Shells Town-East Blue
It took another four days of sailing to reach Shells Town and in that time Luffy learned all he could about the people he had aboard his new ship. He learned that Coby was a bit of a coward but had a burning passion for justice, and true justice rather than the absolute justice spouted by the marines. As for Nami, well all he was able to learn about her was that she was an exceptional navigator and she was obsessed with money.
After they pulled up to the dock of Shells Town and disembarked Nami turned to Coby and Luffy and said "well I guess this is it, I'm sure I'll see you guys around sometime."
A charming smile firmly in place Luffy simply responded "I can't wait." The combination of Luffy's smile and his words caused Nami's almost perpetual blush that she'd had since meeting Luffy to return in full force once more. Attempting to hide her blush she turned on her heel and walked as quickly as she could, without running, straight into town.
Chuckling slightly at her retreating form he then turned to Coby and said "come on let's get to it then." And without even waiting for a reply from Coby he started making his way towards the centre of the town dragging a still tied up Alvida.
Jogging slightly to keep pace with Luffy Coby asked "erm Luffy sir, what are you planning on doing with Alvida."
Hearing this question Luffy just turned to look at Coby as if he was stupid. "She has a bounty of 5,000,000. I'm gonna cash in her bounty, technically I'm not a pirate yet so the marines have no reason not to pay me and I need all the cash I can get." Hearing this Coby looked a bit embarrassed at not realising the obvious.
As short while later after paying a visit to the bounty office of the marine base Luffy was walking through town 5,000,000 richer, he then made a quick stop by what passed as a shipwright around these parts to get the ship repainted and figurehead removed so he wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen sailing it. Completing a few of the tasks he gave himself to complete on this island he then set about achieving his main goal while he was here, recruiting Roronoa Zoro as his first mate. Luffy turned to Coby and asked "so where do you think we'll find this Zoro guy?"
Upon hearing Zoro's name every nearby townsperson flinched, something that wasn't missed by either Coby or Luffy. "You see everyone is terrified just by Zoro's name, but at least there's a strong marine presence on the island and I've heard they're led by captain axe hand Morgan." Yet again every nearby townsperson flinched upon hearing a name, except this time it was at the mention of captain Morgan and yet again this was missed by neither Luffy nor Coby. "I wonder everyone's scared of Morgan, I can understand with Zoro because the guy's a demon in human skin but captain Morgan's a marine." Coby said in almost childlike confusion.
Letting out a deep sigh Luffy tried his best to explain this particular situation. "Listen Coby, not all marines are good and not all pirates are bad. The world's not black and white and after all power corrupts." Seeing that Coby seemed to be pondering his words he decided he'd given the lad enough to think about so changed the subject slightly. "Didn't you say this Zoro guy got arrested," at seeing Coby nod he continued "well he'll be around the marine base somewhere won't he? Come on let's go!"
Arriving at the marine base at the edge of town the duo came upon a courtyard and at the centre of the courtyard was a young man tied to a simple cross. The young man was wearing; simple loose fitting black pants, a white loose fitted shirt, simple black boots one would commonly find on a pirate and a black bandana on his head. As the duo were on the wall to the courtyard and observing the man tied to the cross a ladder appeared beside them and a young girl no older than six or seven climbed up. When she got to the top of the wall she put her index finger to her lips in the universal signal to be quiet before she jumped down into the courtyard and approached the restrained figure.
"Here I thought you might be hungry so I made you these rice balls," said the little girl in a shy voice.
"You got a death wish or something kid." The restrained man said in a low voice attempting to intimidate the young girl.
"But it's my fault you're all tied up here."
"I said said scram kid."
Back at the wall Coby turned to Luffy and said "You see the man's a demon, look at the way he's trying to scare that little girl." Luffy however just looked thoughtful at this.
"Now now Zoro don't be mean, nobody likes a bully after all." Luffy and Coby looked over to see two marines and a teen wearing a flamboyant purple suit enter the courtyard.
"Oh thank god the marines are here, at least the little girl should be safe now," stated Coby. Luffy just hummed noncommittally however as a few things to this entire situation just weren't adding up properly for him.
