I do not own anything within this fanfiction and any names used are purely coincidental with those of the One Piece anime. All rights go to the creators and editors of the One Piece universe and to its writer Eiichiro Oda.

Who knows, this could be the place for me and maybe, just maybe, I could become strong.

It had been several weeks since Tim had eaten his Devil Fruit and he was finding it difficult to figure out. Though he had found that he could turn different items, both inanimate and living, into arrows, he still found it hard to focus in times of dire need. Several ships had attempted attacks on them and Kid had returned in kind, slaughtering every man or woman aboard. Though Tim had provided support, he still found it difficult to turn items back into their original form. Though Rin had turned back, he wondered how he had done so before.

Practising every day, he always hit the target. He received criticism almost constantly from Kid for not challenging himself enough but nearly always tuned him out which he regretted soon after as he was pummelled into the deck with a steel hand and left with a steaming bump on his head. He then reached the conclusion that he needed to truly challenge himself.

I can't rely on arrows alone. Rin can only get me so far when I use my abilities on him and being in a support role. I need something I can use in an emergency.

Going below deck, he found left over wood from the shipwright's store cabin. Asking if he could use it, he got to work on shaping a space for a small arrow to fit in it. Using the string from the other bow, he crafted himself two small crossbows. Grabbing a sword holster belt, he removed the sword's holster from the main part. Taking the belt, he fashioned himself a small utility belt, capable of storing the crossbows and several small bullets in a pouch, which he decided to keep as spare ammunition.

Shortly after crafting his new tools, he returned to training. After firing several shots, he took a bullet out of the small pouch on his new belt. Switching to his new crossbows, he loaded the bullet in. It turned into a small metallic arrow, fitting snugly onto the string. Raising his arm, he loosed the shot. To his surprise the arrow was heavier than expected, missing the bulls eye and penetrating through the solid board, landing on the deck on the other side, leaving a dent. Pulling the arrow from the wooden board, he found the tip was made of the same metal of the arrow.

The arrow seems to have taken on the qualities of the bullets. I have to experiment with this.

And so, over the next few days, Tim spent his time experimenting with different materials, ranging from food, which was incredibly soft, to sea stone, which proved effective when he tested it on Kid himself which resulted in a nice black eye being thrown his way. Storing up on ammunition of various objects and adding additional pockets and pouches to his utility belt, he reached the point where he needed a longer range to fire from. He needed to challenge himself, and he needed to excel fast.

I know the battle of the best is coming and I need to be ready to join the fray, I'll be cannon fodder otherwise before I even get to Luffy.

Seeing Polo out of the corner of his eyes, he got his attention, waving him over. Since it hadn't occured to him to ask where they were going, he thought now was as good a time as any to find out.

"Hey, um, Polo? Where are we headed? I didn't actually think to ask earlier, I kinda spaced out when I was doing target practise." Tim said, a carefree look on his face.

"Huh...bahahahahahaha!" Polo burst out laughing. Tim's face turned to one of shame as he looked away from Polo. Putting an arm around his shoulders, Polo gave him a nuggie. Pulling away, he answered "We're heading for Sabaody Archipelago. It's nothing too fancy but it's right on the Navy Headquarter's doorstep. Plus, we received some info that other big shot rookies are heading there too. Kid is looking forward to it, he hasn't stopped staring out to sea since we left the last island. Bashing some heads together would relieve the tension, this small fry crews we've been obliterating don't seem to quench his bloodthirst. Then again, what does, am I right?"

"Uh, yeah." Was all Tim replied. Looking at Kid and then at the sea in front of him, he suddenly had an idea. "Hey, Polo."

"Mm..."

"Think you could throw a piece of wood at least 1000 yards away?" Tim asked, his back to him as a sudden crosswind blew against the side of the ship

"1000 yards, that's quite a distance. You sure you can hit it at that distance and in this wind?"

"If I don't try, I can never get better, can I?" Tim replied, turning to Polo with a determined look in his eye.

"Alright. I'll get someone. Ummm, hey! Killer! Come here a sec."

"What?" He asked, not impressed by his sudden need to be needed.

"Think you can throw a piece of wood 100 yards?" Polo asked with a carefree smile, holding it up between his two hands. Taking the slab of wood, Killer threw it into the wind ahead of the ship.

Tim's mind slowed down, focusing solely on the wooden slab. Bringing up his bow, he drew back the string. Looking along the line of the arrow, he measured the wind speed as it blew through his hair. Changing his aim slightly, he took a deep breath. As it came into the line of sight of Kid, he released the arrow. It whooshed past Kid's ear, brushing it with the soft feathers on the back end. Gasping at the sudden arrow close to his face, Kid watched as it flew in the wind. At first it looked like it was going to miss. He turned to Tim.

"Haha! What a lousy shot. Still an ignorant bastard, ain'tcha?"

