Chapter 5 Faith of a Captain Part 2

Three days later...

In the bar of the island...

"Man that hit the spot" Axel let out a sigh of relief as he drank his sake.

"Would you like something else" one of the bartenders asked.

"Na am good"

"You shouldn't drink so much Axel" Allison said.

"Want some?" Axel offers his sake.

Allison shakes her head in response as she continues to eat her meal of steak, mash potatoes, green peas, corn and a side of orange juice.

Axel smirk as her response as he expected as much." So were headed to the Grand Line to search for the famous One Piece Treasure"

Allison said nothing as she gave a couple blinks in response. Seeing that he wasn't getting a answer, Axel decided to elaborate.

"Every pirates that set sail mostly have one goal in mind. To gain power,wealth, and fame. To find Gold Roger's treasure One Piece and to become King of the Pirates"

Allison said nothing for a few minutes before she broke up into a laughter. Now it was Axel turn to be confused, if they were pirates it only made sense that they were after One Piece to gain the title King of the Pirates.

Axel frown. "What so funny?"

After a couple seconds, Allison was able to compose herself as she looked at a frowning Axel. Sitting up straight, she looked around the bar. The people were celebrating after she and Axel had defeated Lee Chow and his bandit group. They held a large party that lasted for three days, there were lots of singing, dancing, drinking, playing, laughing and crying tears of joy because the reign of the Crow Bandits was over and they were able to go back to being a peace village that they were. On the third day everyone were wasted after two days of drinking with the exception of Allison, the children and some of the women. The next morning, Axel and Allison made their way to the bar for something to eat before they would leave the island.

Allison sighed before she turned her attention back to Axel with a smile. "Naa, it's to early for that yet"

Axel blinked a couple times before he continued to question her even farther. "If we aren't headed to the Grandline then where are we headed"

"We are headed to the Grandline but just not yet" Allison chuckled as she took a sip from her juice before settling it down. "We need a ship of we even wanted to reach the Grandline and we need more crew mates if we want to survive. So might as well sail the blues, get what we need and head straight for the Grandline."

Axel nodded as he understood what she was telling him. "So we don't have ship"

"Nope. Just a small boat"

Axel sweat dropped at her words. "And there are no other crew mates that I need to meet?"

"Nope it's just you and me" Allison shake her head. "But am sure we will fine others"

Axel chuckled. "I expected as much, than we better get going before the people figure out were pirates and kick us out. "

Allison nodded in agreement. The villagers didn't need to know that they were saved by pirates, that just unheard of. But they were going to figure out someday but Allison didn't want to be there when they did. Both of them stood up and headed out the bar as they saided their farewell to the people of the village. But not before they were offer food and supplies for their journey curtesy of the villagers themselves. They happily accept their gifts knowing very well that they didn't have much money or supplies in their boat and that the villagers wouldn't be offering them stuff if they knew who they really were. So they ended up fooling the people of the village. Not your typical pirates pretending to be heroes to gain supplies.

"Goodbye! Come back any time!" The villagers cheered as they waved to Allison and Axel as they began to sail off.

"Sure! We will be happy too!" Allison shouted back as she waved goodbye to them.

Axel sweated dropped at her words as Allison waved at the villagers like she knew them for a long time and was now leaving them for a short while.

"I wonder if their offer will still stand when they find out?"

"who knows, but am sure they will figure out it once we get a bounty" Allison chuckled as she handled the sail.

Axel nodded in agreement as he sat in relaxation. Looking at the sea headed of them wondering what adventures and danger awaited them.

Three weeks later...

"This is your fault"

"How is it my fault?" Allison asked.

"Because were in the middle of no where and we don't have a boat!" Axel shouted as he held on to a piece of wood tightly to keep him afloat in the middle of the sea. "If you had just listen to me! We wouldn't be in this situation in the first place!"

"It's not my fault that the storm appeared destroying our boat and everything in it!" Allison whined back.

"If you had just recruited on of those navigators we came across than we would have at least we would have keep our boat!" Axel said as he was becoming more annoying and their situation didn't help. They were caught in a storm and now they depended on a piece of wood from their destroyed boat. It had been three weeks since he joined Allison and they decided to search for a navigator. Allison was pretty decent navigator but even she had her limits and Axel was no good at reading charts or maps so they pretty much depended on Allison to get them around.

