He only laughed, "Aim." The Marines aimed at the trio. Dagger crouched down in a stance. As like if she did it all the time, she stood her ground at the marines' rifles. Her muscles began to remember what to do.
"FIRE!" Morgan let out the commanded.
Springing to her right, she dodged the shots. The Marines blinked and then jumped back in surprise as the rifles they held broke in half by a very clean cut. They looked around to see Luffy and behind him was the girl holding the dagger.
Luffy smirked as he sent the shots pellets back at them. Morgan's iron jaw dropped leaving his mouth open as he contemplated what had happened.
In the second the Marines blinked, Dagger dashed off to the right side. She weaved through score of Marines, expertly slicing the rifles in half. But, what irked him was that the rifles were made of wood and steel.
"How…?" He looked at Dagger who turned her head to meet him eye to eye. He cringed. The girl was in a trance. Her eyes were dilated and a dark shadow loomed over her.
"Captain, t-t-that straw hat kid... how did he do that?" Snapping out his gaze, he glared at the marine and explained about the Devil's Fruit. As he did this, Luffy showed Zoro the three swords.
"Hey, hey. Which one is yours? I don't know which one so I grabbed all three."
"All three are mine. I use them all."
Luffy shoved them in his face, "If I save you and you fight with me, you're my comrade. Which one will you pick? Being killed by the Marines or coming with me and Dagger?"
He scoffed and smirked, "Fine. I rather be a pirate than be killed here."
"Great! You're my comrade! Alright! Ha ha ha! This is perfect!"
"Yeah, yeah. Now set me free!"
As he struggled to untie the ropes, Captain Morgan finished explaining the Devil's fruit to his incompetent Marines. Coby looked over Luffy's shoulder, "AHH! Hurry, Luffy!"
"I…can't untie…this knot!" Luffy pulled on it, " That's weird… I think it's getting tighter."
"Stop screwing around!" Zoro hollered, "Dagger! Help Luffy!" He turned to see Dagger with her arms wrapped around her. Her hair draped over her face. She had dropped the dagger and it landed perpendicular to the ground. "Hey! Snap out of it."
Slowly turning her head to face him, he saw her blank expression. "S.. …" She recovered from her trance, "I'll cut the ropes." She knelt down to pull the dagger out of the ground. As she knelt down, Zoro saw over her. The Marines were charging to strike her from behind.
"HURRY UP AND GIVE ME MY SWORD!" Zoro screamed at Luffy.
Coby shrieked and shut his eyes when he saw the Marines, "Behind you, Dagger!"
"Huh?" Dagger, still fazed, slowly turned around. She stood still shocked and her body showed no movement of dodging the sabers. Just in time, Luffy untied the knot. Zoro leaped off the post and grabbed all three of the swords and jumped in front of Dagger locking swords with the Marines who shook in fear.
"Whoa! Cool!" Luffy laughed.
"Make one move and you're dead," Zoro threaten the Marines before he turned to Dagger, "What's wrong with you? If you can dodge the bullets, this should be no problem for you."
Dagger who fell to the ground looked up at him. Her face was full of melancholy. "Sorry… I don't understand how I was able to do that. Look at this dagger. It's not chipped or broken. The rifles are made of steel and I sliced them in half like cheese. It's not physically possible…" She looked back down.
Coby went beside her and dragged her with him. "Come over here and get out of the way of… these sharp objects…" He eyed the Marines' sabers.
"Luffy," Zoro looked at him, "I'm a wanted man now, since I opposed the Marines and join your pirate crew. HOWEVER, I'll tell you one thing. I'm going to follow my dreams to become the world's greatest swordsman. If you or anyone convinces me to abandon my dream, you wrote your own death sentence on my sword."
Dagger leaned on the post and watched them as Luffy replied with a big grin, "The world's greatest swordsman, eh? I wouldn't expect any least from you."
"Heh. It doesn't matter if I'm notorious or celebrated, my name will be heard from all over the world!" He smirked.
Dagger turned away from them, "I wish I have a dream too… Zoro is so cool and so is Luffy." She looked at the dagger. "What's wrong with me? How is it possible to do this? Was I a killer before I lost my memory?" She sheathed her dagger and stood up. "It doesn't matter," She told herself with a smile; "I want to know so I can mend my dishonorable ways. That's in the past. I'll deal with it when the time comes. If I can fight, I'll fight for what's right, like Luffy."
