Arthur walked through Loguetown with a grin, humming to himself. Two years of training had made him strong, but he still carried the carefree air of a college kid. He joked with merchants, teased sailors, and acted harmless. Inside, though, he was ready.
"Step one: get money. Step two: get a boat. Step three: find a swordsman. Easy plan," he muttered, amused.
Thugs and Berries
A group of thugs blocked his way. "Hand over your pouch."
Arthur blinked. "Pouch? Oh, you mean money? Sorry, I spent it all on rice balls. Want one?"
They lunged. Arthur sighed, sidestepped, and tapped one with his blade. He collapsed. Arthur yawned, then released a pulse of Conqueror's Haki. The rest dropped instantly.
Arthur crouched, collecting their coins. "Thanks for the berries. Snacks are on me."
With the money, he bought food, rope, and a small boat.
The Marine Yard
At the Marine base, Arthur saw him: Roronoa Zoro, chained in the yard, proud but battered. The townsfolk whispered: "That's the demon hunter… He refused the Marines."
Arthur strolled up, holding rice balls. "Yo! You're Roronoa Zoro, right?"
Zoro glared. "What do you want, kid?"
Arthur grinned. "Nothing much. Just thought you might be hungry. I made these rice balls myself. Well… okay, I bought them. But still, they're good."
Zoro hesitated, then ate. Arthur watched. "You're strong. I can see it. Not just your muscles — your spirit. You're a swordsman."
Zoro's eyes narrowed. "You can tell?"
Arthur nodded. "Of course. I've trained for years. I know the feel of a true swordsman. And I know blades. Here, let me show you."
The Swords
Arthur drew the Seven Star Sword and held it out. "Touch it."
Zoro's eyes widened as he gripped the hilt. His mouth parted in shock. A dizzying whisper filled his mind, demonic and heavy. He staggered. "This… this is cursed."
Arthur smiled calmly. "Yes. But I control it with my will. With Conqueror's Haki." The aura around the sword stilled, the whispers silenced.
Zoro stared, impressed. "You… you're not ordinary."
Arthur then handed him Shusui. Zoro's eyes widened again as he saw a black sheen crawling across the blade. "What is this?"
Arthur grinned. "That's Armament Haki. It hardens the blade, makes it stronger, sharper. It's one of three types of Haki."
Zoro's grip tightened. "Three?"
Arthur nodded. "Observation Haki — lets you sense intent, feel movements before they happen. Armament Haki — hardens your body or weapon. Conqueror's Haki — overwhelms the will of others. I have all three."
Zoro smirked. "So you're strong."
Arthur shrugged. "Strong enough to survive. But my dream isn't strength. My dream is freedom. I want to be the freest person in the world, above anyone. And you… you want to be the world's strongest swordsman, right? Then let's help each other."
Zoro chuckled. "You're funny. But fine. Free me, and I'll follow."
Arthur laughed. "Deal."
Release
Arthur cut the ropes binding Zoro. Zoro stretched, strength returning. Arthur handed him his swords. Zoro's eyes lit up. "You've got guts."
Arthur grinned. "Nah, I've got rice balls. But guts too, I guess."
On the Boat
By dusk, they pushed off from the harbor. The sea stretched wide.
Zoro leaned back. "So, where to?"
Arthur adjusted the sail. "Orange Town. There's a pirate there — Buggy. And a navigator I want to meet. Her name's Nami."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You've got it all mapped out, huh?"
Arthur chuckled. "Not mapped. Just… following the tide. Besides, I like clowns. They're funny. Buggy's a clown, right? Perfect opponent."
The boat creaked. Arthur grinned. "Want to see something cool?"
He raised his hand. A gust of wind surged, filling the sail. The boat shot forward. Zoro's eyes widened.
Arthur laughed. "Pretty neat, huh? I ate a fruit — Disaster Disaster Fruit. Lets me control wind, lightning, gravity, and even gold. Combined with Haki, I can fight anyone. But I'm not aiming to be the strongest. I'm aiming to be the freest."
Zoro smirked. "Then I'll be the strongest swordsman. Deal?"
Arthur nodded. "Deal."
The boat surged forward, wind filling the sail, laughter echoing across the sea.
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