As the Sun rose. We see a boat with Ace, Luffy, Coby and the Captured Alvida.
On the distance the silhouette of Shells Town could be seen.
"So, how are we gonna get Zoro? We gonna do what Luffy did in the orginal."whispered Luffy to Ace.
"Well first i will go to cash in this bounty alone and you and coby where Zoro is located as Helmeppo should be there when that girl-Rika is trying to give Zoro Onigiri. If you aren't there to save her she could be injured very badly."replied Ace thinking back to the Story.
"Oh yes i forgot about that girl. Good catch. So after that i deal with Helmeppo and his guard i tell Zoro about how Helmeppo isn't gonna fullfil his promise and that taking care of Axe-Hand Morgen would be better for this town."Luffy said while pondering.
Saying that the boat docked in the dock of Shell's Town.
"Coby come with me you and i will go to meet the Pirate Hunter Zoro."said Luffy
"Me....uh okay then if you say so Luffy but can't i go with Ace??"Coby replied a bit scared.
"Why don't you want to come with me. Don't be scared. Don't be a little wuss, you have to be a Marine Admiral and you are getting scared of one Pirate Hunter??" Asked Luffy smiling
"Okay okay i will come wih you and yes i can't be scared"
"That's the spirit my boy let's go" said Luffy while draging Coby with him
"Okay then I will be heading towards there after claiming this bounty" said Ace as he lifted Alvida in his one hand and headed toward the navy base
"Ok then have fun" came the distinct voice of Luffy.
------------------
On Ace Side.
"Oh my god...is that...isn't that. That's Alvida. THE Iron Mace Alvida. She got captured by that boy" said one of the villagers scared and shaking
"He must be extremely dangerous her bounty is 5 million berries. This bounty hunter. I hope he doesn't want any trouble" said another villager.
The villagers who were already scared due to Morgen's Rule hid away their Children's seeing Alvida being taken like a Child.
"Tch..to be expected. They are just but normal villagers." Ace arrived in front of the Marine Base.
The two guards who were stationed infront of the gate saw Ace approaching with Alvida in hand and their eyes widened. Eventhough scared one of them mustered up the courage to say,
"Halt!!!!. You a bounty hunter??"his eyes scanning the new individual
"No i found this Pirate at the side of the road---No shit i am a bounty hunter. Now let me in i have to claim in the bounty and since she is alive, I should get the full 5 million."replied Ace sheepishly
The Marine gulped and even felt a little agitated but he knew he couldn't prove this terrifying hunter who had hunted Alvida.
"Okay then i will lead you inside. Captain Morgen is the one you will need to talk to claim this bounty" said the Marine abit scared
"Lead me to him quickly then i have to leave to hunt Arlong after this Marine number 1."said Ace emotionless
"Marine number 1??? What does that mean" ignoring the Arlong part
"Since I am going o find random side character Marine.You are Marine 1. Precisely Side character number 1. Feel honoured that you are number 1."said Ace smiling
"You.....!!!" Marine number 1 held a lot of anger on his hear but he knew picking a fight meant death so he could only silently lead him to his Captain.
"Sir a bounty hunter is here to claim the bounty of Alvida. Who he has Captured Alive" said Marine Number 1 as he entered the Office of Morgen
"Alvida..you say" Morgen's eye widened but he immediately acted normal after all he had Captured "Kuro". Alvida meant nothing to him."Let him in" replied Morgen
"Alright Sir" saying that Marine number 1 left and motioned Ace to enter the room.
As Ace entered the room he looked at Morgen dead in the eye and scanned his body. He had already scanned the Marine Base. All of them were quite weak only stronger than the average norm. While Morgen had a good aura for someone in the east-blue. Compared to him it was still pathetic and naturally the strongest one was of Zoro. Whose aura flared up brighter than Morgen eventhough he was hunger and tired since days.
Similarly Morgen also looked at the Man who looked to be around 20ish. "He looks ordinary and just a sword. This boy captured Alvid "he said as he glanced at Alvida." He is picking that fat whale with just one hand. He is strong"
"I would perfer a fast transaction." Ace said as he tossed Alvid to Morgen.
