Morning came and went, the strawhats were once again a tangle of limbs as they slept in their fort from the previous night's shenanigans. Sanji was the first to wake up, his face was dangerously close to Zoro's. Earning the unsuspecting swordsman a swift kick to the noggin.

A chain reaction ensues. Zoro jumped up, but his arm was linked around Chopper and sent the poor little guy flying. Usopp was elbowed in the ribs when Zoro pushed Sanji, Usopp slapped a hand onto Luffy's face. Luffy jerked awake but was still clinging to Tani's back and ended up throwing her into Nami when he jumped up. How? Who the hell knows!

"Sanji! Breakfast!" Luffy demanded. Having Zoro lift the captain off the pile and tossed him into one of the beds on the other side of the room. Nami pushed Tani off her, leaving Tani to topple onto the ground and smack into Chopper. The poor deer was dizzy from all the tossing and squashing.

"Shut up I'll make food in a moment," Sanji snarled at Luffy. Standing up and waltzing towards Nami and Tani with a dumb smile. "Allow me to help you beautiful angels up" he said with his hand held out. Nami took it while Tani hauled herself and Chopper onto their feet.

What a way to wake up in the morning!

Breakfast came and went. Usopp shared his dream about giant man eating plants and masked heroes, prompting the rest of the crew to share their own nightly dreams. Nami was swimming in riches like scrounge Mcduck, Chopper wandered around a candy land, Zoro and Sanji didn't dream and Luffy forgot what his dream was about. Vivi stayed silent through the whole conversation. It was clear that she had something on her mind. She didn't share it though, not even as they made a move to leave the town of Yuba.

"Thank you so much for your help Toto," Vivi thanked with a low bow. Toto smiled like a father to a child at her. He turned to Luffy, a small barrel with a lanyard and straw in his hands.

"Take care of yourselves, and good luck in your travels," Toto wished, handing the barrel to Luffy. The captain threw the lanyard around his neck, the barrel dangling from his neck as he thanked the man with a "shishishi".

The crew all waved goodbye, turning from whence they came... That journey being all for nothing. The town vanished as they walked in the swelting heat, expressions were turned down as they walked through the endless yellows of the desert.

"Come on guys its not that bad," Vivi said with a strained smile. "We just need to go back and stop them before they make it to-"

Luffy dropped to the ground in a cross-legged position and leaned against a dried up tree that poked out of the ground. Arms resting behind his head, pushing his treasured hat forward to cover his eyes. The crew halted their steps, staring at Luffy in confusion and disbelief.

"Oi Luffy," Nami narrowed her brows, "nows not the time to be resting, we've need to make it back to-"

"I don't feel like it," Luffy said stubbornly. "I want to have an adventure, and this is super boring so I don't wanna do it," he declared. Tani exchanged looks with Sanji and Usopp. Nobody knew what to do.

Vivi looked visibly distressed. Her mind running a million miles a second as she tried to comprehend what Luffy meant. Her face fell, dismounting eyelashes to stand in front of the now unmotivated captain.

"But... But I need your help to stop the rebels," she pleaded, water prickled at the corners of her eyes. Tani wanted to comfort her, but something in the air seemed to hold her back. Luffy lifted his head lazily.

"Well I don't wanna do that. We're pirates, not marines so why should we help if it's boring," Luffy retorted. Vivi took deep breaths to calm herself, her fists clenching in bubbling rage.

"Because thousands of innocent lives will be lost if we don't stop them!" she yelled, "I need your help to stop the rebels from attacking, we can't afford to lose any lives!" her cool was totally lost. Luffy didn't even flinch.

"That's just stupid, you can't save everyone," he waved off. That was the final straw. "This is war, people die." he concluded with no emotion. This set Vivi off, she let out a pain battle cry and threw her fist into Luffy's face, the captain bounced a couple feet away.

Vivi was panting as she watched Luffy lift himself back to his feet. He balled a fist and slammed it right into her face, tossing her to the ground. Nami went to help her, but surprisingly it was Sanji that stopped her. Whispering to her something that Tani didn't quite hear.

Vivi pounced onto Luffy, slapping and punching him in the face with pent up anger.

