Time to begin the disclaimer! Or not. Kaido! Why are you here?

Kaido: Wororororo! You must have quite the amount of courage, daring to kill Linlin off this early! I wanted to kill her! Very well, since you have denied me that, let me deny you saying the disclaimer!

Ehh...alright. Go ahead!

Kaido: Wororororo! Author-san does not own referenced works, including One Piece or Naruto. All characters belong to their respective owners!

Vice-admiral Issho sighed.

Still no sign of Uzumaki Boruto, huh…

Admittedly, it is easily for individuals to slip under the radar of the Marines and World Government. Perhaps, however, he would not be willing to gamble on the ability of a one-hundred and thirty million Berry bounty head to simply vanish from the great stage.

Yet that was the reality, he thought, as he hungrily gulped down udon noodles soaked in hot broth. A pity, however, that he could only eat udon or soba these days, ever since he joined the Marines. Not since his fellow comrade vice-admiral Uzumaki Naruto made known his love for ramen such that no other marine cooks dared to even touch the ingredients needed to create ramen noodles for fear of incurring the wrath of the enraged orange fox. One did not deny the G-U base commander's demand for ramen.

As he set the bowl down, chopsticks leaning on the bowl's sides, he reached out his hand; there was his trustworthy cane. Getting up, tap, tap, he nimbly – and quite so, especially for a man of his stature – manoeuvred around the central cabin of the command tower, around the central table still holding the many nautical maps scattered throughout. Soon, however, he quickly turned back, other hand reaching for the empty bowl, as he belatedly realised just how rude it would be to leave it behind.

Upon ducking back through the door, there, he sensed, was Himawari, the commodore staring at the horizon as the sun began to dawn on the Grand Line, its rays illuminating the ship. The sharp, crisp click-clack of his wooden geta marked his arrival as he strode to the front deck outside the main cabin within the W.G.S. Hakuja's superstructure.

"This Great Pirate Era…" Issho began as he opened his eyes from their closed off state, revealing to the world his damning eyes, whose lack of any irises nor pupils would capture the minds of individuals, for they represented to many a substantial void with no end, into infinite nothingness. Himawari, in her usual dulled breastplate and camo-pattered trousers, all covered by the Marine coat, stood at the front of the deck, just turning to greet the approaching vice-admiral.

"Vice-Admiral." She did not bother with the salute.

"At ease, commodore." Issho merely grinned as he reached into his yukata's folds, before retrieving the die he so favoured. That die, he supposed, had quite a significant history of its own; a memento from the first-ever gambling house he frequented, perhaps a tale better told another day, Issho thought, no point in dwelling needlessly on the past, not just yet. Tossing the die up into the air, he turned to where he sensed Himawari to be – she felt quite like a supernova, absurdly bright and dazzling, too hot should you get too close; a royal air surrounding her, simmering just underneath the starry feelings evoked by her presence. Though Issho had damned his sight, he could feel the 'presence' – so to say – of events, individuals, and quite surprisingly, emotions.

The time he had spent on the Hakuja, to him, provided quite the refuge from the turmoil of Marine Headquarters. Headquarters, to Issho…it was the pinnacle of Marine might towards the masses, the representation of 'Absolute Justice' to the world, and yet Issho felt empty; he could feel not a smidge of pride in such a symbol, for to him, it was empty, a hollow promise to uplift and protect those left behind by societies, the widows and orphans left to carve a niche to survive, beggars and brigands desperate to provide even scraps of morsels to families devastated by hunger…

Perhaps he would never have otherwise joined the Marines, Issho reflected, not unlike Himawari's own rationale for joining the organisation (although among most Marines with any knowledge of the Uzumaki family, it would have been the expectation for her to do so, what with her father being a vice-admiral and her late mother holding her own commission within the Marines) had he not himself found his own doorstep visited by her father himself, some years ago.

"I cannot do this." He recalled himself having said those words in his own modest living room, teapot and cups set out on a low wooden table, quite modest in design and detail.

"Will you not help with accomplishing our shared dream?"

"You ask something impossible. The World Government…they play God with lives of many an innocent person. Who lives and who dies…perhaps I wish not to gamble too hastily."

"Is it really impossible? Or is it impossible because you think it so, you know?"

"You speak with great conviction. I wonder what it is that makes you so sure to bet on yourself. Yet I suppose providence has great plans ahead for you, hmm?"

It was the final statement that he remembered most vividly. "Fate has nothing to do with anything. If I seize not my destiny, what good would it do me? Will you join me, Issho?"

He could still count Uzumaki Naruto as friend, he supposed, though it had been quite some time since either Naruto had visited him at Marineford or he stopped by at G-U base.

However, he found his nostalgic remembrance suspended as Himawari called out to him. "We've sighted pirate ships ahead." Issho moved to clasp his cane, ready to draw the blade concealed within, when Himawari cut him off.

"I'll deal with this, vice-admiral. Just wanted to let you know."

"Hmm." Issho grunted, shifting his focus from where Himawari had been standing, as she leapt into the air quite suddenly, with great force – he could still feel the vibrations – he could feel her presence dart to and from different points within the vast sky.

