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dethoratsSo, as part of the OP re-read I'm undertaking, I decided to write at least 1 drabble about something in the volume that interested me, even though the drabble itself may go outside the confines of what was actually IN the volume.
Title: Sustained
Rating: G
Pairing: None/Gen
Word Count:691
The boy’s words, Zoro’s words, are still ringing in her ears even as she hears the door to the dojo’s dormitory close with far less stealth than she would have used. Kuina huffs out a breath, unexpected laughter caught in her throat, and keeps walking up the gravel path to the master’s house, to her father’s house, to her home. At least Zoro had been bright enough to find her outside the main walls at her practice, had been smart enough to know better than to risk a fight with real blades inside the dojo proper. That would have gotten them both into a lot of trouble.
She wonders how long he’s known she trains under the stars, too; how many times he’s listened to her repetitions and ragged breathing just as she’s spent far too many evenings eavesdropping on him. At least Zoro had the option to train inside the walls at night as long as he kept the noise down. She couldn’t take that risk. She knows, deep inside under youthful pride and bravado, that her father knows she goes out. She hopes he doesn’t know just how often, believes she’s sneaky enough to get out at least once in a while without him being aware. But she’s seen the looks he gives her in the mornings, especially when she’s exhausted and has to fight for the energy to get out of bed and go to school. One day, soon enough, he’ll put a stop to it.
Kuina shakes her head at the thought, sits down on the cool, worn wood of the porch at the back of her house. The moon hangs ripe and golden in the sky and it shimmers as she looks at it until she dashes away the tears with the back of one hand. Zoro doesn’t get it, kid that he still is. But his words and their promise have made her feel better. At least there’s someone else in this world who believes in her, respects her dream and her skills. It’s a simple fact of biology that he’ll likely be stronger than she is in only a few more years or maybe less. But he’s right that being the greatest doesn’t have to rely solely on gender. She’s seen female marines before, heard the whispered stories of fearsome lady pirates. She’ll just have to learn to rely on more than physical strength. And after all, if beating Zoro 2,001 times has shown her anything, it’s that the boy lacks finesse.
A few days ago, as she’d snuck around and hovered at the open dojo door, her father had been lecturing to his advanced students about the sword that could cut anything and about how it had to be able to cut nothing first. It was an interesting concept, one Kuina had never heard before, and questions and ideas bubbled up on her tongue only to be bitten back because she wasn’t supposed to be there. None of the students had had anything to say, but she could see that Zoro, at least, looked at his boken with new eyes as the class went through forms under the sensei’s watchful eyes. That was what she needed to focus on, and on her speed because Zoro was quicker than he looked and getting faster.
To be the world’s greatest swordsman…It was a ridiculous dream and yet it was hers. She could feel the words of their promise burning in her heart as she spared a final glance at the moon. With practiced ease, she edged open the back door and pushed against the frame to keep the hinges from squeaking. She was silent as a shadow as she crossed through the kitchen and into the formal sitting room where her blade, the one she couldn’t bear to abandon even though it was really supposed to be her father’s and not meant for her, lived during the day. Her stocking feet slithered across the smooth floor as she slipped past her father’s room. The stairway loomed above and Kuina reminded herself to hop over the creaky sixth step as she started the climb to bed.
Title: Active Duty
Rating: G
Pairing: None/Gen
Word Count: 492
“No food for a week as punishment!”
The men around him laugh and groan in good humor as they head back through Shells Town towards the Navy base. Koby, as he trails along at the end of the line, rubs a hand gingerly over his bruised cheek bone and smiles. The town can breathe now that Morgan is no longer in charge and it feels alive, noticeably so as he’d seen how the people had quavered and hid from the sounds of marching feet on the cobbles only hours earlier. This is what it really means to be a marine, to be a protector and hero of the people. Too bad Luffy couldn’t stick around to witness what his dream really meant but he supposed that was just how it was going to have to be.
He’d only known Luffy for a few short days but it was long enough for Koby to learn that Luffy wouldn’t wait for his dream, couldn’t stop for even a moment in his headlong pursuit of it. And that’s the way it should be, as he’s finally learned, but it still would have been nice to have his friend understand and see, especially since they were now destined to be enemies.
