#anyway. do you think zoro telling mihawk that 'the only thing luffy's afraid of is being alone' resonated with mihawk.

[dykealloy]

i keep going back to this moment. obviously there's the palpable devotion from zoro towards luffy which is all very insane, elicits the urge to chew through drywall etc etc. but I can't help but get caught on the way this is phrased. suggesting maybe zoro isn't the only one mihawk is talking about here. as in, I'm getting opla shuggy rant energy, i.e.

which is about as blatant and transparent as it gets in terms of the older wiser figure with a connection to shanks speaking about his own experiences (under the weak veil of this being about Luffy). but back to mihawk talking about zoro whilst also talking about himself. I'm having to extrapolate a fair bit here given my limited knowledge of his history, but here's what we do know - mihawk never belonged to a crew, was a "rival" of shanks before he "lost interest" in killing him at some point after he lost his arm ("it's always for the sake of another" - given how powerful shanks still is at this point - one of the four emperors - i'd like to think there's something more to this).

when zoro falls to his blade outside the Baratie and he tells luffy "that's a more treacherous path than even mine" after hearing his main goal is to become king of the pirates, do you think perhaps there's a chance he's projecting some old buried anxiety/fear from his youth about the thought of facing shanks, standing by his side and falling. It's giving "I am not worthy until I prove I'm the best", which if true, was followed after many years by "Now I am the best and it's hollow and empty and I regret all those days I could have had with you".

luffy gave zoro direction - a greater purpose and a family. luffy enables his aspirations, but he also provides zoro the freedom to have something more than just this obsessive structure where the only thing that matters is becoming top dog - something beyond years and years of endless relentless training fueled in part by his loyalty to kuina but also the grief of her loss. without luffy, zoro could very likely have followed mihawk's path, something @joyish-little-boy pointed out in one of @assiraphales' posts.

despite being recognised by the world at large as the greatest swordsman alive, and supposedly having achieved all there is for him to strive for, mihawk has never struck me as a man awfully satisfied with where he is.

#mihawk looking zoro straight in the eyes: i know how to manipulate you. fellow fag. #buggy getting distracting midway through his villain monologue and wistfully staring into space: i hate him. i miss him. #mishanks #shuggy #zolu #anyway. do you think zoro telling mihawk that 'the only thing luffy's afraid of is being alone' resonated with mihawk. #do you think it fucked him up? #i think maybe so. #one piece #op #opla #CJ's op watch-through #dracule mihawk #red haired shanks #buggy the clown #zoro #op meta #op analysis

[soyouareandrewdobson]

Alex ze Pirate “Mini Review” 1: About Male Abuse

Alex ze Pirate is in my opinion the WORST “comic” series Dobson has ever written up until this point (date for archives: June 2020). Sure, I agree with people that his “hot take” comics on Star Wars Fans, political issues and virtue signaling for the sake of making brownie points are worse overall cause they are uneducated propaganda that give insight in how much of a loathsome human being driven by spite he genuinely is, but Alex “offends” me as someone who enjoys fiction. It may not be the worst thing ever written, but it just does so many things wrong in terms of storywriting, storytelling, presentation and creating fictional characters, I can’t help but wonder what went wrong that Dobson even remotely thought this thing would be a “successful” comic series to establish him as a creator. Cause I can tell you, having read the likes of Don Rosa’s work on Disney, Hilda, Cleopatra in Space, Spirou, Asterix, One Piece (of which I will talk a lot in my next few posts) and many more, I can confirm by comparison that Dobson’s pirates as a published comic would have only one use on the public shelves: alternative for toilet paper during the COVID-19 epidemic

 Believe me, I would love to write an in depth analysis of everything wrong with Alex ze Pirate, from the lazy artwork up to even the publication history of this trainwrack. But doing so would take a lot of time and there is one individual part of this I think deserve at least extra attention. Something that in my opinion embodies quite well a lot of things I consider wrong with this comic. So before I am going over Alex in its entirety (and believe me, the day will come) let me just talk within the next few posts about one certain aspect and story of the comic, that genuinely got me to loath this comic to the core: Sam the Cabin Boy and “his” own individual story Dobson drew in three parts around 2010.  

For starters, lets talk who Sam is: Sam is one of the main characters in the comic and actually the first person who joined Alex and Peggy in the initial pages of Legends, the “original” form of Alex ze Pirate.

See, back in 2004, Dobson released Alex ze Pirate in form of a single comic volume called “Legends” which features Alex trying to recruit a crew. The thing is around 78 pages thick and based on what I saw pretty terribly paced. For comparison: When Luffy in One Piece got his crew together, he spend multiple volumes and at least three minor story arcs to get Zoro, Nami, Sanji and Usopp to join him. All while also giving us good insight into the kind of people his new crewmates were (especially Sanji’s and Nami’s backstory got to me), defeating the likes of Buggy and Captain Black, meeting Dracula Mihawk and defeating one of the biggest bastards Eichiro Oda ever created in form of Arlong. What is the story how Sam joins the crew? An orphanage organizes an auction and sells kids off. Which I assume was even illegal in pirate times, so kudos for already showing us how despicable the world of Alex ze Pirate is to begin with and how much it deserves to be nuked in some sort of alien invasion.

 Sam also doesn’t really get anything to do when he is introduced, just helping Alex escape on a small boat. Which is weird because he does not know her at all, she is just some stranger who bought him off and has no means to keep him in check, so why even bother following her and not let the mob get rid of Alex? 

Anyway, I wish I could tell more about Sam’s involvement in Legends, but I don’t have really more than some scans of it in the beginning and near the end. So I don’t know his involvement in the rest of the volume. I also can’t say how he plays out in volume two, because that does not exist at all. Cause for reasons I will never understand, Dobson just abandoned the idea of telling a “coherent” and ongoing story with Alex ze Pirate and instead went to his colored one page comics/strips with it, turning it into what some people called “Garfield with Pirates” (which I consider a genuine insult towards any newspaper comic out there, even something as Boondocks). And the first thing we see of Sam in “classic” Alex ze Pirate?

 The perverted dwarf of the crew showing of his shota underwear so that Alex and Sam stop bickering who is the cutest, leaving him embarrassed and humiliated.

 Which kinda sums up his role in the comic to a t. Cause this is what Sam is: He is the buttmonkey of the crew. And honestly, I would not have a total problem with Sam being a buttmonkey, if a) he wasn’t it all the time, b) he would actually do something to deserve any form of humiliation and c) if the other characters in this comic itself would not be some of the biggest assholes I have ever seen, who get away with abusing the poor lad.

 See, here is the problem: In a crew featuring a choleric homophobic soulless ginger

 A black rat person who wants to fuck the ginger even without her consent

 A furry abomination that has the same brain wavelengths as Chris Chan 

And a perverted dwarf who tries to impersonate Happosai from Ranma 1/2

 Sam is the only decent person in the entire crew. He works hard, he even questions the morality of his friends at times, he is honest, he is not perverted, almost good to the point of childish innocence and he has a very humble “goal” which is he wants to own his own piece of gold. Not even a big pile of treasure, just one single coin would be enough for him.

 So he is likeable and relatable. In fact, if anything goes by, he may have been one of the most popular ones in the comic. And yet he is the one who gets constantly abused by “fate” and his friends, because as Dobson would say it, he is supposed to be the buttmonkey. There is just one problem: People do not necessarily like buttmonkeys.

I can primarily speak only for myself here, but I hope what I have to say resonates with others too. See, I get it: A character who is the butt of a joke can be fun. Like Daffy in Duck Amuck. But there is a fine line where a character being humiliated for the sake of a joke is fun (and perhaps even deserved because of his own shortcomings or deeds/actions that make the humiliation sort of kharmic, like lets say Johnny Bravo) and a character being humiliated to the point it feels disproportional, unfunny and mean spirited if not outright sadistic, can be crossed. Take Meg Griffin from Family Guy for example whose only “purpose” for existing within the last 12+ years is to get shat on by her family and the writers. People have no idea for a plot with her, so what do they do? Have her father physically and emotionally abuse her, fart in her face for what is supposed to count as a joke and then add additional insult to it by acknowledging that they are only doing this, because they have no other idea for her and think abuse is fun. Let me just tell you from experience, it is not.

And that is essentially what Sam is: He is the Meg Griffin of Alex ze Pirate, used by his creator as the butt of very unfunny jokes, even if he does not deserve any of the things said or done to him. Want to see some examples?