Himawari let herself tense as she landed on the pirate ship's deck. It was quite a large ship, although, she supposed, the ship heading a fleet, especially in pirate crews, largely tended to be of greater significance and size. She found herself surrounded by pirate crew-men, some brandishing swords of a varied make, ranging from cutlasses with chipped blades and very many nicks throughout, to impressively forged katana blades – that held by the apparent captain, for Himawari thought that no crew would let a common fighter dress up with such extravagance otherwise, as he wore a very ornate captain's cloak, not unlike the one Gol D. Roger donned upon his execution, albeit a brighter red than the tyrian reds of the Pirate King. Others held pistols and rifles, all aimed at her, from flint-locks to matchlock rifles, all looking quite well-worn, for the triggers were very much dirtied.

"Who 're you?" One of the pirates slurred out.

"Is it not polite to give your name before you ask for someone else to introduce themselves?"

"Alright, you lil' bitch," another of the pirates began to yell, "this here is Captain Sudak Plaek!"

"Yeah, put some respect on the captain's name!"

"We'll teach you not to mess with the Sudak Pirates!"

The Sudak Pirates, were they? Himawari let out a cruel smile. None of these Sudak Pirates would be leaving alive. They were perhaps some of the most heinous criminals sailing the Grand Line, for the nature of their crimes was quite grotesque, the stench of their degeneracy reaching the heavens.

It was said amongst hushed whispers that many a merchant vessel would find it besieged by the fleet of Sudak Plaek, hoping for any hint of mercy, only for the former crewmembers to find themselves begging for death, to release them from the hell inflicted by these monsters. Tales abounded of how the Sudak Pirates forced sailors at their mercy, after fleecing them and their ships of anything of any value, to be fed copious amounts of milk and honey. It would not be enough for the nauseating feelings to show themselves as the feeding began; the mixture would also be spread across the hands, body and feet, attracting all manner of vile worms, flies and maggots, swarms devouring the hapless victim left to scream in agony. Even more hushed whispers would detail the horror should any woman be captured by this ravenous band of demons. Any woman fortunate enough to escape with their life would return irreparably broken, unable to utter any more coherent words.

Yes, Himawari decided, the Sudak Pirates would all die today.

As the call to charge echoed throughout the ship, suddenly, Himawari's face's right side began to again show striped flesh, marred with dull grey specks and spots of grainy black, her eye glowing quite bright, as her right arm suddenly glowed, not unlike the sun. Interestingly, the 'Justice' Marine coat did not appear to smidge or smoulder, nor did it catch aflame, not even on its edges.

The same could not be said of many pirate swordsmen, who, upon the first charge, found themselves missing considerable chunks of flesh from their abdomen. Blood did not flow from the wounds, for the flesh had been seared shut by the immense heat emitted from the stellar plasma. So immense was the heat that the flagship began to smoulder and smoke, wooden planks and tar beginning to catch alight, flames rising and dancing across the ship.

Sudak Plaek stepped back as Himawari focused her gaze upon him. Those soulless eyes, he thought as sweat began to dribble down his cheeks, although the sweat drops would never find their way to his chin, for they would become baked into tear tracks, salt forming a film, from the radiating heat from Himawari's body.

"Who else is on this ship? And the rest of your armada?"

He could not lie. He found himself unable to, though he tried to tell himself that he should, to buy time, to restrain the hand of the Marine in front of him by any means whatsoever. Yet those eyes did not allow for deception.

"N-n-no one." He could only barely stutter out. "J-j-just us."

Himawari merely closed her eyes, bringing her hands together.

"Ko choushinsei," she calmly intoned, as her hands parted to reveal a glowing sphere, looking not unlike a miniature sun. As it rose up however, it had begun to compress unto itself, glowing ever so much brighter as it did, until it stopped.

And as it stopped, it let out a massive boom, as from the sphere came great shockwaves hurtling through the Sudak fleet. What the shockwaves did not destroy fell victim to the heat of the remnants of the small supernova itself, much of the ships and pirate crews manning them vaporised in that very instant.

Soon, however, above where the Sudak armada's flagship had been, began another speck of bright light. That speck continued to grow, forming legs in camo pants, then dulled breast-plate and the Marines' 'Justice' coat, before Himawari's scowling visage reconstituted itself from the stellar plasma. A Logia, one of the rare fruits capable of manifesting a force of nature throughout the user, the Hoshi-Hoshi no Mi was a source of great power.

Issho grunted in acknowledgement as Himawari landed back on the Hakuja's deck.

"That was very quick."

"There were no hostages on board. Only the Sudak Pirates."

"Gahahaha!" Fujitora let out a booming laugh. "The Sudak Pirates, you say? Providence has certainly granted them their comeuppance!" His face grew grim again; his wrinkles looking to be more prominent.

"When, indeed, would this Great Pirate Era end?" Issho lamented. Himawari now found herself leaning on the railings mounted onto the main deck.

"Vice-admiral, is that not why we are to hunt these pirates down?"

