A/N: I've tried to make Tenzou a likeable character but I really do feel that he gains too much focus. It's easier to balance in later chapters I've found. His role is to support Luffy in this AU. Essentially he is Alfred to his Batman, Bogart to his Garp, Rayleigh to his Rogers, Marco to his Whitebeard and now it sounds like I'm listing yaoi pairings. *head desks* (Hmmm, not that I wouldn't mind seeing some more of some of those characters.)

Just a reminder, Luffy is a very good fighter (not that you didn't know that already) but not a very good marine. Those around him are very aware of that.

I am still learning (and will be forevermore) so comments are both helpful and welcomed but not expected or required.

Thank you all very much! ^_^


Sanji chewed on his cigarette in frustration. The scene on the deck of the Cu Fharraige was one of barely organised chaos while the crew moved about with the purposeful intensity trademarked in the naval forces.

Luffy and Tenzou had dashed off to change into their uniforms judging it be best that they be wearing the recognizable marks of the 'law'. (Luffy leaving a trail of clothes behind him and Tenzou snatching them off the ground with a practised movement.) He scanned the horizon intently searching for any sign of their quarry. To think the day had started out so well too.

-break-

East Blue was blessed with fairly docile seawaters and weather. It wasn't anything like the insanity of the Grand Line and mostly seemed to forego the violent storms that the other Blues experienced. The whole fiasco took place on a day such as this.

Sanji was running the kitchen as if he had just taken over a small badly managed country that happened to be at war with several other dominant forces that had bigger armies, weapons and less inbred royalty which was an intelligent tactical decision when dealing with Luffy. (Or any of his family.) This involved organising rations with a military gusto, cooking mouth-watering meals and putting a custom made finely crafted shoe to the head of their 'beloved' Commodore on a regular basis. Tajiyo, the chore boy and apprentice chef worshipped his new superior for that last reason alone. Sanji pretended not to notice this and wished there was some women on the ship. (There was only so long he could go without the company of the fairer sex.)

Zoro was in the dojo training ruthlessly but to be fair he didn't do any kind of training that wasn't considered ruthless or barbaric. So, really it was a lot like the kind of training that Garp would institute for a little entertainment. (and that man was almost always bored) In truth, he should really have been laid up in bed but to achieve that would necessitate much violence from his compatriots in order to get him there which would have defeated the purpose entirely and damaged the ship. So, they just left him to it (naturally after a stand off between the demonic gaze and the Ice age smile which left Sanji bewildered and Luffy running for cover screaming about paperwork devil fruits.)

Tenzou was buried behind a mound of paperwork (artfully decorated with several origami cranes and tigers.) muttering darkly and no one was foolish enough to disturb him without reason. The last person to do so had to remove shards of teacup from their forehead with tweezers.

Their glorious leader was swinging from the crows nest avoiding work. (So it was probably no surprise that Tenzou was remarkably pissed.)

It was fairly peaceful and probably would have remained that way until dinnertime, which in itself was an exercise in battlefield strategy, if the call hadn't come through.

-break-

Tenzou huffed as he sorted through the mounds of reports and documents that covered his desk and wondered for the umpteenth time why he hadn't requested a transfer to Impel Down the minute he met Monkey D. Luffy.

'Am I some sort of Masochist?' he wondered idly folding a paper monkey while reading another report from headquarters. He certainly didn't think so but if the day ever came where it was confirmed to be the case he'd have to do the honourable thing and end his own life. (Or get Zoro to do it for him.)

