Wano celebrates its liberation defeating Kaido and Big Mom the previous night. It took a great effort from the allied forces to defeat the former Rox pirates who reigned over their territories for five decades ruling the New World. The moment the emperors fell in battle citizens of all countries celebrated the victory around the grand line. A new era of freedom unfolds after being under oppression giving hope to those that didn't have any before. Wano exemplifies this better than any country as generations grew under the impression their previous shogun was a criminal and the current one Orochi was a saint.

Kin'emon enters the Flower Capital's holding cells taking a seat across from Kanjuro drawing a dragon on a canvas dabbing an ink on the brush not bothering sparing Kin'emon a glance. Kanjuro scribbles calligraphy across the sides marking his signature waving the drawing holding it up to the light blowing dust off examining it once more. The former scabbard places it aside grabbing a fresh paper beginning work once more. Kinemon stares at his closest friend and confidant waiting for him to acknowledge his presence wondering if he gave every visitor this treatment.

"Kanjuro—" Kin'emon snatches The former scabbard's wrist forcing him to cease the drawing. "Why did you do it? Tell me why you betrayed us after all this time. I thought you cared about the mission, about Wano country, about your brothers in arms!" Kinemon tightens his grip as Kanjuro pulls away.

"You still don't get it do you? Despite sharing joys and sorrows with you all meaning you no harm earning your absolute trust. The one thing I did was continually send Orochi information. My loyalty has only been with the Kurozumi family. I've never wanted anything more than avenging my parents after their persecution and death."

"All this time you wished to be rid of your pain. When Usopp the straw hat marksman was placed in a trap by your doing you offered to take your own life for the failure during Dressrosa's raid." Kin'emon slams his fists down on the table staring at his former comrade, "You kidnapping Momo delivering him to Onigashima is unforgivable."

Kanjuro draws a bird taking up the entirety of the sheet, "I was a trained theatre actor growing up on the streets here. You should've seen it coming Kin'emon. The fact you didn't tends me to thinking you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"You really don't hold any remorse for your actions do you? None whatsoever?"

"No." Kanjuro finishes the bird holding it to the light a moment showing Kin'emon. "Do you like it? Isn't my best work what say you Kin'emon?"

Kin'emon snatches Kanjuro's collar hoisting him across the table, "I tried to cut off your head after finding out what you did on the boat ride to Onigashima. You don't deserve to live keeping an oath as Wano's retainer only to betray us."

"You have nothing to threaten me with. My purpose for the past twenty years is fulfilled. Now whenever death comes I shall welcome it as I've always wanted to since the death of my parents—"

Kin'emon tosses Kanjuro in his chair glaring daggers through him. He walks toward the metal door knocking on it as the jailer escorted by guards unlock the cell. "You deserve to rot in here Kanjuro beheading you would be too good for what you've done."

The fire fox samurai exits the jail staring up at fireworks shooting through the night sky stepping in the large crowd. Booths line the capital streets selling out food, booze, and fireworks continuing their celebration. If he didn't know any better he would've thought this is what life would've been like every so often had Kaido and Orochi not taken over the country. Citizens sprint through the roads following a parade stampeding down Main Street. Kin'emon trails the people witnessing the straw hat pirates atop of a float waving to people below feasting away. He glances a final time at the pirates leaving the commotion behind heading home.

"Oi Luffy enough hogging the booze! You held onto it long enough." Zoro grabs the sake barrel wrestling Luffy for it.

"Eh you've had more booze than me!" Luffy falls back as Zoro hugs the barrel chugging from it greedily. "Oh well." The captain shrugs biting in the meat leg dishes waving to the roaring citizens. Luffy places a hand over his eyes getting a closer viewing of the crowd, "Zoro look you got fans here now!" He says kicking feet up laughing at a group wearing green wigs, a paint scar over an eye, and carrying three swords.

Zoro glances at the group shrugging, "whatever I'd want to be me too."

Sanji and Usopp throw arms around each other kicking a leg in the air, "we beat Kaido and Big Mom. We're going to recognized across the world as heroes. We'll receive this kind of praise from everyone in the places we're going to visit."

"From everyone? Forget that. This is why I do what I do." Sanji points to a group of girls dressed in robes hanging low off their shoulders unable to hide a grin.

Usopp shoves him off, "you're still scum."

Sanji chuckles igniting a cigarette, "never said I wasn't."

Brook plays a guitar solo plugging into the amp waving a hand to the crowd tightening around the float clamoring to catch of glimpse of their foreign saviors. "This is quite a party never seen anything like this before." He ramps up the volume sending the people into another frenzy setting off fireworks above the parade.

Nami, Robin, and Vivi watch from the back of the float witnessing the parade behind them. "This reminds me of the parade nearly three years ago after you all helped me liberate Alabasta. I can feel the amount of joy in this place. I only arrived here this morning but I can tell the citizens haven't had a reason to celebrate like this before."

"It hasn't been easy for them considering how their former Shogunate was murdered and held responsible for the crimes Orochi and Kaido did to this country." Nami smiles tucking a strand of hair behind an ear sipping her ale mug. "I'm glad even if we could be a small part of helping free them."

Robin chuckles filling a wine glass, "I remember the first time I came to Alabasta wondering what it would be like to help free the people living there. I never got that opportunity and throughout all the places we visited I never felt as if I've made up for it until now. Though I suppose I can never make up for what I put you through—"

Vivi chuckles running a hand through her blue ponytail, "its quite alright Robin I don't blame you. I would've done the same if I was in your position. You shouldn't blame yourself for it Robin the past is the past. I'm just glad to be part of the family and this celebration is the icing on the cake."

"Thank you Vivi that means a lot to hear you say that." Robin sips her wine glass leaning over the side noticing a group of kids running around wearing straw hats. Since Luffy's arrival in Wano country he's given everyone hope for a better life that wouldn't be possible under Orochi and Kaido. "Nami are you finished working on the captain's hat?"

