Jolly Gang – Chapter 4 The deadly swords master and the mutt

Merrily sailing along the trio were led by Nami while the captain and his new first mate got to know each other, sharing anecdotes of interesting battles they had been in through the years and funny pirates they had fought. Zoro's respect for his new captain were growing by each story, if he hadn't seen him in action himself most of the stories would sound impossible, and he were quickly discovering Luffy weren't one to brag about his abilities. Thinking back to what he had seen of his captain's abilities he started questioning Luffy hoping to understand some the things he could do.

"oi Luffy back at that marine base, what the hell did you do to those marines?"

"hmmmm" taping his finger against his chin he were considering how to explain haki to his new friends. "it's one of three abilities" he held up three fingers looking into Zoro's eyes showing that this was serious matter "everyone can learn the first two but the last you can't be taught, you just have to use it, and not everyone have it" the last part only confused Zoro just have to use… how? he thought before focusing on the other part.

"so you can teach me these techniques?" he questioned "are they just as powerful?"

"yeah I can teach ya, one of them is the one I used to hear the marine on top of their base" Luffy answered. So it was a special technique Nami thought while silently observing the two pirates she was sailing with.

"buuuuut I think I'm going to wait teaching ya hahaha" Luffy tried to laugh of the subject, which angered Zoro slightly he wanted every advantage he could get to help him reach his goal, and if he could learn something from the ridiculously strong redhead, he would.

"why-" he started before he was cut off by Luffy.

"I get it, I get it but these aren't simply techniques I can't just show ya or tell ya about… they take lots of training, if you got talent you can learn it faster, but it's dangerous… in more than one way" he stated and Zoro could see in his eyes that this weren't something to argue about, but he hadn't said he wouldn't, just not yet, so he would just have to wait. "don't worry your pretty strong already Zoro, and when were taking off for the grand line I am definitely going to teach ya and all the other crewmembers we will have… we'll take the grand line by storm" Luffy said with a excited smile at the prospect of more friends and crewmembers, which Zoro accepted and looked forward to the training. "but I will tell ya, it takes willpower and a lot of it, so prepare yourself"

"alright captain" Zoro gave a respectful nod, before turning his attention at the dagger in Luffy's belt. "that dagger… what is it?" which surprised Luffy slightly at the sudden turn in conversation, before his smile turned into a fond one bringing it up for Zoro to see.

"I got this as a gift… when I was very little… from someone important to me" Luffy said while tracing the message on the side of the scabbard with his finger. Zoro's attention were on the dagger but Nami's were currently on the redhead and she could see that it was very important to him, but if she weren't mistaken she could also see a hint of sadness in his eyes. Wonder who's that is? feeling a small bang of jealousy at whoever they were that they were so important to Luffy, before she quelled the feeling. He's a pirate… probably lying…he probably stole it from someone she tried to convince herself but couldn't really get herself to believe that.

Luffy continued shortly after changing the topic away from who gave it to him. "it's a black blade dagger, one of the sharpest type of blades in the world… I don't really know how it's made but it is ridiculously sharp, I've cut myself so many times on it haha" the other two just looked on him with a deadpan look thinking the same thing idiot! "its also rare, so you won't see many blades with it… though my uncle has a huuuuge sword of it"

"eeeh so he's a swordsman maybe I should fight him someday if the blade is so amazing?" Zoro stated giving Luffy a challenging smile.

"yeah you will, and I'm sure someday you'll be able to beat him" Luffy answered a look of pure confidence in his eyes at Zoro's abilities, Zoro wanted to argue the last part but the look on his captains face made him ignore it. Having all his questions answered satisfactorily he decided to take a nap his head leaning on the side of the boat his hands behind his head.

"haha good idea Zoro" Luffy mused before he unceremoniously dropped his head in Nami's lap, imitating his first mate

"what are you doing idiot?" she asked with a deadpan expression.

"taking a nap" was the simple answer before he quickly dosed off in her soft lap. Doofus she thought while looking at him with a small smile and caressing his hair, before she went back to what she had been doing. She had used the time while the guys got to know each other to look through newspapers and maps trying to remember if there were any rumors of pirates in the nearby ocean. With her new partnership with the two monsters she wouldn't need to worry about any danger as she robbed pirates off all they were worth. Luffy meanwhile was softly snoring dreaming of his childhood.

…several years before…

Luffy was sneaking around outside Makino's inn hearing sounds he hadn't heard before, sounding almost like Makino was in pain. He knew that right now Shanks and Makino where the only ones in the inn, the rest of Shanks crew respecting that he wanted some alone time with Makino who he only saw whenever they got around the little village, and he knew Shanks would never hurt her, he cared a lot for her, so Luffy couldn't wrap his head around what was going on inside. The rest of Shanks crew had urged Luffy not to get near the inn, saying he needed to respect their alone time, but he was Luffy's dad why did she need alone time with him, Luffy barely saw him after he dropped of Luffy at the little village only seeing him when he came back, and from the sounds of the others the only reason he came back was for Makino. Luffy wanted to hate her for it feeling that she stole his time, but he couldn't, he also liked her a lot and she had taken care of him ever since they were presented to each other by Shanks. So right now he was trying to spy on them to find out what they were doing. Sneaking in through the door he immediately saw the two of them, but his young mind couldn't really comprehend what was happening.

