Shells Town should have been peaceful.
A Marine base, a steady port, and a town that lived under the supposed protection of "justice"—it should've felt safe. Comfortable. Lively, even.
But the moment Luffy, Nami, and Koby stepped off the gangplank, the air shifted.
People didn't just walk by; they hurried. Their shoulders hunched, eyes cast down, as if being noticed was a liability.
Some people flinched at distant shouts. Children stayed close to their parents.
Merchants smiled just a bit too wide, bowed too low, spoke too carefully.
It was tension—not loud, but pervasive. The kind Midoriya had seen in areas under villain control.
Something was wrong here.
"…Feels weird," Luffy muttered, hands behind his head as he watched a shopkeeper gently shoo his child indoors.
"Tense," Nami said, frowning. "Like everyone's walking on eggshells."
Koby bit his lip. "This isn't normal for a Marine town at all…"
Luffy glanced at them.
"You two know anything happening here?"
Koby perked up a little, hopeful he could be helpful. "W-well… I heard rumors on the cruise ship that Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro was spotted in these waters—"
The reaction was immediate.
A woman gasped and dropped her groceries.
A man dropped behind a cart like someone had fired a gun.
Someone whispered "Don't say that name," under their breath.
Luffy blinked.
"…Okay. People really don't like that name."
Nami sighed. "He must've done something big here."
Luffy rubbed his chin.
"Think I could recruit him? Sounds like he's strong. Heroes need strong people."
Nami stared. "Luffy. He hunts pirates."
"That's kinda hero work, if you really think about it."
"…You're impossible."
Before she could continue, Luffy spoke again—this time loud enough for the nearby crowd.
"What about this 'Axe-Hand Morgan' guy?"
If the mention of Zoro tensed the town, Morgan's name froze it.
People stiffened. A shopkeeper quietly shut his stall. Someone dragged their friend away by the wrist, and a pair of Marines walking by straightened like they'd been electrocuted.
Luffy whistled low.
"Well. That's an even worse reaction."
"Way worse," Nami muttered.
The Marine base rose in the distance—square, stern, and topped with a ridiculous stone statue of Morgan. Axe raised high. Face carved in perpetual self-importance.
Luffy giggled. "Think he's compensating for something?"
Nami shoved his shoulder. "Stop that—people are already nervous."
Koby swallowed. "A-and that's the base where… where I'm going to enlist."
Luffy draped an arm around him.
"Then let's go look around. See what kinda place it is."
As they neared, the outer courtyard came into view through the iron bars of the fence.
And there—tied to a wooden post, arms spread, body battered and sunburnt—was Zoro.
Even tied up like a criminal, he radiated defiance. His eyes were sharp, cutting through the haze of exhaustion.
Luffy grinned.
"Yep. He's strong."
"Shh!" Nami hissed. "We're not even supposed to be near the base."
Koby pressed his face to the fence. "R-Roronoa Zoro. He's really here…"
Before they could move, Luffy noticed something else.
A tiny girl dragging a wooden ladder across the dirt.
"What's she doing?" Nami whispered.
The girl leaned the ladder against the fence and, after a quick glance to shush the trio, began climbing with a small, tied bundle in her hands.
Nami gasped. "Is she—?"
"Trying to feed him," Luffy finished quietly.
They watched.
Rika climbed the final rung and poked her head over the fence.
Zoro's glare snapped to her immediately.
"What are you doing?" he barked. "Get lost, kid."
Rika paid him no mind as she scrambled down the fence and approached. She held out the bundle, hopeful eyes looking up at him. "I-I made you rice balls! Mom said you must be hungry—"
"GO AWAY!"
His shout echoed across the courtyard.
The girl flinched—just a little.
But her eyes stayed determined.
"You need to eat! You'll die!"
His jaw tightened. "I told you—go!"
He wasn't being cruel—Luffy could see it clearly. Even Nami, with her experience in deception, could tell there was no real heat behind his words. He was pushing her away for her safety.
But then—
A smug, nasally voice split the air.
"What's all this?"
Helmeppo strutted into view.
Ridiculous hair. Sunglasses he didn't deserve. And, yes—an absolutely tragic butt chin.
Nami whispered, "... what a terrible look ..."
