Chapter 4: The Pirate Hunter's Resolve

The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the waters of Shells Town. Luffy, Nami, and Koby sailed steadily toward the looming Marine base. Towering beside their boat was the massive sea beast eel, its scales glistening like polished armor under the sunlight. With a low, rumbling growl, the creature sliced through the water effortlessly, keeping pace with their small vessel.

"You know, we might need you in there, too," Luffy said, grinning up at the beast and giving its slick body an affectionate pat. "I bet the Marines would freak out if they saw you."

The eel blinked down at him, tilting its head as if understanding every word, then rumbled a response that sounded almost like a chuckle. Koby and Nami glanced nervously at each other, still uncertain how Luffy had managed to tame such a formidable creature, but its presence was oddly reassuring.

However, the peace of the moment was quickly shattered by a familiar, loud grumbling—the sound of Luffy's stomach protesting its emptiness.

"Are we almost there? I'm starving!" Luffy complained for what felt like the hundredth time, his voice echoing over the gentle lap of the waves against the boat.

Nami, steering with a focused glare, shot back, "SHUT UP! YOU FINISHED EVERYTHING WE HAD!" Her exasperation was palpable as she hit Luffy's head. The endless complaints about hunger were unbearable.

Koby, seated at the edge of the boat, glanced nervously at Luffy-san, his heart pounding in his chest. "Luffy-san, do you think I could become a Marine one day?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, a hint of doubt creeping into his tone. He had always admired the bravery of Marines, but now he was uncertain about the path he had once dreamed of.

Luffy turned to Koby, his usual carefree grin lighting up his face. "Of course! Just keep training! You'll get strong! Then you can do whatever you want!" His enthusiasm was infectious, but Koby couldn't shake the weight of uncertainty that hung over him like a dark cloud.

As they drew closer to Shells Town, the imposing silhouette of the Marine base loomed in the distance, stark against the bright blue sky. Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Finally!" he shouted, practically vibrating with energy. Without waiting for the boat to fully dock, he leaped off and sprinted toward the base. "ZORO! WE'RE HERE TO SAVE YOU!"

"Wait, Luffy!" Nami called, her voice tinged with panic. She and Koby exchanged worried glances, knowing Luffy's recklessness could lead them into serious trouble. Nami sighed and turned to Koby. "Come on, let's try to keep up. He'll get himself killed if we don't hurry."

They navigated through the Marine base's open gates and found themselves in the heart of the courtyard. Standing bound to a post in the center, the unmistakable figure of Roronoa Zoro, the Pirate Hunter, came into view. He looked worn and exhausted, but his posture remained unyielding, his gaze steady. As Luffy approached, Zoro's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Who are you?" he rasped, his voice strained but laced with curiosity.

"Monkey D. Luffy! I'll be the King of the Pirates, and I'm here to save you so you can join my crew!" Luffy proclaimed, grinning widely as if he had just declared the most exciting adventure of his life.

"Help? I don't need your help! And why would I want to become a pirate?" Zoro shot back, his tone stubborn, though a hint of intrigue flickered in his eyes.

Helmeppo stepped forward, a malicious glint in his eye. "Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Pirate Hunter. Do you think you can starve yourself out of this? You're looking rather pathetic," he taunted, relishing the moment.

Zoro shot a glare at Helmeppo, determination flickering in his weary eyes. "Just wait until I'm free," he muttered.

Koby felt his heart sink. He thought they were here to help, but the malice in Helmeppo's words made it clear that the situation was dire. Nami's instincts flared; she didn't trust the way Helmeppo was looking at them, and a feeling of dread washed over her.

"Did you see the notice my father posted today? 'Anyone caught aiding a criminal will be put to death,'" Helmeppo proclaimed, taking pleasure in the fear that spread across the courtyard.

Luffy stepped forward, a fierce determination igniting in his eyes. "I won't let you hurt him!" he yelled, clenching his fists, his resolve shining like a beacon.

Helmeppo's smirk widened as he turned to the Marines stationed nearby. "You heard him! Kill that kid! And finish off Zoro; I'm getting bored with this whole thing," he ordered, his voice dripping with malice.

Zoro's eyes blazed with fury as he shot a glare at Helmeppo. "You broke your end of the deal, Helmeppo!" he growled, voice low and dangerous. "I've endured twenty days of this, and you think you can just order the Marines to kill me? You won't get away with this!"

