Chapter 3: Enter Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro
After defeating Alvida and interrogating her crew on the whereabouts of Roronoa Zoro, Donquixote Felix Rocinante, Koby and Monkey D. Luffy acquired a boat and set sail to the nearest Naval Base called Shell Town. While on the way there, Koby wanted to know how Luffy and Felix got their Devil Fruit powers.
"I see, so you ate the Gum-Gum Fruit and now you're made of rubber, Luffy?"
"Yep." Luffy smiled.
"Incredible!" Koby awed. "How about you, Roci?"
"I told you I inherited my powers from my dad." Felix said, his tone vague.
"But how?"
"My dad had Devil Fruit Powers and it passed on to me. It's pretty self-explanatory. I didn't get them till I was eight."
"What Devil Fruit did your dad eat?" Luffy asked.
"The Calm-Calm Fruit." Felix replied. "And yes, I can still swim."
"How'd you know I was gonna ask that?"
"Just a hunch."
Luffy laughed. "Your dad must be really cool!"
"Wouldn't know, never met him. He died a long time ago."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Still, your dad must've been awesome."
Felix looked at Luffy. "How do you know?"
"Because you're awesome, Roci."
Felix found himself blushing furiously. All the stories his mother told him about his father came rushing toward the forefront. His dad was probably a good man, good enough for Felix to be named after him (middle name, but still) Too bad, he'll never know. Not wanting to cry in front of his new friends, Felix cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"You know, Luffy," He began. "If you're going after One Piece, that means you'll have to enter the Grand Line."
"Yeah, I know." Luffy agreed.
"They call it The Graveyard of Dreams. Pirates who don't make it past the first half are lost to the sea or worse."
"That's why I'm assembling my super crew. I only want the strongest and smartest there."
"That's why you're trying to recruit Roronoa Zoro?"
"Yep! If he's a good guy, I'll let him join my crew."
"What makes you think Zoro will join you willingly?" Felix scoffed.
"Just a hunch." Luffy smiled.
"Now you're talking crazy again, Luffy!" Koby said, frantically. "That'll never happen! That guy is a demonic beast! Never, never, never!"
"How do you know?!" Luffy argued.
"NEVER!" Koby exclaimed.
"Will you two chill out?!" Felix halted.
The boys sailed in silence when Luffy decided to break it. "So, he's a demonic beast, huh?"
"Roronoa Zoro is his real name but they call him 'Zoro the Pirate Hunter.'" Felix explained.
"He's like a bloodthirsty hound; roaming the seas hunting men with bounties on their head." Koby added. "They said that he's a demon in human form."
"Huh?" Luffy asked, confused.
"He's a pirate hunter, Luffy. They usually don't mix well with pirates."
"Well, I haven't decided yet if I'm gonna let Zoro join my crew. If he's a good guy then…"
"He's in prison because he's not a good guy!" Koby exclaimed.
"Wait, hold up! What do you mean you haven't decided yet?" Felix interjected.
"I don't know if Zoro's a good guy or not." Luffy shrugged. "If he is, I'll get him to join my crew!"
"You do remember that we had a deal, right?"
"Of course I remember. I'm sure Zoro is a cool guy. Shishishishi."
Felix rolled his eyes. "Right." He muttered.
After some time, the boys finally arrived at Shell Town. Luffy jumped off the boat and raised his fist up in celebration.
"Yay, we're finally here!" He exclaimed. "We're reached the Naval Base!"
"Yeah, we finally made it." Koby smiled.
"So, this is Shell Town?" Felix mused, looking around. "Looks pretty quaint."
"You're amazing, Koby!" Luffy cheered.
Koby looked at the Straw Hat boy in question. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"You actually got us to our destination!"
"Well, of course I did. Navigation is a minimum requirement for people who sail the seas."
"Koby's right, Luffy. At this rate, you'll never become a pirate if you keep randomly floating around the sea." Felix said. "You should find a navigator for your crew."
"Aww, I was hoping to get a musician first." Luffy whined.
"Why would you get a musician before a navigator?"
"I've always wanted one. Anyway, I'm hungry. Let's eat!"
The boys found a restaurant nearby and decided to eat there. It was the first meal Felix ate since leaving home and it was satisfying.
"Woo! That hit the spot." He sighed.
"I'll say." Luffy agreed, rubbing his full belly. "Well, this is where we part ways, Koby. I hope you join the Navy and become a great Marine."
"Th-thank you, Luffy." Koby cried. "And I hope you become a great pirate, even though we'll be enemies. And I hope your village gets liberated soon, Roci."
"Thanks, Koby." Felix thanked. "You don't have to cry every 2 seconds but the sentiment is appreciated."
"Hey, I just remembered something." Luffy mentioned. "Isn't that guy, Roronoa Zoro, supposed to be imprisoned here?"
There was a sudden, loud crash. Felix, Koby and Luffy looked to see the patrons of the restaurant backing away from them, trembling in fear.
"Okay…." Felix muttered. To Luffy, he whispered: "Maybe you shouldn't mention that name around here."
"Hmmm, you probably right." Luffy nodded.
"Anyway, I saw a poster that this base is run by Captain Morgan." Koby said.
Right after Koby mentioned Captain Morgan, the people in the restaurant jumped in terror so hard, the tables flipped over. The boys looked at patrons like they were crazy.
"Wow!" Luffy laughed.
"Huh?" Koby wondered.
"What the…" Felix cursed.
"Hahaha! Wow, what a great restaurant!" Luffy laughed as they left. "I want to go back there again."
"Why? Everyone was so jumpy." Felix argued. "I got a bad feeling about this place."
"Yeah, I understand why they would get paranoid over hearing Roronoa Zoro's name." Koby said. "He's a prisoner that can escape at any moment. But why would they get nervous at hearing Captain Morgan's name?"
"Who knows?" Luffy shrugged. "Maybe they just got carried away."
"WHY WOULD THAT HAPPEN?!" Koby yelled. "I'm trying to be serious here, Luffy!"
"Guys, I think we arrived at the Navy Base." Felix revealed, halting all conversations.
The boys stopped in their tracks as they came across a large Navy base, surrounded by a brick fence with three doors, a big one in the center and a small door on each side. The boys looked at this navy base in awe.
"Whoa…" Felix breathed.
"It looks so big up close!" Luffy beamed. "Go on in Koby!"
Koby gave a nervous look. "I-I haven't mentally prepared myself yet." He stammered. "And those people were really scared when they heard the captain's name."
"Well, he is a high-ranking Marine." Felix reasoned. "Most people are afraid of high-ranking Marine officers."
Koby was about to reply when he saw Luffy climbing up the brick fence. "Luffy, what are you doing?" He frantically asked.
"I'm wondering if I can see the Demonic Beast from here." Luffy replied, scanning the base.
"You won't find Zoro just by peeking over the fence, Luffy." Felix objected. "He's probably deep within the bowels of prison."
Luffy jumped from the fence and proceeded to run to the other side. "Really? Well, I just saw somebody over there." He said.
Felix's eyes grew wide. "You did?"
"Yeah, it's probably Zoro!"
"What?" Koby shuddered.
Luffy climbed up the fence. "There he is!" He smiled. Felix tried to climb up the fence but he ended up slamming his face into the wall. Luffy saw it and laughed. "You're really clumsy, Roci."
"It's another trait I inherited from my father, Luffy. Shut up." Felix frowned as he wiped the blood off his nose. Meanwhile, Koby climbed the fence and fearfully snuck a peek at the mysterious prisoner. As soon as he saw who it was, Koby immediately fell off the fence. Luffy and Felix looked at Koby.
"What's wrong?" Luffy asked.
"I-it's him!" Koby cried. "It's really him!"
"Are you sure?" Felix asked.
"Black bandana and a green Haramaki sash. It's Roronoa Zoro and he looks menacing."
Felix climbed the fence again and he was successful this time. He looked over the fence and saw a young man, not much older than he was, tied up on a pole, his black bandana obscuring his eyes. But it was no denying it. The mysterious prisoner was indeed The Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro.
"Koby's right." Felix confirmed. "That's Zoro."
"Oh, so that's him!" Luffy smiled. "He doesn't look that much of a mean prisoner, I could just untie his ropes and set him free…"
"ARE YOU CRAZY, THAT'S SUCIDE!" Koby interrupted, yelling. "If you let him loose, he'll kill us then destroy this whole town!"
"Dang, Koby. Can you be any louder?" Felix complained.
"Hey, Kid!" Zoro called out.
Koby cowered in fear while Luffy and Felix simply looked at Zoro.
"Huh?" Luffy said.
"You and your friend, come over here and untie me." Zoro commanded, smiling evilly. "I've been here for nine days and I can't take it anymore."
"He's talking to us!" Koby cried.
"I know, and he's smiling." Luffy said.
" Yeah, he doesn't look all that menacing to me." Felix added.
"Trust me, I'll make it worth your while." Zoro said. "I'll capture someone with a big bounty on their head and give all the beris to you. I'm a man of my word, you can trust me."
"Man?" Felix jeered, laughing. "Boy, you don't look like no man! You look like some emo-looking dweeb that got himself tied up to a pole."
"I know you're not calling me a dweeb, you walking twig!" Zoro countered.
"Roci!" Koby hissed. "Don't provoke him!"
