Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece

...

Shell Island, a small rustic community where the inhabitants went about their day to day life under the watchful eye of the Marines that kept the island safe. All in all, it seemed like everything that the World Government would hope for regarding the islands under its jurisdiction.

Yet it was all a lie. He had only been on the island for a handful of hours and he could already tell that something wasn't right. Walking down the streets had been an awkward experience to say the least. Everybody seemed to be glancing over their shoulders, conversations would pause momentarily as if ensuring that nobody was listening in. Who and what they were afraid of he couldn't quite tell yet and he felt like he wouldn't get the answer just by asking around. These people were scared for a reason.

"Can I get you anything to eat?" asked the waitress at the bar, the one he had been sitting at whilst deliberating his options.

"That would be great," he said as he pulled some beli out of his pocket. "What can...eight hundred beli get me?"

"I can cook you up a couple chicken strips and a few rice balls for that," said the waitress.

"Mommy! Can I help make the rice balls?" asked a young girl from nearby holding a broom. He was quickly able to determine that the daughter of the waitress worked at the establishment, probably owned by the family. This was a small island, a minimal population and subsequently there was likely nobody able to watch over the daughter while her mother worked.

"Rika...I'm not sure..."

"That's okay, I'm sure they'll be delicious," declared the customer with a smile spreading from ear to ear, almost unnaturally so.

"Yay," squealed Rika as she ran behind the counter, placing the broom in the corner for safekeeping before moving into the kitchen. The customer couldn't help but smile at the young girl's antics before turning his attention to the nearby window and looking out at the naval base in the distance.

The reports he had been given before being sent out on this mission indicated that there had been increasing reports of criminal activity in the surrounding seas. Even just before he had taken his small sail boat he had heard from the captain of the ship that they were needed to assist in the capture of the Alvida pirates. It seemed they had been brazen enough to attack a passenger vessel off the coast of a nearby island and reinforcements were required.

Turning his attention to the other window, the man got up from his seat and walked over to look at the horizon. The vast ocean calling to him like it had so many years ago when he was just a child dreaming of adventure. He'd even been stupid enough in attempting to get a pirate crew to allow him to join that he had stabbed himself just under his eye. He chuckled, recalling how it had sounded like a good idea to him back at the time. He was thankful though that they hadn't taken him under his wing; they had done the right thing at the time even though he had hated them for it. He couldn't help but wonder what they would think of him now if they saw him.

It took him a moment to realize his fingers had reached up and gripped the edge of the straw hat that had been given to him on that day. A promise made and a promise broken. His grandfather having picked him up a month after learning about how he had had a run in with the pirate known as Bluejam. He had wanted to stay with Ace and Sabo but of course his grandfather would have none of it. Thankfully he had been allowed to write to Ace on a weekly basis as his training began, a great incentive if any in learning how to read and write. It often brought a smile to his face knowing that Ace had followed his dream to become a pirate three years prior but he couldn't help but wonder what would happen were they to meet once more. When he had learned of his brother having followed the path they had dreamed of he had sent one final letter, proclaiming that he wished him luck on his journey.

Seeing what had happened between now and then, he had little doubt that Ace hadn't truly needed any luck in getting to where he was today.

"Here's your food mister," said Rika, the young girl basically bouncing up and down in place in anticipation.

"Alright, I'm coming," he said as he made his way back to the bar. He could still smell the chicken being cooked in the background but the rice balls were all lined up and ready to go. He couldn't help but notice that the young girl also had a couple wrapped up in a handkerchief. "Did you make some for yourself?"

"No, they're for a friend of mine," said Rika with a smile.

"Is that so," he said before picking up a rice ball and taking a bite of it. Immediately he could tell that something was different, the rice ball being well too sweet but he did his best not to allow any surprise to show on his face before swallowing. "These are delicious."

"Really!"

"Of course," he said, his smile radiating.

"Yay, I hope my friend likes them too," she said before making a beeline to the door. "Bye mister."