As Luffy lunged forward, ready to tear the ropes binding Zoro, Helmeppo pulled out a pistol, aiming it directly at him. "That's not my name," he screamed while shooting.

But Luffy suddenly felt an instinct awakening within him—his Observation Haki stirred from his fight with a foreign soul. He could sense Zoro's frustration and anger, fueling his resolve further. With a swift motion, he dodged to the side as Helmeppo fired, the bullets whizzing past him. "Is that all you've got?" Luffy taunted, a grin spreading across his face.

He moved swiftly, dodging with ease as the bullet missed him by inches.

"Gum-Gum Pistol!" he shouted, extending his arm and launching his fist forward. The punch connected squarely with Helmeppo's face, sending him crashing to the ground in a heap. Then, without missing a beat, Luffy followed up with a "Gum-Gum Whip!" kicking the nearest Marine aside.

Zoro gasped, Nami's heart racing. "What was that? How did you do that?!" she exclaimed, staring at Luffy with a mixture of disbelief and awe, while she and Koby thought that what they saw when Luffy fought Alvida wasn't a hallucination.

Luffy shrugged nonchalantly, his grin never fading. "I ate a Devil Fruit. It's called the Gum-Gum Fruit, so now I'm a Rubber Man," he said, his voice brimming with confidence.

Nami, Zoro, Koby, and the rest of the Marines exclaimed, "Devil Fruits are real!" He stretched his face and said, "Yes, see?" while laughing at their reaction.

The Marines nearby hesitated, exchanging fearful glances, their eyes widening with shock at the display of Luffy's power. He turned back to Zoro with a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Koby! Untie him! Nami, Zoro's swords are in the Ass-chin guy's room—hurry!"

As Koby rushed to Zoro's side and began working at the knots around his wrists, Nami darted toward the base's main building. She weaved through the hallways, finally reaching Helmeppo's quarters. She pushed open the door and paused, her eyes widening in surprise. The room was decorated in shades of pink, with lace and delicate floral patterns—more fitting for a young girl's room than that of a Marine's son. She spotted the swords resting on a pink satin bedspread and snatched them up, hurrying to Morgan's office while everyone was distracted by the chaos Luffy made to find the Grand Line map. When she finally reached Morgan's office, she started to search for a safe. When she opened the safe, she found it empty except for Buggy's flag. She looked at the empty safe again and screamed angrily into the air, "BUGGY!!"

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, heavy footsteps echoed as Captain Morgan stormed forward, his imposing figure cutting an intimidating sight. His axe hand gleamed under the afternoon sun, and his expression was twisted in fury. "Who dares to disrupt my Marines?" he bellowed, his voice booming like thunder. "You think you can waltz in here and challenge me? I'll chop you down before you can even draw breath!"

Luffy, undeterred by the massive figure before him, raised an eyebrow and grinned. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I'll be the King of the Pirates, and you're just another obstacle in my way!"

Morgan's laughter echoed through the courtyard, deep and mocking. "A pirate, huh? Do you think you're tough because you landed a lucky punch on Helmeppo? Let's see how you fare against me!"

With a swift motion, Morgan brandished his axe hand, the blade gleaming ominously as he charged at Luffy. Luffy quickly sidestepped, dodging the powerful swing that cleaved through the air, leaving a deep gash in the ground.

"Is that all you've got?" Luffy taunted, his confidence unwavering. He focused, feeling his Observation Haki kick in as he anticipated Morgan's next move. The Captain swung again, but Luffy was ready, ducking just in time.

"Gum-Gum Pistol!" Luffy shouted, launching his fist forward. The punch connected with Morgan's jaw, sending the imposing Captain stumbling back. But Morgan, with his iron jaw, shook off the blow and retaliated with a fierce counter-swing from his axe hand.

Luffy dodged again, rolling to the side. "If you want to become the world's greatest swordsman, then come with me!" Luffy called out to Zoro, trying to rally him.

"And how do you know I want to become the world's greatest swordsman?" Zoro replied, surprise flickering in his eyes amidst the battle.

Morgan growled, angered by their banter. "Enough of this nonsense! You're both going down!" He lunged again, his axe hand poised to strike.

Luffy, feeling the thrill of battle coursing through him, readied himself for one final blow. "You want to know, and get your swords back, you have to join me!" he declared, determination burning in his eyes.

Zoro narrowed his gaze, his stubbornness flaring, but before he said anything, Morgan sneered, "You're nothing but a foolish pirate! I'll crush you myself."

