As the boat carrying Luffy and Yamato disappeared over the horizon the people at the port departed leaving Makino and Woop Slap on the port.
"Well, there they go. I hope the two of them look after one another."
"While I hope that to Makino, my concern is what Garp will think. After all Ace, Luffy, and Yamato became pirates!"
"You're forgetting about Uta mayor."
"I didn't forget. After all, she's the only one of those siblings who chose a smart career and became an idol."
"That's true. I know they'll all be fine. I wish I had your optimism, Makino."
Woop Slap said as he left the port, laughing to herself. Makino walked back to her house before opening the Party Bar for the day. She entered her small, quaint home before heading to her dresser, kneeling for something underneath. She pulled out a small square white box, and inside it was Yamato's old outfit she wore when she was little. Makino smiled as she remembered how she got Yamato the outfit.
With Yamato's clothes in hand, Makino took a boat until she arrived at a different island in the East Blue home to the best tailor their side of the sea had to offer. Makino walked up to the shop and the sign on top read: THREADS OF THE EAST.
Makino entered the shop the sound of a bell followed her arrival quickly followed by the sounds of boots against the floor.
"Coming!"
Makino patiently waited until someone arrived to greet her.
"Oh, Makino! So good to see you again."
"Yup. It's so good to see you April."
The woman came from behind the counter and gave her a big hug. The woman wore a pretty strapless blue dress with gold trim around the skirt. Her golden hair was tied into a neat little bun and she wore thigh-high brown boots.
"You're here to see Landon right? I'll go get him."
April went to the foot of a staircase from behind the back counter.
"Landon! Makino's here to see you!"
"What? Makino?!"
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from upstairs before a tumble was heard coming down the stairs. Makino winced a little as did April hearing the tumble.
"Landon? Sweetheart? You okay?"
The man in question immediately stood up and dusted himself off. He was a black man with short black hair with orange highlights and bright green eyes with a pair of glasses resting on the crown of his head. He wore an open jacket with pants and a pair of black boots.
"Makino! So good to see you! What can I do for you? Need some new dresses or need me to fix some old ones?"
Makino laughed at his eagerness. She'd been friends with Landon and his wife April for the past couple of years.
"No nothing like that Landon but thanks. What I need is simpler."
Makino put Yamato's folded kimono on the counter.
"A girl I know loves this thing but I know she'll outgrow it in time so I was wondering if you could…"
"... If I could make her a new one, possibly one that could grow with her?"
"Yes."
"That's all Makino? Come on, you know it shouldn't be hard at all. Let me just…"
Landon put on his glasses as he carefully examined the outfit before he pulled a thread from it without unraveling the entire thing. He examined the thread before he brought the thread to his hand as a mouth suddenly appeared and ate the white thread. As the mouth on his hand chewed the thread the man himself had an inquisitive look on his face as if he was tasting the material himself before his eyes went wide in disbelief.
"Makino? Do you know what this is?"
"No. Should I?"
"This…This is Wano silk! Where'd the girl get this kimono from?"
Makino shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know. Yamato just told me she's worn that since she was eight and won't part with it."
Landon grabbed Makino's shoulders.
"Makino, if you sold this at the right price you'd make more than enough Beli to live in Hightown for the rest of your life! Wano silk is beyond valuable."
"I see."
Makino cupped the side of her face before smiling.
"I don't intend to sell it though. I'd never part with something so precious to Yamato."
Landon smirked at his friend.
"I figured as much Makino. I'll have it ready in a few days. After all, Wano silk is valuable and you need to be careful with it."
"I understand."
A few days passed just as Landon said when Makino returned and there on the counter was a replica of Yamato's kimono. It was a perfect 1:1 of the original.
"There you go Makino as promised. I've made it to where the outfit will grow and adjust to her as she gets older thanks to the measurements you gave me."
Makino examined the kimono holding it up.
"You gave it long sleeves."
"Yup. If she wants to remove them freely she can, that won't damage the outfit."
"What if it gets damaged or torn?"
Landon smiled.
"If that does happen the outfit has a little trick for that. The same applies if it gets burned or cut. However, if sea water gets on it…well you know."
"Figures."
"Oh before I forget I made this Yamato kid an exact pair of shoes to match and figured she'd like them."
Makino chuckled.
"Thank you, Landon. Your Craft-Craft Fruit is always impressive whenever you work. How much do I owe you this time around?"
Landon held his hand up, stopping Makino from paying him.
"No need Makino. Just the fact that I got to work with Wano Silk was enough. I'll treasure this forever."
Makino smiled as she hugged Landon and April before departing back to Foosha to give Yamato her surprise.
Makino looked over Yamato's old outfit dusting it off before smoothing it out of any wrinkles and putting it back away.
"I'm positive those two can look after each other. They're brother and sister after all."
Makino put the kimono back in the box and put it back under her dresser then prepared for another day of work at the Party Bar.
It was a bright day on the open sea as a medium-sized fishing boat sailed over the water carrying two passengers aboard it.
"Yahoo! Another great day!"
"Yeah! This is the best!"
Luffy and Yamato exclaimed in loud joy over the nice day they had again sailing since they'd left home. The villagers had given Luffy a bigger boat due to how much Yamato had grown and feared Luffy's small boat he had before would collapse. They'd also given the two of them barrels of dried meat and fresh fruit for the journey as Yamato grabbed an apple from one of the barrels and threw Luffy a piece of jerky which the rubber boy caught with his teeth.