"I refer not to that." Issho's tone was grave.

"Yet what else could the scourge of the Great Pirate Era…" Himawari scowled. Not a playful scowl, nor one borne out of pride. Rather, a scowl, disgusted at her own uncertainty and failure to discern just what the hardened vice-admiral was to say.

"The Seven Warlords are but a mockery of what Justice stands for. Our integrity and our honesty…does it all truly mean nothing? Has the die been cast, only to yield yet again a mockery of our principles?"

Himawari glanced at Issho again as the Hakuja sailed across some more choppy waters, the other two battleships of the 99th division coming into sight from the front of the superstructure.

"We can only hope, Commodore, only hope." Turning to the door of the superstructure, he began to duck underneath the door as he deftly maneuvered his large frame through the smaller entrance.

Shells town was a quaint town, save for the presence of the 153rd Marine Branch Base.

Although the Marine Bases in the Blue Seas could not compare in strength to those on the Grand Line, much less the more powerful fortresses at Marineford and G-U, to the citizenry, these Branch bases often represented safety and security. Though the Marines of the branches were not as battle-hardened as those from the Grand Line, they were still more than capable of defeating and subduing petty criminals and Blue Sea pirates. As such, it would not be uncommon to see settlements experience substantial growth after the establishment of a Marine base on its outskirts, for not only did the protection of the base encourage more trade activity amongst the people, but Marines on shore also leave often provided a great source of revenue.

Which made the quiet, subdued atmosphere of Shells Town even more surprising, Boruto thought, as he walked with Luffy and Coby through the town. The 153rd was a large Marine base, with large towers dominating the town's skyline, cannons mounted on top. Civilians would not be otherwise living in fear, afraid to step too far from a quiet norm…

Something was very wrong in this town. Sure, there was activity, many stalls holding a wide range of goods, from vibrant, fresh fruits and vegetables to even artisanal crafts and toys being exchanged throughout the main streets and town square, however, the eyes of many a citizen belied an unease quite subtle, not easily noticeable.

Coby, still, following in Boruto and Luffy's wake, could only desperately plead for either of them to hear his concerns, though it did not seem that they would pay him any attention.

"I just want to see if he's a good guy!" Luffy had continued to insist as he strode along on the road.

"For goodness' sake Luffy, let me make the judgement!" Boruto retorted. "You're not that good of a judge of character anyway!"

"No! I decide whether he joins! I'm the captain!"

"As the first mate, I have to make sure you don't do anything stupid!"

"Shishishishi!" Luffy chuckled as he bit into a pear – quite fresh and crisp, he idly observed, tossing a coin to the vendor. She was quite nice, that old lady, always smiling with her lot in life.

"You're all crazy to want him to join you! He's been caught because he's a bad guy!" Coby continued to insist, although the back of his mind continued to whisper at him; maybe these two knew something else, perhaps, for just what exactly gave Uzumaki Boruto that 130,000,000 Berry bounty was still a mystery to Coby; it may simply be these two pirates having no idea what a 'good guy' was, or maybe, just maybe, these pirates, and Zoro, perhaps, were not too bad…

"Do you know if Zoro is at the Marine base?"

"Agh?"

Never mind, Coby thought, for immediately, upon hearing the word "Zoro," all the civilians in sight immediately jumped away. Their faces looked frozen in fear, some beginning to shake, others suddenly sweating egregiously. Still others attempted to hide themselves as much as possible, curling their bodies inward, aiming to be out of sight.

So, Zoro's name was taboo in this town.

"Oi, Coby!" Boruto called out to him. Had he and Luffy walked that far already? As Coby scrambled to catch up, Luffy merely laughed.

"Let's check out the base! You're going to be a Marine, aren't you?"

Coby looked quite scared, however, as he continued to look around. "I guess I'm not really ready yet, though…"

"Why not?" Boruto asked.

"Well, apparently a Captain Morgan is in command of this base, and…" Coby murmured.

Upon hearing the name of Captain Morgan, the civilians again began shaking in fright, some even rushing into their homes, slamming their doors, drawing the curtains shut, only barely peeking outside, for fear that the Captain would himself show up.

"What a funny town!" Luffy merely waved it off as Boruto furrowed his eyebrows. For a Marine Captain's name to elicit this reaction?

Morgan was going to die.

"I understand about Zoro, but why would they jump at the mention of a Marine Captain's name?" Coby was indignant. "I suddenly feel very uneasy about this," he admitted, sullen, hands in pockets, as he bowed his head whilst he approached the base with the two pirates.

"Are you sure they didn't just do it for fun?" Luffy simply held his hands behind his head as he continued to walk.

"WHO DOES THAT?"

Soon, however, the three had arrived at the gate to the base. It was quite a large base for a Branch Base within the blue seas, although the gate's size paled in comparison to the height of the towers making up the base. The gate nonetheless towered over Luffy, the Marine symbol etched into the gate. It appeared to be a Bronze gate, worn over the years, for the gate appeared a nasty green colour commonly seen on copper statues subject to the winds and rain. A stone brick wall, attached to the gate, ran around the base, surrounding it.

