The Straw Hats looked grim and instinctively adopted combat stances as the woman appeared. Given the circumstances, her sudden arrival hardly suggested friendly intentions. Even Sanji, usually quick to fawn over any female, wore a serious expression, ready for action.
As if sensing the shift in atmosphere, the woman shrugged theatrically. "I'd advise against that," she warned.
"You rookie pirates stand no chance against me. Wandering around a place like this in this day and age…"
"We won't know until we try…!" Zoro retorted, tightening his hand around the hilt of his sword.
"Oh, I know. I pride myself on being a decent judge of character."
Her pink hair swayed as she fixed Zoro with a predatory gaze that made him catch his breath. The palpable pressure of a seasoned fighter made sweat bead on his palms.
"I am Alpha Maraptonoka. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Though, that's assuming you survive," she added with a cruel grin
The next instant, something shot out, embedding itself in the side of the Merry Go, which had just begun to pull away from the shore.
"Wh-what was that?!"
Usopp yelled while clinging to the railing as the ship rocked violently. He stared at the projectile lodged in the ship's hull. A harpoon, or perhaps a harpoon cannon, given its size, large enough to be considered a siege weapon. He followed the chain attached to the harpoon, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw its source. A bear's arm. The chain extended from the bear's paw, connected to the harpoon.
"What the hell?! A harpoon fired from a bear's arm?!"
"Huh?"
"You mean, like, a bear-shaped weapon?!"
Sanji's bewildered question reflected the crew's collective confusion. Luffy, equally perplexed, rubbed his eyes.
Maraptonoka offered an explanation with a sigh.
"Are you unfamiliar with recent developments in the Grand Line? It's now possible to feed Devil Fruits to anything."
Following her gaze, the crew stared at the bear. So that's what it was. A weapon, imbued with the power of a Devil Fruit, transforming an animal into an even more formidable instrument of destruction. The bear's immense strength, pulling on the chain, dragged the Merry Go back towards the shore, halting their escape. The approaching animals added to their predicament. They couldn't just stand there and watch.
"Stop attacking us!"
Zoro drew his swords and attacked Maraptonoka.
She effortlessly caught his attack with her bare fingers. Zoro's slash was capable of cleaving flesh and bone, yet it was useless against her. His blades met an unyielding surface, as if striking steel.
"What's with your body?! Are you a Devil Fruit user too?!"
"This has nothing to do with Devil Fruits. Resisting is futile, you know. But by all means, try."
"Of course!"
Luffy launched an attack from behind Zoro.
Maraptonoka dodged easily and jumped from the ship onto the shore. The animals, seemingly under her command, began swarming the ship, clawing at the sides, attempting to climb aboard.
"Crap! If they damage the ship, we're really stuck!"
A tiger with a mortar strapped to its back and a lion clad in steel armor effortlessly boarded the ship and attacked Usopp.
Sanji intercepted the tiger with a swift kick, while Luffy launched a Gum-Gum Bazooka at the tiger's exposed belly, sending both creatures flying off the ship.
Despite the impact of Luffy's attack, the animals landed unharmed on the shore, quickly recovering and preparing to board again.
"This is endless!"
"Can't we get rid of that harpoon?!"
"I'll try! Cover me!"
Usopp dashed into the ship, leaving Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji to fend off the onslaught of beasts.
Nami tried to keep the smaller animals at bay with her weapon, but these were no ordinary creatures. They were weapons, enhanced by Devil Fruit powers. Though she fought valiantly, inflicting minor wounds, the sheer number of attackers was overwhelming. Even the three main fighters were struggling to keep the larger beasts at bay, unable to offer her assistance.
Vivi, deemed unfit for combat, had been sent to the cabin for safety, but… seeing Nami's predicament, she burst out, flinging small, blade-like projectiles attached to strings from her fingertips, scattering the smaller animals. These were her weapons, the Peacock Slashers.
"Nami, are you alright?!"
"Vivi?! What are you doing?! It's dangerous!"
