Rubber…that makes sense, I guess. It was then that the marines started shouting out, saying they couldn't beat the two. It was then that the marine in charge ordered those same marines to shoot themselves. It was then, that I snapped. I don't take kindly to anyone telling anyone else to kill themselves! It's wrong, plain and simple. I may not have known where I was, but I sure as hell knew who I was. I was Dante Moreau, and I was not going to let that mans words go unanswered! I know what I believe in, and it ticks me off that so few others have their own beliefs, their own values that they gained from examining their own lives. I've seen so many people act like sheep, following where everyone else follows, letting others do their thinking for them. That's what these marines were doing. Letting another person tell them their worth. I hated it.

As the marines raised their guns to their own heads, I shouted, "What the hell are you idiots doing? You can't throw your life away like that!"

Almost everyone seemed startled and I suddenly felt every eye turn to me. Straw hat though took the chance and rushed forward. "I am the marines worst enemy! If you've got the guts, then kill me!" He punched at the big guy who brought up his axe-arm and blocked it.

The kid with the pink hair shouted, "Luffy! Beat these marines!"

Axe guy threw off his jacket and faced Luffy, "People like you have no right to oppose me! I am marine lieutenant axe-hand Morgan!"

"I'm Luffy, nice to meet you." Luffy said.

I blinked in disbelief, not so much that Morgan seemed to be a hopeless narcissist, but at Luffy's casual, polite response as the man was bearing down on him. Luffy jumped up as Morgan swung at him, dodging the attack. The nearby fence and wall however were cleaved in half. Don't ask me how, I don't know. I don't get how you can cut something without even touching it. Hell I don't get anything about this world I found myself in.

Luffy kicked Morgan in the face and sent the man flying to the ground, landing on his back. All the marines were looking on in awe. I was too. Morgan stood, muttering, "You little bastard." He raised his axe up and brought it down, shouting, "Go to Hell!"

I guess Luffy had other plans. He side stepped it and jumped, spinning, and kicked Morgan again. Luffy grabbed Morgan's collar and raised his fist, "Some great marine you are. Destroying Coby's dreams and goal…"

"WAIT!"

Luffy glanced to whoever was shouting and saw that someone was holding a gun to Coby's head. Luffy punched Morgan and the guy yelled, "You idiot, I told you to wait! If you don't want your friend to die then don't move!"

"Helmeppo!" The marines shouted.

Coby looked up and said, "Luffy, I don't want to be in your way. I'm not afraid to die!"

As Coby spoke, my eyes turned to see Morgan rising to his feet and start lumbering toward Luffy. I don't know what sparked it within me, hell I didn't know what it was, but it took over, like instinct, and I dashed toward Morgan as he raised his axe over Luffy. I didn't know what was going on here, or why, but I did know that Morgan was an evil man. Corrupt. I can't stand corruption, especially in people who are supposed to be protectors. So I charged him, fist raised, feet pounding the ground. Three feet from him, he started bringing the axe down. I jumped. His axe stopped, blocked by Zoro, and a moment later my fist connected with the side of his head. It felt like a shockwave pulsed through me when it hit, and Morgan went flying to the side, out cold.

"He lost! Morgan has been defeated!" The marines yelled.

Zoro nodded to me as he put his katana away and then looked at the marines. I followed his gaze, and jumped in surprise when they started cheering. I realized that they weren't corrupt, it was just Morgan, and that made me feel good, but also disappointed. It seems even in a different world, people will do everything they're told without questioning whether or not it's wrong. I turned my head as Zoro suddenly fell to the ground in what I would later find to be exhaustion.

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I told them my name was Dante. I ate a lot and didn't say much as I sat with Luffy, Zoro, and Coby. Then again, no one said much until they finished eating, which took a long time. I'd never seen anyone eat so much before.

"What are your plans, next?" Zoro asked Luffy.

"I'm heading to the Grand Line!" Luffy said.

Coby gawked at them, "What? Just the two of you can't survive there! The strongest pirates in the world gather there!"

"Well, we are headed in that direction," Zoro said.

