Never again!
Once again, thanks for the reviews. I'm reading your reviews and adjusting my stories to improve them. By doing that, I try to deliver you better stories. In this chapter, time is set back again. Chronologically, the Loguetown Arc happens around the beginning of last chapter's bonus arc. I'll start this chapter with some reactions to Luffy's first bounty. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece
Chapter 8: Father and Son
Reactions to Luffy's bounty
...
On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's ship:
"Father, father, you won't believe this!", Ace exclaimed, running towards his new captain Whitebeard alongside Sabo. "Look at this, this is our little brother."
He handed his brother's wanted poster to Whitebeard AKA Edward Newgate. Alongside the gigantic old man there were Marco, his 1st divison commander, and Thatch, his 4th divison commander. Ace and Sabo both became 2nd division commanders after they joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
Whitebeard, Marco and Thatch looked at Luffy's wanted poster. Wanted: Dead or Alive: Monkey D. Luffy, 80.000.000 Berry.
"Gurarararara, that's a high first bounty for a brat like you two.", the captain remarked, observing Luffy's wanted poster, just like Marco and Thatch.
"Probs cause he's using haki.", Marco said, pointing out the 17-year-old's picture. It was Monkey D. Luffy's angry looking face covered in black armament haki, matching the pitch black clouds in the background, which are strucked by dark purple lightnings.
"Boy, a beginner from the East Blue is able to use haki? Guess he's gonna be a big pirate sooner or later.", Thatch commented, his face smiling as always.
"Yeah, I think so too. As a kid Luffy always talked about becoming Pirate King. Ace and I had the same dream so we constantly argued. Luffy wanted to become Pirate King on his own and took his decision so seriously that he refused to come with us when Ace and I set sail three years ago.", Sabo told, remembering the old days.
"Man, you should see how stubborn he is, it's unreal.", Ace added, somewhat annoyed and proud. "Even though, he'll always be our brother."
"Gurarararara! How funny you brats are!", Whitebeard laughed, iniating everyone else to laugh too.
…
Somewhere in the East Blue:
Dracule Mihawk hadn't returned to the Grand Line yet. Instead he decided to go to a tropical island in the East Blue to rest a little. A seagull brought him the newest newspaper, including a wanted poster. He looked at the wanted poster of the boy he'd previously met. Wanted: Dead or Alive: Monkey D. Luffy, 80.000.000 Berry.
'A haki user in the East Blue with a starter bounty of 80 Million, interesting.', he thought, keeping his trademark "death stare" expression on his face.
A few minutes later after wandering the sandy beach in front of thousand of green palm trees, the swordsman met Shanks and his crew, who were sitting around a campfire, seriously drunk. Mihawk decided to just stare at what he's looking at without a word, like always.
"Oi Mihawk!", a drunk Shanks yelled in a happy mood. "Long time no see, what are you doing around here?"
"Resting a little before I return home.", he muttered. "By the way, have you ever heard of someone named Monkey D. Luffy?"
"Luffy? Holy moly, it's been 10 years! Yeah, I know him, I used to call him Anchor back in the days. Tell me, have you met him?"
"I've met him yesterday where he took out Don Krieg, strong kid. His swordsman is considered the best in the East Blue, but only a fly compared to ones from the Grand Line.", the Shichibukai explained before handing out Luffy's wanted poster to the redhead. "This is his wanted poster, it came out today."
Shanks glared at the wanted poster belonging to the kid he met 10 years ago. His crew gathered behind him to look at it too. "Hey captain, let us see too!"
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Monkey D. Luffy, 80.000.000 Berry
The Red Hair Pirates had different reactions. Some dropped their jaws, some just nodded, and some started laughing – Shanks. "Dahahaha, that's our Luffy!"
'Jeez, how can he react like that?', Mihawk thought, opting to leave.
But Shanks pulled him back. "Hold on, I can't allow you to leave, come party with us!", a certain Yonko demanded, red on his cheeks from drinking too much.
"Eh, a little drink can't be bad.", the swordsman muttered, sitting down with the rest of them.
…
In the Marine headquarters:
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was sitting in his office and he clearly was NOT happy. He previously called Garp in, who burst out laughing.
