The crying of the gulls, the noise of the docks and the scraping of cargo being loaded and unloaded...they've finally made port at the Navy base! They've barely even managed to finish mooring off the ship before Luffy is strutting up the dock as if he owns it, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear.
"Alright! We made it! The Navy base city!" shouts Luffy, attention of several passersby who quickly hurry on their way. Run follows up behind his friend, slapping him on the back before pushing forward. "Eh! Wait a second, I get to go first, Run! I'm the Captain so I need to be the one to talk to him first!" Luffy chases after him quickly with Coby doing his best to keep up with the two as they walk through the crowded, and stall lined streets of the city.
"Y-You two can't be serious!" cries Coby. "You're crazy to want him to join you!"
"Relax, relax! I still haven't decided what I'm gonna do, yet. I just wanna see if he's actually a good guy."
"He's been caught because he's a bad guy!" Luffy laughs as he snags up two pairs from a nearby stall and tosses one to Run who plucks it from the air. The red head tosses a few coin back to the stall owner who catches them with a big smile on his face.
"Oi, old man, do you know if Zoro is at the base?" Almost immediately after the question has left his mouth, the people surrounding them recoil quickly. Run whistles in surprise, scanning the horrified faces of the people around them.
"Guess he's left a bit of an impression," Run says. "Now I wanna meet him even more." They continue down the street towards the Navy base intending to drop off Coby with the local Marines...but they're surprised when the use of the base leaders name, Captain Morgan, provokes the same exaggerated response in the locals. Maybe it's not just Zoro who the people have to be afraid of. Regardless, the reactions of the locals seems to be infinitely entertaining to Luffy.
"Man, this place is really funny!"
"I understand Zoro but why would they be afraid of a Marine Captain's name?" Coby asks them. "I've got a bad feeling about this..."
"Well...maybe he's a dick?" Run offers, looking down at Coby. "I mean, being in the Navy doesn't change your personality. Or maybe they were just doing it to mess with us. It's pretty obvious that we're not from around here, after all." In short order, they find themselves standing before a large set of iron gates emblazoned with the word 'Marine' across it's surface.
"I can't believe it! I'm finally here!" Coby sniffles as tears being to roll down his cheeks. Luffy and Run walk forward towards the surrounding stone wall. "I guess this is where we part ways. It was only for a short time but- Luffy? Run?" He looks around to find Run boosting Luffy up on his shoulders, standing with his knees bent and and back braced against the wall while Luffy stands on his shoulders.
"Oi, what do you see, Luffy? Describe it to me."
"What in the world are you two doing?! Get down from there right this instant!"
"Let's get a look at this 'demon', huh?" Luffy says, scanning the yard in front of him.
"There's no way he would just be out in the-"
"Oh! There he is! Run, I see him! He's all tied up!" Luffy scrambles up, pushing off of Run's head to boost himself fully up onto the wall with a grunt. Coby approaches while Run rubs the back of his head in annoyance. Without warning he grasps the boy by the back of his shirt and jumps up, easily pulling the two of them up onto the wall. "See?" True to Luffy's word, there's a man tied to a post in the center of an empty field.
"A black hood and a haramaki...that's him!" Coby confirms. "Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro!"
"Hmm. He can get away easily if we cut those ropes!"
"Absolutely not! There's no telling what he'll do if we let him go! I bet he'd even try to kill the two of you!"
"Aah, we'll be fine," Run assure him. "If it makes ya feel better, we'll try talking to him before we-"
"Oi, you three idiots," calls Zoro, earning their attention. "You're an eyesore. So beat it." Before they can retort a ladder is suddenly pushed up against the wall beside them. All three heads turn to face it, watching as a young girl quickly scrambles up and surprises them further by actually shushing them before tossing a rope over the wall. She scrambles down the rope, and crosses the yard quickly to offer up something to the swordsman.
"You must be hungry!" says the girl. "Here! I made you some rice balls!"
"You trying to get yourself killed, pipsqueak? You should just get lost." The gates to the yard suddenly open, and a trio of men enter in. The leader of the group, a blond man in a purple suit is flanked on either side by a Marine, and approaches Zoro and the girl with an exaggerated swagger. Most of what he says is lost over the distance but his actions speak far loudly than his words ever could as he snatches one of the rice balls she's made and stuffs it in his mouth, only to rant and rave about using salt instead of sugar and summarily knocking the second to the ground and stomping it into the dirt.
It's an action that boils the blood of Luffy and Run...but the final straw is when the blond man orders one of the Marines to quite literally throw the girl over the fence. The Marine hesitates for a brief moment before doing as ordered, and Run immediately leaps back, catching the girl in the air and landing several feet away from the fence.
"Whoa there!" Run calls, managing a smile for the frightened girl. "You alright, kid?"
"Y-Yes," stammers the girl. "Thank you."