Dagger watched as Luffy kicked the Marines out of Zoro's sword lock and dashed off to fight with the vile Captain Morgan.
"What is he?" Zoro asked no one in particular.
"He ate rubber fruit." Dagger replied.
Zoro turned to smirk at her, "It's good to see you out of your melancholy and you do have a dream. You're seeking your memory." He quickly turned away to watch Luffy and Morgan.
Dagger smiled and joined him. Unnoticed by them both, Helmeppo snuck up from behind and grabbed onto Dagger's ponytail. She screamed but Helmeppo held her in a head lock with his forearm pressed against her mouth and he pointed a pistol at her head.
"WAIT! STAW HAT! Look at this!" He commanded Luffy who continued to punch Captain Morgan, "I said wait! Can't you see I have a hostage here!"
Zoro shot Helmeppo a death glare, but shouted to Luffy, "Hey." Luffy looked over as Helmeppo continued, "If you care about her life, don't move. I'll shoot her if you do anything."
Dagger stayed still, not out of fear, but it was the smartest thing to do since Helmeppo was shaking from head to toe.
Luffy only smiled, "Give it up you stupid moron." He flexed his arm, "Dagger can handle you, but I'll do it instead." He stepped closer.
"What are you doing! I'll shoot her!" He stopped when he saw his father stand up.
"No one messes with CAPTAIN MORGAN!" Morgan held up his arm to strike.
Luffy and Morgan both attacked at the same time, but only one met their target. Helmeppo released Dagger as he flew back. Morgan stopped in mid air as Zoro slashed him across the chest. He fell backwards with a loud thump.
"Good job." Luffy commented.
Zoro smirked, "It was nothing, captain." He sheaths his swords as he said to the Marines, "If anyone wants to avenge your captain, come now." The Marines looked at each other and then threw their weapons and hats up in celebrations. Dagger rubbed her neck as Coby and she went to join the rubber man and swordsman.
"Great job," Dagger said to Zoro and slapped him on the back. He fell forward with his face on the ground. "Oh no!" Dagger quickly knelt down beside him, "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you? Are you alright?"
Zoro rolled over and replied, "H..h..hungry…"
Dagger sighed as she knelt down, "Don't make me worry."
The four of them headed to the restaurant. A little girl and her mother greeted them with plates of food. Dagger sat back and watched Zoro and Luffy scuff it all down.
"You should eat too." Luffy said with a mouth full.
"I did." She pointed to an empty plate in front of her and then stood up, "I'm going to ask around about these daggers." She pointed to the twin daggers on her belt. "There must be a reason I can cut through steel."
"Sure, sure." Luffy continued to eat. Dagger laughed at his antics before leaving the restaurant.
She knew exactly where to go, the department store where she got her clothes. She entered the shop to be greeted by the man.
"Um… how may I help you… today?"
"Where's you wife? I would like to speak with her."
"Nala? Why?"
"She gave me these." Dagger showed him the daggers. "I want to know how she obtained them."
The man looked at her with fear, "Na…la…" He called as a woman came from behind him. She had green hair, similar to Dagger's.
"Yes, dear?" She asked with a sweet voice.
"This young woman would like to speak with you about them." He pointed to the daggers.
Light heartily, she replied, "Oh. Alright." Her husband left the two alone. "What would you like to ask, dear?"
"Why did you give these to me? I'm a stranger and these daggers are, well, they seem special."
"Well, you are correct about the daggers. It was made on the Grand Line by Zumdal with a secret metal. The metal can cut through anything."
"Yes," Dagger nodded. She had seen its work first hand. "But why did you give it to me? You could become rich with this."
Nala smiled, "Would you believe me if I said because of your hair color."
Dagger shook her head, "That's not a very good reason."
"Then I must tell you the truth. I'm returning it to you. A week before today, you come here and gave the daggers to me for safe keeping. That's why my husband is afraid of you. You were different then, than you are now. That's all you told me."
"I came here a week before?"
"Yes."
"When I had my memory?"
"Correct."
"It clears up things…" Dagger nodded. "Thank you for your time, but I don't understand why I entrusted you of all people residing on this island."
