Ch. 3- Trouble Always Finds Us


One Piece © Oda

Story and OCs © Me


"What?!"

Langstrom sat in the captain's quarters of his battleship, which had the figurehead of a roaring lion, scrabbling his quill pen on some documents. Captain Derek stood beside him while before Langstrom was another Marine, this one wearing a black suit and a red scarf around his neck. He had one a Marine cap and a blue jacket with a Marine badge on his left side. He had a thick, dark gray beard and ear piercings on his left ear, too.

MARINE ENSIGN

HENDRICKSON

"What do you mean we're not going after the Straw Hats?!" questioned Hendrickson. "Sir, this is a matter of dire importance-"

"Quiet, Hendrickson!" barked Derek. "The Vice-Admiral's orders are absolute."

"Derek's right, Hendrickson," said Langstrom. "No one is going after the Straw Hats. Not on my watch."

Hendrickson growled at this, clenching his fists angrily.

"What kind of cowardice is this?!" he questioned. "There are pirates encroaching on Marine territory, and you're just going to let them?! Vice-Admiral, we must take action and make these criminals see the error of their ways!"

Suddenly, Langstrom stood up, slamming his hands against his desk.

"Do you take me for a fool, Hendrickson?!" he questioned. "I am NOT risking casualties over a band of motley pirates!"

"But sir!" Hendrickson argued. "We have over hundreds of men at our command and there's only so few of them! What's stopping us?!"

"Clearly, you don't know these pirates," Langstrom replied. "Let me remind you of something: these pirates, though few in number, have built their reputation by taking on impossible odds! And look at their captain, Hendrickson." He then held up Luffy's wanted poster. "Need I remind you that in his short pirate career, Straw Hat Luffy has defeated 4 big name pirates of the East Blue, 3 of the Seven Warlords, infiltrated all three World Government Strongholds, is the son of Dragon the Revolutionary, the grandson of Vice-Admiral Garp, blood brother of both 'Fire Fist' Ace AND Sabo the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff, and just recently defeated one of Big Mom's highest-ranking officers?! He didn't earn that 1.5 billion Berry bounty FOR NOTHING!"

Derek gulped nervously as he looked over at Hendrickson, who opened his mouth to speak...and yet, he fell short.

"My thoughts exactly," Langstrom said. "Leave the Straw Hats alone, Hendrickson. Unless they actually do something to provoke us, I will not take action. You are dismissed."

"...Yes, sir..." Hendrickson bowed his head as he turned and walked out.

"Well said, sir," Derek said as he looked to Langstrom, who sighed and nodded his head.

"I'm not saying he doesn't speak sense," Langstrom said. "I know Straw Hat Luffy can be dangerous...I just can't take chances, is all. If what the news about him says is true, we could be dealing with the potential Fifth Emperor."

"Sir, with all due respect," Derek began, "do you honestly believe that Straw Hat has become THAT powerful? Maybe it was an exaggeration. You know how sometimes, Morgans tends to stretch the truth a bit."

"I hardly think that was an exaggeration, Captain Derek," answered Langstrom. "After all...I was there, two years ago, during the Paramount War. I saw what he was capable of."

"You did?" asked Derek in surprise.

"Yes...which is why I'm not taking any risks," Langstrom said. "Say what you will, but the safety of the island's citizens and my men are more important...which is why I'm leaving him alone unless he actually decides to do something. Besides...I doubt he knows we're here."

"...I agree, sir," Derek replied.

XXX

Hendrickson stood outside of Langstrom's office, glaring at the door before he soon walked out, grumbling to himself.

'That stupid, cowardly fool,' he thought. 'Doesn't he know an opportunity when he sees one?! If we were to arrest the Straw Hats here and now, we'd be made heroes of the world!' He then smirked, toothily. 'Maybe I could finally get that promotion to Vice-Admiral, as well!'

He then began to picture himself, wearing a Marine coat over his shoulders, wearing a more lavish suit with a flower corsage, surrounded by beautiful women and fine wine and delicacies.

"Yes, I can see it all, now..." Hendrickson said. "Gehahahaha!" He then glanced to some Marine soldiers sitting around chatting. "Now...I just need to rope in some followers."

XXX

Meanwhile, Luffy and Aika had stopped in the middle of the forest, right in a nice sunny area clear of trees so that they could get a good look at the sky.

"This looks like the perfect place to set up camp, Aika," Luffy said as he put his backpack down. "I'll get the tent pitched, okay?"

