Chapter 2 Daily Life and Hidden Growth on the RaftThe orange sunlight, like spilled honey, thickly coated the entire sea surface. A thing… barely deserving of the name "ship" was wobbling and drifting towards what appeared to be the east.
Several logs of varying thicknesses, bound together with rough vines and salvaged fishing nets, formed the hull. A skull and crossbones flag, scribbled haphazardly on a rag with some kind of red berry juice, hung listlessly in the sea breeze, tied to a slightly straighter stick. This was the Monkey D. Luffy "pirate ship"—a "raft" that had taken two days to cut down trees, bind together, and finally been forcefully pushed into the water by Luffy with his Gum-Gum Rocket.
Axel sat cross-legged at the relatively stable stern of the raft, his rough iron spear resting across his lap. His eyes were closed, seemingly resting with the current, but his entire mind was immersed in a system notification sound that was completely different from yesterday's:
[Ding—Host detected as being in "Unknown Sea Area (East China Sea Coast)". Sign in?]
Signing in at sea? Axel's spirits lifted, and he immediately muttered, "Sign in."
[Ding—Signing in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the following in "Unknown Sea Area (East China Sea Coast)":]
[Basic Navigation Knowledge (Fragment) x1]
[System Currency: 30 Points]
A cool breeze flowed into his mind, and fragmented knowledge about basic ocean current identification, wind direction observation, and precursors to severe weather surfaced. Though fragmented, it was much better than being completely clueless. His currency also increased from 70 points to 100 points.
"Sure enough, changing the location triggers a sign-in," Axel thought to himself. "Looks like not only do I need to find special locations, but moving itself can also trigger a normal sign-in. But the reward... is a bit meager." Compared to the physique enhancer and basic shooting skills given at the beginner's beach, this was indeed better than nothing.
"Axel—look! A bird! A huge bird!" Luffy's excited shout came from the bow of the boat (if it could even be called a bow). He stretched out his rubber arm, trying to grab a seabird soaring overhead, but due to excessive force, the raft tilted sharply to one side, and salty seawater rushed up, drenching half of Axel's body.
Axel wiped the seawater from his face, watching Luffy sullenly sit back down on the raft, his rubber arm retracting to its normal length with a whoosh. He couldn't help but sigh. This voyage was truly grueling.
He opened the system shop interface, his gaze sweeping across the screen. 100 points—what could he buy? [Basic Physique Enhancement Potion (Small)] required 50 points; should he buy another bottle? He already had [Basic Gun Technique Beginner], and the next tier, [Basic Gun Technique Proficiency], cost 300 points; forget about it for now. [Rough Iron Spear] was already his. [Basic Movement and Footwork] cost 80 points; that was something to consider.
"Movement and Footwork..." Axel looked at Luffy, still restless on the narrow raft, constantly flailing his arms and legs, almost falling into the sea, then looked at himself. "In this world, attack skills alone aren't enough; survival and mobility are equally important."
With a thought, 80 points were deducted. A flow of information, gentler and more focused on body coordination and balance than when learning the basics of marksmanship, flowed into his consciousness. How to maneuver in a tight space, how to maintain balance while moving, how to use footwork to conserve energy and confuse opponents… [Basic Movement and Footwork].
Skill bar updated: [Marksmanship: Basic Beginner (12/100)], [Movement: Basic Footwork (0/100)]. The proficiency in marksmanship was increased by practicing and studying whenever he had free time on the island, by the sea, and on the raft these past two days.
20 points remained. Axel looked at the [Mental Recovery Potion (Small)], 50 points, unaffordable. However, there was an inconspicuous item in the corner: [Inferior Fish Bait (Small)], 5 points. It could catch random small sea fish and had a very low probability of attracting special fish.
Even a mosquito's leg is meat. Axel spent 5 points, and a small, dark red bait, its raw materials unidentifiable and emitting a faint fishy smell, appeared in his system space. He calmly took it out, pinched off a small piece, and attached it to the makeshift hook he had previously made from wood and vine fibers. He then cast the vine line into the sea.
Luffy was immediately drawn to the bait, squatting down beside him, his eyes wide with surprise: "Fishing? Axel, you can fish? Can we catch a big fish? A fish as big as a mountain!"
"Let's try." Axel didn't have high hopes. It was a system product; it should be somewhat useful, right?
The wait felt incredibly long. The raft bobbed with the waves, and the sun grew increasingly scorching. Luffy was initially focused, but after less than ten minutes, he started yawning, and finally, he simply sprawled out in the middle of the raft, his straw hat covering his face, and fell fast asleep, his stomach rumbling loudly at opportune moments.
Axel's stomach growled. He'd long since finished the rest of the coconuts. Looking at the calm sea, he felt a little uneasy.
Just then, the vine in his hand tightened suddenly, a considerable force pulling him!
Something had taken the bait!
Axel immediately gripped the vine, feeling the struggling force at the other end. Not strong, but very active. He steadied himself, using the basic footwork he'd just learned to adjust his center of gravity, avoiding being dragged into the sea, and began carefully reeling in the line.
Splash! A shimmering silver fish, about the length of a forearm, with a vibrant blue dorsal fin, was pulled from the water, frantically thrashing its tail in the sunlight, splashing water everywhere.
"Meat!!!" Luffy, who had been sound asleep, sprang up like a spring, his eyes turning into the shape of roasted meat, a suspicious liquid hanging from the corner of his mouth, and his rubber arm stretched out in a flash to grab it.
"Wait! Luffy! Deal with this first!" Axel quickly stopped him. The fish looked big, but eating it raw… his stomach might not be able to handle it.
Although Luffy's face clearly said, "I want to eat it right now," he obediently stopped, only staring longingly at the still-throwing fish, as if he wanted to cook it with his eyes.
Axel carefully processed the fish with the tip of his iron spear, then started a fire again (this time in a specially reserved area in the center of the raft, covered with damp sand and stone slabs, and he was extremely careful). He cut and skewered the fish meat. Flames rose, fish oil dripped, sizzling and releasing a fragrant aroma that mingled with the fresh scent of the sea.
"Wow—it smells so good! It smells so good!" Luffy circled the fire, constantly swallowing his saliva.
The fish was cooked, its flesh tender and delicious, far superior to the strange fish tail from before. The two devoured it, even chewing and slurping the bones.
[Ding—Host has successfully obtained food at sea for the first time, triggering a minor survival achievement. Reward: Slightly improved physique, 10 system currency points.]
An unexpected bonus? Axel felt his body become slightly lighter, though not noticeably. His currency points increased to 25. It seems that not only daily check-ins, but certain actions can also trigger rewards. This system requires continuous exploration.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Luffy patted his round belly and lay contentedly in the sun on the raft: "It's so good to have crew! Axel, you can fish and grill meat! Zoro would be so happy!"
Zoro. Finally, that name was mentioned.
"Zoro?" Axel feigned ignorance. "Who's that? Is he also your crewmate?"
"Yes! Although I haven't met him yet, he's definitely my crewmate!" Luffy sat up, his face filled with an inexplicable certainty. "I heard there's a very strong swordsman in the East Blue named Roronoa Zoro! I'm going to find him and make him my crewmate! He must be incredibly powerful!"
"A swordsman..." Axel stroked the cold shaft of his iron spear. Three-sword style, the future world's greatest swordsman. He, a spear-wielder, probably couldn't even withstand a single blow from him. The urgency to become stronger washed over him again.
"Axel, you use the gun, Zoro uses the sword, you can spar later!" Luffy was already dreaming about the future. "My ship will have all sorts of crewmates! Navigator, cook, musician…"
Axel listened to Luffy's hopeful ramblings, his gaze fixed on the vast ocean. According to his "memory," should he go to Orange Town first, or Syrup Village? The timeline was a bit blurry. But no matter what, following Luffy, he could eventually reach those places.
The raft continued to drift on the sea. Axel seized every opportunity to train. During the day, he practiced basic spear techniques—thrusting, parrying, and parrying—on the swaying raft, combining them with basic footwork, trying to adapt his body to the unstable environment. [Spear Technique: Basic Beginner (35/100)], [Footwork: Basic Footwork (18/100)]. At night, he tried meditation (with little effect), or studied the high-level items in the system shop that he couldn't afford, silently planning his possible future development path.
Luffy spent most of his time sleeping, complaining of hunger, or trying to catch seabirds flying by or fish occasionally leaping from the sea using his rubber powers, adding a lot of "unexpected" and noise to the monotonous voyage. Axel, on the other hand, was like a silent sponge, absorbing the knowledge of this world (fragments acquired through the system), honing his newly acquired skills, while carefully hiding all his secrets.
The third day at sea, evening.
[Ding—Host detected in "Unknown waters near the route," sign in?]
"Sign in."
[Ding—Sign in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the following in "Unknown waters near the route":]
[Weak Qi and Blood Replenishment Pill x1]
[System Currency: 25 points]
Total currency reached 50 points. The Qi and Blood Replenishment Pill is described as slightly relieving fatigue and replenishing stamina. Axel used it directly; a slight warming sensation spread from his stomach, and the slight fatigue from paddling all day (actually just using a plank to paddle through the water) dissipated considerably.
As dusk settled, a crimson sunset painted the horizon where sea and sky met. Luffy, who had been so talkative, suddenly fell silent. Standing at the very front of the raft, hands on his hips, his straw hat billowing in the wind, he gazed at the horizon where the sun seemed to hold nothing, yet also everything.
"Axel," he said without turning around, his voice still clear in the sea breeze, "The Pirate King is the freest man on this sea."
Axel paused his countless thrusts with his spear, looking at the boy whose silhouette was outlined in the sunset's glow. He didn't understand Luffy's full definition of "freedom," but at that moment, he could feel that pure, burning yearning.
"Ah," he responded.
"So, we're going to go to lots and lots of places, meet lots and lots of people, and eat lots and lots of meat!" Luffy turned around, his signature smile, capable of dispelling any gloom, back on his face. "There's definitely an island ahead! I can smell land!"
Axel subconsciously sniffed, but smelled nothing but the salty sea breeze. He didn't argue, though. According to the "plot," they were indeed supposed to encounter their first real island.
Before night completely fell, at the edge of visibility, a blurry black dot appeared on the horizon.
"An island! It's an island!!" Luffy jumped up excitedly, the raft rocking violently. "Accelerate! Charge—Gum-Rocket!"
