Hey guys, another intermediate chapter before a longer chapter! I think this will be a common occurrence, does it bother you? Let us know in the comments. We almost hit 50 Power Stones last week. If we hit 50 Power Stones this week, I'll release one to two double chapters, shit I'll have to work twice as hard since I don't have any chapters in reserve hahahaha!
____________
"So Zoro isn't a bad guy?" Koby, who had just heard the story behind Roronoa Zoro's imprisonment, had a complicated expression on his face. Goraku, Luffy, and Koby decided to take Rika back to town, since she still seemed a bit scared.
"No, not at all! Mister Zoro is a good person!" Rika, now sitting on Goraku's shoulder while holding one of his horns for support, firmly defended Zoro as she pointed at Koby.
While Rika and Koby argued, Goraku looked toward Luffy, who had a smile on his face. Noticing the oni's gaze, Luffy nodded in confirmation — no words were needed to understand what he was saying.
Before the Oni could put Rika down to get ready to go to the Marine base, a commotion came from inside Rika's mother's restaurant. "I'm hungry! Me and my men will eat for free!" a familiar annoying voice shouted from within.
Without thinking much, the oni placed Rika on his shoulder and rushed with Luffy toward the noise. "And bring me a drink! I only want the best!" As they entered, a tense atmosphere filled the place. Luffy, with a serious face, started staring down Helmeppo, while Goraku's eyes turned to a familiar figure with orange hair who was watching the scene while drinking — now wearing orange shorts and a white shirt with blue stripes.
"Ah, that's right. This town's gotten boring, so I decided to execute Zoro tomorrow. It'll be quite the show! Hahahahaha!"
Helmeppo's words seemed to deeply anger Luffy. With cold fury, Luffy dashed forward and punched the spoiled blonde hard enough to send him crashing into a wall.
Without even blinking at his captain's burst of speed and strength, the oni patted Nami's shoulder as he passed by and said, "Small world, huh?" Feeling the touch on her shoulder, Nami's body tensed, ready to run — only to relax when she saw the huge shirtless figure walking past her, heading toward the straw hat that Luffy had dropped while punching Helmeppo.
"What do you think you're doing, brat!" Helmeppo yelled while holding his bleeding nose, seemingly still unaware of the danger he was in. Not wanting things to escalate further, Koby ran toward Luffy, trying his best to hold him back. "Mister Luffy, please stop!"
"You piece of trash!" Luffy gritted his teeth, still radiating anger and hostility toward the spoiled marine. "You hit me! H-How dare you! I'm Captain Morgan's son, you know that?!"
Luffy didn't even think before replying, "You think I care?! I couldn't care less!" Seeing that Koby wouldn't be able to hold Luffy much longer, Goraku, now holding the straw hat, placed his hand on Luffy's shoulder. "Rest, Koby."
Catching his breath, Koby stepped back and fell on his butt, sweating heavily. "I'll tell my father everything, and you'll be executed too!"
"You can't fight without daddy's help, huh?" Koby, fearing the Marines' retaliation, jumped up in panic. "Luffy, please calm down! Do you really want to pick a fight with the Marines?!"
For the second time that day, Goraku looked at Koby with a confused expression. "That's kinda our thing, Koby."
"I've already decided, Goraku! Koby!" Realizing his captain had chosen not to beat Helmeppo into a bloody pulp, Goraku let him go and handed back his iconic straw hat.
"I want Zoro in my crew!" Placing the straw hat back on, Luffy looked at Goraku's face and extended his fist toward him. "Let's go get our nakama!"
Smiling at Luffy's determination, the oni extended his hand for a fist bump. "Aye aye, captain!"
---
[Marine Base]
Still tied up, Zoro was lost in hunger, thirst, and thought. "Kuina… huh?" As old memories surfaced, Zoro noticed the young man with the straw hat returning — now looking even more determined, with a huge shirtless man beside him.
"You again? Got time to waste, huh?" Zoro's sarcastic tone tried to hide his suffering from starvation. But Luffy ignored it completely. "I'll get you out of here if you join my crew."
Zoro's confusion grew as he heard those words. "What? Did no one tell you I'm a pirate hunter, or are you just stupid?"
Getting closer, Luffy continued to persuade him. "I don't care. I just want someone strong in my pirate crew."
"I refuse! You want me to become an outlaw? Thanks, but I'll pass." Hearing that, Goraku raised an eyebrow and pointed at Zoro's ropes. "You kinda already are one, Roronoa."
Placing his hands on his hips, Luffy added, "Yeah, and besides, what's so bad about being a pirate?"
"Pirates are low-life criminals! Who'd ever become one?" Looking personally offended, Goraku couldn't help but reply, "I prefer the term 'chaotic wandering explorers,' thank you very much."
"Besides, they already call you an evil bounty hunter, so what's the problem?"
Hearing Luffy's words, Zoro gritted his teeth. "I don't care what people say. I've never regretted anything I've done…" He grinned with a sharp smile. "I'll survive no matter what… and do whatever I damn want!"
Crossing his arms and looking at the sky with a playful tone, Luffy said, "Oh yeah? Well, I already decided you're joining my crew."
"Gwahahahahaha!" The oni burst into laughter at his captain and soon-to-be crewmate's interaction, though Zoro didn't look too happy. "That's not your decision to make!"
"You're a swordsman, right?" Calming down from his outburst, Zoro confirmed. "Yeah, but that guy Helmeppo took my swords."
As Zoro and Luffy talked, Goraku seemed to remember something important. With a serious expression, he said, "Hey, Luffy, I'll go ahead. Recruiting's your job anyway — I'm getting bored here."
"Uh? Okay, Goraku! Try to find Zoro's swords on your way there — I'll head there after untying him!"
Nodding, Goraku started walking toward the main Marine building. Clenching his fists and focusing his mind, he was on his way to defeat a tyrant — and prevent a few deaths.