Ch.45 Farewell

．．．．．．．．．

　When the news about Morgan defeat reached the ears of Shells town people. Everyone was at disbelief at first, and after the official news about him being apprehanded by the marines themself has been confirmed, everyone celebrated like there was no tomorow!

　Everyone went to the street. Decoratation were everywhere, suddenly there was a festival going on!

　Morgan was too much of a tyrant. Making an advantage of his power in the marines, he imposed the unreasonably high tax upon the Shells Town. And if there was anything he likes, he just took it without reason and so do for things he didn't like, execution was common!

　 As the townfolks wondering who was it had helped them defeating Morgan. The heroes were currently gathered inside one of the Shells town tavern.

　"So? You stretch your leg and swing it towards Morgan ribs? And he flew like that?" Rika exclaimed in amazement.

　"Shishishi, he didn't fly only staggered slightly!" Luffy explained to the little girl.

　Rika was a little girl who had been saved by Zoro on passing days ago. It turns out Helmeppo once had a wolf as a pet, with his personality it was no wonder his pet also shares some similarities with him, despicable!

　On that day, Rika and her mother Ririka opened their tavern just like the usual day only to find a wolf harassing their customers later on in the same day.

　Rika was a brave and bold little girl, so she took a broom and tried to chase the wolf away. And as expected it didn't turned out well, the wolf retaliate against her!

　In her most desperate situations, Zoro shows up and cut down the wolf inadvertently killed it much to Helmeppo dismay.

　　Helmeppo ordered Zoro arrested and brought him to the base. In the past few days, Rika had tried by all her means to help her savior escape, however it was all for naught. So, she began to smuggled some food for Zoro in attempt to alleviate Zoro predicament.

　When she met Luffy and Koby this morning, Rika couldn't help but felt annoyed by the later claims about Zoro. So she attack Koby with her claws right on his face! Much to Koby wonders.

　As for the situations now. After the strawhats successfully defeat Morgan and his cronies, they met Rika on the way back to the town.

　Seeing Zoro with the group made Rika jumping out in jubilation. In the end, after Rei bit of explanation she offered the strawhats to drop in to their tavern. Of course Luffy agreed to it immediately as he knew there was something to eat in the tavern!

　And so it was, Luffy were chattering non-stop while eating Rika's mother food along with the excited Rika telling her about his fight inside the base, Zoro was drinking booze, and Rei was currently with Koby in another table.

　"I see...Thats complicated. You're awesome Koby." Rei held his chin on the table as there was an East Blue chart and a compass on top of it.

　Koby smiled smugly after hearing Rei's compliments. However he denied it by being humble, "No, no...Its just basic navigating Rei. I'm still far from being awesome, hehehe..."

　After the battle and a 'successful' attempt of Zoro recruitment. Rei realized there were only combatants onboard as Koby told them he would part ways on this islands to chase after his dream.

　Koby knew that after Morgan was gone, there would be a shift on command within the 153rd branch, so he was willing to try his luck and enter the marine ranks from this island.

　With 'No better times than now' mentality, Rei asked Koby to teach him about reading sea charts and how to navigate the ships using compass.

　Koby readily agreed to it, he also knew that other than Rei, there would be no one else reliable enough to float the ship.

　"Do you understand now?" Asked Koby like an old teacher as he fixed his milk-bottle glasses.

　"Yeah, kinda...." Thanks to his body enhancements and Koby easy to understand explanation. Rei could easily understand how to navigate the ship even if its only basic.

　"Rei..." Called Koby

　"Hmm?"

　"Everything i know is only basic, Luffy wanted to enter Grand Line in future. And it will be impossible with only basic navigational skill!"

　"Yeah, and its only temporary. I'm not a navigator Koby, don't worry. We'll find the best navigator for our ragtags group of pirates in future." Rei gaze drifted towards an island on the charts with the name 'Orange Town'.

　"Wish you a good luck Rei..." Koby said feeling downcasted.

　"Listen well Koby. You once had saved my life! I, Rei Ōtsutsuki vow on my name, if you need help or favor of any kind in future. You can ask it from me! I will do my best to help you." Rei suddenly said in all seriousness and locked his eyes towards Koby who sat on the opposite chair.

　Koby nodded with teary eyes. He knew Rei was strong, and by having Rei owe him was one of kind rare event in lifetime even without him knowing about it for now.

