A/N: Hello. I thought I'd let everyone know that I finally got the 4th episode ready. And fair warning: there's bound to be some heavy moments in there, which would explain the title of this episode. And something fairly surprising, too, as a result. Also, there's bound to be a surprise at the end, but edited to fit the current FUNimation (or Crunchyroll, rather) dub of this story better. Enjoy.
One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea
Chapter 4: Berserker Rage!; Morgan versus Rotund Girl Salvia!
Act I
Play One Piece Music: "4th Gear" (0:30)
The marines trained their guns on Zoro, Kuina, Coby, and Rika, much to Salvia's concern for them and hatred toward Morgan.
"You monster!", Salvia shouted, making him smirk before shouting to the marines.
"TAKE AIM AND FIRE!", Morgan shouted.
Enraged by this, she yelled out and smashed his head onto the ground.
"Chub-Chub...! SKIPPING LEAP!", Salvia shouted before she leapt a great deal of distance faster than bullets, which just so happened to be fired.
By that point, Luffy was already falling out of the window just as Salvia saw him and gasped in relief.
"Luffy...!", Salvia thought.
Then, both siblings got in front of the bullets' path, taking the hit for Zoro, Kuina, Coby, and Rika. Once blocked, the bullets started to stretch past Luffy, though not getting very far. As for Salvia, some of them just stuck on her belly, tickling her.
"That actually tickled!", Salvia giggled as the marines all stared in shock from what has transpired in front of them.
"What?!", Zoro exclaimed as Kuina gasped.
"Luffy, no!", Coby shouted.
"Salvia!", Rika exclaimed.
"Straw Hat...! Rotund Girl...!", Morgan growled as he was recovering from the most recent blow.
Then, Luffy smirked before he and Salvia both bounced the bullets off them.
"See ya!", Luffy shouted.
Then, one of the bullets shot past Morgan from Luffy while another bullet (bounced back from Salvia) wound up hitting Morgan in the right arm just above the axe-hand, making the marine captain exclaim and groan in pain before another chipped at the metallic jaw, astonishing the marines while Luffy laughed.
"That won't work on me! Told you I was strong!", Luffy grinned.
"Ah... We made it.", Salvia grinned.
"What the...?!", Zoro gasped.
"Rika, are you and Coby all right?", Salvia asked.
"Uh-huh.", Rika nodded before Salvia then turned to Zoro and Kuina.
"We got you back your swords, Zoro, Kuina. Like we promised.", Salvia grinned as Zoro was still speechless.
"You know, I don't think we got names from you two yet. Who are you?", Kuina asked.
"My name's Monkey D. Luffy. And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!", Luffy introduced with a grin of wonder.
"And my name is Monkey D. Salvia. And I'm gonna be the biggest pirate there ever was!", Salvia added with just as much resolve, making Kuina gasp a bit in surprise before giving a light grin to them.
End One Piece Music: "4th Gear"
Zoro, however, didn't sound all too pleased.
"YOU'RE going to be King of the Pirates? Right, you must be completely out of your rubbery mind. Do you have any idea what that means?", Zoro asked.
"King of the Pirates means King of the Pirates. How could it mean anything other than that?", Luffy asked.
This puzzled Zoro. Frankly, the marines were too focused on what Luffy and Salvia just did to consider anything else.
"Yeha, when he told me, it was shocking. But he's completely serious! That's how he is, I suppose, 'cause he actually seems to have every intention of becoming King of the Pirates and obtaining the world's ultimate treasure, the One Piece!", Coby said.
"I guess it's safe to say that Salvia's just as determined to be the biggest pirate there is, too. It sounds weird, sure, but right now, especially considering how she was manhandling Morgan just now, it's a good thing I didn't question it.", Zoro thought as Luffy and Salvia both giggled before the latter realized something.
"Oh, right! I almost forgot! Your swords.", Salvia said as she held out 9 swords while Luffy held out 3 more.
"Here's what we promised you two. There's 12. I couldn't tell which were one of yours, so I just took 'em all.", Luffy grinned.
"3 of them belong to me. I use Santoryu, the 3-sword style.", Zoro replied.
"And the rest are mine. I use Bloom Bloom 9-sword style.", Kuina added.
"Hold on. Did you say, 'Bloom Bloom'?", Salvia asked.
Surprised as even Luffy was, he held out the 3 for Zoro.
"Take 'em already. Just know that if you fight with me now, you'll be a government-defying villain. So, it's either that or you're left out here and killed by the Marines, execution-style.", Luffy said.
"What are you, the son of a devil?", Zoro asked.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, we're not like any of those despicable pirates you heard about. If anything, we won't let anyone die if we could help it.", assured Salvia.
"Well, I was going to agree, either way, but that's comforting. It doesn't matter, 'cause if I don't choose your side, I'll just end up dead on these sticks. So, let's do it.", Zoro grinned.
"Same for me, too. After all, we did make a promise, and I'm not about to be the one to break it, either.", Kuina responded.
"Yep. Read you two loud and clear, Kuina.", Salvia grinned.
"Haha! So, you're finally gonna join my crew! This is the best thing ever! All right!", Luffy shouted in celebration.
"As great as it is, now's not the time to celebrate right now! We still need to untie Zoro and Kuina!", Salvia urged.
"What the...? What are they?", a marine asked.
"Bullets just bounced right off them.", another puzzled.
"Straw Hat and Rotund Girl are no ordinary humans like the rest of us. They must've eaten one of those Devil Fruits that we've heard all those rumors about.", Morgan guessed.
"Devil Fruit?", one marine puzzled.
"The Hidden Treasure of the Sea?", another added in shock.
Then, as Morgan explained, it showed the Gum-Gum fruit, the Chub-Chub fruit, and several other Devil Fruits all culminating to form a big cross with one Devil Fruit at the very top that's covered in all colors like a rainbow before it showed someone breathing fire, waves being caused, and even someone turning into a giant dragon, which was roaring.
