Chapter Text
Update 5/25/26: This fic is now on hiatus.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: this fic is finished up to chapter 34 (1300 pages done) but will then be on hiatus until One Piece finishes and then I can follow along loosely.
Heyyy, been almost three years since I wrote a NEW One Piece story! I started this two years ago, but am too excited over it to wait however long it takes for the series to finish. The chapters are all long, between 30-50 pages each, so I'll hopefully be updating every two weeks or so. My most popular fic is also a long one that follows the OP plot, but unlike that one, I feel this one is better written LOL. I hope you enjoy it! I have had so much fun writing it.
(For my fellow Nika-stans, he arrives in chapter 11, so not too far away)
"Ace… do you think I could ever be a pirate?” Luffy asked quietly. “I want to be…” He wasn't usually depressed, but he’d just eaten, and always got quiet and reserved after doing so. Every two months, he did it because he had to. He didn't want to, wished he didn't need to, but he had to. Otherwise, he was dangerous and sick. Best to keep it under control. He’d been this way his entire life. There was nothing to do about it. “Grandpa sends me food. I would lose it if I left the island.”
Ace sat next to him, knees up and forearms resting on them as he looked out at the ocean, and then at his little brother, who he loved despite his… oddities. “Hmm. I think if you really want to, you should. Might have issues finding a crew if they found out. But you could just hide it. Claim your shit is part of your devil fruit. Some devil fruits are weird as hell,” he said casually.
“I’d have to kill people. I don't want to kill people,” Luffy pouted, adjusting his hat to cover his eyes a bit.
“Pirates kill people all the time. I’ve killed multiple people.”
“You don't eat them afterwards,” Luffy pointed out, still pouting childishly despite the serious topic.
“That’s true. But you only need to do it every two or so months. You could hide it. Kill marines or other pirates on islands,” Ace reasoned, smiling at his clearly non-human brother. He put an arm around his shoulders. “Besides, you’re really likable. Hopefully your personality would win over friends over your diet.”
“I wouldn't want to lie to them.”
“Considering how… bad it would seem to everyone else, I think you need to keep hiding it. Only I ever knew. And Gramps,” Ace said, in his kind voice that he reserved for Luffy and Makino alone. While he was friendly with the bandits, it wasn't the same as how he acted with his brother. With Sabo dead, they only really had one another. And Ace would be leaving in just a few months. Luffy would be incredibly lonely.
“I don't want to stay here forever. I want to be a pirate. Shanks said it first. I promised him I’d be King of the Pirates. Do you think he would have not given me my hat if he knew?”
“Shanks has killed plenty of people, dumped their bodies in the ocean. At least with you, their bodies get some use,” Ace reasoned, as if it were an easy topic, no big deal. Luffy wished he could feel the same about himself. While the other traits were useful, and he liked his tails because he could climb things better, eating people, no matter how sparsely he needed to, weighed heavily on him.
Grandpa sent him meat to keep him normal. It was mailed in ice chests. Luffy didn't get sick from the meat going bad. And he’d never eaten a person before. Garp supplied him with enough food to last the period of time he could live off of it.
“What if my crew hates me?”
“Then they can't be your crew. Find people who love and respect you. I would say to tell nobody.”
“They’d think I was weird. I can't even eat normal food.”
“Yeah, you’ll need to come up with some good lies to cover some shit. Don't worry, Luffy. I’m sure everything could work out if you’re careful. I’ll help you come up with good lies.” Luffy smiled, going to miss Ace very much. He wanted to go with him, but also wanted to be captain of his own crew, and Ace had made it very clear he didn't want Luffy as captain. Luffy wasn't hurt by it, he could understand, even if traveling the seas with Ace sounded wonderful.
Ace ruffled the fourteen year old’s hair. “You're not a monster. I promise.”
Luffy hoped more people felt that way, if they found out. But Ace was right. He couldn't let anyone know. It was a big deal. While he was mostly indestructible, it was still important to keep it to himself. Garp had kept it to himself, too, and Luffy never asked where he got the human meat from. He knew that his grandpa cared about him (or keeping him from going nuts), but when he was there, “training” them, he just wanted him to go away. Not that he came to the island anymore…
He could be grateful for his help but still not like his stance on Luffy’s freedom, even if he’d never said Luffy couldn't leave because he was a monster. Garp was abusive to them, but he had never touched that point, even if it was a good point. Even if it was true, he’d never said it. Maybe because he knew it would hurt Luffy so very badly. Not many things could phase him, he had a bright outlook on most things, but this was a deeply personal problem.
Yeah, he’d just keep it to himself. He’d hide it, no matter what. And he would not let it restrain him, keep him tethered to Dawn Island. He had dreams, regardless of his restrictions. “That’s a reassuring look on your face, Lu,” Ace said with a grin. “I know you’ll be okay.”
Luffy hoped he was right. That his dream was not so farfetched, to be ruined by what he was, which Garp had no idea what was wrong with him. He’d been a normal enough baby, but then one day just… changed. With no explanation of it whatsoever. He had no idea what had happened to him, but didn't remember any different.
This was all he’d ever known. Luffy was glad of that. Surely knowing what it felt like to be normal, only to become so different, would have made everything worse for him. He’d never been able to eat normal food, animal meat, fruits or vegetables without growing incredibly ill. Not to mention that it tasted horrific. He’d never actually held anything down, vomiting every time he tried. Well, once, he’d managed to stick food down a metal tube into his throat, bypassing his sense of taste.
He’d been sick for days, Ace the only one to know what had happened, the bandits frantic that they didn't know what happened. Ace had helped him throw everything up eventually, once the illness didn't pass and only got worse. It was a good lesson for him. At least knowing he just couldn't eat normal people food. It wasn't that he just didn't like it, and didn't attempt to just be normal. He physically could not without growing incredibly sick, deathly sick. Fever, chills, stomach issues, growing delirious and basically went mad, hallucinating monsters, lashing out at Ace.
His brother had a scar on his arm from Luffy’s hard tail slashing it open when he imagined him as a monster, someone coming to kill him. His kind touches, gentle treatment, feeling like attacks, like a threat, the touch painful. Ace had felt guilty about it afterwards, when he shouldn't have.
“Let’s get home.” Luffy nodded, and they made their way back to the hut for another meal Luffy couldn't partake in. He wondered what lie he and Ace would come up with. It was just lucky Luffy did have a devil fruit, maybe he could blame everything on it. Easiest solution in his mind. Ace probably had better ideas, he was a lot smarter than Luffy was. He was so cool!
-x- Three Years Later -x-
Luffy didn't leave on his birthday like Ace had. He left right after Grandpa had sent him some food. It was always a huge amount, like a full person’s body worth. Enough to last him a few months, thankfully. If he needed it more regularly, it would be even harder to live anywhere, not just out on the open sea.
He had done what Ace suggested, and dried some of the meat in the sun, crushing it up once it was hard jerky and put it in a tiny bag to put in water for some nutrients. He could have never thought of it without Ace. He missed him, but planned on seeing him again as soon as possible. He had his own crew currently. And being on the Grand Line, he couldn't send Luffy many letters.
Luffy stocked up on water in the little rowboat, and apples to look like he ate something. Makino knew he didn't eat, and had never asked. When he said when he was five one day, that he couldn't eat food without getting sick, she’d never pressed again, seeing he really was fine without food. The bandits had been less understanding and tried to force feed him until he finally gave up, let them shove some food down his throat, and let himself vomit all over the place. After that, they didn't press him to eat again, thankfully.
“Bye, everyone!” he shouted with a grin, making sure his hat was placed safely on his head, a string sewed into it by Makino to keep it on his head or hanging around his neck. He couldn't swim after it if it got into the water too far away for his tails to reach. He waved in a manic way, excited but scared at the same time.
“Good luck, Luffy!”
“We’ll keep an eye on the newspapers!” He easily heard the mayor muttering that Garp was going to kill them. But there was nothing they could do to stop him. Luffy was getting off this island no matter what. Even if he died out on the sea, he wouldn't regret it. He’d live with self hatred and regret if he stayed there forever.
He would find a crew as soon as possible, keep his diet a secret, and openly use his abilities. They would be very useful. There was no way he was going to pretend to be weak. He wasn't going to limit himself just to appear normal. He would say it was his devil fruit. A weird one, yes, but he could back up his claim by his inability to swim. Though there was no other real explanation to what really was up with him.
Garp would have told him if he knew of other people out there like him. Surely, he would have. Luffy knew that. But he hadn't. He hadn't known anyone, despite how long he’d been out there, traveling as a marine and working his way up to Vice Admiral for decades. If there were others like him that weren't in hiding, he would have known about it.