"I don't know what's funny Garp, remember the last time a black-haired man with a straw hat made a himself a big name. History could repeat itself.", Sengoku roared at Garp.
"BWAAHAHAHAHAHA, THAT'S MY GRANDSON! BWAAHAHAHAHAHA!", the Vice Admiral yelled, laughing and eating donuts.
"How could you be proud of a family like that?! Your son is the most wanted man in the world, your two adoptive grandsons are Yonko commanders, and your biological grandson has a high chance of becoming the next Roger. Geez, Garp, what's wrong with your family?", the Marine with an afro exclaimed.
"Relax, when I see Luffy, he's going to taste my Fist of Love.", the Marine hero stated.
"You better do so, he's able to use haki judging by his photo.", Sengoku said.
"I've been able to use haki before Dragon was born, he can't surpass me!", Luffy's grandfather claimed, suddenly upset that his donut box is empty. "Whatever, I'm leaving, bye!"
"Good, but this time use the door please!", the Fleet Admiral desperately begged.
"Nope, not cool enough.", Garp spoke, punching a fridge-sized hole in his best friend's office's wall, leaving after that.
"GAAAAAARP!"
…
On the Going Merry:
Nami cursed about how expensive newspapers are, while she obtained the newest newspaper along with the most recent wanted posters from a newspaper-delivering seagull. She then looked at the wanted posters, from the lowest to the highest bounties.
'Nothing interesting here', the orange-haired thought, before looking at the highest bounty. After that she gasped for air.
"Guys, guys! Look at Luffy's new bounty!", the navigator exclaimed, running towards her nakama.
The Straw Hats looked at Luffy's wanted poster and gasped for air, like Nami – except their captain.
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Monkey D. Luffy, 80.000.000 Berry
"L-luffy! Y-your bounty!", Usopp stammered in fear, looking like a giant spider was about to eat him. He had never seen such a high bounty before.
"I knew you were strong, but THAT strong?", Zoro exclaimed, the least frightened about his captain's first bounty.
"Luffy, that's the highest bounty someone's ever received in the East Blue, you just broke a record!", Nami stated, also in fear.
"Yeah, with such a high bounty you'll atract trouble like crazy, and then Nami-swaan will be in danger. Have some respect for women!", Sanji said, raving a little.
Luffy rolled his eyes at Sanji's remark "Says you!", he called, the others knowing what's up.
The first mate looked at the wanted poster again. Seeing his captain's black skin, he decided to question the black-haired. "Oi Luffy, why do you turn black sometimes, it's not the first time I saw this."
"Actually, now that I think about it, your skin does look weird. Tell me Luffy, what is that?", Sanji added, curious about his captain's skills and secrets.
"It's good that you ask.", Luffy spoke, turning to everyone on board. "I wanted to tell you this for a long time, and now that you, my core members are here, I can tell you. What you see there is haki."
"Haki?", Usopp asked, not knowing what haki is.
"Haki is a power you have to awaken from your willpower. There are three types of haki: Observation haki, Armament haki and King's haki. Observation haki is a power where you can sense the presence of others around you. The better you master this ability, the further you can detect the presence of others. Another ability Observation haki grants you is the ability to predict your opponent's attacks, making it easier to either evade them or block them.", Luffy explained. "For example, Zoro, try to hit me with your swords."
"Are you really telling me to attack you?", the swordsman asked, thinking it's wrong to attack one's captain.
"Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen to me.", the teen reassured the green-haired.
"Okay, if that's what you want.", Zoro said, attempting to slash Luffy, who easily dodged each attack of his nakama.
After a while, Zoro became exhausted. "*wheeze*, you win, Luffy!"
"Thanks. Zoro, from now on, to awaken your Observation haki you must fight with one or two swords, understand? I'm sure fighting with less swords helps you concentrate against your opponents. And when you fight against weaker opponents, try to do this with your eyes closed, okay?", the 17-year-old told his swordsman.
"I'll follow your orders, captain.", the green-haired promised, much to Luffy's pleasure.
"And now to the next lesson. Armament haki is a power where you embed your body or your weapons in armor created by willpower. This is the reason why sometimes my body turns black. Another ability you get with Armament haki is the ability to injure Logia-users, since blunt attacks don't work on them. Speaking of blunt attacks, if someone without Armament haki hits someone with Armament haki, the attack is useless, no matter how strong the one attacking is.", Luffy continued. "To demonstrate this I will show you something. Sanji, kick my face with full force!"