There were several confidential documents on the ship of various degrees. Special Ops did to take on some 'sensitive' assignments. Not to the level of the Cipher Pol units but delicate enough that a firm hand was needed. Tenzou unlocked his desk drawer and pulled out his personnel folder. Their unit had only been operational for a couple of years but they had already gone through quite a few 'elites'. They'd had a few agents of questionable skill forced upon them by some of the dimmer desk jockeys in Mariejois. (Several spoiled younger sons with Tenryuubito connections.) Sengoku had quickly put a stop to that when he found out. (How the hell did they get past him in the first place?) Sending out the wrong people for the job was a dreadful waste of resources really. Half of them had died, a quarter forced into retirement due to debilitating injuries and the remainder had proved so dangerously untrustworthy that Luffy had 'sent them back' with a message to that effect. While the Commodore had his rather unfortunate familial trait of blurting out secrets nonchalantly he did understand the need for trustworthy nakama.

Then the doctor had unfortunately retired (because he felt that he could no longer perform his duties to an optimal level with the loss of his dominant hand) and several cooks had not proved up to the task of a 'true' big eater. (Yes, there were breakdowns.)

'Thank god for Sanji' he mused eyeing the account books which he'd have to go over later.

The truth was that they were in a rather violent and dangerous profession. Every member of the team got unusually generous pensions and payouts to their families if they died in the line of duty.

'We need a decent doctor and more staff in general.'

Tenzou sighed and cast his eyes towards the far side of the room where a book sat in hidden compartment.

'Luffy needs both loyal and strong nakama if he's going to survive in the future. Luffy, everyone is waiting for you to make your move.'

-break-

All in all it was a pretty boring day. The fact that Luffy had decided to take a nap on the deck should have been a good indication of that. But even far from the Grand Line in the peaceful East Blue there is always trouble brewing. Afterall, this is the great age of pirates, the rampaging era.

'bring-bring-bring-bring.'

The Den-den mushi rattled and trilled attempting to get some attention. Tenzou glared at it resentfully and toyed with a letter opener. The Chief Petty Officer Nate took as a sign that he had better answer it before the Captain indulged in some animal cruelty.

"Hello, This is the Marine vessel Cu Fharraige. How may I assist?" the man paused pencil over paper, poised to take notes as he listened to the caller. "Ah, could you hold on for a moment please."

Nate quickly brought the tearful looking snail over to Tenzou who raised an eyebrow at Nates fearful expression and picked up the receiver.

"Captain Tenzou speaking."

"…Pirates….Khaladore….betrayal…murder…Usopp-san…"

Yes, everything had been peaceful on the ship until Chief Petty Officer Nate had burst out of the office and yelled a marine code phrase immediately causing chaos to erupt.

Luffy dropped from his perch and leapt towards the office as marines rushed around attending to their pre-chosen roles. He hurtled into the office where Tenzou was rapidly speaking to some girl on the den-den mushi. Zoro and Sanji clattered in behind him having been summoned by some of the crew.

"Oi, Shitty-Commodore. What the hell is going on?"

Luffy looked grim.

"Rescue mission."

-break-

If you asked anyone who knew him about Luffy, they would all agree on one point. He was an unequalled idiot surpassing idiots. It was a waste of energy explaining complicated things to him. He generally reduced it down to 'a mystery object.'

Also he was easily bribed with food, something which really annoyed the higher ranked marines. Why the hell was one of their most promising fighters bought off with offers of meat? (But to be fair, most of their powerhouses had their own strange eccentricities and those that didn't, developed them.)

Sanji and Zoro had gotten to know Luffy pretty well and (although as the most masculine of manly men they didn't admit this sort of thing.) were all pretty good friends. This however was the first time they saw 'Commodore Luffy' as opposed to 'that idiot that's supposed to be a marine with the super-efficient secretary skulking in the background.'

He wore a serious expression on his face and well, if they had to describe it as anything, he had a 'presence'. It was strange but obvious, Luffy was on the job.

"Captain Tenzou, report!"

Tenzou swiftly saluted. "Sir, we have received a distress call from one vessel: 'Going Merry' sailed by a Merry-san, Kaya-san and three small children. In short, there was a conspiracy to steal a fortune from Kaya-oujosama by the Black Cat Pirates. After an altercation they fled Syrup village seeking aid. The pirates are in hot pursuit."

