Chapter 5 is officially OPEN!
Hope you all enjoy!
The early morning sun rose above the towering buildings of the city and the soft light shined through the windows of each building, illuminating the small flecks of dust drifting around the rooms. The door to one of the rooms opened and a figure grinned widely. Luffy walked inside and up to the sleeping swordsman who was lying on his stomach and snoring loudly. He bent down to make sure the man was really asleep before walking over to Sanji and doing the same thing. Grinning widely he sped out of the room. A few moments later he came back in and stood in the centre of the room. He lifted his hands and then smashed the two metal pots together.
Zoro instantly sat up and unsheathed his Katana, but instead of the katana he ended up holding a small butter knife instead, making him appear ridiculous rather than alert and threatening. Sanji also sat up but hit his head on a wooden plank balanced above his mattress. "Shitty piece of Fuck!" he screamed falling back into the mattress. Meanwhile, Luffy had broken into a fit of hysterical laughter and was clutching his stomach while rolling around on the floor. "T-That was, HAHAHA that was Classic!" he gasped while sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "You, Haha! You should have seen your faces!" he yelled. Zoro looked at the knife in his hand and frowned before spotting that his real Katana had respectfully been laid on the small table beside the bed. He put the knife down and put his real Katana back into its sheath before laying it back down on the floor next to his bed.
Sanji on the other hand continued to mutter curses as he sat up again and pushed the plank out of the way before glaring at Luffy who had now stood up and was grinning widely at him. "What the hell was that for, shitty bastard!?" he muttered rubbing the lump on his head. "It's Breakfast! Nami told me to come get you." He said cheerfully. Zoro and Sanji exchanged a short glance; didn't Luffy remember anything of what had happened last night? Or was he purposely trying to forget... Sanji sighed and stood up. "Well you could have been a bit nicer..." he muttered touching the welt on his head as they walked towards the kitchen.
Nami looked up as the three walked in and smiled, "Good morning! I hope you slept well?" she asked looking back down at the eggs slowly frying on the stove. Luffy smiled weakly and nodded but said nothing. Sanji looked at Zoro. The mercenary definitely remembered. Sanji walked over to the stove and raised an eyebrow, "Wow... this is pretty old fashioned. I've never seen one like this before; is it one of the early 2090 models?" he asked. Nami chuckled then nodded, "Yeah. You'll find that not many can afford the latest technology around here." She muttered.
Once Nami had finished, all five sat down at the table and began to eat. The smell of bacon and eggs on toast filled the room creating a cosy atmosphere amongst the five, then a light chime rung from down in the store and Nami looked down the hall. "I wonder who would want to buy weapons at this hour?" she muttered gently wiping her mouth with her napkin. "I'll be back in a minute, just keep eating or it'll get cold." she said smiling lightly and excusing herself.
She soon disappeared down the hall and Luffy looked at Usopp, "I don't remember anyone ever coming this early... do you have new clients?" he asked tilting his head while stabbing some bacon with his fork. Usopp shook his head and frowned. Luffy sighed and nodded, "Ok then. Nami tell us when she gets back then." He said smiling. He lifted the fork to his mouth and took a bite out of the bacon. Bringing his fork halfway back down to the plate Luffy froze. His eyes darkened and he slowly lowered his fork. He growled and stood up, "What the hell is he doing here?" he muttered adjusting his Straw Hat. Slowly standing up and walking into the hallway, he walked down the steps and opened the doorway to the shop.
"Nami, step away from him." He muttered shadowing his eyes with his Straw Hat. Nami looked back at Luffy before looking at the customer and quickly jumping back a few steps taking refuge behind the counter. Luffy sighed and leaned against the doorframe. "What are you doing here, Crocodile? Everyone knows that the North-West coast is my territory." The shadowed man turned around and smirked, "Well well, look whose back in town. Straw Hat Luffy... I heard you were dead." He chuckled before turning around. Dark eyes gazed lazily at Luffy and the thick fur-lined coat the man was wearing swayed gently around his feet as he turned. The thick scar running over Crocodile's nose crinkled slightly as he grinned and crossed his arms over his chest revealing a mechanical left hand.
Zoro frowned, "So that's Crocodile..." He whispered. "Who's Crocodile?" asked Sanji. Luffy's two companions had followed Usopp into the roof above the store and all three were now watching the scene playing out below them. "Crocodile is basically at the head of the mafia throughout the whole west coast... apart from up here apparently, but he probably even controls Mexico as well. In short... he had more influence over this country than the alliance ever will."
