Before Zoro could say another word, Captain Morgan's voice tore through the courtyard like a blade scraping stone.
"If bullets don't work," Morgan roared, veins bulging in his neck, "then use your swords!"
Steel rang out as dozens of Marines drew their blades. Fear was written plainly on many of their faces, but obedience — drilled in through terror — pushed them forward anyway.
They charged.
Koby froze.
Luffy didn't move.
Zoro did.
The instant the Marines closed in, Zoro stepped forward, his movements sharp despite his weakened body. Two katanas flashed into his hands, steel gleaming in the sunlight — and then, to Koby's disbelief, Zoro bit down on the hilt of a third sword.
Three blades met the Marine charge.
CLANG.
The impact echoed across the courtyard. Sparks flew as Zoro stopped multiple blades at once, feet digging into the dirt, muscles screaming but holding firm.
Luffy's eyes narrowed slightly.
So that's how you fight.
Zoro pushed forward, forcing the Marines back with sheer presence alone.
"Make one more move," Zoro growled through clenched teeth, voice vibrating with menace, "and you're dead."
The Marines hesitated.
Some stumbled backward.
Others dropped their weapons entirely.
Zoro turned his head slightly, eyes flicking toward Luffy.
"Today," he said evenly, "I officially became a criminal."
Luffy looked at him.
"So I'll become a pirate," Zoro continued, "like I promised. But understand this — I don't follow anyone blindly."
"And what's your ambition?" Luffy asked.
Zoro's mouth curved into a sharp grin.
"To become the greatest swordsman in the world."
Luffy smiled.
"The Pirate King needs nothing less."
Morgan screamed again.
"KILL THEM ALL!"
The Marines recoiled.
"We can't win!" one shouted.
"They're monsters!"
"We'll die!"
Morgan's face twisted into something ugly and desperate.
"This is an order!" he bellowed. "Any Marine who disobeys — take out your gun and shoot yourself!"
The courtyard went dead silent.
Luffy's smile vanished.
To his shock, several Marines — shaking, terrified — actually raised their guns toward their own heads.
Idiots.
Luffy released a precise, controlled pulse of Conqueror's Haki.
Not wide.
Not violent.
Targeted.
The Marines collapsed instantly, unconscious before fingers could tighten on triggers.
Morgan staggered back.
Luffy walked toward him.
"A leader who treats lives as disposable," Luffy said calmly, "is just trash wearing authority."
Morgan snarled. "Strength is everything! Weaklings don't deserve—!"
"A downward strike with your right arm won't land," Luffy interrupted.
Morgan froze.
Luffy disappeared.
Lightning cracked.
Morgan screamed as his axe-arm severed cleanly at the elbow, blood spraying as the limb hit the ground.
Before he could even fall, Luffy was behind him.
Electricity screamed in Luffy's palm.
The blow was swift.
Decisive.
Morgan's body collapsed lifelessly into the dirt.
Silence followed.
Then — cheers.
The Marines didn't attack.
They cried.
They laughed.
They thanked him.
Koby stared, shaking.
"They were afraid long before we arrived," he whispered.
A thud interrupted him.
Zoro collapsed.
Fifteen minutes later
Zoro devoured food like a starving animal.
Plates piled up. Rika giggled as her mother hurried back and forth from the kitchen.
"Three weeks without food," Zoro said between bites. "I was close to chewing my own boots."
Luffy sat across from him, quietly drinking whiskey.
"So," Zoro said, wiping his mouth. "How many crew members do you have?"
"You," Luffy replied.
Zoro blinked. "You're insane."
"I can fight an entire Marine fleet alone," Luffy said evenly. "And when I'm done training you — so will you."
Zoro believed him.
The Marines entered shortly after.
"We won't report you," their leader said. "But you must leave."
Luffy nodded.
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Vice Admiral Garp?"
The room froze.
"Your grandson."
Laughter. Yelling. Familiar chaos.
Minutes later, Luffy handed Koby the bounty money.
"Earn your justice properly," he said.
At the pier, clouds descended.
Zoro stared.
"That's your ship?"
"For now."
Zoro sat down.
"So where to?"
Luffy looked east.
"Orange Town," he said. "I need to meet a clown."
The clouds rose.
The journey truly began.