A little bit earlier for you guys this time! Hope you enjoy, please review and let me know what you think!

Word count: 7037 (just a bit lower than the first chapter)

Next Chapter: Gathering More Crew Members - August 8th 2016

Blessed by the Sea

Chapter 2: Ten Years Later

Luffy and I had only left Dawn Island 3 days ago, and already our food supply was gone, well, not that it was very large in the beginning anyway. The barrel of apples was given to us by Makino which Luffy now sat on top of, looking out over the water. His stomach growled in sync with mine. "Melody, I'm hungry!" Luffy wined and flopped back to look at me from atop the barrel.

I hit him up the head. "You wouldn't be if you hadn't eaten everything so fast!"

"You ate a lot too!" he yelled back, unfazed by the hit.

"Are you calling me fat?!" I yelled, scandalized.

"No, Sorry" I still huffed and crossed my arms, the both of us were hungry if we didn't reach an island, or even another boat soon we were going to be in trouble. But it was nice to be back on the sea, so far my almost non- existent sailing skills have kept us afloat and I managed to keep us from falling into a whirlpool the other day.

"Look ahead!" Cried Luffy, he was pointing at ship in the distance

"Is that a ship?" I raised a hand to block the sun from my eyes.

"It looks like two" pointed out Luffy "a Pirate ship attacking a cruise ship maybe"

He always had the better sight out of the two of us, and was properly correct.

"Might be"

He broke out into a grin "Come on! They might have food, start rowing!"

"Hai, Hai" I slid over the bench and picked up one of the oars as Luffy tied the sail and slid in beside me and took the other.

We rowed for about 20 minutes before we made it up close. A bright pink pirate ship, shaped like a heart was attached to a fancy looking cruise ship. A few planks of wood and ropes were all that were connecting them.

"What do you think Captain?" There were no signs of fighting, but some faint yelling above. I turned to Luffy who was listening carefully.

"Go check out the kitchen, see what you can grab. Seems like they're just doing a raid."

"Ok" I took the docking rope in hand and scaled up the cruise ship's side securing our little boat onto a railing. "See you in a bit" I took off, everything slowed down. As I explored the ship, pirates and cruise passengers were in some big ballroom, the pirates collecting jewellery and beli from the frightened people. Everywhere else was bare, except the few people hiding in closets or rooms. There was no one in the kitchen area so I slowed to a walk and found the pantry doors.

Opening the door I noticed a Pink haired boy with large round glasses who was collecting items in a cloth bag. Pirate or maybe a cabin boy?

"Hey"

The boy nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned. He only seemed a bit younger than Luffy and myself. His jump caused him to spill the contents of the bag, which happened to be apples. "Great, thanks" I grinned and in a few seconds finished one of them off "That was refreshing"

"Who are you?" the Boy yelled as he backed into a packed shelf, shaking like a leaf. "Where did you come from?"

"I'm Melody, and when two people love each other very much-"

"Stop! Not like that!" he screamed.

I laughed "Sorry kid, my Captain and I are just passing by, but we ran out of food so…" I shrugged looking around the pantry.

He laughed nervously "well you better get out of here, it's the Alvida Pirates that are attacking this ship"

I hummed, never heard of them andstarted digging through the shelves "So, what are you? Pirate or Passenger?"

"Ha…" he blushed and wrung his hands "I accidently got on the wrong boat… I've been working as a cabin boy… in exchange for my life"

"Oi! Melody!" Luffy suddenly came flying past the open door. I stuck my head out and called him over.

"Did you find some food?" he grinned.

"Yep, here" I tossed him one of the fallen apples and finished off my second.

"Who's this?"

"I'm Coby" the pink haired boy said quietly.

"Hi!" Luffy had his signature grin on "I'm Monkey D Luffy!"

"He's been kept aboard with those pirates above" I mused

"It's not like I enjoy staying with them!"

"Why don't you just run away?" Asked Luffy between bites of apples.

"No way!" Coby shook his head roughly "if Alvida even so much as knew I was thinking about it, I'd be killed!"

I scoffed.

"Oh, so you're a wimp…. I hate people like you" Luffy said it with a smile and Coby slapped his own face "you're brutally honest…"

"Besides, those Pirates up there, I've already knocked them out"

"All of them?!" Coby exploded

"What of the passengers?" we didn't need them running around either I sighed

"Yep shishishi. They're locked in the ballroom" he grinned.

That works. I shrugged and nodded. "Cool, now help me gather some stuff" I passed by the stunned Coby and began packing away some packaged food. "We better get out of here quick anyway, someone must have alerted the Marines"

"The Marines….." I heard Coby mutter "Maybe…."

"Looks like you're free kid" I ruffled his short hair "what are you gonna do?"

Luffy took an interest and looked over as Coby began to shake "I wanna…. I wanna" he seemed to put himself together "What is your dream Luffy-san?"

I scoffed, sure don't ask the girl who met you first…

Luffy grinned "I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates!"

"What!" Coby's mouth fell open, gaping "S-so you're both pirates? What about your crew?"

"Don't have one yet, it's just the two of us so far" the boy's m shock was pretty amusing I grinned.

"But, but. The Pirate King is the Pirate with everything. Money, fame, power! The One Piece! That's impossible. No way. No way."

Luffy punched him in the head, effectively shutting him up. "Doesn't matter, even if I die in the process it's my dream and I'm gonna do it!"

There was a tense second, as Luffy challenged Coby to speak up.

"Your dream… if you can do that, with no worries of dying…" he sniffled, but held his head up high "I wanna be a Marine! It's my dream of catching bad guys! I'm gonna be an admiral!" his hope filled eyes held Luffy's "Do you think I can do it?"

Luffy smiled and said honestly "How should I know?"

The boy grinned, determined "No, I'm gonna do it! I'm not going to be a pirate cabin boy for the rest of my life! Alvida can fuck off!" he yelled, hands clenched at his sides huffing and puffing.

Good job kid.

"Come on" I lifted the now filled bag of supplies and threw it over my shoulder "why don't you say that to her face"

"What?"

I grinned at Luffy who scooped him up and we raced to the top deck which was now littered with groaning pirate grunts and one large fat lady dressed like a pink cowboy.

"Y-you're fast" Coby groaned as Luffy plunked him down in front of the groaning lady as he grinned madly.

"Mel's even faster than me"

I nodded and grinned "no one can beat me in a race" pointing a thumb at my chest.

"C-Coby… you betrayed me" the lady was coming around, she glared up at the pink haired boy. "To a pirate hunter no less"

"Hey! I'm a pirate" Luffy pouted and crossed his arms "She won't believe me" he turned to me.

"I'll kill you Coby!"

The poor boy was shaking, stuck to the one spot "You know, she can't hurt you anymore" I whispered in his ear.

That made him still and turn to me, a shocked look plastered on his face, I smiled and he turned to Luffy, inspired.

He took a deep breathe a glared at Alvida "NO, you won't cause you're the ugliest hag in all the seas! The fattest too I'm gonna become a Marine and bring you in!"

Luffy and I burst into laughter as Alvida grew a twitch in her brow. "You Bastard!" she spat out and got to her feet.

Coby was rooted to the spot again.

She swung back her arm which I just noticed was clutching a mace. Poor Coby began to scream in terror.

"Well said" Grinned Luffy, he stepped in front of the boy and took the hit with no problem, laughing all the while.

"Don't you know now, that won't work. I'm made of rubber!"

Coby gasped as Luffy propelled his fist back to its furthest stretching point, spanning well past the length of the ship.

"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"

It snapped back, catching the woman dead centre.

I raised a hand to block the sun and watched her fly off into the distance "10 points" I declared.

"Wha!" Luffy turned to me and wined "only ten…."

I shrugged "I saw her land."

"Damn, she was too heavy" he pouted.

"L-luffy-san …" Coby stuttered

He didn't have time to ask about what he just saw because Cannon balls began to fly around us, hitting the horrendous pink pirate ship.

"It's the Marines!" he pointed out

"Oh, perfect, you should go talk to them" said Luffy

I rolled my eyes "Lu, it's probably not the best time. They'll think he's a pirate if the other passengers say they don't know him"

Coby Screamed, "Oh no!"

"Oh, Well I guess you could come with us until the next island" Luffy shrugged and grabbed the pink boy around his waist and before the kid could give his answer Luffy jumped off the side of the ship. "Come on Mel! Let's get out of here!" he yelled from bellow, safely on our small ship.

"Aye, Aye Captain!" I jumped, landing softly even with the bag of supplies over my shoulder. We took off quickly, skirting around the cruise ship and away from the single Marine ship that had come to save them.

"How… how did we get away" Coby asked aloud

"Because they were too busy focusing on the huge pink pirate ship" I mumbled

The three of us were all laying on the ship's floor or benches, exhausted from the rowing. The Boat was just drifting with the soft wind now.

