"Hee hee hee…"
Chopper was already rolling on the deck, laughing uncontrollably.
"Ah hahahaha!!"
The trio—Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper—tumbled about, giggling and collapsing into a ball of chaotic energy.
"Puh hahahaha, I also grew arms on my head! Chopper, I'm Chopper too!"
More laughter followed.
Shirogai's shoulders shook slightly as he chuckled quietly.
"Haha… this scene really is too good."
It wasn't Usopp's instant face-slap or exaggerated reaction that amused him most. Rather, it was Zoro's look of deadpan disbelief and the bleak air of betrayal that made the swordsman appear tragically out of place.
Fighting alone was not Zoro's idea of fun.
"Tch! Usopp, that unreliable guy!"
Zoro had not expected things to backfire so quickly. In the blink of an eye, he found himself left to deal with the dangerous Miss All Sunday—alone.
He got up and walked over to Shirogai, his brow furrowed.
"Shirogai, are you sure this woman is trustworthy?"
Zoro could sense it.
On Robin's body, there was a lingering aura—bloodshed.
This woman had definitely taken lives. Many.
"Relax," Shirogai replied with a calm smile. "Robin is one of us now. She won't do anything to harm the crew."
He glanced at Zoro and added, "You've got to trust Luffy's instincts. And if not him—do you really think someone like Robin could deceive me?"
A dangerous glint passed through Shirogai's eyes for a brief moment.
No one schemes against his crew—not even the Gorosei.
If you challenge him head-on and lose, then that's fate.
But if you try to manipulate or sabotage his companions from the shadows, then you'd better prepare for the full wrath of The Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro.
Zoro exhaled, visibly more at ease.
"That's good. But this woman's background definitely isn't simple."
"Of course not," Shirogai said. "I know a bit of her history, but that story isn't mine to tell. Robin will share it when she's ready."
"I see…"
Zoro nodded. For all his bluntness, he understood deeper meanings when they mattered.
"As long as you've got it handled."
Shirogai moved over to Robin, leaning against the railing. Together they watched the chaotic playfulness of Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper.
"Miss Robin, what do you think? No strict hierarchy, no hidden agendas—just this crew. Do you like it?"
Robin's eyes lingered on the three laughing figures. She let out a soft chuckle.
"I like them very much. They're... adorable."
"Adorable?" Shirogai smiled. "Spend more time with them and you'll see—they're more than that. They're also dependable."
Robin looked at him curiously.
"Dependable? Hearing that from someone like you, Shirogai, is unexpected. Do strong people really see their weaker companions as reliable?"
Shirogai turned his gaze to the distant, storm-streaked horizon.
"Maybe it's because the first people I met when I arrived in this world were them—not some rotten pirates that would've made me despise everything here."
He paused.
"If I had landed elsewhere, maybe I'd be a very different man by now."
In his previous life, he was never considered normal.
"Huh?" Robin blinked.
"Are you not from this world, Shirogai?"
Shirogai's expression softened with a half-smile. A shadow of old pain flickered briefly across his face.
"Everyone carries secrets, don't they, Miss Robin?"
Robin stared at him, her heart subtly tightening.
There was something behind his smile. Something... veiled and dangerous.
She drew a deep breath and nodded slowly under his penetrating gaze.
"Yes. Everyone has secrets."
Suddenly, Shirogai's head snapped to the side, his gaze locking onto something past the Going Merry.
In the next breath, his entire body turned to black smoke and shot into the sky.
"What's going on?"
The crew looked up, puzzled.
"Shirogai, what is it?" Luffy called out.
A moment later, Shirogai descended gracefully back onto the Merry. The others gathered around him.
Luffy asked excitedly, "Is there an island? Can we go on a big adventure?"
Shirogai shook his head.
"No island—there's a Marine warship approaching. But something's off. They're flying a rainbow flag instead of the usual Marine banner."
"A rainbow flag?" Nami echoed, frowning.
That symbol meant neutrality—no hostility. But Marines flying it was almost unheard of.
Zoro narrowed his eyes. "A trick?"
Shirogai shook his head. "Unlikely. No other ships nearby. The sea is calm, and their deck crew isn't combat-ready. They aren't preparing for battle."
"Strange Marines," Luffy muttered.
"Let's run!" Nami said, her voice urgent. "I've got a really bad feeling!"
"Hold on," Shirogai said calmly. "Let's hear them out. I'm curious what they're after."
…
Soon, the rainbow-flagged warship came into view. The Going Merry kept its course.
A Marine used a megaphone to address them from a distance:
"To the Straw Hat Pirates—we mean no harm! Please slow down. The Marines wish to speak with you!"
The crew exchanged glances.
Eventually, the Going Merry eased off the wind slightly.
The warship followed suit, relaxing its approach.
"Please do not attack our envoy. We come in peace!"
Then, a figure in a Justice coat leaped into the air from the Marine ship.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
He walked across the sky using Moonwalk and landed gently on the Going Merry's deck.
The crew instantly surrounded him.
Sanji narrowed his eyes, cigarette dangling from his lips. "A Marine using Six Styles: Moonwalk?"
The Marine ignored him.
He turned straight toward Shirogai and spoke with careful respect.
"Shirogai-san, Vice-Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. I am Marine Lieutenant Commander Brannew of Marineford. I've been sent by the World Government to negotiate with you."
"Oh? So they're here for me." Shirogai studied him coolly.
Brannew stood tall, around 1.9 meters, clad in the standard Marine uniform and the symbolic coat of Justice. His curly green hair stood out under his Marine cap, and a pair of sunglasses concealed his eyes.
But Shirogai noticed the subtle signs.
His heartbeat was rapid. His nerves, strained.
The man was nervous.
Shirogai smiled and gestured to the deck's table and chairs.
"Sit. That way your men can see you're safe."
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
Brannew bowed lightly and moved toward the table, discreetly wiping sweat from his brow.
Inside, his heart was still trembling.
So this is The Plunderer—the man Smoker says could one day rival the Yonko…
What a terrifying aura.