Makino was propped onto the bar and her dress was bundled up around her hips, and her long soft legs were crossed behind Shanks back pushing his hips against her owns, and Shanks trousers where around his ankles. Her fingers was digging into his back and she kept making faces as his hips kept thrusting back and forwards, and now that Luffy was inside he could more clearly hear the slapping sounds as their hips rammed together and that what he thought had been sounds of pain, was more happy and filled with something he couldn't explain, but she looked like she enjoyed it as her face was flushed and she kept whispering sweet nothings into Shanks ear. She suddenly paled a little, trying to hold the sounds she had made a second ago back, and started furiously tapping Shanks shoulder trying to get his attention and getting him to stop, as she had noticed Luffy's small frame standing in the door stunned at what he was seeing.

"Sh-sha-Shanks! … Aah! … sto-stop!" she tried and failing to hold back a moan.

"what is it? Does it hurt" Shanks asked dumbly stopping and looking at Makino in concern not noticing where her eyes were.

"Lu-Luffy!" she finally managed to say between trying to catch her breath. Hearing her word Shanks's head swiveled around seeing his little kid staring at him wide eyed.

"OI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING YA LITTLE PERVERT!?" Shanks screamed making Luffy storm out the door to get away from his angry dad, which made Makino give him a light reprimanding shove in the chest.

"we should probably go make sure he is okay, and try to explain it to him" She said looking into Shanks's eyes.

"yeeeah… just a little while longer" he said starting to thrust back into, making her start moaning again as he increased the intensity of the thrust.

… a little while later in the inn…

Shanks had managed to catch Luffy, who were now sitting in a chair before a Makino who had a gentle smile and Shanks just looking at his son and the guilty look on Luffy's face, probably thinking he was in trouble. Makino where the first to talk, patting Luffy's on the head giving him a reassuring smile.

"Luffy, you're not in trouble" which made Luffy look up into her eyes with wonder then why am I here "me and your dad just wants to explain some things to you… what you saw us doing waaaas… kissing" she stated innocently trying to trick the to young boy, who she had come to love dearly, and she wanted so dearly to keep his innocent intact. Both Shanks and Luffy just gave her a blank stare in return.

"I know what kissing is Makino" Luffy said with a monotone voice, which made Makino slightly panic.

"yosh Luffy what we did is something a guy and girl does when they love each other… understand" Shanks said trying to get it over with to Makino's horror. Luffy just nodded before getting a contemplative look on his face.

"Then I hope I'll get to do that with a lot of girls" Luffy said with a hopeful voice not really understanding what he had just implied making Makino flabbergasted, but before she could try and explain it further to avoid further complication with Luffy, Shanks had grabbed her butt and squeezed it making her utter a little squeak and blushing at the sound she made.

"HAHAHA that's my boy, if your hearts keep growing you'll have more than enough love to give to more than one girl" Shanks winked at his son giving him permission to run off again, which he was quick to do.

"mah why did you have to say something like that to him?" Makino said with a cute little pout.

"you don't want him to find lots of girl to love him?" Shanks asked back with his usual carefree attitude, Makino not wanting answer him opted instead to give him the cold shoulder... just for a little while.

…back to the present…

Luffy was slowly waking up again, his pants a little tight after remembering how he had caught Makino doing it with his old man. He adjusted his package sleepily making it more comfortable which earned him a slap in the head with the newspaper in Nami's hand.

"don't do that" she demanded, with Luffy turning around burying his face in her stomach.

"it was such a nice nap" he said sleepily.

"yes yes now get off me" Nami pushed Luffy's head off her lap making him sit back up. "now wake up, I got something" showing Luffy an article in the newspaper explaining while Luffy looked it over. "Captain Buggy with a bounty of 15 million berries was recently spotted around here, and if I'm right I know which island he will be on" she said getting berries in her eyes "aaaaand Buggy is known for loving treasure so he is sure to be loaded. So you! are going to help me lift it off of him" Luffy looked back into her eyes with a reassuring smile.

"alright show the way… Buggy? Think I have heard that before" Luffy said grabbing the oars and getting ready to follow Nami's directions.

…awhile later in the port of Orange town…

"alright where here" Nami stated as soon as the boat hit the port. "I'll do some reconnaissance alone, since you two dunderheads probably can't be sneaky even for the life of you"

"will you be okay alone" Luffy asked her while helping her out the boat.

"ah thank you, and who do you think your talking too I'm a great thief, can't be that without some skills" she answered proudly making Zoro sigh in annoyance. Damn woman! Only in it for the money. After she walked out of sight Zoro addressed Luffy.

"what we'll do meanwhile captain?"

"let's look around town, maybe there's a liquor store around haha" he answered with his usual smile and laugh walking down the docks looking at the completely empty town, Zoro right behind him.

"where is everybody?" Luffy questioned.

"if that woman is right then they probably ran away in fear" the conversation trailed off from there as the two guys walked in a comfortable silence. Luffy was using his observation haki to follow Nami's movement and could feel that she was sneaking towards a big group of people. The most worrying thing about it was that he could feel a presence that was different from the regular grunts amongst the big group, a presence filled with killing intent though the person was wounded they were still a threat. Zoro walking besides him was contemplating his earlier words about haki, more precisely how he had heard something so far away. Zoro was trying to imitate the feat even though he hadn't a clue how willpower had anything to do with hearing, he was trying to exert his senses and was surprised when he heard something, but he was quickly disappointed when he discovered that the sound had just been very loud.

It was the sound of fighting, crashing buildings and a great big roar which turned into a roar of pain and anger. Luffy and Zoro made there way forward running towards the sounds, Luffy keeping his speed at bay so Zoro could keep up. The, in his eyes, slow pace making him able to use observation haki again, this time focusing towards the situation they were running too. He could sense that it was a big animal together with a human that was attacking a smaller animal, but the smaller animal wasn't attacking in pure instinct there were willpower behind the attack, a purpose.

When Luffy and Zoro arrived at the scenes both of their jaws dropped, even though he knew the situation Luffy were still shocked. What they saw where a giant lion with a pink mane standing in the rubble of a destroyed building with hairy man ridding it, his hair looking like a stupid bear hat with an armless sweater, but what had shocked them was that a big dog which were much smaller than the lion had latched onto the lions neck in a furious attack refusing to let go even when the lion swatted it with it's claws.

"what are you doing Richie? Just kill that mutt!" The weird guy was yelling at the lion only helping to make it more furious as it couldn't shake of the dog and was slowly losing its blood.

"hey Zoro" Luffy started with enjoyment in his voice and his smile spreading wider. "I like that dogs spirit, would you go take care of that lion?" he asked as he put his hands lazily in his pockets, complete confidence that Zoro was in control of the situation, making Zoro smile at the fact that his captain trusted him in that manner.

"alright captain" he lazily drew two of his blades knowing he didn't need to get serious with a lowly beast like that lion. "oi lion!" he got the attention of the fighting group before rushing in.

"what? Who are you?" the weird man looked on in confusion. "Richie kill that green haired idiot, AND THEN GET RID OF THAT FUCKING MUTT?" he yelled in annoyance, his order making the lion raise it's paw bringing it down on Zoro, who easily blocked it with his swords. The dog seeing it's chance released the neck of the lion running up it's back and jumped the guy biting into his shoulder the force making them both fall of the lion distracting it from Zoro, the lion turning it's head to see what had happened to it's master. Zoro seeing and opportunity swiped the blades he was using to block across the paw making an x shaped wound on it, before stabbing the swords upward with all his strength piercing skin, bones and finally lungs and heart killing the lion instantly. Pushing the huge lion of his back he watched how the other fight was unfolding.

The dog was currently facing of against the man who were now missing a chunk of his shoulder and had brought out a whip trying furiously to hit the dog. The dog was hit by a couple of the swipes giving it some wounds on its back, but it was obvious it didn't do much as it continued to charge and sometimes rolling out of the way of particular hard swipes from the man. Seeing that he couldn't stop it he started panicking trying to draw a dagger he had in his back pocket. He finally got ahold of the handle before he could feel a gust of wind, someone holding his wrist and lastly a set of sharp teeth digging deep into his neck filling his mouth with blood. Luffy released the wrist which was slowly becoming cold and waited for the dog to finish, while the dog where giving a few shakes of it's head making sure the guy was dead. When it was done it let go of his neck sat back down on its haunches and looked at the crumbling building sadly.

Luffy finally got a good look of it as it sad down. It looked to be a male crossbreed of several dogs, one of its distinguishing feature being the pointy ears one of which pointed towards the sky while the other folded on the middle. It had a long pointy snout which at the moment were covered in blood, the black nose tip barely visible underneath it, and it had short white fur which where longer around the neck making it almost look like a small mane, and a long bushy tail. It was currently covered in not only mud and blood but also wounds which didn't look serious, but still like they would be hurting.

Luffy walked up to the dog and sat beside it Zoro cleaning his blade and awaiting what Luffy would do. The redhead together with the dog was looking at the destroyed house understanding evident in Luffy's eyes, his smile wiped of his face in respect for the dog's apparent loss.

"someone important to you lived here… your owner I guess?... but he ain't with us anymore, that's why that house was so important to you" Luffy turned to the dog and slowly started patting it. At the first it raised its hair on the back before understanding what was happening and accepting it. It couldn't tell the red furred human, but it had been a long time since anyone got close enough to pet it and it had missed the feeling, the warmth a hand gave and the affection it showed. "I understand loss" Luffy continued. "I understand how important it becomes to remember and honor them" he said as he lightly gripped the dagger in his belt

"WHO ARE YOU? WHAT DID YOU DO TO THAT HOU-" an old man wearing armor and wielding a spear had appeared an started yelling at what he saw before he discovered the death lion and man. "did you do that?" the old man asked somberly.

"yeah I killed the lion and the dog killed the guy" Zoro stated with a raised eyebrow and looking at the old man.

"Then I thank you for helping Chouchou" he bowed thankfully "that dogs has taken care of that place ever since his owner, an old friend of mine died. Won't leave the place… even though I've tried taking care of him in my friends stead" he looked at the crumbled building with fondness and sadness over its destruction.

