Thanks for waiting around my dear readers! Your patience has paid off with my new chapter typed up and ready to go! I appreciate all the reviews (constructive and supportive of course) and the follows. (Don't be afraid to leave a review if you're JUST following, I'd like to know what you think. But I won't force you if you don't WANT to, you like the story and THAT is enough for me.) Now let us proceed with the story people and see just WHERE it will lead us!
I'd also like to apologize in advance if anyone in this story is out of character…nobody's perfect you know. Also, I'm going to try and be fair and use the Japanese/English names for things like Devil Fruits etc.
(By the way…all flames and flamers will be ignored thank-you. I'll make an exception for CONSTRUCTIVE reviews on what needs an adjustment or suggestions for other chapters/stories, for they are most welcome. Remember if you don't like my work then don't read or review it! NO-ONE is forcing you to! This website and its stories are a place where people come to EXPRESS as well as SHARE their creativity forgetting their woes for a while. In today's crazy world, that's needed more than ever.)
Disclaimer: I sadly DON'T own anything from One Piece, not the people OR the places (except my OWN characters, places and so on) they all belong to Funimation, Toei Animation, Fuji TV, Shueisha, Shonen Jump Manga and that genius Odo Eiichiro.
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PART THREE:
In the darkness of the empty 'Gol D. Roger' bar in Lougetown, the 'town of the Beginning and End,' PEW sat at a table with a lantern casually reading through a newspaper.
"Glad to see you got my message," a figure suddenly spoke emerging from the darkness and sitting down at PEW's table.
"This one?" PEW asked without looking up as he pushed a cut out newspaper ad across the table for his visitor to see.
'A wyvern needs to talk to an expert in regards to the observation and progress of a rare type of sea monkey,' the ad read. Following the ad was a time, date and a place of where to meet. "That's the one," the figure said in confirmation.
"You know when I first read that message," PEW said putting down his newspaper. "I didn't quite know what you meant until a day or so ago, then I suddenly got this."
PEW held up a poster showing the grinning face of Luffy giving a friendly wave. 'Wanted,' the poster read. 'Dead or Alive: Monkey D Luffy 30,000,000 Berries.'
"He's been quite a busy boy," PEW went on thoughtfully. "Apparently, he managed to defeat Buggy the Clown, Don Krieg AND Arlong too. So just what is YOUR interest in him that you want ME to keep you appraised of his doings?"
"It's a personal matter," the figure said simply. "But you're not called 'the Enlightened One' without good reason, you probably can guess why?"
"Of course," PEW nodded. "But I give you my absolute WORD I will say nothing to ANYONE. Only those entitled to know.
"Good," the figure nodded in agreement.
"However," PEW went on. "Given Luffy's nature, IF and WHEN he finds out, he'll be flapping his mouth off to everyone. Which is why my services to you will NOT be cheap!"
"If it helps my cause, it will be money well spent," the figure said handing PEW over a large brief case. "You know PEW," the figure went on. "I could really use a person like you."
"No…you do NOT," PEW said matter of factly taking the brief case out of the figure's hand and putting it under his side of the table. "With a few words," he went on grimly. "In a few places high and low with what I know. I could end EVERYTHING that currently holds the world together as it is now. It's why I balance myself out with EVERYONE EQUALLY, even though I may not like it. If I didn't…you would shrink down to nothing but a petty little anarchist!"
"Okay," the figure said gently with his hand still on the briefcase. "I'd just thought I'd ask but you've made it crystal clear that you're not interested."
"Clever boy," PEW nodded in approval.
"I'll be in touch," the figure said getting up. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's nearly dawn and it would be dangerous for me to be seen here of all places."
"Quite so," PEW said going back to his newspaper. "Good luck."
"You too."
