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"Thank you… thank you, everyone…"
Nami's voice cracked as she tried to hold back her tears, covering her mouth with trembling hands. She cried silently, her tears sparkling in the sunlight as they fell.
The crystal droplets didn't just land on the deck—they landed in the hearts of the Straw Hat Pirates, fueling a rage that burned hotter than ever. The thought of the Arlong Pirates oppressing Nami and her village filled them with such fury that they wished they could instantly teleport to Cocoyashi Village and bring Arlong's reign to an end.
"Red! Let's head for Cocoyashi Village right now!" Luffy exclaimed, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"No problem," Red replied with a calm yet meaningful smile.
"After all..." he added, his tone almost playful, "our planned course has always been heading to Cocoyashi Village."
Luffy blinked in surprise. "Huh? Really?"
Red nodded and continued, "But before we go, we need to pick up two partners first."
"Partners!?"
The word immediately softened the fiery anger in Luffy's heart. Even in this tense moment, the thought of adding new members to their crew was enough to momentarily lift his spirits.
Still, realizing the current atmosphere wasn't the right time to press for details, even someone as carefree as Luffy refrained from asking more questions. Instead, he turned to Nami, his tone brimming with sincerity.
"Don't worry, Nami!" Luffy said, patting his chest. "I'll make sure to beat the Arlong Pirates to a pulp!"
Zoro didn't say anything, but the cold determination in his eyes spoke volumes. His hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of Narukami, itching for a fight.
But then, Red suddenly interrupted.
"Luffy," he said firmly, "just beating them isn't enough."
Luffy tilted his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Evil people deserve punishment," Red said, his voice darkening. "And blood debts must be paid in blood."
His gaze sharpened as he continued, "We're not just going to drive them away. We're going to end them. Every last one of those Fishmen needs to pay for the lives they've destroyed."
The fire in his eyes burned brighter. "And they dared to hurt our navigator. That sin alone is enough to cost them everything."
Red turned to Nami, gently placing a hand on her shoulder as she continued to cry.
"Leave everything to us," he said softly.
Nami nodded vigorously through her tears. "Yeah..."
Leaning into Red's shoulder, she silently whispered in her heart: 'Thank you, Red. Thank you, everyone.'
The day moved forward, the sea breeze brushing against the crew as the sun beamed brightly overhead.
Despite Nami's emotional confession earlier, the small sailboat maintained its pace, carving a straight path through the waves. Even with two tons of fitness equipment weighing it down, the boat sailed steadily toward their destination.
Finally, just before dinner, the crew reached the port of the next island.
"Woohoo! Land! That means I can finally eat something delicious again!" Luffy shouted, leaping off the bow of the ship with his usual energy.
But before he could run off, Nami's voice, faint but sharp, called from behind him.
"Oh? I'm so sorry for not letting you eat anything 'delicious' at lunch," she said with a biting tone.
Luffy froze, cold sweat instantly covering his face. He quickly spun around, waving his hands nervously.
"Shishishi! No, no! The lunch was… uh… great!" he stammered, forcing a smile as he pouted and scratched the back of his head—a clear sign he was lying.
Although Nami had cried a lot that morning, she was still the only one on board who could cook anything even remotely edible. So, despite her emotional state, she had prepared lunch for the crew.
Unfortunately, her cooking skills were limited, and the boat's basic supplies didn't help matters. The result? A meal so bland that even Luffy, who had once eaten Gomu Gomu no Mi without a second thought, struggled to finish it.
The mere memory of it made Luffy shudder, and his stomach growled louder as he thought about finding a proper restaurant.
But alas, his wish was destined to remain unfulfilled.
As they reached the port, the crew noticed something unusual.
The island only had one small town...
And it had been completely taken over by the Buggy Pirates—Orange Town!
"It's so strange, why is there no one here!?"
Luffy walked along the eerily quiet streets of Orange Town, clutching his growling stomach and grumbling with dissatisfaction.
The shops on either side were in shambles, their doors hanging off hinges and windows boarded or shattered. The town reeked of abandonment, the lively atmosphere it once had reduced to utter silence.
Zoro scanned the area, his brow furrowing.