"Wait! Luffy! Don't…" Axel's warning came too late.
Luffy had already grabbed the edge of the raft, his rubber arms stretched back to their limit, then snapped shut!
Bang!
The raft, as if shoved by an invisible giant hand, cleaved through the waves at an absurdly high speed, hurtling towards the distant black dot. Axel clung tightly to the vines binding the raft, barely managing to avoid being flung off. The howling sea wind and Luffy's excited shouts filled his ears.
Feeling this outrageous acceleration, watching the island's silhouette rapidly enlarge before him, Axel's heart pounded wildly in his chest.
Orange Town? Or somewhere else?
A new check-in location, getting closer.
His gun, seemingly sensing its master's emotions, trembled slightly with the jolt, emitting a low, dragon-like hum that only he could perceive.
(System Currency: 50 points. Items: None. Skills: Marksmanship (Basic Beginner 35/100), Movement Technique (Basic Footwork 18/100). Special: Conqueror's Haki Trial Card x1 (Unused).)
Chapter 3 News about the spiked club and the three-sword styleThe raft drifted on the calm waters of the East China Sea for who knows how many days. Axel was trying to determine direction by comparing his fragmented nautical knowledge with his own, while Luffy beside him was attempting, for the umpteenth time, to catch a newsbird flying overhead with his rubber arms—all ending in failure, making him yell at the sky in frustration.
"Ah! A ship! A huge ship!" Luffy suddenly pointed to the side and jumped up excitedly, causing the raft to rock violently.
Axel looked in the direction he was pointing, and sure enough, a medium-sized sailing ship was slowly approaching. The hull looked poorly maintained, somewhat dirty, and the sail bore a rather crude design—a heart shattered by a spiked club? Axel's heart sank. That symbol… the Alvida Pirates!
"Hey—! Over here! Any food?" Luffy waved his arms and shouted, his stomach rumbling like a symphony.
Axel tried to stop him, but it was too late. The ship had clearly noticed the makeshift raft and the two living people on it, and slightly adjusted its course to approach. Some figures could be vaguely seen on the bow.
As the ship drew closer, Axel could see more clearly. Dozens of oddly shaped pirates stood on the deck, most wielding knives and clubs, grinning maliciously. Leading them was an unusually obese woman with rough skin and a face covered in freckles. She wore a pink dress and carried a massive spiked club almost as tall as herself—it was "Iron Club" Alvida. Beside her stood a man wearing a hat who looked like a lieutenant, and a thin, pink-haired boy with round glasses, shivering while clutching a pile of dirty dishes.
Coby! Axel recognized the distinctive pink-haired boy immediately. His face was bruised and filled with fear, and his eyes behind his glasses were filled with despair.
"Oh? Two more fearless brats on the sea?" Alvida spoke in her gruff voice, a spiked club slung over her shoulder, sizing up Luffy and Axel. "One's a silly boy in a straw hat, and the other... he's got a fire poker? Hahaha!"
The pirates behind her joined in the laughter.
Axel gripped his iron spear tightly; his [Basic Battlefield Sense] allowed him to clearly sense the malice and contempt emanating from the opposite ship. Luffy, completely oblivious to the danger, continued shouting, "Hey! Do you have any meat? We're starving! We'll trade you oranges!"
"Meat? Oranges?" Alvida laughed as if she'd heard a joke. "Kids, you're my prisoners now! Tie the raft up and get on board! We need someone to clean the toilets!"
Several pirates lowered rope ladders and grappling hooks, preparing to drag the raft over.
"Prisoners? No way!" Luffy pouted. "Axel, are they bad guys?"
"They're pirates, and they don't look like good people," Axel said in a low voice, his eyes quickly scanning the number of enemies and their weapons. A direct confrontation was definitely out of the question; there were dozens of them, plus Alvida, their incredibly strong leader. They'd have to outsmart them, or… utilize Luffy's abilities and the momentum of the original storyline.
"Pirates? Then we'll just defeat them!" Luffy's understanding was always simple and direct.
"Wait, Luffy," Axel grabbed him, lowering his voice and saying quickly, "That pink-haired, bespectacled boy looks like he's being coerced. Let's go aboard and see what's going on, then we can find an opportunity."
Luffy glanced at the frightened Coby on the ship and nodded: "Okay! Let's go!"
The two climbed the rope ladder onto Alvida's pirate ship. As soon as they reached the deck, a strong stench of sweat, cheap alcohol, and rotting food assaulted their senses. The pirates surrounded them, looking at them with mockery, as if they were two rabbits who had stumbled into a wolf's den. Coby huddled in a corner, stealing glances at them, a hint of surprise and worry in his eyes.
Alvida pointed her spiked club at Luffy: "Kid, you just said you wanted to be the Pirate King? You? That's laughable! In this East Blue, I, Alvida, am the most beautiful and strongest pirate!"
Luffy picked his nose: "I'm the Pirate King. You're too ugly."
Those words instantly ignited Alvida's fury. "What did you say?! You're asking for it!" Her massive spiked club whistled through the air as it slammed down towards Luffy!
"Gum-Gum—" Luffy didn't dodge, instead extending his arm backward, "Pistol!"
Bang!
The fist collided with the spiked club, producing a dull thud. Alvida was jolted back two steps, the club nearly slipping from her grasp, her face showing disbelief. "You…your hand?!"
"I'm a rubber man!" Luffy said with a grin.
The pirates on deck erupted in commotion. Coby was stunned.
Axel knew a conflict was inevitable; he had to act, but he couldn't reveal too much. He spotted the closest pirate, who was raising his sword to strike. With a quick movement of his basic footwork, he sidestepped the blade and thrust his iron spear swiftly, the tip precisely striking the pirate's wrist.
"Ah!" The pirate cried out in pain, dropping his sword onto the deck.
"Oh? This gun-wielding kid's got some skills?" Alvida's first mate, the man in the hat, drew his sword. "I'll play with you!"
Axel focused intently. The first mate was clearly stronger than an ordinary soldier, and his swordsmanship was far more ruthless. Axel perfected his basic spear techniques, using footwork to maneuver, primarily adopting a defensive stance, occasionally counterattacking, trying to avoid becoming the center of attention. He knew that Luffy was the protagonist of this battle.
As expected, Luffy and Alvida were locked in a fierce battle. Alvida possessed immense strength, her spiked club swung with tremendous force, but Luffy's rubber body allowed him to execute unpredictable dodges and attacks. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand, and the aftershocks of the fight left the deck in disarray.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Axel fought his way back, gradually approaching the corner where Coby was positioned. He forced back his first mate with a single shot (the first mate was somewhat wary of Axel's steady, cautious, and risk-free style of shooting), and quickly whispered to Coby, "Want to leave? Stay close to us!"
Coby shuddered, staring at Axel in disbelief, then nodded vigorously, tears welling up in his eyes again.
Just then, Luffy found an opening, unleashing a powerful "Gum-Gum Rocket" that slammed into Alvida's abdomen, sending her massive body flying backward, crashing through the ship's railing, and screaming as she fell into the sea!
"Captain Alvida!" the pirates cried out in panic.
"Quick! Lower the lifeboats!"
"The captain fell into the sea!"
Chaos erupted on the ship. Luffy clapped his hands, triumphantly declaring, "Solved!"
Axel seized the opportunity to shout to Coby, "Quick, launch the small boats!"
Coby, as if waking from a dream, scrambled to untie the mooring ropes of the small boat. Axel, gun in hand, stood between Coby and the pirates trying to stop him, not seeking to kill, but only to hold them off. Luffy also rushed to help, his rubber arm sweeping wildly, sending pirates flying as they tried to approach.
Soon, a small boat was lowered. Luffy, Axel, and Coby quickly jumped aboard.
"Row! Row!" Coby rowed with all his might, the small boat speeding away from the chaotic Alvida pirate ship.
Only when the ship became a tiny black dot did the three breathe a sigh of relief. Coby slumped into the small boat, panting heavily, his face a mixture of tears and laughter: "We...we're saved...thank you! Thank you so much!"
Luffy laughed heartily: "You're welcome! You're free now!"
Coby wiped away his tears and nodded emphatically, "Yes! I…I want to join the Marines! I want to catch bad pirates like Alvida!"
"The Marines…" Luffy sat down cross-legged, "By the way, Coby, you've been on this sea all this time, have you heard of a swordsman named Roronoa Zoro? He's really good."
"Zoro…Zoro?" Coby paused, then his face showed awe and a hint of fear, "You…you mean that pirate hunter, the 'Three-Sword Style' Roronoa Zoro?"
"Yes! That's him!" Luffy's eyes lit up.
Coby pushed up his glasses, his voice trembling slightly, "I…I've heard of him. He's very famous in this East Blue, he's caught…captured a lot of pirates. But…but recently I heard that he was captured by Marine Captain Morgan and is being held at the Marine base in Shells Town."
"Caught?" Luffy frowned.
"Yes...yes. It seems it's because he agreed to a town resident's request to stop killing pirates, and then Captain Morgan tricked him into being captured. Captain Morgan tied him up in the base square, publicly displayed him, and...and said he'd starve him for a month, then publicly execute him as a warning to others." Coby recounted the rumors he'd heard.
"Starve him for a month? Execute him?" Luffy clenched his fists. "Is that Marine captain a bad guy?"
"Colonel Morgan… his reputation in these waters isn't exactly stellar," Coby muttered. He glanced at Luffy, then at Axel, who was listening silently beside him, and mustered his courage to ask, "Mr. Luffy, you… you're looking for Mr. Zoro, is it because…"
"I want him as my crewmate!" Luffy declared without hesitation. "How could such a powerful guy be executed by those wicked Marines! Let's go save him!"
Axel, seeing Luffy's resolute profile, knew his target was locked. Shells Town, Roronoa Zoro. He stroked the iron spear in his hand; the real challenge was about to begin.
Chapter 4 Gunshots and Promises in Shells TownWith Koby rowing with all his might, the small boat headed towards Shells Town. The sea breeze carried a salty taste, but it couldn't dispel the tension on Koby's face or the eager fire in Luffy's eyes. Axel sat at the stern, his iron spear resting on his lap, eyes closed, recalling the battle that had just ended and the first real, crucial battle about to begin, one that would truly intervene in the main storyline.
