Back at the boat, Izu was waiting for his captain and the green haired swordsman to arrive. It didn't take long till they were both in sight. They were laughing about something or the other.
"Hey captain!" Izu called out, holding the devil fruit into the air, "I found what the map led to"
"Is that-?" Zoro stared at the smooth fruit.
"A devil fruit, yes, the slip slip fruit to be exact. I don't suppose you want it, Roronoa Zoro?"
"No, I like being able to swim", Zoro shook his head, "Luffy told me you could make booze? I'm a little parched, could you-?"
Izu took a small piece of wood and transformed it into a bottle of rum. He might not be able to use his power on liquids but he could still create liquids. With a smirk at the bewildered expression on Zoro's face, he threw the bottle at him. The swordsman caught the bottle and took a sip, "not bad…"
"Tehuhuhuhu! Let's set sail!" He unfurled the sails and opened the maps, "our next destination is Flamingo island, on our way to orange town. We should arrive at flamingo island in a day, slightly longer"
"Well, what are we waiting for then? Off to adventure!"
They sailed through the calm waters of the east blue until they found flamingo island. There were three marine warships docked at the small island.
Izu wanted to discuss their plans but one of the warships shot one of their cannons at them, missing, "they dare fire on us? Captain, do I have your permission to kill them?"
"Someone I respect once said that when you raise your weapon, you must be ready to face death. Go ahead but only those who fight"
Izu grinned and jumped in the water.
Luffy screamed, "what are you doing?! You are a devil- fruit?" He was silenced when Izu began swimming like nothing was wrong, "what?"
"Captain, I thought that eating a devil fruit made you lose the ability to swim?" Zoro looked at Luffy questioningly.
"It- it does, I mean, I can't swim anymore… this goes against everything I knew about devil fruits"
Izu climbed the hull of one of the ships.
"Isn't that Zawa D. Izu, bounty of 3.000.000 berry? I thought he was a devil fruit user?"
"No matter, he will die all the same, attack!" The one in charge, another ensign rushed forward, a sword in his hand. As soon as he came within striking range, a single touch turned the proud ensign into a bloody mist.
"Shoot him, don't let him get close!" The second in command demanded. A few raised their rifles, their arms shaking. Those who did, he killed without mercy, painting the ship red.
"Remember not to mess with the strawhat pirates! My captain ordered me not to kill those who didn't fight, so you are lucky Tehuhuhuhu!"
"You aren't the captain?"
"No, my captain is Monkey D. Luffy, future king of the pirates. Now tell me, why have three navy warships docked at this island? And don't even think to lie, I can tell!"
"A celestial dragon is on this island, playing with his slaves", one of the marines explained and Izu's eyes widened in horror. He was nowhere near strong enough to face a celestial dragon. If he laid a finger on them, a fucking admiral would come, "fuck me. I will go now but remember our names! Roronoa Zoro, Monkey D. Luffy and Zawa D. Izu!"
He jumped back into the water and swam towards their boat.
"How can you swim even though you have a devil fruit?" Asked Luffy as he returned.
"I don't know how it is possible either but we have to get away from here and fast. On that island is something we can't face yet, so row for your lives, you fools" Izu looked back at the island nervously.
This was nothing like the calm and powerful Izu that Luffy was used to. Whatever Izu had found on that island, it must've been terrifying. They rowed like their lives depended on it.
After they were out of sight, Izu visibly relaxed, "that was close"
"What was it that you found there? A giant monster?" Zoro asked, glancing over the horizon back to where they had been.
"Not exactly. You don't have to worry about it. We should be safe now. I don't think they will come after us, gods help us if they do" Izu shook his head, "let's not think about that. Our next destination is orange town"
A day later, the new came flying in. Two new wanted posters were in there Captain Monkey D. Luffy, no picture with a bounty of 4.000.000 berry, dead or alive and 'marine bane' Zawa D. Izu with a bounty of 6.000.000 berry, dead or alive.
"My first bounty! Sugeeeeee!"
Somewhere in the grandline, Red haired shanks and his crew were drinking when Yassop pulled out a wanted poster, "Luffy has got his first bounty!"
"Really, give me that! It is true… let's drink to Luffy's first bounty, crew! Did the newspaper say what he got his bounty for?"
"It did. They don't know much about him. He mainly got the bounty because one of his nakama killed a bunch of marines and pledged his loyalty to Luffy. Zawa D. Izu, the 'marine bane'. Quite the nickname"
On the sea, Monkey D. Garb was staring at the wanted poster of his own grandson, "I told him to become a marine, over and over again and yet he still turned into a pirate… no turning back now, he has a bounty now. I need something or someone to let my frustration out on… Coby, let us spar a bit!"
"Y- yes Garp sama!"
Luffy, Zoro and Izu were eating and drinking to their heart's content, celebrating the new bounties. Izu transformed wood into food and booze, Zoro was drinking, Luffy was eating and they were all having a great time.