"Th-thank you again so much , m-miss!" The man you saved from the oasis in the middle of Raindinners sniffled as the gathered crowd stared, a lady putting her hands on his wet shoulders as she too looked teary. "If it weren't for you...those Bananawani would've surely eaten me! Or worse, I could've drowned! Thank you so much, Miss (Y/N)!"

"Yes," the lady behind him cried, "thank you so much, miss (Y/N)!"

You crinkled your nose.

"Don't call me that." You said, still on the ground and wringing your drenched clothes as water drops fell onto the stone walkway leading up to Raindinners. You took off your hat and shook the drops with a grumble. "Just call me (Y/N). Stuff like 'Miss' makes me sound old or something. Man..." your eyes turned to the dropped meat/veggie kabob you were eating a few feet away. "Hah...you gotta learn how to swim, thank me like that. Although swimming down there was pretty great since I got so hot. Really...and those lizards..."

They didn't do much but you never thought as you dove for the citizen that Crocodile loved animals so much to have an aquarium below the casino. What a weirdo.

Unbeknownst to you as you focused on drying your hat, the crowd had looks of fear and awe in their faces. Your senses twitching but you didn't turn around as you placed your hat back on your head, turning it towards the newcomer that was shadowing you from the dreadful sun.

"S-its Sir Crocodile-sama!"

Oh man. You glanced at the civilians and their hands together with their expressions.

"Ah, Sir Crocodile-sama, s-sorry that we're gathering around here. We were just—"

You're pretty sure having being called sir and sama is just too over the top.

"Sorry, Sir Crocodile-sama. I—I fell into the water and—"

Silver eyes moved towards the crowd, immediately making everyone silence as dull eyes met your cross legged form below him.

"You're drenched."

You rose a brow.

"Nice observation. I have one too," The side of your lips lifted, "the 'Sir' makes you sound old. And having your eyes brows like that isn't doing you any favors."

The crowd turned pale, more stutters occurring and then apologizing out their mouths as they said they didn't mean to insinuate anything about Crocodile but the man just gave a bland reply.

"The wet dog look isn't helping you either." The man's own lips lifted into that mocking grin when your own lips fell, your eyes narrowing. "And the sir is out of respect. Which you clearly lack. But what I want to know is how you made such a mess of yourself already without any help."

Your brows furrowed at his tone at the end.

You can't tell if he meant something else...

Nonetheless, the man you saved spoke for you that he fell and you helped him due to your kindness and blah, blah, blah.

You giving him a dismissive wave when he thanked you once more, you saying once more that he needs to learn how to swim for that not to happen again. You looking back at Crocodile and stating he should add railings in this pathway to avoid this happening again, although you admit that the path is quite wide enough to not risk falling into the water. You turning towards the man's wife you assume and asking bluntly if he's a klutz. The man just bowing with depressed tears coming down his face. Only for it to increase when Crocodile replied impassively that he won't waste money on railings, those who cross the path should know to walk through the middle. You agreeing with a serious nod and affirmation on your lips before adding to the crying man he should not have his wife work so hard.

A hand than came in front of your face, you blinking at it before turning your head up towards the smoking scarred man.

"Let's clean you up, Silver Blood. Lest you make more puddles. Or litter with those precious sticks of yours."

You huffed are the disrespectful way he referred to your favorite delicacy in this country, now weeping and half eaten in the floor and not in your stomach.

"Those kebabs are pretty good ya know, you're just picky!" Nonetheless, your hand moved to grab his only to stop once you saw it was glistening. Crocodile's eyes zeroing in on the action before a brow was slightly raised when you randomly grabbed a woman's garb behind you to dry your hands as the woman shrieked despite you saying this was repayment, you turning back towards the hand and grabbing it. "You should really try it at that stall specifically though,"you lifted yourself up with Crocodile's help as he stared. "That kebab guy has the best ones, Drezol's is the name. He even gives nice discounts..."