Luffy didn't really expect to find people like him out there, and actively didn't want to. Because they could out him with ease, ruining his image to anyone who decided to join him. He would be lying constantly about it, but was practiced with it. Telling people it was his devil fruit ever since he luckily ate it ten years ago. Any other lie, he was terrible at, but not this one. Not one that kept him safe.
Leaving Dawn Island wasn't painful at all. He would visit again someday, probably far in the future, like Shanks had. He was a renowned pirate but had taken breaks to go to the East Blue multiple times. Luffy would do the same, once he was established out there, made a name for himself. So, he had a long time until he saw Goa again, the bandits, the townspeople and Makino, the only people he cared about.
Luffy was surprised when the Lord of the Coast appeared to challenge his leave. Most small ships didn't make it out, but they weren't Luffy. Ace had managed to get past him, too, despite being a normal person, no devil fruit or powers of his own.
“I knew I’d see you. But I’m not weak like I was back then!” The sea king dove to attack him, but Luffy instantly let out one of his tails, impaling it in the neck with it. His tails were hard, even if they seemed to come out of nowhere from his body. Hard, thick, long and stretchable. The sea king slowly sunk back down. It was not dead, but was scared of Luffy, of course. Animals were not scared of him, luckily, they didn't sense him as a danger. But now this one knew not to mess with him. Luffy could smell the blood mixing with the salty water. The strong scent was far more prevalent than anywhere on the island, even right next to the water.
Usually other scents mixed and dulled the sour smell. Now, it was all he could smell. But he would get used to it soon enough. Most smells in the world were not good ones. Smelling Gray Terminal for the first time had been so bad he threw up all the water in his system at the time, given his stomach was empty of solid food nearly 100% of the time.
He sailed for a couple days, drinking the water as responsibly as he could, and tossing the apples into the ocean to try and bait fish or sea creatures to inspect them. He saw some fish below, but that was it, and he was incredibly bored. He hummed to himself to pass the time, but he was bored and lonely and wished he could find a crew quickly.
He heard before he saw it, but by then it was too late. A whirlpool was sucking the boat in, and he stood there for a long moment, contemplating what he was to do. “I’m all alone out here, and I can't swim.” The barrel of apples was nearly empty by that point, but he still dumped the rest out, and climbed inside, pulling the lid shut over him, holding it to keep it sealed. It wasn't latched on, given the hatch was on the outside, so he just held onto it for as long as he was able, before the barrel evened out, the whirlpool gone.
He bobbed right side up for awhile, the motion calming. He couldn't help but fall asleep, confident he’d wake up if something came his way. Sea kings weren't common outside of the Grand Line. He should be safe from them. Not that he could really do anything if one decided to eat the barrel. There was no way to fight while drowning from the devil fruit curse.
So, he fell asleep, and woke when the barrel slammed into the shore. He could hear and smell people around, and waited in the barrel, wondering what would happen next, unafraid completely. He was excited to meet other people, really. Stuck with the same for the past 17 years. Meeting new people should be fun, even if they were bad people!
The barrel was taken inside somewhere, and Luffy waited until the people inside planned on breaking the barrel open, expecting wine. Luffy didn't think it felt like wine, carrying it, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe they were used to heavy wine bottle that rattled around when moved. When he was at the Party Bar with Makino, wine barrels sloshed.
They made to open the top, but Luffy burst out, unintentionally punching both of the men, laughing about the whole thing before jumping out of it, the empty barrel falling down, definitely holding not a trace of wine. The apples were all gone, it was just Luffy’s refuge from the whirlpool.
“I thought I was totally going to die! Looks like I’m saved! Hey, thanks, short guy!” Luffy shouted, looking at the small, pink haired boy, who was staring at Luffy in shock. The other men, pirates from what Luffy had heard, demanded to know who he was about the same time Luffy asked.
“Who comes out of a wine barrel?!” one man demanded.
“It used to hold apples, not wine,” Luffy said bluntly. “You're stupid if you think I was a bunch of wine.”
“What did you say?!”
“You're stupid. Are your ears plugged?” Luffy asked, patting his hat back down on his head, a tick he sometimes did for no real reason, even when he knew it was still safely sitting on his head. He sniffed, smelling the sea, gun powder, wood and sweat. Lots of people outside. Pirates. He wanted to see them, but didn't think they would be like Shanks. Maybe more like Bluejam, the evil, stupid wannabe pirate. Luffy was glad he was dead.
He looked over at the door right before the wall was burst through inwards, sending wood chips spraying at the four pirates and Luffy. Well, he was a pirate now, too! Finally! Luffy was thrown pretty far from the explosion of the building when the captain entered, a woman. He’d never met a woman pirate, but that wasn't surprising. Luffy hadn't been around many outsiders on Dawn Island. At least, people who didn't live there full time.
The captain shouted profanities at her crew, and Luffy sat up, putting his hat back on and standing, looking around. He was pretty light, being made of rubber and already skinny and lanky despite all his training in life. He’d never packed on muscle, not that he really cared. He didn't need to look like Ace did when he left.
“Someone coming to take my head?” The woman he heard’s name was Alvida shouted when the pirates informed her a stranger broke into the building, hiding the fact they thought it was wine to keep a secret from her and the other members. Luffy stood there, listening. “Could it be the fearsome bounty hunter, Roronoa Zoro?” she asked. “Come to take my head?”
“Can't be, he’s chained up on some island!” The man who said that was hit in the face, and Luffy smelled fresh blood. What a shitty captain! He was planning on walking away to explore his first island outside of Dawn Island before a few moments, the small boy or teen approached him. He didn't look afraid of Luffy, which was a relief. Well, not that he knew he maybe should be afraid.
But Luffy wasn't insane, and wasn't hungry, and never planned to be. “Um, are you alright? You were thrown pretty far,” the pink haired boy said. Luffy, despite his whole situation, was not a frightening looking person. Shorter, skinny, a chubby face and big eyes. It was a relief in a sense, not outwardly looking how he was.
And this proved he wasn't scary looking, even to strangers who hadn't known him as a kid. Didn't know what Ace had, the only one to know besides Grandpa. He was going to be so pissed at Luffy. Best to try and avoid him as long as possible. Yeah, Luffy would be screwed if he found him!
"I'm fine!” Luffy giggled. “That just surprised me. What is this place?” he asked, kicking away some splintered wood that was thrown with him. He didn't need to worry about splinters. If a knife couldn't harm him, a little sliver of wood wouldn't either.
“This is the breeding ground of the Alvida pirates-”
“Eww,” Luffy said.
“Not like that! It’s just where we dock!” The boy huffed. “My name is Coby. I’m the caretaker of the ship.” He sounded very depressed over this.
“I see. Ah, that’s not very important,” Luffy said in a pleasant voice.
“Oh,” Coby said awkwardly. Luffy didn't realize he’d hurt his feelings. He didn't have much practice with other people. The bandits had thick skins, not taking to insults, even if Luffy didn't fling any at them. Ace had hit him at first for being stupid and saying insulting things in a very clueless manner, and then had later been able to just laugh every time Luffy was unintentionally blunt, to a fault sometimes.
“Hey, do you have a small ship? Mine got in a whirlpool, so I lost it,” Luffy asked. Coby was shocked, as if whirlpools were terribly uncommon. Surely they weren't? Sabo had talked about weather conditions on the sea, that kind of stuff, and whirlpools had come up during that time.
“You got caught in a whirlpool?!” Luffy nodded.
“It was scary! I thought I was gonna die.”
Coby scratched his head, seeming a bit lost on what to say. Luffy gave his blank stare a bit, waiting for him to say something. He finally did, saying, a bit slowly, “I guess we do. But you can't get caught in a whirlpool again.”
“I couldn't help it,” Luffy defended in an unoffended voice. It was just a fact, he hadn't paddled very well. He probably could have gotten out if he’d been awake when it showed up. But by that point, it was too late and his only safe place was in the barrel. And he’d survived, a pretty good start in his opinion!
Coby lead him to a boat in terrible condition. “What’s this, a coffin?” Luffy asked, a bit baffled.
“Ah, I made it myself for two years.”
“You made it in two years… you don't want it anymore?” Luffy asked, brows slightly furrowed. Why would Coby give it up? Sure, it was in bad condition and might sink, but he’d spent a lot of time on it, why throw it away. Especially to a stranger. Luffy wasn't gonna do anything to him, but was still a stranger. Though he was socializing really well!