"Why did you have to be so picky. We can't afford to be picky, Allison. We need a navigator now so why didn't you recruit one of 6 navigators we came across"

Allison said nothing as looked down at her woods that keep her afloat. Axel waited for a respond as he looked at her. But he couldn't tell what she was thinking as her hair was wet and loose and her bangs covered her eyes. He didn't know what she as thinking. He never knew what she was thinking. Even when they been traveling together, Axel still didn't understand her. She was just a hard person to read because he never knew what she is up to next. He knew she was a good and strong person, she was also a bit rude when she wanted to be but she was also polite. She was quick on her feet and with her hands. She handles a sword vey well and she had a perfect aim with those guns of hers. She also knew stuff that he didn't since he never spent much time at sea. He was a land person not a sea person plus he didn't knew much about pirates beside that they stole and went against the marines. He wasn't stupid, he meet and took out plenty of pirates before he went after Lee Chow but he never images himself as a pirate before. Not before he meet Allison.

And here he was floating in the middle of now where with Allison as his captain. If someone had told him years ago that he would turn into a pirate, he would have beaten that person up for saying such nonsense. But in a way he felt honored. Of the people Allison couldn't have chosen she chose him as her First-mate. From he figured, Allison was very picky went it comes to recruiting people for their crew. If they had this much trouble finding a suitable navigator, Axel can't imagine the trouble Allison went to find a suitable first mate. After all, the first mates has to be someone the captain can trust to help him, Allison is basically putting a lot of faith in him if she offer him to join her crew only after they just meet.

Sighing Axel decided to let it go. Allison was the captain and she decides who joins the crew. His job as the first mate was to support her and be there when she need him. No matter the ups and downs they faced in three weeks, Allison has showed many times that she cares for him. After all she keep her promise when he asked her to leave Chow to him and she did, she even defended him against Mello when he was getting in him way and took care of him. They had fought other pirates and some marines, she already proved to be a capable fighter and leader. She knew what she was doing even when at times they didn't make sense. If anything, Allison was different than any person he meet before and he was glad to be in her crew. If he knew something, he didn't have to worry about being bored because he learned that when you travel with her, you will never be bored. They got into constant trouble but nothing they can't handle, so far.

Axel frowned as he still waited for response but nothing came.'did he push her too far? Should he apologize?'

Axel swam up to her and shook her shoulders to get her attention but when he was meet with none, he picked up her face to get a better look at her.

Axel sweat dropped as Allison was sound asleep. Had been arguing with himself all this time. She was awake when the argument started but she must have found his argument nonsense and decided to take a nap. That sounded like her. When something was boring or she found a waste of her time, she won't listen.

Sighing Axel let her sleep making sure she didn't let go of her piece of woods and went underwater. Looking around for any land he was meet with none until he caught sight of ship. A pirate ship to be corrected. A Jolly Roger with some sort of design that he didn't recognize. Deciding it was time, Axel shocked Allison hard enough to wake her up but not enough to drop her off her piece of wood.

"What's wrong," Allison sleepy said. "Did you spot land yet?"

Axel shook his head in response. "But there is a pirate ship headed our way. I don't recognize their Jolly Roger but they could be trouble"

"I guess you could be right but we won't know until we meet them" Allison began to wave her right hand as she used her left to keep hold the woods. "Hey! Over here!"

Axel grinned. He didn't know what she was up too but it was sure to be something interesting. Deciding it was better than floating in the middle of no where. He followed her example.

"Over here! Help us!"

Allison and Axel continued to yell for help until the ship spotted them and headed towards them. Allison let out a sigh of relief. Happy to be able to be on dry ship.

"Is that a duck with a fork and knife" Axel asked asked as the unknown ship stood next to them. A rope was dropped from above the deck, Allison and Axel grabbed on as the pulled on aboard.

"Thanks for the help" Allison replied happy to be dry.

"Ya, thanks" Axel stood up to see their rescuers and wasn't surprised to see a bunch of pirates concerning their flag. No marine flag but a Jolly Roger. A strange Jolly Roger but a Jolly Roger no less.

"Captain it's only two kids, what should we do with them" one of the pirate asked as a muscular man with blond hair tied in braids advanced towards them. The captain said nothing as he study them. Seeing if they were any kind of threat.

"Thank you for the rescue, names Allison. Captain" Allison saluted at the captain as she stood up making eye contact with the man.

"What are you brat doing here" the captain asked with a frown on his face. You could tell he wasn't happy with finding a couple of kids floating in the middle of no where and he happen to be passing by.

Allison said nothing but keep her saluted up,making no effort to speak or move what so ever as she keeps her smile on her face and keep her eyes on the captain.

"Sorry captain, about my friend here." Axel interrupted. "She has been in the sun for too long"

A grunt was the captain's only response. Allison let her hands fall to her side as she stopped saluting but keep her smile and eyes focused on the captain.

