I woke up refreshed after dealing with that thankless bastard knowing that I can help him
Seriously though, are the Marines of the world government really that bad?
I mean they stationed no guards for a prisoner who has mere ropes binding him.
Well there was that threat about Ririka-san and her daughter, but the threat in and of itself was something the marines should not do.
This world is insane.
Well let’s just get on with my day and catch some fish.
My day goes on as usual, practicing my magecraft, reading the books about runes and alteration and bounded fields given to me by Zeltrech-san, getting used to fighting with the coffin, practicing with the different weapons and going to Ririka’s bar to help and practice playing with the guitar.
When night fell I prepared myself again to infiltrate the marine base.
Like last time Roronoa-san detected me as I got closer.
“So you came back again, huh. What is it you want this time?” Damn his instincts, he is sharp.
“Same as last time I came here to feed you. So are we going to be stubborn again today?”
“Hmph.” The inconsiderate asshole snorted in my direction. “Might as well eat the crap you’re offering so I can go back to my peace and quiet.”
“Oy, quit calling my cooking crap just be glad I’m feeding you thankless asshole.”
“Tsk, who ever needed your help conscienceless bastard.” Dealing with this asshole is really thinning down my patience and that is saying something considering that I was fucking friends with Shinji Matou, well Shinji never did insult my cooking.
“Are we really doing this again l’Olonais? Do you want to remember how that went for you last time.”
“It’s RO-RO-NO-A asshole not l’Olonais. What a dumb idiot, can’t even remember my name right and for the record Emiya if I weren’t tied up in this god forsaken post I would’ve kicked your ass already.”
“Fortunately for me and unfortunately for you as it stands yesterday and tonight as well you still are and you have no one else to blame but yourself, so quit whining and just eat.”
“I’m a swordsman you bastard I don’t whine I threaten. Believe me when I said that I’ll make every inch of you beg for death after I get out of here.”
“Well if you do survive this in a month I might just take you up on that beating you promise Roronoa after all I’m here to make sure you are still alive to get out of here, so if you can just be a good boy and eat your dinner, we can gut each other after you get out of here in a month.”
“Hoho… you have balls Emiya I give you that or maybe your just all talk and run away before I get out of here.”
“Maybe, maybe not, why don’t we find out in a month then?”
“If that isn’t a challenge then I don’t know what is.”
“It’s called banter Roronoa, well take it as you will as long as you survive I’m game.”
“Hahahaha… Well maybe getting tied up in here isn’t as bad as I thought, I hope you bring your A-game then Emiya, just because you’re helping me now doesn’t mean I’ll hold back when it’s against a fellow swordsman.”
“I told you before I’m no swordsman.”
“I don’t care as long as you’re strong and fight with a sword then in my eyes you’re a swordsman.”
“Stubborn bastard, here open your mouth I’m gonna feed you now and if you dare fucking spit it out again , I promise you one way or the other this food will end up in your stomach either it enters through your mouth or your rear-end wouldn’t matter to me.”
“Geez fine, whatever you say you conscienceless bastard, you get a little bit scary when it comes to food huh.”
“Just shut up and eat.”
After feeding the thankless asshole I had hope to engage him with some questions I wanted to know about this world.
Considering the amount of prana in the air I assume that the dangers this world possesses would be larger and stronger than that of my own and quite frankly I am interested in being a bounty hunter, considering what I’ve seen in the marines and being a pirate to my knowledge is just plain deplorable so being a bounty hunter is quite frankly my best chance in being a hero during this times.
Who better to ask about the bounty hunter lifestyle than a famous one that I’m currently in the process of feeding.
“Oy, there’s no more food left so you can leave now Emiya.”
“Uhm… can I ask you a question?” the bastard glared at me before answering.
“Depends on the question. If I don’t want to answer then I won’t.”
“Fair enough I suppose. What’s it like being a bounty hunter I mean?”
“Well truth be told Emiya I’m not really sure, cause I’m no bounty hunter.”
“Eh… but the people around town said that you were one. They even say that you are East Blues strongest bounty hunter bringing in bounties left and right and not just any bounties I mean, they said you hunt those with bounties over a million berries. Are you telling me that they are just rumours?”
“No, I did those things it’s just I kinda did it by accident.”
“Huh, what do you mean you did it by accident? Its not like you just walk in to a pirates turf unprompted and without investigation right?...” the said not-a-bounty hunter turned his head away sheepishly at my question “…seriously you didn’t right?” walking in right into pirates territory while inland is improbable right.
“Ahem… it sorta happened that way a few times.” Wait did he just say a few times
“How many times did it happen once, twice or maybe three times?”
“….” The not-a-bounty hunter mumbled something under his breath.
“What did you say?”
“I said everytime okay?”
“How the hell did that happen?”
“It just happens okay. It’s not my fault they ran into me all the time.”
“Wait are you telling me that you just ran into pirates on the street?”
“Well sometimes, most of the time I ran into them in dinners or bars.”
That’s something I just don’t know how to think about.
This world has really gone insane, you just don’t run into a freakin wanted criminal on the street and claim his bounty.
This asshole might be lying to me but looking at his embarrassed expression I couldn’t help but feel that he is telling the truth.
To be honest I expected to hear him tell me about some kind of tricks he acquired in hunting pirates. Like contacts in a black market or something, information brokers, well known pirate hide outs, recognizing pillaging patterns and the like, contact with the marines or something, but this lucky or maybe unlucky, depending on your point of view on luck asshole just run into million berry bounty on streets and pubs.
I gave a deadpan expression on the luckiest bounty hunter in the world, no make that 2 worlds on how fucking unfair it was for those serious bounty hunters in the business.
“Hey it’s not like I wanted to run into them you know, oh yeah there was this one time I heard someone partying in forest and me hoping to bum of some booze went to them and it turns out they were pirates so there are times that I do hunt them you know.”
“You were not hunting for bounty fucktard you were hunting for booze.”
“Well who cares what they call me it’s not like I wanted to be a bounty hunter in the first place.”
“Oh yeah right, then how in God’s green earth did you become the most famous bounty hunter in east blue if you’re not even trying, why didn’t you just go home and leave those poor pirates in peace. God knows how freaking annoying it is to be attacked when you’re just out for a walk.”
Yeah remembering the grail war where whenever I step out of the house I get into some kind of trouble is really annoying.
My views towards taking on a night stroll is definitely different now than before the war well getting almost slice in half by your sisters servant, getting kidnap by said sister to her castle, discovering my teacher is an ex-assassin and master of caster, and getting attack by the king of heroes all happened because I decided to go on a night walk, yeah no more night walks for me from here on out.
“I won’t go home Emiya not until I accomplish what I set out to do…” the bandana wearing man said in a somber mood that snapped me out of my agitated disbelief on how lucky this son of a wench was “… and I kinda don’t know the way back home.” And now were back.
“So technically you’re lost?”
“No I ain’t lost dipshit I’m just on a journey.”
“So where are you going?”
“Dunno.”
“Then you’re fucking lost asshole.”
“No I am not its not where that I’m looking for it’s a who.”
“So what’s his name?”
“Dunno.”
“You’re messing with me right. How the hell do you even expect to find someone you don’t even know the name of nor where he lives.”
“Well it’ll work out somehow I know that he has Eyes like a Hawk so atleast there’s something. It always does work out one way or the other just like whenever I ran out of money for food then I go to a restaurant and viola there are pirates there I get to eat and earn money at the same time.”
I don’t even need to look in the mirror to know that statement caused me to have a drop jawed facial expression with twitching eyebrows added on for good measure on how ludicrous this asshole’s statement was.
If this jerk would have ever learned magecraft then there is no doubt in my mind that he will have a high chance in developing a reality marble on just how ridiculously distorted his sense of the world is and coming from me that is saying fucking lots.
“Why the hell are you even looking for him anyway? Is it for revenge or something?”
“If I ever did have someone like that he’d already be dead and no it’s not for revenge…” he looked at the ground and I assume that he is debating with himself whether to tell me or not. “… I’m looking for him to fulfil a dream and a promise.”