Once PEW was certain his visitor was gone he gave a groan and leaned backwards in his chair. It had taken a great deal of effort NOT to show his pain, when he had touched the touched his visitor's bare hand as he had been handing over the briefcase over to him. Putting his gloves back on PEW took out his aspirins, dry swallowed some of them, then decided to take a nap. He knew he wasn't in any danger, hardly anyone came to the 'Gol D. Roger' except the owner and one other person.
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"I don't know why I continue to bother with this place," a short old man wearing a gold necklace and earrings muttered to himself as he came into the bar. Along with his jewellery, the old man was wearing a white, red hemmed shirt with a purple hat, small black glasses and brown sandals.
"There's hardly ANYONE who wants to come here anymore," he went on as he lit up the lanterns brightening up the empty bar.
"Apart from me and your only OTHER customer you mean Raoul?"
"Aaah!" Raoul yelled jumping into the air in surprise. "Don't you EVER knock PEW?!" he scolded the hooded information broker. "I really don't need shocks like yours! That's enough to stop an old man's ticker!"
"Raoul," PEW laughed at the old man. "With your attitude you'll end up outliving everyone else around here."
"Very funny," Raoul grumbled grabbing a bottle of rum and a glass from the bar. "So," he went on sitting down and pouring some rum into PEW's glass. "I take it with you being here, you're heading back to the Grand Line again?"
"Oh yeah," PEW nodded in confirmation sipping from his glass. "I have to finish up one or two things here in Lougetown then be on my way."
"Why am I not surprised?" Raoul said taking a swig from his rum bottle. "But at least you HAVE clients. I hardly have ANY these days with that Smoker ruining my business, he caught and scared off almost all the pirates who were my usual customers!"
PEW, who had heard this story before, casually drained his glass. "Don't get so worked up about it," he said giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Your luck may change. Smoker can't stay in Lougetown forever now can he?"
"Huh!" Raoul snorted as he took another swig from his rum bottle. "That'll be the day!"
"Speaking of Smoker," PEW said getting up grabbing his briefcase. "I'd better go look for him. I found those rare Overcrown Cigars he wanted to try out and they weren't easy to locate."
"Oh good!" Raoul said to him in grim satisfaction. "I hope you charge him a small fortune of them."
"I'll see what I can do old man," PEW smiled tossing him some Berries. "Take care of yourself."
"You too," Raoul said catching the Berries and giving him a friendly wave goodbye.
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Outside the 'Gol D. Roger' bar in the alleys of Lougetown, Monkey D Luffy was wandering around like a lost soul. "Man this really sucks," the rubber boy moaned to himself. "Dammit I just want to find the execution platform, but somehow I keep getting myself turned around! Oh well," he shrugged going down some steps. "I'll find it eventually."
Once he reached the bottom of the steps Luffy stopped again to get his bearings. "Now let me see…" he said looking to his right.
"Lost are you Luffy?" a voice suddenly rang out making the rubber boy jump in shock.
Standing at Luffy's left was a man whose face and body was covered by a dark red robe complete with a hood and cowl, while his hands were covered by dark blue gloves.
"Woah!" Luffy cried at the man's unexpected appearance. "You scared me hooded guy!"
"I'm sorry," the man apologised to Luffy. "I tend to have that effect on people. Now if you'll please excuse me I have things to do."
"Sure thing," Luffy smiled good naturedly to the hooded man as he started up the steps. "By the way do you know the way to the execution block?"
"Try asking in the bar Luffy," the hooded man said over his shoulder.
Puzzled by the man's words Luffy looked the way the man had come from, and saw a signpost on the wall above him. "'Gol D. Roger,'" he read out loud. "Oh okay I'll try in here."
As Luffy started to descend the steps that led towards the bar he stopped in sudden realization. "Hey how did that hooded guy know who I was? I didn't introduce myself, unless…ah! I'll bet he saw my wanted poster somewhere," he smiled brightly to himself pleased with his own 'cleverness.'