Coby again scratched his head, face red and a bit sweaty. “I was gonna run away in this. But I know I can't leave. I’ll be on Alvida’s ship the rest of my life,” he said, a watery, false smile on. Even Luffy could tell. He may be terrible at lying most of the time, but even he could see Coby’s real emotions under the poorly made mask he was wearing.
“That’s dumb. You should leave,” Luffy said with a frown.
“No way! I’m too - Alvida would go after me if I left! Everytime I think of leaving, I get so scared to go!”
“That’s dumb,” Luffy repeated. “You should just beat her up.”
“Wha - beat up Alvida?! Are you crazy?”
“Only sometimes,” Luffy said with a grin.
“I can't leave!”
“Why not? Are you really so wimpy you don't wanna be free?”
“I… I’ve been here for two years. I was fishing one day and walked onto the wrong ship… to survive, I’ve been the caretaker. I can't leave.”
“How did you mistake that ship for a fishing boat?” Luffy asked, sounding a tad too judgemental. Coby really was a weak idiot. Even worse than Luffy could be! The much shorter one’s face turned red in embarrassment.
“I don't know…”
“You're stupid and useless. I don't like you,” Luffy said in far too cheery a voice with the rude insult. Coby winced and hung his head.
“You're right. I could never leave myself. I'm too weak. Luffy-san, why are you sailing?” he asked, changing the subject from himself to Luffy, who had no problem with this. He beamed, and declared his dream. Regardless of his set backs and restraints, he wanted to be the Pirate King no matter what, keep his promise to Shanks. And the Pirate King was the freest person in the world!
Maybe traveling would make him meet more people like him. Though he wasn't counting on it when Garp had been all over the world for a very long time and knew nothing of his condition. Luffy wasn't expecting that, so it wasn't really a dream, it would just be a bonus.
Coby was more shocked by Luffy’s declaration, beaming while he said it, and immediately started being annoying again. “What?! The Pirate King?! Are you crazy?! The Pirate King had everything in the world! Are you telling me you're looking for the One Piece, the greatest treasure in the world?!”
“Yup,” Luffy said with a proud nod.
“Do you want to die?! All the pirates in the world are looking for it!” That wasn't true, Shanks had no desire to do that. He just wanted to enjoy being a pirate. Luffy wanted that to be him, too, but also had the grand dream he wasn't about to give up. He wasn't particularly deadset on getting the One Piece, but claiming the spot as the freest person in the world.
But a cool prize would be fun, too! He wasn't gonna give up on looking for it. And he’d have a lot of adventures on the way, given nobody had a clue where Roger left his treasure. He would enjoy the experience, and hope his set backs didn't ruin anything. Not that he’d ever tell a soul.
“Well, I’m looking for it, too,” Luffy said growing annoyed with Coby continuing to doubt him in a manic way. So he punched him to shut him up about that.
“Oww! Why’d you hit me?!” Luffy might have hit a little too hard. He wasn't used to not fighting strong people, like Ace and the monsters in the forest he’d lived in for ten years of his life. Maybe he should pull his punches a little, unless it was against an enemy. Then he’d beat them into oblivion, probably not going to kill them. He didn't want to kill anyone ever.
Luffy said, “Because I couldn't stand you! I’m not afraid of dying, so don't go doubting me for that!”
“Huh?” Coby asked, still holding his head, a goosegg forming already.
“It’s my dream and I’ll be fine dying to reach it,” Luffy said, pulling his treasure off of his head to stare at the reminder of his dream at all times. Even if he wanted to, he could never forget as long as he had Shanks’ hat. And he had to return it to him, just like they’d promised. It wasn't the only thing driving him to find the One Piece, but he still had the goal to get it to him. “Besides! I’m sure I can do it, even if it could get tough sometimes,” he said, grinning widely.
“Will… I also be able to accomplish my dream?” Coby asked, shaking. Was he going to cry?
“What dream?”
“My dream… I’ve always wanted it. If I’m willing to die… can I become a marine?!” Luffy was a bit surprised at this. He had only known his grandfather as a marine, but still disliked them while knowing they supported the people who killed Sabo that day. Killed his beloved brother without a second thought. And nobody had batted an eye at it. Luffy despised them for that alone. He could never forgive them. “I know it would make us enemies, but joining the marines and catching bad guys has been my life’s dream! Do you think I can do it?!”
Luffy wasn't about to shut him down. It would be too mean, and Luffy would never demean anyone’s dream, regardless of whether he thought it was stupid or not. “I don't know. Probably not. You’re weak.” Coby deflated. “Hey, that doesn't mean you can't get better and try,” Luffy said, brows furrowed. “You’re wimpy and weak. Why not change?”
Coby looked up at him, tears in his eyes. “Besides, if we’re enemies, I could beat you into the ground if I needed to!” Luffy laughed, sporting a huge grin.
“Do you think I could change?! Get so strong I can arrest Alvida?!” Coby asked, seeming invigorated with Luffy’s suggestion. But someone was coming over, and Coby had spoken a little too loud, with the captain hearing his desire to arrest her. Luffy pointed over his shoulder casually, though only a nanosecond later, Coby would have noticed when the ugly woman shouted in fury, “Who did you say you were going to arrest, Coby?!” she raged, swinging a spiked club down, Coby just barely getting out of the way, falling on his butt and shaking in fear and horror that he was heard.
Alvida turned her attention away from Coby, and destroyed the boat he’d worked so hard on, and then offered to the only person who was semi-nice to him. Still a bit rude, but not so bad, not like the pirates he was forced to travel with.
“Did you think you could escape me?!” Luffy frowned in irritation at the remains of the boat. Mostly for Coby’s sake, not his own chance at traveling again. “Is that who you hired to arrest me?! Is it Roronoa Zoro?”
Second time his name had been dropped. Was the ugly woman so dead set on “Zoro” that it was all she worried about? Interesting! A strong guy sounded fun, Luffy didn't want all his crew to be weak. He’d protect them, of course, if he needed to, but he would like strong people, too! Yea, he was gonna go see Zoro himself. If Alvida was so scared of him, he must be super tough!
Though, this woman didn't seem so strong herself. Not that her club could hope to damage Luffy.
“Anyways, before you die, tell me, who is the most beautiful thing in the sea, Coby?!”
“What a petty bitch,” Luffy said innocently. The pirates around him silenced in shock. Coby looked at him with a pale, horrified voice. He grabbed Luffy’s shoulders, which he had to reach up a bit to do given Luffy was a good few inches taller than him.
Coby begged him, “Please take it back, Luffy! Repeat after me! In all the seas, this lady is the most-” and a look came over Coby’s face. One of fury and resolve. Luffy smiled, and Coby continued in a completely different tone than before. “The ugliest damned bitch!” Luffy grinned.
“Perfectly said! That’s much better!” Coby could not hope to fight Alvida, so Luffy would gladly do it for him. Swinging her club down in fury, Luffy stood in front of him. Though his body should be soft and rubbery, and was, really, stretchy and squishy, he was still… whatever the hell he was, and when her club slammed down, in an impressively strong blow for someone in her condition, it bent in half when it made contact with his skin, Luffy grinning even bigger. Maybe something in his face gave away his strength because Alvida’s face went white as a sheet. Was she scared of Luffy, or scared with losing her weapon? Luffy didn't care much.
“That’s impossible! My bludgeon!” she shouted in fear.
He pulled his fist back, using his rubberness, and shouted, “Gum gum pistol!” beaming as he threw the punch, hitting Alvida in the face hard enough to send her flying into a tree, which splintered at the impact. Her face was bloody, nose crushed, cheek bone broken. Beating her up was really satisfying! She was nothing compared to Ace and the beasts in the forest back home, so it wasn't surprising at all that he could beat her with a single punch, the woman absolutely knocked out.
“He - his arm just stretched!”
“How could he do this? Alvida-sama!” Luffy was surprised if these people cared about her, or were just scared of Luffy or her wrath when she woke up eventually, face deformed.
Luffy pointed at them, and they “eep!”ed or gasped, backing up even when he was pretty far from them. Though he could stretch himself and absolutely meet them from his current position. “Get a boat for Coby! He’s gonna be a marine and you won't get in his way!” They complied, got the boat, and Coby was finally crying for a good reason.
So, they got on a much better ship than Coby’s mess of a transportation method, with some food and plenty of water. It was time for Luffy to test out a reaction by someone unfamiliar who witnessed him not eating. Luffy didn't feel like throwing up in front of him, or getting ridiculously sick.
“So, you ate a devil fruit?” Coby asked, disbelief still in his voice despite seeing Luffy contort his body.
