Chapter 1: Templar to Pirate
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece!
This story has been Beta'd by SeeNoEvil121 (Who I'm a big fan of, read her story, it rocks!)
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Riko began to hum lightly as she chopped the various potatoes, dropping them into the boiling pot of water.
As a sister of the sanctuary, it was her job to ensure the other monks, nuns, bishops and even the templar were given a healthy diet. Everyone was pretty much satisfied with her cooking...
...except for one person.
"Yoink!" came a merry voice from behind her as a potato she was peeling was yanked from her hands.
She growled. "Toma!? Why are you in the kitchen?!" she spun round to see the bandaged man munching on the raw potato.
"Not bad… Needs a little salt… Maybe some pepper… And some mince would be good with it too…"
A tick formed on her head. "GET OUT!"
"Alright, alright, keep yer' hair on!" he mumbled, getting to his feet, swallowing the rest of the potato. "I'm only trying to be friendly."
He stuffed his hands into his deep pockets, causing the little black metal hammer on his belt to jangle.
These hammers were one of the varied weapons that the Sanctuaries Templar seemed to use, specifically for middle-weight fighters. It was designed to be an extendable hammer, which could stretch from a length of 60 centimetres to 3 meters, allowing great mid-range access. It was commonly referred to as a Demi-Mallet
Toma casually opened the door, and exited.
Walking a leisurely pace, he flicked a key out his deep pocket, and then unlocked a small blue door, leading into a tiny room, near the size of a cupboard.
It wasn't much, but right now, it was his home.
He sat down on the small, thatched bed, and looked over at a chart pinned to the wall.
Ferry to Shell Town; only 10 thousand beli for a cabin! Night trip, luxurious, meal served with ticket purchase! Offer ends…
Bellow the 'offer ends' were a list of hand drawn dates, each with a red line drawn through them. Toma had managed to 'collect' ten thousand beli and was planning to leave the Sanctuary. He'd heard some decent ships could be bought in Shell town, so he figured that'd be a good place to start.
He hadn't told anyone that he was going to leave. He was simply going to walk out that night, leaving a note, stating he relinquished his position as a Templar.
The trench coat he wore boar a rosary emblem on its right shoulder, proving him to be a member of the sanctuary. He didn't want to remove it. Although he wasn't one to dwell on things, he was often sentimental.
The stone grave that bore a new bouquet of flowers on it every week was proof of that.
A small duffle bag lay under his bed, with many of the supplies he'd need for a week's journey. He assumed he'd manage to get around well enough after that.
All the food had been stolen from the kitchens even under Riko's watchful gaze. Even from the last trip, he'd managed to nick an apple, and a wedge of cheese. Toma had grown up to become a well-respected pick-pocket, along beside thief.
Rich followers of the religion liked to come to the sanctuary, asking Kaazan for a sign that their wealth may have corrupted them.
Toma found it rather entertaining watching people cry in amazement and anger as their purses or wallets seemed to vanish after praying.
The other templar often scolded Toma for his unfaithful acts, while Toma argued he was just 'showing them how to better themselves in a different light'.
One thing was for sure. He wouldn't be missed. Maybe by Riko, but everyone else in the sanctuary avoided him.
He'd been saved by the Sanctuary, and owed it a great debt, but couldn't bear to stay there any longer.
He had to fulfil his wish.
He'd become the Pirate King.
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A man in a blue suit, with a broad sword strapped to his waist, lay sleeping at the gate, a helmet with a rosary symbol emblazoned in the iron over his head.
Toma walked past him easily, his duffle bag slung over his shoulders, his trench coat blowing lightly in the wind.
The ferry arrived in Tsukiwan at 11 o'clock, then set sail half an hour later. With luck, no one would notice he was gone until the ferry had taken off.
The walk from the Sanctuary to the port wasn't that far. He literally just had to walk down the hill, and then sit on the small bench by the sea, inhaling its salty scent, and tasting its dry texture.
In the distance, he caught a glimpse of the ferry's lights in the mist, shining through them like a blazing fire.
He sighed, drooping his head back.
