"Ugh~ Do you value money more than your life? I just saved your lives," Zoro said, speechless.
Just as Nami was about to argue, Luffy shouted excitedly.
"Yosh! Everyone, I've decided! I definitely want to go to Sky Island! Nami, hurry up and think of a way!" Luffy ran over to Nami, grabbed her arm, and started whining.
Zoro grinned, getting interested. "That sounds fun. I want to see it too."
Luffy immediately shouted, "Then let's head for the sky!"
"I'm telling you, Luffy, even if Sky Island really exists, how can a ship sail into the sky? The Log Pose is pointing straight up, so we can't go to any other islands. We need to find a way to get a new Log Pose now," Nami said, irritated.
"Perhaps we can find clues in the wreckage of that pirate ship that just fell," Shin'ya suggested.
Nami's eyes lit up. She thought of the gold she'd just picked up and nodded. "We can look for it, but how do we get the ship up?"
Luffy raised his hand. "I'll go!"
"Go, go, go~ Stay put! Don't mess things up. How can you go, you landlubber?" Nami scolded.
Shin'ya chuckled. "I'll handle it. I'll bring up the entire shipwreck, and then we'll search it slowly. Let's move the Going Merry away first."
After everyone docked the Going Merry, Shin'ya leaped up and stood on the water.
"Sugoi~ Shin'ya, you can stand on the water! Can you teach me that trick?" Luffy's eyes gleamed.
"I can't teach you. It's my ability," Shin'ya replied, then clapped his hands. "Wood Release!"
Rumble~~
A towering wooden golem slowly rose from the seabed. Its head formed a flat platform, and resting atop it was the wreckage of the pirate ship that had just sunk.
It stopped growing when it reached the level of the Going Merry, maintaining its height.
Everyone eagerly climbed onto the golem's head and began searching for useful items.
About ten minutes later, Nami came out with a large bag of treasures, her face beaming. "We're rich! We're rich! There's over 500 million Berries worth of treasure! Now we won't have to worry about money for a long time!"
As everyone was busy searching, a pirate ship with a monkey holding a gong appeared not far away. On its bow stood a man over three meters tall, resembling an ape, with a chestnut-shaped head.
"I am the Ape Salvage King! Hey~ Do you understand the rules? This is our Ape Pirate Crew's salvage area. You've crossed the line, you know that?" the Ape King shouted.
Nami stepped forward and replied, "Um~ We're not trying to steal your work. The Log Pose pointed straight up after we arrived, and we couldn't leave. A ship happened to fall, so we thought we'd look for a Log Pose to the next island."
The Ape King sized her up, saw she wasn't lying, and nodded. He pulled out a Log Pose from behind. "I've got one here that points to Jaya Island. If you need it, I'll give it to you. In exchange, we'll take the wreckage."
With that, he tossed the Log Pose to Nami.
Nami caught it and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Ape King. We'll leave the wreckage to you. Let's go, everyone."
They then set sail in the specified direction.
The next island wasn't far, and soon they arrived.
When they reached the port, all they saw were pirate ships. Not a single merchant or civilian vessel in sight.
"This place might not be as peaceful as it looks. The port is packed with pirate ships. Everyone, stay alert," Shin'ya warned.
Robin spoke calmly, "Jaya Island is also known as Pirate Island because it's quite different from normal islands. Pirates run rampant here. There's no law, no order."
Chopper's eyes widened. "Robin, what's a Pirate Island?"
Robin smiled faintly. "In the Grand Line, most islands are under the control of the World Government. Those islands are protected by Marines, with complete legal systems and order. People live relatively safe lives."
She paused, then continued, "But there are some islands in a no-man's-land state. These places aren't controlled by the World Government, and there are no strong Marines stationed. Pirates and gangsters rule, and chaos is the norm."
Hearing this, Usopp immediately collapsed onto the ground, twitching and foaming at the mouth. "You guys go ahead. I… I've caught a disease that kills me the moment I land on an island."
Chopper panicked. "Are you okay, Usopp? Doctor! Somebody get a doctor!"