"The Devil Fruits. Those who eat them are said to gain extraordinary, otherworldly abilities. The power to breathe fire, the power to cause tsunamis, even the power to transform into a fearsome dragon and rain down terror from above. Rumors persist that there are many types of these fruits, but next to nothing is known about them. It is said that the secrets to them lies somewhere in the Grand Line. And at the center of that secret? The rarest and most powerful Devil Fruit known to man: the Holy-Holy Fruit! And there's no question about it. The Straw Hat and Rotund Girl have just shown us their Devil power.", Morgan said.
Meanwhile, Luffy was struggling to untie the ropes while Salvia was just cutting the ropes down with one of Kuina's swords.
"Come on, hurry!", Coby urged.
"They... got.. these.. things... on here tight!", Luffy strained.
"Come on, quit screwin' around!", Zoro urged.
"Why don't we just cut the ropes with one of the swords?", Salvia asked.
"That's a great idea. Here, give us our swords.", Kuina urged.
"It doesn't matter what abilities they have. All who oppose me are executed! If the guns won't work, we CHOP!", Morgan shouted.
On cue, the marines charged in, wielding their swords as Zoro, Kuina, and Coby noticed in worry.
"Give me one of my danged swords now!", Zoro shouted.
"Hang on tight, Zoro!", Salvia urged as the marines charged.
"AH! Guys, look!", Coby shouted.
But while Luffy looked, Salvia managed to finally cut the rope off Zoro. Just in time, too. Before the marines could strike, Zoro and Kuina both managed to stop the marines. But the thing that surprised everyone, not counting the marines, was the fact that Kuina was not only using her two arms, but had also summoned multiple arms from the ground, hence the 9-sword style.
"Roronoa Zoro...! And Shimotsuki Kuina...!", Morgan glared.
"Kuina...! Did you just sprout multiple arms from the ground?", Salvia asked in surprise.
"Yeah. That's right. You two aren't the only ones with Devil Fruit powers. Mine are those derived from the Flower-Flower Fruit, hence the 9-sword-style.", Kuina responded.
"Wow, that's so cool!", Luffy shouted in excitement.
"Bloom-Bloom? That sounds beautiful!", Rika beamed.
The marines, however, were shocked again.
"Make one move and you die.", Zoro warned.
"Ah! He's scary!", one marine said in shock.
"What are you standing here frozen for?! I want you to kill all 6 of them right now!", Morgan warned, frightening the marines.
Seeing this, Rika felt bad for them, regarding how earlier, the marine who tossed her out over the wall apologized in a flashback she started to have.
"Sorry about this. Try curling up into a ball.", the marine said.
In the present, Luffy prepared to attack.
"You might wanna duck. Gum-Gum...!", Luffy began, raising his leg, much to Zoro and Kuina's surprise.
"Wait for me! Chub-Chub...!", Salvia began as she got to where the marines would be sent flying and moved her belly back.
"WHIP!", Luffy shouted, sending the marines flying as Zoro and Kuina ducked.
"BELLY BUMP!", Salvia shouted, bumping them toward Morgan, who showed a shocked expression before they all fell on top of him.
"Yes! You knocked them all down!", Coby cheered.
Of course, Rika still looked worried for the marine soldiers.
"Wanna tell me what kind of Devil Fruit users you two are?", Zoro asked.
"I'm just the guy who ate the Gum-Gum Fruit.", Luffy responded.
"And I'm the woman who ate the Cub-Chub Fruit.", Salvia added.
"What's a Gum-Gum Fruit and a Chub-Chub Fruit?", Zoro asked.
"Those are Devil Fruits. They can give a person extraordinary power, but at the price of the ability to swim ever again.", Kuina responded.
"A rubber person?", a marine asked.
"And a chub woman?", another asked.
"It looks like they do have the Devil Fruit powers.", Morgan said in surprise.
"Captain, we don't stand a chance against them.", one marine said.
"Yeah, just look at them! They're insane!", another agreed.
"We couldn't even take on Zoro and Kuina by themselves!", another shouted before Rika, worried for their sake, ran over to them just as Salvia noticed her.
"Rika, no!", Salvia shouted in worry.
Meanwhile, Morgan was starting to lose it.
"This is a direct order! Every marine that just spouted weakness, pull your gun out and shoot yourself! I can't do anything with weak soldiers!", Morgan shouted, raising his axe-hand, much to the soldiers' intolerance as they glared.
Then, suddenly, Rika grabbed onto Morgan's leg, attracting his attention.
"Please, stop! No more fighting!", Rika begged, starting to shed tears.
"So, you're the girl who snuck into the crucifixion yard earlier. If you want something done right, DO IT YOURSELF!", Captain Morgan shouted as he then swung his axe-hand right at Rika!
Seeing this, brought grave shock to Salvia, who gasped harshly as everyone else was just shocked, especially the marines. As soon as she landed, Rika was shown to be bloodied on the cheek. And worst of all, she showed no movement... Poor Salvia couldn't take any of it in as she started to shed tears, on the verge of sobbing.
"How could he do that...?! She was just a little girl!", Kuina said, shocked.
As for Luffy, he was mad and was the first to call him out.
"HEY! WHY'D YOU GO AND DO THAT FOR?!", Luffy shouted.
Morgan only smirked and placed his Axe-hand on his right shoulder.
"That traitor deserved it for disobeying my authority.", Morgan smirked.
"That dastard...!", Zoro tensed.
Then, tears finally started to stream down Salvia's now darkened face as she even tensed her hands into fists.
"How could you...?", Salvia began, puzzling everyone until all eyes were on her.
