"Gecko Island, so bland," Luffy commented as he stood on a beach of said island.
"Are you going to comment every island we land on?" Zoro asked with mirth in his voice.
"Why, yes I do. First impressions are important after all!" Luffy smirked.
"And I guess you want me to write it into our log as well?" asked Nami as she walked from cabin, that was turned into her room for now. Her original ship was tied to the Luffy's bigger ship and was used as storage now.
"Yup, future generations need to understand how we interacted with the people and island for our first time!"
"Very well," Nami sighed and gave small smile.
It was six days since the incident in Orange Town, and five days since she joined Luffy's impromptu crew. They made small stop at Marine Base at Loki Island, where they turned Buggy's bounty and received nice fifteen million beri. Most of the time on the sea they spent talking, or Nami watching Luffy train with Zoro in abilities known as Haki. When he offered to teach them to her, she refused stating that there is not enough space for three people to exercise fully. Instead she used the time to read through some of the book Luffy had in cabin. Most of them were maps and manuals on navigating. There were also some about theory on Haki. Overall it was relaxing and sometimes even fun voyage.
"Well, let's go! We need to get some supplies!" Luffy said and took a step forward. Only to stop because he saw a man on the cliff. Yup, he recognized said person.
"Stop pirate! I am Captain Usopp and this island is under my protection! Leave now or suffer the wrath of my eight thousand crew!" Usopp yelled. Shadows appeared in forest and started to rustle the leaves. Luffy turned to his other companions and winked.
"Realy! Eight thousand! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" Luffy screamed and started running in circles.
"That's right pirates! Depart now and live! Or stay and die!" Usopp gave his version of maniacal laugh.
"Oh my god, that is boring already, so can you and your three companions get your ass down here?" Luffy asked with completely bland expression, like previous action never happened. If one where to check the footprints, they would find out he returned to exactly same position.
"AAAAAA! HE GOT US! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" the three kids yelled and ran.
"Oi! Wait! Don't leave me here alone!" Usopp yelled after them. He stared at already empty road to the village. A cough awoke him from stupor. He slowly turned towards the trio down at the beach. The girl was smiling, while the boys were smirking. Usopp smiled. Then puffed his chest.
"I CAN TAKE YOU ON MYSELF! FOR I AM CAPTAIN USOPP!" and pulled out slingshot and draw back the rubber, with ammo in it.
"Are you willing to bet your life on it?"
"Huh?"
"Now that you pulled out your gun are you willing to use it? After all they are used for actions and not threats," Luffy said as his hat shadowed his eyes. The intensity was high. Usopp started sweating.
"We are real pirates, so chose your actions correctly," Zoro added. Usopp started to shake a bit, until he drops the iron ball from rubber.
"Damn, I can't do it after all. Real pirates are way too intense," Usopp whispered.
"Those words were said by someone I considered my big brother. He was a pirate and he had this annoying crewmember with blond hair. He was screeching about this kid of his no matter what. Be it while drinking, or already drunk, showcasing his skill while drunk or with hangover. I believe his name was Yasopp," Luffy said and Usopp's eyes widened.
"I believe that is your dad's name, right?" he smirked.
"That little shit! How dare he do this to me! And I bought him this nice cool jacket to go with uniform too!" old man bawled his eyes out in corner while munching on donuts and squeezing a jacket to his chest. This person is no other then legendary marine, Garp the Fist.
"Uh?" uttered confused Coby, "what just happened?"
"Ignore him please, he tends to get over emotional," answered Bogard, Garp's right hand.
"Oh, I see," Coby muttered, not really getting it.
"And I had so many plans! Taking him on pirate hunt, eating donuts, annoying Sengoku, and making fun of Weirdzaru, Boringkiji and Bratinu!" he continued bawling.
"Is he really going to be fine?" Coby asked once more.
"Yes, he just needs to get over it; he will be fine in few minutes," Bogard replied.
"SIR!" marine yelled as he rushed into the room.
"What?! Don't you see me crying like a little girl? What is more important than me whining like a little kid and complaining how world is unfair?!" Garp yelled.
"Um, Kazuma Ryugi asks permission to board the ship," marine said.
"Send him here and you! Get out! Make him work out or something," he said to Coby and Bogard.
"Sir, yes sir!" Coby yelled heartily.
