Chapter 13: Stand Exchange Gun
Link handed the Position Exchange Gun to Zoro.
"I'm a swordsman, not a sharpshooter. I've never used a gun to take down an enemy," Zoro said, reluctance clear in his voice.
"Technically, this isn't really a gun. It's just one of my tools, and it doesn't have any real power. Just give it a try, and you'll see how it works!" Link encouraged, a playful smile on his face. Luffy leaned in, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Is that another new tool of yours, Link? It looks like fun! If you're not going to use it, can I try it?" Luffy bounced on his feet.
"I've said it a hundred times: my tools aren't toys for you to play with!" Zoro shot back, irritation flaring.
While the two bickered, Zoro glanced at the strange little gun in his hand and then at the pathetic Helmeppo, who was still struggling on the ground.
"Fine, whatever. I don't really understand how this works, but I just need to point it at him and pull the trigger, right?" Zoro said, focusing on Helmeppo.
He aimed the tiny gun at Helmeppo and pulled the trigger.
Whoosh!!
In an instant, Zoro felt a flash in front of him, and then his body felt incredibly light.
"What is happening…?"
Zoro stared in disbelief at his surroundings. He had somehow broken free from the cross, and the exhaustion and pressure he had built up over twenty days had completely vanished!
"What is going on?"
He was confused by the sudden change, but then he heard a blood-curdling scream behind him.
"Ahhh!!!"
Zoro turned to see Helmeppo, now bound to the cross in his place, writhing in agony and screaming as if he were being butchered.
"You swapped places with him, and you exchanged your physical states as well," Link explained, walking over to Zoro with a grin.
Position Exchange Gun—a truly magical item he had drawn today.
Item: Position Exchange Gun.
Description: It allows two people to swap their positions.
"Position" is a subtle word; it doesn't just mean where someone is standing, but it can also change their identity and physical state.
In one episode of Doraemon, when Nobita fell down the stairs and was in pain, he pointed the gun at Doraemon, and suddenly it was Doraemon who felt the pain. That's the exchange of physical states.
Similarly, when Nobita was scolded by a teacher, he pointed the gun at a nearby person, and that person ended up being scolded instead, while Nobita walked away without a clue.
So, this Position Exchange Gun can change positions, identities, and physical states depending on the situation.
It was clear that after Zoro pulled the trigger, they had swapped positions and physical states. The exhaustion and pain Zoro had endured were now in Helmeppo's body, while Helmeppo's fresh energy had come to Zoro, making him feel completely revitalized.
"To think my body would feel this good again… it's amazing!"
Zoro flexed his arms in surprise, then looked thoughtfully at the gun in his hand.
"A prop master, huh?"
Though he had never heard of such a title or profession before, it left a strong impression on him.
"So what's your decision?" Link asked, taking the gun back from Zoro. "Are you willing to join us?"
"It looks like I don't have much of a choice," Zoro said, glancing at Helmeppo, who was still screeching like a pig.
He was now completely at odds with the Navy, and aside from becoming a pirate, there didn't seem to be many other options left.
"Rather than surrender here and become a criminal, it doesn't matter to me," he declared.
"Fame or infamy, I'll make a name for myself across the world!!"
Zoro's gaze sharpened as he looked at Link and Luffy.
"Becoming friends isn't out of the question, but let me make one thing clear: my ambitions are mine alone, and I will pursue them to the end!"
"My name is Roronoa Zoro, a swordsman whose goal is to become the world's greatest swordsman. If you dare to get in the way of my ambition, you better be ready to face the consequences!"
"Hahaha, I'm Luffy! I'm going to be the Pirate King! The world's greatest swordsman and I are a pretty good match!!"
Luffy grinned widely, revealing a big smile that took up half his face.
"Link, the craftsman, our goal now is to sail around the world for the best adventure!"
"And over there…"
Luffy pointed at Nami and Coby, who were still hiding by the wall. "There's a really talented navigator, though she used to be a really annoying thief…"
"I heard that!!"
Nami shouted back, her voice high-pitched. "And I never said I wanted to be your friend!!"
Even though she was angry, there was a hint of shock in her tone.
On one hand, she was shocked that the so-called monster in human skin, the Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro, was actually considering joining this group of pirates who seemed to be just playing house.
On the other hand, she was stunned by Link's Position Exchange Gun.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone