A seconde chance : Between Land and Sea

(This chapter contains more mature content than usual. It deviates somewhat from the original story, but in my view, it offers a better depiction of the pirates' cruelty. Baggy's pirates aren't mere caricatures; for ordinary people, they're genuinely vicious and dangerous.)

The first rays of dawn were appearing on the horizon when Luffy, Koby, and Zoro finally emerged from the Marine base, leaving behind them a scene of ruin and confusion. The soldiers, bewildered, were unsure whether to pursue these intruders or tend to a wounded, whimpering Captain Morgan, sprawled in the middle of the courtyard. Some marines, wearied by his tyranny, even joined forces with the villagers outside, gradually realizing they were not obliged to blindly follow the orders of a bloodthirsty officer.

Zoro, freed from his bonds, wore his three swords at his belt. Even though he tried to hide it, his eyes betrayed a profound relief. He was finally breathing the open sea air, liberated from that mockery of justice. Luffy, for his part, led the group, his straw hat tipped at a slight angle and a broad grin on his face, as though he had simply returned from a mildly eventful stroll.

Koby trailed a few steps behind, staff in hand, from time to time casting a thoughtful glance at the townspeople watching them. Some looked wary, others grateful. Their eyes reflected both fear of the Marines and hope at Morgan's downfall. Koby wasn't surprised by this ambiguity: after living so long under the heel of a tyrant, it was only natural for these people to hesitate before cheering on their so-called "saviors."

"Mr. Zoro! Mr. Zoro!"

A small voice cut through the surrounding clamor. It was the girl who had tried to feed Zoro. Cheeks flushed and eyes shining, she hurried through the crowd, skirting around disconcerted marines and still-stunned villagers. Upon reaching him, she looked up with worried eyes.

"Are you alright? Your injuries… Does it hurt too much?"

Zoro slowly lowered his gaze to her. A bit embarrassed, he crossed his arms, hiding the gentleness that lay within.

"I'm fine. Thanks for those rice balls. They gave me strength," he grumbled in a gruff yet sincere tone.

The little girl let out a delighted, crystalline laugh. She then turned to Luffy and Koby, offering them a polite bow, like a proper young lady.

"Thank you two as well! Because of you, Captain Morgan can't hurt anyone anymore… and my dad says order will be restored under other Marine officers who are more just!"

Koby inclined his head in turn, a faint smile on his lips.

"It's really your own courage that deserves praise. You didn't hesitate to help Zoro, even when everyone else was scared. You've shown great heart."

The girl blushed, nervously fiddling with the hem of her dress. Then, with a joyful surge, she held out another neatly wrapped parcel.

"I… I made new rice balls. The other ones fell on the ground earlier… So here, take these! I hope they're better!"

Zoro, a bit taken aback, hesitated. In the end, Luffy practically snatched the bundle from his hands, exclaiming:

"Ha ha! I'm starving! Thanks, kid!"

Zoro grumbled some incoherent words, but didn't protest further when Luffy devoured half the contents on the spot, tears of happiness in his eyes.

"They're delicious!" Luffy declared with a huge smile. "You'll cook for my crew once you're older, alright?!"

The girl giggled without entirely grasping his words, happy with the compliment. Koby, amused, gently tapped Luffy's shoulder to remind him that everyone else might want a taste too.

Before long, the three companions reached the dock. Their small makeshift boat, which Luffy and Koby had used to land, still bobbed on the gentle waves. Villagers began to draw closer, curious to see these "pirates" depart their island.

A middle-aged man, wearing a simple tricorn hat, timidly stepped forward. Probably a former marine or a fisherman, judging by his appearance. He held a small sack of provisions in his hand.

"For… for you," he said in a slightly hoarse voice. "I… I know we took you for criminals, but you freed our island from a tyrant. It's not much, but I hope it'll help you at sea."

Luffy grabbed the bag, eyes gleaming.

"Awesome! Thank you so much!"

