With the deal—or more accurately, the mutually beneficial misunderstanding—struck, the four of them hurried to the shore.
There, they found a medium-sized ship that had belonged to Buggy, surviving the destruction, just big enough for them.
Nami, her attitude having done a complete 180 back to "sweet," immediately took on the role of navigator. "Steer that way! Watch out for the reefs! Peter, help hoist that sail!"
Peter, with his teleportation ability, easily moved supplies and helped get the ship ready. He caught Nami occasionally glancing at the chest of treasure they had salvaged from Buggy's warehouse, a satisfied smile on her lips.
Luffy laughed boisterously at the prow of the ship, gazing out at the open sea. "HEY! PETER! NAMI! LOOK! OUR ADVENTURE HAS ALREADY STARTED!"
Peter stood next to Nami, who was at the helm. He looked at Luffy's enthusiastic form, then at Nami, who still held grudges but now had her own plans.
The ship left Orange Town behind, carrying a group of oddballs with dreams, plans, and interwoven secrets, heading out into the open sea full of unpredictable possibilities.
...
The sea breeze that was once refreshing was starting to feel like a torment for the inhabitants of the small ship. However, unlike ordinary sea voyages that could take days or require detours to avoid chaotic currents, this ship's crew had an advantage others lacked.
Peter stood at the stern, his eyes scanning the endless blue expanse. "The current seems to be slowing down," he said to Nami, who was at the helm.
Nami nodded, her face serious, then turned to Peter. "This current will just take us in circles. Peter, I'm leaving this to you."
Hearing that, Peter grinned. "Let me handle this." With his teleportation ability, he could 'push' their ship to jump over areas with bad currents. Of course, it drained a significant amount of his stamina, but to avoid worse boredom, it was worth it.
In an instant, the small ship swayed and suddenly found itself three kilometers ahead, leaving a strange ripple in the water behind.
"Whoa! Cool!" Luffy, who had been lying lethargically, immediately perked up and started jumping around. "Do it again, Peter!"
Peter was already leaning against the mast, looking slightly tired. "Hold on... I need time to recover," he said, catching his breath.
"Alright. But later, you have to take me to play!" Luffy sat back down with a pout.
Zoro, who had woken from his nap, raised an eyebrow. "Your ability is very useful. But your stamina is terrible."
Peter shrugged. "Yeah, I know… my stamina's weak."
Nami sighed. "It really is useful. We might have spent two more hours if we had to go around that current."
The journey continued; whenever they entered an area with poor currents or weak winds, Peter would use his teleportation to 'jump' over it. Though it couldn't make their journey instant, it at least saved a lot of time and avoided truly unbearable boredom.
And then, just before noon, after several teleports, Peter's sharp eyes caught something on the horizon.
"Land!" he shouted, this time with more energy. "I see an island up ahead! No more than ten kilometers away!"
Luffy, who had been extremely bored, shot to the edge of the ship like a spring. "MEAT! I NEED FRESH MEAT!"
Zoro woke up, this time with a genuinely interested expression. "Finally. I really want to drink some wine."
Nami quickly took charge. "Peter, no more teleporting. Save your strength for land. I'll steer us there." She skillfully turned the helm, taking advantage of the improving wind. "Prepare to land!"
After they docked in a small, quiet cove, they disembarked and walked along the beach, looking for a way into the village. Zoro, with his instincts, felt they were being watched.
Suddenly, from the cliff ahead, a stone shot rapidly toward them. However, with a swift movement that was almost invisible, Zoro had already drawn one of his swords and easily deflected the stone using only the scabbard.
"Stand behind me," Zoro growled in a low voice, his sharp eyes already scanning the area vigilantly.
Before anyone could react, from behind the dense trees emerged a teenager with a headband and a long nose. Usopp, his face dotted with freckles, stood in a show-off pose aiming his slingshot at them. However, the hand holding the slingshot was clearly trembling.
"H-Halt your steps, you wicked pirates!" Usopp shouted. His voice trembled at first, but he tried hard to sound fierce.
Luffy stopped walking, his face showing only a confused, innocent expression. Zoro didn't move, only one eyebrow raised, showing disbelief and a hint of annoyance. Nami let out a long sigh, showing the irritated face she had displayed too often today.
"You have entered the territory protected by... by... the great Captain Usopp!" Usopp tried to puff out his chest. "80... no, 8 million of my men are ready to destroy you!"
"Whoa, 8 million people? That's so cool!" Luffy was the only one who reacted enthusiastically, his eyes shining like a child's at an amusement park.
Nami facepalmed in frustration. "That's obviously a lie. 8 million people? On an island this small?"
Hearing Nami's doubt, cold sweat began to bead on Usopp's temples."Silence! Don't underestimate me!" he snapped, trying to cover his fear with a louder voice."Look at this! This is the Ultimate Star-Destroying Slingshot! One shot from me can sink ten warships! If you don't leave immediately, I will... I will..."
Zoro impatiently interrupted, his hand firmly gripping the hilt of his sword. His voice was low but full of threat. "You will what?"
Usopp, trembling from head to toe, forced himself to continue the threat."I... I will SHOOT! But... but because I'm kind, I'll give you thirty seconds to run!"
He began counting quickly and erratically."Thirty! Twenty-nine!... Two! One! See, you didn't leave! Now you force me to— WAH!"
Suddenly, Peter vanished from sight and appeared right behind Usopp. With a smooth motion, he placed the sheath of his knife against Usopp's neck.
"Be careful," Peter whispered calmly, almost amused, as if this were just a game.
"That toy could hurt someone. Especially yourself."
Usopp immediately fell onto his backside, his face pale with terror. He turned to look behind him and saw Peter, who had suddenly appeared there. "A-A ghost... You can teleport?!"