Afterwords, the rain pouring on your walking form with hands in your pockets—you noticed another body once you reached the main area of Aluburna again. You blinking at the barbecued body, remembering the explosion in the sky as you widened your eyes and quickly squatted down next to the burnt man—analyzing.

He's breathing. Guess you're just gonna be a luggage of bodies today.

You assessed him once more as well as the surroundings and seeing everyone was too busy celebrating that it's now raining in this once drought filled country or focusing on other injuries on both sides.

"This is gonna hurt," you warned to him strongly before picking him up bridal style since your buster sword would be in the way. You don't think the man needs anymore metal to the face. The man giving a painful groan as you did so but was still unconscious. "Let's take ya to someone who can help, hero. The smell of burnt skin isn't as appetizing to me."

You walked through the streets and passed by the various citizens, soldiers and now Ex rebels as they called the name of the man you were carrying in surprise and offering to help but you said it's best if you do it until you can lay the Royal guard named Pell in a cot. The ones you assisted telling you another of their thanks for helping them, as you gave them a small smile with a pang.

You passed by Tashigi and the other marines as well, them seeming to leave and your eyes met. You flashing her a small smile and a nod, Tashigi's eyes blinking before giving a slight nod in return before turning her back—the both of you continuing on through the battle torn streets of the royal palace city.

"Ah, (Y/N)-san. There you are, who are you—Pell?!" You glanced at the Princess as she ran towards you in anguished concern with the king standing still behind her. When she came to your side she peered at the ma!'s face in your arms. "What...is he...?"

"He's alive," you answered as Vivi gave a relieved sob as the King ordered others for a cot immediately. "Gotta be careful with him though. Have you seen everybody else? Where are they?"

Vivi pointed to where she last saw the Straw Hat crew before she had to leave to make her speech along with her father. You laying Pell on the cot, the King touching your shoulder that they owe you a debt with you feeling odd at his sincere expression with wet eyes before waving him away that you just did what anyone would do. You than walking through the streets till you saw the Straw Hats on the floor.

All sprawled out and looking exhausted but their faces in peace as they slept.

You smirked, squatting near Luffy and releasing a chuckle as he mumbled "Meat" as your gaze stared at the young boy who had a storm within before your (e/c) eyes moved to each member of the Straw Hats.

"You guys...you're going to do great things. You already have...fresh in the Grand Line and already making waves. Or," you tilted your head, looking in thought as raindrops fell from your cap onto the floor, "is it...Dawn?"

You shook your head, taking note of Ace's absence and that he was already gone to find this Blackbeard. You need to watch out for the papers that he's alright or if any islands have spotted him, you'll be his backup if necessary no matter what he says.

You stood, calling the attention of the Royal doctors for them to come here with cots for the tired crew. You watching as they handled all of them and took them away. You eventually following them as you kept your watchful gaze on the crew before stopping at the entrance of the palace, staring up at the large imposing yet beautiful structure that is unique only in Alabasta before Vivi came beside you, still injured but with a smile that was less tense like before.

More free.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Vivi asked, as she stared wistfully at her home. "It's a little hurt now but we'll soon get it to how it looked before. Before everything. This place—no, this country...I'm really glad it's alright."

You gave her a side glance, lips twitching up.

"You got good friends."

Vivi hummed, eyes glittering in happiness before turning towards you.

"It's also cause of you," Your eyes widened a fraction at her grateful look. "You really helped me and this country. Now that I look back on it...back than, you were just keeping those Pirates away from here when you visited. I'm sorry I read you wrong. You even found Pell. You really did a lot."

"I really didn't," you answered, the corners of your lips up feeling a little tight. "Save your thanks for that crew right there. They really went far and beyond I think anyone could've imagined." Except maybe Shanks with Luffy. Or Mihawk with Zoro. "You've got amazing friends. Keep them close, yeah?"

Vick's expression than turned a little sad before she said a yes but you rose a brow at her.

"Are you going with them?"

"I...I have to think...my country," She tightened her hands on her robed thighs, "They need me but..."

You waved a hand at her.

