Disclaimer: Gill Bastar belongs to Oda-sensei, and is from the kick ass story WANTED!, which is pre OP. I've set the WANTED universe in the Gunslinger Era of the One Piece world, which is a good bit after the Pirate Era. That's my decision, and nothing really backs it up other than Oda writing both. As such though, there may be some references to OP, and maybe even some distant descendants…all of which are my own doing. Also note that this takes place before the actual Wanted story.

That just might be the longest disclaimer I've written :)

Dead or Alive
by Chou

Chapter 1  - Never Drink Whiskey, Part 1

Even the most hardened gunslinger, the roughest sheriff, or the toughest rustler would admit that there was something special about sunrises on out in the desert. The way the sun just lit up the landscape, maybe. Or maybe it was the way the sky sparkled golden for a moment before settling into the purest baby blue. It was indescribable really, but not a sight to be missed. And the sunrise today was a thing of beauty to surpass all beauties, as it lit the sky in golden fire and made its majestic presence known to the world.

Gill Bastar, gunslinger extraordinaire, rolled over in his sleeping bag, muttered a few curses about the light in his eyes, and went back to dreaming about pretty bar girls and people not trying to kill him for money.


Nobody noticed the young man in the black hat and sunglasses as he strolled into town, a bag slung over his shoulder. It was a busy, prosperous town, after all, almost a city, with a population of about a hundred strong. Gill sauntered through double doors into the nearest saloon, removing his sunglasses in the dim interior. The bartender glanced up from a glass she was cleaning.

"What's yer poison, mister?" she asked with a grin.

"A bottle of Itoo, ma'am." He said, smiling and tipping his hat back a bit with one finger.

She set it on the bar and moved on to serve other patrons. Gill looked around the noisy bar. A pianist butchered a tune while a drunk next to him sang dirty lyrics to the song in an off key tune. A poker game was going on, and although the players seemed to be as skilled as five year olds, Gill didn't feel like joining in. Something felt…off about this town. The other patrons chatted happily and drank to the gills. Nothing seemed weird, but Gill's instincts told him that something wasn't right here.

When he turned back to his drink, and the gun barrel in his face, he knew he was right.

"Hello, Gill Bastar. Welcome to Whiskey Town." The bartender said, smiling sweetly. From behind him, Gill heard the sound of guns being drawn and cocked. A glance to the door showed him that people were waiting outside, as well. Gill thought about all this as he returned his attention to the unwavering gun in his face.

He sighed. "Well, shit."

Then the shooting started.


Author's Notes:

Yeah, a short chapter, but this is just the set up for the Whiskey Arc. Next chapter is where it gets good, honest.

Whiskey Town IS related to Whiskey Peak. Baroque Works, being such a far-reaching organization, had several Whiskey spots under its belt. One of them just happened to be on the Red Line and evolved into a Western Town.

Dead or Alive isn't one contained chapter story, it's more like a manga, where I have arcs and one chapter stories under a general heading.