"All Rika wanted...was to help Zoro and Kuina... because they got themselves punished for her... and for everyone in this town...! And you killed her for it...! A true marine is supposed to serve and protect, not dictate and destroy!", Salvia shouted.
When she finally looked up, her eyes have now turned blood red with her pupils now the same as an angry Sea King's.
"YOU'RE THE TRAITOR!", Salvia shouted.
Seeing Salvia's eyes the way they are now was a major shock to friend and foe alike as they all gasped. That is, all except Luffy, who was just puzzled.
"Huh?", Luffy asked, just as surprised, at least, as he blinked his eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
With one loud scream of rage and sorrow, a shockwave erupted, causing the ground to quake and break apart. Parts of the ground even started to lift up into mini-pillars.
"Earthquake!", the marines shouted.
"What...?! All that from a temper tantrum?", Zoro asked, shocked.
Play Naruto Shippuden Music: "Crimson Flame"
But that wasn't the biggest shock that has come to pass. What was about to happen next was. Salvia's screams of rage and sorrow soon turned into those of a monstrous roar as first, her skin turned brown and scaley while growing a large blue frill on her back. And finally, her mouth grew into an alligator-like snout, making Luffy gasp seemingly in horror from seeing what she had become. Salvia let out another monstrous roar to finish the transformation before all the marines were knocked right into the wall as everyone else braced themselves. When the dust cleared, Salvia was no longer human. In fact, one might say she has become a monster...! Even Captain Morgan saw this.
"No...! That can't be...! She's a fisherman...?!", Captain Morgan said, finally shaken as Salvia growled, bearing her teeth, now turned into fangs.
"I don't know what just happens, but I do know one thing.", Zoro said, prompting Morgan to turn to him.
"What you just did is going to be your last, fatal mistake. Because now, you're going to die here.", Zoro smirked, worrying Morgan as he gasped.
"I'LL KILL YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!", Salvia roared vehemently, not only preparing a big ball of energy in her mouth, but also firing it as a large energy beam, shocking everyone while causing the marines to scream in panic.
"AAAH! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!", one marine shouted in fear.
But the truth was, the blast wasn't heading for them. If anything, it just zoomed past the marines.
"Huh? What the...?", one marine puzzled.
Only Captain Morgan realized who it was headed for and tensed.
"BLAST IT!", Morgan shouted before holding his Axe-hand in front of him.
But the blast consumed him, also headed right toward one of the towers, burning a hole right through it, shocking the marines just as Nami, who was about to leave the island, saw a big blast headed her way. She screamed in panic right before she dodged the blast, albeit barely. When it cleared, she peeped out the smoking hole and saw, much to her shock, Salvia in a humanoid form of the Coast of the Sea itself.
"No way...! Is that Salvia...?! I don't know what happened to her, but something tells me I don't wanna find out what she's capable of doing now! She better not have destroyed the map!", Nami groaned as she then took off.
Meanwhile, the marines whimpered in fear before turning to the monstrous Salvia, who roared like the monster she is, scaring them to the point of screaming and fleeing out where the hole was made, only to peep out from both sides. Even Zoro and the others were shocked as Zoro removed his sword from his mouth.
"Darn it...! That much power because of what that tyrant did to that little girl?", Zoro asked.
"I can't believe how strong she is...! It's enough to scare me already...", Kuina said in worry as Coby was whimpering.
Luffy, however, had his own opinion.
"That... is so... AWESOME! I HAD NO IDEA SALVIA COULD DO THAT!", Luffy shouted excitedly, even laughing a bit, much to Kuina's confusion, as well as Coby's, and Zoro's annoyance.
"This is neither the time, nor the place to get excited right now!", Zoro scolded.
But when the smoke cleared, Captain Morgan was shown to have survived, though not without sustaining heavy damage. The blast even burned off Morgan's jacket.
"Look! He survived, but he's been hit!", one of the marines said.
"Rankless, lowlife bum! I don't care if you ARE the Coast of the Sea fishman! You have no right to defy my superiority! I am Marine Captain Axe-Hand Morgan!", Morgan shouted.
"YOU'RE NO CAPTAIN! YOU'RE A HEARTLESS TYRANT! AND A MURDERER!", Salvia roared angrily before firing another blast from her mouth right at Morgan.
But this time, he was well-prepared as he used the pointy end of his axe-hand to part the blast in two halves, both hitting the walls.
"You thought you could kill me with that?! Nice try!", Morgan shouted before swinging his axe hand right at Salvia.
But she was able to stop the axe-hand unscathed with just her arm, much to his shock as the axe-hand was no longer budging.
"What the...?! My axe-hand! You monster...! Why isn't it budging...?!", Morgan exclaimed.
Then, Salvia roared angrily again as she then struck right through Morgan's gut, piercing through his back and making him spit out blood, which spilt on the ground in droplets, shocking everyone who saw the gruesome attack. Even worse, Salvia struck at Morgan's metallic jaw by the right side, causing more cracks to form on it, even going so far as to smash his head against the ground.
"If she keeps this up, there's not going to be anything left of this base, let alone this town!", Kuina said in worry.
"I know...! But how do I stop her...?!", Zoro asked in worry.
"The captain's getting massacred out there.", one marine said.
"It's horrifying...!", another said in shock.
Then, Salvia took Morgan's axe-hand arm and aimed it right at his chest.
"IT WASN'T ENOUGH TO RUIN COBY'S DREAM! YOU HAD TO TAKE RIKA AWAY, TOO! ALL SHE WANTED TO DO WAS HELP AND I WANT HER BACK!", Salvia shouted before she slashed him across the chest, leaving a deep gash, making him groan loudly in pain.
Then, Salvia made a second slash, making Morgan scream very loudly in agonizing pain as if it was torture. And for the coup de grace, Salvia aimed the axe right at his neck as Morgan's eyes were now riddled with shock and fear.