"Oi, Luffy. How long till we reach an Island?"
"I don't know."
"..."
"..."
"YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T NAVIGATE?!"
"No! I thought you knew how to!"
"No! I never said I did!"
It was quiet as the siblings looked at each other before falling on their backs.
"So we're just gonna drift?"
"Yup."
"That sucks."
"Yeah."
They lay like this for a while until they heard something in the distance getting them both to sit up and look toward the source of the noise which was a massive whirlpool neither of them noticed. Their reactions were mixed. Yamato saw the massive water obstruction and started panicking while Luffy was very nonchalant about it.
"AHHH! WHAT'RE WE GONNA DO! THIS IS BAD NEITHER OF US CAN SWIM!"
"Man. I can't believe this happened to us. This does suck."
This little routine kept going for a few more seconds until Luffy got an idea he emptied two of the food barrels for them to get into and be safe from the whirlpool. Yamato had a bit of a tough time fitting into some of the barrels until she found one that seemed large enough she tucked herself in as tight as she could and put the lid on top making sure her horns didn't puncture the top. The fishing boat capsized in the massive whirlpool as the barrels were violently tossed about surprisingly both siblings were able to fall asleep inside their tight confinements.
A Pirate ship was currently docked at an Island in the East Blue carrying pirates who were somewhat well known in these seas.
"Why is there dust on my bulwark?"
A woman asked as she inspected her ship.
"A THOUSAND PARDONS, LADY ALVIDA! I-I THOUGHT I'D CLEANED EVERY INCH OF THIS SHIP…! I'LL CLEAN EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN! PLEASE – –!
"Please what?"
"PLEASE NOT THE IRON MACE! I-I DON'T WANNA DIE!"
His pleas were ignored as Alvida cracked him with her iron mace spraying blood on the deck.
"Koby! WHO is the FAIREST throughout ALL the seas?"
Answering, Alvida was a small, timid, chubby boy with red-violet pink hair and round-frame glasses.
"Ahem… HEH HEH… Why YOU are Lady Alvida. No one compares to you."
"Correct! Which is why I will not tolerate ANYTHING dirty! The ship I sail in must be as clean and beautiful as I am. Understand?"
Koby started to cower in her presence.
"Remember, Koby, were it not for your vast knowledge of the seas I'd feed you to the sharks so don't push your luck!"
Koby kept cowering and shivering in the corner.
"Y-Yes… That's very KIND of you."
Alvida then kicked Koby as the boy covered up defending himself.
"Other than that, you're worthless! Here, shine my shoes!"
"Y-Yes, Lady Alvida! Right Away!"
"I don't wanna see even one speck of dust on my ship! Is that clear?!"
Alvida of the Iron Mace Pirates was a tall and obese woman with long wavy black hair and freckles on her cheeks. She wore a white cowgirl hat with a large red plume, a red neckerchief, a pink plaid shirt, and a blue captain's coat over it with the arms in the sleeves, unlike many other pirates. She wore rings on her fingers and her long sharp fingernails had red polish. She had a purple sash with a flintlock pistol tucked in it and some jewels. She also wore graying pants and red shoes with gold buckles.
"Aye Aye!"
"That's enough! You're pathetic! If you've got time to grovel then you've got time to scrub the toilet."
Koby just smiled and rubbed his damaged face after the hit from Alvida.
"HEH HEH… Yes, Milady. Right away."
As soon as Koby was out of sight his posture had slumped as a few tears started to leak from his eyes. As he walked away, he noticed two barrels had washed up on shore.
'Huh? How'd these get here? Guess I'd better bring them inside.'
As Koby was rolling the barrels up the hill he struggled with the second one a little bit.
"Seriously why is this heavy?"
Koby finally got the barrels to the destination when one of Alvida's men opened the door, seeing the cabin boy with two barrels.
"What you got Koby? Did two barrels of rum wash up on shore?"
"Y-Yeah! And they're not empty! I wasn't sure what to do with them."
Then the other two men started talking with the third and they got the idea to have themselves a little drink. After all, with two full barrels of rum, there'd be more than enough to share. They threatened Koby not to say a word which he promised he wouldn't as one of them prepared to punch open the barrel for his first sip but… they were in for a surprise.
"YAAAWWWNN! THAT WAS A GREAT NAP!"
To the shock of Alvida's men and Koby a boy wearing a red vest, light blue denim shorts cuffed just above his knees, and tan sandals. He also had a scar with two stitches underneath his left eye.
"Looks like we survived somehow. See Yama-... Yamato?"
Luffy looked around for his sister, his eyes looking around the room until he saw another much burlier barrel next to him which made him smile. He knocked on the top of the barrel to wake her up.
"Yamato? Hey, Yamato! Come on, wake up!"
A rumble was heard from the barrel as another figure burst from the barrel except this time it was a woman making the men and cabin boy take a couple extra steps back. Yamato came up from the barrel yawning and stretching and arching her back and accidentally emphasizing her chest. What was most prominent about her to the men present were her two mostly red horns, which got more flesh-colored toward the base. Yamato's hair had been shorter as a kid but was longer now. Her long, white hair was bound between orange rods into a ponytail at the back, which faded into aqua green and then blue the further down it went and ended in rectangular locks similar to her father. Yamato's kimono used to have sleeves but she tore them off and then dipped the ends in seawater so they couldn't come back like Makino had told her. Her outfit had a diamond-shaped design on both sides and an indigo, wisp-patterned bottom half. She wore a pair of red hakama pants and sandals. On her back was a large purple and white nio-dasuki just like her hero Oden had worn. Yamato, now free from her barrel confinement, looked around her surroundings for a moment before her eyes rested on her captain.