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Marine Captain 'White Chase' Smoker strode casually through the streets and peoples of Lougetown on his way to the 'Gol D. Roger' bar. But despite his casual strides Smoker was on constant alert for pirates and any other lawbreakers who might be around. A little while ago he had personally stopped some second rate pirates down at the Lougetown docks, the fools had actually thought that they could loot and pillage there WITHOUT any real resistance from the local Marines. But he'd then shown them how WRONG they were in a real hurry! But despite this little victory Smoker wasn't satisfied, as they WEREN'T the ones he was looking for.
Just recently a report had come out to all Marine posts of a new rookie pirate named Monkey D Luffy, aka as 'Straw Hat Luffy.' His bounty was worth 30,000,000 Berries, which was real high for an East Blue rookie pirate. But from what the report had said was that this guy had defeated Buggy the Clown, Don Krieg AND just recently, Arlong the Fishman Pirate, which was not small task!
The report had said that Luffy and his crew were last seen heading for Lougetown before they made their way to the Grand Line. Now the last thing Smoker, and indeed any OTHER Marine, needed were new pirates. So Smoker was determined to catch Luffy should he turn up in his journey around town today, in fact he was looking forward to it as Luffy sounded like a bit of a challenge. But so far Smoker had ended up being disappointed, as those thugs down at the docks seemed to be all that there was today.
"You ARE aware that, Devil Fruit power or not. Smoking at least TWO cigars a day can't be healthy for you, hey Smoker?"
Grinning at the sound of the voice Smoker turned to see PEW leaning casually against a nearby wall holding a briefcase.
"I'm also aware that only someone like you would actually offer me such advice to my face like that PEW," Smoker said coming over to join him. "So how'd you find me?"
"I'd heard that there was some sort of disturbance down at the docks," PEW told him.
"Ah just some thugs," Smoker told him with a casual wave of his hand. "A bunch of ruffians who think they can sail into a place like this, loot to their heart's content, and then leave thinking the Marines are simpletons that they can walk all over."
"No doubt you showed them otherwise," PEW said knowingly.
"You bet I did," Smoker said in satisfaction. "I don't need pirates of ANY sort messing up things in Lougetown TODAY on this special day."
"Oh yes," PEW nodded. "The execution of Gold Roger the 'King of the Pirates', an event YOU were present at to witness as a young boy."
"That's right," Smoker said in confirmation. "So I'm hoping," he went on as PEW reached into his robes. "That you got what I asked you to go look for?"
"If you mean one case of Overcrown Cigars," PEW said producing the item in his hand. "Then yes I did. But remember Smoker, these are very RARE and EXPENSIVE. So don't go using them up all at once."
"Not to worry," Smoker said taking the cigar case with great care. "I'll only be smoking these on special occasions like today."
"I believe you will," PEW said as Smoker handed over his money to him. "As you tend to KEEP your word on things, unlike MOST other people these days."
"So you want to head over with me to the 'Gol D. Roger' for a drink?"
"Thanks," PEW said putting his money away. "But I'll have to politely refuse. I was already there, when you didn't turn up I went looking for you. Then I heard about the docks and decided to go there and catch you halfway."
"No doubt you have other things to do around Lougetown, right?"
"How well you know me Smoker," PEW chuckled.
"Well just stay out of trouble then," Smoker said clapping the information broker on the back. "Also if you see Tashigi tell her where I'll be if she needs my help.
"We'll do," PEW said returning the gesture. "Enjoy your anniversary."
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Sergeant Major Tashigi couldn't BELIEVE the day she was having! Which was hard to believe as it had started off as such a nice day too! She had been on her way to Marine Headquarters with one of her trusty swords when a couple of thugs, also armed with swords dared to attack her! The fools had a downer against her superior Captain Smoker, apparently he had arrested their leader and they wanted revenge against him by attacking her. THAT was a HUGE mistake in itself, she had then SHOWN them the folly of their actions.