"As you wish," Bogard nodded his head. They left the room and Garp moved towards his desk in a corner of the room. The table was full of papers and photo frames. One certain frame made him smile a bit. It was a photo of five teenagers.
In the front left side was a boy with long brown hair, covering both his eyes. He had his arms folded and his face was blank. He wore baggy dark blue pants and white hoodie.
In the middle was a girl with short blond hair, covering one of her left eye. The other eyes was close was closed as she leaned her head on someone's shoulder, with her left arm hugging the person around waist while her right arm was stretched in front of her with peace sign. She wore dark blue leggings with white really short shorts and white shirt with long loosely sleeves at the forearm.
The person on her left side was a boy with short black hair, white eyes and large smile on his face. His right arm was located at the girl's waist and his left hand was behind his head. He wore baggy dark blue pants, white tank top and white dress unbuttoned white shirt with red flames around the hems.
Behind them was another girl with spiky silver hair and red eyes. He was smiling and sticking out his tongue, while his arms were crossed in front of him, showcasing peace sign each. She wore dark blue leggings and white tank top.
Finally behind her using a stool to be higher and leaning over her while placing his hands on two boy's heads was another boy with dark blue hair and black eyes. He wore same baggy dark blue pants and fancy opened white cardigan.
"So I heard, that Luffy trolled you yet again," came a voice from doorway.
"Yeah, sucker. I will show him the error in his way with my fist of love when I meet him next," Garp answered.
"Whatever makes you sleep better at night Burp," voice chuckled lightly.
"Can you stop with that stupid nickname?" Garp growled.
"Maybe if you asked without growling," Garp again growled, "see that is what I am talking about!"
"Screw you Ryugi," Garp yelled. Ryugi chuckled and stopped next to Garp, looking at the picture. Ryugi was a tall man in his fifties. He wore black suit pants and white dress shirt tucked in his pants, over it he wore white coat similar to the one Marine's wore. His hair was long grey in colour with green eyes.
"That was taken three years ago, before their final exam," Ryugi commented with softness in his eyes.
"Yeah, five months before the accident," Garp added.
"You mean that mission that turned into fucking bloodbath because of me?" Ryugi angrily said.
"You know that none of them blame you. Not Serah or Lari, neither does Eichi. Makoto loves you like his damn father and Luffy," Garped stopped and gulped, "Luffy was just angry and if he had hate in him, it was directed towards Gorosei."
"I wish it was that easy," Ryugi commented.
Silence ruled the room.
"You are idiot, you know?" Garp smirked.
"Sure, whatever," Ryugi muttered and focused his sight on the certain pair in the picture.
"They look cute together," he said after awhile.
"Yeah I was already planning their wedding! BWHAHAHA Monkey Lorea Serah! What a lovely name!" Garp laughed loudly.
"It was funny teasing them, well at least for us, they were embarrassed a lot," Ichibei chuckled.
"By the way do you know where she is now?" Garp asked whipping the tear from his eye.
"Last time I checked she was in North Blue, near Reverse Mountain," Ichibei grinned.
"Luffy is heading to the Grand Line, right?" Garp grinned as well.
"Let's do this!" Ichibei erupted in laughter.
"If I can't have you in Marines then I will do my best to make you regret that by embarrassing you so much, BWHAHAHAHA!"
Usopp laughed. "He really did that?"
"Yup, he seriously shot off wings from the fly, the coolest thing I ever saw!" Luffy answered. Zoro was munching on a meat and Nami was in awe at the story. If that was true it is one hell of snipping.
"Still I can't believe my dad is so good," Usopp muttered happily.
"Of course he is the best, after all he is officer for Yonkou," Luffy commented with calm voice, ignoring disbelief and confusion on faces of his friends.
"Huh, Yonkou?"
"Yup, your dad is sniper for Red Hair Shanks," silence followed. Usopp dropped.
"WHAT?! MY DAD IS SNIPER FOR YONKOU?" Usopp yelled.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Luffy sighed and pulled his backpack closer to him. He opened it and started to rummage through it.
"Damn, what a surprise," Usopp said.
"Yeah, my captain knows a Yonkou? Wonder if I could get a spar against his best swordsman," Zoro grinned with killer intent leaking out of him.
"O, Zoro you are scarring other customers!" Nami said and bonked him on the head.
Zoro grunted, but stood up and bowed to everyone. "Sorry for disturbing your meal."
"Why did I join this crew?" Nami whined, no wonder Luffy is so strong. Yonkou must gave him some pointers.
"Ah, here it is," Luffy said and placed a paper on the table.
"This is..." Usopp muttered as he stared at the paper. It was wanted poster.
Wanted Dead or Alive
Yasopp the Sharp-Eye
800.000.000 beri
"So cooool!" Usopp yelled as he grabbed it and started bouncing happily around.
"My dad is a cool pirate! YES!" he laughed.
"No way!"
"That Yasopp has such a high bounty?"
"But he was always lazing around or hitting on Banchina!"
"But you know what this means?"
"What?"
"We are village from where and awesome pirate originates!"
"CHEERS!" all around them people cheered and laughed.
"They are all weird," Luffy said.
"Why?"
"Cause Yasopp never really talked about the island or its inhabitants, but only about you," Luffy pointed at Usopp, "and sometimes Banchina."
"Must sucks for them, not being recognized by awesome pirate," Zoro laughed.
"So Usopp, what is there to do on this island for fun?" Luffy asked.
Luffy and the crew spent a lot of time talking, telling stories, laughing and just relaxing. Zoro was moody about not training enough, but Luffy laughed and gave him one hour training session, that left Zoro near death state. Usopp panicked and started calling Luffy crew killer. Luffy laughed and said that this was important. According to him, there are many different people and training style. One could do anything after reading the book, but needed hard practice. Others for example need to push their bodies to brink of death for them to gain next level of strength. Zoro was the second one. The harsher the training, the bigger the payload.
Nami was also receiving the theory about Haki from Luffy. Luffy didn't want to push her too much, as her body was still recovering from the incident few days ago.
Usopp dropped by for those lessons, being interested what is going on. Luffy didn't mind, he was already planning on asking Usopp to join him. Though he wondered where he always disappears of too.
The three kids, that were with Usopp turned out to be nice prank targets by the trio. So easy to rile up.
It was the night after their third day on the island. Nami was sitting on top of the cliff, watching stars.
"Can't sleep?" voice asked.
"Can you blame me?" she asked with bittersweet smile. Luffy came up to her and sat next to her.
"I guess, I can't," he said.
"Do you need something, Luffy?"
"Just to make sure you are okey, you are after all part of my crew," was his answer.
"But I am not sure for how long," Nami muttered.
"Hmm? You think I am letting you go? No way, having hot and sexy navigator was always my dream!" he exclaimed.
"Prat!" she said and punched him. She knew he meant it to lighten up her mood and it did, but seeing his eyes so dull, makes her wonder, what the hell happened to him.
"So I was wondering we could look for a cook after this. I also wants to visit this place where an old friend resides," Luffy said.
"Sure, just give me the locations and I will get us there," she smiled at him.
"Zoro wants to look for some better swords as well, seeing as he has only one good and the other two are thresh," Luffy said.
"Can be done, do you know where?"
"I was thinking about Loguetown, the biggest city in East Blue. We can go there after the next location we will visit," Luffy commented.
"Sure, I don't have problem."
"Do you need something to take care off?" he said catching her of guard.
"What do you mean?"
"Your eyes tell it all. You are hiding something, something dark that ties you to an anchor, dragging you down, not being able to take a breath. What do you need? Just say it and it will be done," Luffy said.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Nami said, trying to hide her conflicting feelings.
"You don't have to bottle it up, like with the Buggy incident. The best way for you to heal is to open your gates and let us help you," Luffy explained and patted her on the back.
"What do you know? Were you forced to do something you hate? Were you forced to watch someone to kill your love one? Were you ever forced to be in present of her killer and smile?!" she yelled angrily, her emotion running wild. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded her fist into his chest. She was surprised, when he reached out with his hand and wiped of her tears. She saw him smile. Not his patented smirk or grin, this was real smile.
"I know how it feels, because I was forced to do similar things. I am not going to force you to speak about your past. But if you need my help just say so and I will help," he said and hugged her. She hugged him back and let her tears fall.
"So let me get this right," Luffy said.