“Yeah, I’m a rubberman,” Luffy confirmed.
“Why did it break off your skin? Is rubber really that strong?” Coby was temporary. Luffy wouldn't sail with him long.
“It’s weird. A bunch of weird stuff came when I ate the devil fruit. But I’m happy I did!” The only thing he had been able to digest in his life besides human meat.
“Weird stuff?” Coby probed cautiously. Luffy nodded.
“Wanna see?”
“Yeah.”
Luffy leaned forward to give room and let his tails come out. Coby clearly wasn't expecting this. “Weird, huh? Not like rubber at all!” Coby nodded. “They can do stuff for me. Like picking things up or climbing or hunting. Then there’s the stronger skin and stuff. I can also hear and smell really good.”
“Wow, that’s a lot to come from one devil fruit!” Luffy nodded in agreement. “So, they’re like extra arms or something? Are they heavy?”
“Not really. I'm not off balance or anything. That would suck.”
“Four tails huh? Are they squishy like rubber, too?” Luffy shook his head, and moved one forward so Coby could touch it. “It’s really hard! That’s so strange! But cool, too! I bet you can fight with them!” Luffy beamed, nodding in affirmation. He retracted them, disappearing and leaving nothing behind. “How do they fit back in your body?”
“No idea. Nobody does,” Luffy said honestly.
“So amazing!”
“Yeah, so you don't have to worry about that pirate hunter killing me or anything! He uses swords, right?” Coby nodded, eyes sparkling. “You saw the club hit me and do nothing, right? So no need to worry!”
“Still… just because he can't hurt you doesn't mean he’s not a bad person.”
“Maybe. I won't let him join if he’s a mean person. Only if he’s good.”
“He’s locked up because he’s bad!” Luffy shrugged, not thinking he could get through to Coby that Zoro could be a good person and marines still locked him up. Sabo was a child, and they didn't bat an eye at his murder. Luffy would never forgive those that were supportive of the World Nobles. Never, ever. He’d hate them for as long as he lived. Out of everyone, he was most fine with eating marines. Bad pirates existed, no doubt, but they had their own morals, right?
Luffy would find out soon enough, probably.
It was during the night when Coby was eating their provisions and Luffy didn't that the smaller asked him about it. “Aren't you hungry, Luffy-san?”
“Ehh, I’m allergic to lots of foods,” he said, testing out the lie. His face was straight.
“Why didn't you say anything!?” He shrugged. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah. I can make it a long time without eating. Maybe more rubber weirdness, haha!” Of course it wasn't true, he couldn't eat before that, too. Coby looked doubtful, and guiltily at his food. “I promise I’ll be fine.” The other nodded, and continued eating. Luffy was thankful he didn't push for long, but in the morning asked him if he was hungry. Luffy wasn't, the absolute truth.
Coby seemed to not be doubting Luffy’s dream so much anymore, because of how tough he was. He was still against recruiting Zoro, but Luffy wasn't going to take his advice. He would meet him, and recruit him if he was a good person.
“You should think it through longer. Roronoa Zoro is a monster!” Luffy perked up internally at that, and turned around, having been ignoring Coby’s insistence about Luffy “rethinking” Zoro.
“Monster how?” Luffy asked. Was he like Luffy? He couldn't outright ask if Zoro ate other people, as that would probably be a weird question.
“Rumor has it he hunts people down and kills them for money! He’s a beast, a demon. Who kills other people for money?!”
“Bounty hunters,” Luffy said simply.
“He’s a pirate hunter.”
“Heeh, he must not make lots of money if he’s hunting pirates in the East Blue,” Luffy said, scratching the back of his neck. “Is he dumb or something?” he wondered.
“You can't say that to him, he’ll cut you up!” Luffy didn't bother correcting him again, but didn't plan on saying that to Zoro, especially meeting him the first time. He wanted to start off on a good foot! They sailed for a couple more hours before the island came into view.
“Wow, you actually got us here!”
“Ah, yeah! You know you can't wander around everywhere and actually get there. It’s basic navigation. I know I was paying good attention on Alvida’s ship… it was good for one thing, I guess.”
“Could you have ever been brave enough without telling off Alvida?” Luffy asked.
“I don't know.” Luffy just nodded, didn't say much else. He didn't acknowledge the statement about not being able to wander around. If he had to do that, he had to do that! Maybe Zoro was a good navigator and he could kill two birds with one stone… whatever that meant.
When they landed, Coby’s stomach growled as he tied down the ship. “Lets go get some food for you,” Luffy said. He had no money to pay, but was accustomed to dine and dashing with Ace, even if he didn't eat any of it. Not that he had any desire to eat human food in the first place.
“Are you really not going to eat?” Coby asked when Luffy just got water. He shook his head, face flat, not willing to talk about it anymore. “Oh - okay.” He sounded awkward about Luffy’s closed off expression and silent reply. “Uh, you’ll save lots of money when not buying much food! By the way, do you have any money?”
“Nope!”
Coby slumped. “How am I supposed to pay for my food?”
“We just run!”
"I'm not dine and dashing when I want to join the marines on this island!” Coby hissed.
“See, that’s why pirates have more fun than marines,” Luffy reasoned. Coby pushed away his food with a sigh, and the tavern owner walked over, with Coby apologizing deeply for having no money to pay with. Saying he’d thought he did, but didn't. Luffy kept quiet. The woman was kind, and actually gave him a free pass.
“We’ll part ways here. Thanks for being my first travel buddy!” And for being social practice!
Coby teared up, rubbing his eyes. “Though we’ll be enemies in the future.”
“You’d never win against me,” Luffy stated, though not in a mean way. Coby nodded, knowing by now that it would be hard to beat Luffy in a fight. When he had all his advances, lumped in with his devil fruit, according to his lie. “Say, I wonder why Zoro is in the marine base at all. He should be strong if he’s out killing people for money.”
There were sudden crashes, startling Luffy, when everyone who heard his comment jerked away from their tables, causing many to crash down, food and drink spilling, dishes shattering on the wooden floor.
“Looks like we shouldn't mention Zoro’s name,” Coby whispered.
“Hmmm.” If Zoro attacked random, innocent people, enough to scare them like this, then Luffy didn't want to sail with him. He would still meet him to see what kind of person he was.
“By the way, I saw a sign outside that Axe-Hand Morgan is here!” The same reaction as mentioning Zoro.
“What a weird group of people!” Luffy laughed. Most paid and then fled the restaurant, wasting a lot of food. He and Coby helped the tavern owner clean everything up because she had been kind to let Coby not pay, not reporting him to the marines or something stupid. So, they paid her back by cleaning up everything.
When they left, Coby didn't understand why everyone had been afraid of both Zoro and the marine captain. “Maybe he did something bad,” Luffy said casually.
“He’s a marine! Impossible!”
“I’m serious. Anyone can be a bad person. Anyone can be a good person, too,” Luffy said, a bit more serious. Coby deflated, seeming to have no response to that. They saw the base from a good distance away, given it was up on a hill, the street slowly getting steeper the closer they got. “It’s real ugly up close,” Luffy commented.
Coby didn't respond in any way, and Luffy looked over to see him looking fearful. “Go on, Coby,” Luffy encouraged.
“B-b-but I’m not prepared yet! The situation at the restaurant got me thinking-” Luffy paid no attention, and hopped up to hang over the wall, looking over the yard for the monster he’d been so insisted was a terrible person. A smell of sweat and blood and worse permeated from one source.
“Is that him?” Luffy asked at the man hanging from a post in the middle of the grassless, dry yard. It was pretty empty besides the man who had a bandanna covering his eyes. He really was filthy, and stunk. Needed a shower. But, most of the scents in the world were bad ones. And he was used to people smelling like sweat and blood and shit from the people in Gray Terminal. So, Luffy didn't really outwardly react. No scrunched nose, huff, nothing.
Coby climbed up next to Luffy with far more difficulty. “That him?” Luffy asked, pointing across the yard. Coby whimpered, and nodded. “Heh, those ropes look pretty easy to break.”
“Don't compare yourself to normal people, you’re invincible!” Coby hissed.
“Normal? I thought you said Zoro was a monster?” Luffy asked with a mischievous grin. Coby sputtered in offense. “Neh, he could break out if I untied his ropes, right?”
“Are you stupid?! He’ll kill you the minute you do!” Luffy looked back up at the malnourished and badly sunburned man.
“Think he’s in any shape to beat me?” Luffy pointed out. “Besides! You just said I’m invincible, make up your mind.” Coby had no response. But Zoro could hear them - well, hear Luffy, as he was speaking far louder than Coby was, who seemed to think if Zoro knew he existed, he’d be killed the moment the guy was free. He honestly looked like one shove, untied, would knock him to the ground.