Commander Ripper falls back to walk next to him and Koby jumps to salute, wincing as the snap of his wrist sends the blade of his hand against a cut in his eyebrow. Luffy hadn’t gone easy on him in that fight. The new leader of the Shells Town marines matches his expression sympathetically and tells him to report to the infirmary as his first act of duty. Koby’s face gets patched up and then they see to the bullet hole, the one Rika’s mom had tried to tend to earlier. Koby tries not to duck his head when the doctor stares at it, mutters under his breath about ‘Navy-issue bullets.’ He doesn’t regret doing what he did but at the same time, this could be a real problem.
At the doctor’s grumbling, Commander Ripper comes in and escorts Koby to a bed in the small sick ward. He’s exhausted suddenly, as he climbs beneath the covers, but he can’t sleep while he listens to the doctor and the commander argue quietly at the foot of his bed. “Friendly fire,” the commander finally insists, “to go along with Rokkaku’s wounds. There’s no insubordination or consorting with pirates at the Shells Town Navy base.” Koby lets out a sigh of relief and sinks back into the welcoming pillow. Across the way, the bearded man recovering from the axe blow of his former captain shoots him a wink that Koby manages to return before he drifts off into the most peaceful sleep he’s had in two years.
And now the notes minus Chapter 1 since I gave them their own post
Volume 1 – Romance Dawn
Actual year of US publication unknown from the volume but I’m guessing 2003 or 2004 based on contest deadlines on ads in the back.
I’ve always liked the title ‘Romance Dawn.’ It’s the start of everything, the beginning of the adventure. It also ties into the fact that Luffy’s home island is Dawn Island. As for Romance, this is the romance of the seas. The meaning is on the older definition (as opposed to the love-focused one of modern times) of fantastic tales of adventure and heroism, often set in a supernatural setting. It can also tie into the idea of a ‘fish story’ or tall tale, ie the kind of stories Usopp tells at the beginning of the manga. We know what we’re in for from the very beginning by the use of this title.
Random observation – one of the first things about Oda’s art that always jumps out at me is the way he draws ears.
Chapter 2 Key Observations
- Alvida is keeping Koby around for his “vast knowledge of the seas”
- Luffy-in-a-barrel is first pulled up on LAND, not at sea like in the anime.
- Roronoa Zoro identified as a clever bounty hunter. Also, Alvida’s crew already knew he was being held by the navy
- Luffy “I’m not afraid to die, Koby! I’ve set myself to become king of the pirates…and if I die trying…then at least I tried!” – first statement that will be echoed by Zoro in 2-3 chapters. Also echoes what happens in Baratie arc when Krieg reveals it was Mihawk on the Grand Line who did them in.
Chapter 3 Key Observations
- Zoro had been stuck there for 9 days out of 30 per the Viz translation
- Zoro has blood stains around his forehead, mouth, and shirt collar – people have been beating him while he’s been tied up
- Two things seem to make Luffy decide to take Zoro – 1)Zoro eating the riceball for Rika’s sake as opposed to his own hunger and 2)Zoro’s faith in Helmeppo’s promise which is revealed to be a lie
Chapter 4 Key Observations
- Z: I’ve got my own mission…and it doesn’t involve becoming a stinking pirate! L: You’re too good to be a pirate? You, a bounty hunter? Who everyone thinks is some sort of demon? Z: I don’t care what people think. I live by my own code…I’ve never done anything I regret, and I don’t intend to in the future. Which is why I’ll never be a pirate!!
Could Zoro throw himself so whole-heartedly after Luffy in part because he doesn’t do things he regrets? If he’s going to be a pirate, he’s going to be the best damn pirate he can be on his path to his dream. May also play a role in his immediate loyalty once he DOES agree to join Luffy.
- Zoro’s treasure = his swords. Not really news but worth reiterating.
- Morgan’s treatment of everyone (huge narcissist) and Helmeppo’s slow start to realizing his father doesn’t care about him at all.
Chapter 5 Key Observations
- In opening drawing, Zoro only has Wado (foreshadowing?)
- Zoro flashback, Zoro is strongest in dojo, even more than the grownups. Implication is that Kuina is NOT part of dojo itself, perhaps because of her gender as mentioned later in the chapter.
