It’s she a Rocks? A Monkey? A Edward?… no, no no NO! She’s a SANDSTORM RUN!

Syrup Village was a small, peaceful little town on the Gecko Islands. It was an out-of-the-way place that was never attacked by pirates, and the citizens loved that about it. The town is home to the young heir of the shipbuilding firm located on the largest of the islands, orphaned the previous year and cared for by the staff of her manor home. Kaya is sickly but kind whenever he is well enough to leave the walled grounds of his sprawling estate.

Unlike Kaya, a girl named Usopp on the island leads a much harder life. Usopp has been on her own for the better part of ten years, from the moment her mother died when she was just six after her father had left to join a crew of pirates a few months earlier. Most of the time she was alone, some time her daddy would come home, bring her little treats, gifts, and trinkets from his adventures, but he would never stay for long. Always running back to the sea after a few days.

There is never a shortage of people telling her time and time again how Usopp father had been no good. “Your father was a drunkard and a coward, running off to sea and leaving you and your ill mother behind like a piece of driftwood!” Someone would say, and another would say “Banchina’s illness was no secret thing, and she was already bedridden when he disappeared.” It didn’t bother Usopp to hear anymore.

She knew Yasopp was no good.

————————

Usopp is running along the Beach shore, nearly tripping over her own two feet as her booted feet sinks into the sand. A group of three boys a little older than her are chasing after her with anger on their faces. It wasn’t her fault that they had been barking around at night the other day. Nor was it her fault that thay happened to scare the absolute daylights out of her and she may or may not use her pepper spray on them.

Nope, not her fault at all.

They had done it to themselves.

She glances backwards and shrieks, nearly tripping over her feet again and nearly losing a shoe in the process. She faces forward once more and nearly runs headlong into a stranger boy with green hair. His three companions laugh when they nearly collide, and Usopp braces herself for The impact of her hitting the ground.

But instead of her body meeting the ground, the Green haired boy easily catches her with one arm and pushes her back up like a sprin. Usopp looks up at him in shock, her eyes wide and she’s panting. Her eyes meets bewildered seafoam green eyes, and a face framed with the most expensive and prettiest looking hanafuda earrings she’d ever seen.

Usopp's heart raced as she looked up at the boy with green hair and those stunning earrings. He was looking down at her, looking slightly confused at whatever is going on. The three other boys skidded to a halt, panting and glaring.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, pipsqueak?" One of them snarled, stepping closer with fists clenched.

Usopp yelps and all but jumps into the Green haired beefcake’s arms, and surprisingly, the green haired boy holds her up. “… well, okay?” Zoro says, not quite sure why she’s jumped into his arms. He, Luffy, Ace, Sabo, and Nami had just gotten off of their ship not even 20 minutes ago, and they were just exploring at the beach, and now he was just holding a girl in his arm.

Nami giggles, watching the scene unfold. “You okay?” She asks the girl, whose eyes are wide and wild.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Usopp says, trying to push herself away from Zoro, her face red with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to run into you like that, I was just being chased and—”

But she’s cut off when the three older boys surround them, their faces twisted into angry snarls. “You’re not going anywhere, pipsqueak!” The leader of the group says, reaching out to grab her arm.

Zoro smacked his hand away like it was a pesky fly, holding Usopp up with one arm. “Keep your hands to yourself.” Zoro granted.

The leader of the bullies blinked in surprise, and then his face went beet red with fury. “Who do you think you are, pipsqueak?” He snarled, raising a fist.

“Pipsqueak, really?” Zoro asked, his tone unimpressed and filled with sarcasm. Because currently the guy who just called him, pipsqueak was at least a head shorter than him, and barely even a quarter of his bulk in muscles. It was like watching a toddler threaten a lion with a stick, cute but utterly ridiculous. “You must have a death wish calling someone a pipsqueak when you’re one yourself.”

The leader’s eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer. “You want a piece of me?”

“No, you’re not even my type.” Zoro deadpanned, and Luffy, Ace, and Sabo couldn’t help but laugh. Even Nami chuckled a little bit.

The leader of the bullies sneered, his face flushing red with embarrassment and anger. “What’s so funny?!”

Luffy waved her hand in the air, laughing so hard she started to cough. “Do you not realize what the hell?…” she paused and took a deep breath, “you asked him if he wanted a piece of you, and Zoro said you weren’t even his type. He turned your bait for a fight into a innuendo!”

The bullies' faces turned a shade of red so deep, it looked like they were about to burst. Usopp felt like she was going to pee herself from laughing so hard. She’s never seen anyone put someone else down so elegantly. It was beautiful, and she felt a strange kinship with the green-haired boy who could throw shade without breaking a sweat.

But the leader of the bullies was not amused. "You think this is funny?" He roared, his fists tightening. "We're going to wipe that smirk off your face!"

“Oh, come on, bring it on. Maybe you’ll give us a better fight than that marine Axe-Hand Morgan. That guy went down like a sack of potatoes.” Luffy taunted, her voice filled with excitement rather than fear.

The bullies looked confused for a moment before their eyes widened in recognition. “You’re the ones who took down Morgan?” The second bully exclaimed.

“No, that was all her. She jumped out of a third story window and slammed her knees into the back of his neck.” Sabo pointed at Luffy, who was still chuckling at the memory. “It was pretty epic.” He said, with a proud smile. “Though we don’t know if he’s dead or not, but if his up and kicking we do know he’s not going to be getting out of bed any time soon without help anytime soon.”

The bullies looked at them like they had just seen ghosts, their eyes wide with fear and their fists unclenching slightly. They had heard the story of the new pirates that had come to town, the ones who had fought against the marines and marine captain Morgan. And well, someone at Shells Town had recorded the fight and had spread it around like wildfire. And well, they knew the kid wasn’t lying about Luffy jumped out of a third story window and slammed her knees into the back of Morgan’s neck because they had seen the recording with their own eyes.

They took a collective step back, their bravado slipping away like the tide. “You don't know what she did!" one of them yelled, trying to sound intimidating as he pointed at Usopp, who was still being held up in Zoro’s arms.

“I didn’t do anything wrong!” Usopp interjected, pointing an accusatory finger at the three boy. “They were lurking around in the middle of the night and scared the daylights out of me, so I sprayed them with my pepper spray! What else was I supposed to do, punch them! I didn’t know if it was a human or an animal!”

Luffy looked at the three boys, then at Usopp, then back at the boys again. “Well, if you didn’t do anything wrong, then why are you running away from them?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Because they wanna hurt me!” Usopp exclaimed, her voice high-pitched and frantic.

The leader of the bullies glared at her, but there was something in his eyes that suggested doubt. He had seen what Luffy and her brothers were capable of, and the idea of taking them on was starting to seem less appealing. He glanced at his friends, and they all shared the same look of uncertainty.

"Fine, we're out of here," he finally said, turning tail and storming off with his friends in tow.

"Thanks for that," Usopp mumbled, cheeks burning as she slid out of Zoro's arms, trying to regain her composure.

“It’s no problem.” Zoro said, turning to face the now retreating figures of the three bullies, watching them disappear over the dunes.

Luffy stops beside Zoro, looking Usopp up and down. She’s about the same height as her, dark skin, with big brown eyes, dark curly hair pulled back, and covered by a yellow and brown paisley scarf, and a long nose. She’s thin and very petite. She was dressed in baggy brown overalls, some boots and a her breast being covered by simple band of fabric wrapped around her chest multiple times.

“Sorry.” Usopp began, straightening up. “I guess they were madder than I thought.” She looked at them, and gave them a bright smile. “Names Usopp.”

“Luffy.” Luffy said, walking up to her and sticking out her hand. “And these are my brothers, Ace and Sabo. And that’s our friend Zoro, and Nami.”

Usopp took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Pleasure to meet ya!” She said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and excitement.

“Hey, do you know if there’s a place in this Island where I can do a special order with Big News Morgans, I’ve gotta send a ship home.” Luffy said, looking down the sandy beach towards the bustling town. The sandy streets were lined with wooden buildings, the smell of the sea mixing with the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting from nearby stalls. “Or do we gotta find a bigger, more populated island?”

Usopp tilts her head slightly, looking past the group of people towards the two ships and dinghy docked in the cove. "We’ve got a Big News Morgans' office in town. It’s ran by an old lady named Nanny. She’s a bit peculiar, but she’ll get your order to Morgans." She says with a nod. “I can take you there, if you’d like?” She offered with a smile.

Luffy grinned. "Sounds like a plan!" She slapped her hands together, the sound echoing through the beach. "Let’s go, Chickadees!" She called out to Ace and Sabo, who were busy poking at a hermit crab with a stick. “Hey, quit that!” She yelled at them, causing them to look up with wide eyes.

They scurried over, Ace tossing the stick away. "What's up, Luffy?" He asked, his wavy black hair bouncing with every step.

"Come on, we're going into town to send a order to Big News Morgans.” Luffy announced, her eyes glinting with excitement as she began to jog towards the town.