"I'm finally here!" Coby began to cry. His dream…he was on his first step to achieving it! "I guess this is where we….part…ways…."

No sooner did Coby begin his statement than did Luffy latch himself onto the top of the wall, pulling himself up.

"Did you see him, Luffy?" Boruto asked as he moved around the outside of the base proper.

"Why would he be out there? He's probably in a prison cell or something!" Coby insisted. "And what exactly are you doing, Luffy?"

"There he is!" Luffy exclaimed.

Certainly, there was Roronoa Zoro, tied up to a cross at his waist and arms. Though it did not seem like those ropes, old and frayed as they were, would be sufficient to hold and secure the swordsman to the wooden pole, nonetheless, Zoro did not seem to hold any desire to escape. Instead, his head was bowed, perhaps appearing quite resigned.

"You're an eyesore." He merely dismissed a blank Luffy and frantic Coby as they continued to watch him over the wall. "Get lost."

Just as Luffy was about to retort, a step-ladder suddenly appeared next to Coby on the other side, a small girl by the name of Rika, perhaps not even ten years of age with hair not unlike milk chocolate in appearance, soon climbing to its top. Amused, Luffy let her by, Coby cowed by the force of her glare and shush. Lowering herself into the courtyard where Zoro was held, she ran forcefully – as much as her stubby legs let her – towards him.

"You must be hungry!" she chirped, as she began to unwrap a small package she had held tightly earlier. "I brought rice balls!"

Though Zoro continued to deny his hunger, angrily insisting to the girl that she must leave, the girl was nonetheless persistent. As Zoro, infuriated, attempted to threaten her to leave, the two were suddenly interrupted by three men.

If the leader of the three could even be called a man.

Helmeppo was his name, and certainly, as his name suggested, did his hair resemble a helmet in arrangement, although the split-chin and blond hair clashed horribly with his facial expressions; any who saw him could not help but laugh at his face – not directly to him, however, not when he was flanked by burly Marine soldiers, dressed in the standard uniform of a 'MARINE' cap and white sailor's uniform. The black suit he wore certainly juxtaposed itself against the attire of the rank and file with him.

"You seem to be surprisingly well, Roronoa Zoro…" he mockingly drawled, walking up to the small girl, hungrily eyeing the rice balls she held. "Those are some tasty looking rice balls…"

Swiping one, much to her indignant protest, Helmeppo quickly gobbled it up, only to swallow it by accident, for his expression became scrunched up in disgust.

"Too sweet! They're full of sugar! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO USE SALT FOR RICE BALLS!"

"I thought they would taste better sweet…" came Rika's meek response.

Helmeppo did not respond, only to throw the remaining rice ball onto the ground, stomping it, to the protest of the young girl. As he ground them into the soil, sobs came from the young girl. "I worked so hard to make those," she lamented, tears welling in her eyes, yet not falling from them.

"Did you not read this notice?" Helmeppo did not care. "'Those who help criminals will be executed! By the order of Marine Captain Morgan.'" Rika let out a small gasp at the name of the feared base commander. "Even runts know how fearsome my dad is! You!" he jerked his thumb back to one of his escorts.

"Throw this kid out."

"Sir?"

"I said throw her over the wall!"

"But…"

Helmeppo, indignant, forcefully jerked his shirt down, bringing the Marine to eye-level. "Or can you not follow my orders? Don't make me tell daddy!"

"Y-Yes sir! Right away!"

However, as the Marine, having received his orders, moved to grab Rika, who began backing away from him, he was suddenly still, finding a hand laying on his shoulder.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

There was Boruto in the courtyard, cloak still concealing much of his appearance, although the scratched-out forehead protector made obvious to all who were present. Turning around, the Marine was quite bewildered. There was nobody else in the courtyard! How did they not notice this new arrival, given that there was nowhere to hide?

Luffy chuckled from where he was on the sidelines. "Shishishi! So that's where he went!"

Helmeppo unconsciously took a step back. "Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am?"

Boruto paid no attention to him, focusing his attention fully onto the Marine he had accosted.

"Why are you listening to him?"

"W-well," the Marine began to stutter, "he's the son of Captain M-Morgan…"

"What is your rank?"

"S-seaman first c-class."

"And his?" Boruto gestured at Helmeppo.

"H-he doesn't have one."

"Then why do you submit yourselves to him?"

He was going to die, no matter what answer he gave. If he told the truth, Morgan would undoubtedly execute him unceremoniously with the axe-hand of his. However, he knew, deep in his heart, that if he were to lie, the mysterious man in front of him would take his life.

Feh. He was going to die anyway, but he could try and redeem himself before his death.

"Because we're all fucking cowards!" He let loose a maniacal laugh. "The captain here is a corrupt bastard who lords his rank over the rest of us and terrorises his people. Anyone who dares to speak out against him is cut down mercilessly by his axe-hand! He lets his son do as he pleases, and we're all afraid to punish him for his transgressions due to the threat of Morgan!" Pausing for a moment, he continued his rant in earnest. "Did I sign up for this? Fuck no! I wanted to make a difference in people's lives – but not like this!"