"Don't mind him, he's faking it," Shin'ya said, picking up Chopper and glancing at Usopp. "If you stay here, when a bunch of pirates show up, you'll have nowhere to run."
"Ahaha~ I was just kidding! I'm the brave Usopp! How could I be afraid of an island?" Usopp immediately sprang up.
"Alright, let's all go ashore and look for clues. Don't worry about the Going Merry — I'll leave a wood clone to guard it. Anyone who dares come close will regret it," Shin'ya said, creating a clone to stay with the ship.
They'd only taken a few steps when Luffy and the others experienced firsthand what a pirate-run island was like. In the short distance from the port to the main street, they passed at least seven violent brawls.
Suddenly, a figure riding a frail-looking horse appeared in front of them.
The horse looked like a strong breeze could topple it, and its rider looked worse — face pale as a sheet, thin and sickly.
With a dull thud, the sickly man fell off his horse, landing right in front of them.
Doc Q weakly raised a hand. "Excuse me… could you help me up?"
"How is this not intentional?" Nami gritted her teeth.
Luffy and Zoro exchanged glances, said nothing, and casually lifted Doc Q, tossing him back onto the horse.
Doc Q gave them a grateful look.
Luffy patted the horse's back. "Alright, you should get going."
But as the horse took a step, it collapsed as well. Luffy and Zoro sighed and helped the horse up again, ready to move on.
Just then, Doc Q spoke. "Thank you. I've been sickly since childhood, and I always appreciate those who help me. As thanks, I'd like to offer you some apples." He pulled a few apples from his coat.
Seeing them, Luffy eagerly reached out. "Wow, apples! They look so sweet!"
But before Luffy could touch them, Shin'ya swiftly grabbed his hand.
Shin'ya's gaze hardened as a red light flashed in his eyes. A powerful aura surged from him. "There's only one non-poisoned apple in that basket. What, are you in a hurry to die?"
Nami instantly understood, punched Luffy in the head, and scolded, "That sickly guy's up to no good! You idiot, stop trying to eat everything in sight or you'll lose a kidney!"
Sensing Blackbeard and his crew approaching, Shin'ya said seriously, "Luffy, Zoro, Sanji — take Nami and the others to search for Sky Island clues. I have business here. Protect them."
"Got it. Be careful," Nami nodded. Something was obviously off. She grabbed Luffy and the others and quickly left.
Not long after, a large, dark man appeared with a few followers.
It was the Blackbeard Pirates: Marshall D. Teach, Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, Lafitte, and Doc Q.
"Ze ha ha ha! Thousand-Hand Shin'ya Kurozawa! Interested in joining the Blackbeard Pirates? I think very highly of you!" Blackbeard laughed.
Shin'ya sneered. "Oh? Didn't the last guy who tried to recruit me get buried at sea?"
"I really want your Devil Fruit power. If you won't join, we'll have to take it by force," Blackbeard's grin vanished.
Shin'ya scoffed. "And what makes you think you can beat me? Is it your Devil Fruit power?"
Blackbeard laughed again. "Ze ha ha ha! Of course! My Devil Fruit's the natural enemy of all ability users!"
"Captain, quit wasting time. If he won't join us, let's take him down," Burgess urged.
Blackbeard's expression turned cold. "Ze ha ha ha! Burgess, you're right. Everyone — let's take him down! His power is ours!"
"Wait," Shin'ya raised a hand.
Blackbeard narrowed his eyes. "What? Changing your mind?"
"No. I just wanted to ask — have you met Fire Fist Ace yet?"
"You mean Ace? Ze ha ha ha! He's in a safe place for now. Once I get your ability, I'll send him straight to Marine Headquarters."
Shin'ya stroked his chin thoughtfully. "As expected… Ace was still caught. Looks like I'll have to pull a switch later. After Enies Lobby, Garp should come looking for Luffy… Guess I'll have to leave the Going Merry for a while once that's done."
Coming back to the present, Shin'ya smirked. "Thanks for the intel. Let's do this. Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison!"
---
"Enjoyed the chapters? Good. Now, cough up those Powerstones~ (＾▽＾)"
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