Chapter Text
Brynlee was a bit bemused as she was escorted through Water 7 by Zambai and the others—Zambai had introduced himself as Franky's right-hand man, and he'd taken it upon himself to act as a tour guide while they made their way through the city. He'd also been quick to contact the rest of their men scattered throughout the island, to warn them that a certain few people were off-limits and were not to be robbed or beaten under any circumstance—that ought to avoid any sort of incident. In fact, he'd even tasked their various scout teams to act as distant bodyguards for Nami and Robin, to ensure no one else messed with them!
"I've gotta ask, guys—what's up with all the fanfare?" Brynlee eventually asked. "I mean, I'm not complaining, but aren't we prime targets for you?"
"Well, usually, yes, but we couldn't possibly harm one of our greatest benefactors," replied Zambai, firmly shaking his head.
Greatest benefactors…? Damn, did I send the Revolutionary Army their way and forgot about it? Ugh, I've done so much networking since reaching the Grand Line, it's getting a bit hard to keep track…
"The Franky Family owes the Straw Hats big time," added Zambai. "The Boss explicitly told us not to cause you guys any trouble, if you ever showed up. But in any case, here we are! Welcome to the Franky House, Big Sis!"
Brynlee blinked a few times to try and process the strange sight before her. The Franky House was, in and of itself, yet another architectural marvel of Water 7. She'd seriously doubt the structural integrity of the place if she didn't know exactly who had built it. She was led to a singular couch located in the middle of the place. She was a bit surprised to notice that it looked almost cushier than the other couch right in front of her, and it was slightly bigger, too. She really was getting the royal treatment!
What is it with mafia guys having better hospitality than Marines, honestly? First Bartolomeo, now Franky… Wait, is that it? Did I connect the Barto Club and the Franky Family at some point!? Ack, I can't remember!
"Well, well, well. You must be the Straw Hat's infamous First Mate."
She couldn't help but grin. "And you must be Water 7's suuuuper Boss of the Underworld."
Franky, for it truly couldn't be anyone but him, even if the carnival mask hid his most characteristic and recognizable traits, offered her a matching grin as he plopped down on the couch before her. She promptly extended her hand.
"I'm Lucky D. Brynlee. It's great to finally meet you!"
"I'm Franky, but you can call me Big Bro. And likewise!" He swiftly took off the carnival mask, revealing flashy blue hair and a mighty chin. "Man, to think your crew would actually turn up in Water 7… We really owe you guys, you know!"
"Yeah, about that—what, exactly, did we do?" she finally asked.
"Don't you remember?" he blinked. "I'm pretty sure he told us it was you who recommended my skills so highly, though…"
"Who!? Please, man, you're killing me," she begged.
Franky chortled and jabbed his thumb at something in the back—"Why, Edward 'Whitebeard' Newgate himself, of course."
Brynlee's jaw dropped as she only then noticed the large pirate flag sporting a familiar mustached skull hanging in the back of the Franky House. All at once, memories of her sole meeting with the Strongest Man in the World rushed back—
"Thatch," she gasped, finally connecting the dots. "I sent Thatch your way, for a prosthetic… So he really came here?"
"He certainly did! I wasn't expecting one of Whitebeard's Commanders to drop by, let me tell you—and my skills with prosthetics aren't exactly common knowledge, either," he mused, shooting her a curious look over his shades. "But it was too good an opportunity to pass up, and it was pretty good money, too. And, as it turns out, being a pirate is risky business—Whitebeard's got an entire fleet, and plenty of men with missing limbs. I've become their official supplier a few months ago! It's great benefits and great repute all in one—you really did me a solid here, Lucky D. Brynlee!"
But Brynlee could only gawk, mortified.
Did I… did I accidentally lose us our shipwright to freaking Whitebeard…?