That's when he heard a noise.
From the forest surrounding the castle, rustling in the bushes at one corner. Something approaching from afar. Since the pirates were supposedly with Luffy's group, Kiri turned, assuming wildlife.
Not long after, a figure emerged from the grass.
The moment he saw the face, surprise flashed across Kiri's expression.
Dressed in Marine uniforms, gasping for breath, were the pink-haired boy and the lanky blond youth. It was Coby and Helmeppo, whom they'd parted ways with before.
"Coby?"
"Hah, huff... Ah! K-Kiri-san!? What are you doing here!?"
"Ahh!? Y-You, from back then!"
"That's my line—what are you doing here? I thought you were Marines in Shells Town. But you're in uniform, so not fired, huh?"
Faced with this sudden, bizarre reunion, Kiri grinned happily and approached casually. But Coby looked clearly flustered, more than just joy. Beside him, Helmeppo wore a complex expression—anger mixed with pity.
Something was off; that was obvious.
They hadn't grown to hate him in the interim, so Kiri tilted his head, puzzled by the lack of pure delight.
"What's up? You seem panicked—like you're running from someone?"
"Ahh, this is the worst. The absolute worst scenario I imagined, Kiri-san!"
"Hmm? What is? My fault?"
"Kiri-san, I still think of you all as friends. So, if possible, please run! Someone's targeting you right now—especially Luffy-san."
"Targeting Luffy? Didn't think we were that famous yet."
"There's a reason... Anyway, they're incredibly strong. You probably can't win, even together. Please, hurry and leave this island."
Coby pleaded desperately. His claim of friendship rang true in his demeanor. Kiri accepted it without doubt, but the abruptness left parts unclear.
Just who was this supposed threat?
Baffled, Kiri's expression soured.
"First, calm down, Coby. Let's sit and talk from the start."
"No, we don't have much time. We scouted ahead just in case, but they should be close by now—"
"Hey, Coby, I heard that just now."
Mid-sentence, Helmeppo turned toward the forest.
Indeed, a voice echoed from afar—someone searching for them. A low, gravelly tone suggesting age. Quite the big shot had arrived.
Grasping the gist, Kiri called to them.
"Then, let's hide first. Seems like there's a story."
"Y-Yeah, that'd help. We're not supposed to do this anyway."
"Dammit, why am I helping these guys... Ah, whatever. I owe Coby anyway. Hurry and hide."
"You two, this way."
Kiri swiftly led them inside the castle. He forced the loose door shut—though it looked ready to break, better than nothing.
Beyond the door was a vast entrance hall.
Twisted staircases led to the second floor on either side, with several doors on the first.
Without hesitation, the three ascended to the second floor and peered out a window with intact glass.
They watched the direction Coby and Helmeppo had come from, waiting. Likely the approach route. Crouched low together, they observed while continuing to talk.
"You're that Colonel Morgan's son, right? Became a Marine."
"Hmph, thanks to you guys. Well, now I figure it's not so bad... Name's Helmeppo, by the way. Don't call me the idiot son."
"There's been a lot... I'd like to talk about it if there's time."
"What's coming now?"
"Don't freak out. We got assigned to Vice Admiral Garp at headquarters. We're with him this time, landed on the island as escorts."
"The hero Garp? Luffy's grandpa."
"Eh!? You know, Kiri-san?"
"Heard it when we met. Luffy's that type—doesn't think it's a big deal. So, targeting Luffy, and we can't beat him... Totally makes sense."
Rather than falter, Kiri's smile deepened as he scanned outside the window. No fear in sight. His quick grasp and composure unsettled them.
Coby and Helmeppo fidgeted, unable to settle.
Bandages wrapped their bodies, clear signs of treatment. They'd been through something intense. Their desperate pleas couldn't be lies; the situation demanded belief.
No sign of the target yet.
Hiding breaths as much as possible, the quiet castle felt eerily cold, tension mounting. Kiri stayed composed, but the other two's breathing grew ragged.
"What'll happen to us? This is straight-up disobeying orders. With my dad's mess already a black mark, this might get us discharged for real."
