"The weather is so nice," Luffy took a long breath to inhale the sweet air and exhale it, and watched as the waves danced around in tranquility.

"If we keep this up, we'll be in the Marine Base Island with no time to spare," said Coby while fishing as part of his favorite hobby while sailing on the open sea.

"Great, Coby."

"Eevee!"

"It's nothing really this is one of the basic rules while, on a sailing, you have to know these kinds of things, don't you Luffy?" said Coby as if not big of a deal.

"HAHA! I know." she said, "As soon we get to Marine Base and get Zoro out of there I'll see if he would like to be my first Crew Mate," then she laughed again. 

"That is nothing to laugh about, Luffy, because where I've heard that...the Marine Base is holding the infamous Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro...he hunted down Pirates like a bloodthirsty beast on carnage and slice them up without hesitation. People believe he's a Demon in a human body," and afterward no one said a word in grim silence.

---------------

When the trio arrived at Shells Town, after Luffy and Coby tied their boat on the post, they set off to the city in search of the place where the great Zoro was being held prisoner, Eevee on Luffy's shoulder.

"Luffy this is serious if you think this guy going to join you then you're out of your mind," said Coby while walking through the marketplace with Luffy.

"I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm gonna see if he's a good guy. Besides, you can't believe every rumor you hear about a person." said Luffy like it's the most obvious thing.

"HE'S IN PRISON BECAUSE HE'S OBVIOUSLY HE'S NOT A GOOD GUY!" Coby yelled as Luffy spotted some tasty pears, she grabbed one of them and took a bite then she gave the vendor two Berries as she grabbed another pear for Eevee.

"Hey, could you tell me where I can find Roronoa Zoro?" she politely asked the vendor when the people nearby heard his name. They flinched in fear and backed away, Luffy and Eevee sweat dropped at their act.

"Maybe its best if we do not mention Zoro here," Coby whispered, Luffy shrugged and proceeds to head to Marine Base Prison feeding Eevee another

"C'mon let's head to the Base, Coby, you wanted to become a Marine, right?" Luffy asked.

"Of course I do, but I don't know I'm ready just yet. From what I've heard, the man in charge of this Base is the name is Captain Morgan," and once again the people flinched in fear and backed away as if something would come up and kill them, now Coby, Eevee, and Luffy sweat dropped at the people's reaction.

"That was strange." Luffy muttered.

"I don't get it I understand if they're afraid of Zoro that why did they flip when I mention the Marine's Captain's name anyway? I have a bad feeling about this." true what he said, people shouldn't be afraid of Marine Captain; he's guy who runs this city and protect his people...right?

"Maybe HE did something bad," Luffy replied.

"And how that made any sense?"

"Well, you said that Zoro's a bad guy, but I've never heard of a bounty hunter being put in prison for hunting pirates. There must be something more to this..." Luffy admitted.

Coby looked at Luffy in surprise and thought she had a point.

They've made it; they finally made it to Marine Base, and standing in front of them is giant steel door with word Marine printed on it which stands between the steel door and Coby's dreams. Luffy let out a whistle and said.

"This look like the place" Coby couldn't help but to feel upcoming tears on his eyes, he finally made it.

"I'm finally here 'sob' this where we part ways 'sob' I know we haven't spent much time together, but I..."

"Where is the foot holding on this thing?" he was cut off when he saw Luffy try to climb over the door.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING GET DOWN FROM THERE!?"

"So where this Demon?" She smiled looking around with Eevee on her head.

"I don't think they keep him out of the open, they probably put him in some underground prison or..."

"Found him! I'm going to get a closer look," she jumped down from the door and sprint to a different direction so she can take a close look on Zoro. And indeed Zoro is outside of Base, tied by the post, and still look demonic in a dead state.

"That him right, Coby?" she asked Coby with a carefree smile but Coby can't reply to her because he's trembling in fear like a leaf and too afraid to make out a word because he is in the presence of the Demon, the man was tied on post for the world to see is the great Pirate Hunter.

'That bandana...and that haramaki there is no doubt about it...its Roronoa Zoro.' Coby thought.

"I bet if I untie those ropes he can be free, right?"

"DON'T BE STUPID! YOU'RE GONNA KILL US BOTH IF WE LET THE GUY ESCAPE!"

"Ah, don't worry about it. I'm strong, remember? I can protect us." then she grin.

'She lost her mind!'

"Hey, you two," then Zoro spoke in a gruff tone which caused Coby to freak out.

"You're an eyesore get lost," his tone was low and angry which could make Satan scream.

"AHHHH! Luffy trust me, there is no way you can trust a Crewmember like him," then another weird thing had just happened, a ladder came out of nowhere and young girl with black eyes and brown hair with pigtails, climbed up the ladder, and she made a 'shush' sound to two, telling them to keep quietly. She looked around to see if there is anyone there, once she sees it clear she climbed down by a robe and run toward Zoro with a bag, when Coby notice it, he panicked.

"AHHH! Luffy we have to save her before the Marine spots her or get killed by the Demon himself!" but Lara wasn't paying attention to Coby right now; she's going to see what the little girl is going to do with Zoro. Once the girl is near him, she gave him her sweet smile to Zoro instead being scared of him.

"What do you want?" he is clearly annoyed that the girl was stupid enough to barge in the Marine Base.

"I thought you might be hungry now, so I made some Rice Balls."

"Do you got death wish kid, scram!"

"But you haven't eaten anything in a long time, so I decided to make you some lunch so here; it's my first time though but I think they're fine," Zoro was stunned at girl's generous offer, he looked at round Rice Balls that she made that looks good enough to eat but soon diminished the thought food and said.

