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As the crew made their way through Orange Town, replenishing supplies and getting to know the locals, they began to notice something strange. Rumors had spread of a notorious swordsman, Roronoa Zoro, who was said to be tied to a bounty hunter who had been causing trouble in the town. Some spoke of him with awe, others with fear—he was known for his unmatched swordsmanship and stubborn spirit.
Luffy, ever curious and eager for a new challenge, was the first to hear about him. "A swordsman, huh?" Luffy said with excitement, his eyes gleaming. "Let's find him! Maybe he'll join our crew!"
Sabo raised an eyebrow. "We're looking for trouble again, aren't we?"
Ace chuckled. "It wouldn't be us if we weren't. Let's go see what this guy's all about."
They followed the whispers, weaving through the bustling market streets of Orange Town. The people spoke of Zoro's imprisonment, the bounty hunter that had captured him, and his apparent stubbornness in refusing to join anyone's crew, no matter how strong or influential. It didn't take long before they found themselves standing in front of a small building, the town's local bar.
Inside, behind bars, a man with three swords was standing in the center of the room. His green hair was unkempt, and his posture was calm, but there was an air of defiance in his stance. He looked exactly like the stories described—a man who would never bow to anyone.
Luffy was the first to step forward, grinning widely. "You're the swordsman they're talking about, right? The one who never joins anyone's crew? I'm Luffy, and I'm going to be Pirate King! You should join us!"
Zoro glanced up at the trio, a small smirk forming on his lips. "Is that so? You think you can just come in here and recruit me like that? I've got my own goals. I don't need some captain to tell me what to do."
Ace stepped forward, flames dancing across his fingertips. "I don't know about that. You look like someone who can handle himself. I'd say it'd be better to have you as an ally than an enemy."
Sabo watched the exchange, assessing the situation. Zoro was clearly a man of pride, not someone who could be won over by simple words. "You're not just going to get him to join with a fancy speech, Luffy."
Luffy's grin only grew wider, his usual carefree attitude never wavering. "Well, if he's a swordsman, then I'll just challenge him! If I win, he'll have to join us!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Challenge me? You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Luffy ignored the taunt, stepping forward. "I'm not just about guts—I've got the power to back it up!"
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Chapter 4: The Duel – Luffy vs. Zoro
The challenge was set. The townspeople gathered to watch, curiosity and excitement building as Luffy and Zoro prepared to face off. Zoro unsheathed his three swords, his expression stoic and serious. He was a man who valued strength and would only join a crew that could prove their worth to him. Luffy, of course, was undeterred by Zoro's reputation.
Luffy's Nine-Tails form surged as he tapped into his full potential, his tails flicking behind him, creating a burst of wind. His eyes gleamed with determination as he faced Zoro. "I'm going to be the strongest pirate ever!" Luffy declared. "And to do that, I need a strong swordsman like you on my crew!"
Sabo and Ace stepped back, watching intently. Sabo's hands crackled with static, prepared to jump in if things got out of hand, while Ace stood with his arms crossed, watching with a half-smile. The fight would be a good test of Luffy's growing powers.
Zoro was the first to move, his swords flashing as he launched a quick series of slashes. His speed was impressive, but Luffy was faster. His Nine-Tails abilities enhanced his agility, and he darted around Zoro's strikes, his tails creating gusts of wind to help him move even quicker.
"I'm not going easy on you, kid," Zoro grunted, his eyes narrowing. He moved in a blur, slashing from every angle. His three swords were a whirlwind of steel, forcing Luffy to focus entirely on dodging and countering.
Luffy, though, was not easily shaken. His body twisted and darted with incredible speed, and his enhanced senses allowed him to predict Zoro's next moves. He dodged another slash, using his Nine-Tails power to launch a sudden counterattack. A swipe from one of his tails sent a wave of wind towards Zoro, pushing him back.
But Zoro wasn't finished. He dropped to the ground, spinning with incredible precision, his swords striking in a deadly arc. "Santoryu: Tiger Hunt!"
Luffy barely managed to leap out of the way, his nine tails flaring out to cushion his landing. He grinned widely. "He's pretty strong! This is going to be fun!"
Zoro's expression didn't change. He was impressed with Luffy's skill, but his eyes were still cold and calculating. The duel went on, with Zoro testing Luffy's agility and strength, while Luffy continuously amazed the onlookers with his raw talent and the versatility of his Nine-Tails abilities. They fought fiercely, neither giving an inch, but neither truly landing a decisive blow either.
Finally, after a tense exchange of blows, Zoro stopped, his swords lowering. "You've got guts, kid. And you're not bad for someone with no real swordsmanship skills. But strength isn't enough. You've got to have something more to lead a crew."
Luffy, panting but still smiling, wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead. "Yeah, but I've got something even better! I've got my dream! And I'm not giving up on it! So, if you want to fight with us, you're going to have to do it as part of our crew!"
Zoro looked at the young pirate with a hard gaze, but then, after a long pause, his expression softened just a little. "You're not like the others. Fine. I'll join you. But I'll be doing it my way—no captain of mine's going to tell me how to swing my swords."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Deal! You're part of the crew now!"
With that, Zoro officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates, completing the first step in the creation of Luffy's legendary crew. Zoro, the swordsman with unmatched pride and power, was now a member of the team, and together, they would take on the world.
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End of Chapter 3
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