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. And I'm taking the advice of one reviewer, figure out who it is.
Chapter 5 : Determination
"Oi, Nami," Luffy called sitting on the front of the tip of the boat. "How long until we get there?"
Nami looked at her captain, "We should be there in an hour. Though I am worried about the captain of the base," Nami said. "From what I've heard he won't hesitate to kill his own men. He also abuses his power of rank."
"Morgan won't be a problem for me," Luffy responded. "And if Zoro becomes our Nakama, he and his snake of a son will be even less trouble," he finished with a smirk.
"What have you heard of Helmeppo anyway?" Nami asked curiously.
"Only that he's a spoiled brat, who uses his father's reputation to get his way on the island," Luffy then snickered at another thought and said, "Morgan probably thinks his son is too useless to hit."
"Luffy-san, Nami-san," Coby stated. "You two sound like you've known each other for quite a while. When did you meet Nami-san?"
"About ten years back," Luffy answered. "As you've heard earlier, I was apart of Project Devil Fruit as was my older brother."
"And who is he?" Coby asked.
"Commander of Whitebeard's second fleet," Luffy responded with pride, "Portgas D. Ace."
"YOUR BROTHER IS FIRE FIST ACE!" Coby exclaimed, clearly shocked by the look on his face.
"Yeah, I was surprised he was recognised for his strength by the strongest man in the world too," Luffy answered. "But I don't plan on telling everyone I meet. They'd run away thinking I'd bring Whitebeard's wrath on them." Luffy then continued on with his explanation on how he met Nami, and the promise he made.
After all was finished Coby looked like his face was frozen in shock.
Luffy just punched Coby's head and Coby regained his composure. Luffy then noticed an island and saw a base on it, "Nami, is that it?"
"It should be," she responded. "Just remember not to draw attention."
"It's not likely for me to draw attention unless I use my power, which is also unlikely until I'm on the base," Luffy answered. He then faced her, "Just wait calmly until the distraction has started."
"Knowing you, I'll know when to start," Nami responded.
"I'll try to make as much noise as possible," Luffy stated. "They probably have Zoro's katanas anyway and I'll either need someone to get them for me or get them myself," he finished.
"That's a safe assumption considering they don't want him escaping," Nami admitted docked the boat.
Luffy threw out the anchor, "We should at least check the base to see the difficulty of operation."
"Good idea," Nami responded tying the boat to the dock.
As they walked Luffy picked up a sack of fruit and paid with no problem.
As they neared the base they saw the wall and Luffy decided to look over to get a view of the execution field. Luffy then jumped down to walk over to another area where they could all see better.
"Oi, Luffy-san," Coby asked. "Why are we over here?"
"See for yourself," Luffy answered as he pointed to the middle of the execution field.
And Coby did so. Nami looked too. It didn't shock Nami as much as it did Coby.
"Why is he being held prisoner in plain view?" Coby asked to no one in particular.
"Probably to prove to them that he can," Nami answered him.
"Yeah, from the looks of it not only is he able to escape," Luffy stated, "but he's also been there for a few weeks."
"How many do you suppose?" Nami asked while looking to her captain.
"Three or four," Luffy answered, "otherwise he might have died of dehydration."
Just then a ladder propped up and a little girl around the age of six or seven climbed up, "Shhh," she said to the three and pulled a rope and climbed down the other side.
"Stop her, Luffy-san, Nami-san," Coby said scared, "Or she'll be killed."
"I doubt it," Luffy responded.
"He's right," Nami supported Luffy's words, "no one would kill for no reason."
As the little girl approached Zoro, he asked irritably, "What do you want?"
"I thought you might be hungry," the girl stated, smiling, "so I made you some Onigiri."
"Go away, shorty," Zoro said, "or you'll be killed."
"But you haven't eaten anything," she responded still smiling. "Here! This was my first try..." the girl paused. "But I put all my heart into it."
"I'm not hungry," Zoro said clearly irritated. "You're a pest. Hurry up and go home."
"But..." the girl's smiled dropped a bit.
"I don't want it," Zoro shouted slightly. "Now leave before I hurt you."
The gates then openned and a voice said, "You really shouldn't bully kids."
Zoro just looked at him, disgust in his eyes.
"So Roronoa Zoro, you still have plenty of energy," the conceited blonde stated with his hand on his sword at his waist.