"Okay Okay wait a moment your 5 million berries are being ready". Morgen said as he thought he could just tell the higher ups that he captured Alvida which may led to his promotion causing more benfits and picking fight with this Bounty Hunter was nore disadvantagous so he just opted to give him his money.
"Okay then" replied Ace not expecting the transaction to go this smoothly. As he had expected a fight to broke out
Till the berries arrive. Morgen striked up the conversation
"Never heard about you before. Strong enough to capture Alvida and hadn't made any news on the sea means you are new here. So any plans to join the Marine, if you esnt to join them i can talk with the higher ups. You can be my second hand here and with you we can rise up the ranks."said Morgen expecting a positive answer
"No thanks Marine Number 2. I quite like being a bounty hunter myself"
"Marine number 2 what does that mea--" before he could finish a Marine came holding a bag.
"Captain Morgen the 5 million berries you wished for--" as he finished his words he got hit in the face with a big book, knocking him out on the stop. The Bag containing the berries dropped down.
"Next time don't interrupt me and knock befor entering useless Marine." Said Morgen with visible anger
"Quite harsh aren't we" said Ace
"Whatever just take the bag and go"said Morgen still angry
"Me..? Why should i go over there and take the bag. You do it yourself Marine number 2."
"Again with that. What does that mean and no go get it yourself brat" said Morgen aura blazing from his body with killing intent.
"I see" Conqueror's Haki blasted from Ace's body focusing only on Morgen.
"I said walk over there and get the money bag for me - Marine number 2"
Instantly fear and desperation began to curl up Morgen's body. Cold sweat feel down his forhead as he felt like he was going to die right there on the spot. He instinctively reached over to the berries bag and handed them to Ace.
"Good boy...keep it up unfortunately i don't have a biscuit right now. See ya Marine number 2 if you stay alive today that is" Saying that Ace left holding the bag of berries
After that Morgen still awestruck said to himself " What was that, i am glaf i didn't fight that monster and what did he mean by matine number 2 and see ya if you stay alive"
Morgen felt his end was nearby.
On Luffy's side,
**Luffy Drags Coby to Zoro's Captivity**
The dusty streets of Shell's Town were quiet as Luffy marched forward, his sandals kicking up small clouds of dirt. Behind him, Coby stumbled, his face pale with fear.
"L-Luffy, wait! We can't just—!"
"Shishishi! Relax, Coby!" Luffy grinned, not slowing down. "It will all be fine don't be scared. I just want Zoro to join our crew.!"
Coby's hands trembled. "B-But he's a monster! He'll try to kill us if we free him!"
Luffy ignored him, his eyes locked ahead. Then, a scream cut through the air—a little girl's voice.
"LET ME GO!"
Luffy's grin vanished. His head snapped toward the commotion.
Helmeppo, the spoiled Marine brat, was yanking a small girl—Rika—by the hair, her arms full of stolen rice balls. Two guards loomed behind him they were worried for the little girl but could do nothing.
"You little thief!" Helmeppo sneered. "You think you can defy my orders and give food to him?!" Helmeppo said as he took the Onigiri
Rika's eyes welled with tears. "T-They were for Zoro! He hasn't eaten in days!"
Luffy's fists clenched.
Coby gasped. "Oh no—Luffy, don't—!"
**THWACK!**
Before Helmeppo could react, Luffy's sandal met his face in a vicious kick, sending him crashing into the dirt. The guards barely had time to draw their swords before Luffy's fists hammered into them—**BAM! BAM!**—knocking them out cold. As the Onigiri were falling down Luffy caught them and gave them back to Rika.
Silence.
Rika stared, wide-eyed. Coby's jaw dropped.
Zoro looked on with curiosity. Impressed with this guys skill and with vigilance as this could be a enemy.
Luffy dusted his hands off. "Hmph. Weak."
