The Thunder Demon Straw Hat Luffy

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami are currently traveling on Luffy's thunder-cloud towards Gecko Islands after cashing in the bounty on Buggy and his crew. Luffy had then split up the bounty between the three of them, with Zoro getting 8 million for defeating Cabaji, Nami getting another 8 million for defeating a man who Luffy learned was Mohji the Beast Tamer, and Luffy got 15 million for defeating Buggy. Luffy had allowed Nami to keep half of the treasure she had found on Buggy's ship while Liffy made her leave the other half behind for the townspeople. The group was about two miles off the Northern Shore of the island and were traveling at about 40mph. Soon as the island came into view Zoro turned towards Luffy, who was sitting on his throne and spoke.

"So remind me again why are we going to this island," Zoro said getting both Nami and Luffy's attention. Luffy looked at him and sighed before replying.

"Like I told you earlier, we are going to the island to hopefully pick up a sniper," Luffy said. Nami then looked at him with a raised eyebrow before she spoke.

"Hopefully?" she asked. Luffy then nodded his head before speaking.

"I don't know if he is going to want to join. Hell, I am just hoping he is a sniper like his dad and want to be a pirate," Luffy said before he pulled out a glass and poured some whiskey in it and took a sip before he began to speak again. "And we are going to try to get a ship on that Island as well," Luffy said causing Zoro to nod his head and trusting his captain, while Nami took on a disappointed look on her face. She then looked at Luffy and spoke.

"Why o we need a ship?" she asked she ran her hands on the surface of the cloud, "I mean this cloud is way better," she said. Luffy looked at her with an impassive look on his face before he spoke in a monotone voice.

"You may feel it is way better because you aren't the one who is keeping it together and flying it," Luffy said. Nami didn't say anything else, she just turned and faced forward. After traveling for a few more minutes before they arrived on the shores of Gecko Island. As they stepped on to the shore Luffy sensed four individuals hiding on the cliff above them. "Be careful, we are being watched," he said getting their attention. Zoro placed his hand on his swords while Nami placed her hand to her side getting ready to pull out the staff she had folded and strapped to the inside of her t.h.i.g.h. The suddenly Luffy sensed an incoming attack and immediately pushed Namia and Zoro out of way allowing the attack to simply pass right through him. Luffy then looked up to see a teenager standing at the top of the slope with his arms cross.

"I am Usopp, leader of the invincible nation of pirates who rule over this island. You stand before a living legend, the most revered pirate who ever lived. I am the great Captain Usopp!" the teenage boy said causing Zoro and Nami to sweatdrop at his introduction while Luffy smile at his antics. Usopp was a slim tan-skinned teenager with medium-length black woolly hair, prominent lips, and a long nose. He wore an olive green plaid bandanna, a blue and white striped armband on his left arm, brown overalls with a white sash and no shirt underneath. He also carried with him a yellow satchel.

"If you dare try to attack this island my arm of 8 million super pirates will squash you like bugs!" Usopp said. As he said that a bunch of pirate flags tied to sticks began to rise from the bushes on the cliff surrounding the shore. Luffy raised an eyebrow at this before he spoke.

"Don't you mean three little kids?" Luffy asked. The moment Luffy asked the question Usopp began to shake in his boots with sweat pouring down his face. From the bushes that the pirate flags were raised from, three little kids ran out screaming. Usopp turned to the running away kids and scream.

"Hey! Where are you going!?" he asked/ yelled. Luffy couldn't stop himself from chuckling.

"Some crew you got there Captain Usopp," Luffy said mockingly. At the corner of his eye, he saw Nami bent down and picked something up before she spoke.

"A pirate using a slingshot huh? Now I have seen it all," she said. Usopp got angry when she made fun of him using a slingshot. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a green slingshot before aiming it at Luffy.

"Shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you. I am a proud man and I won't stand for it. This is your last warning or you'll get to see why they call me proud Ussop and not push over Usopp," he said as he pulled back on the slingshot and aimed at Luffy's head. "You've already seen just how good I am with this thing. So, you know I can rival anyone carrying a pistol," he said. Luffy looked at him while placing his hand on his hat and tilting his head down a bit causing the hat to cast a shadow over his eyes before he spoke in a chilling tone.