"Goodbye," he said in response but he felt his farewell fell on deaf ears as the girl had already run out the door. "Cute kid."

"Thank you for responding like you did," said the mother. "I'm Ririka by the way."

"No problem Ririka," he said. "I hope that her friend likes sweet food though."

"I saw her using sugar instead of salt but she was so adamant that it would make the food taste better," she said as she put the plate of chicken down next to the rice balls. "Enjoy."

"Thank you," he said as he began to dig in, his mind drifting off elsewhere. If what he feared was true, he was not looking forward to the amount of paperwork that he may need to write up. If he could pass it on to the captain of the naval vessel he had previously been on he would but his superior would crack the shits at him again. Last time he had gotten on his boss' bad side it had been quite the training regime he had been forced into.

Sparring with a Shichibukai was not a pleasant experience.

"So," he said in between mouth bites, "I'm not from around here as you probably guessed. There anything I should be wary of."

"Well," Rurika started before glancing at the entrance, the man noticing that straight away and making a mental note of it. "Whatever you do, don't get into trouble with the Marines."

"I thought that'd be a given but I'm no pirate," he said before taking another bite of his meal.

"It's not really pirates they're after. We hear stories all the time about how travellers have seen pirates nearby but our 'noble heroes,'" she spat to which he could essentially taste the venom in her voice, "Have done nothing. There are people out there who need help but the Marines do nothing."

"Really?"

"I mean, not even two weeks ago a bounty hunter was sitting where you are, having a meal and minding his own business when the son of the Marine Captain came in here with his wolf. He brought a wolf into my establishment! And we could do nothing! For so long we've lived under the belief that if we do anything against even the son of the Captain then everything will go to hell. The bounty hunter killed the wolf and ever since that day has been tied to a stake in the courtyard of the Marine compound."

He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment but during her story Rurika had started crying, tears slowly dripping down her face. "So what would you have me do?" he asked.

"Excuse me?" she replied as she used her palm to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"Say that I'm your saviour, an outsider who had the power to change everything on this island. What would you have me do? Would you make me tear down the Marine base, potentially leaving you vulnerable to pirate attacks? Would you have me do nothing, and continue to live your life in constant fear? Those are extreme situations but you get the point. So I ask you again, what would you have me do?"

Seconds ticked by, one after the other as Rurika stood there in shocked silence at the seemingly hypothetical question. The words that came next were so quiet it barely carried the distance between herself and the customer in front of her.

"Kill Captain Morgan."

"Very well," he said as he stood up from the counter, the food all but gone. "Thank you for the meal."

"Wait, where are you going?"

"I have something to take care of," he said with a small smile before leaving the small diner.

Making his way up the path, he knew that he had heard far more than he had needed. For the very citizens of the island to wish death of the naval Captain who protected them was more than enough evidence for him. So he strode forward, his duty clear as he made his way up the path towards where the Marine base was located.

His journey came to an unceremonious halt however as he heard the crying of a young girl coming from nearby. A quick glance to the left showed Rika sitting next to the base of a tree, clutching at her arm with tears streaming down her face. "Hey," he said from nearby, his voice startling the young girl making her flinch in fear as he knelt down beside her.

"Mister," she said as she loudly sniffed, booger trails sliding from her nostrils.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I...I was going to f...feed Mister Zoro," she said between ragged breaths. "Then the captain's son found me...and then he...he...he had his guard throw me over the wall."

The man's gaze shifted towards the Marine base and he could see how tall the wall was. For Rika to only have suffered what he assumed was a broken arm was lucky to say the least because he knew that it could have been much, much worse. "Go home," he instructed, his eyes shifting back to the small girl. "Don't worry, I'll make sure everything turns out okay."

"You will?" she asked, a faint glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

"I promise."

Rika sniffed loudly before nodding her head in approval, pushing herself to her feet and making a beeline towards the town, not going too fast in order to prevent her injury from hurting any more than it already did. The man watched her disappear from sight before standing upright once more. He had been angry when he had heard Rurika's declaration.

Now he was furious.

