Here is To Be Free, REWRITTEN! I've skipped the first chapter with Alvida, because I want to get this story going faster than I had on the older version. I'll take down my older writte "to be free" story and have this one now(it already is the same story, but I've fixed it..?XD)
Anyway, hope you enjoy!
"We're here! The town where the Marines are!"Luffy, Coby and Alex hopped onto land after docking their small row boat. After beating Alvida and escaping the Marines, who suddenly showed up afterwards, they'd manage to get to their next destination sooner than planned.
"Wow,"Alex smiled, looking at the large town. It looked rather friendly and peaceful, the townspeople were walking through town with small smiles on their faces, greeting friends or loved ones, buying items, and so on. And near the back of the island, sat the giant Marine base. "Some town they've got here."
"Hey Luffy-san, it's not a very good idea to make him part of your crew."As the three of them began to make their way through the town, Coby tried to persuade the two pirates into backing out of recruiting the so called Pirate Hunter.
"I haven't decided if he's a good person yet."smiled Luffy, his eyes set ahead for the Marine's base.
"He's been arrested because he's a bad guy!"Coby cried, but Luffy ignored his worries. Coby looked towards Alex for any help, but she simply ruffled his hair with a smile.
"Not all people in jail, are nessecarily bad, Coby."she chuckled at Coby's confused expression, and pulled him to catch up with Luffy.
Luffy stopped near a cart on the side of the cobblestone road, picking up a pear and biting into the juicy fruit. "Mmm, good!"He tossed a gold coin to the shop owner, who smiled.
"I wonder if that Zoro is inside the base." Everyone around them suddenly jumped, letting out short shreiks of terror and looking terrified at the three outsiders.
"It seems Zoro's name is taboo here."Coby whispered, and soon enough the towns people slowly continued with their daily lives.
"Anyways,"Luffy tossed the now half eaten pear to Alex, who smiled her thanks and finished the fruit. ",let's head to the base. You want to join the Marines, right?"
"Yes...but I'm not ready yet."Coby admitted, becoming nervous at the approaching events. "I heard that a Captain Morgan is in charge of that base."
Again, the citizens around them jumped in fear. The three, confused, continued on without asking any questions.
"This is a very interesting town."laughed Luffy. Coby's brows furrowed in worry, and confusion. "That's strange. I understand Zoro, but why would they be scared of a captain? This worries me..."
"Strange, yes..."Alex muttered under her breath, taking a look around. Something wasn't right here, and she didn't like the feeling this all was giving her.
"Maybe they just like to do that."Luffy suggested, handing in his trouser pockets. Alex shook her head, chuckling. "That's highly probably, Luffy. It's all just too...weird!" Luffy hummed in thought, but made no sign of agreement. Coby, on the other hand found the statement to be very reasonable.
Soon enough they came to the entrance gate of the Marine base, and even up close the area looked large and, slightly intimidating. "Alright, this is it."smiled Luffy.
"I'm finally here!" Coby's eyes filled with tears, a happy smile growing on his face. He covered his eyes with his forearm, trying to contain his emotions. "This is where he part, Luffy-san, Alex-san, even though it's only been a short..."
Coby looked up from his arm as something caught his attention, and spotted Luffy trying to climb the stone bricked wall that guarded the base. "Ah, Luffy-san! What are you doing?"
"Where is that demon?"Luffy peered around the area, an excited smile on his face. Coby sweatdropped.
"He wouldn't be in a place like this. He's probably in an isolated cell deep inside."
"There he is!"Alex pointed out, who had joined Luffy to seek out the pirate hunter. The two shared equally excited smiles before jumping down and running off to a closer spot.
"See, that guy." Luffy and Alex were now hanging on the wall closer to the yard where Zoro was kept. Coby joined them too, after realizing that the two weren't going to listen to him.
"He can't be here, you guys-"Coby stopped, his eyes landing on the form of Zoro, who he never expected to actually be held outdoors. He gasped, taking in the man's form that was motionless under the hot day sun.
Black hood...waistband...That is Roronoa Zoro!
"If we untie that rope, he can escape, right?"Luffy jerked a thumb towards the ropes that held Zoro against a cross post.
"Don't say stupid things like that!" Coby cried. "What do you think'll happen if we let him go? I'm sure he'll kill you!"
"No problem," Luffy smiled. "We're strong!"
What's with these two?! Coby internally weeped.
"Oi,"a voice drifted their attention back towards the yard. ",you guys." Their eyes landed on Zoro, who seemed to notice them.