But right after the fight Tashigi had stumbled and dropped her trusty glasses, but fortunately for her a passer-by had been nice enough to pick them up. But then for some strange reason, the idiot ended up CRUSHING them in his hand when he got a good look at her! That had NOT impressed Tashigi at ALL as her glasses were EXPENSIVE, and her spare pair were back at Marine Headquarters! Despite the fact the man had said he'd pay the Sergeant Major back, she didn't trust him and all but commanded him to follow her through the streets of Lougetown.
"I still can't believe you broke my glasses!" Tashigi grumbled angrily over her shoulder to the sulky form of Roronoa Zoro following close behind her.
"Look," Zoro said wearily for what felt like the UMPTEENTH time. "I told you I'll pay you BACK okay?! Geeze!" It wasn't his fault he stumbled into this klutz of a girl now was it? All he had been doing was trying to find a store to buy two new swords!
"You'll 'pay me back'?" Tashigi said in annoyance at Zoro's reply coming to a sudden stop without turning around. "You don't look like you have any money! Am I right?"
"Uh well…" Zoro said admittedly. "That's true I AM…kinda broke."
"I KNEW it!" Tashigi exclaimed furiously as she spun around and walked up to the green haired swordsman glaring right into his eyes. "I can tell by the look on your face that you're pretty desperate. So what is it?" she went on sarcastically to the speechless Zoro. "Your 'sick mother needs medicine'? Or did 'your wife run away with another man, and left you to raise your children by yourself?'"
"Hey!" Zoro said in protest suddenly finding his voice again. "Hold it!"
"Don't explain," Tashigi interrupted. "Just come with me," so saying her turned around and walked into a large building they had arrived at.
Looking up Zoro saw that the building was the Lougetown Marine Headquarters!
"Oh no…not the Marines!" Zoro groaned to himself. It was bad enough that this girl LOOKED like his dead childhood friend Kuina, but she was a Marine as well! Not wanting to incur the girl's wrath any further Zoro reluctantly followed Tashigi through the entrance.
Once inside Tashigi lead Zoro to a janitor's closet, opened it and produced a mop with a bucket of soapy water.
"Here," the dark haired girl said handing the items over to the disbelieving Zoro. "Our cleaning man quit his job yesterday. If you work for the Navy," she went on brightly to the now FUMING Zoro. "You'll never need to worry about money! You're a very lucky person."
"Screw that!" Zoro said in angry rejection as he attempted to hand back the mop and bucket. "Why should I work for the Navy?"
"So you're just going to run off?!" Tashigi sneered scornfully pushing the mop and bucket back at Zoro. "You're insulting a person's kindness! Maybe your poor spirit's more of an issue than your money problem?!"
"Now look here you!" Zoro began to furiously protest deeply stung by Tashigi's words, but he was suddenly cut off by a voice being cleared.
"I hate interrupt such a PROMISING conversation, but I wonder if I could have a moment of your time?"
Looking behind them Tashigi and Zoro saw a man whose face and body was covered by a dark red robe complete with a hood and cowl, holding a briefcase, while his hands were covered by dark blue gloves.
"Oh hi there PEW," Tashigi said brightly to the man. "Long time no see! You know who this guy is?" she said excitedly to the puzzled Zoro. "This is the Person Extremely Wanted, the information broker of the seas also known as the Informed One! You're real lucky to meet him you know?"
'THIS guy is the Person Extremely Wanted?' Zoro thought to himself in amazement as Tashigi started talking to the hooded man.
As a former Pirate Hunter Zoro knew OF the information broker, but he had never actually MET the guy let along SEEN him until now. Of course Sanji had told him and his fellow Straw Hats of meeting PEW when he was still working on the 'Baratie', but Zoro hadn't taken him seriously. It was only when they had recently battled Arlong and his Fishmen did he start to believe the blonde chef, when they had found a notebook in the ruins of 'Arlong Park' that had listed all of Nami's PRECISE activities before they met her.
'So HE's the one who wrote up that notebook for Arlong, he paid PEW to keep tabs on Nami. I wonder what he's doing here?'