"Oh what's this? Rice balls, well don't mind if I do," the blonde teen in the purple suit said. However immediately upon eating one of the rice balls he spat it straight back out in disgust. "Ergh what the hell did you put in these? Did you make them with sugar? Your supposed to use salt you stupid girl," he screamed in his whining nasal voice. After saying this he grabbed the other rice ball from the girl and began stomping it into the ground.
"But I thought...I thought they'd taste better sweet," said the little girl as she began to tear up.
"God this is why I hate kids. Look little girl do you see that sign over there? It says any citizen caught aiding a criminal is to be executed and its signed by my daddy captain Morgan." At hearing this a few things began to make sense to Luffy but he kept quiet and decided to see how things would play out.
The blonde teen now identified as captain Morgan's son saw that girl was now sobbing so simply let out a deep sigh and turned to one of the marines behind him and ordered "You there toss that girl over the wall."
Hearing this the marine became incredulous "but sir...she's only a little girl."
"Didn't you hear me I ordered you to throw her over the wall, if you don't do as I say I'll tell daddy on you," the blonde teen shouted as he stamped his foot in a ridiculously childish manner.
The marine knowing this to not be an idle threat and seeing firsthand the consequences that captain Morgan deals out for insubordination relented and scooped up the little girl into his arms. As he neared the wall to throw her over he whispered into her ear so as not to be overheard by the bratty teen "Listen kid just tuck yourself into a ball and try and roll when you hit the ground." With his advice given he proceeded to throw the little girl over the wall.
Despite being a pirate and therefore not a hero Luffy isn't the type of person to sit by and watch a little girl get hurt like that and so utilising his devil fruit powers he transformed himself into lightning, caught the little girl and teleported them both to the ground. Now safely on the ground he gave her a wide, beaming smile and affectionately tousled the little girl's hair. With the girl now safe Luffy returned to his previous spot on the wall, only to catch the back end of whatever the blonde brat was saying to restrained man.
"Hahaha you've been here for three weeks with no food and water already Zoro, only ten days to go," the blonde brat said in a clearly mocking tone.
"I'll survive the next ten days don't you worry about me," Zoro said in a dangerously low voice.
"We'll see Zoro, we'll see."
Once the blonde teen had finally left the courtyard Zoro now noticed Luffy and Coby. "Hey you two you're an eyesore get lost."
"Man you've been tied up here with no food or water for three weeks already. Damn I don't think I'd even last three days," said Luffy with a chuckle.
Unamused by Luffy's comment Zoro said "that's the difference between the two of us, unlike you I have willpower and dedication. What do you want anyway?"
"I just came to see the dangerous pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro," said Luffy with a smirk and upon seeing the frown on Zoro's face when the moniker pirate hunter was mentioned he added "and to get him to join my crew."
Hearing the last sentence from Luffy caused Zoro to glare at Luffy with the intensity of sun. "So you're a pirate." At seeing Luffy's nod of confirmation he added "not interested, I've got a dream to fulfil and I'd never stoop so low as to be a pirate," said Zoro with a sneer.
Undeterred by this rejection Luffy just smiled and said "we'll see." He then turned and left the marine base and began the trek back into town.
Before Luffy could leave however Zoro shouted over to him "Hey wait a minute! That rice ball give it to me."
Luffy just laughed "what happened to all that willpower and dedication." Luffy then looked at the rice ball in question before asking "Are you sure 'cause it looks to be more mud than rice ball at this point."
"Yes! Now give it to me, all of it." Upon hearing this Luffy obliged grimacing in distaste and Zoro choked down the ball of mud with grains of rice in it. After eating Zoro choked out "the girl, tell the girl they were delicious. The best thing I've ever eaten."
"Sure thing Zoro."
Already there were several things about this whole situation that did not make sense to Luffy, and realising that he needed more information he decided to track down the little girl from the courtyard.
A short while later Luffy and Coby were sat in a small cafe owned by the mother of the little girl, now known to be called Rika.
"Really? He said that," asked and excited Rika.
"Sure did he ate every last crumb," replied Luffy with an indulgent smile on his face.
"Luffy I don't understand why you want him on your crew, he's being punished by the marines he's obviously a criminal," stated an exasperated Coby.
