Chapter 4: Shields Town. EndScattered footsteps echoed, surrounding Zoro and Meruem, with flintlock guns aimed at them.Captain Moca, with one hand missing, walked out, looking a bit disoriented: "How dare you defy the great Colonel Moca! Now, I sentence you to death.""Jango's hypnosis is actually sustainable... Does this ghostly world even follow science? No, with a Rubber Man, what science is there to talk about?"Meruem looked relaxed, but his mind was still furiously complaining.Zoro's expression, however, became solemn, filled with unwillingness."Fire!""Gum-Gum Rocket!""Sun Breathing, First Form, Dance!"Most of the bullets hit Luffy, stretching his body into lines, while the remaining bullets were cut in half by Meruem's slash."Completely ineffective!" Luffy shouted excitedly. The bullets bounced back from him, making the firing soldiers yelp and scream. In just one encounter, almost every soldier who fired was injured."It didn't seem like much in the anime, but seeing it in person is just ridiculous... What the heck is this?"Meruem's eye twitched slightly, further solidifying his intention to cling to the strong."Who exactly are you?" Zoro asked in surprise."I am Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King.""I am Meruem, the man who will become the freest man in this world.""Oh my god, how embarrassing."The excited Luffy and the face-palming Meruemformed a stark contrast."Fighting the Marines with me now will make you wanted by the government, or you can choose to die here," Luffy continued with a grin.Zoro's eyes narrowed, and he said with a grim smile: "Are you a descendant of devils? It doesn't matter. If I'm going to be beaten to death here, I might as well... become a pirate with you. I am Roronoa Zoro, the man who will become the World's Greatest Swordsman."Meruem's face turned red upon hearing this... "It's really embarrassing... In my previous life, these two would be considered chuunibyou.""That's great! I have another companion!" Luffycheered.Zoro said helplessly, "Yes, yes, now help me untie myself..."Luffy tried to untie him but struggled for a long time."If guns don't work, use swords! Charge!" Captain Moca's shout rang out, and a group of Marines rushed forward with raised swords.Meruem finally recovered, twirled his sword, and freed Zoro.He stretched his limbs, then bit one of the swords in his mouth, holding two swords in his hands, displaying the Three-Sword Style.Meruem slowly adopted a starting stance.Luffy slammed his fist into his palm and shouted, "Companions! Let's go!"The three charged out from different angles, wreaking havoc among the Marines. The disparity in strength was too obvious, and soon, only Captain Moca remained standing among the Marines.Captain Moca's face grew even darker, and he said coldly, "Those who lost just now, shoot yourselves. I, Captain Moca, have no need for useless subordinates."The Marines were startled by his words and tremblingly raised their guns to their foreheads.Luffy's expression turned grim, and he charged towards Captain Moca.Captain Moca was caught off guard by the freely extending arm, but his slashes were also incredibly powerful and indiscriminate. Marines who had merely been knocked down were now severely wounded by his attacks.Meruem was painstakingly trying to stop the suicidal Marines, and seeing this situation made him a bit angry. He was working hard to save people, while over there, someone was wantonly killing. Who exactly were the Marines?"I am Marine Colonel Moca! Anyone who defies me must die!" Captain Moca roared furiously.Luffy pulled back his extending arm, holding his Straw Hat, and said with a smile, "Good job, Zoro."Zoro had appeared behind Captain Moca at some point and replied with a smile, "Child's play, Captain."After they finished speaking, three sword marks suddenly appeared on Captain Moca's chest. His fierce eyes rolled back, and with a face full of rage, he fainted on the ground.Meruem also stopped, sheathing his sword."Meruem~ We won~" Luffy said, hooking Meruem's shoulder with a smile."If anyone else wants to capture us, bring it on!" Zoro said coldly to the Marines.The Marines looked at each other, then erupted in thunderous cheers:"Captain Moca has been defeated!""Moca's tyranny is over!""Hooray! Long live the Marines!"Luffy and Zoro looked bewildered, turning to Meruem, who merely shrugged and spread his hands, saying nothing... Marine Base, Captain Moca's BedroomMeruem, who had originally thought he could experience a 'Assassin's Creed' style infiltration, found that there was no one in the Marine Basetoday."Let me see where it is..." Meruem searched high and low, finally dragging out a large box from under the desk."Following that glutton Luffy, I always feel a bit uneasy without some money..." Meruem smiled and opened the box. Neatly stacked Berries filled it, estimated to be around 20 million."Oh, what's this?" Meruem reached out and picked up a thin piece of paper, looking closely."[Receipt]""[Human Statue 40,000,000 Berries]""Holy crap... That thing Luffy broke is worth that much?!" Meruem's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.His hand holding the receipt trembled slightly. He thought about his own life, exposed to the elements, diligently catching bounty criminals, and after 3 years of being active, he still hadn't even earned 20 million Berries. Yet this scoundrel Captain Moca's statue alone was 40 million Berries. He was practically inhuman. He even felt an urge to run to the prison and stab him a couple of times."Forget it, 20 million Berries is not bad. I'll go pack some food and wait for those two on the ship." Meruem packed the money and left... "I haven't eaten for nine days, why are you eating more than me?" Zoro looked at Luffy with dissatisfaction.But Luffy, who could absolutely be called shameless when it came to food, didn't care at all, rubbing his stomach with a satisfied expression."Rika, thank you for your hospitality," Zoro said with a smile to the little girl, having no way to deal with Luffy's complete disregard."Big Brother, you first saved me, and then you and the other two Big Brothers saved this town. I should be thanking you all," Rika said with a bright smile.Zoro didn't know how to respond. This feeling of being treated like a hero was quite novel, so he just smiled and said nothing."Zoro, let's go. Meruem said he's waiting for us on the ship.""Oh, okay."The two walked towards the sea."Luffy!!"The two turned their heads to see Koby, panting heavily, wearing a Marine chore uniform, standing there and saluting."Salute!"A Marine Sergeant shouted loudly, and the Marines from the entire Marine Base appeared behind Koby, saluting with solemn expressions.Luffy and Zoro smiled at this scene, then turned and waved goodbye.
