Chapter Twenty Two

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Chapter Twenty Two: Coby No Swiping

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Alabasta had been as hot as he had expected it to be; the climate so unbelievably hot, and the land just full of grainy sand.

Eustass Kid grumbled under his breath as he waltzed through the streets of Alabasta. His bad mood caused bystanders to part in slight fear. Or perhaps it was because he had quite a hefty bounty on his head already (nearly 200 million berries). Whatever it was, they did not seem to want anything to do with him.

"Let's just hurry up so that we can leave," Kid mumbled, pulling out your Vivre card with care. He put his thumb over your unique handwriting. He studied it all; the way you looped your letters together to form your name, down to the small little smiley faces you drew on the paper.

He neatly folded the Vivre card back up and tucked it into his pocket.

"I got some questions to ask Y/n."

Killer walked beside him, head turning to stare at all the vendors, noting the abject terror upon their faces. His gaze shifted over to his Captain, watching him as he stomped up to a food stall, and demanded for supplies. He let out a sigh, eyes scanning their surroundings.

They were docking at Alabasta in order to restock some of their supplies. It wasn't like some of their usual pillaging- killing civilians and looting -but it was fairly the same like all the rest. Killer watched as Kid grinned triumphantly as the food vendor shakily handed him bags upon bags of food.

"Ha, you're not that bad," Kid sneered. The man quivered under the pirate's gaze. "You should be thankful that I'm sparing your pathetic life. Killing everyone would be a waste of time." Time he would not rather waste.

Slinging the sack over his shoulder, Kid gestured to Killer.

"Come on Killer, let's get out of here." Killer made a move to walk by Kid's side before he paused, head turning around to stare at the newcomer.

"Eustass Kid." The newcomer spoke his name in disdain. Kid's eyes gazed hard at the man, narrowing his eyes as he noted the locks of red hair and 'x' mark on his chin. He recognized who the man was; it was X Drake. "Sparing civilians, are we?"

"Tch." Kid gritted his teeth. "None of your business. What the hell are you even doing here, Drake?" Drake tilted his head, raising a brow.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he spoke, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Last time I checked, you were causing havoc near Water 7. Why did you suddenly turn back?" Kid's face scrunched up to one of irritation, narrowing his eyes at the ex marine.

"Didn't I just tell you that it was none of your business?" Turning around, Kid waved to Killer. "Oi. Killer, let's get going. I don't want to waste any time on a weakling. We got more important things to do."

The pirate made a move to leave, before he paused, eyes glaring down at a man holding a wooden stick who Kid could only assume to be part of Drake's crew. His eyes scanned the man's body, noting that there wasn't a shred of metal in sight. He let out a big breath of hot air out of his mouth in annoyance.

So Drake was aware of his Devil Fruit abilities. How annoying.

"You really trying to pick a fight with me, huh, Drake?" Kid turned around, glaring hard at Drake. Killer stood beside Kid, hand moving for his scythes. All around them, they began to see that they were surrounded by pirates.

"No," Drake put his hands behind his back, "not a fight. I just had a few simple questions I need you to answer for me." He waved his hand in the air, and his men backed down, waiting for the two pirates to move in anticipation.

"Oh?" Kid spoke, intrigued. "And what would those questions be?" Drake's eyes grew dark as he narrowed his eyes. There was a murderous glint in them as he stared the other Captain down.

"I overheard you speaking earlier, and I couldn't help but wonder... How did you get her Vivre Card?"

Kid didn't need to be told twice about who he was talking about, it was obvious. His face morphed into one of displeasure and he glared Drake down with equal intensity. Killer's hands tightened at the sound of Drake's words.

It was clear to both pirate crews. They both knew you somehow.

"And why the hell should I answer you, huh?" Kid snarled. Drake let out a sigh. He wasn't going to get an answer, was he?

"It doesn't matter then," he spoke calmly. "I'll just kill you before you hurt her." At that moment, Drake activated his Devil Fruit, morphing into a huge Allosaurus.

