"Hahahaha, the people at that shop were really interesting."
There had been no malice in it. To Luffy, the sight of those customers fleeing in panic was simply "interesting."
"...Something's wrong..."
But Koby did not have Luffy's mentality of a "strong person." He nervously looked around, quickly analyzing the situation.
"It makes sense that people would be scared upon hearing Zoro's name, but why would they react that way when they hear Captain Morgan's name too—"
"It's simple."
Roman, standing nearby, gave the answer directly.
"It means that compared to some 'Pirate Hunter,' the colonel of the Marine base inspires even greater fear in people."
"N-No way..."
Heh.
Faced with Koby, who harbored dreams of joining the Marines, Roman merely raised his chin toward the distance.
"Whether it's true or not, why don't you go see for yourself?"
At the end of the road stood a grand Marine base. Towering walls, densely packed gun emplacements, and fluttering Marine flags...
Every part of it gave off an impression of strength and power! Except—
"As expected of a military stronghold. There aren't even any buildings nearby, let alone pedestrians."
Roman remarked casually. It was impossible to tell whether he meant it sincerely or sarcastically. As the three reached the tightly shut gates of the base—
"Go on, Koby."
Holding down his straw hat, Luffy pointed at the Marine base before them.
"I... I..."
"I'm going to see what kind of person this Zoro really is~~"
Ignoring Koby's hesitation, Luffy leaped up and sprawled across the wall, looking toward the center of the vast Marine plaza.
"Huh? Is that the guy—"
In the center of the Marine plaza, someone was tied to a cross-shaped wooden post!
He was a man wearing a dark green bandana, with short green hair visible beneath it. Three golden teardrop earrings hung from his left ear. He wore a white T-shirt, a green haramaki around his waist, dark green pants, and black boots.
Of course, the most eye-catching thing was his gaze!
Sharp as blades, wild as a beast! Just meeting his eyes gave one the illusion of being torn apart and sliced open!
He was strong.
Roman, who had fashioned a "ladder" out of paper beneath his feet, narrowed his eyes. This man's strength was about on par with that of his "former" captain, who had sunk into the sea along with the Wave Rider!
Still, Zoro probably had not mastered Iron Cutting at this point...
Zoro's physical abilities should have held the advantage, but his swordsmanship was still inferior to that captain, who could unleash Iron Cutting.
He had watched the anime years ago, and he had also spent several years after being transported here. To be honest, aside from the main Four Emperors, the Shichibukai, and the protagonist group, Roman's memories of King of the Pirates had long become blurry.
"Hey, you lot."
The man tied to the wooden post raised his head. Even trapped as he was, not a trace of his sharpness had faded.
"Come over here and untie me."
"I'll repay you. The bounty money from any wanted pirates I catch in the future can all go to you..."
"That's interesting."
Roman folded his arms and tilted his head toward Luffy, who was lying atop the wall.
"What do you think, Luffy?"
"Those ropes look pretty easy to break out of..."
"Hey, Luffy, you're focusing on the wrong thing!" Koby anxiously tried to stop him, afraid that the two lawless people beside him would impulsively release the "criminal" in the plaza.
"If we let him go, the people in this town, and you and me, will all be killed—"
"He can't kill me."
Luffy, who had been acting rather silly all along, smiled confidently. "I'm strong too."
Smack.
While the three were watching the show, a ladder was propped up beside them. Then a little girl fiercely "glared" at the three of them, "warning" them not to make a sound, before nimbly climbing over the wall and jumping into the Marine base.
"Big brother, I made you some rice balls..."
"Are you looking to die, brat? Get lost!"
"It's my first time making them..."
"Can't you understand? I said get lost—"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Bullying children is wrong, Roronoa Zoro."
Along with a flippant voice, a guy who practically had "spoiled rich kid" written across his face waddled out of the Marine base, followed by two Marine soldiers.
"Watch it, or I'll tell my dad."
"Tch, useless trash who can only rely on his father..."
