The town didn't stir right away, but the rumbling sound of Morgan's statue collapsing did start drawing attention.
At first, people only peeked from behind shutters. Doors cracked open by inches. Faces emerged cautiously, scanning the streets as if expecting Captain Morgan's shadow to come stomping back at any moment.
But that shadow never came.
Instead, Marines moved. A completely different kind of Marine marched through the town.
Not the ones who swaggered with rifles slung carelessly over their shoulders, who laughed too loudly or kicked in doors when they thought no one important was watching.
These Marines moved with purpose.
They set bones of comrades injured in the skirmish. They carried the wounded. They escorted bound men, former comrades, their faces pale and furious, out of the base in irons.
When Morgan himself stepped into the courtyard, coat unfastened, axe-hand hanging low at his side instead of brandishing it like a symbol of terror, the entire town went deathly still.
Luffy stood near the base entrance, arms folded loosely, watching him.
Nami leaned against a low stone wall, staff resting at her side. Zoro sat cross-legged nearby, swords laid across his knees, gaze half-lidded but attentive. Koby stood straight as a ramrod, eyes flicking between Morgan and the townspeople.
Morgan stopped at the foot of the shattered remains of his statue.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he bowed.
Not a shallow dip of the head.
A full, deliberate bow. His spine bent, axe-hand braced against the stone, his massive frame lowering himself before the civilians of Shells Town.
"I failed you," he said, voice carrying clearly across the square.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"I will not insult you by asking forgiveness," Morgan continued. "Some of what I did cannot be undone. Fear leaves marks that don't fade quickly."
He straightened, eyes sweeping over the people gathered there.
"But this town will not suffer under my command again."
He turned sharply.
"Marines!"
The soldiers who had remained loyal, those who'd flinched at the cruelty instead of participating in it snapped to attention.
"We will rebuild what was damaged. We will provide compensation for what was stolen. We will protect this town until relief arrives from headquarters."
A beat of silence followed, the bewildered townsfolk looking on with a burgeoning sense of hope.
"And I will abdicate my position as captain of this branch."
That drew a reaction.
Merchants whispered, townspeople wore looks somewhere between suspicion and relief. Many of the crowd still stared with a lingering sense of distrust.
Morgan looked toward Luffy.
"For the safety of Shells Town, and to prevent resentment from festering, I will submit myself to reassignment under Vice Admiral Garp."
Luffy blinked. "Oh, hey, you're already on that part."
Morgan's brow twitched.
Nami snorted.
Zoro smirked.
Morgan exhaled slowly before turning back to the marines. "Continue aiding the wounded," gesturing to the contingent of marines remaining and ushering them behind him, "You lot follow me. Return any property and wealth that was confiscated under the guise of 'taxes.'"
As he passed he turned to Luffy, "We'll make the call later, for now get Roronora taken care of. He's been tied up for a while now."
With that, he led the Marines back towards the base.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The town didn't explode into celebration, but it did begin to breathe again.
It started quietly.
Someone reopened a food stall that had been shuttered for days, then another. A baker emerged with flour still dusting his sleeves, blinking in disbelief as people cautiously approached. Tavern doors creaked open, lanterns flickering to life one by one as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
Fear doesn't vanish all at once, but it had begun to loosen its grip, inch by inch. By the time the group reached the small square near the docks, the smell of cooking food had begun to spread through the air.
Zoro didn't say anything.
He didn't have to.
His stomach answered for him.
As if reacting directly to the smell of food, a thunderous growl echoed loud enough that Nami stopped mid-step.
She stared at him.
Zoro stared resolutely at the horizon, arms crossed, jaw set, pretending with every fiber of his being that the sound had not come from him.
"…Wow," Nami said flatly. "That was impressive."
Koby jumped. "I-is… is he okay?!"
Luffy had doubled over, clutching his sides. "SHISHISHISHI! You've been starving this whole time and didn't say anything?!"
Zoro scowled. "I was tied to a post."
"That's not a no," Luffy wheezed.
