Ch. 17- The Second
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Kovar, and Monkey D. Star © Me
The memory continued playing before the Straw Hats' eyes. Morgan and Helmeppo both lied on the ground in defeat while the Marines gaped in shock, and Luffy and Past Zoro, the latter being half-dead, stood tall and confident.
"The Captain...he lost!" whispered one of them.
Past Zoro sheathed his swords before he glanced back at the Marines.
"Any of you morons still wanna capture us?" he asked. The Marines paused for a moment before they suddenly grinned and threw their hats up in the air, whooping, cheering, and even hugging each other.
"At last!"
"We're free!"
"Morgan's reign of terror is finally over!"
"Hooray for us!"
"They're sure weird," said Luffy. "They're actually happy we defeated their captain?"
"So that means that Captain Morgan was ruling over them with fear!" Coby exclaimed, excitedly.
"That's how most Marines are, these days," Nami said.
"You got that right," Sanji replied.
"It's those kind of Marines that I hate," Aika added.
Suddenly, Past Zoro collapsed in the dirt, to everyone's shock.
"Oh, no! Zoro!" Coby cried. "Are you okay?! What's wrong?!"
"...I'm just...really hungry..." Past Zoro groaned.
"I guess even Moss-head can collapse from hunger," Sanji quipped.
"Oh, screw you!" Zoro barked.
"You went without eating for 3 weeks, you know!" Chopper exclaimed. "You're lucky Luffy came and got you outta there! If those Marines didn't kill you, starvation surely would have!"
"Hey, will you relax?!" Zoro questioned. "I'm alive, now, right?!"
"Easy now," Robin said as she held the swordsman's arm. "Let's calm down, okay? You're here now, and that's what matters."
"Thank you, Robin," Zoro replied, causing the archaeologist to kiss his cheek in response.
"Hey, guys, check it out," Franky spoke up as he pointed to the memory, which shifted to show Past Zoro, who was sitting in Rika's mother's tavern, wearing clean clothes and patting his stomach in satisfaction.
"Phew! I'm stuffed!" he exclaimed. "Not eating for nearly a month was worse than I thought!"
"I can't imagine how horrendous that must feel," Brook said. "I'd have thought my stomach caved in...though I have no stomach! Yohohoho!"
Zoro only rolled his eye before he kept watching.
"Yeah, you never would've lasted a month," Luffy said as he took a bite of some salmon.
"Says the one who's eating more than me," Past Zoro countered.
"That's Luffy for you," Sanji mused.
"Indeed," Brook nodded.
"I guess even I pigged out a little, too," Coby admitted, sheepishly. "It's very kind of you to give me food along with these two, ma'am."
"It's the least I could do," said Rika's mother. "You three saved the whole town."
"You're the most amazing man I've ever met!" Rika exclaimed to Luffy, who grinned.
"Yeah, I know," he said, "and I'm gonna be even greater when I become King of the Pirates!"
"Shishishishi!" Aika giggled. "He sure will be!"
"Yeah!" Kumi agreed, wagging her tail a mile a minute.
"So, what's next for us?" asked Past Zoro.
"That's easy!" Luffy replied. "We're going to the Grand Line!"
"What?!" Coby questioned. "You still wanna go to the Grand Line, even though there are just 2 of you?! It's suicide, Luffy! If you go there the way you are now, you'll only sail headlong into death! The world's most bloodthirsty pirates are sailing those waters, you know!"
"There he goes, again," Franky muttered in annoyance.
"Does he ever shut up about that?" Blizzard asked.
"Hey, if we're going to find the One Piece," Past Zoro began, "then the Grand Line is where we have to go."
"You actually agree with him, Zoro?!" Coby asked in horror.
"Why do you care?" Past Zoro asked. "It's not like you're going with us."
"That's true," Usopp said. "Why does he care?"
"I may not be going," Coby shouted as he slammed his palms on the table, causing the dishes to rattle, "but that doesn't mean I can't be worried about you guys?! That's not a bad thing, right?! I mean...can't I be worried my friends?!" He then looked over at Luffy. "Luffy...I know we haven't known each other for long...but we are friends, aren't we?!"
"We may be going our separate ways," Luffy began, "but we'll always be friends, Coby!"
Hearing that caused Coby to smile in relief.
"...You're the first person who's ever stood up for me, before," he said. "Even I wouldn't do that for myself! But...seeing you and Zoro in action...it taught how me to fight for what I believe in!"
"Luffy's always had that effect on people," Robin mused.
"You can say that again!" Aika piped up.
