MORGAN
The girl is holding Oyal's hand.
This is… troublesome. They are certain this "hand-holding" is the cause of this new emotion. It makes their stomach feel heavy and their hands sweaty. They are not sure if this good or bad.
They have never held a hand before. At least they don't think so, they would remember such a feat, right? Yes, they would.
Coby thankfully took over in the talking department, engaging in little small talk like 'where she lived' and 'if she was okay' and other nonsense like that.
Oyal should be contributing to that conversation. Coby is easily getting information out of this child and yet they can't even think of an opening… how is Coby doing it? Just… talking to someone he had just met. Making connections.
Did Oyal have a connection with Coby? What about Nami? In that case, Nami was the first to interact with them. Should they just wait to be interacted with?
Yes, it would be best not to intervene and instead observe them interacting, perhaps learn from their interactions and use them in future situations… but the child still has not let go of their hand.
Should they… pull away? No, that would make it more awkward, best to let Rika choose when to let go. How long were you supposed to hold someone's hand? Are they doing it wrong? Is their hand too sweaty? Why couldn't she just hold Coby's hand and spare them from this?
Why do they care?
No, the real question is when did they start caring? On Laftel, they were perfectly able to approach Luffy… but then again, they had two decades to think of what they wanted to say and mentally prepare themselves. That was not the case now.
Now, everything is… alive.
Constantly moving, breathing, acting. Things happening that are out of their control. That woman over there hanging her clothes has a 97% chance of drying them. That man selling fruits has a 67% chance of success with that sales pitch. Those kids playing tag, the girl has an 81% chance of catching the boy.
So many variables to account for, but everything keeps changing. 56% of rain, 67% chance of that dog barking at them, 39% chance of that food getting stolen, 57% 34% 19% 65% 47% 31% 65% 38% 06% 75% 18% 04% 36% 78% 10% 58% 30% 16% 75% 83% 40% 76% 13% 45% 67% 89% 87% 65% 43% 23%…
Luffy is usually there to distract them from all these variables, but he is not here. Their senses are on overload, the smell of fish, the sun shining, the sound of people talking, yelling.
They hate yelling.
Too loud.
Everything keeps moving too fast and it has no rhyme or reason and… and… they can't breathe…
If everyone… could just… stop… to let them… think…
What are the chances of things being real? What if they finally lost it and all of this is just made up in their head? What are the chances of Monkey D. Luffy making to Laftel and denying the One Piece? What are the chances of them being alive? What are—
Hand.
The girl—Rika squeezes their hand. Their hand. That is connected to the child. Who is real. This is real. They can trust their senses. Does the child know? Did she sense their panic? Panic? This is panic. Right. They have to un-panic themselves. They have to focus their senses. Just on the hand. That is real. They are real. They are real and they are here and this is proof. They can still feel.
Yes, feel. That is also his fault. Centuries of apathy breaking down within a day. Now they are feeling again. That is… good? Mostly likely. As… inconvenient as feelings are, they still seem to be… necessary to function. As a person. A person interacting with other people.
Oh, they are at Rika's place.
Coby is to receive the story from Rika here. That is what they are talking about now: Helmeppo and his attack dog and Zoro killing it and all. He is to be imprisoned for thirty days otherwise he would have executed Rika and her mother and Zoro accepted the offer.
Coby is lost in thought, that is not how a Marine should act, not by his watch anyway, and Zoro… "I guess he really isn't as evil as everyone says he is."
"He's not!" Rika asserts, pouting. "The only bad guy is Captain Morgan. You'll get executed if you disobey him, so everyone is afraid of him," Rika starts to tear up a bit. "It's my fault he was put in here. It's my fault! It's been twenty days and… and I don't know how to help him but make stupid riceballs."
There is a sharp pain in Oyal's chest. Have they been injuried? No, wait, there is no wound… is this… another emotion?
They… especially don't like it. It must be a reaction to something. That something is in this conversation, what was Rika saying? The Marines? Riceballs? No… it must be something new… the most logical thing was Rika herself… Rika is… upset. Yes! Rika is upset!
That is wrong. Rika being sad is wrong. Oyal will have to figure out why later but right now they need to un-sadden Rika. Reassurance! Rika needs reassurance.
Oyal opens their mouth. "He ate… them."
Oh, stars… they sound so… idiotic…
But Rika looks at them with wide, wet eyes. Oyal barely manages to hold back the flinch of having someone look directly at them in this state, but they persevere nonetheless: "Roronoa said they were very good and thank you very much." At least that was Zoro's response the first time Luffy fed him, there was a 94% chance that he would say the same thing. She was happy the first time when Luffy told her…
Rika's eyes stop watering. "Really? How do you know, Big Sister?"
Sister? They… don't share the same parents… by any means. No, focus, answer the question.
"I can predict the future." Once more, while a degrading way to look at their craft, it is the best explanation they can give.
Rika's eyes sparkle. "Really?! How?"
"With the stars."
Coby tilts his head. "But… uh… isn't it daytime?"
"… I did my calculations last night," Oyal offered monotonously.
Coby doesn't know about that. Luffy seems to trust Oyal's predictions and while Luffy isn't the most tactile person, he does have a good sense for people. But predicting someone role in the future seems more like with Alvida and a warlord seemed more like… fortune telling? He doesn't know! But the stars saying Roronoa Zoro ate and enjoyed Rika's riceballs was pushing it.
Rika doesn't seem doubtful in the least, if anything she seems even excited about the idea. "Like a witch!"
"Not like a witch, astronomer," Oyal emphasizes. "Stars, planets, and space itself can be carefully calculated throughout years of study and observation."
The best way to explain it to show Rika what they are talking about. Sadly, Rika has still not let go of their hand and Oyal refuses to be the one to break if it was to make the situation uncomfortable. So Oyal turns the palm of their other hand into paper to show a few of her diagrams.
Rika eyes widen at the sight of the pages. "Cool!"
"SINCE WHEN CAN YOU DO THAT?" Coby asks a little more surprised.
Oh right, he never knew. "I have a Devil Fruit as well. The Paper-Paper Fruit allows me to make paper from my body," they calmly explain before returning their attention to Rika. "Look at these pictures and what do you see?"
She flips to some of her first pages they drew. "Um… circles and lots of dots."
Oyal nods. "Exactly, but while they may seem out of order and at random each one has a proper place and has a meticulous pattern to follow." After… well after the Genocide, the only thing left on that island was the One Piece and themselves. There was nothing left, no people, no culture, no… life. The only thing that was there was them and the sky. It started off simple enough. To keep themselves from going insane from the silence, they started counting the stars.
Counting every. Single. One.
That is, until that man came to them and… persuaded them.
Then Luffy came, and now these emotions are coming back and everything is still going too fast for their liking.
So having people confuse the very distinct practices of Astronomy and Astrology does cause some… discomfort on their part.
"Planets and stars have an orbit they must follow," they continue, reflecting that they are grossly oversimplifying. "I have documented and recorded this pattern for quite some time. I must admit, finding the understanding within the stars is… a different angle for me. But I know the language inside and out." They close their hand into a fist, returning it to normal. "So, while the stars did not say 'Zoro will enjoy Rika's riceballs,' I can say that a man who has not eaten in twenty days will have a 98% chance of enjoying any food given to him."
Rika's eyes sparkle at the new information. "Cool!" she squeezes their hand again which is becoming more and more sweaty and gross. "So he ate it and liked it! That's great!"
