Chapter 7: The Promise of a lifetime! Enter Zoro!
«So Luffy,why are we going to Shell town?» Makino asked the captain,who was taking his turn behind the helm. «To pick up a future crewmate. According to the tattoo artist,he's supposedly pretty good» Luffy said. «Roronoa Zoro,eh? Apparently,he's been making a big splash around the East Blue as a bounty hunter the last couple of years» Garp said,who was sitting behind Luffy,reading a newspaper. «SHIP A'HOY!» Came Ussopp's voice from the crow's nest. Luffy and Garp walked outside to see what was undoubtedly the ugliest pirate ship they'd ever seen attack a cruiseship. «Who the ruddy hell paints their pirate ship pink?» asked Luffy.
Garp took a look at the flag. «The Alvida pirates» Garp said. «Don't know too much about'em. Their captain's got a bounty of 5.000.000 Berries,though,so if anything it's a start» he said. Luffy and Ussopp had agreed to not raise their pirate flag until they started getting closer to Logue town,where Makino and Garp would be jumping ship. The reason for this was because Luffy wanted to take out all the big names in the East Blue to get some starting capital so they could eventually buy a sturdier ship later on in the Grand Line. The sound of the bounty was enough for Luffy to steer the ship closer to the disgusting ship. Ussopp had come down from the crow's nest and started preparing his pistols and rifle,along with his trusty slingshot. Once they got close enough,they jumped aboard. As expected,everyone was attacking the cruiser. They made quick work on gathering the treasures,food and ammo from the ship and putting it aboard the Sea Fox before jumping back just in time for them to be noticed.
«Hey you! What are you two doing here?» an obvious grunt asked them as he prepared his sword as he got closer to them. «Ussopp,don't kill him. This crew is too weak to do anything about us anyway» Luffy said as he sat on the railing. Ussopp only nodded as he put away his pistols,and swung it like a club,hitting the pirate straight in the jaw,knocking him out. A few minutes later,more grunts came aboard, and without asking questions,they started attacking both Ussopp and Luffy. The two made quick work of the grunts before settling down to wait for the captain. A minute later, Ussopp looked up,shouted: «INCOMING!» before a pink blur landed on the deck in front of them. «Oh,ow» Luffy said. On closer inspection,the blur was just a pink-haired,pudgy boy with round glasses. «You okay?» Luffy asked as Ussopp helped the boy sit up.
«oww,that hurts!» the boy said before he looked up to see Ussopp and Luffy. «W-Who are you?» he asked,scared. «We're here to collect the bounty on this ship's captain» Luffy said with his trademark D grin. «Who are you,anyway?» Ussopp asked. «I-I'm Coby. Forced cabin boy of the Alvida pirates» the boy mumbled. Luffy's ears perked up. «Forced? The hag is forcing you to be here?» he asked,getting upset on the young boy's behalf.
«Yes. Ever since I mistook their dinghy for a fishing boat,I've been stuck here for the past two years,unable to go back home» the boy said. Ussopp and Luffy felt for this kid. «Coby. Why don't you go over to our ship? We can at least take you to Shell Town,since that's where we're going to cash in Alvida's bounty. You can find a way home from there,right?» Luffy asked. Coby looked at him with wide eyes. «You-you'd do that for me?» Coby asked. Luffy nodded with a smile. «Yep. Ussopp will help you over. I'll be right behind you with Alvida» Luffy said. Ussopp helped Coby aboard the Sea Fox and explained the situation to Garp and Makino.
A minute later they heard a loud CRASH and they looked over to see Luffy with a grin. «Hey Gramps! I need your help here,this hag is heavy!» Garp grinned. «Oh,really now? This I gotta see» the old man said as he jumped over. What he saw was not pretty. «Luffy?» he asked. «Yes,Gramps?» his grandson said. «Are you really sure this is a woman and not a baby whale in a halloween costume?» Garp asked. Said baby whale was knocked out,otherwise she would've thrown a tantrum beyond belief. «Pretty sure,Gramps» Luffy said nonchalantly. Garp just sighed and lifted Alvida by her feet.
