Author Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. Hey everyone another chapter done and written. This one taking bit longer, which is a good thing considering. The person who requested this story from me, is also helping me out by becoming my beta. Which I trust them, considering have spoken to them and known them for a long while now. That I am happy their taking the time to helping me out and making this story be good.

I sincerly hope they don't stress themselves out while helping me out. I want them to be best of health and enjoying the story while beta these chapters. anyway, without further adieu, I hope you all have fun and enjoy!

xxx

Chapter 5: Protecting one's treasure and dream!

It was in the afternoon when the Buggy Pirates had planned to rob and swindle more people in the sea. They came across two teenagers who were sailing out from an island hours away from Orange Town. They had planned to fake being shipwrecked and wait for someone to rescue them. But alas, their plan failed due to Bellemere arriving at the wrong time and had alerted the two of their trickery!

Not wanting to be caught and arrested by the marine soldier, they scrambled back onto their paddle wheel boat, and began paddling as fast as they could back to Orange Town. They thought that the female marine had given up after they went silent for a bit. They thought that she had left the town after evacuating everyone from it. Seeing how wrong they were, the trio made a hasty retreat back to their base and be sure to warn Buggy of her presence still being around the island's shores.

Though there is one tiny problem they just discovered when coming back to said island. The sandy beach had quite the dug up trail, leading from the shore and on land. This would then lead towards the white stone like walls that connect to nearby steps, heading to the colorful town in the distance. Rubble of what seemed to be boat parts were littered left and right on the long dug up trail. Even the paddles made for the boat wheel were snapped in two and littered on the beach!

The pirate trio who manned the boat gathered around the wrecked vessel. They looked nervous and worried after destroying their captains only boat with a paddle wheel. Thinking to one another and pondering who should take the blame, the shortest of the three, having a bit of slack jaw, knelt down in front of the boat and clicked his tongue. "We seriously fucked up this time, this was Buggy's favorite paddle wheel boat and we destroyed it!" He exclaimed while then turning his over his shoulder. "You idiots were going too fast!" He shouted.

The taller of the three and having quite the swirly mustached thrust his arm forward, "US!? You're the one who steered the boat, you should've turned when you saw land numbskull!" Counter-argued the mustached Pirate. The third member shook his head and placed a hand against his curly bowl cut hair, exhaling.

"Does it really matter who fault it is? One of us is going to get strangled and hurt by the captain. Even if we tell him about the paddle wheel boat being destroyed." He then crossed his arms and groaned to himself. "Here all this time, I thought it was called something else?" After musing to himself, he looked at the two and asked his colleagues. "What should we do?"

The short, slacked-jaw man sighed while hopping around to face his partners. "We can't tell him about the Paddle wheel boat being destroyed. But we also can't ignore the fact that Bellemere is still around." He informed while then clutching his hand into a fist. "I thought the woman gave up, but no, she still happens to be sailing around here!"

"Not only that, but I noticed something while we were fleeing." The twirly mustache tall pirate began saying while grabbing his spy-glass from his belt, "I spied on the woman to see if she was giving chase, only to let those kids come aboard her ship. So we should be good for another hour or so before she comes back to snoop around." He informed his crewmates as he placed the spy-glass back down to his belt. He crossed his arms while growling lightly, "No doubt however, she will probably come to shore soon-to deal with the problem first hand."

The bowl cut hair man scoffed and adjusted his white and red stripe shirt. "That's why we need to go and warn Buggy!" He exclaimed while then thrusting his arm towards the destroyed boat. "Without letting him know about the paddle wheel being destroyed!" He twitched his eyebrow when the short pirate huffed and defiantly crossed his arms.

The latter then looked in the direction of the deserted city, hearing the creaks of hanging signs on windows in the distance. "Okay genius, what if the boss wants to know what we did with the boat? Then what, tell him everything is fine?!" He growled out and threw his arms apart. "Oh gee Buggy," he began saying with a mocking tone, causing his bowl cut pirate member to turn red in the face and shake his arms and fists, not liking being made fun of. "I don't know what happened, one minute we were sailing along and ready to trick people. Then we crashed into a wall with our tails behind our backs, trying to not get arrested!" He shouted the last part.

The twirly mustache man laughed and clapped his hands at the performance. "Wow, that would be something that will happen if we tried to explain the situation like that." The tall man chuckled out before looking towards their bowl hair-cut friend. "He does a pretty good impression too."

The bowl-cut hair man twitched his eyes in irritation while then grinding his teeth. "Okay one," he began to rant as he raised a finger while opening one stink eye. "That's a horrible impression of me, and two." He then flicked another finger up and had both his eyes opened. "What Buggy won't know, won't hurt him and us." He was ready to put up a third finger, "And three-" he paused and froze in place. His partners stared for a bit and looked to one another, then back to their partner.

"Did he just break down?" Asked the twirly mustache man while leaning down towards his slacked-jaw friend. The latter shrugged his shoulders and stared at their comrade. Then they both saw the bowl-cut hair man grin turn into a wicked smile, rubbing his hands together with a cackle.

"Boys, I think I figured out a way that none of us will get strangled or stabbed at by our boss!" He announced while turning to the paddle wheel boat. "First thing first, we must cover the tracks we made. Make it look like the boat got shot down instead of being paddled onto the beach and crashing right into the wall!"

The two men stared for a couple of minutes, before they started to smile as wickedly as their friend and happily saluted to him. "Yes sir!" They shouted, and then they rushed over towards the shoreline and began kicking the sand. Any signs that they forced the boat on land, and crashed straight towards the wall were being covered up.

"We won't have to worry about Buggy being mad at us for destroying the boat. But instead, we can direct it at that woman instead." The bowl-cut hair pirate had said, rubbing a finger under his rubber nose and cackling. He then placed his hands onto his sides, as he explained. "After all, It's her fault for scaring us like that. So it only makes sense for her to be punished and not us."

The twirly mustache man, after helping the shorting up cover their tracks, stood upright and wiped his forehead. Then he turned to the mustache lackey, and gave his two cents. "That's quite an ingenious idea! I probably wouldn't have thought of that. Especially when worrying about what the Captain will do to us." He chuckled, then crossed his arm. "Speaking of the Captain, we should probably go back and report back to him now. We don't want to get punished by him for not reporting, do we?"

The short pirate agreed with a grunt, after they finished covering their tracks. "Yeah, we should get going now! We need to tell Buggy that that Bellemere woman is still snooping around the island." He clapped his hands when saying it, then points at the town. "Come on, we better get to the Big Top ship."

The other two men nodded their heads and followed their short comrade back to town. Walking through the empty city that had no people at all, completely deserted due to evacuation from the Buggy Pirates. Some household tools like brooms, laundry and gardening tools were abandoned and left out in the open streets. Some children toys can also be spotted, such as a ball rolling and pressing gently against one of the buildings. Dolls spread across front of houses, to even some jump ropes and little action figures littered across each other.

It was quite a sad scene showcasing just how bad Pirates can be. When one takes over an Island by brute force and power, it sends fear to the people who live on the island as they take control over their daily lives. This is why the Marines exist, in order to control the chaos these pirates bring to people. However, not everyone can be lucky or live in an area where the Navy isn't around. Leaving some towns and Islands feeling hopeless that anyone will come and rescue them.

This is what Orange town residents feel, despite Bellemere's presence. She is only one person, and one person won't be able to take out an entire fleet of Pirates. All they could do was follow her orders and leave their home. Until it's safe once more to come back and live in the town. It has been weeks ever since the Buggy Pirates took over Orange Town, and people were beginning to lose hope.

The only person who refuses to leave currently was their mayor. They have no idea why he wanted to stay behind, for what that reason is. They all prayed that he would be safe and not do anything crazy. For whoever is watching the mayor, will look out for him and his safety.

Xxx

At the other end of the town is where the Buggy Pirates are currently at. A circus like big top could be seen from the shore line, on top of a large wooden and colorful looking pirate ship. The bow of the ship has a giant red nose on a skull-like face. The mast has the sigil of a red nose skeleton head, representing who is in command.

Joyous cheers and roars could be heard echoing out from the deck of the ship. Mug glasses and barrels clapping against one another, with pirates in different shapes and sizes drinking and throwing their beers about in merrily manner. Laughing and playfully punching one another, some walking on top of a rubber ball, and others hugging close to each other in drunken stupor.