Oyal is forced to feel that warmth in their chest again. Logically, they know they will eventually get used to feeling this much again, but that does not mean they enjoy the process.
They recall exactly when it happened, now that they look back on it. When Luffy first caught them off guard on Raftel. Confusion. When they escaped. Joy. When he left. Fear. When he came back. Annoyance. Nami coming aboard. Surprise. When they are the one to mess up their interaction… Disgrace. And now… Fondness…
Too many emotions for one day if you ask them.
"But isn't that like magic?"
Oyal slowly turns their head to a soon-to-be-regretful boy. "I-I mean, studying something for a long time and then using to for thing like fortune telling… isn't that like a… a magician?"
Actually, they did have another emotion today, didn't they? How could they forget about Annoyance?
"No."
"Understood, forgive me," Coby bows quickly.
Rika laughs. "You guys are so silly! Big Sis isn't a magician…"
Thank you.
"…she's a Magic-Girl!"
….huh. Here Oyal was complaining about feeling too much and now they can't feel anything at all. Like a candlestick that has gone out after using up all their wax. Just… nothing. Nothing but betrayal.
Coby straightens up, scratching the back of his head both at the comment and at the dejected look that it leaves on Oyal's face. When Rika put it like that, he realized how silly he sounded. Magic? Sure, there might be Devil Fruits, sea kings, and impossibly strong teenagers in this world, but magic? Now that was pushing it.
CRASH
All three snap out of their musings at the sudden noise from the restaurant behind them. Rika's mother's restaurant.
"Mom!" Rika cries as she runs inside, Oyal and Coby right behind her. They find Ririka looking fearfully at Helmeppo, who is looking a little worse for wear than usual.
"It's fine, Rika. Stay where you are," Ririka tries to reassure her daughter.
"Stupid dad… can't even…! Crazy old man… I'm not some…" Helmeppo grumbles, plopping into a chair. Then he raises his voice and snaps, "Hey! Get me some wine here, now!"
Rika's mom leaves quickly to oblige; the sooner he had his drink, the sooner he would leave.
Oyal and Coby take seats to the side; Coby doesn't want to get caught in the trouble, but he doesn't want to leave Rika and her mother alone either. Oyal, for their part, is watching with mild scrutiny. The odds that Rika and her mom will be fine are still a healthy 70%, they doubt that Helmeppo will cause any more trouble to the family. It isn't as much of a certainty with his current state of mind; he had clearly spoken to his father about Luffy and gotten rejected.
But for all his arrogance, obnoxiousness, laziness, and foolishness, he is not evil. He would rant and rave and threaten, but he wouldn't actually hurt anyone; at worst, he could order his troops to dirty their hands for him.
Oyal wonders absently if there is a way to document his change under Garp's tender mercies. It is quite an interesting transformation from… that to a decent human being.
Helmeppo grabs the bottle the Ririka brings to him and took a big swig. "Power he says… I'll show him!" Another careless swig. "I've decided… to execute Zoro tomorrow! Yeah, look forward to it everyone!"
Oyal knows he isn't serious, the man could hardly stand the sight of blood, let alone draw it. There is a high chance he is joking, and was even joking back in the previous timeline. Oyal knows that he will never get the chance to initiate the execution, knows that he will not get the chance to fall down a path he could never come back from. They know this… and yet… why do they feel…so bothered?
It is illogical, of course.
That Roronoa Zoro created an emotional response out of them.
… they haven't even spoken to the man…
In fact, Zoro is illogical.
Zoro seems to be one of the most devoted Straw Hats to Luffy, yet he only agreed to follow Luffy was because of the young pirate saving Zoro from execution. It was built on the mutual agreement that Luffy would stay out of Zoro's way during his pursuit of world's greatest swordsman.
Oyal cannot calculate if Zoro is a man of simple logic or a man driven by simple emotion.
Either way, he is a simple man, he knows what he wants and is willing to do anything to get it.
They know many things about this man, yet not enough. They know his smile though they have never seen it. They know his laugh though they have never heard it. They know his past and what he does in the future. They know his values, morals, and beliefs, yet they don't know how he acts on them.
They know he only succumbed to tears twice in his life: when he promised to carry on Kuina's will and when he promised to Luffy that he would never lose again.
And right now, they know this is when Luffy punches that guy in the face. But Luffy is not here.
Helmeppo drowns another gulp of wine… why is he even bothering with the glass. "The idiot will make a good example to the rest of this town. Can't believe he believed that stupid bet…"
Coby is literally shaking next to them, no doubt having similar thoughts: "Doesn't he have any honor?" Oyal is actually surprised by Coby's reaction, they must have miscalculated how much Luffy had changed him already.
But still… there is no advantage in getting involved. Nothing to be gained from doing what Luffy would have done. He will learn his lesson sooner or later. The only thing they will get out of this is a pissed off Helmeppo and a bruised hand. Coby will still learn his lesson when Luffy takes of Captain Morgan. Chances are more in the favor if they do nothing.
"Hey, lady!" He is starting to slur, the alcohol finally taking its desired effect. "Hurry it up, put that kid to work if you aren't moving," he throws the bottle on the floor, just a little too close to Rika.
On the other hand… who are they to take a chance?
They calmly get up, ignoring the look of confusion Coby gives them and makes their way over to the tipsy man.
Let's see make a fist. Was it thumb on the inside or outside?
"Who the hell are you-?"
Right, outside.
Oyal proceeds to cold-clock the bastard in the fucking face.
It is hardly a punch. He only falls out of his chair; compared to the first time with Luffy making him slam against the wall, it is pretty pathetic. They can't find it in themselves to be disappointed, though, that would be illogical.
"Oyal!" Coby grabs their arm even though they aren't making any more movements. What is she thinking? He thought that out of Luffy and her, she was the calm one, but this…?!
Cobyis mad too. Livid. This guy was soiling the good name of the Marines… but he still is one! And to be an enemy of the Marines is never good.
"What are you doing?!" Helmeppo grabs his cheek. "I'm the son of Captain Morgan! I'll have you executed too!" Helmeppo can't believe it, that someone actually hit him.
"Have you no honor? No pride?" Oyal's voice is ice cold. They try to remember what Luffy said in this case but their mind is drawing a blank. In the back of their head, their voice was telling them this is all useless and unreasonable, but… all they can think about is how this fucking crew is still right in front of them and how much their first hurts .
It doesn't matter if it 800 years or a thousand. Nothing ever changes.
"You utter microorganism, leeching off the strength of your father. Just like the rest of them. Are you so weak that you can't stand on your own?"
It gets the reaction they want as Helmeppo flinches at their words. Good. They should hurt him. They want to hurt him. He should know how utterly weak he is. It will help him grow stronger. Logically.
"Y-You'll regret hitting me!" he threatens, uncertainty bleeding through the attempted firmness.
"You're right," Oyal responds, their tranquil fury becoming more pronounced as they speak even more quietly. "It's meaningless to hit people like you."
That stuck the final cord as Helmeppo. He ran out of the restaurant on quick feet, probably plotting revenge or something. Oyal barely notices, really. Their heart is pumping blood so loudly everything else seems fuzzy.
Coby is still holding their arm, not sure what he is even doing. They already punched him and they aren't making another move but… Coby has no idea what to do. He hasn't seen Oyal like this.
As the adrenaline starts to wear off, Oyal takes a breath. What in Pluto are they doing? They need to stop. They need an excuse to leave. "We… we should be heading back. Luffy should be done with his conversation by now." It was hard to tell, Luffy's contract comic is not the best when depicting time passing.