Zoro offered him a small nod of thanks, while Koby humbly accepted the gift on behalf of the trio. Other villagers then rushed to offer them all sorts of items: utensils, spare clothes, even a small compass. Filled with gratitude, they all wanted to contribute something for the departure of these adventurers who had restored a freedom stolen from them so long ago.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, a small crowd formed around the dock. Some marines, now relieved of Morgan's tyranny, seemed glad to see these "intruders" off, realizing they had been the ones to finally open their eyes. Others, still clinging to a rigid sense of hierarchy, stood aside, silent and unsure of what to do next.

Koby stepped first into the tiny boat, checking it carefully. Luffy, as usual, hopped on without ceremony and dropped the sack of provisions beside him. Zoro gave one last glance to the island and the bustle it now hosted.

"It's crazy, isn't it?" the swordsman remarked, turning his head toward Koby. "Who would've thought that simply breaking a few chains would wake so many people."

Koby smirked.

"Sometimes, you just need a spark to start a fire."

Zoro offered no reply, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Without another word, he helped Koby push off. A few strokes of the oars later, the small craft drifted away from the quay, slicing softly through the calm waters. On the shore, the little girl waved goodbye with shining eyes.

They traveled quietly for a while, lulled by the gentle rocking of the sea. Luffy, stretched out in the back of the boat with his arms crossed behind his head, watched the sky. Zoro, still seated at the bow, checked the condition of his swords. Koby, for his part, focused on keeping them on course, adjusting the oars to catch the morning breeze.

Eventually, Luffy broke the silence, lifting his head with a cheerful look.

"So, Zoro, how does it feel to be free after three weeks tied to a post?"

Zoro closed his eyes for a second, as if reflecting on his feelings.

"Well… I've been through worse," he replied curtly, though a small grin tugged at his lips. "But it does feel good to wield my swords again."

Luffy sat up straighter, arms folded in satisfaction.

"Now we need to find a bigger ship and new crewmates. We need a navigator, a cook, a musician… lots of strong, cool people!"

Zoro raised an eyebrow at the thought of a "musician," but refrained from commenting. Koby, gazing toward the horizon, mulled over the fight with Morgan, thinking about what he had done right, the mistakes he had made, and how to improve.

"Koby," Zoro suddenly said, his tone almost curious, "how did you learn to fight like that? You swing that staff like you've been at it for years, yet you're still so young."

The young man paused, eyes distant.

"I didn't really 'learn' it. I just trained to build up my strength, chose the staff for practical reasons, but I haven't fully mastered my power. What you saw… was just a rough glimpse of what I can do. I'm still too sloppy."

Zoro studied him a moment, as though trying to gauge his sincerity. At length, he shrugged.

"Hey, don't sell yourself short. You have a steady stance and strike with precision. Those are rare qualities. But what impresses me most is how calm you stay in battle."

Koby lowered his gaze, a faint smile curling his lips. He wasn't used to compliments, especially from a swordsman as famous as Zoro in all of East Blue.

While the boat gently glided across the water, the three companions felt an odd sense of unity. They were vastly different:

Luffy, always driven by his crazy dream of becoming the Pirate King, brimming with unwavering confidence in the future. Zoro, determined to become the world's greatest swordsman, with an unshakeable code of honor. Koby, whose past was still partly a mystery, but whose quiet resolve and inner strength were already capturing the attention of his two comrades.

They didn't yet have a proper ship, nor a detailed map, let alone a full crew. Yet none of them doubted for a moment that they would leave their mark on the world. In their own ways, each possessed a fierce determination—a resolve to surpass themselves and chase their dreams whatever the cost.

Suddenly, Luffy's stomach growled loudly, once again breaking the silence. He sat up with an exaggeratedly dramatic expression.

"I'm sooo hungry… Koby, tell me we still have some rice balls left!"

Koby burst out laughing, taking out the small parcel the girl had given them.

"There are a few left, yeah. You going to share with Zoro, or just gobble them all up yourself?"

"I'm eating 'em all!" Luffy exclaimed, snatching the parcel.

Zoro, slightly annoyed, grabbed at least one rice ball before Luffy wolfed them down. Koby merely shook his head, amused by the scene.

Above them, the sun had climbed high, making the sea shimmer with a golden light. A pirate's life lay ahead: countless adventures, battles, unforgettable encounters, and above all, freedom—that freedom Luffy called the greatest treasure of all.