Polo's and Killer's faces suddenly turned to one of awe. Seeing their reaction, Kid turned to see the wooden board not only punctured, but shattered into a million splinters. He turned back around, seeing the look of both determination and the satisfaction of achieving a new level of strength. Tim's eyes held a certain boldness that Kid had not seen before. Lowering his bow, he smiled a small smile.

"'Bout time. I was beginning to think you weren't trying, Tim." Kid said, putting one hand on Tim's shoulder. He left it there a moment and then returned to the front of the ship.

He said my name.

"Hey! Nice one dude!" Came the shout of one crew mate from behind him.

"Yeah, haha! Good job man!" Another man shouted.

"Do it again!"

"Yea, do it again!"

Tim did the shot once more, this time with an audience. Kid watched since he'd missed the time of impact the last time. Watching it shatter, Tim watched as he saw Kid's jaw drop a little. He smiled this time with achievement, his grin as wide as his ears. He found himself being thrown up in the air, up and down, until he felt sick enough that he rushed to the side of the ship, puking over the side.

"Hey, you okay Tim?" One of the crew asked.

"Yeah. Just no more bouncing, please." He said, turning back to them, his face an unhealthy shade of green. The cross wind became a tailwind, speeding up the ship to a good pace.

"CAPTAIN!" yelled a crewman from the crow's nest.

"This had better be important or I'm going to kill you." Eustass replied.

"Sabaody dead ahead!" He shouted down, looking at the island that dotted the horizon through a spyglass. All eyes looked over the edge of the ship, followed by cheers of joy.

"Shut up and get us in to port. If we get spotted by the marines, I'll kill you all and make sure to piss on your pathetic corpses!"

"Kid, that's way over the top!" Killer shouted, quieting the red-headed, hot-tempered captain.

Bringing the ship into port, they disembarked onto the Sabaody Archipelago. Tim looked around, amazed that the archipelago looked so...normal. He knew what would go down here, but it seemed so tranquil a place that it seemed nothing bad could happen here. He began to walk off by himself.

"And where do you think you're going, squirt?" Kid asked mockingly.

Turning, he replied "I'm going to explore. Besides, it'll mean you don't have to worry about me for a few hours. Seeya."

"Wait a min-" Kid started before Killer placed a hand in front of his captain to stop him, saying nothing. "What am I going to do with that useless bastard?" Kid asked to himself before turning to explore in the opposite direction that Tim had ventured.

Coming across the theme park, he decided to have some fun. Using the small amount of beli he had, he jumped on the biggest, fastest and steepest rides he could find. Though at the end he felt a little queasy, he bought himself hot dogs and candy floss, nomming on both at the same time. He decided to himself that he'd had enough fun. Leaving the amusement park, he put his hands behind his head and spaced out, not realising that Luffy and a few of the other Straw Hats walked past. He decided to explore a little. Finding his feet took him to Grove 13, he noticed a small pub. Reading the sign, he decided on using the last of his money to get a drink. Just as he was about to open the door, it suddenly rushed opened and he found two men, both thoroughly beaten, being thrown out the door at him, unable to react in time to avoid them. Falling to the ground, the bow's hard frame on his back winding him, he pushed the men off of him.

"Oh! I do apologise. You ok?" A woman with short dark hair and dark eyes came to his side, offering a hand. Taking it, she pulled him to his feet.

"Thanks. I'll be alright." Tim replied, smiling simply and nonchalantly, blushing a little at the woman's beauty.

"I'll make it up to you. Fancy a drink? It's on the house." The woman asked, inviting him into the bar.

Accepting her offer, he followed her back into the bar. Sitting down at the front, he asked for an orange juice since he didn't like alcohol much.

"Not a drinker I see." the woman noticed, continuing "The name's Shakey if you couldn't already tell by the sign."

Looking down into his glass filled with orange juice and ice, he replied "Nah. Never really been one for alcohol. Besides, even if I did, I wouldn't want to drink right now. I'm meeting someone."

"Is it a girl?" Asked Shakey, giving Tim a mischievous wink as she dried a glass.

"Oh my no." He said in a similar tone that was reminiscent of the professor from Futurama, continuing "it's my Captain. I know where he is and when to meet him. I'm just killing time. I'm sure he can wait for me a while." He took a sip of orange juice.

"Well aren't you the little rebel." Shakey replied, putting the now dry glass back in its cupboard.

"Rebel? More like I couldn't give two shits about when I have to meet the guy. He can suck the big one for all I care." Tim replied.

Shakey laughed to herself as Tim brought the glass up to his lips, downing the contents.

" I have to go anyhow. Not that you were bad company but I still have so much on the Archipelago to see. I'll see you later...maybe." He closed the door behind him with a slight bang as he departed for Grove 1. His curiosity was peaked.

If a bar had been way out here in Grove 13, what was in Grove 1? What kind of place is it? Will there be more to see there?

"Only one way to find out." He said to himself, setting off for Grove 1.