"Sorry, I never introduced myself, I'm Melody"

"Nice to meet you" he nodded in my direction "So… what's the plan now?"

"We've got to find some Nakama!" Cheered Luffy. He sat up, energy returned. "What do you know about Roronoa Zoro?"

I shrugged while Coby jumped in fright "where did you hear that name?!"

"That fat lady thought he was me" said Luffy "So, who is he?"

"Pirate Hunter Zoro is the strongest hunter in the east blue! A very strong swordsman!"

I glanced at Luffy who was grinned madly "he sounds interesting"
I turned to Coby "So kid, where can we find this Pirate Hunter?" and leaned down to his level, not that he was much shorter than me.

"Oh no! nonononononono! He's too dangerous"

Luffy wacked him up the head "I've decided, he's going to be our next nakama!"

"L-Luffy!" Coby panicked

My captain just laughed and ignored him "lead the way Coby!"

I grinned as he groaned and cleaned his glasses "He was last seen in Shell Town…"

I ruffled his hair "Ok then, let's get going"

"Yahoo!" Luffy Cheered.

Coby went to the sail and turned us west and took a seat at the front to watch the seas. I sat back and watched the clouds go by, being on the sea was amazing. It's been so long, I couldn't believe it had been 10 years. Luffy hadn't changed much, gotten taller but was still a skinny build, he didn't look like he had any muscles but that was thanks to the devil fruit. I was now just a hair taller than Luffy, mostly because my hair sat in a high pony tail. Before we left home Makino had gotten us each a gift. Luffy got the red vest that he now wore everyday while got a pair of blue goggles to use when I go too fast. The wind still bugged my eyes sometimes. Instead of the regular jeans and t-shirts that Makino usually picked up for me I now wore a black swim suit top that crossed in the back, blue goggles hung around my neck and a pair of baggy tan shorts a small leather bag wrapped around the short's belt hoops and rest against my left hip, inside had everything I brought with me from the island. Some Beli we saved up and the small cloth flower that was on the headband of my first Birthday present from the Mayor.

"You ok?" Asked Luffy as he took a seat beside me.

I grinned "Never better" and gave me a chase kiss. As kids we didn't really understand the means that we went through to become family, and then as we got older… everything just fit. I have to admit that hormones kicked in and helped things along a bit. "My captain"

"My wife"

I grinned "Yes of course dear"

"I'm not that old! Dear is for old people" Luffy pouted

"Of course Captain" I laughed.

A few hours later the island was in sight. I had my feet dangling in the sea water, just enjoying the cool feeling and the warm sun. Luffy had taken the seat at the front again, twitching in excitement.

Coby was looking confused, he looked towards Luffy and asked "Why do you stretch Luffy-san?"

"Oh?" he turned around to face the boy "I'm a rubber man. I ate the Gomu-Gomu no mi" Luffy grinned and stretched his cheek

"Wow! I've heard that they are really rare!"

"Mel ate one too" he pointed out, which I nodded to "yep the Sokudo Sokudo no mi, a speed fruit"

Coby's jaw dropped "But, but your feet are in the water! Don't you get weak?"

Luffy laughed "Mel's a Mystery user"

"Yeah, I never figured out why, but I still sink, just don't get weak" I shrugged, never thought much about it.

"You're weird…" Coby whispered

"Hey!" I punched his head

Luffy laughed, clutching his stomach while Coby groaned.

We sailed in and I tied up the ship as we landed "Hey, the town's in view" I pointed, past the large but nearly empty port some town buildings could be seen and a large blue one stood tall behind everything, no doubt it was the Marine base. And considering the size of it this island was a popular supply stop.

"Yahoo! Roronoa Zoro here we come!"

"Melody! Let's get some food!" Luffy smiled, I could tell he was holding himself back from just racing into the town.

"Sounds good"

Coby sighed "didn't you just eat?" he gestured to the empty bag of apples that we had split only a half hour ago.

"It's always time to eat" I smirked.

So we strolled down the busy main street looking for a pub or restaurant. Luffy was walking with his hands behind his head whistling a tune "So Coby. What do you know about this island?" he asked before jumping from stall to stall looking at everything that was being sold.

"Not much, its marine base is run by a man known as Axe-Hand Morgan-"

Suddenly the people in the streets and behind the stands all jumped in fright and looked around wildly, a baby even started crying.

"I guess its taboo to say is name…" Coby said quietly "I wonder why…"

Luffy laughed "weird people" but I knew he was looking around carefully.

