Marine Base Execution Grounds – Noon
The scorching sun beat down mercilessly on the stone courtyard, the air shimmering with heat above the bloodstained execution platform. Roronoa Zoro hung crucified between two wooden beams, his once-powerful frame now gaunt from twenty-one days of starvation. Salt from dried sweat crusted his sunburned skin, and his cracked lips parted only to growl at the newcomers—yet his single visible eye burned with undiminished fury.
Luffy and Taiga peered over the outer wall, their shadows stretching across the courtyard.
"This guy's a real swordsman?" Taiga whispered, eyeing Zoro's battered state skeptically.
"He looks cool," Luffy said, grinning.
Zoro's head lifted slightly, his gaze sharpening like a honed blade. "You're an eyesore…" His voice was a dry rasp. "Get lost."
Before they could respond, a wooden ladder clattered against the wall beside them. A small girl—no older than eight, clutching a clumsily wrapped rice ball—climbed into view, her bare feet scraping against the rungs.
"P-please…" She stretched on tiptoes toward Zoro, her tiny arms trembling as she offered the rice ball. "You must be hungry—"
The Marines Arrive
The sharp click of polished boots echoed across the courtyard. A group of Marines approached, led by a smirking Helmeppo, his golden hair glinting under the sun.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Helmeppo sneered, looking down at the girl. "A little brat feeding a criminal? How… adorable."
Taiga's grip tightened on the wall. "The Marines came… They should take the girl somewhere safe," she muttered, still under the assumption that Zoro was the real monster here.
Then—
Helmeppo snatched the rice ball from the girl's hands and took a dramatic bite. His face twisted in disgust.
"BLEGH! What is this?! It's sweet! Who puts sugar in a rice ball?!"
Before the girl could even react, he hurled it to the ground and stomped on it, grinding it into the dirt with his heel.
"No! That was for—!" the girl cried, tears welling in her eyes.
Taiga's breath caught in her throat. Her fingers dug into the stone wall.
"What the hell...?" The words barely escaped her clenched teeth. "Are these guys really Marines?! And that bastard is Axe-Hand Morgan's son?!" Every childhood lesson about justice and honor crumbled before her eyes.
Helmeppo flicked his perfect golden curls with a sneer. "Throw the girl out like a ball. Maybe she'll learn her lesson."
The Marine private's hands shook as he held the sobbing girl. "But sir, she's just a—"
"NOW!" Helmeppo shrieked, flecks of spit landing on his pristine uniform.
With a pained grimace, the Marine hurled the child through the air—
SNAP!
Luffy's arms shot out like whips, catching the girl gently against his chest. Her tiny fists clutched his vest as she trembled violently.
Taiga landed beside them, her medical training kicking in as she ran quick hands over the girl's limbs. "Are you hurt? Did they—" Her voice caught when she saw the raw fear in the child's eyes.
Taiga exchanged a look with Luffy, who gave a small nod, his usual grin gone. His jaw was set.
The Marines had already retreated, slipping back behind the fortress walls with clanking boots and hollow authority.
At the Cross
Luffy stood still for a moment, gazing up at the execution platform where a lone figure hung.
Then, without a word, he bent his knees and launched himself skyward—clearing the stone wall like a spring-loaded cannon.
He landed softly, footsteps echoing across the sun-scorched courtyard.
Luffy walked up slowly.
Zoro's head stirred. He cracked one eye open, dry and burning. "Still… here…?" he rasped, every word dragging pain from his chest.
Luffy tilted his head, curious. "My vice-captain says you're strong."
Zoro managed a scoff. "Indeed..."
Luffy leaned closer and poked his cheek, which crunched like sun-baked leather. "Nah. You look like week-old sushi someone forgot on a roof."
Zoro's eye twitched. "Tch... Mind your damn business…"
Luffy squatted in front of him, resting his chin on his palm. "If it were me, I'd have starved in three days."
Zoro snorted. "Good thing… you're not me."
"You're right," Luffy said, grinning again. "I wouldn't have made it. Not without meat."
Zoro blinked, something flickering behind the pain.
Luffy tilted his head, more serious now. "So why didn't you scream? Call for help? Beg?"
Zoro's lips curled into a dry smirk. "Would've ruined… the point."
"You're not afraid to die?"
Zoro's gaze sharpened despite the haze in his eyes. "Everyone's afraid to die. I'm just more afraid… of dying for nothing."
Luffy nodded slowly, standing back up. "I like that."
Zoro gave him a sideways glare. "You're weird."
"Yeah," Luffy said, his grin returning in full force. "But I think you'd make a great pirate, you can join me!"
Zoro scoffed. "No thanks. I don't work for others."
"You don't have to." Luffy stepped closer, his tone quieter now. "You just have to keep your promise. Whatever it is. I'll make sure you live long enough to do that."
Zoro's eyes widened slightly. Something about the way he said it—not cocky, not mocking. Just certain.
Then Luffy turned to leave.
"I'll come back," he said, waving lazily. "With your swords."
Zoro stared after him as the idiot disappeared around the corner—like a storm passing through, leaving only confusion in its wake.
"…Who the hell is that guy?"
Meanwhile - Marine Base - Officer's Mess
Makoto lounged across the mess table like a lazy panther, his boots propped up on a crate of confiscated rum. Around him, a dozen off-duty Marines hung on his every word, their uniforms unbuttoned in the afternoon heat.
"—and that's when I realized," Makoto continued, swirling his drink, "the Kraken wasn't attacking the ship—it was trying to mate with it." He slammed his glass down for emphasis. "So I gave it exactly what it wanted."
The Marines erupted in laughter, a young ensign nearly choking on his beer. "No way! You're lying!"
Makoto's grin was all teeth. "Would I lie to my new best friends?" He leaned in conspiratorially. "Though between us... Captain Morgan's sea beast stories? Massively exaggerated."
The group howled with renewed laughter, their mugs clinking in toast.
Makoto sighed dramatically. "Man, your base is loud today."
The ensign waved a dismissive hand. "Eh, just that pirate hunter scum getting what he deserves. Say..." He eyed Makoto's civilian clothes. "You should borrow a uniform! Keep the riffraff from bothering you."
Makoto pressed a hand to his chest. "I'd be honored. Mind if I take a little tour while I'm at it? Always wondered how you pros operate."
"Haruki!" the ensign called to a passing private. "Give our guest the VIP treatment!"