"our boat was caught in a storm and it was destroyed. We barely manage to make it out alive but we were left without a boat" Axel finished off.

"Don't you brats know how to sail" The captain asked.

"No...I don't but Allison knows" Axel responded as he turned to Allison for some help. The captain also turned his attention to Allison who keep quiet while he spoke to Axel.

"I know how to navigate but am no expert" Allison simply responded as she shrugged, noticing that the attention was focused on her. "we were on the process to finding a navigator"

"Navigator? Are you brats pirates" The captain asked as he took a better look at them. They kind of look like pirates. Both of them had swords tied to their sides, but other than that they looked like normal teenagers.

Allison nodded. "Tho, it's just me and Axel for now but we will others soon enough"

The captain said nothing as he decide what to do with them.

"Captain, would you mind if you were to drop us off in the nearest island" Axel asked as nicely as he could. The sooner they were on dry land the better. He just wanted to be as far away from these pirates. The captain was giving him the creeps as he tried not to show it.

"Why would I do that brat" the captain responded with a frown.

Allison grinned as she took in his response, crossing her arms as she stepped forward to face the captain. Her eyes never living the captain.

"There are things you should now about being a pirate, Axel" Allison took another step forward. The crew became at edge as they watched her get closer to their captain, the grin never leaving her lips. They thought that she was either brave or stupid to come face to face with their captain. "Pirates never do something without expecting something in return. Pirates never do favors for no reason. In order to get something in return, you need to offer something of equal or more. Since we don't have money, we can't offer that. We only have our weapons on us but we won't give those. And we can't take them out. We are aboard their ship so pretty much they have the advantage over us."

The captain and the crew frown at her words that were pretty much true in the sense. That girl was smarter then she looked. She knew how to survive unlike her companion. They said nothing as they waited for her to continue. Axel watched Allison with amazement. He knew that Allison had sailed before concerning how much she knew about sailing and a bit of navigation. It can also explain her usage of a sword and guns. Silence filled the room as no one moved. With the crew with caution expression, the captain with a frown and Axel with amazement. Allison held her grin as the tension began to grow by the second before she continued.

"In simple words we have nothing to offer in exchange for ride to the nearest island. Nothing but our lives." Allison paused as everyone gave her a surprised look, looking at her like she was crazy as her grin grew by the second. "We agree to work for you for two whole month but in exchange we get dropped of in the nearest island we find ourselves along with a small boat with supplies."

The captain said nothing as he was concerning her request. While the crew couldn't believe what they were hearing. The girl was basically selling herself and her friend for a ride and a ship with supplies. Axel looked at Allison like she was crazy. She was selling them for a boat. They will have to work for the man for two whole months. He will have to deal with this crew and creepy captain for two months. 'Has Allison lost her mind. But than again at least they won't be killed which would have be worst.' If there anyone that could get them out, it was her so he had no choice but to go along with her plan.

"What's the catch brat" the captain asked as he keep frowning.

Allison grinned as she shook her head in response. "There is no catch. We work for you for two months. We do what you orders us to do when you want. In basic terms we will be your cabin boys for two months to pay off a supplied boat and a safe passage to the nearest island. After that we can all go our own merry way without having to see each other again"

"You don't seem worry about working for a total stranger. Brat" the captain asked. "You must be very desperate to be offering this."

"I am. It's necessary that we survive even if it means working for a pirate for a while. After all it only for two months. Am not in a rush to head out to the Grand line." Allison extended her hand to the captain. "Do we have a agreement, captain"

The captain remained silent for few months before he nodded, accepting her hand. "Alright than, two months than you brats are out of here"

"I want nothing more, captain" Allison grinned. "May we know the name of our captain."

"Zeff" the captain replied.

Allison raised her eyebrow. "Red Leg Zeff. I presume"

Zed nodded. "You guys better get to work, help the others rise the sails"

Allison nodded. "Alright captain"

Allison followed the rest of the crew towards the sails with a confused Axel right behind her.

One Month Later...

"Lower the sails! " Zeff shouted to the crew who quickly responded to complete the order. Allison and Axel sweating from the constant heat they were getting. Some of crew were getting tan while Allison and Axel didn't. Allison never got tan no matter how many hours she spent under the sun's rays. She couldn't gain a bit more color. Axel didn't get darker due to the burns that covers his whole body minus his head. The burns of his face managed to heal unlike the rest of his body that the heat didn't affect him that much.

"Thats enough for today. Your dismissed" Zeff finished off. The men sighed in relief of being done for today. To have a chance to rest after another day of hard work. Allison drank some water before she wiped the sweat from her forehead and offered some water to Axel, who gladly accepted.

