BROTHER ON BOARD
FIRExNINJAxDROID - I'm gonna hold off on dealing with pairings until they reach the Grand Line. I want to establish Sabo's place on the crew and relationship with the others first.
Son of Whitebeard - You'll see her again eventually.
LittlemissTraffy - I had Sabo take the Alvida fight because other than establishing Luffy's rubber powers (which we all already know about) and creating Alvida's 'grudge' against him, it really served no big purpose on the grand scheme of things. Beating Alvida isn't even recognized as one of Luffy's big accomplishments in the East Blue so I figured I could pass that off to Sabo to I establish him. But yes, this does mean that Alvida will have her 'grudge' against Sabo instead of Luffy. That should make Loguetown interesting.
Sabo's rifle is based off of Bonnie Anne from the online game Pirate101. Bonnie Anne is based off of real life pirate Anne Bonny, she even has a backstory that ties in with Anny Bonny's real life associates Calico Jake (Calico Jack Rackham) and Ready Mary (Mary Reade). Oda, based Jewelry Bonney's name off of Anne Bonny like he does with a lot of his pirates. Meeting another Bonney should make things interesting for Sabo at Sabaody.
dhampire712 - I challenge you to name one Straw Hat that's perfectly sane. They're all nutcases. I think this makes Sabo fit in better.
Night-Of-Mares - That's what I was going for. Comically crazy. Yes, Alvida is going to crush on Sabo now instead of Luffy... or is it want to crush him? I think both work. Luffy has enough enemies that he can spare Alvida.
Mikila94 - He doesn't have a Devil Fruit Power... yet. Bonnie is going to be enough for Sabo (both in terms of fighting style and pairing) until he reaches the Grand Line. But then he's going to start going up against more powerful enemies that'll take more than a rifle to beat. It's still a while off and I haven't decided yet what power to give him. I'm trying to think of something creative instead of those overpowered logia fruits or mystical zoans that are so common in One Piece fanfics.
Also, I've gotta admit, I chuckled at the idea of some super-patient woman in a three-way relationship with Sabo and his rifle. But then I realized that there is a particularly patient One Piece lady that might be willing to do that. She doesn't come in to play until the Grand Line so that'll give me some time to see if I can create some chemistry between her and Sabo before I decide to go ahead and make it a pairing.
HatethePlayer-NevertheGame - Thanks. I love the little quirks that Oda gave all his One Piece characters. Those quirks are part of what makes them so memorable and unique. I'm glad you like the one that I gave Sabo. Keep Zoro's quirk in mind when you start reading this chapter. It should make it funnier.
Fairy of the Friz - Thanks. I think having Sabo as a Straw Hat should be an interesting take on his character. I've already thought up some of the fun relationships that he'll have with the other Straw Hats as the story progresses. It should be a lot of fun.
LuffyxRuby - Don't be worried about Sabo's mental health. He's just as sane as the other Straw Hats. Actually... maybe you should be...
Zoro-
"Wow what great weather!" Luffy exclaimed as he sat on the front of their tiny skiff.
"If we keep going like this we'll see the marine base soon," Sabo said as he stared at his map.
"At least we're not going the wrong way anymore," Coby added.
"Gimmie a break! It's my first time off the island!" Sabo complained, "What do I look like a navigator?"
"Oooh! We should get one of those!" Luffy exclaimed. "And a musician!"
"The musician can wait," Sabo said, "But do you think that Zoro-guy knows how to navigate?"
"If he does, and he's a good person, we can make him our navigator!" Luffy decided.
Sabo's rifle suddenly slipped off of his shoulder and hit the deck.
KER-CHOW!
The rifle went off and shot a bullet into Luffy's back.
WOING!
The bullet bounced off Luffy and went flying back in the opposite direction.
"WAAAH!" Coby screamed as he and Sabo dove out of the way to avoid the bullet.
"Oops, forgot she was still loaded," Sabo said.