Tears began to drip, drip, drip. "Fuck, man…I'm done. We're all just done."

"So what?"

The Marine soldier looked into the eyes of the shinobi. They held a steel within them, tempered and hardened, though it, too, would also evoke an inner strength, it would seem, a convicting feeling. He felt a drive, a sense of strength, that he had not had for many years, not since Morgan had become the tyrant he was today.

"What will you do now?"

His conviction was now firmly established. What had he to lose now, save for his life?

"Down with Captain Morgan!" The Marine finally shouted, thrusting a clenched fist into the air. "Down with the corrupt bastard!"

Helmeppo had finally shaken off the fear and indecision that had held him. "What would daddy say if he could hear you right now?" he tried to goad the outspoken Marine. Such insolence, he thought, could not be tolerated. He was Captain Morgan's only son, his most loved son! He deserved the respect he demanded! How dare this upstart upset the natural order of things!

"Seize him!" he tried to take control of the situation, pointing at Boruto. However, the defiant Marine only kept yelling slogans calling for the downfall of the feared captain, and the other of his escorts seemed to be frozen in fear.

"You…You're…" His finger shook as he pointed at the shinobi before he decided to quickly drag Helmeppo away. Meanwhile, the first Marine threw down his cap in disgust, before running out of the base; a frenzied run, for he said his piece, and he would now prepare for the fallout.

"Helmeppo, sir, we must tell your father at once!"

Helmeppo, before being led away, tried to get the last word. "You sure are stubborn about staying alive, huh, Zoro?"

"I will last the full month!" Zoro, not at all fazed by the earlier exchanges, insisted, looking quite spirited. "There's only ten days left; you know!"

"Assuming you still live that long!" Helmeppo rushed off.

Coby, from where he was, turned to Luffy. "Luffy, how could…", he began to ask, only to find that Luffy was no longer next to him.

"Where did he go?" he asked as he began to climb down from the wall.

Meanwhile, Luffy had already moved into the courtyard, standing directly in front of Zoro, about ten paces away, Boruto to his left, five paces from Luffy.

"I hear you're a bad guy." Luffy bluntly stated.

"Are you still here?" Zoro did not understand this guy. He had a challenge to overcome, an ordeal to conquer. He wasn't some circus attraction to be made fun of; he was a swordsman, one with a lofty goal and an honour not to be stained. "What's it to you?"

Rika, from where she was kneeling, however, spoke in his defense. "Big Bro Zoro isn't a bad guy! It's all Helmeppo's fault! He's crucified because of our sake!"

"Oi, oi…" Zoro began to mutter, but no one paid him any heed.

"What do you mean?" Luffy asked, head tilting to the side. Boruto largely remained silent, whilst Coby had finally decided to look in the courtyard, although he could not bring himself to interrupt the conversation.

"Helmeppo…" Rika began, but found herself interrupted.

"That shitty son just then?" Boruto asked to confirm.

"Yes, he had a pet wolf, and it would scare the whole town." Rika continued. "No one did anything, because he was Captain Morgan's son, and Morgan was scary!"

"One day, his wolf came into our family restaurant, and it was scaring all our customers! No one dared to complain! But big bro Zoro saved me from the wolf; he cut it down with his swords! When Helmeppo tried to protest, Zoro kicked his sword away easily and defeated him really quickly!"

"Shut up!" Zoro tried to insist, but Rika would not be deterred.

"But Helmeppo pulled a nasty trick! He blackmailed Zoro into being crucified like this, so that my mother and I wouldn't have to…it's been three weeks since then. Helmeppo usually comes to punch and kick him whilst he's tied up! I…I…" Rika began to sob.

"Ohh! So, you're a good guy!" Luffy cheered. "Oi! Join my crew!"

"Huh?" Zoro looked up in confusion. Rika, too, was confused. What crew?

"I'll untie you, so join my crew!"

"What crew?"

"We're," Luffy gestured to Boruto and himself, "looking for people to join our pirate crew." Rika gasped. The cloaked figure who saved her was a pirate? But he was a nice guy, and the straw hat wearing one also seemed to be nice as well…

"Me? Stooping to a criminal's level?" Zoro almost wanted to laugh. "Forget it!"

"What's wrong with being a pirate?" Luffy retorted quickly.

"As if I'd want to be a despicable pirate!"

"Are you not already known as a despicable bounty hunter?" Boruto cut in.

"I ain't done anything that I regret," Zoro replied, a hint of anger seeping into his voice, "so I don't care what people call me; they can say what they want! I will live through this and accomplish my dream!"

"You can't achieve your dream if you die here." Boruto bluntly said.

"I won't die here!" Zoro's angry insistence rang throughout the courtyard. "Not until I become the greatest swordsman in the world! That is my dream!"

Luffy looked excited, although a glance from Boruto made him pause for a bit. Luffy knew, however, what was to come, nodding in approval. Good, he thought, how far would Zoro's conviction goes.