"Why should we go back? Don't you want this all to end? Taking out the main problem is the only way to fix this!" Luffy shouted at her as she assaulted his face. Hot tears dribbled from her eyes. "We're your nakama! Let us help! We can take down Crocodile!" Luffy roared. Vivi halted in her movements, now a sputtering mess of tears.

"He's right you know," Tani smiled softly, Vivi turned to look at her through watery eyes. "We always manage to pull through. Out the main source of the problem is rule number one of problem solving," she finished. Vivi pulled herself off of Luffy and stared at the ground with clenched fists. A new fire lit in her eyes.

"Change of plans," she said with anger laced words, "We're headed to Rainbase. We need to kick Crocodiles ass!" she declared with her fist punching up in the air. Everyone followed in suit. The crew now had a new objective.

Kick Crocodile's ass!

...

It didn't take long at all to make it to Rainbase. It was a short distance from Yuba, so the crew was already standing before the massive crocodile themed town that looked prosperous in these trying times.

"Before we do anything, it would be wise to fully stock up on supplies and the such. Since we'll need to make a quick escape after taking Crocodile out," Nami informed. The crew nodded in unison, so Nami continued. "We'll split into groups, one to get water, one for food and another for essentials,"

Team one was Luffy, Tani and Usopp. Who were tasked with water duty. Luffy looped his arms through both of his team mates and ran towards the first pub he could find. Zipping over to the front bar and demanding three barrels of water.

"Luffy you know I could just find a dimension store and get water bottles right?" Tani commented off-handedly to the captain. He tilted his head with a blank look. "You know? The place I get all the snacks I bring? Have I never mentioned it once?" Tani held her chin in thought.

"Now that you mention it," Usopp chimed in. "You do bring a lot of things back to the Merry that I've never seen before," he held his chin in thought too. Now Luffy needed to do it and they would all be in sync.

"Ohhhh," Luffy clicked his fingers. "That's where you got that bubbly looking alcohol and the meat sticks from isn't it?" he said. Tani spat, half expecting some magical water to be sprayed across her companions.

"Alcohol? You thought that was alcohol?" Tani said with shock. Luffy nodded his head with confusion. "No that was fanta, it's a fizzy drink. Think fruit juice but with lots of little bubbles," she explained. Shaking her head with a gentle smile, "I'm still too young to be drinking alcohol anyways," Tani stated.

The bartender dropped down three massive barrels for them to take. Luffy and Usopp immediately took to gulping down massive amounts of the stuff, clearly too thirsty at the moment. Tani shook her head with a small chuckle stuck in her throat. It was relaxing to not be pursued, so she took a long inhale and that's when her nose caught it.

The familiar smell of smoke.

Now her relaxed demeanor had shifted to that of alertness. Her eyes scanning the surrounding area for the familiar greyish white of the marines hair. Smoker was a big guy, and the trail of smoke that whisped from his two cigars were always easy to find... So how she'd somehow missed that he was sitting right beside her! She wouldn't know. Though he didn't seem to realize they were here either.

"Wait so you're telling me that you could have gotten us supplies from this dimension store place, since Lougetown?" Usopp spoke a little too loudly. Smokers shoulders tensed, his
Hardened gaze turned to stare at the young pirates... Oh shit here we go again.

"Captain Smoker?" a young looking women with big black framed glasses and a navy blue Bob cut poked her head from behind the man's massive shoulders. Her eyes widened like saucers at the sight of us. "It's straw hat and that girl with the cap!" she declared. Pointing a finger at the trio before throwing her hands over to the sword attached to her hip.

Luffy and Usopp in unison spat out water into the marine pairs faces. Giving them the opportunity to book it. Tani already had her skates on, but she was not! Repeat NOT! Going through what she did the last time Smoker was hot on their trail. Plus this time Usopp was around so she couldn't carry them both, Luffy would just jump her and do his Luffy thing.

That is why it was such a surprise that Usopp was the one that was jumping onto her back as she skated. His legs landing on her shoulders, her hands locked around his ankles to hold him steady.

"Luffy has the water, we need to keep them off his back," Usopp said with confidence. Pride bubbled in Tani's stomach at the bravery he was showing. God she felt like her mum right now. She nodded at him and glided across the sand covered paths of Rainbase.

