Chapter V: Living by a Dream


Shells town and it's surrounding waters.


Captain 'Ax-Hand' Morgan recovered from the 'Straw Hat's' entrance before anyone else. Noticing his men had yet to process what they had just seen, he prepared himself to make a statement, but not before several of the soldiers started to mumble. "That man... how in the hell did he manage to shrug off those bullets like they were nothing?" Many were now torn between their fear of the captain and their fear for the newcomer.

Morgan was not the highest ranking Marine on the island for nothing, and had a good idea of what the situation before him was. He shared with his men what he knew off people like the pirate standing before him, though not before knocking them down with a strident admonishment. "Pull yourselves together. That rascal isn't some normal person. He must have eaten on of the 'devil fruits!'" He didn't know which though. "Be on your guard, I've never heard of an ability that granted someone invincibility. It could easily be a trick, everyone has a weakness." Wracking his brain, he formulated a strategy. "If guns won't work, then charge him with your swords!"

Luffy was still struggling to untie the ropes holding Zoro on the post when the swordsmen began their attack, so Alvida stepped between them and the oncoming stampede. With a deft swing of her famous mace, she knocked aside a handful of them easily. When one of the assaults finally broke through her guard and swung their weapon at her, he was shocked to find it it slid across her skin without leaving so much as a scratch. Knowing retreat was not an option, the scared fighter warned his comrades and did his best not to let the discovery slow them down. "She's a freak too, run around her!" Despite her skills, there were simply too many of them coming all at once for Alvida to hold back. Coby did his best to help her ward them off, but his wounded shoulder did nothing to help his already abysmal combat skills.

Finally finishing up with the first knot, Luffy exclaimed his success with a shout. "Woohoo, I got one! Why do you think they tied these ropes so tight?" Hands on his sides, he shook his head in disappointment. "Don't they know that cutting off your circulation isn't healthy? What if you had lost an arm?"

Zoro was already regretting his choice as he groaned at his captain in exasperation. "You idiot! We don't have time for stupid questions. Hand me my swords, I can take care of the rest." With a short toss Luffy threw the katana he had retrieved to the swordsman. Catching them under his arm he drew one of the blades with his free hand, and slashed the ropes away in a fluid motion. Putting the other two blades in his mouth and hand respectively, Zoro struck a defensive stance as the Marines brought their weapons to bear on the two; that single motion blocked at least a dozen blades. With a muffled voice due to the sword he held with his mouth, he rasped out a quiet threat. "I wouldn't move if I were you all. A single twitch and I'll kill you all." Freezing in place the attackers hesitated. Lucky for them he chose not to count their trembling blades as their internal deliberations raged. Shifting his intended audience to Luffy, he added one caveat to the arrangement. "Listen up, I know I've already agreed to join you. Either way now the Marines will be after me, so what I am called doesn't really matter much in the long run. But I still have my own goals." Lifting the point of his favorite cutlass 'Wado Ichimonji, the straight blade with a white hilt and hand guard often held in his mouth, he looked at him sidelong as he completed the condition. "As a bounty hunter or as a pirate, I will become the world's greatest swordsman. If you ever get in the way of my ambition, I will cut your stomach open without a seconds hesitation."

Nodding in agreement at the terms, Luffy shared a smirk with the man. "Good, you'd better become the best. If I'm going to become the 'Pirate King' then it's only right for you to be the 'World's Best.' Nothing less then that will do! If you can't even accomplish something like that I'd probably be embarrassed." Seeing the blocked swordsmen steeling their resolve for another barrage, he gave Zoro a shout. "Look out, duck!" Obeying without hesitation, the new crew member dropped to the ground as an orange roundhouse kick swung over his head, knocking out cold all of the men he had stopped moment earlier. "Tori Tori no... Talon Swipe!" Hearing the name of the move as the devil fruit user put his leg back down, he swore the fiery limb appeared to take on the visage of a bird's appendage before it shifted back to normal.

Alvida walked over and stood beside them; the intimidating trio stared down Captain Morgan and his remaining seamen. Coby plopped himself down on the sidelines in relief now that his help was no longer required. The Marine were once again torn. They were in a lose-lose situation, stuck between three pirates of monstrous strength and their tyrannical leader. "Captain, these pirates are too strong, we can't beat them!" Several of the newer recruits echoed the sentiment being shared. "We can't even defeat Zoro on his own, let alone two people impervious to injury!"

