Sailing with Coby was a surprisingly pleasant experience. Even though poor boy absolutely refused to come anywhere near his now ex-captain. Not that she could really blame him. If not for the fact that she'd lose 30% of her reward if she'd turn in her dead, she wouldn't go and feed woman either. What an completely unpleasant person she was. At least thanks to stroke of genius she had and excellent harness thanks to which the bounty was towed in the water, close enough to not get eaten by anything, so there would be no damages to the ship. Or need to clean after prisoner. Only good things.
"Coby?" She called him few hours into their journey. Brunette did remember him almost going into reminiscing mode and was suddenly rather curious of how exactly did he get on that ship.
"Yes, Luffy-san?" He called back but didn't leave the cabin making her rather curious… To barge in or to not barge in? Oh well her ship, worse case scenario boy will learn to clothe himself fast. With that cheerful decision she opened the door to the cabin and raised an eyebrow on the sight of him reading one of her books. Glance on bookshelf assured her that of course he grabbed Marine regulations.
"Enjoying the book?" She asked sitting herself on the bed and smiled at his guilty expression.
"I'm sorry, I didn't ask for permission Luffy-san" he offered hesitantly from his spot by the other wall.
"Don't worry about it. It's just a book. Journals or photo albums on the other hand…"
"I'm not stupid, thank you very much"
"You stayed with that weakling for how long again?"
"Two years…" He murmured, fight leaving him immediately. Luffy cursed internally and adopted her 'Makino-face'. It was always working.
"Hey… What's with that look? You have to learn to stand up to yourself." She said with gentle encouragement she heard Makino-nee use at both her and other children in the village. "Otherwise all those self-important idiots will stomp on yours. And what's your dream again?"
"I want… I want to be a marine" He stuttered.
"Do you really?" She asked teasingly. That hesitation won't do. Won't do at all.
"I do! I want to catch pirates!" Coby protested hotly and gasped, realizing that he raised voice at someone so much stronger. He almost bowed his head down again but Luffy's stern voice stopped him.
"Then take deep breath and tell me." She murmured calmly to steel her voice seconds later and ask "what is your dream?"
"I want to be a marine." Coby answered, this time without a stutter. Luffy smiled in success.
"Again!" She demanded.
"I want to be a marine!" This repeat sounded much more confident that those earlier… Maybe he'd make a decent marine after all. Now to make sure poor boy won't allow himself to be delegated to some low position in the Blues… Having influence over high ranked marine would be… nice.
"You're going to be happy with lowly captain in West Blue?" She asked her question with raised brow and patiently waited for answer, observing turmoil, visible on his face. Damn, boy would need to learn how to hide his feelings.
"N-No!"
"Then do it again." She smiled asking "what is your dream?"
"I want to be marine officer." Pink haired boy answered seemingly happy with his answer… Well Luffy wasn't happy with his answer.
"Officer?"
"Admiral! I want to be an admiral!" He declared, visibly trying to put as much bravery as he could in his voice.
"Better. Now give me some of that bravery that made you ask me to take you with me." Luffy demanded, kind of annoyed at how hesitant the other still was. Saying 'I want to do…' is something completely different from 'I will do…' after all.
"Umm? But I want…" And the stutters come back with vengeance… Luffy held back another sigh… Steering people on proper paths was hard
"It's not about what you want to do Coby. It's about what you will do." She explained gently.
"What will you do Luffy-san?" He asked hesitantly.
"I will become Pirate King!" She declared with surety and Coby's eyes widened with wonder, fear and disbelief. Brunette smiled at him, happy that he noticed her conviction. She never understood why people are ashamed of their dreams or why would they abandon them.
You either do it or die trying.
"P-Pirate King? B-but… Are you a pirate? He shrieked
"Not yet. Long story." She waved it off, no need to give up that kind of intel.
"To get that title you'd need to find One Piece!" Another shriek
"That's right" Nod and a smile here.
"It's in the Grand Line!" Is he hyperventilating?
"That's right" She gestured for him to take deep breath… She couldn't let her new marine friend to die before getting proper rank, could she?
"Grand Line is called Pirate's Graveyard for a reason Luffy-san!" His exclamation was met with amused smile of her… Weak die. It's normal.
"Oh?"
"The strongest pirates from all Blues go to Grand Line and die there!" Oh look… Back to screeching.
"Those not strong enough to protect their lives should never risk them" She shrugged nonchalantly.
"B-but…"
"Coby." She stopped him with raised hand. Then she leaned closer to him and made sure to look straight into his eyes. To convey her determination and will. It was insulting that someone would try to dissuade her from her dream. Especially someone that was enslaved to the weakling towed behind the Dreamer. Of all 'pirates' to fall prey to… "I will become Pirate King. That is my Dream. My Ambition and my Will. No marine will arrest me. No pirate will steal my throne. No hunter will collect my bounty. I WILL do it. Can you say the same about your dream?"
"I…" He blinked confused with what he's just seen and heard…
"Can you?" She repeated, trying to coerce him into it. Into believing he can do it…
"I… I can! I will become admiral!"
"That's the spirit!" She cheered
"T-thank you Luffy-san" He beamed with pride and faith in his own strength.
"Don't thank me. That's all you" She beamed back at him.
"But still…"
"Shhh… C'mon, the wind is changing" Luffy jumped up and with few quick steps got to the door, she turned around and smiled invitingly. She was NOT doing all the work herself with another pair of hands on board.
