Chapter 12

After teaching Luffy a lesson, Eden Ragnell and Nami felt much better.

The one who got beaten, Luffy, sincerely apologized but still couldn't understand why Eden and Nami needed to vent their anger on him.

Luffy explained to Eden that he was searching for Zoro's swords and asked if Eden had seen them.

"Roronoa Zoro is notorious in the East Blue as a bounty hunter," Nami said, confused. "He's rumored to be like a bloodthirsty tiger, hunting down people with bounties. Why would you want to help him?"

"You're wrong," Luffy replied seriously. "I think he's a good person. I'll judge him for myself. I don't need your opinion."

Earlier, Luffy had learned from Rika that Zoro was captured because he protected her and her family.

Helmeppo, Captain Morgan's son, often walked the streets with a vicious dog. This dog, spoiled by Helmeppo, caused trouble everywhere.

One day, it almost bit Rika to death, but Zoro saved her by cutting the dog in half, angering Helmeppo.

Unable to retaliate directly against Zoro, Helmeppo threatened to kill Rika's family unless Zoro agreed to be tied up and not eat or drink for a month.

Zoro accepted to protect Rika's family. But after three weeks, Helmeppo planned to publicly execute Zoro, breaking their agreement, to intimidate the town's residents further.

Luffy, enraged by Helmeppo's treachery and knowing Zoro's situation, decided to invite Zoro to join his crew and sneaked into the Marine base to find Zoro's swords.

"Stop arguing. I support Luffy. Rumors aren't always true," Eden said, glancing at Luffy.

"I knew you wouldn't oppose," Luffy grinned at Eden.

"Whatever. This doesn't concern me," Nami huffed, pushing past Eden and Luffy toward the large safe.

"What are you doing? Trying to open that?" Luffy asked, intrigued.

"Of course! This is complicated. You wouldn't understand. Don't bother me," Nami snapped.

"What? I can do it easily," Luffy retorted, punching the safe.

With a loud clang, the safe door was smashed open. Nami was stunned.

"Making such a racket, we're bound to get caught!" Eden thought, frustrated that he couldn't stop Luffy in time.

"See? I told you it was easy," Luffy laughed, oblivious to Nami's anger.

"What if the navigation chart got damaged?" Nami yelled, punching Luffy to the ground.

"Get the contents quickly! We need to leave now," Eden urged, glancing at the door. He wished he could hit Luffy again for the trouble.

"But we still need to find Zoro's swords. Why rush?" Luffy protested.

Several Marines burst into the room. "Who are you? Thieves?"

"How dare you steal from the Marine base!" three Marines charged at them while one ran to get reinforcements.

"No time for talk!" Eden shouted, quickly subduing the Marines.

"We need to hurry and find Zoro's swords. Let's meet in the open area outside," Luffy said, donning his hat and disappearing.

Eden was exasperated. "Who's the impatient one here?" he muttered, turning to Nami, who seemed frozen in place.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Eden asked, noticing a message on the paper Nami held. "This isn't the navigation chart; it's a note from Buggy the Clown!"

The paper had a skull with a big red nose and read, "Buggy the Clown has taken the chart."

"Damn it, Buggy's men stole it first," Eden thought.

"We need to leave," Nami said, running towards the door.

Eden followed, fending off Marines as they escaped. When they reached the open area, they were met with a falling giant statue of Captain Morgan.

"What is that?" Nami exclaimed.

"Dodge!" Eden yelled, pulling Nami away as the statue crashed, shattering into pieces.

Eden shielded Nami, taking the brunt of the debris. Small but sharp stones struck his back, causing intense pain.

Underneath Eden, Nami felt unusually calm. She placed her hand on Eden's back, her face flushed.

"Eden... You saved me," Nami said softly, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Because of that, I'll add two million Berries to your debt."

"What?" Eden was dumbfounded. "Saving you means I owe you more?"

Ignoring his confusion, Nami noticed blood on Eden's back. "You're hurt! Your back is bleeding."

Eden felt the sharp pain on his back, realizing he was bleeding heavily.

At the same time, Captain Morgan's voice boomed, "Who dares defy me? Zoro, are you siding with that straw hat brat for a coup?"

"I always fight alone. Unlike you, who hides behind your army," Zoro retorted.

"Roronoa Zoro, you underestimate me. Your strength is nothing compared to my power," Morgan sneered, ordering his men to prepare for execution.

"I can't die here!" Zoro thought, recalling a girl with blue hair and a fierce spirit.

Seeing Zoro about to be executed, Eden threw a stone at Morgan, hitting him on the head.

"Who dares throw a stone at me?" Morgan roared, furious. A Marine pointed out Eden and Nami behind the broken statue.

"Catch them! I'll chop them to pieces!" Morgan ordered.

"You idiot, why draw attention now?" Nami scolded.

"Shut up and get to safety," Eden pushed Nami away. "We need to buy time for Zoro."

As Eden fought the Marines, Zoro asked Coby, "Who is that guy?"

"He's Luffy's other companion. I just met him," Coby replied.

"Interesting. He's hurt but still fights. He's got guts," Zoro noted, watching Eden fight despite his injuries.