"Yeah, Luffy's had that effect on me, too," Blizzard smiled.
"Why do you think I'm going to the Grand Line?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah, makes sense to me," Past Zoro said, casually.
"Wait, no! That's not what I meant!" Coby cried. "I'm trying to tell you that it's too reckless!"
"Well, what about your plans?" asked Past Zoro, tapping the boy's forehead with the hilt of one of his swords.
"Huh?" Coby muttered. "M-my plans?"
"Weren't you the cabin boy of Alvida's pirate ship for 2 years?" asked Past Zoro. "If I were you, I'd keep an eye on the Marines' intelligence. If they find out about your background, they won't let you enlist."
Hearing that seemed to dishearten Coby, while Aika looked at him in concern.
"Is that true?" asked Aika.
"Unfortunately," Zoro replied. "If you had any relations to pirates, willingly or not, there's no way you'd be one of the Marines."
"Wait a second," Kumi said. "Aika, why do you care? You hate the Marines."
"I don't hate them all, just some!" Aika argued. "Besides...Coby seems like such a nice boy, and...since he's Big Brother's friend, that makes him a good guy, right? So...I'd hate for one of Big Brother's friends to not realize his dream. It wouldn't be fair."
Hearing that caused the Straw Hats to smile at their youngest member. However, the moment was soon interrupted when someone entered the tavern. It was one of the Marines: the lieutenant.
"Excuse me," he said. "You two gentlemen are pirates, am I right?"
"You got it!" Luffy replied. "I even have a first mate, now! That makes me a genuine pirate captain!"
"Yes," the lieutenant said as he tipped his hat. "You have done us a great service, defeating Captain Morgan and saving us and this town from his tyranny...but nonetheless, we are still Marines and we can't really shelter any pirates here."
"Bummer," Franky said.
"Yes, I'm afraid that's the case with all Marines," Brook added.
"Yeah, which is why we always get run outta town," Zoro replied before he shrugged. "What can you do?"
"I am sorry for this," said the lieutenant, "but while we are grateful, I'm afraid I must ask you to two leave. However, we will not report you to headquarters."
Outside, the Straw Hats could hear the sounds of angry clamoring.
"You Marine dogs!"
"How could you say that?! You all hated Morgan as much as we did!"
"Yeah, those two are our heroes!"
"You know," Nami began, "I don't think I'll ever get used to people praising pirates."
"I guess it's surprising because this is the first time Luffy ever got praised like this," Usopp added.
"I guess that's true," Franky agreed, with Blizzard nodding his head in affirmation.
"Well," Luffy said as he got up from the table, "I guess we'll be going, now. Thanks a lot for the food, miss!"
"Yeah, thanks," Past Zoro said as he and Luffy prepared to leave.
"Luffy," Coby said, sadly.
"Aww, do you have to go?!" asked Rika.
"Yeah, sorry," Luffy said. "Maybe we'll meet again, one day!"
"Well...okay," Rika said.
"What about you, boy?" asked the lieutenant. "Aren't you going with them?"
"Huh?" Coby muttered. "Oh...I...I..." He bit his lip and clenched his fists so tight that his knuckles turned white. "I'm not with them!"
The Straw Hats gasped silently, except for Zoro, who smirked, knowing exactly what was to come next. Luffy also grinned before he and Past Zoro prepared to walk out.
"Excuse me, pirates?" asked the lieutenant, causing Luffy to stop and look back. "Is it true? The boy's not with you?"
"Oh, let me explain," Luffy answered. "You see, I met him a while back, and I know about his backstory."
"What is he doing?!" Nami questioned.
"That moron's gonna blab to 'em!" Usopp cried.
"Doesn't he know Coby's gonna get in trouble?!" Chopper asked.
"Just watch," Zoro said.
"You see, there was this pirate named Alvida," Luffy began, "and she was really fat and mean, and for two years, this kid-"
"SHUT UP!" Coby yelled as he suddenly tackled Luffy and punched him across the face, causing the Straw Hats, save Zoro, to gasp.
"Dude!" Franky exclaimed.
"What is he doing?!" Blizzard questioned.
A pause...but then Luffy smirked before he slugged Coby back.
"Why you little-!" he shouted. "Take this!" He punched him again. "And that, too!"
"All right, that's enough!" the lieutenant shouted. "No disturbing the peace!"
"All right, all right," Past Zoro said as he grabbed Luffy and held him back. "You made your point."
"It's clear you have no affiliation with each other," the lieutenant said. "Now, I demand you both leave this town, at once!"
