The Merry eased into the port.
The crew handled the ship expertly, docking without a scratch.
Luffy was first to leap off, scanning the port curiously. It seemed ordinary—peaceful, unlikely to have conflict.
Rest seemed possible.
But islanders gathered nearby, whispering anxiously. The mood wasn't welcoming.
The others noticed the tension, but Luffy, unfazed, looked around.
"Hey, anyone know a good diner? Or an inn?" he called.
No response. The islanders seemed scared.
Understandable—the Merry's skull flag screamed "pirate," boldly displayed on the sails.
They feared a raid, the town thick with tension.
Luffy, oblivious, pressed on.
"Hey, anyone? A good diner? And an inn?" he repeated.
"Luffy, they're scared. They won't tell us," Kiri said, joining him.
"Huh? But we're not gonna do anything," Luffy said, turning.
"We know that, but they don't," Kiri explained.
"Oh. Then let's tell 'em we're not dangerous," Luffy suggested.
"That won't work. Dangerous pirates don't admit they're dangerous," Kiri countered.
"So what do we say to get food?" Luffy asked.
"Show them we're not a threat," Kiri said.
"How?"
"Hmm, how indeed…" Kiri mused.
Their casual exchange contrasted the tense air.
Two men pushed through the crowd—armed, not ordinary.
One wore sunglasses with a cheek tattoo.
The other, bald with a headband, exuded strength.
Arms crossed, they eyed Luffy and Kiri.
"You pirates?" the tattooed man asked.
"Who're you?" Luffy shot back.
"Hmph, I ask, and you answer with a question," the man said.
"Fine, we'll answer first," the other added.
Luffy and Kiri, puzzled, listened as the men introduced themselves.
"We're Yosaku and Johnny, bounty hunters who silence crying kids," Yosaku said.
"We just happened to drive off pirates attacking this town," Johnny added.
"Your presence troubles us. The townsfolk still fear pirates," Yosaku explained.
"You've got your reasons, but leave quietly, or we'll have to deal with you," Johnny warned.
"Fine. I'm strong," Luffy replied, cracking his knuckles.
Not the right response.
The duo's expressions hardened, hands on their swords.
Kiri stepped forward, sensing trouble. They just wanted rest, not more conflict.
"Hold on. We're not here to plunder. We've got no fight in us. We have money—just let us stay one night," Kiri pleaded.
"You could be luring us for a sneak attack," Yosaku said.
"Some pirate fleet's been wreaking havoc in these seas," Johnny added.
"Your friend looks ready to fight," Yosaku noted, glancing at Luffy.
"He acts before thinking. He can't resist a challenge. So don't provoke him," Kiri said, pushing Luffy's cheek aside.
Yosaku and Johnny's expressions softened.
Luffy seemed eager, but Kiri didn't look like a fighter—hardly a pirate.
They lowered their swords, still cautious but willing to listen.
Kiri sighed, shrugging.
The rest of the crew caught up, grasping the situation—someone was stalling them.
Zoro approached the duo from behind.
Their faces changed.
"What're you doing? Weren't we finding an inn?" Zoro asked.
"Big Bro!?" Yosaku gasped.
"Big Bro Zoro!?" Johnny exclaimed.
"Huh?" Zoro grunted, recognizing them.
"Yosaku, Johnny. What're you doing here?" he asked.
"That's our line! We heard you got nabbed by Marines in Shells Town and rushed to help!" Yosaku said.
"By the time we got there, you were gone. Townsfolk said you became a pirate!" Johnny added.
"Yeah, stuff happened. Needed a proper ship for my ambitions," Zoro explained.
Yosaku and Johnny's hostility vanished, their faces lighting up, instantly friendly.
The shift was so sudden Luffy and Kiri couldn't keep up.
Curious, they questioned Zoro.
"Friends?" Luffy asked.
"Sorta. Met 'em when I was hunting pirates," Zoro said.
"Bounty hunter buddies, huh?" Kiri said.
"Something like that. They got weirdly attached," Zoro grumbled.
Their attitudes changed completely, smiling warmly.
Zoro's presence erased their caution, and they turned to the townsfolk without hesitation.
"So, you're Big Bro Zoro's crew? No worries then," Yosaku said.
"Hey, everyone! These guys are fine! Not enemies!" Johnny shouted.
The anxious crowd's fear eased. The duo's claim of protecting the town seemed genuine—they were trusted.
