The sun was already sinking toward the horizon by the time the work finally began to slow.
Orange Town had spent the better part of the day rebuilding itself.
The damage was still obvious. Entire sections of buildings remained little more than piles of rubble, and several streets were still scarred by Buggy Balls. But there was movement everywhere now.
Villagers carried lumber through the streets, the sturdier Marines helped reinforce damaged buildings as craftsmen worked, and the support staff worked to distribute food and medical supplies.
For the first time since the Buggy Pirates had arrived, Orange Town was beginning to feel alive again.
Luffy stood near the edge of the construction site, stretching his arms above his head.
"Man…"
He looked around.
"I'm tired."
Zoro, sitting nearby on a stack of lumber, gave him a flat look.
"You've been carrying beams around all afternoon."
"Someone had to do it."
"You're the one who volunteered."
"Still counts."
Luffy dropped his arms and glanced around.
His eyes eventually settled on Zoro.
Or, more specifically, where Zoro's eyes were currently pointed.
Tashigi was several dozen feet away, helping one of the Marine crews unload supplies.
She moved with a quiet efficiency, occasionally adjusting her glasses as she checked lists and directed people where to take things.
Zoro had been watching her for most of the day.
Luffy's eyes flicked repeatedly between the two, a mischievous grin slowly spreading across his face.
"You know…"
Zoro didn't look at him.
"Don't."
"I haven't even said anything."
"You were about to."
"I was just going to say you've been staring at that Marine girl all day."
Zoro's eye twitched.
"I haven't been staring."
"You've definitely been staring."
"I've been observing."
"That's just a different word for staring."
Zoro finally turned toward him.
"Do you have nothing better to do?"
"Nope."
Luffy sat down beside him.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Luffy nudged him with his shoulder.
"So?"
Zoro sighed and looked back toward Tashigi.
"…She looks like someone I knew."
Luffy's expression softened slightly, some of the playful edge fading.
"Someone important?"
Zoro was quiet for a moment before he nodded.
"Her name was Kuina."
That name carried a weight that made it sound difficult for him to speak.
"She was my childhood rival," Zoro continued. "We trained together. Fought together. She was better than me."
He gave a small, humorless smile.
"Much better."
Luffy listened.
"She had this dream. She wanted to become the world's greatest swordsman." A rare softness flickered across his face. "Had a chip on her shoulder about being a female swordsman."
Zoro's hand drifted toward Wado Ichimonji.
"This sword belonged to her."
Luffy's eyes lowered to the blade.
"So that's why."
"Yeah."
Zoro looked toward Tashigi again.
"Every time I see her, it's…" he paused, trying to find the right words, "It's like looking at someone who shouldn't exist."
Luffy leaned back, staring up at the darkening sky.
"You know…"
Zoro glanced at him.
"I've learned something about that."
"About what?"
"Living in someone's shadow."
Zoro's expression tightened slightly.
Luffy's voice was unusually quiet. He remembered how much Midoriya had struggled initially with letting go of his past. He also remembered the explosive growth once he let go and started adapting. Moreover, with how tightly will is tied to power here, a wound to the spirit like this could easily fester.
"When someone you care about dies, it's easy to start carrying everything they left behind."
He looked down at his hands.
"Their dreams. Their expectations. Their regrets."
He paused.
"But if you carry that stuff for too long…"
He tapped his chest.
"…it can start changing you."
Zoro remained silent as Luffy looked towards him.
"You stop asking what you want, and start asking what they would've wanted."
The swordsman stared at him.
"There's nothing wrong with remembering Kuina," Luffy continued. "Or wanting to keep your promise."
His gaze moved toward Wado Ichimonji.
"But if you keep letting yourself get shaken when she comes up…"
He shook his head.
"Then you're not becoming the world's greatest swordsman."
Zoro frowned, his hands tightening on the hilt of Wado.
"The hell you mean?"
Luffy grinned faintly.
"You remember what Gramps and Bogard said about will power right?
Zoro's eyes widened slightly.
"It's the force that makes or breaks the true strongest on the sea, it can push you forward or drag you down."
The grip on his blade eased.
"And if your will can't even get you past someone who looks like her…"
Luffy stood, and began walking away.
"You'll never come close to fulfilling that promise."
Zoro looked down at Wado Ichimonji. Using his thumb, he pushed the blade just slightly out of its scabbard. He squinted as the blade caught the last light of the setting sun.
With a thoughtful hum, he clicked the blade back into its sheath.
"Oh, and Zoro?"
A few feet away, Luffy had stopped walking and looked back.
"What?"
He smiled as he pointed forward, "Her name is Tashigi."
Then he continued walking.
Zoro remained where he was.
For several moments, he said nothing, just rested his hand against the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
He looked at Tashigi again.