"We survived the whirlpool?"
"Yup."
"Awesome!"
Luffy then looked up and started laughing loudly and pointing. It wasn't until Yamato looked up and saw what he was pointing at. The top of the barrel had gotten stuck on her horns. Seeing this Yamato was able to take it off easily and toss it aside.
"Oi! Luffy, stop laughing!"
"B-But you looked so dumb! HEH HA HA!"
"Luffy!"
Yamato pouted as she attempted to get out of her barrel but found she was stuck as did Luffy. The siblings then turned towards the group of people who they finally acknowledged.
"Who're you guys?"
Luffy and Yamato asked.
"WHO THE HECK ARE YOU TWO?!"
The trio of men asked the duo and before any further questions could be answered an Iron Mace was thrown in their direction leveling the warehouse. Alvida had arrived thinking her men were slacking off when she heard one of them say they had a nice nap. However, the impact of Alvida's Iron Mace sent both Yamato and Luffy rolling away in their separate barrels down the hill. When the men realized Alvida had most likely heard that kid shouting they told Alvida about the boy being an intruder while also blaming it on Koby. Alvida suspected it was likely the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro despite him currently being in Navy custody.
"It has to be him. So Koby thinks he can bring the pirate hunter here to take my head huh? Ha! I'll flatten the so-called pirate hunter and that rat cabin boy! No one crosses Iron Mace Alvida!"
"Are you two okay? That was a pretty intense tumble you both took."
"I'm fine. I was just surprised, that's all."
"I'm okay too. A little tumble like that won't stop me."
Both Luffy and Yamato started laughing a bit.
"Hey, I'm Luffy. Nice to meet ya."
"I'm Yamato. Nice meeting you as well."
"I-I see. Well, I'm Koby. I'm Alvida's cabin boy"
"Oh cool! So Koby, where are we right now?"
"This island we're on is the hideout of Iron Mace Alvida."
"I see."
Luffy said as he removed himself from his barrel with ease but Yamato was having some trouble so Luffy helped his sister out while still talking to Koby. As it turns out the boy wanted to go on a fishing trip but instead he wound up on a pirate ship owned by Alvida and in exchange for his life he's been working as their cabin boy…that was two years ago. Both Luffy and Yamato verbally told Koby he was dumb, and clumsy which Koby didn't deny also earning him gutless from Luffy.
"Hey, do you have a boat we can borrow? Ours sunk in a whirlpool."
"Sure thi-"
Koby's words were cut short when he saw Yamato get out of the barrel and fully stand up; he realized she was really tall. He estimated she was at least 6'2", maybe 6'3" at best.
"You okay Koby."
"H-Huh? Oh yeah sorry about that. I just wasn't expecting you to be so tall and imposing."
Luffy laughed, slapping Yamato on the back.
"Yeah! She's pretty great. She started small but then shot up like a weed. It's really funny!"
"Hey! I'm not that scary-looking am I?"
"N-No not at all! Your horns just caught me by surprise, that's all."
Yamato smiled.
"Yup, they're real! Wanna feel'em?"
"Y-You sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. Go right ahead."
Yamato bent herself down to let Koby feel her horns which to the cabin boy's surprise were indeed real and not a costume.
"Wow! That's incredible!"
"Yup."
After that Luffy told Koby about his dream the cabin boy started explaining how low Luffy's chances of becoming Pirate King were even if he already had a crewmate which led to Luffy punching the boy in the head. Luffy told Koby that if he died trying to become the pirate king then he'd die and that'd be it. Inspired by his determination Koby told Luffy and Yamato his dream of being in the Navy which would put the three of them on opposite sides but Koby believed he'd do it and the first person he'd capture would be Alvida.
"JUST WHO ARE YOU GONNA CAPTURE YOU RUNT?!"
Alvida came flying down with force as she destroyed Koby's makeshift boat with a single strike of her Iron Mace.
"No. my boat."
"THERE'S NO ESCAPING ME YOU RUNT!"
Alvida's attention then turned towards Luffy and Yamato.
"So these are the bounty hunters you hired to stop me huh? Neither of them looks like Roronoa Zoro one bit."
Luffy and Yamato looked at each other in confusion; neither one had heard that name before.
"I'll give you one chance to make this right and repent. Who's the fairest on all the seas?!"
Koby was shaking in his shoes with tears about to burst.
"Lady Alvida you–"
"Hey, Koby? Who's the hippo lady?"
"Yeah, who's the old biddy?"
Alvida's body shook in pure anger at the insults of the horned girl and the straw hat boy while the rest of the crew and Koby were in shock. They couldn't believe that these two had the nerve to insult Iron Mace Alvida like that.
"Luffy! Yamato! Take it back! Take back what you two just said!"
Koby exclaimed to the two.
"Lady Alvida is…"
Whatever Koby was gonna say died in his throat as he remembered Luffy's words and said how he truly felt.
"LADY ALVIDA IS…THE UGLIEST OLD HAG OF THEM ALL!"
