Angel's True Face (One Piece)

Changed Path!

It had reached midday when the Sand Pirates dropped their anchor. The crew had been traveling with them to get to the closest village so that they can restock on food and water before taking off again. "Over yonder is a village called Ido. You'll be able to get some water there."
"What? You guys aren't coming with us?" Luffy was asking as if it wasn't normal. It was pretty much the same reason why they never dock at ports on islands.
"We, the Sand Pirates, will go no further. For many generations, we have lived, died, and made our livelihood out here on these sands." Barbarosa was saying looking off into the distance
"That so?"
"Yeah, the desert is a free land. However, there are those who can't survive in the harsh conditions of the desert. The Village is where people like that live." He was right about that, it was the same for the sea.
"So, what are you guys going to do now?" Luffy had asked curious.
"We're not going to do anything! Now and forever, we'll continue to live free in this sea of sand." The more they listened to Barbarosa, the more it seemed he was like Luffy.
"That's just like us!" Even he agreed with that.
"Really? That's great!" They had both bursted into laughter. After that, the group had descended from the ship and began heading for the village leaving the Sand Pirates' behind them.
"Take care! See you!"
"See ya! Old Umbrella Guy!" Luffy was shouting back to them, walking backwards along with Chopper and Usopp. "They were a nice bunch..."
"Lu, I've been wondering this for a while, where is your brother?" Iris had finally managed to ask him.
"Dunno. But you don't have to worry about Ace. We'll meet him again sooner or later!" He had responded with completely confidence.
"There you go again with your groundless statements!" Nami only made him chuckle by saying that.
"Well anyway, let's hurry and get to this Udon Village." Luffy had gotten the name completely wrong.
"It's Ido." Iris had corrected him.
"Ido?"
"That's correct." She had told him happily that he had said the name right. Even though his slow at times, it's times like this that she was proud when he learns something new. They continue to walk towards the village, it was still a fair bit away from them, but it would have take longer if not for the Sand Pirates,
"OI!" They had come to a stop hearing a familiar voice coming from ahead of them. It didn't take the crew long to see that it was Ace riding on some strange creature.
"Ace!" Luffy was the first one to run off.
"There he is."
"What an odd creature." Iris had stated after Nami.
"What the heck is this?" Luffy was asking the moment the purple human size lizard had come to a stop.
"Well, well. They said the Sand Pirates were coming, but it's just you guys." Ace had gotten down saying.
"Huh? What're you talking about?" He had responded back confused. "If you're looking for the Sand Pirates, they left a little while ago." He had informed him.
"Oh. Is that so? Ah, Whatever." Ace didn't seem to care either way and had moved on, "Anyway Luffy, get a load of this! I got a whole load of food and water for you guys!" He was saying as he pointed to behind him and the lizard. It was pulling a sled with bags and barrels.
"Hey, thanks a lot!" Sanji was saying as all had walked over to join them. "Looks like we won't have to worry about food for a while." That's true and now that they have both again, so there was no need to worry.
"You're something else, Ace." Usopp was completely amazed.
"He sure is! Unlike some little brother we know." Although what Nami said was true, but all still follow him.
"My throat's all dried up." Chopper's tongue was sticking out from the drought in his mouth.
"Oh, drink up then!" Ace had told him to do.
"Me too!" Luffy had began to drink the water that was brought.
"Um... Ace? I don't think you could have been carrying enough money to pay for all that..." Vivi was getting off of Eyelash while speaking. "...Please don't say you stole it from that Village..."
"I do not think Ace would do such a thing." Iris had stood up for him, just because someone is a pirate doesn't mean they go around stealing what they want.
"That's right; I got it from the Rebel Army." Ace stated.
"The Rebel Army!?" But hearing that amazed all.
"Well, It was pretty obvious they were total fakes though." He explained in more details, which made a lot of sense now.
"What do you mean by 'fakes'?" Nami end up asking him.
"I mean they're calling themselves the Rebel Army and are acting as bodyguards for the village. The villagers were so grateful they didn't think twice about it. They're really just some wandering hooligans." That was the expression.
"But if their nothing but hooligans wouldn't they cause more damage to the village pretending to be the Rebel Army?" Iris had stated. It would be bandits and thieves, wouldn't there.
"It seems whenever thieves heard the name of the Rebel Army, they ran off without starting a confrontation. It's pretty convenient, since all the villagers are eager to offer them food and fame." That made a lot of sense, in more ways then one.
"The Rebel Army isn't just a bunch of hooligans, or a decorative symbol to be displayed..." Vivi said looking down at the ground. She was extremely frustrated and angry at hearing someone using the Rebel Army's name for their own benefit.
"Vivi, should we show those guys a thing or two?" Sanji asked. He was right, if they don't do any then the villagers will be in serious danger later on.
"Well, as far as using the villagers as their prey, thieves and this fake 'Rebel Army' aren't much different." Ace stated his opinion. "But the village has been at peace since they came along. You still wanna do something?" He had asked her. He also was right with what he was saying too.
"But Ace, try and understand how Vivi feels." Sanji said, but in truth it doesn't matter how she feels. What they might be doing is wrong , but at the same time it isn't. If they weren't using the Rebel Army's name then they village would be attacked constantly. "Wouldn't you want to beat them to a pulp?"
"Well, do whatever you want. I was just saying what I thought." Fire Fist had come to say.
"You don't have to stick up for those shitty guys." But it seemed to anger the cook a little.
"I'm not. I thought it was appropriate since you guys are in such a hurry." Ace explained to the other, which was true.
"The country is in no condition to keep an on every single village right now. The best thing for the individual villages to do is to maintain peace by themselves." Vivi might being saying that, however, she didn't truly like the thought of it as she was still looking at the ground.
"Then..."
"No, I wish to test them first." She had turned around to the crew smiling
"Test?" They were a bit confused on how the group would do that, but then something came to mind. "You mean to see their true character?"
"Yes. If those fake rebels really have a sense of responsibility to protect the village, then I don't think it matters what they call themselves." That was a good plan.
"So like Iris said, you want to test their heart, huh?" Ace had said the same thing as Iris but in a different way.
"Yes. I feel bad asking this of you all, but there's so many I'd like you to do." Vivi had asked the others, which none of had a problem with it.
"My pleasure, Vivi!" Sanji was delighted
"Yosha! Things are gonna get interesting!" Luffy was getting all fired up
"This is gonna be fun?" Chopper asked the captain..
"Wait, Luffy! We're not going there to play now, understand?" Nami was asking him to make sure he understood.
"I know!" He had shouted back "All we have to do us beat up those fake rebels, right?" He didn't understand.
"Numbskull! Listen to her first." Vivi then explained the plan and the signal to either back away, or eat them was.