Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Bandits and Pirates Ahoy! The Straw Hat Pirates Sets Sail!

"You're really doing a great job, Makino," Luffy assured, "Running around the whole island is a lot for anyone."

"T-Thanks… Luffy…" she wheezed, riding on Luffy's back as she tried to regain feeling in her legs, "Heh, s-sorry if I'm t-too t-tired to…"

"Don't worry about that. I want you at your best for that anyway." He walked as fast as he could back to the village without disturbing the newly minted pirate too much. Once she announced her intentions to leave with Luffy, the people of Fuusha mostly took it well. Sure they would need to find a new barkeep but that was worth it when Makino looked so happy whenever she was around Luffy. The only "protest" was from the mayor who never went beyond loud griping.

And now, a few days later, Makino was joining Luffy for as much training as possible before they departed for the big blue. First and foremost was giving Makino some basic fighting tips so she could throw a punch and block in a real fight. Since she had those down after about a day came physical conditioning. Lifting empty beer kegs, long sprints, and light spars with Luffy were all on the agenda.

And as painful as the end of each day was, the results were quickly bearing fruit. In less than a week, Makino could now lift upwards of a hundred pounds, increased her stamina enough to fight for several minutes and managed to break a wooden board without flinching. Luffy proved to be the perfect teacher for her. He seemed to instinctually know when she was reaching her limit, and provided the right mix of encouraging and strict so Makino would honestly know when she needs to try harder and when she succeeded.

Plus, while she couldn't learn any of Luffy's rubbery attacks, she could still develop her own power. With the Burst-Burst Fruit, Makino really was a walking shotgun capable of firing a short range but very damaging spray of shrapnel in any given direction. The issue was that she experienced some serious kickback. She once managed to dislocate her shoulder firing too much out of her hand, much to the displeasure of the village's doctor.

And yet every night, Luffy was there to carry her back to her home and kiss her goodnight with a smile. With each day she grew stronger and gained a deeper appreciation for her loving captain. Further inspiring her was a glimpse at the grueling work Luffy put himself through. Hauling over a dozen timbers slung on his back, after punching them down himself. Practicing his kicks and punches on boulders until they broke apart. Utilizing each of the Six Powers dozens of time in a few minutes. The fact that these activities led to Luffy stripping off his vest was a nice bonus for her.

Makino and Luffy walked back to the village side by side, grateful for the pleasant weather. They had just finished hiking through Mt. Corvo and the lady was blushing at the waves of praise from her captain.

"Makino, you're a natural with Observation Haki! You picked it up way faster than me!"

"Oh, stop… My range is pretty small, not like yours. You can practically see everyone in the village!"

"Yeah, after years of practice. It took me a few months to actually start using it. You found it in, what, two weeks?"

The houses and few businesses of their quaint little village came into view, only for Woop Slap to run up to them.

"Oh, there you two are! Nothing happened to you?"

"No, what's wrong, Mayor?"

"Makino… It's your bar… Those hooligans from the mountains, they-!"

She was off running before he could finish, Luffy right behind. The fact that she just got finished with five hours of exhaustive training meant nothing to her. Makino sees that the front doors have been kicked in and gaped in horror. Tables were upturned, shattered glass scattered across the floor along with all the chairs. She immediately headed back to the storage room and noticed several missing kegs along with the bag with all the bar's proceeds for the month.

Already enraged, the greenette noticed a paper stuck to the far wall of the room with a dagger. Makino stomped over and soon her blood boiled over.

"Those fuckers!" she growled, immediately storming outside. Luffy wisely stands out of her way, having sensed just how pissed she was. One of the first and best pieces of advice he received from Nika:

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…'"

Luffy jogged after Makino as she headed back out of Fuusha and towards Mt. Corvo. He kept a decent clip behind her to keep her in sight without losing her. She was so incensed that she barely paid an attacking tiger any mind, just casually kicking in the face. The cat looked more offended at being ignored and slumped off.

In no time at all, she arrived in front of the Bear Club hideout just as the letter goaded her. And since turnabout was fair play, she raised a leg to smash the door in much to the surprise of the several dozen bandits who were busy drinking and partying. Makino noticed the large burlap sack sitting on the central table of the room with a smirking stain of a man in front of it.