 How about the description Dobson gives Sam within the introduction of one of his volumes, showing how little Dobson as the creator even cares for him.

Why is he called an unworthy “slob” if he is the only one who actually works? Shouldn’t a slob be someone like Dobson, who can’t even take care of himself anymore? Also the confirmation that he was kidnapped at the age of 16. And as we have no clarification how much time passed between Legends Vol. 1 and anything afterwards, that means that in a way Alex is a child abuser.

And now, here some examples by the rest of the cast. Like Uncle Peggy framing him for all sorts of his perverted actions and even trying to kill him for no apparent reason?

Alex trying to kill him with chicken pox…

…Destroying all his worldly posessions which is hilarious because he is a poor orphan…

…Essentially describing him as worthless because he was born with an Y-chromosome…

… doing the kind of thing Dobson claims women would never do to man, using their sex appeal to hurt them…

…forcing him to do some unnecessary and rather petty work for her in a physics defying manner (seriously, the way he holds the axe does not compute with how he swings it. Try it out yourself)

… stealing his food and just being a cruel sadistic cunt to him just because it is fun.

Which is “funny” in so far as that there are a few comics indicating she would jump his dick and ride it like a little pony if she could.

 By the way, Talus and Atea are not better. None of them calls Alex out on her bullshit on average, Atea uses Sam to trigger traps in one story arc…

And Talus, the closest to a “friend” he is supposed to have, once for no apparent reason made him dig through his litterbox

And don’t get me even started when the characters decide to gang up on Sam, to the point he gets sexually harassedor is called to be less worth as a human being than the dirt you find in your belly button

Fuck’s sake, even in fanart everyone gangs up on him, even the freaking big bad of the story everyone is supposed to hate or be afraid of

 Bottom line, Sam is an abuse victim played for laughs in this comics. And just to clarify, I do not think this was Dobson’s intention. But if the character is undeservingly the butt of jokes for the majority of over 120 strips, it turns nasty. The way Sam is treated, I just find disgusting and indictive of just how unlikable any other character in this comic is to the point I do not want to see this being turned into a proper “franchise”. And I assume others were disgusted by it too, cause Dobson eventually decided to make a story more or less addressing the treatment Sam receives, while also attempting to prove that deep down the assholes with starring roles in this trainwrack care for him. How did this play out? Well, I am going to talk about it, so likely not well. If you want to see the details, grab yourself some popcorn and take a toilet break before we tackle part 2 of this thing.

#andrew dobson #so you are a cartoonist #sjw #comics #comic #webcomic #alex ze pirate #sam the cabin boy #legends #tom preston #disgusting #male abuse #unfunny

[mugiwara-rosewolf]

Hiiii💚hope ur have a good day/night if it not to much to ask can i have Zoro with a female reader who to shy to confess her feeling for him. You could end it anyway u want 💚

Hello Anon! I loved the concept you sent me, but it turned out a *little* different than I anticipated. If this isn’t what you were hoping for, feel free to Bop me in the DM’s and I’ll try again. Hope you enjoy!

Timid Confession

Zoro x Shy!Reader

6 Romantic Do’s and Don’ts--Swordsman Edition

(Warning: mild cursing. Stupid pirates.)

There comes a time, when every soul on Earth must be open and unbearably honest with another. A time when you must expose yourself. A time where you must open the ribcage of your chest to reveal the butterflies in your stomach, the fluttering of your heartbeat, and the way your breath hitches when a certain silhouette walks by. There comes a time when you have no choice but to lay your life--mind, body and soul--on the line and take a risk. In theory, this is something you know quite well. As a warrior of the Straw hat crew, this willingness to put everything at risk for your dreams is an everyday reality. But what about when that risk is a person? Surely the basic gist is still the same...right?

Wrong. Johnny and Yosaku used to laugh about this a lot--to your face--about how you are an absolute disaster outside of battle. The stoic, competent warrior shown on your bounty poster would vaporize as soon as you sheath your sword. Otherwise, you were a bashful, stumbling mess. And once a certain moss-haired hunter joined the crew...you were finished. With the flash of his sword, he caught your attention. With his wicked-sharp slit of a smile, he punctured the deepest parts of you. Your fate was sealed. Roronoa Zoro would be the death of you. 

Everyone seemed to know what this strange phenomenon was, but to you, it was a goddamned mystery. It was a miracle that you were ever able to speak more than a dozen words to him on any given day. When your paths diverged for the first time, it was almost a relief. But from then on, there was always a gap in your plans. An empty bunk on your ship that used to be filled with snores at the most random hours. Your chest always ached at the memory. 

It was in that space of absence that you realized--you loved him. The thought alone was enough to turn your whole world turned topsy-turvy. Then the Baratie happened. Then Mihawk, then Arlong and then--this peculiar straw-hat pirate, this boy that Zoro had sworn his fealty to--invites you along on his grand adventure. After all the things you’d seen and done, seeing the anticipation glistening in Roronoa’s eyes...how could you say no?

Life since then has been the wildest ride you could ever dream of. Marines, mercenaries, Giant whales and dinosaurs--it’s like something out of a fairy tale. And during all that time, one thing hasn’t changed. Zoro. Your heart pounds in your chest when you hear his footfalls approaching. Butterflies swim up to your throat every time you hear his voice. butterflies in your stomach. Your breath hitches, just from the way he looks at you. There were so many nights, hunkered down with Johnny and Yosaku in some tavern somewhere, where you wondered what you would say to him. To Zoro, if your paths ever crossed again. 

Now here you are, reunited, chasing your dreams together. And yet you still can’t speak, let alone freaking breath in his presence. It was a nightmare. Stuttering every line, palms sweating, knees trembling, face catching fire--every possible symptom under the sun now seemed to increase ten-fold. How the heck were you supposed to genuinely bond with the man you loved when you could barely talk?

Nami was the first to catch on. Of course, she was. Her suggestion was to trick him into confessing his feelings for you. The moment she said the words you just stared at her. You swore right then and there this lady was crazy. Like, ‘dingo ate my baby’ crazy. There was no way in any of the Blues that Zoro had feelings for you. How could he? Every interaction was stilted and awkward. The only reason you two fought well together was that you’d done it before. God, how you’d missed it, in the time he’d been away. You quickly shook yourself free of the thought.

 “Z-Zoro doesn’t work like that,” you’d told her. “Anything underhanded is either--is either gonna fly over his head or piss him off. I-I can’t, I can’t do that…” 

The second time was Chopper’s idea. He hadn’t meant to overhear, but his curious little ears were very sensitive and… “well, I want to help you and Zoro”. 

Which--okay. Zoro and Chopper adore each other. The swordsman is always co concerned and gentle with the young doctor. But he never belittles your resident reindeer for his age or size. That was something you already admired about the elder swordsman. He maintained gratifying respect for everyone in the crew--even Sanji. Nevertheless. You found it very endearing that Copper wanted to help you confess your feelings. As you soon discovered, however...that sweet, innocent winter reindeer had no clue about human romance whatsoever. 

“Well, that was a waste-a--” 

“Wonderful lesson in reindeer culture!” You interjected. Cutting off the cat burglar before she could finish her sentence. “But, uh, m-maybe there are other ways I can go about...er, ya know.”

And so, Nami called in reinforcements. Usopp the Liar. The long-nosed sniper was dragged into the room by his ear. Nami recounted the situation as I hid my face in my hands. His eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

 “Ooh! Okay! I have a great idea! How about I go up to Zoro and start bragging about you, ya know, all the awesome adventures you went on before you saw each other again. Then he’d know just how awesome you are and he’d have to ask you out. I mean, he’s already in lo--” 

“L-loudly snoring in the galley, I’m sure,” you excused quickly, shaking your head. “But if you interrupt his nap, all he’s gonna do is skin you alive.” Ussop visibly paled at the matter-of-fact statement. “I don’t--I don’t want anyone else getting hurt on my behalf so let’s just--I’ll figure something else out.”

Leaving the little pow-wow below decks, you bump into none other than your beloved’s worst enemy--Sanji, the ‘Ero-Cook’. “Ah, Y/N!” He cried in jubilation.

“Sanji!” You squeaked out. Your sudden alarm gave him pause.