The melancholic and peaceful look in his face as he said those words contained something so pure, so sure, and so similar to my own wish that I can’t help but follow his gaze as he turned upwards towards the night sky.
“Can I ask what that dream is?” as I carefully stitched my words so as not to offend him.
“The world’s strongest swordsman…” he said those words as he shifted his gaze towards me as he looked me in the eye as if looking for something, looking for any sign of scorn, disbelief, or derision for his dream and for a couple of seconds as if judging my worth with those eyes burning towards a horizon I see not bore its weight upon me.
I returned the gaze with a weight equal to his, for I too dream of something as grand or dare I say grander than his, a promise to both my beloved and my father, a promise that gave direction to a naked blade such as myself, a direction and purpose worth devoting my life to, a dream so beautiful shared between the three of us.
“How about you what’s your dream? Those eyes are not ones from a weakling that just sit back a does nothing in his life, considering you train with swords are you aiming for the same thing as me.”
“No, I am not my dream is to become a hero.” I did not know why but as I grew up back in my world I did not answer that question as direct as I did here with Roronoa-san but here I am saying it to a man I barely knew an embarrassing dream that most people would find cringe worthy and mad coming from a man my age and did so with a smile on my face.
I felt it then as we stood there facing each other, affirming to one another the reason of our existence and it felt that all is right in the world.
I felt an emotion that even all the people I have met in all my life Arthuria included did not invoke in me.
A sense of kinship.
When I thought to myself yesterday that I was to meet a kindred spirit I never expected that my expectation was so below the reality of how alike we are.
What I felt as we looked at each other was a sense of belonging, a sense that for the entirety of my life has been inaccessible to me the sense of humanity.
The feeling of ascertaining the fact that a person perfectly akin to myself exited in this world.
When Rin called me distorted I accepted it nonchalantly as I already knew I was different from others I lacked some essential things that make me human all I had that was from my time as a human was salvation and all others were relearned from the pieces left to me after the fire.
I knew that even then no one would understand but here is someone with a possibility to glimpse at my distortion and see nothing wrong with it for he too is as distorted as me.
Single minded to the point of only seeing what he wants and all else around him mattered less.
Up until now I was unique, unique in how broken I was only glued together by a sense of purpose I know not how to accomplish the knowledge only given recently to me by my beloved.
All the people in my life has at one time or another discourage me in pursuing a dream I hold most dear even Arthuria but in the eyes of this man he sees nothing wrong with my dream he exhibits no judgement nor bias only curiosity and wonder.
For minutes we just stood there, the empty field in the marine base only echoes the sound of silence we shared and much like as we begun this abrupt silence so to it ended with a cacophony of his and mine’s laughter.
So we laughed uncaring of who hears us for tonight we found joy, joy in a form we know not nor expected.
“Well that was nice, but I better be going now can’t let those marine guards of yours wake up and disturb their wonderful dreams.”
“Yeah, you better Emiya can’t have my personal bread shuttle getting caught now would we.”
“So I’m your bread shuttle now am i?”
“Well you bring food and water without me paying for it so yeah, my personal bread shuttle.”
“Well, fuck you asshole, acting all tough and shit, fine I’m going.”
“See you later Emiya.”
“Yeah you too.” Well isn’t that a surprise saying he’ll be seeing me later, that conversation didn’t go as planned about asking information about the intricacies of bounty hunting but oh well at least the thankless bastard isn’t so gungho in refusing my help anymore.
{[(I am a line break, I may not be essential to the plot of story but I do my job and I do it well.)]}
Going day to day getting stronger and practicing my mage craft and helping people. Well sometimes little things go a long way.
Like helping some fishermen fix their nets and boats, fixing broken houses, running errands, helping people to cook and there was that one time that I helped in hunting down bears in the forest nearby, those were good times and really nourishes my soul.
The highlight of my daily life really came with my daily visits with the future strongest swordsman.
After that night, I dunno how to describe but talking and making him cooperate became much easier.
It may not have borne any fruit for my planning for the future but it did however given something greater, especially the time I asked him for some tips about training
“You serious Emiya that’s all you do, you don’t use weights or anything?”
“No not really I would love to but where the hell do I even find some training weights?”
“There are boulders everywhere in the forest dumbass use them as your weights.”
“You’re shitting me right now, right. Boulders don’t work like that fucktard.”
“Yeah they do, I did those when I was 9 years old so no reason you can’t do it either.”
“Seriously…”
“Yup all you need is some rope tie it too a boulder hang it in a nearby tree and try lifting it.”
“Well might as well try I suppose.”
So try I did.
Waking up the next day however was a bitch and a half considering how sore my muscles were the only reason I was able to hold out and keep functioning was thanks to the help of Avalon healing my muscle tears and the fact that I used any reinforcement on my muscles to accelerate the healing concept in my cells.
It was not without reward though since using Roronoa-san’s training my muscle growth since going through it has been boosted exponentially, from muscle quality, mass, density and structure all got huge upgrade.
It would’ve even a thankful gift from the thankless asshole only that he decided to laugh at my beaten and worn out body as I dragged it to get his food.
A part of me indeed believe that I am sort of his bread-shuttle not considering how demanding he is recently being.
“I got no sake on me Roronoa”
“Don’t be a cheapskate Emiya I’ve been tied up here for more than 2 weaks now and just eating food is plain boring, come on man just a bottle.”
“For the last time no, god dammit it ruins the taste of food and it dehydrates you faster so no sake until you get untied.”
“Tsk, conscienceless cur.”
“Drop dead asshole”
10 days just ten more days and I’d be rid of this asshole when the time comes I’m gonna enjoy beating him up.
There was this one incident however last week that I am missing 3 whole days’ worth of memories which both Roronoa and I seem to have lost time for no reason at all which got me very cautious not knowing how it happened and knowing my luck it would not have been pretty.
Well one other thing that I got myself doing during the day is performing with my guitar on busy streets and the like or sometimes performing near the marine base to alleviate some of that guys boredom from being tied up.
The town in here lacks any form of modern entertainment and the like so no TV or internet or whatever, just children playing around and me going around performing songs they never heard before which maybe is a novelty for them considering the crowds I draw and the coins they provide me.
Well never thought I would enjoy playing music that’s for sure but ushering in the tone from striking the strings of a guitar to make a melody is something I find myself enamoured by and quite relaxing not to mention the joyful faces of my listeners as they hum along to the songs not knowing the lyrics.
I am not a good song writer in any sense it’s just that the guitar seems to know what kind of music I’m in the mood for and it kinda gives me the song I want to sing without me knowing how it happens.
Well a part of me doesn’t care that much it’s not like it will do anything destructive or whatever.
Speaking of performing I’m headed down to the port right now, being almost midday and I was done with my early morning workout and training along with my daily meals already hunted and waiting to be cooked with nothing better to do and no people to help might as well enjoy myself.
Now what song will the guitar and me be singing today.
I strummed the chords of the guitar and the words of the song came to me.
Words of adventure and treasure.
Words symbolising this world’s current era a world full of promise and dreams.
So I sang the words as I pour more of my emotions to it.
