One Piece: My Crew Members Are Legendary 3D Heroines

"Useless trash."

Morgan's face darkened. "So many of you, and you still couldn't handle one woman? What use are you to me?"

"You. All of you commit seppuku. That's an order. A man like me has no need for failures."

The Marines who had been knocked down but hadn't lost consciousness turned deathly pale. Having lived under Morgan's oppressive rule for so long, their instincts had been shaped by fear. They reached for their swords, trembling as they prepared to obey without question.

"Hey! You lot!"

Leaning against the ship's railing, Ethan Chen couldn't help but call out at the absurdity playing out before him. "If you've got the courage to kill yourselves, then why don't you have the courage to fight back?

"Either way, you're heading for death. But at least die on your feet. At least vent your anger and take back your dignity before you go."

"He's right..."

Ethan's words snapped them out of their stupor. Their long-subdued eyes began to regain clarity, the fog of Morgan's psychological manipulation slowly lifting.

"If we're going to die anyway, why not do something first?"

"Yeah! We should at least go down swinging..."

"We're not trash. We're someone's sons, someone's fathers, someone's pride!"

In an instant, their eyes changed. Ferocity and resolve burned in them now.

Like starving wolves awakened, they knew they were destined to die but they would at least bite the lion before falling.

"You..."

Morgan took an unconscious step back, startled by the bloodlust in the eyes of the subordinates he had long bullied into submission. For the first time, he felt threatened by them.

But even so, he puffed up and bellowed just like he always did. "You worthless worms! Disobeying a direct order from your commanding officer? Are you planning a mutiny?!"

"You! Put down that sword! Do you hear me?!"

The Marine he pointed at didn't move. He held his blade tight, glaring at Morgan with eyes filled with hatred.

"I said drop your damn sword!"

Morgan stormed toward him, lifting the massive axe in his hand and bringing it down with a roar.

At the same moment the axe cleaved into the Marine's chest, the soldier grinned viciously and plunged his sword through Morgan's gut, skewering him clean through from front to back.

"Urgh-!"

Morgan coughed up a mouthful of blood, staring in disbelief at the man who had stabbed him even as he fell.

How? He was just a failure. A coward.

He cast a final glance at the man standing on the ship's railing the one who had spoken. If not for that meddler poisoning their minds, they never would've dared betray him!

If he could just kill that man...

He fumbled for the pistol on his belt with shaking hands, but before he could raise it, a flash of silver light cut through the air.

His hand, still gripping the gun, fell to the ground.

Blood spurted from the stump.

It was his lieutenant who had struck the blow.

Morgan didn't have time to process this betrayal before another blade pierced through him.

Then a third.

And a fourth.

Until the towering man known as Axe-Hand Morgan looked less like a Navy officer and more like a bloated insect crawling with ants impaled from all sides.

From the deck, 2B observed quietly. There was no need for her to intervene.

She sheathed her sword and returned to the ship.

The sails were already full of wind. The ship began to move.

On the pier, the lieutenant who had cut off Morgan's hand gave a deep bow toward the departing ship.

"Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

Ethan waved dismissively. "Save the gratitude. Just don't become another tyrant like him. The people deserve better from the Navy."

"Yes, sir!"

The Marines stood at attention and saluted as the ship drifted further and further away until it disappeared over the horizon.

"Lieutenant, what now?" One of the Marines swallowed nervously, staring at Morgan's body now riddled with blades like a human pincushion. "Killing a commanding officer is no small matter."

"I'll take the blame," the lieutenant said calmly, pulling his hat down. "I've been collecting evidence of Morgan's crimes for the past two years extorting taxes, abusing civilians. Once I present it, I might just get away with a few years in prison."

"Yes, sir..."

Not a drop of blood spilled by their own hands, yet their enemy lay dead.

A perfect plan, clean and efficient killing by borrowed blade.

Hidden Quest: Eliminate Colonel Morgan, oppressor of the people and Navy soldiers.

Status: Completed

Reward: 1 Mastery Point

Unexpectedly completing a hidden mission was a pleasant surprise for Ethan.

Without hesitation, he assigned the mastery point to his physical skills. His priority was to max that out before anything else.

His muscles and bones felt sturdier. Power surged through him again from the inside out.

It wasn't much different from the last upgrade.

Seems like "physical arts" not only refined his coordination and taught him proper exertion, but also reinforced his body like the body-tempering stage in cultivation novels.

Feeling the raw power within him, he picked up the Den Den Mushi and called Tashigi.

Once the line connected, he gave her a brief rundown of what had just happened.

"Colonel Morgan of the 153rd Branch?" Tashigi's voice turned serious. "Understood. I'll send someone to investigate. If things are as you described abusing his authority and covering for his son those Marines won't be held responsible."

"That's good to hear. At least their sacrifice to uphold justice won't go to waste."

After hanging up, Ethan glanced at Mona, who had been leaning against the railing, sneaking glances at him from time to time.

"Never seen a handsome guy before?" he teased. "If you're gonna look, come closer. I won't bite."

"You're shameless," Mona flushed, turning away. "I was just thinking you're actually a little capable. Not as horny and reckless as you act."

"Me? Horny?" Ethan raised a brow. "I'm a gentleman."

"A gentleman wouldn't keep talking about how skinny I am!"

"I'm your captain," Ethan said righteously. "Caring about my crew's health is part of the job."

"I'm done talking to you. I'm going back to read."

Despite being in a different world with different writing and language, Mona somehow understood and could speak it fluently. It was... strange, but she had stopped questioning it.

She took a few steps, then paused.

"About this whole 'probationary period' thing. Once I've learned enough to be a real navigator, do I have to pass a test or something to get promoted?

"You're not going to come up with excuses to keep me at half pay, are you?"

"You think I'm that petty?" Ethan was indignant. He gave her firm, round behind a playful swat. "Once you're qualified, I'll know. I'm not going to shortchange you."

After all, once the system recognized her as a full-fledged navigator and marked the recruitment mission complete, that was proof enough.

"You perv! You're always groping me!"

Mona charged at him, fists swinging.

At that moment, a larger wave struck the ship, rocking the deck. Mona stumbled from the jolt and nearly fell to the side.

But Ethan was faster.

He caught her slender waist and pulled her into his arms before she could fall.

This time, she didn't react like last night like a startled kitten fleeing from danger.

She stayed.

She even reached out and wrapped her arms around Ethan's solid back.