"Yosh!"
√ -√v-√ -√v—
They spent their next few days in peace and quiet. Playing cards, talking about their hobbies (surprisingly Coby was very knowledgeable about precious stones. She hugged him for his cunning when he admitted to not telling that little tidbit to Alvida) and their families (poor Coby was an orphan. She told him about how she was foisted off to a bartender for raising. That earned her a hug for a change).
"Luffy-san, you told me what your dream is, but… Why do you want it?" She was just about to lay down her full house (sevens over queens) when Coby finally found courage to ask that question. Now that she thought about that he was unfocused entire day… Was that, what was eating him then?
"Hmmm… How should I explain this?" She started, folding cards and putting them away. She'll win this hand later. "My father and grandfather are strong men, in fact they're strong enough that most of their enemies don't dare to attack them. They would enthusiastically attack their female relative though." She grouched, once more getting angry at cowardice and idiotism of them. After all it's not like either Garp or Dragon would actually care if anything happened to her. They never did… "I never met my father. I don't know how he looks like. I don't know his voice. What I know though, is his name." Yep. She was bitter. Bastard could at least visit her, rather than foisting her to a man who would kill her if ordered. (And maybe even without that order…) "And the target he painted at my back just because of who he is. That's why Pirate King. To simply survive I have to be strong. To be powerful enough that those cowards that'd kill defenseless girl would not even look at me like that. So when one day I'll be killed… I'll be killed because of my title. Of what I achieved. Not because of father. Not because of my grandfather… Because of me."
"Wouldn't it be safer to stay civilian in that situation though?" Pink haired boy asked, his voice laced with concern. She smiled weakly at that. It's always nice when people somehow cared.
"It's too easy for civilian to vanish." She shook her head explaining the problem. "They are attacked by bandits, weaklings with ego problems like that hag we tow around, they can get arrested without any real reason, they can get assassinated without any real problem." With every listed reason Luffy's voice was getting quieter and Coby's head was bowing lower and lower. "No, staying civilian only seems like a safer choice. If one wants to be safe, one needs to be able to protect oneself."
"That's quite cynical" He noticed. At the start of their journey he'd protest that point of view… Now though…
She was so proud of him~
"Doesn't make it any less true"
"No, I guess not."
"Speaking about safety and bad life choices…" She perked up and smiled weakly, what would be better distraction? "Say Coby… How did you even get on that monstrosity of a ship?"
"Ugh… That was stupid mistake" He put his head into his hands, groaning. She smiled with anticipation… That had to be good. Really good.
"Continue?" He opened his mouth no doubt to start his tale but then hesitated and just bluntly summarized.
"I was going fishing and mistook the boats."
"Don't tell me…" She started barely containing her laughter "You got onto pirate's boat rather than fisherman?" She finished, spilling her giggles.
"Yeah, laugh it up Luffy-san" He pouted, almost making her coo at him. But then she remembered what he just said… pirate ship…
"Sorry, sorry… Shishi… It's just… Shishi… How could you not notice jolly roger?!" She asked incredulously, stifling her giggles and waiting for an answer
"I don't know"
"Poor… Shishi… Poor little Coby…"
"Luffy-saaan…"
"Make sure boat you're sailing at won't have black flag when you'll get your marine jacket" She chortled again. She could just imagine glorious faces of that imaginative pirate crew. Glorious!
"Luffy-san!"
"Shishishishi…"
"Ugh…"
√ -√v-√ -√v—
"Here it is, Luffy-san! Shell's Town. Home to 153rd branch of marines in East Blue." Coby announced happily after they docked Dreamer.
"So that's the place where we can cash her in and enlist you to marines, huh? Doesn't really look like much." Luffy murmured taking in how people seemed subdued and even scared. "First we're getting cash for her, then we're going to eat and then we can enlist you, okay Coby?" She asked hauling freshly unconscious Alvida out of the little ship and dropping her at the dock planks.
"Sounds good Luffy-san" He agreed with visible relief. She smiled softly at that, remembering how hard it was to actually leave home to make first steps towards her dream. She snapped from her memories, it was too early to get homesick. It was only her second island. She quickly made makeshift harness to drag Alvida's with her. At least the streets will get a little cleaner.
"Let's go then, c'mon Coby" She skipped ahead with her prisoner but soon stopped herself, turned around and put illusion on the ship to ensure its safety. Then she nodded satisfied, turned again and started dragging the body again in the direction of marine base with Coby on her heels. While going there they chatted about marines, bounty hunters and what they know about the city itself. Both of them noted uninhibited fear citizens displayed when they heard names of both so called demonic Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro and commanding officer in charge of the local branch - Captain Morgan, but Luffy also caught how locals seemed to carefully inch away from any marine in vicinity and how some of them directed fearful and yet somehow hopeful looks at them after noticing and recognizing pirate in the harness.
Granted Alvida was rather recognizable, after all… Not a lot of East Blue pirates had that kind of… statue.
"Luffy-san? I don't understand. Why would they fear marine in charge?"
"Marine rules and ideals of moral justice are pretty things. They are the thing that made people believe no marine could ever do anything unjust. But in the end of the day, marines are only humans Coby. And humans are complicated creatures. Some of them are gentle souls that would never even think about harming others, some are fit rulers ready to protect what's theirs to their last breath, some are greedy monsters ready to avert their eyes and not see others wrongdoings if it'd benefit them and some are easily power drunk expecting everyone to bow to their power. We don't know what kind of person marine in charge is." She told him gently picking all the clues saying that the one in charge is someone she will find lacking. From the fear civilians were displaying - cruel despot rather than protector.