{WE ARE!-Mavilon acoustic cover}
Arittake no yume wo kakiatsume~ (Gathering up all of our dreams)~
Sagashimono wo sagashi ni yuku no sa~ (Going to search for our desires)~
One Piece~
Rashinban nante juutai no moto~ (Compasses only cause delays)~
Netsu ni ukasare kaji wo toru no sa~ (Filled with excitement, I take the helm)~
HOKORI kabutteta takara no chizu mo~ (If we can prove the dusty old treasure map,)~
Tashikameta no nara densetsu ja nai!~ (Then it's not a legend anymore!)~
Kojinteki na arashi wa dareka no~ (It's alright if our personal problems)~
BAIORIZUMU nokkatte~ (Get on someone else's nerves)~
Omoisugoseba ii!~ (Because we think about them too much)~
Arittake no yume wo kakiatsume~ (Gathering up all of our dreams)~
Sagashimono wo sagashi ni yuku no sa~ (And going to search for our desires)~
POKETTO no KOIN, soreto~ (A coin in the pocket, and)~
You wanna be my Friend?~
We are, We are on the cruise! WE ARE!~
Zembu ma ni ukete shinjichattemo~ (Even though I believe everything I'm told)~
Kata wo osarete ippo RIIDO sa~ (When my shoulders are shoved, I take a one-step lead)~
Kondo aeta nara hanasu tsumori sa~ (If we ever meet again, I'll tell you all about)~
Sorekara no koto to korekara no koto~ (What I've been doing and where I'm headed next)~
Tsumari itsumo PINCHI wa dareka ni~ (So being in a pinch is always)~
APIIRU dekiru ii CHANSU~ (A good chance to appeal to someone)~
Jiishiki kajou ni!~ (With excess self-consciousness!)~
Shimittareta yoru wo buttobase!~ (Full speed through the stingy night!)~
Takarabako ni KYOUMI wa nai kedo~ (I'm not interested in treasure anyway)~
POKETTO ni ROMAN, soreto~ (A romance in the pocket, and)~
You wanna be my Friend?~
We are, We Are on the cruise! WE ARE!~
Arittake no yume wo kakiatsume~ (Gathering up all of our dreams)~
Sagashimono wo sagashi ni yuku no sa~ (And going to search for our desires)~
POKETTO no KOIN, soreto~ (A coin in the pocket, and)~
You wanna be my Friend?~
We are, We are on the cruise! WE ARE!~
WE ARE! WE ARE!~
{[(I am a line break, I may not be essential to the plot of story but I do my job and I do it well. )]}
~POV change Luffy and Coby~
“Luffy-san are you really sure you want to recruit Roronoa Zoro.”
“Yup you said he’s strong right, I need strong guys on my crew if someone’s gonna be my first nakama it should be someone whose strong.”
“Well he is strong but people say he’s a demon in human skin, it’s impossible to recruit him”
The man wearing a straw hat stopped walking and look around him as if searching for the direction he is to go to.
“What’s the matter Luffy-san? Did you change your mind about recruiting Roronoa Zoro.”
“Ne, Coby do you hear something?”
“Huh…” the little kid with pink hair wearing a white shirt looked at his companion in confusion and tried hearing what his companion seems to be hearing. Try as he might it seems as though there seems nothing amiss in their immediate surroundings. “… Not really Luffy-san maybe it was just your imagination”
The man with the straw hat grabbed his companions arms and started dragging him onto the direction he chose to go
“What’s wrong Luffy-san? Where are we going?”
“Were going to where the sound is coming from.”
“What sound Luffy-san I don’t hear…” as the pink haired boy was being dragged by his companion unknown to him where they were going he wanted to complain but his complaints died in his throat as he hears the steady rhythm of someone strumming the guitar and figuring out that it was the sound his companion was hearing and as he is getting dragged closer and closer to its source the sound of music became clearer and clearer then they stopped as what lies in front of them was a small crowd comprised mostly of children and in the midst of it all is a young man the same age as the man wearing a straw hat strumming a guitar as he sang a song full of life and excitement.
The both of them were now silently walking towards the source of the music careful in their steps lest they disturb the performance and they too joined the crowed in admiring the performer and humming along with the song and as they got more comfortable with the song they too chimed in with the lyrics of the chorus, the straw hat wearing man would even be energetic as he chanted in with the end of every chorus in an almost shouting way as he uttered “WE are!”
As the song ended and the crowd dissipated but the two young man stayed standing until the last of the adoring crowd was gone the pink haired one glancing nervously towards his companion then towards the performer then back to his companion who was staring unblinkingly towards said performer where in the performer returned the said stare towards his companion, hence his nervousness.
After a few minutes of the epic stare down the man with the straw hat took slow steps towards the performer and staring at him eye-to-eye.
“JOIN MY CREW”
{[(I am a line break, I may not be essential to the plot of story but I do my job and I do it well. )]}
Well that was a performance I find myself lost into the music itself which never happened before.
It was an experience for me pouring all my emotion and self into it not minding my surroundings a bit.
Considering I just came from a war of epic proportions the month of time off in this island may have dulled my senses by a bit because for one, since for the first time in my arrival in this world I detected signs of magecraft and I did not notice it till it is a few meters from me.
I was able to detect it like I usually do with my sense of smell but it was weird as hell unlike that of a human magus like Rin, Illya or that damn fake priest Kotomine this smell is more attuned to a curse and nature. The smell of rubber sap left to dry in the summer sun bright and bouncy mixed with the smell off wild animals and the forest.
The anomaly just stared at me after my performance while in my head I was silently praying that this one is non-hostile and that if it is not I wished it might have a shred of humanity in it to not attack while we were in a densely populated area.
The staring contest between as was getting too long to be considered normal and getting quite uncomfortable if I say so myself which was reflected by the anxious glances of the unidentified being’s companion as to how he nervously glanced towards both of us.
The man with the straw hat was now walking towards me which I have to say I was quite thankful towards that he let any bystander walk out without much fuss while I was still confused why he was heading towards me as I know for a fact that I don’t know him and kept my Od in check as to avoid detection from fellow magus so there is little chance he identified me as a mage and in the eventuality that he did I was already preparing myself for a confrontation but the next words he uttered caught me completely off guard.
“JOIN MY CREW” the unknown magical being shouted in proclamation which I dignified with an appropriate answer.
“HUhhh…???” confused with the sudden declaration.
“I said join my crew I need a musician.” Which earned him a head bonk from his shorter companion
“Luffy-san you shouldn’t be dragging innocent people with you.”
“Coby you heard him sing and play the guitar it was so cooool. It went like like kraannnggg then Trinnggg Then fast then slow then it goes WE Are at the end it was amazing”
“Well I admit I was really amazing but you just can’t Luffy-san.”
“Why not Coby he’s so sooo good.”
Well this is not what I expected he came to me, I expected it to be a fight or something but the magical being called Luffy was just a person admiring music and wanted to hire me as a musician for his crew going by their conversation, well I’m just glad this did not turn violent.
“He’s just an innocent street performer making a living Luffy-san we shouldn’t disturb honest to goodness hard working people with dangerous things and you just said that you need people who are strong and he looks scrawny and weak he won’t survive in the seas for long” did the freakin munchkin with pink hair just diss me and said I was weak where I could barely see him without literally looking down on him
“But Coby all pirates love to sing.” A single word in that statement caused me to put up my lowered guard towards the newly met Luffy and Coby respectively.
“Wait a minute are you telling me that both of you are pirates?”
They both turned to look at me at the same time and said
“Nope/NO!”
Whew.. well that’s a relief, looking at them again maybe I jumped the gun there thinking they were untoward people just because I detected magecraft from the one called Luffy. Yeah considering how young they seem to be it is highly unlikely that they are pirates.
“Nah little Coby here is gonna be a marine so we came here to sign him up and me I’m a pirate looking for people to join my crew, neh… could you be our musician being a pirate is cool” there goes that train of thought out the window and straight to oblivion.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
This kid, a pirate at such an age what crew would want a kid like him, I know, I know its hypocritical coming from me considering we both look like were the same age but still it’s the principle of the matter that I’m trying to be a hero.
Well maybe he’s just being taken advantage of, considering the traces of prana he is exhibiting maybe those people in his crew is just using him for his power
“Luffy-san please don’t involve him anymore than you just did, you admitted that you’re a pirate to him he might call the marines.”
“He obviously wouldn’t do that Coby.” He looked at his companion with a confused expression.
“And why not Luffy-san?”
“He’s gonna be my crewmate so he’s not gonna call the marines on us.” Huh, the way he spoke make it seem that I don’t even have a choice in the matter, maybe its time for me to voice my own opinion in the matter.
“Ano… I don’t wanna be a pirate. Luffy-san, was it thank you for the offer but I don’t wanna join you’re crew.”
“Ehhhhh…. Why not being a pirate is the coolest you get to go on adventures and find treasure and get to eat all the meat.” He looked at me as if I was the biggest idiot in the world and he makes it seem that I was lacking basic common sense.
How do I explain it to this person and convince me to stop bothering me with this asinine offer, this person who seem to be too bouncy and energetic for his own good, a person who while we were talking seem far to innocent and optimistic about everything in the world.
