Luffy found the little girl sitting alone, crying and hugging her knees.
He crouched down so they were at eye level. "Oi, kid. Zoro said your rice ball was delicious."
Rika head snapped up. Her eyes widened, tears still fell, but this time they were tears of relief.
"He… he ate it?" she asked softly.
Luffy grinned. "Yeah. Every bite."
Rika hands tightened around her knees, and a small smile broke through her sadness. "I'm glad. I worked really hard on it…"
Jack crossed his arms and nodded. "You probably saved his life. If he hadn't eaten, he wouldn't last much longer."
Coby sat down beside her. "What's your name? Can you tell us what really happened? Why is Zoro tied up like that?"
Rika hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "My name's Rika. And the reason Zoro-san is tied up… it's Helmeppo's fault. He brought his wolf into town and it almost attacked me. Zoro saved me, but he killed the wolf in the process. Helmeppo got angry and ordered the Marines to arrest him."
Coby frowned. "So Zoro was punished for saving you?"
"Yes. But he could've fought them. Zoro let them tie him up because he didn't want the Marines to bother us," Rika said bitterly. "Helmeppo said if Zoro could stay tied up for one whole month without eating, he'd let him go free."
Before Jack could respond, loud voices echoed down the street.
"Speak of the devil…" Jack muttered.
Helmeppo and two Marines strutted by, laughing. The three of them quickly ducked behind the corner of a building, keeping low to avoid being seen.
Helmeppo strolled down the road, flanked by his men. Townspeople stepped aside in fear, clearing a path. The tension rippled through the crowd like wind through tall grass.
Jack, Luffy, and Coby stayed hidden, listening closely.
Helmeppo was bragging loudly, clearly enjoying himself. "Ha! That idiot pirate hunter still thinks I'll let him go after a month. What kind of moron believes something like that? Hahaha! In three days, we're going to execute him in the square. Everyone will see what happens when you cross me!"
Coby fists clenched. "That's horrible! He never intended to let Zoro go…"
Luffy stepped forward, his straw hat casting a shadow over his face.
"Oi, you," he called out, his voice carrying across the square.
Helmeppo turned, startled. "Huh? Who are you supposed to be?"
"Is it true you're going to execute Zoro in three days?" Luffy asked bluntly.
Helmeppo snorted. "So what if I am? Only an idiot would think I'd let him go! Hahaha! That's what he gets for killing my wolf."
Luffy's fist clenched. "So it was all a lie…"
"Of course it was!" Helmeppo grinned wickedly. "You think someone like me has to keep promises to a pirate hunter? Please."
A moment later, Luffy's fist smashed into Helmeppo's face.
The Marine's son flew backward, landing in a heap on the ground. Gasps erupted from the crowd—and even from the Marines.
"You!" Helmeppo scrambled to his feet, blood dripping from his nose. "Do you have any idea who I am?!"
Before he could shout for help, Luffy grabbed him by the collar and raised his fist again.
"Luffy!" Coby shouted in panic. "Don't! If you kill him, the whole Marine base will come after us!"
Jack grabbed Luffy's arm, stopping him. "He's right. Don't waste your strength on this clown. He's not worth it."
For a moment, it looked like Luffy might hit him anyway. Then he dropped Helmeppo unceremoniously onto the dirt.
Helmeppo scrambled away, screaming, "Y-you'll regret this! My father will hear about this!" He and his guards fled back toward the base.
The street went silent. The villagers stared in shock, some terrified, others secretly relieved.
Luffy turned to Jack, his usual grin returning. "Alright. I've decided."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Decided what?"
"I'm going to make Zoro my crewmate," Luffy said matter-of-factly.
Coby nearly choked. "What?! But he's… he's a pirate hunter!"
Luffy shrugged. "So what? He's strong. And I need strong people if I'm going to be King of the Pirates."
Jack grinned, excitement sparking in his chest. This is it. The real story is beginning.
"Alright," Jack said, cracking his knuckles. "Then let's go tell Zoro. If he's joining us, he deserves to know we're on his side."
Coby still looked uncertain, but he nodded. "At least warn him about the execution. He has a right to know."
Luffy tilted his hat back and started walking toward the Marine base. "Let's go."