The blue haired women was on their heels, Usopp fired shot after shot at her as she chased them. Her sword sliced through many of the shots... Most of them.

"Tabasco star!" he cried, taking the shot and smacking her right in the glasses. The small capsule burst and red hot sauce splattered all over the women's face. She shrieked in pain as the sauce irritated her skin. Her hands flying up to rub it away. Tani wasted no time in making an break for the rendezvous point.

"You think Luffy's alright?" Tani asked breathlessly. Maybe she needed to do some weight training with Zoro, or whatever kinda training you do to get stronger with your back. "Smoker is no push over I'll tell you that," oh who was she kidding, Luffy was like a cockroach. You can't kill him! And he always manages to pull through.

"I see them!" Usopp called out. The rest of the crew was fighting off a marine squad. Luffy came flying from the roof tops with the water barrels in hand.

"Split up!" he shouted. Dropping the water barrels on the ground and ran away with Smoker right behind him. Everyone did just that. Usopp jumped off Tani's back and ran with Nami, Tani felt her strength leave her. Stumbling over and finding herself being hoisted over someone's shoulders. Sanji and Vivi ran off together and Tani couldn't see Chopper anywhere. Which left-

"Watch my back," Zoro's gruff voice commanded. Tani nodded her head as the bulky swordsman made a run for it. Many of the marines, as well as some shifty looking buggers that probably worked for big bad Crocodile were pursuing them. Zoro held them off without breaking a sweat, Tani would know since she's literally on him as he fights. She'd gotten a few hits of her own too, her yo-yo's danced through the air as she whipped them back and forth between the marines and Crocodile underlings.

"Zoro I think we've walked past this building like twice now," Tani pointed out. The green haired man groaned. "Just walk towards the big ass golden temple over there," Tani pointed. Zoro just grunted in annoyance but did as she asked. A wrong turn here, a left when they were meant to go right. Honestly Tani couldn't comprehend how Zoro could be so directionally challenged! So the moment her strength returned she jumped off his shoulders, grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the temple looking place. Zoro grumbled and complained the whole time but Tani ignored him. Her ears peeled for the sound of bells.

"Zoro! Tani!" Nami called out with a wave. The pair ran towards them with a hoard of marines and Baroque works goons chasing behind with weapons in hand. "Help!" the pair wailed, running past them.

"Watch my back and I'll watch yours?" Tani smirked, a small boost of confidence bloomed on her face as she turned to the much more talented fighter by her side. Zoro gave the tiniest of tiny smiles, literally the corner of his lips tilted up slightly. His eyes however showed just how excited he was at the prospect of kicking ass.

Tani rushed forward, Zoro hot on her trail. She jumped forward, her bladed wheels still spinning rapidly as they slammed into the unfortunate marine that happened to be within range. The man's body fell backwards, knocking over a couple of his comrades in the process. The bodies of their enemies falling was still chilling for the inexperienced girl, the look of blood lust in Zoro's eyes was just as frightening if not more so. Tani was honestly lucky he was her ally.

"Everyone!" Luffy's jovial voice rang from above. Tani turned to look up at him, distracted and unsuspecting of the man who was about to introduce her to his pal, sword.

*Slam*

A body dropped, but it wasn't Tani's. The girl turned around with great alarm, her eyes finding Zoro was a serious look in his eyes. Relief and annoyance swimming in his golden gaze.

"Pay attention when in battle you moron," he scolded with a swat to the head. Tani glared at him with a pout. "I'm not always gonna be around to save your ass," he stated, sheathing his single blade. Tani kicked the unconscious man that almost cut her in half.

Luffy had his arms hooked around Tani and Zoro's shoulders as he landed on the ground. His momentum and speed pulled the pair along with him as he ran over the bridge connecting the town to the temple. Nami and Usopp followed behind. The enraged calls of Smoker rang through out the town.

The crew (excluding Sanji, Chopper and Vivi because they seemed to be MIA) burst through the massive golden doors of the temple. The interior looked more like a casino than any sacred location Tani had ever been to. The masses of people seemed to look over at the small panting group, Luffy's chest rose as his mouth widened to shout.