“I don’t like being a pirate because being a pirate means you have to hurt innocent people.”
“Ehhh, but that’s not how being a pirate works, being a pirate is about being free and adventuring towards your dreams and I also don’t want to hurt innocent people.”
Hahhh… called it this person has a far too optimistic view of pirates but hearing it from him it seems that for him at least being a pirate is all about freedom, dreams and adventure, if only if it were that easy they wouldn’t be called pirates in the first place but adventurers instead.
“Well, what if your captain decides to hurt them then you have no choice but to follow his orders or mutiny which then means that your force to hurt your own crewmates.” He looked at me with understanding
“Well there’s no problem then cause I’m the captain anyway.” Huuuuhhhh this person who is the same age as me is already a captain of his own pirate crew.
How fearsome this world is that even 17 year old teens could become captains, considering these seas most famous “bounty hunter” (I characterized him with utmost disgust that that guy even qualified as such considering there’s no actual hunting process in his approach to finding pirates) is merely 19 years also maybe it’s only normal.
LKE HELL I’m GONNA BELIEVE THAT SHIT
“WHAT… you’re the captain of your crew?”
“Yup it’s me.”
“You’ve gotta be shittin me who in the right mind would follow a kid.”
“Shishishi… you’re the same age as me so why ya complaining.”
“Well how many are there in your crew?”
“well it’s just me for now and after you say yes and I invite that Roronoa guy its gonna be three Shishishi” he explained to me with a helpful visual aid of counting his fingers as if unsure if it was even right but there was something in what he said that caught my interest.
“Wait youre gonna recruit Roronoa Zora the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro?”
“Ohhhh… you know him. Coby it seems I’m really lucky I already found two members for my crew and they know each other?”
“Let me get this straight. You…” pointing at him “a pirate accompanied by an aspiring marine…” pointing at his short pink haired companion “went here to recruit a bounty hunter?”
“Yup that’s it.” He puffed up his chest with a great sense of pride and accomplishment I know not where he found.
I gave a big sigh in defeat as I was coming to the terms with the situation that I once again was talking to a deeply unreasonable person.
“Just saying your twisted situation makes me feel that there’s a punchline or a bar joke in there somewhere.”
“Shishishi…You’re a funny guy so wanna join my crew.”
“Nope, for the last time I don’t want to be a pirate.”
“Awwww… come on pretty please I’ll even let you get a bite of my meat” I blanched at what the idiot said as he smiled innocently at me unaware or maybe uncaring of the insinuation of his words.
“Come on Luffy-san he said he doesn’t want too.”
“But Coby I want a musician and I want it now.”
“Well we can always come back and search for him after we find Roronoa Zoro so there is really no hurry Luffy-san”
“But what if he gets away”
“It’s a small town Luffy-san so I’m sure we’ll meet him again before leaving and we can just ask around town on where he live so come on Luffy-san” the pink haired boy dragged the one called Luffy away from me walking towards the marine base and even as they turned around the corner I can still see Luffy not moving his gaze towards me and the weirdest thing is as they were about to get out of my range of vision I could’ve swore his neck stretched for a bit as he tried his hardest to get one last look at me.
Nah that didn’t happen, must be my imagination caused by the stress of suddenly being invited to a pirate crew.
Talking to the person named Luffy was a weird experience for me not just because he exuded certain levels of prana or maybe it was precisely because of it that it was weird.
Normally I would’ve been more guarded, more vigilant towards him considering I don’t know what to expect from some unknown person with connection to this worlds type of magic, but whilst talking to him I can’t help but feel relaxed and open to him ready to believe every word he said and during our exchange I was constantly checking whether I was under any influence from magecraft or anything untoward but even then I found nothing out of place.
With all his naïve end energetic exuberance I felt myself being dragged to his pace and even knowing it I couldn’t help myself but to be drawn. With any other person I would’ve attempted to gather more information to help me combat any threat that may arise but while being in his presence made it to be the last thing on my mind.
Hmm well going on about how he wanted to recruit the thankless bastard to his crew would be a challenge for him. I hope he doesn’t bother me if shit goes sideways cause I ain’t helping him convince someone to be a pirate.
I wish he won’t cause trouble for him only a week and three days left till the deal is done without anyone getting hurt but a part of me sceptical about the deal in the first place if they would really keep their word and risk getting this sea’s well known “bounty hunter” on their bad side.
Maybe that’s why I was training my hardest for the past weeks preparing myself when thing get from bad to worse and my gut is telling me that the arrival of an unknown piece on the already complicated situation is no coincidence because my luck will fuck me over sideways given any and all opportunity.
Realizing that thing may take the turn for the worse in the coming days with an unknown magical being intent on making me a musician for his crew I walk over to my cave/home to check if I have everything ready if ever my fears will come to pass.
After checking and double checking that everything was battle ready and prepared to satisfy my paranoia I walked out of the cave and towards Ririka-san’s bar to check them out, something that I had the habit of doing daily considering that they were threatened by the marines to make sure that they were okay.
When I arrived however I saw a mess of broken chairs and a table with Ririka-san comforting Rika.
“what happened here Ririka-san?”
“Shirou-san this is…”
Ririka-san explained what happened saying a man in red wearing a straw hat with a pink haired boy out the one known as Helmeppo after admitting that they won’t keep their promise and execute Roronoa-san tomorrow and the duo went to the marine base to rescue him and after the explanation I went to the kitchen and making sure no one is watching I summoned the coffin.
“Grave Rise”
I detached the weapon carrier and started running towards the marine base unconcerned about the looks of the people around me towards the coffin I was carrying.
“I knew it, I fucking knew it.”
Damn those marine bastards.
Tsk, what’s more the bastard in the straw hat just up and decided to storm a marine base.
Sure its not guarded that well or at all for that matter but he shouldn’t just walk in there all willy nilly to rescue a hostage they might just kill him in the first sign of resistance.
Damn it all he should’ve waited for night fall at the very least.
So I ran and ran as fast as I could with reinforcement aiding me and as I neared the marine base I jumped over onto the top of the marine bases fence and greeted by a sight I didn’t want to see.
There in the grounds of the marine base was my crucified dare I say friend for the last 3 weeks being helped by the small pink haired boy out of his bindings while marine scum forms a firing line ready to shoot him dead and in my mind during that time I beg that I be fast enough to stop what is about to happen.
To no avail I heard and saw a chorus of fired marine rifles at the command of an impossibly large man with an axe attachment as a hand.
Late I was too late and powerless yet again to save someone.
What happened next was something I was thankful for and equally baffled by the straw hat wearing person jump in front of the bullets rather than pierce him the bullets bounced of his skin like rubber.
Going by everybody’s reaction I guess that’s not normal here even in this world.
I strengthened my hearing with reinforcement to hear what’s going on in there considering my distance from here where I was sitting on top of the fence while trying to be as inconspicuous as possible ready to intervene if things get dicey.
The explanation about devil fruits a fruit capable of granting inhuman abilities to those who ate them and the straw-hat wearing man being as one of them explaining the trace levels of prana I was able to detect from him.
Oh so that’s what his reason for being a pirate is.
Finding one piece and becoming the pirate king as dreams go I think his is probably the hardest to achieve for this era is not called the great pirate age for nothing, to truly accomplish it he has no choice but to stand atop all not only amongst pirates but also fight the marines and all the strongest this world can offer.
I continue to observe them and the situation I don’t know which is more alarming for me the fact that the thankless bastard and the rubber idiot are talking like they’re in their own backyard without a care in the world or that the marines are just standing there gobsmacked by the revelation that the strawhat wearing abomination ate a devil fruit and let him talk to the three sword wielding bastard without doing anything.
For goodness sake if you’re gonna talk shop could you at least untie the man first.
So much so for the situational awareness of one who seeks to be the king of pirates.
With a snap the spell of calm was broken with the command of the marine captain as his subordinates rushed towards the trio with swords drawn.
