The warm afternoon sun bathed Shells Town in a golden glow, casting long shadows across the peaceful streets where merchants hawked their wares and children played among the market stalls. As a settlement under the protection of Naval Base 153, the town enjoyed a level of security that most East Blue communities could only dream of. Pirates rarely dared approach these waters, knowing the reputation of the naval forces stationed here.
But beneath this veneer of tranquillity, darkness festered like an infected wound.
Three years ago, Shells Town had been a beacon of hope and prosperity. The arrival of Captain Morgan - the celebrated naval hero who had captured the notorious "Black Cat" Captain Kuro - should have marked the beginning of a golden age for the community. Instead, his arrival brought nothing but tyranny and oppression.
The man hailed as a saviour had turned out to be a brutal dictator whose iron-fisted rule had turned paradise into a living nightmare. His arbitrary demands and violent outbursts had robbed the city of its joy and left its inhabitants living in constant fear of their supposed protector.
Even the legendary pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro - whose reputation struck fear into the hearts of criminals throughout the East Blue - had fallen victim to Morgan's twisted sense of justice. News of Zoro's capture had rippled through the surrounding waters, becoming the subject of countless tavern conversations and hushed whispers.
"Perfect! This is exactly where we need to be!"
Akira stepped off their small boat with practiced confidence, the wooden dock creaking softly under his feet. The familiar weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders as he turned to his enthusiastic but easily distracted captain.
"Luffy, secure our boat to the pier. Make sure the knots are tight - we don't want to have to swim back to Windmill Village if things go sideways."
His rubber-powered companion let out an exaggerated groan, shoulders slumping as he reluctantly grabbed the mooring rope. "Seriously? I'm supposed to be the captain! Why do I always have to do the boring jobs?"
Akira rolled his eyes, his gaze already shifting to the imposing naval base that dominated Shells Town's skyline. The massive stone fortress seemed to loom over the peaceful settlement like a brooding giant, its presence both protective and threatening.
"Have you ever heard the phrase 'with great power comes great responsibility'?" he replied without looking back. "Being a captain means stepping up when work needs to be done, not complaining about getting your hands dirty."
"Besides," he added with a knowing smile, "don't you want to meet our potential third crew member? The sooner we finish here, the sooner we can make that happen."
The magic words had an immediate effect. Luffy's complaints died in his throat, replaced by renewed vigour as he quickly secured their ship with surprising efficiency. Within moments, he'd hopped over to Akira's side, his dark eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement as he stared up at the naval fortress.
For a boy who'd spent his entire life dreaming of piracy, Luffy seemed remarkably unconcerned about running straight into a naval stronghold. If anything, the danger seemed to energise him even more.
"So this mysterious guy you keep talking about - is he really as incredible as you say?" Luffy's voice carried the eager anticipation of a child on Christmas morning. "The future world's greatest swordsman, fighting alongside the future pirate king... now that's what I call a dream team!"
"When have I ever steered you wrong?" Akira chuckled, adjusting his red baseball cap as they walked towards the base. "Trust me, our future Nakama is worth every risk we're about to take."
They had barely taken a dozen steps when Luffy's attention was drawn to a completely different priority. The rich aroma of freshly cooked food wafted from a nearby restaurant, causing his stomach to rumble at the volume of distant thunder.
"Actually, now that you mention it..." Luffy's eyes glazed over with culinary longing as he clutched his midsection. "That smell is absolutely amazing! Maybe we could grab a bite to eat before-"
SMACK!
Akira's palm slammed into Luffy's neck with surprising force, causing a sharp crack that echoed off the nearby buildings. The impact sent his captain stumbling forward, one hand flying to the stinging point of contact.
"Ow! What the hell, Akira?!" Luffy whirled around, ready to complain, but his words died as realisation set in. His fingers probed the tender spot where he'd been struck, confusion replacing irritation. "Wait... how did you...?"
It was impossible. Luffy had possessed Devil Fruit powers for as long as he could remember, and his rubber body had always been immune to blunt force trauma. But the burning sensation in his neck was undeniably real, accompanied by actual pain that shouldn't have been possible.
"You're not the only one who's been getting stronger," Akira replied with obvious satisfaction, examining his own hand with something approaching wonder. "The difference is that I've been making progress quietly, while you've been announcing every little improvement to the entire village."
The transformation was remarkable even to Akira. Three years of seemingly useless training had finally borne fruit, though not in any way he could have predicted. The power coursing through his body felt ancient and profound, like tapping into forces that predated civilisation itself.
"But enough philosophy," he continued, his expression growing serious. "Our friend has been tied to a post for over a week without food or water. Every minute we waste out here is another minute he suffers."
Without waiting for an answer, Akira made a determined stride towards the Marine base, leaving Luffy to catch up while nursing his wounded neck and wounded pride.
"Damn," Luffy muttered under his breath, though his tone was one of admiration rather than resentment. "I definitely chose the right vice captain."
Shells Town's compact layout worked in their favour. Within twenty minutes of leaving the harbour, they'd navigated the winding streets and positioned themselves near the imposing walls of Marine Base 153. The fortress looked even more intimidating up close, its dark stone blocks radiating an aura of institutional authority that had probably intimidated countless pirates over the years.
Guards patrolled the main entrance with military precision, their weapons gleaming in the afternoon sun. Fortunately, the base's designers had prioritised intimidation over practical security - the perimeter wall was barely two metres high, well within the athletic capabilities of two determined teenagers.
"The coast is clear," Akira whispered, checking both directions before hoisting himself up the stone barrier. "The budget cuts must have hit the construction fund harder than the personnel department."
Luffy followed with effortless grace, his rubber powers making the climb trivial. Crouching on the narrow top of the wall, they looked down into the central courtyard of the fortress where their target awaited.