[Ding—Host has successfully escaped the first sea encounter and established a short-term objective: "Shells Town," triggering a micro-event settlement.]
[Settlement: Combat Contribution Evaluation (Support/Restraint), successfully assisted the key figure "Koby" in escaping. Reward: Slight physical enhancement, slight increase in mental endurance, 80 system currency points.]
A warm current quietly nourished his body, lessening his fatigue slightly, and his mental clarity seemed to improve. Currency increased to 230 points.
He opened his eyes and looked at Coby, who was paddling, panting but with a determined gaze. Then he looked at Luffy, who was clutching his straw hat, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, gazing into the distance, lost in thought. This makeshift squad was recklessly charging towards the naval base.
"Mr. Luffy, Mr. Axel," Coby wiped his brow, his voice hesitant yet determined, "The Marine base in Shells Town… Colonel Morgan… he has many subordinates, and he himself is said to be extremely powerful. Are we really going?"
"Of course we're going!" Luffy answered matter-of-factly, "Zoro is waiting there!"
Axel spoke, his voice calm: "Coby, you can leave once you've dropped us off nearby. Your goal is the Marines; joining us in storming a Marine base will be detrimental to your future aspirations."
"No!" Coby shook his head vigorously, his eyes behind his round glasses gleaming. "I… I know this is reckless. But Mr. Luffy saved me, and… a Marine like Colonel Morgan isn't the Marine I want to be! I want to see… what justice looks like! Please let me go, even if it's just to watch from afar!" His voice began to tremble, but in the end, it strangely stabilized.
Luffy grinned, patting Coby on the shoulder (almost sending him flying into the sea again): "Good point! Let's go together!"
Axel stopped trying to dissuade him. Coby's determination was part of the original storyline.
It was dusk when the small boat docked. Shells Town was much larger and more solemn than the previous port town. The towering naval base walls and the fluttering seagull flags created an invisible sense of oppression. They disembarked from a secluded mudflat, and with the aid of Axel's [Basic Aura Concealment] (he tried to weakly spread the effect to Luffy and Coby who were nearby, and it seemed to have some effect), they avoided the main roads and made their way towards the base along the alleys.
The closer they got to the base, the more stagnant the atmosphere became. Few pedestrians were on the streets, and most of them hurried along, their faces filled with fear. Occasionally, a patrol of naval soldiers would pass by, the clash of armor and swords particularly clear in the silent streets.
[Ding—Host detected arriving at the key story area "Shel's Town (outskirts of the Naval Base)". Sign in?]
(Warning: This area is under moderate alert. Sign-in fluctuations may trigger a faint detection of unknown entities. Continue?)
A faint sense of the unknown existed? Axel felt a chill. Was it Morgan? Or was there another expert in the base? But this opportunity was rare.
"Check-in." He confirmed, his nerves tightening even more.
[Ding—Check-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the following in "Shel's Town (outskirts of the naval base)":]
[Skill: Eye of Insight (Beginner) (Active skill, consumes a small amount of mental energy. Significantly enhances visual detail-capturing ability for a short time, can weakly see through low-level camouflage and discern flaws in ordinary attack trajectories. Extremely ineffective or negligible against targets with mental energy or strength far exceeding one's own.)]
[Item: Energy Peppermint Tablets x3 (Can be held in the mouth to refresh the mind and slightly relieve fatigue; effect is short-lived.)]
[System Currency: 150 Points]
A cool sensation flooded his eyes, and the world seemed to become much clearer instantly. He could even see the cracks and textures in the brickwork of a distant wall. [Eye of Insight (Beginner)] appeared in his skill bar. Currency increased to 380 points. No alarm was triggered; it seemed the "weak perception" was just a system warning of risk and hadn't actually attracted attention.
They finally circled around to the side where they could see the base plaza. Through the gaps in the iron fence, Axel saw the green-haired swordsman tied to the cross-shaped wooden stake.
Roronoa Sauron.
Even from a distance, even in the shadows of twilight, even tightly bound and covered in wounds, that fierce, unyielding aura, like that of a trapped beast, still emanated from him. Sweat soaked his hair, and his bronze skin was a patchwork of old and new scars, especially the bandages on his chest and abdomen, which were stained a dark red. He held a sheathed knife in his mouth, with two others at his feet. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling slightly with his breath, as if gathering strength, or perhaps enduring torment.
The square was deserted, except for the silhouettes of sentries on the distant towers. A cold, deliberately crafted sense of loneliness and oppression enveloped the area.
"Is that Zoro?" Luffy clung to the bars, his eyes wide. "He looks so hungry..."
Coby turned pale with fright, clutching his mouth tightly, afraid to make a sound.
Axel activated [Eye of Insight (Beginner)]. The muscle definition on Zoro's body, the shape of the wounds beneath the bandages, the knots in the binding ropes, the sharp glint in his eyes hidden beneath his slightly trembling eyelashes... more details came into view. This was no ordinary prisoner; this was a blade forcibly restrained, yet poised to break free and harm at any moment.
"How do we get in?" Luffy was already rubbing his hands together, eager for a fight.
"Wait," Axel whispered, pointing towards the base gate. A tall man in a colonel's uniform, with an exaggerated metal axe-shaped prosthetic arm on his chin, was strode around, surrounded by soldiers. His eyes were arrogant and fierce, looking at people as if they were livestock. It was "Axe-Hand" Morgan.
A young officer (Hrummeb) with pink hair, flamboyant attire, and a fawning expression followed him, looking haughty.
Just then, a small figure slipped out from a corner on the other side of the plaza, seemingly carrying something in her arms, and stumbled towards Zoro.
It was a little girl.
"Rika!" Coby gasped softly, covering his mouth. He had clearly heard about what had happened in town.
The little girl, Rika, ran to Zoro, timidly holding up a rice ball wrapped in cloth, intending to offer it to him.
Zorro opened his eyes. Those eyes, still sharp as knives in the twilight, seemed to soften for a moment when he looked at the little girl. He shook his head, mumbling something because he was biting his knife.
Axel's [Eye of Insight] read his lips: "...Go away."
But Rika persisted. Just as she tried to place the rice ball at Zoro's feet—
"Hey! Little brat! What are you doing!" Hrumeber's shrill voice rang out. He strode over with two soldiers, a malicious smile on his face.
Morgan also stopped, watching coldly.
Hrumeber snatched the rice ball from Rika's hand, glanced at it, then slammed it to the ground and crushed it under his foot! "Who gave you permission to feed this pirate hunter? Huh? Trying to disobey my father's orders?"
Rika burst into tears, terrified.
Zoro's eyes instantly turned icy cold, staring intently at Hrumeber, the ropes binding him seemingly creaking slightly.
"What are you looking at? You filthy pirate!" Hrumeber, feeling a chill run down his spine from Zoro's gaze, shouted menacingly, "You can just starve to death here! This is what happens when you disobey the Navy, when you disobey my father, Captain Morgan!" He turned to the weeping Rika, "And you, you little wretch, get out of here! Or we'll arrest you too!"
The little girl ran away crying.
Hrumbeb returned triumphantly to Morgan's side, who merely snorted and continued his patrol as if he had only crushed an ant.
Outside the fence, Luffy's face was puffed up with anger, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "That bastard…!"
"Luffy, calm down," Axel pressed him down. "Now is not the time. There are too many of them, and Zoro is tied up. We need a plan."
"The plan is to defeat them!" Luffy growled.
"At least, we have to wait until nightfall, or when they're off guard." Axel quickly recalled the original plot. He remembered that later Luffy charged in directly, drawing most of the fire, and then… right, Coby would steal the key, but the process was extremely dangerous. Now, he was the variable.
"Coby," Axel turned to the pale-faced, pink-haired boy, "Do you know the general layout of the base? For example, where might the cell keys be kept? Or, are there any other easy entry points?"
Coby struggled to recall the rumors he had heard before: "I… I've only heard that Colonel Morgan is very strict, and the base is very well-managed. The keys… might be in the colonel's office, or the guardhouse? Entry points… I don't know."
Axel nodded, looking at Zoro, who had closed his eyes again in the plaza, seemingly indifferent to everything around him, then at the sky.
Night was about to fall.
Morgan's tyranny, the little girl's tears, Zoro's silent rage, and the Straw Hat boy's barely suppressed fury beside him.
Everything was brewing.
Chapter 5 Night Raid and the Silent BreakerNight fell, like an ink-soaked velvet cloth, slowly blanketing Shells Town. The outline of the naval base, illuminated by the dim moonlight and scattered torches, appeared even more imposing. The patrol's footsteps were rhythmic and heavy, and beams of searchlight occasionally swept across the walls and the open space of the plaza.
Luffy, Axel, and Coby had been lurking in the shadows of their daytime observation positions for nearly two hours. Coby trembled with tension, his teeth chattering uncontrollably. Luffy, on the other hand, seemed somewhat impatient, his stomach occasionally rumbling in protest, but his eyes remained fixed on the blurry cross-shaped marker in the center of the plaza.
Axel had an [Energy Mint] in his mouth; the cool, slightly bitter taste spread through his mouth, dispelling some of his fatigue and the night chill, keeping his mind clear. His eyes were half-closed, his [Eye of Insight (Beginner)] in a weak, ready-to-activate state, constantly scanning the base's outer walls, the patrol routes, and the changing of the guard on the watchtowers.
"No, I can't wait any longer!" Luffy suddenly lowered his voice, his tone resolute and unwavering. "Zoro looks like he's about to collapse! And I'm so hungry! I have to go in!"
"Mr. Luffy!" Coby was startled.
Axel knew that given Luffy's personality, if they waited any longer, he might just yell and charge out. In the original story, Luffy also almost recklessly charged head-on. He quickly assessed the situation: the patrol density hadn't decreased at night, but the soldiers seemed less vigilant than during the day. Morgan and Hrumemep shouldn't be near the plaza. Zoro's condition… Through his [Eye of Insight], he could see that Zoro's chest heaved less than at dusk, but beneath his closed eyes, his eyeballs occasionally darted rapidly, indicating that he wasn't unconscious, but rather enduring and gathering strength.
"A direct assault is too risky, but perhaps feasible," Axel whispered, quickly drafting a rough plan. "Luffy, you create the biggest commotion, rush straight to the plaza, and draw all the fire. Your abilities are suited for this."
