46 Chapter 46

46

"There was also a rumor that Yassop once accidentally shot, Admiral Aakinu's robe, burning a hole in the kanji Justice. Man the lava freak was angry, but the most funny part was he couldn't even find Yassop's location" Luffy said, laughing out loud. "Even though it's a rumor I can actually see that happening. A sniper's job is to be invisible and do his work quietly." Usopp had stars in his eyes so did Coby. "No, wonder he's in Shanks crew."

"Wait, Shanks?" Coby said wide-eyed, Usopp fearing no better, "Do you mean Red-Haired Shanks?"

Luffy nodded, grabbing his hat, "Yup, the one and only. The Red Yonko of the sea." He said fondly tugging his hat.

"The world's greatest swordsman," Kunia muttered, but the others didn't hear it except Luffy.

Which made the boy frown. It couldn't be… Hawk-eye should be… unless. And a wide grin dawned on his face. This world was different after all. Maybe a certain pirate didn't lose his arm.

Usopp always knew his father was amazing, but it felt good to hear someone confirm it.

"Oh, by the way Usopp, do you know where we could find a ship." Luffy asked, which made the boy lie, before excusing himself.

They continued eating after Usopp left until the three kids from earlier rushed into the restaurant, almost falling over each other. "We're here to defend the village Captain!" one shouted with newfound resolve. He then looked around confused.

"Where's Captain Usopp?" another demanded, holding up a wooden toy dagger in what he hoped to be a menacing manner.

"Ah, that was some good meat," Luffy sighed, patting his stomach in satisfaction. Sparky copied Luffy getting the gist of the situation. The three kids looked at him in horror.

"What? No way! Don't tell me you ate the Captain!" the third one shouted indignantly.

Coby blinked a sad expression towards the kids, and muttered, "I tried to stop them…" the boys grew paler hearing that.

"Well, our swordswomen here, can chop anything in fine pieces." Luffy said. She wasn't part of the crew just yet. But that was manageable.

Kunia raised an amused eyebrow, before nodding. "Though, the man didn't have much meat on his bones. Good thing the bones weren't too tough to chew on." Now that turned dark right there, Coby sweat-dropped at the details.

"About your Captain," Zoro said, catching their attention. He put on his best evil grin. "He was delicious."

"No!!!" They shouted in unison, pointing at Nami, "Witch!"

"What the heck did I do!" Nami said, with a tick mark on his head. Every one of them laughed.

Once Coby managed to calm them down enough to convince them it was a joke, Luffy asked if they knew why Usopp took off in such a hurry.

"Captain usually goes up to the mansion on the hill to recite his far-fetched stories to the girl that lived there." One of them, who introduced himself as Carrot, replied, "She is always sick and isolated, and that Usopp's lies cheered her up."

Most of the crew softened at that.

Luffy got up. "All right, let's go then."

"We're actually not allowed to go there," Carrot said disappointedly.

"Captain gets in through a secret entrance," the boy who had introduced himself as Pepper added proudly.

"All the more reason why we should go," Luffy said, stepping on the tool that he sat on, pointing at a random direction. "Aye aye mates. We go on an adventure!"

Rest of the crew looked dumbfounded at the captain's expression.

"Wow! They are totally real pirates!!!" The three boys cheered at Luffy's shenanigan.

Nami wanted to protest the logic, but the three boys cheered and took off in the direction of the hill, led by the boy who had introduced himself as Onion. Luffy laughed and trailed after them while other followed wordlessly.

.

A tall gate surrounded the mansion, stretching around the full perimeter. The vegetable trio was wondering if they could find the Captain's way in when something wrapped tightly around the waists of Sparky, Nami, Kunia, Zoro, Coby Pepper, Carrot, and Onion. "Gomu Gomu no…" Luffy said jovially.

The entire group, minus Sparky, looked in shock from Luffy to what was wrapped around them and back to Luffy. It was his arm. It was coiled around them like a snake. His other arm was also stretched out and had grabbed the top of the gate.

Before anyone could question the absurdity of what was currently happening, Luffy shouted, "sling-shot!"

They tried to avoid the inevitable, but were pulled along with him as he launched himself past the gate and high into the air. Luffy just enjoyed the breeze as the rest of them, minus Sparky, screamed their lungs out, tears leaking down their eyes.

Before they landed, Sparky pulled free of his grip, knowing this would only be painful if his landing was dependent on his Captain, who wasn't exactly worried about him dying from a fall like this.

He landed on his feet and skidded in a long line before finally coming to a stop. Luffy stuck the landing with his knees bent and one arm wrapped around his captive passengers, which were dangling above his head, gasping for breath. He promptly let go of them, his arm snapping back to his side as they fell to the ground in a thud. "Yeah! We are in." he said.

Surprisingly they didn't crash landed as expected. Well, Luffy made sure they didn't, but they did fell the shock and terror of their quick ride.

Kunia was shaking and tried to unsheathe her Wado Ichimonji, with a murders glare at the teen. Looking at Kunia, Luffy quickly took cover behind Zoro's back.

"Save me!"

"Uh… even I'm tempted to do the same." The green swordsman gave a tired sigh. But he got that this will often happen.

"Hey, that was fun." Luffy protested.

"Like hell it was!" Nami shouted, wondering how they were still alive. She was about to ask what the hell he just did, but was trying to find the right words, and the veggie trio beat her to it.

Coby was on the ground, shaking, "I-I saw my life flash before my eyes!" Sometimes Luffy wondered how this kid got into a Rear Admiral position in three years.

"That was awesome!" Pepper shouted.

"Can we do that again!?" Carrot pleaded.

"How did you do that!?" Onion demanded.