Coco: Hey, guys! It's me Coco with a new story for One Piece! I've decided that I'm going to keep my Wren/Sanji story, but take a bit of a break from it hence this story! Now, it might seem like at first it's going to be a Zoro/OC story, but it's not. There is going to be a Zoro/OC friendship, but no romance. This story is Sanji/OC same as the last since I love that perv XD I have another OC who got passed up for this one that I might pair with Zoro later on, but not sure. Anyway, I hope those of you who have read Wren's story love Tai just as much as you loved Wren. She's completely different from Wren, but I still hope you like her.

Now, let's get started :D

As the sun shined brightly over a small island known Sunset Island, a young girl with crimson hair was watching as her older brothers went through their fight training with their grandfather. She watched in awe as Kai and Bai tried to take down their grandfather. She always loved martial arts. And someday she was going to become so strong the people would look to her as a Master of the Twelve Paths like her grandfather. The title was only given to the best martial artists on their island. The masters who have master the twelve fighting styles of their people.

"Tai!" Chang called out to his youngest grandchild after he finished knocking Kai and Bai around. "Come here!"

Tai got up from the mat she had been sitting on to run over to her grandfather. She stopped in front of him with his tall figure making her seem even smaller than she was. Chang was a man of tall stature with the same crimson hair as his granddaughter though the color of it has faded over the years with mix of gray thrown in. Though the sight of his hair was a dead give away that he was of the Jeong Family—a noble house of Sunset Island. In fact, his family ruled this part of the island known as Dynasty Village. He was the patriarch of the family while raising his three grandchildren after the death of his son and daughter-in-law.

"I hear from your brothers that you wish to join their training lessons." Chang said.

"Yes, Grandpa." Tai said nodding as she smiled. "I want to be as strong a martial artist as you someday! I want to become a Master of the Twelve Paths!"

Chang let out a laugh that had Tai's furrowing in confusion. Did she say something amusing?

"Tai, you could never become a Master of the Twelve Paths." Chang said. "It is not possible."

Tai frowned. Why would her grandpa say that? Couldn't she be as strong as she wanted to be? If she trained hard enough, she could surpass Kai and Bai, couldn't she?

"Yeah, Tai," Kai began. "You're a girl. You can't be a manster because you're not a man."

Tai's frown deepened as she looked at her brothers—both having crimson hair as her. That seemed like stupid rule in her opinion. She should be able to be whatever she wishes.

"You're wrong!" Tai said firmly. "You'll see! I'll become stronger than you and Grandpa! In fact, I'll become the strongest master the island has ever seen! Then you'll have to acknowledge me as your superior!"

Kai and Bai both laughed at her statement, which had her cheeks burning red in anger.

"We'd only acknowledge you as our better if you became the best martial artist in the world." Kai said.

"Yeah!" Bai added nodding.

"Then that's what I'll do!" Tai insisted. "I'll become the best martial artist this world has ever seen. I'll make you eat your words!"

As his grandchildren argued, Chang sighed. Tai didn't seem to understand her position in their family. Someday she would though. Someday she would marry a man of a noble house to give their family more support and strength. Then she would continue their family line with that man. That was the fate of a woman of her standing. No matter how strong she becomes, no one on their island would ever see her as a master martial artist. Chang then blinked when he felt a tug on his pants. He looked down at Tai.

"I mean it, Grandpa!" Tai said. "I'm going to be the best! Wait and see!"

Chang let out another sigh as he shook his head. He had a feeling that things were going to become very complicated in the near future for their family.

EIGHT YEARS LATER

Tai let out a shout as she struck her opponent hard in the chest with both hands, which were pressed together—palm to palm—with her fingers curled like claws. Her opponent went flying backwards before landing on the ground. He managed to flip back onto his feet, however, while kicking up dust to try and blind Tai. She clicked her tongue in annoyance as she was temporarily blinded by the dust in her eyes. She kept calm though since panicking would play right into her opponent's hands.

