"Hello."-Normal speech

'Hello.'-Normal thought

"Bring it on!"-Angry speech/Attack move

'Bring it on!'-Angry thought/Attack move

For those who picture a voice to go with the character, I would pick either Tony Oliver (Lancer/Cú Chulainn) or Crispin Freeman (Alucard) for Naruto's voice. You can choose for yourself.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, One Piece, Toriko or anything else that may appear in this story.


"What a day! It's gorgeous!" Luffy shouted out while Koby and Naruto smiled as he kept the ship on course to the marine base they were heading to. It had been a few hours since they ditched the marines and they were sailing toward Shells Town.

"It sure is, and as long as Naruto can stay on this heading we should reach the Marine base in no time," Koby said as he sat against the railing of the ship while Naruto steered the boat.

"You mean we will reach the place we originally set out for?" Luffy questioned as he sat on the head of the ship.

"Of course, Naruto's just using the skills every sailor should have."

"Yeah, should have," Naruto said with a deadpan expression. "But why he doesn't and set sail to reach the Grand Line just by drifting around is beyond me."

Luffy just kept on laughing as he looked out to sea. Koby tilted his glasses up and exclaimed. "I don't know what you should be laughing about, we're going at a Marine base. Shouldn't you be more concerned?"

"Nah. It'll be fine." Luffy waved off the boy's concern for him before gaining a look. "By the way, Alvida said something about pirate hunter...what kind of guy is he?" Luffy said as he faced Koby.

"You mean Zoro? I heard he was captured by the Marines." Naruto spoke up as he pets Terry who lay next to him.

"What? He's weak then."

"Not at all! He's a terrifying beast!" Koby shouted as he looked at Luffy questionably. "Why are you asking about him?"

"If he was a good guy, I thought I'd make him a part of my crew." Luffy finished with a grin while Naruto and Terry were looking at him if he were stupid.

"You're going to do something reckless again, aren't you"

"He might be a good guy." Luffy smiled at his First Mate.

"He's been caught because he's a bad guy! It's impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, Absolutely impos-"

BAM!

"Why did you hit me?"

"Just because."

"They say he's the man that diced up his bounties like an animal bent on carnage. A bloodthirsty beast. He's been called a living breathing demon in human form."

Luffy just laughed some more as Naruto raised an eyebrow at Luffy's reaction.

"Well, even if he is, I want to see him myself," Luffy said as he kept laughing like a madman. Naruto just sighed and look out to sea.

'A demon in human form, huh? If anyone deserves to be called that, it isn't anyone on this sea.'


The Great Swordsman Appears! Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro.


It took a few hours, but they had arrived at Shells Town. Luffy and Koby had gotten off and stared at the town while Naruto tied up the boat. "Alright," he said as before jumping off the boat. "Terry is gonna stay here for a while. I can always call if we need him, but I don't think we do."

"Are you sure it's okay to leave him here?" Koby asked.

"Would you rather have a wolf walking around town with us and scaring off people?"

"G-Good point."

"I'm starving! Let's go grab something to eat!" Luffy exclaimed to the crew. They went to a café to talk about their plans for what they were going to do.

"Well, this is it, thanks for taking care of me guys. Even if it was only for a short time." Koby expressed his gratitude towards them.

"It's alright Koby., Luffy told him in-between bites. While the Luffy and Koby were talking and eating, Naruto had stopped his meal and was looking around.

"Well, the town looks like a nice pace. We might have made a great first stop on our adventure, even if I was to get another member of the crew."

"I still think it's not a very good idea to make him a part of your crew," Koby said as he looked at Luffy with concern.

"I haven't decided if he's a good person yet…"

"He's been arrested because he's a bad guy!" Koby exclaimed as Naruto and Luffy kept eating, ignoring the boy as he spoke. Luffy took a bite out of a piece of meat and looked to the base.

"I wonder if that Zoro is inside the base?" As soon as he said Zoro's name, everybody in the café jumped back in fear and did not move a muscle. Naruto leaned over to Luffy and whispered to him.

"Oi, Luffy. It seems that Zoro's name is taboo here." Luffy just shrugged his shoulders and kept on eating.

"Anyway, let's head to the Marine base after this. You want to join the Marines right, Koby?"

Koby looked at Luffy a little bit shocked but said "Yes...But I'm not ready yet. I heard that a Captain Morgan is in charge of the base here."

When Koby finished that sentence all the people around his cowered away in fear and look more scared than when Luffy said Zoro's name. Naruto raised an eyebrow at this.

"I'd expect that reaction from hearing Zoro's name, but from Captain Morgan?" Koby said as they finished eating. Naruto put money down on the table.

"I'm gonna go look at the marine base. Koby, you wanna come?" Naruto asked.

"Sure." With that he and Koby started walking down to the marine base, leaving Luffy to finish his meal. As they were walking they started to have a conversation.

"So, Koby, why do you want to become a marine?" Naruto asked.

"Because I want to arrest bad guys and help innocents," Koby explained.

"When you were younger you were taught that marines are the good guys and pirates are the bad guys, right?' Naruto asked.

"Yeah," Koby replied, not sure where it was going.

