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  The battle raged on, with Coby and Luffy standing as unbreakable pilrs amidst the chaos. Alvida's crew, though numerous, were no match for their bined might. Coby's swordsmanship, though basic, was effective, cutting down oppos with ruthless efficy.

  As the fight tinued, Coby's thoughts wao his past life oh. He remembered the tless hours spent watg "One Piece," dreaming of adventures in a world far from reality. Now, here he was, living his dream. The weight of the sword in his hand, the salty air filling his lungs, the adrenaline c through his veins and his hero standio him – it was all real.

  Coby's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a crew member charging at him with a bloodied cutss. Reag swiftly, Coby parried the blow and tered with a swift thrust, pierg his attacker's chest. The man's eyes widened in shock before he crumpled to the deck, lifeless.

  The sight of the fallen enemy, blood pooling around him, sent a shiver down Coby's spihis was no game; it was a brutal, unfiviy. Yet, he khere was n back. He had chosen this path, and he would see it through, no matter the cost.

  Luffy, watg Coby's resolve, felt a kinship with the young man. They were both fighting for their dreams, albeit in different ways. "Coby, you've got the spirit of a true pirate," Luffy decred, his voice loud and clear above the battle's din.

  Coby, hearing Luffy's words, felt a wave of determination wash over him. "Thanks, Captain! It is for dream and boobies!"

  The battle soon reached its climax, with Alvida's crew dwindling in number. Coby and Luffy stood side by side, a formidable duo against the remaining ehe deck was a gruesome se, with bodies strewn about, some groaning in pain, others silent forever.

  As the st of Alvida's crew surrendered or y defeated, Coby and Luffy surveyed the aftermath. The air was thick with the smell of blood and gunpowder, a stark reminder of the battle's ferocity.

  With the enemy defeated, Coby and Luffy sat on the upper deck, relishing a well-deserved break. Coby had mao whip up a simple meal, using his basic ary skills honed both in his past life as Kai and during his time on Alvida's ship. Luffy, not particurly fussy about food even amidst fallen enemies, was eagerly dev the meal, his eyes shining with satisfa.

  "You're amazing! I didn't know you could cook. Now I have a cook!" Luffy excimed between mouthfuls, his voice muffled by the food.

  Coby chuckled, shaking his head. "Not so fast, Luffy. I'm no y skills are pretty basic. Look, I agreed to join your crew, but I want you to take this seriously."

  Luffy, his mouth still full, nodded early, uanding the gravity behind Coby's words.

  Coby leaned in, his expression serious. "Since I'm the first to join, I'll be the Vice-Captain, or First Mate. I respect your position as Captain, but I want you to take things seriously when it es to the crew. Do we have a deal?"

  Luffy paused, a piece of food in his hand, and pondered for a moment. Then, with a firm nod, he replied, "Fine."

  Satisfied with Luffy's agreement, Coby suggested, "Now, let's start with looting this ship and Alvida's stash. Over the years, she hauled a lot of stolen goods."

  Luffy's eyes sparkled at the mention of treasure. "Treasure!" he excimed, his enthusiasm palpable.

  Together, they began to search the ship, gathering valuable items and provisions. Coby, familiar with Alvida's h habits, led the way to the hidden partments where the most valuable treasures were stashed. They loaded a boat with their haul, including an abundance of food and supplies.

  Ohe boat was filled, they set sail towards the isnd where Alvida had stashed her treasure. It wasn't far, and Coby, with his knowledge of the seas, navigated them skillfully. Upon reag the isnd, they found even more loot, adding to their already impressive colle.

  As they boarded the boat again, Luffy turo Coby with a curious expression. "Do you know where Pirate Hunter Zoro is?"

  Coby smiled, having anticipated this question. "I knew you would ask that. I've already set the course towards Yotsuba Isnd, where Shells Town is."

  The jouro Shells Town was uful, with Luffy and Coby sharing stories and pns for the future. Coby found Luffy's straightforward nature and simple way of speaking both refreshing and amusing. It was a stark trast to the plexity a he had experienced on Alvida's ship.

  As they approached Shells Town, the atmosphere on the boat shifted. They were about to meet one of the most formidable swordsmen in the world of the future, and Coby couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He had watched Zoro's jourhrough the anime, and now he was about to witness it firsthand.

