Luffy watched from the shoreline as boats were lowered from the anchored battleship across the water. He smiled as he saw Hina leading the first wave of Marines.
"Hina! Long time no see!" Luffy waved enthusiastically at the female Marine Captain.
She wore a purple suit over a white blouse which were complemented with a pair of dark purple gloves. The first two buttons of her blouse were left unbuttoned, just barely revealing the valley between her cleavage. A Marine coat bearing the word 'Justice' in kanji draped loosely on her shoulders and a pair of sunglasses rested idly on her head amongst her pinkish blonde hair.
"Luffy!" She grinned, pulling him into a bear hug. "It's been too long!"
"Shishishi, indeed it has, how have you been?" Luffy chuckled.
She chuckled, finally letting go of Luffy, "It's been fine, though the higher ups have been a rather pain in my ass for quite some time. But enough of that! Hina's interested in your journey! How is your crew coming along?"
"Oh, I'm fine, I managed to get a swordsman and a navigator so far, though the navigator hasn't confirmed her membership yet. She claims she still has unfinished business."
"Such a shame," Hina nodded sagely. "It would be nice if Smoker was here too, I remember he didn't like you that much when you first joined up."
She began to pop a cigarette into her mouth before noticing Luffy's stare.
"Ah, Hina sorry! I forgot you never liked smoking," she put away her cigarette immediately, earning a grin from Luffy.
"Anyway, down to business, how soon can your men get ready?" Luffy peeked at the marines who were still organizing themselves on the beach.
Hina turned and looked at them, gears grinding in her head. "I would guess in fifteen minutes or so."
Luffy shook his head, "too slow, I need them in the village in defensive positions and another group to escort the villagers out. They need to be ready by ten."
Hina grinned, "Ten minutes it shall be then." She crossed her arms and turned to the marines.
"MEN! I WANT EVERYONE TO BE READY IN TEN! HOP TO IT!"
"YES HINA-SAMA!" Every marine immediately doubled their speed.
"Now, Luffy, what is with this Captain Kuro you mentioned? Wasn't he executed three years ago?" Hina raised an eyebrow.
Luffy shook his head, "Apparently not, I don't know how he did it, but he's here right now with his old crew. He plans to assassinate the mansion's mistress to claim her fortune while his crew attacks the village."
Hina nodded, "I'll have a team set up a defensive perimeter around the town while another will act as escort. Another smaller team will head to the mansion. Is that agreeable?"
"I'll be heading to the mansion myself," Luffy nodded. "I'll be taking down Kuro if you don't mind."
"By all means, he's yours," Hina chuckled. "I'll take care of the pirates attacking the village, we'll rendezvous at the village center once you're done with him."
"Alright, let's move out then," Luffy grinned.
Zoro watched Usopp and Nami directing all the villagers to the center of the village. He sighed as he remembered the events of last night. When Usopp tried to convince them that pirates were attacking the village, all of them had called him a liar and chased him around the village with weapons in hand. Zoro had to step in as a Marine and affirm the villagers that what Usopp had said was true before they believed them.
The dark sky began to brighten as the villagers gathered awaiting their marine escort. Nami rejoined Zoro leaning against one of the village huts.
"We got everyone ready to go," Nami sighed.
"Heh, so you can care about things other than money," Zoro smirked.
Nami shrugged, "I'm unofficially a marine now, so I guess I'll just follow the Captain's orders as long as I'm here. But make no mistake, the treasures are still mine!" Nami ginned, wagging a finger at him.
Zoro just huffed but said nothing.
They didn't have to wait long before a company of marines showed up and proceeded to escort the villages to the southern beach. Another company led by Hina and Luffy entered the village as soon as the villagers moved out.
"I want everyone in their positions! Encircle the village and prepare to ambush the pirates when they enter the village! Squad leaders take over your squads!" Hina commanded.
"YES HINA-SAMA!" The marines scurried to obey.