"YOU ALMOST KILLED ME!" Coby shouted.
Sabo ignored him and eyed his rifle as he picked her up off of the deck, "Hmm… I guess Bonnie thinks that making Zoro our navigator would be a bad idea."
"OF COURSE YOU CAN'T MAKE ZORO YOUR NAVIGATOR!" Coby shouted. "He's a notorious bounty hunter! He cuts through pirates like a blood thirty monster! People say he's a demon in human form!"
"Those don't sound like good reasons to me," Luffy replied, "But if Bonnie thinks it's a bad idea, then I guess we shouldn't make Zoro our navigator."
"Bonnie thinks?" Coby then looked over at Sabo's rifle.
Sabo nodded as he patted the barrel of his trusty rifle, "Bonnie usually keeps her opinions to herself so it's a good idea to listen to her when she decides to weigh in on something. Plus, I'd be a horrible boyfriend if I didn't listen to my girlfriend."
"Bonnie's usually right about these things anyway," Luffy added.
Coby stared at Sabo… then over at Luffy… then at Bonnie Anne the rifle… then back at Sabo…
"You're both taking advice… from a gun?" Coby questioned.
BONK!
Sabo bopped Coby on the head with his rifle.
"Keep talking like that and you'll piss Bonnie off," Sabo warned him. "You barely managed to dodge last time. If she goes off again, I doubt you'll be able to dodge the bullet."
"Of course I barely managed to dodge!" Coby exclaimed, "The bullet bounced off of…" Coby trailed off as his eyes widened in surprise. "Luffy… DID THAT BULLET JUST BOUNCE OFF OF YOU?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it," Luffy realized. "I ate a Devil Fruit when I was a kid and now I'm a Rubber Man."
"A DEVIL FRUIT!?"
"We made it!" Luffy cheered as he stepped off of their skiff onto the shore of Shells Town, "The Marine Base-town!"
"Shells Town," Sabo informed him as he stepped off the boat and stood next to Luffy. The two brothers stared at the huge marine base that was on the far end of the town and towered over everything. "That's the marine base for the 153rd Branch."
"You two are crazy if you think he's going to join your crew!" Coby insisted.
"Well, I still haven't decided if I want him to join yet," Luffy said, "We need to see if he's a good person first."
"I wonder if this is even the place where they're keeping Roronoa Zoro?" Sabo asked.
"WAAAAH!" The people around them screamed and backed away.
"It looks like the name 'Zoro' is taboo here," Coby noted as he peered between the two taller brothers at the cowering crowd.
"Well let's check out the base anyway," Luffy decided. "You still want to be a marine, right?"
"Yes… but… I don't think I'm mentally prepared yet," Coby said, "I've heard that a man named Captain Morgan and…"
"WAAAHHH!" Once again the people screamed and backed away.
"Shishishishi!" Luffy laughed. "That's funny! Captain Morgan!"
"WAAAAHHH!"
Sabo smirked, "Roronoa Zoro!"
"WAAAAAHHH!"
"Captain Morgan!" Luffy called out again.
"WAAAAAAHHHH!"
"Roronoa Zolo…"
"WWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" One overly excited man screamed out.
"Gotcha!" Sabo taunted. "You lose, thanks for playing."
Needless to say, the people gave Luffy and Sabo a wide berth as they made their way through town to the marine base.
"Shishishishishi!" Luffy laughed, "What a funny town!"
"But don't you guys think that's weird?" Coby asked as he trailed after them. "I can understand them being scared of Zoro… but why are they afraid of a Marine Captain's name? I'm starting to feel uneasy about this…"
"Too late! We're here!" Sabo announced. The three of them stood before a huge metal gate with a blue seagull carved into it.
"Alright! This is the place!" Luffy cheered.
"I'm finally here!" Coby wiped his eyes as he started to cry. "I know that we've only known each other for a short time but…" Coby trailed off when he realized that neither of his companions were standing with him.
