A/N: First One Piece fic...got a lot of ideas, so I had to start writing them down. Chapters 1 and 2 are pretty much done, so they'll be up not too long after. Story takes place after Skypeia but before Water 7/ Enies Lobby arc (current arc), so possible spoilers for those not caught up to that point. It's more of an adventure fic, but pairings may come into the story later (what are they? Have to wait and see...).
I do not own One Piece or any of the wonderful characters created by Oda (a few original characters and other "items" are as far as I know, unique to me.
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PROLOGUE
"S-Someone get the captain!"
"Lieutenant! The fire's spreading. What should we do?"
"Useless morons…put it out! You three, find the prisoner before he escapes!"
"But sir, he's a—"
"I don't want to hear any of your excuses! He can't have gotten far; we're on a ship in the middle of the Grand Line! Find him!"
Several small explosions rocked the large marine battleship, tossing several crewmembers into the unforgiving sea. Thick black smoke billowed up high into the night sky, masking the bright shimmering moon hanging above the panic-stricken ship. Several dozen soldiers ran from one end of the ship to the other, some tossing buckets of water on the growing blaze devouring the ship's stern while others searched frantically for their missing prisoner. Rifles in hand, the patrolling marines came to a sudden halt as a figure began lowering one of the vessels many lifeboats.
"Stop! By order of the World Government, you are—"
In a flash, the soldier found himself knocked off of his feet. His comrades raised their rifles to fire, but discovered that their hands were empty. A soft splash in the ocean accompanied the lifeboat hitting the waves. In an instant, the figure was gone, having leapt into the tiny ship and quickly picked up the set of oars.
"He's in a lifeboat!"
"Fire! All you men on starboard ready the cannons!"
"Lieutenant, the fire damaged most of their mountings. I don't think we should—"
"I'm giving you an order! Now fire at that boat! You, have you informed Captain Garnet?"
"Not yet, s—"
"Idiot! Find him immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
"The rest of you open fire on that lifeboat. Don't let him escape!"
The boom of several cannons rang through the evening air. Out on the ocean surface, the small lifeboat rocked back and forth from the violent waves as cannon ball after cannon ball plunged into the sea. The man on board had little time to act, before the barrage of cannon fire caused him to drop the precious oars into the water. Seconds later, the little lifeboat was split nearly in half as one final cannonball crashed through the narrow bow.
"Successful hit, sir!"
"Good. Head to the lifeboats and retrieve him!"
"Uh, Lieutenant, sir…there aren't any other lifeboats"
"What!"
"Sir, the others were set on fire as well."
"Idiots! I don't care if you have to swim out there, you will retrieve him and bring him back to the ship."
"Y-Yes sir!"
As several soldiers dove overboard, several others finished dousing the remaining flames. Scampering up the stairs to the large captain's quarters, the timid marine knocked quietly before entering the darkened room.
"C-Captain Garnet…sir, the prisoner has taken a lifeboat…sir."
"I see."
"Lieutenant Norway is firing on the lifeboat now, sir. I'm—"
"Captain!"
A second marine soldier burst into the shadowy cabin.
"The prisoner's escaped, sir. We were unable to retrieve him after destroying his lifeboat. Lieutenant Norway requests permission to—"
The black hand wrapping around his neck cut off the marine's voice. Kicking his feet up onto the old ebony-colored desk, the man turned to the first soldier.
"Tell Norway to stop pursuit."
"Sir?"
"Did I not say it clearly? Tell that fool to let him go."
"Y-Yes sir!"
The marine sprinted out of the cabin; the second marine, still clutching at the hand pressed around his throat, suddenly dropped to the floor.
"Leave."
Without looking back, he dashed out of the dimly lit room, rubbing at his sore neck. The same black hand slammed shut the door before retreating back to its owner. The intimidating shadow in the captain's chair stared intently at the posters lining the wall in front of him. He scanned them briefly. Nico Robin. Haggerty Banes. Roronoa Zoro. Monkey D. Luffy. As his eyes settled onto the next poster, the tall imposing figure stood and laughed quietly to himself, studying the piercing eyes of the man pictured on it.
"So you managed to escape. Perhaps it's your lucky day."
The marine captain ripped the bounty poster off of the wall, tearing the corners where it had been tacked up.
"Then again, you're still alive. Perhaps, then, it's my lucky day…Brother."