But Coby seems to agree at least. "Y-Yeah." He waves to Rika wanting to make a quick exit. "Stay out of trouble, all right?"
Rika shakes her head with a wide grin, making Coby's head slump. "That's was awesome, Big Sister! I'll have a table waiting for all of you after Mr. Straw Hat is done kicking Morgan's ass!"
"Rika!" Ririka grabs her shoulder. "Stop speaking that way and get away from those strangers!"
And… that was their cue to leave.
Oyal makes sure to give the best wave they can before leaving. That seemed to be important for connections.
Coby and they walk in silence for a few minutes, neither one sure what to say. Coby doesn't want to bring it up in case Oyal would get angry again. And Oyal is… thinking.
They think their hand hurts. They think they acted rashly. They should have listened to their reasoning and done nothing. They can't let their emotions take over their choices again. They can't afford to lose their concentrations. They can't afford to lose control like that again.
They think it is stupid that Coby is joining that crew. They think that he deserves better.
They think they need to stop thinking while they are ahead.
"Coby."
The pinkette flinches at their voice. Oyal's tone is… not angry, but just as hard as it was when they were talking to Helmeppo. Was he going to get hit?
But no, they gaze down at him, or at least their head is turned to him. "Coby," they repeat more softly, they are no Luffy but this will have to do.
"There is only so much a person can take before they fail.
Coby blinks, trying to figure out they meant.
Oyal raised their hand into his sight. A piece of paper appears from their hand and starts turning, clean and neat. It folds itself into a perfect five-pointed star as though invisible hands were moving it. The star spins a bit, showing no imperfections or flaws.
"Some things have good origins. Meant for good things."
Then Oyal crushes it in their grip. The paper was now a crumpled ball. Broken. Ugly.
"But they can be courrtuped."
It floats again, still crumbled but remaking its points as if trying to recapture its perfection like before. But it never will. Shadows of past abuse still linger on the paper.
"And they can never go back to what they orginally were."
Coby stares at the star, still confused. Oyal shakes their head, trying to think of a different approach. Then, finally, the words come to mind.
"…There is no black or white in this world, Coby. Only battlefields of grey," they say quietly, speaking from experience, "You must choose what kind of… Marine, you want to be. You can either sit back and take the abuse or you can stand up to them." Their voice gradually grows harder throughout the explanation. In the end, they think that they'll still need to leave Coby's development to Luffy… but they mean every word.
Coby blinks at Oyal's words. It's more than just sounding confident in what they're saying, they make it sound like… like it's a fact. But before he can ask anymore they were already back at the base.
OOO
"I can help you," Luffy says, swinging his legs back and forth carelessly. "I know a thing or two that can help you take down old Hawky."
Zoro looks at the teen right in front of him. Really looks at him for a moment. This isn't some dumbass trying to bribe him, saying things he wants to hear… this guy… is genuine.
It is a lot to promise but then again… this kid. He doesn't know him, but he's like nobody he's ever met before…inexplicably, he likes him. That is the problem… though it could have been that he is tied to a post and half dead from no food but still…but still, he isn't stupid. He has too much on the line to gamble it on just a feeling like this.
"What do you want?" he asks firmly.
Luffy smile lessens somewhat, but it doesn't lose its joy, it just seems… sadder. "I want to see you fulfill your dreams. I want you to become the world's greatest swordsman. And I can promise you that you will become stronger than you could ever imagine."
Zoro stares at him bewildered. This guy… is something else. He doesn't know what he is but he sure is something.
"I… I'll think about it. I can't go anywhere until the end of the month anyway. I promised to stay here until then." Even though he's sure that blond idiot went running to his daddy, he still has every intention of keeping his side of the bargain as long as the brat does too.
Luffy nods. "That's right, and you're a man who always keeps his promises. Hmm…" Luffy cocks his head to the side, he actually thought that Helmeppo would be here by now, he talked to his dad… a lot earlier…
"Oyal," Luffy shouts back to the wall.
"Yes, Captain?" said kid calls back, popping their head from behind the wall with Coby in tow and utterly unsurprised that they arrived right as Luffy called them.
"Get over here."
Obediently, Oyal climbs over the wall… with some help from Coby and without a lot of grace.
Jeez, what's the point of this wall if anyone can just jump over it? The thought goes through the minds of everyone present.
Oyal and Coby make their way to the duo, the latter staying a bit behind in fear while the former stands right next to their captain. They give a hidden glance to Zoro as he measures them up. They stand straighter under his gaze. "Yes, Captain?" They are not going to be… undermined by their newest crew member.
Luffy crosses his arms, pouting a bit. "Why isn't Morgo here yet? I even asked for him."
Oyal opens took the journal from her jacket pocket, flipping some pages. "If I am correct, which I am… you punching Helmeppo did not cause Morgan to come per se… rather it was because you destroyed his statue and ransacked his base."
Luffy facepalms. Stupid! They're right, Momo didn't give two shits about his son, it was the statue! Ugh! How can he forget something like that! Then again it was a long time ago…
Guess they have to do things the hard way…or really, the fun way! "Well," Luffy claps his hands. "I guess I'll go talk to Morgan myself."
Zoro stares in disbelief at this guy… is he really going to do this?
He points to Zoro not taking his eyes off Oyal. "I take it you got the story from Rika?"
Zoro eyes widen at that, do they know? The girl probably told them, but he didn't expect them to find out so soon... or ever. He doesn't regret it, obviously. He would never let some kid get killed…
Oyal nods in understanding. "Rika told us about Zoro's promise to be here after protecting her, correct."
Zoro looks away, damn sun was making his face red.
"I have relayed Zoro's message to her that he enjoyed her riceballs greatly."
"How do you know that?" They had no way! He only told the straw hat guy!
Coby's eyes widen, at the news. He just thought they said that to make Rika feel better, but they are right?!
"Luffy said he would feed you," Oyal answers promptly.
"Yeah, but you weren't here… at all."
"…Magic."
"Bullshit," Zoro scoffs.
"Indeed," Oyal nods in agreement. "Anyway, Helmeppo does not plan to keep said promise. He announced his plan to execute Roronoa Zoro tomorrow."
"It's true," Coby admits, the words leaving a bad taste in his mouth. To think that a Marine would have so little honor. To think that this Captain Morgan has been getting away with this kind of treatment!
Luffy doesn't want to destroy Coby's dream or admiration for the Marines, but the younger boy has to face reality if he is going to be the best. And the sooner, the better. He is too smart to blindly follow the Absolute Justice but it is good that he is learning just what kind of organization he was going to be following.
"What!? That bastard!" If he was being honest with himself Zoro should have known better. He thought he could settle this the peaceful way but to think that rat would sink this low. "Damn it," he mutters under his breath.
Oyal can feel that feeling again. "…If it is any help… I, uh, may have punched the Captain's son…"
Luffy and Zoro both look at them in shock, Luffy only now noticing their silently bruised hand. Then he smiles.
"Oyal…"
Oyal holds their other hand up in a stopping motion. "Please, do not."
Luffy puts a hand over his heart. "I am so proud of you right now."
"Please, don't."
"So proud."
"It was the most reasonable thing to do at the given moment," they rationalize. "He- He would have continued his ramblings and we do not need that right now. For the sake of future events, it is best he is here to see his father' downfall and… and…" they are not running out of logical excuses to say. They are not. But they did not find that their real reason was not… logical.
Not liking what Helmeppo was saying about Zoro.
"Talk shit, get hit, right?" Luffy laughs. He could take a good guess why they did it. Actually, he already knew. He even knew why they did it better than they did.
