The Devil's Grin - A One Piece Fanfic (Snail-like Updates)

Winds of Change. Journey to the Grande Line!

Smoker breathed in deeply from his cigar as he inspected the group of pirates that filled the courtyard from his position on the second floor of one of the buildings. The scouts had reported the crew of Buggy the Clown as well as the pirate captain Iron Club Alvida, though her crew was not present. Buggy the Clown was currently standing on the execution stand with Straw Hat Luffy trapped as he prepared to execute him. It also appeared that members of Straw Hat's crew were trying to fight their way to the execution stand to save their captain.

"Lt Tashigi reporting for duty!" Smoker glanced behind him to see Tashigi standing in the doorway. "It's about time you showed up, Tashigi."

"I'm very sorry sir." Tashigi bowed in apology. "I ran into some trouble while retrieving my sword from its cleaning." She quickly moved to his side and began inspecting the chaos below. "What is the situation sir."

"We have three pirates captains with bounties in the courtyard. Two of them appear to be working together, Buggy the Clown worth fifteen million and Iron Club Alvida worth seven million. Buggy the Clown has our third captain captured and is preparing to execute him. I told the men to surround the courtyard and wait them out. Once the fighting is over we'll go in and take down the left overs. Half the men went to watch the docks to make sure no pirates left this island."

"What is the name and value of the third captain?" Tashigi asked him, clearly out of curiosity than actual concern.

"His name is Monkey D. Luffy." Smoker pulled out his wanted poster. As he did do he noticed something flash from beneath her shirt, just below her throat. When he looked again whatever it was was gone. "He's a rookie pirate that showed up in these waters recently. His bounty, which is newly received, is fifty million." He showed her the poster. Tashigi had the same reaction he had had when he had first seen the poster. Her mouth dropped in surprise as she tried to comprehend what he just said.

"That guy." She pointed out at Straw Hat who was trying to poke his nose but couldn't reach it do to the block of wood he was locked in. "Is worth fifty million?!"

"I understand your belief." Smoker sighed. "I had the same reaction." He looked out at the kid as he waved his hands at the crowd. He looked like he was having fun, crazy as that sounded. "I actually met him before I saw the poster. I wouldn't have pegged him as a pirate, let alone one worth so much."

"Time to die, Straw Hat!" A voice rang out causing Tashigi and him to look back to the commotion outside. The wind had picked up and a storm seemed to be brewing in the sky above. With a sword held by both hands Buggy prepared to cut off Straw Hat's head. He cackled maniacally.

"Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Ussop!" Straw Hat called out suddenly to his crew members. Though Smoker had only spotted the two. "Sorry guys! I'm dead." Smoker's cigar fell from his mouth in surprise as the boy grinned a big grin. One that would never have told you he was about to die if that was all you saw.

Without warning the sky filled with light as lightning crashed down onto the execution stand. Moments later the sound of creaking metal and the smell of smoke filled the air as the stand came crashing down. Everyone, pirates included, stared in utter shock as the straw hat the boy had been wearing fell through the air to land at his feet. With barely any scrapes or wounds Straw Hat Luffy picked his hat up and stuck it on his head.

"Well that was unexpected." He chuckled. Then he started running. "Time to go Zoro! Sanji! What are you waiting for?" The sound of his two crew mates yelling at him while he laughed could be heard as the courtyard seemed to come to life with the realization that the pirates were surrounded by marines.

"Sargent." Smoker caught the attention of an officer. "How many executions have you been present to?" He asked as he stared at the smoking remains of the execution stand.