A/N: Listen ye devotees of the Church of Oda. Fantastical stories from canon are what we live by but fanon spreads the joy throughout her lives. So, by this I decree: 'Go forth and write Marine!Luffy fics.' Hahahaha.

Seriously though, do give it a bash. I can only count two Marine!Luffy fics including this one and it's so much fun.

I do realise that I'm glossing over quite a few of the fights scenes so far but this is Strong!Luffy. I wanted to establish a sense of his 'high level' first. Elaborate fight scenes will come later. (i.e. next chapter.)

I'm actually a good bit of the way through the next chapter but I decided to split them into two and go ahead with this posting.

In all honesty, this entire scenario is completely contrived but I don't really care too much. That isn't the point after all.

Thanks for all of the support! I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this.(When it's no longer fun, it's no longer worth it.)

A big shout out to CaramelFair who is THE FIRST reviewer that I've ever had correct me on my grammar and punctuation. (Which, btw thank you for that XD) I didn't say she was wrong but it still feels like a momentous occasion.

Seriously though, all comments and critiques welcomed. I am but human and thus make mistakes so do your best to point them out and upset me! Hahahahahahaha

For the record, I'm pretty sure I've made some more punctuation mistakes here unintentionally. I probably should engage a grammar nazi Beta.

General disclaimer: I own nothing. All hail Oda.


Monkey D. Luffy was not a hard guy to understand.

He loved meat, adventure and his nakama.

Give him those three things and he won't give you any trouble, threaten them and be prepared to deal with the fury of someone from 'that' familial line.

Understanding this basic element of Luffy is also what permitted his associates to manipulate him so well.

(Sengoku and Dadan often used it as a training tool/bribe because Luffy was the kind of person that could perform miraculous feats with the right motivation.)

These facts are also the reason that 'Hawk-eyes' Mihawk managed to barge his way into the top of the shit list of the young Commodore.

Which really, was quite an accomplishment but not entirely surprising.

Whatever he [Mihawk] did, he did seem to do it with style, panache and as thoroughly as possible. One doesn't get to be the most famous (or infamous, take your pick) swordsman in the world by doing anything half-assed.

Which is why Luffy was going to have a 'conversation' with him.

-break-

She smirked and tapped the sheathe on her shoulder.

"Are you whining? This is why you could never win y'know."

"I'm not whining."

"Then have you given up? That's even worse. Are you really that pathetic Zoro?"

"I lost. I failed."

"No shame in losing, lots in giving up. Have you changed so much since you swore that oath?"

She swung the sword out in front of him and held the blade in front of his eyes.

"That man…is a monster surpassing monsters. He is stronger, more skilled and more experienced than you. You're not in a place where you can beat him."

"Yet."

He stared at his reflection in the blade. He had the same eyes as back then. He was older, wiser (in certain ways), more skilled and infinitely more powerful than he was but he hadn't lost that determination had he?

Zoro reached up and grasped the handle.

"Giving up?" he growled "I've barely gotten started. I'm going to be the strongest swordsman in the world!"

Kuina grinned "You damn well better Roronoa Zoro. You're only the strongest if you survive!"

-break-

Mihawk half turned on his heel and inspected the furious looking boy behind him.

'Interesting…'

The boy was throwing out impressive amounts of potent Haki if a bit erratic, doing a poor job of containing his anger.

The surviving crewmen on the wreck dropped left and right further proving, in his opinion, that they wouldn't have survived far into the Grand Line even if they didn't have the misfortunate to interrupt the nap of a terrifying man like 'Hawk-eyes' Mihawk.

"Do you want something boy?"

"Shichibukai Juraquille 'Hawk-eyes' Mihawk." Luffy growled "I really wanna' kick your ass you bastard but I can't."

Mihawk arched a finely shaped eyebrow. "Care to explain that statement boy?"

"Zoro's going to do it! He'll get stronger and kick your ass before you know it and he'll be the strongest swordsman in the world!"

He laughed. Truly it was a good day. Such an audacious nature and what strong spirit! He hadn't been this entertained in a long time.

"Tell me boy." he commanded "Who are you and why are you putting so much faith in Roronoa?"

"I'm Commodore Monkey D. Luffy. Commander of the Special Operations unit and Zoro is my Nakama!"

"So you think that just because you're with the Marines he'll triumph?"

"Eh? What does that have to do with anything? It's his dream and he's willing to put his life on the line to achieve it! He's going to go all out and he'll kick your sorry ass! Hawk-guy!"

-break-

Tenzou frantically patched the wound across Zoros chest with the kit that Sanji got him from the restaurant.

He was terrified that he had been in the water too long and the wound was too deep.

He wasn't a medic by any means, his style concentrated a lot on 'getting out of the damn way' not 'taking all the hits irregardless.'

