One piece: A Tale Before the Wind

Freed from being Luffy's hostage, Helmeppo stood alone at the training ground, holding a pistol to Coby's temple.

His vindictive nature shone through, targeting the weakest. The air tensed, faces hardening.

Noticing the attention, Helmeppo shouted, "Drop your weapons! Marines, seize them, or his head's gone!"

"Idiot son," Luffy muttered.

"He's at it again…" Zoro added, both grimacing.

Clueless to the resolved situation, Helmeppo's timing was awful. The marines, free from control and ready to celebrate, hesitated, exchanging complex looks, ignoring his orders.

Unaware, Helmeppo boasted, "You're done! My dad's a Navy captain! Reinforcements are coming! No escape! Hie hie hie!"

"Your dad's great, not you," Luffy said, strolling toward him casually. "What can you do?"

"Urk…!?" Helmeppo faltered, knees shaking.

"Stay back!" he yelled.

"Don't care who your dad is. Stop me yourself," Luffy said.

"Shut up! Don't boss me!" Helmeppo snapped.

"Coby's stronger than you. Threats won't work," Luffy said.

"Guh, ugh—" Helmeppo trembled, gripping the pistol, finger shaking on the trigger.

Luffy's fearlessness unnerved him. Why wasn't he scared? Did Coby's life mean nothing? To Helmeppo, this defiance was alien, terrifying.

Coby, resolute, shouted, "Luffy-san! I don't want to hinder you… even if I die!"

"Shishishi, see?" Luffy grinned, pleased.

Helmeppo's teeth chattered, unable to lower the gun, clinging to pride. He'd always won, never begged.

Luffy closed in. "You lose, idiot son. Brace yourself."

"Damn it!" Helmeppo cried, aiming at Luffy as a rubber fist swung. He pulled the trigger.

"Gomu Gomu no—"

"Dad, stop him—!"

"Pistol!"

Bang! Helmeppo was knocked flying.

Coby flinched at the gunshot but, unharmed, sighed in relief, meeting Luffy's grin. The bullet missed.

Looking at Helmeppo, Coby murmured, "Guess you can fight."

He wondered what Helmeppo would think, seeing Luffy's fearless face.

Turning to his friends, Coby spotted Morgan rising behind Kiri, who was clapping for Luffy.

"Nice one, Luffy!" Kiri said.

"Kiri-san, behind you!" Coby yelled.

Morgan's axe-hand rose, eyes blazing. "I'm great… stronger than anyone!"

As it swung, sword slashes flashed. Blood sprayed from shallow cuts, and Morgan collapsed, defeated.

Kiri didn't turn until it was over. Zoro, sheathing three swords, spoke casually, "Nice arm."

"It's how you say it… Using newbies like that, Vice-Captain?" Zoro grumbled.

"I didn't order it. Friends helped," Kiri said.

"You knew, didn't you? Annoying guy…" Zoro muttered.

Kiri turned, smirking at Zoro's scowl. Silk, standing by Morgan, gave an awkward laugh. "Guess I moved without thinking."

She and Zoro had slashed simultaneously to save Kiri, showing surprising synergy.

Kiri chuckled, "Didn't need both of you."

The scene calmed. Four pirates defeated the Navy. Many marines were injured, Morgan and Helmeppo down—a heavy loss. Against true villains, it'd be dire, but the marines, freed, tossed weapons and cheered.

Their joy was odd, some crying, not mourning comrades but celebrating freedom. Luffy tilted his head, puzzled, while Coby smiled.

"What's with them? Happy their friends got beat?" Luffy asked.

"They didn't want to follow orders. The captain scared them," Coby said.

"Huh. Whatever, we won!" Luffy declared, fists raised.

The trio joined them, the air refreshing. Even grumpy Zoro stood quietly, accepting them as comrades.

All safe, no deaths—a perfect victory. Their smiles were proud, voices lively.

"Let's feast! Zoro, pirates party, you know?" Luffy said.

"Anyone parties. I'm starving after nine days," Zoro said.

"Rika's probably got food ready. Hang on," Silk said.

"Don't collapse, Zoro. You're heavy to ditch," Kiri teased.

"I'll slice you!" Zoro snapped.

Their banter showed a solid team. Coby envied their bond, wondering about a pirate life with them. But his marine dream was set.

He watched from a distance, until Luffy stepped closer. "Coby, join the party!"

"Sure, gotta tell Rika too," Coby said.

"Let's invite the base guys!" Luffy suggested.

"What? They're pirates!" Coby said.

"They're happy, so let's party with the town! More people, more fun!" Luffy said.