Luffy and Yamato started laughing loudly at what Koby said while Alvida's body only shook faster in pure rage.
"HAHAHA! That's funny Koby! You're great!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"WHY YOU LITTLE…!"
Koby was scared out of his mind as he knew what fate awaited him but the now former cabin boy said what was on his mind so he'd die with no regrets…or so he thought.
Luffy pushed Koby back behind him as he prepared to take Alvida head-on.
"Good for you Koby!"
"Wahh! Wait! Luffy!"
Koby was gonna stop him but Yamato held his shoulder.
"Just watch. You should be worried for Alvida more than Luffy."
Alvida rushed Luffy and brought her mace down on the boy.
"IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO ME…CAUSE YOU'RE BOTH GONNA DIE!"
As Alvida brought the mace down Luffy didn't even flinch he just smiled.
"That didn't hurt me one bit! Cause I'm made of rubber!"
Seeing this made Yamato smile and laugh a little. The old Luffy after taking a hit like that from a weapon like that would've had him crying but here he was now taking it and not even flinching.
"IMPOSSIBLE! NO ONE EVER SURVIVES A HIT FROM THE IRON MACE!"
Luffy reared his arm back as he went in for a strike while everyone was still shocked.
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
His arm stretched back before shooting forward forward nailing Alvida in the gut and sending her flying away to the dismay of her men.
"Woah."
Koby said in shock.
"N-No way! His arm did stretch!"
"He beat Captain Alvida! That rubber boy did!"
"Hey, you guys give Koby a boat! He's gonna join the Navy!"
"Yeah!"
The men all shook in fear sweating profusely agreeing to Luffy's request.
"Y-Yessir…"
After being given a sizeable boat by Alvida's men the trio set off again with Koby telling Luffy since he was going after One Piece he was gonna enter the Grand Line known as the pirates' graveyard. Luffy simply responded to Koby.
"That's why I'm building a crew. I've already got Yamato so now I need nine more."
"Oh yeah, the guy who was imprisoned at the navy base what's his name?"
"I think Alvida said Zoro. Right, Koby?"
"Yeah, you're right Yamato. Roronoa Zora is also known as the pirate hunter. The demon of the East Blue."
Luffy smiled after hearing this.
"Then if he's a good guy I'll ask him to join my crew!"
"Luffy! If the Navy imprisoned him then he's not a good guy!"
"Well, how do you know?"
"I just do okay!"
So the trio set sail for the Navy base with a new goal in mind: Meet the Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro.
The trios' boat had been sailing for a while as Luffy and Koby kept talking Yamato started at the open sea. She was happy so far their journey had just started and they had already beaten up their first pirate but she was a bit upset.
"Luffy. That wasn't fair."
"Huh? What wasn't fair?"
"I wanted to fight Alvida but you skipped me."
"I see. Then you can have the next one then."
"Really?! You mean it?!"
Her large orange eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yup. For sure."
"Thanks, Luffy!"
Yamato smiled and hugged her captain tight as Koby continued talking about Zoro. He was a bloodthirsty demon who roamed the seas looking for pirate heads to claim. Luffy, however, shrugged it off saying he wasn't sure if he'd invite him to join his crew but if he was a good guy then he'd get an invite which Koby tried to shut down immediately.
"If he's in prison Luffy then he's a bad guy!"
"Don't worry Koby. Besides, if he is a bad guy then I'll just pummle him."
"Hold on a second Yamato. What if I wanna tangle with the guy?"
"What?! I can take care of him!"
Captain and First Mate started arguing for a while till the trio finally, made landfall at the Navy Base.
"We're here at last!"
"So this is a Navy Base? It's way smaller than I thought it'd be."
Koby sighed as he managed to navigate them here as neither Luffy nor Yamato knew how to navigate the seas which just confused him as they wanted to be pirates but couldn't navigate the sea.
"Luffy. Yamato. You should learn some navigation skills. You two aren't gonna last as pirates if you can."
"He's got a point Luffy. We need a navigator."
"Yeah, that's what I'll do! Now let's eat!"
"Aye, captain!"
After Luffy and Yamato had eaten their fill in the restaurant the trio found out apparently both Zoro and Morgan's names were taboo. While Koby understood Zoro he didn't get why the name of a marine captain would be taboo but the conversation ended when the trio reached the marine Base.
"T-This is it. Where my dream can start."
Yamato gave Koby a little shove on the back.
"Go ahead, Koby. We believe in you."
Yamato smiled giving the boy a thumbs up.
"Yamato's right. Head on in and fulfill your dream."
Koby was super nervous about entering the base and it didn't help that Morgan's name seemed to elicit fear from the townspeople however the boy noticed Luffy and Yamato on the wall.
"What're you two doing?"
"We're trying to find that demon."
"Yeah. I wanna see Zoro with my own eyes."
"He's probably not just out and about in the courtyard. They've probably got him locked up in a deep prison somewhere.
"Oi, Luffy! I think I found him!"
Yamato shouted as Luffy started running in her direction the hopped on the wall.
"Where is he?"
Yamato pointed to the center of the courtyard.
"Right there I think it's him. Maybe."
Their eyes rested on a man strung up on a wooden stake tied up with ropes. He wore a black bandana on his head covering his green hair. His current attire was black trousers tucked inside black boots, a plain white shirt with three undone buttons at the collar, and his green haramaki.
