One Piece: The Freedom Fighters

Chapter 9: Wanted!

"So... If we're forming a crew, what kind of people should we get?" Sukato asked, shooting his eyes over to Ket.

The two were laying on the poop deck of their sloop, watching the clouds roll along a sunny sky. The water was a sparkling blue, and the sky a brilliant aqua. There wasn't ship nor land in sight, and with no idea where to go, they decided to simply relax.

It's been about a week since they left Seagull Cove; liberating the island from the cruel hand of the World Government and establishing the 'Freedom Fighters', a crew of revolutionaries hellbent on driving the Navy out the North Blue! Currently, its only members were Ket and Sukato, but they hope to get more manpower soon.

"Lets see..." Ket started, putting a finger to his chin in thought. "Well, someone who actually knows how to read maps would be nice." Ket supposes. So far, they've just been sailing aimlessly! "Oh! A medic would be good.. Lets see, what else... I don't know, a musician?"

Sukato gave Ket a confused look. "A musician?"

Ket shrugged. "Sure, why not? Every good crew has a musician!"

"Name ONE crew that has a musician." Sukato challenged, sitting up straight.

"Well uh..." Ket thought, trying to come up with an example. "Oh! What about those uh... Rumbar guys!" He pointed out, snapping his fingers. "Wasn't their like, captain a musician or something?

"Rumbar, Rumbar... Oh yeah, them!" Sukato nods. He remembers reading something about them a while back in a history book. "Didn't they all die at sea or something?"

"I dunno, probably? That tends to happen with pirates." Ket replies, closing his eyes for a moment. "Still, I think a musician would be cool."

"Maybe..." Sukato mutters. Just then, a seagull landed on the railing of the sloop. Judging by the bag around its neck, it was a mail bird! "Oh, mail's here." Sukato said, standing up and walking over to it. He dug through his pockets and pulled out a few berries out. He gave them to the seagull and took a newspaper from its bag. Sukato looked at the seagull fondly... It reminded him of home! The seagull squawked before taking to the sky, ready to find another ship. Sukato opened up the newspaper to read the headlines. The moment he unfurled it, however, Sukato's eyes went wide. His face was on the front page!

"W-What?!" Sukato gasped, bewildered by the sight. This caught the attention of Ket, who sat up and looked over.

"What's wrong?" He asked, clueless to whatever was going on.

Sukato took a moment to regain composure before responding. "Well... Listen to this." He began, clearing his throat before reading the headline aloud.

NORTH BLUE NEWS

SEAGULL COVE SHOOK!

Stronghelm is uneasy today after learning about a merciless attack on Seagull Cove. According to the Marines who fled the island, two men stormed their base and horrifically took out their leader. Vice-Admiral Buckshot, the man responsible for the wellbeing and prosperity of Seagull Cove is nowhere to be found.

The attack was led by one Sukato Kombo, a notorious gangster in the local town of Seagully. He was aided by an unknown individual, who according to the brave souls who stood against him, brutally electrocuted anyone who stood in his way. Thankfully, there are no confirmed casualties among the Marines.

In response to this tragedy, Vice-Admiral Lancelot has released a statement to the press, claiming "The criminals behind this attack will be punished to the fullest extent of the law." and that "An attack like this will NOT happen again." We can only pray that he's right.

North Blue News is property of the World Government

"Huh..." Ket mumbled as Sukato finished reading. "Guess you're famous now!"

"Unfortunately...' Sukato groaned. He knew this was going to happen sooner or later, but already? "Well, at least they have no idea who you are..." He smiled a little, flipping the page to see what else the news had to offer. As he did so, a small stack of papers slipped out. Ket scooted over and picked them up... Bounties!

"Ooh!" Ket smiled, starting to flip through them. He's always loved reading the newest bounty papers, even when he was a Marine. Seeing what powerful people roam the waves is just so exciting! "Lets see what we got..." Ket started, reading each name out loud. "Dreyfus the Madman... Jacque the Splinter... Sukato Kombo..."

"Gimme that!" Sukato snapped, grabbing the papers from Ket. Sure enough, he was one of the bounties! Sukato Kombo... with a bounty of 10,000,000! "I... I..." Sukato stammered. That's a LOT of money...

"Well hey, congrats!" Ket smiled, standing up and patting Sukato on the back. "That means they think we're a threat!"

"I guess..." Sukato sighed, giving the papers back to Ket. This means that bounty hunters are going to be looking for him, as if the Navy wasn't enough! "Come on, give me some good news..." He groaned, skimming the newspaper until something caught his eye. "Huh, here's something!" He nodded, proceeding to begin reading it aloud.

Techt Isle's Weapon Convention Takes Off!

Our unstoppable Navy is always inventing new and innovative ways to deal with the vile villains of the sea. This week, we get to take an in-depth look! The World Government has announced their first annual Marine Weapon Convention, a week long event meant to celebrate and reveal new advancements in military technology. The Convention will take place on Techt Isle, a blossoming hub of ingenuity. Hope to see you there!

"A weapon convention?" Ket asks, still looking through the bounties. "Sounds interesting!"

"I guess, seems kind of weird though..." Sukato replies.

"How so?" Ket questions. It sounds normal enough to him!

"Well, think about it." Ket starts, pacing the deck. "Why would the World Government have any reason to do something like that? I mean, they're basically begging for pirates to come and steal weapons! Just seems odd..."

"I guess... We should check it out!" Ket suggests, pulling out the map before remembering something. "... Oh yeah, I have no idea what any of this means."

"Here, let me see." Sukato sighed, taking the map from Ket. He stared it over for a minute or two before nodding. "Okay, so I'm no Navigator but... I think if we go north, and then east, we can make it by sundown?"

"Really?!" Ket asked, looking up to Sukato with stars in his eyes. "I didn't know you could read maps!"

Sukato shook his head before giving Ket the map back, slipping his bounty into his shirt. "For our sake, I hope I can... Now come on, lets get going!" He smiled, jumping on up to the wheel. He changed course north, and with a newfound vigor, the two headed for their next destination: Techt Isle!