The townspeople went back to normal but now ignoring the three of us.

"Come on, let's eat in here" I pointed out a small bar just across the street.

"Great!" Luffy grinned.

With food in our bellies and the bartender paid Coby was sitting quietly in his chair "I guess this is where we split up"

"I hope you become a great Marine Coby" Luffy smiled.

"And you a pirate" Coby sniffled "even though I might have to catch you someday"

"You'll have to try your hardest" Laughed Luffy "I'm strong"

"So you said that Zoro's being held at the Marine Base?" I asked

"That's what a heard anyway"

Luffy stood, "We might as well walk you over there"

I stretched my arms into the air "let's go take a look"

"Please be careful" the barmaid spoke up as we were about to leave "That man…you don't know what he's capable of"

"We'll be fine" grinned Luffy "thanks anyway"

She nodded, not believing us and we walked into the street, it was still pretty early into the day and the market was busy.

The closer we got to the base we noticed just how huge it was. One large blue tower like building and smaller white buildings that looked like barracks.

A large wall surrounded the entire complex with only one entrance.

"Let's look over the top" Luffy jumped up and peered over. "Hey, is that him?"

I jumped up and peaked over beside Luffy and indeed there was a man tied to a low cross

"Impossible Luffy, they probably have Roronoa in a deep dungeon cell" Coby scoffed as he too scaled the stone wall. The poor boy took one look at the bandana wearing man and whimpered before falling back onto his butt. "B-b-bandana…. Green hair! …Haramaki!" he shook "it's really him!"

I looked back and noticed the swordsmen was looking at us.

"Hey kid!" his voice carried over the grounds "come over here and untie me. I'll give you a big bounty, I'm a man of my word."

Coby began to freak out, while Luffy watched the man "He's smiling…"

"Don't do it Luffy-san" Coby begged

I chuckled "It's not like he would be able to kill us"

Coby just gasped at me, not believing it.

Luffy was about to hop over when a wooden ladder followed by a little girl appeared next to us.

"Shush" she put a finger to her lips and slipped down into the base.

"What is she doing?"

The little girl made her way quickly to the bound pirate hunter and offered him something from her hands.

There was some muted conversation between them, from what I could tell he was telling her to fuck off.

"Look!" Coby turned to the entrance of the base. A blond pompous boy was walking across the grounds, flanked by marine soldiers.

"Just what do you think you are doing?!" The blond was loud, shrill and wearing some fine jewellery and clothes.

The girl was yelling at him now as he snatched the package in her hands, unwrapped it looked like two rice balls. We watched as the marine boy took a large bite. Obviously they were for Zoro. He sputtered, choked, and spit the rice into the dirt.

"That's disgustingly sweet!"

"I used sugar… because I like sweet things" The girl said, sticking up for her cooking.

"You're supposed to use salt, you stupid child! These are uneatable!" he threw the rest into the dirt and stomped on them. "Throw her over the wall!"

Luffy and I tensed when Coby gasped quietly.

"B-but sir…" one of the soldiers tried to speak up.

"I'm the captain's son!" the blond stamped his feet "do as I say or I'll tell my father!"

"Y-yes sir"

Zoro watched quietly and I saw the girl had tears in her eyes as the marine picked her up around the waist and chucked her over the wall in our direction"

"Got her" Luffy called and jumped up, caught her and took the fall.

"Are you ok?" Asked Coby as he slid back onto the ground. I took one last look at the arguing Marine boy, Zoro was nearly growling at him.

I slid down, the girl was wiping away her tears.

"Mel, take her home, I'm gonna have a chat with Roronoa"

"Ok, come on kid" I took her hand and started walking back into town

"Wait up Melody-san" Coby caught up "Are you sure Luffy-san will be alright?"

"He's stronger than you think Coby, besides Zoro's tied up"

Rika, the little girl actually lived above the bar her mum runs, which happened to be the same place we ate at earlier.

"Zoro's not a bad man" Rika said, the three of us sat outside the bar. "It's my fault he's in jail. Helmepo, Captain Morgan's son terrorizes everyone with his pet wolfs. They attacked me, but Zoro stopped them… and he got arrested"

"So he's actually a good guy" Luffy walked up, having caught our conversation.

"It makes sense I guess" said Coby "Zoro's really quite scary but he usually only goes after people with bounties."

"Oh, kid" Luffy bent down to Rika's height "Zoro are all your food up, he seemed really hungry…"

"Really? All of it!" she smiled

"Yep, all of it. Said it was delicious!"

"I'm so glad!"

"Rika come on in, I need some help getting the dinner prep ready" her mother came out of the bar "Thank you for looking after her: she bowed to us.

I smiled warmly

"Bye" Rika waved and went inside.

"So, what now?"

Luffy shrugged "I'm going to have to convince him to join us"

"Did he say no?" Asked Coby

Luffy grinned "yea"

"So why are you happy?"

Luffy just laughed.

Down the road the townspeople were getting to their knees, the blond pompous from the base was headed our way. The closer he got the more I noticed how much his hair looked like a coconut.

"hahaha, bow lower peasants or I'll tell my father!"

The only thing this reminded me of was back in the Goa Kingdom. Even the Marines that surrounded him looked uneasy and nervous.

"Do you want to join the Pirate hunter at the execution platform?!" he laughed again.

I noticed that Luffy's fists clenched, and the idiot was only getting closer.

"He'll be killed in three days! I'm so excited"

"Hey! What about your deal with him?" Luffy stepped out in front of him

The blond sneered "I don't know where you heard about that, but did you really think I would follow through with a deal with a criminal?"

Luffy grabbed his blue silk shirt and soundly punch him across the face and shoved him into the dirt.

Coby, the townspeople and the marine men all gasped and whispers broke out.

"Luffy, are you trying to fight every Marine here?" Coby jumped in front of him, blocking his path if he wanted another go with the coconut head.

"Scum is scum" Luffy said calmly "no matter who his father is"

The Marines rushed to the fallen boy's side, he was sniffling and blood was dripping from his broken nose "y-you actually hit me! No one hits me!" the marines lifted him up "I'm Captain Morgan's son! I'm telling Daddy on you!"

"Fight me like a man"

"You're a dead man! Daddy will have you begging!" The threats were nothing, yelled as he ran with his tail between his legs.

Almost immediately all the people in the streets disappeared into their homes.

Coby was freaking out "they're never going to leave you alone! Captain Morgan has all the Marines behind him!"

"We're pirates Coby" I sighed "of course the Marines are our enemies."

"Let's go talk to Zoro again" Luffy secured his hat and started down the street.

Coby sighed and tossed his hands in the air but followed Luffy and I anyway.

Luffy pulled me up onto the wall and together we jumped down. Zoro watched as we walked up

"Yo" Luffy grinned

"You again, I told you I'm not becoming a pirate!" Zoro growled

"If I untied you will you join me?"

"Are you deaf?! I have other things I need to do"

Luffy huffed "I don't care, you are going to join me!" and crossed his arms.

"Just accept it, Luffy won't take no for an answer" I crossed my arms and smiled.

"And who are you? Part of his crew"

"Yep" I grinned.

"Hey" Luffy clapped his hands "you're a swordsmen right?"

Zoro got confused "well yeah, but that stupid kid took them!"

"They're your treasure?" asked Luffy

"Yes" Zoro said somewhat reluctantly. And Luffy grinned "great! I'll go get them! But if you want me to return them to you, you'll have to join me!"

"That's dirty!" Zoro spat

Luffy grinned at me "Stay here, I'll be right back"

"Oi! Wait!" but Luffy had already run to the entrance and ripped the door open. "Is he just running in like that? What an idiot"

"Luffy's stronger than he looks" I supplied and took a seat beside the swordsmen.

"Still an idiot"

"At times" I laughed.

I looked down, "well aren't you going to untie me?"

I smirked "do you want me too?"

"Melody-san!" Coby came running from the wall, the poor boy had hesitated at the wall, not wanting to be on the Marine's bad side

"Coby, you'll be killed if the Marines find you here" seriously, this boy wanted to be a marine but was going against them.

"I can't stand these kinds of Marines! I'm gonna become a real Marine! For justice and saving people! Luffy puts his life on the line to become Pirate King, I'll do the same for my dream!" Coby reached for the ropes and I heard a gunshot.

Time slowed as I stood and took a look around, a group of marines were running out of the entrance, one held their rifle up smoke was just beginning to come out of the barrel. The bullet was about halfway to Coby, from what I could tell it was aimed for his shoulder that was nice of the marine I mused. With a little push I shifted its target, nice and safely out of the way. I put myself in between the two guys and the marines as time went back to normal speed.

"Ahh!"

I looked back, Coby had somehow turned and got grazed by the bullet. "Damn it Coby, I moved that for you and you still got hit"

"Wha-" Zoro was stunned.

