The Freedom of my Pirate Queen

Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro

After some time of rowing (on mine and Coby's side) we finally made it to the Marine base's island. I did a quick scan around the island, immediately noticing the large Marine facility at the top of a small hill, a town all around it.

We tied the boat to the port and Luffy immediately jumped out, stretching and admiring the island with a big grin on his face.

"We're here! It's the Marine base's town!" He shouted gaining a few odd looks from the passengers by.

I sighed doing a double knot on the small boat we owned, hoping we would leave soon, with no complications, but knowing Luffy I knew that would've been quite impossible.

We slowly made our way to the town, observing the cheerful people on the street as they lived out their days.

"Hey, Luffy- san, please forget about getting him to join your crew." Coby broke out after stumbling behind Luffy for a few minutes.

"I haven't even decided yet. I have to see if he's a good guy."

"He was arrested because he is a bad guy!" Coby shouted, but Luffy only laughed and paid him no attention so Coby turned towards me. "Hey, Jiyuu-san, Luffy listens to you, please tell him this is impossible! It's a very bad idea!"

"Coby, I've known Luffy for a long time and so I also know that once he sets his mind on an idea he won't let it go. Besides you never know, this guy might actually be friendly and strong." I told Coby as I tossed a coin to the nearby owner of pears for having Luffy to eat some of them.

"I wonder if that Zoro guy is inside the base."

As soon as the words left Luffy's mouth the entire town around us dispersed into hiding. I curiously looked around me only to see the scared faces of the citizens looking at us with distaste.

Coby moved closer to us, putting a mouth to his hand to shield people from overhearing. "It seems that Zoro's name is a taboo here."

I nodded, taking another look around the town as people slowly started to fall back into their routines.

"Anyway, let's head to the base," said Luffy as he continued walking forward, Coby and I right behind him. "You wanna join the Marines, right?"

"Huh? Yeah, but I'm not sure if I'm ready. I've heard that Captain Morgan is in command of this base."

My eyes widened as the people around us jumped back again at the Captain's Morgan name, looking at us with the same expressions as before.

"It seems like Morgan's name's a taboo as well," I whisper.

"Besides, Coby, I think you're more than ready, you called Alvida and Karin hags after all," I smiled down at him as we continue walking out to the more secluded part of the town.

"Y-yes, Jiyuu-san, but that was different!"

"I don't see really how much different it is," I say, putting a hand on his shoulder, turning back to the front once I hear Luffy's laugh.

"What a funny town!"

"That's strange," Coby says, jogging up to join Luffy. "I can understand being scared of Zoro, but why would they be scared of a Marine Captain? This really worries me."

"Maybe they just act like that for fun," comments Luffy in an amused tone.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"It would've actually been a great strategic plan, keeps intruders on their toes out of fear," I say, stopping and smiling once I see we have finally arrived at the top of the hill.