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Animal Theater: Luffy rides a fierce polka-dotted shark across the sea.

Short Chapter Summary:

Luffy and Koby are shown still sailing briefly as they talk about Roronoa Zoro, Koby emphasizing his notoriety while Luffy claims he hasn't judged his character yet. The two quickly arrive to the island, Luffy amazed at Kobys navigating skills but Koby concerned and stating how its a minimum requirement for someone to sail the seas. Luffy, hungry after the trip, goes with Koby to a local resturant where they continue to talk about Roronoa Zoro, causing skiddish diners to cause a scene. Koby makes note and changes the subject to the marine captain thats supposed to bein charge of the marine base, Morgan. The diners react similarly to hearing Morgans name as they did Zoro which Koby contemplates as they leave the diner.

The two arrive at the front of the marine base and Luffy climbs the surrounding wall and spots Zoro desheveled and tied to a post in the yard of the marine base. Zoro notices them staring and offers to bounty hunt for them in exchange for setting him free. Meanwhile Rika, a small girl from town, sets a ladder against the wall next to the onlooking duo and climbs over to bring Zoro some onigiri to eat. Zoro claims he's not hungry and tells the girl to quickly leave. Immediately after, Helmeppo followed by a couple marine guards arrive in the yard to see Rika bringing Zoro food. Helmeppo greedily takes one of the onigiri to eat, gagging on it after tasting how sweet it is and noting onigiri is made with salt, not sugar. Helmeppo proceeds to take and stomp on the onigiri in front of the girl, causing Rika to cry, before exclaiming that anyone who helps marine prisoners would be put to death. Helmeppo orders one of the marines with him to throw the girl over the fence and threatens to tell his fathers as soon as the marine starts to refute. Rika is thrown over the wall but Luffy catches her safely.

Helmeppo leaves and Luffy enters the yard, mentioning he's looking for people to join his pirate crew, Zoro declines and mentions the deal he has with Helmeppo where he just has to survive in the yard for one month and then he's free to go. Before Luffy leaves Zoro asks him to pick up the stomped on onigiri and feed it to him, Luffy noting how its more dirt than food but Zoro eats it all and asks Luffy to tell the girl it was delicious.

Luffy goes back to town where Rika and Koby are and lets Rika know what Zoro said, she tells them both about how Zoro is being held because he saved Rika from Helmeppos dog that had been attacking citizens. Rika exclaims that Helmeppo and Morgan are the bad ones who are frightening the town. Just then, Helmeppo is seen walking through town talking loudly about how he doesnt intend to keep his promise to Zoro and will be holding an executino in three days. Luffy enraged at hearing Helmeppo renege on his promise with Zoro, proceeds to punch Helmeppo and claim he's decided to have Zoro join his crew.

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