Chapter 5 - Shells town
Ame can be seen alone on the cabin checking the screen while Koby and Luffy were fishing for food since Luffy had the stomach of a whale and gobbled up most of the dried meat and vegetables.
"Let's see, I should probably check out this status channel at least once to see what it can do." Right as he thought about it, he clicked the status section on the screen.
[ Status ]
Name: Ame L. Jelk
Age: 16
Occupation: Sailor
Alignment: Lawful Good
Title: None
Devil Fruit: N/A
Bounty: N/A
SP: 11 (+5 Daily SP)
Active Skills:
• Side-Step (Green) Lv.3: 20/300
• Sneak (Green) Lv. 2: 1/200
• Pin-Point Thrust (Blue) Lv.1: 10/100
• Wild Nature (Purple) Lv.1: 0/100
Passive Skills:
• Staff Mastery (Green) Lv.3: 10/300
• Repairing (Blue) Lv.1: 38/100
Unique Skills: N/A
Fused Skills: N/A
Items owned:
• Reinforced Wooden Staff (White++) - Durability: 33/100 {Repair needed}
[ ]
"Woah, that's... A lot of information... Hey, it also shows the items I have and the durability off my items." Ame immediately realized what he just saw and immediately got up and grabbed his staff to repair it, "CRAP! ITS ALMOST BROKEN!"
Luffy and Koby noticed Ame running around hastily on the boat and Koby asked him, "Hey Ame, what's the problem? You seem to be panicking for no reason. Are we under attack?" Koby immediately became nervous after asking the last question, he still has some leftover trauma from Alvida's pirate crew.
Ame scratched his head and answered, "Well, my staff is almost broken but we don't have anything on the ship suitable to use as a material to repair my staff."
Koby pointed to the island nearing them and said, "Well, maybe we can find someone who can repair your staff or at least buy some appropriate materials to repair it on Shells Town! I'll lend you some of my money, since you guys saved me and all of that. I'll also treat you guys to food there!"
Luffy immediately perked up and aggressively paddled towards Shells Town after hearing the mention of food and meal.
Although Ame didn't take anything from Alvida's ship aside from an extra map of what seemed to be the areas on the East Sea, he did take the 20,000 Bellies that they have stolen from Koby afte asking him about any belongings taken from him.
Koby looked at Shells Town in the distance and estimated, "It seems like we'll arrive there in 2-3 hours if the only one paddling is Luffy, 1 hour if you paddle with him Ame."
With Koby's statement, Ame immediately assisted Luffy in paddling towards Shells Town. He was looking forward to repairing his staff so he can continue training with it.
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{1 hour later}
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The streets were bustling with people coming from all fronts of life, children, sailors, merchants, to even marines were roaming the streets doing their own thing.
Childrens were playing, families were spending time with their families on restaurants, shops, and on entertainment buildings like a theater.
Merchants were doing business with Sailors, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths, Shop owners, Civilians or Marines.
Business owners were fighting with each other on who can attract more customers and gain more sales.
Marines could be seen roaming and patrolling the streets, giving the citizens a sense of security and to respond to any incidents that might occur at any moment.
Luffy, Koby, and Ame could be seen at the dock, looking at the various things that other people were doing.
Koby was excited about finally arriving at Shells Town and being able to sign up to become a marine.
Luffy was excited about Koby treating them to a meal.
Ame was just happy from seeing everyone in this town happy and safe.
"Well, what do you guys think we should do first? Eat or find some materials to fix Ame's staff?" Koby asked Luffy and Ame.
Luffy, although very hungry still chose to put his Vice-Captain's staff first. Clearly displaying an exceptional self-control, if you just ignore his drooling and shaking from hunger.
Ame and Koby just laughed at Luffy's actions and decided that they could just buy the materials later. For now, they decided it was best to fill Luffy's stomach first.
The crew explored the streets of Shells Town, noting down some notable places like the blacksmith shop, hardware store, and General store.
While roaming the streets, Ame's attention was caught by 2 Towering structures far ahead of him. Koby saw Ame's curiousity upon the place and explained, "That place is the 153rd Marine base situated here on Shells Town, and the place where I plan to sign up as a marine recruit!"