"Listen kid, I'm not hungry so stop irritating me and beat it."

"But..."

"I SAID BEAT IT, KID!" he raises his tone to scare her off but that didn't work either.

Then they heard the door slide open and came out weird looking guy alongside his two Marine guards, the weird boy is skinny and lanky-looking young man with light blond hair shaped like an oval on top of his head; he wears snappy violet colored uniforms with white shoes and a rubber band ring on his left hand.

"Now now, no one likes a bully you know." he comes walking toward the two with a smug look on his with his two bodyguards, Zoro's expression darken when he saw him.

"Roronoa Zoro, you seem to be handling this well, don't you agree?" back with Luffy and Coby, who are still hanging on the wall.

"Who is that weird looking guy? He doesn't look like a real marine." Luffy asked.

"Maybe he's a special officer maybe everything will be all right as long the girl is safe," Coby reasoned but they weren't prepared of what could happen next.

"I don't know. He's not dressed or acting like one..." Luffy muttered.

"Oh! Looky here some tasty Rice Balls." the man snatched the girl's Rice Ball and took a bite out of it.

"HEY, there, not for you!" as she said as the weird boy's face turn greenly and spit the Rice Balls and belch in disgust.

"They're packed with sugar! You're supposed to use salt, you idiot!"

"But I...I thought it would taste better with sweets," she said, then the boy snatch the other Rice Ball throw it on the ground and smash it with his foot.

"No stop, stop it!" the poor girl cried to see her Rice Ball is ruined because of him while Coby and Luffy are watching in shock the event before them. Eevee was about to bark, but Luffy put a hand on her head, as it would give them away.

"That...that just horrible," said Coby, he couldn't believe that man is so heartless toward the girl and Luffy's expression was blank, but she was really mad. Once the boy finished smashing the Rice Ball, which is now ruined and muddy, the poor girl cried to see all her work has spoiled by that mean boy.

"But I 'hic' worked so hard to 'hic' to make those."

"Well too bad I guess you never read the notice that has been posted. 'those who assist criminals in any way will be executed' signed by Marine Captain Morgan," said boy after reading the notice made the poor girl quiver.

"HEHEHE, it seems even little brats fear my Daddy."

"His Daddy?" Luffy's eyes widen slightly when the weird kid mentions his Father who happens to be the Captain of this organization.

"So...that guy's Father is Captain Morgan," Now Coby is even more worried about the girl's safety since he's the guy practically in charge like his Father. Then the boy turned his head to one of the Marine guard and said.

"You toss this kid over the wall right now," the Marine flinched at his order.

"But s-sir she's just a child," then the boy got angry and grabbed the Marine's shirt in a vice grip and looked at him straight in his eyes.

"I said throw her over the wall, soldier, if you don't obey my orders I'll tell Father," Marine flinched again knowing if he disobeyed the Marine's Captain's son he'll kill him for sure.

"Y-yes sir I'll do it" the boy let go the Marine, the Marine felt a heavy guilt when he saw the girl's frighten face but what choice he has.

"I'm really sorry just curl into a ball, okay," he whispered to her so that the man won't hear him, the girl did what he said, and just like that he throw the girl over the wall. But Luffy she jumped after the girl, caught her and land on the ground roughly.

"Thank you, miss." The girl said.

"Luffy, are you two okay? I can't believe this wretched man would do something like that, now where you're hurt," Luffy let Coby inspect the girl if there is any sign of injuries while she looks at the Base.

-------------

On the other side of the wall, the boy laughed after the girl was thrown over the wall like it was a joke to him as for Zoro he cursed him to hell at his heinous act over a little girl and not to mention a big coward. Then the boy turned his head to face Zoro.

"HEHEHE still stubborn to stay alive."

"That right, I'll make it through the month without any problem," said Zoro confidently.

"Yeah, good luck with that," the boy and his Marines left while he laughs and snort at his amusement.

"Ten more days and I'll win that bet," he grunts.

Back with the others, Coby made another check up on the girl one more time to make sure she's not hurt, but sigh in relief when he sees her, not in any kind of pain.

"Thank goodness you're not hurt, how can this man be so heartless? Hey Luffy what should we..." when turn around Luffy and Eevee were nowhere in sight.

"What the...where did she go?"

-----------

Back with Zoro, he saw a shadow of a person on the ground and looked to see a girl, a pretty girl at that.

He took his time to study her. The girl seemed to be seventeen, her skin is light tan almost glowing by the bright sun, and her body is well built but she's quite small and frail; her face is oval shaped that framed with her silky black hair which reached her shoulders along with her straw hat and her eyes reminded him of sapphires or the deep ocean. She also had a strange fox creature on her shoulder.

Luffy cocked her head in a curious manner; she keeps hearing from Coby that he was a Demon, but she sees him as an average-sized, muscle man, bundled up with green haramaki over his hip, he wears black trousers tucked inside his black boot and plain white shirt, then he has three identical golden earrings on his left earlobe. Luffy thinks that Zoro seems like a normal human being.

"So I hear you're a bad guy," she popped the first question on her mind, and Zoro recognized that voice and scowled in annoyance.

"You're still here."

"You're baking in the sun for the world to see, are you sure you're that strong?"

"Shut up!" she sighed and walked a little closer to Zoro while holding her hat.

"I would go mad from hunger in three days," she stated.

"I got more spirit than you could ever have which is why I'll survive this ordeal...this I swear," with the smirk that he is determined and confident that he will win, and Luffy seem impressed his resolve and then giggled which made Zoro blush a little.

"What a weirdo, you sure are stubborn." she was about to leave when Zoro stopped her.