"Impossible...! Is that...?! THE EXTENT OF HER DEVIL POWER?!", Morgan thought.
"I HATE YOOOOOU!", Salvia shouted, about to behead him!
But then, a familiar, bratty voice called out.
"STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU MONSTER! LOOK WHAT I GOT! ARE YOU STUPID, OR SOMETHING?! I SAID STOP! IF YOU WOULD PAY ATTENTION TO ME, I HAVE A HOSTAGE HERE YOU MIGHT WANNA LOOK AT!", Helmeppo shouted, prompting Salvia to turn away from Morgan and focus on Helmeppo with a beastly growl, who now held Coby at gunpoint.
End Naruto Shippuden Music: "Crimson Flame"
Considering what Salvia was doing to Morgan, the marines were already afraid of what she could do to Helmeppo.
"Helmeppo's crazy.", one marine said.
"Is he trying to get himself killed or something?", another asked.
"IF YOU VALUE YOUR SCRAWNY, LITTLE FRIEND'S LIFE, YOU WON'T MOVE A MUSCLE! I'M SERIOUS! ONE MOVE, AND I'LL SHOOT HIM, I SWEAR!", Helmeppo threatened.
But he made a fatal mistake of his own. Helmeppo may mean business, but after what happened to Rika, Salvia is NOT pulling any punches! If anything, provoked again as she thought of the time Helmeppo ruined Rika's rice balls, she angrily roared at him like a beast, scaring Helmeppo. Even worse, she roared like a beast as she opened her mouth wide and then chomped down on Morgan's Axe-hand right before pulling it off his arm, making Morgan scream in agonizing pain even louder than before before she completely pulled it out with her fangs with a bestial roar, causing blood to spill from his arm where it was pulled out, making everyone gasp in shock and/or horror at the gruesome scene, especially reminiscent for Luffy's case as he was reminded of the time he, himself was saved by a man with red hair with the price of his one arm. Then, she growled as she broke the handle off the axe and aimed it at Helmeppo with a growl, making him scream in panic.
"Crap...! No good! She's getting ready to close in for the kill!", Kuina shouted.
"Salvia...! You're not really gonna throw your life away like this just because of these two scumbags, are you?!", Zoro asked in worry.
Salvia only growled angrily, ready to throw the axe right at him to end it all!
"I can't watch...!", one of the marines shouted, covering his eyes from what may be a gruesome massacre only to open one of his eyes.
But then, while seeing red, she looked over to Rika and saw her seemingly lifeless body. But to her surprise, it wasn't lifeless. Somehow or another, she'd pulled through. The definitive proof of this was her slight twitching and groaning sounds. Those were enough to finally snap Salvia out of her berserker rage as her eyes finally turned from blood red and cat-slitted to a normal white and black pupil look with her snout finally shrinking back into her nose and mouth as Salvia started tearing up.
"She... she moved...! Rika's still alive...! What a relief...", Salvia thought to herself.
Then, Salvia turned to see Morgan's body beneath her.
"What have I done...?", Salvia said to herself in worry.
That worry wasn't for Morgan. She was more concerned about what would happen from this point onward. But even so, she still needed to save Coby from Helmeppo, who trained his gun on him. Then, she turned toward the shaken Luffy.
"Psst. Luffy...!", Salvia whispered, puzzling him.
"Huh? Wh-what's up?", Luffy asked, shaken as he was by the memory Salvia inadvertently brought up.
"Listen. I'm gonna need you to get ready for an attack, but don't do it until I give the signal, okay?", Salvia whispered.
"Oh... Okay, sure.", Luffy responded with a grin.
Just then, Coby shouted to Luffy and Salvia.
"Luffy, Salvia, listen! Don't let anything that happens to me stop you two, no matter what! Even if I die!", Coby shouted.
"Of course, you got it.", Luffy grinned before preparing to attack.
"You hear that, you big idiot? Coby is ready to die by your hand.
Then, Salvia smirked to Helmeppo.
"Although..., would you risk your life, Helmeppo?", Salvia asked.
"Hold on, what did you say?", Helmeppo asked.
"Now that you drew your pistol, are you willing to use it?", Salvia asked.
"I'm not sure I understand the question here.", Helmeppo puzzled.
"A little thing about guns? They aren't for threats; they're for actions. Same could be said for axes, too.", Salvia said.
Then, she swiftly tossed the axe right at Helmeppo, but with no sign of murderous intent to be felt.
"Come on, dodge, you coward.", Salvia thought to herself.
As expected, Helmeppo screamed as he dodged the axe headed right for him.
"All right!", Salvia thought to herself as she grinned with a smile, showing her fangs.
The axe then hit a rock and lost its edge as it broke apart before landing on the ground.
"Now, Luffy!", Salvia shouted.
"You got it, sis! Gum-Gum...!", Luffy shouted.
"WHAT ARE YOU, CRAZY?!", Helmeppo shouted.
"Nope. Just mad.", Salvia replied.
"PISTOL!", Luffy shouted before stretching his fist straight toward Helmeppo.
"And even.", Salvia added right before Luffy struck Helmeppo in the face, knocking him out cold and saving Coby.
Then, suddenly, Coby noticed Morgan from right behind Salvia.
"SALVIA! BEHIND YOU!", Coby shouted.
"Huh? Behind me?", Salvia puzzled.
"Time's up...!", Morgan said before Salvia turned and saw, much to his surprise, that Morgan had survived Salvia's torture.
"Oh, wow. You're still standing after all that? Even with that big hole right through your gut? I was worried you'd be dead for a moment, there. Though, you probably should at least stay down and save yourself a whole lot more pain than I already dealt to you.", Salvia said with a glare.
"You're going to wish you had killed me when you had the chance! For axe-hand or no, I am fearless Marine Captain Axe-hand Morgan!", Morgan shouted, swinging his left fist toward Salvia to smash her as Salvia braced herself.
