Out of the jaws of death – Epilogue

I know this chapter is waaaaay overdue, see the bottom of the chapter for an apology

(Aboard the Sunny)

Nami couldn't believe it.

Even as she gazed on the distant shores of Tottoland she had a hard time to grasp just how they'd managed to get out of Big mom's territory alive and …. Partially unscathed.

Luffy and Jinbe were heavily wounded and despite their protests, Chopper had, after entering his monsterpoint, forced them both to lie down and get the rest they needed.

Of course both had resisted until Nami had stepped in and put terms on both, each time Luffy would move out of his bed she'd charge him 10 million Beli and when Jinbe did it, she'd charge Luffy double, meaning that the captain would spend most of his time commanding Jinbe to stay in bed, to which Jinbe had little choice but to obey.

The scream Chopper had made when he discovered that both his patients had concluded that they could move their beds around the ship and still be in them, thereby nullifying Nami's threat, was as heartbreaking as it was hilarious.

In truth Nami would have been very worried if Luffy had not tried to do something to get around her terms.

It left little room for Chopper to find any rest however, as another of his patient, the titanic Hajrudin, had laughed so hard over the reindeer's lament that he had popped several of his stitches and was now coughing up more blood. Much to his crews worry.

What worried Nami more was when Bege sent one of his men over to the Sunny to invite Luffy, and herself, for a little chat, something he wanted to discuss with them. Naturally most of the crew followed.

(on a ship in the harbour of Tottoland)

Stussy looked around her cabin.

Spacious as it was she could never quite manage to get all of the things she needed for her cover as "Queen of the pleasure district" to seem plausible. Although she reminded herself, as she sifted through some of her discarded garments from before she had chosen her wardrobe, that the tittle wasn't all lies.

She did control the pleasure district, and pretty much every courtesan, minstrel and "pleasure expert" in the new world, payed her some manner of tribute, a tribute that ultimately came back into the coffers of the CP0, more or less at least. One didn't come by a tittle such as hers without being a bit underhanded and greedy.

Stussy smiled as she found what she was looking for, a little Den Den Mushi, connecting her straight to her higher ups.

Although she was still in Big Mom's territory, given that all that had happened, it was necessary to run the risk of being caught making her report. She was confident her girls would make sure to warn her if some of Big mom's brood came for her. She was specifically thinking of Charlotte Pudding, a girl with an interesting lineage.

Hearing the telltale sound of the little snail making contact, Stussy prepared herself.

"Bianca dear, are you there, I'm not calling at a bad time, am I?" She began in a subtle melodious tone

"Report, don't kid around" the voice was cold, a mixture of cold metal, like a bar being struck in a forge, and unglazed ceramics that scraped against each other. It was impossible to discern the gender of the agent, naming the other one Bianca gave Stussy a small level of entertainment at least, also made it easier to discuss information she'd gotten from her girls.

"I'm still in TottoLand….."

"Why do you already make your report, is your cover blown?"

"No, things have happened that need to be reported ASAP…" Stussy took a deep breath before she continued, allowing her superior to inquire, something this one didn't do, or prepare for what was to come "Big Mom planned to assassinate the Germa Kingdom's royal family, it failed, someone tried to assassinate Big Mom and almost succeeded" Stussy paused a moment before catching her breath "Charlotte Linlin is still alive but wounded and Wholecake plateau and her family's castle is in ruins"

For the briefest of moments there was silence in the other end of the line

"Who were the would-be assassins?"

"It was a joint coalition, The Strawhat pirates led by Strawhat Luffy joined forces with the Firetank Pirates under Gang Bege, both members of the worst generation, they joined forces with the Former Shichibukai Jinbe Knight of the sea and the Germa Kingdom to get away"

"WHAT! Our Intel certified that both the Firetanks and Jinbe were part of Big Mom's forces"

"They're traitors now"

"They're still alive!" the voice, despite its metallic core, had the edge of something that was about to snap

"The whole coalition managed to get away, I do not know how yet, apparently the Sun Pirates abandoned Big Mom as well and there was also a fourth pirate crew involved, but the details are sketchy at this point"

"…. Big Mom's crew has lost a lot of its strength…."

"Indeed, but none of her children are dead and they expect her to make a full recovery"

"What happened to her?"

"I have no idea, all that is certain is that two members of the worst generation has severely angered a yonko, I have my doubts they will last long on their own"

"Indeed" despite everything, Stussy was certain that the voice sounded satisfied

"I will report more soon, there is something I'd like to check up on, a future asset that might come in handy in the future"

"Very well, proceed agent"

Stussy waited for the snail to become silent before she carelessly flipped it back into the pile of dresses and skirts she'd found it in.

Looking over the cabin, if she was to receive a guest anytime soon, it would be prudent to clean it up a little bit. Appearances and all that.

Picking up a small silver bell from a table, she rang it twice, summoning her butler to get to work…. and to fetch her a glass of wine, making reports had always been thirsty work for her.

(In Sweet City)

Big Mom lay on her bed, or what was left of it, occasionally burping in her troubled sleep (brought on by a combination of an exceptionally high dosage of painkillers and sleeping pills), causing a purple coloured bubble to spring forth from her mouth, float up into the air and pop on the wall, eroding away at the candied confectionary plaster that made up the building.

Nearby Smoothie was looking over her prone mother, still having a hard time accepting all that had happened in the last few hours, let alone fathoming it.

All the traitors had gotten away, the Firetank- and Sun Pirate crews were both leaving Tottoland for good, and with minimum damages from Big Mom's rage.

The wedding that would have been a golden opportunity for the Big Mom pirates, had turned into an outright disaster that had left them vulnerable, exposed, and somewhat short on manpower. Loosing Jinbe and the Sun pirates had been bad enough, Bege had been a competent subordinate and a trusted son-in-law. Then there was the fact that Opera had lied about killing Strawhat and the navigator, but unlike the others, his punishment would come soon.

What had truly terrified Smoothie however, was what Big Mom had been prepared to do to Pez. Smoothie knew Mama hated Chiffon because of her resemblance to Lola, but to try and kill one of her own grandchildren was far too extreme for Smoothie's taste. It made her dread the eventuality of herself having any children one day (if Mama would ever allow her to wed that is).

Shaking her head, Smoothie turned to the rooms other occupant, Katakuri.

He was still partially catatonic and flushed. Just sitting in chair, hands in his lap looking at the wall and nothing in particular at the same time.

At least that was good news in a way. She'd honestly never thought that her brother would fall for a woman. But that she was one of Strawhat's allies complicated the situation quite a bit. And the implications of the Giant Warrior Pirates being but one of the Strawhat crew's allies was truly breathtaking. Who else did they have in their employ in this Strawhat Grand Fleet?

If the strength of Hajrudin was anything to go by, they would have some truly powerful members in their ranks. Strong enough perhaps, that Big Mom would be better served with having them as allies rather than enemies.

But that was a thought for another day, though she doubted Mama would ever consider it when she woke up, the deafeat they'd suffered today was far too great for her to brush off.

(on the Nostra Castello (which I Previously had named the Rook))

Nami was delighted to be onboard the Rook, even though a little voice in the back of her head reminded her of Bege's doublecrossing nature, but then again, with both Bege, Jinbe and Luffy bedridden, not to mention the presence of Aladine of the sun Pirates (and definetly not to mention his large and very imposing, if not outright intimidating, wife), Hajrudin (whom of course was too big to enter the cabin so the only option for him was to eavesdrop through an open window) and a very strict Chiffon, taking turns fussing over him and their child, precious little Pez, it was unlikely that Gang would try anything.

Meanwhile Chopper was pleased to see that at least one of his patients seemed to heed the doctor's orders, but Bege also had another doctor, and (more importantly) his wife Chiffon to echo the diminutive reindeer's every syllable (multiple times) much to his chagrin.

Besides experiencing the sight of the large ornate bed, tall posts in dark wood at every corner, pearl white drapes hanging down from the ceiling, complementing the equally ornate room, that most of all looked like it was the cabin of a small noble, contrasting with its occupant, the fearsome pirate captain Gang Bege, a member of the worst generation, lying on his stomach, mostly naked but for a simple blanket covering his legs and the small of his bulky back, his butt being heavily bandaged, making it look twice its actual size and his trademark fedora and cigar at their regular places, was almost worth the danger of an impromptu ambush.

After they managed to get the two other sickbeds into the room and positioned across from him, the host looked up, his eyes not fully open and bloodshot, his cigar trembling in his mouth and a discomforting sneer on his stubbled upper lip.

Nami didn't know whether the look on his face was from pain or because he didn't like the company. Standing between Luffy and Jinbe's sickbeds she could see every moment the man would make.

The man pursed his mouth, almost as if he was chewing on the words before he spoke them.

"We failed….." He began, his tone even yet strained, not from pain (at least physical, it seemed somehow that his brain was trying to solve a puzzle while he was talking to his guests) "… But we've survived… thanks to….. all-of-us-really" the last bit was spoken very fast, small beads of sweat appearing on his forehead as he stole a quick glance at his wife, as if he was trying to stall for some reason.

Swallowing hard Bege looked straight at Luffy "We were all at great danger in front of Big Mom…. None so more than My own wife and son….. and had it not been for you Strawhat…. I'd be a widower….. and a childless father…" Bege swallowed hard, sniffing his nose as if he was about to cry at the thought, one that was mimicked by several others amongst his crew. Bege still trying to prevent his face from contorting into a mask of snot and tears, his lower lip trembling as he resumed, turning his sights to Nami "And you as well Cat burglar" Bege's voice was almost cracking with barely restrained emotion "If it hadn't been for either of you we'd all be mush"

Bege's words were making Nami a blush, forcing her to shift her focus to a practically beaming Chiffon, her grateful smile seemingly illuminating the room, Nami, while not able to reach the same level of gratitude, smiled back.

"But we failed…" Bege began again, his voice strained, but it had been cleared of any emotion, the dread and gratitude from before had been replaced by a fatalistic certainty that felt like ice being dropped down Nami's back, bringing her back to reality from the pink lands of embarrassment.

"….. Big Mom will come for us… so it seems prudent… to continue our alliance, for the time being" Receiving a displeased glare from Chiffon made Bege add a swift "perhaps-indefinitely-even!"

From the corner of her eye Nami could see Aladine give his (half)brother-in-law a look of mixed pity and understanding. Praline was rubbing a finger over a freckled cheek, almost as if she was taking notes for later.

Luffy just looked at Bege as if nothing the other captain had said had registered.

"In order for us to cement our alliance… I have a proposal for you Strawhat, and Cat Burglar…"

(on the open sea)

Caesar cursed

He was alone, had just a little dinghy and some food abandoned by either Firetank or Strawhat crew, not in Big Mom's grasp and he had his heart!

And yet he cursed, cursed over the fact that he now had no job, no lab and was hunted by both a Yonko and the World Government.

The only thing that was looking up was that he saw the queen of the pleasure district amongst the tea party guests, and that meant that the woman had a ship, full of women, beautiful women who'd entertain him until he'd get back on his feet.

Or until he could contact Kaido and get a proper job again.

The king of beasts was the only benefactor he had left and he would be very interested in getting him back on producing SMILE.

Or some other drug he'd invent on the way…..

(On Wholecake Island)

Smoothie looked out over the assembled Big Mom Pirates, while tired and shaken from the recent events, the crew (her siblings in particular) could have looked worse for wear as they sat around a huge table, large enough to fit them all.

Considering that Katakuri was still all flustered, and Mama was in bed with what could best be described as an extremely bad belly, it fell to her, the second Sweet Commander, to take charge of things (even if Compote and Persopero had a different view, being older siblings and all).

Scanning the assembly for any further dissent, Smoothie cleared her throat and began:

"You all know the situation, and I'll be frank and say that today was a big Loss for the Big Mom pirates" several heads looked down at this proclamation, but it wasn't news to anyone, yet being told so directly to their faces made quite a few of them scowl at her. Locking eyes with Daifuku who looked particularly furious, she held his gaze for a moment, daring him to interrupt her. The prospect of fighting her elder sibling wasn't one she relished, but for the merest moment she craved the relief of venting her frustrations on something. But, it didn't do to be at each other's throats at the moment, so she was happy to see Daifuku look down in submission.

"Despite our best efforts today, our crew has been weakened, both the Wholecake plateau and chateau has been demolished, we lost two powerful subordinate crews and to top it all off, all of our enemies got away….." pursing her lips in an effort to avoid screaming at the injustice of it all, Smoothie took a deep breath allowing her comrades to take it all in. They knew of course, but sometimes it was necessary with a recap to get everyone up to speed. Plus it allowed for them to revaluate the whole thing. Something that was crucial for them to decide what to do next, for which Smoothie had a good idea, at least from her point of view.

"It seems obvious to me, that we cannot afford to stay idle in a time like this!" her voice was even, commanding and sincere, few questioned what she said and most nodded their consent, some already reaching for a weapon

"WE'LL HUNT 'EM DOWN!" one shouted at the back of the room, a roar that quickly picked up amongst some of the more brutish members of the crew, like the quintublets (though she could tell that some, like Mont'd'Or, doubted Opera's sincerity) or Brulee and Diesel, both of whom bore a more personal grudge against the Strawhats and Firetanks.

"SILENCE!" She yelled, trying to drown out the call for vengeance that was erupting amongst the crew like weed in a garden. All though she knew they could hear her, few heeded it, it was only when Cracker sent some of his his giant bisquit soldiers to crack heads that order was somewhat restored.

"We will get vengeance, but not now! not without Mama!" Seeing that there was still discontent with the proclamation, Smoothie decided it was best to add why: "She'll want to rip Strawhat in two personally! She's looking forward to it even in her sleep at this very moment, do you want to deprive her of that joy after today?" Smoothie bore no illusions as to what her comrades would feel for that reasoning, they'd steer clear of the Strawhats for fear of Mama's reaction if she would feel cheated of her vengeance. After seing what mama was willing to do to a traitor, seeing her fully intent on stomping on Pez, gave them all the reason to be warier of Mama than ever before.

"BUT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO NOTHING D'ACCORD PAS!" Smoothie turned to Tamago even before he finished, a retort fresh and prepared on her lips

"And we won't Tamago, but we'll wait…. This defeat affects us more than it should! We can't afford to look weak in front of the other Yonko's crews!" Hearing this made most members nervous, and fortunately preventing them from objecting too much about what she was about to say "The Blackbeard Pirates have already proven they'll take on everything so we have to build up our strength as soon as possible! Kaidou have recently added some new crews to his forces and it seems he's on the warpath, to top it all off, we don't know if Redhair will try anything" Pausing so she could catch her breath, Smoothie took another moment to scan over the crew, they were dead silent, fully understanding the gravity of the situation "We've already established that we're no friends of the worst generation, and others might try to test our strength, we need to move first to keep the initiative" with that she turned to Tamago "You are to establish contact with Buggy the clown, buy his mercenaries for the defence of Tottoland"

"What? You don't think we're enough Smoothie!" Daifuku growled as he stood up from his seat, one hand firmly placed on the table the other contorted into an angry fist that he waved at her.

Smoothie didn't break her pace merely because her elder brother was being truculent

"We need them here, because several of you are going to be out on the seas, tracking down the Strawhats and the Firetanks and any other allies they might have!" her tone had been even, though there were an edge to her voice that would have stopped a rampaging Sea king, and fortunately for the crew, Daifuku was smarter than that kind of beast, though only marginally, so he backed down.

"We need new blood too, anyone that hasn't affiliated with the other Yonko is to be prefered! If they're enemies of the Strawhats or Firetanks then all the better"

"Do you have anyone particular in mind Sister?"

Smotthie took a brief moment to answer Gallette, one which all spent thinking up various groups that might come in handy, in the end she gave up since she didn't really have any ideas about whom would be the best choices

"Anyone have any good ideas?" the crew almost exploded in suggestions ranging from the ridiculous to the impossible. After almost a minute of trying to silence them, she finally lost her patience and drew her sword, cleaving the table from the end to its middle, wooden chips and splinters flying everywhere only marginally slower than her comrades leaping away from it.

Her sword still unsheathed, Smoothie rested the tip of it on the ground, ready to use it again if need be, and repeated her question, making sure everyone knew she was in no mood for further interruptions or chaos

Pekoms was the first to dare speaking

"The Foxy Pirates have a lot of members and can be quickly discarded if we don't need them anymore"

"That's an idea, if you wan't fodder, we need more than just numbers Pekoms, some quality figthers…"

The next who put up their hand was Pudding, albeit somewhat shakily

"How about another former Shichibukai, Moriah or Crocodile?"

Smoothie nodded her consent

"Not a bad idea, if we knew where to find them, both have been off the radar since Marineford"

"The Yonta Maria fleet could prove a valuable ally and if we can't find Crocodile, then some of his old underlings could prove useful" Compote had been the one to speak, her multible chins wiggling with each syllable as she reached a hand into her fruity hat, trying to find a snack while they debated.

After that, the suggestions came in a steady flow, the crewmembers caught up in the rush of the feeling of having something to say for a change.

After about five more minutes of discussions Smoothie had compiled a lengthy list of candidates for underlings, though they'd have to await Mama's approval before being incorporated into the major crew as subordinates.

Not wanting to disturb the bedridden woman, Smoothie instead set people to work

"Gallette and Amande, you two go to Runny Rum Archipelago, snoop around for a bit. Tamago: Buggy's delivery service try and drive a hard bargain, and no pillaging unless we say so. Pekoms, Daifuku, you two establish contact with the Yonta Maria Grand Fleet, their numbers will come in handy. Bobbin, you take these Foxy Pirates. Bavarois, you go to Fishman Island, get those flying pirates and their captain under Mama's command ASAP. The rest of you will to remain here in Tottoland for the time being, helping with the rebuilding effort. All clear? Dismissed"

To Smoothie it had made no sense to send them after individual targets they didn't know where was, sending out a few would distract the rest and give the impression that the Big Mom pirates was all very much active and unshaken. All in all, it would be a win.

Seeing them all leave the room swiftly, Smoothie breathed a sigh of relief, her siblings actually following her orders instead of disregarding them. Looking up she could see that one of her sisters, Galette had remained behind, sitting in her seat at the destroyed table, anxiously twiddling her thumbs.

"So…" she began, her voice close to cracking "...Runny Rum Archipelago? The most seedy travelhub within a month of sailing"

"Yes, the most busy and most secure travelhub, the most likely place for anyone to turn up, rumours and intel are bound to flourish there, someone is bound to have heard of Moriah and Crocidile there if not about this Grand Fleet"

"It's only secure because of the large marine base there, but the place is still a nest of dirt and scum, hell, the only things it's known for is that pirate museum…."

"Not to mention the warm sandy beaches, alteration between summer and spring islands, the rum quality and the number of strong pirate captains and their crews that show up to pay homage to that particular museum" Smoothie put a comforting hand on her younger siblings shoulder (although the size required her to only place her fingertips on it, the rest of the hand covering the younger woman's back), rubbing it slightly to make her relax.

Scoffing at her effort, Galette pursed her lips in false indignation "You make it sound like a holiday" trying to remain serious, but ending up cracking a grin and chuckling. Though She joined in, Smoothie knew that Galette understood the implications of her mission and why it was her and Amande that were going. Neither were married and it would add a level of enticement to the prospect of joining Big Mom's crew, at least for the male captains, but since they pretty much outnumbered their female colleagues 20-1, that wouldn't really be an issue.

Letting go of the redheads shoulder, Smoothie gave her a push towards the door before following her out into the hall where their paths separated. Smoothie had no doubt in her mind that Galette was already trying out new swimsuits in her head as she hurried to gather what she and Amande needed for their mission. In the Back of her head Smoothie hoped Galette could find a good husband, she deserved it, especially after her previous one turned out to be such a... disappointment.

There still was one thing that She had to do. Something that she couldn't let her siblings in on directly.

Leaving the building, Smoothie hurried after her quarry, her long legs allowing her to catch up to the smaller woman almost instantaneously.

"Are you going to see Mama by any chance Pudding?"

"Huh? Oh yes dear sister, I've been worried about her ever since you all came back from the sea, the Queen Mama Chanter was so damaged that I couldn't believe any of you were still alive" the three eyed girl responded with a smile, one which Smoothie would have thought sincere if she hadn't known how Pudding truly was deep down.

"Good, I'll walk you there then, if you don't mind?"

"Off course not" the insincere smile was there, but Pudding's eyes were darting to the side like she wanted to run and never look back.

Good

(on the Nostra Castello)

"…. So I have a proposition for you Strawhat and Cat Burglar"

"Didn't you just say that?" Luffy looked at Bege in confusion, prompting Nami to slap him over the head in frustration. Even though he was right, it was rude to interrupt someone speaking, especially when they were his guests.

"Yes….I did….. didn't I….." taking a deep breath Bege steeled himself for what he was about to say, which to nami looked like it was almost painful, making her dread the prospect of the request

"Me… and Chiffon, my wife, who I love very much, butarestillmakingmedothis, pleasedon'tmakemedothis Chiffon!" his pleaded with his wife who stood by his side with a stern and slightly vexed look on her face.

"Dear, we talked about this! They saved me, and little Pez, when they didn't need to!" Nami almost objected before the larger woman continued "This is the right thing to do. Say it!"

Poor Bege visible shrunk under the firm gaze of his spouse, not daring to go against her wishes any further.

"We, my wife and me… would like to ask you…. Strawhat…. Luffy…. And Cat burgler….. Nami… to… (koff!)" Bege looked like something had caught in his throat, making him cough, his eyes turn watery and give his skin a faint green tint. Although his wife and ships doctor (and Chopper) fussed over him, it soon became apparent that there wasn't anything physically wrong with the man, and with the soon to be infuriated gaze of his wife upon him, Bege hurried up

"WdlaikutobPzgobarndssss!" the words were spat out like a cannon giving off a barrage of scattershot, partially bombarding the people in the room with words, the smell of Bege's cigars and miniscule droplets of saliva flying at the speed of sound. When he had said it Bege gasped for air, whatever energy he had, had been exhausted trying to make what(-ever it was) he said, come out of his mouth. He looked partially relieved for being over it and partially despondent for forcing the words past his lips.

Next to him, Chiffon was looking at her husband with of love and exasperation.

"Huh?" Luffy said, not having caught on to anything that had been said, looking at Bege with utter confusion painted on his face, a look which Nami seconded without noticing.

Puffing over the behaviour of her husband, Chiffon rocked Pez gently in her arms before explaining

"What Bege meant to sa, with all the danger with Mama and you both saving me and little pez here" taking a moment to fuzz over her son, the pinkhaired woman beamed at Nami and Luffy

"and since you've got a fleet of followers and all, with more coming in…." Chiffon looked meaningfully at Aladine and Jinbe, trying to reaffirm that it indeed was the case. Seeing that both Sun Pirates nodded in unison, answering the unspoken question, Chiffon continued

"We thought you'd be perfect for the job!"

"Job? What job?" Luffy and Nami said in unison, along with several other people in the bedroom

"We'd like you to be little Pez's Godparents!"

Everyone within earshot was stupefied for a moment, then the room erupted in a unified "HUUUUUUUUUUUH?!"

A clamour which woke up the baby

Even with the little boy screaming in her arms, Chiffon beamed happily at the Strawhat captain and navigator.

"I hope you'll accept, it's a bit of a responsibility!"

Nami didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the prospect of being a godparent. She'd never thought she'd have that kind of relationship with anyone, nor the responsibility for a small child if something happened to the parents.

Nearby Sanji was beaming like a madman, giving a little chant of Kawaii Nami-swann with a baby, his eyes watery at the thought. Brook were happily singing a little lullaby for the child trying to stem the clamour the little boy could make, Praline was leaning an arm over her husbands' shoulder with a broad, fanged smile on her face, beaming at the whole scene. Jinbe was chuckling at it, while Chopper looked mortified, listing all the ailments a child could come across on the seas.

And Luffy, Luffy was silent, still stupefied at the whole ordeal, his expression blank, but tending towards disbelief and confusion.

Nami laughed as she blinked back tears of joy, her whole face dominated by a sparkling, blushing smile that she felt could rival the one she'd wear if (or when!) she found a titanic pirate treasure and could keep all the gold for herself.

Wiping a tear of her cheek with the back of her slender hand, Nami looked at Chiffon, still blinking back the tears and trying to speak without her voice cracking under all the emotion that was still assaulting her

"Chiffon! I'd love to…."

"NO WAY!" Luffy's voice rang out like a sudden thunderclap, silencing the entire room.

Nami shut her mouth with a clap as she turned to stare bewildered at him alongside the rest of the room, and soon the only sound that could be heard was a hysteric Digagagagagagagagagagaga! From the outside.

(Aboard Stussy's ship)

A short knock on the door made Stussy turn towards it. The hours that had passed since She had made her report had been used diligently, cleaning up the mess that had been left as she tried on clothes for the Tea Party. She had enjoyed watching her old butler Beliworth sweat over the task as she sipped her wine, awaiting to see if her guest showed up.

"Enter"

The door swung open without a sound on well-oiled hinges, revealing one of her assistants, the petite Morgiana, olive skinned, dark curls sprawling like willow leaves from her head and deep dark eyes complemented a courtesans' figure perfectly. Hiring her had been one of Stussy's better choices.

"Madame, a guest" said in a voice so melodic it was almost painful to be deprived of it, Stussy lamented the fact the girl didn't speak much, yet she brushed it aside when she saw whom had arrived.