A faint blush dusts Oyal's face, damn pale skin. "Following that line of reasoning, it was the most logical outcome, correct."
Zoro actually laughs. It hurts and it's rough but damn, it was good to laugh again after a month. These guys are hilarious.
Luffy stops humiliating Oyal for a second, turning to Zoro. "So that means he has your swords right?" Luffy asks to which Zoro nods. "Okay. I'll just go get them, free you, and we can leave."
Luffy made it sound like a grocery list; Zoro still can't figure out if this guy is that strong or just an idiot. Maybe a bit of both.
"They should be in the base with Helmeppo," Zoro guesses, he was the bastard that took them in the first place after all.
Luffy nods, already stepping back. "Coby, Oyal, stay with Zoro and make sure he doesn't get killed. I'll be right back," he says. "Gum-Gum… Rocket!"
Zoro likes to think he had seen a lot of things today, but apparently not enough as the teen stretches out his arms and slingshots himself to the top of the Marine base.
Amidst all the shock that Luffy had put him through, Zoro's brain had had enough free capacity to wonder how being turned into a rubber man was a power that was worth losing the ability to swim for the rest of your life. Now, however, he could see more of the potential. But that didn't go a long way towards calming him down.
Oyal hesitantly pats Zoro's head lightly in an attempt to comfort him, after all, Coby did so with Rika. "It's okay, you get used to it."
Yeah, that was exactly what he was afraid of. Getting used to this madman. What in the hell had he gotten himself into?
Coby starts untying Zoro's ropes. "You don't have to be a pirate but… Luffy saved me. H-he is completely set on being the Pirate King, you know." Coby is still dead-set on joining the Marines but that doesn't mean it isn't going to cheer on Luffy and his dreams, he was a believer now. "The Marines will never let you two off so easy but if you two join forces you will definitely be able to escape this town! So please help Luffy escape."
Zoro takes his words to heart, not really sure to make of them. This guy, Luffy, he is something he had never seen before… and he kind of wants to see some more.
He studies the other kid. They are actually a member of his crew, but they don't show of strength as their captain did. They don't give off… anything, and it was kinda pissing him off. "Hey, aren't you going to help?" he demands.
Oyal looks at the other knot that is holding Zoro down. They stare at the knot with great concentration only to look away, their usually neutral face grim with a heavy burden. Zoro keeps staring at them, waiting for their excuse.
"…I don't know how to untie knots," they state. Zoro feels a vein pop on his forehead.
"JUST HELP!" he roars.
OOO
Luffy clings to the side of the building, his hands maintaining an iron grip on the edge of the Marine base's roof. To an outsider, he would look like someone hanging onto dear life. But really, he is just taking his time viewing his audience.
A couple of Marines. An ugly-as-sin statue of a very ugly man. The said very ugly man. And a very open opportunity to make a huge mess.
"Now, hear this!" the ugly man shouts, waving his axe menacingly. "I outrank all of you! That means I'm the highest commander of this base! That means I'm the best! I cannot be wrong in any way! Do you agree?"
"Yes, sir!" "That's right, sir!" every Marine shouts without a hint of dignity. Wow, this was pathetic. Sure, Luffy had a low opinion of Marines in general, but come on…
Morgan continues, oblivious to the intruder. "See here! This statue took a lot of time to make it," he points to it. "It stands for my unquestionable power! Make it stand up! In the highest place of this base!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a bad father," Luffy finally speaks up. The Marines looked up to see the straw hatted figure standing on the statue. When did he get there?
"What are you doing, foolish commoner?!" yells Morgan. "You dare disrespect me with your backtalk?"
Luffy's grin turned mischievous, and he raises his fist. "Oh no, I would never disrespect you like that. I'd disrespect you like this."
With that, he slams his fist down on the statue's stone countenance, an action that would shatter a normal person's bones.
CR-ACK!
But to everyone's surprise, it was the statue that began falling apart. A massive crack tore from the place his fist had impacted the stone right through the middle of the statue. It was such a shock that the Marines lost their grip on the ropes, letting the top half of the statue fall right off the roof. The bottom just crumpled right in front of them.
A silence hung in the air, stopping time the destruction just witnessed took place in less than ten seconds started to sink in. The straw hat boy stood there with a large grin holding up his ear waiting for something…
CRASH!
That something being the sound of the top half of the statue hitting the ground floor, breaking everyone of the spell…
"GET HIM!" Morgan yells in anger. "SEIZE HIM SO I CAN KILL HIM MYSELF!"
"YES, SIR!" the Marines shout, dropping the ropes and stampeding after Luffy. Far too late, however; the rubber man had already vanished inside… with a specific Marine in his grasp.
It's less than a minute before Luffy stops his running and turns his grin onto the Marine he grabbed; he couldn't afford to get lost since he had to beat Morgan and his lackeys to the courtyard. Said Marine is clearly very nervous, but his eyes still show defiance. Luffy's grin fades into a dark frown.
"Where has that spirit been whenever your boss and his stupid kid have been hurting you and the ones you're supposed to protect?" he asks with quiet rage. The Marine's visage falters, and he looks away in shame. Luffy releases him, staring him straight in the eyes.
"I hate people like Morgan. But I hate people like you too. You're scared, you're weak, and you don't even have the guts to stand up for yourself. You're just as bad as he is."
The Marine grits his teeth… but he doesn't—can't protest what Luffy says. "…what do you want here?" he finally grits out.
"I'm going to free Zoro and I'm going to kick Morgan's ass. And I'm only doing that because one of my friends wants to join the Navy, even after you and everyone else in this base are ruining his dream. Now, where's the stupid son's room? I need Zoro's swords."
For several seconds, the Marine just stares at him. Then, finally, he gestures to the hallway beside them. "Go to the end of this hallway and take a left, it's the one labelled 'Helmeppo's room.'"
Luffy runs off, barely sparing a "thanks" over his shoulder as he rushes towards the door. Finding it just where the Marine described, and unlocked, Luffy lets himself in.
His first thought upon seeing the place again: he may not be an expert in decor, but he can tell that this room is tacky.
In the corner are Zoro's swords lying innocently enough to the side where he picks them up…
…and in the other corner, he notices, is the tear-stained Helmeppo… who had been there the whole time…
The two just stare at each other….
And stare…
And stare…
And stare…
…till Luffy grabs Helmeppo and throws him out the window.
On the other side, the Marines were already surrounding them. Coby is trying and failing to untie Zoro with increase distress, but they aren't sure how to comfort the poor boy. Perhaps another pat?
Zoro is silently panicking himself, something Oyal rarely sees in Luffy's memories. Zoro can't die here, he still has things to settle. Because he made a promise. To her. To Kuina. Though how did Luffy know he was having flashbacks to his childhood friend right now? Another mystery…
Oyal is the only one to take notice of the broken window and silently screaming blond who hit the bottom with a dull thud.
Oyal lifts their gaze… right at Luffy.
He smiles, giving them a happy wave.
They don't wave back.
He grabs the sides of the window frame and stretches back. "Gum-Gum…"
…just to take off. "ROCKET!"
"FIRE!" Morgan shouts simultaneously. All the men fire their guns out of fear at the three poor, defenseless teens!
"LUFFY, NO!"
"YOU!"
"STRAW HAT!"
"You said you would stop with the dramatic entrances."
Luffy has to say that was his best landing yet!
The bullets bounce effortlessly off the teen's body causing every marine to fall on their ass in fear.