"Wait for us!" Ace called out, catching up to Luffy. His orange cowboy hat flew off in the wind, revealing his freckles and dark brown eyes, which sparkled with mischief.

Sabo, with his curly bleach blonde hair bobbing behind him, followed closely. “What’s the rush, Luffy?” He teased, his voice carrying the same excitement as the others.

“We’re going to be famous, babes! We’re going to be the best pirate crew ever!” Luffy exclaimed, her long, jet black hair flying in the breeze.

Zoro raised an eyebrow at the trio, him, Nami, and Usopp following them at a much slower pace. "You guys are something else," he murmured to himself.

They entered the quaint, yet bustling town of Syrup, the wooden buildings painted in pastel colors, creating a stark contrast against the golden sands. Usopp led them through the winding streets, passing by the various shops and taverns that lined the cobblestone paths.

"Here it is, the Big News Morgans' office." Usopp pointed out a small, unassuming building with a faded wooden sign swinging above the door.

"Thanks, Usopp," Luffy said, her eyes lighting up with anticipation. She pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with dusty scrolls and the clacking of an old typewriter. An elderly woman with a stern look on her face sat behind the counter, her glasses perched on the tip of her nose as she squinted at the group.

Nanny looked up from her paperwork and took in the newcomers. Her expression softened slightly when she saw Usopp with them, but she quickly schooled it back into a professional mask. "Welcome to Big News Morgans, how may I assist you?" she asked, her voice dry and brittle as the parchment she handled.

“Good evening ma’am.” Luffy greeted her, walking over to the counter. “I’ve gotta make a special order with Morgans, i’ve gotta send a small sized ship back home to the New World, to the island alabasta.”

Nanny squinted at Luffy, then at the rest of her group, her eyes lingering on their matching earrings before nodding. "I see. That'll be a hefty sum. Are you sure you can cover it?"

Luffy didn’t hesitate to rummage around in her satchel, pulling out a fat, extremely extremely fat wad of cash. “I’ve got plenty.”

Nanny’s eyes grew wide as she took in the sight of the cash. She licked her lips greedily, her hand trembling slightly as she took the paperwork from Luffy. “Very well, let’s get this order in, shall we?”

While they waited, Ace and Sabo couldn’t resist exploring the quaint little office, their curiosity piqued by the dusty scrolls and ancient looking maps that adorned the walls. They whispered to each other, pointing out different symbols and landmarks they had never seen before.

Nami, on the other hand, jaw was on the floor. She couldn’t believe the amount of cash she had just seen Luffy pull out of her satchel. Her mind raced with the possibilities of how much wealth Luffy and her brothers truly had access to.

Usopp’s expression mirrored Nami’s as she watched Luffy casually hand over the paperwork with the cash. Her thoughts raced with the implications of such wealth.

Nanny took the cash with a grin, her eyes glinting greedily before she began to scribble furiously on a parchment. "Your ship will be ready to depart in three days. You've got quite the order there, young miss. You must be from quite the distinguished family." She said, her voice filled with a newfound respect.

Luffy’s smile grew, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Nanny’s grin grew wider as she counted the cash. “Well, I’ll make sure to give your order the utmost priority. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get this message off at once.” She disappeared into the back room, leaving the group alone.

“Well,” Luffy began, pulling away from counter and walking out of the Big News Morgans' office, beck out into the bustling town. “What are weeeee—… what the actual fuck?” Luffy voice trailed off into a whisper, her voice filled with confusion. The way she tilts her head and the abject confusion on her face has the group walking around her and looking over her shoulders to see what has caught her attention.

A man strides backwards, his feet sliding smoothly against the dirt path. One gloved hand holds his hat, and the other presses against his chest.

“What in the world?” Nami murmured, her eyes widening as she stepped closer to Luffy, peering over her shoulder. The man, who looked to be in his mid-thirties, was dressed in flamboyant attire, a stark contrast to the simple garb of the townsfolk.

The man passes them slightly before he seems to notice them standing there and stops, doing a flamboyant spin.“Excuse me, is this the path to the southern inlet?”

Thrown off by the move, Usopp stutters when she responds, “Ah. N-no, sir, this is the path to the North Inlet.”

The man sighs, “Thank you, young lady. I appear to have taken a wrong turn somewhere.” He speaks theatrically, as though he is mid-performance and prepared for an interruption of applause. “Django. A wandering hypnotist.” He tips his hat politely.

“A hypnotist?” Sabo echoed, his curiosity piqued.

Ace elbows Sabo in the side. “You know like that’s Snake charmers back home, but he does it on people.”

Django chuckles, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark. “Indeed, young man. I have the power to bend the will of others to my own. But fear not, I am a performer at heart, and only use my gifts for the delight of my audience and to make a coin or two along the way."

Sabo’s curiosity remained unabated, and he stepped closer to Django. “Could you show us a trick?”

Django smiles, “I’ll demonstrate?” He pulls a metal ring on a braided cord from his belt, turning to face Sabo and holding it before his eyes. “Please focus on the ring. Watch it closely.” He starts to swing the ring, and Sabo does as he asks, watching the circle sway side to side.

Zoro raises his eyebrows, looking wholly unimpressed.

“When I say Django, you will fall asleep. 1. 2. 3. Django.”

As soon as he says the word, Sabo’s eyes roll up, and she falls backward. Zoro catches his just before he hits the ground, his head lolling.

Ace screams.

Nami screams bloody murder.

And Usopp looks like she’s about to pass out.

Luffy’s eyes narrowed, her suspicion rising. “Hey, what the hell did you do to him?” She demanded, stepping closer to Django, her fists clenched at her sides.

Django held his hands up, palms out. “Fear not, fear not! It’s just a simple trick. He’s perfectly fine. Just a little nap, that’s all. Watch!” He snapped his fingers, and Sabo’s eyes popped open, his body springing to life with a gasp. “Ta-da! The sleeper has awakened!”

“Oh, no no no no no. I did not like that.” Sado murmurs, clinging onto Zoro’s arms for dear life. “I didn’t like that one bit.”

Nami’s screams died down to a whimper, and she clutches her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. “That was terrifying!”

Django chuckles, clearly enjoying the reaction. “My apologies, I assure you it was all in good fun. And see? Your friend is quite alright!” He gestures to Sabo, who still has a slightly dazed expression, but seems otherwise fine.

“What the hell was that?” Ace asks, his voice laced with anger as he rushes over to Sabo’s side.

Django chuckles, his teeth flashing in a charming smile. “A mere trick of the trade, young sir. I assure you, your friend is quite unharmed. I am Django, a hypnotist extraordinaire! I see you’re quite the formidable bunch. Perhaps you’d like to join my traveling show? I can always use new talent!”

“N-no, I think we’re okay.” Usopp squeaks, her voice still trembling slightly. “We’re not really performers.” She tries to put on a brave face, but it’s clear the hypnosis trick shook her more than she’d like to admit.

Django sighed dramatically, bowing and tiltinh his hat once more, “Well them, have a good day.” Turning his direction and continuing to walk backwards, disappearing into the crowd.

Nami, still visibly shaken, looks up at Luffy, who's watching Django leave with narrowed eyes. She’s not one to be fooled easily, and she had a feeling there was more to that man than met the eye. She knew that she’d have to keep an eye on him, especially if he had plans of sticking around.

“Oh, god.”Sado tries to sit up and get off the floor, but Zoro keeps a firm hold on his shoulders, ensuring he doesn’t fall over again. “Oh good Lord, never happened again nope, nada… what the fuck did he do to me? I feel like I just got mine fucked.” He rubs his forehead, groaning in discomfort.

Luffy’s expression turns from suspicious to concerned, her eyes never leaving Django’s retreating back. She turns to Ace and Zoro, “Keep an eye on that Django. I don’t like him, he seems to… familiar.”

Zoro nods, a serious look etched on his face. “Aye, Captain.”

Ace, equally wary, agrees, “We’ll watch him, Captain Luffy. Something’s not right about that guy.”

Nami, now slightly less panicked, crosses her arms. “Yeah, and keep Sabo out of trouble, will ya? I don’t know if I can handle more of that hypnosis shit.”

Usopp nods in agreement, still looking a bit shaken. "Yeah, let's just stay away from him. Hypnosis is weird."

“Carry me.” Sabo groans, slumping against Zoro and wrapping his arms around Zoro’s neck. “My legs feel like jelly after that shit show.”

Zoro sighs, rolling his eyes but complies, hoisting Sabo up and maneuvering him to his back to give him a piggyback ride. “You’re such a drama queen, you know that?” He grumbles, but there’s a hint of affection in his voice.

Luffy takes a deep breath, turning to face everyone. “Well, I don’t know about you all. But how does lunch sound?”

A collective sigh of relief fills the air as they agree. They need a break from the day’s events. Ace helps Usopp stand, and they all head to a nearby restaurant that seems to be bustling with locals. Luffy’s stomach rumbles loudly as they enter, the scent of fresh seafood wafting through the air. She looks around with excitement, noticing the walls are lined with fish tanks and nets filled with lobsters and crabs. The floor is made of polished wood, and the tables are adorned with red-checkered cloths.

