章 12: I have a better idea
With slicked-back hair and an overly greasy golden mane, Helmeppo strutted toward them, flaunting his chin like a peacock. Two Navy soldiers followed closely behind him, each wearing a bored expression.
"So, the famous pirate hunter, Roronoa Zoro, has friends? Are you all here to break him out?" Helmeppo sneered, twisting his clothes in a self-important manner.
"We're not breaking anyone out," Luffy stepped forward confidently. "But I've decided I want him as my friend!!"
Zoro blinked in disbelief. "What? Don't make decisions for me!"
Zoro's annoyance was clear as he felt his temper flare. Even Nami, hiding behind the wall, could hardly contain her frustration.
"Friends? What a lovely word, hahahaha!" Helmeppo's laughter filled the air, almost as if he found it genuinely funny. The two soldiers behind him looked a little numb, having seen this kind of thing too many times.
"Regardless of your little game, according to my father's rules, anyone who associates with a death-row inmate is also sentenced to death!" He flicked the edge of his clothes with a smug grin. "So I declare, today is the day you all die, including you, Roronoa Zoro!!"
"What?!" Zoro's eyes widened. "We had an agreement! I haven't moved! They just came to talk!"
"Can't you see?" Link chimed in. "With a spoiled brat like him, there's no way he'd let you, the guy who embarrassed him in front of everyone, just walk away!"
"It's clear he never intended to keep that deal!"
"You hit the nail on the head~!!" Helmeppo beamed with pride, showing no shame at all. "After the humiliation I suffered, how could I let you go so easily? Only blood and death can atone for your sins!!"
"Even if you are the famed pirate hunter, you still fell under my power, didn't you? Hahahaha!!"
Zoro's expression hardened as he glared at Helmeppo, his eyes wild with rage. But as Helmeppo continued to gloat, Zoro's anger slowly turned into calm determination.
"Talking to someone like you was pointless from the start."
"Of course! We are worlds apart!" Helmeppo waved his hand dismissively at the soldiers behind him. "Shoot them!!"
His tone was as casual as ordering a meal.
"…"
The two soldiers hesitated for a moment but eventually raised their guns, their faces betraying a slight struggle.
Zoro felt his heart race. Being unable to control his own fate was an awful feeling.
But when he saw Luffy's confident smile and Link's calm gaze, his own heart started to settle.
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out, bullets flying straight toward Luffy and the others.
"Not gonna work!!"
Luffy stepped up, arms raised high, and blocked the bullets with ease.
"What the…?" Zoro gaped in shock, staring at Luffy's rubbery body, stretching and bending as the bullets ricocheted off.
Not just him, even Nami and Coby, hiding behind the wall, were wide-eyed.
"Luffy is a Devil Fruit user! His powers are strong!" Link explained as he pulled out a blade, the famous sword called Lightning Ball.
"Are you a swordsman too?" Zoro marveled at the weapon that seemed to appear from nowhere, his curiosity piqued by the glowing blade.
"Not really; I'm a prop master. This sword is just one of many tools I carry." Link smiled as he watched Luffy deflect the bullets.
Then, empowered by Lightning Ball, he moved forward in a flash.
Clang!
In just two quick moves, he knocked the two stunned soldiers to the ground.
"Nice skills!" Zoro's eyes lit up. Even while tied up, he felt the urge to join the fight. As a swordsman, he always wanted to challenge other sword experts.
"Let's get you free." Luffy stepped forward to untie Zoro's wrists.
"Wait." Link stopped him. "I have a better idea."
He looked at Helmeppo, who was sprawled on the ground, drooling and looking pathetic.
"Rich kids like him love to bully others. Why not let him taste his own medicine?"
As he spoke, Link revealed a small, green gun with a red trigger, looking almost like it was made from paper.
"This is called the Position Exchange Gun. Point it at that spoiled brat and pull the trigger to see the results."
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