There were even Pirates performing trapeze stunts from the mast of the ship. Swinging from the right side to the left side of it. Doing flips in the air when letting go of their swings to grab onto the next. There were jugglers tossing swords, veggies, and fruits while balancing on top of a unicycle. Some were even breathing fire from their mouths by sucking in a good amount of alcohol, to then spitting towards a lit match!

"Bahahaha! This is what life should be! No marines to bother us. No people to take a stand and rebel against us. Not a single soul will dare go and defy us: the Buggy Pirates!" The captain cheered out to the crew, as he Laughed merrily and took large gulps of his drink, letting out a happy gasp of air. "Even with that woman bothering us by constantly sailing around the island, she is no match against us!" The red-nosed captain cackled, leaning back against his seat and raising his pointy shoes onto a stool. Rubbing his white gloves under his giant red nose, he said with smugness, "I would love to teach her a lesson. But seeing how she's content on staying out in sea, there's no reason to make a fuss!"

One of his men approached him, happening to be the beast tamer of the pirates. After he quickly rubbed his hand against the right animal ear on his white hair, he began to chuckle. He crossed his arms together and responded to his captain's remark. "Even if Bellemere did try to do anything with us, we can easily scare her away and show her the might of the Buggy Pirates!" He then moved his head towards a large red looking canon that rests at the bow of the ship. "Not to mention, we can always decimate the town with one of your Buggy balls." The man stated with sadistic glee.

The blue haired captain whispered contently, "Yeah." He then threw his upper body forward and rested against his lap. "If she dares to try and stop us or even think about ruining our fun, then we'll show her what happens when someone defies us." Buggy then eye smiled. "But there's no reason to worry since she's out on the waters, probably catching the worst sunburn in human life. Meanwhile, we're here standing comfortably on dry land, merrily drinking and eating and having the time of our lives." He boasted while laughing loudly. "Nothing can go wrong for us, not even a single Marine came to even help her or this town! We're living the good life boys and-" his sentence suddenly got interrupted.

"Hey boss! Boss we got something to tell you!" A voice that sounded rushed and hoarse called out from the side of the deck. Buggy groaned irritably while turning his attention to his right, watching three of his Pirate crew members run towards him. He recognized them as the group who were sent out to steal more valuables and treasures from unexpected sailors. They had come back looking quite worn out and exhausted, having their Captain raise a curious brow at what happened to them?

He watched as the three then crawled on over towards his feet, breathing heavily and lifted their heads up at him. "What is it, can't you see you're interrupting our merry time with your loud mouths?!" Scolded Buggy while leaning back against his seat. "This had better be good," He then glares at them, "and a good one at that. I don't see any treasure in your possessions?"

The trio of Pirates shook from Buggy's word, making the three to stare at one another and then back. They slammed their bodies down to the floor, groveling at his feet. "We're sorry Buggy-san, but it's that woman's fault! She keeps stopping us and preventing us from stealing treasure!" They confessed to their Captain.

He rolled his eyes and rested his cheek against his right hand, staring down at the groveling trio. The shortest one speaking next. "Yeah, we were going to get some treasure from two brats. But then she came by and started firing her canons at us and her rifle! It was horrible!" Informed the short Pirate.

The trio watched Buggy widen his eyes a bit and then lift his head from his hand. "Are you telling me Bellemere attacked you guys?!" He shouted and then jumped onto his feet, and thrust a finger down at them. "Even though we told her how if she were to mess with us, we keep no promises of what will become of this town?!" Buggy continued and then snorted and grunts through his gritted teeth. "All just because of two mesely brats?!"

This time, the tall twirly mustache man lifted his head. "That's right Buggy-san! She lost her cool and temper all because of some kids. She began firing at us with no remorse whatsoever for their safety and not our own!" He then lowered his head sniffing and hiccuping. "It was terrible, truly terrible! We tried everything to reason with her or tell her off."

The bowl-cut hair Pirate then finished their tale for them and looked up at Buggy. "Not only that Buggy-san, but while we were heading for shore and fleeing from the lunatic woman, she-" He then let the tears fall and rapidly begins to rub his eyes. Their Captain hummed and continued grunting through his gritted teeth, waiting for the end of their tale. He was beginning to lose his patience as he waited for the crying Pirate to finish.

"She went and destroyed your Paddle Wheel boat!" Screamed the bowl cut hair man. The group got the reaction they needed from Buggy, widening his eyes in pure shock and disbelief. His eyes turned a bit bloodshot at the announcement of his rare, paddle wheel dinghy being destroyed by Bellemere.

"Yo-You let her destroy…" Buggy began shaking and trembling in front of the trio, making them pale at the sight of their captain's rage building up. "You bastards let that woman," he continued and began turning his hands into fists. He shook violently in front of them as he slowly raised his head, having a dark and intimidating look in his eyes. "DESTROY MY ONE AND ONLY RARE PADDLE WHEEL DINGHY!" Buggy roared with anger.

The trio below him coward, raising their hands in defense hoping and praying he would not kill them. "We-we, tried our best to save the boat Buggy-san! Truly we did!" All three stated while nodding their heads, watching Buggy calm down for a brief moment.

"Well if you did your best-" Buggy said slowly and started to calm down, making the trio relax a bit. Only to then squeal out in fright when Buggy's eyes went demonic and flames began erupting around his body! He was absolutely livid at them. "YOUR BEST WASN'T ENOUGH!" He screamed and began separating his body into parts, earning more screams and panic from the trio! "You know how hard it is to find those boats?! Let alone what kind of trials I had to endure in keeping it from the Grand Line?!" He screamed out!

His detached hands that separated from his arms flew towards his waists. They grabbed onto the pistol that is sheathed on his right, and his bastard sword from his left side. Flying away from Buggy and began pointing the weapons towards the trio. "I can't forgive you for destroying something very important!" He yelled out and cocked his pistol while swinging his sword upward.

The three Pirates let out screams of fright, before getting up from the deck and began rushing towards the bow of the ship. "Please Buggy-san, it was a 'Big' mistake on our-" though they squealed out in fright, when Buggy voice turned higher pitched!

"Did you just call my nose Big!?" Buggy exclaimed before he pulled the trigger of his pistol. The bullet soared through the air and pierced the short pirate through his heart and exiting his back, killing him! As his body thumped down onto the deck, the other two doubled their efforts of escaping.

"No we didn't say anything bad about your cool nose Buggy-san!" The duo said, only for the twirly mustache man feel the blade stabbing him through the back of his chest and then roughy pulled out of him! The last man was forced to come to a stop, turning around and watching his ally collapse to the floor. His blood spilling onto the deck from the open wound.

The bowl cut hair man then turned towards Buggy as his swirling body parts gathered around the red and white striped-shirt Captain, floating towards him. A scowl was plastered on his face, with murderous intent showing through his facial expression. The bowl cut hair man was shaking and felt his knees trembling when Buggy got closer to him. Feeling his vision becoming black and white with how much killing intent Buggy is giving out right now.

"P-Please Buggy-san! if-if we don't act now, I am sure that Bellemere will finally take action and land on the island!" The man shouted and groveled down at Buggy's form. "If... if we knew she would have attacked us, we would have planned things better!" He pleaded and heard popping sounds of something being put back together. Believing it to be Buggy putting his body back together, with his big shoes creaking the floorboard. "Not only that, but from what the other two said, she might, might finally come and attack us while having those brats help her out!" It was a complete lie on his end, but he believes it to be better than losing your life.

"Huh?" Buggy drawl out while closing one eye and staring suspiciously down at the man. "Why would she bring children into helping take us out?" He questioned and raised his detached arms out to connect his hands back. He placed the weapons back into their places, too then crossed his arm. "Does she think she can kick us out of town, with a couple of brats?"

The bowl cut hair man lifted his head slowly from the floor, gulping and nodded his head. "Yes, yeah Buggy-san!" He said with hope in his tone. "No doubt she is going to bring those children over towards the mayor and try to take us on with them." The man exclaimed and smiled lightly when Buggy turned his head to the right.

Rubbing his chin and thinking it over, he then heard one of his second in commands speak up to him while raising his hand, smirking. "If you want Buggy, Richie and I can go towards the mayor's house and check on things. We can see if what this buffoon is saying is true or not?" The man offered to his Captain.

"Mohji," Buggy said and then turned his gaze towards his left. Another one of his men steps forward while riding on a Unicycle, making sure it is in place and standing still. He then swung his large scarf around his neck, adjusting his open-vest grinning towards his Captain.

"I'll also go with him and make sure that these brats won't be a threat to us." The man named Cabajo said, lifting his sword from his side and having it gently rest against his shoulder. "Plus, we can bring that coward along to confirm his suspicion about Bellemere actually going to coup against us?"

