<><><><><><><><>
BOOM!
The massive explosion echoed through the base. Rowen and Zoro turned towards the sound, watching as a colossal statue plummeted from the highest point of the Marine building, crashing heavily to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Th-That... Don't tell me..." Zoro's eye twitched as he stared at the shattered remains of the statue.
The statue's likeness was clearly that of the base's commander, Marine Captain Morgan.
Zoro had been stuck here for twenty days; he'd seen them working almost non-stop on that statue. That man Morgan was incredibly obsessed with it.
"Looks like Luffy got lost again," Rowen commented, amused.
In the original story, Luffy destroyed Morgan's statue while chasing Helmeppo. But this time, Helmeppo was already with Luffy, yet he still managed to bring the statue down.
Guess it just proved that scum like Morgan never deserved a statue like that in the first place.
"Rowen... Could I ask you a favor?" Zoro hesitated, looking towards Rika. He struggled to get the words out.
Asking someone for help was proving more difficult than Zoro had anticipated.
"Don't worry. Rika will be fine," Rowen reassured him, stepping protectively in front of the little girl with a calm smile.
"Rebels!" Just then, a group of Marines surged towards them, led by a tall, imposing figure.
The most striking feature of the leading Marine was that one of his arms was entirely replaced by a massive axe.
—Marine Captain 'Axe-Hand' Morgan.
"You're accomplices of that Straw Hat brat! And you—planning a coup, are you? Roronoa Zoro! This ends now! You're all guilty of rebellion! I'll execute you on the spot!" Morgan roared, his eyes bloodshot with fury.
"Rowen! At least get Rika out of here!" Zoro yelled desperately.
"Trying to run? All units, prepare!" Morgan raised his hand.
Click! Clack!
Forced by Morgan's authority and power, the Marines reluctantly raised their rifles.
Is this... really how I die?
Feeling the chilling approach of death, Zoro wasn't afraid, but he was filled with immense frustration.
He hadn't fulfilled his promise to Kuina yet—to become the world's greatest swordsman.
And now, he had dragged Rika and Rowen into this mess.
"So noisy." Rowen kept Rika safely behind him, the crimson-black light in his eyes flashing wildly.
"Aren't you underestimating me? You're merely a Branch Captain," Rowen stated coolly.
VMM!
An invisible pressure washed over the Marines aiming their rifles.
The next instant—
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The numerous rifle-wielding Marines' eyes rolled back, and they collapsed unconscious.
"That power again... Can he just use it infinitely?" Zoro muttered in shock, staring at the sea of unconscious Marines littering the ground.
"Rowen? I remember now! There was a recent news report! About a man in the East Blue who wiped out the entire Alvida Pirate crew without even lifting a finger—just with his presence alone!"
"The man who claims he will stand above all! Are you... Are you that 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?!" Morgan stammered, sweat beading on his forehead as he witnessed the incomprehensible scene and recalled Zoro shouting Rowen's name.
The most prominent news story in the East Blue lately flashed through his mind.
The World Economic News Agency's front-page headline from a few days ago perfectly matched the current situation.
That report had hailed this man as the herald of a new King's birth upon the seas!
For Morgan, who believed titles were everything, a man bearing such an epithet was inherently terrifying.
And now, he had witnessed this utterly unbelievable power firsthand.
"'The man who will stand above all', 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?" Zoro murmured, looking at Rowen.
What an arrogance!
But possessing such power... maybe this man actually had the right to be that arrogant.
"Oh? Even a weakling like you has heard the news? The World Economic News Agency is quite efficient, aren't they?" Rowen nodded, very satisfied.
At least he wouldn't have to worry about the Marines giving him some ridiculous nickname now.
—[Kingly Disposition increased. Conqueror's Haki intensity increased.]—
'Just as expected.' Rowen's earlier hypothesis was confirmed again.
Gaining fame and reputation across the seas increased one's 'Kingly Disposition', which in turn strengthened their Haki.
As for why, Rowen gained a slight intuitive understanding.
Seeing Morgan sweating just from hearing his name...
Felt really good.
"Gomu Gomu no... ROCKET!" Just then, accompanied by a familiar shout, Luffy launched himself down from the top of the Marine base building.
"Whoa, Rowen! You took care of this many already?" Luffy grinned, looking at the few Marines still standing amidst the sea of unconscious bodies.
"Straw Hat brat!" Morgan's eyes turned bloodshot again at the sight of Luffy.
The grudge for destroying his precious statue had to be repaid!
But...
Looking at Rowen, cold sweat dripped down Morgan's brow.
"Get them! Kill them all!" Morgan roared at the few remaining conscious Marines.
"Captain! If we keep fighting that man, we'll end up just like them! He's a monster!" The remaining soldiers were terrified, completely unnerved by the inexplicable display of power.
"I ordered you to kill them! Do it, or I'll execute you for treason!" Morgan bellowed.
"What's this? Infighting?" Luffy watched Morgan's tantrum with mild curiosity, then shrugged it off and pulled three swords from his back.
"There were three swords in that room. Which ones are yours?" Luffy asked Zoro.
"All three are mine. I use the Three-Sword Style," Zoro replied.
"Alright then! I'll untie you. You gonna become my nakama, or stay here and get killed by the Marines?" Luffy grinned at Zoro.
"Fine! Better to be a villain than die here," Zoro sighed, then a fierce, beast-like grin spread across his face.
A cornered beast is far more dangerous than a calm one.
"Alright! Another new nakama!" Luffy cheered, throwing his hands in the air.
"If you understand, then hurry up and untie these ropes!" Zoro yelled, watching Morgan cut down one of his own hesitant soldiers, forcing the others to charge towards them.
"But these knots are really tight!" Luffy fumbled with the ropes.
"Give me the swords!" Zoro roared. To Luffy's astonishment, Zoro clamped one of the swords firmly between his teeth.
SLICE!
The next instant, the ropes binding Zoro were severed. He stood free, a sword in each hand and one in his mouth, turning his back to Luffy to face the charging Marines.
—[Roronoa Zoro has joined the Straw Hat Pirates.]—
—[Currently equipable Trait targets updated.]—
—[Can now equip Traits from: Roronoa Zoro.]—
A notification screen appeared before Rowen's eyes.
The reason Rowen hadn't wiped out these last few Marines and Morgan with his Conqueror's Haki was intentional. He'd left them for Zoro.
This was Zoro's initiation—fighting against the Marines here would solidify his status as a 'villain' in the eyes of the world.
Zoro's Traits... are now within reach!
<><><><><><><><>
~# Keep the chapters coming — Support with Power Stones!
~# Every 200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter