(CONTENT WARNING!: There's a single line of Captain Morgan telling some marine soldiers to shoot themselves so beware of that!!!)

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Chapter Two :

"The Great Swordsman Joins The Crew !!!"

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(NO POV)

Zoro looks at Luffy in shock, "You're going to be King of the Pirates!? Right, you must be completely out of your rubbery mind! Do you have any idea what that means!?" He exclaimed. Luffy looked at Zoro unfazed, "King of the Pirates means King of the Pirates! What other meanings could there be?" Luffy asked. Everyone looked at him in shock and Koby shouted, "Yeah when he first told me it was shocking but he's completely serious! That's how he is because he seems to have every intention of becoming King of the Pirates and obtaining the world's ultimate treasure, the One Piece!"

Luffy holds out three sheathed swords, "Here 'ya go Zoro! I couldn't tell which one was yours so I brought all of them, so which one is it?" Luffy asks. "They're all mine, I use Santoryu, the Three-Sword Style," Zoro answers. "Take them already! Just know that if you join our fight you'll be a government-defying villain! So it's either that or you get left here and killed by the Marines execution style!" Luffy says.

Zoro smirks, "What are you, the son of the devil? It doesn't matter, because if I don't join your side I'll end up dead on these sticks, so let's do it!" Luffy grins, "Hurray! So you're finally gonna join my crew! Yeah! This is great!" Luffy began celebrating which caused Isaac and Zoro to shout:

"WOULD YOU QUIT CELEBRATING AND UNTIE THESE STUPID ROPES ALREADY!?//QUIT CELEBRATING AND LET'S FOCUS ON NOT DYING!"

"He flung the bullets back? What the hell is he!?" A Marine exclaimed. Captain Morgan replied, "The Straw Hat is no ordinary human, he must've eaten one of those rumored Devil Fruits."

"Devil Fruits!?"

"The hidden treasures of the sea!?"

As the Marines and their Captain briefly stood in shock Isaac shouted, "Luffy come on we gotta get these stupid ropes off!" Luffy and Isaac both struggled with the binds, "These are super tight!" Luffy says. "Come on you two quit screwing around!" Zoro shouts. "It doesn't matter who they are, anyone who crosses me gets executed! If we can't shoot them, then we'll chop them!" Captain Morgan declares and the marines draw their swords and begin charging. "That's funny, the ropes got tighter instead of looser," Luffy said. "DAMMIT LUFFY WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!" Isaac panicked. "Someone give me one of my damn swords now!" Zoro yells. The marines got closer and Koby and Isaac simultaneously screamed in fear and shut their eyes to wait for the inevitable. But instead, the sound of blades clashing was heard. Isaac hesitantly opened one eye before both his eyes opened wide, 'Holy crap...' He thought. "So cool!" Luffy exclaimed.

Zoro was in the center of the group of marines that had charged, holding back their swords with his own. He held two in his hands and a third one in his mouth, "Make one move and you die." He said, his words slightly muffled by the sword handle in his mouth but still clear enough to understand. He looked in Luffy, Isaac, and Koby's direction, "Today I officially become a criminal for having fought the Marines. So, I'll become a pirate, that I can promise. But I want you to know one thing, while I'm with you, the only thing I dedicate myself to is fulfilling my ambition."

"Which is?" Luffy asked to which Zoro replied, "To be nothing less than the world's greatest swordsman. If somewhere along the way I have to give that up, then I want you to accept responsibility. And then I want you to apologize to me." Isaac went from in awe of Zoro's skill to unamused and he stepped closer to Luffy and whispered, "You sure you want him? I mean, he seems like kind of a handful." To which Luffy chuckled and said, "The world's greatest swordsman, sounds pretty good! The King of the Pirates wouldn't have any less than the best on his crew." Isaac then facepalmed as he remembered that Luffy seems like he was a handful too, so obviously he wasn't going to get through to him. "Big talker," Zoro smirked, "From this point on, no matter if I'm a criminal or not, I will spread the name Zoro throughout the world." 

