Yonkos
-Last time I was here, we were all giving Oden-san a send-off. Momo and Hiyori must be all grown up by now.-
-Boss!! Let's go see Luffy already!!-
-He really is something now!!-
-Hang on!! I'm not ready to meet Usopp yet!-
-Kid and Kira are here too, right!? It hasn't been that long... Since that brat tried to pick a fight with us and his sister saved his ass!!-
-I miss Ace and Sabo too! And Natsu and Zeref!-
Shanks just keeps looking at the newspaper and the new wanted posters.
-I'm not planning to have a reunion with Luffy here.-
-WHAAAAAAAT!?-
-Don't you remember what's going on in our own backyard?-
-Oh yeah, that Bart-Guy claimed he was under Luffy... He put his mark up after burning down our flag...-
-We'd be failing our duties if we just let that slide. Plus... I want to pay Buggy a visit.-
-Leave the poor guy alone.- Beckman rolls his eyes.
-Benn!- Shanks pouted.
++++++++
-That is an older Wano... From about 800 years ago.-
-......!? What do you mean?-
-Exactly as I said. Although as to why it ended up like this... I have no idea.- Sukiyaki confessed.
-But it's so well preserved, does that mean this isn't really sea water?- Robin asked.
-This is what I do know; long ago Wano was much larger and located at sea level... On the land around the base of mount Fuji. At some point, the walls were erected all around, enclosing the island. As a result, the rainwater had no place to escape to, and whole towns were eventually submerged and abandoned. The land further up mountain was established for settlers, and that grew into the country we are familiar with today.-
-The current Wano!-
-Precisely.- Sukiyaki opened a door.- We have arrived. This is the Road Poneglyph.-
-It's really here...!! This is our third. We just need one more to travel to Laugh Tale...!!-
-We are in a cavern near the foot of Mount Fuji. If you continued to trek a little deeper... It is said that you would find the sleeping ancient weapon, Pluton. I have never seen it myself and an unable to show it to you.- Sukiyaki sighed.- Retrieving Pluton would require... The removal of the walls that surround this nation. "Opening the country" is quite a literal act. We would lose our greatest defense... And set loose one of the ancient weapons.-
++++++++
-He's gone! Shishishishi!- Luffy laughed.
-Guess we don't need to lend a hand after all.- Sanji sighs.
-Check Momo out!- Zoro says while sitting next to Sanji.
-Indeed, and that Haki just now was really something too.-
-Yeah! Who was that!?- Vivi asked.
-A familiar face just popped into my head.- Luffy beamed.
-I'm sure it's Shanks.- Ace says eating a meat skewer.- Hey, where's Sabo?-
-He already left Wano. He can't wait to meet Smoker.-
-Oh, I see.-
++++++++
-Hey!! Zoro!! Can you teach me some sword... Moves...!? Huh? Luffy? Zoro!?- Momonosuke started running around the castle trying to find the Straw Hats.- Katakuri!? O-Nami!? Usopp!? Sanji!? Chopperemon!? Robin!? Vivi!? Franky!? Bonekichi!! Jinnbe!? Yamato!? Where is everyone!?-
-Momonosuke-sama!!- Kin'emon comes running at top speed.
-Kin'emon, Luffy and the rest have...-
-Hiyori-sama disappeared too! I can't find her anywhere!!-
-What!?-
++++++++
-Do you want to find a room instead of staying in the office where I can see you?- Buggy rolls his eyes as he sees Mihawk and Crocodile kissing.
-Go find Shanks and make out with him.- Crocodile says with a smirk.
-Fuck you.- Buggy gives him the middle finger, a gesture that Crocodile returns, and stretches out on the sofa.- I still think the Yonko title should go to one of you. I don't have that... Dowry to be a leader.-
-Nah. I'm more of the "Mastermind" type and I like being a little under the radar.-
-I'm not interested in being a Yonko.- Mihawk's answer is simple and direct.
-In addition, you are the master of deception and escape. If you face an enemy you can fool him to the point where he doesn't even remember why he came and it's easier to run away than to face directly against an enemy that is stronger than you. You were literally able to run from Admirals and Shanks himself countless times. I don't even worry about your safety at this point.-
-... I don't know if you're insulting me or praising me.- Buggy had a twitch in his eye.
-Our alliance needs a "leader". If the leader dies, then the Cross Guild will disappear. The leader does not have to be the strongest and I think you are the most suitable for that position.- Mihawk filled a glass of wine.- I trust you will do well.-
-Haaa... I guess you're right.- Buggy rests his head on the armrest of the sofa.- I just wanted to live peacefully until I die due to old age...-
-That is already impossible from the moment a Yonko is in love with you. Better stop whining like a baby and tell us news about the situation in the world in general.- Crocodile rolls his eyes.
-Okay, okay... Let's see, Ray-san is heading towards Amazon Lily. Boa Hancock declares war on Katakuri, you already know why... The Marines continue to persecute the former Shichibukais, including us. You have to keep on alert just in case. Natsu and Zeref already split up to catch up with the Red-Haired bastard. Luffy has already left Wano and by the way the new member Yamato, who is Katakuri's half sister, took Kozuki Hiyori, the princess of Wano, with her.-
-... Interesting.- Crocodile's interest is definitely in the last mentioned.
-Should we worry about Boa Hancock?- Mihawk asked, but he wasn't really worried.
-She won't be able to affect Luffy's decision so let's leave it.-
Luffy is not someone who is easily convinced and there's no way to make him change his mind. If he loves someone, then he will love her to death. He would not allow anyone to hurt the person he loves.
That's not counting the fact that Katakuri is strong. If Boa Hancock faces Katakuri... It's very likely that the black-haired woman will end up dead.