Meeting the Straw Hats Pt Final

We arrived back at the Sunny with the Marines hot on our tail.

I know, a bit of a tonal shift, isn’t it?

Well, turns out even the Straw Hat’s luck isn’t infinite. Creating a big incident at the Soul King’s final concert was enough to get the nearby Marine base to stop bowing to the female officer’s sexual demands long enough to assemble and roll out. The two year return of the infamous Monkey D. Luffy who was seen on stage and had ‘taken down’ some Celestial Dragons. That was definitely enough to cause enough of an incident that made them start moving again. Failing to stop him now would mean their heads on a pike, especially with that bastard Akainu now in charge. Yeah, I knew my stuff from the revolutionary army.

Anyway, we thankfully had a lift back to the Thousand Sunny. After pulling our collective pants up, their nearby friends, the Flying Fish gang, had offered to evacuate us with their amazing, well, flying fish. Which was a lot safer than trying to run through multiple Marine blockades.

It still wasn’t a perfect escape. And without the sudden appearance of multiple individuals that the Straw Hats seemed to know it would probably have been a lot different. Such as the crowd of Brook’s fans holding them back, a man in a beetle costume Usopp apparently knew, giant birds that Chopper cheered on, fucking Dark King Rayleigh?!?!, and… well… someone that stayed behind.

Luffy took a long look at the Kuja ship in the dock next to ours.

–

“My husband.”

He’d stopped his attempt to get on the Flying Fish to see a very serious looking Warlord of the Sea. The Kuja were forming a wall behind us, joining the hordes of Soul King fans with determination in their hearts.

Luffy tilted his head, bouncing over to the woman with a confused look, “Hancock?”

It seemed to strain the woman to say this, nearly close to tears, “This… is where we must separate for now,” She sadly sighed, placing her hand on his face, “If I run with you now then the Marines will never stop hounding us. I can keep my people safe easier this way, and we’ll be waiting for your return on Amazon Lily… all of us.” Hancock pet her belly very lightly with a strained smile, “I… I want you to know how much… our time together meant to me, how much-”

“I’ll definitely see you again, don’t worry!” Luffy beamed, somehow instinctively knowing exactly what to say to make the blubbering woman smile properly again.

“I know we will.” She embraced him tightly, the two sharing an impassioned kiss as the sounds of Marines and fighting faded away for the pair. “Go now, my love. Go become the Pirate King!”

“Of course!” He giggled, stretching his hand back over to the Flying Fish who promptly began taking off, “What is it that I’m supposed to say? Oh yeah, I love you, Hancock!

With a final wave between the two, Hancock and Luffy separated on Sabaody.

With a final tiny accepting exhale, Luffy turned from the other ship and looked behind him.

“You ready?”

With a small backpack full of items, the blonde he was talking to swallowed nervously. Still flustered by the change of circumstances but deciding to face her challenges with a small smile.

“Marguerite.” Hancock suddenly said, making the blonde girl squeak and turn to see her all powerful ruler, “He has a fondness for you, so I want you to join him. Take care of my Luffy, won’t you?”

There was many things Marguerite wanted to say in that moment. It was such a shock, to hear this woman practically give the man they both loved to her, there was excitement at the idea, but fear of the future and being taken away from her friends in the Kuja…

But this was an order from Boa Hancock. And Marguerite never disobeyed an order. “Of course, Hebihime-sama.” She bowed, turning briefly to say, “Um, goodbye everyone! T-take care!” Marguerite waved before rushing away, knowing that Hancock’s whims may take this opportunity at any moment. Hopping aboard the final Flying Fish that was about to take off with the dopey blonde man and looking as her friends and family all stood tall against the upcoming Marine threat.

It hurt on many levels for the ruler, but she knew it was the right choice. Luffy was likely to make many wives on his journey to being the Pirate King, but perhaps a piece of Hancock would be able to stay with him as he used the sexy Marguerite to sate his urges every so often.

The Marines were practically atop them now, including their local leader Sentomaru who was easily pushing through the crowds yet had arrived too late to even see the Straw Hats.

“Boa Hancock! You were seen with Monkey D. Luffy, are you affiliated with him?! Is that why you were here today?!”

Even turning around to face them made dozens of the Marine men lose the will to fight immediately. Gazing upon the crowd was doing incredible critical damage to multiple men who grew hearts in their eyes at the sight of her semi-bikini’d form.

“I was here today to enjoy the music. Now I will be walking back to my ship without incident, unless you wish to attack someone like me?”

A shocked reaction washed through the crowd of both Marines and fans. The Amazon Lily Queen was a fan of… Soul King? So many suddenly felt so happy to share in this fact or relate to such a beauty in such a way that the crowd began to part instinctively as she walked slowly yet confidently forwards.