"Okay," Aika replied as Luffy got to work on setting up camp. He pulled the tent out of his backpack, unrolled it, and started to pitch it up by hammering the tent pegs into the ground. However, as he looked over his shoulder, he saw that Aika was staring at a little white butterfly that was perched on a leaf. She smiled at it, even giggled as it flew up and landed on her nose, and it was at that moment that Luffy felt his heart melt, a warm smile appearing on his face.

"Looks like she's already having fun," he thought aloud. "...When was the last time I saw her like this?"

Aika gently blew the butterfly off her nose, causing it to flutter away into the sky.

"Aika!" Luffy called.

"Huh?" Aika muttered as she looked back.

"Why don't you go and get some firewood, okay?" Luffy asked.

"Okay, Big Brother!" Aika smiled as she went to go search for some dry branches.

"And don't go too far, got it?" Luffy asked.

"I won't!" Aika answered as she headed into the forest while Luffy continued to set up camp. As he did, he smiled to himself, thinking about how much fun Aika was already having. It looked like this camping trip was going to be a good idea, after all...

Or so he thought, at first.

XXX

Aika hummed a little tune to herself as she quietly gathered some sticks into her arms. As she did, she smiled as she watched a little ladybug buzz by, then she looked up as she heard the call of birds high above her in the trees. She could hear the chattering of squirrels, scurrying about in the branches as they tried to gather food.

All around her, she could hear the beautiful sounds of nature.

'This is so peaceful,' she thought. 'Reminds me of back when I was at home on Wolf Paw Island...'

She then frowned for a moment.

'...How long has it been since my island got destroyed by the Marines? Since my Mommy died? I think it's been almost 2 years, already...'

She then looked down at the leaf-littered ground.

'That's right...my birthday's coming up, soon...I'll be 7 in a few more days.'

She giggled to herself as she kept gathering sticks.

'Still...I'm happy, even now. Big Brother and I are together, and best of all, we don't have to worry about anybody coming after us. As long as Big Brother doesn't fight...he won't get hurt...and if he doesn't get hurt, then he won't die.'

As Aika continued to gather kindling...she didn't seem to have any idea that she was being watched. High up on a ridge and hiding behind some shrubs, there was Hendrickson and several Marine soldiers surrounding him. One of them was holding what looked like a sniper rifle, complete with a scoping lens.

"What do you have, sniper?" asked Hendrickson.

"Looks like a little girl, Ensign," answered the sniper as he kept his scope fixed on Aika. "Reports say that she was seen sailing with the Straw Hats."

"Hmm...obviously, she's of some importance to the pirates," said Hendrickson as he spied Aika, as well.

"What should we do, sir?" asked the sniper.

"Straw Hat might be nearby," Hendrickson answered. "We can use her for leverage." He then flashed a wicked smirk. "Sniper...shoot the girl on my mark, but just try to graze her. We want her captured, not dead. We'll use her to lure the Straw Hats to us."

"Aye, sir," replied the sniper as he prepared to pull the trigger...but before he could...

"HEY!"

The Marines froze before they all turned around...and gasped upon seeing Luffy, glaring at them with a look of pure, murderous rage.

"What the HELL do you think you're doing?!" Luffy questioned.

XXX

"Damn that Hendrickson...where'd he go?"

Derek grumbled to himself as he walked through the forest, stepping over bushes and ducking underneath low branches. He had a look of annoyance on his face as he looked around, trying to find the Ensign in question. Langstrom had suspected that Hendrickson might have been up to something, so he sent Derek after him to go find him.

"I don't know what that idiot is thinking," Derek muttered, "but knowing him, I know it's not good. Just wait until I find him. He's gonna hear it when I-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

To Derek's shock, a scream of fright was heard, echoing through the air, and not long after, there was a loud crash, followed by more screams. As the Marine Captain ran to go look, he was suddenly pushed aside by Hendrickson, who panted as he ran through the forest.

"Hendrickson!" Derek shouted as he ran after him. "What's going on?!"

"He's a monster, I tell you!" Hendrickson yelled, but before Derek could question him further, he looked back, only to gasp upon seeing several Marine soldiers lying scattered on the ground, bloodied and beaten...and among them was the Marine sniper that Hendrickson almost ordered to shoot Aika...and walking away from the carnage was Luffy, himself. Derek gasped before he quickly hid behind a tree, just as Luffy turned around...that same look of fury in his eyes.