The sun was hot as it beamed down upon Killer and Kid, and Kid felt as if he were on fire. There was adrenaline in his veins as he stared up at the large Ancient Zoan type user, and he let his own Devil Fruit activate immediately as well. He chuckled under his breath.

"So it's going to be this way, huh?" He grinned. "Fine by me then." His eyes shifted over to his partner. "Oi, Killer. Take care of those weaklings while I deal with this overgrown lizard." The aura surrounding him became murderous.

"He's getting on my nerves."


Hawkins' eyes were shut as he felt the vibrations of the ground tremor over and over and over again. He let out a sigh, opening his eyes and shifting his gaze towards the flaps of his tent.

He never really thought it was much of a big deal when he landed on the island and pitched up a tent. Nor did he think much of it when he decided to make a little money off of his fortune telling skills because he was feeling rather bored with nothing to do. It wasn't a big deal; all his customers were always left satisfied (or unsatisfied) with whatever fortune he gave them.

One of such was a famed shichibukai.

Crocodile was his name, and the shichibukai had stumbled upon his little tent when the man had been investigating new businesses in his area. You could imagine his surprise when he opened the flaps and saw a large bounty rookie pirate sitting with a crystal ball on the table.

It was to his luck (or fortune) that Crocodile didn't decide to do something to him. Maybe it was because the man wanted his fortune told, or maybe it was because he didn't feel like it. Whatever it was, he was grateful.

The shichibukai only wanted one fortune told. One fortune, at first. He wanted to know if he would find what he was looking for, and he answered it with a yes. He would find what he was searching for.

But he didn't mention that he wouldn't succeed.

After a bit of silence and contemplation, Crocodile decided to ask one more.

The fortune was oddly specific. Crocodile wanted to know if you would somehow stumble into Alabasta with your crew, and if you did, would you come to him.

Hawkins didn't react outwardly to this, but he was rather curious as to what was going on through the man's mind. He was familiar with your name, yes, but it was quite something for you to know a shichibukai, especially one who seemed quite smitten with you, no matter how hard it seemed he was trying to deny it.

Thinking long and hard, he had answered with a 'yes' yet again. Yes, you would arrive in Alabasta in two weeks time, and yes, you would somehow find your way to Crocodile. When relaying that information to the shichibukai, he left rather happily, and it was only then that Hawkins had a moment of realization.

You would be in Arabasta roughly the same time that he would encounter his true love.

It would be naive of Hawkins to believe that it was a mere coincidence because he just knew it wasn't. You had to be his true love. Your wanted poster came in the exact time he had made his predictions, so who else would it be? Big Mom? Eustass Kid?

CRASH!

Two figures crash inside the tent, and Hawkins sighed. Speak of the Devil and he shall appear.

"YOU FUCKING REPTILE!"

"Y/n doesn't need someone as foul-mouthed as you in her life."

The two pirate captains thrashed in each other's holds, attempting to pin the other down or at least knock the other into unconsciousness. All the while, Hawkins sat in his spot, watching them with an unamused expression.

So it seemed that the two pirates knew of you as well. He really wasn't that surprised by now.

"If you're both going to continue fighting, it would be appreciated if you both stepped outside and continued instead." They both paused, looking up and finally taking in Hawkins' appearance. When it registered in their minds, they jumped up in surprise.

"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE TOO?!" Kid yelled in frustration. "What, is some other pirate like that Surgeon of Death going to show up and-"

"Eustass-ya, you're being ridiculously loud." The flap opened up and Law suddenly walked in. Kid's jaw dropped wide open.

"What the fuck?!" he yelled, pointing at the newcomer. "You!"

"You both were creating such a ruckus that it was so blatantly obvious to where you both were," Law said, twirling his nodachi in his hands. "I could have seen you both a few miles away."

Kid stomped right up to Law, hand moving to grip the man's collar. He looked contemplative for a moment, as if wondering if he should pick Law up and chuck him straight out of the tent, but he eventually let go with a huff.

"Why the hell are we all here? It can't be a coincidence that we all just suddenly showed up in Alabasta at the same time." Kid's words made them think. It was true. Why the hell were they all in Alabasta? Some of them were already way past that island, so what was the meaning of this?