At first Sanji disagreed, but after Luffy's encouragement and some reassuring, the cook kicked Luffy's haki-covered face. "Did it hurt?", Sanji asked, after kicking his captain's face.
"No, not at all.", Luffy answered. "Sanji, I want you to awaken your Armament haki, and you too, Zoro!"
"What else do you want from me, to take over everyone's position or what?!", Zoro yelled with sharp teeth.
"You're the vice captain so I expect you to be the strongest in my crew.", Luffy explained, knowing how to deal with situations like this.
"If that's the case, then I'll do everything you want.", Zoro said, smirking widely.
"Where were we…? Ah, right! And now to King's haki, the most powerful version. Unlike the previous two versions, King's haki cannot be awakened by everyone. Only one in a few million possesses King's haki. With King's haki, you can overpower the wills of others. Or easier explained, you can knock out the weaker-willed with energy waves you emit. I for one possess King's haki.", Luffy further explained, ending his lecture.
"Wow, didn't know haki was that powerful.", Usopp spoke, admitting his lack of knowledge.
"The usage of haki in the Grand Line, especially in the New World is extremely helpful, so you better awaken it as soon as possible."
The others nodded.
"There's more I need to tell you. Besides haki, there is another extremely strong and helpful power. I'm talking about Rokushiki."
"Rokushiki?", Nami asked, just like Usopp with haki, frowning.
"It's a martial arts style used by Marines and government agents. Rokushiki consists of six superhuman techniques, and if you master all of them, you have access to an additional technique which is far stronger than the others, the Rokuogan. First there's Shigan/Finger Pistol, a technique where you move your finger so fast it's as deadly as a pistol. This is the most dangerous one of the normal Rokushiki, so I won't demonstrate it. Then there's Soru/Shave, a technique where you can move almost as fast as teleportation. Let me demonstrate it. Soru!", Luffy explained, before disappearing.
"Where is he?", Usopp asked, as confused as the others listening to Luffy.
"Right here!"
"AAAAAAAAH!", Usopp screamed as he turned around. "L-luffy, don't scare me like that!"
Luffy didn't answer. Instead he continued explaining Rokushiki. "After that there's Geppo/Moonwalk, a technique where you can walk in the air, and if you're not a devil fruit user, you can use it in the water as well. Look at this, Geppo!", he continued, before jumping through the air like there were stairs.
"Impressive!", Zoro, Sanji, Nami and Usopp exclaimed.
"Sanji, you use your legs very often, so I would recommend this technique to you.", Luffy said, Sanji nodding.
"Following that there's Rankyaku/Tempest Kick, a technique where you kick so fast it creates a sharp air blade capable of cutting walls. Once again, I would recommend it to you, Sanji. Furthermore there's Tekkai/Iron Body, a technique where you harden your muscles to the level of iron. It's similar to Armament haki, but unlike Armament haki this technique requires great physical strength and is inferior to Armament haki. Zoro and Sanji, while you learn to awaken your Armament haki, you can also learn this technique. The last normal Rokushiki technique is Kami-e/Paper Art, where you make your body go limp in ordert o avoid any attacks. This requires high physical speed, but nonetheless, I think you could use this pretty well, Nami and Usopp. And finally, in the end, there's the Rokuogan/Six King Gun. You need to master all other Rokushiki techniques for being able to use this one. You place your fists right in front of your opponent and release a massive shockwave which makes the opponent suffer internal injuries. However, be warned. Even if you were able to use this, you should only use it in the most desperate situations, since this technique takes away lots of your energy. That's all I need to say."
After that long explanation of Luffy, his nakama were full of new information and realized how much they have to train.
"From now on you'll train every day. Sanji vs Zoro and Nami vs Usopp. This is only haki related training, you'll have to come to me if you want to learn Rokushiki techniques.", the black-haired boy full of knowledge declared.
Something didn't seem right to the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates. How did their captain know all this when he's not even a Marine or government agent. Sanji was the first to question this.
"Erm, Luffy, thanks for all this information, that was really educational, but how and since when do you know this?"