Zoro shifted his grip on his swords and ignored Sanji who appeared to have burst into flames while shouting about 'defending the princess'.

Luffy narrowed his eyes. "I thought those guys were taken care of after their captain was executed last year."

"It seems he wasn't. He was in hiding as a member of the young lady's house staff."

"So aside from the usual scum, who do we have to look out for?" Zoro interrupted "Are there any bounty heads worth mentioning?"

Tenzou flipped through his file before holding out two posters. "Only two of the crew have bounties so we don't really know much about the rest of them aside from the fact that they seem to have some sort of cat fetish."

"Right," Luffy said, calling their attention "Our mission is to intercept the Going Merry, protect the passengers and exterminate the threat at the source."

"Where the hell did Luffy learn words like that?"

"Basic training. Things get yelled at him enough times they eventually sink in."

"What about…"

"Food is the exception to every rule with Luffy."

-break-

When Zoro agreed to sign up with Luffy and his babysitter, this had certainly not been what he was expecting.

Currently the 'rage-inducing marimo' stood stiffly, arms held awkwardly from touching anything and was nervously enduring a frail blonde sobbing into his shirt and generally smearing snot and tears everywhere.

Sanji was ranting somewhere in the background but he wasn't exactly in the position to enjoy the idiots rage right now. He was far too busy trying to think up a way out of this extremely awkward predicament.

Tenzou (That incorrigible bastard and you can be sure that Zoro will do his damnedest to introduce Wadou to delicate parts of his anatomy at another date.) was no help whatsoever and had only paused to flash him a vastly amused smile before returning to interviewing the heavily wounded man with the woolly hairstyle.

Luffy was inexplicable perched upon the figurehead of the small ship ostensibly looking for the pirates but Zoro had a strong feeling that Luffy was simply enjoying the seat if the sparkles he was emitting were anything to judge by.

Zoro sighed and awkwardly patted the girls shoulder but this only caused her to cry harder. This was not what he signed up for. Swordsmen yes, crying girls…..wasn't that what they had that stupid love cook for?

They had caught up with the small caravel fairly quickly after the tête-à-tête Tenzou had over the den-den mushi. The heavily bandaged Merry had been quickly put onto a stretcher and carried across to marine vessel. The three children had tackled Sanji and were doing a masterful job of drenching his trouser legs with tears and snot. The second in command and paperwork virtuoso left the injured man with some kind words and signalled, with one of those incomprehensible marine hand signals that Zoro had yet to learn, to take him inside to rest. The reason Zoro was so worked up now was because instead of rescuing him from an increasing likelihood of drowning by tears he was talking to Luffy! (Extremely delicate parts of anatomy, he decided.) They conversed for a few moments before the older man seemed to get surprised by something Luffy said. They nodded, whatever they had agreed on, and clambered back onto their own ship.

Luffy looked strange in his uniform. He had forgone the blazer and merely slung his coat of rank over his shoulders. He looked well but still, so unbearably young in that getup. While Tenzou looked so well that he could probably have gained access to any Marine building in the world Luffy just looked 'wrong' in some fundamental way. (and familiar but they just couldn't put their finger on it.) They walked over to the flustered Sanji who was actually doing an admirable job of calming down the children even if he was keeping a gimlet eye on Zoro, ready to leap to the rescue at any time. (And save Kaya-chwaaaaaaaaaan from his evil marimo clutches.)

-break-

Luffy stared at the three pale faced children, who wilted under his impassive stare.

"I heard what you did. You went up against grown men and dangerous pirates when you knew you had no chance."

They quivered and Luffy grinned.

"You guys, I'm proud to meet you. Standing up for your nakama is waaaaayy awesome!"

The three boys blinked incredulously and the older men smiled in amusement.

"I'm impressed too." Tenzou said not unkindly "You did your best and didn't give up until you got to us. I think you've done more than most people would expect."