"What he gonna do? He's a kid like us." Felix shrugged.
"No, I'm not!" Zoro argued.
"How old are you then?"
"None of your damn business! Besides, I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to your friend in the straw hat. Untie me, kid."
"Yeah, Luffy. Untie Roronoa Zoro, so I can beat the depression out of him." Felix taunted.
"Don't do it, Luffy!" Koby objected. "As soon as you untie him, he's gonna kill us and set this town on fire! I just know it."
"He won't kill us." Luffy assured. "He couldn't because I won't let him."
Koby gave a Luffy a nervous look. He's got a really big ego. He thought.
Felix caught Koby's look. "You good, Koby? You look bloated." He asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Don't worry." Koby replied.
A loud whack was heard and the three boys turned to see a little girl around ten climb up a ladder.
"Huh?" Koby and Luffy wondered.
"Who are you?" Felix asked.
"Shh!" The girl hushed. "My name's Rika; now be quiet."
Rika jumped over the fence and ran over to Zoro, causing Koby to panic.
"H-Hey! Don't go down there it's dangerous!" He warned. "Luffy, do something! She's gonna get killed."
"Why don't you do something?" Luffy countered.
Felix didn't say anything as he carefully observed Rika's interaction with Zoro. The pirate hunter looked down at the little girl who had a smile on her face.
"What do you want, kid? Get lost or do you want to get killed?" Zoro growled.
"I thought you might be hungry, so I made some rice balls for you." Rika offered, holding up two rice balls to Zoro. "It's my first time ever making rice balls. I hope you like them."
"I'm not hungry. Now beat it and take that stuff with you."
"But..."
"I said, I don't want those rice balls!" Zoro snapped. "Now get outta here or I'll kick your ass!"
"How you gonna kick that little girl's ass when you're hung up like a Christmas Tree?" Felix teased.
"Roci!" Koby chided.
"When I get out of here, I'm going to chop three inches off of your height!" Zoro threatened.
"Roronoa Zoro!"
All conversation came to a halt when a flamboyant young man entered the base. Felix looked at this man in disgust. Everything about him screamed "rich, spoiled brat," from his purple leisure suit to his stupid-looking face. Why he was able to strut freely on a Marine Base was beyond Felix's comprehension.
"You shouldn't pick on little girls, Zoro." The young man sneered. "I'll tell my father on you."
"Who's that weirdo?" Luffy asked.
"He must be some high-ranking naval officer," Koby replied. "At least that little girl will be safe now."
"He's not a navy officer." Felix stated.
Koby looked at Felix. "How can you be so sure?" He asked.
"I have a knack for reading people. I can sense who they are just by looking at them." Felix smirked. "Genzo always called it a nuisance. Anyway, that man's Captain Morgan's spoiled brat of a son."
Zoro scoffed. "Well, if it isn't the idiot son living off of his daddy's wealth."
Luffy and Koby looked at Felix in disbelief. The younger boy simply shrugged. "Told ya I have a knack for reading people."
"Did you just call me an idiot? A man in your current position will do well to watch what he says or he'll lose his ability to speak." The flamboyant man threatened. He walked over to Rika and snatched a rice ball from her hand. "Aww, did you make these rice balls for me, little girl? How thoughtful."
"Hey, give it back!" Rika complained.
The flamboyant man took a bite of Rika's rice ball and immediately spat it out. "UGH, DISGUSTING!" He grimaced. "It's sweet! There's sugar on it?! Everyone knows that you're supposed to season rice balls with salt not sugar!"
"B-but, I like sweets so I figured sugar will be better." Rika stammered.
"These are completely inedible!" The flamboyant man declared. He proceeded to stomp Rika's rice balls in the dirt, destroying them. Rika knelt to the ground, trying to stop the man from stomping on her rice balls.
"Stop, please!" She cried. "You're ruining them!"
Luffy, Koby and Felix looked at the scene before them.
"How evil!" Koby lamented. "That little girl worked hard on those rice balls!"
"I knew that punk wasn't shit." Felix sneered.
"Aw, don't worry. I'm sure the ants will find those rice balls delicious." The flamboyant man laughed.
Tears flowed down Rika's cheeks. "Why did you do that?" She cried. "I worked so hard to make them!"
"Will you stop crying? Ugh, that's why I hate kids. It's your own fault, little girl. Can't you read this sign?" The flamboyant man pointed to a sign above Rika's head. "It says: 'Anyone aiding the prisoner shall be found guilty of the crimes he committed. Captain Morgan.'" The man grabbed Rika by her shirt. "You know how scary my father can be. You're lucky that you're just a kid. If you were an adult, I'd have to put you to death."
The flamboyant man turned to one of the Marine soldiers who came with him. "You! Throw that brat over the fence!"
The soldier gave a fearful look. "B-but sir…" He began.
"ARE YOU DISOBEYING A DIRECT ORDER?!" The man yelled, grabbing the soldier's shirt. "THROW THAT LITTLE BRAT OVER THE FENCE OR I'LL TELL DADDY ON YOU!"
"Y-yes sir! Right away, sir!" The soldier conceded. He picked Rika off the floor. "I'm sorry, kid. Just crouch low and land on your side."
The soldier threw Rika over the fence but Luffy caught her before she fell. Felix and Koby jumped off the fence and came over to Rika's side to make sure she's okay.
"Are you okay?" Felix asked.
"Uh-huh." Rika nodded.
"What a bad man!" Koby exclaimed.
"Well, what'd you expect from a spoiled brat?" Felix shrugged. "If he's like that, I'd hate to meet his old man." His gaze turned to Luffy who had a pensive look on his face. "You good, Luffy? What are you thinking about?"
"I'm going over there to meet Zoro." Luffy decided.
"What?!" Koby exclaimed. "Are you crazy?!"
"Hold on, I'm going with you." Felix volunteered. To Koby, he instructed: "Keep an eye on Rika, Koby."
Meanwhile, at the Parade ground, the flamboyant man came over to Zoro laughing. "My, my, my. Aren't you the stubborn one." He said amusingly.
"You damn right! I'm gonna hold out for the entire month." Zoro declared. "Just keep your end of the bargain, Helmeppo!"
Helmeppo simply laughed as he exited the parade ground. "I wouldn't dream of breaking my word. I'll let you go if you can survive out here for a month. It's my pleasure, I'm sure."
Zoro glared at the direction of the gate, watching Helmeppo and his lackeys leave. When his gaze shifted, he saw Luffy and Felix standing in front of him, just staring at him like some nosy owls.
"You two are still here?" Zoro grunted. "You better not let Helmeppo's father catch you."
"Helmeppo? That's his name?" Felix laughed. "He even has a weird rich kid name. This is priceless."
"Hey, listen up." Luffy began. "I'm forming my own pirate crew and looking for some good men to join."
"No thanks!" Zoro objected. "You think I'd lower myself to joining a pirate crew, you got another thing coming."
"I didn't think one could get any lower than your current situation." Felix muttered. Zoro gave Felix a death glare that the younger boy shrugged off. "Hey, I'm not the one tied to a pole, dude."
"And what's wrong with becoming a pirate?" Luffy asked indignantly. "It's my dream!"
"You think if you untie me, I'll join your crew?" Zoro smirked.
Luffy shrugged. "Well, I haven't decided if I'll ask you yet. You've got a bad reputation, Roronoa Zoro."
"Bad reputation, huh? That's funny. Anyway, I'm not going for that type of deal. I've got my own plans for the future so I don't need your help. All I have to do is last here for a month then I'm a free man. Captain Morgan's idiot son promised me."
Felix gave Zoro a look. "You're gonna take Helmeppo's word for it? I thought you were smarter than that."
"You calling me stupid, Pretty Boy?" Zoro gritted.
"It's hard not to when you're basically entrusting your life to a guy who looks like he orders his father's soldiers to bathe him."
"Who the hell are you anyway?!"
"Felix Rocinante." Felix smiled. "Nice to meet you. I would shake your hand, but they're tied up at the moment. I can pat your head."
"I will bite your hand off."
"That's fair."
"Hmm, I see." Luffy nodded. "I don't think I could last one week without food, let alone a month."
"Me and you are different. I got more willpower." Zoro said. "So, go look for a crew elsewhere. Hopefully, that human stick bug isn't on your crew."
"Who's tied up to a pole on a Marine Base?" Felix taunted. "That's right, you are."
"If I had my swords, I would cut you." Zoro growled.
"I'd like to see you try. I can block sword attacks easily." Felix smiled.
"Let's go, Roci." Luffy said, halting a confrontation. "Koby and that little girl are waiting for us."
"Okay, good idea." Felix nodded.
A thought came through Luffy's head. "Wait, your name is Felix? I thought it was Roci?"
"It is….sorta. 'Roci' is short for my middle name, Rocinante. My first name is Felix."
"Can I still call you Roci?"
"Yeah, everyone else does."
"Cool."
Felix and Luffy started to leave when Zoro called them again.
"Hey, wait a minute." He beckoned.
"Huh? What is it?" Luffy asked.
"Pick that up for me."
Luffy and Felix looked at each other before looking at the ruined rice balls on the floor.
"The rice balls Helmeppo stomped in the dirt?" Felix clarified.
"Yeah, what else would I be talking about?"