That question hit Luffy like an airplane. The blond with a cigarette in his mouth had a good point. 'Damn it, it's way too early to tell!', he thought.
"It's a secret.", the 17-year-old said, desperately smiling and sweating.
His nakama looked at him, aware of their captain hiding something. "A crew shouldn't have secrets, we trust you and you trust us, why are you hiding something?", Zoro asked, piercing Luffy with his question.
"Look, it's a very big secret that's uneasy to explain. Once I gather all of my nakama together, I'll tell you everything, I promise. For now the only thing you need to do is getting stronger, not for me but for yourselves, got it?"
There was silence. Luffy's nakama rethought about their trust towards their captain. He was hiding something, that was 100% evident.
The unpleasant silence on Merry was interrupted by Nami, who saw an island not very far from their point. "I see Loguetown, we're almost there.", she reported.
"Good. You can do whatever you want in Loguetown, but there are some things to get for us. Nami, go and buy 11 Den Den Mushies, one for the ship and 10 for each one of us. If you ask why 10, if we lose one, we can replace it with another one. And buy me a red captain's coat with golden epaulettes please. Sanji, all you need to do is getting us some food. Fish and meat should be the dominant part of your acquisition. That's all."
With that, the Straw Hats split for now.
…
Roronoa Zoro was running through the streets of Loguetown. 'Where the f*ck is a sword store?', he asked himself, tired of aimlessly running.
Almost like fate wanted it, he bumped into a blue-haired woman. "Ouch!", they both yelled.
"Look at where you're going!", the woman exclaimed. She turned around, her glasses shattered.
'What the hell? She looks just like… Kuina.', Zoro snapped, remembering his old girlfriend. "I- uh, sorry… what's your name?"
"Tashigi.", she answered.
'What is going on? She's also named after a bird.'. "Do you want me to help you? Where's the next place selling glasses?", the pirate politely asked, not knowing how to handle his thoughts and the overall situation.
"The end of this street, on the right.", she explained. "One more thing, I can't see anything without my glasses, could you hold my hand until we're there?"
The green-haired blushed at this. "O-okay, I'll do this if you want."
Random people of Loguetown observed the entire strange and confusing incident, much to Zoro's unhappyness.
After one minute of walking through the streets of Loguetown filled with gazes of curious citizens, the two swordsmen arrived at their destination. "You owe me 1000 Berry for my glasses.", Tashigi spoke.
"Alright, there you have it.", Zoro muttered, handing over the money.
"Thanks", the Marine said, walking into the store.
The green-haired sighed in relief. 'Finally, it's over. Why does she have to look like her, I can't stand it!'. He turned his head to the right, realizing there's a sword shop. "'Ippon-Matsu's Arms Shop'. Let's go in there.", he quietly murmured, opening the door.
"Hello there, customer, what can I do for you?", the owner asked in a loud, inviting tone. His hairstyle resembled the one of a clown and his nose was reddish.
"I'm looking for two new swords.", the pirate stated. He handed his two weaker swords to Ippon-Matsu who inspected them.
"Those two are of bad quality, I see why you want new ones.", the man remarked, looking directly into the eyes of Zoro. "May I see your third sword?"
Zoro hesitated a little. "You can see it, but I don't intend to replace this."
The arms dealer's eyes widened when he saw the green-haired's best sword after he handed Wado Ichimonji over. 'T-that's Wado Ichimonji, one of 21 Great Grade Swords. Its owner doesn't seem aware of what treasure he owns. I have to get my hands on it!'
"Sir, I am interested in your third sword, can I have it for 100.000 Berry?", the shopkeeper asked, trying to rip off his customer.
"Nope, not selling it", was Zoro's answer.
"What about 200.000?"
"Nope!"
"300.000?"
"Nope!"
"500.000?"
"Nope!"
"Okay, this is my last offer! 1.000.000 Berry?"
"Never!"
"ARRRGH!", the man cursed, seriously frustrated.
Three seconds later, Tashigi came in with some new glasses. She walked towards the counter and her eyes landed on Zoro's Wado Ichimonji. "Holy cow, Wado Ichimonji! That's one of 21 Great Grade Swords, worth over 10 Million Berry."
