The small boat, guided by Ryuji's strong oars, approached the port of Shells Town.
The sun blazed in the sky, and the gentle sea breeze carried the scent of salt and fish. Ryuji remained silent, focused on steering the boat, while Luffy, full of energy, leaped from one end of the boat to the other. Meanwhile, Koby, still anxious, struggled to find the courage to pursue his dream of becoming a marine.
— Hey, Ryuji, you know what I'm gonna do first? Luffy suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
— What? murmured Ryuji, not lifting his gaze from the water.
— I'm going to find Zoro! And I'm gonna make him join my crew! Luffy said with unshakable enthusiasm.
Ryuji sighed and shook his head.
— You've said that ten times already. Are you sure you know where Zoro is?
Koby, feeling Ryuji's gaze on him, answered hesitantly:
— I know he was captured by the Marines... I think he's tied up in the town square as punishment...
Luffy burst into laughter.
— That sounds fun! A dangerous guy tied up in a square! No problem, I'll free him!
Koby panicked:
— What?! You can't do that! If you free him, the Marines will come after you!
Luffy just laughed, adjusting his straw hat.
— I don't care!
The boat reached the port, and the three disembarked. The town was bustling, full of merchants, locals, and Marines patrolling the area. Luffy led the way, eager to explore, while Ryuji followed calmly, observing every detail of the town.
— So, where's the square? Luffy asked, turning to Koby.
Koby pointed toward a wide street leading to the town center.
— Over there. But please, don't do anything reckless!
Luffy headed in that direction without paying any attention to Koby's warning, and Ryuji followed. When they reached the square, their eyes were drawn to a striking sight.
In the middle of the square, tied with thick ropes to a wooden post, was a massive man with green hair wearing a black headband. His gaze was cold, and despite his restrained posture, he exuded impressive strength.
— That must be Zoro, Ryuji murmured, studying the man.
Without hesitation, Luffy approached him. Zoro lifted his gaze to meet Luffy's, his sharp eyes narrowing.
— What do you want, kid? he asked, his deep voice cutting through the air.
— I want you to join my pirate crew! Luffy said bluntly, flashing a wide grin.
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, surprised by Luffy's tactless approach. Zoro smirked mockingly.
— You've got to be kidding. I don't have time for your nonsense.
Koby, hiding behind Ryuji, froze in fear.
— I told you he's dangerous! he whispered desperately.
Ryuji, calm as ever, placed a hand on Koby's shoulder.
— Relax. Let's see how this plays out.
Luffy didn't seem intimidated by Zoro's response.
— I heard you're the strongest pirate hunter. You're exactly what I need! he said with enthusiasm.
Zoro laughed coldly.
— I'm tied to this post. Doesn't look great for the "strongest," does it?
Ryuji, watching the exchange, noticed several Marines approaching. He calmly turned his attention back to Luffy.
— If you want to take him with you, Captain, we'd better move quickly, he said in a quiet but firm tone.
Luffy grinned widely.
— Then let's free him!
— That's a terrible idea, Koby muttered, already knowing he couldn't stop what was about to happen.
Luffy stepped closer to Zoro, his broad, childlike smile unwavering. Zoro stared back, almost in disbelief at what he was witnessing.
— Listen, kid, Zoro said, his deep voice slicing through the commotion in the square. I don't waste my time on foolish dreams. And even if I wanted to join your crew, I'm tied here because of a promise.
Luffy paused, curious.
— What promise?
Zoro turned his gaze away, thinking about the moment he had promised the tavern owner's daughter to endure 30 days without food to prove his courage.
— It's none of your business. But if you help me escape, you'll have the entire Marine force in Shells Town on your back.
Luffy laughed.
— I don't care! I'm strong enough to take them all on!
Ryuji, observing silently, noticed the Marines paying attention to them. He crossed his arms, evaluating the situation.
— Luffy, maybe we should come up with a plan first. You don't want the whole Marine force in this town coming after us, he said calmly.
Luffy turned to Ryuji.
— Well, what do you suggest?
Ryuji looked at the post Zoro was tied to and then at the Marines around them.
— First, we make sure we have an escape route. Once we free him, we need to be ready to run or fight.
Zoro smirked, slightly impressed by Ryuji's calm and logic.
— This guy's got a brain. Maybe your crew isn't completely full of idiots.
Koby, trembling, whispered:
— We can't just free him! The Marine captain here, Captain Morgan, is a monster!
Ryuji turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
— Captain Morgan?
Koby nodded frantically.
— Yes, he's famous for his axe-hand! And his son, Helmeppo, is even worse!
Luffy grinned broadly.
— Perfect! We'll take on Morgan too!