“Grave Alter” I whispered towards the coffin I was carrying and brandished the two bayoneted handguns as I take aim towards the rushing marines but before I could make my move the green haired asshole was unleashed from his binding and in a flash unsheathed his three blades and blocked all the swords coming for the head of the strawhat wearing pirate which I admit was somewhat cool.
As I laid eyes on the three blades however instinctively grasping their make and history caused me a bit of tunnel vision towards the third that he hel in his mouth.
The two katana’s he held with his arms were common run off the mill swords but the third was something special. Something comparable to swords of legends before their legends were ever told. A sword whose quality was considered one of a kind in its make a physical noble phantasm without a legend attach to it. It was confusing to say the least a sword that is not a noble phantasm but has the capacity to become one. It does not have the bloodlust or the killing curse of Gaebolg or the glory and prayer of salvation of Excalibur nor the betrayal and in Rule Breaker or even the inseparability of Kanshou and Bakuya what it has is something different not a legend or a representation but a will, NO not a will perse but a promise a promise of two friends as I delve deeper into the sword’s memories two names came up.
Kuina and Zoro.
Kuina the wielder of Wado Ichimonji before Zoro her best friend and the one from which the promise came to being inscribed to the very core of this sword a wish and a dream.
The wolds greatest swordsman.
As the thankless bastard stated his stipulation towards his new captain that if ever he stands in the way of his dreams then he will cut him down I find a smile tugging on my lips as the straw hat captain accepted it with no compunction and hesitation, maybe just maybe those two won’t be as bloodthirsty as other pirates at least Roronoa-san is considering his honor won’t allow harm without sufficient reason.
Well maybe that’s just me being bias towards someone I recognize as a kin.
I continue to watch on the events as they unfold before me as they battle the marines and the weird way that the man in the straw hat named Luffy fights taking advantage of his unique physical attributes.
Considering my analysis of what he is I would say he is closer to what my world called elementals or physical incarnation of the said element much like my status as a sword incarnate where both my element and origin are completely the same maybe the devil fruit as they call it changes those aspects of the person and ties them to the prana in nature meaning as long as they are connected to the worlds prana they can use their abilities without exhaustion unlike me who first should absorb the parana around me and convert them to Od to use my abilities.
I watched on as the rubber-man clobbered the axe captain and it really goes to show how physically superior the warriors in this world are compared to mine as even though he is losing the axe captain can crack the earth with a swing of his quite literal axe-hand.
Too bad though as even though I hoped to keep to myself and just be a passing spectator I was forced to intervene as a hostage situation unfolds before me.
I took aim with the altered Kanshou and fired.
Bang!
And with that I showed myself as the crowd in the marine base as they turned towards me as I shot the pistol out of the idiot captains son’s hand.
“Oh it’s the guitar-guy shishishi. Did you change your mind and decide to be my nakama.”
“Nakama, oy Emiya are you in this idiot Captains crew.”
“Coby it’s the guitar guy he and Zoro know each other shishishi my crew is getting bigger.”
I raised my lowered Kanshou and aimed the nuzzle towards their direction which promptly shut them up then I unloaded the remaining ammo of Kanshou
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
One for each kneecaps one for each shoulder blade a one towards the elbow of the hand with the axe attachment and the towering Marine captain fell down.
“Jeez you guys should have better awareness of your surrounding or better yet finish your opponent before engaging in goddamn chit chat in enemy territory.”
“TsK, Emiya I could’ve handled that no need for you flexing your shit all over the place.”
“Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve doesn’t matter Roronoa the fact of the matter is I’m the one who did it the least you could do is thank me.”
“Always the praise monger huh Emiya you really never change”
“As do you Roronoa a thankless bastard as always.”
“Conscienceless cur”
“Violent Ingrate”
“Funny Guys”
“STAY OUT OF THIS” we both reprimanded the interloper between our argument.
“So Emiya are you really in this guy’s crew?”
“Yup/NO”
“Eh why not guitar-guy being a pirate is cool.”
“I already said no, but thank you for the offer nonetheless. I know you’re a good person but I never pictured myself being a pirate and all so I’m very sorry.”
“So let me get this straight captain you want to recruit Emiya here to be part of your crew.”
“Yup too bad he doesn’t wanna cause he’s really good with singing and making music with his guitar.”
“So you gonna give up captain?”
“Course not were not leavin the island till I have my musician.”
“EHHHH… but I already said I don’t want to.”
“Don’t care.”
Before I could give my rebuttal I was forced to dodge a slash from a katana coming from my peripheral vision.
“Oy what the heck is your problem.”
“Well remember what I said when we first met.”
“Huh, what are you on about did the sun fry what little brain you had left?”
“So you don’t remember after all, well let me remind you” as he drew another katana from its sheath “if I remember correctly I said that one once I get out of that stupid wooden post I’ll make every inch of you beg for death, any of that ring any bells.”
“Well, you may have mentioned it once or twice but can you at least wait till I’m done talking and get my rejection through that thick rubbery skull of your captain first”
“ZORO don’t kill our new musician.”
“Don’t worry captain he aint gonna die, hes just gonna wish he was.”
“Okay carry on then.”
“That’s it, don’t I get any say in this.”
“Afraid you won’t Emiya I’m just gonna beat you up and force you to join us.”
“And why the fuck would I join you if you’re gonna beat me up to do it?” I grumbled as I dodge another slash from the green haired mad-man
“Better question is why not Emiya?”
“What do you mean why not Roronoa?”
“Well considering what you just did to that poor marine captain over there turning him too Swiss cheese then in one way or the other you’re a criminal like us.”
“But that’s not the point Roronoa” as I dodge one of his swings once more
“Then what is the point then Emiya?”
Good question, a question I find myself asking why did I reject the offer on becoming a pirate with them. On top of my head I would’ve said that piracy is wrong it is despicable and it involves harming the innocent for personal gain, but such reasons are shallow at best.
Thinking back with my interactions with Roronoa and the pirate known as Luffy I could honestly say that they are both good people.
So why, why was I so against in serving as a pirate with them as they are both clearly kind hearted individuals and considering the things I have seen the pirates have done much more good for this island than the marines ever did and the reason eludes me much like me eluding the green haired bastard’s assault.
Thinking about it logically Roronoa is right I’m already a criminal considering I a civilian attacked a marine officer, going by that train of thought I will most likely be on the run from here on out and their offer to join them is the best choice I have as I was not familiar with this world as I like to be.
WHY?
WHY?
Just WHY?
While I was dodging the green haired swordsman’s half-hearted assault towards me I keep asking myself over and over, again and again till the answer came to me.
The answer was unexpected and hilariously unprecedented that even though I was being attacked I can’t help but let out a chuckle.
A low growling chuckle that was aparrently heard by my attacker as he stop trying to discombobulate me.
When we both stopped in our tracks from my unexpected reaction that little mirthful chuckle got louder and louder that it went to a full blown roaring laughter that the whole field was being encompassed by.
As I rein myself in from the hysterical fit of loosened emotion I had I announced
“Grave Dance”
I returned the altered Kanshou to its proper holster and took out my most favoured weapons the married falchion blades Kanshou and Bakuya and for the first time since our battle I rushed towards my opponent and executed a cross slash which he promptly blocked.
“Oh finally taking this seriously huh Emiya.”
“It’s Shirou.”
“Huh , what did you say?”
“I said, You should call me Shirou, Zoro”
“Oh and why is that?”
“Emiya is my father and I would rather you call me Shirou to avoid confusion as I am my own man.”
“Why does it matter how I call you anyway?”
“Hehehehe.. it’s because it’s the point Zoro.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were asking me what is my point in not joining you and the point is because I’m Shirou.”
“Ehhh.. You’re not making any sense Emi… Shirou.”
“HAHAHAHAHA… you’re right it doesn’t make any fucking sense why I’d join you” I look straight towards Zorro then to his captain Luffy then I let out an Archer like smirk “both of you should join me instead.”
The gobsmacked expression of everybody in the field from Zoro to the pink haired boy named Coby was hilarious but none could compare to the intensity of the effect of my declaration caused the Strawhat rubber person named Luffy as my statement wiped the ever present grin on his face and changed it to a scowl.