"hey Chouchou I don't think your owner would be happy if he found out you've just been staying here watching over their old place" Luffy said gently to dog, which started growling in response clearly understanding and showings its teeth in a threat. "I think they would have liked you to be happy" Luffy's trademark smile returned to his lips making the dog stop growling and just stare at Luffy. "I got an idea! Why don't I become your new owner huh? I'll make sure you're really happy haha pirates are some of the happiest people and I will be king of them all someday, wouldn't you like to follow someone like that" Luffy asked with kind eyes looking at the dog as if expecting an answer, the old man just looking at the young redhead. He won't leave… won't accept any new owner- he was brought out of his thoughts as Chouchou began barking happily while licking the redhead all over the face, which he accepted happily without shying away from it, Chouchou body and tail shaking happily from side to side over its new owner. Chouchou accepted him so readily, that boy is something the old man looked on the show in amazement before a beautiful girl made her appearance.

"HUH!? Luffy whose that guy and what's with the dog?" Nami asked in confusion over what she saw after finally having found Luffy and Zoro.

"don't know the old guys name, but this is Chouchou" he patted the dog who was still licking him all over the face and shaking in happiness. "he's a good dog" he said which only made the dog even happier before continuing. "he will be joining us, I'm his new owner haha" Nami just sighed in defeat.

"alright got it… but I found were buggy's crew is, they are in the plaza and more importantly I found where their money are" she said with berri in her eyes and a big twinkling smile. "where in luck right now! they are dealing with a wounded bounty hunter"

"got a name" Zoro nodded at her.

"yeah thought I heard them call her Grim Reaper Kuina" at Nami's word Zoro's look darkened and he gripped the handle of one of his swords hard, a motion not missed by either Nami or Luffy.

"Captain can we go deal with these pirates, I'm itching for a good fight" Zoro asked barely restraining himself from running off on his own.

"sure" Luffy nodded before turning to Chouchou. "heard him? We'll go defeat that bastards crewmates haha" his laughter making Chouchou bark in a happy tone.

"no no no" Nami was swinging her arms and shaking her head at the two idiots words. "I told you, we'll use her as a distraction and go steal the money, easy peasy"

"Nami you don't really mean that… I know you want to help her" Luffy looked deep into her eyes looking right through her. I want to but I can't, I can't die here not yet.

"i-it'll be dangerous" she stammered holder her right arm tightly in fright and embarrassment over her weakness.

"don't worry me and Zoro will handle them" he reassured her, his eternal smile helping to ease some of her nervousness. "Chouchou! Nami is very important, so be sure to protect her" he ordered his new companion who barked in what sounded like confirmation before going to her side, Nami looking in amazement at how the dog followed the order and blushing at Luffy admitting she was important to him. He just means as navigator! He's a pirate don't forget it. I'm only important as long as I am of use… right? Standing at her side Chouchou was big enough to reach her hip, she bend down a little giving the scary dog a careful stroke on the back, Chouchou wagging his tail in happiness over once again being petted and this time by a new person his master liked. He could also smell his master on her, so they had to be close, making it even more important to protect her. Nami smiled at Chouchou's reaction and nodded to Luffy in acceptance of the situation.

"young people!" the old man suddenly addressed the group. "as the mayor of this town I can't allow you fight our battles, but the pirate's actions here have spurred me to take action, I will go deal with them myself" he stated proudly brandishing his spear, before Zoro gave him a murderous glare.

"old man stay out of it, I have to go see someone there and if you get in the way you will die" he said with a bone chilling voice making the old man shake in fear. The group then left him behind making their way towards the plaza.

…at the plaza…

"GYAHAHAHAHA! Did you see that everyone" Buggy was bragging to his crew. "not even the feared bounty hunter Grim Reaper can harm me HAHAHA"

said bounty hunter hadn't stood a chance against Buggy's abilities her swordsmanship at a disadvantage and she had sustained several injuries. After her defeat the pirates had thrown her into a metal cage, a small mercy that they weren't horny she grimly thought. Buggy meanwhile happily laughed at her misery.

"gyahaha alright everyone we'll hold a flashy execution ready the Buggy cannon!"

As the pirates were scrambling to ready the huge cannon, three individuals and their dog was slowly making their way into the center where Buggy and his captive were. The way they casually walked and the smile the apparent leader of the little group had made it look like they belonged there, so most of the pirates ignored them to follow their orders, only a few of them whispering about who they were and if they were new crewmembers, but they were cocky after their big win against a famous bounty hunter, so they also ignored the little group. When Luffy finally stood before the inner circle he took a moment to look around at the pirates, and what he saw made a low rumble start in his stomach as he suddenly burst out laughing shocking the pirates around him, making everyone turn towards him.

Every last pirate in the plaza had some of clown theme, wearing ridiculous clothing and even more ridiculous make-up and their captain was the worst amongst them. Captain Buggy was currently wearing a stripped t-shirt and a pair of loose pant that barely reached his calves, showing of his also stripped sock, and which were directing ones attentions towards the funky looking pointy shoes that curved backwards. He also wore a standard pirate coat and hat, but what made him so ridiculous was the red lipstick, blue eyeliner and the big red nose.

