East Blue, Yotsuba Island Region, Shells Town.
A peaceful and tranquil atmosphere hung over the town as people bustled through the streets, and traffic flowed smoothly.
As a town backed by a Marine base, the quality of life in Shells Town was much more stable than in many other cities across East Blue.
Because they never had to worry about pirate invasions.
But… was everything really as perfect as it seemed on the surface?
As the saying goes, "If a person has no external troubles, they will have internal worries."
Three years ago, Shells Town was indeed a happy and peaceful place.
But ever since Captain "Axe-hand" Morgan, the man famous for capturing the pirate "Black Cat" Kuro, was stationed here, a dark cloud had inexplicably loomed over Shells Town.
No one could have predicted that the great hero, Captain Morgan, would turn out to be a violent tyrant!
His reign of terror had choked the town of its life and thrown it under a black haze of oppression and chaos.
Even the famous pirate hunter of East Blue, Roronoa Zoro, had fallen into his hands.
This had already become the hottest gossip topic across the nearby seas.
"Okay, this is the place!"
"Luffy, go tie up the ship at the dock."
Under the bright sunshine, Red was the first to step off the ship at Shells Town's port, turning to instruct the reluctant Luffy.
Luffy pouted, looping the ropes around the dock posts.
"Geez… I'm the captain, so why do I have to do this kind of work?"
Completely ignoring Luffy's complaints, Red squinted hard toward the back of Shells Town and said casually:
"Ever heard the saying, 'With great power comes great responsibility'?"
"Because you're the captain, you need to do more work!"
"If you've got time to complain, better use it to work! Don't you still want to find our third crewmate!?"
"Alright, alright! I got it!"
As soon as Luffy heard the words "new crewmate," he immediately stopped grumbling, quickly tied the ropes, and leaped to Red's side.
Looking at the massive Marine base ahead, this pirate showed no fear; instead, his eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation.
"Hey, hey, Red… This guy, is he really as strong as you said?"
"Future World's Strongest Swordsman teaming up with the Future Pirate King?!"
"That's SO COOL!!!"
Red smirked. "Heh, when have I ever lied to you?"
"Let's go, we shouldn't keep our future nakama waiting too long!"
"Ah? But I'm so hungry right now. That place smells so good… How about we eat first?"
Holding his growling stomach, Luffy sniffed the air and made a suggestion.
In return, Red rolled his eyes dramatically.
"You idiot! How can you be thinking about food at such an important time!?"
"Hurry up! Our future crewmate is also starving right now!"
*Smack!*
Red swung his palm and gave Luffy's neck a sharp flick, making a crisp sound.
"OW, Red, that Hurt!" Rubbing his neck, Luffy froze.
"Wait, Red, your strength…!?"
The fact that Red had no combat ability wasn't exactly a secret to Luffy.
He had long known about Red's special condition.
By rights, with Red's strength, it shouldn't have been possible to make Luffy feel pain.
But now, the burning pain on his neck truly surprised him.
"Heh!" Red smirked smugly. "I'm not the only one improving, you know, Luffy!"
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Time to get to business!"
With that, Red strode confidently toward the Marine base.
Luffy stood frozen, watching Red's back.
But moments later, a wide grin spread across his face.
"No wonder you're my chosen vice-captain!"
Under the blazing sun, a straw hat boy chased after a boy in a cap.
Shells Town wasn't very big.
Before long, Red and Luffy crossed the town's streets and arrived near the 153rd Marine Branch base.
Since plenty of Marine soldiers were guarding the front gate, they casually made their way around to the side, Maybe all the money had been squandered, because the base's walls weren't high at all, barely over two meters.
With an easy hop, Red and Luffy perched on top of the wall, peeking into the base.
Inside, they saw a strange sight: a wooden cross, taller than a person, set up in the courtyard.
This was where Captain Morgan punished those who defied him.
And tied to that cross was a man wearing a green headband, a green sash, and three earrings in his ear.
It was none other than one of the most badass mofo- Roronoa Zoro!!!
"Hmm!?"
Even in such a miserable state, Zoro instantly sensed something, turning his gaze toward the wall where Red and Luffy were peeking.
He locked eyes with the two heads sticking up over the wall.
"Hey, Red, I think he noticed us."
"Well, of course! He's the man I picked. If he didn't have at least this level of alertness, he wouldn't qualify as our third crewmate!"
They exchanged playful banter.
The next moment, in perfect sync, they pushed off the wall and leapt into the Marine base.
Red sized up the man who had once been his favorite pirate character, while asking Luffy:
"Well, Captain, what do you think?"
"Are you satisfied with the crewmate I picked?"
"Hehe, I trust ya!"
Luffy grinned, eyeing the ropes on Zoro.
"So, if we just untie him, he can leave with us, right?"
"Mm… not quite."
Red shook his head as they walked toward Zoro.
"The officer in charge here is a real scumbag…"
"If we just bust him out, the townspeople will probably suffer."
"So we beat him up too." Luffy swung his arms as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
Their carefree attitude and the closing distance finally made Zoro snap.
"Hey! You two idiots, this isn't a place you can just wander into!"
"If you don't want to die, get the hell out of here!"
Zoro's voice was laced with menace, trying to scare them off so no one else would get dragged into his mess.
But Luffy?
He didn't hesitate for a second.
"Leave? Not happening!"
Luffy smirked, then laughed:
"Red says you're going to be the future world's greatest swordsman!"
"With a guy that awesome, I have to make you my crewmate!"
"World's greatest swordsman!? Crewmate!?"
Zoro's expression flickered.
He looked at the two who had walked right up to him, confused.
To speak so freely of their dreams… these guys were clearly no ordinary people.
"Who… are you two?"
"I'm Luffy. I'm a pirate," Luffy said casually, reaching to untie Zoro.
"Hey! Don't touch that rope!"
Zoro barked, but Luffy ignored him and untied his right wrist.
"Hehe, I'm not listening to you!"
"Once I untie you, you'll definitely join us as our crewmate!"
"Damn it, you bastard!"
"I refuse to join forces with pirates!"
Seeing Luffy move on to the left side, Zoro hurried to stop him with his freed hand.
After all, he had made a deal with Captain Morgan's son: if he endured a month like this, they would free both him and an innocent little girl.
He had already lasted nine days, he couldn't let outsiders mess this up.
But just then, Red suddenly spoke:
"Do you really think that Marine captain's son is going to keep his word!?"
Red's words hit like a hammer, freezing Zoro's arm mid-reach.
Red continued:
"Don't be a fool, Zoro!"
"He's just toying with you! No one can go without food or water for a month. Even if you somehow survive, in that weakened state, you'll just be a plaything in his hands!"
"Deep down, you already know this, don't you!?"
"..."
Zoro fell silent.
Of course, he had suspected this all along.
He just didn't want to turn against the Marines, so he had chosen to play along.
But Red's words were like a cruel hand, ripping apart his last illusions about Marine "justice."
Once Luffy had fully untied him, Zoro straightened up, staring at Red.
"And you… Who are you?"
"Me?"
Red dropped his serious expression and smiled.
"I'm Red, vice-captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, and also a…trainer"