"Hold on...could you...pick that up for me," he eyed on muddy Rice Ball with a look; she cocked her head on the side and picked the muddy grain from the ground.

"You're gonna eat this? But is ruined and..."

"SHUT UP AND GIVE IT TO ME!" he yelled in irritation. She stare at him in surprise but shrugged it off and brought the muddy Rice close to his mouth; Zoro was surprised that she comes close to him when she could've thrown this to his mouth, doesn't this girl knew who he is, but shrugged it off, he is far too hungry to be thinking right now, he took a bite on the grain from her palm entirely and swallow it down and spit out some of the mud from his mouth.

"I told you so~" she said.

"No, It was good. Tell the girl I said thanks," his tone is soft but there was a hint of kindness in his voice, she smiled at him; she knew he wasn't that bad of a guy.

-----------------

"Really! He ate it all?" said the girl who, by the way, her name is Rika was happy to hear that her new friend Zoro ate her Rice Ball, Luffy and Eevee nodded.

"Yep, he ate every last grain there was," said Luffy.

"Oh, that wonderful!"

"Is Zoro is evil as everyone think that he is?" said Coby wondered this was all just rumors made by scared people, then Rika yelled at Coby.

"NO, he is not!...he's really good person because...he's imprisoned because of me," then girl changed into a saddened face catching them by surprise.

"Could you please tell us what exactly happened here?" Luffy asked Rika as softly as she can so she won't scare her away, Rika took a deep breath spoke about what happened.

"Its that stupid Helmeppo's fault. He is the son of Captain Morgan."

*Flashback*

"Step side step side make way for my beautiful pet doggy," said Helmeppo while walking with his sword on his shoulder and his beloved pet with two Marine guards.

But he is not really a doggy but in fact a fully grown orange wolf with bedding yellow eyes, the people scatter around like frighten mice as the wolf stroll on the street freely.

"And if anyone doesn't move I'll have my Father to execute you all HAHAHA!" Helmeppo threatens the people to move or die.

The wolf pushed the restaurant door where Rika and her Mother owned; they let out a shrill scream as the wolf eats the customer's food from their plate; Rika grabbed the broom and swing the broom to make the wolf leave.

"Stop it you mean old thing."

"You little girl, is there some kind of problem the way my beloved doggy is behaving," said Helmeppo smirking at the girl's daring to scare his doggy.

"Rika! Get away from that thing!" yelled Rika's Mother worried about her Daughter's wellbeing, but it were too late because the hungry wolf notice Rika and jumped at to eat her, the girl screamed in fear of thought that she's going to lose her, but before the wolf could reach her, it got hit by wooden chair hard on his head killing it instantly. Helmeppo screeched like girl when his pet lying dead, Helmeppo and everyone in the restaurant stared at the man that dared killed Helmeppo's pet wolf.

"Who the hell are you...wait you're... you're that Pirate Hunter, Zoro!" he knew recognized that bandana and the three katanas, he was known throughout the East Blue sea, the great Roronoa Zoro.

"And if I am?" Helmeppo held sword tightly in his hand trying to look heroic but failing miserably when he shake in fear.

"What's the Pirate Hunter like you was doing here in the first place?"

"Can it and let me finish my meal in peace." said Zoro as he took a big bite on his piece of meat, Helmeppo charged to Zoro to kill him but Zoro was too quick for him, he dodged his attack then kicked the sword through the roof and punched Helmeppo, then he drew his sword out and pointed on Helmeppo's face; Helmeppo screeched again that could have mistaken girl that cries for help.

"You're getting on my nerves, pal." and to prove to that his face is hooded, and scary look on his face that people would've see the demonic being in front of them, Helmeppo feels the cold, hard steel near his face that looks sharp enough to cut a hard rock then Helmeppo had an idea.

"Hahaha, you do realize if my Dad found out about this, he surely will execute the girl and her Mother," said Helmeppo and smirked when he saw the look on Zoro's face, he got right what he wants him to be.

"So what you do say to make a deal between men?" he got up from the ground and stare at Zoro face to face.

"In place the kid and her Mom we string you up instead for...say one month, if you survive in one month I will be so nice to let you go too so what you say, hm?" they stay in silence for what seem like half a minute and then Zoro lay down his sword and said.

"Then one month it is."

*End Flashback*

"It's been three weeks since... and Helmeppo keeps beating him and punching him while he's tied up. He's being so unfair I 'sob' I don't know how to help him. 'sob'" 

Eevee tried to comfort the kid with a nuzzle.

Then all of a sudden they all heard a crash coming near them.

They went straight to where the sound is, and they find out it's coming from Rika's restaurant, they barged in to see Helmeppo destroying the tables and the plates, then he got tired of it and sat sown on chair and place his white shoes on a plate full of fruits, ruining them.

"Hm, I'm hungry, bring whatever you got and keep a check for yourselves. HAHA and bring me a bottle of one of your best Moon Shiner or whatever you serve." Rika's Mother did what she was told while the customers could do nothing but to watch helplessly, among those customers a familiar orangette hair girl is sitting while holding her glass. Rika's Mother poured the glass for Helmeppo.

"You know I'm bored out of my mind I'm trying to think up something to do. Maybe if I execute Zoro tomorrow would that be fun HAHAHAHA!" then Luffy punched Helmeppo's face with a powerful blow sending him straight to the wall making everyone gasp in surprise and shock at the girl's action.

"You... you just hit me!" Helmeppo yelled at her while his holding his nose.

"Luffy stop! What do you think you're doing?"

"This guy must pay."

"You bitch you just hit me. I'm Captain Morgan's son you know?" yelled Helmeppo.

"I don't care who you are!" Luffy exclaimed as Eevee growled.