You turned towards your hands still connected, before looking at Crocodile expectantly. His pale hand letting you go with the warmth still lingering on your own, as Crocodile moves towards the entrance with you moving beside him with your arms moving to the back of your head. Only for you to make a comment of confusion when they were going to the left side of the building and not the main entrance to the white grand staircase.

"You'll make more of a mess than you already have in my casino," Crocodile stated at your confusion. "The smell of wet carpet with no cleaner will surely have the customers smell something akin to wet fur." Despite your "Oi!", Crocodile continued with a smirk. "You also shouldn't be seen more by much others in your current state. You're dripping."

You frowned as you looked down at yourself and this time missing his tone, despite having your white long sleeved button up and your black tank top as well—you can see a hint of your black bindings peeking through. But it's not much.

"I've had worse. It really isn't that bad." Your arms moved to cross over your chest as they went around some palm trees and neared the side of the building. "I should shower though I guess, it's really hot today so jumping in there was actually a relief. But my poor food..."

As you said this, you lifted your collar slightly exposing more of your collarbone as silver lazily honed with Crocodile humming.

"You need to buy some Alabasta garb and keep it on your person if you wish to continue to come here like you've been doing. Any reason for this time?"

"I was around the area."

"Yes," Crocodile said in a drawl and in a way where you think he didn't believe you. Making you frown as you looked at him, with him glancing at you in the corner of his eye."Of course. Just how you are eager to get wet once more I imagine."

Your brows furrowed deeply.

What's with him continue to point out how soaked you are—your eyes widened as you flushed with the stupid reptile chuckling at your expression.

"WH—WHAT DID YOU S-SAY?! W-WHAT ARE YOU IMPLYING?!"

"So you understood that. I was wondering when you would."

"Why do—you always say weird things, Crocy!" You shouted, your arms tight around your chest as you looked away with a flustered scowl. "You guys are driving me nuts..." you muttered lowly to yourself where Crocodile couldn't hear before the both of you reached the side entrance door with Crocodile opening it and holding it for you.

"Don't call me that. And I don't recall saying something out of hand," Crocodile retorted, all of a sudden feigning obliviousness with a gleam in his eyes. "You stated you were going to shower to help with your current state. Your current state leaving a mess everywhere I'll have to arrange to be cleaned up," You flushed more at the hidden meaning which made his lips widen around his cigar before flattening. "What are you doing just standing there? I'm not going to hold this for you all day."

You tsked at his attitude, as Crocodile put his cigar between his fingers and blew to the side as you entered but not without calling him a sly Crocy and telling him he needs to fix his aquarium. Crocodile narrowing his eyes slightly as he closed the door behind you, him questioning how. With you merely stating that he can't just have his own private aquarium to himself and he should show it off. Crocodile hold on his cigar relaxing along with his shoulders as he put it back between his mouth as the both of you bantered back and forth with insults and quips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After landing in Rainbase in the middle of the night, you discreetly got a room in the small but expensive hotel called Royals that was more in the center of the city. A simple tent like roof over the entrance of the place, but a small chandelier welcomed you in its light when you entered along with the pinewood lobby desk to greet you to check in, a few people here and there walking around due to people feeling extra lucky in the cold hours of the night. Your gray robe thankfully provided a hood so you could cover your infamous marine hat and perhaps even shadow your scar on your left cheek.

You provided the money to the receptionist for one day and told them a different name as a precaution and headed to your room, which held a twin bed, a bathroom, and a bed stand table respectively. You got what you paid for really. You stayed in this hotel once or twice before Crocodile caught wind and offered you the VIP rooms of Raindinners, the casino being able to function as a hotel if one's lucky enough. You found his offer a little odd but he mentioned complimentary food service so you folded easily.

Curse you and your love for food. Especially those (meat/veggie) kebobs that are the cuisine here. You slightly drooled at the thought of those magical sticks before you shook yourself.

