The closer they got to the center of town, the more signs of destruction they found.
Buildings had collapsed at random, many bearing the scars of cannon fire.
The interiors still showed recent signs of habitation, suggesting the residents had only recently been driven out.
As they approached the town square, loud voices drifted through the air.
The smell of alcohol.
Roasted meat.
Laughter.
The pirates were holding a banquet.
Silently, Dazai continued taking in every detail around him.
By the time they reached the gathering…
“AAAAAHHHH!” A shrill scream rang out.
A young woman with short orange hair stood trembling beside a cannon, desperately trying to extinguish its burning fuse.
The cannon was aimed directly at a boy wearing a straw hat— Luffy.
Who was locked inside a steel cage.
After a frantic struggle, the orange-haired girl finally managed to put out the fuse.
“Look out!” Luffy suddenly shouted.
Several pirates rushed toward the girl from behind with swords drawn.
At the critical moment— Zoro appeared.
He blocked the pirates’ attack with his swords before knocking them flying with a single shove.
Turning back, he asked simply, “You okay?” “…Yeah.” The girl stared at him in surprise before looking toward Luffy.
“So the friend you mentioned…” “…is the Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro?” Before Luffy could answer, a black-haired young man casually crouched in front of the cage.
Holding a giant roasted drumstick, Dazai waved it teasingly in front of Luffy.
Luffy immediately bit down on it.
He devoured the meat so quickly his cheeks puffed out.
“Mm-hmm!
Mm-hmm!” After swallowing a mouthful, tears welled up in his eyes.
“Dazai, you’re the best!
I was starving!” “Luffy.” Dazai poked the bars of the cage with amusement.
“Only dogs get kept in cages.” “Are you trying to steal a dog’s job?” Like someone feeding treats to a pet, he continued handing Luffy more food.
Luffy paid absolutely no attention to the teasing.
His entire world currently consisted of meat.
While Dazai happily fed Luffy…
Zoro found himself face-to-face with Buggy.
Buggy folded his arms proudly.
He assumed Zoro had come after his bounty.
After all…
He was the great Captain Buggy, one of the most notorious pirates in the East Blue.
“So,” Buggy sneered, “are you here for my bounty?” “I quit being a bounty hunter.” Zoro’s expression remained calm.
“I’m just interested in beating you.” “If I kill you,” Buggy laughed, “my name will spread throughout the East Blue!” “You’ll die instead.” “Oh?” The surrounding pirates immediately began chanting.
“Kill him!” “Kill him!” “Kill him!” The atmosphere reached its peak.
Zoro lowered into his stance.
Three Sword Style.
Buggy licked the edge of one of his knives.
The instant the cheering reached its loudest— Both men moved.
Several flashes of steel cut through the air.
Zoro sheathed his swords.
Buggy’s body split apart and scattered across the ground.
The surrounding pirates burst into laughter.
“So weak,” Luffy commented between bites of meat.
Then— The severed pieces suddenly floated back into the air.
A knife shot toward Zoro’s back.
Clang!
Zoro blocked it instantly.
“The Chop-Chop Fruit…” “So that’s your ability.” Buggy and his crew fell silent.
“So what if you know?!” Buggy roared.
“Swords can’t kill me!” “I’m the invincible Captain Buggy!” “Hahahahaha!” His villainous laughter echoed through the square.
“Zoro.” Dazai’s cheerful voice suddenly came from nearby.
“Would you mind stepping aside?” He stood beside a loaded cannon.
The muzzle was pointed directly at Buggy…
Along with Zoro.
The fuse was almost burned down.
“…You idiot!” Veins bulged on Zoro’s forehead.
Without hesitation, he leaped away.
Buggy froze.
“W-Wait—” His detached hands flailed wildly.
Dazai somehow produced a blue handkerchief from his pocket and pretended to wipe away tears.
“Farewell, Big Nose.” “…WHO ARE YOU CALLING BIG NOSE?!” Buggy exploded with rage.
“I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOOOOOU—!!” BOOM!!
The cannonball struck him head-on, blasting him high into the sky.
His furious scream echoed farther and farther away.
“Captain!!” The Buggy Pirates immediately fell into chaos.
Without another thought, they all ran after the direction their captain had been launched.
Zoro slowly turned toward Dazai.
His neck cracked ominously.
“You couldn’t have warned me a little sooner?” “Were you trying to blast me away too?” He grabbed Dazai by the collar.
“Hehehe…” “My bad~” Dazai smiled sheepishly, knocking his fist lightly against his own head in an utterly insincere apology.
“Zoro…” Luffy wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Dazai was only trying to help.” Smack!
“Oww!” A huge bump instantly formed on Dazai’s head.
Holding it with watery eyes, he stared at Zoro pitifully.
“You’re even more violent than Chuuya…” “No wonder I hate muscle-brained fighters.” “I’m going to draw a magic circle and curse you with baldness.” Sulking dramatically, Dazai crouched in a corner and began drawing circles on the ground with a twig.
“Dazai…” Luffy looked at him worriedly.
“Are you okay?” Immediately, Dazai threw himself toward his captain.
“Captain!” “You have to discipline your vice captain!” “He’s abusing his authority!” “Look at this lump on my head!” “What if my brilliant genius brain has been permanently damaged?” “Who’s going to compensate me?!” Luffy scratched his head helplessly.
“…I don’t think I can help you.” He looked at the glaring Zoro…
Then back at the dramatically sobbing Dazai.
“…Sorry.” Ignoring the comedy unfolding beside him, Zoro crouched beside Luffy’s cage.
He took a deep breath.
Muscles bulging, he tried lifting both Luffy and the heavy iron cage together.
“…Too heavy.” The orange-haired girl stared at him in disbelief.
“Just give up!” “Luffy…” Zoro grunted while continuing to strain.
“Who is she?” “Our navigator.” Luffy answered matter-of-factly.
The girl blinked.
Before she could react— Dazai suddenly appeared beside her.
He gently took her hand and bowed elegantly.
“My beautiful lady…” “Forgive my rudeness.” “May I have the honor of learning your name?” “…Nami.” She looked at the handsome young man speechlessly before answering anyway.
Then she glanced worriedly toward Zoro, who was still stubbornly trying to carry the cage.
“Aren’t you going to help?” “Aren’t they your friends?” “Nami.” Dazai dabbed at the corner of his eye with his familiar blue handkerchief.
“You should trust those simple-minded muscleheads.” “I’m physically weak.” “I’d only slow them down.” “Dazai…” Zoro growled through gritted teeth.
“If you’re not helping…” “…then stop talking.” With one final shout, he hoisted the cage onto his back.
Step by step…
He carried Luffy through the town.
Nami watched in silence.
“…Why?” She couldn’t understand.
“They’re pirates…” Yet one of them was stubbornly carrying his captain without complaint.
It completely contradicted everything she believed pirates to be.
After one last glance at Zoro’s retreating figure, she quietly turned and walked away.
Dazai watched her leave.
She carries quite a bit of baggage where pirates are concerned…
Without another word, he followed after Zoro.