At that moment, a few Marines approached the group.
— Hey, you there! What are you doing? one of them shouted.
Ryuji sighed deeply.
— And here's where the trouble begins...
Luffy prepared to jump into action, but Ryuji raised a hand to stop him.
— Let me try something first, he said.
The Marines closed in, and Ryuji gave them a polite but cold smile.
— Greetings. We're just passing through the square. We don't mean to cause any trouble.
One of the Marines, suspicious, stared at him.
— Then why are you standing so close to the prisoner?
Ryuji shrugged.
— I've heard stories about this "pirate hunter" and wanted to see if they're true.
The Marines hesitated for a moment, but Helmeppo appeared from behind, wearing his usual arrogant demeanor.
— What's this riffraff doing here? he shouted. Leave now, or I'll call the guard to arrest you!
Luffy, already annoyed by Helmeppo's tone, took a step forward.
— And who are you to tell us what to do?
Helmeppo puffed out his chest.
— I'm Captain Morgan's son! Nobody talks to me like that!
Ryuji placed a firm hand on Luffy's shoulder.
— Luffy, not yet, he murmured, trying to keep the situation under control.
But Luffy, being Luffy, had already made up his mind. He turned to Helmeppo and said:
— If you're so important, then why are you just a coward hiding behind the Marines?
Helmeppo's face turned red with anger.
— You'll pay for that! Guards!
The Marines surrounded the group, and Ryuji sighed again, glancing at the sky.
— I knew it wouldn't take long for chaos to start...
Zoro, still tied to the post, was now laughing.
— If you manage to free me, I might just join you. This looks like it's going to be fun.
Luffy grinned broadly.
— Deal!
— Ryuji, hurry! shouted Koby, trembling with fear.
— Calm down, murmured Ryuji before stepping into a defensive stance, ready to handle the approaching Marines.
The Marines closed in, swords drawn and determination etched on their faces. Ryuji, calm and unflinching, stepped forward, quickly assessing the situation.
Koby, shaking even more, cowered behind Luffy.
— What are we going to do?! There are too many of them! he cried out in panic.
Luffy, his usual carefree grin plastered on his face, seemed completely unbothered.
— Don't worry, Ryuji's got this.
The boldest Marine attacked first, charging at Ryuji with his sword raised. Ryuji crossed his arms for a moment, then with a swift and precise motion, threw a punch. The air around him seemed to compress, and an explosive force sent the Marine crashing to the ground, unconscious.
The remaining Marines froze for a moment, unable to believe what they had just seen. Ryuji, still composed, raised an eyebrow.
— Next?
Another Marine tried his luck, but Ryuji clenched his fist, generating a shockwave that knocked everyone off balance.
— Cataclysmic Fist, he murmured calmly.
The impact shattered the ground beneath their feet, scattering the remaining Marines. Some collapsed unconscious from the sheer power of the shockwave.
Koby, his jaw practically on the floor, struggled to breathe.
— Wh-what kind of monster are you?!
Ryuji glanced at Koby, his expression unchanging.
— Just someone who hates being bothered.
Luffy erupted into loud laughter, thrilled by what he had just witnessed.
— Wow, Ryuji! That was awesome!
Zoro, still tied to the post, now looked on with a mix of surprise and respect.
— This guy… He's stronger than I expected, he muttered.
Helmeppo, who had been watching the entire scene, was now cowering behind a wall, trembling.
— This can't be… It's impossible! I'll call my father! You'll regret this! he screamed, bolting toward the Marine building.
Ryuji sighed, dusting off his clothes.
— More trouble.
Luffy, however, seemed completely unconcerned.
— Perfect! If Captain Morgan shows up, we'll beat him too!
Zoro grinned wide.
— If you're planning to take on Morgan, you'll need me.
Ryuji looked at Zoro, sizing him up.
— Then we'll need to free you, but don't get in our way.
Zoro laughed.
— Me, get in the way? Hah! Just wait and see what I can do.
Excited, Luffy jumped to untie Zoro. Meanwhile, Ryuji glanced at the Marine building, where Helmeppo had already disappeared.
— We'll need to be ready, he said calmly. If Morgan comes, he won't come alone.
Koby, still trembling, tried to muster some courage.
— We can't fight the Marines! It's suicide!
Ryuji shot Koby a cold look.
— If you want to join the Marines as a recruit, you'll have to learn to have some courage.
As Ryuji and Luffy made their plans, a large shadow appeared on the Marine building's balcony. It was Morgan, with his iconic axe-hand, glaring at them with disdain.
— Who dares to attack my Marines?! he bellowed.
Luffy grinned widely, while Ryuji sighed.
— Here we go again… he muttered, preparing for the next fight.