"Once the scouts report the pirates landing, I'll head straight to the mansion," Luffy commented.
"Understood, don't worry about this end of things, Luffy. Just go kick that guy's ass." Hina clutched his shoulder reassuringly.
Luffy approached Zoro and Nami with a grin plastered on his face, "Zoro, Nami, stay here and make sure things go smoothly, Captain Hina over there will be in charge of things here. Usopp, you'll follow me to the mansion as soon as the pirates are spotted on the beach."
"Alright."
"Aye, Captain."
"Of course!"
All three answered confidently.
By the time the scouts returned to report on pirates landing on the beach, everything was prepared to receive them.
"Luffy, go. Hina will handle things here."
"Understood, thanks again Hina!" Luffy grabbed Usopp and ran towards the mansion.
Hina approached Zoro and Nami, "You're Luffy's crew right? How well can you handle yourselves?"
"Well enough," Zoro grinned, clutching his swords.
Hina grunted without comment, "I need the two of you to be in the shadows, don't come out unless things don't go according to plan, you two will be our fail safe."
"Leave it to us," Nami pounded her chest confidently.
Zoro and Nami hid behind one of the village buildings, Zoro had his hand gripping firmly on his sheathed swords and Nami held on to her staff confidently. Every marine had their weapons ready as they awaited their orders. Only Hina remained in the center of the village alone.
The Black Cat Pirates charged into the village not suspecting a thing, only to be greeted by a lone Marine Captain standing with her arms crossed, casually puffing on a cigarette that she could not in Luffy's presence.
"I am Captain Hina of the Marines, members of the Black Cat Pirates, lay down your weapons quietly or face the consequences."
The pirates began to whisper amongst themselves.
"This must be the marine the captain was talking about…"
"She's only one person, against us she doesn't stand a chance!"
"She looks pretty though…"
"Why is the village so empty?"
"Last warning, pirates!" Hina shouted, tapping her foot impatiently.
"We need to carry out captain Kuro's plans, or we'll be slaughtered!" a pirate yelled, spurning all the pirates to face the Marine Captain, weapons flashing wickedly.
"Hina disappointed," Hina sighed, raising her hand as the signal.
Marines burst forth from the shadows of the village, instantly surrounding the confused pirates. Nami and Zoro stood nearby, close enough to join the fight if it happens, but still out of sight.
The pirates panicked seeing the number of marines outnumbering them and their rifles pointed directly at them.
"Lay down your weapons, pirates!" Hina yelled again.
The panicking pirates began to comply but one of them took out a small silver whistle from his pocket.
"The captain told us to use this in case something like this happened," he grinned wickedly at the marines before blowing into it. A piercing screech echoed through the village and everyone had to cover their eyes to protect their eardrums.
"Enough! Capture these pirates!" Hina commanded.
Sudden screams penetrated the air as the squad of marines closest to the entrance of the village began to fall. In the middle of the prone marines stood two men dressed like cats. One of them had a really huge belly that his pants barely held thanks to the sash tied to his waist. A blanket looking cape draped over his shoulders and in his hands were two identical gloves that ended in wicked cat-like claws.
The other man was the exact opposite being incredibly skinny and wore a navy blue shirt with a bow tie. In his hands were also gloves with cat claws. Both of their gloves were soaked in blood.
Hina furrowed her brows at this, sensing the new threat.
"It's the Nyaban brothers!" One of the pirates cheered.
"Go get them, Sham, Buchi!"
"Stupid marines, it's not good to go against Captain Kuro's plans." The skinny Sham snickered.
"Don't move marines! Or we'll kill these guys!" The blubbery Buchi held on to one of the unconscious marines.
Hina cursed under her breath, calling all the marines to drop their rifles and back away.
A shadow dashed towards Buchi from behind, slashing towards Buchi. He immediately dropped the marine and leapt back from the slash, spotting his new enemy.
"Roronoa Zoro!" Sham exclaimed. "Why are you here?!"
