Shells Town was quieter than expected.
Too quiet.
Vihaan felt it the moment they stepped onto the dock—an unnatural stillness, like the whole town was holding its breath. Marines patrolled with rigid expressions, but the townspeople averted their gaze, walking hurriedly past.
"They're scared," Vihaan murmured, eyes narrowing.
Luffy blinked. "Of us?"
"No. Of whoever's in charge."
Koby nodded, pale. "Captain Morgan. He's ruthless. People whisper that he kills anyone who talks back—even Marines."
Vihaan's lips curled into a thin line. "Then it's about time someone talked back."
They didn't walk far before Koby pulled them to a stop near a bakery.
"Zoro's in there," he whispered, pointing past the gate to the Marine base.
Vihaan followed the direction of his finger—and saw him.
Tied to a wooden post in the courtyard, wrists and ankles bound, sat a man with green hair and a sword laying at his side, just out of reach.
His body bore scratches and bruises, but his eyes… his eyes were calm. Focused.
He looked like a beast caged only because he allowed himself to be.
Vihaan's instincts flared.
"That guy's different," he muttered.
"Yeah!" Luffy beamed. "Let's get him to join us!"
Vihaan raised an eyebrow. "You want to recruit the guy who's tied up in a Marine base?"
"He looks cool."
"…That's your criteria?"
Koby interrupted, nervous. "He's been tied up for days. They say he'll be executed in a few."
"Why?" Vihaan asked.
"He protected a little girl. Morgan's son Helmeppo was harassing her dog, and Zoro stepped in."
Vihaan's expression darkened.
Luffy was already climbing the fence.
"Let's go talk to him!"
They dropped into the courtyard with a soft thud. Zoro didn't even flinch as the two figures approached.
Vihaan kept a careful distance, letting Luffy step closer.
"Hey," Luffy called. "You a bounty hunter?"
Zoro opened one eye. "What's it to you?"
"We're pirates. Wanna join us?"
There was a beat of silence.
Then Zoro laughed.
"You're joking."
"Nope," Luffy said cheerfully. "I'm Luffy. That's Vihaan."
Vihaan raised two fingers in greeting. "We're co-captains."
Zoro squinted at him. "You both stupid?"
"Probably," Vihaan replied smoothly. "But we're alive. Unlike you, if you stay here."
Zoro's smile faded.
"I have my reasons," he muttered.
Vihaan studied him for a moment—his posture, his tone, the stillness in his aura. It wasn't resignation. It was… calculation.
"You're not afraid of death," Vihaan said.
Zoro's eyes flicked toward him. "No."
"You're waiting for something."
"Maybe."
Vihaan crouched. "Then make a deal with us. Join us, and we'll untie you."
Zoro chuckled. "You think I just trust strangers?"
"You're tied up in a Marine base, starving to death. What have you got to lose?"
"…Fair point."
Luffy grinned. "I like him."
Later that day, Vihaan slipped into the Marine base while Luffy caused a distraction outside by... well, being Luffy.
"HEY MARINES, I'M A PIRATE! COME FIGHT ME!" echoed through the walls.
Vihaan darted through corridors, moving like a shadow. His Devil Fruit couldn't make him invisible—but it could reflect surroundings on a surface.
He pressed a shard of polished metal against a wall, muttered "Reflect," and stepped through.
Instant camouflage.
He made his way to the storage room, retrieved Zoro's three swords, and returned to the courtyard just as Helmeppo approached Zoro with two guards in tow.
"Well, well," the spoiled brat sneered. "Looks like your time's up."
"Funny," Vihaan said from the shadows, stepping out. "I was about to say the same to you."
Helmeppo jumped. "W-What?! Who—?!"
Vihaan tossed the swords toward Zoro. "Catch."
Zoro, still bound, launched himself forward with a roar, caught one sword in his mouth, and used the other two to slice through his own bindings in one smooth motion.
Vihaan whistled. "That's hardcore."
Zoro landed on his feet. "Told you. I'm not dying here."
Luffy dropped in from above, grinning. "Yoshhh! Time to kick some Marine butt!"
The alarm blared.
Captain Morgan arrived moments later—massive, with an axe for an arm and arrogance in his walk.
"So," he growled, cracking his neck, "you little worms think you can defy me?"
"Yup," Luffy said cheerfully. "Pretty much."
Morgan charged.
Zoro met him mid-swing, blades clashing, steel ringing out.
Luffy went for the lower guards, knocking them back with rubber-powered punches.
Vihaan stood back, eyes scanning the field. He pulled out a small hand-mirror.
"Reflect," he murmured.
Two clones shimmered into existence—both mimicking Morgan's wild swings from earlier.
The clones mirrored his brute style—and threw it right back at him.
Morgan was caught off guard as one reflection slammed into his blindside.
Zoro capitalized instantly—crossed his swords, spun mid-air—
"Oni Giri!"
Morgan dropped, blood spraying across the dirt.
The courtyard went silent.
The remaining Marines stood frozen.
Then, slowly, many of them lowered their weapons.
"I… I hated him anyway," one muttered.
"He threatened my sister once," another added.
Vihaan smiled faintly.
A tyrant gone, and hope restored.
After the fight, Zoro stood with his arms crossed, facing the sea.
Vihaan joined him.
"Still not sure?" he asked.
Zoro snorted. "You guys are insane. Charging into a Marine base, fighting a captain…"
"Fun though, right?"
"…A little."
Vihaan grinned. "So?"
Zoro turned. "Alright. I'll join you."
Luffy threw his arms up. "Yattaaaa! We have a swordsman!"
Vihaan extended a hand.
Zoro took it.
Their crew had grown.
Three men. One dream.
And for the first time, Vihaan felt the weight of it—not as a flirty wanderer, not as a boy with a mystery fruit, but as a leader.
That night, as they set sail from Shells Town, Vihaan sat on the deck reading the Haki book under lanternlight.
Zoro cleaned his swords nearby.
Koby waved from the docks, saluting as he stood with the newly inspired Marines.
And Luffy, of course, was asleep with meat in hand.
Vihaan looked toward the stars.
Their journey had begun.
And soon, the world would know the name—
Straw Hat Crew.