Chapter 4

At the zenith of noon, the sun cast its brilliant rays upon the tranquil sea, illuminating the small boat's leisurely journey towards the emerging silhouette of an island on the horizon.

Reclined on the vessel's side, Seph basked in the warmth of the sun, feeling invigorated as his capabilities surged endlessly.

"Kimochii," he murmured contentedly.

Beside him, Luffy's exuberance was palpable as he bounded about with excitement.

"Island! I spy the island!" he exclaimed eagerly.

With deft hands, Coby navigated the boat skillfully, guiding it to a smooth docking at the shores of Shells Town. His gaze reflected admiration for the grandeur of the nearby navy base.

As Seph gazed around, he marveled at the pirate-themed architecture that adorned the town's landscape.

"Is this Shells Town?" he pondered aloud.

Initially appearing ordinary and serene, the town had been embroiled in chaos since the appointment of Marine Colonel Morgan, whose reign of tyranny had left its mark.

Observing the scene ahead, Seph felt a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

Coby's adept maneuvering brought the boat to the pier, while Luffy's attention seemed fixed on the distant villages and the imposing naval base.

His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Seph, let's embark! Adventure beckons," Luffy declared, his excitement infectious.

Seph could only offer a speechless glance, his expression a blend of resignation and intrigue as he regarded the enthusiastic Luffy.

...

In a cozy corner of a small restaurant, the trio showed no signs of rushing to reach the navy base. Seph, mindful of Luffy's boundless enthusiasm, subtly tempered his friend's eagerness. Understanding the importance of gathering intelligence before plunging into their next adventure, Seph suggested seeking information at a local tavern or restaurant to guide their actions.

Seated together at a table, they savored their meal with gusto. Luffy, with his voracious appetite, Seph, emanating an aura of transcendent charm, and Coby, with his cautious demeanor, formed a unique and eclectic group whose presence attracted whispers and curious glances from other patrons.

As they indulged in the flavors of the unfamiliar cuisine, Seph's acute senses picked up on the nuances of conversations and events unfolding within a certain radius.

Before the meal had even concluded, he had gleaned all the pertinent information they needed for their next steps.

As Seph relayed the gathered information, Luffy's attention honed in on Zoro, while Coby's expression shifted from excitement to concern, his dreams suddenly at risk of being shattered.

The revelation of a navy Colonel acting as a tyrant rather than a protector sent waves of doubt and mistrust through Coby's mind. Terrorizing the town with his formidable power and demanding tribute, "Axe-Hand" Morgan and his son, Helmeppo, had instilled fear and oppression.

Luffy, undeterred even as he devoured a hefty leg of meat, simplified their mission.

"So, all we gotta do is beat this Axe guy, Morgan?"

Seph admired Luffy's directness, recognizing his ability to cut to the heart of the matter, disregarding distractions.

Coby's eyes widened in alarm.

"Luffy-san, what are you saying? He's a Colonel! The navy won't overlook this! There'll be bounty on your head!"

Luffy's reaction bordered on incredulity.

"What? Bounty?!"

Coby breathed a sigh of relief at Luffy's reaction, then attempted to reason with him.

"Exactly! Listen, we should consider—"

But Luffy was already on his feet.

"Alright! Let's take down Axe Morgan! Seph, you in?"

Seph nodded, intrigued by the sudden invitation. He was really looking forward meeting Zoro and sign-in more rewards.

"Sure thing, Captain."

Coby froze, his mind struggling to process their audacity.

"Luffy-san, Seph-san, are you out of your minds?"

Luffy met Coby's fear with a carefree laughter, his resolve unshakable.

"Coby, my dream is to be the Pirate King. I won't let the navy stop me. So what if they come after us?"

Coby observed Luffy, his determination casting a larger shadow.

Seph, however, saw through Luffy's facade.

"You're not fooling anyone. You're just chasing a bounty," he remarked, though Luffy's carefree laughter brushed it off. To him, bravery lay in pursuing the seemingly impossible.

The other patrons, having heard Seph's tales of the town's atrocities, fled the restaurant, fearing association with the trio's audacious plans.

Luffy's fist met his palm with a resounding smack. "Then let's head straight for the naval base!"

Just as they prepared to depart, a timid voice halted them in their tracks. A young girl with double ponytails stood before them, her eyes pleading.

"Big brothers, I know where the naval base is. I can guide you there. Please help save the big green-haired brother. He's really kind!"

Her mother, observing from a distance, trembled with apprehension. She dared not intervene, knowing full well that these individuals didn't bother to conceal their conversations. Their open discussion of plans had already driven away their other customers.

Fearful of drawing their attention and wrath, she remained at a distance. Yet, part of her harbored a faint hope that her daughter might befriend them. After all, who could resist Seph's charm?

Seph knelt down, gently resting his hand on the little girl's head.

"Of course, we'd be grateful for your help," he assured her with a warm smile.

