**Chapter 3: From This Day Forth, I Am Engine D. Ala**
"He's dead... Morgan is really dead..."
"Three years... finally..."
Recovering from the unbelievable scene before them, the Marines' eyes gradually welled up with emotion.
Then, cheers erupted, accompanied by hot tears.
"Wah—!"
"It's great! We're finally free!"
Not far away, watching this group of Marines who had suddenly rebelled, killed their own leader, and were now celebrating instead of mourning, Luffy and Zoro looked completely bewildered.
A question mark popped up above Luffy's head. He scratched his butt, pointed at the Marines in front of him, and turned to Zoro to ask:
"Why are they so happy? Are they having a party?"
"Huh? Even if it's a party, it's got nothing to do with us. It's not like they'd invite pirates to join."
Zoro shot him a glance and said dismissively.
Hearing this, Luffy's head drooped in disappointment.
"You're right, sigh~"
"What's with that regretful face! Do you want to join that badly?!"
Zoro rolled his eyes, unable to hold back a retort.
In response, Luffy just grinned shamelessly, showing a mouthful of white teeth.
"Shishishi, but speaking of which, that guy is really something else."
"You mean him..."
Zoro sheathed his three swords at his waist. He knew who Luffy was referring to and looked knowingly towards the man standing atop the distant pile of rubble.
That man, who had incited the soldiers to rebel, stood at the highest point. Just by looking, Zoro could sense the powerful aura emanating from him.
"He's just like a wild beast, that guy... He's strong...!"
Zoro's expression turned serious, but the corner of his mouth lifted with interest. The desire to challenge a strong opponent made him itch to act.
But now was not the time.
He'd been tied up here for so long, and he hadn't had a proper meal in days.
However.
He might think that, but others might not.
"Quick, seize those two!"
A loud shout suddenly came from the distance.
Luffy and Zoro followed the sound and saw the black-haired man standing on the rubble, pointing at them with righteous indignation.
"How dare you invade a Marine base! And you brutally murdered our Captain Morgan! Your crimes are heinous and unforgivable!"
Allen spoke with profound grief and indignation, a touch of anger and sorrow in his tone, as he raised his sword and shouted:
"Attack! We must take revenge for Captain Morgan with our own hands!"
Hearing this, the Marines, who had been lost in the joy of Morgan's death, all turned to look. The moment they saw the Straw Hat man and Roronoa, they immediately understood.
Rebelling and killing a superior officer was undoubtedly a serious crime, but if pirates did the killing, that was different.
"Lieutenant Allen is right!"
"We absolutely cannot let them go!"
"Damn pirates! How despicable!"
"Charge!!"
Under Allen's direction, the Marines immediately picked up their weapons and charged forward fiercely.
"Eh?!"
Seeing this, Luffy was flustered and somewhat angry, yelling:
"Hey! Wait a minute! We didn't kill him, right?"
"Do you really need to explain to them?! It's obvious they're framing us! Hurry up and leave, you idiot!"
Zoro wore an expression of exasperation as he scolded, grabbing the back of Luffy's collar and hastily starting to run.
"Ah, so that's how it is."
Finally understanding, Luffy turned and grabbed Zoro, hoisted him under his arm, stretched one arm out, and flung it to grab the outer wall of the base.
"Gomu Gomu no..."
Seeing this stance, Zoro's face changed color, a bad premonition stirring in his heart.
Luffy grinned, pressed down on his straw hat, and jumped high into the air with Zoro in his arms.
"Shishishi, let's go!"
"Hey! Wait, wait, what do you think you're..."
*Whoosh—!!*
"Waaaaah!!!"
Accompanied by a cry of despair, the two shot off like rockets, becoming a fleeting meteor in the sky.
"I'll cut you down sooner or later, you bastard!"
(A shout from the distant horizon~)
...
Noon. The scorching sun hung directly overhead. The base remained in disarray from the aftermath of the battle.
By the sandy training ground.
"I never imagined the one to stand up and lead the rebellion would be you, who has always been so quiet. On behalf of all the officers and men of this base, I express my boundless gratitude to you."
The burly Lieutenant Commander Ripa, leading a formation of soldiers, bowed deeply to Allen.
A few seconds later, Ripa stood up with the others and continued:
"Thanks to you, we have finally escaped Morgan's rule. Rest assured, the brothers won't let you down."
"Now that the position of base commander is vacant, after we report this incident, we will jointly recommend you to be the new base commander."
"Although your rank might be an issue, if we resubmit the merits that Morgan suppressed before, you should be able to get promoted to..."
Ripa went on about plans to get Allen into power, but Allen raised his hand to interrupt.
"Wait a moment. I assume you haven't been back to your office to see my resignation letter yet."
"Resignation letter?"
Ripa was stunned, and the rows of Marines behind him also showed expressions of disbelief.
Allen simply smiled faintly. "Ah, I've decided. I won't be a Marine anymore from now on."
"This...!"
Hearing this, Ripa was at a loss.
Some of the Marines behind him hurriedly chimed in.
"But... we still wanted to follow you, Lieutenant."
"That's right, Lieutenant Allen, if you're not a Marine anymore..."
One soldier gritted his teeth and spoke frankly:
"I'm fine with anything, Lieutenant Allen! As long as I can follow you, even if it's being a mercenary, a bounty hunter, or someone's bodyguard, I'll do it!"
As soon as he spoke, others immediately followed suit.
"Me too!"
"Same here! I don't have any living relatives anyway."
"And me! As long as I can follow Sir Allen, I'd go through fire and water!"
During today's events, many of them had been moved by Allen's impassioned speech.
Compared to the former Morgan, Allen's words and actions were like a beacon of righteousness, shining upon the land.
They were willing to give up their Marine identities to follow such a brave and just person.
"I'm happy to hear you say that. Since that's the case, I won't hide it from you any longer."
Allen smiled with satisfaction, raised a finger, and stated bluntly:
"I'm going to be a pirate."
...
The air suddenly became deathly silent for a moment.
"Eh—!!"
Ripa and the rows of Marines' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, their jaws hitting the ground in shock.
"A pirate?!"
"That's right."
Under everyone's stunned gazes, Allen nodded with a smile and began his persuasive spiel.
"The sea is so vast. Don't you want to see it? Setting foot on unknown waters, landing on mysterious islands, searching for ancient treasures..."
Allen began to paint a picture of a dreamlike adventurous journey for the Marines. Finally,
"Of course, I know not everyone can leave without attachments, so I won't force anyone."
Allen paused, slowly regaining a solemn expression.
"Come! My ship will only accept warriors who dare to challenge the limits of life. Now! Those who wish to set sail with me, take one step forward!"
The next second, under Allen's shocked gaze.
*Thump—Thump!*
The entire group of Marines took a step back!
Allen's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, his jaw on the ground, baring sharp teeth as he roared angrily:
"Not a single one is too much!!"
*Ahem*... "It doesn't seem right for the base to have no one in charge."
Ripa muttered guiltily, averting his gaze.
As soon as he finished, the Marines behind him quickly added their own excuses.
"As Lieutenant Commander Ripa's adjutant, it seems I have no choice but to stay."
"Um... I think I should stay to protect the civilians in these waters."
"Ahem, my family is still in town..."
"You just said your whole family was dead earlier!!"
Allen rolled his eyes, baring his teeth at that Marine in an angry shout.