"No thanks to you; I haven't forgotten what you did Crocodile..." muttered Luffy, his eyes still shadowed by his Straw Hat, "I'll ask you to leave this store... Even if you have saved me the trouble of having to find you." he said through clenched teeth. Crocodile laughed loudly but didn't make any motion towards the door. "You still upset about that!? Don't be such a sore loser; it's your fault for getting yourself so beat up you couldn't stand! I just saw an opportunity and took It." he shrugged. Luffy's fists clenched tightly and Usopp winced. "I got 'so beat up' as you say, by saving your fucking sorry ass!" yelled Luffy getting angry at this point "I had to starve for two months because you didn't give me my pay!"
Crocodile just laughed again, "Aww, are you gonna cry about it shortie? At least I put the money to good use." he chuckled flexing his mechanical fingers. Luffy took a deep breath and slowly cracked his knuckles; Crocodile was taking this too far... "I won't ask you again..." he muttered darkly. Sanji felt Goosebumps start to rise on his skin and a shiver ran up his spine; there was something weird going on... something about Luffy made you want to obey everything he said. Crocodile raised his arms above his head in mock surrender and chuckled, "Ok ok, I'm leaving. Keep a close eye on your friends though; something big is happening. Something bigger than anything we have ever seen before. It would be a shame if you lost your friends... just like you lost everyone else." He muttered grinning slyly.
Luffy's eyes softened for a moment and his hand subconsciously reached for the strange beads around his wrist. Suddenly the atmosphere in the room shattered. Sanji's eyes widened when he saw Luffy standing next to Crocodile holding one of his guns to the man's head. 'When did he move?' "Get out of here Crocodile... You have no idea what you're talking about. Now get out!" he snarled. A dark aura filled the room and everyone felt a deep chill seep down into their spine. For a moment something that could have been seen as fear flickered in Crocodiles eyes before they turned icy once more and he stared harshly at Luffy. "Are you threatening me?" hissed Crocodile. "Oh I'm doing much more than that..." Luffy muttered cocking his gun, "Croc." he said baring his teeth.
Crocodile scoffed then walked towards the exit, "Watch your back Straw Hat... next time you see me you will be lying in a pool of your friends blood, then I'll kill you off as well." He muttered, making his way down the road. Luffy's eyes narrowed as he watched Crocodile retreating back to the car parked a little down the road. As the car drove past, Luffy stepped forward and punched through the window, grabbing a handful of Crocodile's shirt forcing the car to jerk to a stop. "What is the meaning of this!" roared Crocodile trying to pull out of Luffy's iron grip.
"You listen to me and you listen closely." hissed Luffy lowly. "You don't know who or what you're messing with... If I see you in this area ever again, I won't hesitate to rip off your 'claw' and stuff it down your throat before making sure you die a slow yet painful death... I was trained by an Assassin remember?" he smirked before letting go of Crocodile and walking slowly back to the store. When Crocodile's car finally disappeared out of sight, Luffy's calm facade suddenly dropped and letting out an angered cry he punched through the shop window. "FUCK!" he screamed before sighing deeply.
Once his shouts stopped echoing around the shop, Crocodile was long gone and Nami slowly walked over towards Luffy. "Are you ok?" she asked softly, laying a hand on his shoulder. Luffy grunted noncommittally. "Yeah... give me a minute." He whispered looking down at his bracelet and gently rubbed one of the beads. Luffy then looked up at the ceiling where the other three were hiding.
"Don't think I didn't hear you three listening in..." he muttered looking back down at his bracelet. "Let's get back to breakfast... it'll get cold soon." He said walking back to the stairs before pausing and turning to Nami, "Sorry about the window... I'll fix it before I leave." He said smiling apologetically. Nami just dismissed him, "Don't worry about it, just another to add to your tally. I do still expect you to fix it though." She said playfully. Luffy just laughed and nodded.
Zoro frowned... apparently there was a lot more about Straw Hat Luffy the alliance didn't know. The file labelled him as a Bounty Hunter whose exact age was unknown but his missions were always a success no matter what the odds. They had already known that he had been trained by an assassin, but no matter how much they offered to pay for the information, no one stepped forward with the name. All claimed that they found their own life much more valuable than a few hundred dollars.