- Zoro flashback – his vow to become greatest sword master in the world comes before his promise with Kuina (hmm…how might this play into Zoro’s past, ie the part where we know nothing about him at this point beyond this little bit with Kuina)
-Z: “It’s got nothing to do with being a boy or a girl!” In light of subsequent (ie time-skip) chapters, this may need to be re-examined for what Zoro actually intended or understood at this age.
-Kuina’s death is so…DUMB. It’s just the worst. I get the point but at the same time it’s so ignoble.
Chapter 6 Key Observations
- Z: I’m going to be the world’s greatest swordsman!! All I have left is my destiny! My name may be infamous…but it’s gonna shake the world!! – call back to Luffy’s vow to become Pirate King
- Luffy and Zoro communicate without words for the first time, ie Luffy punches Helmeppo while Zoro strikes Morgan
- Zoro calls Luffy ‘captain’ for the first time
Chapter 7 Key Observations
- Luffy says next step is to head for the Grand Line – feeds into Baratie arc
- Zoro is still showing effects of being roughed up in Marine base
- Koby: But the two of you…you taught me to fight for what I believe!!! L: That’s why I’m going to the Grand Line! Z: Makes sense to me. – feeds into Baratie arc
- Koby calls Luffy “Cap’n Luffy” in the Viz translation
Chapter 8 Key Observations
- First Lost!Zoro moment. Zoro mentions he went to sea following a pirate and couldn’t find his way back to his village. Luffy says he was lost which is silly since they both have no idea how to navigate at all. (I wonder how Zoro was getting around? Maybe stowing away a lot?)
- Zoro echoes Koby from earlier and says they need a navigator. Luffy says he wants a cook and musician
- After Zoro hears how Buggy’s men were tricked by Nami, he says she would make a great navigator
- Nami steals map of Grand Line from Buggy (not Morgan like in anime, maybe? I’m a bit confused in terms of my memory here).
- She calls Luffy “Boss” when he interrupts the chase between her and Buggy’s men by falling from the bird
- Nami asks Luffy to team up as she does not yet know he is a pirate
- First instance of Luffy being protective of the hat
Title: Sustained
Rating: G
Pairing: None/Gen
Word Count:691
The boy’s words, Zoro’s words, are still ringing in her ears even as she hears the door to the dojo’s dormitory close with far less stealth than she would have used. Kuina huffs out a breath, unexpected laughter caught in her throat, and keeps walking up the gravel path to the master’s house, to her father’s house, to her home. At least Zoro had been bright enough to find her outside the main walls at her practice, had been smart enough to know better than to risk a fight with real blades inside the dojo proper. That would have gotten them both into a lot of trouble.
She wonders how long he’s known she trains under the stars, too; how many times he’s listened to her repetitions and ragged breathing just as she’s spent far too many evenings eavesdropping on him. At least Zoro had the option to train inside the walls at night as long as he kept the noise down. She couldn’t take that risk. She knows, deep inside under youthful pride and bravado, that her father knows she goes out. She hopes he doesn’t know just how often, believes she’s sneaky enough to get out at least once in a while without him being aware. But she’s seen the looks he gives her in the mornings, especially when she’s exhausted and has to fight for the energy to get out of bed and go to school. One day, soon enough, he’ll put a stop to it.
Kuina shakes her head at the thought, sits down on the cool, worn wood of the porch at the back of her house. The moon hangs ripe and golden in the sky and it shimmers as she looks at it until she dashes away the tears with the back of one hand. Zoro doesn’t get it, kid that he still is. But his words and their promise have made her feel better. At least there’s someone else in this world who believes in her, respects her dream and her skills. It’s a simple fact of biology that he’ll likely be stronger than she is in only a few more years or maybe less. But he’s right that being the greatest doesn’t have to rely solely on gender. She’s seen female marines before, heard the whispered stories of fearsome lady pirates. She’ll just have to learn to rely on more than physical strength. And after all, if beating Zoro 2,001 times has shown her anything, it’s that the boy lacks finesse.