“You look distressed, mademoiselle,” The observation alone was enough to turn his expression into a stormcloud incarnate. “If that damned Marimo broke your heart, I swear--”

“N-n-n-n-no!” You hurried to reassure him, waving your hand before Sanji could start kicking anything. “That’s not it at all! I mean, we were talking about--but he didn’t--I mean, he wasn’t even--” after so many fumbles you eventually just gave up, heaving a heavy sigh. “It’s nothing. I’m just bad at being brave.”

“I don’t believe it,” The cook’s immediate reply has you looking up at him in surprise. You saw him pull a cigarette from the pocket of his suit. “Not in a million years. You are one of the bravest angels sailing the seas, Y/N--whatever it is that scares you, they should be ten times more afraid.”

“You still talking about Zoro?”

“Damn right I am,” Sanji growled, his vitriol for Zoro overpowering his typical decorum. His lighter flickered to life as his eyes met yours. “It’s a gentleman’s job to court a lady, make her feel precious and desired. That brute can’t tell romance from a brick wall.”

“Whatchu talkin’ bout bricks for?” Another voice queried. Both you and Sanji turn. There, at the other end of the hall, is your captain. “Bricks got nothin’ to do with Zoro.”

“L-Luffy,” You stammered. “I thought you were at the figurehead, with Zoro?”

“I was, but then he decided to nap somewhere else. So I came here.” Luffy stated clearly, hands perched proudly on his hips. He looked between you and Sanji again, still curious. “So, why you guys talking about Zoro and bricks?”

“Because that’s how dense he is,” Sanji retorted. “Moss-head can’t tell that our darling Y/N is head-over-heels for his dumbass.” a trail of smoke slithered from between his gritted teeth. 

At the mention of your name, Luffy turned and cocked his head. “But your head is below your heels. Isn’t that how people work?”

“M-most of the time, yes,” Sanji let out a sigh and a low curse. You bit your lip a moment before electing to explain. “But that’s not--what he means is, er, that I....uh, oh how do I explain this? Um. I want to tell Zoro something. But I’m not sure how.”

Your captain stared blankly at you. As if you’d smacked yourself in the face with a plank of wood and he couldn’t sure why. “Why are you so scared?” He asked, point-blank. “Whatever’s the most you thing to do, do it that way. Don’t worry about anything else, Y/N.” 

Both you and Sanji shared a glance. The cook’s narrowed eyes told you he was a little bit sceptical. But he shrugged. He knew better than to question your captain’s logic. You, on the other hand, felt as if the sky had suddenly opened up. The next time you looked back at Luffy, your smile was as bright as the midday sun. “I think...I think you got the right idea, Luffy. I’ll give it a shot!”

Walking past both young men, you found your way to one of Zoro’s favourite napping places. Nami’s orchard. When you find him there, time seems to pause for a moment. The wash of the waves against the ship, the scent of the sun and the salt of the sea. That tang of citrus and those bright spots of colour in the trees--all those things seem hushed now. All you see is that head of mossy green hair and the entrancing rise-and-fall of his breath. You found a rake near Usopp’s garden boxes. It was like you had told the sniper earlier. If you prod a sleeping swordsman, you’ll get skinned alive. That is if you stand within swords-length. 

Blades of grass softly crunch under your shoes as you tip-toe your way to the tree where Zoro is resting. When you’re close enough to reach, you turn the rake over in your hand; electing to poke him with the wooden tip instead of the metal points. If he felt the metal he might mistake it for a weapon and a genuine threat. Goodness knows you and your old bounty-hunting crew had plenty of threats to your sleep over the years. 

One poke. No response. Two pokes. A groan and a slight shift. Then the snoring returns. You poke him three times; poke-poke-poke. He groans and shifts, his brow furrowing at the disturbance. But he still doesn’t open his eyes. You huffed to yourself. You really thought the three-pokes would work. Three was Zoro’s favourite number, after all. Patience fizzling along with your nerve, you finally jab him in the side. 

“Zoro!”

The swordsman jolts awake. He looks up, seeing the broomstick near his shoulder, and traces it to you. “Why are you poking me with a rake?” 

The moment his eyes land on you, all your fizzling patience and brazen nerve seem to vanish into the air. Butterflies surge from your stomach in a tidal wave, suddenly clogging up your throat. Your heartbeat jolts in speed at the sudden onslaught. The rake clatters from your hands as you flounder in embarrassment. “T-to, to avoid being fileted by a grumpy swordsman.”

Zoro huffed. “Put that thing away,” You hurry to do so. It is a vain hope that you might beagle to drain the warm flush from your face by the time you return. All the while, your fellow swordsman scrubs the sleep from his face with one hand. “Why’d you wake me up?” 

“I-I, I wanna talk to you.” You abruptly drop yourself into the grass beside him. Standing above him in this orange grove somehow made you feel weird. If you were gonna have this conversation, you felt you needed to be on the same level.

“Okay, then talk.” 

“Er, okay. So…Zoro, I-I mean I’ve been meaning to tell you that I--” you hesitate. But this time you swallow the lump in your throat, summon your courage--and expose your beating heart. “--I love you.”

Zoro is silent for a long moment. His eyes never waver from where you now sit beside him. Swords propped on his other side, he has his arms wrapped around his knees. Ever since he woke up, his expression hasn’t changed. He just looks at you, plain and straightforward as can be when he says; “Okay.” 

You splutter. The single word response is nearly enough to throw you into conniptions. “Wha-what do you mean just, ‘okay’? I’ve been agonizing over how to tell you how I feel for-for ages! And all you have to say is ‘okay’?!” 

The swordsman snorted. “Like words are the only thing that matters. Your actions speak for you, Y/N. I thought my actions made it clear that I--” 

“...You what?” You blink, watching the spark of a blush rush vividly across the swordsman's’ cheeks. 

“I-I love you, dammit! There. You happy now?” 

The instant those words reached your ears, your smile bloomed like a sunflower. After all the ideas and voices and fears you’d heard today, you could hardly believe it--they were right! After all the years preparing for this moment, you could finally look someone in the eye and speak your truth. “I couldn’t be happier.”

[epiphyllous]

What if: Marine!Luffy (technically)

I feel like a lot of people have touched on the AU if Luffy ever became a marine instead of a pirate, and I really like reading about them! I watched a video on YT that goes into it pretty in depth (check it out here), and I do agree that some of it is very plausable! But it takes away a lot of what I believe is integral to Luffy’s story (asides from the fact Luffy wants to be a pirate).

Honestly, this stemmed because I don't want Luffy to lose most of the integral part of his life-- which is meeting Shanks.

As stated in the video, it due to Shanks’ influence and Garp's absencenthat sets Luffy on the path to becoming a pirate, and I do see why Shanks has to be out of the picture for Luffy to even consider being a marine.

But what if Luffy raised to be a marine but still maintains his integrity that not everyone is bad just because of what they are? And thus we would still see OUR Luffy but Marine, which makes me happy :)

(Feel free to interact and share your thoughts too! I'm just trying to have fun fleshing my thoughts out. ‘tis long post)

Luffy doesn't grow up wanting to be a marine hero like Garp, bc I still maintain that he doesn't want to be a hero. He should still be a free spirit for the most part, but I think his main goal in this AU at first would be strong-- whether it's to be strong for the sake of being strong or to protect other people.

Or maybe he hears and listens to marine stories and learns how they travel through the Grand Line-- all romanticized, btw, but I do believe marines out there who do fight justice (not that Luffy is interested in that aspect at the age of 6) and go on "adventures" as they put it, making Luffy star eyed about the world. Regardless, he isn't off-put by the marine thing and that's the big point. Maybe if Garp hadn't just forced him to be a marine and instead instilled the aspect of adventure and camaraderie, Luffy wouldn't be so resistant.

When Luffy meets Shanks, I think most of the interaction remains, except Luffy's fascination is replaced with curiosity. Doesn't change much, but it does let Luffy still be as fearless as ever in the face of pirates and want to know more about Shanks. Maybe as a child he DID have the mindset that all pirates are bad, so he tries to fight them off much to Shanks' amusement and eventually realizes after interacting with them that not all pirates are bad after all.

"Take me to sea with you!"

"No way! You're too weak! Besides, aren't you afraid of sailing with a bunch of pirates?"

"Shanks is not a bad pirate!"

"So there are good and bad pirates now?"

"Yeah. Good pirates party all the time and have fun. Bad pirates do bad things," is what I'm sure Luffy at age 6 would think for the most part.

