A Pirate's Journey (One Piece Fanfiction) - Chapter 1: A Favor For A Favor

The most valuable treasure known as the One Piece is rumored to be found at the end of the Grand Line, the most dangerous sea in the entire world. Former King of the Pirates Jack Rum said so himself on his deathbed that his endless supply of wealth lay at such a place as he and his crew were the only ones to ever reach a mythical destination like that themselves. The Great Pirate Era ended with his death, issuing in a new era known as The Hunt. A time when pirate crews all over rushed to the Grand Line in order to find such a bountiful treasure. A young man from the mountains by the name of Koko D Archie holds a fiery ambition in his heart that is unstoppable. He wants to become the one and only King of the Pirates by acquiring the One Piece!

Byrjun Town, North Blue

*45 Years After Captain Jack Rum's Death*

An ordinary town begins a brand new day as the sun gleams over the horizon. A rooster is heard cockledoodledooing in the distance as the citizens wake up to another day of life as per usual. What they are unaware of is that a young man from the mountains peaking nearby will make a rare visit to their cozy atmosphere.

The young man known as Archie or the mountain mole by the townspeople stands on a smooth boulder overlooking the sky and the town below as he stands up on a mountain range. With a grin on his face, excitement brews. Archie has yearned for the day to begin setting sail as a pirate. He spent a long time training and less time getting involved with others that he forgot the adventure of visiting Byrjun in the distance below his feet.

Hopping his way down, he carries a purse of berries in his pocket. Money his long gone grandfather stashed for him combined with what he earned during his time training to get strong for the world ahead of him. He wears a hat that barely stays on his head... it isn't just any hat but a pirate hat. One his grandfather owned and an accessory he will cherish forever. It's the only memory he has left of him since his grandfather's last days of life.

Running through the woods like an obstacle course, the energetic man comes to an abrupt halt by a tree. Grabbing it's bark, he huffs and puffs coming to the realization he made his way down to the town. Archie is looking for someone. The only person he truly considered a close friend. His name was Vincent but he preferred to call him Vinnie.

Ever since he could remember... Vinnie always sneaked away from his home to go into hiding in the woods to play with him. Something that put him at a lot of risk and trouble. But that's the thing that Archie truly admired. His courage to play with the child everyone regarded as the "mountain mole" because of his wild, uncivilized behavior as a kid.

Making his way down to the town, he stumbles into an old man sitting on a bench with his pet dog. Archie decides he would converse with the man to see if he knew anything about where Vinnie might live.

"Hi there sir, it's an amazing day is it not?" Archie greets the old senior in a quite civilized yet cheerful manner.

The old man lifts his head slightly and squints his eyes at Archie in order to get a better look.

"Good morning, young man. The weather is rather enjoyable, yes-" The old man replies warmly before stumbling on his tongue at the sight of the individual.

"Beg my pardon.. But are you the boy who lives in the Maltese mountains?" He asks out of amazement. He remembered the rumors of the dark red haired boy native to the mountain wilds nearby but he never expected to encounter him possessing such a welcoming demeanor.

Archie nods with a grin. "Yeah, I bet I'm not what you folk were expecting, huh?" He chuckles. The old man grew startled for a moment and then began to chuckle with him.

"To be honest, not at all. I'd expect you to be wrestling bears or something." The old man jokes.

Archie begins to laugh. "It's not like I haven't gone without having to wrestle a few bears."

That response causes the old man to choke on his breath for a second and then he proceeds to ask why Archie has visited their cozy little town.

"The name is Elmer, it's a pleasure. What brings you to Byrjun, my boyo?" Elmer curiously questions.

Archie almost forgets about what he came here for while petting Elmer's adorable little poodle. He gets up remembering his motive.

"Oh, that's right. The name's Archie. It's nice to meet ya. I came here looking for an old buddy of mine. His name is Vincent. Would you know where I could find him?" Archie asks him kindly.

Elmer grasps his chin in deep thought as he attempted to recall where he heard that name before.

"Vincent... Vincent... I don't think I know anyone by that name..." Elmer responds with uncertainty.

"Well okay then..." Archie ends with discontent.

Immediately after Elmer replies with an unsatisfying answer, Archie begins walking down the dirt road toward the more largely populated area of the town with intentions of finding answers, Elmer becomes surprised to see him walk off so quickly. Then he remembers that the boy is uncivilized and probably isn't aware of how rude he is doing such a thing.

"Did he just start walking away because I couldn't give him what he wanted to hear...? How rude." Elmer thinks to himself.

Archie begins to deeply contemplate the whereabouts of his friend Vinnie as he walks away.

"Didn't he have some tall, monster dad who wore a cap? What was he again? He was some sort of soldier..." Archie contemplates out loud.

Elmer can't help but overhear Archie and because he is so fascinated with this boy's arrival to the town, he hollers to Archie telling him that he might know of such a man.

"Oi there, boyo! I know of such a man!" Elmers hollers to Archie with his hands caressing his mouth like a speakerphone.

Archie spins right around and runs hurriedly towards Elmer in the excitement of finding an answer. He nearly causes the old man to fall over in response. People around reacted weirdly to his energy.

"Ohh, do you really? If you would please tell me!" Archie requests impatiently.

Elmer repairs his posture and tells Archie he would reveal where a man who fits that description may live... only if he does a favor for him first.

