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Training Grounds.
Zoro slowed his breathing rhythm as much as possible, aiming to reduce his breathing frequency.
"How many days has it been? Nearly two weeks? There's still half to go."
The scorching midday sun was relentless, and sweat from Zoro's temples had nearly soaked his collar.
Suddenly, a shadow stretched from the front, reaching his feet.
Zoro raised his head. The newcomer was a straw-hat-wearing youth.
"It's you…" He recognized the boy from a fleeting glance earlier.
"Return his swords," Mu Li ordered Helmeppo, who was following him.
"Yes, Lord Luffy."
Helmeppo, acting like a bootlicker, quickly tossed the three swords he was holding to the ground at Zoro's feet. Then, he switched to an arrogant demeanor, tilting his nose upward:
"Be grateful, Roronoa. Lord Luffy has pardoned your punishment!"
Lord Luffy? Who is this big shot?
"What's the meaning of this?" Zoro's gaze sharpened.
Mu Li chuckled. "I heard about your story. To protect a little girl, you killed this guy's dog? So they tied you up here, saying you'd gain your freedom if you survived a month."
"Uh, Lord Luffy, that was a wolf…" Helmeppo whispered.
"Hm?" Mu Li shot him a glance.
Helmeppo quickly corrected himself: "Dog! Yes, a dog! As expected of Lord Luffy, seeing through that beast's disguise in one glance. So cunning—it almost fooled even me, its owner!"
Zoro: "…"
"Good, then apologize already," Mu Li nodded in satisfaction.
At those words, Helmeppo puffed up his chest and stared at Zoro through his nostrils. "Apologize, and I'll reluctantly accept it."
Smack!
Mu Li smacked Helmeppo on the back of the head, leaving him stunned.
"Lord Luffy?"
"Are you stupid? I said you apologize."
Zoro: "…"
Helmeppo: "…"
Am I licking the wrong way? How did it turn into me apologizing?
"Hahaha…" Zoro couldn't help but laugh a few times. "I don't know why you're helping me, but thanks anyway."
"My name is Luffy."
Mu Li smiled faintly. "I'm recruiting crew members to sail through the Grand Line. I heard you're strong. Join my crew."
"Sorry, I'm looking for a man named Mihawk. I can't join your crew."
At the mention of Mihawk, Zoro's gaze turned sharp. "Defeating that man and becoming the world's greatest swordsman is my ambition!"
"Mihawk? I know him."
"You know him?! Where is he?"
Zoro's excitement grew.
"He should've come to East Blue from the Grand Line, but I don't know exactly where. If there's a chance, I can ask for you."
"You know him?" Zoro froze for a moment.
"I don't know him, but he knows me."
Zoro: "…"
Helmeppo: "…"
Is this really Vice Admiral Garp's grandson, Lord Luffy?!
Helmeppo's heart raced. Even a Shichibukai like Mihawk knew him. The difference between second-generation elites was overwhelming.
Father, you're not very impressive! I can only strut around in Shells Town!
"What? You don't believe me?" Mu Li grinned and said, "Do you know who my father-in-law is?"
"Who's your father-in-law?" Zoro couldn't help but ask.
"One of the Four Emperors of the New World, the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates—Red-Haired Shanks."
Mu Li brought out his trump card again. "Mihawk once fought my father-in-law, and it was only because my father-in-law didn't use Conqueror's Haki that they barely tied. Yet the outside world still claims he's the world's greatest swordsman."
New World? Four Emperors? Conqueror's Haki? Red-Haired?
Zoro didn't understand any of it right now.
But a tie? That, he understood.
Someone who could tie with Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, must be remarkable!
"Wait a minute!" Zoro suddenly realized something. "Your father-in-law's a pirate? Then your invitation to join your crew is…"
"Of course, it's to join my Straw Hat Pirates."
"You're a pirate?"
"You're a pirate?!"
The one shouting in surprise was Helmeppo.
He stared wide-eyed in disbelief. With a Vice Admiral for a grandfather, why would he become a pirate? Is he an idiot?
Mu Li ignored the overreacting bootlicker and said, "So? If you join my crew, you'll eventually meet Mihawk."
Hearing this, Zoro grinned. "Since you put it that way, refusing would make me ungrateful. I accept, Captain! But let me say this upfront: if I don't find Mihawk, I'll leave the crew!"
"No problem."
Good luck finding your way then. Leaving the crew? Sure.
Mu Li smiled and gave Helmeppo a look. "Well? Aren't you going to untie my First Division Commander?"
"Yes, sir!"
Helmeppo shivered and hurried to untie the ropes.
But just then, a stern voice rang out.
"What are you doing?!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Helmeppo froze. Turning, he saw Captain Morgan.
"Father…"
Seeing his father's furious expression, Helmeppo panicked and tried to distance himself. "It was all Lord Luffy's doing… no, it was Pirate Luffy who forced me! He's a pirate, Father, save me!"
He ran toward his father like a swallow returning to its nest.
As his son approached, Morgan swung a hard left punch.
Thud!
Helmeppo took the punch squarely to the face, spinning through the air in a dramatic 720-degree turn before crashing into a wall.
"Did you misunderstand something? I'm the great one here! Who allowed you to release the prisoner without my permission?"
Morgan snorted coldly but softened his tone slightly when his gaze fell on Mu Li.
"Lord Luffy, do you have an explanation? I should remind you that approaching this dangerous criminal is strictly forbidden."
After a pause, he added, "And now you're calling yourself a pirate? That Alvida woman also claimed you were a pirate. What does this mean?"
At this, Mu Li's lips curled into a smirk.
"I received reports from the public, Morgan. You've been tyrannical and corrupt on this island. Lay down your weapons and surrender peacefully. I'll put in a good word with my Vice Admiral grandfather to seek leniency for you!"