"Koby it's not that simple," Naruto sighed, seeing the confusion in Koby's eyes Naruto elaborated, "While there are some good marines whose intentions are good, and while a majority of pirates are the bad, sleazy people that the majority of the world make them out to be. There are also bad marines and good pirates. I know, I've seen both."

"W-What do you mean?"

"I've seen marines that don't discriminate between the civilians and the pirate. Marines who would destroy an entire town just to get one person. Koby, remember this. When you join the marines, no matter what rank you are or will be, make sure that you don't lose sight of your morals." Koby thought about what he said for a moment.

"Thanks, Naruto, I'll remember that."

They kept walking until they reached the Marine base on top of the hill. They both looked up at the building, surrounded by a stone wall with an iron gate that read MARINES on it. The building was a blue camouflage design and had three circular building that could be seen and a large stone wall surrounding the perimeter to keep invaders out.

"When I go through those doors I will start my journey to accomplish my dream, thanks for all that you've done for me." Koby said as he started to make his way to the entrance.

"Koby who's that?" Naruto said as he sat on the wall looking inside.

"Naruto! You shouldn't do that! You could get in trouble!" Koby informed Naruto.

"I can take them," scoffed Naruto, "anyway, tell me who this guy is." Koby joined Naruto on the wall. They saw a lone man in a courtyard, tied to a post. The man wore black trousers that were tucked into his boots, a dirty white shirt and a green haramaki. He had green hair, three identical gold earrings on his left ear and on his head was a black bandana that shadowed his eyes, making him look very intimidating.

[Bounty Hunter, "Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro]

"T-t-that black bandana, a-and that haramaki, i-it's the Pirate Hunter Zoro!" Koby exclaimed, Naruto raised his eyebrow. "H-he's a v-very well-known bounty hunter in the East Blue. He's known as the 'Demon of the East Blue'."

"…"

"Hey, guys! What did I miss?" Luffy asked them as he joined them on the wall.

"Nothing much just found the so-called 'Demon of the East Blue'." Naruto informed his captain.

"Is he strong?" Luffy asked.

"Of course he is!" Koby confirmed.

"I've decided, he's going to be our new crewmember," Luffy said with conviction. Naruto smirked at the decision. Koby gawked at him.

"If we untie that rope, he can escape, right?" Luffy says as he points and smiles at Zoro.

"Are you crazy?! What do you think will happen if we let him go? I'm sure he will kill you!" Koby shouts as well as he looks at Luffy as if he was crazy.

Luffy just looks back at Zoro and says: "No problem, I'm strong."

'What's with this guy?!' Koby think to himself as they were interrupted by Zoro.

"Hey, you three," Zoro said, making Koby flinch. "You're bothering me. Beat it."

"Luffy! Let's just go. He's a pirate hunter! He'll kill-" Koby started listing off reasons why he shouldn't ask him to join.

Naruto just smile before he heard a ladder clack against the stone wall next to him. He looked to his side to see a little girl with big brown eyes and brown hair tied into little pigtails and a blue and green striped shirt at the top of a ladder with a finger to her lips, telling them to be quiet before jumping over to the other side. Luffy watched her while Koby started freaking out, calling out to the girl to stop. She walked over to Zoro smiling.

"You must be hungry." she said, clearly not intimidated by Zoro glaring at her. "I made you some food."

"Whatever it is, take it and scram kid." Zoro said.

"They're rice balls," she said as she opened the clothed item in her hands, revealing two big white rice balls. "They're my first time making them, so I hope they're good." Zoro raises his head a little, shocked at the girl's words but then returns to normal and keeps looking at her.

"I don't want those kid. Leave me alone."

"But-"

"Do you have a hearing problem or something?" He shouted, clearly losing his patience. He was about to say more but was stopped when a group had started walking towards them both.

"Temper temper Zoro." Came a whiney voice. Everyone looked to see a few marine soldiers around a blond lanky kid with his hair in an oval shape on his head. He wore a purple suit, white shoes, and a smug grin as walked towards them.

[Morgan's Son, Helmeppo]

"Jezz. Well if it isn't the dumbass son living off daddy's wealth."

"Did you just call me a 'dumbass'? A man in your position should hold his tongue...or lose it!"

"Who's that weirdo?" Luffy questioned.

"He must be some high ranking marine officer. Now that little girl will be safe."

"I doubt that Koby," Naruto said with narrowed eyes. "If what Zoro said is true then that guy is Morgan's son, and I don't think he views either of them to highly."

Zoro sneered as the man looked at the girl. "Oh. Rice balls? Don't mind if I do." he said as he took one and started eating it.

"Hey! That's for Zoro, not you." the little girl said before the blond teen spit the food out in disgust. "What is this?! It's got sugar in it. You're supposed to use Salt! Salt!"

"But I thought it would taste better if it was sweet." she said, sounding sad.

"Well you thought wrong you little brat!" he screamed as he knocked the other rice ball out of her hand and started stomping both into the dirt.

"Stop!" she screamed, trying to get him to stop, but failed as he kept stomping until it was nothing but a white pile with his shoe print on them. She stared at it as she teared up and sniffled. "But I...I worked so...so hard on those."

