East Blue, the waters around Fourleaf Island—Shells Town.
A peaceful, tranquil atmosphere drifted above the town. The streets were lively, filled with bustling crowds and clattering carts.
As a town protected by a nearby Marine base, Shells Town enjoyed a far more stable life than most places in East Blue.
After all… they never had to worry about pirate attacks.
But was everything really as perfect as it appeared?
As the saying goes—
without external threats, trouble always comes from within.
Three years ago, Shells Town truly was a peaceful, happy place.
But ever since the so-called hero who captured the pirate "Black Cat" Kuro—Captain Morgan—was transferred here, a suffocating darkness had gradually settled over the town.
No one could have imagined that the great hero Captain Morgan…
was in truth a violent tyrant.
His endless acts of oppression had long turned the once-peaceful town into a suffocating mess.
Even the famous "Pirate Hunter" of East Blue—Roronoa Zoro—had fallen into his hands.
This had become the hottest topic of gossip in all the nearby waters.
"Alright, this is the place!"
"Luffy, go tie up the boat."
Under the bright sun, Arelon hopped off the small vessel first, calling out to the extremely reluctant Luffy.
Luffy pouted as he wrapped the rope clumsily around the wooden post on the port.
"Come on, I'm the captain! Why do I have to do this kind of work?"
Ignoring the complaints, Arelon looked toward the back of Shells Town and said:
"Ever heard the saying with great power comes great responsibility?"
"You're the captain, so you work more. That's how it goes!"
"Instead of whining, hurry up! Do you want to find our third crew member or not!?"
"Ah—fine, fine! I got it!"
At the mention of a new crewmate, Luffy instantly abandoned his complaints, tied the rope in a flash, and hopped next to Arelon .
Facing the large Marine base ahead, the young pirate showed not a shred of fear—only excitement and anticipation.
"Hey hey, Arelon, is that guy really as strong as you said?"
"The future world's greatest swordsman, teamed up with the future Pirate King—"
His eyes sparkled.
"—that's so cool!!!"
"Heh, when have I ever lied to you?" Arelon chuckled.
"Let's go. We can't keep our future crewmate waiting."
"Ah? But I'm starving. That place smells so good… Can't we go eat first?"
Luffy clutched his growling stomach, sniffing the air like a starving beast.
Arelon responded with a dramatic eye roll.
"You idiot! We have something important to do, and you're thinking about food!?"
"Move it! Our future crewmate hasn't eaten anything!"
Smack!
Arelon's palm landed sharply on the back of Luffy's neck.
"Ow! That hurt, Arelon !"
Luffy rubbed the red mark—then suddenly froze.
"Arelon… your strength!?"
Luffy had long known Arelon possessed no real combat ability due to his strange physique.
With Arelon's usual strength, there was no way he could hurt a rubber man.
But this time… Luffy's neck was actually throbbing.
"Heh." Arelon smirked proudly.
"You're not the only one who can grow stronger, Luffy."
"Alright, enough talking. Time to get to work."
With that, he strode toward the Marine base, leaving Luffy stunned for a moment—
—before the Straw Hat boy burst into a bright grin.
"As expected of the vice-captain I chose!"
Under the blazing sun, a straw-hat boy chased after a boy in a red baseball cap.
Shells Town wasn't large.
Before long, they reached the vicinity of the 153rd Branch Base.
With plenty of Marines guarding the main gate, they casually headed toward the side of the base instead.
Perhaps because funds had been wasted on Morgan's indulgences, the outer wall was surprisingly low—barely over two meters.
With a light hop, Arelon and Luffy easily climbed atop, peeking inside.
Behind the wall, a tall wooden cross stood in the empty yard.
It was where Captain Morgan punished "rebels."
And tied to that cross—wearing a green bandana, a green haramaki, and three earrings—
was none other than the man known as the most stubborn bastard in the One Piece world—
Roronoa Zoro!
"…Hm!?"
Even in his battered state, Zoro instantly sensed something and looked toward the wall—
Right where Arelon and Luffy's heads were poking out.
"Oi, Arelon , I think he noticed us."
"Of course he did." Arelon grinned.
"That's why he's qualified to be our third member."
The two spoke in perfect sync.
Then, with identical movements, they pushed off and leapt into the base.
Red eyed his former favorite character from the anime and asked:
"Well, Captain?"
"Are you satisfied with the partner I picked?"
"Hehehe, I trust your judgment!"
Luffy laughed and pointed at Zoro's ropes.
"So if we just untie him, he'll come with us, right?"
"Well… that might be a problem."
Arelon shook his head as they walked toward Zoro.
"The officer in charge of this base is a real piece of trash…"
"If we simply take Zoro away, the townspeople will suffer."
"So the best solution is to beat that Marine Captain senseless!"
"Alright! Sounds good!" Luffy cheerfully cracked his knuckles.
Their carefree attitude finally made Zoro lose his patience.
"Hey! You two! This isn't a place you can just walk into!"
"If you don't want to die, get out of here!"
He deliberately added menace to his voice—
trying to scare them off to avoid dragging others into his mess.
But Luffy?
Luffy was Luffy.
"Leave? Nope!"
He pouted—then burst into laughter.
"Arelon said you'll become the world's greatest swordsman!"
"With someone that amazing, I have to make you my partner!"
"World's greatest swordsman? Partner?"
Zoro's expression twitched. He stared at the two approaching boys, a mix of confusion and disbelief filling his eyes.
To speak one's dreams so casually…
These two definitely weren't ordinary.
"You two… who the hell are you?"
"I'm Luffy. I'm a pirate." Luffy replied casually, reaching for Zoro's ropes.
Seeing this, Zoro barked:
"Hey! Don't touch those ropes!"
But Luffy ignored him entirely and untied his right wrist.
"Hehe, I'm not listening!"
"Once I free you, you'll have to join my crew!"
"Damn it, you brat!"
"I won't cooperate with pirates!"
Zoro hastily tried to stop Luffy with his freed hand.
He had made a deal with Morgan's son—
survive tied up without food or water for a month and both he and the little girl would be spared.
He'd already lasted nine days.
He couldn't let outsiders ruin everything.
But right then—
Arelon suddenly spoke:
"You really think that brat will honor the deal?"
His words froze Zoro in place.
Arelon continued:
"Don't be stupid, Zoro."
"He's playing with you. No one can last a whole month without food or water."
"Even if you somehow do, the weakened you would be nothing but a toy for him."
"And deep down… you know that's true."
"..."
Zoro fell silent.
He had suspected as much.
He simply didn't want to turn against the Marines, whom he still believed represented justice.
But Arelon's words tore that belief apart like paper.
By the time Luffy untied the last knot, Zoro finally stood straight and stared at Arelon.
"You… who are you?"
"Me?"
Arelon dropped the seriousness, smiling lightly.
"I'm Arelon, vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates."
"And also…"
"A rookie Pokémon Trainer."
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