"So what do you think about being a pirate so far" Allison asked as the she sat down resting her legs after spending hours standing.

Axel said nothing as he sat beside Allison as he took another drink of water. "It's harder than I imaged but I will manage."

Allison chuckled at his response as she expected as much. Leaning against one of barrows as leverage she took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. "You know it's one of the reasons I did this"

"What do you mean?"

"Why we joined Zeff's crew. You needs the experience to see how pirates lives. Since you never sailed along side a pirates." Allison paused as she open her eyes facing Axel. "You gain experience sailing and we gain a boat. We're killing two birds with one stone"

"Yeah I figure as much" Axel chuckled looking at her. "I got to say, now I know how to handle a sails and learned some navigate techniques. So I will be able to help you more often"

"Glad to hear that" Allison grinned as she stood up offering Axel a hand. "Come on we better get some sleep. We have another day tomorrow."

Axel grinned as he accepted her help and both of them made their way toward the buck rooms where they slept with the rest of the crew. Unaware that Zeff was watching them with a neutral expression on his face.

Another Month later...

(The end of the deal)

"Alright you brats, now get out of here" Zeff said as he watched Allison and Axel get aboard the boat he gave them like he promised. They worked for him for two whole months, keeping up with the rest of the crew. Never once complaining of the hard work be forced the, to endure. They helped around the ship in anything that needed extra hands. They were also excellent fighters, Allison was very good with her sword but a even better shooter with her guns. Axel was a excellent Swordsmen despite his wounds that covered his body. He wonder about those. Wondering how he could have gotten them but decided to let it go. It wasn't his business to ask. A man wounds were his own, he has no need to explain them.

"We're going to miss you too Zeff!" Allison shouted as they began to sail off. "I look forward to fight you the future! I want to experience fighting the great Red Leg Zeff for myself someday!"

"Bye Zeff" Axel waved to the Zeff and his crew as distance began to grow between them. Zeff and his crew grinned as they watch their temporary cabin boys sail off. They had come to respect them, both of them were hard workers and strong fighters. It was too bad that they didn't stay with them and become official members of the crew. But waved neither less, watching as they sailed off to the nearest island.

"Raise the sails! Let's get out of here!" Zeff shouted as the crew began to follow the order. Zeff gave one last glance at the small boat that sailed away before turning his back and continue his regular routine before two brats came along.

"Man, I am glad that's over" Axel let out a sigh of relief as he stretched his arms before he let them fall in lazy manner. "Zeff was a cool man but I don't think I could have handle him bossing me around"

Allison chuckled. "They were good enough to not kill us right away. Which can't be the same with other pirates. Ever crew has their own routine they go by but in the end a pirate is a pirate."

"Yeah I figure as much" Axel chuckled as he looked at the island that awaited them. "What the names of the island were headed."

"Eastal Island" Allison answered as they approached the island.

"Now this is one peaceful town" Axel said as he walked the calm street of the town with Allison beside him. They only arrived to Eastal Island a few minutes ago and after tying their boat to the dock, Allison suggested they explore the island.

"Yeah, we just might find someone" Allison smiled as she looked forward to finding a navigator for the crew. They really needed a navigator but not just any navigator, he or she had to be very skilled and strong enough to survive a pirate's life. But that's something not many people possessed, so she just couldn't recruit any navigator they come across. Axel keep bother her about not being picky and to just pick a navigator, that they couldn't afford to be picky. But he was wrong, they could afford to be picky, they would be head to the Grand Line in the future and that was no joke. They needed a skilled navigator to navigate them through the harsh waters of the Grand Line and not many people can do that. "I think we should spit up to cover more ground"

Axel began to think about her suggestion by agreed either less. "This town is very peaceful so I doubt their could be danger around but their is a marine base here so I suggest we keep a low profile"

Allison nodded. "Alright than, let's meet in that bar in two hours"

Looking where she pointing to a small bar beside them. It was small and you could smell good food, which made a perfect place to meet for lunch.

Axel grinned before he headed to the west part of the town while Allison went east. For the past hour and half, Axel and Allison posed as travelers as they looked around the town. Their were many produce stands on the street and the town was very peaceful as the people calmly walked to the street as if they didn't have a care in the world. Studying the people, she couldn't find anyone worth her while as she continued to search for a possible navigator. If they didn't find one in this island they would have to move on to the next island.

As she continued to walk the street she saw a couple of kids playing around. They looked so happy. But something else caught her attention. A small book store. She wasn't much of a reader but she read once and while when she was bored. Deciding to give is shot, Allison entered the book store.