"I-It's him. A-A black bandana and a haramaki sash! That's Roronoa Zoro!"
Yamato looked at Koby then back at the tied-up man now identified as Zoro and her eyes were stars.
"Cool! Think he's strong?! He has to be if the navy tied him up."
"Think if I untied his ropes he'd go free?"
"Don't be stupid Luffy! If you do that he'd probably go on a rampage and wreck the whole town!"
Koby turned towards Yamato hoping Luffy's first mate would talk sense to her captain but instead, she had an excited look on her face.
"Then we REALLY shouldn't do that. I'd do my best to stop him."
"You just wanna fight him Yamato!"
Yamato looked away.
"No, I don't Koby."
"Yes, you do! You totally do!"
A new voice chimed in interrupting the banter between the three of them.
"Hey, you three."
Luffy, Yamato, and Koby now had their attention on Zoro who finally noticed them.
"You three are eyesores. Get lost."
Koby shivered in fear at Zoro's demand while Luffy was unfazed and Yamato's eyes were sparkling even more.
"I think we should untie him."
"Yamato no! He'll kill all three of us!"
"No, he won't."
Koby turned towards Luffy confusion present on his face.
"I won't let him."
'He's got such a big head!'
Koby thought to himself out of fear. They were once again interrupted as a little girl climbed up a ladder with something wrapped in cloth. She looked around before shushing the trio as she hopped down in the courtyard running towards Zoro to the dismay of Koby.
"What do you want?"
"I thought you'd be hungry so I made you some riceballs."
"GET LOST! I'm not hungry."
"B-But you haven't eaten in nine days. Y-You need to..."
"Don't make me kick your ass, little girl!"
The sound of gates opening got everyone's attention as a lanky, average-sized young man with a distinctive cleft chin and light blonde hair came out accompanied by two marine grunts. His hair was styled in a bizarre mushroom-shaped style, coupled with a flashy leisure suit and what appeared to be a rubber band ring on his left hand. This was Helmeppo son of Captain Morgan.
"You shouldn't be mean to kids Roronoa Zoro. I'll tell my father on you otherwise."
"Who's that girl?"
"Pretty sure he's a guy Yamato."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Still, he's probably some high-ranking navy officer now the girl is safe."
Or so Koby thought as the boy would soon find out. It was clear from the jump this guy was no saint as he stole one of the rice balls that was meant for Zoro and ate it without a second thought then immediately spit it out cause she'd used sugar and not salt. After stomping out her rice balls into the dirt he then threatened she'd be killed as the sign in the courtyard read: ANYONE AIDING THIS PRISONER SHALL BE FOUND GUILTY OF THE CRIMES HE HAS COMMITTED - CAPTAIN MORGAN.
Helmeppo then ordered the marine to throw the crying girl over the gate which he didn't wanna do at first but after threatening to tell his father the marine obeyed the order after telling the girl to try and curl herself up into a ball. The girl was thrown over the wall and in response, Yamato quickly jumped and caught her with ease before roughly landing on the ground.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, horn lady."
"I'm Yamato, nice to meet ya."
"I'm Rika."
Yamato, Luffy, and Koby then heard Zoro and Helmeppo mention how Zoro had to survive the month and he'd be free which made Helmeppo laugh saying Zoro would be free 'if' he survived that long. After helping Rika to her feet Yamato observed a conversation between her captain and Zoro with the pirate hunter saying he'd never be a pirate with Luffy and how he'd survive the month due to him having more willpower.
"Hey, hold on a minute…could you pick those up for me?"
Zoro motioned to the dirty rice balls Helmeppo had stepped on that Rika made.
"You sure you want these? They're more dirt balls than rice balls now."
"SHUT UP AND GIVE IT TO ME! NOW!"
Luffy obliged Zoro's request and fed him the dirty riceballs which the pirate hunter ate every last crumb of. Luffy smiled.
"Told you."
"Tell the little girl they were delicious."
Luffy smiled as he did just that, making Rika smile brightly. Rika told the three of them how Zoro had done nothing wrong and that Helmeppo and Morgan were the bad guys. Rika said how they put people to death for no reason and everyone fears them. She also said how one day Helmeppo let some wild dogs run rampant around town and a few of them attacked her but Zoro saved her.
"So Zoro's in prison cause he hurt that guy's dogs to save you?"
"Yes."
"That makes sense. Zoro is terrifying but he only goes after people with prices on their heads. And he wouldn't get tossed into prison for that."
The conversation was interrupted as someone was shouting in the street.
"HA HA HA! YOU'RE ALL NOT BOWING YOUR HEADS LOW ENOUGH! MAKE WAY FOR CAPTAIN MORGAN'S SON! I HOPE YOU'RE ALL READY FOR A SHOW CAUSE IN THREE DAYS I'LL BE HOLDING A PUBLIC EXECUTION OF RORONOA ZORO. I CAN'T WAIT!"
This got the attention of Luffy and Yamato when hearing Helmeppo's words.
"What do you mean execution?! You told Zoro he had to survive a month!"
"Yeah. You're a man, aren't you?! You can just go back on your word!"
Yamato and Luffy told him which made Helmeppo just scoff.
"I don't recall agreeing to such a thing and in any case it's his fault for being a dumb beast."
Yamato and Luffy dashed forward striking Helmeppo hard across the face, sending him flying. She didn't bother using her haki for it.