"Even knowing how far you have to go? Dracule Mihawk of the Warlords did not earn his title without reason."

"If I had given up on my dream knowing the obstacles I had to overcome, I would not be a man!"

"You do not understand." Boruto corrected. "This is the East Blue, the weakest of the four Blue Seas. You may be the strongest here, but you are a weakling in the eyes of Grand Line swordsmen such as Marine Vice-Admirals and New World pirates. Even they cannot stand against Mihawk. Do you not understand the extent of your ordeals that you must overcome?"

"East Blue, Grand Line, New World…I don't care! I will overcome all these obstacles, no matter how hard they may be!"

"Good!" Boruto nodded approvingly. "I definitely like you now! Join our crew!"

"STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!" Zoro yelled in frustration, although his anger was momentarily interrupted again by Luffy.

"You're a swordsman?" Zoro nodded. "Where's your sword then?"

"That shitty son took them." Zoro replied. "Along with the rest of my stuff…"

"I'll get your swords for you!" Luffy, raising his arms into the air, shouted, eliciting a blank 'what' from Zoro. "But if you want them, join our crew!"

"THAT'S BLACKMAIL!" Zoro was enraged, threatening to tear himself from the cross he hung on, veins bulging with his eyes. As Luffy began to turn around, however, Zoro called out to him again.

"Before you go…" he gritted his teeth at the thought of being blackmailed with his swords, yet he would temporarily swallow his pride, just for once… "could you please feed me that rice ball?"

"Eh?" Luffy pointed at the remains of the rice ball, smeared in mud and flattened, ants crawling towards it. "It's more of a mud ball at this point. You sure you want it?"

"Just give it to me!" Now Rika, who had just been listening to the byplay between Zoro and the pirates, was shocked. Her effort didn't totally go to waste, but…

However, Zoro eagerly chewed and swallowed down the rice-ball. "Oi, girl." He struggled to speak, forcing out the words. "This…was really…delicious."

Rika ran up to hug Zoro. "Thank you so much! I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, clutching his tied-up legs.

Soon after, Luffy's stomach let out a guttural roar. "I'm hungry! Oi! Boruto! Food! Let's go!"

"I'll take you to a place!" Rika chirped after letting go of Zoro's legs. As Coby scrambled to follow the trio, Luffy called out to Zoro. "After we eat, I'll get your sword! So, join my crew!"

"Tch." They don't seem too bad, Zoro thought. But he had a purpose here, and he would fulfill it no matter what.

On a good day, Food Foo was a vibrant restaurant where one could spend about a few hundred Berries for a filling meal and engage in lively conversation. It was a humble eatery, established perhaps about forty years ago by a young woman named Risuka. Rika was quite familiar with the place; Granny Risuka would always take the time to teach her how to cook in the kitchen after the last customers trudged out. It was a special place for Rika, though her mother had long since left the business to work in her own tavern some blocks away.

Admittedly, good days at Food Foo were now quite rare, though it was not any fault of Risuka nor Rika leading to such a decline, for the food was always of good quality, causing many a man (and woman) who tasted it to demand much more to eat, and the prices were not in any way extravagant. Rather, Morgan's reputation led to much dismay for Food Foo, as the fearsome tyranny of the Marine Captain dampened many a spirit who normally frequented the diner; Helmeppo often demanded to eat for free – the civilian populace, wary of Morgan's potential reprisals, did not dare to refuse him.

Such a sight greeted Rika as she brought Luffy, Coby and Boruto to eat for lunch, only to look in shock as Helmeppo brazenly demanded food be brought to him at no cost. Beside the loathed son of Morgan was a Marine escort, whilst many restaurant patrons and would-be customers gawked at the scene in front of them.

"Helmeppo, sir," one Marine kept saying, "we really should tell your father about this…"

"No need!" Helmeppo dismissed as he rested his foot on the table he was sitting at – a rather clean table of good quality; such a shame it was ruined by this callous act, all the townspeople thought, though none dared voice this out loud – "Daddy is strong; much stronger than some would-be pirate!" Raising his voice, he began to speak to the crowd. "By the way, I've decided that I'll have Roronoa Zoro executed tomorrow instead! Hahaha!"

Helmeppo's lips just stopped flapping before his cheeks suddenly sunk in from the force of Luffy's punch in response to his words. He was sent flying, crashing into the walls of the restaurant. Perhaps he would be in a worser state had Coby not, in a moment of courage, begun to restrain Luffy's arms, holding them back, sweat accumulating on his forehead at a great rate.

"W…What the hell are you doing?" Helmeppo stuttered out, though it was a bit difficult to make out the exact words due to a slightly busted nose.

"This guy is scum!" Luffy yelled, trying to escape Coby's restraints without hurting him too much. He liked Coby, when he wasn't being a scaredy-cat. Which, truthfully, was most of the time.

