Chapter 7: The Bounty Hunter's Resolve

Jin-Woo strolled through the lively streets of Shells Town, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. The chatter of villagers, the clinking of tools, and the faint cries of seagulls filled the air. It was a humble place, bustling with life but not without its undercurrent of tension, as for koby He went wandering alone.

As he walked, something caught his attention: a weathered announcement board standing in front of a bar. He approached it, noticing a series of wanted posters pinned to the wood. The bold red letters of "WANTED" stood out against the grainy images of various pirates.

He began reading through them one by one.

"Buggy the Clown. 15 million berry. A clown pirate?" Jin-Woo muttered, raising an eyebrow at the eccentric appearance of the man in the poster. He moved on.

"Don Krieg. 17 million berry. Seems like trouble."

His gaze then landed on a poster that made him pause.

"Arlong the Saw. 20 million berry, Fishman."

Jin-Woo's eyes narrowed as he studied the poster. The image depicted a hulking creature with sharp, shark-like teeth, fins, and a brutal expression. The description explained he was wanted for numerous crimes, including plundering villages and enslaving humans. All of the bounties offered 20 million berry if you brought the pirate alive, or 70% of that if delivered dead.

"So, there are non-humans in this world," Jin-Woo thought, intrigued. "And 20 million berry… That's not a bad sum."

Without hesitation, Jin-Woo placed his hand on the posters, and they vanished into his inventory with a faint glow. He smirked to himself. "Bounties... a convenient way to earn money here."

Satisfied, he pushed open the door to the bar. The chatter and clinking of glasses greeted him as he stepped inside. He found an empty seat near the corner and settled down, his posture relaxed but alert.

A few moments later, the door swung open with a loud creak, drawing everyone's attention. A blonde man with a confident swagger entered the bar, wearing an expensive-looking coat and grinning arrogantly. Behind him, the atmosphere changed in an instant as a large, white wolf padded in, its sharp teeth bared and eyes gleaming with malice.

The villagers froze in terror, some gasping audibly. The wolf growled, its bloodlust palpable.

The blonde man laughed, clearly enjoying the fear. "What's the matter? Don't tell me you're all scared of my pet, Soro. He's harmless... as long as no one annoys me."

The wolf snarled, its gaze darting around the room until it locked onto a young girl sitting nervously at a nearby table. She shrank back, her hands trembling.

The wolf crouched, ready to pounce.

But before it could move, a blur of green shot across the room. A man with short green hair stood from his seat, drawing a sword with lightning speed. In one fluid motion, he swung the blade, and the wolf collapsed with a heavy thud, blood pooling beneath it.

The room fell silent.

The green-haired man sheathed his sword without a word, his sharp gaze landing on the blonde man. "Control your pet next time," he said coldly.

The blonde man's grin faltered, his face twisting in rage. "You dare kill Soro?!"

Jin-Woo watched the exchange with mild interest from his seat, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "This might get interesting," he thought to himself, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

The blonde man's face twisted in arrogant disdain as he crossed his arms and spoke with a haughty tone. "You fools don't know who you're dealing with! I am Helmeppo, the son of 'Axe-Hand' Morgan, the great captain of this island's Marine branch!"

The patrons froze, whispers rippling through the crowd at the mention of Morgan's name. Fear lingered in the air, but the green-haired man didn't flinch.

Helmeppo pointed a trembling finger at him. "And you... you're Roronoa Zoro, the Demon Pirate Hunter! How dare you kill my pet!"

The green-haired man—Zoro—flicked his blade down to the floor, cleaning it of the wolf's blood in a single, practiced motion. His calm, piercing gaze locked onto Helmeppo, who instinctively took a step back.

"You should be more worried about yourself," Zoro said in a low, menacing tone, before sitting back down and ignoring Helmeppo completely.

Jin-Woo, seated at the corner, observed the tension in silence. He didn't have time for meaningless fights. His goal was clear, and getting involved here wasn't part of the plan.

He stood up quietly, weaving his way past the startled crowd, and exited the bar. As the door closed behind him, muffled shouts erupted inside, but Jin-Woo didn't look back.

"I'll wait until nightfall," he thought to himself, glancing toward the Marine base on the hill. "If they have a navigator or maps, I'll take what I need. If not, I'll create one."

When the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon cast its pale glow over the island, Jin-Woo moved swiftly and silently. Clad in black, his figure blended seamlessly with the shadows as he scaled the walls of the Marine base.

Landing softly on the other side, he scanned the yard. The faint glow of torches illuminated a strange sight: a wooden cross standing in the middle of the yard.

A closer look revealed a familiar figure tied to it—Zoro, the green-haired swordsman from the bar. His arms were bound tightly to the cross, but his expression remained calm and defiant, as if he didn't care about his predicament.

Jin-Woo frowned slightly, walking toward him. "So much for being a demon," he muttered. "I expected more from someone like you."

Zoro opened one eye and smirked. "And I expected more from someone sneaking around a Marine base. What are you doing here, anyway?"

Jin-Woo stopped a few feet away, crossing his arms. "Looking for a navigator. A map. Maybe even a better ship. That sailboat I have isn't going to cut it."

Zoro raised an eyebrow. "A navigator, huh? What are you, a pirate?"

Jin-Woo's lips curled into a faint smirk. "I can't exactly say no, especially since I'm raiding a Marine base."

At that, Zoro chuckled. "Fair point."

Jin-Woo tilted his head. "And what about you? You look like a strong guy, are you here willingly? You don't exactly look like someone who lets himself get tied up for no reason."

Zoro grinned, his confidence unshaken even in his current state. "You're right. I'm here because I made a deal with that blonde idiot, Helmeppo. But it seems he broke his promise."

Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow. "A deal?"

"None of your business," Zoro replied, his tone dismissive. Then he leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp. "So? Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to let me go?"

Jin-Woo smirked, summoning his dagger from his inventory. The blade gleamed faintly in the moonlight as he approached the cross.

"Didn't you just say you were here willingly?" Jin-Woo quipped as he sliced through the ropes binding Zoro.

The ropes fell away, and Zoro stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh. "I was. But when a deal's broken, all bets are off."

Jin-Woo stepped back, watching as Zoro cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. Despite being tied up for who knows how long, the man's aura remained as fierce and composed as ever.

Zoro glanced at Jin-Woo, his expression unreadable. "You're after something here. I'll help, as long as I get to take care of that blonde idiot before we leave…. and get my swords back."

Jin-Woo chuckled softly. "Do whatever you want. Just don't slow me down."

Zoro grinned. "Don't worry about that. Let's see what this Marine base has to offer."

Together, the unlikely pair disappeared into the shadows of the Marine base, each with their own goals in mind.