"Leave it to me!" Luffy grinned, their fists bumping together.
"Coby," Axel looked at the pink-haired boy, "your target is those two swords." He pointed to the swords gleaming coldly in the moonlight at Zoro's feet. "Find them amidst the chaos and throw them to Zoro. He needs the swords to fight. But prioritize your own safety; if necessary, hide."
"I…I understand!" Coby took a deep breath and nodded vigorously, his voice still trembling.
"I'll cover you and try to clear out the remaining enemies approaching the plaza, creating opportunities for you," Axel concluded, gripping his iron spear tightly. This was the first time he had proactively planned and participated in such a dangerous operation.
"Alright! Let's do it!" Luffy lowered his straw hat, his rubber legs gathering power. "Rubber—"
"Wait, three, two, one… Action!"
"Rocket Launcher!!!"
Luffy slammed his legs into the ground (despite the fence and some distance, he aimed directly at a relatively low area on the outer wall of the base), the rubber explosively propelling him like a cannonball, smashing through the fence with a deafening roar, sending countless splinters and pebbles streaking across the night sky before crashing into the open ground inside the base!
"Enemy attack—!!!"
"Intruders!"
"Over there! It's that brat in the straw hat!"
The silence was shattered instantly. Alarms blared, torchlight flickered, and countless Marines poured from barracks and sentry posts, rushing towards the direction where Luffy had landed and the dust had billowed.
"Now!" Axel shouted, activating his [Basic Aura Concealment] at full power. His figure, like a shadow blending into the night wind, silently slid into the opening Luffy had created. Coby, mustering his courage, bent low, trying to stay close to the shadows of the wall, and stumbled after him.
The plaza was just ahead. Luffy landed and was immediately surrounded, but his rubber-man nature made ordinary swords ineffective. Instead, they were whipped around by his rubber pistol and whip, roaring and screaming, successfully drawing most of the attention.
Axel's objective was clear—to clear out any Marines who might be interfering with Koby's path to the plaza. He activated his [Eye of Insight] to its fullest extent, making the outlines and movement patterns of enemies in the darkness much clearer. Two Marine soldiers who had heard the commotion and were running towards the plaza from the side came into view.
Without hesitation, Axel's feet moved swiftly using basic footwork, his speed increasing dramatically. Before his opponents could react, he had already cut between them. His iron spear moved like a venomous snake, a swift thrust piercing the left soldier's wrist, while simultaneously the shaft swung horizontally, the butt of the spear slamming into the right soldier's temple.
"Ugh!"
"Bang!"
Two muffled groans echoed as the two naval soldiers collapsed almost simultaneously. Axel didn't stop, not even turning back to check, continuing his advance towards the edge of the plaza. His marksmanship was devoid of any fancy moves, consisting entirely of basic techniques, but combined with his [Eye of Insight] for timing and exploiting openings, and his [Basic Battlefield Sense] for a vague sense of danger in the surrounding darkness, it appeared remarkably efficient.
Three more naval soldiers spotted him and rushed towards him, shouting. Axel fought and retreated, his spear flashing like a wheel, perfecting his defensive techniques of "blocking," "grabbing," and "deflecting," not seeking to kill, but only to hinder and repel, clearing a path for Koby behind him. The clash of spears and swords produced a series of metallic clangs, inconspicuous on the noisy battlefield.
Taking advantage of the brief opening created by Axel, Coby scrambled to the edge of the plaza, only a dozen steps away from the two swords at Zoro's feet. Looking at the swords so close, then at the surging Marines around him and Luffy's figure in the distant battle, fear gripped his heart again, his legs feeling like lead.
"Coby! Get the swords!" Axel parried a slashing sword, turned and growled, simultaneously delivering a powerful "spear-splitting" (using a gun like a club) that sent the Marine in front of him flying, buying himself a moment's respite. His arm was already aching; the intense combat had taken a far greater toll on his physical and mental strength than any training.
Awakened by Axel's roar, Coby saw Axel fighting fiercely among the enemy, buying him time. A surge of adrenaline rushed to his head. He screamed (whether from fear or courage, it was hard to tell), closed his eyes, rushed forward, grabbed the two heavy swords on the ground, hugged them to his arms, and turned to run back.
"Catch that pink-haired brat! He took the swords!" A Marine spotted Coby.
"Coby! Throw them to Zoro! Throw them directly!" Axel, anxious, shouted a warning, while simultaneously having to intercept two Marines lunging at Coby. His aim faltered, and a cut on his left shoulder from a military knife stung painfully.
Hearing this, Coby, in a desperate move, mustered all his strength and hurled the two swords at Zoro, who was perched on the cross-shaped wooden stake! "Mr. Zoro! Catch!"
The blades arced through the air. Zoro, bound, suddenly opened his eyes! His gaze shone brightly in the darkness, like a beast awakening. Despite his weakness and the bindings, he precisely judged the blades' trajectory, his body twisting slightly at an incredible angle—
Clang! Clang!
The hilts of two swords landed precisely in Zoro's hands, which were bound to his sides but whose wrists still had limited movement! He instinctively bit down on the scabbard of a third sword!
"Well done… brat." Zoro's hoarse voice rang out, tinged with approval, but more so with the excitement of suppressed rage about to be unleashed.
The next moment, a flash of cold light!
The thick hemp ropes binding him snapped as if cut by invisible blades! Zoro leaped from the wooden cross, his steps slightly unsteady upon landing (affected by hunger and injuries), but as he straightened, wielding his three swords (one in his mouth, two in his hands) in his signature "Three-Sword Style" stance, a chilling, hurricane-like killing intent erupted, sweeping across the entire edge of the plaza!
"Three...Three-Sword Style..." The Marines surrounding Axel and attempting to capture Koby froze, their faces contorted with uncontrollable fear. Roronoa Zoro's infamous reputation in the East Blue was forged through sheer brutality!
"A...a ghost!" someone cried out, and several Marines turned and fled.
Zoro ignored the henchmen. His gaze first swept over Coby, whose face was pale but whose eyes held a hint of surprise, then landed on Axel, who was locked in combat with several Marines and had a wounded shoulder. His gaze lingered for a moment on the blood-stained iron spear.
"Get out of the way," Zoro's voice was icy.
Upon hearing this, Axel immediately forced back the enemies in front of him with a heavy spear thrust, sidestepping to clear a path.
Zoro moved! Even in his weakened state, his speed was so fast that he left only a few blurry green afterimages and a cold glint of his blade in the night!
"Three-Sword Style: Demon Slash!"
The piercing sound of the blade cutting through the air rang out, like the wailing of a hundred demons. The seven or eight Marines who lunged at Axel and Coby didn't even have time to scream before their weapons, along with their light armor, were severed and cleaved open. They fell like felled wheat!
The spray of blood was particularly glaring in the torchlight.
Axel's pupils contracted slightly. This was the first time he had witnessed firsthand the actual combat lethality of a true powerhouse in this world. Concise, efficient, ruthless, possessing a pure beauty of power and skill—and a chilling aura of death. It was completely different from his previous encounters with Alvida's henchmen, or even with Morgan's lieutenant.
Zoro, having cut down a group of Marines, didn't stop. He paused, slightly out of breath, and looked towards the center of the plaza. There, Luffy was surrounded by even more Marines, including armed soldiers and what appeared to be officers.
"Straw Hat Boy..." Zoro licked his slightly chapped lips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit, "Don't die too quickly."
He drew his sword and walked step by step towards the main battlefield. Each step sent the Marines who tried to stop him retreating in fear.
Coby slumped to the ground, watching Zoro's retreating figure, then looking at Axel's bleeding shoulder, feeling both lingering fear and excitement.
Axel tore off a piece of his shirt and quickly bandaged the wound on his shoulder; the pain only sharpened his senses. He glanced at the bloody path Zoro had carved, then at the escalating battle on Luffy's side.
The first step in the rescue—releasing Zoro—was successful.
But the real battle was just beginning. Morgan hadn't appeared yet.
He took a deep breath, swallowed a second mint tablet, and, gun in hand, followed Zoro. In the ensuing battle, he might not even be able to hold them back, but at least he needed to understand the power levels of this world and, in crucial moments, protect vulnerable points like Coby.
Chapter 6: Axe Wind and Gunshots, the Collapse of JusticeZoro's arrival was like a red-hot blade piercing solidified grease. Wielding three swords, he charged into the horde of Marines surrounding Luffy, his blade flashing like lightning, screams echoing as he tore a gap in the dense formation. Hunger and injuries affected his absolute strength and stamina, but his honed killing skills and unwavering will allowed him to maintain an overwhelming advantage against ordinary soldiers.
"Three-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!" The crisscrossing blades cleaved three gun-wielding soldiers, guns and all, flying.
"Gum-Gum Whip!" Luffy seized the opportunity, unleashing his long rubber leg, sweeping away a group of Marines attempting to flank him.
Although it was their first time working together, the two had an inexplicable tacit understanding. One was fierce and unparalleled, while the other was unpredictable. In a short period of time, they managed to defeat dozens of marines and force them to retreat.
Axel didn't recklessly charge into the meat grinder of the central battleground. His role was clear—clean up the outer skirmishers, protect the retreat route, and keep an eye on the shaken Koby. He moved along the edge of the battlefield, his [Eye of Insight] allowing him to spot lone Marines who had strayed from the main force, attempting to ambush from behind or sound a higher alarm.
A sergeant-level officer, accompanied by two soldiers, stealthily circled towards the alarm clock tower on one side of the plaza. Axel silently approached, launching a sudden attack just as the officer was about to ascend the stairs. His iron spear moved like a venomous dragon unleashed; a barely charged but incredibly fast thrust pierced the sergeant's shoulder, pinning him to the wooden stairs. Before the two soldiers beside him could cry out, Axel dropped his spear (temporarily), lunged forward, and using basic footwork combined with the power techniques he'd learned from system skills, slamming his elbow into one soldier's chest while simultaneously kicking the other down the stairs with a side kick.
Clean and swift. He drew his iron spear, and the sergeant screamed as he tumbled to the ground. The alarm clock tower was temporarily safe.
[Gun Technique: Basic Beginner (51/100)], [Movement: Basic Footwork (30/100)]. Real combat was indeed the fastest way to improve, even though each improvement came with risk and pain. The wound on his left shoulder was still bleeding, and he felt sharp pain with every movement, but he had to ignore it.
