Zoro
The high sun hammered down, baking the courtyard. Zoro's stomach growled, and his throat felt like sandpaper, but he ignored both.
He just made his mind focus on the girl, Rika, and the snarls of that stupid pet that had been unleashed. He glanced at the courtyard, remembering the snarls of the beast he'd cut down. No regrets—saving the girl was worth every second of this punishment. Sweat dripped from his bandana, stinging his eyes.
"Quick, alert the others." A steely voice called.
Zoro turned his head slightly as the order sounded from the barracks window.
"Don't let the captain know, but there's a dangerous pirate in town." It was the Lieutenant. Zoro had met him only once; the Lieutenant was the one to tie him up.
Zoro glanced towards the town. Only the tops of the houses were visible above the courtyard wall. A dangerous pirate in Shells Town? Of course, what Zoro considered dangerous was far different from the marines, but why didn't they want the captain knowing?
The clammer of swords in sheaths, boots against stone, and hushed whispers reached his ears. They were indistinct, but nervous sounding.
"You shouldn't be worried about what they're doing," a voice drawled. Zoro didn't need to look to recognize the lazy drawl of Helmeppo, the captain's arrogant son. Helmeppo stood with his hands on his hips, the epitome of entitlement.
Two marines stood behind him. Zoro's lips twitched, catching the marines' barely concealed eye rolls. Their annoyance mirrored his own disdain. They were glorified babysitters, he thought. Only there for show; no one in the town would dare attempt to attack Helmeppo. And not because of the marines, but because of the monster that was his father. The spoiled brat always ran to his father like a tattling toddler at the slightest provocation.
"Just worry about lasting the next three weeks, then you'll be free," Helmeppo taunted.
Zoro met Helmeppo's gaze with stony silence, his jaw clenched against the man's condescending tone.
With a loud, "Hmph!" Helmeppo turned and left for the base. The marines followed him and Zoro cracked a brief grin at their obvious discomfort.
Zoro glanced at the town again and was surprised to see two people watching him from the wall. One had bright pink hair, large glasses, and was barely peeking over. The other, a black-haired teen with a straw hat, was boldly sitting on the wall and watching Zoro with undisguised curiosity.
While Zoro didn't particularly care, he didn't want the captain to come running out, so he closed his eyes and hung his head. The back of his neck burned, and he could feel his arms were sunburned and chaffed from the ropes holding him to the cross-post. His face stung from the constant sun, but at least only his neck and arms would burn from this.
"So you're Zoro," a voice said.
Zoro looked up to see the straw-hatted teen standing there, face shadowed. "Got a death wish, kid?" Zoro growled. Up close, the kid looked painfully familiar, even without seeing his eyes. Zoro racked his brain, but the lack of food and water sapped his energy, so he came up with nothing. He took a deep breath; the hot air scorched his throat but he didn't wince.
"I heard you rescued a kid in town," the teen said, a grin curling across his face. He tipped his hat back.
Zoro felt the wind knocked from his chest. That grin, the scar across his cheek, the straw hat. How had Zoro not thought of that sooner? "Seriously, Straw Hat, the marines will bust out any minute if they see you here." What was Monkey D. Luffy doing here?! In a marine base! Zoro couldn't help but stare at him, his eyes blown wide.
A chuckle escaped Luffy's lips. "Just let them try to catch me." He regarded Zoro thoughtfully, his gaze flicking over him quickly. "Rika said you saved her from a wolf. For someone called 'Demon Pirate Hunter', saving kids doesn't seem like something you'd do."
As if Zoro would explain why he helped the kid to this pirate. He just hung his head, trying to ignore Luffy.
There was a quiet hum, almost like a buzz across his skin. The feeling of pressure, despite nothing but sun touching him. Then Luffy's sandals scuffed against the ground and faded. When Zoro looked, he was gone. So was the strange pressure.
Looking at the wall, the other kid was gone too.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Zoro just tried to ignore the prickling feeling along his arms and spine. He had seen Luffy's poster before, but even Zoro wouldn't have gone after him. Not until he was stronger, at least.
Zoro hunted weaker bounties, good practice with little challenge. When he first saw the 'Straw Hat Luffy' poster, he knew to avoid him. Luffy wasn't a swordsman, but he was too far above Zoro's level, no matter the weapon.
Zoro might want to be the greatest swordsman in the world, but he wouldn't challenge a member of the Red-Haired Pirates. Even a supposed junior member, or apprentice.
