One Piece belongs Eiichiro Oda and all of his characters portrayed in this story are his and I do not claim any rights to their names and/or their personalities. This story however is an original story that uses Oda's characters and some original characters that were created based on information from and understanding of the world of One Piece. Please make sure to support Oda's work and read the original One Piece story if you haven't already!

Chapter 1

Zoro was walking slowing towards the grass planning to take a nap and let the idiots bother the stupid Love-cook until they became blue in the face, but before he realized something was wrong he was already standing motionless, lost in his thoughts. He could feel his body tense, as if it was trying to prepare for something and then he felt emptiness, like he no longer controlled any of his muscles.

"Good…I'm glad it worked so easily…"

Zoro tried to move, tried to speak aloud but he wasn't able to perform any basic tasks that he willed his body to do. The voice having gone unnoticed spoke to him again, "You can try, but I'm sorry to say you will have no success in moving your own body anymore." Zoro frowned mentally.

There was a pause as if the voice was contemplating something, "I don't usually like to give away the whole story beforehand but…I wish to take down your captain for his bounty…my name is...you can call me the Puppet Master and well, you are now my puppet. Zoro tried to speak but was cut off, perhaps you need proof that you no longer control this body? I can comply with those needs…now who is closer…"

Zoro watched himself…well that is how it felt...as he turned around and faced the group, his nakama. Part of Zoro began to panic. There was real fear present in his mind at the words that gave way to implications of danger. Zoro looked quickly at the scene before him and sighed with relief, the shit-cook was closest. Good, Zoro thought to himself, he will notice that something is off and be able to stop anything that may come his way, allowing him to figure out what the hell was going on.

Zoro felt his body tense once more before his hand slipped one of his precious swords from his hip. The blade singed to Zoro as he slid it from his sheath, silently allowing itself to be pulled from its slumber. His nakama had yet to notice and the panic became a deep bubbling fear that was rising from within. The blade seemed to shine brightly to Zoro and yet no one was reacting, shouting…nothing. Zoro screamed at himself as the blade slowly and silently slid into Sanji.

"At a loss for words swordsman? It seems you still have a bit of yourself though…I was aiming for his heart." Zoro stared horrified as his sword, HIS sword, as it began to drip with the blood of a friend and not an enemy, such a strange sight. Zoro's body voiced his dismay aloud in a dull tone "That was supposed to kill you."

Sanji took a shuddering breath as his one visible eye widened and he adjusted to the pain blossoming from near his right kidney. He had heard the voice behind him but he knew it was not Zoro, the tone was different and held almost no emotion. Sanji inhaled sharply, "What did you do to the Marimo?"

"He isn't home right now."The sword was ripped out of its present hold which escaped with a flinch from the holder and sharp intake of breath. Placing one of his hands over the front of the wound Sanji turned to face whatever it was that had decided to use the idiot as its vessel of choice.

"I suppose I should let you in on a few things quickly, I am the Puppet Master and this is my new puppet. I require all of you with bounties to become my own prize even if I have to take each of you out on my own. I will give you a fighting chance though if you wish. The town you just came from is my own, that is where I claimed this new puppet of mine, and there is where you will have the chance of defeating me if you wish. If you do not I can kill you all here and now and be done with it."Zoro's body quickly dashed forward two swords drawn and went into a few of his attacks. Sanji seeing the change in his body stance was able to easily block each attack from ever reaching any of the other crew members.

"I suppose I should also mention that I will not let this puppet stand by and watch my demise, I will use him as well. I care not for unfair measures when it comes to getting what I want and well what I want just happens to be this particular crew."

Sanji stood defensively in front of Zoro ready to move in and block any incoming attacks. His one visible eye showed determination, "Luffy, take the others and go and figure out what happened on that island, I'll take care of moss for brains here."

"Cook-san, are you sure that is wise?"

"Ah, my Robin-Chwan always worries about me but I'll be fine nothing to worry about in just a little match between the two of us here."

Robin nodded and looked at Luffy who seemed to be taking the situation seriously, "Alright Sanji, but when we get back I expect a feast." With that the soon to be pirate king and most of his crew took off for the city streets, beginning a search for the one behind the strings.

Zoro stared ahead, his gaze empty and seeming to look beyond that which was in front of him. "Oi, you looking at the scenery, or are you just as lost as usual?"

"No, simply wondering how easy this match is going to be and how long it will take you to realize it," the Puppet Master confidently used Zoro's body once more.

Sanji pulled out a cigarette and after lighting it placed both hands in his pockets, "ready when you are."

Without waiting to see what would happen Sanji quickly went into the offensive "Mouton Shot!" Zoro's body easily dodged the attack and continued to stare at him without moving into attacking. Sanji continued to throw different kicks at him, throwing himself into different handstands and hoping to feel Zoro's face under the heel of his shoe. Standing up once more, cigarette long since smoked Sanji could feel that something was wrong. His vision swam before him just enough that he felt as if he would lose his balance.

"What's wrong, you seem to be exhausted already…"

Sanji snickered, "when did you cover his blades?"

"Oh, you mean when did I cover them with poison? Soon after he was mine, though he doesn't seem to remember that moment."

Zoro's mind panicked. "What do you mean you covered my swords with poison?! Swords shouldn't be soiled and uncared for in such a manner…and the Cook…" "Oh you will see soon enough…there isn't a lot in his system but he is beginning to feel it." Zoro's expression changed from stoic to the briefest of smirks for a moment, but Sanji saw it and felt a chill race down through his bones.

"Poison or no poison, I'm still a better fighter than that shit head you are wearing."

Zoro's body tensed, "Watch it curly brow, you're the one who is poisoned!"

Sanji faltered for a moment, he knew he had heard Zoro just then, their Zoro and he was ready to make that a permit change, "Alright, and then back to our usual day activities." The fight continued in a flash of swords and kicks.

XXX

Robin gasped just as they reached the town and the other Straw Hats waited to know what she had heard. "Cook-san…the Puppet Master said the sword he was stabbed with was covered in poison."

Chopper immediately began to run around in place, "he is going to need a doctor, we have to find a doctor!"

"Chopper, that's you…" Usopp frantically began pointing at the young doctor.

"Oh, right."

"Chopper, I think you should head back to the ship, our nakama are going to need you more than we will in this battle," Luffy stated. "Nami which way do you think we should go now?"

To be continued...