Even Koby couldn't help but notice this guy's stunning loss of the genetic lottery. He was usually pretty self-conscious, but even he took a moment to thank fate for his lot in life.
"The weird mushroom haircut isn't doing him any favors," Luffy mused to himself.
Back in the courtyard, Helmeppo strode forward arrogantly, feeling strangely insulted for some reason.
Approaching the bound Zoro, he snatched the bundle from Rika's hands.
"Now, now, Roronoa, no need to bully children."
Rika balked at the strange-looking man who stole the food meant for Zoro. "Hey, stop it! Those aren't for you!"
Helmeppo only grinned smugly. "Oh? Didn't you read the sign? Trespassers will be executed on the authority of my father!" He puffed up at this, as if Morgan's authority was somehow his own personal achievement.
Rika stiffened at the mention of Morgan. Hidden behind the fence, Koby and Nami blanched. Was this creep seriously threatening to kill this kid?
Luffy's eyes hardened, the usual hint of playfulness fully evaporating as his muscles tensed, ready to intervene should they make a move on the girl.
Helmeppo, ignorant of the danger he was provoking, threw his head back in a laugh.
"HAHAHA, that's right. So keep your mouth shut before I enforce that rule."
Still tittering to himself, he rummaged through the pack Rika had made for Zoro, retrieving one of the rice balls.
He stared into Zoro's glaring eyes as he raised it to his mouth and took a big bite—
—and gagged.
"What—what IS this?! Sugar? You put sugar in a rice ball?!"
Rika sniffled. "I—I thought they would taste better sweet…"
Helmeppo sneered.
"Disgusting!" he shouted as he threw the other rice ball to the dirt and ground his heel onto it.
Rika was in tears now, "Stop it! I worked really hard on those!"
Nami's grip on the fence tightened, the casual cruelty hitting too close to home. Koby could barely believe it. The conversation between Luffy and Garp had prepared him for the idea of corrupt Marines, but seeing someone taking joy in taunting a helpless child… It really drove the point home.
Luffy was smiling. Not his usual carefree one, it was sharper, tinged with a sense of dark mischief. He remembered seeing Helmeppo train with Koby and Garp. He would make sure to let his gramps listen to the scene he had just recorded.
"Men! Throw her out."
The Marines obeyed instantly, looking almost pleased to get rid of the girl. Luffy noted that the corruption obviously wasn't confined to just Morgan and his weird looking son.
Rika was hoisted up—
And tossed over the fence.
She shrieked—
Nami gasped—
Koby panicked—
Zoro glared dangerously at the Marines in front of him —
But Luffy moved.
He caught Rika mid-fall, landing lightly on the street.
"Gotcha."
The girl burst into tears.
"Z-Zoro—he's—he'll die! He's only in there for protecting me!"
Luffy held her steady, giving her a bright, reassuring smile, "He won't. I Promise."
He looked at Nami and Koby.
"You two take her home. Make sure she's safe."
"But what about—?" Nami began.
"I'm gonna talk to the big softy tied to that post," Luffy said, grinning.
"Softy?!" Koby squeaked.
Nami shook her head. "Fine. Be careful."
Luffy walked back toward the fence, Helmeppo and his men had left after a few more taunts.
Zoro's stare was sharp enough to cut through steel.
"What do you want?," the swordsman muttered. "Can't you see I'm busy here?"
Luffy raised an eyebrow as he approached, "I don't know, other than trying to save that little girl, you don't seem to have too much going on."
Zoro scoffed. "I'm no hero."
"Sure you are. Pretty grumpy, but I've known worse.."
Zoro didn't respond. But the muscle in his jaw twitched.
Luffy stepped closer, matching Zoro's gaze.
"A new friend of mine told me why you're here. You protected her. That's what heroes do."
Zoro looked him over.
"You're not from around here."
"Nope. I'm Luffy. I'm gonna be the Hero of the Seas."
Zoro blinked. "…You're insane."
"People keep saying that," Luffy said cheerfully, "You should join me! Do some good, protect people like that girl."
Zoro scoffed, "I've got my own goals to pursue. Besides, I told you I'm not a hero!"
"Ha! Who says you can't do both?" He got a good laugh out of Zoro's reaction. "Besides," he continued, "You stepped in when you didn't need to. That's what makes a hero.
