Hello all and welcome back to Reaper of the Seas. I appreciate the follows, favorites, and reviews (more are always appreciated) and I hope you all continue to enjoy the story as we go.
Anyway, the poll for the pairings for Luffy is closed as the last few slots were filled with the five women each having over 15% and none of the others even getting 3%. If you were not able to vote, then I apologize, but you all can review for pairings for Franky and any other male members that join the crew so long as the pairings for them are not being paired with someone else already. You will get to see one of the new male members that will be joining the crew this chapter. No I am not telling you who won and is paired with Luffy but an imaginary cookie to those who can guess.
Also, for most of the crew I have their pairings done and you'll have to wait and see who is with whom. But you are free to recommend women for each of the members, but please state why they would work.
Keep in mind, Luffy and an amount of his crew, I haven't decided if all of Luffy's crew will travel with him, will be going to other worlds. Zoro, naturally, will definitely go as he gets new opponents to face, while the others, besides those paired with Luffy, I am undecided on.
Note: Luffy considers Damon his dad, while Dragon is his father. Luffy acknowledges that Dragon is his father, but considers Damon more of a parent than Dragon. This is why he says his dad in conversation and not his father.
Anyway, let's move on to what you all actually want to see.
Disclaimer: If I owned One Piece, then Luffy would have picked up a few more people to help out.
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
'Conversation thoughts'
"Non-humanoid/pissed off Luffy voice"
"Above's thoughts"
"Above's conversation thoughts"
{Flashback}
CHAPTER 3: A Liar, Cook, and Demon
Of the coast of Gecko Islands: Specifically, the one holding Syrup Village
Luffy sat with Makino napping against his chest and he was thinking. His newest member, and unofficial member, needed to get stronger if they were gonna survive the Grand Line. Deciding that fact was truth he turned to Zoro, "Hey Zoro." He spoke and said Swordsman turned towards him while the others paid attention too, "When we reach the next island, we're gonna need to train you a bit. Specifically, in just using one sword."
He stated and Zoro seemed interested then confused, "But I told you, I use three swords. Why would I train with just one?"
He asked and the other were interested as well, "Well to be honest, you are only good with three swords, so what are you gonna do if your two lesser swords shatter and we have no way to get you new ones or what if someone manages to get your other two swords away from you and you're forced to use only one sword?"
He explained then asked and Zoro was about to retort before it died in his mouth as he saw Luffy's point. He was only good with three; if he lost one or two of his swords then he wouldn't be even close to full strength and could lose to an unworthy opponent. Sighing he looked to Luffy and nodded and received one in return before Luffy faced Nami, "Nami you'll train with Sabo to make you faster and to react quicker."
He stated and Nami gawked at him and was about to retort before Luffy raised his hand, "I know, you aren't a fighter and not even our official navigator, but there may come a time where you can't lie or sneak your way out and will have to fight. I am not saying we'll turn you into a fighter, but at the very least we can make you really hard to hit."
He stated and Nami closed her mouth and sighed since she knew if Luffy hadn't been there then she probably would have been skewered by Buggy when she was stealing his treasure. Deciding that at least she could try, she nodded and Luffy grinned, which for some reason caused her to blush. Makino then looked at Luffy, "What about me Luffy?"
She asked and Luffy smiled down at her, "You can't really do anything for the moment since I am still working on that project for you and your natural Archery skills are the best they can be for the moment until I get the time to help with the next step of the lessons dad left for you, me, and Sabo."
He stated and she nodded and went back to lying on his chest while Sabo simply steered the ship heading for the Gecko Islands and the fun that Luffy said was there.
An hour later
Their boat pulled up to the shore and they stood on the ground for barely a minute before a bunch of flags came up from the woods and a man's voice came out, "Hold it Pirates! This island is under the protection of the great Captain Usopp and the Usopp pirates. We total over 800 strong men and are prepared to destroy you and your crew if you don't leave now."
The now identified Captain Usopp called out and Luffy raised an eyebrow, "Hey Usopp, is your father named Yasopp?"
Luffy called out and they heard a gasp from the forest, "How do you know my dad?"
The voice called out and Luffy grinned, "I'm friends with him and his captain, he's an awesome sharpshooter."
Luffy stated and a skinny young man with long curly black hair that reached his shoulders, a long nose, and was dressed in overalls, boots, and a bandanna on his head came out, "If that's true then what was he claimed to be able to do?"
Usopp asked and Luffy grinned, "Shoot an antenna off an ant at 100 feet and not harm the rest of it."
He stated and the others, counting an eavesdropping Robin, gawked and Usopp laughed and stuck his hand out to Luffy, "Guess you do know my dad, sorry for lying and trying to scare you away like that."
He stated and Luffy chuckled and shook his hand, "It's no problem, I'd offer to let you call him if I had a Den Den Mushi. How's your mom?"
Luffy asked and Usopp became slightly depressed, "She died a few years ago."
He stated and Luffy frowned, "I'm sorry to hear that, I doubt Yasopp knows."
He stated and Usopp nodded, "Yeah, but anyway, are y'all hungry?"
Usopp asked and the strawhats nodded and followed him into town before entering a tavern and they all began to eat and chat with Luffy telling Usopp about his father and Usopp telling them his tall tales before he stated he had to go and do something important and left.
The strawhats continued to eat before three little kids came in pointing wooden swords at Luffy, "What did you do with our captain?!"
The kids asked in unison and Luffy swallowed food before glancing at them, "We talked with him and then he left saying he had something important to do."
The kids relaxed slightly before one boy with a purple hair and a red beanie hat exclaimed, "Oh! He probably went to see Kaya."
The other two nodded and Luffy shrugged and followed them as they went off while the other strawhats followed. It only took a few minutes to reach an estate that Sabo would have started robbing if Luffy hadn't shaken his head at him. The group went over the fence to find Usopp arguing with a butler with glasses that Luffy wanted to clobber for some reason.
However, when the butler insulted Yasopp, the others had no time to react before Luffy had the man pinned to a tree with the man's throat in Luffy's hand. All those present were shocked at the speed while Luffy glared at the man before him, "Do not insult Yasopp again. He is a great man and pirate."
He stated and felt Usopp's thanks coming off of him while Luffy smirked, "After all why would one of the Yonkou personally ask him to join the crew if he was as pathetic as you claim."
Luffy stated and everyone gawked at him while the man gritted his teeth even as Luffy pulled him off the ground while dragging him against the tree, "So, if a man that is asked by one of the most feared and respected men in the world is a nobody as you claim, then what does that make a no name loser like yourself?"
Luffy asked and the man's eyes filled with rage as he struggled to get free before his world went black as Luffy slammed his fist into his gut and tossed him away. Luffy looked at the young woman at the window and removed his hat before lowering his head slightly, "I apologize for the actions I committed, miss, but no one insults my friends or their crew."
He stated and the woman nodded and Luffy glared at the unconscious man, "Miss, I don't know what that man is to you or what he may have done to get in your good graces, but that man is dangerous and you should be weary of him."
He stated and everyone looked shocked and confused and a man with a weird ram style haircut came up, "Sir, what do you mean?"
He asked and Luffy frowned slightly as he felt the guy on the ground was familiar but he couldn't place it, "He smells of blood, and a lot of it." He stated and the others gained a surprised look, "He has such a strong smell that you could only get it if you killed several people. You can ignore my warning if you want, but this man is not someone you should be friendly towards."
Luffy stated as he started walking away with Sabo and Makino right behind him, while Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and the three kids quickly followed him. While Kaya's guards took the butler inside to rest and the ram guy looked at Kaya, "Miss, I don't know who that boy was but I think we should listen to him for some reason. I don't know what is going on, but the boy showed genuine concern for you should Klahadore stay around. I know what he means to you, but that boy, something in his eyes makes me believe him."
The man stated and Kaya had a shocked and saddened expression, "I will… consider what he said Merry, but I don't think Klahadore is a threat to me."
She stated and the now identified Merry nodded and went about his work.