"What's this, rice balls to show appreciation for the Marines?" The spoiled brat snatched the little girl's rice balls and took a bite. Then—
"Ptooey, ptooey! What did you put in these rice balls? Sugar? What kind of disgusting food is this..."
"Watch it, or I'll tell my dad!"
After throwing the rice balls onto the ground and stomping on them, the spoiled brat ordered the soldiers to throw the little girl out. Then he left in a huff. He did not even comment on the three "spectators" atop the wall, making Roman quietly wonder whether this guy was also a transmigrator...
He seemed to remember that this guy later turned over a new leaf? And wore an eyepatch, too.
Maybe he really was blind...
"Thank you, big brother."
"It's nothing." Roman waved his hand and patted the little girl, who had been tossed over the wall and casually caught by him. "Go home quickly. It's dangerous here."
The Marine base was dangerous...
Koby wanted to speak but stopped himself, unable to move forward or retreat, caught in a difficult...
"Hey, you're still here... Aren't you afraid that spoiled brat will tell his dad?"
Meanwhile, Luffy had already jumped into the Marine base and stood in front of the man tied to the post.
"No."
To someone as single-minded as Luffy, what did Captain Morgan or the Marine base matter... Could they be eaten—
"I'm looking for companions to sail out with me as pirates."
Pirates? What a self-degrading fellow...
"Hey, help me pick up that rice ball—"
"You're going to eat that? It's already covered in mud..."
Faced with Luffy's disgust, the man named Zoro merely opened his mouth.
"You're too noisy!"
"Give it to me—"
Crunch, crunch. Swallow.
"Tell that little girl something for me." The bandana-wearing man lowered his head. "The rice balls were delicious. Thank her."
"Hey, your captain has already left."
It was still the same plaza, still the same man tied to the wooden post.
But this time, Roman stood before him.
"Why are you still here, pirate?"
"Hmm, I was thinking."
Roman stroked his smooth chin with one hand, deep in thought.
"How many days have you been tied up here?"
"Nine days. Why—"
"You."
Roman's gaze fell on Zoro's lower half, making him uncomfortable all over.
"Your pants aren't full of piss and shit by now, are they..."
???
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!!"
"Don't get worked up, don't get worked up. If you suddenly can't hold it in, don't blame me."
Roman waved a hand.
"Alright, let's get to the point."
"I think you're exactly Luffy's type. So, he'll definitely come back later to recruit you onto his ship. In that case—"
With a wave of his hand, Roman directly made a paper "chair" and sat down.
"I'll just wait here for a while."
"Hello."
Sure enough, Luffy returned before long, making Zoro's eyes flicker as he remained tied to the post.
"If you're here to persuade me to become a pirate—" "I'll untie you, so become my companion."
"Listen when people talk..."
"I don't care. I've already decided that you're going to be my partner."
"Don't decide that on your own!!"
"Oh, right. I heard you're a really skilled swordsman. Where are your swords?"
Luffy changed the subject in an instant, leaving even the tied-up Zoro struggling to react.
"They were taken away. They're second only to my life—"
"Great."
Luffy struck fist against palm, looking as though he had come up with another brilliant idea.
"I'll go get your swords, and then you'll become my companion!"
"You... You're too shameless!"
Unfortunately, after leaving behind the words, "Stay here and don't go anywhere. I'll be right back," Luffy had already dashed into the Marine base.
"Th-That guy is an idiot..."
"Hahahahaha~~"
Roman, who had watched the entire show from nearby, stood up laughing. With a wave of his hand, the "chair" on the ground broke down into sheets of paper and fell into his grasp, then transformed into a Sailor's Knife.
"Well? You've seen how troublesome that guy is now, right?"
Roman twirled the paper blade in his hand. "Don't bother thinking about it. Anyone Luffy sets his eyes on only has one path left in the end: obediently getting on his ship."
"Are you human traffickers?"
"And what's there to be proud of about that—"
Faced with Zoro's uncontainable fury, Roman merely shrugged while suppressing his laughter.
"No. I'm just happy to see someone end up the same way I did~~~"
"That's all."
Before you continue