　'Bam!'

　Zoro slammed his bottle on the table surprising Koby, Rei looked at the former with teasing smile.

　"Zoro?" Luffy asked with mouthfull of food.

　"The mans word is a mans word! I can't took back what i had said to you before, so i think i will be joining you guys from now on!" Zoro claimed as he sweep his eyes on everyone presents until finaly he glared at Rei.

　Luffy eyes twinkling full of joy and excitement, and Rei chuckled, "Welco....."

　"But!" Zoro cut Rei's speech short.

　Luffy tilted his head, "But?"

　"There's condition!"

　"What condition?" Asked Rei.

　"I'll be the captain!"

　'Swish!'

　Luffy stood up and claimed, "No way! I'm the Captain!"

　Rei laughed and said, "Tall wish Roronoa...."

　"Hmm?" Zoro frowned as he heard Rei spoke once again.

　"You can be our ships caretaker..."

　Rei laughed out loud seeing Zoro fuming out.

　Zoro finaly took out his black bandana the sign of him getting ready for a fight.

　"Don't bother. I know whats your wish for, Luffy wanted to become a Pirate King in future. And by that fact, i assure you. You will eventually crossing path with 'him'..." Rei said with a meaningful smiled towards Zoro.

　"Whats is his dream?" Luffy asked Rei.

　"You can ask him yourself Luffy..." Answered Rei after he saw Zoro took his black bandana off and sit down once again fuming.

　All of sudden, Zoro began to spoke in serious manner, he sweep his gaze towards Luffy and Rei especially, "My dream is to become the 'Strongest Swordsman' in the world!"

　Luffy and Rika eyes were twinkling as the former responds, "Thats cool! The world strongest swordsman? Thats perfect! The future Pirate King won't settle for anything less!"

　Zoro stumbled slightly as he looked towards Rei which the later nodded his head with a smile.

　"Fine Pirate King! From now on, i will be joining your ragtags group of pirates! but..."

　Luffy tilted his head as Rei, Koby and Rika wondered what was Zoro's word next.

　Zoro continued, "...If i deemed by joining you guys actualy hinders me on my path, I will quit!"

　The trio and Rika smiled towards Zoro and Luffy approved it by saying, "Okay! You have my words future Strongest swordsman!"

　"Welcome aboard, 'ship's caretaker'." Rei teased Zoro.

　"Congratulations!" Koby and Rika spoke in unison which made both of them laughed.

　A moments later,

　"When?" Zoro asked towards Rei once more.

　"Hmm?" Responded Rei.

　"When can i meet 'him'?"

　Rei laughed and said meaningfuly, "Sooner than you can think of actualy. So prepare yourself! As i had once said to you before. 5 minutes...."

　Zoro gritted his teeth and began to gulping down bottle after bottle of alcohol, trying to hide his aggravated mind.

　The reason why he decided to join luffy was aside from Rei's words, he also felt curious towards the straw hat boy. He knew how much bounty on Rei's head, however the later clearly followed Luffy willingly who was a 'nobody' at the time. Who is Luffy? Zoro's thought.

　Seeing Zoro action, Luffy still had some sense on him so he just leave him be without bothering his new crew anymore.

　On the midday, Luffy finaly satsified his appetite, he strolls out from Ririka's tavern with bloating stomach followed by Zoro. Ririka was quite aggravated despite doesn't showing it on her face.

　The amount Luffy's had eaten was enough to run her tavern for a week! And Zoro had emptied out their alcohol storage!

　When Rika wanted to complains, Rei stepped out and took a stack of money from under his sleeve. He offered it towards the poor Ririka and her daughter.

　Ririka was quite reluctant to accept Rei's money. But her daughter was smart enough to reasoned with her and finaly they accept the stack of money from Rei.

　Unbeknowns to the mother and daughter duo, the amount which Rei had given actualy more than enough for Rika and her mother to renovate their taverns bigger than before!

　The sun began to tilted on westwards. After simple goodbye, Luffy along with Rei, Zoro and Koby behind went to the harbor only to find there were marines on stand by there!

　The leader was man with tanned skin, brown hair, a pronounced jawline, and a brown mustache with beard. He wore a normal marine hat, shirt, and pants. However, his ascot was a light green instead of dark blue.