"I think that's Helmeppo," Luffy said. "He looks spoiled."
"I agree," Nami stated.
"Hey, that looks like some good onigiri," Helmeppo stated and took a bite out of it.
"No!" the girl said.
Then he openned his eyes and his mouth widely, "Disgusting!" Helmeppo shouted, "Why is there sugar in it when onigiri needs salt?"
"But I thought it being sweet would make it taste better," the girl said with a sad face.
"Take that!" he exclaimed while hitting it out of her hand and stomping it into the ground.
"Stop! Stop!" the girl begged.
"How horrible," Coby stated.
"Conceited, Cocky and thinks he's better than everyone else," Luffy stated.
"Definitely Helmeppo," Nami finished.
Tear formed in the girls eyes, "I tried to put my heart into it," she sniffed.
"Then you haven't read this poster?" Helmeppo said pulling a piece of paper out of his coat. He then read it aloud, "'Anyone who helps this criminal will be executed.' 'Marine Captain Morgan.'"
"Of course a brat like you knows who my father is right," Helmeppo stated.
"You two were right," Coby stated looking at Luffy and Nami.
"Oi, throw the brat over the wall," Helmeppo order the marine to his left.
The guy had a surprised look.
Helmeppo then grabbed the guy's collar, "I'm telling you to throw her out! Are you disobeying orders? I'll tell my father!"
"Hai! Right away!" the marine responded in fear of Morgan. He then walked over to the girl.
"No..." the girl said trying to push him away.
"I'm sorry," the marine said to her. He then threw her over.
Luffy then jumped, stretched his arms out and caught her.
"Arigatou," the girl said to Luffy.
"Daijoubu, Luffy-san?" Coby asked concerned.
"Stupid question," Nami responded.
"You hurt?" Coby asked the girl. "Such a horrible man. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Bastard," Zoro said to him.
All Helmeppo did was laugh, "You're so stubborn to still be alive."
"Of course, the month isn't over yet," Zoro answered.
"Well, do your best," Helmeppo responded in such a conceited manner and laughed again.
"Ten days," Zoro stated.
"Only if you live that long," he reponded and laughed again. (Such an annoying laugh.)
"How could he do such horrible deeds?" Coby asked, "Luffy-san! Nami-san!" he then turned to see them both gone. "Where'd they go?"
"So you're a bad person?" Luffy asked standing in front of Zoro.
"You don't look that bad to me," Nami said next to Luffy.
"Why are you both still here?" Zoro asked.
"You must be really strong willed to take this kind of humilitation," Luffy stated.
"Mind your own buisness," Zoro responded.
"I figure you're not escaping intentionally," Nami stated looking closely at him.
"You're right, I doing this to prove to them that I can," Zoro said smirking.
"He's almost as stubborn as you," Nami responded as she giggled at her own remark.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Luffy asked as Nami was still giggling.
"Let's get going," Nami said as her laughter subsided.
"Hold on," Zoro said and they both turned to face him. "Can you get that?" he asked looking at the crushed onigiri.
"Are you really willing to eat that?" Nami said slighly disgusted. "It seems like a dirt ball now."
"Shut up and give it to me!" he demanded.
"Suit yourself," Luffy stated and threw it into Zoro's open mouth.
"Nasty," Nami stated.
"It was delicious," Zoro stated. "Thanks for the food."
Luffy and Nami smiled at this.
Later at an alley...
"Really?" the girl asked excitedly.
"Yeah, he ate everything!" Luffy stated.
"I'm so happy!" the girl exclaimed.
"Though I still wonder if it was edible after being stomped into the dirt," Nami said. "Either way he seemed to enjoy it."
"It seems you were right about Zoro not being evil," Coby stated.
"He isn't," the girl stated, "He's in there because of us." And she explained the situation. She then finished, "And it's been three weeks."
"I take it Helmeppo kicks a man while he's down," Nami stated. "Or in this case, tied up."
"Yes," the girl then covered her hands with her face. "I... I..."
"So that's what happenned," Coby stated.
The four then heard a crash and looked to see Helmeppo was the souce of it at a bar.
Helmeppo put his foot on the table, "I'm hungry so I'm taking what I want, I hope you don't mind giving me some charity." He then laughed, "Oi, get me some Alcohol. And make it quick," and he laughed again.
