Story Quote: "Even paradise has its shadows — and the wise learn where they fall before stepping into them."
-Petalhaven-
Morning light filtered through the vast canopy of Petalhaven, painting the vine-bridges gold. The air hummed with insects and the faint scent of nectar, masking the tension below.
The Gas Chamber Pirates had taken rooms in a quiet section of the lower district — small homes carved into living wood, their walls humming faintly with life.
Kairo stood by the balcony rail, overlooking the forest. Birds darted between branches, but beyond the lush beauty, he could see Marine flags on nearby towers and traders whispering to cloaked men.
"It's peaceful," Aria said softly from behind him, fastening her holster. "Too peaceful.""The kind that only happens before something breaks," Kairo replied.
By midmorning, the crew gathered around the table in their temporary quarters. Rumi had sketched a rough map of Petalhaven, based on information from the Verdalian guide Elowen.
"Main trade routes here and here," Rumi said, tapping her pencil. "Heavy Marine presence near the upper branches. Slavers and black market buyers operate below the canopy."
Mira frowned.
"So the deeper we go, the dirtier it gets?""Exactly," Rumi said. "And that's likely where they're holding the Verdalian captives."
Kairo leaned forward.
"We'll split into pairs. Blend in, listen, don't start trouble until I say. We're guests here—for now."
Assignments:
Kairo & Aria: investigate the upper-market district where the nobles and Donquixote traders mingle.
Kino & Jett: gather rumors at the port taverns, where bounty hunters and pirates trade gossip.
Rumi & Mira: visit the herbal markets—Verdalians there may know where their missing kin were taken.
"We regroup by sundown," Kairo said. "If something feels wrong, it probably is."
-Kairo & Aria-
The higher bridges were elegant but tense. Humans dominated here—nobles in perfumed silks, Marine officers in tailored uniforms, and wealthy traders carrying briefcases instead of swords.
Aria walked beside Kairo, pretending to admire the merchandise.
"They're selling weapons disguised as art," she murmured. "Look at those blades—vine etchings, but steel forged for killing.""Doflamingo's signature," Kairo said quietly. "Pretty things made to draw blood."
They passed a stall where a masked auctioneer whispered prices to a group of nobles. Behind him, cages draped in vines trembled faintly. From within came muffled sobs.
Kairo's hand twitched toward his sword, but Aria's grip on his wrist stopped him.
"We can't blow our cover yet," she whispered."They're selling people, Aria.""And we'll stop them. But not here. Not now."
He exhaled slowly, forcing his anger into control.
"Then tonight, we tear the roots out."
-Kino & Jett-
At the lower ports, the taverns smelled of rum, smoke, and sweat. Bounty posters covered the walls, their edges curling from the humidity.
Jett slammed a mug onto the counter, laughing too loud, playing the role of a reckless pirate. Kino sat beside him, quiet, observing.
A nearby group of hunters bragged about an upcoming "big show."
"They say even a World Noble's coming," one man said. "You don't bring a Celestial Dragon unless there's something worth buying.""Heh. Maybe another Devil Fruit," his friend snorted. "Or some fancy plant from the tree people."
Kino glanced at Jett, then leaned in.
"Where's this show happening?"The man eyed him suspiciously."Who's asking?""Someone who pays well for directions," Kino replied, sliding a coin across the table.
The hunter grinned.
"Midnight, beneath the Verdant Crown. Find the roots with the gold markings. That's where they open the Garden."
Jett's smile faded as they left the tavern.
"Roots with gold markings… Sounds familiar.""Because it's where the Verdalians said their kin disappeared," Kino muttered. "The heart of the island."
-Rumi & Mira-
The herbal district smelled of damp soil and spice. Verdalian healers sold potions and roots that glowed faintly, their colors pulsing in rhythm with their heartbeats.
Rumi questioned one merchant quietly, showing Elowen's crest as a sign of trust. The Verdalian's eyes widened in fear.
"Please," he whispered. "Do not speak of the taken. The forest weeps for them already.""We want to help," Rumi said softly."Then you must not go to the roots. That place is cursed. The plants there grow from blood."
Mira frowned.
"Blood?"The merchant nodded slowly."The soil remembers everything. Those who vanish feed it. And it feeds the ones who took them."
By dusk, the crew regrouped at their lodging. The canopy glowed with firefly lights, peaceful above the corruption below.
They shared their findings in hushed tones.Every lead pointed to the same place — beneath the Verdant Crown, the heart of Petalhaven.
"The Garden of Gold," Kairo said, piecing it together. "Where lives are bought and sold under the roots.""We'll never get close if Marines are guarding it," Kino warned."Then we don't get close," Kairo said. "We go under."
The crew exchanged puzzled looks.
"Under?" Rumi asked."If they're using the roots as structure," Kairo explained, "then there'll be hollow channels beneath them — water tunnels for drainage. Mira, you and Rumi find us a way in."
Aria smiled faintly.
"And once we're inside?"Kairo looked out the window, watching fireflies drift like lanterns through the night air."We burn the garden to the ground."
As the crew dispersed to prepare, the camera lingered outside their window — beyond the light, across the branches.
There, hidden in the canopy's shadows, Reed Lockjaw watched through a spyglass, his metal jaw glinting.
"The fool's still playing hero," he muttered. "Good. Heroes make fine bait."
Behind him, a Marine officer whispered,
"Orders, sir?"Reed smiled coldly."Let him come to the roots. When he does… we clip his family at the stem."