OnePiece: Concept Space

Chapter 6: Zoro?

Helmeppo was terrified by the look in the straw hat boy's eyes. His entire body trembled as he instinctively backed away, hiding behind the two Marine soldiers. Only then did he feel a sliver of safety.

Then, realizing how cowardly he must have looked, anger overtook him.

"Straw Hat! You really have a death wish!! You two idiots—what are you waiting for?! Shoot him dead!!"

The soldiers hesitated, unnerved by Luffy's calm and piercing gaze. Still, seeing that he was only five or six meters away, they steeled their nerves and pulled the trigger.

"Luffy!!"Nami cried out in alarm. She knew Luffy was strong, able to shrug off even a mace weighing tons—but bullets still triggered a primal fear in her. Even the girl in the black cloak stood up abruptly.

She hadn't intended to interfere. Becoming a pirate was something she didn't want. But seeing Helmeppo's arrogance and hearing his nonsense, she knew her friend would never be treated fairly. Maybe becoming a pirate wasn't such a bad option after all. Especially if it meant protecting someone she cared about.

The handsome young man had chosen the path of piracy to fight injustice.

If he could do it… so could she.

BOOM! BOOM!

The gunpowder ignited with a flash.

But something strange happened.

The bullets—meant to pierce through flesh and bone—hovered in mid-air like playful fireflies. They spun and danced right in front of the soldiers' faces, refusing to go forward.

Gasps erupted from the room. The cloaked girl, who had instinctively moved in front of Luffy with her katana, froze. Nami stared in disbelief. The entire crowd, who had expected a bloodbath, was now silent with shock.

Luffy's expression turned cold.

"Marines… Didn't your instructors ever teach you that firing in a populated area is forbidden?"

His voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"But what can you expect from people who wear the so-called cloak of 'justice' while doing things that even pirates are ashamed of? ...Just die."

As if receiving a command, the hovering bullets suddenly darted forward—Puff. Puff.

The two Marine soldiers screamed in agony as their arms were blown apart. The bullets didn't possess overwhelming power, but infused with Luffy's will, even these small projectiles became weapons of terrifying force. In time, even a drop of water under his will could pierce through seastone—or split the Red Line itself.

He hadn't killed them—he lacked the experience for such things. But making their lives miserable? That was within his reach.

Their cries of pain echoed through the island as they writhed on the ground like worms.

The cloaked girl stood frozen, hand gripping her katana tightly. She stared at the boy she had meant to protect—but now realized she never needed to.

Nami's eyes were wide with awe. The rest of the crowd remained paralyzed with shock, struggling to understand how Luffy's ability worked.

But the most terrified one of all… was Helmeppo.

His knees buckled. A pool of yellow liquid soaked his pants.

Luffy stared down at him with disgust.

"Do you want to live… or die?"

Helmeppo whimpered, "Live!! Please… spare me…"

Luffy nodded casually.

"Then lead the way. Take me to your father's treasure room."

At that moment, Nami, who had been stunned in place, suddenly lit up with joy. She pushed through the crowd and stood beside Luffy like a loyal henchman.

Luffy teased her with a smirk.

"Weren't you leaving? I've become a pirate."

Nami flushed red."What are you talking about, esteemed captain? Even if you're a pirate, isn't it possible to cooperate? Especially if there's… profit involved?"

Luffy chuckled lightly, then gave Helmeppo a firm kick.

"Move."

Helmeppo scrambled to his feet, trembling."H-Haiii!!!"

As Luffy and Nami left the tavern, the cloaked girl followed quietly behind them.

Luffy glanced back at her curiously.

"Thank you for earlier. I appreciate you standing up for me."

The girl laughed awkwardly."I don't think I helped that much…"

Luffy shook his head.

"It's not about strength. The important thing is—you stood up. Not like someone who only cares about treasure…"

Nami's face darkened. She shot the cloaked girl a glare full of hostility. Because of this nosy woman, she now had a negative mark in her captain's book.

She snapped."Why are you following us? I'm telling you now, I'm not sharing any treasure!"

The cloaked girl looked at her, confused."I'm not here for treasure. My friend was captured by the Marines. I want to save her. At first, I hesitated... afraid of being branded a pirate. But now, I don't care anymore."

She turned to Luffy, her gaze soft.

"Watching you stand up like that... made me ashamed of my own cowardice. My friend would've saved me without hesitation, and yet I…"

Luffy raised an eyebrow."The green-haired bounty hunter?"

Nami also perked up, surprised.

The girl nodded. Then she reached up and pulled back her hood—revealing long dark blue hair, delicate features, and a presence that radiated strength. She resembled an older, more confident Tashigi, but with a fuller figure and undeniable beauty.

"My name is Kuina. I'm a wandering swordswoman."

Luffy was stunned."Kuina… is alive? And this charming?!"

Nami pouted, side-eyeing Kuina's generous chest, slim waist, and curvy figure. She felt a pang of jealousy—she was still growing, after all.

Luffy introduced himself."Monkey D. Luffy. As you can see, I'm a new pirate. Since I've already taken that step… I might as well go all in. My goal is to find the One Piece and become the Pirate King. Nice to meet you."

Kuina and Nami looked at him, surprised. It wasn't every day someone boldly declared such a grand dream.

Luffy grinned."What? Don't tell me you two don't have dreams?"

Nami huffed."I'm Nami. A navigator. And of course I have a dream—drawing a complete map of the world!"

Kuina's eyes shone, and she gripped her sword tightly."To become the world's strongest swordsman!"

Luffy looked between them and smiled."Good ambitions."

Helmeppo, who had been quiet, tried to chime in."I'm Helmeppo. My father is—"

BAM!

Nami whacked him with her staff.

"Shut up, butt-chin! Hurry up and lead us to the treasure room!!"

Helmeppo cried in pain."Hai…!"

Soon, the group reached the Marine base.

Helmeppo seemed to find hope in familiar surroundings, but before he could even open his mouth—

SWOOSH!

Kuina darted forward. In the blink of an eye, she was standing in front of the guards—and with a single slash, both Marine soldiers dropped, blood spraying from their chests.

Nami gasped.

"Kuina… You're strong!"

Kuina smiled gently."Well, trash like this isn't even worth my attention…"

Praise was new to her, so she responded with smug pride.

Suddenly, a voice called out from the yard.

"Kuina?! You're finally here? I thought you were captured by the teacher!"

Kuina turned to the source—her expression quickly darkened.

"Zala… How dare you accuse me? I've been tracking you for months! And you say you've been waiting for me?! Are you kidding me?! Don't tell me… you got lost again!"

Zala, a green-haired figure bound to a wooden post, looked embarrassed.

"I didn't get lost! The boat just drifted off in the waves! Not my fault!"

Nami stared at the short-haired, androgynous figure, puzzled."Wait… are you a man or a woman?"

Luffy wondered the same.

Zala had a soft voice and delicate features… but a flat chest and short hair made it hard to tell.

Zala was clearly offended."Of course I'm a man (otoko)!!"

Nami narrowed her eyes."I don't believe you."

Kuina sighed heavily.

Luffy commented dryly."Doesn't matter if you're a man or woman… You're definitely an idiot."

Zala exploded."Huh?! Who are you?! What did you do to me?! Ever since I saw you, my heart's been pounding! I'm thinking weird things! My face is hot! Are you using demonic tricks on me?!"

Nami and Kuina stared at each other in stunned silence.

Nami muttered, "Definitely a woman…"

Kuina nodded. "No doubt."

Luffy's lips twitched.

A Zoro is still a Zoro. Doesn't matter the gender… But a cute Zoro? Yeah, that's fine by me.