The four entered the bar.
"I'm tired of waiting, so Zoro's execution will be tomorrow," Helmeppo said with his conceited smirk while be served his beverage. "I hope eveyone will look forward to it." And he laughed that annoying laugh.
And at that moment Luffy just snapped and ran to Helmeppo and was about to punch him when Nami beat him to it and gave him a good one right one the side of his face, hitting him into the wall and causing him to spill his wine.
Helmeppo then looked at Nami and took out his sword and said, "Wench, I'll show you your place." He was about to swing downward when Luffy stepped in and grabbed the sword by the blade.
"Touch her with any type of weapon and I'll break your neck," and to emphasize his words he pushed his thumb against the flat side of the sword and broke it easily.
"Fools, who do you think you're dealing with?" demanded Helmeppo. "I'm Helmeppo, Captain Morgan's son."
"And what makes you think we care who you are?" Nami responded. "You could be the top commander of the Marines and it wouldn't matter to us."
"Yeah, besides" Luffy stated, "Morgan's just a big windbag, which explains where you get it from."
"You just made the biggest mistake in your life," Helmeppo said with a look of rage for him.
Luffy and Nami couldn't help but laugh at that look, he looked constapated to them.
Helmeppo stomped out of there with Luffy and Nami still laughing.
Their laughter subsided and they both moved out.
When they reached the execution field Luffy ordered, "Nami, go get the map, I'll distract them."
"Hai," Nami answered, and she moved into the base.
In Morgan's Office...
"I am... powerful!" Morgan said while facing the window behind his desk smoking a cigar.
"Yes!" the marine behind him said while saluting, "Your are right, Captain Morgan!"
"But lately there hasn't been much tribute to me," Morgan said.
"Eh, the income of our people decreasing is the problem," the marine said nervously.
"That not it," Morgan stated, "the people just don't have enough admiration for me..." he said pulling his cigar from his mouth. "Isn't that right?"
Helmeppo then burst open the door holding the cheek Nami punched, "Father!"
Morgan then gave Helmeppo his attention.
"I want you to kill two certain people!" Helmeppo demanded breathing heavily.
On the execution field...
Luffy approached Zoro before he started his distraction.
Zoro himself was reminiscing about his past, about a few events that changed his life.
Flashback...
A younger Zoro was facing off against a female using bamboo swords. Zoro lost.
"You're weak as usual," she taunted, "Zoro."
End flashback...
'I made a promise,' Zoro thought still remembering. 'I will not die in a place like this.'
He then noticed Luffy, "Why are you back?" he asked. "You must have too much free time."
"I'm gonna untie you," Luffy stated. "You'll then be Nami's and my comrade."
"What?" Zoro asked disbelieving.
"I'm looking for members for my pirate crew," Luffy stated. "And to let you know you'll make the third member including Nami and myself."
"No way," Zoro stated. "You want me to be a villainous character?" he asked and then stated, "How annoying..."
"I said pirate," Luffy stated. "Where did I mention that you had to hurt innocent people?" he asked smirking.
"Point taken," Zoro responded. "But I still refuse. The only ambition is a dream and a promise to be the world's greatest swordsman."
"Then being a pirate would make things convenient for you," Luffy stated. "Mihawk is in the Grand Line."
"How do you know that?" Zoro asked now interested.
"He's one of the Shichibukai," Luffy responded with a grin. "As a pirate I'm obligated to know the identities of pirates approved by the government. It gives me a motive to fight them." Luffy then became serious, "Besides I don't want skills like yours to be wasted."
"What do you mean by that?" Zoro asked curiously. "Why would my skills be wasted hunting pirates?"
"I'll answer that after you're untied," Luffy responded he then approached Zoro.
"Better yet," Zoro stated grinning. "Get my katanas and I'll consider being your Nakama. That bastard Helmeppo will know where they are."
"Gotcha," Luffy stated and walked in the direction of the main base.
Zoro watched Luffy as he then stretched his arm to grab the top of the building.
'So Project Devil Fruit does exist," he thought to himself. 'That explains the piracy.'
"Gomu Gomu no," Luffy then said, "Rocket," and he launched himself up to the top of the lodging of the base.
At that moment the marines were at the top of the base setting up a statue of Morgan.
Morgan was about to hurt one of the marines for hitting the statue against the building.
