One Piece: Truly Precious
Ok, I know several people are wondering why I wanted to make the Sunny into Pluton, the reason is twofold. Firstly, I've received requests in the past for Franky to not destroy Pluton's plans this time around, and secondly, with the bigger crew and bigger target on their heads, they'll need a bigger and more powerful ship to deal with their enemies and allies alike.
I simply want a picture or description to use as a reference if and when I use that plot idea. Also, I need ideas as to a good Vice Admiral to join Smoker on his hunt for the Strawhats after the Lougetown arc ends, because, let's face it, the crew's power will draw the attention of the higher ups soon. Also do you think the Marines would offer a position as a Warlord to Luffy to place him under their control? He would refuse of course, and before you argue that the name indicates Seven Warlords, the name can be changed (and it won't need to be, as Luffy will tell them to F*** off, basically).
Also, should Luffy take Whitebeard's position as Yonko after the war instead of Blackbeard, due to his crew's power and some other things that I won't spoil for you?
Anyways, on with the show.
Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Oda-sensei.
As Zoro walked through the streets of Lougetown, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic and a bit excited about reclaiming Yubashiri and Kitetsu III. He would also face the challenge of finding an adequate set of blades for Johnny and Yosaku. He already had a decent idea as to their sword style and strengths after training them, but to make it on the grand line, the oversized meat cleavers they called swords would have to be replaced.
"So Zoro-aniki," said Johnny, "where are we going?"
"Yeah," added Yosaku as he looked around, "we've already passed several sword shops."
"Relax," said Zoro, "I know where we're going. Also, don't call me by name for the rest of the time we're here. I have a pretty bog price on my head and would rather people don't know who I am while we're here."
Though honestly, he was hoping to avoid another incident with Tashigi going on the warpath to take him down. Seriously, that woman needed some priorities. It didn't help that she was a dead ringer for Kuina…and perhaps that wasn't the best word choice.
"So what shop are we looking for, Aniki?" asked Johnny.
Zoro smiled in remembrance, "Trust me, I know where we're going."
"You act like you've been here before, Aniki," said Yosaku.
"Really? I never noticed," chuckled Zoro, "so, I've watched the two of you spar, and I think I have a good idea of your fighting styles."
"So what kind of styles do we have, Aniki?" asked Johnny.
"Well," said Zoro as he took a look around for the shop, "the two of you focus on powerful strikes that break through an opponent's guard to take them down with brute strength."
"I never noticed," said Yosaku, "but it sounds about right."
"So keep an eye out for a shop called Ippon-Matsu's Fine Arms," said Zoro as they kept walking down the street.
"Um, Aniki?" said Yosaku hesitantly.
"Hm?" asked Zoro.
"You know we passed that shop about an hour ago, right?"
xXsceneXx
After backtracking their steps for a bit, the trio managed to arrive at the shop they had been looking for. Before entering, Zoro turned to his two students and former partners to give some last bits of advice.
"Ok," said Zoro, "let me do the negotiating here, I know how to deal with the owner, and remember, don't use my name at any time while we're here."
"Right, Aniki," said the former Bounty Hunters.
The three swordsmen walked through the doors of the weapons shop and saw the balding, red nosed owner of the shop leaning on the counter with a yawn. The shop had probably seen better days and was completely devoid of customers, probably due to the influx of pirate activity being curbed by the powerful Marine presence in the town.
"Eh?" said the owner as he saw them walk in, "What brings you three here?"
"We're here to get some swords," said Zoro, "I need two good blades and my friends here could use some fine steel too."
"Well," said the man, his demeanor becoming cheery and hospitable in an instant, "what can I get for you gents? Ippon Matsu's the name and we have the best selection of blades in the East Blue."
"Good," said Zoro, "we have about 300,000 Berries, so what kinds of swords would that get us?"
The owner's mood vanished in a flash and he slouched back against the counter, "That's nowhere near enough to pay for four swords."
Before Zoro could say anything to haggle further, the door opened and a figure walked in that made the swordsman freeze and pale.
'Shit,' swore Zoro mentally, 'I was hoping to avoid this meeting and the can of worms it opened last time. Maybe I can make it work.'
"Hello," said a black haired woman as she walked in, "I'm here to pick up my sword I left for polishing."
This woman was Tashigi, a Marine officer that looked strangely like Zoro's childhood friend and, though he would never admit it, his first crush, Kuina.
As she walked up to the counter, she noticed Zoro standing there with a slight bit of sweat and smiled, "Oh, hello. Are you here buying a sword as well?"
"Yeah," said Zoro, "but I could use some help picking out some good ones. Think you can help me?"
"I'd be happy to," said Tashigi, "I assume you want swords for your friends?"
Zoro nodded, "And two for myself."
"Two?" said Tashigi, "But you have one alrea…"
She trailed off and gasped when she saw the sword hanging from his sash before leaning forward for a better look.
"Is that…? It is! That's Wado Ichimonji, one of the 21 O Wazamono blades! It is easily worth at least 10,000,000 berries! How is it you have a sword like this in your possession?"
