Chapter 17

"You guys are pretty gutsy!"

"You know, if you weren't pirates, I might like you a bit..." Zoro's perspective on Luffy and Logan began to shift as he watched them take down Helmeppo one after another.

But he still couldn't shake off his deep-rooted reservations about pirates. It felt like a pig butcher who had spent years slaughtering pigs suddenly being asked by a pig to be its crew. Would the butcher agree?

However, this time, Zoro encountered a persistent "pig."

"I like you too! Join me as my crew!" Luffy invited Zoro once again, uninterrupted by Helmeppo's protests.

"I have my own path to follow! I'm not interested in becoming a pirate and being a villain!" Zoro firmly declined. "I've never strayed from my beliefs, and I won't in the future!"

"I don't care! I've already decided that you'll be my crew!" Luffy seemed innocuous.

Zoro felt a mix of confusion and frustration. "Hey! Stop deciding on your own...!"

"By the way, I heard you're skilled with Sword," Luffy calmly asked, seemingly oblivious to Zoro's exasperation.

"Yes, I truly would've shown you... if I hadn't been tied up," Zoro lamented.

"What about your sword?" Luffy inquired.

"That bastard took it!" Zoro gestured towards the grounded Helmeppo.

Recalling his sensei and Kuina, Zoro gritted his teeth. "That sword is as precious to me as life itself!"

"Oh! That's important!" Luffy's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Alright, I'll help you retrieve the sword from that guy."

"Thank you. I'll remember this favor," Zoro acknowledged gratefully.

Zoro nodded, thankful that Luffy was helping with his sword situation.

Luffy grabbed Helmeppo from the ground and raised him up.

Crackling sounds filled the air as Helmeppo slowly regained consciousness amidst a burst of crisp, melodic applause.

"Hey, did you take Zoro's sword?" Luffy questioned.

"Huh...?" Helmeppo paused, then nodded groggily. "I did take it..."

"Great! Take me to where the sword is!" Without hesitation, Luffy sprinted towards the Marine Base, dragging Helmeppo along.

"Oh, and remember, if you want the sword, you have to be my crew!" Luffy shouted back at Zoro before dashing off.

Hearing this, Zoro was stunned for a moment before his features twisted in disbelief. "Hey!! That's so underhanded!"

"Since you agreed, I'm off!" Luffy yelled without looking back, disappearing into the distance with Helmeppo in tow.

"What?! Who agreed? Hey, wait!" Zoro shouted after Luffy, but it was futile.

"Is he really going to break into the Marine Base? Aren't you going to stop him?" Zoro turned to Logan, suddenly concerned.

"That's the Marine Base! Breaking in means certain death!" Zoro reminded urgently.

Logan grinned. "You seem to care a lot for your 'crew.'"

"Crew?" Zoro protested. "Hey! Don't label me like that! I can't be crews with pirates! If you don't stop him, you won't have a captain!"

"Ah, worried about your own captain, huh?" Logan chuckled, patting Zoro on the shoulder. "I get your worry. I'll go check it out."

Despite Luffy's strength, Logan thought it best to handle the matter of breaking into the Marine Base alone. Having him there would at least ensure Luffy's safety.

Soon, amidst Helmeppo's protests, the two vanished through the front gate.

"Huh? Luffy and Logan broke in?" Coby, seemingly taken aback, voiced his surprise.

Zoro nodded with a sigh, "Yeah, those two are causing a ruckus as usual..."

Upon witnessing Coby's actions, he promptly cautioned, "If you undo my restraints, you'll meet the same fate."

Struggling, Coby's countenance tightened as he persisted in untying the rope. Through gritted teeth, he uttered, "They've no grounds to detain you. I can't stand seeing the Marines act this way!"

"In the future... I must embody the dream of an honorable Marine, just as Luffy aspires to find One Piece!"

"What!? One Piece?... Are you serious!"

Zoro's expression twisted in disbelief.

Boom! ——

In that instant, a bullet swiftly pierced through Coby.

"What!—"

With a cry, Coby collapsed to the ground.

"How dare you defy Captain Morgan's orders and attempt to rescue the pirate hunter!"

Several Marine soldiers emerged from a nearby door, brandish their weapons at the three individuals left at the execution site.

"Ah! I've been shot?"

"I'm bleeding!"

"Am I going to die...?"

Coby lay on the ground, hands soaked in blood, wearing a look of utter despair.

"...You're still alive!"

Zoro was left speechless; this person seemed excessively timid.

Suddenly realizing something, he turned away, shouting to Coby, "Get up and escape with her!"

"Escape?"

"Captain Morgan is already aware of this situation. None of you should stay here!"

"Even this little girl!"

The Marines admonished.

"Big brother, let me untie the rope for you."

The young girl lacked a precise understanding of the danger; her only focus was on rescuing her older brother, ignorant of the risk involved.

"Stop! That's a serious offense!!"

A Marine soldier yelled, aiming the gun at the little girl.

Observing the girl's attempt, Zoro shouted, "No, they'll shoot!"

Nevertheless, the little girl showed no intention of halting; her small hand had already gripped the knot.

Ka Ka Ka Ka!

The distinct sound of the safety lock being released resonated.

The barrel of the gun was now directed at the little girl's back, a menacing black hole waiting.

"Ah! Give me the sword!"

Zoro, gripped by urgency, shouted at Coby.

Sword...

Sword...

In a state of confusion, Coby's thoughts raced. Subconsciously, he extended his hand and brushed against the scabbard of a fallen Marine soldier nearby.

Sword...

Sword!!

Ah~?

I can use a sword too!!

"Damn it! How dare you defy Captain Morgan's orders!"

"We can't even tolerate a little girl! Otherwise, Captain Morgan will have us killed."

"One final warning!"

...

This isn't good!

I need to save her!

Ignoring the pain from the gunshot, Coby's face displayed intense anxiety.

Breathe...Breathe...Yes, Master taught me.

Breath of Thunder!

"Stubborn, shoot!!——"

After two warnings, a Marine soldier clenched his teeth and commanded.

But in that very moment! !

Whoosh! —

A streak of blinding white light~~~

Like lightning breaching the barrier!

Bang bang bang bang bang!!!!

Several Marine soldiers lost consciousness before they could comprehend what had occurred...