Goodbye, Straw Hat Pirates!! Goodbye, Luffy!!!"
The cheers echoed across the coast of Orange Town as the townspeople gathered by the docks, waving their arms and handkerchiefs. For the first time in a long while, peace had returned to their town — and it was all thanks to four eccentric pirates.
On the water floated the prize ship Big Top, Buggy the Clown's gaudy circus-themed vessel, now commandeered by the Straw Hat crew. The sails were tattered, the deck was a mess, but the ship moved—barely.
Zoro was crouched beside a pile of unconscious pirates, binding them with the precision of someone who used to make his living handing in bounties. He had already tied them together into a perfect human dumpling chain, neatly stacked like sacks of grain.
"I haven't done this in a while," Zoro muttered. "Feels nostalgic."
Nearby, Saikan (Rokuro) was counting heads. "That's twenty-eight low-level pirates, plus four with bounties," he said, scribbling on a palm leaf. "This haul might fetch us a couple million berries. Nami, this could cover our recent 'expenses.'"
"'Expenses'?" Nami raised an eyebrow. "Like the ten berries you gave me when you accidentally groped me? Or the fish you 'stole' from the tavern's aquarium?"
Saikan smiled mischievously and pointed at the immobilized pirates. "Collateral damage."
"But," Nami crossed her arms, "how do we sail the ship without a crew?"
"Glad you asked!" Saikan stretched his arms and struck a dramatic pose. "Behold the power of my ninjutsu!"
Before anyone could react, he leapt over the side of the boat and into the sea with a splash. Luffy gasped with childlike wonder. "Is he gonna do it? Is he gonna do the Clone Jutsu?!"
Moments later, the sea rippled unnaturally. Chakra flowed into the salt water, bubbling as two water figures rose from the sea, shaping themselves into nearly perfect replicas of Rokuro.
"Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu!"
The two clones landed gracefully on the deck of the Big Top, saluting. Though each only held a tenth of his original power, on a ship in open water, they were stable and combat-capable.
"I give you: Temporary Crew!"
"Waaaah! That's amazing!" Luffy shouted, leaping around the deck like a monkey on sugar. "Ninjas are the coolest!"
Even Zoro, who had witnessed Rokuro's abilities before, narrowed his eyes. "Tch… I still don't get it. Is this even real?"
Nami just sighed. "As long as it works and saves me work."
Two days later…
The Big Top slowly drifted into the familiar coast of Shells Town, a Marine-controlled island with tall watchtowers and a proud navy emblem flapping in the wind.
"We're here!" Saikan announced, casting his fishing rod off the side. "Thanks to Nami's navigation. She's amazing!"
Nami tried to act modest. "Of course. You couldn't find a beach if it slapped you in the face."
"I resent that," Saikan muttered, reeling in a dogfish.
"You guys wait here," he said, turning serious. "I'll handle the pirates with Nami. But first…"
He walked toward the pile of tied-up pirates and transformed—his body morphing grotesquely into a perfect replica of the smooth-skinned, svelte version of Alvida.
"Transformation Jutsu: Alvida!"
The effect was immediate.
"AAAAAHHH! I agree! I agree! I'll never be a pirate again!"
"Please! Let me turn myself in!"
"I can't unsee it!"
The pirates lost their minds, scrambling to confess their crimes. When Rokuro turned back to his normal form, he actually looked satisfied. "Didn't even gag this time. Human adaptability is scary."
With the prisoners ready, he transformed again—this time into a pink-haired teen with nervous eyes.
"Let's go, Nami. Time for me to become… Koby."
The pair marched into the 153rd Marine Base. The marine lieutenant colonel looked up, eyes twitching. "You again? The Feng Shui fish?"
"Yo," Rokuro waved. "Nice pond, by the way."
"We've only got 500 million berries in the vault. That's all I can give."
Nami's eyes turned into berry signs. "515 million," she demanded.
After grueling negotiations, they left the base, Nami skipping along with a bag of money, humming with joy.
"Ah, extortion is a fine art," she mused.
"Hey, I helped."
Back on the ship, Nami began stocking provisions, arranging everything with shopkeeper efficiency. Rokuro noticed something.
"Wait… why won't you let me help?"
"I don't trust your hands near the inventory. You'd probably grill the gunpowder fish."
Inside the cabin, Luffy was inhaling fried rice.
"We should get a cook next!" he declared between mouthfuls.
"What?" Nami dropped the ladle. "Is the orange-fried rice not good enough? 5,000 berries a plate!"
Luffy coughed. "It tastes… unique?"
"Luffy's balance: 53 berries!" Nami snapped.
"Zoro!" she turned to the swordsman. "Want wine?"
"How much?"
"One berry."
"Zoro's balance: 57 berries," she announced gleefully.
"You're running a store in the middle of our ship," Rokuro said, casting his line again. "This isn't a tavern."
"Then fish your own food," she replied, locking the supply chest.
Rokuro groaned. "We seriously need a cook… and a better ship."
Nami blinked. "You don't want this ship?"
"No way," Luffy shook his head. "This was Buggy's. And he insulted Shanks!"
"Who cares?" Nami asked.
"I do," Luffy said simply. "We're getting our own ship, with our own flag. That's what real pirates do!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "We don't even have a carpenter."
Saikan chuckled. "One step at a time. First a cook, then a shipwright, then a musician."
"A musician?" Nami repeated. "That's at the bottom of the priority list!"
As the Big Top floated off, the people of Orange Town waved from the shore. Peace had returned, the circus had left town.
"Goodbye! Thanks for saving us!"
"Come back someday!"
From the deck, Luffy waved his hat, grinning wide. "Thanks for the party! And the meat!"
Nami was not smiling. "Half the money?! Are you out of your rubber mind?! That's my treasure!!"
"But they were nice!" Luffy whined.
"I'm the treasurer! I object!"
Zoro was already snoring under the mast.
"Rokuro! Do something!"
The fisherman raised his rod. "I caught a fish, not feelings."
Nami stormed over and punched both Luffy and Rokuro into the deck.
"Idiots!"
The Big Top rocked gently as the crew argued, joked, and plotted their next move. Above them, the sky was clear, and ahead of them lay the open sea, full of danger, dreams, and—hopefully—a cook.
At the bottom of the hold, Nami quietly counted her money, then—without saying a word—slipped 500 million back into the crew's shared treasure chest.
She stared at the sea, her mind returning to Cocoyashi Village.
One day, she whispered silently, you'll be free.
And she looked toward Luffy, who was laughing despite the bump on his head.
Maybe… these idiots aren't so bad.