"I can't hide while the ship that's supposed to take me home is under attack!"
Karoo, the large duck who had been hiding with Vivi, emerged, flapping flags encouragingly, though he showed no inclination to join the fight.
"Hmm… Quite persistent, aren't you? Perhaps you're more promising than I thought."
Maraptonoka observed their struggle while mentally calculating their worth. A group of rookies had barely managed to escape her attack a week ago. These pirates might be on par with them. Though that didn't mean she would go easy on them. This was a field test for her animal weapons. A proper evaluation required multiple trials.
While Luffy and Zoro possessed considerable individual strength, they were no match for a horde of enhanced beasts. Numbers, after all, often dictated the outcome of a battle.
Usopp struggled with the harpoon.
Nami and Vivi fought off the smaller animals.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji held their ground against the larger beasts.
"This is as far as you go."
Maraptonoka signaled to a giant tortoise equipped with a massive catapult, positioned further inland. She prepared to sink their ship. Once their escape route was gone, they would be at her mercy.
Just as she was about to give the signal, a hand, erupting from the ground, flipped the tortoise onto its back.
"Cuatro Mano – Spank!"
Multiple arms, converging into a single, massive limb, had launched a surprise attack from below. Two figures then emerged, swiftly taking down the remaining beasts.
"What the—?! More animal weapons?!"
"We're allies!"
"They talked?!"
A jaguar mink and a polar bear mink. Their lightning-fast attacks, combined with Haki, easily dispatched the armored beasts.
Though the Straw Hats initially mistook them for new weapons, their ability to speak and their declaration of alliance convinced them to trust them. Or rather, they had no choice. Without their help, they would surely perish.
While Luffy and his crew, relieved by the arrival of allies, focused on the remaining attackers, Maraptonoka observed the newcomers with a disappointed frown.
"Pedro, Zepo… and Nico Robin. Or should I say, Miss All Sunday?"
"Either is fine. Our relationship isn't that significant."
"Indeed. But you have no reason to interfere, do you?"
"I do. I can't let you sink that ship."
"Oh? Is that an organizational directive?"
"Let's just say I have a personal reason. That blue-haired girl. She's Princess Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom."
"My, my."
Maraptonoka feigned surprise and glanced at Vivi. She knew Robin's position within Baroque Works and had dealings with Crocodile. Though unaware of Crocodile's exact objective, she knew it involved Alabasta. Having the princess in their custody could prove useful. A valuable bargaining chip. Resigned, she whistled, signaling the animals to retreat.
"I have no reason to spare the pirates… but very well. These little hiccups are to be expected. We'll resume testing another time."
Retrieving the harpoon, she led the animals inland. The island was now theirs. Humans were no longer welcome.
"Quickly, patch the hole! There's nothing left for us here. I'll explain later, but for now, let's get back to sea."
Robin issued rapid instructions. They patched the hole in the Merry Go's hull from the inside and set sail. It seemed they wanted to leave before Maraptonoka changed her mind.
Robin and her companions joined the Straw Hats, her objective seemingly aligned with theirs. As the Merry Go sailed away from the island, a Den Den Mushi rang from Maraptonoka's bag.
"Yes, this is Alpha Maraptonoka."
'It's me. Crocodile.'
"Well, well, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
'I've lost contact with my subordinates. I assume you've taken care of them?'
"Indeed. I've received them. Thank you for the down payment of two hundred humans."
'Make sure they earn their keep.'
"Of course. I always honor my contracts."
Having confirmed his suspicions, Crocodile abruptly ended the call.
Impatient, isn't he, Maraptonoka thought, returning the receiver to its cradle.
"Diverting Twilight's attention, even temporarily… How intriguing."
It was a task she normally wouldn't undertake, regardless of the offered compensation, but this time, the circumstances were different.
"The island's inhabitants, plus the former Baroque Works agents… roughly five hundred souls. More than enough."