But before he could, he was suddenly slashed in 12 places, making him blanch in pain before he groaned while tipping backward before landing on the ground.
"Oh. Thanks, you two.", Salvia thanked as she turned back to normal human form as Zoro and Kuina turned to Salvia.
"Don't mention it.", Zoro responded.
Then, Salvia picked Rika up gently and looked more closely at her face.
"Oh. So, that's what happened. She was only knocked out cold, but she got a mean slash right on her cheek. Other than that, she's okay.", Salvia said with a relieved grin.
Just then, Rika started stirring and woke up to see Salvia holding her.
"Hi, Rika!", Salvia greeted.
Seeing this, the marines all gave sighs of relief for her safe recovery.
"Thank goodness, she made it...!", a marine sighed.
"Salvy? What happened?", Rika asked.
"Morgan knocked you out cold when you tried to get him to stop all this fighting.", Salvia responded.
"Which reminds me... WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?! AND HOW DID YOU DO IT ANYWAY, HUH?!", Zoro scolded.
"I'm not sure. Do what?", Salvia asked, making him blanch for a moment.
"TURN INTO A FISHMAN AND TEAR HIM APART! THAT'S WHAT!", Zoro shouted.
"No, really? I can understand tearing him apart, but turn into a fishman?", Salvia asked.
"Not just any fishman. You practically turned into a sea king! The way you looked was awesome!", Luffy grinned.
"Whoa, really?!", Salvia exclaimed.
"Yeah, you had us all surprised.", Luffy responded with a chuckle as Zoro and Kuina watched.
"Looks like you have a heck of a wild card for a sister, Captain.", Zoro said to Luffy, making him grin.
Meanwhile, the marines seemed concerned for the severely wounded and comatose Morgan.
"Oh, don't worry. I made sure to miss his vitals even when I was viciously attacking him earlier. It may have been because I wanted to make him suffer for what he did to Rika before killing him, but still. The only reason he's alive is because Rika's still alive. If she wasn't, well, that would've been a different story. All the same, I'm glad I missed his vitals when I did. Although, he might need to be treated for his injuries. Even if he is scum.", Salvia said, puzzling the stunned Marines.
"Captain Morgan's been beaten!", one marine shouted.
"Unbelievable! Those guys are unreal!", another added as Zoro sheathed one of his swords back in his scabbards.
"Well, don't stop on our account.", Kuina said.
"If there's anyone else who wants to step forward to fight us, then do it now.", Zoro added.
But after a moment, the marines did something unexpected: they tossed out all their weapons and cheered.
"Hooray!", one marine shouted.
"We're free!", the second added.
"Finally!", a third added.
"Morgan's reign is over!", a fourth added.
"It's really happening!", a fifth shouted.
"Such a glorious day!", a sixth celebrated.
This puzzled almost everyone.
"That's weird. Looks like they're all happy that their captain was beaten.", Luffy stated.
"Well, not hard to see why. And I don't think beaten does any justice at this point.", Salvia responded, gesturing to a bloody and heavily wounded Morgan.
"They must've been afraid of him for a long time before we showed up!", Coby guessed before Rika nodded.
"And now, we're free!", Rika grinned.
The two swordsmen grinned for a moment before they got woozy with Salvia catching Kuina with her belly.
"Hey! Take it easy, Kuina.", Salvia said worriedly.
"Are you two okay?", Rika asked.
"Yeah... I guess we're just a little hungry.", Kuina grinned with a blushing giggle.
Meanwhile, Nami had just finished tying up the two marines, let alone gagging them.
"Sorry, guys. You just have to suck it up for a while.", Nami said as she brushed her hands.
After that, Nami opened the door and went inside Morgan's vacant office. She checked as many places as she could find, but still, she had no luck.
"I can't find this sucker anywhere...", Nami said to herself.
She looked around before noticing a safe just behind the barrels. she moved them away from it and opened it, noticing a rolled-up scroll inside.
"That's it! A maritime chart of the Grand Line! I knew they were hiding it.", Nami grinned.
But when she got it out and opened it, it was less than what she expected.
"This isn't the map. What mark is that?", Nami puzzled.
Upon taking a closer look of inspection at the fake map, she realized who that mark belonged to.
"So, it's Buggy. Also known on the seas as Buggy the immortal...!", Nami spoke before crumpling up the fake map in her hand and looking out the window.
Act II
Meanwhile, at town, Zoro and Kuina have just finished eating.
"Whew...! Boy, am I stuffed!", Kuina said.
"You kidding? Having not eaten for 3 weeks, I was ready to gnaw through my boot straps!", Zoro beamed, earning Rika, her mother, and Coby's laughter.
"Huh. I can't believe you're finished, lightweight.", Luffy teased.
"Hey, give him a break, Luffy! He and Kuina just went 3 whole weeks without food.", Salvia scolded as she, herself was eating.
"How can you two have bigger appetites than a couple people who haven't eaten anything in 3 weeks?", Kuina asked.
"It just tastes so good, I guess. Right, Coby?", Luffy responded.
"Yeah, it's great!", Coby agreed.
"Well, I did eat the Chub-Chub Fruit years ago, so I guess it comes with a territory.", Salvia responded.
This surprised Kuina for a moment before she dropped her surprised look.
"So..., can I trust you guys with Zoro?", Kuina asked.
"Well, yeah. We could look after him. But if you see him hurt the next time we meet, it's probably because of something he did himself.", Salvia explained.
"Well, that is true.", Kuina agreed.
"Anyway, thanks for fixing it up for us.", Salvia grinned.
"My pleasure. After all, you guys did save the town.", Rika's mother responded.
"You're the most amazing people I've ever met.", Rika grinned.
