Attendance Please:
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It took Luffy only a minute to convince Zoro to join the crew.
In that same minute, Yuji had already turned twenty Marines into a groaning pile of broken bodies sprawled across the cobblestones.
Zoro rolled his stiff wrists, flexing fingers that hadn't held his swords properly in nine days. His eyes swept over the downed soldiers—some still twitching, others cradling limbs at wrong angles—and let out a low whistle that cut through the evening air.
"Damn," he breathed, genuine awe in his voice. "Just what kind of monster are you? First catching bullets with bare hands, and now this? These aren't random thugs, these are trained Marines."
Luffy's laugh bubbled up like spring water, infectious and bright. "Shishishishi! Cool, right? After all, he's the first mate of the future King of the Pirates!"
Zoro's mouth quirked into something between a scoff and a grin. "Yeah, yeah... both of you are freaks." He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice dropped low with quiet pride. "But I guess I'm not so different from you two."
The heavy thud of metal on wood made them turn. Captain Morgan stood in the doorway of the Marine base, his axe-hand gleaming dully in the fading light. His face had gone the color of old milk, but rage was quickly painting it red again.
"Y-You—" He stepped forward, each footfall deliberate. "Don't think that beating these pathetic weaklings means you can just walk away. I'm god-damn Captain Morgan! I singlehandedly took down Kuro of the Thousand Plans! Even with your so-called Devil Fruit powers, you three are nothing compared to that man!"
The name hung in the air like smoke. Even the battered Marines on the ground went still at the mention of that 'legend'.
"Tch—" Zoro clicked his tongue against his teeth. He stepped forward, hands finding the hilts of his swords with familiar ease. "You two. Don't interfere. This one's mine."
"Oh, okay." Luffy's response came so casually it bordered on disrespectful.
"Fine with me." Yuji's agreement was equally indifferent.
Morgan's teeth ground audibly. "Roronoa Zoro... you dare underestimate me?" Then the malicious grin returned, splitting his face like a wound. "It doesn't matter. Once I'm done with you, I'll kill those two. Maybe defeating criminals with Devil Fruit powers will finally earn me the promotion I deserve!"
Zoro's smirk held seventeen different kinds of contempt. "Heh... I didn't know delusion was a requirement for Marine captains."
The swords came free in a fluid motion that spoke of a lifetime of dedication. Wado Ichimonji settled between his teeth like it had always belonged there. The two unnamed blades caught the sunset in their steel.
"So that's where it goes!" Luffy's eyes went wide with childlike wonder, watching Zoro grip the third sword in his mouth as naturally as breathing.
Morgan raised his axe-hand high, the weighted blade catching light. "You're a dead man, Roronoa!" He charged, boots thundering against stone, momentum building with each stride. The axe came down in a brutal arc meant to split Zoro in two—
And cut nothing but air.
Zoro moved. One heartbeat he was facing Morgan's charge. The next, he stood three paces behind the captain, back turned, swords already singing their way back into their sheaths.
Morgan stood frozen. For one breath, two, then crimson exploded across his chest in three parallel lines, and he folded forward like a puppet with cut strings. The ground shook slightly with the weight of his fall.
"Y-Y-You... im—possible..."
The words slurred into unconsciousness.
Zoro straightened, not bothering to look back at his fallen opponent. The sheaths clicked home with finality.
And then he, too, hit the ground.
Not from injury, but from exhaustion. Nine days without food, tied to a post, followed by a fight with a Marine captain. His body had simply run out of steam.
"Argh...!" The groan escaped him despite his best efforts. "Damn... I'm hungry."
Luffy and Yuji ambled over, crouching beside him like concerned children examining a fallen bird.
Luffy poked his cheek. Once. Twice. "Yo. You alive?"
Zoro's hand swatted blindly at the offending finger.
In the background, a Marine soldier's voice cracked with disbelief. "D-Did he... did he just defeat Captain Morgan?"
Another soldier responded, voice trembling with something that might have been laughter or tears. "Y-Yeah..."
Then the dam broke.
"Hahahaha... we're free!"
"Morgan's reign of terror is over!"
"Victory to justice!"
Marines were hugging each other. Some were openly weeping. A few had started an impromptu dance that looked suspiciously like the one performed at festivals.
Luffy and Zoro exchanged identical looks of complete bewilderment.
Yuji just sighed.