"I'm sorry I can't help you anymore."
"It's alright." Dagger replied, "I must be going now. My captain and first mate is waiting." She bowed and left the department store.
As Dagger walked away, Nala stood watching her leave. She prayed to herself, "Please never let him find her."
Dagger arrived at the boat to see Luffy and Zoro walking down the slope. She waved at them and received a smile from Luffy and a nod from Zoro.
"Are we going now?" She asked as she crossed over onto the boat.
"Yeah, the Marines want us off the island because we're pirates." Zoro replied as he joined her. Luffy pushed the small boat off and jumped in.
As they sailed away, from the shore, a shout was heard. "Good bye, Luffy!" The three of them turned to the port to see three scores of Marines and Coby in the front. Luffy stood up and waved, "Bye Coby!"
"You don't see that everyday," Zoro commented as the Marines gave them a salute, "They're going to be punished for that." He laughed.
A day passed on the tiny boat. Luffy leaned on the side of the boat with Dagger and Zoro beside him. He sighed, "I'm hungry."
Dagger shot him a glare, "Really? Didn't you think of bringing FOOD when we left?" She turned away from Luffy.
"When will we reach land?" Zoro asked as he leaned about to stare at the sky.
"Who knows… We go wherever the wind takes us. Will we reach land? Well," He smiled, "I'm sure we will… someday."
"Isn't strange that you want to become Pirate King and you don't know how to navigate?"
Luffy thought for a moment. Instead of replying, he asked, "Shouldn't you know. You're a pirate hunter."
"Well," Zoro looked at him, "I didn't plan to become a pirate hunter. It sort of happened. I went to sea looking for a man… and got lost. I had no choice but to hunt pirates for money."
"See, you got lost too."
He jumped up, "No I didn't!" The small ship shifted weight to one side. Dagger fell forward at Zoro's feet and Luffy gripped the side of the boat to steady himself. As he did that, his straw hat flew up and was elevated by the wind.
The three of them watch it as it glided over the sail. Luffy whispered to himself, "Shanks…" The straw hat glided downward off to the side of the boat.
Dagger pushed herself up and stood leaning over the side to get it. She shook her head, "Don't want to lose this, do you?" Luffy nodded. "Well then, keep it safe. Sheese."
Luffy stepped forward to get his hat back from her. The weight of the boat shifted again.
"Wh-what are you doing! Stoooopp!" She couldn't balance herself and fell into the water. The straw hat, however, flew up and then glided slowly into Luffy's hands. Luffy grinned as he held onto his treasure.
Zoro stood up and hollered, "LUFFY! Don't space out! Dagger just fell into the water! Aren't you going to help her?"
"Eh?" He looked at the ripples from Dagger's splash, "Umm… I can't swim… She can swim, right?"
"WHAT! I don't know." Zoro scanned the water for her. "Where is she?" They saw air bubbles come up from below.
Luffy tilted his head, "How long do you think she can hold her breath?"
Zoro shot him a look of disbelief and set his swords down before diving in the water. Luffy sat down and stared at the tranquil surface. Seconds passed before Zoro emerged from the ocean with Dagger under his arm. He threw her onto side of the boat before he too hanged onto the side rail.
Dagger coughed after being pulled into the boat by Luffy. He went to help Zoro afterward.
Zoro tighten his fist in frustration, "Am I surrounded by buffoons? Why would you come out to SEA and not know how to swim! You could at least learn how to float!"
Dagger looked down and wiped her eyes, "My body froze when I touched the water… I couldn't move my arms or legs, but they felt like weights. I'm sorry, Zoro…"
Luffy looked at her and then to Zoro. He whispered something to him. Zoro jerked back and took a quick glance at Dagger before turning back to Luffy.
"What are you talking about?" Dagger gave them a wary look and wrapped her arms around her.
Luffy grinned, "I think you ate Devil's Fruit."
Zoro dropped his jaw, "You said to not to tell her!"
"I know. I said you can't tell. Doesn't me I can't." Zoro rolled his eyes and sat back on with his back on the side of the boat with his swords resting on his leg.
"Devil's Fruit? Why?" Dagger asked, "What kind did I eat?"
