One Piece : The Silent Reaper

Shell Town

Luffy: Finally, we've arrived on the island that serves as a Marine base.

Koby: Yeah, finally.

Rei just nodded, looking at Luffy who had raised the sail.

Luffy: Good job, Koby. You brought us to the right place.

Koby: Well, of course! That's the least a sailor should know before going out to sea. I'm telling you, if you keep going like this, you'll never become pirates. At least Rei knows the north from the south, but you guys know nothing about navigation. You really need to find a navigator—and fast...

Luffy: Yeah, yeah, I'll do what you say. But right now, it's time to eat! [runs toward the village]

Rei: ...You really talk a lot, Koby. But like Luffy said, it's time to eat. [runs after Luffy]

Koby: W–Wait for me! [runs after them]

Rei and Luffy dashed through the village at full speed until they arrived at a restaurant. They sat down at a table with three chairs, soon joined by a sweating Koby.

Rei: You're already sweating? You'll have to train really hard if you want to become a great Marine, Koby.

Koby: I... I know... [catches his breath and sits down]

They all ate together, with Luffy eating an enormous amount, to Rei and Koby's amazement.

Rei: So, Koby, where do you think they're keeping that Zoro guy?

As soon as Rei finished his sentence, the entire restaurant started to either flee or move away quickly from the three of them.

Koby [whispers]: I get the feeling Zoro is a taboo subject around here.

Rei: Hm.

Koby: By the way, earlier I saw a wanted poster of the man in charge of this base—Colonel Morgan.

Just like before, as soon as they heard the name "Colonel Morgan", everyone ran out of the restaurant.

Koby: HUH!?

Luffy: OH SHIHIHIHIHI!

Rei [squinting]

The three of them left the restaurant and headed toward the Marine base.

Luffy: SHIHIHI, the people at that restaurant were funny. Rei, let's go back there later.

Rei: SHAHAHA, whatever you want, Luffy.

Koby: Hey, don't you think it's strange? I'm not feeling very reassured… I get that people might be scared of a criminal's name, but a Marine colonel? That's odd.

Luffy: Maybe they just think it's funny to jump around? [walks with his hands in his pockets]

Rei: Probably. Or maybe they're forced to jump every time they hear the Colonel's name? [walks swinging back and forth]

Koby: I'M BEING SERIOUS, YOU KNOW!

They kept walking until they finally arrived in front of the Marine base.

Luffy: Woah, up close, it's pretty impressive. Alright, go ahead, Koby!

Koby: Yeah… but, um… I don't think I'm ready yet… Luffy, Rei, wait up!

Luffy and Rei were already climbing over the wall.

Luffy: So, where could our monster be hiding? [hand above his eyes, scanning the area]

Rei: Demon… We're looking for a demon, Luffy. [eyes narrowed]

Koby: He's probably locked up in some dungeon...

Luffy jumped down from the wall, followed by Rei, and they began running to the other side.

Luffy: NOPE! There's something on the other side! SHIHIHI!

Rei: Must be the demon! SHAHAHA!

Koby: WHAT?!?

The three of them peeked over the wall, looking at the man tied to a post in the middle of the base.

Luffy: Look, it's him!

Rei: Doesn't look like a demon to me… [imagining what a demon should look like]

Koby: AHHH! A black bandana on his head… and a thick green belt around his waist! That's definitely… Roronoa Zoro! No doubt about it... HE'S GIVING OFF SUCH AN INTENSE ENERGY!

Tied to the post stood a man wearing a white shirt, a thick green belt around his waist, black pants, black boots, and a black bandana on his head.

Rei: Mmh, I see… All we have to do is untie him, and we can escape with him without much trouble. If I use my powers, no one will be able to hear us. With the walls surrounding us, I just have to tell you where the ship is, and you can catapult us in that direction using your ability. If we do it quickly, no one will even know what happened… at least not until they come this way.

Koby: Th-This isn't the time to joke around! If you set him free, he'll kill everyone… and then kill you too, Rei, Luffy!

???: Hey, you over there!

Luffy: Hmm?

Koby: HIIII... H-He spoke!!

Zoro: You're not thinking of untying me, are you? I've been here for nine days... I'm at my limit.

Luffy: Rei, look! He's smiling.

Rei: Mmh.

Right next to Rei, a ladder suddenly appeared, with a little girl climbing over it.

???: SHHHH!

The little girl climbed over the wall and jumped down on the other side, heading straight toward Zoro.

Koby: Hey, wait! That's dangerous!

The little girl didn't listen to Koby's warnings and kept walking toward Zoro.

Zoro: What do you want?

Koby: Luffy, Rei, stop her! She's gonna get herself killed!

Luffy and Rei: Then you stop her yourself.