How embarrassing for him.
“Hey you!” Zoro shouted, voice deep and slightly annoyed. Then he smiled a slightly demented but tired smile. “Could you come and untie me? I’ve been tied up here for nine days and I’m exhausted.” Yeah, he looked very tired.
“Look, he’s smiling,” Luffy said.
“He talked to us!” Coby hissed in terror. Luffy was getting pretty annoyed with him at this point, but hopefully Zoro could prove him wrong soon.
Zoro continued, and Luffy assumed he hadn't heard anything Coby was saying. “I’ll repay you. I could hunt down a fugitive and give you the rewards. I’m not lying, I’ll keep my word.” Luffy smiled and was about to jump over the wall to untie him when a little girl, smelling like the tavern, slapped a ladder against the wall and climbed over.
She stumbled a little bit, holding something in both hands, so Luffy stretched his arm out and grabbed the back of her shirt before lowering her down more. His arm snapped back into place, and the little girl was stunned for a moment, before stiffly turing around. Zoro was looking at him in shock, too.
The little girl regained his attention, and he narrowed his eyes immediately. Luffy watched from the wall, half of him hanging over the side. He was interested. The girl clearly had zero fear of him. No pounding heart or hesitation as she now ran to him, still cradling whatever she was holding so close to her chest. Protecting whatever it was.
Well, Luffy assumed it was food, but his sense of smell with food was weird. He couldn't tell food apart besides some fruit.
“Luffy-san, you have to save her!” Coby shouted.
“Do it yourself,” Luffy said, distracted by watching what Zoro was going to do.
“Do you want to die or something? Get lost!”
“Um, I made you some rice balls!” She presented the two rice balls and added, “You haven't eaten in a long time!”
"I'm not hungry, go away!” Luffy frowned a bit. The girl’s feelings were hurt. “Scram or I’ll kill you!” Luffy smelled the disgusting perfume wafting off of someone before they showed up. He was a weird looking man.
“A weirdo showed up,” Luffy said, quieter now. He and Coby hadn't been noticed yet. “How does his hair stay like that?”
“A bad hair cutter?” Luffy snickered.
“Don't go picking on little kids, Roronoa Zoro! Or I’lll have to tell my father about it!” Zoro scowled, a real one, not the one he’d been sending the little girl so far. Zoro made a “tch” sound, but really couldn't do much tied down and weak as he was, as well as weaponless. Even if Luffy didn't have the tails that could skewer someone if he wanted, his devil fruit was with him at all times, unless he was in water.
“He must be someone important to the marines! He’ll save the girl.” Luffy didn't reply, truly annoyed with Coby judging Zoro by his looks and reputation.
“If it isn't the captain bastard’s son.” Luffy looked at the kid of the high ranking marine, and thought he didn't look tough at all.
The captain’s kid looked at the girl’s rice balls, and snatched one out of her hand. “No! That’s not for you!” He didn't listen, chewed for about a second, before spitting it out.
“That’s disgusting! Its too sweet, you put salt in them, not sugar!” Luffy watched with angry eyes and a clenched jaw as he stomped on the remaining rice ball. At least Coby was upset by this, too. Luffy thought it was to his benefit to see the marines could be bad people, too. This guy was an asshole. And the two hanging over the wall were still not noticed.
Luffy more watched Coby’s face as he listened to the marine’s kid torment and threaten the little girl, alluding to her being kidnapped for helping Zoro in any way. Thankfully, she was not killed right then and there (not that Luffy would have let it get that far), but was unceremoniously tossed over the wall.
Luffy’s rubber body caught her so she didn't hit the ground. He didn't even wait for a reaction before he hopped back over the fence, the marines gone. Luffy walked to stand in front of Zoro, who seemed to no longer want to ask for help to get out. “You’re still here?” he sighed in irritation. He looked weary. Even if he didn't join Luffy’s crew, if he was a bad person after all, he’d probably release him. It didn't seem right to leave him to die there in disgrace and humiliation.
He’d really only ever heard Coby’s thoughts on Zoro’s reputation, and he was a coward. Luffy couldn't trust his view on things. Though maybe it would be better with him now witnessing corruption. Luffy had seen plenty of it in Goa.
“Leave now or else he’ll go get his dad,” Zoro said sarcastically.
“Eh, I could take him. Are you really strong? You got tied up,” Luffy said.
“Shut it!”
"I'm looking for people to form a pirate crew,” Luffy said, ignoring Zoro’s irritation.
“Pirate? So you just gave up on life and became a criminal, then?”
“Ive always been a criminal,” Luffy said bluntly. This wasn't what Zoro was expecting, he just looked baffled. “Especially with dine and dashing.”
“That’s what you call yourself a criminal for?”
“Also beat up bad pirates with my brothers and stole stuff,” Luffy said with a nostalgic smile.
“What, are you claiming you’re a ‘good’ pirate in comparison?” Zoro scoffed.
“I want to be,” Luffy said earnestly. Zoro looked a little thoughtful, and didn't have a response. “I haven't decided whether you're a good person or not. If you are, I’ll free you and you can join my crew!”
“Fuck that, why would I join a criminal?”
“You could have all the free food you want.”
“By stealing.”
“Yeah! Well, I’d find us a cook eventually. And a musician. Pirates sing, you know.” Zoro rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, well, I’d never join you anyways. I have something I need to take care of.”
“Yeah, you do need a shower,” Luffy agreed.
“Not that, dumbass!” Zoro shouted, though he looked embarrassed. Luffy giggled. “The fuck kind of pirate are you anyways?”
“An inexperienced one.”
“Well, at least you're honest,” Zoro sighed, seeming thoroughly tired of talking to Luffy. “I don't need your help-”
“You were just asking me to untie you,” Luffy pointed out, cocking his head. Zoro ignored this.
“- because after a month I’d get set free. I just have to make it 22 more days.”
“That guy was lying, you know. He doesn't plan on freeing you.”
“And how would you know that?”
“I have good hearing. Even good liars have their hearts beat too quickly,” Luffy said simply. “If you stay here, you’re gonna die an embarrassing death.” Zoro scowled at him. “I’ll come back later and decide what to do with you.”
“You don't get to do anything with me,” he growled.
“Heh, you really don't want a friend?”
“Friend? Don't make me laugh. Go find someone else to be your ‘friend’.”
“It would suck to have a crew that doesn't like me,” Luffy said with a shrug. He turned to leave before Zoro called him back. Luffy stopped, turning back around, curious about the shift in his tone of voice.
“Can you give that to me?” he asked, looking down at the ruined rice ball. It was basically mud at this point. Luffy asked if he was sure. “Just give it to me!”
“M’kay,” Luffy said, and picked it up. It fell apart in his hand. He held it out to Zoro.
“My arms are tied up, just drop it into my mouth!” Zoro snapped in growing irritation.
Luffy stuffed it into his mouth, and Zoro choked a bit on it, but ate the whole thing. He shuddered and made a disgusted look. Despite his look, he muttered, “Thanks for the food.” Luffy smiled, and walked away. “And tell her to not come back. Don't need her head at my feet,” he called.
“Sure,” Luffy agreed, and walked away, smiling. Zoro was a good guy, and fun to talk to! But he wanted to know what he’d done to get to that place. Surely he wasn't a terrible person with how he acted about the little girl, trying to get her to leave for her own safety, then eating her food no matter if it was just dirt on rice at that point.
Luffy hopped the fence and followed the scent of Coby to the tavern, having brought the little girl back with him. She was crying, but they looked like tears of anger and frustration. Luffy immediately said, “He ate your riceball, and he said it was good.”
Coby looked surprised at this, but was still reeling about the awful behavior of the marines they’d seen. Luffy was just glad his point was proven and Coby wasn't still in denial. Luffy told the little girl, whose name was Rika, what Zoro had said and done. She was happy, but didn't look shocked. If Zoro had done something terrible to them, surely she’d not be happy he thanked her food?
“What’d he do anyways?” Luffy asked. “He seems like a good guy to me.”
“He didn't do anything bad!” Rika shouted. “He - he got in trouble protecting us.” Luffy rose his brows, but stayed quiet, a small, pleased smile forming on his face. “He killed Helmeppo’s pet wolf when it tried to hurt me. Everyone was scared of Helmeppo’s wolf, it kept attacking us! But Brother Zoro killed it before it could hurt me.”
“So Zoro got in trouble to save you?” Luffy asked. Rika nodded.
