to respect the high ranks unless they were pieces of shit, in that case, he had the permission to give them the Fist of Love.

Except for The Celestial Dragons Luffy, whenever you come in contact with one, you should run away, don't try to do anything; none of you are strong yet.

"We are ready; there's nothing to worry about," Zoro stated, looking at his swords; Nami and Sanji nodded in agreement.

But right now wasn't the time for that; they were still in enemy territory. Luffy looked where their ship was sailing, a pretty thick fog right before them.

"We have a fog approaching, Nami. Take care of it," Luffy ordered, looking at his navigator, who winked at him before turning her arms gold; one new thing Luffy noticed was the red flames dancing around her wings; they weren't there before.

Nami jumped up in the air before sending a wind wave blowing away the fog, almost all of it; Nami looked annoyed and tried to keep flying but was still not able to, eventually falling back to the main deck.

"I'm sorry, Luffy," Nami apologized, knowing she didn't clear the whole fog; Luffy just kissed her cheek, making her blush.

"Don't worry, Nami, you did very good," Luffy complimented; Vivi was quite impressed by her Devil Fruit abilities, not the first time seeing it but still was something she wasn't used to yet.

Nami started speaking orders since there was still danger from underwater rocks. Sanji and Usopp were listening to her orders while Zoro was checking on his swords.

Nojiko was approaching the princess, thinking of ways to cheer her up.

Luffy knew of the other woman on the ship; he wondered how long it would take for his crew to notice her presence.

Any second now

"Be careful from the rocks; there's quite a few in front of us," a voice spoke towards Nami, who nodded her head.

"Yes, Thanks," she replied without thinking; Luffy eyed each of his crewmates; his irritation was growing by the second.

Any Minute Now?

"A big one to our right,"

"Usopp move the ship thirty degrees," Nami ordered, completely ignoring the new voice.

Okay, that's it, Luffy thought, tired of this cat and mouse game; walking at the center of the deck, he coughed loudly, immediately gaining everyone's attention; this stopped everyone from doing whatever they were doing.

"Guys, do you feel something new in the ship?" Luffy asked with a grin, but everyone except Nojiko and Vivi could see Luffy was angry about something.

They tried to think of what they were missing when surprisingly, Usopp closed his eyes and immediately turned to look at the railing, which looked at the lower deck. "Who are you?" He shouted, pointing at the woman.

Zoro prepared to pull out his swords; Sanji pointed a pistol at her head, and so did Usopp, who was using a rifle.

The woman crossed her arms, removing the weapons aimed at her, much to the shock of everyone.

"She has a Devil Fruit," Nami said, being able to see the extra hands that grew out of nowhere.

"Yeh, but which one?" Usopp asked out loud.

"Took you long enough, I have been training you guys since you joined, yet she was able to walk in, and none of you noticed," Luffy stated with a serious tone; the crew flinched slightly, knowing they had disappointed their captain.

But Luffy's frown suddenly turned into an 'innocent' smile that sent shivers to everyone's spine.

"That means I will have to triple your training," Luffy decided with a burst of laughter; the crew paled at the thought of training that much.

"Oh, so you were able to detect me," the woman said in amusement, looking at the captain of the straw hats.

"Of course I was; I'm the Captain," Luffy stated with a firm tone.

The woman was sitting, but it was noticeable that she was tall, with olive skin and shoulder-length dark hair. She had blue eyes with wide dark pupils and a long, thin nose. She was wearing a cowgirl outfit with a purple cleavage-exposing corset and matching miniskirt, both with white hanging ornaments, and a white fur-lined coat paired with a white cowboy hat and white high-heeled boots.

"MISS ALL-SUNDAY!"

Princess Vivi shouted in anger towards the woman whose face didn't change in the slightest.

"Who is she?" Usopp asked.

"This beautiful lady, I mean, gorgeous enemy, was here all this time?"

Even worried, Sanji could see that some habits die hard. He lights a cigarette to smoke, he hoped it didn't, but things could go south really fast now.

Vivi looked tense and scared; she was by Nojiko's side and behind, and none of the two seemed to be doing well.

"YOU... WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IGARAM? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS NOW IF YOU LET US DISCOVER THE BOSS'S IDENTITY?"

This information came as thunder to everyone's ears, making them share confused and wary looks.

"I see; that explains a lot."

"Who is she?" Zoro asks, a little confused by the situation.

"The partner of Mr.0, Crocodile. I followed her footsteps; that's how I found out about the secret organization."

"If she helped you, then why did she attack the old man and is here now?" Asked Nojiko with a steel staff in her hands. Vivi, however, didn't seem to have an answer to the question.

"Well, it's quite simple, actually. A little princess, alone fighting an entire large organization that wants to take over her country. This was such a moving tale that I couldn't help but give her a small hand,"

She looked happy as she explained. A sadistic joy. But Luffy felt, again, that is, it seemed false, but it also wasn't just that; there was something more, but he didn't know what. For the first time, he encountered a person who seemed to be able to cloud his senses, someone he couldn't quite tell how they felt.