"HAHAHAH he really does look like a clown HAHAHAH look at that nose" Luffy couldn't help himself as he held his stomach and pointed at Buggy The clown. Even Zoro was laughing and Nami found that her companions gave her the courage to laugh too with Chouchou right beside her rolling around on his back making sounds that sounded like doggy laughter.

"EVEN THE DOGS LAUGHING!" Buggy's crew screamed surprised.

"you bastards, WHO DID YOU SAY HAVE A BIG NOSE‼" Buggy roared in anger.

"HAHAHA DIDN'T SAY THAT BUT YOU'RE RIGHT HAHAHA" Luffy just continued making Buggy even angrier.

"EVERYONE KILL THE-" he was literally cut off has Zoro had drawn his swords cutting of his head for going after his captain, and the other bounty hunter.

"no Zoro watch out! He can't be cut" the imprisoned bounty hunter yelled in warning, Zoro just noticing now that there weren't any blood and that the now floating head was turned towards him in anger, but to the shock of everyone there before Buggy could react, Chouchou had jumped his head bitting into the big red nose and making Buggy scream before the nose was cut off thanks to his power. Chouchou just walked back to Luffy presenting the nose to Luffy as if it was a ball, which made even the until now stoic Kuina start laughing loudly at the spectacle alongside Luffy who were still laughing.

"HAHAHA that's not fair HAHAHAH i-i-I can't stop laughing HAHAHAH" he managed to gasp out in between breaths and laughs, Chouchou once against rolling on the ground laughing along his master.

"WOULD YOU STOP THAT! TAKE THIS SERIOUS" Buggy's crew yelled at them.

"HAHAHAhaha aaaah your as funny as dad said you were Buggy" Luffy said with a fond smile, reminiscing of all the stories his dad told him of the crew he grew up on.

"I KNEW IT! That red hair could only belong to Shanks brat, no wait it's darker than his, but that doesn't matter, what matter is that your idiot of father ruined my life!" He yelled with Luffy simply nodding before sighing.

"yeah he really is an idiot sorry" Luffy said, hanging his in shame

"brat" Buggy started while scowling before he got a thoughtful look "oi brat who's your mother, Shanks was always very tightlipped about that"

"huh momma?" Luffy got a far of look in his eyes while gripping his dagger, Nami looking on in interest. His mother? Can't even imagine what kind of woman could bear such a monstrously strong son Nami thought.

…in Luffy's early childhood in a secret meeting spot…

Luffy had one day in his early childhood started begging his father to tell him about his mother, but Shanks had been very adamant in not giving even one sliver of information away, much to Luffy's dismay. The reason for Luffy's sudden interested was that Makino had asked him the same question. The Shanks pirate crew had stayed in the little town for a while now and Makino had taken to the smaller redhead and started taking care of him, fulfilling some duties a mother would have, and as she was in a relationship with Shanks she was kinda Luffy's stepmom, even though she felt to young to be a mother. Looking after Luffy she had suddenly one day asked if Luffy knew his mother which shocked him, his mother wasn't someone he had ever thought about, he knew his grandpa and he had always lived with Shanks onboard his ship, but neither of them had ever told him about her, but now that she was in his thoughts he had to know. So he had started begging his dad to tell him about her, and after several weeks of begging Shanks had brought him to a secret meeting spot without telling him why.

After a little while a huge person, in Luffy's eyes, stepped out of the shadows and walked towards them. Though most of her form and clothing was hidden beneath a cloak Luffy could still get a good look at her face and body as she pulled back the hood. She was tall easily taller than his dad and she had long slender limbs each trait something Luffy would inherit in the future though he didn't know it yet. Her hair was midnight black, spiky like Luffy's and reached all the way down her back. The only make-up on her was her black lipstick, but the most eye-catching thing on her face was her red eyes and the bright red tattoo running from her forehead down over her left eye and ending at her jawlines. The tattoo was a chain of hollow diamond squares with dots in the middles.

She was a frightful sight in Luffy's eyes with her height, which made him cling to his dad legs glancing towards her, which made her chuckle.

"my my would you look at him" her voice was soft and kind. "he's so big now, oh and his hair got darker shishishi doesn't look completely like you anymore Shanks"

"yeeeah… see more of you in him every day. He even got your eyes" The two bantered back and forth while Luffy looked on in awe not really understanding who she was. Her eyes suddenly turned towards Luffy and he could see how they were filled with motherly love a thing he had only seen in Makino's eyes but not so intense as in this woman before him. The sight made Luffy lose his breath before he suddenly jumped her not able to be close enough, he finally understood who she was. It surprised her but she quickly lifted him and hugged her only son into herself.

"it's good to meet you Luffy, don't know if you've already heard but my name is Draconis" she said with a soft voice, while Luffy were mumbling mom into her shoulder trying to hug her closer. This was his mom he could feel it deep in his guts, the warmth and smell were all somehow familiar to him.

"that's unfair he never does that to me" Shanks joked before he got a death glare from the woman. Luffy suddenly pushed her away a little looking at her with big expectant eyes.

"are you coming back with us? Are we gonna be a real family?" his question only making her look at him with sad eyes and tears in the edge of her eyes.