"Crocodile! Show yourself so I can kick your ass!"

The crowds went silent. Only to ignore him and go back to their slots or Black Jack games. Luffy glared at the room, looking around for any sign of the man they seeked. Wafts of smoke hit Tani's nose.

"Smoker's here," she whisper shouted. Nami tapped her shoulder and pointed towards the stairway that had the words VIP plastered above the door said stairs lead to. Everyone silently made their way towards the VIP room.

"Sorry sir but I'm afraid marines aren't permitted in this area. Please leave," a women's voice. Tani turned her head to find a lady telling Smoker to leave the casino. His eyes landed on Tani's own, breaking away as his body morphed into a cloud of smoke and sped towards them.

"Run!" Tani cried. Taking the lead and bolting forward. The door was within her grasp.

"Stop!" Smoker yelled angrily. His top half reforming atop the smokey cloud, his hands grabbing towards the head cover on Tani's head. Her hands slipped the head gear off and tossed it at Smokers face. Her wild mess of brown hair bobbed behind her.

Stone floors changed to velvet carpets.  A long narrow hallway lead to a small fork in the road. Tani had no time to read said sign before Luffy made a hard right, saying something about it being "for pirates" which just screamed trap.

The ground underneath them split open, revealing a trapdoor.

Great! How predictable.

Tani shrieked as her body descended into the inky black darkness that encompassed the trapdoor.

...

"Shishi, look Usopp! It's my Sanji impression," Luffy's loud voice cut through Tani's unconsciousness. Usopp laughed loudly. "Oh yeah well check out my-"

"Quit it!"

*Bonk*

*Smack*

Two bodies hit the floor. Rustling Tani from her sleep completely.

"Ugh... Remind me never to follow Luffy ever..." Tani groaned, rubbing her sore back. The way that Luffy decided to take them, lead to a trap! Who would have guessed that a sign saying "pirates go this way" would be a trap? Is Luffy just stupid... Yes, yes he is.

Anyway they now sat in a cramped cage with a lovely view of the bottom of the ocean, well an aquarium if this world even had one of those. Tani let out a sigh and leaned her head back, her eyes closed as she rested her head on what she assumed to be one of her friends laps.

"Get off me kid," the familiar gruff voice of Smoker grumbled. Tani's eyes shot open in an instant, the girl scrambled to her feet and pounced behind Zoro who was taking a nap.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Tani panicked. Her eyes locked onto the resting form of Smoker. He rolled his eyes at her and puffed out smoke.

"Got caught too," he shrugged. Another puff of smoke left his mouth.

"Then just smoke your way out, you can do that can't you?" she narrowed an eye in confusion. Why would he be sitting here? Jail bars don't mean squat if you can wisp your way through them.

"Are you dumb or something kid? The bar's made of sea stone," he said with irritation. Tani rolled her eyes, well sorry for not knowing the ins and outs of a world that isn't her own.

"Sea stone nulls devil fruits," Nami said informatively. Tani poked her tongue out at Smoker like a child. The man couldn't have rolled his eyes any harder. "Luffy stop touching the bars!" Nami scolded. Tani turned to find Luffy was leaning on the bars looking completely drained of energy. 

Smoker groaned in annoyance. Muttering under his breath about "Troublesome brats" which Tani rolled her eyes at. The guy was just like one of her old teachers, if you don't like kids, don't take the job... Wait he's a cop so he deals with adults too... Never mind he's allowed to complain.

"Ahahahah," came a laugh that Tani instantly thought of as The Count from Sesame Street. She looked at the moving shadowy figure. When light hit his figure he looked like a pimped out mob boss, very fitting for him since is technically is one.

"You have a hook hand! Yes! Another classic pirate trope I can cross off the list," Tani said aloud. Not that she wanted to, it just sorta slipped out. She covered her mouth was a slap and her cheeks reddened considerably. All eyes turned to her, until the pimp man cleared his throat and continued.

