A Fruitless Start
One Piece belongs to Oda.
Chapter 12- The Once And Future King
…..
Buggy was in a good mood today, he was flashy dressed in great orange captain coat, his hair had finally recovered after a bad haircut and his great Buggy Ball was finally complete.
Took him years of studying and mixing the right ingredients to try and find the right combination to make sure the cannonball filled with them blew up with a strong enough impact and to present the minimum risk possible. He also has plans to make smaller versions of it, if he can do that then he can even use the Buggy Ball in guns to make a huge impact with minimum cost. The problem is just the chemistry but the captain was sure he could crack it.
He felt he was ready to go back to the Grand Line, back to the place where his own captain made himself a legend. He still remembers his days as a cabin boy with that insufferable red haired bastard, the good times with his former crew and the many dangerous situations he was dragged around to…. that is not happening again. He is the captain now and dangerous adventures were not his cup of tea. HE WANTS TREASURE DAMN IT!
Now he was the captain of his own ship, a colorful and beautiful circus called The Big Top and had a group of loyal subordinates and with that he is going to the Grand Line to make his dream a reality. TO FIND THE GREATEST TREASURE OF THE PLANET AND TO BE FILTHY RICH.
Yes, but to do that he needs to go back to the Grand Line. He technically could have gone back there way earlier than this but he wanted to be ready. Needed to be ready. His crew didn't know the past that he had, the times he almost died in the Grand Line and the memories of the monsters that lived there.
Buggy may be called 'The Clown' but he is not dumb, he has a plan: Go back there and stick to Paradise never to touch the New World ever again, EVER. He knows the kind of shit that happens there and he wants nothing to do with it, if some insane maniac wants to try and get the One Piece good luck because only an idiot or an insane man would try that.
He is sure that if he or his crew stepped in the New World they would be destroyed so fast that there would be no time to Buggy to say he regretted his life decisions. His men were loyal but they were weak, if he was to make a comparison with anything it would be with his old crew….. there was no contest and the other monsters of the second half of the Grand Line were pretty much in pair with them. Conclusion?
There is plenty of gold and glory in Paradise and better yet, no dangerous pirates(relatively speaking). He is going to have to dodge the Admirals but at this point in his life he is a master of avoiding the dangerous kind of attention. Yes all is going to be fine if he doesn't pick any fights with the World Government, having a reward if it is not in the millions is fine there was no real reason for anyone to chase him besides the odd bounty hunter.
"Captain!" Cabaji, a man with an open vest, black long hair, a scarf and baggy pants calls his attention. He is the first mate of the Buggy Pirates, Buggy's right hand man, "We have a town in sight! Should we give them a show?"
"Let me go see," Buggy goes to the front of the ship to see the kind of town they were dealing with. Pulling a spyglass, he unfolds it to see the place. The town was considerably inhabited but the numbers would be useless against his Buggy Balls. There was an outpost- no wait three of them armed with enough cannons to take out ships at a distance but there were some pirate ships in the port so maybe they can pretend to be peaceful and- he just saw it, "Nah, too much work. We would have to waste at least a few Buggy Balls just to break that kind of defense."
All of that was true but the flag above the outposts was the thing that scared him. Sure he doesn't know anyone from the Kingdom of Flowers and Fruits but he knows their reputation 'pirates can come in but cause any troubles and you aren't coming out'. That and the fact that Don Krieg, who once had fifty ships under his command, was defeated by them gave Buggy a(in his opinion) healthy dose of fear about fighting those guys.
His train of thought was that if someone can get strong enough to fight against an already established power then they were not someone he should fight against and he should know it, his captain would charge at them back in the day…. or drink with their leader… or fight and them grab a drink with the guy.
"We are all supplied and ready to go, who needs to waste time in a town like this one?" Buggy comments and the course was set to the reverse mountain…. maybe before he leaves the East Blue he should visit Loguetown?
He can't help but remember the last time he was there, the town of 'beginnings and endings'. He remembers the last time he ever saw his captain alive, he stood pridefully and had an imposing figure if a little haggard but not enough to diminish his presence…. not enough for people to notice that the man was dying from an incurable disease.
It has been a long time since he paid his respects to his captain, he still remembers that dark day, the day the Pirate Age began. Yes he should go pay his respects, it would only take a minute or maybe an hour for him to drop there, see the platform and pay homage to the man that he called captain: the King of the Pirates Gol D. Roger.
He decided, once he pays his respects he shall leave the East for good and make a fortune in the Grand Line. All the while staying away from anyone really dangerous.
…..
Today was a good day for Angus. Why? Because he just received the news he is going to be a grandfather again! Together with the family that lives with him in the farm they plan to visit the son, who left the nest. He still remembers the days when the boy would run around with his siblings in the farm, "Angus! Pay attention!" His wife calls him as he felt himself leaving the memory.
"Ah! Sorry Hila. Was remembering when the children were growing in the farm," Hila just nods, accepting the apologies. She was a tall woman dressed in a practical dress. The woman was still the most beautiful in the world for her husband. They both have been married for forty years and they were still going strong.
"Pa you really need to focus here else we will get separated," That was Tamui the oldest of five sibilings, and he was taller than his father but dressed pretty much the same with a growing beard and carrying some luggage. "I think that it is too early for them to go and get another child already."
"Dear," his wife Lana was the same size as her husband and she was carrying one of his three children with the others, a boy and two girls, running around. "You have no right to say anything about the other. AM I CLEAR?" She was in a more homely pink dress but she looked used to hard work by her arms.
"Yes dear." The man was going to stay quiet for that moment.
"PA! MA!" Came the youngest of the bunch, the twins Ata and Bata, they were a man and a woman who were considerably taller than the majority but smaller than their older brother, "You two sure we should leave Levy alone at the farm." Asked the sister of the pair.
"Levy is not alone Bata…. he has Besy as company." Said the matriarch.
"Ah, Besy, I really hope for another grandchild soon." Angus comments and most of the family can't help but laugh.