"Now that you've drawn your pistol, are you willing to use it?" Luffy asked causing Usopp to sweat a bit. "Guns aren't for threats, they're for actions. Are you willing to risk your life for it? Because..." Luffy paused before pulling out his own pistol and aiming it at Usopp before continuing, "...I sure as hell am," he finished causing Usopp to shake in his boots. However, even though he was absolutely terrified, he did not drop his slingshot, he kept it aimed at Luffy. Luffy smirked before sending a small amount of lightning into the gun so he wouldn't kill Usopp and pulled the trigger. Faster than anyone could track a bolt of lighting left the gun and traveled through the air before flying straight through Usopp's slingshot and collided with the pellet he had loaded in there effectively destroying it. Everyone could only stare at the crumbling pellet with their jaw on the floor. Usopp dropped to his knee and looked at Luffy in awe. Luffy chuckled before he spoke once more, "Nice shot huh?" he asked making Usopp nod dumbly. "Yea, your dad thought me how to do that," he said making Usopp's eyes go wide before he tumbled down the cliff causing Luffy and everyone else to sweatdrop.

"You know my dad?" Usopp asked as he got back up and dusted himself off. Luffy placed his gun back in its holster before he spoke.

"Why don't we go get something to eat and we can talk there," Luffy said. Usopp nodded his head before leading Luffy and his crew towards a restaurant/bar called Meshi. When they got to the bar everyone ordered food and sat down to eat while they listened to Luffy tell Ussop stories about sailing with his dad. To say Usopp was amazed at the fact that his dad was the sniper for a Yonko's crew would be an understatement. Luffy looked at Usopp and can see that he was proud of his dad being a pirate. After they finished eating Luffy was about to ask Usopp about buying a ship, but before he could speak Usopp stood up puffed out his c.h.e.s.t before he began to speak.

"It is decided!" he said at the top of his voice, "One day I too will travel the seas like my father and become a brave warrior!" Usopp said with a determined look on his face. Luffy chuckled before he spoke to him.

"Well what a coincidence, I happen to be in search of a sniper for my crew. In fact, it is one of the reasons I came here," Luffy said getting Usopp's attention. "Your dad said you would make a good addition to my crew if you ever wanted to become a pirate. So, how about it? Do you want to join my crew and let's turn this whole world upside down?" Luffy asked with a smirk on his face. Usopp looked scared and nervous at the thought of joining a pirate crew. He fidgeted around for a bit before he finally replied to Luffy.

"Umm, can I think about for a while?" He asked softly. Luffy just nodded his head yes. Ussop was about to leave but Luffy's voice stopped him.

"Hey Usopp," Luffy said getting his attention, "Do you know where we could purchase a ship?" Luffy asked. Usopp placed his index finger to his chin and began to think for a minute before he replied to Luffy.

"There isn't any shipyard on this island, however, if you want to buy a ship your best bet is to check the mansion up on that hill," He said while pointing out the window at the lone mansion on the hill. When Nami heard mansion her eyes immediately changed into Beli signs at the thought of the money that was in the mansion. She looked at Usopp and asked him a question.

"Who lives in the mansion?" she asked. Usopp smiled brightly at her before replying to her.

"An orphan girl named Kaya, her parents died three years ago and she has been in a depression since then," Usopp said making Nami looked down sadly, "I have been visiting her every day trying to cheer her up ever since her parents died and I am headed over there right now so if you want you can come along and I'll introduce you," Usopp said. Luffy smile and replied.

"That sounds great Usopp," Luffy said as he and his crew stood up and followed Usopp out the restaurant. After walking up the hill four about five minutes the group arrived at the mansion where Usopp lead them around the side to the hedges and removed a piece of the hedge creating a hole big enough for someone to crawl through. Nami looked at Usopp and spoke.

"Why do I get the feeling that you are not welcomed here, Usopp," she said making Usopp chuckle nervously before replying.

"Well you see, the butler here doesn't really like me. So, I have to sneak in to talk to Kaya," he said. Luffy and Zoro couldn't stop themselves from bursting out laughing making Usopp blush in embarrassment. After Luffy and Zoro calmed down the group went through the hole in the hedge one by one and entered the yard. The group stood under a rather large tree at the side of the house. Usopp bent down and picked up a pebble and then proceeded to climb the tree. He threw the pebble at one of the windows of the house and suddenly it opened and a brightly smiling girl stuck her head out and spoke to Usoop.

"Usopp, you came?" she said happily. Usopp smiled back before replying.

