One Piece: Truly Precious

Finally the group is headed to the Grand Line! I'm sorry if things seem a bit rushed, but I promise you that from now, they will begin to slow a bit. After all, the enemies are about to get a lot tougher. I have plans for future arcs and any constructive suggestions will be considered, but I won't do lemons.

BTW, if anyone wants me to give the Strawhats Pluton as their next ship, I'll need a pic of it as a reference and it will need the Sunny's figurehead, as they have a connection to that ship.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

On the deck of the Going Merry, there was much activity going on. Zoro was watching his old partners and current students, Johnny and Yosaku as they went through several sword forms wearing weights on their limbs. He was determined to make competent swordsmen out of the two former bounty hunters so they would be ready for the perils of the Grand Line. It would be a long and hard road, but he was certain they would get there.

Meanwhile, Nami was watering her garden where she had begun cultivating her Tangerine trees, while she watched her sister practice forms with her knives. Nojiko was really improving her skills, even if she had yet to be in any fights, and Usopp was happy to help by providing her with inventions to help maximize her roll as their scout.

The final two members of the crew's Monster Trio weren't keeping idle either, far from it in fact. Sanji was currently using his footwork to build leg strength by juggling several of Zoro's weights with his legs like hacky-sacks. His captain was doing several different exercises while weights were tied to nearly every inch of his torso. His exercises consisted of speed and reflex drills where Gin attacked him with his cannonball tonfas and the rubber captain had to dodge. Considering the skill of the former Combat Commander of the Krieg Armada, this was quite the workout. The fact that it was good training for Gin as well was an added bonus.

Finally, Usopp, the sharpshooter of the Strawhat Pirates, was working to strengthen himself as well. While he couldn't re-create the Kabuto or Kuro Kabuto without Dials or Pop Green seeds, respectively, he was able to re-create the ammunition he used with the Kabuto. Fresh eggs and Tabasco stars were good for party tricks, but the enemies on both halves of the Grand Line would require more serious ammunition. Currently he had managed to create several of Kabuto's more powerful shots, and he was working to re-create more.

Checking her compass and map, Nami whistled sharply, bringing the training to a halt and causing the group to form up around a table on the deck where several maps were spread out.

"All right," said Nami, "we'll be arriving at the port in a few hours so we'll need to plan how we're gonna do this."

"Why do we need to plan?" asked Luffy as he took off his weights, "Can't we just go in and grab our things before we leave for the Grand Line?"

"BAKA!" yelled Nami as she whacked her captain over the head while unknowingly using Haki and making her attack actually hurt the rubber captain, "Half of our crew here have high level bounties on our heads and there happens to be a Marine base situated in the town! If we go strutting around like nothing's wrong, they're likely to call in reinforcements and throw us in Impel Down! No, we have to be cautious."

"I still need to grab two more swords," said Zoro, "and I need to get these two idiots some decent blades as well. Those nameless pieces of metal you use now won't cut it against the real fighters in the Grand Line."

"If that's what you think is best, Zoro-aniki," said Johnny.

"I have to get some supplies too," said Usopp, "not to mention some decent sniper goggles."

"And I need to stock up on food for the trip," said Sanji, "with the size of our crew, I'll need to stock up on ingredients. Luckily the Lougetown port has some decent fishermen that are willing to sell their catch."

"Fine fine," sighed Nami, "I guess I can be persuaded to loan you guys some berries to pay for your things."

"OH HELL NO!" yelled Zoro, "I am not borrowing any money from you Witch! Not with the insane amount of interest you charge!"

"Oh?" smirked Nami, "Then how do you expect to pay for those swords?"

Zoro ground his teeth at that. While it was true he got Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu for free, it was unlikely the shop owner would let him grab two more blades for the same price, or lack thereof.

"That's what I thought," said Nami, "but since we're nakama, this time I'll only make it a 100% interest rate."

"You're all heart," said Zoro sarcastically.

"Actually," said Yosaku, "Johnny and I still have some cash from bounties we picked up before meeting you guys, so we might be able to pay for our own swords."

"Oh," said Nami as she tried to not sound disappointed, "that's…good."

"I'd like to borrow money, Nami-san!" said Sanji.

"Of course," said Nami as her cheer returned, "at 300% interest of course."

"HAI, Nami-swan!" said Sanji with hearts in his eyes.

"I want to see the execution platform," said Luffy, "the place where the Golden Age of Pirates began."

"Ok," said Nami, "here's how it will work. Gin, you go with Sanji and help him get what he needs."

"Sounds reasonable," said Gin.

"Yosaku and Johnny," continued Nami, "you two will go sword shopping with Zoro. Make sure he doesn't get lost or in trouble."

"Right, Nami-aneki!" said the former bounty hunters while Zoro scowled at the insinuation.

"Usopp," said Nami, "get what you need and we'll all meet Luffy at the platform. Hopefully before anything bad happens."

"Right," said Usopp.

"What about me, sis?" asked Nojiko with a smile.

Nami smiled and pulled out her wallet, "You and me are going shopping! I know a great clothing store with amazing prices."

"Sounds like a plan," said Nojiko.

"Right," said Nami, "now turn the ship 20 degrees to port, we'll catch a good breeze that will take us right to the harbor."

"Right," said the crew as they got to work following the Navigator's orders.

xXsceneXx

When the Going Merry docked at the Lougetown port, the crew gathered what they needed from the ship before splitting up and heading into the town. As they set foot on the ground, they knew that this was the beginning of a new set of challenges and trials that they would have to face here, and hoped that they would be ready.

xXsceneXx

Marine Captain Smoker, also known as Smoker the White Hunter, was currently meditating in his office by stacking stones while his powers filled the room with smoke. As he was carefully placing the fifth stone upon the others, the door to his office was slammed open by one of his subordinates.

"Captain Smoker!" yelled the officer, causing the captain to lose his concentration and knock the stones to the ground.

"What is it?" asked Smoker irately as he placed the last stone on the ground with the others.

"A pirate ship just docked at the North Port," said the officer as he saluted, "it's bearing the flag of the rookie pirate that holds the record for highest initial bounty, Monkey D. Luffy."

"Well," said Smoker as he got to his feet, "so that rookie's come here? He must plan on traveling to the Grand Line. Get the troops ready and find Tashigi. We're not letting that pirate leave this island."

"YES SIR!" yelled the soldier.

"And stop shouting," said Smoker, "I can hear you just fine."

As the solder ran off, the captain opened the windows to release the smoke and pulled on his Marine jacket and grabbed two cigars from his drawer. Lighting the ends, he took a drag and let the smoke seep from his mouth.

"Gold Rodger's death brought about the Golden Age of Pirate," mused Smoker, "and now it's our job to clean up the mess."

With that, the captain grabbed his Jitte from its peg on the wall and left his office to hunt down this rookie.