Before Zoro could snap back, a familiar voice piped up.
"Zoro-aniki!"
Rika came running across the square, waving both arms. Her mother hurried after her, breathless but smiling. The little girl threw herself at the swordsman, eyes shining as she latched onto his knees with as strong a hug as her little frame could manage.
"You're really okay!"
Zoro stiffened.
Then, awkwardly, he reached out and patted her head.
"…Yeah."
Rika beamed like she'd just won the lottery.
Her mother bowed deeply. "Thank you," she said, voice thick with emotion. "All of you."
Luffy scratched his cheek. "No problem! But, uh… do you sell food?"
The answer turned out to be yes.
Very much yes.
Within minutes, they were seated at a low outdoor table near the tavern, plates being piled high with food as fast as the kitchen could manage. Skewers, bread, soup, roasted fish, anything that could be cooked quickly was sent their way.
Zoro stared at the spread like it might vanish if he blinked.
Then he attacked it.
Nami watched in open disbelief as plates disappeared at a frightening rate.
"…I've traveled with gluttons," she muttered, swiveling her gaze to Luffy eating at a similar, though less desperate pace, "But you two are something else."
Koby, still flushed from adrenaline and pride, nibbled at his own bowl carefully. "I..I think this is the best meal I've ever had."
"That's because food always tastes better when you're following your dreams!" Came Luffy's response between mouthfuls.
Luffy leaned back in his chair, chewing happily, eyes drifting over the square. People laughed softly. Children ran in loose circles. Marines stood guard, but more relaxed, weapons lowered, shoulders eased.
For the first time since they'd arrived, Shells Town felt… normal.
Zoro finally slowed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "…So," he said, glancing at Luffy. "That thing you did earlier."
"Which thing?" Luffy asked innocently.
"That… force thing. That felt like it was attacking our wills."
"Oh! That!" Luffy brightened. "Yeah, I dunno what that was yet."
Nami choked as she nearly spit out her drink. "You don't know?!"
"Nope!"
"That seems… in character." Zoro muttered.
Koby hesitated, then spoke up. "B-but… it worked. Captain Morgan… he looked different. Like he finally woke up."
Luffy nodded, expression turning thoughtful. "Yeah. That was the goal." After a few seconds of thought he began replaying some of the scenes he had seen in that void where he and Midoriya merged.
To Midoriya's modern mind, it was kind of like watching highlights of an anime. He got a lot of overarching plot points, but much of the minutia was left out
"I might have an idea about it… But I'll need to ask gramps when we talk."
Before anyone could interject, Rika tugged on Luffy's sleeve. "Are you really a hero?"
He blinked, then smiled down at her. "I'm trying to be."
She nodded seriously, the almost reverent look on her little face doing little to hide the amazement dancing in her eyes. "I'll tell mom to make more meat then, Hero-aniki," with that solemn vow, and Luffy's bright smile at the promise of more meat, Rika scurried off to the kitchen.
The group feasted and drank until the sun began to dip lower, painting the harbor gold. Laughter grew a little louder. Someone started playing music, low and hesitant at first, then bolder as others joined in after no admonishment came.
Nami watched it all, arms folded loosely. "You know," she said quietly, "towns don't usually bounce back this fast."
Luffy followed her gaze to a group of playing children. He nodded in agreement. "They don't."
"No… Fear sticks." She paused, pictures of her own oppressed town flashing through her mind. "But… seeing the Marines fix what they broke helps."
Zoro glanced toward the base, a tall silhouette of Morgan approaching them as they talked. "Morgan's not pretending either."
"No," Luffy agreed. "He's not. Seems like that pirate really did a number on him."
Catching the last few words of conversation, Morgan just grumbled, "Don't remind me." He reached into his Marine coat and pulled out his personal Den-Den Mushi, ignoring Luffy's muffled laugh at the little snail's matching metal jaw piece.
"Enough chatter, let's get this over with. The sooner I leave here, the sooner Shells Town can truly start recovering."