"Pirates and marines, enemies, partying?" Coby muttered, stunned.

Luffy just laughed, turning to his crew. "Split up, prep the party!"

His whim sparked a grand feast.

Shells Town, once subdued, erupted in celebration. Morgan's defeat freed everyone. Townsfolk and marines reveled under pirate guidance, grateful for liberation from tyranny.

Amidst the joyous chaos, Zoro ate heartily, sating nine days' hunger, setting his empty mug down happily. His headband now on his arm, he looked younger, smiling.

"Phew, stuffed. Nine days was rough," Zoro said.

"So a month was impossible," Luffy teased.

"Why're you eating more than me?" Zoro asked, eyeing Luffy's piled plates.

Rika giggled, relieved her saviors were safe. "Big bro, full?"

"Yeah, finally human again," Zoro said.

"Good job, Rika, with those rice balls," Silk said.

"Yeah!" Rika beamed.

Silk, beside Rika, seemed sisterly, their bond tight. The peaceful moment contrasted the earlier battle.

"Luffy-saaan!" Coby called, running from the base.

"Hm?" Luffy turned.

Panting, Coby grinned. "I did it! Asked the Navy to join. They approved me for chores! I'm in!"

"Nice! We're enemies now, shishishi," Luffy said.

"Yes, but I'll never forget this. Meeting you changed me," Coby said, resolute.

"Luffy-san, we'll part here, but… we're friends forever, right?" Coby asked.

"Obviously," Luffy said.

Coby's worry turned to joy, wiping tears. Zoro and Silk chimed in.

"Crying, marine? Can't catch us like that," Zoro said.

"He's emotional," Silk said.

"Haha, sorry. I'll train, study, get strong. Next time, I'll stand proud," Coby said, smiling.

"I'll become a Navy officer!" he declared.

"Cool, but I won't lose. Next time, pirate versus marine," Luffy said, bumping fists with Coby, sealing a promise.

Silk watched warmly, Zoro smirked. Kiri approached, holding a worn map.

"Time to go," Kiri said.

"Where were you?" Luffy asked.

"Got a chart to the next town. We need supplies," Kiri said, waving the map.

"Can't we grab stuff here?" Zoro asked.

"Free food's nice, but this is a Navy town. Pirates lingering isn't great," Kiri said.

"Fair. Let's go," Luffy decided.

Zoro and Silk stood, ready. Rika looked sad. "You're leaving?"

"Sorry, we're pirates. Can't stay," Silk said, kneeling to her level.

"We just got close…" Rika said.

"Don't worry. We'll meet again," Silk promised, linking pinkies.

Smiling, they headed to the port with Coby and Rika, waving to cheerful townsfolk. Luffy grinned at the warm atmosphere.

"Let's go," Luffy said.

"Zoro, digested?" Kiri asked.

"Ready to slice even you," Zoro said.

"No way! Got a grudge?" Kiri teased.

"You ran your mouth while I was tied up," Zoro growled.

"Let it go," Kiri said.

"You don't say that!" Zoro snapped.

"Shishishi, you guys are tight," Luffy laughed.

Their banter held strong amidst the crowd. At the port, they boarded their small ship, loaded with food, water, and clothes—bought with Alvida's treasure, planned for Zoro's addition.

Ropes untied, sails raised, they were ready in seconds. Townsfolk and marines, including Coby and Rika, gathered, smiling, no tears.

"We're off. See ya, Coby," Luffy said.

"Good luck, Luffy-san!" Coby replied.

"Bye, big bro!" Rika said.

"Yeah!" Luffy waved.

Sails caught the west wind, moving slowly but surely. Luffy shouted, "Set sail!"

Coby yelled, "Thank you! I'll never forget this!"

"All hands, salute!" Coby commanded.

Marines saluted pirates—a rare sight. Onboard, they commented.

"Wow, saluting us. Weird," Silk said.

"Marines saluting pirates? Crazy," Zoro said.

"Morgan was that scary. Plus, we took in their beast," Kiri said.

"Still running your mouth?" Zoro growled.

"Cool guys. Let's come back after circling the world as Pirate King," Luffy said.

Kiri grabbed a bottle and mugs from the cargo. "Zoro's welcome party?"

"Nice, we ditched the last one," Silk said.

"Just this much booze?" Zoro asked.

"Just for show. Captain, lead the toast," Kiri said.

"Got it," Luffy said.

They sat in a circle, raising mugs. "To Zoro joining us… Cheers!"

Mugs clinked, spilling slightly, but they laughed joyfully.

A small ship, but with one more crewmate, they felt like true pirates. Their faces glowed with anticipation for the journey ahead.