--------------------
Back at the restaurant—
"Umph! I'm stuffed!"
Zoro's declaration came with the satisfied groan of a man who had just consumed enough food to kill a normal person. His hand pressed against his stomach, flat, somehow, despite the mountain of plates stacked beside him.
"Damn, not eating for nine days was worse than I thought!"
"See?" Luffy's voice floated from across the table, slightly distorted by the sheer volume of food in his mouth. His stomach had expanded to truly absurd proportions, a rubbery balloon threatening to consume the entire table. "Told you. You'd never have survived the whole month."
"Funny you say that," Zoro noted, his eye fixed on the anatomical impossibility before him with remarkable calm. "Considering you seem even hungrier than me."
"I-I didn't know you ate a legendary Devil Fruit, Luffy-san!" Koby's voice pitched high with excitement. "I thought they were just rumors!"
Luffy blinked, as if remembering something trivial. "Huh? Oh yeah. I didn't mention it earlier, did I?" He grabbed his own cheek and stretched it outward like taffy. "See? I ate the Gum-Gum Fruit. I'm a rubber man now."
Little Rika, nestled comfortably in Yuji's lap, produced a sound that could only be described as a squeak of pure wonder. Her eyes had become twin stars, wide and glittering. "Wow, big bro... you're so awesome!"
Luffy's grin threatened to split his face. "Yeah, I am kinda awesome! Shishishishi... and I'm going to become a lot more awesome!"
Ririka appeared with desserts, setting them down with a warm smile that seemed to brighten the entire restaurant. The atmosphere had transformed since their return, laughter bubbled from every corner, conversations flowed freely, and for the first time in years, the patrons of this establishment ate without fear.
"It's so kind of you to feed me along with the heroes, ma'am!" Koby practically bowed over his plate. "Even though I did nothing but faint and be dead weight!"
Ririka's smile softened with understanding. "It's okay, dear. I should be the one apologizing to you all for being rude earlier." Her gaze swept across the room, taking in the freed townspeople, the laughing children. "I hope you understand, we weren't in the best situation with Morgan and his son terrorizing us. But now..." Her voice caught slightly. "You all unknowingly freed us from a tyrant. You gave us a new future."
"Yeah!" Little Rika's agreement came with a bounce that jostled Yuji's arms.
Yuji's hand found the girl's head, patting gently. "It's okay, Ririka-san. No apologies needed. None of us blame you or anyone in this town." His eyes found Koby next. "And you, please don't call yourself dead weight. Everyone has their moment. I believe yours will come. And when it does, you'll make a huge impact on others."
Koby's eyes went glassy. His lower lip trembled. "Thank you, Yuji-san... for your kind words. I promise—I promise to live up to your belief in me."
"Oh my... fufufufu..." Ririka's chuckle was warm as fresh bread. "You certainly know how to deliver your words, Yuji-san."
Yuji rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly bashful. "Hehe... you think so? Well, I try to be kind. Like my grandfather."
"Then he must be a very proud grandfather."
The words hung in the air. Yuji's smile didn't fade, but something behind his eyes shifted.
"He was."
Ririka's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh! I'm so sorry—I didn't know—"
"No, no." Yuji waved away her concern. "It's fine. Really."
But the table had dimmed. The laughter around them seemed distant now, belonging to another world.
Luffy's hand landed on Yuji's shoulder. When Yuji looked up, he found his captain's eyes, warm, certain, utterly unshakeable.
"You're not alone." Luffy's smile was simple, pure. "You've got me now. So don't be sad."
Something in Yuji's chest loosened. He smiled back. "Thanks, Captain."
Luffy's laugh rang out like a declaration. "Shishishishishi!"
Zoro watched the exchange with an unreadable expression. Then he cleared his throat deliberately, pulling attention to himself.
"So." One eyebrow raised. "What's next?"
Luffy's grin turned toward the horizon, even though they were indoors. "Now? We're headed for the Grand Line."
The reaction was immediate.
Ririka gasped, hand pressed to her heart. Koby's face drained of color.
"G-Grand Line!" Ririka's voice held genuine fear.
"L-Luffy-san..." Koby's words tumbled out in a desperate rush. "Why can't you understand? That's suicide! There are only three of you! If you go there, you'll be sailing to your death! The most bloodthirsty pirates in the world are there!"
Zoro's lips curved into something predatory. "Well. If we're after the One Piece, the Grand Line's where we have to go."