In his whole life, he'd never left Tsukiwan, and in the last eight years, had hardly explored the island. After his mother's death, his education had stopped. The only thing he learned in the Sanctuary was how to fight with his Demi-Mallet.
Not many people collected around the port - only a handful of travellers, who had come to see the famous Sanctuary, and possibly even confess.
It was not long before the ferry had reached the port.
He silently stood up, and then slung his duffle bag over his shoulder.
He'd not taken three steps, when he heard something which made him halt.
"So it's true?"
He knew that voice. He turned around and saw the red-head girl, staring at him, her eyes wide. "Riko…" he muttered.
"You don't have to go. I'll stop shouting at you. I promise. P-please…"
She had no friends in the Sanctuary either. She'd been trained as a sister from childhood, and had been too engrossed in her work to make friends.
As she grew up with Toma, she'd grown to find him her very best and closet companion, even if they did argue a lot.
He didn't want to say anything. Adjusting his cap, he continued to walk forwards.
Tears began to form under her eyes. "Toma… Toma! Stop joking! That note was a joke, right?!"
He suddenly stopped and turned, so his green eyes were staring into hers. "Sorry Riko… I've gotta go…"
"What do you mean you've got to go?!" she cried. "You should stay at the Sanctuary with me! We can stay together! What more could you want?!" shock then appeared on her face. "Unless I'm not good enough… Am I that hideous to you…?" she shivered, as though his emerald eyes were stabbing her like daggers.
He sighed, and then walked back. "It's not that Riko…" he looked out to the sea. "It's an amazing sight… When I was a child, I always dreamed of sailing the seas… Being free like the Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy… I heard that he was a dreamer too… He claimed that he would become the Pirate King, while those around him laughed…" he grinned under the bandages. "And he did it…"
Giving her a hug, he picked his bag back up, and began to tread back down towards the ferry.
Riko simply stared in his direction, buds of tears, still swelling under her eyes. "YOU BETTER COME BACK! YOU HEAR!? COME BACK WHEN YOU'RE THE PIRATE KING!"
He waved casually behind him, not turning around.
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The room given to him in the ferry wasn't much bigger than the one back at the Sanctuary.
He threw the duffle bag down onto the soft bed, then withdrew a little box of pills from a pouch in the bag, and lowered the bandages around his mouth, revealing the skin to be perfectly healed.
He picked up two green pills, and then swallowed them.
He didn't like these pills; they tasted like crap, but he had to take them.
Doing up his trench coat, he began to walk through the halls of the ferry, towards the pub on board. Templar were strictly prohibited from drinking, but that still didn't stop him.
He had to be the most corrupt Templar in the whole order of Kaazan (One reason being he was an atheist)
As he entered the pub, he was immediately greeted by the roaring sound of music and laughter.
A group of men were on the stage, each playing their separate instruments, filling the pub with merry tunes. Groups of people sat in bunches, swapping stories of their adventures throughout East Blue.
The ferry stopped at five places: Tsukiwan, Shell Town, Rokudo, Kakura, and the Sakura Village, going in a continuous loop, in that order.
He walked over to the bar table, and then pulled up a stool.
A thin barman was suddenly in front of him, wiping a class with his chamois. "You want something, gov?" he spoke with a broad Geordie accent.
"I'll have some rum…" grunted Toma, as he stretched his arms out, feeling sleepiness beginning to dawn on him.
"Awright, gov." the barman muttered, as he scuttled over to the rows of bottles on display, and began to pour out a glass.
He held out the small glass cup to Toma, who took it, then pulled down his bandages to allow himself a drink.
"So what's yer story, gov?" asked the barman.
Toma shrugged. "Not much… I just wanted to see the place where the second Pirate King became famous."
"Ah, you're heading to Shell Town? Sweet place." He then nodded at the badge on Toma's trench coat. "You one o them' Templar from tha' Sanctuary?"
Toma shrugged again. "I just quit. It was too boring."
He poured the contents of the glass down his throat, and then wiped his mouth.
The barman's crystal blue eyes fell on the bandages on Toma's arm. "What's the story with them', gov?"
Toma's eyes flicked upon his bandaged right arm, which he quickly hid inside his coat's sleeve.
