On the Execution Ground
"I can't die here yet, I still have to fulfill that promise."
Zoro had just finished recalling the past when he opened his eyes and looked at Luffy and Lock in front of him.
"It's you two again… you're leisurely for this situation."
"I'll help you untie the rope, and then you can be our partner," Luffy said casually to Zoro.
"What did you say?"
"We're looking for a partner to be a pirate together," Luffy repeated as he walked up to him.
Hearing this, Zoro looked reluctant. "I refuse! Do you want me to be a villain with you? Don't dream."
Luffy tilted his head. "What does it matter? People already call you an evil bounty hunter."
Zoro replied calmly, "No matter how others see me, I've never done anything I regret. So…"
"Really? Well, I've already decided you'll be our partner," Luffy said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Zoro's face darkened. "Don't decide that on your own, bastard!"
Ignoring him, Luffy asked, "By the way, you can use a sword, right?"
"Yes, but my swords were taken by the colonel's stupid son."
"Is that so? Then I'll go get them for you. If you want them back, you'll have to be my partner. Haha!"
Thinking his plan flawless, Luffy laughed.
"You're shameless, bastard!" Zoro yelled back.
Luffy ignored him again and looked at Lock. "Let's go, Lock. Let's help Zoro find his swords." Then Luffy ran toward the base.
Lock followed leisurely. "Yeah, yeah… I guess I'm tagging along again."
If Zoro was bad with directions, Luffy was worse—an outright idiot. He didn't even know where the swords were, yet he still ran straight toward the base.
"Are those two seriously just breaking into the base like that?" Zoro muttered.
"Luffy!"
Luffy turned around at Lock's call. "Ah? What is it, Lock?"
"We're going the wrong way. The base is on the other side." Lock pointed behind them.
"Oh!" Luffy exclaimed, then stretched his arms toward a pillar of the base. "Gomu Gomu no—!" He catapulted himself toward it, scooping Lock up mid-flight.
Lock didn't struggle, letting himself be carried over the gate as they landed inside the base.
Meanwhile, Captain Morgan stood on the rooftop, barking orders for his men to raise his statue.
"Dad! Why won't you help me get revenge? Those two guys hit me in the face! Not even you have ever hit me in the face!" Helmeppo whined, a shoeprint still stamped on his cheek.
Morgan grabbed his collar. "I've never hit you because you're too stupid to be worth hitting! Don't forget—I am your father!"
He kicked Helmeppo into a wall, leaving another shoeprint on his face.
Helmeppo shrank back, cowed into silence.
"By the way, I heard a rat broke into the execution ground. Did you deal with it?" Morgan asked.
"Y-Yes, I already taught her a lesson."
"I asked if you executed her."
"Uh—she's just a kid, so I didn't…"
Morgan turned to a nearby officer. "You. Go execute the girl in town."
The man stiffened. "What? She's just a child. Even if it's your order, Captain, I—"
Morgan's eyes flared. "If you defy me, you're a rebel. And rebels die!"
"I… I can't do that!"
Bang!
Morgan slammed the back of his axe into the man's head, dropping him to the ground.
"Lieutenant!" a marine cried.
Even Helmeppo looked pale. "That's… going too far…"
"Hmph. Listen well! I am the supreme commander here. Whatever I say is law!" Morgan declared.
"We'll deal with the brat later. First—raise my glorious statue!"
"One, two, three—pull!" the marines chanted.
Suddenly, a noise came from above. Luffy shot up onto the roof and smashed half the statue.
Morgan's eyes went red. "Catch him! I'll kill him!"
The marines rushed forward, but Luffy ignored them. He grabbed Helmeppo by the collar. "Found you, stupid son of the captain. Now, take me to Zoro's swords."
He followed Helmeppo's directions, entered his room, and retrieved three swords.
Looking out the window, he spotted Morgan's men aiming at Zoro. Without hesitation, he prepared to rush outside.
At the same time, Lock happened to cross paths with Nami, who had just left Morgan's office.
"Oh, what a coincidence—orange-haired girl," Lock greeted.
Nami froze. "? Who are you? Wait, you're the guy who beat up the captain's son in the tavern." She began backing away.
She didn't know Lock's intentions, so she stayed cautious, though she forced a friendly smile.
"Don't be nervous. I have no ill will toward you, and I'm not interested in what you're here for. I won't tell the marines you're here," Lock said gently.
"Then why are you here?" Nami asked, still wary.
"Can't I just be taking a stroll?"
Her expression clearly said, I don't believe you. "Who just wanders into a marine base for fun?" she thought.
Reaching the stairs, Nami smiled politely. "Bye." She darted away.
Lock didn't chase her. She wasn't going to join their crew yet, and he knew she'd only grow more appealing in two years.
"What a shy girl," he muttered, turning toward the window. "Better go check on Luffy. He should have Zoro by now."
He leaned out to watch the execution ground.
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A/N: Please Leave A Comment Or Drop A Powerstone It'll mean alot to me...