(Meanwhile, in Grove 1)

"Why're we here, Kid?" Killer asked, getting straight to the point as usual.

"Rumours are spreading that a slave trade exists on this island. Doesn't surprise me with the number of sick, twisted bastards out there to buy them. I'm going to confirm if it's true and see what comes up at auction. Who knows, we could get lucky." Kid said, walking at a fairly brisk pace that was his normal walk.

"We don't need any more crewmen, Kid. We're already struggling to feed 'em all as is." Killer replied, trying to reason with his captain.

"Killer, you are getting on my nerves. I didn't say I WOULD buy one, now did I? Learn to listen you ignorant bastard." Kid replied in a slightly forced tone, forcing his status upon Killer a little. It had worked since he then remained silent for the remainder of the trip to Grove 1.

(Later)

Killer and Kid came across a large house. Noticing the smiley face with the cancel sign over it, Killer told Kid that it belonged to Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Kid huffed it off as if it were nothing, entering the building to the sound of shouts for bids.

(Meanwhile)

Tim also arrived at Grove 1. Noticing the jolly roger, the word HUMAN upon it's sign and the collared man out front, he immediately guessed it to be a slave trade place.

I think I'll stay right here. No way am I setting foot in that shady place.

He took a seat next to the man in the heavy looking collar. After several hours, he wondered if Kid would even show up at all. However, he was snatched from the various thoughts in his head when several fish came flying overhead, a couple of them crashing into the auction house.

I wonder what's going on? Meh, not my problem.

People suddenly came running out of the building, shortly followed by a turn-out of marines that proceeded to surround the building. Hearing footsteps, he saw Monkey. , his Captain, Eustass Kid, as well as another high bountied super rookie, Trafalgar Law.

"Oh, you're here squirt? Get out of the way if you don't want to get hurt." Kid ordered, his face dead serious.

That's scary. Better do as he says, this thing could turn into a shit fest.

A few members of the Captain's respective crews came to the entrance to back them up, just in case. However, the looks on their faces said to Tim that they weren't needed for backup at all.

"Tim?" Someone called his name "Tim is that you?" they called it again. Looking around, Tim struggled to find the source. It sounded familiar, he just couldn't pinpoint where.

"Who wants to know?" Tim asked, a little spooked.

"So that is you, Tim." A shadowy figure in a large black hooded cloak suddenly appeared in front of him, continuing "It's been a while."

"That, that voice...is it...is it really you?" Tim asked, not putting 2 and 2 together quick enough.

"You is not my name, thank you very much. I happen to have one that my parents gave me." The hooded figure replied.

"It is you!"

"It's good to see you again, Tim."

"It's been a while...Rebecca."

Info titbits:

Nuggie - A form of punishment used to assert dominance in a social structure, usually given when a lower person does or says something stupid or annoying. It consists of rubbing of the knuckles hard against the skull to cause moderate pain. Usually the head is held stable with the weaker arm, and the nuggie is given by the stronger arm. (Reference: Urban Dictionary :P )

Nomming - Slang word for eating.

Oooooooooo, things are heating up. Since I know some of you may be confused with the sequence of events, I will clarify a little with each character. I will also provide a number, clarifying which person landed when in terms of the time line (1 being the furthest back, 5 being the closest to the current timeline setting)

Timi: 3

Cursed by a pregnant witch, she now bears the ability to turn into a golden tiger which she is currently learning to control. Currently, she is sailing to Sabaody, but is still on the sea. There are a few more surprises there before they reach the Archipelago which I wish I could tell you. The next one to land after Rachael, she has a total of seven months before they reach the Archipelago. A majority of this, I won't write but will recall as flashbacks or quotes from the Straw Hats log book.

Tim: 4

Joined Kid's crew shortly before they sailed to Sabaody Archipelago. Learned to use marksman skills at long ranges in a short amount of time, learning to go with his strengths from his own world. He had the space of a very short 3 months before reaching the Archipelago. This puts him just behind David in both power and time spent in the One Piece world.

Rebecca: 1

Sent back to the era of the first Pirate King, Gol. , she joined the Rumbar Pirates, eating a devil fruit shortly after and sharing their inevitable demise at the hands of poison weapons. Since her time aboard, Brook has relinquished authority over her as part of his crew, which he took over from the first Captain, Yorki. However, being of similar age, personality and position in life (both being skeletons and over the approximate age of 70), they both share a mutual love for one another, which I will go into more later ;)

Rachael: 2

The second to land in the world of One Piece, she met Law quite early on when he was still building his crew. She is currently on the Grand Line, sailing alone and having her own adventures, with the request from Law, her captain, that she return when and where he tells her. From the time of her landing to the time of her reaching Saboady, it is approximately 1 year.

David: 5

The last to land in the world of One Piece. He landed closest to the battle of the best and has to learn various weapon techniques as well as self defence in a very small time frame of about 2 months. This does leave him at a disadvantage power wise.