"Don't die dammit! We can't lose another, we just can't! I thought you were strong you marimo bastard!"

He jumped when Zoro coughed up a hunk of seawater and began grasping for his sword. He grabbed Wadou from the side of the boat and pressed it into Zoro's hands.

"Here's your sword you crazy bastard."

Zoro blinked blearily at Tenzou's pale face.

"Wha?"

"You survived you crazy bastard. You fought 'Hawk-eyes' Mihawk and he let you live. He acknowledged you, you insane marimo. You shouldn't even be alive right now!" he hissed furiously.

"Where's Luffy?"

"Chewing out the Shichibukai on your behalf. He's telling him that you're going to be the world's greatest swordsman or die trying."

Zoro gritted his teeth and yelled "LUFFY!"

Luffy started "Ah, Zoro's okay."

"I let you down Luffy and I failed. But never again!" he brandished Wadou Ichimonji aloft "I WILL NEVER LOSE AGAIN!"

Luffy grinned and Mihawk smirked.

-break-

The Swordsman made his way back to his boat ignoring everyone else.

He took his seat and nodded minutely to Luffy who returned the nod with a slightly deeper one.

It had been an interesting day and he had discovered a potentially dangerous new opponent.

He was a little green but his sheer potential was outstanding! A good day indeed.

-break-

Luffy stood up straight and snapped a crick out of his neck.

He ran a hand though his hair and noted that his head felt almost cold. He decided than to borrow a cap from one of the sailors later on.

"Captain Tenzou!" he barked.

Tenzou's eyes widened and he looked at the young Commodore in surprise. He saluted smartly and turned to Zeff.

"Get everyone inside and keep the civilians away from the windows. Be prepared to up anchor and flee on my signal if necessary."

Zeff levelled a stare at him before nodding.

The Cu Fharraige moved alongside the Galleon preparing to block off the route once Mihawk was gone.

"Captain" Luffy called "What are our standing orders on Don Krieg?"

"Bounty 17'000'000 Beli. Known for sneak attacks and use of poison. High civilian casualty rate."

"Right. Dead or Alive?"

"Affirmative."

Luffy cracked his knuckles. "No messing around then."

-break-

When it was over, Sanji stood for a long time chain smoking on the deck.

He noticed that the deck really needed a mop but otherwise didn't do much.

He was more concerned with digesting what he had seen.

He just couldn't reconcile the Luffy he knew with the brutally efficient soldier that had taken out Krieg. It hadn't taken two minutes. Luffy had just gone in, killed him and blasted everyone else with…Haki? That's what it was wasn't it?

It was….terrifying. That such an easy going guy could do something like that, something so callous and gorey, was truly sickening.

He flicked his cigarette butt into the ocean grimly and realised that he was only surprised. Not horrified, or disgusted. He just hadn't expected Luffy to do that.

"You like the Marines then?"

Luffy picked his nose. "Eh, no. Not really. It doesn't make much difference anyway. I just want to hang around with Tenzou and my nakama."

Tenzou sipped his tea blandly "Well, you're a special case. You get away with a hell of a lot of things you know."

"Really?"

Tenzou slammed his head on the table and grumbled while Sanji snickered.

"Aside from that," Tenzou demurred once he had got his raging irritation under control "Luffy said something about the All Blue. What was he going on about?"

Sanji grinned and launched into the story.

Luffy really had that nature, he already knew it, but to see it in action was something else entirely.

Luffy did what was necessary to protect those in his charge, whether he liked it or not.

Sanji didn't like to think what could have happened if Krieg had tried something sooner.

The young Commodore never gave him a look in.

-break-

Sanji walked back inside.

The ordinary customers had left, many leaving a hefty tip assuming that the cooks had beaten Krieg, but the restaurant was still full with the majority of the crew members from the Cu Fharraige enjoying the fine cusine.

Luffy was busy stuffing meat into his gullet at a fearsome pace but fortunately the Chefs were experienced with his appetite. (At least he paid, Portgas D. Ace was still banned in the Baratie and all of their associates watched him closely. In fact, the elder brother had succeeded in getting himself banned from nearly every restaurant in East Blue. The only ones he was still allowed to patronize were those in Loguetown under the watchful gaze of Captain Smoker.)

A heavily bandaged Zoro, who had roused from his nap, guzzled down copious amounts of alcohol under the gimlet eye of a slightly frazzled looking Tenzou who had a 'misbehave and I'll cut out and eat your liver with a rusty spoon expression' which to Sanji signified just how worried the older man had been.

"My home," he began "was destroyed. When the fighting was over, there was nothing left. It just vanished from the map, like it never existed…"

Tenzou set his cup down with a clink.

"I nearly drowned. The ship I was evacuated on sank. Fortunately enough, I was rescued. By pirates."

Sanji raised a brow

"That's unexpected."