“How many will be in your group today?” The hostess, a bustling middle-aged woman with a cheery smile, asked as they approached the podium.

“Six of us.” Luffy replied, flashing the hostess a beaming smile as she counted their group.

“Of course, just follow me.” The hostess leads them through the crowded restaurant to a table near the back, her smile never wavering. They sit down, and the sound of clanking silverware and laughter fills the air around them.

The waitress, a young girl with a name tag reading “Katasha,” arrives promptly to take their orders.

“I’ll have the seafood platter, extra spicy!” Luffy says without even looking at the menu, her eyes still scanning the restaurant as if expecting trouble. “The one with Carolina Reaper peppers and the extra crab legs with a mug of drink with it.”

Katasha nods, scribbling it down with a slightly surprised expression. “Very well, Miss. and what will everyone else be having?” She asks, looking around the table.

“I’ll have the same, please, but with a soda!” Ace says, mimicking Luffy’s enthusiasm. His eyes sparkle with excitement as he glances around the restaurant.

Sabo, still feeling groggy, leans on Zoro. “Make it two more of those, but hold the peppers for me, I don’t wanna die today.” He says with a small smile, and Zoro nods, placing an order for him. “Two more of the same seafood platter, One with no peppers and one with extra peppers, and a mug of beer and a soda, please.” Zoro says to the waitress, pointing at the menu at what they want.

Usopp looks over the menu nervously, unsure of what to order. “Uh, I’ll just have the fish and chips, please. And a soda.” She says.

“I’ll have the same as her.” Nami says, pointing at Usopp. “But hold the soda, I’d prefer water, thank you.”

Katasha nods, scribbling down their orders. “Okay, so four seafood platters, two extra spicy, one regular, and one with extra peppers, two fish and chips, and two mugs of beer, two sodas, and a water. I got everything right, right?” She asks, double-checking.

“Perfect!” Luffy says, flashing her a grin.

———————

Once their food arrived nobody wasted any time to dig in, the delicious smell of the seafood filling their hungry stomachs. The platter was massive, piled high with a variety of freshly caught and prepared delicacies from the sea. The crab legs looked particularly tantalizing, and the spicy aroma of the peppers made Luffy's mouth water. Ace's eyes widened with excitement as he reached for one of the fiery pieces, popping it into his mouth without hesitation. The heat danced across his tongue, making him cough and sweat, but he couldn't help but smile as he chewed and swallowed it down.

“Pretty damn good, but not as good as Luffy’s food. I don’t think anything can top sissy food.” Sabo set around a mouthful of corn on the cob he was eating.

Luffy’s cheeks flushed with a hint of pride as she cracked a crab claw with her teeth. “Thanks, bubs. I’ll have to cook something up for you guys when we get back to the ship.”

As they devoured their meals, the conversation grew livelier. Luffy bit into a boiled egg covered in the seafood platters sauce. “Hey, Usopp, does your daddy happen to be a guy named Yasopp?”

Usopp’s fork paused mid-air, her eyes widening in shock. “How do you know about my dad?”

Luffy’s eyes lit up and she licked the sauce of off her finger. “Yasopp, he’s on Red-Haired Shanks crew, The Red Haired pirates. He used to babysit me, Ace, and Sabo when we were kids and my mom would just drop us off with Shanks.”

Zoro, Nami, and Usopp’s jaws hit the floor and their eyes bulged out of their sockets at the revelation. Usopp’s mind raced as she tried to process the information. “You— you know the Red Haired Pirates? You know my dad?!” she exclaimed.

Luffy nodded, “Shanks is my dad!”

The table grew silent as the weight of Luffy’s words settled in. Usopp’s eyes grew as big as saucers as she stared at Luffy, disbelief etched into every feature. Nami’s hand trembled slightly as she took a sip of water, trying to process the sudden revelation. Zoro, ever stoic, expression cracks into one of pure shock.

“Or, well, Shanks is kind of my dad. His my dadish? I’m just known him since I was born so he’s like my second dad.” Luffy says with a shrug, as if it were the most casual thing in the world. “But, yeah. I know the Red Haired Pirates. Yasopp used to get plastered and then cry about his baby girl, which I guess is you?” She points at Usopp with a half eaten shrimp.

Usopp’s mind raced as she stared at Luffy, her heart pounding in her chest. She had spent her entire life hearing stories about the legendary pirates, and now she was sitting across from someone who not only knew them, but was practically family. Her voice wavered. “Does... does he ever talk about me?”

Ace nods, swallowing his mouth full of potato. “Yeah, Yasopp talks about his daughter all the time when me, Luffy, and Sabo around. But he never calls you by your name, Usopp. But he always called you his Princess or something like that.” He says, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Usopp felt a lump form in her throat, and she blinked rapidly to hold back tears. "Princess..." she murmured to herself, feeling a warmth spread through her. The thought of her father calling her that brought a bit of comfort to her heart, despite the years of pain and doubt she had suffered.

Zoro clears his throat, his eyes still wide as he point at Luffy. “You, Luffy,” he turns his hand in points at Ace. “You Ace,” he turns his hand again to point at Sabo. “And you, Sabo. Mean to tell me, your grandfather is not only Monkey D. Garp, who is not only the strongest marine ever to exist but the strongest being ever to exist in the world. But your stepdaddy is Red Haired Shank?” He says, still in shock.

Nami and Usopp’s jaws drops even more. “The hero of the Marines and the Red Haired Pirates...your family?” Nami managed to get out, her voice barely above a whisper.

“YeP!” Sabo says, popping the p. “Our family tree is all types of fucked up. But we’re pretty tight knit for being all messed up like that.” He grins widely, showing his teeth.

Luffy laughs. “You can say that again, bubs. But yeah, it’s complicated. Garp is our grandpa, and he’s like the coolest guy ever.” She grins, reminiscing.

Nami’s eyes are as wide as saucers. “So, you’re saying you’re related to the strongest marine AND one of the Yonko?” She asks, her voice trembling slightly.

Ace nods, humming around a mouthful of food. "Yeah, Garp's our grandpa and Shanks is like a second dad to us. It's pretty wild, huh?" He says, swiping at his mouth with a napkin.

Nami and Usopp exchange looks of astonishment. Zoro take a deep breath, chewing slowly before swallow. “Well, now I know why you three fight like rabbit fucking dogs with rabies who just snorted a pound of crack.” He says, trying to lighten the mood with a chuckle.

Luffy laughs hard at that, slapping the table. “Hell yeah, we do. And we've got the moves to back it up too!” She says, flexing her arm.

Zoro chokes on his beer, nearly shooting it out of his nose and his face starts to turn red as Luffy flexes her arms to show that she is in fact ripped as fuck. She laughs at his reaction, while Ace smirks and winks at Nami and Usopp across the table, enjoying the moment.

Usopp feels like she’s about to get whiplash, because apparently not only Luffy but Ace and Sabo to know her dad, apparently, her dad calls her, his princess, apparently Shanks is Luffy, Ace, and Sabo’s Stepdaddy, Luffy, Ace, and Sabo’s grandfather is the hero of the marines, and now Zoro is choking on his beer because she’s apparently ripped. It was too much to handle. She felt like she was in a dizzying tornado of information.

Nami stutters, trying to process everything she just heard. "W-w-we're...having lunch with the descendants of the strongest marine, and the step kids of a yonko?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes darting from one sibling to the next.

“Bingo baby!” Sabo says, clapping his hands together as he leans back in his chair.

Nami and Usopp can only gape at the trio, their heads spinning with the revelations. The three siblings just sat there, eating their food as if the whole conversation was the most normal thing in the world.

Finally, Zoro let’s out a long, exasperated sighed. “What the actual fuck have I gotten myself into, agreeing to be on this godforsaken crew?”

Sabo smirks. “Well, if you’re looking for a quiet life, you’ve come to the wrong place, buddy. Because I can promise you, there’s a whole lot more twists, turns, hooks, and slants in our family tree going every which way, up, down, left, right, North, East, South, West, Center, and diagonally, than you can shake a stick at. We’re the definition of complicated.” He says, popping a piece of food in his mouth.

The table falls into a moment of silence as the gravity of their heritage sinks in for the newcomers. Nami’s hand trembled slightly as she picked up her fork, trying to digest both the food and the information. Usopp’s mind was racing with thoughts of her father, and the powerful figures she’d just aligned herself with. While Zoro looks like he’s rethinking all of his life choices.

Luffy breaks the silence with a hearty laugh. “Don’t worry. It’s never a dull moment with us, but that’s what makes it fun!” She says, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Nami tries to compose herself. “But, but, you guys are pirates! And your grandpa is the hero of the marines! Isn’t that, like, a huge conflict of interest?” She stammers, her voice shaky.

“Our grandfather is friends with pirates, he couldn’t give less of a shit what we do.” Luffy says, shrugging.