Suddenly Captain Morgan finally spoke up again and shouted, "What are you standing there frozen for!? Kill them!" The marines whimpered as they were conflicted with their fears of their captain and their fears of the famous Pirate Hunter. Luffy grins, "You might wanna duck." Luffy raises his leg, "Gum-Gum...WHIP!" And Zoro quickly ducks as Luffy's leg extends and wipes out all the marines, shocking Captain Morgan. Koby cheered, "Wow he took them all down!" 

"Wanna tell me what you are?" Zoro asks Luffy who replies, "I'm just a guy who ate the Gum-Gum Fruit!" Isaac muses to himself, 'Man I gotta get myself a Devil Fruit...' Zoro looked confused, "What's a Gum-Gum fruit?"

"A rubber person?" A marine questioned, "Looks like he does have Devil Fruit powers after all." Captain Morgan says. The same marine looks at his captain and says, "Captain, we don't stand a chance against them!" Two more chime in saying, "He's right, just look at them! They're insane!" and "We couldn't even take on Zoro by himself!"

This made Captain Morgan angry and he shouts, "This is a direct order! Every marine who just spouted weakness, take out your gun and shoot yourself! I can't do anything with weak soldiers!" Isaac shook his head, "I don't think any amount of wealth or glory these guys get is enough to have to deal with this guy.."

"Luffy!" Koby exclaims as Luffy begins sprinting toward Captain Morgan, "Bring those Marines to their knees!" Luffy jumps and pulls back his fist attempting to punch Captain Morgan before getting blocked with his axe hand. "You rankless, low-life bums! You all have no right to defy my superiority! I AM MARINE CAPTAIN "AXE HAND" MORGAN!" Luffy, frowning, replied, "And I'm Luffy, nice to meetcha." Captain Morgan makes several attempts to swing his axe at Luffy but Luffy kept jumping and dodging all of them, before jumping high enough to stomp his feet on top of Captain Morgan's head. "Look! He's been hit!" A marine exclaimed. "You runt..." Captain Morgan growled, "NOW DIE!" He attempted to throw down his axe hand to cut Luffy who instead dodged and kicked him, "The captain's getting pummeled out there."

Captain Morgan was then lying on his back on the ground as Luffy shouts, "You may call yourself a Marine, but you destroyed my friend Koby's dream!" Luffy punched Captain Morgan's face and before being able to go for another swing, a certain voice shouts, "Straw Hat! Look what I got!"

It was Helmeppo who had his gun pointed in Isaac and Koby's direction, but Luffy punched Captain Morgan again which caused Helmeppo to make another attempt of getting his attention. "Are you stupid!? If you'd pay attention I've got some hostages to look at!" Helmeppo shouted. 

"Helmeppo's crazy!" A marine exclaimed. Luffy still hadn't looked up until Zoro said, "Hey." which prompted Luffy to finally do so. "If you value the lives of your squatty little friend and this girlish-looking boy's life, you won't move a muscle! I'm serious, one move and I'll shoot them I swear!" Koby whimpers while Isaac looks down in shame, Luffy then laughs. Isaac gulps and then looks up, attempting to wear a brave face, "Luffy listen! Don't let anything that happens to us stop you, no matter what!" Koby nods, "Isaac's right! Even if we die, don't give up!"

Luffy grins and says, "Of course, you got it! You hear that 'ya big idiot? Koby and my crewmate Izzie here are ready to die by your hand." Luffy began walking forward, "I said don't move or I'll shoot your precious crewmate first!" Helmeppo shouts as he grabs Isaac by the hood and points the gun directly next to the left side of his head. Then just as Luffy pulls back his fist to hit him, Koby cries "Luffy look out!" Captain Morgan was behind him, axe hand raised as he shouts, "Time's up! For I am the fearless Marine Captain "Axe Hand" Morgan!"

