A/N: This fanfic has been getting lots of views; hope I don't disappoint. This chapter is almost all dialogue, sorry about that. You will see a lot of changes from the cannon in this chapter and in this whole fan fiction in general. The way I see it, if you're going to follow the cannon almost exactly, then what's even the point? Also, I'm currently looking for a beta reader, so if you know anyone or you are one, PM me. Last thing, if you know anyone on deviant art who can draw the Luffy I portrayed that would be great.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. Duh.

"It seems we are almost at the navy base Coby."

Coby looked at him and frowned. "You should be more concerned Luffy. This navy base is where they are holding Pirate Hunter Zoro, the man likened to a blood thirsty demon." Coby seemed a bit shaken, but Luffy wasn't worried. Mostly just confused that a pirate hunter would be held at a navy base like a criminal. Sure, bounty hunters and the government didn't exactly see eye to eye, but it was not like they were breaking the law. Something else was going on.

"Hey, Coby, if you ever see Garp, tell him... tell him I'm sorry."

Cobys' eyes widened in shock that Luffy knew Garp the Hero, much less had some sort of personal history with the man. Of course he wanted more information, but the teenager's body language clearly told Coby that he didn't want to expand on the subject. In fact, he appeared to have completely shut out the world for now.

After a few minutes of silence, they reached the docks of their destination. Luffy tied the boat to the board walk and walked into the town with Coby. It seemed like a normal enough place to him, nothing standing out suspiciously.

"Well, Coby it looks like it is time for us to part ways now. I may have to cause some trouble, and I don't want to hurt your chance of becoming a marine." Luffy liked Coby, but he would get in the way if there was some sort of fight. Also, it would be less he had to worry about; he didn't want his friend getting hurt.

"Oh, ok then Luffy, thank you for everything you have done for me. You truly are the greatest friend I ever had."

"Take care of yourself kid," Luffy replied, walking in the direction of the navy base. Coby followed because he also had business with the navy. The pair walked in silence all the way to the gate. It was then Luffy remembered an important question he had neglected to ask.

"Coby, who is the captain of this base?" He made a silent prayer that it wouldn't be Smoker. That would complicate things.

"Axe Hand Morgan."

As soon as the words left Coby's mouth, several people in the street jumped in fear. That wasn't a very good sign, but it didn't surprise Luffy at all. It wasn't like the navy was so infallible as to not have some corruption or intimidation. Heck, some marines were worst than gang leaders. All of this seemed to fly right over Coby's head though, leaving him in a state of confusion.

"Why did they get scared?" asked Coby, more to himself than to anyone else.

Out of the corner of his eye, Luffy saw a little girl climbing over the wall. Taking an interest, he walked over to the wall to see how things were working out for her. He hoisted himself on the wall just in time for the show.

"You're supposed to use salt not sugar!"

"But I thought they would taste better." The poor girl was in tears by now. It also didn't help that the blond bastard was now stomping on the rice balls.

Some movement behind Luffy caused him to shift focus to whomever was beside him. He wasn't very surprised to see it was Coby trying to see over the wall.

"What's going on?" questioned Coby. Before Luffy could respond, he noticed that one of the marines had picked up the girl and proceeded to toss her over the wall. Acting fast, the teen jump from his perch and caught the girl mid air before she could hit the ground, then summersaulting, Luffy landed on his feet.

Damn the marines! They will pay.

Luffy sat the girl down carefully as Coby ran over to them to make sure everyone was ok.

"Are you ok little one?" asked Luffy.

The girl nodded, still looking crestfallen over the situation.

"Hey, whats your name," inquired Luffy, trying to lighten the mood.

"Rika."

"Ok then Rika, Coby will take you back to your home now."

Coby helped Rika up and started walking towards the inner town. After he realized Luffy had not followed, he turned and gave a questioning look.

"I'll catch up Coby!"

Before anything else could be said, Luffy jumped over the wall into the execution yard. Looking around, he saw that the marines had left already. Oh well, he would punish them later.

Turning his head, Luffy noticed a man tied to a post in the middle of the execution yard.

"Oi! You Zoro?" Luffy said this with a bit of a hopeful tone in his voice.

"What's it to you?"

"I was looking for a crew member and thought you might be perfect." Luffy figured getting a crew mate would be more dificult than just asking, but why not try, right?

"Why would I join you? What could I possibly gain? Get lost pirate."

Luffy was impressed that Zoro figured out that he was a pirate without being told. Then again, it wasn't very hard to guess with him recruiting and what not. Luffy decided to go a different angle with this.

"Why are you out here Zoro? Bounty hunting is not a crime."

"I have to stay here for one month. I overcome this challenge and then I leave."

"I could never do that. I would go crazy."

"Thats because I've got more spirit than you."

"Maybe you are right. Personally though, I would rather die than to have my freedom taken away. Even for one month."

