"It's a great harvest today. If we have so much treasure, we won't be scolded by Captain Buggy."
The three pirates chatted while eyeing the box of gold on their ship.
"Look there," one of them said, pointing to a small boat drifting not far away.
They pulled the boat over…
On it lay an orange-haired girl — none other than Nami during her pre-crew days.
"It's a woman!" The three exchanged glances, then grinned obscenely at the girl lying on the side of the boat.
Nami opened her eyes to their leering faces. She didn't look surprised at all, as if she had planned this, waiting for the pirates to take the bait.
"Can you give me a glass of water? If you save me, I'll give you that treasure right there." Her voice was weak as she pointed to the box beside her.
Tricked, the three climbed onto Nami's boat and opened the chest. In that moment, Nami hopped onto their ship and took off.
By the time they realized, she was far away.
Before leaving, Nami even called back a warning about strong winds and heavy rain approaching — their small boat wouldn't survive. Sure enough, moments later, the waves swallowed them whole.
"I'll accept your treasure, haha~" Nami smirked at the sinking spot.
"Don't run, you—! Gulu gulu gulu…"
"I'm so hungry!" Luffy groaned, slouching over the side of the small boat.
Zoro asked, "How long will it take to reach land?"
"Who knows? Just follow the wind and waves. We'll get there… eventually." Luffy's optimism was unwavering.
Lock sighed. "You just set out without a map. No wonder we're stuck like this."
"Yeah," Zoro added, "It's weird that a future Pirate King doesn't know anything about navigation."
Luffy waved it off. "No big deal. I've always just gone where the boat takes me."
"By the way, aren't you guys a wizard and a pirate hunter wandering the seas? Lock, Zoro?"
Lock shrugged. "I only stayed in that barrel for, what… a minute? Doesn't count as wandering."
Zoro leaned on the boat's edge. "I'm not a bounty hunter. I went to sea to find someone. Got lost. Started catching pirates to survive."
"Lock is still normal, but you… You're just lost," Luffy teased.
Lock frowned. "Wait, what do you mean I'm still normal?"
Zoro's patience cracked.
Bang! — He slammed the boat. "Don't say that!"
The boat rocked violently. Luffy's straw hat flew off, but Lock used a gust of wind magic to return it.
"Relax. As long as I'm here, your hat's safe."
"Thanks, Lock."
"I'm hungry too," Zoro admitted.
Luffy glanced upward, spotting a massive bird soaring overhead. "Let's eat that."
Zoro gave him a look. "And how exactly do we eat that?"
"Watch and learn! Gum-Gum Rocket!"
He launched himself into the air like a slingshot — and immediately got his head stuck in the bird's beak. The creature flew away with him.
Zoro grabbed the oar and started rowing furiously. "Idiot! What are you doing?!"
Lock, meanwhile, was doubled over laughing.
"The captain's been kidnapped and you're laughing?!" Zoro barked.
"Ahem— I don't laugh easily… but come on, that was hilarious."
"Then help me!"
Before they could act, they encountered three pirates — the same ones Nami had tricked.
"Hey, stop that boat!"
"This ship doesn't stop," Zoro said flatly. "Get on yourselves."
They did — barely.
"Pity you made it," Zoro muttered.
"You almost knocked us over, and you're smiling?!"
One drew his blade. "This ship's ours now. We're Buggy's crew."
Lock and Zoro looked at them with a dangerous calm. "Huh?"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Moments later, the bruised pirates were rowing hard while smiling nervously. "We're so sorry, Mr. Pirate Hunter… and, uh, you too, sir."
"Shut it. You made me lose my captain. Row faster," Zoro ordered.
"Y-Yes!"
They whispered among themselves. "What do we do? That woman stole our ship and treasure. If Captain Buggy finds out—"
"Who's Buggy?" Zoro asked.
"Our captain. He's got some weird Devil Fruit power… scary guy."
Lock snorted. "Just a small-time pirate with the Chop-Chop Fruit. Not worth worrying about. But yeah… swords can't cut him."
A grin spread across Zoro's face. "A swordsman's challenge, huh? Sounds fun."
---
A/N: What do you all think about the story so far? And Please Write A Review.....