Luffy watched as Zoro gobbled down the rice balls. While the man's stomach was still grumbling at the end, it wasn't as loud as it had been. "Tell that little girl, the rice balls taste very good. Thank you very much."

Grinning, Luffy sat in front of the captive. "You sure you don't wanna join my crew?"

"I told you. I have things that I need to do. Besides, I'm not going to be a bad guy like a pirate."

Luffy leaned back on his hands. "A lot of people seem to think you're a bad guy already."

"I don't care what they think! I've never done one thing that I regretted in the past, and it will be the same for the future! I'm not gonna be a pirate."

"Hmm. So is it true you're a swordsman?"

"Yeah. My sword is my greatest treasure, next to my life."

Luffy glanced around, one eyebrow raised. "If it's that important, where is it?"

Zoro scowled. "That bastard kid took it."

"Want me to get it back?"

The green haired man gave him an assessing look before shaking his head. "I'll get it back when they release me." He gave a crooked smile. "You're a pirate. How can I trust you?" Luffy laughed. He didn't get a chance to respond, as Coby jumped from the top of the wall and ran over to him.

"Luffy! We have to get Zoro out of here!" He bent over, resting his hands on his knees while trying to get his breath back. "T-They going to execute Zoro!" The pink haired boy had angry tears in his eyes. "That Helmeppo never planned on keeping his promise!"

Luffy slowly stood up, dusting off his pants as Coby got to work on the ropes. "That bastard." Luffy felt the rage boiling up inside.

Zoro grunted as he tried to pull on the ropes to get free. "What're you so angry about? I'm the one going to be executed."

"A promise is something you only make when you're willing to die to see it through."

Zoro felt cold sweat roll down the back of his neck. The aura this kid was giving off was terrifying. He couldn't say anything as the kid turned and walked away, shoulders tense and fists clenched tightly. Only when the kid was gone from sight did Zoro let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. Eyes wide and crooked smile on his face, he asked, "Who is he?"

"Luffy…" Zorro had forgotten the pink haired kid was still here.

"Hey, hurry up and untie me already!"

The kid jumped and got back to trying to undo the ropes. "I…I want to become a marine, but I'm going to be a good marine. Not like the ones here who terrorize innocent people. I can't stand those kind of marines! I'm going to become a real marine! Just like Luffy is determined to become the pirate king!"

"Pirate King?!" Zoro thought back to the terrifying aura the kid – Luffy – had earlier. He had no doubt in his mind that Luffy was serious. His eyes widened when the pink haired kid suddenly fell backwards, blood spurting from his shoulder. Turning his head, he glared at where the shot had originated from.

"AHHHHHHH! I'VE BEEN SHOT! BLEEDING! I'M BLEEDING! I'M GONNA DIE!"

Sighing, Zoro asked, "Are you alright?" He turned back towards the base, spotting multiple marines headed their way. "Run for your life. They're almost here."

"No! I…I've got to set you free as soon as possible!" The kid slowly sat up, face a mixture of pain and determination. "Luffy…Luffy is strong. I won't tell you to be a pirate, but if you work with him then both of you can leave town before the marines execute you both!"

"That's enough!" Zoro grit his teeth and glared at the marines pointing guns at them. "The two of you who have betrayed Captain Morgan! Die here!"

"Roronoa Zoro." Said man turned to the marine captain walking closer. "I've heard of your name from a long time ago, but don't underestimate me. Before my great strength, you're garbage! READY!"

Zoro's eyes widened. 'I can't die here! I still have things I need to settle! Because I made a promise!' He thought of Kuina. 'I made a promise! I cannot die here!'

"FIRE!" Zoro strained against the ropes one more time, teeth creaking with how hard he was clenching his jaw. Time seemed to slow as the men started to pull the triggers. 'You're weak Zoro.' 'One of us will be the greatest swordsman in the world!' 'I promise! I'll become the greatest swordsman in the world! So famous that even heaven will hear of my great name!' 'I cannot die here!'

An intense pressure, similar to what he'd felt earlier from Luffy, washed over him. He felt himself freeze and watched as all the marines pointing a gun at him dropped into a dead faint. The only one left standing was the asshole with a metal jaw. "I hate marines." Zoro's head jerked towards the quiet voice, spotting Luffy slowly walking towards them. "Especially marines like you who go back on their word and hurt innocent people." The boy threw whatever he was dragging towards the captain. Zoro barely recognized the bastard's son. He wasn't even sure if the guy was still alive.