Buggy hummed in thought, and then laughed. "Bahahah! That is an excellent idea, which is why I thought it up brilliantly in my head." Exclaimed the Captain while thrusting his arm towards Cabaji and Mohji. "Right then! Mohji, Cabaji, you take this low life with you and head towards the Mayor's home. See if what he is saying is true or not while demonstrating our power by destroying anything in your path. Show Bellemere and these brats that the Buggy Pirates mean business, and won't step down to any threats they give!" He ordered and watched his First mate and second in command bow their heads. Cabaji cycled on over towards the bowl cut hair man, lifting him up from the shirt collar. He headed on over towards the anchor rope that's tied down towards the dock, riding down the rope line too said docks.

Mohji meanwhile went on over towards the large gated floor of the dock, unlocking the chains keeping it in place. He opens it up enough for him to jump on down and closes the gate behind him, followed by a menacing roar being heard inside the ship. The bow of the ship then began separating apart, opening up for Mohji and his pet to start dashing out in a gray blur!

Buggy muttered under his breath while walking his way over to his couch and plop himself down it and groaned. Picking at his rubber nose with his finger, he sighs out, "Seriously, what idiot believes they can take me down, with kids no less? I know she is supposed to be an ex-marine member, but even this is stupid for even her." Buggy groaned while flicking whatever was on his finger, then swipes a beer mug from the table on his right. "Oh well, we have nothing to fear about Boys! Resume the party!" He cheered out, along with his men, and then glared out towards the town, whispering to himself, "You have to be a complete idiot to take on someone like me."

xxx

At the boating docks of Orange town, Bellemere's ship had sailed into port. She, Luffy and Kuina began walking down a ramp connecting to the wooden boardwalk of the docks. The straw hat pirate stretched his arms above his head and let out a very loud relaxing groan."Finally! We're here!" He exclaimed, swinging his arms down to his side. He lifted his right hand to his forehead to view the town ahead, whistling in impression. "Whoa, this place is big! It's a lot bigger than the village back at Dawn Island!" He states and turned back towards the girls.

He watched Kuina stepping over to his side and hum in thought, shifting her gaze around the empty town. She noticed how eerily quiet it was and how there was no sign of life. This meant that what Bellemere said is true, she did get everybody on the island evacuated. Kuina crossed her arms and looked at Luffy, "Seems like she told us the truth, nobody seems to be here at all. There's not even any stray animals or pets running around either, it's just a hollow town." Informed the teenager, gliding one hand through her hair.

The straw hat teen faced forward and nodded. "Yeah, which means that the only people here right now are the mayor and that dog…" Luffy paused and cocked his head. "Though I wonder why the dog refuses to leave? Kind of funny to think about an animal like that will want to stay behind." Luffy laughed. Taking note of Kuina just shrugging to his response, not entirely sure what to say or comment. The two then heard Bellemere letting out a soft breath of air, after she finished tying down her boat and began walking past the children.

"If you two are curious the mayor actually knows why the dog stays on the island." The older woman said while turning her head to her shoulder, smiling at the following teens. "If anything, you'd be surprised by the story behind why the dog is doing that." Bellemere said and then faced forward walking onto the dirt road leading into town, solemnly frowning at its condition. "It's been two weeks since I came here and started liberating everyone off the island." She said suddenly.

Luffy and Kuina both hummed at the same time and stared at the woman's back. "This place got a bit of a touch and go, especially when I arrived right when Buggy did." Bellemere said as she lifts her head up, staring at the blue skies and white clouds. She recalled the screams and terror the citizens had when the pirates invaded. "It was horrible, fire spreading pretty far, gun fires could be heard, whistling of cannons being fired and clashing of blades." Bellemere then shut her eyes tightly.

Luffy softened his look at that and rested his arms behind his neck, listening intently to the woman's tale. Imagining the scene playing out in his head, he listened to her continuing with her story. "Even though I know my own limits, that I won't be able to save everyone or protect them." Stuttered Bellemere and stiffen her shoulders. "I had to watch helplessly as people got killed and shot at by the pirates. With me only being a couple of feet away…" She choked out and shook her head, balling up her hands as they trembled. "I felt powerless when it happened, I keep thinking to myself 'I could have done better'." She started saying while releasing a rough sigh.

The ex-marine lifted her head, facing the road before her and the buildings on each side of the streets. She remembered them being on fire and getting destroyed, with dark smog of smoke rising from within the buildings. Flames roaring out from the windows, and explosions bursting from the walls by the cannons being fired upon the village. Families being torn away from their loved ones, children crying and screaming for their mothers and fathers. While others begged for mercy and pleading the pirates to not kill them.

"Bellemere…" Kuina spoke up and then looked down to her side. "We can't all be heroes and we can't always save those around us. It is something everyone has to deal with." She informed and recalled how useless she felt when she couldn't save her friend Zoro. "We've been there, trust me." Then raised her hand and stared at her palm.

"Then do better." Luffy suddenly said and caused the girls to raise their heads and face him. The boy had quite a strong expression on his face, in which had Bellemere ready to tell him off and scold him for his behavior. Only to then gasp when he grinned. "Why stay in the past, for what you can do now in the present?" Then lower his arms down and marched ahead of the two girls.

"Yeah you couldn't do anything back then, but what you can do in the present is what you should focus and work on doing." Luffy continued saying and had a wide grin on his face. "Think about those you saved and protected, who really needed it and how thankful they are for rescuing them." He then snickered. "Sure, you messed up and couldn't do much about it. But those who know you tried your best will only feel upset. Seeing you holding onto that past and biting you in the ass!"

"Luffy…" Bellemere softly said and felt her eyes burning, as well as an odd courage wellinging up inside of her heart. She was amazed that someone like him could come up with something like that. Let alone being quite forward about how silly she is being about, worrying about something she had no control over. She should be focusing on what is happening right now and better herself for the future ahead.

Kuina giggled at her captain's words and put her right hand against her cocked out hip. "That's true Captain,"she said and smiled at Bellemere. "What's done is done and we can't change it. Even if we try going in the past to do so, it will still wind up the same." Then she happily rubs the back of her neck while laughing. "Luffy is right, if we don't focus on the present and future, then we'll only be holding ourselves back. We'll constantly be feeling sorry for ourselves, for letting things happen…" She tilted her head forward at the grinning straw hat teen. "Definitely words to follow and live by."

Bellemere just stared at the teenagers, mesmerized by how Luffy's crewmate would gladly follow those words her Captain shared. How she kept it to heart to always move forward and not let the past bring her down. This had the pink haired woman slowly raise her right hand up, touching near her heart and sucked her lower lip in. Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes, not out of sadness or frustration, but out of encouragement. She couldn't believe how these two children-these pirates-had gone and made her see the bigger picture.

"I am such an idiot…" Bellemere thought to herself and laughed inside her head. "Because I keep having my past haunt me, wanting to make things right and save those I want to protect. I'm not only hurting them, but myself." She then moved her hand away from her chest and felt small tears dripping onto it. "I'm hurting their future because of worrying about what I should have done then. But instead, I should focus on the present and what it is that I truly want to protect."

Luffy, who finished chatting and speaking to Kuina, shifted his head over his shoulder and gazed at Bellemere. Watching the woman silently grabbing the necklace around her neck, pulling out a locket from inside her shirt. The straw hat teen smiled, seeing the woman coming to terms of whatever bad past she has. Replacing those fears with conviction and determination. He silently closed his eyes and faced forward, "she'll tell us what's wrong once she's ready. For now, I shouldn't press on the matter. Who knows how rough she has it, with whoever is in the locket?"

Kuina swung around and leaned forward a bit while folding her hands behind her back. "By the way Bellemere-san," she asked, having the woman lift her head up, a bit surprised at the suffix. "Are we heading in the right direction? We're coming to a crossroad soon, and it would be bad if we suddenly made a wrong turn and ended up at the pirate's base." Kuina informed as she stated at the woman.

The latter quickly placed her locket back into her shirt, while rubbing the flat parts of her palms against her eyes, sniffing and composing herself. "Sorry, we are almost there. We just need to take a left there and we should head towards Orange Town's center district." She Informed the two and directed them with her hand. Watching the teens tilt the bodies sideways, then back at her with big smiles nodding. They then made the turn with a jog and continued looking at the abandoned buildings. Kuina started thinking through just how many people Bellemere had gone and saved by herself.

