Chapter 17: Swing it!

Luffy dashed forward on impulse, only realizing mid-stride he had no clue where Zoro's stolen swords were stored. Too late to stop, he shrugged it off with a "whatever" and kept running, guided by instinct.

The sprawling naval base was a maze, even Zoro wouldn't know its layout. Undeterred, Luffy pressed on alone instead of regrouping, halting before the towering structure. He gazed up at its height.

"Well, let's try the roof," he muttered, no logic behind it.

Staring at the top, dozens of meters up, a normal person would need stairs. But as a rubber man, Luffy could leap there in one go. With a nod, he stretched his arms, grabbed the roof's edge, and contracted them, launching himself skyward.

"Gomu Gomu no Rocket!"

Soaring was easy, but his momentum overshot. He flew past the roof, nearly tumbling to the other side. A massive statue of a burly man stood proudly atop. Luffy glimpsed it briefly.

"Whoa, too far!"

Panicking, he stretched his arms again, grabbing the statue's head to halt his fall. The statue teetered, its base unsteady under his force, and began to collapse headfirst.

Before he could react, Luffy let go, landing on the roof as the statue crashed, splitting at the waist. Its head plummeted, shattering into dust upon hitting the ground below.

The sound of destruction echoed. Luffy's eyes met a lone marine sweeping the roof. Sweating awkwardly, he stammered, "S-Sorry…"

Guilt hit hard, forcing the apology. The marine stood frozen, mouth agape, unable to process the shattered statue or Luffy's sudden appearance.

The marine, unarmed save for his broom, dropped it in shock. Staring back, he shouted, "Tch, disaster! Colonel Morgan's statue is destroyed!?"

"Crap!" Luffy bolted, kicking open a nearby door and racing down a staircase, vanishing from the marine's sight as he stormed into the base.

Infiltration—more like invasion—was surprisingly easy. But the marine's cry might've alerted others. Danger loomed.

Running aimlessly down a long corridor, Luffy, new to naval bases, had no bearings. The sterile surroundings offered no landmarks, and Zoro's swords remained a mystery. Scratching his head, he grimaced.

"Man, where do I even look? Shoulda asked that guy. Too late now. Guess I'll ask someone else."

His sandals slapped loudly, echoing in the empty hall, his presence impossible to miss. Turning a corner, he ran straight into Helmeppo, flanked by two marines.

Helmeppo flinched, Luffy let out an "Oh!" Perfect timing—he had questions. Stopping, he faced them.

"Whoa!? Who the hell are you!?" Helmeppo snapped.

"Good timing. Got something to ask," Luffy said.

"Huh? What's that, punk?"

Luffy's grin faded, his gaze sharp. "You're the one who made a deal with Zoro, right?"

"Huh? Oh, Roronoa? So what?"

"You promised to free him if he stood for a month. Why's he getting executed?"

"Oh, that?" Helmeppo smirked wickedly, pausing for effect. Luffy's anger simmered, but he waited.

"That was a joke, obviously," Helmeppo sneered. "What an idiot, thinking he'd be freed for that. Believed it without a doubt! Nine days of effort, only to face execution. Can't wait to see his despair, heh heh heh!"

Luffy's fist clenched, his face darkening. Sensing it, Helmeppo taunted confidently, "What, wanna hit me? Can't. I'm Colonel Morgan's son. Touch me, and my dad'll execute you. Go ahead, try—"

Before he finished, Luffy's fist slammed into his face.

"Gwah!?"

"Helmeppo-sama!" the marines gasped.

Helmeppo flew back, nose bleeding, tumbling across the floor. Unable to break his fall, pain and confusion overwhelmed him. A marine rushed to help, another drew a pistol, both rattled by Luffy's sudden attack.

Breathing heavily, Luffy glared at Helmeppo, his fist still tight, unsatisfied. His intensity unnerved the marines. Clutching his bloody face, Helmeppo shouted, "You… you know what you've done!? I'm Axe-Hand Morgan's son! My dad won't let you—"

"Don't care who your dad is. Answer me," Luffy cut in.