She sensed an attack coming towards her head, so she tilted her head tight to avoid it. She felt his hand brush against her cheek, which had her reacting quickly. She grabbed his arm while flipping him over her shoulder. She twisted his arm as she jerked it back causing many of his joints to pop out of place. He cried out in pain before his face met dirt. Tai placed her foot firmly on his back to hold him in place. She was about to tell him to give when a cane cracking across the ground made both freeze. She immediately let out of her opponent while kneeling down to bow to the owner of the cane. Her opponent did the same after popping his joints back into place.

The owner of the cane stepped out from the shadow of the awning to look down at his students. The man revealed was elderly with many streaks of gray going through his long black hair. He wore a long robe over his training robes and had a brown thong necklace around his neck with a circular, golden pendant on the end that had twelve different animals craved into it. He narrowed his eyes at his students.

"Even on the day of your departure, I find you here training," He said sighing. "Tai, I thought I asked you to visit your grandfather before you leave. It is time you reconcile."

Tai frowned as she kept her head bowed. She hasn't spoken to her grandfather for some time. Not since she refused the arranged engagement he had set up for her that would bring the Jeong and Chan Families together. She had no interest in marrying the spoiled son of the Chan Family. Their relationship had been strained before that argument as well. Tai and Chang started growing apart the second Tai found a master willing to teach her.

"I do not think that is best, Master Hyung." Tai said. "Things are messy enough between me and him. Besides, the last time I spoke with him…well it came to blows."

Hyung sighed at his youngest student as he stepped down into the training arena. He waved for his other student to leave them. The young man bowed his head then left Hyung and Tai alone.

"You cannot avoid him forever." Hyung said. "You will regret leaving without saying goodbye. If something were to happen to him while on your journey, you will live with guilt in your heart."

"I…I just can't, Master." Tai insisted. "I won't be able to look him in the eye until I do what I promised. He will always doubt me and only see me as a woman until I prove him and the rest of my family wrong."

She looked up to stair Hyung right in the eyes as her hands clenched tightly into fists.

"I will become the best martial artist in the world." Tai swore. "I will show them I am more than they think of me. And I promise the faith you put in my skills will not be in vain."

Hyung sighed once more. His dear student is so stubborn—though he supposed he might have rubbed off on her too, which didn't already help her hard headedness. He had fought hard for the right to become her monster since all the elders of the village were against it. But she did become his student—one of his bests in fact. He never met someone—man or woman—with such skill and drive as Tai, so when she told him she'd claim the title of the best martial artist in the world, he believed her.

"Do as you see fit, my student." Hyung said. "I will not force you to do something against your wishes."

Tai thanked him as she bowed her head once more. She then stiffened when Hyung placed his hand on her head.

"You will do many great things, Jeong Tai." Hyung said. "Many, many great things, and the world will learn your name."

PRESENT DAY (TWO YEARS LATER)

"Hey, Luffy, before you leave there's something you might want to know." Coby said as he looked to Luffy.

Luffy looked to Coby curiously as he actually paused in eating his umpteenth plate.

"You say you need the best on your crew, and I'd feel better knowing if you had more capable fighters going with you." Coby said. "There is a martial artist traveling in the East Blue right now. She well-known. She's strong and ever since setting out to sail two years ago, she hasn't lost a battle to anyone."

Luffy felt a grin pull across his face as Coby told him about this martial artist. Zoro's brow quirked silently.

"Oh yeah?" Luffy asked. "Who is she? Where can I find her?"

"Her last known location is Parrot Island, and rumor is that she's heading for the Grand Line herself meaning if we follow her destination's direction, she should be heading for or already on Crimson Island." Coby said. "Her name is Jeong Tai of Sunset Island—a place known for having master martial artists."

"Jeong Tai, huh?" Luffy asked. "Can't wait to meet her."

Zoro frowned while not even sure if they would run into this woman. And even if they did, there's no telling she'd actually join them. If she's planning to head to the Grand Line, she must have her own goals and ambitions.

It was another day in the East Blue. The skies were clear and a beautiful blue. The sun shining brightly above as the birds flew overhead. On a small island known as Crimson Island, there was a young woman with hair as crimson as the island's name. It was cut almost boyishly short with one long strand going across her right shoulder and decorated with beads. Her eyes were charcoal in color while framed by dark lashes. She was about a bit above average height for a woman—standing at 5 feet 7 inches with a toned figure.