Everything from his unwashed jacket and untucked shirt to his greasy black hair, hanging down to his ears along with a beard around his mouth, made it clear he was dirty and didn't care. And the smile on his face screamed of arrogance. It was only thanks to the cutlass attached to his hip nobody punched it off. "Well, well, well…"

"Don't start that with me," Makino said, "You wanted me here? I'm here, so be good little boys and give me my money back."

The rest of the bandits laughed at her bravado, all save the leader who keeps the same vulpine grin. "Goodness, little lady, where are your manners? It's not everyday you address a man of my stature."

"Oh cut the crap, Higuma. Just tell me what you want so we can get this over with."

Seeing how she refused to be intimidated, the lead vagrant stood with one hand constantly resting on the handle of his blade. "You seem to be getting awful close to that kid in the straw hat. The one who's getting way too big for his britches."

Makino raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked, that 'kid' could kick all your asses in five seconds flat."

Higuma snarled at that. He was clearly still sore about the time Luffy tossed them all out of Makino's place when he was only ten. And the time he caught them trying to rob the village's food suppliers when he was twelve. Or the dozen of other times he sent them packing.

"That loser keeps going on and on about his dream. 'King of the Pirates' this and 'One Piece' that, like all that shit actually exists. You know what I see? A stupid kid who refuses to grow up. Just like that even bigger loser Shanks! Stupid little redhead got on his boat the second a real fighter showed up."

Now Makino had to bite her tongue from laughing. Last she checked, Shanks was an Emperor of the Sea wanted for billions of beri.

"Real strength is knowing when to use it, not lording it over people because you can."

Higuma pointed a foul-smelling finger in her face. "That! That right there is the problem with that dumbass. Prattling all this crap and then acting like he owns the place because he got lucky. It makes me want to gut him like a fish."

He then rested his other hand on the bag of stolen beris, his smile somehow becoming even more full of itself. "So, we decided to teach him a little lesson. That loser has nothing of value, so we went after his girl! And now you're gonna have to do whatever I say in order to get this back."

He then strode forward and placed his hand on Makino's shoulder, making his intentions very clear. "I'll tell you what. You, me, a little alone time with some wine… It'll be over really quick. Whaddaya say?"

The slap across his face was enough but Makino wasn't done, shoving him backwards to the floor. "I say you're a pathetic excuse of a man who knows Luffy could wipe you all out, but you're too weak to actually do anything so you pick on someone else instead."

She then walked forward, even as several swords and pistols were trained on her. "So, here's what I offer: I leave with my money and you all can keep playing bandits or else."

The crooks looked from one to another before going into a laughing fit. One rotund gun strolled up, waving his pistol in the air. "Now, now, come on, little girl. I doubt that-"

Makino suddenly lifted her right hand directly at him, gripping her arm at the elbow.

"HK Hand!"

A wave of force blasted out of her hand and the bandit was sent tumbling down before screaming in pain. Dozens of small pellets were lodged in his chest, sending a wave of panic throughout the Bear Club.

"What the fuck?! How'd she do that?!"

"There's no way she can draw that fast!"

"No fucking way, does she have a Devil Fruit?!"

"I told you this was a horrible idea, Boss!"

"Don't just stand there, you idiots! Get her!"

Three guys rushed at her from behind, but Makino's Observation saw them coming. She wheeled around with a high kick that knocked the leftmost grunt against his buddies before sending a flurry of palm strikes that floored them all. She then swerved to the right to avoid a sword stabbing at her gut.

"What the, without even looking?!" the bandit shouted before Makino pointed two fingers at his arm.

"Derringer Digits!"

Another smaller but much more concentrated blast shot the man's arm. He screamed in agony, dropping his blade as blood started gushing out of his pockmarked limb.

"Shoot her from a distance!" Higuma ordered, half a dozen men all cocking the firing hammers on their guns at once. Makino raised her hands, ready to try and defend herself.

"Gum-Gum Pistol!"

An elastic fist tore through the hideout wall like paper, slamming into the firing squad and conking them all senseless. Makino smiled brighter than the sun as Luffy peered inside, flashing her a thumbs-up.

"See, Makino? You're awesome! You handle these guys. I'll go after their boss."

"Aye-aye, captain!" Makino even flashed a salute with a giggle before several of the bandits came at her. Luffy turned as the sound of her shouting as many pained groans and thuds from hitting the wooden floor sounded, making him smile. He walked outside and expanded his Observation Haki to find where the boss had run off to.