And what she found really surprised her, the book store was well organized despite the thousands of books that were there. Looking around the store, she looked for any thing that could be of use. Walking towards the casher she found a man sitting down as he wrote something on a journal.

"Hello?"

"Hello is anyone home" Allison began to poke the man to get his attention. As she was meet with none, she quickly took the notebook from him.

"What?" The man began to lift his head towards her as he held a confused look. "Do I know you!"

Allison beamed at his words. "Nope but I was just looking around"

The man gave her a tired look. "Looking round"

The man began to stay up from his chair so Allison could get a better look at him. He was a tall and slim man with spiky blue hair hair with small black eyes behind his round glasses. He wore a dark green pants with his grey shirt, completed with his long blue coat that matched his hair.

"It's a nice store you got here" Allison began to look around. "Have you been out in the world or have you always been in this town"

The spiky blue haired man pushed his glasses up. "No I perfer to stay here the town needs all the help it can get. I have no plans to leave it"

"Allison" She offer her hand.

"Shizuo" Shizuo response as he accepted her hand shake. "traveler?"

Allison nodded. "Just got here a few hours ago"

"Tell me if you need anything" than Shizuo return to his deck and to his notes as he forgotten that Allison was there in the first place.

"Same here" Allison grinned as she exited the store looking forward to telling Axel about her findings.

At the bar in Eastal Island...

"I found some navigators on this island. What to check them out" Axel asked as he drank his sake.

Allison shook her head in replied. "No, I found someone better"

"You did?" Axel looked at her as if she hand grown an extra limb. "Who the lucky man or women"

Allison said nothing as she continued to drink here juice. Making no eye contact with him as she was hiding something or planning something. He didn't know which since they pretty much looked the same.

"Need anything else" one of the female bartenders asked.

While Axel shook his head to say 'no', Allison nodded her head. " do you know a man named Shizuo."

The women stood quiet before she answered. "You mean the book store owner, Shizuo"

Allison nodded. "He seems to really like this town"

The women sat down beside them. "My name is Isuzu. But up yeah he does care about the town more than anyone else I know."

"Why is that?" Allison gave her a confused face.

"Shizuo's ancestors founded this town and he finds himself responsible for it after his father passed away when he was only a kid. We have a new mayor but Shizuo helps the town as much as he can"

Allison nodded taking in ever detail as she noticed Isuzu's worry expression that showed in her face. "What worries you"

"Shizuo does. He worries me. He always working so hard to keep this town safe and comfortable for the people that he doesn't enjoy the town itself"

Allison and Axel looked at her as she looked like she was about to cry. If anything Axel was confused. 'Who is Shizuo? Could he be the person, Allison was talking about? Is she planning to recruit him' Evan with all his questions, he decide to keep quiet and see what Allison will do.

"Really care about him, don't you"

Isuzu slowly nodded. "When we were kids, Shizuo told me that he planned to travel the world to see what in the next horizon but since his father died, he forgotten that dream. But I know there is still part of him that wants to do that. But he just won't let himself leave this town"

"You want him to leave this island" Allison response as she understood where she was going with this.

Isuzu nodded as she started to cry. She grabbed her skirt with both hands tightly as she tried to stop crying but failed. " I just want him to leave this dame town. I want him to be happy"

Allison and Axel said nothing as they watched Isuzu cry for her friend. She cares about her friend that she was willing let him go if it meant he would be happy traveling the world like he wanted to when they were kids. Allison stood up and placed her hand on Isuzu's shoulders who looked up despite the tears that still remains in her eyes. She found Allison grinning.

"Axel, I decided. We got ourself a navigator"

Axel let a sigh of relief as he smiled. "It's about time you made up your mind."

"What? What are guys taking about?" Isuzu asked as she watched Allison leave the bar and would had followed her if Axel hadn't stopped her. "Where is she going"

"Just going to recruit Shizuo"

"Recruit? But aren't you travelers?" Isuzu asked as she wiped her tears away with her sleeve.

Axel shook his head. "No, we're pirates"

"Pirates?!" Isuzu became alarmed with her new found knowledge.

"Shhh not so loud" Axel tried to keep her from causing a scene. He need to buy time, just enough for Allison to get Shizuo to agree to join the crew. "We don't plan to hurt you or this town, we're just searching for navigator for our crew"

Isuzu began to calm down a bit trusting that they won't harm the town's people. "You guys are after Shizuo aren't you"

Axel nodded. "You pretty much convinced her to have Shizuo join the crew"

Isuzu slowly nodded in understanding. "Shizuo is a very good navigator. The best of the town as far I know."