"YOU'LL CARE WHEN MY FATHER EXECUTE YOU FOR THIS!" Helmeppo yelled with teary eyes.

"Why don't you fight your own battles, you coward?"

"Stop it, Luffy! why are you trying to get on the Marine's bad side?!" said Coby.

"I have made up my mind; Coby...Zoro is going to join my Crew," he noticed that her tone was cold and serious. And nothing could change her mind.

-----------

Inside the walls of Marine Base, a man sitting on his comfortable chair in his office, inhaling his favorite cigar and admiring the view of his city. The man's aura held power and authority but in spite of that this man is greedy, frightful, and unjust.

Marine Captain Morgan, the one that citizens and Marines fear for his authority, and his appearance is scary as well, Morgan is a very tall, intimidating man with white-blond hair and a steel jaw.

"I feel great," said Morgan to the Marine who stood by the door salute to his Captain.

"Yes sir, right you are, sir."

"And yet the taxes we collect don't even compare to my sheer degree of greatness," he said with cockiness.

"Well sir, I guess the citizen's wallet aren't very deep these days, sir," said the saluted Marine in fear, afraid that his Captain would get mad because the taxes are getting lower than the day before and when that does he'll most likely go the person's house with the lowest toll will be accused of treason and execute him/her on the spot to show the Townsfolk example for disobedience. It would be worse if the money stopped circulating before long.

"The issue at hand is the level of respect for me, won't you agree, soldier?" it wasn't question to ask, he's commanding him to give him the right answer or face his death, but before the soldier could answer him, the office door burst open and came in weepy and fuming Helmeppo.

"Daddy, there is someone I want you to slaughter and I want it done NOW!"

---------------------

Zoro heard someone walking to him

to see its the same black-haired girl again.

"Ugh, you again? Don't you have better things to do than around here?" asked Zoro in annoyance.

"I'll help you escape if you promise to join my Crew," said Luffy bluntly.

"You're WHAT!"

"I'm running a Pirate Crew, and I'm looking for strong people to join up, I believe you qualify!" Luffy said as Zoro snort at the most ridiculous thing he ever heard.

"No way. I'll never stoop so low to join a Pirate Crew, especially if it's run by a female Captain and her pet. Screw that." 

Eevee growled and barked. As for Luffy, she frowned and placed both her hands on her slim hip. "And what's wrong being a Pirate, huh?"

"They're low-life criminals and why in hell would I want to join your Crew?"

"Look who's talking, everyone thinks you're some vicious animal out for blood."

"People can say whatever they want about me but...I never done a signal thing in my life that I regret," then he smirked and continued.

"I'll make through this challenge and then I'll accomplish what I want."

"...Sorry, but I've already decided that you can join my crew~" she sings a bit.

"WHAT? YOU CAN'T DO THAT!"

"I heard you're one of the best Swordsmen in the East Blue." Luffy changed the subject.

"Well...I am but that idiot Captain's son took mine away," he admitted.

"I guess I'll get it back for you."

"What!?" he was stunned that this girl would do that for him but then Luffy's eyes twinkle in mischief and said.

"But if you want your sword back, you just have to join my Crew to take it." Luffy grinned rocking on her heels.

"NOW YOU REALLY STARTED TO PISS ME OFF!" he never would've guessed that the girl could be so...wicked. Luffy giggled and ran to the direction of the Base.

'She really going to bust in...' he thought.

----------

Meanwhile, at the top of the Marine Base, Captain Morgan has ordered his men to place a statue of himself on top of the Base to display his power.

"Well Dad aren't you going to do something about this?! This b**** has just hit me in public you never hit me before why should she be able to?" Helmeppo keeps on whining and whining like a spoiled child while he faced his Father's back.

"Do you have any remote idea is to why I never hit you...well?" he asked his son a question.

"Uuhhh...is it because you love me, Dad?" he answered in whisper tune.

"...No, it because," without warning Morgan has hit his own son on the face sending him flying to the wall, he groan in pain that is much worse than the girl had hit him before.

"Because you're a stupid fool who is not worth hitting!" then he brought out from behind his back his right axe-hand which is very huge, the handle of which seems to go right through his forearm. Then he lifts his son using his axe.

"I don't want you to get the wrong idea and the only great one around here is a man you call your Father." then he toss his son on the ground with a "thud".

"Which reminds me...I heard a mouse snuck in the crucifixion yard?"

"Uh yes, that right the little girl but I already dealt with her." said Helmeppo.

"Hope that means kill," then all the Marines and even Helmeppo are shocked to hear from their Leader that he suggesting killing a child.

"Wha... what no, I didn't kill her, besides she's just a kid," said Helmeppo. Helmeppo may be a stupid, spoiled kid but a he knew better than killing. Morgan gave his son a disappointed look then he pointed his Lieutenant and said.

"You, go find this girl and kill her."

"What?!" The Lieutenant said in shock.

"I don't care if she's a child or not when I give you an order soldier, I expect you to do it. Now go to town, find her and kill her."

"N-no sir, I won't do it!" the Lieutenant muster his courage to Morgan to show that he won't do such a thing. Morgan got really angry that this man defies him, then Morgan kill the man with his axe leaving him to fall on the ground dead.

Helmeppo was petrified to see his Father has just killed one of his own men.

"YOU... YOU KILLED HIM"

"My strength is how I rose to the rank of Captain. Listen, in this world titles is what matter the most which mean being a Captain of this Base and highest ranking officer, I'm the most superior person as far as I can see this means that I do everything right, am I correct men!?"

"SIR, YES SIR!" all the Marines saluted to their Captain with their newfound fear.