For the first time that day, he tried to actually see her, and peel away the image he had projected on her.
This wasn't a ghost from his childhood, just a swordswoman, a Marine, and a stranger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luffy walked several streets away before stopping.
He glanced back.
Zoro was still sitting there, deep in thought.
"Hope that helps…"
His eyes shifted toward Tashigi.
Then toward the Marine camp.
Then toward Smoker.
A mischievous grin slowly appeared.
"…And I might have an idea."
He walked away, already imagining the conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the time night settled over Orange Town, the town had finally gone quiet.
The Marines had finished their work for the day and returned to their on ship barracks. The villagers had all returned to their homes. At least those with homes still standing did.
Luckily, the Marines had raised a temporary shelter for those without a place to sleep..
The crew had eaten, and after a much-needed bath, Luffy had finally settled down for the evening.
He sat outside the small tents they had been given to use, staring out toward the ocean.
The waves were calm, and with the sense of relief that had spread throughout the town, it was a peaceful evening.
It was almost hard to believe that the same town had been under siege only hours earlier. He sat until the sounds of approaching footsteps broke the silence.
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw who was approaching., and wasn't surprised.
"Nami."
She stopped, and looked around nervously. For a few moments there was silence, before she seemingly gathered the resolve to say what she had come to say.
"Can I talk to you?"
Luffy turned around.
"Sure."
She sat beside him.
Silence settled again, but Luffy waited. He could tell she was nervous.
"What's up?"
Nami stared at the ground.
"I…"
She swallowed.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Luffy's expression softened.
"Okay."
She took a breath.
"My village is called Cocoyasi."
Luffy didn't interrupt.
"It's in the Conomi Islands."
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her shirt.
"That's where I'm from."
Luffy nodded.
"Okay."
"About eight years ago…"
Her voice became quieter.
"Arlong came."
Luffy's expression changed.
He knew that name, but remained silent.
"He was a fishman pirate."
Nami's eyes lowered.
"He took over the village."
She paused.
"And he killed my mother."
The words hung in the air.
Luffy's chest tightened, the familiar ache of seeing someone in pain, and the instinct to help flaring even higher.
Nami continued.
"She refused to lie about us," a shaky laugh escaped her, "She told them we were her daughters."
Her eyes began to water.
"She knew what would happen."
Luffy's hands curled into fists.
Nami wiped at her eyes.
"After that, Arlong found out I could draw maps, so he made me draw them."
She looked down at her hands, remembering countless nights of scrubbing ink stains from fingers blistered from too much drawing.
"I wasn't his crewmate, I was just…"
She struggled to find the words.
"A tool."
Luffy remained completely still.
Nami's voice cracked.
"He told me that if I could gather one hundred million berries, he'd let my village go."
She laughed bitterly.
"So I lied, I joined pirate crews so I could rob them blind and leave them stranded. I did anything I could to try and raise the money."
Her tears began falling freely now.
"I thought…"
She covered her face.
"I thought I could actually do it, I thought I could save them."
Her shoulders shook.
"And the Marines…" Nami's voice grew bitter now. "They knew."
Luffy's eyes narrowed.
"They knew what Arlong was doing?"
She nodded.
"Some of them even worked with him."
Luffy said nothing.
Nami's tears continued.
"I've spent eight years trying to save my home."
She clenched her fists.
"But knowing him, and that greedy bastard Nezumi..."
She finally broke.
A sob escaped her, broken and raw. Luffy moved before he could think, and pulled her into his arms.
Nami froze, and for a moment, she didn't move.
Then she collapsed against him.
Her fingers grabbed the back of his shirt, and she cried.
She wept for a childhood lost, and family slain.
Luffy held her tightly, and offered no platitudes. He didn't tell her not to cry, or tell her everything would be okay.
He simply stayed there.
The hero training of another life let him know that sometimes a victim simply needed to cry. Especially if they had never allowed themselves to fully open up about their trauma.
She had taken the hopes and fears of her home on her own back, and bore them alone. This would be the first step to putting things right.
Luffy closed his eyes.
He had learned that beating the villain was the easy part. Once you hit them hard enough, they stopped being a problem.
But you couldn't punch the damage they left behind.
Eventually, Nami's sobs began to quiet.
She remained against him for several more moments before finally pulling back.
"Sorry."
Luffy shook his head.
"Don't be."
She wiped her eyes.
"I should've told you sooner."
Luffy smiled softly.
"You weren't ready."
Nami looked at him, but his eyes were fixed on the horizon.
"Listen to me," he said
Nami followed his gaze.
"We're going to Cocoyasi."
Her eyes widened.
"And we're going to take down Arlong."
"But-"
"No."
Luffy looked at her.
"You've done enough."
His voice was firm.
"It's our turn."
For eight years, she'd imagined those words.