Coby was lost in thought before he said, “I guess taking down fugitives for money… isn't inherently bad.” Luffy was pleased by the news and by Coby’s newly formed opinions now that he had some proof Zoro wasn't a bad guy. “But he could still kill you if you let him on your crew.”
“I know he’s a good person. I can tell,” Luffy said confidently. Coby nodded, eyes downcast. “Maybe if you become a marine, you’ll make the bad marines better.” Coby’s face turned red as his eyes watered. “Are you crying again?”
“No! No. People just aren't nice to me.”
“You mean your kidnappers.”
“Yeah…”
"I'm a nice pirate, they are mean pirates. You’ll be a nice marine, they are bad marines.”
“Yeah, you were right. Anyone can be bad or good,” he sighed, sounding defeated.
Rika still was fired up talking about the injustice of Zoro, slandering the marine higher ups, the Morgans, as the true terrors of the island. Luffy wasn't surprised, especially now that he saw the son. “They’ll execute you if you even look at them wrong!”
“Zoro is good at glaring,” Luffy mused. “Bet he’d have gotten caught for that alone,” he laughed. “He sounds like a good guy.” Luffy turned around when smelling the perfumed bastard, and saw the townspeople bowing to him in fear. The notion of them needing to bow to someone who worked for a corrupt agency pissed him off.
Helmeppo was laughing, drinking wine, and called, “Who dares raise their head when I walk past?! I’ll tell my dad! You don't want to end up like Roronoa Zoro, that dumb moron! As if I’d let him live a whole month. He’s become an eyesore. I’ll be killing him in three days,” he bragged. Luffy was furious, eyes burning in anger and hate at this asshole.
He stood up, walked a few feet towards him and said, “Three days? You said you’d let him live if he made it a month!”
“Yeah, so? He’s just a lowlife thug and I can do whatever I want with him. Some bounty hunter he is, hah-” and Luffy nailed him in the face, throwing him across the street. Luffy heard bones crunch at his hard landing, the manchild screaming in pain. All the marines wielded their guns in shock, and fear. They all cocked at Luffy, who stood there, unafraid.
He had some blood on his fist, and held it up to them in threat. “Luffy-san, what are you doing?! You can't fight the marines-!”
“Watch me! Zoro’s joining my crew! I don't care what you have to say about it anymore! Bastards are bastards.”
Helmeppo’s mouth was bleeding, teeth cracked, and cried, through a garbled mouth, something along the lines of “You hit me! Even my dad doesn't hit me!” Luffy was unsure how that was possible with how obnoxious he was. Grandpa and Dadan hit them all the time, even when they weren't being annoying. “‘M a capt’n’s son! ‘Ll beat you up!” he garbled, spitting out broken molars.
“Fight me yourself!” Luffy snapped, and Helpmeppo insisted Luffy was going to be executed. But even if Luffy wasn't invincible to blades, he would never be executed for such a stupid thing. Helmeppo was carried away by the other marines, who hadn't attacked Luffy despite him assaulting their boss. Or something. Did he even have a rank or was it just because of his dad’s position?
“I can't believe you did that!” Coby cried.
“I should have hit him a few more times.”
“You would have killed him if you did!”
“I wouldn't have hit his face again-”
“You’ll bust his ribs!”
“Why do you care about someone who is such a lowlife that he threatens to kill a little girl?” Luffy asked, disgust in his voice. “Just because he’s a marine?” Coby lost his look, falling into one of shame. "I'm going to talk to Zoro. Best you stay here.” Luffy walked away, the trail of blood on the way to the base was pretty heavy.
He hopped the wall again, smiling. “Yo,” he greeted.
“You again? Didn't I tell you to scram?” Zoro asked in exasperation.
"I'm gonna untie your ropes and you’ll join my crew.”
“Fuck that. I don't want to be a pirate!”
“But you're gonna be a pirate with me,” Luffy said, sounding genuinely confused.
“You don't get to decide that! I have things to do and I’m sure as hell not going to accomplish them under some nobody.”
“I won't be a nobody for long,” Luffy said confidently, arms crossed. “Besides, why don't you want to be a pirate? Being a pirate is awesome!”
“How do you know, you already admitted you were inexperienced,” Zoro shot back.
“Well, maybe if I’m a bad captain you could help me be better!”
“Hah?! Wouldn't I want my captain to be dependable?”
“I am dependable. I’m gonna save you. And then we can set sail. Besides, that Helmeppo guy is gonna kill you in three days. I heard him say it. So, if you don't join me, you're a dead man. So, choose. Set sail with me or die?” Luffy asked with a shit eating grin.
“You're a fucking demon.”
“I’ve heard the same about you,” Luffy said cheekily. “I heard you use a sword. I can get it for you. But then you’d be indebted to me,” he added, still smiling in amusement.
“How do you know I won't chop you up if I hate being under your direction?”
“You said you keep your promises. I want to trust that,” Luffy shrugged. “Besides, you can't chop me up. If you join me, then you’ll know why not.”
“You trust too easily. I’m a fucking stranger, a pirate hunter, and you're a pirate.”
“You’ll have character development if you join me!” He bopped his fist into his other palm. “It’ll be fun. Now, where’s your sword? I’ll find it.” Zoro sighed, giving up on arguing.
“That bastard kid took them. They’re the things I treasure the most, second to my own life.”
“Ah, treasure, huh? I bet its super great, huh?” Zoro rolled his eyes, and Luffy zipped off towards the marine base. He could hear a lot going on on top of the building, a ton of people, while there weren't many noises coming from inside, so he burst through the door, following Helmeppo’s stench of perfume. It also smelled like he’d pissed himself.
Luffy found the room he was in, currently crying in the corner. Face bloody and swollen. “Ahhh! Don't come any closer!” Helmeppo cried.
“Where is Zoro’s sword?” Luffy demanded. His voice wasn't angry, but he was annoyed at seeing the guy. He could go the rest of his life not seeing his ugly mug. And Luffy had made it even uglier.
“In the corner!” Helmeppo screeched.
“But there are three here!” Luffy said, looking at the swords. “Which one is Zoro’s?” Helmeppo was silent, and Luffy saw him passed out, foaming at the mouth. He tossed him aside and grabbed all three swords, looking out the window at the courtyard, where plenty of noise was coming from.
“Coby!” he shouted in worry. When had he gotten there? Was he standing against the marines, or helping them keep Zoro hostage? He leaned towards suspecting the former, and took out his tails, grinning as he stabbed the wall, blowing it outwards, marines screaming from below as the side of the building crumbled at the impact.
It felt really nice, being powerful. He’d been weak when he was a kid, even with his weird attributes. Getting Shanks’ arm bit off was weakness he’d never allow himself again. Never let someone he cared about get hurt for his sake.
Luffy sucked them back into his body without effort, and jumped down, landing light on his feet, any impact of the landing nullified by both his devil fruit and strong body. He grabbed the bars of the fancy metal entrance, stretching himself out with a grin, before slingshotting himself forward, laughing as he flew before he landed just in time.
Bullets meant for Zoro and Coby, who was trying to help Zoro get untied, hit Luffy instead.
“Luffy-san!” Looks like Coby forgot again. Zoro didn't know anything about Luffy really, so him shielding him from gunfire probably seemed pretty stupid and reckless. It was! But Luffy was fine, and all the bullets stretched, denting against his skin even as it molded around them, the momentum reversing as they flung back away the moment his body righted itself.
“It won't work!” Luffy laughed.
“Wh-what kind of human are you?!” Zoro demanded, shocked. Luffy’s most honest answer would be “no idea”, but of course he didn't say the truth.
“I’m the man who will become the Pirate King!” was what he said instead, which was also true! “Which sword is yours? There were three so I grabbed all of them,” Luffy explained, waving all three in Zoro’s face. He quickly snapped out of his shock.
“All of them are mine. I use three swords.”
“Where does the third one go?” Luffy asked excitedly.
“Now isn't the time, just untie me!”
“Resisting the marines here will make you an outlaw.” Luffy looked from the marines still pointing shocked guns at them, to Zoro. “Time to choose! Do you want to die here, or come with me?” he asked, grinning widely.
And Zoro grinned, too. Not a happy one, but like he was thrilled. “You're one son of a bitch. Forget it. I don't plan on dying here. Fine! I’ll take up your request and become a pirate.”
Luffy jumped, cheering. “I have my first nakama! No offense, Coby!”
“N-none taken,” Coby whimpered, bleeding lightly from an injury in his shoulder. He would have been riddled with a ton more bullets if Luffy hadn't deflected him. He’d be okay.