"I think he's delirious, Luffy." Felix muttered.
"Huh?" Luffy asked, picking the rice off the ground.
"He's talking crazy."
"Oh, yeah I agree. You're not gonna eat this are you? It's more dirt than rice at this point. I know you're hungry and all but…"
"SHUT UP!" Zoro snapped, opening his mouth wide. "Just shut up and feed it to me! Don't leave a single grain of rice!"
Luffy shrugged as he rolled the dirt-infested rice into a ball and shoved it into Zoro's waiting mouth. He and Felix watched as Zoro was choking and coughing on the dirty rice ball before ultimately swallowing it.
"You still alive?" Felix asked.
"Shut up, Twig." Zoro coughed.
"I told you that it was mostly dirt." Luffy chided. "You wanna kill yourself?"
"Tell the kid…" Zoro began. "Tell her that I ate all of her rice balls….and that I said they were delicious."
"Haha. Sure thing." Luffy smiled. Felix didn't say anything but a small smile came across his face.
"Really?!"
"Yep! He ate it all up!"
"And he said that it was delicious!"
Rika was practically beaming at Luffy and Felix's news that Zoro ate her rice balls and liked them. "Yay, I'm so glad!" She cheered.
Rika was sitting outside her house/restaurant with Koby, Felix and Luffy after the latter two boys finished talking to Zoro. Koby and Luffy were sitting on barrels while Felix was laying on the stairs on Rika's front porch.
"Could Zoro be as bad as everybody says?" Koby asked.
"Zoro isn't bad." Felix said. "He may act menacing but he's just a 19-year-old dweeb."
"Zoro's not 19, Roci." Koby objected. "He's 25 at the least."
Felix simply chuckled. "Trust me on this, Koby. No sane 25-year-old man would willingly let himself get caught by the Marines, I don't care what his reputation is."
"He's not a bad guy!" Rika exclaimed. "Everyone in town is afraid of him but he never did anything wrong."
"Then how come Zoro is in prison if he didn't do anything wrong?" Felix asked.
"It was because of me." Rika revealed. "Captain Morgan's son had a bunch of mean dogs and they attacked me. Roronoa Zoro saved me from those dogs! Besides, they were running loose and scaring everybody in town!"
"So, that's why Zoro is in prison? Because he killed that guy's dog to save you?" Luffy clarified.
"Yes." Rika nodded.
"That makes sense." Koby said. "Zoro's scary but he only goes after people with bounties. And the Navy wouldn't throw him in prison for that."
"Captain Morgan and his son are the bad ones." Rika said. "They put people to death for no reason at all. Everyone's afraid of them!"
"Well, if that's not tyranny, I don't know what is." Felix mused.
Their conversation was interrupted by horrified gasps and Helmeppo laughing sinisterly.
"Haha! You pathetic scum are not bowing your heads low enough." The privileged son taunted. "I'll tell my father on all of you!"
Felix and Luffy looked to see Helmeppo strutting into the town square accompanied by two Marine officers. The townspeople were bowing their heads fearfully to Helmeppo. To say Felix was disgusted beyond all reason was a huge understatement.
"Do you all want to end up like Roronoa Zoro? Haha! We're going to hold a public execution for him in three days!" Helmeppo announced. "I can hardly wait! We're going to make an example out of him!"
"Public execution?" Felix repeated.
"Three days?" Luffy added. He turned to Helmeppo. "But you made a promise to him!"
The townspeople looked at Luffy in fear. Helmeppo simply looked at the Straw Hat boy.
"Now where did you hear about that?" He asked.
"Does it matter where we heard it from?" Felix retorted. "Did you promise Zoro that you'll set him free in a month or not?"
Helmeppo laughed hysterically. "That promise was just a joke! If Zoro actually believed that, then he's stupider than I realized! What a dumb beast!" Suddenly, Helmeppo was met with a fist to his face courtesy of Monkey D. Luffy. The townspeople looked at Luffy in shock.
"LUFFY!" Koby yelled holding the Straw Hat boy back with the help of Felix.
"That guy is scum!" Luffy seethed.
"I could've told you that, Luffy, but calm down." Felix said. "He's not worth it."
"Roci's right, Luffy." Koby agreed. "Do you want to make an enemy out of the Navy?"
"Roci, Koby, I've made my decision."
Felix and Koby loosened their grip on Luffy, intrigued.
"Huh?" Koby asked.
"I'm going to ask Zoro to join my crew." Luffy declared.
"Does that mean our deal is still on?" Felix asked.
"Yep."
Felix gave an evil smirk (one that Donquixote Rosinante will be proud of) "Well, then I really hope Zoro says yes."
The townspeople looked on at the scene in astonishment.
"He really did it!" One townsperson gasped. "He punched Captain Morgan's son!"
"Captain Morgan will be furious when he hears about this." Another townsperson mentioned.
Helmeppo looked at Luffy in disbelief. "Y-you hit me!" He whined. "No one has ever hit me, not even Daddy!"
"Maybe that's where you went wrong." Felix sneered.
Koby was still trying to hold Luffy back. "Will you and Roci stop trying to pick a fight with the Navy, Luffy?!"
"It's not our fault this scumbag doesn't keep his promises." Luffy angrily retorted.
"Scum?! Do you even know who I am?!" Helmeppo shouted. "I AM HELMEPPO, CAPTAIN MORGAN'S BELOVED SON!"
"I don't care who your father is, scum is scum!" Luffy said.
"I'm gonna tell Daddy on you!"
"Just like a spoiled rich kid, getting your daddy to fight your battles." Felix laughed.
"Why don't you fight me like a man?" Luffy challenged. "Don't run crying to your dad!"
"I don't see a man, Luffy." Felix said. "I see a little bitch boy who looks like he hasn't fought a day in his life."
"Luffy, Roci, please stop!" Koby pleaded.
Helmeppo smiled sinisterly as the two Marines with him helped him off the ground.
"You two will be sorry." He taunted. "You're walking corpses, Father will kill you…you Booger Faces!"
"Oh Lord, you can't even insult people right." Felix laughed. "What a hopeless piece of dogshit!"
"Roci!" Koby whined. Felix simply shrugged.
"Eh, he's not worth hitting." Luffy waved off.
"Next time, let me do it." Felix said. "I'm not above hitting worthless creeps."
"Now, you guys done it." Koby muttered.
The sounds of slamming doors can be heard as the townspeople scurried back to their houses. Rika ran over to Luffy and Roci, much to the fear of her mother.
"Wow, big bros! You two were great!" She cheered. "Thanks, I feel a lot better now!"
"Then I wished I'd given him a few more whacks for you." Luffy smiled.
"Rika! Get away from those boys, you shouldn't be talking to them!"
Rika turned to her mother. "But Mom, they're good people." She defended. "So is Zoro…"
"Did you go to the Parade Grounds after I specifically told you not to?!"
"Well, I just made something to eat for Zoro."
Rika's mother grabbed her arm and ushered her inside. "You are in big trouble, young lady." She scolded.
"Hey, Rika didn't do anything wrong!" Felix defended.
"You have no right to criticize me about how I raise my child, young man!" Rika's mother argued.
"I'm not criticizing you but don't you think you're being rather harsh? All Rika did was give Zoro something to eat."
Koby tried to step in and intervene but Luffy held him back.
"My harshness is tame compared to what Captain Morgan will do to Rika if he found out what she did." Rika's mother said solemnly. "I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand."
"Someone like me? A sixteen-year-old boy?" Felix laughed mirthlessly. "I understand more than you think, unfortunately. I get that you're afraid, but don't punish Rika for doing the right thing. She's the bravest person I've ever met in this town. If you ask me, you should be proud for raising such a good and considerate daughter."
Rika's mother looked at Felix for a long time before loosening her grip on Rika's arm. "Let's get inside, Rika." The girl looked at the boys sadly as she and her mother headed inside their house.
"Hey, Rika."
Rika and her mother turned back to Felix.
"Listen to your mom next time." He admonished. "You only get one in this life, got it kid?"
Rika smiled. "You got it, Big Bro!" Felix smiled widely as he held up a peace sign. The girl giggled as she ran inside the house. Rika's mother gave Felix a subtle nod before going inside and closing the door.
Felix exhaled deeply, as he tried to hold down his emotions. Rika reminded so much of himself, it was damn near scary. He understood her mother's fear, he lived it. She just wanted her daughter safe. His mother wanted him and his sisters safe as well. Only difference is that Rika still had her mom, Felix didn't. The young Taikomochi's thoughts were interrupted by a pat on the shoulder. He turned to see Luffy standing next to him, smiling.
"You okay, Roci?" He asked.
Felix smiled. "Yeah, I'm good. Let's go see that human scarecrow and get him to join our crew."
"Our crew?!" Luffy repeated, his eyes shining.
"Zoro has to say yes to you in order for me to uphold my end of the deal but something tells me that you're gonna get him to join regardless. Best thing to do is throw in the towel."
Luffy threw his hands up in celebration. "WOO HOO! LET'S GO!"
"Wait a minute! Do you two just realized what you've done?" Koby asked. "Captain Morgan has the entire Navy backing him. You guys won't get away with this!"
"Yeah, that sounds more like a "them" problem." Felix said.
"I don't really much care so, whatever." Luffy shrugged. "We're gonna talk to Zoro again."
