Nami was completely bewildered, her face full of confusion.
She'd expected angry victims seeking revenge, not this bizarre recruitment pitch!
'How does he know I'm a navigator!?'
'Who leaked my skills!?'
'Was it... Carina!?'
Countless theories swirled in Nami's mind, leaving her utterly puzzled.
But considering she had been caught red-handed, she ultimately decided to submit for now and join their crew!
Then she would find a chance to steal their treasure and escape.
Just like she had done so many times before!
Nami's eyes flashed as she made up her mind.
But just as she was about to speak up and agree, planning to cozy up to Red and the others…
Suddenly, the sound of chaotic footsteps echoed above their heads.
Then came an angry roar:
"Quick! Search for them! Someone dares to make trouble on my turf!? Whoever it is, I won't let them off lightly!!!"
"Oh no!" Nami froze in shock, instantly realizing that their noise had alarmed the Marine upstairs.
She glanced around at everyone present and quickly said:
"The Marines are here!"
"You guys don't want to get caught here, right?! Let's escape through the window!"
With her experience, Nami somehow pulled out a length of rope, ready to dash toward the window.
However, when Luffy and Zoro heard her, they both turned to look at her with puzzled expressions.
"Escape? Why run?"
Luffy clenched his fists excitedly, making cracking sounds, and smiled at Nami:
"We're here to rob the marine after all!"
Zoro also looked fired up.
While searching Helmeppo's room earlier, he had grabbed some snacks and regained some energy.
It had been a while since he wielded his swords, and he was itching to cut something down!
He even went so far as to open the door and shout into the hallway:
"Marine! We're over here!!!"
"What the heck are you doing!?"
Zoro's wild move clearly shocked Nami, and she hurried over to Red, grabbing his hands and tugging desperately.
"Hey! Those two are idiots, but surely you're not one too, right!?"
"Make them run! Otherwise, we're all doomed!"
Nami was counting on escaping with Red to split the Marines' attention.
But just as she tried to drag him toward the window, a steady force pulled her back.
"Don't worry, Nami. We're strong."
Red smiled confidently at her and held her back to keep her from escaping.
Nami jumped in shock:
"What are you doing!? If you want to die, don't drag me with you!"
But no matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free from Red's rock-solid grip.
Thanks to Zoro's yell, the Marine quickly pinpointed their location.
In no time, both sides gathered at either end of the hallway.
Rows of black gun barrels were aimed into the room, trapping Red and the others inside.
At that moment, the Marine parted to form a path.
A tall figure with a missing arm, replaced by a giant axe, slowly stepped forward
Captain Morgan of the Marines approached from the crowd.
His massive frame forced him to duck to enter the room.
"We're doomed! We're doomed!"
Seeing this, Nami's bright eyes instantly dimmed.
Now, even if she wanted to run, she couldn't!
Morgan glanced around the room and looked up at the hole in the ceiling, his cold eyes blazing with fury.
"You brats… Who gave you the guts to make trouble on MY turf!!?"
"DAD!!!"
Seeing Morgan arrive, Helmeppo, who had been cowering before, immediately acted like he'd found his backer.
No longer afraid of Red's group, he scrambled toward Morgan while bawling:
"Kill them, Dad! Kill them all!"
However, Helmeppo's greeting was met with a fierce kick!
Bang!
Morgan swung his leg and sent Helmeppo flying.
"Ugh…"
Helmeppo let out a miserable cry, raising his head to meet Morgan's cold, unfamiliar gaze.
"Useless fool! You actually brought criminals into the base!"
"Remember this well…"
"The one who runs things here is your old man - ME!!!"
"You… are NOTHING!!!"
After finishing his scolding, Morgan refocused his gaze on Red and the others.
"So — tell me. How do you all want to die!?"
"Die!?" Luffy grinned, showing his teeth.
"Before I become King of the Pirates, I won't die!"
As he spoke, he raised his fist, ready to attack.
But just then-
"Wait, Luffy, Zoro!"
Red suddenly released Nami, stepped forward, and said to the two:
"Leave this guy to me today!"
"I want to test out a new move!"
"Huh?" Luffy let out a weird noise.
This was the first time he heard Red volunteer for a fight.
After thinking it over, he nodded right away:
"Alright, you handle it, Red."
In Luffy's mind, even though Red was so weak he couldn't beat that 5-meter-tall black bear behind the mountain, he usually didn't get hurt.
So Luffy wasn't worried.
Zoro, who had been eager to draw his swords, also backed down.
"Fine, let's see what you've got, Vice-Captain."
"You might be disappointed. My specialty isn't really combat."
Red smiled at Zoro and walked up to Morgan.
"Kid? You want to be the first to die?"
Seeing Red approach, Morgan raised his axe-hand, pointing the sharp blade at him.
But Red completely ignored him, raised his hand, and called out:
"Ancient Power!"
In an instant, a surge of energy that felt like it came from primordial times erupted around Red, manifesting into jagged rocks.
As soon as they appeared, the rocks shot forward like bullets, blasting toward Morgan.
"What's this!? Magic!?"
Everyone present was struck by this question in their minds.
Especially Morgan —
But the rocks gave him no time to think.
Boom!!!…
The rocks smashed into Morgan like cannonballs, exploding in a violent blast!
More rocks followed, slamming into him one after another.
Under the overwhelming impact, Morgan was blown back, smashed through the Marine base's sturdy wall, and fell from a great height.
Instant defeat!
"Gulp~!"
The sound of nervous swallowing rippled through the Marine soldiers.
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared in disbelief!
Just one hit-
Their Marine captain had been defeated!?
Impossible!
For a moment, the entire base fell silent.
But then-
*Clatter.*
A rifle dropped to the ground.
Then, the rest followed suit, tossing down their weapons and breaking into cheers.
"Yes!!!"
"We're free! Morgan's been defeated!"
"Yahoo, no more living under Morgan's tyranny!!!"
"Long live freedom!!!"
Cheers and celebrations erupted from the soldiers, filling the room, leaving Zoro and the others dumbfounded.
Even the usually dense Luffy was confused.
"What's going on with them?"
"Haha, maybe they were oppressed by Morgan for too long," Red answered casually.
"Looks like there's no fight left." Zoro came over, looking disappointed.
"What a buzzkill. I was hoping for a good brawl!"
"Oh~? You really wanted to brawl?"
Red suddenly gave him a mischievous grin, making Zoro stiffen, though he forced himself to say:
"O-Of course I do…"
"Excellent!"
Red clapped his hands expectantly and smiled:
"In that case, why don't you and Luffy use the Marines' training yard to have a proper fight later!!"
Finally, a chance to show off the power of a trainer!
Red was looking forward to seeing how Zoro handled getting crushed by Luffy.
'Stay strong, young Zoro~'