Ryuji observed Morgan from a distance, quickly evaluating the situation. The man's massive axe and imposing stance gave him an air of superiority, but Ryuji remained calm, analyzing his movements.
Luffy was already ready to leap toward Morgan, but Ryuji stopped him with a raised hand.
— Luffy, leave Morgan to me. Go and get Zoro's swords. If we want to get out of here in one piece, we'll need all the help we can get.
Though a bit disappointed that he wouldn't get to fight, Luffy grinned.
— Zoro's swords? I'm on it!
Zoro, still tied to the post, turned his head toward Ryuji.
— Hah, good plan. But let's see if you can actually take on Morgan.
Ryuji glanced calmly at Zoro before fixing his gaze on Morgan, who was now descending the massive steps of the Marine building, flanked by soldiers.
— I'll need only one punch.
Koby, still hiding behind the post, began trembling again.
— He's insane! Morgan is invincible!
Morgan laughed loudly, overhearing Koby.
— Invincible, you say? Correct! Everyone who has stood in my way has been destroyed! No one can withstand my axe!
Ryuji, bored by the speech, raised a single finger, slightly compressing the air around him. The subtle ripple in the air made a few soldiers instinctively step back.
— You talk too much, Ryuji said flatly.
Morgan, enraged, raised his axe and charged at Ryuji. The massive blow shook the ground as the axe struck, but Ryuji sidestepped it effortlessly, his movements calm and precise.
— Is that all you've got? he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Infuriated, Morgan began unleashing a flurry of attacks, but every swing of his axe was dodged with ease by Ryuji. Finally, Ryuji decided it was time to end things.
— Enough, he said, compressing the air around him. — Cataclysmic Fist!
With a swift motion, he struck Morgan in the chest. The compressed air released from the punch generated a powerful explosion, sending Morgan flying several meters back, crashing to the ground unconscious. The ground where the punch landed was now cracked, and the surrounding soldiers stood frozen in shock.
Koby's jaw dropped in awe.
— It… It can't be…
Zoro let out a short laugh.
— This guy is stronger than I thought, Zoro muttered, his grin widening.
At that moment, Luffy turned around, holding Zoro's three swords in his arms.
— I found them! he yelled excitedly. — And I found some meat on the way!
Ryuji glanced at Luffy and then at Zoro.
— Let's untie him and get out of here.
Still tied to the post, Zoro smiled broadly.
— If you free me, I'll help you clean up this place.
Ryuji sighed softly but nodded in agreement.
— There's not much left to clean up. Morgan's already been taken down.
With Zoro freed and Morgan defeated, the group began making their way toward a safe exit. Ryuji led the way, as calm as ever, but in the back of his mind, he started to realize that life at sea with Luffy might not be as dull as he thought.
With Morgan down and the Marine soldiers left stunned, the atmosphere in Shells Town was tense. Koby trembled with a mix of fear and excitement, while Zoro, now with his swords at his hip, surveyed the area.
— Morgan was the center of fear here, Zoro said, stepping toward the remaining soldiers. — Now that he's gone, you have a chance to rebuild this place.
A braver soldier stepped forward, but his voice trembled as he spoke:
— A-and what happens to us? What if someone worse comes?
Ryuji, who had been observing the scene silently, spoke up, his tone steady and calm:
— If you live your life guided by fear, you'll always be under someone's boot. Morgan was just one example. You need to unite and protect what's yours.
His words left the soldiers thoughtful, but there wasn't much time for long speeches. Luffy, already aboard their small boat, was waving enthusiastically to Ryuji and Zoro.
— Come on! New adventures are waiting for us!
Koby, still hesitant to join fully, approached Luffy with small steps.
— Luffy… thank you for helping me. But I think it's time for me to follow my dream.
Ryuji raised an eyebrow and looked at him directly.
— And what is it you want to do, Koby?
— I want to become a Marine officer, Koby said, clenching his fists. — To protect people from pirates like Morgan.
Zoro chuckled.
— You've got guts, kid. Just make sure you don't get corrupted.
Luffy gave Koby a wide grin and a thumbs-up.
— Koby, you'll make it!
Without saying much else, Ryuji turned toward the boat. Luffy followed, and after a brief hesitation, Zoro climbed aboard as well.
— So, where are we headed? Zoro asked, looking out at the open sea.
Luffy laughed heartily.
— We'll figure it out! But first, we need to eat. I'm starving!
Ryuji sighed, already accustomed to Luffy's style, and began preparing something from the supplies they had. Zoro, on the other hand, lay back and let the sun warm his face.
In the background, Shells Town was beginning to calm down. Koby watched their boat disappear into the horizon, a flicker of hope shining in his eyes.