Luffy yawned quietly as he woke up, rubbing his eyes to get rid of the remaining sleep. He frowned feeling the cramped space around, his mind going into overdrive. Was he caught? Were they taking him back there?! He relaxed as soon as he felt Amayori in his hands. If they had found him and were going to take him, they wouldn't leave him with a Supreme Grade Sword with had a habit of cutting things more than needed.
He let out a breath before sending out a wave of Observation Haki to deduce where he was. There was one small, wimpy presence in less than ten feet of him, the others being some distance away and above him. Well, I am on a ship. That's good to know. He slowly pushed up the lid, cheching around for the presence he had just felt. He spotted jugs, containers and barrels of different sizes placed neatly in the room. Its a kitchen, then.
Luffy's eyes landed on a pink-haired boy, who had his back faced to him and was making food for the crew. Luffy quietly opened the lid, and stepped out of the barrel. If the kid spotted him, he would raise the alarm, and he didn't want a fight to break out when he was hungry. He would first get answers on where he was from the boy, then eat his meal, steal a boat and make way to the nearest island.
"What had I thought it would be a great idea to go fishing that day? If I would have stayed home and relaxed. How was I supposed to know it was pirate ship?!", the boy mumbled, misery evident in his tone. "It's been two years and I still haven't got the guts to run away. Whenever I think of confronting Alvida-sama, my legs turn all mushy. I wish I had more guts..."
"Ne, do you have dream?", Luffy asked suddenly from behind Coby. He had been hearing the boy rant about his bad fortune.
Coby yelped in shock and jumped, not expecting someone to be behind him. If it was one of Alvida's goons, he was surely dead. Coby fearfully turned around, having got his breathing in check after getting the shock of someone standing behind him. Coby carefully took in the boy's appearance. Average height, black hair, red vest, blue shorts, scar under the left eye, a black bandana around his neck, a purple-white nio-dasuki around his waist in the orm a belt, a white sword held by the said nio-dasuki, and a straw hat on his head. Coby mentally crossed off the list of who this man could be. He slowly and painfully came to the horrifying realization that this boy was not a part of Alvida's crew.
"Who're you?!", Coby's asked in shock, pointing a finger at the boy.
"Monkey D. Luffy", Luffy proclaimed, a sunny grin on his face.
Coby nodded at the name before answering the previous question. "I'm Coby and I want to become a marine", he answered determinedly gazing into the boy's eyes. He soon regretted that decision as the said boy narrowed his eyes, and for some reason Coby felt his life flashing in front of his eyes.
"Tch!", Luffy muttered looking away from Coby and searching for something he could eat. Mostly meat.
Coby took in a deep breath, the pressure created over his chest easing as the boy looked away. "I know you think that I can't-"
"I don't doubt you. It's just that I.. hate marines in general except for a few", Luffy replied as he opened a few barrels and containers to check for food. "Do you have something to eat in this ship?"
Coby didn't know why, but he had felt very intimidated by a boy who didn't look older than fifteen. He meekly nodded, and brought out a barrel which had a few seasoned fish he had made for the crew. Coby silently watched as Luffy removed three fish from the barrel, placed them in Coby's hands before eating the rest of it in less than ten minutes, the same time he need to finish the three fishes. Coby wondered if it was it normal for skinny people to have such voracious appetites?
"Luffy-san, where did you board this ship?", Coby asked quietly, knowing that Alvida would make him her new chore boy on the ship.
"Oh, the barrel", the teen replied jerking a thumb to the barrel behind him.
Coby followed the direction of the thumb and blanched realizing that it was the same barrel which he had hauled over from the last ship they had raided.
"Luffy-san! You need to get of this ship now! If Alvida-sama find you, you may end up becoming a chore boy on this pirate ship!", Coby said in worry trying to haul up the kid and quietly get him off the ship.
"Ah~! Coby you don't need to worry about me! I am the man who is going to become the King of Pirates!", Luffy proclaimed puffing his chest out.
Coby's mind and body came to a screeching halt. Another pirate? What was going on in his life?! "B-but the Pirate King is someone who has everything in this world! Wealth, fame, and power, all united within one person! The owner of the world's greatest treasure, One Piece! It's impossible, Luffy-san! Impossible! Impossible!", Coby ranted shaking the straw-hatted teen's shoulder back and forth.
"And add freedom to that list, Coby. It doesn't matter whether a dream is possible or not, all that matters in the conviction and drive behind it. I don't care if I die doing it, because becoming the Pirate King is my dream!", Luffy said as he pressed his straw hat neatly on his head.