Sure enough, the cowardly Higuma was running through the trees away from the village with the money slung over his shoulder. He glanced behind him every few seconds, eyes popping in panic at how wrong this all was. He was Higuma the Bear! The most feared bandit for miles! And here he was running away from some woman who was treating his entire crew like punching bags.

He had to get away, he had to flee somewhere and use the money to start over. He had to find a way to start again when his face was on wanted posters all over the East Blue.

He stopped dead in his tracks as a hand clamped down on his shoulders, then rapidly flung him backwards. Higuma looked back in terror to see Luffy reeling him in.

"W-Wait! Hold on! I'll give back the mon-!"

Luffy's other fist smashed into his back, stopping the bandit's plea instantly. He crumpled to the ground while Luffy's sandal-clad foot rested on the back of Higuma's knee.

"I heard everything you said. About how you want to kill me. How pathetic I am. How you mocked my dream. And I could have forgiven all of it…"

Higuma hoped he could somehow get out of this only for Luffy's other foot to rest on his already injured back. "But no, you went after Makino. Just to get to me. And if there's one thing I can't stand…"

The foot resting on the bandit's leg turned black before stomping down, shattering the bones in an instant. Higuma screamed as agony from the broken limb while Luffy glared daggers at him. "…It's someone hurting my crew. And now you're gonna pay for it…"

"And now, once the beer is poured, what do we do now?" Makino asked, placing a fresh pint on the bar. The four men sitting in front of her, looking much cleaner and less shabbily dressed than they were a few days ago, seemed lost until one raised his hand.

"Ooh! Ooh! Let it rest so the head can form properly?"

"Correct! You've answered every question right, Garth! You're officially the new manager of Party's Bar!"

The turban-clad man hollered in cheer, even more so when Makino pushed the beer towards him as a reward. The other three patted their friend on the back as they got up and headed to their new home at the edge of Fuusha Village. As they passed by the entrance, they passed a smiling Luffy and a nervous mayor.

"Um, Luffy? Are you sure these men are truly reformed? Without you around, what will keep them in line?"

"Don't worry, mayor. Makino thought of that too…"

The mayor headed outside and gawked as none other than Curly Dadan herself and the entire bandit family walked into town wearing matching red sashes along their heads.

"You all can sleep easy from now on, Mayor! The Fuusha Village Security Squad is ready!"

Several of the grunts then raised their cutlasses and muskets in the air, rallying a cry that made many of the villagers scream in panic.

"Um, I'm afraid we don't have any money…"

"They've been paid in advance. Nine million beris ought to be more than enough to satisfy them until you all can work out something more formal."

Makino walked next to Luffy, a pair of duffel bags slung over her shoulders. Her lover chuckled, he shoved everything he owned into an old beer keg. They both shook hands with the mayor, assuring that with Higuma locked up with the Marines, and seeing how Luffy turned the serial killer into mincemeat, they were more than happy to tow the line. It also taught them all a valuable lesson: don't brag about your bounty to an unknown pirate who can still cash it in.

The whole of Fuusha Village then watched as Luffy pushed their little rowboat off of the town port before hopping in himself. The townspeople waved them goodbye, even Dadan.

"Are you… Crying?" someone asked her.

"Of course not!" she lied, "That stupid brat was nothing but trouble, almost as bad as his brother!"

"Love you too!" Luffy shouted as they floated away, getting a laugh out of everyone. The merriment faded as Makino rested her head on Luffy's chest, content to bob along the waves until something broke through the water in front of them. A massive brown sea serpent with blood-red eyes the locals had been calling the Lord of the Coast.

While Makino flinched back in fear, Luffy only casually looked up at the small Sea King with disinterest. "Oh yeah, totally forgot about you…"

The colossal eel snarled and opened its jaws to reveal rows of razor-sharp, cinderblock-sized teeth. Luffy simply looked up, his piercing gaze making the beast recoil. A wave of Conqueror's Haki rang out as Luffy commanded, "Go away."

The "Lord" of the Coast whimpered and swam away immediately, more than likely away from Dawn Island itself. Makino gawked at the one power Luffy had never shown her before. He just looked sheepish.