Nami glances to her lap picking up the straw hat remembering she promised to fix it after the crew left the general infirmary. "Thank you for reminding me I'd almost forgotten about it." She picks it up examining the patchwork worked on over the course of their journey.

"Luffy still wears that ol' thing huh? I never realized why he was so attached to this thing in the first place." Vivi sips her mug of sake staring at the captain's prized possession.

Nami laughs running a hand over the three stitch marks along the hat's top recalling Buggy stabbing it in Orange Town. The hat was almost torn beyond repair in the aftermath of the Wano war. It was a long time before they were able to find it laying beneath Onigashima's rubble barley recognizable next to a battered Luffy. "He wears this straw hat because of red hair Shanks another emperor who gave this hat to Luffy when he left his hometown of Foosha Village. Luffy said Shanks wore this as a kid sailing alongside the pirate king Gold Roger who passed it onto him."

Robin smiles warmly watching Nami continue work on the hat, "I think their might be another pirate king soon after the victory yesterday." The demon child chuckles rising to her feet, "I'll get us refills the parade looks like its just beginning." She says noticing Vivi absentmindedly miss Nami mess up a stitch quickly fixing the mistake.

"Super!" Franky shouts throwing fists together spinning on a leg. "Its party time bros! We got a hell of a long night ahead of us. Drink up!" The cyborg cracks open another sake barrel shoveling alcohol into the mugs passing them out.

"Oi don't be wasting any of the sake. There is a limited supply because of this parade we need to conserve it."

"Since when have you ever wanted to preserve sake Zoro?" Usopp asks sitting on the edge next to the samurai.

Sanji shakes his head lighting another cigarette, "your focused on the wrong thing Mosshead."

"What are you talking about curly brow?"

Sanji slips an arm around Usopp and Zoro as the samurai shrugs it off, "you see that there." He says pointing to a group of women stepping out the nearby bathhouse waving to them. "That is what you should be focusing on not about the glory, power or whatever the hell Luffy wants. Its the sexual glorification that comes along with us being heroes."

Zoro grins placing a forearm over a knee, "you have such cheap dreams. If anything you should be focused on what's coming next in our journey."

Sanji and Usopp glance around the partygoers turning to Zoro, "you're talking about the land of Elbaf aren't you?"

"Since Littlegarden you've always wanted to go there Usopp as I've wanted to come here. Believe it or not this isn't about alcohol, sex or violence that comes along with this life. Its about the principles, what we believe in. There's nothing inherently wrong with wanting certain things in life. There has to be something you want to do before you die."

Sanji puffs away on the cigarette staring up at the sky as kite gliders race through the air, "never really given any thought to what I really wanted. When I left the Baratie I always figured to set out and find the All Blue. Though now we know it doesn't really exist."

"Yeah the All Blue is a myth. In order for it to be fully realized the Red Line mainland would have to be destroyed in order to combine the oceans together creating the legendary sea." Usopp says.

"After finding out the truth I haven't found out what my true dream is. Luffy wants to be pirate king. You want to be the greatest swordsman in the world. Nami wants to create a map of the world. Robin wants to find all the poneglyphs. Franky created a ship fit for the pirate king and Brook wishes to reunite with Laboon."

"What about me asshole?!"

"Oh yeah you skipped Usopp. Honestly I forgot too what's your dream again?" Zoro asks.

"To be able to defeat thousands of enemies at once traveling around the world seas becoming a legendary warrior of the sea."

"I take it back that's a cheap dream Usopp." Zoro laughs as Usopp grips his collar shaking him slapping Sanji's attempt to pry him off.

"Yo Luffy my man what's up you still gonna drink with us or what?" Franky sits next to Luffy waving at people below.

"Yeah sure." Luffy toasts Franky downing it in seconds asking for more. "Thanks again Franky for that bomb it got us out of a jam against Kaido and Big Mom."

"Yeah no problem boss. The battle took almost all our resources but we managed to get through it in one piece. Speaking of which shouldn't we try finding Raftel sometime soon?"

Luffy nods laying down staring at the starry sky, "its no big deal. We'll find it when we find it, right now I'm happy enjoying life with you guys."

"Yeah I heard that. In any case you should let Nami know our next destination. She'd be mad as hell if you don't tell her."

Luffy's eyes snap open as he sits up staring at the back of the float. "I forgot Nami has my hat." He leaps to his feet waving to Robin as she fills a wine glass heading over to Franky.

Vivi takes Nami's cup passing Luffy offering a smile. Luffy halts hearing Nami hum threading the needle weaving the straw together. He sits next to her watching her work silently waiting for her to finish the current stitch she's working on. "You almost done?"

Nami smiles warmly handing him the hat, "I just finished. Sorry if it didn't turn out great."

"Its perfect." Luffy drapes the hat over his back pulling the string, "I was worried thinking my hat wouldn't be fixed. I owe you one Nami."

"You owe me more than one Luffy." Nami smirks meeting his gaze, "I'm just glad everyone made it out alright. The battle against Kaido and Big Mom was our toughest challenge. It feels like we have no more fights left."

Luffy returns the smirk, "Same here. Kaido was the strongest creature on earth. He was considered unkillable by everyone that had made it out alive. I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to beat him honestly."

Nami folds hands in her lap, "I was worried this time more than any other before. We've been through it all as a crew in our adventures. There wasn't anything like this before." She glances at the crowd waving to them chasing the float getting a closer viewing of the straw hat captain and their navigator. "When Kaido attacked Oden's Castle I wasn't sure if I'd see you again. It was actually a relief that you ended up in Udon prison."

"Eh you were relieved I ended up in prison?"

"No that's not what I meant. I just wanted to be sure you were okay. You ran to fight Kaido in his dragon form without telling us where you were going."

