The marines, seeing that Captain Morgan had been defeated, remained silent for a few moments.
"Does anyone else want to try?" asked Zoro with his katanas ready.
The marines looked at each other and immediately began to cheer happily.
"That's great!"
"We're free!"
"It's the end of Morgan!"
They hugged, threw their weapons into the air, and celebrated—something that left Luffy confused.
"What's wrong with them? They look happy that we defeated their Captain," said Luffy.
"Didn't you hear that bastard ordered them to commit suicide? Even I'd be glad if someone beat him up," said Oliver.
Then Zoro collapsed to the ground.
"Zoro?!" said Luffy, running to him.
"Hey, are you okay?!" asked Oliver.
"I'm... hungry," said Zoro.
"Of course you are," said Oliver, laughing a little. "Let's go to the town and buy something to eat."
Oliver and Luffy helped Zoro up and headed toward the town.
--
--
When they arrived in the town, they met Rika, and after learning that they had defeated Morgan, she invited them to her house to thank them.
"I'm stuffed! I hadn't eaten in nine days—I almost starved to death!!" said Zoro, satisfied to finally eat.
"And you planned to last a month!" said Luffy, still eating.
"You shouldn't talk! How is it possible you eat more than me?!" asked Zoro.
"I'm worried about how much money we'll spend on food in the future," said Oliver. "I even feel bad taking advantage of this kind lady."
"It's fine. You've saved this town!" thanked Rika's mother.
"By the way, what are your plans now?" asked Zoro.
"I'm heading to the Grand Line!" said Luffy.
"What?! You're saying nonsense again! There are only three of you! You won't last long! Don't you get it?! The strongest pirates in the world are there!" shouted Koby upon hearing Luffy's goal.
"We're going after the One Piece? Sounds good to me," said Zoro.
"It'll be an entertaining journey. I wonder what the legendary treasure looks like," said Oliver.
"Don't encourage him!!" shouted Koby again.
"What do you care? It's not like you're coming with us," said Zoro.
"That's true. Weren't you going to become a marine? Or do you want to be a pirate and come with us?" asked Oliver.
"N-No way, I want to be a marine! I'm just worried about you guys! Can't I do that?!" shouted Koby.
"You're pretty strange," said Oliver. "Someone who wants to be a marine worrying about pirates."
"Well, that's because we're friends, right?" said Koby.
"Yeah! Even if we part ways, we'll always be friends," said Luffy with a smile.
"I've never had friends. Every time I got into trouble, no one stood up for me," said Koby. "But with you guys, I've learned to live for my dream."
"That's exactly why we're going to the Grand Line," said Luffy.
"Of course," said Zoro.
"That's obvious," said Oliver.
Koby started shouting again that it was a bad idea to go to the Grand Line.
"To start with, worry about yourself," said Zoro to Koby, confusing him.
"Huh? Why?" asked Koby.
"Because you were a cabin boy on Alvida's ship for two years. Don't underestimate the Navy's intelligence division. When they find that out, they won't let you join them," said Zoro, making Koby realize that detail.
Then several marines arrived at the house.
"Excuse us!" said a marine, entering. "We were wondering, are you really pirates?"
"Yes. I have two Nakamas, so that makes us pirates," said Luffy proudly.
"We thank you for freeing our base and this town from Morgan. However, since you are pirates, as marines, we cannot allow you to stay here. Please leave immediately; we'll explain everything to headquarters," said the marine, making the townspeople watching their saviors angry.
The villagers began to complain, asking how they could treat the town's saviors that way, but the marines didn't care.
"Well, let's go! Thanks for the food," thanked Luffy.
The three stood up from the table to leave the house, but before they could go, they heard the marine ask Koby if he was with them.
"I... No... No... I'm not with them!" said Koby, finally gathering some courage.
"Wait, you three. Is he telling the truth?" asked the marine.
Luffy stayed silent for a few seconds.
"Let me explain. I know him," said Luffy, drawing the attention of Koby and the marine.