Zoro paused, glancing at the wall. Why was Luffy here? The marines whispered about a dangerous pirate, but the reaction didn't fit the Yonko's crew. Red Hair never went unnoticed. If it had been the Yonko, Captain Morgan would've went raging out.
Ignoring the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, Zoro tried to focus on his breathing and let time pass.
When he opened his eyes next, he was greeted with the sight of Rika standing in front of him. Evening light shone over the courtyard. The heat was less, but the air felt more stuffy. His shirt felt damp from sweat, though wet rivulets dripped down his face.
She held up a napkin with two larger-than-usual rice balls. "You've been out here for a while and I thought you could use some food. So I made these rice balls for you!" She smiled and tilted her head, her eyes sparkling.
Zoro ignored the ache in his stomach, and the saliva pooling in his mouth, and growled, "I don't need it."
Her smile faded. "But…aren't you hungry?"
"I'm not hungry, kid, beat it!" he yelled. Her eyes watered and he ignored the guilt pricking his chest. "Get out of here before I kill you!" He wouldn't hurt her, even if he could, but she shouldn't be here.
Her breath hitched, and he heard a sob catch in her throat.
"My my, threatening children now?" Helmeppo called out. Zoro glanced up to see the blonde man striding towards them, his marines in tow. He stepped up to Rika and snatched one of the rice balls. "These look tasty!"
Zoro grit his teeth.
"Hey!" Rika's eyes widened in surprise, tears still pooling along the bottom.
A second later, Helmeppo spat out the rice ball and threw it down on the ground. "This is disgusting! You aren't supposed to use sugar in these!" Knocking the other one from her hands, he stomped them both into the ground.
Zoro's teeth ground together as Helmeppo stomped the rice balls. Behind him, one marine's knuckles whitened around his gun, while the other's shoulders shook.
Rika sank to her knees as Helmeppo continued to stomp the rice balls. "Stop it! I made those special for him!"
Helmeppo took a step back. "But you know the rules. 'If anyone aides the prisoner, they will be treated with the same crime'. If you were an adult, I would have you put to death." He turned to the marines behind him. "Toss her over the wall." When the marine hesitated, Helmeppo grabbed him by the collar and yelled in his face, "Do you want me to tell my father about you!"
The marine's gaze hardened. "Ah, that won't be necessary, sir." He stepped forward and picked Rika up by the back of her dress, then tossed her over the nearby wall. He followed the order, but it was mechanical. Born from fear.
Every muscle in Zoro's body screamed to beat down Helmeppo for this, but he was too thoroughly tied. Instead, he just glared at the ground. He heard a muted thud from beyond the wall and internally winced. He hoped she was okay.
Helmeppo laughed. "I don't know what kind of endurance you have, but good luck lasting the entire month! And if you do, I promise I'll set you free!" Still laughing, he turned and headed for the base. The marines followed, but kept a little more distance than before.
Zoro closed his eyes, ignoring the ache in his stomach. That idiot! But at least he hadn't killed her. Footsteps scuffed the ground, and he opened his eyes to see Luffy in front of him. "You're still here?"
The teen smiled. "I don't see how you're gonna last a month! I don't think I could do a week before I'd starve."
"Yeah," Zoro said. "Well, I'm different than you." He stopped, but Luffy didn't leave. "What are you even doing here?"
Luffy grinned; geez, did he ever not grin? "I'm looking for my pirate crew."
Zoro would've laughed if the ropes around his stomach weren't so tight. "Well, you won't find them here." Was he expecting Zoro to join or something? "What about that kid with you? Isn't he your crew?"
Luffy shook his head. "Koby's a friend, but not a crewmate." Zoro almost thought he heard the word yet, but he could've been mistaken. "What if I got you free?"
Zoro couldn't back his snort. "Fuck off. I'll last the month and get out on my own. I don't need some wannabe pirate captain helping me." He groaned as the surrounding pressure suddenly increased, forcing his eyes shut.
It disappeared as suddenly as it came, and Luffy was gone again when Zoro opened his eyes. What the hell was with that kid?! Had he done something? With a sigh, Zoro closed his eyes and tried not to think again.
He tried to ignore the remains of the rice balls, now mashed into the dirt just out of reach. His stomach clenched painfully, and he groaned aloud. This was going to be a long three weeks.
Alarm bells echoing shrilly across the courtyard jarred him awake. The sun glared down from straight above. Zoro blinked against the heat and brightness.
It had been four days since Luffy had first shown up, and Zoro had spotted him sitting on the wall a few times. He never came into the courtyard, but would watch Zoro or the base, a thoughtful expression on his face.