Before Zoro could respond, Luffy turned and began walking away. "Anyway, I'll be back later. Don't die."
"Wait!" Zoro called.
Luffy paused mid-step to turn back.
"Could you… pick that up for me?" Zoro asked, nodding towards the rice ball Helmeppo had stomped earlier.
"Eh? You sure? It's mostly a mud ball now."
"Just give it here!" Zoro snapped, opening his mouth as Luffy tossed the soiled onigiri in.
Luffy couldn't stop the grimace as he heard him crunching the dirt and struggling to swallow.
"Delicious," Zoro muttered, "Best rice ball I've ever had."
"Shishishi," Luffy couldn't stop the laugh as he turned to walk away.
"I'll tell her you said so, Mr. big bad pirate hunter, ya big green softy."
Zoro blushed under the teasing, "What did you call me? When I win this bet I'll slice you up!"
Luffy just laughed as he vaulted backward over the fence.
It was time to get some information—and evidence.
---
By the time Luffy reached the small tavern, Nami and Koby had soothed Rika enough to speak.
Her mother bowed repeatedly. "Thank you—thank you for bringing her home—"
"No problem," he replied lightly, "Couldn't let that butt chin guy just toss her."
Rika giggled at the description, her mother Ririka stifling hers.
Luffy reached down to ruffle the girl's hair with a grin, "Zoro ate your rice ball by the way, said it was the best he ever had!"
Rika beamed immediately, thrilled that her onigiri had helped Zoro.
Luffy set the Tone Dial on the table, tapping the center.
"Rika," he said gently, "can you tell me everything that happened with Zoro?"
She nodded bravely.
"Helmeppo, the big jerk. He had this big wolf that he got from the woods that he called his dog. He let it go after villagers, and his dad even arrested people who fought back!"
She began tearing up at this,"He… he came in here, and the wolf tried to attack me. Zoro-aniki cut it up and saved me. Then Helmeppo got mad and—and said if Zoro could survive a month tied up, he'd set him free…"
Koby clenched his fists. "That's not justice…"
Rika continued. "But he was here earlier. He said he's gonna execute Zoro tomorrow! Even though Zoro kept his promise!"
The Tone Dial glowed faintly as it recorded everything.
Luffy's jaw hardened.
"Got it," he whispered. "We have proof."
He gave Rika a smile, "Don't worry Rika, we'll take care of everything!"
She nodded firmly, instantly believing him. Ririka, though, looked worried. Noticing, Luffy simply gave her a thumbs up.
"Don't worry! We'll get proof from Morgan's own mouth, then I'll punch him in it!"
Rika's eyes sparkled.
Ririka was not comforted.
---
The second time entering the Marine base, the guards barely glanced at them when Koby announced he wanted to enlist.
Luffy leaned in and whispered to Nami:
"Mission for you."
She raised a brow. "What kind?"
"Find Zoro's swords."
She blinked. "Why me?"
"You're sneaky. And smart. And that whiny guy with the butt chin—what's his name, Hamburger?"
"Helmeppo."
"Yeah, that one. He's the one who detained Zoro. Bet he has the swords."
Nami sighed. "Fine. But you owe me."
"Deal."
She slipped away, blending into the base like a shadow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nami moved with purpose.
The trick in places like this wasn't just sneaking. It was looking like you belonged. If you walked like you were guilty, people would start looking for what you stole.
So she didn't slink along the walls or duck behind crates. She walked down the corridor with her shoulders relaxed, a faintly annoyed expression on her face like every other overworked Marine support staff she'd ever seen.
"Act like you're supposed to be here," she muttered under her breath. "And if that fails, lie."
The base interior was clean, but not well-loved—stone walls, simple lamps, and a few framed portraits of Marine icons. She held back a snicker at a painting of Garp, standing in a heroic pose, face stoic as he overlooked a group of fallen pirates.
The boisterous laugh was missing.If the conversation she'd sat in on between him and Luffy was any indicator, he'd be cackling to himself after beating back a group of pirates.
Here and there, a bust or plaque of Morgan's face glared down from the walls.
"Egotistical much?" She rolled her eyes. "I'll rob him just on principle."
She needed Helmeppo. Luffy was right about one thing: the whiny idiot with the butt chin was exactly the kind of person who would keep trophies.
She turned a corner, following the faint sound of someone bragging loudly to an audience too polite to care.
"—and of course, Father entrusted me with overseeing the most important matters. A man of my status—"
Bingo.
Nami pasted on a pleasant expression, adjusted the strap on her satchel, and stepped into view.
Helmeppo was holding court with two low-ranking Marines, who looked like they'd rather be anywhere else. His pose was ridiculous—hips angled, hand in his hair, voice pitched just a little too high.
The moment he saw her, his ego latched on like a barnacle.
"Oh?" He slid his sunglasses down his nose. "And who might you be?"
Nami let her gaze flick over him, then deliberately softened her expression.
Perfect mark.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said, dipping her head. "I'm with the staff from the cruise ship that just docked. I heard you're the one who captured Roronoa Zoro?"
Helmeppo puffed up so fast it was almost impressive.
"Well, of course! Who else could have done it?" He laughed, loud and grating. The other Marines winced.
Nami leaned in slightly, voice dropping just enough to sound conspiratorial. "That's… incredible. A pirate hunter like him must have been terrifying."
Helmeppo smirked and tugged at his collar. "Oh, you have no idea. But a man of my talents has nothing to fear."
"You must have some trophies, then," Nami said, watching his ego swell with every word. "I've never seen a legendary swordsman's weapons before. I was hoping… maybe… you'd show me?"
She let just the right amount of admiration—and a hint of flattery—color her tone.
Helmeppo didn't even stand a chance.
"W-well," he said, pretending to think it over, "it is a rare honor to see them. But I suppose, for a lovely visitor such as yourself, I could make an exception."
The other Marines looked seconds away from physically rolling their eyes out of their heads.
"Men, return to your posts!" Helmeppo commanded, chest out. "I'll… ensure our guest is properly educated."
The two Marines saluted and retreated almost too quickly.
Nami fought a smirk. "I'd be very grateful."
He led her down a quieter corridor, bragging the whole way.
"You see, Father knows I have the best eye for value. He trusted me to store Zoro's swords personally. They're in my private quarters—safest place in the whole base."
Nami hummed. "Of course they are."
He stopped before a door at the end of the hall and threw it open with a dramatic flourish.
"Behold! The chambers of the great Helmeppo—!"
Nami stepped inside.
Then stopped.
The room was… pink.
Not a little pink.
Everything was pink.
The carpet: soft and bubblegum.
The bed: enormous, draped in ruffled pink sheets with embroidered hearts.
The curtains: pastel pink, tied with silk ribbons.
There were stuffed animals in the corner. Also pink.
Nami stared.
She opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"...Huh."
"I know," Helmeppo said, completely misinterpreting her silence. "It's overwhelming, isn't it? The refinement. The taste."
She blinked slowly. "That's… one word for it."
He laughed proudly, walking in with his hands on his hips. "Father doesn't understand true style, but one day the whole world will recognize—"
Her eyes had already found them.
Three swords, propped casually in the corner of the room. Two in simple black and green sheaths. One in a white scabbard, radiating a different kind of presence entirely.
Zoro's swords.
Nami's gaze flicked from the swords to Helmeppo.
He was still talking.
"That one," he pointed lazily in their direction, "is supposed to be some famous blade. Worth a fortune, apparently. Once Zoro's executed I'll have it polished and mounted right above my bed. Imagine how impressed everyone will—"
"Can I see them?" Nami asked, stepping toward the swords. "Just for a moment? I'll never get another chance like this."
She tilted her head, giving him her sweetest smile.
Helmeppo visibly melted. "W-well, if you insist…"
He moved closer, standing just behind her shoulder as she knelt by the swords, her fingers carefully hovering over the white sheath.
Up close, she could feel it—something sharp and proud about this weapon. Not just steel. There was history here. "Wow," she said softly, and for once it wasn't entirely an act. "You really are holding onto something special."
Helmeppo preened. "Of course! Only a man of my caliber—"
"Right, that's enough," Nami said briskly.
Before his brain caught up, she shifted her weight, spun on her heel, and whipped her collapsible staff from her back in one smooth motion.
Crack.