"Let's put killing the girl on hold...for now, and behold the greatest symbol of my unending authorities," said Morgan staring at the statue of himself with satisfaction. Once his statue is placed, it will gain him more power and more respect throughout the town and the world.

"It took years to complete it, now here it is, now STAND IT UP, DISPLAY MY GREATNESS FOR ALL TO SEE!" once that said his men once again pull the heavy statue of Captain Morgan in slow and easy pace.

------------

Meanwhile, Luffy looked everywhere to find that stupid Helmeppo for quite sometime and no sign of him anywhere. And not a single Marine is here as well.

"Huh, I wonder where is everyone gone off to?" then she heard something coming from the top of the Base. She gets curious and uses her arms to jump to the sound as Eevee hangs on.

As the men heave and heave the statue up, and one of the men was unfortunate for him has accidentally scratch the statue's hand on the light post.

The Marine apologized to Captain Morgan countless times, but Captain Morgan won't have any of that and ready to kill that man for 'treason', but before he could slice that man, he saw something flying from the corner of his eyes, and though it was a bird, but he looks closely it was no bird, it was a...GIRL and a small fox creature.

"What is that!?" one of the Marines yelled in surprise while Luffy screamed when she saw giant rock 'monster' in front of her, she crashed onto the statue and fell, but regain herself and landed on the ground safely. The men are trying to stop the statue from falling, but the force was too strong it causes the statue to crack, and half of Morgan's statue fell and broke to millions of pieces.

Everyone gawk in utter and complete shock to see the Captain's statue is completely ruined by one scrawny little girl.

Luffy laughed nervously.

"Hehehe, sorry...about that," she tries to apologize, but Morgan was too angry to hear her excuse.

"SIEAZE HER AND HOLD HER SO I CAN KILL HER MYSELF!"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

"THAT HER DADDY! SHE'S THE BITCH WHO HIT ME!"

"Hey, there you are I've been looking everywhere for you," when Helmeppo saw the girl came face to face, he shrieked in terror and ran away, but Luffy already caught him and took off with Helmeppo.

"DO NOT LET THAT GIRL ESCAPE!" Morgan yelled at his men when he heard one of his men spot someone in the crucifixion yard; he looked down to see a little boy running toward the Pirate Hunter.

"I'm surrounded by traitors".

Luffy had Helmeppo as her prisoner so he can tell her where Zoro's sword is.

"Okay, so tell me where Zoro's sword is right now!"

"ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT I'LL TELL YOU 'AH' STOP DRAGGING ME ACROSS THE CARPET!" poor Helmeppo's butt is burned to the limit where he can't feel it. Luffy finally stopped and said.

"Fine, which way?"

"In my room we just pass it. By your third left."

"What, why didn't you say so in the first place 'sigh' now we go all the way back," said Luffy.

"STOP, don't move except let Helmeppo go!" three Marines held their guns pointed at Luffy.

"No thank you, but...you can try shoot me if you want," as she said that she put Helmeppo in front of her as a shield.

"AAAHHHHHHHH DON'T SHOOT! DON'T SHOOT!" while Helmeppo screamed like a maiden in distress, Luffy took her chance to run pass the Marines and head to Helmeppo's room.

-------------

Back at the crucifixion platform, Coby is trying to unbind those ropes to get Zoro free and help him escape out of Town.

"You have to get out of here, Zoro and fast," said Coby

"That manic is going to kill you of what you're doing right now," said Zoro.

"No, I can't do that I can't stand these Marines behave like this anymore, a true Marine should be honorable," said Coby, he's really upset to see those Marines that they couldn't do anything to stop the tyrant Morgan. Tyranny is not justice.

"Look kid, I can't leave, I got ten days left and then I..."

"You won't be leaving! They're going to execute you tomorrow!"

"...What!?"

"Helmeppo never intended to honor your agreement! He planned on killing you from the start. Luffy was so angry, she punched him."

"She...did that..." he feels shocked with overwhelming warmth and gratefulness for what Luffy just did.

"Now the Marines are mad and are dead serious on catching Luffy. I'm not asking you to become a Pirate but you need to help her," Zoro doesn't know what to say, his mind is on overdrive, if Helmeppo kills him which mean his promise will be broken and now this girl he barely knew is risking her life over stranger she doesn't know. Then he heard Coby said.

"She's the only one who can save you from death...and of course you're the only one who can save her," once Coby said it Zoro knew what he must do next.

"End of the line," both Zoro and Coby turn their head and gasped at numbers of Marines pointing their guns at them and Captain Morgan is among them.

"For the crime of treason against me I sent you both to die where you stand".

-

------------

Back with Luffy, she finally found Helmeppo's room which she can tell that really his because his room is decorated in pink and girly fashion.

"Yep this is it," she looked around the room to find Zoro's sword then she spotted three swords; two of them is black while the third is white.

"What the, there is three of them. Hey which one of these is Zoro?" she didn't get her reply because Helmeppo is out cold. She shrugged and dropped Helmeppo on his bed then she looked out the window to see both Zoro and Coby are surrounded.

"Coby! Zoro!" Luffy saw as she decided to take all three swords.

"I see you pulled some interesting moves around here, no matter, you will be executed along with Strawhat," said Morgan mention the Straw hat-wearing girl.

"Tsk, I always fight alone like real man does not like a coward who hides behind wall of extendable cronies." Zoro spat

"HAHA! Roronoa Zoro, don't you dare underestimate me, you may be a strong Swordsman, but under my rule you're nothing but a rat that needs to be exterminated. TAKE AIM!" Morgan's men too k their position, waiting for their Captain's order to fire, and Zoro could do nothing to stand and die.