With a swift swing of his axe, Morgan lunged at Luffy. Luffy countered with a swift "Gum-Gum Pistol!" His punch connected with Morgan's stomach, sending the Captain back to the marine base and crashing into it.

The Marines in the courtyard froze, staring in shock at their fallen Captain. Then, almost in unison, they erupted in cheers. Morgan's tyranny had ended, and the weight of his oppression lifted from their shoulders.

With the battle over, Koby had finally managed to fully untie Zoro, who rubbed his wrists, looking between Luffy and his reclaimed swords that Nami held out to him. He hesitated, clearly sizing up the strange pirate who had just risked everything for him.

"Listen, Luffy-san. I'm not interested in being a pirate. I want to become the world's greatest swordsman on my terms," Zoro said, his voice firm.

Luffy shrugged, unfazed. "Fine by me. You'll still need these swords if you want to chase your dream, right?" He gestured to the swords in Nami's hands.

Zoro narrowed his eyes. "That's blackmail!"

"So," Luffy replied, smiling.

After a long pause, Zoro finally took his swords from Nami, feeling their familiar weight in his hands. "Alright, but remember this: if you ever stand in the way of my ambition, you'll have to answer to my blade. And if that day comes, you'd better commit seppuku."

Luffy laughed, his eyes shining with excitement. "Deal! The King of the Pirates wouldn't need any less than that from his crew!"

With a nod, Zoro sheathed his swords, his stance finally relaxed as he accepted his new path. And so, while Shells Town's Marines

As the cheers of the liberated townspeople echoed in the background, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Koby made their way to the cozy little restaurant run by the mother-and-daughter duo that Zoro had saved during his fateful encounter with Helmeppo. The aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, a welcome reprieve after the chaos of the day.

As they entered, the mother, Ririka, looked up from behind the counter, her eyes widening in surprise. "Zoro! You're back!" she exclaimed, rushing around the counter to embrace him. "We were so worried about you!"

Zoro chuckled softly, a rare smile crossing his lips. "I'm fine. Just had a bit of an adventure."

The daughter, Rika, peeked out from the kitchen, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Are you a pirate now?" she asked, glancing curiously at Luffy, who stood beside Zoro, brimming with energy.

"Yep! I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!" he declared, puffing out his chest proudly.

Rika clapped her hands in delight. "Wow! A real pirate! Can you take me with you?"

Nami, who had been rolling her eyes at Luffy's antics, couldn't help but smile. "You'd better ask your mother first," she said teasingly.

Ririka laughed, shaking her head. "I don't think I could let my daughter sail off with a bunch of pirates just yet!" she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

As the crew settled into a corner table, Koby couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "What's next for you guys? Are you really going to continue being pirates after all this?"

Luffy grinned widely, his excitement infectious. "Of course! We have to go to the Grand Line and find the One Piece and go on epic adventures! But first, we need food!" His stomach growled loudly, echoing his insistence.

Ririka and her daughter Rika quickly brought out platters of steaming rice, fish, and an assortment of vegetables. The crew dug in, grateful for the delicious meal after the chaos.

Zoro, now armed with his swords again, relished every bite. "Thanks for this. I owe you," he said, looking at Ririka and her daughter with gratitude.

Rika smiled brightly. "You saved my mom! You're my hero!" she exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration.

Zoro's expression soured, and he shook his head, disgust evident on his face. "I'm no hero. I'm a pirate." Luffy nodded in agreement, clearly agreeing with Zoro's response, while Koby and Nami exchanged confused glances.

After a moment of silence, Koby finally spoke up. "I wish I could join you on the Grand Line," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Luffy leaned forward, his eyes shining with determination. "You can, Koby! You just have to work hard and train! One day, you'll be a great Marine!"

Just then, Ririka interrupted, looking serious. "I've heard stories about pirates in the Grand Line. You need to be careful. It's a dangerous place."

"I know! That's why we'll become the strongest!" Luffy replied confidently, his enthusiasm infectious.

As they finished their meal, Luffy suddenly jumped to his feet, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Alright, everyone! We need to get going! We need to go get Usopp!"

Before he could continue, Nami cut in, "First, we need to go after Buggy to get the Grand Line map."