"You're bothering me...Get lost."
Coby flaied his arms in a panic, nearly smacking Alex in the face. "Luffy-san, Alex-san, if you recruit a guy like him, it won't matter how many lives you have!"
A ladder suddenly came into view, and they looked over to spot a young girl reaching the top of it. She turned to them, her small brown pigtails swishing with the motion as she put a finger to her lips, shushing them. She took a quick look around for anyone else before using a rope to ease herself down the other side of the brick wall.
"That's dangerous!"Coby warned the girl, watching her as she ran across the yard towards Zoro. "Luffy-san, Alex-san, please stop her! She'll be killed!"
"What?"Zoro let his eyes wander up towards the girl, who was smiling up at him without any sign of fear.
"Aren't you hungry?"she asked. "I made you some onigiri."
"You're gonna be killed, shorty."Zoro mumbled. "Go away." The girl ignored his warning, and unfolded the cloth that had been held closely to her chest protectively.
"You haven't eaten anything, though."she held out the cloth, which on top sat two rice balls. "Here! This is my first time...But I made it with all my heart."
Zoro blinked, taken back slightly. "I'm not hungry! You're annoying! Hurry up and go home."
"But..."
"I don't want any. Don't make me hurt you!" The gates to the yard slid open suddenly, and a group of people started to enter.
"You shouldn't bully kids." A man entered, who had light blonde hair that was cut into a bob. He wore a purple and pink suit too. A group of marines followed suit, faces shadowed by their uniform hats.
"Looks like you're still energetic, Roronoa Zoro." the blonde man smirked.
"And anothehr weird guy appears."Luffy silently mused as the three of them watched. Alex would have silently laughed at the remark, if it weren't for the growing feeling in her stomach that made her worried.
"That goodness." Coby sighed in relief. "They're Marines, so I'm sure that girl will be fine now."
"Hey, that onigiri looks pretty good." The blonde bent down and plucked one from the girl's hands, taking a bite.
"Ack!"he choked. "Nasty! It's full of sugar! Onigiri needs salt! Salt!"
The girl frowned, growing upset. "But I thought it would taste better sweet." The blonde threw the rice ball down to the ground. "Take that!" He stomped on the food, smashing it into the dirt.
"Stop!"the girl cried out, falling to her knees. "Stop!"
"What a horrible thing..." Coby frowned, clearly not expecting this to happen. That poor girl. And those Marines! What was going on here?
Alex growled, her eyes darkening as she glared at the man, unnoticed. This man was unforgivable. And if Luffy wasn't present, she'd be over there in a heartbeat to whoop the man's ass.
The little girl's eyes filled with tears, eyes trained on the food she worked hard to make, not smashed into the ground. "I tried to make it with all my heart."
"You haven't read this poster yet?"the blonde gave a dramatic sigh, pulling out a poster from his suit to read it aloud. "Anyone would helps this criminal will be executed. Marine Captain Morgan."
The girl jumped at his words, now fearing for what happened next.
"Brat,"the blonde scoffed, a cocky smirk forming on his face. ",you know who my father is right."
"Father?"echoed Luffy, curious. Alex chuckled darkly. So he's a papa's boy, eh?
"Then he is Captain Morgan's son?"Coby whispered, shocked.
Hey,"captain Morgan's son jerked a thumb behind him, towards a nearby Marine soldier. ",toss this brat out."
The Marine jumped, shocked at the command. A thin layer of swear formed on his face while Morgan's son stomped over to the man, grabbing a fist full of his uniform. "I'm telling you to toss her outside! Are you disobeying my orders? I'll tell my father!"
"Y-yes!"the Marine hastily responded. "Right away!" He walked part him and over to the girl, who tried to sheild herself.
"Little girl,"he whispered, bending down to her level. "I'm sorry for having to hurt you." The girl was confused at his apology, which distracted her from now being tossed over the wall.
A scream escaped her as she flew through the air, her body formed in a tight ball to try and protect herself. Luffy swiftly jumped into the air and brought the girl into his arms to protect her from the fall.
Once landed, the girl was quick to thank Luffy as they sat up. Coby ran over to the two to check on them. "Are you okay, Luffy-san?" He slid onto his knees next to the girl. "Are you hrut anywhere? What a horrible guy.. Does it hurt anywhere?"
"You bastard."Zoro growled, as Morgan's son just cackled. Alex watched as they spoke, straining her ears to hear the conversation.
"It seems like you're pretty stubborn, being alive still."Morgan's son shrugged.
