Seagulls circled overhead as a lone ship drifted across the endless sea.
Ever since bidding farewell to the mayor, Luffy and his crew had been sailing for an entire week without spotting land.
“Why are there only apples left…?” Dazai lay sprawled across the deck, looking utterly drained.
The supplies they’d stocked before leaving hadn’t stood a chance against Luffy’s monstrous appetite.
In the end, only apples remained.
“Oh, shut up!
You’re one to talk!” Nami clutched her sea chart in frustration as she recalled the past week’s voyage.
During the last seven days: She had rescued Dazai after one of his impulsive attempts to jump into the sea—and Luffy, who repeatedly forgot he couldn’t swim as a Devil Fruit User and dove in after him—a total of thirty times.She had corrected the ship’s course six times after Dazai got bored while steering.She had stopped Luffy from eating all their provisions in one sitting seven times.
Nami was beginning to feel she’d boarded the wrong ship all over again.
“Dazai, apples are pretty good too!” Sitting on the figurehead, Luffy devoured another apple in two bites while enthusiastically promoting their deliciousness.
Zoro sat quietly along the rail, pretending not to care while keeping a close eye on Dazai to prevent him from causing more trouble.
“Honestly, Zoro, if you keep staring at me like that, I’ll get embarrassed.” Covering his face shyly, Dazai even threw him a flirtatious wink.
After enduring a full week of Dazai’s antics, Zoro had built up considerable resistance.
“Just behave yourself for once.” Nami studied the map and compared it with their current position.
“We’re almost at land.
Dazai, try to stay put.” Ignoring both of them completely, Dazai stood up and stretched.
Left.
Right.
Then— “Heave-ho!” Just as he prepared to leap into the sea for the thirty-first time, something yanked him backward.
Turning around with a dark expression, he found the tip of Zoro’s drawn sword hooked into the back of his collar.
“Zoro…
that really hurts~” Dangling helplessly in midair, Dazai puffed out his cheeks and complained pitifully.
“Oh.” Without changing expression, Zoro flicked his sword, tossing Dazai safely back onto the deck.
“Nami.
Rope.” “Right!” Moments later, Dazai was securely tied up.
“This is workplace abuse!
Abuse, I tell you!” he protested indignantly.
Luffy wanted to rescue him, but after seeing the terrifying expressions on both Zoro and Nami’s faces…
He quietly gave up.
“Sorry, Dazai…
I can’t save you.” Squatting beside him, Luffy tearfully apologized.
Watching the two idiots together, the responsible members of the crew chose not to comment.
Ahead of them, an orange-colored beach shimmered beneath the sunlight, with the silhouettes of green trees beyond it.
“We’re almost there!” Nami breathed a sigh of relief.
At last, they’d reached their destination.
Thunk.
The ship gently ran aground.
Everyone hurried ashore, savoring the feel of solid land beneath their feet.
“MEAT!!
MEAT!!” Drooling, Luffy excitedly crowded around Nami while she checked the map.
“Crab!
Crab!
Bandages!
Bandages!” Freed from his ropes, Dazai happily hugged himself.
He’d gone far too long without crab, and they were nearly out of medical bandages.
“I could really go for a drink.” Zoro sighed.
After a week of plain food and no alcohol, the voyage had become painfully dull.
As mentioned previously, Dazai had stolen Captain Buggy’s treasure and initially used it to force Nami into serving him.
That arrangement lasted about three minutes.
Soon afterward, he simply handed the treasure over for Nami to safeguard.
Although she still insisted she was only serving as the crew’s navigator temporarily, Dazai—knowing how the story would ultimately unfold—was well aware she’d eventually stay with Luffy anyway.
Whether she looked after the treasure now or later made little difference.
Besides…
Gold and jewels had never interested Dazai.
A loud yawn escaped Zoro as he stretched lazily.
Suddenly— Rustle.
The bushes ahead shook.
Click.
In an instant, Zoro’s sleepy expression disappeared.
He crouched slightly, his thumb pushing his sword a fraction out of its scabbard.
“Careful.” “Someone’s there.” “Where?
Where?
Where?!” Luffy excitedly looked around in every direction.
Leaning against the ship, Dazai merely glanced at the trembling bushes before closing his eyes again.
Three children…
and one adult.
Seems like a peaceful island.
Whizz!
A barrage of small pellets suddenly shot out of the bushes toward Luffy.
He flailed wildly to dodge them.
Sensing trouble, Nami immediately ducked behind Dazai.
“Dazai…
aren’t you going to do something?” Peeking cautiously around him, she noticed he remained completely relaxed.
“It’s just a farce.” “It’ll be over soon.” That was all he said.
An instant later, several black pirate flags suddenly rose from the previously empty bushes.
“That’s awesome!” Luffy shouted excitedly.
“Is that really something to admire?” Nami couldn’t help complaining.
“Hahahaha!” “I am Usopp, captain of the pirate crew that rules this village!” “Everyone calls me ‘Captain Usopp!'” “If you’ve come to attack this village, I’d advise you to give up now!” “My eight thousand loyal subordinates won’t let you leave alive!” Standing atop a cliff was a young man with curly hair, a remarkably long nose, brown clothes, and a large shoulder bag.
He couldn’t have been much older than twenty.
He puffed out his chest proudly while making his grand declaration.
“…Whoa.” Luffy’s eyes practically vanished in shock.
“So amazing——!” Nami sighed.
Meanwhile…
Dazai completely lost his composure.
He doubled over laughing, clutching his stomach.
“Hahaha!
Eight thousand?!” “This island couldn’t even fit that many people!” “…Really?” Luffy blinked in confusion and looked back at Dazai.
“I’ve been found out!” Usopp cried while grabbing his head.
Nami glanced sideways.
“…Did he just say, ‘I’ve been found out’?” Usopp froze.
“…Oops.” “I accidentally admitted it.” Nami looked at him speechlessly.
“So…
you were lying?” Luffy’s brain struggled to process the revelation.
“Hmph!
Fine!
Maybe eight thousand was a slight exaggeration…” “But I still have dependable subordinates!” The moment he finished speaking— Six pirate flags began bobbing up and down from the bushes.
“There are only three people.” Nami smiled.
“And they’re children.” Dazai wiped away tears of laughter.
“What are you, the principal of a kindergarten?” The disguise instantly fell apart.
Three children carrying pirate flags jumped out.
“They saw through it!” “Run!” Without another word, they fled toward the village, abandoning Usopp entirely.
“Don’t leave me behind!” Usopp’s eyes nearly popped out as his legs shook violently.
Dazai picked up one of the pellets lying in the sand and brushed it clean.
“A pirate who fights with slingshot pellets…” “That’s a first.” “Hahaha!” “You’re really interesting!” Luffy laughed, hands on his hips.
“D-Don’t underestimate me!” Usopp hurriedly pulled a slingshot from his shoulder bag and aimed it at Luffy.
“They call me the Great Captain Usopp!” “My slingshot is stronger than an ordinary gun!” Luffy’s playful expression instantly vanished.
He lowered one hand onto his straw hat and stared up at Usopp with cold, intimidating eyes.
“If you’re going to point a weapon at someone…” “You’d better be prepared to risk your life.” “…!” Usopp’s body stiffened.
His trembling fingers tightened around the slingshot.
“What I mean is…” “A weapon isn’t a toy for making threats.” The sea breeze lifted the hem of Luffy’s red vest.
Behind him, Zoro smiled knowingly and nudged one of his swords partway out of its sheath.
“The men standing before you…” “are real pirates.” Do they know each other?
Squatting nearby, half of Dazai’s face wrapped in bandages, the exposed eye curved into a dark, almost unsettling smile.
He deliberately radiated an ominous aura.
Nami simply tilted her head, silently staring at Usopp.
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Usopp’s hands shook uncontrollably.
Sweat poured down his forehead and soaked into his collar.
Neither side moved.
Neither side spoke.
The tense silence stretched on.
Fear.
Anxiety.
Panic.
Every negative emotion flooded Usopp’s mind.
For the first time in his life…
He found himself facing true despair.