"Of, course I came, and I brought some friends who came here to join the Usopp Pirates and meet you," Usopp said pointing to Luffy and his crew standing at the bottom of the tree. "Kaya, this is Luffy, Nami, and Zoro," he said while pointing at each of them as he spoke. "And guys, this is Kaya," When he said that Luffy and his crew waved at her making her smile and wave back. Kaya was a slim and pale-skinned girl with blonde hair. She had wide brown eyes, that are of a sort of lighter shade and she wore a pale long dress. Kaya looked at Luffy and spoke with a warm smile on her face.

"It is nice to meet you all," she said. Luffy smiled at her and spoke in a kind voice that his crew had never heard him use in the short time they knew him.

"It is a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you as well, Miss Kaya. However, this is more of a business meeting more than a social one," Luffy said making Kaya raise an eyebrow before replying.

"And what business do you have with me exactly?" she asked. Luffy took a step closer to the house before he spoke again.

"It was brought to our attention that we would be able to purchase a ship from you," Luffy said while looking up at Kaya. Kaya took on a thoughtful look for a second before turning around in her room and began shouting someone's name.

"Merry!" she shouted, "Could you come here for a second." Ten seconds after she yelled out, Luffy heard someone opened the door to her room. Luffy watched as a strange looking man came and stood next to Kaya and spoke.

"You called Miss Kaya?" he said while looking at Kaya not noticing everyone else who was outside. Kaya smiled at him before she replied.

"Yes, I did. I would like you to meet a friend of Usopp," she said before pointing outside at Luffy and the gang. "This is Luffy and his friends. He is interested in buying a ship. Can you take him to the docks and show him our ship?" she asked making Merry looked at the group a bit skeptical a first before nodding. Merry then exited the room and headed to the outside where Luffy and his crew were to lead them to the docks. Merry arrived outside with the group and spoke to them.

"If you all would follow me I will take you to the ship," he said. Luffy turned towards Nami and Zoro and spoke.

"Why don't you guys stay here and keep Kaya company with Usopp while I go check out the ship," he said. Zoro nodded trusting his captain while Nami also nodded her head because she thought it was boring to pick out a ship. Luffy then looked over to Merry and nodded his head slightly telling him to lead the way. Merry then lead Luffy towards the back of the mansion where they had their own personal docks for their use only. It was at the docks Luffy saw a beautiful ship docked, Luffy looked over to Merry and saw him with a proud smile on his face as he looked at the ship. As they got closer Merry turned to Luffy and spoke.

"This is The Going Merry," he said pointing at the ship. "It is a ship I built all by myself," he said proudly. Luffy turned and looked at the ship examining it every inch. The Going Merry was a caravel class ship designed by Merry and had a jib and a central steer rudder. The ship's armaments consisted of four cannons, one in the bow pointing forward, one in the stern, and two pointing to either side and to top everything off, and the figurehead of the ship was a sheep's head. After examing the ship Luffy came and stood next to Merry once more and spoke.

"It's a beautiful ship," he said while looking at Merry, "how much for it?" he asked. Merry took on a thoughtful look for a few seconds before he replied.

"80 million," he said surprising Luffy at how cheap it was. "We don't really get to take her out that much anymore and she is only sitting here collecting dust. So, if you were wondering why she is that cheap, that's why," Merry said causing Luffy to nod his head.

"I understand," he said before he walked up to the ship and placed his hand on it before he spoke. "However, I plan on going into the Grand Line, and a ship like this won't survive the Grand Line as it is right now," Luffy said making Merry nod his head in an understanding way. Merry was about to speak but Luffy spoke before he got a chance to. "I will pay 100 million for the ship if you can make a few upgrades to it," Luffy said surprising Merry.

"And what sort of upgrades do you have in mind?" Merry asked. Luffy looked over at him and spoke.

"I noticed that the ship doesn't have a captain's quarters, I would like one to be added in," Luffy said to which Merry nodded his head. "Also, the current cannons on the ship are of an older model, I would like for them to be replaced with new models. I would also like for the rudder to be replaced. Currently, as it is would snap against a strong current," Luffy said. Merry made note of everything he asked for before he spoke.

"I will also check the wood on the ship to see if any needs replacing. This won't make her survive the Grand Line, however, it should extend her lifespan a bit longer allowing you to find a stronger ship," Merry said. Luffy nodded his head before he spoke again.

"And how long will all these upgrades take?" he asked. Merry brought his finger to his chin and thought for a moment before he replied.

"About two weeks or so. I will have the builders start on it right away," He said making Luffy smile at him before he replied.