And it was at that moment Zoro knew… he had gone mad…
Luffy just laughs. "SHISHISHISHI! I'm a Rubberman, remember? Bullets can't hurt me." He turns to Oyal. "And come on, that was just perfect timing, not my fault."
"Doubt," Oyal responds blandly.
Luffy shrugs, not really caring. He wants to talk to Zoro right now. Uninterrupted.
He gives a dark look to the Marines and focuses, increasing his presence; he is still not in full control of his Conqueror's Haki, but even if he can't limit it to just the Marines, he can make it so they're the only ones who feel the brunt. "Back off," Luffy orders. No sooner does he see that they're not making any moves towards them than he takes one of Zoro's nameless swords and, using what little swordsmanship he had picked up to keep Brook and Zoro's memories alive in his old life, slices through his ropes.
Zoro stands up, not caring if his back is killing him for being in the same position for twenty days. He feels the powerful aura coming off the teen, it is more than impressive… it is inspiring. He only said two words to the Marines and even they understood that kind of power; he can see them all sweating.
Morgan, for his part, either didn't feel it thanks to Luffy's poor control or is just that overcome with pride and anger, both of which turn even worse at seeing that his men fear the insignificant traitor before them more than their commanding officer. "Anyone who's scared of this brat, shoot himself now! THAT'S AN ORDER!" he roars.
The Marines seem completely lost to what they are supposed to do. The problem is telling who they are afraid of more. They are terrified of what Morgan will do to them if they don't obey, but on the other hand, they really don't want to risk moving with Luffy's silent threat hanging over their heads.
But more than anything, the subordinates are not filled with fear at Captain Morgan's command.
Their eyes are filled with something other than fear… hatred.
Oyal identifies the emotion without effort, and smirks a bit at that; there is, after all, only so much force a star can take before it explodes. "It seems you are very unpopular here," they remark casually.
Morgan pushes past his soldiers, he will execute them himself later. Right now, all that mattered is killing that no name Straw Hat commoner who dares defy his absolute justice, his absolute strength!
He lifts his axe high in the air, ready to smash to brat's head in two!
…Only to be stopped by Roronoa Zoro's sword.
Zoro stands there, a single sword in the air, eyes covered, and not a single regret on his face. He has weighed his options, he has made his choices and has come to a simple conclusion.
"What are you doing, Bounty Hunter?" Morgan grunts, trying and failing to break his hold. "Are you mad?"
He has gone mad alright… mad enough to follow this madman into hell.
Zoro looks Luffy right in the eye. "Today I officially become a criminal, having fought the Marines. So I will become a pirate… that I can promise you." He narrows his eyes and glares at his new captain as he adds, "But I want you to know one thing! While I'm with you, the only thing I dedicate myself to is fulfilling my own ambitions!"
Luffy feels both joy and sadness at the promise. Zoro said this the first time, too. But now it is different. It was sometime throughout their adventures and their travels, he doesn't know when and he doesn't care, but something changed. They went from a crew all going after their dreams into… a family with a common goal. Zoro and all his crew found something more important than their own dreams. Each other.
Their dreams were not for themselves but for everyone on that ship. His crew's dreams where his dreams and his was theirs. He didn't know if he could get that relationship back this time… but he'll try. "I understand," Luffy nods.
Zoro doesn't let up. "If somewhere along the way I have to give that up, I then want you to accept responsibly. After which you get to apologize to me at the end of a sword."
Zoro doesn't care if his demands are outrageous, they were few and true. He traveled half the world in hope to find the right guy and beat him in a duel. This guy… Monkey D. Luffy promises him many things, things that will help no doubt, but not for one second is this guy going to get in his way.
Oyal doubts. If given the chance, would have Zoro left the crew? Would he still hold true to these words? Or will his goal change somewhere along the way? Hard to tell.
Luffy understands perfectly, though. Zoro searched his whole life in search of one man, for a promise to a friend who never got the chance to do so. He isn't one to give up his dream without a fight. But… even after he found Mihawk, he put off his dream to help Luffy. For that, Luffy can never repay him. He has come a long way, they all have.
Zoro sees something flicker across this guy's eyes. Sadness? Longing? As soon as he sees it, it's gone… was it really there in the first place? Maybe this guy isn't as crazy as he thought…
"Sounds good! The King of the Pirates wouldn't have any less than the best of his crew," Luffy echoes his past self.
Zoro smirks. "Heh, well said."
Morgan does not find the whole conversation as satisfying. Rather, he's losing his frayed grip on sanity at the fact that these two damn commoners were chit-chatting in front of him. But no matter how much pressure he put on his axe, Roronoa would. Not. Budge!
"Hey, Zoro," Luffy's grin turns feral. "Duck."
Zoro, though confused, obeys, giving one last push to Morgan's axe.
"Gum-Gum…Stamp!" Luffy yells, jetting his sandalled foot forward to smash Morgan in his chest, sending him flying back into the base, crashing through a wall.
Zoro gets back to his feet, eyeing the hole that Luffy created. His mind flashes through his memories of creating Santoryu…"You've had a lot of practice with your powers, haven't you?" he asks.
"Shishishi! And that was just a normal attack!" Luffy answers happily.
Zoro raises his brows at that. "What do you consider advanced, then?"
Before Luffy can answer, Morgan actually gets up from his crater, bleeding and bruised, but surprisingly still conscious. Luffy must have held back more than he thought. He doesn't want to kill the guy, but still, he is going to need to relearn how much is too much.
"Luffy!" Coby shouts, "Bring those Marines crumbling to their knees!"
Zoro cocks his head to the side. "I thought you wanted to become a Marine?"
"Well, yeah," Coby says, shrugging sheepishly. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to cheer on Luffy for taking down a corrupt one." Luffy and Oyal had been right: Just because someone is a Marine doesn't mean he is a good guy. It is actually fun to watch the fight because it's so obvious from the start who is going to win.
Morgan doesn't have a chance in hell or heaven as he stumbles back to Luffy, poorly aiming his axe again at the teen. "I… AM GOING TO KILL YOU. I am Captain Morgan of the Marines, my authority is unquestionable!"
Luffy lazily moves out of the wave every time, waiting for the last second to move.
He is messing the Captain. Playing him like the cheap kazoo that he is. And Morgan is only getting more desperate with every second.
"Die already!" he roars.
Luffy dodges one blow by jumping into the air, landing on Morgan's arm. "I don't wanna," he whines in an exaggerated childish way.
Several of the watchers can't help but laugh, including Zoro. "What a crappy Captain. Do they just let anyone be a Marine?" he says.
While Morgan only grows more furious, Luffy's enjoyment of the situation is slowly giving way to boredom; the tyrant before him was nothing even without his first life's experience, and toying with him like this is getting old. Besides, Zoro still needs food and rest, and Luffy himself is getting hungry, too… and eager to recruit Nami again.
With that, he flips backward and stretches his arm back for the final blow. "Gum-Gum…!"
"I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY SOME COMMONER!" Morgan screams, charging him one last time with his axe ready to swing down.
But it was all in vain. "PISTOL!"
The force of the punch meets the axe halfway down and shatters it, and the fist continues its path to fly straight into Morgan's face. His jaw breaks once again, and he flies back into the same crater that he had created before. And this time, he doesn't get back up.
Zoro looks between the hole and the rubber man; he had watched the whole ordeal carefully, wanting to see what his new captain could do. And he is not disappointed.