"You have no idea. I joined the marines because I wanted to help protect people not enforce justice. It's such an ambiguous concept. I don't really care about any of that stuff, I just want to keep travelling on and helping the people who need it whether it be the Pirates or the Marines. That's my dream. Luffy doesn't really know what he wants in life anymore so he respects those that have a dream and encourages them to go after them."

The blonde made his way to the back and into the small office Zeff maintained for practical reasons. The door slammed shut behind him and he regarded his mentor flatly.

"Let's just pretend now," he began "That this door not only blocks out sound but bullshit as well."

Sanji extinguished his cigarette in a convenient ashtray (that were kept all over the Baratie for this express purpose.)

"Why did you save me?"

Zeff leaned back in his chair and scoffed "What are you talking about you stupid eggplant?"

"Bullshit blocker, remember? For what purpose did you save me?"

Zeff sighed "To live for out mutual dream."

Sanji lit up another cigarette and made a note to get more later "Well then Shitty-geezer. I'm off."

"Where?"

"I'm going with Luffy-baka, Tenzou-ocha and that crazy swordwielding Marimo for now." he exhaled a long stream of smoke and grinned sardonically "I've taken care of you long enough, you cripple. It's time I conquered All Blue."

Sanji swept out of the room without once looking at his mentor letting the door slam behind him.

-break-

Zeff grinned and sighed in relief.

It was about damn time that kid got out of here.

He was surprised that he'd stayed so long really, most young men went tearing off after their dreams much sooner. (Luffy had been pestering him for the better part of a year now.)

But Sanji was the kind that was too damn responsible. (You'd never think it right?) He felt responsible so he'd been pretty determined to stay to the end of his days.

Zeff had been wondering if he'd have to fake his own death to send the kid off to the sea.

He was a bit worried what with him heading off with a group of marines (that didn't really seem right now, did it?) but those kids. They weren't average anything.

The doors slammed open and the marine stepped inside. His coat swirled around him and his cap shaded a threatening gaze. Zeff had started for a moment wondering if they'd decided to come back and claim that outdated bounty on his head.

The Marine swung his arms up into the air and shouted "MEAT!" before bouncing (yes, bouncing) into the restaurant.

Another marine followed at a more sedate pace.

The second marine smiled apologetically at the staff and followed the strange boy to a table.

Sanji was working front of house today. (as all of the waiting staff had run away AGAIN!) He took their orders and served them in his usual manner. It wasn't long before they called him over again.

"Excuse me," the second marine smiled politely "Who cooked our meals?"

Sanji glanced at their dishes before answering "That would be me. I'm the sous-chef actually. I cooked them just before I took over front of house duties this afternoon."

"YOU!" the first marine yelled "MARRY ME!"

"LIKE HELL SHITHEAD!" Sanji replied eloquently while kicking him through a wall. He glowered at the other marine who merely face-palmed while muttering about idiots.

"I'm so sorry," he groaned "he doesn't mean it like that. He's just really a complete and utter idiot."

Sanji huffed and took an aggravated drag on his cigarette "Just how stupid does a person…"

"There are no depths to that guys' stupidity." He interrupted "Let's start over. My name is Tenzou. I'm a captain in the marines. The food is excellent, we just wanted to give our compliments to the chef but Luffy…"

He sighed and slammed his head upon the table "He's an idiot, not doubt about that."

"Tenzouuuuuu," Luffy whined climbing back inside the restaurant "You talk to the chef. His cooking is awesome, he has got ta' come with us!"

Tenzou punched the younger boy into the ground "Idiot. That is not how you recruit someone, especially a man or a complete stranger."

"Mah, but Makino-san said that was how you get a person to stay with you for the rest of your lives."

"Commodore, you can only marry one person and only a woman."

"Eh, why? Is it a different way of making nakama?"

"Just don't ask anyone that again without checking with me first."

Sanji blinked in surprise "He's a commodore?"

"Ah, yeah. That's me! Monkey D. Luffy, nice to meet you curly-brow-chef."

Zeff chuckled and finished affixing a new peg leg. (Thankfully, he had some spares.)

Now Sanji was heading out to sea with the idiot and his babysitter.

He couldn't be prouder.

Sure, they're marines but they're as close to pirates as you could get in that military. He paused for a moment. Surely he couldn't be the only person to have thought that.

Simultaneously, hundreds of people across the world sneezed.

-break-

Sanji pulled up a seat to the table with Zoro and Tenzou. He lit up a cigarette and took a drag.

"So, then. Tell me about this job Luffy keeps offering me."

Tenzou and Zoro grinned.

-break-

Once everyone had finished eating (and Luffy had whetted his appetite.), the crew of the Special Ops made ready to set sail.

Another marine ship had been radioed in to pick up the body of Krieg and the remaining prisoners who were extraordinarily compliant.

