Thank you everyone for all of the reviews and encouraging me to continue writing. I apologize that I don't update as regularly as I should, but as I am an artist (self-proclaimed really) and have a part time job it is difficult to write as often as I should.
Once again thank you for waiting patiently for this chapter.
'Italics are thoughts'
All the characters belong to Eiichiro Oda with the exception of my OC.
/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/
Previous Chapter:
I thought I would look the same as I was when female, just with some masculine features. But apparently I was wrong, very wrong.
'In a different place with a different face… I guess I won't have such a boring life after all.'
Chapter 3: Odd first encounters
After looking at myself for a few moments in the mirror, I finally relieved myself and took a much needed shower. It was quite the experience using all of the bathroom utilities as a man, with the uh… different "tools" and all, but I got it all figured out now! Mostly. I was in the shower for at least an hour, it was glorious.
I stepped out and looked towards the counter to put back on my old clothes but I saw that someone changed them for new ones and left my boots behind, and they also left me a towel to dry off. How nice of them! A little bit too nice… whatever. If something's gonna happen, it will. Can't change it now.
I quickly dry myself and put on the clothes provided, it's a plain white t-shirt and some baggy navy-blue shorts that reach my knees. I knocked on the exit door and call out. "I'm done!"
I hear the door unlock and I see Tashigi instead of Smoker. She immediately slaps on hand cuffs to my wrists. "I'm taking you back you back to your cell pirate. Move."
"Whoa, whoa… why the hostility?" I say calmly as to not set her off. She just looks at me with an eye brow raised as if she's saying 'Did you really just ask me that?'
I just huff and smile. "Mah… that's fine. You guys have been pretty accommodating lately so I won't complain, lead the way ma'am."
She just stares at me oddly for a moment then continues to walk towards my cell.
"Uhm, when are we reaching Alabasta?"
"A week." She replied immediately.
"Oh. Well that's not too bad." I said with a smile.
I was wrong, so very wrong. It was boring as hell and they barely gave me any food or water, had to sleep on the cold damp floor so it was a bit difficult to sleep, probably for only two hours a night…which is odd because when I was alive back in my old world I was capable of sleeping literally anywhere. One of my few friends liked to compare me to Zoro… but here I feel restless when I try to sleep…weird. OH! And they also left me in cuffs as well! So much for being 'accommodating'.
Well…at least they gave me a bucket to piss in. Also Dumb and Dumber were there as some form of entertainment. But when I was done tormenting them for the day I always thought of what I will do once I manage to get out of this cell.
I thought about joining the strawhats if I get the opportunity to. But I don't really have any cool or special talents other than I can clean pretty well. I'm also probably weaker than Usopp.
And about knowing what is going to happen up to the Dressrosa arc, I decided that I will not be telling them anything. They always pull through anyway and even if I was to tell them, me being here may change a couple of things and it could end up in a disaster. I don't want that responsibility. It always made me cringe whenever I read some fanfictions about girls in the somewhat same situation I am and then tell the crew everything… and then in the end turns out all honkey dory. Bullshit it will.
Sure I will try to prevent Aces' death like any good fan of One Piece would do. I will have to find a way to do it discreetly without people getting suspicious of me knowing too much. People will probably hunt me down for being psychic or whatever.
Anyway this was the worst week of my 'new' life. Luckily it's the last day so we will probably be there soon, maybe we are already there now.
Finally I hear heavy footsteps coming towards my cell that most likely belong to Smoker.
"Hey Smokey, long time no see! Missed me?" I say with the brightest smile I could manage. "Because I sure missed you buddy!"
"Shut up." He grumbles. "Just came by to see if you were dead or not."
He turns towards Dumb and Dumber. "You two will be staying here and guarding him, Tashigi and a few others including me will be going into town once we dock to search for our target."
He then glares at me still speaking to the other two. "Make sure he doesn't try anything… I have a feeling he has a plan."
Nope not really.
"Yes sir." They salute and then stand with their backs a little stiffer.
He just nods and walks away. A few moments later I hear a bit of Smoker yelling out commands here and there and then it was quiet. I guess they docked…
This is my chance! Now if only I had a plan... wait never mind got it.
I wait for at least a half an hour before beginning my plan to avoid suspicion. Then I start moaning as if I was in agonizing pain. My hand clenches at my stomach and I fall down to the ground.
Dumb and Dumber were surprised to say the least.
"O-Oi! What happened?!" one said to me as the other was opening the cell door.
"Ugh, what the hell did you guys feed me?!" I then look up to them with pain written all over my face, well at least I hoped so.
"I REALLY need to use the toilet because I don't think Bucky the bucket can handle what I can dish out."
At that they look at each other in panic then nod.
"You go with him. I'll stay here to explain the situation if anybody comes by." Dumber says.
Dumb nods and hoists my up by the arm. Then we speed walk/run towards the washrooms. Once we are inside he closes and locks the doors behind him. Before I go into a stall I turn towards him and show him my cuffs.