And they'd laugh and tease Luffy for being weak, Luffy would cut his eye to prove he's not, and at this point Shanks is more of a role model rather than a pirate role model: he shows what a man should do, how he should protect his friends, and when to stand up for yourself.

And in saving and sacrificing his arm for a Luffy who doesn't want to be a pirate but a marine, it solidifies the theme that it doesn't matter what you are, but who you are that counts.

And that teaching follows Luffy everywhere he goes for his entire journey.

As for the straw hat, I stubbornly refuse that Shanks does not give it Luffy. As we know, the hat plays in a much larger role than being the crown for the next king of pirates. It's evident in the large straw hat in Mariejoa and the significance the Gorosei puts on a symbol like that. Anyhow, I'm not going to go into that much but REGARDLESS, Shanks gives Luffy the straw hat and to return it to him once he becomes a great (read: powerful, impactful, influential) man.

I think a large bump in the road with this theory is that Luffy would have an insanely harder time in his childhood. As a big-mouthed child, he wouldn't shut up about being the next Marine Admiral (best position of power little does he know; Luffy just knows they tend to be the strongest Marines), and knowing Ace who would never EVER want to be a marine because of his influence with Sabo and his upbringing of bandits, this does not fly well. I could probably entertain that Ace could have been a marine because people hated his father so much, but I think his goal of being more than just his father's son really paves a path for him to be a pirate, regardless of other influences.

So if you think Ace hated Luffy before at this point in time, oh boy.

I mean, Luffy can't just DIE, so really the meeting between him, Ace, and Sabo go relatively the same except Ace and Sabo are much more suspicious of Luffy, which doesn’t really bode well for him. But I’m pretty sure, marine or not, even Ace and Sabo wouldn’t abandon Luffy if he refused to rat them out-- or they might even feel even more incensed that Luffy didn’t say anything because he wants to be a marine.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“If I said anything, you wouldn’t be my friend!”

“We’re going to be pirates; you’re going to be a marine-- we’re not even on the same side! We shouldn’t even be friends!”

“But why does that matter?”

And everything goes well, they become brothers, and Sabo “dies.”

And above all, I think this moment is a turning point in Luffy’s life (wow he’s having a lot of revelations as a ten-year-old; poor kid) because now he not only recognizes that not all pirates are bad but also know not all marines are good (because how could they be protecting someone who killed his brother?) and their system has a lot of fixing to do.

Ace has a lot of mixed feelings about this, because his baby brother may want to be a marine, but Sabo died from going against the government-- so what does this mean for their future? But in the end, Luffy is still Luffy, and Ace wouldn’t abandon his brother, especially not when after he announced he wasn’t going to die Luffy declares that he was going to be a Marine and destroy the system from within.

Not really sure how small Luffy would put that in words, but the feeling is already there, and that sets his beginning, seven years later.

Some Straw Hats are not going to be with Luffy, and it’s unfortunate but a must. Some will, like Zoro, who Luffy saves at Shell Town-- and honestly, it might just be easier for him to find Mihawk if he’s part of the Marines-- and Nami, whose mother was a marine and the Arlong Pirates never gave her any reason to like pirates anyhow. There is some sticky business considering Nami’s earned treasure was stolen by the marines, but I’m very sure meeting Luffy would definitely convince her that there are good marines out there.

Many of the Straw Hats would have never been pirates if not for Luffy, asides from Usopp and Brook, who were or had aspirations to be a pirate before. As such, Usopp’s village would be saved by Luffy, but he wouldn’t go be a marine because he’s always wanted to be like his father. Brook would probably go back to Laboon after getting back his shadow on Thriller Bark and Luffy wouldn’t have a musician and the One Piece Universe Beyonce would never be born :(

Tbh, there’s a high chance Chopper wouldn’t join either, considering his father-figure waved a pirate flag, but I wouldn’t put it past Luffy to defend that flag anyways because of its significance to Chopper and the bravery that Dr. Hiruluk conveyed through it. But for the sake of this indulgent AU, lets say he does. :))

Robin though... uhhh being a wanted women makes it pretty difficult for her to join Luffy and considering Enies Lobby and the whole Buster Call deal... probably not. I can see her joining the Revolutionary Army pretty early on as a result though, but Luffy’s choice to save her life would not have changed nor would his impact on her change as well. You know, low key, I kinda want her to hide out on Luffy’s ship for a while and his crew being all “wtf captain, she’s a danger to society; isn’t she a bad person?” and Luffy just shrugs and laughs and tells them it’s okay (his original Straw Hat crew that stuck with him as a marine just smh but they know him too well to think he wouldn’t save Robin otherwise) and to have them decide if she’s a bad person or not themselves.

And EVENTUALLY Robin will be recruited into the Revolutionary Army, maybe in like a intense, “You have to go Robin, because even I can’t save you if you stay” sorta deal. (This could also be a chance for Luffy to meet Sabo, but that’s like a whole ‘nother can of worms.)

So Enies Lobby doesn’t happen. Franky doesn’t join either :/ And I don’t see Jimbei becoming a pirate after all the shit that’s happened to him and his bros, and honestly I just ever see him as being a marine, no matter how much he admires Luffy. Maybe they’d be buddies when he’s a Warlord though :))

So Alabasta-- Vivi gets to save her country with actual marine support aka Luffy. He works together with Smoker (heehee!) and Tashigi (god I would die for the interactions between her and Marine!Zoro) and kicks Crocodile’s butt regardless of his title as Warlord. Luffy calls it as he sees it, and violent dictatorship and mistreatment of his friends is a BIG no-no, maybe especially as marine who upholds goodness.

He gets promoted and gets the credit he deserves, though he’s too busy chomping down on food to even notice.

Vivi stays with her people, and they leave.

Meeting Ace during the Alabasta arc would have taken a little more secrecy-- or maybe Ace goes undercover for a brief period of time like Oda drew him a while back; wouldn’t put it past him to meet his little brother while he chases after Blackbeard.

Oh wait, would Sky Island even happen??? Honestly, who knows, but if he fights Bellamy, it would just ruin his redemption arc during Dressrosa bc wouldn’t Luffy just capture him?? or maybe he just punches him and that’s punishment enough who knows I didn’t think about this part in particular

BUT MARINEFORD. oh marineford

You see, I think as a marine, Luffy is completely different from Garp from the fact that he would NEVER put his job over his family. Luffy has already had one brother die, and he isn’t going to let another die if he can help it.

So what does that leave us? Maybe a prison break? Maybe going behind the scenes (as per Nami’s suggestion and implementation bc Luffy can’t be subtle for shit) to rig the execution and fuck up the cannons.

But the real mega problem here, is if Ace dies, I don’t know if Luffy can be a marine anymore, and that’s a big problem. Or maybe in having his brother die in his arms, despite trying to help him escape, will incite him to challenge the system and destroy corruption once and for all. (Demotion be damned.) But when Sabo finds out Luffy let Ace die in front of him, I think the connotations would change with their reunion since Luffy is a marine and thus still, regardless of who Luffy is, “on the other team.”

In fact, the existence of the Marineford Arc makes it extremely difficult for Luffy to continue being a marine, so honestly, at this point, even though it goes against the entire Marine!Luffy AU, I think Luffy could just go rogue, like he was always meant to be in the original One Piece timeline. So maybe it’s a full-circle to Luffy being what he was meant to. Who knowssss but that’s all I’ve got.

Let me know what you think!! If you read this far haha I’m always down to talk about Luffy bc I love him sm.

#one piece #monkey d luffy #marine!luffy au #me rambling #one piece headcanons

[foxboymyles]

[ZOLU] Pardon My Imprudence Chp.1

((Note: Hey! I made a One Piece fanfic a while back but never fully published it :) So here it is for anyone to read. I hope you enjoy!))

He doesn't intend to mess up. Usually, it's something that happens in the fault of his obliviousness. If he truly meant to slip and almost cost his life, it was always from his own self-righteousness. In school, it was grades. The only good grades he got in his first week of freshman year were from PE. He was lucky enough to escape with C's, mostly. Even his name, Monkey D. Luffy, was written sloppily and never taught into care. Until his friend, Zoro came around. They met at a frozen yogurt shop, as Zoro explained he was hungry and wanted a snack before he headed to his house where his parental guardian Mihawk was. After the first week of school, Luffy's friend looked bewildered at the grades he kept up. Zoro was a slacker, but he always made his way towards B's. Luffy instantly got C's in his first week of school! Zoro decided to teach him some aspects of math for an hour or two each day since they met at the frozen yogurt shop every day since then.

