"What kind of gun is that? Its effect is so miraculous..."
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Link.
"If I had that gun, stealing money from pirates would surely become safer and easier, right?!"
"Item Master? Can he produce so many strange and wonderful things? If that's the case... maybe he even has things that make earning money very easy?!"
"Alright, it's decided! I'll follow these guys for now, get my previous treasure back, and then look for an opportunity to steal some things that make money more easily!!"
Nami's eyes shifted, and she secretly clenched her fist, firming her resolve.
Koby next to her didn't quite understand, but the Marines, represented by Helmeppo, had cast a considerable shadow over his young heart.
"Alright, the key now is to get my swords back."
Zoro glanced at the Denkou Maru resting on Link's shoulder, and his fingers subconsciously twitched twice.
Only with his swords in hand could he feel slightly at ease.
As if answering Zoro's call, many Marine Soldiers, drawn by Helmeppo's pig-slaughtering screams, quickly appeared at the entrance.
They stared dumbfounded at the trio—Link, Zoro, and Luffy—who looked completely unbothered, and at Helmeppo, who was tied up and whose appearance and screams were utterly miserable.
"Hurry and rescue Lord Helmeppo."
The group rushed forward in a panic, but before they had taken two steps, Zoro charged into the crowd, knocking many of them to the ground.
"It takes three swords to truly put one's mind at ease!!"
Holding three Marine standard-issue swords, Zoro grinned, feeling incredibly secure.
Then, with three swords in hand and his physical condition restored, Zoro swept through the advancing Marines like a gust of wind, cutting them down one by one.
He used the blunt side of the blades, so they were only painfully knocked down and couldn't stand up; there was no actual harm done.
Just then, a commotion came from the entrance.
"Who dares cause trouble on my turf?!"
Morgan, who had rushed over after hearing the news, slowly appeared in the open area with his massive frame.
He wore the metal jaw engraved with the Marine insignia that Kuro had previously shattered.
And his right arm was embedded with a sharp axe, his distinctive feature. This was Morgan, known as the Axe-Hand.
He gazed at the trio of Link, Zoro, and Luffy in the center of the field, his eyes extremely indifferent.
The future axe emperor was looking down on Link and the others, as if viewing a colony of ants he could crush at any moment.
"He has a massive physique, but..."
Link merely glanced at him and shook his head. "He's just imposing on the outside but weak within."
Morgan only relied on his large size; he looked terrifying, but in reality, he was initially hammered by Kuro, who even stepped on him and crushed his jaw.
Furthermore, over the years, after being hypnotized by Kuro, his personality drastically changed. He focused only on maintaining his rule and power, neglecting any actual training.
He was only capable of throwing his weight around in this small town.
"Is that guy okay?"
Link looked at Zoro and asked.
"Leave him to me~!!"
Zoro sharpened his swords. "It's been so long since I've cut anyone, my body is getting rusty!!"
There was no need for Link or Luffy to step in. Zoro, whose physical condition was fully restored, went straight ahead to confront Morgan.
This was his resolve as a newly joined crew member. As a newcomer, he naturally had to show his worth.
Moreover, since he had become a pirate, being enemies with the Marines was inevitable!!
"Three Sword Style: Onigiri!!"
The strongest major technique in Three Sword Style, aside from the ultimate secret technique Three Thousand Worlds, was unleashed by Zoro. Morgan was completely unable to resist.
After merely making an appearance, delivering a line, giving a look, and playing a minor role, the future axe emperor fell tragically beneath Zoro's blades.
The other Marines seemed somewhat unable to believe the facts before their eyes.
After rubbing their eyes repeatedly and confirming that Morgan had truly been defeated.
The group exchanged glances, then scattered with a "whoosh."
In the massive open area, only Link, Zoro, and Luffy remained, along with Helmeppo, who was too exhausted to even wail.
"I didn't think you guys could actually defeat the Marines..."
A very shocked Nami, and Koby, whose heart was equally stirred, walked over.
"Hahaha, and we gained a strong comrade! Great Harvest, Great Harvest!!"
Luffy laughed heartily, jumping up and down with joy.
"Now, let's retrieve my three swords and quickly leave this place."
Zoro gently put down the swords in his hand. Even if they weren't his own, he treated them with respect.
As soon as the topic of post-battle spoils came up, Nami became very energized.
"I heard that inside this Marine base, there's also a map to the Grand Line. Aren't you going to the Grand Line? That's an essential item!!"
"Not 'you guys,' 'us'!!"
Luffy corrected her.
"Yes, yes, 'us'."
Nami humored him verbally, but her eyes were shining brightly.
[If I get my hands on the map to the Grand Line, I can keep one copy for myself and make another to sell. It will definitely fetch a good price!!!]