He stares at me in confusion.
"Do you want to wipe my ass for me when I'm done?" I say sarcastically.
He flushes an angry red and un-cuffs me. Once he did that I start rubbing my wrists and flash him a grateful smile.
"Thanks man!"
Just before he responds I kick him in the balls, once he's down I stomp on his head to knock him out.
"That was easy." I mumble.
I quickly strip him of his uniform and change into them. They are a bit baggy but its fine. I then take his hat and stuff my long hair into it, I pull down the brim so it would shadow my eyes. I take the keys so I can get out of here, I also take his sword and pistol that all of them are required to carry. Need to protect myself somehow if I run into trouble. And I take his wallet… jeezz this guy is not having a good day.
I then rip up my old clothes into strips and I tie and gag him. After that's all done and over with I stuff him into a stall. Just in case.
Just as I was about to leave I turn towards the stall I stuffed Dumb in.
"Thanks again buddy, I owe ya." I grin and casually make my way up to the deck.
I walked by a few marines but they paid me no mind thinking I was one of them. They are so stupid. I actually kinda feel sorry for Smoker…oh well not my problem.
Once I'm sure that no one was looking I walked off the plank they set up onto the docks. Then I walk towards the market.
Jesus it was hot.
I was walking around for a bit but then I saw a grey cloak in one of the stores, decided to buy it so that I can protect myself against the sun's rays. Once I bought it I took my hat off and threw it to the side not needing it anymore, I put it on then pulled the hood up.
Cool I look all mysterious and shit.
After that thought I start aimlessly walking around waiting for something to happen, because I knew shit was going to hit the fan soon.
Suddenly I hear an explosion to my right. I quickly look and see smoke and fire spiraling up into the sky over some buildings.
Bingo. I smirk and start sprinting in that direction going through some alleyways.
I make it to the scene and see Ace and Smoker talking about stuff that I didn't bother really paying attention to, and I start running towards the water and I hope I see the Going Merry.
As I'm frantically looking around I finally see it but… It's SAILING AWAY. I sprint towards it like my life depended on it.
I can make it. I can make it. I CAN MAKE IT!
Once I reach the end of the board walk I jump. My hands reach out for the back of the boat and I barely grasp on. I manage to get my weak body over the railing and flop onto the deck. That was some action movie shit right there. But ow, major cramp right now shit.
As I'm gasping for breath I allow myself a little victory dance by just awkwardly wiggling my arms and legs on deck like a demented washed up squid.
I finally get up after a minute and shuffle my way to the stairs leading to the lower deck and then peek around the corner to see what's going on. I see most of the crews back and Luffy smiling while Ace is behind him. How the hell did he make it here already… am I really that slow?
While thinking this I didn't hear what Ace said before leaping off onto his boat thingy and then I see him totally ANILEATING some Marine ships. I hear the rest of the crew gasping in shock. He's so cool. I couldn't help but whistle in admiration.
After that I see seven pairs of eyes on me. Fuck.
"Uh… yo." I say as I lift my hand up in greeting.
All of a sudden I'm dodging attacks left and right, mostly from Zoro… wait no all from Zoro. How the hell am I able to dodge anyway?!
"AAAHHHHH! CHILL. CHILL. WAAAIIIIT!" I screech as I'm running around on deck with the fuckin hell spawn chasing me down.
But you see here, after sitting in a cell and not eating properly for a week one gets pretty weak from all the bull shit they went through and then their body craps out on them. And that's what happened. All of a sudden I flop onto the deck with no warning gasping for breath, not being able to move anymore. And because of this Zoro trips over my body and hits the mast head first. Serves him right the prick.
I'm surprised I lasted as long as I did anyway. My stomach starts growling and I groan. I roll over and see Sanji standing over me. He takes a puff from his cigarette.
"You hungry?"
"Yep."
"Are you an enemy?"
"Nope."
He then wordlessly reaches his hand towards me. I grab it and he lifts me up to a standing position.
"Ah…thanks." I grin as I pull off my hood. "Names Torin by the way."
He nods. "Sanji, the chef on this ship."
Then I hear a groan behind me, I look over and see Zoro rubbing his face with Chopper fussing beside him.
"And the green haired idiot is Zoro, the useless swordsman." Sanji says with a smirk.
Zoro immediately reacts with a vein popping from his brow. "WHAT'D YOU SAY STUPID COOK?!" he yells as he jumps up. Chopper is saying something about a concussion but he doesn't listen.
But then Zoro's sharp eyes look towards me and his glare sharpens. Seeing this I immediately lift up my hands in front of me just in case he attacks again.
"Whoa whoa hold up. I'm sorry for tripping you like that but you kinda deserved it. Like you didn't even ask who I was and just started attacking me. Not cool man." I frown.
Zoro just scoffs and rests his hand on one of his katanas. "What's your purpose on this ship then… a pirate ship?"
"Pirates?" I say as if I didn't already know them, then I look up towards their flag as if I was checking who they were. "I don't recognize the flag…you guys must be rookies then right?"
