Just as Vic had guessed, Luffy Foosha Village, so he stopped caring about the boat's voyage and started eating while lying on the boat.
After finishing his food, he didn't encounter any other islands or ships. Then he came across a giant whirlpool. Just like in the original story, Luffy suddenly had the idea to seal himself inside a large wooden barrel.
Dragon, who had been watching Luffy closely, shook his head helplessly. He knew that if Luffy would most likely die. Then he used his Devil Fruit power to blow Luffy's barrel toward the direction of the ship.
History will unfold as it will. Without Vic's intervention, the story returned to its original course, and Luffy's large barrel was salvaged by sailors from a cruise ship.
The sailor thought the barrel contained delicious wine, but before he could even open the lid, the cruise ship was attacked by pirates. Meanwhile, Luffy was still fast asleep in the barrel, unaware that it had rolled to the bottom of the ship.
Just like in the original story, the pirate crew that robbed the cruise ship was still Alvida's group. She boarded the cruise ship with the timid Koby and took everyone hostage.
Nami, the Cat Burglar, is also on the ship, still there to steal money. Even though Arlong hasn't asked her to give him money to buy the village, she's still obsessed with money. That's her nature, and it's hard to change!
She was probably still intimidated by the way Arlong's Crew took the money back then, and was somewhat affected. Unlike the original story, Nami is no longer a weakling. As long as she doesn't act recklessly in the East Blue, she still has the ability to protect herself, and is at least no weaker than Alvida now.
Nami originally wanted to punish these plundering pirates. These pirates reminded her of the Fish-Man Pirates from back then. If it weren't for her Vic's intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
Before she could even make a move, a boy wearing a Straw Hat struck first. The boy had an innocent and confident smile on his face, but his body could stretch like rubber, something she had never seen before. After a moment of distraction, she slipped onto the pirate ship to raid their base. She felt relieved that someone was taking action against the pirates!
After confiscating all the valuables on the pirate ship, Nami spotted a small boat hanging beside it. She planned to use it to leave. This boat was prepared by Koby when he went fishing, but it was stolen by Alvida, who didn't even spare his small boat.
As Nami launched her small boat into the sea, another small boat from the opposite cruise ship was also launched, almost simultaneously with hers. That was the nameless hero who had defeated the pirate Alvida and was also preparing to leave!
The Flower Capital from the two small boats drenched both of them. Nami turned around and saw the straw Straw Hat and the innocent smile again. The boy in the Straw Hat was also looking at her. The scene seemed to freeze, and their fates seemed to intertwine at that moment!
When they parted ways, she noticed a short, pink-haired woman with glasses on the small boat opposite them!
Meanwhile, Vic had returned to Shimotsuki Village, while Luffy, guided by Koby, arrived at Shells Town, which belonged to the Marine Branch 153.
While sailing at sea, Luffy first heard the name of the Pirate Hunter Zoro and his legend from Koby, and instantly became interested in this Pirate Hunter.
However, given Zoro's infamous reputation as described by Koby, he did not immediately express his opinion. Luffy never listens to what others say; he only looks at what others do. He has his own scale in his heart!
Then Luffy and Koby went straight to the Marine Base, wanting to ask Zoro, who was being held there, who he really was.
Outside the Marine Base, they encountered a little girl delivering rice balls to the villain Zoro. Luffy watched the show from the Marine Base's perimeter wall!
He witnessed the ugly face of the Marine Branch captain's son, the helplessness of the Navy soldiers, and the seemingly fierce but actually soft-hearted Pirate Hunter. At this Luffy had already accepted Zoro, and he only needed a reason to convince Zoro to become his crewmate.
Luffy and his companion returned to the outside of the little girl's family's small restaurant with her, and learned the whole story from her account.
Zoro offended the young master by protecting the restaurant and beating up Helmeppo's vicious dog, and he surrendered because he protected the restaurant owner and her daughter.
Luffy and Koby then realized that the legendary, ferocious Pirate Hunter was not a bad person, and the Marine prince who represented justice was not a good person either. Luffy admired Zoro even more, while Koby began to question the Marines he admired!
"We're so hungry, please treat us to a meal for free, auntie! Hehehe!"
"Hey! Hurry up and get the wine. Don't dawdle! I said, hurry up!"
Just as Luffy and Koby finished listening to the whole story, the sounds of Helmeppo and smashing cutlery came from the restaurant.
When Luffy followed the sound into the restaurant, he saw Helmeppo sitting casually at the table with both feet up on the table and a wine glass in one hand, waiting for a marine to pour him a drink. Luffy was disgusted by this spoiled brat behavior.
"I've been so bored lately, I've decided to execute Zoro tomorrow. Everyone, get ready, hehehe!"
Before Luffy could even make a move, Helmeppo uttered those words again, arbitrarily deciding someone's life. At this point, Luffy had reached his limit and was extremely angry!
People who play with other people's lives like this are natural enemies of Luffy. Luffy three steps in two and instantly rushed in front of Helmeppo, knocking Helmeppo to the ground with a single punch. The marines guarding him didn't even have time to react.
What are you doing?
"Mr. Luffy! Stop!"
"That guy is a complete scumbag!"
"You! You dare hit me! I'm the son of Navy Captain Morgan!"
So what!
"I'm going to tell Dad to have you executed!"
"Bring it on!"
"Mr. Luffy! Calm down, do you want to become enemies with the Navy?"
"I've made up my mind! Koby! I'm going to make Zoro my partner!"
Helmeppo covered his face in disbelief. He was the only son of Navy Captain Morgan. Who in Shells Town would dare to disobey him? As long as his father's name was mentioned, no one would dare to defy him.
First, there was the Pirate Hunter Zoro, whom he captured and was scheduled to execute tomorrow. Now, another guy has appeared who dares to fight him? Is this some kind of rebellion?
Helmeppo was furious, but Luffy was even angrier. If Koby hadn't held him back, he would have beaten this rich kid to death. But he still couldn't vent his anger!
With a scumbag like Helmeppo as a comparison, Zoro's image has instantly become much stronger. In addition, Helmeppo just said that he would execute Zoro tomorrow, Luffy has found a reason to persuade Zoro to join the pirate crew!