"I'm a Marine now, and I would prefer if you don't go against my Captain's plans," He grinned, swinging his sword in an arc lazily.
"Oh no! We definitely don't stand a chance against someone like him! We're so screwed!" Sham began waving his arms around in a panic.
Zoro raised an eyebrow at his outburst, but held on to his sword firmly.
"Sham! We need to follow the captain's plans! Or else he'll slaughter us!" One of the pirates shouted helpfully.
"Grr… I guess I have no choice… Here I come!" Sham rushed at Zoro while swinging his arms wildly with his eyes closed.
"Is this guy for real?" Zoro stared at the charging Sham in disbelief. He prepared to receive the charge when Sham suddenly sidestepped to his right and lashed out towards him, Zoro barely deflecting the blow in time. Before he could recover, Sham had slashed his other hand from his left and Zoro was forced to be on the defensive, catching Sham's claws with his blade.
"Lowering your guard could be fatal, Roronoa Zoro," Sham smirked, leaping back from him.
"Zoro! Your swords!" Nami gasped.
Zoro glared hard at Sham who had taken both his swords and held it loosely with his left hand.
"Give me back my swords," Zoro demanded, his eyes ice cold.
"Sure," Sham smirked, tossing the swords in the other direction of Zoro.
Zoro furrowed his brows, "You'll pay for that…"
"Make me," Sham charged at Zoro again, slashing at him with his claws.
With only a single sword, Zoro fended of a fury of strikes by Sham, constantly being pushed back. Sham struck out with his right hand, aiming for Zoro's face, only to be deflected by his blade. His left hand immediately swiped as well, but Zoro managed to step back from it.
When Zoro tried to lunge towards Sham, he would leap backwards from the lunge and move in to swipe at him again.
'Damn it… This is going nowhere… I need my other swords!' Zoro frowned, he couldn't go on the offensive with only one sword against Sham's claws.
Nami rushed towards the two swords on the ground, aiming to return them back to Zoro. Buchi appeared behind her, claws outstretched menacingly.
"It wouldn't do if you forgot there's two of us, girlie!" Buchi brought his hand down, slashing in an arc. Nami managed to roll away in time and made a grab for Zoro's swords.
"Zoro! Catch!" Nami yelled, tossing the swords at him.
Zoro grinned, catching his swords in midair and unsheathing them with grace.
"Thanks Nami," He popped his last sword into his mouth, facing Sham again.
"Tch, I'll still finish you off you damn girl!" Buchi slashed at Nami in an X shape.
"Don't forget about Hina you lousy pirate," Hina stepped in front of Nami, kicking at his wrist. Buchi's hands passed through her legs only to find themselves bound together with an iron manacle.
"What? What did you do?!" Buchi demanded, struggling against the manacles to no avail.
"I ate the Ori Ori fruit, anything that passes through my body will be locked up." She grinned. "It's perfect for capturing criminals like you."
"Damn you!" Buchi jumped into the air with his leg poised to strike her. "CAT STOMP!"
Hina leaped back to avoid the drop that cracked the ground. She dashed forward towards Buchi, who held his bound hands in front of him, claws outstretched to impale her. She slid on the ground as she neared him and slid in between his legs, ending up behind him.
Pushing herself up with her hands, she kicked towards Buchi's legs, passing through them and trapping his legs in iron manacles. As Buchi fell backwards from the kick, Hina rolled backwards and kicked her leg upwards, passing her leg through his body and arms before he finally landed on the ground, unable to move from his bindings.
Hina stepped on him as she puffed her cigarette, "Hina victory. You're just small time pirates compared to the ones I usually have to deal with, don't get so full of yourselves."
"Buchi! Damn you marines!" Sham cried out, watching Buchi struggle in vain against his bindings.
"You shouldn't turn your back to an opponent you damn pirate," Zoro grinned, raising his two swords in his hands to cross with the one in his mouth.