This brought up a question, as she called out, "Wait Bellemere!" Kuina started asking while turning to look at the woman, who hummed and tilted her head in response. "I know you're an ex-marine, but don't you still have authority to ask for backup or even call someone to come and help you out with the pirates?" Kuina pondered when asking this question. It even got Luffy curious as he hummed silently, tilting his head very slightly to the left.

Bellemere sighed and shrugged her arms. "Yeah I do, and I can call for assistance any time." She places her left hand on her right elbow, and rests her head on her right hand. "But for some reason, every time I tried I either got no response or really bad interference with the transponder snails." She informed while then removing her elbow from her hand, reaching inside her shirt pocket.

She had a feeling the teens would probably ask what transponder snail she's talking about. "This," she then pulls out what seemed to be a literal snail from her pocket and shows it to them. It wore what seemed to be a marine hat and a small coat. The shell looked like a radio when Bellemere placed her hand on the shell and picked it up. She faced the receiver at the two teenagers who stopped in their tracks, as they leaned forward to get a closer look at the snail. With Kuina having a pink tint on her cheeks, thinking the snail looked a bit cute with the outfit.

"This snail in general allows me to contact any marines in the area, or across other islands." Bellemere then sighed before gaining a grim expression. "But like I said," she taps the button on the snail and let it ring out with the mouth moving and making a sound.

"Predo, predo, predo, predo, predo." There was a small five second pause before it started again, "predo, predo, predo, predo, predo...Predo, predo, predo, predo, predo. Ker-chank." The snail said after what would have been someone picking up on the other end. But like Bellemere told the two, they only hear static on the other end of the call. The snails eyes were vibrating wildly from said static and letting out the noise from its mouth. This nearly made Kuina squeal from the cute behavior, but she immediately caught herself from doing so. Trying to shake out the need to squeal, and changing her expression into a serious one.

"Huh," Luffy straightens himself out and watches Bellemere place the snail back into her pocket. "That's weird, we know that Shells Town is going back to normal after Morgan was taken care of. So we know that can be one of the reasons, but..." the straw hat captain closed his eyes halfway with a serious expression.

Bellemere nodded and leans her weight on her right leg and rests her hand against her hips. "Yeah, it wouldn't make sense if there's other marine bases on other islands nearby, or it wouldn't pick up my call or distress signal." She slightly sighs and faces down the road they're about to take to the mayor's house. "Makes me a bit concerned if the marine bases suffering the same thing as Shell's town? A corrupt marine boss abusing his or her power to control the island." As a former marine herself, she finds it disgusting and degrading the honor of the marines.

A scary thought then crossed her mind. What if it wasn't from a corrupted marine soldier or Captain? What if it was Arlong and his pirate crew taking care of and controlling other islands on the nearby oceans? Destroying and defeating any marine bases that tried to attack them or subduing them! The thought got scarier when a young girl came to mind-Nami! A young orange haired girl that she adopted as her child, alongside another one who is older than her, Nojiko.

Nojiko and Nami, whenever their names crossed her mind, it had the woman flashing back. Back to how she rescued them and met up with the orphans on that fateful day. Nami wasn't even a year old at the time and was only a baby, being carried by a two year old Nojiko. The light blue haired girl had Nami in a makeshift blanket, pleading and calling out for anyone to help them. Begging to get them away from the burning island and home to somewhere safe for them.

Eventually, she ran into Bellemere and asked the woman if she could save them. She told her that she didn't know where their parents are. Or more importantly, she doesn't even know if Nami's parents were alive! Bellemere, at this point of time, was left with a conundrum. Would she keep these girls alive and take them off island, or keep fighting and disregard their safety?

The woman chose the first and held no regrets about doing so, even when they marooned onto the Conomi Islands. There, the villagers of Cocoyashi village helped nurtured and brought all three of them back to health. From their starvation, dehydration and injuries Bellemere suffered from the war. They were then welcomed on the island and could stay as long as they like, leaving a thankful Bellemere in tears!

She promised that one day she would find a way to repay everyone and thank them for taking care of her and the girls. Years passed and here she is now, being forced into something that brought trouble not only for her, but Nami and Nojiko as well. It was when the Arlong Pirates forced themselves onto their island and began making their base there. With the power they had over the village and its people, the Arlong Pirates demanded a fee for allowing humans to live on the island. The fee was a whopping fifty-thousand berries for the children and a hundred-thousand from the adults. The amount of money altogether is crazy enough and considering there hasn't been children living until Nami and Nojiko...

The leading mayor of the village did his very best to keep Nojiko and Nami safe for Bellemere's sake. But it was for naught as Arlong, after spotting smoke coming out from Bellemere's house, marched his way there with his crew and invaded the place. One thing led to another and came down to a point where Nami's amazing drawing and making maps as a navigator got noticed. It interested Arlong so impressively that he went and took Nami with him. Despite the pleas and begging an injure Bellemere gave.

The woman came out of her musings and gently placed a hand against her rib cage. She hissed lightly from the new injury she got from the first one. When she managed to gather enough money for both the island and the girls. She tried a daring plan of grabbing Nami and extracting her from the Arlong Pirates by force! But it led to nothing and she got badly cut from a swordsman thrusting his sword-cutting across her ribs and leaving a nasty cut!

This caused her to fall to the ground, and for Nami to be recaptured again by an octopus Fishman named Hachi. But later on though, down the years and past few months, he has been quite the trusted friend and ally for both her and even Nami. After her fruitless attempt at extracting Nami from the pirates, she was kicked out of Arlong Park by force. The brave octopus, who stood guard one night with no one else watching, came and approached Bellemere and asked if she wanted to speak to Nami? This had the woman stare wide-eyed at the Pirate, her eyes at the time turned to dots at how the smile Hachi had, and he excitedly went to get Nami and had the two chat.

Bellemere laughed quietly and shook her shoulders at the memory. The octopus was quite friendly and even had respect for not only Nami, for making such amazing maps and understanding about the seas for her youth. But also for Bellemere and her dedication of wanting to save Nami and those on the Cocomi Islands. They then made a deal between one another, where Hachin will keep an eye on Nami and make sure she will be alright.

He also would allow the two to talk and catch up with one another, alongside Nojiko when she's around. This made Bellemere have an eased mind, knowing Nami is doing alright. She's very thankful for Hachi, as he kept his word and even sounded like befriended the scared Nami. She couldn't help but let out an open giggle, recalling how Nami acted before becoming a fine young woman. She couldn't stop saying how silly and fun Hachin was, or how he is like a big ol teddy bear. She was even surprised at how he is able to make Tangerines part of food recipes!

The laugh grabbed the attention of Luffy and Kuina, both looking at the smiling woman. They started to laugh softly at the woman's joy, making Luffy ask. "What's so funny? You have quite the smile on your face!" Grinned the straw hat teen.

Bellemere gasped in surprise before she stuck her tongue out while blushing. "Sorry, just remembering something… something important." Bellemere answered, the last part coming out quietly, and shook her head avoiding the teen's question. "Anyway, we're almost there you two. Just past those buildings at the crossroad and we should be at the mayor's house."

"Aw no fair," Luffy whined playfully while facing forward pouting. "Sounded like a fun memory. I wanted to know what made you laugh?" He protested and had Kuina snickering next to him, finding her Captain to be quite childish.

"Come on Luffy," Kuina told him while raising her head up with a smug expression. " Even women have their own secrets that boys like you wouldn't understand." She stated. Soon though, her cheeks turned red, when Luffy got close to the side of her face, having a sinister expression on his face.

"Oh? Should I remind my first mate here, about how she almost called the snail-" Luffy laughed when he felt Kuina whipping her head at him. Then shoving her hands to his mouth, forcing him to start bending backwards. Blushing madly in embarrassment and shock, Luffy figured out her fawning over the snail.

"Shut-shut up! This is what I mean by you wouldn't understand!" Kuina shouted out and continued trying to shut her laughing Captain up. Eventually, she gave up and threw her arms into the air, listening to the straw hat teen's head make a boing noise. It came back into place as the swordswoman folded her arms, blushing in embarrassment and frustration as Luffy continued snickering.

Bellemere hung her mouth open with an exasperated laughter. "Even though they sound and look cute together, are they serious about being Pirates? Sounds like this is more of a game to them than being a serious Pirate crew?" Bellemere thought, and shook her head when Luffy continued pressing the matter on Kuina, calling the snail cute earlier. Reminding the ex-marine about how much Nojiko and Nami tend to get on each others nerves.

