Here's the next chapter, guys. Before it begins I'd just like to say a big thanks to all the people who have Favorited and and Followed the story so far! We are already past 30 followers and 28 favorites!

Disclaimer: I Don't Own One Piece.

Chapter 3: Reunion and the End of Captain Morgan's Reign!

-O-O-O-

The two friends grinned, both were obviously somewhat relived and perhaps a tad bit excited to see each other again. For a few brief moments there was a comfortable silence as they looked each other over soaking in the sight of the other. While the green haired man seemed quite happy, the other seemed slightly more subdued, his eyes holding a smidgen of anger as he took in the pathetic appearance of his friend. But it seemed that this could not withhold the straw hatted boy's own happiness as a large smile suddenly grew on his face.

"I never knew Roronoa was your surname, Zoro?" Luffy exclaimed happily, eyeing his newly rediscovered friend, who in turn sweat dropped heavily and gave Luffy a blank stare.

"I introduced myself when we first met, you idiot!" He snapped a tick mark bulging in his forehead, obviously very annoyed with the younger man in front of him. Luffy didn't seem insulted at all by his name calling and simply laughed,

"Really? It's been so long I must've forgotten!" The green haired swordsman momentarily

*Flashback*

With a clatter the wooden training sword hit the ground, dropping from the hands of the defeated swordsman. It was not alone though as its owner soon fell as well, his enemy standing tall and unharmed.

It was a green haired boy, who lay stunned on the ground. The shock of being beaten so easily, written on his face. The small straw hatted boy who was the victor looking down on him, seemingly not bothered by the others surprise. The green haired boy - Whose name was Zoro- lowered his head in shame at his defeat, and the other child laughed softly.

"WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING!?" Zoro gritted his teeth, the shock of losing fading and anger replacing it. "IS BEATING ME SO EASILY SO FUNNY TO YOU?" The other boy had now stopped laughing, and instead simply started staring at Zoro rather intensely. Almost like one would stare at a newly discovered creature of great interest.

Zoro shut his eyes and lowered his head willing the tears to stop, the recent death of Kuina still fresh in his memory. His rival had been his reason to keep pushing forward, to become stronger; with her now gone he had taken it upon himself to achieve her dream and become the greatest swordsman alive. He had thrown himself diligently into training wasting entire days simply working to become stronger. Now this boy had come challenged him to a fight, and after he had foolishly accepted, beaten him without even suffering a single blow. Kuina, his previous rival, would be ashamed, how pathetic, the promise they had made after their final spar rang through his head.

He was about to admit his defeat and ask the boy to leave, before he heard him, laughing again seemingly mocking all the strength he had worked so hard to achieve. Zoro raised his head, his blood boiling and ignoring his injuries defiantly rose to his feet ready for another round, but before he could speak the other begin,

"Shishishi, what a good way to fight! You should join my crew!"

Zoro blinked his mouth hanging open in shock, out of all the things he had been expecting, this was not among them. Pulling himself together he growled out, "What are you, some kind of pirate? Just get out of here!"

The other boy just started picking his nose, looking like he was without a care in the world and responded bluntly, "Nope, don't feel like it. I'm gonna be the pirate king and I've decided that you're going to be my first mate!"

"You can't just decide stuff like that!" Deciding that this probably was not a discussion that he was interested in continuing, he turned to leave. Before he could even take a step though the younger boys voice stopped him, all playfulness gone replaced with a seriousness that seemed strange compared to his previously carefree nature.

"Hm, you know, I think I've changed my mind, you're pretty weak." Zoro clenched his hand tightly into a fist, but ignoring this the other continued, "I thought you were gonna be the world's greatest swordsman? With resolve like that I'd give up."

With a wild cry Zoro swiftly turned, grabbing his sword as he did so, and flung himself towards the other boy intent on crushing him. As quickly as it had begun it was over, his vision darkened as his antagonizer sunk an impossibly hard fist into his stomach and just like that he was back on the floor again. He grimaced as pain blossomed in his stomach but forced the words he wanted to speak,

"Screw... you! I don't care what you think... I'm gonna be the greatest, just you watch!" And magically with those words the straw hatted boys face cleared and he smiled blindingly sticking out a hand in an unspoken invitation and said,

"I know."