"You see Zoro?" Luffy asked as he and Sabo finished climbing the twelve foot wall around the base and peered over it.
"GAAH!" Coby shrieked. "What are you doing!?"
"I think I see someone over there," Sabo pointed out as he squinted across the yard.
Just like that, he and Luffy jumped down and ran onward. Coby chased after them.
"YOU TWO CAN'T SERIOUSLY BE PLANNING BREAKING TO A MARINE BASE! YOU'RE PIRATES! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!"
"Not if you keep shouting!" Sabo looked back and scolded him, "Keep that up and the whole base will know we're here."
"Ooh, there he is!" Luffy called out from atop the wall around the corner.
Sabo and Coby ran to catch and quickly climbed the wall alongside Luffy.
Coby's eyes went wide at the sight of a lone figure tied to a cross in the middle of a yard.
"A black bandana and a green sash… that's him! That's Roronoa Zoro!"
"It'll be really easy to get him outta there," Luffy said, "All we've gotta do is untie the ropes."
"YOU CAN'T UNTIE HIM!" Coby yelled. "HE'LL KILL YOU!"
"He won't kill me," Luffy assured him. "I'm strong."
"And me and Bonnie'll gun him down before he gets close," Sabo added.
"Hey you guys…" came a deep voice from the holding yard. "You're an eyesore. Get lost."
"WAAAAAHHH!" Coby screamed and fell off the wall at the sound of Zoro's voice.
"Well, at least we know he's still alive," Sabo noted.
Tonk!
A ladder was propped up against the wall next to Luffy and Sabo and a little girl climbed up it. "Shhhhh!" the girl hissed as Luffy and Sabo before she dropped a rope and climbed down into the holding yard.
"LUFFY! SABO! STOP HER!" Coby shouted. "He'll kill her!"
"How? He's tied up," Sabo pointed out.
The little girl ran over to Zoro and smiled up at him.
"What do you want?" Zoro growled.
"You must be hungry," Rika said to Zoro. "I made you some rice balls."
"You wanna get killed, kid?" Zoro asked, "Scram."
"But you haven't eaten anything this whole time," Rika insisted as she pulled a bundle out from her striped dress and unwrapped it to reveal two rice balls. "Here, it's my first time but I worked really hard to make them."
"I told you, I'm not hungry!" Zoro growled. "Now get outta here!"
"But…"
"I don't want 'em!" Zoro insisted. "Don't make me kick your ass!"
KLANK!
The gate to the holding yard opened to reveal a skinny man with a funny blonde bowl cut in a fancy suit. He was flanked by an escort of two marines. He was known to the people of Shells Town as Helmeppo, Captain Morgan's son.
"Don't be a bully, Zoro!" Helmeppo scolded the prisoner. "You seem surprisingly well."
"Who's that weird guy?" Luffy wondered.
"Thank goodness," Coby sighed, "He must be with the Marines. Now that girl will be safe."
"You think so?" Sabo asked, "I know spoiled-brats-that-think-they're-entitled-to-everything when I see them. The girl's in more danger now than she ever was with Zoro."
Helmeppo eyed Rika and her rice balls, "Oh, how thoughtful of you to bring me a snack!"
"STOP!" Rika cried as Helmeppo helped himself to one of her rice balls.
"GAAAH! BLAAHH!" Helmeppo screamed and spat out the rice in his mouth. "TOO SWEET! Those are full of sugar! You're supposed to use salt for rice balls!"
"But I like sweet things…" Rika said, "I thought they'd be better if they tasted sweet…"
WHAP!
Helmeppo smacked the remaining rice ball out of Rika's hand then stomped it into the ground while Rika cried at seeing her hard work ruined.
"How horrible!" Coby gasped in shock.
"Called it," Sabo stated, "Spoiled brats like him make me sick."
"But… I worked so hard to make those…" Rika sobbed.