But really this world is really insane and its insanity may have affected me a bit a month ago such words would’ve never come out of my mouth but my recent revelation about myself makes such utterance a mere par of course.
The reason for my reluctance in joining them can be summed up in one word.
PRIDE
I had pride something I never imagine myself having and in the instant I realized it i couldn’t help myself but laugh at how in the 10 years of existence finally obtained something so basically human.
I did not have pride on my skills as a magus for I still know I am only third-rate at best and a toddler compared to the likes of Zeltrech, Illya-nee, Caster and Rin.
I did not have pride on my skill as a swordsman for I still know that I am no match in technique and power compared to Saber and Zoro.
But what I do have pride in is that I am Shirou.
Shirou the survivor who lived through the hells of the Fourth Holy Grail War and emerged as the victor of the Fifth.
Shirou the son of the magus killer feared by magi and dead apostles alike throughout the moonlit world.
Shirou the sheath and lover of the mighty King of Knights whose promise drives a dream reaching the holy Land of Avalon.
The person Arthuria loves and to this day is still waiting for the dreams continuation.
What right then do they have to command my blades.
They maybe good people respectable even but even then for me to take up their cause as my own is not enough.
“Shishishi.. sorry Shirou but ” he stepped between me and Zoro and looked directly at me “I can’t join you there’s only one room for a captain on a pirate ship and that’s me but I still want you to join my crew and be my nakama.”
“I can still join you if you want but know this I don’t serve you. I may call you the captain of the ship but not the captain of Shirou Emiya. If your decision in one way or another goes against my morals and code I not only will refuse to obey but I will cut of your head from its perch called your neck and until you’ve proven yourself to me as someone worthy of my service then I will follow my own ambition to be a Hero, do we have an accord Captain.”
“Shishsihi.. so the same deal as Zoro then. All right I got no worries. So a Hero huh I like heroes as long as you don’t share my meat I’m fine with it”
“I’m Shirou by the way, names Shirou Emiya.”
“Ohh. I’m Monkey D. Luffy future Pirate King.”
“Glad to make your acquaintance and looking forward to working with you, hope you don’t disappoint Luffy.”
“Glad to have you on board Shirou. Coby I got another nakama. woohoooo”
“Now that’s over and done with can we get back to the fight now Shirou.”
“I thought we were just fighting to recruit me.”
“Whatever gave you that idea, it maybe one of the reasons but the most important being is that I’m a man of my word and when I said that I’ll make you beg for death I mean it, but considering you’re a crewmate now I’ll settle with half dead.”
The violent bastard unsheathed Wado Ichimonji and gripped it with his mouth after which he tied his bandana on his head giving him a more menacing look.
“Consider this the welcoming ceremony for you officially joining the crew, hope your still in one piece after this”
He went on the attack towards me and considering I was able to dodge all his previous attacks I was surprised that the only option I had was to block showing that the performance from before was not really him giving his all.
I reinforced my body to the limit just to keep up with the assholes continuous assault while I on the other hand did not take things just lying down as I blocked and countered his strikes with archers sword technique while blocking debilitating sword swings with the coffin.
Duelling him like this with no distraction made me realize the ferocity of his self-created three sword style, from the sharpness of his swing, the impossible angles he executed his attack but most of all the crushing power and force he uses in every strike.
I wouldn’t have last longer than two clashes without the use of reinforcement and archers suicidal style even with the month long training I had.
“Draw-and-Counter”
“What?”
“Your sword style it’s a variation of Draw-and-Counter taken to the very extreme limits to the point that you leave your vitals open as a trap and counter it when your opponent inevitably falls for it.”
“Yeah what of it even if you know it doesn’t mean you’re gonna make any headway in attacking me anyway.”
“Yup that’s some vile tricky shit you got there Shirou, it messes with a swordsman honed battle instinct in a middle of a high speed high pressure fight where you exploit every opening given but I gotta give it to you pulling those shit of where dying is a very real thing proves you have at the very least balls in comparison to your shitty swordsmanship”
“Oy I already told you I’m no swordsman.”
“Like I told you it doesn’t matter to me as long as you’re strong and wield a sword you’re a swords man a tricky swordsman but a swordsman nonetheless.”
“Wow really that so, that’s surprising anyone who saw me pull this out would say it’s a stupid and suicidal style.”
“Stupid yes but it fucking works so it ain’t. It’s just look stupid cause you haven’t perfected it yet, and suicidal its only suicidal if your weak enough to die in using that style. People use to tell me that using my mouth to grip a sword is stupid but it still fucking works.”
“You know I did want to ask about that, is putting that sword in your mouth really effective or just another one of your fetishes.”
“Fuck you Shirou.”
“No,no,no you misunderstand I have no objection with you putting swords in your mouth I’m just asking for professional curiosity, if were gonna be on the same ship then I at least need to know the dangers I’m facing especially towards my chastity.”
“That does it you Goddamn bastard I’m so enjoying killing you” that riled him up rather fast as Saber once said anger when not channelled properly is a distraction and distraction causes mistakes so why not infuriate him further.
“Just saying since we first met I’ve been wondering which team you were playing for considering the freaky shit you were into like being tied up for a month just waiting for a guy who can stretch any part of his anatomy to come rescue you.”
“Shut up Shirou and just stand there and take your mother fucking beating and after that I’m gonna shove my swords so far up your ass that it cuts your goddamn tongue.”
I smirked towards what he said and seemingly realizing what he said he went from angry red to a combination of burning lava read in fury switching to vermillion the color of carnal shame.
Yup Saber was right anger does leads to mistakes just not the one I hope it would but this will do
“Oh I’m flattered you think of me that way, but to think that you were not only an M but an S as well, I wish you luck in finding happiness but I can’t accept your feelings”
“You bastard I’m a straight heterosexual male.”
“I understand you’re as straight as a katana.”
“Yeah I’m as straight as a ka…” he then looked at the sword he was holding the trailed down from the guard to the blade then as if just noticing for the first time how it curves towards the tip then glared at me and took up what looks like a pouncing stance.
“SANTORYUU: ONIGIRI”
{[(I am a line break, I may not be essential to the plot of story but I do my job and I do it well. )]}
So here we are facing of a three sword wielding demon’s strongest technique. With only a month of stay here in this world.
Yeah maybe some of this is my fault, shouldn’t have pissed the swordsman too much, but I admit channelling the smug bastard Archer’s attitude is quite fun.
Well maybe it’s not so much as channelling him that I am merely learning to enjoy it he was or will might be me after all.
After I threw Kanshou and Bakuya towards him which he unceremoniously blocked I went to the next step of my technique.
“Grave Alter ”
I unholstered both Kanshou and Bakuya Alter and fired all twelve bullets towards him taking caution not to hit any vital organs that maybe unnecessary for the spinning blades in his hand just blocked which is of no consequence as the bullets were merely used to prevent him from escaping the next part.
While doing that I detached both of Rider’s chainail-dagger’s from the coffin and threw it at him to block his vision of me then using his impeded sight I followed it up with the chain nails to bind his feet leaving no room for escape.
As he blocked the coffin and me readying the next step of the assault I raised both the altered Kanshou and Bakuya up for an overhead slash using the bladed parts to bisect him and being surprised after seeing me he tried to dodge only to find his feet bounded and causing him to fall off balance but props to his strength and skill even after all those preaparation and disadvantages he still managed to block my strike with the Altered Kanshou and Bakuya and disarm me and with that opening he had already had Wado Ichhimonji poised to slice my neck.
With that the field was silent as I unleashed the technique I’ve been practicing for the past month since I found the different array of weapons the Old Troll left me.
A technique that my future self used, using the attraction properties of Kanshou and Bakuya which I repurpose for my own use considering the weapons I have a technique that leaves an opponent with no opportunity or angle to dodge or block.
My very own execution of Crane Wing Three Realms
So there we stood stewing in palpable silence as he had Wado centimetres from my neck ready to draw blood as he was grinning like a mad man.
“You’re one tricky bastard aren’t you Shirou?”
“Yeah Shirou that was dangerous you almost killed Zoro.”