"Don't you think the family is big enough already?" Asked his wife.
"Nonsense, the more the merrier." The women of the group looked ready to protest but the patriarch of the family noticed something. "Look, our ride is here." He picks some bags and moves to the ship.
It was a passenger ship owned by the Straw Hat Company, one of the former members of the fleet, now that there are no more prominent pirates on the East it was being completely used for the transportation of peoples in between islands. It was big but not the biggest and once had cannons to all sides and place for plenty of ammunition now it was reformed with plenty of room and space to all its passengers.
Soon there is a line for people to get in, even if the ship is not warlike anymore it's sailors were all veteran warriors in a way or another and they kept an eye out to guarantee that the lines were respected and there was no mess or fights.
"Angus? That is you." One of his friends is exiting the ship, he was well dressed with suit and tie carrying a briefcase. He had a big mustache that was tied to the sides of his hair and looked a bit older than his friend.
"Felix! How was the trip my friend?" The two men hug each other, "How was the meating at the capital? Is the king alright?"
"Well, I didn't see the man myself unlike you but the meeting was fine, we just went about the budget and the new discoveries in the kingdom. There is this new tool that someone made on another island that is going to help a lot with the crops this year."
"While the discussion looks important," Hila interrupts the catch up section, "we need to get in the ship Felix. We are going to go see our Vasco and his family, Inter is with another baby!"
"Really," Felix sounded surprised, "Isn't your family already too big?"
"Of course not, the more the merrier." Before anyone could comment on that he rushed to the ship, "But Hila is right, it is time to go. See you later Felix!" He rushes to the ship with the rest of the family following.
They rushed to the ship and after giving their tickets to the guard at the door and tried to find a place to be. The ship was simple, not luxurious by any means but there was a cafeteria with a buffet and cabins for most families with priority for those that had children with them. The deck was accessible to anyone with the condition of not getting in the way of the crew, any valuables could be kept inside a safe in the captain's cabin if the passengers wanted or they can keep them in their person and while the company is ready to punish any thieves if are caught they also had to respect the privacy of their clients.
Like a more luxurious cruise, there was a certain division of classes with those that could pay more getting the bigger rooms for themselves but there was a limit to said rooms and if that limit was reached either the person would have to wait for another ship or go for a more common room where at least three to four families were put together.
Angus had given a huge donation for his island and because of that he was one of the lucky owners of a exclusive ticket that would always guarantee him the best cabin possible if he warns he is going to travel in one of the ships with antecedence all the while paying the value of a normal ticket(his insistence).
The family starts to get the luggage in their proper place "This ship is bigger than the last one." Commented Tamui, "You guys want to explore?" He asks his kids and once they give him their affirmatives they leave to see more of the ship.
"I can't wait for dinner," Lana drops in one of the beds and properly falls asleep.
"Looks like she couldn't wait for a nap." Angus knew how hard it was to raise children and he can respect the woman for just seeing the opportunity and getting her rest.
"Don't tease her dear, here, put these in the closet. I will separate some clothes for after she takes a bath," Hila was already getting some comfortable clothes for when the younger woman woke up.
The twins were also helping to put their stuff in their proper place but Angus could see they were agitated and full of pent up energy, "Fine! You two can go explore," he barely finished saying before the two also left the room, "DON'T GET LOST! AND BE BACK AT NIGHT! WE STILL WILL EAT TOGETHER!"
"Are you sure it is safe to let everyone run around like that?" Hila asked.
"They are not used to ships yet, this is the younglings' first time…. now that I think about it isn't your first time too Lana?" He turned to look at her but Lana was completely passed out. "You would think she would ask us to take care of our grandchildren more often with how tired she gets."
"A mother's job is never done." Hila affirms with conviction, "Besides, she can relax now, almost all our family is here and soon we will be seeing Jota, Mifa and little Taza. Oh… do you think the next one will be a boy or a girl?"
"Doesn't matter to me, they will make the name McJust proud either way."
"No one doubts that but I am anxious to meet the next little one." There was only happiness in the grandparents' voices.
"Can you two do this outside?" Lana asked while she adjusted herself to the bed, "I swear this bed is too soft, it is almost like I am in a cloud."
Besides Angus and Hila, the rest of the family was not used to long travels. While a passage doesn't cost that much money the kids were still small and Krieg was a known pirate. Only after the Don was put away for good did many felt safe and the reputation of the Flowers and Fruits Kingdom as the greatest power in the East was solidified to the point that only five or so kingdoms existed besides the biggest power in that sea.
The family didn't care about those kinds of details, they felt safe enough to make the trip with almost all their members with only one staying at home to take care of things. Only the grandparents had met the small girl born that year and the rest of the family was anxious to finally introduce themselves.
…..
The sea was calm today, a harmless wind, good waves and a few clouds in the sky. Almost makes Shinzo forget that he should be trying to kill the other guy right now, he muses as he swings his spear and cuts a man in the chest, "YUVE! MENMA! FIND THEIR CAPTAIN'S ALREADY! I WANT THIS PIRATES TO SURRENDER BEFORE LUNCH!"
"YES! YES! WE ARE TRYING!"
"BELIEVE IT SHINZO WE ARE GOING TO FIND THE GUY!"
He really wishes Luffy would have taken these two permanently, they are right up his alley with their own brand of insanity in his opinion. From the side, Ichibo and Sherry manage to beat down another five pirates and the captain can't stop himself from smiling. Sure he is not a pirate anymore but that didn't stop him from enjoying putting some fools in their place.
"FOUND HIM! MENMA YOU OWN ME YOUR RAMEN!"
"GODDAMNIT!"
Shinzo sees Yuve using her chakrams to disarm the man of his sword before jumping, stomping on his face and then kicking him on the back of his head forcing him to meet the ground facefirst.
Depending on the crew, the defeat of the captain is enough to force a surrender but unfortunately that wasn't one of those. These guys knew that they couldn't lose for whatever reason and the only way Shinzo will know that reason is if he beats them down long enough to ask.