Luffy squatted down on rubbery limbs and leaned forward to whisper to them. "Hey, I've lost important people too. You were way cooler than I was back then."

The three began crying again but they were manfully trying to hold them back and the boy with glasses sniffed. "It was the last orders of the great pirate Captain Usopp!"

"A great man and a great pirate!" Luffy shouted and snapped a sharp salute.

Tenzou and Sanji quickly followed up with their own salutes. Zoro managed to extricate from the now quiet Kaya and followed suit as did all of the men. The children quickly saluted in return.

Luffy grinned devilishly. "You've done your bit, now leave it to us. We'll get those guys for you, Kaya and Usopp."

-break-

Plans were elegant. They were beautifully crafted works of art that distinguished the difference between the Sea King bait and the winners. Kuro appreciated this and took every fulfilled plan as proof of his superiority. Every obstacle however, he treated with the fondness he reserved for his own crew…

The brat had been taken care of but who could have imagined that little miss Kaya would prove sprightly enough to launch that dinky little caravel and flee the island.

Still, he mused, she must have realised that the villagers would have been targeted if she misbehaved. Perhaps he underestimated her slightly. Jango had suffered his….displeasure for that one and if the dancer was still alive when he returned to the island with the troublesome Miss Kaya then he may not decide to forgive him.

The caravel had floundered. It had been an utterly foolish gambit and now it had failed. This was why he liked his plans. That stupid girl was desperately trying to fix the sails; he could see her coat from the deck. A laughable attempt truly. She half turned before starting and running into the cabin.

"Prepare to board. It's a weak girl, three children and a near dead manservant. I trust you can manage something that simple" he sneered.

The crew blanched and rushed to their stations.

-break-

The deck of the Going Merry was deserted when they scrambled aboard. Brandishing their weapons and in fear of the wrath of their captain they began to rush into the cabins hoping to end it quickly and to his satisfaction. Of course, they ran right into a trap and were cut down in moments.

Zoro and Tenzou had taken the rooms and ambushed the oncoming pirates while Sanji and Luffy stood outside and attacked from the rear. In mere moments, the entire crew had been completely decimated.

Sanji light up a cigarette and took a long drag. "Well, that was insulting."

"Tell me about it." Zoro grumbled "I need some decent replacement swords. These don't feel right at all."

"They're swords not shoes you flea infested ball of mossweed."

"Crap-cook!"

"Aaaaannddd they're off!" drawled Tenzou as the two launched into a vicious battle.

Luffy picked his nose casually as he watched them tear up the ship. "D'you think they know we haven't taken out the boss characters yet?"

"I'm not sure." His 'secretary' mused "Should we bother to tell them or should we simply wait until those guys with eating disorders and a cat fetish jump them?"

The senior marines winced at the audible sound of bones cracking.

"Nevermind, I think they see them. Wow, that looks really painful! Awesome!" Luffy enthused.

Tenzou gave a whine "Do you have any idea how much paperwork this will cause? And I'll have to do all of it. Let's finish up and get out of here."

Seeing that the smile Tenzou was wearing become rather rigid and frosty Luffy thought that this might be a good idea because that smile spoke of paperwork, stuffy meetings and a smaller meat allowance.

Normally, this would be the point in the tale where the boss character would show up, give his evil overlord speech and attack the heroes. But that's not what happened.

Kuro hadn't even put on his gloves before Luffy had shunted over to their ship and beat the living daylights out of the murderous butler.

Sadly, the most interesting parts of anything are usually over fast so the fights took less than ten minutes in total (Not including the scuffle between Sanji and Zoro which was still going strong at twenty minutes when Tenzou broke it up in an extremely foul mood undoubtedly triggered by the impending paperwork and characterised by an amping up of politeness levels to 'cold war' status and Luffy running screaming back to the ship screaming about 'paper work devil fruits'

-break-

The aftermath of a battle always attended to two things on a marine ship. The medical and the bureaucratic.