"Daddy, hurry up and kill him already!" Captain Morgan swung down but was stopped right above Luffy's straw hat as Luffy punched Helmeppo square in the face, causing him to let Isaac's hood and freeing the pink and brown-haired boy from his grasp. "Nice one!" Luffy praised as Morgan gasped before falling down, revealing Zoro behind him. "Thanks!" Luffy says, "I'm just doing my job, Captain." Zoro replies. 

Isaac let out a big sigh, "Oh thank God..." He muttered. Marines stared in awe as they began saying things such as:

"Captain Morgan's been beaten." 

"Unbelievable!"

"Those guys are unreal!"

"If there's anyone else who wants to step forward and fight us, then do it now." Zoro says, but all the Marines throw up either their sword or hat cheering, "We're free! Morgan's reign is over!" Luffy looked confused, "Looks like they're all happy their captain was beaten, weird." Koby's mouth's agape before exclaiming, "They must've been afraid of him before we showed up!"

Zoro then groans and begins to fall over and Isaac quickly rushes over and barely manages to catch him, "Whoa Bandanna Boy, are you okay!?" Isaac asks. Zoro slowly opens his eyes and replies, "I'm just...hungry." Isaac chuckles, "Alright Captain, let's get our new crewmate some food. But Bandanna Boy...Please tell me you can at least walk there yourself because...You're REALLY heavy." 

"Don't go complaining when you're the one who decided to catch me."

~Timeskip~

"Whew! I am stuffed!" Zoro sighs in relief, "Having not eaten for three weeks, I was ready to gnaw through my bootstraps." Everyone inside the restaurant laughed at this comment, "I can't believe you're finished, Lightweight." Luffy said. "How the hell can you have a bigger appetite than a guy who hasn't eaten in 3 weeks?" Zoro asks slightly judgementally. "It just tastes too good, I guess. Right, Koby?" In which Koby nods in agreement before looking over to Isaac who was lying their head face first onto the table, his plate of food moved to his right. "Isaac, are you still upset about getting held at gunpoint by Helmeppo? It's okay, I mean he had me there too." Koby reassured. Isaac moved his head up to the left to look at Koby, "Yeah but you're not a part of Luffy's pirate crew, much less the first one he had join... I just wish I could've been more helpful to my Captain 'ya know?" Isaac explains solemnly. Luffy pokes Isaac's back, "You gonna finish that?" He asked pointing to Isaac's food. Isaac sighed, "Go ahead..." And Luffy grinned before scarfing down what was on the plate, before saying, "And don't worry about today, I mean 'ya just joined the crew along after falling out of the sky so you're probably still trying to figure stuff out. Besides, it's not like I'm gonna kick you off the crew, we're friends now after all!" Isaac lifted his head off the table and sat up, a small smile forming on his face, "Thanks Luffy."

He looks at the restaurant owner, the little girl now known as Rika's mom, "Thanks a lot for making us this food!" Rika's mom smiled and replied, "It's my pleasure! You four did save the town after all!" Rika smiled at Luffy and said, "You're the most amazing man I've ever met!" Luffy, cheeks stuffed with food said confidently, "Yeah, I am, I know. But I'll be more amazing when I'm King of the Pirates and I have the One Piece...Oh, and the best crew on the seas."

"So how many others have you gathered on your crew besides Pinky and me?" Zoro asks, Luffy didn't answer and instead put some more food in his mouth. "You told me you were in the middle of gathering together the crew for your ship. And if you're gonna be King of the Pirates I gotta assume you already have more than just one waiting in the wings."

"Nope, just you and Izzie." Luffy stated bluntly, which caused Zoro to gasp, "Just.." He pointed at himself, then Isaac, and lastly Luffy. "Yep, just us," Luffy replied, unfazed. "So you, me, and Pinky are what amounts to an entire pirate crew?" Zoro asks, clearly still wondering if Luffy's joking or not. "What's wrong with that? We're strong guys!" Luffy exclaimed. "Not sure Pinky over there counts..." This caused Isaac to stand up and slam his hands on the table and shout, "HEY I MAY HAVE NOT DONE A TON TODAY BUT I'M SURE I'LL GET BETTER AS I LEARN TO ADAPT MORE!" Isaac then moves closer to Zoro, glaring at him and poking his forehead, "Plus, I told you since we got here to stop calling me Pinky. It's Isaac or Izzie like Luffy calls me, got it!?" 