There were plenty of fighters in the ship still and they were trying to protect their cargo like insane men and he was getting really curious on what a bunch of pirates were protecting with their lives, literally because he just saw a man try to take Flint out by throwing himself with his friend in the water only to Flint to turn the guy around and knock him out with a choke hold.
Shots were fired, swords were broken and after an hour or so of fighting it was over. The Straw Hat Company was full of veterans at that point, some died, that was inevitable, but thanks to the harsh training, the experience gathered both fighting Krieg and from those that were born in the Grand Line the ones that lived in the Saber were considered the strongest force in the East behind only their boss/king and his personal retinue.
It still hurts to lose comrades but Shinzo was used to it, he will mourn the five dead, inform their families so the kingdom can give the security package to help compensate the absence of their loved ones(even if that would never truly heal the wound). After making sure the living were fine, the dead were taken care of and that the enemy survivors would not try something again Shinzo moved to the cargo.
He finds guns, drugs on one side with the more classic and necessary supplies for a long trip on the other, "I need to speak with their captain." Shinzo declares.
He stayed in the cargo hold looking around and seeing exactly what they found, there was someone making a list or taking inventory of everything but Shinzo was not really focusing on that. He knows the symbol on the crates, that jolly rogers with a smiley, without the classical bone but cut in half with a line can only mean one thing. And that scared him.
The captain was brought down, he was bleeding but awake and he was smiling "So… when you are letting us go?" The question was made with amusement from his part, to him it was the only rational conclusion. "You are a well traveled man, you recognized the mark of the true owner of the cargo…..right?" His smile grew more as Shinzo stayed quiet, "We can all forget what happened. Afterall you didn't know who you were dealing with before."
"Like he would care…." Shinzo finally talks looking straight in the pirate's eyes, "I am…. familiar with his work."
"Oh? A former associate? You didn't give any of the usual codes."
"Not associate…. 'cargo' as you guys called." At that moment the smile of the pirate faded but Shinzo didn't smile either, he can still remember those dark days in chains being transported from the Grand Line to be used in that damned bridge. "Did he think that he can come here after Krieg has been dealt with or you are one of those trying to show initiative?"
"Does it matter?" The pirate tries to get up but the two beside him keep him down, "If I don't report you think he won't be curious about what happened with his stuff? No one messes with the Joker and survives."
Joker, a name that is in almost all transactions in the black market of the Grand Line and beyond from what he can guess now. The one responsible for his slavery even if indirectly. The government allowed slavery but they lacked the balls to truly capture people themselves, that is where Joker comes in. "I doubt that he will care that much, just making sure that you passed the Red Line must have been a tough challenge."
"He has clients here, people that want his wares." The pirate was sweating a bit showing his nervousness. Good, "You think that stopping us here will stop him?"
"No, but if we stop the next one and the next one, sooner or later he will have to quit…. or come here from the Grand Line and risk to lose all there." That is what was really important, the East was not relevant to the powers inside the Grand Line while the place itself has many reasons to be the most important part of the planet. "If we consider all that, then you are a test. A test that you failed, even if you have clients here, without your weapons they are harmless."
"I am not the only one he will send." He told Shinzo.
"Good, thank you for the information." The captain of the Saber pulls out a knife and stabs the kneeling man into the heart.
"SHINZO? WHY?" Asked Menma who was one of the men holding the pirate.
"Luffy…. our king is leaving, the pillar that founded our little paradise is soon to be gone for a while, maybe forever." He pulls out the knife and cleans it with the dead's clothiers. "We must be ready, if the chance is given then the East will have another war and we won't have our strongest to help us this time."
Shinzo wanted to live in peace but the moment that he chose to follow Luffy and the man became a king Shinzo understood that he never would be able to, too many people were counting on them(on him). If he let go of his spear then others would suffer maybe even more than he did. He didn't want anywhere in the East Blue to look like the island he was born, full of despair and death all around.
Leaving the cargo he shouts, "KILL ALL THE PIRATES AND TAKE THE GUNS! THE REST SINKS WITH THE SHIP!" For a while nobody moved. The pirates started to shout and scream in panic and fear while the crew of the Saber was confused until one of them just cut the neck of one of the pirates.
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL WAITING FOR? THINK SHINZO WOULD ORDER THAT WITH NO REASON?!" It was Yuve, she looked serious but had absolute trust in her captain. Some hesitated while others did with some remorse. All pirates died quickly with as much mercy that could be given and the mood was somber.
That night the other ship was sunk with the drugs, no traces of it would be found as it disappeared in the middle of nowhere, "Times are changing," Shinzo says "THE EAST CHANGED BUT THE PEACE HAS ITS PRICE!" He looked around, at his crew. He knew every single one of them, their families and their dreams. Most were not native to the East but now it was their home.
There were murmurs, explanations for what the symbol was, WHO Joker was. He starting to meddle in the East meant that he was either after a new place to sell or he had clients. The War for the East may be over, but the fighting for it has just begun.
"I AM NOT GOING TO LIE! THINGS ARE GOING TO CALM DOWN FOR A BIT BUT IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL SOMETHING WORSE WILL COME FOR THE EAST!" He could see the fear on the eyes of many but there was also determination, "HELP ME PROTECT OUR NEW HOME! HELP ME TO KEEP THE MONSTER THAT LIVES IN THE GRAND LINE AWAY FROM OUR PEOPLE!" He raises his spear "HELP ME TO PROTECT OUR PARADISE!"
The cheers were loud, even if some were nervous they would defend their home. After giving some more orders Shinzo moved to go to 'his' office only for Yuve and Menma to get in there first, "Are things that bad?" Menma asked.
"Krieg was just the transport, the government needed a pirate to take the slaves to where they needed to be without having to call the people from the Grand Line to do it. Someone else is responsible to get the slaves and the government is just another client," Shinzo knew others were hearing too but that was important, "Just because most people can't see the problems there are still plenty around."