Zoro looks at her skeptically. “Friends with pirates? That doesn’t sound right. Garp’s a marine hero, isn’t he supposed to be hunting  Pirates down?”

Luffy stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry. “The only reason why he’s a hero of the marine is because he can punch holes through mountains and go toe to toe with pirates like Whitebeard, The pirate King Roger, Dark king Silvers Rayleigh, Big Mom, Kaidou, Shanks, and Rocks D. Xebec!”

Ace leaned back in his chair, his arms folded over his chest. “Yeah, and Grandpa’s got a bit of a rebellious streak. He doesn’t care much for the politics of it all. He’s got his own code of justice.”

“His code of justice is beating the shit out of people, Ace.” Sabo rolls his eyes. “We’re talking about the guy who throws cannon balls at people for fun, remember?” He says, popping another piece of shrimp into his mouth.

Nami's gaze flickers from Luffy to Zoro, the wheels in her head turning rapidly. She'd heard of Garp's legendary feats, and the thought of his granddaughters being pirates was almost too much to handle. "But what about your mom?" she asks, curiosity getting the better of her. "Is she okay with this... lifestyle?"

“Our moms a pirate.” Luffy says casually, picking up a corn on the cob from her seafood platter, and taking a bite.

Nami’s mouth dropped open like a fish gulping for water. “What the hell, your mom’s a pirate too?!” She says, her voice pitching up an octave.

Sabo chuckles, tapping his fingers on the wooden top of the table. “Okay, let’s say this, our family is a good chunk pirate, a good chunk marine, and then a good chunk of whatever the hell else there is. Our family doesn’t pick sides of marine or pirate. You do what you wanna do, but you know that no matter what your family will always come first. So if a pirate from our family saw a marine from our family getting their shit rocked. The pirate would help the marine, and vice versa.”

Zoro nods, understanding the unconventional family dynamics. “I get it. It’s all about loyalty and family bonds.”

“Exactly!” Luffy exclaims, slapping her hand on the table with excitement. Her energy was contagious, and slowly but surely, the tension at the table began to dissipate.

———————

Meanwhile on the other side of the town, far away Luffy, Ace, Sabo, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp. In a mansion Kaya sits in his bed.

“You wish to see Usopp?” Klahadore says, pouring a glass of water for Kaya. “Don’t start this again…” he sighs, if he’s being frank he hates that girl Usopp, she’s always been a thorn in his side, always causing trouble, always ruining his plans, always there.

“Klahadore, I wish to see Usopp, please.” Kaya's voice is firm, yet tinged with desperation. He's grown tired of the charade, and the isolation. “I like talking to her, she always entertain me with stories and brings me joy. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her. I miss her.”

Klahadore sighs, pushing his glasses up with his palm. “That will not do—” Klahadore’s Voice was cut off by a sharp knock at the front door downstairs, accompanied by Usopp’s faint voice yelling. “Kaya! Hey, i’ve brought you some of that food from that seafood place you like so much and I’ve brought some friends along with me!”

Kaya’s eyes light up like stars and he jumps to his feet. “See! That’s Usopp, she’s here! Please Klahadore let me go down to see her!”

Klahadore’s expression tightens. “Fine, but you stay in the library, understand?” He says sternly. “Your health is too fragile for you to be running around the town with common street rats like that Usopp girl. She’s nothing but trouble, I can smell it on her like the scent of a dirty fish market.”

“Klahadore! Don’t call Usopp a rat!” Kaya’s voice cracks with anger, a rare emotion that pierces through the veil of his usual calm. “She’s been nothing but kind to me!”

Klahadore raises an eyebrow. “Very well. To the library it is, then.” He says, his tone unchanged, leading Kaya down the grand staircase of the mansion. The library is filled with books that tell tales of adventure and the vast sea, a stark contrast to the reality of his confined life.

Merry, Kaya’s butler, had already Usopp and five other into the mansion’s grand foyer, Merry’s eyes flicking towards the staircase Kaya and Klahadore were walking down.

“Usopp!” Kaya called out, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he rushed down the stairs. Usopp looked over, a wide smile spreading across her lips as she sat down the bag she was holding, stepping fully into the mansion, the other five people following her closely behind. “Kaya! I missed you, buddy!”

Kaya wraps Usopp into a hug, feeling the warmth and comfort she had missed in her lonely days at the mansion. The five strangers who accompanied Usopp looked around curiously, taking in the opulence of the mansion with a mix of awe and suspicion. Klahadore's eyes narrowed at the sight of the newcomers, his hand gripping the banister tightly.

Usopp chuckles, wrapping her arms around Kaya’s waist, squeezing slightly before letting go to gesture to the five strangers. “Kaya, these are some New friends I’ve made. Zoro, Nami, Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. They helped me get away from those three boys thay have been mad at me.” She says, her voice filled with excitement and relief.

Luffy steps forward, a smirk on her face, and extends a hand to Kaya. “Nice to meet you, I’m Monkey D. Luffy.” She says, gesturing to the people behind her. “And these are my brothers, Ace and Sabo. And of course, you know Usopp here. And the lovely lady with the orange hair is Nami. And that’s is Zoro.”

Kaya nods, his eyes scanning the group with a hint of curiosity. “Thanks for helping Usopp out. She’s a good friend of mine.” He says, shaking Luffy’s hand.

“It’s our pleasure, Kaya.” Luffy replies with a friendly smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Luffy looks over Kaya’s shoulder, locking eyes with Klahadore as he watches from the top of the staircase. She winks at him playfully, a gesture that doesn’t go unnoticed by the sharp-eyed butler. His grip on the banister tightens, a hint of unease crossing his features.

Luffy’s eyes drift towards Kaya for a second, making sure he was distract by Usopp before her eyes locked onto Klahadore’s again, mouthing the words. “The Desert Queen is waiting for you to Pay your deb, Captain Kuro, chop chop.”

Klahadore’s eyes widened slightly, and the grip on the banister tightened. He knew Luffy’s mother, Crocodile, had her ways of finding information, but he never thought she’d be this fast. He cleared his throat and descended the stairs, his usual calm demeanor slightly cracked. “Ah, Lady Luffy, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other… Please, come in and make yourselves at home.”

Luffy’s grin grew wider, and she promptly ignored the shocked and confused looks thrown her away. “Oh, Klahadore. It’s been too long.” She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she stepped into the mansion, her brothers and new crew members following her. “My mother’s been so worried about you, asking about you, and trying to find you. You just kind of dropped off the face of the Earth, you know?”

Nami’s eyes widened, she wasn’t expect to see Luffy so... calculated. It was clear that she was playing some sort of game, and Nami couldn’t help but be intrigued. Zoro, on the other hand, remained stoic, his arms folded over his chest as he took in the scene before them. Ace and Sabo, ever unflappable, simply followed Luffy’s lead, their expressions giving nothing away.

Kaya looked confused, looking in between Luffy and Klahadore. “You two know each other?” He asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes.” Luffy sighed, stepping right up to Klahadore. “I’ve know our dear Klahadore since I was little, he was always at my mothers Casino.” She admits, tilting her head to the side. “And I can see he still doesn’t know how to tie a tie properly.” She giggled, pointing at his untied tie that was around across his neck. “Let me fix it?” She offered, her voice sweet and innocent, but the glint in her eyes suggested something more.

Klahadore’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. “That would be quite the service, Lady Luffy.” He replied, his voice even.

Luffy stepped closer to him, her movements fluid and unthreatening. She reached up and began to tie his tie, her fingers nimbly looping the fabric. As she did, she whispered only loud enough Klahadore to hear, “You’ve been playing a dangerous game, Captain Kuro. I’m surprised you didn’t think we’d find out your Little… identity switch sooner. After all, my mother’s reach is quite extensive, especially when someone is late on their payment. You’re playing with fire, and I don’t think you’re ready to get burned by the likes of us. Because I’ll tell you, you’re living on borrowed time.”

Klahadore's heart pounded in his chest, but his expression remained neutral. “I’ll get her, her money Lady Luffy.” He whispered back, his voice a mix of respect and fear.

Nami leaned over to Zoro and whispered, “What the fuck is happening?”

Zoro shrugged, his eyes not leaving the interaction between Luffy and Klahadore. “Looks like she’s got a bone to pick with the guy.” He murmured back, not taking his eyes off the pair.

Luffy stepped away when she was done tying Klahadore's tie. “Look at you, Klahadore, handsome as ever.” She said with a smirk before turning to Kaya. “So, what do you say, Kaya, care to show us around?”

Kaya, still bewildered by the exchange, nodded. “S-Sure, follow me, I’ll show you the grounds. But remember, no trouble. Klahadore is very strict about that.”

“Cross my heart and hope to die, Kaya.” Luffy said, her smirk never leaving her face as she placed a hand dramatically over her heart. She knew that Kaya had no idea what she was getting himself into, but she couldn’t help but find the innocence endearing. As they started to tour the grounds, Luffy’s sharp eyes took in every detail, her mind racing with thoughts of strategy and potential escape routes.