«Thankfully I have lifted heavier» Garp said as he jumped back with Alvida,followed quickly by Luffy. They were about to sail away when Luffy said. «One last thing,Ussopp: Burn that flag» Luffy said and pointed to Alvida's flag. Ussopp nodded,took out his slingshot,aimed with a cry of: «Hi no Tori Boshi!» Ussopp's shot took the form of a flaming bird who flew straight through the flag,destroying it. Seeing this,Coby started crying. «Thank you,thank you,thank you!» he said as he almost bowed to Usopp and Luffy. The two boys easily accepted the praise while Garp took over the helm and kept them en route to Shell town.
It was another day and a half later that the ship woke up with a cry of: «LAND O'HOY!» from Ussopp. Coby had gotten a guest hammock in the crew cabin,and walked out to see an island a few miles ahead. «There it is,kids. Shell town» came Garp's voice behind him. «So,this is where we're supposed to find our swordsman? Doesn't look like much» said Luffy, who fickled a little with his earrings. «Well,neither does Fuusha,but look what came out of there» Garp said before both Monkeys chuckled. «Fair enough. Come on guys,I'll make breakfast» Luffy said before walking into the kitchen. Garp knocked on Makino's door to let her know that breakfast was being prepared before following the boys(Ussopp had come down after alerting them of the island).
A couple hours later,Ussopp and Luffy were doing situps on the deck while Coby was watching. «996...997...998...999...1000! You did it,both of you!» Coby said,looking at them in awe at their strength. «Shishishi! Finished equally again,Ussopp! That's awesome!» Luffy said with a grin. Ussopp smirked back. «Yeah,it's good to know that our training has helped!» he said. «Of course it helped,I trained you,brats!» came Garp's voice from the helm,causing both boys to laugh at his. Luffy smiled. «Ne,Coby? Do you have a dream?» Coby looked shocked for a moment before he thought about it. «Now that you mention it,I have dreamed of becoming a marine for as long as I can remember,but I just don't know if it's possible» Coby said said,slightly depressed at the end.
«Heh,I'm sure you'll find which path you want to walk eventually Coby,just remember,the world is not black and white. Not all pirates are bad,and not all marines are good. Keep that in mind,train hard and if our paths cross again,we're gonna party like no tomorrow!» Luffy said with a smile. «We're here!» Garp said as they got to the docks. They anchored up the ship and prepared to go to land. «You coming with,Gramps?» Luffy asked after he fetched the still tied up and gagged Alvida on to the deck. Garp just shook his head. «No,this is your adventure,I'm just along for the ride» the old man said as he walked back inside. Luffy then turned to Ussopp and Coby. «Alright,let's go cash in our bounty and see if we can find this Zoro guy somewhere. Ussopp,help me with this baby whale» Luffy said,getting a nod from the two boys before Ussopp helped his captain lift up Alvida,much to Coby's surprise,and tossed her onto the island. Fortunately,she landed on her head and got knocked out. The three boys then jumped after. Ussopp then grabbed some extra rope from his satchel and tied that to the rope that they had already tied around Alvida's feet, and together he and Luffy pulled her along to the marine base. After delivering her to the marines and making sure they weren't being duped for money,the boys then went to the local bar. «Why are we going to the bar,Luffy-san? Weren't you two going to search for Zoro?» Coby asked. «One of the first things we learned was that bars are excellent places to get information. If we want to find Zoro,we can always ask the bartender» said Luffy as they reached their destination and Ussopp opened the door for his captain and Coby. As Ussopp and Coby found a table at the back of the bar,Luffy walked up to the counter. «Good morning sir,how can I help you?» the waitress asked with a smile. Luffy smiled back.
