"L-Let me go… you bastard!"
Choked by Luffy's grip, the young man's face turned a sickly shade of purple. Yet even on the verge of suffocation, having been pampered his whole life as Captain Morgan's son, Helmeppo didn't know the meaning of begging. He just kept shouting empty threats.
"Do you know who my father is? He's Captain Morgan! If you dare kill me, he'll slaughter every last one of you! The whole town will pay for what you've done… You don't want these people to die because of you, right?"
He darted a glance at the crucifix where Zoro was tied, trying to pull the same trick again.
Last time, his pet had tried to bite a little girl. Zoro killed it without hesitation. Helmeppo then threatened Zoro with the safety of the girl's family, and Zoro was forced to give in.
Since this Luffy came to rescue Zoro, he must care about the lives of these "commoners" too!
"Morgan? A massacre?"
Luffy looked like he'd heard a joke. His grin widened, and the contempt in his eyes sharpened.
"Your father Morgan… and everyone else you're threatening me with—will die here today."
Someone like Helmeppo couldn't threaten him. Luffy wouldn't throw away his principles for anyone. Even if someone used Zoro to coerce him, he wouldn't back down.
And Morgan would never live long enough to retaliate against the town.
Luffy's grip tightened. Helmeppo's eyes rolled back, hatred and panic twisting his expression. Luffy spoke calmly, as if passing judgment.
"In the next life… be a dog. Finger Gun."
A sudden flare of dark lightning shot from Luffy's fingertip.
Shunk!
"Gum-Gum—Heart Piercer!"
His finger, coated in Conqueror's Haki, pierced straight through Helmeppo's chest, skewering his heart.
Helmeppo didn't even finish his scream. His life ended in an instant.
Zoro and Nami both froze. A chill crawled up their spines.
"H-He's… dead?!"
Nami, who had always believed in kindness, stood trembling. The sight of the corpse made her stagger into Luffy's arms, terrified to even raise her head.
"Look at him. As a pirate, killing is something you'll face sooner or later."
Luffy didn't feel the slightest remorse. He lowered the lifeless Helmeppo in front of her.
"Urgh—!"
Nami's stomach twisted. She forced herself to look—she knew he was right—but immediately shoved Luffy away, stumbling to the side and retching.
Luffy chuckled and shook his head, then turned toward the stunned swordsman.
"I guess even without retrieving your swords, you can only become my crew now."
He didn't wait for a reply. He walked over and untied Zoro.
"Since we killed Captain Morgan's son, I'll probably be wanted the moment I walk out of here," Zoro said, rolling his shoulders. There was no panic in him. Instead, he smirked at Luffy. "Having a strong captain might not be a bad life. Fine, I'll join your crew."
"Welcome aboard," Luffy said with a grin. "We'll grab your swords later. And while we're at it, Morgan's map of the Grand Line."
That map was his true goal from the start.
"The Grand Line, huh?"
Zoro gave a low laugh. "Good. That's where I need to go anyway."
He would challenge Dracule Mihawk—the world's greatest swordsman. He would become the best and fulfill his promise to Kuina.
"I just hope that guy hasn't come for Morgan yet. Otherwise, we might be getting another crewmate…"
Luffy suddenly remembered someone and his smile widened.
The former apprentice of the Pirate King. Shanks' old buddy. Future Warlord of the Sea—and future Emperor…
Buggy the Clown.
If Luffy snagged him early, he'd be an asset stronger than Zoro. That bizarre luck of his alone made Luffy drool.
And his Chop-Chop Fruit? Definitely top-tier—just underdeveloped.
A little training, and Buggy would be invaluable.
"Captain, without my swords I can't feel at ease. Maybe we should—"
Zoro stopped mid-sentence. Luffy suddenly looked toward the entrance.
The air grew heavy.
"Looks like your swords will have to wait."
Soldiers flooded in, rifles raised, sealing every exit. Leading them stood a massive man with a golden buzz cut, cold eyes, and a steel jaw. His left arm ended in a huge battle axe.
His mere presence was suffocating.
The ruler of Shells Town. The tyrant of the region.
The "Axe King" — Captain Morgan.
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T/N:
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