"FIRE!" Luffy landed on the ground with a thud and a rain of bullets are rushing to kill her.

"LUFFY, NOOOOO!" Coby screamed.

"YOU!" then Zoro yelled too.

"STRAW HAT!" and lastly Morgan but Luffy didn't move she just stood still, as bullets are coming close fast. 

However, Everyone was rendered speechless that the girl flew from the window and the bullets bounced off her as Luffy was laughing.

"That...won't work on me!" while the Marines and Captain Morgan is shocked, Coby is relieved that Luffy came just in time while Zoro stares at Luffy in astonishment.

"What the...who the hell are you!?" then Luffy turn around to face Zoro and gave her signature Monkey D. grin.

"My name is Monkey D. Luffika, and I'm going to be Queen of the Pirates!" She smiles and Eevee grinned.

Zoro couldn't believe what he was hearing from this girl.

"You? Queen of the Pirates?! Yeah right, you're even more crazy than I thought. Do you have any idea what is that mean?!" Zoro asked as if not believing a word.

"Queen of the Pirates means Queen of the Pirates, what else could it mean?" she answered him as simple as that. Then Coby said.

"Yeah, when she first told me it was shocking at first, but she's completely serious. She has every intention of becoming Queen of the Pirates and obtaining the greatest treasure of them all, the One Piece!" Now Zoro is even more surprised that Luffy is willing to achieve her dream without of fear of dying.

The girl grinned in a big toothy grin as she hands out the swords to Zoro.

"Here, just like I promised, there's three of them but I couldn't tell which one is yours, so I brought all of them."

"All of them belong to me. I use Santoryu the Three Sword Style Technique." Zoro exclaimed.

"Oh well then, that works out. Well, just so you know if you fight with me now you will be a government-defined villain, so is either that or be killed by the Marines execution style," Luffy declared. 

Zoro smirked and said.

"What are you the Devil's daughter? It doesn't matter because if I don't choose your side I'll be dead on these sticks." then he smirk darkly that could make anyone cry like a school girl but for Luffy simply smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out." She took out a Pokeball. "Come out, Kricketune!" She said as a strange violin-shaped bug came out surprising Zoro and Coby.

"Kricketune!" 

"Kricketune, can you get Zoro out of these restraints?" Luffy asked as Kricketune nodded and cut up the ropes.

The Marines were still baffled at the girl's power and the two creatures that they have no idea what they are.

"What the...what is she?" one of the shocked Marine said.

"The bullets just bounced off her, and how did she summon the bug?" the Marines couldn't believe his eyes that something like that happens. Then Morgan explains to his men.

"The Straw Hat is no ordinary girl; she must've eaten one of those Devil Fruit that we heard so much about."

"The Devil Fruit?"

"The hidden treasure of the sea!?"

"The Devil Fruits, they say who ever eats one of those can gain extraordinary, other-worldly abilities. The power to breath fire, the power to cause tsunamis, rumors persist that they are many types of these Fruits, but next to nothing is known about them to most of the world...it is said that the secret is lays somewhere in the Grand Line but... no doubt about it that the Straw Hat girl has shown her Devil power," Morgan described the tale of these Fruits.

Luffy is busy trying to untie those robes only make it tighter and that made Zoro and Coby more anxious and tells her to hurry it up.

"That doesn't matter what abilities they have, all who have opposed me are considered traitors. If guns won't work, then CHOP THEM!" Morgan shouts at his Marines and the men obey his command, the Marines draw their swords and charge at the traitors.

"LUFFY!" Then they thank the Lord from above that Luffy has turned her head to see the Marines coming at them. Coby watched in terror as Marines got close enough and raised their swords to rip them into shreds; Coby closed his eyes, not wanting to see the gruesome site as he hears the slashing sound, he opened his eyes slowly and gaped.

Zoro stopped the onslaught Marines with his three swords, two on each hand and the one with white handle is between his teeth, with his incredible strength, he blocked every one of Marine's swords.

Captain Morgan was shocked and angry that Zoro is loose while Coby and Luffy and her Pokemon are amazed on Zoro's speed and power, the Marines gasped but before they can make step Zoro said to them in the most intimidating manner.

"Make one move and you die," with that said. He made the entire Marines cry like babies.

"He's so scary," one of them whispers while crying.

"Alright. Today I am officially become a criminal having fought the Marines so I'll become a Pirate...but I want to let you know one thing while I'm with you the only thing I dedicate myself to fulfill my ambition," said Zoro muffling through his sword.

"Which is?" Luffy asked.

"To be nothing else than the World's Greatest Swordsman...if something should have happened along the way that stops from reaching my dream then you take full responsibility for it afterward you get to apologize to me directly," his tone shows seriousness and fortitude with equal of his expression.

"The World's Greatest Swordsman, huh? I like that! The Queen of the Pirates wouldn't have any less than the best on her crew," then she smiled in glee and Zoro smirked that she answered him right.

"You've got guts for a little girl, from this point on no matter if I'm criminal or not, my name shall spread throughout the world and to the heaven above," Zoro exclaimed. Captain Morgan had had enough of this, so he shouts orders again.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING THERE FROZEN FOR, KILL THEM ALREADY RIGHT NOW!" the Marines flinched at their Captain's tone as they completely forgot on what they supposed to do, but Luffy was way ahead of them.

"You might wanna duck, Zoro," Luffy warned Zoro. "Kricetune, Rain Dance, Eevee, Bouncy Bubble!"  As Kricketune summoned rain and Eevee had water gather around it, Zoro saw that and quickly did what he was told as Eevee charged at the Marines knocking them down.