"Well one thing is for sure, at least they're lively and not gloomy. Most, if not a lot of people, tend to be downright distraught when seeing a town like this." Bellemere continued her inner musings and began scanning around the ghost town. Sighing and relaxing her shoulders lightly, she then hummed and lifted her head up when Luffy exclaimed out, accidentally shoving Kuina away from him!

"Hey look, there's a dog!" Luffy announced right before Kuina came over, ready to club him over the head with her swords scabbard. Only to freeze mid-swing and turn her attention down the road and straight to what looks like a white fur dog. It was sitting in front of what appears to be a Pet shop, glaring intimidatingly down the three roads, while hardening them more when he spotted them. "He looks...beaten up?" Luffy stated and had Kuina and Bellemere, who walked up to Luffy, hum at the straw hat and then back at the dog.

Bellemere was the first to speak while scratching her cheek. "Yeah," she replied before whining lightly. "He's been guarding that shop for a long time." She shifted her gaze at the teens. "Even more so now that the Buggy Pirates are here. I don't think that dog ever left this place whatsoever…" She rests a hand on Luffy shoulder, patting it. "Come on," she told him and began moving forward after letting go of the straw hat teen. "The mayor should be around here, we shouldn't bother the dog."

Kuina nodded in agreement and began following Bellemere, while Luffy stayed in place and hums to himself. He watched the dog and how it is glaring back at him, no intent of leaving or even approaching Luffy at all. The dog looked to be determined to fight him, if Luffy dared to step anyway close to the pet shop. This made the straw hat teen raise a hand, to his hat and gently tighten his hold on it. As if he is silently connecting with the dog and softly whispered, "That's your treasure huh?" Then he began walking forward.

He didn't follow the girls when they began heading west of the pet shop. No, Luffy began approaching on over towards the dog, staring at the animal who didn't seem phased at all from the teenager approaching him. It wasn't even growling or taking a defensive stance as Luffy got closer to it. The straw hat pirate stopped about a couple steps from the dog and just stared down at it, who stared back at him. The dog panted heavily, looking bruised up on the sides of its body, with a bit of dirt covering most of his fur and looking to have an injured right front paw.

"I understand how you feel." Luffy started saying and grunted when he began crouching down and being eye level with the dog. "Doing everything you can to protect what is yours. Guarding something you treasured, I hear ya." Chuckled Luffy with a wide grin. Alerting Kuina to lack of Luffy's presence and had her stopping in her steps. She twisted her body around and blink her eyes at the scene in front of her.

This also prompted Bellemere to stop as well, turning around and then cocked her head at what Luffy is doing. Seeing the straw hat teen crouching in front of the dog, seemingly to be talking to it. She and Kuina fully turned around and decided to listen in on the conversation, in which Kuina had a faint smile as she absently grasps her sword hilt tightly.

Bellemere meanwhile also had a soft smile, moving her left hand up to her breast and clutching onto the necklace-locket. "It's good you want to treasure something like this and make sure nothing bad happens." Luffy voice rang to the girl's ears as they listened in. They continued watching as Luffy softly moved his straw hat off his head, and held it in his palm. The dog tilt his head still panting, but curious what the teenage pirate is getting at? "This here...is my treasure too." He informed the dog.

He lifted his gaze away from the hat and smiled at the dog. "Someone important gave it to me and entrusted me to keep it safe. I promised him that one day, I will give it back to him, after accomplishing my dream." He smiled brightly when the dog lifted his head a bit, actually responding to Luffy, not threatening or intimidating him. "Is that why you stand guard?" Luffy asked, before turning his attention to his left.

"That's correct young man," Came another voice, alerting Kuina and Bellemere. Both girls turned around fast, with Kuina ready to take her sword out. But stopped when Bellemere gasped and looked to know the man who approached them. He was an old man with puffy, large white hair, wearing a yellow short-sleeve lined T-shirt with dark green pants. "And the dog's name is Chouchou, he belongs to the owner of this shop."

"Boodle, you're still okay and in...what are you wearing?" Bellemere began saying with a happy expression, to then change into a worried expression. "Is that...are those?" The ex-marine then gave a deadpan expression while lifting an accusing finger towards the old man. He boastfully laughed and pounded a hand against his chest guard.

"Impressive, isn't it? I found these pieces of armor in the basement of my home!" Boodle admitted proudly, getting Bellemere to have a miserable look in her eyes. Kuina just pursed her lips to the right, shaking her head in disapproval, wondering how he can move in such a silly get up? "I even found some spears and gauntlets! I'm ready to take on the pirates without any worries!" He exclaimed and laughed openly with pride.

Kuina chuckled, "Err yeah...but how are you going to protect your legs and arms, let alone your mid-section?" The girl questioned him while leaning on her right leg, crossing her arms with a shake of disapproval. The old man gritted his teeth and grumbled irritably, before calming down and raising his hand up. As he pointed to Kuina and Luffy, Bellemere interrupted, knowing exactly what he's going to ask.

"I know what this looks like Boodle, but I have a very good explanation of why these two are here." Bellemere started saying, before turning towards the two, watching Kuina raise a hand and wave gently. With Luffy throwing his arm up into the air in his own greeting, having Bellemere chuckle sheepishly at the two teens laid back greeting.

Luffy then stood up and approached the group, thumbing behind him to Chouchou. "So Bellemere says you might know the reason behind ChouChou, the dog I guess?" Luffy asked quickly while turning to the dog, then back at the mayor. "For why he isn't leaving his spot or the pet shop; something about his owner?" Luffy asked curiously, seemingly quite interested in Chouchou protecting the store.

Boodle hummed and then nodded his head at the straw hat teenager. "Yes, you see the owner is actually a friend of mine." He began saying while turning his attention towards the shop. "He opened up this shop couple months back, wanting to open up a business for himself and for his dog." Boodle sighed inwardly while flashing to the memory. Of how he became his friend's first customer, while watching him and his dog run the shop with smiles and no regrets. When they almost went bankrupt, with people coming and helping the store out and buying things for their own pets, or buying dog food for Chouchou.

"But he then got an illness one day and had to head to the hospital." Boodle continued while then lowering his gaze from the shop and towards the white fur dog. Standing guard in front of the shop and making sure nothing happens to it. "When he left, he had told Chouchou that he is in charge of watching the shop while he is at the hospital." Boodle closed his eyes and recalled that day. "And ever since, Chouchou took his owner's words to heart and stood guard in his master's place."

Luffy and Kuina stared at Boodle, feeling dread coming from the mayor; or more of what had happened to the owner. Considering how silent Boodle got, the teens twisted their bodies and faced the dog fearing the worst. No doubt their suspicion was correct that this had affected the dog greatly of knowing why his owner never came back from the hospital; he passed away.

After finding a crate to sit down on, Boodle let out a low goran of defeat and grabbed the bridge of his nose. Moving his glasses up when he began rubbing his it while continuing with his story. "I guess...no," he then hardened his look while lowering his hand. "I know for a fact that dog knew all along what happened to his owner that day." He said and looked at Chouchou, who continued sitting in front of the shop. Determined to make sure no harm comes to the store, continuing to stand guard. Staring out on the crossroads before him, to hold his promise to his owner, to protect his treasured shop and keeping that dream alive! Even if he had passed away or not.

"Chouchou is a fine example of an amazing creature, smart one too, who values a person's treasure. A fine dog indeed and strong to boot." Boodle finished and smiled softly, noticing Kuina's and Luffy's smiles etching on their faces. All of them watched the dog and just silently appreciated the dedication he has for wanting to protect something dear to him. Even if he is an animal, this dog definitely is a man's best friend. The mayor sat his body upright and looked towards the trio in front of him, or more towards the teenagers. "So, what brings you two here? Considering we don't generally get visitors?"

Luffy turned and smiled at the man, but was cautious of how he words his sentence. Bellemere reacted pretty normally when he told her how he and Kuina were coming to Orange town, to rent or buy a boat to sail the seas as pirates. The mayor probably won't react well if they were to suddenly say they're pirates who are looking for a ship to buy. "We actually came here-" Luffy began saying and paused, watching the man shake his head.

"If you're asking for a boat, Buggy has destroyed every single one we own." Boodle suddenly told them, closing his eyes and relaxing his shoulders. "I should know, those were the first things he and his crew did first when arriving." He informed them and leaned back a bit, watching the concerned looks the teens have on their faces. With Luffy clicking his tongue and began crossing his arms.