"Should we tell Luffy?" Asked Yuve.
"No! He has his own dream to chase, once he does it we may bother him but he deserves to live his life." Shinzo keeps moving then wanting to get some sleep, "Besides…!" He suddenly stops and speaks loud enough for all to hear. "KNOWING THE KING SOONER OR LATER HE IS GOING TO MEET WITH JOKER! AND THEN ALL WILL SEE WHO TRULY RULES THE SEAS!"
His words cheered up the crew even if some were still afraid, "Do you really think Luffy will fight the Joker?" Someone asked, he wasn't paying attention to who.
"It is Luffy…. what do you think?" That was the last thing he said on the subject that night.
He knew that things were calming down but if the Joker got a single foot in the East there was a chance of him recruiting pirates or gangs and another war would be on the horizon. They can't let that happen, not while Luffy is out becoming King of the Pirates and Shinzo knew the guy would do it, he had complete faith in him.
But Luffy was too much of a good man and didn't know enough of the Grand Line yet, he needs to experience it himself because their stories were not enough. If anyone found and told him about the Joker, Shinzo could already see his reaction. He would rush to find the guy and the problem was that he wasn't sure Luffy was ready for that.
He needs allies, he needs resources and he needs to find Joker. He had most of it if he goes as a king but that was not what he wanted….. So Shinzo will keep it all a secret. He won't tell Luffy. He would tell Genzo and Dandan sure, he needs help to coordinate but not to Luffy or any member of HIS crew.
Besides he wasn't lying, he is sure that sooner or later Luffy will find the Joker. It is inevitable in his mind, for this sea had place for only one king and when that happens he is sure Luffy will be ready.
…..
He was inside his cell with his head low, chains in his arms and huge metal balls on his legs. The ship they were in was a marine one that made its way from the East Blue and finally reached one of its last stops in the Grand Line before the 'judgment island'.
The man in the cell used to be full of muscle to go with his size but now he lost much of his mass, months of inactivity and also the man entering in a state of depression didn't help and this once fearsome pirate was now beaten and broken.
Observing him was a man in a from the shadows the only other man there started to sneak closer- "I know you are there, stop hiding like a rat, assassin."
Well….. that was new. "I am sure I made no mistake, my steps were silent and my breathing controlled," the man moved into the light. He had a large top hat on his head, black hair, with a goatee(close shaved). He was tall, slim and muscular. "But I suppose I should expect such perception from a pirate like you Don Krieg."
The prisoner raises his head, "No, you need to learn to find better routes of entry. I heard the door open and usually the marines talk when they enter, either to deliver food or just to brag." Krieg spits on the floor, "Like these weaklings had any right to brag."
"You do realize I am an assassin here to kill you right?" He asked with an eyebrow raised, generally people are panicking when he was there in his main job.
"Yes, I was waiting for you." Krieg looked at him with a scowl on his face, "What took you so long?" Since when people he is about to kill complain about it being late? "So…. what is your name?"
What? "Rob Lucci." Since he was going to kill the man there was no harm in telling him, "Are you not afraid?" This was not the first time he talked with a target before a kill but this was the first time the target knew he was going to kill them and was…. calm?
"'Lucci'? Really? Hah must be fate!" Krieg had a deranged smile on his face. "And me being afraid? Why? I knew the moment that I was in a cell I was going to die. I know too much of the government's dirty secrets or at least enough to accept that I would die."
That made sense, "So you made peace with yourself." Unexpected but it can happen, a dying man can either make peace or fall in despair, maybe it makes sense that he was there to kill this pirate, he can be too dangerous to just be left in a prison.
"Peace? HA! It is not 'peace' that I have, it is clarity."
Clarity? "What do you mean?"
"I realized that I am just a stepping stone, a mere chapter on the story of the man that shall become the true King of the Pirates."
"And…." Rob Lucci won't deny he is now curious, "who is that man?"
"Monkey D. Luffy…." Krieg spoke, there was hate in his voice but also…. something else. Wait….
"Monkey D. Luffy, as in king Monkey D. Luffy?"
"The one and the same."
"You are saying that Monkey D. Luffy, the king who founded a nation that grew so fast that even here in the Grand Line people heard about it, a man that is on route to become impossibly rich, descendent of a marine who is himself a legend, that Monkey D. Luffy is going to become, not only a pirate, but the King of the Pirates."
"YES!" Krieg tries to move but the chains stop him, he is bound to the walls with plenty of weight to serve as an anchor if needed, "HE WILL COME! ONE DAY HE WILL BE HERE! HE WILL BRING A STORM AND CRUSH THE WORLD GOVERNMENT!"
"Why? He has no reason to do that," Lucci couldn't understand that man, his attitude towards death and his…. obsession(?) with Monkey D. Luffy.
"Mark my words, one day he will show up here and once he does you can expect a storm like those never seen before," The man looked more relaxed now, maybe his rant calmed him down, "Do you have any wine? I would like some before my death."
This conversation is the most confusing one of his life and that shouldn't be possible considering the people that he works with(in both his jobs). "I don't have any."
"Really? I wouldn't mind dying from poison, I am sure you must have some tasteless ones with you." He was taking his death so callously that Lucci found himself confused.
"I apologize but I am actually here on another assignment and have no means to procure such poison at the moment," he just apologized with his target for not having the means to give him the death he wanted…. today is truly a strange day.
"Then how are you going to do it and leave no evidence? The marines here are too weak of stomach to just accept a prisoner's death." Lucci agrees with his opinion, most marines are too soft for his job and that is why HE is the one doing it.
"I will use my finger to deliver a precise strike in your heart and leave it covered with your clothes, then I will break your chains and tie you up from the ceiling with your neck, the captain knows about my mission and will immediately rule it out as a suicide." He received the order to kill, was informed about the captain's tolerance and made the plan himself. He also had the idea of pretending Krieg had escaped but then the marines would waste resources and Rob Lucci hated to waste stuff, "If serves any consolation I will make it painless." It wouldn't be hard, he could also just break his neck since Krieg is being so cooperative, on the other hand this could all be a trick and it is better to just deliver a killing strike and get this over with.
