The Novelist System: Writing Story From Memory
Chapter 5: Marines at Shells Town
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The small boat drifted across a quiet sea. Seagulls circled overhead, cawing lazily. Coby sat near the bow, both hands gripping the sides of the boat, eyes wide with anxiety. He had never been this far from Alvida's ship. Freedom felt unreal.
Luffy, sitting at the back, was focused on the horizon. Straw hat tilted forward, legs stretched, his posture relaxed as usual.
"How far is Shells Town?" Luffy asked.
Coby blinked. "A-About a day from here… maybe less."
Luffy nodded. "Good."
Silence followed. The water lapped gently against the boat's side. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Coby finally broke the quiet. "Hey… Luffy."
"Yeah?"
"Why do you want to be King of the Pirates?"
Luffy leaned back, eyes on the sky. "Because it means being the freest person on the seas."
Coby looked confused. "That's it?"
"Yeah."
No long explanation. No speeches. Just a simple truth.
Coby bit his lip. "You're weird."
Luffy grinned. "I get that a lot."
—
They reached Shells Town just after midday. The harbor was small but clean. A few fishing boats were tied to the docks. Locals moved about, calm and uninterested. It was a peaceful place.
Coby climbed off the boat first, nervous. Luffy followed without hesitation, adjusting his hat.
"Let's find the Marine base," Coby said.
They walked through narrow streets. Small shops lined both sides—fruit vendors, fishermen mending nets, kids playing with sticks. Everything felt normal.
Coby pointed at a large stone building ahead.
"That's the Marine base."
The building stood tall, a white seagull symbol painted over the front gate. Two guards stood at the entrance, lazily holding rifles.
Before they could approach, shouting echoed from behind the base.
Luffy tilted his head. "What's that?"
Coby looked unsure. "Let's see."
They walked around the side, toward the open training yard.
There, tied to a wooden post in the center, was a man.
His arms were bound, body covered in cuts and bruises. His green hair hung messily over his eyes. A sword lay in the dirt nearby.
He was sitting calmly despite the sun beating down on him.
"That's… Roronoa Zoro," Coby whispered. "They say he's a demon. A bounty hunter."
Luffy stared at the man. "He's cool."
Coby flinched. "No, Luffy, he's dangerous! He was arrested for attacking people!"
"Why?"
"I don't know, but—he's going to be executed if he doesn't last the month tied up like that. He's already been there for days."
Luffy looked thoughtful. "Hmm…"
Coby panicked. "You're not thinking of asking him to join you, right?"
Luffy didn't answer.
They watched from a distance as a young girl tiptoed toward Zoro, holding something wrapped in cloth.
She reached him and unwrapped it—rice balls.
"You shouldn't be here," Zoro muttered, without lifting his head.
The girl smiled. "I brought these for you."
Before Zoro could answer, a man in Marine uniform stormed over, kicking the rice balls into the dirt. He was tall, smug, and wore sunglasses despite the shade.
"Who said you could feed the criminal?"
The girl backed away, trembling.
Zoro raised his head slightly. "Leave her alone."
The Marine laughed. "You'll be dead soon. You don't get to talk."
He left after insulting the girl a few more times.
Coby looked furious. "That man is Helmeppo, the son of the Marine captain. He does whatever he wants here."
Luffy walked over to the girl, helped her pick up the rice balls.
"Zoro didn't eat them," she said sadly.
"He will," Luffy replied.
He walked straight toward Zoro, holding the dirt-covered rice balls.
Coby panicked. "Luffy! What are you doing?!"
Luffy stopped in front of the tied man.
Zoro looked up, confused.
"They're dirty," Luffy said. "But eat them anyway."
Zoro was silent for a moment. Then, without a word, he opened his mouth.
Luffy fed him.
He chewed slowly, swallowed.
"…Not bad," Zoro muttered.
"You have a strong stomach," Luffy grinned.
Zoro glanced at him. "What do you want?"
"I want you to join my crew."
Coby nearly fell over. "Luffy!"
Zoro laughed once. "I'm not a pirate."
"You will be," Luffy said. "I've decided."
Zoro closed his eyes. "Idiot."
Luffy turned and walked off without arguing.
Coby chased him. "You can't just ask someone like that!"
"I can. He didn't say no."
"He basically did!"
Luffy smirked. "Let's go meet the captain."
—
Inside the Marine base, Captain Morgan sat on a raised chair, smoking a thick cigar. A massive axe replaced his right hand. His face was stern and full of pride.
Helmeppo stood beside him, whining.
"That boy helped the criminal! He should be punished!"
Morgan blew out smoke. "Deal with it."
Helmeppo grinned.
Outside, Luffy and Coby were about to get dragged into something bigger than either of them expected.
But Luffy didn't mind.
He was here to find crewmates.
And Zoro was the first.
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Thanks For Reading
By Mr.Midnight_21
To be continued…
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Next up: Chapter 6 – The Man With Three Swords.