Chapter 45

Smoker looked at the path which the kid ran off to. Honestly kids these days never failed to amaze him. And this particular one, made him think if he would eventually find his parents or not.

It was not his business and knew it, but leaving a kid to fend for himself didn't settle right with him.

"Captain Smoker!" A marine's voice brought him out of his debate to whether follow the brat or mind his business. "We got orders from the headquarters!" The marine stated handing him a wanted poster with a salute to go with.

Smoker nodded, looking at the bounty poster. It made his face twist in disgust. It was a kid on the bounty poster with an insanely high bounty for an East Blue pirate or whatever he was off to be. And this pirate brat was in his town.

"Any unusual signs of pirate sightings?" Smoker asked ingraining the bounty poster in his mind.

"Sir! A marine who has been recently degraded has reported that he has seen the pirate ship governed by his man heading to Loguetown," The marine stated standing in attention before him.

Smoker nodded.

"Where the hell is Tashigi?" He asked the marine, who answered that she was off collecting her shigure.

Whenever he needs the damn woman she is always away. Smoker grumbled ordering the poor marine to tighten up the security in the shores and look for any unusual ship docking before heading back to the base he was stationed to.

This Monkey D. Luffy is not going to escape from Loguetown. Not in his watch.

As he entered the base, he was not left alone. A marine again assaulted his peace as he ran his way to him, practically looking relieved to have finally found him.

"Captain Smoker! Pirate are running wild in the square!" The marine spoke between his heavy pants.

"How many are there?" Smoker asked in a low voice, which nearly threatened the poor marine, as his hands held the bounty poster in his hands and he started walking towards the plaza.

"Sir, it's Buggy The Clown, Iron Club Alvida and Monkey D. Luffy!"

Smoker stopped in his path as he turned to the marine who was desperately trying to keep his pace and breath intact.

"Monkey D. Luffy you say?" Smoker repeated his doubt. He didn't think that the 50 million bounty pirate brat would already be in the plaza.

"Yes sir!" The marine responded with his scared voice.

"Send the first unit down to the harbor while a second unit will secretly set up a perimeter around the town square. The rest will wait for further orders," Smoker ordered causing the marine to hurry and relay the information to the others.

When he reached the plaza, what he saw he didn't like it. Civilians were held on gunpoint by the members of Buggy pirates to watch as the captain stood above the platform where Gold Roger was executed with a sword in his hand.

And to add everything to his horror. There was the little kid who had smiled at him like a sun earlier held there ready to be killed.

"Why the hell is a kid there?" Smoker yelled looking at the marines who didn't move from their place with eyes down. "Don't tell me you all are scared of the Clown and the flimsy lady there!" Smoker shouted.

"S-Sir, we have reasons to believe that the kid is none other than Monkey D. Luffy." A marine spoke with his eyes looking down at his feet.

Smoker's eyes widened but belief was not something which he needed. There was an innocent kid who was going to be slaughtered! Dammit!

"Captain Smoker!" If it would not be for Tashigi's voice, Smoker swears he would have till now jumped from the building to protect the boy. "Sorry for being late! But I heard Buggy the Clown calling the kid Monkey D. Luffy!" Tashigi said as she held her shigure tight to her chest, scared to be yelled by her superior.

Smoker didn't want to believe it. How could he? When the kid was way too sunny to even look like a pirate? He squinted his eyes trying to look at the boy properly matching him with the brat in question in the bounty poster before snatching a pair of binoculars from one of his men to confirm what he was seeing.

Sure as hell they matched, even if Smoker wanted to say otherwise. He was awed, irritated and lastly pissed. He had met the boy, who looked nothing like a wanted criminal with a 50 million beli on his head.

He was awed by how the kid didn't look like he understood the situation in which he was in. He was irritated 'cause he got tricked by the wholly innocence the boy radiated. He was pissed 'cause he couldn't recognize the boy until his hoodie had fallen off his head.

"Captain Smoker! What are our orders?"

This is what he has signed for, Smoker realized as he grounded his cigar between his teeth.

"We wait for the pirates to settle things among themselves." Smoker said. Why was his body protesting at that? Why did he want the kid to not die?

"But that would mean that the boy has to die," Tashigi stated clutching her shigure.

"Yes," The word felt bitter in his mouth. "We attack the other pirates as soon as Strawhat's head rolls off." Smoker ordered saying no bullshit.

.

Zoro carrying his new swords was wandering in the town aimlessly looking for the shore. Sanji and Usopp carrying the Elephant Tuna were heading to the Merry with a little bit of arguing. While Nami carrying her clothes in her bag wished to reach the ship soon with the drastically changing weather.