The last few hundred metres to make it towards the base passed by well too quickly before he found himself standing in front of the gate. Were either of his two instructors here they would break their way through the steel plated doors without a worry. Thankfully he didn't have to resort to such matters as the doors parted before him, a man with blonde hair wearing a purple suit meandered forward, a Marine escort on either side of him.

"I swear I'm going to have that idiot killed in three days, who does he think he is? Roronoa Zoro, nobody will miss him," they said before noticing the man standing in front of them. "Who are you?" asked Helmeppo, wondering why some sort of civilian trash was standing in his way towards town. That was the last thing he was able to consciously think about however before a fist connected with his jaw, his unconscious body skipping across the ground thrice before coming to a stop.

The two guards stood there flabbergasted before turning their attention to the intruder, pointing their rifles at them. "Who are you?" asked the one on the left, his finger inching closer to the trigger.

"I'm Warrant Officer Monkey D. Luffy," he proclaimed boldly, as he strode forward, ignoring the guns pointed in his direction. "And I'm about to kick some ass."

...

Roronoa Zoro, famed bounty hunter known all across East Blue for his fabled three sword style. He had long since lost count of the number of times he had crossed blades with those who were wanted by the World Government and likewise lost track of those looking to end his life. Were any of those criminals to see him now, tied to a cross and staring at the ruined rice ball on the ground with such hunger in his eyes, he could only imagine their reaction.

Grinding his teeth together, he swallowed whatever saliva he had stored up in his mouth. Nine days he had been tied to this post and he was praying for even the slightest hint of rain to show over the horizon, just a small drop of natural water to help quench his thirst.

"So, you're Zoro," said a voice from nearby, drawing his attention. Shifting his gaze towards the entrance to the courtyard, the green haired swordsman watched as a man walked up to him. It was common knowledge around here that to come anywhere close to Zoro without express permission would have drastic consequences. Heck, Zoro had just seen a young girl flung over the nearby wall for trying to feed him.

Anger still boiled within him at that recent memory.

Back to the person in front of him, this was one that he hadn't seen before and Zoro couldn't help but wonder why the man looked as if he was on vacation. The man wore a short sleeved red button shirt but had the top two buttons undone, dark blue shorts which were accompanied by sandals and to top it all off he wore a straw hat atop a mess of black hair. Zoro also noticed the scar present under the man's left eye which he could only assume came from a near attempt on his life. He also noticed the way the man walked. He was marching on Marine grounds, unsupervised without a care in the world, sauntering up to him as if he were walking across a vacant beach.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Depends," said the man with a shrug of his shoulders. "I've heard of your exploits, quite an impressive list of criminals you've helped capture over the years. It seems bizarre that someone who would help the community would find themselves a prisoner of the Marines."

"What can I say, I killed the wrong wolf," said Zoro, a small smile gracing his lips as he recalled slaying the beast and the satisfaction it had brought.

"I heard, quite the noble thing you did there," he said. "I'll let you know that I ran into Rika on the way here, it seems she may have broken her arm."

"Those bastards," growled Zoro.

"Exactly, one of those bastards happened to be proclaiming about how he was going to have you executed in three days' time."

"What?"

"Now, I for one see this as such a shame and I subsequently punched the boy in the face and knocked him out cold. Now, I have a proposition for you Zoro. I'm going to untie you, I will not allow you to be executed to please some brat's ego. You then have two choices. One is to leave, get off this island and go back to your days as a bounty hunter."

"What's the second choice?" asked Zoro.

"You sail under me."

"And just who would you be?"

"I'm Warrant Officer Monkey D. Luffy," Luffy said introducing himself.

"You're a Marine?" questioned Zoro wondering whether or not the person in front of him was truly on vacation and just so happened to come to this island and discover what was going on. From his current run in with the law enforcement this was unlike any Marine he had ever encountered.

"Yep and due to what I've discovered about how this Marine base is being operated I believe that it is well within my right to 'relieve' Morgan of his power."