Helmeppo pulled a slip of paper out from his coat, "Didn't you read the sign? It says 'Those who help criminals will be executed.' And it's signed by my father Marine Captain Morgan. You know how scary my father can be, right?"
"Father?" Luffy repeated.
"He's Captain Morgan's son?" Coby questioned.
"That's it," Sabo growled as he pulled Bonnie Anne out from behind his back and loaded a round into her. "That spoiled snot isn't even a marine. I'll do the world a favor and get rid of him."
"Hey you, throw that girl out!" Helmeppo ordered one of his marine escorts. The marine attempted to protest but Helmeppo cut him off, "Do you want me to tell my father that you refused to follow an order? I said throw her out!"
"Right… yes sir," the marine agreed. He bent down and picked up Rika, "I'm sorry. Try curling yourself into a ball." The marine turned and threw Rika clear over the wall and out of the yard.
"OH HELL!" Sabo snapped as he tucked his rifle under his arm and lunged back off the wall in time to catch Rika in midair.
"Oh! Thanks!" Rika said as Sabo set her down on the ground.
"Is she okay?" Coby asked with concern. "I can't believe how horrible that guy is!"
Luffy remained hanging from the wall with his eyes locked on Zoro and Helmeppo.
"Damn you," Zoro growled.
"Heeheehee!" Helmeppo laughed. "You sure are stubborn about staying alive."
"Yeah, I will live the full month," Zoro insisted. "Only ten days left."
"Heehee! Sure, assuming you live that long," Helmeppo sneered and he and his escort left.
The holding yard was empty for a couple of seconds then suddenly Luffy was in front of Zoro.
"So I hear you're a bad guy," Luffy said.
"You're still here?" Zoro questioned.
"You're stuck out here for all the world to see," Luffy noted, "Are you really strong at all?"
"Mind your own business!" Zoro barked.
"If it were me, I'd probably starve to death in ten days," Luffy admitted.
"I've got more spirit than you," Zoro said. "I will live through this. I swear it!"
"What a strange person," Luffy remarked as he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Zoro called after him. "Could you pick that up for me?"
"You're gonna eat this?" Luffy asked as he knelt down next to the squished rice ball. "It's mostly a mud ball now."
"Just shut up and give it here!" Zoro growled, "And don't miss a single grain!"
Luffy reluctantly scraped the remains of the rice ball off the ground and poured the mixture of rice and dirt into Zoro's mouth. The bound pirate hunter gagged and coughed as he attempted to eat the sorry excuse for food.
"Told you so," Luffy pointed out.
"Tell her… it was good," Zoro requested, "And thanks for the food."
Luffy smiled and left the holding yard.
"How'd it go?" Sabo asked.
"He's a weird person," Luffy said, "I still haven't decided if I want him to join the crew yet."
Luffy spotted Rika next to Sabo.
"Oh, you," Luffy said as he pointed down at the little girl, "Zoro said he liked your rice ball and thanks for the food."
Rika's face lit up. "Really? He liked it?"
"Yup, he ate every last bite," Luffy told her.
"I'm so happy!" Rika gushed.
"I've gotta make sure the kid gets home safely," Sabo said as he motioned to Rika, "So let's head back into town." Luffy nodded and he, Sabo, Coby and Rika left the marine base.
Coby was the first to speak up, "Is Zoro really as evil as the rumors say?"
"No!" Rika exclaimed then pouted. "After all… he let himself get crucified in our place…"
"Huh, what do you mean?" Luffy asked.
"It's all Helmeppo's fault," Rika explained. She went on to tell them how she had nearly been mauled by Helmeppo's pet wolf but Zoro had saved her. Helmeppo attempted to attack Zoro but Zoro easily beat him. Helmeppo attempted to recover from humiliating defeat by threatening to have his dad Marine Captain Morgan execute Rika and her mother. But he offered Zoro a deal. He'd spare Rika and her mother's lives if Zoro agreed to serve a month's sentence in their place. If he survived for the entire month then he'd let Zoro live too. Zoro accepted and after three long weeks of no food and Helmeppo's abuse he was now ten days away from finishing his sentence.