The bastard with the iron jaw didn't even bother to spare a glance for his son. Luffy didn't seem to care about the angry tick growing on the marine's face. Zoro kept one eye on the angry captain, the other watching as Luffy came towards him. The straw hat the kid wore shadowed his eyes from view. Luffy didn't stop until he was in front of Zoro. He silently held out Zoro's three swords. "Which one is yours?"

"They all are. I use three sword style."

Luffy nodded. "I'm not going to let them kill you after they promised to let you go, but if I free you and you go against them, they'll label you as an outlaw."

Zoro grinned. "And I suppose I'll have to join your crew?"

Luffy raised his head and laughed. "I want you to join, but I'll still keep them from killing you even if you don't."

"Why?"

Luffy's face lost it's smile and he gave Zoro a serious look. "Because they made you a promise, and when you make a promise to someone, you should be prepared to die to see it through."

Zoro gave the boy in front of him a long look before grinning again. "Outlaw or not, I plan on becoming the world greatest swordsman! I'll make my name known worldwide! That is my goal. If I'm to be labeled an outlaw then I might as well join up with you. However! If you do anything that gets in the way of my goal, I will have you cut your stomach open to say sorry!"

Luffy smiled. "Worlds greatest swordsman! Since you wanna be the Pirate King's crew members, if you can't even accomplish something that small, then I would be very embarrassed as well!" Pulling out one of Zoro's blades, Luffy carefully cut the ropes before handing the blades over.

"How dare you oppose me." Zoro turned to the captain, having forgotten the bastard was still here. He felt better now that his swords were back at his waist and gripped the Wado Ichimonji, preparing for a fight. "I AM MARINE CAPTAIN AXE-HAND MORGAN!"

Zoro took a step forward, ready to show his skills. Even weak from hunger he knew he could defeat this sorry excuse for a marine. He didn't get a chance to though, as his new captain was suddenly in front of the screaming marine, fist pulled back. Zoro's eyes widened as he watched Luffy punch the bastard hard enough to send him crashing back into the marine base. There was no way the marine was getting back up after a hit like that. Luffy stood up and turned back to Zoro, a large smile on his face. "I'm hungry! Let's go eat!"

Zoro slowly let go of his sword. He laughed a little, sweat sliding down the back of his neck at the display of power. "Yeah." He had a lot of questions for his new captain and was a little disappointed he didn't get to take down some of the marines who'd tried to kill him, but for now food sounded like a good idea.

He followed Luffy out of the base, briefly wondering why he felt like they were forgetting something before deciding if it was important he'd remember later. Zoro barely paid attention to the people cowering at the sight of him. He was used to this. When they made it to the restaurant, the little girl who'd made him the rice balls lit up. "I'm so happy you're alright! That mean Helmeppo said he was gonna execute you! Did he let you go?"

Luffy sat at a table and laughed. "I kicked his ass."

Zoro sat next to him, grimacing at the feeling. The bastard son had refused him even the basic curtesy of a bathroom while he'd been tied up. He needed a shower and fresh clothes soon. He hoped the woman who ran this place had kept his bag. The little girl's mother seemed frightened. "What if captain Morgan comes after you?!"

Luffy turned his grin to her. "That stupid axe guy? I kicked his ass too."

Zoro snorted. "Punched him straight through the base."

The woman put her hands over her mouth. "Y-You…defeated captain Morgan?"

Luffy giggled. Zoro had never met a pirate who giggled before. "Yup!"

The woman looked close to crying. Before she could start, Zoro asked, "Hey, do you still have the bag I left here?"

It was the little girl who answered. "Yeah! I kept it safe for you!" She ran off, probably to get it, before he could ask. It only took half a minute before she came back with his bag in her hands. "Here you go!"

"Thanks kid." He turned towards the kid's mother again. "Sorry to ask, but do you have a shower I could borrow?"

"And food!" Luffy happily banged a fork and knife together. "Lots of food!"

The woman took a few seconds to compose herself before smiling at them. "I'll start preparing some food right away. There's a shower you can use upstairs. Rika can show you where it is."

Zoro nodded and stood up, grabbing his bag. "I appreciate it."

"It's the least we could do after you saved Rika from Helmeppo's wolf and freed us from Morgan." Zoro started to correct her, only for Rika to grab his hand and pull him towards the door behind the bar. He listened with half an ear to Rika's ramblings as he followed her. She pointed towards a door on her right and told him he was free to use the soap if he needed some.

Showing had never felt so good as it did then. He could probably save his shirt, his haramaki, and his shoes, but his pants and underwear were goners. He'd have to find another pair somewhere. He was glad he had one extra pair in his bag. Once he was showered and dressed, his dirty clothes either stuffed into his bag to be washed later or tied up in a trash bag to be tossed, he made his way back downstairs.