It was then that Luffy flew up and grabbed one of the ropes to keep from flying off, breaking the statue.
"I gotta remember to watch it when I launch from that far or farther," he said to himself.
Morgan was angry, Helmeppo was afraid of Luffy and the marines were afraid of Morgan's wrath.
"That's the one who insulted you father," Helmeppo said pointing to Luffy.
"All the more reason to kill him," Morgan stated. "Men get him."
"Hai," the men obeyed and ran after Luffy.
Luffy then ran inside, but not before grabbing a screaming Helmeppo.
Morgan then noticed a figure approaching Zoro, 'There's more traitors than I thought.'
With Zoro...
Coby was approaching Zoro and attempting to untie him.
"What are you doing?" Zoro demanded, "Get away!"
"I won't let you die here," Coby responded. "Helmeppo never intended to hold up his end of the bargain. You'll be executed tomorrow."
"What?" Zoro responded. He then remembered Luffy's words, 'That's what he meant when he said he didn't want my skills to be wasted.'
"Where's Luffy-san and Nami-san?" Coby asked.
"Hell if I know about the girl," Zoro responded irritated about the news he just heard. "The rubberman is looking for my katanas."
"So you know." Coby stated.
"Well it makes sense for him to be a pirate," Zoro responded. "Unless he wants his every move to be controlled by the government. Well, if he succeeds in bringing my katanas, then I'll definitely be apart of his crew."
With Luffy and Helmeppo...
When he was sure he'd lost his pursuers, Luffy stopped and held Helmeppo at head level, "I'll only ask this once," Luffy said threateningly. "Where are Zoro's katanas?"
"Th... They're in my room," Helmeppo said with absolute fear in his eyes. He then pointed to a door, "It's that door."
Luffy then dragged Helmeppo and openned the door Helmeppo pointed to. Once Luffy openned the door he saw all three katanas leaning against the wall next to a chair. He then dropped Helmeppo and went to then three katanas.
Helmeppo ran out to get help.
Luffy picked them up and when he looked outside he noticed the marines pointing their weapons at Coby and Zoro. Luffy secured the katanas to him back and grabbed the window sill. He pulled back and said, "Gomu Gomu no, Rocket." and he launched right as the Marines were about to fire at Zoro and Coby. Luffy landed just as they fired and he held his ground.
Zoro smirked and Coby gave a hopeful smile.
The marines and Morgan were shocked to see that not only did this guy jump in the line of fire, but also that he bounced every bullet that hit him back.
As the bullet whizzed by Morgan's face he said, "So Project Devil Fruit does exist." Morgan then explained, "The government has apparently been working on experiments to make powerful soldier, but since they didn't want marines to die if they fail, they used citizens they believed to be forgotten. There are many rumors about their abilities, like one can allow a person to breathe fire, and another can allow the person to cause typhoons. There are too many rumors to know which are true, but there is one thing that's true and that is all who were experimented on have in common are cast away from the sea and become hammers in the water, that is why it is known as Project Devil Fruit."
"And I ate the Gomu Gomu fruit," Luffy stated. "And now I'm a rubberman."
"The rifle and pistols won't work," Morgan said. He then ordered, "Use your swords."
"Oi, Zoro catch," and Luffy threw Zoro's swords to his hands.
As the marines were about to strike in a flash all of their attacks were blocked by Zoro's swords, the black hilted ones in his hands while the white hilted one in his mouth.
"If you want to die right now then continue to attack," Zoro threatenned. And that got them shaking.
"Nice work," Luffy complimented.
"It was my pleasure," Zoro stated he then added with a smirk, "Captain."
Meanwhile in the base...
Nami had tied up the two guards of the room and proceeded in. She found the hidden safe openned and looked to find the map. Unfortunately what she found was a taunting note saying:
'I've finally gotten the map to the Grand Line
-Captain Buggy.'
Nami was thinking about how to approach this when she heard someone yelling and running past the doorway. 'Well, he provided a distraction. I guess I'll meet up with him.' She then walked out the door and saw Helmeppo trying to untie the marines she tied up. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she stated and Helmeppo looked up in fear to see the same woman that punched him earlier. He then ran away.