"Yeah, we are, I know. I'll be more amazing when I'm King of the Pirates and I have the One Piece. Oh, and the best crew on the seas.", Luffy said.
"Me, too, when I grow bigger than before!", Salvia agreed before her belly growled.
"Oh, boy. Speaking of growing...", Salvia said just before she grew bigger and larger, at least just enough to rip the straps off her patches right before they receded back as if they weren't there, much to everyone's shock.
"Ahhh... Right on...", Salvia moaned blissfully.
But when she looked, she noticed that the straps had disappeared, leaving her gigantic and otherwise nude if it weren't for the patches on her chest at this size.
"Uh..., whoops. I guess the straps on my swimsuit came off. I'm kinda surprised it stuck on otherwise, though.", Salvia blushed before remembering something.
"Still, I can't believe it. Did I really turn into a fishman?", Salvia asked.
"Yeah, right after Rika got hit and you snapped like, 'YOU'RE THE TRAITOR, HERE!'. It was awesome! Well, right up until you tore Morgan's Axe-hand off.", Luffy responded, stunning Salvia as she remembered that moment.
"I think everything else before then was just as terrifying.", Zoro commented.
"Oh. Sounds like there's more to the Chub-Chub Fruit than I thought... One of these days, I may have to look into this and figure out what's really going on...", Salvia stated before turning to Rika.
"Still, Rika, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have been able to understand why Zoro and Kuina were here, let alone save them.", Salvia added.
"Thanks.", Rika thanked.
"So, how many others have you gathered for your crew besides me?", Zoro asked, puzzling Luffy and Salvia.
"You told me that you two were in the middle of gathering together a crew for your ship. And if you're gonna be king of the pirates, never mind the biggest pirate for your case, Salvia, I gotta assume you already have some waiting in the wings.", Zoro explained.
"Uh, actually we just started before we came here.", Salvia responded, surprising both Zoro and Kuina.
"Yep, it's just us.", Luffy confirmed.
"So, you two and I are what amount to a pirate crew?", Zoro asked.
"Not quite. There's also Nami.", Salvia said.
But then, Salvia realized she was nowhere to be seen.
"Huh? Wait a minute. Where is Nami?", Salvia asked.
"Don't know.", Luffy puzzled.
"Okay, but please tell me you have a ship.", Zoro responded.
"Actually, we're working on that. See, for the time being, that's ours.", Salvia responded, gesturing to the ship she, Luffy, Coby, and Nami used to get here once.
"You're kidding.", Zoro said in disbelief.
"Nope.", Luffy replied.
"But sooner or later, we'll find a better ship along the way. AND more crew members. I just hope that it's soon.", Salvia added.
"And when we do, we're gonna have a big pirate flag on top.", Luffy said, imagining himself laughing while holding a cutlass sword, never mind in a bigger pirate ship.
"I can't wait...!", Luffy grinned.
"I think Luffy was born without that part of the brain that allows the rest of us to plan out what we have to do.", Coby guessed.
"I can't believe I let myself get suckered into having HIM as my captain.", Zoro groaned in disgust.
"Well, it's too late for regrets now, and there's no take-backs. Besides, you're just lucky there's that wild card to consider. Even she has more sense than he does.", Kuina said, laughing as she gestured to Salvia, who had already finished her plate.
"That, she does.", Zoro agreed.
"Luffy? Where are you and your crew planning on traveling when you leave here?", Rika asked.
"You mean it's not obvious? We're headed straight for the Grand Line!", Luffy responded, making Coby spit his juice out in shock.
"No! Have you completely lost your mind?! You have three crew members! There's no way you're equipped to handle the Grand Line, Luffy!", Coby shouted in worry.
"I've heard about it, but I never knew it was such an awful place.", Rika said.
"It's worse than you think!", Coby responded before it then showed a map as well as the red line on a land mass standing between two oceans as well as a silhouette of Gold Roger and his crew amidst several sunk pirate ships, wrecked and all as he explained further.
"You know that this world has two oceans, I'm sure. There is an enormous land mass that cuts across both of them. This is called the Red Line. Legend tells of a town that sits dead-center on the Red Line. The Grand Line is said to cut through this town at a right angle and stretch all the way around the rest of the world! The story goes on to say that Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates, had once obtained everything this world had to offer. Before he died, he said that he left the great One Piece treasure at this location. Ever since, pirates have set sail for the Grand Line. Today, the place is nothing but a battlefield. And some even call it the Pirate Graveyard.", Coby said, shivering at the thought.
"I heard stories about it from people passing through. The customers say that no one who has ever entered the Grand Line comes out of that place alive.", Rika's mother added.
"Which is really too bad, 'cause that's where the One Piece is said to be and that's exactly where we're going.", Luffy said.
"Oh, no, we're not! First, we need to get more crew members starting with Nami and a better pirate ship! We can't exactly get to the Grand Line like this.", Salvia rebuffed, pointing to the small ship just outside.
"So? We just need a bigger ship.", Luffy said.
"But where are we going to find someone who knows where to get a better ship, let alone someone who knows how to get it?", Salvia asked.
"Why don't we just steal it?", Luffy asked.
"Are you crazy?! We're pirates, not bandits!", Salvia argued.
"All right, all right. More crew members it is.", Luffy responded.
Seeing this, Coby grinned.
"Huh? What is it, Coby?", Salvia asked.
"When I was just a little kid, I never had any friends. Much less anyone who would bother fighting on my behalf. So, I always tried my hardest never to fight for anything. But the 4 of you have taught me a lesson I could never learn on my own, how to live for what I believe in! So, I've decided to make my one childhood dream a reality, and I'm going to join the marines!", Coby grinned.
"Then, don't you think you should be a little more concerned with your situation?", Zoro asked, puzzling Coby.
"He's got a point, there. I mean, you did spend 2 years in Alvida's pirate ship, even if you were nothing but a cabin boy.", Kuina concurred.
