Disclaimer: One Piece and it's characters are owned Eiichiro Oda. I only own the idea of the story, my own characters in it and the various divergences.
One Piece is a story that follows Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy with a dream to become the greatest pirate in the world. As a child, he eats a mystical fruit called a Devil Fruit that grants him the power to stretch like rubber. The story starts as Luffy ventures out into the world for the first time and starts to amass a crew of pirates. The main group grows over time, eventually the crew became known as the Straw Hat Pirates, and his posse undertakes a series of swashbuckling adventures across the ocean, with various factions such as Pirates, Revolutionaries, Bounty Hunters, Royals, Cipher Pol and of the factions the most underwhelming is the Marines. Spoken for as one of the world's greatest factions and the tyrannical World Governments strongest Military Enforcers. For the most part these characters are generally overshadowed and explored only in the context of plot clashes... But what if. What if they were worthy of the title?
Where one story starts in the East Blue, the most peaceful of the seas of a boy who dreamed to be the King of the Pirates, this is the dream of a boy from West Blue, an ocean that is crime ridden like a flea coat yet so organised... A boy who dreamt of True Justice. This is the tale of Rommel D. Bole.
The West Blue is the ocean which makes up the west part of the Blue Sea split by the Red Line and the Grand Line. It is separated from the South Blue by the Red Line and the North Blue by the New World half of the Grand Line. The West Blue is also known for having a strong Underworld scene due to the presence of five influential mafia organisations known collectively as the Five Families of the West. As such the presence of chaotic crimes of Pirates are not exactly common, of the four blues the strength of the Marines is the weakest in this particular blue yet with the Underworld in play the connection with the World Government was just as strong. There were many peculiar Islands within the West Blue such as O'hara the Island of Scholars, Illisia Kingdom, Toroa of Entertainers, Las Camp, Ballywood Kingdom, Kano Country the homeland of the Chinjao Family, Lafitte City and various other largely unaffiliated Kingdoms and Islands. Among these Islands is the Island Nation of Yǐncáng. Yǐncáng in particular was what many considered a ghost island due to the thick fog that constantly surrounds the island along with its unexplainable tendency to muffle the sounds of those on the Island, it is relatively left alone for it's Self Governed Kingdom of Chi to thrive within the Underworld and the variety of other politics involved.
In the heart of an island nation plagued by the dark shadows of crime and political turmoil, where poverty tightly clasps the citizens in its unforgiving grip, a small flicker of hope ignited within the dimly lit walls of a modest mud hut. Amidst the palpable tension, a mother, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, embraced the tumultuous journey of giving birth. Surrounding her were wet nurses, their soft voices intertwining with the rhythmic cadence of encouragement. This was Anastasia Deboli-Bole, a young seamstress who was one of the rare women on the Island with a stable household due to her husband.
"You're almost there, dear. Push through the storm," one whispered, while another assured, "Strength is your ally, just a bit more."
In the background, a father stood steadfast, his eyes reflecting unwavering support. "You've got this, my love. Our child will bring change to this land," he murmured, his words a beacon of reassurance. This was Bole Zhanshi, a Marine Lieutenant of the 80th Branch currently visiting for the birth of his only son.
As the first cries pierced the air, a small baby boy emerged, adorned with tufts of moon-white hair and navy-blue eyes that sparkled with an innate determination. The parents, exhausted yet resilient, found solace in the significance of the name they chose – Rommel, Son of Bole. Rommel, they believed, would not succumb to the fate of the masses. He was destined for the pages of history, a symbol of resilience against the oppressive tides.
"You'll be the voice of the worn, Rommel. Your name will echo through time," his father affirmed, cradling the newborn in his arms. And as the baby's cries echoed through the room, they weren't just sounds of new life; they were the harmonious chords of a promise, a promise that Rommel would be both a beacon of change and the happiest soul in a world yearning for light. And in the Year 1505, on the 5th Dawn of May, Rommel echoed their birth with another child, yet fate would not be so kind to either.
In the quiet and fog-laden kingdom of Chi, a newborn baby boy named Rommel entered the world, bringing hope and anticipation to his family. His father, Lieutenant Bole Zhanshi, a dedicated Marine, was torn between duty and fatherhood. Reluctantly, he returned to his post, leaving Rommel in the care of his mother and their extended family. Anastasia Deboli-Bole, however was a strong-willed woman, took it upon herself to raise Rommel with love and determination. She understood the importance of scholastics and wasted no time in introducing her son to the wonders of reading and writing. Through her gentle guidance, she brought to life the stories of Rommel's father, the adventures of the world beyond the fog, and the contrasting shades of darkness and light. As Rommel grew older, he developed his own unique perspective on the world. In his childish innocence, he questioned his mother about the Marines, curious to understand their role in society. "What is crime, Mama? What is justice?" he would ask, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Anastasia, with a tender smile, would sit beside Rommel and share stories of the Marines. She explained that while there were those who used their power for personal gain, there were also those who embodied the true essence of justice. "True justice, my dear, is when the Marines exist not just to follow orders, but to help and protect everyone," she would say, instilling in Rommel a sense of compassion and fairness.
Through these conversations, Rommel's young mind began to grasp the concept of a world where justice prevailed. He dreamed of a day where he could follow in his father's footsteps, not only to bring honour to his family but also to be a beacon of hope for the oppressed. The first three years of Rommel's life were filled with love, stories, and the seeds of a noble ambition. As he continued to grow, his understanding of the world deepened, and his determination to embody true justice only grew stronger. Little did he know that the path he was destined to walk would be far from easy, but with the guidance of his mother's wisdom and the legacy of his father's bravery, Rommel was prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead. And yet… it would not be a pipers dream. Little did he know that his courage would be put to the ultimate test at the tender age of three.
It was a peaceful day in their small port town when the Raiders descended upon them with a fury that shattered their tranquillity. The once vibrant streets were now filled with chaos and despair as the Raiders mercilessly took villagers hostage. Among them was Rommel, a small, innocent child caught in the crossfire of a brutal conflict. In the midst of the chaos, Rommel's mother, fought valiantly to protect her son. But her efforts were in vain as she was ruthlessly injured, leaving Rommel vulnerable and alone. As the Raiders dragged him away, his small hand desperately clung to his mother's bloodied fingers, a poignant symbol of the bond they shared.
Rommel and the other terrified children were herded onto the Raiders' ship, their tiny footsteps echoing with fear and uncertainty. Forced to stay below deck, they huddled together, their young hearts filled with confusion and sorrow. But even in the face of such darkness, Rommel's spirit remained unbroken. Bravely, Rommel shouted about his "awesome father" who would come to their rescue. His words echoed through the cramped space. Yet, the Raiders, determined to silence him, stuffed a sock into his mouth, muffling his innocent voice. But they couldn't extinguish the flame of courage burning within the depths of that ship, Rommel clung to the memories of his father, a man he idolized with all his heart. His father, a beacon of justice and righteousness, had instilled in him a deep longing for true justice. It was this longing that fueled Rommel's determination to endure, to survive, and to never give up hope.
As days turned into weeks, Rommel found solace in his imagination, weaving tales of his father's heroic deeds. He shared these stories with the other captive children, his words painting vivid pictures of a world where justice prevailed and villains were vanquished. It would not be too long before the ship ported…