Trying to look inconspicuous Zoro tried edging nearer to the pair and listen in on what they were talking about. Unfortunately Tashigi spotted the green haired swordsman out of the corner of her eye. "Do you mind?!" she snapped. "This is a PRIVATE conversation!"
"Okay! Okay!" Zoro said stepping hastily back as Tashigi went back to her conversation with PEW.
After a little while a Marie appeared behind the pair and saluted her. "Excuse me Sergeant Major! It's time for training!"
"Oh damm!" Tashigi said as she realized she had to go. "Thanks for stopping by PEW."
"My pleasure," PEW said with a friendly wave. "By the way if you're looking for Smoker he was going to the 'Gol D. Roger' bar for a drink before carrying on with his duties. So keep up the good work won't you?"
"You too, bye!" Tashigi said brightly as the hooded man started off on his way. "As for you," she said turning her attention to the waiting Zoro. "Please work hard okay?"
"SHE's a Sergeant Major?!" Zoro exclaimed to himself in disbelief as he watched Tashigi follow her fellow Marine off down the corridor.
"That's right," PEW called over his shoulder as he was still in ear shot. "So you'd better do a good job on those floors for her."
"Hey wait a minute!" Zoro said spinning around chasing after PEW, dropping his cleaning gear in the process.
"Yes?" PEW said patiently waiting for the green haired swordsman casually peeling off his right glove as he did so.
"I've got a bone to pick with you," Zoro said poking the information broker in the chest.
"Please…don't do that," PEW said grabbing Zoro's hand with his own before he gave a cry of agony.
Zoro watched in amazement as PEW stagged and fell to the floor clutching his head dropping his briefcase in the process. "Hey," he asked the hooded man uneasily. "You okay?"
"Migraine!" PEW gasped reaching into his pocket for his aspirin bottle. "I have…aspirins…need some…water!"
Looking around Zoro found a water cooler sitting next to a nearby wall, so he grabbed a cup and started filling it.
As this was happening PEW sat himself up fumbling around for his aspirin, she he did so his uncovered right hand was blindly held out in front of him. Reaching out PEW accidently touched Zoro's only remaining katana that had once belonged to his childhood friend Kuina, having lost his other two swords in a duel with Hawkeye Mihawk back at the 'Baratie.' PEW gave another cry of pain and fell back onto the floor just as Zoro turned around with a cup of water.
"Here you go," the green haired swordsman said helping PEW up with his free hand.
"Thanks," PEW gasped as he stood up swallowing his aspirins and water gratefully.
"Look," Zoro began as he waited for PEW to finish. "I'm…"
"I know who you are Roronoa Zoro," PEW cut in. "It's hard NOT to hear about the famous Pirate Hunter around the East Blue…or rather FORMER Pirate Hunter…as you just recently joined a crew and it's the reason WHY you wanted to talk to me."
"Just how the HELL did you know all that?!" Zoro asked in amazement.
"I'm not called 'the Informed One' without reason you know," PEW smirked under his hood. "I'll tell you…BUT you must swear as a swordsman to NEVER say ANYTHING to ANYONE. That INCLUDES your crewmates…ok?"
"Okay," Zoro said slowly wondering just WHAT had he got himself into here.
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"Ah!" Nami said to herself in happy satisfaction as she walked through the streets of Lougetown. "Shopping always makes me feel batter!" she grinned as she felt the weight of her new clothes she was carrying in her shopping bag against her back. She suddenly stopped as she noticed a couple of Wanted Posters on a nearby display board outside the local Marine Base, each poster was displaying Luffy's grinning face for all to see. She suddenly jumped in alarm as a nearby alley door opened, causing her to hide around a corner in case it was the Marines.
"Dammit!" Zoro grumbled to himself in irritation as he stepped out into the alley putting out a full garbage can next to the wall. "Just how the hell did this happen to me?!"
"Zoro…with the Marines?" Nami said to herself in disbelief at the sight she was seeing. "What is going on here?"