"I would really appreciate that, thank you," Luffy said before the two of them made their way back to the mansion to meet up with the rest of the crew. As the crew came into view Luffy and Merry saw that some sort of commotion was going on between Usopp and a rather well-dressed man who Luffy take to be the butler that didn't like Usopp. Luffy looked at Merry as they were walking there and spoke in an amused voice, "I take it that is the butler that Usopp said didn't like him?" he asked causing Merry to chuckle before replying.

"Yes, that is Klahadore," he said. As they got closer they were able to hear Klahadore insult Usopp and his dad Yasopp causing Luffy's smile to immediately vanish from his face. Luffy saw Usopp was really close to hitting the guy and decided to let his presence be known by speaking.

"You know, some might think you have a death wish for insulting a member of a Yonko's crew," Luffy said as he and Merry got closer. Klahadore and Kaya turned at looked at him with wide eyes. Klahadore quickly regained his composure and spoke to Luffy.

"I do not know what you are talking about. I did no such thing," he said while staring at Luffy. Luffy walked up to him and stared at him in the eyes and spoke once more.

"Usopp's father is the sniper and left hand to Red-Haired Shanks," Luffy said surprising everyone there including Usopp. Usopp knew his father was on Shanks' crew, but he had never thought his father would be Shanks' third in command. Usopp was interrupted from his thought when Luffy spoke once more. "So let's be honest here, do you really want to piss a Yonko off, BUTLER?" Luffy said putting emphasis on the butler part. Luffy could easily see in Klahadore's eyes that he was scared even though he kept his face stoic and emotionless.

"So what?" the butler said surprising Luffy. "Even if he is the son of a member of a Yonko's crew, I highly doubt that a Yonko from the Grand Line will come all the way here to the East Blue for something like this," Klahadore said smugly. Luffy then gave a chuckle that sent shivers down the spine of the butler before he spoke.

"Why would Shanks need to come when I'm already here," Luffy said before pulling his coat back and lifting up the left side his red-shirt giving everyone there a look of his well-toned eight-pack abs. However, the thing that caught everyone's eyes wasn't his abs, but the tattoo that was on the left side of his abdomen. When Klahadore saw it he immediately began to sweat. On the side of Luffy's abdomen was a tattoo of a Jolly Roger, but not just any Jolly Roger, the Jolly Roger of the Red-Haired Pirates.

"T-that's..." Klahadore stammered as he pointed at Luffy's tattoo. Luffy smirked before he spoke.

"The Jolly Roger of the Red-Haired Pirates, yes," Luffy said before he pulled his shirt back down and looked over to his crew to see Zoro had a smirk on his face at the thought of how strong his captain was while Nami had a slight blush on her face as she remembered Luffy's abs. Luffy turned back to Klahadore and spoke once more. "You see, Shanks is practically my adopted father because he and his crew raised me for the past ten years, and eventually I became part of the crew as well, hence the tattoo," Luffy said before he turned to Kaya and spoke. "I will take the ship, Miss Kaya. I already spoke to Merry on some things I want to be done on it and we already agreed to a price. I am sure Merry will fill you in on everything," Luffy said as he turned to leave with his crew and Usopp. As Luffy was walking away he turned and looked at Klahadore and spoke in a deadly tone, "If I ever hear you insult one of the Red-Haired pirates again I will kill you myself, Butler" Luffy said before walking away with his crew. After leaving Kaya's mansion, the group was currently walking down the hill to head back to the village. While walking Zoro noticed that Luffy was in deep thought and decided to ask his captain what was wrong.

"You okay there Captain?" he asked knocking Luffy out of his deep thought. Luffy shook his head slightly before turning to Zoro and spoke.

"Huh?" was all he said showing that he wasn't paying attention to what was going on. Zoro raised his eyebrow and spoke again.

"I asked if you're okay. You look a bit distracted," he said making Luffy nod his head before he replied.

"Yea I am. There is something about that butler that is familiar, but for the life of me I can't figure out what is it about him that's so familiar," he said in a frustrated voice. Zoro then began to think and try to help his captain figure out what was familiar about the butler, but he came up empty as well. Nami who was looking at the two of them sighed and spoke to them.

"Maybe you are thinking too much into it," she said getting their attention. "Why don't we check into one of the local Inns and get some rest. Maybe that will help you figure it out," She said making Luffy nodded his head in agreement. Usopp took the three of them to a local Inn and Luffy check everyone in and ordered dinner for the three of them and Usoop before they all went to sleep for the night.

'Maybe a good night's rest will help me figure out why he is so familiar,' Luffy thought before he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

*CHAPTER END*