AN2: i am getting a lot of conflicting opinions about Alvida. So I ask you, "Should she live or die?" I've set up a new poll on my profile page. Please let me know once and for all, what Alvida's fate should be.
AN: Hello again everyone. I am very sorry for not updating in a while. I just lost motivation for a while. Every day that I didn't write just made it easier to justify not coming back. But I have recently been struck with inspiration, so I decided to return.
Special thanks to ExpertoftheBlade for leaving a review on a story that by all outward appearances was dead. He also gave me several ideas and suggestions that will be a part of this story now. I have decided that although I personally hate Usopp, he is an important character. I have a plan for his story that some of you may not like, but I feel it is a good compromise between not having him at all and keeping him around even after his usefulness has ended. Now without further ado, back to the story.
At the Marine Base...
"Daddy!" Helmeppo screamed, running into the Captain's office. "Some guy just hit me. I want him executed immediately."
Captain Morgan stared out his window at the training yard below. "How is that my problem?"
"I'm your son, doesn't that count for something?"
"No. You're weak. And in this world only the strong have the right to live. So get out of my sight you worthless piece of shit!" Captain Morgan shouts, turning to glare at Helmeppo.
"Eep. Yes sir," Helmeppo squeaks, running out the door.
In the Execution Grounds...
"Now what do you want?" Zoro asks, looking up to see Luffy and Coby standing in front of him.
"We came to break you out," Luffy replies matter-of-factly.
"I don't need your help. I'll be out of here in a few day, then I can..."
"Well actually you're getting executed tomorrow, so you might want to accept Luffy's offer," Coby says, looking around nervously.
"What! That lying bastard. If I ever see his stupid bowl cut or ugly purple suit again, I'll kill him. Okay, get me out of here and help me find my swords, and I'll join your crew."
Luffy walks around to the side of the cross, pausing to take a deep breath. "Tempest Kick!" Nothing happens for a second when suddenly the ropes fall off, and the cross breaks in half. Zoro drops to the ground.
"What the hell was that!?" he shouts, staring at Luffy like he's some kind of monster.
"Tempest Kick. It's one of the Six Powers. I'll teach you sometime, but first we need to get your swords and get out of here. Do you have any idea where they are?"
"That idiot Helmeppo took them, you'd have to ask him."
"Alright, you two stay here. I'll be right back. Shave!" Luffy says, disappearing into thin air.
'What did I just agree to,' thinks Zoro, shaking his head.
On top of the Marine Base...
"Come on men, lift with your knees. I don't have all day to stand here watching you make fools of yourselves," Morgan shouted, overseeing the erection of his giant statue.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Helmeppo. Has anyone seen him?" Luffy asked, suddenly appearing on the roof.
Crash! Jaws hit the floor as everyone turns to stare at Luffy.
Crash! Faces turn pale as everyone turns back to look at the statue, realizing that in their shock they had let go of the ropes tied to it.
A vein is throbbing on Morgan's forehead, when Helmeppo decides to speak up.
"That's the guy who hit me! If you had listened to me and arrested him this wouldn't have happened."
"Excuse me? Did you just say what I think you said? Consider your next words very carefully," Morgan said, his voice deceptively calm, the vein on his forehead looking ready to burst at any moment.
"Sorry to intrude guys, but I need to talk to Helmeppo for a second. We'll be right back," says Luffy, suddenly grabbing Helmeppo by the neck, then vanishes without a trace.
Inside the Base...
"Where are Zoro's swords?" Luffy asks impatiently, holding Helmeppo against the wall.
"In my bedroom, third floor, room 314. Please don't hurt me. I'll do anything, just please...
"Shut up!" Luffy shouts, slamming Helmeppo's head against the wall, knocking him unconscious. "You're pathetic."
Back in the Execution Yard...
'Where is he? Luffy we really need your help right now,' Coby thinks, staring at a dozen Marines aiming guns in his face.
"Take aim, men. Prepare to fire on my command," Morgan shouts, "Three, two, o..what the hell!" Morgan stares blankly as his men drop to the ground, when he notices Luffy standing in the middle of the yard. "Straw Hat! I'll kill you, you bastard!"
"Here you go Zoro, I found your swords," Luffy says turning around and completely ignoring Morgan.
"You idiot. Never turn your back on an opponent, that's the first rule of fighting," says Morgan, preparing to chop Luffy in half.
"Shave."
Morgan brings his axe down on nothing, and it gets stuck in the ground.
"Oni Giri." Zoro rushes towards the trapped Morgan and slices his head off. It flies through the air and lands amid the soldiers, some of whom are starting to wake up.
"Oh my god, you murdered the captain. You three will be executed for this," one of the soldiers yells.
"Three? Don't you mean two?" Luffy asks looking slightly confused. "Oh right, the pink haired kid. He's not with us, he's just some wannabe Marine that I captured to use as a hostage. Here, take him back, I don't need him anymore," he says, grabbing Coby by the arm and throwing him at the man that just spoke. "By the way, I'm taking this axe." He rips the axe hand off of Morgan's body, grabs Zoro and disappears.
"Oh god, kid are you okay?" the Marine asks Coby.
"I am now sir. Please you have to let me join you. I don't want something like that to happen ever again. I want to get stronger so that I can save people instead of having to wait for other people to save me," Coby says, fierce determination burning in his eyes.
"All right, but don't think that this will be easy."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir." 'And thank you Luffy. Thank you for helping me fulfill my dream.'
At the docks...
"So, what do we do now, Captain?" Zoro asks, as they push out to sea.
"First, we need to get some more crew members, like a chef, a navigator, and a musician. Second, we need a proper ship, with cannons, and bedrooms,and a kitchen. And last but not least, we need provisions and supplies to survive at sea, food, booze, medical supplies, and ammunition. Then we head for the Grand Line."
"Alright, so where is our next stop?"
"There's an island near hear with a village called Orange Town. We should be able to find someone who will join us there. We might even be able to get a ship if we're lucky."
"Okay than, Orange Town here we come."
Chapter 3 is done. Thank you all for your patience while I worked through this difficult time. The plan from here on out is to release a chapter every week or two. I am looking for a coauthor if anyone is interested. Ability to write lemons is a must. I will also be setting up a poll to see which male characters you would like to see join Luffy's crew. Welcome back.