The Marines, on the other hand, stare half thunderstruck and half horrified. The man they all feared for so long… and a kid beat him, without even trying. Coby understands completely what they are feeling at that moment. When he saw Luffy send Alvida flying effortlessly, the sources of all his problems and fear, he didn't know what to think; years worth of fear seemed so silly in hindsight.
"Straw Hat! Stop right there!" a certain blond idiot yells. With Morgan out cold this time, Luffy deigns to look.
And there Helmeppo is holding a gun to Coby's head. Oyal was aware of his movements and just thought this was best to let this scene play out. Zoro is actually disappointed in himself for not noticing this bastard and kicking his ass. Was he that light on his feet or was Zoro actually letting not eating for a month get to him?
Luffy stares expressionlessly at the scene, but he doesn't spare the one holding the gun a glance. No, he is looking only at Coby. Last time, he had challenged Coby to test his resolve. He doesn't need to this time; he knows that Coby is that strong. But Luffy still doesn't move, because he isn't the only one who needed to know that. Coby needs to hear himself say it out loud.
Coby is shaking. He doesn't want to die… but Luffy is looking right at him with those big black eyes of his, waiting for him to respond. Coby stops shaking as the rest of the world fades and a silent conversation passes between the two. He understands, and he makes his choice.
Coby stands up straight, his confidence suddenly erupting and he calls out without a trace of fear, "Luffy, listen! Don't let anything that happens to me stop you! Even if I die!"
That is not happening if Luffy has anything to say about it but he gives a huge grin anyway; he is still proud of Coby's answer. "Of course, you got it." Luffy starts to slowly approach Helmeppo as he winds up his arm. "Hear that, you big idiot? Coby here is ready to die by your hand."
"D-Didn't you hear me! Stay back, I tell you!" Helmeppo cries, trembling where he stands.
Oyal makes a mental note to track their captain's manipulation—I mean, leadership skills. He seems to have that effect on people. If he is around, one can feel that anything's possible. The longing to chase your dreams. It is as fascinating as it is terrifying.
With Helmeppo focusing all of his attention on Luffy, he remains oblivious to Zoro… who marches up to him and punches him in the face, knocking him out cold.
Everyone stares at Zoro, including Luffy and Coby who blink in surprise.
"What? You were taking all the action, and I owed him that anyway," Zoro snaps.
Luffy laughs. "Thanks, Zoro!"
Zoro actually smiles back. "Just doing my job, captain."
The Marines… stand there, holding their breaths, waiting for Morgan or Helmeppo to wake up and start terrorizing again but… they were really down.
"YES!" "WE'RE FREE!" "I WANT A TRANSFER!"
"Wow, they sure are happy…" Coby observes the celebrating Marines.
Oyal agrees, but now it is time for business. "Captain," Oyal prompts, pointing to Coby and Helmeppo.
"Right," Luffy knows what he had to do now. He literally picks up Coby by the scruff of his shirt and drags Helmeppo by the hair—he's passed out, so it won't hurt, right?—and for the second time addresses the celebrating Marines.
"Which one of you is next in command?" He speaks in a neutral tone, but still, some of the Marines flinch. The one who steps forward shows the least nervousness; Luffy notes that it's the same one that he grabbed before, he had thought that he looked kind of familiar.
"I am Lieutenant Ripper. Straw Hat… thank you for getting rid of Morgan. For whatever it's worth to you, we're going to take every measure to ensure nobody like him rises to power here again."
He turns his back on Luffy for the moment to address the soldiers behind him.
"We have been a disgrace to the uniforms that we wear for too long! Our responsibility is to lay down our lives for the sake of those who cannot defend themselves, and yet for the past two years, we have taken up arms to oppress those same people out of our own fear! It should never have come to relying on a passing stranger to save us!"
The entire company looked uncomfortable, while Luffy, Coby, Zoro, and Oyal looked on in surprise.
"We put our lives on the line from the moment we took on the title of Marine. We've forgotten that. This is a direct order: anyone who believes that they would not die to stop the rise of another tyrant like Morgan, lay down your uniforms and leave."
Shame and anger came across their faces, one and all, and silence stood for a full minute. By the end of that minute, fire danced behind all of their eyes. Ripper nodded in satisfaction.
"That's more like it. Today we celebrate Morgan's downfall. Tomorrow, we double our training drills. FROM NOW ON, WE WILL PROTECT THIS ISLAND FROM ANY THREATS, OR WE WILL DIE TRYING!"
"YES, SIR!" the Marines shout back.
A mental note would not do at this point; Oyal begins sketching out a list to keep track of how much Luffy's charisma affects those around him.
Ripper turns back to face Luffy, who has a satisfied smile. "Straw Hat, we owe you a great debt for setting us free. We will not report you to headquarters… but I must ask that you and yours leave this island by sunset."
Oyal looks up from the list and raises their hand. "Do all of us need to leave?"
Ripper raises an eyebrow at that but doesn't falter. "Yes, pirates or not, you have aided in crime at this base."
"Of course," Oyal sighs; there goes staying here. Oh, well, they had plenty of time before Loguetown.
"Actually," Luffy cuts in. "Report this, but to only one Marine. Tell Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp that his grandson has his replacement… and a plus one," he says, dropping Helmeppo to the side and holding out Coby, hanging like a kitten in Luffy's grasp.
"V-Vice Admiral Garp?" the lieutenant balks; he had never met the man personally but everyone knew of the war hero Garp the Fist. Was this kid really his grandson?
If Coby wasn't being manhandled—which he does not appreciate, thank you very little—his jaw would be on the floor. "G-Grandson?! Luffy, You're Garp the Fist's grandson?!"
"Yup, I got a letter for him too. Oyal?" They come to his side, letter already in hand and holds it out of the Lieutenant.
He takes it hesitantly, not sure how to process this information as Oyal speaks. "This carries all the information Vice Admiral Garp will have over the situation. Thank you for your service." The kid is formal to the point of being dismissive. Back straight and face blank as they step back.
Oyal glances at Coby, who is still confused… and gives him a thumbs up.
Coby, in his confused, returns the gesture.
The Lieutenant sighs; there was a chance that this could lead to trouble for him, but he owed them a lot. "Alright, then. I shall have these… two reported to Garp as soon as possible. Are you sure about Helmeppo, though?"
Luffy waves his hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, he needs a good beating."
With that, he turns his attention to the pinkette, finally releasing him. "Coby, we are going to meet again, but next we meet we will be enemies." Coby's face falls at the statement.
"But we will always be friends. Promise me that you will follow your own sense of justice."
Coby can feel his eyes watering, but he won't let tears fall. Luffy… believes in him. The only person to ever believe in his dreams, his first friend. They had only known each other for a day but he would never be able to repay Luffy for all he had done to help him.
"I promise! I will be the greatest Marine you ever laid your eyes on," he affirms. He recoils a little after the bold statement, he couldn't believe he actually said it, but his eyes are determined, refusing to take it back.
You already are, Luffy thinks with a wide smile. "Then I'll see you on the Grand Line!" he says out loud. His work done, he starts making his way out of the courtyard, Zoro and Oyal in tow.
"SOLDIERS! SALUTE!" The Marines, Coby included, give an honorable goodbye to the retreating forms of the Straw Hat Pirates, now a crew of three. They made their exit as Coby vows to himself to become someone strong enough for Luffy to respect.
"Lieutenant! Lieutenant!" comes a call from the base. A random soldier runs out of the base towards the group of soldiers, now catching their attention.
Ripper puts down his hand, he will have to issue out punishment for saluting a pirate later. "Yes, seaman?"