Coby rounded on Zoro and started shouting some more. I let it become background noise as I delved into my own thoughts. I'd spoken quite a bit with the little girl whose house we were in, and she'd eagerly told me all she could when I asked questions about the world I'd found myself in. It was nice, not having someone questioning why I was asking those things, just simply telling me. I learned a bit more about the oceans, discovered I was in East Blue, and that the world was ruled by the World Government. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that a single government would encompass the whole world, but there it was. I did learn that there were rebels who opposed them, though, and actually found myself a bit relieved. It seemed there were a few people who wanted to think for themselves at least.

"What about you?" Zoro asked.

My thoughts interrupted, I sputtered, "Huh?"

"What about you? Where are you going?" He asked.

"Um…well," I started, trying to think about it. I rubbed the back of my neck and shrugged, "I guess I don't really know."

"Come with us!" Luffy said with a smile.

"With you?" I asked.

"Yeah! You're strong right? Join my crew!" He grinned at me and I just blinked.

I shook my head, "But, I'm not strong, and I don't even know where I am. I can't go off and be a pirate, I have to figure out how I got here."

"And how do you plan to do that?" Zoro asked, "Do you have any money? How are you gonna get off this island? And where are you gonna go? And if you aren't strong, how'd you knock out that marine?"

"I….I don't…" I gulped as his questions

ran through my mind. I didn't have money, yet I needed to leave the island or else be taken by the marines again. And where to go? I didn't have any idea. I wouldn't know who to go to, or what to look for. They were offering me a chance to get started on finding out what was going on. How could I refuse? With a sigh and a smile I looked up at them, "Alright."

"Yahoo!" Luffy shouted, laughing delightedly.

I chuckled along with him until the door slammed open and we suddenly found ourselves facing a marine. "Excuse me, we are wondering, are you really pirates?"

"Yeah," Luffy said as he stood, "I just found my first crew members so that would make us pirates now."

"I see," the marine said, grabbing the bill of his hat, "Even though you are pirates, you saved our town and base. We are grateful for that. However, as marines, we cannot allow you to stay any longer."

I heard shouts of outrage outside from the townspeople gathered there, but Luffy seemed unaffected, instead rising and saying, "Well then, let's go. Thank you for the food, ma'am."

I stood with him and Zoro and we started walking to the door. I was a bit surprised that Luffy walked right by Coby. They had seemed to be pretty good friends. Was he going to leave without saying goodbye? The marine looked at Coby and asked if he was with us.

"I'M NOT WITH THEM!" Coby shouted.

"Please hold on," the marine said.

We stopped and I saw Luffy smirking and raised my eyebrow at it. He was planning this?

"Is he telling the truth?" the marine asked.

Luffy pointed at Coby, "I know what this guy, used to do. He was with this faaaaaaat lady pirate. I think her name was Albida. He spent two years there-"

"SHUT UP!" Coby screamed, punching Luffy.

Luffy punched right back, a grin on his face. I saw Zoro smiling slightly too and frowned. I was lost. Why would they be fighting when they'd been so friendly with each other earlier?

"That's enough!" the marine shouted, "I know he isn't your friend, get out of the town immediately!"

That's when it hit me. Coby had wanted to be a marine, so if he was associated with pirates… A grin split my face when I realized what Luffy had just done. We walked out of the house and into the street, making our way to the harbor. Zoro tried goading the marines who just stepped back, and Luffy smiled the whole way to the boat. I did too.

We were preparing to set out when Coby came running up to us, panting. He stood up straight and saluted, "Thank you very much!"

"I've never seen a marine saluting pirates before," Zoro said.

Luffy laughed, "Coby, we'll meet again someday!"

I saw the marines approach as well and then… "Group salute!"

The look on Coby's face was priceless as he realized all the marines were there, saluting us along with him. I laughed lightly and climbed onto the small boat, sitting down as we cast off, suddenly feeling weariness set in. It had been a long few weeks, and a tiring day, but it had been fulfilling too. I hoped that town would be better off from now on, and somehow I knew that those marines there would live up to the image I have of marines being protectors of the people.

Luffy stretched out on the boat and shouted, "Yahoo! Grand Line, here we come!"

There you go folks. for those who think there's a connection with Kuma, you're correct. what it is however will remain unknown for the time being. Besides, the thing with Kuma is secondary to the real secret about Dante. thanks for all the reviews, and please keep them coming!