"No need ta' feel scared, gov!" laughed the barman. "We're not the kinda' people who discriminate'!"
"OI!"
The bar silenced.
Toma turned round, to see a large man with flowing black hair, picking up a scrawny brunette by her shirt. The man had tattoos all over his face, along with many piercings on his nose and ears.
"WHAT YOU WHISPERIN' ABOUT THEN, EH?!"
Toma's eyes narrowed.
He didn't like people who pick on unarmed civilians.
A blond man stood up, and ran beside them, fear in his eyes. "P-please!" he cried. "S-She's my wife! P-please let her go!"
The man's red eyes fell on the blond. "SO IT'S YOU I SHOULD BE PISSED WITH, AH?!"
He slammed his free fist into the blonde's chest, causing him to fly across the room, knocking into the bar stall, causing the rum to fall over Toma's coat.
"So little missy…" whispered the large man, his mouth drawing close to her ear. "You're gonna have to repay me tonight…" his hot breath caused the hairs on her neck to prickle.
"P-please…" she whispered.
Toma sighed, then stood up, turning around, and walking towards the scene.
A few eyes fell on him, including those of the large man.
"Eh? What do you want, punk?"
"Deroy-aniki!" whispered a scrawny man beside him. "Look at his shoulder! He's one of them Templar!"
Deroy grinned, dropping the lady, and advancing on Toma, towering over him, his yellow teeth agape, revealing his unpleasant jaws.
"You got rum on my coat…" whispered Toma, his left hand down over his cap, hiding his eyes.
"What's that Mummy-boy?!"
Toma flicked the Demi-Mallet out of his belt, and then slammed it into Deroy's head, causing the man to cry out in pain and fall over, smashing a table to pieces with his weight.
The Mallet had gone from its small size to that of a spear. Toma twirled it around in his hand, still holding onto his cap.
"I happen to like my coat." muttered Toma.
"Aniki!" cried the scrawny man. He glared at Toma. "You'll pay for that you Templar-scum!"
"T-thank you…" whispered the lady, a cross between fear and admiration in her eyes.
Toma smiled at her, the outline of his jaw visible underneath the bandages. "Don't mention it!"
The group who were with Deroy all got to their feet, each drawing daggers.
Toma continued to twirl the Demi-Mallet around, not even blinking, his eyes locked on the group.
"Try it." He muttered. "I dare you."
"B-Bastard…" whispered the first man.
"DON'T MOCK US!"
Toma sidestepped the man who ran at him easily, hitting him slightly on the head with the mallet, knocking him out.
Although it looked small, the mallet packed an incredible punch. It almost had enough power as a heavy steel sledgehammer, except it covered more range, and had more speed.
Toma sighed, and retracted the hammer. "Listen guys, I've had a few drinks, I'm tired, I'm grumpy, and if you continue like his I'm going to have to beat you all up. So please just knock it off."
"HE SHEATHED HIS WEAPON! GET HIM!" cried a second man, who began to run at him, followed by the remaining three.
"Idiots…" muttered Toma. He flung his mallet round, causing it to extend, hitting all of them together, and sending them into another table.
The whole room was now staring at Toma, who had contracted his mallet for a second time, and dropped it into his belt.
The blond man had scuttled over to his wife, and was checking her for injuries.
Toma returned to his stool, letting his eyes lock with the astonished barman. "Check please."
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Okay! That's my first (Second) chapter done! Sorry about the cliché ending, I just couldn't resist it! It was an opening which I took. Who wouldn't do it? You know, fight in a restraint, hero wins, sits back down, asks waiter for check, it's classic!
Right, I've had eight submissions already, which is really great!
I've already chosen a few who'll appear really quickly!
The first is by the leading One Piece writer; SeeNoEvil121, who submitted Leo Hartnet, who'll be the ship's navigator, and the second, by a new face, Sam In The Dark with his Fishman, Gonzo! THANK YOU!
And everyone else, you all gave such great characters! I'm so indebted to ya'll! If you have any questions, don't be afraid to PM me! And remember to press that button! (REVIEW!)