But now…now the idiot was charging straight into the base!
Zoro couldn't help but stare as Luffy's arm stretched like rubber, grabbing a ledge twenty feet up! With a wild grin, he catapulted himself into the window, his laughter echoing through the courtyard before he vanished inside.
Zoro blinked, his vision swimming. Had the kid's arm really stretched like rubber, or was the heat playing tricks on his mind?
Looking around, Zoro was surprised to see the other kid rushing over. "What the hell is going on!" Marines were rushing about, the sound of swords and primed guns echoing through the din of shouting and footsteps. They hadn't noticed Koby yet.
He sighed and started working on the ropes around Zoro's arms. "Luffy."
As if that explained anything!
"Hey, stop!" Zoro snapped at Koby. "What are you doing!" His arms ached, his skin like fire. The slight movements from Koby's attack on the knots wasn't helping.
Koby continuously attempted to pick at the knots without any success. "Trying to free you."
"I was doing fine on my own!" Zoro snapped. Okay, he was beginning to doubt himself, but no way he was going to admit it! His stomach churned emptily, a dull ache gnawing at him that made him uneasy. His tongue felt like sandpaper in his mouth, only slightly relieved by the memory of the light rain a few nights ago that had saved him from complete dehydration.
"Not for much longer," Koby said darkly. "Helmeppo was bragging in town earlier that they were going to execute you tomorrow morning."
Zoro's jaw clenched as Koby fumbled with the ropes, a cold dread settling in his gut. Execution? He had been played by a sniveling brat and an idiotic captain. The thought gnawed at him, fueling his anger.
"We heard you have swords, so Luffy's getting them for you. He hit Helmeppo, which is why the marines are running around now." Koby's brow furrowed and he stepped back. "These knots are too tight! I can't get them. We might have to wait for Luffy to come back."
"Why are you two helping me?" Zoro couldn't hide the disbelief in his voice. This was too strange. He'd never spoken to Koby, and Luffy was just strange. "What's Luffy's deal?" His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, but he found he could ignore even that in his curiosity.
Koby hums for a second. "He wants to be King of the Pirates. And he's in the East Blue to look for a crew." He looked towards the base. "I don't know his plan, but I think he wants you to join him."
Zoro wasn't sure whether to call Koby a liar, burst out laughing, or just stare.
A crashing noise made them both turn to see Luffy leaping from the window he had disappeared through before. Zoro nearly yelled, expecting Luffy to just slam into the ground from such a height, but the teen just lightly bounced a few times on one foot before racing over.
He held out three swords. "I wasn't sure which one was yours, so I grabbed all three."
Zoro stared at him, then flicked his gaze to the swords. "They're all mine. I use santoryu, three sword style."
A loud, echoing series of clicks made him turn. Luffy just glanced over his shoulder and Koby dove behind Zoro.
"So, Straw Hat, you planned on dying here?" Captain Morgan himself stood behind the line of marines. Each one had aimed a gun; either on Zoro and Koby, or Luffy himself.
Luffy stared at him; the surrounding pressure returned. "No, and neither did he. Why promise a man freedom if you're just going to take it away behind his back?"
A marine fainted.
Morgan narrowed his eyes and hefted the enormous axe he had for a hand onto his shoulder. "He defied the rules here." Even discounting his iron jaw, the man looked dangerous. With it? Even worse.
Zoro clenched his fist.
Luffy glanced at him. "If I free you, would you join my crew?"
Would he…what? "I'm no pirate," Zoro growled.
"You'll die like one," Luffy pointed out. Zoro could only see the side of his face, but he thought the teen was grinning. The pressure increased and another marine fainted.
Koby's voice came from behind Zoro. "You might be branded a pirate because of this, even if you live."
Zoro groaned internally. Koby was probably right. Even if he had lasted the month, Morgan was a monster. He would've branded Zoro as a pirate just to try to get rid of him. Zoro turned his face to Luffy. "Say you free me, what happens if I join your crew? I have to kiss your boots?"
The marines raised their guns, sighting down the barrels.
Luffy laughed. "No. But you will have to follow orders. As long as you do that, I don't mind what you want to do."
Zoro stared at him. What kind of captain was he? Any pirates Zoro had hunted always demanded complete loyalty of their crews. Death for mutiny, follow the captain's commands or die, that sort of thing.
"Marines, fire!" Morgan yelled out.
Zoro closed his eyes. So much for being the world's greatest swordsman.
There was a loud, echoing gasp, a laugh, and suddenly marines crying out.
