Chapter 11: Zoro Joins the Crew

"The Straw Hat Pirates? Rookie Trainer?"

Zoro frowned, his expression reflecting genuine confusion. "Why have I never heard of your name before?"

Despite not being the most renowned bounty hunter, Zoro took pride in knowing the pirate groups that roamed nearby waters. The boldness Akane and Luffy displayed by casually entering a Navy base made it hard for him to believe that they were unknowns.

In response, Akane offered a calm smile. "That's understandable. After all, this is only our second day at sea."

"What!? The second day!?" Zoro's surprise was palpable, the corner of his mouth twitching in disbelief. "You mean to tell me you're trespassing into a Navy base and releasing prisoners after just setting out? Do you have a death wish?"

"Haha~ It's just a Nazy base. No need to make it sound so serious," Akane laughed casually before adding, "In fact, to be precise, it hasn't even been 24 hours since we set sail."

"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this is our first day at sea. But I believe... in the future, the name of the Straw Hat Pirates will echo across the world!"

"Isn't that right, Luffy?" Akane glanced over at Luffy with a knowing look.

Luffy, without hesitation, tossed aside the rope he was holding, raised his arms high, and shouted confidently, "Of course!!! I am the man who will become the Pirate King!!!"

"You..." Zoro blinked, taken aback by Luffy's boundless energy and enthusiasm. He then turned a puzzled gaze toward Akane, who remained inexplicably confident. "Has he always been like this?"

"Maybe," Akane said with a chuckle. "It's just how our captain is. Since I can't change him, I've had to get used to it."

"Get used to this? Wait! 'Our' captain?" Zoro's expression froze, realization dawning on him. "Hey! When did I ever agree to become a pirate?"

Snap!

The sudden slap of Akane's hands on Zoro's shoulders startled him. Leaning in close, Akane said, "Give up resisting, Zoro. Once Luffy sets his sights on someone, there's no escape—just like me!"

"I sometimes wonder if the reason I had to set sail with him was because of his protagonist's aura…"

"Protagonist's aura?" Zoro echoed, clearly not following Akane's train of thought.

Akane waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about those details. You're going to end up on the Navy's blacklist anyway, so it's not like your situation would be any better even if you didn't become a pirate. Come with us! The small East Blue really limits your potential. Head out to sea with us, sail the Grand Line, and experience the real world!"

Akane's tone grew more serious as he met Zoro's eyes.

"Your goal is to become the world's greatest swordsman, right?"

"Have you heard my story?" Zoro asked, curious.

"No! It's your face—it's full of stories!"

Zoro: "???"

"Hahaha, just kidding," Akane laughed heartily. "But seriously, once you're on this pirate ship, don't think about escaping! You're the number one fighter of the Straw Hat Pirates! And I'll help you achieve your dreams and ambitions!!!"

"Help me? Just you?" Zoro frowned, skeptical.

He was well aware of his own strength in the East Blue, but he wasn't so arrogant as to think his dream would be easily realized. And yet, there was no swordsman's aura coming from Akane.

"Big talk isn't a good habit," Zoro said, eyeing Akane and Luffy seriously.

Akane smiled confidently. "Have you forgotten my identity? Even though I'm still a rookie, I'm a trainer!!!"

"Trainer? What's that?" Zoro asked, genuinely curious.

Akane's eyes gleamed, sensing an opportunity to win Zoro over. But before he could respond, Luffy interrupted their conversation.

"Akane, someone's coming!"

"Hmm?" Akane paused and then followed Luffy's gaze. A man with slicked-back blond hair and a distinctive chin was strutting toward them, flanked by two armed navy officers.

The man was none other than Helmeppo, son of Captain Morgan, the one who had orchestrated Zoro's current predicament. His posture and smug expression exuded entitlement as he approached.

"Yo yo yo~ I heard some noise down here. So, the mighty pirate hunter who made such a solemn vow has broken his promise and let his friends free him early? Looks like you're ready for a trip to the gallows!"

Helmeppo's gaze shifted to Akane and Luffy, his voice dripping with condescension. "Hey! You two! Don't you know that jailbreak is a capital crime in the 153rd branch punishable by death?"

"Death penalty?" Akane scoffed, a flash of anger crossing his features. Helmeppo's intrusion had interrupted his attempt to explain to Zoro what it meant to be a trainer.

Akane slowly turned his attention to Helmeppo. "First of all, you could at least say hello. And secondly... you're the one who took Zoro's sword, aren't you?"