Turning back, Yosaku and Johnny bowed, their demeanor shifting.
"Sorry for earlier. We're Big Bro Zoro's underlings," Yosaku said.
"If you're Big Bro's crew, you're our big bros too. Forgive our rudeness," Johnny added.
"Nice guys, huh?" Luffy said.
"Seem like a hassle," Kiri muttered.
"Don't say that. It's rude," Zoro chided.
An unexpected reunion, but no crisis.
The crew refocused on finding a place to stay, Luffy asking the duo.
"We're looking for a diner and an inn," he said.
"Inn first, probably. But whatever," Kiri added.
"Leave it to us," Yosaku said.
"We've been here a few days—know the place like our backyard," Johnny boasted.
"Cool. Lead on," Luffy said.
Luffy strode forward eagerly, Yosaku and Johnny taking the lead.
"Come this way!" Yosaku called.
"Let's hit the best diner!" Johnny suggested.
"Shishishi! Wonder what tasty food they got. Got oden?" Luffy asked.
The three walked ahead, leaving the others to catch up—Silk, Nami, Usopp, Coby, and Helmeppo joining Kiri and Zoro.
"Luffy's already buddies with them?" Silk asked.
"He's good at that. Let's go—wanna rest," Kiri said.
They followed, entering the town as a group.
The town had many slopes and narrow alleys, easy to get lost in—especially for Luffy or Zoro, who'd take hours to regroup if separated.
Following Yosaku and Johnny, they took a wider road.
Passing a central plaza and climbing another slope, Luffy stopped.
In front of what seemed a tavern.
The sudden pause startled the guides, who turned back. The crew halted too. Luffy was staring at a large bulletin board.
"Hey, Kiri, check this out," he said.
"Hm?" Kiri replied.
The board held event flyers, festival notices, and shop ads.
But Luffy pointed to wanted posters—pirates' faces with bounties.
Only East Blue pirates, no Grand Line big shots, but Luffy was intrigued.
"Bounties, huh? Wonder if we'll get one," he said.
"Eventually. We've caused some trouble—won't be long," Kiri replied.
"Yeah?" Luffy asked.
"Yup. We fought Marines in Shells Town, wrecked an inspection ship, and took down Branch 8's fleet—well, the Thousand-Year Dragon technically did that, but it's credited to us. That inspector made sure of it. Plus, we've crushed a few pirate crews, whether it's known or not," Kiri explained.
"How much will we get?" Luffy asked.
"Who knows? That's up to the Marines," Kiri said.
She pointed to several posters—high-bounty targets.
"Beat those guys, and the highest bounty in East Blue isn't a dream. Not Woonan's level, but close. Right now, Saw-Tooth Arlong's top—20 million berries. Former Sun Pirate, a Fishman captain," Kiri said.
Hearing this, Nami's expression shifted subtly.
Only Silk, standing beside her, noticed.
"Fishman, huh? Never seen one," Luffy said.
"They're out there in these seas. You'll meet one eventually," Kiri replied.
"Is he strong?" Luffy asked.
"20 million berries—he's no weakling. Against you, though? Hard to say," Kiri said.
"Compared to the guys we've fought?" Luffy pressed.
"Arlong wins nine times out of ten. But against Garp? Garp, no question," Kiri answered.
"Weaker than Grandpa? Then I'm not worried. I won't lose," Luffy declared confidently.
Nami muttered under her breath, "Idiot."
"Hm?" Luffy turned.
Eyes turned to Nami.
Realizing her slip, she continued, knowing she had to say something. Silk's expression differed from the others.
"Fishmen can breathe underwater. You, with your sea weakness, are done if they drag you under. No way you'd win," Nami said.
"Then I won't get dragged under. I stretch, y'know," Luffy countered.
"Doesn't matter. Fishmen have double human strength. No matter how strong or stretchy you are, they're not easy to beat. Got it? Don't pick a fight," Nami warned.
"You know a lot. Sounds like you've seen it yourself," Kiri remarked quietly.
Nami snorted, ignoring Kiri, and started up the slope, eyes closed, her expression forced.
She walked ahead alone, leaving an odd air.
Something was off—a nagging unease.
"No one in these seas doesn't know Arlong. Only a hopeless idiot wouldn't. He's got the highest bounty in East Blue," Nami said.
But it felt like more than that.
The unease lingered as she walked away.
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