"Do you want to get on the Marines' bad side?" Coby hissed, only to realise just how stupid his question was. These two were already going to be pirates; of course, they would get on the bad side of the Marines. Admittedly, this early? It was a shock for Coby. Alvida never had the tenacity nor bravery to challenge the Marines directly, at least not when he was their cabin boy. Besides, Luffy's grandfather was very likely a Marine, from what he remembered on the voyage to Shells Town, and Boruto was definitely connected to the organisation in some way…

…Yeah, in hindsight he really didn't need to ask that question; they were probably on the bad side of the Marines anyway.

"I'll tell my dad, and he'll have you all executed!" Helmeppo continued to protest, only for his Marine escort to shake, eventually fleeing, as Boruto's hand, held in front of him, began to hold a blue orb – a light, bright blue, not unlike that of the morning sky, rotating rapidly and humming with power.

"You can tell him," Boruto's voice was quiet, though it was clearly heard by all in the restaurant. "He's next to die."

As Helmeppo scampered off to join his fleeing Marine escort, Luffy turned to Boruto, Coby having given up on trying to restrain him further.

"Shishishi!" He chuckled. "Let's go get Zoro!"

Captain 'Axe-hand' Morgan feared nobody.

He was a Marine Captain! Commander of the 153rd Branch Base, renowned for his physical prowess – especially from his famed 'Axe-hand', an axe-head bolted through his right arm, replacing his own flesh-and-blood arm lost in the encounter he captured "Thousand-plan" Kuro of the Black Cat pirates.

His greatness was to be recognised. Therefore, all shall bow down to a statue of his likeliness, he thought; such that he commissioned one of stone to be erected at the top of the highest tower of the 153rd Branch Base.

Hence why he could now be found at the tower's roof, supervising the raising of the statue, as countless Marine soldiers grunted and heaved, struggling to erect the monument to his greatness. Pathetic. How dare they not afford him the respect he deserved by raising the statue fully in one go? He would deal with them later, after he punished the townspeople for their dwindling respect. They did not respect him enough, for their tribute had become lacking recently. Unacceptable!

However, Morgan had more immediate problems to deal with. Helmeppo had been quite unbearable for the past few minutes, continuously whining that he wanted him to kill somebody for him. Such insolence! Morgan had always entertained Helmeppo's earlier requests – not because of any fatherly affection, for Morgan never really loved his son; in fact, it could be hard to say that Morgan even loved anyone. Who would love him back either? Even his appearance seemed menacing; a steel jaw and his eternally scowling face made it hard for anyone to be settled around him. Rather, it was a simple principle; if the townspeople didn't respect his son, as stupid as he was, they didn't respect him.

"Why aren't you getting revenge? He hit me in the face! Even you've never hit me in the face!"

Morgan kept his back turned to Helmeppo. "Do you know why I've never hit you before?"

"Because I'm your precious…"

"Because you're a worthless, stupid son who's not even worth hitting!" Morgan snarled as he smashed Helmeppo into the fortification walls. Hoisting up Helmeppo with his axe-hand, he brought him up to his face; Morgan towered over Helmeppo by at least a full metre, as such, being man-handled by his father this way was terrifying for the young man. As tears began to pour from Helmeppo's face, drip-drip-dripping onto the ground, Morgan continued to bellow. "Your father is the one who is great! ME!"

Meanwhile, Zoro was aroused from his ordeal by a racket which seemed to be approaching the courtyard he was held in. Often, he would suddenly fall asleep whilst tied to the pole. Why not, he would chuckle to himself, he just needed to stay tied up like this; he didn't have to remain awake for all of it, he had thought. Grumpily, he lifted his head, only to see Luffy and Boruto in front of him again.

"We're here to get you your swords back!" Luffy yelled, whilst running through the courtyard entrance towards another entrance to the base. Boruto would however stay near Zoro for just a moment, as Coby panted whilst attempting to catch up to Luffy and Boruto.

"THAT'S THE WRONG WAY, MORON!" Zoro yelled when he noticed the direction Luffy was running in. This idiot…how could he not know which way the base was?

"Oh. My bad." Luffy cheekily stated, his face arranging itself into a very wide grin. Immediately, he began to stretch his arms in the direction opposite the one he had been running in; quickly retracting them back upon grabbing a hand-hold on the top of the tallest marine tower. Hey, he had heard a loud clang from the top; surely there would be some clues there to say where that stupid son and Zoro's swords were?

"Gomu Gomu no…ROCKET!"

"WHAT THE FUCK?" Zoro was bewildered. Who could just stretch their arms like that?

Boruto only laughed as he ran to follow him, running towards and then up the walls of the Marine base. Zoro's eyes bulged; who just runs up walls vertically like that? That was something mentioned only in the legends of ninja!

Back on top of the tower, Morgan was not happy. His glorious statue, the representation of his greatness, was damaged! Scratched by a Marine who failed to raise it correctly with the reverence needed. For that, he would pay dearly!

"I told you to think of this statue as me!" He gnashed his teeth as he raised his axe-hand, preparing to strike, the poor, hapless Marine cowering before him.

