Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece
...
Don Krieg sat in his cell, head lowered and gazing at the cuffs that restricted his movements. Were he at full strength, he could more than likely shatter these pitiful pieces of equipment before busting out of this shit hole.
Unfortunately, he wasn't at full strength. He hadn't been at full strength ever since returning from the hell known as the Grand Line. He and his men, those who survived at least, had not eaten anything but rotten scraps which threatened to kill them far quicker than the hunger would.
When he and his men had come under cannon fire, their reaction had been terrible. There was no other way to put it. Barely any of his men had the strength to move the cannons into position to deal any sort of retribution to those attacking them.
In any and all languages, it had been an absolute slaughter.
Only he and a handful of men had survived, if they could even call it that.
He had thought that once they had been taken prisoner that they would be fed which would have been his time to strike. If he had been given enough food to sate his hunger he could have easily taken over the Marine vessel. A slice of stale bread each day since his capture didn't have any chance of granting him the strength he required.
Hopefully these men would be stupider than those who had captured him. Then he would turn this town to dust!
"Captain Krieg."
The voice had cut through the silence and had it not been recognizable, Don Krieg wouldn't have given it the slightest bit of notice. Hearing the voice of his second in command however, that forced him to pay attention. "Gin," he said slowly, looking at his subordinate. "You're alive."
"You sound surprised," stated Gin, stepping up to the prison bars.
"Like it matters now, break me out of here and let us wreck havoc on this town. None here can stop us," boasted Krieg.
"You've barely the strength to stand, and the Captain here is unlike anything we've seen."
"Like it matters, now free me Gin! Free me and we can conquer the Grand Line!" commanded Krieg.
"Did our time in the Grand Line mean nothing to you?" asked Gin violently as he gripped onto the prison bars. "Do you not understand that after losing all of your subordinates that we are weak! That, compared to the rest of the world, we are mere insignificant specks!"
"What are you..."
"I travelled to an island that was the territory of Fishmen, Fishmen! Beings that we had no idea even existed that could destroy our hull without us being none the wiser. Beings that, if we were out on the ocean, would have no way to combat. We lack knowledge and strength."
"Like any of that matters Gin!"
"Of course it matters Krieg! No matter how many men you get to sail under you, no matter how many ships you have at your command, it won't be enough."
"You're not thinking big enough Gin!"
"You're not thinking at all Krieg," stated Gin, his voice lowering. "All of your ambition, all of your dreams, in the grand scheme of things it means absolutely nothing. For all your tricks, all your ploys, as soon as you made it to the Grand Line you would kill us all."
"It's all because that compass didn't..."
"Again! All I'm hearing is excuses," stated Gin. "In the last week I've learnt more about the Grand Line then we ever considered possible. We didn't even have the right equipment to navigate, all because you were to stupid to think that the ocean, known as the most dangerous in the world, would bend to your whim."
"Gin, we're running out of time," declared another person, this one unfamiliar to Don Krieg.
"What's this Gin!" growled Don Krieg. "You've abandoned me for another Captain you traitor!"
"No," said Gin softly as he shook his head from side to side. His grip on this prison bars dropped as he took a step back. "I've abandoned you for a Warrant Officer. I've abandoned you for the Navy."
"Finally, someone gets my rank right!"
"No," said Don Krieg in disbelief.
"Goodbye Don Krieg," stated Gin as he walked away.
"Get back here Gin! Release me!" ordered Don Krieg but no matter how much he called out, all he got in response was the fleeting sound of footsteps drifting further and further away until there was nothing but silence. In that silence, Krieg swore that he would get revenge on Gin and that Warrant Officer any way that he could.
Which made him question whether the Captain of this base was aware that said Warrant Officer was harbouring his former second in command.
...
"I can't believe we got in and out without being spotted," declared Gin as the two of them made their way down the streets towards the docks.
"It's the early part of the day, the officers on duty are still waking up and not quite aware," stated Luffy. "They're a little bit lack because there hasn't been an attack on this island in years, or at least none that haven't been dealt with by Captain Smoker. Your old boss being here is probably the most high level thing that's happened in ages."