Couple of hours later
Luffy and Usopp were sitting on a cliff looking at the ocean, after the former had trained with Zoro to use one sword in combat while Sabo was having Nami dodge his finger jabs since the speed Sabo used could make even a finger feel like a fist, just chatting quietly before they noticed the butler Luffy beat up there with some weirdo with a blue rim hat and cloak and heart glasses. The two of them moved from the edge of the cliff as the two started talking, "So the crew will be here in the morning?"
The butler, Klahadore, asked and the weirdo nodded, "Yes captain, they'll be on time and we'll ransack that village just like you ordered."
He stated and Klahadore nodded, "Good, once you all have ransacked the village and Kaya's estate, you will hypnotize her to sign everything including herself over to me. I've been planning this for 10 years and I will not allow you or them to screw it up now. However, there is a boy here that I want to kill myself. He has a strawhat and a black cloak with a jolly roger on the back. If any of you manages to kill him, then I will kill all of you. Is that understood Jango?"
He stated and Jango nodded fearfully, "Aye captain Kuro." He stated before noticing the glare and Jango gulped, "I mean Mr. Klahadore."
He stated before they left and Usopp was shocked and ran towards Kaya's estate while Luffy frowned and followed him while nodding to Sabo who was nearby. Sabo nodded and vanished as he went to get the crew together, they had a fight to win.
Usopp ran to Kaya and got her attention, "Kaya, we have got to get you out of here. Klahadore is really a pirate and he's planning to attack with his crew and make you his servant."
Usopp stated and Kaya looked horrified and thought Usopp was lying before Luffy appeared too, "Usopp, we're gonna have to hurry since the pirates will be here in a few hours and I don't think Klahadore or Kuro or whatever he calls himself is gonna be pleasant to be around." He stated before turning to a shocked Kaya, "Miss, please. The man you think you know is a liar and a traitor. Now, my crew can take his down, but we can't let him get to you or things can get very complicated."
He stated and Kaya sunk to her knees and cried as the person she was close to for a decade was actually just using her. She then felt arms around her and looked to see Usopp there holding her and she blushed, "Don't worry Kaya, my friends and I will bring him down. I won't let anyone harm you."
Usopp stated and Kaya blushed harder before doing something that surprised herself and Usopp, she kissed him right on the lips. Usopp seemed shocked for a moment before he held her tighter and deepened the kiss before they broke it, "Usopp, I…"
She didn't finish as Usopp took her into another kiss and she wrapped her arms around his neck and they continued their little make out session for another few moments before Luffy interrupted them, "Uh, no offense, but we should go."
He stated and the two blushed before nodding while Kaya called Merry in and the four took off with them putting Merry and Kaya at the tavern for the night after Luffy told her that Kuro wasn't going to stop even if she turned her money and everything over to him since the villagers would know something was wrong and Kuro couldn't afford that.
With that said, Luffy, Usopp, and the crew stood on the path to the village discussing where the pirates would be coming from before the three kids from before came up after hearing them, "We want to help protect the town too!"
They said in unison and Zoro was about to make a comment before Luffy whispered in Usopp's ear and he nodded, "Usopp pirates, attention!"
He stated and the three saluted and stood there and Usopp addressed them, "Listen, that stupid butler wants to hurt Kaya, so I want you three to be her bodyguards till this is over. You make sure no one that is not from the village, her butler Merry, or these guys with me get near her without paying the price. Understood?"
He ordered and the three seemed excited to be part of the important assignment and they saluted, "Aye, aye Captain."
They shouted before taking off towards the Tavern while the others chuckled slightly, "So where can you dock a ship here Usopp?"
Usopp frowned in thought, "The South and where you guys landed. Those are the only two areas a ship of any size could dock and remain unnoticed."
Usopp stated and Luffy frowned before taking a meditative position. Zoro, Usopp, and Nami were about to question it before Sabo and Makino shook their heads at them. They frowned in confusion before Luffy's body glowed slightly before the glow went out lightning fast in a ring from Luffy. The ring passed through them and they felt nothing and watched as it went through the trees, buildings, and anything else in the area.
About two seconds later, Luffy stood, "North, we head for the North landing."
He stated before heading that direction and Sabo and Makino followed him quickly while the others were confused and surprised at what Luffy did but followed nonetheless, "Hey Luffy, what did you do?"
Zoro asked and Luffy could tell the others curious, counting Robin, and he smirked, "I sent my presence out in a wave and felt everything within miles and there is a ship coming towards the North landing with a decent sized number of individuals. So, we're going to the North landing."
He stated like he was talking about the weather as he kept walking, ignoring the gobsmacked looks on his companions' faces while he walked through the woods to reach the cliff over the landing.
Luffy looked over it and sat against the tree, "Zoro, Usopp, Nami, you three can deal with them and we'll interfere if things get too hard for y'all."
Luffy stated as Makino went over and sat next to him before cuddling close to him and Sabo just stood leaning against a tree waiting for his orders. Zoro shrugged since he had no reason to doubt his captain since he believed Luffy wouldn't let them get hurt seriously, while Nami and Usopp were panicking slightly.
Usopp then went about getting oil, caltrops, and an assortment of his… stars before he dumped the caltrops at the bottom of the slope, at Luffy's recommendation, then poured the oil on the actual slope itself before he took a position on the cliff to be able to shoot anyone that came close to the top.
Zoro just stood at the top of the slope with his bandana on and his hand on Wado, while Nami stood shaking slightly with her staff at the ready. They only had to wait about 10 minutes before a ship ran aground with a large black cat figure head before Jango jumped down and the rest of his crew followed, "Alright you bilge rats, up that hill. Ransack the village and do as you please."
He stated and the men cheered before charging up the hill… only for them to start howling in pain as they stepped on the caltrops and those that got passed them quickly slid back down the slope… right back into the caltrops.
Jango looked at the top of the slope to see Zoro and Nami standing there looking on with 'are you serious' expressions while wondering how they didn't notice the obvious traps. Jango looked at his watch and began to panic, they were already 30 seconds behind schedule and Kuro was gonna be pissed, "Men, hurry up and get to the top and to that village or Kuro will have our heads."
He yelled and his men went pale before redoubling their efforts to get up the hill and actually making it passed the now spread out oil and caltrops before a few flew backwards as ball bearings smashed into their faces while a few got hit with something that lit them on fire.
Luffy paid attention to Usopp and saw that he was showing he was his father's son, though if he decided to become a pirate he would need more than that simple slingshot and he looked at Makino. Said girl was watching closely as well and felt her boyfriend looking at her and she gave a light nod.
Luffy smiled and kissed her head which made her smile and snuggle closer not caring about the screams and shouts going off around the area. The reason for these things was those that Usopp couldn't hit fast enough were getting cut down by Zoro and his Wado Ichimonji as he was using them as practice for his Ittōryū. While Nami was smashing anyone with her righteous feminine fury as several of them had leered at her while promising 'a good time' to her and others going more vulgar when she refused and Makino had to calm Luffy as he hated rape, and anyone who cursed in front of a woman, and those men were suggesting that.
Within minutes, the whatever-pirates were back at the bottom of the slope with several with deep cuts, others with broken bones, concussions, light burns, and some clutching between their legs from some of Nami's vicious hits.
Jango was sweating like crazy and he only had two people left to fight, "Meowban Brothers! Come out here now!"
He called and two people jumped off the ship, one fat and one skinny, and both were dressed as cats and had small knives at the tip of their fingers, "What do you need captain?"
The skinny one asked and Jango pointed at the top of the hill, "Go defeat those guys before Captain Kuro gets here."
He ordered and they faked being afraid but Zoro's training with Luffy let him see that and he countered the attack the skinny one launched while not even caring when his other two swords were snatched before he wounded the skinny one as he believed Zoro was helpless without his other two swords and Zoro had capitalized on that since the guy was nowhere near as fast or as strong as Luffy and he had begun hearing Wado more as he continued practicing with Luffy.
Zoro grabbed his swords before kicking the skinny one away and put his swords back on his waist while the bigger one growled at him as the skinny one stood. However, both they and Jango paled as they looked past Zoro at the disapproving face of Captain Kuro, "Jango, why are you all late?"
He asked in an annoyed tone and Jango was stammering trying to get an answer that wouldn't result in his death, "I did not spend 10 years planning this for you idiots to mess it all up."
He stated and the Meowban brothers bristled in anger, "Who are you calling idiots?! 10 years of us raiding ships and dodging or fighting the Marines made us stronger, while you have been getting soft these past 10 years."
The thin one stated before they both ran at him, "Both of you stand down!"
Jango called before they attempted to shred Kuro, only for him to vanish and them to feel his sword claws at their throats, "You know what? You're right; these past 10 years have made me soft, which is why I am going to give you 10 minutes to kill these children and then attack the town."
He stated and the two brothers gulped and nodded slightly before Kuro removed his claws, "Just 10 minutes, any longer and I will kill you all."
He stated and the brothers nodded while everyone was partially listening to Jango mention that Kuro pushed his glasses up with his palm to keep himself from cutting his own face and since he continued to do so meant he hadn't forgotten how to fight and kill.
The brothers got ready and charged at Zoro who decided to end things and lashed at them. Zoro nearly bisected the skinny one before he launched a new attack at the large one that looked like he gained 9 more swords and cut the large one in a flurry of strikes while muttering 'Lion's Barrage'. Zoro sheathed his Wado and started walking away before he heard the big one groan and saw him by Jango, "Captain, hypnotize me. Do it to all of us and we can get them out of the way quickly."
He begged and Jango nodded, "Now on 1, 2, Jango, you'll be free of your injuries and feel tough enough to take on an army with no problems at all. Ready? 1, 2, Jango."
He stated and the crew slumped over before they all rose and yelled at the sky before charging at Zoro who groaned and drew his three blades, "Sentōryū: Tiger Hunt."
He called as he blasted forward and cut down the large brother and several of the lesser crew before the others seemed to be struck down in rapid succession while all anyone could see was a flash of blonde hair before more went down.
A moment later, Sabo appeared next to Zoro with his sais twirling and flicking blood off them and Jango couldn't react to them as he felt an arrow pierce his right hand and everyone saw Makino there past Kuro with her bow in hand over 300 feet from Jango.
Kuro frowned as the strawhats were proving to be a more irritating group than he thought and the two on the slope began walking back up while he adjusted his glasses. Before he could comment he was sent flying down the slope face first past the two strawhats walking up the slope.
Sabo and Zoro simply walked past Luffy who stood where Kuro was with his foot outstretched. Sabo had stopped Nami from sneaking to the Kuro pirates' ship and she realized he already moved the loot to their vessel while he was striking down the last few of the pirates.
Kuro lifted and dusted himself off before turning and glaring at Luffy who simply walked a bit down the slope before gazing at him with a bored expression, "You are beginning to get on my nerves strawhat, my plans were coming to fruition before you came along and started causing problems."
He stated with a massive frown and Luffy smirked, "Please, Kuro of the thousand plans was a fool in his hay day and his so called genius plans only succeeded because he never took on a Marine above Captain and never took on a captain that wasn't an insult to the pirate name."
Luffy stated before he tilted his head to the left to dodge the infuriated strike from an obviously perturbed Captain Kuro. Luffy continued to dance around Kuro's strikes as if they weren't even being done and his clothes weren't even getting caught, "This is the famous captain Kuro of the thousand plans? Swinging his claws around like an enraged animal and hoping to strike just because he thinks his age gives an advantage? I see the hype was more than the person could deliver."
Luffy stated as the still conscious Kuro pirates were watching shocked as this no name was keeping up with their former captain. Kuro growled before hunching over slightly, "Out of the bag."
He stated and the Kuro pirates paled and started to scream for mercy as Kuro vanished in a burst of speed. Luffy yawned before he punched to the right and smashed into Kuro's face sending him into the cliff wall and cracking his glasses in the process.
Kuro got up with a surprised expression, "How-how could you hit me? There shouldn't be any way for you to follow me at that speed."
He asked and then shouted at the end and Luffy raised an eyebrow, "You think that is fast?" He asked before vanishing and Kuro looked around before he felt a weight on his shoulder showing Luffy there leaning on him, "That speed of yours doesn't even approach Sabo at quarter speed and I'm faster than he is. These boots of mine are a means of stealth training since if I can move without them making noise, then I obviously have to be moving very fast."
Luffy stated before slamming his fist into Kuro's face sending him flying while one of Luffy's hands held him before reeling him back in for another fist full of pain to his face as Luffy smashed his nose, glasses, and face in. Luffy held him before glaring at the pirates and flooding the area with his Killing Intent, "Leave, and never come back here or you will pay."
He stated and the pirates panicked before grabbing their fallen members and got on the boat before Luffy threw Kuro on the deck after snapping his claws to pieces, "And take that trash with you!"
He yelled and the crew nodded before shoving off and sailing as fast as they could. Luffy reined in his intent and walked back up the slope and popped his neck before heading back to town ignoring the gobsmacked expressions of Usopp and Nami while Zoro simply smirked as his captain was proving why he was captain, and he had a great sparring partner. While Luffy wasn't a swordsman exactly, he did use a sword with an impressive amount of skill and Zoro would be lying if he said that he thought he was better than Luffy.
The group returned to the Tavern and told the five waiting people that the problem was solved and that they could breathe easier. Luffy had then surprised them by offering Kaya and Usopp a place on the crew since Usopp obviously wanted to go to sea and still be with Kaya and Kaya wanted to be with Usopp and could learn many different things while out at sea. They had both blushed and were contemplating the offer before Merry spoke up, "Young miss, I believe you should take the lad's offer. You do wish to become a doctor and the world experience would do you wonders especially if you get to meet and potentially learn from different regional doctors while on the voyage."
He stated and Kaya teared up slightly, "But, what about you and the others?"
She asked and Merry smiled gently at her, "Don't worry Miss Kaya, I will keep everyone in line and ensure everything is still here when you return."
Kaya smiled and hugged Merry while crying a little while Usopp frowned as the three kids looked upset, "Captain, are you gonna go?"
They asked and Usopp sighed and nodded and they started to tear up before someone tapped their shoulder and they looked to see Luffy smiling at them and handing them three bandanas with his Jolly Roger on it, "Would you like to join the crew?"
He asked and they cheered at being part of the crew and Luffy chuckled, "Alright, but I have an important assignment for you, but it means you can't sail with us." He stated and got their attention, "I want you three to be this Island's guardians and make sure no one dares to harm this village as I will be making this part of my territory so that means that this place is part of my home and under my protection, which means it's under my crew's protection. So I want you three to be this town's guards and help Merry if he needs it, understood?"
He instructed and asked and three saluted, "Aye, Aye, captain Luffy."
They exclaimed and Luffy grinned at them, "Good, now I expect you three to train hard since I can't have weak people on the crew since I'm gonna be King of the Pirates. So I want you to train hard since you never know when I could come by to check your progress."
He stated and the three saluted again, "Yes sir! We'll be strong!"
They exclaimed and Luffy chuckled while patting their heads, "I know you will."
He stated and men in the room smirked and smiled at the scene while the women present smiled, "He'll make a great father."
The girls and Merry thought, with Makino and Nami blushing at the thought. Luffy retook his seat while thinking, "We're gonna need an actual ship soon if we keep recruiting people at this rate."
He stated and Merry then widened his eyes and smiled, "Perhaps I can help."
He stated and got everyone's attention as he smiled.
Next day: North shore
"It's a Caravel!" Nami exclaimed as Merry introduced them to the Merry Go/Going Merry (someone tell me which one to use) and they all seemed excited while Luffy examined it closely.
Luffy could feel something from the ship and guessed that Merry had put so much of his time, heart, and effort into it that it gained a piece of him, "Merry."
Luffy stated getting everyone's attention, "I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind if I modified the ship as we went? While it is a beautiful ship, many of the stories of the Grand Line are not exaggerations and I can't risk my crew without taking precautions to ensure it survives for as long as possible and will keep them safe."