"Fine with me," Luffy shrugged before he and Past Zoro walked out while Coby lied on the floor.
"...He planned that, didn't he?" Robin asked with a knowing smiled.
"Eh?! He did?!" Chopper asked.
"Luffy actually planned that?!" Kumi questioned.
"Yep," Zoro said. "He was trying to get Coby to stand up for himself, for once."
"...I don't think I'll ever understand how Luffy does what he does," Usopp said.
"Yeah, but we wouldn't have him any other way, would we?" asked Sanji.
"Yohohoho!" Brook chortled. "Indeed!"
Aika felt shivers go up her spine as she clenched her fists in excitement.
"Big Brother is so cool...!" she whispered.
The memory shifted, and the Straw Hats saw Luffy and Past Zoro at the docks, preparing to leave in the dinghy that he and Coby had sailed in.
"That was some pretty bad acting you did, back there," Past Zoro quipped. "I wouldn't be surprised if they saw through that."
"Well, I figured I'd help Coby just one last time," Luffy shrugged. "I'm sure he'll get in, somehow."
"Well, I think we left on good timing," Past Zoro mused. "Everyone in town hates us, now. That's how pirates should leave."
Luffy laughed as he took the mooring line off the boat. "I guess that's true!"
"LUFFY!"
Luffy and Past Zoro both looked back and saw Coby...who saluted them.
"I can never thank you enough!" he shouted. "I won't forget what you did for me!"
"Heh!" Past Zoro smirked. "This is a first: a Marine saluting a pirate. Don't that beat all?"
"You got that right!" Usopp exclaimed before he laughed.
"I never thought I'd see the day a pirate would be saluted by a Marine," Nami said with an amused smile.
"Ahahaha!" Luffy laughed. "We'll be sure to meet again, Coby!"
Soon, the lieutenant and the Marine soldiers appeared behind Coby.
"Attention!" the lieutenant shouted before he and the soldiers saluted Luffy and Past Zoro, as well, the former waving while the latter was just giving an amused smirk. Then, the Straw Hats could hear the lieutenant "scolding" his soldiers for saluting pirates, so he punished them...as well as himself, with no dinner for a week. There were no objections.
"I guess this is their way of making it up to themselves," Sanji quipped.
"You could say that, I suppose," Zoro said.
"All right!" Luffy cheered. "We're on our way! Next stop: the Grand Line!"
The Straw Hats watched as Luffy and Past Zoro continued to sail on, toward the sunset.
"So that's how Coby became a Marine," Nami said.
"Good for him," Aika smiled.
"Luffy sure works in mysterious ways," Franky mused.
"Although one thing bothers me," Usopp spoke up. "Zoro...what did you and Luffy after you left that island?"
"...You're about to see," Zoro replied as the memory shifted, and it showed Luffy and Past Zoro sitting in their dinghy, the former hanging over the port side as he groaned in discontent.
"Ohh...so hungry~!" Luffy whined as his stomach gave a deep growl.
"When the hell are we gonna reach land, anyway?" asked Past Zoro, staring up at the sky.
"Oh, I dunno," Luffy answered. "We're just sailing on the wind and the waves and going where they take us. We might not even reach the island."
"...That's...kind of disturbing," Sanji said.
"Is this really how it was before you guys met me?!" Nami asked, but Zoro only grumbled in irritation.
"Don't you find it strange that someone who's trying to be King of the Pirates doesn't have a single navigational skill?!" Past Zoro questioned.
"Well, what about you?" asked Luffy. "Aren't you supposed to be some unholy demon who terrorizes the East Blue?"
"I don't remember calling myself that," Past Zoro rebuked before he looked up at the sky. "All I know is that...I followed some pirate that I was after out to sea. Next thing I knew, I couldn't find my way back to my home village, so I took up bounty hunting to make a living."
"So basically, you just got lost," Luffy said, bluntly.
"HEY, DON'T PUT IT LIKE THAT!" Past Zoro barked.
"Sounds like you got lost to me..." Blizzard murmured.
"Man, Zoro was much of a dummy as he is, now," Kumi spoke up as she sat on Blizzard's head.
"I heard that!" Zoro snapped as he pointed his finger at the wolf-dog and Akita puppy.
"Wow...you guys really needed a navigator," Nami said.
"Don't rub it in," Zoro said with a warning glare.
"I'm just pointing out an obvious fact!" Nami defended.
"Alright, alright," Robin said as she gently pushed the two away from each other. "Honestly, you two act like such children."