She wore a tightfitting, sleeveless black body suit that was backless. Then she had on crimson red skirt that had white lining and it had large slit in the side, so only the front and back of her was covered by the skirt. It then had a belt around it that held what looked like a short-sword—almost small enough to be called a knife. On her feet were wrapped bandages that left her toes and heels exposed while going all the way up to her knees with her feet being shoeless. She wore similar bandages on her hands that left her fingers exposed, and they went up to her elbows. Finally, around her neck was a crimson red scarf that looked old and was fraying at the ends.

The woman was currently stretching as she stood on one side of a circular ring. She crouched down stretching out her legs while she was at it as a crowd of people were cheering and placing bets on the fight to come. The entire ring was full of other contenders who were also preparing for the fight. Some of them stretched while others tried to get in the zone. Something the woman noticed is that they were all men, which had her smirking.

"It's going to be fun to win this one." She said to herself.

She then stood up straight as she rolled out her shoulders, which popped from the action.

"Welcome one and all to this year's Battle Royale!" The announcer in the middle of the ring called out.

The announcer was a really short man who had to stand on tall stool to reach the mic and to be seen by the crowd. Despite his small stature, he had a big personality that had the crowd paying him attention.

"To any newcomers this is an annual event we have here on Crimson Island!" He kept speaking. "The best of the best come from all around East Blue to fight here to prove themselves master fighters! We welcome you here and to place bets on your favorite brawlers. Though try not to make a fuss when you lose, okay?"

The crowd laughed at his joke as the two contenders prepared themselves to fight. As the woman waited for things to start, she looked up at the sky.

"Now, without further ado," The announcer continued. "We will begin the first round. The first round is a complete all out fight between all our contenders. When only eight remain, we'll get to the really serious matches!"

The crowd cheered in anticipation as the announcer hurried out of the way. Once he moved away, the gong rang again the signal the start of the fight. The men didn't hesitate to attack each other as they tried to push each other out of the ring. As Tai watched them, she frowned. She thought the best of the best were supposed to have come here to fight. It seemed to her just a bunch of men, who had no true fighting experience at all, were here just trying to earn some kind of title to make their boring lives seem cooler.

"This is disappointing." She said.

There was then a shout behind her that had her turning her head to see a man was charging at her.

"You really shouldn't let your guard down here, sweetheart." He said cackling. "And don't think I'll take it easy on you just because you're a woman."

Tai just blinked as he got closer and closer. Once he was nearly on top of her, she struck out a fist. It connected to his gut, and he cried out as he felt himself vomit all over the ground.

"And you really shouldn't underestimate your opponent." Tai said to him as she removed her fist from his gut.

He started falling towards the ground, but Tai whirled around kicking him in the jaw. He went flying out of the ring while falling into the stands. People gasped at what happened as some of the other contenders turned their eyes on her.

"And our first contender has been knocked out of the ring, and by a woman no less!" The announcer shouted into the mic.

Tai frowned at his sexist comment as she cracked her neck to the side to loosen up a bit more.

"I may be a woman as you say, but you're looking at the person who will hold the title of the Best Martial Artist in the World someday." Tai said. "I am Jeong Tai. Remember that name because someday I'll be known all over the world!"

Her words had people stunned silent as they stared at this young woman who had her chin jutted out defiantly. When one of the larger men in the ring let out a mocking laugh, she turned her eyes on him.

"You the best?!" He asked mockingly. "Yeah, and I'm going to be the Pirate King someday. Dream on, girlie. It's never going to happen."

He continued to laugh, which had several men joining him. Tai's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. This guy really needed to learn some respect. Tai was sure a few broken bones would do the trick.

"It's a good thing we made it to this island." Luffy said as he walked with Zoro. "I'm starving!"

Zoro was as well. It's been four days since Zoro joined Luffy on his crew, and he's learned not to trust his captain alone with food. What was supposed to last them a few days had been gone within hours because of Luffy.