Luffy grimaces tightening a fist on his cardigan feeling the same anger overtaking him when Kaido's dragon form blasted through Oden's ruins nearly killing Law and his crew. "I shouldn't have done that. I almost lost you guys."

"You won't ever lose us Luffy. Any of us. If we made it through this we can make it past anything the New World has left to throw at us."

Luffy reaches in a pocket pulling out her log pose. "One of the shipwright's here has a friend who knew how to fix log poses since yours broke and I saw how it upset you."

Nami takes the new world log pose staring at in awe, "this is perfect Luffy. I can't wait until we sail out from here. Don't get me wrong Wano is great. The food, the culture and the shopping of course."

"This is the best food I've had since our stop in Dressrosa. Where do think we should sail to next? We can go anywhere now that Kaido and Big Mom are defeated and the crew doesn't care either way."

Nami places a finger under his chin, "Hmm I'm not sure. Theres plenty places we can go from here. We can travel east to Elbaf the land of giants. Thats all Usopp has been talking about lately since we've arrived in Wano."

"Yeah sounds great. I wouldn't decide where we should go without you. You're our navigator after all the best in the world."

"Wish I could say the same about you being our captain." She says turning attention to the crowded streets below.

"Hey I'm a good captain."

"You're the best."

The crew mates lock gazes once more staring at one another unable to break their stare. Nami leans noticing Luffy's eyes roam to her hair placed in a bun knowing he gives her extra attention when it's done this way. Luffy reaches a hand up brushing a strand of hair tucking it aside. Nami runs a hand on top of his keeping it on her cheek. She presses touching foreheads as Luffy leans intoxicated by lips.

The float stops throwing the pair off balance as Luffy wraps an arm around Nami's waist holding her close. He takes a moment relishing when she drapes an arm around him tightly pulling him in. Nami nearly jumps never taking her eyes off Luffy a moment leaning in close. "Oi! What gives why the hell did the float stop!" Zoro shouts stomping on the stage.

The pair separate looking anywhere else but each other only finding one another's eyes once more. "Boss you better get up here we got a little situation on our hands." Franky yells. A moment later Luffy appears standing over the helm.

"Our new shogunate Kozuki Momonosuke didn't show up to the banquet we held here in his honor!" A restaurant owner shouts throwing hands over his head.

"What if something happened to Lord Kozuki?"

"Should we sound the alarm?"

"We should call the celebration off in order to find him!"

"Wait a minute hold on. Momo is missing? Tell us what happened right now!" Nami shouts pushing her way to the front.

A drunkard steps out the crowd pointing to the forest. "The lord ran into the forest heading in the direction of Oden Castle."

Nami leaps off the float landing on the ground attaching the clima tact to her hip, "I'll find Momo and bring him back here you don't have to worry yourselves."

"Don't be ridiculous witch your too drunk to go off finding Momo. Besides the kid can take care of himself."

"Shut up moss head. Nami you can't be serious there's dangerous animals lurking around. You can't expect us to leave you alone."

"Hold it!" Another villager steps up staring up at the straw hats, "someone said they saw a girl run after him not to long ago. I think her name is Tama she's got a freakish power to tame animals or something."

Luffy lands on the ground standing next to his navigator, "if Tama is out there then I'm going too there's no telling what trouble she got herself in."

Usopp screams stomping a foot, "you guys both can't go! We can't let you guys wander off into the forest alone, there's no one out there."

"Don't worry we'll catch up with you guys later." Luffy says waving to the crew. The pair run through the crowd disappearing from the parade's lights until the music fades.

"The villager said Momo went to Oden Castle's ruins right? What could he possibly do trying to go there?"

"Not sure. Isn't much there left but the samurai gravestones."

"Do you think he's still upset about Kanjuro betraying the scabbards? Its understandable the man was like family to him."

"We can't be sure until we find him and ask him ourselves."

The pair hustle up the mountain not stopping an instant. Luffy glances at Nami lagging slightly behind unable to run at top speed in heels. Luffy stretches an arm pulling her onto his back running faster jumping to the hillside. "You don't need to carry me Luffy I can climb by myself."

"No you'll only slow us down—" Luffy's head careens off a boulder.

"What was that for?" He asks showing a scary face.

"You know damn well what that was for!" She yells showing her own scary face. The pair halt unmoving from their positions returning each other's stare. Nami tightens her hold glancing up at the top, "we should continue climbing." Luffy resumes the ascent stretching his arms to the edge flinging over the top.

"We shouldn't be out here Momo. There's a banquet held in your honor for becoming the new shogun." Tama says swinging feet over the porch edge watching Momonosuke's sword swings strike through the air.

Momo heaves holding the hilt in two hands, "I can't celebrate Tama. I didn't help anyone during the battle on Onigashima against Kaido or Big Mom. After all the training I did to get stronger I'm still useless in a fight."

Tama smiles tilting her head, "you're kidding me right? You were the only person who bothered to speak up when everyone needed a reason to fight again."

"What do you mean?" Momo asks lowering the sword for the first time wiping a brow.

"We were about to lose the battle for Wano. You stepped up facing Kaido by yourself rallying the alliance to regroup for their final assault on the emperors. It makes your feat that much braver because you aren't that strong." Tama smiles biting into an apple.

Momo raises the sword feeling a renewed flow flood his veins. "Thank you Tama. That means a lot to me you said that. I'm going to get stronger for Wano, I have to." The pair freeze hearing rustling in the bushes near the gates.

Luffy and Nami reach the outskirts of Oden's Ruins sprinting to the gravesites searching the place. Nami runs through the nearby abandoned shack while Luffy walks the sides opening barrel lids. Momo leaps out striking Luffy's forearm sending him stumbling. Nami appears alongside Tama staring at the two's clash as Luffy activates armament haki smirking at the surprising strength of the shogun. "You've gotten stronger Momo, not strong enough." The captain laughs shoving him to the ground.