It was like time had stopped, eyes shaded by his hat and a massive grin on his face, he held out his hand invitingly. Zoro was strongly reminded of the stories he had heard of the late pirate king, Gol D. Roger, a man who could defeat powerful enemies and had conquered the Grandline. A man who knew no fear. Somehow it was suddenly impossible to look away.

He grasped the proffered hand, maybe it was fate or perhaps some crazy whim. But as he was pulled to his feet, he felt a shiver go through his spine like the beginning of something legendary. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and stared at the younger boy determinedly. His anger was now forgotten, though later he would question his state of mind at the time, and a hope for the future burning wildly in his chest.

"Luffy, Monkey D. Luffy. Future King of Pirates."

They locked eyes, and Zoro could help but return the others wild grin with his own.

"Roronoa Zoro, the man who will become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

"Shishishi, I'd expect nothing less, Zolo!" Suddenly, that that strange feeling was gone and he once again was debating killing the other child.

*Flashback End*

Luffy blinked several times, "Ah you're right, I remember now!" Zoro gaped in shock 'He's even dumber than last time we met!' His friend smiled widely looked him over, "You look pretty weak right now, but I can tell without your injuries you've gotten loads stronger!"

Zoro grinned proudly recalling years of heavy training, fighting strong enemies and pushing his body past its boundaries, again and again. Always striving to achieve his goal, to surpass the greatest Swordsman alive "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk. With a look he too could discern that his friend had grown exponentially, as a child he had been strong now though he looked truly monstrous. His grin turned savage the thought of fighting him once again sending thrills of excitement down his spine

"Now," Luffy said, "Let me untie you and we'll be out of here-"

"Luffy." Zoro interrupted.

"-After all we have to head for the Grand Line, Adventure awaits you know Zor-"

"Luffy!"

"o! The other pirates aren't gonna wait for us and neither is One Piece! So, I've already planned out our crew, ten guys I think, yeah ten. We'll need a Navigator, a Cook, and most importantly a Music-"

"LUFFY!" Zoro fed up with being ignored screamed, Luffy surprised shut up. "Thank you, now I can't leave yet. You see..." Zoro then explained how he had been imprisoned for standing up to protect Rika, The young girl from earlier, from the Captains son's dog. It had been terrorizing the town for some time biting and attacking civilians for no reason. When Helmeppo had brought it into the local tavern, it had immediately gone after Rika and if not for Zoro would have hurt her severely. He had killed the dog with a single cut across the stomach, making the idiot son extremely mad. Helmeppo threatened to execute the family and would have if not for Zoro making a deal. If he could last one month without food tied up in the courtyard, Helmeppo would have to let them go.

"...And so here I am. I've lasted three weeks already and I'll be damned if I quit now!" He finished this with a grin so terrifying, Helmeppo felt shivers up his spine as he cuddled his heart shaped pillow in his room. Luffy looked at him clearly impressed,

"Wow, I doubt I could last two days." Just the thought of two whole days without food made a small part inside of himself die. He shook his head and chuckled, "Well I guess I'll see you in a week, huh Zoro?" He reached up and took his hat off his head, placing it on Zoro's. At his first-mates questioning look he said,

"Keep it for a while. It's a hot day and you're bound to need some shade." Luffy then turned and walked away tossing up an arm in a loss farewell.

"See ya later Banana!"

"ITS ALLIGATOR, IDIOT!"

-O-O-O-

Luffy was pissed, no that didn't quite explain it, he was enraged. Shortly after leaving Zoro, he had met up with Coby and the little girl Rika at the Tavern. The meat there was great however the whole meal was ruined when the Big Chinned Idiot showed up and started bragging about how he was going to execute Zoro tomorrow. ZORO! Who did this guy think he was, trying to mess with HIS friends. Luffy had punched him unconscious, he was weak it only took a small tap, much to the ire of his pink haired companion. Then had marched off declaring that today Zoro was being set free, no matter who tried to stop him. He had arrived at the gates now, only this time he didn't even bother jumping over, he simply raised his right arm and swung.