Unless...

"You have her Vivre cards," Drake spoke in realization. Law raised an intrigued eyebrow.

"Oh? So you know Y/n too?" He pulled out a slip of white paper out of his pocket, waving it around. "That means that you have one too, don't you?"

"This is super seriously fucking confusing," Kid spoke irritatedly. "How is it that we all somehow know Y/n?" The tent flap suddenly flipped open and they all turned to glare at the person.

Who turned out to be Killer.

"Kid I-" He paused, realizing that there were three other pirate captains in the tent. What in the frickity frick frack was this? Kid groaned.

"I just want to kill you all."


Meanwhile, Hawkins is feeling a little left out.
---

"JUST HOW POWERFUL ARE YOU?!"

"Er... I don't know?" you answered with uncertainty. "I mean, I can't really control all of my power so..." You furrowed your brows in thought. "Probably stronger than most people in Paradise," you concluded.

"Not sure what would happen if I fought a Yonko though. I never really tried, not that I want to of course!" you said quickly, seeing the horror stricken upon Nami, Usopp, and Sanji's faces.

"Don't fight one!" You grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of your head.

"Ah... Don't worry about it! I won't do that!"

You're not supposed to hurt your friends after all... You added in your head.

Zoro crossed his arms as he studied Cactus Island. It was the same place that you described in Laboon. Something was going to occur here. His eyes shifted over to the duo who were sneakily attempting to leave the ship.

Zoro had a feeling he knew what you saw.

"Oi, they're getting away." They simultaneously swiveled their heads to look at the railing. Ms. Wednesday and Mr. 9 stood on it with a small smirk.

"We'll be leaving now," Mr. 9 spoke.

"Thanks for taking us home, honeys," continued Ms. Wednesday. Soon after, they jumped off of the ship with a 'bye bye baby', and began to swim to the shore.

"Uh..." You purse your lips as you stare at their retreating form. Couldn't they have waited for the ship to dock instead of getting their clothes all wet again? Well, to each their own, you supposed.

The ship drew closer and closer to the island, following up the river that led into the heart of the town. Usopp shook in anticipation beside you.

"I-Isn't it possible that there are monsters or things like that on the island?" Usopp stuttered nervously. You brought a hand up to grip his own in reassurance, just like how he did for you. You looked up, giving him a grin.

"It's definitely possible," Sanji answered Usopp, eyeing the island. "This is the Grand Line."

"Humans count as monsters sometimes, right?"

"WHAAT?!" Zoro casted a side glance at your subtle hint. Nobody else seemed to get it, or even question why something so odd came out of your mouth. But he knew. He saw your intent behind your words. And he knew that you knew that he knew about Baroque Works.

(That was a mouthful, lol)

"Hehe, just a little joke," you reassured. "We'll be fine."

"If we come across monsters, we can just leave the island," Luffy said to Usopp happily. His eyes shifted to you. "Don't worry Y/n, I'll make sure to protect you! Shishishishi!"

"What?!" Sanji exclaimed. "No my beautiful Goddess, I'll protect you!" He pushed Luffy out of the way to embrace you tightly. "I'll be the knight in shining armor of your dreams!" Zoro rolled his eyes.

"I told you that she's capable of protecting herself," Zoro grumbled. "She said that she was stronger than most people in Paradise."

"Well you can't use your powers, right Y/n?" Luffy asked you. "So that means you're like... a lot weaker than you're usually right?" You nodded your head. "Yosh! I've decided! We're going to find a way to break those bracelets! So we gotta protect you now."

"Did you just not see what she did earlier?!" Zoro barked, thinking back on their spar. "You don't need to pamper her like some child."

"Shhh... Don't listen to that idiot," Sanji cooed, running his hands through your hair. "You'll be safe with us." He yelped in pain when Nami immediately smacked him in the head, tugging your body into her arms. She glared at him in disapproval, keeping you by her and Usopp's side.

"Stupid men..." she muttered under her breath. "Keep your hands to yourself."