The girl's cheeks flushed with excitement, captivated by Seph's kind demeanor. With a nod of agreement, she beamed and eagerly led the way forward.

...

The 153rd Naval Branch, under the jurisdiction of the East China Sea, stood tall with distinctive green stripes adorning its tower.

A low section of the wall provided a vantage point to peer into the scene below. Climbing up, one could observe the events unfolding within the boundaries of the naval compound.

Beneath the tower lay an open field, marked by a solitary cross—a grim reminder of Colonel Morgan's iron-fisted rule, where dissenters faced swift and harsh punishment.

Bound within this ominous landscape was a figure of legend, a swordsman destined for greatness.

"Is that him?" Seph questioned, his gaze penetrating from above the wall, his voice reflecting a blend of curiosity and astonishment. Sensing an immense will emanating from the figure, one that rivaled, if not surpassed, Luffy's own determination, Seph couldn't help but be awed by the presence he felt.

Though Seph acknowledged that his own Will might have surpassed the figure's, he couldn't help but ponder the distinction.

While he had honed his skills through what he perceived as "cheating," the man below demonstrated unparalleled resolve and effort, earning his strength through sheer determination and perseverance. This contrast left Seph reflecting on the true essence of power and the paths individuals took to attain it.

Perched on his shoulder, the little girl nodded vigorously in affirmation, her eyes wide with determination and hope.

Luffy shielded his eyes with his hand and squinted. "He looks quite strong!" he exclaimed.

Coby stood trembling at the side, his eyes inadvertently meeting the intense gaze of Zoro, whose eyes seemed to pierce through his very soul. Overwhelmed by fear, Coby quickly averted his gaze, unable to withstand the weight of Zoro's intense presence.

"Luffy-san, it's best to forget about this. That man is nothing short of a demon!" Coby pleaded, his voice laced with apprehension and dread.

The little girl, perceiving Coby's lack of resolve, cast him a disapproving look, her expression clouded with frustration and anger as she huffed indignantly.

At the center of the empty cross, a man stood bound, draped in green attire with three earrings dangling from his ears. Despite his restrained state, he exuded an aura of formidable strength.

Luffy's response was nonchalant, his tone light and carefree as he dismissed Coby's concerns entirely.

"It looks like setting him free is as easy as untying those ropes," Luffy remarked casually, showing no signs of being swayed by Coby's apprehensions.

In Luffy's mind, the solution was straightforward: liberate Zoro, extend an invitation, and Join him. To him, the process appeared uncomplicated, a mere matter of extending a hand in friendship.

Zoro, bound to the cross, sensed a presence and lifted his head slightly, spotting a group of onlookers perched on the high wall. With a hint of irritation, he whispered under his breath:

"You're quite bothersome. Leave."

Raising his head defiantly, he fixed them with a fierce glare, his eyes reflecting his resolve.

The words were stern, a warning against involvement in his plight. Zoro didn't want others to suffer on his behalf.

Luffy regarded the man below with genuine interest. "So, you truly are a good guy..."

Coby's distress deepened. "Luffy-san, how can you perceive any goodness in him? He's nothing but a savage beast!"

Meanwhile, the little girl rummaged through her small pocket and retrieved a handful of rice balls. Sensing her intention, Seph assisted her in scaling the wall, allowing her to approach Zoro with excitement.

Coby tensed, but his anxiety eased as he observed Zoro making no move to harm the little girl.

"Big Brother, I made these delicious rice balls for you!" the girl exclaimed joyfully, offering the treats to Zoro.

Though he attempted to resist, Zoro's weakened state rendered him unable to stop her. He could only close his mouth tightly.

Although he was ravenous, Zoro stubbornly refused to accept the girl's kindness, prioritizing her safety above his own needs.

"I said, move along!" he snapped, his tone harsh and impatient.

"Don't treat people like that," came a magnetic voice, accompanied by a hand placing itself atop the rice ball.

"Even if you're trying to protect others from getting involved, there are better ways to go about it," the newcomer continued, tossing the rice ball lightly and offering a smile.

"Seph-kun!" the little girl exclaimed, surprised by his intervention.

On the other side of the fence, both Coby and Luffy watched with a mixture of surprise and appreciation.

Luffy remained sprawled on the ground, his grin widening as he observed the unfolding scene.

"Who are you?" Zoro inquired sharply, his interest piqued despite his guarded demeanor.

"I'm someone who's not afraid of death," Seph responded calmly, shaking the rice ball before Zoro.

"If you don't plan on eating it, I'll gladly take it off your hands. I happen to be a bit hungry myself."

As Zoro prepared to respond, the side door of the navy base swung open, revealing Helmeppo flanked by two armed navy soldiers.

Meanwhile, Seph's ears were bombarded with constant prompts:

[Upcoming plot scene... Would you like to sign in?]

[A significant person is found... Zoro, the 'Greatest Swordsman.' Would you like to sign in?]

[A significant person is found... Helmeppo, 'White-washed.' Would you like to sign in?]