Raising his non ax bearing arm in front of him with a clenched fist Morgan lashed out at his terrified soldiers in a pitch that would make a drill sergeant deaf. "Hear me, this is an order! Anyone that agrees with what was just said needs to take their gun and shoot themselves right now." He gave his best menacing glare when none of them moved. "That's an order! I don't need useless soldiers underneath me, and that includes cowards." His men surprisingly started to follow his orders, lifting their pistols as they were told.

Not believing what they were seeing, the 'Straw Hat' pirates stood there dumbfounded. Alvida was the first to snap out of their stupor, and she looked to her captain for instructions. "What the hell do these guys think their doing? No one on my ship was ever that afraid of me. What should we do, let them reduce their numbers?" Luffy decided against it, and as an answer to her question began to charge Morgan head on. Zoro fell in line behind him, and she quickly followed after.

Off to the side Coby still couldn't believe the behavior of the Marines on this island. 'Is Morgan truly so terrifying that they would rather kill themselves then disobey him?' Unable to accept what he had learned since arriving, he made a heartfelt request of his new friend. "Luffy! Defeat these pathetic scumbags, they don't deserve to be called Marines. They are a disgrace to the very institution they are supposed to represent!" His anger was no longer willing to accept the injustices he had witnessed. "I don't want them to trample on my dreams any more then they already have!" His words snapped the soldiers out of automatic pilot, but it was too late to spare them from pain completely.

Unable to respond in time to the bull rush coming at them, the soldiers were batted aside by Alvida and Zoro. Luffy left the shock troops to his crew, and stopped himself in front of Morgan. "You're looking at the Marine's soon to be most wanted enemy." His gaze hardened, thought harkening back to just how much the Marine had wrecked the lives of the island's inhabitants. "I'm your opponent. If you want to execute someone, then at least have the guts to make it me!" Throwing a normal punch to test his foes fighting aptitude, the thrust was easily parried by the flat edge of the large ax attached to the Marine's arm.

Confidence restored, Morgan scoffed at his opponent. "Heh, people like you with no status have no right to oppose me. Learn your place!" Lunging forward he drew back his weapon. "I am Captain 'Ax-Hand' Morgan, and my will is absolute. Go to hell!"

Jumping over the swipe, the target avoided taking a painful hit. "Hi, I'm Luffy! I'd say 'nice to meet you,' but that would be a lie." The slash instead cut through the fence blocking of the execution area as if it were butter. "Woah, that is quite some upper body strength you have! Do you work out?" Twisting through the air as he fell back to the ground, he stretched out his legs to land a decisive blow to Morgan. "Tori Tori no... Drop Kick!"

Captain Morgan had to pick himself up off the ground slowly, body aching. His face showed his disbelief and anger as he rose. "You little bastard, just die already." With another chop, he brought the ax down over his head. Luffy dodged the attempt, as well as several furious follow-ups by bobbing and weaving around them. "Stay still you runt!"

Luffy chose to acquiesce, and slowed to a stop after driving Morgan to the ground with another kick to the face. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I have no intention of dying today." Kneeling down to dig his knees into the downed military man's chest, he started to pummel him with a flurry of fists. "Some Marine Captain you are. So much for rank. This is for ruining Coby's dreams!" Landing one last hit he ended the barrage, then slowly got up and walked away.

He didn't get far before an unpleasant shriek interrupted his victory. "Stop!" Holding a gun to Coby's head, Helmeppo repeated himself. "I told you to stop! If you don't want this idiot to die then don't take another step." Not sure he could reach the man in time before shots were fired, Luffy did as he was told, albeit reluctantly. " If any of you move I won't hesitate to shoot, so stay back!"

Tears were streaming down the former cabin boys face again. "Luffy, I'm so sorry! I don't want to be in your way, and I'm not afraid of death anymore, so don't worry about me!" Helmeppo looked at him aghast. "Charge full speed ahead!" Smiling at his young friend, Luffy stayed where he was. Behind him Morgan was back on his feet, stepping forward slowly but surely. Noticing this Coby tried to warn his captain. "Look out behind you!"

Luffy ignored him and continued to not move any muscles but the ones forming his grin. Suddenly a mace came down on Helmeppo as a sword struck down Morgan. Still in the same spot, he laughed at the out come. "Shishishi, Nice job guys, I knew I could count on you."

Zoro sheathed his swords and returned the smile. "Just leave everything to me Captain."

Alvida took the calm created by the victory to address all of the Marines still left standing. None of them had moved since the battle had begun between Morgan and Luffy, and the tinkling sound of her voice shook them from their shock. "With Captain Morgan and Helmeppo defeated, I believe we're done hear. Isn't that right Captain?" Receiving an affirmative nod, she turned back to the soldiers standing in rapt attention. "If you still want to arrest us, come and get it."

Looking side to side silently for a couple of seconds, it didn't take long for a massive cheer to break out. "Yes... we're free at last! Three cheers for the pirates!"

The pirates in question chuckled at their antics. With weapons and hats being tossed into the air, several of the men grabbed each other in tight embraces. "At last we are out from underneath the Morgan's thumb. Long live the Marines!"

Coby was the most pleased of the bunch, relieved to see first hand that the Marines had only acted as they had out of fear. "I'm so glad, they are happy to be free of that horrid Captain. That's a relief..."

Luffy looked at him with a strange look before his attention was diverted by a certain swordsman collapsing. "Zoro! Are you alright?"


... at a table in 'Food Foo' ...

Slamming his ale onto the table, Zoro was nearly back to his old self after finishing his fifth plate of food. "Man, I was starving. Who knew not eating for nine days could do such a number on you?" Raising his hand to call over a waitress, he leaned back into his chair.

Luffy was already on his 9th plate, and happily conversed with the man on his favorite subject, food. "Then it really would have been impossible to last a month! I told you so!"

Not one to back down when challenged, Zoro grumbled back at him. "Your so scrawny. How is it possible for you to eat that much more then me? Not t mention the fact that I'm eating way more then I normally would."

Alvida just smiled softly at the pair, finding the new addition to be a welcome one. Despite their past differences, everyone seemed to be getting along well. Focusing on Luffy, she acknowledged to herself that she truly was happier these days then she had been before he had literally fallen into her life and swept her off her feet. Of course he was in the middle of knocking her out whilst kidnapping her... but whats a few details? Joining in on the conversation, she called over to Rika and her mother, and they came over to take the next order. "Sorry about them. And myself as well, I've had one too many plates just the same as those two."

Busing their tables with a gentle smile, Rika's mother brushed aside her concerns. "Please, don't worry about that. You saved our town, this is the least we can do to repay you."

As she stepped away from the table to fetch another round of plates, Rika walked up and plopped herself in the chair next to Luffy. "Mr. Straw Hat, you're really great! How did you get to be so strong?" She matched his beaming grin with one of her own. "I want to be just like you when I grow up!"

Now back with more food, her mother smacked child upside the head with a dish towel. "None of that now Rika. No offense to you pirates, but I will not have my little girl grow up to be a pirate!" Crossing her arms in a huff, the aforementioned little girl stormed of to the back room. "I'm sorry about that, I only want what is best for her."

The rest of his crew nodded in understanding, but Luffy had a spacey look as he was brought back to his childhood years. Shifting the conversation toward Coby, he shocked the table with his next words. "Hey Coby..." Satisfied when he saw the boy look his way, he made his point. "I think you should stay here and become a Marine."

Coby's face morphed into one of depression. "What? But I thought you wanted me on your crew. Is this about not being able to help much in the fight?" His voice sped up as he grew more and more desperate. "I promise I'll train hard. I want to achieve my dreams just like you!"

Alvida chimed in to express confusion with her captain, while Zoro reserved judgement until he heard the reasoning behind the statement. "But Luffy... you did say he could join. What changed your mind?"

Giving Coby a kind smile, he explained his thought process. "But didn't you say your dream was to become a Marine, going around catching criminals?" That stopped the boy's spiraling dismay in its tracks. "I think you should join the Marines. You were so passionate about joining them until you came here and saw the corruption cause by Morgan... I don't want to have taken that dream away from you and replaced it with my own." Still unable to find his voice, Coby just sat there as he took in his friends advice. "Besides, the sea can be a dangerous place. You should take the time to train yourself before you go out into the world and put yourself in dangerous situations. I'll make you a deal. Spend the next four years working hard as a Marine, and if at the end of all that you still find the Navy unappealing I will let you join my crew."

