Part six - Koby, Hats and Marines 2/8

Although the shooting from six-round revolvers at the "Queen" is only the very beginning. Not a single day was complete without Zoro trying to slaughter Luffy. Moreover, such attempts often took place several times a day. In fairness, it should be noted that the guy in the hat deserved almost every attempt on his life. Luffy liked to pester Zoro in general. He got him several times stronger than the rest of the hunters put together. Perhaps the reason was the swordsman's reaction? Despite the fact that Luffy pissed off everyone, only Zoro stubbornly tried to kill him in return. And the guy seemed to be delighted with it. A faint scent of madness literally hovered around Luffy. Koby was even ready to go further and say that the whole team was a little crazy. And so the boy thought exactly until, a week after their first meeting, he found out that pirate hunters known to all East Blue, in reality, themselves have long been pirates. Then it became clear to Koby that the team was not a little crazy, but just crazy. In addition, as if all this was not enough, Luffy was not only going to become the Pirate King, but, in the opinion of Koby himself, already considered himself to be one. It seems like he was left with mere trifles - to sail to the Grand Line, there to swim to Raftel, - the last island of the Grand Line, - where to pick up One Piece, - the legendary treasure of the Golden Roger, - and get the title of King of the Pirates. Just a little things, right?

The rest of the team, in terms of ambitions, was not much inferior to their captain.

Zoro was about to become the World's Greatest Swordsman. Yes, that's right, and everything with capital letters. And he treated this in about the same way as his captain to the title of the Pirate King. On the one hand, Zoro understood that he did not yet possess this title, and on the other hand, he spoke about it as if receiving the coveted title was nothing more than a matter of time. It seems like the issue is resolved, it remains only to wait a little while the various formalities are settled. The "Queen" spent almost all her free time drawing maps and, in the future, she said, she was going to draw a map of the whole world. As a matter of fact, she sketched the East Blue 90% on her own, and the remaining 10% were already known to everyone, so she used other people's labors to finally fill out her map. Koby saw this map and could not help but to admit, that she is admirable. Quite naturally, the next sea chosen by the "Queen" after the East Blue, which she was going to sketch to the smallest detail, was the Grand Line.

Against this background, Ryu and Yosaku looked almost the most adequate. The guys just wanted to become so strong that they could always protect things or people dear to themselves, from any threat ... Yonko, the World Government, Shichibukai, that is, any real threat. It was because of the latter addition that Koby could not afford to call Ryu and Yosaku's aspirations completely adequate. But, as the boy quickly realized, nothing else could be expected from such a command. And given their reputation, he couldn't even tell that their dreams were completely unrealizable. In the end, if you give yourself time to think - at first he did not give, for which he immediately got it over the head from Luffy - then you can be surprised to realize - personally Koby himself was very surprised! - that in a single sea, they, in fact, have already fulfilled their dreams. Zoro became the strongest swordsman in the East Blue. Nami drew the entire East Blue map. Ryu and Yosaku, together, could definitely protect anything, anyone, and from any threat from those that could be found in the waters here. And finally, Luffy, being the captain of all these people, could certainly be considered the King of the East Blue Pirates ... if only anyone knew that he was the captain and his family was pirates. But these are, as Luffy himself liked to say, little things.

So it turned out that, having realized their dreams in such a compact size, now they had to repeat the same thing, but already in, so to speak, a big world. Chasing such grandiose dreams, you can die, but ... death? And what about death? None of them was afraid to lay down their heads in pursuit of their dream:

- Think yourself what is more important: your life or adventures? - Luffy said calmly as soon as Koby asked the appropriate question. Then, however, he nevertheless condescended to a more detailed explanation, which, as the boy knew from the words of the command, happened extremely rarely: - No matter how the rope twists, there will still be one end, so isn't it better to live to the fullest? You can live to be a hundred years old without leaving your home, or you can die by twenty, but see the whole world. And here each person must decide for himself what is closer to him. Personally, I don't mind dying by twenty if I can have enough adventure, and the pursuit of the title of Pirate King promises me the most adventure. Consider Zoro the same as me. He set a goal for himself, and he deeply does not care about the opportunity to die, the main thing is a dream. Neither he nor I can somehow live differently. Family is important to Ryu and Yosaku, far more important than their lives. And Nami is still a vivid example of when a person deeply does not care about his own life, if in exchange he can achieve what he wants. But if you need more details, then contact our "Queen" yourself. This is not my story.

After listening to Luffy's response, Koby immediately headed towards Nami that day. The boy did not understand why the "Queen" did not care about her own life. Was she really that badly wanted to draw a map of the whole world? Why? As it turned out, the matter was not at all in the world map. Approaching the "Queen" Koby was almost sure that she would not tell him anything, but as soon as she understood his motives and heard that it was Luffy who had sent him to her, the "Queen" immediately agreed to tell her story. And what a story it was! A ten-year-old girl who drew maps day and night for her adoptive mother's killer. And then, this same girl, a few years later, decideds to go to sea in order to be able to earn a hundred million bellies, to buy out her village ... after such a story, Kobe felt ashamed to remember his own. Two years in a pirate captivity? And eight years next to your mother's killer, would you? Especially when you need to constantly risk your life, and everyone in your beloved village, which you are trying with all your might to redeem, considers you a traitor?

- But ... but you will buy your village anyway? - Koby asked then.

- Of course, because my sister lives there, and no matter how they treat me, I still love them! - Stretching with all her body, the "Queen" smiled softly, as if she remembered something good. - Besides, it was my choice, and only mine.

- Do you really think Arlong will keep his promise? - Koby asked uncertainly.

The boy somehow found it hard to believe that the cruel pirate described to him would fulfill the terms of the deal.

- Honestly, I doubt it very much, - the girl responded a little carelessly. - Most likely, he will just come up with or have already come up with some additional trick that will oblige me to work for him further.

- Then… then, won't you buy out your village? - did not understand Kobe.

- Why not? Will!

- But if Arlong does not keep his word or comes up with some trick, then what's the point?

- Firstly, I still don't know if he really won't keep his word and will come up with some trick. And, secondly, even if Arlong shows himself to be a dishonest bastard, I will carry out my part of the deal. Reputation is a serious thing, Luffy taught me this well. They may be pirates I hate, but none of them will be able to say that I do not keep my word ... just as any other person who has learned about this can not say.

- And yet, I do not understand what you will do if Arlong betrays you?

- Isn't it obvious? I'll just complain to my captain! - smiled "Queen" and, raising her hand, pointed her finger to the side.