The shop owner made an annoyed face. "Did you have to tell? I was trying to buy it for less than it's worth.", he groaned.
"It doesn't matter if you would have offered me 100 Million Berry, I would never sell it anyway. It is something I've received from a good friend, and it's worth more to me than anything else.", the pirate explained, impressing Tashigi and Ippon-Matsu with his view on what's a treasure and what not. "Anyways, I only have 100 Thousand Berry with me, do you have some swords for 50 Thousand or less?"
The red-nosed man frowned at this question. "I do have some cheap swords, but their quality is as poor as those two swords you've shown me not long ago. They're in that basket there.", he said, pointing at a basket full of swords.
Zoro walked towards said basket and pulled out Sandai Kitetsu. "This one doesn't seem of poor quality to me.", he spoke, carefully looking at his future new sword.
Ippon-Matsu freaked out as he saw the swordsman look at that sword. "Don't buy that!", he panically exclaimed. "It's a cursed sword!"
"A cursed sword?", the green-haired asked. "What do you mean?"
"The Sandai Kitetsu is one of three Kitetsu swords. This lineage of swords is said to be cursed. To date each owner of a Kitetsu is said to be dead, dead because he just owned a kitetsu. This one, being the latest to be produced, is the weakest Kitetsu, but still overly deadly.", the shop owner explained.
"Tch, if it's really cursed, then I should test my luck!", Zoro spoke, throwing the cursed sword in the air and stretching out his arm.
"DON'T!", Tashigi and Ippon-Matsu yelled, scared that his arm might fall off.
Sandai Kitetsu made lots of turns in the air. When it was about to reach the green-haired, it barely missed, proving its future owner's and tamer's luck.
The whole shop was speechless for a short period of time, but then Ippon-Matsu decided to break the silence. "Congratulations! I've never seen a man lucky enough to escape a Kitetsu's curse, you are a worthy swordsman, so I'm giving it to you for free."
"Really? That's nice of you.", Zoro said, smirking. He was happy that he didn't have to pay.
"And that's not all.", the owner continued, while going into the shop's storeroom to get another sword. "This is Yubashiri, one of 50 Skillful Grade Swords and my family tresure. Take good care of it, I'm entrusting it to you for free."
Zoro was fortunate and amazed to hear that, the previously fraudulent shopkeeper gave him two of his best swords for free. Tashigi was pretty surprised too, the previously clumsy moss-haired man she met was actually a skilled swordsman.
"Thank you for everything Matsu-san, I will become the world's best swordsman with these swords.", he declared, not wanting to disappoint the generous man.
"I'm happy to hear that.", the middle-aged man said. After that, Zoro left the shop trying to go back to Merry, just to get lost due to his bad sense of orientation.
…
5 minutes earlier:
Luffy walked towards Marine Captain Smoker who he had spotted somewhere in the harbor. 'Smoker, one of the only Marines I like. He's actually pretty fun, shame I had to kill him for helping Akainu and his dogs slaughter my nakama.', the 17-year-old thought, respecting his friendly enemy.
"Excuse me, where is Roger's execution platform?", the boy asked, getting the Marine's attention.
"Follow the smoke trail.", he instructed, creating a long trail of smoke with his moku moku powers.
"Thanks Smokey!", Luffy called, following the smoke trail.
"It's Smoker, Captain Smoker!", the Captain angrily shouted at a running Luffy.
One minute later, Smoker's subordinate Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi came running towards him. "Captain Smoker, look at this!", she exclaimed, giving him Luffy's wanted poster. "That's the most recent wanted poster, and an extraordinary one. Look at his bounty."
Wanted: Dead or Alive: Monkey D. Luffy, 80.000.000 Berry
"You know what Tashigi?", the Marine started, changing his cigars. "I think I just let him pass by."
…
Present timeline:
Luffy glared at the execution platform built for Gol D. Roger, former Pirate King. It was huge, and an even bigger tourist attraction. This monument could be considered legendary. "I want to be on that!", Luffy said, stretching out his arms. "Gomu Gomu no Rocket!"
Seconds later, Luffy was lying on the execution platform, looking at at least 1000 people standing in the city center. His arrival on the platform didn't stay unnoticed. "What are you doing there? Get down!", an inhabitant of Loguetown shouted, but the pirate didn't care.