For Koby, it marked the beginning of a new chapter: he had a crew of his own, led by a captain who could chase away his doubts by simply being there, and joined by a swordsman whose strength and resolve already impressed him. There would be hardship and danger in the days to come, but not one of them considered turning back.

A sudden gust billowed their makeshift sail, urging them onward. In that fleeting moment, Koby couldn't help thinking, "I'm exactly where I need to be."

A serene smile lit his features. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he would keep moving forward, step by step.

"So… where to next?" Zoro asked once he'd finished his rice ball.

"Honestly," Koby replied, "I don't have a set plan… But as you know, Luffy wants someone who can really steer us properly. And looking at our boat, we're going to need a real ship sooner rather than later."

Zoro absentmindedly rubbed his neck, recalling the effort it had taken to row away from the pier.

"Yeah, no kidding. We're not crossing East Blue in this dinghy."

Luffy perked up, as if the idea thrilled him.

"Shishishi! We need a proper boat, a real one—with a pirate flag, a big deck so I can stretch my arms without breaking anything, and room enough to store all the meat in the world!"

"And where do you expect to find a ship like that?" Zoro asked, eyebrow raised.

Koby, trying to stay practical, took out a small notebook from an inside pocket of his clothes. Its pages, slightly crumpled, were full of scribbled notes gathered during his time drifting at sea with Alvida.

"There are a few islands around here in East Blue where we could find a shipwright or a decent ship merchant. The nearest one is called Orange Town. Word is it has a big enough port to offer all sorts of boats."

"Perfect!" Luffy beamed, puffing out his chest. "Let's head to Orange Town!"

He leaned overboard, squinting as if to glimpse something on the horizon, but only the endless blue ocean greeted his gaze.

"You do at least know which direction, right?" Zoro asked sarcastically.

Koby let out a wry chuckle.

"Don't forget we picked up a compass on the island. And I've got some basic sailing skills. I can at least set us on the right course."

"Good thing we've got you," sighed the swordsman, turning to Luffy. "If we were counting on him, we'd be rowing blind…"

"Ha ha! No need to tease me—I need strong, smart people with me for a reason!" Luffy crowed.

Making the most of a gentle breeze, Koby adjusted the angle of the crude sail they'd fashioned. The little craft gained speed, gliding across the water beneath a sun already high in the sky.

Zoro crossed his arms, eyes locked on the horizon as if trying to discern the outline of their next destination. Luffy, still all smiles, fiddled with his straw hat, humming a tune with no real words.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in East Blue—though not far from the future Pirate King's crew—a slight vessel drifted along with the waves. On board lay a young woman with orange hair, stretched against the side of the boat, her gaze as distant as it was calculating.

She awaited her next prey: a ship only a bit bigger than her own, carrying three men from Buggy the Clown's crew. As she waited, she pictured the loot she'd soon snatch from under their noses. A greedy grin began to tug at her lips.

Time passed, and eventually a boat appeared in the distance. Three vicious-looking thugs were on deck. They soon noticed the young woman's small vessel. The closer they drew, the more their leers became salacious and menacing.

When the two craft were side by side, one pirate—a lanky fellow with a scraggly beard—called out, a wolfish grin on his face.

"Hey! Got a problem, sweetheart?"

Nami, still leaning on her side, looked up, a slight smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. She batted her eyelashes, feigning a naïve air. From a distance, she might pass for a castaway or a hapless traveler short on supplies—exactly what she intended them to think.

"Oh… it's so lucky I ran into you!" she called out loudly. "I'm completely out of water… I'd do anything for a drink, you know?"

The biggest of the three pirates—scraggly beard, predatory stare—sized her up with perverse interest. One of his sidekicks, stockier, quickly lashed Nami's boat to theirs.

"Water, eh?" repeated the bearded pirate mockingly.

"I'm just a poor traveler," Nami lied with a sigh. "I lost everything in a storm—no food, no water…"

"Lost it all, huh?" the bearded one guffawed as he drew nearer. "So… you'd do 'anything' for a drink of water?"

