After landing one last punch on Captain Morgan, Luffy jumped off him and turned toward Alex, who was still furiously beating up Helmeppo.
"Forget about him already! Let's go eat!" Luffy called out.
Damn it, I was just getting into it.
Alex looked down at the now-unconscious Helmeppo, who had been so full of himself moments ago. The guy's face was completely unrecognizable now—twisted features and an even uglier bowl cut than before.
Fine, just a few more punches and I'm done.
With that thought, Alex threw in a few extra hits for good measure. His spirits lifted. Whatever lingering frustration he had was completely wiped clean—man, did that feel satisfying.
Just as Alex was about to throw another punch, Morgan suddenly rose to his feet behind Luffy. His face was a bloody mess from both Alex and Luffy's beatings, making him look terrifying.
"I'm a Marine captain! I'm Axe-Hand Morgan!" Morgan gasped through gritted teeth, raising the giant axe on his right arm and swinging it down at Luffy's unguarded back.
Luffy remained blissfully unaware, walking casually toward Alex. The axe was about an inch from his straw hat when Koby, standing far off, shouted in panic, "Luffy, behind you!"
Right then, a figure blurred past Luffy.
With a blade clenched between his teeth and two more in his hands, Zoro slashed down in an X-shaped motion. One clean strike later, the towering Morgan collapsed with his eyes rolled back, completely unconscious.
"Zoro," Luffy said, adjusting his hat and glancing back.
"No big deal, Captain," Zoro replied coolly, bandana tied and swords sheathed.
"He... he lost! Captain Morgan was defeated!" The surrounding Marines stared in disbelief at both Morgan and Helmeppo lying flat on the ground.
Zoro slid his swords back into their sheaths and glared at the Marines. "If any of you still want to arrest us—step up!"
The Marines exchanged uneasy looks. Not one dared move.
"We're free! We're finally free!"
"Down with Morgan! Long live the Marines!"
Moments later, the previously silent soldiers erupted into cheers.
"What the heck? Their captain just got wrecked and they're celebrating?" Luffy asked in confusion.
"They must've been acting under Morgan's tyranny," Koby said, realizing that these Marines weren't as corrupt as he'd thought. They had just been too afraid to stand up for what was right. Renewed hope glimmered in his eyes.
As Koby's belief in the Marines returned, Zoro suddenly collapsed to the ground.
"Whew... I'm starving," Zoro muttered, lying flat on his back and staring at the sky.
He had been tied to a post for three weeks without food. It was a miracle he lasted this long.
Luffy gave Zoro a knowing look, then turned to Alex. "You carry him."
"Why me? Can't you do it?" Alex complained, shaking his sore arm. He had thrown more punches today than he could count.
"Because we're both starving. Meet us at the food place," Luffy said as he patted his growling stomach and casually walked out of the Marine base. Koby bowed to Alex, thanked him for helping Zoro, and quickly followed Luffy.
Are you kidding me? I'm the one who's injured here!
Grumbling, Alex walked over and hoisted Zoro up.
The two of them slowly made their way out of the base. As they left, Alex noticed none of the Marines tried to stop them. In fact, many of them looked... grateful?
Alex smirked. He'd beaten the crap out of a ton of people here, yet instead of seeking revenge, they were thankful? Life really is strange sometimes.
Later, at a small restaurant in Shells Town...
"Whew, that hit the spot. Three weeks without food was pure hell," Zoro sighed in satisfaction, rubbing his now-full belly.
"What, that's all you're eating?" Luffy asked, still stuffing his mouth.
"If I hadn't eaten anything for that long, I'd be dead by now!"
Zoro stared in disbelief as Luffy continued to inhale plate after plate. "How are you eating more than me?"
"Because the food here is amazing! Right, Koby?" Luffy said as he swallowed another mouthful of meat.
"Sorry... I might've eaten a bit too much too," Koby said sheepishly, scratching his head and turning to the restaurant's owner.
"It's fine. You saved us after all," the kind restaurant owner said, carrying stacks of empty plates left behind by the trio.
"By the way, what took you guys so long to get here? I've been eating for over an hour!" Luffy asked Alex, still chewing as he spoke.
"If I told you we got lost, would you believe me?" Alex asked, popping another piece of meat into his mouth.
"You've gotta be kidding! Getting lost in a tiny town ? That's next-level bad sense of direction—HAHAHA!" Luffy laughed, nearly choking on his food.
What he didn't notice was how Zoro's face darkened.
Yes—when Alex and Zoro had left the base, Alex suddenly realized he had no idea where "the food place" even was. So he asked Zoro for directions.
Confidently, Zoro said he knew the way. After all, he had eaten at that restaurant before.
Trusting him, Alex followed Zoro's instructions.
And walked into twenty-nine dead ends.
By the time they hit the last one, where the only thing in sight was a garbage can, Alex—drenched in sweat—seriously considered tossing Zoro straight into it.
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