"So this is the little pirate crew that's helping Miss Wednesday with her plans," he monologued. A classic villain! Tani could feel the excitement of a movie adventure bubbling in her core. "I'm Mr Zero of baroque works, and you lot are-"

"FIGHT ME CROCODILE! IM GONNA KICK YOUR ASS!" Luffy boomed, his hands grabbing the bars again. His body flopped to the ground like a heap of jelly. Crocodile just laughed at him and continued monologuing. Tani got bored because it was all "Take over the country!" and "Ruin the kings reputation!" classic Bond villain stuff.

"CROCODILE!"

"Ah Miss Wednesday. What a pleasant surprise, come sit down," Croc welcomed. Vivi looked royally pissed off. She was ready to knock some heads... No literally she ran over to Crocodile and sliced the bastards head clean off his shoulders. I stared in awe and horror at the clean stump of the man's neck. No blood spouted out the stump, no flopping of the headless body. This was starting to look the headless horseman! It was freaky.

"That's no way to greet your boss Miss Wednesday," Crocodile's voice bellowed. Golden sandy trailed up his body, reforming his head on the stump. His smug grin on display when completely reformed.

"Smoker can you do that?" Tani asked the grumpy marine. Her brain just wouldn't filter her words. Maybe she hit her head harder than she expected. Smoker huffed at her, not answering her question.

"Ah, captain Smoker. How unfortunate to have captured you. Now that you know of my plans I'm afraid you'll need to die too," Croc laughed, obviously not at all bothered by the act. "And you straw hat, you sure have caused a lot of trouble for my workers. Now you'll just have to die here too," he laughed again. God it was such a dumb laugh.

Puru puru puru

The den den mushi on the table went off. Crocodile side eyed it, obviously not expecting any callers at this time. He picked it up.

Kacha

"Who is it?" Crocodile asked with irritation. The snails face seemed to droop. Like the person on the other end was bored or tired.

"Hi, yeah your reservation for the shitty restaurant got cancelled?" the voice was familiar. Laid back and a little bit smug... Sanji?! He wasn't here after all. It could be him! Thankfully Tani's brain had stopped her from spouting that give away.

"You again? Who are you?" Crocodile yelled into the mic. A small chuckle was heard from the other end.

"Well someone's feeling shitty today. Anyway, I'm not stupid enough to give you my real name. So call me Mr Prince," Sanji's suave voice stated. Zoro let out a snort of humour.

"Course he picked a name like that," Zoro mocked. Nami smacked him upside the head, telling him to "Shut it".

"Oh so you do have my nakama with you, well at least the Marimo bastard," the snail smiled sweetly. Zoro clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"How about you join them. Mr Prince," Crocodile suggested. It was obvious be thought he had the upper hand. Sanji chuckled.

"As much as I'd love to do that, I have some things I gotta do before making my grand entrance," he stated. Croc grinder his teeth in an attempt to remain calm.

"Mr Prince!" Tani called out. The snail phones eyes shifted into little hearts.

"Tani dearest! You're there too?" Sanji cried. Tani hummed in affirmation.

"We're surrounded by water, it's an underground secret base! Everyone's here except Mr Reindeer!" Tani informed. The heart eyes were replaced with a serious look.

"Roger that my darling Tani, I'm on my way now. Don't miss me too much~" he cooed before hanging up. Crocodile slammed the mic (poor snail phone) but returned his composure and looked at the captured straw hats plus Smoker. He let out a laugh and held up a key.

"You know what this is? It's the only key that can unlock your cage," oh boy here we go. Bond villain time! "And you know what I'm going to do with this key?" he pushed a button on the desk where the den den mushi sat. The floor opened up and a huge pit opened in the centre of the room.

He walked over to the pit and gave them all a huge shit eating grin. He dangled the key over the hole, his fingers slowly released. The little golden key plummeted down, hitting the ground with a little clink.

Tani's body moved on its own, reaching into her pocket and pulled out a single bell. She tossed it without her mind registering her actions. The little bell clinked, landing beside the key. A snarl echoed off the walls of the deep pit. A massive yellow beast entered the pit, it was a crocodile with a banana shaped growth on its head. It licked the key and bell into its mouth and swallowed. Tani could still hear the bell ringing in its stomach.

Then more bananadiles entered the pit, each of them climbing over each other and snapping their hungry maws at the crew. Crocodile laughed that stupid laugh.

