Chapter 3 I Want Him to Be My PartnerOn the streets of Shells Town,The two found the little girl and conveyed Zoro's gratitude to her.The little girl looked very happy. At this moment, Koby, who was still indecisive, ran over and said, "I just saw it all. Is that Zoro really a villain?"The little girl said a little angrily, "Of course not. It's just that he looks fierce, and everyone is scared of him.And the only reason he was caught by the Marinewas to save me. Before, Captain Moca's son, Helmeppo, had a wolf that he let run wild, destroying things and biting many people.Last time, I was almost bitten too. Brother Zorokilled that wolf to save me. Then he was arrested by the Marine... They said that if he could hold out for a month, all would be forgiven."Luffy nodded thoughtfully and said to Meruem, "I think Zoro sounds like a good guy."Meruem yawned and said perfunctorily, "Mhm, he's indeed good." [Future First Mate, please don't hold a grudge against me. It's mainly because you're so cool eating dirt, I can't bear to miss this famous scene.]Koby spoke, "I think so too... After all, a bounty hunter shouldn't be a criminal. It seems it's all that Helmeppo's fault.""Hehehe, hurry up and kneel, or I'll tell my dad." This person shouldn't be mentioned; just as Helmeppo's disgusting voice came over.Following the sound, Helmeppo, leading a squad of Marine, walked down the road swaggering, looking very punchable."Do you want to end up like Roronoa Zoro? In three days, I will publicly execute him, to make an example out of him for all of you to see. I'm really looking forward to it!"Luffy's expression became serious, and he said, "Meruem... He said he's going to kill Zoro in three days, even though he and Zoro agreed that if Zorocould hold out for a month, everything would be fine.""Yes, I heard him, Captain. Do as you wish. I'll follow along..." Meruem was a little helpless, propping himself up. Fortunately, he had already figured out this Marine Base; there was no one strong enough to fight. Otherwise, Meruem wouldn't have said that.Luffy clenched his fist tightly, lunged forward, and bang! His fist made zero-distance contact with Helmeppo's face, and then Helmeppo's teeth flew out.Koby hadn't even reacted to what they were saying when the sound of a fist hitting flesh reached his ears. His face changed drastically, and he scrambled to pull Luffy back, shouting, "Luffy, please stop! He's a scumbag, not worth it!"Helmeppo, who was almost unconscious, was still mumbling, "You're making enemies with the Marine, you're dead!""Quick, save the Colonel's son!" The accompanying Marine showed a hint of satisfaction seeing Helmeppo like this, but after a brief struggle, they still shouted this."This... Please don't disturb my Captain." Meruemleaned on his sword, which was not drawn, and walked to the middle, speaking slowly.Everyone paused, exchanged glances, and then continued to charge forward."How troublesome..." Meruem dodged a punch by sidestepping, then tripped the attacker with a flick of his foot, sending him to the ground. Then, like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, he knocked everyone to the ground. He patted away non-existent dust from his clothes and said, "Luffy, I think if you hit him again, he'll be gone."Luffy was stunned by these words, and he looked at Helmeppo, whom he was holding. Koby's attempts to stop him were completely useless. Luffy had punched Helmeppo's face repeatedly, deforming it. That ugly face was beaten black and blue; it was hard to say if that was a good thing.The Marine lying scattered on the ground struggled to get up, bypassed Meruem, helped Helmeppo up, and ran away."Big brother, you're amazing, thank you!" The little girl said happily."Ri... Rika, come back." A female voice sounded, calling the little girl, Rika, over.She looked at Luffy reluctantly, as if she wanted to ask for something.Luffy waved goodbye with a smile, then said to Meruem beside him, "Meruem, let's go save Zoro. I want him to be my companion.""Let's go." Meruem shrugged, noncommittal. After all, he was his future strong support, and he couldn't let him die prematurely just because of his own arrival.Koby seemed to be scared, shouting loudly in place, as the two figures gradually walked away... Marine BaseZoro, tightly bound, saw the two arrive and felt his teeth itch a little. He said, "Why are you two here again? If you're trying to persuade me to be a pirate, I suggest you give up.""I'll untie you, and then you'll be my companion." Luffy said with a smile.(-_-#)"Can you listen to what people are saying? I said I'm not becoming a pirate!""I don't care! I've already decided to make you my companion.""I told you to listen to me! How can you just decide like that!"Meruem looked at Zoro with a heavy expression, then patted him on the shoulder. He felt that it wasn't so strange that he could be Luffy's companion.Zoro looked at him strangely, a light bulb went off, and he said, "You... too?"Meruem thought of his own initiative, feeling a bit choked up, and didn't take that bait. He said, "I heard they took your swords. We'll get them back for you, and then you'll join us!"(`dish´)Zoro looked at the two, feeling like he had encountered devils. He shouted, "Are all you pirates so despicable!"Luffy heard him and ran off with a grin... Meruemwas about to untie Zoro's ropes."No... I made a promise with that scoundrel that if I held out for a month, I'd be fine. I really don't want to be a pirate.""I know your goal is to be the world's greatest swordsman, and being a pirate doesn't conflict with that, so what's the big deal? Also, you're going to be executed in three days. That ugly Helmeppo never intended to keep his promise with you from the start."Zoro was stunned by these words and said, "How do you know my goal...?""Hey, hey, aren't you worried about being executed? How can you be the world's greatest swordsman if you're dead?" Meruem was completely baffled by these people's thought processes. He silently drew his sword, preparing to untie Zoro.[What the hell is this thing, I can't even untie it...]Suddenly, Meruem's gaze sharpened, and he swung his sword fiercely at Zoro, as if intending to kill him."Clang!"The sound of clashing metal was even somewhat pleasant. A bullet hit Meruem's sword, emitting a faint puff of smoke.The two, with murderous eyes, looked towards the rooftop of the Marine Base, where a grim-faced Captain Moca was also watching them.Their staring contest suddenly made the atmosphere tense.
