𝓒𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 ~ 𝓪 𝓑𝓾𝓰𝓰𝔂 𝔁 𝓕𝓮𝓶 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

𝓞𝓷𝓮 : 𝓙𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓪 𝓯𝓪𝓷

Anchor Reef is a small port town in the most northerly point of the Canomi Islands. Fortunately for all the inhabitants, the small island was situated furthest away from Arlong Park, but like every other town within the region, Arlong had ruled over it for years; demanding the inhabitants pay his "survival tax" ~ 100, 000 Berries for every adult and 50, 000  for every child.

But now, thanks to the Straw Hat pirates, Arlong's reign of tyranny had finally come to an end. The inhabitants of the entire region of the Canomi Islands had been celebrating the victory, and enjoying their newfound sense of freedom. The once simple and peaceful communities could now return to a sense of normality. Well, almost...Anchor Reef had recently seen a huge increase in visitors to the Island. Sailors and traders passing through, now that word of Arlong's base of operations being destroyed had spread through the East Blue.

It was good for business, most certainly. Local businesses were now beginning to thrive, and food supplies were accessible again, bringing an end to an existence of having to survive solely on oranges and rice.

However, traders and friendly seafarers weren't the only ones now gracing the port with their presence. Because even though the East Blue was regarded as being a place of tranquil, peaceful islands, it is also the stomping ground of some of the most notorious pirates; many of which their wanted posters decorated the walls of every establishment within the region. One of which was a new addition. One that you didn't agree with. Monkey D. Luffy - the captain of the Straw Hat pirates, and also the savior of both Orange Town, and the Canomi Islands. It was this particular poster that gained the attention of one of the new patrons in the Sea Shell Tavern; the inn that also happened to be your workplace and....home.

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As you swung through the wooden double fronted doors of the Sea Shell, your eyes took a moment to adjust to the smoky, somewhat dingy interior. The transition from the bright sunlight outside to the subdued lighting of the inn, and the temperature was noticeably cooler, which was a blessed relief from the incessant heat.  You scarcely cast a glance around the room, focusing solely on the bar - or rather your friend, Laurette, who stood behind the bar, motioning to you frantically to join her.

Okay, so what fresh hell had you come home to.

You frowned slightly, confused as to why she would be so desperate to gain your attention the instant you entered. As you quickly went around the counter and joined her, you found yourself preparing for the worst, or rather, the usual.

"What has he done now?" you heaved an exasperated sigh "did he get into a fight? Is he drunk? Don't tell me, those men came back around, the ones he owes money to?"

The "he" you were referring to was of course, Seffy. The hapless owner of the Sea Shell. He was owner in mostly name only, due to the fact that he had little to no interest in actually running a business. All Seffy was interested in was the profits, which he more than readily drank or gambled away. It wasn't uncommon for him to drink himself into a stupor, and the running of the tavern would be left to the staff.

Sunday was your one and only day off from the Sea Shell, giving you the opportunity to venture back to Coral village in order to visit your "family". So naturally you savored every Sunday, even more so these days since the inn had seen a rising influx of patrons. And it was just typical that in your absence, there had been some form of trouble due to Seffy's ineptitude.

"Oh come on, Amby. Seffy's always drunk. This is news I'm trying to give you, not history" Laurette hissed excitedly, her voice an exaggerated whisper.

Your frowned deepened as you set your trusty old patchwork rucksack down. So if there'd been no brawls, no trouble with drunkards or debt collectors whilst the owner himself was passed out drunk, then you couldn't possibly fathom what would warrant your friend's barely suppressed excitement.