The Rubber brained Captain said as he spoke behind Zoro holding both Kanshou and Bakuya by the handles before they could pierce my current crewmates head and heart respectively.
Glad I told the idiot captain to watch us carefully as the one who has a third person point of view on the battlefield he would have been able to see that Kanshou and Bakuya were returning to me like boomerangs.
Even as Gun-Blades they were still Kanshou and Bakuya so even the original are still attracted to them which I was glad to find out during my training this past month by the time I went for the overhead slash they were already prepared to behead Roronoa from behind.
All in all I was glad at the result of using this technique for my first real battle and I was able to execute it perfectly.
Throwing Kanshou and Bakuya as a surprise attack and distraction.
Using The altered bayoneted pistols to disrupt the enemy and herd him to the position I wanted to.
Throwing the coffin to block my opponents vision.
Using the Chainail-daggers to bind the legs to prevent escape.
And lastly to time everything just rightly so the overhead slash and the returning Falchion blades reach simultaneously.
The attack I developed when executed perfectly leaves no room to dodge or block a surekill setup but something about the actions of my crewmate baffles me.
“Oy Zoro why didn’t you turn around and blocked the incoming blades, unlike the blades in my hand at that time I can still control them and stop from seriously injuring you but you chose to block me instead of the blades coming from behind with no hands holding them.”
He sheathed all his three blades while I was walking towards the Altered Kanshou and Bakuya that were thrown when I was disarmed and Luffy was playing around with Kanshou and Bakuya with sparkling eyes mumbling how cool they were
For a swordsman of his calibre he would’ve felt they were coming though that would not change the result considering we would be somewhat be working together from now on I would like to know his thought process.
“Hmmm… you really are not a swordsman yet if you even need to ask that question Shirou.”
“What do you mean?”
“A true Swordman never turns his back on his opponent even it will result to certain death and besides its all good I didn’t die after all.”
That was cool, badass even what could I say in response to such declarations and it is with glee that I found the proper way to respond to him.
“Are you really that uncomfortable with your own sexuality that you’re afraid that someone shoving a sword through your backside would awaken something in you, as your new crewmate I swear to my non-existent honor that no one would ever succeed in giving you a surprise butt-fuck.”
The rage coming off from him was so great and menacing that I swear they took on a physical manifestation of flames.
“You know I seriously regret not killing you right now” he said in a voice that almost sounded like a growl from a menacing beast.
“Well better luck next time I suppose.”
“Yeah next time you wouldn’t be so lucky.”
“Shirou, Shirou this thing looks so cool what is it.” The rubber brained captain asked me running towards us carrying the weapon coffin in his hands.
“It’s my weapon an unwanted gift given to me.”
“Wah that looks scary and creepy Shirou are you sure it’s not you who has some weird fetishes.”
“Drop dead Zoro if this thing is not as useful as it is I would’ve thrown it to the sea a long time ago.”
I opened up the coffins weapon compartments a put all the things I used in the fight back to their proper places with both my crew mates gawking at the novelty of my weapon carrier along with the pink haired munchkin whose existence I literally forgot until this moment. (AN: Sorry guys I forgot that Coby is there too)
If there is once complaint I have regarding my new weapons in comparison to tracing is the clean-up traced weapons may not be as powerful as these but I can just dismiss them from existence once in was through using them.
“Damn this is one scary shit you got here Shirou are you really sure this is not some kind of weird fetish of yours cause I don’t want to be walking in on you doing some creepy shit on a mutilated corpse of our enemies when we’re living on the same ship.” The smug swords man flashed a grin at me satisfied for a small respite from my teasing that he found and decided to counter attack.
Before I could rebut his statement I found my rebuttal stuck at my throat, can I really honestly say that I won’t be doing some “creepy shit” as he called it on a mutilated corpse considering that half of the things in the storage coffin is composed of mutilated inner organs from my own corpse if my thoughts about it are true. I have at least enough organs there to build half a dozen humans.
It seems my hesitation was caught on by two people however the little person named Coby and the paling Zoro who grabed my shirt collar and looked me in the eye.
“You’re not doing that right Shirou. I want you to look me in the eye and say there’s no way you would be doing that on our ship and that shit is just my imagination right Shirou Emiya.”
I look around hoping trying my hardest not to look him in the eye and to change the subject and my salvation came as I saw Luffy holding his stomach
“Luffy you said you were hungry right I know a bar that serves good food and I have to pick up-0 something there anyway.”
“Oh… That’s right Shirou lets eat come on Zoro, Coby the meat is waiting.” as he grabbed me with his elongated arms that I suppose I should start getting used to and proceed to get out of the marine base.
While being chased by the two who we left behind with Zoro shouting
“GET BACK HERE BASTARD AND TELL ME I’M WRONG”
{[(I am a line break, I may not be essential to the plot of story but I do my job and I do it well. )]}
After eating we sat there for our first planning session as a band of outlaws and pirates.
Thinking about it now seems quite unreal.
Me being a pirate was not something I think I ever thought I’d be doing when I woke up this morning.
Well three cheers for my craptastic luck for throwing my life in a curveball once in a while that I at least end up in a crew of semi-decent pirates albeit a bat-shit insane captain as he explained his plan in going to the Grandline that has the reputation of being a pirates graveyard just to get a chance to fulfil his dreams.
“So let me get this straight me and that tricky praise monger over there are the only current members of your crew and that little dingy over there that seems to be struggling just to stay afloat is our pirateship. So much for walking in on you doing creepy shit Shirou I think we don’t even have space to lie down there.”
“Don’t worry Zoro I really want to get us a big pirate ship that can carry all the meat we want.”
“How do you plan to do that then captain” I asked hoping against hope that there might even an ioata of a braincell left in my current captain’s head.
“Don’t know, do you have any ideas Shirou?”
“Well as long as we don’t involve or harm any innocent people I think I can manage with any plan but if your asking for my opinion how to get one, I think we can steal from other pirate crews but considering there are only three of us here we don’t have nearly enough to man a huge pirate ship, and the most important part is do both of you know how to sail a ship?”
“NO/Nope”
“Thought so, until we find a proper crew and navigator to sail a ship I suggest we hold off on that thought for the time being and concentrate on recruiting the essential people we need for a ship to function properly.”
“Yup Shirou is right we need to find capable people for a pirate crew and I’m telling you right now I maybe good in a fight but everything else while I was in my journey is me winging it. So what are the requirements of joining the crew Captain?”
“Dunno as long as they’re good guys and fun to be around I think it’s cool.”
I let out a drawn sigh for the nonchalance my current captain is treating the situation and going by the disturbed look my fellow crewmate has it was a sentiment shared by both of us.
To bring some braincells back to this discussion I opened my mouth to give my two cents about our situation.
“Well as far as I know the important positions to be filled in all pirate ships are these First-mate, Quartermaster, Sailing Master, Boatswain, Master Gunner, Head Cook, Shipwright and Doctor if were large enough we should also look into having Strikers, Riggers, Coopers, Powder-monkeys, Appraisers and Cabin boys. ”
“Oh your so smart Shirou I didn’t know there were so many jobs on a pirate ship, when I first set sail I only wanted 10 members for my crew but now I want one of each of those but you forgot one thing Shirou all pirate crew needs a musician well considering you’re here I think we don’t need one anymore.”
“I’m not a musician Luffy so sorry but if you want we can recruit one.”
“Ehh but you’re so good at playing the guitar Shirou why not become our musician.”
“I’m not that good Luffy and I only know how to play the guitar Luffy a true musician should have a deeper knowledge for music not just going by whatever emotions I have and play it a musician should have knowledge of a wide array of instruments not just one and shouldn’t the pirate king have the best musician there is so sorry Luffy but I’m not good enough to be a musician but thank you for the offer nonetheless.”
“You sure, too bad then maybe we could find another one but till we find one you wouldn’t mind doing it for a little while.”
“Sure,sure, whatever you say captain.”
Whew that was close, I’m just thankful I convinced him so that I won’t be this rubber idiots personal jukebox however long I have to stay on his ship.
“I have a question Shirou-san, why are these positions important in the first place?” which was asked by Coby.