"Oni Giri!" Zoro slashed his three swords simultaneously, blood spurted from the cut wounds on Sham as he collapsed, bleeding.
"Argh! Damn you Marines!" Sham cried, clutching at his arm where a cut had landed.
"No way… The Nyanba brothers are defeated…" The pirates gasped.
"I'm not saying it again you filthy pirates! Lay down your weapons!" Hina yelled.
The group of Black Cat pirates glanced at one another before dropping their weapons, surrendering to the Marines.
The marines immediately moved in to capture them, tying them up with the ropes they prepared.
"Not bad, so both of you are marines now?" Hina asked, crossing her arms in front of Zoro and Nami.
"Aye, or at least, I am. Headquarters hasn't issued my rank yet." Zoro grinned, then jerked his thumb at Nami, "She's only here for the ride."
Nami stuck her tongue out at him, but said nothing.
"So I heard," Hina nodded. "Luffy has a good eye, you'd do well to stay by him. He can be a handful at times, but that's part of the fun,"
"What's your relationship with him?" Nami raised an eyebrow.
"Ah, we're just friends. He was put under my care for some time during his training," Hina puffed on her cigarette, still stepping on Buchi.
"I see, but the two of you seemed like you knew each other for quite some time?" Nami asked, tilting her head.
"He has that way with people," Hina grinned. "Trust me, you should've seen the things he did back then, you just can't help but like that boy."
Nami and Zoro nodded, understanding.
"Well that's dealt with… I wonder how's Luffy doing on his end?" Nami remarked, brushing the dirt out of her skirt.
"That's her room," Usopp pointed to the half-opened window.
Luffy nodded in understanding, "go in there and get her out, I'll distract them at the front door."
Usopp nodded and crept stealthily to the window, climbing in without making a sound.
"You guys, spread out around the mansion, shout if you see anything," Luffy ordered the group of marines that accompanied them.
Luffy strolled up to the door and knocked loudly, waiting for Kuro to respond to it. The door opened but instead of Kuro, another butler with curly white hair and small lamb horns on his head answered the door.
"May I help you?" He asked, eyeing Luffy suspiciously.
"Who are you? Where is Klahadore?" Luffy demanded, worried that he might be another one of Kuro's crew.
"Klahadore had gone to the next village yesterday, he hasn't come back yet. Do you want me to take a message?" The butler raised an eyebrow.
"No need, is Miss Kaya in?"
The butler squinted his eyes at the Marine, "She is… But she's still resting, it's barely dawn after all. What do you need?"
"I need to see her, please let me in," Luffy glanced around, worried Kuro might be hiding around the house.
"Certainly not, even if you're a Marine, this is still private property, I can't just let you come in just beca—"
"KYAAAA!" A sudden screamed echoed through the house.
Luffy wasted no time in pushing the butler away and sprinted towards the direction of the scream, throwing open the door leading to Kaya's room.
Usopp was standing there with his hands up in a placating gesture as Kaya was sitting on her bed, blankets wrapped around her.
"What's going on?" The butler burst into the room right behind Luffy.
"Ah, Merry, it's nothing, Usopp just surprised me, that's all." Merry smiled reassuringly at the butler.
"Usopp? What are you doing in my lady's room?! You better not have done anything to her!" Merry yelled, shaking his fist angrily at him.
"Of course not! Anyway, Kaya, you need to trust me, we need to get you out of here right now!" Usopp pleaded.
"What's are you talking about?" Merry questioned, taking a step towards Usopp.
"He said that Klahadore is actually a pirate captain all this while and is currently plotting to take my life in order to seize my fortunes." Kaya answered for Usopp."
"Impossible! Klahadore has been a trusted Caretaker of this family for the past three years! You think we'll believe such lies from the village's liar?" Merry began advancing on Usopp, clearly intent on throwing him out.
Luffy held a hand on his shoulder, pulling Merry back. "Miss Kaya, it's all true."