"But… he's a marine!" Coby wanted to yell at her that marines would never be unjust. Never! But then he remembered that she calls herself pirate. And yet is a good person. So maybe?
"Still just a human Coby. Still just a human" She said and opened the door to ugly building they recognized as marine base in town. Full of whites and without any personality to show. Ideal match with generic marine sitting in reception and observing petite girl drag over 3 times bigger known pirate after her.
"Can I help you miss?" Marine asked when she came to a stop and just stood in front of his desk with raised eyebrow.
"Yes, in fact you can. I'm here to exchange umm... Mace Alvida… I think… for a bounty. What's her name again, Coby?" She fumbled a bit and turned to Coby with a little lost expression in black eyes.
"Iron Mace Alvida. You almost got it, Luffy-san."
"Meh… No need to remember weaklings' names" She shrugged off his praise and smiled cheekily.
"Only you, Luffy-san. Only you." Coby shook his head while desk marine looked at Luffy like at an idiot for calling one of the stronger pirates - that he knows about - a weakling.
"W-well... of course we'll pay you the bounty. Wait a second for me to grab someone to take your captive and bring money and forms, please."
"Of course officer. We'll wait" After her agreement marine jumped out of his chair and sped to get someone to take pirate out of their hands. Luffy leant her hip on the desk and rowed disinterested eyes around the white room while Coby was looking around in excitement mixed with nervousness and was seemingly trying to take everything in.
"Here we are, sorry for the wait miss." Desk marine came back with six man squad that moved to take unconscious pirate out of their hands and while he put case with bounty money down and opened it for Luffy to inspect. Using the time she spend on doing just that marine took out and filled the forms stating that lower signed person captured and exchanged for the bounty wanted pirate Iron Mace Alvida along with forms confirming both transfer of pirate and funds between both parties. Luffy read over documents carefully and signed them as Monkey D. Luffy. Then she smiled at marines unsuccessfully trying to move Alvida's body from the floor, grabbed Coby and left the building.
"Finally. You sure you want to work in that kind of ugly buildings Coby?" She sighed with relief.
"Don't tease Luffy-san. It's not me that will need to deal with cramped space on the ship." Coby teased right back feeling quite confident around her, now after spending the time it took them to reach the island in company of only her and his old jailer.
"Cramped space won't be the worst Coby-dear. Ensuring that my dear crewmates won't be sweaty mess will be" She singsonged in answer and stuck her tongue out. "C'mon. We're going to eat now. I'm hungry" She whined, tugging him along in search for the nearest restaurant or inn… even a bar. Any place they could eat would be good. "Oh! Look isn't it execution site?" She stopped in her track and pointed at quite big plaza with cross in the middle.
"I thought you were hungry Luffy-san" Coby complained and turned to also look at what she's looking and paled. "Black bandana… Green haramaki… gold piercing in the ear... and that beastly feeling… It's Roronoa Zoro." Aaand there went confidence she worked into him… Damn.
"Oh? Didn't you say he was some kind of demon?" She teased him while taking in uncomfortable position, strained muscles and visible exhaustion of barely older than her man.
"H-he…"
"Hey, you two," Raspy voice of the man called out to them making both Coby and Luffy tilt their heads in his direction. "You're an eyesore, get lost" After grounding it out he closed his eyes and bowed his head to conserve his strength.
"S-scary" Coby mumbled and shrunk in himself.
"Nah, the view's too good" Luffy answered cheerfully, hoisting herself higher.
"View?" Roronoa growled with fury and bared his teeth trying to make his aura even more menacing.
"Mhmm... Proud man, publicly humiliated, beaten and starved… and yet refusing to break" Luffy allowed a little of admiration to bleed into her voice and eyes. "No idea why you're there, but I like your spirit swordsman."
Sound of ladder hitting the wall kept Zoro from answering her, making everyone's attention to focus on little girl, 8 year old max, climbing up the wall. She took good look around the site and made shushing noise for Coby who started to panic that she's going to her death, causing Luffy to grin and muffle his words with her hand.
"C'mon Coby, let the brave shrimp do what she came here for." She smiled to him cheerfully. "We're close enough to intervene before he'd get himself out of those ropes" Rather than calming Coby as was its intended, those words made him understand that Luffy expects him to help her protect the girl from 'vicious monster' he heard about and pale even more.
"What are you doing here?" Zoro growled when the girl stopped before him and started fumbling with her handkerchief.
"Nii-chan is here for so long already, I made food for you" Girl finally untied knots and smiled disarmingly in the direction of swordsman who just bristled again. "It was my first time but I tried very hard to do so!" Luffy cooed a little at how cute the girl was.
"Do you want to die?!" He growled again but even from the distance Luffy managed to see something akin to concern in steel eyes.
"Now, now… No need to bully children" New, obnoxious voice entered the scene along with its owner - blond civilian and two marines flanking him. Civilian was wearing clothes made to look expensive even when being meager quality and had one of the most ridiculous hairdo Luffy ever seen. And that included photos of different hairdos her own grandfather had after losing bets to his friends in childhood.
"Marines, she's safe now" Coby sighed with obvious relief but Luffy wasn't so sure of that.