"sorry Luffy I can't do that, I want to so badly… but have to do something important… no one else will… besides I think your dad found someone new" she finished with smug grin at Shanks.

"ah you found out" he said sheepishly with red cheeks while scratching his head, Luffy just looking at them as if they were stupid.

"can't you both just love Dad?" Luffy asked innocently making her look at him flabbergasted while Shanks couldn't help the smile on his lips almost laughing at his son's words.

"no" she stated simply before continuing "we can't, beside your dad and I don't really love each other anymore, we might once have but its been a long time… and most people don't have more than one lover" She and Shanks looked at each other. They had been young and adventures meeting up secretly and doing forbidden things despite who her dad was, and the mission she had. She didn't regret it for she had had Luffy who she loved, despite not being able to raise him, and only regretted that it was to dangerous to keep him, which where why she had given him to Shanks, a story he would tell Luffy later when he was a little older.

"why?" Luffy asked looking at her for an answer, her giving Shanks a silent little glare indicating that he should teach Luffy these kinds of things.

"well most people don't have big enough hearts" she answered innocently. "but I'm sure you'll have a reeeeally big heart, big enough to love soooo many people" she said a bright tone throwing Luffy up into the air carefully several times making him laugh, a sound that made her heart throb at her little son.

The trio talked for hours, with Luffy asking most of the questions wanting to know as much about his mother as possible before it became time for her to go which made Luffy start crying, Draconis looking at him with tears in her own eyes at his reaction, Shanks looking at the both them sadly, sorry over the fact that he had to be like that.

"there there Luffy" she patted his head making him stop crying and start sniffling instead, tears still evident in his eyes and snot hanging out his nose. "I'm gonna miss you too, but this don't have to be goodbye we might see each other again" which gave him a little hopeful smile. "but I actually brought you a gift" she said while handing over a little bundle, which Luffy was quick to tear up finding a gleaming golden dagger, it was clear to see that he loved the gift on the big bright smile and stars in his eyes.

"I love it! I love it! I LOVE IT‼" he started yelling higher and higher making his mother giggle at his excitement. "dad dad what's it say on the side" he was pulling on Shanks leg while pointing at the message carved into the scabbard.

"you'll know when you get older" Draconis was quick to say, giving Shanks another silent glare communicating that he'd better teach her kid how to read. After a quick hug and cheeks kisses she left the two redheads behind, the smaller one clutching the dagger tightly into his chest.

…back in the present…

Starring expectantly at the redhead, Buggy looked him over as he tried seeing any trait that could give his parentage away, while Luffy had a slightly far off look in his eyes. Ah this is so frustrating he looks so much like that bastard. Could it be Jean the busty redhead?... no he doesn't have any of her soft ankles, and she was smaller than Shanks, this brat is taller so the bitch definitely have to be taller…Amande? No no she was a snakeneck, the neck is all wrong. Buggy mused as Luffy finally turned towards him, his lips splitting, and Buggy was shaking in anticipation.

"not gonna tell… hahaha" Luffy answered Buggy's question with a laugh to the clowns surprise before his face morphed into a murderous scowl.

"you damn kid, you're so much like your damn father" Buggy spat out making Luffy look at him horrified before he fell to ground and started hammering his hand into ground. Meanwhile while most of the pirates were distracted by his captain Zoro had made his over to the cage, looking at the captured woman with a small fond grin, and started talking to her in a faux disappointed voice.

"what are you doing Kuina? Aren't you ashamed to be caught by losers like this" he gave a her a teasing grin, while looking her up and down taking in how she had changed since they last saw each other as kids, which made her give an irritated glare back thinking he was checking her out.

The women Kuina was as tall as Zoro, but with more compact muscles than him, for while he had trained his raw power in swordsmanship she had focused on skill and speed, which gave her a more slenderer body than him but she still a fair amount of muscles. She had led her dark blue hair grow out and was keeping it in a samurai like bun on the back her head, making for an androgynous look. She was currently wearing a black sleeveless kimono that showed of her well trained compact arms with red roses on the kimono. The kimono was long enough to reach just above her ankles and for practical reason there were deep slits on either side of the kimono both of them made for ease of movements but also served so show of her muscular legs and she was wearing a pair of Getas on her feet. The front of the kimono was open enough that you could clearly see the binding that she was using to try and hide her boobs as she didn't like to be viewed as a woman, and it made it hard to tell exactly how big they were. At her side was her trusted sword the family heirloom, a famous named sword going by Wado Ichimonji. It had a pure-white hilt with a circular hand-guard, and the sheath was the same color as the hilt.

Finally looking towards her face, he saw what he expected which made him more somber, a reminder of one his childhood failures. Beginning just above her right eye was a scar that went downwards stopping somewhere on her chest, an old injury she had gotten just before her and Zoro parted ways, and she was currently sporting even more injuries a particular nasty one in the side from one of Buggy's tricks.

"are you done gawking? Didn't know you've become a pervert since we last met, but I guess that is what puberty does to boys" she said bringing back his focus making him give her a glare as he dismissed her sentence with grunt. Good he hasn't changed she thought seeing his reaction, happy that he was still the same boy she remembered.

"only lost because of his devil fruit ability" she said meekly a little embarrassed. "who's the guy you're following? didn't think the great Roronoa Zoro would start following anyone" she teased nodding towards the smiling redhead.

"that guy is monstrous… and my captain the future pirate king" he answered seriously waiting for a reaction.

"HAHA so the great pirate hunter is now a pirate? That's funny… and the greatest swordsman together with the pirate king" she continued in a teasing tone. "maybe we should make sure of that, so why don't I take your place"

"shut up I'm still gonna beat you" he spat back

"sure sure 2001 matches and you still haven't beaten me, tell me are you still seriously using three swords?" she asked looking at the three swords at his side.

"I've never stopped training and I'm a lot better" he answered with a serious tone trying to reassure her that he hadn't been slacking.

"good to hear, I haven't either" she said with a gleaming smile, which made Zoro blush slightly, her own heart beating faster at his intense look and the declaration that he had kept their promise of aiming for the top. If have to lose against one man it's going to be him.

"Captain cannons ready!" one pirate suddenly yelled getting the attention of the swords masters seeing the cannon pointed towards them.

"Good fire at once gyahahah" Buggy yelled the pirate immediately following orders and lighting the fuse, making Kuina pale. No no no not like this, I can't die now. When the cannon went off it was if the world slowed down. At an unbelievable speed to the onlookers Luffy had rushed in front of the cannons shot with his hand outstretched as if to catch the cannonball and a broad smile on his face, before he was hit and engulfed in an explosion. Kuina looked on this relieved to be alive and sorry that Zoro had lost a friend, while Zoro looked the embodiment of pure rage, veins throbbing on his forehead and arms while grinding his teeth, his hand tightly on the hilts of swords getting ready to cut down everyone one of them. Nami looked as if the world was crumbling around her, her knees shaking and tears streaming down her face, her hands covering her mouth and nose, with Chouchou had her side still following his masters order to protect her.

"byahahaha what an idiot, dying for his friends. Would love to see Shanks reaction when he hears the new byahahaha and you'll all soon follow him anyway byahahaha" he continued to laugh before another laugh could be heard slowly gaining in volume deafening Buggy's out, everyone turning towards the sound Buggy and his crew slowly palling as they saw Luffy still standing as the smoke dissipated. Zoro and Kuina were looking in awe and noticed that his body was covered in something dark that were slowly disappearing not leaving a scratch on him.

"HAHAHA that was surprising I wasn't expecting it to be so explosive, thought I could catch it HAHAH" he was laughing before Nami ran up to him, still tears in her eyes, had hit him over the head, Chouchou right behind her making sure his owner was okay.

"don't try to catch a cannonball idiot!" she sopped not completely over the shock that he might have been death despite not really understanding why she felt so strongly like that, she just knew she didn't want him death.

"sorry sorry" he said somberly with his trademark smile never leaving and bringing her into a, surprising to her, embrace patting her back, which made her feel slightly better. "had to protect Zoro and his friend" when she had finally calmed down he let her go and turned towards the cage.

"hmmm you're a swordswoman?" Luffy asked Kuina stupidly looking at her sword, the woman part making her angry on reflex, and she just nodded somberly in response. "are you two rivals by the way?" Luffy continued asking to which he got another nod this time from both of them. "eeeeh so you're both fighting over the title as best swordsmaster… neat" the redhead looked at her thoughtfully before talking to Zoro and asking him a question. "I like her, mind her joining the crew?" huh? Kuina looked on confused. That was quick Zoro thought before answering.

"eeeh I'm going to surpass her and every other someday… but I guess I don't mind" he gave her a teasing smile, and at his answer Luffy turned towards Kuina.

"you heard him want to join us? I love great big dreams and I'll make sure one of you get it fulfilled hahah or maybe both of you?" he asked her with a glowing smile and she fully believed that with him her dream could be fulfilled, even though so few other men had believed in her dream Luffy did. Hmmm? Joining Zoro on his travel… I don't think I would mind that, and this guy is certainly strong enough to follow. Kuina thought the proposition over.

"alright I'll join you captain, get me out of this cage and I'll deal with them" she nodded towards the pirates.

"yosh you and Zoro can deal with them and leave Buggy to me"

"you've been ignoring me for so long… unacceptable!" Buggy yelled tired of being ignored but turning silent when he saw how Luffy's arm were turning black with a dark red tint. HAKI?

"Jolly Roger – claw!"

Luffy yelled as he brought his now completely black hand down the cage Kuina was in, ripping off the side of the cage he had attacked, stunning Kuina and Zoro standing just beside the cage slowly getting used to his captain's ridiculous strength but still impressed. Gingerly stepping out of the cage Kuina drew her blade and readied herself for battle. It was an impressive sight as she became stone faced, her eyes emotionless and her every muscle were tensing and then relaxing resulting in her body looking almost death, if not for the fact that she stood up with a sword in her hand, one could mistake her for a corpse, which made it very hard for one to predict how she would move or attack.