Ame nodded in understanding, "Now that explains the eye catching structures on it."
Eventually, the crew found a restaurant to eat lunch in after an hour or so of roaming around the town.
Ame ordered a simple mushroom soup that costs about ฿320 and Luffy ordered 20 sets of Meat on a Bone that costs about ฿500 per plate.
Luffy's order was so extravagant that Koby couldn't help but shed a tear from his eyes as he looked at the bellies on his wallet being depleted faster than a ship sinks on a whirlpool.
Ame was just about to start eating when all of a sudden, he heard Luffy ask Koby something while handing out a poster of a man, "Hey Koby, do you know this guy called Pirate Hunter Zoro?"
Everyone in the restaurant all looked at Luffy with horror and nervousness as they asked Luffy to not utter that name.
Ame and Luffy was confused, so Luffy asked, "Why? There's no problem with saying what a person's name is right?"
The restaursnt manager in front of Luffy said, "That may be true but if anyone even accidentally mutters that name around young master Helmeppo then you might be locked for years!"
Ame asked, "Why? We don't have anything to do with him though."
A man on the other tabled laughed and said, "That man has killed young master Helmeppo's pet to save a little girl that was about to be assaulted by it, that's why he is facing punishment. Some kind of "justice" Right?"
Koby couldn't believe what he had just heard, "Shouldn't the marines have arrested that Helmeppo guy for letting his pet almost attack a girl if it weren't for Zoro?"
The man replied, "Yes, that's how it should logically go... If only he weren't the son of the Marine Captain - Axe hand Morgan. Those father and son duo are true detestable human beings. Those two are self-righteous, narcissistic assholes who never admits to have done anything bad and punishes those who dare to accuse them of such."
Ame felt incredibly angry and frustrated, so much so that he smashed his hand unto his table out of anger, "That's not fair... "
The man continued, "That's what happened to that Pirate Hunter Zoro, another victim of their Injustice and abuse of power... Even if we knew the truth, even if we protested and demanded for justice, nothing would happen. Those marines under than Axe-hand Morgan once tried, but they lost against pure power... Now they could only lower their heads in shame, having no choice but to comply to his orders to keep their families safe from his threats."
After the man's explanation, Luffy stood up and asked, "So you guys wouldn't complain if those two got beaten the hell up right?"
Everyone inside the restaurant naturally answered the same thing in unison, "OF COURSE!"
Ame stood up and told them, "Then we're off!" For the first time, Ame felt like the best answer here would be Violence.
Koby and the other people on the restaurant seemed to understand what they were going to do and tried to dissuade Ame and Luffy but to no avail, the only thing they said before leaving was, "We'll liberate this town from tyranny, for everyone here." coming from Ame.
Koby didn't know what to make off of the situation, on the other hand he couldn't believe that the marines he respected so much would do such a horrendous thing, yet here it was.
The only way he could find the answer for now is to follow Luffy and Ame, hoping to find solace and peace with the answer they will give everyone here.
Everyone inside the restaurant could only bow down their heads and prayed for the safety of those 3 teenagers attempting to bring back the justice they have once believed in before Morgan came.
Meanwhile, inside one of the ship's in the dock, a sound could be heard...
[ Quest Alert! Return Shells Town's Justice ]
Description: You heard everyone's cries for Justice and Hope, carry it and deliver your punishment upon that Marine Captain Scum. A disgrace to the Justice of Seas, Marines.
Rewards: 60 SP, Ship Modification, 3x Luck of the Sea Fate, Random [Blue Skill or Item].
Additional request: Bash the Head of the disgrace's son.
Rewards: 20 SP, Random [Green Item]
Note: There's no such thing as a good or bad occupation, only good and bad people.
[ ]
"Hey Ame?" Luffy asked while stretching outside of the restaurant.
"What's up?" Ame replied.
"You wouldn't mind if we recruit this guy right?" Luffy smirked.
Ame pat Luffy's shoulder and answered, "Naturally."
Ame and Luffy the rushed towards the Marine base at an incredibly shocking speed, drawing a lot of attention and amazement from the civilians watching them. Koby is slowly catching up behind them while buying a suspicious looking ball from a stall.