"Damn it! A bunch of useless trash!" A furious roar, like a thunderclap, came from the direction of the main base building.
Heavy footsteps, the sound of metal scraping against the ground, grew louder. A tall, burly figure with a massive axe-blade prosthetic limb attached to his chin strode in, surrounded by a group of elite navy personnel. Colonel Morgan! The flesh on his face was contorted with rage, and a cruel glint flashed in his single eye.
"Roronoa Zoro! And that reckless Straw Hat kid!" Morgan's gaze swept across the chaotic plaza, landing on Zoro and Luffy wreaking havoc in the crowd. Finally, he gave a cold glance at Axel, who stood guard with a gun in the distance, and Coby, who trembled in fear. "How dare you cause trouble in my base! Today, none of you will leave here alive!"
"Father! Kill them! Cut them all down!" Hrumem shouted shrilly from behind a group of soldiers, but her eyes darted away, avoiding Zoro's gaze.
"Monka…" Zoro stopped, his three swords hanging low, slightly panting, but his eyes, sharp as knives, were locked on Monka. This naval captain who had plotted to imprison him and trampled on his promise to the townspeople was the person he most wanted to kill at this moment.
"Oh? You're that arrogant naval captain?" Luffy picked his nose, looking nonchalant. "Looks like nothing special."
"You're asking for death!" Monka laughed angrily, suddenly raising his massive battle axe, the same size as the blade on his chin. "Charge! Kill them! Whoever takes their heads will be promoted three ranks!"
Enticed by the hefty reward, the previously hesitant naval officers regained their courage and, led by several lieutenants, launched an even more frenzied attack. At the same time, Monka himself moved! His massive body displayed disproportionate agility, his giant axe whistling through the air. Ignoring Luffy and Zoro, he charged first towards Axel, who seemed the "weakest" and was protecting Coby!
"Capture the leader first?" No, he wanted to demoralize the enemy, crushing the seemingly easiest target first!
"Axel! Watch out!" Luffy saw this and tried to rush back to help, but was desperately held back by several lieutenants. Zoro was also surrounded by more soldiers and couldn't escape for the time being.
A huge shadow loomed over them. Even before the axe blade arrived, the violent and bloody aura made Axel gasp for breath! [Basic Battlefield Sense] was frantically alarming! He couldn't fight them head-on! He absolutely couldn't take it head-on!
"Coby! Get out of the way!" Axel shoved the terrified Coby behind a pile of debris, while simultaneously pushing his [Basic Footwork] to its limit, retreating rapidly to the side and rear!
Boom!!!
Monka's giant axe struck the spot where Axel had been standing, cleaving a deep trench in the solid stone floor. Shards of stone flew, stinging Axel's legs. It was a hair's breadth away!
"Quick reaction, you rat!" Monka, missing his attack, didn't pause. He swung his giant axe horizontally, slashing down at Axel's waist! The range was enormous, sealing off any space for Axel to dodge left or right!
Nowhere to retreat! Axel's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He knew he couldn't afford to be passively attacked. Instead of retreating, he advanced. At the instant the giant axe was about to strike, he leaned back sharply, almost parallel to the ground. His iron spear, raised from below, wasn't used to block (that would surely result in the spear being destroyed and Axel dying), but rather, with unparalleled precision, he struck the side joint of Monka's axe-wielding wrist!
[Eye of Insight] activated at full power! He saw, amidst the immense force flowing, a tiny weak point in the wrist, created by the exertion of power!
Clang!
A soft click, the spear tip struck. For Monka, the force was negligible, barely enough to cause his wrist to deflect. But this pinpoint precision disrupted the most delicate moment of his powerful rhythm!
The giant axe's trajectory deviated almost imperceptibly, its sweeping speed slowed by a mere fraction.
That fraction! Axel's body leaned back, narrowly missing the axe blade, he could even feel its coldness and the stench of blood. He landed with a clumsy roll, dodging Monka's subsequent stomp.
"Hmm?" A hint of surprise flashed in Monka's single eye. This kid with a gun had some skill and insight, unlike ordinary fodder. But this only fueled his ferocity.
"Let's see how long you can hide!" Monka's axe stance shifted, no longer aiming for a fatal blow, but unleashing a powerful and fluid axe technique that completely enveloped an area several meters around Axel! The axe wind howled, constantly splitting new cracks in the ground.
Axel was in an extremely dangerous situation. He could only use his agility to its fullest extent, using his [Eye of Insight] to predict the trajectory of the axe strikes, dodging and weaving in the narrowest gaps, constantly facing peril. Even the slightest parry or deflection with his iron spear left his arm numb, his hand split open, blood staining the spear shaft. He was completely powerless to retaliate, dancing on the edge of death.
At this rate, they won't last a minute!
On the other side, Luffy and Zoro, seeing Axel in danger, unleashed even greater power in an attempt to break through the encirclement. Luffy's rubber body withstood several sword strikes, then suddenly stretched out his arm and grabbed a distant flagpole: "Rubber-Pendulum!" He swung himself like a flail towards Morgan's flank!
Zoro's eyes turned cold. Ignoring the swords aimed at him, he unleashed three strikes simultaneously: "Three-Sword Style: Ox Needle!" His body thrust forward like an arrow, aiming straight for Morgan's back!
"Annoying fly!" Morgan was forced to distract himself. He swung his giant axe, first cleaving at the onrushing Luffy, while simultaneously dodging Zoro's thrust.
Clang! Luffy was sent flying by the force of the blow, crashing into a low wall. Zoro's thrust was dodged, the blade only leaving a trail of sparks on Morgan's shoulder armor.
But this momentary lapse in concentration gave Axel a precious chance to catch his breath! His lungs burned, his arms trembled, and he could barely hold the gun. He stared intently at Monka, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. A direct confrontation would be certain death. A skill? [Windbreaker Spear - Swift] might pose a slight threat, but in his current state and with his arm strained, using it would inevitably render him completely incapacitated, and might not even be enough to seriously injure Monka. A trial card for Conqueror's Haki? No, that was his last resort, a trump card he couldn't afford to use lightly, especially in this chaotic situation.
Wait… the axe-blade prosthetic? On his chin? Axel's [Eye of Insight] swept over Monka's entire body. The metal prosthetic joint didn't seem to fit perfectly; when Monka swung the axe violently, extremely subtle signs of looseness and friction could be seen… and his single eye! That seemed to be an old wound?
A wildly risky, almost suicidal plan took shape in Axel's mind. He needed an opportunity, a chance to expose a greater weakness in Morgan, and someone to create that fleeting opening.
"Luffy! Zoro!" Axel shouted hoarsely, his voice almost drowned out by the chaos of the battlefield, "His chin and eyes!"
Luffy crawled out of the rubble, shaking his head. Zoro's eyes narrowed, instantly understanding Axel's meaning—attack the weak point!
"Gum-Gum Bazooka!" Luffy charged again, his legs slamming into Morgan like a cannonball! It was a clash of raw power!
"Three-Sword Style: Crab Claw!" Zoro closed in rapidly from the side and rear, his twin swords crossed like crab claws, blocking Morgan's possible escape route, the third sword aimed straight for his ribs!
Faced with an attack from both sides, Morgan roared, choosing to deal with the biggest threat from the front, "the cannonball" Luffy, first. He swung his giant axe forward with all his might!
Now!
Axel moved! He didn't charge at Morgan, but instead channeled all the remaining power in his body into his legs and waist, propelling his basic footwork to unprecedented speed. It wasn't a straight line, but a treacherous arc, circling around to Morgan's—left side! Morgan's single eye was on his right, leaving a natural blind spot on his left! His [Basic Aura Concealment] was instinctively activated to its maximum, minimizing his presence!
Morgan's attention was completely drawn to Luffy's frontal charge and Zoro's attack from the side and rear. His axe blade was about to collide with Luffy's rocket launcher!
Like a ghost in the night, Axel silently advanced to a point very close to Monka's left rear! His iron spear, instead of aiming for Monka's back or neck (where armor might be present or he could be sensed), was lowered, aimed at the bend of Monka's left leg, the gap between the armor and boot that supported his weight! Simultaneously, his left hand reached for his waist—where there was nothing but a water bottle—but he feigned a throwing motion, channeling his last bit of mental energy into [Basic Spear Stance - Condensation], not to intimidate, but to create an extremely faint, threatening stinging sensation from Monka's "left-side blind spot" at the edge of his perception!
Just before colliding with Luffy, Morgan seemed to catch a fleeting, extremely blurry shadow on his left side out of the corner of his eye, and a faint yet sharp pain shot through the back of his leg as a warning (the weak effect of Spear Force Condensation combined with his fighting instincts)! He subconsciously shifted his weight slightly to the right, tensing his left leg muscles to prepare for a possible attack, causing an almost imperceptible, subtle dispersion of force and a deflection of trajectory in his axe swing!
Boom!!!
Luffy's Gum-Gum Bazooka collided solidly with Morgan's giant axe! The shockwave exploded! But due to Morgan's momentary, almost imperceptible distraction and shift in balance, the force of his axe strike wasn't fully concentrated!
Luffy was thrown back by the impact, his arms numb. Morgan staggered backward, his giant axe swinging high, his defenses briefly wide open!
And Zoro's "Crab Scythe" arrived! His crossed swords parried Morgan's hasty axe handle, and the third sword pierced Morgan's ribs! Although his armor prevented a deep penetration, the intense pain caused Morgan to roar.
Almost simultaneously with Zoro's strike to Morgan, Axel's long-planned, all-out spear thrust arrived! The target was precisely the vulnerable joint of Morgan's left leg, exposed by his shifted weight!
Thud!
The iron spearhead pierced deep into the muscle through the gaps in the armor! Although it didn't penetrate, it was enough to make Monka's left leg buckle, and he collapsed to his knees!
"Aaaaah—! You ants!!" Monka roared in fury, his single eye bloodshot. Ignoring his injuries, he swung his axe horizontally at Axel beside him!
After being stabbed, Axel immediately dropped his spear and rolled backward with his last ounce of strength. The axe blade grazed his back, tearing away a piece of fabric and flesh; a searing pain shot through him, but he had managed to avoid a fatal blow.
The scene froze for a moment.