Koby whirled on him, betrayed. "Zoro-san! How can you agree to this?"
Zoro's eyebrow climbed higher. "Huh? What's it to you? You're not coming with us."
The words landed like a slap. Koby went silent, staring down at the table.
"Yeah..." His voice was small. "That's true. B-but..." When he looked up, his eyes held a desperate shine. "Can't I even worry about my friends?" He turned to Luffy and Yuji, words tumbling over each other. "Luffy-san, Yuji-san—we haven't known each other long, I know. But... we're friends. Aren't we?"
Luffy met that desperate gaze without flinching. For a long moment, he simply looked at the pink-haired boy who had been a slave, who had been nothing, who had found the courage to dream.
"We're going separate ways," Luffy said. "But we'll always be friends."
Koby's eyes overflowed. Tears traced paths down his cheeks, but he didn't wipe them away.
"L-Luffy-san..." His voice cracked. "You and Yuji-san are the first real friends I've ever had. No one else ever stuck up for me. Even I wouldn't stick up for me. But you two—you taught me to fight for what I believe in." A pause. "Even you, Zoro-san."
Zoro blinked, genuinely puzzled. He hadn't done anything. Had he?
Luffy nodded as if this made perfect sense. "Well. That's why I'm going to the Grand Line."
Zoro nodded sagely. "Makes sense to me."
Yuji's hand met his face with a soft smack.
'These idiots.'
"W-wait!" Koby sputtered. "That's not what I meant! I'm trying to convince you it's too reckless!"
Yuji's sigh could have powered a small ship.
'This kid.'
He cleared his throat, and the sound drew every eye.
"Well." He reached down, grabbing his backpack from the floor. The worn canvas landed on the table with a soft thump. "I might have something that can help us navigate the Grand Line a little safer."
Three sets of eyes fixed on him. Three imaginary question marks hung in the air above their heads.
Yuji unzipped the side pocket with deliberate care. His fingers found what they sought, a small, worn leather journal, its brown surface cracked with age and love. He placed it on the table like an offering.
The cover bore faded gold lettering:
Wasuke Itadori
Koby leaned in. Luffy leaned in. Zoro leaned in, almost tipping off his chair.
"This is my grandfather's personal journal," Yuji said quietly. "He was a Marine. Stationed in the Grand Line. I don't know his rank or which base, he never talked about that. But he told me he recorded everything. Major and minor. Currents, weather patterns, island routes, dangers..." He touched the cover gently. "With this, I guarantee we'll have fewer problems navigating."
Silence.
Then—
"This is..." Zoro's voice held something Yuji had never heard from him before. Respect. Genuine, unguarded respect. "...unbelievable."
Koby swallowed audibly.
Luffy's eyes had become twin suns, blazing with excitement. "Amazing! Yuji, you had something this cool the whole time? Yosh!" He shot to his feet. "Let's go! I can't wait anymore!"
The restaurant's front door creaked open.
A squad of Marines filed in, their presence immediately shifting the room's atmosphere. Conversations died. Smiles faded.
The lead Marine, a young man with kind eyes and nervous posture, stepped forward.
"You gentlemen are pirates, correct?"
Luffy's grin didn't waver. "That's right. I even have two crewmates now. Makes me a genuine pirate captain."
"Well, sir..." The Marine, Peter, according to his name tag, swallowed hard. "My name is Peter. And um... you saved our base. You saved this town. We're truly grateful." He glanced back at his squad, then forward again. "However. We're still Naval Marines. We can't shelter pirates. I'm sorry, but I have to ask you to leave."
He held up a hand as murmurs rose from the restaurant patrons. "But, to show our gratitude, we won't report you to Marine Headquarters."
The murmurs became shouts. Customers surged to their feet, protesting, demanding the heroes be allowed to stay. Outside, civilians gathered, their voices joining the chorus.
The Marines shifted uncomfortably, surrounded on all sides.
Luffy blinked at that.
"I guess we'll be going, then."
Yuji rose as well, gently lifting Rika from his lap and setting her on her feet. "Ririka-san. Thanks for the meal."
Zoro sighed, pushed back his chair, and adjusted his swords with practiced ease.
"Huh?" Koby's voice cracked. "You guys are leaving already?"
They ignored him. Started walking.
But Peter's voice stopped them.