Even though Zoro disagreed, he could still respect what the man believed.

"Even though you didn't answer my question, I won't press it. How about this, if you can beat me in a fight, I'll leave you alone. But if I win, you join my crew."

"Hmm, have it your way then, but when I win, you have to leave me alone." Zoro said with a deadly smirk.

"I look forward to it." Luffy started to walk off; Zoro called out to him. He asked Luffy to feed him a very sad looking rice ball that rested on the ground. Doing as he was requested, Luffy feed him and once again started to walk away.

"Tell the girl it was delicious."

Smiling, Luffy exited the Navy base. That smile disappeared as soon as he went inside the bar where Coby and the girl were waiting.

"I've been getting pretty bored lately, so I decided to execute Zoro tomorrow. Don't miss it."

It was the same bastard marine that ordered the girl to be thrown. Luffy would have loved to pound his face in, but his smarter side told him that might cause some trouble later. Can't afford to jump the gun.

Luffy walked over to where Coby and Rika were sitting.

"Outside," he commanded. The two followed him out the back and waited for him to speak.

"Ok Rika, why has Zoro been strung up?"

Tears started to form around Rika's eyes. "He only got arrested because he was protecting us from Helmeppo's pet wolf. The he got strung up in our place." Seeing as Luffy was confused, she continued. "Helmeppo is the guy you just saw; he's Captain Morgan's son."

"I see. I will be back guys; this might take a few minutes."

Luffy disappeared from sight and reappeared next to the navy base a few moments later.

Hmm, my soru is improving. Still too slow for my taste though.

Not caring if anyone saw, Luffy walked into the execution yard through the front gate and right up to Zoro. Luffy took out his dagger and cut Zoro lose from his bindings.

"What the hell are you doing? I only have 10 days left!"

The straw hat gave an irritated sigh; explanations were never his strong suit.

"Helmeppo is going to kill you tomorrow. I have other plans."

A look of shock appeared on the swordsman face. Zoro was very dismayed at the thought that he could have been killed. He wouldn't even have come close to his promise to become the world's greatest swordsman. This pirate who didn't know him from a random stranger had saved his life and dream.

"I owe you my life," Zoro said with resolve.

"Don't mention it, really."

"No. I never forget a debt or a favor someone has done for me. As of today I am one of your crew members, a pirate. My dream is to be the worlds greatest swordsman. As long as you never interfere with that, we will be good."

"The king of the pirates would have nothing less than the greatest swordsman; welcome aboard Zoro." This was great. Luffy couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Looking Zoro up and down, he realized something was wrong.

"Where are your swords dude?"

A deep scowl appeared on the swordsman face.

"That marine guy took them and I don't know where."

Looks like they would have to infiltrate the base. Now the only question was should they barge in guns blazing or sneak in like ninjas. Screw it, it's not like anyone actually strong is there thought Luffy.

"Well I guess we should get them back then. First, it would be a good idea to find Blonde and make him talk,but he could be anywhere."

As if on cue, Helmmpo strolled into the yard. Lucky them.

"Zoro, time for your next beating...um what's going on her?" To say Helmeppo was perplexed would be an understatement. The two marines with him were slow to bring up their rifles. Too slow. Within the blink of an eye, the pair of marines were already on the ground taking a dirt nap.

Zoro turned to see what his new captain had done. The only clue he got was Luffy holding a handful of bullets. There was no way he could have thrown bullets hard enough to knock out full grown men, right?

"Hello buddy," Luffy said with a fake smile. "You wouldn't mind telling us where Zoros swords are, right?"

"N-n-n-"

"Great! Now do we need to 'escort' you, or can you walk on your own.

"I-I-I can-"

"Even better! Better not delay, onward." With that said, Luffy walked over to the unconscious marines and threw them in a bush to deter suspicion. Then he slapped Morgan's son on the back to get him in gear and started walking towards the base.

When they reached the doors, two marines stopped them and asked what they were doing. Helmeppo dismissed their concerns saying they were friends of his. He reminded every one who his father was and walked in with his new "pals".

"Good job Blondie, now take us to your room. Stop sweating so much, I'm not going to hurt you as long as you don't try anything."

After a few more minutes, Helmeppo finally stopped outside a room and walked in. It looked like a 6 year old girl's dream.

"O-o-over there," sputtered Helmeppo who was pointing to 3 swords in the corner.

"Good boy. Now you get to take a nap." Before the words could be processed, Luffy pistol whipped Helmeppo in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.

Zoro grabbed his swords and walked out the room with Luffy. After shutting the door, they began to walk off. In opposite directions.

"Wait, which way are you going?" Asked Luffy who was now confused

"Left. Why?"

"No reason I guess." Luffy was a bit startled that he got turned around, but it happened. Good thing Zoro was here.

