Chương 10: Is this a question of whether it is strong or not?!
The Navy Base 153 is a tall tower with green stripes.
In the open area below, there's a cross, a place where the current Colonel Monka punishes his enemies.
A certain future world's greatest swordsman is tied up on that cross.
"Is that the guy?"
Luffy peered over a low part of the wall and spotted the scene inside.
He held his hand across his forehead to shield his eyes from the sun. "Found him!"
On the cross, a man wearing a green hood and belt, with three earrings hanging from his ears, was tied up. Even with his hands bound, he looked fierce.
"If we just untie the ropes, we can set him free, right?" Luffy said with a cheerful smile.
In Luffy's mind, it was as easy as untying the ropes, freeing Zoro, inviting him to join, and then they'd have a new partner!
It seemed so simple to him.
"Don't say stupid things like that!!" Nami groaned, putting her hand on her forehead. "If you free someone like him, who knows what will happen? He might be the first to kill you, the pirate captain!!"
Luffy shrugged. "Don't worry, I'm strong."
Nami exclaimed, "...Is it about being strong or not?!!"
And look at you—you seem really weak!!
Nami felt like there was no hope for Luffy.
"Zoro..."
Link's gaze was firmly on Zoro, excited to finally see him up close.
He was known as the only man on the Straw Hat Pirates.
Well, the one who claims to be a man, who also has a thing for revealing underwear, doesn't count.
While they were talking—
"Hey..."
Zoro, tied to the cross, sensed something and lifted his head slightly. He saw the group peeking over the wall and muttered, "You guys are annoying. Get lost."
He glared with a fierce expression, not wanting anyone else to get in trouble because of him.
"If you want to take someone like that as a partner, you'd need a few extra lives!"
Nami, scared by Zoro's glare, kept insisting on her opinion.
"Clang!"
Suddenly, a small ladder appeared next to her.
"Shh."
A girl with pigtails motioned for Nami and the others to be quiet. She quickly climbed the ladder and dashed into the base.
She had brought rice balls, ready to share with Zoro.
Even though she was very hungry, Zoro refused her offer, determined to stay strong for Lika's safety.
"I said, get lost already!!"
He snapped at her, his tone harsh.
"Don't bully him like that."
Suddenly, a hand appeared above the rice balls.
"Even if you want to protect others, there are better ways to do it."
Link tossed the rice balls in his hand and smiled.
"Mr. Link!!"
Coby and Nami were surprised by Link's boldness.
Luffy just lay there, grinning like a silly fool, enjoying the scene.
"Who are you?"
Zoro's eyes narrowed as he glared at Link.
"Someone who isn't afraid of dying."
Link waved the rice balls in front of Zoro. "If you don't want to eat, I'll eat them myself."
"Actually, I'm a bit hungry too."
Zoro: "...Give me the rice balls!!"
At first, Zoro was shocked by Link's sudden appearance, but hearing his words made him smile happily.
As Zoro gobbled up two rice balls, he paused for a moment and said, "They're really good. I'm full now," with a bright smile showing his dimples.
"I haven't eaten in almost twenty days, so this just fills me up a little."
Link pulled out a loaf of bread, food he found in the storage room of the ship from Alvida.
Zoro could survive twenty days without food, and Sanji's mentor, Zeff, had lived for eighty-five days eating only his own leg.
When it came to enduring hunger, they were both tough as nails.
"Give it to me."
After eating rice balls, Zoro was happy to have more energy.
Even the rough black bread on the pirate ship tasted sweet to him.
He planned to eat it all and keep his tough-guy image, but what Link pulled out next made Zoro's eyes widen in surprise.
"Once you're full, you need to drink, too. You can't just eat; you need to hydrate!"
Link shook a bottle of rum in his hand, smiling. "This must be every sailor's favorite, right?"
Of course, it was Zoro's favorite too!!
He instinctively licked his dry, cracked lips, and his eyes spoke volumes about his thirst.
"Pop!"
The sound of the bottle cap popping off was the most beautiful sound Zoro had heard in a while.
The cheap scent of the alcohol made his throat quiver, and he swallowed hard.
"Glug, glug, glug."
The cold liquid slid down his throat like rain after a long drought, refreshing his nearly parched body.
After downing the whole bottle, Zoro felt his energy return, and his attitude towards Link brightened significantly.
"Thanks."
He smiled, feeling grateful for the unexpected kindness.
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