The Going Merry's hull gently entered the ancient river of Small Garden, and the people on board began to discuss.
"It's a dense rainforest, like a secret realm..."
"No matter how you look at it, this place doesn't seem like land with such a cute name. How is it small?"
Tall plants and towering trees, the air filled with the dampness of soil and the fragrance of flowers.
In the distance, the low roars of giant beasts could be heard, everything appearing primitive and vast, full of pressure.
"Waaah! This is amazing! It's the smell of adventure!"
Luffy's eyes widened, and he excitedly bounced around. The next second, he stretched out his arm to grab a branch of a distant tree, preparing to jump from the going merry to the shore.
"I want to adventure! I want to adventure!"
"Hey! Can I go with you?" Vivi called out, approaching Luffy.
Nami looked at Vivi with some shock, "Why? Luffy is one thing! But why even you..."
But Vivi looked at the land on the shore and said, "If I stay here, I'll overthink things. I want to go out and clear my head before the Log Pose finishes recording."
"Besides, Dash is here too."
Dash: "...! Quack?"
And so, the first adventure squad set off. Luffy carried his backpack, and Vivi rode the duck named Dash, embarking on their adventure in Small Garden.
Zoro looked around, his hand on his sword hilt, then jumped off the ship and walked to one side, grinning, "Tsk, looks like there are a lot of big guys. Maybe I'll go for a walk."
Sanji stood on the deck, shouting at Zoro, "We're a bit short on food! Go catch some edible beasts and bring them back!"
Hearing Sanji's words, Zoro waved his hand. "Got it, got it. I'll catch some beasts you can't handle."
"What did you say, you damn Mosshead!" Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, stepped on the railing and looked down at Zoro. He said, "Are you saying we're going to have a hunting competition to see whose prey is bigger, right?"
Zoro turned his head, a smile on his face, "Exactly, that's what I mean."
Then Sanji snorted disdainfully, "Suits me just fine, Mosshead. Just don't get squashed by the guys in there." The two exchanged glances, sparks instantly flying, then plunged into the dense jungle in two different directions.
The second adventure splinter squad also set off.
Nami and Usopp crouched in a corner, complaining to each other, "Seriously... everyone's run off."
Usopp nervously checked his slingshot and backpack, first looking at Tomioka, then at Nami, saying, "Nami! It's fine! I still have some gunpowder, and! Tomioka is still here!"
Tomioka leaped, jumping off the going merry. He took a deep breath of the air and felt the solid ground beneath his feet. He preferred this feeling to the swaying ship.
"Excuse me... I still don't quite get used to being on a ship, I want to walk around too. Hmm." Seeing Tomioka leap away, Nami's expression stiffened even more, "Tomioka... even you! Alright..."
"Hmm..."
The third solo adventure squad also set off, leaving a teary-eyed Nami and Usopp to guard the ship.
Tomioka glanced in the direction Zoro had disappeared, then began to walk in that direction, thinking to himself.
Zoro, he gets lost easily. In a place like this, he'd probably get completely lost, so I'll go in his direction first.
The forest was dim, giant trees blocking out the sun. Tomioka walked silently, only the faint sound of snapping twigs.
Suddenly, he paused.
"Who's there?" He didn't turn his head, his voice cold.
A faint rustling came from the bushes behind him, then a familiar tall figure elegantly emerged. She was still wearing that white cowboy hat.
"I'm just a vacationer who happened to pass by." Robin had a faint smile on her face, as if she really was just taking a walk in the forest, "Don't worry, little samurai. I... don't have any work at the moment."
Tomioka turned around, his deep-sea eyes watching her, not letting down his guard.
"Object: Miss All Sunday"
"Status: Leisurely"
"Hobby: Researching things?"
"Suggestion: Keep your distance"
"You're following me," he stated.
"Just curious."
Robin walked up to him, her gaze sweeping over the giant plants around them, "This island is very interesting, isn't it? And it's said to have retained its ancient appearance, which is quite rare. It even... is inhabited by residents from the previous era."
"Residents?"
"They are the Giant Race." Robin's tone carried a scholarly interest, and also a hint of inexplicable nostalgia, "They are powerful warriors from Elbaf. Their history and culture are very long, and I didn't expect to see them here."
The two continued walking through this primitive jungle, maintaining a distance of several meters, the atmosphere somewhat subtle. One was taciturn, the other was cheerful and talkative.
Just then, the huge bushes nearby shook violently, and a giant wild boar with outward-curving tusks roared out, charging directly at Robin!
Tomioka's eyes narrowed, and he moved instantly.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
A quietblue blade light flashed.
Swish!
With a soft sound, the wild boar's forward momentum abruptly stopped, and its massive body crashed to the ground. A deep gash appeared on the side of its head, a single strike killing it instantly.
Tomioka had already sheathed his sword, as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you, and you've shown me magnificent swordsmanship."
Robin clapped lightly, the inquisitive look in her eyes growing stronger, "How clean and precise. I was curious earlier, Mr. Samurai, I've never seen clothes like yours before."
"According to information, the Straw Hat Pirates became active from the East Blue, then entered the Grand Line, first entering Twin Cape, then landing at Whiskey Peak. But, you shouldn't be from the East Blue, right?"
Tomioka glanced at her: "No."
"Oh? Then where is your hometown?"
Hearing talk about his hometown, even if the woman in front of him might be an enemy, Tomioka still wanted to express his thoughts at this moment.
He paused, his gaze fixed on the depths of the forest, seemingly searching for something distant. "A very distant place, and I am still looking for my way home."
He paused again, a rare hint of hesitation in his voice, "Perhaps... a place called Wano Country will have clues."
"Perhaps?" Robin caught the word, and smiled slightly, a hint of self-deprecation in that smile.
"It's quite rare to use the words 'perhaps' and 'clues' when describing one's hometown. For someone homeless like this, it's both full of hope and incredibly cruel."
This statement made Tomioka look at her again. He didn't quite understand the woman's intentions. But he seemed to sense a little that she, too, had some kind of obsession with her hometown.
Just then, a clear clang of metal and a man's angry shout came from the front of the forest, interrupting their brief conversation.
Clang! Clang!
The sounds were intense, full of power.
Robin tilted her head, listening, "It seems my colleagues are busy up ahead." She smiled and retreated, her figure gradually swallowed by the dense shadows of the vegetation.
"I don't want to get involved when I'm on vacation. Well then... goodbye, little samurai."