He stated and Merry widened his eyes before nodding, "Do what you think is best to keep miss Kaya and your companions safe. It will not insult me if you add or change something on the ship as it wasn't originally planned to be a pirate ship or Marine vessel, so there are possibly a few things that are needed."
He stated with a smile and Luffy smiled and shook his hand, "Thank you Merry, and don't worry about Kaya, she has Usopp to protect her and he has all of us to watch his back."
He stated and Merry smiled and nodded, "Well, let's get going crew."
Luffy called before jumping up on the ship with Makino in his arms, while Zoro leapt up, and Sabo took his less athletic crew members up onto the ship. Kaya called goodbye to Merry and the three strawhat recruits waving goodbye with tears in their eyes.
It only took a few hours before Luffy approached Usopp about hitting a mountain with the cannon, Luffy could hit it easy but he wanted to see how good Usopp was so he could gauge when he could give him what he and Makino had planned.
Naturally, Usopp hit the mountain and was shocked himself while happy that he was such a good shot and they continued on their way before Luffy sensed two people coming towards them and saw a swordsman with sunglasses and a tattoo on his face heaving in anger, "Hey Zoro, there's a swordsman on the ship, do you know him?"
He called out and the man froze before Zoro walked out, "Johnny?"
He asked and the now named Johnny cried out, "Aniki!"
Johnny then went on to explain that his partner Yosaku was sick and brought him on board before Luffy sighed, "Usopp, go get some of the limes from the kitchen and squeeze the juice out for him to drink. The idiot is just on the verge of getting scurvy."
He stated and Usopp ran and did as ordered before giving it to Yosaku to drink before the man sprung to life… or would have if Sabo hadn't held him down, "Stay down, if you move too much then you'll pass out again since too much energy and movement isn't good for a recovering person."
Luffy stated and the strawhats, minus Makino and Sabo, and the two swordsmen looked at him in surprise, "How do you know that Luffy?"
Kaya asked since Luffy had explained it like a doctor would and wondered if the man had any knowledge of such things. Luffy for his part just smiled, "I know enough about medicine to deal with things till we get an actual doctor, as well as how to fix things, build things, set the ship, cook, fire the cannons, steer, and navigate to a point."
He stated and Nami was confused, "Wait, if you can do all that, why are you looking for such specialized people?"
She asked and Luffy chuckled, "A captain's job is to make the hard decisions and ensure his crew stays safe. However, my dad pointed out that the captain is just as much a leader as a mayor, king, or emperor is and is essentially the father/mother of the crew as the crew is his/her family and they are to keep them safe. To be a proper leader, I needed to know how to either help or fill the vacant roles of the crew for as long as possible. That way if say the doctor was injured in an attack, I can use what knowledge I have, that no one else on the crew may have, to keep the doctor alive and recuperate so they can keep the rest of the crew alive. So my dad taught me medicine, woodworking, navigating, marksmanship, cooking, prepping and rigging a ship, shooting, and anything else that I could possibly need to know to survive on the trip and make my crew survive."
He stated and the crew was impressed as most captains didn't take their job that seriously, "Do you think you can teach me what you know about medicine?"
Kaya asked and Luffy smiled and nodded, "I was planning to anyway Kaya, you may not be trained enough to be the doctor of the ship at the moment, but you can certainly be very helpful until we find a full-fledged one."
He stated and Kaya smiled brightly before Luffy snapped his fingers, "That's right; we'll need to find you a proper weapon so you can know how to defend yourself." He stated and she widened her eyes while he waved his hand, "Not at the moment, first I need to see how you simply move and everything as that can help narrow down what you could and can't use a considerable amount, but you need to understand Kaya. You're on a pirate ship, which means that Marines and other pirates are gonna see you as a member of the crew and will attack you. Usopp and the rest of us can't be around 24/7 as we make different ports so you should at least know how to defend yourself and anyone that may be injured that is near you."
He informed and Kaya nodded, "Ok Luffy, just tell me when you want me to start trying weapons out and I will try my hand at them."
She stated and Luffy nodded, "Good, now Nami, what is to the Northeast of here?"
He asked and Nami frowned before looking over her charts but Johnny beat her to it, "Oh! The Sea restaurant the Baratie is to the Northeast of here. It's supposed to be to the run by pirate, Marine, and derelict chefs that can't work anywhere else but they are devils to anyone who tries something in their restaurant."
He stated and Luffy grinned, "Sweet. Good food, potential cook recruits, and I get the feeling we are gonna have some fun."
He stated and Zoro smirked as he caught on to what 'fun' was to Luffy and was looking forward to it while Nami gulped slightly, "Oh! Aniki, that Hawkeyes you were looking for was said to be seen near there."
Johnny stated and Zoro stood straighter before looking at Luffy for permission as he recalled a talk they had the night they beat the Kuro pirates.
Flashback: Last Night
Zoro was on the ground panting as he had trained against Luffy for 5 hours straight with one, two, or three swords at one time and Luffy still stood there without even being wounded or even winded, "Zoro, you let your emotions get in the way of your attacks. Instead of controlling them and then funneling them into your attacks, you let them control you and started swinging wildly without any thought to how many openings you gave me."
Luffy stated as he had tested Zoro's patience by acting like Zoro was wasting his time and should just give up the sword and try something else and now Zoro had several bruises on his torso and arms from the times Luffy struck him with his fists or the hilt of the blade. Zoro gripped his swords tightly before sighing, "I'm sorry Luffy, I just don't want to hear that."
He stated and Luffy frowned before poking his head, "And how do you think an enemy that does his research or Hawkeye is gonna react? I told you, the East Blue is ranked as the weakest sea of them all, so no swordsman from another sea, let alone a Shichibukai, is gonna respect you for being the strongest of this sea. They'll capitalize on your pride and anger and defeat you easily. You think Hawkeye is gonna let some no name beat him without at least testing the waters to see how tough he is?"
He stated and Zoro widened his eyes before sighing and nodding, "Then what do I do, captain?"
He asked, as this wasn't his friend talking, this was the man he was serving under, and Luffy grinned, "You train with me till I say you can face him if we encounter him if for no other reason than to give you a glimpse into the gap you are facing. So rub some dirt on your wounds, get off your ass, and do something about it."
He stated and Zoro blinked before he smirked and nodded just before he spun and forced Luffy to jump back, "Then let's get to it."
He stated and Luffy smirked, "Alright Zoro, I want to see your desire now." He stated and both charged at each other.
Flashback end
Luffy frowned slightly before nodding, "I won't interfere in any fight you have Zoro, but I won't let him get away with killing you if it does come to that."
He stated and Zoro nodded, "Understood captain."
He replied before going to the kitchen to find some grog and then maybe take a nap while Usopp took stock of his supplies, Johnny and Yosaku started sparring after Luffy suggested it, Kaya was talking with Makino, Sabo was in the crow's nest looking out at times, and Nami was frowning at a bounty poster that Johnny had dropped and Luffy frowned at the sight and decided to talk with her later.
Night time
That night, after everyone had gone to bed and Luffy changed out the sails and flag for his own, Luffy approached Nami as she leaned on the railing while ensuring they didn't drift off course, "So that the guy who hurt you?"
Luffy asked and Nami stood ramrod straight before Luffy stood beside her, "I can beat Arlong with little trouble Nami." He stated and Nami froze again, "I saw your tattoo and my dad made sure I knew every noteworthy pirate emblem."
He stated and Nami lowered her head sadly, "I don't mind you only tagging along to get more money, how much do you still need? I can only guess that since you hate pirates that you're not willingly working for him and since all that guy could want from you for your or someone else's freedom is money as the other thing is something he could take regardless."
He stated and Nami teared up slightly, "He took my mother from me and threatened to destroy my village if I didn't work for him, but he made a deal that if I got 100,000,000 Beri then he would leave me and the village I grew up in alone. Now, I only need 300,000 more and then it will be done. I've had to serve him many times and I want him dead so badly, but I can settle for just getting him out of my life."