——————

Meanwhile with Klahadore elsewhere in the mansion, he slams the door to his room closed, locking the door and nearly tripping over his own feet as he walks away from it. He's visibly shaking, and sweat is beading on his forehead. He takes a deep breath and leans against the wall, trying to calm himself down. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." He whispers to himself. "How the hell did she find out?" He wonders, his mind racing as he tries to think of what to do next.

He need to get out of here, out of the mansion and find Django, fine Django and tell him that The Desert Queen had figured out were they are and what he is. He couldn’t let his plan be ruined by a bunch of kids. He had worked too hard to get here, to get Kaya’s trust, to get his hands on that sweet sweet fortune. He had to move his plane up, kill Kaya tonight, and take the inheritance tomorrow. He had to tell Django and fast.

He hurried through the halls, his footsteps echoing off the marble floor. He had to be careful, if Crocodile’s brats found out what he was planning, he was as good as dead. The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he quickened his pace. He knew they weren’t just any kids, they were the spawn of one of the most feared pirates in the world. If they wanted, they could have him killed in a heartbeat. But he wasn’t going to go down without a fight, he had too much riding on this.

He took a deep breath as he approached the front door, nodded at Merry who was dusting the various intricate decor around the entrance. “Merry, I will be back shortly. I’m going to go to the shops and pick up some stuff that we need.” He said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Merry nodded without looking up from his dusting, “Yes, Mr. Klahadore. Take your time, I’ll watch over Kaya and her friends for you.”

Klahadore nodded back, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. He stepped outside into the warm afternoon air of the Gecko Islands, his heart racing like a rabbit’s. The sun was high in the sky, casting long shadows over the pristine lawns and manicured gardens of the mansion. He made his way down the path that led into the small town, his mind racing with thoughts of Django and their plan. As he walked, he couldn’t help but glance over his shoulder, paranoia setting in that he was being followed.

“Of course it had to be three of her brats to find me.” Klahadore thought to himself, his hand tightening into a fist at the thought. It’s not just that three of Crocodile’s kids found, it’s that all of Crocodile’s children are absolutely, bat shit, off the walls, train off the rails, fucking crazy. They’ve got more than just a few screws loose and a couple of marbles missing, they’ve got the whole fucking toolbox scattered and lost in the desert.

He had to admit, though, Luffy’s playfulness was a bit unnerving. It was like watching a lioness play with a gazelle before deciding whether or not she was going to eat it. She was too smart, too observant, but she acted so… so… so carefree, dumb, clueless, stupidly naive. It was infuriating. He knew she wasn’t really like that, she was playing him, playing everyone. He just had to find a way to get her off his tail.

The town was bustling with activity, the sound of laughter and chatter filling the air. Klahadore pushed his way through the crowded streets, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He needed to find Django, and fast. He had to tell him about Luffy, about her knowing who he really was. If they didn’t act soon, everything could come crashing down around them.

As he approached the local tavern, a shady-looking man with a scar over one eye leaned against the wall, eyeing him suspiciously. Klahadore gave him a nod and slipped inside, the cool darkness a welcome reprieve from the glaring sun. Django sat at the back, a cloud of smoke curling around him as he played a solitary game of cards.

“Django, my old friend, I’ve got a bit of a situation.” Klahadore’s voice was a mix of urgency and forced calmness. Django looked up, his expression unreadable behind his shades. “Captain, what’s going on?” Django was one of the few people who knew the truth about Klahadore’s identity.

Klahadore slid into the chair across from Django, his heart racing. “The Desert Queen!” He hissed, leaning in close. “Her fucking kids found me out! They know who I am!”

Django’s eyes widened in surprise, his hand freezing mid-shuffle. “Captain Kuro, what the fuck are you talking about? Her kids are here! Why the hell are Crocodile’s kids here, in the East blue, their not in the New World anymore!?” Django’s voice was a mix of shock and alarm. He knew all too well the kind of trouble that could come with the sandstorm pirate family.

“Yeah, I know, it’s fucking ridiculous, right?” Klahadore took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. “But, they’re here and they’re not just here for a vacation. That little shit, Luffy, she’s got her eyes on me. She’s playing it cool, but I know she knows. I don’t know how, but she does! She wasn’t even inside Kaya’s mansion for three minutes before she called me out on my shit!”

Django leaned back in his chair, looking panicked. “What’s she want, then?” He knew the kind of person Luffy was. Fearless, unpredictable, and with a knack for sniffing out trouble. If she had her sights set on Klahadore, it could only mean she had a plan.

“The money we owe Crocodile.” Klahadore replied, his voice low and urgent. “We have to settle this, Django. And fast. Before she decides to turn this into a fucking family reunion and wrecks everything!” The tension in the air was palpable, and Django could see the desperation in Klahadore’s eyes.

“We’re moving our plan to tonight.” Klahadore spoke with a newfound urgency, the weight of the situation sinking in. “You make sure everything‘s ready. And I’ll kill Kaya at midnight.”

Django nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. He knew that if they didn’t act quickly, their lives would be forfeit. They had to stick to the plan, no matter what.

Back at the mansion, Kaya, Usopp, Luffy, Nami, Zoro, Ace, and Sabo all ended up in the grand library. The room was a treasure trove of knowledge, with books lining the walls from floor to ceiling. The siblings looked around in awe, while Nami's eyes gleamed at the sight of the maps scattered across the tables.

Luffy whistled, looking around. “Wow, Kaya, you’ve got more books than even the marines' secret archives!” She grinned mischievously.

Kaya blushed. “I guess I just really like to read.” He looked over at her. “… but, if you don’t mind me asking. How do you know Klahadore? I mean, I know you said something about a casino and your mother. But Klahadore doesn’t really seem the type to ever go to a casino.”

Luffy shrugged. “Oh, we’ve got a history with him. He owes us a favor. Or, I should say, owes our mom a favor. Big one. And now, it’s time for him to pay up.”

Kaya frowns, a look of pure confusion on his face. “Owes your mom a favor? What kind of favor could he possibly owe?” He glanced over at the doorway, as if expecting Klahadore to barge in at any moment.

“Well, you know how casinos. You either go in and win money or you go in and lose money, right?” Ace spoke up, his voice echoing the mischief in Luffy’s. “Klahadore chose the latter. He lost big, and now he owes our mom big time. And since she’s not one to let a debt slide, she sent us to collect it.”

Kaya frown deepped slightly before he shrugged. “I didn’t know he was in debt. But I guess that’s why he’s been working so hard to keep me safe and the mansion running.”

Nami’s curiosity peaked at the mention of the casino. “What’s this casino like? Is it as fancy as this place?”

“Oh, it’s so much more fancier! Our mom‘s casino was made out of pure gold!” Luffy threw her arms in the air, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s called Rain Dinners and it’s got the biggest golden Bananawani statue on top, and a moat filled with those beasts as guards!”

Nami's eyes went wide. “Golden? Like, real gold?” She could hardly believe it.

Sabo chuckled, leaning against a bookshelf. “You bet. Nothing but the best for the desert Queen. And let me tell you, that casino can get wild. All walks of life coming and going, hoping to hit it big.”

Usopp's gaze wandered to the map of the Grand Line. "I always dreamed of going there. Sailing with the best of 'em, seeing the whole world." She whispered, his voice filled with wonder.

“Well, if you wanna go on a Grand adventure you should come with us, Usopp!” Luffy exclaimed, her excitement infectious. She clapped her hands together. “You’ve got the skills and the spirit for it! Plus, think of all the stories you could tell when we come back!”

Usopp blinked, her mind racing with the possibilities. “Me? Go with you guys?” He stuttered, unable to hide his astonishment.

Kaya, for his part, looks as excited as Luffy. He places his hands on Usopp’s shoulders, bouncing on his toes slightly. “You should do it, Usopp! You’re always telling me that you are made for the sea, and here’s your chance to prove it!”

Usopp searched Kaya’s eyes, looking ton. “But?… but what about you, you and the boys Onion, Carrot, and Pepper? What will you all do without me?”

Kaya’s expression softened, and he gave Usopp a comforting pat on the back. “Don’t worry about us, Usopp. We’ll be fine. Besides, we’re always looking out for each other in the village. I want to hear all the amazing tales you’ll bring back from your journey!”

Usopp’s heart swelled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She had always dreamed of sailing with the legendary pirates she heard about, but now the opportunity was staring him in the face. She looked at Luffy, Ace, and Sabo, who were all grinning at her. They were like a family, and the thought of joining them on their adventure was too tempting to pass up.

“Alright, I’ll do it!” Usopp exclaimed, her voice echoing through the grand library. “I’ll go with you all to the Grand Line!”

Luffy squealed, practically launching herself at Usopp, and wrapping her in a tight hug. "You're the best, Usopp! Welcome to the crew!" she exclaimed, lifting Usopp off her feet.

