Ding! Ding! Ding!
Bullets slammed against the fork shield, emitting sharp metallic clanging.
After all the bullets were deflected, the fork shield remained completely unharmed.
"Amazing! So Genrou, you can use Toriko's techniques too! And I didn't know you could use a 'fork' like that!"
Luffy's eyes widened, immediately trying to mimic the fork shield.
But since he wasn't skilled enough, he couldn't use the "fork" like Genrou did to defend. He simply swung out an energy "fork" that shredded the ground ahead into a mangled mess.
"No way! Why aren't the bullets working on them?!"
"What is that twisted fork thing?!"
Helmeppo stepped back in fear. He couldn't understand the fork shield in front of Genrou, let alone why it could block bullets.
"No wonder he's a pirate with an 800 million bounty… as if bullets would work on him."
"But your crewmate can also use your moves. Did you teach him?"
"Anyway, can you cut me down from this post now?"
Zoro grinned.
"You've got it wrong. Luffy's the captain."
"Me? I'm at best the vice-captain."
Genrou chuckled and drew the Konpira from his back. With a few slashes, he easily cut through the ropes binding Zoro.
The cold glint of Konpira's blade instantly caught Zoro's attention, though what really intrigued him was what Genrou had just said.
"What? You're not the captain?" Zoro stared at Luffy in disbelief. "What kind of guy has what it takes to be the captain of a pirate like Genrou?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Genrou smiled, sheathing Konpira and letting the fork shield vanish.
"An 800 million bounty? You've gotta be kidding."
"There's no way a pirate like that would come to a place like this!"
"Open fire! Kill them all!"
Seeing the fork shield disappear, Helmeppo's eyes lit up.
But no matter how loudly he screamed, the soldiers behind him didn't fire.
Helmeppo looked back in confusion—only to see every Marine trembling uncontrollably, some barely able to hold their guns.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?! Shoot already!"
Helmeppo roared.
"N-No way… He… he really is the pirate with an 800 million bounty. We'll die if we fight him!"
One of the Marines stammered in fear.
Clearly, after Zoro's reminder, the Marines had recognized who Genrou was.
"Cowards, all of you!"
Helmeppo gritted his teeth and snatched a rifle from a nearby soldier, attempting to shoot at Genrou's group himself.
"Stop. You're no match for us."
Just then, Luffy's eyes sharpened. The energy of his Gourmet Cells surged, and in front of him appeared the massive upper body of a red oni.
The red oni reached out and gently patted Helmeppo's head. Just that one simple pat, infused with overwhelming intimidation, was enough to make Helmeppo's eyes roll back as he fainted in terror.
Not just Helmeppo—even the Marines beside him collapsed to the ground in fright.
"What the hell is that?!"
Zoro exclaimed.
"That's the Red Oni—a Gourmet Cell Demon. Genrou helped Luffy obtain that power not long ago."
Nami pursed her lips, watching Luffy. She felt both envy and fear.
Envy that Luffy had gained such overwhelming strength from Genrou, and fear that if she got such power, she might fall under Genrou's control.
"You gave him that power?"
"You can help someone gain powers like that?"
Zoro looked at Genrou in disbelief, more convinced that this man was both strange and immensely powerful.
"If you want, I can help you too. Of course, it wouldn't be the same power as Luffy's."
Genrou smiled.
"Help me? I'm a swordsman."
"Speaking of which, that blade on your back... it's one of the Great Grade Swords, isn't it?"
"To have a sword like that means you're pretty skilled yourself."
Now that the Marines weren't a threat, Zoro relaxed. His gaze focused on the Konpira on Genrou's back, and his eyes gleamed with interest.
"Maybe."
Genrou shrugged with an ambiguous answer.
Though he didn't know swordsmanship now, considering the power of his system…
Genrou believed he might learn sword techniques through Zoro in the future.
"Hmph, playing it modest, huh."
"No matter your reason for joining this guy's crew…"
"Since you've invited me, there's something you need to know."
"I set out to sea to become the world's greatest swordsman. Even if I become a pirate, that won't change."
"If I fail to become the world's greatest swordsman in the future, you'd better commit seppuku in shame—Vice-Captain Genrou, Captain Luffy!"
Zoro grinned wickedly.
"The world's greatest swordsman, huh? Heeheehee, a crewmate of mine should have a goal like that!"
Luffy crossed his arms proudly. He wasn't bothered at all by Zoro's threat—if anything, he seemed happy to have him join.
"The world's greatest swordsman? That's a big claim."
"But if that's your goal, where are your swords?"
Nami crossed her arms and asked.
"Tch! That bastard Marine brat took them!"
"I've got to go get them back!"
As he spoke, Zoro turned and tried to dash into the Marine base.
But he only took one step before Genrou grabbed the back of his collar.
"What the hell are you doing?" Zoro frowned, annoyed.
"Nothing. Just wanted to remind you that you're going the wrong way."
Genrou looked at him with amusement and pointed at the gate leading out of the Marine base.
He already knew Zoro had no sense of direction—but seeing it in person was way more entertaining.
"You were running out of the base. Are you seriously that bad with directions?"
Nami's timely jab made a vein bulge on Zoro's forehead.
"Ahahaha! You're really funny, Zoro!"
Luffy laughed loudly.
His boisterous laughter echoed on the wind, spreading across the entire Marine base—until it finally reached the ears of Captain Morgan.
…
(End of Chapter)
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