Chapter 2:An Envious Glance
Note:Despite his authentic sounding name, (Laughs) the Lieutenant Colonelwho appears biefly is my personal character, not one of Echira Oda's (Did I spell that right?), his are much better and more thought out than my characters.
Perched on the mast of the Going Merry, the captain of the ship, Monkey D. Luffy, couldn't have been happier. As the sun glowed down, he starred dreamily into the sky, watching the giant rainbow, a result of the storm that had caused his crew so much grief the last night, which spawned the mass of the sky. He sighed and pulled his hat down tightly over his eyes. It was a moment like this he enjoyed the most, when life was at it's simplest, nothing to understand, nothing to fight, nothing to do, just…life.
Of course, life never stayed still for more than a minute, Luffy learned this lesson yet again as a shout came from the deck. With little effort, the rubber man flipped himself over, and slid down the sheep shaped bow's neck, landing head first next to the ship's cook, Sanji. Offering a slight wave, the captain greeted him with a simple, "Oi, Sanji." The chef sighed and helped Luffy to his feet, shaking his head the whole time. Brushing himself off, the captain grinned and rushed off again, leaving Sanji to stare in wonder.
"Just like a little kid…" Remembering the battles they had been through together, the cook had to laugh at that notion; childish as he may be, Luffy was by far the strongest person he had ever met. Sighing, the man straitened his tie and looked out at the open sea. Its beauty inspired him, and suddenly all he wanted to do was cook a meal for his precious Nami.
Stepping inside the ship's cabin, he waved to Vi Vi and Chopper, who were busy reading the newspaper, delivered only a few minutes earlier, then turned his attention to the stove. The deer pointed out an article, and both of them laughed, making Sanji smile as he gathered the ingredients. These people may not be as professional as the staff on the Baratie, but they were much better company, and they were ones who he could share his dreams with.
"Sanji, have you seen Karue?" Vi Vi asked suddenly, staring up from the paper. The cook pointed out the door, then picked up his cooking knife. The Princess nodded, patted Chopper, than swiftly moved out the door. Smiling, the deer jumped off the table he had been perched on and walked over to Sanji.
Out the door, Vi Vi moved quietly up next to a distracted Ussop, and a bored looking Luffy, both of who sat silently on the ship's railing gripping fishing poles. She grinned and sat between them, although neither noticed. After waiting a minute, she sighed and whacked her captain on the side of the head.
"Ow…What was that for?" He muttered, rubbing his head. Ussop cast a sideward glance, and then uttered a muffled shriek as he saw Vi Vi. Dropping his pole, he scampered off in fear of the Alabastian princess, afraid of what she might do.
"What have I told you about-"Vi Vi started, then grabbed Ussop's pole and heaved it up. Tied on one end was her spotted duck companion, Karue, who was squirming and cawing in anger "-Using him as bait." Luffy simply shrugged, then looked out at the sea and resumed his bored look. After lifting the duck back on board, the princess glared at the rubber man and asked. "And what could you be using, eh, Luffy, if I may ask?"
The ship's captain raised up his pole and said, "This guy Ussop caught a while ago, but the fish don't seem to like him. Maybe you should try?" Wrapped up in what was probably a bad attempt at a sailor's knot was a short man, waterlogged and half drowned. Vi Vi shook her head, and then shoved Luffy into the water.
A sleeping Zoro shifted and snored, but quickly resumed his quiet rest.
EAST BLUE BORDERLINE MARINE BASE
"So you just found him out in the middle of the sea? Was he swimming?"
"No…just floating there…" Lieutenant Colonel Gihan Morane stared into the brig. Sitting inside was a young man, no older than 15 or 16. He was clothed in a black shirt that exposed his stomach and a pair of equally dark shorts. His hair was the same color as his attire, long and spiky; it almost looked like a palm tree, sprouting out over his headband. The Marine official glared at him, then turned to the Prize Hunter who stood in front of him. "He wasn't swimming, I think he was drowning. I believe he has the power of the Devil."
"You mean…he ate one of those fruit?" The Hunter asked nervously, shuffling away from the caged man, as though he had the plague.
"No…It goes beyond that. We found drifting out there, amon the sunk fleet of the Billions. Every last one of Baroque Walker's agents that had been out there was dead, he was the only one left. This man…he…he's like a demon." Both looked at each other, then at the caged man in fear. Much to their surprise, the 'demon' rose to his feet, laughing and shaking.
"I've never been called that before. Monster, abomination, beast, of course, but the devil? Please, you flatter me." With practiced swiftness, the Prize Hunter drew out his pistol almost instinctively, and fired at the man, not hesitating at all. Grinning, with inhuman swiftness, the figure dodged the shot and threw his arm through the bars, grabbing a hold of the Hunter's head. The Lieutenant Colonel could only watch in horror as the crazed prisoner raised his screaming pray off the ground. "There are two people in this world who I want to kill, my brother, and my father, both of who you will take me to."
Realizing that he was the only other one in the room, Gihan sputtered out, "What…what if I refuse!"
Insanely, the man grinned, almost as though he was hoping he would be asked that. "If you refuse, well, just think of something, you seem fairly intelligent." Dropping the still screaming prize hunter, his hand shifted and glowed, which caused Gihan to only recoil more in fear, until it settled on the shape of a colossal spike. Chuckling, he swung his misshapen hand down, which, with a sickening thud, imbedded itself in the Hunter's skull. "You will take me to Homenheim and the Full Metal, you will take me to the Grand Line."
Gulping the frightened Lieutenant Colonel could do nothing but tremble in fear, and nod.