'So that's Straw Hat Luffy,' thought Derek as he glanced down at the defeated soldiers. '...Damn...to this much damage in such a short time?! He certainly is powerful...' He then took a quick peek and saw that Luffy had disappeared.

"He's gone..." he whispered before he went to check on the men. "Hey, are you all right?"

"Ugh...C-Captain Derek?" asked one of the soldiers.

"What are you doing here?" asked Derek. "The Vice-Admiral's orders were not to engage Straw Hat in any attack!"

"But...the Ensign," the soldier groaned. "He said that...if we arrested Straw Hat, we'd all get medals...!"

"You fools," Derek said with a stern glare. "Since when were medals more important than your lives?!" He then pulled out a Mini Transponder Snail from his coat pocket. "I'll make a quick casualty report to Vice-Admiral Langstrom-"

WHACK! Before Derek could do so, he was suddenly struck in the back of the head by the butt of a rifle, causing him to collapse on the ground...and over him stood Hendrickson, who glared at him, bitterly.

"I'm afraid...I can't let you do that, Captain," said Hendrickson as he looked down at the Mini Transponder Snail...and smirked.

XXX

Back on the Sunny, about an hour had passed since Luffy and Aika had left. The crew took this chance to relax and have a bit of time to themselves. It was a little quiet, though...and maybe a bit lonely. Nonetheless, they weren't too worried. Luffy did say that if anything happened, he'd call them and let them know.

Right now, Sanji was in the kitchen, washing some dishes while Blizzard lied on the floor, not really asleep, but just lounging. However, as Sanji put the last of the dishes away, he gnawed on the butt of his cigarette...something he'd only do when he was nervous about something.

"What's up with you, Sanji?" asked Blizzard.

"...I don't know why," Sanji answered, "but I have a really bad feeling."

"Really?" Blizzard asked, incredulously. "Usually, it's me who gets the bad feeling...you don't think it has anything to do with Luffy, do you?"

"It's almost too quiet around here," Sanji replied. "You know how things get it's too quiet."

"Maybe, for once, you're overthinking things," said Blizzard. "Seriously, what could possibly go wrong?"

Suddenly, KABOOM! A large explosion sent the ship, nearly sending Sanji toppling over to the floor while Blizzard shot straight up on his paws!

"What the hell was that?!" asked Blizzard, and not long after, Carrot and Brook came rushing into the kitchen, looking panicked.

"Guys! Come quick!" Carrot cried.

"The Marines are here, and they're on the attack!" Brook added.

"...I overthink things, huh?!" Sanji questioned, causing Blizzard to grin, sheepishly.

"Well, I could be wrong, you know," the wolf-dog said.

XXX

"Chopper, hurry up and unfurl the sails!" Nami yelled.

"I'm trying!" Chopper answered from the yardarm, trying to untie the mainsail. "It would be easier if Luffy were here!"

Behind the Sunny, Langstrom's battleship was seen firing at the sloop ship. So far, none of the artillery shells managed to hit...but they weren't stopping yet.

"Vice-Admiral Langstrom, sir!" said one of the Marines on board, holding a Mini Transponder Snail. "The Straw Hats are within sight!"

"Commence pursuit, at once!" Langstrom's voice answered. "I want all those on board that ship arrested!"

"What are you going to do, sir?" asked the Marine Petty Officer.

"Isn't it obvious?" Langstrom asked. "I'm going after Straw Hat!"

XXX

On the land, Langstrom had gathered several other Marine soldiers...and by several, this writer means quite many.

Langstrom growled as he stood before his men...slowly transforming into his lion-hybrid from.

"...The hunt has begun...!" he snarled. "Straw Hat will pay for his crimes!"


TO BE CONTINUED...


Next time on One Piece: Trek!

Hendrickson: Vice-Admiral! This is horrible! Straw Hat Luffy attacked Captain Derek and...and...HE THREW HIM INTO THE SEA!

Langstrom: WHAT?!

*At the campsite*

Luffy: RUN, AIKA!

Aika: *gasps as she sees the Marines coming*

Langstrom: *jumps in Luffy's way* You're not going anywhere, Straw Hat...!

Luffy: *cracks his knuckles* You wanna fight, huh?!

Aika: *gasps* Oh, no...!

*On the Sunny*

Nami: Sanji, where are you and Blizzard going!?

Sanji: We're going to go find Luffy. Try and avoid the Marines until then.

Carrot: *is looking through binoculars* Hey! What's that on the water?

Next time: The Lion's Roar


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