"That's why Allison went to asked Shizuo to join"

"Shizuo won't be a easy person to convince. He can't be blackmailed, he's to smart for that" Isuzu response with a worry expression. She didn't like pirates but she trusted Allison and Axel. They have been polite to the people of the town that they looked like normal traveling people. If they were pirates that meant that they would travel the world and face dangers. The danger part was what worried her but until now she knew that here was her chance to help Shizuo. He was kind to her, always helping and defending her when she need him. She always wanted to do something for him. Something to make him happy and here was her chance. Allison and Axel were good people and she knew that Shizuo would get along with just fine.

Looking at Axel smile, Isuzu calmed down. "You believe she will be able to convince him"

Axel nodded. "Allison will find a way to get people to join, one way or another"

Back in the book store...

"Your back" Shizuo responded as he saw Allison enter the store once again. "Can I help you with something"

Allison said nothing as she grinned, a plan already forming in her mind. Shizuo frowned as he already knew where this was going.

"Your a pirate from Wano aren't you"

Allison's grin turn to surprise look as she eyes light up. "How did you know?"

Shizuo pointed to her katana beside her. "That's a katana from Wano and you may might look like a traveler but your certainly a pirate"

Allison nodded. "Shi no Shinko"

"Death's Faith. I heard about that sword" Shizuo began to walk around her before he continued. "It was said that it was forge by a master blacksmith in Wano as a present for the emperor but it was stolen. The sword didn't appear again until a few months later when a man started to kill innocent people with it and long before that he killed the emperor."

"You know a lot about it"

Shizuo grinned as he pushed his glasses towards himself. "A lots of people died by that sword that it's known as a cursed sword. The owner of the sword was killed by a noble's son who used that same sword, the noblemen's son received the cursed sword as a reward from the emperor's son. From I know so far, that sword should have been under the protection of his deciendents."

Allison said nothing as she smiled nodding her head.

"You don't look like a thief so I could only come up with, is that you are a noble from Wano. Am I right"

Allison smiled turned to a grin. "Yeah, your right for the most part. But not all"

Shizuo grin as he accepted her challenge. "It seems that their is more to you than meets the eye"

Allison agreed. "I could say the same thing but we have a lot of time to know each other after you join my crew"

Shizuo didn't move nor response but he held a grin as he pushed his glasses as a shadow covered his eyes, making him look intimidating. "What make you so sure that I will join your crew. Sorry to say but I will have to decline your offer. I don't plan to leave this town and there is nothing you can do to force me"

"I know but your friend Isuzu is really worry about you. She wants you to be happy, she wants you to travel the world like you wanted"

"What do you know of what I want. This town is my home and I don't plan to leave it" Shizuo's grin was replaced with a frown.

Allison shrugged. "Am not going to force you to do something you don't want to do. But am offering a chance to join us, to travel the world, to see what beyond the horizon."

Allison paused for a moment before she continued. "We can't always do things on our own. It can only bring us so far before. You must learn to trust on others. To be with others"

Shizuo said nothing as he quietly listen to her request. His eyes never leaving her.

"We plan to leave the island in three days and until than you have a chance to decide." Allison began to walked toward the door as she turn her back but stopped once she reached the handle. "I promise we won't leave before than but my offer only stands for three days before we have to move out.

And with that Allison left the store leaving a frowning Shizuo behind.

Back at the bar...

"What did he say" Isuzu asked with her voice full of hope but dissolved as soon as it came once she saw Allison reenter the bar without Shizou. "He said no didn't he?"

Allison nodded.

"See there is nothing we can do. I knew he would never accept" Isuzu sat down in depression of the news. Axel didn't move as he noticed that Allison keep smiling despite that Shizuo had decline her offer. So something was up.

"We aren't done here, right" Axel asked with a grin on his lips as he saw were she was going.

Allison grin right back. "We will stay here for three days before we move on. If he doesn't change his mind by than we leave"

"What? What are you talking about" Asked a confused Isuzu as she noticed that Allison and Axel were both grinning and looking at each other.

Allison turned her attention to a confused Isuzu. "Is there a place where we can stay for few days?"

Isuzu nodded as she wiped away her tears. "Yeah, you can stay at my place if you like"

"Great!" Allison smiled while Axel chuckled as her response. No doubt in his mind that the coming three days will be like hell.

Day One ...

"What have you gotten us this time, Al!" Axel shouted while running beside Allison from a mob of angry marines.

"Just taking the flow!" Allison laughed as they ran through the streets of the town.

