A short week after the incident on Tull Island.

"Commander! Commander!" She ran up to the deck above her room to find her captain. "Commander!"

".....Ugh... April... Why wake me? And it's Commodore, I'm no damn commander." The groggy Commodore blinked open his eyes, he was have such a relaxing nap, he never gets those as it is.

Lt. Commander April Whitney stood in front of her mentor and leader Commodore Jagger Mathias. They had been perusing the pirate known as Roronoa Zeke for almost a year now, and there seemed to be a quite large rumor going around as of late. April had just received the rumors legitimate confirmation from Marine Headquarters and was to tell Jagger immediately. However, the news's content was more vital than the Headquarters let on.

"Captain! It's Roronoa Zeke! Headquarters has confirmed a rumor that he has come in contact with-"

~Z~X~Z~X~ (5 days ago)

"Jason.... Devega!?!" The old man nearly fell out of his seat. He was listening to the conversation of the people next to him in the bar, and the description the boy gave of a mysterious man he fought and seemingly nearly died against, was a dead on image of the man known as Jason Devega. Zeke, Rika, and Frank all looked at him with shock and confusion.

Zeke's puzzled moment of mind set suddenly clicked, "Wait! That name! That was the name of my father's apprentice!"

The old man stared at the blue haired boy, "Father..... LORD RORONOA ZORO!?!?!?!"

~Z~X~Z~X~

"Devega huh?..... Isn't he dead." Jagger looked dull and unconvinced at his Lt.'s words.

"It's true Captain! Several people in the village of Tull Island have been thoroughly investigated. By Roronoa's description of him, it couldn't be anyone else. The found the marker of his grave and his childhood home. The older people testified that Jason Devega indeed was born and lived most of his young life on Tull Island and 4 years ago Roronoa Zoro came with his body and buried him there!"

"......... And those dicks at Headquarters not only just found out all this, but I bet there treating those people like pirate accomplices too aren t they."

April held her elbow with her opposite hand (as they do in anime) and looked down in shame, "I.... I don't know sir. They didn't tell me anything about that.... I hope not."

Jagger grunted, "How the hell did Roronoa's kid meet him NOW?"

"Well-"

~Z~X~Z~X~

"A Devil Fruit?" Zeke was paying close attention to what the old man was saying. The old timer stroked his long gray beard, he also had long gray eyebrows and bushy gray hair in a pony tail to go with his facial hair. He now realized and accepted Zeke as Zoro's son and told him all he knew, "Well, that's what the rumors say. Even your father wasn't sure if he had eaten it. Jason always said he ate an odd looking fruit one day but nothing happened so he guessed it wasn't real. He never could swim anyways. But sometimes would act around him strangely and say they had seen him before in their dreams but never knew him outside those dreams. Then, always just days later, he would meet them. Some even say they've seen him in the cemetery after his death. Saying he was a'hauntin the place. That may very well be what happened to you."

~Z~X~Z~X~

Jagger stood up now, looking out into the ocean as they continued sailing in their ship across the Grand Line, "I see, I've heard of such a power. The Borei Borei no mi (ghost; the dead; departed spirits; apparition), some would even call it the brother fruit of the Yomi Yomi no mi possesed by the infamous Brook. Hmmmm.... The power to become an apparition....."

~Z~X~Z~X~

Zeke still didn't completely understand, "But why did it all feel so real? Why did he make me experience that?.... Come to think of it, he even knew my NAME. How?"

The man thought for a minute, stroking his beard more, "Some gossip about how he's not really dead because of this power he may have... or is it had? Anyway, he could have just been lurking about spiritually, listening to you and your friends talking. Then, when he found out who you were, he felt like he had to do something or something. As his master's son, he may have done it to TEST you for some reason you are not yet aware of. People believe that spirits, ghosts, apparitions and others like them can travel not only between worlds of living and dead, but TIME too. I'm not quite sure myself on the matter. But don't put anything in stone kid, who knows why what transpired that did happen and why. Just hope it all winds up in your favor."

~Z~X~Z~X~

"So, what does the 'All Mighty' Mainford care about this particular scenario anyway?" Jagger turned to his Lt. for an answer.

At first April stumbled, hoping the information she was about to give her beloved leader was good enough (she hates when he's angry, irritated, or annoyed), "Well... uh.... I.... The Headquarters believe that if Roronoa Zeke DID in fact came in contact with Jason Devega, Devega could have shared vital information with Zeke, such as lost secrets, hidden weapons, or even important information on the Younko, the Pirate King, and most likely, Roronoa Zoro. And if so, they wish for Zeke to either be captured for questioning or killed immediately for protection."

Jagger grunted loudly, "Ugghhh!..... Damn it. I thought our government cleared all that shit. We're still watching out for our own damn necks and not the people's. And here I thought things would be different when Aokiji became Fleet Admiral.... I'm sure Admiral Smoker thought so too."

April quickly tried to heal his doubts, "These order were given to Fleet Admiral Aokiji by the 5 Star Council. He had no choice but to take the orders."