“Okay, untie me now!” Zoro said impatiently, his smile gone. Luffy didn't need to untie, he just grabbed the ropes and ripped them off, breaking them apart. He shoved Zoro’s swords into his arms, who was good at pushing shock away when push came to shove, as he didn't react but for a moment of furrowed eyebrows when Luffy displayed some “abnormal” strength.
Hopefully he was seen as strong enough for his crew, and for Zoro. But he was joining, and Luffy would go to the next stage of worrying - could he keep up his lies, do them convincingly?
The marines were still in shock about Luffy’s rubber defense, guns shaking in their hands as they faced him, and now a very angry (albeit exhausted) swordsman, running on pure adrenaline. “Oh, he’s Axe hand morgan, right? His hand is an axe!”
“Your deduction skills are impressive,” Zoro said in a sarcastic, amused way. “I have a bone to pick with him. First, through, the fodder members.” Luffy finally saw what he did with his third sword; he stuck it in his mouth!
“Show me how strong you are,” Luffy said, crossing his arms, still grinning, high off of the fact someone actually was joining him. Even if he was pretty much blackmailed. But it was successful, and Luffy had never blackmailed someone before.
“Devil spawn,” Zoro snarked. He attacked the marines, actually cutting their guns apart, though they were cheaply made. With the way some of the buildings were rusted, the doors squealing when opened or closed, it seemed like the place was underfunded. Was Axe-Hand Morgan a cheap skate?
From the terrified bodies a few dozen feet away, Zoro spoke. “I already told you I’d be a pirate with you. Either way, after this incident with the marines I’ll be an outlaw, too. But it’s fine, I still have my own goals!”
Zoro was quite talented talking with his mouth full, it appeared. Luffy listened to his speech with a grin. “I will become the world’s greatest swordsman. I no longer care if my name is clean or not. Bad guy, good guy, it no longer matters! As long as my name is known world wide!” Then his eyes hardened. “If you do anything to stand in the way of my goal, I’ll have you cut your stomach open in apology!”
“Good!” Luffy said in approval. “To be the Pirate King, I need some strong guys in my crew! The Pirate King can do no less than the world’s greatest swordsman! I’ll be embarrassed by any less!” Zoro’s hard look disappeared with a grin around his sword’s handle.
“Heh, well said,” the swordsman said.
The marines had stayed down enough for the small but meaningful exchange, until their “leader” ordered them to stand. “You don't fight and I’ll kill you all myself!” he ordered. The marines stood up, pulling their cheap swords out, guns useless. But even Luffy, who knew nothing about swords, could tell Zoro’s were of much higher quality.
“Duck, Zoro!” Luffy shouted, and Zoro was quick, crouching as Luffy stretched his leg out. “Gum gum whip!” he cackled, and swung his leg around, over Zoro’s head, and nailed the marines in the gut, sending them all flying.
“How’s he doing that?” one marine said as he grunted, rolling hard. They’d have lots of bruises forming later!
“He ate a devil fruit!” Morgan shouted.
“I ate the gum gum fruit! I’m rubber!” He grabbed the side of his cheek and stretched it out a good ten inches from his face, letting it snap back into place. Zoro and Coby winced, but it didn't hurt at all.
People in the East Blue generally had not heard of devil fruits, which was why his whole island had been terrified, ostracized him after he ate it. Kids his own age didn't accept him because of the devil fruit. Not that he was let out of the house until he was four, when Garp found out what Luffy needed to eat.
He’d been locked inside for years, though he really couldn't remember any of that time, luckily.
But Luffy loved his rubber body, because it was fun to do things a normal body couldn't, and it was also good cover for the stuff he was born with.
“Captain Morgan, we can't fight these two!” the marines cried, seeing both of them at full strength, and Zoro being pissed at them for keeping him there. But Luffy was having a ton of fun.
“This is an order. Whoever just said that, kill yourselves! I don't have any use for weaklings! That’s an order!” Morgan shouted. Luffy’s jaw dropped when they did it. They killed themselves because they were told to! The marines were even worse than Luffy first thought, which was quite the feat!
Zoro and Coby were similarly horrified, but Luffy acted first. “I’m the marine’s worst enemy! If you have the guts, try and execute me!” Luffy let all his anger at the stupidity of all of them flow through him, and before Morgan could even respond, Luffy punched him so hard in the face, through the axe, which shattered, cutting into his skin, and then broke his metal jaw clean off.
Luffy pulled back, startled by the blood and gore. While he hadn't meant to disfigure him that badly, he also felt he deserved it. Morgan screamed.
“Holy fuck,” Luffy heard Zoro mutter. The surviving marines looked at the bleeding, crying marine captain, and screamed, abandoning the man. Luffy wiped his hand off on his already red shirt, and turned around to see his friend and new nakama. “What was that?!”
“I went too hard, didn't I?” Luffy asked bluntly, putting his clean hand on his hat, lips pressed together tightly.
“Nah,” Zoro said casually in response, though he was used to chopping people off and turning them into the government for cash prizes. Maybe his sense of violence was a bit skewed. Luffy was careless, and Morgan, unable to speak but able to grunt, swung the sharp remains of his axe at Luffy’s leg, as if trying to cut him off from the calf down.
It didn't work, but there hadn't been enough force put into the swing to bend. It just did no damage.
Luffy put his sandaled foot on Morgan’s broken jaw. He screamed at the pressure. Luffy was so distracted, a bit conflicted, when he heard Coby scream.
“Get away from him or - or - or I’ll shoot!” Helmeppo screamed, his voice warped by tears and injury, though far less dire as his father’s. Though, it seemed the man had already lost his jaw once and replaced it with metal. He could replace it again. “If you want this guy to survive, don't move!” he screamed, pointing a gun at Coby’s head, who looked stunned to be in this position.
Coby took a shuddering deep breath. “I don't want to be in your way, Luffy-san! I’m - I’m not afraid of death!”
Luffy grinned proudly. “Okay. I know!” he said. Turning fully to face Helmeppo, he raised his arm to strike again. “You stupid son, Coby’s not afraid of death!”
“H-hey, don't move! I said I’ll shoot!” Luffy knew he was bluffing, and called.
“Then shoot, I dare you!” Morgan rose behind him, but Luffy would put his trust in Zoro to back him up, and focused on his target. And he wasn't going to do anything but knock him out. He’d seen enough blood by his hand today. “Gum gum…”
“Daddy, hurry!” Helmeppo screamed, right before Luffy shot forward a pistol, and Zoro cut down Morgan, who was trying to attack Luffy again.
Both father and son fell, unconscious. One in far worse condition than the other. “Nice, Zoro!” Luffy grinned.
“Leave it to me, captain,” Zoro said, smiling in his own way, neither bothered by the blood shed at their hands. Luffy had only been around fighters that used fists and pipes, so he knew being with someone with a sword - well, he’d get used to the sight of a lot of blood soon enough.
Zoro looked to the gathered, shocked marines hiding far away, and said, “Any of you wanna arrest us, come and get us.” Luffy grinned at the reaction of the mindless marines, Zoro sheathing his swords. But even Luffy was shocked when they cheered.
“He’s gone!”
“We’re free!”
“Hey, Zoro, your first act as a pirate gets the marines to like you!” Luffy laughed.
“Yeah, well, I think it won't stay that way for long.”
“Do you believe me now when I say I’ll not be a bad pirate?” he grinned.
“You ripped that guy’s jaw off. I’d say that’s pretty gruesome. And I doubt every marine we beat will get cheers from their people. But, that was some serious power. Part of your devil fruit?”
“Haha, yeah! I’ll explain it all later.” Zoro seemed to have held out for that moment, once they were all safe, the marines not vying to arrest or take vengeance on the freshly formed pirate crew, he passed out, falling flat on his face. “Zoro!” Luffy shouted in worry. But he heard Zoro’s stomach growl obscenely loudly. He had only had a single rice ball for many days, and it wasn't natural for people to go as long as Luffy did without food. “Guess he’s real hungry.”
Luffy looked to Coby’s injury. “You should get that checked out.”
“Ah! It looks worse than it is! I think it’s just a graze. Um, let’s go to Rika’s tavern. I’m sure they’ll be happy with what happened!” Luffy nodded.
“Wanna see how useful the tails are?” the pirate captain asked with a grin, relieved Zoro wasn't hurt. Just hungry and tired. Coby nodded slowly, and Luffy let them out, unable to only allow one at a time, and wrapped them snuggly around Zoro, lifting his up. “See, hands free!” he shouted, spreading his arms wide in emphasis.