Chalotte Pudding,

the bride

"Thank you, Morgiana" she briefly addressed her aide before turning her attention fully towards the young girl, or woman, depending on whether you just saw the female body, or, as Stussy did, saw the gentle sway of the posture, the light tremble of the hand, and the way Puddings' legs shifted uneasily beneath the dress even when she stood still. Or the way the eye in her forehead sparkled, far outshining the other two. A mesmerizing sight really, the way one deep brown eye reflected the light of the room, although it appeared that it emitted it, like an antique silklamp Stussy had been given years ago, while the other two seemed to suck the light in like a pair of dark wells.

"Welcome Lady Pudding, what a surprise" Stussy smiled, doing her best to sound surprised "do you want something to drink now you're here, Beliworth can fetch anything with a moments notice…." Stussy knew without looking at the elderly man, that he was silently hoping that it was not the case, that he wouldn't have to do anything and could go rest his old legs instead of running errands, again.

"I wouldn't mind some black tea if you'd be so kind" finishing her humble request with a smile, the old butler completely forgot to be disappointed and, even though he looked sideways at her third eye, hurried to comply.

After Beliworht had returned with the tea, Stussy joined the trembling girl on the couch that dominated the middle of the cabin.

"My apologies for asking, but how is your mother? How is Linlin?" Pudding averted her eyes as she looked longingly into her halfempty teacup, caught in some memory or another, biting her lower lip in anxiety.

"Mama is not well, everything that has happened is taking it's toll on her…" taking sip of her tea, Stusssy kept her silence as she watched Pudding steel her resolve and tell the rest of the tale…..

(on the Nostra Castello)

It took Nami a moment to register what Luffy had said, and another to recognize the deep Digagagagaga-sound from outside as the laughter of the Giants' Captain Hajrudin. He sounded like he was almost out of breath but laughed on anyway.

But that really wasn't important.

Nami looked furiously at Luffy for turning the touching offer down. One part of her wanted to slap him and another slap him really hard, yet the first one was faintly aware that Chopper had stressed that Luffy should take it easy in order to heal, and that little distant feeling had, for the time being, won out.

Nami prepared to yell at him instead

"Luffy…. What the hell are you…?" she howled almost directly into his ear, making him cringe in surprice, but not enough to shut him up

"I don't want to!" he bellowed back, sticking his lowerlip out and getting a serious look in his eyes.

On the larger bed, Bege was puffing on his cigar like a small factory, his teeth close to biting through it. The look on his face could have rivalled big moms' when Luffy had taken her wedding cake.

"Why you little!? My son's not good enough is that it?" he growled as he feebly tried to reach beneath his pillow to grasp something, only for Chiffon to snatch the pistol from his trembling fingers. In sharp contrast to her husband, Chiffon looked more concerned than insulted over the rejection.

Nami shared that sentiment. Though it was pretty obvious that Bege hadn't been warm to the idea of possibly letting Luffy raise his son, being slapped in the face with a less than polite declination definetly didn't go well with the former mobster.

Turning to her captain; Nami was torn between yelling at him, or stammer excuses at Chiffon and Bege. when faced with two choices she did what most would do and took option C: combine everything and hope for the best.

"Luffy, Apologize, right NOW!"

Turning to her, Nami could see that the lughead wasn't about to back down.

"For what? I just don't wanna be a goddad" he said with naked honesty.

Nami couldn't do much else than look at her captain like a giant question mark. and she hadn't the time to ask him why, before Sanji piped in:

"If Luffy doesn't want to, then I'm happy to be a godparent with Nami-schwaaan!"

Nami turned around woth a snap and gave the chef a harsh glare right into his bandaged face, beoofre she spoke with a tone that could've stopped Big Mom on her way to an all-you-can-eat-cupcake buffet.

"NOT. Another. Word. From You."

Seeing Sanji shrink back behind the rest of the crew, both in fear and in dissapointment, Nami turned back to Luffy and tried desparately to quell her anger at both lugheads. calming her voice, Nami spoke, being careful not to wake up Pez again, even If Luffy wasn't up for it, atleast one of them was a godparent now.

"Why don't you wan't to be a godfather?" her voice was close to cracking from stress, and her mind waas split between pinching the bridge of her nose, and slapping Luffy silly. Either one would prove as therapeutic as a hot bath right now.

Or hearing what her bird-brain captain had to say.

"I ain't a god! And I don't wanne be some bigshot godfather either!" Nami's fist trembled just as the rest of the room facepalmed at the Strawhat captains ludacris stupidity, even though outside the loud digagagagaga resumed anew.

"Luffy, A godfather isn't a god, or a bigshot, You wil just take care of Pez if something were to happen to Bege and Chiffon!" Nami said, her eyes twitching and her self close to just lasshing out at Luffy.

"I know that! I don't know how to be one... and I don't wanna raise Bege's kid!"

Behind her, Nami could practically hear their host bite through his cigar but when she looked at him, she saw a flicher of relief in the mans face

"See! He thinks it's a bad idea too! Someone else Chiffon, please!" his pleading was almost endearing, although Chiffon had more steel in her than to cave in at that.

"Why is it so important anyhow? Isn't it enough with Nami?"

"heh?!" Bege looked at Luffy, surprised at the question, at which point i fell to the Doctor too explain the matter

"In West Blue a godfather, or a capo, amongst the five families, is another word for boss or captain, and also means a mentor, it is a highly respected position which links families together through thick and thin"

"I told ya it was a big shot position! And I want nothing to do with it!"

Nami looked dismayed at Luffy, knowing full well he wasn't likely to reconsider, idiot was too stubborn for his own good.

hearing a loud sniff, Nami turned her head towards chiffon, seeing the other woman had tears in the corners of her eyes, a sight which only made Nami's anger at her captain ever greater.

before she could slap Luffy over the head however, the lughead spoke Again

"'sides, where'd we even put him? We are about to deal with Kaido so we can't ahve him on the ship!"

Nami looked dawn at Luffy in surprise. Hell had apparently frozen over, for the moron was actually thinking logically for a change!

and if it hadn't been for a small detail he'd be right too

"Luffy we're not taking Pez now, only if something were to happen to Chiffon and Bege-san..." Nami began, trying to hold herself from smacking him over his empty head. A sense of restraint that was bound to be broken, as Luffy ignored her and kept on talking.

"Guess we could visit Vivi and leave him there..." Nami sensed rather than saw that the colour on Bege's face was turning ever darker as Luffy proceeded to talk himself into a very messy grave, as much as Nami would relish the chance of seeing Vivi again, going back to Alabasta just to drop off a baby was cruel beyond words.

"I think he'd like it! Vivi's dad got this huge bath house, he could play in all day and their chef makes great food too..." Luffy smiled, oblivious to the death stares the father of his prospective godson was sending him, or had been sending him, the idea of his son at least being fed and bathed on a regular basis had a somewhat dampening effect on his rigthious anger.

"...or we could dump him off with Hancock and her Kuja" Luffy beamed, pausing trying to come up with other ideas for places he could leave Pez behind. In the same breath however, he also gave the other people in the room time to absorb and panic over what he just said, the mother of the Child being first in that particular line:

"First you suggest that Pez be left alone with some complete strangers and now you'd leave him with the Pirate Empress of the shichibukai!"

"Please Chiffon, it's not that bad..." Nami began feebly, hoping against any common sense that she could console the larger woman "Vivi is an old friend and her dad's the king of Alabasta..." Nami had hoped to turn it into something positive for Chiffon, but:

"Your captain'd leave dear little paz with a member of the World Government!" Chiffon looked mortified at Nami, clutching a struggling Pez to her chest. To the tooddlers credit he only screamed once and didn't cry at his mother's dread. next to her, what colour that had been on the stricken Bege's face had turned from an almost healthy furious red to a ghostly blue. His eyes had turned glasslike, just starring straight at Luffy, while his cigar rolled loosely between his halfparted lips.

"... or we could leave him with Rayleigh and his wife..." Luffy continued scratching his lower lip, lot in thought about his next crazy idea for nannies.

Meanwhile, Bege's cigar had hit the bedsheets with barely a sound, but to Nami he might as well have dropped a bomb right next to her head. Doing what she should have done from the beginning, Nami grabbed a handfull of Luffy's blanket and stuffed his mouth with the fabric as if she was dressing a wound, ignoring Choppers vigorous protests.

when she had finished she again turned to Chiffon and Bege, both of whom was looking at Luffy (and Nami) as if they were a painr of village idiots. eventually, through the rapid noise that was Nami''s (and indeed every other Strawhat Pirate's (including Jinbe and Carrot)) string of apoligies, Bege held up a trembling finger, his eyes still having the properties of glass, a mere moment before they shattered.

"Who's Rayleigh?" The gangboss said in a slow, highpitched voice, which made it appear as if his whole mind waas about to snap.