"Run, are you alright?" calls Coby, dashing in their direction. "I can't believe how horrible that guy is!" He kneels down beside the girl as Run sets her down. "Are you hurt anywhere?" While Coby tends to the girl Run approaches the fence once again, surprised to find that Luffy isn't hanging on the edge of it. He leaps up, clearing the fence with ease and landing on the opposite side where Luffy stands across from the bound Zoro.
"I hear you're a bad guy," Luffy says, confronting Zoro. "At least that's what everyone says. But being stuck out here like this for everyone to see...are you really as strong as they say?"
"Mind your own damn business!" growls Zoro, staring the two of them down.
"If it were me, I'd starve to death after three days!"
"I'm not as weak willed as that." Run approaches the man closer, looking at the ropes holding him tight to the post. "What are you looking at?" Run chuckles a bit in response, and surprises Zoro leaning down to look him in the eyes. "Back off, ya..." Zoro's eyes narrow as he stares into the red head's grey eyes. "Ya lookin' for a fight, red?" After a few moments the red head leans back with a grin on his face.
"Oi! I like this guy, Luffy!" Run tells him. He turns away from the bound Zoro and comes to an abrupt halt when he calls out.
"Red...before you go, give me that rice ball."
"Eh? But it's more of a mud ball now," Luffy complains, lifting the squashed remains.
"Just shut up and give it here!" Luffy does as asked, giving the rice ball to Zoro who scarfs it down without protest. "Thank you for the good." Luffy and Run actually chuckle as they walk away from Zoro...
Lead away from the Navy base and back to her mother's restaurant, the little girl who they've come to know as Rika, explains exactly how Zoro came to be all tied up. Apparently, the blond man, Helmeppo, runs rough-shod over the people of the city since he's the son of Captain Morgan. In this case, he brought a wild wolf into the city, and eventually her mother's restaurant where it proceeded to eat whatever it wanted, snapping and snarling at anyone who got too close. Fortunately for them, Zoro just so happened to be enjoying a meal in the restaurant and beat the wolf down with a bar stool before it could hurt anyone. When Helmeppo tried to interfere he even stuck down the man, who responded by threatening the lives of Rika and her mother.
Zoro was forced into a deal for their lives by allowing himself to be strung up in their place for a whole month. If he could survive they would all be free to go. All in all, it sounds an awful lot like nothing but a bid for Helmeppo to save his own skin and nothing else. After she's finished her story, she leads them inside just in time to be greeted by the obnoxious Helmeppo, who kicks his feet up on a table.
"I'm hungry!" complains Helmeppo. "Oi, woman, let us all eat for free!" Luffy and Run being their approach slowly. "C'mon! Quit dawdling and hurry it up! Aah, yeah! Now that I think about it, I've been pretty bored lately! So, I think I'm just going to execute Zoro tomorrow. I hope everyone is looking forward to it!" Luffy is quick to react, covering the distance in a few bounds and striking Helmeppo square in the jaw so hard that he flies across the restaurant and smashes into a nearby wall, upending several tables as a result. "W-What the hell are you doing?!"
"Luffy!" exclaims Coby, charging over and grabbing onto Luffy in an attempt to restrain him.
"Y-You hit me?! I'm Captain Morgans son, ya know! I'm gonna tell my dad and he's gonna execute you!"
"Luffy! Are you trying to get on the Navy's bad side?!"
"I've made up my mind, Coby! I'm gonna have Zoro join my crew...!"
They struck out as soon as the dust cleared, heading back to the Navy base to see Zoro once more. Clearing the fence, Luffy, Run and Coby approach the bound Zoro once again. The swordsman snorts and slowly shakes his head as they come to a stop in front of him.
"You three idiots must have a lot of free time on your hands," Zoro complains. "Can't you see that-"
"We're here to untie you," Luffy interrupts. "So, join my crew."
"Say what?"
"I'm looking for people to join my pirate crew!"
"Just get lost already. You really think I'd go so far as to stoop to a criminals level? Fuck that. There's no way in hell that I'd throw my hat in with you two morons." Run actually chuckles a bit in response. "See what I mean? Red here isn't even smart enough to get mad when he's insulted."
"What's wrong with being a pirate?!"
"Firstly, pirates are despicable! As if I'd ever want to be one!"
"Why not? You're already known as an evil bounty hunter!"
"People can talk all they want. But I'm gonna live through this, and accomplish what I want!"
"That's too bad. Because I've already decided that you're gonna join my crew!" Luffy crosses his arms with a grin. "I hear that you use swords!"
"Yeah...but that idiot son took my swords."
"I'll go get them back for you! So if you want your swords, then you're gonna have to join my crew!"
"You're starting to piss me off!"