"I'm just believing in my justice, not betraying the marines." Koby muttered while clenching the ball as he slowly catched up with Luffy and Ame.
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{At the 153rd Marine Base}
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A malnourished looking man is restrained and binded on an X-shaped wooden pillar which was located in an open yard on the Marine Base.
The man gritted his teeth, filled with hunger, thirst, and unbearable heat. "22 days left... That's too damn long!" he paused for a bit and his emotions stabilized upon thinking of something, "As long as that kid's alright... "
When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of a boy with a strawhat smiling at him widely who said, "Hehe, you really are a nice guy huh?"
Despite almost having a heatstroke from the shock and fright of a suddenly appearing teenager, he managed to compose himself and responded, "Hahaha... My name is Zoro, a Pirate Hunter. If you let me go I'll offer you-" He was interrupted by another man behind the straw hat boy.
"Even if you don't offer us anything of value, we would still help you, Pirate Hunter Zoro. That is part of what we came here for anyways, to serve true justice on that scum on top of that tower." The man behind the straw-hat boy told Zoro. "You can call me Ame, and he is my captain, Monkey D. Luffy. Nice to meet you, Zoro."
When Zoro hears the term captain, he immediately realized what Ame and Luffy were and grinned, "Heh, the last thing I would expect is being saved by the very thing I hunt."
Seeing as Luffy and Ame didn't bat an eye upon hearing what he said, he tried explain, "Oy! You know I'm a Pirate Hunter right?! Why are you saving your enemy?!"
Luffy only smiled and answered, "Well, not for long!"
Zoro became confused and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Luffy laughed and answered, "I'm glad you asked! I'm inviting you to join my crew!"
Zoro just shook his head and responded, "No, no way, there's no chance I'll ever stoop down as low as you criminals, give it up. I don't like owing people so you guys better make a different demand."
Luffy then lightly bumped his fist on Zoro's shoulder and said, "Then give it up too, there's no chance I'll give up on recruiting a swordsman!"
Suddenly, a very loud alarm resonated throughout the Marine base facility and then dozens of Marine recruits appeared right in front of Ame, Luffy, and Zoro.
In front of those recruits were a blond guy with a funny looking hairstyle, raising a megaphone in his hand while saying, "What are you guys doing?! don't you know that it's a crime to help criminals to esca-" Before the blond guy could even finish, a fist burried itself deep inside his face and launching him high up on the air.
The fist then quickly returned straight to its rightful and lawful owner, Luffy.
"Well, let's talk about these things later." Ame told Zoro and Luffy as he hung his staff on top of his neck while mounting his elbows on top of it.
Zoro then hurriedly say, "Hey! I can't defeat these dozens of marines without my swords! So unless you get them then-"
Luffy interrupted Zoro, "Where do you think they are keeping it?"
To which Zoro answered, "On top of the building, on Axe-Hand Morgan's room."
Luffy smiled and looked at Ame while saying, "Ame, I'll go up there and get his swords for him. Keep them at bay until you come back." To which Ame just nodded.
Luffy held his straw hat and grinned as he began stretching his arm up on the top of the Marine base. "Then I'll leave them to you Ame, also you have to join my crew after I get your swords Zoro!"
Zoro couldn't believe that Luffy could actually defeat Morgan, much less think that Ame could take on 30+ marines on his own.
Ame glanced at Zoro and saw Koby and a Little girl just said, "Koby! Can I trouble you with protecting that little girl over there? It seems like Zoro would like to see that onigiri she made after this."
After Ame's request did Zoro realize that the little girl he protected 9 days ago was here with them right now, cowering in fear in the corner but still willing to risk everything to come to him to give him food.
Koby didn't even hesitate and ran over to the little girl to protect her, even if he can't fight he could atleast use his own body to protect the little girl, if only he was just taller than the little girl...
Ame then looked at the 30 or so people in front of him, "I can't fall until Luffy comes back and gives Zoro his swords, until they can help, until Morgan is defeated... "
Ame then held his staff vertically with his right hand, letting it rest on the ground.
He breathed and exhaled, waiting for the marines to make a move.
Ame was scared, definitely. However, he couldn't afford to falter, the moment he does, will be the moment he disappears from this world.
The marines are now charging at him...
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{Chapter 5 - Fin}