Chapter IV: Zoro's Resolve
Set in Shells Town, home to a naval base, and its surrounding waters.
Leaping over the wall with ease, Luffy left Alvida and Coby by the main gate. His thoughts were directed on making sure none of what was to come would cause any harm to befall the people of Shells Town. He was angry, but he had never forgotten any of the lessons Shanks, his brothers, or his grandfather had taught him on being a good man. With a strut he approached the incarcerated swordsman. Luffy waved and shouted, "Yo, what's up?"
Looking nonplussed by the pirates return, Zoro told him off. "Oh, it's you again?" he said with a sad shaking of his head. Luffy just smiled at him. Softening, Zoro spoke with commiseration. "I'm pretty damn uncomfortable, so I understand the concept of not getting what you want from life sucks." Hardening again he returned to a tone of admonishment. "But I already told you; I do not want to be, nor do I feel inclined to become, a pirate."
Ignoring his off-putting response Luffy introduced himself to the man for the first time while moving towards the ropes holding him down. "Hi, I'm Luffy! It must really suck not to be comfortable… I'll just loosen up those ropes, and then you'll join my crew, alright?"
Exasperation forming a slow twitch in his left eye, Zoro controlled his voice, breathing deeply to maintain his calm. "I've told you clearly. I have things that I need to do, and I'm not going to let becoming some petty criminal be my ticket to doing so. Now scram!"
With an exaggerated look of confusion Luffy brushed aside the reasoning. "Really, that's what's holding you up?" Taking his turn to shake his head sadly, he began to untie the restrains. "Everyone already thinks you're a bad guy anyway, what would be the difference? We'll just be pirates that only do criminal stuff that doesn't hurt people!"
With a grin he started to loosen the other hand, but Zoro shook him off. "I don't care what anyone says about me, I have never once made a decision I have regretted in the past, and I intend to do the same in the future… I won't become a criminal, or a pirate for that matter." When the pirate recruiting him only stared back impassively, he grew irritated. "You can't just decide things for others yourself! Either help me out or don't, but I won't compromise my code of honor."
With an unnaturally even tone, Luffy gave up his attempts to loosen the ropes in exchange for 'Plan B.' "Hey, so I heard that you're pretty amazing with a katana, is that right? Well, at least when you're not tied up that is, he he he." With a mischievous glint betraying his intent, he began his next play. "Do you happen to know where it is perchance?"
Grateful for the change in topic, Zoro replied readily but neglected to correct the pirate's use of the singular instead of plural. "Heh, that bastard kid took it. Just the thought of him holding something I treasure only slightly less than my life… well it makes me sick."
Perking up at a particular word, Luffy prodded him further. "Ooh, 'treasure' huh?" With a knowing look and hand on his chin he attempted to nod sagely. "It must be something really special." With a final nod, he informed Zoro of his decision. "Okay! I'm going to go get Helmeppo and make him give me your katana. But as a pirate, once I steal something, like your sword..." Luffy paused meaningfully, "well let's just say it kind of becomes mine…" His 'Cheshire' grin making an appearance, he finished with an offer. "So if you want it back from me you'll have to join me."
Exploding at the proposed deal and the self-satisfied smirk on the teen's face, Zoro ripped into him. "That's dirty! Those are my swords not yours!" But Luffy was already out of sight, having hopped the fence and headed off to the base. Muttering to himself, he tried to blow off the steam that he had failed to direct at the pirate. "Is he planning on sneaking into the base? What a fool…"
… Atop the Marine Base …
Heaves and grunts accompanied the groans of effort as a group of seamen were hoisting a large, cast iron statue of their Captain's likeness. "Okay men, you have it in the right position, keep lifting the statue!" As the incredibly heavy figure was slowly rising, Captain Morgan shifted his attention to his son. "Why am I always cleaning up your messes? I allow you a lot of leeway with my name, but I will only punish those who oppose my will." His emphasis on the word 'my' was not missed by his men or son. "Do not misunderstand reality. You are not the great one. No, that is I, your father. Me!" Turning to address everyone on the roof, he raised his ax and voice in a bold statement. "With this arm, I have brought down pirates and risen to the rank of Captain. Rank is everything! I am the highest ranking officer of this base, and thus my word is law. I speak without error, for great men do not make mistakes."