Ace, his wavy black hair bouncing, slapped Usopp on the back. "You won't regret it! Just remember, we're the Straw Hat Pirates now, not just a bunch of kids playing pretend!" His eyes twinkled with mischief as he ruffled Usopp's hair, which she tolerated with a playful glare.

Sabo nodded in approval. "We're counting on you, Usopp," he said, his tone serious despite the smile playing on his lips. "You've got the sharp mind we need to navigate the treacherous waters of the Grand Line."

Zoro, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised an eyebrow at the new addition to their crew. His arms folded across his chest, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of skepticism. "Alright, Usopp," he said, his voice low and measured. "But remember, if you're gonna sail with us, you gotta be ready for anything."

Usopp nodded, a glint of determination in her eye. "I know, Zoro. I've got skills of my own, and I'm not just a liability."

“Ah! We got a new member you know what that means!” Luffy cheered, dropping Usopp back to the floor, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You get a pair of these snazzy looking earrings, Usopp!” She held her hands underneath her own earrings, the light of the room glinting off of.

Usopp’s eyes grew wide with a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Earrings?” she questioned, glancing over at Luffy’s dangling treasures.

“Yeah, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not but Me, Zoro, Sabo, and Ace all have the same matching set of earrings. They’re one of a kind, no other person in the world besides us has them, so you can think of them as a symbol of our pirate family.” Luffy spoke with pride, her voice bubbly and infectious.

Nami looked at the earrings with a hint of curiosity. “What do they do?” she asked, her voice filled with skepticism.

Luffy looked over her shoulder, tilting her head slightly. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Nami’s eyebrow arched upward in question.

“Nothing…” Luffy repeated, looking slightly confused. “… their earrings.”

Ace rolled his eyes. “Nami, they’re just for show. They don’t do anything special.”

Sabo grinned. “They’re like a little… token?… Symbol? Yeah, symbol. You know how certain crews have certain symbols for their members? Well, we have these earrings. They’re like our little way of saying, ‘You’re a strawhat pirate!’ And they look cool, too!”

Nami pursed her lips. “I guess so, but what’s the point of having something that doesn’t do anything?”

Zoro sighed, sounding a bit annoyed. “They’re like a badge of honor, Nami. A symbol of our unity and loyalty to each other and to our captain.” He gestured too Luffy with a lazy flick of his wrist. “They're not about power; they're about who we are as a crew."

Nami nodded, still looking skeptical but keeping her thoughts to herself. She knew that sometimes, especially in the world of piracy, symbols meant more than gold. And well, she still wanted to get her hands on at least one of those sets of earrings to pay off a chunk of her debt. And if Luffy was giving Usopp a pair of them that means she has to have more, right?

“Come on, Usopp, let’s do this!” Luffy’s Voice snap Nami out of her thoughts as she watched Usopp slip the earrings into her ears, the gold glinting in the candlelight of the library. Usopp looked at her reflection in a nearby mirror, a mix of excitement and anxiety playing across her face. She had never been part of anything like this before, and the gravity of the moment wasn’t lost on her.

————————

After what felt like an eternity, but it was really just a couple hours of Kaya having the best time of his life they all decided to have a sleepover at Kaya’s mansion. So he and Usopp could spend as much time with each other as possible before she left with Luffy and the others. And Onion, Carrot, and Pepper had also joined them at some point, begging Kaya to let them stay over because they heard that there would be a slumber party. Kaya couldn’t resist their cute little faces, so he agreed, and soon the mansion was filled with laughter and the smell of popcorn.

“Hey, you guys hear that?” Luffy asked, tilting her head towards Kaya’s open bedroom window. Were the faint sound of a hissing-growl could be heard. “Sounds like somebody’s upset Coco.”

Sabo and Ace shared a knowing look. They had grown up around Bananawanis; they knew that sound all too well. It was the sound of a Bananawani who was on the prowl. And if there was one thing they knew, it was that nobody messed with Coco when she was in a bad mood.

“Coco?” Kaya’s repeated. “Who’s Coco?” He asked, his curiosity piqued.

“A Bananawani.” Luffy said casually, licking the butter off of her hand and fingers from the popcorn in a way that made Kaya and Zoro blush hard. “Coco’s a Bananawani.”

The room went silent, the only noise now was the occasional pop of the popcorn as it cooled. Usopp’s eyes were as wide as dinner plates, staring at Luffy as if she had just announced that the world was made of cheese.

“B-Bananawani? The giant crocodiles?!” Usopp sputtered, the reality of Luffy’s life sinking in deeper.

Luffy grinned mischievously. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

Onion, Carrot, and Pepper looked at each other with wide eyes, then back at Luffy. “You have a giant crocodile as a pet?” Pepper asked in awe.

Luffy wiggled her fingers at him before hopping off Kaya’s bed, scooping him up and spinning around. “Oh, you bet! She’s ginormous, on the bigger side of Bananawani size. And she’s totally badass!” She giggled, setting him down gently before rushing over to the window and peering out into the night.

“You see that giant blob moving around in the ocean out there.” Luffy pointed out the window, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “That’s Coco!”

The three kids rushed to the window, their jaws dropping as they took in the monstrous form of Coco gliding through the water, her banana-shaped head bobbing with each movement. The sight was both terrifying and fascinating.

“I’m guessing she’s caught the whiff of somebody she doesn’t like if she hissing loud enough for us to hear her all the way over here.” Luffy mused, watching Coco’s silhouette cut through the moonlit waves.

Sabo stood up, his eyes narrowed as he listened to the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. “Could be trouble. We should check it out.”

“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh~” Luffy purred, a smile that was anything but sweet and loving spreading across her lips. “But…” she sighed, tilting her head to the side. “I already know what’s got her all riled up. And it’s probably something that’s about to get really, really interesting for us.”

“Interesting?” Zoro questioned, his eyes never leaving the giant creature in the water. “How do you figure that?”

“Shh, shhh, shh, shhh. Listen.” Luffy put a finger to her lips. The hissing grew louder, and the waves began to churn more vigorously.

Then from inside the mansion the sound of a chandelier shattering, accompanied by Merry screaming bloody murder. “KAYA! YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE RUN!—” Merry’s Voice was abruptly cut off by the sound of slicing, cutting, and skin being ripped by a blade.

Luffy’s smile grew darker. “Oh, he’s already on the hunt?” She murmured, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Well, let’s not keep him waiting then, shall we?”

“H-hunt.” Onion whispered, his eyes as wide as saucers as he looked up at Luffy, his voice shaking slightly. Carrot and Pepper exchanged worried glances, not fully understanding the gravity of the situation.

“Cap-tain Ku-ro~” Luffy sang out as she turned on her heels and started walking towards the door. “Oh, oh, oh, oh Kuro. You really, really, really couldn’t come up with any other plan but other kill Kaya and blame it on us?” She rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Luffy!” Nami grabbed her arm, eyes wide with shock. “What’s going on? Who’s Kuro?”

“Kuro is Klahadore.” Luffy said, her grin growing darker. “I might’ve lied a little bit when I said how I knew him, yeah, he did go to my mom‘s casino, but I also know him because he fucked with the mafia… not just any mafia, but the sandstorm pirate family. He owes us 50 million berries.”

Nami’s eyes went wide with shock, her grip on Luffy’s arm tightening. “What?”

Luffy waved her off at the same time Kaya’s door was kicked in, the splinters of wood flying across the room as a shadowy figure emerged, Klahadore's sinister presence palpable. He was dressed in all black, his eyes gleaming with malice. The sight of him sent a chill down Nami’s spine, and even the usually unflappable Ace and Sabo looked grim.

“SHIT!” Klahadore actually yelped, stumbling backwards. “Y-you-you’re you’re still here!” He stuttered, his eyes darting between the children and the young pirates.

“Well, I guess the party’s crashed!” Luffy chuckled, a hint of danger lacing her words. “But, I suppose that’s what happens when you don’t RSVP!” She cracked her knuckles and took a step forward, her stance unyielding.

“Now come on, Kuro! I’ve been dying for a good fight! Axe Hand Morgan went down too easy for my liking, maybe you’ll give us a challenge!” Luffy taunted, her eyes flashing with excitement as she stepped closer to the man.

Klahadore’s face contorted in rage, the knives in his hand glinting in the dim light. “You little brats!” He snarled, his true nature fully revealed. “I’ll show you what happens when you meddle in the affairs of a pirate!”

Luffy cackled like a madman the sound sending a shiver down everyone’s spine before she lunge at Klahadore like a rabbit dog with rabies. She was fast, unnaturally fast, her fist colliding with his chin sending him flying into a nearby bookshelf. The books tumbled down around him. “Come on, Kuro! You always used to brag in the casino about how strong, how Smart, how diligent, how powerful you are! Let’s see if you can back up those big words!”

Klahadore spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes glinting with a mix of anger and fear. He had never seen Luffy like this before, this wasn’t the carefree girl he knew from the casino, this was a predator hungry for a fight. He pushed himself up from the debris, his body moving in a way that defied the laws of physics. The air around him seemed to shiver as he dashed at Luffy, his knives flashing like lightning.