Nami smashes a fist into Luffy sending him crashing through the barrels, "why don't you pick on someone your own size?!" She hugs Momo as Tama runs to Luffy's side checking up on him.

"Big brother are you okay?" She asks arching a brow pondering how Nami is able to hurt Luffy more than an emperor. "Really Luffy you don't look too good."

"It doesn't hurt at all." Luffy says laying his head on the ground smashing the barrel remnants.

Luffy hugs Tama as she nuzzles a cheek against his. "What are you guys doing here?" She asks as he settles her on the ground.

"We came to find you guys Tama. Someone said they saw you two running off. You guys shouldn't do that especially without supervision."

"How come you guys did? You ran off without supervision from your crew mates." Tama says crossing her arms earning a snicker from Momo as Luffy and Nami share a glance.

Nami kneels in front of Tama, "because we're adults Tama. We can do certain things kids your age can't or shouldn't do."

"Like what?"

"Um running off for on your own for one. You guys could've gotten kidnapped or seriously hurt. Promise me next time you won't do that." Nami says hugging Tama as she returns it relenting in her stance.

"I promise."

Luffy takes a moment watching Nami talk to Momo and Tama smiling warmly knowing kids are one of the most important things in the navigator's life money aside. He can imagine should Nami have never joined the crew freeing her island she would've found someway of helping children in need. "Ready to head back guys?" Luffy asks somewhat regretting breaking the moment.

Nami meets his gaze staying in her position unsure of who would break away first. "I'm not ready to go back to the Flower capital yet. Maybe we can explore around some more before going to the city."

"We should really head back you guys."

"Please." The pair plead in unison.

"Alright you guys fine only for a few hours then we have to really go back to the capital." Nami says earning a satisfied smile from Luffy.

The group descend the mountain walking to the path leading away from the capital toward the Ringo district. Nami notices the wide open fields knowing there isn't anything in that direction for miles with the exception of desert and Ebisu town. She halts kneeling in front of Momo and Tama, "do you guys want to fly on Zeus?" The pair jump up and down unable to hide their exuberance.

Nami pulls out the clima tact summoning Zeus in front of the group. "Hello miss Nami how may I assist you today? It's always nice to get out and receive fresh air. Is that the capital? It looks mighty fine on a night like this."

"Fly us to the other side of the island. It would really mean a lot to me." Nami clips the clima tact on her kimono band watching Zeus hovers near the ground allowing them to step onto him. Luffy jumps up and down on Zeus raising his arms triumphantly earning a light smack to the back of the head, "be nice to Zeus!"

Luffy stands behind the trio as they sit up front. Nami squeezes the clima tact jetting them into the air. The four fly across the Wano skyline passing the Flower Capital celebrating the night away. Nami swerves out the shooting fireworks path zooming past the kite flyers nearly sending them crashing into one another. "There's Mount Fuji I've never seen it this high up before." Tama leans over the edge pointing to the climbers raising torches on the summit waving to them.

"Nami let's stop somewhere first." Luffy says pointing south. Zeus hovers past Hapu Port over Udon's Prisoner mine. The nimbus comes to a halt hovering above the beast prisoners working on the double. The former all stars King, Queen and Jack are among the workers sentenced to life in prison for their atrocities committed against Wano.

"Are you sure it was the right decision sending them here Luffy? They can break out and attack Wano once more and there wouldn't be much we can do since we're leaving soon." Nami says.

"Yeah its the right thing to do. I wouldn't feel comfortable handing them over to Navy sending them to Impel Down. I saw firsthand what they've done to Wano oppressing its citizens. They should spend the rest of their life trying to make up for it."

Nami hides her eyes under her bangs, "idiot."

"Hm you say something Nami?"

"N-no nothing let's get going."

The group stare out in the distance recognizing Onigashima's remnants buried in Wano's currents. Luffy keeps his attention on the skull protruding out its rocky coastline remaining the only standing reminder of Kaido's fortress. It took the alliance's resources and manpower to put a stop to the two emperors managing to obtain victory. "We should keep going." Nami says driving Zeus through the sky passing Amigasa Village speeding to Kuri."

"What's wrong big brother? You aren't enjoying the ride?" Tama asks staring back at the straw hat captain frowning crossing arms.

"Wanna do something fun guys?" Luffy hoists Momo on a shoulder grinning widely matching the young shoguns. He snatches the clima tact from Nami as she stands up holding Tama close. He hooks an arm around her waist as she picks up Tama holding tightly. "Hang onto something." Luffy shifts momentum spinning Zeus in the air causing Nami to wrap around his neck screaming as he laughs louder speeding up the nimbus.

Zeus stops at their destination outside a village on the outskirts of Kuri having been abandoned for the foreseeable future due to the beast pirates and Orochi's subordinates arrest allowing citizens from the poorer districts real estate to renter the capital. Momo, Tama, and Nami step off the cloud vapor as Luffy leaps up and down chanting a song from his hometown. "Stop doing that." Nami thanks Zeus who is still reeling from Luffy's flight maneuver drawing him back into the tact.

"That was fun can we do it again?"

"No you're not doing that again!"

"Again! Again! Again!" Tama and Momo cheer alongside each other pulling on Nami's kimono.

"You guys really want to do that again?" She kneels placing a hand on their shoulders glancing between them. "You guys could've really been hurt by Luffy's dumb stunt. I don't want you guys following his example."

"Why not Nami it was fun?"

"Yeah big sister that was the most fun I've had in a long time."

Nami huffs wanting them to understand her point when it comes to Luffy's dumb recklessness. "Well because he—" She huffs again bowing her head admitting Luffy had won them over. "Okay I give you guys it was fun." Nami grins surprising the pair as they embrace the navigator once more.