She stated before she looked up in surprise at Luffy hugging her tightly, "It's ok Nami, I'll kill anyone who tries to do that again."
He told her and she widened her eyes before nearly tackling him over, but he was able to just sit. He held her tight as she returned the hug and cried into his chest for a few minutes. When she settled down, Luffy simply stroked her back waiting for her to fully calm down, "Nami, I have 500,000 in a briefcase under my bed. When the fighting starts at the Baratie, take the ship and the money and get your freedom. We'll be maybe a half day behind you. If you get your freedom then you can officially join the crew and if he betrays you then I'll kill him and then you can join the crew if you want."
He stated and Nami looked up at Luffy in shock before hugging him closer and crying again, "Thank you." She said over and over for a few minutes while Luffy just rubbed her back softly while whispering sweet things in her ear. After a few more minutes of her calming down again, she looked up at him and saw him smiling comfortingly at her and, before she realized what she was doing, she kissed him.
Luffy widened his eyes slightly before leaning into the kiss and deepening it, while Nami was surprised at herself but felt happy when he didn't pull back and actually joined in the kiss. She then wrapped her arms around his neck and he responded by holding her tighter to him. After a few minutes of making out, Luffy pulled back and put his forehead to Nami's, "You know; Makino doesn't mind sharing me."
He stated and Nami looked up at him with hope and surprise and Luffy nodded slightly, "So long as I obey three rules, she doesn't mind." Seeing her expectant expression he smiled, "I treat any girl I'm with equally to the rest, I ensure that each girl gets personal time with me, and any girl I want to be with has to be approved by any/all girls that I am currently with."
He stated and Nami nodded since those were fair rules, "So, if I ask Makino for permission to date you, provided that she says yes, I can?" She asked and he nodded and she smiled, "Then I'll do that later. There shouldn't be anything wrong with you just comforting me, right?"
She asked and Luffy chuckled, "So long as it doesn't go beyond me holding you, then yes, it shouldn't be a problem."
He stated and she pouted at not getting to make out with him again for a while, but nodded nonetheless as she wasn't with Luffy yet and he wouldn't cheat on any girls he was with, it wasn't Luffy's style. She settled for snuggling in close to his chest and realized why Makino did this, he was warm and comforting when like this and it made you feel safe and secure, or maybe that was only her.
Next day: Short distance from the sea restaurant
The day had been relatively quiet with Kaya studying some basic medical material that Luffy gave her on different plant life that could heal one thing but make another thing worse, create poisons, paralytics, morphine substitutes, and other ailments. Luffy told her that when she could list at least 15 of the plants in the book, by their scientific name, and what they could be used for, then he would give her more material.
Usopp was practicing his marksmanship with pebbles that Luffy grabbed from the mountain they shot and was hitting a small target Luffy set at the opposite end of the ship. Nami was fidgeting slightly as she wanted to talk to Makino, but she also was nervous about heading for home to pay her debt and get out. Makino was doing what Usopp was doing only with a smaller target and with her bow. Sabo was twirling and practicing with his Sais and trying to lower the amount of his Speed Speed Fruit's reset time.
The others? Well Luffy was facing Johnny, Yosaku, and Zoro in a spar and was making them work to get any form of opening. Already the three of them had a few bruises from Luffy punching, kicking, smacking, or bashing them every time they left an opening. Luffy had just ducked a horizontal swing from Johnny before hitting him with a palm thrust just before Luffy went forward on to his outstretched arm to avoid a chop from Yosaku and then gave him a kick to the face. Luffy then spun to counter Zoro's low thrust with Wado just before Luffy brought both his legs down on Zoro's back with a double reverse axe kick.
Luffy back flipped away before tilting his head to the side to let Makino's arrow strike the bullseye, while tapping his foot expectantly, "You can't just rely on your swords. Your opponents will have tricks and weapons that you aren't grasping. How many weapons do I have on me at the moment?"
He asked and the three frowned as they caught their breath, "Three" "Three" "Four."
They stated with the first two being Johnny and Yosaku, who were looking at Zoro in confusion, and Zoro being the third. Luffy sheathed his sword and set it down before doing the same with his pistols and then his knife, "So according to you, I have no other weapons on me?"
He asked and they nodded and Luffy sighed, "Zoro attack me."
He ordered and Zoro did as ordered only for Luffy to sidestep and punch him, "Two." He stated before he brought his foot up under Zoro's chin, "Four." He spun and slammed his right elbow and left shoulder into Zoro, "8." He then jumped and smashed his head into Zoro, "9." Luffy then jabbed Zoro with his fingers, "19." Before slamming his knee into Zoro's gut and then slammed his hip into Zoro sending him skidding back, "23."
Luffy stated as Zoro was struggling to get up, "24 counting my mouth. That means I have a total of 27 weapons at the ready when I am equipped."
He stated before putting his weapons back on and stood with his arms crossed, "If you don't learn to use your body as well as your weapons, then you're as good as dead if someone faces you who specializes in countering swordsmen or can remove your swords from you."
Luffy stated as he moved to the helm while recalling his dad giving him a similar talk years ago.
Flashback: 3 years ago
Luffy was standing in the clearing with Damon standing in front of him with an array of weapons on racks behind him, "Luffy, before your training is done, you're going to know how to use every single weapon behind me to a proficiency that I deem appropriate."
He stated and Luffy tilted his head to the side, "Dad, why do I need to know them all? Wouldn't it be better if I mastered one or maybe two weapons?"
He asked and Damon chuckled, "Luffy, I wasn't the best warrior and fighter of my realm because I mastered one or two weapons. I was the best because I mastered every weapon and thus removed the flaws of those who specialize too heavily."
He stated and Luffy frowned slightly and Damon sighed with a smile, "Alright, pick any weapon off the racks and I will pick all the weapons that I can counter you with."
He stated and Luffy shrugged before moving to the racks and examined them before grabbing a pair of nunchakus. Damon nodded and moved over and took a pair of cestuses, a Bo staff, a halberd, a pair of Sais, a set of knives, a pair of scimitars, a pair of kilijs, a pair of tonfas, a claymore, a Zweihander, and that was just the melee weapons.
Damon pointed to each weapon, "Catch the nunchaku and take it away or pull you towards me, knock the nunchaku away or let it wrap around the staff before pulling it away, same as with the bo staff but I can also turn it or thrust while it is caught to bite into you with the blade, I can catch the nunchaku in the prongs of the sais and then stab them into the ground or cut the cords connecting the pieces or even catch them and pull them away from you, the knives I can throw at you to at least put you on the defensive before I move close and stab you. The scimitars I can knock away the hits, cut the cords, cut into one half and pull it away, or throw one as I rush in and stab you with the other and it's the same principal with the kilijs but with potential to cut through the nunchaku. The tonfas I can catch them and twist them away before I move in and hit you repeatedly. The claymore is too big for the nunchakus to wrap around the blade plus the blade gives me range over you and I can stab or sideswipe even if your nunchaku wraps around the blade and its the same concept with the Zweihander. All of these can counter the nunchakus and give me an edge over you even if you are a master of your weapon and I am simply adept at mine."
He stated and Luffy widened his eyes before nodding towards his surrogate father before he put the nunchakus back and looked over the weapons again before seeing a machete and picked it up before giving it a few experimental swings and twirled it in his hand as if he had used it for years. Damon smirked at the sight, "Guess we found your natural weapon."
Flashback end
His thoughts were broken as a Marine ship pulled alongside his and the commanding officer, a Lieutenant named Fullbody came out, "Who is the captain of that ship?" He called out before seeing Luffy there and frowned, "Normally I would arrest you, but I have a date to prepare for and will not waste time with you."
He stated and a few strawhats sighed in relief before Fullbody ordered his men to fire at them. As the cannonball launched at them, Luffy's arm glowed emerald before the cannonball stopped in front of Luffy with wind spinning around shocking those present before Luffy made a flicking motion and the cannonball launched back at Fullbody's ship and snapped the mast in half, "I'm sorry, but I am looking for more crew members and don't have time to waste on an insignificant ant like you."