"Oh really now," said Zoro, a snide smirk crossing his face. Morgan was a Captain of the Marines and while he wasn't sure of precise rankings, he knew Warrant Officer was a lot further down the ranks meaning this would be entertaining regardless.

"I don't imagine he'll accept these conditions calmly and while I can probably take him down on my own, a helping hand is always welcome," said Luffy, returning the smile.

"You are by far the strangest Marine I've ever met," commented Zoro.

"You should meet my teachers," he said before undoing the knots holding Zoro in place. Once he was free Zoro found himself massaging the places where the ropes had dug into his skin, previously pinning him in place. "So, do we have a deal?"

Zoro turned to face Luffy and the outstretched hand that was being offered. The idea of becoming a Marine wasn't a pleasant one but for some reason he could tell that with Luffy being his commanding officer, things would be a lot different than what most Marines would go through. Also, it would be beneficial towards his end goal of becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman. The number of pirates he would now likely face would be that much grander than those he had already defeated.

"Captain, we have an accord," he said before taking the hand presented.

"Warrant Officer," corrected Luffy.

"Wait, can a Warrant Officer even have his own crew? Are you even allowed your own boat?" asked Zoro, genuine confusion upon his face.

"Under normal circumstances, no. Due to some of my connections however thing's aren't really that normal."

"Am I going to regret having made this decision?"

"No, no, of course not," said Luffy, Zoro not believing those words for a second. "Anyways, let's go kick some ass."

"First we got to find my katanas," declared Zoro. "Without them I unfortunately don't have that much chance of 'kicking ass' as you put it."

"I asked a couple of Marines about your swords earlier, we'll pick them up on the way," declared Luffy.

"Were they the ones standing next to the brat you knocked out?"

"Yep."

"...How did they not shoot you?"

"They didn't need much persuading."

"That doesn't answer my question."

...

Captain Morgan stared at the statue of his likeness, the beacon perched atop the naval base as a reminder of his power. Recently finished and with the ropes still hanging from certain areas his men had used to hoist it into the air, he couldn't help but be grateful for its existence. The statue would serve as a constant reminder to both his subordinates and the people of the island just who they should constantly be thanking for their safety. The Marine bleeding out on the ground by his feet was another reminder to those who served under him about what would happen to those who disrespected him in any way.

The man had allowed his statue to get scratched, in turn disrespecting him and his position of power. The men standing at attention nearby were to continue looking upon the greatness of the statue and ignoring the dying gasps of their comrade. They knew that if they were to answer the pleas of the dying man that they would likely suffer a similar fate.

It chewed them up on the inside but what could they do? They had no weapons nearby and attempting take down the Captain was likely suicide. Even if they did successfully defeat him then they would be charged with attacking a commanding officer. What could they do? What could they do!

Turns out their mouths could almost hit the ground when someone whistled loudly causing all attention towards them.

"That is an impressive statue," declared Luffy as he stepped onto the roof with Zoro following close behind, his trio of katanas now safely attached to his hip. During their procession upwards, Zoro's stomach had growled something fierce and while Luffy suggested that they quickly find something to eat, the swordsman chose to decline the offer, saying that vengeance for his condition would be sweet enough.

And that they could sate his starvation afterwards.

Captain Morgan gazed at the intruders with hatred in his eyes. The green haired swordsman was easily recognizable but this other brat was new. Was he a fellow bounty hunter who had heard of the capture of Zoro and thought it unjust? Regardless of who he was, the fact that he was currently waltzing around a Marine Base meant that his subordinates had allowed this to happen. There would be blood for this treachery and disrespect.

"Seize them!" he ordered of the men standing nearby. Luffy could see the moment of hesitation in the men before they started moving towards him and Zoro.

"I am Warrant Officer Monkey D. Luffy and I have been sent here under direct orders of Vice Admiral Garp. This, as you know, is Roronoa Zoro, who has accepted my deal to serve under me until such a time as our goals no longer align," declared Luffy, causing the men to pause in their tracks, once more faced with the same conundrum as they had with their captain. "If any attempt to capture me or injure me in any way is made, he has my complete backing to come to my defence and protect me from harm."