It has only been one day since they took temporary residence in the town and already the marines and towns people figure out out that they were pirates. The people town were in panicking mode as they avoid them, not offering them food, supplies, or shelter. Once the person figure out that they were pirates Isuzu couldn't shelter them anymore so they had to live in the streets. Isuzu was kind enough to bring them breakfast and dinner without getting caught by the marines. If the people figure out that Isuzu was helping them it would bring only trouble.

"Just keep running" Allison shouted as she ran even faster and Axel did the same. As the angry marines began to chase them throughout the day.

Day Two...

"Finally! It's about time we took a break" Axel asked, he let out a sigh of relief as he sat down on the ground.

Allison chuckles as she takes a seat next to him. "It wasn't so bad"

"Not so bad.! We had the marines chasing us for entire day and half" Axel shouted.

"Yeah but we took care of them" Allison looked behind her as 20 or so marines lad beaten up and worn out. They got tired after chasing them all day and when Allison got bored mainly due to Axel's complains. She decided to finish this by taking out them out. They also took control of the marines base for a while to avoid chances of the marines to call for backup. The town people were filled with terror of the thought of being taken over by pirates, two strong pirates no less.

"Why didn't you force him to join so we could get it over with" Axel asked wiping the sweat from his face with the sleeves of his shirt.

"We just can't force him" Allison replied as she took a drink of water and offered some to Axel who accepted. "He's too smart for that. The only way to get to him is to negotiate. Offer him something"

"And what might that be" asked a confused Axel.

"The horizon" Allison smiled as they watched the sun set. Looking as beautiful colors mixed of purple, orange, yellow and red filled the sky beyond the horizon. Axel smiled since there was nothing much he could do. What ever she meant had to do with what she offer Shizuo and he would leave it as that.

Day Three...

"Well it's almost time to go" Axel let a yuan escape his mouth after the trouble they endure for the past three days. And Shizuo had yet to show his face. "The marines are certain to get here in a few hours so I suggest we leave as soon as he gets here."

Allison nodded in understanding. "We have four hour left. We won't leave until than, we will fight any coming marines if we have to but we're not leaving this island yet."

"Alright, what ever you say captain" Axel when towards the boat to prepare for departure while Allison stood staring at the street of the town, waiting for Shizuo to show his face.

In Shizuo's Book Store...

Isuzu enters the book store quietly as didn't want to make to much noise that would give her location away. Slowly walking through the rolls of books she found Shizuo working as he read one of his books, not once lifting his head.

"They been looking for you" Isuzu advanced towards him, waiting for some kind of response. When she was meet with none she forced the book that Shizou was reading out of his has before he took notice her presence.

"What? Oh its only you Isuzu" Shizuo let a sigh of relief as he straight himself. "What's wrong?"

Isuzu by that point couldn't contain her tears as she slapped Shizuo across the face before she broke into tears. "You idiot! Don't you see we only want to help you!"

"Isuzu!?"

"Don't Isuzu me! Please stop lying to yourself Shizuo" Isuzu grabbed him by the collar as she fell to her kneels in tears. "Please stop this!, I can't stand to see you like this! This lying to yourself! I know you care about this town but your not responsible for it. You are not your father so please let it go!"

Shizou stood in shocked as he watch Isuzu cry in front of him. He didn't know what to do. Kneeling down to her level, he placed his hand on her head for comfort. Isuzu continued to cry trying her best to stop and wipe the tears away.

"They want you to go with them" Isuzu response as she dry her tears. "I..I want you to go with them."

Shizuo frown as her words. "There pirates, Isuzu. Nothing good will come out of them"

"I know but their different. They going to travel the world and head to the Grandline. Is that what you wanted"

Shizuo said nothing.

Isuzu smiled as she stood up with Shizuo's help. "The marines been after them but they took them out. They even took over the marine base. The town's people have been panicking thinking that they might be killed. Evan with the marines and the town going after them, they haven't moved from the dock. They haven't killed anyone. They haven't left like they promised"

Again Shizuo said nothing as he stood deep in thought.

"I want you to be happy even if it means you sailing off with a bunch of pirates because at least I will know that you won't be alone"

Isuzu turned her back on him as she walked towards the door but stopped as her hands turned the knob. "There still waiting for you, you know"

And with that Isuzu left the store, leaving Shizuo behind as stood deep in thought. All alone in his store.

Back at the dock...