"You…! Get him, or I'll tell my dad!" Helmeppo yelled.

"Y-Yes, sir!" The marines stepped forward, hesitantly aiming pistols. Unfamiliar with firing inside the base, they wavered, unsure if Luffy was a civilian or not, lacking resolve to act.

Luffy, fearless, shouted, "I'm a pirate! Try killing me!"

He ducked low, dodging their aim, and closed the gap instantly. The power gap was clear—his speed overwhelmed them. A punch sent one marine crashing into a wall, and a spinning kick downed the other. Both lay immobile. Helmeppo screamed in disbelief.

Luffy strolled up to him, radiating menace. "Hey."

"Eek!?"

"Not worth hitting again. But answer me." Grabbing Helmeppo's collar, he lifted him effortlessly, amplifying his fear. "Where're Zoro's swords? Somewhere in here, right?"

"W-Why would I…!?"

"Speak, or else—"

"Wait! Okay, I'll tell you, just don't hit me!" Helmeppo caved instantly, lacking backbone. Luffy lowered his fist, still gripping him. "They're in my room. The swords were decent, so I kept them. You'll find them there."

"Lead the way."

"Ugh… fine." Dragged to his feet, Helmeppo led, Luffy tailing closely.

"Lie, and I'll pound you," Luffy warned.

"Damn it, you'll pay…" Helmeppo muttered.

They walked the empty corridor toward an unknown destination. Luffy couldn't verify the path, and a trap was possible, but he wasn't worried. Despite Helmeppo's reluctance, they progressed through the base's complex layout, turning corners.

After a few turns, three marines approached. Seeing Helmeppo, then Luffy's straw hat, they froze. Helmeppo screamed for help, ignoring Luffy's proximity, but a quick grab to his neck stopped any escape.

"Help me! He's an intruder—a pirate!" Helmeppo yelled.

"Don't run," Luffy growled.

"Helmeppo-sama… and that kid…" a marine stammered.

"What're you doing!? Hurry, or you're dead!" Helmeppo shrieked.

"Annoying guy," Luffy muttered.

The marines, pressured by Helmeppo's noise, moved to act. Unarmed, they tried persuasion. "Release Helmeppo-sama and surrender. Your crime's still light."

"Nope," Luffy replied, shoving Helmeppo forward. Thinking he was free, Helmeppo and the marines relaxed briefly—until Luffy charged, using him as a shield.

Both sides gaped. Helmeppo screamed, the marines hesitated, unable to act with their boss's son at risk. Luffy barreled through.

"Catch me!" he taunted.

"Gyaah! Save me!" Helmeppo wailed.

"He's using Helmeppo-sama as a shield—!" a marine gasped.

Unfazed, Luffy stretched his leg. "Gomu Gomu no Whip!" His rubber kick swept the marines into a wall, pain immobilizing them. Luffy and Helmeppo passed through.

"We can't let him escape!" a marine groaned, clutching his stomach. "Helmeppo-sama's been taken!"

His shout echoed, alerting others. A door opened, and a marine blocked Luffy's path to the stairs. Recognizing the intruder and Helmeppo's cries, he understood instantly but carried no weapon. Barehanded, he spread his arms to stop them.

Luffy, unfazed, pushed Helmeppo forward again. "Gomu Gomu no Substitute!"

"Stop, you idiot!" Helmeppo screamed.

With Helmeppo as a shield, the marine couldn't act—hurting the colonel's son meant severe consequences. Luffy kicked him aside and raced down the stairs, Helmeppo nearly fainting from the speed. Still, he answered when prodded, showing some resilience.

No one could stop their rampage as Luffy's storm-like invasion continued.

In a spacious office within the base, tension hung heavy. A marine stood rigid, saluting, while a hulking figure sat, facing a large window. This was Axe-Hand Morgan, the base's supreme authority.