"Next time just don't eat all our supplies." Zoro said frowning. "There's no telling how long we'll be at sea until our next island."

"Yeah, uh-huh." Luffy said. "Do you think that woman Coby mentioned is here? This is Crimson Island, right?"

Zoro's frowned deepened. The idiot wasn't even listening to him, was he? How did Zoro get suckered into following such an idiot for a captain? The two men paused when hearing screaming.

"What was that?" Luffy asked blinking.

"How am I supposed to know?" Zoro asked. "Whatever it was, sounded like it was coming from that large crowd up ahead."

He pointed to a crowd that was gathered around watching someone very intently. The crowd was cheering—nearly drowning out the sound of screaming coming from the center of it.

"Let's check it out!" Luffy said. "It could be something fun! Shishishi!"

He went to go check and see what was happening, but before they got too close, a body went sailing over the crowd to land at their feet. A man landed there covered in blood and his arm seemed bent out of place funny.

"Monster…monster woman." He cried. "She's a monster."

He tried to crawl away out of fear despite his injuries. However, he couldn't even get that far as he collapsed down into the dirt. Zoro's brow quirked. Monster woman?

"A monster?!" Luffy asked looking excited. "I wanna see!"

Luffy hurried towards the crowd while ignoring Zoro who told him to hold up. Zoro growled in annoyance but followed after Luffy. Luffy pushed through the crowd of people with Zoro right at his heels. The two made it to the front of crowd just in time to watch as a woman with crimson hair sent another man flying to land just outside of the ring.

"Whoa, strong!" Luffy said laughing as he watched. "But where's the monster?"

Zoro was thinking this woman was supposed to be the monster. He didn't say so allowed though as the fighting continued. Three men charged at the woman at once, but she moved fluidly to dodge their attacks as if she was some kind of snake. However, when she struck back it was with the force of a tiger. She hit one man in the chin, which caused him to dropping holding his aching chin. One of the men managed to get behind her to get his arms around her to pin her own to her chest.

"I've got you now, bitch!" He said. "Hit her now!"

He shouted this to his companion who ran forward to attack the woman. However, the woman wasn't finished. She kicked her feet out to knock the other man back, which caused him to trip over the fallen man. She then gave a shout as she threw the other man over her shoulders after managing to break away from him.

She flipped backwards to put some distance between her and her opponents as all the men in the ring seemed to decide she was the priority target. She got into a stance with her leg stretched out with her two hands, which were curled like claws out and ready. The men all charged at her at once with her determined look not wavering in the slightest. As she fought against the men as they reached her, Zoro let out a low impressed whistle.

"She's good." He said.

"It's not all that surprising." A voice spoke up from beside him.

Zoro turned his head seeing a man, who seemed to be middle-aged, standing beside him.

"What do you mean, pops?" Luffy asked looking at the man as well.

"I didn't know it by looking at her, but when she gave her name, I realized who she was." The men said as he continued to watch the fight. "She's a well-known martial artist in the East Blue."

This got Zoro's attention because they were looking for a well-known female martial artist of the East Blue. He looked back towards the woman as she kicked one man in the neck, which had him jumping instantly.

"Oh yeah?" Zoro asked. "What's her name?"

If this was the woman they were looking for then they've lucked out. Especially since neither him or Luffy have any navigational skills. They're lucky they made here at all. And if this woman was it, they made good time in catching up to her.

"Jeong Tai." The man answered.

Luffy's grin expanded as Zoro grinned as well. They really did make it in time. They've found the woman they were looking for so easily. If Zoro believed in that kind of thing, he'd say it was fate they caught up to her like this.

"She looks as strong as our friend said." Luffy said.

"She is." The man insisted. "Many have tried to challenged her and fail. She plans to become the best someday, you know?"

Luffy's grin got even bigger if possible as Zoro shook his head. Yeah, it was definitely set in stone now. Luffy was going to try and recruit their next member. At least it means they might be getting somewhere. Definitely can't conquer the Grand Line with jut the two of them.

"That's all I need to know!" Luffy said then turned to Zoro. "Hey, Zoro, I found our next crewmate!"