"You see, it's all easy. This is just a review from last year." Zoro said, calm and collective.

Luffy took a bite of his froyo, pouting and talking with small lips."I didn't even pay attention last year."

Zoro sighed and looked at the teen, a little annoyed but more just disappointed.

"Usopp said you can lie out of homework by pretending you have a stomach ache," Luffy mumbled.

Zoro smiled and questioned in his head Luffy's choice of friends. It seemed like he was the only normal person in the clique they had. There was Nami, who always asked them for a dollar to get chips from the vending machine and asked for 20 dollars when doing Zoro's homework. He didn't ask her to, but she forcefully made him anyways. Then there was Usopp, who lies constantly and attempts, unsuccessfully, to get out of any possible pester in school. After that, there's Chopper, who looks 7 but is actually the same age they are. He's 4'5 and is already in Math 3, even when the first semester always starts with Math 1. His counselor immediately put him in with Grade 10 kids. And lastly, Luffy, who's a flunk in all his classes except for PE. He has a knack for childish things and goofs around at school.

"My brothers try to help me with homework but it always fails..." Luffy continued.

Zoro raised an eyebrow while asking."You have brothers?"

Luffy nodded and put his pencil down."I have 2 brothers in their Senior year."

Luffy explained one to be Ace and another to be Sabo. Ace got a little irritated too fast, but he cares for other people. The irony of it is that he's also a little too confident in himself. Sabo is kind, really smart, and gives Luffy really good advice. He continues to tell Zoro that they don't help him very much because he has a low attention span.

"At least you got through some parts of your homework with me," Zoro commented, after hearing even the brightest of people can't go through any sort of brain training with Luffy.

"Yeah! You're the first person to go through more than 3 problems of my math homework with me."

"Maybe the teacher'll give you SOME credit..." Zoro remarked.

"I bet it won't be that bad!" Luffy said, grinning.

This kid is highly positive, Zoro thought. Just hearing a silver lining like that when he only did 1/10th of his homework is surprising. So they talked, did a few more math problems, and headed off both different ways. Luffy started school the next morning and sufficed a little smile on the teacher's face. Then the teacher continued to tell him to keep on going and to lay off the video games for a little bit. Of course, Luffy never listened.

It's been 2 months. Zoro continues to hang out with Luffy and his friends. The time is almost near for Halloween, and Luffy is excited to dress up. Of course, Zoro never tries to dress up and gives candy out instead. The children laugh sometimes and tell him he didn't have to dress up because he's already scary. The sophomore was used to this. He wasn't really afraid of backlash or anything of that matter. It doesn't help him that he got grade retention and wasn't able to do junior work either. Most kids try not to make fun of him anyway because he has a resting death glare. What's strange to him is his grumpiness floats away when he sees Luffy. His face is still scary, but inside, he'll feel a lot more comfortable.

"Zoro. What did I tell you about wearing dirty clothes?" A low voice called. It was Mihawk, his parent guardian. He adopted Zoro when the boy was 7.

"Right, I'll get a black shirt. Those are better with stains." Zoro said, going up the stairs.

Mihawk followed him with his eyes."Be sure that one is clean!"

"Alright, I get it."

Perona sighed and crossed her arms. "Papa, why does he get to dress all casual?"

"That's just his style. I can't get him to wear anything formal unless we're going somewhere prestigious."

"Hmph. He's a lazy bum, that's also why."

Zoro called from his room out loud."I heard that."

Perona's face grew red in irritation."So what?!? You already know it's true!"

Mihawk lowered his hand as a gesture for them to quiet down.

"Now, now children. There's no need to quarrel right now."

"Papa, I'm gonna be an elegant witch!" Perona said, twirling her dress around.

Mihawk looked at her with uncaring eyes. He nodded and glanced at the slightly opened door, in which was opened by Zoro. He had a suit on with a masquerade mask, his shoes reflected intensely on the marble floor. Mihawk was really confused at what he was wearing.

"So why do you decide now to dress up on Hallows Eve?"

"I'm going to my friend's house. We're going to the fall festival tonight, remember?" Zoro said, nonchalantly.

"I didn't try to remember because it sounded so unbelievably fake, but, as you wish." Mihawk turned to Perona.

She pouted and went downstairs to put the candy outside. Zoro checked on his phone and put it in his back pocket, and was about to leave. Mihawk spoke.

"Zoro."

"Yes?"

He looked at the teen very seriously.

"The only reason why you're retaking sophomore year is because you need to learn discipline. Procrastination is not the answer for everything. And if you fail this year again, you will not live in this house."

Zoro looked at him with unblinking eyes.

"Do you understand, my boy?"

"Yeah. I get it." He said, no nervousness or strain in his voice.

Mihawk smiled and left to his room.

___

There was a knock at Luffy's door. He quickly opened it and hugged Zoro tightly.

"Zoro! You came, you really did!"

The teen grunted angrily. "Alright, alright. I know I'm here. Get off already."

Luffy smiled at him warmly. For a second Zoro had this feeling. He couldn't think of it because Luffy pulled him to the couch before he tried to observe his thoughts.

"Sooooo Zoro! These are my brothers! Ace and Sabo!" Luffy said, grinning.

Ace and Sabo were both dressed casually. The only costume piece Ace had was a really creepy looking mask on the side of him. They both had long hair. Ace's was straight jet black and Sabo's was a fairly wavy golden blonde.

Ace smirked."Hi. You're Zoro?"

"Yeah."

"Well nice to meet ya."

Ace firmly shook his hand. Afterward, Sabo reached out and shook Zoro's hand as well.

"Glad to meet you!"

Zoro sat down and Luffy tossed him a bag of chips. Zoro tossed them back and shook his head.

"Aw, why not?"

"I'm saving my stomach for the festival."

Luffy smiled."Oh, okay! When are we leaving again?"

"In 10 minutes."

Sabo replied."You can play a few video games with us if you'd like."

"Yeah, sure. We're up for another game." Ace said, fiddling with the controller.

"Okay, I'll play a few rounds," Zoro said as he caught the tossed controller that Ace had gave him.

Luffy sat on the carpet and watched the brightly colored screen for what seemed like seconds to him, until he noticed Zoro stood up, looking at his watch.

"We should go now." He turned to Ace and Sabo. "It was nice meeting you."

"Of course! You're always welcome if you want to hang out." Sabo said, trying to be as polite as he could be.

Luffy skidded out with his scarecrow costume on and grinned at them, shouting a short bye as they went out the door. They walked down the blocks and talked to each other.

"Your brothers are nice. Unless they were doing that just to keep an impression." Zoro said.

Luffy laughed."No, they don't do that! They liked you!"

Zoro sighed."Yeah, yeah. Why are you a scarecrow anyways? You don't scare anyone."

"Ace told me it suits me."

"Maybe he was wrong then," Zoro replied, coldly.

Luffy frowned."No, Ace is usually right about me."

Zoro decided not to respond. They finally got there after a few short conversations. The lights were dim and people gathered around the pumpkin patch and buffet. Luffy ran after the buffet, and Zoro's response was to run after him and tell him angrily to slow down. The boy chomped down pumpkin pies to turkey, as people looked bewildered at the teenager's appetite. They laughed softly and continued eating. Zoro rested his head on his hand and glanced at the boy.

"You sure like eating."

"Who doesn't?" Luffy said, happily.

"People who don't eat," Zoro said, chuckling at his remark. He knew it wasn't funny, but somehow he got a kick from it.

Luffy gasped."Some people don't eat?!?"

Zoro smiled."Sure. There's a lot of people that don't eat. It's in a lot of religions. Fasting. Haven't you learned about that?"

"No!!! Well- maybe I did and didn't pay attention."

Zoro handed the waiter a check and continued to eyeball Luffy's eating. He finally stopped and fell on the grass. He belched and smiled calmly.

"That was like eating in heaven's gate~"

Zoro was still smiling. He felt weird to have been smiling all that time. He doesn't usually smile all that much. But somehow being around Luffy made it felt so comfortable to smile. He lent Luffy a hand as he got back on his feet.

"Here. Pick a pumpkin and we'll carve it at your house when we get back."

