บท 71: Rising Tides: A New Crew Unites

Raja act like considering Luffy's offer, scratching his chin with exaggerated thoughtfulness. He'd always admired the passion and carefree spirit of Luffy's character, the same spirit that had driven him to admire the One Piece world for so long.

He glanced around, taking in the ship's rough-and-tumble appearance, and the ragtag group of pirates surrounding him. His heart felt a flutter of excitement. Was this the start of his own adventure in the Grand Line?

With a chuckle, he finally nodded. "Alright, Luffy, Lets turn the world upside down."

Luffy cheered, throwing his arms up with delight. "Yes! Welcome aboard, Raja!" and turned to the crew of Alvida to get Koby a boat, to which they quickly complied.

Luffy, Raja and Koby started there journey in a small boat. Raja turned back to Luffy, whose expression hadn't changed from that look of sheer awe. He couldn't help but grin. "So, Captain, what's next?"

"Well," Luffy began, scratching his head. "We've got Koby here who wants to join the Marines, so we're heading to the nearest town." He flashed a grin at Koby, who nodded, though still clearly overwhelmed by Raja's presence.

Raja's eyes sparkled mischievously. "A future pirate helping a future Marine? That's a twist. Let's make it memorable."

As they sailed away from the cove, Raja entertained the crew with small bursts of magic and Tricks and get food and water from Inventory and give it to them when they are hungry and thirsty. His tricks captivated those two, especially Luffy, who watched every spell with childlike wonder.

Koby watched in awe, still trying to wrap his head around the duo in front of him. "I don't know how you ended up here," he said to Raja, "but it's clear you're going to be someone people talk about for a long time."

Raja gave him a friendly pat on the back. "I hope so, Koby. This world deserves to be explored, every mystery uncovered."

Just then, a soft breeze swept over the Boat, carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean and the promise of adventure. Luffy, Koby, and Raja stood together, staring out over the vast sea stretching endlessly before them, each one lost in their dreams.

Luffy, already imagining the future crew and the grand journey to the end of the Grand Line.

Koby, a new sense of determination flickering in his eyes as he thought of finally achieving his dream of becoming a Marine.

And Raja, who felt the thrill of being in a world he'd once only watched and loved from afar. Now he was here, and he had a promise to keep to himself—a promise to make his mark, to explore every corner of this world, and to stand tall as the Magician King and The Vice Captain of Straw Hats.

As their Boat neared Shells Town, Koby anxiously filled Luffy and Raja in on the dangers of the Grand Line, calling it the pirate's graveyard. Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement instead of fear, declaring that he'd gather the strongest crew to conquer it. He then mentioned his plan to recruit the infamous bounty hunter, Roronoa Zoro. This revelation sent Koby into shock, convinced Zoro was a "demonic beast."

Thanks to Koby's navigation skills, they reached Shells Town and soon found themselves at a lively restaurant. As they ate, Luffy casually mentioned Zoro's name, causing an immediate hush to fall over the customers. They whispered fearfully about Zoro, but their dread doubled at the mention of Captain Morgan, who ruled over the town with an iron fist.

Curious, the trio headed to the Marine base and spotted Zoro tied to a cross in the parade ground. Just as they were assessing the situation, a young girl named Rika climbed over the wall to offer Zoro rice balls. Suddenly, Helmeppo, Captain Morgan's son, stormed over, spit the rice balls out, and stomped them into the dirt, declaring her act a crime and ordering a Marine to throw her over the wall. Raja stepped forward instinctively, but Luffy had already caught Rika mid-fall, ensuring she was safe.

After Helmeppo's group left, Luffy and Raja approached Zoro. When Luffy offered to free him, Zoro refused, explaining his deal to stay tied up for a month. Yet, he asked Luffy to pass along a message to Rika that her rice balls were delicious, despite the dirt. Touched, Raja and Luffy exchanged a look of determination—they would free Zoro and show him the strength of their resolve, no matter what it took.

Raja waited beside Zoro, leaning casually against the cross as Zoro stared grimly out at the parade ground. Despite his apparent calm, Raja's mind was racing, anticipating Luffy's return. Zoro had reluctantly confided that Helmeppo had taken his swords, and Raja had assured him with a smirk, "If anyone can retrieve your swords, it's Luffy."

Zoro's stoic facade cracked slightly, his usual irritation surfacing. "I never asked him to."

"Yeah, but you'll thank him later," Raja said, amused.

