One piece: A Tale Before the Wind

A thunderous shout echoed across the execution ground, breaking the battle's pause.

As Kiri and Morgan disengaged, something hurtled from the distance. Luffy, launched like a cannonball from the base, propelled by his rubber powers, aimed straight for the execution ground. His landing looked precarious.

Zoro, spotting him, grimaced. Bound and immobile, he could only watch Luffy's reckless approach.

"Hey, Zoro! Found your swords!" Luffy yelled.

"Idiot! How're you gonna stop!?" Zoro roared.

All eyes froze as Luffy, predictably, crashed into Zoro. The impact shattered the wooden cross binding him, sending both tumbling with a deafening crash.

Bruised and bloodied, Zoro rose, head bleeding slightly but too stunned to care. Fury took over as he glared at Luffy, sprawled nearby, and bellowed, "What the hell!? Who flies in like that!?"

"Whoa, that was wild! Got too much momentum, couldn't stop, heh heh!" Luffy grinned.

"Damn it, what's in your head!? Now my forehead's cut!"

"Eh, you're free now, right? All good."

"Free with injuries doesn't balance out!"

Sitting by the splintered wood, they glanced at Kiri's back, facing a sea of marines. Despite the odds, the fight seemed even, the marines' ranks in disarray. Luffy's eyes sparkled, grasping the situation.

"Whoa, it's heating up! Kiri's serious!" he said.

"What's with that guy? Doesn't listen, Devil Fruit user, total chaos. Though, he's got some skill," Zoro muttered.

"Kiri's my vice-captain. Reliable as hell."

"Didn't ask. You and him, both nuts…"

Zoro clutched his head, exasperated, while Luffy stood, three swords roped to his back—two black-sheathed, one white. Unsure which were Zoro's, he'd grabbed them all from Helmeppo's room.

Showing them to Zoro, Luffy said, "Here, which one's yours? Brought 'em all just in case."

"All three. I'm a three-sword style user," Zoro replied.

"Got it. All set then."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, they're yours, right?"

Zoro hesitated, then took them. His belt, untouched by the navy, welcomed the swords. Securing them at his hip, a strange calm settled over him.

Nine days of fatigue clung to him, but with his swords back, no marine could faze him. His sharp gaze met theirs, making them flinch. A hand on his sword amplified their fear.

Luffy, chuckling, stood beside him, eyeing the marines. "So, what's it gonna be? Fight with us, you're a rebel against the government. Better than dying here, no?"

"You're the devil's kid, huh? Rotten to the core," Zoro quipped.

Drawing his swords—two black in hand, one white in his mouth—Zoro aimed not at the marines but at Luffy's neck, blade grazing close. Silk, alarmed, gripped her sword, glaring at Zoro.

"Luffy!?" she cried.

"It's fine, Silk. I'm good," Luffy said calmly, stopping her.

No killing intent. Luffy knew, staring back coolly. The tense air held as they locked eyes.

Zoro, glaring, muttered, "If you're that set on me, fine. I'd rather be a pirate than die here. But let's be clear."

"What?"

"I've got an ambition—to be the world's greatest swordsman. Doesn't matter if I'm a pirate or not, I'll make my name echo worldwide."

Luffy held his gaze, unyielding, as Zoro continued, "I won't follow a weakling. You invited me. If you ever abandon your ambition, gut yourself in apology."

"World's greatest swordsman? Perfect for the Pirate King's crew," Luffy grinned.

"Heh, big talk."

Zoro lowered his blade. Silk exhaled, tension easing. The crisis passed.

They turned to face the marines. Silk joined them, the trio standing shoulder-to-shoulder, a formidable sight. Even unaware marines swallowed hard.

Kiri, poised for action, overheard their talk, waiting. Morgan, seething, was his prey, and he stayed put. Luffy, understanding, said nothing.

A strange calm preceded the battle.

Luffy glanced back, puzzled. "Wait, why's Coby here?"

"Now you ask!?" Coby yelped. "I came to support you guys!"

"Oh, that's it? Felt off somehow."

"Luffy-san!" Coby called, stopping Luffy as he turned forward. With a resolute look, he shouted, "I can't do much, but I know this navy's corrupt. Please… take it down!"

"Heh, leave it to me!" Luffy grinned, cracking his knuckles.

No hesitation in his crew, only eagerness for battle. Kiri, twirling his paper sword without looking back, asked, "Captain, orders?"

"Alright, you bastards, fight! Go wild!" Luffy roared.

His command spurred them into action. Kiri, at the forefront, charged first, his paper sword clashing with Morgan's axe. Their faces inches apart, they glared.