Luffy's laughs halt seeing the scene overcome with emotional warmth he hasn't felt before. He realizes why Nami is concerned about the kids safety only making him ponder what these feelings are. "Come on you guys I see a nice spot we can stay for awhile." Nami says leading the group up the northwest hills entering a house sitting at the top.

"This place will do." Luffy says examining the living room, adjacent kitchen, hallway leading to other rooms and stairs. He places a hand on his growling stomach, "dammit we need to find something to eat. I knew I should've brought food from the banquet."

Nami smiles already starting to straighten up the place, "you know how to hunt don't you? Find something for us to eat."

"Great idea. I'll be back soon." Luffy turns on a heel as Momo rushes alongside accompanying the captain on his hunt.

"Wait hold on." Nami runs after them both halting their strides, "be careful out there Momo. I'd prefer if you'd stay here with us."

"You worry too much Nami he'll be fine." He says walking down the trail, "besides what's the worst that can happen."

"Come back soon." Tama shouts waving to the pair vanishing into the bamboo forest in search of dinner.

Luffy and Momo examine the surroundings staring at the fireworks shooting off in the distance beyond Mount Fuji unable to believe they crossed Wano in less than an hour. The pair continue on seeing no sign of wildlife through their walk. They halt hearing screams in the near distance running to the commotion. Luffy places a hand in front of Momo preventing him from getting too close to bandits rolling barrels into a pile rope tying them.

"This shit ready to go? I'm done waiting for it. The target was supposed to be released already."

"Yeah its ready to go. Once this is ignited there isn't any going back for any of us." A bandit says taking a seat on a nearby log. "The barrels will ignite after crossing Kibi's region-Okobore Town, Udon Prisoner Mine and Ebisu Town exploding the moment the detonators separate giving us our best option to strike releasing the prisoners."

"Alright its settled then," another one speaks pushing off a tree twirling a gun holstering it. "We need to hurry there's no telling if the Wano police are patrolling the areas."

"They would've found out. Besides everyone's too fucking wasted celebrating Monkey D. Luffy's victory over Kaido and Big Mom."

"Ain't that the biggest load of bullshit. He got lucky and had help, the kid will never become pirate king."

"You should go back to the house and wait with Nami and Tama. It isn't safe here."

"I'm staying right here. I want to help Luffy."

"Alright do exactly what I say alright?" Momo straightens up hearing the stern tone giving a nod.

"Alright let's move out." The lead bandit says waving the men forward pushing the barrels on a cart toward the rapids less than a hundred meters away. The leader lights a cigar smoking enjoying their victory halting the next puff noticing the cart wheels stop spinning. "The fucks going on?"

"It stopped moving! Goddammit its jammed." The group pushes harder digging boots in the dirt unable to move it any further.

The leader tosses the cigar link aside, "do I got to do every fucking thing myself?"

Luffy lands on top of the cart smashing the wheels off preventing it from going anywhere. "I don't know who you guys are and I don't care. I'm going to make sure you don't hurt anyone else."

"Shoot that motherfucker now!"

Luffy evades the bullets leaping into the air throwing gatling punches at the bandits tossing one over a shoulder knocking them cold shoving them into a crowd. He dodges a sword lunge firing a red hawk into the assailant blasting him through the group sending them crashing into the bamboo forest. Momo slashes through the bandits regaining their bearings. The leader recognizes the young shogun conjuring a better idea raising the gun at him. Momo raises the sword in an attempt to block as the bullet fires toward him.

Luffy glares at the bandit leader rushing toward him blowing into a thumb smashing a gear third fist into him sending him flying through the sky. "Luffy look there's a few getting away with barrels if they reach the river lives could be in danger." He leads Momonosuke through the forest in pursuit of the remaining bandits.

Momo hides behind a tree slicing a bandits leg sending the barrel rolling toward the river. Luffy smashes the bandit through a barrel running after Momo as he shoves the barrel away falling in the rapids. Luffy dives into the water rolling through the currents unable to grasp on the slippery rocks beneath the surface. It didn't matter if he couldn't swim and he'd drown attempting to save Momo.

Momo transforms into a dragon attempting to find an escape route out the rapids. He slips under the water surface as Luffy stretches an arm around a fallen tree wrapping tightly. Luffy latches onto Momo jamming a foot on the cliff side staring over the waterfall overlooking the Kibi region. Luffy pulls them both ashore heaving heavily hoisting the shogun to his feet. "Come on we still have to find something to eat."

Luffy strikes a baboon downing it in one punch rendering it motionless. He slings the animal over a shoulder trekking their way back to the Kuri's main village. Luffy halts pulling his cardigan over his abdomen breathing heavily leaning on a nearby house. "Luffy you alright?"

"Yup great. I'll race you to house."

"Thats cheating Luffy you got a head start!"

Nami emerges from the house drying her hair pulling up her kimono clutching the clima tact seeing a large creature fast approaching. She drops it recognizing its Luffy running to meet him half way as he slams the bamboo down. The two halt receiving hugs from the pair as Momo takes a seat next to Luffy. "What took you so long? Where were you two? I was starting to get worried I thought maybe something happened."

Luffy smirks unable to stop the grin overtaking his features, "you worry too much Nami nothing happened." She arches a brow unconvinced at his explanation. Luffy grunts placing a hand on the wound seeping through the right side of his cardigan.

"Big brother you're bleeding."

"You lied to me Luffy. You said that you weren't hurt you said everything was alright. This is my fault isn't it?" Momo asks climbing to his feet.

Luffy stands taking a hand away as blood spills pools on the ground, "no Momo you did the right thing. It was my own fault. You did everything I asked you to and more. Don't ever blame yourself for my actions or decisions. Sorry for lying to you." He says striding to the fire pit manifesting a red hawk igniting it throwing their food on the flames.

Nami glares at Luffy frowning slightly pulling him by the arm into the house settling him on the couch. "What happened out there Luffy? You both show late, soaked head to toe and not to mention your bleeding."