"Mr Zero," a women's voice called to the mob boss. All eyes turned to the all too familiar cowboy hat lady from Whiskey Peaks. This time she was wearing a thick white coat. "It's almost time, we must get going," she said with little to no emotions in her voice. Crocodile nodded in her direction.

"It was a pleasure to meet you all, but I must take my leave," Croc said with a smug grin. Turning away to walk through a tunnel opposite the stairs that Vivi had taken to enter the room. Wait where was Vivi? Tani looked to find that the blue haired women was just sitting there, staring in a frozen state of mind.

"Vivi! Snap out of it!" Nami cried to the girl. The walls surrounding them seemed to shake. The sound of water flow caused great panic to arise. "He's flooding the room!" Nami realised. Grabbing the sea stone bars and shaking on them as hard as she could.

The blue haired women snapped out of her daze and made a last ditch effort to get Crocodile, but he was already out of reach before she had the chance to do anything.

"Vivi run! The rooms gonna flood. Those bananadiles will tear you to shreds!" Usopp informed with fear in his voice. The room rumbled and chunks of the roof and glass walls fell to the wet ground. Vivi stumbled as she ran to avoid the falling debris, the bellowing of the bananadiles calls and the snapping of jaws mixed with the crashing of the surrounding area. The pressure was on for the princess. her determined face and stride carried her to the partially destroyed stairs. The first of the bananadiles had climbed out of the pit and was now pursuing Vivi. 

"Oi! You with the ugly banana face!" Tani called out to the bananadile. It slowly turned it's whole body around to face her and the cage of trapped people. Tani should have thought that through better... 

"Leave Vivi alone!" Nami joined in, nodding at Tani. Usopp stood beside Tani, legs shaking but he too called for the bananadiles attention. The three of them successfully pulled the dumb yellow beast focus to them. 

"Now that it's after us, the croc will try to break the cage. If it's anything like a crocodile from back home, it can't chew so it'll need to tear the cage open," Tani reasoned aloud. Smoker hummed in thought. 

"Tani, you threw a bell at one of them. Does this one have the bell?" Zoro asked, standing up from his seated position and standing beside the small trio. Tani shook her head. Luffy stood up beside Zoro, cracking his knuckles with a grin. 

"Ack!" 

Vivi was suspended over the broken stairs, her legs dangled as she held on for dear life. The sound of her distress caused the bananadile to change its focus onto her. Shit! Everyone's attempts to draw the beast back to them was in vain, it snapped its jaws underneath her flailing body. The fear in her eyes screamed for salvation.

*THWACK*

The beast was sent hurtling into the air, a figure stood beneath it with one leg sticking up in the air. Smoke and slick blonde hair danced with the momentum of the swift kick. 

"Sanji!" Tani cried with excitement. More bananadiles entered the room, all of them aiming for the newest arrival. 

"Tani dearest! Nami my love! The rest of you shitty bastards," Sanji greeted, taking out his snuffed cigarette and dropping it on the ground. "I'll get you lovely ladies out of here in a jiffy," he cooed. Running and slamming his leg into one of the approaching bananadiles. 

"Tani, which one is it with the key?" Zoro asked. Tani fell silent, closing her eyes and cupping her ears towards the many beasts roaming the floor. A faint chime could be heard, but she couldn't quite pin point the spot.

"It's one of the crocs to the left side of the room! Sanji aim for the group of them too the left!" Tani instructed. Sanji did as he was told and cartwheeled his way over,  kicking ever dile in the stomach. Luffy mimicked Tani with his ears, a light bulb went off in his head.

"It's the one closest to the door," Luffy informed, so Sanji took aim and did just that. Hitting the creature in the gut. It hacked and coughed, throwing up not only the key and bell but a large whiteish grey ball. The key landed in the water, which at this point was above the shins in depth. 

"Break the ball!" Luffy instructed. Sanji complied with one swift smack of the leg, the ball split in two and out popped-

"ITS THE STUPID WAX GUY!" Nami shouted, gripping the bars with flaming eyes. Usopp clicked his fingers. The crew looked his way (except Sanji who was beating up the bananadiles).

"Could we get him to make a replica key?" Usopp questioned. Luffy looked at the stunned wax guy.