A few days ago, as she’d snuck around and hovered at the open dojo door, her father had been lecturing to his advanced students about the sword that could cut anything and about how it had to be able to cut nothing first. It was an interesting concept, one Kuina had never heard before, and questions and ideas bubbled up on her tongue only to be bitten back because she wasn’t supposed to be there. None of the students had had anything to say, but she could see that Zoro, at least, looked at his boken with new eyes as the class went through forms under the sensei’s watchful eyes. That was what she needed to focus on, and on her speed because Zoro was quicker than he looked and getting faster.
To be the world’s greatest swordsman…It was a ridiculous dream and yet it was hers. She could feel the words of their promise burning in her heart as she spared a final glance at the moon. With practiced ease, she edged open the back door and pushed against the frame to keep the hinges from squeaking. She was silent as a shadow as she crossed through the kitchen and into the formal sitting room where her blade, the one she couldn’t bear to abandon even though it was really supposed to be her father’s and not meant for her, lived during the day. Her stocking feet slithered across the smooth floor as she slipped past her father’s room. The stairway loomed above and Kuina reminded herself to hop over the creaky sixth step as she started the climb to bed.
Title: Active Duty
Rating: G
Pairing: None/Gen
Word Count: 492
“No food for a week as punishment!”
The men around him laugh and groan in good humor as they head back through Shells Town towards the Navy base. Koby, as he trails along at the end of the line, rubs a hand gingerly over his bruised cheek bone and smiles. The town can breathe now that Morgan is no longer in charge and it feels alive, noticeably so as he’d seen how the people had quavered and hid from the sounds of marching feet on the cobbles only hours earlier. This is what it really means to be a marine, to be a protector and hero of the people. Too bad Luffy couldn’t stick around to witness what his dream really meant but he supposed that was just how it was going to have to be.
He’d only known Luffy for a few short days but it was long enough for Koby to learn that Luffy wouldn’t wait for his dream, couldn’t stop for even a moment in his headlong pursuit of it. And that’s the way it should be, as he’s finally learned, but it still would have been nice to have his friend understand and see, especially since they were now destined to be enemies.
Commander Ripper falls back to walk next to him and Koby jumps to salute, wincing as the snap of his wrist sends the blade of his hand against a cut in his eyebrow. Luffy hadn’t gone easy on him in that fight. The new leader of the Shells Town marines matches his expression sympathetically and tells him to report to the infirmary as his first act of duty. Koby’s face gets patched up and then they see to the bullet hole, the one Rika’s mom had tried to tend to earlier. Koby tries not to duck his head when the doctor stares at it, mutters under his breath about ‘Navy-issue bullets.’ He doesn’t regret doing what he did but at the same time, this could be a real problem.
At the doctor’s grumbling, Commander Ripper comes in and escorts Koby to a bed in the small sick ward. He’s exhausted suddenly, as he climbs beneath the covers, but he can’t sleep while he listens to the doctor and the commander argue quietly at the foot of his bed. “Friendly fire,” the commander finally insists, “to go along with Rokkaku’s wounds. There’s no insubordination or consorting with pirates at the Shells Town Navy base.” Koby lets out a sigh of relief and sinks back into the welcoming pillow. Across the way, the bearded man recovering from the axe blow of his former captain shoots him a wink that Koby manages to return before he drifts off into the most peaceful sleep he’s had in two years.
And now the notes minus Chapter 1 since I gave them their own post
Volume 1 – Romance Dawn
Actual year of US publication unknown from the volume but I’m guessing 2003 or 2004 based on contest deadlines on ads in the back.
I’ve always liked the title ‘Romance Dawn.’ It’s the start of everything, the beginning of the adventure. It also ties into the fact that Luffy’s home island is Dawn Island. As for Romance, this is the romance of the seas. The meaning is on the older definition (as opposed to the love-focused one of modern times) of fantastic tales of adventure and heroism, often set in a supernatural setting. It can also tie into the idea of a ‘fish story’ or tall tale, ie the kind of stories Usopp tells at the beginning of the manga. We know what we’re in for from the very beginning by the use of this title.
Random observation – one of the first things about Oda’s art that always jumps out at me is the way he draws ears.