Luffy pulls back the cardigan showing her the bullet lodged in his side leaking blood. "I didn't want to worry you guys."

Nami sighs softly skimming the bruising, "you always do reckless things like this. What happened anyway?" She asks keeping her attention on the wound grasping the bullet.

"Damn that hurts." He says grasping the top of the couch as she pulls the sea prism bullet out setting it on the table holding cloths on his ribs. "I still wonder when I'll hear from my brother again. I don't want things to end up like they did with Ace...I can't let that happen, not again."

"No matter what Luffy I'm going to be there for you when the times comes. I don't want to be separated like that again while you went through losing Ace. I know how much he meant and still means to you."

"Thank you Nami I know you and the others put up with me. I can't ask for a better crew. No matter what I'm always going to be there for you guys."

Nami hugs him as he returns it slowly holding her to him, "get some rest while dinner cooks. I'm sure it'll be ready soon." Luffy reluctantly releases his hold watching her glance back at him leaving the house.

—-

XXX

—-

The straw hats lounge around the bath house getting drunker than necessary. The parade rages outside ramping up becoming more wild instead of simmering down due to kids having a curfew leaving adults free to explore whatever activities they wish to indulge in. "Is there anymore sake? Oi oi!" Zoro halts noticing the servers passed out drunk laying in a puddle of beer. "Son of a bitch this is why some people need to be sober during festivals like this."

"I'm sober bro only drank coke mixed with a little bit of rum." A smaller cyber arm emerges out the cyborg giving a thumbs up. "Should we stay here or leave? I'm down to go to see the stage play in the park."

"Then your not sober..." Usopp slurs burping holding himself up against the side slipping falling against Chopper who is in heavy point drinking wine bottles. "Thanks buddy..." Usopp stands up holding his towel loosely grabbing a sake bottle, "let's drink one more round then we'll leave."

"Forget the theatre show in the park. What do you think Robin and Vivi are doing? Screw you Usopp for taking my raid suit at the one time I wanted it more than anything. I haven't seen Vivi naked since—" Blood squirts out Sanji's nose as he heaves holding himself up.

"Sounds like I missed a lot. I was working overtime in the infirmary. Where are Nami and Luffy by the way?" Chopper asks.

"Who cares." Zoro says leaning against the pool side grabbing another bottle chugging away, "we need to get the hell outta here." He says pushing through the water as Usopp's towel slips as he falls beneath the surface dragged along the steps by Chopper.

"Still sounds like Brooks jamming outside. We should stop by and see him before heading to the theatre show." Franky says tossing a cola bottle aside leading the others ignoring Sanji's protests to wait for Robin and Vivi.

Vivi is in awe listening to Robin's tale about the straw hat's adventures throughout the New World. Mainly Dressrosa's princess Rebecca and King Riku III's home country. "That's amazing Robin. I can't believe you guys have been through so many exciting adventures during the time we separated. Sometimes I wish I decided to stay with the crew instead of ruling over Alabasta."

"That's understandable Vivi I wish you would have come along. I'm sure as the queen of Alabasta you had obligations more important doing what you wanted. I wouldn't have handled it the same not being able to explore freely with my friends. You're stronger than you know making the right decision." Robin says leaning against a nearby wall draping a leg over a knee.

Vivi smiles warmly refilling her glass toasting Robin, "I can't imagine you have much left to do in your journey. You said you've found nearly every road poneglyph I'm sure you'll find Raftel soon."

Robin nods enjoying the steam heating through the sauna, "I hope sooner than later. We can't be sure who else has caught up to our progress. Kid and Apoo managed to copy the road poneglyphs in Big Mom'a territory and the one here. Its only a matter of time before they find Zou's realizing their closer to the end than the beginning."

"Aren't you worried the other supernovas will beat you guys there?"

Robin smirks glancing in Vivi's direction, "not at all. We have the best navigator in the world."

"You're right. I always knew Nami was special not just some ordinary navigator. She got you guys safely through the grand line and New World. Not the easiest job in the world especially with Luffy as the captain." The Alabasta queen chuckles unable to contain them any longer.

"I can't argue with that. Had we listened to Luffy unquestionably I'm sure we would've sunk to the bottom of the sea like all the rest."

"Nami and Luffy have stayed pretty close over the course of your journey. Did anything happen while I was way that I should know about?" Vivi sips the wine looking anywhere but Robin noticing her smile.

"Hm nothing in particular happened of interest. I'm sure I'd just bore if I told you what happened."

"No tell me what happened please."

"I'll tell you over dinner. Come on let's get out of here." Robin grabs a towel covering her breasts and curves as Vivi does the same heading to the dressing room.

—

XXX

—

"You have a good rest?" Nami asks sitting next to the fire roasting the bamboo meat.

"Yeah I'm fine." Luffy settles on a stump digging in the food waiting for him. He glances around noticing Momo and Tama asleep snoring away.

"They're so worn out from today." Nami says keeping watch on the kids. "I was honestly pretty upset when you pulled that reckless stunt earlier but I'll admit," she smiles glancing at Luffy as he grins, "I want to do something like that again."

"Yeah that'll be fun." Nami picks the Momo up reaching for Tama. "Its alright I got her." He lifts Tama trailing Nami in the house laying the pair down in an unoccupied room downstairs.

"I'll make sure they both fall asleep. You should finish your meal."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

Nami lays down beside the pair examining their separate sleeping habits. Tama tosses and turns frowning slightly grasping at the covers. "What's wrong Tama?" She asks running a hand over her forehead brushing bangs out the younger girls eyes.

"I can't sleep." She says softly holding onto Nami's kimono hugging her, "I keep dreaming about Ace. I really wish he never left Wano after promising to come back."

Nami wraps an arm around Tama holding her close, "I know you miss Ace its alright. Would it make you feel better if you told me what your dream was about?" Tama nods wiping a tear away burying her face in Nami's kimono.