"Run, you keep an eye on Zoro! I'm gonna go get those swords back!" Run raises a hand and offers a wave in acknowledgement while Luffy goes sprinting off into the distance, rapidly stretching his arms out and slinging himself away from the pair.
"What the hell is that guy?!"
"Ehh, you'll get used to it," Run offers, looking at the ropes holding Zoro tight. "Alright! Now, let's get up sprung from there, huh?" Run steps closer and begins to untie the knots holding Zoro tight to the post. As soon as Run begins to undo one of the knots, however, Zoro begins to struggle. "Hey, would you quit, already? You're just tightening-"
"I can't escape yet! I've only got ten days until-"
"You've got until tomorrow morning," Run interrupts. "Luffy and I bumped into Helmeppo after we left. He's planning to execute you in the morning. Naturally, Luffy got pissed off and punched him." Seeing the shocked look on Zoro's face Run sighs softly. "You really believed that a guy like him would keep his word?" The red head begins untying the knots once again. "The way I see it? We're your best bet of getting out of here alive. Luffy wants you to join the crew...I want you to join the crew...but I also believe that if we can't see eye to eye, its better that we part ways on good terms here. But the choice is yours to make, Zoro."
"Stop right there!" exclaims a tall blond man, attracting their attention to a large group of Marines rapidly approaching. "You two...for the crime of treachery against me, the penalty is death!"
"I guess you must be Captain Morgan." Run turns to fully face the man, a lop sided grin on his face. "I don't suppose we can talk about this, huh?"
"This is certainly an interesting stunt that the two of you have pulled. Were the two of you and that straw hat kid planning a coup or something?"
"A coup?"
"I've always fought alone," Zoro tells him plainly. "Unlike arrogant bastards like you, who use their soldiers as pawns!"
"Roronoa Zoro!" growls Morgan. "Don't you dare underestimate me! You may be strong but before my authority you're nothing but common scum! Take aim!" The Marines in front of him raise their rifles, pointing them at the two men. Run tenses in response but relaxes when a familiar figure comes dropping out of the sky, landing between them and the Marines just as they fire. The bullets strike Luffy, and immediately ricochet back at the Marines, rebounding off his rubber body.
"Sorry, bullets won't work!" shouts Luffy, grinning from ear to ear.
"W-Who the hell are you?!" demands Zoro, staring in shock.
"Hm? I'm Monkey D. Luffy! The man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
"King of the Pirates?! Do you even know what that means?!"
"Yeah! King of the Pirates is King of the Pirates!" Luffy approaches and removes the trio of swords slung across his back before thrusting them out in Zoro's direction. "Here's your treasure! I didn't know which one was yours, so I just brought them all!"
"All three are mine. I use the Three Sword Style."
"So, you'll take 'em, then? If we fight together now that means you'll be a government-defying villian!"
"What are you? The devils son? Fine! If it's a choice between dying here or becoming a pirate, I choose a life of piracy!"
"Yeeeeaaaah~!" exclaims Luffy, grinning broadly and thrusting the swords skyward. "So you'll join my crew?! Alright, woo-hoo! This is great! Our third crewmate, Run!"
"The ropes! Don't forget the damn ropes!"
"That brat...he must have eaten a Devil Fruit," mutters Morgan. "It doesn't matter if we can't shoot him! If guns don't work, then use your swords! Anyone who opposes me must be executed!" With their orders received, the Marines draw their swords and charge forward.
"Yeah, yeah," Run says, grasping the ropes binding his arms tightly. "This might pinch, Zoro." Before he can even respond, Run yanks on the rope, snapping it immediately. In the blink of an eye Zoro has snatched his swords from Luffy and drawn them, blocking the blades of all the rushing Marines.
"I'll be a pirate," Zoro tells them. "I promise you that. Now that I've officially fought the Navy, I'm a criminal anyway. But I'll tell you this right now...I'm only going to fulfill my ambition! I'm going to be the worlds greatest swordsman! If I wind up having to give that up, then you have better accept responsibility and apologize to me!"
"The worlds greatest swordsman? Sounds good to me!" Luffy tells him. "The King of the Pirates would need nothing less than that on his crew!"
"Heh. You sure talk a big game! But it doesn't matter! At this point whether it's as a criminal or not, I'm gonna spread my name throughout the world!"
"Alright! Then, duck, Zoro!" Luffy stretches a leg back quickly. "Gum-Gum...Whip!" He launches his leg out, scattering numerous Marines in a single attack. Run sprints forward, covering the distance between them and Morgan in several long strides. "Yeah, knock 'im out, Run!" The red head cocks back with a smirk while Morgan raises his axe hand.
"Rankless, low status bums have no right to-" begins Morgan, only to be silenced the moment Run's fist contacts the flat of his blade.