The lower-ranking Marine stops to catch his breath, just to lose it again as he bursts out. "We've been robbed!"
"What?! What did they take? Money? Ammunition? Documents?" the Lieutenant demands.
"No, sir! They took our map to the Grand Line!"
OOO
"Thanks for the food!"
They finally got Zoro fed, reversing the damage to his body after not eating for nearly a month. Luffy has shoved down almost twice as much, and while some people look in wonder, nobody objects. Ririka and Rika were ecstatic to hear the news of Morgan's defeat; in fact, everyone was, so a celebration had begun in their restaurant.
Zoro finishes his drink, and immediately one of the many guests moves to refill it. "So do we have a plan in mind, or…?"
Luffy puts down his seventeenth plate and cleans his hands on his pants, manners matter, he could practically hear Ace's voice. The thought of his brother being alive makes a stupidly wide grin come to his face. "We are going to need a few more crew members before we head out. We are going to Orange Town to get our navigator!"
Zoro relaxes a bit. "Oh, so you have more than one crewmember." He is relieved, what kind of numbskull went after the title Pirate King with only one member?
Oyal bookmarks and closes their journal and interrupts that train of thought. "Actually, we are off to recruit a navigator. We have not yet had her agree to be part of our crew."
Zoro puts his head in his hands. What was he thinking, following this man?
"She is definitely going to join though, I know it!" Luffy shouts without a hint of doubt.
Zoro is less faithful. "So we are just going to ride around in the East Blue till all our positions depicting?"
Luffy shakes his head. "Nah, we gotta get…" he started counting the friend off his fingers. "A sniper, a chef, a doctor, a historian, a shipwright, a musician—without a doubt, that's the most important, of course—and a helmsman!"
Zoro sweatdrops. "Priorities, we don't need a musician."
"Zoro," Luffy put his hands down on the table very seriously, "you can't be a respectable pirate without music! How are we going to sing shanties without a good tune!" he says with a pout.
Zoro has a feeling he is not going to win this battle. It wasn't much of a plan but hell it was something at least. He side-eyes the kid to his left whose head was back in his journal, eating a small bowl of lettuce slowly and sparingly. "What's she, then?"
Luffy picks up his eighteenth plate. "They're my Magic Girl."
Oyal slams their journal closed and leers at Luffy. "Who told you that?" they ask slowly.
Luffy absently gestures over his shoulder as he digs into another plate, indicating little Rika proudly waving at Oyal, believing that she was doing right.
Oyal sighs in dejection. They can't find it in their heart to correct the girl, but they turn to Zoro. "I am an astronomer, I study the stars."
That is… a little weird. Why would anyone get an astronomer of all things first before something as simple as a navigator? But he doesn't question it, from what he can tell those two have something important, he isn't sure if it was just friendship but it was like… a code between the two.
Oyal continues. "We have the world's future greatest swordsman, so it is only fair we have the greatest navigator in the East Blue as well for the future King of the Pirates."
Zoro gazes at them like they said a riddle and turns to his captain bringing his drink to his lips. "You seem real confident about becoming King of the Pirates. Is there any kind of story behind it or any reason at all?" It is none of his business but… in most cases, it would sound arrogant to make such a claim. But the way the kid is saying it, no pride, no grandness, just saying it… like it was fact.
"I made a promise," Luffy tells him. "I swore that I would gather a crew, find the world's greatest treasure, and become King of the Pirates…" He smiles sadly. "I know that I can't do it alone, I know that I have a long way to go, but I know that this time, I will be a good captain. I promised."
Both of Luffy's crewmates notice his slip of the tongue. Zoro stares at his captain quizzically, the words 'this time' tying into just how much he seems to know. The conclusion comes to mind: Luffy had tried before and failed. That paints an odd picture for him considering how unprepared he seems now… but he ultimately puts it out of his mind. He would follow Luffy until their ambitions no longer aligned.
Oyal, who had been silently observing Zoro, relaxes as the suspicion moves out of his mind. Now able to refocus on what their captain had said, they feel their chest grow warm and tight at the same time in a feeling that they know at once: Respect. Luffy is not the smartest, most tactical person, but he has something no one in this world has: A second chance. A second chance to use his experience and skills to change the future. Oyal is… proud of him. Though that would be illogical. They have no reason to be proud. He is responsible for his own growth, they have no contribution to this.
A tug on their sleeve brings them out of their thoughts, and they look to see little Rika with something in her hands.
"Big Sister! I got you a gift!" she holds out the little package.
Oyal takes it carefully, looking the object over in their hands. It is a deck of playing cards. "Why?"
"Oyal, you're supposed to say, 'thank you,'" Luffy lectures as he wolfs down another plate with no shame at all.
Oyal feels a blush come over their face. "Of course. Thank you. Rika. For the gift," they manage unevenly. They definitely need to work on this 'rudeness' of theirs. They can't afford another Nami incident… nor do they ever want to be lectured on manners from Luffy again.
"You're welcome!" Rika says with a proud smile. "I got you them because I heard the sailors say how fortune tellers have cards to read the future and you don't have any cards, Sis, so I knew you needed them!"
She is not… incorrect. But Oyal again cannot find it in themselves to properly correct the girl; they don't know how to read actual tarot cards anyway, so it is for the best that they are simple playing cards.
"I… thank you Rika. I will be sure to put them to good use. Here—" They take out one of the cards, the Ace of Clubs, and hand it to Rika. "Keep this."
"But then you won't have a full deck," she protests.
"Very well," they answer, taking the card back and closing their palms around it. Opening their hands again reveals two Aces of Clubs. Oyal takes the duplicate and gives it Rika. "Now I can have the full deck."
Rika looks in wonder while Zoro raises a brow. "Wow! Thanks, Big Sis!"
Oyal presses their lips together. "Please, tell me. Why do you call me Big Sister?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Rika tilts her head. "Because you are my Big Sister!" Then suddenly, her shoulders slump. "Unless… you don't want to be my Big Sister…"
Oyal feels that emotion again. Fondness. It is… warm. They find that they like warm emotions. "No, no…. I suppose it doesn't really matter," Oyal responds with a smile.
"Now you're a real Magic girl," Zoro supplies with a teasing grin.
And there it goes. Oyal gives their best impression of glaring they could muster under their bandana. "As-tron-o-mer," they emphasized each syllable.
"Same thing, right?" Zoro chuckles.
Oyal calculates the best way to educate this ignorant man until Luffy interrupts.
"Guys, we don't have a boat," he says simply.
Zoro groans while Oyal restrains a huge sigh. "Yes, Captain, I was planning on talking to you about that. I am sure that we can ask one of the townsfolk here for a small boat. We only need it to last us a day or two, so I am sure—"
Luffy puts his finger to Oyal's mouth, which she quickly pushes away. Without a word, he points across the restaurant.
They look in the direction he points and sees a familiar redhead.
And then Oyal looks back at their captain. Really looks. They shake their head.
He nods his.
They shake harder.
He nods harder.
They shake even harder.
He nods his rubbery head, an unfair advantage, even harder already getting up.
They hope he knows what they are thinking, I am completely against this.
He does, I don't care.
And he goes to get them a ride.
Zoro looks at the whole interaction with some confusion. "What is he doing?"
"Whatever he wants, that's what," Oyal grumbles, ripping out their journal and burying their face in it.
Zoro barks out a laugh at the smart-aleck remark. He quietly laughs to himself for a bit, warm from the food, good drink, and good atmosphere all around. What can he say, after twenty days of nothing but water, he is happy.