"It is going to be suicide?" Krieg looked unhappy for the choice of the assassin, "Can't we have a fight or something?"
"Didn't you accept your death?" Lucci is confused by his complaint.
"Yes! But I want to go down fighting and even if I resist you will make it looks like a suicide anyway." Well….. he was not wrong.
"I need to make it look like no one was responsible for your death, even if you struggle I need to make sure my presence here can't be tracked." Lucci moves to get the keys to the cell.
"I hope you won't be offended if I try to make sure you have your presence properly noticed then ….." For what Lucci could understand the man cared a lot about his image, so much that he wanted to have his death as something worth of note. His pride demanded nothing less.
"You are a strange man Don Krieg!" Lucci decided to give him some respect before his death, his target was not screaming or trying to gather attention, even if it is for pride he is making his job easier in a way.
"Well…. What are you waiting for?" Krieg raised an eyebrow and asked getting up from where he was sitting. He truly planned to go down fighting and that was fine with Lucci, the assassin opens the cell and gets to work.
Rob Lucci was leaving the marine ship anchored in one of the special docks of Water 7 and he felt…. he isn't sure what he felt. He didn't feel regret or anything silly like that but the interactions with Krieg left him confused. He read a report that said the king Monkey D. Luffy was the one responsible for his downfall but was the defeat enough to leave a man like Krieg so broken? He was nothing like his profile said…. or maybe he was, maybe his mind could only process that the only way he was defeated was because his opponent was a man(pirate) greater than himself.
Hattori, his pigeon with a small tie and one of the few indulgences that Lucci allows to himself, lands on his shoulder. The bird was well trained and was previously on the rooftops keeping an eye on things. Lucci just pets him a bit before he keeps moving. He has a report to deliver and then off to bed with because he has to work tomorrow with Paulie and Kaku on the marine ship he just left.
They will want a full check-up to know how the prisoner freed himself and then died with his own chains.
…..
That was not how it was supposed to be, being a king should be easy even if only as a temporary replacement, Sterry was afraid that when his father really dies he will be left to be eaten by the sharks. The Kingdom of Goa was passing through some harsh times, the economy of the main cities of the Dawn Island were entering a period of recession because of the new and unreasonable king from another kingdom(ironically he was from there).
The minor villages got on their heads that they could just go and ask to join the Flowers and Fruits Kingdom if the nobles didn't treat them right, with respect and buy their wares for fair prices, FAIR PRICES! He is the crown prince, one day to be king, those ingrates should be grateful that- "YOUR MAJESTY!"
Someone interrupted his train of thought, while his father was away he had a duty of taking care of his kingdom and tending to the nobles is part of it, "Yes, I heard! You two are fighting because his son and your daughter have gone around unmarried and now you demand reparations. You want him to pay the dowry of a marriage and for the two to properly marry while he refuses to pay but accepts the marriage." Sterry didn't really care but since the two were from prominent families he needed to mediate this. Of course the two lovers' opinions were not relevant to him, especially in those uncertain times.
The thing is that most of the kingdoms before could just sit back and relax in the taxes of their territories without much problem by buying on the cheap anything they needed from the smaller islands. What were they gonna do? Stop selling? Then they would run out of money to buy materials that they couldn't get themselves or lose the protection that the bigger kingdoms could offer.
Those days were now behind them, the peasants were now empowered and emboldened by the presence of someone that would gladly receive them with open arms, even if it meant to worse the situation of his fellow kings. Not only that but Dawn island had a village that was once Monkey D. Luffy's home and he made a point to send stuff there every month.
Those shipments were the reason why Sterry felt he could have negotiated with the man in the past and they are still being sent, once a nobleman from the kingdom tried to steal it and the consequences were not pleasant. King Luffy himself didn't do anything but one of his ministers, a man called Genzo, marched in his father's court and gave an ultimatum 'Give all that was taken back and don't dare repeat it or else all our power and all our ships will be used on you!' After that he was gone and the thief was arrested.
The threat was taken absolute seriously, even the thought of being attacked by that kingdom made everyone in the court almost fall into a frenzy. There was a small chance that the World Government could help them but the Flowers and Fruits are the richer kingdom and after some payments and maybe rise of a certain tax they would get away with it.
Sterry was afraid and every noble that would lose their position in the new hierarchy was terrified, in the new kingdom they didn't care about birth or right, if you can't do something either you learned or you were kicked out in favor of someone who could, "The marriage will happen," he decided to go for a more…. calm route, "The father of the groom will pay all expenses and no further."
In the past he could try and shore up alliances by pitying a noble against another and supporting the most useful one but now there is no time for pettiness or inner squabbles. If they weaken themselves then the Goa Kingdom will need to spend more and more buying stuff from its…. rival.
Night has fallen and the prince moves to his room, he is exhausted to the point he can understand why his father looked haggard before he left to negotiate with one of the 'Independent Kingdoms of the East' as they liked to call themselves. Leading a country that is prospering or has a stable footing is easy. One in a crisis? That was between frustrating and almost impossible.
Everyday there was a new problem and he couldn't keep up, his studies didn't cover what to do when your nation is isolated like Goa was. His studies never covered half of the shit he is having to deal with in the last few weeks and once he was king, and if the situation didn't change, he was going to have to deal with all that for THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
That shouldn't be happening! He was adopted by the most prestigious family and his destiny was to be the ruler of a mighty nation, a true example of art, power and riches. He would rule with skill and the poise of a true noble, proving himself by showing the others how a true king behaves.
He would be a great king preserving his nation and gaining more prestige with the World Government, with that acknowledgment he would be called to be the king of more and more territories he… is that why he is in a bad mood? Because Monkey D. Luffy is getting to live his dream?
