"Waaah, I miss Shirogai so much! Rest in peace, Shirogai! We will avenge you later!"
"Me too! Shirogai, I'll definitely work hard! I'll defeat Admiral Kizaru one day!"
On the deck, Usopp and Chopper clung to each other, bawling dramatically in front of a small brazier where yellow paper burned.
"Idiots!"
A terrifying figure loomed behind them.
Thwack!
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Thwack!
"Waaah, Nami, why did you hit me?!"
Their cries echoed across the ship.
"Serves you right!" Nami snapped, pulling her hand back with her forehead twitching. "How can you curse your own crewmate like that? Shirogai will definitely be fine!"
Usopp rubbed his swelling forehead, whining, "I didn't mean to curse him, but that was an Admiral! Even if Shirogai is strong, how could he possibly defeat someone like that?!"
Chopper clutched his own lump, looking pitiful. "Waaah, Nami is so scary…"
Luffy sat cross-legged on the Going Merry's figurehead, grinning from ear to ear. "Don't worry! Shirogai will be fine. You don't know just how terrifyingly strong he is!"
Zoro crossed his arms and spoke calmly, "Usopp, Chopper, don't overthink it. It's just an Admiral, nothing more. Shirogai will win."
Sanji puffed smoke from his cigarette and nodded. "The swordsman's right. Shirogai's got this."
Among the crew, only these three—Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji—truly understood Shirogai's unfathomable strength. The others weren't so sure. Robin and Nami, not having seen much of Shirogai's power firsthand, still carried doubt.
Nearby, Shoujou bared his teeth in disbelief. What kind of people are these? In their eyes, Admirals sounded like small fry. They're monsters who can fight the Four Emperors! How can they talk so casually?! Still, since Shirogai had saved them from Kizaru's laser, Shoujou held his tongue.
Chopper sighed, looking up at the sky. "If only I had wings… then I could fly to see how Shirogai's doing."
But suddenly—
Wah!
Three seagulls shrieked, tumbling down onto the deck.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Blood spattered the planks. Two died instantly. The third flapped weakly before falling still.
"The seagulls were hit!" Chopper exclaimed, picking up one of the bloody bodies. "I don't want wings anymore! Way too dangerous!"
"Bad omen! Bad omen!" Usopp panicked, lighting incense sticks and bowing frantically. "Please, great gods of the sea, protect us! We'll give offerings, I promise! How about a reindeer—"
"Idiot!" Chopper shouted.
Usopp had picked up the habit from Shirogai's tales of sea-blessing rituals and always carried incense for moments like this.
Meanwhile, Luffy dragged the seagulls happily. "Sanji! Cook them! Save one for Shirogai too, he'll be hungry after the fight!"
Zoro frowned, scanning the sea. "Chopper, were they shot? There aren't any islands nearby."
Chopper nodded, holding up bullets he'd pulled out. "Definitely bullets. And the angle means they came from directly in front of us!"
Shoujou's eyes widened. "From the direction of Jaya Island?! That's still so far away!"
Nami's gaze sharpened. "You're saying someone from an island we can't even see shot these birds down?"
"That's impossible…" Usopp muttered, trembling. "The skill it would take—to hit three birds at that range…"
None of them yet realized who their opponent was: a sniper with inhuman vision and skill.
—Jaya Island, West Coast.
A lone figure sat perched on a rooftop, rifle resting in his hands, his single telescope lens gleaming. He sighed softly.
"How pitiful. Missed the vital spot. Must've hurt a lot."
It was none other than the Blackbeard Pirates' sniper, "Supersonic" Van Auger.
—
"Hey! Benefactor's companions, we're about to reach Jaya Island! Ugh zhi zhi, we'll part ways here!" Shoujou called from his salvage ship. "If you want to learn about Sky Island, find us on the other side! And tell my benefactor thanks again!"
"Okay! Thank you, Shoujou!" Luffy waved happily.
"Thanks, Shoujou!" the crew echoed.
Shoujou covered his face and laughed. "You're too kind! I already know I'm handsome, no need to say it three times! Ugh zhi zhi! Goodbye, everyone!"
"Boss Shoujou, let's move!" his men shouted.
The salvage ship veered away, fading from sight.
"Alright, everyone, let's head for Jaya Island!" Nami ordered. "We'll wait for Shirogai there and also ask around about Sky Island."
"Merry, charge!" Luffy cheered from the figurehead.
The Going Merry surged forward.
"Wow! This island looks amazing!" Luffy's eyes shone.
Nami smiled. "Mock Town looks lively. I could use some relaxation."
Meanwhile, Usopp and Chopper clung to each other, sniffling. "If only Shirogai were here, he could see this too…"
Another shadow loomed behind them.
"You two idiots!"
Thwack!
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Thwack!
"Waaah, Nami, why again?!"
"Serves you right!" she yelled, hands on her hips.
Zoro just closed his eyes, unwilling to watch.
The Going Merry sailed onward, the crew's laughter and bickering echoing into the horizon.
---