Torn between their task at hand and fear of reprisal for not showing proper respect, the Marines merely shouted out their response. "Yes sir! You are absolutely correct Captain Morgan, sir!"
Turning his gaze skyward, he admired his statue. "Look at this! This is a symbol of my power. After years of work, this everlasting testament to my might has finally been completed. Let it stand at the peak of my island!" Attention once more on Helmeppo, Morgan asked his son about the incident earlier in the day. "Now I heard tell of some little mouse sneaking into the execution site this morning, is that true?"
With a capitulating lilt the boy tried to downplay the incident, knowing full well what his father expected of him in these situations. "Oh, you mean that little girl." Waving it off, he made to appease his father. "No need to worry about that no one, I've already taken care of her."
Morgan's response was direct and cutting. "So you executed her?" Seeing Helmeppo's hesitation as he tried to formulate an answer, the captain snorted and gave up on getting anything more from his progeny. "Lieutenant Ripper! Go head into town and kill her, now. I don't care how old you are; if you defy my will the punishment is death."
The average looking Marine found his courage, and refused despite his fear. "But… but Captain Morgan sir, she's just a little girl. I cannot do that!" A dark look dawned on the ax-handed man's face as he stepped toward his direct report.
With a menacing bark Captain 'Ax-Hand' Morgan enforced his will upon the man. "Cannot do it? Or will not? You are my Lieutenant, right? That is what… two ranks below the rank of Captain?" Bringing the flat of his ax down on Ripper's chest, he heard a satisfying crunching of ribs. Morgan judged his man right then and there. "No one has the right to question my orders you traitor." The remaining men not tasked with lifting the statue quickly carried the wounded soldier to the infirmary. "Never mind… I'll go myself. It is about time to remind everyone who is in charge here."
… At the base of the highest tower in the Marine encampment …
Luffy was more confused than usual. He circled the towers looking for guards, only to find none. Scratching the back of his head through his straw hat, he pondered aloud. "That's strange... there isn't a marine in sight. Are they having a meeting or drill… or something like that?" Running into the base he discovered that at least the first floor was similarly empty of stationed men. "Never mind the katana, how am I supposed to find that idiot son?"
Suddenly Luffy heard the sound of chanting coming from outside. A commanding voice could be heard leading the chorus. "Pull! Pull! Pull!" As the lifters were raising the statue, they maintained its ascent with wobbly arms. Just as Luffy made it outside, the marines realized too late that the statue's arms were wobbling as well. A metallic hand hit the door to the stairway. Not one to forgive the little things, Morgan's angry yells were easily heard from the base of the tower by Luffy. "Hold it! Just now, you damaged my statue!"
Down below Luffy settled on his course of action. "Huh, seems like there are people up there. One of them might be able to lead me to Helmeppo… guess I'll just have to go up there and see." With a blast of blue and orange fire he shot up the side of the base in his phoenix form. Just as Luffy shot off toward the roof, Alvida and Coby arrived in the yard; only to find Zoro alone and their Captain nowhere to be found.
… Back atop the base …
One poor, unfortunate soul had the misfortune of being singled out for the statue mishap. "Do you know how long I've been looking forward to the completion of this statue?" Morgan brought his iron jaw inches from the chosen victims own. "And you went ahead and damaged it. This statue represents me. Damaging it is the same as disrespecting me." The man knew what was coming, and tried to flee down the stairs. He would not have made it except for the flash of blue that distracted Morgan from the fleeing Marine.
The roof's occupants heard a loud shot as Luffy shot by, only to catch himself on the cords being used to stand up massive statue. With a loud sigh Luffy slowed at last. "Phew, I wasn't sure I'd manage the landing there for a second, thanks for holding out those ropes for me!" The men who had been holding the ropes were scattered around the ground, with many of them holding up rope-burnt hands gingerly. In another turn of misfortune for the men, they no longer had enough people to lift up the statue. Consequentially, it split in two as it fell onto the roof. Everything went deathly quiet. Under the weight of the cast iron, part of the roof cracked open as the statue slid through to the next floor. The cigar Morgan had been puffing on fell from his mouth. Helmeppo was stunned speechless by the reappearance of the man who had hit him. The marines were doing their best not to draw attention to themselves after the statue had broken, afraid they would be included in their Captain's wrath. Seeing what he had wrought, Luffy turned towards the men and blurted out a quick, "Sorry!"