"I'll execute you all! Defy me and die!" Morgan bellowed.

"Kill me if you can. You've got the right," Kiri taunted.

They broke apart, resuming their duel. No marine dared approach, hesitating, unable to judge if they should fight. Noticing, Morgan shouted, "Take out Roronoa Zoro and the straw hat! He destroyed my statue! Don't let them live!"

"Yes, sir!" the marines replied, trembling but moving.

A swarm brandished sabers, charging the trio. A fearsome sight, yet the resolved three grinned fiercely, Coby watching with newfound determination. The air shifted.

Trained but terrified marines faced resolute fighters. The difference was clear in every move.

"Here we go! Gomu Gomu no—" Luffy stepped forward, swinging his leg.

His kick, too far to hit, stretched with his rubber powers, sweeping a wide arc. Marines and Zoro gaped.

"What the—!?" a marine gasped.

"Whip!" Luffy shouted.

His extended leg smashed through a dozen marines, collapsing their formation. They flew, rolling across the ground. Only a fraction were hit, but morale plummeted. Another Devil Fruit user stunned them, amplifying their shock.

Silk, calm, understood their reaction, but another was equally shocked—Zoro, staring at Luffy's back.

"That… you're a Devil Fruit user too?" he muttered.

"Yup. Ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi. I'm a Rubber Man," Luffy said, turning with a grin.

Zoro sighed. Both troublemakers were Devil Fruit users, cursed to sink in water. Yet they chose piracy. Muttering to himself, he drew his third sword, biting its hilt.

Enemies still charged. Zoro, with his three-sword style, glared with predatory intensity, his eyes gleaming under his bandana like a ravenous beast.

"I'm in a bad mood. Don't wanna die? Run now," he growled.

"Eek!" a marine screamed.

Instantly, two were sent flying, blood spraying from chest to stomach. Too fast to track, Zoro closed in, halting the group. The shallow cuts spread terror through the ranks.

His strength was unmatched. Three swords weren't for show—they unleashed his power. His robust arms swung with skill and force, a direct, terrifying assault.

"Waaah!" another screamed.

No time to find the voice—more marines fell, slashed, collapsing in seconds. None could stop Zoro's violent onslaught, unable to even raise their weapons.

"We're outclassed! Stop interfering!" he barked, swords still in mouth.

The marines, voiceless, froze in fear. "Clear the way!" Zoro roared, slashing more, their screams uncontainable. Dominated by terror, some dropped weapons and fled.

His overwhelming strength crushed their will, like twisting a child's arm. Lowering his swords, Zoro snorted, unimpressed. None died—his shallow cuts were deliberate, yet unsatisfying.

Glancing at Kiri, he watched him parry Morgan's axe with paper swords. Agile, practiced footwork hinted at vast experience. Fighting him might be fun, Zoro thought, a savage grin forming.

Luffy, chatting with Silk, seemed oblivious to the tension. "Three-sword style's awesome! Can you do that, Silk?"

"No way! That'd dislocate my jaw. How's he fine?" she replied.

"Zoro's got a strong jaw. Could I do it if I trained mine?"

"Hmm… the impact of cutting would be intense. How do you even train a jaw? It's his thing—give it up."

"Shame, it looks cool."

"He's just weird," Silk said.

"Fight seriously!" Zoro yelled.

Why were they all so relaxed? Exasperated, Zoro felt drained. Maybe none were normal. Regret flickered—had he decided too hastily? He shook it off. No takebacks.

Their carefree attitude deflated him. As he considered helping, Silk moved, intercepting marines charging Luffy.

"Luffy, watch out!"

"Huh? That a problem?" he asked.

Knowing his strength but wary of his nonchalance, Silk faced the enemy. Parrying a saber, she slid her blade along it, unbalancing the marine. A quick sheath-strike to the jaw dropped him.

The marines, underestimating her, hesitated. Silk stepped forward. She'd never cut anyone, lacking the courage. Her style relied on parrying and sheath-strikes, honed in training. But seeing Zoro's resolve, she steeled herself. Refusing to cut despite wielding a blade was weakness.

As a pirate seeking strength, she couldn't falter. Drawing her sword, she charged.

"Yaaah!"

Her slender arms belied her power. A marine braced, but hesitated against a young girl. That pause cost him—Silk slashed his stomach in a flash.

Shallow, but blood coated her blade. The sensation of cutting flesh and the scent of blood shook her, but she gritted her teeth, facing the enemy. Blood dripped, a pained groan behind her. This moment—raising her sword, cutting a foe—was her true birth as a pirate.