　When the group wondering if another battle would broke out, the marine leader stepped out and spoke, "Are you guys the pirates who defeated Morgan this morning?"

　Zoro glared at the marine, as Luffy answered innocently, "Yes! What do you guys wants?"

　The man reaction was far from what they expected! The leader took off his hat and bowed slightly along with other marines, "My name is Ripper. On behalf of Shells town, we thank you for your help!"

　Luffy and Zoro was surprised seeing their reaction. And just as the marines raised their head back, Rei stepped out.

　'Gulp*'

　Everyone presents suddenly looks agitated seeing the smiling Rei at the front. Only Luffy clearly feels out of place as the other were frightened with Rei.

　"Its not free..." Rei said simply.

　Ripper nervously nodded his head, he tried to looks calm on the surface while his heart felt like jumping out from his chest.

　"We need provisions, a month would be enough. Thats our boat!" Rei pointed towards one of the docking boat at the pier.

　"YES! RI, RIGHT AWAY SIR!"

　"SURE OF COURSE!"

　"PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT SIR!"

　Without waiting for Ripper command, all of the marines presents suddenly running around to fulfill Rei's demand at once!

　Ripper sighed slightly in relief as he thought Rei would demanding about something else.

　"Woaaah! They run like madman!" Exclaimed Luffy in wonder.

　Rei chuckled and walked towards their boats, "..Yeah, i wonder why."

　Zoro just scoffed and follows along.

　When the four of them arrived besides the boat, Koby finaly said goodbye, "Thank you Luffy and Rei for helping me. And Zoro too, i'm sory about my prejudice against you before."

　Luffy laughed as he patted Koby's shoulder hard making the later flinch, "Hahaha! No sweat Koby! We're friend after all!"

　"Remember my promise and take good care of yourself Koby..." Rei smiled simply.

　And lastly Zoro gave Koby his nod of approval　and said, "Thanks..."

　Koby couldn't help but cried, and yet he tried to held it on with difficulty. Rei, Luffy and also Zoro was considered his friends he made at sea. He hopes to meet them again later in future.

　"Rei, Luffy, and Zoro also. I hope we can meet again in future!" Koby exclaimed full of spirit.

　The marines worked so fast gathering the group demands. In no time, the boat's storage were filled to the brim! Rei could only shook his head helplessly as he saw the provisions would be enough to last for a few months.

　Ripper signaled his men to standby behind, clearly they still felt uneasy even when knowing that the 'White Ghost' would leave. Then he spoke towards Rei, "Everything is done, thank you..."

　Rei nodded in respons towards Ripper While Luffy and Koby still chattering around, as for Zoro? He chose a comfortable spot to lean on the boat's railing and fell asleep immediately.

　After a tearjerking farewell, Koby and Ripper along with other marines saw the Strawhats boat was getting smaller and smaller into distance.

　Koby gathered his courage to ask Ripper about joining marines only to be surprised by Ripper order!

　"Salute!"

　'Clack!'

　Ripper alongside his subordinates saluted towards the pirate boats in unison. Then after he turned around only to rebuke his subordinate.

　"No lunch for the next month!" Ordered him.

　The marines face fell down and asking for a reasons.

　"Why sir?"

　"Why the sudden cut of lunch?"

　"SILENCE! Its because you saluted towards Pirates! As marines, thats too far!" Yelled Ripper.

　"EEEEEEEEEEEH.....?" Exclaimed the marines in unison.

　Seeing their action, Koby couldn't help but laughed out loud.

　"You have a great friend..." Said Ripper towards Koby as the later smiled in response.

　"Yeah, they're trully the best..."

　Ripper raised his eyebrow and explained, "They? What i mean is about that 'White Ghost'. Didn't expect you have him as a friend..."

　"White Ghost?" Koby tilted his head in confusion.

　"You don't know him?" Ripper asked back. Then he took something out from his pocket seeing Koby still confused expression, then he gave it to Koby.

　"Whats this?" Koby took it while he saw it was a wanted poster.

　Koby's eyes suddenly wide-open like a saucer! With open mouth he looked at Ripper calm expressions.

　"I, I, Is this real?"

　Ripper nodded and signaled his men to returns to the base, leaving the thunderstricken Koby at the pier.

．．．．．．．．．