After Vivi finished discussing her plan with Igaram, the two of them hurried out the door.
In a quiet corner where no one was paying attention, a tiny ear pressed to the wall dissolved into flower petals the moment they left, scattering without a trace.
Elsewhere, the banquet was in full swing, complete with a band. These bounty hunters really knew how to enjoy life.
Nami and Nojiko, urged by the crowd, tasted the town's specialty "wine" and were immediately surprised.
"Eh? This is actually really good~"
Seeing their astonished expressions, a young woman beside them puffed up proudly and continued explaining:
"These are all made from top-quality grapes used in winemaking. It tastes like wine, but there's no alcohol~"
"This is our signature drink here. Drink as much as you like~"
"Ohhh, then this 'wine' is perfect for us. Big idiot, buy a bunch before we leave!"
Nami brightened at the explanation. Most of the crew weren't good with alcohol—this could be a perfect substitute.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Leno drinking the same thing, so she called out to remind him to stock up. After all, he was holding the money.
"No problem. When we leave, we're taking every bottle of this stuff in town!"
Leno looked around and had to admit these bounty hunters were good—really good. Their emotional value buff was maxed out.
Chopper, Olga, and the others had already been coaxed into a blissful daze.
Yamato was even more ridiculous, downing drinks with a whole group by herself, clearly having the time of her life.
Seeing everyone enjoying themselves like this, Leno didn't interrupt. He decided to wait and see exactly what these people were planning.
Time slipped by, and the lively banquet came to an end.
Relaxed and content, most of the group had either passed out or fallen fast asleep. Aside from a few faint snores, the entire place was silent.
But the quiet did not last long. The door was gently pushed open from the outside.
A tall figure silently approached the sleeping Robin, took out a bottle, sprayed something over her face, then hoisted her onto their shoulder and left quickly.
Outside, the shadowy figure moved swiftly under the moonlight. Before long, they arrived at a gathering place crowded with silhouettes.
Under the moon, the tall silhouette was revealed—a hulking, muscle-packed "female bodybuilder"!
Wiping cold sweat off her brow, she looked toward the corner shadows.
"I got her, Mr. 5!"
The crisp girlish voice echoed comically from her towering frame.
Moments later, a dark-skinned man in a black coat and sunglasses stepped out of the shadows. He glanced at the woman's shoulder and nodded.
"Nicely done, Miss Monday. Didn't think it'd be this easy."
"Yeah! I was scared to death! That was the Thunder God! I can't believe I actually got someone out right under his nose~"
Her heart was still pounding hard. Stealing someone from a monster like that—and succeeding—was a story she could brag about for a lifetime.
"Understandable. Young prodigies tend to get arrogant—never putting anyone in their eyes. Let alone when the people in front of them look like ants."
"But they forget: big names fall most easily to small fry."
Hands in his pockets, Mr. 5 stood before Miss Monday and ordered:
"To avoid trouble, take her and set out immediately for—"
"Clap, clap, clap~"
Before he could finish, applause rang sharply through the quiet night.
Everyone snapped their heads upward.
Two figures—a man and a woman—were suddenly standing on the rooftop, clapping.
"L-L-L…Thunder God?!!!"
The moment they recognized him, panic instantly filled the air.
Miss Monday collapsed on the ground trembling uncontrollably. Mr. 5 staggered back, shocked, raising his guard.
"Well said~ You should never let your guard down—especially around small fry."
Leno smiled as he clapped, looking straight at Mr. 5. Not bad—this "sunglasses guy" had some insight.
Too bad he used the Bomb-Bomb Fruit like trash. Turning boogers into exploding bombs? Seriously?
"Robin, your charm really is something. People keep wanting to snatch you wherever you go. Good thing I acted early—hehe…"
Robin shot him a glare and sighed helplessly.
"It's because I can read Poneglyphs, obviously. I don't even know who's after me this time."
"Nico Robin? But… how…?"
Mr. 5 and Miss Monday were stunned. After all, "Robin" was still on Miss Monday's shoulder.
Could they have kidnapped the wrong person?
Before they could process anything, the "Robin" on Miss Monday's shoulder suddenly dissolved into a burst of petals—vanishing completely!
Leno's eyes sparkled instantly. She'd already developed that technique?
"Ahem… Robin, later, when we have some alone time, could you maybe use that ability on—?"
"Hm? On what—"
"You! Absolutely not!"
Robin first didn't understand, then instantly realized after seeing the gleam in his eyes.
Her face burned red as she punched him angrily.
This bastard—developing abilities wasn't for that!
"Hehehe…"
Leno's wolfish grin only grew. He was absolutely going to experience that "double the pleasure."
Hearing his creepy laugh, Robin felt like a thousand ants were crawling over her skin. She hurried to change the subject.
"Enough. We have business to handle!"
"Oh—right, right! Business!"
Snapping back to the matter at hand, Leno glanced down at the trembling agents. How to deal with them?
Just then, several swift figures arrived.
"Swish, swish, swish~"
Hancock, Kuina, and Nojiko appeared at Leno's side.
"Leno-sama, why didn't you call your concubine to help clean up the rabble?"
"Leno, you're way too fast!"
"Sorry, sorry. They're small fry—I didn't want to disturb your rest."
He was helpless before their complaints. Did they really need to assemble a whole squad for trash like this?
He stroked his chin, then shrugged at them.
"Since your hands are itching, I'll leave them to you. I haven't decided how to handle these ones anyway."
"Oh~ leave them to your concubine~"
Finally given a chance to shine before Leno, Hancock immediately stepped forward.
She lifted her right hand, touched her lips with a finger, then flicked it outward. A massive heart formed before her as she aimed at the group below.
"Slave Arrow…"
"..."