The three of them stopped in the crossroads, seeing each other face to face.

"Hey!" Usopp greeted the others.

"Hi!" Nami returned the greeting back.

"Hm?" Zoro looked at them.

"Nawi-chwan!!!" Sanji noodled in his place.

"Not the time Sanji," Nami said dismissing the perverted cook. It was good that she got a hold of everyone here. "A storm is about to come, it's better that we move on before it hits."

"Where is he?" Zoro asked, making others realize that the main person was absent of this little rendezvous.

"He said he wanted to check out the execution stand," Usopp stated with his hands on his chin remembering Luffy's words.

"Isn't the execution stand right here in the square?" Nami questioned out loud, making the four of them look at the execution stand to see the sight of Luffy right in middle of trouble.

"Yo!" Luffy's voice reached them with the smile which he flashed, breaking them of their momentarily shock. Tears began leaking Nami's eyes as she hung her head. Couldn't they get off one town, just ONE town without any freaking trouble?

"WHY THE HELL IS HE ON THE EXECUTION STAND?!" Zoro, Sanji and Usopp shouted altogether.

"FOR THE CRIME OF ANGERING ME, I SENTENCE YOU, MONKEY D. LUFFY TO A FLASHY EXECUTION!" Buggy shouted boisterously.

Luffy frowned with a bored face and looked at Buggy, as if he was just sprouting crazy words. He can see his crew from here, that's the only thing that lit a smile on his face. He can break off this facade any second he wants, but he wants to wait.

He would like to see what they would do. He chuckled mischievously, already feeling their panic. Serves them right for playing with him, he thought mentally poking his tongue at the two men hiding in he shadows.

"But h-he is just a kid!" A brave onlooker protested. Luffy whistled feeling amazed at the man's bravery. He can feel many people nodding with the man, whom the Buggy pirates tried to search for. Luffy appreciated the help but thanks, he doesn't need it. He is good to go.

"I am not a kid, old man!" Luffy yelled through his shackles with a D grin etched on his face. He tapped his finger against the platform beating to the tune of his drumming heart. All that was left was music to go along with it.

"SHUT UP!" Buggy shouted in fury, before stretching his arms and standing like a mighty pirate captain. "LET'S START THIS FLASHY RUCKUS, BOYS!"

"This is the first execution I would be seeing," Luffy stated looking at the crowd with stars in his eyes. Did Roger feel this way when he was forced on his knees before he was put down?

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S BEING EXECUTED HERE!" Buggy snapped at the brat with his eyes popping out at the Luffy's stupidity.

Some people thought that this would at least make the kid realize the position in which he was. At least Zoro and Sanji thought who were trying hard to make their way to the plaza. Nami and Usopp had gone off to the Merry preparing to set sail the moment Luffy gets free.

But Luffy did something unexpected.

"Shishishishishishi!"

Yes, their idiotic captain laughed, making them shout wit their teeth gaining sharp edges.

"TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY, YOU IDIOT!"

"WHAT IS THERE TO LAUGH IN IT, YOU DAMN BRAT?!" Buggy yelled at Luffy.

Luffy snorted, feeling Buggy's joke make him a wheezing mess. He was sure he would be rolling on the ground with a joke like that.

"Like hell you can kill me, even if you tried." Luffy said, which was only audible to Buggy with a cocky smirk on his face.

"Y-YOU STOP JOKING NOW!" Buggy yelled, feeling a bit of fear creep within him as if all the world's fury was targeted at him. "YOUR FLASHY EXECUTION SHALL BE CARRIED OUT RIGHT HERE FOR THE WHOLE TOWN TO SEE!"

"Man, I am bored," Luffy said with a bored tune looking at Buggy.

"Is that your infamous last words?" Buggy asked as he held the sword in his hands menacingly, as if he was hoping for Luffy to cower. He raised it above the brat's head who had dared to give him hell for the past week. Buggy will make sure it ends here for once and all. "Well whatever, whether you have any last words or not, it ain't like anybody will care for what you want to s-"

"I'M THE MAN WHO WILL BECOME THE KING OF PIRATES!" Luffy yelled out loud for the crowd to hear, cutting off Buggy.

The crowd was stunned before breaking into sweats and chatters.

"The Pirate King...?"

"Saying that in this town of all places..."

"Is that all you have to say, you brat?" Buggy asked raising his sword high in air, with Luffy grinning and no trace of fear in him. Why will he even fear when the ones whom he trusts with his life were making their moves already?

"WAIT!"

Two voices yelled.

