Actually updating in a timely fashion? OUTRAGEOUS! This is where we officially start getting into the story, but not for a little bit. Luffy and the gang will be showing up later in the chapter. Anywho, on with the story (also 1 review, 2 favorites and 4 follows, WOO)

Chapter 2: A Farewell and an Arrival

8 years later

I woke up with a start, breathing heavily. I had that dream again, of the man in the dark alley. I don't even remember the details, just him lunging at me with a knife. I looked at the clock on the wall, 5 am. Might as well get up now I thought. Daedalus had been running me ragged for the past 8 years. He insisted that I be at his shop as the sun rose and I could leave when it set. I got up and dressed, and grabbed a bit of bread and cheese before heading out.

Dad had been gone for a long time, I even heard he had made the rank of Vice Admiral, so he wasn't at home, and Aric was still probably asleep. It was his last day before he shipped out to become a marine, so naturally he was going to make the most of it.

As I got to the shop, I heard the familiar sound of a hammer smacking metal. I swear he must be nocturnal or something. I pushed open the door to see my teacher sitting there pounding away on his newest project.

"You're late," he said gruffly, as if he had another tone of voice.

"Good morning to you too," I replied, "and no I'm not, you said to be here before sun up." He merely pointed at the clock on the wall, which read 7:30 am. "For the umpteenth time, that clock is 2 hours fast." He grunted, not wanting to argue further.

"Just get to finishing that falchion for the marine captain. He's picking it up in a few hours," he ordered as I set my things down at my forge.

The next few hours were spent in silence. Teacher had long since stopped asking me if I was getting my work done. I was more than skilled enough to complete most projects thrown my way. The falchion was an easy piece to make, and was done an hour before the captain came in to collect it. He swung it, complementing Teacher on a job well done.

"Why ya thankin' me for?" he said, jerking a thumb towards me, "she's the one that made it."

The captain looked surprised at that. "Oh, well thank you then Miss-?" he let the question hang in the air.

"Jenny," I said, looking up from my book, "Corona C. Jenny."

"If you think that's impressive you should check out the guns she makes," Daedalus said, leaning against the wall, "She has a calling for fire arms." This made me raise an eyebrow. Teacher never compliment my work, usually only comments of how I could be better.

"Well thank you, I am honored to receive the work of the daughter of Vice Admiral Corona," he said, bowing. His looked curious as he saw the book the book I was reading, "The Legend of Forge Island? What's that?"

"Oh boy, here we go," Teacher muttered.

I ignored him, answering the captain with stars I my eyes, "It's the blacksmith's paradise! An island built on top of a massive mound of sky metal, the perfect ore! Most say it's a legend but I know it exists, somewhere…" I stopped myself before I could go off on a tangent about my childhood dream. Well, technically I still was a child, but I was going to hold on to this dream for my whole life until I actually found it.

The marine captain was chuckling. "It sounds like that Forge Island is to blacksmiths as the All Blue is to chefs," he smiled before bowing to us once more, "I must be off," he looked at me one more time before asking, "isn't your brother joining the marines today?"

"Yeah he is why?" I questioned, confused at the sudden question.

"He didn't show up for orientation today."

"Oh god damn it," I swore, running out of the shop, "He slept in again!"

3 hours later…

My idiot brother was finally leaving; he had grown a lot since he first announced he was going to be a marine 4 years ago. He now stood at 6 feet tall with a strong build, his eyes sharp and his blonde hair in a crew cut, along with his ever-present smirk.

"Well Jen, this is goodbye for now," he said, his speech muffled by his slightly swollen face, "Some farewell though."

"I might have over done it," I said sheepishly, but then I looked at him with worry in my voice, "Come back, alright?"

He smiled, a genuine smile, and said, "I might not come back for a awhile, so if you can, come find me," His old grin came back for a moment with what he said next, "on the Grand Line!"

And with that, he ran to marine ship he was to travel on and sailed away. The entire village and I all waved goodbye. I think I even saw Daedalus somewhere in the crowd. We were all sad to see him go.

"I'll find you out there," I said to myself, not noticing tears running down my cheeks, "and when I do, we'll find Forge Isle together!"

5 years later

A young, straw hat wearing boy sat on the figure head of the Going Merry, looking out at the island in the distance. This boy was Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. Behind him sleeping on the deck was his first mate, Roranoa Zoro, the only swordsman to use three sword style. In the cabin was their navigator, Nami, and at the stern was their newest member Ussop.

"Just remember Luffy, when get into port don't go yelling to the sky about the fact that we're pirates," Nami warned walking onto the deck, "We're just here to restock on supplies for the journey."

"Right!" Luffy exclaimed, "We're here for more meat!"

Nami sweat dropped. "Didn't hear a word I just said, did he?"

"Nope," Zoro and Ussop said at the same time.

Once they docked, Ussop had to physically restrain Luffy from running off in search of food while they were talking to the harbor master. As they were paying the fee to dock, a whistle rang out from the cliff overlooking the village. (AN: the sound is like Rue's tune from hunger games backwards.)

Luffy looked up confused, "What was that?"

The harbor master looked panicked, "Whatever you do, don't move!" he warned. Just as he did there was a loud bang, and a bullet hit the ground at Luffy's feet.

"WAAAAH! WHAT WAS THAT?!" Ussop, Luffy and Nami all yelled.

"Your warning shot, I'd imagine," said an old man, stepping out onto the dock, "Every ship that docks here gets a warning. If you cause any trouble in this village, her second shot will hit something vital."

"Her?" Zoro said, totally unfazed by the sudden attack.

"Yes, the village's expert markswoman and gunsmith," the old man said, pointing to the now clearly visible girl on the cliff, "Corona C. Jenny."

Well, looks like Jenny has herself a reputation. That's all for now, I'll get to describing what Jen looks like after all these years next time.

Ciao-Smith