Chapter 21: Roguetown: Music and Hunters

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.

While Devon and his brother were off doing whatever they were doing, Axe and the others walked through the city. Kirsty's and Niri's eyes were wide at the sights. Dusty shook her head and leaned over to Axe, "First timers...eh?". Axe nodded and he pulled his hat more over his eyes, "Yep. Once we enter the Grand Line, they'll be seeing things that were never thought imaginable. I trust you know that, already, Dusty," he replied.

The kitsune girl nodded, then looked back at him, "How did you know I was already in the Grand Line once before?" she asked. Axe looked back at her, "You told us all about your former nakama and the places you been before...remember?". Dusty felt stupid, of course she remembered telling them about her past voyages. She lightly punched herself on the head and stuck out her tongue, "I'm such a baka!".

Axe laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Nah, you're just odd sometimes, Dusty, you're just odd...,".

Devon and Austin walked down the streets of the town once more, Austin keeping his eyes on the road and Devon keeping his eyes on the new katana.

Who the hell could've known I was gonna come back here? I didn't even know I was gonna come back here, so how could they know? Heh...doesn't matter I guess. What matters is that I got one of the most legendary swords of the world right here in my hand. Now if only I can find the Onimaru...

He looked up to see Austin walk into a weapon store. "Oy, Austin! Wait up!" he called after his little brother. Devon jogged into the store to see his brother looking at all the swords they had on display and in the cheap barrels. He quickly sheathed the Water Moon and walked up to him, "You shouldn't run off, Austin...," he scolded in a whisper.

Devon took Austin around his collar and turned to leave, but froze at the sight of a new customer. He had short, bright green hair, wore three golden earrings on one ear, had a large green sash across his waist, a white shirt and a black pants with boots.

It can't be him...holy shit.

Niri looked around the town, her arms behind her head. Roguetown was famous for being the execution place of Gold Roger, the Pirate King. But the thing she was interested in was the Marine Base. Sure, it was kinda dumb for a pirate ship to land at a Marine occupied town, but hey, she knew that her nakama could handle the soldiers.

What she wasn't sure was, was of the captain that is currently in charge of it. She had heard strange rumors about him while she was in prison. A man who smokes constantly, hates it when people yell, and has a large sword strapped to his back. Captain Chaser was his name, and he was one tough customer.

Niri rubbed her head, "Eh...focus Niri, focus! Just sightsee and have a good time, before ya leave," she told herself.

"Oy! Girl!"

She stopped, a little vein in her forehead, Odd way to greet a stranger... she mentally seethed. She put on a quick smile and turned to the person who greeted her, "Yes?". The person who had called to her was a man with a flute in his hands. He waved at her, "You seem like the kind of girl who likes music! C'mon into my store, and have a look around!" he said cheerfully, pointing behind him. Niri looked up at a sign that had the words Maxi's Music in big black letters.

"Eh...why not?" she shrugged. She walked into the shop and saw that every shelf had many different kinds of objects of every shape, size and color. She whistled at the sight, "Damn...you got a whole orchestra tied up in the back room or what?" she said jokingly. The man laughed, "You got one hell of a sense of humor, girl. I haven't met someone like you in a long while. You know what, just look around, take as long as you like and if you happen to find anything, come see me,".

The female sniper wandered around the shop, Why am I even in here... she asked herself, glancing from side to side. For what seemed like hours, Niri finally stopped wandering and began to head back to the front of the shop when she noticed a large ring-like object with bells around the edge. She reached over, picked it up and showed it to the owner, "Oi, what's this thing?" she asked, pointing to it.

The man looked at her strangely, "You've never seen a tamborine before, miss? Well if you don't know, it's an instrument that you can bang lightly or fiercely against anything and get different sounds. Some say that some instruments like the tamborine, can charm animals and beasts to make them go from deadly creatures, to playful pets!".

Niri whistled again and looked at the tamborine, "Well how much is it?" she asked. The man rubbed his chin in thought, "Ya know...I don't think I even put the price on it. Tell ya what, kid. My shop's not doin' so hot now, and you're the first one to come for a while. I'll make you a deal...I'll give you the tamborine, and a repair kit on the house, if you promise to advertise my shop for me!" he offered.

She couldn't help but grin, "You got yourself a deal, old timer!". The man glared, "I ain't old, missy, so you watch what you say and be respectful to your elders!" he snapped. Niri waved him off as she exited the shop, her new belongings in her pack, "Yeah yeah, don't get all hyped up,".

Devon stared hard at the green haired man as he went through some discount barrels. He walked up to him and pretended to look through the barrels as well. "You figure that they'd have something worth lookin' at, eh?" he asked casually.

The man beside him chuckled, "As long as it serves me well and I don't break it, I'll be content. What about you?" he asked. Devon shrugged, "Just lookin' for a blade to go with this one," he replied, unsheathing the Water Moon.

The green haired man whistled, "Damn fine blade...where'd you get it? North, South or West Blue? I've been all around East Blue and I haven't seen a blade like that all,". Devon shrugged, "I don't know the origins exactly...all I know is that it's something worth having.

"Hehehe...hey, that kid want's you," the man told him, pointing behind Devon. He turned around to see Austin pointing at something out of sight. "Bad thing?" he asked, walking up to him, sheathing the Water Moon. Austin nodded and pretended to salute, and Devon knew what that meant.

"Gotta go!" he said quickly over his shoulder. As they left the shop, Devon bumped into a young woman with short blue hair and square glasses.

"HEY! Watch it!" she snapped. Devon ignored her and focused his thoughts on the man in the shop as he ran down the street.

Roronoa Zolo...what brings you to Roguetown?

He and Austin turned a corner leading to an alley, but stopped suddenly. A short distance away, was a young man with light orange hair wearing a black shirt and tan pants. In his hands, he held two, double-side axes.

"Oy, you mind gettin' out of my way?" Devon asked in a growl. The stranger chuckled and twirled his weapons around, "Devon the Demon...did you forget me already?" he asked.

Devon raised an eyebrown and looked at Austin who shrugged, "Do I know you?" he asked. The other man stopped twirling his blades and glared at him, "Since you obviously don't remember, let me remind you of who I am. My name is Sancuro Rikuren, and I'm a bounty hunter,".

"Crap...,"

Kilnorc: wow...interesting twist! ja ne.