"I've seen how strong you are Luffy," said Gin, his eyes sharpening. "When we were waiting for Arlong and his crew to be taken into captivity, you directly said that you couldn't beat this Smoker fellow. Is he really that strong?"
"It's not just his strength, but also the strength of his Devil Fruit," explained Luffy. "He can turn his body into smoke and once he catches you in it it's almost impossible to struggle out. You could hit him in the head with your tonfa and he would take it head on knowing full well that it won't even hurt him."
"How the hell do you even fight someone like that?" asked Gin as they slowed to a walk.
"My knuckle dusters are made of seastone, and as such they can combat him but that still means that I have to connect with my fists," said Luffy. "That reduces a huge amount of my combat ability with the knowledge that I can only hit him with two parts of my body. Kicks, knees, elbow strikes, all of it would do nothing. It's just my hands and nothing more."
"What about us?" asked Gin. "How can we even combat someone like that?"
"Quite simply, at this stage you can't," said Luffy, not bothering to sugarcoat it in the slightest.
"At this stage, so there is a way," said Gin, probing for more details.
"There's an advanced technique known as Haki which can be broken into three different categories," began Luffy. "One of those techniques is to embody your willpower into your attacks, making them capable of doing extreme levels of damage, even to those who can not normally get hit."
"How do you train in something like that?" asked Gin.
"When we get off this island, and I get in some much needed sleep, I'll break it down to everybody because quite frankly, we're going to need the information. Until then, when we get back to the ship make sure I am not woken up for anything that isn't important."
...
Captain Smoker stared out over the dock, his Marine garments billowing in the breeze as he gazed over the horizon. "Are you sure we should be listening to what Don Krieg says?" asked Tashigi from his side, doing her best to prevent her glasses from falling off her face.
"He said that his subordinate left with a Warrant Officer, the only Warrant Officer that had been on the island has made a hasty escape," growled Smoker. "During his time with us Luffy did not make mention of this person at all, which begs the question as to why he would keep somebody like that with him? A Navy officer shouldn't be chummy with a pirate."
"I'm sure Warrant Officer Luffy had his reasons Captain Smoker," assured Tashigi. While she may not have been much of a fan regarding Luffy's work ethics, there was no doubt that he ultimately cared about helping people. "Maybe he feels as if having a pirate on his side will give him insight into other pirates on the Grand Line. Even if said criminal...could...kill him and his crew in their sleep."
"Prepare yourself Tashigi," ordered Captain Smoker. "When the ship arrives to transport these criminals to Enies Lobby, we will be leaving. Warrant Officer Luffy was given ample time to inform us about his time in the East Blue. Hiding the fact that he is travelling with a wanted criminal may just be the first of his crimes."
"On the note of other...possible...crimes Warrant Officer Luffy may have committed," started Tashigi, unsure how to continue. "There is some inventory missing."
"What inventory?"
"Sea stone handcuffs."
Smoker could not help but rub at his eyes.
...
When Luffy arose from his slumber and made his way to deck, he did so only to find his crew physically exhausted. "Were we attacked?" he asked only for Nami to swiftly get to her feet and slap him across the back of the head.
"You idiot!" she screamed at him. "How the hell could you sleep through all that?"
"Sleep through what?" asked Luffy in response, only for his answer to come in the form of the giant whale next to the ship to bellow loud enough that it forced all of them to cover their ears. "Where did that come from!"
"Shut up and row!" ordered Zoro as he pulled out the oars, tossing one to Gin and Sanji while he and Luffy quickly got about getting away from the behemoth of a creature. Nami and Usopp set about steering the vessel towards the nearby outcrop where a lighthouse stood.
The Straw Hat Crew made it to the outcrop in what felt like record time. Just as they reached their destination, the head of the whale dropped beneath the surface causing a number of them to breath a sigh of relief. "Everyone okay?"
"No thanks to you!" shouted Usopp towards the Warrant Officer.
"Fair but in my defence...I was tired," said Luffy, pacing his words as if it was the most reasonable explanation in the world.
"No kidding," growled Gin under his breath.