Zoro rolls his eyes and looks back at Luffy, which angered Isaac even more having his statement ignored, "At least tell me you have a ship." Zoro said. "Yeah, it's right there." Luffy pointed his fork in the direction of the nearby window which revealed where the small boat was, "You're kidding." "Nope, but we'll have an enormous one before long. Just you wait and see!" Zoro then bursts into laughter, "And how's that?" Luffy, still with that big smile of his seems unfazed by Zoro's skepticism and continues, "With a great big pirate flag on top. I can't wait!" 

Zoro rubs his temples, "I think Luffy was born without that part of the brain that allows the rest of us to plan out what we have to do." Koby joked, "I can't believe I got suckered into having him as my captain..." Zoro muttered. "Hey, we'll have a ton more crew members in no time!" Luffy says.  "Hey Luffy, where are you and your crew planning on traveling to when you leave here?" Rika asked. "You mean it's not obvious? We're headed straight for the Grand Line!" Luffy exclaimed, causing Koby to spit out his juice. "No! Have you completely lost your mind!? You have only two crew members and yourself there's no way you're equipped for the Grand Line!" 

Isaac raised a brow, "What's the Grand Line?" He obviously had zero clue what this place was but it seemed bad based on Koby's reaction. "I'd heard about it, but I never knew it was such an awful place," Rika said. "It's worse than you think. This world has two oceans, I'm sure. There's an enormous landmass that cuts through both of them called the Red Line and legend tells of a town that sits in the dead center of it. The Grand Line is said to cut through this town at a right angle and stretch around the rest of the world. The story goes on to say that Gol D. Roger, the King of the Pirates, had once obtained everything the world had to offer. Before he died, he said that he left the great One Piece treasure at this location. Since then, pirates had all set sail for the Grand Line. Today the place is nothing but a battlefield, and some even call it the pirate graveyard." Koby explained. 

Isaac felt a sudden chill run down his spine, "Some people have said that travelers who enter the Grand Line never come out alive." Rika's mom said. "Which is really too bad 'cause that's where the One Piece is said to be, and that's exactly where we're going," Luffy adds. "I guess we have to live with it," Zoro says. "No! You can't just agree!" Koby protests, "What do you care, you're not going with us are you?" Zoro asks, "No, but I still worry. Is it bad to care for you guys? Luffy, Isaac, and I haven't known each other for long, but I still consider them my friends." Koby explains. "Of course! We may have to part ways, but we'll always be friends." Luffy agreed. Koby looked down, "When I was a kid, I never had any friends, much less anyone who would fight on my behalf. So I tried my hardest to never fight for anything." He then smiles, "But you taught me a lesson on how to live for what I believe in! So I've decided to make my one childhood dream a reality, and I'm going to join the Marines!" 

"Then shouldn't you be more concerned for your situation?" Zoro asked, making Koby's smile disappear, "I mean, you did spend 2 years on Alvida's ship, even if you were nothing but her cabin boy." Koby seemed at a loss for words. "The Marines' information gathering is top-notch. They'll find out about your time with Alvida, and you'll never join." Koby frowned, "I...Never thought of that." He admitted. "Hey, I'm sure Koby has a chance! I mean it was against his will!" Isaac objected. Then the door to the restaurant opened, "Hey! You there." Everyone turned to see a group of Marines. "We heard you fellas are actually pirates, is that rumor true?" Asked the Marine in front. Luffy nods, "Yeah and I just got my 2nd crew member so it's pretty much official!" The Marine's expression didn't change, "We appreciate everything you did to save our town, however, now that we know that you're pirates, as Marines, we cannot sit idly by and watch you go about your business." He explained. "Therefore you and your crew will need to leave this town immediately. But out of respect for what you've done, we will not report you to headquarters." The others in the restaurant began to angrily protest, "Are you crazy!? How do you find the nerve to talk like that?" "Before these pirates came along, you guys were as scared of Morgan as we were!" "Without them, we'd still be under his reign. We owe them our lives!" 

