The large pirate crew approaching was none other than the Shoujou Pirates, one of the dominant crews operating around Jaya Island.
Unlike most pirates who preyed on passing ships, their trade was different—they specialized in salvaging vessels that had fallen from the sky in this part of the Grand Line.
"Minions! Prepare for salvage! Any sunken ship in these waters is ours!"
At the bow, a towering man with a muscular frame waved his fists, rallying his crew. He wore yellow overalls, earplugs, and had an unmistakably monkey-like appearance.
He was Shoujou, "The Salvage King," captain of the Shoujou Pirates, with a 23 million Berries bounty on his head.
Spotting the wreck ahead still afloat, Shoujou's eyes widened.
"Huh? Didn't sink this time? Saves us a lot of work! Ugh, zhi zhi!"
Then his gaze fell on the strange white blocks keeping the wreck above water.
"What are those things? They're actually holding it up… weird!"
His crew echoed his tone, mimicking his monkey-like calls.
"Ugh, zhi zhi! Captain, look! There's already a pirate ship here!"
Shoujou had already noticed the Going Merry but dismissed it as a small-time crew not worth worrying about.
That changed when he spotted the massive treasure chest on its deck.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? This is our territory! All salvage here belongs to me!" he roared, flexing his thick arms. "You haven't taken anything yet, have you?"
On the Merry's deck, Shirogai glanced at the chest and smirked.
"Well, looks like we've been noticed."
Shoujou's expression darkened. "So you did get here first. That's my wreck! Hand over what you found, or I won't be polite! Ugh, zhi zhi!"
Luffy leaned over the rail. "Wow! You look just like an ape!"
Shoujou froze, his expression turning oddly shy.
"Did you just call me ape-handsome? You think I'm good-looking? Well… just so-so! Ugh, zhi zhi!"
His crew exchanged puzzled looks. Does he really think being compared to an ape is a compliment?
Shoujou pointed at the chest. "Fine, I'll overlook your trespass… but I want to see what's inside."
Without warning, he bent his legs and launched himself in a huge arc, landing with a thunderous bang on the Merry's deck. The wood groaned under his weight.
Zoro's hand went to his sword.
Sanji's cigarette tip glowed hot.
Luffy's grin faded into something serious.
"Hey! Careful! Don't break our ship!" Usopp yelled.
Shoujou covered his mouth shyly. "Oh, you! I'm not that ape-handsome you say! Ugh, zhi zhi!"
"Who's praising you?!" Usopp snapped.
Shoujou strode up to the chest. "Let's see it."
Usopp casually lifted the lid, revealing the false layer of stones.
"Just a bunch of useless rocks. Thought it was treasure, but nope."
Shoujou peered inside, disappointed. "Huh. Just stones?"
Usopp grinned inwardly. Hook, line, and sinker.
He closed the chest—too quickly.
Nami, Robin, and Sanji all felt their stomachs drop.
Sure enough, Shoujou's suspicion flared.
"A box of stones… and you shut it that fast? Trying to fool me?"
Usopp feigned innocence. "Why would I?"
But Shoujou stroked his chin. "The old man once told me—ancient pirates sometimes hid treasure under stones…"
Usopp froze. This ape-looking guy's actually sharp!
Shoujou reached for the chest—only to have his arm kicked aside by Sanji.
"Keep your filthy hands off Nami-san's treasure, you damn ape."
"You dare hit me?!" Shoujou blocked, his strength forcing Sanji back a step.
Beating his chest, he laughed, "Ahahaha! I knew it! There's treasure under there!"
The crew dropped the act.
"This is ours," Luffy said coldly. "Finders keepers."
Zoro's fingers curled around his sword hilt. "Want me to sink his ship?"
Nami's grip tightened on her Weather Wand. "No one touches my gold."
Suddenly, Shirogai's Observation Haki screamed a warning—danger was seconds away.
Two blazing beams of reddish-yellow light ripped across the water, aimed at both ships.
Shirogai's eyes narrowed. "It really is you… Kizaru."
Robin's face paled. "Kizaru? As in Admiral Kizaru?!"
"Don't worry," Shirogai said calmly.
In an instant, he shot into the air, six massive black wings bursting from his back.
[Bird-Bird Fruit: Falcon Form] · Modified Fourth Form: [Six-Winged Fallen Angel]
Shoujou stared, momentarily unsettled. "A Devil Fruit user, huh? Not that I'm afraid! Ugh, zhi zhi!"
Shirogai smirked. "Your Observation Haki's lagging, Kizaru." Then, to Shoujou: "How about a deal? I save your crew, you ferry mine to Jaya Island."
"What are you—?"
"I'll take that as a yes."
Before Shoujou could reply, the beams were almost upon them.
With blinding speed, Shirogai intercepted both blasts, his talon-like hands crushing the light itself.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the sea, sending waves crashing.
---
Far off, aboard a Marine warship, the crew watched in awe.
"Admiral Kizaru fired!"
Kizaru, hands in his pockets, chuckled lazily. "Oh my, oh my~~ He actually intercepted my attack head-on… quite frightening."
---
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