"Reeeally?!? Awesome!"

Luffy hurried to the pumpkin patch and tried to find a good pumpkin. Zoro watched him scavenge for a while until the boy put out the smallest pumpkin in front of Zoro's eyes.

"What's this?"

"It's a pumpkin!" Luffy said cheerfully.

"Why'd you pick the smallest one?" Zoro said, looking at all the other ones.

"Well, I just like this one better!" He said.

Zoro smiled warmly and scuffled Luffy's hair. "Come on, let's go."

They started to walk back, slowly but surely.

"Zoro," Luffy said.

"Yeah?"

"You seem grumpy a lot. What's wrong?" Luffy said, worried.

"That's just my personality. You'll get used to it."

"Right," Luffy said.

They got quiet for a few seconds.

"Zoro, do you ever feel that if you don't do something you'll make everyone angry?" Luffy asked.

"Of course. My father says if I flunk sophomore he'll kick me out."

"Kick you out?" Luffy said, surprised.

Zoro nodded."How about you?"

"Well...I have to fight this one guy."

Zoro's eyes widened."Fight? You?"

"Yeah. And the whole school doesn't like him so if I don't win they'll get angry at me. And I'll be angry at myself." Luffy said, hands in his pockets.

"I have a hard time believing you fight people," Zoro said.

"People say that a lot," Luffy mumbled.

Zoro thought about what he said and kept on walking. When they got to the house, Luffy quickly hugged Zoro and told him 'thank you'. He opened the door to let him in. Zoro felt a little confused at what just happened, but entered anyway. His mind was fighting to get the hints. Just that second of Luffy touching him, his smaller frame against his and his chin pressed on to Zoro's shoulder. It was strange what he was feeling. He decided to just ignore it for now.

"You guys are back already?" Ace said.

Luffy nodded, then scurried to the kitchen, where Sabo placed a plastic wrapped pie. Sabo smiled and looked at Zoro kindly.

"I made an extra pie, but I knew Luffy wouldn't have eaten it because of the festival. Would you like to have it?" Sabo asked.

"I'm good. You guys can have it." Zoro shortly answered.

Sabo look surprised but laughed and put it back.

"You're really generous, Roronoa!"

"So are you guys gonna cut this pumpkin or not?" Ace said, a tiny bit impatiently

Zoro came up to the pumpkin with a kitchen knife. He cut around the stem, his movements smooth and precise.

"How are you so good at cutting pumpkins, Zoro?" Luffy asked, watching him.

He continued to cut,"My dad taught me when I was 7." Zoro took off the lid and spoke again,"We're a very Halloween orientated family. We don't fool around with decorating."

He handed Luffy the knife."You can cut things out now."

Luffy grinned and dug the knife in the pumpkin. when he cut out his first eye it was huge because he didn't know how to properly handle the knife, and always worked in straight lines. Zoro grabbed Luffy's hand and positioned in on the knife.

"You have to hold it like this. Try again." Zoro said, after observing Luffy's hand posture.

Luffy carved again. And Zoro was right. He was more accurate with his cutting. The second eye was out, and now Luffy was cutting out the mouth. Luffy was silent when he was carving, but he still had that warm smile on his face. The feeling that pleasured Zoro to be comfortable, and maybe even cracked a smile out of him was there again.

"Done!" Luffy said as the mouthpiece dropped onto the newspaper spread.

Zoro looked at it and laughed. Luffy pouted and pushed it to Zoro.

"Just tell me if you like it or not!" Luffy said, his face red with embarrassment.

Zoro smiled and looked at it."Yeah, I do. Just looks a little goofy."

Luffy grinned and hit him playfully."Halloween is supposed to goofy, isn't it?"

They both smiled and looked at each other for a second. This time, Luffy felt it too. A weird feeling of security. He was wondering where this sense of safe-ness came to mind. Luffy talked hours with Zoro, just discussing things at school.

"Just a question. Is there anyone that makes fun of you at school?" Zoro asked.

Luffy nodded."Bellamy. He's full of 'em self. I just ignore him."

Zoro gave him a blank stare."You have to have somewhere to draw the line."

"Well, he hasn't hurt my friends. If he does anytime soon that's when I'll get involved." Luffy said, a little too serious for his own good.

Zoro looked at his phone and yawned."I better get going. It's almost curfew for me."

Luffy stood up with Zoro and gave him a tight hug. Zoro smiled and put his hand around Luffy's back for a second. Zoro let go and waved goodbye to Sabo and Ace. They waved back until the door shut. Ace grunted and changed the tv's input.

"I hope you don't like the guy." Ace said.

Sabo dishearteningly turned his head to the tv. Luffy looked confused at what Ace was implying.

"What do you mean? He's a good friend!" Luffy said, surprised.

"No, I don't mean it in that way. I mean in a romantic way."

"Oh," Luffy said, shortly and abruptly.

Ace waited for a longer response."What does that mean?"

"I might have felt like that, is all," Luffy said, smiling.

Ace scrambled for words until all he could say was."You've only known him for a month and you think you have feelings for him?"

Sabo decided to get involved and responded to Luffy."That's good, Luffy. You just have to wait and see if you'll still have those feelings, right?"

Luffy nodded and stared at the door for a moment. Ace nagged at Sabo for saying that and shook him around like a fish.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go to bed now," Luffy said.

Ace raised an eyebrow."Now? But it's 9:00 on a Saturday."

"I'm gonna wake up early to hang out with Usopp and Nami, remember?" Luffy said, racing up the stairs.

Sabo tried not to laugh and in result Ace held his anger in and sighed, his eyebrows arched low. Sabo commented on how Luffy could invite more friends. Ace elbowed him and started to laugh as well, giving in to the idea Sabo described.

#fanfic #pairing #noncanon #anime #writing #ZoLu

[pink-valkyrie]