"Is she really?" She murmured watching like a hawk for clues in men behavior. She could see that Zoro's body went frigid, blondie was smug and marines seemed resigned. But the most telling was fear and anger in little girl's posture.
"Tch… If it isn't bastard son himself" Zoro snorted derisively and averted his eyes dismissing both, the blond and marines at the same time.
"Basta… How dare you? I am son of Captain Morgan! You girl are lucky that it wasn't daddy that caught you here. He signed it this morning" blond haired boy reached into his jacket and took out official looking paper. "Everyone caught aiding prisoners will be treated guilty of the same crimes. Daddy could even execute you for that." Luffy narrowed her eyes at smug tone of the blond and hummed in though. "Are those rice balls? Don't mind if I'll taste them"
"No! They're for nii-chan" Girl tried to protect her creation but blond took one of them and started munching before spitting all out.
"Why is it sweet?! Awful…"
"I thought sweet would be better so I added sugar in it"
"Salt! You have to add salt!" He yelled after throwing onigiri on the ground and stomping at it few times, causing girls eyes to get all teary eyed.
"And that's why I hate brats!" He sneered looking at the girl and turned to one of the soldiers with him "You! Throw her out!"
"Wha…? But sir!"
"Do it or I'll tell daddy!"
"Yes, sir" Marine knelt down next to girl and murmured something to her before throwing her over the wall. Zoro visibly gritted his teeth, Coby was looking shell-shocked at marine's behavior and Luffy sneered before jumping up to catch girl and break her fall with her own body.
"Are you okay?" She asked softly petting girl's hair.
"Y-yeah…"
"Coby take her home, would you? I'll find you later" Luffy asked, trying to focus on her hearing… Something about one month and surviving?
"How you'd do it Luffy-san?"
"Your hair colour is rather… distinct Coby" She laughed a little at his flush and send them off with money from Alvida's bounty before scaling the wall and going over to the bound man. "So a hero, huh?" She smiled amused, gently wiping the sweat from his face with a tissue
"That was right thing to do" He grunted watching her with unreadable expression. Her smile widened at that.
"It always is."
"Why help me? They'll attack you too."
"Sooner or later marines will try to execute me too. It comes with my chosen profession" She shrugged at that carefree.
"Profession?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Future Pirate King." She introduced herself quietly. With steel in her voice. Even though she wasn't ashamed of her dream she did recognize that announcing it loudly in the middle of marine base would be A Bad Idea.
"Huh? Why would a girl like you want to be pirate?" The way he said that it was easy to see exactly what he thought about pirates.
"Are you saying a girl like me cannot be free, mister Pirate Hunter?" She put hands on her hips and gave him extremely unimpressed look. The one she learned from when Makino-nee was making Shanks and his crew clean after themselves.
"Freedom? That's it?" Zoro asks, surprise evident in his voice.
"When the Sea calls, we answer. But that's the only command I will listen to." She could see her declaration somewhat impressed bounty hunter. Probably because the only thing he could say and think about pirates were those monsters Shanks and Garp were warning her about. The ones that actually deserve Impel Down with all of it cruelty.
"Pfft… Let me guess you'll release me if I'd agree to join your crew?" Zoro swiftly brought their conversation back on previous topic with the eyes of wary animal. Just waiting for her to make a mistake and show herself to be just like stereotypical pirate. Prove him to be right…
"Now, why would you presume I'd do something like that? You're bound by honor to stay here, aren't you?" She answered easily with another smile and hand gesture showing what did she mean.
"I am."
"Good. I'll wait for you" She nodded to herself as if that would resolve everything.
"Wha…? I didn't agree to anything!" Zoro protested trying to make her back off.
"Hmm? What did you say?" She asked absentmindedly lifting his shirt and wincing on the sight of really ugly bruise on his stomach. Very nicely sculpted stomach.
"Stop undressing me woman!" Zoro flushed up to tips of his ears.
"That little worm did it?" She allowed her fingers to ghost over his bruise, completely ignoring his embarrassment.
"I said…"
"Do you want me to check your legs too?" Zoro flushed even more and grit his teeth at that "I thought so. So? Who hit you? Blond idiot?"
"Yea"
"After you'll be free I'll kill him myself. Can't have people thinking they can harm my first mate and get away with it" She threatened coldly.
"I'm not your crewmate!" He protested again though his protests were somehow dimmed compared to how definite they were at the start of their conversation.
"No, not yet." She agreed with amusement leaking into her voice.
"There is no yet here. I'm not becoming one of the scum"
"Evil Pirate Hunter. Violent monster of the East Blue. Some call you Demon in Human Skin... And you say you care about your reputation?" She pointed out, enjoying making him see situation from her point of view. He was strong, she knew that from his friends in Avra, they even told her that he was also honorable. But hearing it and seeing the proof… Well it is something completely different.
"I never did anything I regretted." He declared proudly, with righteous confidence of someone that is ready to throw away everything to reach their goal.
"See? You're almost free now. Just need to take few more steps. Think about it. I'll wait." She moved to get out of the site only to be stopped by Zoro's voice.
"Wait…"
"Huh?"
"Onigiri… Give it to me"
"Just onigiri or earthly seasoning too?" She smiled cheekily at him and started to gather rice, removing any sand or earth that she could reach, with her fingers. And then she smiled at him mischievously and put it in her mouth. Rinsing rice and feeding him like that - separating sand and earth and swallowing it, while giving him just rice. At the start of it he was dumbfounded, but later he just blushed and swallowed everything she gave him.
