"W-What?" stuttered out Zoro while Alexander stared in disbelief. This goofy kid wants to be the King of the Pirates?
"Do you know what you're saying?" asked Zoro. Luffy turned to them with his grin still in place, "The Pirate King is the Pirate King. What else is there to know?" Hard to argue with logic like that.
Zoro still looked on in disbelief, while Alexander gained the same grin as Luffy. They had crazy dreams as well, so they might as well join the guy with the craziest one of all.
The marines haven't moved an inch, still too shocked by what happened. And now this kid was declaring himself the next Pirate King? It was all too much for them. Even Morgan was too shocked to move.
Coby, however, looked positively thrilled at his declaration. Like a fanboy that just met his idol. "I was just as shocked as you, but he's serious. He WILL find One Piece and become the Pirate King. I know he will."
"Coby, how long have you known Luffy?" Alexander asked. Coby lost his super happy fanboy face and looked at him confused. "A few days, why?"
A few days? To have that much devotion to someone in only a few days was unreal. Alexander looked at Luffy in a new light. Just maybe…
Luffy's grin reached new levels after hearing Coby's speech, and he began laughing merrily.
He presented Zoro with his swords. "Here you go! If you take them you'll owe me."
"Being killed by marines, or joining me. Which do you choose?"
Zoro couldn't help the grin that reached his face. This kid was a pirate after all. "You're the son of the devil, you know that? Hey what do you think?" Zoro directed his question to his partner, who only gained the same grin as Zoro.
"We don't have much of a choice do we?" It shouldn't have been possible, but Luffy's smile grew even larger.
"Fine you got a deal. There's no way we'll die in a place like this," Zoro said. Luffy threw his arms in the air and began yelling joyfully, doing a silly dance with Zoro's swords. He finally had nakama!
"We get it, now set us free!" yelled Zoro, while Alexander laughed. Things will never get dull with him around. Luffy stopped and turned to Zoro. "Right!"
Little known fact, Luffy is bad with knots. "I can't untie it…"
While Luffy was trying to untie the knot, the marines were having their own conversation. "Is that guy human? Bullets don't work," and other such worries were murmured throughout their ranks.
"It seems that he ate one of the sea's treasures, a Devil Fruit." The only one who seemed to know what was going on was the captain himself. All of his subordinates turned to him in confusion.
"It's been said that anyone who eats one gains remarkable powers. There are too many rumors to know which is fact and which is fiction, but that kid's power is without a doubt, the power of a Devil Fruit."
Morgan's speech didn't ease their nerves any. If anything it made them worse. How were they going to beat a guy like that?
"It doesn't matter who or what he is. Anyone who opposes me will be executed! If guns don't work, then cut them down!" That seemed to bolster the marine's courage. They dropped their guns, drew their swords and charged.
"Oi stop screwing around, they're coming", yelled Zoro in a panic. Every second Luffy wasted brought them closer to death. "I think I made it tighter…"
"Why don't you just cut the ropes with a sword", deadpanned Alexander, looking at them like they were idiots. Luffy and Zoro both stopped panicking and stared at him like he was the idiot. Bastards.
"Never mind, just give me my swords!"
Just as the marines reached them, Zoro freed himself, and blocked all seven of the marine's blades. Luffy and Coby looked on amazed, while Alexander chuckled. He would never admit it out loud, but he was just as impressed as them the first time he saw Zoro using three swords.
The marines weren't nearly as impressed. Morgan himself was starting to look worried. Zoro wasn't known for being weak or merciful.
"Make one move and you die," Zoro said with surprising clarity. He did have a sword in his mouth after all.
Every marine near him began crying in terror, muttering how scary he was. Alexander sighed. If they had only fed him, he wouldn't be so pissed.
"I promised to be a pirate. But let me tell you one thing. I follow my own ambition."
Luffy looked at him confused, "Ambition?"