He suddenly turned to Luffy. "Luffy, take care of those two marines, and then let this guy help us retrieve Zoro's sword."

"No problem!" Luffy grinned widely.

"Shave!"

A puff of dust kicked up as Luffy's figure disappeared in an instant.

"What!?" Zoro was stunned, unable to comprehend how Luffy had vanished so suddenly. Moments later, he heard the sound of bodies hitting the ground. Turning his head, he saw the two marines who had accompanied Helmeppo lying unconscious, with Luffy standing beside them, having reappeared as if by magic.

"How is this possible?! Some kind of magic?" Zoro shouted, bewildered.

"This isn't magic~" Akane, seeing Zoro's astonishment, couldn't resist a sly smile. He decided to capitalize on the moment. "That's a move I, the trainer, taught Luffy!"

"Trainer?" Zoro muttered, still perplexed. The speed Luffy had displayed made him look at Akane with newfound respect, adding an air of mystery to his already growing reputation.

For the moment, Zoro even forgot about his refusal to become a pirate.

"What... what's happening!?" Helmeppo stammered, the screams of the marines behind him causing a chill to run down his spine. When he turned and saw Luffy's smiling face, he felt as if he'd been plunged into an ice bath, his body freezing in place.

Akane casually walked up to one of the unconscious marines, picked up a long-barreled musket, and pointed it directly at Helmeppo's chest, a playful yet menacing smile on his face.

"Now, how about we have a proper conversation?"

Devil... He's a devil!!! The smile on Akane's face sent cold sweat dripping down Helmeppo's back. An inexplicable fear gripped him, making him believe that if he said the wrong thing, Akane wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Helmeppo stuttered, "W-What do you want?"

He noticed the mischievous glint in Akane's eyes.

"Relax. Your name's Helmeppo, right? You're Captain Morgan's son? We just need you to fetch our crew member's swords and take us to visit your father."

"Visit my father!?" Helmeppo yelped in panic, feeling the musket press harder against his chest. He quickly forced a boot-licking smile.

"Hahaha~ No problem, no problem at all. The swords are in my room, and my father is on the roof of the Navy base. Just let me go, and I'll do whatever you ask!"

Of course, Helmeppo was thinking to himself, "Once you meet my father, that'll be the time you die!"

Akane noticed the flicker of hatred in Helmeppo's eyes but chose not to address it. Instead, he nudged Helmeppo forward, signaling him to start leading the way. Luffy and Zoro exchanged glances and followed closely behind.

...

With Helmeppo reluctantly guiding them, they navigated the corridors of the Navy branch. Strangely, there wasn't a single marine in sight, making their journey through the building eerily smooth.

In just ten minutes, they arrived at Helmeppo's quarters and found Zoro's three swords— the Wado Ichimonji, and two others.

As Zoro secured all three swords at his waist, Luffy's curiosity got the better of him. "Hey, why do you have three swords?"

"Humph!" Zoro's eyes gleamed with pride. "Because I'm a master of the three-sword style!"

Having reclaimed his swords, Zoro's entire demeanor shifted—his aura more intense, more formidable. It was as if the mere presence of his swords brought out a different side of him. He even seemed to forget the amazement he'd felt at Luffy's speed just moments before.

But soon, Zoro's expression grew serious again. He looked at Luffy and Akane with a complex mixture of emotions and said, "Well, since you helped me get my swords back and I've made enemies with the Marines, leaving me with nowhere else to go... I'll reluctantly become your partner."

"But let me be clear—I'm aiming to become the world's greatest swordsman! If any of you stand in the way of that dream, you'd better be ready to commit seppuku to apologize to me!"

A fierce, almost feral light flared in Zoro's eyes, letting Akane and Luffy know that he wasn't joking.

However, his serious declaration was met with an unexpected sight—Luffy, seemingly oblivious, was casually picking his nose.

"Ah? What are you talking about?" Luffy asked, genuinely puzzled. "Didn't you become our partner the moment I untied you?"

"You... you bastard!" Zoro's forehead veins bulged with frustration as he shouted, "Don't take my promise lightly!"

"And another thing..." He quickly turned to Akane. "Are you sure this guy is fit to be the captain? I get the feeling you're the more reliable one!"

"Hahaha~" Akane couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry about it. Luffy has his moments."

"Right, Luffy?"

"That's right!" Luffy nodded, flicking the booger he'd been picking with perfect precision—straight onto Helmeppo's uniform. "I'm very reliable!"

---

Translator Note - Boy do I love One Piece because of these moments, hahaha.