NO! THAT MAN KNEW NOTHING OF BEING A KING! HE WAS A-A-A SOMETHING HE CAN'T THINK OF BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH ERAGED HE IS!
Sterry calls servants to get him ready for bed and only three show up to help him select a pajama and get anything he needs to make himself comfortable. Before he had six or seven servants ready all time but because of cuts he had to deal with having only five during all day and he needs to remember to treat them well or they will quit and get new jobs in that plasted kingdom.
He finally gets his head in a pillow, and tries to fall asleep but he can't. The realization that he had a dream and it was being lived by another man is making his go insane. He can't help but remember the day he had tried to negotiate with that…. barbarian, how he was ignoring all the proper conduct between kings.
And that fruit, a devil fruit, how such a thing could have existed and he did not know about it. Upon returning he tried to talk with his father and the king wasn't shocked or anything like that, he just said 'they shouldn't exist here in the East' and left it at that. The memory still haunts him, of an annoying but beautiful woman simply turning into a monstrous bull of some kind.
He can't blame her really, she was just serving her king as she should, doing what was ordered. Pity she was loyal to Monkey D. Luffy, she would make a great queen.
It suddenly hits him what he could do, something that king Luffy hadn't done yet and if his luck holds true he wouldn't do it in time and him, Sterry, would become the most powerful man of the East, NO THE WORLD! He just has to secure his line with a son.
Yes! This is what he needs! If he proves to the followers of that barbarian that prin- no KING STERRY was the one they should follow. It was known that Monkey D. Luffy had no bride, no queen and he wasn't looking for one either and that meant he could die, if he does so without a proper line of succession then the country would need to look for another king.
Goa may not be the biggest kingdom around because of the Flowers and Fruits but if Sterry manages to guarantee a succession line and Goa is the second place then HE will be the obvious choice. King Luffy is careless in not making sure his legacy is secured, he is giving the chance for a real king to step up and take what is rightfully his.
Sterry needs to make plans for tomorrow, plans that involve finding and securing a beautiful bride and making sure that he was seen by the kingdom how much of a great king he was. He was sure his father wouldn't disagree with the idea, the sooner he married the better.
There are plenty of noble ladies around that he can choose too, many close to his age and he was certain he can find someone more beautiful than any other woman he meet in king Luffy court because there was no way there wasn't a noblewoman more charming and elegant than the orange haired that was his aid.
Yes! He can almost see it already, he leaves the funeral of a foolish king, showing true sympathy with his wife by his side, he would be respectful and give a eulogy that would show true respect for the dead. After that he would be called and they shall offer him to join the crows of the kingdoms.
First he will politely decline, showing the traditional humility of a noble man but once they insist again he shall hold it in his hands and proclaim he will rule justly, sitting on the biggest throne he can find he will take care of all affair from the main city and once the World Government see his skill they will want to elevate him even more.
Maybe he should start to think about a speech for after he joins the World Nobles too? The Celestial Dragons? If they offer to join he will have to accept after all and maybe even have to take a second wife to join his blood with theirs, of course he will allow his wife and descendants from her to rule in his steed once he ascends to the heavens.
He finally falls asleep while he was planning his speech for when they notice he is the better king.
…..
Genzo was running to Nojiko's farm, it was a good time. He had to run like that anywhere in person but he was panicking a bit because he couldn't find the Nami, he couldn't find the king either and by the point that he checked the kitchen and hadn't seen Sanji he knew that things were wrong.
They had a system, when Luffy was going on one of his trips he had to warn the council and they would go in a plan to keep things going without the king being there and to cancel any compromise that he might have. There was only one occasion that meant he didn't need to warn the council, a time he prayed that never came and that Luffy would choose to settle down and just be king of his kingdom.
But hope was not lost yet, there was a chance he was still on the island just having fun with his friends, even if he explored it all already it didn't mean that he couldn't have found something else interesting or maybe there was a play on town or-or…. no panic. They are still on the island, he is sure of it.
He tried to send some guards to look for them but he found himself being stared at, not good. So he decided to go look for himself and he was on route for the only place he knew that he would get answers one way or another.
He arrived and was greeted by many employees gathering plenty of vegetables, not only tangerines even if they were the main product. There were pumpkins, beans and many other vegetables and even some fruits being harvested, it was the season.
Bellè-Mere Farms were now a giant of production with farms in many different islands to plant the most variable types of foods. Technically it was part of the Straw Hat Company but Nami made sure Nojiko was the true owner in every official document to the point that it was part of the company and was able to use its transportation, resources and protections but Luffy had no input at all(not that he cared).
He says his hellos to many of the workers, people from both Conami and others islands that needed the job, the money was good and Nojiko gave full benefits, with vacation days and the woman had an idea to buy houses to give to those that needed the money for something else or to start their own families. Genzo was very proud of her but he notices she is not in the fields that day.
He moves to her home, still the same in a sense, there was a lot more of farm land on his way there but the place were his old friend had lived was almost the same, the small tangerine farm had only two people working in it, the most trusted ones, besides them only Nojiko herself and Nami had permission to farm that specific spot.
He waves to the others and knocks on the door, he was in a hurry but he didn't want to disturb Nojiko if she had visited, "COME IN!" She calls from the inside and he doesn't hesitate to enter.
He finds her drinking tea with Dandan, the big woman was drinking from a bottle and he knew what that meant even if he was still in denial, "Nojiko, do you know where your sister is?"
"Well, first good morning to you, Dandan got here earlier and we were just talking," the blue haired woman turns her head to the former bandit, " "did he even give you 'good morning' today?"
"No! He didn't," she drinks a bit of her beer before continuing, "you are slipping Genzo. Shouldn't a man in your position always be polite?"
He felt he was being pranked but he needed to focus on what was important, rolling his eyes he said, "Yes good morning you two! Now please tell me do you know where Nami is?"
"Well I'm doing fine thanks. And you Dandan? How are you on this fine day?" People think Nami was the only mischievous one of the family but Nojiko could be as bad as her sister when she wants to.