"What?" Kaya looked at the Marine, shocked.
"We overheard this Klahadore talking with one of his crew members yesterday night. He plans to get you to turn over your fortune to him before killing you. His crew is currently attacking the town as we speak." Luffy looked at her with cold eyes.
"No, that's not possible… Not after all that he's done…" Kaya covered her mouth as tears threatened to spill out.
"Please believe me Kaya! He's also the reason why you started falling sick! He has been poisoning you all this while!" Usopp clenched his fists, barely containing back his anger.
"No! No! No! This can't be possible! Both of you must be lying!" Merry shouted at them. "He's been with us for so long! He was always nice to everyone! That definitely can't be true!"
"Merry…" Kaya began.
"What's going on here?" a figure wearing round framed glasses strolled into the room, adjusting it with the palm of his hand.
"Klahadore!" Merry exclaimed, smiling. "Tell us that's not true, you're not a pirate aren't you?"
"Oh, so the Marine Captain and the village's biggest liar is here too? No wonder there were so many marines outside… No matter, I'll just have to kill you two as well…" Kuro smirked. That was when they realized the claws Kuro now wears on his hands were coated with fresh blood.
"You… What did you do to them?" Luffy furrowed his brows, a shadow covering his eyes.
"Nothing much," Kuro smirked. "Just let them take a long nap in the dirt, of course."
Before anyone could react, Luffy was in front of Kuro, sending his fist into his gut, sending him flying out of the room and crashing into the wall across the corridor.
"Usopp! Grab them and get out of here! I'll handle him!" Luffy yelled, not taking his eyes off where Kuro had crashed through.
"Kaya, come on! We need to go!" Usopp grabbed Kaya's hands, pulling her towards the open window. She followed him without hesitation now.
"No… Klahadore… Why would you lie to us?" Merry had tears in his eyes.
"Merry! It doesn't matter now, we have to go!" Kaya shouted, bringing Merry out of his stupor. He ran towards the two and helped Usopp carry Kaya out through the window.
"My, my… This definitely wasn't calculated in my plans… Jango, make sure you get rid of them." Kuro nodded towards a figure at the main entrance.
"Of course captain Kuro," he turned and left towards the direction of Usopp's group.
"You're not going anywhere!" Luffy began to run towards the door when Kuro appeared in front of him, barring his way.
'He knows Soru?'
Luffy hesitated before diving to his left to dodge the swipe of Kuro's cat claws.
Kuro reappeared in front of him again and slashed, only to hit air as Luffy retreated further back into the mansion.
'No… He's using pure leg strength to move fast, there's no technique in his movements.'
Luffy grinned.
"You're fast for a Marine…" Kuro adjusted his spectacles, a frown plastered on his face.
"And you're fast for a pirate, I'm still faster though. Shishishishi" Luffy laughed.
"Tch, I'll show you fast…" Kuro clucked his tongue at him.
"Stealth Foot"
Kuro disappeared. Luffy could still see him though, watching him moving around the room and slashing at everything around him. He seemed to move irregularly, as though he didn't care what he slashed at.
'I see, he trained his legs to be fast but he himself can't see what he's attacking'
"Soru!"
Luffy jumped up straight into Kuro, grabbing him by his collar and throwing him to the ground.
Kuro sat up, coughing, "Impossible… How did you match my speed?"
"I told you Kuro, I'm faster than you." Luffy smirked.
Kuro furrowed his brows as he used his speed to get behind Luffy.
"I would like to stay and play with you, but I need to check up on my friends, so sorry."
Kuro slashed his claws at the back of the Marine Captain.
"Tekkai!"
The claws on his left hand shattered into pieces as soon as they struck the Marine. Kuro could only look at his shattered claws incredulously as the pieces hit the floor.
Luffy turned to grin at him.
Kuro's blood boiled with rage as he stabbed his right hand forward at the marine, only for those claws to shatter as well. Without hesitating, he spun around delivered a kick to Luffy's head who received it without flinching, arms crossed.