"Ugh. This is why I hate kids." Helmeppo said. "Don't you know the rules of this base kid? Anyone who helps criminals in any way are to be executed on sight. By order of Captain Axe Hand Morgan." He watched the little girl pale before ordering one of the marines to throw her over the fence.

"But...but Helmeppo sir. She's just a little girl." the marine said. Helmeppo grabbed him by the collar before pulling him face to face.

"I said to throw her over the fence. If you're not gonna follow my orders, I may have to tell my father of your insubordination," he said. The marine looked frightened but lowered his head as he walked over and picked the girl up before saying that he is sorry and for her to curl up into a ball before tossing her over the wall. Before she hit the ground Naruto jumped and caught her.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yea…" she answered, disappointed that she wasn't able to give Zoro the food she prepared.

"What's your name?" Naruto asked.

"Rika." She replied.

"Okay Rika, you should go back to your family, I'm sure they're worried," Naruto told her, "Koby, go with her and make sure she gets home safely." Koby nodded and went with Rika to her family. Naruto turned around to see that Luffy wasn't on the wall and had the feeling he was instead talking to Zoro.

After Helmeppo was gone, Zoro looked up to see Luffy standing a few feet from him just staring at him.

"You're still here?" Zoro questioned. "Better not let Helmeppo's dad catch you."

"Look, I'm looking for strong people to join my pirate crew."

"Pirate crew? Heh..! So you just gave up on life and became a crook huh?"

"Becoming a pirate's my dream! What's wrong with it!?"

"...Hm? You think if you untie me I'm gonna join your crew?"

"I haven't decided if I'll ask you yet. You've got a pretty bad reputation, you know?"

"Bad reputation, huh?" Zoro pondered. "Anyway, I don't go for that kind of deal. I've got my own plans for the future."

"Is that so?"

"That bastard kid promised me, all I've gotta do is survive the rest of the month. Then I'll be free to pursue my dreams!" Zoro declared.

"Hmm… I see. I don't think I could last one week without food."

"We're completely different people. I got more willpower. Now go find someone else to join your crew."

"Okay." Luffy started walking away.

"Wait," Luffy stopped and looked at Zoro, "can you…feed those rice balls to me?" He asked, feeling incredibly uncomfortable asking such a question.

"Are you sure? They're ruined." Luffy questioned.

"Yes, I'm sure!" Zoro told him. Luffy fed Zoro the squashed and dirty rice balls, making Zoro almost tear up due to the sweetness of the dish, "T-tell the girl it was the best thing I've ever had."

Luffy smiled as he made his way to the wall and climbed over. When he landed he saw Naruto leaning on the wall with his eyes closed.

"You hear all that?" Luffy asked.

"Yep~," Naruto said before opening his eyes and looking towards Luffy. "So, what are you thinking?"

"Hmm, let's go meet with Koby and that girl first."

Outside Café

"And he said it was the best thing he ever tasted," Luffy told the events to Rika and the rest of the crew.

"Really!?" Rika questioned.

"Yep!" Luffy replied cheerfully.

"Zoro seems a lot nicer than the rumours make him out to be, he's doesn't seem evil at all." Koby pointed out.

"He's not evil!" Rika defended, "The whole reason he's tied to that post is because of me."

"How so?" Naruto asked.

"He defended me and the town from Helmeppo's mean dog," she then went on to tell them about how Helmeppo was terrorising the town with his cute pet, that was more like a wild wolf, and tried to attack her only for Zoro to defend her from it by knocking it out and him taking the blame for it sparing them of execution and then letting him go.

"It's been three weeks. That Helmeppo punches and kicks Zoro while he's tied there. I...I…" she starts crying as Koby tries to calm her down. "Zoro isn't a bad person, Captain Morgan is the real menace."

"Helmeppo's the guy with the weird taste in clothes, right?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah. He was the mean one with the weird hairstyle." Rika confirmed as Naruto nodded.

"Hahaha! You're not lowering your heads low enough, scum! I'll tell father on you!" The four looked towards the main street to see the townspeople all bowing down on the ground as Helmeppo and two marines walked down, "Do you want to be jailed like Roronoa Zoro? We're going to hold a public execution in three days! I'm surprised he's even managed to survive this long, I can hardly wait!"

"Three days?" Luffy yelled, gaining Helmeppo's attention. "But you made a promise to him!"

"What? Where did you hear about that? That promise was a joke! Only an idiot would believe that! Hyeh, hyeh, hyeh!" Helmeppo laughed. Luffy, outraged by Helmeppo, punched him square in the face, shocking everyone in view. Helmeppo was sent flying back a couple of feet, holding his now bleeding nose before looking at Luffy with a little shock and fear.

"Wh-who the hell are you?!" Helmeppo asked.

"Luffy, stop it!"

"He's trash!" Luffy said as he struggled against Koby and Naruto as they held him back from doing any more damage.

"You-you hit me! I'm Captain Morgan's son!" Helmeppo said in disbelief at what this commoner did to him.

"So what?!"

"I'll tell my father and have you executed!"

"Why don't you do something yourself?"

"Luffy, calm down," Naruto spoke up "I know you're pissed, and the bastard deserved what was coming to him, but you need to-."