Before Luffy could retort Rika piped up "Shut up, big brother Zoro is not a criminal. He's only tied up because of the deal he made with Helmeppo, the captain's son."
Seeing this as his opportunity to learn more about his future first mate Luffy asked the question "what happened?"
This question had an immediate effect on Rika as she went from angry on Zoro's behalf to sad and downcast. "Helmeppo came into the cafe and demanded to eat for free, but he brought his pet wolf with him. When he was eating his wolf attacked me and tried to kill me, but it was stopped by big brother Zoro who killed it. When Helmeppo saw his pet wolf dead he threatened to have me and my mum executed, but Zoro offered himself instead. Helmeppo then offered him the deal one whole month in the courtyard with no food or water and he can go free."
After Rika finished her tale Luffy just turned to look at Coby and grinned before saying "told you he was a good guy."
Coby however just looked like he had his whole world view shattered. His whole life he had believed the marines to be just and honorable and criminals to be the bad guys, yet the longer he spent in this town the more and more this view was shattered.
Coby's inner musings were cut short as the door to the cafe burst open and in sauntered Helmeppo with his two marine guards. Plonking himself down in a seat he barked at Rika's mother "Hey you, bring me some food and make it snappy. And it it better be free or my daddy will hear about."
Luffy decided not to intervene and potentially make things worse for the townspeople. This resolve was severely tested the longer he had to endure to company of Helmeppo.
"Bye the way everyone, since I'm bored I've decided to execute Zoro tomorrow so make sure you there to see it," said Helmeppo in a bored voice.
This was the final straw for Luffy and he began to stalk towards the little brat. Helmeppo seeing this sneered "what do you want peasant, how dare you loo." That was as far as he got before Luffy's fist impacted his face sending him crashing through the door to the cafe.
Now lying on the street with blood pouring from his nose he managed to stutter out "You hit me, you actually hit me. Nobody has ever hit me before." Seeing the uncaring face of Luffy he added "wait 'till I tell my daddy on you."
After saying this Luffy made to move towards him and noticing this Helmeppo quickly got up and ran away with his tail tucked firmly between his legs and his two bodyguards in tow.
"Tch what a waste of human organs," growled out Luffy. He then realised that he needed to do something about the Zoro situation and he immediately turned himself into lightning and teleported himself back into the courtyard of the marine base.
"Tch you again, I thought I told you to get list already?" said Zoro.
"I was just in town and the captain's bastard son just announced that he plans on executing you tomorrow and invited the town to come watch."
Hearing this Zoro could only growl. "That little shit, just wait 'till i get my hands on that little shit." Zoro began to struggle against the ropes that restrained him against the cross. "Oh I'm gonna beat his arse so hard he's gonna wish his dad fushed him down the toilet when he was born!"
"Oh yeah and how do you plan to do that when you're tied to that cross?" Luffy asked with his usual light hearted tone absent and an aura of seriousness about him. "How about this I get you your sword back from wherever the marines are keeping it and you join my crew? After all what's a swordsman without a sword?"
"I aint agreeing to that," said Zoro with a scoff "but if you wanna get my swords back the captain's bastard son will have them."
Hearing this Luffy turned his head to the marine base and stretched out his senses, just like he and Ace trained to do back on Dawn island, and noticed the was a large number of marines on the roof of the base. So once again he turned himself into lightning and teleported to the roof of the base leaving a gaping Zoro behind.
Luffy rematerialised upon a large statue that was currently being erected on the roof, however his appearance caused very marine on the roof to stop what they were doing and just stare at him in sheer bewilderment as to how he had appeared there.
Helmeppo upon seeing Luffy screamed to his dad "that's the bastard that hit me, not even you've ever hit me daddy."
Immediately after Helmeppo spoke a large man in amarine unform with a metal jaw and large axe in place of his right forearm spun around and struck Hemeppo across the face sending him sprawling to the floor. Walking up to his his son as he was struggling to sit up after that blow to the face he grunted "and do you know why I've never hit you?"
"Because I'm your beloved son?" Hemeppo tried weakly.
Morgan just snorted "it's because you're a little bastard that's not even worth hitting."