"Luffy-san?!" said Koby nervously.
"I can't remember where, but he used to be with that really fat pirate," said Luffy, making a U-shape with his arms to mimic Alvida's size. "And her name, I think it was Alvida."
'Stop... If they find out I was a cabin boy on a pirate ship, they won't let me join the Navy,' thought a worried Koby. "Stop. Don't say anymore."
Luffy approached Koby and started flicking him on the head with his finger.
"She was an ugly, fat pirate. This guy spent two years with her," said Luffy.
"SHUT UP!!"
Koby punched Luffy straight in the face, shocking the marines. However, Luffy, Oliver, and Zoro all smiled.
"You idiot!" shouted Luffy with a grin, punching him back.
Luffy began hitting Koby multiple times, shocking the marine.
"Stop! I won't allow any more fighting in this town!" shouted the marine.
Zoro walked over to Luffy to stop the beating he was giving Koby.
"Hey, that's enough. Leave him alone," said Zoro, grabbing Luffy by the collar of his vest while Koby fell to the ground, missing a tooth from the beating.
"Quite the beating you gave him," said Oliver, looking at Koby.
"It's clear he's not your friend! Please leave this town immediately!" said the marine angrily, making the three of them leave.
As they walked away, Koby realized what had happened.
'He did it on purpose! For me?! He did it on purpose, so I'd hit him...! Again...! Even in the end, I had to rely on them! I haven't changed at all! I'm... I'm useless...! If I don't do something, I really am useless!' thought Koby.
Koby quickly stood up and bowed deeply.
"Please, let me enlist in the Navy! I'll run errands or do whatever you need with all my heart!" said Koby, fully motivated.
"Lieutenant! I'm against it! I still don't trust this kid. He could be a spy for the pirates. We'll have to investigate your background first," said one of the marines, making Koby hesitate for a moment.
"I'M NOT A PIRATE! I'M GOING TO BECOME A MARINE OFFICER!" shouted Koby with great conviction.
"We've lost many comrades to pirates. Don't underestimate the Navy. I grant you permission to join," said the Navy Lieutenant with a small smile, making Koby happy.
"Yes, sir! Thank you very much, sir!" said Koby, giving a military salute.
The rest had already reached the dock, where the boat they had arrived on was waiting.
"That was a terrible act. I wouldn't be surprised if they figured it all out," said Zoro with a smile.
"I'm sure Koby will manage," said Luffy.
"Or maybe the Marines are stupid and believed it," said Oliver.
"Well, it's a good way to set sail. Everyone hates us, and there's no turning back... Typical pirate stuff!"
They all laughed as they prepared to depart when they heard a shout. Looking back, they saw Koby, who had run to catch them before they left.
"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!! I'LL NEVER FORGET THE GREAT DEBT I OWE YOU!" thanked Koby with a military salute.
"I've never seen a marine saluting a pirate," said Zoro.
"There's a first time for everything, isn't there?" said Oliver.
"We'll meet again, Koby!" said Luffy with a smile.
"I wish you luck! I hope that when we meet again, you're already a strong marine!" said Oliver.
They got on the boat and departed from Shells Town.
"Men! Salute!"
Ordered the Lieutenant, making all the marines salute the pirates as Luffy waved back at them.
"Yay! We're off! Grand Line, here we come!" shouted Luffy, completely thrilled.
'Now it's time to find Nami... How many days did it take to reach Orange Town?'
Oliver, while thinking, began checking their food supplies to see how long they'd last with two monsters.
"I hope we make it to the next island," said Oliver.
"Are you excited about the adventure too?" asked Luffy.
"That's not it. I was thinking we don't have enough supplies for such a long trip," said Oliver. "But yeah, it's pretty exciting to finally start the journey."
And so, Monkey D. Luffy, along with his first nakama Oliver and also the one formerly known as the 'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro, set sail—unaware of the many adventures awaiting them in this great pirate age.