"I think Sanji's acting a little weird..." Usopp mumbled under his breath, scooting closer to you and Nami. "Look at him. He's giving me the creeps." Usopp and Nami shielded you away from the heart eyes Sanji was giving you.

You quirked a brow. "I think he looks normal." You squinted your eyes at Sanji who was doing his signature noodle dance (or was it some sort of courtship routine?) with those heart eyes of his. "Hm, yeah, definitely normal."

"...Right..." The two sweatdropped.

"Oh look! We're landing!" you pointed out. "I think I can see a dock through this fog. I sense a lot of people standing there. They feel... uh.. excited."

Nami blinked when she realized you had tugged her to the railing, clinging onto her with fear and excitement. She watched your facial expression morph into one of excitement, eager to set foot back on land.

"Excited?" Nami echoed. "What do you mean by that Y/n-chan? Is because of that haki you were telling us about?"

"You'll see."

Your silence unnerved her as you continued to stare ahead, waiting patiently for the fog to disapitate. The rest of the crew slowly made their way to the railing as well, watching closely as the fog had dispersed. When it did, it only left everyone in shock.

"Welcome to the town of celebration- Whiskey Peak!"

"Welcome to the Grand Line!"

There was a huge crowd that had formed at the dock, their hands waving eagerly as the boat passed by. At the very front of it was a large man with curly platinum blond locks adorning a crisp, clean suit.

You tilted your head at him, leaning to press your stomach against the wooden railing.

Huh.

"They're not monsters. They're welcoming us." Usopp shouted in disbelief. The islanders eagerly threw confetti in the air and lifted large banners up into the air for display.

"Welcome Pirates!"

"-heroes of the sea!"

You shuffled in your spot just a tiny bit, anxiety beginning to set in the pit of your stomach. It only prompted you to hold onto Nami just a little tighter, but it was enough for her to cast you a concerned glance.

Once the ship had docked, the six of you quickly scuttled off the ship towards the crowd. You lingered behind Zoro's back, looking over at the crowd with uncertainty. It wasn't that you had a problem with the people, but it was just that you didn't like the way their cheering reminded you of the marines back at Marineford, or the people back at Loguetown.

"Stop clinging to my back," Zoro spoke up when he tensed at the feeling of your hands ghosting his back.

"S-Sorry!" The swordsmen huffed, sticking his hand out.

"If you have a problem then you should have just said something." You stared at his outstretched hand. "Oi, you're making this awkward. Just take it." Eagerly, you grabbed his hand and intertwined your fingers together, locking them in place.

"Thanks! You know, maybe you should be the first mate!"

He raised a brow. "If you're going to say that, then I think you should be the Captain instead of Luffy." You let out a bubble of laughter.

"Hey! Don't let him hear you say that!" you whisper-yelled.

Sanji stood a little ways behind the two of you, frowning immensely as he glared hard at the way Zoro's larger hands wrapped around your own. Looking down at his own hand, he huffed, shaking off his jealousy. Or attempting to at least. Of course, like always, he was bound to fail.

"Y/n-hime~," he called out, rushing to your side. "Allow me to hold your hand as well!!" You immediately stuck your hand out, unable to deny the happy man.

When Luffy suddenly took notice of all the attention that he was definitely not receiving, he pouted, immediately skidding to a stop before 'Igarappoi' and running back to tackle you. He would have succeeded had not Sanji and Zoro stopped him with their feet.

"Y/n~" he whined, hands stretched out towards you with want. He wrapped them around your torso with ease, tugging you towards him. "I want to hold your hand too."

"But I only have two hands?"

"I don't care! Let me hold your hand!" Luffy lets you go to try and pry Zoro's grip apart. Unsuccessfully, might I add.

"Oi, I'm already holding her hand, Luffy," Zoro grumbled. "If anything, you should get swirly eyebrows to let go."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME YOU MOSSHEAD?!"

'Igarappoi' could only stand in his spot in confusion as the three men began to bicker. Nami clenched her fist as they began to fight, with you the unsuspecting (well, it wasn't that unexpected) victim.

"Sh-Should we stop them or...?" Usopp trailed off as Nami began to march towards them

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