"Alright, alright. Only if you walk my poodle Snore, I think he needs to go relieve himself." Elmer says relaxatively.

Archie reacts like an impatient child would, his attitude changed from being polite to being bratty.

"Ugh... really? But why can't you tell me now?" Archie whines as the poodle Snore begins walking through Archie's legs.

Elmer goes from relaxed to irritated in a matter of moments, crossing his arms in seriousness. He is sick and tired of this boy's rudeness.

Elmer: "I think you may need to work on your manners! I don't know what you learned living up on those mountains but here in Byrjun... you do a favor for a god damn favor! Show some modesty, boyo!" Elmer snaps.

Archie slouches and moans in response. He knows the geezer is right, after all he was taught by his grandpa years ago that if he wants something... he has to be willing to give back to those who have what he seeks.

"I know. Come on Snore." Archie reluctantly admits his fault and grabbed Snore's leash... showing the dog that he will walk him for his time to go shit.

After this drastic change of emotions in their conversation, Archie begins walking Snore through the grasslands nearby.

Compared to Archie's perspective on how his journey of becoming a pirate and traveling to the Grand Line would start, taking a dog for a walk to go shit was not ideal at all. This fact makes him moody for the duration of the walk. But he also looks on the bright side, helping this old man out would give him the location of where Vinnie lives and that's what he needed. Of course, he could have went to someone else about it but Elmer's fit over his rudeness reminds him of his grandfather who also scolded him for misbehaving as a child. This memory straightens him out by the end of the walk. Returning to the man after the dog gets it out of his little doggy system, he apologizes for his misbehavior only minutes ago.

"Ahh hey Elmer, here's your dog back. I'm sorry about before. I acted out because I was too over excited about the idea of seeing an old buddy of mine again after a few years. I didn't mean to

take it out on you just because you wanted me to do you a favor." Archie apologizes while returning the dog to his familiar owner, confessing his wrongdoings sincerely.

The old man known as Elmer stood up to receive the leash from Archie. He grins and nods, reciprocating Archie's apology.

"Mistakes are always forgivable, if you have the courage to admit them. Otherwise I accept your apology, Archie. What you need to be aware of is that there are people out there in this world who have the corrupt authority and power to behead others for impolite manners. Of course, on my end I don't have a blade to behead you with. Hahaha." Elmer quotes a man he once knew and replies to Archie's apology with humorous forgiveness.

Archie laughs awkwardly in return and then proceeds to ask Elmer politely discerning the whereabouts of the "soldier dad" of Vinnie's.

"Again, you're right. It's one of those things about the world I'm not looking forward to witnessing. But if I may ask, do you know who and where that soldier man may be living at in this town?" Archie wonders.

Elmer almost forgets about returning the favor which is quite embarrassing considering he gave Archie a rough time about manners and politeness.

"Yes, yes. That man you mentioned must be the only Marine who lives in this small, quiet town. His name is Captain Elias Ron Vach, he wears his uniform in our town's name." Elmer answers about the identity of the man but Archie was looking for more specifics.

"Elias Von Rach? It must be him. Do you where he lives?" Archie continues questioning Elmer with a tone of desperation in his plea.

As Archie insisted with his questions, it hit Elmer that this boy is looking for such an important man. It must be for a reason. His change in tone begins to show some wonder as well.

"Everyone who has lived here as long as I have knows where the famous marine lives. He moved here about a decade ago and easily became a figurehead of our little community. Oceanview Road on the coast of the island is where you'll find him..." Elmer explains with admiration, finally giving Archie the answer he was looking for... somewhat.

Archie begins to fluster in joy that he finally figured out where he could find Vinnie, his emotions go on display as he jumps with his arms raised.

"YESSSSS! HERE I COME, VINNIE!" Archie shouts without realizing it.

Elmer furthermore lets his curiosity get the best of him. He begins inspecting the boy. This makes Archie start to feel uncomfortable just as fast as he got overjoyed.

"Can I help you Elmer? I already did you a favor." Archie confusingly pleads.

After finishing his inspection, he begins to target Archie's motives and intentions for locating the local marine.

"Hmm.. If you don't mind me asking... why would you want to find this Vincent and how does that tie up with the marine captain?" Elmer suspiciously inquires while he grasps his hairy chin with his hand absent of the leash.

The boy gestures with a finger over his lips that he will not tell. He knows well that even with the address of the road in which the marine resides, he will still have some difficulty finding the home with his unfamiliarity of the town's nooks and crannies.

"I do mind, actually. I cannot tell you such confidential info. Unless you show me the way to the captain's home, of course..." Archie answers with incredible cleverness, enforcing Elmer's own moral concerning favors.

Elmer grins with an understanding that Archie took from what he spoke of before and because he curiosity gets the better of him... Elmer generously decides that he will help show Archie the way to the marine's home.

"Seems like I'll have to do what you ask of me to get an honest answer out of you, won't I?" Elmer sneers as he walks ahead of the boy with his poodle following along.

Archie trots alongside him with a wide, mischievous smile on his face. Bag on his back, hat pinned to his neck… he is more ready than ever to find his friend and begin their adventure they were only allowed to dream about before.

"A favor for a favor." Archie comments as they descend the road that leads to the town square.