Suddenly, dark clouds quickly engulfed the sky. Following that it started to rain heavily. 'Father's here.", Luffy thought, sensing Dragon's presence with his haki. 'Not only that, Buggy will soon come too. I should get outta he-'
His thoughts were interrupted by the clacking sound of kairoseki shackles. Cabaji managed to catch him off guard. 'Shit!'
A slim lady with an iron mace started walking towards the city center. She hit some Marines with her mace who tried to run at the platform.
"You just hit a Marine, we'll have to arrest you.", a Marine officer declared.
"You won't arrest me, right?", the woman said, seducing the Marines with her looks.
"N-no, of course not!", heart-eyed soldiers let out.
"And you.", she turned to Luffy. "Do you know who I am?"
"No, who are you?", Luffy asked, knowing the answer.
"Think about it, you're the only man who hit me.", the lady spoke.
"I've never seen you before!", he lied.
"Then I'll tell you. I'm Alvida."
"Whaaat?! You're that ugly fat whale Alvida? Impossible!"
"I was never a whale!", she yelled with sharp teeth. "But I look different, right? That's because I ate the sube sube no mi. Now my skin is perfectly smooth, and I'm really beautiful, right Buggy?"
Buggy then appeared from the shadows along with his crew. "That's right Alvida, you definitely are."
The Buggy Pirates encircled the city center. "Everybody, hear me out! I'm taking all of you hostage. Don't try to escape, or else…", Buggy threatened, maniacally laughing.
From one of the buildings around the city center, Captain Smoker and Tashigi watched all of this. Smoker had a megaphone with him, but decided to speak out later.
Sanji, Nami, Zoro and Usopp also came to the scene.
"What does our captain always get himself into?", Sanji asked, annoyed by Luffy's stupidity getting caught.
"We're too late!", Usopp exclaimed, fearing for his friend and captain.
At the same time, Buggy started to get on top of the execution platform. "People of Loguetown, I'm announcing the flashy execution of 'Straw Hat Luffy'. Now watch as I flashily execute this straw hat brat."
"Cool, I always wanted to see an execution!", Luffy joked.
"You're the one getting executed, dumbass!", the clown roared with sharp teeth.
"Oh no, that sucks.", the boy muttered.
"LUFFY!", his nakama screamed, thinking their captain will die.
"Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji. Sorry, I'm dead!", the strawhat shouted, smiling brightly in his, supposedly, last seconds.
Right before Buggy cut Luffy's head off, a lightning with high voltage struck Buggy's body and the execution platform, making both fall down. Luffy's shackles were destroyed in the process. 'Thanks dad', the teenager thought in gratitude.
Immediately after Luffy was free again, he started to give orders to his nakama. "Everyone, let's get back on the ship. We've nothing to do here anymore."
Captain Smoker finally started talking into his megaphone. "Marines, there are three dangerous pirates in the city center, don't let them escape!"
With that, dozens of Marines rushed into the city center, some clashing with the Buggy Pirates, some clashing with the Straw Hat Pirates. Zoro and Sanji defeated most of them and continued running. Zoro however, was stopped by a certain female Marine, Tashigi.
"Why didn't you tell me you're a pirate?", she angrily demanded, swinging her sword at Zoro.
"You didn't tell me you were a Marine either.", Zoro spoke, blocking Tashigi's stroke.
"I'll tell you something. I love swords and can't see them in the hands of criminals. I will rescue every high valued sword from the pawns of dirty pirates. You have three of them, hand them over!", she stated, continuing her attack.
"I'm not gonna hand over anything, I'll become the best swordsman in the world!", he explained, blocking even more attacks.
"A pirate like you doesn't deserve to be the best swordsman in the world, I will be the best!"
Flashback: A 9-year-old Zoro approached his girlfriend and rival Kuina. She was sitting outside in the rain. He walked towards her with two real swords, opposite to the wooden sticks with which they would normally fight.
"Hey Kuina.", Zoro spoke, getting her attention. "We've fought 2000 times before and I've never beaten you. I've improved a lot since the first time I've lost to you. And now I'm challenging you to our 2001st and last duel, this time with real swords."
Kuina stood up and took the sword her rival has given to her. "Prepare to lose one more time."