"Yamato! Luffy! No!"
Koby said in shock by her actions.
Helmeppo sat up and nursed his injured face.
"YOU HIT ME! YOU TWO ACTUALLY HIT ME! I'M THE SON OF CAPTAIN MORGAN YOU KNOW!"
"SO WHAT?! People like you piss me off! If you're a man then honor your words and promises you keep! Don't go back on them 'cause YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT!"
"Yeah! YOU'RE SCUM!"
Yamato and Luffy shouted at Helmeppo, anger running through them.
"Luffy! Yamato! Stop! You two don't wanna make an enemy out of the Marines."
Koby was doing his best to hold both of them back until the two marines assisted Helmeppo up and carried him away.
"You two are walking corpses!"
As Helmeppo was carried away Yamato and Luffy's anger settled as the rubber boy put his straw hat back on his head. Yamato then turned towards her captain.
"Luffy. You've made a decision haven't you?"
"Yeah. I've decided that Zoro is gonna join our crew."
Luffy returned to the courtyard where Zoro was to the dismay of the swordsmen.
"Oh, it's you again. Don't you have anything better to do than bother me? I already told you I'm joining your pirate crew so forget about it."
"Name's Luffy. I'll untie you if you join our crew okay!?"
"Our crew? You mean someone else joined and agreed to follow a hardhead like you?"
"Yeah. Why's that so surprising?"
"Tch. Whatever I've got my own goals and they don't involve becoming a pirate. I'm too good for that."
Luffy looked at him confused.
"Too good? You're a bounty hunter who everyone thinks is some kind of demon."
"I don't care what people think. I live by my own code…I've never done anything I regret, And I don't intend to in the future. Which is why I'll never be a pirate!"
"..."
"Yeah well, I've already decided you're joining our crew."
"You can't just decide that!"
Zoro said in shock that the boy just ignored his words and already made up his mind.
"I heard you can use a sword!"
"Hmph! If I wasn't tied up I'd show you…"
"So where are your swords now?"
"That idiot captain's son took'em from me. Next to my life, those swords are my dearest treasures."
"Hmm… Treasures, huh? Too bad they took'em…"
Luffy started laughing.
"Then if you want your swords back…you'll have to join my crew."
"YOU LITTLE RAT!"
Luffy then took off to get Zoro's swords leaving the swordsmen tied up.
While Luffy was away Zoro noticed a shadow now over him making him look up as shock was present on his face.
"Hey!"
"Holy…"
"So you're gonna be our newest crewmate huh? Well, it's nice to meet ya!"
Yamato smiled down at Zoro.
"Crewmate? Oh, so you're the other crewmate that kid was referring to."
"Yup, I'm Yamato."
"I see."
Zoro then noticed the other boy was trying to untie the ropes that bound him.
"Hey! You're being reckless! If they catch you freeing me, they'll kill you!"
"They IMPRISONED you unfairly! I can't stand seeing the Navy act like this!"
Koby grits his teeth as he tries harder to undo the knots.
"I'm going to become a proper sailor! Just like how Luffy's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
Zoro was shocked to hear Luffy's dream was to be King of the Pirates however Yamato immediately got in front of Koby and blocked a bullet with her arm making the young boy fall back in surprise.
"W-W-What just… They shot at me!"
Zoro looked at Yamato also shocked.
"How'd you block a bullet with your bare arm like that?!"
Yamato looked down at her arm and smiled as neither Koby nor Zoro could see the black shine that covered her arm as the oni turned to Zoro.
"I'm special. You okay Koby?"
Koby got up and dusted himself off.
"Y-Yeah I'm okay. Thanks for the save."
"Anytime. What're friends for?"
She smiled at him as he went back to work.
"Nice save Yamato but now you two gotta get out of here. If they make their way down here they'll kill both of you."
"No. Koby and I aren't leaving till we untie you!"
"Don't worry about me. I've just gotta survive the month then-"
"They're not gonna let you go! In three days they're gonna execute you!"
"What're you saying!? That idiot promised me if I survived the month I'd be set free!"
Koby told Zoro as the swordsmen tried to tell the boy that he'd be let go.
"Koby's telling you the truth. That jerk was never gonna keep his word that's why Luffy and I punched that guy!"
"...! What!?"
"Yamato is telling the truth. She and Luffy punched him after they found out he lied to you! The Navy is your enemy now! Please if I untie you will you help Luffy and Yamato?!"
Zoro was quiet as he thought about Koby's request but his thoughts were halted when several marines and Morgan appeared in the courtyard.
"SURROUND THE FORTRESS! IF THAT RASCAL IN THE STRAWHAT ESCAPES, YOU'LL ALL BE SORRY!"
The marines had them in their sights barrels pointed at them as Morgan walked forward.
"You four aren't just simple outlaws are you?! You're trying to overthrow me! Roronoa Zoro! Peasants and Pirates may tremble at your name… but you're no match for the great one! You may be a Barracuda… but I'm a Great White Shark! TAKE AIM MEN!"
Koby panicked as did Zoro but Yamato stood her ground ready to grab Takeru and defend Koby and Zoro.
'I can't die here yet! I have a promise to fulfill!'