"Oh, you know, my brat and I had some heart to heart yesterday and I feel a bit tired." Genzo was really not liking where this was going, "But I thank you for the drink Nojiko and for the company!"
"I completely understand Dandan," there was that smile that she and Nami shared "my sister and I also shared a heart to heart yesterday, it was full of sadness and tears. But I am sure we will see each other again."
That was it the…. "They already left?" The two women just nodded. "Damn…." Genzo sits in one of the chairs and looks really depressed, "She didn't say anything to me."
He knew that day was coming, Luffy was too determined to be King of The Pirates and Nami was going with him to make a map of the world. He really wished that Luffy would settle down because maybe then Nami wouldn't go…. no she would go anyway. That is the thing about her, she also has a dream and that is why that group of friends just clicked well, all of them share the goal of fulfilling their dreams all the while having some fun on the way.
But he was sad, even if she was leaving for her dreams couldn't she say goodbye to him? Wasn't he important?
"Why don't you check your wallet?" Comments Nojiko with a small smile.
Genzo found it weird but decided to go for it, he always carried it everywhere and he can't see what she was talking about. Once he opens it he sees it, a small paper- no it was folded and he picks it leaving his wallet on the table. He starts to unfold it slowly, almost afraid of what is going to be in it, he can already tell who left it for him and he honestly had no idea of what would be in it.
Finally he can start to read it and the two women let the man take his time, he is there reading it and once he finished it he rereads once, twice, three times before he puts it down and starts to let the tears leave his eyes he puts his fingers over his eyes, "Tipical!"
"Well," starts Dandan passing him a bottle of rum and Genzo didn't hesitate to drink it, "our kids are gone. They are chasing their dreams now and things are not going to get easier for us."
"You had another right?" Genzo asked while looking at Nojiko who gave him a deadpan stare.
"I am not leaving Genzo, relax," she turns to the trainer, "tell us about the other one. Luffy's brother right?"
"Yes, that hotheaded brat. His name is Ace and…." They spend the rest of the morning and the afternoon trading stories about their families. They had done that before but on a smaller scale, as you would in a conversation as friends.
Now there was grief, fear and sadness that their family is never going to be the same, never be together again. But there was also hope, hope that there would be more good time and good memories, hope that one day those that left would come back with stories of their own and that they would all sit down to hear all the new adventures that their dreamers are about to have.
A knock on the door takes them away from their peace, "Boss?" One of the farmers calls from the door. "Just warning that we are leaving, we know today must have been a hard day on you. Good night."
"Good night!" Nojiko calls back and then looks to the window. "Look at that, it is already night."
"Feh! Ain't that right?" Dandan also comments and Genzo can only nod, he was in his fifth bottle at that point while the former bandit was still on her first, "It was fun but I need to go. I have work in the morning and now that Luffy is gone someone needs to keep this ship sailing," she points at Genzo, "This drunk here is also going, If he is not sober tomorrow people are going to complain."
"Shut up woman! Can't you see I am grieving?" Genzo was definitivally drunk at that point, his face was red and he drank more until he finished that bottle before slamming his face on the table, "I am depressed! How could she? How could my daughter just leave like that? I miss her so muuuuuuuuch!"
"I….. don't know what to say?" Nojiko was completely lost.
"Oh! Nojiko you are the good one of the two!" He tries to leap and give her a hug but the woman keeps him at bay with her hand.
"What is wrong with you now?" Nojiko demands to know while Dandan just starts to laugh, "And you should be helping me!"
"Why?" Asked the other woman, "I would never get in the middle between father and daughter love." She finishes her drink and gets up to leave, "Well I should leave you two-"
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Nojiko was not having it, "NOW YOU HAD YOUR FUN! STOP STALLING AND HELP ME!"
The woman laughed again but moved to help by picking the man with one arm "I know you are sad but there is no need to suffocate Nojiko here, she ain't leaving."
"If he goes like this maybe I do leave!" With that comment Genzo started to cry more. "OKAY! OKAY!" She tries to calm him down, "I am staying! Calm down, for fuck's sake!"
After a bit Genzo nods and with a couple of *sniffs* he manages to calm down "Now, if you two are done with the 'comedy bit', we really should go. This kingdom needs someone to drive it and now you are the most senior leader on this island Genzo," Dandan tries to remend the guy, "Time to act like it!"
"You are right!" Genzo tries to put himself together, "You are right! I need to call the others, warn them that Luffy is now gone. Get a statement ready…. God there is just so much to do now! I really wish he had warned us that he was going to leave like that."
"You shouldn't be surprised," Dandan begins "his birthday is a week away and he promised to his brothers he was going to leave that day without delay."
If there was one thing that everyone could agree on is that Luffy didn't break promises, if he said he was going to do something then he would and a promise that he is going to do anything meant it was happening come hell or high water. He never made secret that he was going to leave, no one asked either. Even Genzo himself was focused on other stuff and that just… escaped his mind.
It escaped every member of the council minds that Luffy was going to leave. And yesterday the guy just left, he didn't make an announcement, threw a party or anything as far as Genzo knew. He spent time with his mother but he did that almost everyday when he was around, Nami also didn't do much besides her duties and talking to some of the staff… that little minx! She was getting everything ready right then and there and didn't say anything to him. NO ONE DID!
"I think I am sober enough now," Genzo looks at the letter and places it in his pockets. "Tomorrow is going to be a busy day."
"Good luck on that." Dandan starts to move to the door, "If you need me I will be training the wimps…. don't call if it is about politics."
Nojiko gets up and follows them to the door, "I also don't care about politics so…. yeah good luck Genzo!"
He just nods but when he was grabbing his wallet,"... there was money here yesterday… NAMI!"
…
There was no oficial renunciation, as far as people were concerned King Luffy left for a long journey like no other king has ever attempted before and that he wasn't going to use his authority as a king to make it any easier.
