A deafening explosion shook the town.
BOOM!
Flames burst into the sky as another cannonball smashed into a row of houses.
“My home…” The mayor watched helplessly as his own house was reduced to rubble.
The anger in his eyes reached its limit.
“Forty years ago, this place was nothing but empty land.” He looked across the devastated town.
“We built this town little by little.” “Everyone finally found a place they could call home.” “And then Captain Buggy came…” “He destroyed everything.” “As this town’s mayor…” “It is my duty to protect our home.” He remembered the hardships of building the town from nothing.
He remembered the smiles of the townspeople who had finally settled down.
Now…
All of it had been taken away by the Buggy Pirates.
The mayor was only an ordinary man.
He possessed no Devil Fruit powers.
He wasn’t even strong enough to defeat one of Buggy’s ordinary pirates.
But he still had his courage.
Even if it costs me my life…
I have to fight.
Gripping a spear tightly, the old man charged toward Buggy’s base.
Today…
Everything would be settled.
“The anger of an ordinary person…” Dazai watched quietly from where he sat, looking up at the sky.
“But what can it accomplish?” “It’ll only lead to even greater despair.” Zoro stood nearby with his swords folded in his arms.
“But today is different.” “Because we’re here.” Dazai smiled.
“You’re right.” “Our crew really doesn’t act much like pirates.” “We’re almost…
too nice.” Zoro shrugged.
“Luffy wants to become the freest man in the world.” “The freest man isn’t bound by labels.” “He does whatever he believes is right.” “Heh.” Dazai jumped to his feet.
“Then let’s go.” “Time to witness the future King of the Pirates have another heroic moment.” His camel-colored coat fluttered behind him as he strode toward the battle.
By the time they arrived…
Luffy had already intercepted one of Buggy’s detached hands before it could strike the mayor.
Nami stood beside the old man.
“Listen.” “I only came here for the treasure and the map.” She deliberately sounded indifferent.
Across from them, Buggy’s face twisted with rage.
Ever since meeting this Straw Hat brat…
Nothing had gone his way.
A bunch of complete nobodies from the East Blue— People no one had ever heard of— Actually dared to challenge Captain Buggy.
“You kids stay out of this!” The mayor struggled to his feet, gripping his spear.
“This is my town!” “I’ll protect it myself!” He charged toward Buggy.
Before he had taken more than a few steps— Thump.
Luffy grabbed him and casually flung him into a nearby wall.
The impact knocked the mayor unconscious.
“What are you doing?!” Nami cried out in shock.
“Why would you do that to him?!” Luffy dusted off his hands.
“He was in the way.” “Of course he was.” Zoro answered matter-of-factly.
“If we’d left him alone, he’d have gotten himself killed.” Dazai crouched beside the unconscious mayor.
“So direct…” “Do all muscleheads solve problems like this?” He looked toward Nami.
“Miss Navigator.” “This isn’t really a fight we can contribute to.” “Would you like to watch from somewhere safer?” He cheerfully invited her over.
Nami stared at him.
“Aren’t they your crewmates?” “You’re seriously planning to hide instead of helping?” Compared to Luffy and Zoro…
Dazai somehow seemed like the only person in the crew she could actually have a normal conversation with.
“People should do what they’re good at.” Dazai answered casually.
“For office workers like us…” “The best support is staying out of the way.” He looked around before finding an excellent viewing spot.
“This way.” Luffy stretched his arms.
“Nami.” “Dazai’s right.” “You two should stay somewhere safe.” “This’ll be over soon.” Buggy’s forehead bulged with veins.
“YOU LITTLE BRAT!” “You think you can ignore me?!” He roared, “Men!” “Buggy Ball!” “Aye!” The pirates lit the cannon.
BOOM!
The Buggy Ball rocketed straight toward Luffy.
Nami’s heart nearly stopped.
Luffy…
Didn’t even try to dodge.
Instead— He inhaled deeply.
His stomach inflated larger and larger until he resembled a giant balloon.
The Buggy Ball struck his rubber belly…
And bounced right back.
BOOM!!
It exploded among Buggy’s own crew.
“…Well.” Dazai nodded thoughtfully.
“That reduced their numbers.” Nami stared in disbelief.
“What…” “What kind of power is that?!” She was beginning to realize that both Luffy and Buggy possessed abilities that completely defied common sense.
“Hehehe…” Dazai’s eyes sparkled.
“Allow me to explain.” Somehow…
He produced a blackboard from absolutely nowhere.
He even put on a pair of plain glasses.
Using a tree branch as a pointer, he began his lesson.
“The mysterious power known as the Devil Fruit…” Several minutes later…
“…And that’s how it works.” He adjusted his glasses dramatically.
“Miss Nami.” “Do you understand now?” Nami instinctively raised her hand.
“Yes, Professor Dazai.” …
A second later— SMACK!
“Wait!” “Why am I calling you ‘Professor’?!” “We’re in the middle of a battle!” Nami punched him squarely on the head.
A second bump instantly appeared.
Fortunately…
Her mood had improved considerably.
Dazai Osamu had successfully acquired Bump No.
2.
The world of pirates was changing him.
Or perhaps…
It was simply teaching him that getting punched was unavoidable.
Naturally, he recovered immediately.
“Now then!” “Back to today’s live commentary!” He pointed dramatically toward the battlefield.
“We’ve entered the semifinals!” “Match One!” “Luffy versus Captain Buggy!” “Match Two!” “Zoro versus…” He paused.
“…Some random swordsman.” SMACK!
Another punch.
“You still haven’t learned?!” Nami roared.
Without question…
Her Fist of Love was terrifying.
Dazai accepted Bump No.
3 with tears in his eyes.
“HEY!” A furious voice shouted from the battlefield.
The blue-haired swordsman riding a unicycle glared at Dazai.
“I’m not ‘some random swordsman’!” “My name is Cabaji!” “Watch while I defeat your friend!” Nami blinked.
“…He’s really hung up on that?” “Apparently so.” Dazai pushed up his glasses.
“Moving on!” “Zoro attacks with Three Sword Style!” “Cabaji retaliates with acrobatic swordsmanship!” “Zoro blocks!” “Cabaji spins!” “The audience is thrilled!” “Ah!” “Zoro sends the weapons flying—” Nami stood there in silence for a long moment.
“…I can’t deal with you people.” She shook her head.
“Whether you pirates live or die has nothing to do with me.” “I’m going to steal the treasure.” “See you.” “Okay!” Luffy replied with his usual carefree grin.
“Thanks!” Nami immediately dashed toward Buggy’s treasure room.
Meanwhile…
Thanks to Dazai’s utterly biased live commentary— Zoro defeated Cabaji with overwhelming ease.
Winner: Roronoa Zoro.
Cabaji: KO.
Elsewhere…
Nami rushed into Buggy’s treasure room.
It was…
Empty.
In the middle of the room lay a single sheet of paper.
She picked it up.
The treasure has already been claimed by Lord Dazai.
If you want it…
please turn over this page!
“…That bastard.” Grinding her teeth, Nami flipped the paper over.
On the back, another message was waiting.
Just kidding.
Why would I tell you where I hid treasure I’ve already stolen?
—Dazai P.S.
You can always beg Lord Dazai nicely.
If I’m in a good mood, I might return it.
(●’◡’●) “…I got played.” Nami took a deep breath.
Then a terrifying smile spread across her face.
“No one…” “No one steals treasure from me.” “Just wait, Dazai…” “I’ll get every last Berry back.” Her laughter echoed through the empty treasure room.
“Hahahahahaha!”