Zoro cracked one eye open and looked to see several marines down, bullet wounds streaming blood into white uniforms. Morgan himself had his hand to a bloody scrape on his forehead.
And Luffy had a wide grin on his face. It was a little unsettling, but was made worse as the pressure increased and marines started passing out around them.
Morgan growled. "So a kid like you has conquerors haki…your bounty wasn't exaggerated then. And your devil fruit makes you immune to bullets."
Conquerors haki? Was that why the marines were fainting? And devil fruit? Zoro tried to wrap his mind around that but failed.
Luffy cracked his knuckles, handing Koby the swords. "Cut him free. Get out of here. I'll handle this."
Zoro felt the pressure around one arm lessen. He looked to see Koby use the edge of one of his lesser swords to slice through a rope. Without hesitation, he pulled himself free from the rope as the remaining marines rushed forward.
In less than a blink, Zoro had Wado in his teeth, a sword in each hand, and at least six sabre's blocked by his blades. Not moving, he glared at Luffy. "Fine. I'll join your crew."
Luffy grinned cheekily.
"But just warning you," Zoro continued, feeling the marines fear through the quivering of their swords. "I intend to be the world's greatest swordsman."
Luffy chuckled. "For the King of the Pirates, no one who aspired for less would do."
Cocky bastard. "But if you ever stop me," Zoro growled, his glare deepening. "Then I'll kill you myself."
Luffy nodded and his grin grew. "Now duck." The unfamiliar weight in his voice caught Zoro off guard, but he ducked in time for Luffy to swing his leg out. "Gum gum whip!"
The marines were sent crashing. Luffy's leg, which stretched out at least five feet, snapped back.
"What are you?" Koby asked in a small, trembling voice.
Luffy let out a laugh. "I ate the gum gum fruit. I'm a rubber man!" He stretched out his cheek at least half a foot as he grinned.
That explained…a lot.
Zoro glanced over his shoulder.
The marines Luffy had knocked over, but not out, were scrambling to their feet. But Zoro couldn't miss the fear in their eyes as they hastened to get away. One yelled out, "We can't even Zoro! How are we gonna defeat both of them!"
"I'm getting out of here!"
"Run away!"
Morgan's voice cracked out, "Every one of you that intends on running away!" They all stopped to look at him. He was glaring at Luffy, but his words were clearly for his men. "Take your gun and shoot yourselves!"
An icy trickle of fear shot down Zoro's spine. What kind of captain was this man?!
The marines froze.
Morgan barked out, "I don't need useless men. That's an order!"
Zoro clenched his teeth against Wado as the remaining marines raised their rifles. Even if they hadn't all been visibly shaking, he could almost smell the fear in the air.
Luffy surged forward, a blur of red and yellow, his shout echoing through the courtyard. "I'm the enemy here, try and execute me!" His fist collided with Morgan's axe, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. A visible crack splintered the metal.
Morgan's growl could be heard around the courtyard. Arching his axe back, he swiped. Luffy neatly dodged. The concrete fence on the far side of the courtyard split lengthwise.
Koby gasped and Zoro might have too, if he hadn't just witnessed Luffy's strength. And the fact that the teen wasn't even slightly scared. Made sense for a pirate, but still.
With a roar, Morgan swung out and Luffy caught the axe between two fists.
There was a collective gasp from the marines however when Morgan's Axe shattered. Morgan struck out with the remaining sharp edge still clinging to the wood. Without hesitating, Luffy dodged and kicked out.
The large marine fell back and Luffy lifted him by the collar. "Some marine you are. Making the town fear you. Promising things you intend on breaking." He punched Morgan, sending him rolling across the ground. The tang of blood touched Zoro's nose.
He watched them coldly. He didn't blame Luffy's reaction. There was a twinge of jealousy though; he wanted to get back at the man who had him tied up.
But if Luffy was this strong, maybe it was worth being a pirate. He could train his swordsmanship, but never have to worry about protecting someone not worth that.
"Stop right there!" Helmeppo yelled out, making Zoro turned. Helmeppo had a firm grip on Koby's arm and was threatening him with a gun pressed against his head. "I'll shoot if you move another muscle!"
Koby's eyes were wide with terror. But Zoro didn't miss the resolve there. His small frame trembled, yet his voice remained steady as he called out, "Luffy, I don't want to be in your way! I'm not afraid of death!"
Zoro felt a glimmer of respect. The kid was scared to death, but not one hint of it in his voice.
Luffy reeled his arm back, smiling. "Okay. I know."
