Chapter 348: Zoro’s Resolve: The Swordsman’s First Step

“That’s Zoro, my big brother.” The little girl’s voice brimmed with pride as she pointed ahead, her gaze unwavering.

They slipped through a narrow alley and stepped into a wide-open courtyard. Following the little girl’s hand, they could see the heart of a Navy base laid out before them.

Right in the center, a man with a green bandana and matching clothes was tied to a giant cross.

His body was bound tight but defiance blazed in his eyes.

“Alright!” Luffy shouted, barely able to contain his excitement. He was thrilled at the thought of meeting his new crewmate.

“So that’s Zoro?” Nami and Koby hurried after Luffy, their eyes fixed on the captive swordsman.

Without hesitation, the moment Luffy realized the man ahead was his target, he leapt forward.

Fast and decisive, he launched himself from the alley, clearing the tall wall, and landed squarely in front of Zoro.

“Hey, I heard you’re a swordsman,” Luffy said, curiosity and excitement bright in his voice.

“Interested in joining my crew?” He came right out with the invitation, no hesitation at all.

At Luffy’s words, Zoro slowly lifted his head, a wild and unruly glint in his eyes.

His stare was steady like a man ready to face any challenge.

He was the kind of man who’d lay everything on the line for his beliefs.

In his eyes danced a hunger for freedom, a love of adventure, and an unshakeable conviction about his future.

“A pirate crew?”

“Don’t you know? I’m a pirate hunter.” Zoro’s voice was low and powerful, a smirk of disdain curling at his lips.

“A pirate crew sounds interesting, but why should I join you?”

Luffy didn’t answer directly. Instead, he flashed his signature brilliant smile. “Because I’m Luffy, future King of the Pirates!” Confidence and determination rang in every word.

Zoro stared at Luffy, surprise flickering in his eyes.

He’d never met anyone so straightforward or so sure of themselves.

After a moment of silence, Zoro finally spoke. “Alright. If you can prove you have what it takes to become King of the Pirates, I’ll join your crew.”

“That’s right. Join us,” Ye Fan said, his voice calm and resolute. He met Zoro’s eyes, his own full of trust and anticipation.

“That spoiled brat won’t let you go. Word is, he’s already plotting your execution,” Ye Fan went on.

Surprise flashed across Zoro’s face. He hadn’t expected that rich kid to try to have him executed ahead of schedule.

But he quickly returned to calm, ready to accept whatever came next.

Meanwhile, Ye Fan handed Zoro a rice ball. “The little girl outside wanted you to have this. Go on, eat.” His voice was gentle, filled with care.

Zoro looked up, eyes searching past the iron bars. He spotted the little girl, worry and hope shining in hers.

“Big brother, you have to eat!” the girl’s childlike voice called out, thick with concern for Zoro.

A trace of softness appeared in Zoro’s eyes as he took the rice ball and bit into it hungrily.

“Thank you.” Zoro’s voice was deep and sincere, gratitude for the little girl clear in his gaze.

Ye Fan watched Zoro eat, nodding quietly to himself.

Zoro joining would be a huge boost for their crew—after all, in the original story, he became a top deputy, a true powerhouse.

And now, with Ye Fan’s help, Zoro could grow even faster.

Ye Fan glanced at Luffy and the others, seeing the same hope and resolve mirrored in their faces.

“If you can get my swords back, I’ll join you.”

Zoro’s voice was firm. Once he made up his mind about something, there was no turning back.

Now that he’d decided to join the crew, he wouldn’t hesitate.

Luffy smacked his right fist into his left palm. “Alright, it’s settled then!” Excitement and determination charged his voice as if he could already see the day Zoro joined them.

“Gum-Gum…” Luffy’s body began to shift, his arms stretching out like rubber and shooting toward an open window not far off.

Catching Zoro’s look of shock, Ye Fan said with a faint smile, “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Devil Fruits?”

His tone was playful, like he was testing Zoro’s knowledge.

“Devil Fruits?” Zoro frowned, clear curiosity on his face.

“The legendary treasures of the sea? I’ve heard the stories, never seen one myself though.”

There was a touch of longing in his voice. He was clearly interested but would never eat one himself.

After all, that would mean a fatal weakness—an eternal fear of the sea.

Zoro certainly had enormous potential, but right now he was stuck in the weakest part of East Blue. There were no worthy opponents here. He’d never grow if he stayed.

“That’s right. Our captain Luffy ate the Gum-Gum Fruit.” Ye Fan spoke with no small amount of pride.

“He can turn his whole body into rubber and shrug off blunt attacks.” Ye Fan went on, giving Zoro a deeper sense of Luffy’s abilities.

Zoro listened with amazement. He hadn’t expected Luffy to have such a miraculous power.

Watching Zoro’s shock, Ye Fan nearly laughed. If Zoro ever found out Luffy’s fruit was actually the legendary Sun God Nika, he’d be floored.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ye Fan untied Zoro and let Nami and Koby through the fence to join them.

Boom!

Moments later, the Navy base in the distance erupted with loud explosions.

“Ahahaha! Guys, I’m back!”

Through rising smoke, Luffy’s voice rang out, his figure flickering in and out of sight.

When the smoke cleared, there was Luffy, sprinting their way with three swords in his arms.

A crowd of Navy officers chased close behind, their hurried footsteps revealing just how caught off-guard they’d been by Luffy’s sudden attack.

Among the group was that cocky blond rich kid.

Zoro took back the swords from Luffy, gratitude and resolve shining in his eyes.

He knew this was the start of his freedom—and his new life with this pirate crew.

“Ready?” Luffy called out, his voice crackling with anticipation.

“Ready!” Ye Fan and the others replied in perfect unison.

“Alright!”

“Let’s do this!”

“Gum-Gum Gatling!”

Luffy charged in first, sending a storm of fists flying at the Navy.

“Can’t let the captain steal the show.”

Zoro gripped two swords in his hands and clamped the third between his teeth.

“One Sword Style: 360 Calamities Phoenix!”