And so they dueled, longer than ever before. This was the longest duel they've ever had, but in the end the victor was Kuina. Despite beating him, she refused to do any damage to her friend.
Like every time before, Zoro said he'd become the world's greatest swordsman. "This may've been our last battle, but one day, when I grow up, I'll become the world's greatest swordsman, and I'll beat you!"
Flashback end
'Dammit! Why are those memories coming up now?', he thought, remembering his not-so-happy past. He swung one more time at the Marine's sword and knocked it out of her hand, defeating her.
Like Kuina, he decided to spare his opponent's life. But Tashigi didn't like this, not at all.
"Why are you sparing me, huh? Because I'm a woman? Do you know how hard it is to be a female swordsman?I wish I was born a boy!", she almost screamed.
Her short, blue hair and her almost black eyes with that facial expression were almost identical to Kuina 10 years ago. Zoro flinched at that.
Flashback: After another one of Zoro's "I'll defeat you" speaches, Kuina reacted in another way than normally.
"Of course you will be better in the future! My father told me that no woman could be the best swordsman in the world, because their fighting skills would decrease as they age. It's so unfair, I wish I was born a boy!"
The green-haired kid was shocked by his greatest rival's words. His greatest foe just admitted she'd be no match for him in the future. But Zoro thought different than her or her father.
"Look, one day, one of us will become the world's greatest swordsman, not because of our gender, but through hard training. Promise me that, understand?"
The skilled girl was touched by his wise, consoling words. Nobody she'd ever seen in her life judged her skills and potential by her skills alone, except Roronoa Zoro. Everyone else judged her skills and potential by her gender. His offer was an offer she HAD to accept.
"Y-yes, I promise."
The next day, she died by falling down the stairs.
Flashback end
"WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AND SOUNDING LIKE HER, I CAN'T LOOK AT YOUR FACE, I CAN'T STAND IT! AND YOU'RE ONLY DOING IT WORSE BY SAYNG THE EXACT SAME THINGS SHE SAID!", the 19-year-old cried, tears running down his face. He then ran away.
"Wait! Kill me, don't disrespect me, it's hurting my pride!", she also cried, through the rain. Her defeat and her enemy's words were like bullets through her heart.
…
Meanwhile, Smoker chased Luffy through the streets of Loguetown. "Strawhat, I'm gonna get you!"
"Too slow, Smokey!", Luffy mocked him, laughing.
"I'll show you who's slow, White Out!", he shouted, shooting smoke clouds at the black-haired.
Due to his speed advantage, Luffy easily evaded the clouds. "You've got to be faster than that!", the strawhat called.
"White Blow!", Smoker exclaimed, turning one of his arms except his fist into smoke, trying to hit Luffy in a long-range attack.
'This was THAT attack that always got me. Man, I remember all the trouble I had, before learning how to use haki of course.', Luffy thought, activating Armament haki.
"Armament! Gomu Gomu no Gatling!", Luffy shouted, turning around and hitting his new rival rapidly with haki-covered fists. Smoker had no chance, since he was a Logia user.
"Haki in the East Blue? I've heard of it before, but never used it on my own, since I've never learned it. One thing is clear: You are a dangerous pirate with a great threat-potential and I'll hunt you, even if it means going all the way to Raftel!", he declared, before passing out.
'Great, I've just made myself an enemy for life.', he thought, before leaving for his ship.
Out of nowhere, a mysterious man covered in a green cloak came, walking out of the shadows. The future Pirate King recognized him in the first second, his father Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army. His most recognizeable trait was the red tattoo-like mark in his face.
"Well hello there, father.", Luffy spoke in a low and calm tone.
"You've heard of me?", Dragon asked, coming closer with every step.
"Gramps never told me about you, but it's as clear as freshwater that you're my father, since your surname is 'Monkey', just like mine."
"I knew father never told you about me, he wouldn't want you to be recognized as the son of the most wanted criminal on Earth."
"I can think that far, that's why he hid Ace's real identity."
"Ace?", Luffy's father asked, not knowing who Ace is.
"My adoptive brother, just like Sabo. They're both Gramps' adoptive grandsons, that makes you their adoptive father.", the strawhat explained.
