One Piece: Gambling To The Top

A/N: Advanced chapters ahead at patréon

www.patréon.com/Blazuki

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"Josh, over here. I was so worried." Melissa run forward upon seeing a shadow that people were avoiding.

After Josh had vanished after meeting her, the map of Water 7 had changed. The Vice-Admiral battleships were destroyed, and some giant leg had split Water 7 in half.

True story.

Rumours spread around. The people were hiding to protect themselves from the shockwaves of the battle.

Everyone now, however, knew that the Gambler won against a Vice Admiral.

When Josh had been walking in the street, people had been avoiding him in fear, and some were running while telling the kids to hide since the gambler is here. Melissa had followed the yells and found Josh. But as it seems, he wasn't alone.

"Melissa, I have been looking for you. I see you have changed your clothes." Josh stopped and raised his hand.

It seems during the battle, she had taken a shower and changed her working clothes to a sweat white shirt and some tight blue jeans.

Melissa didn't reply, looking at the stunning women behind him, and one little woman down.

There was also a beautiful tall blond woman whom Melissa had never met before, Melissa had only seen pictures of her in the newspaper.

Kalifa, 300 Million Berries. By looking at how she was giving Josh's look, Melissa didn't need to say that the three became four.

'Damn, is he ever a human in bed…'

"Oh, hi, Josh? You are not alone."

Melissa saw the other girls and greeted them, starting by patting Marianne's hat, before looking at the rest. The crazy smirk on Mikita's face scared her a bit, but still, she waved her hand in front of her face and smiled back.

The conversation went on, and it got a bit awkward when it was mentioned that they never met despite the fact they live in the same place.

While they exchanged brief stories about how they ended up meeting here, Josh was holding a juice cup and staring around. Mikita brought the money's topic and smirked at the green-haired woman.

"By the way, Melissa, you and Gem have to pay what you owe," Mikita smirked but didn't laugh.

Feeling the chill, Mikita answered, closing her eyes. "Come on. I have talked to Josh, and he said it's fine."

"I'm his first woman, and I have the right of half of his possessions." Mikita proudly said, hitting her chest with her hand and making it jiggle. There is no way she would allow money to go away, not to someone other than the Devil that Josh is trading with. That brings the benefits she needs.

"Ahem…" Josh choked on the juice.

He started slamming on his chest with his fist, and he turned his face, which was getting blue. Mikita slammed his back to help him cough, and he turned his face to her.

"Half of my possession! I didn't sign anything like that! Objection!"

"Come on. You said in that island is allowed." Mikita pinched his back secretly and whispered. "What's wrong. I'm trying to get us free money."

Josh leaned forward to her ear and said. "I know, I'm with you. I'm trying to make it realistic. But don't push it too far, she can be a good mechanic for us when we leave. She's working for me, again."

"Oy… we have Kalifa, she is a good maid and never complains."

"Kalifa doesn't provide free rare gasoline, and she didn't study under some freaky cyborg."

"Oh…"

Everyone looked at Josh and Mikita, trying to guess what they are whispering about.

Probably they are fighting, obvious.

"Oh… still…" Mikita leaned back, pretending to be upset, before patting Melissa' shoulder, saying, "I'm waiting for my money…"

"Yes, right…I'll try." Melissa had a wry smile. When someone almost kills you in the past, they leave bad memories. 'You'll never see it, bitch.'

"Enough," Josh said, catching everyone's attention. "Let's move to Franky's place."

"Ay, Captain. Please, he said he'll pay for me." Melissa said, looking at Mikita and taking a step back.

Josh only sighed and followed her lead. When the walk was over, Josh found himself in front of a building with many floors. Melissa gestured with her hand and said. "Here is where my boss lives, and some other jerks who tried to convince me to change my hair to afro."

"Afro hair. It's not that bad." Commented Marianne, making Robin smile a bit.

"Not bad. Try flat Afro." Cow D Melissa turned her head.

This time, Robin laughed while Mikita held her stomach. Marianne rolled on the ground a bit, making Melissa turn her head and laugh lifelessly. "Ha-ha-ha."

Josh shook his head.

"Right. Introduce me first, so things don't get weird when I get in." Josh stretched his arms, cracked his fists, and adjusted his shirt's collar.

He's going to make them make him a ship, and he needed Melissa to introduce him, so he would sound righteous.

Melissa nodded and said he can count on her. Standing in front of the door, she knocked on it, and then, the big door was opened. A mini giant man with a height of 4.9 meters opened the door.

He had spiky black hair, fat body, and he was wearing black pants, with a black metal plate armour, covering his upper halt until the neck.

"Melissa? I thought you said you are going to be late." He said, before looking behind her. "Some nice chicks and a guy. Why they are here."

"Oh, right. By the way, do remember the time Franky invited you on 150 Million Berries for a Vodka party."

"Let me think...yes. You said it's your ex-boss money."

"That's right. It's him, and he wants to ask about his money. Remember when I told you I would blame it on you, and you only said you'll take care of it. Well, here he is." Melissa said out loud, to make sure that everyone inside would hear her.

The guys inside, however, were more busy playing cards than doing a real job. That's how Franky run things around. A pervert guy, with no real sex drive, and a party lover.

Hearing Melissa's words, the guy looked at Josh and laughed. "Dude, fuck off if you don't want to get hurt. As for the ladies, you can come in."

Josh tilted his head to the left, cracking his neck up. "I'll give you the freedom of choice."

Josh continued. "Your life, or your bones."

"Huh?" the man let a laughing snort as if Josh doesn't have a chance. "Of course my life. But same can't be said about—"

"Your bones then."

Before he could complete his words, Josh appeared in front of him, making a punching stance, with his hands at his wrist. Jumping slightly, he slammed with his palm forward, landing it on the metal armour of the guy.

The man looked down. The armour was cracked. Pressed air entered through the matal, slicing it, before getting inside of the skin. A shockwave appeared in front of Josh's palm, sending the man flying to the corner of the house, which was so large. Everyone inside turned their head to the cracked wall, seeing the metal fall on their big friend.

Outside, while Josh was adjusting the collar of his shirt, trying to look like a gentleman, the girls looked at Josh with somehow dazed eyes. They knew what level of martial arts he had when they departed. But now, this is a new total level. He literally sliced an armour with a palm.

"I've sliced his bones. Whose next." Josh finished working on his collar. He pointed with his eyes toward Melissa, who nodded and entered the house.

"Franky. My ex wants to see you, he's quite angry about the money." She yelled.

Everyone, who was looking at the cracked wall with a man sank there, turned their heads to Melissa, who only shrugged her shoulders and moved to the side. She turned to the girls, saying. "Do you want a drink? We have Cola."

Nobody paid attention to her from Franky's group as Josh entered.

"Hey, guys." Josh said, confidently taking control of the situation.. "So, did you spend my money, bitches."