Luffy was already digging into a pile of food laid out on the table, and Zoro thanked the woman before happily joining in. Everything tasted so good. He didn't hold back, eating as much as he could until he couldn't eat another bite. Relaxing into the chair, he grinned at the tankard of booze and raised it towards the owner in thanks before tipping it back. He let out a happy sigh once it was empty.

He turned towards his new captain, eyebrows raised at the fact the kid was still eating. "So Luffy. What's the plan?"

Luffy grinned widely. "We're headed straight for the Grand Line!"

"What?!" Zoro blinked at the sudden appearance of the pink haired kid. How long had he been there? "You're saying crazy things again! Just you two, how can you enter the grand line?! Don't you understand? The world's strongest pirates all gather there!"

Zoro smirked. "We're going for the one piece. Won't hurt to head in that direction."

"Even you?!"

"What're you so worried about? It's not like you're coming with us."

The kid slammed his hands onto the table. "I'll still worry! I may have just met Luffy but…but we're still friends!"

Luffy giggled again. It was going to take Zoro a bit of getting used to. "Yup! Even though we're parting here, we'll always be friends!"

The kid lit up. "I…I never had friends growing up, but you two…you taught me to live by my dream!"

Luffy nodded. "That's why we're going to the grand line."

"I guess." The kid shook his head rapidly. "No! No! What I meant is that you're too reckless!"

Zoro tapped the hilt of his sword on the pink haired kid's forehead. "Worry about yourself first. Even though you were just doing chores on a pirate ship, you were still a pirate. Don't underestimate the marine's ability to gather information. If they know your past, the won't let you join for sure."

Luffy stood up and turned to the owner of the restaurant. "Thanks for the food! And for the provisions." Zoro stood up, sensing his captain was ready to leave. "We're gonna head out before the marines come after us for beating up that axe guy." He followed Luffy out of the restaurant and towards the docks.

The pink haired kid ran after them and yelled a goodbye, promising he'd meet up with them again when he was a strong marine. Zoro caught sight of a bunch of marines running towards the docks as Luffy pushed off and spread the sail. He wondered if his captain knew they were coming somehow or if it was just luck that had them leaving before the marines showed up. He glanced towards Luffy and added it to the things he wanted to ask about. Stretching out, he yawned and closed his eyes. First though, he needed a nap.

So yeah, Luffy didn't get to have his scene with Coby, but he also wasn't caught with them. And his conviction to become a marine got him a job as a new recruit. Helmeppo isn't dead, just really beat up. Luffy is avoiding the marines for multiple reasons.

1) He's a pirate.
2) He doesn't like them because they're the ones who destroyed his hometown (on orders from the world noble's)
3) They think he's dead (Rayleigh was the one who beat it into his head that on the small chance the world noble who was there or the marines remember him they could come after him and his crew)

Luffy doesn't want to kill every marine he runs into. He does know that there are bad pirates out there and the marines do protect innocent people, but that doesn't mean he likes them.

And you can't tell me that they'd leave a prisoner to starve out in the open for a month and be kind enough to let him use the bathroom. And as often as everyone's clothes get torn during a battle, you can't tell me they don't carry around at least one extra pair. And like I said before, Luffy will be OP until somewhere in the Grand Line.

Now, I'll touch on this more in the AN for the next chapter, but I wanna say something about Haki really fast. I've been rewatching/re-reading One Piece, and while we get glimpses of Haoshoku Haki and Kenbunshoku Haki throughout the series (Shanks with the Haoshoku in the beginning and they way everyone can at least slightly dodge some attacks that would kill them - I know it's not supposed to be Kenbunshoku Haki, but I'm thinking it's a small glimpse of the unawakened form of it because the attacks should have killed them but they managed to avoid them) we see nothing about Busoshoku Haki until Sabaody. It's like it was just invented then. The closest thing would be CP9's Iron Body. So, when we get to the Grand Line and when people who should at least know it are brought in, I'm going to change their skill set a bit to better fit. It'll also help to make Luffy less OP.

But added to that, I myself don't really understand much about Haki and how to awaken it except for what I can find online (the anime doesn't really show much of it and I'm just not getting into reading the manga (which is where a lot of the dialogue in here comes from actually) except for the small flashback we get of Luffy's training, and that only shows Kenbunshoku Haki) so I'm going to take a few liberties when it comes to how they train it and activate it.

Next chapter will probably be the longest one yet, but let me say that a lot of it will come from the manga. The main things that you'll see that are different are the fighting and how Luffy reacts to some situations.

But that's enough out of me. Don't forget to let me know what you thought!

~Akirafanatic