Coby looked at the teen in wonder. He had to admit, even if the teen was talking about becoming a pirate, the strength behind the words was real. Could he also chase his currently impossible dream of becoming a marine?
"Can I... Can I do that too?"
Luffy raised his brow at the words. "Hmm? Well, if you want to become the Pirate King, you-"
"No! Not that! Can I become a marine? Joining the Mairnes and catching the bad guys is my dream ever since I was small. Can I can leave this ship? I will run away from this ship, become a marine and catch Alvida-sa-no, Alvida!"
Luffy grinned as he patted Coby on his back in appreciation. "Well, then let's go catch her!"
"N-No! I c-can't do that! Sh-She w-will-!", Coby was cut off when Luffy dragged him out of the kitchen by his arm.
"That's a short lived conviction, if it was one", Luffy responded. "And I have your back, Coby!"
"You've my arm and not my back! Think about it again, Luffy-san! Alvida-sama is strong!", Coby pleaded even though he had an idea that it fell on deaf ears. He tried to drag the boy in the opposite direction, but was surprised that even after applying all his strength, Luffy showed no signs of slowing. A pit formed in Coby's stomach as Luffy kicked open the door of the deck, all while he had grin on his face.
"HEH?! WHO ARE YOU?!", the entire deck questioned in shock, completely forgetting the small cowering form of Coby behind him.
"Coby and I are here to catch Alvida!", Luffy proclaimed, sending another round of shock through the crew. Coby started the prayers to say his life goodbye. Luffy was going to end getting both of them killed.
"What did you say, brat?!", a bulky woman stepped forward, her face twisted in a snarl. Luffy rose a brow, before turning to Coby.
"Hey, who is this ugly whale?"
'Do you have a death wish?!', the entire crew thought in horror. Even though the boy was their enemy, they felt sorry for him.
"L-Luffy-san! You need to run! You can't win against Alvida-sama!", Coby shrieked as he tried to drag Luffy back in and away from Alvida.
"COBY! Who is the most beautiful woman of all seas?!", the woman asked terrifyingly to the small pink-head.
"Why o-of-course, i-it's...", Coby trailed off seeing the look in Luffy's eyes. The conviction to follow a dream even if it leads to death. Clenching his fists, Coby closed his eyes and shouted at the top of his lungs. "YOU'RE THE UGLIEST HAG OF ALL SEAS!"
'Eh~ Not bad, Coby. Not bad. Well then, you're a good person in my book even if you want to become a marine' "Well, from what I have heard, the Shichibukai Boa Hancock of the Kuja Pirates is regarded as the most beautiful", Luffy hummed as he scratched his chin in thought. Coby blanched at the words, while Alvida narrowed her eyes, a few veins popping in her temple. Why did Luffy had to put kerosine on an already raging inferno?! And the teen had the guts to laugh over that!
Coby stepped back in fear as Alvida drew her club back and swung it at the pair. The world stopped around him as the club drew closer and closer to close the doors of his and Luffy's lives, only... for the club to break into small pieces when a black fist met it at half-an-arm's length away from them.
The entire crew looked at Luffy as if he had grown a second head. What was up with the kid?! "Wha..? How...?", Alvida muttered, the remains of the club falling from her hands. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO, BRAT?!"
Luffy didn't bother to reply as he cocked back his right hand and punch the woman in her stomach hard enough, for her to go flying back and break the mast. Coby's eyes bugged out at the strength Luffy had displayed. He watched as Luffy looked at the crew with a sunny smile while, his left hand fell on his sword's hilt. "I want a boat for Coby and I, food and water for a few days, and all your treasure. Do you have any problem with my demands?", Luffy asked jovially.
An unconscious first-mate later, Luffy was given all of his demands.
Luffy observed the squirming pirate in front of him. "Is this all you have?", Luffy asked gesture to the small bag of treasure which he had been presented with.
"Yes, sir. We were robbed this morning", the pirate replied nervously.
Luffy chuckled looking at the conscious crew. "Man, you guys are really shitty pirates, aren't ya?", he muttered, ignoring the glares, as he turned around and climbed down to the boat in which Coby was already present. "Coby, which is the nearest town?", he asked pushing the dinghy away from the ship.
