Dragging the heavy iron cage behind him, Zoro finally stopped in front of a small pet shop.
Sitting faithfully at the entrance was a small white dog with round, beady eyes, silently watching Luffy.
“A dog?” Curious, Luffy shuffled closer with the cage.
The moment Dazai spotted the dog, however, his expression changed dramatically.
He immediately fled several meters away, hugging a nearby pillar as though it were a lifeline.
“I hate dogs!” “If it’s staying, I’m leaving!” Zoro shot him an annoyed glance.
“Like I care.” He leaned against the wall, catching his breath after hauling Luffy around town.
Meanwhile, Luffy reached through the bars and gently poked the dog between the eyes.
The harmless-looking little dog instantly transformed into a snarling beast.
“Woof!” It lunged at the cage.
An intense battle erupted between one determined dog…
…and one equally determined captain trapped inside an iron cage.
“Go, Luffy!” Dazai cheered enthusiastically from a safe distance.
“Show him who’s boss!” Unfortunately…
He had severely underestimated the dog’s combat ability.
Winner: Chouchou.
Loser: Luffy.
Zoro covered his face with one hand.
For some reason, he suddenly felt like a single father raising two hopelessly troublesome children.
Nami arrived shortly afterward.
“Hey, Navigator!” Luffy happily waved through the bars.
Without saying much, Nami took out a key.
“I’ll return this.” “Consider it repayment for saving me.” She tossed it toward the cage.
Clink.
The key landed on the ground.
“You brought it back!” “That’s great!” “Don’t get the wrong idea.” Nami crossed her arms.
“I just don’t like owing people favors.” Luffy excitedly reached toward the key.
Before he could grab it— Chouchou calmly walked over.
Gulp.
He swallowed it whole.
The square fell completely silent.
Luffy.
Zoro.
Nami.
All three froze.
Then— “YOU STUPID DOG!!” Luffy grabbed Chouchou by the neck and began shaking him frantically.
“That’s not dog food!” “Spit out my key!” “Hahahahahaha!” Dazai laughed so hard he collapsed onto the ground, pounding the pavement with tears streaming down his face.
Seeing his only hope of escaping the cage disappear into a dog’s stomach, Luffy completely lost it.
“You idiot!” “You dumb mutt!” “Give my key back!!” As Luffy’s sanity rapidly deteriorated…
Dazai finally wiped away his tears.
“All right, all right.” “I suppose I’ll help.” Walking over to the cage, he casually flicked his wrist.
A thin lockpick appeared between his fingers.
With a few practiced movements…
Click.
The cage door swung open.
Luffy stared.
“Dazai…” His eyes filled with tears.
“You’re amazing!” Beside him, both Zoro and Nami developed matching expressions.
You could’ve opened it this whole time?!
So you just left him locked up on purpose?!
For the first time, the two reached the exact same conclusion.
Never make an enemy of Dazai Osamu.
He was the type of person who could trick you into bankruptcy…
…and have you happily thank him for it.
Now free, Luffy immediately pointed at Chouchou.
“You mangy mutt!” “Round two!” “I’m gonna beat you this time!” “Stop right there!” An elderly voice interrupted him.
A spirited old man with white hair, wearing makeshift wooden armor, hurried over.
“Don’t you dare bully Chouchou!” “Chouchou?” Luffy tilted his head.
Zoro looked at the old man.
“Who’re you, old man?” “I’m the mayor of this town.” He smiled wearily.
“Judging by how rough you all look…” “…Buggy must’ve caused you trouble too.” The old man introduced himself before explaining what had happened.
The town had once been peaceful.
Then the Buggy Pirates arrived.
They looted.
Burned homes.
Fired cannonballs into the streets.
The surviving townspeople had no choice but to evacuate.
Everyone left…
Except Chouchou.
The pet shop belonged to one of the mayor’s closest friends.
He had passed away three months ago.
Chouchou had been his beloved companion.
After his master’s death, the little dog never left the shop for even a single day.
Many believed Chouchou simply didn’t understand that his owner would never return.
But the mayor knew better.
Chouchou was a clever dog.
He already knew.
He simply chose to spend the rest of his life protecting the place his master had loved.
After hearing the story, Luffy quietly lowered the brim of his straw hat.
He no longer had any interest in fighting Chouchou.
Instead, he lay down on the ground, staring silently at the blue sky overhead.
White clouds drifted lazily by.
A gentle breeze blew through the deserted town.
Everything became peaceful.
Thud.
Thud.
Heavy footsteps approached.
A massive shadow fell over Luffy.
He sprang to his feet.
Towering before him was a gigantic lion nearly two stories tall.
Sitting proudly atop it was a white-haired man.
“Oh.” The man looked disappointed.
“So it’s you.” He looked around.
“Where’s the Pirate Hunter?” Zoro leaned casually against a nearby pillar.
Dazai sat beside him, resting his chin on one hand.
“Hey!” The man pointed toward them.
“Pirate Hunter Zoro!” “And you, pretty boy!” “If I beat you two, Captain Buggy will definitely reward me!” He completely ignored Luffy.
After all…
In his eyes, anyone who had been captured by the “Cat Burglar” Nami couldn’t possibly be worth worrying about.
“If you want to fight us…” Dazai smiled lazily.
“You’ll have to get past our captain first.” “Our captain?” The man burst into laughter.
“Hahahahaha!” “That straw hat brat?” Luffy adjusted his hat.
“Hey, old man.” “Who are you?” “Remember this!” The man puffed out his chest proudly.
“I’m Mohji!” “Vice Captain of the Buggy Pirates!” “The Beast Tamer!” Luffy grinned.
“I’m Monkey D.
Luffy!” “The man who’s gonna become King of the Pirates!” Before Mohji could react— “Gomu Gomu no…!” Luffy’s arms shot forward, wrapping around the giant lion’s head.
With one tremendous swing— The enormous beast was hurled through the air.
BOOM!
It crashed heavily onto the ground and couldn’t get back up.
Mohji was thrown off as well.
“You…” “You’re a Devil Fruit user too?!” “The same as Captain Buggy?!” Seeing how badly the situation had turned against him, Mohji immediately raised both hands.
“I surrender!” “I’m sorry!” “I give up!” Luffy shook his head.
“I don’t accept your apology.” “If you’re sorry…” “Apologize to the people of this town.” His fist shot forward.
BAM!
Mohji was sent flying, unconscious.
Luffy walked over to Chouchou and sat beside him.
“Keep protecting your home.” “And your master’s.” “Woof!” Chouchou barked happily in reply.
Nearby, Dazai and Zoro silently watched the scene unfold.
Neither said a word.
Standing off to one side, Nami observed everything in silence.
The more she watched…
The more she realized these pirates were nothing like the others she had known.