Peering over the book, Oyal stares at Zoro's smile. It is… fascinating. He doesn't smile often, she noted. He smirks, gives a scary predator grin, but this… a smile of simple joy… it is… nice. They know their contract doesn't cover Luffy's memories perfectly. All the information is there, but there are details that the pictures just could not capture.
Like Zoro's dimples. The man has dimples. Now that she sees them herself she can't stop looking at them. They are adorable.
Oyal opens their mouth. "What… can I call you?"
Zoro raises a brow, ah, he has golden eyes as well. "Huh? Zoro, I would hope."
Oyal nods. "It is… nice to meet you, Zoro. I am L. Oyal."
"Likewise."
OOO
Despite the festivities going on around Nami for… who knows what, she doesn't care, she is in her own world of gloom. She can't believe she lost that damn map to some clown! Now she is going to have to go after it herself. This job is getting too complicated for her liking.
"Hey!"
Oh, hell no.
Nami slowly turns her head to the last person she wants to see. "What do you want?"
Luffy doesn't let her tone dismay him. "How about we make a deal?"
"Not interested," she says curtly.
Luffy clasps his hands together. "Pleeeeese! We still own you for the first ride! Now we can repay you back!"
Nami stares at him for a bit longer. "…You have thirty seconds to convince me."
Luffy pumps his fists in the air. "Yes! Okay, me and my crew need a boat to our next location and you were kinda our ride and yeah we still owe for that, you got the I.O.U., and we don't really have a destination but we do need to leave this island, and I was wondering—hoping really—if you needed perhaps any manual labor done in exchange for another ride? Please, please, please!" Luffy speaks all in one breath.
Nami lets in the information sink in. She doesn't like doing free-bees. She does things for money, more upfront the better. She doesn't need help, she knows she doesn't need help…but she can't say it wouldn't be useful to have some.
"As it so happens, I am in need of some free labor. But," she puts her finger in his face, "No questions asked and I decide the course, got it!?"
Luffy is ecstatic! He didn't think that would actually work. "Great! I'll go tell the others," he practically skips back to his table.
Despite herself, Nami is pleasantly surprised. She doesn't like working with others, it always seems to end up with someone betraying the other… but despite skipping out on the bill before, he seems genuine enough. Years of lying and stealing had taught her how to get a good read on people, and from her two interactions with him so far, she got the impression that the only reason that he didn't keep his word about paying her was that he forgot he had money. Stupid, but not malicious, in which case this would actually benefit her.
She hoped that she wasn't misplacing that faith. She doesn't want to get people into trouble, bounty hunters or not. Only pirates deserve to be used. Who knows, maybe they will thank her for getting them involved with Buggy. She takes the gold and they take the pirates. Win-win… if they can handle it.
No, she has to think about Cocoyasi. She is so close! If they want to come, then it is on them to take care of themselves, not her!
She knows better than to get attached.
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"Isn't this boat a little small for the Grand Line?" Zoro asks dryly.
"Don't worry about it, it will last us as long as we need it to," Nami waves him off. She can't believe they actually got Roronoa Zoro to join their bounty hunter crew! She really can use their strength, they will be fine on their own!
"Yeah, let's go!" Luffy agrees, shaking the boat as he jumps into it.
"Watch it!" Nami yells.
"Oops, sorry," Luffy says, his smile removing all credibility from the words.
Nami just sighs and adjusts the sail, ready to shove off. Oyal carefully lowers themselves down in the boat as well, not sure if they should apologize to Nami or if it would make the situation more awkward if they brought up their rudeness again.
Zoro sits down right next to them, getting comfortable for another nap. "So, we are just going to get all of the crew before leaving then?"
Luffy shakes his head. "Nope! Oyal, predict the future!"
Oyal hopes Luffy could feel their ire but Luffy just waits for the answer. Even Zoro raises an eyebrow at this certain Magic Girl.
Oyal sighs and opens their hand. A single piece of paper hovers above their palm, turning into a compass. "We shall receive our Navigator at the next island." Even as they speak, the paper smoothly transforms into a cat head.
"Our Sniper shall rise from the fall of cats and ride away on the lamb." The paper ended as a lamb, but just as fast turning into a fish. "Our cook will be found in the mouth of a fish." Now it was a ball; they were trying for fruit, but it was close enough. "Twice again our Navigator will join us once the fruit fields run free. Our sails shall finally turn to Paradise. This is what I know." They closer their hand and the paper vanishes. But with any luck, they may get off at one of those islands.
Luffy's eyes are sparkling at the little theater show but Zoro doesn't look too convinced. Another smart one, the swordsman reflects, settling back into his nap position. A thought crosses his mind and he looks back at Oyal.
"Hey… how are you able to tell the future anyway?" the swordsman asks.
Oyal could give him an actual answer. Give him something about being able to calculate the probability at the end well and being quick to pick things up, just fronting as a fortune teller as an excuse rather than let people know she was constantly watching everyone and everything.
But something makes them think of another response. It is illogical and would help no one… but it is very tempting.
"I receive my powers from god," Oyal states bluntly.
"Bullshit," Zoro responded, his expression matching his words.
"It's true. I can hear her right now," Oyal nonchalantly continues.
"Her?" Zoro raises a brow.
"Yes. God is a woman."
Zoro didn't even blink. "Right."
"Indeed," Oyal felt their cheeks twitch. "She laments how sad it is that you don't believe in her. You are her favorite, after all."
"You're full of crap."
"You were her gift to the world. She said you were her final act to humanity," Oyal's cheeks twitch even more… what a strange sensation. "Zoro, you might not believe in god but have you asked yourself…" They took a dramatic pause. "Does god believe in you?"
Oh. Their cheeks are not twitching… they are… smiling… they are smiling…
They like it.
Zoro looks completely annoyed. "I—!"
"Zoro's a what now?" Luffy chooses this moment to interrupt finishing Zoro's plate.
Zoro directs his irritation towards Luffy. "She's messing with me, I just know it."
Oyal puts on an innocent face. "I am telling Zoro how he is a gift to us."
Luffy tilts his head like a lost puppy. "That's a good thing… right?"
"No! …well, maybe, but-but no," Zoro was losing his momentum.
"Careful, Captain, you don't want to confuse him," Oyal says. They note that his dimples are visible when he's frowning too. Adorable.
"You wanna fight!?"
Luffy starts laughing. "Zoro's so funny!"
"What are you guys going on about?" Nami pops her head back from where she was readying the sail.
"Nothing." "Food!" "Politics."
That last response gets Oyal a few looks. "What? That's what people talk about, right?"
Nami wisely decides not to ask and pushes the boat off.
"Now, let's go!" Luffy cries out eagerly jumping to the front of the boat.
He can't wait for the next adventure! To see Buggy and his map of the Grand Line. Actually, just meeting Buggy again is going to be great! He was so weak in the East Blue, he was still weak in the future but he got a bit more clever. Still, what a funny guy! Maybe Luffy will punch him a little softer this time… Nah!
OOO
To Marine Headquarters: Vice Admiral Garp
Hi, Gramps!
I am off to become the Pirate King, so I am sending you these two to take my place to be your personal punching bags. Coby is great! Don't kill him! But make him really, really strong! And Helmeppo is an asshole, make him less of an asshole!
Anyway, love you, and see you soon.
Your Grandson, Monkey D. Luffy, The Future Pirate King
Edited by: L. Oyal, Straw Hat Astronomer
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I would like to thank The Patient One, Miep42, and MadGirl for editing!