Project Devil Fruit

Ownership of One Piece or their characters is not mine, sue if you like but the court won't take it.

This story is an Alternate Universe so I only want reviews of how it is instead of how it's suppose to follow the Anime.

Chapter 2: Inspiration

As Arlong's ship approached, Shanks' men prepared for the battle that will undoubtedly occur.

Once the ship anchored the head of the merman pirate crew jumped down with his multi-toothed sword in hand.

"Step aside weak little human," Arlong said rudely to Shanks.

"I'm afraid not, chum," Shanks retorted just as rudely.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Arlong demanded. "I am Arlong, king of East Blue and the new ruler of this island."

"I'm not going anywhere unless either you're off of this island permanently," Shanks stated pulling out two daggers, "or dead."

"You don't know what kind of mistake you're making," Arlong stated getting angrier by the second.

"It doesn't make a difference to me whether I'm making a mistake or not," Shanks stated, he then looked Arlong in the eye which made him shudder and step back. "I'm giving you this opportunity to live, I suggest you take it."

After that initial shock Arlong just laughed. After that he swung his sword and cut off Shanks' left arm.

Shanks just looked at the injury and he and his crew started laughing.

Arlong and his three main companions, Chu, Kuroobi and Hatchi looked at them as if they were crazy.

"What are you laughing at?" Arlong demanded.

After he calmed down Shanks stated, "Don't consider yourself victorious until you know your opponent is dead in a real fight." And when he said he kicked up his fallen dagger and caught it with his newly grown left hand, surprising everyone in Arlong's crew.

"So we're not the only Government test subjects on this island," Arlong said as his surprise died down.

"Everyone clear out of the village," Shanks stated. "I don't want anyone to get hurt, and you don't want to lose what you'll make money off of."

"You're planning on battling for the island," Arlong stated. "What are the rules of this battle?"

"You and your three best vesus me and my three best," Shanks stated. He looked toward his men, "The crews will battle it out while we're in a different area of the town."

"I agree on one condition," Arlong stated. He then looked toward the ocean, "We battle near the sea, it'll give us an even advantage."

"I'll agree as long as your pet stays out of this battle," Shanks said, "and that each of our battles occurs one at a time."

"Also agreeable," Arlong stated. "Whose your best shooter?" Chu then stepped forward.

"Yasopp," Shanks called out. Said person stepped forward.

And so Yasopp and Chu dueled. Yasopp with his pistol and Chu with his mouth. Ten steps away from the starting point and they both turned and fired. Yasopp left that battle with three shots, one in each shoulder and one close to his heart, but still alive. Chu left the battle dead with a bullet in his head. (corny rhyme not intended)

"Yasopp?" Shanks asked as the sharp shooter was sitting down. "Tell me was that the only bullet you had loaded?"

"Yeah, why?" Yasopp responded.

Shanks then punched him over the head, "What if you had missed?"

"Enough of that," Arlong stated impatiently, "Hatchi." And the Octopus merman stepped up.

"He'll be facing off against my crew's chef," Shanks stated pointing to his round companion in sunglasses, "Roux Lucky."

Hatchi then pulled out his swords.

Lucky pulled out a single pistol, "This pistol fires seven shots."

"And you expect to kill me with only seven bullets," Hatchi stated.

After that statement the battle started.

Hatchi slashed for all he was worth and Lucky just dodged. Right after one heavy attack Lucky held his pistol at one of Hatchi's hands and shot, keeping him from gripping one of his swords. Hatchi yelled in pain and then started attacking more furiously making him even more careless. Through this procedure Hatchi was left with one sword. Thinking of honor among pirates as soon as Hatchi started instead of shooting Hatchi's only uninjured hand he held the pistol at Hatchi's temple.

Though Hatchi knew he'd lost his final words were, "Arigatou, for allowing me to die as a swordsman." And with that Lucky pulled the trigger and Hatchi lost his life with a sword in his hand.

At this point Arlong was seething with rage while Kuroobi mourned the death of his companions. Kuroobi then stepped up and stated, "I am the final fighter before Captain Arlong." He then looked in the direction of Ben, "You are my opponent."

Ben nodded supporting his rifle on his shoulder and stated, "I am the first mate of Shanks' crew, Beckman Ben."

"And I am Kuroobi," the manta merman stated.

"To make this battle more fair, I suggest you use a weapon," Ben stated, lighting his cigarette. "I won't discard my rifle."

"Very well," Kuroobi replied pulling out a sword, "let's begin."