As they followed, Luffy leaned over to Nami and whispered, "Well, maybe Jango didn't have to work that hard after all."
She stifled her own laugh, and they all ignored the vein twitching on Morgan's forehead.
Morgan stopped a short distance from a table once inside the tavern. He placed the snail down, and after initiating the call he turned to the group.
"I've already sent through my preliminary report to the Vice Admiral's ship," Morgan explained, "So we'll just have to fill in some of the details."
The little snail blinked, adjusted the tiny metal plate bolted to its jaw, and let out a chirping ring.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then…
"BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The Den Den Mushi's face snapped into a perfect imitation of Garp, mouth wide open in a roaring laugh.
"- WE DONT TALK FOR FIVE MINUTES AND YOU TURN A MARINE BASE INTO A BAR FIGHT?!"
Luffy leaned in cheerfully. "Hey Gramps!"
Nami winced at the volume. Zoro smirked, and Koby snapped to attention so hard he nearly fell over.
The Den Den Mushi's image shifted as someone tugged it aside.
"Vice Admiral," Bogard's calm voice cut in. "Please allow us to proceed in an orderly fashion."
"BOOOORING," Garp barked in the background. "LET THE BRAT TALK!"
Bogard sighed, quietly, but deeply. "As you wish."
The Den Den Mushi refocused.
Bogard's face appeared clearly now, composed as ever, hat perfectly in place despite the sound of waves and Garp's muttering behind him.
"Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp's adjutant: Bogard, reporting on the Shell's Town Marine base incident," Bogard began. "We have received confirmation of unrest at the Shells Town Marine branch. Captain Morgan has voluntarily contacted us following a confrontation involving your grandson."
Garp leaned into frame, squinting. "Voluntarily, huh? That already sounds suspicious."
Morgan stepped forward.
"Vice Admiral Garp," he said, voice firm but controlled. "This responsibility is mine."
The Den Den Mushi froze for half a second.
Then..
"…Axe-Hand?" Garp said slowly. "You sound different."
Morgan inclined his head. "I am. Thanks to your grandson."
Garp's grin returned instantly. "BWHAHAHA! OF COURSE IT WAS HIM!"
"Vice Admiral," Bogard cut in smoothly, "Captain Morgan has submitted a full preliminary report. Evidence strongly supports the claim that he was subjected to long-term hypnotic conditioning during a prior engagement with the Black Cat Pirates."
Garp's laughter died down just a notch. "Black Cat…?" he echoed.
Morgan's jaw tightened. "Vice-captain Django The Hypnotist. I was the only survivor."
Bogard continued, "Captain Morgan has taken full responsibility for the damage done under his command and has already ordered the arrest of Marines found complicit in corruption. Civilian restitution is underway."
Garp whistled. "Well I'll be damned. You didn't even wait for the paperwork."
Morgan snorted. "Paperwork won't rebuild a town."
"HA!" Garp slapped something off-screen. "I like you already."
Luffy scratched his cheek. "He also broke his own statue."
There was a pause.
"…He did what," Garp asked.
Zoro answered dryly. "Very satisfying."
"BWHAHAHAHA! GOOD! THAT THING WAS UGLY!"
Bogard cleared his throat. "There is, however, one additional matter of concern."
Garp leaned back into frame, arms crossed. "Here it comes."
Bogard turned slightly toward Luffy. "Straw Hat… please explain what you described earlier."
Luffy blinked. "Oh. Yeah."
Nami leaned in, curious to find out what that mysterious force actually was. Zoro's expression sharpened. Koby swallowed.
Luffy spoke carefully this time.
"When Morgan was fighting me… he wasn't fully there. Something was blocking him. I got frustrated, and something inside me kind of just… pushed."
He tapped his chest.
"And it wasn't my normal power this time."
The Den Den Mushi went very still.
Bogard's eyes narrowed. "Define 'pushed.'"
Luffy hesitated. "It felt like… my will. Like I told the world 'no' really hard."