Luffy stated as the Going Merry pulled up alongside the Baratie and Luffy jumped across and tied it to one of the fins of the Baratie. Before leading his crew, and three guests (counting Robin), inside and took a table with Luffy removing his hat and setting it down while waiting for service, and smirking at the lieutenant as he came in fuming with his date.
Makino, naturally, took a seat next to Luffy, who was a gentleman and pulled her chair out, Sabo took a seat opposite the door so he could keep an eye on things, Zoro just sat down with a chair that he could lean back in, Usopp and Kaya took two seats next to each other and Sabo with Usopp following Luffy's lead and pulled Kaya's chair out for her, and Nami took the other seat beside Luffy, which he took out for her as well, while looking at both him and then Makino with a blush while Makino just smiled as she would wait till Nami approached her before she allowed the girl to be with her boyfriend.
It wasn't long before a smoking chef with blonde hair came over and offered them service… before he began hitting on the three ladies at the table. However, at Makino he got a pistol under his chin and an arrow against his crotch with Makino asking that he never hit on her again since she had a boyfriend already. At Kaya, Usopp put his slingshot at the ready while Kaya had one of the table knives aimed at his crotch before repeating what Makino did. At Nami, however, she 'flirted' back and got some free food while Luffy informed the man that they would have no problem paying their bill and was respectfully asking for his recommendations before turning to his crew and asking for any food allergies.
The man was surprised at Luffy since he seemed like a pirate but was respectful, first evidenced by taking his hat off and pulling the seats out for Makino and Nami, and now was being a concerned host by asking his party what they would like and if there were any hazards he didn't know about and, besides putting a pistol under his chin, was being very reasonable towards him.
The man, who then introduced himself as Sanji, offered them the soup as the house special and perhaps some fresh vegetables on the side to balance the meal. Luffy nodded his thanks and turned to his crew, who all nodded with Zoro just asking for some grog as well. He nearly got in trouble with Sanji before Luffy poked his forehead and told him to be respectful, especially to a man who could spit or do something worse to your food if you made him upset. Zoro frowned and nodded before apologizing to Sanji and said man was getting more and more interested in Luffy as things kept happening and Sanji accepted the apology while stating he would be out with some bread and wine to start in a few minutes.
Luffy thanked him and then looked to a table with a lone woman while motioning that whatever she ordered was on him and Sanji nodded before walking into the kitchen area. Luffy turned to the table and nodded towards Robin, who was surprised that he knew she was there but returned the nod nonetheless.
A few minutes later, Sanji returned with treys on his head and hands and served the strawhats their wine and bread before delivering the soup to the Lieutenant and his date. Luffy was getting slightly annoyed at the man spouting off about the wine he was drinking especially since Luffy knew the man was wrong since the vintage and everything he was talking about was at their table not his. Even if he was right, Luffy would still be irritated. He continued to cause him irritation by faking a bug in his soup and causing a scene.
He was about to strike the table before the air was forced out of him as Luffy sent his fist over and slammed it into Fullbody's stomach. Everyone gasped and turned towards Luffy who had a twitching eyebrow, "Shut up." He growled before standing as the man growled and looked at him, "I came here for a peaceful meal with my crew and to potentially find a cook and you come in here causing problems. You had a bug in your soup? Big deal, the food is still edible and you wasting the food and causing a commotion just shows what a child you are. So sit down, eat your food, enjoy the beautiful company you have, and, oh yeah, shut up."
Luffy stated before sitting down with many having gobsmacked looks on their faces from him insulting a Lieutenant Marine so casually while said Marine's date was blushing at being called beautiful. Fullbody growled before he moved to punch Luffy only to have his fist caught by Luffy and everyone in the room heard and audible CRACK as Luffy broke his hand and bent the metal he had attached to it before grabbing his head and slamming it onto the ground after Luffy used his foot to push Makino out of the way.
Luffy pulled out a small pouch and tossed it to Sanji, "For his bill and the disturbance. He isn't going to be getting off the ground any time soon." He stated before turning to Fullbody's date, "Apologies miss."
He stated and she waved it off lightly with a blush before a man rushed in, "Lieutenant, the prisoner he…"
He didn't finish as he was shot from behind and a sickly looking man came in and sat at an empty table and asked for food. A chef from the back that Sanji identified as Patty came over and asked if he had money. The man's reply was to put a gun in his face and Patty prepared to smash him.
However, both were stopped by a hand grabbing Patty's arm and a finger plugging the gun the man had. They turned to see Luffy with his arms extended before the room became ice cold, "I do believe I just made it clear that I wanted a peaceful meal with my crew. If you two start something, you'll end up like the Lieutenant here. If he has no money I'll cover it, a chef's job is to make sure people aren't hungry and the man is knocking on death's door from starvation."
He stated and people were getting a little afraid while Sanji, Robin, the man, and the head chef who had just come out felt some new respect for Luffy, "Sanji, get him whatever you think is the most filling food that won't risk him getting sick and put it on my bill."
Luffy stated before he retracted his arms, while taking the gun from the man, and Sanji nodded while stating he would be back in a few minutes with the food. The man simply stared at Luffy dumbfounded that he was just helping him without even knowing him and knowing full well he was a prisoner of the Marines.
The head chef approached Luffy and stood there for a moment before smirking, "That was some speech kid. You just went a notch up in my book, putting you at notch 1."
He stated and Luffy chuckled with a grin, "That means a lot coming from the famous Red Shoes Zeff."
Luffy stated and many people around the restaurant did spit takes and/or gaped at Luffy while Zeff smirked, "How'd you know?"
He asked and Luffy smirked, "What other man has a gaze of a veteran soldier of the seas, blonde hair, and a double braded mustache that can reach his waist when he strokes it?"
Luffy asked and Zeff smiled slightly, "True enough kid, so you're a pirate?" He asked and Luffy nodded, "You one of the raiding types or the Pirate King types?"
He asked and Luffy thought for a moment, "Neither, I guess. I do want One Piece, but only because that marks me as the best and the man with the most freedom in the world. I don't want to conquer, rule, or take over anything. I just want my freedom to go and do as I please while ensuring those traveling with me live their lives as they see fit as well. Even if it's a stupid dream, a man has the right to chase his dream and never turn his back. If I die, then I die and if I live, then I live. Worrying over it won't matter since that would take away my enjoying life and the things that really matter."
He stated and his crew, Sanji, Zeff, Robin, and the man felt more respect for Luffy and Zeff went back to a smirk, "Well, what are you doing here?"
He asked and Luffy grinned, "To be honest, I wanted to see if I could recruit one of your chefs. No offense, I would love to recruit you, but I think your days of pirating are over, and I am not talking about your leg or your age."
He stated and Zeff widened his eyes slightly before smiling and nodding, "If you're looking for a recruit, then Sanji is the closest thing to a son and successor that I have."
Zeff stated quietly and Luffy smiled and nodded before Zeff patted his back and left while Sanji served the tables and everyone ate, with the man crying as the food, while simple, was delicious to him and he thanked both Sanji and Luffy repeatedly.
A few hours later showed Luffy seeing the man, who identified himself as Gin, off, "Gin, you should know the man you follow is not honorable and will turn on anyone if he feels they are in his way if it so pleases him."
Luffy stated and Gin froze, "I know you want to be free of him and don't want to believe that he is like that, so I will offer you a deal. I know you'll bring him here to get food, so if he does nothing traitorous then we'll leave it at that. However, if he does, then you are not to interfere in any fights that come and if I beat him, I want you to join my crew."
Luffy stated and Gin widened his eyes and looked at Luffy before turning back, "I'll consider it." He stated before leaving on a small boat that Luffy bought from the Baratie to let Gin leave.
Luffy nodded and went back inside before facing his crew, "I want all of you ready for tomorrow."