'Better follow,' she thought with a sigh. And she followed him out to the execution yard where Luffy was engaging Morgan in combat and winning, while Zoro was holding back some marines in a very intimidating stance. 'Looks like it wasn't a total waste, we now have a first mate,' she thought, slightly relieved. She then noticed Helmeppo pull out a pistol while sneaking up on Coby. She decided to sneak up on Helmeppo.
"Hold it! Straw hat, over here!" Helmeppo made it to Coby and was now holding the gun to his head. Nami was sneaking up behind him. Helmeppo then yelled again because he was ignored, "Are you an idiot? I have a hostage."
Nami pulled out her staff, "And where would your hostage be?" she asked to intimidate him as she hit the gun out of his hand.
"Why you," Helmeppo said and attacked, throw pretty pathetic punches at her.
She just hit her staff across his face and knocked him out. She turned to her captain and said, "Luffy, quit fooling around and just knock him out."
"Hai," he responded and hit Morgan one last time harder than the other punches he threw at him knocking Morgan out. Luffy then stated smartly, "I strip you of your position."
The marines looked shocked as their captain was defeated. The then threw their guns, sword and hats up in rejoice. This surprised Coby more than anyone else.
Zoro then fell down.
"I'm not surpised about this considering all he got for the past three weeks was a little snack," Nami stated.
"Well let's get some food," Luffy suggested picking Zoro up. "I'm hungry myself."
"Just don't eat everything in sight," Nami said with a sigh.
"Gotcha, you and Zoro need to eat as well," Luffy responded.
Later in the bar...
Nami had eaten her food, Zoro was on his last plate and, to Zoro's surprise, Luffy was eating quite a bit more than him.
"How can he eat more than someone whose barely eaten anything for the past three weeks?" Zoro asked still surprised.
"Elastic stomach," Nami replied. Zoro nodded.
The marines then came to the bar and the leader of the group spoke, "I have heard that you three are pirates, because we are thankful about you taking down Morgan we won't report you but you have to leave imidiately."
"I'm surprised you didn't act sooner," Luffy responded with a grin. The three were then leaving the bar.
The leader then looked at Coby and asked, "Are you with them?"
Luffy then turned around, smiled wider and said, "I know all about him," he then explained about Alvida.
To get Luffy to shut up Coby punched him.
Luffy kept his smirk and started retaliating giving him more than he asked for.
"Stop," the leader said. "I can see that he's not with you so he does not have to leave."
And Luffy, Nami and Zoro (Hey alphabetical) left the bar.
At the docks, "So this is your boat at the moment," Zoro stated, "Pretty decent."
"We'll eventually get a bigger one," Luffy informed. "So, did you get the map?" Luffy asked turning to Nami.
"Unfortunately Buggy the Clown got to it long before me," Nami answered.
"If it's the same Buggy Shanks told us about we might be able to get it out of him," Luffy stated.
"I'll ask later," Nami responded, untieing the boat. Zoro lifted the anchor. And Luffy let down the sail.
When they were a few meters out someone called, "Luffy-san."
Luffy turned and saw Coby at the docks.
"Coby," Luffy said waving goodbye.
"Marines, salute," the leader of the squad from earlier said and all of them, including Coby saluted them goodbye. "Saluting pirates is against regulations it's 500 laps tomorrow."
"Hai sir," the marines stated, still saluting.
"So how many more until the crew is complete?" Zoro asked.
Luffy then thought it through and said, "Six or seven more, we need a gunman, a chef, a doctor, a carpenter and a musician."
"Why a musician?" Zoro asked.
"For singing," Luffy stated.
"Luffy is slightly slow on some matter, but he does think things through most of the time," Nami explained.
"Well let's find Buggy now," Luffy ordered. "I'm sure Buggy will be happy with a copy of the map if you make it Nami."
"As long as he doesn't do anything to the village he's, in I'll comply," Nami stated. "I just hope he's trustworthy. I've heard some nasty things about him. Some people even know him as Heartless Buggy."
"If that's the case then we may have to hurt him," Zoro stated. "Either way, as long as we reach the Grand Line I'm fine."
"Mihawk?" Nami asked and Luffy nodded.
Luffy then thought about Shanks and his promise, 'Shanks, I'm on my way.'
End of Chapter
Also a corny ending but as I've said I'm going to use the advice of one of the reviewers. And I need to get the right kind of setting to end the chapter in the middle of a battle so anyway, R&R.