Morgan's voice was quiet but firm. "Whatever it was, Vice Admiral… it shattered the compulsion. Completely. Knocked out half of the corrupt marines at the base too."
The laughter was gone now.
Garp stared at the Den Den Mushi.
"…You knocked Marines out without touching them," he said slowly.
"Yeah," Luffy replied. "Only the bad ones though. Everyone else was fine."
Bogard exhaled. "Selective projection of will. Instinctive control."
For the first time, Garp didn't laugh.
"…That's not normal," he said.
Luffy tilted his head. "You know what it is?"
Garp stared for another long second.
Then he grinned again—wider, sharper.
"Yep," he said. "That's a pain in my ass."
Bogard closed his eyes.
Garp leaned closer to the Den Den Mushi. "Alright. Decision time."
He jabbed a thumb behind him. "Bogard and I are still in the East Blue. I'll come collect Axe-Hand personally."
Morgan straightened. "Understood."
"And you," Garp added, eyes flicking to Luffy, "stay put. Don't start a war while I'm sailing."
Luffy grinned. "No promises!"
"BWHAHAHAHA, DON'T MAKE ME BREAK OUT THE FIST OF LOVE BRAT!"
The call ended with a click.
For a moment, the table was quiet.
Then Zoro spoke.
"…Your grandpa's terrifying."
Luffy beamed. "I know, right!"
Morgan exhaled slowly, staring out at the lantern-lit town.
"…Thank you," he said at last.
No one laughed at that.
And Shells Town kept breathing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The room Rika's mom had given him was small, clean, and simple.
A narrow bed. A single chair. A little window cracked open to let in the cool ocean air and the distant sound of Shells Town finally enjoying itself again. Lantern light flickered softly against the walls, and for the first time since he'd washed up in this world, Luffy was alone.
No fights or yelling. No Marines collapsing dramatically. No pirate flag ominously approaching from the distance.
He stretched, rolling his shoulders, then paused.
"…Huh."
There was a small mirror mounted above a washbasin near the door. He hadn't really looked at it before. Between training Koby, punching bad guys, and generally not caring, it hadn't crossed his mind.
Curious now, he wandered over.
And froze.
The guy staring back at him was… familiar.
But also kind of not.
His hair wasn't quite the wild fluff he remembered from Izuku's reflection, but it wasn't the chaotic black spikes he associated with Luffy either. It fell in loose, uneven waves. Still messy and unmistakably him, but tipped faintly in green, like someone had brushed sunlight through emerald glass across the ends.
"…Woah."
He leaned closer.
The face was Luffy's, scar under his eye and all, but a small diamond of freckles now dotted each cheek. His eyes felt sharper somehow, more thoughtful than they had been. When he lifted his arms, turning them this way and that, he spotted it.
Faint scars. Thin lines along his forearms. Various scenes flashed through his mind. The head of a massive robot denting in, a training exercise taken too far, a massive bird like villain looming overhead, and finally, Izuku nearly being crushed under a mountain of rippling muscle, a terrified child watching from behind.
They were old marks. Healed, but unmistakable.
Izuku's.
He blinked once.
Twice.
Then grinned.
"Hah," he said softly. "Guess we really did merge, huh?"
He flexed experimentally, watching the scars shift with the muscle. Then, for no good reason at all, he puffed out his cheeks and stretched his face in the mirror.
"…Okay yeah, still me."
He leaned back, folding his arms behind his head, studying his reflection one last time.
Green-tipped hair.
Battle scars.
A straw hat resting on the chair behind him.
"Hero of the Seas," he muttered thoughtfully, hand resting lightly on his rapidly digesting belly.
He brightened instantly. "Tomorrow I'm asking Rika for seconds."
The mirror didn't argue.
Luffy flopped backward onto the bed, boots still on, grin wide as he stared up at the ceiling, already drifting toward sleep, the quiet hum of a town healing around him.
And somewhere between worlds, Luffy thought that Izuku Midoriya would have agreed.
Yeah.
Those were the happy sounds that everyone should be making.