While Twilight operated as a massive trading company, controlling a significant portion of the world's logistics, there were two things they refused to handle: slaves and weapons. These two commodities were the last remaining slices of the pie for underground traders, leading to constant disputes.
Maraptonoka who specialized in these two trades, had risen to a position of considerable influence within the underworld. This time, she required the former, accepting Crocodile's request despite the less-than-ideal compensation.
"Two hundred humans to occupy Twilight… hardly a fair trade."
Direct confrontation, or even indirect involvement, could draw unwanted attention. She preferred to avoid that, if possible. Then, a thought struck her. If anyone was to challenge Twilight, it would have to be another Emperor. Fortunately, she had the means to motivate them. A valuable piece of information, sold at a premium, should suffice. Having decided on her course of action, she reached for the Den Den Mushi again.
Just then,
"Is the attack over?"
"Martin? You're alive?"
Martin, the boy they had rescued, appeared.
But he looked different. His hair, once black, was now white. His skin, previously pale, was tanned. And most strikingly, he had black wings.
"How's the ability?"
"Not bad. But the child's body is limiting. He even struggled against those rookies. Was the modification even necessary?"
"Not particularly. It simply saved time."
Shrugging in agreement, the boy tossed a figure at Maraptonoka's feet. Mr. 11, covered in burns and bruises, lay motionless.
"He's Baroque Works too. It would have been a bother to search for him again, even though he can't escape."
"Thank you. You've saved me some trouble."
"This body's physical limitations are inconvenient. Modify it again."
"You're quite demanding. But I require the genetic material of this rare species. I'll gladly take whatever else I can get."
Martin transformed back into his original form, his black hair and pale skin returning, the wings vanishing. But the sharpness in his eyes betrayed his true nature.
"Strange creatures. I thought wings and spontaneous combustion were fairy tale stuff."
"They're a species said to be extinct. We were fortunate to find his complete bio-data in a government lab."
They continued their preparations, discussing their next objective. Their ship would arrive soon. It had been transporting the captured Baroque Works agents, explaining its absence during the day. The reason Luffy and his crew hadn't noticed its arrival was simply because it had docked at a different location during the night, under the cover of darkness.
Having transformed Lunes into an island ruled by animals, they departed, pursuing their next goal.
***
Meanwhile, having escaped Lunes, the Straw Hats, after a brief respite, gathered before Robin, Zepo, and Pedro, ready to demand answers. Vivi, however, was the first to speak.
"Why did you help me?"
"Because I need you alive. I'm part of Baroque Works, but I have my own agenda."
"Then why did you…!"
"Wait a moment, Vivi."
Nami gently interrupted Vivi's barrage of questions, asking Sanji to prepare tea. While understanding that there must be a reason, Usopp insisted on a proper explanation.
Robin nodded and began her story.
"First, she – Princess Vivi – infiltrated Baroque Works. Along with her bodyguard."
"That's quite an active princess…"
"I had no choice. I had to do something to save my country."
"She followed me and learned the boss's identity. And I reported it to him."
"So you're the enemy."
Luffy instinctively raised his fists, but Robin, holding up a hand, stopped him. Since they didn't even know who the boss was, she decided to explain that first. However, before she could speak, Vivi interrupted.
"The boss is Crocodile… One of the Seven Warlords."
"Another Warlord… We seem to have a lot of run-ins with them."
"Have you met other Warlords?"
"Yeah, well… I've met Mihawk, "Hawk-Eyes", and Jinbe, "Knight of the Sea"."
Vivi and Robin stared at Usopp, surprised. Warlords weren't easily encountered, and pirates who crossed their paths were usually eliminated. Their survival was nothing short of miraculous.
But that was irrelevant to the current situation.
"Crocodile was furious, of course. Having his identity exposed introduced an unpredictable element. So naturally, he wanted her dead."
"So I fled to Lunes, leaving my bodyguard, Igaram, behind as a decoy…"
"He's alive, by the way."
Vivi's lips tightened at the mention of Igaram, but Robin continued nonchalantly.
"Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine were my recruits. I've dealt with most of the Baroque Works agents on the island. We were just about to meet up with him and return to our country."
"Is… is that true?"
"Yes. It is. He's safe, and we were on our way to Lunes to meet up."
However, with Lunes in its current state, they needed to change their rendezvous point. Just as she was about to suggest a nearby island, a thud echoed.
"…Nami?"
Turning towards the sound, Luffy tilted his head in confusion. Nami lay collapsed on the deck, her face pale.
"Nami!"
"Nami-san?!"
Usopp and Sanji rushed to her side, gently shaking her shoulders. Nami didn't respond, her eyes unfocused.
"What happened?!"
"Zepo!"
"Leave it to me!"
Zepo examined Nami, checking her pulse and looking for any injuries. He noticed a small cut on her leg, the surrounding skin discolored. Poison. He quickly made an incision with a small knife, excising the flesh around the wound, then sucked out the blood, bandaging the wound tightly. He rinsed his mouth and re-examined Nami.
"It's no good. The poison's already spread. Is there a doctor on this ship?"
"No."
"Medical supplies?"
"We have the basics, but not many medicines…"
"You're too careless for this sea!"
Zepo's scolded them. He returned to Robin's ship to retrieve some medicines. After administering some treatment, he laid Nami in her bed and returned to the deck.
"Polar Bear, is Nami going to be alright?"
"I've treated the poison, but it's not working. Since it's an animal-based Zoan weapons, it's likely a poison I'm not familiar with."
"So, you can't treat her here?"
"That's right. It's best to see a proper doctor in town. And we're running low on medicine anyway."
"I see… The closest medical island would be Drum, right?"
"I wouldn't recommend it, but we don't have much choice."
Zepo, still wearing his sunglasses, agreed with Robin's suggestion.
"Who's the navigator on this ship?"
"Nami."
"And who has any medical knowledge?"
"Nami."
"…Are you sure your crew is going to be alright?"
"No! We need to find a doctor, fast!"
Even Robin was taken aback, but there was no time for such comments. Pedro returned with an Eternal Pose, handing it to Vivi. It pointed towards Drum.
"Go to that island and have your navigator treated. It may be a shadow of its former self, but it was once known as a medical powerhouse. You should be able to find a doctor or two."
"Will Nami be alright if we go there?"
"Probably. I can't say for sure."
Robin, not being a doctor, wouldn't make any guarantees about Nami's condition. Moreover, Nami, as their navigator, was essential for their journey to Alabasta. They couldn't afford to lose her. Accompanying Vivi to Drum could prove problematic. While Crocodile trusted Robin, it wasn't absolute trust. Once they reached Alabasta, they would be under scrutiny.
"Zepo, Pedro. You'll stay and assist them."
"Are you sure, Robin?"
"It's fine. I'm not a helpless child."
Besides, the Straw Hats needed a navigator and a doctor. With Nami, who filled both roles, incapacitated, they required replacements. She would arrange for Igaram and the others to meet them there as well.
Robin returned to her ship.
"We'll meet again, Straw Hat. If you're lucky, you'll reach Alabasta."
With that, she departed, leaving Zepo and Pedro behind.
"I'll be in your care. I'm Zepo."
"Likewise. I'm Pedro."
"Yeah, nice to meet you!"
Luffy readily accepted their help, setting course for the Drum Kingdom. To save Nami.
…
…
The timeline was hard to understand, so here's some elaboration.
Kid arrives in Lunes → the next day he destroys the town → while that is happening, Maraptonoka arrives → Kid and Martin engage in combat. Kid barely wins and escapes.
Two days later, Vivi arrives and finds the town in ruins.
The next day, pursuers from BW arrive. All the ships sink while searching for Vivi.
Luffy and his friends arrive the day after that.
Incidentally, it was Maraptonoka that sank all the ships. The reason the Merry wasn't sunk was because she was busy retrieving BW employees.