"As a fair warning, I have a lot of pent up aggression right now," declared Zoro, almost daring the Marines to try anything whilst his hands gently touched the hilts of the katanas tied to his waist..

"Warrant Officer, for what reason has Vice Admiral Garp sent you to my base?" asked Morgan, tensing somewhat from hearing the name of the legendary Marine. He didn't get to where he was today by pissing off the top dogs after all.

"Basically my orders are to investigate the waters and islands of East Blue and report back what I find before returning to the Grand Line,," said Luffy as he closed the distance between himself and the statue that rose into the air. "I must say, what some of your men and the citizens have said about you is quite astounding." Grabbing on to one of the nearby ropes that was connected to the neck of the statue, Luffy played with the item before focusing on the top of the statue. "If I may, I don't think your likeness is right in the centre of the roof. Allow me."

Before waiting for any sort of response, Luffy started running to the side, his hand still clutching onto the rope which swiftly went taught. While it had taken over a dozen men to raise the statue, as soon as that rope went taut everyone could see what was going to happen. While the peak of the statue became mildly unbalanced, a secondary yank sealed the fate of the structure as it tilted far enough for gravity to take effect.

Morgan could only watch in horror as the construct fell before colliding with the roof, breaking upon impact and shattering into hundreds of pieces. He could hear the Warrant Officer say something that might have been an apology but the words couldn't be understood, his rage only allowing him to know that this petty insect needed to die. Charging forward with speed few knew he possessed, Morgan raised the axe embedded within his flesh and fully intended to bisect the Warrant Officer straight down the centre, consequences be damned!

His strike never descended as pain exploded from his chest, three large slashes having been created across his body where blood now freely poured. His gaze slowly shifted downwards to see Zoro standing there, the bounty hunter's blades coated in his blood. He tried to say something, curse at the insects before him but was unable to utter anything as consciousness swiftly left his body, the hulk of a man falling backwards and crashing much like his statue had earlier.

"Chain that bastard up and get your comrade some medical assistance, immediately," ordered Luffy, pointing to the Marine who had previously been struck by Morgan. The Marines acted swiftly, no hesitation in their actions as several started to put pressure on the wound while others went to find a doctor to fix up the wound and chains to secure the defeated Captain. Luffy rubbed his eyes with his forefinger and thumb, wondering how many others had found themselves on the receiving end of Morgan's unjustifiable wrath. How a commanding officer could treat his subordinates like this made him sick.

"Are you okay Luffy?" asked Zoro noticing the unease the Warrant Officer was in.

"Fine, I've just got a bit to think about. I'm going to head to Morgan's office and look at what I can find. That statue likely cost a stupid amount and I doubt he paid a single Beli for it. While I do that, go get yourself something to eat and drink then meet me in the office," instructed Luffy.

"By your command," said Zoro, a smile spreading across is face. At first he had been worried about what would happen about following a Marine. Now though he knew had an inkling that he had made a good decision. At least for the moment.

...

Luffy fumbled with the paperwork on Morgan's desk as he flicked through different entries. He had had one of Morgan's former subordinates show him to where all of the files were located and it seemed there was a lot happening in East Blue that nobody was really aware about. Heck, from one of the reports a pirate named Buggy had effectively overthrown a town on a nearby island and while the residents had requested assistance none had yet to come.

That would be changed immediately.

Picking up the Den Den Mushi that was stationed nearby, Luffy dialled the appropriate number before waiting for the other end to pick up. It only took a handful of seconds before the other side answered. "This is Lieutenant Harvey of the Marines, to whom am I speaking?"

"It's me," said Luffy.

"One day you're actually going to take one of these calls seriously," said Harvey and Luffy could picture the ship's second in command rubbing at his eyes.

"You deal with the pirates?" asked Luffy.

"Most of the men were captured, the pirate captain Alvida managed to give us the slip however. One of the men we captured was a young boy who claims to have worked for them for a couple years in order to save his own skin but he wants to become a Marine. I think the two of you will get along."