"I've decided, Naruto. I will have Zoro join us!" Luffy said with determination as Naruto and Koby looked at him with wide eyes.

"Come on. We're going." Luffy told them, they nodded and started to leave, "As soon as we've gotten something to eat." He adds at the end. Naruto sighed.

"Y-y-you better apologize, I-I'll get my f-father on you!" Helmeppo threatened while holding his bloody nose and crying.

"Hurry and up and do it then," Naruto said simply, "When you make a threat you better go through with it." Helmeppo rushed off angrily with the marine officers following him.

"N-now we have t-to deal with the captain." Koby told the group, he was obviously scared.

"Koby, you remember what I told you about bad marines?" Naruto asked Koby who nodded, "Well Captain Morgan is one of those marines, and as a future good marine you have to take care of him."

Koby nodded while Naruto looked at the retreating Marines and brung his fingers to his mouth.

*wheew whee!*

Marine Base

In the main office of the marine base sat tall, muscular and intimidating man with blond hair and tan skin. He had a metal jaw and the most identifiable thing about him was the huge steel axe replacing his right hand. He wore a light blue large, billowing Marine Captain's jacket, a blueish black button up shirt, light and dark blue camouflage pants tucked into brown combat boots.

"I am...Great!" said the man as he looked out the window towards the town.

[Marine; Captain, "Axe-Hand" Morgan]

"Yes! That is correct, Captain Morgan!" said an officer that was behind him as he saluted to Morgan.

"Then why are the tribute from the peasants-ahem...citizens getting smaller?"

The soldier was getting nervous as he spoke: "Eh, the problem is that the income of our people has decreased."

Morgan was silent for a moment as the soldier was getting more nervous and finally said.

"The problem is that they don't have enough admiration for me...Isn't that right?"

Before the soldier could reply Helmeppo burst into the room cupping his cheek and panting furiously.

"Daddy!" Helmeppo screamed as he stormed into his father's quarters. "I want you to kill a certain someone!"

Courtyard

Zoro was jolted out his sleep. He looked around, remembering where he was before he saw Luffy standing in front of him and frowned again.

"You again? What do you want?" he asked. Luffy smiled as he said "I want you to join my pirate crew. Zoro just raised his eyebrow at him before answering.

"Not a chance. I got things I want to do, and becoming a pirate isn't one of them." Zoro said in a bored tone. Luffy smiled again as he crossed his arms.

"What's wrong with being a pirate?"

"Pirates are scum. Who would want to be one?"

"Does it matter? You're known as an evil 'Pirate Hunter'."

"I don't care what society says. I've never regretted doing anything. I will survive and do what I want to do!" Zoro says with determination in his voice as he smirks at Luffy.

"Is that so? But I've already decided that you will be apart of my crew."

"DID YOU NOT HEAR A WORD I SAID?! I SAID IM NOT JOINING YOU!" Zoro screamed.

Luffy then looks at him "By the way, I heard you use a sword, where it?" Luffy asked, ignoring Zoro's refusal. Zoro calmed down as he explained that Morgan's son took them away. Luffy smiled again. "Alright then. I'll go get your swords then."

"Huh?"

"And if you want them back, you have to join my crew."

"YOU LITTLE SHIT! THAT'S BLACKMAIL!" Zoro screamed.

"Okay, I'm gonna go get your swords, so you'll have to join me if you want them!" Luffy told Zoro to which he gaped at Luffy.

"You really are dense!"

"I thought it was a good attempt at blackmail." Zoro looks behind Luffy to see Naruto with his hands in his pockets with a bored look on his face standing next to a white wolf.

"Who are you?" Zoro asks looking at him.

"I'm Naruto, this idiot here is my captain." he said as he looked at Luffy who smiled and gave a thumbs up to him, "And this here is Terry."

*Bark*

"Okay, I'm gonna go get your swords, so you'll have to join me if you want them!" Luffy told Zoro to which he gaped at Luffy, "Naruto let's go!" Luffy shouted as ran off to the marine base.

"Is he really going to attack the base?"

"If he is, he's not doing it right," Naruto replied deadpan as Luffy ran, in the opposite direction of the base.

"THAT'S THE WRONG WAY, BAKA!" Both Naruto and Zoro shout at Luffy who just stops and looks at them.

"It's a mystery building," Luffy said as they both sighed at the teen's sense of direction. He then smiled as he got over the shock and stretched his arms out, rocketing over to the building, freaking Zoro out as he did.

"That guy...what the hell is he?!" Zoro asks with shock in his voice.

"He ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, one of the Devil Fruit that allows a person to gain superhuman powers at the cost of not being able to swim in the ocean or any saltwater," Naruto replies before walking to the base. "Terry. Watch him for us will ya?"

5 minutes earlier; Rooftop

On top of the Marine tower the soldiers could be heard panting and heaving as they tried to pull up a giant stone statue of Captain Morgan that had his right hand as an axe said man looked at the men doing all the work as he told them to pull it up with all their might and make it stand with one pull. He was busy admiring the statue to his glory when his son interrupted his thoughts.

"Father! Why aren't you helping me get revenge? He punched me!" Helmeppo whined as he pointed to himself. "He punched the face that even my father hasn't punched!"