Nami gulped before she opened her mouth to answer, which left just enough time for Brook to do it for her, his afro covered head suddenly filling her vision

"Silvers Rayleigh, we met him when he was a slave on Sabaody park with his wife, she's very nice, she told me the colour of her panties!" he had exactly enough time to flash the parents one of his skull smiles before Nami retaliated by smacking him over the head with her climatact, intent on providing at least a bit of damage control before they had to run out the door under a storm of bullets, courtesy of Bege's numerous underlings.

"Now, I know it might sound bad..." She began, before Bege shushed her, his shock and confusion swiftly subsiding.

Nami didn't like the look on Bege's face, it looked as if it was made of stone, starring straight ahead at Luffy, whom at this point had removed the blanket from his mouth, and was now picking hairs and fuzz of his tongue. Not exactly the most dignified sight in the world.

"Alabasta king… Pirate Empress….. Rayleigh…." Bege began, his voice strangely sleepy and long drawn, as if his vocal cords had been stretched thin like the strings on a violin. Something almost primal told all those in attendance that to interrupt him would be a very bad idea.

Eventually Bege continued, far more collected than Nami would have believed any man capable of under the circumstances:

"Chiffon…."

"Yes dear" Chiffon responded, her voice full of worry for her husbands reaction

"…..Strawhat…."

"Yeah I'm here, what'd you want?" giving Luffy a harsh glare, Nami was less than a splitsecond away from throttling her captain, she did however settle for aiding Brook and Chopper cover his mouth, trying to prevent him from saying any more.

"….He's perfect Chiffon…."

It took more than a moment for the rooms occupants to comprehend what Bege had just said, his glasslike stare not having changed and his tone not having changed in the slightest either, and yet the fearsome captain of the Firetank pirates, began to smile like a madman high on practically everything in existence. It was like smashing 20 happy drunks into a single entity.

Nami thought he'd lost it. That his mind had broken from the sheer stress and Luffy's gibberish having been the final push into a ravine of deliriousness.

Chiffon and more than a few of the Firetank pirates apparently thought so too, as they began to fuzz over him like a pack of particularly worried hens.

"Bege! You're not well! Get a doctor someone!?" Chiffon hollered at everyone and no one in particular, holding Pez tightly to her chest, trying to shield him from whatever madness that had afflicted his father. Next to her, the giant man with the machinegun arm was urging his captain to take deep breaths while the giant handed man with the sunglasses was rushing both Chopper and the shipdoctor over to him. Eventually, Bege screamed from beneath the pile of worried faces and doctors and the group dispersed, revealing that Bege was still smiling like a lunatic, grinning at Luffy as if he'd just told him where to find One Piece.

"You…. Are… PERFECT!" his grin changed into that of a conspirator, one that was about to plan the scheme of the century, if not millennia. He began to point a shaking finger at Luffy, trembling in excitement.

"Bege… Dear, are you well?" Chiffon stammered, uncertain as to what had gotten into Bege's head "A moment ago he said…. And you said…. And the skeleton said…."

"I know!" Bege yelled triumphantly at her "Our son raised by a princess! In a castle! With a chef and a bathhouse and an entire army to guard him!" Gasping to catch his breath, Bege had a hard time controlling his ecstasy and all the ideas that had formed in his head.

"Or on Amazon Lily! He'd be surrounded by women! He'd be a ladykiller like his old man before he turned two! And protected by a shichibukai and the fourth most beautiful woman on the face of the earth! That's wonderfull!"

Bege had lifted himself up from his sickbed, sweating in pain at the excertion, and yet he continued until his arms were outstretched and most of his upperbody (minus his prodigious bandaged girth) was off the mattress. And there he remained for as long as what little strength he had would allow it, which given the crazed euphoria, was quite a while. Even though he started to sweat bullets, his mouth hung open and his arms shook like the legs of a newborn giraffe. And yet the man looked at Luffy like it didn't affect him in the least.

"And Rayleigh, the Dark King! With him as a mentor little Pez'll be unstoppable!" at the corners of his mouth, a bubbling foam had begun to emerge, which soon erupted like a geyser from his throat, making Bege resemble a garden fountain shaped like a bulldog, a waterfall of froth emerging from its mouth, more than a stricken man.

It would've been comical if it wasn't for the fact that it was scary as hell.

"and the best part…. (Kaf) (kaf)" Bege coughed, the toll of his excitement finally catching up to him "…This idiot….." he coughed and sputtered, pointing a shaky finger at Luffy but looking directly at Chiffon, his eyes wild and overflowing with joy "….won't be raising him at all!" finally Bege collapsed flat on his bed, breathing heavily but strangely content, it was as if he'd run a marathon and came in first place "I can die happy now…." Bege sobbed, his eyes filling with the tears of relief. Around him the two ship doctors were rushing at him again, trying to make sure that he didn't actually expire out of the blue.

Chiffon looked at Bege, not convinced he'd die in the least, mulling over his words, scratching her chin. In her arms, Pez was struggling, making little baby noises and squealed now and then, trying to spit out his pacifier.

The rest of the room was strangely silent. The Firetank Pirates happy that their "father" was pleased and the Strawhat Pirates (and assorted allies) were just relieved that the situation hadn't escalated into the realm of catastrophe.

"I still don't wanna!"

Again everyones' attention was directed at Luffy, sitting in his sickbed, arms folded, looking straight at Chiffon and Bege, unwilling to give any ground whatsoever. The rest of the room had a rare moment of coordinated eye twitch. Some in disbelief, others in indignation and in Nami's case, it was a timer for when she snapped and smacked him across the room.

Chiffon came to Luffy's rescue however

"Come on Strawhat, be reasonable!"

"You listed off all the places you could put him instead a moment ago (kaf)" Bege piped in before Chopper and the other doctor pestered him into being silent and save his breath.

"we could go there immediately Luffy!" Sanji piped in, disobeying Nami's rather clear command from earlier "Amazon Lily! Kuja! BOA HANCOCK!"

"I don't wanna be a big Shot! Just PIRATE KING!"

"You can be both Strawhat! (kaf)"

"NO!"

Going up next to him, Chiffon practically showed a struggling and squealing Pez into Luffy's face

"Strawhaaaaat" the larger woman said in her most endearing and guiding tone, a smile dominating her face, part from pride and pleading "Could you look into this face and deny him a godfather like you?"

Grabbing hold in the little potbellied toddler Luffy held the baby in front of him, not entirely certain what he should say or do with the struggling miniature copy of his father, fedora, cigar-pacifier and stubble. The little tot was reaching for his face, licking his lips, getting as much drool on his cheeks as on his chin, his eyes small in concentration.

"I don't wanna" Luffy looked at Chiffon, unwilling to budge, but at least being more calm with a child in his hands. But chiffon didn't give up either.

"Look at those little sweet eyes, you can't say no to them forever!" Chiffon obviously wasn't the best judge of character Nami thought to herself, knowing Luffys' character well enough to surmise that he'd be more than open to the idea.

but unfortunately she couldn't hit him over the head for fear of him dropping the child.

Meanwhile, in Luffy's arms, Pez made a gurgling sound and burped, his little face strangely contracted, as if he was concentrating on something, then the toddler opened his mouth and bubbled some more before his face contracted again

"Is he gonna poop?"

"No Strawhat, I think little Pez is about to say his first word!" Chiffon almost yelled while she clasped her hands together afraid to break the magical moment.

The entire room fell silent, awaiting Pez's first word, even Luffy managed to shut up as the little boy in his hands pursed his mouth and squinted and opened his mouth:

"Gaaa... gaaa... Gaaaaaabuuuu? gaaaa..." the toddler attempted, looking frustrated as the rest of the room gave him time to formulate the word "Gaaaa... Kaa" the toddlers face lit up as he finally found the sound he was looking for "Ka, kaaaa? Ca!" the boy smiled, proud of his achievement before he continued

"Kabuuu" the boy tried again "kabuouh?" then the boys face lit up like a christmas tree and he tried again:

"CAPOU!"

most of the strawhats looked at the toddler with a raised eyebrow, not getting the meaning, Nami and Jinbe however, snickered.

The parents of the boy, not to mention the assembled Firetank Pirates, reacted with a loud "KYAAAAA! how cute! he said CAPO"

Bege, ever the opportunist, wasn't late to try and capitalize on it

"You heard him Strawhat, he called you capo! all by himself!"