"Helmeppo punches and kicks him while he's all tied up!" Rika continued as she started crying, "And I… I don't know how to help him…"
KRESH!
"MOMMY!" Rika yelped at the sound of loud crash. The girl led the way to a small tavern that was the source of the commotion.
"I'm hungry!" Helmeppo announced as he sat in the middle of the room with is feet on the table. His escort of two marines stood silently behind him. "Let us all eat for free! And hey, bring me some booze! Quit dawdling! Hurry up!"
Luffy, Sabo and Coby stood in the open doorway of the restaurant and surveyed the terrified crowd that looked on silently as Rika's mother Ririka brought Helmeppo booze and food.
Sabo spotted a familiar girl with orange hair. "Hey Luffy, isn't that…" But he trailed off when he realized that his brother had wandered further into the tavern.
"I've been bored lately," Helmeppo bragged to the whole tavern, "So I've decided to execute Zoro tomorrow. Look forward to it! Heeheeheee!"
"That's it, I'm gonna shoot him," Sabo decided as he raised his rifle.
"You can't!" Coby exclaimed. "He's the Marine Captain's son!"
POW!
Luffy beat Sabo to it and rushed into the room and slugged the spoiled blonde brat in the face. Helmeppo went flying across the tavern and slammed into a wall.
"Wh-what're you doing?" Helmeppo stammered as he held his nose.
"Luffy! Please stop!" Coby shouted as he rushed into the tavern and attempted to restrain Luffy.
"This guy's scum," Luffy growled as he glared at Helmeppo.
"You hit me!" Helmeppo whined as his escort rushed over to him, "I'm Marine Captain Morgan's son, you know!"
"So what!?" Luffy spat.
"I'LL TELL MY FATHER AND HE'LL EXECUTE YOU!" Helmeppo shrieked.
"Why don't you be a man and fight me yourself!?" Luffy challenged him.
"Luffy, calm down!" Coby pleaded, "Are you trying to get on the Marines' bad side?"
Luffy looked back at his brother, "Sabo, I've decided! I'm gonna have Zoro join our crew!"
"Can we take down these jerk marines along the way?" Sabo requested.
"We'll take down that whole base if they get in our way!" Luffy replied.
Sabo grinned and swung his rifle up onto his shoulder, "Now you're talking."
"I… am… great!" Marine Captain Morgan said back the marine base as he in the fancy chair behind his expensive desk, smoked a quality cigar and looked out at the town that his base loomed over.
"Yes, that's exactly right, Marine Captain Morgan, sir," a marine said with a salute.
"But the town's tribute to me has been lacking recently," Captain Morgan noted.
"Uh, well… the citizens' wallets to have their limits," the marine pointed out.
"The issue is the level of respect for me," Captain Morgan stated. "Wouldn't you agree?"
WHAM!
The door to the office slammed open and Helmeppo ran in.
"FATHER!" Helmeppo shouted, "THERE'S SOMEONE I WANT YOU TO KILL!"
Morgan's eyes narrowed as he glared back over his shoulder at his son.
"You're still as weak as ever, Zoro…"
"I promised her…" Zoro mumbled to himself. "I can't afford to die in a place like this."
"YO!"
Zoro looked up and spotted Luffy and Sabo standing in front of him.
"You again," Zoro said, "What do you want?"
"If I untie you," Luffy said, "You'll join my crew."
"Say what?" Zoro asked.
"I'm looking for people to join my pirate crew," Luffy explained. "This is my brother Sabo… he's first mate."
"Quartermaster," Sabo corrected.
"Whatever," Luffy waved him off. "You seem like a good person so I'm gonna let you join."
