The outskirts of Shells Town, where Luffy and Coby arrive on Alvida's stolen ship.
---
The harbor of Shells Town was bustling with activity. Merchant ships unloaded their cargo, and Marines patrolled the docks with an air of authority. For Coby, the sight filled him with a mixture of dread and excitement.
"This is it," Coby said, clutching the railing as their stolen ship drifted closer. "A Marine base… my dream is so close!"
Luffy leaned against the mast, arms crossed. "You're gonna join them here?"
Coby hesitated. "Well… yeah. I mean, this is where Marines are stationed. But I heard the captain here is… kind of scary."
Luffy tilted his head. "Scary? Like, big and strong?"
"No, more like cruel and tyrannical," Coby muttered, glancing nervously at the towering Marine fortress in the distance.
Luffy grinned. "Sounds fun. Let's check it out."
---
Arriving at Shells Town
Docking the stolen ship didn't go unnoticed. Within moments, two Marine soldiers approached them, shouting, "Hey! That's Alvida's ship! Who are you two?"
Coby panicked, fumbling for an explanation, but Luffy stepped forward casually. "We're not with Alvida anymore. I kicked her out."
The Marines exchanged confused glances. "You defeated Alvida? Don't joke around, kid!"
Luffy scratched his head. "Well, if you don't believe me, that's fine. But we need to meet your captain."
The mention of their captain made the Marines visibly tense. "Captain Morgan doesn't meet with nobodies like you."
"Then I'll find him myself," Luffy said nonchalantly, strolling past them.
"Hey, you can't just—" one Marine protested, but before he could grab Luffy's shoulder, the boy turned sharply, his piercing gaze freezing the soldier in place.
Coby gawked as the Marine stepped back, his hand trembling. "Was… was that Conqueror's Haki?"
"Just a little," Luffy admitted with a shrug.
---
Meeting Zoro
Inside the Marine base's courtyard, a grim sight greeted them: a man tied to a wooden cross in the blazing sun. His black hair was messy, his green bandana tied around his arm, and his swords rested nearby, tantalizingly out of reach.
"Who's that?" Luffy asked, pointing at the bound man.
"That's Roronoa Zoro!" a young girl whispered from behind them. Luffy turned to see a timid child hiding behind a fence. "He's a bad guy… but I don't think he's really evil."
"Roronoa Zoro?" Coby gasped. "He's a pirate hunter! What's he doing here?"
The girl explained how Zoro had been imprisoned by Captain Morgan's son, Helmeppo, for protecting her from a rampaging wolf.
Luffy's gaze shifted back to Zoro, a grin spreading across his face. "He looks tough. Let's talk to him."
---
The Confrontation with Helmeppo
As Luffy approached, Helmeppo strolled into the courtyard with an arrogant smirk. His gaudy outfit clashed with the disciplined Marines trailing behind him.
"You there!" Helmeppo shouted, pointing at Luffy. "What are you doing near that criminal?"
Luffy glanced at Zoro, who remained silent but glared daggers at Helmeppo. "I'm just curious," Luffy replied. "He doesn't look like a bad guy to me."
Helmeppo snorted. "Of course, he's a criminal! Anyone who defies me gets what they deserve."
Zoro finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "I'd rather starve than listen to your lies."
Luffy's grin widened. "I like this guy. He's got guts."
"Shut up!" Helmeppo snapped. "If you don't leave now, I'll have you arrested too!"
Luffy took a step forward, his aura shifting. The Marines behind Helmeppo froze, sensing the subtle pressure of Luffy's Haki. "Why don't you untie him and see what happens?"
Helmeppo faltered, his smug facade cracking. "You—! Do you know who my father is?"
"Nope," Luffy replied, cracking his knuckles.
---
Freeing Zoro
Helmeppo stormed off, vowing to return with reinforcements. Luffy turned to Zoro, who studied him warily.
"You're not with the Marines," Zoro said.
"Nope. I'm Luffy. I'm gonna be King of the Pirates."
Zoro snorted. "You're crazy. Why would I team up with someone like you?"
"Because I'll untie you," Luffy said simply, pulling at the ropes. "And because I can tell you're strong."
Zoro's eyes narrowed. "If you untie me, you better be ready to fight me."
"Sure," Luffy said, grinning. "But first, we're gonna take down that Helmeppo guy and his dad."
---
Setting the Stage for Battle
As Luffy and Coby prepared to face the Marines, the chapter ends with Captain Morgan receiving word of the intruders. His imposing figure looms in the background, his axe hand gleaming in the sunlight.
"Who dares challenge my authority?" Morgan growls.
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End of Chapter.plzz support me by give Ng power stones