"Well, guess it's time to go." Luffy says, "Thanks for the food, Lady!" Rika frowns, "You're leaving already?" Luffy nods as he, Zoro, and Isaac get up and make their way to the door. Koby's back is turned from the Marines and he shivers, "Hey, aren't you a part of the crew as well?" Asked the Marine. Koby whimpers and begins to stammer in an attempt to explain, the Marine stops Luffy, "Hey, is this guy a part of your crew as well?" Luffy turns back and replied, "What I can tell you is what he's been busy doing up until his point." Isaac looked at Koby who was horrified as Luffy began to tell the story of Alvida as he walked over to Koby and poked the side of his head, revealing that Koby had been Alvida's cabin boy. 'What's Luffy doing?' Isaac thought, Koby then suddenly punches Luffy hard in the face causing everyone to gasp. Luffy chuckles, "Now that was a dumb move!" Luffy begins repeatedly punching Koby. Isaac's eyes then widen, 'Why is he punching Koby like that!? I thought they were friends! Unless...Is he doing this for the reason I'm thinking?' "Hey get out of here now! We can't have you pirates ripping up this town any more than you already have!" 

Zoro grabs Luffy by the back of his shirt, "Hey, that's enough. You've proved your point, let him fall to the ground." Luffy stops and Koby falls to the floor panting, "It's obvious you're not crewmates so stop badgering the poor boy take your leave of our town this instant!" The Marine shouts. Luffy grins and he, Zoro, and Isaac then leave the restaurant. 

"That was a thin act right there, wouldn't be surprised if they saw right through it." Zoro says. Luffy laughs, "Koby should be able to handle the rest without me, I have faith in him." Isaac puts his hands in his hoodie pockets, "It's a fitting way to leave this place, I mean, everyone here hates us now..." Isaac adds. "Yeah, very pirate-like." Zoro agrees. "Yeah, it is!" Luffy exclaims. 

"Luffy!" The three pirates turn to see Koby on the docks along with Rika and her mom. "Huh?" Koby salutes, "I can't thank you enough! You've done more for me than anyone ever has!" He shouts. "Never heard of a Marine thanking a pirate before. That's one for the history books." Zoro comments, and Luffy laughs. The boat's sail gets set and the boat starts drifting away from the island, "We'll meet again Koby!" Luffy shouts. Isaac grins and cups his hands, "TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF RIKA!" Rika waves, "Hope to see you again someday! And Mr. Isaac I hope you get to see your sister again real soon!" 

Suddenly all the Marines from the restaurant appear behind Koby, Rika, and her mother saluting the three pirates. "See 'ya!" Luffy shouts.

As the wind picks up the small boat gets further and further out to see, "At last we set sail!" Luffy exclaims watching the view of the ocean from the front, "I got the feeling some interesting adventures are waiting for us!" Zoro says before looking at Isaac across from him, "You think you'll be able to handle it, Pinky?" And Isaac grins, "I'm sure I will as long as I follow our captain and you Zo-Zo!" This makes Zoro glare at him, "Don't call me that." "It's only fair~!" 

"I'll be King of the Pirates, I know it!" Luffy says. "You seem real obsessed with this King of the Pirates business. Is there any kind of story behind it or reason at all?" Zoro asks. Luffy still gazes at the waters as he replies, "No, no reason, it's just..." "Just what?" "I made a promise to someone a while back...I swore I would gather a crew, find the world's greatest treasure, and become King of the Pirates. This straw hat knows the whole story." Luffy explains. 

Luffy stretches out his arms widely, "AND NOW LET'S GO! It's time for us to set our heading...For the Grand Line!"

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TO BE CONTINUED...