She had dreamt that someone else would come along, that they would finally see what Arlong had done.
But she'd never actually believed it would happen.
"You really mean that?"
Luffy looked at her.
"Yeah."
"Even if it's dangerous?"
Luffy grinned.
"Especially then."
A few seconds passed.
Then Luffy's expression became thoughtful.
"But there's something else."
"What?"
"If Arlong was able to operate in the East Blue for this long…"
His expression hardened.
"…then somebody was letting him."
Nami's eyes darkened.
"Nezumi." She ground out with a nod. "He's the captain of the 16th branch near the Conomi isles. I've seen Marine ships from that branch docked at Arlong park before."
Luffy nodded and leaned back, "And that's why I think we should bring Smoker."
Nami blinked.
"Smoker?"
"Yeah."
Luffy grinned.
"He hates criminals."
Then his smile became sharper.
"And from what I know about him, he really hates corrupt Marines."
Becoming serious for a moment he began analyzing. "A two pronged strike would be our best bet. While we make landfall in Cocoyasi and handle the fishmen, Smoker and his garrison can make contact with the 16th branch and detain the corrupt marines there. That way they can't interfere with our mission and *mumble mumble mumble mumble…..*
Nami's head was spinning at the rapid analysis and continued theorising.
"Luffy!" She shouted, trying to bring his attention back to the matter at hand.
"Shishishi, sorry, old habit."
She smiled softly at his slight embarrassment. Still there was something to consider before planning too far ahead.
"You think Smoker would actually believe me?"
"I think so."
"And if he doesn't?"
Luffy shrugged.
"Then I'll convince him."
Nami laughed weakly.
"That's your plan?"
"Yep."
"You'll just…"
She gestured vaguely.
"Convince him?"
"Works pretty often."
Nami smiled. The answer was, as she was learning, quintessentially Luffy.
"Besides…" He looked toward the Marine camp, "I've got another idea."
Nami raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of idea?"
Luffy's grin became downright mischievous.
"I think we might have a new recruit."
Nami stared at him.
"…What?"
Luffy walked away.
"Goodnight, Nami!"
"Wait!"
He kept walking.
"Luffy!"
"Goodnight!"
Nami stared after him.
"…What the hell are you planning?"
From somewhere down the street came Luffy's laughter.
"Shishishishi!"
Nami sighed.
Then smiled.
He might be irritating, but she truly believed he would keep his word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, atop the Red Line, in a room very few people had ever seen, five grim faced men sat in deliberation.
There were no windows, and no guards stood outside the door.
No servants were allowed in while they spoke. This was a place where matters too dangerous to be spoken elsewhere were discussed, the second most secure place in the world.
A man with a long beard, Saint Marcus Mars, flipped through a report detailing the events at Shells Town.
He read the final page once more before closing the folder.
"So, the boy lived after all."
A bald man with an elegant katana resting across his knees, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, sneered.
"The rats with that fruit are always surprisingly resilient."
Mars gave him a sideways glance.
"Resilient, yes. Invincible, no."
His fingers tapped against the report.
"The boy resurfaced at a Marine base under the command of Axe-Hand Morgan. He destroyed the facility, exposed 'abuse of power' by the commanding officer, and then proceeded to cooperate with Marines in rebuilding the town."
Saturn's brow furrowed.
"A pirate cooperating with Marines?"
"Not a pirate," Mars corrected. "Not officially."
He turned a page.
"Vice Admiral Garp has registered him as a special civilian asset."
Nusjuro scoffed.
"A distinction without meaning, the boy will do as he pleases. Garp won't let Sengoku touch him."
"Perhaps."
Mars leaned back.
"But one that gives him protection."
A large man with a walking stick, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, stared at the report in silence.
"Still, we must tread carefully."
His voice was heavy.
"Our lord wants this matter handled with care."
The others fell silent.
Saturn continued.
"The boy's existence was already concerning. His survival is more so. If the reports are accurate, his physical abilities are developing at an unusual rate."
"He is a D," Warcury growled.
"A Monkey D."
His lip curled.
"The blood of that family has caused enough trouble."
A blonde man with a goatee, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, folded his hands.
"Yes. And his relation to Garp and his whelp Dragon makes the situation delicate."
He paused.
"Garp is still beloved by much of the Marines. Dragon's activities have made him considerably less popular, but the fool's reputation remains nearly untouchable."
Nusjuro's eyes narrowed.
"And yet the boy travels under Garp's protection."
"Precisely."
Ju Peter reached for another document.
"There is another matter."
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Luffy standing beside a battered Marine base, but one detail caused the room to become silent.
"The Straw Hat."
Warcury's expression darkened.
"Red-Haired."
Mars nodded.
"His connection to the boy remains unclear. However, the timing of the boy's emergence is unfortunate."
