Onepiece: I'm Vice Captain Of Strawhat Pirates

The streets of Shells Town buzzed with life, but for Luffy and Lock, everything felt strangely quiet. After running around for what felt like an eternity, they finally found the little girl again and passed on Zoro's words of gratitude.

Her face lit up with joy, and her smile was as bright as the sun.

Coby, who had been hesitating nearby, ran over, out of breath. "I saw it just now... Is Zoro really a villain?"

The little girl's cheerful expression faded, and she puffed up her cheeks angrily. "Of course not! He just looks scary, so everyone's afraid of him. But he's a really good person!"

She clenched her fists. "He got arrested because of me. Helmeppo, that big bully, raised a wolf and let it hurt people. It bit a lot of people in town. One time, it almost bit me, and Zoro stepped in to save me. He killed the wolf... but the navy arrest him. He said if Zoro lasted a month tied up, he'd forgive him, so he's holding on!"

Luffy nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like Zoro's a good guy."

Lock yawned and stretched. "Yeah, totally good guy material."

[Future vice-captain, don't hate me for being sarcastic. You're just too handsome to be eating dirt.]

Coby adjusted his glasses, looking conflicted. "I guess that makes sense... Zoro's a bounty hunter, not a criminal. It sounds like this is all Belumeb's fault."

"Hehehe, kneel down and beg for mercy, or I'll tell my dad," a voice sneered from behind them.

Lock's eye twitched.

Speak of the devil.

Helmeppo swaggered down the street, leading a group of navy officers. His chin jutted out proudly, making him look even more punchable than usual.

"If you don't want to end up like Roronoa Zoro, you better behave," Helmeppo sneered. "I'm gonna have him executed in three days, so the whole town knows what happens when you mess with me. I can't wait!"

Luffy's carefree smile disappeared. His eyes darkened, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

Lock sighed. "I heard him, Captain. Do what you gotta do. I'll back you up."

Luffy didn't hesitate. He blurred forward, fist cocked back, and — BANG! — his knuckles smashed straight into Belumeb's face.

Helmeppo body spun like a top, teeth flying out like shrapnel. He collapsed to the ground, eyes rolling back in his head.

"Luffy, nooo!" Coby wailed, flailing his arms in panic. "He's the colonel's son! You'll get in so much trouble!"

Helmeppo gurgled, his swollen face barely recognizable. "Y-You're... d-dead... my dad... he'll kill you..."

"Save the colonel's son!" one of the marines yelled, but none of them actually moved.

Lock stepped forward, resting a hand on his sword hilt. "Please don't interrupt my captain." He didn't even unsheathe his blade — just flicked his foot out, tripping one of the marines who tried to rush in.

Lock moved like a phantom, weaving between the soldiers, tossing them to the ground one by one like they weighed nothing. When the dust settled, he stood tall, cracking his neck. "Luffy, if you hit him again, I'm pretty sure he'll die."

Luffy blinked, looking at the barely-breathing Belumeb dangling from his hand. "Oh... okay."

The navy scrambled to grab Helmeppo unconscious body and ran like their lives depended on it.

"Big brother, you're so cool!" the little girl cheered, her eyes sparkling.

A woman called out to her from down the street. The girl gave Luffy one last hopeful look, then reluctantly ran back to her family.

Luffy waved with a grin. "Let's go save Zoro!"

Lock shrugged, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "Lead the way, Captain."

Coby, still in shock, sat on the ground, mumbling about how they were all going to die.

The two pirates ignored him and walked toward the naval base.

They found Zoro still tied to the post, looking miserable.

"Why are you here again?" Zoro grumbled, his face weary. "If you're here to convince me to become a pirate, just give up."

"I'll untie you," Luffy said, grinning. "Then you can be my partner!"

"Are you even listening to me?!" Zoro barked, veins popping on his forehead. "I told you I don't want to be a pirate!"

"I don't care. I've decided you'll be my partner."

"HOW DOES THAT EVEN WORK?!"

Lock patted Zoro on the shoulder, nodding solemnly. "Our Captain Is Just Like That."

Zoro narrowed his eyes. "Wait... you too I thought atleast you would stop him?"

Lock sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Zoro groaned. "Unbelievable. Anyway, even if I wanted to leave, they took my swords. I can't go without them."

Luffy's face lit up. "Then we'll get your swords back!"

Lock crouched beside the post, examining the knots. "They said they're gonna execute you in three days. Belumeb never planned to keep his promise. You're just hanging around here waiting to die."

Zoro froze. "...They're really gonna execute me?"

"Yup," Lock said bluntly, drawing his sword to cut the rope. "So, you wanna die tied to a stick, or live chasing your dream?"

Zoro clenched his jaw, muscles tense. "My dream..."

Lock hacked at the rope, but it didn't budge. His brows furrowed. "What the hell? Is this rope made of sea stone?"

Suddenly, Lock's instincts flared. He spun, sword raised just in time to deflect a bullet.

Clang!

The gunshot echoed through the air, the bullet ricocheting off Lock's blade. Smoke curled from the impact point.

Lock and Zoro turned their heads toward the source of the shot — the roof of the naval base.

A towering man with an axe hand glared down at them, his jaw clenched tight. His military coat billowed in the wind.

Captain Morgan.

The tension in the air thickened, crackling like lightning.

Lock tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes sharp as a blade. "Looks like we found the boss."

Luffy grinned, stretching his arms. "Good. Let's beat him up."

Zoro watched the two of them, stunned silent. Then, he let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

"...I'm surrounded by maniacs."

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(A/N: Don't Forget To Add In Your Collection And Support via Powerstone)