The sound of sandals flapping foolishly echoed, a departure from the usual.
Inspired by Luffy, or perhaps thinking it looked easy, Kiri tried it out and found it surprisingly pleasant. Though sturdier than straw sandals, they felt light and nimble.
Yet, as Kiri walked alone through the town, his face betrayed a hint of dejection despite the comfort underfoot.
Searching for a lost soul with no clear destination was exhausting.
With no clue where to look next, Kiri trudged deeper into the town, his steps growing heavier than when he started.
A sigh escaped him, unstoppable.
He exhaled heavily and looked down.
"Ugh, where'd Luffy go? If this happens every time we make port, I'm in trouble. Maybe I should tie a rope to him next time."
Each step drained his motivation further, his muttering incessant.
Utterly deflated, Kiri shuffled along, now merely taking in the scenery like a casual stroll.
After a while, he spotted a figure.
A lone dog sat in the street, its white fur slightly dirty, motionless with an almost admirable stillness. Despite its small frame, it exuded a quiet resolve.
In a deserted town, this animal's presence felt strikingly out of place.
Pausing, Kiri stared and murmured, "A dog."
The dog, named Shushu—though Kiri couldn't know—turned at the soft sound, their eyes meeting. Shushu guarded a pet food shop, waiting for its owner's return. Even after the pirate raid began, even knowing its owner might never come back, it protected the shop filled with memories, ensuring no one could harm it.
Such truths were beyond Kiri's grasp without explanation, but a dog alone in an empty town, sitting steadfastly before a shop, unmoving, was undeniably strange.
Approaching slowly, Kiri noticed Shushu look away, as if losing interest.
Crouching beside it, he peered at its face and spoke with a smile. Shushu didn't react.
"Hey there. I'm Kiri. Nice to meet you."
Even addressed directly, Shushu didn't bark or turn, staring straight ahead as if Kiri weren't there. Its calm demeanor was striking.
Undeterred by the snub, Kiri pressed on. "I'm looking for our captain. Seen him? Straw hat, kinda goofy, about my age."
Ignored again, yet Shushu stayed put, unmoving before the shop.
Kiri inferred there must be a reason. This aloof dog didn't flee, likely guarding something precious.
It wasn't hard to understand, but being ignored stung.
Deciding to set Luffy's search aside, Kiri focused on connecting with Shushu. He moved to face it directly.
"Hungry? This is a pet shop, right? Want me to treat you?"
A glance, but no sign of agreement. Just curiosity at his movement, perhaps. No hostility, but no warmth either.
Kiri extended his right hand gently. "Shake."
"Grr!"
"Ow!?"
The attempt backfired; Shushu bit him. Kiri yanked his hand back, the pain lingering.
Shushu's friendly gaze turned to a glare, not furious but clearly displeased. Yet it faced forward again, ignoring him, showing remarkable resolve.
Communication had failed.
Sighing, Kiri sat cross-legged, resolve waning, unwilling to leave.
Luffy could wait. First, he'd connect with this dog.
Leaning closer, he said, "You really don't like me, huh? I didn't do anything to deserve that, did I?"
"Woof."
A small bark, its meaning unclear.
Kiri, at a loss, fell silent.
As he pondered how to bridge the gap with this dog, a voice called from his right. Turning, he saw another animal—a lion, with a man riding it.
"Hey, you! What're you doing there?"
"Whoa, a lion. This town's wild."
Kiri's surprise was brief, more curious than shaken. Still seated, he eyed the lion and its rider.
The lion looked fierce, somewhat tamed but still wild, growling low and drooling.
The rider, likely its tamer, was odder. His head resembled an animal costume, and his upper body and shoes were so bizarre they seemed a joke. Sitting cross-legged with an air of arrogance, he mirrored Kiri's posture, unnoticed at first.
Kiri, unguarded, asked curiously, "Who's the guy riding a lion?"
"Me? I'm Mohji, vice-captain of the Buggy Pirates. This is Richie."
"Oh, the pirates attacking this town. Quite the look. Were you in a circus?"
"Circus? No, but not far off. Our captain loves flair, so it's no surprise you'd think that."
"Got any tricks?"
"Sure. For example—"
Mohji glanced at Shushu beside Kiri, pointing confidently.
"I can tame any animal. I saw you earlier—you got snubbed by that dog."
"Not snubbed. Just haven't hit it off yet."
"Hmph. I could befriend it in no time."
Mohji dismounted Richie, crouched beside Shushu, and extended his right hand.
"Shake."
"Grr!"
"Aaagh!?"
The outcome was identical. Shushu bit Mohji's hand, releasing it as he pulled back, unfazed.
Mohji shook his hand lightly, resuming his composed demeanor and remounting Richie, acting as if nothing happened.
Kiri, skeptical, locked eyes with him. Mohji spoke coolly.
"I understand that dog's feelings."
"You just got bitten, right?"
Mohji refused to admit failure, brushing it off. "What're you doing here? Depending on your answer, I might not let you off."
"Forget that—what about the dog?"
"Lately, some townsfolk have been defying our captain. I'm patrolling. Captain Buggy's terrifying—no mercy for rebels."
"What about getting bitten?"
"We've already blown up some buildings with a single cannonball. Buggy's custom rounds are deadly."
"He's dodging it completely…"
Kiri's frustration grew as Mohji sidestepped the issue, but he couldn't let it go.
Then he remembered his purpose: finding Luffy, reuniting with his crew, and stopping the pirates attacking the town. The man before him was one of them—an opportunity for information.
Softening his expression, Kiri shifted topics. "The vice-captain on patrol? Hard worker, huh?"
"Hmph. Obviously. With me and Richie, no one stands a chance. I'm here to ensure my crew's safe."
"Sounds like a hassle. Are people really rebelling?"
"They are, so I'm here."
"Huh. But one or two townsfolk shouldn't be a problem for Buggy's crew, right?"
"Exactly."
"I remember now. I've seen Buggy the Clown on a wanted poster."
Kiri's grin widened.
Unfazed by Richie's menace, he began to scheme.
Mohji, unaware, grew suspicious at Kiri's smile.
"Can you take me to Buggy? I need to check something."
"Check what?"
"I'm looking for our captain. Maybe he ended up with your crew."
"Captain?"
"I'm a pirate, too. Just got to this town."
Mohji scrutinized Kiri, a seemingly ordinary boy. A pirate? Doubtful.
"You don't look like a pirate. Aren't you a local?"
"Nope. That's why I'm lost."
"Lying to ambush Captain Buggy?"
"If I were, you'd just protect him, right? Especially if you're on guard."
"Hmph…"
"No need to worry with a lion, right?"
Kiri's relaxed posture showed no threat. Mohji relented.
He saw no danger. Bringing Kiri along seemed fine, even intriguing—to see what would happen with Buggy.
"Fine. But don't anger the captain. Townsperson or pirate, make him mad, and this town's gone in a flash."
"I'll be careful. Wouldn't want that."
"Good. Follow me to the captain."
Mohji's confidence stemmed from his crew's invincibility.
Kiri stood energetically, smirking.
As Mohji turned to leave, Richie froze, growling and facing Shushu's shop.
"What's up, Richie? Hungry?"
Richie nodded.
"Fine, make it quick."
"Woof! Woof!"
The moment Richie targeted the shop, Shushu barked furiously, showing emotion for the first time despite facing humans and a lion unmoved.
Kiri's smile faded, surprised. Mohji looked annoyed.
Shushu's desperate barks pierced the ears. Mohji's irritation grew, and Richie glared back.
Still, Shushu didn't stop, as if commanding, "Stay away."
"Tch, noisy dog. Guarding the shop? No one's coming to this town anymore."
"Maybe. But it's trying so hard—can you leave it alone?"
"Hah! A pirate asking favors? Only Captain Buggy gives me orders."
"Fair. I get it—I'm the same."
Mohji signaled Richie to confront Shushu.
Its massive presence loomed, but Shushu stood firm, baring teeth with defiance.
"Hey, dog. Move, and I'll forget you bit me."
"You did get bitten."
"Quiet, kid. Move, dog, or Richie'll make you regret it."
Shushu held its ground, unyielding.
Mohji, resolute, ordered, "Not smart, dog. Get him, Richie!"
Richie roared, raising a paw.
Its sharp claws gleamed, a blow potentially fatal. Whether Shushu knew, it didn't flee, glaring and bracing itself.
Perhaps moved by this, Kiri manipulated paper from his pocket, wrapping it around his arm to form a thick limb. With inhuman speed, he struck Richie, sending it tumbling down the street. Mohji fell off, crashing clumsily.
They stood quickly, the pain minor.
Noticing Kiri's arm, now a strange mass of paper, Mohji's anger turned to shock. Floating paper added to the oddity.
Both froze. Kiri glanced at Shushu.
Their eyes met. Shushu's gaze was steady, unsurprised.
Kiri smiled faintly, turning to Mohji and Richie.
"What are you!? Another Devil Fruit user like Captain Buggy!?"
"Oh? Buggy's a Devil Fruit user, too? Good to know."
"Don't mock me! A mere human can't beat Richie!"
Enraged, Richie eyed Kiri, ready to pounce. Mohji pointed, shouting, "Get him, Richie! Tear him apart!"
Richie lunged with a roar.
Kiri stood unflinching.
As Richie leaped, Kiri swung his paper-hardened fist, striking its face with wind-whipping force. The impact, like iron, sent Richie crashing to the ground.
Mohji gaped, unable to process the sight of a lion felled so easily.
Reality sank in. Sweat poured as fear gripped him. Richie's defeat shattered his composure. He stared at Kiri's eerie smile, dreading he was next.
"Tear him apart, huh?"
"N-No! Just a figure of speech—!"
"Whatever. If you're a pirate, you're ready for this, right?"
"Wait—!"
Kiri, light as paper, closed the distance in a single bound, his speed relentless.
His raised fist terrified Mohji, who screamed.
The punch landed, sending Mohji flying into Richie's fallen body. Both crashed to the ground, a comical heap.
The fight ended instantly.
Kiri recalled his paper, smoothly returning it to a hidden holster—a practiced motion.
He looked at Shushu, who met his gaze.
Hoping for approval, Kiri crouched to its level.
"I don't know the details, but I get it. You're protecting this shop, right?"
Shushu stared silently.
Talking to a dog might seem foolish, but Kiri felt no shame. He'd just witnessed its resolve, earning his respect.
Facing a larger animal head-on was admirable. His smile reflected that.
"I've got treasures, too—my crew. I'd risk my life to protect them."
Shushu's gaze softened, attentive.
Kiri tried again, extending his hand. "Shake."
No bite this time. After a pause, Shushu hesitantly placed its paw.
Progress.
Kiri lowered his hand, petting Shushu's head.
"Thanks."
Standing, he turned to Mohji and Richie, speaking over his shoulder with resolve. "Don't worry. I'll protect your shop. No one will touch it."
Shushu barked once, not with hostility but as if in thanks.
Kiri waved without looking back.
Approaching, he saw Mohji unconscious, eyes rolled back. Richie, less injured, tried sneaking away.
Kiri's deliberate footsteps made Richie flinch, turning slowly.
Kiri stood by Mohji, grinning. "Alright, lion. Take me to your hideout. I made a promise—this town stays safe."
Richie nodded frantically.
Pleased, Kiri lifted Mohji's body, mounting Richie's back.