«Good morning. Me and my companions just anchored up on this island,and would like the house breakfast and some coffee» he said. «Of course sir,that'll be 550 berries» she said. As he paid up,he said: «By the way,I'm looking for a certain someone,and was wondering if you could help me?» he asked with a curious glance. «that depends,who are you looking for?» she asked. «I'm looking for someone called Roronoa Zoro,I was told he was here» Luffy said,honestly. The woman paled for a bit,but answered: «He got in trouble with the marine captain's son,and is being held in the courtyard of the marine base» she said. Luffy tilted his head. «Why is he being held there? If he's a criminal,he should be in a cell,shouldn't he?» he asked. The woman shook her head. «He saved my daughter's life from Helmeppo's pet wolf. After that,he agreed to a wager with Helmeppo,as compromise. He's going to stand in that courtyard for a month with no food or drink. If he's still alive at the end,they'll let him go» she said. Luffy smiled at her.
«Thank you ma'am. I shall look into it after our breakfast» he said,getting a big smile from her as she rushed to the back to prepare their food and coffee. As Luffy walked over to their table and sat down,Ussopp asked: «So,did you find him?» Luffy grimaced.
«Yeah. He's currently being a scarecrow in the marine base courtyard» Luffy said and explained the situation. Coby looked at the two being so nonchalant about breaking someone out from a marine base. «How can you two be so carefree? This base is under command of Captain 'Axe-hand' Morgan!» he almost shouted at them. Luffy looked at him with a bored look. «Listen Coby. We count you as a friend,and friends don't let each other get in trouble» he said,getting a cough from Ussopp. He then thanked the lady who brought them their food before turning back to Coby. «We count you as a friend,but you are not a part of the crew,so you do not get a say in what we do» Luffy said bluntly. At this,Coby looked down. «I-I understand. I just-I-» Coby stammered.
Ussopp put a hand on his shoulder. «Hey,we'll be alright. Now,eat,there's plenty for all of us» he said with a gentle smile at the rosette. At this,Coby agreed and started eating. Unknown to him,there was a silent argument between Luffy and Ussopp as they both ate as well and emptied each their cup of coffee.
When finished,Luffy stood up. «I'll go and look into Zoro. You keep Coby company until I return,alright?» he asked,getting a nod from Ussopp. Luffy then walked out of the bar and headed back to the marine base. When he got close enough, he heard an argument on the other side of the wall,followed by a flying...girl? Luffy jumped up,grabbed a hold of her,and shielded her from the blow when they landed. «Are you okay?» he asked. She nodded. «Yeah» she said. «What were you doing in there?» Luffy asked. «I was going to give Zoro-oniisan some riceballs I made,but that stupid Helmeppo took them and stepped on them» she said with tears in her eyes. Luffy smiled at her. «It's a brave thing you did,but you should go back to your mom,she's probably worried about you»he said. «I will,thanks mister!» the little girl yelled as she ran down the street. Luffy then turned towards the wall and jumped up to see what's going on.
What he saw was a man in a pillory,dressed in a green haramaki,with green hair and a green bandana around his arm,talking with a blond egg-headed man(?) in a purple suit. «My,my,my. Are you starving so much that you're asking little girls to break the law for you? Maybe I should have you executed now,and spare you the hassle of eating?» the egghead said with a cocky grin. «Don't get too comfortable,bastard. Only two weeks left,and I'm coming for you!» the man in green growled. The egghead just laughed at him and walked away followed by two security marines. Luffy waited until they were out of sight before vaulting himself over the wall and walked over to the pillory. Once he stood in front of the man and looked him over,he asked: «Are you Roronoa Zoro?» the green haired man just looked up to see a black-haired teen stand before him. «What is it to you,punk? You should leave if the bastard son is coming back» he said. «You mean the egghead?meh,he's weak,he would probably fall over just by looking at me» Luffy said with a smirk. «The reason I asked was because the tattoo artist on my home island suggested Roronoa Zoro to be a good member to have on my crew» Luffy said. «Crew? You a pirate?» the man asked. Luffy nodded. «Yep.» he said simply. «Sorry,but I have no intention of becoming a criminal. All I have to do will be to survive the next two weeks without food or water,and I will be free to go» the green-haired man said. «Really? You want to trust a brat like that to keep his word? A noseless dog could smell how untrustworthy that guy is. I would not be surprised to find out he's going to execute you tomorrow» Luffy said with a raised eyebrow. «Mind your own business!» the man barked. Luffy looked stoically at him before looking up. «Two weeks,huh? I'll be back» he said as he walked back to the bar where Ussopp and Coby were waiting.