"The marines' information-gathering is top notch. They'll find out about your time with Alvida and you'll never join.", Zoro discouraged.
"I... never thought of that...", Coby said, now discouraged.
"Well, you just have to prove that you're committed to being a marine and prove that you belong. And I think I know how.", assured Salvia.
"Wait, really?", Coby asked, earning her giggle and a wink.
It was right then that one of the marines, with several others behind him, opened the door and walked in.
"Hey! You there!", the marine said, attracting everyone's attention before he stopped and spoke up.
"We heard that you fellas are actually pirates. Is this rumor true?", the marine asked.
"Right, and Salvy and I just added the first member to our crew. So, pretty much the whole thing just became official.", Luffy responded.
"Yeah, but we're not like those despicable pirates out there.", Salvia added.
"We appreciate everything you did to save our town from that horrible tyrant who terrorized us all for so long.", the marine said.
"Oh, it was nothing. Speaking of Morgan, how's he doing?", Salvia asked.
"He's currently being treated for his injuries. As soon as he's back on his feet, he'll be incarcerated.", the marine responded, earning Salvia's sigh of relief.
"What a relief. I mean, I don't like him, either, but I'm not sure I really wanted to kill him. After what he did to Rika, I just completely snapped and turned into a fishman somehow. But seeing that she survived that strike Morgan threw at her was enough to get me to calm down and come to my senses. I don't know how I even changed when I did, but I'm just glad I didn't actually kill anyone. I was really close to doing it, but I didn't.", Salvia responded.
"That's exactly the point.", the marine said.
"Huh?", Salvia puzzled.
"Now that we know that you're pirates, as marines, we cannot sit idly by and watch you go about your business. Therefore, you and your crew will need to leave this town immediately. But out of respect for what you've done, we will not report you to headquarters.", the marine responded.
As expected, it caused quite an uproar with the patrons up front.
"Are you crazy?! How do you find the nerve to talk like that?!", one patron reacted.
"Before these pirates came along, you guys were as scared of Morgan as we were!", another added.
"What Salvia did to Morgan was what you should've done to him a long time ago!", another berated.
"Without them, we'd still be under his reign! We owe them our lives!", another added.
After a moment, though Salvia spoke up.
"Nah, it's okay. We were just about to set sail after Nami, anyway.", assured Salvia.
"Well, time to go. Thanks for all the food, lady.", Luffy said as he, Zoro, and Kuina were the first to leave.
"Hey, wait a second. You're leaving already?", Rika asked.
"Yeah. We need to go look for Nami and any other possible crew members before heading to the Grand Line. But I won't forget your kindness, nor would I forget how to make rice balls the way you taught me.", assured Salvia, kneeling down, as Rika teared up a bit before hugging her by the belly.
For a moment, she was surprised, but nevertheless, Salvia returned the gesture.
"I'll miss you.", Salvia said.
Frankly, one of the other marines noticed the first one that entered shedding tears.
"Huh? Lieutenant, are you crying?", the marine asked.
"No, I'm sweating through my eyes.", Ripper responded, trying to hide the fact that he's touched by the scene.
"See you soon, Rika.", Salvia said as she started to leave, too.
Then, she realized something as she neared Ripper.
"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot. Ripper, could you contact Vice Admiral Garp about Coby and see what you guys can do about him?", Salvia requested, making Ripper and the other marines blanch in surprise, also surprising Coby and Rika, the former of which realized what she and Luffy are doing.
"Yeah. It's our little request.", Luffy added.
"So, that's how...! You wanted to help me prove my commitment to be in the marines and prove my worth...! Even at the very end of our journey together, I wound up continuing to rely on them! I couldn't do anything for myself...! Nothing's changed for me at all...! I'M SUCH AN IDIOT!", Coby thought.
"What the...?! How the heck do you two know that name?", Ripper asked just as Salvia got out halfway, causing her big butt to appear stuck in the doorway.
"Well? Isn't it obvious?", Salvia asked before turning back to Ripper and the others.
"He's our grandpa.", Salvia continued before giggling and finally making her way out completely, heading out toward shore and leaving the bewildered marines behind.
Suddenly, Coby shot up straight and shouted.
"Sir!", Coby shouted, puzzling Ripper.
"Please, sir! Please, you have to let me join the marines! I'll clean and scrub and do any chores that you'd like me to! I'll do anything to become a marine!", Coby vowed.
Ripper still had his reservations as one of the others stepped forward behind Ripper.
"Lieutenant, I can't say I fully trust this kid. I wouldn't be against the idea if there weren't clear cases of certain marines actually being pirate spies. I say we should conduct a background check first.", the marine cautioned.
"NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, I AM A MAN WHO WILL BECOME A MARINE!", Coby shouted.
After a moment, Ripper then walked forward past Coby.
"I will contact Vice Admiral Garp about your request immediately and then notify you on what his answer is.", Ripper responded.
"Okay. I understand.", Coby responded.
Outside, at shore, Nami was getting ready to leave while holding the fake map before smirking and then setting sail. Of course, it was right then that she noticed Kuina leaving toward a different boat where 2 mysterious women were waiting for her before she stopped and turned back for a moment.
"Good luck, Zoro. When we meet again, we'll finally settle once and for all who's the better swordsman.", Kuina said before she continued toward her boat.
"Huh. Wonder where she's going. I thought she'd be going with Luffy and them. Ah, well. It doesn't matter. I'm coming for that map, Buggy.", Nami said.
At the same time, Ripper was now speaking with Vice Admiral Garp via the snail transponder.
"So, you found a young man who wants to become a marine?", Garp asked.
"Actually, a couple of pirates were there earlier and asked me to contact you about your answer for the boy's request. They said they're your grandchildren.", Ripper responded.
