Luffy found the little girl alone, crying while hugging her knees.
He crouched down so they were eye-level. "Oi. Zoro said your rice ball was delicious."
Rika's head snapped up. Her eyes widened, tears are falling from her eyes but this time they were tears of relief.
"He… he ate it?" she asked softly.
Luffy grinned. "Yeah. Every bite."
Rika hands tightened around her knees, and a small smile broke through her sadness. "I'm glad. I worked really hard on it…"
Jack crossed his arms and nodded. "You probably saved his life. If he hadn't eaten, he wouldn't last much longer."
Coby sat down beside her." What is your name… can you tell us what really happened? Why is Zoro tied up like that?"
Rika hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "My name is Rika and the reason why zoro san was tied up. It was Helmeppo's fault. He brought his wolf into town… it almost attacked me. Zoro saved me, but he killed the wolf in the process. Helmeppo got angry and told the Marines to arrest him."
Jack frowned. "So Zoro was punished for saving you?"
"Yes but he can fight them, Zoro did so because he wanted to let marine not to bother us," Rika said bitterly. "Helmeppo said that if Zoro could stay tied up for one whole month without eating, he'd let him go free."
Before Jack could say anything, loud voices drifted down the road.
"Speak of the devil…" Jack muttered.
Helmeppo and two Marines strutted past, laughing. The three of them quickly moved behind the corner of a building, keeping low to avoid being seen.
Helmeppo strolled down the road, flanked by two Marines. The townspeople quickly bowed their heads and stepped aside, clearing a path. Fear rippled through the crowd like wind through grass.
Jack, Luffy, and Coby stayed near the corner of a building, listening carefully.
Helmeppo was bragging loudly, clearly enjoying himself. "Ha! That idiot pirate hunter still thinks I'll let him go after a month. What kind of moron believes something like that? Hahaha! In three days, we're going to execute him in the square. Everyone will see what happens when you cross me!"
Coby's fists clenched. "That's horrible! He really never intended to let Zoro go…"
Luffy stepped forward, his straw hat casting a shadow over his face.
"Oi, you," Luffy called out, his voice carrying across the square.
Helmeppo turned, startled. "Huh? Who are you supposed to be?"
"Is it true you're going to execute Zoro in three days?" Luffy asked bluntly.
Helmeppo snorted. "So what if I am? Only an idiot would believe I was ever going to let him go! Hahaha! That's what he gets for killing my wolf."
Luffy's fist clenched. "So it was all a lie…"
"Of course it was!" Helmeppo grinned wickedly. "You think someone like me has to keep promises to a pirate hunter? Please."
The next moment, Luffy's fist smashed into Helmeppo face.
The Marine's son flew backward, landing in a heap on the ground. Gasps erupted from the townspeople and even the marine.
"You!" Helmeppo scrambled to his feet, blood trickling from his nose. "Do you have any idea who I am?!"
But before he could yell for the Marines, Luffy grabbed him by the collar and raised his fist again.
"Luffy!" Coby shouted in panic. "Don't... if you kill him, the whole Marine base will come after us!"
Jack grabbed Luffy's arm. "He's right. Don't waste your strength on this clown. He's not worth it."
For a moment, it looked like Luffy might punch him anyway. Then he let go, dropping Helmeppo unceremoniously onto the dirt.
Helmeppo scrambled away, screaming. "Y-you'll regret this! My father will hear about this!" He and his guards fled back toward the base.
The people on the road was silent. The villagers stared in shock, some terrified, some secretly relieved.
Luffy turned to Jack, his usual grin returning. "Alright. I've decided."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Decided what?"
"I'm going to make Zoro my crew mate," Luffy said matter-of-factly.
Coby nearly choked. "What?! But he's... he's a pirate hunter!"
Luffy shrugged. "So what? He's strong. And I need strong people if I'm going to be King of the Pirates."
Jack grinned, feeling excitement rush through him. This is it. The real story is beginning.
"Alright," Jack said, cracking his knuckles. "Then let's go tell Zoro. If he's joining us, he deserves to know we're on his side."
Coby still looked hesitant, but he nodded. "At least warn him about the execution. He has a right to know."
Luffy tilted his hat back and started walking toward the Marine base. "Let's go."