"Sorry, but I can't really teach you that. It's complicated…"

His lover rolled her eyes and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Whatever, big shot. Just make sure your muscles never get bigger than your heart."

"Why would I ever do that?"

Their good time soon ended when they noticed that their boat had stopped, then quickly started going backwards.

"Is that a whirlpool?!" Makino shrieked as their little boat was indeed getting pulled in by a cyclone of water.

"Huh, and it was such a nice day…" Luffy shrugged before prying the lid off of one of the ration barrels they stocked and jumping in. Makino emptied the only other one, stuffed her bags in and then herself. She was beyond grateful she bought the quality casks that were airtight, and hoped that they still were…

Makino popped the top of her barrel, gasping for fresh air and relieved just to be alive. She looked around and saw they were clearly in a ship's galley although it looked deserted. The wooden floors were still clean and ingredients still littered the various tables… And then she heard several explosions and shouts coming from outside the door leading to the rest of the boat.

"Well, I knew we were going to run into other pirates but on our first day?" She then spotted the other barrel still firmly shut.

"Luffy, are you okay?"

A loud snore answered her. She giggled. Only Luffy could sleep through getting sucked into a whirlpool. Makino lifted herself out of her impromptu boat and knocked on the side of Luffy's barrel.

"Rise and shine, Captain. We're still alive…"

Another snore. Makino sighed before another idea came. "Luffy, if you don't hurry then Ace will take all the roast beef I'm making!"

The top of the barrel launched across the room as Luffy franticly looked around and pouted at Makino when it was clear there wasn't any meat.

The two would have discussed more only to watch a young teen dart inside the kitchen and look behind him, muttering, "Okay, they shouldn't be able to find me in here…"

"Um, hello?"

The boy shrieked in surprise, turning around to reveal his eyes almost popping out around his thick-rimmed purple glasses. "W-Who the heck are you two?!"

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and this is Makino. What's got you so freaked out?"

The answer came as three burly men in bandannas with cutlasses on their hips entered. "Hey, Coby! Are you slacking off again?"

The young boy insisted he wasn't, that he was looking for supplies to bring back to the ship. Makino shared a look with her captain, her expression filled with pity. "He must be a cabin boy for the pirates attacking this ship…"

"Yeah, he seems like a real wuss…"

"Luffy!"

"Oi, what are you two whispering about?" the biggest of the pirates demanded, sauntering over with his eyes on Makino, "Hey, how'd you escape? I'd never take my eyes off a hottie like you…"

"Oh brother…" she groaned, "We just got here, and I'm taken."

"Oh yeah? By who?"

"By me." The pirate was about scoff only to turn and see a pair of pecs, then having to look up at the straw-hatted stranger's glowering face. "And I was told then when a woman says no, it means no."

The rejected buccaneer brought out his cutlass and brandished it in Luffy's face. "You've got some nerve talking to me like that, you piece of shit! Don't you know who we are?! We're members of the Alvida Pirates!"

"The who?" Luffy asked, scratching his head, "I learned about a lot of big crews but Alvida isn't one of them."

"Now you wanna mock us?! You better be ready to die!" He swung his blade forward but Luffy simply caught it with his hand and a bit of Armament Haki, much to the other swashbuckler's horror.

"W-What the-?!"

"Derringer Digits!"

The pirate then fell to the ground, clutching his bleeding shoulder while Makino blew out the smoke on her fingers. The other two gawked in terror before Luffy rushed in and smashed them into the opposite wall.

"W-What?! How?! Who?!"

"Hey, is this a kitchen?!" Luffy glanced around excitedly, making Coby face-fault while Makino just laughed. The young man opened the door to the pantry and started helping himself to a crate of apples while Makino knelt down to a baffled Coby.

"Trust us, we won't hurt you. Come tell us what's going on."

Astonished to be shown more kindness by a total stranger than his own crew, Coby obliged and joined the duo in the storeroom. A bit of back and forth later and Luffy was laughing while Makino's pity grew, although she was a tad baffled.

"How did you confuse your fishing boat for one of this Alvida's rowboats?"

"I don't know, they looked the same!" Coby yelled, "And thanks to one mistake, I've spent two years of my life as Lady Alvida's slave! The only reason I'm even alive is because I can navigate…"

As Luffy swallowed yet another fruit, he tilted his head. "Well, why not just leave?"