The sight that greeted them would have shocked anyone unfamiliar with Morgan's reign of terror. In the centre of an otherwise empty training ground stood a massive wooden cross, its dark wood weathered by countless previous victims. Attached to this crude instrument of punishment was their target - a man whose reputation had reached every corner of the East Blue.
Roronoa Zoro looked exactly as Akira remembered from the manga, though seeing him in person added details that illustrations could never capture. His distinctive green hair caught the sunlight, while three gold earrings glittered from his left ear. Despite nine days of exposure to the elements without food or water, his muscular frame still radiated latent power.
Even in his vulnerable state, the pirate hunter's instincts remained razor sharp.
"Someone is watching us," Zoro's voice carried clearly across the courtyard as his dark eyes fixed on their position. Despite his restraints, he maintained the alertness of a predator, ready to react to any threat or opportunity.
"Sharp as advertised," Luffy grinned, making no effort to hide his presence. "I can see why you recommended him!"
"After all," Akira replied, swinging his legs over the edge of the wall, "if our future crew member couldn't see something this obvious, he wouldn't be worthy of the position."
They dropped into the courtyard with an appropriate thud, landing in a defensive crouch before rising to their full height. The fortress around them was strangely still, as if the stones themselves were holding their breath in anticipation of what was to come.
As they approached the execution post, Akira felt a familiar thrill of anticipation. This moment represented more than just recruitment - it was their first step towards building the crew that would one day shake the foundations of the world.
"So, Captain," he asked quietly, "what do you think of our potential third member?"
Luffy studied Zoro with the serious expression he reserved for really important decisions. After several long moments, his face broke into his trademark grin.
"I trust your judgement completely," he declared. "But we can't just cut him loose and expect him to join us immediately."
"Agreed," Akira nodded, his strategic mind already working through the complications. "Captain Morgan is a complete bastard who's been terrorising this city for years. If we simply free Zoro without dealing with the source of the problem, innocent people will suffer in retaliation."
"The only real solution is to remove Morgan from power altogether."
"Sounds like fun!" Luffy cracked his knuckles with obvious relish, treating the prospect of attacking a Marine base like a casual afternoon activity. "I was hoping for some real action anyway!"
Their conversation, conducted at normal volume despite their proximity to enemy territory, finally elicited a response from their intended recruit.
"Hey!" Zoro's voice was deliberately hostile as he glared at the approaching strangers. "This is no tourist attraction! If you value your lives, you'll turn around and leave now!"
He'd learned long ago that showing weakness only encouraged interference from well-meaning civilians. Better to scare them away with aggressive words than to see them suffer for trying to help.
But Luffy had never been easily intimidated.
"Leave?" He tilted his head in genuine confusion, as if the suggestion made no sense at all. "Why would we do such a thing?"
His expression changed to that familiar reckless grin that had gotten him into - and out of - countless dangerous situations.
"My second-in-command tells me you're going to be the greatest swordsman in the world one day," he continued with absolute conviction. "Someone that amazing definitely belongs in my crew!"
"The world's greatest swordsman?" Zoro's composure cracked slightly, surprise breaking through his carefully maintained hostility. "Crew?!"
The casual mention of his deepest ambition by complete strangers made him genuinely uneasy. These weren't random civilians who'd stumbled into danger - they knew things about him beyond his public reputation.
"Who exactly are you two?" he demanded, his analytical mind racing through the possibilities.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," came the cheerful reply as his would-be captain began to examine the ropes tying him to the cross. "I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
Zoro's eyes widened in shock. Pirates. Of course they were pirates. Only pirates would be crazy enough to walk into a naval base in broad daylight and announce their intention to recruit him.
"Hey, don't touch that!" he snapped as Luffy's fingers worked on the complex knots. "I didn't ask for your help!"
But his protests fell on deaf ears. Within seconds, Luffy had freed his right arm from its bonds, the rope falling away as if it had been cut with a blade.
"There you go!" Luffy beamed with satisfaction. "See how much better that feels? Now, about joining my crew-"
"I refuse!" Zoro used his newly freed hand to grab Luffy's wrist, preventing him from untying the remaining bonds. "I have no interest in becoming a pirate!"
His declaration carried the weight of true conviction. Despite his current circumstances, Zoro still believed in the possibility of honour among the Marines, still hoped that his sacrifice might serve a greater purpose.
It was then that Akira decided to shatter his illusions.
"Do you honestly believe that Morgan's son intends to honour your agreement?"
The words cut through the courtyard like a blade, stopping both men in the middle of their struggle. Zoro's grip on Luffy's wrist loosened as the implications sank in.
"Don't be naive, Zoro," Akira continued mercilessly. "You are nothing more than entertainment to him. No human can survive a month without food or water, and even if you somehow managed to, you'd be too weak to resist whatever he has planned next."
"You know I'm right, don't you?"
The silence that followed was deafening. Zoro's face went through a dozen different emotions as three years of carefully nurtured hope crumbled under the weight of harsh reality.
Of course he'd suspected the truth. Of course he'd seen the sadistic pleasure in young Helmeppo's eyes every time the spoilt brat came to taunt him. But to admit that truth was to admit that his sacrifice had been meaningless, that the little girl he'd tried to protect would suffer regardless of his choices.
By the time Luffy had finished untying the remaining ropes, Zoro was free for the first time in over a week. He rolled his shoulders experimentally, getting the circulation back into muscles that had been immobilised for far too long.
"Who are you?" he asked again, but this time, the hostility had been replaced by genuine curiosity.
Akira straightened to his full height and met the legendary swordsman's gaze with unwavering confidence.
"My name is Akira," he replied with a slight smile. "I'm the vice captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, and more importantly..."
He paused for dramatic effect, savouring the moment that would change everything.
"I'm a Pokémon Trainer."
...
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