  Sitting at Food Foo, a local restaurant in Shells Town, Luffy and Coby enjoyed a hearty meal. The atmosphere was lively, with the ctter of dishes and the buzz of versation filling the air. As they ate, the topic of their versation turo Zoro and Captain Man, the Marine in charge of the isnd. With each mention of these names, Coby noticed the other patrons casting fearful gnces and whispering among themselves. He uood their reas; both Zoro and Man were notorious figures in their ht.

  Coby, well-versed iory of "One Piece," remained silent about what he knew. He had decided not to interfere with major events, especially those involving crew members joining. These moments were epid signifit, and he respected their importan the grand narrative of their adventure.

  Luffy spoke directly. "So, this Zuy, he's strong, right? I heard he's been tied up at the Marine base for days."

  "Yeah, he's incredibly strong," Coby replied, keeping his toral. "But he's also in a lot of trouble. Captain Man isn't known for his kindness."

  Luffy's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Sounds like my kind of guy! We should go see him."

  Coby nodded, finishing his meal. "Just be prepared, Luffy. Man's base is no joke, and Zoro's situation is pretty grim." Of course he k was nothing serious, he just wanted Luffy to develop some caution for his future recklessness.

  They left the restaurant, heading towards the Marine base. The streets of Shells Town were bustling, but a sense of unease hung in the air, especially he Marine headquarters. The imposing structure loomed ahead, its walls casting long shadows over the town.

  As they approached, they leaned over the walls. They could see the figure of a man tied up at a cross, his green hair unmistakable even from a dista was Zoro, the Pirate Hunter, enduring his punishment with a stoic expression.

  Luffy, his curiosity piqued, stated. "There he is! Zoro!"

  Coby followed, his heart rag with anticipation. This ivotal moment, one he had seen in the a never imagined he'd witness in person.

  Seeing Zoro tied up at the cross, a symbol of both his strength and the oppressive regime of Captain Man, Coby couldn't help but smile. The se was iie that he had watched tless times, yet now it unfolded before his very eyes, imbued with a sense of reality that was both thrilling and ominous.

  Zoro, notig their approach, called out with a mix of desperation and defian his voice. "Hey, you e over and untie me? I've been here for nine days; I 't take it anymore."

  Luffy, always ready to leap into a, was about to cmber over the wall when a small set of stairs ext to them. A little girl, her eyes wide with innod determination, climbed over and sighem to be silent, her tiny finger pressed against her lips.

  She hurried over to Zoro, her small hands holding two rice balls. Her gesture was one of pure kindness, a stark trast to the harshness of their surroundings.

  But the moment was shattered as Helemeppo, Captain Man's arrogant and cruel son, arrived with his Marine dogs. In a dispy of callousness, he threw the girl out, disregarding her safety entirely.

  Luffy, quick to react, caught the girl, saving her from a rough nding. His brow furrowed into a frown, his usually carefree demeanor repced by a palpable anger.

  Helemeppo, reveling in his power, s Zoro, "You'll have to hang on for a month, and then I'll release you."

  Luffy gently pced Rika, the little girl, in Coby's care before leaping over the wall with his usual recklessness. He nded with a thud near Zoro, the infamous Pirate Hunter. Zoro's eyes, sharp and unwavering, met Luffy's, measuring the intruder.

  Luffy, uerred by Zoro's stoic demeanrinned broadly. "Hey, Zoro! I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be the King of the Pirates! How about you join my crew?"

  Zoro's response was a cold, defiant stare. "I've got my own path to follow," he said ftly, dismissing Luffy's offer. "I'm not ied in being a pirate under someone else's and. Besides, I ot leave now. I gotta hang on for a month."

  As Luffy was about to step away, Zoro's voice halted him. "Wait," Zoro said, his eyes fixed orampled rice ball. "Give her rice ball to me. Even if it's dusty, it's still food."

  Luffy picked up the rice ball, dusting it off slightly before handing it to Zoro. The Pirate Hunter accepted it, eating with a quiet dignity that spoke volumes of his character.

  Coby, standing beside Rika, watched this exge with a sense of amusement and awe. The girl, tears of gratitude brimming in her eyes, whispered, "Thank you for eating my rice balls, Zoro-san. I'm gd you liked them."

  As the momeled, Rika expined why Zoro had been caught. "Helemeppo's hound threateo attack me at our diner," she reted, her voice trembling. "Zoro interveo protect me and killed the beast. For that, he was captured and given a cruel choice: starve for a month or let others suffer for his as. He chose to starve."

  Coby's gaze shifted to Zoro, who now stared into the distance, his expression unreadable. It roof of Zoro's unwavering resolve and his i kindness, masked beh a veneer of stoicism.

  --

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