Chapter 3

I walked around town the next day, waiting to see the others again, because I knew they'd pass by for restocking, and especially since Luffy would want to go see Roger's platform. I did take caution, though. Loguetown was littered with marines, and my bounty of 300 million berries was more than a little unsettling on a peaceful island town. I walked by the harbor and noticed that their ship was already in port.

"They must already be in town. Hm?" I looked in the distance and noticed some dark clouds forming. My eyes narrowed. A storm was coming. Another thing I noticed was another pirate ship in port. It looked like the crew wasn't off yet. I used my wind abilities to propel me upward and hover over the ship.

"Oh. It's just Buggy. And I've seen her before too, although she looks a lot hotter now. But that mace and outfit give her away. Alvida...so 5 million and 15 million? Amateurs." I left and went back into town. Before I knew it, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced behind me and started walking again.

"Why are you here, Dragon?"

"I heard you're going to work for Crocodile for a bit?"

"I'd rather not. But it's an opportunity for me. I have an ulterior motive while I'm there. His organization, Baroque Works. I learned that the Templars are also considering inducting him as well. He practically rules Alabasta from what I hear."

"And you'd be right. They were a little disappointed when they found out that Arlong was taken down and that he was going to prison."

"They could always just release him."

"From what I've heard, they are rather upset that he lost to a rookie, and no longer deem him worthy of joining."

"I think it's a little more than that."

"Hm? Something you know that I don't?"

"They would be rather surprised to find out that a prime candidate for the Order was taken out by the son of the Brotherhood's Mentor, wouldn't you think?"

"Mm?! You mean Luffy defeated him?"

"Yeah. He was awarded a first bounty of 30 million. He's in town now, as a matter of fact. He's got 4 others traveling with him."

"I'll be damned."

"Want to introduce ourselves?"

"Not yet. I told you a long time ago, I don't want him entangled in the Assassin-Templar conflict until he's ready for it. He's got a long way to go until he becomes strong enough."

"Fine." I looked up and saw that storm clouds were hovering right over the town. "That storm got here faster than I thought." It began to rain and thunder.

"Hey Dragon...there's a lot of commotion coming from the central plaza. We should check it out." We quickly climbed up to the nearest rooftop, overlooking the plaza with the execution platform.

"Hm?! Luffy's on there! And Buggy's got him hostage..." said Dragon.

"Sorry guys, but...I'm dead!" said Luffy.

"Help him." ordered Dragon.

"He owes me for this." I smiled and switched to my lightning abilities. My hand became engulfed in electricity and I shot a bolt up into the clouds. I held my hand over Buggy on the platform, and then let it fall. The lightning erupted out of the sky and electrocuted him, freeing Luffy and saving him from an untimely death.

"Do...you believe in miracles?" asked one of Luffy's crew members, the chef Nami told me about, Sanji.

"There's no time to think about it, we have to go!" yelled another that was carrying three swords.

"Hm...that must be Zoro, the former bounty hunter. And for the record, no, I don't believe in miracles, cook." I smirked. The three began running, only to be followed by a horde of marines. Although one stood out from the rest.

"Ah?! That's Smoker, the White Hunter! He's a powerful logia captain, and he's heading for Luffy! Dragon, we have to follow them. Luffy can't use haki." We followed them by running across the rooftops, and saw they were eventually separated. Sanji made it back to the ship. Zoro fought a marine swordswoman and won, but Luffy was losing to Smoker pretty quickly.

"It's your turn to save him, I did it last time." He sighed.

"This weather helps us. You can channel your lightning well, and I can channel my wind. Hurricane." A blast of green wind sliced across the area, and Dragon appeared behind Smoker.

"...Why are you here?!" Dragon grabbed Smoker's jitte (weapon) and threw him across the street into another building. Luffy blindly thanked us and ran off. I jumped down next to Dragon and looked at Smoker.

"Grrr...you two. Dragon and his lieutenant, Aaron Hawthorne. You two have such a reputation that the World Government refers to you as 'Children of the Devil'. If I capture you..."

"You're not strong enough to capture us." I said. I switched elements again and fire burned off of my hand, surrounding him. Dragon created wind, enhancing the flames. Smoker was surrounded, and without warning, I clenched my hand into a fist, making the flames close in and leaving him burnt and unconscious when they subsided.

"We should leave. The marines will start hunting us now."

"You're off to Alabasta, right? See what you can learn about Crocodile's operation."

"Alright. See you later." I teleported, and Dragon took off.

End.