Chapter Ten: Zoro

On the back of the Sea King, the four of them sat down casually. After the initial tension and chaos, Nami and Koby gradually calmed, realizing that the boy who had wreaked havoc on the pirate ship wasn't as ferocious as he seemed.

The Sea King, living up to its reputation as a sea beast, moved far faster than any ship. After more than an hour, Shu Mingyuan spotted what looked like a small town at the edge of his vision, surrounded by the cannon batteries of a navy base, with the navy's flag flying high, justice standing proud.

"Hey… Are we really going to the navy base?" Nami asked, her voice trembling.

Shu Mingyuan answered seriously, "Of course. I'm a pirate hunter, after all. I'm going to hand you over to the navy in exchange for the bounty."

"But that's not what you said earlier," Nami protested, looking aggrieved.

"That was a lie to trick you," he replied.

"You… you liar!"

Shu Mingyuan burst out laughing.

As they neared the navy base, Nami looked at him plaintively. "Are you really going to hand us over to the navy?"

Seeing the pitiable expression on the Cat Burglar, Shu Mingyuan stopped teasing her and spoke slowly, "I'm here to find Roronoa Zoro. He should be here."

"What? You're looking for the pirate hunter Zoro? Then you might as well hand me over to the navy. Facing that legendary, terrifying man, known as the Demon, I'd rather face the navy," Nami cried, tears streaming down her face. She dreaded being cut down by Zoro's blade.

Shu Mingyuan's lips curled into a smile. "Zoro, huh? We'll be meeting him soon."

"When we get ashore, follow me. Without me, I can't guarantee the Sea King won't devour you both in one bite. Of course, if you want to run off and get caught by the navy, just pretend I never said anything," Shu Mingyuan shrugged.

After some deliberation, the group decided to stick with him—at least it felt safer with him around.

"Stupid fish… I'm off to take care of something. Don't even think of running. Otherwise, I'll scour the entire East Blue to find you and skin you alive," Shu Mingyuan threatened.

Faced with his words, Nami couldn't help but roll her eyes, muttering under her breath about his cruelty.

After landing, Shu Mingyuan took the group to a small restaurant near the navy base, where they ate their fill and packed up a large portion to go.

He claimed it was because people are less likely to refuse after being fed, and he planned to give the food to Zoro, who had been starving for days and nights. Then, when inviting him to join as a companion, Zoro probably wouldn't refuse too harshly.

Following his memory, Shu Mingyuan arrived at the base's perimeter wall, leaping up and perching on its edge. He saw a man in a green headscarf tied to a cross-shaped stake, radiating an aura of immense dread.

"It really is Zoro," Shu Mingyuan muttered.

"Whoa, there's actually someone tied up here," exclaimed Luffy and the others as they climbed up to look.

"You… you really want to find Zoro? You'll get killed! He's a ruthless demon who doesn't hesitate to kill!" Koby stammered.

Shu Mingyuan chuckled softly, then, carrying the packed food, vaulted over the wall, striding step by step toward Zoro.

"Hey, kid over there. How about you untie me? I'll give you all the bounty I've earned," Zoro called out.

"Sure. But I don't want the bounty. I just want you… to be my companion at sea," Shu Mingyuan replied with a smile.

"At sea? You're a pirate? Haha, you're willing to stoop so low as to become a pirate? Better run away, stay far from me before I'm released—or I'll cut you down in one stroke," Zoro said scornfully.

"You're wrong. I'm not a pirate, I’m a pirate hunter, just like you. My goal lies in the Grand Line, in the New World! I want to bring all pirates to justice, and you’ll become the world’s greatest swordsman there."

"That doesn't sound bad," Zoro admitted.

"So, are you agreeing?" Shu Mingyuan asked.

"Get me out of here first. There's a navy captain stationed here," Zoro replied.

"Axe-Hand Morgan, right?" Shu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "Eat first. You must be starving."

A flash of electricity ran across Shu Mingyuan's palm, severing the ropes. He tossed a lunchbox to Zoro, and, seeing a group of marines approaching the gate, said calmly, "Eat first. Leave these marines to me."

This kid…

"Who are you people? Leave the execution ground at once! Wait… you actually set him free!!"

Shu Mingyuan smiled, his figure suddenly accelerating as he charged at the marines, knocking them all down with a few punches and kicks.

"This kid… actually sides with me against the navy…" Zoro thought, wolfing down his food.

He glanced at the trembling man lying on the ground, threatened him, "You're Morgan's idiot son, aren't you? Take me to get Zoro's swords, or I'll kill you."

"Yes, yes…" Helmeppo quivered, his fear showing.

"Luffy, keep an eye on this guy for me. I’ll be right back!"

With Helmeppo in tow, Shu Mingyuan barged through the navy base. All the marines along the way were too afraid to fire.

Inside Helmeppo’s room, Shu Mingyuan found three swords placed in a corner. But outside, the corridor was packed with armed marines, ready for battle. He wasn’t a being of pure element, nor a rubber man like Luffy; he couldn’t ignore bullets.

Given that…

He’d just have to jump out the window!

He threw aside Morgan's foolish son, smashed the window with a punch, and leaped out.

News of the incident at the execution ground had already spread throughout the base—someone had infiltrated, and the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro had been freed. This was a major event. The navy captain personally led hundreds of marines, sealing off the site. Fortunately, Luffy was immune to bullets, so despite the heavy fire, there were no casualties.

Crash!

Covered in shards of glass, Shu Mingyuan jumped down from above, startling the gathered marines. He calmly walked over to Zoro and handed him the three swords.

"Three-Sword Style pirate hunter, Roronoa Zoro. Your swordsmanship is extraordinary. These are your swords, right?"

"Yeah, they are. Thanks," Zoro replied, a gleam in his eye. This guy had braved the entire navy base just to bring him his swords. Didn't he realize that opposing the navy made him a wanted criminal by the government? Even as a pirate hunter, he wouldn’t escape that fate.

"So, will you be my companion now?" Shu Mingyuan asked, smiling brightly.

"Why not? We're both pirate hunters. The sea is vast, full of outstanding swordsmen. My dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman can only be realized out there. Traveling alone gets lonely. Most importantly, I find you agreeable. I’ll go with you."