"This Buggy bastard is definitely starting to irritate me." Luffy said while punching his open hand. "Someone definitely needs to go teach him a lesson and get his ass handed to him." stated the straw hat teenager. His first mate agreeing with him and gently tilts the hilt of her sword.

"I'll say," Kuina spoke up. "Not only did he force these people to leave their home. He also made sure that they have no means of reaching other people or getting help." The girl then kicks her foot against one of the building's walls. "If I knew where to find that bastard, I would easily march over there and deal with him myself!" Luffy hummed in agreement and closed his eyes.

"I'm right there with ya too, this guy's gonna get some punches from me. By the time I'm done, I'll send him flying off the island." Growled Luffy while grinding his teeth. "Where is this clown anyway?!" He demanded Boodle, raising his right fist. "I'll walk right up to him and give him a powerful Gum-Gum Bazooka!" Luffy stated. He and Kuina then hardened their look when the mayor began laughing. Not out of joy or being thankful, but in a more defeated like tone or not believing they could do it.

Boodle settled down after his outburst and lightly rubbed his right eye. "I appreciate what you kids are saying and want to do." He began saying while then grabbing his glasses. Bringing it down to the hem of his shirt to clean it and gently wipe the fog away. "But you're outta your league, I have heard rumors that Buggy is a devil. He has unworldly abilities that will overwhelm even the strongest of men and women." Boodle then placed the glasses back onto his nose and breathed heavily. "You both won't stand a chance to win against him." He then shifted his gaze to Bellemere.

He noticed how spaced out she seemed and was watching the sky, as he continued. "Even Bellemere here will have a hard time fighting against Buggy." Boodle said in a matter-of-fact tone. Getting the teens to become irritated with how he deems they're not capable of beating Buggy! He doesn't know them nor has he even seen them fight before. That got Kuina pretty ticked off and ready to lash out, only for Luffy's smile suddenly having her stop from grabbing her sword. Widening her eyes towards the grinning boy, watching his opal eyes turn to her and nodded.

Kuina hummed in confusion and then bulged her eyes in realization, making her nod back with her own piercing smile. Watching her captain face back at Boodle, holding on that smile still, he spoke up. "So...you think we're not that strong eh?" Luffy rhetorically questioned, having Boodle to raise a curious eyebrow. "What if we showed you our skills by testing them on one of his crew members? Then would you let us kick his ass?" He asked while raising his right hand to his straw hat. Shifting it forward and over his forehead, snickering openly.

They felt the soft winds blowing through the ghost town. Brushing along their skins and hairs, bringing an odd sense of comfortness after Luffy's proclamation to the mayor. Boodle stared openly at the two smirking teenagers, furrowing his eyebrows and continued to stare at them. Trying to find any hints or signs of the two faking their claims, or them believing they can beat Buggy.

Although it is a fruitless effort, nobody has the courage to face the man in battle. However, they want to prove themselves by defeating one of Buggy's men. He did not sense any hesitation from the two. No signs of fear, no signs of doubt, the two teenagers seemed to think that they actually CAN win. "Heh, even though I have a hunch they're pirates, they honestly do want to help this town and save us from that deranged man." He mused to himself in his thoughts, while bringing his folded hands to his mouth. He closed his eyes and began thinking it over. "But I can't let these young ones go and risk their lives for us! What heartless old man would I be if I allowed that?"

Luffy moved his hand forward, watching the man opening his eyes and hum at the sight of Luffy's hand. "Do we have a deal? If we win and defeat one of his men, you'll take us to where Buggy is at and we'll take care of the rest." Luffy told him with a confident tone. Boodle continued staring and then raised one eyebrow, looking up at the boy's confident expression.

"How do you know you can win? You never met him or know what he can do!" Boodle paused while standing up and stares at the straw hat teenager. "How can you be so sure victory is in your hands?" He demanded to know, he wanted to understand why this boy is so confident in their abilities. That they will be able to easily win and defeat one of those pirates!

Luffy broadened his smile and lifted his head up with a confident laugh. "Cause we can and we will! We're not afraid to put our lives on the line and face dangers head on!" The pirate captain exclaimed and winked at the surprised man. The latter exhaled a very sharp gasp and felt everything going silent, feeling the warm and comforting winds blowing between him and the others. His hair was blowing from the breeze, listening to the silent sounds of the swinging window shutters and signs of the village. He stared at the straw hat teen who still had his hand out, wanting to make the deal with him and show him... No, prove to him that he and his first mate will win and be victorious over the pirates!

Boodle looked silently towards Bellemere, who seemed to have been won over by the boy's words. With her own smile, she gave her thoughts. "I honestly believe they can. If they're confident in their skills and that they will beat the Buggy Pirates, then why shouldn't we believe them and let them prove their worth?" She happily gives a thumbs up. "I believe in them, and I'll be there too to bail them out if things get too serious."

Boodle, after hearing the woman give her praise for the teens, heard Chouchou barking loudly at his spot. The mayor turned towards the dog and noticed that he was watching the whole conversation going down. Barking and yips in approval of Luffy and Kuina's declaration of being able to win. The dog was won over and they haven't known him for over an hour, and they somehow won him over!

Boodle sighed and then began laughing loudly. "It seems like I am out numbered here." He boasted and rubbed the back of his head, opening one eye at Luffy. "But are you sure though?" He asked, having Kuina and Luffy to blink their eyes confusingly at first. "Do you think you will be able to defeat Buggy and his crew to bring peace back to our home?"

Luffy and Kuina both responded together at the same time. "We don't think, we KNOW we can win." Boodle laughed once more, seeing the determination in their eyes and kind hearts. "However," Luffy then raised one finger chuckling, getting the man and Bellemere to hum. "We don't want to be seen as heroes. We're still pirates after all, and it'd be weird if people praised us as heroes." Snickered and joked Luffy.

"Hahaha," Boodle couldn't help but burst in laughter and holding his stomach, knowing that they were pirates has been confirmed. What he found hilarious was how Lufffy didn't want to be seen as a hero, or having people believe he is doing good deeds. Since pirates aren't saints but aren't necessarily evil either, showing that free spirit of his. The man wiped away a tear and chuckled through his sniffling, worrying Luffy for a bit before softening his expression at the man. This determined mayor, who is wearing battle ready armor to fend off Buggy and his crew, is in tears and falling down to his knees.

The thought of being freed from the nightmare that the Buggy Pirates brought to this town brought the mayor joy. And somehow, after listening to those words the teenager had said about how they can defeat Buggy. They brought the man to tears as he watched them fall onto the ground, dripping from his face. Boodle continued ball, twitching and sucking in his lower lips, grabbing and dragging his nails against the stoney road. Sniffling and hiccuping uncontrollably, "T...Thank you." Boodle said between his hiccups.

He felt Luffy's eyes on him, not pitying or feeling sorry for him. "Thank you...thank you, thank you, thank you!" Boodle continued and sensed Luffy crouching down laughing softly, and saw his hand moving in front of his face once more. This had the man snort and chuckle through his crying when Luffy responded.

"I wouldn't thank me yet till we make it official. Okay?" Luffy whispered out and tilt his head smiling even brighter at the man. The latter looked up at him and gritted his teeth, before nodding firmly at Luffy and clapping his right hand to the boy's own. "Then we have a deal!" Cheered the straw hat pirate while helping Boodle up onto his feet, to then he and Kuina asking if he needed help removing the armor.

Boodle started composing himself and laughing in embarrassment, stating he'd appreciate the help. Meanwhile, Bellemere witnessed this transaction going on, noticing how Luffy and Kuina had convinced the mayor to prove themselves to him. To show that he has nothing to worry about and that they will defeat Buggy and his crew.

Bellemere was in awe at the devotion the teenagers were going to put themselves through. Not just to save Orange town, but also not wanting to be seen as heroes, because they're pirates, and they do whatever they please. For they represent how free a crew and person are when sailing, something that Luffy told her when they sailed here. How he doesn't want to be tied down or follow rules of the world. He wants to find the One Piece and become King of the Pirates; but he doesn't want to be commanding or even demanding of his crew or those around him.

He wants to be free, and to that extent he also wants those around him and his friends to be free as well. Not tied down to anything or being obligated to follow some law that's force upon them. Bellemere gently moves one finger against her right eye and cleans away any stray tears, before moving her head towards the sky and looking over at the sun's direction. Taking note that it's almost getting late, that it was time to call somebody if the sun were to go by. It feels like afternoon has arrived and she needs to go make contact soon to a certain someone.