"It's your destiny Strawhat!" Chiffon happily chimed in, her whole face beaming with pride for her son

Luffy looked like an animal caught by a pair of headlights, looking at both Parents, then Pez, then Pez fedora, then Pz again, then Nami, who was looking down on Luffy, daring him to try and creep out of this one, then Sanji (who was looking at Nami), then Brook and Chopper (the formoer whom was trying to get out of the Latters' Garchuwing on his afro), then Jinbe who nodded at him supportingly and then Pez again (who was still saying Cabouou-cabououo still not satisfied with the way it sounded) then Nami again (whom was getting tired of Luffy not accepting the responsibility) and then finally back to Pez whom he held out in outstretched arms, (making the rafiki and Simba scene from the Lion king)

around him the Firetank (and some strawhat members, (Sanji had managed to wrest his eyes away from Nami for a brief moment)) was looking at the scene in awe, all oof them thinking he has accepted it!

"I control my destiny, not a kid!" Luffy almost yelled at the assembly, stunning them into a brief silence, before continuing "I am not gonna be his...."

"KABOOOM!" Pez yelled triumphantly, loud enough to silence any protest that might be brewing in the room, dropping his pacifier, his little arms outstretched, his legs kicking wildly sa if he was trying to run out of Luffys' grasp with a smile on his face, so big that it made him appear to be a crescent moon wearing a fedora and his little eyes wild and overjoyed.

the room was still silent

Nami looked at the child in shock, before she turned to Chiffon

"Chiffon... how many times did you say capo around Pez?"

"N-not that often, almost never..."

"and how many explosions has he heard recently, with all the cannonfire and big moms castle exploding?"

"...faaaaaaaaaar toooo much I think" Chiffon responded, her eyes partially worried and happily proud of her son, his first word was a wonderful event but knowing what he had intended to say was a bit less so (although the look on Bege's face showed that he was not agreeing with that sentiment).

Nami pinched the bridge of her nose as Luffy began to laugh at the beaming toddler

finally the strawhat captain put the boy down on his lab and snickered, letting the boy grasp one of his fingers to chew on contently in place of his dropped pasifier "Shishishishi, okay, I'll be his goddad"

the room fell silent again, the assembly looking at the Strawhat captain in surprice, which almost as fast turned into everjoyed celebration.

A celebration that had only stopped after running out of food aand booze.

(on Chocolate Island)

Pudding closed the chocolate door behind her as she entered her luxurious home.

She recalled all she had told madame Stussy on the voyage there, the danger she was in, how much it would be appreciated that Stussy helped her get away, just until things cooled down a little.

Pudding shivered as she thought of all the things she'd be looking at when they arrived at Stussy's palace in the pleasure quarter, all those lusty men and, and loose women to sate them….

Swallowing hard to keep down the rising bile at the back of her throat, Pudding thought back to what she had spoken with Smoothie about.

"You should leave!"

"But I don't want to! And especially not with her!"

"Pudding, you must!" Smoothie had pressed on "We need someone on the inside of that woman's organisation"

"But why me?"

"Because you're the bride, the scorned bride that messed up the wedding!"

"But I didn't…" Pudding had pleaded

"I know you didn't, but Stussy might have a different perspective…."

"But why her?"

"We found the Body of Du Feld earlier remember, killed in a way that reeks of Cipher Pol, and Stussy is the most likely person to be one"

"You'll have me go into the lions' den! Alone?"

"For a time… yes. But we'll come get you out as soon as we can, I promise, the longer you stay there the more likely it is that your cover is blown and they'll be suspicious at all the questions you'll be asking about the pleasure district, not to mention all the information you'll get with you Memory devilfruit"

Pudding had looked at her elder siblings' face and known there was no arguing with Smoothie at this point, heck, she'd known it ever since she'd seen her cleave that table at the meeting.

And so, with a heavy heart and a sigh on her lips, the young woman picked some of her belongings and swiftly threw then in a handbag, all the while, deep in the back of her head,

she wondered...

Which outfit Sanji would like the most?

(aboard the Thousand Sunny)

Aladine looked sceptically at the giant in front of him, ever since the two captains had met, he had had plenty of chances to conclude that the giant was off his rocker in almost every aspect of his being, and the same went for Strawhat, in fact, after the exchange between him and Gang, Strawhat problably out crazied the giant by a wide margin.

And yet, Aladine was about to bind himself and the Sun Pirates to the young captain for good.

"So….. all I have to do, is swear the oath, drink the…. Child's cup…. And then I'm basically free to do as me and the crew pleases afterwards?"

"Pretty much, the rest of us did the same, Bartholomeo has already gone on a rampage in some town…."

"Bartolomeo the Cannibal is part of the Strawhat Grand Fleet?" Aladine asked incredulously, not believing what he'd just heard

"Second division representative, White horse Cavendish is the first, Don Sai of the Happo Navy is the third, Ideo and his boys are fourth, Leo and the other dwarves are sixth and Orlumbus is seventh" pausing to catch his breath and give the fishman a reassuring smile, Hajrudin continued "You'd be the eight division!" which he punctuated with an excited thumbs-up made all the more comedic and tacky by the teeth he lacked, courtesy of trying to take on Big Mom singlehandedly.

Looking up at the giant in front of him, Aladine had never imagined that kind of alliance before, not bound by oaths to serve at their leaders' beck and call at a moment's notice, but instead be free to do whatever they wanted, only bound by an oath that was equally voluntarily...

Deep down in the darkest most suppressed corner of his heart, the part that still remembered his days as a slave all too clearly, it had never felt right to be subservient to either the world government, a hypocritical alliance that squabbled amongst itself, only maintaining a semblance of control over the vast globe by putting everybody else down, or Big Mom whose nepotistic hegemony and her psychotic viciousness, scarcely made her better than any other criminal in the great underworld.

Both had felt like another form of slavery, but one he had entered to protect his homeland and improve fishman and human relations, the other for his crews' safety.

This was different in every aspect.

This was Good!

He smiled as he closed his eyes.

But a moment before he could recite the oath and down the cup, a hand was placed over it. Looking at the owner he saw, not to his surprise, that it was his wife Praline's. She did not appear amused.

Behind her was Jinbe, his bed being push around by Shar and just behind him was Strawhat Luffy, his bed being pushed by a duo of the tall, gangly looking morbid faced musician and the orange haired navigator, Nami, that Jinbe had praised so much, almost in equal measures to Strawhat. He'd yet to see why in her case though, as she had spent a good deal of time raging at either the captain in the bed or Baba for leaving her in the sea all alone.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Praline asked, her arms crossed over her chest, looking down at her smaller husband as if he was a mischievous schoolboy who was about to skip class. Not an enviable position given his wifes' intimidating size and mercurial temper.

"Well I was about to..." Aladine stammered, his hands held up defensibly, which resulted in the cup and sake spilling down unto his vest, a sight which his wife didn't find amusing in the least. her harsh leer was enough to give him Coldsweat and make him slink back allowing his grandiose wife to pick up the cup and give it a silent appraisal.

"Oh that! I was just..." Aladine trailed off as he covered beneath the gaze of his wife. eventually Praline spoke

"I know what you were doing! You were about to pledge the Sun Pirates to the Strawhats!"

Aladine shivered at her tone, stealing a quick glance behind Praline to see the worried glances he riceived from Jinbe and Strawhat (in case of the latter it was more one of confusion and after a moment of thinking (or multible moments given his intelligence) he looked like he was about to protest Aladine making any pledge at all, for which he recieved a smack to the head from his navigator).

Then his attention was back to Praline, whom, much to his discomfort, had noticed that his eyes had wandered. The frown that had spread on her face spoke of her dissatisfaction and the eventual punishment she would subject his poor head to in the near future (even a hug from his statuesque, and slightly colosal, wife could prooduce severe injuries). leaning over him, her hands placed firmly on her hips, Praline opened her mouth to, no doubt, give him a good scolding.

"You thought You were going to do this without me!" She thundered over him making him back off even as she reached out and grabbed him by the collar of his vest "We're married you dolt! We-do-things-together!" flinging an arm around Aladines' neck, pressing his face into the side of her bossom (not a bad place to be, all things considered) Praline roared:

"Shar! pour me a cup too, and a new one for Aladine"

Shar had drunk more than his fair share at the party and thus managed to pour as much sake on the deck of the Thousand Sunny as in the two cups he was filling. Eventually, however the two cups were filled and the oath to the Strawhat Grand Fleet recited (much to said captains' disapproval and his crewmembers joy).

Fortunately They had managed to shut up the small rubberman with some meat the Sun Pirates had in storage.

Not the worst ending to an impromptu adventure, although Aladines' prediction had been correct, His wife did indeed punish him, however it could've been far worse: Scrubbing the deck, washing their clothes and giving her a fin-rub (mermaid equivalent of footmassage) daily for a week, and to top it off, his usual captains duties, not to mention they had to find a place big enough for Wadatsumi to recuperate af being stomped on by Big Mom...

But they were free to do as they pleased

free was a really good word for Aladine and his crew, and his wife, when she decided that he could have a day off.