"So you're letting him join?"

"We'll do a background check but he seems pretty determined, heck when we were rounding up the pirates he attacked one of them and broke a plank of wood over their head."

"Be sure to tell him stories about me."

"You won't be joining us Warrant Officer Luffy?"

"Not for the moment, Shell Island's base is now under the command of Commander Ripper. Former Captain Morgan has been doing a pretty shit job. By the sounds of it, many of the Marines here were terrified of the guy. Heck, when I confronted him he'd damn near killed a man who, as told by his friends, scratched Morgan's statue."

"Sheezuz, the higher ups are going to have a field day with this one."

"So yea, swing by and pick him up on your way through. I've got a number of cries for help on here which have seemingly gone unheard. I'mma go sort it out."

"Will you be needing any assistance?"

"Nah, I think we should be good."

"We?"

It was at that moment that Zoro walked into the room, meeting Luffy's eyes with his own. "Yea, we. Anyways I'm off to go save an island."

"Wait! Warrant Officer Luffy, Commodore Prin Prin will not..."

No more was heard as Luffy hung up the receiver, seemingly glad that the phone call had come to a somewhat abrupt halt. "Alright, we need to be off soon, more places and people to save."

"Yea, Ripper thought as much and has had a few of his guys arrange a boat and supplies for us," stated Zoro. "We'll be good to head out shortly. Do I need to wear a uniform or something?" Considering how casually the Warrant Officer was dressed he felt that this wasn't the case but he needed to be sure nonetheless.

"I don't technically have the authority to induct you into the Marines so until we meet up with a higher officer, you're just sailing with me. Hope that doesn't dissuade you at all?"

"Hey, if it weren't for you I'd still be tied to that post out there, frankly regardless of whatever situation you sail us into, this has to be better."

"Well, we'll just have to find out together won't we."

"I guess so, Warrant Officer Luffy."

The two of them clasped their hands together, shaking upon the verbal agreement. It was also at this moment that the door to the office smashed open, Helmeppo ther clutching his earlier wound. "Father, I need you to kill...someone..." he shouted before his words crawled to a stop as he noticed just who was in his father's office.

"Well, well, well, look who it is," said Zoro as he pulled a single katana out of its sheath. "Not only do I get to cut up the Captain, but I get to kill the son as well."

All the will to remain standing crumbled out of Helmeppo as he crashed to his knees, his bladder failing himself as the stench of urine quickly became apparent. "On that note, let's head out Zoro," instructed Luffy as he made his way past the quivering mess of a boy.

"I guess you survive...for now," declared Zoro, his voice promising harsh punishment if Helmeppo were ever to cross his path again. With those promises however, Helmeppo's will to remain conscious faded as he fell forward, his face bouncing once off the floor as his world went black.

"You want to fight him at some stage?" asked Luffy.

"How?"

"I'll leave a note of recommendation to Commander Ripper instructing him to make Helmeppo better than his father ever was."

Zoro couldn't help but laugh at the statement and the future possibility that he could actually get a chance to get to hurt the person who had made him suffer without repercussions. Sure it would likely be a while off but when that day came he would savor every moment of it.

...

"This feels surreal," said Zoro as he and Luffy walked side by side towards the harbour where the Marines from the fort stood on opposite sides of the street, each man saluting the both of them while standing as upright as possible. Behind them, members of the community applauded them, the civilians likely having been told of the downfall of the Captain who had installed them with such fear. "Guess we really did this town a service."

"This'll be the first of many," said Luffy. "I don't plan on stopping anytime soon."

"Mister Zoro," shouted Rika, the young girl waving at the pair of them with her one good arm, her injured limb wrapped in a sling.

"Take care," he said with a small wave back before focusing forwards. While the harbor and ship was just up ahead, his future was well over the horizon and with the Warrant Officer by his side, Zoro felt he was already one step closer to achieving his dreams.

...

Hope you enjoyed.