Title: Now It All Makes Sense!
Medium: Fic
Rating: G
Word Count: 300
Prompt: Misinterpretation
Characters: Four OCs
Spoilers/setting: I'm thinking it's set around now since the Strawhats are so well-known in the story, but there are no real spoilers.
Summary: Just four people who love conspiracy theories, wondering about the Strawhats.
"All right, one thing's for sure," said Morris (former pirate, now professional gambler and a regular at the pub). "There's no way that brainless Monkey D. Luffy is the real leader of the Strawhats. That's got to be bunk."
"Right!" said Arngrim the former bounty hunter. "The real leader is clearly Loronoa Zoro. With his power, skill, and charisma - gotta be him! He's just letting Strawhat Luffy be the figurehead."
Lorena the former newspaperwoman smiled knowingly. "Oh? I'd say Nico Robin's the one who's got the most brains and experience. And my sources tell me that she used to work for Crocodile, and that Zoro was contacted by them even before he met Strawhat! Don't tell me that's not suspicious. No, it must be her."
"That's what they want you to think," sniffed Morris. "You really think even the 'Demon Child' could do that much?"
"Huh?" The three other regulars all looked at him.
"Just look at all the crazy stuff this tiny crew's been doing, the things they've gotten away with! I'm telling you, this wouldn't ever happen if someone high up in the Government isn't secretly pulling strings. Maybe even a World Noble!"
Old man Thierry arched an eyebrow. "Very good. But did you know that Nico Robin was first seen as a Strawhat member in Mock Town, Jaya - and who else was there at the same time? Teach."
"No!" the other three all gasped.
"Also, I don't think Strawhat is the simpleton he appears," said Thierry. "He's just a really good actor. And let me tell you, he and Blackbeard are playing a long game. For now they've got everyone fooled they're enemies, but at the right moment - bam!! A team-up that nobody will expect."
The other three drank up in silence, defeated.