“So useful!” And they headed back into town, leaving carnage and bodies behind, and headed to Rika’s place. Coby didn't comment on how much Zoro smelled. He was a good person. But Luffy wasn't about to keep him around, and not just because it was his dream to be on the other side. Luffy didn't think Coby was at all ready to go out to sea, either as a pirate or marine. So, he would be a friend, but not a crewmate.
Luffy set Zoro down in a chair, and put some steaming, seasoned beef under his nose. It was how Luffy would wake Ace up from his narcolepsy fits. And it worked, Zoro opening his eyes before he dug in. Food first, shower later.
Coby and Zoro ate while Luffy sat there a bit awkwardly. Everyone he’d grown up with had known he didn't eat, even if they didn't know what he did eat, but Coby only just found out and Zoro had no idea.
“You not gonna eat?” Zoro asked critically.
"I'm good.” Coby sent him a concerned look, and Luffy took a deep breath, hating that this would absolutely be a recurring problem. Zoro shrugged, but did keep sneaking looks at Luffy and his huge glass of iced water, which he kept having refilled. It wasn't like he had anything else to do while the other two ate. It was uncomfortable.
After Zoro had inhaled a ton of food, though not quite to the extent Ace always had, he leaned back and said, “Ah, I haven't eaten for nine days. Fuck, I’m stuffed. And I stink.” Luffy had the decency not to nod in agreement.
“You could ask Rika’s mom to let you use the shower,” Coby suggested. Zoro did just that, and gladly left to the bathroom while Coby and Luffy helped clean up, as they still weren't paying for their meals. Luffy had poor manners in general, but he even knew he should repay her kindness. Dine and dashing wasn't suitable for people who showed him kindness.
When Zoro came back out, he was much cleaner, and his clothes had been scrubbed. Luffy was still trying to get blood out from under his fingernails, resisting using his incisors to try and carve it out. A normal person probably would not lick out blood like that. He felt like such an outsider already, but refused to let it dictate what he did from now on.
When Luffy grabbed Coby’s used fork to scrape it out from under his nails, nobody batted an eye at it, thankfully. “You’re strong, Onii-san!” Rika said.
“I know, right!” Luffy said cheerily, making Zoro snort. “And I’ll get even stronger later on.”
“Oh, yeah. What’s your plan now?”
“You mean our plan?”
“You're captain, not me.”
“What a change in attitude,” Coby said quietly. Zoro sent him a glare, and the boy stiffened, as if Zoro was still a demon in his eyes. At least Coby didn't look at Luffy in fear. He’d never hurt his friends. Never.
Luffy beamed, and declared, “I’m gonna head for the Grand Line!” His eyes were bright with the prospect of finally getting there. Getting closer to his dream, and closer to Shanks. He couldn't wait to see him again. He was annoyed when Coby still doubted his plan. “I know its dangerous. I don't care, it’s my dream, I’ll go after it no matter what.”
“Didn't you see him literally repel bullets and resist an ax hit?” Zoro commented, the two essentially against Coby’s point of view. “Not to mention punching someone so hard his jaw popped off.” He took another guzzle of his beer. Luffy beamed at him, Zoro smiling back. “So, we’re going for the One Piece, then? It won't hurt to head to that direction.”
“You're talking rubbish, too!”
“What’s your problem, you're not even coming with us,” Zoro frowned.
“Am I not allowed to worry about you?! I know… I know we just met, Luffy-san, but we’re friends…?” he asked, uncertain.
“Yeah, we’ll always be friends. We’re still friends, even if we part,” Luffy said confidently. Zoro had a smaller smile on. Coby’s own was tearful, but so true.
“I never had friends growing up. Every time I would be picked on. Nobody would ever stand up for me.” Luffy had not been picked on, he had just been avoided like the plague. It was a lonely life until he met Shanks, and then when he met Ace and Sabo. Sounded like Coby had no Ace or Sabo in his life. It was sad. “But you two have, and made me want to chase my dreams.”
Luffy smiled. “Well, that’s why we’re going to the Grand Line.” Zoro nodded in agreement. For the first time, Coby conceded and didn't counter Luffy’s claim - and now Zoro’s too! Well, until he corrected himself, repeating they were crazy.
“You're crazy, too,” Zoro said, growing a bit impatient, too. “You want to join the marines after not only being a pirate, but going against them like you did. Just because Morgan was hated doesn't mean you didn't help break out a prisoner the marines captured to execute. They probably won't let you join,” he explained matter of factly, making Coby’s face go pale. “You didn't consider that?”
“Not at the moment!”
“Coby got brave. He should be proud.”
“I guess,” Zoro said with half of a shrug. Luffy looked up before the door opened when the marines pushed it open, albeit not aggressively, more leisurely. Were they there to try and arrest them? Well, Luffy and Zoro wouldn't let that happen.
“Excuse me. We are wondering if you are really pirates,” the marine who opened the door said, Luffy faintly recognizing his face, though the marines for some reason all looked very alike. Luffy happily confirmed this, unworried and unashamed to claim his new position now that he was building his crew. And it had only taken a week to get his first member! “Even if you are pirates and saved the town, and base, we are thankful. But, since you are pirates, we can't allow you to stay any longer,” he explained. “Please leave this place immediately. We will also be reporting the events to head quarters.”
Shit, Grandpa would find out.
The townspeople refused angrily, but Luffy thought they should leave now, anyways. Time to set sail! Zoro didn't protest, standing at the same time Luffy had. Neither acknowledged Coby as they walked away. If they did, he’d get in more trouble than he already would be. Luffy would feel terrible if it was their fault for him losing his dream before he even got to the real starting line.
The main marine, who’d done all the explaining, asked Coby, “Aren't you with them?”
Tearfully, Coby thankfully denied it. Another show of new strength. Luffy kept a smile off his face at the vast improvement. Hopefully Coby stuck to it. But, he wasn't believed. Luffy knew what he had to do, and wouldn't feel guilty for it because it was the only real thing to do.
“We’re not together. You know what that guy used to do?! He was on a pirate ship with this faaat captain named Alvida! He spent two years there!” Coby looked horrified, betrayed, as Luffy planned. Then, angry.
“SHUT UP!” Coby shouted, punching Luffy. He let himself stagger back a bit, as if surprised. Coby’s hand was red and sore when he brought it back. Luffy’s body was sort of like when Makino put cornstarch in water. When not hit, it was soft and pliable and squishy, but when hit with force, was a hard and solid.
But Luffy kicked him back. “You deserve a beating!” If he used a punch, the marines would know he’d be holding back. Luffy had no intention of rearranging Coby’s face or organs.
“That’s enough, you’re going too far,” Zoro said, grabbing the back of Luffy’s shirt to stop him, as if he couldn't just pull away and let his shirt tear off.
“Get out! It’s clear you aren't friends! I won't let you hurt anyone else!” Luffy held his retort back. So, he and Zoro left the tavern, Zoro grinning like a mad man, taunting the marines.
“You don't want to arrest me?” he asked, hand on his swords at his side, making the marine fodder flinch. Luffy didn't threaten them himself, amused with Zoro’s behavior. He was petty and it was perfect. The marines followed them to the coast and docks before leaving. Luffy was happy the barrels were still on the unharmed ship. They would need food from now on, as Zoro very clearly ate. Like everyone besides Luffy.
“It was a good act. Doesn't matter if he was a pirate if he’s willing to give ‘justice’ and take it out on his criminal friend,” Zoro said lightly.
“I believe he’ll become stronger and more independent in the future. And now you're a criminal friend.”
"I'm not his friend.” Luffy blinked.
“But you had food with him.”
“So?” Zoro said a bit awkwardly. Luffy just shrugged. “We’ll need a bigger ship than this to go on the Grand Line.”
“I have no money, so we can steal one!” Luffy cheered as he untethered the small boat. Zoro snorted. Luffy looked over his shoulder when Coby ran down to the coast. Zoro noticed, of course, and gave him a curious look, even though Luffy had admitted earlier that he had good enough hearing to hear Helmeppo’s lying heart.
“Luffy-san! Thank you for everything! I’ll never forget you for the rest of my life!” Coby cried, saluting, no tears.
“A marine saluting a pirate? Never thought I’d see it,” Zoro said with a grin, but not a nasty or intense one, a real smile. His and Luffy’s eyebrows both raised when the other marines came over, and joined the salute. It was very strange. Luffy wished they’d keep the shenanigans on this island a secret so they were in the harsher Grand Line to run from his Grandpa’s wrath at him leaving the island.
Well, Grandpa would find out eventually. Luffy didn’t look forward to the inevitable confrontation it would cause.