Chapter 36: You Two Really Are Crazy

The sight of "Axe-Hand" Morgan being smashed to the ground by Luffy shocked all the marines present. Surprisingly, some of them felt a sense of relief seeing their superior defeated, secretly hoping Luffy would land that final punch quickly.

"Stop! Don't move!"An unexpected interruption came from Helmeppo, who had somehow woken up. Seeing his father on the ground, he immediately pulled out a gun and aimed it at Koby, threatening Luffy to stop.

Everyone's attention was drawn to him, including Luffy, who turned around, Zoro, who had a sword clenched between his teeth, and Kaito Sakamoto, leaning lazily against a wooden post, fanning himself with a fan that was once his handcuff.

"I said stop, or I'll shoot him!" Helmeppo screamed again, still protective of his father.

Koby, however, took a deep breath, standing firm. "Luffy! I don't want to be a burden to you guys, even if it costs my life!"At that moment, Koby truly showed growth, no longer the timid person he once was, proving Luffy right — even in the face of danger, he was changing.

Luffy grinned, proud of his friend's progress. "Hehe, I got it, Koby.""Stop talking nonsense! I said don't move, or I'll really shoot!" Helmeppo was panicking but then cracked a sly grin as Koby began to tremble.

"Luffy! Watch out behind you!" Koby shouted in panic.Behind Luffy, Morgan had gotten back up, attempting a dishonorable sneak attack.

"I'm still a Navy Captain!" Morgan roared, but Luffy didn't seem to care. "Don't be silly, you fool. Koby is serious!"

"Father! Kill them now!" Helmeppo yelled.

In the blink of an eye, Kaito appeared behind Helmeppo."Knockout time!" Kaito's silver staff came down hard on Helmeppo's head, making him shrink down in shock.Meanwhile, Luffy, still standing tall with his arms crossed, watched as Morgan collapsed backward once again. Zoro quietly removed the sword from his mouth, pretending to be oblivious to his own heroic act.

"Nice job, Zoro.""You're welcome, Captain."

...

"They're...down!""Morgan's tyranny is over!""Long live the Navy!"With Morgan and his son defeated, the first ones to celebrate were actually his own subordinates. That's how great his leadership had been.

In the midst of the cheering, Zoro suddenly collapsed. Kaito, quick to react, instantly dashed over to catch him by the collar.

"Ugh! Are you trying to choke me to death?" Zoro snapped back to consciousness."Carrying you is too much work. Walk on your own," Kaito replied casually.Zoro, frustrated, mentally added Kaito to his list of people he wanted to cut down.

...

At the little girl's house, Zoro, who had been starving for nine days, devoured five bowls of rice, finally feeling alive again. Luffy, of course, outdid him by eating ten bowls."Thank you for your hospitality," Kaito politely thanked the girl and her mother.The girl shook her head, smiling. "Big brothers, you saved the mayor and even kept your promise to rescue green-haired brother. We should be the ones thanking you."Such a well-mannered and polite child, Kaito thought to himself.

However, despite being heroes, it was time for them to be kicked out.

"Excuse me!""I heard you're pirates?" The Navy, now under the command of Morgan's deputy, who temporarily took over, approached them.Though Morgan had been imprisoned, the marines still had their duties to perform: chase pirates.

Arrest them? They couldn't manage that. They respected Luffy's crew too much, but their uniforms didn't allow them to express that."Even though you are rebels who saved the town, we are truly grateful," the deputy said. "However, you're pirates, and we cannot turn a blind eye. Please leave the town immediately. Not reporting this to headquarters is the respect we're offering you."

Kaito exchanged a glance with Luffy, who simply smiled."Then let's go. Thank you for the hospitality, ma'am," Luffy said cheerfully."Luffy..." Koby struggled with the situation, feeling it was unfair that the town's saviors had to leave like this.

But Luffy, Kaito, and Zoro stood up, completely ignoring him."You're not with them?" the deputy asked Koby.

Koby recalled what Luffy had told him: no matter what he chose to do, they would always be friends.

"I... I'm not their partner!" Koby, with tears in his eyes, shouted his declaration. Luffy, Kaito, and Zoro secretly smiled."Please allow me to join the Navy! Even if it's just to do chores, I'll take anything! Please give me a chance! I want to become a Navy admiral!"For the first time, Koby boldly proclaimed his dream, impressing the deputy, who allowed him to join.Thus, Koby took his first step towards becoming an admiral.

...

"Ah, today's a perfect day to set sail," Kaito sighed, feeling the ocean breeze on his face and the sun shining down on them.Luffy untied the ship's ropes, preparing for departure.

Zoro stared in disbelief at the small sailboat they were about to take."We're going to sail on that?" he asked."What else?" Kaito replied."Hahaha! You two really are crazy!" Zoro, overwhelmed, laughed despite himself.

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Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 97+ at patreon.com/Esei01.