"reaper style – land of the death"

She whispered softly enough that only Zoro and Luffy heard it. The pirates thinking that she had simply relaxed, rushed her and found themselves falling one by one with a single fatal injury, as Kuina was weaving in and out between them with what appeared as unnatural movements, as she barely took steps or moved her arms yet the pirate still found themselves killed one by one by small fatally precise cuts from Kuina's sword. Zoro not wishing to miss the fight rushed in beside her with his own three swords intending to show her he had become much better, killing at the same pace as her but with more violent swings that left gushing wounds on the pirates and severed some limbs.

"don't take everyone! save some for me" he joked with her with a grin over the sword in his mouth, her impassive lips spreading for just a second before her fighting face returned. A flashy man on a unicycle suddenly rushed forwards them yelling about how he was a swordsman and would defeat them, with neither Zoro or Kuina taking him very seriously as it was clear that the unicycle was hindering his abilities and he went down like all the others.

Those two are killing all my men. If it was just them I could handle them myself but as long as that redhead is here I can't do anything. How does he know how to use haki, this is the east blue the most peaceful of the seas there shouldn't be a scary individual like that here Buggy was thinking before slowly trying to sneak of while Luffy's attention were on watching his new crewmate, but as soon as Buggy started sneaking towards the building were he kept all his money, he noticed that the orange haired girl had sneaked off before him and were now holding all his money in a bag. The sight angered him and he was just about to kill her for touching his money before he was jumped by the dog guarding her, making him scream until it finally got off of him, it might not have hurt with his power but it was still scary to be gnawed on.

"yosh yosh good boy" Luffy praised Chouchou as he patted it making his tail wag. To the horror of Buggy he now saw that the two sword fighters had already finished of his entire crew, filling the plaza with bloody corpses several of them missing limbs from Zoro's attacks.

"please let me go, you wouldn't kill an old friend of your pop would you?" Buggy begged.

"HAHAH I don't care" Luffy simply laughed before walking slowly towards him. Brat! he is looking down me, he isn't even taking me seriously, I'll just surprise him! if I can get in one good shot I can kill him then that haki won't even matter. Buggy was now smiling to himself readying for when Luffy got close enough, and as soon as he was Buggy yelled out.

"chop chop – festival"

Making all of his bodypart split up in different directions and flying around Luffy in a tornado, he expected Luffy to be surprise but he had barely started the attack before his head, which he had forgotten to put at a safe distance, was sucker punched knocking him out making his scattered body parts fall to the ground.

"can't believe he used to be my dads rival… he is so weak… " Luffy said to himself his smile a little smaller than usual and with a bored tone.

"what should we do about him" Nami asked.

"can't turn in the bounty as I ain't a bounty hunter any longer, who are you?" Kuina pitched in before asking the orange haired girl she had seen arriving with her captain and Zoro

"oh yes introduction is in order I'm Monkey D. Luffy future pirate king, and this is Nami our navigator, she wants to make a map of the world" Luffy answered with a smile throwing his arm around her shoulder, which made her elbow him in the side at his words.

"get it into your head I'm not joining any pirate crew, and it's a shame about the bounty but your probably right wouldn't be safe… let's just tie up his body parts and leave him for the townspeople, I got what I wanted" Nami stated with berries in her eyes.

"you're an evil woman" Zoro commented on her answer.

After they had tied up Buggy the little group made their way towards the dock.

"hmmm 4 people. Well you have to start somewhere. Is the dog also part of the crew?" Kuina asked to which Zoro sighed.

"yup… and were using a dingy little lifeboat" Zoro answered with a disappointed tone, and Kuina thinking that he had to be joking, which she was disappointed to discover weren't the case as they set sail. As Zoro and Kuina were rowing Luffy were roaming through his back pack.

"aaaaaaah Naaaaami I think we drank all my alchohol last time" he was complaining to Nami. "hahaha well at least we had fun doing it" Giving her a radiant smile, while she was blushing at what he could be alluding to when he said it.

"idiot! i told you that never happened!" she yelled as the two swordfighters were looking on in confusion.

"huh even the drinking?" Luffy questioned.

"all of it!" Nami growled back angry that he hadn't understood it the first time.

"but it felt like you really liked what i did with my-" he started gesturing with his hands while blushing slightly from the happy memory before she clogged him, beet red in the face. She was about to further reprimand him when the crew heard a yell.

"OOOOI YOUNG ONES‼ THANK YOOOU‼ PLEEEEASE TAKE GOOD CARE OF CHOUCHOOU‼" they could see the old man standing on the dock waving at them wildly.

"HAHAHA SURE HAHAHA" Luffy was laughing and waving back just as wildly with Chouchou barking happily just beside him as the crew sailed off into the horizon with smiles on their faces, the captain's jolly mood spreading.

Author's note:
sorry for the long wait but here it is, new crewmembers, i'm excited to hear people's thoughts on Kurina and Chouchou joining the gang.

i'm also interested in folks thoughts on Kurina's sword style. My thought was that she was kinda opposit in style to Zoro, focusing more on fast and precise attacks and counters. She will not be joining Luffy's future harem, as she is Zoro's girl, but i want to know folks thoughts about their relationship. Do you want to see more or this enough. I haven't yet decided if i want to write lemons with other characters than Luffy.

i also want to know peoples' thoughts on death of minor villains. This will mostly be characters we don't see again or whose roles are so small that they can be ignore... like mochi

as always reviews are a great insensitive to upload new chapters