When he got back to the bar,he found Ussopp and Coby talking to the little girl he had saved earlier. «I see you got home okay» Luffy said as he sat down. «Yes. Thank you again for saving me, oniisan!» she said. Ussopp looked to his captain. «What happened?» he asked. Luffy ordered himself a cup of coffee before answering. «Apparently,this Zoro-guy is too stubborn to realize that the people holding him there are going to double-cross him» Luffy said. Ussopp narrowed his eyes. «I see» he said. Just then,did the blonde egghead enter with his two marine bodyguards. «Bow lower!Lower I said,or I'll call my daddy on you! We're eating here for free,understood?» he sat down.
«Man,this town is so boring! I think I'll execute Roronoa Zoro tomorrow,for entertainment! Look forward to it,everybody!» the second he finished his sentence,he got knocked into unconsciousness by a pissed off,yet not surprised Luffy. «I've heard enough. Ussopp,deal with this trash. I'm going to talk to Zoro» he said as he walked out of the bar.
Minutes later,he once again stood before Zoro. «You again? What do you want?» Zoro said. Luffy sighed. «Look,I know you are Roronoa Zoro. My vice-captain is dealing with the blonde egghead as we speak,after he announced that he was going to execute you tomorrow. I offer you a way out,but only if you join my crew» Luffy said with determined eyes. Zoro's eyes widened. «That little shit! When I get my hands on him,he's going to regret ever being born!» he yelled before staring at Luffy. «I'll join your crew,but if you ever get in the way of my ambition,I will not hesitate to cut you down myself!» he said. Luffy raised his eyebrow. «Oh?And what is this ambition of yours?» he asked. «To become the world's greatest swordsman!» Zoro growled out with passion. Luffy smirked. «A worthy goal. The King of the Pirates needs no less! Now,let's get you out of here!» Luffy said as he punched the pillory apart. «Let's go!» Luffy said. «Wait! That blonde bastard stole my swords,I cannot leave without them!» Zoro said. Luffy raised an eyebrow at the «them»,but nodded. «Wait here,I'll be back soon!» he said as he ran over to the front doors and kicked them open,causing Zoro's eyes to widen. «What the hell have I gotten myself into?» he asked himself.
Meanwhile,with Luffy:
«Let's see,Zoro's swords should be somewhere around here» Luffy mumbled to himself as he searched every room on the top floor. He opened the next door to find an orange-haired girl trying to pry open a safe. «Gods damnit!Open damn you!» she exclaimed. Luffy cleared his throat,causing her to jump back. «Who-Who are you?» she asked. «Name's Luffy. Do you need help opening that safe?» he asked. She was taken aback. He was obviously not a marine,yet... «Yes,please,but all its contents are mine!» she said in an angry tone at the end. «Very well,stand aside» Luffy waited until she stood to the side before putting his head to the safe,and allowed his kitsune hearing to help him,without her noticing that his ear had turned into a fox ear. «Let's see...aaaand...voila!» he exclaimed as he opened the safe.
«Thank you! I think I'll keep you around!» she said. Luffy chuckled. «Well,unless you want to travel with a former pirate and three aspiring sailors, I doubt you want to travel with me» he said. At the mention of «former pirate» she immediately became guarded. «Who is this former pirate? I thought a pirate's life was until death?» she said. «My grandfather,he stopped being a pirate when his captain's wife became pregnant,and settled down as her guardian instead» Luffy said. She relaxed a little. «Oh,okay. I guess he's too old to be a pirate now then,since he's your grandfather?» she asked. Luffy nodded. «Yeah, he's sailing with us until Logue town,then he and my older sister are traveling to Saobady Archipelago» he said.