"Alright, well Zoro and Nami, go explore the lighthouse and apologize to anybody if we are trespassing," said Luffy as he surveyed the ship and the damage it had taken during the time he had been asleep. It seems their trek towards the Grand Line had resulted in the Going Merry suffering quite a bit. "Usopp, Gin, I need the two of you to start on repairs. The Grand Line will tear us to shreds in this state."
"Got it," said Usopp, giving Luffy a salute while Gin merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Sanji, I need you to do something very important," declared Luffy as he looked at the chef.
"What do you need?" asked Sanji.
"Make us lunch."
"Should've figured," said Sanji as he made his way to the kitchen.
"What are you going to do?" Zoro asked of their leader.
"I'm going to see what's going on with that whale."
There was a general look of confusion sent his way before Luffy leapt overboard, diving into the water below. Once underwater, Luffy dove deep beneath the surface until he was capable of seeing the beast. He had no idea how to feel however as he watched the creature belt it's head against the giant stone structure. Even amongst the water, Luffy could make out the vicious scars that the whale had carved into it's head, showing just how much suffering the animal had gone through.
Luffy got the feeling that those scars were not what hurt the animal the most. No creature would ever deal such damage to themselves without a reason.
...
The whale surfaced just as Sanji began to serve lunch, causing several different reactions to happen. For some, they left the food as was knowing full well that it would remain there. Others, ate as much as they could within the shortest timeframe possible.
It didn't take much to figure out which of the crew fit into which category.
There was a quick flurry of movement as the people onboard scurried into position and prepared to sail away before they saw the strangest thing happen. Embedded into the side of the whale was a metal plate, one that was opening. "You guys are seeing this, right?" asked Usopp uncertain if he was hallucinating or not.
"Welcome to the Grand Line...I guess?" said Luffy in uncertainty as a small island sailed out of the whale. Gin, Zoro and Sanji braced themselves as they saw three people on the island, only one of which was not tied up in thick layers of rope.
"Do you think he's an enemy?" asked Sanji of his compatriots.
"If he is, he's got hostages," stated Zoro.
"I'm not one for proceeding with caution," warned Gin.
Of course, all of their preparations meant nothing as Luffy waved out to the man. "Hey! I'm Warrant Officer Luffy, who are you?"
The man caught Luffy's gaze with an intense stare.
Luffy's eyes stared back.
The man continued to stare, unflinching.
Luffy found himself wondering if the man had heard him.
The stare the man gave only intensified.
Luffy opened his mouth to speak.
"I'm Crocus."
"Why'd it take you so long?" shouted both Usopp and Nami.
Luffy meanwhile had shifted his focus from the freshly introduced Crocus to the two people he had in his possession. For the better part, the two of them looked rather fine but the man himself looked as if he had taken an injury or two in whatever conflict had happened inside of the whale. "Who are your captives?" asked Luffy.
Crocus responded with a harsh stare.
Luffy matched his gaze.
Crocus remained unblinking.
Luffy couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
Crocus took in a deep breath.
Luffy waited.
"They were hunting Laboon for his meat," answered Crocus.
"Why can't you just say that!" exclaimed Sanji in a rage.
"Laboon huh," said Luffy, shifting his gaze to the giant whale. "Sanji, prepare a meal for Crocus. Gin, prepare the hold for two potential prisoners. I doubt he has the space to keep them in his lighthouse."
Sanji merely nodded in understanding before setting about his task.
"We're just taking them from him, what if they're dangerous?" asked Usopp.
"We can handle them," said Zoro reassuringly.
"If they came for the meat, it means that they're from a nearby island which may be in need of supplies," explained Luffy. "We should go there and see if we can offer any aide."
Nami crossed her arms over her chest. "One of these days, you're going to stick us into more trouble than it's worth, you know that," she said with a scowl.
Luffy could only smile at her.
...
This is a complete and utter sidenote but I recently started up my own to try and help fund my wedding along with a lot of other things. If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting me. I can be found on the website under Razamataz22. If not, no fuss, I don't want to pressure you into anything.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed.