Paper Paper Fruit In One Piece

"Hmph, I don't need your help at all."

However, the green-haired man tied to the wooden stake didn't seem grateful.

"I just need to survive for a month, and they'll let me go. As long as they keep their promise..."

Tap, tap, tap,

However, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted Zoro. A boy with glasses and a middle parting hairstyle had somehow climbed over the wall and run over, panting heavily, indicating he had come as fast as he could, but:

"What are you doing here?"

Roman asked knowingly, while Coby, who was holding his knees, couldn't answer Roman and just anxiously looked at the tied-up Zoro.

"You've been deceived!"

?

"They never intended to let you go!"

"That second-generation rich kid said it himself, they're going to execute you tomorrow—"

Ignoring the surprised Zoro, the boy named Coby lowered his head in sadness, not letting the two present see his tears, but his tearful voice clearly showed his inner turmoil:

"Luffy and I both know... you're not a bad guy, you were just captured because you killed the wolves raised by that second-generation rich kid to protect the people of the town..."

"Oppressing the people, lying through their teeth..."

"Such Marines, such Marines..."

Hmm?

Clang—!

Roman's sailor knife flashed to the side, blocking in front of Coby! The sharp clash scared the 'darkened' Coby so much that his tears and snot froze on his face.

"Wha... what happened..."

Splat,

With a slight shake, a deformed lead bullet slid off Roman's sailor knife and fell to the ground.

"Obviously, we've been attacked."

The reason for using 'we' was because Roman didn't believe anyone could accurately aim a flintlock from the Marine base rooftop at someone dozens of meters away. More likely, the shooter just fired randomly in this direction, and whoever got hit was just unlucky.

"Hmph, if you don't want to die, get lost..."

The tied-up Zoro started to drive people away with a harsh tone again.

Boom—

Meanwhile, on the Marine base rooftop, a statue slowly rose. Then:

It suddenly tilted.

"That statue is going to fall~~"

"That statue is falling~~"

"That statue has fallen~~"

As the three spoke, the newly erected statue crashed onto the roof and broke in half! Then the upper half:

Slap!

A 'head' fell to the edge of the square, shattering into pieces. And:

"Ahhh~~~"

"What have you done!!!"

"Kill him, kill him—"

Even from dozens of meters away, the three in the square could hear the shock and chaos on the base rooftop, along with gunfire and shouts! It seemed that:

"Hey, that guy is too stupid!"

"Not even half a minute, and he got caught by the Marines?"

The tied-up Zoro, who had been starving for nine days, felt his blood pressure soar, even gaining strength out of nowhere!—Is this it? Is this it?

Boasting about getting his swords back, only to be caught by the Marines immediately!

In an instant, the entire Marine base was like a disturbed hornet's nest,

In the square, facing the motionless Roman, the man named Zoro couldn't help but speak.

"Pirate, aren't you going to help?"

"Your captain is going to be shot to death."

Although there were countless strong people in this world, this was still the 'weakest' East Blue. In Zoro's current understanding: if someone is killed, they die.

Not to mention bullets, even a careless fall could be fatal!

"Hah, Luffy won't die in a place like this."

Roman waved his hand casually,

"Instead of worrying about others, you should worry about yourself."

Tap, tap, tap, tap!!

Amidst the dense footsteps, a group of Marine soldiers ran out of the base building. The dark muzzles of their guns pointed at Roman and the others in the square.

"Hands up—"

"Who are you?"

"Intruders, open fire!"

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

In a series of gunshots, whistling lead bullets flew towards Roman—and Coby beside him, as they stood boldly in the center of the square.

"Paper Dance - Shield!"

Whoosh—

A large amount of paper gushed from Roman's hand, instantly forming a giant 'tower shield' in front of them! While blocking the Vice Admiral's lead bullets, it also protected Coby beside him.

"How interesting..."

A tall man with a Marine officer's cloak, an iron brace on his chin, and a giant axe replacing his right hand, strode out from among the Marine soldiers.

Captain Morgan.

The 'master' of this Marine base.

"A few rats, daring to challenge my authority?"

"Your insignificant strength is nothing compared to my power—"

As he waved his hand, the dark muzzles of the Marines' guns aimed at the three of them—this time, including the tied-up Zoro!

"Hey, hey, hey, why am I included..."

"Ready!"

But the other side didn't want to, nor would they listen to Zoro's nonsense. All the soldiers just skillfully loaded, aimed, and prepared to fire.

I, I can't die in a place like this!

I still have promises to fulfill!

"Hey pirate, share your shield with me—"

At the critical moment, even this iron-willed man, who had been starving under the scorching sun for nine days, had to lower his head and ask Roman for help. Unfortunately:

"I refuse!"

?

"Don't get me wrong, it's Luffy who wants you on the ship, not me."

Roman tilted his head and glanced at the desperate Zoro, his face expressionless, but something flashed in his slightly raised eyes.

"I have no reason to save you—I'm a pirate."

!!

Am I really going to die here?

I had promised—

To become the world's greatest swordsman...

Kuina,

——————

Under the moonlight,

A boy with two swords and a girl with one sword clashed, and the result of the battle was:

2001 times, failure!

'Damn it, so frustrating.'

The green-haired boy, knocked to the ground, looked unwilling.

'Why can't I ever beat you, Kuina?'

'I'm the one who's frustrated!'

But the girl who defeated him was even more unwilling! She was already hugging her knees and crying, 'Don't you see? It's taking me longer and longer to beat you.'

'As we grow up, boys' physical advantages will become more apparent. Father said—girls can't become the world's greatest swordsman...'

'Saying that after winning is too despicable!'

Facing the crying girl, the green-haired boy with two swords was furious, 'Are you going to use that as an excuse when you lose to me one day?'

'I can always see you as my goal, training every day to surpass you. I won't allow you to say such discouraging things!'

The boy with two swords stood in front of the crying girl and made a promise.

'Let's compete!'

'The 2002nd match—one day, either you or I.'

'Will become the world's greatest swordsman!'

'Let's see who the winner is this time!'

'Idiot,'

The girl wiped away her tears and laughed while crying.

'You're just a loser...'

'Fine, I promise you—'

然而第二天,

However, the next day,

She died.

The boy's 'lifelong rival' died silently, just like that. The girl had simply fallen down the stairs while fetching a whetstone, and that was it:

'Master, can I have Kuina's sword?'

The expressionless boy took the girl's sword and tied three weapons to his waist.

We promised, one day:

I will take you to become the world's greatest swordsman!!

---

No way!

How can I die in a place like this!!

Kuina, our...

Our promise,

Countless lead bullets reflected in his pupils! Even Zoro's well-trained body was still just flesh and blood. Under such an attack...

Could it be—

Swish!

In a flash, a figure stood in front of Zoro! It was a figure wearing a straw hat, a red vest, and holding his three swords.

Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!!!

The dense lead bullets all hit him, leaving the stunned Zoro behind.

"You—"

"Muda muda muda!!" (Useless)

But before Zoro could play out a 'tragic' scene, Luffy, who was blocking the bullets, suddenly stretched his body, and the lead bullets embedded in him immediately returned the way they came! The Marine soldiers who fired were knocked down.

"Hehehehe~~"

"Who... who are you..."

Facing the shocked Zoro, Luffy turned his head and confidently smiled.

"I'm Luffy,"

"The man who will become the Pirate King!"

He said, handing the three swords to Zoro, "I didn't know which one was yours, so I brought them all."

"All three are mine."

Phew,

Having walked the line between life and death, Zoro exhaled, realizing that some things weren't as important, while others became even more precious.

"Heh, rather than dying here,"

"I'd rather become a pirate with you—"

Swish, swish, swish,

A flash of sword light, and the ropes binding Zoro were all cut! Roman, who twirled his sword, smiled slightly.

"I'm Roman,"

"Torkovich-Roman."

He extended his hand, supporting the suddenly freed Zoro, who almost collapsed.

"So, from now on, please take care of me."

"Partner."