Zoro's eyes gained a gleam. A gleam he always had when talking about his dream. "To become the world's greatest swordsman." Everyone could hear his passion and determination.
"If you do anything that makes me abandon my ambition, you'll end your own life on my sword."
Having his life threatened didn't seem to bother Luffy at all. In fact he seemed even more impressed. "The world's greatest swordsman. That's perfect! As the Pirate King's comrade, anything less would be insulting."
"I hate to interrupt this touching moment," said a voice next to them. A voice that turned out to be Alexander's. "But can you cut me loose now?"
Zoro smirked in response, while Luffy began laughing again. "Fine, just quit your damn whining." "I am not whining!"
Morgan had enough of their chitchat, "Why are you just standing there!? Execute them!" The marine's around Zoro began crying and panicking again. They didn't want to die!
Before they could do anything they were interrupted by Luffy's voice, "Zoro, duck!"
"Gomu Gomu no Whip!"
Zoro's eyes widened but he managed to duck just in time. The marines weren't so lucky. Luffy's leg stretched out and sent them flying. Morgan's previous calm façade dropped almost as far as his jaw. "What are you!?"
Luffy smiled in response, wiggling his foot that was still in the air, "I ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi. I'm a rubber man."
Zoro took this chance to go and help his partner, who began stretching his muscles out as soon as he could. "Thanks."
The marines were staring with even more fear. Now they were both free and they had a rubber freak to deal with. "Captain! We're no match for them!"
Morgan's face took a dark look as his men pleaded with him. Alexander had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. "This is a captain's order! Any who are complaining, shoot yourself in the head!"
WHAT?
Alexander and everyone else stared at him in horror. How could he order his men to do that? Luffy's face looked the hardest, hands shaking in rage.
He charged.
Before anyone could react he went speeding towards Morgan, reaching him in seconds. As soon as he was close enough he sent a punch at Morgan, which was barely blocked, his axe hand trembling in protest.
"Guess we'll get to see how strong our new captain is, eh Zoro?" They were watching with interest. Now they'll see if his boasting was all talk or not.
"You think you're a match for me!" yelled out Morgan as he flung off his captain's coat. "I am the captain of the marines, Axe Hand Morgan!"
"I'm Luffy. Nice to meet you."
Morgan swung his axe hand horizontally at Luffy who jumped over it and Morgan, landing behind him. Morgan wasted no time in turning around and bringing his axe down at Luffy, who jumped away again, Morgan's axe hitting the ground. A deep trench was created from the force of his swing.
Still in the air, Luffy brought both his legs to his chest before kicking Morgan in the face. Morgan was sent flying backwards, skidding along the ground, before righting himself and landing in a crouch, blood dripping from his now broken nose.
Every marine watched in shock. Straw hat was actually winning!
Luffy leapt at Morgan, who raised his axe high into the air, intending on cutting Luffy in two. "Die!"
As Morgan swung down, Luffy kicked off the ground, spinning wildly, and dodging Morgan's strike at the same time. "Don't wanna!" Luffy yelled with a smile.
Using the momentum of his spinning, Luffy kicked Morgan in the face again, sending him to the ground. Before Morgan could get a chance to get up, Luffy grabbed him by his collar, and began punching him repeatedly.
"Stop! Straw hat!" a whiny voice was heard. Everyone turned to see Helmeppo pointing a gun at Coby.
Everyone except Luffy, who just kept punching Morgan.
"I said stop! Are you stupid!?" It might've been more intimidating if his legs weren't shaking so bad. Helmeppo looked more afraid than Coby.
"Luffy," Alexander's voice caught his attention, and he stopped hitting Morgan. He looked at where Alexander was casually pointing and saw what had everyone's attention.
"D-Don't move. If you try anything I'll shoot!"
Luffy stared at him before his gaze went to Coby and he grinned. All of Coby's fear seemed to vanish. "Luffy! Don't let me interfere with your dream! Even if I die!"