Without turning around Morgan spoke. "Son do you know why I've never hit you?"

"B-because I'm your so-."

"I'll tell you why," Morgan said before he punched Helmeppo across the face. "It's because you're not even worth hitting!" Morgan shouted as he held up his axe hand a bit and lifted Helmeppo off the ground.

"Don't misunderstand, the one who is great is your father; In other words, me!" he said as he threw Helmeppo down on the ground. He turned his back on his son and continued "Now, I heard that there was an incident earlier this morning regarding a little girl breaking into the compound."

"Yes, I took care of her." Helmeppo told his father, hoping to get some praise.

"So you killed her." Morgan assumed.

"N-no, I c-couldn't order t-that. She's j-just a little girl." Helmeppo told his father, to which he punched him again.

"Baka! Just because she's a child doesn't mean she shouldn't die!" Morgan told his son, "The most important thing in this world is rank, this girl was defying rank, therefore, she must accept the consequences." He said before pointing to one of the men. "You there, go fetch the girl and kill her!"

"B-but, sir! She's just a little girl. I can't obey such a cruel order!"

"Oh, wouldn't you?" Morgan question as he slowly made his over to the man. "You are a lieutenant in the Marines, aren't you? An I, a captain, am your superior officer, am I not?"

"U-uh, yes sir…"

"Then you are duty bound to obey me! If I say to kill her, then you will kill her!"

"I...I won't murder a little girl!"

Morgan's eyes widened in anger. "INSOLENCE!" Morgan brought his axe down, cutting the marine deep in the shoulder as he fell to the ground. Everyone on the roof, even Helmeppo, was freaking out because they thought he had killed him. Morgan looked on as if nothing happened.

"I became a captain because of this arm and my power! Listen! a title is everything in this world! I'm the best captain at this base. That means I am the greatest person! That's why everything I do is right! Isn't that correct?" He said with a look that promised pain if they answered wrong.

"Yes! That is correct!" all the men replied scared for their lives.

He then went on to talk about how long it took for the statue of his 'gloriousness' to be completed and that it was a symbol of his power and magnificence for all the world to see. After saying that he will deal with the kid later he tells the men to continue moving the statue, as it was being lifted one of its sides scraped the building and Morgan stood directly over the man responsible for damaging it.

"Hey, you! You bumped it."

"I'm very sorry! I was careless!" the man said fearing for his life.

"I said this statue represents myself. If you scratch it a little, that's treason against me! DIE!" as Morgan raised his axe to kill the man,

"Gomu Gomu no Rocket!"

A yelled was heard before Luffy was seen flying up while holding onto Morgan's statue. He came flying up onto the roof breaking the statue in the process. As everyone looked at the statue in shock at what the kid had just done with jaws dropped Luffy just had a small sweatdrop on his head and raised his hand. "Uh, sorry. My bad."

"How dare you!" Morgan shouted, "ARREST THAT GUY SO I CAN KILL HIM MYSELF!" shouted Morgan as he looked at Luffy with murder in his eyes. All of the marines charged at Luffy with guns and swords pointed at him. Luffy, however, ignored them and went up to Helmeppo, who pointed at Luffy and said he was the one that hit him.

"Hey, it's you!" Luffy says as he pops in front of Helmeppo scaring him. "I was looking for you! come with me! I need something to be returned!" he then takes off dragging Helmeppo with him.

"After them! Don't let them escape!" Morgan yelled, not wanting to let the person responsible for ruining his 'greatness' get away.

"Captain, There's someone in the execution field!"

"What?" Morgan looked to the field to see an animal lying next to Zoro and one person running up to them.

"I'm surrounded by traitors."

With Naruto

'Luffy's probably already caused a commotion with the marines, I swear to god he knows nothing about stealth,' Naruto thought to himself as he walked through the base, looking for the armoury where Zoro's swords could be hidden, 'He might be able to find Zoro's swords by himself, but I'll just make sure they aren't in the most obvious place here.' He went to turn the corner to the armoury, only to find the hallway full of marines, with guns and swords, pointed at him.

"I hope you guys are tougher than the Alvida pirates," Naruto told them as he rushed them.

With Luffy

"Now where's Zoro's sword?" Luffy asked as he ran through the base, dragging Helmeppo along with him.

"I'll tell you where they are! Just stop dragging me across the carpet!" he shrieked. Luffy stopped as he looked at Helmeppo, who pointed down the direction they came from. "My room down there on the left. You just past it."

"Why didn't you say so earlier? Now we gotta go back."

"Drop Helmeppo and put your hands up!" shouted a marine as he and his comrades pointed their guns at Luffy.

"Wait a moment," Luffy said before putting Helmeppo between him and the marines and smiled. "Now you can shoot."

"NO NO NO NO! HOLD YOUR FIRE!" Helmeppo screamed as Luffy used him to push past the marines.

With Zoro

Koby was down in the yard, trying to untie Zoro from the post while Terry looked on.

"You got a death wish kid? If they catch you, they'll kill you on sight." Zoro said.

"I can't sit back and watch these marines anymore. They're bringing shame to what a true marine is."

"Look kid. I've got 10 more days until-"

"More like ten minutes. They're gonna execute you anyway."

"What?" Zoro asked as his eyes widened.

"Helmeppo was never gonna honour your deal. Now you're only awaiting death if you stay here." Koby said. "Luffy and Naruto are inside getting chased by the marines. I'm not gonna ask you to be a pirate, only to help them just this once. You have a lot of strength and can definitely help them out. They're your only chance of getting out of here alive, just like you're the only one who can help them get out as well."

"Hold it right there!" bellowed Morgan as the marines aimed their guns at them. Zoro and Koby both looked at him in surprise.

"How interesting. The four of you are planning to cause a political upheaval? Nonsense." Morgan said as he walked into the courtyard. "Roronoa Zoro...I've heard of your name from a long time ago, but do not underestimate me. Before my strength, you're just garbage!"

*Grrrrrr!*

A growl caught everyone's attention as Terry stood in front of Koby and Zoro. "T-Terry?" Koby called out to the wolf before his growling became louder and his body seemed to grow. Everyone's eyes widened when the wolf finally stopped growing until he was 14'5'', teller than even Morgan.

*Woof*

Terry's woof echoed across the yard as the marines looked on in fear.

"W-What the hell is that?"

"A wolf!"

"How the hell can a wolf grow that big in an instant?!"

"It doesn't matter how!" Morgan's voice called out. "It's just a mangy mutt putting on a brave face. All it's done is make itself a bigger target! Now take aim!"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"Yep. This is your room alright." Luffy said as he looked around the girly room that was Helmeppo's. He immediately eyed Zoro's swords and smiled as he walked over to them. "Found them. Thanks for your help," he said before he dropped an unconscious Helmeppo on the floor. He then tied the swords onto his back, then walked to the window, spotting Morgan and the marines, all ready to kill Zoro, Koby and Terry. "Better get down there," he said before stretching his arms out and flying out the window.

"FIRE!" Morgan shouted before the marines fired away. Zoro and Koby looked away, expecting death. None of them expected Luffy to appear before them and step in front of the path of the bullets.

"WHAT?!"

"LUFFY NO!"

*BARK!*

"STRAW HAT!"

"Sorry, that doesn't work on me!" Luffy yelled as he bounced the bullets back at the marines, injuring a few of them. Zoro just stared at him as he asked what he was. Luffy turned around with a smile and a thumbs up. "My name's Luffy. And I'm the man who will be King of the Pirates."

"Do you have any idea what that means?" Zoro asked.

"King of the Pirates means King of the Pirates," Luffy answered before untying the swords off his back and held them in front of Zoro.

"Got your sword for ya. There were three, so I grabbed them all. Are they all yours?"

"Actually they are. I use Santoryu." Zoro said, moving his arms around in his bindings.

"Alright. I'll let you go. But if you fight now, you'll be labelled a criminal in the eye of the marines. So it's either fight or die. Well?"

"Are you the offspring of the devil? Forget it...looks like I don't have a choice huh?" Zoro said with a smirk. "Fine. I'm in."

"YES! Look Koby! I got my second crewmate!" Luffy said as he danced around. He was one step closer to getting his crew together.

"Stop dancing and untie me, you moron!" Zoro shouted. Luffy stopped and tried to untie Zoro, while Morgan ordered his men to attack.

"If guns won't work, use your swords!" he bellowed. Soon, all the marines were charging at them, ready to cut them down. Luffy tried to untie the knot, unfortunately, he was having some difficulty untying it.

"Man, these are tight," Luffy said to himself as the marines started advancing on them.

"Quit screwing around already!" Zoro said.

"I think I just made it tighter…"

"Give me my sword now!" Zoro screamed. Luffy gave him a sword, which he used in the blink of an eye to cut the ropes, unsheath his other blades, and stop the marine's attacks in mid-swing with two swords with black handles in each hand and one with a white handle in his mouth.

"Whoa!" Koby said, while Luffy just smiled.

"Move and you die." Zoro threatened through his clenched teeth, causing the other marines to cry.

"Scary."

"Alright. I've fought the marines. That officially makes me a wanted criminal, so I'll join you as a pirate. But I'm only going to say this once. Even though I sail under you, I only care about my ambition."

"Which is?"

"To be the greatest swordsman in the world. And if you make me give up my dream for any reason, I'll cut you where you stand. Got it?"

"Of course! The King of Pirates has to have a strong crew, if he doesn't it's just embarrassing!" Luffy replied cheerfully, "Although, you might have to look out for Naruto later on."

"Huh? What do you-"

"Not now, you better duck!" Luffy warned as he swung his leg back. Zoro took heed of his warnings and ducked, "Gomu Gomu no Muchi!" Luffy shouted as he swung his outstretched leg around him to whip all of the marines to the ground. Zoro just stared at him as he asked what he was. "I'm a rubber man." Luffy said, leaving Zoro to stare at him.

"What is that guy?"

"The bullets were useless."

"The guy with the straw hat isn't a normal human. It seems that he ate one of the Devil Fruit." Morgan says while not taking his eyes off them as he thought of the rumours of the Devil Fruit. How eating one granted you a power of the Sea Devil, but made the ocean reject you and took away your ability to swim.

