Ch. 5- Hannibal's Threat

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, and other OCs © Me

(BGM: Lurelin Village (Night)- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild OST)

Night had finally fallen in the village. The villagers were beginning to wind down after a day's work. At Liza's house, the Straw Hats had just finished eating dinner and Sanji was helping Lulu clean up the dishes. As for Liza, she sat on top of the roof while staring up at the stars with a somber expression on her face.

"Mind if I sit with ya?"

Liza turned to see Luffy using his arm to jump onto the roof, then went up and sat next to her.

"Hey, Luffy," Liza greeted as she looked back up at the stars.

"...Ruka still won't talk to you, huh?" Luffy asked.

"No," Liza answered with an exasperated sigh. "He won't even look at me. Said he was tired of me taking the 'pirates' side'."

"Man, what a brat," Luffy said as he looked up at the stars.

"...It's funny how people change," said Liza. "Ruka used to be a sweet kid...but now, it's like he doesn't even feel anything, anymore." She then sighed as she looked at Luffy. "I think you're lucky, Luffy. At least your little sister gets along with you."

"...Well," Luffy began, "not all the time."

"Huh?" Liza asked in confusion.

"Oh, yeah, as impossible as it seems," Luffy began, "even Aika and I butt heads, once in a while. She sees things one way, I see things another, we fight...and before I know it, we're back to getting along again."

"...Have you ever gotten...physical with her?" Liza asked.

"...I did bop her on the head, once," Luffy said, "but...that was only because I just wanted her to see sense. People might think I'm harsh on her for it, but she ends up seeing what I'm saying, eventually. She's a pretty smart cookie."

"I bet she is," said Liza. "...I just wish Ruka could see things my way."

"Look, Liza," Luffy said. "Not everybody's gonna like us. If Ruka wants to hate pirates, let him hate pirates."

"But that's the thing," said Liza. "Ruka's overzealous and reckless. You saw what happened when he met you guys, your swordsman was almost ready to fight him. Knowing how strong you guys are, I know Ruka won't stand a chance."

"Ah, Zoro would have held back," said Luffy.

"But that's the problem," said Liza. "You're not like most pirates. You know when to hold back. The kind of pirates we've seen...the pirates who would kill innocent people without a second thought...those are the pirates that Ruka should hate...but also fear, too. He should know his limits."

"...I get it," Luffy said. "You're just trying your best to look out for him."

"I am his sister," Liza said, "even if he doesn't see me that way."

"Yeah, well," Luffy began, "he'll see you that way, sooner or later." He then yawned and stretched. "Oh, boy...well, I think I'll hit the sack. G'night, Liza!"

"Goodnight, Luffy," said Liza as Luffy jumped down from the roof and headed into the house. The former blinked for a moment before she stared up at the sky, once more. She then smiled before she stood up to head inside, herself, but as she did, she suddenly spotted something out of the corner of her eye: several glowing lights from the jungle.

"What's that?" Liza asked as she climbed down from the roof.

XXX

Luffy yawned as he walked into the living room, where he found the rest of his crew sleeping. Zoro leaning up against a wall, just snoring away, and Nami was lying on the couch with Aika and Kumi both in her arms, all three of them wrapped up in a blanket. Usopp and Chopper were sprawled out on the floor with snot bubbles coming out of their noses while Sanji was sitting up against the left side of the couch. Robin slept in an arm chair with a book still in her hands, Brook snored as he leaned against another wall...at 45 degrees...while Blizzard lied curled up on the rug, and lastly, Franky was snoring as he also sat on the floor, arms and legs crossed and back against the wall, as well.

Luffy smiled at his crew before he headed over to Nami, who opened one sleepy brown eye upon sensing his presence before she scooted over, allowing the Straw Hat Captain to lie down with her, Aika, and Kumi, all of them wrapped up in his arms before he soon fell asleep, as well. As they slept, though, Ruka happened to be watching them from the bottom of the stairs. He crept up to Nami's satchel before he searched inside of it...and that's when he pulled out the map of the island.

'...So this is what they're hiding,' he thought as he took a look at it. 'I knew it...pirates are all alike...they're only here to steal the treasure of the island...and they'll get rid of anyone they can, just to get it!' He then glanced over at the snoozing Straw Hats. 'I gotta find Liza and tell her the truth! Then she'll see I was right!'

With that, he folded up the map and quietly headed out the door...unaware that a certain archaeologist had one eye open.

XXX

Liza grunted as she pushed her way through the foliage, but tried to keep her voice as low as possible. She crouched down low on her knees before she parted some bushes to the right before she gasped silently. It was a troop of Marines, holding lit oil lanterns, as well as rifles, firearms, and cutlasses. Out of all of them, she happened to notice Hannibal, as well as Tiberius standing by his side, but that wasn't all. There were several others standing with him.