Jagger rolled his eyes, "Of course, 20 years and 4 new members later and they still act in a way that could repeat the events DURING and close AFTER the WhiteBeard and Revenge Wars. Fine, tell fucking headquarters will get their damn information. Or I guess KILL Roronoa. Whatever I feel like doing the day we meet again."

April saluted him, "Yes sir!" before she left, she had to add one more thing, "Oh, and sir.... Um.... Headquarters said until Zeke is captured..... He...uh... Is your MAIN priority, and unless given other orders by an Admiral or Fleet Admiral, we are not to stray from finding him..... Um... Even if it means until he.... dies....." She quickly went down stairs, hearing her captain scream. "DAMN THOSE BASTARDS!!! I'M PRACKTICALLY CHASING A POSSIBLE RED HERRING!!! I DON'T WANT THAT THE REST OF MY LIFE!! It's cause I'm like Admiral Smoker and they think I'm a loose cannon isn't it!?!?!!?"

~Z~X~Z~X~

"Where are you going?" the old man looked at Zeke, he had gotten up from his seat listening to the man. Zeke walked near the bar door and looked back with a smile on his face. "I'm gonna go out and keep living my life. Like you said, I shouldn't worry about it." Rika and Frank got up and went to go out the door with him. Zeke gave his final words to the old man, "Besides.... Something happened to me when I 'fought' him. I feel different, stronger. And that's what I want to be, STRONGER. And there is only one person I wanna beat right now and will prove to ME that I am indeed stronger....."

~Z~X~Z~X~

Mopono Island (Fall Island), an island near Water 7. 1 month after leaving Tull Island.

Zeke stepped on some fallen twigs on the ground. This immediately alerted the man he was walking quietly towards. The man stood up from his spot next to a sakura tree and faced Zeke. This fall island was beautiful, maples, sakura, dogwood, trees of so many different species that would never thought to exist together all bloomed and fell alike here. This place full of shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow; no other color to be even seen.

The man smiled at Zeke, "So, you found me again huh? Arn't you tired of losing?"

Zeke smiled back, "Loosing? We both agreed the last TWO times were ties. And you're never hard to find, everyone in Water 7 remembered the... what was it? Oh yeah, the "imbecile that trashed Shipyards 1 2 and 4 in his fight with other pirates"."

Tatum rolled his eyes, "Whatever punk. You really think you have a chance? I assure you, this fight won t end in a tie."

Zeke put Faasuto and Rasuto in his mouth and held GinKiba and Makezuotorazu in each of his hands, "You're right.... It WON'T be a tie."

~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X

Episode 7: "To Each His Growth"

~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X

*SHING!*

The trees shook.

*CLANK!* *CLANG!* *CHING!*

Leaves and petals fell to the ground earlier than their time.

"HAAAA!"

*KING!*

Zeke's 4-sword style had improved tremendously. Holding Faasuto and Rasuto in his mouth had really balanced him and made him stronger, it was like having weights on his upper body.

"So...!" Tatum had a broad smile on his face, he swung back and forth side to side; Zeke rotating from one side to the other to catch and block his attacks. "You ARE better."

*CHING* *CHING* *CHING*

More swings, he was more into the conversation than really paying attention to the fight. Zeke took this as an opening and tucked one sword by his rib side opposite to the hand he was handling the sword with, and flipped the other. With the flipped sword (he changed the way the blade faced) he shot out a quick jab, Tatum jumped back, but because Zeke had flipped his blade, he swung it up and the tip caught enough of Tatum's right shoulder and cheek. Zeke then swung his tucked away blade and aimed for his stomach. Tatum caught it in time and blocked that blow at least. As they stood in temporary lock, Zeke flashed a grin, "You have NO IDEA how much stronger I really HAVE gotten."

They broke off and came at each other again.

*CLASH!*

The big clashed warped the air around them, and even knocked down more leaves. The broke off and clashed again, it turned into a "Who break's first?".

Clash again.

Clash again.

Again.

Again.

*CLASH!*

*BANG!*

*BOOM!*

After about the 7th clash, as they still struggled up against each other, Zeke now started a conversation, "Hey... Where's Mie?" Tatum pondered the question for a moment, "I don't know, somewhere on this island, she likes the way sakura petals look here."

~Z~X~

She held out her hand as a pale pink, slightly brown petal fell from the large Sakura Tree above her. Due to the never ending season of fall on this island, the trees here developed a storage way to grow. They would bloom for only 1 month and then fall for 5 and continue in the same manner until they died years and years later. Mie loved the look of these tree leaves, especially the sakura petals. They reminded her of beauty and cruelty at the same time, the rotting brown mixed with the wondrous pink. Secretly, this was also what she thought of Tatum, her lover till the day they died. She had known him since they were babies, and had always loved him... But, he didn't truly love her until-

*CHING!*

Her thoughts were interrupted by the constant banging noise of swords clanging together. She huffed with a smile; Zeke must had found Tatum again. For the past year they have now fought 4 times since meeting each other. They had even developed a mutual friendship, but their rivalry was too great for them to be friends who could laugh and have fun together unless they were trying to cut each other during their "fun".