"I'm gonna die!" Coby cried.

I sighed "it was just a graze Coby, you'll be fine" I turned back to the line of Marines "now boys, it's not nice to shoot first"

"How did you…."

Coby got to his feet, holding his arm "I'll free you Zoro"

"Idiot, leave me here as long as I keep my end of the deal I'll be fine"

"No you're not, they're gonna kill you in three days!"

"That's true" I supplied "The Coconut head was bragging about it in town earlier"

"Luffy punched him too" Coby huffed "the three of you will never be able to leave this island alone. I'm not forcing you to be a pirate but please help Luffy-san!"

"Coby I'm sure we'll be fine alone, but I have no plans to leave Roronoa, Luffy wants you on the crew"

"That's enough!" the line of Marines raised their guns "the three of you have gone against the Captain, you'll die here!"

I just sighed. Poor Coby was crying and Roronoa looked stressed.

From behind the line a large man entered the grounds, a flowing marine cape around his shoulders. He had a metal jaw and an axe for a hand. "Surround the base!" he ordered "No one is going to escape!"

"I guess you're the Captain everyone's scared of" I crossed my arms.

"Are the four of you trying to start a mutiny?" he hefted his Axe hand onto his shoulder, the thing looked way too heavy or even practical

"Roronoa Zoro, I've heard of you. But make no mistake my strength is greater than yours. Ready!"

Behind me I could tell that both Zoro and Coby were panicking. There were a lot of guns pointing at us, that's for sure.

"Fire!"

I began to move and block them but Luffy came flying out of one of the high windows, he landed right in front of the three of us and blocked the bullets.

"Luffy-San!"

"You!"

Zoro and Coby screamed. His rubber skin stretched back and I moved out of the way of one path, Coby and Zoro were staring wide eyed at them.

"It's no use!" Luffy laughed as it bounced back, sending the bullets flying in different directions. "Ha Ha Ha Ha!"

The group of Marine screamed in fright, and Morgan's eyes were the size of dinner plates.

Coby promptly fell onto his back, breathing heavily and in shock.

"Are you even human!" demanded Zoro

"I'm the one who will be the Pirate King" Luffy answered, not really the right kind of answer but it worked. And just the way Luffy declares his dream, it sends a shiver down my spine. "I found three swords, I wasn't sure which one is your treasure so I brought all of them" he held out the three weapons.

Zoro smirked "I use all three"

"If you fight with me here today it'll make you an outlaw" stated Luffy as he took a look at the many Marines that had gathered in front of us. "Or many you want to die here…" he looked back, smirking.

Zoro sighed, and looked back towards the group of marines ready to fight "Forget it. I'm deemed a criminal anyway. I'll join you and become a pirate" he returned the smirk.

"YES!" grinned Luffy "our second crew member!"

"ok, ok now hurry up and get these ropes off me!"

Luffy started tugging and pouted "these are really tight…"

"Here, Luffy let me help" the two of us argued over the knots. While Zoro was freaking out.

"You're so noisy, I can't concentrate" Luffy pouted

"We don't have time for you to take your time!"

"Oh, I got one" I grinned, behind us Coby was yelling "Look out!"

"Hand me my swords idiots!" screamed Zoro, one arm now free. Luffy and I shoved the three weapons into his hand just as marines rained down on us. Zoro was quite fast as he slit the rest of his bounds and got in-between the marine's swords and Luffy and myself. With a sword in each hand and one held between his teeth, surprisingly. The three blocked all of the Marine's.

"That's so cool" laughed Luffy. I nodded "nice!"

"Move, and I'll kill all of you" threated Zoro, the poor marines were shaking. Then his shaded eyes turned to Luffy "I already told you I'll become a pirate with you. Either way… I'll be an outlaw. But it's ok, I still have my own goals!"

Luffy grinned.

"I'm going to become the World's Greatest Swordsmen, if you get in my way I'll cut you up"

"Good, I won't accept anything less than your best, you're part of the future Pirate King's crew"

"Well said" Zoro said, grinning. The sword between his teeth I noticed didn't have any impact with his speech, he must have practiced a lot.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" The large Captain yelled. And more Marines began to charge forward.

"Hey Zoro, duck" Luffy pulled back his leg "gomu gomu no Whip!" Zoro ducked as the stretched leg wiped around, knocking all of the Marine's back, some of them knocked unconscious.

"Nice Luffy!" Coby cheered.