Generally when a leader leaves office, even if nothing official is offered or a statement given there is panic, fear and a hundred and one people trying to seize power for themselves. That didn't happen in the Flowers and Fruits Kingdom. The King was loved, admired and respected to the extent that when rumors got around that he was becoming a pirate people just accepted it and claimed 'He will be king again then, King of The Pirates'.
The fact was that Monkey D. Luffy gave this people protection, jobs and, more importantly, hope. For the first time in the lives of the people they had room to grow, even if in their homes they couldn't follow their dreams they could leave now but not in a sense that people would lose their loved ones.
The faux peace that existed in the East was broken, people now could see the dangers that lurked in the waves but they also were given means to fight back, to protect themselves, to find their own way and to take care of one another. It was not perfect, there were always those that tried to profit of others even in peace but now the people understood that they could fight back and if they couldn't their king was close and if not him then those that he trained to help protect the innocent from pirates or their own nobles with no special treatment to any who disturbed the 'King's Peace'.
With more security came innovation, with innovations came growth and opportunities. The East was changing, new stuff was being made all the time, some work, some didn't. But the connections that people were being able to make were given room to new discoveries, there was no genius like Doctor Vegapunk in the East but there was just so much a man could do against the trial and error of thousands of people, the connections of the trade routes did more than move commerce, it now carried ideas. Talking long distances was getting easier and in a couple of years it would be even easier when some of the research on new methods to bread, distribute and take care of den den mushis was assured to guarantee that there would be a snail in every house in a decade.
All that was because of a thing the King offered that many nobles rejected: Freedom. The freedom to pursue passions, reach for dreams and to build you own. There was just a limitation in that freedom 'don't mess with others''. That was it, the only restriction, be from animals or people, if you had a wish and could procure the means go ahead and do it, even when criticized about such police the King just said that it was how he lived, doing whatever he wanted but never harming others if he could help it and his policies showed that.
The King was humble, he was honest and he was loved. When he left the country taking only a small temporary ship until he got a proper one people weren't surprised, he was that kind of person. If he had asked, many would have gone with him, given their lives for him but he didn't ask, he just wanted them to live their lives and that is what people liked about him.
So they would live their lives. Those that wanted and could fight would be ready if their King needed them one day, new technologies would also help, as would better ships and new fighting styles. Luffy didn't ask for them to fight for him but if he needed they would even if he didn't want them to.
That resolution, that love convinced people that Luffy was still the King and a statue was commissioned. Artists flooded the capital, offering their services to the point that Prime Minister Genzo, the representative of the King until he returned, had to stop more than one fight before the city fell apart.
A competition was called for, the idea of one of the cooks, the work would be used as a basis to the statue. Ten different artists joined forces in the competition and ended up winning by a landslide with a statue of the King so precise and life like that it was chosen as the proof that the kingdom would wait for him.
After some final touches the ten artists worked to make more of the statues, almost one hundred in number, one to each island that recognized Monkey D. Luffy as their King. The work took time and diligence but it was complete.
In the parks and inside the garden of the main castle was where the statues would stay, for all to see the figure of their leader, he had a smile on his face full of joy and was dressed in his jacket, jeans, sandals and his precious hat on his head. If a stranger looked at it they would say this was not a king, just a cheerful kid who looked ready to face the world.
That was how he was even if most only saw him as the champion that protected them, if he wanted to go he could go and they would still love him when he came back.
And so it was done, in every place the statues were placed there were plates to remind people who the statue was for. In them was written:
Monkey D. Luffy.
The Once and Future King.
…..
FINALLY most of the East Blue is done…. you guys have no idea how much I just want to rush to some of the stuff I have planned but man there is a certain satisfaction in taking my time. Officially this is the end of the Kingdom of the East Arc and concluding with Luffy leaving….. we won't see this place again for a long time if all goes as planned.
Thanks again for the support and the comments, unfortunately the next one is going to take a good while to be published for a lot of reasons but I hope you guys have liked this one.
The chapter was divided in segments to try and demonstrate the East after Luffy, now he is gone and things are different. There are no corrupt marines, the useless nobles are out and the kingdoms that are left have to adapt, in general everyone is happier because Luffy is a hands off kind of leader, he sees the strengths and weaknesses of the people around him and he does everything to make sure that everyone has a chance to grow and do their own thing. Ok there is way more than that and Luffy is extremely good at delegating(both here and the OG).
Buggy made a appearance and promptly turned around from the village that he would attack because they have a really powerful ally, most of his part was more about his memories with Roger and why he wouldn't go back to the Grand Line immediately, he is weak and he knows that which in turn is his strength in a sense.
Second part was showing some of the improvements that a good government could have in the world of One Piece(good in more than one island or kingdom) and reflect some aspects of our world in certain periods of history.
Another plot that may show its head again is Mingo trying to get in the East. Why? Free real estate…. for real….. need more of an explanation? Okay, the pirate powers there are done, the marines there are weak, so it officially is a great place to expand the black market. Shinzo also grew in a really bad place and he is ready to do the dirt work while Luffy is away, he will watch the East shadows and stop them from treating his paradise.
Krieg had to die, he said it better: he knew too much. Just not enough to risk leaving him around neither he is as powerful as Doflamingo that an assassin can't just off the guy and who better for the job then Rob Lucci. Krieg is being escorted to Enies Lobby and the short way is the sea train making the stop before the goal Water 7, a call later and it is done, Lucci will kill Krieg. Did anyone expected the guy to live after all that either?
I had tried to write Nami's letter but nothing didn't deliver the impact I wanted, but in the dialogue there are some clues of what the girl wrote, you guys can guess what. :D
The title, both of the chapter and the one given to Luffy is a reference to a lot of stuff, don't be surprised if you have read or heard about one version or another. The origin is the title of a book of the Arturian legends but there are plenty of legendary Kings that leave with a prophecy to return in a time of crisis so the term can be applied to a lot of people.
Well? Comments? Questions?
Next Chapter: The Good, The Bad And The Liar