The first was a blonde-haired man of average height, with his hair tied back in a ponytail, blue earrings, a scar going across his neck and wearing a standard Marine uniform. He had this stoic look on his face while he wiped the blade of his saber.

The second was a very large, purple-haired man that was as twice as tall as the average person, his shoulders, arms, and stomach bulging with muscles while he had disproportionate legs. The sleeves of his uniform were torn off due to how much muscular density he had, and he had a large hammer strapped to his back.

The third was a woman, about Robin's age or so. She had long, dark red hair and tanned skin, and she wore a dark blue dress that was split open at the hips to give more leg room, as well a Marine coat over her shoulders. On her left thigh was a tattoo of a snake with its jaws open.

"So, Hannibal," said the woman. "You're certain the Straw Hats are here?"

"Of course, Deborah," said Hannibal.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to even attempt to capture them?" asked the muscular, hammer-wielding brute. "After all, you've heard the rumors about them, lately. Their captain is like a Fifth Emperor of the Sea. We could be way out of our league."

"Which is why we must approach with caution, Elliot, my friend," said Hannibal. "Straw Hat Luffy is not to be underestimated. He and his crew managed to escape from Big Mom's territory and lived to tell about it, after all...but as for anyone else who gets in our way..." He smirked as he made a slicing motion with his throat, causing some of the soldiers behind him to glance at each other, nervously, while Liza gasped silently.

"Oh, no..." she whispered before she began to quietly shrink back. "I gotta get back to the village."

"Liza!"

Liza gasped as she turned around to see Ruka run up to her.

"R-Ruka...!" she whispered. "What are you doing here? Go back to the house...!"

"But I have to show you something!" Ruka replied as he held up the rolled-up map. "Look! This is the real reason why those pirates are here!"

"What?" Liza asked. "Wait, Ruka, can we talk about this at the village? It's not safe, right now-"

"Well, well..."

Liza and Ruka both turned around to see Deborah, who had her hands on her hips as she glowered at the two.

"What have we here?" she asked. "A pair of nosy mice."

"Oh, no..." Liza whispered. "Ruka...let's get out of here, quick!"

"What are you, kidding?!" asked Ruka. "This is great! Now the Marines can help us!"

"Wait, Ruka, no!" Liza cried.

"Hey, Marine Lady!" said Ruka as he held up the map.

"How rude," said Deborah. "I am Captain Deborah, thank you very much, young man."

"Right," said Ruka. "Captain Deborah, I need your help! There are pirates in my house, and no one will listen to me!"

"Pirates, you say?" asked Deborah.

"Ruka, no!" Liza shouted.

"Shut up, Liza!" Ruka snapped. "You're gonna thank me for this!" He then turned and faced Deborah while he unrolled the map. "This is why they're here! They're after the treasure that's on this map!"

"Oh?" Deborah asked. "A treasure, you say?"

"...Wait...treasure?" Liza repeated.

"Is that so?" Hannibal asked as he came out of the bushes.

"Yeah!" Ruka answered. "Which is why I need you guys to kick those pirates off the island!"

"...I have a much better idea," Hannibal smirked. "Lector, if you would."

"Huh?" Ruka muttered in confusion, but he suddenly gasped as he saw the blade of a saber being put against his neck before he glanced back and saw the blonde-haired man with the scar on his neck, holding his sword to the boy's throat while he held another blade to Liza's neck. "H-hey! What are you doing?!"

"I'll take that, thank you," said Hannibal as he grabbed the map from Ruka. "Funny how the Straw Hats appear when we're after the same thing, as well."

"What?!" Ruka questioned.

"So you're after the treasure, too, then?!" asked Liza.

"Of course, you stupid girl," said Hannibal as he tapped the map against her head, mockingly. "And to think, my men and I have been hiding under everyone's noses for the past few months, lying in wait for just this moment! I swear some people are such fools."

"But...I thought the Marines were the good guys," Ruka said, a disheartened look on his face.

"We are the good guys, kid," said Elliot. "Just not the kind you'd think."

Tiberius growled as he glared at Ruka, licking his chops hungrily.

"The world isn't so black and white as you think it is, boy," said Hannibal. "And once we get the treasure we're looking for, we'll be back to wipe this village off the map...after all, Whitebeard's not here to protect it, anymore, now is he?"

Liza and Ruka both gasped in horror at this, but then the latter growled as he charged at Hannibal.

"Ruka!" Liza cried.

"Like hell, I'll let you destroy my village!" Ruka yelled as he attempted to throw a punch at the Vice-Admiral, but he simply kneed the boy in the stomach, causing him to gag as the wind was knocked out of him, then Elliot stamped his foot into the boy's back, knocking him unconscious for good.

"RUKA!" Liza screamed.

"Hmph...damn brat," Elliot hissed.

