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Chapter 9 - Roronoa Zoro

Seven days had passed since Luffy and Nami arrived at Logue Town. During these seven days, they spent their time shopping and having fun around Logue Town.

Since Luffy's sailboat wasn't very large, they didn't buy much clothing, only a few pairs. In addition, Luffy also bought several regular katana swords to use.

Not only that, Luffy also went searching for Bartolomeo, who would eventually become the captain of the second division of the Straw Hat Armada in the future.

Of course, this wasn't as easy as before, since at this point Bartolomeo wasn't yet his fan. And the fastest way to win him over was by using his fists.

After all, Bartolomeo was a mafia boss. So, there was no problem in conquering him with his fists. The reason Luffy did this was to have a steady source of information.

Especially since finding that person, who was currently nowhere to be found, might be difficult. But with Bartolomeo's status as a mafia boss who controlled over 100 cities, it wouldn't be too hard for him to track down the person.

'Luffy, where are we going to look for this person you mentioned?' asked Nami.

'From the information Bartolomeo gave, he was last seen at Mirror Ball Island.' Luffy answered.

'Then, should we leave now?'

'If not, he might leave.' Luffy replied.

'Of course.'

'Is our stuff packed, Nami?' Luffy asked.

'Yes.' She answered, pointing to the big bag in the room.

'Then let's go.' Luffy said, walking towards the bag and putting it on his shoulder, with Nami following him from behind.

The two of them left the hotel where they had been staying for the past seven days. It didn't take long for them to reach the harbor and the spot where Luffy's sailboat was docked. There, a few people were waiting for them, none other than Bartolomeo and some of his crew.

'Aniki, here's the supply you requested.' Bartolomeo said, pointing to several sacks on the ground.

'Thanks, Barto.' Luffy replied.

'No need to thank me, Aniki.' Bartolomeo responded.

'But Aniki, don't you want to replace this sailboat with a ship?'

'I can provide it for you.' Bartolomeo offered.

'No need, for now, this sailboat is enough.' Luffy said.

'Alright, Aniki. If you want to change it soon, just let me know.'

'Yes.' Luffy nodded.

Luffy then took the supplies and boarded the sailboat with Nami.

After setting the sails, the boat slowly began to leave Logue Town.

At sea,

'Luffy, Mirror Ball Island is located in the northeast direction from here. If the weather is good, we'll reach it in two days.' Nami said after looking at the East Blue map.

'Then let's speed it up to one day.' Luffy said, rolling up the sails.

'Hold on tight, Nami.' He added.

'Okay.' Nami replied.

Luffy then began paddling the boat quickly towards the northeast. He paddled continuously until sunset, and when night came, he let the wind carry the sailboat towards Mirror Ball Island.

The next morning, before the sun rose,

'Nami, I see an island over there.' Luffy said, handing her the telescope.

Nami took the telescope and looked through it. She saw an island about 3 kilometers away.

'If there's no mistake, that's Mirror Ball Island, Luffy.' Nami said.

'Then no need to make breakfast, Nami. We'll have breakfast there.' said Luffy.

'Alright.'

Luffy then rolled up the sail and started paddling the boat toward the island, though not as fast as when he left Logue Town.

After a few hundred meters from the island, the sun had risen, and from the island, many ships and sailboats could be seen docked at the harbor.

There were also ships and boats preparing to leave the harbor, most of which looked like fishermen.

Upon arriving at the harbor, Luffy moored his boat, and the two jumped off and started walking toward the town.

'This town is quite busy.' said Nami.

'Have you ever been here, Nami?' Luffy asked.

'No, this is my first time coming here too.'.

'So, how are we going to find that person, Luffy?'

'You know, even though it's not as big as Logue Town, this town is still quite large, and there's a chance he's already left the island.'

'No need to worry about that, Nami. That person is on this island, and I've already found where he is.'

'Eh, how?'

'I'll tell you later, Nami.'

'Hmph, you're still hiding something from me, Luffy. Even though we're officially together now.'

Yes, Luffy and Nami were now officially in a relationship, and that happened while they were in Logue Town. Unlike before, when their relationship would only be confirmed after finishing their journey around the world.

