Morgan glared at Coby and Zoro on the execution platform and barked the order:
"Open fire!"
Moments earlier, Coby had rushed over to untie Zoro, warning him that the Marines wouldn't honor their promise and would execute him anyway.
The dozen Marines stationed there quickly loaded their rifles, aimed at Zoro and Coby, and pulled the triggers—
A hail of bullets shot toward them. Zoro's mind flashed back to his past when, in an instant, Luffy came hurtling from the castle, using his rubber arms like a slingshot to launch himself between them and the gunfire.
The bullets struck Luffy's body but were deflected away, bouncing harmlessly to the ground.
The Marines froze in shock.
"What's with that guy? He blocked bullets with his body… and even sent them flying away!"
Zoro, equally stunned, asked,
"Who the hell are you?"
Luffy turned, grinning widely.
"Me? I'm Monkey D. Luffy. I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"
He then held out three swords.
"Here, your precious swords. I didn't know which one was yours, so I brought them all."
Zoro smirked.
"They're all mine. I'm a three-sword style swordsman."
Luffy tilted his head.
"So, what do you think? Wait here to get killed… or fight the Marines with me and become a pirate?"
Zoro's grin widened.
"Better to die chasing my dream than rot here. I'll join you."
"Great! You're part of the crew now!" Luffy said cheerfully, hopping up and down with Zoro's swords in hand.
"Then hurry up and untie me!" Zoro yelled.
As Luffy struggled with the knots, Zoro asked,
"Where's your partner?"
Luffy tapped his head.
"Oh no… I forgot Lock in the castle."
Zoro deadpanned,
"You idiot! You lost your partner?!"
"Don't worry," Luffy grinned, "Lock's smart—he'll be fine."
Zoro sighed.
"Since I agreed to be your crewmate, I'll just have to live with your stupidity."
The Marines closed in. Zoro barked,
"If you can't untie it, just give me the sword!"
Steel clashed as Zoro finally broke free, blocking the incoming strike.
He warned Luffy mid-battle,
"I'll join your crew, but my goal stands—I'll be the greatest swordsman in the world. If you get in my way, you'll have to commit seppuku to make amends."
Luffy's grin didn't fade.
"The world's best swordsman? Sounds about right for the Pirate King's partner."
They cut down the Marines quickly, until Morgan strode forward, cloak billowing.
"I'm Captain 'Axe-Hand' Morgan!"
He swung his massive axe-hand, but Luffy dodged, then sprang into the air and stomped down on his face, sending him sprawling.
From a window above, Lock watched.
"Oh? Not over yet? Looks like it's almost wrapped up."
On the ground, Luffy pounded Morgan.
"What kind of Marine ruins someone's dream?!"
Suddenly, a cleft-chinned officer grabbed Coby, pressing a pistol to his head.
"Stop, or this boy dies!"
Luffy didn't even react at first, still pummeling Morgan.
The officer grew frustrated.
"Hey! I'm threatening you here!"
Coby, trembling, forced a brave voice.
"Don't worry about me, Mr. Luffy… even if I die, I don't want to be a burden!"
Luffy smiled.
"Don't worry, Coby—Lock's here."
"Freeze."
A cool, commanding voice cut through the chaos. Blue light flashed under the officer's feet—
Hiss—
In seconds, the man was encased in solid ice. The Marines gasped.
"Lieutenant Helmeppo… turned into an ice statue?!"
Lock leapt down from the high window, landing on the frozen man's head. He ran a hand through his hair, conjured a comb out of thin air, and fixed his fringe with a smirk.
[Creative Magic: The ability to materialize anything imagined. Complexity and mastery determine success rate—large constructs are far harder to create.]
"Not too late, am I?" Lock said casually.
Luffy grinned.
"Of course not."
With Morgan defeated—thanks to Zoro's swift blade—the Marines finally dropped their weapons, shouting in relief.
Zoro collapsed, muttering,
"I'm starving…"
Before leaving, Lock approached the unconscious Morgan and frozen Helmeppo. He discreetly implanted magic seeds into both—small devices that could trigger an explosion or teleportation at his command.
He didn't kill them immediately.
If the crew's first bounty was too low, it wouldn't be any fun. Best to let the Marines take them to prison first, then end them later.
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A/N: Please Leave A Comment Or Drop A Powerstone It'll mean alot to me...