The Marine base courtyard buzzed with tension. Zoro was still tied up, Helmeppo had run off screeching about "his daddy," and the soldiers were muttering nervously. Then the heavy sound of boots echoed from the headquarters.
Out stepped Captain "Axe-Hand" Morgan. The man was built like a fortress, towering and broad, his right arm replaced with a gleaming steel axe. His iron jaw clanked with every step, and the Marines stiffened in fear as he walked past.
Adam squinted at him and muttered under his breath."Ah, the budget boss fight. Straight from the tutorial level."
Coby nearly choked. "Th-that's Captain Morgan! He's terrifying! We're all going to die!"
Luffy just grinned, cracking his knuckles. "He looks strong. I like strong."
Adam sighed. "You also liked that seagull sandwich we found this morning. Your taste is questionable."
Morgan slammed his axe against the ground, glaring at the intruders."Who dares disrupt Marine justice?"
Luffy yelled back without hesitation, "Me! I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I'm going to be King of the Pirates! And I'm taking Zoro with me!"
The Marines gasped. Some even dropped their rifles. Morgan sneered."A foolish boy dares to defy me? You'll be crushed!"
He raised his axe arm high, the blade gleaming in the sun.
Adam opened his system menu quickly:
[Exchange Points: 80]
Skill [Quick Step] – Owned
Skill [Basic Swordplay] – 70 points
Item [Rusty Dagger] – 100 points
Passive [Thick Skin Lv.1] – 40 points
Passive [Endurance Lv.1] – 50 points
Adam thought hard. "Okay, okay… if I buy Swordplay now, I'll be broke. But if I buy Thick Skin and Endurance, at least I won't die in one hit. Yeah, survival first."
He tapped both.[40 points spent.][50 points spent.][Points remaining: -10.]
The screen flashed: You are in debt. Future rewards will deduct until balance is cleared.
Adam's face twisted. "Oh great. Even the system has credit cards."
"Adam, move!" Coby screamed.
Morgan's axe swung down with terrifying force. Adam used [Quick Step] just in time, his body flickering to the side as the axe cracked the ground where he had been.
Adam shouted, "What the hell, man? You almost shaved my head off!"
Morgan growled. "You dare mock me?"
Luffy leapt forward, his rubber arms stretching. "Gum-Gum… PISTOL!"
His fist slammed into Morgan's face, sending the massive man stumbling back. The Marines screamed in panic, firing their rifles, but the bullets bounced uselessly off Luffy's rubber skin.
"See, Coby?" Adam grinned, ducking behind a barrel. "This is why I don't panic. The walking rubber band handles the hard stuff."
Coby clutched his head. "But we can't just hide! What about Zoro?!"
Adam peeked at the swords lying beside the tied swordsman. "Good point. Time to test this Swordplay thing."
He rushed over, grabbing one of the blades. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, his system buzzed:
[Skill Activated: Basic Swordplay Lv.1]
Adam swung experimentally. His movements weren't flashy, but he felt a sudden sharpness in his stance, like his hands somehow knew what to do.
Zoro opened one eye, smirking despite the ropes."You. Amateur. You don't even know which end to point."
Adam grinned. "Says the guy tied to a stick."
Zoro growled, but his smirk widened slightly. "Cut me free, idiot."
Adam slashed clumsily at the ropes, managing to slice through them. Zoro stood tall, grabbing his swords with practiced ease. The aura around him changed instantly—he wasn't just some tied-up prisoner anymore. He was a warrior unleashed.
Luffy's eyes shone. "You're strong! Be my swordsman!"
Zoro barked, "Shut up! I never said I'd join—"
Morgan roared, interrupting. "You think you can defy me, Roronoa Zoro? You and those brats will be executed!"
Zoro clenched his swords, slipping into his three-sword stance. "Tch… if I die, I die on my terms. But I'll take this bastard down first."
Adam pointed at Morgan with his borrowed sword. "Oi, don't forget me! I'm like… backup comic relief."
Morgan charged. Luffy stretched his leg high. Zoro crouched, swords gleaming. Adam muttered to himself, "Okay, Adam. Don't die. Don't trip. Don't embarrass yourself—"
They all moved at once. Luffy slammed his Gum-Gum Whip across the yard, knocking Marines flying. Zoro's blades clashed against Morgan's axe, sparks flying with each strike. Adam darted in with [Quick Step], slashing Morgan's side. It wasn't deep, but it was enough to distract him.
Morgan snarled. "You worm!" He swung wildly, almost catching Adam. But thanks to [Thick Skin] and [Endurance], the shallow cut Adam did receive barely stung.
Adam laughed nervously. "Ha! Worth every debt point!"
Finally, Zoro leapt into the air, swords crossing."Three-Sword Style… Oni Giri!"
The slash struck true, cutting Morgan down. The captain collapsed with a crash, his axe arm shattered.
The courtyard fell silent. Marines stared in shock.
Luffy cheered. "We won!"
Adam dropped his sword, panting. "We? Excuse me, I was moral support AND discount stabbing."
Zoro sheathed his blades, glancing at Adam. "You fight like a fool. But… you've got guts. What's your deal?"
Adam smirked, brushing dust off his clothes. "I'm just a tourist, man. Taking in the sights, stabbing tyrants, the usual."
Zoro blinked, then actually laughed. "You're insane."
Luffy jumped up, throwing an arm around both of them. "Perfect! You're both in my crew now!"
Adam groaned. "I don't remember signing a contract…"
But deep inside, he grinned. Because he knew the adventure was just getting started.