"Silk's awesome too! My crew's full of badasses," Luffy cheered.

"Quit slacking! There's tons of enemies—fight!" Zoro snapped.

"Right!"

Despite their chaotic ranks, the marines wouldn't stop until Morgan fell. Zoro and Luffy charged, fighting on, knowing Kiri held the key to victory. They couldn't aid him against the commander but stole glances at his duel.

"Raaah!" Morgan's swings unleashed gusts, slicing nearby objects. Terrifying from afar, yet Kiri dodged effortlessly, unscathed, his expression relaxed.

Floating lightly, he closed in as Morgan hesitated, like a dancer in a dreamlike scene, his swirling papers captivating onlookers.

"Tch, scurrying rat!" Morgan growled.

"Good rhythm. Engine's warming up," Kiri replied.

Landing, Kiri spun, discarding his swords. The papers scattered, dancing around him in the breeze.

His mood lifted, unfatigued despite the fight. The papers moved sharper, alive, more threatening than swords or guns despite their mundane appearance.

Dropping his swords wasn't surrender—Morgan knew new attacks were coming.

"Sorry for the wait. Time to get serious," Kiri said.

"Saying you weren't before?" Morgan sneered.

"No, I was serious. Just stiff. That won't win, right?"

"Cocky brat. Conceding already? Stop running your mouth."

Furious, Morgan charged, straightforward and unwavering. Kiri, unhurried, summoned papers, pinching two between his fingers. With a flick, they shot straight, unaffected by wind, reaching Morgan too fast to react.

The papers covered his eyes, sticking comically. His vision gone, he faltered. Kiri seized the moment, kicking Morgan's stomach, sending the giant crashing back, unable to break his fall. Humiliating.

Morgan rose, glaring, as Kiri stood still, holding a paper-crafted staff.

"Ready now," Kiri said.

"Damn brat!" Morgan roared, charging without tricks.

Kiri readied his staff. Morgan's axe aimed for his head, a familiar arc. Kiri struck the axe's side, deflecting it, unbalancing Morgan. A gap opened.

Spinning, Kiri's staff struck Morgan's head. He stumbled but didn't fall, recovering. Kiri's staff whirled, striking Morgan's cheek, neck, and chest in rapid succession, pain twisting his face.

Once even, now Morgan took hits unilaterally. His pride stung, believing himself superior. Rage grew, unstoppable.

"Damn you! Don't get cocky!" he shouted.

His axe swings, predictable and slow, couldn't touch Kiri. Perfect defense, unmatched agility—Kiri parried, never overpowered.

Dodging, repositioning, Kiri evaded flawlessly. Morgan's relentless close-range attacks held no threat, fully read. Landing, Kiri smiled.

"I'm this base's greatest! No one's stronger!" Morgan bellowed.

"Stubborn guy. That delusion got you to colonel?" Kiri quipped.

Dropping his staff, Kiri reshaped the papers into a four-legged beast—a wolf. At his gesture, it charged Morgan faster than a human.

"Outta my way!" Morgan slashed, reducing it to paper. Scattered sheets blocked his view momentarily.

Kiri, anticipating this, closed in, kicking Morgan's face. Caught off-guard, Morgan tumbled again, glaring from the ground, seething.

"Guh…!" he groaned.

"Not bad, but if you can't hit, that arm's just dead weight," Kiri said.

"Why… a mere kid…!" Morgan muttered, rising, glaring.

The skill gap was clear, but Morgan refused to admit it. Kiri's smug smile infuriated him, fueling his resolve. Kiri, unbothered, floated papers around him.

"I can't lose…!" Morgan roared.

"Time to end this. Rehab's done," Kiri said.

Papers formed a massive weapon—a halberd, light yet as hard as steel. Kiri wielded it effortlessly.

"Lead Paper Armament: Halberd. Paper beats axe," Kiri taunted.

"Paper beat me? I'm Colonel Morgan!" Morgan snapped.

"Branch colonel. Talk when you're main branch."

Both charged, weapons clashing as they passed. A pause, then Morgan's chest erupted in blood, a deep wound felling him. He collapsed, unconscious.

Kiri stood unscathed, dismantling his weapon into paper, letting it fall. Breathing deeply, he showed no fatigue or joy—only dominance.

The battle's end shifted the air. Morgan's defeat, Kiri's victory—marines lowered weapons, realizing the tyranny's end. Not despair, but relief.

As someone muttered, "It's over… Morgan's rule—"

"Not yet!" a sharp voice cut through.

All eyes turned. Helmeppo held a pistol to Coby's temple.