"Captain Kuro, under the name Captain Monkey D. Luffy, I hereby place you under arrest in the name of Justice!" Luffy grinned at him.
"No! My plan cannot fail! Not after all these years!" Kuro growled at Luffy, spinning to kick at him again.
Luffy leaned back to avoid the kick before stepping forward and deliver a crushing blow to Kuro's head, smashing him into the ground of the mansion, unconscious.
"Apparently it did, captain Kuro," Luffy grinned, before sprinting out of the mansion to find Usopp.
"When I say one, two, jango, you will fall asleep. One, two, jango!"
Kaya gazed in horror as both Usopp and Merry collapsed on to the floor, already fast asleep. They managed to run out of the mansion and head into the forest nearby before Jango caught up with them.
Jango laughed wickedly as he advanced upon the helpless girl.
"Uhyahyahya! So much for your 'fearless' bodyguards lady, now all I need you to do is to write the will for my captain while he kills that Marine. Let's not make this any harder than it has to be, alright?"
Kaya was on the ground, backing away slowly at each step Jango took towards her.
"Now, when I say one, two, jango, you will write the will. One, two, jaAARRGH!"
Jango screamed in pain as something hit him in the back of his head. He turned to look at Usopp holding on to his slingshot, loading in another piece of stone and firing at Jango, hitting him squarely between the eyes.
"ARGH! DAMN YOU, YOU LONG NOSE FREAK!" Jango toppled on to the floor on his hunches, grabbing his nose in pain where the stone had struck him.
"Kaya, run! I'll deal with this guy!" Usopp shouted, readying another stone to shoot.
"But… Usopp… I can't just leave by myself…" Kaya protested.
"Go! Before he—"
"Enough! No one's going anywhere!" Jango yelled, brandishing his chakrams.
Usopp shoots another stone at him but Jango was ready this time, cutting the stone projectile nimbly with a chakram.
"You should be asleep…" Jango commented.
"As if I'll look if you tell me to 'look at this ring'." Usopp smirked. Loading in another stone into his slingshot.
Jango frowned as he swung his chakram to block another of Usopp's shots. "Enough! I'll kill you first!"
Jango charged towards Usopp, spinning his chakrams in his hands.
"Run, Kaya!" Usopp stood to face the charging Jango.
'If I run, he might go after Kaya instead… And I can't leave Merry in that state either… What to do, Usopp… What…'
Usopp dived to his right as Jango sliced his Chakram at him, easily cutting through the tree behind him.
"Tch, stay still you little brat." Jango turned to face Usopp again.
"No, you stay right where you are!" Usopp shouted, shooting another rock at him.
"Stop wasting my time, you know you can't hit me anymore!" Jango knocked away the stone only to find another stone directly behind it, smashing through his sunglasses and hitting him straight in the eye.
"AAARRGGHH! I SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU!" Jango screamed, clutching his eye.
Usopp tackled him on to the ground, pinning him down. He turned to realize Kaya still sat at the same spot as before.
"Kaya! You have to run, now!"
"I… can't Usopp… I can't feel my legs…" Kaya gasped.
'No… Kuro must have poisoned her more than usual last night to prevent her from running!'
Usopp cursed under his breath.
"Get off me you bastard!" Jango sliced his Chakram at him, cutting Usopp in his shoulder. Usopp screamed as he clutched his shoulder, feeling blood pouring freely down his arm, sprawling on to the floor.
Jango kicked him in the gut repeatedly to shut him up as Usopp gasped for breath.
Satisfied after a few dozen kicks, Jango wiped his sweat off his brow. "Stay right there, you bastard. I'll deal with you once I'm done with the girl." He advanced on the girl again.
"Now come on, look at this ring. When I say… Hey! Don't close your eyes!" Jango yelled at Kaya, who had already snapped her eyes shut.