Grin still in place, Luffy drew his arm back ready to punch Helmeppo, "You hear that! Coby's not afraid of you!"
Right before Luffy released his punch, Morgan appeared behind him, arm held high ready to strike him down. "Die, straw hat!"
Zoro readied himself to stop Morgan, but was in turn, stopped himself.
"I got it."
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
Morgan slashed down just as Luffy made to punch Helmeppo. Luckily for Luffy, Alexander appeared in front of Morgan at the same time.
Alexander grabbed Morgan's axe hand by the base, halting its advance. He smirked at Morgan's shocked face, before ramming his fist into his gut. Morgan fell to his knees, his normal hand holding his stomach in pain. He looked up and glared at Alexander's still smirking face. "Goodnight," and with that, Alexander roundhouse kicked Morgan in the face, sending him flying back unconscious.
Luffy had long since knocked Helmeppo out, much to Coby's relief, and grinned as he watched his new nakama beat Morgan with ease.
"Nice, Alex", Luffy said, looking at him. "Shut up. Only the ladies can call me Alex."
Zoro walked up to the two, sheathing his swords as he did so. Once he reached them he turned to the marines, who were staring at Morgan's body in shock. "Anyone else want to fight?"
The marines looked at each other for a moment, not sure what to do, before throwing their weapons and hats into the air, cheering to the heavens. Luffy looked on confused, "Their captain was just beaten, and they want to throw a party?"
"They must have been afraid of Morgan just as much as the people were," Coby said, walking up to them as well. At that moment, Zoro and Alex's strength gave out, and they collapsed onto the ground.
"Zoro! Alex!" shouted Luffy in concern. "Are you ok?" yelled Coby in equal concern.
"Hun-" started Zoro.
"-gry" finished Alex.
Luffy and Coby shared a look before bursting out in laughter. Everything turned out alright after all.
A few hours later the group found themselves at Ririka's restaurant, enjoying a victory feast. Many of the townsfolk were there as well, wanting to see their heroes.
"Man I'm full. That was worth not eating for three weeks," Zoro exclaimed happily, while rubbing his stomach in content. A full belly does a happy Zoro make.
"You can say that again!" said Alex next to him. They ate enough for five people apiece, but that wasn't the shocking part. Luffy ate more than them! Combined! And he was still going!
"Mah, you guys are lightweights," Luffy commented while eating another bite of food. Everyone stared at him incredulously. "I still don't understand how you can eat more than us," Zoro said, gesturing to Luffy's mountain of plates.
"Rubber stomach," quipped Alex, taking a drink of beer. Even so, it was a lot of food.
"Eat as much as you want. You did save our town after all," spoke Rika's mother Ririka. A beautiful woman by anyone's standards. Brown hair fell just above her shoulders. She wore a black shirt with a green dress that showed off her hourglass figure.
"But I need to save room for dessert," said Alex, giving Ririka a wink, and making her blush. "Pervert," muttered Zoro.
"You were so cool back there," said Rika as she walked up to Luffy, who in turn gave her a big smile with a mouth full of food. "Yeah I'm great. And someday I'll be King of the Pirates."
"Luffy! Swallow your food before speaking, no one wants to see that," said Alex, having stopped flirting with Ririka. Luffy looked over at him, before smiling and opening his mouth wide. Alex glared before lunging at him and forcibly closing his mouth, along with his nose. "I said close it!" Everyone laughed as Luffy struggled to breathe.
Alex released him when he started turning blue and returned to his seat. Luffy began taking in big gulps of air. He suddenly stopped and looked as though he just thought of something. "Hey Alex, what do you want to do?"
"What?" Alex asked clearly confused. "Zoro wants to be the best swordsman right? So what do you want to do?" A look of understanding came across his face.
"My ambition is to become the world's greatest martial artist," he said with as much passion and determination as Zoro. He even forgot to chastise Luffy for calling him Alex.