Vivi was trembling in frustration. All her effort, the lives of her people, was just a game for that woman?

"It really is a tragic tale. And so, the poor princess, in the act of desperation, asks the pirates for help. I'll give them credit for being able to take down the unluckiest, But honestly, if you continue following this route, you will not survive the next island."

Despite her words, it didn't sound like a threat.

"You seem pretty sure about that."

Nojiko spoke in a defiant tone that also failed to wipe the amusement off the woman's face.

Miss All Sunday doesn't respond; she just keeps her gaze on her interest. At that moment, Luffy feels something on his back, together with a slight breeze that seems to take his hat in the air, towards the woman in the cowgirl outfit.

Mr.0's partner reached for the hat, but the object seemed to be drawn back to the owner's right hand, who put it back on his head, this time keeping his hand there holding it.

"I don't like it when an enemy touches my hat."

He was completely serious, and a small drop of sweat almost ran through Miss All Sunday's forehead.

"I apologize then."

"Captain, an arm came out of your back. That's what threw the hat."

Nami spoke without taking her eyes off the dark-haired one. She prepared to attack at any moment, she didn't yet if she would be able to defeat her, but it didn't matter.

"Got it. Hey, what you mean we that wouldn't survive the next island?"

Luffy's voice showed he wasn't taking her "warning" seriously.

"The next island is Little Garden."

Only Vivi reacted to that name. The brunette seemed to vaguely remember that name, but not what it was referring to.

"Anyway, I think it would be really sad if the princess fight ended here."

Saying that she throws an object to Vivi, who instinctively takes it. It was an Eternal Pose, one similar to the one the princess had given Igaram.

"Why are you giving me this?"

She questions, squeezing the object with frustration. Was Miss All Sunday still playing with her or really helping? More and more, her actions made less sense.

"It's an Eternal Pose for an island near Alabasta, but uninhabited. Not even Baroque Works knows this route so that it will be safe for you."

"This is coming from a very reliable source."

Zoro was making fun of her, but he could feel the tension of the situation. The green-haired one was waiting for this woman to give some opening, but so far, there was absolutely nothing.

While everyone had their attention completely focused on the dark-haired, Vivi had an internal debate about whether or not to accept this Eternal Pose. She didn't want to trust Miss All Sunday, but this might actually be a quicker ticket home. Besides being possibly safer, and she didn't feel entitled to put these people's lives in even more danger.

Before she can come to any decision, the compass is taken from her hands by the captain without warning.

Luffy first observes the object, then shows it to everyone and crushes it between his fingers.

"Only one person decides the course of this ship, me!"

Even though a possible ticket home had just been destroyed, Vivi felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. She felt safe, felt that she could trust Luffy, that he would protect her.

"I see that I offended you again; I apologize. Since we have nothing else to discuss, I will make my departure now."

Things had once again gone out of her way; this time, however, she was in awe of this man's decision. She couldn't help but think he was very interesting.

"And why would we let an enemy out?"

The woman's eyes give away that she was having fun waiting for what was going to happen.

"Let her go," Luffy said, but to the surprise of everyone, he was not standing where he was a second ago but instead right in front of the woman who looked shocked for the very first time since coming here.

How is he so fast?" She asked herself; the captain was standing between her and her way out of this ship; she knew if he wanted, he could have harmed her or even killed her.

The crew waited in bated breath, wondering what the captain would do; Luffy just grew a smile.

"Before you leave, I want to know your name?" Luffy asked the woman, who did a double-take, wondering if she heard him right.

"Miss Sunday," she answered with a smirk. "I meant your real name, none of that code name crap," Luffy said before walking past her, leaving the way open for her to leave.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you my name, but if our roads clash again, I might tell you," Robin said before sending a wink at Luffy before jumping off the Going Merry.

Sanji cried tears of despair, seeing the new woman winking at the shitty captain, who burst out laughing.

"A giant tortoise? So cool..." Usopp comments impressed.

"Will we see Miss All-Sunday-chan again?" Now that the tension had passed, Sanji went back to normal.

"If we do, you can go with her and never come back." Said Zoro as he put his swords in their scabbards.

"Shut up, marimo!"

"Fuck you pervert!"

Once again, the two looked like they were about to fight, just to be interrupted by an angry redhead.

"Not now!"

Nami screams, slapping them both on the head.

"We have other concerns now." She said, looking at Vivi with empathy.

With all the shock gone, Vivi looked like she was going to burst into tears with Igaram's death. They didn't even have time to find the body, to give him a proper burial. And to top that, all the things that had changed overnight. Suddenly everything felt even more dangerous than it already was.

"Don't worry, just trust us."

Said Nojiko, putting a hand on the princess's shoulder. It made her realize that despite everything, these people, powerful people, were willing to help her.

"Thank you."