"Shells Town is a day away from here", Coby replied as Luffy nodded. "There's a marine base there. I hope I can join them", Coby muttered but didn't miss the flash of darkness in Luffy's eyes. 'Wow, he must have some really bad experience with the marine if he hates them so much'. "I heard that the Pirate Hunter is being held there. They say he wanders the seas and slaughter anyone who stands in his way. They call him the Demon of the East Blue. I wonder what he did to end up being arrested".
Luffy hummed at the information. "Well, set sail for Shells Town! My first crew member is waiting", Luffy proclaimed turning to the ship which was at some good distance from them. He watched in shock and horror as Luffy unsheathed swung his blade vertically in a swift motion, cutting Alvida's ship in two. "That was for taking care of Coby".
Coby realized that it was bad for his own heart to stay in Luffy's presence.
Coby tried to make himself as small as possible, while the exuberant teen beside him garnered the attention of all the people on the main town road. He still understand why Luffy wanted a man like the Pirate Hunter on his crew!
"Luffy-san, please think about it again!", Coby pleaded as they exited the town and started up the hill where the Marine base was located. "The man is a monster, if the marines have arrested him. The marines uphold justice", he ranted on. Beside him, Luffy touched the left side of his neck, dark, unpleasant and painful memories churning up in his mind. He tried to shove away the memories, and tried to focus on recruiting Zoro. But the pink-head beside him, didn't allow him with the rant.
"Coby", Luffy snarled, his voice cold and menacing, and picked up his fellow teen by the collar of his shirt. Coby found that he couldn't tear his eyes away from the meancing stare Luffy had pinned him with. "You're too naïve to think that Marines won't hurt the innocent. They just show that they uphold the justice. 21 years ago, the Marines killed hundreds of infant, unborn children and women on the island of Bartilla just because they had received a tip that the former Pirate King, who was in the custody at the time, was expecting a child. The Marines", Luffy spat the word vehemently, knowing what could have happened to his brother, "were ready to kill an innocent child who hadn't even seen the light of this world, just because he had the blood of Gol D. Roger. Nineteen years ago, the Marines called a Buster Call on the island of Ohara and killed all the harmless scholars because they were able to decipher an ancient language. Where was the justice when they murdered all those innocents children, women and researchers? And I have seen much more darker side of the Marines than you can even imagine. The Marines aren't always good and justice. They are worse than the pirates I have known for since ten years. And if you hadn't heard in the town, Zoro was arrested because he protected a girl from the Marine Captain's son", he snarked coldly before dropping Coby down, and walking up the mountain.
Coby didn't know what to think of the information as he landed on his behind, his legs not having the strength after the gaze with which Luffy had pinned him with. Had Marines really done this? Were the Marines not the upholders of justice as I thought? Coby decided not to preach the Marines before Luffy, as he finally found strength in his legs and followed Luffy up the mountain to the Marine base.
He quietly climbed the wall and sat beside Luffy as he watched the exchange between the girl and Zoro, who was tied to a cross. He was too far to hear any words, but it seemed like the girl was giving Zoro some lunch. Coby snapped his head towards the right when he heard the gates screeching open.
"I thought I heard some voices in the yard", a haughty voice sounded from the man in the middle who was being flanked by two marines. He watched as the man walked forward, before backhanding the lunch which the girl had brought and spilling it on the ground. "I thought the deal was that the Pirate Hunter would not have food for an entire month. Then who is this brat, Pirate Hunter?", the man sneered before levelling a gun at the terrified girl head.
"Leave her out of this! She is just small girl!", Zoro screamed in protest and struggled against the ropes holding him.
"But she dared to go against me, the Great Helmeppo-sama! She will pay for her crimes", the man, now recognized as Helmeppo proclaimed haughtily. Coby groaned at the words and the marines beside him who did nothing. Why was it necessary for this idiot to weaken his already shaken faith in the Marines? (And Coby blamed all of that on Luffy). "And I have decided to execute you publicly for going against the Great Helmeppo-sama". Coby facepalmed at Helmeppo's words. No. No. He wouldn't have visited Shells Town, if he knew that this idiot was present to make him really, really think about his decision to join the marines.
He suddenly realized that Luffy was not beside him any more and had walked to were this drama was going on. He watched as Luffy carefully picked the kid up and pushed her gently in the direction where he himself was. "What are you doing? Even you dare to go against me, the Great Helmeppo-sama?", he heard the blonde screech. Coby paid him no mind, the same way Luffy didn't.
"Ne, Zoro, was it? Do have a dream?", Luffy asked, as he turned a deaf ear to Helmeppo's rant.