Morgan knelt on one knee, Zoro's sword (now removed) embedded in his side, Axel's iron spear pinned to his knee. While neither wound was fatal, they severely restricted his movement and were a profound humiliation.
Luffy swung his numb arm to his feet. Zoro, panting, still held his three swords firmly to Morgan. Axel lay on the ground, blood streaming down his back, nearly exhausted.
The Marines were stunned by the scene, momentarily hesitant to approach.
"Captain!"
"Father!"
Hrumem's scream shattered the silence.
Morgan, panting heavily, glared with his one eye at the three "culprits" before him, especially the gun-wielding boy who had nearly crippled his leg; his eyes were filled with venom. "Fine...very well...you've thoroughly enraged me..."
He suddenly reached for the iron spear shaft at the back of his leg, let out a low growl, and actually pulled the spear out, drawing a spray of blood! He tossed the blood-stained spear aside and struggled to his feet.
But just then, another change occurred!
Outside the base, a more chaotic commotion and explosions suddenly erupted! Shouts could be faintly heard: "Pirates! Pirates are attacking the port!"
Everyone froze.
Morgan's expression changed. Were there other enemies?
Taking advantage of the sudden chaos and Morgan's momentary distraction, Zoro's eyes sharpened, and he moved swiftly!
"Three-Sword Style: Tornado!"
The sword light transformed into a small tornado, not attacking Morgan, but sweeping away the surrounding Marine soldiers trying to approach, instantly clearing a space.
"Luffy! Take that kid and Coby, let's go!" Zoro shouted.
Luffy reacted immediately, his rubber arm extending, scooping up Axel lying on the ground and Coby hiding behind debris, tucking them under his arm. "Zoro! Quick!"
"Trying to run?!" Morgan roared, enduring the excruciating pain as he tried to give chase.
Zorro turned around, assuming a three-sword iaido stance, his eyes icy: "Morgan... we'll settle our score later. If you're still alive then."
Before he finished speaking, he turned and sprinted, catching up with Luffy. The three of them (Luffy carrying the other two) rapidly retreated towards the direction from which the port explosion had come, also the weakest point in the Marine defenses.
"Chase them! Chase them! Fire! We can't let them get away!" Morgan roared hysterically, clutching his wound. But his leg injury severely hampered his speed, and the chaos at the port had tied up a large number of troops.
Axel, carried by Luffy, was jostled about, the jolting aggravating his wound and causing him to feel dizzy with pain, but he felt a sense of relief. He had survived… and it seemed he had played a crucial role.
At the port, the outline of a medium-sized sailing ship could be vaguely seen, engaged in firefight with the port's defenders. It wasn't Alvida's ship; the design was unfamiliar… Was it a coincidence? Or…?
He didn't have time to think it through; his consciousness gradually faded. His last impressions were Luffy's excited shout, "It's a ship! We have a ship!" and Zoro's complex and scrutinizing gaze as he approached.
Chapter 7 The Sails Leaving Port and the New SproutsThe burning pain of his wounds, the chill of blood loss, and the overwhelming weakness washed over Axel like waves. He was carried by Luffy like a sack of potatoes, navigating the chaotic harbor amidst the turbulence and howling wind. The air was filled with shouts of battle, explosions, Luffy's excited yells, and Coby's tearful screams.
"This way! This ship seems abandoned!" Zoro's calm voice pierced the noise, pointing the way.
Luffy leaped, carrying Axel and Coby onto the deck of a medium-sized dhow. The ship was somewhat old, but structurally sound, seemingly a small merchant vessel or private ship. The crew had likely abandoned ship during the harbor raid. Some debris was scattered on the deck, but no enemies were visible.
Zoro followed closely behind, jumping aboard and quickly scanning the area to confirm it was safe. "Cut the mooring lines! Raise the sails!"
Luffy put down Axel and Coby, his rubber arm extending in a flash, grabbing the thick rope tied to the dock, and yanking it! The rope snapped. Zoro rushed to the stern, slashing the rope securing the sails with his sword. The sea breeze whipped up the slightly worn mainsail with a whoosh.
The ship slowly pulled away from the dock and headed out of the harbor. At the harbor, the Marines were engaged in a firefight with an unidentified pirate ship firing its cannons, paying no attention to the small boat that had slipped away in the chaos.
Only when the coastline of Shells Town became a blurry black line in their vision did the atmosphere on the ship ease slightly.
"Phew—we're saved!" Luffy plopped down on the deck, rubbing his rumbling stomach. "Ah—I'm so hungry! Is there anything to eat?"
Coby slumped to the side, pale-faced, still shaken, but with a bright, unburdened light in his eyes.
Zoro sheathed his sword and leaned against the ship's railing, panting. The continuous fighting, coupled with hunger and old wounds, had taken a heavy toll on him. His gaze fell on the figure lying motionless in the center of the deck, its back covered in crimson blood.
Axel's consciousness struggled on the edge of darkness. He could feel his body losing temperature, his strength draining away. The system didn't seem to have an automatic healing function, at least not yet.
[Warning: Host's vital signs continue to decline, at risk of moderate hemorrhagic shock. Immediate first aid is recommended.]
[Host's participation in and successful influence on the "Shel's Town Breakout" major event has been detected, meeting the settlement conditions. Settle the event reward immediately? Reward distribution may be accompanied by some energy fluctuations; please ensure a relatively safe environment.]
Settlement? Energy fluctuation? Axel responded with his remaining willpower, "...Settlement."
A warm current, far more powerful than any previous check-in, instantly surged into his almost frozen limbs and bones! This energy was gentle yet resolute, like sweet rain nourishing parched earth, rapidly repairing his damaged body and replenishing his depleted strength. A tingling sensation returned to the wound on his back; the bleeding had clearly stopped. Although a full recovery was still far off, the fatal crisis was instantly averted.
["Sheltz Town Breakthrough" event settlement complete!]
[Rewards:]
[1. Significantly improved overall physique (strength, speed, endurance, and recovery all enhanced)]
[2. Significantly Enhanced Mental Resilience (Increased resistance to pain, fear, and stress)]
[3. Skill Advancement: Basic Marksmanship → Basic Marksmanship (Mastery) (0/500); Basic Footwork → Basic Footwork (Proficient) (0/300)]
[4. Acquired New Skill: Resilient Will (Passive) (In injured state, willpower is increased, slightly reduces pain and negative status effects, and slightly increases potential for explosive bursts in desperate situations)]
[5. System Currency: 1000 Points!]
[6. Special Reward: Based on the host's performance in "tactical planning" and "critical weakness strikes" during the event, a skill optimization opportunity is awarded once (one optimization of the effect/cost of an existing non-special skill can be performed).]
A warm current continued to wash over him, and Axel felt as if his body had been reforged. The weakness quickly receded, replaced by a feeling of fullness—tired yet resilient. The wounds were still there, but no longer life-threatening, and the pain had lessened considerably. His understanding of marksmanship and footwork deepened dramatically; many previously obscure or ungraspable details suddenly became clear. Simultaneously, a calm and resolute power took root deep within his spirit—the [Unwavering Will] taking effect.
He slowly exhaled a breath of bloody, foul air, struggling to prop himself up on his arms.
"Axel! You're awake?" Coby, who had been secretly watching him, was the first to notice, exclaiming with delight.
Luffy and Zoro also looked over.
"Are you alright?" Luffy leaned closer, asking casually, but his eyes held concern.
Zoro didn't speak, only scrutinizing him, his gaze lingering on the wound on Axel's back and his face, which had regained some color.
"Not... dead yet." Axel's voice was hoarse. He tried to move, the movement still causing pain, but it was bearable. He looked at Zoro, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Zoro. And Luffy."
Zorro snorted in response, then turned to look at the sea: "You're just lucky." But his slightly tense shoulders relaxed a little. This gun-wielding guy not only possessed a bit of cleverness and terrifyingly precise timing, but his willpower was also unexpectedly tenacious. To regain consciousness so quickly after that kind of injury, and even attempt to get up.
"It's good that you're alright!" Luffy laughed, then his face fell again. "But I'm so hungry! Coby, is there a kitchen on the ship? Quick, let's find some food!"
Coby quickly got up: "I...I'll go look!"
While Coby went to find food, Luffy clamored for a feast to celebrate the addition of his new crewmate (referring to Zoro) and their successful escape. Axel leaned against the ship's railing, resting, and silently brought up the system interface.
Currency: 1380 points! A huge sum!
Skills: [Gun Technique: Basic Mastery (0/500)], [Agility: Basic Proficiency (0/300)], [Basic Gun Stance - Condensation (1/100)], [Eye of Insight (Beginner)], [Unwavering Will (Passive)].
Traits unchanged.
Special: Conqueror's Haki Trial Card x1, Skill Optimization Opportunity x1.
The system shop interface unfolded before him. What he desperately needed now was a new weapon. His previous crude iron spear was ruined.
Weapon Categories in the Shop:
[Inferior Wooden Iron Spear: 20 points](Worse than the previous one)
[Standard Ironwood Spear: 150 points](Decent craftsmanship, average material, good value)
[Hundred-Forged Steel Spear (Standard): 500 points] (Superior material, sturdy and sharp, with a simple health bar)
[Cold Iron Steel Spear (Good): 1200 points] (Mixed with a small amount of cold iron, making the spear body more resilient; the spearhead has armor-piercing sharpness)
[??? Dragon Pattern Meteorite Spear (Rare): 5000 points] (Insufficient permissions, only name displayed)
Axel's gaze lingered between the [Hundred-Forged Steel Spear] and the [Cold Iron Steel Spear]. The former, at 500 points, would immediately provide a decent weapon, leaving 880 points for other resources or skills. The latter, at 1200 points, had better stats, but would almost deplete all his savings.
Considering his upcoming adventures (Bucky, Creek, Arlong Park, etc.), a more reliable weapon was crucial. Moreover, he had just acquired [Basic Gun Technique (Mastery)] and needed a better weapon to unleash its power.
"Purchase [Cold Iron Steel Spear]."
[Ding—Purchase successful, 1200 points consumed. Item stored in system space.]
His 1380 points instantly dwindled to 180. Axel felt a pang of regret, but it was worth it. He didn't immediately retrieve it; with so many people and eyes on the ship, it wouldn't be easy to explain the sudden appearance of such an extraordinary spear.
