They walked in silence through the Marine base.
Koby kept glancing around nervously, shoulders tense, while Luffy moved with casual confidence, his presence drawing curious looks from the Marines stationed nearby. The cloud carrying Alvida hovered above the courtyard, lightning restraints crackling faintly as if warning anyone foolish enough to interfere.
At the cashier's office, the Marine behind the counter stared at Alvida for a long moment.
"…Iron Club Alvida," he muttered.
He eyed the thundercloud, the restraints, then Luffy.
"I've never seen a bounty delivered like this before."
Luffy shrugged. "First time for everything."
After verifying her identity, the Marine handed over a heavy pouch. The weight of five million beli settled comfortably into Luffy's coat.
Koby's eyes widened.
"That's… a lot of money."
Luffy hummed. "For East Blue standards, yeah."
They turned to leave.
That was when Luffy's gaze shifted.
Off to the side of the base, beyond a low wall, an open field stretched beneath the sun. In its center stood a man bound to a cross-shaped post.
Luffy smiled faintly.
So that's him.
He didn't slow down. Didn't react.
But as they passed the gate—
Luffy turned left.
Koby blinked. "L-Luffy?"
Too late.
Luffy walked straight to the wall, placed a hand on the stone, and climbed effortlessly upward.
"LUFFY!" Koby hissed. "What are you doing?! Someone will see you!"
Luffy didn't even look back.
"So you're here," he said calmly. "Mr. Pirate Hunter."
Koby froze.
Slowly—very slowly—he peeked over the wall.
His blood ran cold.
Roronoa Zoro.
The man stood tall even while bound, muscles taut beneath a dirt-stained white shirt. His skin was tanned from the sun, green hair tied back beneath a bandana. Three gold earrings gleamed in his left ear. His posture alone radiated danger.
A predator in chains.
Zoro glanced up.
"Hey," he said flatly. "You two are annoying. Get lost."
Koby nearly fell backward.
"L-Luffy, let's go—!"
Luffy yawned.
Then something struck the wall beside them.
A small ladder.
A little girl climbed up, pressing a finger to her lips before dropping down into the yard.
Luffy watched silently.
The girl ran toward Zoro, holding out two rice balls with a bright smile.
"I thought you might be hungry," she said. "You haven't eaten in days."
Zoro scowled. "Go away."
She didn't move.
"I worked really hard on them," she said softly. "I think they'll taste good."
"Kid," Zoro snapped, "do you want to die?"
Luffy's eyes narrowed slightly.
Before the moment could stretch further, the gate creaked open.
Three figures entered.
At their center walked a blond man in fine clothes, his posture smug, his eyes sharp with entitlement.
"Now, now," he said. "No one likes bullies."
He bent down, grabbed one of the rice balls, and bit into it.
His face twisted.
"Disgusting!" he barked. "This is full of sugar! Who uses sugar instead of salt?!"
He threw it to the ground.
The girl flinched.
Then he crushed the second rice ball beneath his heel.
"Didn't you read today's notice?" he said coldly.
"Anyone aiding criminals will be executed. Signed by Captain Morgan."
The girl trembled.
The man smiled.
"Oh? You recognize my father's name?"
Luffy's expression hardened.
So that's Morgan's son.
Before Koby could react, one of the Marines grabbed the girl and hurled her over the wall.
Lightning cracked.
Luffy vanished.
In an instant, he reappeared midair, catching the girl gently before landing outside the base.
She looked up at him, eyes sparkling.
"Thank you, big brother!"
"Koby," Luffy said calmly, setting her down. "Take her home."
Koby nodded instantly.
Then Luffy was gone again.
A thunderclap struck the field.
Zoro blinked as lightning materialized in front of him—resolving into the same man who had been watching from the wall.
"…How did you do that?" Zoro asked.
"Devil Fruit," Luffy replied simply.
Zoro nodded. "Figures."
They stared at each other.
"Are you really as strong as they say?" Luffy asked.
Zoro scoffed. "Mind your own business."
Luffy sighed. "Ten days, huh?"
He turned to leave.
"Wait."
Luffy paused.
Zoro nodded toward the crushed rice ball on the ground.
"Can you… give that to me?"
Luffy stared.
"You're serious?"
"Just do it."
Luffy bent down, picked it up, and fed it to him.
Zoro chewed slowly.
"…Tell the kid," he said quietly, "that it was good."
Luffy didn't smile.
But something warm stirred behind his eyes.
He vanished in lightning once more.
Shells Town would never be the same again.