*WHAM*

With a single punch, he leveled the gate and a portion of the wall with it. He didn't bother even looking at Zoro as he made his way past his startled half-awake crew-mate, "Zoro!" He growled angrily.

Zoro sleepily gave him his undivided attention, as Luffy's tone broached no argument.

"I'm breaking you out!"

"...W-WHAT?!" Zoro was definitely fully awake now and shouted at his captain.

"D-Did you listen at all? I'm here on my own word, damn it! I ha-"

"Listen up, if you want to live!" He looked at Zoro for the first time, and his first mate flinched. The amount of anger and Haki inside of his gaze would make any man reconsider his next words.

"Where are your swords."

He told him and Luffy then continued walking, not glancing back. When he was near enough to the base he crouched low, then with an earth shattering jump he flew into the air clearing the top of the building.

Zoro sighed in frustration, and slumped back against the post he was tied to. He cast a glance at the smoking crater where Luffy had jumped from. "He could've at least given me a warning, what an idiot."

Luffy flew through the air clearing the top of the tower and even farther with ease. He slowed in the air, before gravity did its work and he descended back down slamming in to the tower at high speeds. The stone underneath his feet cracked, before giving way and he dropped to the floor lightly, "Hm? What was that?" He checked to see what he had landed on ignoring the crowd of shocked and terrified Marines. It was a large statue now broken in perfect half, Luffy blanched,

"Sorry..." He said scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. Shaking in fury, Captain Morgan clenched his fist seeing red. "DADDY!" It was Helmeppo, somehow having arrived on the tower before Luffy, "THAT'S HIM! That's the one I was telling you about. The one who punched me." The boy looked pretty bad, half his teeth were missing, and an ugly bruise was already forming on his face.

"MEN KILL HIM!" Captain Morgan screamed obviously enraged. Luffy grinned wildly as he saw Helmeppo and before he Marines could act he ran over to the Idiot, grabbed him, and bolted through the roof door. As he ran, he questioned Helmeppo,

"Bastard! Where are Zoro's swords? I know you have them." Helmeppo burst into tears and screamed out, "Please don't kill me! I promise I'll tell you, just don't kill me PLEASE!" Luffy gained a tick mark on his head,

"I promise! Now where are they!"

"I-In my Ro-r-room." The captain's son stuttered barely coherent through his sobbing. "W-We ju-st P-Passed I-It." The pirate skidded to a halt and turned to run the other way when,

"Halt! Drop Helmeppo-san now, or we'll shoot!" Four Marines had caught up to them each pointing a rifle straight at Luffy, who just grinned not at all bothered and held up the son in front of himself. "I'll take the second option!" And ran back down the hallway, Helmeppo blubbering at them to not shoot.

He burst through the door and immediately spotted the three swords lying against the wall. "Thanks! You're still a Bastard though." Luffy checked Helmeppo when he didn't respond, the boy was unconscious and foaming at the mouth. The future Pirate King's jaw dropped, 'Amazing, and I thought only Coby was this weak?!'

Using some cloth, he tied the swords to his back and ran to the window overlooking the courtyard he narrowed his eyes in anger. The Captain, and his Marines were surrounding Zoro and Coby, who'd come to free the Pirate Hunter. The soldiers had raised their guns and were preparing to shoot them,

'Sorry Zoro...' Luffy thought, as he unsheathed one of his swords. He took a couple steps back, then ran forward at high speeds... and leapt straight through the window shattering the glass

The pirate captain landed in front of Coby and Zoro, right as the Marines shot. The sword in his hand blurring. A short silence rang through courtyard, before the previously deadly bullets all fell to the ground each broken straight in half. Luffy sheathed the katana slowly,

*click*

The guns in the Marines hands broke suddenly, the barrel sliding off of each one. The men all screamed in shock dropping the other halves in their hands.

"DEMON!" They all screamed showing in unison why the East Blue was considered the weakest sea. Luffy just grinned and turned back to the startled pair Coby looking at him with admiration, and Zoro with annoyance.

"You took your time Captain, any later and you'd be one less crew mate." The look on his face morphed now into a grin that likened him to a monster, "Now if you set me free, I'm about to show these backstabbing marine bastards what a real demon is." Coby had explained what had happened with Helmeppo, to him. Luffy beamed.