Zoro raised a brow at the boy's words and his actions. What did he want knowing what Zoro's dream was? "Who're you?", he asked narrowing his eyes.
"Monkey D. Luffy, the man who'll become the King of Pirates", Luffy answered with a 'D' shaped sunny grin. Coby and Zoro questioned about the teen's sanity if he proclaimed such a thing inside a Marine base. Immediately, two barrels were leveled at Luffy's head.
"You have some guts to say such a thing in front of the marines", one of the marines responded narrowing his eyes.
"I want to become the strongest swordsman in the world!", Zoro exclaimed as he tried to free himself from the ropes.
Luffy hummed with a grin. "Join my crew! Let's go to Grand Line so you can fight against 'Hawk-Eye' Dracule Mihawk!", he said pumping his fists in the air. "The strongest swordsman as the Pirate King's first mate! Sounds great, doesn't it?!"
"Why are you assuming that we won't arrest you now?", the second marine asked with a scowl. Luffy turned to the marines and Helmeppo with a deadpan.
Before Helmeppo or the marine could register, they found themselves flying back into a wall. "Because you suck", Luffy remarked before turning to Zoro his grin back in place. "They said you are a swordsman. Do you have any idea where are your swords?"
Zoro rose a brow. "Why are assuming that I want to join your crew? Why are doing this for me?", Zoro asked narrowing his eyes. Luffy shrugged as his grin fell.
"I... It doesn't matter. I couldn't watch them harm that girl or you. I have seen enough of the Marines to know what they really are", Luffy replied in a small voice. Zoro rose a brow at the words. The hurt and the pain in those eyes was evident. And it shouldn't have been present in a boy who looked no more than fifteen years. And the boy knew and agreed to let him fight against Mihawk, his goal.
"How long are you going to let me be tied here, Captain?", Zoro asked with a smirk. He watched as the grin return to the teen's face full force. "After the commotion you caused, the rest of the force is going to come here soon. I don't want you to through all the trouble".
"Wait for a few minutes, while I get your swords and free you", Luffy responded giddily and turned to where Coby was. "COBY! Take the girl back to her house! I will return in some time! And make sure get a restaurant booked after kicking everyone else out!". Coby nodded and quickly took the girl away knowing that the yard was going to turn into a battlefield in a few short minutes.
Zoro shook his head seeing the teen dart off in the Marine base to search for his swords. Search for his swords. How was he going to find his swords in a base full of marines?! Before he could call out to his new Captain, the boy had already disappeared.
On the other hand, Luffy quietly ventured deep into the base, following the huge sword aura which his Observation Haki was picking up. It brushed in his senses the same way as Amayori did, just weaker. He snorted at the security the base had. He had reached so much inside the base after knocking two marines out, and still there wasn't any alarm raised. He eyed the three swords before him when he reached the destination. Which one was Zoro's?
Well, it doesn't matter, Luffy thought taking all the three swords with him. Maybe Coby may use them some day. Quickly making his way out of the base, he narrowed his eyes at the commotion his Haki was picking up in the yard where his first-mate was tied up. His worry grew when he felt a relatively powerful presence in the yard. He quietly walked back to the yard, before perching on the wall and checking the situation.
His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "Answer me Roronoa! Where is the person who did this?", the burly axe-handed man asked Zoro as he pointed to the form of the unconscious marines and Helmeppo.
"I don't know", Zoro replied simply with a smirk. Pride swelled up in Luffy's chest hearing the words. Zoro was far more loyal than he gave him credit. His pride was quickly replaced by anger when the burly man punched Zoro in the face.
"I know when someone lies. Well, it doesn't matter. I will punch you until you speak who did this to my son. And then both you and the preparator will fear the Axe-Hand Morgan!", Morgan proclaimed cocking his fist back to punch Zoro once again.
Zoro closed his eyes waiting for the blow to come. He may be helpless, but he won't sell out his Captain. Even though he had met the teen not just a few minutes ago, he was leaned to believe that the boy would become the King of Pirates, with him by his side as the strongest swordsman. He could withstand this much while his Captain got his swords.
Zoro snapped his eyes open when he somethings rest against his legs, his swords, his mind supplied while a sharp clang rang in the direction where Morgan was. He watched as his Captain stopped the punch with the flat side of his sword. Since when had his Captain possessed a sword? Had he missed it during their meeting?
Dread washed over his body as his Captain opened his mouth to speak. "I don't care if you spill my food or my drinks. But I won't forgive you if you hurt my nakama!", he said coldly before pushing away Morgan's fist causing the said man lose his balance.