"Damnit! I can't hypnotise you when you close your eyes!" Jango cursed, he looked at the still gasping Usopp and dragged him to Kaya, placing his chakram to his neck.
"Listen lady, if you don't write the will now, I will kill this damn brat in front of you." Jango muttered in front of Kaya.
Kaya opened her eyes to see an out of breath and bleeding Usopp in front of her and gasped.
Jango took out a piece of paper and pen from his pocket and tossed it to her, "Write it now or I slice open his neck!"
"No… Kaya *cough* *cough*… Don't do it…" Usopp breathed.
Jango struck him across the head, "Shut up! Do it, you stupid girl!"
"Stop! Please! I'll write it, just let him go!" Kaya reached out to Usopp, but he was just out of her reach.
"Write the damn will you infernal brat!" Jango shouted at her impatiently, a trickle of blood slid down from Usopp's neck.
Usopp furrowed his brows and bit down hard on the hand that was holding him, shocking Jango into letting go of his chakram.
"You damn long nose! Why the hell are you trying to so hard to protect her?!" Jango screamed, clutching his hand.
Usopp collapsed on the floor, "Shut up! I'll protect what I want to protect! I let my mother die on me once, I won't let that happen to Kaya either! I will protect what I treasure!"
Usopp stood on shaky legs in front of Kaya, protecting her from Jango.
"You bastard, if I don't finish this up soon, my captain's going to kill me…" Jango brought out two more chakrams from underneath his cloak.
"I will only warn you once, step aside boy, or I will kill you…"
"Never," Usopp stood defiantly, despite his bravado, his legs were clearly shaking uncontrollably.
"Then die along with her!" Jango sliced his chakram at Usopp.
Usopp could see the chakram flying towards him. He thought about what would happen if he were to fall to this pirate. Kaya would have to write the will to sign over her fortunes to Kuro and die by his hands. Her dream of becoming a doctor would also never be realized.
'Ahaha, to be honest, my dream is really to become a great warrior of the sea.'
'THAT'S SO COOL!'
It was the first time someone didn't actually laugh at his dream.
Usopp reached out and grabbed the chakram with his left hand, wincing in pain as the chakram cut his hand. Jango tried to pry his chakram out from his hand but realized it wouldn't budge.
"You… Who are you?" Jango gasped, slack jawed at Usopp.
"I… I am Usopp, the greatest warrior of the sea!" Usopp punched as hard as he could at Jango with his right fist, sending him sprawling on to the floor, unmoving.
"Wow, that was a nice punch." Both Usopp and Kaya turned to look at Luffy standing by a tree grinning at the two of them.
"How long were you there?" Usopp gasped.
"When you said you would protect what you want to protect." Luffy smiled.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME THEN?!" Usopp shouted at him with shark like teeth.
"Shishishi, you didn't have the look of a guy who was about to give up," Luffy chuckled. "Besides, you're a great warrior of the sea right? You should be able to protect what you treasure the most!"
Usopp snorted, but smiled at his comment. "It's over huh,"
"Yep. Hey, Usopp, you want to join my crew as a Marine?" Luffy grinned.
"As a Marine?" Usopp glanced at Luffy.
"Yeah! You're hardly a great warrior of the sea if you're not actually at sea are you? Shishishi" Luffy laughed.
"Hahaha, I guess not…" Usopp collapsed beside Kaya, who was staring at the two incredulously.
Usopp took one long look at Kaya, who looked back at him reassuringly.
"A marine huh, I guess I don't mind…" Usopp grinned.
"Yeah!" Luffy punched his hands in the air victoriously.
"This is Captain Hina reporting, Headquarters come in."
"Headquarters receiving loud and clear, go ahead Captain Hina."
"Hina victorious, we have successfully rounded up the Black Cat Pirates and Captain Kuro, although the stand-in captain Jango managed to escape."
"Understood Captain Hina, the bounty for them will be sent to you once you turn them in at the nearest base."
