New ally?

"Ahh! Old man with a big wound!" Luffy yelled as the old man with a big wound ran and knelt before the strangers.

"He's obviously a zombie you moron!" The men yelled at him angrily.

"No, I'm just an old man who's received a big wound." He said weakly, leaving them to facepalm.

"What do you want, old man with a big wound?" Luffy asked as he cocked his head. The men glared at him once again.

"Just call him old man or something…"

"I saw you battle those zombies stranger. You're extremely powerful, and I need your help. For I am far too weak..." He said as he held up his lantern. "M-my shadow. It was stolen."

"Ugh! That damn lizard guy!" 'Lizard Guy?' "Gekko Moriah! Stop stealing shadows you dick! People need those!" Luffy yelled angrily at the mansion. 'Oh...Gecko. Gekko'

"You...You know of Moriah?" The man asked as he started to weep. "Than you know what he does. Dooming people to lives of zombification, or hiding among the trees to avoid the zombies. We won't dare leave for fear of the sun's rays. I...I just want to feel the sun. One last time before my frail body gives to the torture I've endured..." He wiped his tears as the man patted his shoulder.

"I'm going to kick this guy's ass anyway, so sure." He said with a smile. "Oooh! Robin! You want his mansion?!" Luffy asked as he saw it. It looked like it had a vortex of malice, or something like that.

"House shopping so soon Luffy? Fufufu. Well I suppose the pitter patter of little feet would echo more..."

Sanji fell back, death overtaking his face at the notion of her and Luffy with

"Fufufu. Chopper would love to live with us, right Luffy?" She added, making everyone facefault as Luffy's face contorted in thought.

"Oh…I thought it was kids..." Luffy said, shocking everyone as he walked past the old man.

"You make a great couple! You're a lucky man! Love is a hurricane you youngsters!" The other 'old men with big wounds' called from the forest around them.

"Dammit! Shut up!" Sanji yelled in anger as he charged with them towards the mansion. Focusing on Nami and how he still had hope.

The clock in the main room struck midnight, and Doctor Hogback looked back in horror. "Oh no! I've missed my time!" He said, looking at the group before them. Absalom had yet to report in, so that could help him. But Perona and Moriah wouldn't miss another hunt. It was such a shame, he had grown to like these few. Especially the optimistic little Chopper. He looked around and sighed, if he left the room, the surprise zombies would...could. Could attack.

"E-everyone, I believe I need to leave." He said, looking at the eyes of his devoted fan begging him not to leave. He missed such appreciation of his work, even if Chopper hadn't seen his masterpieces. He had worked so hard to avoid the constant annoyance of patience, but he couldn't be praised without any.

"Unless of course you need my company." He said as he looked to Cindry. The beauty he gave up his career as a surgeon for stared blankly at them. Being alone with her, it was less apparent that she was so. Lifeless. These people were talking about dreams and goals he hadn't had in a long time.

"Oh please Doctor Hogback! You must tell me more about your early work!" Chopper yelled as he shook almost violently. He had a bad taste from what the doctor spoke of in terms of his new work, but in his prime Hogback was a miracle worker.

"Than stay I will! Well Chopper, my skills were sought by many people. They paid well for my expertise, so I gave them my best." He said, swelling his pride. "Though having so many patients, it began to annoy me. The more famous I became, the less time I had. I began to resent the ill and injured..."

Chopper looked physically hurt from such a statement, turning away from the doctor with tears in his eyes. "N-no doctor should ever resent his patients. They come to us for help!" He spit out to open space, trying to control his anger.

"I know Chopper..." Hogback stared blankly at the table in front of him, the stain from the pudding the only non-perfect spot before him. "The arrogance of the young is a dangerous thing. I thought my job was a means to an end. Getting rich and famous. I haven't worked on anyone who's shown gratitude in ten years..." With that, his eyes fell upon Cindry, and the two humans spoke up.

"Ten years without even a thank you?" "How could you stand it?"

"I've had my Cindry and my Research… Right dear?" Hogback asked Cindry, who didn't respond. Staring blankly forward. "That's right dear..." Hogback said, forcing a smile as if he heard a response.

"Doctor Hogback sir, what's wrong with Cindry?" Chopper asked, making Nami and Usopp freeze. They had figured it out since he said 'cured death' and now they were stumbling into it.

"I. I cured her Doctor Chopper...R-right Cindry?" He asked again, to no avail. "She was in a terrible accident. The world lost a beautiful woman...But I cured her of her ailment. I can cure everyone of death." He stood up slowly from his chair and hugged her. "No one should lose who they love. Even if they aren't loved." Cindry once again didn't respond. Staring blankly in the distance as the man hugged her.

"Hey! Guys! Are you okay?!" A voice called as a group of people ran in. "Where's Moriah? I gotta kick his ass!" Luffy yelled as he ran to the table.

"Luffy!" The three called as they ran to him, forcing him to give a big hug of relief.

"Hey, who's the guy hugging a zombie?" Luffy asked, causing them to fall to the floor in terror.

"T-that's Doctor Hogback! The greatest surgeon in the world!" Chopper yelled weakly from the floor as hogback stared back.

"Oh...Well thanks Hogback! They seem to be safe! Want to join our crew?" Luffy asked, ignoring the stares from his crew.

"Thank you for the offer, but I'll have to decline. I've committed to Moriah. Besides, Absalom and Perona..."

"Who're they?" Chopper asked as he walked from the safety of Robin.

"The other commanders. Graveyard King Absalom, invisible-" Hogback was silenced by a yell from the young man.

"That bastard?! Is he still alive?! I swear I'll...I'll..." Luffy was calmed as Robin walked to him, petting his head to calm him down.

"Shh...It's okay Luffy. He's not going to hurt me." Robin said with a kiss to his cheek, the whole ordeal shocking Hogback.

"What do you mean still alive?! What did you do?" He asked in fear as he stepped back.

"I killed him for attacking Robin….So now I think I'll go kick Moriah's ass."

"What do you mean you killed him?! He was the most powerful in single combat outside Moriah himself! You...you may just be able to do it." Hogback said as he looked around the room. He could tell his surprise zombies were getting anxious. "Do you notice anything...odd, about the room?" He asked, sweat forming on his face. It would be best to stay on the good side of this crew.

"Hmm? Well you have a lot of dumb furniture and stuff..." Luffy said as he looked around.

"We're not dumb!" The 'furniture' yelled out in unison. Hogback's plan worked perfectly, they were shockingly stupid.

The crew got into a battle stance, leaving the zombies terrified. "Oh crap!" They yelled out as they started being attacked. The overwhelming force of every Straw Hat took them off guard. It wasn't long before they were beaten into submission.

"You can't beat Master Moriah, oink oink, he will capture you all." The pig over the fireplace said, making them all stare.

"Hey, Hogback. Can you show us around?" Luffy asked as he cocked his head.

"I suppose, if I have no other option." Hogback said, feigning fear.

"Good!" Luffy reached up and grabbed the pig. "Hey Robin, does killing zombies count?" Luffy asked as he looked back, causing the pig to oink in fear.

"I suppose not Luffy, they are already dead." She said with a smile, watching the fear in the pig's eyes. It was rather bothersome.

Luffy smiled and threw the pig in the fireplace before clapping his hands. "Shishishi! Zombie Bacon!" He yelled out in victory as he looked at the zombie.

"So...where's this Moriah guy? We need to kick his ass." Luffy said as if he was asking where the bathroom was.

Hogback sighed as he started walking. "Follow me, I'll take you to him."