"Boodle," Bellemere suddenly called out to him, watching the man getting stuck halfway through the chestplate. His head inside the armor and looking quite silly with how his hands were forced to be straight and turn towards the woman. While Luffy and Kuina were growling and grunting loudly, struggling to remove the chest armor off the mayor. With them constantly tugging and pulling the armor up, but it seemed to be stuck.

Bellemere giggled softly at the sight and smiled. "You should probably give them something to eat. It would be bad if they suddenly felt hunger or thirst during their fight!" Bellemere announced, watching the teens suddenly letting go of Boodle. Their eyes shining at the mention of food as they threw their hands up.

"Sounds good to us, we would love to have-" Though their sentence ended abruptly. When the mayor, who got shoved forward from the teens letting go of him, caused the two to panic. Especially when Boodle began hopping forward before crashing down to a nearby hill road, To then rolling down rapidly through the streets. "ACK! We're sorry!" Shouted the teens and gave chase in quite a comedic fashion.

Bellemere burst out in tears of laughter. She knew she shouldn't laugh at Boodle's misfortune, but she couldn't help but have a smile on her face. Whenever Luffy or Kuina did something adorable or funny, it brought out the mother in her. She then began wincing when the mayor finally stopped rolling and crashed into a nearby bakery store down the hill. It did its job in breaking the armor immediately from the impact and freeing the dazed man.

She saw that things would be okay, as well humming when she turned her attention to Chouchou. He seemed to have walked over where she is and watched the whole situation play out. The dog went back to his original spot and resumed guarding the pet shop. After double-checking over the three downhill, Bellemere silently nodded to herself and began to find someplace to make a private call.

Xxx

After finding a vacant house where she wouldn't be disturbed, Bellemere closed the window shades, as well as the door. Once she made sure it was locked, she turned around and leaned against it, closing her eyes to go through her thoughts and mentally prepare herself. Bellemere then reached into her jeans' back pocket, pulling out a different Transponder snail from the one she showed the two kids. It had four little tentacle arms on each side of its body, looking bit reddish in color tone, with a bit of scales on its back and having a shark-like fin on its shell.

Bellemere tapped the button on the snail's back and waited for it to go through. It made the same sound like the marine snail, but it went on a bit longer than the previous one. It let out a happy sigh when she heard the other end being picked with the snail saying "KER-chank."

"Ello', who may I ask is calling?" A voice came through from the other end, having Bellemere smile brightly and warmly at the familiar voice. "Bellemere-san, is that you?" Came Hachi's voice in quite a playful tone and, always seeming to try cheering her up whenever she calls.

"Y-yes Hachi, it's me, sorry that I almost forgot to call? Things are pretty hectic right now, but I'm doing fine." Informed Bellemere while placing a palm against her eyes and laughed sadly. "Is Nami there? Is she doing alright?" She asked and hoped Nami was with Hachi. Hearing the octopus chuckling joyously.

"Ay, she's here right now actually!" Laughed the fishman, as Bellemere could hear a bit of a struggle going on between him and Nami. Hearing whines and groans of frustration coming from the girl, with the octopus happily laughing. "Eager as always to speak to you, but we haven't spoken in a long time. So she's being mean." Hachi played out.

"OY! Hachi, don't play the victim card again! You've spoken to Bellemere the last time she called and hogged the snail all evening!" Growled Nami, whose voice began getting muffled out from the octopus putting one of his tentacle arms on her. From what Bellemere could guess, it was in order to keep her adoptive daughter away from swiping the snail.

"See Bellemere-san! Nami is being rude," Hachi whined before changing into a happy tone. "How you been, are you eating well and making sure to keep watch over your health?" Asked the octopus, sensing Bellemere groaning in irritation just like Nami. "Groaning isn't answering my question." Chortled the octopus, as the woman heard muffled laughs coming from Nami. It seems she enjoyed her adoptive mother's own irritation coming through the snail.

"I'm not a kid Hachi, I am a proud thirty year old woman! I don't need to be babied or fathered." Bellemere gave a sideway glance from the snail. "Especially to an eight armed octopus man." She muttered out while blushing and growling irritably. Hearing both Hachi and Nami snickering and laughing through the Transponder snail.

Nami, after beginning to calm down, began to speak through the snail. "Bellemere, are you really alright though?" The girl asked in a solemn voice. "I...I know that it might be tough for you." The girl continued speaking through the snail, having Bellemere stare at it. She began hearing the young teenager hiccup lightly and no doubt fighting to speak through her tears. "I'm sorry that things are like this. If I… if I was more careful back then, you wouldn't be in this mess."

"Nami…" Bellemere sucked in some air, feeling her lips quivering. As much as Hachi is a good friend for watching over the girl, there's so little he can do to help with the emotional trauma Nami went through. "It...it's alright-" Bellemre got interrupted when Nami's tone got a bit higher.

"It's not alright!" Nami exclaimed while tightening her hold on the transponder snail. Shaking the snail gently within her grasp. "You, you're risking your life for me...a girl who hasn't even apologized, for saying those things back when I was a kid." She hiccuped through the snail. "And now... because of me, you're being forced to go and collect more money for me and the island. But there's no clue where to find more treasure anymore!" Nami continued with Hachi next to her, groaning in concern.

Bellemere sniffed and grunted through gritted teeth. She lifted her head and tried opening her mouth, then closed it before finding the words she wanted to say and smiled. "We're both idiots." She suddenly said, getting Nami and Hachi on the other end to lift their gaze at the snail. "I should have controlled myself better when I did that stupid stunt. After getting the money and thinking…" Bellemere paused and hissed. "Thinking I was strong enough to have the both of us out of Arlong Park." She blurted out.

Hachi spoke softly from the side and gave his thoughts on the matter. "You're both brave if I am to be honest." The fishman said with a wide grin, having Nami and Bellemere hum in confusion. "Nami is brave to keep going and make maps for Arlong, knowing the dangers she might have to go through. She's aware of the dangerous situations we might get into out at sea, but does it anyway." Stated the octopus man, while raising both his hands. Waving happily at Nami and the snail, despite knowing Bellemere can't see him.

"As for Bellemere, she's brave for journeying the East Blue on her own. Collecting treasure to pay Arlong, not only for her island, but Nami as well." Hachi then confidently crossed his arms. " It shows how much the two of you care for each other and those you treasure. I find that quite an amazing part of your characters, especially as humans!" Chuckle the fishman.

Both Nami and Bellemere softened their looks and sniffed softly, silently agreeing with the octopus man. "Anyway," Hachi then spread his arms happily with a smile. "I have no doubt that Bellemere found treasure to repay Arlong again-"

"Actually…" Bellemere suddenly interrupted with a very sheepish tone. "I um, haven't found any." She said while groaning in irritation. "All the spots and islands I know from my past, along with the pirates I arrested during my time as a Marine." Bellemere's expression became saddened and closed her eyes halfway. "I couldn't find any treasure, to even reach Arlongs demand." She then clicked her tongue. "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry, but I don't know if I can meet the deadline!"

This made Nami gasp lightly in shock and felt her emotions bubbling up out of frustration. Only to stop herself from bursting before rationalizing things carefully, grabbing her chin gently in thought. She then looked back at the snail before she spoke up. "Oy Bellemere, didn't you say you're helping people out at Orange Town?" Nami questioned.

Bellemere opened her eyes and then nodded while responding back. "Yeah, I've gotten almost everyone-" Then she gave a sharp gasp. "That's right!" She suddenly announced, hearing both parties on the other hand letting out curious hums. "I might be able to get the needed treasure from Buggy...but," the woman hissed at the thought of having to sneak onboard. She could have Luffy and Kuina help her out, but they're already dead-set freeing everyone from the pirates' turmoil. "If I do that, I'll probably break my trust with Luffy and Kuina, they're-"

"Luffy, Kuina?" Nami's voice suddenly came through the snail. "There's people who are up against Buggy right now? I thought you'd said you got everyone out of there?" Nami asked with a bit of concern in her tone. Clutching the snail bit tightly in her hands.

Bellemere chuckled sheepishly when she turned back at the snail, rubbing the back of her neck. "Actually, I ran into the two teenagers out on the sea." She informed as she rested her hand down to her hip. "They were heading in my direction to Orange Town. After picking them up and telling them the situation, they told me that they wanted to help, honestly."

"Ah, does that mean they're pirates?" Hachi asked, having Nami click her tongue in disbelief and raised her head in defiance. Negative thoughts of why pirates would help the town ran through her head. "If that's true, it's weird to hear about them wanting to help." Hachi continued while stroking his chin before smiling. "But, it isn't unheard of there being such pirates who do help."