"Negative HQ, send the bounty to Captain Monkey D. Luffy, he was the one who caught Captain Kuro himself."
"Will do, good job Captains, Headquarters out."
Hina stowed her den den mushi away, watching as the bound pirates are loaded up into the marine battleship. Captain Kuro himself was still unconscious and had to be carried while bound with Hina's manacles.
Jango had managed to escape while Luffy was carrying an unconscious Merry, a sick Kaya and an injured Usopp back to the village.
"You sure you don't want to split the bounty, Hina?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.
Hina shook her head, grinning, "Hina satisfied with just seeing you again. I'll have to head back to the Grand Line soon. So this should be the last time I'm seeing you on this part of the sea."
"Shishishi, if you insist then, I'll take it." Luffy chuckled.
"When you stop by Loguetown, say hi to Smoker for me," Hina smiled.
"Alright, if you see gramps, say hi to him for me too!"
Hina gave Luffy one last bear hug before turning and waving goodbye.
Luffy turned to see his three crew members grinning at him. "Ready to set sail again?"
"You bet we are, Captain." Zoro grinned.
"Captain Luffy!" A voice yelled out. All of them turned to see Merry running towards them, waving his hands frantically.
"Hey, it's the sheep guy," Luffy smiled.
"Captain Luffy! My mistress wants to see you!" Merry gasped, finally reaching them.
"Oh, what for?" Luffy quirked an eyebrow.
"She said she has something to give you, you should go find her at the jetty behind the mansion." Merry beckoned them to follow him.
Kaya was waiting for them when they finally reached the mansion's jetty.
"Luffy, you mentioned about needing a ship before, right?"
"Yes?" Luffy nodded dumbly.
Kaya gestured to the ship behind her.
"It's nothing much, but please accept it as my thanks to you."
"It's a caravel!" Nami exclaimed.
"IT'S SO COOL!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"Way better than what we have now," Zoro grinned.
"Are you sure, Kaya? This is too much for us…" Usopp hesitated.
"Oh don't be such a wet blanket Usopp! She's willing to give it to us!" Nami smacked Usopp on the head.
Kaya giggled at their antics, "It's fine Usopp, I know it would do well in your crew's hands."
"What's the ship called?" Luffy asked, already jumping around the ship in joy.
"The Going Merry," Merry answered helpfully.
"Yeah! This is going to be so awesome! We're going out to the sea on Merry guys!" Luffy cheered, the others couldn't help but smile at him.
"Kaya, I promise I'll come back one day with much more tales than before!" Usopp grinned.
"I look forward to it, Usopp." Kaya giggled.
"Let's head out to sea Marines!" Luffy yelled, punching the air in victory.
A few hours after setting sail
"So we need to have our own symbol as a Marine ship," Luffy wagged his finger.
"Leave the drawing to me! I had tons of practice when I used to draw on the walls of people's homes in the past!" Usopp grinned proudly.
"That' not really something to be proud about…" Nami sweat-dropped.
Usopp drew the symbol of Marines on top of the flag and then a straw hat right below it.
"What do you think?" Usopp looked at his handiwork proudly.
"It's perfect!" Nami exclaimed.
"That's definitely us," Zoro nodded.
"Then let's go with it!" Luffy held on to the flag proudly. "We need to paint it on the sails too! Let's do it! Let's do it! Let's do it!"
The four finally collapsed on the ground after finishing their painting. All of them glanced at the Marine insignia with the Straw hat underneath it.
"As of today, the Straw Hat Marines is officially formed!" Luffy punched into the air.
The other three grinned at him, punching in the air similarly, "YEAH!"
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yo guys this is the daily dose of chapters for this fanfiction hope you liked it,the Straw Hat Marines has been officially formed .
the next chapter is the cook and the sword
what surprises will luffy bring to us next read and find out in the next chapter of dragon Ball z-wrong anime I mean one piece in order to protect everything