Koby shook his head frantically but proceeded to follow Luffy and Felix back to the Navy base.
Meanwhile, back at the Navy Base, a beast behemoth of a man stared out the window of his office, overlooking the small town.
"I am truly a great man." He proclaimed. "Wouldn't you agree, soldier?"
The soldier in question nodded in agreement. "Yes, Captain Morgan, sir! You truly are a great Captain!"
"Then why are the tributes to me from these people getting smaller?!"
"Well, sir…most of the people in this town are really poor and your tributes…"
"I don't care about how much they can pay!" Captain Morgan snapped. "It's about respect! If they don't pay, then I consider it an act of treason."
Before the soldier could reply, the door swung open and Helmeppo ran inside.
"Daddy, help me!" He cried.
Captain Morgan looked at his son. "What's wrong now, Helmeppo?"
"I want you to kill someone for me!"
At the Parade Grounds, Zoro was contemplating what got him here in the first place. He didn't regret saving that girl's life, but he was in pursuit of his ultimate dream. All Zoro had to do was endure for a month and he would be free. After all, he's going to be the World's Greatest Swordsman. He made a promise to Kunia. He couldn't let her down. Zoro closed his eyes and sighed deeply. When he opened them, he saw two silhouettes on the ground. Zoro looked up to see Luffy and Felix smiling at him again.
"Hiya!" Luffy greeted.
"Still contemplating your life choices?" Felix teased.
"You two idiots again?" Zoro groaned. "If this is about me joining your pirate crew, my answer is still no."
"You can call me Luffy!" Luffy introduced, smiling. "And this is Roci. I can untie you if you join my pirate crew!"
"You hard of hearing, little boy?"
"Who are you calling a little boy? You're only a couple of years older than Luffy." Felix said.
Zoro sputtered. "A couple of years?! I'll have you know, I'm in my twenties!"
"Is that so?"
"Uh…well…not until next year."
Felix laughed. "I knew he was nineteen. I totally called it."
"Man, whatever! The point is I have my own mission to fulfill and it doesn't involve being a stinking pirate!"
"You're a bounty hunter whom everyone thinks is some sort of demon, and you think being a pirate is beneath you?" Luffy pointed out.
"Has the sun fried your brain cells or something?" Felix added.
"I don't care what people think about me." Zoro replied. "I've never done anything I regretted and I'm not going to start now. That's why I'll never be a pirate."
Luffy looked at Zoro for a long time before declaring: "Too bad, you're gonna be on my crew. I made up my mind."
"THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS, YOU MORON!" Zoro shouted.
"Dude, just let go and accept your fate." Felix advised. "It's better than roasting in the hot sun."
"What, he roped you into his pirate crew too, Twig?" Zoro smirked.
"Sorta. We kinda have a bet going on right now. Anyway, you said you're good with a sword, right?"
"Yeah, if I wasn't tied up and had my swords with me, I'd demonstrate my skills on you."
"Aw, that's adorable. So, what happened to your swords?"
"The captain's idiot son took them from me. Next to my life, those swords are my greatest treasures."
"Treasure, huh?" Luffy wondered, scratching his chin. "Too bad, they took them. How about we get them back from the idiot son, Roci?"
"Yeah, that's a great idea, Luffy!" Felix beamed.
"Wait, what?" Zoro asked, confused. "Are you serious?"
"Yep!" Luffy smiled. "But if you want your swords back, you'll have to join my crew!"
"YOU LITTLE RAT!" Zoro shouted.
"I told you, Roronoa. You gotta accept your fate." Felix shrugged. "I have. But hey, at least we got each other."
"I will end you." Zoro gritted.
"Many have tried. They all failed."
"Let's go, Roci!" Luffy announced, running towards the fortress. "See ya soon, Zoro!"
"Wait, get back here!" Zoro demanded. "Is he going into the fortress?"
"Pretty much." Felix replied. "We'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
"Haha. Very funny." Zoro watched as Felix ran to catch up with Luffy. "Those two are idiots." He muttered, shaking his head.
On the rooftop of the Naval Fortress, the Marines were hoisting a giant statue of Captain Morgan up while Helmeppo was trying to get his father to kill Luffy.
"But Father, why aren't you hunting down the imbecile who hit me?!" He whined. "Even you never laid a hand on my beautifully masculine face before."
Captain "Axe-Hand" Morgan simply laughed. "Do you want to know why I never hit you?"
"Well, yes because I'm your beloved…."
"No. I'll tell you why." Morgan smacked Helmeppo and sent him flying. "It's because you're a spineless, idiot son that's not worth hitting! Besides, there's only one superior being in this town. And that's me! Understand?!
Helmeppo looked at his father in disbelief. "B-but, Daddy…" He cried.
"I don't care if you use my name and status to get your way. But don't expect me to fight your battles, you're grown enough to wipe your own behind. Speaking of which, I heard a little intruder made her way to the parade grounds earlier today."
"Oh, you mean the little girl. I already took care of it…"
"So, you killed her?"
"W-what?!" Helmeppo exclaimed. "N-no, she's just a little girl, she didn't know any better. I just threw her over the fence!"
"It doesn't matter if she's a child or not. An act of disobedience is considered an act of treason to me and must be dealt accordingly." Morgan turned to one of the lieutenants. "You! Find that brat and kill her!"
"But sir, she's just a little girl!" The lieutenant objected.
"Are you disobeying a direct order from your superior officer?!" Morgan growled. "I am the captain! You are just a lieutenant; therefore, you must obey me!"
"I will not kill a little girl!" The lieutenant declared.
Captain Morgan struck the lieutenant with his axe hand, killing him instantly. Helmeppo's eyes grew wide in shock.
"You killed him, Daddy!" He whined.
The soldiers trembled in fear as Morgan wiped the blood off of his axe hand.
"For years, I have slaved and toiled to achieve the rank I have now. And by my own strength and at great personal cost, I have attained it!" Captain Morgan looked at his hand nostalgically. "Remember this men: Rank means everything in this world. My rank is the highest on this base, that means I am superior to everyone else. AND EVERYTHING I DO AND SAY IS RIGHT! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!"
"YES SIR! YOU ARE THE GREATEST, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SIR!" The Marine soldiers (fearfully) agreed.
Captain Morgan laughed. "This monument is a symbol of my rank and power over this naval town! It took years to build but now it's finally complete. Raise my statue and put it at the highest peak of the fortress. I want everyone to know that this is a testament to my greatness!"
The soldiers nodded fearfully as they hoisted the statue up.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Felix arrived at the fortress but there was no Marine in sight.
"That's weird, I don't see any Marines here." Luffy remarked.
"Yeah, this is the least secure Marine fortress I've ever seen. " Felix said. "Where are all the guards?"
"What do you think we should do?"
"Why you're asking me? You're the Captain."
"Yeah, but you're my spy."
"Why would a pirate crew need a spy?"
"Who knows? We might break into a top-secret Navy base or something." Luffy shrugged.
Felix laughed. "Yeah, that'll be the day." Suddenly, Felix heard voices from afar. "Do you hear that?"
"Yeah, I do." Luffy's gaze shifted to where the voices were located. "It's coming from up there where that tall tower is."
Felix looked up at the tallest tower of the Navy fortress. "Okay, but you see how far that is from where we are, Luffy. How we're gonna get up there?"
"Leave it to me, Roci." Luffy smirked.
Felix saw a gleam in Luffy's eyes and grew concerned. "What are you about to do?"
The Straw Hat boy said nothing. Instead, he wrapped his arm around Felix's waist and pulled him close. The younger boy laughed nervously. "Uh, this is flattering and all, Luffy, but you're not my type."
"Don't know what that means but hold on tight. You don't wanna fall!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
"GUM-GUM….
Luffy's other arm stretched all the way to the nearest tower and grabbed on the edge. Felix immediately realized what Luffy was about to do and panicked.
"No, no, no, no! Luffy, don't do it!" He shouted.
"ROCKET!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Felix screamed in terror as Luffy catapulted them to the top of the fortress.
Meanwhile, the navy soldiers were struggling to hoist Captain Morgan's statue up when one of them accidentally chipped it. Morgan gave an evil stare.
"Who scratched my statue?!" He demanded.
"I-I'm sorry, sir!" One soldier apologized. "It scratched against the wall."
"Anyone who damages my statue, so much as a scratch is considered a traitor!" Morgan declared. "I don't care if it was an accident." The soldiers frantically hoisted the statue up, not noticing the two figures flying up in the air.
"Luffy, we're going too fast!" Felix cried.
"Oh no, I overshot it!" Luffy said. "Don't worry, I'll get us back Roci."
"Don't you drop me!"
"I won't."
Luffy stretched his arm and grabbed the head of Morgan's statue, but Felix somehow slipped from Luffy's grip and he fell, landing on top of a bunch of Marine soldiers.
"What the heck was that?!" One Marine asked.
"Some kid just fell from the sky and landed on the soldiers hoisting Captain Morgan's statue." Another Marine replied.
"Look, there's another kid on top of the Captain's statue!" Another Marine exclaimed.
Felix struggled to stand up from the pile of startled Marines when he saw Luffy regaining his balance by holding on to a statue….then he saw the same statue about to fall in his direction. The young taikomochi rolled to the left before Captain Morgan's statue landed on the ground, breaking instantly into pieces.
The soldiers, Helmeppo and Captain Morgan stared in utter shock, completely speechless. Luffy watched as the top end of Morgan's statue fell off the roof. He then turned to Felix, who was breathing heavily.
"You okay, Roci?" He asked.
"DO I LOOK OKAY?!" Felix yelled. "I TOLD YOU NOT TO DROP ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
"But I didn't drop you. You slipped."
Felix started to retort when he realized that Luffy was right. "Oh. Well, you need to work on your aim!"
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of loud gasps. The boys looked to see the Marines in utter and complete shock.
"Why are they looking at me funny?" Luffy whispered.
"Probably because you broke Captain Morgan's statue." Felix whispered back.
"Who's Captain Morgan?"
"That beefy guy with the axe hand."
"Oh." Luffy looked at the soldiers. "I'm sorry."
Captain Morgan was beyond furious. "GUARDS! SEIZE THOSE TWO!" He shouted. "I'LL HAVE THEIR HEARTS ON A SILVER PLATTER!"
"Yes sir! Right away, sir!" The soldier confirmed.
"Daddy, that's him!" Helmeppo cried. "That's the ruffian who hit me and his friend who insulted me! If you had killed them like I asked, this would never…" Helmeppo's rant was cut off by a bladed fan to his face.
"What's up, Rich Boy?" Felix greeted.
"We've been looking for you." Luffy added.
"AHH! Daddy, help! I've been kidnapped!" Helmeppo screamed.
"They're headed to the fortress!" The soldiers exclaimed.
"Help me! Don't just stand there!" Helmeppo shouted.
"Get them!"
A dozen soldiers chased after Felix and Luffy as they dragged a screaming Helmeppo inside the fortress.
"Captain Morgan, sir! There's someone in the parade grounds trying to free the prisoner!"
"What's with all of these rebels defying me?!" Morgan growled. "Let's go men and dispose of this traitor!"
Back at the prison grounds, Koby jumped over the fence and ran over to Zoro in attempt to set him free and find out where Luffy and Felix went.
"What?! Luffy went into the fortress?!" He exclaimed.
"Yeah, and that twig went with him." Zoro said.
"Why are those two so reckless?!"
"Yeah, I noticed. Who are they anyway?"
"I don't have time to explain. I gotta untie you and get you out of here."
Zoro watched in shock as Koby began to untie his ropes.
"Wait, now you're the one being reckless, kid!" He exclaimed. "They'll kill you if they catch you freeing me!"
"They imprisoned you unfairly!" Koby spat. "I can't stand to see the Navy behave so improperly. I'm going to be a proper Marine and uphold the Law the way it's intended."
"Look, that's all well and good, but you can't be a proper Marine if you're dead." Zoro argued. "Don't worry about me, I'll be free in a month. Captain Morgan will kill you if he sees what you're doing, so beat it!"
"But they're not going to let you go!" Koby revealed. "They're planning to execute you in three days!"
"What do you mean?! That idiot promised me that if I survive for a month, I'll be set free!"
"Helmeppo never intended to keep that promise; that's why Luffy punched him and Roci insulted him! They found out that Helmeppo lied to you."
Zoro's eyes grew wide. "They…they did that?"
"The Navy is your enemy now, that's why I'm untying you. The only thing I'll ask of you is you join Luffy's crew." Zoro began to retort when Koby cut him off: "I won't ask you to become a pirate but Luffy and Roci saved my life. They're really strong and so are you. If the three of you team up, you can escape from here. Please, help them!"
"You think you can just come here to my base and defy me openly?!"
Zoro and Koby turned to see Captain Morgan strutting inside the parade grounds…armed with two dozen guards who had their rifles aimed at the two boys. Koby let out a girly scream while Zoro stared with wide eyes.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Felix were dragging Helmeppo through the fortress trying to find Zoro's swords.
"Tell us where Zoro's swords are!" Luffy demanded.
"I'll tell you! Just stop dragging me!" Helmeppo cried.
Felix stopped dragging Helmeppo and stared him down. "Where are they?" He growled.
"They're in my room!" Helmeppo confessed. "We passed it a long way back!"
"Idiot, you should've told us sooner!" Luffy said, punching Helmeppo's face. "We're wasting time!"
"Ow, you punched me again!" Helmeppo whined.
"Wow, nothing gets pass you, Rich Boy." Felix sneered.
"Stop, you two! Drop the Captain's son or we'll shoot!"
Luffy and Felix turned to see a dozen soldiers aiming their rifles at them.
"Wait, hold on a minute." Luffy objected. He then put Helmeppo in front of him and Felix. "Okay, go ahead. You can shoot."
"NO, NO, YOU IDIOTS! DON'T SHOOT!" Helmeppo yelled.
"He's using Helmeppo as a shield!" The soldiers exclaimed.
Felix just started laughing hysterically. "Don't worry, Luffy. I got this." He snapped his fingers: "Deprivation!" Suddenly, the soldiers were writhing on the ground, covering their ears.
"Cool! What did you do?!" Luffy asked excitedly.
"I took away their sense of hearing and messed up their equilibrium, so they're disoriented." Felix explained. "They'll stay like that for ten minutes."
"Thanks, Roci!"
"Don't mention it."
"You're a monster!" Helmeppo shouted.
"You're in no position to insult me." Felix said. "Now, take us to your room!"
Helmeppo kept screaming while Felix and Luffy resumed dragging him to his room. They finally got to their destination: a really frilly room with a lot of pink embroidery.
"This must be Helmeppo's room." Felix grimaced. "It's so…dainty."
"Zoro's swords must be here then." Luffy said. Then he saw three swords on the side of the wall. "The swords! I found them Roci!"
"But there are three swords." Felix pointed out. "Which one is Zoro's?"
Luffy shrugged and turned to Helmeppo. "Hey, weirdo! Which one of these swords belong to Zoro?" But the blonde man passed out from trauma, exhaustion and too much crying. "Um…I think he passed out."
Felix looked at Helmeppo lying limp on the floor. "Great, the one time we need this useless fool and he's taking a nap. What do we do now?"
"We can play eeny, meeny, mighty mo and pick a sword." Luffy suggested.
"That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard."
"You got any better ones?"
"Nah, not really." Then something in the window caught Felix's eye. "Oh no. Luffy, there's something going in the parade grounds!"
Luffy ran over to the window and saw Captain Morgan and his soldiers aiming their guns at Zoro and Koby. "Koby! We gotta get down there!"
"But which swords should we take?" Felix asked.
"We don't have time to decide!" Luffy grabbed the three swords and placed them on his back. "What other things can you do with your silent power?"
Felix smirked. "What did you have in mind?"
"SURROUND THE FORTRESS!" Morgan shouted. "IF THAT RASCAL IN THE STRAW HAT AND HIS GEISHA FRIEND ESCAPE, YOU ALL WILL BE SORRY!" He turned to Zoro and Koby. "So, you four boys aren't ordinary hoodlums. You're here to overthrow me, aren't you Roronoa Zoro? Peasants and Pirates may cower at your name, but you're no match for a mighty man such as I. You may be a barracuda in these waters but I am a Great White Shark! Which one of us is going to come out on top?" Morgan turned to his soldiers: "MEN! TAKE AIM!"
Zoro watched in horror as a row of 13 Marine soldiers aimed their rifles at him and Koby. No. I can't die yet! He thought frantically. I haven't completed what I set out to do! I promised her!
(The "her" Zoro is referring to is his childhood friend, Kunia. She was the daughter of his sensei and a couple of years older than Zoro. But out of all of the students, Kunia was the strongest with a sword and the only one who defeated Zoro 2000 times.
"Pathetic 'Two-Sword' Zoro." Kunia always jeered. "You can defeat grown men but you can't defeat an eleven-year-old girl?"
It always pissed Zoro off that he couldn't defeat Kunia. So, he challenged her in the dead of night. This time with real blades. Zoro's two swords against Kunia's beautiful white sword: Wado Ichimonji. The two children fought all night and Kunia still won at the end of it. But she couldn't revel in her 2001st victory because earlier that day, she overheard her father say that women can never be great swordsmen.
"Damn it, this is so frustrating!" 9-year-old Zoro cursed. "Why can't I beat you?!"
"I'm the one who should be frustrated, Zoro." Kunia said tearfully. "When girls get older, they get weaker. I'm starting to get breasts and pretty soon I won't be able to fight like I usually do. You'll surpass me in strength when you get older."
"What do you mean?"
"You always say that you wanna be the world's greatest swordsman. Well, that's what I wanna be too. But Dad said that girls can't be master swordsman." Tears flowed down Kunia's cheeks. "You're lucky, Zoro. You're lucky that you were born a boy."
"YOU STUPID IDIOT, WHY ARE YOU CRYING?!" Zoro shouted. "You just beat me and you're crying?! Defeating you is my dream, Kunia! And when I finally beat you, it's because I've worked hard at it, not because you got weaker! You being a girl has nothing to do with me defeating you so don't say crap like that!"
Kunia sniffed. "Zoro…"
"Let's make a promise." Zoro declared, raising his hand. "We'll train and get stronger and once we get older, we'll fight each other to see who's the Greatest Swordsman. Whoever wins gets that title. So, don't you dare slack off."
