Two Dreams, One Adventure

Something New to Master

After a short time, Brook pulled a sheet of paper from his inner coat. A bounty poster! 33 million berries, "Humming Brook" of the Rumbar Pirates.

"Hey, that means everyone on the crew has a bounty!" Luffy cheered.

"Luffy-san, from this day forth I pledge to you my life and offer you my service! I hope not to be a burden to you all!" Luffy cheered that they finally had a musician! Usopp chuckled that the first spot he wanted filled since the beginning was the one to join last. Luffy told them he wanted ten members. One more would be joining!

"Ten is an awfully small crew," Brook said.

"Well, it's more cozy this way! I don't want a lot of people under me, cause then I won't get to spend time with them all! And a small crew is easier and cheaper. Shishishi!"

Chopper hugged his legs, saying he loved him. Luffy patted his head with a smile, and the others around smiling at his words, too. "Also, it would be harder to fulfill everyones' dreams if there were a lot of us, right?"

"True," Nami said. "Some of us are already on our way, though. Usopp and Zoro are getting stronger. Usopp even beat Perona, the ghost girl." Luffy scowled. He hadn't liked being possessed.

"You did look pretty stupid. But not as bad as Franky and moss head!" Franky yelled at him to shut his mouth.

Luffy started dancing. "Negative, negative!" Usopp asked if he had actually been possessed. Luffy nodded, and said he had done that.

"You're body sure is unique, is it not?" Brook said.

"You have no idea," Chopper laughed. "Though, being part of the crew, you'll be in the 'loop'." Brook looked forward to that. Luffy knew he'd accept him just fine. After all, he was a living skeleton. Luffy's condition will not be so scary. He had been in severe pain against Moria, and the fight didn't last long, but he didn't lose control once even through that pain. He fought with his own strength for once, even if it wasn't the best fight.

He felt his control was getting better, as long as he didn't have to deal with seastone.

He at least showed that his gears were helpful in a fight, even if they damaged his body. He felt it was mostly because he'd used both at the same time. Bad idea, it seemed.

Luffy slept on a mattress in the infirmary that night since Zoro was in there. He woke up early in the morning, and asked Luffy's name, his voice rough. Like he'd been screaming or shouting. He might have, with all of his wounds. "Zoro!" Luffy got him some water and hurried next to him.

Zoro smiled at him in a tired smile. "You look really good," he said in a happy voice. Luffy said all his injuries and pain had gone away. "That's good..." Zoro said, Luffy helped him sit up enough so he could drink the water. Luffy wasn't going to bring up whatever secret he was keeping from him. He must have a reason. Luffy wished he knew, but would never push.

"You got really beat up."

"Yeah," was all Zoro said. Then he started to fall asleep again, and Luffy let him down, pulling the blanket over him and setting a half full glass of water next to the infirmary bed. He woke up, that was great! Chopper said he wouldn't fully recover for at least a month and had to take it easier.

Zoro wasn't going to be happy with that news at all.

The next day, he was irritated with the recovery period, but didn't seem surprised. "Should we take a break before going to Fishman Island?" Nami asked. Zoro vehemently said he would not cause the crew to take a recovery break. No way in hell. Luffy frowned, but understood how he felt.