«Well,is there room for one more? I need to go to the Conomi islands» she said. Luffy chuckled. «Sure,we're going there anyway,I have plans to cash in Arlong's bounty» Luffy said,shocking her. «Anyway,I need to find Zoro's swords,but if you head to the bar,there's a guy there,his name's Ussopp,he's my first Mate. Tell him your situation,and that I sent you,he'll point you to our ship» Luffy said as he walked out of the room and into the next one. «Yup,this is the room» Luffy deadpanned.
The room was all shades of pink,in a way that could turn a blind man colorblind. Luffy scanned the room until he saw three swords propped up against a corner. «I'll take these. Now to get Zoro» he said to himself. He then looked out the window to see Zoro tied up and about to be shot by a dozen marines led by a big man with an axe for an arm. «Shit! Welp,time to rescue my nakama!» he said as he jumped out of the window and aimed himself at who he assumed was the captain. While in midair,Luffy changed into his hybrid form,giving him fox ears,four tails and longer nail, which now resembled claws. «DON'T KILL MY NAKAMA!» Luffy growled as he landed on Morgan's neck,hard enough to bring the man to his knees,claws scratching the sides of his head deep enough to draw blood. Luffy jumped off Morgan with a mighty leap that brought him over the other marines and in front of Zoro. «I have your swords!» Luffy said with a grin.
«What the hell are you?!» Zoro asked with a shocked expression. «I ate the mythical zoan fruit Inu Inu Model: Kyuubi no kitsune. I'm a fox man!» Luffy said with a grin. Zoro shook his head. «Whatever. Now untie me!» Zoro said. Luffy swiped the ropes with his claws and gave the swordsman his swords. «Now,let me show my loyalties to my new captain» Zoro said as he took one sword in each hand and the last in his mouth. «Kill them! All who oppose me must die!» Morgan said as he got up. The marines all attacked them with their swords,which was easily blocked by Zoro. «By resisting the marines,I have become a criminal. I will join this crew, but stand in the way of my ambition,and I will cut you down! Understood?» Zoro growled at Luffy,who just raised an eyebrow and nodded.
«Yeah. Now,hurry up and deal with these marines,I will deal with Morgan!» Luffy said. «If swords don't work,use your guns!» Morgan yelled at his men. «But sir,we cannot defeat them,they are too strong!» a soldier said,before Morgan cleaved him with his axe. «All of you,who spouts weakness, I order you to shoot yourself!» Morgan yelled. At the sight of some of the men actually trying to obey the order,Luffy quickly and discreetly knocked them out with a burst of his Conqueror's haki.
Morgan got shocked at the sight of his men falling unconscious without any apparent cause, but did not get a chance to think about it before he felt his metal jaw bagin to crack from an earth-shattering uppercut from the black-haired teen that launched him into the air. The last thing he heard as he blacked out was: «You do not deserve to lead. Fall into oblivion. Kitsune Barrage!» as Luffy both kicked and punched the marine captain several times over before hitting him with a heel kick hard enough to drive a rib into his heart,killing him instantly. As Luffy landed next to the corpse of the marine captain, the rest of the marines started to wake up.
Luffy took that as a sign to grab Zoro and got out of the base towards the bar,where Ussopp and Coby still waited for him. Once he had ordered a proper meal for Zoro,he explained the situation. Once he was done,he turned to Coby. «So,do you still want to become a marine? If so,being seen with us will not help you. We will wait until Zoro is full,then we will leave» he said. Coby looked down for a moment. «I...I have wanted to become a marine for so long...but...but knowing there are islands where people suffer under the marines is not something I can accept! I humbly request permission to join your crew!» Coby exclaimed with a deep bow towards Luffy.