Luffy met him halfway in the hallway, grinning like a bat shit crazy Cheshire cat. Her fists flew through the air in a whirlwind, each punch and kick a dance of death. Luffy moved with a fluid grace that seemed almost inhuman, her fists connecting with Klahadore's body with a series of sickening crunches and snaps.

Kaya watched the chaotic scene unfold, his heart racing as he realized the gravity of the situation. Onion, Carrot, and Pepper cowered behind him, their wide eyes filled with fear as they witnessed the fierce battle between the pirate they had come to know and the terrifying man who had been living among them.

Zoro stepped in front of Kaya and the young boys. His hands gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. “So, this is why you were playing actor earlier today, huh, Luffy?” He said calmly, his eyes never leaving the battle.

Luffy's smile grew wider. “Yeah, Zoro! He owes mommy a big, big favor!” She shouted over the sound of fists and knives clashing.

Usopp watched the chaotic scene unfold with a mix of awe and fear. She had never seen such raw power and determination in her life. Luffy's fists and feet connected with Klahadore's body in a symphony of destruction, each hit resonating through the mansion. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and blood, and the sound of their clashes echoed down the corridors.

Nami's eyes widened as she took in the chaos before her. She had never seen anyone fight like Luffy, who moved with the grace of a dancer and the ferocity of a lioness protecting her cubs.

Kuro's eyes narrowed as he faced the trio of siblings. He had underestimated them, and now he was beginning to realize that they were no mere children playing pirate games. The fury in their eyes was real, and their skills were far from amateur. He swiped his knives at Luffy, aiming to disarm her, but she was too quick.

Luffy ducked, no, she didn’t just duck she did the fucking split… ‘this motherfucker did the split!’, before turning her body in an unnatural, ‘bone breaking’ angle, to push herself through Kuro’s legs, then her body upward to wrap her legs around his waist, and fling Kuro with such sheer speed and force with only her legs he flew out Kaya’s bedroom window and collided with the tree outside the window.

The tree cracked and snapped under the pressure, falling onto the ground with a loud thud that even overpowered the noise of the fight.

Kuro, dazed and bruised, managed to get back on his feet, his knives clutched firmly in his hands. "You're not just playing around anymore, are you?" He snarled, his voice laced with a hint of fear.

“Oh, yes, I am!” Luffy shouted, not even hesitating to jump out the window after him. Landing right on top of him as if he was giving her a ride on his shoulders, except well she jumped on him on a way where they’re facing each other. She wrapped her legs around his neck and slammed her fist into his head, repeatedly, as she grins like like a fucking lunatic. “This isn’t a game anymore, Kuro, this is reality and in my reality, I’m the pirate queen, and I don’t take shit from anyone, especially not from someone who tries to fuck over my family!”

Her words were punctuated by the sickening thud of her fists on Kuro’s skull. She had a wild look in her eyes that was unlike anything Usopp and Nami had seen before.

“What the fuck?” Nami whispered, slowly turn to face Ace and Sabo. “Is?… is this what the hell you meant when you said I needed to see your sister fight?” She asked, her voice shaking.

Ace chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. “Yeah, she's pretty intense, isn’t she?”

Sabo nodded, his eyes never leaving the chaotic scene outside the window. “Always has been, ever since we were little.”

Nami swallowed hard, these were the people she’s been wanting to steal from? The people she’s been plotting against? The people she’s been thinking of as just some rich kids with no understanding of the real world? But here is Luffy, her legs locked around a guy‘s head as she beats the absolute brakes off of him, as the Poor guy stumbles around like a ragdoll, trying to shake her off. And she’s smiling through it all, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Usopp's eyes widened as she saw Luffy's fiery spirit in action. Despite the chaos, she felt a strange comfort in knowing that she was on the right side. The children's shouts of amazement and fear grew louder as the fight between Luffy and Kuro intensified. Kuro, unable to shake Luffy off, stumbled around like a headless chicken, desperately trying to regain control.

Zoro blinked, crossing his arms over his chest as he and the rest of… well, everyone in Kaya’s room look out the window to watch the beat down happening outside. It was a spectacle, to say the least. He’d seen some shit in his days, but nothing quite like this. The way Luffy fought, it was like watching a tornado wrapped in a hurricane that had just swallowed a lightning storm. The sheer power she had was one thing, but the way she moved? It was like nothing he’d ever seen.

“Jesus Christ.” Zoro sighed, running a hand down his face. “And people call me dangerous, people call me deadly, people call me a demon. And here’s Luffy out there turning a fucking pirate inside out with her bare hands and a fucking smile on her face like it’s the best thing she’s ever done in her life!”

Ace snickered, leaning against the window frame with his arms crossed. “Yeah, she’s always been like that. Ever since we were little, she’d beat the shit out of anyone who messed with us or our mom. She’s like a volcano that’s all happy sunshine until you poke it with a stick.”

Kaya, for his part, was about to have a panic attack. Because apparently his caretaker for the past three years was planning on killing him tonight, which was definitely not what he had planned for his Friday evening. He couldn’t believe it. He’d always thought Klahadore was a bit weird, sure, but he never thought he was a fucking psychopath. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” He kept repeating, his hands flying to his face as he watched Kuro stumble back, Luffy still wrapped around him as she continues to punch him.

“She’s gonna give him brain damage.” Zoro said, his voice flat but his eyes glinted with something that was definitely amusement. Usopp couldn’t help but snicker, hiding it behind her hand. It was weird, seeing her new friend fight like that, but she had to admit, it was also pretty badass.

Zoro squinted as he lean slightly out of the window to get a better look. He had to admit, Luffy looked smoking hot as she beat the brakes off of Kuro. And it seems like the world had hit a slo-Mo as Luffy threw her head back slightly, licking the blood from her bloody nose off her face. Zoro felt his cock throb. He had to admit it, Luffy was fucking terrifying and hot at the same time. It was a deadly combo.

And then Zoro’a brain processed what he just fell, his eyes widened so much that it looked like they were going to pop out of his skull. And his face turned Scarlet and he was so so so happy everyone was paying attention to the fight and not him because if they had looked at him they would have seen him with the biggest fucking boner of his life. "Oh fuck." He breathed, his eyes still glued to Luffy and her absolute destruction of Kuro. He felt like he was going to pass out, but he didn't. Because that would be embarrassing... Even more embarrassing than the fact he has a Boner because he’s watching a girl beat the shit out of a guy.

But he couldn’t help it, Luffy was something else. Something he hadn’t ever seen before. And the way she fought, the way she moved, it was like poetry. Violent, bloody poetry. It was fucking mesmerizing. He felt like he could watch her do this all day. But alas, the fight couldn’t last forever, even though Zoro’s boner wished it would.

Zoro can’t believe he’s actually into this shit, but here he is, boner and all, watching a chick beat the fuck out of another guy. He’s had some weird kinks before, but this is definitely up there. Luffy was just...something else. Something that made his heart race and his blood boil in the best way possible.

But he’s snapped out of his trance when he hears Nami’s voice, sharp as a whip. “Zoro, are you okay? You look like you’re about to pass out or something!” She asks, her eyes flickering between the fight outside and his flustered face. Usopp snickers from beside her, clearly noticing his reaction as well.

Zoro’s face flushes even brighter as he realizes Nami has noticed his boner, and he quickly tries to adjust himself, hoping she’ll just assume it’s excitement from the fight. He clears his throat, trying to sound as casual as possible. "Yeah, I'm good," he says, his voice slightly higher than usual. "It's just... intense."

Nami’s eyes sparkle with amusement as she watches Zoro's awkwardness, she looks at the others, making sure none of them were listening or paying attention before leaning closer to Zoro. Her voice dropping to a whisper that only he could hear. “You might wanna go to the bathroom and deal with your little… happy friend there before you scar poor Carrot, Onion, and Pepper for life, yeah?” She smirks at him playfully, nudging him with her elbow.

Zoro’s embarrassment reaches new heights, but he nods in agreement, his eyes darting towards the three young children who were still frozen in shock by the events outside. He quickly excuses himself and makes his way to the bathroom, trying to compose himself. Meanwhile, the battle outside reaches its climax as Luffy’s fists fly like a tornado, each one packing the power of a thousand suns. Kuro is barely holding on, his movements are becoming sluggish and predictable under the onslaught and the lack of oxygen from Luffy’s legs wrapped around his neck.

In the quiet of the mansions bathroom, Zoro Lock the door behind him before walking over to the Jack and Jill bathroom counter. Looking at himself in the giant mirror, leaning on counter with a hand over his face, his chest heaving. He couldn’t believe what just happened. He had never been so...aroused… by really anything before. He was not expecting that, it’s not like it’s the first time he’s seen Luffy fight, he’s seen her fight two other times and neither of those times did he get hard. But watching her fight Kuro was like watching a wild animal fight for its life, and for some reason, that was incredibly hot to him.