The third pirate, standing back, cackled, revealing a jagged smile.

"We're pirates, not charity workers. You better have more than a 'thank you' to offer."

Nami felt a cold sweat run down her spine, but forced herself to stay calm.

"I can pay… or maybe offer some other favors," she hinted, a slight suggestion in her voice.

The three men exchanged a knowing look. The stocky one, still holding the rope, stepped forward to check out her boat. He noticed a small chest in the corner and moved toward it, ignoring everything else. With some effort, he pried it open—only to find a simple teddy bear inside.

Nami's heart sank. Her charade was wearing thin.

"P-please…" she whimpered, trying to sound trembling and desperate. "I… I do have a bit of money, but nothing big. I just wanted to survive…"

"Survive?" spat the bearded pirate, pushing his mate aside and confronting her. "Don't take us for fools. You think you can pull one over on us?"

His breath reeked of rum and unwashed teeth. He leaned so close she could count the scars on his face. Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a sword at his belt. The other two edged nearer, one on her right, the other behind her.

"I…" she stammered, searching for a way out.

Right then, the stocky pirate thrust his hand into Nami's jacket. She let out a startled squeak as his coarse fingers grazed her skin, then halted on the hilt of a concealed knife.

"You said you had no way to defend yourself, you little liar?!" he barked, practically gloating.

Before she could think, Nami jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. The pirate recoiled, frowning.

"Hey, you damn wench!"

"Leave me alone!" she snarled, caught between fear and anger.

She could already feel her plan unraveling. They began hurling curses at her, and the three men seemed all too eager to grind her into pieces.

"We're not here for a tea party," the bearded man sneered, waving a rusty sword in her face. "Hand over your loot… or we'll break you."

Panic spiked inside Nami. She'd wanted them on her boat so she could rob them and escape, but things were falling apart.

"Fine… you're right," she conceded, lowering her voice as if surrendering. "I don't want any trouble."

They laughed uproariously.

"Good girl," smirked the greasy-haired pirate, mouth twisted with sadistic glee. "Alright, empty your pockets, your bags, everything!"

Nami sighed and, acting submissive, began untying the small pouch at her belt. Her fingers quivered as if with fear—or perhaps while searching for the right moment. Suddenly, she yanked the pouch free and hurled it overboard.

"What the—?!" the tall one shouted, stunned.

"You little…!" roared the stocky pirate, fury blazing in his eyes.

As they stood dumbfounded, Nami darted to the far side of the boat, uncertain whether to dive or if there was any other option—anything but surrendering to these beasts.

"You… you'll pay for that," spat one of them, voice dripping with malice.

The bearded one seized her wrist just as she reached the edge. With a fierce backhand, he knocked away the knife she'd been trying to draw and glared murderously.

"You think we still care about your money now? You're gonna regret messing with us…"

"Back off!" Nami hissed, struggling to hide the cold dread gripping her.

A blow struck her hard in the solar plexus, leaving her gasping for air. The greasy-haired man then grabbed a fistful of her orange hair, snickering like a vulture.

"Pretty hair… Let's show you what happens when you make a fool of us."

She tried to scream, but only managed a strangled cry. Her lungs burned. She lashed out with a knee, briefly forcing him back. Yet the bearded one promptly slammed her to the deck. Her head smacked against the wood, pain spiking behind her eyes.

"You'll die here, you cursed brat," he snarled. "But not before we have some fun with your body."

He gave a frigid order to his cohorts:

"Tie her up. Strip off her clothes and drag her into my cabin. Once I'm done, you can take your turn."

Rough hands clamped on her, coiling rope around her wrists. She felt herself dragged across the deck and shoved onto another platform. The two thugs groped her obscenely as they tore off her garments. Finally, they flung her onto the captain's bed and left, locking the door behind them.

Lying there in that grim cabin, clothed only in her undergarments, Nami felt her hopes slip away. Until now, she'd successfully duped petty bandits and weaker pirates, so she'd believed herself capable of conning men as notorious as Buggy's. But reality had slammed down with merciless force.

She clenched her eyes shut, heart drowning in terror. All she could do was wish for a miracle to deliver her from this nightmare.