Luffy looked confused, scratching his head as he tried to recall their next steps. "Wait, Buggy? After saving Zoro… where were we supposed to go again?" He pondered for a moment, the gears in his mind turning. Then it struck him—the dog and that red-nosed idiot, Buggy! Just as he was about to dive deeper into his thoughts, the door to the restaurant swung open with a loud bang.

As they gathered their courage, the door to the restaurant swung open with a loud bang. A group of Marines entered, led by a tan man whose hand was tucked behind his back. A Marine hat shaded his eyes, lending him an air of authority.

"Is it true that you are pirates?" he began, his tone dripping with skepticism.

Luffy's grin widened, his confidence unwavering. "Yeah, we are the Straw Hat Pirates!" he declared proudly, puffing out his chest as he spoke.

Nami glanced nervously at Koby, who swallowed hard, clearly unsettled by the sudden confrontation.

But before anyone could react, Luffy stood up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I forgot!" he exclaimed, turning toward the tan Marine with a playful grin. "Hey, can I use your Den-Den Mushi for a bit? I want to call my grandpa!"

The tan Marine raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback by Luffy's casual demeanor. "What are you—"

"Just think about it! What if he finds out I'm a pirate?" Luffy interrupted, feigning seriousness. "He might come down here and give you a real headache!"

The Marine's expression hardened, his patience thinning. "You think this is a game, pirate?"

Luffy leaned forward, undeterred. "Of course, it isn't! But it could be more fun if I could get a call through!"

Nami and Koby exchanged bewildered looks, unsure of how this would play out. Zoro merely rolled his eyes, arms crossed, bemused by Luffy's antics.

"Enough with the jokes!" the tan Marine barked, irritation evident in his voice. "You think you can just walk in here and make demands?"

Luffy shrugged, a cheeky smile still plastered on his face. "Well, I was hoping you'd be a nice guy about it. After all, I'm going to call, Monkey D. Garp. Shishishishi!"

"WHAT?!" Nami, Koby, and the other Marines gasped in unison, their eyes widening in shock. "You're the grandson of Marine Hero Garp the Fist!"

While everyone was stunned into silence, Luffy casually picked his nose, responding with a nonchalant, "Yes." Then, with mischievous glints in his eyes and a playful smile, he pressed on, "So, do I get the call now or not?"

The tan Marine, still processing the revelation, hesitated for a moment before nodding his head. "Get a Den-Den Mushi here!" he ordered one of his men, who scrambled to comply.

As the Marine stepped back, trying to regain his composure, Luffy's grin widened, clearly enjoying the chaos he had just unleashed. Nami and Koby exchanged incredulous looks, their minds racing at the implications of Luffy's lineage.

"I can't believe this!" Koby whispered, his eyes darting between Luffy-san and the Marines. "You're related to one the strongest Marines out there!"

"Yep! So you'd better be nice to me!" Luffy replied, winking playfully at the tan Marine, who could only glare in response, clearly torn between confusion and frustration.

As the Den-Den Mushi was brought forward, its snail-like eyes blinked curiously, and the receiver was handed to Luffy. He held it up with a casual air as if he were about to chat with an old friend rather than one of the most formidable figures in the Marines.

"Hey, Gramps!" Luffy greeted, his voice cheerful and unbothered by the weight of the revelation he had just dropped. "It's me, Luffy!"

On the other end, the voice of Vice Admiral Garp boomed through the receiver, a mix of gruffness and affection. "LUFFY! What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time, huh?"

Luffy chuckled, unfazed by the question. "Oh, you know, the usual. Just hanging out with some Marines. They seem pretty surprised to hear about you."

Garp's laughter echoed through the Den-Den Mushi, hearty and full of life. "I bet they are! You always know how to stir things up, don't you, boy?"

Nami and Koby listened intently, their expressions a mix of disbelief and curiosity. The tan Marine, still trying to process the situation, watched the exchange with a wary eye.

"So, Gramps," Luffy continued, his tone turning slightly more serious, "I'm a pirate now, and I'm going to be the King of the Pirates. So instead of me joining the Marines, I got you someone else. His name's Koby and there's another guy, his name is... uh... Helmeppo. So, see ya!"

With that, Luffy abruptly ended the call, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead as he realized the boldness of his words. The Den-Den Mushi's eyes closed, signaling the end of the conversation.

The courtyard was silent for a moment, the weight of Luffy's declaration hanging in the air. Koby looked both flustered and determined, while the tan Marine seemed caught between disbelief and a grudging respect for the young pirate's audacity.