(aboard Stussy's ship, leaving Tottoland)

A sip of the wine was enough to make her relax,

The first glass made her more so,

And the first bottle of the rich red Deesse was enough to make her outright happy.

She had reason to be, for had her little new pet not joined her cause as Stussy had hoped she would?

Indeed, the little bride-that-was-not-to-be had come to her with hope of getting amnesty from having angered Linlin by failing to kill Sanji Vinsmoke. A fact which had led to her being ostracized by her siblings and thus fearing for her life.

All a lie.

Stussy could sense lies easily these days. Not to mention, the fact that Linlin was still bedridden, was a major hint to Pudding's story not being entirely true. Stussy had also received reports that Pudding had been seen visiting Linlin alongside her older sister Smoothie, both deep in conversation no doubt.

Stussy chuckled.

Pudding had been weeping as if she had been whipped as she told her sad tale of fearing her own siblings and how much it would mean to her, if Stussy would keep her safe for a time.

The sight of Pudding crying her eyes out would make most people soft hearted, and Stussy had acted that way too, but the third eye in the girls' forehead hadn't shed a single tear, a sign that it was all an act. Stussy had seen and heard and felt the fear of what one's parent would do when their child failed them. The clammy hand of dread that felt like a fist to the gut and the tears that threatened to burst forth from behind young eyes. The raised hairs at the back of the neck of the very thought of the person coming closer, dreading even the opening of the door or the soft creak of a floorboard.

Even after more than two decades Stussy could still remember the feeling vividly, and the sight that had met her in the mirror each time she had awoken from her nightmares.

Pudding hadn't looked like that.

Not in the least.

That and the fact that the girl had played her role on the wedding trap so expertly was another sure sign of duplicity. Of deceit.

Stussy knew what the girl was after by coming to her.

And she was going to give it to her.

And get something in return.

The little girl was a member of the Big Mom pirates and she was bound to get some juicy information about all that transpired in Tottoland from her, even if she didn't tell her directly.

The fact that the girl was seemingly a devil fruit user could also be an asset in the future. Stussy looked forward to uncovering what the girl was capable of. Given that the role of the "little frightened girl" usually included a sob story along with some openness, Stussy didn't doubt she'd get enough pieces to put together the entire picture soon.

Finishing the third bottle, Stussy looked at the sleeping young pirate, that she had taken on as a ward.

So frail beneath the blanket on the sofa, her breath just a tad uneasy, a little bead of sweat on her forehead despite the cold of the room. Walking over to the girl, Stussy pulled at the blanket, placing it so that it covered the girls' shoulders and rested against her cheek, shielding her from the chill that was creeping in as night came over the sea.

Stussy knew that some of the fear Pudding had shown when they left Tottoland had been genuine. But not for the reasons the girl had tried to cnvinvce her of. She herself, could still remember when she had left her home for her first mission too, when she was even younger than the sleeping girl.

Brushing a lock of chocolate coloured hair away from Puddings' forehead, Stussy thought about what the girl had already told her. Or rather shown her, during the chaos of the tea-party a simple compliment from Stussy had prevented Pudding from doing something to her and reduce the girl to tears. Given Linlins' cruelty it wasn't hard to figure out what the cause were, and then link it to Puddings' reaction, just before the assassination of Vinsmoke Sanji had given birth to the tempest that had destroyed Whole Cake Chateau.

No doubt the pirate chef had complimented his brides' third eye the moment he'd laid his own two upon it, leaving little poor Pudding devastated by a storm of conflicting emotions.

She'd eventually realise she'd fallen for the little charmer, and fallen hard! Until that point she'd be confused about her emotions, and ultimately her loyalties as well, left open for any manipulation that Stussy could subject her to…

Everything would go her way eventually….. and the Governments' off course, but that part was merely a beneficial convenience really.

(on the Thousand Sunny)

Luffy had had a great day.

his crew had survived Big Mom's rampage, they'd gotten Sanji back, gotten some new friends, had a great party and he'd even gotten a little godson (though he had been reluctant until the boy had screamed for explosions (that's what Luffy thought atleast))

but now it had to be ruined by a boat that had arrived from Germa Kingdom, only manned by a few people (Saying that they themselves were mere servants ot the most royal house of... about which point Luffy had lost interest and asked how a house could be a king (he still hadn't gotten an answer))

Sitting in his bed hospital bed with JInbe's next to him, the huge Fishman having been barred from the helm, as Chopper had demanded he take some time to rest, initially leaving the job of helmsman to Brook (a position he was little suited for, since he repeatedly tried to sing and play his instrument while holding the wheel) making Nami take the helm while scolding Sanji over something yet again.

The germa boat had Den-den mushi with them, handing it to him as they had been commanded by the most royal house of yadda yadda

The snail clicked and rang, loud and clear and he naturally took it up

"It's me Luffy, I'm going to be Pirate King!"

it took a moment for the other end to respond, the voice was slightly confused, but it didn't do much to hinder the arrogant smugness of the owner in dripping with every sylllable

"Hello Strawhat captain, this is Prince Ichiji Vinsmoke of..."

"You Sanji's brother?"

"...Yes, but not by choice, about that little captain..."

"What about it?" Luffy responded, his anger flaring in the core of his gut like a rumble in the middle of a volcano

"You can keep him"

"We're keeping him no matter what"

"how charming" Ichiji replied with a chuckle "In turn we wan't your navigator, the pretty Na..."

"No." Luffy had almost lost his cool at that, Jinbe looking at Luffy, more than a little worried at what he was going to do

"...Listen pirate, I'm a prince and princes g..." he began, his voice more patronising and condescending than a hundred middleschool teachers

"The only thing I'm giving Sanji's brothers, is what you gave him."

"...Royal Blood and dignity?" Ichiji said confindently, but not without confusion, born parrtiallly from not being used to being intereupted and partly from Strawhats' question

"Sanji was wearing a mask. Under it he was bruised. You did that. His Brothers did that!" Luffy almost roared into the snail, on the other end Ichiji took a step back at the ferocity of the retort

"So you want to take on the entire Germa 66 over that trash?" Ichiji said increduosly, his voice close to giving in to laugther, for why shouldn't he laugh, even when fractured, the Germa 66 could muster a host a hundred times some little pirate crew

"I don't need to take on some army, just you" Luffy responded flatly before he continued

"Next time we meet, you're the trash" then he hung up on the snail and tossed it to the servant, too stunned the man failed to grab it and just backed away from the Pirate captain, deciding it was better to run than ask any questions.

Next to him, Jinbe nodded approvingly

"It is..." the former Sun Shichibukai started slowly, not entirely wiling to rush the subject, but knowing it had to be done regardless of Luffy's less than merry mood "a captains' duty to avenge his men when they're hurt..."

Nodding, Luffy looked at his new helmsman, not understanding fullly what he was getting at "We did the same for Usopp in Water 7", briefly he cirnged at the memory of that, the body os Usopp lying battered like a Pinata before him, and how he'd been forced to make it worse not long after.

"Germa will be a problem later on Luffy" it was a statement, not a question

"We'll be together by then, and coming for them" Luffy responded flatly while looking at the swiftly retreating germa boat as it fled for safer territory

"...I'm glad You're using those words Luffy" Jinbe sighed, steeling himself for the inevitable before he continued

"Because there's something we have to do right here and now!"

(On the Nostre Castello)

Bege was fuming

the way his ship had been left af the Strawhats and the Sun Pirates, aaaand the Giant Warrior pirates, was more reminiscing of a warzone than a ordely vessel.

THinking bak at it it had been fun though,

Strawhat having taken unexpectantly well to his new godson (and to Bege's chagrin: vice versa) not having left him out of his sight (except when the boys' godmother or his actual mother wanted to hold him) while he stuffed his face with more meat than it took to feed Bege's entire crew, displaying table manners that wouldn't be accepted in a group of monkeys and continually yelling for Black leg to make more.

the musicia had played his violin masterfully however, but the constant fuzz of the little reindeer over all the wounded (himself in particular) had almost drowned out the angelic tones (who'd ever heard of alcohol being damaging with medicine and painkillers? Alcohol was dangerous with everything in the right amaunts).

Looking over the broken chairs, the piles of his men's clothes (some of his men still in them) after the drunken half-naked/toga conga-chain had fallen from the masts, the table where Jinbe and Strawhat had gotten into an eating contest with the giant pirate Hajrudin (Strawhat had lost that by a single dish, and the fact that they'd run out of food (not really, they still had a hidden larder, next to the hidden cannons and the hidden bombs and the hidden etc.)), the sofa Chiffon had shared with Praline and her husband Aladine (due to which it was still soakeed all the way through) having a combination of a tea party and rare sisterly bonding, the mess of broken bottles where Cat Burgler had outdrunk his shipsdoctor and Vito (while setting an interesting example for Pez that she had been craddling like the little tot he was). And then there was the busted sail where the giant helms'woman had celebrated with Gotti, some of the Sun pirates, the mink and, after being ordered there by Strawhat, courtesy of Bege's persistent insistence, the small reindeer Chopper.