"At any rate," Past Zoro began, "what kind of pirate doesn't know how to navigate the sea? At the rate we're going, we'll never make it to the Grand Line! So, as first order of business, I suggest we get a navigator, pronto."
"Oh, yeah!" Luffy agreed. "And a cook, and a musician and-"
"THOSE CAN WAIT!" Past Zoro shouted, but then, both men's stomachs began growling audibly, causing them both to flop on the hull.
"So hungry...!" they groaned.
"You two were incredibly hopeless on your own," Sanji said.
"Jeez, how long were you two out at sea?" asked Usopp. "Just a day?"
"One of these days, I really need to perfect that medicine that cures stupidness," Chopper pointed out.
"Wait, there's medicine for that?" Aika asked.
"Not yet," Chopper replied.
"Oh, shut up!" Zoro barked.
After a while, both Luffy and Past Zoro spotted a bird flying overhead.
"Hey, look at that," Past Zoro said. "A bird."
Luffy blinked for a moment before he grinned.
"Oh, no," Nami muttered with dread. "I recognize that grin."
"He's got an idea," Franky spoke, "and if I know that grin, it's gonna be a bad one, like always."
"Hey, I know!" Luffy piped up. "Let's eat it!"
"Huh?" Past Zoro asked. "How are we gonna catch it?"
"Leave it to me!" Luffy answered before he stretched his arms and grabbed the yardarm of the sail. "Gum-Gum...ROCKET!" On that, he sent himself flying.
"Huh," Past Zoro muttered. "I guess that's one way."
"Wow, Big Brother is so clever!" Aika exclaimed.
"Ah-ah-ah! Wait for it," Zoro said as he pointed at the memory...and sure enough, Luffy somehow managed to get his head caught in the large bird's beak.
"...Eh?" Aika and Kumi asked in surprise.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Luffy shrieked. "ZORO, HELP! GET ME DOWN!"
"THAT MORON!" Sanji shouted.
"That's what I said!" Zoro added.
"AAAAH!" Chopper and Kumi shrieked. "LUFFY GOT EATEN BY A BIRD!"
Blizzard groaned as he slapped his paw against his face in disbelief.
"Good heavens!" Brook exclaimed in shock. "How did he ever manage to get his head stuck in there?!"
"It's Luffy!" Usopp replied. "Stop trying to figure him out!"
"...I fell for such an idiot," Nami muttered.
The memory shifted after a while, and Luffy was still trapped in the bird's beak and struggling to get himself free.
"Lemme go, you stupid bird!" he shouted as he tried to pull his head out. "I said let go!"
"How's Big Brother gonna get down from there?!" Aika questioned.
KABOOM! Suddenly, there was sound of cannon-fire from somewhere down below, and the next thing the Straw Hats knew, the bird squawked in fright as a giant cannonball exploded, dropping Luffy as it did. Luffy screamed as he plummeted to the ground and landed with a loud BANG!
"So that's how he landed there," Nami mused.
"Yeah, but where'd he land?" Usopp asked.
As if to answer his question, Luffy stood up and the Straw Hats that he was standing in the middle of a town, and he stood right in between three brutish-looking thugs and a familiar-looking girl with short, orange hair and wearing a white-and-blue shirt, a yellow skirt, and a pair of brown, pointy boots.
"Big Sis!" Aika exclaimed. "It's you again!"
"...Oh, boy," Nami muttered with a bit of dread.
"Man," Luffy groaned as he stood up. "Who the hell was shooting at me?!" He then sighed as he dusted himself off. "Well, that sure was an interesting experience."
Past Nami gaped at Luffy in shock...but then, an almost wicked grin seemed to appear on her face, one that Zoro and Usopp knew all too well. It was a look of cunning and trickery, the kind she would get whenever she was about to make them pay an outlandish fine.
"Why are you guys looking at Big Sis like that?" Aika asked.
"It's because-" Zoro began.
"No, Zoro," Nami interjected. "Let me tell her." She then sighed as she squat down to Aika's height level with a look of remorse. "Aika, sweetie...you're about to see a VERY nasty side of me. One I hoped you wouldn't see for a long time."
"Huh?" Aika muttered, tilting her head.
"Just watch, and you'll see," Nami replied as the Straw Hats watched.
"Jeez," Luffy said with his hands over his stomach. "I'm so hungry..."
"Oh, hey there, Boss!" Past Nami exclaimed as she looked up at him in an endearing manner. "Thanks for coming to save me!"