Luffy, as always, remained unfazed, his grin wide and his spirit unbroken, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with his usual enthusiasm and confidence.

Just as the Den-Den Mushi clicked off, the silence was shattered by the unmistakable sound of Garp's booming voice, as if his sheer presence could transcend the device. "LUFFY, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Garp's voice roared, echoing in the minds of those who knew him well. "YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST HANG UP ON ME LIKE THAT? AND WHAT'S THIS NONSENSE ABOUT BEING A PIRATE KING?"

Luffy, despite the distance, could almost feel the intensity of his grandfather's frustration. He scratched his head sheepishly, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "Heh, Gramps is really mad this time," he admitted to his crew, though his grin never faltered.

Nami and Koby exchanged worried glances, well aware of Garp's formidable reputation and the strength behind his anger. The tan Marine, too, seemed to brace himself, as if expecting Garp's wrath to somehow manifest in their midst.

Garp's voice, though distant, carried a mix of anger and a begrudging affection. "YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR BACK, LUFFY! I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!"

Despite the threat, there was an underlying tone of care in Garp's words, a testament to the complicated yet loving relationship between the two. Luffy, ever the optimist, took it all in stride, ready to face whatever consequences his actions might bring, confident in his path and his dreams.

And then Luffy turns to Nami and Zoro and says, "Let's go, crew, next adventure red-nose Buggy."

As they stepped outside, the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The townspeople waved them off, gratitude etched on their faces, their voices a distant chorus of well-wishes.

With Zoro now officially part of the crew, Luffy couldn't help but feel that their journey was only just beginning. The thrill of adventure awaited them, and he was ready to seize every moment.

Standing at the edge of the boat, a wide grin spread across Luffy's face as he turned to Koby, who was still processing everything that had just happened. "Hey, Koby! You've got to train hard and become a great Marine. Promise me you'll go after your dreams!"

Koby, eyes shining with determination, nodded vigorously. "I will, Luffy-san! I won't let you down!"

Just then, Zoro, still adjusting to his newfound freedom, tried to hop onto the boat. His sudden movement caught everyone off guard, and he almost lost his balance. Luffy laughed, watching as Zoro stumbled. "Careful, swordsman! We don't want you falling into the water!" Nami chimed in, a teasing smile on her face.

Suddenly, with a powerful splash, Eel, the massive sea beast, surfaced beside the boat, his shimmering body glistening in the sunlight. The sight was so unexpected that both Zoro and the remaining Marines froze in shock. Zoro's eyes widened, his usual stoic expression giving way to disbelief. "What in the world is that?" he exclaimed, taken aback.

Luffy, grinning from ear to ear, pointed at Eel. "Hey, Eel! Grab some water for Zoro!"

The massive creature responded with a playful flick of his tail, creating waves that rocked the boat. The Marines stared in astonishment, some even stepping back as they witnessed the enormous sea beast. It was a sight they had never anticipated—an ally like no other.

Eel dove deep, surfacing again with a cascade of water that splashed over the deck, soaking Zoro and startling him even more. His swordsmanship instincts kicked in, and he instinctively raised a hand to shield himself, eyes wide. "You've got to be kidding me!"

Luffy just chuckled, shaking his head at the creature's antics. "See, Zoro? No need to worry about water now!"

As they prepared to sail away, Luffy turned back to Koby one last time. "Alright, time to go! But remember, we'll meet again."

With a bittersweet smile, Koby raised his hand in a salute. "Yes, Luffy-san!"

Luffy waved back enthusiastically, a promise hanging in the air. Before Eel dived deep into the sea, Luffy stopped him with a resolute expression.

"Eel, you've been awesome. But you should go back to the village and protect it until I return."

Eel's eyes seemed to convey a hint of worry. Luffy sensed it. "What if I don't see you again?"

Luffy, smiling confidently, replied, "You will! When I become the King of the Pirates, I'll come back to visit! So keep waiting for me, alright?"

Eel's eyes sparkled with determination. "I will! Good luck, Luffy!"

As Eel splashed back into the sea, the Marines finally snapped out of their daze, murmuring among themselves, confusion and disbelief written across their faces. Luffy took a deep breath, feeling the thrill of adventure pulse through him. "Let's go find more friends, and then we'll chase our dreams together!"

With that, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami set sail on their next adventure, leaving Shells Town behind and stepping into the unknown, hearts filled with excitement for what lay ahead.