Nusjuro's hand tightened slightly around his sword.
"And now we have Saint Garling's wayward son."
The others looked toward him.
Nusjuro continued.
"Whatever interest he has taken in the boy, it means this matter is no longer confined to some insignificant East Blue incident."
Warcury grunted.
"A pirate's curiosity should not concern us."
"Normally, no."
Nusjuro's gaze hardened.
"But that particular pirate has never been predictable."
Saturn slowly leaned forward.
"The greater concern is the fruit."
The room grew colder.
Mars reopened the report.
"The boy has not displayed the abilities we feared."
"Yet," Saturn said, "We cannot assume the fruit will remain dormant."
Ju Peter nodded.
"If the boy reaches the Grand Line…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
For centuries, the Government had erased names, destroyed records, and buried history beneath layers of lies.
The fruit was one of the few things they could never allow to awaken, and the trials of the New World have a way of forging men into legends.
If there was anything they'd learned from the monsters of the past eras, it was that it was better to kill the man before the legend could arise. .
Warcury slammed his fist against the table.
"Then kill him."
Silence.
The simplicity of the statement hung in the room.
Mars looked toward him.
"You would have us send Marines after Garp's grandson?"
"No."
Warcury's eyes narrowed.
"Not Marines."
Nusjuro's expression shifted into a thin smile.
"CP."
Saturn nodded.
"An assassination carried out without attribution."
Ju Peter considered it.
"An accident, perhaps."
"Or the work of pirates," Mars added.
Warcury grunted.
"Either way, the boy disappears."
Saturn's fingers tightened around his walking stick.
"There is one problem."
"Garp," Ju Peter said.
"Yes."
Saturn's voice became quieter.
"If the boy dies under mysterious circumstances, Garp will investigate."
"And if he discovers our involvement…" Mars began.
"He will not accept it."
For once, none of them disagreed. Garp was many things. Loud, obstinate, and rebellious to name a few. But, he was also fiercely protective of those he considered his family.
The Government could tolerate Garp disobeying orders.
They could tolerate his refusal to become an Admiral.
They could even tolerate his insults and his habit of ignoring the wishes of his superiors.
What they could not tolerate was Garp turning against them.
Warcury leaned back.
"The old fool knows where too many bodies are buried."
Nusjuro's eyes narrowed.
"And he has the strength to make certain others discover them."
Ju Peter exhaled slowly.
"The Marine hero defecting would be more damaging than one pirate."
"Much more," Mars agreed.
He looked down at the photograph of Luffy.
"The seas are already unstable. The Revolutionary Army is growing more ambitious. The Great Pirate Era continues to produce new threats."
His gaze hardened.
"If Garp were to openly turn against the Government…"
He shook his head.
"The Marines would fracture, and those like Kuzan who have the gall to question our authority would follow Garp."
Saturn nodded.
"And pirates would take advantage of the chaos."
Warcury frowned.
"Then we wait."
Mars looked at him.
"Wait?"
"Let the boy sail."
Warcury's expression remained cold.
"If we cannot kill him without risking Garp's wrath, then we wait until circumstances change."
Nusjuro's fingers rested against the hilt of his sword.
"The Grand Line is a dangerous place."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Accidents become considerably easier to arrange there."
Saturn was silent for several moments.
Then he reached for the report.
"No."
The others looked at him.
"Not yet."
He closed the folder.
"We cannot allow the boy to grow too far."
His eyes settled on Luffy's photograph.
"If that fruit awakens, waiting may no longer be an option."
Mars nodded slowly.
"Then we strike once."
"Quietly," Saturn said.
"Without Marines," Ju Peter added.
"Without anything that can be traced back to us," Nusjuro finished.
Warcury's expression remained grim.
"And if they fail?"
Saturn looked around the table.
"Then we do nothing."
Warcury frowned.
"Nothing?"
"For now."
Saturn's gaze hardened.
"The boy will eventually leave the East Blue. He will encounter stronger pirates, stronger Marines, and powers we cannot predict."
He tapped the report once.
"And if our attempt fails, we wait for another opportunity."
Mars nodded.
"A single failed assassination can be concealed."
"A second immediately afterward cannot," Ju Peter added.
Nusjuro's eyes gleamed.
"Then let CP handle it."
Saturn stood.
"The order will be given tonight."
He gathered the documents.
"Find agents capable of eliminating Monkey D. Luffy without drawing attention."
He paused at the door.
"And make certain they understand one thing, this is not to be a hunt."
Saturn's expression became utterly devoid of emotion.
"It will be a quiet execution."
The door closed behind him.
For several moments, the remaining four simply sat in silence.
Then Warcury looked toward the photograph one final time.
"A troublesome little monkey."
Nusjuro's hand rested upon his katana.
"We will ensure he dies before he becomes something worse."