Meanwhile, inside the Marine base, chaos was unfolding. Luffy had stormed in, searching for Zoro's swords, and had caused a ruckus when he stumbled upon the massive statue of Captain Morgan. As the Marines attempted to pull the statue upright, Luffy's grip on the ropes snapped it in two. From his vantage point, Raja could make out the muffled yells from the base as Luffy commandeered Helmeppo to lead him to Zoro's swords.

Raja grinned, crossing his arms. "Looks like things are heating up."

Koby appeared, urgently trying to untie Zoro while explaining Luffy's intention to become the Pirate King. Before Zoro could fully respond, Koby was about to get shot in the shoulder by a Marine on the rooftop. Raja's expression darkened. He held his wand with flick he deflect the bullet at last moment.

"Raja, you should go," Zoro said, voice strained as the Marines encircling them.

Raja shook his head, determination flaring. "Not a chance. Luffy will be here any moment."

As Morgan barked orders for the Marines to fire, Raja raised his wand, casting a protective barrier around Zoro and Koby.

Zoro grew worried as he had sworn to not die until he had fulfilled a promise.

Flash Back

Back in his younger days, Zoro was a fierce trainee at a dojo, where he faced off against Kuina, the daughter of the dojo master Koushirou. He lost to her a staggering 2,000 times in practice duels, fueling his frustration. One fateful night, he challenged Kuina to a real duel, but she bested him yet again. In that moment of defeat, Kuina opened up about her own struggles—frustrated by her father's belief that men would always surpass women in strength. This infuriated Zoro; he wanted to prove his worth through hard work, not gender.

Determined, they made a pact to become the Greatest Swordsman in the World and promised to duel each other for the title. But the next day, tragedy struck. Zoro learned that Kuina had died in an accident, falling down the stairs. Heartbroken, he approached Koushirou and requested her sword, vowing to honor their promise and become the greatest swordsman for both of them.

Presently, Luffy leaped out of the window and landed in front of Koby, Raja and Zoro as the Marines fired at them, causing the bullets to strike his body and bounce back at the Marines. When Luffy showed Zoro the swords, he disclosed that he was a Three Sword Style user and wielded all three. Now that the Marines were definitely against him, Zoro made the decision to accept Luffy's invitation and join the pirates.

After the Marines brandished their swords and charged at Luffy, Raja and Zoro, Zoro ordered Luffy to surrender his swords, Raja waved his wand and zoro's binding Fall and instantly intercept every Marine. Raja then used his wand and body to knock down every Marine.

Zoro turned towards Luffy and said "I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsman!" that's my ambition I don't compromise this ambition for anyone.

Luffy and Raja started to smiled at zoro ambition with pride and zoro asks what's funny.

Luffy declared his ambition "I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!"

Raja declared his ambition "I'm Rudra D. Raja! I'm the man who will become the Magician King!"

Morgan after seeing the Trio antics without caring casued him strike a nerve and ordered his men to shoot themselves for their incompetence, and Luffy charged to fight him. Luffy quickly got the upper hand against Morgan,but Helmeppo then held Koby at gunpoint to stop Luffy from harming his father. Koby did not flinch in the face of death, and Raja pointed his wand at him and shout Magic Magic Vacuum fist and sent helmeppo flying.

Morgan rose back up to attack Luffy from behind as he did this, but Zoro quickly cut him down. As Morgan and Helmeppo lay defeated, the Marines started celebrating.

Luffy, Raja, Zoro, and Koby went to Rika's mother's restaurant to eat, and Trio plotted to head for the Grand Line. Koby warned them against this as their friend but thanked them for teaching him to stand up for himself.

The Marines then came to the restaurant, and although they were grateful to the pirates for defeating their captain, they still asked for them to leave. Luffy, Raja and Zoro did so, and the Marines asked Koby if he was going with them.

Luffy then started to tell them about Koby's history with Alvida, causing Koby to punch him. Luffy punched back and started a brawl, causing the Marines to believe they were not friends.

As The Trio left, Koby asked the Marines to let him enlist, promising to work any job. Although one soldier still did not trust him, the chief Marine accepted his request.

As The Trio set sail, Koby then arrived to salute them, and to his surprise he was joined by the rest of the Marines in thanking the pirates. Luffy told Koby they would meet again and looked forward to heading for the Grand Line

Koby smiled and started to touch new pendent around his neck given by Raja and remember the words Raja said to him "A true champion is defined by his ambition and the unwavering will that makes him strong against all odds." and gave him the locket.

Raja created the item using rune and alchemy it will helps Koby maintain focus, good sleep and heal injuries fast.