The captain shared a look with Ussopp and Zoro,both of whom nodded their agreement. «Alright Coby,you're in. However,while we are in the East Blue,we are not pirates,just simple travelers,understood?» Luffy said seriously. «Second, we are going to take out every big name pirate in the East Blue before we head to the Grand Line,including Buggy the clown,Don Krieg and Arlong the Saw» Luffy said. «But,but how will you do this?» Coby exclaimed with wide eyes.
Luffy's eyes narrowed as he heard the footsteps of a dozen or so men in the distance. He looked at Zoro. «You ready to go,Zoro?» he asked. Zoro nodded as he stood up,followed by the three others. «Yeah,let's go» he said as they walked out of the bar,and everyone,bar Zoro started walking down to the docks. «hey Zoro! Where are you going?» Luffy asked. «To the docks,of course! Where else?» the green-haired swordsman answered. Luffy deadpanned. «You're walking towards the marine base,dumbass! Come back here!» Luffy called. After several more minutes(during which,Zoro had almost walked wrong six more times) they finally arrived at the Sea Fox. Before they boarded,Luffy told the others: «Remember,she doesn't know about us being pirates yet,I want to ease her into it,seeing as her home island is currently being under the terror of Arlong, who I am going to kill». The intensity in Luffy's voice left no room for argument, and Ussopp,Zoro and Coby all nodded before boarding.
Upon boarding,everyone quickly introduced themselves, and the orange-haired girl introduced herself as Nami. She then promptly fainted as Garp walked out on the deck and looked over the group,his eyes lingered a bit longer on Zoro,as if to judge him. «So,you're Roronoa Zoro,huh? Not too shabby» he said. Zoro was almost about to draw his swords before Luffy put a hand on his shoulder.
«Zoro,may I present my grandfather,Monkey D. Garp» he said. Zoro immediately paled as he let his swords sink back into their scabbards. «Mo-Monkey D. Garp is your grandfather?!» he yelled,only to be interrupted by Garp. «Hey kiddo,your female guest is waking!» Garp said as he pointed to Nami,who was stirring before sitting up. Luffy kneeled beside her,obscuring Garp from her view.
«Are you okay,Nami?» he asked,concerned. «I don't know,I just thought I saw the third hand man to Gold Roger walk onto the deck of your ship» she said as she looked at him. Luffy scratched the back of his head with a hand. «Yeah,you did. I told you we were sailing with a former pirate,right?» he asked, getting a nod from Nami.
«Well,here he is. Former Roger pirate,Monkey D. Garp,at your service,miss» Garp said as he bowed slightly to Nami. Nami stared at Garp for a moment before looking at Luffy. «What is Monkey D. Garp doing on your ship?» she asked. «Well,he and my older sister are sailing with us to Logue town. As for why he's here,well, he's my grandpa» Luffy said,causing Nami's eyes to widen. «What? Seriously?» she asked. Luffy nodded. «Yup!» Nami stared at Luffy for a moment as if he had grown a second head. She then shook her head out of her thoughts. «Well, shall we get going? I mean,you did promise me to take me to my home» she said. Luffy nodded with a serious mine. «Yeah, I did promise you that. However,we have a few more stops to make before we reach Conomi islands» Luffy said. Nami tilted her head.
«Really? Okay,where to first,Captain?» she asked. Luffy smirked as Zoro hoisted the anchor and the Sea Fox set out from Shell town. «To Orange Town. My gramps has a meeting with a certain clown!» Luffy stated as Ussopp turned the helm in the direction assigned,and of they went,with three more shipmates than they were when they arrived.
AN:It took me way longer than it should have to finish this chapter. the reason was because I did not feel quite comfortable with writing the dialogue of Morgan,Helmeppo or the marines,even though it's cannon. Before I get any questions,Both Luffy and Ussopp knows Haki,but only Luffy has Conqueror's. Zoro and Coby will learn soon enough,while Nami will remain ignorant for the time being. That's all for now,next time on Turning The World Up-side Down: Meeting The Clown! R&R please!