"You saw a man walk backward, and he looked like a creep. So in your infinite wisdom you followed this unknown, potentially dangerous, guy to this secret meeting between him and guy named Klahadore, who is butler for Kaya girl living in that huge mansion?" Luffy asked. The three kids nodded.
"And you found out, he is planning on killing her so he could get her money?" Three nods.
"And you told Usopp, who ran through the village yelling that Klahadore is a bad guy, but he got attacked by them," nods.
"Then he went to Kaya, trying to get her away from him, only to be shot by Merry her loyal servant?" nods.
"And then you are here, asking me to help you?" and with that he looked at Usopp whose shot hand was jus bandaged by Nami.
"Yes," he nodded.
"Why the hell you didn't come to me right from the start?" Luffy asked dumbfounded.
"I wanted to save them, even though they attacked me, I still love this village and I won't see it destroyed by pirates," Usopp proclaimed.
"What if I say no? What if I take my crew and leave this island?" Luffy asked with his hat shadowing his face.
"Luffy, we should help - ," Nami started but was cut off by Zoro.
"Be quite. This is talk between our captain and him. Also remember, that captain's law on a ship is final. He could order us to help those pirate and you would have to or die for disobeying his orders." Nami eyes widened and looked at Luffy. Usopp was sweating, because of the pressure and the tension in the air.
"What Zoro said is true. I could order you both to kill Usopp and then kill Kaya and steal everything, nothing you would do would stop me," Luffy said.
"I see," Nami said, saddened. Another typical pirate.
"But, I am not dictator. You guys are important to my crew and I know that some of my decisions will be wrong, so I want you to question me if you find it necessary. But keep those things to the priate, do not do so in front of potential client," Luffy explained.
"Okey," she said quietly with nod.
"So, once more. Why should I help you?"
"Because you are strong. I can tell, no I can feel it. Your power rushing through your veins. It is so full, it wants to burst out, but for some reason, you do not want to let it happen," Usopp exclaimed. Luffy eyes widened for second.
This description, this conviction. He can really feel it. No wonder he is such a good shot. He is Enhanced. Good.
"What is your dream?" Luffy asked.
"Huh? My dream? What does it have to do with the attack?"
"Humor me, please."
"I want to become a brave man of the seas, I want to travel the seas and go on an adventure! I want to see the world and when I meet my father, beat him at snipping contest!" Usopp started slowly, but yelled the end.
"Then, join my crew," Luffy smirked.
"Huh?"
"You heard me. My payment is you joining my crew," Luffy exclaimed.
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Usopp muttered with shake of the head.
"You don't," was simple reply.
"Fine I will join you."
"Good, then let's plan!"
The dawn came, and the village was awakened by gunshot and screaming. Pirates were running through the village attacking everyone. Atop one of the houses sat two figures.
"Do we have to do it this way?" asked one person.
"Yes, they need to understand, that by hurting you they lowered their chances of survival. Village this small should never ever act that way towards one of the inhabitants," answered the second one with straw hat atop his head.
"If you say so," mutter the first one.
Amero Takamura had woken up early to prepare a breakfast for his two sons. For that he needed to get few leaves from a tree that was used for morning tea. It was tree special to this island, and nowhere else. It was this island pride. So when he walked up to the tree, plucked few leaves he stopped when he heard weird voices. He quietly moved towards the source, at the beach.
"Hehehe, I can't wait to kill someone!" yelled a voice.
"I want to play with some woman! I heard that woman from country island have awesome figure! And great stamina!" laughed another, deeper voice. Takamura crawled towards the edge of the cliff and peaked down. A pirate ship. He ran.
But he was seen.
He was near the village when he was shot. He screamed as the bullet passed through him, collapsing onto the dirt road.
"Take the village! Kill them all!" yelled a guy wearing weird glasses.
"YEAH!" yelled pirates and ran towards the village. Villager awoken by gunshot started running, screaming.
"First, let's show them what happens when you do not listen to a guy who watches the seas every day. We want to make sure that pirates do not run away using the two main roads. Usopp you will be atop the buildings, snipping. Zoro you will focus on the path towards mansion, as that will be where the most strongest will me. Nami you will take care of the path towards the beach. I will be in middle. Nami, Zoro your goal will be to push them to me. That is where we will crush them."
"I really hope this will work," muttered Usopp and readied his slingshot.