'Sorry' was all it took to snap Captain Morgan back to reality and into a rage. "Capture him! He's a dead man once I get my ax into him!" His Marines got up right away, but were not quick enough.
Before anyone could react, Luffy snatched up Helmeppo and dragged him into the base. As he was being dragged away, he yelled out to his father. "Dad, it's him! He's the one who hit me! I told you he was no good!"
Unfortunately for the Marines, their normal personnel director for conflict situations was being treated in the infirmary for ax related wounds. Thus their response time was sluggish, but Morgan quickly whipped them into shape. "What are you waiting for? They headed into the main building!" In a tone that demanded absolute obedience, he added one final instruction. "I want him captured alive. His head is mine!"
But before they could follow through one of the more courageous of the Marines addressed the Captain. "But commander, we have another situation!" Looking out into the yard he could see Alvida and Coby next to Zoro, with the young man doing his best to untie the unusually tight restraints. "There are some people at the execution site!"
Captain Morgan was beyond irate. "More traitors? Fine then, their fate is sealed. Half of you will search the base for the intruder, while the other half will come with me to block off exits from the yard." Turning to the soldier who had spotted the new intruders, he issued an execution order. "Wait a few moments to allow the men to block off the exits… then shoot them down."
... At the execution site ...
Coby was frantically working at the knots tying down the swordsman, but to no avail. He may have had better luck, but what he had just learned from Zoro had left his fingers trembling. "What? Luffy is inside the base? What is he thinking; does he want to pick a fight with the Marines?" Trying to steady his hands, he continued his efforts to free the swordsman.
Zoro's interest had been piqued by the strange man and his crew mates, and took this opportunity to probe for information. "Hot headed seems to sum him up quite nicely, that's for sure. Who are you people anyway?" His own sense of right and wrong prompted him to ask another thing. "And why are you three helping me? The Marines here will kill you for what you're doing."
Alvida laughed at the description before replying. "You have no idea how spot on you are with that description." Smiling to herself, she addressed his questions and concerns. "He hasn't been sailing very long, but we are all the people he has rounded up so far for his journey to become 'King of the Pirates.' So don't worry about us, we're tougher then we look." She finished with an attempt to assuage his guilt. "The marines would be after us anyway, my bounty is still active."
Coby added his two cents to the conversation. "Even if that weren't the case, I would still help you. I can't stand the type of person that would do to you and this city what those Morgan's have done here." Tears were forming in the corners of his eyes. "I had dreamed of being a Marine, to help protect people! But if this is what they have come to, I'd rather die than join those cowards!"
Zoro was trying to process everything he had just learned. No wonder she looked so familiar, that is 'Iron Mace' Alvida!' "Pirate King? You're joking right, that's a fools dream." But before either of his rescuers could respond a loud bang was heard. Coby was grasping his shoulder, falling to the ground and crying out in pain. A bullet had just managed to clip him, and it was the first time he had ever received such an injury. Looking up in the direction of the shot, one glare from Zoro was enough to unnerve the marksman on the roof and halt the potential barrage of ammunition.
… Inside the base …
"They're over there! Stop where you are and put your hands up!" The Marines were hot on their trail as Luffy dragged Helmeppo through the hallways searching for Zoro's weapon. His unfortunate captive's skull had several lumps forming as his head bounced off the ground repeatedly.
Making his way down the last passageway on the current level, Luffy finally collected his thoughts enough to ask for directions. "Hey, weird-haired bastard, where is Zoro's katana?" Hearing a muffled noise in reply, he lifted the man's face from the floor.
