Chapter 8: The Raid Begins
Jin-Woo and Zoro walked through the dimly lit hallways of the Marine base, their footsteps barely making a sound. The scent of metal and gunpowder lingered in the air, mixing with the distant murmurs of patrolling soldiers.
As they turned a corner, several Marine soldiers spotted them. Their eyes widened in shock when they recognized the green-haired swordsman.
"It's Roronoa Zoro!" one of them shouted, scrambling to draw his sword. "He escaped!"
Another Marine wasted no time slamming his fist on a nearby alarm. A loud, blaring siren echoed through the base, signaling an intruder alert.
Jin-Woo sighed, hands still in his pockets as he stepped back slightly. "Well, that was fast."
Zoro smirked, his muscles tensing in anticipation. "Less talking. More fighting."
The Marines charged forward, weapons raised. Zoro even without his swords gets ready to attack, he bent his knees slightly, shifting his weight as the soldiers closed in.
"No-Sword Style..." he muttered.
In a flash, he dashed forward, weaving between the attacking Marines with sheer speed and power. His fists, elbows, and even his legs became weapons as he took them down in a single, fluid motion. Some were knocked unconscious instantly, while others were sent flying into the walls with enough force to crack the stone.
Jin-Woo watched from behind, intrigued. "A swordsman who doesn't need swords... That's interesting."
As the last Marine crumpled to the ground, Zoro exhaled sharply, shaking off the fight's intensity.
Jin-Woo turned, noticing a slightly open door nearby. Curious, he pushed it open and stepped inside.
The dimly lit room contained several wooden chests, stacked carelessly in the corner. His eyes scanned the area, and with a quick punch, he shattered one of the larger chests, revealing stacks of money.
He smirked. "Not bad."
With a flick of his hand, the money disappeared into his inventory. The total amount wasn't impressive—only around 10,000 berry—but every bit helped.
As he turned to leave, he realized something.
Zoro was gone.
Jin-Woo sighed, rubbing his temple. "Seriously? I leave him alone for one minute, and he disappears?"
Zoro, meanwhile, was roaming the Marine base, taking turns without thinking and refusing to admit he had no idea where he was going.
"Where did he go?" Zoro muttered to himself, trying to make it sound like Jin-Woo was the lost one. "Did he get lost?"
His wandering eventually led him to a room much more decorated than the others. It was clear that whoever lived here was important.
Stepping inside, he immediately spotted someone lounging on an expensive-looking chair.
Helmeppo.
The blonde-haired Marine was twirling a sword in his hands, admiring its craftsmanship. It wasn't just any sword—it was his sword.
Zoro's eyes darkened as he saw the familiar white hilt, the circular handguard, and the pristine white sheath.
The Wado Ichimonji.
Helmeppo grinned, oblivious to the storm brewing behind him. "Hah! This sword is pretty cool. Maybe I should start using it. A real noble like me deserves the best weapons, after all."
Zoro stepped forward, his voice calm yet sharp enough to cut through the air like a blade.
"Drop my sword."
Helmeppo's body stiffened as his face
drained of color. He could feel the sheer
intensity of Zoro's gaze pinning him in
place. His hands trembled, and with a
clatter, the Wado Ichimonji slipped from
his grasp, falling to the floor.
"H-How did you escape?!" Helmeppo
stammered, his voice breaking with fear.
Zoro ignored him, stepping forward to
retrieve his beloved sword. As he
secured it at his waist, he noticed two
more familiar blades resting in the
corner. His other two unfamous swords He grabbed them, securing all
three at his hip.
Satisfied, he turned to leave, but just
before stepping out, he glanced down at
Helmeppo-his eyes cold, unreadable.
With a sharp flick of his wrist, Zoro drove
his fist into Helmeppo's face.
The Marine heir barely had time to react
before the impact sent him crashing into
the floor, unconscious.
Zoro exhaled and rolled his shoulders
before stepping out of the room.
As soon as he did, he was met with an
unexpected sight.
Jin-Woo stood in the middle of the
hallway, his hands still in his pockets,
looking completely unfazed. At his feet
lay a massive, muscular man—unmoving,
as if he had been taken out in an instant.
Zoro's eyes widened slightly. "That's...
Axe-Hand Morgan."
The towering Marine captain was known
for his brutality, a man feared by both
subordinates and criminals alike. But
now, he lay sprawled on the floor, utterly
defeated.
Zoro's eyes shifted to Jin-Woo, his
curiosity growing. "You took him down
without making a sound?"
Jin-Woo shrugged casually. "He was
slow."
Zoro took a step forward, looking down
at Morgan's unconscious form. "Who...
exactly are you?"
Jin-Woo looked at him and smirked
slightly. "Sung Jin-Woo." Then, his gaze
darkened. "We shouldn't leave anyone
alive. If we do, we'll have bounties on our
heads."
Before Zoro could respond, Jin-Woo's
shadow began to ripple.
From the shifting darkness, dozens of
shadowy figures emerged-warriors clad
in black armor, some wielding darkened
swords, others gripping rifles. They
stood motionless, awaiting their
master's command.
"Kill everyone inside the base," Jin-Woo
ordered.
Like a tidal wave, his shadow army
surged through the halls.
Screams barely had time to escape the
lips of the remaining Marines before the
darkness swallowed them whole. Within
seconds, the entire Marine branch had
been wiped out.
Then, as the eerie silence settled,
Jin-Woo raised a hand.
"Arise."
Dark mist seeped from the fallen bodies,
and one by one, the dead Marines rose
again. Their eyes glowed a deep blue,
their bodies wrapped in unnatural
darkness. Their weapons, too, had
transformed-blackened steel swords
and rifles brimming with eerie energy.
Among them, the largest of all was
Captain Morgan.
His once-human form was now a
monstrous shadow soldier. His axe-hand
burned with black flames, flickering in
the dimly lit corridor.
Jin-Woo smirked, satisfied with his new
soldier. "I'll name you... Slash."
Zoro stood frozen, watching the entire scene unfold. Raising the dead?
Creating an army from shadows? This
was beyond anything he had ever
witnessed.
Zoro stood frozen, watching the entire
scene unfold. Raising the dead?
Creating an army from shadows? This
was beyond anything he had ever
witnessed.
"...Are you a Devil Fruit user?" Zoro
finally asked, his voice laced with both
shock and intrigue.
Jin-Woo frowned slightly. "Devil Fruit?"
The confusion in his voice made it clear, he had no idea what that was.