"Oi wax guy, get us out of this cage or I'll kick your ass," Luffy said nonchalantly. Well he got straight to the point now didn't he? The guy snorted.

"Straw hat?! As if I'd help you and your little group of morons out," wax man replied with a smug grin. Sanji turned to look at him, he jumped into the air and slammed both of his feet into the mans back. Wax man fell into the water, he sputtered and panicked as he was lifted out of the salty water by the scruff of his neck. Sanji glared at him and the rest was history! The guy made a fake key and opened the cage door.

"We gotta get out of here!" Usopp whined, stating the obvious. The stairs were completely destroyed so the crew couldn't escape through there. The water was filling the room faster and faster. Luffy found himself inching closer and closer to Tani as the water raised. Tani grabbed his hand and gave him a comforting smile. Smoker seemed to be nervously glancing at the water.

"We've gotta swim our way out," Zoro declared. Luffy nodded in agreement, instructing everyone to make their way up. Nami, Usopp, Sanji and Vivi all dived. Luffy piggy backed onto Tani's back. Before the pair made the dive, Luffy gave Zoro a look. The silent conversation ended with Zoro groaning and grabbing a drowsy Smoker (who was being heavily affected by the salty water). 

"Hold your breath Luffy," Tani instructed. The both of them took a huge gulp of air and dived, blue filled their vision. Luffy's strong grip slackened, but he held on as hard as he could. 

Just a few more seconds, the sun was coming into view. 

3

Almost there...

2

A little longer...

1

The pair gasped and sputtered for air to fill their deprived lungs. Tani gave a nervous laugh as the adrenaline faded from her system. She free-styled towards the bank, helping Luffy up first before dragging herself out of the liquid. More coughing could be heard as Zoro and Smoker surfaced. Zoro tossed Smoker onto the bank with the elegance of a brick. Hoisting himself up and standing behind Luffy and Tani. Smoker looked up at the trio, conflict and confusion in his eyes.

"Why did you save me?" came Smoker's voice, full of confusion. Luffy and Tani looked at one another. Luffy let out his iconic laugh, his whole body shook with the laughter. "What's so funny? Why would you save me? I'm a marine," Smoker shouted.

"Because you're a good guy," Luffy stated simply, giving Smoker his biggest grin. The man just looked more confused. "You're my friend, of course I'd save you," Luffy added. Smokers cheeks tinted pink, his eyes shifted to a glare. 

"Get the hell outta here, before I capture you," he threatened. Was he letting them go? After trying so hard to catch them. Luffy laughed. 

"I told you so!" Luffy said before taking off with a sprint. Zoro followed behind him, but Tani lingered for a moment longer. Pulling a bell out of her pocket and tossing it at the marine. He lifted it up and looked back at the girl with more confusion. 

"It's a symbol of our friendship, we may be on opposing sides... But that doesn't mean we can't be friends," she smiled softly. Smoker pocketed the bell, and snarled a "Get the hell out of here," earning him a cheeky giggle from Tani, who ran off after Luffy and the others.

...

"Chopper! Where did you find this huge crab!?" Tani shouted in awe. Chopper giggled, explaining Eyelash had many friends around that were willing to help out the crew. The crab was gonna help them get to the castle to warn Vivi's father of the rebel army, and to stand down when the oncoming attack commences.

"Let's go!" Vivi cheered with hope in her eyes. Everyone boarded the crab, and to say that it was a fast runner would be an understatement! Tani felt whiplash as the crab started running, she would have fallen off if Zoro hadn't snatched her up. Vivi cleared her throat, "Thank you everyone, we can end thi-"

She was cut off when a hook looped around her waist and pulled her backwards with a shriek. Luffy moved before anyone had the chance to process what had happened. His rubber arm yanked the girl out of the hook, but in return he flipped himself off the crab and into the hook. 

"LUFFY!" Tani cried as he gave everyone a grin, being pulled towards the big boss of this island with no fear in his eyes. The sound of his bell faded as he moved away. 

"I'll kick his ass!" Luffy declared. Only his shadow could be seen in the sunset as the crab sped into the darkness of the oncoming night. Tani stared at Luffy's fading form with hope in her heart.

He's Luffy... He can't be defeated... Can he?