"What exactly are you…"

"I'm a rubber man" Grinned Luffy.

Zoro stood tall and stretched out his back, I could hear it crack probably from being stuck in the slouch position for days. Luffy brushed off some dirt that had gathered on his shorts and I grinned. The Marines were shaking in their boots.

"We can't kill these people!"

"We can't even defeat Zoro…."

Captain Morgan started advancing towards us, "those of you that have just said that, or even thought that… take your gun and kill yourself!" he stared down his soldiers "I don't need weaklings. That's an order!"

Surprisingly many of them lifted their guns to their heads, their entire bodies were shaking.

Luffy took off running at the Marine "I'm your worst enemy! I dare you to try and execute me"

"Defeat them Luffy-san!" Cheered Coby. I sat my hands on my hips as the Captain Morgan discarded his Marine Cape, leaving him in a blue vest and camo pants.

"People like you have no right to oppose me!" The large man charged, swinging his Axe widely.

Luffy easily jumped up, and dodged the attack.

"So… are the other marines not gonna fight?" I asked, everyone was just watching the big guy get tossed around by Luffy's attacks. I sighed, guess I wasn't going to get any action today.

"Stop!" came a voice to the side of me "I said stop!" the blond coconut head had come up beside me, I hadn't bothered to notice him. A pistol was in his hand, aimed at my head and I rolled my eyes.

Luffy had let up on the Captain and turned to the two of us, not an emotion showing on his face.

"Give up now and I won't blow her brains out!" the pompous brat yelled shrilly.

Luffy watched, as Coby came in between the two of us "shoot me, I won't let you hurt anyone else. Don't listen to him Luffy-san! I'm not afraid to die!" the boy declared

"Ok, I know" he grinned "you're stupid you know blondie" Luffy pulled back his arm

"You idiot! Don't move! I'm gonna shoot!" Helmeppo screamed, his knees were buckling.

"Pistol!" Luffy sent the punch flying, and behind him Morgan took his chance to attack. But Zoro had picked up on it and attacked

"Leave it to me, Captain" he smirked.

The Great Captain Morgan fell, hard.

Coby fell to his knees as the other Marines finally registered that the two pains in their asses were out cold.

"If you still wanna arrest us, come get us" I smirked. Zoro had put away his swords but didn't look any less menacing and Luffy was just grinning.

There was a silent moment before the Marines all erupted into cheers! "We're free!"

"Long live the Marines!"

"Yes!"

"I'm so glad!"

I moved to lean on Luffy's shoulder, "why are they celebrating….?" He asked.

"Everyone hated him I guess" I shrugged.

"Great…."

"Oi! Zoro!" Luffy freaked, the green haired swordsmen collapsed into the dirt.

"Are you ok! Zoro!"

I leaned down and heard a large grumble "when was the last time he ate?"

"Um… nine days I think" said Coby.

I rolled my eyes "this guy just fought with no energy…"

"Oh, so he's just hungry?" Luffy cocked his head to the side and poked the unconscious man.

"Come on" I pick up one of his arms, Luffy took the other. With a last look at the Celebrating Marines he headed into town, maybe Rika's mother will feed us for free. My savings weren't going to last between Luffy, myself and a starving Swordsman.

We all sat around a table in the bar, Rika's mother brought dish and dish of delicious food.

"Ah! I thought I was going to die" cried Zoro as he sat back with a full stomach.

"You'd never have lasted a month" laughed Luffy as he munched on a sandwich.

"What did you say!" argued Zoro "what's with you any way! You ate more than me!"

The two continued bickering and I turned to Rika's mother "Thank you ma'am, I know we've eaten a lot…"

"Me too…" Coby said sheepishly

"No worries!" she smiled "you saved our town, it's the least I can do"

I leaned back in my chair, and Zoro folded his arms on the table. "So" he asked "What's the plan?"

"The Grand Line" Grinned Luffy "That's where we're headed!"

Coby began sputtering "What! You're saying crazy things again! Just the three of you can't just enter the Grand Line like that!" he pounded the table "The world's strongest Pirates gather there!"

"It's not that crazy from what I remember..." I mused "though this sea is a lot weaker…"

"You're from there Melody-san?!" cried the poor kid

"I was born on the Grand Line, but I've lived in this sea since I was 7, so I don't remember a lot of it."

"We're going after the One Piece" grinned Zoro "that's where it is"

Coby smacked his head onto the tabled "you guys are crazy!"