The end of the staff connected cleanly with his forehead.
His eyes crossed.
He swayed.
"W-why…" he mumbled, wobbling. "So… mean…"
"You'll live," Nami said flatly.
Crack.
The second tap finished the job.
Helmeppo dropped like a sack of very poorly dressed potatoes, landing amid his own pink rug and plush toys.
Nami exhaled, shoulders relaxing.
"Honestly," she muttered, collapsing the staff and sliding it back into place. "I've robbed warlords with more dignity."
She moved quickly, crossing back to the swords. One by one she grabbed the sheaths, testing the weight.
"Heavy," she noted. "Figures."
She glanced down at Helmeppo's unconscious form.
"…You know, if I had time, I'd rob you too."
She shook out a cloth from her satchel, wrapped the three sheaths together in a tight bundle, slung them over her shoulder, and peeked into the hall.
Empty.
Years of sneaking into places she absolutely wasn't supposed to be slipped back into muscle memory. Nami moved through the corridors with practiced ease, pausing only when she heard footsteps, timing her crossings between patrols.
By the time she slipped back toward Morgan's wing, the weight of the swords was a solid, reassuring presence at her side.
Voices filtered from inside the office—Morgan yelling, Luffy's bright tone cutting through the bluster, the heavy impact of an axe-hand hitting stone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minutes earlier.
Luffy and Koby continued toward Morgan's office.
Inside, the Captain stood tall—far taller than necessary really—with his axe-hand glinting and his statue looming behind him.
Morgan's presence was oppressive.
Not just his arrogance, it was like he truly believed this town belonged to him. Like the world owed it to him.
But something in his eyes—
Dead yet focused.
Dull yet unnervingly aware.
As if someone had wound up his mind like a toy.
"I've seen that before…" Luffy realized. Shinso. Brainwashing.
Someone tampered with him.
He wrestled the thought down.
Not yet.
"Captain Morgan!" one of his personal attendants announced. "This pink-haired peasant wants to join the Marines!"
Morgan looked at Koby like he was a bug.
"Worthless. Weak. Pathetic."
Luffy stepped forward, voice bright.
"Yeah, you are. Is that why you starve prisoners, break deals, and brag about killing civilians who annoy you?"
The attendant nearly choked on air.
Morgan froze.
Luffy smiled.
The Tone Dial in his vest was glowing faintly.
"You dare accuse me?!" Morgan roared.
"You did all that," Luffy said cheerfully, "and more. Wanna say the part about executing Zoro for protecting a kid again?"
Morgan slammed his axe-hand into the floor, cracking it deeply.
"I am JUSTICE! I am the hand of order! Everything I did, everything I will do is righteous!"
The Tone Dial glowed brighter.
Luffy saw it—
the flicker in Morgan's gaze.
The fog behind the fury.
Someone fed him a script.
Nami reappeared behind Luffy, silent as a cat.
"I got the swords," she whispered, three sheaths wrapped in cloth, "the brat in the gaudy suit is knocked out in his room."
"Perfect."
Luffy turned toward Koby.
"Take the swords, go untie Zoro. That guy's way too strong to die tied up to a stick."
Koby nodded and rushed out to free Zoro.
Morgan raised his axe again. "Where do you think you're going?!"
Luffy stepped forward and projected his voice, loud enough for the entire room, and surely the hallway outside:
"UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF VICE ADMIRAL MONKEY D. GARP—"
The Marines stiffened instantly.
"—CAPTAIN MORGAN IS TO BE DETAINED FOR CORRUPTION, ABUSE OF POWER, AND FALSIFYING JUSTICE."
Gasps echoed.
Morgan froze.
Nami's jaw dropped. "You're blaming Garp?!"
Luffy snickered internally.
If someone has to deal with the paperwork, better him than me.
He grinned.
"Yep."
Morgan shook with rage. "You insolent brat!! Marines—kill them!"
Most didn't move. Garp's name had weight, especially here in his home sea.
Morgan snapped.
"Fine. I'll do it myself!"
He swung his axe-hand—
And corrupt Marines loyal to him stepped forward, weapons drawn.
Luffy's eyes lit green-gold.
Nami stepped beside him, staff at the ready.
She just knew she was going to have to be the one to explain this to Garp.