Chapter 1

Hey guys! Ya ya I know I'm uploading another new story? Pffft finish the ones you've started. Geeze…. :J (Sadly I can't make a strange hehehehe face without a pencil) Well I don't have much to say right now sooooooo yeah. Bibi!

Luffy's shoulders slumped. He and Usopp had been searching for some excitement for at least an hour and their search had wielded nothing of interest. Usopp didn't care that they hadn't found a giant beast or a rouge band of pirates yet. In fact he was rather grateful. Less adventures meant less chances to die.

"We should probably head back soon Luffy", he said, "the sun is setting and the others will be wondering where we are."

Luffy shook his head, "I don't wanna leave yet. Can we wait until the sun is on the horizon before we leave?". He gave Usopp a sad little puppy dog look and Usopp sighed.

"Fine" he said. Luffy smiled elatedly. Oh well, thought Usopp, what could happen in the next ten minutes?. So the two kept walking along the road looking at shop signs and the people near them. Suddenly Luffy ran towards a shop, his elated grin renewed. Usopp looked at the sign 'Hiro's swords' he read. Why would Luffy care about a sword shop? He followed in after Luffy but didn't find him in the shop. Oh no! He thought, what if the rouge pirates did capture Luffy? Or marines? Or what if he was eaten by giant rabid squirrels? Usopp realized that his imagination was running amuck. Luffy could easily beat off some random thugs or marines. But squirrels? Who knew.

"Hey Usopp" said a voice behind him. Usopp jumped twenty feet in the air, slamming his head on the ceiling. He rubbed his scalp and whirled around. "Luffy!" he yelled, his voice full of relief. "I found a birthday present for Zoro!" Luffy announced proudly. Right! Thought Ussop, we were looking for a present for Zoro! Luffy lead Ussop over to a barrel filled with old swords. He grabbed one with an intricately designed handle and showed it proudly to Ussop.

Ussop shook his head, "the handle is too fancy, it would be nearly impossible to grip". Luffy's shoulders slumped. Suddenly a certain sword caught Ussop's eye. As soon as he took a second look at it his jaw dropped.

"What is it Ussop?" asked Luffy. He glanced at the sword Ussop was so suddenly interested in. I seemed rather ragged to him. The hilt was a dark, dull blue. The blade was unsheathed (not having a sheath in the first place, as the remainder of swords in the bucket did) and the blade was dull and a light gray color. Suddenly Luffy noticed a small symbol on the hilt it seemed like a mix between an O and a S. it was the only thing on the sword that seemed well taken care of.

Luffy wrinkled his nose, "bleg, I don't like it. It's old and stinky" (the sword was emanating the subtle smell of rotting fish). Ussop picked up the sword with trembling hands, looking awe struck. Ignoring Luffy's protests he pulled the sword from the basket and brought it to the cashier.

"How much?" He asked.

The cashier glanced up from his book, "20 berri". Ussop pulled the small amount of cash from his pocket and placed it on the counter. He then grabbed the sword and ran from the store.

"Ussop! Wait up!" Luffy yelled. He ran after Ussop.

( * = * )

Soon the two reached the ship.

"Zoro!" Yelled Ussop, waking the green haired swordsman.

"What daya want?" He grumbled. Ussop launched himself onto the deck in front of Zoro and handed him the sword. Zoro looked at the sword and raised an eyebrow at the sword not looking very impressed.

Until he noticed the signature.

His eyes widened, "where did you get this?".

"Some sword shop in town, it only needs to be polished and sharpened... I think I don't know anything about swords"

"I don't know" said Zoro, his eyes still wide, "I'm gonna go take a closer look at it" he stood up and walked to the edge of the deck and jumped off, placing the sword in his loop.

I'm not sure, thought Ussop, but I have a feeling that this is going to lead us into a while new adventure.

( * = * )

Zoro wandered towards the forest, lost in thought.

Suddenly he noticed a few lone marines wandering down the street together. Zoro sighed and ducked into an alleyway. He didn't feel like causing a big ruckus right now.

"There she is!" One of them yelled. Zoro peaked out from his hiding place. All he saw was a fifteen-year-old girl running from marines. Although one thing was off, she didn't have a criminal like appearance to her, she looked too terrified.

"Oi!" yelled Zoro to the marines, "let her go". The marine was about to make a snappy comeback when he suddenly recognized Zoro's face.

"R...Ror...RUN!" He yelled ang him and his friends turned and ran away from the poor young girl.

As the girl turned to run Zoro grabbed her shoulder firmly, "who are you?" He asked. His voice was not unkind but it was not inviting either.

"I'm...uh...well...you see...Where did you get that sword?!" She asked, her eyes growing wide.

Zoro's eyes narrowed, "why do you care?"

"Gladium tuum est vita suus 'sui. Qui gerunt in uno vitam manus quoque teneat mors in altera" she answered.

"What?" Zoro asked.

"Gomen, I switched languages there. I said thy sword is life it's self. Thee who holds life in one hand must also must wield death in the other. I am the protector of the sword". Zoro's eyes widened. He reassessed the child. She was small and frail looking. She had a white sundress on which showed off her pale shoulders. She had blond hair that was so light it was one shade away from white and eyes that shone bright gold. She had pixie like features. She looked almost like glass almost if that if the wind was strong enough she would shatter.

"Uh ok...but what's your name?"

She thought for a moment, "you can call me Jinsei or Vie or Vita what ever you prefer, I guess Jinsei works, ya call me that".

Zoro was silent for a moment before he nodded, "Fine, but you have some serious explaining to do"

Well that's it. Chapter 1 of story 3. Yay! I really thought I'd forget to upload more. Well I guess this is good for me, actually sticking with something. (: So that's it I hope you all like my work coming up with stuff is harder than you think.

( * = * ) the domonkey says byby!

May the ninjas be with you