Three days flew by, and the latest newspaper hit the stands, carrying news that exploded across the East Blue like a cannon blast.
Glass Bead Island, the self-proclaimed "Trendsetting Center of the East Blue," was throwing its annual "Funky" Dance Competition in just two weeks!
But this year? This year was different. Thanks to some ridiculously rich sponsor, the champion wouldn't just get bragging rights. They'd get a mind-blowing 5 million Belly!
In a heartbeat, dancers--big names and hidden talents alike--from every corner of the East Blue were giddy with excitement, all setting course for Glass Bead Island.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Orange Island, the Hundred Tactics Black Ship was slicing through the waves. Needing to find a good target for a bit of looting, only half the pirate crew was aboard.
On the ship's deck...
"Hey, catch!"
"Coo~~~"
Jango, the vice-captain, tossed 100 Belly to the News Bird, getting his hands on the latest edition of the News Newspaper.
Even pirates need to know what's happening in the world, and the News Newspaper was the best way to get the scoop.
Jango eagerly flipped through the pages. When his eyes landed on the article about the "Funky" Dance Competition on Glass Bead Island, he was completely hooked.
Being a dance fanatic, he knew all about the "Funky" Dance Competition. It was the biggest, most respected dance-off in the entire East Blue.
He dreamt of facing off against the best dancers, showing off his own killer moves. But being a pirate didn't leave much room for fun.
This time, though, the stars had aligned. He had the time, and besides, scouting the island wouldn't hurt.
He had to go!
"Gliding step~ Arm swing~ Crotch grab~~"
Jango couldn't hold back. He started dancing right there on the deck, his smooth Moonwalk instantly drawing the attention of the crew.
"The Vice Captain's at it again!"
The pirates were used to it. That was just Jango. He could be dazzling even when he was just chatting, often walking backward as he did.
Watching the show, the Little Cat Brothers crept up behind Jango.
"Meow~~ Want golden wind!"
It was like a cutting-edge dance track was blasting through the air on the deck.
The energy spread like wildfire.
Before you knew it, over thirty pirates dropped what they were doing and joined Jango, mirroring his moves, grooving to the beat.
Let's get funky together!
Deep inside the cabin, Kuro was stretched out on a sofa, quietly lost in a book. But the rhythmic thumping on the deck made veins throb on his forehead.
"A bunch of idiots!"
Why, oh why, did _he , the brains of the operation, have to deal with these dummies? All they were good at was punching and breaking stuff. Even his right-habd man, the one he trusted most, was a total goofball who loved to dance. It was like pulling teeth trying to explain a plan to them. He had to twist and turn everything around just so they could get it._
He was tired of it all.
Kuro realized he was sick of this pirate life. More than treasure, he craved peace and quiet.
But peace was hard to come by.
He needed to "erase" himself at the right moment, in the right place, and find someone who could give him the "stability" he longed for. And he had to cut off any loose ends that could expose him.
It was a plan that would take time.
----
Syrup Village, the Syrup family's manor.
The Black Cat Pirates had thrown a wrench in the Syrup family's vacation plans, pushing them back a few days and changing the itinerary.
Roya was taking it all in stride.
Kaya sat by the window, quietly watching the figure hanging upside down from a tree outside, doing sit-ups without a shirt.
"Roya, do you have to train so hard every day?"
"This is just the basics."
Roya clasped his hands behind his neck, using his powerful abs to lift himself up. His muscles were like steel cables.
Standing guard was boring. He always needed something to keep him busy.
Kaya looked envious, a little sad. "Roya, I wish I could be like you, able to sweat as much as I want."
"It's not easy," Roya said.
Roya straightened his legs, dropping from the tree. He landed lightly on his hands and effortlessly flipped back onto his feet.
He turned to Kaya, his smile bright.
"Want to sweat?"
"Yes," she said, nodding eagerly.
She wanted to run, to jump and play like any normal person, but her body wouldn't let her.
A hand reached out to her.
"Then I'll teach you how to dance!"
"Huh?"
Kaya's eyes went wide.
Dance?
"Roya, you can dance?"
"Of course! I'm a dance expert!" Roya boasted without a hint of embarrassment. He'd been practicing for months, and while he wasn't quite Fullbody's level, he could definitely teach a beginner.
Kaya hesitated, suddenly nervous.
She couldn't.
"But I--"
"Come on!"
Before Kaya could chicken out, Roya gently took her hand and led her outside.
He carefully set Kaya down on the grass, guiding her movements from behind.
"Listen to my instructions," he said.
"Ah, okay," Kaya whispered, her cheeks flushed. It felt like she was doing something secretly, something a bit forbidden, behind her parents' backs.
She felt happy.
"Hey, Roya, can you teach me how to dance tomorrow, too?"
"No problem," Roya said easily.
"Oh, right! At breakfast, my father said he was taking me to the dance competition! I'm so excited! He said it's going to be amazing!"
"I'm looking forward to it, too!"
With the "Funky" Dance Competition just around the corner, the Syrup family's vacation was finally set in motion.
First stop: Glass Bead Island!
To catch the dance competition and experience the cutting edge of East Blue fashion.
---
Three days later, Glass Bead Island Port.
"It's been too long," Fullbody said, smoothing down his light blue striped suit. His hair was perfectly styled, he wore enormous pink sunglasses, and his leather shoes gleamed.
Even on Glass Bead Island, the fashion capital, his style turned heads.
"Alright, let's register!" Fullbody said, his eyes serious.
Glass Bead Island wasn't in the 153rd Branch's territory, so he and Roya couldn't count on any backup this time.
To move on to the next phase of their plan, they needed to catch their target.
First, they had to win the dance competition!
"The championship is mine!" Fullbody pumped his fist. He wouldn't let anyone else win. He, Fullbody, had a dream: to become a superstar in the "Dance World!"
On the other side of the port...
Jango had ditched his usual white T-shirt and black jacket for a wild plaid shirt. He'd even swapped his sunglasses for a pair of trendy triangular ones.
Transformation complete!
"I will win the championship and become a superstar in the Dance World!"
Arriving at the heart of fashion, he instantly forgot all about his reconnaissance mission. Jango had one thing on his mind.
Go dance!
He was born to dance!
Just as the two men stepped onto the island, the Syrup family's ship slowly pulled into port.
"So lively!" Kaya gasped, her eyes wide.
The brightly lit streets and buzzing crowds made her heart race.
It was like stepping into a whole new world. Everything felt so fresh and exciting.
Mr. Syrup turned to Roya. "Roya, we have some business to take care of. I'm leaving Kaya in your care."
"Rest assured, Mr. Syrup! I'll keep Miss Kaya safe!" Roya tipped his cowboy hat, a small smile playing on his lips.
That dance-loving Jango should be here, right?