"It's not like you're coming with us"

"E-even though I'm not! I will still worry!" he stood suddenly "Luffy-san, Melody-san even though we only met the other day, we're friends aren't we…."

"Of course" said Luffy like Coby was stupid "even though we have to part, we'll always be friends"

"You should be worrying about yourself" said Zoro "even though you were only a chore boy, you're still a small time pirate. If you're serious about becoming a Marine don't underestimate their ability to gather information."

"I know, I'll be careful!" he declared.

I stood "this should help out a bit" and borrowed a notepad from the bar top, scribbled out a note and handed it to Coby "this seems like a busy port, if a Marine by the name of Garp ever comes by, give him this" I winked "he'll be sure to you help you out"

Coby nodded, and held the note carefully. "I can't believe you have connections in the Marines Melody-san…"

"Well… yeah I guess you could call it that" I smirked, off to the side Luffy paled as he realized just who I was talking about.

"She's crazy" I heard him mumble to Zoro "Coby wouldn't last a day with that guy…" the poor confused Zoro didn't bother to ask.

I laughed "become a great Marine Coby, maybe you'll try and catch us one day."

"I'll try my hardest, don't underestimate me anymore!" The pink haired boy declared.

Luffy grinned "good"

"Excuse me!" a knock came at the bar door, I peered out the windows and saw what looked like all the marines in the base waiting outside. One man walked in "we are wondering if the rumors are true, are you really pirates?" it seemed like he was really hoping it wasn't true.

Luffy stood from the table "yes, the three of us are" he grinned.

The marine nervously fiddled with his hat "Even though you are pirates… you saved our town, for that we are grateful. But" he stood tall, gathering composure "because you are pirates we cannot allow you to stay any longer. Please leave immediately. The events here will be reported to headquarters."

Outside the door a ruckus could be heard from the townspeople who were listening in.

"Come on then, thank you for the food ma'am" Luffy nodded to the barkeep who smiled. Zoro stood and the three of us headed to the door.

"Luffy…"

We walked straight by Coby, and were nearly out the door when the Marine addressed the boy "aren't you with them?"

"N-no I'm not"

The marine turned, "Please hold on… Is he telling the truth?" We stopped in the middle of the road, the sun was high reflecting harshly, Luffy turned around grinning stupidly "… I know what he used to do" he pointed at Coby "I can't remember where but there was this huge lady I think her name was Albida –"

"Shut up!" Coby ran forward and decked Luffy across the face, shutting him up from spilling his secret.

Zoro huffed while I watched carefully, Luffy sprung back and returned the punch within a heartbeat and a brawl broke out. I sighed, Luffy was getting a little crazy.

"Stop it! I won't allow any more fights!" the Marine yelled, Zoro grabbed the back of Luffy's shirt "Oi, Oi" poor Coby was huffing on the ground his newly spilt lip was dribbling blood down his chin.

"I know he isn't your friend! Please leave this town immediately!"

Luffy smiled "ok" we walked through the crowd that had gathered, marines and townsfolk everyone was silent as we made our way back towards the docks.

Our small ship was waiting nicely. I hopped in and doubled checked our supplies, looked like someone gave us some barrels of water.

"Nice act" commented Zoro as he untied the rope.

Luffy grinned "Coby's going to be great, and strong" he stood by the mast and unfurled the sail.

Zoro shoved off the dock, and I ducked as the sail came flying towards me "hey! Be careful!"

"Oops"

"Asshole" I muttered

"What did you say...?"

"Luffy! Melody! Zoro!" the building fight between Zoro and I came to a halt as Coby came running up the dock "Thank you very much!" he saluted "I'll never forget you!"

"A marine saluting a pirate" chuckled Zoro "never seen that before"

"We'll meet again Coby!" laughed Luffy, the two of us waved ecstatically and the marines also marched up to join the boy in saluting.
"We're off! To the Grand Line" cheered Luffy as we sailed farther and farther from the island, soon it was just a spot in the distance.

"Shouldn't we get a more crew members and an actual ship to sail in" I reasoned, this tiny sail boat wasn't going to last in that sea, or even the trip over.

"Right!" laughed Luffy "we're going to need a cook, and a sharp shooter and a musician"

"And a navigator" I chuckled

"Right then! We're off to find a proper ship!" Luffy threw his hands into the air.

"Aye!" Luffy and I cheered while Zoro shook his head.

We all got comfortable, Luffy took up the front seat, Zoro plopped down at the back and I sat under the sail, rope in hand to direct us. Though I don't know where exactly we had to go next.