Time slowed down for Zoro as the swordsman began reminiscing about the promise he made. It was to his friend and rival Kuina who like Zoro wanted to be the best she beat him every time with practice swords in the dojo and it made him furious. One night he challenged her to a match with real swords which she ended up winning making him just as upset as the last times she'd beaten him but this time was different. Kuina had told Zoro after she'd won how lucky he was to be born a man. How when girls get older they become weaker than boys even her father said that girls can't be master swordsmen which had her in tears wishing she was born a boy. Zoro yelled at her asking why she was crying when SHE beat HIM and how that wasn't fair since beating her was his dream. Zoro said how one day he'd go on to beat not because she got weaker but because he worked hard. The two kids then made a promise that one day one of them would become the greatest swordsman and they'd fight each other for that title which Kuina agreed to however it wouldn't last long. Kunia would die from an injury falling down the stairs to Zoro's dismay and anger. At her funeral, he shouted how could she just quit and leave like that when they'd made a promise! How could she just run away from their promise like that?! Zoro would later ask their sensei her father for Kuina's sword so he could keep the promise for both of them which he agreed to.
Back in the present Zoro was still telling himself how he couldn't die here as Morgan gave the order.
"FIRE!"
As the bullets left the rifles of the soldiers Luffy came flying in and took the shots to the surprise of Koby and the complete shock of Zoro as the bullets stretched out his body before he bounced them back.
"Told ya bullets won't work on me! HA HA HA!"
"What the hell are you?!"
"I'm the guy who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
Luffy then presented three swords he found to Zoro.
"So which of these swords are yours? I didn't know which one so I grabbed all three."
"All of them are mine I practice SANTORYU three sword style."
Yamato had a look of admiration in her eyes hearing that Zoro fights with three swords.
"If you fight with me here and now in the eyes of the government you'll be a bad guy. Of course, you could obey the law and let the Marines kill you."
Zoro smirked.
"You must be the demon spawn…but I'm not ready to die without a fight! All right! You've got yourself a pirate!"
"Awesome! Hear that Yamato! We got another crewmate!"
"Yes! Awesome Luffy!"
Captain and first mate high-fived at their newest addition to their crew.
"Captain Morgan! What do we do?! Our bullets won't work on this guy!"
"Focus you fools he's probably eaten one of the devil fruits!"
"What?!"
"No way!"
"Those actually exist!"
"It doesn't matter if he's eaten one devil fruit or 10. If guns won't work we chop!"
The marines yelled sabers in hand rushing towards the trio while Koby shouted completely panicked.
"AHH! LUFFY! YAMATO! HURRY!"
Luffy struggled to remove the bonds due to the tight knots they had tied.
"Man, these are tight. Hey Yamato give me a hand."
"Sure."
Both siblings were taking care of the knots.
"C'mon, you two hurry up!"
Yamato then acted quickly using her armament haki combined with her strength she tore the knots away with ease and then tossed Zoro his swords. In an instant, Zoro stopped the sabers of all the Marines.
"Wow! Amazing!"
"He's Cool!"
Yamato and Luffy said as Yamato had stars in her eyes.
"Any of you move you die."
The marines cowered in fear.
"Listen up. I gave you my word and I'm a pirate and since I've fought the Navy I'm an outlaw but I have my ambition to fulfill. I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsman and make my name known to the heavens. I'll shake the world! If I have to abandon that dream I'll make you commit seppuku!"
"The world's greatest swordsman huh? Well, it's fitting since your captain is gonna be the King of the Pirates. Anything else would make me look bad."
Yamato nodded in agreement as she then grabbed Takeru from her back.
"You're right Luffy! I wouldn't have said it better."
Yamato charged up a swing with Takeru and Luffy stretched his leg back.
"Zoro, Duck!"
Luffy launched a Gum-Gum whip and Yamato swung Takeru full force sending the marines all flying away.
"What are you?"
Luffy smiled.
"I'm a guy who ate the Gum-Gum Fruit."
All the Marines under Morgan started saying how they couldn't win since Luffy was a rubber man plus he had his other crewmate and now Zoro the odds were impossible.
"THIS IS A DIRECT ORDER! ALL YOU MEN YOU WHINED JUST NOW SHOOT YOURSELVES IN THE HEAD. I CAN'T STAND WEAK MARINES!"
The marines were shaking and sweating yet they obeyed and put their rifles to their heads shocking the current quartet present.
"Something's wrong with those Marines!"
Zoro said as he readied his swords but Yamato immediately dashed towards Morgan swinging Takeru which collided with his axe hand.
"How can you order you men to do that?! What's wrong with you?!"
"I don't have to answer a rankless statusless nobody like you! I'M CAPTAIN AXE-HAND MORGAN!"
"I'm Luffy's first mate Yamato. Nice meeting you!"
"YAMATO! DESTROY THIS LOUSY NAVY!"
Koby shouted at the top of his little lungs. The "fight" if one could even call it that was beyond one-sided. Yamato outclassed Morgan in every way possible as this guy was leagues below Shanks and Garp. It was a one-sided affair.
"Morgan! You ruined this navy and you're ruining my friend's dream!"
Yamato started punching the captain in the face over and over again mentally dictating each hit to Koby.
"STOP!"
Helmeppo shouted at Yamato which got the attention of Luffy and Zoro but Yamato kept punching Morgan ignoring Helmeppo.
"I SAID STOP YOU GIANT WOMEN!"
Yamato stopped punching Morgan and turned to see the man holding Koby at gunpoint but he was shaking.