Zoro scratched at his bandages irritably.

Tenzou was stalking him to make sure he didn't remove them and had forbidden training for the rest of the day (that bastard.) He quirked an eyebrow as something occurred to him.

"Oi, Tenzou. What about the bounty on his head? Do we get it or what?"

Tenzou looked up from the paperwork he was checking (where the hell did he get that from anyway?) "Hmm? Oh, we get that since 'we' killed him. It's split between the crew."

"Really?" Zoro looked pleased "That's good. I need to take get some new swords."

"You won't get paid for another few weeks and the bounty money won't come through for another fortnight."

Zoro spat out a curse while Tenzou laughed.

"I'll lend you some Beli when we get to Loguetown and you can borrow a couple of swords from the ship until then. They're not likely to be up to your standard anyway."

The Marine Captain walked over to the response team and handed over the paperwork before doling out more instructions.

Zoro scowled and turned to Luffy who was hugging several chefs and wailing about how much he'd miss their cooking now that the group was heading out to the Grand Line and how Tenzou was mean and posted a guard on the pantry and he just knew that Sanji was going to take his side regarding extra snacks.

Zoro sighed and smacked his friend across the back of his head. Luffy released the chefs (who were now gasping for air.) and indicated with his head that he wanted a word.

They walked to the far side of the boat and Zoro muttered his querie to the younger boy.

"What did you do with the bandana guy? He wasn't locked up with the others."

"You mean Gin? He's Sanji's friend. The guy tried to help before we got there and begged Krieg not to harm the Baratie. We gave him a boat and he's gone to look for a better captain to follow."

Zoro rolled his shoulder and regarded Luffy flatly.

"And does Tenzou know about this?"

Luffy merely glanced over towards the brown haired man who returned his wink and grinned mischievously. Zoro shook his head.

"I figure since he cleans up after you so much, he's gotta rebel on certain issues."

Luffy folded his arms behind his head "Nah, Tenzou says that he prefers to pick the correct battles to fight. Remember what he said to you before?"

Zoro nodded and resumed watching the marines scurrying about.

'I guess,' he mused 'that's a good approach for a marine to take.'

"I know that the world isn't painted in black and white"

-break-

In no time at all it seemed, (mostly due to the truly epic secretarial and organizational skills of Tenzou. There was a reason that he had originally been assigned to Luffy y'know.) the ship was prepared to leave once more.

This time, with the intention of heading to Loguetown.

The apprentice chef Tajiyo had broken down weeping and hugged Sanji around the waist in joy that such a fearsome chef would now be in charge of feeding the Commodore.

Sanji had been slightly bewildered but judging from the borderline feral expression that Tenzou flashed him, there was probably a story there.

Everyone was onboard and the chefs had gathered out front to see their sous-chef off.

Carne and Patty did their best to give Sanji a farewell beating and ended up twitching in a heavily bruised heap upon the deck. He tossed his luggage up to the Cu Fharraige where one of the crewmen took charge of it.

Luffy, who lay flopped over the edge of the ship, looked back to the Baratie.

"Ne, Sanji. Are you alright leaving things like this? You sure you don't want to say goodbye?"

Sanji shrugged dismissively "Nah, it's not important. Let's go already."

"Hey Sanji!" Zeff called from where he leaned over a banister "You take care of yourself now."

Sanji dropped to the deck sobbing out his gratitude and all of the chefs burst into tears alongside him.

Zoro grinned while Tenzou chuckled. Luffy leapt up when Sanji bounded onto their ship.

"Alright guys! We're off to see what this world has! Take care now!"

-break-

The four men stood watching until the restaurant disappeared from sight.

"So, Sanji." Luffy began "What's for dinner?"

"Feh." The blonde lit up a cigarette. "You'll damn well eat what I put in front of you idiot-Commodore."


A/N: In case, you were wondering why I didn't mention Pearl or Krieg and their battles more I was again trying to draw a line.

Luffy has had a hell of a lot more training then he does in canon.

He does possess a good grasp of Haki and has sparred with top ranking marines (i.e. had his ass bounced around Mariejois.) When compared to that, Krieg doesn't even register.

He was still upset about Zoro and really liked the Baratie so he those guys became the object of his ire.

I know it was a bit OOC for Luffy to kill but remember, he has had some very different experiences in the marines and in his youth. There'll be more flashbacks detailing all of these whenever the hell I feel like it. :D

Now, Arlong. That guy was on the same crew as Jimbei. He's a little more troublesome so he'll have a little more effort. There'll be fight scenes there. I promise! :D

Obviously, as I've been hinting all along, The Special Ops advocate a more personal sense of justice than others, that's why they let Gin go and yes he will appear again! He'll join up with a better captain and a crew that will properly appreciate him. (Gin needs love people!)