"Sure, Sure, Zoro, give me a second." Captain Morgan had enough, however and he shouted, "MEN, KILL THOSE WHO DARE TO THINK THEY CAN OPPOSE ME! I AM AXE-HAND MORGAN!" They nodded in fear, "Yes sir!"

The first couple of Marines ran forward, swords drawn ready to kill the trio, Luffy, who had somehow managed to make the ropes tighter than they were previously, and had yet to untie Zoro. This worried Coby, rightly so, to the extreme,

"L-Luffy-san! They're almost here!"

"Damn! These Mystery Knots keep getting tighter and tighter, I can't undo them. Sorry Zoro, I'll deal with these guys, you can have the next couple!"

The first-mates eye twitched, and with one yank he ripped both his arms out of the ropes. Luffy and Coby's jaws dropped,

"WH-WHAT? YOU COULD DO THIS THE WHOLE TIME?!"

"YOU CAN DESTROY THE MYSTERY KNOTS!?"

Zoro reached over, and grabbed his most treasured possession from behind Luffy's back. He looked at the Marines with a deadly glare, before holding his sword out upright and saying quietly, "I don't have the patience for you right now, so I'll finish you quickly, is that Ok?" The marines embarrassingly whimpered and nodded their heads in unison.

"Ittoryu lai: Shishi Sonson"

He seemed to disappear for a second, then reappear behind the marines, he sheathed his sword. The Marines fell to the ground long slashes in their bodies, and their weapons shattered. He walked past the rest of the soldiers, who were now too scared to attack him. The swordsman stopped in front of Morgan and looked up at him, smirking at the angry look on his face.

"Hopefully you're better Than those guys, if not I think I just might get bored." He then yawned lackadaisically in the taller man's face. Captain Morgan lifted up his arm bringing it down on Zoro attempting to cut him in half. He missed as Zoro leaned to the side, the pirate then lifted up his sheathed sword and sliced horizontally, "Stop playing around. Show me your real strength Morgan!" A Marine Captain from the Grand Line could have easily dodged, but this was the East Blue the WEAKEST sea.

Captain Morgan was sent flying he slammed into the far wall unconscious, a massive dent in the side of his face and his treasured ax-hand destroyed. Zoro blinked and said slowly, "You've got to be joking, HEY get up! Come on this isn't a game!" He walked over and started poking Morgan's body with his sword. He was incredibly disappointed in the strength of the so-called greatest marine captain in the East Blue. Oblivious to the Marines dancing and partying behind him elated at the cruel tyrants' defeat.

Luffy picked his nose solemnly, while nodding in a disappointed way, that only he could pull off quite right.

"So, he was weak, eh? It's good that I didn't waste time trying to fight him." Coby passed out in shock and Helmeppo who had just woken up and for some reason come from the tower to the courtyard, went to go cry beside his father's body. Zoro returned to Luffy's side and held out his hat.

"Here," He said disgruntled. His eye twitching rather maniacally, "I can't believe they were this weak all along. Pathetic... The Grandline better be stronger than this!"

Luffy took his hat and returned his first-mates other two swords, as he put his Hat back on his head he grinned, "Yep! I'm sure it's gonna be way better than this. Think 'bout the competition, Zoro."

His friend grinned as he thought of types of enemies they would find within the legendary sea. "I guess you might be right Captain. But before we go, let's get some food," He fell to his knees. "I haven't eaten in weeks. More important though than that I haven't had Sake in forever!"

Luffy, like always, just laughed.

Chapter end

So, this chapter was a little bit more difficult than the last to edit, but It's done. Let me know how you feel about it, I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Just as a quick note, Luffy is not a swordsman, but he can use a sword decently. Also, Luffy and Zoro are far stronger than they were in One Piece canon, but nowhere near the admirals or any top tier characters. I would be hesitant to say that they are even really at a post time-skip level, but we'll see as the story progresses. Throughout the East Blue though, there's not gonna be much that will even make them sweat. The really good stuff comes in at the Grandline!

Well, hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you guys next week!

Who is the strongest (currently living) Yonkou?

Have a great week,

Adkop