"Something's not right," he muttered. "I've heard of Orange Town before. It shouldn't look like this."
Orange Town was famous for its high-quality oranges, a valuable commodity in a world ruled by the seas. The fruit, rich in vitamins, was vital for preventing scurvy, making it a staple for sailors and merchants alike. The town's reputation for producing the best oranges in the region often brought an influx of trade and prosperity, providing its residents with comfortable lives.
But now, the scene was completely different from what Zoro had heard—depressing, abandoned, and lifeless.
Nami sighed, shaking her head at Luffy and Zoro.
"You two are completely clueless, as usual," she said in exasperation.
"Huh?" Luffy blinked.
"Didn't you hear anything back in Shells Town?" Nami continued. "This town is under pirate occupation!"
Before Luffy or Zoro could react, Red chuckled, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"Luffy, looks like your wish for a full meal is about to come true."
"Huh?!" Luffy's eyes widened, his excitement vanishing in an instant. He looked like someone had just crushed his dreams.
But before he could wallow in despair, Red placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, his smile widening.
"Don't be so disappointed, Luffy," he said, his tone lighthearted. "Look on the bright side. Even though the restaurants here are all closed because of the pirates, think about it: if this group is large enough to take over the entire town, they must have some talented chefs, right?"
Luffy blinked, slowly processing the idea.
"Chefs?"
"Exactly!" Red continued, stoking Luffy's excitement. "We're pirates, too. We can force them to cook for us! And the best part?"
Red grinned and leaned in dramatically.
"It'll be completely free!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"Free food from pirates? That's genius, Red!" he shouted, pumping his fists in the air.
Even Nami, despite herself, was impressed by Red's shameless logic.
"I hate to admit it, but... I'm amazed at how you made 'freeloading' sound like a strategy," she said, shaking her head.
Luffy, reinvigorated, raised his arms high.
"Alright! Let's find this pirate crew and make them cook for us!"
He turned to Red, his expression expectant. "So, Red, do you know where they are?"
Before Red could answer, a loud explosion thundered through the town.
Boom!
The ground beneath their feet rumbled slightly, and a column of smoke rose in the distance.
Zoro's hand instantly moved to his sword as his instincts kicked in.
"Looks like something's happening," he said, ready for battle.
Red, however, remained calm, a knowing smile tugging at his lips as he looked toward the smoke.
"I didn't know where they were before," he said casually, "but now? I have a pretty good idea."
Elsewhere in Orange Town…
High above the town, atop a large building, a group of pirates dressed like circus performers roared with laughter.
"Buggy! Buggy!" they chanted, clapping and stomping as if they were the audience at a chaotic show.
At the center of the crowd stood a man with a bright red nose, an orange captain's hat, and a devilish grin. His laughter echoed across the rooftop.
"Gyahahaha!"
The man's name was Buggy the Clown, captain of the Buggy Pirates.
"It's finally complete! The ultimate weapon—the Buggy Bomb!" Buggy declared, gesturing dramatically toward the massive cannon behind him.
With a maniacal glint in his eye, he continued, "With the power of the Buggy Bomb and my Bara Bara no Mi abilities, I'll be unstoppable! The Grand Line is as good as mine!"
"Gyahahaha!" His laughter grew even louder as his pirates cheered in unison.
"Captain Buggy is the best!"
"Long live Captain Buggy!"
Buggy waved his arms triumphantly.
"To celebrate this momentous achievement…" He paused for dramatic effect.
"We're throwing a party!!!"
"OH~!!!" The pirates erupted with excitement, raising their weapons and bottles of rum.
Buggy's fondness for parties was well-known among his crew. As a former member of the Roger Pirates, he had inherited the tradition of celebrating every little victory—something his current crew embraced wholeheartedly.
The festive atmosphere was in full swing as the pirates prepared for a wild banquet.
But just as the preparations were ramping up, a strange sound interrupted them.
Grumble… Grumble…
The noise grew louder, almost like the rumbling of thunder. The pirates froze, looking around in confusion.
Then came a voice from above, loud and unmistakably excited:
"A banquet?! I knew I heard the sound of a party!"