"Well, at least he'll make a nice snack for Tiberius," said Hannibal, just as the liger was about to open his jaws and bite down on the boy's head.

"NO, STOP!" cried Liza. "Please...don't hurt him!"

"Hmm?" Hannibal hummed.

"I beg of you, please don't hurt my brother!" cried Liza. "I-I'll do anything!"

"Oh, how sweet," said Deborah, mockingly. "An older sister, looking out for her little brother..." She then sneered. "It's so disgusting."

Lector only made some sort of indistinct humming sound as he glared at Liza, who glared at Hannibal in defiance.

"...You'll do anything, eh?" asked Hannibal. "Hmm...well...perhaps there is a way for me to spare your brother's life." He then gave her a toothy smirk as he cupped her chin. "How about this? If by any chance you somehow claim the treasure before we do...we'll set your brother free and leave this island peacefully...but if not...well..." He then chuckled. "I'm afraid I won't be held responsible for what happens afterwards." He then held up the treasure map. "Although...I don't know how you'll do so, considering we have the map, now."

"Horarararara!" laughed Elliot. "Good luck with that, girly!"

Liza gasped at this.

"Until then," Hannibal began, "I'm afraid your brother will be coming with us." He then tossed the boy to his soldiers, who caught him while Liza stood helplessly. "Farewell, my dear."

On that, they soon turned and headed off into the jungle while Liza stood behind, biting her lip before a determined expression appeared on her face.

"Don't worry, Ruka!" she called out. "I promise I'll save you!" On that, she turned and ran back to the village...unaware that a pair of blue eyes were watching her from the trunk of a tree before they disappeared in a burst of flower petals.

XXX

Liza panted as she approached her house and opened the door, her hands on her knees as she caught her breath, but as she looked up...she gasped silently upon seeing the Straw Hats, all of them awake and staring at her with serious expressions on their faces.

"You...you guys," said Liza.

"Robin told us what happened," said Sanji. "We're sorry, Liza."

A pause...but then Liza sighed as she stood up straight.

"...It's true...isn't it?" she asked. "Were you guys after the treasure that was hidden here on this island, all along?"

"...We were, at first," Nami admitted, "but after we heard about how pirates invaded this place because they were looking for it...we couldn't bear to tell you the truth."

"We just didn't wanna make you upset," said Usopp. "We're sorry, Liza."

"...I see," Liza said before she approached. "Well...guess what. Now you have to go and find that treasure."

"Why?" asked Brook.

"...Because if we don't get it first," Liza began, "then Hannibal will kill Ruka...and probably go after the village, as well!"

"What?!" Chopper questioned. "That's terrible!"

"This is why I hate the Marines," Aika said, angrily. "They always think that they're the good guys when they're clearly not!"

"...I know Ruka hasn't really been the best person," said Liza, "but he's still my little brother. I can't let anything happen to him."

Luffy just remained quiet, standing with his arms crossed over his chest.

"...Luffy...please," Liza said. "You must share my feelings, right?" She then got down on her knees. "Please...you gotta help me...help me get this treasure! If you do...you can have it, if you just help me!" She then bowed her head to the pirates. "Please...help me."

(BGM: After Eating, Grand Line- One Piece OST.)

A pause...but then Luffy grinned.

"Stand up, Liza," he said. "I already made up my mind."

"Huh?" Liza asked as she sat up and looked up at Luffy.

"We'll help you," he said. "You're our friend, after all."

"...Luffy...!" Liza whispered.

"What do you say, guys?" Luffy asked. "Up for a little treasure hunting?"

"OW!" Franky exclaimed as he struck his signature pose. "You bet I am! I'm feeling SUPER ready for a treasure hunt!"

"Count me in," Zoro smirked.

"When it comes to treasure, you know I'll be there!" Nami added.

"I'm going, too!" Aika piped up. "We gotta help Ruka!"

"That's right!" Chopper agreed. "We gotta go!"

"I'm in!" Kumi barked, eagerly.

"Let's do this!" Usopp spoke up. "As long as we avoid anything too dangerous, okay?"

"Give it a rest, Usopp," Blizzard muttered.

"Yohohoho!" Brook laughed. "Been a long time since we've had such an adventure!"

"As if I could not ignore the tears of a lovely lady," Sanji grinned.

"I'm sure we'll run into a bit of history along the way," said Robin.

"...You guys...thank you...!" Liza whispered.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Luffy asked. "Let's go!"

"Wait!" Liza said. "Before we do...there's something I have to do, first."

XXX

A few minutes later, Liza entered Lulu's bedroom while the old woman still slept in her bed, completely unaware of what had just happened. The girl smiled as she approached her adopted grandmother before she gently stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep well, Granny Lulu," Liza whispered. "We'll be back...I promise."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Yeah, I'm sorry I took so long with this. I honestly, I feel like it's not really my best, but hopefully, I did good enough.

Review, please!