A few minutes later

"I think we went the wrong way."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well first, we are on the roof. Second, there is a giant statue. And third, marines are currently pointing their guns at us."

Said marines were currently shaking with fear and doubt. The fact that neither of the men looked worried was bothersome. Plus, one of them was Roanoa Zoro, the demon.

"Execute them now! They are trespassing on Navy property. Kill them now!"

I could use conquer's haki, but I'm not very good with control. Better go with bullet storm instead.

Quickly going into his pocket, Luffy acquired the necessary amount of bullets, focused in on the marines position, and started the attack. This took less than a second in real time.

"Bullet storm!"

He flicked all the bullets in his hand in rapid succession. Luffy didn't fire them fast enough to kill, just enough to make sure they wouldn't be a problem.

"Worthless idiots. I guess I'll have to kill you my self."

The man Luffy assumed must be Captain Morgan started to run at him.

"Onigiri!"

Lunging forward with three swords drawn, Zoro cut the marine captain in the torso with a style Luffy had never seen before. It would be interesting to spar later.

"Nice one"

"Just doing my job captain."

"Well, let's go."

Luffy wrapped an arm around Zoro and jump off the roof, all the while laughing his head off. Zoro, on the other hand, didn't know Luffy was rubber, so to him this was a death move.

"Gum Gum Balloon!"

When Zoro, who completely expected a face full of dirt, landed on a soft rubber cushion instead, it was the second time that day he had almost suffered a heart attack. But before he could compose himself, he flung into the air and landed with a thud on the ground.

Luffy retracted his stomach before the multiple scars became visible to anyone. Looking around, he spotted Zoro on the other side of the gate face down. Another fit of laughter was started.

"Com'on, Zoro let's go." Luffy made his way to the swordsman and nudged him a little. "Zoro?" Feeling his pulse, he found it shockingly weak.

Dang it. I forgot he hasn't eaten in weeks

After throwing Zoro over his back, Luffy ran to Rika's bar.

Later

"Yep, that's what happened."

Luffy had been retelling the story for hours to interested patrons of how he had beaten the tyrannical Captain Morgan. Zoro took the opportunity to stuff his face.

"Dang, Zoro, learn to chew."

"You have no room to talk hypocrite! You've eaten more than me and never once used your teeth. And at least I have an excuse."

"Whatever man," said Luffy in between sips of coffee.

"So what are you going to do now Luffy," asked Coby.

"Get some more crew members and head for the Grand Line. What about you Coby? You still going to be a marine after everything you saw here?"

"Well, the way I see it Luffy, you can't judge a whole group of people off one person. I used to think all pirates were evil, but then I met you. So yes, I will still be a marine."

As if on cue, the marines walked into the bar all official like. They surrounded the bar and emerged through the crowd that was surrounding Luffy.

"Are you the one who broke into the navy base, kidnapped Helmmpo, and defeated Captain Morgan?"

"Yep. Me and my old buddy Zoro."

Luffy wasn't intimidated. If these marines wanted round 2 then by all means let them try.

"Then you have my sincerest thanks," the marine said bowing his head. "Without you, Morgan might have reined over us forever; there is nothing we could ever do to repay you. Now my next question, are y'all pirates, because if so, I must ask you to leave."

What the heck? First praise, then random threats? Marines sure were bipolar at times.

"Ya, we are pirates. Let's go Zoro."

Wordlessly, Zoro followed Luffy outside the bar and the pair began walking to the docks. After getting in, the two untied the boat and started drifting away.

"Luffy! Thank you! I will never forget all you have done for me! You are my greatest friend!"

"Humph. Pirates being thanked by a marine, eh? That is unheard of," said Zoro good-naturedly.

With that, Coby saluted Luffy and much to his surprise, so did all the marines in the town. The pair leaving, smiled and waved back until they drifted from sight.

"This is great. My journey to become pirate king has finally begun."

"Pirate king?"

"Yeah. I made a promise to the man who gave me this straw hat. I will be pirate king one day."

Zoro smiled at the ambition that was so similar to his own. Sitting back, they fell into a peaceful silence, letting the waves be their guide.

A/N: Yes, Luffy does know about the six powers. He is not a master by any means though. Just like he knows about haki but hasn't mastered it, Luffy can only actively use two of the six powers effectively. Finger pistol and soru. Also if you're wondering about bullet storm, it works by Luffy using a form of finger pistol on the bullets, sending them flying at high speeds. I haven't forgotten about Luffy's devil fruit powers ether like some of you might think. The only reason he isn't using his regular attacks right now is because he would consider it to easy. Plus he is trying to improve his haki and six powers technics before the Grand Line. Sorry there wasn't a Luffy vs Zoro fight in the chapter. I briefly considered it but this chapter was already pretty long. Sorry to dis

If I missed anything ask me in the comments. Gmann out.