"It was given to me by a dear friend," said Zoro as he placed a hand on the hilt.
"So, if you have a sword like Wado, then why do you need two more swords?" asked Tashigi.
"I just feel more comfortable with three," said Zoro.
"Three swords, huh?" said Tashigi, "That sounds like that bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro."
"I've heard of him," said Zoro with a small smile, "he's pretty skilled."
"He's awful," said Tashigi, "using his blades only as a way to make money by fighting and hurting other people. My dream is to liberate those great swords from their evil masters one day."
"Why do you think he's evil?" asked Zoro as he walked over to a barrel of cheap swords, "Aren't swords made so people can fight with them? If they just sat on a shelf all day, they'd just gather dust and rust."
"I guess," said Tashigi, "but there are nobler ways to use swords."
"Why isn't the life of a hunter noble?" asked Zoro, "He only goes after criminals and brings them in to be punished by the law, right. He uses his blades to bring an end to the evil sailing the seas."
"I guess," said Tashigi, "but…"
"And besides," continued Zoro, "don't the Marines fight and kill people with their blades as well?"
"The Marines follow a code of Justice and Honor," said Tashigi, "they would never do something like that."
"Really?" asked Zoro, "I heard about a certain Captain of the Marine base in Shell Town that was letting his power get to his head and ran the base like he was a king in his castle."
"That was one incident," protested Tashigi.
"What about the Marine Captain that was working with the Arlong Pirates and accepting bribes to turn a blind eye to the oppression of the townsfolk?" asked Zoro.
"I get your point," sighed Tashigi.
"In any case," said Zoro, "it's not the occupation of the man wielding a sword that makes them unfit, it's how they choose to use the sword that decides that."
"Fine," said Tashigi.
"So," said Zoro, "you think you can help us find some good steel?"
"Sure," said Tashigi with a smile.
Zoro nodded as he shifted through the barrel of cheap blades until his hand closed around a familiar hilt, 'There you are.'
"That sword," said Tashigi as Zoro pulled the katana from the barrel.
Puling out a small book on swords and their values, she flipped through the pages until she found the sword in his hand, "That's Sandai Kitetsu! It's a Wazomono grade sword easily worth 1,000,000 berries. You should buy this sword!"
"Wait," said Ippon Matsu nervously, "I can't sell that's sword."
"Why not?" asked Tashigi.
"It's a cursed blade," said Zoro before the shop owner could answer.
"So you've heard of it?" asked Ippon Matsu.
"Somewhat," said Zoro, "but I could tell by it's feel."
Ippon Matsu nodded as he leaned on the counter, "All the Kitetsu blades are cursed. They are remarkable weapons made from excellent steel, but all those that have used them in the past have met gruesome deaths."
"Aniki," said Johnny, "maybe you should get a different sword?"
"Nah," smirked Zoro, "I rather like this one."
"No way!" said the shopkeeper, "If I sell you that blade and you kick the bucket it'll be like I was the one who killed you!"
"Then let's test this 'curse,'" said Zoro as he tossed the blade into the air, "if it wins, maybe I'm not worthy to wield a blade."
Zoro extended his arm and closed his eyes, shutting out the sounds of the former Bounty Hunters protesting his actions and Tashigi gasping in horror, focusing only on the blade that was spiraling toward his arm. The others watched in horror as the blade spun down toward his arm, but just as it seemed about to sever the limb from his body, the blade seemed to slow for a second, adjusting the spin so it curved harmlessly around his arm and impaled the ground.
"I'll take it," said Zoro, causing everyone else to fall to the ground in shock as their legs gave out.
"W-w-wait right there!" said Ippon Matsu as he rushed to the shop's back room.
The red nosed owner soon emerged with an object covered in cloth, and when he removed the cloth he revealed a blade contained in a polished black sheathe with gold highlights.
"This is the finest sword in the whole shop," said Ippon Matsu, "a Ryo Wazamono blade with a midareba pattern. This blade is Yubashiri."
"I doubt I can afford that," said Zoro.
"No charge," said Ippon Matsu, "it's been a while since I've met a swordsman of your caliber. You can have Kitetsu as well. These swords have chosen you, so use them well."
"Thanks," said Zoro, "think I can get two more for my friends here?"
"What kinds of swords do they use?" asked Ippon Matsu, getting a smile from Zoro.
"They prefer heavier swords that can break through an opponent's guard," said the swordsman.
"Hmm," said Ippon Matsu, "then I have the perfect thing."
Walking over to a glass case, the shopkeeper pulled out, with some effort, two black swords, "These were given to my shop a long time ago. The metal was gathered from the heart of a fallen star and forged into these blades. They will be strong enough to meet your needs."
"How much?" asked Zoro, as he looked over the blades. They were rather large and were double edged, as opposed to a conventional katana.
"For you," said Ippon Matsu, "300,000 apiece."
The two former bounty hunters forked over the cash and strapped the blades to their back, noting the weight of the metal. With their business done, the group headed out to meet up with the others, leaving Tashigi wondering what kind of man had she just met.