Breathing in a sigh of relief, Helmeppo started to sputter out immediately. "I'll tell you! I'll tell you! Just stop dragging me!" Coming to an abrupt halt, he was lifted from the ground and held up in the air by the collar of his shirt.
Satisfied with the proffered deal, Luffy quickly agreed. "Okay, spill it! Where is it and which way should I go to get there?"
Shaking in his boots, Helmeppo answered in nervous spurts. "It's… they're inside my room!" Sucking in a gulp of air and pointing back down the hall from which they had just exited, he continued hesitantly. "We've already ran past it!"
His answer was met by a punch to the face. "Why didn't you tell me that sooner? Which room is it?" He had just started back the way they had come from when he ran into the group of soldiers that had been chasing him.
With rifles raised and a firm voice, the group's commander spoke up. "Don't move! Release Helmeppo and raise your hands above your head where I can see them!"
Luffy complied with the second instruction but decided to ignore the first request. Putting up his hands he positioned Helmeppo between himself and the guns pointed at his head. "I'm going to have to say no to that first one, sorry!" Rushing past them in a blur he took off for his prisoner's room. "You can have him back later. Go ahead and shoot if you want!"
… Back at the execution site …
Needless to say, Coby was not taking well to having been the target of an attack. "Aaahhh! I've been shot! Blood… I'm bleeding!" He was beginning to hyperventilate as he pulled his hand from his shoulder to inspect the wound. "I'm going to die, I know it!"
Zoro looked at the boy with caring eyes, but responded with an exasperated scoff. "Are you well enough to get up? They're going to be here any second, and if you don't want a few more of those poking holes through your body I suggest you run away now. Your life depends on it."
Alvida helped Coby from the ground before taking over his task of unraveling the bounty hunter's bonds. "You still seem to be underestimating us. We are far more then what meets the eye." Glancing over her shoulder at her newly minted comrade's shoulder, she was relieved to find him calming down already. 'He really has grown since we left my ship…'
Zoro wasn't going to let this go though. "The sniper may regain his nerve and start firing again at any moment. And then you will be less than an eye!" Shifting to a persuasive tone, he kept going. "But there is no need for all of this. As long as I can stand this hell for another 20 days or so they'll set me free. That isn't worth risking your life." Sure of his point, he sent them away once more. "Now hurry up and leave before they send anybody out here!"
Coby's face was dark as he corrected the swordsman. "But they won't set you free! We overheard the stupid jerk bragging about how he set the execution for three days from now! And that if he kills you before the month is up, then you technically didn't survive it!" Brimming with barely contained rage, he finished the tale. "He never intended to keep his promise. When Luffy learned that he was toying with you, he punched him in the face and then took off for here."
Zoro was speechless. "What did you just say…?" The past week and a half flashed before his eyes, all wasted time that he would never get back.
Alvida confirmed what he had just been told. "The Navy was never going to let you off. Whether it was just the command unit stationed here or orders from above, you were always set to be executed." She huffed in frustration as her smooth fingers struggled to find the traction needed to undo the knots. "I know you aren't keen on being a pirate, but you should help Luffy out with the Marines once we free you." With a bit of chagrin she kept going. "He is annoyingly persistent, but he won't force you to join. That's just not his style." Huffing at her struggle with the ropes, she finally admitted defeat to the twined foe. "But he is very strong. Once he gets back out here with your swords we can cut these lose. Together we will have no problem escaping from here."
As if on cue, the gate at the front of the execution area opened and a line of shooters streamed in. Captain 'Ax-Hand' Morgan followed behind with a bellow. "That's enough! You two have committed treason with your foolish attempts to free my prisoner. Prepare to make this place your grave!" Coming to a stop, he directed the rest of his men to their assigned duty. "Surround the base! Don't let that fool with a straw hat escape!" Turning back to the people at gunpoint, he prodded for information. "Now, what do we have here? Were you three planning a political upheaval?" With a snort he rested his blade on his shoulder. "The great 'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro… 'Iron Mace' Alvida… I may have heard of your names, but don't get ahead of yourselves! Before my strength you are merely ants waiting to be stepped on. No better than garbage." He turned to his men. "Ready your weapons… and fire!"