"Ace how come you never wear the hat I made? I worked hard to make it just for you." Tama crosses her arms as Ace grins removing his signature hat taking a seat on the cliff side. "Do you really have to leave?"

Ace nods turning toward the ocean, "yeah sorry I have to go for now. I made a deal with Kaido trading a material he was interested in. For our deal he swore Wano will thrive not wither under his leadership but I don't trust him. That's why I vow I'll return Tama."

"You better otherwise I'll never forgive you."

Ace grins once more placing the hat on a finger spinning it, "I'd expect nothing less little lady." The pair sit in silence watching the waves crash against Kuri's shoreline. "Now you wanna know about my hat huh? It's nothing personal I love the hat you made for me its just this hat is sort of a family heirloom." She examines the brown hat touching the blood ruby beads gasping seeing the twin silver grinning and frowning pins tucked at the center.

"What do these mean? These pins Ace?" Tama asks.

Ace places Tama's homemade hat on its string glancing at the young girl, "Not exactly sure what they mean. Its a family heirloom but I never got to meet my real parents, I'm an orphan." Ace takes the hat pointing to the grinning one. "This pin is supposed to represent my father the late pirate king Gold Roger. It was said no matter the outcome of the battle he always held a grin though most of the time he held victory." Ace sighs running a hand over the frowning pin.

Tama places a hand on Ace's arm, "what's wrong big brother I don't want you to be sad."

"I'm alright Tama. Its just this pin is supposed to represent my mother. I always knew my father was the pirate king infamously hated across the world and worshipped by pirates. I always wondered what my mother was like; if she was alive, if she was a just some woman my father met one night or if she was someone important to him." Ace smiles warmly turning to Tama placing the hat on her head, "considering they both have pins of equal pieces I can say proudly they were two sides of the same coin. I truly believe they viewed one another as equals whoever they were to each other. I'd like to think without my mom Roger would've never became pirate king." Tama smiles warmly clutching the hat tighter on her head glancing at Ace's grin leaning on him watching the sunset together.

Nami embraces Tama tighter feeling the young girl's breathing even out falling fast asleep after telling her story about Ace. She understood Tama considered Ace as an older brother the same way she saw Luffy. Her intrigue couldn't help getting the best of her wondering if Ace's mother played a paramount role in his father obtaining the title of pirate king. "If it means anything Tama I miss Ace too. I promise you even if we're leaving Luffy will make time to come back even if he becomes pirate king. I'll make sure of it." Nami smiles noticing Tama's own smile hugging her once more before shutting the door meeting Luffy on the living room couch.

"They asleep?" Luffy asks tipping his hat up as Nami takes a seat beside him.

"Yes they're both sleeping." Nami says leaning on a hand staring at Luffy unable to believe they defeated Kaido and Big Mom freeing the world from two tyrants giving people hope and starting a new era. "What happens when you become pirate king? You still plan on adventuring around?"

Luffy leans on the cushions draping an arm over the top, "Yeah I wanna keep adventuring as long as I can. I know the crew will eventually go their separate ways nothing lasts forever I can't sail anywhere without a navigator I'd be kinda stuck. I was hoping—" Luffy freezes as Nami moves closer.

"Hoping what?" She asks softer than intended contrasting her tone from how she usually sounds acting as the crew's quartermaster. "I'm not sure you can afford me. I'm going to be the pirate kings navigator. You put me through a lot over the years to continue traveling the world it could cost you a good share of the treasure not to mention interest."

"Why're you always so greedy Nami?" Luffy meets her grin with one of his own glancing at her lips before looking toward the ceiling, "you can have the treasure and split it with the others for all I care I want to keep exploring places like this long as I'm alive."

"I'm not greedy Luffy I share anything except mikans and treasure that's my one rule and no way in hell I'm splitting my share with the others so I guess that does make me a little greedy." She says scratching a cheek with a finger returning Luffy's stare. "I want to keep exploring the world as well. I'm sure you know my dream is to chart all the islands around the globe."

"Good I won't rest until we accomplish your dream."

"It could take a long time Luffy. Much longer than our journey up until now including the two year separation. It can take forever."

"That's fine we have our whole lives ahead of us."

"Idiot forever is a lifetime. We might not finish my dream even at the end of our lives."

"What's wrong with that? Its your dream why not spend forever trying to achieving it?"

"You really mean that Luffy? Even if the others go their separate ways and its only us left you'll hold your word?"

"Yeah it'll be fun like a whole new adventure. We can visit the crew and old friends we made along way when we revisit the islands we've been to already." Nami leans in placing her forehead against Luffy's gripping his cardigan pulling closer meeting his gaze. They close their eyes leaning in breaking apart as Luffy's eyes light up sensing something residing in the bamboo forest nearby.

"What is it Luffy?" Nami asks releasing her grip following Luffy's glare out into the darkness. "I don't see anything."

"Stay here alright? I'll be right back." Luffy runs off in the trees sensing a familiar presence. He halts coming to a clearing walking to the center glancing around the area.

"Straw hat ya." Trafalgar Law says emerging out the shadows keeping his sword draped over a shoulder stalking toward the fellow captain.

"Oi Traffie its you. What are you doing way out here? Shouldn't you be in the Flower Capital with the others?"

Law places a hand in a pocket igniting a cigar puffing resembling a lit chimney, "I was following up on a lead about bandits meeting over in this area planning to stage a prisoner break freeing the beast prisoners in Udon and breaching the Flower Capital walls."

"You don't have to worry about those guys took care of em already."

Law smirks pointing a thumb toward Penguin, Bepo and Jean Bart finishing tying bandits tossing them on the ground. "I figured you would be the only one to make a mess like this and I'd have to be the one to clean it up."