Finally speaking up, Coby shed tears as he replied. "I don't know what to say... I'm torn. After seeing how wrong the Navy can go, I'm not sure I can believe in my old dream anymore."

Alvida however, had already been convinced. "Luffy is right. The three of us have the skills necessary to protect ourselves. You wouldn't want to be a liability again, would you?" She continued after wiping away his tears, much to his disbelief. "I know I took away two years of your life, but now is your chance. Change the way the Marines operate yourself, and mold them into your vision of justice. I think the world will be a better place for it if you do."

Luffy finished the discussion of it's merits with one final challenge to the boy. "But you better be prepared if you don't decide to join us again. I plan on getting a lot stronger, so catching up to me won't be easy."

Coby was smiling now, and nodded at his former Captain. "Luffy... Zoro... and you too Alvida. Thank you so much! I know things haven't always been great between us, but I don't want to know who'd I'd be without you. So again... thank you."

It was Zoro's turn to direct the conversation now, and he asked his captain what their plans were now that they had no more business in shells town. "Speaking of growing stronger, where are we headed from hear Captain?"

Happy with the new topic, Luffy answered without any hesitation. "Oh, that's an easy one. We're headed to the 'Grand Line.'" The determination in his voice rang though with clarity, and Alvida and Zoro knew there would be no arguing over this one.

Coby, on the other hand, was not convinced the plan was a good one. "Your still going on about that? How can the three of you survive if it's just you heading into the 'Grand Line.' Don't you understand? All the greatest pirates from around the world gather there." Noticing his words were falling on deaf ears, he closed his argument. "You don't even have a real ship yet, just a supply boat!"

Zoro was pleased with the decision, so he took the other side of the debate. "So we are going for One Piece, huh... I like it. It wouldn't hurt to at least be heading in that direction as we gather more members and a proper vessel. It should be fun." Talking to Coby now, he question the boy's stance. "Why do you care anyway? It's not like your going with us anyway."

Coby didn't let the rebuttal faze him. "I don't care! Even though I just met you and Luffy, I'd like to think we are friends after everything we have been through... am I not allowed to worry?"

Luffy smiled at the confidence that was so apparent in the boy's words. "Of course you can! That's what friends do; and we will always be friends, no matter how long we don't see each other."

Tears began to stream down the young man's face at the sentiment his friend was expressing. "I never had many friends growing up. Even the people who tolerated me would look the other way when I was picked on, never standing up for me." He wiped away his tears and pasted a fragile smile on his face. "But the two of you... taught me to live by my dreams."

Alvida smirked victoriously. "Doesn't that apply to the two of them as well. Aiming for their dream is the only reason you had them around to teach you that lesson."

Coby laughed nervously as he acknowledged her point. "Heh, I guess that's true... wait, I mean I still think you're being way to reckless!"

Zoro chose this moment to rest his sword's on Coby's forehead. "You need to start worrying about yourself instead." Seeing his confusion, the swordsman clarified. "Against you're will or not. Merely being the chore boy doesn't change the facts; you were a pirate." His voice became grave. "Don't underestimate the Marines ability to gather information. You spent two years on her ship. If they have proof of that you'll need to find some way to convince them of your innocence."

Alvida felt her gaze drift to the floor in shame. "Coby, I really am sorry for that. I was a far more selfish person then I am now, but that does not excuse me."

Luffy smiled when he caught sight of a familiar face entering the bar with his peripheral vision, and provided a source of hope to the adolescencnt. "That won't be a problem."

Before any of them could respond to the cryptic statement, Lieutenant Ripper interrupted them. "Excuse me! We were wondering, are you really pirates?" He had brought a binder of the official Marine organizationizational structure. "It's just... we have it in here, with a picture to confirm, that you are a former Marine Captain, having achieved that rank at an unprecedented age of 15; after only three years of service."

Luffy's companions were now staring at him in shock, but he just laughed the man off. "That's old news, I only joined because my grandpa made me..." He crossed his arms and grumbled in such a manner as to put the most spoiled of children to shame. "Something about not trusting me to stay on Dawn Island..."

