So once I wrote the Prolouge this came pouring out of me - I never meant it to be so long! So here's chapter 1 for you too!
Disclaimer - I don't own One Piece
Chapter 1 – Days of Greetings and Plans
At this exact moment, Clahador Kuro was a happy man. The weather was good, his "business" connections in East Blue were providing a healthy income for him, and he was about to be rid of the most annoying thing he owned for a ridiculously high price.
Kuro was quickly becoming wealthy enough to buy himself into good society, as he had always dreamed. One thing that had aided his rise in popularity was the large collection of slaves on his plantation, in particular one boy from South Blue. Little did the rest of the world know that the boy was bane of Kuro's life. So when the good and honourable businessman Sir Crocodile mentioned interest in purchasing the boy, Kuro jumped at the chance to be rid of him.
"Disobedient bastard, just wait until Crocodile gets his hook in you" Kuro chuckled to himself as he strode out the front of his house to greet the important guest who is willing to buy that bastard from the South.
With his greased back hair and even greasier smile, Crocodile climbed out his cart and shook Kuro's hand warmly.
"Kuro, I hope you're well?" Crocodile's grip slightly crushed Kuro's as he proved his superiority.
"Splendid thank you Sir, nice to meet such an honourable man as yourself." Crocodile smirked, unimpressed.
"Please Clahador, I don't have all day. Can we just get this started?"
Kuro didn't falter "of course, if you'd just like to follow me I'll show you to the yard, the available slaves are ready for your inspection". The pair moved out to the yard, Kuro's slaves cowering as Crocodile walked past. It was well known throughout all slave communities that the "honourable" Crocodile was a vicious man, and many slaves met their end at his abuse. The slaves watched sadly as they saw the men go to take some of their friends away.
The yard was a large dusty area, surrounded by dilapidated shacks the slaves inhabited. Inside it, 50 slaves were lined up, the chains around their throats binding them together. Groups of others were talking quietly to the ones bound, friends and family preparing in case their loved one is purchased. Murmurs and quiet sobs permeated the tense air as nakama shared kind words to all the items for sale. All, that is, except for the three men at the end of the chain. Two men stood next to each other, quietly discussing their pending sales and concerning over their fate. One wore a tattered pair of trousers and matching jacket, and had a tattoo on his cheek, while the other wore a long coat and a dirty pair of shorts. Next to them, a man stood quietly, eyes closed, ignored by all. In addition to the chain around his neck, his hands were cuffed in front of him and feet were loosely bound. His threatening aura kept all away as he dreamt. Though all knew to ignore him as Roronoa Zoro was known as the demon from South Blue.
"Aniki, oi aniki you awake?" The man closest to him, Johnny, stopped talking to his friend and turned to Zoro. The green haired man opened an eye and peered over at the nervous man. "Yea, what do you want Johnny?"
"That Crocodile is here, you should get ready to meet him" The tattooed man, Yosaku leant forward and addressed the apparent demon. Zoro simply snorted in disinterest.
"Che, like I care about him, just another person to get on my nerves."
"At least Kuro won't pick on you anymore Aniki" Yosaku pointed out. Johnny butted in nervously.
"Perhaps, but Crocodile is an evil man! And Zoro Aniki is known for being a fierce man from South Blue; I bet that Crocodile will have some bad things pla…YOWCH!" Johnny's worried rant was cut short and Yosaku stamped on his foot, silencing his friend as he nodded over at Zoro. Yoasku clearly didn't want his aniki scared. But Zoro didn't look bothered in the slightest; in fact he looked asleep again.
"Zoro aniki isn't scared Yosaku buddy, he's the demon! Crocodile can't faze him." Johnny whispered to his friend, clearly proud that their companion was so strong.
Zoro meanwhile, was busy trying to ignore his two admirers. While everyone else avoided him, it seemed Johnny and Yosaku weren't bothered with him at all. He'd known them for as long as he could remember, since he first arrived at this godforsaken place. He smiled inwardly as he remembered the day he arrived at the plantation and met them, and met her.
It was raining as a young green haired boy sat in the corner of the crammed cart, scowling at everyone who looked at him. The tiny cart was jam packed with people, some looking angry, most looking annoyed. He could hear the three men up front talking, and after a while, he realised they were talking about him.
"That skin colour, you can only find it in the South" The man guiding the horses told his two friends. The dark haired man next to him turned, and exclaimed.
"Yea, it's a miracle we got away with him. The green hair, that's a trait of the Roronoa clan. Apparently he's one of the younger sons of them. When they saw us grab him they chased for miles."
"But where'd you find him?" The third uttered
"He was hunting by himself, looks too young for it if you ask me. Without anyone else around he couldn't defend against 6 of us, no matter how powerful his clan is, he's just a kid". The dark haired man recounted the chase as young Zoro did in his head. The tribe said he was too young, damn it they were right! Now what's gonna happen, he just woke up in this stupid place with a pounding headache! He frowned and rubbed his head, while those sitting near him shuffled away, murmuring
"Hear that, from the south"
"He must be dangerous"
"Just leave him alone"
Zoro curled up on himself, glaring at those talking about him. Che, if they wanted to ignore him, they he didn't need them either. The cart bumped and a girl knocked into him. He stared at her incredulously as she smiled at him.
"Sorry! Hey, I like your hair." He frowned at her, unused to kind words from anyone outside his family. Silence loomed for a while before she tried again "You're new to all this, ne? My name's Kunia, I'll look after you" Zoro kept staring at the girl, short lavender hair and simple clothes. "I've been like this for a few years now, you get used to it." Zoro looked confused, and uttered the first thing he'd said since bidding farewell to his family to hunt.
"Get used to what?"