"Wow, that amazing they knocked them all down!" said Coby astonished at Luffy's abilities, even Zoro is impressed. The knocked-out Marines and Captain Morgan watched as they enthralled to one another that is so frightening that is impossible to stop them.

"Captain we don't stand a chance against them."

"He's right just look at them they're insane!"

"We couldn't even take on Zoro by himself" each of those soldiers confess to Captain Morgan that they don't stand a chance and as for Morgan grind his teeth in fury and vein pulsed on his forehead.

"This is a direct order, every Marine that shows weaknesses pull out your guns and shoot yourself; you're nothing but weak and incompetent soldiers who can't even carry out on one simple order," Captain Morgan has insulted those men and ordered them to kill themselves and that made them feel infuriated and mortified.

"Hey Zoro, let's end this," said Luffy sternly to Zoro and her Pokemon.

"You got it," and then they all charged passing the Marines ready to pound Morgan to submission, Morgan saw their assault and put his axe hand on his chest, Luffy's fist and Zoro's swords came in contact on Morgan's axe.

"Rank less low life bums, you have no rights to deify my superiority. I'm Marine Captain Axe-hand Morgan!" shouted Morgan as he removed his coat and throwing it.

"Tsk, as if I care who you are," said Zoro.

"You call yourself a Marine? You're the weak and incompetent one and because of you, you've destroyed Coby's dream. I will never forgive you," with that said, Kricketune used an Aerial Ace while Eevee used a Swift, that hit Morgan dead on.

Then Morgan charged  using a slash attack from his axe but Luffy, her Pokemon, and Zoro are too quick for him. He then raised his axe up high and then he strikes it down and again Zoro sidestepped, and Luffy jumped up in the air thus Morgan's axe hit the ground made it crack.

Up in the air, Luffy flipped herself and smacked Morgan upside on his head with her foot as Zoro made a mad dash and kicked Morgan's face hard, every Marine was shocked to see the ruthless Captain Morgan is getting pummeled.

Morgan regains his fall and Luffy and Zoro charge again; Morgan tries again by slicing them into meat cubes and again he misses, then Eevee uses her Shadow Ball and bashes Morgan's gut making the spectators wince, and Kricketune finishes him off with one swift Night Slash striking Morgan's jaw knocking him out cold.

Luffy, Eevee, Kricketune and Zoro looked down at beat up Morgan and then the speechless Marines; none of them has ever thought is to see Captain Morgan is been defeated by two people only, then Zoro spoke.

"If there is anyone else who want to step forward and fight us then do it now," as they waited for the Marines to respond, and surprise, surprise the Marines just cheer and said 'free at last', it seems that Captain Morgan have been striking fear to both civilians and Marines that no one stand chance against him but now that he's beaten, they can finally have their lives back.

Luffy smiled for the happy Marines that she didn't notice Morgan woke up and ready to slice her in two, then Zoro sees Morgan prepared to kill her, in an instant he dash toward Morgan and slashed at Morgan's chest with his three swords causing a gash of blood sprinted on his chest, Morgan falls with a thud and everybody stood completely stilled afraid one sudden movement could wake the raging man but nothing happen so which means he's finished. Luffy looked at Zoro as he put back his swords in his sheath and then she said softly.

"Thank you."

"I'm just doing my job...Captain," said Zoro with grin; Luffy grinned in happiness hearing the word "Captain" from Zoro made her feel good inside.

---------------------------

Meanwhile, outside the now Ex-Captain Morgan's office, two Marines were tied up and their mouths covered with cloth muffling courses, within the office is the intruder and the intruder is none other than the mysteries and familiar orange hair girl rummaging every nook and cranny to find whatever she's looking for.

She cursed; she still hasn't found it, and she looked around the room to see if she can find anything particular or out of plain sight, then she spotted a safe behind some barrels.

"Jackpot," she exclaimed, she pushed the barrel away and before she can solve the code she is surprised that the safe is already opened, she peek inside the safe and found what she's been looking for, a piece of out of form rolling map.

"That it, the chart of the Grand Line I knew they were hiding in here," as she said, she unroll the chart and have a look see but what she see is not the chart of the Grand Line but a funny looking Jolly Roger with big red nose. She gasped as she recognized the Jolly Roger.

"So it's Buggy...also known on the seas as Buggy the immortal," she clenched the paper, knowing for sure that the map of the Grand Line was in the hands of Captain Buggy, going there and stealing the chart from them would be suicide.

----------------------------

Outside Rika's restaurant, people are gathering everywhere to watch two heroes stuffing themselves silly in a countless amount of food.

"Oh, ah boy ,am I stuffed haven't eaten in three weeks I was ready to eat my own clothes," he rubs his bulging belly as Rika, Coby, and Rika's mom laugh, Zoro has already finished five plates of delicious food while Luffy is still wanting more which surprised Zoro.

"Hey, how the hell can you have a bigger appetite than a guy who haven't eaten in three weeks?"

"Clearly you've never heard of my family, we're notorious for our appetites." said Luffy as Eevee and Kricketune ate some fruit.

"Yeah, it's great, thank you for the meal," Coby expresses his gratitude to Rika's mom.

"My pleasure, after all you saved this town. We owe you all in great debt," she expresses her thanks to the heroes of Shells Town.

"You're the coolest girl I ever met, when I grow up I wanna be just like you," said Rika admiring and respecting her newfound idol.

"Thanks and I'll be even cooler when I become Queen of the Pirates and finds the One Piece and of course the best crew on the seas," said Luffy.

"So how much crew you have besides me?" Zoro asked. She took a bite on a piece of steak and answered.

"Well, to be honest, I just started out as a Pirate the other day. So it's Just you and my other Pokemon."