"Thanks Mister" said Rika genuinely thankful to the mysterious strnager who had saved her and her precious Onigiri.
"It's no problem little lady. Now go home but first give them to Zoro" said Luffy
Hearing that Rika handed the Onigiri over to Zoro. Zoro hesitated didn't know what to do as he was pondering he looked ober to Luffy.
His sharp eyes locked onto Luffy. "...You."
Luffy grinned. "You're Zoro, right? The demon Hunter?"
Zoro scoffed. "What do you want?"
Luffy pointed at Helmeppo, who was groaning in the dirt and back at Rika who was offering the Onigiri's. "That guy was never gonna free you. He's a liar, Eat them Zoro you are going to need it ."
Zoro's eye twitched. "...I figured that he was not gonna keep with his promise."
Rika fed Zoro the Onigiri . "Z-Zoro! I wanted to make them as a thank you for helping me and my mother against that Helmeppo guy."
Zoro's expression softened slightly. "...Idiot. You shouldn't have risked it."He said while tasting the Onigiri's. "These are the best Onigiri's i have ever had"
Rika beamed with happiness and a small blush appeared around her face "Thanks i tried something new today" she replied blushing.
Luffy crossed his arms while looking at the interaction betweenthe both of them. "So, what's your dream Zoro?"
Zoro frowned. "Hah?"
"You heard me. Dreams are important. Mine's to be King of the Pirates."
Zoro's gaze sharpened. "...King of the Pirates, huh that a mighty ambition. Ever harder than mine."
"I'm gonna be the World's Greatest Swordsman."
Luffy's grin widened acting surprised. "Cool! I want you to Join me and my brothers crew. The future King of the Pirates needs the World's Strongest Swordsman. So what do you say Pirate Hunter?"
Zoro glared. "What makes it so that i can be stronger by joiningyour crew?"
"Simple i know how to be stronger. Right now i am 100 times stronger than you and for you to be the World's Strongest Swordsman you have to beat Mihawk who is 100 times stronger than the current me" said Luffy with a smile.
"100 times don't make me laugh. You maybe stronger than me but 100 times is too much." Zoro said not believing this bs.
"Then let be show you my futher crewmate. Let me introduce you to Haki"as Luffy said that he infused his hands with Haki.
"What is that black stuff?" Zoro who had never seen Armament asked.
"This is Arnament Haki. As i have fused this in my hands a Swordsman like yourself can fuse this in his sword to amplify attacks and hit loigia user. This power makes me stronger than you my 100 times. If you join me i can teach you this Haki with another Haki."said Luffy beaming a smile
Zoro naturally felt the aura of Armament haki and realised what Luffy said was true.
"Fine..I will join your crew. First free me from here I have to go get my swords."said Zoro
"No, you wait here with Coby and Rika I will go get the swords of yours myself. After that i will lure Morgen here and you fight and win against him. You have to prive yourself first"said Luffy
Zoro smirked"....Fine then I will deal with that Morgenif that's what means to join your crew to become stronger."
Listening to that Luffy left the place and speedblitz into the Marine base and with his Observation Haki avoided every single Marine and got inside Helmeppo's and took the 3 swords of Zoro.
He again with the help of Observation haki arrived back to where he left off but this time with Zoro's sword.
"That was....so fast" Zoro marvelled at the Speed. He also felt a surge of excitement to joi this crew.
"Yes i am even faster than my big brother but he is stronger than me" said Luffy
Listening to that Zoro wanted to meet this Big Brother of his immediately he also felt nore excitement.
Luffy used the Swords to cut off the ropes binding Zoro and said to Coby and Rika" You two go to the village for a while we will be back in a bit after cleaning some trash."
"Okay..Luffy" replied Coby knowing a battle was gonna take place here. He left with Ruka towards the village.
"So are you rady Zoro" Luffy said cracking his knuckles.
"More than ever" replied Zoro.
After hearing that Luffy shouted.
"Gomu Gomu no : Pistol" and aimed at the Marine building.
**To Be Continued.**
(End of Chapter 5, Word count- 2,306)