Next, he looked at the [Skill Optimization Opportunity]. Which one to optimize? [Windbreaker Spear - Swift] was powerful, but its side effects were obvious, and he didn't currently possess this skill (obtained through daily login but not activated? Not displayed on the system panel, likely requiring specific activation conditions). [Basic Spear Stance - Condensation] currently had a weak effect; optimization might increase its interference or deterrent strength? [Eye of Insight (Beginner)] was very practical; optimization might improve his ability to see through enemy attacks or reduce its consumption?
After careful consideration, he chose [Eye of Insight (Beginner)]. Stronger observation and predictive abilities were often more valuable for survival and tactics in combat than direct attack enhancements.
[Ding—Skill "Eye of Insight (Beginner)" optimized. Effect Improvement: Enhanced visual detail capture ability, improved ability to see through low-level disguises and attack trajectories, added slight "Dynamic Vision" effect (can slightly capture the trajectory of fast-moving objects), reduced mental energy consumption by 15%. Renamed "Eye of Insight (Intermediate)".]
Great! Axel felt a cool sensation in his eyes, his vision seemed clearer and more transparent, even the subtle movements of seagulls flapping their wings in the distance were clearer.
At this moment, Coby ran over carrying a pile of canned food, dry bread, and several bottles of fresh water, his face filled with the excitement of finding food: "Found it! It's not much, but it's enough for a few meals!"
"Meat! Is it canned meat?" Luffy pounced over.
Zoro also went over, picked up a piece of bread and started eating, but his gaze swept over Axel again, especially lingering for a moment on his empty hands. The gun's gone, what's this guy going to use now?
The simple food replenished their strength. The setting sun dyed the sea golden red as the sailboat sailed in an unknown but predetermined direction (Luffy insisted on "finding the navigator," his destination being Orange Town).
"Axel, your gun is gone, what do we do?" Luffy asked between mouthfuls of food.
Axel had already prepared his explanation: "I'll find the materials to make another one when I get the chance, or buy one in the next town." He paused, "Until then, let's make do with this." He walked to the ship's side, where some miscellaneous items were piled up, including a two-meter-long, wrist-thick hardwood stick used to secure the sail rigging, with an iron clamp at one end. He picked it up, weighed it in his hand; the weight and length were barely suitable for a gun barrel, only the spearhead was missing. "It can still be used if I sharpen it."
Zoro glanced at the wooden stick but said nothing. Using a wooden stick as a gun? Is this kid really poor, or…? He recalled Axel's precise shot at Morgan's weak point; that wasn't the kind of skill one could achieve with just a stick.
Coby, on the other hand, was filled with gratitude and admiration for Axel, thinking that Mr. Axel was incredibly skilled even with a wooden stick.
Night fell, and the sea breeze was cool. Luffy, having eaten his fill, fell asleep immediately, snoring loudly. Coby carefully wiped the deck. Zoro, clutching his sword, leaned against the mainmast, eyes closed, resting, but his ears twitched slightly, clearly remaining vigilant.
Axel wasn't asleep. He walked to a secluded spot at the bow of the ship, his back to the others, and with a thought, the [Cold Iron-Plated Steel Spear] silently appeared in his hand.
The spear was about 2.3 meters long, entirely black, and slightly heavy in the hand, nearly twice as heavy as the previous rough iron spear, but the weight distribution was excellent, making it not clumsy at all. The shaft was neither wood nor iron, cold and tough to the touch, the material the system described as "hundred-times-forged refined steel mixed with cold iron." The spearhead was narrow and sharp, with blood grooves on both sides; the blade gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light under the moonlight, and a faint chill could be felt when close.
A fine spear!
He suppressed the urge to immediately practice, only gently stroking the spear, feeling its cold, hard texture and inherent resilience. Then, he stored it back in his system space. Now was not the time to take it out. That hardwood stick was his temporary "disguise."
He returned to the ship's railing, picked up the hardwood stick, and began slowly and focused on practicing the basic marksmanship techniques he had "mastered" in his mind: thrusting, stabbing, grabbing, and blocking. Without the spearhead, the power and feel were different, but he needed to adapt. He needed this "ordinary" practice to mask the fact that his marksmanship had suddenly become "mastered," while continuing to hone his body and digest the changes brought about by his improved physique.
Under the moonlight, the figure at the bow silently and steadily repeated the monotonous movements, blending into the snoring and the sound of the waves emanating from the cabin.
Zoro opened his eyes at some point, watching the figure practicing at the bow. The movements were standard, the power fluid, the rhythm stable, with a subtle sense of "perfection," quite different from the sharp, precise yet somewhat clumsy feeling he had displayed in battle. Was it an illusion? Or… this guy recovered so quickly? And, he could practice so diligently even with a wooden stick?
He closed his eyes again. This newly joined team seemed a bit more interesting than he had expected. There was the straw-hatted, idiotic captain, the cowardly but somewhat determined pink-haired brat, and a gun-wielding guy with many secrets and a strong will.
Chapter 8 The Sweet Scent of Oranges, Parting WaysAfter several days of sailing, the strait finally approached Orange Town, marked on Coby's chart. Even before docking, Axel's [Eye of Insight (Intermediate)] detected an anomaly in the wind—beneath the sweet scent of oranges, there was a faint smell of gunpowder and burning.
"Something's wrong," Axel said in a low voice, standing at the bow.
Luffy craned his neck, sniffing hard: "Oranges! Lots of oranges! And… the smell of burning meat? This is bad!" He immediately connected the dots.
Zoro, clutching his sword, closed his eyes to sense the danger: "Blood, chaos. This island isn't safe."
Coby gripped the gunwale tightly, his face filled with worry: "Could…could it be pirates?"
The ship cautiously anchored in a secluded, rocky bay. In the distance, wisps of black smoke rose from the direction of the town, like ominous smoke signals.
"Land!" Luffy couldn't wait, but Axel stopped him.
"Observe first, don't rush into the encirclement." Axel said, his gaze sweeping over his companions—Luffy, Zoro, and Coby. He knew that, according to the original storyline, Coby's journey would temporarily end here. "Coby," he turned to the pink-haired boy, "you stay here to guard the ship and ensure our escape route. Also..." He paused, "if things don't go well, or if we don't return for a long time, you can sail away and go wherever you want."
Coby paused, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his eyes—worry, hesitation, and a touch of excitement at being entrusted with such a responsibility. "Mr. Axel, I…"
"Coby," Luffy, unusually serious, adjusted his straw hat. "Didn't you want to be a Marine? This path is different from ours. Ahead lies the pirates' lair; you shouldn't get involved."
Zoro also spoke calmly: "Kid, we see your determination. But the battles ahead are not for you. Stay here, or leave—choose what's best for your dream."
Coby looked at the three men who had saved him in Shells Town, led him to safety, and were now about to embark on a different path—his "benefactors" and "temporary companions"—and his eyes reddened. He wiped his eyes forcefully, straightened his thin chest, and spoke in a choked but exceptionally clear voice: "I understand! Mr. Luffy! Mr. Zoro! Mr. Axel! Thank you! I will protect the ship! I will… I will persevere in my dream! One day, I will become an excellent Marine!"
His gaze swept over Luffy's straw hat, finally settling on Axel's calm face, and he bowed deeply.
Without further emotional words, Luffy grinned and patted Coby on the shoulder (this time with restraint): "Yeah! Good luck, Coby!"
Axel nodded to Coby. This boy would have his own growth trajectory in the original storyline, and forcing him to participate in the upcoming adventure might not be a good thing for him.
Leaving Coby to guard the ship, Luffy, Axel, and Zoro quietly landed and, under the cover of the dense orange grove, stealthily made their way towards the town.
The closer they got to the town center, the more horrifying the scene became. The Buggy Pirates' destruction was everywhere, and fear and despair filled the air. They crept to the second floor of a dilapidated house overlooking the square.
The scene in the square was similar to what Axel knew: besieged townspeople, the arrogant Buggy and his crew, a small mountain of oranges, and… the yellowed parchment Buggy was waving in his hand—a treasure map.
Axel's [Eye of Insight] quickly locked onto the agile figure with short orange hair in the shadows of the clock tower—Nami. She was also observing from the shadows, her target clear.
"That clown is bullying people!" Luffy's fist clenched as he saw the coerced townspeople.
"He's showing off a tattered piece of paper." Zoro stared at the treasure map in Buggy's hand, showing little interest.
"That's a treasure map. He's using the treasure to lure his men while simultaneously intimidating the townspeople," Axel quickly analyzed. "Luffy, Zoro, and Buggy are the core. Defeating him will dismantle this group of pirates. That orange-haired girl…" He pointed in the direction Nami disappeared, "She's agile; her target is probably that map. She should be safe for now. Let's split up. You guys draw their fire from the front, and I'll flank around and check the situation. Maybe I can help, and also prevent the treasure map from being destroyed or falling into the hands of someone worse."
"Help? Axel, do you want to steal the treasure?" Luffy's focus was unusual.
"It's to stop him from using the treasure for more bad things. Besides, we need someone knowledgeable to check if the map is real or fake." Axel remained expressionless. "Maybe we can find a navigator."
"A navigator!" Luffy was successfully swayed. "Alright! Let's do it! Zoro, let's go!"
Zoro glanced at Axel, said nothing more, simply biting his Wado Ichimonji and gripping the hilts of his other two swords.
"Rubber—"
"Three-Sword Style—"
The two crashed through a second-floor window like cannonballs, slamming into the pirate horde in the plaza with tremendous force, instantly causing massive chaos!
"Enemy attack! It's those two from Shells Town!"
"Protect Captain Buggy!"
Buggy was both shocked and furious, ordering Mochi, Cabaji, and the other executives to engage in battle, and the plaza erupted into fierce fighting.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Axel silently slid down from the other side of the building, activating his [Basic Aura Concealment] to its full potential, his [Eye of Insight] continuously scanning. Like a shadow, he swiftly disappeared into the intricate alleyways, stealthily heading towards the direction where Nami had previously appeared and behind Buggy's platform.
His objectives were clear: 1. To secretly ensure the safety of Nami, his future key partner (at least until he was certain she was capable of protecting herself); 2. To make contact when the opportunity arose, paving the way for a later "invitation"; 3. If the opportunity was perfect, to try and obtain the treasure map—it was both an important plot item and potentially valuable to the system.