The jerk was making sure I didn't see more of his suspicious agents, you thought as you laid down on the bed after stripping into a more comfortable set that can work for you to sleep. But...I don't know...the other stuff doesn't make sense.

Kuroi ten'nosabaki seemed to wink at you with it's silver sheen next to the bed, but you unable to see it due to you checking if you were fine like this. The black bindings on your chest and upper abdomen being the only thing covering it and the underwear shorts that went mid thigh you had under your jean shorts seemed to suffice.

You did not like fully stripping in the first place, but your underwear was still conservative enough just in case people decided it was a good idea to attack you while sleeping. Or just get near you in general.

It has happened before after all. You rather not have your boobs waving about as you attacked in retaliation. The nips saying hello.

You snorted at the thought.

You had Karasu and your marine cap on the bed with you as you snuggled under the covers, feeling the cold desert air and went to sleep after checking the energies once more. Absently thinking the bed isn't as comfy as the ones in Raindinners.

You woke up with sweat in your skin and rumpled sheets, you sighing before gathering yourself and moving to shower within the small bathroom of your room. Allowing the hot water to calm you. You exiting the bathroom after doing your necessary hygiene and putting your clothes along with your gray black lined sleeved robe and checked the time. Seeing it was already mid afternoon.

You must've arrived here later than you thought, you didn't check the time when you checked in.

You blinked at all the energies you were feeling. Moving to look at the window to see marines everywhere only for you to blink once more when you looked down into the alley next to your building and seeing Chopper and Sanji there.

You frowned, your senses hinting to you where everyone else was. All in Raindinners.

He wouldn't.

Your eyes narrowed as your jaw clenched a tad.

Who are you kidding? He would. That stupid bastard is asking for it!

You quickly gathered your supplies from your room and checked out of the place before following the reindeer who wants to save and the cook who wants to creat energies since they moved on from the alley. You used Geppo and Soryu, or in other words Kamisori, to jump onto a roof of a tall casino building—the jockey race one to hide from the marines and what seemed to be Baroque Works Millions.

Billions?

Trillions?

You don't know. Too many numbers.

The real question is if you should try to distract the marines attention from the two Straw Hats. But you know Tashigi can be quite stubborn, both her and Smoker seemed determined to take the Straw Hats and not bother with you. You're way out of their league. It shouldn't stop marines from trying to catch you though...

You know what you're going to do.

You headed towards the front side of Raindinners, landing once you reached it in front of Sanji and Chopper who's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wha, you're here (Y/N)!"

"(Y/N)-chwan~! Your timing is impeccable just like your grace from that jump!"

You smiled at them before noticing the den den Mushi in Sanji's hands.

"Told ya we could meet here. But what's the plan? The others are in trouble right?"

They nodded, Sanji explaining to you the situation that everyone is in Raindinners. Him adding his plan for the Billions and the use of Chopper, you widening your eyes in disbelief and awe when Chopper transformed into what looked like a gorilla. You even exclaiming it with Chopper quickly correcting you it's his human form with you nodding and stating it was a human gorilla than with a serious look and Chopper shouting that it isn't with you laughing and waving at him.

"Ya need me to bring some Billions over here your way than? Or distract the other marines around while you do this?"

Sanji pointed down, you following and blinking at the unconscious body on the ground you didn't notice until now.

"With this, we'll have some of them come over already. The distraction will work and with Chopper, the plan is already in motion. But," Sanji took your hands between his and gave a charming smile, "We would love your help, (Y/N)-chwan~!"

"Ahhh..." You took your hands away from his with a sweatdrop and an awkward smile. "Okay. So marines it is. But be careful Chopper. Make sure you transform fast enough to lose him. But also make sure to run as fast as you can to keep wasting his time, yeah? He deserves it."

Chopper's innocent eyes blinked as he gave a confused noise of acknowledgment as Sanji was crying against the wall that his charms have no effect on you.

You nodding before giving them a wish of good luck and moving around the buildings and trying to gather marines that weren't with Tashigi. While trying to pay attention to the energies you were feeling within Raindinners as well.