Zoro: You got a death wish, kid? Get lost.

???: I thought you must be hungry after being here so long… So I brought you some rice balls! [big smile] It's my first time making them. I did my best…

Zoro: Me? Hungry? Keep your rice balls and get lost!

???: But—

Zoro: I said I'm not hungry! Go home!

From the other side, a gate leading deeper into the base opened, letting through three people—two in Marine uniforms and one with blond hair and a flashy purple suit.

???: Roronoa Zoro, that's not very nice to a little girl. I'm going to tell my father about this!

Luffy: Another weirdo, huh?

Rei: His hair looks demonic.

Koby: That girl just had a close call…

Zoro: And here comes the spoiled brat himself… Helmeppo.

Helmeppo: "Daddy's boy," huh? Watch your mouth! I'm the son of Colonel Morgan… Hmm, so little lady, did you come to give him some tasty food?[He grabs a rice ball and takes a bite]BLEGH! Did you put sugar in this?! You're supposed to use salt!

???: But… I thought it would taste better sweet...

Helmeppo grabbed the remaining rice balls, threw them on the ground, and crushed them under his foot. Then he pointed at a sign nearby.

Helmeppo: This is all your fault. Didn't you read the sign? "Anyone aiding a criminal will be treated as one."Signed: Colonel Morgan.You—get rid of her.

Marine 1: Huh?!

Helmeppo: [grabs the marine by the collar]I said throw her over the wall. If you disobey, I'll tell my father.

Marine 1: Y-Yes, right away!

The Marine grabbed the little girl and threw her over the wall—but she was caught mid-air by Rei, who gently set her down with a big smile. Koby immediately ran over to her, checking if she was okay, while Luffy walked toward Zoro, Rei following behind.

Zoro: You guys again… He'll rat you out to his daddy if you stick around here.

Luffy: Oh well… I'm recruiting pirates for my crew.

Zoro: Pirates? Don't tell me… you're planning to ask for my help if you free me?

Luffy: I don't know yet. But I heard you're dangerous.

Zoro: I'm not interested. I have a goal I need to accomplish!!!… I don't need your help. That spoiled brat promised to release me if I survive here for a month without eating.

Luffy: I see… I wouldn't last a week.

Zoro: You and I are nothing alike. Go find your little crewmates elsewhere.

Luffy turned around, ready to leave, with Rei waiting a bit further ahead.

Zoro: Wait… could you hand me the rice balls on the ground?

Luffy held the rice balls near his mouth, and Zoro ate them.

Zoro: Cough cough… Tell the girl… they were delicious.

Luffy: [big grin] Got it!

Luffy and Rei then left the base to join Koby and the little girl—named Rika—at her mother's bar. They all sat together, talking about what Zoro had said about the rice balls. This made Rika smile brightly, and she began explaining why Zoro had been captured.

Suddenly, Helmeppo entered the bar, laughing and chatting with his guards.

Helmeppo: HAHAHAHA That idiot Zoro really thinks I'm going to let him live?! His execution is tomorrow! HAHAHAHA!

Hearing that, Luffy rushed toward Helmeppo and punched him square in the face, sending him flying across the bar. Koby quickly held Luffy back.

Helmeppo: Y-You… you dared to hit me?! Do you know who I am?! I'll tell my father!!!

Helmeppo stormed out, carried away by his guards. Luffy watched them go, then turned around and headed toward the execution plaza, with Koby and Rei following close behind.

Koby: Luffy, what are you doing?!!

Luffy: I've decided—Zoro's joining my crew. [keeps walking]

Rei: Hey, captain, from what I've gathered since we got here… Zoro's known as a pirate hunter who fights using three swords. If we want him in the crew, he's going to need his katanas.With your power, you can get there faster than me. I can move in silence, sure—but we'll be fighting the whole Marine force soon. If you can draw their attention and bring Zoro's swords to the plaza, it'll make things way easier for us.

Luffy: Mmh. Okay. I'll leave Zoro to you. Shihihihi!

Rei: Shahahaha! Don't worry, I'll take care of the demon-who's-not-a-demon.

Luffy stretched out his arms and slingshotted himself back into the base, while Rei headed toward Zoro with Koby following behind.

Rei: Yo, demon.

Zoro: You're the guy who was behind the other one. I already turned down his offer—and I'm sticking with that.

Rei: Yeah, I know. But turns out Helmeppo wants to have you executed tomorrow… and Luffy's already gone to get your three swords.

Zoro: He wants to execute me?!!!

Rei: Yep. But that's just a small detail. Luffy wants you in the crew—and he doesn't take "no" for an answer. Shahahaha!

Zoro: You guys are unbelievable!!! [yells with shark-like teeth]

Rei: I know, I know—we're incredible.