"Wait you mean it just you and...me?" he pointed at her then himself in dumbfounded expression.

"For now. I plan to get a navigator. I can navigate a bit, but I'm no expert. Ah, we'll also need a sharpshooter, a cook, a doctor, and a proper ship." Luffy trailed off. "I can do a bit of everything, but I would be tired out."

"Ah."

"Luffy, where were you and your crew will be traveling when you leave here?" Rika asked.

"Isn't it obvious, we're heading straight to the Grand Line," before Rika can utter a word, Coby spits his juice and says.

"WHAT, are you completely crazy?! it you CAN'T go to the Grand Line with just you and Zoro; that place is hell on seas!"

"I heard about this place, but I never thought it just an awful place," said Rika.

"It's worse than you think, as you all know this world has two oceans; well there is an enormous land mass that cut both of them, this called the Red Line, legend tells that there is a town placed dead center on the Red Line; the Grand Line cut through it in the right angle to all the way around the rest of the world, the story goes on as Captain Gol D. Roger made it to the Grand Line and obtain the World's greatest treasure, the One Piece and made out alive, then shortly after he dies, his final word said that he hidden his treasure in the Grand Line, ever since then Pirates has traveled to the Grand Line in search for the One Piece, today this place has turned into a war zone killing one other thus the place has called it the Pirate's Graveyard," he said with a grim look on his face.

"Well that too bad because that where we are going, right Zoro," said Luffy completely ignoring the threat that will end in the demise. Then Zoro lay back on his seat and said.

"I guess we have to live with it."

"NO, you can't!" Coby shouted.

"What do you care it's not like you're coming with us," Zoro said.

"No, but I still worry about you guys...even though Luffy and I only known each other for a couple of days but I still consider her as a friend, right Luffy?" said Coby.

"Of course we're always being friends. Even if we part ways we'll always be friends," she said with a smile. Coby was silent for a moment then a smile is spread.

"When I just a little kid I didn't have any friends much less anyone fighting on my behalf, so I always try my best to never to fight for anything," Coby tells about his past life and how he endured alone, and then his eyes filled with hope and determination.

"But the two of you has taught me a lesson that couldn't learn on my own, how to live on what I believe in so I can make my one childhood dream a reality and I'm going to join the Marines," Rika and Luffy grin at Coby's resolve.

Only for Zoro to disrupt the moment.

"That all well and good but...I think you should be more worried about your current situation," Coby didn't get what Zoro meant, and then Zoro proceeded by saying.

"You spent two years serving under Captain Alvida's Pirate ship even if you were a Cabin boy, the Marine's information gatherings are top notch, and once they find out you were one of Captain Alvida's crew they'll never let you join."

"I...I never thought of that," Coby totally forgot about that, and Zoro's right. After spending two years with Alvida as her Cabin boy serving her...this cannot end after everything happens, he refuses to give up. Suddenly a group of Marines entered Rika's restaurant startling everyone in it, one Marine step forward probably the next commanding officer after Morgan's defeat.

"Are you by any chance you're Pirates?" he asked.

"You got it; Zoro is the first member of my crew, so this whole thing becomes official," Luffy replied.

"We appreciated of what you all did to save us from the vicious tyrant, however, now that we know you're both Pirates as Marines we cannot sit idly by and watch do your business...therefore, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave this town immediately. But out of respect of what you've done we will not report you to HQ," with that said, people of the town are shouting in disapproval that the Marines are being unfair to them, if it weren't for them they were still going to live in fear under Morgan with the rest of their lives, before they can protest some more Luffy lift the sack filled with food, retuned Kricketune to his Pokeball, and Eevee hopped on her other shoulder and walk with Zoro.

At the dock, she was about to untie the rope and jump on her mini-ship when she heard Coby's shout. They both turn to see Coby, Rika, and Rika's mom from a distance.

"Thank you so much you have done so much for me than anyone has ever had," then he salutes to Luffy.

"I never heard of a Marine thanking a Pirate before, this is gonna be in the history books," said Zoro jokingly and Luffy giggled before she walks up to Coby, and gave him a peck on his forehead which made Coby stumble back in embarrassment as his hand zoom to where she had kissed him, she giggled and said.

"This is for good luck and wishes for you to succeed," then Coby smiles in really goofy way.

They release the main sail and sails away as she waves at Coby and her new friend goodbye.

"So long, Coby I hope we meet again someday," Luffy called.

"Luffy...thanks you," he can feel tears swelling up in his eyes.

"Bye Luffy, Bye Zoro!" Rika waved at them.

"ALL HANDS SAAAAAALLLLLLUUUUAAAAATTTTEEE!" then the entire Marine armies saluted the retreating Pirate wishing them good luck, as well.

"BYYYYYYYYEEEE" Luffy called as Eevee waved as well one more time as she sails further away, Coby smiled then he heard his Commander spoke.

"That a good friend you got there," he can feel like crying in joy but he cast them away and smile proudly instead.

"Yeah."

"Men, seeing out a current salute to the Pirates are in violation of Marine law; we all go without food in three days. Do I make myself clear?"

"SIR, YES SIR!"

'I know will meet again someday, deep inside I can feel as much as I felt anything even as we divided as Pirates and Marines I still look forward to that day.'

The sunset shines brightly with many colors of yellow, orange, and purple making Luffy smile ever more as she and her first mate sail on the open seas.

------------------------

Here is the next chapter!

Next Luffy will have already explained about her Pokemon to Zoro as they head to Orange Town and they will meet Nami.

As for pairings, I'm stuck between Ace or Sabo as I did not make them sworn siblings with Luffy.

Let me know if you want Ace, Sabo, or both.

Plz comment!