You succeeded in gathering some of their attention although with some difficulty since they muttered to themselves they don't have orders to capture you. It was only until you stick your tongue out and told them you didn't think marines were this wishy washy with a criminal nowadays and that the marines really have gone downhill since you left. Them suddenly turning into a rage that was really just funny as you smirked and ran throughout all the alleys of the casinos and small motels, them yelling about getting your hat to stop disrespecting the marine name or something or other with you laughing at them that they have to catch you and paralyze you first before that can ever happen.

Storm likes the immovable rock. A declaration obliges.

Your smirk turned into a grin, thanking Luffy before quickly using Soryu and effectively losing the marines as you got onto a roof and went towards the energies.

You're in so much trouble, Crocy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A child (Y/N) grunted, as your body pushed up and down against the ground to do push-ups. Wanting to get stronger to lift up that big sword that you found in front of you and your mother's house.

Sweat came down your head as you gritted your teeth in agitation, already feeling the strain in your small upper arms.

Perhaps punching the trees again earlier didn't help.

"What are you doing?" Caught off guard, you landed on your face against the ground. Even getting some dirt in your mouth. You immediately spit it out as you lifted up your head to glare at the teen white-haired boy.

"What did it look like, you Smobaka?! Look what you did." You said as you wiped your mouth in disgust, the boy scowled at you.

"Who you calling an idiot, idiot?! I'm not the one with dirt on my face." Smoker observed as your glare deepened. He approached you and held a hand out towards your form. "Come on. That's enough training for one day. You didn't wait for me. Garp said to train together until his next visit." You looked at the offered hand, in silence. Not really seeing a hand to help often. You glanced to the side with a frown.

"...I don't need your help." You muttered, trying to get up on your own only to fail. As you were going to fall back on the ground Smoker caught your arm with a firm grip. You looked at him to repeat what you said only to see his eyebrows more furrowed then normal and have a small frown on his face.

"Idiot. You think I don't know you're strong on your own?" Your eyes widened as he continued with a quiet tone. "Nothing is wrong with accepting help sometimes. So don't think you're weak cause of it. You idiot."

You looked at him in silence as he slowly released your arm, causing to rub it as you appeared in thought.

A teasing smile then appeared on your face.

"Didn't know the bad boy would turn soft on me~." Smoker scowled with a mild flush as he balled his fists.

"You're an idiot!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You sat on top of the roof with slight anger at the Warlord for his actions and what he was planning to do. No one hurts your friends. No one. But you'll deal with that later.

You gazed down as the captain of the Strawhats and Captain Smoker stared at each other evenly. Smoker telling them to leave before the marines get here and he changes his mind. You smiled as you looked at the scene.

Smoker was a true marine. At least to how you saw marines should act.

You jumped towards the two, with Zoro waiting in the background.

Luffy looked at you with wide eyes and a smile.

"(Y/N)! You're back!"

You patted his head, telling him that you did say you would be. Your gaze then moved towards Smoker, who was already looking at you. Over his shoulder you spotted the incoming marines.

"Luffy. Zoro. You guys should hurry along and get out of here. I'll catch up to you guys." You stated as your eyes never left Smoker's form, him doing the same.

Luffy looked between you and Smoker and gave a nod, him giving a wide smile.

"Okay, and thanks Smokey!" The captain and first mate then left the pirate and marine as they stared silently at one another.

"Just because I said that Strawhat could leave, it doesn't mean it applies to you as well." Smoker said as he looked down at you. You let out a small smile, feeling the scar on your left cheek stretch at the action.

"Did it feel weird?" Smoker raised an eyebrow at your question, the marines yelling as they got nearer and nearer to the duo.

"To have someone else rescue you from the ocean?" Smoker widened his eyes as he looked at the nostalgic look on your face .

"You always seemed to somehow fall into it, and I was always by your side to rescue you. You'd always