Zoro: I said UNbelievable, IDIOT!

Rei: Yeah, yeah… Anyway, I'll get you out of those ropes. [draws the katana on his back and slices Zoro's bindings cleanly]

Zoro: That katana…

Rei: Mmh... Muramasa. Childhood memory. Shahahaha! [sits down on the ground]

Zoro: I see. [sits down too, rubbing his arms]

Koby: H-How can you both be so relaxed?! We're going to get killed!!!

Rei: Calm down, Koby. If we die, it just means we weren't strong enough to make our dreams come true—or that we didn't have the will to fight for them. Shahahaha!

Koby looked at him, trembling, then sat down as well, waiting for Luffy. But suddenly, loud footsteps echoed—and a large group of Marines appeared, weapons raised and aimed at the three. Colonel Morgan stood in front, pointing forward.

Zoro and Koby stood up, ready for action, but then noticed Rei still sitting cross-legged, staring the Marines dead in the eye.

Morgan: FIRE!!

All the Marines opened fire, bullets flying straight at the three—but just before they hit, Luffy appeared in front of them, taking the full barrage.

Luffy: …I didn't feel a thing!!!!

Zoro: What are you?!!!

Rei: Shahaha! Took you long enough, captain.

Luffy: Welcome to the crew, Zoro.

Zoro: You're diabolical...

Luffy: Awesome, so you said yes! See, Rei? We've got a new crewmate!

Rei: Yep. [smirks]

They turned toward the Marines, now charging at them. Zoro stepped forward, drawing his three katanas—one in each hand, and one clenched in his mouth—forming his iconic battle stance.

Zoro: I agreed to join your crew…But don't forget, I've got my own dream. I'm going to become the greatest swordsman in the world. And if you get in my way… I won't hesitate.

Luffy: The world's greatest swordsman? That's exactly the kind of guy I want on the crew of the future King of the Pirates!!!

Morgan: What are you all doing?! Finish them now!!

Luffy: Zoro—duck!

Luffy: Gomu Gomu no… Whip![He stretches his leg and swings it wide, crashing it down into the group of Marines]

With that kick, Luffy knocked all the Marines to the ground, leaving only Morgan standing, furious.

Morgan: All of you, kill yourselves! I don't need weaklings under my command!

The Marines obeyed while trembling. Luffy rushed at Morgan and attacked him with a simple punch, which Morgan blocked with his axe. He then swung his axe at Luffy, but Luffy dodged by jumping over him and landed a double kick to Morgan's face, sending him to the ground.

Morgan: Damn brat… you'll pay for this! [gets back up]

Morgan raised his axe high and slashed downward at Luffy, but Luffy spun out of the way and gave him a kick to the head, knocking him to the ground again.

Luffy: Nice little Marine force you've got there… [grabs Morgan by the collar]

Helmeppo: WAIT...!!

Luffy punched Morgan in the face, then stood and looked at Helmeppo.

Helmeppo: If you want to save your friend, stay still! One move and I'll shoot!!!

Koby: Lu... Luffy... I'm not afraid to die. Don't worry about me.

Luffy: Yeah, I know... Gomu Gomu...

Koby: WATCH OUT, BEHIND YOU!!!

Luffy: ...Bullet! [smashes Helmeppo in the face]

At the same time, Morgan had gotten back up behind Luffy and was swinging his axe down, but the attack was blocked by a katana.

Rei (with a dark glare): ...Get lost.

Just as Rei finished his sentence, Zoro slashed Morgan, putting him down for good.

Rei and Zoro (in unison, looking at Luffy): At your service… Captain.

There was a long silence...Then suddenly, the Marines burst out cheering.

Marine 1: Yeah!!

Marine 2: We're finally free!!

Marine 3: The reign of Colonel Morgan is over!!

Marine 4: Long live the Marines!!

After their joyful cries, Zoro collapsed. Rei picked him up on his back and followed Luffy, who was heading toward Rika and her mother's bar.

Zoro (weakly): What a feast... Nine days without eating... I couldn't take it anymore... 

At the same moment, a group of Marines entered, saying that pirates weren't allowed in town and that they had to leave. So Luffy, Rei, and Zoro complied, but not before Luffy and Koby had a fake fight to prove they weren't associated with each other.

The three of them headed toward the small boat docked at the port and set sail, bidding farewell to Koby and the Marines.

Zoro: Well, that's the first time I've seen Marines thank pirates. [smirks]

Luffy: Let's go! Next stop, the Grand Line! SHIHIHIHIHI!!

Rei: Lame… Zoro, you're not a demon at all. [lying on his stomach with a sad look]

Zoro looked at him with a tick mark on his forehead, then closed his eyes silently.