Lydia Rae Mihawk

Lydia Rae Mihawk  flashback leading to present Drabble Oc fanfic part 2 of this OC series Disclaimer I do not own One Piece or its respectful characters. Lydia smiled as she roamed her father's castle. Zoro was due to leave any day now to meet up with his crew. He had grown so much stronger, an had matured alittle more. Mihawk had trained them both Zoro more so than her. She understood, after all she didn't have the same drive as Zoro did when it came to swords. She definitely preferred her whip and dual cross pistols.  His crew, his dream, promise to a friend making him much more commendable. She had grown to respect him as a swordsmen and a man. While she was on the island she had grown closer to her father and also to the moss-haired swordsmen with no since of direction. She didn't think she could grow to admire both men in different ways so much. Well lets face it she never expected to meet and successfully talk to her father.  An as she wandered she thought back to her first meeting  with Zoro and the strawhats what a rocky one that was. She had been leaving a bar after grabbing some food and information from the locals. Immediately after she left the bar she heard people shouting and some bulk man practically ran her over. She moved out of the way annoyed, when she heard a tiny teary feminine voice yell "Someone stop him, he stole all my purse." Without thinking Lydia was already running after the man. Her eyes narrowed, as he tried to slip through the crowed. she unfurled her whip at her side and used it to scale the next building eyes never leaving the man she was pursing. He had no idea she was on to him. Perfect. She smirked. He was in the clear, so he thought. He had just escaped the mass confusion and crowd created with his latest victims scream had caused. He was smiling it happened all the time, he'd pick a small defenseless lady. As the shock would wear off if his victim noticed the shock of her yell would cause enough chaos for him to get away. Today would be no different it seemed.  Just as that thought left his head. "Hey scumbag wipe that nasty grin off your face you haven't gotten away with anything yet." an angry voice yelled from above but it sounded closer. That was he last thought before he was sent rolling to the ground. Lydia had dove off the roof knocked the man down but was back up on her feet.  The look on the mans face was priceless. But she had gained the attention of a few onlookers. "You really shouldn't make a habit of targeting women for your crimes not all of us will let you off so easy."  The man was staggering up to his feet angry. "Let me off easy ha don't make me laugh, an what business is it of yours I didn't steal from you wench. What are you a hero or something?" He sneered. "You sure don't look like a marine off duty."  Her golden eyes narrowed even more today was a really bad day. and she didn't feel like she needed to hear any badmouthing from anyone else much less a theif. "No mister lucky for you I'm not a marine. Nor can I be involved with them or anyone of the law myself. But thats also really bad for you cause that means I do things my own way. An I just felt like helping out after you rudely bumped into me trying to get away. So if you don't mind lets go hand back what you stole. I don't really feel like fighting you."  The man had doubled over in laughter. Thats it she thought.  Quick as a snap her whip was out made the man drop the purse he was holding to the ground she snapped it again it was around the mans neck as she yanked him in her direction, it going lax as she delivered a quick blow to his face to KO him. She quickly walked over and dusted the purse off. Just then the owner of the voice she heard cry out earlier had made her way over to her. "Thanks a bunch miss. I had more important things than just money in there." She had puffy eyes from crying but smiled politely. Handing it over. "Everything in there?," waiting for the girl to finish checking. "Thats good, be more careful with your belongs and of your surroundings. Sometimes not even being out in a public or crowded area is safe." With that she began to walk off. "Miss wait isn't there something I could do to repay your kindness?"  Turning to cast one glance over her shoulder Lydia restrained herself for asking for any compensation. She had treasure on the ship when it came to her. "Yeah just when the guys come to arrest him don't even mention me , you'll be saving me some trouble ." An with that she left the woman behind with a puzzled expression. Sighing she thought great hot-head if she puts two and two together an decides to report you your gonna have to make another break for it. She wasn't really paying attention when a weapons shop caught her eye. Just like the bartender had said. Just as she was about to enter someone opened the door an nearly slammed it in her face. Snapping "Hey dumbass don't throw open doors like that you could've hit me." She fumed into a person chest, looking up she discovered  the owner to be a smug looking green haired man. "Don't stand in front of doors and you won't get hit."   Narrowing her eyes, noticing the swords at his sides. This man had just got smart with her, while she was used to men being afraid of her, only drunks being flirty, merchants and people she helped being somewhat friendly. She was only used to her opponents and enemies acing like that. The fact he had carried swords made her want to punch him into next week. He stared her in the eyes not budging .  " I wasn't just standing here in the way, like you are, I was actually coming in here to buy something." At that statement his eyes widen as he seemed to take in her appearance and weapons at her sides. "You a bounty hunter or something he offered weakly?" Smirking as he stepped aside. "No, not that its any of your business swordsman, I'm a pirate." An with that she passed him not noticing he had stepped back in the shop to follow her. She gazed around quickly glancing at the swords, concluding none of them worth anything. She returned her gaze to the other weapons she grabbed a few boxes of ammo and just for the heck of it she picked up a nice dagger that caught her eye. Paying the clerk and exiting the store. She continued on her way noticing irritably the man was still following her. "What? Why are you still following me?" She asked turning her gaze to him. "You a bounty hunter then?  this pirate catch your attention she mocked."Eyes widening at her not knowing who he was he snorted "Don't flatter yourself, I technically got lost and found the shop when looking for the rest of my crew.  I figured since you have the log pose on your wrist that you'd know where your going and could point me in the direct or if I'd follow you around long enough I'd run into someone I know."  He was about to brag about who he was , and suggest if she got smart he might turn her in for some cash since he was broke. When she commented. "So your directionally challenged then. So sad for your crew they must have a terrible time keeping track of you." She noted even though he said he'd follow her he'd veered off from her. Grabbing his arm, sighing "I'll take to you to a place where you can get some food and thats not far away from shops and the docks. It'll be less likely for you to get lost. that way."  She led him by the arm, it was strange he was fairly attract but he was already causing her problems. He was grumbling the whole way there with a blush on his face, however he did not offering to pull away from her. Clicking her tongue she turned her gaze to his face " To prideful to accept help one time? I have no doubt you can break free of my grip if you wished to do so. If your not going to do that don't make this anymore difficult for me than it already is." After her quick quip she was dragging him along but this time in silence before she heard a quite. "You didn't have to help me, not like I directly asked you , besides we very well could be enemies. " That paused her movements. "Am I your enemy?" She asked quietly. He had went silent again trying to figure this woman out. But he wasn't really good at that. Zoro knew he was only good at a few things and stuck to that. Noticing her lips turn up into a smile he thoughts seem to stop as she began to speak. "Doesn't really matter. I still wanna help, besides its not like its known if we are, not now anyway. Beside already halfway there and I don't want you getting you turned around again. His eyes softened at her tone before she decided to make a jab at him again. They were walking again. The hell was she doing to him. They made it to her destination and seated themselves at a table where they order drinks. They were actually starting to get along and make conversation. Despite him typically being quiet Zoro found himself intrigued by the woman infront of him. Her golden eyes were unique. Oddly familiar but he was sure he'd never seen her before. He stated after awhile had passed what her crew would think about her being gone. When a bitter smile crossed her face, don't have one. He nearly spit out his drink. "Your a pirate and you don't have a crew?" He thought her of her as someone more planned out than Luffy. "No I prefer to work alone for now. While I do have a bounty my goals for now do not require me to have one." "So what your bounty?" She asked, she had a feeling she knew who he was, after all he carried three swords, and his aura said it all. He looked at her debating on if he should tell her, he looked so puzzled she leaned over. "I haven't read the poster in awhile want to know how much more I have until I catch up with yours Zoro." She whispered his name so quietly he almost didn't catch it. His eyes met hers and her small smile. "Kinda hard to miss who you are if you know anything about pirates or bounty hunters." He took on a smirk and he chuckled. Causing her to raise her eyebrow. "So when you asked that question about the bounty earlier and all those snide remarks you knew who I was."  Smirking she replied. "Yeah I had an idea of who you were, after I through a couple insult your way. I don't typically back down from challenges especially when I have a bad day." She mused wasn't so bad after all she'd met a man who she secretly admired his skills for awhile. Bringing her out of her thoughts "So those the only weapons you use?" Smiling she stood placing her money on the table enough for her and his drinks. "Can't give away all of my secrets. Although I think I could spill one more to you" Winking at him she leaned down to whisper in his ear.  "Lydia Rae Morgan, hope to see you again one day Zoro." An with that  she was off. Finishing off his ale Zoro went to find his crew. No he hoped she wouldn't be his enemy in the future. When he arrived back everyone was in an uproar about where he'd been. Nami had hit him and called him an idoit for getting lost and deemed him hopeless to go out on his own. Zoros mind was on the woman he had met. Shaking his head he went to lift his weights before the love cook announced dinner.