The pirates were shivering in fright at the boy's powers. They couldn't comprehend how such abilities could exist at sea. However, their thoughts were interrupted when Luffy said, "Do you guys have any boats? Coby and I are leaving."
One of the braver pirates stammered, "Yes," before being immediately shouted at to fetch it. The pirates scrambled to complete the task at hand.
Luffy grabbed Coby, and they jumped onto the small vessel. As they landed, Luffy's eye immediately caught sight of a small, orange-haired woman carrying a sack, presumably filled with gold and cash. Luffy grinned before commanding the water to move his boat.
As they sat, Luffy asked a big question. "Who's this pirate hunter, Zoro? Is he strong?"
Coby immediately got a bad feeling as he began to explain. "He's a ruthless man who cuts down his enemies without mercy!"
"He'll join my crew!" Luffy said with his classic D grin.
"WHAT?! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" Coby shouted in panic. "He'll cut you down like any other pirate!"
Luffy looked at him with a deadpan expression. "I'm made of water," he stated. "Tell me, Coby, do you know where he is?"
"Last I heard, he was captured at a marine base called Shells Town," Coby replied nervously.
"Then let's head to Shells Town!" Luffy grinned, speeding up the boat.
Coby sighed, realizing he was being dragged along on the journey.
"Whoa! This place is massive!" Luffy shouted as he and Coby stepped off the small vessel onto the shore.
"Yeah, it's a marine base, after all," Coby replied calmly.
"Hey, Coby, you can finally join the marines," Luffy said, grabbing an apple from a vendor and tossing him a coin.
"Yeah, that's all thanks to you, Luffy!" Coby said, thanking him profusely.
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "Don't worry about it. Do you know where Zoro might be held?"
As soon as Luffy mentioned Zoro's name, everyone nearby clung to the nearest wall in fear.
"Seems like 'Zoro' is a taboo word here," Coby whispered. "But I heard Captain Morgan is here."
As soon as Coby said those words, everyone's fear seemed to intensify, and they clung to the walls even tighter.
"These people sure are weird!" Luffy laughed as they approached the marine base.
"This is where we part ways!" Coby said, holding back tears.
"The next time we meet, you'd better be a strong marine!" Luffy said, grinning his signature D grin.
Luffy approached the wall blocking the marine base from the town and saw a girl climbing a ladder. He watched in surprise as the girl approached Zoro, who was practically crucified.
"Go away before I hurt you," Zoro said in a deep, angry voice.
"I brought you some rice balls," the girl smiled.
Before anything more could be said, a man wearing a strange suit flanked by two marines walked up to them.
"Those look good," the man said, grabbing the rice balls from the girl's hand forcefully. Luffy noticed how Zoro growled at the man.
"Do you not see the sign there? Anyone who assists a criminal will receive the same punishment as the criminal."
The girl's face immediately paled as she realized the implications of his words.
"Hey, marine, grab this girl and throw her out of here," the man said, taking a bite of the rice ball.
He immediately spat it out. "Rice balls are supposed to have salt, not sugar!" he screamed.
The girl had tears in her eyes as she watched the man spit on the food, throw it on the ground, and stomp on it repeatedly.
"Throw her out now!" the man ordered the marine.
The marine whispered an apology to the girl and told her to curl up into a ball to minimize the pain as he threw her.
Luffy turned into mist, caught her mid-air, and told her to go back home.
Luffy leapt into the yard after the man and his bodyguards left. He studied Zoro for a second before approaching him.
"Come to laugh at me?" Zoro asked, glaring at Luffy.
"Will you join my crew if I free you from here?" Luffy asked as he examined Zoro and waited for an answer.
"No, I do not wish to become a filthy pirate. It will only distract me from my ambitions," Zoro said firmly.
"Why are you here?" Luffy asked curiously.
"I am here on a bet," Zoro simply stated.
"And how long are you going to be here?" Luffy asked.
"A month without food or water," Zoro said in a monotone voice.
"After the month, they'll let you out, huh?" Luffy pressed.
"Yes, and after that, I'll continue with my goal."
Luffy laughed. "You're a fool if you think they'll let you live."
He added, "Tell you what, if I find evidence that they're planning to kill you before your time is up, I'll save you—and you'll join my crew."
Zoro sighed. "Fine."
Just as Zoro blinked, Luffy was gone.
"Huh? Where did he go? I must be hallucinating," Zoro muttered to himself.
Luffy sat on a stool and ordered a glass of wine. As the bartender poured it, Luffy asked curiously, "How did Zoro end up like that?"
The bartender's voice was laced with anger as she replied. "He saved my child from the captain's son's wolf. After that, he was told that my child and I would suffer unless he agreed to go without food or water for a month."
"How long has it been?" Luffy asked.
"Three weeks," the little girl from earlier interjected.