The only person in need of medical attention was Merry and he was stable enough to last until they got to a proper doctor on the island. Which left the officework.

Deciding that discretion was the greater part of valour, everyone turned tail and ran away like little girls leaving all in the capable and threatening hands of Tenzou.

Sanji twirled off to the kitchen to lavish attention on Kaya (and the kids, since they were there.), Zoro retreated to the exercise room and Luffy was dragged along by the ear and a frosty Tenzou so they could get to work. It was the worst part but often the most necessary and the 'sexy secretary' was feeling vindictive so the Commodore was going to suffer too.

When they reached Syrup island, Tenzou saluted primly and marched off with a contingent of marines to accompany the three boys home despite their protests.

Luffy had saluted smartly to them and they were rewarded with a grin from Sanji and a measured nod from Zoro. Tenzou caught Zoros eye over their heads and gave an unhappy expression before disembarking. Sanji indicated in their direction in question.

"He's worried about the kids. They basically saw their hero and best friend die in front of them. There'll be repercussions."

Sanji puffed on his cigarette thoughtfully as they waited for Kaya. The young woman was pale but determined and as an emancipated holder of substantial lands they couldn't really prevent her from doing so when there was no legitimate threat. She emerged from the cabin they had loaned her and the four of them made their way to the far side of the island.

-break-

When Kaya had seen the beaten body of her best friend she had thrown herself over his chest and broke down once more. She had been admirable really and no one begrudged her. She was betrayed by one of her most trusted confidantes, attacked by pirates and had some of her oldest friends attacked yet she still managed to get up and run for shelter.

Sanji knelt beside her and gently coaxed her up and let her sob onto his shoulder until he exhausted himself. Zoro and Luffy examined the body noting the wounds and the killing blow somewhat dispassionately.

"He fought to protect you" Zoro commented looking her dead in the eye.

She met his gaze straight on. "He was the son of a pirate and a proud man."

Zoro nodded respectfully and ignored Sanjis cooing about princes and heroics.

"I knew his father."

Everyone turned to Luffy in surprise.

"Really? How'd you know it was him for sure?" Sanji gaped.

"Ah, that's easy. He always told me about his son Usopp."

Kay smoothed out her skirts and sat on the ground.

"Tell me."

While Luffy talked, Zoro unrolled the sheet they'd brought and covered the body of Usopp, son of Yasopp.

-break-

Everything was foggy as if he'd hurt his head. He could hear Ben-jii talking to him but he didn't know what he was saying.

Shanks was crouched down to ground, hat shading his eyes and was touching something on the ground. Something was wrong but he didn't know what.

He wiggled free of the grasp holding him still and saw a little more.

Shanks was sad…really sad and a little…guilty?

On the ground was…

-break-

After he woke, Luffy went out onto the deck and sat against the railing.

He stayed there until Zoro woke him in the morning.


A/N:

Zoro does tend to ask about the bounties a lot. Well, there are two reasons. One is simply getting what he has earned and the other is just being well informed about his opponent. If someone has a bounty, they have caught the eyes of the marines and thus have a minor danger level at least. (That's not to say he assumes people are worthless without them but it would be bad form for a serious swordsman to ignore readily available information on opponents.)

Luffy has mastered a good portion of the Rokushiki but he's the only one. Tenzou has only mastered soru and is training to learn the others. Sanji and Zoro are learning soru from him and he knows all of the theory so he can teach them that before letting them take over their own training. It'll come up in later chapters (and boy am I looking forward to the Garp chapters just for some good old fashioned fist of love!) but I thought I should maybe poke that point here.

So, a few chapters back Tenzou soru-ed round Zoro who wasn't used to battling such skills and couldn't keep up. Give it a month and the roles'll be completely reversed.

I would like to point out that I love Usopp and think he rocks but if there was no one there to help him he would have been killed. Happy chances were all that gave them an escape route. Excuse me while I go off to sniffle and read some awesopp now.