On that Luffy could agree the little shit was barely worth hitting, but remembering that he had a job to do he decided to get the show on the road. "What is this god awful thing I'm standing on, oh well this thing's so ugly I doubt anyone will miss it." Luffy then raised his leg and coated it in lightning before bringing it down upon the statue shattering it.
Seeing the statue that was supposed to display his greatness for all to see shattered like that caused something within Morgan to snap and he just bellowed to his men "GET HIM! Bring me his damn head!"
Luffy took this as his cue and teleported himself infront of Helmeppo and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and teleported them both two floors down to put some distance between them and the horde of marines baying for his blood. Looking into Helmeppo's eyes Luffy growled out "Zoro's sword, where is it?"
Terrified for his life Helmeppo managed to stutter out in a girly high pitched voice "They're in my bedroom, second floor and third room on the right." Luffy once again telported them both to location Hemepppo had just given him and loomed around. They had appeared in what could only be described as a fairy princesses bedroom everything was either pink, frilly or both. Luffy was about to give a Helmeppo a beating for lying to him when he noticed three swords in the corner of the room.
"Which sword is Zoro's?" Luffy barked at Helmeppo.
"All of them," was all the little brat was able to get out before Luffy bonked him on the head with enough force to knock him clean out.
Luffy grabbed all three katana swords but as he did so he looked out the window and saw Coby was in the process of attempting to untie Zoro from the wooden cross as they were being approached by a horde of marines. Seeing this he knew that he needed to intervene and fast so he turned himself to lightning and appeared in the courtyard infont of Zoro and Coby.
Flashing them both a grin he coated his back in haki as the marines opened fire. Zoro and Coby were both left stunned as the bullets just bounced off him. From behind him he heard one of the marines ye to captain Morgan that bullets dont work on him and for Morgan to reply to just use their swords then.
Luffy looked at Zoro "so does our deal still stand," he said with a grin. Before cutting Zoro's bonds with his own sabre and handing Zoro his swords.
"I don't remember us making any kind of deal, but I'm about to raise my weapon against a marine which will make me a criminal in their eyes so I may as well join up with you." This caused Luffy to give his trademark grin. "However my dream is to become the world's greatest swordsman and if you get in the way of that I'll kill you myself! Got it?"
"World's greatest swordsman eh? Well the king of the pirates would have nothing less on his crew," Luffy said with a smirk.
It was at that moment that the marines behind them marshalled their courage and attacked them with their swords however they were stopped by a three sword wielding Zoro. Zoro held a sword in each hand and one between his teeth and with kust a few masteful swipes from each sword a dozen marines had been yaken down. Seeing their comrades fall, and fall so easily disheartened the remaining marines so they turned to their captain and said they were fighting monsters and it was no use.
This served to further enrage captain Morgan who bellowed at his men "weakness and cowardice is not tolerated in my division, all of you put your guns to your head and pull the trigger! THAT IS AN ORDER!"
The marines shared a look with one another in disbelief at the order they had just been given but slowly a look of resignation overtook them before each one begain raising their guns and pointing them towards their heads.
Seeing this Luffy was in almost stunned disbelief and not wanting to witness needles deaths, even if they were marines, he raised his left hand into the air and pointed it at the sky before bring it down as he called out "Thor's hammer." As he said this dozens of bolts of lightning fell from the sky, each one striking a marine leaving them unconscious and smoking slightly.
Luffy's use of his devil fruit power shocked both Zoro and Morgan but it was Morgan that voiced the question on both their minds "what are you?"
Luffy levelled a glare in Morgan's direction before stating coldly "I ate the rumble rumble devil fruit, I'm a lightning man."
"I thought those devil fruit things were just myth?" Zoro asked in disbelief.
Before anythong more could be said Morgan's anger returned, then it magnified at the disrespect he believed he was being being shown by everyone. With blood pounding in his ears and his anger overriding his common sense he launched himself at Luffy with his arm pulled back intenteding on cutting him half.
"That downwards chop isnt going to work," stated Luffy coldly.
Morgan's eyes could only widen when he heard that, it was almost as if the straw hat whelp could read his mind however it was too late for him to change his attack. Morgan could then only watch helplessly as Luffy took half a step to the side so his entire attack missed before he turned his right arm to lightning and brought it down across Morgan's axe hand completely severing it.