"I'm important," Morgan declared.

"Yes, sir! You're a colonel!" the marine replied.

"Exactly. Obeying the important is natural. But the townsfolk's tributes have been lacking lately, haven't they?"

"Y-Yes, but… they have lives to live—"

Morgan stood, his presence alone intensifying the marine's fear. Over two meters tall, muscular, with a metal jaw brace and an axe-hand prosthetic, his aura crushed dissent. His cold glare was terrifying.

The marine, desperate to flee but knowing it meant death, mustered courage to meet Morgan's eyes.

Morgan stroked his axe-hand, voice low. "If it's for their lives, is it okay to defy me?"

"N-No, that's not—"

"Then stop whining. Who do you think protects this town from pirates? Just being protected isn't enough. They owe a price. Those who don't pay don't belong here."

His stern face and glinting axe chilled the marine to the bone. Morgan continued, "Defy me, and you don't deserve to live. Bring any rebels to me. I'll execute them myself."

"Please, sir, killing innocent citizens isn't—"

"You defying me too?" Morgan's glare intensified, stepping closer, towering over the marine.

"Got something to say?"

Terror overwhelmed the marine, his body trembling, frozen. Morgan's axe-hand hung limp but could strike anytime. He spoke calmly, "Those who can't pay—do they deserve to live?"

"N-No…"

"Good. The important are always right." Morgan turned back to his chair.

A tyrant wielding power and fear, unfit for the navy yet undeniably strong. No one dared oppose him. Speaking out meant death. Everyone—townsfolk and marines—knew this warped base was wrong, but change seemed impossible.

The marine clenched his fist, silenced, and saluted to leave. Then, a frantic knock, and a marine burst in.

"Report! An intruder in the base!"

"What? An intruder?" Morgan growled.

"Y-Yes! A straw-hat kid destroyed your statue on the roof and fled!"

Morgan's expression twisted. He spun, glaring. "Destroyed my statue? That's a symbol of my power—a clear act of rebellion. Who is this fool daring to challenge me?"

"U-Unfamiliar face, likely not from town."

"He's inside?"

"Yes, no doubt."

"Capture him and bring him to me! I'll kill him myself!" Morgan's voice shook the air.

The two marines rushed out, but another burst in, sweating. "Report! The intruder knocked out several marines! He's highly skilled!"

"Tch, useless. Authorize weapons. Subdue him now."

"Yes, sir!"

Another marine entered, saluting. "Report! The intruder's taken Helmeppo-sama hostage and is fleeing inside!"

"That idiot son…" Morgan muttered.

Yet another marine arrived. "Report! The intruder's barricaded in Helmeppo-sama's room, holding him hostage!"

"Kick the door down and seize him. Don't let that fool stop you from catching a criminal."

"B-But—"

"Hurry! I'm losing patience!"

Morgan's irritation was palpable. Angering him was dangerous; someone would pay if the issue wasn't resolved. The marines moved to capture the intruder.

As they headed for the door, another marine pushed through, saluting. "Report! Intruders at the execution ground where Roronoa Zoro's bound! Two boys, one girl, armed!"

Another headache. Why today, when Morgan's control should've crushed all dissent? Why now did rebels emerge?

Fury peaking, Morgan smashed a desk with his axe-hand, roaring, "Arm all marines! Half hunt the brat who destroyed my statue, the other half follow me! We'll execute those at the execution ground!"

"Please, sir, they haven't—"

"Can't follow orders!?" Morgan's crazed glare silenced the marine.

No stopping him now. The intruders, likely innocent, faced death. Everyone imagined the grim outcome, biting their lips in frustration.

"All marines, move! Defy me, and you're all executed!" Morgan bellowed, swinging his arm.

Terrified, the marines scattered to relay orders. Morgan stormed out, his menacing presence dominating as he left to settle things himself.