-------------------------------That had been their first meeting, they met again a few months later and thats when she'd met the strawhats crew. That was a pretty interesting encounter as well. There had been a ruckus in town earlier that had exposed her. Ever since her bounty had sky rocketed she had been getting more and more grief. She took on any challenges and defeated many vast enemies, only ever picking up her swords when she was desperate. She had met them while escaping the marines and ran smack dab into the swordsman and his crew. Groaning she untangled her limbs apologizing, about to pick herself up from the ground having indeed run into Zoro. He looked annoyed before recognition passed. "Lydia?" When she too realized who she tripped into. "The one and only Zoro." She seemed to beam at him. It had been awhile since they last met. She was so happy she got to see him again. Her smile faded as she thought that it could easily be the last time she saw him. She began to stand up him following suit, she took a minute to take in the crew she had heard about as they asked her questions, she answered a few before suggesting that all of them get out of the open before getting caught. The crew invited her aboard where they talked, and in the captain on words had a party to celebrate finding a friend. Luffy himself asked her a few questions the final one being would you join our crew to which everyone waited for answer. She had to think of it tactfully, she actually thought about it seriously but made her decision before she could change her mind. "I'm not telling you no, but I can't join right now I have somethings I need to take care of first. After its finished and if we meet again an if you and the rest of the crew is still willing to have me then I'll join everyone. How's that sound?" "Its a deal but keep your end of the promise alright." He stated very sagely. She smiled at him and nodded. If she had a sibling she very much would've liked to have a little brother like Luffy. They offered her a place for the night seeing it would be a few days before the log pose set. She had accepted it had been a fun couple of days. It was quiet, on the last day she'd spend there. Everyone was asleep she was on deck gazing out at the sea. Thinking she had met some pretty amazing people. Dare she say friends. Something Lydia had always wanted but never really had. To think she might have that made her happy. She tried to tell herself not to get so excited because what she was going to do next wasn't going to be easy. She didn't even know if she'd live through it. A few tears escaped her eyes. Thats when she heard footsteps. Quickly wiping her face drawing a couple deep breath to calm herself. "Couldn't sleep?" a deep voice rumbled. Zoro. "Could ask you the same thing." He leaned against the railing. "Nah sleep enough during the day, plus I keep watch at night." He had shared something. Ah what the hell "I don't sleep well to begin with. But I just got alot on my mind." He raised an eyebrow to her but didn't inquire anymore. Another thing she found herself liking about the man beside her. He was concerned in his own way but wouldn't push to get answer, she felt if it was serious however he might be more demanding about answer but left it alone. She was grateful. Finally she sighed. "I'd like to become apart of this crew if I complete my goal." He was about to ask why not now when he saw a tear roll down her face. "It's not something I want anyone to witness or be around for incase it doesn't happen. " He had a nagging  and panicky feeling when he saw her the tear. "You can still join even if you don't accomplish it. " He stated thinking about how he lost to Mihawk and how he was going to try again someday. "If I live through it I will." She mumbled it, but he still heard her. His eyes widen,  she hadn't thought she had said it but looking at his face confirmed I with. It was really great seeing you again Zoro. Give the crew my regards I'll see you again someday." She was about to dart off the ship. When his hand shot out and grabbed her shoulder. It puller her into a tight hug, something she hadn't experienced in years.He wasn't sure if it was okay. He didn't give many hugs or words of comfort. He was acting on instict at the moment. "Thats a promise right? That you'll see me again. And join the crew." He added as an after thought. His arms tightened when she didn't say anything. "Yeah Zoro, I will." She hugged him back. His arm loosened a little but he didn't let go yet.  She honestly could say she didn't want him to at least not yet. Her tears hit his shirt, her emotions were going crazy it had been a long time since she cried. She had been alone for so long  had kept to herself. The feelings were overwhelming. While she contained her sobs her body was shaking. Zoro pulled back to look at her.He could protect her from anything but herself he mused. She looked as lost as he was, he saw tons of emotions pass in her eyes. She just closed them and tried to get a hold of herself. As soon as she calmed she went lax in his arms, that was new. "Lydia when you come back you'll tell me more about you right. What you went to do, and about your past?" he felt her tense again. He was about to retract the last statement when she responded. "Of course. Will you tell me about you?" Smiling he mumbled "Sure." he hadn't let go of her yet, didn't want her running off just yet. She was pretty exhausted and stressed, listening to his heart beat was alittle calming before she knew it her heavy eyes closed. Zoro noticed she had gotten heavier like she'd let go of all her weight, when he gazed down he noticed she fell asleep  in his arms. Smiling he decided he might as well get comfortable. Remembering how she seemed hard to trust people at first and yet she had easily trusted him. He carried her over to one fo the girls laid back chairs and sat down in her line of sight so she wouldn't freak out if she woke up. "Nicely done swordsman-san." His eyes shot up to Robin.  "Both your secrets safe with me." she said mysteriously has one of her many hands dropped two blankets to him. (Robin knows all right.) He placed it over her and watching her caused him to drift into slumber himself. He was woken up later than usual, alarmed he fell asleep to begin with. Alittle distraught he thought is was all a dream. He didn't dare ask anyone about you. he was going to go sulk in his weight room when he heard. "Zoro." It was Robin she handed him a letter with your name on it and walked away. She paused. "She said she'd see us all again, and she'd join the crew then. However she might have a sixth sense she knew to hand the letter to me when she bid us a farewell. " With that robin took her place beside Nami who also witnessed Lydia hand Robin the letter for Zoro with no questions asked. "She handed me some Beli and promised to share her treasure with us." Robin smiled, that girl is good, she thought. She seemed to quickly fit in with everyone. In the short days they all spent with her. She played games with Ussop, Chopper, and Luffy.  Answer questions, proved to be skilled in many areas, hold conversations with everyone in the crew. An while she seemed to have some issues, was independent enough to wanna handle it on her own as well as much more. Robin and the rest hoped Lydia would return to the crew soon. Everyone already was more than ready for a new friend to join them.  However things escalated and the crew was separated. And then Marineford had happened. Lydia at that time had already completed two goals and she was patiently waiting to complete her third. She had tracked down her father Mihawk now. That brought them to where she was now. Just then she heard footsteps approaching. Her reminiscing put on hold, when Zoro seated  himself next to her. "Lost again?" She wanted to teased but her smirk turned into a smile. "No, I'm not for once I'm not lost. I had alittle trouble but Perona helped me find where you were at. I've been busy training but I do think you have more than one promise to keep."  Hey eyes had softened when he had unknowingly made her heart pick up speed. Only to realized he was probably the least romantic person ever but she could live with that. "Your right I do. Guess I'll go back with you then if you and your crew will have me?"  He looked over at her. "I'm sure the offer still stands. I have no complaints, I even have a sparring partner now I know one of your secrets. By the way what were you doing up here anyway?"  Lydia met his gaze,  "Being honest I was thinking about everything. But mainly you," She stammered with a blush. " I mean how we first met and the crew I mean." The smile that lit his face at her answer cause her blush and her heart rate to quicken. "Well at least I've already kept two of my promises to you Zoro. I did see you again, I'm joining the crew. Guess its only natural I keep the last one."--Zoro had listen to her childhood, asked a few questions. An he even told Lydia of his. "You know after I defeat your dad and take the title of the worlds greatest swordsman, we help Luffy and everyone complete their dreams. I think I want a family." Her eyes shot to him. Its something she didn't expect. His eyes had a glint to them. An while she was good at reading people some to her were just unpredictable.  "Although thats far into the future and I don't think that far ahead. Just typically a live for the moment kind of person. Wanna go on a date see what that kinda future holds?" Her eyes  widen and her face flushed, did he just. She felt an array of things. She didn't know how to respond to him. He looked away you don't have to answer now. Just thought I'd put it out there. He sounded almost disappointed. She hadn't rejected him , just didn't know how to answer. But she stood up walked over to him. His eyes went directly to her as she walked over. Her face was flushed and she cautiously wrapped her arms around him. "Zoro" She answered unsure. "I'm lost when it comes to things like this, I've missed out on alot of things. But I care about you alot. An its different than what I feel for my friends. Its alittle scary but I wanna try it. Be patient with me." She was starting to shake when he wrapped his arm around her. "So this you agreeing to be my woman?" Her blush darkened an she nodded her head. Zoro was the only person to make her feel this shy on top of other emotions. She took the liberty to move her head off of his chest an leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. Pleased with the blush on his face, took the opportunity to dash out of the hug. While in shock he came back to reality. "Hey Lydia you didn't answer my question" he shouted down the hall. Giggling was all he hard before she said. "If you can find and catch me Zoro I'll give you my answer." she shouted back. "If you can't, I'll give you a another chance to with a duel. Either way thats the only way you'll get your answer."  He took off after in the  sound of her voice. Hell he'd find her before dinner, no way he was gonna wait to duel her. She had stopped giggling an was sure she had gave them the slip when she saw her father. She made her way over to him. " Dad." She tired the word out on her tongue. He seemed pleased to hear her use it. "I think I know what I wanna do now, I found great friends before coming here. I'd like to go help them on their journey. It's the first time I had any thing like this since my time with mom. I'm really glad I got to meet you. An even more so you accept me for who I am. Keep my room open so I can come back an visit?" He stood up. He'd heard her an Zoro long before the man had asked his daughter out. He heard about her past, and even about the man he was sure would take his title. He felt pride in both, an while he was knew and very late to his fathering instincts, he approved of her choices. He hugged her. He could tell she was trying not to cry. "Anytime." He assured. "I support you. An I'll give you a transponder snail so you can contact me anytime you need or want to." Her smile was so bright he couldn't help but return with one of his own. He then turned to go to his room before dinner. Before he was at of her sight "Its a shame I won't get to see you duel him again before you go." An he closed his door. What did he mean. Oh! He had he heard that. Shit she was about to take off in a sprint but to arms had already grabbed her "Oh no you don't I won,found you,caught you."  Then she had the odd sentiment that her dad approved. "Zoro" Drawing his attention to her. She quickly pressed her lips to his pulling back before he could respond. "Yes, I'd like that alot." So the next chapter will begin. You have found your father, you've found friends/and joined a crew, you even found a future love, more importantly you found a home and a place to belong.

#Lydia rae morgan #Lydia rae mihawk #oc series part 2 #one piece oc #lydias part 2 #oc #ooc #zoro #dracule mihawk #roronoa zoro #fanfiction #drabble