"B-But we can't just abandon Luffy-san and them."
"You two crossed a dangerous bridge. We're grateful, though."
"Anyway, can you even escape just by tipping us off? Those guys are freakishly strong. We've been training daily lately, but results are as you see."
"These injuries are all from training. It's intense every day."
"Sounds fulfilling. As a pirate, I don't envy it at all."
Kiri glanced away from the window, surveying the castle interior.
No sign of Zoro or Silk. They'd gone deeper, perhaps.
Unlike Luffy's group, they lacked Den Den Mushis. No way to contact or locate them. Before fleeing, he'd need to find them.
To the question of escaping, Kiri smiled and shook his head no.
"It'll be tough. Running from someone you can't beat in a fight is exhausting. Once, that led to my whole crew getting wiped out."
"Ah... S-Sorry."
"No need to apologize. Actually, thanks—you saved us."
"What're you planning? Normally, we'd capture you."
Kiri's expression shifted as he gazed outside. The others noticed and peered out—figures emerging, parting the grass into the clearing. Leading was an elderly man, followed by one in a deep hat.
"That's them. The one in front with the dog hood is Vice Admiral Garp."
"And FYI, the guy behind is Lieutenant Commander Bogard. He's shockingly strong too."
"Hero Garp and a lieutenant commander, huh. This is bad."
As their forms became visible, a noise echoed inside the castle.
Pulling faces from the window to trace the source, Zoro and Silk emerged from a second-floor door, dragging rusted armor and swords—useless junk. The clanging was from hauling them.
They quickly spotted the crouched Kiri and company.
"Huh? What're you doing there? And those guys—"
"Coby, and the colonel's son? Why here?"
The three simultaneously pressed fingers to lips, faces stern for silence. In this quiet area, any noise could be fatal. Swallowed by the urgent vibe, the pair gently set down their haul. Crouching low, they approached carefully.
Hiding by the window similarly, they drew near.
They seemed surprised by Coby and Helmeppo's presence.
Questions burned, but the situation didn't allow it—they were largely ignored.
For latecomers Zoro and Silk, it was baffling. But with even Kiri serious, they sensed the unease.
Something bad had happened.
Zoro's gaze sharpened as he asked Kiri, staring out.
"Enemy attack?"
"Not the planned one—the worst kind. Serious powerhouse."
"Heh, a powerhouse."
"Navy Vice Admiral, the hero Garp. Living legend who clashed with Gold Roger."
Zoro's face lit with battle lust at the words. Far from intimidated, he welcomed it.
In contrast, Silk's expression twisted.
Garp was infamous; no one didn't know him. Beating him was unthinkable.
Naturally opposing Zoro, she questioned Kiri.
"Aiming for us?"
"No, apparently Luffy. Garp's his relative."
"Luffy's grandpa, a Marine?"
"That explains why he became a pirate."
"Yeah. Details later. We can't stay. Slip out the back before we're spotted. Silk, lead. Zoro, don't wander."
"Got it."
"I won't wander, dammit."
Following orders, Silk moved, Zoro trailing.
Kiri stayed vigilant, eyes on the window again.
Oddly, Garp and company hadn't budged from their initial spot. A nagging unease stirred bad premonitions, but at least they hadn't been found yet. Even if being toyed with, now was the time to flee. The worry: their aura suggested escape wouldn't be easy. From afar, an unfamiliar pressure weighed on him.
Keeping watch on the pair outside, Kiri addressed the nearby duo.
"We're heading out. Gotta grab Luffy's group and leave the island."
"Be careful."
"Just so you know, we disobeyed orders to tell you—so don't forget that."
"I know. See you somewhere—"
As he turned to move.
Kiri's shifting gaze locked with Bogard's glaring eyes.
A chill ran through him.
An indescribable sensation—like terror, unlike anything before.
This is bad—by the time he thought it, Bogard vanished. Like Kuro's high-speed move, Kiri reflexively grabbed Coby and Helmeppo's collars and leaped.
Tumbling away, the window frame sliced in two. The cracked glass shattered, raining down as screams escaped the pair.
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