"The girl… Tell her it was… delicious." He licked his lips locking eyes with mischievous pair of her.
"That it was" She laughed again, wetting her lips with her tongue and walked out of the plaza.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
Luffy finally located Coby in one of restaurants around the town, slid over into a seat next to his and ordered her food. She learned long time ago that while eating to the bring is very satisfying, trying to fight straight after that is always a bad idea and so she trained her body (with the help of Makino-nee's Wooden Spoon of Doom) to eat just a little more than average person. And she was determined to keep it at that.
"So what do you want to do Luffy-san?" Coby asked after explaining Zoro's situation to Luffy. He told her everything, from how scared of Helmeppo's wolf people are, through both Morgans behavior towards people of Yotsuba Island, up to the fact that blondie is oftentimes seen going into execution plaza to torment his captive.
"I'll wait. He will come with me one way or another." She answers sure of herself and the man she chose as her first mate. Even if he didn't quite agreed yet.
"Are you going to blackmail him?"
"Nah… Blackmail's boring. Worst case scenario I'll just kidnap him. After few days on the sea he'll stop with that nonsense he's spewing" She waved her hand around to show exactly what she thinks about the stuff he's saying.
"Like I did?" Coby's voice was mix of defensive and resigned at the thought that even someone he pegged as a good person would still try to force people to do her bidding in such a way.
"No, not like what happened to you. Alvida was one of those terrible human beings that turn to piracy to feel powerful. And you paid for it. Zoro on the other hand… He has strict honour code but he understands freedom. He will come with me. Remember for when you enlist Coby, one cannot travel with disloyal crew. It's not about ruling through fear. Good captain is a person that would never ask for something their crew wouldn't be ready to give themselves. It's about proving that I'd be good captain." She explained patiently with soft eyes, showing him that she understands what he was thinking about and that she doesn't blame him.
"Oh… I understand… I think" He mumbled abashed eliciting another soft smile from her.
"Good."
"Hahaha… That's right, that's right. Kneel or I'll tell my daddy" Newly identified Helmeppo swaggered his way into the tavern they were in. "I think I'll eat here for free today. Start serving" He demanded from frazzled looking woman behind the counter then pretended to think about something. "Oh! I decided. It was starting to get boring so I'll have Roronoa Zoro executed tomorrow." And those words made temperature inside the tavern drop immediately. Frigid looking Luffy turned around on her chair and looked over at the spoiled boy who made the announcement.
"Didn't the two of you have a deal of some sorts?" She asked faux casually taking a sip from her wine.
"Oooh… You're pretty cute girlie, come eat with me" He demanded after quick, leering look at her figure.
"I asked you about the deal with Pirate Hunter, don't make me ask again" Luffy's voice was as freezing as a blizzard but her eyes… Her eyes had temperature able to freeze fire itself.
"Pffft… Of course I wasn't going to keep it. Only an idiot would believe I would." Helmeppo answered with bravado that was obviously fake from the way his hands curled around the table.
"Yes… I can see how only an idiot would believe you to be a man with honor and not sniveling little brat. Poor Zoro… So honorable it would never even pass his mind that others might break their word… Whatever will I do with him, Coby?" She turned around and smiled at pink haired boy sitting rigidly next to her. Then she widened her smile to include just enough teeth in it to be clear that it's a threat and turned to local marines. "If you wouldn't be so pathetic I'd probably hit you Little Worm. But I don't really want to need to scrub my hands to wash off all that slime coming from you. Consider yourself lucky." She smiled again and left the tavern leaving scared to death blond and his marine bodyguards.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
"Came to feed me again?" She barely stopped before the bound man when he asked. Even though his smirk said one thing, his narrowed eyes taking in her face, said something completely different.
"Nah… Just wanted to ask where is your sword, swordsman. After all, after tomorrow you won't need it anymore" Luffy answered with sharp smile and eyes full of cold fury.
"What do you mean?" He asked her warily not sure if he wanted to know exactly why the girl who was all smiles and soft touches few hours ago now was as cold as icy desert. And just as deadly.
"Oh? You mean they announced tomorrow's event to the city but didn't tell it's star? How shameful." She mused mockingly with lips pressed into thin line.
"What event woman?" Zoro finally lost his patience and raised his voice to get her to talk.
"Why, your execution of course, swordsman." She smiled again all teeth and none of the softness he already started to connect with her smiles.
"Wha…?"
"So? The sword?" She prompted with raised brow.
"Why?" Wary question slipped from him. Her brow has risen a little more at that. The light in his eyes dimmed and his entire posture changed. Well, at least he did recognize that he was too weak to protect himself from execution after so many days of starvation…
And completely forgot about her offer. That will take some work to correct.
"I think I'll give it to my first mate~" She purred and watched light of understanding coming back to his eyes and smirk curling his lips
"Hahaha…" He chuckled and took another good look at her. This time not just being satisfied with her clothes and words… This time he finally looked at her like fellow fighter. Assessing, cold… He took in her sash, battle boots and fitting but still loose clothes. Then he allowed his smirk to widen. "Three swords, Captain. I use santoryu"
"Oh? Wonder how that works" She mused and then focused her eyes on his. Eyes that flashed red with something wild in it. "Where are they then?"
"Bastard son took them"
"Wait for me then." She demanded and started going towards main building of the base.
