His right fist stretched far behind him, crackling with bright yellow electricity before snapping forward with explosive speed.
"GOMU GOMU NO..."
His fist expanded as it rocketed toward the stunned Morgan.
"THUNDER CANNON!"
Morgan's eyes widened just as the massive fist slammed into his chest. Yellow lightning erupted across the point of impact, crackling wildly over his body as the tremendous force lifted the Marine captain completely off his feet. He shot across the courtyard like a cannonball, smashing through the headquarters wall before crashing through several interior pillars.
The building shook violently, and a cloud of dust billowed into the air as chunks of stone rained onto the courtyard below.
Some of the marines who were able to get up in time were able to witness this tremendous attack for the first time. Coby blinked repeatedly, Zoro simply raised an eyebrow, and Helmeppo's face became so pale that it looked as though he might faint on the spot.
Luffy happily retracted his arm before scratching the back of his head.
"Hehehe... I've been wanting to try that new move." He looked at his own fist with obvious satisfaction. "It hits harder than I thought."
"...You two really are devils, aren't you?" Zoro asked, unable to stop himself this time.
Luffy threw his head back and laughed.
"Shishishishi! Nope!"
I quietly dismissed my Ceruledge transformation, the ghostly armor dissolving into blue embers that drifted harmlessly into the afternoon breeze. Zoro watched the transformation disappear before letting out a tired sigh. The tension finally left his body, and with the danger temporarily over, reality caught up to him.
His legs suddenly gave way. He dropped to one knee, planting a sword against the ground to steady himself.
"...Damn it... I haven't eaten properly in days."
"Then let's go and eat some food. I am starving." Luffy declared.
"You are always hungry."
Soon they found their way into the restaurant of Rika's mother.
Less than ten minutes later, the four of us, along with Coby, were seated inside the small family restaurant. Rika's mother repeatedly thanked us while placing plate after plate onto the table.
Zoro ate steadily, focusing on regaining his strength, while Luffy devoured food at a pace that left everyone in the restaurant speechless. I simply enjoyed a normal meal, glad to finally eat something that hadn't been cooked by my hands. Sanji, please come fast.
When we finished, Rika's mother firmly refused the pouch of Berries I placed on the table.
"No, no. After everything you've done for my daughter, I can't possibly accept payment."
"You can," I replied with a smile, gently pushing the pouch back toward her. "We're not short on money. I worked as a carpenter before setting sail, and we've earned enough to pay for a good meal. Besides, your restaurant still needs to stay open."
After a brief exchange, she finally accepted the payment with moist eyes and a grateful bow.
The peaceful atmosphere lasted only a few more minutes before the restaurant door slid open. Several Marines entered together. Unlike Morgan's men, none pointed their weapons. Their expressions were conflicted rather than hostile.
One of them stepped forward and saluted respectfully.
"You defeated Captain Morgan... and many people on this island are grateful for that." He said, "But we have learnt that you are pirates, so we would ask you to leave."
Luffy who had just finished eating stood up and so did Zoro.
"Kekoa.. Coby.. Let's go.." Luffy said and before the whole drama of Coby hitting Luffy could happen, I stopped him and said.
"You have got quite the guts to tell us to leave, just because we are pirates? Where was this guts when Morgan was terrorizing the whole place? You guys couldn't even take your guns and shoot at him, and now that you have seen the good in us, you want to exploit it?"
The moment the words came out of my mouth, every single eye in the restaurant turned and looked at the marines. The town was already under terror, even by the marines and though people understood that they were under orders, it didn't mean that their faults could be over looked.
"We.. We were under orders.. " The marine replied even though he had just curled his fists in either anger or embarrassment, frankly an emotion, I didn't even bother to register in my head. I had always known one thing, and that was I hated hypocrites. I took a slow breath before speaking again.
"Orders aren't a shield against responsibility. I know Morgan was your superior, and I know standing against him wasn't possible. But while you obeyed those orders, the people of this town suffered. Children were threatened, families lived in fear, and honest citizens had to pray that tomorrow wouldn't be worse than today. Justice isn't something you uphold only when it's safe."
"I'm not saying every Marine is corrupt, because I know a few who are great. There are good Marines, just as there are pirates who deserve nothing but the gallows. What matters is the choices you make when no one is forcing your hand. If you truly want to represent justice, then start earning the trust of the people standing behind you."
The restaurant fell completely silent. Every customer looked toward the Marines, and though no one uttered a single word, the disappointment in their eyes weighed more heavily than any accusation.
Several Marines instinctively opened their mouths to protest, but the sea of silent glares from the townspeople swallowed every excuse before it could be spoken.
I rested a hand on Coby's shoulder, causing him to stiffen in surprise.
"This kid's name is Coby. Ever since he was little, his dream has been to become a Marine. Because he genuinely wants to protect people." I looked directly at the squad leader. "He's staying here. Teach him properly. Help him become the kind of Marine this town deserved but never had."
The squad leader glanced at Coby before slowly nodding.
"...We'll do our best."
"I hope so," I replied evenly. "Because if I ever hear that someone tried to crush his dream, or turned him into another Morgan..." My gaze swept across every Marine in the room. "...don't expect me to be as merciful as I was today."
The restaurant remained silent for several moments before Luffy suddenly slapped Coby on the back so hard that the pink-haired boy nearly stumbled forward.
"Shishishi! Work hard, Coby! Next time we meet, you'll be a great Marine!"
"I... I will!" Coby replied, his voice shaking with emotion. He quickly wiped his eyes before standing as straight as he possibly could. "And next time... I won't lose to either of you!"
"That's the spirit," I said with a smile as I adjusted my backpack. Beside me, Zoro simply rested Wado Ichimonji over his shoulder before quietly following Luffy toward the harbor. Rika and her mother hurried after us, insisting on seeing us off, while more and more townspeople emerged from their homes after hearing that Morgan had finally fallen.
By the time we reached the dock, nearly the entire harbor had gathered beside the Menehune. Fishermen, merchants, shopkeepers, and families lined the pier, waving enthusiastically toward us.
It seemed unlike the original story our exploits did reach far and wide, which I didn't mind because I knew that this would be the norm of our journeys.
Rika stood at the very front beside her mother, both smiling through tears as they repeatedly thanked us for freeing Shells Town from the fear that had overshadowed their lives for so long.
As Luffy untied the mooring lines and I raised the sail, Coby slowly walked to the front of the Marine formation. The squad leader stepped beside him before giving a sharp nod. One after another, every Marine present raised a hand in a crisp salute toward our departing vessel. Coby saluted with them.
Luffy laughed and waved both arms high above his head, Zoro acknowledged the gesture with a small nod, and I simply raised one hand in farewell. Moments later, the Menehune caught the sea breeze and quietly sailed away from Shells Town, carrying us toward the next chapter of our adventure while the cheers from the harbor slowly faded into the distance.
Experience Points : +4216
That was a lot of experience points, and that was only from this small bunch of people. The earlier time he had put the experience points on Ceruledge. This time I had decided to save them and use the points when it's necessary because I never know what kind of miracle I would receive.
As the vessel charted it's way through the ocean, Luffy decided to change into Pikachu and sit on the bow of the ship. Zoro, who was slowly integrating to the crew, was dumfounded seeing Luffy turning into a little adorable monster.
"What the hell is going on? How come he could stretch and also turn into a monster? Wasn't it said that only one power was possible for a devil fruit?" Zoro asked.