"I don't know, but I know you didn't eat a rubber one." He laughed and nodded, "If you eat Devil's Fruit, you can't swim. You body freeze up and feels like weights. I know. Yup, yup."
"Oh, I wonder what I ate. I don't have anything special like you. What kinds of Devil's Fruit are there?"
"No clue."
"I'm hungry." Zoro said out of nowhere. Something caught Luffy's eye in the sky.
"Huh? A bird? HEY! Let's eat that bird!"
Zoro and Dagger turned to look at him with shock. "How?"
"You'll see," He grinned as he reached at the main yard, "GUM GUM ROCKET!" He pulled himself up and flew up.
"I do see." Dagger commented softly incase Zoro was still mad. They looked up to see Luffy with the bird. Zoro squinted to see the large bird had Luffy's head in its beak.
"HEELLLPPP MEEEE!"
Dagger gripped onto the side of the boat as Zoro jumped up shouted, "You DUMBASS! What are you doing!" He grabbed the two oars and began rowing. Dagger steadied herself onto the side as the boat sped to keep up with Luffy.
"HEY! You in the boat! Please stop!" Dagger leaned over to see three figures in the water.
Zoro cursed, "Castaways… at a time like this… I'm not stopping, just jump on the boat!"
The three castaways looked at each other in disbelief, but as the boat passed them, they gripped onto the side.
Dagger looked at them as they came on. Two was on her left and one was on her right. One had orange hair wearing a striped shirt and a teal sash with sand color pants. The taller, rounder one was wearing a black vest and hair black hair with a beard. The last smallest one was wearing a beanie with a pirate symbol of cross and bones and a orange jacket. "You actually got on," laughed Zoro.
"Are you trying to kill us!" The three of them shouted. The one with the vest grabbed Dagger and the one with the beanie pulled out a sword. "Stop the boat. We're the crew of Buggy the Clown and I won't hesitate to hurt this lass. We're taking over this boat."
Zoro stopped laughing and turned to them. A dark shadow was on his face, "Say what?"
"I said we're the crew of BUGGY the clown. Stop the boat or the lass gets it." He brought the sword centimeters away from Dagger's throat.
She sighed, "I don't like playing the damsel in distress."
"Me too." Zoro stopped rowing and stood up.
The orange hair pirate looked at him, "Huh? You're not even a female." Dagger rolled her eyes.
"Do you know who I am?" Zoro asked the three.
"Who cares! We want the boat," the beanie pirate replied, "and maybe this lass too." He grinned and licked his lips.
Zoro only needed ten seconds before the three pirates was on the floor of the boat. Dagger stood unharmed behind Zoro.
"I'm Roronoa Zoro, the pirate hunter. Now start rowing." The three pirates scrambled to get the oars.
The beanie pirate begged, "Who wouldn't know that you are the famous pirate hunter, Zoro. Please forgive us!"
Zoro pulled Dagger down with him to sit down. "Because of you, we lost sight of our friend. Just keep rowing straight, if you know what's good for you."
"Yes, sir!" They replied. Dagger rested on the side of the boat and over heard the pirates talking.
"Who's this Buggy you're talking about?" asked Dagger.
"What? You don't know who he is? Buggy the Clown is our captain. He has some strange power from a Devil's Fruit. To be frank, he's a very dangerous man."
"Oh." Dagger said light heartily, "Okay. Aachoo!"
"You caught a cold." Zoro commented, ignoring the pirate's statement on Buggy the Clown.
"No I didn't."
"Yes you did!"
"No."
"Yes!"
"No I didn't! Aachoo!"
"Shut up and rest."
"Alright…" Dagger replied and lean on the mast but the waves kept bumping her off. Zoro scoffed and pulled her beside him. "Rest." He commanded. She leaned on his shoulder. Somehow, his clothes were dry and her was still wet. But it felt nice to have a shoulder to lean on. She smiled.
"Thank you, Zoro."
What do you think of this so far? I'm thinking of making a love triangle between Dagger/Zoro/sumone else. But, I know who is going to get paired up at the end. Estimating how long this story might go on for… I think, 15ish, 20ish chapters, still have no clue.
Thank you for the Reviews! Thanks: i-dun-did-it, omegadramon, Neji wife, Tiny Mushroom, and Monkeycatcher-Spike1!