The rest of the journey Kunia explained to young Zoro that he had been kidnapped, and was being moved to a plantation. She was surprised he knew nothing of these words, but had heard the others muttering about the one from the South, so took the time to explain everything to the poor boy. She sympathised with him, having been through similar things herself when she was kidnapped from the East a few years ago. At least she was aware of what to expect.
"Slavery" the boy was distressed "people don't belong to anyone"
"Maybe not where you come from kid, but this is Grand Line"
Zoro pouted "I don't take orders from nobody" Kunia stared, and then laughed, drawing attention from the others in the cart. Zoro looked up to her in surprise of her outburst.
"Maybe not yet kid, but you will soon enough."
The cart slowed to a halt as the rain stopped, and the doors were thrown open. The three men quickly ushered them out, and the collection stood in the middle of the yard. Other slaves stood on the periphery, secretly watching the newcomers, and a man in a suit with glasses and weird striped shoes stood in the middle, an irritating grin on his face. Zoro didn't like him one bit.
"Welcome to my plantation. My name is Clahador Kuro, and from now on I am your new owner." Most of the newcomers watched the man in interest, or intimidation, though Zoro growled in anger. Kuro turned to him and smirked "ah, so this is the one I was told about?" He approached the green haired boy. The dark haired guard stood behind Zoro, and answered as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes sir, this is the boy we…acquired, from South Blue" Zoro glared daggers at the man standing in front of him, and ignored the whispers that surrounding slaves were uttering about the dangerous South Blue
"What's your name boy?" Kuro addressed him, looking down and grinning. Zoro didn't answer however-only growled in response. Bad move he soon realised, as all it earned him was a blinding pain in his already sore head. Silence fell across the yard as he feel forward on his knees, and turned to see the man behind him brandish a bat. Zoro turned back around and stared at the floor, holding his sore head as he spat out the words like venom.
"Roronoa Zoro" Kuro smiled, the boy would learn his place eventually, albeit with a bit of persuasion. Eyes never leaving the angry child at his feet, Kuro addressed his assistants.
"Let's leave the others to get comfortable and let Mr Roronoa clean himself up a bit" As soon as the guards and Kuro were out of sight, the slaves moved to welcome the newcomers, but all left Zoro sitting on the floor. He could feel Kunia standing nearby, but he didn't move. Shame washed over him, he had never felt so small. Suddenly, two boys bounded over loudly, brandishing a wet cloth.
"Sugoi! You just ignored Kuro-sama when he spoke to you! You are so cool!" Zoro looked up at the first boy running at him with the cloth, the other closely behind shouting "Johnny! Wait! Didn't you hear he's from the south! Even if he is cool be careful!" The second boy stopped in front of Zoro and Kunia and addressed them "My name is Yosaku, this is Johnny" he nudged his friend, who handed Zoro the cloth.
"For your head aniki" Zoro looked up at Johnny, perplexed until he moved his hand off his head to grab the towel, and saw blood on his fingers. Kunia spoke to the boys, and filled in the gaps in Zoro's already full head.
"That bat got him bad, ne? I'm Kunia, and this weak baby down here is Zoro." Zoro cleaned his head as his new friends talked around him.
Nearing footsteps woke Zoro from his reminiscing, and he looked up to see Kuro and Crocodile stop in front of him. A tense hush settled across the yard – his defiance was well known amongst all. Hell, Kuro would've got rid of such a disobedient bastard long ago if he weren't so damn valuable.
"This is the one I was talking about sir, the others around here call him a demon" Zoro smirked at his nickname, which didn't amuse crocodile
"Something amusing you boy? You better wipe that grin off your face next time I see you, or I'll be glad to do it for you". The man's hooked hand gleamed menacingly as he held the point under Zoro's chin, lifting his head to look Crocodile in the eye. Zoro said nothing, but stared at his new owner for a while. The pair stared until Kuro interrupted
"Shall we go inside and discuss payment?" He tried to keep his voice steady, but wanted Crocodile back inside before that green haired bastard could screw the deal up. Crocodile turned his head from Zoro and dragged his hook away – not before allowing it to leave a cut across Zoro's chin and throat. "Very well, but this one better be worth the amount he is." Kuro laughed lightly
"Well he's a rare specimen, apparently the Roronoa Clan are one of the strongest in South Blue. And he definitely proves that theory right, stronger than 10 of my normal workers." The pair discussed as they walked back into the house, and Yosaku and Johnny turned to look upon their friend.
"Aniki, you okay? "
"It's nothing, just a scratch" Zoro was used to them, and much more, so the blood trickling down his neck didn't faze him. Zoro watched Crocodiles retreating fur-clad back. As the men started being moved towards the carts to transport them away, Johnny whispered to the pair
"Oi, we should make a run for it" Yosaku almost tripped in surprise
"Eh?! Are you MAD? What if we get caught?!"
"And what if we get free? Better than having to work for that crazy Crocodile." Yosaku stared at his friend in awe, and behind them Zoro barked out a laugh
"I'm up for it Johnny, but we'll have to wait 'til we get on the cart"
Johnny looked at Zoro in amazement, while Yosaku groaned and muttered about crazy friends and stupid ideas.
"Really Aniki! But why wait for the cart?" Johnny asked
"Cause then they'll take of these stupid chains, so we can move easier. As soon as they do, we'll tip the cart and run for the river. Once we're through there and over the fence we can hide in the wood."
Johnny nodded eagerly while Yosaku just stared slack jawed before he answered.
"You better hope this works, Zoro aniki"
--
So the story begins, I basically wanted Zoro's story to be understood fairly early, because I don't think I'm a confident enough writed to explain it al the story progresses too much! So now you know of his past, his friends and next the adventures will start. Will the three escape? Or will Crocodile get his hands on his posessions? Who knows?! (Me :D)
Thanks for Reading - Pamplemoose