"We're all set captain whenever you're ready." Jean says leaning against a tree placing in chewing tobacco spitting rapidly.

"Alright give us a few minutes." Law says gesturing Luffy to follow him to the other side of the clearing.

"What's up Traffie? Don't tell me you want to end our alliance?"

Law shakes his head glancing at the stars in the sky, "I heard Momonosuke disappeared along with a friend. I saw the rest of your crew earlier tonight and noticed Nami wasn't with them. I assume she's with you then and you found the kids."

"Yep we're waiting around while they get some sleep away from the capital. Why what's up?" He asks arching a bow crossing arms.

Law smokes settling his sword on a tree "how do you feel about Nami? Is it different than how you feel about the rest of your crew?"

"What do you mean? Nami is my friend like the others."

"Let me ask you then would you be doing what you're doing right now with any of your other friends? You went out of your way finding Wano's shogun and the girl you met when you first had arrived here. Now you're staying out isolated from everyone else. It makes me wonder why just you two out of the crew."

Luffy furrows his brows, "what do you mean Traffie? What are you trying to say?"

"I stayed with your crew for the majority of the New World journey. Nothing personal, I've studied everyone of your crew mates. You can say I know them better than you. There's a reason I divided the teams the way they were in Dressrosa. Should Doflamingo have found out Nami is the most important person to you he would've went after her first, believe me he's that kind of person."

"How do you know Nami is the most important person to me in the crew?"

"Its as I said I've studied everyone of your crew mates over the course of the journey. Besides not to get too personal I was there in Zou when you two reunited. I might not be the most well attuned to things of this nature I've never seen anything like it in my years traveling the grand line."

Luffy smiles recalling the embrace meaning more than any he received in his life. "Yeah guess I didn't realize it even when we traveled together in Totto Land. She's always by my side when I don't ask her to."

Law nods placing his hands in his pockets smoking, "when Kaido's dragon blasted though Oden's ruins I saw the anger that you exerted. I've never seen anything like that either."

"I assumed half my crew was obliterated—"

"You're telling me you would've been less angry had it only been Nami caught in the blast?"

"Well no but—"

The captain of Heart Pirates holds up a hand halting Luffy's words, "how do you feel about Nami? She's the most important person to you in your crew unknowingly and you'd be angry and devastated should you lose her. Do you love her?"

Luffy meets Law's gaze, "if you've studied my crew and me on our journey together then you already know the answer."

Trafalgar smirks placing the sword over a shoulder, "seems I do. Don't let me disturb you then straw hat."

"Why did that matter?" Luffy asks trailing Law to the middle of the clearing, "you traveled all the way from the Flower Capital to Kuri to ask me that?"

Law hides his eyes puffing slower, "I asked because I came to a realization over the course of our time allied. You may be the strongest member of your crew and possess the strength to become pirate king however you're not the key to it all, Nami is. Without her you stand no chance to find Raftel and you'd lose yourself to your anger which can scare people instead of inspiring them if you ever went to the wrong side."

"You think I'd become like Doflamingo or Kaido? I'd never do that. I may not be a hero but I ain't like them."

Law bows his head recalling what he saw when Luffy charged Kaido head on without hesitation. "Based on what I saw I can't be sure. I've made contingency plans to immobilize not kill you guys should the need ever arise and you switch sides." He says retreating toward the tree line regrouping with his crew mates.

"And your arrogant enough not to having a contingency plan against yourself should you go to the other side?"

Trafalgar smirks glancing over a shoulder, "I do have a plan. Its called the straw hats."

"Just had to be sure." He throws hands behind his head leaning against a tree, "Law where are you guys headed?"

"To hand these bastards in. Then we're going to a shooting dice tournament. We'd stay longer but we're late and you have somewhere to be." Law and others vanish in a 'room' leaving Luffy alone. He glances up at the night sky pondering Traffie's findings unsure of what they entirely meant.

Luffy returns to the house finding Nami sipping a wine glass fixing her kimono upon seeing him enter without warning. "You're back already Luffy what happened out there?"

Luffy scratches the back of his neck sheepishly, "ran into Traffie. He was collecting bandits we ran into earlier taking them to the Flower Capital jail."

"That sounds like Traffie. Come sit down why are you standing way over there?" She arches a brow noticing Luffy leaning against the doorway unmoving from his position. "There's plenty left overs you didn't finish." Luffy sits down on the other side of the couch starting to dig in avoiding Nami's gaze. "What were you and Traffie talking about? Anything I should know?"

"Nope just the usual."

Nami turns toward him placing a hand on his shoulder stiffening him, "yeah what's the usual?" Luffy forgets to chew a moment glancing at the orangette drawing eyes away from hers downing the mouthful.

"I need to tell you something Nami."

Nami smiles leaning closer following his gaze to his folded hands, "just hurry up and spit it out already whatever it is." Luffy finally meets Nami's gaze searching her eyes, "is it something I should be worried about?"

"No it isn't. You know Traffie has been traveling with us since Punk Hazard up until now and in his time with us he's kept a close eye on the crew to make sure we were who he thought we were. He said you are the most important person to me in the crew."

Nami holds in a gasp, "am I the most important to you in the crew?"

"Yeah you are Nami. Traffie is right he said if I were to lose you I'd change into someone else like Kaido."

Nami places a hand on his arm, "you'd never become someone like Kaido Luffy. No matter if you lost me or anyone else in the crew. You're always going to fight for what's good."

"I'm not sure when I thought I lost you during Kaido's attack on Oden's Castle. I couldn't control my anger and I can't imagine if it were to happen again. I don't know what I'd do—" Nami leans into Luffy as he holds her against him unwilling to let go. The two enjoy the moment staring at the fireplace.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you either." The pair fall asleep holding each other content to leave things as they stand. Whatever came next in their adventure didn't matter except the moment they found themselves in now. If they decided to move forward it would wait until after the crew finds the One Piece.