As one pirate was to cut a woman, Usopp unleashed his exploding star. Knocking the pirate and alerting those around.
"You have some nerve, coming to my island!" Usopp yelled, "and for that you will pay!" at the same time as Usopp fired another shot, Zoro and Nami started beating down the Cat pirates. Zoro was slicing through the like hot knife through the butter, but Nami had some problems.
She managed to take few down and push them towards the middle of the village, but she wasn't really strong. Usopp managed to help her and together they pushed them towards were Luffy was sitting on few dead bodies. Near invisible blades appeared all around him, all pointing up.
"You will be punished," Luffy said and put his right hand in front of him, slightly bend so his hand was near his face. They started to spin around his body, slowly lowering down, until the tips were pointing towards the enemis. The sword still continued to orbit around his body.
"Begone," and swiped his hand to the side. The blades launched themselves at the pirates and pierced through them. Killing them.
"The hell was that?" Usopp asked in awe.
"I don't know, he never showed it before," Zoro said as he kneeled next to Nami, who was band over and panting.
"You okey?" he asked her.
"Yeah, just a bit out of breath," she said and whipped sweat from her forehead.
"Try to do some cardio, it will help," Zoro pointed out.
"Really? I had no idea!" she said with sarcasm.
"What the hell is going on here?!" came angry voice.
"Klahadore-sama!" village exclaimed happily.
"You were given single mission of killing everyone here and yet you failed to kill four brats?" he yelled, voice full of anger.
"Klahadore-sama?" one of the villager asked confused.
"We can still kill them, give me half hour," Jango yelled, hiding behind the building.
"You have ten minutes!"
Luffy looked at the villagers. "Hide."
"Nayaban brothers!" Jango yelled only to be knocked out by exploding attack from Usopp.
"Zoro, those two are yours," Luffy said.
"Sure," Zoro grinned.
"With closed eyes, good luck," and quickly tie Zoro's bandana over his eyes blinding him.
"The hell captain?"
"You need to train your Kenbushoku as well, so consider this to be said training!"
"I hate you!" Zoro grunted and tried sensing enemies. Thanks for him, the two idiots kept yelling useless things. It took awhile, but he started to predict their attacks. It wasn't exactly Haki, he knew that, but he hoped it was a step to unlocking it. With two well timed slashes, he took down both so called Nayaban brothers.
"Easy," Zoro smirked and took of the bandana. His eyes landed on a thing. It took him while to understand what it was. It was person. Or used to be. It was Klahadore. Above him stood his captain, Luffy, with blood dripping down from his arms.
"Pathetic, and you call yourself a pirate. I hate people like you, so just stay there and die," Luffy said in menacing voice. Zoro looked at scared Usopp and wide eyed Nami.
"The hell did I miss?" he asked.
"W-well, Klahadore started yelling some bullshit about Luffy being pretender and just kid playing pirates. He also yelled something about hating to be wanted and wanting to live a life full of luxury, no matter how much he hurt those around him," Usopp answered.
"Huh, what an idiot," Zoro scoffed. Nami could only nodded.
Could he truly help me?
Kaya was running down the path towards her village. She had to warn them about Klahadore.
She woke up and went to look for Merry, wanting to ask if her gift for Klahadore arrived already. When she found him, he was in pool of blood. She quickly helped him and he told her about the pirate invasion led by Klahadore. She quickly found her father pistol and was ready to use it on him to save the village she loves.
Deep inside her she hated herself. She hurt Usopp-kun and the blame was on her. In that single moment she forgot about her best friend Usopp, who always cheered her up and saw island liar Usopp. She cursed herself, for loosing friend like him.
When she arrived, she could only gasp. It was massacre. The pirates were all down on the ground, with few lying in pools of blood. She saw a man with three swords take down two pirates while blindfolded and another one completely destroy Klahadore. He didn't even look like a person anymore!
"W-what happened here?" she asked in timid voice.
"KAYA!" came a voice and she saw Usopp running to her.
"U-Usopp-kun," she muttered.
"You okay?" he asked as he stopped in front of her.
Her eyes widened. She nodded and quickly hugged him.
"I'M SORRY!" she yelled and sobbed into his shoulder.
Usopp was shocked. "For what?" he asked.