Chapter 2 Key Observations
- Alvida is keeping Koby around for his “vast knowledge of the seas”
- Luffy-in-a-barrel is first pulled up on LAND, not at sea like in the anime.
- Roronoa Zoro identified as a clever bounty hunter. Also, Alvida’s crew already knew he was being held by the navy
- Luffy “I’m not afraid to die, Koby! I’ve set myself to become king of the pirates…and if I die trying…then at least I tried!” – first statement that will be echoed by Zoro in 2-3 chapters. Also echoes what happens in Baratie arc when Krieg reveals it was Mihawk on the Grand Line who did them in.
Chapter 3 Key Observations
- Zoro had been stuck there for 9 days out of 30 per the Viz translation
- Zoro has blood stains around his forehead, mouth, and shirt collar – people have been beating him while he’s been tied up
- Two things seem to make Luffy decide to take Zoro – 1)Zoro eating the riceball for Rika’s sake as opposed to his own hunger and 2)Zoro’s faith in Helmeppo’s promise which is revealed to be a lie
Chapter 4 Key Observations
- Z: I’ve got my own mission…and it doesn’t involve becoming a stinking pirate! L: You’re too good to be a pirate? You, a bounty hunter? Who everyone thinks is some sort of demon? Z: I don’t care what people think. I live by my own code…I’ve never done anything I regret, and I don’t intend to in the future. Which is why I’ll never be a pirate!!
Could Zoro throw himself so whole-heartedly after Luffy in part because he doesn’t do things he regrets? If he’s going to be a pirate, he’s going to be the best damn pirate he can be on his path to his dream. May also play a role in his immediate loyalty once he DOES agree to join Luffy.
- Zoro’s treasure = his swords. Not really news but worth reiterating.
- Morgan’s treatment of everyone (huge narcissist) and Helmeppo’s slow start to realizing his father doesn’t care about him at all.
Chapter 5 Key Observations
- In opening drawing, Zoro only has Wado (foreshadowing?)
- Zoro flashback, Zoro is strongest in dojo, even more than the grownups. Implication is that Kuina is NOT part of dojo itself, perhaps because of her gender as mentioned later in the chapter.
- Zoro flashback – his vow to become greatest sword master in the world comes before his promise with Kuina (hmm…how might this play into Zoro’s past, ie the part where we know nothing about him at this point beyond this little bit with Kuina)
-Z: “It’s got nothing to do with being a boy or a girl!” In light of subsequent (ie time-skip) chapters, this may need to be re-examined for what Zoro actually intended or understood at this age.
-Kuina’s death is so…DUMB. It’s just the worst. I get the point but at the same time it’s so ignoble.
Chapter 6 Key Observations
- Z: I’m going to be the world’s greatest swordsman!! All I have left is my destiny! My name may be infamous…but it’s gonna shake the world!! – call back to Luffy’s vow to become Pirate King
- Luffy and Zoro communicate without words for the first time, ie Luffy punches Helmeppo while Zoro strikes Morgan
- Zoro calls Luffy ‘captain’ for the first time
Chapter 7 Key Observations
- Luffy says next step is to head for the Grand Line – feeds into Baratie arc
- Zoro is still showing effects of being roughed up in Marine base
- Koby: But the two of you…you taught me to fight for what I believe!!! L: That’s why I’m going to the Grand Line! Z: Makes sense to me. – feeds into Baratie arc
- Koby calls Luffy “Cap’n Luffy” in the Viz translation
Chapter 8 Key Observations
- First Lost!Zoro moment. Zoro mentions he went to sea following a pirate and couldn’t find his way back to his village. Luffy says he was lost which is silly since they both have no idea how to navigate at all. (I wonder how Zoro was getting around? Maybe stowing away a lot?)
- Zoro echoes Koby from earlier and says they need a navigator. Luffy says he wants a cook and musician
- After Zoro hears how Buggy’s men were tricked by Nami, he says she would make a great navigator
- Nami steals map of Grand Line from Buggy (not Morgan like in anime, maybe? I’m a bit confused in terms of my memory here).
- She calls Luffy “Boss” when he interrupts the chase between her and Buggy’s men by falling from the bird
- Nami asks Luffy to team up as she does not yet know he is a pirate
- First instance of Luffy being protective of the hat