"You're an idiot, Zoro." Kunia laughed, wiping her tears. "You're too puny to become the World's Greatest Swordsman. But it's a promise." She clapped her left hand with Zoro's and the promise was sealed.
However, the next day, Zoro received shocking news:
"Zoro, come quick!" One of his friends cried. "It's Kunia! There was an accident; Kunia fell down a flight of stairs. SHE'S DEAD!" Zoro couldn't believe it until he saw his friend's lifeless body lying peacefully in the dojo.
"WHAT THE HELL, KUNIA?! " Zoro yelled, running to Kunia's body. "We made a promise last night! You can't run away from your promise!"
"Zoro, stop it!" Kunia's father, Koushirou, halted. "There's nothing you can do. Humans are fragile creatures, here one day then gone the next. That's an unfortunate lesson we keep on learning."
After burying Kunia, Zoro appeared before Koushirou, bowing humbly.
"Sensei, may I please have Kunia's sword?" He tearfully pleaded.
"You want her sword?" Koushirou repeated.
"We made a promise! I have to keep it for her, for the both of us!" Zoro declared. "I'll become the World's Greatest Swordsman. I'll become so great that my name reaches up to heaven!"
Koushirou regarded Zoro in a kind manner. "I can't think of anyone more fitting to take Wado Ichimonji. The sword is yours, Zoro. Make Kunia proud."
That day, Zoro made a resolute vow to become the World's Greatest Swordsman for both him and Kunia. To have his journey cut short by a Navy firing squad would be shameful. I promised Kunia. I can't die here.
"Think you can pull that off?"
"I've never used "Compress" on inanimate objects but it's a first time for everything."
"You can do it, Roci." Luffy assured. "You ready?"
Felix huffed as he held on to Luffy's waist. "Nope but let's get this over with. Like you said, we're wasting time."
Luffy smirked as he grabbed on the window ledge and stretched all the way to the other side of the room.
"GUM-GUM….ROCKET!"
"FIRE!"
The soldiers fired their rifles at the boys. Koby screamed while Zoro closed his eyes and turned his head, preparing for the inevitable. But the inevitable never came. Zoro saw someone jump in front of him and Koby and acted as a human shield.
"You!" Zoro exclaimed.
"Luffy!" Koby cried.
"Straw Hat…." Morgan growled.
Zoro thought Luffy was done for until he saw the bullets stretch out of his skin.
"What the?" He muttered.
"You idiots. BULLETS CAN'T HURT ME!" Luffy declared as he ricocheted the bullets at Morgan and his men.
"LOOK OUT!" the soldiers shouted, taking cover from the flying bullets.
Zoro looked at Luffy in disbelief. "Who the hell are you?!" He demanded.
"I'm the man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!" Luffy replied.
"King of the Pirates?! Do you have any idea what that means?"
"Yeah. King of the Pirates."
"I was shocked when Luffy first told me too." Koby added. "But he's serious about that. He'll succeed or die trying. Just like Roci will be a Grand Tessenjutsu Master."
"Tessenjutsu?" Zoro repeated. "People still practice that?"
"Wait, Luffy. Where is Roci?" Koby asked.
Before Luffy could reply, the soldiers aimed their rifles once more at the three boys.
"Take aim, men!" A Marine lieutenant commanded.
"They're gonna shoot at us again?" Zoro gawked. "Haven't they learned from last time?"
"Don't worry, Roci can handle them." Luffy said confidently.
"What's that twig gonna do?"
"RINGS OF SILENCE! AND COMPRESS!"
Small grey bubbles suddenly formed around the Marines' rifles, then crushing them without any sound.
"What the hell was that?" One soldier asked.
"My rifle just crushed into thin air." Another soldier said. "I didn't even hear it!"
Zoro turned to see Donquixote Felix Rocinante give an evil smirk as he took out a purple and grey Tessen Fan.
"TESSEN STYLE! BOOMERANG WAVE!"
Felix threw his fan at the soldiers, effectively slashing them with scary precision. The fan then circled back, slashing them again before landing safely in Felix's hands. Felix's closed his fan and the soldiers fell in defeat.
"Cool!" Koby awed.
"Nice one, Roci!" Luffy commended.
"Thanks." Felix smiled. He grabbed the three swords and ran over to meet Luffy, Koby and Zoro….and two seconds later the tripped on his own feet, tumbled three times and fell on his back.
"I need to work on my exit strategy." He muttered.
"How can you be this badass warrior one minute and a total klutz the next?" Zoro laughed.
"Look, you human spit roast, you're in no position to laugh at me when I'm the one holding your swords." Felix sneered as he got up and walked over to Zoro. "We found these in Helmeppo's room. Which one is yours?"
"We didn't know, so we brought all three." Luffy added.
"They're all mine." Zoro answered.
Felix snickered. "No, really. Which one is yours?"
"All three of them, Twig! I practice Santoryu: Three Sword Style."
"How do you hold the third sword?"
"With my mouth."
"Huh. I suppose that could work."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Marine soldiers getting up for another round. Luffy, Felix and Zoro looked at them in contemplation.
"You'll be an enemy of the Navy if you fight with me and Roci right here right now, Zoro." Luffy offered. "Or you could obey the law and let them kill you here. Your choice."
"Either way, you'll still be branded a moron." Felix teased.
Zoro rolled his eyes and smiled. "You two must be Devil Children but I'm not ready to die yet, not without a fight. All right, you got yourself a pirate!"
"Well, I'll be damned." Felix laughed. "Looks like you did it, Luffy."
"Really?! You'll join my crew?" Luffy beamed.
"I don't have much choice, now untie me." Zoro said.
"Hold on a minute."
"For what?!"
Luffy turned to Felix. "What about you, Roci? Will you join my crew now?"
"I said I'll join if you got Zoro to say yes." Felix pointed out. "And he did, a deal's a deal."
"I know, but I don't wanna force you to join if you don't want to. You have to save your village after all."
Felix felt touched at Luffy's kindness. Yeah, the boy was one brain cell short of slow, idiotic, and extremely reckless. But he had a good heart and was very perceptive than people gave him credit for. Even though they didn't know each other for a long time, Felix felt a closeness to Luffy, almost like family.
"No way I'm gonna leave you high and dry, Luffy." Felix smiled. "Deal or no deal, I'll join your crew."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, someone has to keep you in line and it sure as hell ain't gonna be Roronoa Zoro."
"YEAH! ALL RIGHT!" Luffy cheered.
"Yeah, I'm happy you got a clumsy Geisha to join your crew." Zoro sneered.
"I'm a Taikomochi." Felix corrected.
"Shut up and untie me!"
The soldiers stared at Luffy and Felix in amazement.
"Did you see that?!" One Marine exclaimed. "Bullets just bounced right off of that straw hat boy!"
"And the geisha boy destroyed our rifles without a sound!" Another Marine added. What are they?!"
"Those two aren't ordinary humans." Morgan revealed. "They've eaten Devil Fruits."
The Marines gasped. "Devil Fruit? The secret treasures of the sea!"
"No way! That's their power?!"
"Captain! The straw hat boy is untying Roronoa Zoro!"
"Then stop him, you fools!" Morgan commanded. "If bullets can't hurt him then use your swords!"
The soldiers nodded and charged at the boys, their swords raised. Koby saw Morgan's soldiers running towards them and panicked.
"Roci! Captain Morgan and his men are headed this way!" He warned.
Felix nodded and ran over to Luffy, who was still struggling to untie Zoro.
"Luffy, they're coming! What's taking you so long?"
"I can't untie these knots, they're too tight!" Luffy whined.
"Come on, hurry up!" Zoro coaxed.
"I'm trying. Just hold on!"
"There's no time! Just untie one of my arms and I can do the rest."
"I got an idea!"
Felix pushed Luffy to the side and took out one of his iron fans, using the blades to saw through one of Zoro's rope ties.
"Never met a Tessenjutsu warrior before." Zoro mused.
"Well, I never met a swordsman who practices three-sword style, so we're even." Felix countered.
"Are you capable of untying me without hurting yourself?"
"Give me some credit, Zoro."
Koby started to freak out when he saw Morgan and his men drawing closer to them. "Roci…" He warned.
"I'm almost there…" Felix sawed the last thread of Zoro's ropes, cutting him free. "Got it! Give Zoro his swords, Luffy."
"Which one, the white one or the black one?" Luffy asked.
"JUST GIVE ME MY SWORDS, YOU MORON!" Zoro snapped.
"CHARGE MEN!" Morgan shouted. "THOSE WHO DEFY ME MUST DIE!"
"ARGHHHHHHHHH!" The soldiers yelled.
"AHHH!" Koby cried.
Felix braced himself for an attack when he saw something extraordinary: Roronoa Zoro holding two dozen Marine soldiers back with his three swords. Morgan growled Zoro's name while Koby looked on in amazement.
"Wow, he's so cool!" Luffy beamed.
Zoro narrowed his eyes at the Marine soldiers. "Anyone who tries anything gets cut on the spot." He threatened.
"Eeek! He's so scary!" The soldiers cried.
"Not bad, Dweeb." Felix complemented.