"Yeah." Zoro smirked. "I will live through the entire month." Morgan's son smirked, patting Zoro on the shoulder as he strolled past him. "Well, do your best!"
"Ten more days." Zoro called out as Morgan's son headed fro the gates.
"Only if you live that long."
"So,"Alex's voice caught Zoro off guard, making him look up. "You're a bad guy, hm?" Instead of checking up on the girl and Luffy, right after the Marines and Morgan's son were out of sight she jumped over the wall.
"You're still here?" Luffy jumped over the wall as well, and joined Alex's side.
"Being publicly humiliated... Are you really strong?"
"Mind your own business!" Zoro barked. The two of them, ignoring his angry lashing, walked closer.
"I would've escaped withing three days." Luffy smiled, the cocky statement coming off innocent for him. Alex sighed, a hand through her hair as she shook her head. Now's not the time to show off, Luffy.
"I'm different from you." Zoro smirked. "I will survive to show them. Definetly." Luffy huffed. "What a stubborn guy." They turned to leave the yard, Zoro's voice stopped them.
"Wait a sec." The two turned to look at the tied up man, who's eyes landed on the smashed in onigiri that was on the ground. "Can you get that?"
Luffy looked down at the onigiri, tilting his head. "Are you really going to eat it? It's more of a dirt ball now."
"Shut up and give it to me!" Alex pushed Luffy out of the way and carefully grabbed the rice ball, blowing on it slightly before feeding it to Zoro.
It was finished quickly, a few coughs here and there from left over dirt mixed in. "Told ya so."Luffy folded his arms.
"It was delicious." Zoro muttered, a small blush forming on his cheeks. "Thank's for the food."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Luffy smiled. ",he ate everything!" Luffy and Coby had come back to town, and were now seated outside a restaraunt with the little girl from earlier.
"I'm so happy!" she smiled.
"Is Zoro really an evil guy like they said?" Coby thought aloud. "No!" the little girl cried, shaking her head. "Well, he is in jail because of us..."
"Maybe," Alex muttered in thought, leaning against the building opposite of the other three. ",it's reversed." Her words didn't seem to reach them, though, because the younger girl was now in the middle of telling them a story on how Zoro was thrown into jail. Alex pushed off the wall and headed off down the road.
"What are you still doing here?" Alex found herself back at the Marine base, in the yard Zoro was kept tied up. She had intended on going for a walk to clear her mind, but instead ended up back at the base.
Alex shrugged at Zoro's grumpy question, forcing a nonchalant smile onto her face. "I'm just curious, really..." She let herself fall onto the hard ground, her back not feeling the hit as she just rolled onto her stomach, kicking her boot clad feet back and forth like a child.
"Curious?" Zoro rose a brow under his bandana. He was curious himself. Of her, and the other straw hatted boy from earlier. But he could tell this one, Alex, wasn't as human.
"Yes, curious." Alex's tail swished over, catching Zoro's attention briefly. "Why do they have you locked up here...?" Blinking at the question, Zoro sighed.
"That damn son sent me here." He began to explain the whole ordeal of how he got locked up. Apparently he had saved the little girl from earlier of Morgan's son's pet wolf, and got punished. Not only for the wolf, but of course for beating up the blonde man as well.
"Oh..." Alex let out a long breath, unaware she'd been holding it, and rolled onto her side. She rested her cheek in her hand as she stared at Zoro, who seemed to become quiet after telling her the story. So he didn't deserve to be locked up. It was all clear to her now. Papa's boy, the blonde man was. If she knew any better, that son of the captain's thought he could just prance around town and do as he pleased. That didn't sit very well with Alex. Not one bit.
A gasp brought Alex from her thoughts, and she looked up at Zoro. His breathing was slightly off, as if he had just had a small scare.
"Alright, love?" Zoro looked up from the ground, eyes landing on Alex's questioning glance. Before he could answer, his attention was turned to another form behind her.
"You again?" Alex looked up from her spot on the ground, and low and behold, Luffy stood tall behind her. She let out a silent hum in thought, wondering what he was thinking.
"You have too much free time."
"I'm going to untie the ropes, and you will become our comrade." Luffy said, ignoring Zoro's words.
"What did you say?" Alex sighed, forcing herself to stand again as Zoro questioned Luffy.
"We're looking for people to join our pirate crew," Alex explained. "And it appears Luffy's taken interest into you."
"I refuse!" Zoro instantly replied. "You want me to be a bad guy? How annoying..."
"What's wrong with being a pirate?" Luffy asked.