"Not like I could go anywhere" Luffy snorted quietly at his words and woven illusion of invisibility around herself. She went straight through front door to the base and zeroed on the building she felt most people in. Straight through front door and up the long staircase. Floor after the floor checking the rooms, looking for one obviously belonging to blond wimp. She didn't believe for a moment that someone like that would not decorate his door accordingly…
Aaand it looked like she was right. She mused opening pink door with star and the plate with 'my room' on it. She snorted at the frilly, pink monstrosity of a decor, grabbed three obviously out of place katanas (one with powerful presence she came to identify with named blades and two weaker ones) and jumped through the window to land back next to her first mate bound form "Traditional katanas aren't really my style but… do you mind?" She asked while unsheathing one of the 'weaker ones'
"Can you even use it?" Zoro eyed her dubiously, she stood lax with unsheathed katana in her hand. In fact nothing in her stance even implied she knew how to use it. She grinned at him, proud of herself. Shishou spent a lot of time to beat into her so called 'incompetent' stance and moves… Just in case her dear grandfather would take interest in her lessons and bring a sword for her. Now she just could use them to mess around and give heart attacks to all the swordsmen around.
"You'll see for yourself, won't you?" Was her cheerful answer. Zoro closed his eyes with pained sigh and after long battle between his respect to position he gave her earlier and pride as a swordsman opened them again.
"Go ahead then. Just try not to cut me down too" At that Luffy smiled cheekily and fluently shifted into proper stance for using one katana. Her smile only widened at his disbelief.
"My Shishou firmly believe that real swordsman can control what their blade cuts. I was taught accordingly" Two swings later both ropes slid from his now free body.
"That was excellent form." Green haired swordsman complimented with astonishment and slight embarrassment at being fooled by her act. "Where's your blade?"
"Shishou promised to give me the sword I'll spend my life with before I'll get to Grand Line, so he should come soon." Young Monkey answered candidly. She'll get her blade soon. And then she'll be considered swordsmistress herself.
"Who's your Shishou by the way?" He asked suspiciously massaging his muscles and warming up joints again. That made her only smile. She knew she didn't come off as respectful person. She was too headstrong for that, but there were some people she respected. Not a lot of them. But they existed!
"Not gonna spoil surprise." Oh she couldn't wait for the swordsman to meet Mihawk… She wondered for a second if he's one of those gunning for title of The Greatest… She'll make sure to ask later. "Ready to play with marines?"
"Hai, Captain"
"Try not to get too much blood on yourself, would you? Consider it training" Not that anything really would help those clothes… But any introduction to Observation is a good start.
"Training?"
"I'll explain later. When we'll get more people, so that I don't need to repeat that every time we'll get someone new. Before that you're stuck with just following my instructions." It was clear he didn't like it. Which is why she decided to do it… Will he be great First Mate? That extension of her own person Shanks and Benny were talking about? Caretaker, making sure everyone goes exactly as she'd like that Marco sees himself as? Or just person following orders, like Arlong was grouching that Kuroobi is for him? Zoro held her eyes for few seconds before seemingly seeing the reason in them.
"Fine"
"Good boy" She reached out and patted his head few times. All soft smiles and cheerful laughs again.
"Not… a… dog" He grit out through his teeth and ducked from under her hand.
"Of course, of course" She laughed at him. Then she turned in the direction of main building and her smile turned feral. "Oi! You pathetic weakling that calls himself marine captain! Come down here so I can kick your ass!" She yelled with as much voice as she could put into it (which was a lot). Then she warned Roronoa. "Unless you can cut or deflect bullets, stay behind me till they'll go for swords"
"Need one?" He offered extending hand with one of his swords to her. She smiled at him. Lending one's blade to the other was serious show of respect.
"Nah, daggers will be enough" She smiled and unsheathed long daggers hidden before in her sash.
"You had… and you… my sword? Zoro spluttered realizing that she really didn't need to take his blade to release him. Even if she didn't want to just untie the knot.
"Was curious if you'd let me use your sword" Luffy answered with innocent smile and mischievous eyes which said everything about her so called innocence. Before Zoro could choke out anything more than some offended and embarrassed splutters they were interrupted by their future victim.
"WHO DARES?! I'm Captain Morgan and I will not be insulted by some weak nobodies!" Tall, burly blond with steel jaw and… was that an axe? What kind of person puts an axe blade on their main hand?! Luffy quickly shook off her incredulity and took good look at marines that came with him to the execution site.
She quirked an eyebrow after counting that almost entire platoon was sent after 'some weak nobodies'.
Someone wasn't as confident as he'd like to portray, was he?
"Why… Me of course" She opened her hands, gripping her daggers and getting ready to deal with bullets, since every single marine on site cocked their riffles. Oooh… Someone's in for surprise~
She grinned with anticipation, feeling Zoro behind her settle down into fighting stance, trusting her orders and letting her deal with pesky bullets.
"Shot!" Morgan seething ordered, marines hesitated for few seconds seeing Luffy's smile only widen in response before shooting. Luffy took a breath and let familiar instincts trained in her take over… Deflecting or cutting every bullet that would hit her or Zoro with her daggers…
"Damn" Zoro whistled admiringly. Luffy could just guess whether somewhere in the back of his head he was comparing his own proves with what little she shown. And while she knew that swordsmanship is his area. Will be his officially the second they'll be back on her ship… She was the captain. And she needed to instill in him the fact that she was strong enough to protect them all. That whatever crazy thing she decides they'll do, she will be able to get them out of it. That was the only way to keep someone that honorable and confident, maybe even a little overconfident, in their strength content with his role as second in command.