"Huh?" Luffy muttered as he glanced over at her...and when he did, the memory turned a light pink again and the Straw Hats could hear their captain's heart pounding. However, he just blinked at her and asked "Who are you?"
"Man, he sure fell for you, Nami," said Franky.
"Yeah...but back then, I didn't realize it," Nami said. "Now that I know that...I feel bad for what I was going to him, next."
"They're all yours now, Boss!" Past Nami called as she ran off. "Have fun~!"
"Huh?!" Chopper questioned. "Nami, you just up and left Luffy back there!"
"I can't believe you did that!" Aika cried.
"Look, I-I was just...what I..." Nami stammered, trying to find the words to say. "Oh, just watch the memory!"
"She's getting away!" shouted the thug with the bolts in his head.
"That's fine," said the thug with the ponytail. "We got her boss, right here!"
"You're in a lot of trouble now, kid," said the one with the checkered bandana, pointing his sword at Luffy. "You should've let your little girlfriend fend for herself."
"Wait, did they really just call me his 'girlfriend'?!" Nami questioned.
"Apparently, they did," said Brook.
"Hey, do you guys know where I can get some food around here?" Luffy asked.
"Food the least of your worries now!" shouted the bolt-headed thug as he punched Luffy in the face, causing his hat to fly off.
"Oh, boy," Sanji muttered. "Big mistake, pal."
Big mistake, indeed, for the next thing the thug knew, Luffy decked him right in the jaw, causing him to crash to the ground while his hat floated down gracefully in his hand. The raven-haired teen then placed the hat on his head and said in a fierce tone "You better keep your hands off my hat!"
"YOU BASTARD!" the two remaining thugs shouted before they charged at Luffy...who easily defeated them with a Gum-Gum Double Pistol. However, Zoro only glared at Nami, as did Usopp, and even Blizzard looked at the navigator in a disapproving manner, but Nami only sighed before she glared right back at them.
"I know what you're gonna say," she said. "I set him up, I know."
"You know, you're lucky it was just Luffy," Zoro sneered. "If it were anybody else, they would've been killed."
"I was desperate, all right?!" Nami questioned.
"That's still no excuse!" Usopp countered.
"I can't believe actually fell for somebody like you!" Blizzard added.
Nami only sneered at them before she turned away, causing Aika to look at her in concern.
"Big Sis?" Aika asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Nami replied. "Just...keep watching."
"That's amazing," Past Nami was heard, causing Luffy to look up and see her sitting on the balcony of a house. "You're really strong, aren't you? Even though they had sabers, you took them out with your bare hands!"
"Hey, you're the girl that set me up!" Luffy shouted. "Who are you?!"
"I'm a talented thief who steals strictly from pirates," Past Nami replied. "The name's Nami! Hey, you wanna team up with me?"
"Uh...thanks, anyway, lady," Luffy started, "but I think I'll pass."
On that, he turned and walked away.
"Ha!" Zoro laughed. "I don't blame him!"
"Zoro!" Robin chided.
"Hey!" Sanji barked. "That's enough, Moss-head! Quit picking on Nami!"
"No, Sanji!" Nami exclaimed. "It's...it's fine..."
"...Nami," Sanji whispered in concern.
"Oh, dear," Robin said, worriedly.
"H-hey, hold on!" Past Nami called as she jumped off the balcony and ran off after Luffy. "At least think about it, first!"
Just as she caught up to him, Luffy's stomach began to grumble again, reminding him of his hunger.
"I just remember," Luffy said as he collapsed to the ground, "I'm still so hungry!"
"Well, come with me and I'll find you something to eat," Past Nami offered.
"Yeah?!" Luffy asked as he shot straight up with an eager smile. "Are you serious?!"
"Uh..." Past Nami muttered, surprised at his change in demeanor...and that was only the start of it.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next time on One Piece: The Fire Within!
Luffy: Hey, you wanna be my navigator?
Past Nami: As if I would lower myself to joining a pirate! There's nothing I hate more!
Aika: *gasps*
Nami: *looks away in shame*
Buggy: If you're really going to prove yourself loyal to me, then show me! Kill your old boss!
Past Nami: What?!
Luffy: Hey...your hands are shaking. That's what happens when you don't have a pirate's resolve.
Past Nami: A pirate's resolve, huh? And does that resolve mean I have to be willing to actually kill someone in cold blood?!
Luffy: No...you have to be willing to risk your own life!
Past Nami: *gasps*
Next Time: A Pirate's Resolve
Huh. I honestly thought this was a bit longer. Oh, well.
Review, please!