Staring down the barrel of the gun, a single thought dominated Zoro's mind. 'I can't die here; I still have a promise to keep!'
… Flashback …
Outside of a small town dojo, a group of children dressed in kendo gear were circling around the end of a match. A young Zoro is lying on the ground, defeated. "And with that Kuina is the winner, despite Zoro's use of two swords! Their record now stands at two thousand to zero!"
Standing over her downed opponent, Kuina smirked at the boy below her. "Humph, how pitiful. You can't even beat a girl like me, and you want to be called the dojo's top apprentice. Don't make me laugh!"
Rushing to his aid, several of Zoro's friends defended his honor. "Hey, he isn't weak at all! He is the best in our dojo besides you! He even gives adults a hard time! Just because he can't beat you don't mean he isn't really good!"
Putting away the practice sword, Kuina barely paid them any mind. "Is that so? Either way, he can't be the best because he is weaker than me. Even when using two swords he doesn't stand a chance! Just admit defeat like a man Zoro!"
Getting up, Zoro scoffed and walked off. 'Damn it, I lost again… she's only better then me because she's the sensei's daughter. If I could train with him all the time I just know I could beat her!'
Inside the dojo he threw his two training blades on the ground. Hearing the commotion he was causing, his sensei approached him. "You lost again Zoro? What a pity. You'll have to train even harder for your next match."
Zoro wasn't convinced that would be enough. "Why can't I beat her? I already train all day and night! You've been secretly training her because she's your daughter, haven't you?"
Shaking his head, the Sensei denied the accusation. "I've done no such thing. Kuina just has more experience then you. She is several years older after all. Keep practicing and I'm sure you'll catch up to her when you get older."
Running off once again he vented his frustrations. "But that's not soon enough. I want to set sail and become the world's greatest swordsman, but I can't do that if I still have an opponent here to defeat! I won't lose again!" Running off again, he made his way to Kuina's favorite training ground. Zoro issued his challenge as the sun was setting, and she was finishing her evening routine. Noticing someone enter the clearing she paused to hear what he had to say. "Kuina, I want you to duel me again. This time with real katanas! I snuck them out of the dojo, so we should be able to spar with them here unnoticed."
Kuina accepted one of the blades with no complaint. "Bring it!" Taking her stance, she waited for Zoro to make the first move. With a feral cry he leapt forward but his emotions betrayed and telegraphed his moves. It did not take her long to make quick work of him. Bringing her blade down into the dirt beside his head, she collapsed beside him with a grin. "And there is win number two thousand and one."
Zoro had brought his hand up to cover the tears coming from his eyes. "Damn it… damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it! I can't believe you are this much better then me!"
Kuina wasn't having any of it. "Stop crying, I'm the one who should be upset. Little by little you're creeping up on me. With each match it is getting tougher to defeat you. When a girl grows up she eventually loses out to guys when it comes to physical strength. I have to be quicker, more skilled, or I'm going to fall behind pretty soon…" Tears began to form in her eyes as well. "Don't you always say you're going to become the world's greatest swordsman? Don't you ever wonder why it isn't swords-woman? Papa says that a girl could never become the world's number one… so it's good that you are a guy! I want to be the best too, but at least one of us can do it."
With a punch to the face Zoro knocked away the words falling from her lips. "How dare you! Your telling me all of this crap after you defeated me? That is not fair. Becoming like you, beating you… these have been my goals. Are you trying to tell me that when I do finally beat you it won't be because I'm better, but because I'm I guy?" He was on a roll now, and anger had taken over his words. "What does that make me? I train day in and day out to defeat you, so don't you dare try to claim that being a girl has anything to do with being a good swordsman! Let's make a promise, here and now. One of us will become the world's best swords user, no matter what. We'll race to see who gets there first! And if it is you… well I'll just have to defeat you and take the title for myself!"
With a chuckle, Kuina brightened at his words. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, and admonished herself. "You're right, I'm being stupid. After all you were the loser." She laughed at Zoro's irritated expression. Before they walked away for the evening she grasped his hand and kissed his cheek. "But, it's a promise!" As she walked away with the pilfered blades the young man just stood there, face ablaze.
The next morning Zoro was rudely awakened by one of his friends rushing into his room. "Zoro, something terrible has happened! Come quick we need to get to the dojo!" Getting out of bed with a grumble he got up slowly. "Zoro… I don't know how to say this but… Kuina… well last night Kuina fell down the stairs and died!" Not wanting to believe what he was being told, Zoro changed his pace and quickly dressed himself before rushing off to the dojo with his friend.
As he arrived, he noticed his sensei standing over Kuina's lifeless body. He had put her to rest at the back of the dojo, surrounded by a candle shrine. His worst fear confirmed, Zoro needed to be held back as he shouted at the corpse. "You bastard! We made a promise! You can't just get of it like that by dying you idiot!"
Motioning for his friend to let the boy go, Kuina's father knelt before him. "I understand how you feel Zoro, truly I do." The man was barely able to contain his own righteous fury at the world. "But we can't let this ruin us. I know she would not want that." With a sorrowful look he gazed at his daughter's lifeless form. "Human beings are such fragile creatures…"
Snot dripping from his nose, he met his sensei's eyes with a sob. "Sensei, please gift me with her sword. I will become great, greater then anyone ever before!" Picking up the blade resting on her body he recommitted to their vow. "I will become the world's number one swordsman! I will become famous enough that even in heaven people will know of my name!"
... Flashback end ...
… Present day, inside Helmeppo's room …
Entering into an ornately decorated room, Luffy spotted three blades lying up against the wall. "You were right; it looks like this is the correct spot." Crossing past the bed, he tried to determine which one he needed to bring. "Alright, now which one is Zoro's?" Hearing no response, he tried to shake Helmeppo. "What's wrong, did you faint or something?" Tossing the now useless boy aside, he caught sight of the commotion brewing outside the window. 'What's going on?' Grabbing all three weapons, deciding to figure out which was the right one later, he jumped out of the window. His timing could not have been more perfect. As he landed on the ground in front of his crew, the Marines fired on Alvida, Coby, and Zoro. The bullets hit Luffy in the back but disappeared harmlessly in a splash of blue fire. Luffy took the shots that had just been fired at his crew with a grin.
Everyone around him looked on in shock. The Marines and Morgan could not believe he was still standing. Zoro was ready to yell that getting yourself killed was no way to build a crew! Even Alvida and Coby, despite having seen his recoveries before first hand, were taken aback by the dramatic intervention their Captain had just staged. "Luffy, are you all right?" Alvida was embarrassed by the concern in her voice, but did not let that stop her from checking on her Captain.
With a shout Luffy reveled in their varying reactions. "It's no use, I'm invincible!" And with that he started cackling madly. Soft blue embers sparked across his chest, which did not go unnoticed by his enemies, who were scared off by his power and long drawn out maniacal laughter.
Zoro was still in shock. "What kind of human are you? How are you still standing after taking so many bullets to the back?"
Showing the swordsman the blades he had retrieved, he cackled out his next response. "He he he, I'm the type of human that will become 'King of the Pirates!'" Satisfied by his answer, he asked the tied up man about the weapons he had retrieved. "I couldn't figure out which one was yours, so I just grabbed all of the katanas that were up there. Is one of these swords your 'treasure?'"
Eyeing them with an appreciative smile, he corrected their rescuer. "All three of them are mine, though only one of them is the treasure I was referring to. I use multiple blades when I fight."
That brought an even brighter smile to Luffy's face, if that was even possible. "Wait what? You use three swords…? That's so awesome!" Gesturing to the still speechless Marines, he made his pitch one last time. "So what do you think? If you resist arrest here with me they will make you an outlaw anyway. But if you don't then you'll die. So what do you choose… piracy or death?"
Zoro smiled resignedly at the incorrigible pirate. "You must be the devil's offspring… screw it! You have a deal. It's too soon for me to die here. I'd rather be a pirate then forfeit my life before I've accomplished my goal." Looking back at the Marines, who were slowly regaining their senses, he prodded his new Captain with a renewed sense of urgency. "Now hurry up and get these ropes off me!"
