Hina stepped forward, pink hair shifting like silk. "You seem excited, Vice Admiral."
Luffy's gaze slid over her, bold and unhurried. "What can I say? Forbidden countries have a certain… charm."
"And here Hina thought you only liked forbidden women," She teased.
He leaned closer, voice dropping to a velvet purr. "Oh? Are you offering, Hina?"
Her breath caught for just a moment before she tilted her chin up defiantly. "Hina offers nothing freely."
He chuckled, low and warm. "Then I'll just have to steal it."
Even Gion snorted softly, though she quickly turned away to hide her amused smile.
Zoro cracked his neck, glancing at the stone walls around them. "Never thought I'd see Wano like this…"
Kuina, standing beside him, brushed her hair back. "What do you mean?"
Zoro's gaze grew distant, just for a moment. "Just… feels strange. Like it's familiar and foreign at the same time."
Kuina looked at him quietly, then nodded. "Let's just stay sharp."
Zoro smirked faintly. "Always."
Wano… Land of samurai, secrets, and ghosts of history.
And none of them know who's coming for them.
His grin widened, dangerously beautiful.
The ship sliced through the last stretch of the mountain-top sea, gliding past frothing currents and cresting waves that slapped against its hull.
THOOM–THOOM–THOOM.
A humid breeze curled over the deck, heavy with the scents of pine resin, distant smoke, and the faint sweetness of cherry blossoms that clung stubbornly to life even in Wano's turbulent times.
Standing at the prow, Luffy tilted his cap upward, his dark eyes narrowing with quiet intensity. His shirt fluttered open in the wind, exposing sculpted muscle that bore old scars, and faint lines where lightning had kissed his own skin.
Finally... Wano.
Before him, the horizon opened up to reveal a land out of legend.
The jagged coastlines of black volcanic rock gave way to a sloping beach of golden sand. Beyond lay a dense, ancient forest, mist rising between twisted trunks and weathered stones.
And further still, rising like a slumbering giant, Mount Fuji-like in majesty, loomed a volcanic mountain, its peak crowned with drifting smoke.
The warship's Justice flag flapped so sharply in the wind it snapped like a whip, the sound cutting through the murmurs on deck.
"Oi, Ain," Luffy drawled, voice low but edged with command. "Take us starboard. See that crack in the cliff? Dock us inside the cave."
Ain, ever precise and cool, adjusted her cap, blue hair shifting as she moved to the helm.
"Aye, Vice Admiral," She replied. Her gloved hands turned the wheel deftly, the ship groaning in protest as it slowly swung to the right.
The ship glided into shadow.
The stone walls rose around them like silent sentinels, slick with moss and salt. The gentle lapping of water echoed in the darkness, magnifying each splash into cavernous whispers.
Thud! Thud!
Finally, the hull touched the hidden dock's worn timbers, settling in place.
A hush settled over the deck.
Perfect hiding place! Luffy thought, his grin faint but sharp. Even if Kaido's people patrol the coast, they won't find us easily.
"Alright," Luffy murmured, rolling his shoulders. A faint lightning danced subtly across his collarbone before vanishing. "Everyone, off the ship."
The officers exchanged glances. Then, in near-perfect unison, their feet struck the deck.
Swoosh... swoosh... swoosh...
They shot into the air like arrows, coats and hair whipping behind them as they used Geppo—Moon Walk.
The stone walls blurred past them, the sea breeze teased their skin, and the salt-laden air tasted like freedom.
They soared out of the cave's mouth, sunlight exploding around them in dazzling brilliance. The world seemed to pause for a heartbeat as they hung in the sky, the Justice flag on Luffy's back flaring like a banner of rebellion.
And then, they landed softly on the warm, golden sands of Wano's hidden beach.
Kuina stepped forward, ponytail dancing as she tilted her head.
"It's... beautiful," She whispered, her voice softer than usual.
Her sword hand hovered instinctively at her hip, but her gaze was awed, not wary.
The forest shimmered in soft green and silver, alive with unseen birds that chirped melodiously from hidden perches. The mountain in the distance seemed to brood silently, smoke drifting from its peak in languid spirals.
Zoro snorted, adjusting his swords at his side.
"Tch... Pretty or not, I heard this place breeds monsters with blades," He muttered and cracked his neck, eyes narrowing. "Wano's samurai... suppose they're worth the legend?"
Kuina smirked faintly. "Careful, Zoro. You sound eager to get cut."
"I'm eager to test my blades," Zoro shot back, his grin razor-sharp.
Hina stepped closer, her pink hair catching the breeze, cigarette between her fingers, though unlit.
"Hina remembers," She said slowly, voice almost thoughtful, "years ago, the World Government tried to open this country by force. The samurai refused... and they pushed us back."
She tapped ash that wasn't there, eyes thoughtful. "They say the samurai of Wano are so strong... and because of the geographic location of the country, even a Buster Call would be unable to reach the land."
Ain, calm and sharp-eyed, folded her arms. "That was before Kaido set foot here. Now... It's different."
She glanced at Luffy. "Most of the strong samurai who resisted were either crushed or forced into hiding. Kaido turned Wano into his fortress."
Her voice hardened. "It's not the proud Wano from the old stories anymore."
Luffy's gaze swept over his friends, a wolfish grin curving his lips.
"Then it's even more interesting, isn't it?" He murmured, voice low and teasing.
He stepped closer to the group, boots crunching softly on the sand. "Wano's full of secrets. And people who think they can hide them from me."
His gaze flickered to Hina and Gion, lingering just enough to tighten something low in their chests.
His Incubus charm worked not by words alone, but by presence, confidence, and that predatory glint in his eyes.
Gion cocked a brow, amusement tugging at her lips.
"Careful, Vice Admiral," She drawled, voice husky. "You're sounding almost excited."
Luffy's grin grew. "Aren't you?"
She didn't answer directly, but the faint flush on her cheeks spoke volumes.
Issho planted his cane sword into the sand, the tip sinking an inch into the earth.
"Before we pick fights," He rumbled, "it might be wise to know who we're fighting... and why."
The wind stirred his Justice cloak gently.
Luffy nodded, his cap shadowing his dark eyes. He said, voice smooth and calm, yet edged with steel.
"Exactly! We'll explore first and learn how Kaido holds Wano in his grip."
He turned, coat flaring behind him. "Then, and only then... we go to Onigashima and make some noise."
Zoro cracked his knuckles. "So, what? We're sightseeing?"
Kuina smirked. "Don't complain. Maybe you'll learn what a real swordsman looks like."
Zoro's eye twitched. "Oi—!"
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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