"Sanji! Zoro!" Luffy chirped uncaring of the sword which could be cutting his neck any moment.

"You have come Zoro? But it seems you are too late!" Buggy yelled with a sadist grin on his face.

"We got to bring that execution stand down!" Zoro yelled as he ran through the horde of civilians and pirates alike, clashing his swords with them once Alvida ordered them to fight.

"I know!" Sanji yelled looking at the execution platform which was too far for his liking.

"GYAHAHAHAHAHA!! Just watch carefully from there!" Buggy yelled further ticked when he heard a yawn coming from the brat.

"WITNESS THE LAST MOMENTS OF YOUR STUPID CAPTAIN!" He shouted bringing his sword fast down at the boy. The sooner he finishes the brat the sooner he will feel satisfied.

"BASTARD!" Sanji yelled as he kicked the pirate holding him in the face before making a break to the execution stand, only thinking of kicking down the execution stand somehow. If Luffy died then Nami would be sad, which he can't let happen. He ignored the voice which stated that he would be heart broken too.

"COME DOWN AND FIGHT BASTARD!" Zoro growled through Wado in his mouth as he twisted and moved his body, his sights set on the execution stand wanting to slash it through.

"Zoro! Nami! Usopp! Sanji! Sabo! Ace! Dad! Everyone!" Luffy stated with a smile which showed his teeth and gums as the blade neared his neck. "Looks like I'm dead!"

'I'll find you all once again!' Those words were left unspoken. He can easily break through right now even, but he didn't want to.

"LUFFY!!!!!!"

"DON'T SAY THAT, YOU IDIOT!" Sanji shouted in horror.

"WHAT?!!!" Zoro shrieked the next with eyes all red.

On the other side, Smoker's cigar fell to the ground as he stared in shock at the teen who smiled just before death could claim him.

A loud thunder cackled in the sky followed by a lightning which fell with the sword on the teen who was strapped in the plaza. The execution platform burnt to crisp before the eyes of the crowd gathered there.

Everyone stood there with their breaths stopped.

In midst of that, a hat rolled off to the ground, as a certain boy picked it up and settled it on his head. The said boy in question smiled his sunny grin, giving the crowd a sense of peace they were unknown with.

"Looks like I don't need to die!" Luffy stated. He couldn't help but wonder about the lightning. It was neither of his Dad whose lightning feel with the other lightning which struck him first. Nor the lightning was of his. The only one whom he could think of was someone in the distant past making him cover his eyes with his hat and a small smile to appear on his face.

'He cares.'

"This is not over Strawhat!" Buggy yelled bloody murder as he stood up. He had escaped just before the lightning could have strike him as well, burning him to a crisp in the process. He would thank his old teacher for that.

"That saves me the pain of-"

"I am talking to you!" Buggy yelled as Luffy was getting on his nerves by ignoring him.

"Hey, do you believe in God?" Sanji asked to Zoro as they stood in the rain looking at Luffy as he made their way towards them carefreely.

"Enough talking and let's leave the town already. We have more trouble heading our way," Zoro stated sheathing his blades.

"SURROUND THE TOWN SQUARE! CORNER ALL THE PIRATES!" The marines shouted making Luffy laugh and start running off with Zoro and Sanji.

"Shishishishi!" Luffy's laughter rang with the winds which sang with him. "It's fun! Let's do it again!"

"NO WAY IN HELL!" Sanji and Zoro growled together. Neither would be denying the scare they had felt by the mere thought of losing their sunshine for forever nor would they be denying the sense of protectiveness for their little captain which swelled up. That was the day, Zoro and Sanji swore on their lives and dreams that they would protect the goof ball.

.

On the other side, Captain Smoker stood shocked. Thousands of questions were going through his brain as he looked at the teen who was fleeing away with his crew. Why the hell he smiled? This was the top most question which he wanted to ask to the teen. Did he know that he would be saved?

No!

That can't be. He had witnessed the moment the teen had accepted his death and smiled. He had witnessed the very moment of nature protesting, not allowing the Clown to kill the teen. He had witnessed something which he had seen in the Pirate King's execution. Roger had smiled in his last breaths just like the teen did today, on the very same platform, on the very same place, on the very same town.

"Captain! Shouldn't we-"

"Have you ever seen a pirate who smiled at his execution stand?" Smoker asked interrupting the marine.

"S-Smile? I'm sure even the most evil pirate would cower at the moment of his death," The marine replied back.

"But that's exactly what that Strawhat boy did! He smiled!" Smoker raised his voice as he said. "He smiled the same way the pirate king did, 22 years ago in that very same spot!"