Luffy's grin threatened to split his face. "I have such strong nakama," he said throwing his arms in the air and laughing joyfully.
"That reminds me. How many other crewmembers do we have?" asked Zoro, leaning back into his chair. Luffy stared at him non-comprehendingly. "You said you were looking for crewmembers right? You must have some already."
"Nope just you guys."
Zoro looked at him is disbelief. "Can we even be pirates with only three people?"
"What does it matter? We're strong," Luffy said before taking another bite of food.
"Well do we at least have a ship?" asked Alex. Luffy pointed out the window to a small dinghy tied to the dock. A small dinghy that a dog was currently peeing on. Figures…
"That's our ship?" deadpanned Zoro, eye starting to twitch. That didn't curb Luffy's enthusiasm at all. "It's small now, but we'll get a really big one," said Luffy, making hand gestures emphasize how big it will be. Zoro burst out laughing, "How?"
Luffy ignored him and started fantasizing about his future ship. Zoro put his hand to his head, and tried to rid himself of a migraine. Alex could only sigh in misery. How had they gotten themselves into this mess?
"Luffy was born without planning abilities," semi-joked Coby. Considering Luffy was still daydreaming, it wasn't much of a joke. Rika and her mother only smiled in mirth.
"Looks like we're in for a bumpy ride, eh Zoro?" laughed Alex. Zoro couldn't see the humor and continued to massage his migraine.
"So where are you going next?" Rika asked Luffy, eyes shining in admiration.
"To the Grand Line!" Orange juice began spewing from Coby's mouth and nose. "With just three of you? That's impossible!"
"Is the Grand Line really that dangerous?" asked Rika with worry. Ririka looked equally worried. She's heard some nasty rumors from customers.
"Of course it is!" responded Coby. "Any pirate that's worth his weight goes to the Grand Line, trying to find the One Piece. With so many pirates there, fighting each other, it's earned the nickname The Pirates Graveyard. It would be fight after fight. Going there would be suicide."
A heavy atmosphere fell upon the room. At least until Luffy and Zoro began grinning like wild men. "I can't wait!" shouted Luffy. "Fight after fight huh? Sounds exciting," said Zoro.
"The strongest in the world gather there," mentioned Alex, with the same grin as them, "Should be fun."
"You guys are crazy!" shouted Coby. Didn't they understand?
"But Coby, the One Piece is in the Grand Line, so we have to go," said Luffy. He didn't see the problem. They were strong so they would be fine.
"Sorry, Captain's orders," said Alex.
Coby started to freak out again.
"What do you care? You're not going", stated Zoro. Coby seemed taken aback.
"Can't I worry? Luffy and I are friends, right?" He seemed to be near tears. Alex sighed. That kid really needs to toughen up.
Luffy started laughing, like he was just told the world's best joke, "Of course! Even though we're parting ways, we'll always be friends." Alex and Zoro smiled. Well said Luffy, well said.
Coby looked down with a smile on his face, "Luffy, because of you, I have the courage to chase my own dream. I will become a marine!" Determination was clear in his eyes as well as his voice. He just might make it after all. "Just don't become like the marine's here, or I'll come back and kick your ass." Coby looked at Alex before nodding, "Right."
"Anyway, shouldn't you be more worried about yourself." Everyone turned to Zoro, but only Alex seemed to realize where he was going. "That's right. He served under Alvida."
Coby had explained to Zoro and Alex over dinner how he was kidnapped by the pirate Alvida, and forced to be her cabin boy. For two years he was little more than a slave until Luffy saved him.
Zoro nodded in confirmation, while Coby began looking more and more nervous. "Even though you did so unwillingly, you still served under a pirate." Coby reached a new level of nervousness. "Don't underestimate the marines information gathering network. If they find out, you won't be able to join."
Speak of the Devil and he shall appear.