"This is insane!" one of the marines said, as Morgan looked at the terrified marine. He listened as the marines starting saying they were too strong to beat and that didn't stand a chance against the two of them.

"THIS IS AN ORDER! THOSE WHO JUST SPOUTED WEAKNESS, TAKE YOUR GUNS AND SHOOT YOURSELVES!" he shouted. All the marines stared at him as he went on. "I HAVE NO USE FOR COWARDLY WEAKLINGS LIKE YOU LOT!"

"The only weakling I see is you," Luffy said as he glared at Morgan. He smirked as Morgan glared right back as a few veins started sticking out on his face and neck. He seemed to snap as he threw his coat off.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT! I AM THE GREAT CAPTAIN 'AXE HAND' MORGAN!"

"Hi. I'm Luffy," he said as Zoro sheathed his swords, watching to see what his new Captain could do.

"How dare you!" Captain Morgan yelled, confronting Luffy, "The most important thing in the world is rank! Yet you are here, disobeying rank! You must pay!" Morgan brought his axe down on Luffy, who easily sidestepped the blow. The fight continued on like this, it was very one-sided. Luffy kept on hitting Morgan without taking a blow himself.

"Stop!" Helmeppo shouted, regaining the attention. He had a gun pointed against Koby's temple, "You make one more move and four-eyes gets it!" He threatened. Luffy looked at this impassively, he pulled his arm back and launched it right into his face.

"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!" Luffy shouted as sent Helmeppo through the air, knocking him out at the same time. While he was doing this Morgan raised his axe-hand into the air, preparing to bring it down on Luffy's head. Zoro was prepared to act until someone beat him to it.

Before Morgan could bring the axe down he was hit in the back of the knee, sending him down to the ground on his one knee as he felt his axe hand being held in place. "Sorry, but I won't let you kill my captain."

"Good one Naruto!" Luffy congratulated Naruto as he just grinned.

"Where were you?" Zoro asked.

"In the armoury looking for your swords but when I heard the commotion outside I figured Luffy already found them," Naruto replied, "Now then. How about we end this little bout, eh? Morgan."

"One piece of traitorous filth after another. None of you will leave this base alive!" Morgan slowly raised off the ground before Naruto release the man's arm and jumped back, just in time to dodge a backwards slice.

"That was close. You could have chopped off my neck." Naruto commented with a smirk, as Morgan raised his axe again.

"DIE! SCUM!"

"Ryūsui Gansai-ken," Naruto whispered as he raised his hands and quickly weaved around Morgan's downward strike and struck the marine captain's solar plexus "...Ryūsen.*"

Luffy smirks as Zoro sheaths his swords as Morgan's eyes rolled in the back of his head and fell down face first. "Nice, Naruto."

"Nothing to it," Naruto said rolling his shoulder. "Now then, what will you guys do?" He looked towards the Marines who were frozen in shock before they started celebrating and cheering out loud.

"What the...their captain was just defeated and they're rejoicing?" Luffy said as he was lost at what was happening.

"It's because everyone was afraid of Morgan, even his own men. It wouldn't surprise me that there acting like this, I know I would." Naruto says as he looks at the scene in front of him. He then sees Zoro fall down and start breathing heavily.

"What's the matter, Zoro? Are you injured?" Naruto asked as Zoro just opened his eyes.

"I'm just, really hungry…"

"c'mon let's get some food." Luffy cheered as he rushed to the café with Zoro slung over his shoulder as he had collapsed from exhaustion and Naruto carrying Koby as he was injured by the gunshot.

Café

Everybody was celebrating the return of the crew; they were free from the tyranny of Captain Morgan and by a pair of pirates nonetheless. As thanks, they were given a free feast in honour of their victory.

"This is delicious!" Luffy exclaimed as he dug into the food set before him.

"That's some good grog!" Zoro yelled as he finished his meal, "How can you eat more than me when I haven't eaten anything for nine days?"

"Cause it's good."

"But seriously, even rubber has it's stretching limits but it appears your stomach doesn't," Naruto said as he sat at the bar drinking some sake with Terry next to him chewing on some meat on a bone.

"Thanks for patching me up." Koby thanked Rika's mother to which she just smiled as she gave them some more food. "Please, eat all you want." Ririka said with a smile, happy that the town was free from Morgan's reign.

"I'm sorry. You're feeding me, even though I wasn't any help." Koby said.

"It's alright." she said.

"So Luffy. Who else is on our crew besides blonde here?" Zoro asked, pointing towards Naruto at the end.

"Us."

"Wait. Us...you mean the three of us?"

*Bark*

"Four."

"So the four of us is what amounts to a whole pirate crew?"

"Yeah, but don't worry. We will gain more people along the way." Luffy, with his mouth full, states.

"Ok, well at least tell me we have a ship."

This time it was Naruto who answered, "Yep, the big one with the chimney as the sail." he pointed to the large ship that was currently being loaded with food from the villagers as a thank you from them.

"That? Well, it looks good, and it's great for a starter boat." Zoro said as he gazed out the window and saw the ship.

"Hey, hey...where are you guys going now?" Rika asked Luffy.