"Thanks, Twig." Zoro thanked. To Luffy, he said: "All right, I gave you my word, I'm a pirate now. I'm basically an enemy to the Navy anyway since I fought them. But listen up, I have my own mission to fulfill! I'm going to be the World's Greatest Swordsman! That is my dream and what I'm setting out to do. My name may be infamous now but it will shake the world! But you're making me a pirate, so if I have to give up my dream for any reason, I'm going to make you commit Hara-kiri, Luffy."
"Hara-kiri?! Isn't that a little extreme?" Felix exclaimed.
"What's Hara-kiri?" Luffy asked.
"You don't wanna know."
Luffy shrugged before addressing Zoro: "World's Greatest Swordsman, huh? Awesome! And it's fitting since your new boss is gonna be King of the Pirates. Anything else will make me look bad!"
"You talk big for a skinny runt." Zoro chuckled.
"As if being the World's Greatest Swordsman isn't a bold ambition." Felix nodded.
"Not as bold as being a Grand Master of a forgotten martial art, but it's up there."
"Some people still practice Tessenjutsu, thank you very much."
"Whatever, Twig."
"Why are you hesitating?!" Morgan demanded. "Hack those ruffians into pieces!"
Luffy turned to Felix. "You thinking what I'm thinking, Roci?" Felix nodded giving Luffy a smirk. "Zoro, duck!"
Zoro didn't know what his two new crewmates were planning but he ducked anyway. He saw Felix tap his chest and say: "Calm", then jumped in the air.
"GUM-GUM…..WHIP!" Luffy shouted.
He stretched his leg and did a roundhouse kick at the Marines, sending them flying. Then, Felix took out his two fans, flipped them and charged at the Marines that were in the air.
"TESSEN STYLE…STARBURST!"
Felix slashed the Marines in form of small stars and they dropped to the ground like flies. Morgan stared at the scene before them in shock. Koby looked on in amazement!
"Whoa, they're incredible." He awed.
Zoro stared at Luffy. "What the devil are you two?" He asked in disbelief.
"Me? I'm a rubber man!" Luffy declared. "Roci is a silent man."
While Luffy was saying that, Felix landed back on the ground….well….more like fell on his butt after he tripped on air (don't ask how one trips on air…it's Donquixote Rosinante's son, y'all).
"Yeah, a silent man with a clumsy streak." Zoro snickered.
Felix turned off his calm bubble and stared at Zoro. "Shut up, Zoro." He sneered, standing up. "I may be clumsy but I didn't get myself tied to a pole."
"You're never gonna let me live that down, are you?"
"Nope."
The Marines looked on in fear as they saw Luffy, Felix and Zoro getting ready for round two.
"A rubber man and a silent Geisha?" One Marine exclaimed.
"Captain, they're too much for us." Another one said.
"We can't fight a rubber man, a silent Tessenjutsu Geisha and that demon Roronoa Zoro at the same time. It's hopeless!"
"You listen to me and listen well! All you cowards who were whining just now, shoot yourselves in the head!" Morgan commanded. "I will not tolerate defeatist in my unit! Now, fire on my order!"
Felix, Luffy and Zoro looked on in disbelief as Captain Morgan's soldiers fearfully raised their rifles to their heads.
"Something's wrong with those Marines." Zoro observed.
"Morgan's ruling this whole town with fear." Felix said. "I detest people like that." He then snapped his fingers. "SILENT RINGS! COMPRESS!" Felix snapped the Marine's rifles in half again.
Luffy, for his part, charged forward at Captain Morgan, enraged.
"Hey! I'm your enemy! Try putting me to death!" He shouted, kicking Morgan in the face.
"Luffy! Bring this lousy Navy to their knees!" Koby shouted.
The Navy soldiers looked on in amazement as they saw a mere boy in a straw hat challenge their boss' authority. Zoro took the sword out his teeth and keenly observed Luffy in action while Felix was looking on proudly.
Morgan got up on his feet and raised his axe hand. "You have neither rank nor status." He growled. "I'll teach you how to defy your superiors, Boy! I'M CAPTAIN 'AXE-HAND' MORGAN!"
"And I'm 'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy." Luffy replied. "Nice to meet ya."
"ARGH….DIE!"
Morgan swiped Luffy with his axe hand, but the straw hat boy leaped out of the way, missing the axe completely but it cut a barbed wire fence clean in half.
"Damn!" Felix cursed.
"Wow, that's sharp!" Koby exclaimed.
Luffy kicked Morgan's face with his feet, sending him flying. The Marine soldiers looked on in astonishment.
"Th-the Captain…he's getting beat by a boy!" They said.
"Boy….I SENTENCE YOU TO DEATH!" Morgan yelled as he attempted to hack Luffy with his axe. Luffy rolled to the side and used Morgan's large body as momentum to jump up.
"I'm not gonna die." Luffy smirked. "Not today!"
Before Morgan could react, Luffy gave him a swift kick upside his head, sending him barreling to the ground.
"Captain Morgan…he's just getting pummeled!" The Marines cried.
"He's just too strong!" Koby awed.
"Let's go, Luffy!" Felix cheered.
Luffy stormed up to Morgan and grabbed the Navy Captain by his collar. "You and your shitty navy are ruining Koby's dream!" He was going to deliver the final blow when someone shouted:
"STOP!"
Luffy looked briefly at the owner of the voice before punching Morgan in the face.
"I SAID STOP YOU DAMN IDIOT!" Helmeppo screamed.
Felix and Zoro looked to see Helmeppo holding a gun to Koby's head.
"One wrong move and four eyes gets it!" He threatened. "If either of you so much as blink, I'll shoot him!"
"Hey, Luffy! It's okay, don't let them win because of me!" Koby declared. "Let him kill me!"
"Shishishi. You're a good boy, Koby!" Luffy smiled.
Luffy gave Felix a look, and the younger boy understood the message loud and clear.
"Hey, Koby's not playing around, Idiot Brat." Luffy said, winding up his arm.
Helmeppo stared in disbelief. "I said don't move or I'll shoot!" He whined. "You think I'm playing? I'll kill him for real."
"You can't even go to the bathroom without adult supervision. What makes you think you can pull the trigger yourself, Rich Boy?" Felix challenged.
Koby saw Captain Morgan get up and try to kill Luffy from behind.
"Luffy, behind you!" He shouted.
"Roci, get Koby." Luffy commanded.
"Got it, Captain." Felix nodded.
"YOU ASSULTED A NAVY OFFICER, YOU MISCRIENT!" Morgan shouted.
Zoro put his third sword back in his mouth.
Felix tapped his chest "CALM…."
Luffy pulled his arm back. "GUM-GUM…."
"DADDY, KILL THEM!" Helmeppo cried.
"….QUICK FEET!"
"….PISTOL!"
In less than five seconds, Felix got Koby out of harm's way, Luffy punched Helmeppo's face knocking him out and Zoro slashed Captain Morgan before he could even land a blow to Luffy.
"Thanks, Zoro." Luffy smiled.
"Just doing my job…Captain." Zoro replied.
Captain Morgan and Helmeppo laid unconscious on the ground, beaten and bloody. The soldiers stared at their commanders in disbelief.
"The Captain lost! Captain Morgan has been defeated!" They exclaimed.
Felix and Zoro looked at the Marine soldiers.
"Any of you Marines still wanna arrest us?" Zoro challenged.
"Because we can go another round, what's good?" Felix added.
There was an awkward silence. But surprisingly, the Marines started celebrating!
"Yay, we're free!"
"Morgan's reign of terror is over!"
"Three cheers for the Navy!"
Luffy looked amused. "Huh. The soldiers are pretty happy we'd defeated their Captain." He remarked.
"That means Captain Morgan was ruling by fear!" Koby gasped happily.
"Well, I could've told y'all that." Felix said. Suddenly, he heard a loud thud and saw Zoro passed out on the ground. Luffy and Koby saw it too.
"Zoro!" Koby cried.
"Zoro, are you okay?" Luffy asked, concerned.
"I'm so hungry." Zoro groaned.
"You've been tied to a damn pole for nine days, roasting." Felix laughed. "I'd be hungry too."
"Shut up, Twig."
The townspeople stared in frightened awe as they watched Zoro, Luffy, Koby and Felix scarfed down plates upon plates of food at the restaurant Rika's mother owns.
"Haha! Woo, I'm stuffed." Zoro laughed. "Not eating for nine days was worse than I thought!"
"See, you never would've survived the whole month." Luffy said as he took another bite of his food.
"You seem hungrier than me. You got four extra plates." Zoro countered.
"Thank you for feeding me along with the heroes, ma'am." Koby thanked shyly.
"It's the least I can do for you boys. You saved the whole town." Rika's mother replied. She then put a plate of fresh sushi in front of Felix. He looked at the woman curiously but she smiled warmly. "Consider this my apology to you and my thanks."
Felix smiled back. "It's no problem and no hard feelings."
"Wow, you're really great, Big Bro!" Rika beamed, coming over to Luffy.
"Yeah, I kinda am!" Luffy smiled. "And I'm going to become a whole lot greater!"
"So, how many people you have on your crew, Luffy?" Zoro asked.
"Right now: me, you and Roci." Luffy replied.
Zoro looked at Luffy and Felix like they were crazy. "You're kidding, right?"
"I'm surprised Luffy managed to get three people. He met me first and we made a bet on whether or not you were gonna say yes." Felix said.
"What would you do if I said no?"