He did not get the opportunity, as Luffy, rocketing through the air, having 'jumped too far', as he put it, suddenly tugged onto the ropes used by the Marines to hoist the statue. Though it did slow Luffy's descent, the statue was not so fortunate; the top of the statue began to crack and fragment, bits of it beginning to break off; eventually, the entire top half of the statue descended to the marine base, leaving only rubble and bits of stone.

Morgan was livid. "I'LL KILL THAT BRAT! SEIZE HIM!"

"YES, SIR!" the remaining Marines responded with a salute, for none dared to defy the fearsome captain. Even moreso when he was like this.

As Luffy merely picked up Helmeppo, declaring that "there was something I want you to give back" amidst Helmeppo's frantic protests and flailing attempts to escape, running into the base through the roof entrance, Morgan began to try and stabilise the situation, though it was not to be.

"Captain! There's someone in the execution yard!"

"What?" he seethed, turning to look down at the courtyard where Zoro was left to hang. Sure enough, a small figure could be seen running towards the erected cross.

"One traitor after the other…" Morgan raged. However, his rage was cut through by chilling words from behind him.

"The only traitor I see here is you."

"I am the great 'Axe-hand' Morgan…" Morgan began to bellow as he turned around to face the newcomer, only to stop upon taking in who exactly it was. Admittedly, few Axillary Marines had any significance of the "MARINE" headband worn by Marine recruits with a heritage from the shinobi countries, for many such recruits would be trained at Marineford or a Grand Line Branch Base, never in the Blue seas. However, Morgan himself was quite well-informed of the goings-on around the Grand Line; he recognised the forehead protector, the symbolism, even the meaning of the scratch. Very few would dare openly wear such a symbol; even less were those with a reputation of any sort.

"What are you doing here?" Even he feared the pirate in front of him. Morgan knew he was strong, but pirates with bounties in the hundred-million Berry range were perhaps too much. However, he could not afford to show weakness, lest more traitors dare challenge his position! Captain 'Axe-hand' Morgan would not let himself be subjugated by the name of a pirate!

"To kill you for what you did to this town." Boruto's voice cut through the eerie silence, as he drew out his straight sword, channelling lightning chakra into the blade until the sword itself became wreathed in a bright light, sparks continuing to dance around the metal.

The Marines' legs began to shake. However, Morgan did not seem to notice just yet; instead, he attempted to find an opening. "A Marine dropout thinks he can lecture me?" he attempted to rattle the ninja, though it perhaps backfired as the Marines next to Morgan were even more confused. This monster in front of them was a Marine dropout? But he was so strong, and had freaky powers…what did that make them, then?

"I didn't drop out." Boruto slashed his blade, inflicting deep cuts to multiple Marine soldiers. Thankfully for them, their wounds did not lead to them immediately bleeding out, for the lightning blade was hot enough to cauterise their wounds shut, though it would cause considerable damage to the tissues itself. "I defected."

"You had no rank!" Morgan snarled as he brought his axe-hand up. "Get the rest of the soldiers here and attack him!" He commanded to the remaining Marines.

"I committed the ultimate crime; that was the only reason I left!" Boruto swung his blade to meet Morgan's Axe-hand head on. "Sword art: Blade of a thousand chirping birds!"

The axe-head of the axe-hand found itself cleaved in two; the cutting edge separated from the rest of the blade. Undeterred, Morgan still tried to go on the offensive; even without his axe-hand, he still had his iron body! He just needed to avoid those lightning sword strikes!

Morgan swung a wild left hook, forcing Boruto to jump back. Boruto responded in kind, swinging his blade from left to right; only a quick dodge by Morgan saved him from being immediately decapitated. Enraged, Morgan began to swing both arms, attempting to leverage his great bulk and strength into powerful motions in an attempt to overwhelm Boruto. Momentarily caught off-guard, Boruto decided to re-adjust his strategy, ducking behind the burly Marine Captain. He could not maintain the nature transformation for much longer, not in such a fight; the thousand chirping bird techniques were not intended for prolonged fighting. Soon enough, the blade stopped glowing, and with a click, he slid the blade back into its sheath. With his other hand, the same blue orb he had used to threaten Helmeppo with earlier spiralled into existence.

"Rasengan!"

With a roar, Boruto smashed the sphere into Morgan's chest, sending him hurtling towards the execution yard, falling. Jumping after him before landing on the walls of the tower, Boruto began to pursue him on foot.

At the same time, Luffy had finished retrieving Zoro's sword – or swords, he didn't know; Helmeppo's room had three, but the wimp had passed out before Luffy could interrogate him on which sword belonged to Zoro. Not that Luffy really cared; he brought all three anyway, Zoro could pick his out. Having hurtled himself out through the window, he came to see Morgan's falling figure, followed by Boruto running down the tower of the base.

"SO COOL!" Luffy exclaimed, always excited at a display of cool ninjutsu.

"You have the swords, Luffy?" Boruto asked.

"Yep! Let's go get Zoro!"

Please Review so I, Author-san, can know where to improve! What else will happen at Shells Town, hmm? It's not over yet!

Also, if you want to submit a question for the SBS, please do; I really want to do one!