"You gotta kidding me," The marine stated with wide eyes.

"I need to catch the boy," Smoker said with determination. He needed answers. Why the hell did the boy turn to the life of a pirate, when he carried such innocence which can't be fake. "Where did they run off to?"

"They're headed for the western harbor," The marine answered pointing at the direction.

"One of our squads should be there by now." Smoker thought out aloud, walking to his bike.

The marine hesitated before saying, "The sudden rain rendered their gunpowder useless, so they headed back to the station to resupply."

"So the harbor is completely clear?" Smoker yelled at the poor marine. He looked at the sky. The winds were blowing west, so if they were to set sail they'd catch the tailwind easily. It just looked like even the heavens themselves wanted the boy to survive and not die or be captured here.

Smoker gritted his teeth.

"On the pride of a marine headquarters captain, I, Captain Smoker the White Hunter, vow to not allow that boy to escape this Island!" Smoker swore to the heavens aloud, challenging them.

He quickly started by capturing the fleeing pirates, who were Buggy The Clown and Iron Club Alvida with his 'White Out' attack which captured the pirates, not allowing them to flee anymore.

"I don't have time to deal with runts," Smoker vocalized, giving the marines enough time to tie up the pirates. "Bring out my bike."

.

On the other side, Luffy was laughing as he, Zoro and Sanji were running to where their ship was with a horde of marines chasing them.

"Jeez they are so persistent," Luffy commented with his one hand on his hat. "We should just stop and fight them off!"

"There will be no end to them. More importantly Nami told us to return to the ship as fast as possible," Sanji replied to Luffy who pouted a bit before continuing to run.

"RORONOA ZORO!"

A female voice yelled.

"Sgt. Major Tashigi!" The marines who were after the trio yelled in relief.

"To think that you were Roronoa Zoro and a pirate at that too!" Tashigi yelled remembering Zoro's words of asking if she would take his sword too. "You were just toying with me all along!"

"You bastard!" Sanji screamed at Zoro. "What did you do that lady?!"

"Never thought you were a marine!" Zoro said with a smirk, ignoring Sanji.

"I shall take back that Wado Ichimonji!" Tashigi stated with determination.

"Just try it," Zoro replied back with a cocky smirk. He is not gonna give away his treasure to Kuina duplicate. "Go on ahead!" Zoro told Luffy and Sanji as he clashed his swords with Tashigi.

"Okay!" Luffy replied back.

"That brute dares harm a lady?!!!" Sanji yelled with sharp teeth, kicking and trashing in Luffy's hold to save the beautiful lady.

"No time, Sanji!" Luffy voiced, pulling the grown up man with him. The winds were surely getting bad, and if it is whose he thinks then he has zero control over it.

He focused his Haki on others. Nami and Usopp had made it out of the situation which they were scared of. They were with Merry, getting ready to lift the anchor and leave. Merry wouldn't be able to hold the harsh waves without him. They need to make it asap!

On the other side, Zoro pinned Tashigi to the wall, with his Wado on the neck of Kuina duplicate. Her sword laid forgotten on the ground as Tashigi stared with wide eyes filled with shock at Zoro.

"I can't hand over this sword to anyone, no matter what!" Zoro stated with a hiss.

The marines having witnessed the match looked in horror as their Sgt. major was defeated.

Zoro took a step back from the stunned lady, sheathing his swords back. "I'll be going on ahead then." He stated seeing the woman do nothing.

Tashigi gritted her teeth relishing her defeat. "Why didn't you cut me down?" She yelled, stopping Zoro in his path. "Is it because I'm a woman?"

'You're lucky to be a boy, Zoro...' A crying girl from Zoro's past appeared in his mind.

"You dare go easy on me in a serious duel just because of the fact that women aren't as physically powerful as men? How shameful!" Tashigi stated looking down at Zoro. "Of course, I shouldn't expect someone like you to ever understand what wishing to be born a man would feel like! But remember that I didn't take up the sword for fun!"

Zoro finally snapped.

"IT'S YOUR DAMN EXISTENCE THAT BOTHERS ME, NOT YOUR GENDER!" Zoro shouted in a pissed off voice.

"Wha!?" Tashigi asked not expecting Zoro to say that.

"Your face is exactly like my friend who died long ago!" Zoro voiced out. "And now you go on spouting the same things she did. SO STOP COPYING HER, YOU RIP-OFF!" Zoro yelled with his teeth gaining sharper edges.

