22: Chapter 22 First Encounter with ZoroAfter a period of sailing, Luffy and Coby finally arrived at Shells Town, where Zoro was located.During the journey, through his own understanding and Luffy's guidance, Coby had a general understanding of the characteristics of his Devil Fruit.Coby believed that with continuous training, he could definitely become an excellent Marine.After landing, Luffy and Coby decided to first find Zoro to find out why he had been captured.However, as Luffy expected, the townspeople, upon hearing the name Zoro, were terrified and kept their distance.Coby wondered, "Why are they so afraid of Zoro?By the way, Mr.Luffy, did you know that this town is home to Colonel Morgan?I heard he once defeated Kuro the Hundred-Purpose?"
But when the townspeople heard about Morgan, they didn't praise him as Coby had expected.Instead, they were even more afraid than when they heard about Zoro, which puzzled Coby even more.
Luffy chuckled dryly twice and then fell silent."Defeated Kuro?That was just because he was hypnotized and mistakenly thought he had captured Kuro.But there's something I'm curious about: with Zan Gao's mediocre hypnosis skills, how could he hypnotize someone for so long?"
"Mr.Luffy, why are they so afraid of Morgan?" Coby asked Luffy, puzzled.Luffy casually bought a pear and ate it as he replied, "Maybe it's because this Marine named Morgan is causing trouble in this town."
"Impossible!" Coby retorted loudly."He's a Navy Captain, how could he be the kind of person who preys on ordinary people?"
Luffy, seeing the agitated Coby, shrugged and said, "Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving.Let's go see the real facts before making a judgment."
After saying that, he headed towards the naval base in the town, checking the mission the system had just issued as he walked: Recruit Zoro to the crew, reward: Flame Breathing III and IV, the Great Grade 21 sword—Ame no Habakiri, and 5000 Pirate Coins."Hmm, Ame no Habakiri?Isn't that Kozuki Oden's sword from the story, which was later inherited by his son Momonosuke?But this time, the system brought it over as a reward?Perfect for Zoro."
Before long, Luffy and Coby arrived at the Marine base.Luffy picked Coby up and lightly jumped onto the wall, looking into the courtyard.In the center of the courtyard, on a cross, was a man wearing a green turban.Luffy sensed a powerful aura emanating from him."As expected of Zoro," Luffy exclaimed.
Koby said, trembling, "Is this Mr.Zoro?I can feel his aura even from this far away.He is truly powerful."
At this moment, Zoro raised his head and looked in Luffy's direction: "What are you looking at?Get lost!" After saying that, he burst out with a powerful aura, which startled Coby so much that he almost fell off the wall.Fortunately, Luffy reached out and pulled him back.
Just then, a ladder was erected next to Luffy, and a little girl secretly climbed up the ladder, jumped over into the yard, and ran towards Zoro.
"What are you doing here?Get lost or I'll stomp you to death!" Zoro said fiercely.But the little girl wasn't afraid at all.Instead, she pulled a package from her bosom, opened it to reveal two rice balls inside, and said, "Big brother must be very hungry after not eating for so long.These are rice balls I made for you."
"I'm not hungry, I'm not hungry at all, so get lost!" Zoro continued to roar fiercely."But, but." Before the little girl could finish speaking, an annoying voice came from behind, "It's really rude of you to treat a little girl like this, Zoro." A young man with blond hair walked up to the little girl, snatched the rice ball from her hand, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, then his expression changed drastically.He spat out the rice ball and cursed, "How can you eat such a sweet rice ball?Rice balls should be salty!" He then threw the other rice ball from the little girl's hand on the ground and stomped on it hard.
After stomping on her, he ordered the navy soldier behind him, "You, throw this little girl out." The navy soldier who was called out looked embarrassed and said, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate, Master Helmeppo?"
"Huh?You dare disobey my orders?Believe me or not, I'll have my father execute you!" Helmeppo said angrily.The soldier walked towards the little girl and picked her up.The little girl covered her eyes in fear.She heard a whisper in her ear: "Try to curl up your body." After saying that, the marine soldier threw the little girl away.Luffy saw this and jumped up and caught her.
The little girl opened her eyes and found herself in a warm embrace.She heard Luffy say, "Can you tell us what happened?" The little girl looked up and saw a sunny, handsome face smiling at her.
"Oh.oh, okay, thank you for saving me," the little girl stammered.