The cracked and holed wall next to his sickbed, he couldn't blame on his guests. that had been from When Black Leg had asked him about why he'd put Boa Hancock as only the fourth most beautiful woman on the seas.

When Bege had responded he of course had put his wife in first place,

followed by his mother, naturally

and then his sister-in-law Lola whom he had yet to meet (he couldn't but her above his own mother, despite how much she alledgedly looke like Chiffon, he just couldn't).

While BLack Leg's less than enthusiastic response to the first and third place, was something he could brush off (he'd have found it offensive if the little princeling had found them overtly attractive), he was a tad annoyed that the Strawhats' chef would like to see his mother and judge for himself.

So naturally he'd shown him one of her portraits, painted by a master of his craft (all seven were, naturally), outfitted with a border of Adam wood, painted in the finest silk he could steal and in fullsize no less.

The horrified sound the chef had made when he saw it had almost resulted in Bege putting a bullet in his head (the Chef evaded the shot) which had Landed bege in his bedroom for the remainder of the festivities (Just WHO did Black Leg think he was, judging his mothers' stubbles and handlebar-moustache?)

When the party had finally died down, and he had been allowed out, Bege had been close to crying at the sight that met him (and only His wifes' quick thinking, putting a still conga-mode Pez in his arms, had prevented someone getting shot).

Now he was just happy that Strawhat was sailing in a different direction than him, hopefully getting into contact with all those people that Little Pez could be babysat by (he didn't really need to be an orphan to spend time with his godfathers friends afterall) and not doing something crazy that removed him from the face of the earth any time soon.

All of Bege's happy thoughts disappeared when Pez at the dinner table, began to act like Strawhat, grabbing a turkey-leg like a king would a scepter and try to force it into his toothless mouth, yelling for bmjeat while holding his milkbottle like Nami had done with countless bottles during the party...

Bege swiftly decided that Pez wasn't meeting his godparents again until he was 20.

or 30 might be better...

(on the Thousand Sunny)

Sanji was almost weeping, the feeling of having Nami look at him like this was more than unbearable. more so than the itching feeling beneath his facial bandages.

He reasoned that she had the right to be mad after all that happened but she couldn't stay mad at him forever.

That Luffy had called for him out of the blue to come talk to him, was bad too, but not nearly as much as an angry Nami.

Now he stood before his captain on the deck.

Luffy was still in his bed and Jinbe was next to him, both looked too serious for comfort. Around him, his comrades stood in a semcircle, Chopper, the two minks Pedro and Carrot, Brook and Nami-scwannn (although when he looked at her, she glared angrily back at him). it felt like a trial. For Sanji, it wasn't hard to figure out what was expected of him.

Tqking a deep breath, he felt he could accept the situation.

Before he could speak however, Luffy adressed the group and him in particular

"Sanji, you got something to say?"

trembling, Sanji bowed his head, eventually kneeling in front of Luffy and indeed everyone else on the deck, Black Leg Sanji pressed his forehead into the grass covered deck of the Thousand Sunny, watering the plants with his salty tears that had begun to emerge at the corners of this eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm Sowwy I dragged you all into this, I should've told you about my family" he half screamed, half cried, looking pleadingly at Luffy's serious face through his teary eyes. Around him he could feel his crewmates begin to forgive him, their postures relaxing, their stares softening, Brook looking expectantly at Luffy while Chopper and Carrot vocally began to plead on his behalf.

Nami said nothing.

Looking at Luffy again, Sanji could see that he was beginning to smile at him. Sanji knew that Luffy'd forgive him almost anything, although he had to respect his position as captain and thus apologize for his behaviour.

"You're back, that's what matters most Sanji" Luffy said, the smile on his face speaking an all too clearly of his sincerity. Sanji sniffed, wiped his eyes and nose and begun to stand up...

"That's not good enough!" the words were partially statement and demand, harsh and firm like a taut rope, and it felt like a rope around Sanji's neck as Nami spoke them.

Looking at her in disbelief and surprice, Sanji cringed at the way she looked at him and then Luffy, her posture straight and confident, agressive and yet dignified. She had rarely looked so beautiful to him. but the fact that she was also furious beneath it all, made him dread what she'd say next.

Chopper was starring at Nami alongside Brook, not believing what they'd just heard. SAme went for Carrot. Pedro simply looked at

"Nami, Sanji's back, he's apologized and that's..."

"NO! It's not enough Luffy!" Nami protested, her face flushing angrily "I was there when he attacked you out of the blue, badmouthed us, the crew!" she paused to suck on her lower lip, gathering the courage to continue "An apology isn't going to cut like it did with Usopp"

all were silent. (Pedro had put a firm pawhand across Carrots mouth, preventing her from interupting this crucial crew moment)

Luffy looked slowly from Nami to Sanji and back again a few times before he closed his eyes and scratched his head. Even he knew what was coming. and the effort oof thinking it through was giving him what appeared to be a headache.

"You think Sanji-sans transgressions require a punishment" Jinbe concluded from his sickbed, adressing Nami with a serious expression, weighing the gravity of the situation, scratching his "But what should that be? and whom should enforce it?"

he let the question hang in the air like a lure for whomever would bite, he was visibly surprised when Sanji did so

"I-think-Nami-swcann-would-be-perfect-for-it!" beneath his bandages, Sanji was smiling like a madman, hopeful that they'd followw up on his suggestion.

"... I Don't think that'd be a good idea..." Jinbe said, eyeing Sanji's expression "Given Nami-sans' frequent put downs of you, it might be too much to put her in charge of the punishment"

"There could never be enough Nami-scwann!" Sanji protested and pointed at Jinbe with a trembling finger "Take those horrible words back!"

Jinbe smiled knowingly, making Sanji cringe, Jinbe had gotten af far too good idea of Sanji's plans. Plans which now could be tossed to the wind as Jinbe leaned towards Luffy, smiling conspirationally:

"How about Sanji-san not b allowed to spend time with Robin-san and Nami-san for a few weeks" the fishman chuckled, all the while Sanji turned ever more pale and scared, Nami nodded her support of the idea and Brook chuckled his yo-ho-ho-ho silently at Sanji's misfortune.

Something had to be done!

"Luffy!" he yelled in protest "I spent two years in hell with Ivankov for the crew on your orders!" his pleaded "Haven't I suffered enough?"

"Iva-chan?" Luffy said, his face lighting up like a christmas tree "We should visit him!" Sanji's entire body turned white as snow, the very notion of even visiting Kamabakkka Kingdom making him wish he'd gone down with one oof his fathers' ships or tasted whatever it was Luffy had concocted in his absence. He'd even agree with mosshead and perform menial chores for him...

"I think we've found his punishment Luffy" Jinbe chuckled, looking at Sanji with a smug grin from his sickbed

"How's adventure a punishment?" Luffy asked, looking at Jinbe with a puzzled expression "They'll love to see Sanji again!"

Sanji was shivering at the words, the terror of the army of new kamas and their infatuation with him leaving him close to paralyzed. Behind him, Chopper was wiping his (huge) forehead, relieved that Sanji had been spared from a nasty or severe punishment. Next to him, Carrot was asking Brook about who Iva-chan was and recieved only half an answer, making the bunny-mink squee over the sea being truly a wonder land (yet again). Nami was nodding her consent, this was good enough for her, at least for the moment.

"Please don't do this Luffy!" Sanji pleaded, trying one last time to avoid a return trip to hell, but it was too late,

Luffy smelled adventure,

one he waas hellbent on draggin the whole crew on, kicking and screaming if he had to!

the end for this story,

to the old readers who has favorited this story, I'm terribly soorry I didn't upload this sooner, I know I said it would be done before Christmas/Yule but I had some work that couldn't be put on hold, not to mention family buisness in the holidays as per usual.

this one took forever to finish, had the general idea down but not how to fill it with details unfortunately.

hopefully you great readers will continue on to read the sort of sequel to this story I'm working on, I'll try to implement a lot of what has happened in the manga up until now, but also follow up on a few seeds I planted in this chapter.

I admit that I haven't gone easy on Sanji in this chapter, but after what he's done, he's going to get punished after trying to leave the crew and beating up Luffy nd scaring Nami, besides he's going to get spoiled in the next story as soon as I get to writing it.

the Sequel will be titled "Blood ties like Iron chains" and will of course be posted here on before long. I'll try to make it mystery/family with some adventure and action smacked into it.

read and review if you please