"Any luck" Axel yawned as he lean against the sail of the boat. There was only 5 minutes left in their deadline and Shizuo had yet to show himself. Axel didn't know what to think since he never meet the guy. He only heard about him from Isuzu who saided he was very smart and knew many things like navigation, scribes, history among other stuff. In his mind he sounded like a professor with social issues concerning that Isuzu told him that Shizuo mostly keep to himself and spend most of his time working behind a stack of books and papers. From Allison he heard that Shizuo was cool and he had to become their navigator. That there would be no one better than him. Axel retrain from making any judgement until he meet the man.

"Nope, but am sure he will come" Allison responded as she took a seat next to him. "It's all matter of time"

"Your putting a lot of faith in that man even when you meet him twice"

Allison shrugged. "I know but I have to have faith in life. Just as I have faith in you and Shizuo. So I know he will come."

Axel said nothing but nodded anyway. Looking at the sun still fresh in the sky. Birds were flying and the clouds were soft and smooth. The wind was strong but gentle. Perfect wind to sail. Axel let out a sigh as he closed his eyes letting the winds pass by his hair as he relax with the hot sun beaming against his face. Allison began to follow his example as they waited inside the boat.

"Now much of a welcoming party"

Axel and Allison quickly open their eyes to see Shizuo standing in from of them with a brown bag hanging by his side wearing the same clothing that Allison had first seen him wearing. He held a grin on his lips as he pushed his glasses which brought chills down Axel's spin.

"So your Shizuo" Axel asked nervously. Feeling uncomfortable around their suppose navigator. "So you finally made up your mind"

Shizuo smiled and nodded. "If your offer still stands"

Allison stood up offering a hand shake. "I wouldn't have left the island without you but am glad you came other wise we would have to kidnap you"

Axel sweat dropped at her words. "Why am I not surprised"

"I expect nothing more than that from you" Shizuo smiled as he began to board the boat but was interrupted.

"Shizuo!" Isuzu shouted with tears in her eyes as Shizuo turned around. "Please take care of your self!"

Shizuo smiled as he nodded. "Bye Isuzu let's see each other again someday"

Isuzu nodded as she cried even more. "I will be waiting"

Allison and Axel couldn't help and watch at the touching moment. Shizuo boarded the boat and waved at Isuzu as they began to sail away from the island. When he couldn't see his home town anymore, Shizuo relaxed as he turned to his new crew mate and captain.

"So where are headed?"

Axel shrugged as he turned to Allison. "Where to captain?"

Allison grinned as she had both of Shizuo and Axel attention. "To what ever the tides take us"

Shizuo couldn't help but laugh as Axel become annoyed. "We have navigator now ! so we should have at least a destination in mind"

Allison took his comments into consideration. "I guess your right than...we sail the blues in search for a bigger ship and more crew members"

"So we're not headed to the Grand line" Shizuo asked.

"Nope" Allison responded as she shaked her head. "Too early for that"

"I got to ask Allison" Axel interrupted them before Shizuo continues to question Allison about their destination. "We already have three members in the crew which makes it official. So what the name of the crew"

Allison said nothing as she began to think. Shizuo and Axel just looked at her waiting for her response as both of them because curious of the name she who pick. They waited for what seem like ages ago when Allison stood up looking as the sun began to set. Looking as the birds still flied through the beautiful sky as the sunset's color reflected on the sea. Both Axel and Shizuo said nothing before Allison turns her attention to them with a smirk on her lips and her hands on her hip.

"Axel, Shizuo. From now on, we will be known as the White Creed Pirates" Allison replied as she held her smirk.

Axel and Shizuo smiled and nodded at her choice for the crew's name, no doubt liking the sound of it. "What are your orders, captain of the White Creed Pirates"

"We set sail to find us a ship!"

? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ? ﾟﾍﾲ

What do you think of the story so far. I should have started writing this story last month but you know it summer vacation and summer stuff happen. I have the whole story planned out but I might make some changes if I feel the story needs a few changes for the story to work farther in the future. Allison and her crew are my own character that I made up so they belong to me. Ford, Jim and Chad are also my character which I included as members of the Whitebeard Pirates in order to make the story work so the might not appear again since they aren't original character of One Piece other than in flashbacks. I will do my best to match the original time line and involved as many of the original characters and their personality without damaging the original story since I do plan to include the Straw Hats Pirates but that won't come till later on.

I researched names for my characters and I found out that Allison means "Of Holy Fame" which matches to what I have planned for her. The name Axel means "Father Of Peace" which matches his personality and will also describes his future role in the crew. The name Shizuo means "Quiet Hero" which will be explained farther into the story.

One Piece belongs to Oda-sensi. Please leave any comments or questions that you might have.

Till next time,

Your book loving fan,

Neoqueen Sandy