Shaking his head, Zoro tried to push those thoughts aside as he focused on the task at hand. He quickly unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his pants and pulled out his thick, hard cock. He started to stroke himself, thinking about the fight outside. The way Luffy’s body moved, the power behind every punch she threw, the fierce determination in her eyes. It was like watching a fucking goddess at work, and he was the mere mortal getting to jerk off to it.

He stroked harder, his hand moving up and down his shaft as he thought about the way Luffy’s body bent and contorted during her fight. The way her muscles rippled and her teeth gleamed as she smiled like a madman. He’d never seen anything so beautifully terrifying in his life. The sound of her laughter, the way it echoed through the night, sent a shiver down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold tiles beneath his feet.

Outside, Luffy's battle with Kuro had all but ended, Kuro had collapse with Luffy’s legs still wrapped around his neck so now he was on the ground with Luffy just sitting on his chest, looking slightly peeved that the fight was over so soon.

"Well, that was a bit disappointing," Luffy said, panting slightly, her curly hair sticking to the sweat on her forehead. "I was hoping to stretch my legs a bit more." She rolled off of Kuro's body and dusted herself off.

Kuro, now defeated, coughed and wheezed on the ground. "You...you're insane," he managed to get out before he passed out.

"I know, right?" Luffy said cheerfully, turning, and just listening. She tilted her head to the side, hearing Coco’s hissing-growl get louder, angrier, more agitated with every passing second. "Looks like our little get-together got the Bananawani all riled up. Let's go see what's going on!" She looked up to the window, where everyone was still watching her… well, except for Zoro.

“Hey, where’s Zoro?” She asked, noticing his absence.

Nami smirked at Luffy's nonchalant attitude towards the intense fight she'd just been in, and the fact that she was more concerned about the commotion outside. "I think Zoro might have had a little too much of a good time watching you," she quipped, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "I sent him to take care of his 'happy friend' before he traumatized the little ones up here."

Everyone stayed silent for a couple seconds trying to process what she just said. Luffy blinked a couple times, before saying very bluntly and with zero shame. “He got a hard on from watching me beat the brakes off of a guy?”

Sabo’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red and Ace buried his face in his palm with a groan. "Luffy!" He said in a muffled voice. "Could you maybe not say that so loud?"

Luffy shrugged her shoulders, unbothered. "Whatever gets him off.”

The door to the bathroom creaked open and Zoro emerged, trying his best to look nonchalant as he tucked his shirt in. He spotted Luffy, Who was still standing outside beside the unconscious Kuro, and the smirk on her face grew wider. "Don't start," he warned her, though the hint of a blush was still present.

Luffy waved her hand around in the air, “yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever, whatever, whatever gets you off!” She laughed, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “But seriously, y’all get down here. I’m afraid Coco‘s gonna end up eating either someone, a ship, or both!”

“I’m… I’m going to stay here with Carrot, Onion, and Pepper.” Kaya murmured, sitting down heavily on his bed beside the three boys.

Nami nodded in understanding, “Alright, we’ll deal with Coco. You stay safe, okay?” She gave Kaya’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving the room with Usopp and the rest of the crew.

Once outside, Luffy was already bounding down the dirt path that leads out of the sprawling mansions yard, dragging on unconscious Kuro with her. “Come on! She’s down at the cove and somethings pissing her off!” Luffy called over her shoulder as she sprinted away. The crew, +Nami, followed.

Upon reaching the cove, they were met with the sight of a Red and black ship with a Black cat as a figure head, docked at the pier. Around the ship was various nervous looking pirate, and that flamboyant, flashy, hypnotist Django guy they had met earlier today, who had hypnotize Sabo to sleep for a bit.

Django saw them coming and a smirk spread on his face as he leaned on the ships railing, “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” He called out, his voice echoing through the cove.

Luffy just blinked at him before holding Kuro up like he was a fish she had just caught. “I believe this is your captain, right?”

Django’s eyes widened. “Yes, that’s him, Captain Kuro! What happened to him?”

“I beat the brakes off of him.” Luffy answered casually, dropping him like a sack of potatoes.

The pirates looked from Django to the unconscious Kuro and then back to Luffy, their eyes wide with shock and fear. Django took a step back, his smugness draining from his face.

“…so?” Luffy continued, watching the giant dark blob of Coco circle the ship underneath the water. “You guys are the people pissing off Coco, huh?”

“What the fuck is Coco?” One of the pirate murmured, looking utterly confused, but nearly jumped out of his skin when another round of the long menacing hissing-growl echoed through the air.

Well, no one had to answer his question because it was answered for him. Because Coco herself, who is 500-feet-long, decided she had enough and just swallowed their shit hole. She came out of the water, her jaws wide open and snapped it down on the ship.

The splintered wood crackled and splintered, the ship groaned and the men screamed as Coco took half of the ship into her mouth. It was like watching a giant alligator devour a chicken nugget. She chewed once and swallowed, her tail slithering in the water behind her as she disappeared again. The water was calm for a moment, but the pirates had lost their captain and their ship, so their fear had turned into absolute terror.

“That’s Coco.” Luffy said calmly, pointing at the water. “She a Bananawani.”

The pirates stared at her in shock, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. Django looked at the half-eaten ship, his heart racing. He had heard of the terrifying Bananawani that guarded the sandstorm pirates’ home, but seeing one in action was a whole different story.

“Y-you control that thing?” Django stuttered, his knees slightly buckling.

Luffy nodded, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Yep, she’s one of ours. You’ve got to be pretty special to get on her good side.”

Django took a moment to process this information, his eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. “What do you want from me?” He asked, his voice shaking slightly.

“Well, you’re gonna get a visit from one of my mother‘s debt collector. I’ll tell you that now, you are going to get a surprise visit from one of her debt collectors and I can’t promise you if it’s gonna be pretty or not, and I want you all too leave the Island.” Luffy said casually, waving her hand around in the air. “You might not have a ship, but there’s a ferry going to the next island in about an hour.”

Django’s face went as pale as the full moon on a clear night. He had heard of Crocodile’s wrath when someone crossed her, and he knew that she didn’t take kindly to those who didn’t repay their debts. The thought of facing one of her monstrous enforcers was more than enough to make his knees wobble like jelly.

“I-I’ll— we’ll leave right away, I promise!” Django stuttered, sweat beading on his forehead like morning dew. “We won’t cause any trouble, I swear!”

Luffy's smile grew wider, revealing her sharp canines. “Good boy. Now scoot! And take your weird captain with you!” She said, kicking Kuro’s unconscious body with her sandal.

The pirates didn’t need a second warning. They scurried off, dragging the half-dead Kuro with them. The Strawhat pirates, +Nami, watched them go.

"Well, that was easier than I thought," Luffy chuckled, leaning against the banister of the porch. Her brothers exchanged a look. They knew better than to underestimate their mother's reach.

————————

After the next couple days Luffy finally manages to get her to do list done. She’s got her ship the stormy night shipped back to alabasta by Big New Morgans special order, she sold the pink monstrosity of the ship they were using and got very, very hefty sum from it, she went supply shopping and all that jazz.

And she got a ship, she didn’t have to pay for it because it was a gift Kaya, called the going Merry, and she, with the help of Ace and Sabo had packed up all of their stuff on the pink ship and had put it on the going merry.

————————

Usopp strips her house of everything important. All her tools and weapons, her clothes and art supplies and the few photos she has of her parents together, but she leaves plenty behind. Her bag is bulging, and she almost gets stuck in the door. Usopp glances back into the tiny house once, nodding her. She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Off we go.”

She walks down the path from her house for the last time, eyes catching on Zoro, Nami, Ace, Sabo, and Luffy’s at the bottom of the hill. Kaya’s Butler, Merry, is standing with them, gesturing to a ship.

The Going Merry, a cute ship little caravel with a sheep as a figure head.

Luffy, Nami, and Zoro are listening to Merry’s detailed explanation. As Ace and Sabo very poorly pretend to listen, their eyes keep darting to the ship, filled with excitement and wonder. Ace's orange hat bobbing with every nod, while Sabo's blonde curls shimmer in the sunlight.

Luffy looks over her shoulder, spotting Usopp. “Hey, Babes! You ready to hit the high seas?” She calls out with a grin, her dark brown eyes gleaming with excitement. Usopp nods, a mix of nervousness and determination etched on her face.

As they approach, Merry finishes his speech, and Luffy claps her hands. “Alright, let’s get this party started!” She leaps onto the Going Merry, her sandals thumping against the wooden deck. The ship feels alive under her, and she can't help but let out a whoop of joy. The others follow suit, their energy infectious.

Sabo and Ace stare at the ship, awe-stricken. The Bananawani, Coco, emerges from the water, his massive frame towering over the dock. He opens his jaws wide, showing off teeth that could crush steel, and lets out a deafening roar. Ace flinches, while Sabo seems unfazed, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. Usopp, with a bag slung over her shoulder, boards the ship, her heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. She’s leaving everything she’s ever known behind, but with her newfound family by her side, she feels ready to conquer the world.

————————