She takes a deep breath. The problems weren't forgotten, and she still had a lot on her mind, but it wasn't time now. Above all, she should be strong for her country.

"What is this Little Garden that woman was talking about? Why won't we survive there?" Usopp asked, terrified as he remembered these words.

"I don't know much about it. I just heard that most of those who go there never leave. They say that even for the Grand Line, that island has a completely different climate, completely isolated and without even civilization." Vivi explained everything she had ever heard about the place, which only increased Usopp's fear.

"And what's so bad there?"

"If there are no survivors, there are no people telling stories." There was a certain funereal tone in Zoro's words, making almost all of them feel a chill down their spines.

Zoro lies down in any corner, appearing unaffected by recent events. Sanji goes to cook while declaring his love to all the women present. Nojiko raises the idea of a betting game, cheering Usopp for entertainment and Nami for the chance to win money. She was also fully focused on navigation, but she could do both at the same time.

"With the unluckies out, I think communication at Baroque Works will be down for a while. The only problem is that since Miss All-Sunday found us, she should be reporting us to the Crocodile by now. At least, it will be more troublesome for other agents, especially the lower ranking ones."

The other two nodded, agreeing with her logic.

"Can they set an ambush?" Nami wondered, crossing her arms.

"It's something we can expect from Crocodile. Now, whether they're going to attack us, at sea or in Little Garden, I don't know. There's also the unlikely possibility that they'll actually leave us to Little Garden, but I wouldn't count on that."

Vivi explains, making Namu sigh. They were able to give a small hit on the giant that was Baroque Works, but the troubles hadn't even started yet.

...

Out at sea, far from the Going Merry, was Miss All-Sunday on top of her giant transport turtle Banchi. The animal had a dark brown hoof, a grayish-green belly, and a dull look. He smoked a cigar and wore a horizontal white-striped cowboy hat with a pink cloth that tied his head.

On top of the bark was a shawl that would fit on top of the animal. Inside there was only a purple rug, a couch of the same color, two windows on opposite sides, a door in front of the couch, and a desk next to it. The dark-haired woman was sitting cross-legged and holding a Den Den Mushi in her right hand.

"So we lost the unluckies, Miss Valentine and Mr.5. To a bunch whose captain is worth only, what... 70 Million Berry?"

The voice coming out of the snail was thick, hoarse, and dry. It was the voice of one of the Warlord pirates, Crocodile.

"Basically."

Despite still maintaining a confident facade, some, like Luffy, would notice a nervous feeling coming from her.

"Why didn't you kill them?"

He didn't look angry; in fact, he seemed almost uninterested.

"Honestly, I don't believe I would be able to beat them in a battle."

Miss All Sunday said with honesty was completely sincere. She was never a born fighter, to begin with, and she also had enough life experience to know who was dangerous, and she counted at least three people who were a threat here: the captain, the swordsman, and the cook who was drooling after her.

"Anyway, their destination is Little Garden."

On the other side of the conversation, the man nodded, getting her point.

"For now, you will be responsible for communication. Send some agents to Little Garden, Mr.3 and Miss Goldenweek."

Miss All Sunday almost widened her eyes hearing the orders. The Crocodile was taking this situation more seriously than she imagined, sending Mr.3 directly and with reinforcements still.

"Understood. I will contact them now."

There was no further reply, and the call was disconnected. The dark-haired looked out the window, thinking about that little crew and the fate that awaited them, but strangely, she didn't feel like they would be defeated. She didn't know if this was good or not.

Monkey D. Dragon

The sound of wind passing through the buildings echoed in his ears, a hoodie hiding his face, red marks on the left side of his cheek, his feet passing through people begging in the streets for food. They were starving.

Each of them had sunk cheeks, almost making a small hole in their cheeks; the skin around their eyeballs looked nearly gone, as their arms were as thin as a stick.

Dragon ordered his man to help anyone who wasn't already dead, but he himself had someone to meet here.

"Are you sure about this?" Sabo asked by his side respectfully; he believed Dragon would have a significant role to bring the new dawn, but after what he read in the newspaper about what Ace had done, inside, he was happy for his brother but knew with that single move, he had marked a big red mark on his back. A bigger one than he already had by being a Whitebeard Commander.

He was already drawing attention by being the second commander of Whitebeard pirates, but Sabo wondered what Ace was even doing in Sabaody. Clearly, he would stay close to Whitebeard; he wondered what could have happened to make Ace leave the ship?

"Don't worry, Sabo, I Would never do anything that could endanger our Revolution," Dragon answered with a stern tone.

Soon they reached a house. Sabo walked forward as he knocked on the door; the door opened. Sabo peaked his head inside but couldn't see any danger.

"It's safe."

Walking inside, Dragon removed his hood covering his face; his eyes met with someone he had tried to avoid for a long time now; the man hadn't changed in the slightest, still the same rock head man.

"It has been a long time, Dragon."

"Indeed... Father."