He ordered and they looked at him in confusion and he sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose before speaking loud enough for the whole restaurant to hear, "That was Gin the Man Demon, division commander of the Krieg Pirates. He is the second in command to Don Krieg, who no doubt will either be on his way or brought here in order to get food. In other words, we're gonna have a decent sized fight on our hands since the chefs here can't take the entirety of Krieg's forces."
He stated and the patrons paled in horror before paying their bills and taking off while most of his crew seemed excited at the idea as Sabo knew 99% of that crew was cannon fodder, Zoro thought he may get a good workout, and Makino knew that Luffy was hoping to fight a strong opponent. However, Nami knew that tomorrow was when Luffy expected her to leave and was mentally preparing for it.
Next day
True to Luffy's words, a large nearly destroyed ship came upon the Baratie and looked like it had been in a battle between it and 12 Marine Ships. Gin came in dragging Don Krieg who begged for food and received it from Sanji. However, true to Luffy's words, the minute Krieg was done eating he clotheslined Sanji and sent him flying back.
Gin was horrified that Krieg would do this before Krieg began demanding 100 meals for his crew while Luffy was just sipping his wine without a care in the world with Zoro, Sabo, and Makino following suit since if Luffy wasn't concerned, then they had no reason to be either.
Sanji attempted to make the meals stating his duty as a cook ordered him to feed those who are hungry regardless of their choices in life and the other chefs stopped him before Patty attempted to stop Krieg and failed miserably. Zeff then came and dropped a large bag in front of Krieg stating 100 meals were in it before Krieg realized who he was speaking to and demanded Zeff's logbook of the Grand Line along with the ship or he would kill everyone on board and still take it.
Luffy frowned and groaned, getting everyone's attention on him, "Oh will you shut up! I hate hearing ignorant and stupid fools spouting about things they have no clue about."
Luffy stated while many gaped at him for speaking that way to Krieg, who was fuming and was about to retort before a BANG rang out and he felt something warm on his cheek. Bringing his hand up, Krieg found he was bleeding and saw Luffy there with his pistol out and smoking and everyone realized he had gotten the gun out, fired it, and hit Krieg before even 2 seconds had passed, "I thought I told you to shut up. You spouting off about finding One Piece doesn't mean anything since you're too weak to make a bit of difference on the Grand Line, the fact that you barely lasted a week there proves that."
Luffy stated and Krieg growled before grabbing the food and leaving while stating he would be back to take the ship and the logbook. Luffy holstered his pistol and finished his drink before heading out and nodding at Nami, who gave a brief one and Luffy leaned against the wall of the Baratie and looking at the destroyed ship while Gin sat at the railing waiting to see if Luffy would beat Krieg or not, only then would he make his decision.
Usopp yelled out that Nami was taking the ship and Luffy ordered him to calm down and take one of the smaller boats to follow her in a few minutes since he knew which way she was going. Luffy then looked to Zoro and motioned towards the ship and Zoro looked just in time to see it get sliced in half and widened his eyes as he tied his bandanna around his head and prepared to take his three blades while the other crew members minus Sabo and Luffy got on the small boat as Makino figured she would make sure the boys wouldn't get in trouble.
Zoro hopped along before seeing Mihawk deflect bullets with his blade and saw that he used the same gracefulness as Luffy did and knew he probably wasn't going to win this fight, but it would be interesting and a learning experience nonetheless. Zoro jumped in front of Mihawk with his blades still resting on his side, "It's an honor Hawkeye Mihawk."
Zoro stated and gave a light bow of his head in respect, which shocked Johnny and Yosaku, and Mihawk gave a small smirk at that, "Thank you, but who are you and what do you want?"
He asked as he could see a fire in the man's eye that was very rare in anyone he had met so far. Zoro smirked, "I'm Roronoa Zoro, second best in sword combat behind my Captain in the East Blue and I was planning on beating you and taking your title, but seeing you do what you just did shows me that I have no chance of doing that."
He stated and Mihawk was surprised at his honesty and lack of boastfulness that he had seen in many swordsmen so far, "I see then why are you in front of me now?"
He asked and Zoro smirked, but it wasn't one of cockiness or any of that, but one of excitement and thrill, "To get a measure of my strength and get knowledge."
He stated before taking his blades and taking a ready stance and he could hear Wado giving its encouragement, while unknowingly so could Mihawk and he could feel the respect the blade had for its master. Mihawk did not want to insult the blade but he wanted to see if Zoro could force him to use something worthwhile. With that thought in mind, he took the small knife off his neck and held it at the ready, "You interest me sir, let's see if you can keep my interest."
He stated as he expected Zoro to act out of rage or something from the supposed insult of using the small blade against him. What he got however, was a deadly serious stare on him from Zoro that showed he would not attack blindly and Mihawk's respect went up a notch at that.
Zoro took a calming breath and prepared his first attack, "Oni Giri!"
He yelled as he burst forward but was stopped when Mihawk put his blade at the intersection of Zoro's blades stopping them. Zoro was interested, Luffy sighed, and the others were shocked. However, Mihawk was surprised at the lack of surprise on Zoro's face before he grunted as Zoro brought his boot up and slammed it into Mihawk's torso.
Mihawk backed up slightly and looked at Zoro, "I thought you were a swordsman?"
He asked and Zoro nodded, "I am, these swords are an extension of my body, which means my body is also a part of them. I will always favor attacks with my swords, but I can still use the rest of my body to fight."
He stated and Mihawk gave a smirk, he was starting to like this guy. Zoro took a different stance and took a calming breath, "Tiger Hunt!"
He yelled and dashed forward but Mihawk stabbed Zoro in his left shoulder and was impressed that he didn't move back and instead took the hit. Zoro seeing his reaction, smirked, "I won't run, I refuse to take defeat while I can still stand. I will die before that happens."
He stated and Mihawk widened his eyes and nodded before sheathing his knife, "Give me your name again."
He stated and Zoro smirked before putting the hilts of two of his swords together in front of him, "Roronoa Zoro."
Zoro stated and Mihawk nodded, "I'll remember it and I honor you with facing you with the strongest black sword in existence."
Mihawk stated and, somehow, Zoro felt Luffy's was the strongest but he wasn't going to say that, "This is it, if I can at least give him a cut or something then I know that I have made progress." "Secret Technique."
Zoro thought then stated as he spun the two swords in his hand and Mihawk widened his eyes slightly at feeling his swords resonating to the desire of their master and prepared himself for something worth seeing, "Three Thousand Worlds."
Zoro blurred forward and so did Mihawk. When they stopped, Mihawk had a small cut in his cloak and Zoro's two weaker swords shattered while he had a gash across his chest. Zoro took a knee before removing his sheaths and took his Wado Ichimonji in hand and faced Mihawk, who was surprised that Zoro was still standing with his last sword… humming in his grasp, "I thought you used three swords?"
Mihawk asked with clear curiosity and Zoro nodded, "I do, but my Captain has been drilling it into me to learn one sword style to be able to fight in case I lost my other two swords. I only have one attack and it will be my last one, I already feel victorious by cutting your cloak, but I will strive for more."
He stated and Mihawk smiled and took his stance as Zoro took a deep breath and released it, "Ittōryū: Shishi Rendan."
He stated and Mihawk was surprised as Zoro's one sword seemed to split apart into ten as they all rushed at him following Zoro's will. Mihawk, for his part, was vastly impressed and was able to block the flurry of strikes that came at him but found that with each thrust, they only sped up and was getting more and more impressed with Zoro.
Within 10 seconds, the attack ended and Zoro breathed hard as the attack took a lot out of him. He sighed and sheathed his sword before spreading his arms shocking Mihawk, "But why?"
He asked in confusion and Zoro smirked, "Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame."
Zoro stated and Mihawk smiled approvingly before slashing him across the chest, "ZORO!"
