Chapter - 6

The orange haired navigator trotting silently over towards the infirmary not bothering to knock before entering.

"Thought you guys were scott free huh?"

" Oi Nami-Swan-"

"Oi Witch-"

Luffy and Chopper flinched as he heard the cracks of his two friends skulls.

"Luffy... I think she killed them." Chopper whispered after their quiet laughter turned to ear deafening silence. Nami closed the door returning her attention to the captain and Chopper.

"Nami I'm sorry." Luffy simply said standing to slightly tower over her frame.

"Yeah, yeah I heard you the first time Luffy." Nami slightly huffed still lingering near. What now? He wasn't sure not until Nami was starting to head back the way she came.

Zoro and Sanji, though unrecognizable leaned up against the door, with Zoro holding Sanji at a ridiculous angle. The two brothers arguing to shut each other up, desperate to hear how the exchange between the captain and navigator would go down. So far Luffy was blowing it?

Chopper noticing the shift in the room between the two. The air became thick with just these two in a cramped hallway. This was not the ideal situation Chopper wanted to be in. On Whole Cake Island the two were inseparable, a true partner in crime duo. With Nami's genius ingenuity and equally impressive bravery she saved Luffy from certain death. Chopper noticed the difference in Luffy's outward attitude towards her. In the past it was always obvious he needed Nami. She was the navigator naturally that's how it worked right? Just like he needed all of them. During Zou he still could tell something was up didn't understand it fully, not until they reunited to form an alliance with Capone Bege. Something was different. It was like Luffy knew he needed her now or he was starting to understand his place in the world and he wouldn't mind if Nami's place was next to his. Chopper knew both needed to be careful. It was a time of war but even knew it was only a matter time even if they did find solace in each other during all this.

The cotton candy loving doctor saw Nami turn on her heel without Luffy saying much of anything. He vowed he wouldn't intervene but-

"Oi Nami" Luffy's voice rang out catching her wrist only to gain her attention back before gently letting her go. He could see she turned back with to him genuine intrigue. He needed to play his cards right.

Zoro and Sanji were now dead silent, now using plastic cups to try and hear anything from the other side of the door. Both anxiously gulping awaiting their captains next move. Their minds both sharing the same thought. 'Don't screw this up idiot.'

Chopper was now sweat dropping wondering what Luffy was going to ask. Only a minute passed when Nami entered the hallway but with these two like this it felt like he was stuck in an eternal time loop where each moment was a lifetime.

"What is it Luffy?" Nami asked a questioning slightly anxious look to her features.

The ship felt as it stopped moving. Luffy remembered Sanji's words but his gut told him not here, not now. That wasn't right. He really did need her help this time.

"Nami I-" Luffy paused thinking of his next words. "I could really use your help.. I need a chart to Totto Land." Luffy gave his smile to know it was a serious request.

All the air of tension seemed to evaporate in an instant. Sanji and Zoro sank to the floor silently thanking the heavens their captain for actually considering his words for a change; sign of progress.

Chopper breathing a sign of relief as Nami gave one of her smiles back. "Oh of course! I'll let you know when I have a minute."

"I appreciate it Nami." Luffy grinned taking a glance at his navigator. Her hair was orange like the Pikans she grew on the ship. 'I bet she smells like that too'

Luffy mentally slapped himself for thinking like that. He couldn't help it as of late, everything in his soul told him to gravitate towards her. It was still something he had yet to understand.

"Don't mention it captain." She winked before disappearing the way she came. Luffy was still frozen in his spot before finally regaining his composure.

"Nice one Luffy!" Chopper exclaimed giving him a thumbs up. Luffy just sighed and leaned against the wall. "Luffy.." Chopper was serious.

"We need to talk somewhere else." Chopper said nodding towards the infirmary.

"Sure" Luffy answered the reindeer. The two walked into the kitchen making sure they got a few moments alone.

"What is it Chopper?" The rubber man asked picking his feet placing them on top of one another on the table.

Leaning back Luffy began to open his ears to what Chopper was about to say.

"Luffy... I didn't want to say this in front of everyone else but.. when I did my first examination on Sanji's injury it was obvious to me he won't ever fight again. At least against admiral level opponents." Chopper evenly said nearly causing the young captain to fall out his chair.

Luffy now devotes his attention to all of Chopper as the reindeer continued his explanation, "It's fine Luffy he can walk, run, fly, but fighting like he once did is out of the question. I don't question Sanji's toughness but if the bone never recovers properly it doesn't matter. Do you understand Luffy?"

The youngest yonko debates with himself facing the ceiling. How did it get this fucked up so fast. Would he still be able to keep his promise to Sanji. Of course he had to!

"Chopper you heard, we have to get Pudding from Big Mom! Sanji has to do it, he vowed he would return for her." Luffy said trying to contain his excitement. It was an adventure he was a looking forward to.

Chopper gave his captain a solemn look. "I know, I heard. I mean.. it's possible but you have to take explain to him the repercussions of his actions if he truly is intent on saving Ms. Pudding." Chopper finished.

"Okay I'll let him know, not yet. He needs to recover from his leg injury first then, after I find out from Nami how long it will take to reach Cake Island and the best route to get back to Big Mom's castle." Luffy couldn't afford to feel sympathetic for Sanji's condition. Sanji would be disappointed knowing he would only have one more top level fight in him, but the rubber man knew if it meant Sanji freeing Pudding to make her happy he would gladly accept the circumstance.

"Thanks for listening Luffy. Were all going to be there this time so we'll help Sanji win her back!" Chopper exclaimed

"Hell yeah we will!" The two high five before separating for the evening. It wasn't late but it wasn't early neither. Before he forgot Luffy swiped a bottle of Sake from Sanji's cabinet for Zoro.

Luffy was now in the heart of the ship currently looking for his ship wright. The ship mechanic never left his workshop some days. Usually if he was upset or just bored. Franky was such a positive guy, Luffy could tell if he was in a bad mood easily. If he wasn't he would usually brag happily about his gadgets and yell Super! Which always brought a laugh to the captains face. Tracking down the ship wright proved to be successful.

"Franky! What's up?" Luffy waved to the ship wright from the entrance to the hull.

"Luffy what's good my man?" The half man half cyborg SUPER fist bumped the captain.

"Woah cool! What is all this?!" The rubber man's eyes gleamed causing Franky to put on his shades.

"Oh This! Franky said grabbing the nearest gadget. "Is a nuclear device capable of leveling an island if we aren't careful." If it were anyone else they would be complaining about there being a bomb aboard the ship but Luffy just continues to look in awe. Franky gave a thumbs up. "But check this out this is the best part, the bomb can only be activated by having both of us touch it at the same time and it has to be active via remote by yours truly. I figured this would Kaido a piece of his own medicine next time we face him." Franky beamed.

"What do you think huh captain?" Luffy was in awe of the weapon Franky had created. He wondered if it could really put a dent in Kaido's defense.

"It's great Franky but.." his eyes shade as he began to speak. " it will never work against Kaido. I've seen what he is, and to be honest I'm not sure how we can beat him. Even if all 11 supernovas fought him at once it would still be a toss up. His true strength lies in his stamina, it's nearly limitless and when his stamina is up he's an unstoppable force.." Franky could see the young captain struggling for words as he felt Franky's hand on his shoulder.