"For not trusting you! You warned me and because of that Merry almost died!" she cried. Usopp hugged.
"I don't blame you at all. Klahadore was a master manipulator, he planted small seed of mistrust in your head and then they all activated when I tried to warn you," he whispered. She cried more.
"So captain, what was that thing with swords?" Zoro asked as they were resting at their camp.
"Yeah! Out of nowhere swords appeared and penetrated them! Is that your power as well?" Nami asked in disbelief.
"As a kid I ate a Devil Fruit. But it was a special one. It is called Gazō Gazō no Mi," Luffy said.
"Image?"
"Basically it allows me to make images and implant them into target's brain," Luffy explained.
Zoro eyes widened. "Like that time in Shell town, when you hit me and I felt like drowning!"
"Yup. There are limits to this power, of course. If I wish to make and image that only you can see, or that affects you I need to touch you. But I can make images of things that are only there. For example, those imaginary swords. I created swords and made them rotate and then move, however they weren't created, so to speak, to inflict pain, only to move. In that case I didn't have to touch you, as it didn't affect you," he said.
"That is one cool power!" yelled Usopp, who somehow got there during an explanation.
"I am glad you think so. Of course it takes tool on my brain. The longer and the more detailed image, the more mentally exhausted I will be."
"What is the most detailed thing and for how long you can hold it?" Zoro asked, eager to get any info on this cool power.
"The most detailed thing is living being. If I know everything about the person, I can make them behave and look like a real person. I managed to fool people from my village by this as I created myself and let it do stuff for two hours," he smirked.
"So two hours is your max?" Usopp asked.
"Year ago yes, now I can hold image for up to five hours before passing out."
"SO COOL!" he yelled with stars in his eyes.
"By the way, did you need something Usopp?" Nami asked.
"Oh, right! Kaya wants to see you about your reward," Usopp answered.
"We don't need anything though, maybe some supplies, but that's it," Luffy said.
"Not even ship? You guys came in on two small boats!"
"I already have a ship waiting for me," he answered.
"YOU WHAT?" trio yelled together.
"Then why don't you sail on it?"
"I need more than one person to control said ship. While I can create myself with my power, they cannot leave behind marks like cuts, foot prints, etc," he explained.
"I see," Nami said.
"While I do have crewmembers to operate the ship, it was damaged a bit and needed repairs. Also they are kind of weak, so I had them training," Luffy said.
"Wait! You already have a crew? Then why do you need us?" Zoro asked, while Nami nodded.
"I need officers in my crew. I only have grunts and fodders at the time; I need someone with real strength or power. My strongest member before departing was my current Chief of Staff, the rest were a little bit stronger then Black Cats, that is why Zoro is my First Mate and not him," he answered.
"Also while I can navigate, I can only make it so far. I needed some with real skill, like you," he pointed towards Nami.
"And I need someone to make my crew laugh with stupid jokes, that is you," and he pointed at Usopp.
"Wait, I actually joined your crew, right?" Usopp said.
"Yup, so tell Kaya we only need supplies and finish all your business, we leave in two days," and with that he stood up and left the camp.
A man lied on the roof of a building. He wore dark blue pants tucked into black combat boots. His top consisted of white tank top and white marine coat that was opened completely, with words Vice Admiral on the back. In his outstretched right hand was a piece of paper that covered his face.
A sigh escaped his mouth. He put the paper away and sat down. The paper was a bounty poster.
Wanted Dead or Alive
Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff
Sabo the Blue Gentleman
960.000.000 beri
"I hate this, you know? I don't really want to do it," the man muttered. The man had plain black hair his face was adorned by freckles.
"Why couldn't you just listen to Gramps, you stupid brothers of mine?" Ace muttered as he glazed upon stars covered night sky.
And this here is fourth chapter! I did some other things with Ace as you can see, but don't worry! I will explain his reason for joining Marines later on in the series. It ties into Luffy's back story as well.
Sabo gets a bounty! While his cannon bounty is 602.000.000 beri, it is his first bounty, so yea mine Sabo already has a bounty, for how long? You will find out!
And my fighting scenes. It sucks! I will try to write good ones, but they might not be actually that good, so let's hope, shall we? Also I just don't like Kuro so I wanted to get it over.
Sanji is next! YEY!
See you (hopefully) soon!