"Hey Mei!" Zeke noticed her and waved then went back to fighting. She just kept smiling and waved back. They met after his second fight with Tatum, were he managed to tie against him due to both being stabbed mortally in their respective ribs. At the hospital, Tatum actually congratulated Zeke and they celebrated with beer... which, wasn't such a good idea considering they were still healing from their wounds. (That with beer just doesn't really work well together)

More hits and swings. Their fight continued for about 40 minutes more.... then.

*WHAM*

Zeke swung up his swords, knocking Tatum back, then he grabbed him and kneed him in the gut. Tatum dropped his sword and Zeke spun into him as fast as he could, "YOTTSU-BUREEDO-TATSUMAKI-FOOSU STRIKE!!!" (4 blade tornado force strike)

The made sure the wounds were shallow (don't want to kill his new 'friend' yet now do we?), but they now covered Tatum's body. He fell to the ground and gasped for air as he got to his knees, blood dripping down his whole body.

Zeke pointed his sword at him, near his neck, the fun was over now and it was all serious. "That's end game... I WIN... this time."

Tatum looked deep in his eyes.... smiled, then chuckled, "Hehehehe.. I yield. You do win... THIS time." Zeke smiled respectfully back and helped him up. He took Tatum to Mei and went on his way. Tatum smiled after him, "Well meet again punk! Hahaha! And I'll win then."

Zeke waved back, "You wish!"

~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X

Zeke's POV speech: "I fought Tatum 2 more times that year in the last 7 months till I turned 19. I also met Jagger again, twice. The next year of my life I met my father, battled Taeko and such. I never told him about Jason, I just felt that I shouldn't. It might have brought bad memories or false hope that he was still 'REALLY' around. Besides, I think what happened that night is something that should just be between me and Jason... I let Rika stay indefinably and fought Tautm some more, we're now at a 3-3-4 tie. Then met Jagger more, woohoo, with each escape they made my bounty slightly bigger, until it accumulated into the 176,000 I have now. Even Frank has one because of all the times he's helped me. And most recently, I met Hitori and Gweniver, I have a feeling I'm going to see them again.... sooner than I want to."

~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X ~Z~X

Present day (Zeke Age 20)

"Zeke!.....ZEKE!!" Zeke came out of his zombie like stare form his sword and looked down from the crow's nest. Once again, it was Rika. She was tapping her foot and looked at him angrily, "There you go again! Up there for hours doing nothing but stare off and NOT be productive.
Zeke made his way down to the deck, "Ugh... I'm contemplating my life Rika."

"Well contemplate it some other time or at least not so often! What do you have to contemplate!? You're 20!"

"Yeah, and I haven't had any crazy stuff happen to me yet..." Zeke rolled his eyes as he mocked Rika in a sarcastic tone.

"Asshole!" *WHACK* "It's the Grand Line, of course stuff has happened! Be a real man and don't cry over it!"

"Contemplating is NOT crying!" Zeke was now very argumentative, especially since Rika just hit him over the head for no reason, ("Rika can be so annoying sometimes!")

They growled and hissed back and forth at each other.

"Um.... guys."

"WHAT!?!?" They both shouted and barked at Frank who was trying to get their attention.

He slowly backed away and pointed out ward to an island being lit up in the mid-day sky. "Uh... We've got land."

It had been about a week at sea so Zeke and Rika were very excited to see land. "Alright! An island!"

"Yay! I can but new clothes, and good food!"

They docked their ship and went ashore, ready to explore and have fun on this new island.

~Z~X~Z~X~

After staying for about 3 days, they had spent nights at a hotel and were all ready for their next voyage and next island. Rika was carrying just a bagel she had just bought, biting into it, while Zeke and Frank carried all her stuff she bought.

As they approached their ship, they were greeted in front of it by a strange figure.

"Alo, mine friends. Rowanoaw Zeeek I prezume?" Zeke looked at the man in front of them. His accent was strange, a mix of Russian and Italian (as examples, not actual accents in this world) were the closest you could come to it, strong, stout, smooth, and suave (weird combo right?). He had long dark blond hair that came to his chest and covered most of his face. It was scraggily and unkempt. He had a thick wide goatee of the same color and you could see his chest in a long V shirt-suit. It was dark dark dark maroon (near black) and had coat tails. His sleek pants matched his shirt, and he had black boots. He was tall, thin, and the V revealed that he seemed quite muscular. (If I were to guess, he looks mostly like Zengetsu off of Bleach, I realized this as I typed it up)

Zeke studied him for a moment, "Yeah... that's me."

The man ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back off his face. It was a weak careless attempt as the hair fell back in front of his face. "I wood lak ta speek to U. Mi reel naam is uf no importance. How eva, for tha time bein U may cal me Wolfgang Mozart, I am a Younko, and I wan ta ask U a tramendus favor."

To Be Continued....