"You don't gotta explain to me with whatever you're going to do. Whatever it is, it'll be the right one either way."

Vivi's head turned towards you, surprised and hopeful.

"You really think so?"

"Yeah," you said casually, putting your arms behind your head as you stared up at the sky that rained drops of hope and peace. "A Princess willing to do what she must for her land and a friend that cares for others deeply and greatly. Pick whichever, you're both really. They'll understand either way I think. They're your Nakama right?"

Vivi stared, eyes a little wet as she released a wobbly smile.

"Y...yeah!"

After that, Vivi let you in so you could rest but did it discreetly like the Royal doctors did with the straw hats due to the marine presence still in the country. You rested up in a separate room from where the Straw Hats were and Vivi, helping around the castle with moving large supplies since your strength is nothing to laugh about and you can carry building supplies or large crates of medicine your self.

Although, the image of a small woman carrying a mountain of crates on her shoulder would make people stare you guess. Their eyes didn't have to be so wide though.

Did they expect you to carry all the stuff in front of you? How will you be able to see where you're going?

Once everyone awoke, the feast officially started but not without you apologizing to everyone first that you weren't near them to help much, all of them making an odd face including Vivi.

"It's okay!" Chopper said around his injuries, Vivi nodding at his words and giving you a smile.

"I already told you before, you helped a lot. Even after it. The fight wasn't even meant to involve you in the first place really. I'm sure you would've helped more if you could!"

"Shishishi! You're a good person (Y/N)!" Luffy shouted with a laugh, between him eating his feast of food. Some crumbs coming out of his mouth as a result. "Although you're pretty weird."

"You have no room to talk!" Nami, Sanji, and Usopp yelled at him with their hands raised in a chopping motion.

"(Y/N)-chwan looked amazing running around and doing her best!" Sanji swooned, hearts seeming to come out of him. The amount of the pinkness made you sweat drop and couldn't help but think of a more giant pink shape. "I could only wish that one day I can see you use that sword and out show us all with your magnificent and graceful power~!"

"Masochist." Zoro stated blandly with a sip of his beer. "You're more of a pervert than I thought."

Sanji turned in his seat of the long feast filled table, ticks on his face.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY, MARIMO?!"

"You heard me, Ero Cook. You got a serious—hey! Don't steal my food Luffy!" Zoro swatted his stretched captain's arms away from his plate, only for it to be naught since he got stabbed with Luffy's fork. He hissed. "You stabbed me! Man, I have no time to argue about your weird fetishes, Swirly Brow." He said before he quickly went ahead and tried to eat his plate before Luffy did.

"I don't have any fetishes you idiot! Appreciating women and how they take charge and being all over me isn't a—Dammit, Luffy! You're spitting food at me!"

Sanji raged as Usopp stared at him with a sweatdrop, Luffy just continuing to eat like it was his last meal as you stared at how his food disappeared in front of him like magic. You quickly eating the food in front of you yourself despite the lingering questions, having to stuff your face due to Luffy's hand stretching towards you as you sat next to the baffled Usopp.

"What exactly were you going to say...?" The future and hopeful brave warrior asked.

"Stop it, Luffy!" Nami yelled with a smack to her captain's face, only making his eyes gouge out from surprise and nearly choke with his hands to his neck and seeming to struggle. Nami sighed, handing him a glass of water. "Here you idiot, and slow down!"

Luffy didn't slow down.

After you were satisfied and called the kitchen for their famous (veggie/meat) kebabs this country has, having enough as Luffy kept going. You turned back towards them.

"You guys seem to have a good read on me already for some reason." You observed, going back to what they stated earlier about you, mildly impressed at the crew. But questioning on how exactly they would think such a thing. "It was just a bit ago you guys were scared of me."

Zoro glanced over to you, spotting your slightly furrowed brows.

"Luffy's brother shared some stories about you before he left to search for the guy he was looking for." Zoro answered your silent question as he took a sip of his alcohol, causing you to glance up at him. Wondering what kinds of stories your friend shared. "That, and we all know that not all rumors are true."

"Some may be true," Usopp muttered quietly to himself nervously but you didn't hear as you were too busy thinking on what Ace could've said.

It better not be about what I think it is, you thought with a mild flush. The guy knew some embarrassing stuff about you from your time knowing him. I told him that story with all my trust in the line!

"That you beat up pirates and marines that you deem wrong. And who've hurt others. " Zoro finished. You straightened at that, calming yourself but still feeling a turn of your gut.

Oh. That.

"Seems like you're exactly the opposite of what those rumors say (Y/N)-chan." Sanji commented, through a sip of his own drink before again having to knock Luffy away with a shout and thank turning towards patting the choking Chopper who was struggling to eat as fast he could.

You only hummed.

They can come up to their own conclusions about you. You're just going to stay silent.

It was a great time as the feast continued, you laughing freely at Usopp's hot sauce prank towards Luffy with a loud guffaw. The guards around eventually loosening up and laughing themselves as a round Luffy danced atop the table with Chopper having chopsticks up his nose and Usopp balancing about nine plates with his nose alone, you deciding to join in by holding the round Luffy as he kept twirling upon your left hand and Usopp with his plates atop your right. The rest of the crew and the guards as well as Royals laughing and clapping at the spectacle.

It was a grand party and made you feel light, similar to when you're near the sun. But instead you're around the encompassing storm.

You...really loved it.

Afterwords, as the others were on their way to their rooms due to the King inviting them to the royal baths, the King stopped you.

"(Y/N)-san," You turned from your conversation with the exuberant Luffy, the story of when you and Shanks and some of the crew swam in the glowing blue lakes of Gippsland Island only for their bodies to have them glow blue due to the waters for days. "May I have a word?"

"Awwww, why?! (Y/N) was getting to the good part." Luffy complained with a pout only for it to smooth when you waved at him dismissively with a smile.

"It's alright. I'll finish it later. Go on ahead, Luffy." You than put an arm around the young boy's shoulders, your smile turning into a playful grin as you whispered. "Make an awesome cannonball in the baths alright? The Future Pirate King needs to make the largest waves to show you really are gonna be the next one."

Before you even finished, you arm stayed alone in the air as he zipped by with a whoop and a yell that he'll be the Pirate King and no one can splash like him. Zoro starting after his captain with arched brows and bewilderment as he Luffy what the heck he's talking about.

You turned towards the King with a polite smile only for your eyes to widen.

He was bowing deeply towards you.

"H-hey, I—you shouldn't do that," you waved your hands nervously around him, as if the placating motion would make him stop. "You're a King. Kings...they don't do this."

The King didn't acknowledge your words, only stayed in his deep bow.

"Kings are humans too," he said, your mouth parting at how different he was to all the others you've met—in disbelief. "And you've done a lot for this country. Not only with saving my royal guards life—who surely would've died due to his injuries from the bomb, but also for what you've done in the past." Your brows furrowed, the King standing up as he stared at you with a regal smile but much more open than you've seen before. He acted as if the two of you were in the same level. "Your past actions here in this country...you were like my daughter trying to gain evidence, yes?"

You looked away, hands in your pockets.

"I didn't really succeed in that...I didn't do much. It's really Luffy and everybody else you need to thank."

The King's smile only widened, his eyes seeming to look through you when you glanced back at him.

"And I shall. Nonetheless, know you are welcome here in this country any time."

You didn't know what to say, so you merely nodded while giving a stiff bow back—apologizing for the bow and saying you really haven't greeted a Royal like this in a long time only for the King to laugh and wave it away, saying he doesn't mind and it was still quite good. You knew he was just being nice though. You're pretty sure your arms are supposed to be in front of you instead of to the side.

You think you were also supposed to bow more deeply? It wasn't exactly ninety degrees. You're not sure. You're trying to protect your back.

Gotta be in top shape to be the world's strongest woman after all!

Soon after you walked away, you cursed within your thoughts.

God dammit, Crocodile! Look what you have done! Next time I see you, you're totally gonna hear more from me you arrogant reptile.

You thought, heading to your room with a mild scowl due to your situation.