Hearing this, Garp gasped in astonishment and started to give a grin.
"Let him join.", Garp said.
"Sir?", Ripper puzzled.
"While I am disappointed that Luffy and Salvia would rather be pirates than marines, I am pleased to know that they found someone who wishes to become a marine. More than that, I am even more proud that even as pirates, they're following their hearts... the way a marine would. That will be all, Lieutenant Ripper.", Garp grinned.
"I understand, sir. Lieutenant Ripper, out.", Ripper said before hanging up.
"Ca-lick.", the transponder snail spoke as he powered down.
Coby was in awe as Ripper turned to him.
"I can't tell you how many of our comrades have been killed by pirates over the years. This is a big step you're taking.", Ripper said.
"So...?", Coby asked, puzzledly.
"Permission to join granted.", Ripper responded.
Coby gasped with a bit of excitement.
"Sir!", Coby responded as he saluted.
Outside, at the same time, Zoro spoke to Salvia.
"So, Vice Admiral Garp is actually your grandfather?", Zoro asked.
"Yep. And Luffy's too.", Salvia replied.
"That's crazy.", Zoro commented.
"Still, Coby should be able to handle the rest on his own. I have faith in him.", Luffy responded.
"Me, too. He's already risked his life a few times already. So, I think he's more than ready.", Salvia agreed.
Just then, Coby had already rushed out and stopped near the edge to shout for him.
"LUFFY! SALVIA! I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH! YOU TWO DID MORE FOR ME THAN ANYONE EVER HAS!", Coby shouted.
"I never heard of a marine thanking a couple of pirates before. That's one for the history books.", Zoro grinned.
Then, the sail was set and the boat started leaving.
"WE'LL MEET AGAIN, COBY! SOMEDAY!", Luffy shouted while waving with both arms.
"I SWEAR, SALVIA, LUFFY, AND ZORO, I WON'T WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY! I WILL BECOME THE BEST MARINE EVER AND SOMEDAY, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN!", assured Coby.
"OF COURSE YOU CAN! AND YOU WILL, BUT WE WON'T MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU!", Salvia responded in a friendly, competitive way.
"Bye, Luffy. Salvia.", Coby said.
"Hope to see you again someday!", Rika waved.
Then, Ripper spoke to the other marines.
"ALL HANDS, SALUUUUUTE!", Ripper shouted before he and the others saluted.
"SEE YA!", Luffy waved.
"Those're good friends you have there.", Ripper said to Coby, surprising him as he noticed Ripper smiling, which touched him to the point of tearing up before grinning.
"Yeah.", Coby smiled.
"Men, seeing as our current salute is in violation of marine law, we will all go without food for 3 days! Do we all understand this?", Ripper asked.
"Yes, sir!", Coby and the marines responded.
"I know that we'll meet again someday. Deep inside, I feel it as much as I've felt anything. Even if we are divided as pirates and marines, I still look forward to that day.", Coby thought as the ship drifted into the ocean.
"At last, our our pirate crew finally set sail!", Luffy grinned.
"The sooner we find Nami, the better!", Salvia added.
"I got the feeling some interesting adventures are waiting for us.", Zoro grinned before Luffy chuckled.
"I'll be King of the Pirates! I know it.", Luffy grinned.
"And I'll be the biggest pirate of them all, Luffy! How else can I help you become King of the Pirates?", Salvia grinned, puzzling Zoro.
"You seem more than obsessed with this King of the Pirates business. Is there some kind of story behind it or any kind of reason at all?", Zoro asked.
"No. No reason. It's just...", Luffy began.
"Just what?", Zoro asked.
Then, Luffy thought back to when he got a straw hat from his childhood hero back then when he and Salvia were kids.
"I promised someone a while back. I swore that I would gather a crew, find the world's greatest treasure, and become King of the Pirates. And this straw hat knows the whole story.", Luffy responded.
"And I swore to keep my brother safe and support him every step of the way. To do that, I'll need to be as big as I can possibly get not just physically, but in every sense possible. Even if I have to take it slow and do this one step at a time.", Salvia added, patting her belly a bit.
"I see.", Zoro said, understandingly.
"NOW, LET'S GO! IT'S TIME TO SET OUR HEADING... TO THE GRAND LINE!", Luffy announced.
TO BE CONTINUED
Pirate Rap:
Yo!
Ya-yo, ya-yo
Dreaming
Don't give it up, Luffy!
Dreaming
Don't give it up, Zoro!
Dreaming
Don't give it up, Nami!
Dreaming
Don't give it up, Salvia! (give it up give it up give it up give it up)
No!
Here's how the story goes, we find out about a treasure in the Grand Line
There's no doubt, the pirate whose eye is on it, he'll sing
I'll be King of the Pirates, I'm gonna be King
Ya-yo, ya-yo, ya-yo
Ho-ho
His name is Luffy
That's Monkey D. Luffy
Gonna be king of the pirates
He's made of rubber!
How did that happen?
Yo-ho-ho, he took a bite of Gum Gum!
Ya-yo, ya-yo
His name's Zoro, he's just like a samurai
And a L-A-D-Y, Nami's not shy
Usopp's doing that marksman thing
And Sanji's cooking for the would-be King!
Ya-yo, ya-yo, ya-yo
Ho-ho
Set sail for One Piece
It's the name of the treasure
In the Grand Line
Ya-yo, ya-yo
Set sail for One Piece
A/N: So, what'd you think about it so far, especially the surprise at the end? Believe it or not, I heard the Pirate Rap for the first time in years just today, and I thought it best to bring it back, but with some edits to help the Crunchyroll dub pan out, like I said earlier. Either way, there's no doubt that Luffy, Salvia, and Zoro are headed off after Nami, now. And the past about how Luffy and Salvia are the way they are now will come to light in the next chapter soon. :)