"Hey—isn't he with you?" The Marine pointed at Koby, who went rigid. "I mean, aren't they brothers? Why isn't he going with you?"
Luffy looked back, genuinely confused. "Huh? What?"
Peter blinked, then pointed at Yuji. "Him and the pink-haired boy. Brothers. Why separate?"
Yuji turned. Looked at the Marine. Looked at Koby. Back at the Marine.
His expression shifted into something cold.
"What kind of messed-up logic is that?" His voice dripped with contempt. "Look at me. Now look at that shorty." He jerked his thumb at Koby. "As if I'd ever be related to a cowardly failure like him. All he does is whine and cry about little things. He's nothing but dead weight. Why would we need a loser like that?"
Koby recoiled. The words hit like physical blows, driving the air from his lungs. Tears sprang to his eyes as he turned desperately to Luffy, silently begging for denial.
Luffy's back was already turned.
"Yeah, Yuji's right." His voice was flat. Dismissive. "I'm aiming to be Pirate King. I don't need a failure like him." He glanced over his shoulder at Peter. "Matter of fact, you should worry about yourself. This guy used to work for Alv—"
Koby launched himself across the room.
He hit Luffy like a tiny missile, driving them both to the floor. Fists flew—puny, ineffective things that landed on Luffy's face with no real force but all the desperation in the world.
"SHUT UP!" Koby screamed, tears streaming. "YOU SHUT UP!"
A hand closed around the back of his shirt. Yuji lifted him effortlessly, holding him suspended like a kitten.
"Get your puny hands off my captain." Yuji's voice had gone deadly quiet. The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Or I'll kill you."
His eyes held no mercy. No warmth. Nothing but cold, absolute promise.
Little Rika whimpered. Several patrons pressed back against their chairs.
Peter trembled openly. "I-I understand that you're not friends with him... p-please just leave this town—"
Zoro sighed, pulled Luffy to his feet, and dusted him off with exaggerated care.
The trio walked out without looking back.
--------------------
At the docks—
The boat bobbed gently against the pier, a small thing for such large dreams. Yuji worked methodically, untying ropes, preparing for departure.
Zoro leaned against a piling, watching him.
"You know," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips, "that was some acting in there."
Yuji's sigh carried the weight of worlds. "Well. What else could we do?"
"Shishishishishi!" Luffy's laugh echoed across the water. "It's all up to Koby now. He'll get in somehow."
Zoro nodded slowly. "Guess you're right. Well, good time to be leaving."
They settled into the boat. Yuji took the oars, muscles bunching as he pushed them away from the dock.
The town receded. The restaurant became a smudge of light. The horizon opened before them, dark and vast.
Then—
"LUFFY-SAN! YUJI-SAN! ZORO-SAN!"
The shout carried across the water, desperate and joyful all at once.
They turned.
Koby stood at the dock's edge, small against the sky. Behind him, the Marine squad had lined up in perfect formation.
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!" Koby's voice cracked but didn't break. "I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU DID FOR ME!"
Peter's voice rang out behind him: "SOLDIERS—ATTENTION!"
Twenty spines snapped straight.
"SALUTE!"
Twenty hands rose in perfect unison. Twenty Marines honored three pirates with the deepest respect their code allowed.
Zoro's eyebrow climbed. "Well. This is a new one. Pirates being saluted by the Navy."
Yuji's lips curved. "Everything has its first time."
Luffy's grin split the darkness. He raised his hand and waved. A simple gesture. A promise.
The boat grew smaller. The figures on the dock grew smaller still.
And then the horizon swallowed them whole, and there was only the sea and the stars and the beginning of everything.
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On the dock, long after the boat had vanished, Koby stood with tears streaming down his face and a smile he couldn't have stopped if he tried.
In his pocket, unnoticed until now, his fingers closed around something small and hard. A folded piece of paper, pressed into his hand during the chaos of the restaurant.
He pulled it out. Unfolded it.
On it, in hasty script:
"Get stronger. Become someone worth knowing. We'll meet again on the Grand Line. — Yuji"
Koby's tears fell faster.
Behind him, the Marines began to disperse. Before him, the sea stretched endless and dark.
And somewhere out there, three idiots in a too-small boat were sailing toward destiny.
Koby clutched the note to his chest and laughed through his tears.
"I will," he whispered to the wind. "I promise. I will."
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See you in next chapter....