"Are you crazy?!" Coby shouted, "Lady Alvida is a monster! She can smack a person into the sky with her club! She threatens to pound me flat unless I do everything she says!"

"That does sound miserable," Makino worried, "To think a person could just use someone else like a tool."

"Yeah, I hate pirates like that," her lover griped, "She sounds like a total faker."

"Huh? Fake? How is she fake?"

"A real pirate doesn't need to bully someone to prove they're strong. I only fight people who give me a reason to."

Coby blinked in shock. "Wait, you're a pirate too?"

"Yep! It's just me and Makino now, but I wanna have a huge crew someday!"

"Why? What are you after?"

Luffy's grin stretched from ear to ear. "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

The boy's jaw almost hit the floor. He whipped over to Makino who just rested a hand on Luffy's shoulder, as supportive as ever.

"Are you both insane?! Do you have any idea what being Pirate King means?! You'd have to find the One Piece!"

"Yeah! That's where we'll be going!"

"That's totally impossible! Every pirate in the world is after that treasure! There's no way anyone can do it! No one! No way! Not-!"

Coby was shut up by a fist bashing him down to the floor. He moaned in pain as his slowly rose up, sobbing at Luffy. "Why'd you hit me?"

"Because you gave me a reason. Don't ever mock someone else's dream," Luffy warned, the mirth in his eyes gone. Coby flinched in shock and apologized and soon the straggler was back to chomping on apples with a grin. Makino took over, helping Coby up.

"Yes, we know we have a long and dangerous journey ahead. It'll take us years, most likely. But I believe if anyone can claim that treasure, it's Luffy and I'll be by his side to help him."

Coby couldn't believe it. They were both completely serious. He looked down at his own hands, still sore from scrubbing Alvida's ship and wanted to shout. He felt like a total loser…

"Hey, don't beat yourself up," Makino told him, bringing her hand to his chin, "You shouldn't give up on your dream either."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah! If you truly want something, you go after it no matter what!"

"B-But what if I die?"

"Then you still chased it to the end! If I die, that's the only way it should be!"

Coby couldn't believe the smile Luffy was giving him, only minutes after being ticked off. It made the young man sniffle in appreciation, the first real positivity he'd seen in years.

"You know what? You're both right! I'm not going to give up!"

"That's the spirit!"

"I'm gonna get off of Alvida's ship and do what I've always wanted to do!"

"And what's that?"

"I'm gonna join the Marines!" Coby shouted, motivated for the first time in ages, "I'm gonna catch all the worst pirates, including Alvida!"

The cheer died when the ceiling to the galley suddenly caved in, a massive shape tumbling right between Coby and his new friends. The cabin boy squeaked in terror as the dust cleared and revealed a colossally obese woman, her bloated form stuffed into a bright pink shirt under a blue captain's coat. A white cowboy hat with a bright red plume adorned her long black hair, her matching white pants clearly straining. Clutched in her hand was a black iron mace, studded with spikes on the end.

"I'm sorry, Coby, would you care to repeat that?" she said with a sly politeness, "What was that about escaping to become a Marine?!"

"L-L-LADY ALVIDA!"

"As I thought, as pathetic as always," the captain smirked, swinging around to face the other two, "But you two… Which one of you roughed up my men?"

"Makino took one and I got the other two," Luffy offered, Makino glaring up the rotund woman with her arms crossed, "They were jerks."

The mace-wielding maverick raised an eyebrow at the blunt honesty. "Is that so? Well, I suppose then an apology is in order…"

Luffy followed the metal club as it was leveled between his eyes. "Either get on the ground and beg for forgiveness or I'll flatten you both where you stand."

"W-Wait! Lady Alvida, you d-don't!"

"COBY!" she barked, shutting him up in a second, "Who is the most beautiful woman in the seas?"

"W-Why that's you, of course…"

"No, it's not."

The air in the galley seemed to freeze as Alvida's entire crew gaped at Luffy. The captain herself was gritting her teeth hard enough to bite through stone. "What did you just say?!"

"That you're not the prettiest anything. You're a real hag."

Now the crew were tripping over themselves in shock. Who the hell was this guy?! Insulting Alvida's beauty led many of their own comrades being pounded into paste or batted into the ocean!

"So, now you've attacked my crew, interrupted my raid, disrespected me, and now you insult me to my face?!" Alvida roared, "You must have a death wish!"