Luffy certainly didn't want to wait that long, especially since Nami had a very good impression of him after he saved her life and her village.

Remembering the saying 'strike while the iron is hot.' Luffy didn't hesitate to act. And as a result, now they were officially together.

Luffy gently stroked Nami's head, then held her hand and said,

'Let's go have breakfast first, then take a walk before we find him.'

Nami blushed slightly and said nothing, but she held Luffy's hand tightly. The two then went off to find breakfast in the town.

At noon

After breakfast and walking around town, Luffy and Nami finally went to the place where the person Luffy was looking for was located. The person was currently inside a bar.

Upon arriving at the bar, Luffy immediately saw a rather striking man. The man had green hair and wore white clothes with a black cloth tied around his left arm.

Around his waist was a green haramaki, and on his right hip hung three very noticeable katana swords.

That man was none other than Roronoa Zoro, Luffy's first crew member and future vice-captain. But now, it seemed he had to become the second crew member.

'Roronoa Zoro.' Luffy said to him.

'Huh?' Zoro shifted his attention from his drink and looked toward Luffy and Nami.

'What do you want with me?' Zoro asked Luffy, then glanced at the sword on Luffy's left hip.

'Want to duel?'

'I heard you're looking for the strongest.' Luffy said while swinging the sword on his left hip.

'Oh?'

'Are you also looking for the strongest?' Zoro answered with a smile.

'I don't need to look for him, because I know where he lives.' Luffy said.

Hearing Luffy's words, Zoro suddenly became excited because he had been sailing for some time but still hadn't found any clue about the whereabouts of the strongest.

Seeing Zoro getting riled up and excited, Luffy smiled slightly. Zoro, upon hearing the term 'the strongest' — known as Dracule Mihawk — would surely lose his calm.

'If you beat me, I'll tell you where he is.' Luffy said.

'Alright!' Zoro immediately replied.

'I hope you don't go back on your word.' Luffy added.

Luffy nodded and said, 'Follow me.'

Then Luffy walked out of the bar together with Nami. Zoro paid for his drink and followed them. One hour later, the three of them arrived at the beach on the other side of the island.

Because Zoro had gotten separated from Luffy and Nami several times on the way here, the journey that should have taken only 30 minutes ended up taking an hour.

Luffy and Zoro then faced each other with about 10 meters between them. Both drew their swords from their sheaths. Luffy took out one sword from his hip, while Zoro drew two swords from his hips.

'You should just use all three of your swords.' said Luffy.

'This is enough to duel with you.' Zoro replied.

'I already warned you.'

Then Luffy charged at Zoro very quickly and tried to slash him from above.

'He's fast.' thought Zoro.

Zoro swiftly crossed his swords above his head.

'DING!'

Their swords clashed, producing small sparks.

'This is tough.' thought Zoro as sweat began to appear on his forehead. Zoro tried to push Luffy back, but considering Luffy's strength, how could the current Zoro do that?

Seeing Zoro struggling, Luffy jumped back and gave Zoro a little breathing space.

'You're strong!' said Zoro, then he took off the black cloth from his arm — a bandana — and tied it around his head. He also drew out his other sword and held it in his mouth.

'So that's what the last sword is for.' thought Nami, watching not far from where Luffy and Zoro were dueling.

'Let's go!' shouted Zoro, then he ran toward Luffy.

Luffy smiled and also ran toward Zoro.

'DING!'

'DING!'

'DING!'

The sound of clashing swords kept echoing in the area. In the end, with Zoro's current sword skills, he was no match for Luffy, someone who had returned from the future and had accumulated about 400 years' worth of swordsmanship.

As a result, Zoro's body began to show wounds, but of course, all were superficial and not life-threatening.

Zoro continuously tried to slash Luffy using his signature techniques, but none of the strikes landed. Even when Zoro attacked what he thought was Luffy's blind spot, the attack was easily stopped.

Still hot-headed and immature, Zoro lost his composure and attacked Luffy recklessly. After an hour, the fight ended with Zoro's crushing defeat.