"What?! I've never heard anything so childish before! I've always lived being me and only me my entire life!" Tashigi yelled picking her sword from the ground and clashing it with Zoro's once again. "I have no idea who this friend of your even is! In fact, I should be the one who's complaining here! Maybe she's the one who copied me!"

"What did you say?!!" Zoro yelled.

A blonde man looking like a noble with a pipe strapped on his back whistled from the top of the building seeing the bickering duo with a chuckle.

"Not bad! Not bad!" The man whispered before casually jumping off the roof to step in the intense battle. How much even he wants the duo to bicker and watch the drama with a steaming cup of tea to go with, he can't. The storm is unpredictable today, meaning they need to hurry.

.

"Someone's up ahead!" Sanji yelled seeing the silhoutte of someone standing in the rain, blocking their path.

"The marine from before!" Luffy replied back, making Sanji raise an eyebrow.

"So you've come, Strawhat Luffy!" Smoker commented seeing the teen who looked completely carefree and not afraid of him.

"Yo!" Luffy waved his hand.

"I see you still are unaware of your situation," Smoker stated, feeling intrigued by the teen. Did he think he could easily beat him or something? "Name's Smoker by the way. I'm the captain of the marine headquarters."

"AND I WON'T LET YOU SET SAIL FROM HERE!" Smoker shouted.

"Sorry, I don't have time to fight with you, Smokey!" Luffy replied as Sanji nodded along. They ran past Smoker, pissing him off.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Smoker turned on his heel. "I told you are not going to set sail today! Your journey ends here!" He shouted as he turned his hands into smoke and targeted towards the boy, who jumped off without even seeing.

"Sorry! But I'm in a hurry right now!" Luffy yelled as he kept running with Smoker chasing him. "I'll play with you later!"

But Smoker was not someone who would hear the excuses.

"I SAID STOP IT RIGHT THER-" Smoker stopped feeling a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see a man in green cape. His eyes widened momentraily as he recognized the man.

"The entire government is after your head, you know," Smoker stated to the man with whom he once worked.

The man's smile widened as he laughed, making Luffy turn his head to the familiar laughter.

"DA-" A hand slapped on Luffy's mouth, preventing him from speaking further.

"Umm umm mhmm!!!" Luffy mumbled through the hand of his big brother.

"What the hell were you thinking by not doing anything on the plaza? What would I have said to Ace if you died, you dumbass!!!" The man yelled at Luffy who pouted at the said words.

"Who are you?!" Sanji retorted, instantly going to kick the man, who picked their captain like a sack on his shoulders.

The man dodged easily moving from the path of the other blonde's path. "Not bad!" He whistled, but right now he was angry on Luffy. He could have lost his baby brother for forever due to his own recklessness.

"Leave our captain alone!" Zoro attacked the next. He had been trying to attack the man ever since he stepped in mid of his battle with Kuina duplicate, telling how he didn't have time for these.

"As much as I would like to introduce myself, we don't have time," The blonde noble looking man voiced out looking at Luffy who was pouting with his hands crossed above his chest.

"You look so adorable!!!" The blonde squealed, making Luffy huff. "But don't even forget that you are going to hear to the end of this from Dad and Ace and not to mention me!"

"No way!" Luffy gasped with his big wide eyes. "Don't tell Ace about it!"

"You earned that, baby brother, not my fault!" Sabo retorted with a smile.

"Baby brother?" Zoro and Sanji repeated looking at the two with eyebrows raised.

"Yep, this bumbling, idiotic, reckless kid is my baby brother here," Sabo stated earning a pout from the said baby brother. "But as much as I would love to talk right now, we don't have time."

As soon as he finished his sentence a huge gust of wind passed through them, lifting them in the air from the very ground.

"Hold on tight!" Sabk warned before the gust of wind blew them away.

"Why did you help him escape, Dragon?" Smoker asked getting up from the ground.

"What reason do you have for chasing a man from setting sail?" Dragon asked instead.

It was not like Luffy really needed his help. He was strong enough to beat the man, but knowing Luffy he must have his own reasons and he felt that the reason was some how connected to how Luffy refused to escape on his own from the execution platform.

A/n:

Yo guys! Hope you all have fair share of fun! Smoker is confused, Sabo is in and Dragon is adding to the chaos. By the way who stopped the execution in reality, any idea?

I really hope the chapter was worth it, because I bear a bad news as I post this chapter today. I, Rin, need a break. I have exams starting from 26th December. The theory exams will last till 6th Jan, so I won't be online after 25th Dec and will be absent till my exams are over.

I would be back soon though so don't worry! It's just a break for a week I think. I hope you all can wait a week?

Also, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance!

Have a good day/night!