It was too late to really stop her from leaving, but Sentomaru was a little less deterred to ask the burning question, “Is it true?! You’re just a fan of Soul King Brook?!”

Hancock turned once more, shimmering effects seemingly following her wherever she went, making so many hoot and holler at her once more just for being near the goddess.

A hand went through her hair elegantly and show-offy.

“Of course. Why? Because I am beautiful.”

It didn’t matter that the answer made little sense, as the effect of turning a large portion of the crowd to stone was more of a concern for Sentomaru anyway.

“Hello everyone!” A loud voice announced to the crowd of people on board, drawing their attention, “I didn’t get to properly introduce myself, but my name is Marguerite and I-I’ll be joining your crew!”

Some eyes looked to Luffy first, seeing the captain who was smiling happily seemed to confirm it and the congratulations and welcomes weren’t overwhelming but still appreciated by the nervous blonde.

Though one wasn’t fully on board, and Marguerite was suddenly confronted with a pink floating whine in front of her. “Eh? I thought we were getting the whole girl army and that bitchy Warlord! Is this single slice going to be enough for our crew?! I’m not convinced!” Perona loudly declared.

“‘Our’ crew? You’ve changed your tone…” Usopp commented quietly.

“EH?! G-g-g-ghost girl!” Screamed Brook, pointing with fear towards the floating woman, “She’s here to steal my shadow for Moira again!”

Nami shook her head, “No, she’s Zoro’s fuckbuddy.”

“Oh? I see. Kudos, Zoro-kun.” The instantly unfearful musician tipped his hat to the swordsman. Then he turned to me, “And you? Is Zoro shtupping you as well?”

“You’re an actual skeleton.”

How the hell did he work? How did he move around with no ligaments? I’d gotten some rudimentary explanation about Brook’s soul controlling his body, but considering he was currently sipping tea and it was going NOWHERE my confusion had peaked. Did that mean he had an invisible soul digestive system? Was ghostly piss and shit a factor?

“Hm, yes, yes I am. Zoro clearly has a type…” He mumbled, scratching his jaw bone suspiciously.

Snuggling up in his bony grip, Chopper had jumped up into his arms to welcome Brook back to the ship, “No, that’s Natsuo! He’s with Robin! And a really good masseuse!”

Soul King nodded in understanding before moving his skull in a way that made it look like he was giving me an eyebrow raise, “...does he want an autograph? I’m not sure why this man’s staring so much.”

“It’s probably because you’re really weird to look at, Brook!”

“Guh! Like you can talk, Chopper-san!”

The back and forth banter of the odd couple was enough to throw me from my staring. “Uh, sorry. Just… was expecting the skeleton aesthetic to be a costume, and wasn’t expecting to meet you like this face to, uh, face…” I admitted while scratching the back of my head and awkwardly smiling, “Though an autograph would be great! Right here on my arm!”

With a shrug, Soul King signed another of his rabid fans with grace as some people looked at me unimpressed, “You’re going to be travelling with him, you know…” Nami pointed out.

“You’re just jealous I got Soul King’s autograph!”

“Haha! You know, I’d be happy to sign your panties, Nami-san!” He beamed before flinching for some reason. After a blink he looked at the nonplussed navigator with confusion before seemingly realising something, “Ah~! What a lovely sight for a man with no eyes~!” Brook nodded towards her panties, he was a bit of an old perv I guess? “Hm? Who was the lucky man to soil your strings?”

“Usopp did it! They’re a couple now!”

Nami giggled, “That’s right, I already got em personally signed by his two year back up,” Her hand lewdly snapped both sides of her panty line against her jiggly skin, making Brook give her a thumbs up approval.

“Seem like you have all the best gossip, Chopper-san! Come, regale me with more over here…”

While that was going on, Robin and Franky had approached the newest newcomer.

“Sorry about the chaos, you’ll get used to it,” Robin smiled sweetly at Marguerite, “Are you excited to be travelling with us?”

Still a little nervous in most situations, the blonde puffed up her chest and stood to attention, “Yes, ma’am! I am here to protect my King and serve my kingdom!” Her hand landed on her chest in her Kuja salute, while the Straw Hat pair just blinked in surprise.

“Wow… that’s some super work ethic…” said Franky, “Uh, stand down? We really aren’t that serious around here.”

Robin giggled lightly, “True, though Mr Swordsman has his moments.” Marguerite awkwardly stopped standing at attention while Franky laughed at Robin’s side comment, “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find Luffy can protect himself. But if you’re his friend then we’ll make you feel welcome. Do you want me to show you to the girl’s room?” She offered while the pair walked up the stairs.