"Pirates are scum." Zoro spat. "Who would want to be one?"
"Does it matter?" Alex chuckled. "You're known as an evil pirate hunter." Zoro smirked, "I don't care what society says. I've never regretted doing anything. I will survive, and do what I want to do!"
"Is that so?"hummed Luffy. "But I've already decided that you'll be our comrade."
"You can't decide that by yourself!" "You use a sword, right?" Luffy ignored the other man's protests, who just sighed.
"Yeah... but that stupid son took them."
Them? Alex tilted her head, ears falling with the action.
"I'll go get it for you." Luffy offered.
"What?'
"So when I return your sword, you will become our comrade."he smiled.
"You really are dense!" Luffy just laughed and ran off. But Zoro pointed out it was the other way.
"Gomu-gomu no..."Luffy's arms stretched far, past Zoro's widening eyes. "Rocket!" He flung himself off into the distance, towards the base.
"That guy... what the hell is he?!" Alex laughed to herself, shaking her head.
"An idiot."
"Oh, Coby." Alex looked up from her new spot on the ground. It had been just five minutes since Luffy left, and now Coby joined in on the fun.
Coby, who was out of breath from running back to the base, moved to try and untie the ropes that bound Zoro to the post. Alex smiled, proud of the young boy. Over the short period of time knowing Coby, she's noticed that he wasn't all that brave. But after standing up to Alvida, he was starting to work on it.
"Escape, Zoro-san." Coby whispered, determination written all over his face. Alex came over to the right side of the post to help as well.
"If you do that, you'll be killed!" Zoro tried to convince Coby to stop, hoping at least he would listen. He already knew the other two weren't going to.
"I can't stand by and watch these Marines anymore." Coby struggled with the knot. "I want to be a good Marine!"
"Stop!" Zoro tried again. "I can't run away! Ten more days left."
"You'll be executed tomorrow."
"What?" Zoro and Alex's eyes widened in shock.
"Helmeppo never intended to keep his promise." Coby explained. "That's why Luffy-san got mad and punched him."
Luffy got himself in trouble, then? Alex sighed, closing her eyes breifly. That idiot.
"Him..."
"Luffy-san is being chased by the Marines right now." Coby continued. "I'm not telling you to become a pirate, but please... Please help Luffy-san."
"Luffy is pretty much the only one who can save ya." Alex murmured before pulling closer to the ropes to try and bite her way through the knots.
"OW!" Zoro glared at Alex as the girl's teeth nearly peirced through his skin. She gave a sheepish smile, rubbing her neck. "Whoops, sorry about that."
"And now..."Coby added, taking their attention back to the situation at hand. "I believe you are the only one who can save Luffy-san."
"Hold it right there!" a loud voice caught the three's attention, and their heads turned over to the gates. A group of Marines, armed with guns and swords, marched their way closer to the group. And Captain Morgan was right behind them.
"By the treason you have commited against me..."Morgan came to a stop behind his Marine soldiers, resting his axed hand on his shoulder. "You will be executed right here."
Alex moved in front of the two carefully, ready to guard them if anything happened. Coby cried out, eyes filling with terrified tears as Zoro and Alex glared at the captain.
"You guys did some interesting things." Morgan mused. "Do you and the guy with the straw hat intend to start a revolution?"
"I've always fought my battles alone." Zoro pointed out. "Unlike you...hiding behind your troops and creating chaos!"
"Roronoa Zoro, don't underestimate me." Morgan warned, showing off his axed hand. "Your skill, when compared to my strength, is nothing! Aim!"
The group of Marines lifted their guns, aiming towards the three. Coby shook like a leaf in fear as Alex lifted her arms up to sheild the two better. Coby whimpered as Zoro stared down the barrel of one of the guns, his heart thumping hard in his chest.
I... Can't die in a place like this!
"Fire!"
Just as the guns were fired, the bullets traveled swiftly through the air. Zoro and Coby turned away, waiting for the bullets to hit them but instead, were stopped as a body jumped in front of them. They looked up at Luffy, who's arms were spread out. They watched as the bullets hit his skin, but instead of going in, they stretched out the skin backwards.
"Luffy-san!"
"Straw hat..."
Luffy smiled. "It wont work!" He laughed as the bullets were deflected and flew out in different directions, one narrowly missing Captain Morgan's face. "I told you so, I'm strong!"
"You..." Zoro gasped. "What the hell are you?!"
Luffy looked over his shoulder, giving him a thumbs up. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy. I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!"