As soon as Zoro issued his warning, marines started walking through the door, and they didn't look happy.
"Is it true that you guys are pirates?" said one, probably the next highest ranking officer after Morgan. Zoro and Alex stared at them stone-faced, while Luffy smiled like an idiot. "Yeah, and I just got new nakama."
Well there wasn't much point in hiding it.
"We are grateful for all that you've done, but we cannot allow pirates to stay here." The commander adjusted his hat before staring at them with no emotion. "You must leave immediately!"
The townsfolk didn't appreciate the marines forcing them to leave, and began yelling obscenities at them. Luffy however, smiled. "Well, time to go."
Luffy thanked Ririka for the food and they started to leave. They walked past Coby, who stood there frozen in terror, and headed for the door.
"Aren't you their comrade?" questioned the commander, looking at Coby. He stiffened and tried to answer, but no words came out. He couldn't even face the marine. Luffy paused at the door for a second, before continuing on. "Wait, isn't he with you?"
Luffy turned back to address the marine, "I can tell you all about this guy." Coby turned around in shock. Luffy wouldn't tell them, would he?
"There was this big fat pirate lady that looked like a wild boar," Luffy started, making gestures with his arm to get the point across. She was very fat.
Luffy began walking past the marines toward Coby, still going on about Alvida, "She had this iron club. Man was she ugly." Luffy reached Coby and began poking him in the head, "And this guy served her for two years."
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Coby reared his arm back and punched Luffy across the face. Luffy stumbled back a few steps, while everyone else looked on in shock. Zoro and Alex shared a look before smirking.
Coby seemed to realize what he did, because he looked at Luffy with horror, "Now you did it you bastard." With that Luffy began beating Coby relentlessly, his hat falling off in the process. The marines seemed to get the point, because they started yelling for him to stop, which he only did after Zoro grabbed the back of his shirt and began dragging him away. Coby fell to the ground physically and mentally exhausted.
"It's clear that he's not with you; now please leave our town in peace." Luffy picked up his hat with a grin and placed it on his head. He started walking out and Coby realized what he had done. Luffy still had to help him. Nothing had changed.
Coby jumped up as soon as the others were out of sight, "Sir please I want to join the marines." They seemed surprised by his declaration. One stepped forward and voiced his disapproval, "Sir I can't agree to this. We should run a full background check on him."
"No matter what you say, I will become a marine!"
The commander stared at him, judging his worth. "We have lost many marines over the years. The life of a marine is not an easy one." Coby looked at him with wide eyes.
"Permission to join granted."
"That was an interesting experience," said Zoro as the three came to their "ship". "The life of a pirate huh?"
"Don't worry Zoro. No one liked you before anyway," commented Alex. "Hey!"
Luffy laughed and untied the dinghy. Things were certainly looking up. He now had two nakama, and they were about to head off to a new adventure. He could hardly wait.
"Luffy!"
They turned to see not only Coby, but Rika and her mother as well, sad smiles on their faces.
"Thank you! This marine will never forget you!" he finished with a salute. Luffy looked on with a proud smile. He made it after all.
"Never heard of a marine thanking a pirate before," said Zoro, while Luffy laughed in response. "First time for everything," Alex said with a grin.
They piled in the boat and unfurled the sails, waving goodbye as they headed out to sea. Rika waved wildly in return, a huge smile on her face.
"Men, salute!" said a voice behind Coby. He turned to see the marines saluting as well. "You have a good friend there," the commander commented, giving Coby a smile. "Men! For saluting pirates we will go without food for three days!" "Yes sir!"
On the boat, Luffy was standing at the front, gazing out across the sea, while the other two relaxed behind him. "We're well on our way to becoming pirates," Luffy said, holding onto his hat so it wouldn't blow off. "Looks like it's going to be one hell of an adventure," said Zoro, a smile on his face as he gazed into the horizon. The moment was ruined by Alex.
"So, does anyone have a map?"