'Do you know what your mistake was?' Luffy asked, looking at Zoro lying on the ground.

'...' Zoro said nothing and remained silent.

'You lost your composure.' Luffy continued, though Zoro didn't respond.

'When you lose your calm during battle, defeat is certain.'

'But if you keep your composure, there's a chance to defeat someone slightly stronger than you.'

'Calmness is very important in a fight, but to fight the strongest, that alone is not enough.'

'Zoro, as you are now, you're still far from challenging the strongest.' said Luffy.

Hearing Luffy's words, Zoro gripped his hand tightly, realizing that what Luffy said was true — he was still very weak.

'I don't know why you want to challenge the strongest with your current strength. But I can see it — your determination to fight the strongest is very strong.'

'How about this, join me. I'll help you become stronger.' said Luffy.

After hearing Luffy's words, Zoro got up from the ground and said, 'Can you do that?'

'Yes, I can.'

'I'll teach you until you can finally do this.' said Luffy.

Then Luffy ran toward the sea, grabbed the sword's hilt with both hands, swung it toward the ocean, and muttered to himself.

'Daishinkan!'

Then, a powerful shockwave erupted from Luffy's sword, and the sea in front of him split straight for about five meters. At the same time, the sword in Luffy's hand shattered because it couldn't withstand the power.

The technique Luffy used was one of many sword techniques belonging to Zoro. Although there are stronger sword techniques, Luffy couldn't perform them yet due to the limitations of his sword.

'Looks like I need to buy a few more swords until I get the Nidai Kitetsu.' Luffy muttered, looking at the sword which now only had its handle left, then he threw it into the sea.

'Wow!' Nami shouted.

'I didn't expect swordsmanship to do that.' said Nami.

Meanwhile, Zoro looked very surprised at what Luffy had done. Because Luffy's sword technique was at least on par with his master's, who could make slashes fly through the air.

Luffy then walked back toward them, and Zoro couldn't help but ask, 'Actually, who are you?'

'Me?'

'My name is Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King!' said Luffy.

'Yes, but right now I'm just a bounty hunter like you.'

'A man who wants to be Pirate King, but hunts pirates for their bounties?' Zoro asked, puzzled.

'I also need to eat, and robbing people isn't my style. Besides, I have to support someone who really loves shopping.' Luffy said while shrugging his shoulders.

'Hey Luffy, I heard that!' Nami said angrily.

'All right, I'll join you. But I hope you won't stop me when I fight the strongest, whether I'm ready or not.'

'Of course.' said Luffy with a smile, extending his hand to Zoro, who was still sitting on the ground.

Zoro grabbed Luffy's hand to stand up, and Luffy said, 'From now on, I'm counting on you, partner!'

'Of course, Captain!' Zoro replied.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After treating Zoro's wounds with the medicines Luffy brought, they walked back to the city. Like on the way here, Zoro got separated from Luffy and Nami several times, making the journey a bit longer.

When they arrived in the city, the three immediately went to a restaurant to eat and discuss their next plan.

'So, we're looking for at least two more people?' Zoro asked.

'Yes, a cook and a sharpshooter.' said Luffy.

'Finding a cook shouldn't be too hard, but where will you find a sharpshooter?' Zoro asked again.

'It's not too hard, but I'm sure you don't want just any ordinary sharpshooter, right?' Luffy added.

'You think the same, right?' Nami interjected.

'Don't worry, I know an amazing sharpshooter. And I know where he lives.' said Luffy.

'Where is he?' asked Nami.

'He's on Gecko Island. Do you know the way there, Nami?' Luffy replied.

'I've heard of that place, but to be sure of the direction, let's find a map in this town, Luffy.' Nami said.

Luffy understood Nami's point and didn't mind since he still wanted to be with her.

'Then, Zoro, if you have anything else to do, prepare quickly because we'll leave tomorrow at sunrise.'

'All right.'

'Then Zoro, we'll go first. I'll pay extra for three bottles of sake, enjoy.' said Luffy.

Luffy and Nami stood up from their seats, then Luffy paid the bill at the cashier. The two left the restaurant, leaving only Zoro who had just ordered more sake.

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