She looked on as Zoro disappeared back inside the Marine Base as a hooded figure carrying a briefcase appeared in the doorway. "See you later Zoro," he called over his shoulder.
"Yeah thanks for clearing things up for me PEW," Zoro called back.
'PEW?' Nami thought to herself in amazement. 'THAT's the guy Arlong paid to spy on me? Well, this must be my lucky day," she thought smiling with grim satisfaction.
"Hey you!" Nami said storming up to PEW. "My name is Nami, does that name mean anything to you?! You and I need to have a LONG talk!"
"Oh not AGAIN!" PEW groaned to himself at the sound of Nami's voice and seeing her approach. "I'm out of aspirins!"
"Well too bad for you!" Nami said getting ready to give PEW a good dressing down. But before she could do anything PEW put down his brief case and took off his gloves. Quick as lightening the hooded figure pushed Nami gently, but firmly, up against the wall with his right hand on her shoulder.
"Listen Nami," PEW said to her painfully. "I know that words alone will not convince you of my actions…so perhaps this will!" So saying PEW reached out with his uncovered LEFT hand and touched Nami's head.
To Nami's surprise an image appeared in her mind of PEW talking to a Marine Girl with a name tag of 'Tashigi' on her shirt, while a curious looking Zoro stood in the background.
"Now what can I do for you PEW?" Tashigi asked the information broker brightly.
"I have a considerable amount of money Arlong paid me for a job. This was while he was running his little 'Empire' from Cocoyasi Village on Conomi Islands," PEW said taking out a wad of Berries. "Plus some OTHER dirty money I managed to get off a CROOKED Marine officer who was in Arlong's pocket."
"I see," Tashigi nodded in understanding. She suddenly became aware of Zoro quietly edging up behind them trying to listen in. "Do you mind?!" she snapped. "This is a PRIVATE conversation!"
"Okay! Okay!" Zoro said stepping hastily back.
"Anyway," PEW went on as Tashigi turned her attention back to him. "As this is DIRTY money which belongs to the people of Cocoyasi Village," he said handing the money to the dark haired girl. "Can you please make sure it's sent BACK there? They need it more than I do."
"It would be my pleasure PEW," Tashigi smiled taking the wad of Berries off him. "It's nice to know that there are still good HONEST people in the world wanting to do the right thing. You can rest assured that this money WILL go back to where it's RIGHTFULLY needed."
"So I THAT clears things up for you Nami," PEW said as he removed his hand from the navigator's head causing the images to fade. "I may work for people like Arlong from time to time, but I'm not a complete JERK you know! I have no qualms taking money from their own personal pockets. I do NOT take money stolen off OTHERS, I only take it if there's no choice and try to give it BACK when I have a chance later!"
At first Nami was too amazed at what had happened to reply. When she finally got her voice back PEW had beaten her to the punch.
"I'm called 'the Informed One' for a reason Nami, I just showed you. It's how I know things and no you CAN'T know as it's my secret. So if you'll excuse me," she said putting his gloves back on. "I've got a migraine and I need to buy some aspirins!"
So saying the information broker picked up his briefcase and left, leaving Nami with a confused but awed look on her face.
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And THAT dear readers is the end of Chapter 3!
PEW is full of surprises isn't he? He wasn't kidding when he said he tries to balance himself out for EVERYONE. He RESPECTS people like Smoker and Tashigi as they are HONEST in their work, and they respect him for his.
Although PEW probably isn't been TOTALLY honest to Smoker, I mean there's no points for guessing WHO he was talking to in the 'Gol D. Roger' now is there? As for WHAT'S in the briefcase PEW was given, if you guessed WHO he was talking to, you can guess what's in the briefcase! You will find out later on if you can't!
Anyway PEW's found 3 Straw Hats…who else will be meet before he leave Lougetown? You'll find out next chapter! So BE NOT AFRAID read and review like always until then! Also please remember once again, if you don't like my work then don't read or review it! NO-ONE, is forcing you to! Later!