[U.T] Ch 13: New Loadable Trait Target

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Boom!

A loud crash echoed through the air as Luen and Zoro turned their heads.

A massive statue had plummeted from the highest point of the Marine base, smashing into the ground and sending a cloud of dust into the sky.

"T-That... isn't that...?"

Zoro's mouth twitched as he looked at the shattered statue.

The resemblance was unmistakable—it was a statue of Marine Captain Morgan, the ruler of this base.

Zoro had been imprisoned here for twenty days, and he had seen this statue being built day and night. That bastard Morgan cared about it more than anything.

"Looks like Luffy got lost again."

Luen chuckled.

In the original story, Luffy had accidentally knocked down Morgan's statue while catching Helmeppo. But this time, Helmeppo was already in Luffy's hands, yet the statue still got destroyed.

Guess that just proves it—Morgan never deserved such a statue in the first place.

"Luen, can I ask you a favor?"

Zoro turned to Rika, his lips moving slightly as he struggled to speak.

For someone like Zoro, asking for help was harder than he had imagined.

"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to Rika."

Luen stepped in front of Rika, smiling confidently.

At that moment, a group of Marines, led by a towering figure, rushed toward them.

The leader stood out with his most striking feature—one of his arms had been replaced with a massive axe.

Captain Axe-Hand Morgan.

"You! You must be that Straw Hat kid's accomplices! And you, Zoro, are you trying to start a rebellion?!"

Morgan's bloodshot eyes burned with rage.

"This ends here! You're guilty of treason, and I will execute you on the spot!"

"Luen, at least take Rika and go!" Zoro roared.

Morgan raised his hand. "Go? Not a chance! All units, prepare to fire!"

Click!

Under the pressure of Morgan's authority, the Marines hesitantly raised their guns.

"Is this it? Am I really going to die here?"

Feeling the cold grip of death, Zoro wasn't afraid—he was furious.

He still hadn't fulfilled his promise to Kuina, to become the world's greatest swordsman.

And now, he had dragged Luen and Rika into this mess.

"Tch. Noisy."

Luen shielded Rika behind him, his eyes flashing ominously in red and black hues.

"You sure think highly of yourself, don't you? You're just a mere branch captain."

Whoosh!

A formless pressure swept through the Marines holding their guns.

In the next second—

Thud! Thud! Thud!

One after another, the Marines' eyes rolled back, and they collapsed unconscious.

"That power again... Can he just keep using it endlessly?"

Zoro muttered in shock, staring at the pile of unconscious Marines.

"Your name is Luen?!"

"Wait... I remember now! There's a recent news report—someone in the East Blue who defeated Alvida's entire crew without lifting a finger, just with his presence alone!"

Morgan's forehead broke out in a cold sweat as he pieced it together. "A man who claims he will stand above the heavens... You're that 'Sky King' Luen, aren't you?!"

Zoro was surprised.

What kind of arrogance and ambition did it take to claim such a title?

But with a power like this, maybe he had the right to be arrogant.

"Oh? Even someone like you knows about it? The World Economy News sure works fast." Luen smirked in satisfaction.

At least now, he didn't have to worry about the Marines slapping him with some ridiculous nickname. Also, his resolve to prove his new title grew stronger.

[Ambition increased. Conqueror's Haki strength enhanced.]

And Luen had to admit—watching Morgan sweat just from hearing his name felt really, really satisfying.

"Gomu Gomu no... Rocket!"

Right then, a loud shout rang out as Luffy launched himself from the Marine base.

"Luen! You already took care of most of them?!"

Luffy landed, grinning at the pile of unconscious Marines.

"Straw Hat brat!"

Morgan's eyes turned red with fury.

His precious statue—this damn kid was responsible for destroying it!

But...

His gaze shifted back to Luen, and cold sweat dripped down his face.

"Attack! Kill them all!"

Morgan roared at the remaining Marines.

"Captain... If we fight that guy, we'll end up just like the others. That man is a monster!"

The surviving Marines trembled in fear.

"I said, kill them! If you don't, I'll execute you all for treason!" Morgan roared.

"Hah? An internal fight?"

Luffy tilted his head, looking at the raging Morgan.

Shrugging it off, he grabbed the three swords from his back.

"I found three swords inside. Which one is yours?"

Luffy turned to Zoro.

"All three. I use a three-sword style." Zoro replied.

"So, do you want to join my crew, or stay here and get executed by the Marines?" Luffy grinned.

"Tch. Well, if it's a choice between dying here or becoming a criminal, I guess being an outlaw isn't so bad."

Zoro exhaled, grinning like a wild beast.

A cornered beast is far more dangerous than a relaxed one.

"Awesome! Another crewmate!" Luffy cheered.

"Then hurry up and untie me!"

Zoro yelled as Morgan slashed down one of his own men in rage. The other Marines, now forced into action, rushed toward them with swords drawn.

"Ah! The knots are tight!" Luffy fumbled with the rope.

"Just give me my swords!"

Zoro shouted. In a flash, he took one of the swords and clamped it between his teeth.

Shing!

In the next instant, the ropes binding him were cut. With a sword in each hand and one in his mouth, Zoro turned to face the charging Marines.

[Roronoa Zoro has joined the Straw Hat Pirates.]

[Loadable trait target updated.]

[New loadable trait: Roronoa Zoro.]

A glowing screen appeared before Luen.

The reason he hadn't used his Conqueror's Haki to wipe out all the enemies earlier was simple—This was for Zoro.

Only by fighting against the Marines here could he truly become an outlaw, a pirate.

And now, Luen had secured Zoro's trait.

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