"Captain! It doesn't work! Is she even a human?!" Panicked screams of marines rang out at the site, making her smile bloodthirstily.
Those cowards allowed the island to be subjected to that asshole's whims. They allowed her First Mate to be starved! Beaten… In her mind they deserved everything she was going to unleash on them. Her Kitsune instincts screamed for blood, for punishment… And for once she was absolutely happy to give in to them.
"If bullets won't work, use swords!" Morgan screamed, raising his axe in their direction. Luffy just grinned wider. Showed more teeth…
C'mon little humans…
Let her play.
Another moment of hesitation and marines brandished their swords. Deep breath… And a bunch of them started yelling and running towards her. The girl just snorted quietly and moved, letting Zoro know that this will be his role. Quirk of an eyebrow, indicating she wanted a show… Savage glint in his own eyes…
Zoro rushed between Luffy and incoming marines blocking them all with his three swords. That was also the exact moment she noticed exactly how he holds his swords…
She snorted a laugh…
Should she be impressed that his jaw is strong enough to fight with sword in it? Or rather suggest lessons on proper use of it, if he's going to keep something long and hard in it?
While she was musing over her First Mate preferences, he was doing quick job of marines, proving that he was hailed the best swordsman in East Blue for a reason. At least until Luffy will get her blade.
But she noticed that he didn't have that stiffness Mihawk complained about her having, while she was around the same level as the greenhaired swordsman. He had potential to be great. She will make him great. Even if she'd need to get him there kicking and screaming entire way.
"He's too strong! He's a demon!" She was seriously proud of the terror her swordsman induced just by slashing few of marines. Did they expect him to be civilian? Seriously… She really hoped marines in Paradise won't be so quick to get scared.
"If you can't even defeat him, you're not worthy to be marines under my command!" Morgan thundered, making both pirates look at him with confusion. Then Luffy sucked breath in… He wouldn't really… Right? "Those that said that put your guns up and die!"
He would…
She suddenly really wished to be awakened Conqueror…
It was worse than Lord of the Coast… They were actually ready to listen to that order!
Captain shouldn't kill off his people! He should protect those under his command. Lead them gently. Help them become strong on their own… Not… this. Her eyes flashed red and she herself jumped in the direction of marine captain and started attacking him with single minded determination. If she'd deal with him quickly maybe some of the marines will be saved.
Blow, duck, duck, dodge, block, swipe, slash, kick!
She grimaced and moved her leg around at the pain, but then grinned with satisfaction at seeing Morgan get out of the hole in the wall. That kick was worth the pain.
"Stop! Don't move!" Luffy tilted her head to see idiotic blo… Helmeppo pointing gun to her with trembling fingers on the trigger. She smiled serenely, hiding all of the disgust she felt just looking at the brat.
"You or me, Zoro?" She asked and at his surprised face she explained "it was you that he wronged, after all." Rather than answering Zoro moved… Helmeppo yelped seeing swordsman he was tormenting not so long ago free and out for his blood and pulled the trigger. Luffy just ducked under the bullet and smiled with satisfaction, hearing pained grunt of idiot's father. The moment he was in striking distance, Zoro made two slashes. First to kill, second to clear blades off the blood. With delighted laugh Luffy turned around and finally knocked out Morgan.
Her choice for swordsman was excellent…
What was even more impressing was that Zoro indeed managed to not bloody himself when in fight… Too much that is.
They bound all the marines, Morgan (extra tight), and left them in the plaza. They had more pressing matters to attend to after all. Zoro had to be finally fed, what with him not being able to eat for so long.
√ -√v-√ -√v—
"Excuse me." They were just finishing eating their hard earned meal, in Zoro's case desperately needed meal, when they were interrupted by faux polite cough. "I'm Commander Ripper, we're very grateful for freeing us from Morgan's reign, but as you did attack our fellow marines you'll be marked as outlaws and so we need to ask you to leave the island. Now if you please" His words immediately causing people outside and inside of eatery to start yelling at him for running their heroes out of town.
"Hmm… Let me think about your oh so polite request Commander…" Luffy smiled mockingly at the coward who dares to come here with his title and tell her what to do. "Nah, my companion needs to recover from wounds caused by torture marines sprung on him. It'll be better for him to do so on land." She waved her hand dismissively and smirked at visibly irritated Ripper
"We have to insist. We even won't write about your involvement in report, but you're not welcome on the island." Ripper tried to appear firm when bargaining.
"Well I also have to insist on making sure he'll be fine. Meaning we're staying on land." Luffy mocked again, casting concerned glance at sitting next to her Zoro.
"Listen here girlie, do you know what attacking marine captain means? Get the hell out of here and thank us for not reporting you straight to headquarters!" One of the marines snarled at her. She could just see level of her irritation rising… The gall of those monkeys in uniforms… She caught the sight of familiar pink hair and shook her head discreetly. There was no need for him to become involved in it.
"Ugh… Anyone has den den mushi? I don't really want to go to my ship to get it but if I'll have to…" She said with somewhat airy tilt to her voice, adding more fruits to Zoro's plate and giving him pointed look when he tried to protest.