"Ace and Sabo as in 'Fire Fist' Ace and 'Black Rod' Sabo?", the Revolutionary asked, followed by a nod of Luffy.
"I see you have family, Luffy, but I have two questions regarding your family.", Dragon said, readying his questions.
"Go on, ask them. I'm willing to answer your questions.", the 17-year-old told him.
"First, do you consider me your father, and second, what do you think of me?"
"You're my biological father, so yes, I consider you my father and part of my family. I'm not like Ace or Sabo, who would kill their real fathers. I don't hate you.", Luffy explained, much to Dragon's relief.
"A-"
"But,", the son cut his father off, "I don't love you either. You've done nothing to make me hate you, but you haven't done nothing to make me love you either. I can easily love you, but you have to do some things to make me love you first."
"Luffy,", Dragon began, "I'm sorry I haven't been there for you as a child, but please understand that it's hard to lead the Revolutionary Army. I'm doing it for the good of the world"
"It's fine.", Luffy spoke. "I understand you. I also hate the government. I'm also sure you would approach me some time in the future when I'm a little older, so I'm forgiving you your absence in my childhood."
The Revolutionary was touched by his son. "Oh what a great son I have!", he exclaimed, hugging his offspring. "When time has come, I'll introduce you to your mother."
"I can't wait for that.", Luffy said. "That was a nice reunion. We'll see each other in the future right?"
"Right."
"Bye for now, I have to hurry, we'll have to reach the Grand Line as fast as possible!", Luffy called, running and waving his hands at his father.
"Goodbye Luffy, remember that I'll always be there for you when trouble comes."
With that, the two black-haired parted their ways.
…
On the Merry, Luffy's nakama were waiting for him.
"Where have you been, Luffy?", Nami asked, hugging him. "We were worried."
"I've only met someone I respect.", he answered, not going into details.
"Anyways, we've acquired what you wanted.", she said, showing him 11 Den Den Mushies. "And here's your captain's coat."
The strawhat had stars in his eyes after seeing his new coat. It was manily red, with golden epaulettes and buttons. The outer line of the coat was also in gold. On the back, there was the jolly roger of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"T-thank you, you're the best crew a captain could ever have!"
"Hey Captain Luffy, I've cooked some delicious meat with fish sauce while we were alone, do you want to try it?", Sanji asked, making Luffy drool.
"Meeeaaaat!", Luffy exclaimed, running into the kitchen.
"Don't eat everything!", the cook yelled after him. Everyone else laughed.
...
The next day, they finally reached Reverse Mountain.
"Nami, are you sure we have to go up that mountain?", Zoro asked. "Why don't we just sail down to the Grand Line?"
"*Bonk!* We can't sail down, idiot! If we sail down we'll land in the Calm Belt where sea kings will eat us!", the ginger yelled with sharp teeth, giving the marimo a bump on his head.
"S-sea kings? Eat us? I don't want to go to the Grand Line!", Usopp screamed, running around. Luffy gave Usopp a bump. "There are no sea kings in the Grand Line, and besides, we can't turn back now, Reverse Mountain is right in front of us."
And Luffy was right. Reverse Mountain was really right in front of them. They were sailing towards the stream leading up the mountain now. So Luffy asked his nakama one more time why they were going to the Grand Line.
"To become the world's greatest swordsman!"
"To draw a map of the world."
"To become a brave warrior of the sea."
"To find the All Blue."
"To become Pirate King!"
The Straw Hats were riding on the rapidly upwards flowing stream now. The Grand Line was only a minute away.
'Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbe. Wait for us, we're coming.'
Wow, just wow! Over 6000 words, that's just very much! I really hope you like this, because writing this was a pain in the ass. I included some flashbacks regarding Zoro and Kuina. Did you like it? Write it in the comments, as well as if I should do a ZoTash pairing. But the most important aspect of this chapter was Luffy and his father meeting. Was this what you liked the most? I'd like to know that. One more thing I'd like to point out is that I won't be covering fillers like Warship Island Arc, but the events do happen. Think of it like this: If this was a show, fillers like Warship Island Arc would happen, but off screen. As filler arcs do happen, Warship Island and Goat Island are Straw Hat territories (Choke on this, territory haters! :D). Constructive criticism allowed. Rate and review if you like.