One Piece : Captain, We’ve Arrived at Laugh Tale

The conversation was loud enough that Luffy and the others could hear it clearly.

But apart from Carl, none of them knew what was really going on.

It was obvious that there was a story behind this, but—

Fortunately, Luffy was a simpleton.

He never thought too much about anything.

Just then, the side gate of the Marine Base opened.

A wretched-looking man with blond hair slicked back appeared, flanked by two Marines.

His voice was mocking.

"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't be bullying people, Zoro."

He sneered.

"I didn't expect you to still have so much energy, Roronoa Zoro."

The moment Carl laid eyes on him, he frowned deeply.

That blond, disgusting face…

Right. Bellamy? No—Bellamy.

Carl instantly disliked him.

Luffy, on the other hand, just pouted.

"Another weirdo showed up."

Koby, however, sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness! The Marines are here! That little girl is saved!"

At that moment, Bellamy's eyes landed on the rice balls in Rika's hands.

He smirked.

"Oh? These look pretty good…"

He reached out, about to grab them.

But before his fingers could touch them—

A hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.

CRACK!

Carl squeezed tightly, his cold voice ringing out.

"You really have the nerve to touch a little girl's rice balls with those filthy hands?"

Bellamy's face twisted in agony.

His bones creaked under Carl's grip, and he let out a shrill scream.

"AAAAAHH!"

The two Marines behind him rushed forward.

"You bastard! Let go of Young Master Bellamy!"

But—

Carl kicked them away with ease.

They flew back, crashing into the Marine Base walls.

Zoro, still bound to the cross, watched the scene with sharp eyes.

His expression turned serious.

This guy—

He moved too fast.

So fast that even he hadn't noticed when Carl appeared next to Bellamy.

Who the hell was this guy?

And—

That massive floating sword behind him…

What was that?!

Just then, Luffy and the others arrived.

Carl turned to him, speaking calmly.

"Captain Luffy, I made my own decision."

Usually, Carl always said—

He only cared about Luffy's training.

Other than that?

He wouldn't interfere.

But this time—

He just couldn't hold back.

This trash Bellamy needed a beating.

Luffy grinned.

"Hee hee! Pirates are free, right?"

He laughed.

"Besides, Mr. Carl just wanted to protect the little girl's rice balls! That's a good thing!"

Carl didn't respond.

But his silence was agreement.

Luffy then turned to Zoro.

His smile was bright.

"Oi, Zoro! Hurry up and eat! The little girl made these just for you!"

Zoro glanced away, scowling.

"I told you, I'm not hungry."

Luffy just giggled.

"Hee hee! Liar!"

Zoro's brow twitched.

"I…"

"A few filthy rats dared to sneak into my Marine Base. Are you trying to rebel?"

Morgan glared at them before turning his eyes to Zoro.

"Roronoa Zoro, you're involved in this too! I'll punish you right here, right now! Get ready!"

At his command, the Marines behind him raised their rifles, aiming at Luffy and the others.

Nami, Koby, and Rika hid behind Luffy and Carl, their faces pale with fear.

Zoro, on the other hand, gritted his teeth, his face full of resignation.

But Luffy still had that carefree smile.

"Hey, Zoro! How about it? Do you wanna join us? If you don't… you're gonna die!"

Zoro stared at him, speechless.

"Are you a devil?"

But after a moment, he grinned.

"Ah, whatever. Being a pirate isn't so bad compared to dying here. But listen—"

His expression turned serious.

"I've got my own ambitions."

"Ambition?" Luffy asked.

"That's right! I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman! If you ever stand in my way, you better kill yourself and apologize!"

Luffy laughed.

"Hee hee! The world's greatest swordsman? Sounds great!"

He grinned wide.

"My name is Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates! As the future Pirate King's crewmate, the world's strongest swordsman is definitely worthy!"

Zoro chuckled.

"You sure know how to talk big… But, the King of the Pirates, huh? Looks like I got myself a decent captain."

The two of them talked casually, completely ignoring Morgan and his men—

Which only made Morgan furious.

"Hahaha! The King of the Pirates? The world's greatest swordsman? What a joke! I'll send you straight to your dreams!"

He roared, "Everyone—fire!"

But the moment Morgan gave the order—

Luffy's eyes narrowed.

A sudden, invisible pressure swept forward—

The Marines aiming their guns froze.

Then, one by one, their eyes rolled back, and they collapsed, unconscious.

Even Morgan staggered, clutching his head in pain.

"Ugh—!!"

He barely stayed on his feet, his face twisted in shock.

"You… You… What did you just do?!"

Koby, Nami, Rika, and even Zoro stared at Luffy in disbelief.

Luffy, completely calm, stepped forward toward Morgan.

"Mr. Carl," he said casually, "untie our new crewmate."

Carl nodded.

"Yes, Captain."

Swish!

With a single sword stroke, the ropes snapped.

Zoro rolled his shoulders, rubbing his wrists.

But he still asked, "Hey, Mr. Carl… What did the captain just do?"

Carl replied lightly, as if it was nothing special.

"Oh, that? That's the Haoshoku Haki—Conqueror's Haki. You'll find out soon enough."

He glanced at Zoro.

"If you really wanna be the world's greatest swordsman, then one day, you'll have to awaken that power yourself."

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