Training camp.
Zoro tried to slow down his breathing to reduce his heart rate.
"What day is it? It's been almost two weeks, hasn't it? There's still half the way."
The midday sun was scorching, and beads of sweat soaked his clothes.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared in front of him.
Zoro looked up and saw a young man wearing a straw hat.
"It's you..." he recognized him, having already caught a glimpse of him before.
"Give him back the swords, Helmeppo." Luffy said to Helmeppo, who followed him.
"Alright, Luffy-sama."
Helmeppo transformed into a minion and quickly threw the three swords he held onto the ground in front of Zoro. At the same time, he changed his appearance, tilting his nose towards the sky.
"Be grateful, Roronoa Zoro. The great Luffy-sama spared you your punishment!"
Luffy-sama? Who is this?
"What does that mean?" Zoro's gaze hardened.
Luffy smiled and said, "I heard about what you did. You killed this guy's dog to protect a little girl, right? That's why you're tied up here, and you have to survive for a month to gain your freedom."
"Erm, Luffy-sama, it was actually a wolf..." Helmeppo whispered as a reminder.
"Hmm?" Luffy looked at him.
Helmeppo quickly corrected himself, "A dog, yes, it was a dog! Truly worthy of Luffy-sama, seeing through that despicable beast's disguise, almost fooling even me, its owner!"
Zoro: "..."
"It's good that you know. Now apologize to him." Luffy nodded satisfied.
Upon hearing this, Helmeppo immediately puffed out his chest, his nostrils pointed at Zoro. "Apologize Roronoa Zoro, and I will reluctantly accept your apology."
To knock!
Luffy slapped him on the back of the head, leaving Helmeppo stunned.
"Erm, Luffy-sama?"
"Are you stupid? I told you to apologize."
Zoro: "..."
Helmeppo: "..."
What did I do wrong? How did this become me apologizing?
"Hahaha..." Zoro couldn't help but laugh a few times. "Although I don't know why you are helping me, I am still grateful to you."
"My name is Luffy, Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy smiled weakly. "I'm recruiting members for my crew to sail the Grand Line. I hear you have great skills."
"Sorry, I'm looking for a man named Dracule Mihawk. I can't join your Crew."
Speaking of Mihawk, Zoro's gaze became sharp. "My dream is to defeat that man and become the strongest swordsman in the world!"
"Mihawk, huh? I know him."
"You know him?! Where is he?"
Zoro suddenly became excited.
"He was supposed to come from the Grand Line to East Blue. I don't know the exact details, but if I get a chance, I'll ask for you."
"Do you know him?" Zoro was surprised.
"I don't know him, but he knows me."
Zoro: "..."
Helmeppo: "..."
This is Garp's grandson!
Helmeppo sighed internally, even Mihawk, one of the Shichibukai, recognized him.
Dad, you're not good enough! I can only show off in Shells Town!
"What, you don't believe me?" Luffy smiled and said, "Do you know who my father-in-law is?"
"Father-in-law? Who is your father-in-law?" Zoro couldn't help but ask.
"One of the Four Emperors of the Sea, captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks the Red."
Luffy pulled out his bottom gun again and said, "Mihawk fought my father-in-law some time ago, but it was only because my father-in-law didn't use Conqueror's Haki that they narrowly fought to a draw. I didn't expect people to call him number one of the world."
What are the Four Emperors of the Sea, Conqueror's Haki, Shanks the Red? Zoro didn't understand anything.
But he understood the part about fighting to a draw.
Being able to fight on equal terms with the number one swordsman in the world, this guy's father-in-law is truly incredible!
"Wait a minute!" Zoro suddenly realized, "Your father-in-law is a pirate? Then why did you invite me to join your crew?"
"Of course, it's to join my Pirates crew, the Straw Hat Pirates."
"Are you a pirate?" x2
The one who exclaimed most in surprise was Helmeppo.
He stared in disbelief, wondering why on earth anyone would become a pirate if they already had a vice admiral grandfather.
Is he an idiot?
Luffy was unfazed by the shocked minion and said, "What do you think? Once you're on my ship, you'll eventually meet Mihawk, who you want to defeat."
Upon hearing this, Zoro smiled, "Since you put it that way, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse. I promise you, Luffy- no, Captain! But I will leave the crew if we can't find Mihawk."
"No problem."
Helmeppo smiled and gave Helmeppo a look: "Aren't you going to untie him?"
"Yes!"
Helmeppo shivered and quickly went to untie the ropes.
However, at that moment, an angry voice sounded.
"What are you doing!"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Helmeppo was surprised and turned to see his father.
"Father..."
Seeing his father's grim face, he quickly distanced himself, "It's all Luffy-sama's fault... No, it's the pirate Luffy who forced me to do this! He's a pirate, father, please save me!"
He ran towards his father as if returning to his nest.
Upon seeing his son running towards him, Morgan threw a violent punch with his left fist.
Plop!
Helmeppo was punched in the cheek, his body rotated 720 degrees in the air before hitting the wall with a bang.
"Did you misunderstand something? Without my permission, who allowed you to release prisoners on your own?"
Morgan snorted coldly, then turned his gaze to Luffy, softening a little.
"Luffy-dono, do you have something to explain? I must remind you not to approach this dangerous criminal casually."
After a pause, he added, "And you claim to be a pirate, Alvida also said you are a pirate... What does that mean?"
Upon hearing this, Luffy's mouth curved upwards slightly.
"I have received reports from the people of this island, Morgan. You have been cruel and tyrannical on this island, abusing your power for personal gain. Now, lay down your weapons and obediently surrender. I will mention this to my grandfather Vice Admiral and try to get lenient treatment for you!"
(End of chapter)