"Sea King's Bite!" Run's fist drives the axe back into Morgan's gut, driving the wind from his lungs and knocking him off his feet. He strikes the ground flat on his back several meters away, tumbling head over heels before finally coming to a stop motionless. "Sorry, I didn't catch that." Run approaches the downed man calmly. "Let's have that axe off, huh?"
"S-S-Stop right there!" exclaims a familiar voice, causing all heads to turn. Helmeppo stands with a pistol to Coby's head, his whole body shaking. "I-If you value this kids life, don't move!" Luffy, Zoro and Run finally turn to confront the man.
"Alright, alright. Calm down, I'm not moving."
"I...I don't want to get in your way!" screams Coby. "Even if it means dying!"
"You're not gonna die, Coby." Luffy grins from ear to ear, slowly approaching the shaking Helmeppo.
"I told you not to move!" Helmeppo tells them. "I'll shoot! I-I mean it!" Run glances over his shoulder just as Morgan begins to rise on unsteady feet. "N-Now! Dad, kill him quick!"
"Gum-Gum...Pistol!" Luffy lunches a fist out as Morgan's axe comes down, coming to a halt inches from Run's head. Helmeppo is struck square in the face, falling backwards in time with Morgan, both of whom finally lie motionless in the dirt.
"C-Captain Morgan has been defeated! We're finally free...!"
Honestly, they weren't expecting a celebration after defeating the Navy on the island. In fact, that was the furthest thing from their mind. But when Rika and her mother offered the three of them a meal on the house, they weren't exactly going to turn it down. Unfortunately for the poor woman, she most definitely underestimated Luffy's ability to pack it away. It isn't long before they've drawn quite the crowd to their table. Rika clears a stack of empty plates from the table as Zoro finally reclines back in his seat, patting his stomach.
"Man, I'm stuffed!" sighs Zoro. "Who would have thought three weeks could feel so long?"
"Huh? You're done already?" Luffy mumbles around a mouthful of food.
"How can your appetite be bigger than mine?"
"It's just so good! I can't help it!" Run chuckles in response as he tops off both his and Zoro's cups with alcohol.
"You said that you're gonna be King of the Pirates...so that means you must have gathered up a hell of a crew. Besides us, how many more are there?" Luffy pauses for a moment chewing a mouthful of food before managing to force it down.
"This is it! It's the three of us right now!"
"How can we call ourselves a pirate crew with just three members?!"
"Relax, relax," Run tells him. "We'll get more crew members before you know it. After all, we'll need all hands on deck if we're gonna make it through the Grand Line." Across the room, Coby immediately spits out his drink upon hearing their plans.
"You still want to go to the Grand Line?!" demands Coby. "But...it's just the three of you! Why?! Why would you go to a place like that? It's a pirate graveyard! No one comes back from there alive!"
"Why do you care? It's not like you're coming," Zoro tells him plainly.
"Even so! Luffy and Run are my friends! I've never had friends before, and now that I do I don't want to lose them!"
"Why would you?" Luffy and Run ask in tandem.
"H-Huh?"
"Just because we're going to the Grand-Line doesn't mean we'll die, and it doesn't mean that you'll never see it again," explains Luffy. "Even if you don't see us for a while that doesn't mean we'll stop being friends. We'll always be friends, Coby! Right, Run?" His long time friend chuckles a bit and nods firmly in agreement.
"They're right, besides, you got other things to worry about," Zoro tells him. "Whether or not you were an actual pirate, it doesn't change the fact that you were, at the least, a chore-boy on one of their ships. Which means, if the Navy finds out you'll never be able to join them." The doors open and everyone looks over as a group of marines enter the restaurant. "Speak of the devil."
"Well, that's our cue," Run says, standing from the table with a rather disarming smile. "Heh, excuse us, fellas. We were just leaving."
"You three," speaks one of the marines. "Is it true that the three of you are pirates?"
"Yup!" chirps Luffy, grinning broadly.
"I see. Well, if that's the case then even if you saved this town we have no choice but ask that you leave, immediately." The resulting fall out from the locals is less that pleasant but regardless, the three stand up from the table without any fuss, and start for the door. The man looks at Coby, who doesn't make any move to leave. "You. Are you with these three."
"No. I don't know them," Coby replies quickly, earning hidden smiles from the three. It would be best if he just denied everything.
"Let's go, we-"
"Actually, I know this kid here," Luffy admits to everyone. "You see, this kid here..." Luffy begins to approach slowly, smiling like a fool the whole time. "...for about two years, he worked for..." Before he can finish, Coby socks him square in the jaw, silencing him.
"Hnnn...alright, now you're gonna get a beating!" Without another word, Luffy begins to give Coby a beating that goes on for at least minute before Zoro and Run call for him to stop.
"That's enough! You made your point!" call the two in unison. Luffy stops, and lets the kid collasp onto the floor.
"Obviously, you aren't a member of their crew," calls the marine commander. "Leave...!"