Luffy had gone missing seven years ago, but was relocated a year after his disappearance; shortly after the bombings of L.A. The Alliance has kept an eye on him ever since. According to the Department of Research and Development, Luffy's fighting skills are extraordinary and he also seemed to have developed a sixth sense, as if he could read minds. It has also been reported that he is much smarter than he acts; also confirmed by his guardian Garp. They had a full file on him, but it seems as if it had barely scratched the surface. What else was this kid hiding?
A thick silence hung over everyone as they finished off breakfast and soon Luffy began gathering plates. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair. "Nami..." he murmured, "You've already spoken to them. Haven't you? About..." he paused and closed his eyes. "About the bombings...?" he said opening his eyes again. He smiled gently and looked at Sanji and Zoro, "And knowing the elders they probably gave you my files." Zoro's eyes flicked over to Sanji and they shared a quiet glance unknowingly showing Luffy that the elders had indeed given them the file.
Sanji looked at Luffy and nodded. "What did it tell you?" asked Luffy jumping up onto the counter and sitting down instead of returning to the table. Sanji hesitated, "You are and orphan but you and your elder brother were found and raised by 'Iron Punch' Garp. You disappeared for about a year, three years after your brother died but shortly after the bombings you were relocated. Your skills in combat are highly advanced and you seem to have a sixth sense." He said feeling sweat gather at the back of his neck. Ever since he had mentioned the death of Luffy's brother, Luffy had fixed him with a harsh stare.
"True on all accounts but one; my brother is not dead. I know for a fact that Ace is still breathing." He said. He slipped of the beads around his wrist and tossed them onto the table. "There's your proof." He said turning his back to them. Zoro frowned at the beads, "How do you know your brother's alive? He has been missing for ten years. Unless, you've been in contact with him...?" He said turning in his chair to look at Luffy. The teen shook his head. "No, I haven't seen him or heard from him since the day he disappeared." He said softly, tearing his gaze away from the wall. Zoro passed the beads to Sanji who started to examine them.
"Then how do you know he's still alive?" asked Zoro. Usopp and Nami looked at Luffy then at each other. Why was he being so open with these strangers...? What has he seen in them? Luffy caught their gaze and smiled gently. Don't worry... we can trust them. He motioned subtlety. "Those beads in your hand... they're called Soul Bearers. They are incredibly rare and only a select few know how to make them." He said hopping off the bench and walking to the table.
"These beads are made of Glass that has been infused with a particular person's blood; thus the red hue. They will last forever, unbreakable, as long as the person who's blood resides in these beads still breaths. People call them Soul Bearers because only when the person dies, will the bead shatter." He muttered. "That is why I know Ace is still alive." Sanji passed the beads back to Luffy and then noticed something strange. "You said the beads shatter when the person dies... then why are most of the beads black?" he asked.
Luffy's face dropped. "Because they aren't Soul Bearers... I replaced the shattered beads with crystallised volcanic rock. All these beads represent the people I am closest to in this world. Very few of them remain... There were fourteen beads on this bracelet... only four of the original Soul Bearers are left. Two beads have been added since the bombings and they belong to two of the people in this room. I have lost track of most of the others, I haven't heard from them for a while." He shrugged slowly sliding the bracelet back on and smiled lightly before standing up.
"Hey Usopp, when do you think you'll have those knuckle dusters finished?" he asked walking towards the hallway. Usopp seemed to think for a moment before smirking and shifting his head around a little. Luffy laughed, "Haha, Ok then!" he said before turning back around and waving over his shoulder. "I'll be back by tonight to fix the window. Is that ok with you Nami?" he asked putting a hand on the door that lead downstairs. She nodded, "Just don't get into any trouble!" Luffy chuckled, "Yeah yeah..." he grinned before disappearing down stairs.
Zoro frowned, "Where's he going?" he mumbled. Nami shrugged, "Don't know really... he disappears sometimes. I don't know where he goes, but he'll be back." She said putting away the last few things and washing the dishes. Sanji bolted out of his seat and to the window. "Shit! Where the hell'd he go!" he bit his lip and looked at Zoro. "He's not supposed to wonder off on his own! Why didn't you stop him!?" Zoro snorted, "It's not like he can't take care of himself. If he survived a Buster Call, he can survive a day without us." He muttered lazily leaning back in his chair.
Sanji was about to talk back before Zoro shot him a stern glance, "Drop it." he muttered, his eyes flickered to Nami and Usopp who had now moved on to putting away everything they had used. Sanji looked in their direction and nodded.
Dun Dun Dun!
A new twist in the plot!
I would like lots and lots of reviews please!
Love ya!