Luffy suddenly walks towards me. "Yep! I'm the captain of the Straw-hat Pirates. Names Monkey. D. Luffy future king of pirates!" He grins and holds out his hand for me to shake.
"Cool." I smile as I shake his hand.
"You still always say that, huh, Luffy?" I hear someone say behind me.
I look over my shoulder and see Ace leaning on the rail and grinning at Luffy. With Luffy replying in his signature laugh. "Shishishishi!"
"Anyway Luffy, here I want to give you something before I continue my search." Ace says while waving Luffy over.
"What you're not staying?" he says frowning a bit while walking towards him.
"As I said I have something important to do..." He then pulls out a piece of paper and holds it towards Luffy. "Here, this will let us meet again."
"A piece of paper?"
"What you don't want it?"
"No, I'll take it." Luffy says as he takes the paper from his brother's hand. Ace smiles and then looks at the crew.
"An older brother worries after his little brother… especially one like Luffy." He chuckles. "Please take care of him for me."
The straw-hats just smile and nod, some more enthusiastically than others.
Ace smiles and lifts his hand. "Well… I better get going. See ya, Luffy." He then jumps down onto his boat thing and uses his fire powers to blast off.
Wait shit! I should've warned him in some code or something! Ah well… there is always another way of helping him I suppose.
"What a cool guy… Ironic because he has fire powers." I accidently say out loud and I hear Sanji snort out a laugh beside me.
Zoro suddenly whips his head towards me and glares. "Now that's over, you didn't answer my previous question. What are you doing here?"
"Ah, well… you see, I was a prisoner on one of the Marines ships and I managed to escape. Captian Smoker's to be specific. During the whole commotion of Luffy's brother and Smokey duking it out, I used that opportunity to jump on this ship…. And now we're here."
"Prisoner? What did you do?"
"Well, he thought I was a pirate and I just went along with it… there's no changing that guys mind."
Suddenly Ussop speaks up surprisingly. "How'd you escape?"
"Long story short I used my superior acting skills and managed to fool the two marines guarding my cell to setting me free. What I did was-" my stomach growled loudly in protest at that point. "I will finish this lovely story another time because I feel like my stomach is trying to eat itself." I say grimacing and holding my stomach.
Sanji then speaks up "Well, it's just about Lunch anyway. I'll whip up some quick sandwiches for all of us to eat. Let's all go up to the gally… we'll all introduce ourselves there."
"WOO FOOD!" Luffy yells out while running towards the galley.
"Woooo…" I say weakly waving one of my arms in the air following him in a calmer manor. Honestly it's like he's the one that didn't eat. Although I'm not surprised…it's Luffy.
We all head up to the galley and Sanji immediately starts whipping up some sandwiches, while the rest of us went to go and sit down.
"Well..." Nami started. "Why don't you introduce yourself first." She nodded towards me.
"As I've told Sanji, my name is Torin. I lived a simple life… had parents and siblings, but ah… not anymore really." I shake my head sadly, but then I shrug. "Eh, I'm over it."
Not really.
"I'm good at cleaning, and a lot of people come to me for advice for some reason. They say I'm good to talk to. Honestly I should have been a councillor or something."
"What about your eyes?" Chopper asks.
"My eyes?"
"Yes, I've never seen or read anything about them… Do you see any differently or…?"
"Ah well no, they've been like this for as long as I remember." Well ever since I woke up here that is.
After that Chopper just nods, accepting my answer.
"So why don't you all introduce yourselves then, I already met Sanji, Zoro and Luffy."
"I'm Nami the Navigator." The orangett said.
Ussop suddenly steps up and places his foot on the table and makes a dramatic pose.
"And I am the GREAT and POWERFUL CAPTIAN USSOP! I have many follow-"
"He's the sniper and a liar." Nami interrupted
Ussop then pouts at Nami. Then the woman with blue hair speaks up.
"I am Vivi." She then points to the oversized duck beside her. "And this is Carue."
Carue raises his wing and quacks in greeting.
"Well it's a pleasure meeting to all of you." I say grinning.
Sanji then places down a large platter of sandwiches and a jug of lemonade. Everyone immediately digs in.
I pick up a sandwich and take the first bite… Oh my god.
"This is the best piece of food I have ever placed in my mouth in weeks."
Sanji grins at that. I finish my sandwich and the look at Sanji.
"Thank you so much man, you literally saved my life and blessed me with this food, like holy shit."
Sanji laughs and all he says is "If this is the best thing you have ever tasted than I can't wait to see you try dinner!"
I grin. "I'll probably die and go to heaven." Everyone overhears and chuckles a bit at that.
This is nice and all but what now? I don't know what I'll do if Luffy never asks me to be part of the crew… ah well, I'll just stick around then. Let's see what tomorrow brings…
/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\
Welp that's all for now, as you can probably see I've made this chapter much larger than the previous chapters. I hope you like it, please leave a review if you see any mistakes and I'll be sure to correct them.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