And so the battle started with Ben and Kuroobi matching blow for blow, sword meeting rifle. Kuroobi was wondering why the man was using his rifle as a club. Then with one heavy blow from Ben's rifle the sword Kuroobi was using broke. Though his weapon broke Kuroobi wasn't discouraged, infact Kuroobi was definitely excited to have an opponent as worthy as him. Without his weapon Kuroobi still met Ben blow for blow. Though by run of unfortunate luck when Ben was winning he slipped and fell into the ocean, dropping his gun on land before he fell. Kuroobi then used this to his advantage and dove in. After a few minutes underwater Kuroobi surfaced with a pretty beaten up Ben on his back. Now that he was back on land Ben kicked up his rifle and started attacking heavily with rifle and fist. It was then that the victor was decided. Kuroobi was dead due to a severe blow to his head. Ben wasn't much better as he limped over to his fellow crew mates.

Shanks stepped up, "I guess it's time for our battle," he stated holding his daggers in a fighting stance.

"Then let's begin," Arlong stated as he swung his saw-like sword.

Shanks jumped and countered with his daggers. Arlong moved out of Shanks' range and swung again. Shanks ducked and ran in using his speed to his advantage. Arlong saw this and then jumped into the water. As soon as he jumped out he used droplets of water as bullets and fired them straight through Shanks' heart. Shanks himself smiled as the the water bullets passed right through him and the wound healed immediately.

"The name of the devil fruit was the Chiyu Chiyu fruit," Shanks as he ran straight for Arlong as he landed. "I ate it around twelve years ago so for the last twelve years my body could rapidly heal itself and regenerate any limb lost after I ate the fruit," he finished smirking. "So basically you'll have a very difficult time killing me without me being in the water."

And once that was said he started attacking again with more fury, as he knew what would happen if he lost this battle. Arlong for once at that brief moment stopped in fear.

He then continued his assault. As the battle unfolded, Shanks hit Arlong quite a few times and sent him staggering back. It was at that moment of desperation that Arlong's eyes then looked like that of a Sea King's. He then jumped in the water to ready his attack.

"Shark on Darts," Arlong stated and rushed at Shanks like a sharpenned bullet.

It was at the moment wher Shanks ducked that he decided to end this battle. With one final strike of his dagger he plunged it right into Arlong's heart, killing a few seconds later just before he hit the wall of a nearby building.

Unbeknownst to everyone all four battles had four spectators cheering Shanks and his men on.

And it was at that moment that Luffy decided, "I'm going to be a pirate like Shanks."

Nami, Ace and Nojiko looked at Luffy and smiled at his determination.

"Let's go help them," Ace told them as he started walking back into town. "There'll be quite a bit of cleaning up to do and I think I can help with it."

"Hai," the other three responded and they followed.

With Shanks, Yasopp, Lucky and Ben...

Shanks stood up and pulled Ben and Yasopp over his shoulders, "We need to get these two to our crew's doctor."

Lucky nodded and stood up to follow him when he noticed four small figures coming toward them. He then tapped Shanks on the back and when he turned to see what was up Lucky pointed in the direction the four children were coming from. Shanks then smiled.

When they neared Shanks asked, "How much did you four see?"

"All four," Nami stated, she then looked at the two men on Shanks' shoulders. "Will they be okay?" she asked.

"They'll be just fine as soon as we see a doctor," Shanks responded. He then noticed she was clutching a piece of paper, "What's that you're holding?"

She then showed him and Shanks was indeed impressed, "Did you draw that?"

She nodded smiling.

"You'll make quite a cartographer one day," Shanks stated truthfully. "That map is better than most that I've seen. Now I'd better get these two to a doctor before they keel over."

And he started walking to the area where his crew was.

A few days later...

Surpisingly enough Shanks' crew suffered no casualties and everyone was ready to leave on that day.

"Shanks, I'll meet you on out on the sea with my own crew," Luffy called out to him Shanks then jumped from the ship and walked over to Luffy.

"It's because of you and Ace that this island didn't suffer Arlong's wrath," Shanks stated. "If we hadn't of saved you and Ace we wouldn't have come here." He then took off his hat and put it on Luffy's head, "This will be your motivation to get stronger, I'm only lending you my hat until we meet at sea for you to return it." He finished with a smile.

"Oi, Yasopp," Luffy called out, and he stuck his head out. "Visit your son, he probably misses you," Luffy told him.

"I'll do that," Yasopp responded. He noticed Luffy now had Shanks' hat on and smiled at that.

And after all the farewells and goodbyes were said Shanks' crew raised anchor and set sail.

When they were almost out of the harbor Shanks was standing at the back of the ship, "Oi, Luffy, remember to return my hat."

"I will," Luffy responded, "I'll also gather the greatest crew in the world and find the world's greatest treasure."

"I'll hold you to that," Shanks responded. 'If he is related to Gol D. Rogers then he'll definitely become the Pirate King.' Shanks then called out to Nami, "And Nami, thanks for the map."

"You're welcome," she answered back.

End of Chapter

Review Review Review. One good one is all I need to continue on. And to explain why Nami's a year younger, it's because I'm not fond of the female being more than a few months older then the male they're with, so I'll just date her birthday in November.