"ONE FALSE MOVE AND YOUR FOUR-EYED FRIEND GETS IT! IF YOU EVEN BLINK FUNNY I'LL SHOOT!"
"HEY LUFFY! YAMATO! DON'T LET THEM WIN CAUSE OF ME! DON'T LET ME STAND IN YOUR WAY!"
Yamato smiled as did Luffy.
"You're a good guy Koby."
"Yeah! You're a real stand-up person Koby."
Luffy and Yamato said as Morgan recovered just enough from Yamato's beating and raised his axe hand to strike her down.
"Hear that Idoit Koby's willing to die for his dream!"
Luffy said as he readied a punch.
"You didn't hear me?! Fine, I'll just shoot him then!"
"Yamato! Behind you!"
"You dare assault an officer of the navy girl?! Your punishment is a swift execution!"
"Gomu-Gomu no…"
"Die you horned brat!"
"Daddy! Kill her already!"
"...Pistol!"
Everything happened all at once as Luffy's pistol connected with Helmeppo's face and Zoro cut down Morgan easily as Yamato put away Takeru.
"Thanks, Zoro."
"Anytime, Yamato."
Zoro then collapsed but Yamato caught him and smiled as she helped prop him upright. The group then turned to the Marines who they assumed would step up but in the end, they all celebrated Morgan's defeat.
As Yamato loaded supplies aboard their boat Luffy and Zoro were eating in the restaurant owned by Rika and her mother. Yamato finished loading the last of the supplies aboard their boat and smiled wiping a little sweat from her brow.
"Whew. Thanks for giving us the supplies. How much do I need to give you guys?"
"No need."
"Yeah, there's no need for that."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Of course, you and your friends freed us from Axe-Hand Morgan's tyrant rule. The least we could do is supply you for your journey."
"Thank you all so very much."
With the boat fully stocked Yamato went back to the restaurant just in time with the marines arriving.
"Excuse me… you gentlemen and lady are pirates correct?"
The head marine in charge asked the group with Luffy answering the man.
"That's right. I have another crewmate now which makes me a captain since we're now a crew of three."
"Um… you saved our town and this base…and for that, we're truly grateful to you three. However, we're still Naval Marines…and we can't shelter pirates. I'm sorry but I have to ask you to leave. But to show our gratitude, we won't report you to the Navy."
The response from the townspeople wasn't pleasant as they were upset with the navy for kicking out the people who saved them when they hated Morgan too but Luffy didn't argue with the man.
"I guess we'll be going then… Ma'am thanks for the meal…"
"Aren't you going with them?"
The head marine asked Koby.
"I'm…I'm… I'M NOT ONE OF THEM!"
Koby then remembered Luffy's words about how even though they'd be going their separate ways they'd always be friends.
"Is this true Pirates?"
"Let me explain. I know all about his past."
"Yup. We can tell you everything you need to know."
Luffy said with Yamato following it up. Koby started shaking as he feared that his friends would tell the Marines about his pirate background then he'd never be able to enlist. Luffy kept talking as he was about to say how Koby was Alvida's cabin boy Koby punched him hard in the face.
"SHUT UP!"
After Koby's punch, Luffy responded by hitting Koby back hard Zoro and Yamato just smiled knowing full well what was going on.
"ENOUGH! STOP DISTURBING THE PEACE!"
Yamato grabbed Luffy's shoulders.
"That's enough Luffy. Come on. Let's go."
"IT'S CLEAR THAT YOU'RE NOT FRIENDS! PLEASE, LEAVE TOWN! NOW!"
As the trio made their way to port Zoro spoke up.
"That was some pretty bad acting you know. If they saw through it I wouldn't be surprised."
Yamato smiled with her hands behind her head.
"I don't know Zoro I think it was a pretty good job."
"Then you're probably easily fooled."
"What? No, I'm not."
"It's all up to Koby now. I know he'll get in somehow."
The trio boarded the boat before they heard shouting.
"LUFFY! YAMATO!"
Both of them turned around seeing Koby standing before them out of breath from running.
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CAP'N LUFFY! FIRST MATE YAMATO! I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU TWO DID FOR ME!"
"This is new. A marine saluting pirates. Never thought I'd see the day."
Yamato waved goodbye as did Luffy.
"Take care of yourself, Koby! I look forward to seeing you again!"
"We'll meet again, Koby!"
As the two said their goodbyes the Marines appeared behind Koby in a line.
"ALL HANDS! SALUTE!"
With the navy base in the distance Yamato couldn't help but laugh as she set her eyes on the sea ahead with their newest crewmate Luffy smiled big his arms high in the sky.
"WE'RE ON OUR WAY! TO THE GRAND LINE!"
A/N: Hey everyone I'm back with the start of the East Blue Saga and I wanna say I'm sorry I'm a day late. I meant for this to go up yesterday but my allergies got so bad I was having trouble breathing through my nose so I had to call it quits. Also for the East Blue Saga I want everyone's opinion on this so a poll will be going up tomorrow if you want your voice to be heard, I recommend you guys vote. Would you rather I smush the arcs of East Blue together for faster pacing but shorter chapters or would you rather I do each arc of the East Blue separately which would mean longer chapters. This first chapter was me experimenting with combining Alvida and Axe-Hand Morgan so I apologize in advance if it came out rough. But let me know what you guys think would work best. Until next time everyone! See ya ;)