“Yeah Shirou why do we even need this people on a Pirate ship.”
“Oh Shirou I want to know too considering there will be less meat for me if there are a lot of people that will join.”
“Very well since we already have a captain I’ll skip that explanation.”
“Yup there’s only one captain of the ship and that’s me.”
“I get I all right let’s start with the First-mate he’s basically your right hand the acting captain when you’re not around your second in command so he is basically does your job when you’re not around and takes care of the crew when you can’t. The Quartermaster’s job is to discipline the crew and make sure that they are doing their job on the ship right it involves making sure the whole ship is able to work together and keep the morale up and make sure the whole crew is prepared for anything that might threaten the ship and the captain”
“Wow those two sounds so cool.”
“Of course they are aside from the captain those two positions are the one that holds the most power let’s put it this way the First-mate and the Quartermaster are the captains Right and left hand for everything he wants in the ship done.
Next we have the positions for the ship to sail properly.
First and foremost is the Sailing Master which is the head of the ships navigators, sea artists and helms officer his job is weather reading, map analysis, and everything related for the ship to reach the proper destination in the open seas where proper direction is lacking a skilled sailing master is needed lest we get lost at sea while running out of food and water.
Regarding Food and Water next we have the Head Cook who is in charge of the whole crew’s diet and food supplies so we don’t starve while sailing.
Next we have the Master Gunner who is in charge of all the ships cannons and firearms he is also the person in charge of the powder-monkeys that will join so basically if you want something to go boom talk to him.
A Boatswain is in charge of keeping the decks, masts, anchors, along with the ships riggings so basically he is the boss of all the riggers and also the ships landing boats.
The Shipwright is in charge of the ships carpenters and make sure the tub of wood were gonna stay at keeps floating meaning that he’s the one who fixes the ship and
The Doctor is there so if ever the crew does get sick then there is someone to help them rather than die.
So did you get all how important these people are in a pirate ship.”
My explanation was met by blank eyed stares and the Captain of our merry band of outlaws has literal smoke coming out of his ears proving once and for all to see that he indeed has a brain unfortunately his brain overheats easily like an overused E-rank magic circuit.
“*sigh*… to put it simply we need to fill these position with not just anyone but the best we can find because one screw up from this guys and we can call our seafaring days sayonara do I make myself clear.”
My declaration was met with a bunch of nodding heads while the green haired swordsman asks a question
“What about the other guys you want?”
“Well those positions are quite handy to have but not really essential as a pirate ship can function without them but talented ones are always appreciated.
Strikers are mostly there to help secure food when the crew is running low they are experts in identifying edible Flora and Fauna around the seas so having one lessens the possibility of starving to death in the seas but if we have an effective head cook who can ration food properly there is really no need for one.
Dedicated Riggers for any ship are good to lessen the time for orders in moving the ship if any emergencies arose like a sudden storm but if we have a great Sailing master it makes the position redundant.
Coopers are one who are in charge of storage barrels for food and water making sure they don’t spoil but if the Boatswain and Quartermaster are diligent in checking them then there will be no need.
Powder-monkeys and Cabin boys are more like chore help for any ship the powder-monkeys answer to the gunnery while the Cabin-boys answer under both the Boatswain and Quarter master and helping in the chores around the ship
So basically these positions are a welcome help to lighten the load off the others.
Lastly is the Appraiser which I doubt that we will ever have any chance of finding as they are the hardest positions to fill as their educational requirement is quite high all I know from history is that not even 1% of known pirate ships have them, they are basically scholars and learned people task in identifying and pricing any and all treasures found by the crew, Appraisers need extensive knowledge of history and the arts of archaeology for preserving and raising the value of any loot found so you can imagine that they are a hard find as why would anyone join a pirate ship if they already accomplished and learned.
That’s all I know about the people we need to have a proper functioning crew though what I know is based upon the history I know from where I came from other positions would be up for our captain if he wants to fill them but I have a feeling that a musician is on top of his priority list.”
“You got that right Shirou so we should find a musician as soon as possible.”
“Shirou in your opinion what position do you think we should fill first?”
“Well considering we are lacking of pretty much everyone I would suggest to find a capable Sailing master first then acquire a proper pirate ship.”
“Eh why not a musician Shirou?”
“Well if you really want to be seen as a proper pirate then you should have a proper pirate ship not a rundown dingy nobody would want to join a captain who can’t even procure a proper pirate ship and to sail that ship we need a Sailing master.”
“But I really want a musician.”
“Look at it this way if we don’t get a proper ship even if we have a musician he won’t have any place to play music on that tiny boat”
“Okay got it Shirou lets find that Sales thing first so we can get a good ship.”
Our little meeting however was interrupted by a group of marines barging in to Ririka-san’s place and considering the situation I was preparing myself to bust my way out with the least amount of bloodshed possible.
Fortunately my fears were unfounded as I just relegated myself to the background of the events that was unfolding which I find myself doing so quite often as since I arrived in this world.
I watched as mu current captain get punch for goading his friend to follow his dreams cementing once again in my mind that the Pirate and my current captain Monkey D. Luffy was not like the pirates I expected to find in this current era which earned some brownie points from me but if he wishes to earn my loyalty with just that then he would be sorely mistaken.
I followed them out as we were forced to leave due to our status as pirates showing me that indeed I am a pirate right now I was a wanted man by the standards of this world’s government and I was fine with it as long I am able to fulfil my dreams of being a hero.
“Yeah can you guys meet me back at the door I kinda have something to grab in Ririka-san’s kitchen.”
“Sure Shirou we will wait for you.”
“Just hurry up you bastard”
“Geez it’ll only take a minute you impatient brute.”
I walk towards the kitchen a went to the backdoor to take the storage part of the coffin I his camouflaged by an assortment of broken chairs and tables where I attached the Weapon and storage part making them whole and checking if there was anything wrong.
Besides the two red sigils rather than three it seems that nothing is amiss. I found after experimenting on the instant transport of the coffin in the month I was here that it takes a weak till the sigil restores itself which considering the ambient prana in the surrounding is a lot of prana.
A part of me was glad that the old troll made the whole coffin waterproof and buoyant enough to float on water as I fear that if the coffin sinks to the ocean I wouldn’t be able to recover it and it can function as a makeshift boat in case of emergencies.
Though in exchange I suppose I would be fulfilling that assholes preferred kind of entertainment which is me walking in a populated town carrying a creepy as hell coffin from now onh.
When I walked out of the door my two companions looked at the object I was carrying with mixed reaction one of absolute excitement with stars in his eyes the other shivered in disgust or more precisely he was creeped out.
“You’ve gotta be shittin me it was not enough for you carry that creepy ass coffin lid you just had to complete the ensemble didn’t you.”
Can’t argue with that one though when both the weapon coffin and the storage coffin were attached to each other the weapon coffins eyes starts glowing signifying it started to gather prana.
“Let’s just go already I’m too embarrassed carrying this thing around and you shouting at me is gathering more attention.”
“If you don’t want people staring then dump that creepy ass shit why dontcha.”
“I would if I could but this thing is just too useful ”
“How the hell is a coffin useful I get the lid part it’s a great weapon carrier and a sturdy shield but why the rest of the coffin”
“Well it carries around my stuff and belongings.”
“If you want to carry your things just use a bag or a suitcase or a crate or a sack would be better than a freaking coffin.”
“Well some of my stuff needs a coffin to carry it hence the coffin so just drop it okay.”
Yeah considering I have hearts, lungs, kidneys, and intestines in here then a coffin seems to be the proper travelling apparel.
“I really shouldn’t be asking this but you don’t have a dead body in there right?” The fearless pirate hunter asked me as he kept on giving worried glances towards the coffin.
“Oh it’s a nice day to set sail isn’t that right Luffy.”
“There’s no dead body right” *ignore*
“Yeah it is such a great day Shirou I have two brand new nakama”
“It’s just your taste in fashion right there really is no dead body inside, RIGHT?” *ignore*
“Once again, glad to be sailing with you Luffy.”
“Same to you Shirou.”
“ANSWER ME GOD-DAMN-IT”
“Shishishi… You guys are funny.”