"I would've joined Luffy regardless."
"You're an interesting guy, Twig." Zoro smiled.
"So are you, Dweeb." Felix laughed.
"Hopefully, we'll find some new crewmembers before we head to the Grand Line!" Luffy declared.
WHAAAT?! THAT'S SUICIDE!" Koby yelled. "There's only three of you, if you go there, you'll just be sailing to your deaths!"
"Koby, stop yelling!" Felix scolded.
"But the most blood thirsty pirates in the world are there!"
"I know that, but still! It's nothing to lose your mind over."
"You're not afraid?"
"I was raised by two strong women, my grandmother and my mother. Even my sisters are badass. The most bloodthirsty pirate ain't got nothing on my Nana."
"Well, I guess if we're after the One Piece, the Grand Line is where we have to go." Zoro smirked.
"Seriously, Zoro?! You agree with them?!" Koby snapped.
"Oh, God." Felix groaned.
"What's it to you? You're not coming with us." Zoro said.
Koby slammed his hands on the table, startling the three boys.
"I know I'm not but I'm still worried about you. What's so wrong with worrying about my friends?!"
"But that's not what I meant…" Zoro defended.
"Let Koby say what he has to say, Zoro." Felix said.
"Luffy, Roci, I know we haven't known each other for long but we're friends, are we?"
"Of course we're friends, Koby." Felix replied.
"Yeah, even though we're going our separate ways, we'll always be friends." Luffy smiled.
Koby smiled, his eyes watering. "You're the first real friends I've ever had." He confessed. "No one else has ever stuck up for me the way you guys have. I wouldn't even stick up for me. But you three…you taught me to fight what I believe in."
There was a moment of silence before Luffy spoke up.
"Yeah, that's why I'm going to the Grand Line." He said.
"Makes sense to me." Zoro agreed.
"Wha…that's not what I…" Koby sputtered. "I'M TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU THAT GOING TO THE GRAND LINE IS RECKLESS!"
"It's no use Koby." Felix laughed. "These two knuckleheads already have their minds made up, can't dissuade them."
"Besides, what about your plans?" Zoro added.
"Huh?" Koby wondered.
"You were a cabin boy on Alvida's pirate ship for two years. Don't let Navy Intelligence find out about that. If they do, they won't let you enlist."
"Yeah, Zoro's right." Felix agreed. "My nana said that there's a secret organization within the Navy that infiltrates pirates. They find out about anything and everything."
"And your nana is still alive to tell about it?" Zoro asked.
Felix shrugged. "She used to be one of the top leaders so…yeah."
"Your grandma was a Marine?" Luffy gawked.
Before Felix could reply, one of the Navy Lieutenants came inside the restaurant and walked over to the boys' table.
"Excuse me, I hear you gentlemen are pirates, is that correct?" He asked.
"Yep! I even have two crewmen, so I'm a genuine pirate Captain now."
"Hmm, I see." The lieutenant cleared his throat. "You boys saved our base and this town from Captain Morgan's tyranny; for that we are truly grateful to you. However, we're still Marines and we can't harbor pirates. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. But to show our gratitude, we won't report you to the Navy."
The townspeople were, for lack of a better word, disappointed:
"BOO! NAVY PIGS!"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! YOU HATED CAPTAIN MORGAN AS MUCH AS WE DID!"
"THEY'RE YOUR SAVIORS TOO!"
"I figured as much." Luffy shrugged as he got up from the table. "Guess we'll be going then. Thanks for the meal, Ma'am."
"You're leaving already?" Rika's mother asked.
"Yeah, we got to get a head start." Felix replied. "Thanks for the sushi."
He and Zoro got up from the table and followed Luffy out the door, passing Koby along the way. The lieutenant looked at the pink-haired boy questionably.
"Aren't you going with them?" He asked.
Luffy, Felix and Zoro stopped walking to see what Koby would say.
"I'm…well…" Koby stammered. He didn't know what to say. He kept thinking about what Luffy said to him but he wanted to be a Marine so badly. "I…I'm not one of them!" He declared.
The lieutenant stared at Koby briefly before turning to Luffy. "Is that true, pirates?"
"I know all about his past, let me explain." Luffy began.
Koby's eyes grew wide. "Luffy, you're not about to…" He gasped.
"So, this cruise ship was being robbed by this big pirate woman named Alvida." Luffy went on.
Koby thought about what Zoro said. If they find out about your background, they won't let you enlist. He felt his dream slipping through his fingers.
"Luffy, don't!" He exclaimed.
But Luffy kept going. "She was really mean and had this iron mace. And for two years, this guy right here…."
"SHUT UP!" Koby shouted as he punched Luffy square in his face.
Everyone looked on in shock as Luffy fell to the ground but Zoro and Felix were grinning ear to ear, knowing full well what their new Captain was trying to do. Koby was breathing heavily, surprised that he even landed a punch.
"That was a big mistake!" Luffy laughed as he jumped up and punched Koby. Soon he was landing blow after blow on Koby. "Take this! And this!"
"Enough! You're disturbing the peace!" The lieutenant barked.
But Luffy kept punching Koby until Zoro held him back.
"Hey, hey. That's enough." He admonished.
"Yeah, you proved your point. Let him fall to the ground." Felix added.
Luffy let Koby go and the pink haired boy plopped to the ground.
"It's obvious that you're not friends! Leave this town right now while I'm still being nice!" The lieutenant commanded.
"Okay, see ya!" Luffy beamed. He, Felix and Zoro left the restaurant smiling at the Marines staring at him.
"It's been a blast, guys!" Felix waved.
"Catch us if you can." Zoro teased.
As he watched Luffy, Zoro and Felix leave the restaurant, Koby noticed the smirk on Luffy's face. Wait, was this Luffy's plan all along? He thought. Did he provoke me to hit him on purpose so the Marines will think that we're not friends? Tears streamed down Koby's eyes. He did it again! I'm still dependent on his help in the end. Am I that helpless? No, I can't be not if I want to be a Marine! If I don't depend on myself now, I'd be a loser forever.
Koby slowly stood up and bowed to the lieutenant. I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna join the Navy no matter what. "Sir, please let me join the Navy!" He pleaded. "I'll be a chore boy or anything you assign me to do, just let me join!"
"Lieutenant, I don't think that's a good idea." One of the Marine soldiers objected. "Pirates have been known to plant spies in the Navy and I still don't trust him. We should do a thorough background check just in case."
"I'M NOT A PIRTAE!" Koby declared. "I'm just a boy with a dream to become a Marine! Please accept me!"
The lieutenant looked at Koby for a long time before walking up to him.
"Many of my fellow soldiers have been killed by pirates, so, don't take being a Marine lightly, young man." He admonished.
"Of course not! I'll work hard, harder than any Marine."
"In that case, you're accepted."
"Yes sir! Thank you very much, sir!"
Meanwhile, back at the docks, Luffy, Zoro and Felix were getting their small boat ready to sail.
"That was some bad acting, Luffy." Zoro laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if they saw right through it."
"Yeah, well….it's all up to Koby now. He'll get in, I'm sure of it." Luffy said.
"You're right. Koby may be whiny crybaby but he's resourceful and determined." Felix said. "But it's a good time to be leaving, though. Everyone hates us, that's a normal way pirates leave town."
"Haha. I guess that's true." Luffy laughed.
"Lu-Luffy! Roci! Zoro!"
The three boys turned to see Koby running over to them, out of breath.
"Koby!" Luffy said.
"You ran all the way here?" Felix asked.
Koby responded by giving a salute. "Thank you very much, Captain Luffy!" He thanked. "I'll never forget what you've done for me! You either, Roci! I hope your village gets liberated!"
"Well, this is a new one: A Marine saluting a pirate." Zoro mused.
"Yeah, I've seen it all." Felix smiled.
"Shishishi. We'll meet again, Koby!" Luffy waved.
"SOLDIERS! ATTENTION!" The lieutenant commanded. Soon the entire Navy fleet saluted Luffy, Felix and Zoro while the townspeople gave them a thankful send off!
"GOODBYE! COME BACK TO SEE US!"
"BE SAFE!"
"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!"
"Bye, Big bros!" Rika waved.
"Bye, kid!" Luffy waved back.
"Bye, Rika. Remember what I told you!" Felix said.
Koby waved at his three friends, tears flowing freely down his face. The lieutenant gave a small smile.
"You got some good friends, young man." He told Koby.
"Yes, sir. I know." Koby cried.
The lieutenant turned to his soldiers. "All right, men! It's against regulations to salute pirates, so, as punishment, we won't have dinner for a week!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" The soldiers nodded.
Felix laughed. "So, where to now, Captain?"
"We're sailing to the Grand Line, of course!"
"In this ship?" Zoro asked.
"Maybe we should get a proper ship first, Luffy." Felix suggested.
"Yeah, let's do that." Luffy agreed. "Then we'll head to the Grand Line!"
Zoro and Felix looked at each other in amusement.
"You think you can handle him, Dweeb?" Felix smirked.
"I don't know. But at least I got you, Twig." Zoro smirked back.
Felix shook his head and laughed. Maybe Roronoa Zoro wasn't so bad after all.
SORRY FOR THE DELAY! REID AND REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK! THANKS FOR THE LIKES AND FOLLOWS!