You don't really know why you automatically thought you would see him again, despite his definite departure towards Impel Down. Probably because the scarred man's head might be too big for the place.

Either way, it's a gamble you're willing to make.

You have a feeling that the grump would get upset if you didn't take the gamble either.

Him and all those lessons of betting and gambling when you would play in his casino...like really...

The one in a million chance games are more your thing anyways.

Once you reached your room, you passed by Nami and Vivi with towels. Nami taking note of you with a curious smile, only to falter when you didn't have a towel yourself.

"Eh? Aren't you going to take a bath with us?" The orangette asked incredulously. "You must be as tired as we are...you've been running around helping everybody while Luffy was still sleeping."

"She doesn't have to if she doesn't want to, Nami," Vivi reasoned but turned towards you with a kind smile. "But you should join us, (Y/N)-San! It's a rare opportunity to enjoy the baths. We usually only use it when it rains and now..." Vivi didn't have to finish. It was obvious.

You answered with a casual shrug, a casual grin on your lips as you kept your hands in your pockets.

"I don't really mind. I can just take a shower or something. Besides," you said, you suddenly scratching your cheek sheepishly with a slight flush on your cheeks as you looked to the side. "I have bad luck with saunas and Royal baths. I always end up in the wrong side..."

You kept your mind away from Kuraigana Island as much as you could, only to flush anyways under your hat at the memory of steam and heat—oh wait, that's your ears right now. That's without even thinking of other incidents elsewhere too.

Vivi blinked while Nami rose a brow, a teasing smile tugging her lips.

"I didn't know you were a pervert~."

"W-what?!" You yelped, face red and defensive. "N-no I'm not! It's accidents! They were all accidents I swear! I j-just hate knocking! And reading! Also he made me mad and—"

"I get it," Nami interrupted blandly before smiling once more, bringing you close with a hand to your shoulder as you stared bewildered. Nami rubbing her pointer finger and thumb together suspiciously. "This is just going to be more blackmail than I already have on you than before. Now you have to come or you'll owe an additional five thousand beli for denying me and I'll spread to the next island we go to about your little...habits."

You paled.

"Wh-what?! You're a menace!" You accused, waving your arms in the air in a mix of playful outrage and denial of this happening to you as Nami pulled back. She wouldn't! "Scoundrel! Cheat! Money licker! Eating green machine! Belilocoholic!"

"That sounded hard to say." Vivi couldn't help but point out with a small uncertain smile as you kept going. Adding that Nami charged too much for her juice, calling it debt inducing fruit and that she better not do this to anyone else because others might end up homeless trying to pay her back! "And money licker sounds like boot licker really...Although this is a little much, Nami."

Nami only shrugged a shoulder, sticking out her tongue playfully. You than stopped, sighing in defeat before going to your pockets and digging.

"You're sure determined, I'll give you that. But I think it's best that I go now. You guys should too, the marines are everywhere and if they follow protocol—they'll have all ports closed. I think I'll check if your ship is alright if you guys are going to do this before leaving myself."

"What?" Nami questioned. "What about saying goodbye to everybody else?"

Vivi turned towards you, brows furrowed with a questioning expression.

You smiled, taking your hand out to have a clip of one hundred thousand belis. Nami's eyes turning into Beli signs in ecstasy, hands immediately catching it when you threw it to her.

"I wouldn't do that. I have to say a nice see ya later. Oh, and you can keep that. I wasn't really keeping count of all these debts you kept saying I owe but I think that covers it. But about that seeing everybody off thing..." You put a hand to your chin in thought before getting an idea. "Oh! How 'bout this? We can check off the port of Erumalu? I think that should be good."

"You owe me fifty thousand Beli." Nami stated seriously, her face in front of yours. Your brows furrowing as you sweatdropped nervously.

"Uhhh, that can't be right. I'm pretty sure I gave you enough..."

"I think we need to a financial contract than. You clearly need to come with me and the ship to cover all these finances. After all," Nami evilly grinned, your sweat in the back of your head increasing as she leaned over you as you leaned back. Kuroi ten'nosabaki even having sweat gathering upon the