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Chapter 68: A Dark and Windy Night
"True identities?"
Nami was startled by what she heard, then looked toward the noisy crowd.
Their gazes fell in turn on the Mayor, the blue-haired girl, the young man in the crown, and a strangely muscular nun.
She had felt it was strange; these people didn't look like ordinary townspeople at all.
These people were really playing them for fools, treating everyone on the ship like idiots.
However, three idiots had still fallen for it.
"There's no doubt. That familiar stench on them must belong to bounty hunters who only think about rewards."
Zoro lowered his voice.
"It's highly likely that the entire town's residents are bounty hunters disguised as ordinary people."
Years ago, he had set out from his hometown, Shimotsuki Village, but lost his way and couldn't find his way back. To make a living, he began hunting wanted criminals.
After gaining the title of "Pirate Hunter," he had been invited to join a bounty hunter organization.
He had naturally refused, but he did remember the organization's name.
Baroque Works.
If he remembered correctly, that organization was located right at the entrance to the Grand Line.
In other words, had they crashed right into it?
"What! They are all bounty hunters! Then aren't we...?"
Hearing this, Nami trembled, her face filled with fear. She almost screamed, but fortunately, someone covered her mouth in time.
Shh.
Ganyu pressed a finger to the orange-haired girl's lips, looked at the confused girl, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Don't be in such a hurry to reveal their identities; something big might happen later."
"Something big?"
Nami wanted to protest; what kind of pirates and bounty hunters would go to a banquet together?
However, hearing the phrase "something big" seemed to trigger a mechanism deep within her.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Alright, what should we do? Pretend to sleep first?" Nami narrowed her eyes, looking as cunning as a fox.
Ganyu's eyes also curved into crescents.
"Hmm, when things get chaotic later, we'll go and loot their treasury. These bounty hunters must have..."
"They must have hoarded countless treasures and gold!" Nami added eagerly.
After these words were spoken.
Snap!
The two ladies high-fived like old friends who had known each other for years, then hugged.
Zoro watched, the corner of his mouth twitching, and shook his head helplessly. While drinking, he asked casually, "If you both pretend to be asleep, who will deal with these people?"
His question hit the mark.
The bounty hunters would definitely make a move tonight.
If no one helped, these two money-grubbing women wouldn't be able to steal the treasure at all.
Therefore, a strong scapegoat was needed to step forward and take the direct heat for them.
Wait, could that person be...?
While thinking, Zoro suddenly stopped drinking, his expression gradually stiffening.
As expected.
He looked up to see the two women hugging, their faces close, both looking directly at him.
"Damn it! I'm not doing something so meaningless for you two!"
...
It was late at night.
Night had fallen, the noise had faded, and only silence remained.
A green-haired man with three swords at his waist sat alone on a rooftop.
His face was full of annoyance, frustration, and resentment, but he also felt powerless.
I shouldn't be sitting here.
But that woman's few words had made it impossible for him to refuse.
"Who treated your injuries at Arlong Park?"
"Who gave you the money to buy your swords?"
"Who saved you from that Marine Captain?"
It is well known that when drifting at sea, the word "gratitude" is the hardest debt to repay.
Although he didn't want to admit it, that woman had indeed done him a huge favor.
Not to mention doing something for her, even just giving her a hand wouldn't be excessive.
Zoro looked resentfully at the roof of the cabin beneath his feet.
His companions were all sleeping inside, leaving him alone on the roof to face the cold wind.
As for why he was on the roof...
Of course, it was a request from those two ladies, who said him being on the roof would look cooler.
Zoro picked up his wine bottle, took a swig, and swallowed his resentment along with the alcohol. "I didn't spend a single berry of my own money to buy this sword!"
After complaining, he calmed down, blended into the night, and began to dutifully guard his companions.
In reality, this was no different from being on the ship; he was just taking the night watch.
A long time passed.
In the darkness, the rustling of deliberately suppressed footsteps could be heard.
How are they?
"We've sent people to confirm; they are all sleeping soundly."
The voices grew louder.
"These guys are really unguarded! Are they truly bounty heads worth millions?"
"We must not let our guard down. Those wanted posters aren't fake. They are basically the most notorious criminals to enter the Grand Line recently."
"To avoid any accidents, Miss Monday and Mr. 9 will lead the team to surround the cabin later."
"We must capture them alive. The Government intends to execute them publicly. If they die, the bounty will be reduced by thirty percent."
"Okay, we'll be right there..."
Sure enough, this town was a nest for Baroque Works.
On the roof, Zoro, who had witnessed their entire conversation, stood up and slowly drew two sharp blades, the Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri.
In the darkness, the sound of long swords being unsheathed wasn't loud, but it was enough for those paying attention to hear.
"Who's there?!"
Igaram suddenly looked up, the long curly hair behind him standing on end, revealing three gun muzzles on each side, all aimed at the roof in front of him.
Vivi, Miss Monday, Mr. 9, and the bounty hunters beside him were all stunned. After a moment of panic, they all raised their weapons.
Everyone broke into a cold sweat, their hearts pounding like drums.
It was late at night, supposed to be their home turf for launching a surprise attack on the pirates.
The sudden sound of a sword being drawn was truly chilling.
"Excuse me... could you please keep it down and not disturb my companions' sleep?"
In the dark night.
A man slowly rose from the roof, holding a long sword in each hand, the blades reflecting a chilling white light under the moon.
Facing the weapons of nearly a hundred people below, he spoke calmly.
"They must be exhausted from sailing during the day. Can we let them have a good sleep?"
The night wind blew the three earrings on his left ear, and the three swords glinted coldly in the moonlight.
His face was hidden in shadows, but his threatening eyes were horrifyingly clear.
"You... you are that swordsman?"
Zoro's features were easy to recognize; even in the Grand Line, almost no one carried three swords.
Moreover, there was only one swordsman among the pirate crew they had hosted today.