Coby took this opening to take a crack at Luffy. "Smart grandfather." The unusual grouping all shared a laugh at that.

Well... all except Luffy. With a pout, he finished his explanation. "I'm retired now." Pointing to Alvida and Zoro, he contradicted the direction Ripper's reasoning was taking him. "These two are the first two members of my crew. Would you mind taking this brat I picked up at sea? You can contact Marine Headquarters and tell them about us if you want."

Ripper pulled his standard issue hat down over his eyes, disappointed that the man hadn't taken the way out he had just offered. "Despite being pirates, and having no reason to help us, the reality of the situation is that you are our saviors." His words grew quiet. "But as pirates it is our responsibility to ensure that Shells Town provides you no safe haven. As Marines we cannot allow you to stay any longer." Raising his voice, he struggled to be heard over the growing sounds of discontent coming from the other resteraunt guests. "Please leave immediately. As for the events that occurred here, we will be reporting them in full at our annual headquarters meeting in one months time. That is the best we can do."

The roar of the crowd grew deafening, and several Marines feared a revolt. "What kind of bullshit is this? Are you kidding me, or are you just mad that they're the town's saviors!"

Luffy however just got up and motioned for his crew to follow. "Alright then, let's go. They aren't lying, that is the best deal we could have struck here." Turning to Rika and her mother before walking out the door. "Thank you for the food. Keep an eye on Coby here, we wouldn't want him getting kidnapped again!"

At that Ripper addressed Coby. "Are you really not a part of thier group?" Luffy and his crewmates stopped their exit to hear his response.

Biting his lower lip and trembling as he held backtears, the boy ended their suspense. "I... I... I'm not with them." His friends resumed their departure with smiles.

Ripper however was eyeing the goodbye with suspicion. "Please wait! Is he telling the truth?"

Luffy turned around to tell the man what he wanted to know. "Well, he isn't with me, that's for sure. He's way too wimpy." Coby sighed in a deafeted manner, but the next word's made him worry. "But I do know what he used to do. You see, when I met he him was with this nasty pirate lady, her name was something like..."

He was cut off by a punch to the face. "Shut up, I never wanted to be with her!" Coby pulled back his arm to repeat the action, but Luffy returned the favor before he could try.

Liutenant Ripper had seen enough. "Stop this, both of you. We will not condone anymore fighting in this place. It's clear that he isn't your friend. Leave now before I change my mind." Without another word, the pirates disappeared out the door.

Coby couldn't remember feeling more useless as he laid there on the floor. 'He was saying those things for me... Luffy... you truly are a great friend. You wanted to make me mad so I would start that fight. Even now, I'm still relying on you to do everything. I have to make the most of this chance, I won't let them down!' He scrambled to his feet and stood at attention. "Please let me join the Marines! Even if I have to do chores, please accept me!"

One of the lower ranked Marines tried to affect the Lieutenants descision. "I'm against it. There have been instances where pirates have planted children as sleeper agents. We need to do a thorough background check before considering his request."

Fearful of the results of such a measure, Coby raised his voice for a confident proclamation. "I am a man whose dream is to become a Marine Admiral!"

Ripper gave it one last consideration before deciding. "Don't think we didn't already find out about your time in Alvida's employ." He paused and gave him a soft grin. "But I will still let you join. I expect you to work hard to reach your goal, alright."

No longer able to stop the flow of tears, Coby sniffled. "Sir, yes, sir!"


... At the pier, boarding the ship ...

"That was a really nice thing you did back there." Alvida cut the line tying the vessel to the dock and pushed them off.

Zoro plopped himself down and made himself comfortable. Looking back, he saw a person waving on the pier. "Well would you look at that."

Coby was saluting them as he shouted out his farewell. "Thank you Luffy, I will never forget all you have done for me!" He jumped when he heard another shout, coming from behind him.

"Marines, group salute!" Every Marine stationed on the island followed through willingly. "You have some good friends boy."

Chuckling at the sight, Alvida turned her attention to what was to come. "So Captain, what's our heading?"

Tilting his head to the side, Luffy filled the other passengers with despair. "What's a heading?"