Luffy's eyes widened in shock. Before he could respond, Coby walked in and spotted him.
"How'd it go?" Luffy grinned, asking Coby.
"They didn't want me because I'm too little," Coby sighed.
"Damn," Luffy said, laughing. "Maybe when you're stronger, they'll let you. Shishishi!"
As Luffy laughed, the door was kicked open. A man strolled in with a smug expression.
"That's him—that's Helmeppo, the captain's son," the bartender whispered to Luffy.
"Hey, woman! Get me some sake! And put it on your tab!" Helmeppo demanded, slamming his hand on a table.
The bartender hurried to fetch the sake as Helmeppo propped his feet on the table.
"I've decided—I'll execute Zoro in three days," Helmeppo announced, laughing arrogantly.
Luffy's grin vanished. Before anyone could react, he stood up and punched Helmeppo, sending him flying outside. The two bodyguards trembled, too scared to move.
"Leave," Luffy ordered coldly, and they fled immediately.
Without another word, Luffy left the bar and headed straight to where Zoro was tied up.
"You're going to be executed in three days," Luffy stated as Zoro looked up at him.
"WHAT?!?" Zoro exclaimed in disbelief.
"You heard me. That fool announced it in the bar in front of everyone. Now, will you join my crew if I save you and get your swords? It's either that or death," Luffy said.
Zoro growled, reluctantly agreeing. "Fine."
Luffy smirked before disappearing. Reappearing on top of a large marine statue, he scanned the area. His attention was drawn when he heard a familiar voice shout, "That's him, Daddy! That's the guy who hit me!"
Luffy spotted Helmeppo pointing him out. With a grin, Luffy appeared in front of Helmeppo in a flash, grabbing him by the collar.
"Just the guy I wanted to see," Luffy said, dragging Helmeppo along as he rushed into the marine base.
"Where are Zoro's swords?" Luffy demanded, tightening his grip.
"They're in my room! You just passed it!" Helmeppo stammered, trembling in fear.
Luffy growled. "You could've said that sooner."
He followed Helmeppo's directions, kicking open the door to a ridiculously decorated room. After knocking Helmeppo unconscious, Luffy spotted three swords. Not knowing which one belonged to Zoro, he grabbed all three.
Looking outside, he saw Coby surrounded by marines as Captain Morgan stood in the background, barking orders. Luffy smashed the window and leapt down, landing between Coby and the marines.
Gunfire erupted, but every bullet froze midair, along with the marines' rifles. Luffy's calm voice broke the silence.
"Which sword is yours, Zoro?"
"All three. I use the three-sword style," Zoro replied, stunned.
Luffy cut the ropes binding Zoro and handed him the swords.
"H-He's too strong, Captain!" one marine stammered, shivering.
Morgan growled in anger. "If you're too afraid to fight, then shoot yourself!"
As the marines hesitated, Luffy sighed, growing impatient. "Water bullets," he said simply.
Jets of water pierced the marines' legs, dropping them all to the ground. Morgan's eyes widened in shock.
"You… you ate one of the legendary Devil Fruits, didn't you?" Morgan said, gripping his massive axe hand.
"Indeed I did—the Water-Water Fruit," Luffy replied, his tone bored.
"It doesn't matter! I'm Axe-Hand Morgan, and I'll kill you in the name of jus—"
"Freeze," Luffy said, interrupting him. In an instant, Morgan was encased in solid ice.
"Let's go eat. I know you're hungry, Zoro," Luffy said, walking off casually.
Zoro, stunned by his new captain's abilities, reluctantly followed, wondering what he had just gotten himself into.
Back at the bar, Luffy and Zoro finished eating the last of their meals. Both patted their stomachs in satisfaction.
"You know, I joined your crew without even knowing your name or who else is in it," Zoro said, leaning back.
Luffy laughed. "You're my first mate. My name is Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"
Zoro chuckled, then introduced himself. "I'm Roronoa Zoro. My dream is to surpass the world's strongest swordsman and become the greatest. But if you get in my way, I'll cut you down."
"I wouldn't settle for anything less," Luffy replied, laughing.
Suddenly, a marine entered the bar and asked, "Are you two pirates?"
"Yes, we are," Luffy said casually.
"I thank you for saving this town, but you must leave," the marine said sternly.
"You can't just say that! He saved the town, you fool!" one villager shouted.
"Calm down, everyone. We were planning on leaving anyway," Luffy said, standing up. "Let's go, Zoro."
The marine pointed at Coby. "Isn't he with you?"
"This small coward? He's not worth my time," Luffy said with a laugh, walking away as Coby watched in awe.
Hey guys Ik what you all told me about the first chapter and how it was unreadable please be patient with me and I just fixed it if you guys would wanna check it out. I dont want my chapters to be too short but yah take care.