"That's obvious. We're going to the Grand Line!" Luffy answered as Koby spit out his glass of water that he was drinking.

"With just four of you?! No matter what, that's impossible!"

"Is the Grand Line really that dangerous?" Rika asks.

"Of course it is!" Koby then went on to explain about the Grand Line and the Red Line and about many of the pirates going there never returning and calling it the pirate graveyard.

"But the 'One Piece' is there somewhere, so we'll have to go," Luffy says as he leans against the chair.

"Well, I guess we have no choice." Zoro agrees.

"Zoro, you too?"

"It's Luffy's call," Naruto says as Terry barked in agreement.

"Not you to Naruto," Koby says with anime tears going down his face. Before they could discuss more, the marines arrived.

"Are you three the ones that took down Captain Morgan?" The marine officer asked.

"Yes," Luffy answered.

"Is it also true you guys are pirates?"

"Yep, I just found a new comrade. We're pirates!" Luffy said not caring one bit that the Marines were in front of them.

"We are very grateful that you saved us from the clutches of Morgan. However, now that we know that you are pirates, we can't look the other way." the Marine said as he adjusted his cap. "You must leave this town immediately!" he said, causing the villagers around them to go into an angry uproar.

"You guys were scared too."

"They're our saviours, as well as yours, you jerk."

"However, we will not report you to HQ."

"Alright," Luffy said before standing up. "Let's go, Zoro, Naruto," he said he walked towards the door, with Zoro, Naruto and Terry right behind him. The Marine then looked at Koby who had his back turned to him and was still rooted in place.

"And what about you?" the marine asked Koby. "Aren't you their friend?" he asked. Koby just stared at them as he turned back to Luffy. "Is this guy your friend?" Luffy looked back at him before smirking.

"Oh, him, he's just someone we picked up along the way," Luffy started explaining, Koby silently praying that he wouldn't mention his time with Alvida, "I found him when he was working as a cabin boy for Al-"

"Shut up!" Koby shouted before he socked Luffy in the jaw, leading to a small scuffle between the two.

"I get it, I get it! You two aren't together!" The officer told the two as he broke up the fight, then looked at Koby, "If you aren't with them, what are you here for."

"I-I want to be a marine!" He yelled at the officer.

"Are you sure we should accept him, Lieutenant? Pirates have been known to plant spies within marine bases." An officer next to the lieutenant advised.

"No, I believe that this boy is speaking the truth, I see it in his eyes," the lieutenant replied, "you will start as a cabin boy, but if you are up to it you will rise through the ranks. Are you prepared?"

"Of course!" Koby answered. The lieutenant smiled at the young boys potential.

Docks

"That was some bad acting," Zoro said as they finished loading their stuff onto the boat. "They might find out about it though."

"As long as Koby becomes a marine I'm fine with it," Luffy explained.

"Well, they hate us now. Best way to leave." Naruto said. "Very pirate-like."

*Bark*

They were all ready to sail off, and they were just about to when Koby and the rest of the marines at the docks stopped them.

"Thank you for everything! I promise that I will become a good, strong marine!" Koby yelled at them as he gave them a salute, the rest of the Marines did so as well. Naruto smirked.

"I never would've thought I'd see Marines saluting pirates," Naruto said. Luffy grinned widely.

"Thanks, everyone!" He cheered as he spread the sails and started to drift away.

"You have some good friends there, kid." Koby looked to his left to see the new head Marine smiling at him as he started to collect tears in his eyes but shook them off and stood tall and straight.

"Yes, sir!"

"Men, what we've done is a complete violation against all we stand for! Therefore, no food for three days!" he ordered.

"YES, SIR!"

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The three pirates and animal just looked into the sun as the wind carried their boat across the open ocean waiting for the new adventures that lay ahead.

Luffy grinned as he held his hat and said: "Now we're well on our way to becoming pirates!"

"Looks like it's going to be one hell of an adventure," Zoro said as he leaned up against the railing.

"No doubt. With him as our captain, we'll have nothing but trouble." Naruto says as he turns to Zoro "Hope you're ready for it."

Zoro just smirked. "Always."

Luffy just looked at his crew and grinned "I will become the Pirate King!"

Zoro just looked at Luffy with a raised eyebrow and questioned him about why he had this dream of finding the One Piece and becoming the Pirate King.

"I made a vow...to that man, to form an amazing crew, to find the world's greatest treasure, And become the Pirate King! This straw hat knows it all!"

Zoro and Naruto just raised an eyebrow and looked out to sea and smiled. This was just the start of one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime.

"Alright, let's go! Grand Line…Here I come!"


Next Time: An unexpected departure and an unexpected stop. Onwards to Orange Town! The Thief, the Clown, and the Dog.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

*Gomu Gomu no mi (Gum-Gum/Rubber-Rubber Fruit)

*Santoryu - Three Sword Style

*Ryūsui Gansai-ken: Ryūsen - Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist: Streamline

Hope you all liked the chapter. Sorry if some of the arts were a bit longer than you might be used to but everything still worked out in the end. I don't know if the next couple of chapters will be out as soon as this one did, but I will try to do my best.

Review and tell me what you all think. Flamers will be ignored or eaten by Terry.

Till next time!