Movement caught Zoro's eye; Morgan was approaching Luffy, the remains of his axe raised. Zoro's hands tightened around the hilts and he struck out at the same moment that Luffy sent a punch flying. Morgan crashed to the ground in a spurt of blood. Helmeppo went flying.
"Nice job Zoro," Luffy said.
"Leave it to me, captain," Zoro said with a grin.
There was a moment of silence and Zoro tensed as the marines looked at him, but the loud cheering that broke out startled him. Guess they hated Morgan than he thought.
"Awesome!" Koby ran up to them. "I guess everyone was scared of him!"
Zoro chuckled, but pitched forward a second later. He couldn't feel his stomach, and his limbs were going numb. He was right; he wouldn't have lasted any longer than a day. The clatter of his swords reached his ears as he passed out.
Zoro sat back with a smile. "Thanks, I thought I was gonna starve to death." The food was good, and hunger made it even better.
Rika gave him a wide smile and took the plate.
Zoro glanced at Luffy, still eating. "I'm the one who went without food, how are you still eating?"
Luffy shrugged and said nothing, just emptied another plate into his mouth.
Zoro briefly wondered about their food supply, but pushed the thought aside. He'd worry later.
"You guys are really strong," Rika said, handing them more plates, beaming at Luffy.
Zoro recalled her telling him that when she had been thrown over the wall, it had been Luffy who caught her. Good thing, or she would've really been hurt.
Luffy grinned. "Yep. And we'll get even stronger!"
Zoro leaned back, another rice ball in his hands; he was really liking how Rika made these. "So, what are we doing after this?"
Luffy looked up from his plate. "Well, I want to head to the Grand Line, but there's somewhere I need to stop first." Luffy's eyes glimmered with excitement, intriguing Zoro.
Koby shook his head. "I know you're strong, Luffy, but are you ready?" Zoro would've asked too if he hadn't seen Luffy shatter a steel axe-blade.
Luffy grinned and chuckled. "Never know until we get there!"
Zoro suppressed a sigh. This was the teen he was following now? He had to admire Luffy's confidence though. "So, Koby, what are you doing now?" He knew Koby wasn't Luffy's crewmate, but he wasn't even sure how they met. There hadn't been a chance to ask.
Koby stared at his lap. "I'm...not sure. I was a pirate for a couple of years, but my crew was destroyed. Now I don't know."
"Why not join the marines?" Rika asked. "Now that the mean captain's gone, you could help them!"
Not a bad idea, Zoro thought. Pirates had become marines before. It'd be difficult but doable and would help Koby's skills and confidence.
Koby's eyes widened, and he bit his lip, glancing down at his hands. A mixture of fear and uncertainty flickered across his face.
A sharp knock at the door silenced the room. It swung open to reveal the lieutenant. "Excuse the intrusion. We were wondering, are you really pirates?"
Luffy grinned, picking his teeth with a fishbone. "Yeah. I have my first crewmate, so that makes us official."
Zoro hid his snort with a smile. Luffy had been a pirate for years. Zoro joining him didn't change that.
The lieutenant sighed and tipped his hat down. "Then I must ask you to leave. We are grateful for what you did, but we cannot harbor pirates here."
Rika glared, fists at her sides. "That's not fair!" Zoro felt a pang of sympathy. It wasn't fair, but that's how things worked.
Agreeing shouts came from outside, muffled by the walls. Zoro was surprised by how many people defended them.
But then again, Morgan had been a tyrant.
Luffy pushed back his chair, standing with an easy confidence. "Well, then we should go."
Zoro stood, cracked a smile at Rika, then followed his captain out.
"Excuse me, are you with them?" The lieutenants question stopped Zoro and he turned to see him looking at Koby.
He was still by the table, watching them. "I…" Zoro recognized the scared expression from past experiences.
He watched, his curiosity piqued. Koby's eyes darted around, reflecting his turmoil. Despite his past as a pirate, he didn't seem to lean to wanting to stay one or not. Zoro could picture Koby in a marine uniform, standing tall and commanding respect—if he could conquer his fear, that is.
Koby looked at Luffy, then at Zoro. Doubt, fear, and determination played in his eyes.
Zoro could almost see the thoughts tumbling in his head. Would he be happy as a marine? Could he make it? What if he stayed a pirate? Where could he go? Zoro nearly missed Luffy's tiny nod, and Koby's eyes hardened.
"Yes." He quickly followed them out.
Zoro chuckled under his breath. Luffy seemed to want Koby on his crew, though Koby hadn't said anything yet. Following his captain, Zoro wondered how crazy this would get.