"Please," Nami scoffed before Bellemere could answer. "What kind of pirate goes and helps free a village? They're probably only there to defeat Buggy, then later claim the town as their own and rule over it." Nami growled as she faced the transponder snail. "Bellemere, you shouldn't trust them! Pirates should never be-"

"Do you trust Hachi?" Bellemere suddenly asked with a blunt and serious response, forcing Nami to stop her sentence. She stayed quiet and looked at the snail. "Do you trust Hachi Nami?" She asked again, waiting for a response.

"Well...um," Nami then turned to Hachi who looked back at her. He then gave a big smile with two hands showing peace signs in a way to have the girl giggle. She did so softly and placed a hand on her forehead. "He's a different story, he helped me when I was child and watched over me. I knew him for a good eight years Bellemere." She then held her grip on the snail in seriousness. "However, you just met these Luffy and Kuina people! You-" She widened her eyes in surprise when Bellemere's tone of voice had turned quite confident.

"Then I trust them." Bellemere suddenly announced. "Yes, I just met them! But for the last three hours I spent time with these kids, they've proven their worth to me and placed my trust in them." Bellemere informed. While the woman went ahead and started explaining those two stories so far. Relaying what they told her to Nami, in a sense of getting a good judgement of their actions.

The orange haired girl and octopus fishman became surprised, as they listened to the tale. They became quite engrossed over what this captain Luffy went through in order to save, not one, but two people who were rightfully innocent! Luffy went through means of helping out Coby, a young boy who aspired to be a marine soldier. He freed him from Alvida and her pirate crew, who treated him like a slave. Constantly telling him how no one would be looking for him, or bothered sending a search party when he went missing for two years.

But thanks to Luffy, the boy was free and had helped guide his way of achieving his dream and protecting it dearly! That's when their encounter led the two boy's to meet with Kuina the Pirate Hunter! Who was falsely arrested and nearly tortured for a whole month, saving a young girl's life from the corrupt Marine captain son's dog!

Not only that, but the trio also learned the fact that said corrupted captain was abusing his powers. He was having the villagers obey and do anything and everything he told them to do. Too even raising the taxes, just to pay their respects for what he's done for them! Not only that, he and his son didn't intend to keep the latter's promise of releasing Kuina. They were ready to execute her within three days before their agreement ended! This forced Luffy, along with Coby, to take action by freeing the pirate huntress from her prison and rescue not only her, but the people as well. One of them being Rika: a young girl who would sneak into the marine base to feed and give drinks to her hero. So she wouldn't starve or dehydrate to death, before finishing her promise to the marines.

"Amazing," Both Hachi and Nami said at the same time, with the latter feeling a bead of sweat going down her forehead. She stared openly at the transponder snail, hands trembling as thoughts began running through her head. "...Bellemere?" her voice was raspy and gulped down whatever dryness entered her mouth.

Hearing her adoptive mother hum through the snail, she continued. "Do… do you think that… this Luffy." Nami began saying with a shaky tone in her voice, feeling tears dripping down her cheeks. She felt one of Hachi's hands on her shoulder comforting her. She turned back and saw him smile kindly, even nudging his head at the transponder snail, encouraging her to finish her sentence. However, he then wrapped an arm around her shoulders, rubbing her back as the girl began hiccuping and sucking in her lips. Crying in his arms as she finished her sentence. "Do you think that… He'll' be able to save even us?"

Her daughter's question caused Bellemere to gasp and feel her entire body get chills. The thought never crossed her mind, nor had she even thought about asking the two for help with her situation. Although, the more she thought about it, she realized she couldn't ask that of the two, not yet anyway. She, Luffy and Kuina won't be enough to handle the likes of Arlong and his pirate crew. They won't stand a chance honestly, if the three just sailed back to her home and raided Arlong park.

"No," Bellemere responded, hearing Nami's tone almost becoming disappointed only to gasp when Bellemere smiled and said, "not currently however. I think we should wait until he recruits more people for his pirate crew. Then maybe I'll think about asking him for his help." She sniffled out and rubbed her eyes. "Until then however, I'll keep gathering treasure to buy the island and your freedom back alright? If that fails, I will have no choice but to ask Luffy with his crew…" She paused and inhaled a lot of air.

Tears finally broke through her facade, choking to continue speaking and smiled happily. In which both snail's mimicked the ex-marines smile. "I'll ask if they can kick Arlong out from our home… deal?" She offered and heard Nami. No, sensed Nami holding the transponder snail tighter as her hiccups and choking were coming through it.

She pictured the young beautiful girl crying in Hachi's arms, who is doing his best to calm her down. Rubbing her back and shoulders too comforting the girl from her sadness, who whispered through a hoarse voice, "yes...yes it's a deal. Bellemere-san!" Nami tearfully said and then smiled through her sniffs when the woman spoke back.

"Okay, good girl!" Smiled Bellemere who began composing herself and ready to hang up. "Just keep being strong for me alright?" She then softly placed her hand over top of the snail. "Keep making maps, I want to see them all when I get back. I want to see my girl's navigation skills truly shine through them!" She beamed and had both Nami and Hachi laughing.

"Don't you worry Bellemere-san." Hachi proudly said while thumbing two of his thumbs at himself. "I'll be sure Nami doesn't slack off her skills, and preserve whatever maps she has for you."

"Oy, Hachi-san, don't keep empty promises like that!" Nami stammered in embarrassment. "HEY!" She quickly shouted when Hachi took the transponder snail once again, causing a ruckus and struggling between the two. "Give that back, I wasn't done!" Just having Bellemere laughing on the other end of the call.

"Bellemere-san focuses on the task right now. We eagerly await your call of success with Luffy-san and Kuina-san's success against Buggy!" Beamed Hachi happily, then letting out a loud shout of pain when Nami slammed a foot down on his own. Forcing him to drop the transponder snail, as he began hopping around the room tending to his foot.

"Bellemere-san…" Nami suddenly said with an out of breath tone, then curved her lips up happily. "Be safe…"

"Ker-chank."

The call ended and had left Bellemere standing there in the vacant house. Fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. Feeling so much love behind those words Nami had left for her. Causing the pink haired women to smile brightly and straighten her body with confidence. She closed the transponder snail and placed it back into her jeans' pocket. She then lifted her head with a confident tearful smile on her face, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Swiping a hand across her nose and nodded to herself, she said, "I will."

Xxx

When she finished composing herself, Bellemere went ahead and exited out of the building. As she was going to reunite with the teenagers and the mayor however, she felt the entire ground shake beneath her. Forcing the woman to stagger about and slam both hands against the house door. "What in the world!?" She yelled out and nearly let out a frightful scream!

She witnessed houses near the pet shop exploding and collapsing within themselves, going down one by one with loud crashes. It echoed throughout the entire town, followed by what sounded like booming trots coming from the middle-crossroad! Followed by that was what sounded like a very loud roar!

Bellemere was forced to shield her ears and wince painfully for how loud it is! She then whipped her head up and nearly felt the air leave her lungs, at the sight in front of her! Running down the streets of Orange town and heading for the pet shop, the creature's tail is whipping and smacking into each building it ran past. Purposely destroying everything in its way.

This alerted Luffy and the others to start running on over and sliding to a stop. All gasping and widening their eyes at the sight of a giant looking Lion with golden brown fur, running down the streets and letting out loud roars! Bellemere quickly ran over to Luffy, Kuina and Boodle; all star struck at the sight of the mighty beast heading their way.

"Someone's riding it!" Luffy suddenly exclaimed and pointed up at the lion's head, directing the others to look as well. They all spotted what appeared to be a lean man, wearing a white fur vest, blue pants, and his hair looked like a teddy bear. He smugly smiled as he and his lion plowed through each building with no remorse whatsoever or regrets for the destruction they're making.

Boodle eyes widened and began visibly trembling violently, knowing exactly who it is that's coming straight for them! "N-no, it can't be!" He suddenly announced and fell onto his rump and began crawling backwards. Luffy and the others turned their attention towards him, watching the scared man stretch his arm out and violently shake. "Th-that's Buggy's first mate, the tamer of beasts!"

The trio then whipped their heads back, Kuina getting into her battle stance and gripping her sword's hilt. Bellemere's eyes were wide with a bit of fear, as she reached back to grab her rifle, ready to aim it at the lion and man. Luffy, meanwhile, put up his fists and hardened his eyes, ready for battle as all three listened to the mayor finish.

"Mohji The Beast Tamer!"

To be continued...