"Aaaarrrghhhh!" Came the scream of agony from Morgan.
"Did you know that lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun?" Was Luffy eerily calm question. That question was the last thing Morgan heard as he creadled his new stump because after after cutting off Morgan's arm Luffy spun on the spot bringing his sabre up and decapitating the marine captain.
Turning round to Zoro and Coby Luffy just said "let's get outta here." Zoro was about to leave with them before the three weeks without sustenance caught up with him and he passed out. Turning to see what happened Luffy could only chuckle at Zoro and carry him on his back into the town.
A few hours and a few dozen plates of food later Zoro was almost back to full strength. "So where's the rest of the crew captain," Zoro said turning to Luffy.
Luffy who had managed to eat even more food than Zoro just turned to him with his mouth full of food before mumbling something incomprehensible. Taking a minute to swallow his food he tried again "Just me and you."
"So we're what amounts to a pirate crew?" Asked Zoro incredulously.
"So far anyways," replied Luffy. Meanwhile as Zoro and Luffy were having their conversation Coby sat in the cafe contemplating everything he had seen so far that day and was attempting to process it, Rika on the other hand could only stare at Luffy in complete admiration with stars in her eyes. Luffy turned to Ririka, who was the mother of the cute little girl that was currently idolising Luffy as well as the owner of the restaurant they were currently eating in. "You got any booze I can buy for my ship?"
Ririka looked up from where she currently cooking and gave Luffy a bright smile. Still high from the happiness she felt from hearing of the death of the marine captain that had tormented and extorted the town she lived in for so many years she told Luffy to follow her into the back and pick out what he wanted.
Shrugging Luffy just stood up and followed her into the back. After ten minutes Zoro was beginning to wonder what on earth was taking so long, booze was booze after all. But just a few minutes later Luffy walked back into the restaurant while zipping the fly on his trousers up and grinning like the cat that ate the canary while Ririka was wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Realising what had transpired Zoro just smirked broadly and shook his head slightly.
"I'll have the food and sake you wanted delived to your ship now." With that Ririka gave several cooks in the restaurant various instructions and in short order the various supplies were being carried from the restaurant.
Their meal was interrupted when a group of marines showed up outside the cafe. The patrons of the cafe seeing the marines tensed as they feared the worst from the group of marines. "We want to thank you for freeing everyone on the island from the tyranny of captain Morgan," said the marine lieutenant at the front.
Hearing this the townspeople in the cafe began to clap and cheer for Luffy and Zoro. "But! We've heard from various people around town that they've heard you claim to be pirates. So we're going to have to ask you to leave the island." Upon hearing this the various townspeople began booing and hurling abuse at the marines. Despite the abuse being thrown their way the lieutenant continued "we wont be informing Navy hq about you but we do need you to leave."
Seeing no reason to argue as he was planning on leaving soon anyway Luffy merely shrugged his shoulders and made to leave with Zoro following him.
"Isn't he with you two?" The marine lieutenant asked Luffy as he pointed to a still seated Coby.
"Nah, he's just some kid I picked up when he was attacked by the fat hag I turned in earlier," said Luffy in a bored tone before he continued to leave.
Once they were aboard the ship Zoro turned to his new captain and asked "So where to now captain?"
Luffy's cheerfulness returned full force for the first time since the business with captain Morgan and he turned to his first mate and grinned. "Orange town I've got some business with a clown."
"Huh?"
"Buggy the clown, he's a pirate whose last know loacation was orange town. He sailed with my idol years and years ago and I wanna see what kinda man he is," explained Luffy.
"What if you like what you see?" Questioned Zoro.
"Well if he's the right kinda person then I'll invite him to join my crew," stated Luffy.
"And if hes not?"
"Then i kick his ass from here to the Grand Line then turn in his bounty," grinned Luffy.
"And what if hes someone you want on your crew but wont join us?" Luffy smiled at Zoro's use of the word us as it showed that Zoro already saw them as a team.
"Simple, I kick his ass from here to the grand line then turn in his bounty," said a cheeful Luffy. At this however Zoro could only smirk.
"Well then captain what are we waiting for? Let's set sail already"