Meanwhile, Sanji was dumped on deck by Duval.

“Hm? What’s with him?” Zoro asked.

“Young Master has been like this since we found him in a corridor,” said the large man, scratching the back of his head while looking at the chef who had reconstructed his face. Sanji was currently an unmoving pile on the floor, plastered with a huge goofy grin on his face, blood trickling out his nose, and a huge heart in his visible eye. “I have no idea what happened to him, but it's nice that he seems happy about it.”

“...maybe he came in his pants when a girl looked him in the eye.”

That made Sanji snap out of it, instantly hopping off to grimace in Zoro’s face, “Ehh? You wanna say that again you shitty Marimo?”

“Young Master! You’re okay!” Duval sighed in relief.

“Of course I’m okay!” Sanji’s happy mood returned, strangely giving his old clone a deep hug, “Oh Duval, I met the most wondrous woman! She fell for me at first sight, and we made sweet love with Sana in the woman’s bathroom!” He sighed happily.

“Good job Young Master! I too have found amazing success recently with my… amazing good looks!” The man smiled then attempted to wink with horrifying results.

Sanji pet his arm supportively then turned back to Zoro to growl, “Which means you can’t turn me virgin anymore, asshole.”

“Ooh, losing it in the toilet’s of Brook’s concert. How romantic.” The Swordsman sarcastically rolled his eyes, “What’s her name then?”

“It’s-! ...” Sanji started, then paused harshly, “...she didn’t tell me.”

A mocking smile grew on Zoro’s face, “A mysterious woman with no name happened to take your virginity before running into the night? Hm, yes. I definitely believe you.”

“Sana! She was there with-!” Sanji frantically scrambled before remembering the Kuja stayed behind, “GAH! Fuck! Fuck you, Marimo!” He slammed his foot into the ground and stormed off.

Duval and Zoro watched him go before the former folded his arms, “...do you really think she was fake?”

“Nah, he ain’t a liar.” Zoro admitted, “Losing your virginity ain’t even a big deal. But seeing how wound up he gets about this shit that doesn’t matter is really fucking amusing.”

It was a strange friendship to Duval, but he couldn’t really be bothered to argue. Instead he shrugged and began walking back down the gangplank he was stood on, “Well, I’m off! Stay safe in the New World everyone! Don’t run back to see my beautiful face too quickly!” He waved as he once more attempted to wink before taking off with his gang into the distance.

The chaotic reunion of friends all chatting, catching up, meeting new people, reuniting… well, it was quite fun to be part of. But unlike earlier it was cut short rather quickly as their Captain suddenly appeared above them.

“Everyone!” Luffy stood atop the railing on the upper row of the Sunny, smiling down on us all, “Thank you for going along with my selfish request for the last two years! There’s so many things I want to say, but I don’t want to wait any more time to get back to adventuring with all of you! So… LET’S SET SAIL!”

“YEAH!!!” The crew roared, all rushing about the ship immediately to follow captain’s orders. Leaving me, Perona, and Marguerite looking a little lost on the main deck as they all seemed to have an idea of what to do and a job role.

It didn’t feel like the time to ask how to help, just let them have their moment and try to keep out their way.

I looked over the railing one more time. The bubbly groves of Sabaody would probably be a nice place to be a hermit for my crimes against humanity, but I guess I was more selfish than I thought. Maybe I’ll find the strength to give up on life on the next island, but for now I wanted to see where it would take me, and perhaps find some sort of redemption.

A bubble began to grow around the ship. The fabled method of underwater travel was certainly impressive. The thin film felt funny as it travelled up my body before expanding past me until it covered the entire Sunny, sails and masts included. As soon as it was completed the ship rumbled, then shook slightly, before suddenly beginning to sink. Mildly terrifying to watch as the water level raised higher and higher, going above the sides of the boat before encapsulating the full ship. It made everyone on board express awe at the sight, the water not breaking through the bubble as we sank further and further into the murky depths below.

Monkey D. Luffy threw his hands to the sky in triumph as he set off for the New World, “TO FISHMAN ISLAAAND~!!!”

Alright Straw Hat Pirates, let’s see where this goes.

Just a smaller transition chapter to finally get out of Sabaody. And yes, Marguerite is the last new addition to the crew as a representative from the Kuja, mostly because there was so many theories back in the day she'd be the newest SH, but also cause I think she's cute.

We'll be getting back to sexier business soon as there will be a little intermediary chapter between here and FI. The plan is I'm going to give some islands extended travel time in universe, so it'll roughly take 1 day to get to Fishman Island rather than it being done in about an hour. Then I will probably repeat the process between other arcs so I can have more downtime chapters on the Sunny without it being weirdly placed. Anyway, hopefully everyone's enjoying!