"Den den mushi are illegal on island Luffy-san." Tavern owner, coincidentally little Rika's mother enlightened her to that little fact.
"Is that so?" She raised eyebrow and looked at marines like they were cockroaches under her feet. "Zoro wait for me here, I'll get the den den. Make sure our new friends don't leave. They'll want to listen on to my call."
"Aye, Captain"
"Good boy" She patted his head again which was met with a growl. She gave a cheeky smirk and left eatery with steady steps. Once in the docks she stopped keeping illusion hiding the Dreamer intact and made a beeline towards it. There she grabbed the snail (love you Shishou) and left to eatery again, creating new illusion of ship sailing out of the docks. Once in eatery again, she snorted at terrified expressions on marines faces, angry shouts of villagers and straight up murderous scowl Zoro was giving them "What did they try to do now?" She asked laughing.
"They decided to put the bounty on our heads if we won't leave right now."
"Oh? Bounties?" She asked amused "We'll see how it'll go" Luffy snorted again and put the snail on the table. Smiled mockingly at marines and dialed Garp private number Bogard left her should she be in need of contact.
"What do you want?" Garp growled through den den making dear Commander Ripper, who recognized the voice from one of his visits, rapidly pale.
"How rude Grandpa~ And here I called to tell you I visited marine base in Shell's Town~" Luffy singsonged leaning closer to the snail and smiling playfully.
"Luffy? Luffy, darling did you finally decide to become marine? I'm so proud of yo…" Who'd know that little mollusc could be so expressive? That was some impressive display of hope… Such a shame that she had something to say…
"Marines enslaved entire population in here Grandpa" Luffy cut him off with sub-zero voice
"What?"
"Every month villagers were expected to pay tribute to marine captain here. Morgan, I believe he was called"
"Was?" Garp asked quietly with obvious trepidation
"Was. He ordered execution of 8 years old girl."
"What?"
"He also starved man for killing his son's wolf. Wild wolf who was attacking people left and right"
"What?" Every 'what' uttered by Garp was getting colder and colder
"Then he ordered his people to execute me"
"What." That one was completely flat and caused Ripper to become absolutely white
"Yup, because I was talking with man who saved citizens from the wolf."
"He's still alive then?" Garp asked with palpable relief
"Yes. He's a good man. We'll be traveling together for a while."
"Is he listening to us?"
"Yup"
"Listen here you good for nothing brat, if my granddaughter become hurt while in your company I'll personally hunt you down and tear you apart. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" Zoro answered with wide eyes.
"Don't scare my friends Grandpa~"
"Fine, fine… But he'd better take good care of you."
"Don't worry, Grandpa, he's a gentleman and quite strong. The only reason Morgan put him in execution site was because he sacrificed himself for that little girl, I told you earlier"
"Good. So coming back - Morgan was an asshole and tried to execute you. We'll need to get new commanding officer to the base. Something else?"
"Well… Kind of?" Luffy hedged a bit and made her best put upon expression "You see after being starved and beaten for so long Zoro just has to rest but those so called marines tried to run us out of town." Then she widened her eyes and put her best distraught expression on "They even threatened us with bounties Grandpa!"
"They did what?" Ripper was white as a sheet now. That was a voice that would scare even a Yonko when directed at them.
"I know right? And here I was ready to somehow give it a shot and see how marines are behaving while not in your or uncle Senny's vicinity. I'm not impressed." She sighed and then started wondering aloud "Do you think that even after getting rid of Morgan they planned to continue with their treatment of civilians? I guess they did get comfy, what with allowing weakling pirate like Alvida run rampart, I brought her in by the way, oppressing people they should protect, getting everything for free and generally not caring about anything but their captain's words?"
"Shell's Town you're saying Lu-chan?"
"Yup! 153rd branch of marine in East Blue. You're going to inspect it?"
"Yeah, inspection sounds good. You rest there in peace, I'll make sure people dealing with reports will get information about that… incident. Attacking civilians… seriously."
"By the way Grandpa… If you're gonna come here, could you take care of someone for me?"
"Someone?"
"Yeah, there's this kid, Coby. He wants to be marine but seeing the standards for marines in here… I'd feel better if you'd take care of him personally."
"I always wanted to have my own cute apprentice." Garp mused aloud causing her to smirk
"Admiral Aokiji's not cute enough?" She mocked calling to memory photo she's seen at one of the newspaper.
"Kuzan cute? Damn… I'd give my rice crackers to have someone say it to his face"
"Okay" She agreed readily, causing sputters from den den mushi and smirk from Zoro.
"You will not say it to your commanding officer!"
"Commanding officer Grandpa? Thanks to what I'm seeing I'm more prone to raising black flag than wearing 'justice' on my back."
"What? No, no, no… Luffy~" Garp whined with panicked look that looked absolutely hilarious on the snail "My little princess cannot raise black flag. It's bad enough those two ruffians did it. Luffy, princess…"
"One last chance Grandpa… If I'll meet another corrupt so marine in East Blue, I'm raising the flag. I'll even give you the name of the one at fault~"
"Luf…"
"See ya Grandpa, love you~"
*ka-chang*
"We'll stay on the island until Zoro will get better after your torture. Could you tell us where we could rent a room with proper bathroom? And maybe ask doctor to come and see him? He had few awful bruises when I found him." She announced throwing winning smile to the pale and trembling marines.
"Of course Luffy-san. You can rent a room at…" Ririka trailed off