Coby on the other hand, had arrived back just in time to see Morgan punch Zoro and Luffy to come to his rescue. He begrudgingly came to realize that what Luffy said about the Marines was true. He couldn't do much to help Luffy right now, but what he could do and was confident about was silently freeing Zoro. And he just did that that before the yard turned into a battlefield.
Coby let out a gasp as all the marine leveled their rifles at Luffy. Coby knew that Luffy couldn't do what he did with those two marines and Helmeppo again. There were just too many of them now. Coby eyes widened as the marines fired together, all the bullets heading towards Luffy. Yet, he was shocked again when Luffy's body stretched like a rubber sheet, catching all the bullet before sending them back at the firing marine. 'Was that humanely possible?!' Coby wondered as he eyed the enigma fighting the marines to protect his first mate.
He shushed when Zoro noticed that Coby was undoing the ropes which kept him tied. He would prefer if the Marines didn't some after him. The two turned towards Morgan when he charged towards Luffy with his axe raised above his head. Coby didn't know what to say to Luffy. He knew that the teen literally cut ships in two, but what would he do now.
Zoro watched in interest as his Captain charged towards Morgan in response, before swinging his blade swiftly and cutting the metal at the base of the axe prosthetic. So, the blade wasn't any joke, and it was the most beautiful blade he had ever seen. he smirked as Morgan staggered forward losing his balance at the sudden loss of unexpected weight at the end of his arm, falling forward towards Luffy, who had his sword raised above his head, his eyes still cold. Is he going to kill him now? That's taking it too far, Zoro thought as Luffy swung his sword down.
His concerns were calmed when Luffy slammed the pommel in Morgan's head just as the pink-haired kid finished freeing him. Finally, Zoro thought, I can get some action even though the big fish has been taken out. He was about to go bonkers on the remaining marine when Luffy suddenly spoke.
"I don't want to cause any more unnecessary trouble. Take him and his son and go. If you want to really fight, the two of us will gladly take all of you on", Luffy remarked coldly. Zoro rose a brow. How in the world this he know that he had been freed without looking at him. He watched with a smirk as the marines exchanged uneasy glances, before backing down.
"Captain! Don't take all the fun away! I finally thought I would get to fight for you!", Zoro exclaimed as he eyed the marine.
"Well, I know we can take them on, but there are only two of us. We will garner unnecessary attention if we completely destroy as entire Marine base", Luffy responded as he sheathed his sword and walked over to him. His Captain looked over his shoulder at the pink haired teen. "Coby! Did you book a restaurant as I had told you to?"
Zoro had to admit, his Captain knew what he needed. Lots of booze and no annoying people! He watched as his Captain ate much more than what he had expected a person of his size to eat. Well, it didn't matter knowing that his Captain was strong. He quickly reached for his sword when a marine walked in through the restaurant door.
"Is it true that you pirates?", the marine asked causing Luffy to nod.
"Yes", Luffy answered.
"Even if you have saved the town from Morgan, we can't in our conscience allow you to stay on this island any longer!", the marine responded.
"Hey! You can't say that! They just saved-", the owner replied, the same woman whose daughter first Zoro and later Luffy had saved from Helmeppo.
"It's fine! They are just carrying out their duty", Luffy replied with a smile. "He is an amazing marine". The meaning of the words was only known by Coby.
"Is that pink-haired kid with you?", the marine asked when only Luffy and Zoro got up and started walking.
"No. His dream-", Luffy was cut off by Coby.
"Yes. I am a part of Luffy-sencho's crew and a pirate", Coby proclaimed as he walked and stood beside Luffy.
Luffy looked at Coby if he had grown a second head. What happened to the Marine is justice preacher?! The teen opened and closed his mouth a few mouths, trying to form a sentence. "Coby?! I don't have any problem with you joining me, but... When did you think of becoming a pirate?", Luffy asked as he was ushered out by the said boy.
"You were right, Luffy-san. Marines aren't white and justice. I don't want to be helpless if Bartilla or Ohara or Shells Town ever happens again. I want to be there to help them. It doesn't matter if I do it as a pirate!", Coby proclaimed determinedly.
Luffy grinned as he placed his straw-hat hat on top of Coby's head. "I know that you won't sit aside if someone needs help, Coby. That's who you are", Luffy said as Coby's eyes watered. "But you need stop being a wimp!"
"SENCHO! Don't complement and insult in the same line! It hurts!"