Luffy screamed while Johnny and Yosaku jumped into the water to get Zoro. Luffy growled before vanishing and Sabo moved farther back which the chefs then reciprocated. Mihawk sensed something and barely had time to redraw his sword to block Luffy's own and the shockwave it released launched several of Krieg's men out of the water while the chefs flew back into the restaurant, Krieg was flung into the ship, and the only ones still able to stand were Zeff, though still bracing himself; Gin, though he was on his knees; Sanji, same thing as Gin; Robin, who was off a ways on her turtle and was having a hard time not falling into the ocean; and Sabo, though he was struggling.
Zeff then pointed up while the shockwave was still echoing out and the others saw the clouds were scattering away from the seemingly two forces of nature colliding. The others were shocked by this and Mihawk was shocked at Luffy's black blade colliding with and that Luffy's seemed to be overpowering his.
His thoughts were broken when Luffy slammed his fist into Mihawk's gut and caused the man to spit up some blood before being sent sailing back and the shockwave ended. Mihawk caught himself and blocked another strike from Luffy that had similar results as the first strike but Mihawk dodged the attack that Luffy attempted to follow up with before blocking the next sword strike and then put some distance between himself and Luffy, "Relax, he still lives."
He stated and Luffy stopped and looked, sure enough Zoro was hacking out water and blood before he shocked everyone by standing and raising Wado in a salute, "Luffy. You would be disappointed right? If I didn't become the best. That's why, I swear that I will never lose again. Do you hear me, King of the Pirates!?"
He shouted and Luffy grinned, "I got it."
He stated and Mihawk smiled as he found they made a good team before sheathing his sword and walking away before Krieg stopped him asking about him coming for Krieg's head. Mihawk sighed and looked at him in boredom, "I have been sated in my desire for a fight for now. I will find another prey when it suits me."
Krieg growled and fired at him before the ocean rose up and stopped the bullets from moving and Mihawk was surprised to see Luffy with his arm extended and glowing navy blue. Luffy motioned for him to leave and Mihawk nodded before boarding his ship and taking off. Luffy turned to Usopp and told him to head after Nami and they would catch up.
The others sailed off while the Baratie opened large fins to fight on and the chefs began attacking the invading Krieg Pirates. Unfortunately, the chefs couldn't handle the numbers before Sanji joined in and began knocking/kicking them aside before a large man named Pearl came up and faced Sanji.
Sanji put up a good fight but he couldn't kick through steel. He then began using unorthodox moves such as kicking off a shield to go over and slam Pearl's face into his own shield. Unfortunately, that made Pearl go into his PTSD rage and he began slamming his shields together and setting himself on fire. Sanji began to panic until he discovered the fight had been taken from his hands.
Luffy frowned and his arm glowed navy blue again before water washed over Pearl dousing the flames before cuts appeared all along his arms and legs. Pearl screamed out as Sabo reappeared next to Sanji putting his sais back into his coat. Through perseverance, Pearl stood up before Luffy appeared with his fist cocked back. Pearl instinctively put his shields up thinking Luffy was just going to hurt himself, oh how wrong he was, "RAAH!"
Luffy roared as his fist smashed through Pearl's shields before breaking through his chest shield and launching the man back across the water and planting him in the side of the destroyed ship. Luffy stood and glared at the man before turning his attention to Krieg.
Luffy approached as Krieg fired bullets at him only for the bullets to hit and fling right back at him. Krieg growled and then launched spikes/stakes and Luffy just dodged them like they were nothing. Krieg then attempted his poison gas bomb but Luffy's arm glowed again and the ocean swallowed it.
Luffy still calmly walked forward and Krieg took his spiked cloak out and wrapped himself in it. Luffy simply raised his leg and smashed his foot into Krieg's torso sending him crashing through the mast. Luffy pulled his leg back and kept walking forward before using his wind affinity to push a stream of fire from Krieg back at him forcing him to dodge. Krieg then attempted bombs but Luffy just knocked them aside sending them into the water.
Krieg then pulled his spear out and Luffy walked forward before Krieg thrust it forward and, in a flash, Krieg's spear was split clean in half and Krieg was missing two fingers off his hand. Krieg yelled in pain before glaring hatefully at Luffy, while Luffy sheathed his sword and walked. When Luffy got close, Krieg hit him with an iron net and threw him into the ocean.
Krieg laughed in victory while the chefs were wondering why Sabo was so calm. They got their answer when Luffy's fist rocketed out and slammed into Krieg's face sending him back into the ship. Everyone watched as Luffy grabbed the edge and reeled himself back in.
He landed on his feet before stretching his ears open and letting a torrent of water out before he shook his head, "Hey, that cleaned my ears out."
He stated happily while everyone, minus Sabo, gaped at him. Luffy turned towards Krieg as the man barely got out of the ship and he had spat out some teeth before Luffy was in front of him glaring hatefully while his fist was back by Sanji and Sabo, "Bye."
He stated before his fist launched forward and smashed into Krieg's armored torso and went through the armor into the man's gut. Everyone gaped again because not only did Luffy go through Krieg's armor, but you could see the bulge sticking out of the back of where Luffy's fist was.
Luffy turned to the Krieg pirates and glared while releasing his Killing Intent, "Leave, and if I ever hear about you causing trouble again, I will kill you all."
He stated and the men paled in fear before grabbing one of the remaining small boats and piled on before Luffy threw Krieg and Pearl onto the pile and moved back to the Baratie. When he got there Gin stood in front of him with a blank expression and Luffy just looked back. Gin then smirked, "Orders, captain?"
He asked, with most of the area being surprised or gaping, and Luffy smirked, "We rest for now, I know where Nami is going so she won't be that hard to find and catch up to."
He stated and Gin raised an eyebrow, "You knew she was gonna take the ship?"
He asked and Luffy nodded, "I ordered her to in order to get her freedom from Arlong the fishman."
He stated and Gin widened his eyes before smirking, "I can tell that serving under you is gonna be interesting and wild."
He stated while chuckling and Sabo joined in, "You have no idea."
Sabo stated before Sanji approached with his cigarette in his mouth… or was that another one? Anyway, he stood there for a moment before smirking, "Still need a cook?"
He asked and the other cooks, besides Zeff, had shocked expressions on their faces and Luffy grinned, "Yup and I would be glad to take the successor to Red Shoes Zeff."
He stated and Sanji smirked before shaking his hand and the four entered the restaurant with Luffy throwing a pouch to Zeff, "That should cover any damages done from the fight, though I would see what you can salvage from Krieg's ship. Whatever y'all don't want, I'll take with me."
Luffy stated and Zeff smirked while telling Patty and another cook to see if there was anything they would want before coming back to work.
3 hours later
Zeff had chatted with Luffy about some of his experiences on the Grand Line and even gave him a special item that was a must have on the Grand Line before a panda shark came crashing through the wall with Yosaku in hand, err, mouth. Yosaku informed them that they had tracked Nami and knew who she was seeing, before Luffy told him he knew already since he told her to take the boat and get her freedom.
Yosaku was curious what he meant, but Luffy told him he would tell him when they got started following her and Zeff gave him the last small boat they had while Luffy paid for the damages… again and took a few things from Krieg's ship before setting sail after Nami while Luffy sensed Robin was following them.
Said woman could only find her curiosity growing as not only was Luffy taking down these 'big names' of the East Blue with ease, but he had elemental command and apparently could swim and not be weakened by the sea. She chuckled to herself as her list of questions surrounding Luffy only grew, though she had to say that he was gathering an interesting crew. She may just have to consider his offer to join a little more seriously, especially if he ever ended up fighting Crocodile. But she would sit back and wait to see how he would deal with a Fishman like Arlong.
Done! Nice long chapter for you all that is almost twice the length of previous chapters.
Anyway, next time will be Arlong and probably Rogue Town/Logue Town while maybe having the Laboon incident too. In either case, you'll be seeing at least four more crew members next chapter not counting Nami. Also, I guarantee there will be at least one item next chapter that you will NEVER see coming.
Back to other things: Can someone tell me if it is Going Merry or Merry Go, and if it's Rogue Town or Logue Town?
What kind of weapon should Kaya use?
Lastly, how soon should there be a Lemon? It will be between Makino and Luffy most likely.
Well, that should be it, please give me more reviews and such.