In his hand, he still held that camouflaged hardwood stick. The Cold Iron Steel Spear lay silently in his system space.
The wind blew through the orange grove, carrying a complex scent of sweet fragrance mixed with gunpowder smoke. On the bay, Coby stood on the ship, gazing in the direction of the town, clenching his fist, and muttered to himself, "Mr. Luffy, Mr. Zoro, Mr. Axel… please be safe. I will… walk my own path!"
Chapter 9: Clash in the Dark Alley, and the Struggle for the Treasure MapAxel moved swiftly through the alleyways, blending seamlessly into the shadows. His [Eye of Insight (Intermediate)] clearly captured details in the dim light: cracks in the walls, orange peels scattered on the ground, the tremors from a distant battle… and, of course, a fleeting glimpse of orange hair at the alleyway's entrance and deliberately light yet still nimble footsteps.
Nami.
She seemed to be using the chaos created by Luffy and Zoro to circle around to the other side of the plaza. Her target was likely behind the platform where Buggy had previously stood—the place where the pirates stored some of their loot and Buggy's temporary "throne." The treasure map was likely left there by Buggy or kept by a trusted confidant.
Axel didn't approach immediately, maintaining a tracking distance that allowed him to observe without being detected. At the same time, he kept a portion of his attention alert to his surroundings. The Buggy Pirates were numerous; they couldn't all be distracted by Luffy and his crew.
Sure enough, after passing through two alleys, he heard chaotic footsteps and shouts ahead.
"Quick! This way! That orange-haired thief must have run this way!"
"Grab her! The captain said, voyeurs are killed on sight!"
It was a group of five or six Buggy Pirates henchmen who had discovered Nami's whereabouts and were ordered to pursue her. They were cursing and blocking the corner of the alley in front of Nami. Nami paused, immediately retreating behind a pile of debris, her brows furrowed, her hand already reaching for the short stick (a rudimentary form of the Weather Stick?) wrapped around her waist.
Blocked in front. Footsteps faintly approached from behind.
Axel's eyes narrowed. An opportunity had arisen, but so had the risk.
He didn't rush out to be a hero—that would be too abrupt, inconsistent with the image he was currently trying to maintain as a "cautious observer" and "potential collaborator." He needed a more subtle approach.
He quickly surveyed the terrain. The alley was relatively narrow, with high stone walls on both sides. He pushed off with his feet, his [Basic Footwork (Proficient)] granting him light and swift movement; with a few leaps, he silently scaled the right-hand wall and crouched low.
Below, the pursuers were closing in on the pile of debris where Nami was hiding.
"Come out! Little mouse! Saw you!"
"Come out obediently, and maybe I can let you die a quicker death!"
Nami's face was slightly pale, but her eyes remained sharp as she calculated her escape route and the timing of her attack. She was confident in her abilities to handle one or two, but five or six armed pirates…
Just as the pirate at the front grinned and reached for a broken plank in the pile of debris—
Axel on the wall moved. Instead of using a gun (or even a wooden stick), he retrieved two relatively hard stones he'd picked up along the way from his system space. With the aid of his [Eye of Insight], he locked onto two crucial targets: the side of the knee of the pirate reaching out in front, and the wrist of a pirate behind him who was about to raise his musket to aim.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The stones shot out with a slight whooshing sound, hitting their mark precisely!
"Ah!" The first pirate cried out in pain in his knee, collapsing to his knees.
"Ugh!" The second pirate's wrist went numb, and his musket clattered to the ground.
"Who?! Up there!" The other pirates exclaimed in surprise, looking up at the wall.
The wall was empty. The instant Axel threw the stone, he slid down the wall to the other side, flipping over like a cat, landing in an adjacent alley, his presence once more concealed.
Nami below reacted with lightning speed! Although she hadn't seen where the stone came from or who threw it, this sudden disruption created a perfect opportunity! She sprang from behind the pile of debris like a cheetah, her short stick flashing like a black shadow, striking the neck of the third pirate, stunned by his injured comrade. Simultaneously, her long leg delivered a side kick, knocking down another.
Instantly taking down two, she created an opening! Without pausing, Nami flashed through the opening, disappearing into another, more complex alley in a few swift movements.
The remaining pirates were shocked and enraged, wanting to give chase, but their leader's knee was injured, another's wrist was numb, and with two more downed, their formation crumbled.
"Chase...chase that woman!"
"And the guy on the wall! Split up and search!"
Axel had already moved far from the scene, circling around a bit. Using his [Basic Battlefield Sense] to perceive the chaotic atmosphere and his [Eye of Insight] to quickly analyze the terrain, he re-locked onto Nami's direction of movement—she hadn't given up after all, but had changed to a more concealed route, still meandering towards the back of the plaza platform.
"Very purposeful, and quite daring," Axel thought to himself, continuing to follow at a respectful distance. His earlier covert assistance should have lowered her guard a little? At least let her know that besides the Buggy Pirates and those two "reckless" attackers, there was a third party operating in the shadows.
The sounds of battle from the direction of the plaza grew increasingly intense. The faint sounds of Buggy's furious screams, Luffy's shouts, and the sharp whistling of Zoro's blade cutting through the air could be heard. Clearly, Luffy and Zoro were putting considerable pressure on Buggy.
Nami finally approached her target area. Near the edge of the plaza, several relatively intact houses had been occupied by the Buggy Pirates as a temporary base, where they stored some supplies. There were fewer guards than expected—most were drawn to the main battleground in the plaza. Only two pirates remained, listlessly guarding the entrance, their attention also drawn to the distant fight.
Nami observed from the shadows for a moment, then pulled a small mirror from her pocket, using the reflection to examine the interior. Axel, further behind and to her side, used his [Eye of Insight] to penetrate the thin walls, barely making out what appeared to be scattered papers and loose treasure on a table inside. A pirate, with his back to the door, was rummaging through something.
Could the treasure map be inside?
Nami had clearly made the same judgment. She stealthily climbed up the side of the house, using the drainpipes and windowsills, like a nimble cat, aiming for the second-floor window.
Axel didn't follow. His goal was the treasure map, not to be Nami's bodyguard. He needed to wait, wait for Nami to create an opportunity, or to confirm the location of the treasure map.
Just then, another change occurred!
From the direction of the plaza, Buggy seemed to have been pushed to his limit by Luffy. A sharp, angry roar rang out: "Damn Straw Hat! Chop-Cut Pancake!" This was followed by a dense whistling sound of something being fired and Luffy's strange cry.
Then, a short, stout figure was blasted out of the center of the plaza, crashing like a cannonball into the makeshift hideout! With a deafening roar, he smashed a large hole in the wall, sending dust billowing out!
It was Buggy! He seemed to have used some technique to launch a part of his body (maybe a leg?) like a rocket, resulting in him losing control and falling out.
Through the dust and smoke, Buggy scrambled to his feet, dazed and covered in dirt, his bright red nose crooked. His first sight was of Nami, half-exposed in a second-floor window, clutching a yellowed parchment!
"It's you! The treasure map thief!" Buggy roared in fury. "And the Straw Hat crew! You're all in cahoots! Die! Tear me to pieces—"
His arm instantly detached from his body, gripping several throwing knives, and shot towards Nami on the second floor like cannonballs! The speed was astonishing!
Nami's expression changed drastically. She had just obtained the treasure map and hadn't even had a chance to examine it closely before Buggy's attack arrived! At such close range, with such a bizarre attack method, she had no time to fully dodge!
A hair's breadth!
Axel, who had been lurking in the shadows to his side and rear, knew he couldn't wait any longer! The treasure map had appeared, Nami was in grave danger, and Buggy's attention was completely drawn—this was the best and last chance to intervene!
He didn't have time to draw his Cold Iron Spear, and the hardwood stick in his hand was definitely no match for Buggy's throwing knives (even thrown from his severed arm). In a flash, he made an extremely daring decision!
He no longer used the mental pressure of [Basic Spear Stance - Condensation] for minor interference, but instead concentrated it to an extreme, mixing it with the calming power brought by the passive [Unwavering Will], and all his current energy and spirit, transforming it into an invisible yet extremely "sharp" "thorn of will." It wasn't the area-of-effect intimidation of Conqueror's Haki, but rather an extremely concentrated strike, like a real spear tip, aimed directly at Buggy's mind, which had somewhat lost its composure due to rage!
Simultaneously, his [Basic Footwork] exploded, his body shooting out of the shadows like an arrow, not towards Buggy, but towards the corner of the house! During his dash, he swung his arm sharply, hurling the sturdy wooden stick in his hand like a javelin with all his might. The target wasn't Buggy, nor the throwing knife, but—the air connecting Buggy's arm and torso, suspended in mid-air and heading towards Nami!
He was betting that, for even a mere 0.1 seconds, Buggy's control over his split body would falter or deviate by the slightest interruption of his focused mental stimulation!
"Huh?!" Buggy indeed jolted, as if a cold needle had suddenly pricked his brow. His rage and precise control experienced a tiny, momentary disruption.
That slight disruption!
Thud!
The throwing knife missed! It grazed Nami's ear and embedded itself deeply in the wall behind her.
Simultaneously, Axel's thrown wooden stick whistled through the gap between Buggy's arm and torso, embedding itself deeply in the wall behind him with a "thud," the stick still trembling.
Although it didn't hit directly, the sudden, eerily precise interference (aiming at the gap in the split) shocked and enraged Buggy: "Who?! There's another one!"
His gaze snapped towards the direction Axel had rushed out.
Meanwhile, on the second floor, Nami, seizing this life-or-death moment, unhesitatingly stuffed the treasure map into her clothes, then turned and leaped out of the window on the other side of the second floor. Landing with a tumble, she disappeared into the depths of the complex alley without looking back. Her movements were fluid and graceful, clearly indicating she had a pre-planned escape.
"Damn it! My treasure map!" Buggy watched helplessly as Nami ran away with the map, nearly exploding with rage. He abruptly pulled his arm back, glaring fiercely at Axel, who had ruined his plans.
At that moment, Luffy also shouted, chasing after them from the plaza: "Buggy! Don't run! Gum-Gum Pistol!"
Zoro, having slashed down several entangled pirates, was rushing towards them.
Axel stood alone at the alley entrance, his weapon gone (he had thrown a wooden stick), facing the enraged Buggy and several pirates who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
The atmosphere was incredibly tense.