"W-Wait, Luffy! Stop!" Coby ran in, getting between his new friend and his tormentor, "You've got it all wrong!"

"I do?"

"Yes! Lady Alvdia is… Is…"

The reluctant pirate felt his mouth lock up. He just said those same words a few minutes ago when they got here. "Lady Alvida is the most beautiful woman on the seas." It was practically an hourly chore for him to placate her ego so she didn't kill him. And yet now…

"…I believe if anyone can claim the One Piece, it's Luffy!"

"If you really want something, you go after it!"

"S-She… She is… THE UGLIEST SKANK WHO EVER LIVED!" he exploded, letting out all of the abuse and cruelty he'd been given by Alvida and her crew in one yell loud enough to be heard across the sea. Luffy burst into laughter, Makino had to hide her smile behind her hands and all of Alvida's crew were trembling at the rage rolling off their rotund captain.

"Why you little…" Alvida growled before raising her club, "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE DEAD!"

Coby, for once, didn't run away even as the mace he saw in his nightmares rushed towards him. He did scream in terror but he remained planted, swearing that he stood for his dream and could finally hold some pride in himself.

Luffy was in front of him in an instant, blocking the club with his bare hand. The taller man looked back on him with genuine respect in his eyes. "With guts like that, you'll be a Marine in no time."

"WHAT?!" Alvida screamed in horror, "HOW?! No one survives an attack from my mace!"

"Then I guess I'm no one…" Luffy swung his arm back and forced Alvida away, making her and the entire crew balk. Just who the hell was this guy?!

While all of the commotion was going on, the Miss Love Duck was anchored next to the cruise ship. The garish pink ship was left mostly abandoned, making a certain thief very happy. Dressed in a striped top and an orange skirt, a young redheaded woman happily loaded the contents of the ship's treasure room into a burlap sack and hauled it all over her shoulder with a grin.

"Another great day at work, Nami!" she chuckled to herself, "Just imagine that blubber ball's face when she gets back and sees that someone pirated a pirate!"

Yes, Nami took as much pride in her line of work as possible. Robbing those who made a living robbing others was a nice dose of karma for them and got her closer to her goal at the same time. She was almost skipping as she brought her well-earned loot to a rowboat so she could escape only to notice a gaping hole in the cruise ship's deck.

She sighed, giving a brief prayer that no one on board was dead when a commotion hit her ears. A loud metallic clang, several people gasping, and then a holler of joy?

"Catch me if you can!" a voice announced before leaping out of the broken woodwork. Nami watched as a well-muscled man in a red vest, blue jeans and a straw hat leapt into the air before skidding across the deck. Dozens of men brandishing swords and fists chased after him, angrily baying for his blood.

"Is this guy insane?!" Nami balked. He had an entire pirate crew on his tail and yet this all seemed to be a game for him! She knew she should escape but she couldn't move. She just had to see what this nutjob was doing.

The cat and mouse game continued for a while, Nami spotting a young teen with pink hair poking his head out to watch. The suicidal man in red then hooked his arm on one of the masts to make a hairpin turn… Except then his arm kept extending like a rubber band while his body ran forward.

"What the?!" she gawped, much like the rest of the pirates. The man then turned, his face a confident smile.

"Got you now!"

The pirates shouted in alarm and bolted in the other direction but it was too late. The superhuman tensed his arm. "Gum-Gum Rocket!"

He shot forward like a bullet, barreling down the entire crew of forty-plus men in one shot! Nami's hands slacked, enough for her treasure to thud to the deck. She even pinched her arm to make sure this wasn't some insane dream.

"What the fuck is this guy?!" The madness continued as Alvida herself jumped out of the hole, a smug grin on her pudgy face.

"Hold it right there!" She then raised her club to the face of a woman with dark green hair caught in her other arm, "I suggest you stop right now or else your little girlfriend gets it!"

The man did pause, sharing a glance with the captive woman. Nami then blinked when she saw her looking… bored? If that were her, she'd be sweating bullets!

"Hey, Makino. You alright?" he asked her.

"Yeah, as much as I can be…"

"And who the hell is this woman?! A pirate is holding you hostage, dumbass, wake up!" Nami wanted to shout but she had to hear what these two were saying.

"Just who exactly are you?" Alvida dared, "You don't strike me as bounty hunters."

"Nope, we're pirates. Just set out today."

Alvida laughed in surprise. "Oh, pirates, are you?! Just the two of you?"

"For now."

"Heh, well, let me give you both a lesson. When you meet a pirate of my stature, there's a protocol you're supposed to follow."

"Like what?"

"You stay out of my way if you value your lives. You hand over any valuables and then be grateful you're still breathing."

"Wow… You're ugly AND a bitch…" Luffy scoffed, making the whole crew freeze up again. Nami gulped at the sheer murderous look in Alvida's eyes.

"Mocking me again?! Don't you see I have your girlfriend hostage here?! I could kill her in an instant!"

"No, you can't."

The girl, Makino, planted her hand on Alvida's barrel of a stomach and her bored face turned into a glare. "Now put me down before you get hurt."

"You?! Hurt me?! How dense are you, you-!"

"Paterson Palm!"

A resounding boom rocked the deck as Makino's hand exploded back, revealing a gaping wound on Alvida's stomach. The pirate howled in agony as blood rushed out of her, dropping her captive like a rock and even her famed mace as she desperately wrapped her coat around the wound to stem the blood flow.

Nami stumbled onto the railing, her mind refusing to believe what she just saw. Some random woman just blew a hole in the Alvida's stomach with just her hand?!

"These two… Can't be human…" she whispered, now wondering who she should be more afraid of. She watched as Makino stood up and walked towards the man, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Sorry if I stole your thunder, Luffy…"

"No worries. You did great!"

"Grrrrrr…" Alvida wasn't done yet, shakily getting to her feet and grabbing her mace again. She screamed like a woman possessed as she charged ahead to smash them both. Nami wanted to close her eyes to miss the inevitable bloodbath but she just had to keep watching.

And she wasn't disappointed. This Luffy threw an uppercut and cracked the iron mace, the weapon exploding into shrapnel from the force of his attack. Alvida looked at the now useless metal handle in her grasp, then back at the smiling young man. Nami almost had to laugh. She looked ready to faint.

"W-What… Are you…?"

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy. And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"

Luffy then threw his arm back, his bizarre power working again as his limb extended far past the aft decks of both boats.

"Gum-Gum…"

He whipped his arm forward, the distant fist racing forward to strike Alvida in the same spot where Makino shot her earlier.

"PISTOL!"

Alvida screamed in pain and peril as she was lifted off her feet by his rubbery fist, carried along into the sky before she was hurtling far into the horizon. Only a twinkle of light showed where she was, the rest of the pirates and the pink-haired bystander staring in amazement at what just happened.

Luffy's fist snapped back into place, Makino placing an arm around his waist. "Very nice, Captain. I'd say that makes our first day a success."

"I'm not sure. She seemed really weak."

"WEAK?! WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" Nami screamed, pulling at her hair as she tried not to hyperventilate.

"I'm Luffy," he said plainly, "Who are you?"

"Do you have any idea who that was?! 'Iron Mace' Alvida! She's wanted for 5 million beris!"

"She was? Didn't look like it…"

"How do you not know that?! Aren't you supposed to be a pirate?! And what kind of pirate just beats up another pirate for no reason?!"

"I had a reason."

"Oh yeah?! Like what?!"

"She tried to hurt Coby."

"Who's Coby?!"

"I am…" the bespectacled boy finally spoke up, "But Luffy… That was amazing!"

"Heh, it was nothing. Now come on! Let's get you out of here!"

He turned to face the downed crew, serious in an instant. "Coby's officially leaving your crew. Any problems with that?"

The whole crowd assured them that there was no issue, that they were deeply sorry for ever keeping Coby, and that they were free to leave and hopefully never come back. Coby happily followed his new friends as they jumped in one of the cruiser's lifeboats.

Nami just stood there like a dead fish, processing everything she just saw. One of the most dangerous pirates this side of the East Blue was beaten in a minute. These two had some kind of supernatural power. And they were pirates that weren't total scumbags?!

The rational part of her brain finally kicked in. She could absolutely use people like this. If nothing else, they could help her bring in a serious payday.

She hopped into one of galleon's lifeboats with her sack of treasure and rowed after this Monkey D. Luffy. She doubted a goofball like him could ever make it to the Grand Line but what was the harm in seeing what else he could do?