"Well forget it," Zoro replied, "I'm not gonna stoop to a criminal's level. Screw that."
"What's wrong with being a pirate?" Luffy asked.
"Pirates are despicable," Zoro said, "As if I'd wanna be one."
"Oh, come on," Luffy prodded him. "You're already known as an evil bounty hunter."
"People can say whatever they want," Zoro said, "But I've never done anything that I regret. I will live through this and accomplish what I want."
"Oh yeah?" Luffy questioned, "Well, I've already decided that you're gonna join me."
"Quit deciding by yourself!" Zoro snapped.
Luffy turned to his brother, "Sabo, time to negoat… kneego… talk him into it!"
"Of course Captain," Sabo agreed.
"Don't waste your breath," Zoro warned him. "I'm not interested."
"I figured as much," Sabo said, "I'll admit that we're just starting out but we're not looking to form just any pirate crew. We're gonna shake the world so this has to be the best pirate crew. We heard about your reputation as a famous bounty hunter and came to see you in person. But if you got duped into this month long test of your manhood by that spoiled daddy's-boy, you can't be that strong."
"I don't have anything to prove to you," Zoro replied. "But as far as being the best goes… then that's me. I'm gonna become the World's Greatest Swordsman."
"Oooh, that's sounds perfect," Luffy said.
"I've never been too fond of swords," Sabo admitted. "I get faster results outta Bonnie, here. On a completely unrelated note, how're you at navigating?"
"What's there to know?" Zoro asked. "I find out what direction my target is going in and I follow him. After I catch him I follow the next one. I don't need to know more than that."
Sabo lifted Bonnie Anne off of his shoulder and smiled fondly at the rifle, "Right as usual. He'd be a horrible navigator."
"Do you actually take advice from a gun?" Zoro asked.
"This gun is my girlfriend," Sabo said, "And she's usually right."
"…" Zoro stared silently at Sabo and his rifle then turned back to Luffy, "Is he seriously supposed to be the rational one? At this point I'd rather negotiate with you."
"Does that mean you changed you mind?" Luffy asked.
"NO!" Zoro yelled. "Get outta here and take the gun nut with you! I won't become a pirate!"
"Gun nut?" Sabo repeated. "That's rich coming from a swordsman."
"Oh, I've got it!" Luffy announced, "You use a sword, right?"
"If I wasn't tied up here, I'd show you!" Zoro growled. "But that stupid son took my stuff."
"Then I'll go get it back for you," Luffy decided, "If I get your sword, then you'll join my crew."
"Now you're both getting on my nerves!" Zoro snapped.
Luffy laughed and ran off.
"Is he really planning on busting into the base by himself?" Zoro wondered.
"Of course," Sabo said. "But he's not by himself. Bonnie and I have his back. Speaking of which…" Sabo turned and called after his brother, "Luffy! That's the wrong way!"
Luffy spun around and startled Zoro when he stretched his rubber arms passed them.
"GUM GUM ROCKET!"
WOING!
Luffy went flying passed towards the marine base.
"You should know," Sabo said, "the reason we're here is because we heard the bratty son bragging to everyone in town about how he was going to execute you tomorrow."
"What?" Zoro growled. "That wasn't the deal. I've still got ten days left."
"Do you honestly expect a spoiled little weasel like him to live up to his word? You made the mistake of getting into a battle of honor against someone who doesn't have any. Luffy came here to get you to join the crew. I'm here to take down these jerk marines. Because if there's one thing I can't stand in this world its arrogant assholes who put everyone around them down because they think they're better than everyone else. You don't have to join us. Luffy's gonna free you anyway. He said he'd do something and he's going to do it. Unlike these marines, we've got some honor… but they still call us the criminals."
Sabo turned and walked off after Luffy leaving Zoro staring after him in surprise.
"I'd have to be crazy to join those two lunatics," Zoro muttered to himself.
That's all for now.
Silver signing off