He pointed towards Tai as the woman took one man out at the shin before throwing him out of the ring. It happened to be the last of the contenders, which had the crowd shocked silent.

"Well—well, it seems as if the fighting festival we'll be cut short this year folks!" The announcer said. "Single-handedly Jeong Tai has wiped out the competition! We have our winner! Jeong Tai has proven herself the best fighter of the Crimson Island Fighting Festival."

There were a mix of cheers and boos from the fans since some had wanted more action. Tai didn't seem to care what they wanted though as she turned towards the announcer and his flunky who was getting her winnings ready.

"Keep your money." Tai said as she left the ring. "If I took that money after such a victory, my reputation would suffer. I will not carry such a shame."

Her words left people stunned quiet once more as she disappeared off into the crowd. Zoro and Luffy watched her go with the prior smirking a bit. It seemed as if this woman had the same kind of pride her as the swordsman. He could respect that.

"Come on, Zoro!" Luffy said hurrying through the crowd. "Before we lose her!"

"Luffy, wait!" Zoro shouted as he hurried after his captain.

What the two pirates and even Tail failed to notice were the two glaring eyes that followed where the woman had disappeared.

Tai let out a sigh as she sat alone at the local bar on Crimson Island. She had a bottle of sake sitting on the table in front of her and a cup of it in one hand.

"I can't believe I wasted my time coming here." Tai said frowning. "I should have just went straight onto the Grand Line like I planned after getting my supplies."

But she when had heard about the festival, she had decided to stick around a few days to participate. Obviously, she should have just went on. Tai let out another sigh before tipping back her cup to down the sake. She set the cup down to scratch the back of her head.

"I guess I'll head out in the morning." She said. "No more delays."

Though she knew she'd have to stop off at a few more islands before reaching the passageway to the Grand Line. Which is another reason why she needed to hurry. Crimson Island wasn't even on the stop list, but she made room for it. Now she'd have to hurry through the rest of the islands to make up for lost time, which would be annoying.

"Hey, there you are!" A loud voice called from near the doorway. "Crimson Lady!"

Tai blinked before turning her head to see a boy, who seemed a bit younger than her and wearing a straw hat, at the door. Behind him was a green-haired man carrying three swords.

"Green hair and carrying three swords?" Tai muttered. "Could that be the Roronoa Zoro?"

She didn't know what the Pirate Hunter was doing here since Crimson Island saw very few pirates. At least that's what she's heard. And she didn't know he had a friend. Said friend had his eyes on her, which had her brow quirking.

"We've been looking for you!" The boy said as he hurried over to her table.

He helped himself to a chair as Roronoa Zoro walked a more normal pace. He gave his friend an annoyed look, but also took a chair. Tai tilted her head at their boldness. She didn't mind the company, but she didn't know what business they had with her.

"Can I help you?" Tai asked. "Last time I checked I didn't have any business with a bounty hunter and his friend."

"Former bounty hunter." Zoro corrected. "And I see you've heard of me."

"Yes, I've heard you're a demon." Tai said blinking. "But I see no horns or pointed tail, so I suppose the rumors are false."

Tai then signaled the barkeep for more sake and cups, which he brought quickly. Once set on her table, Tai pushed the items towards her new friends. Zoro smirked taking the offered sake with a nod of appreciation. This friend didn't seem to care about it though as he kept his eyes on Tai.

"I hear you're really strong." The kid said. "We even sailed here to find out! Then we saw how you fought today against those guys! It was so cool!"

"Uh, thank-you…" Tai trailed off not knowing his name.

"Oh, I'm Monkey D. Luffy!" He said. "And I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"

Tai blinked once more. Did she hear him correctly? Did he say he's going to be King of the Pirates? As in he was going to conquer the Grand Line and claim the One Piece? She grinned. His ambition was even more than her own.

"And I want you to join my crew!" Luffy said pointing at Tai.

This had Tai's eyes widening since she had not been expecting that one. In fact, it threw her for a bit of a loop.

"Me?" Tai asked as she pointed at herself in question. "Join your crew?