This was back when I was still sailing the Four Blues.
Here's a little story from one of those seas—the East Blue.
"Ah… this feels so good," I sighed, stretching my legs in bliss as I soaked in the hot spring—an open-air bath—on a certain island.
There's nothing quite like a proper soak to warm you right down to your bones. Out at sea, you're usually stuck with quick showers or a rough wipe-down. Everything about bathing ends up makeshift.
I suppose it's different on massive ships. They probably have full-fledged bathhouses.
But the bigger the ship, the more crew it takes to run… especially sailing ships. Hoisting and furling sails, raising and lowering anchors—it all adds up.
For someone like me, who mostly travels alone, a ship my size is just right.
So whenever I reached an island and could stay at an inn, I always made sure to take full advantage of the baths, soaking and relaxing for as long as I liked. That was my usual routine.
But when my eyes happened to drift to the clock hanging on the bathroom wall—Is it really okay to put a clock in here? The face is so clear, it doesn't fog up at all—I suddenly remembered something I'd almost let slip my mind.
I'd gotten so relaxed I'd nearly forgotten why I was here in the first place… Sigh.
The real reason I'd come to this part of the sea was simple.
I'd heard that Clockwork Island was home to the world's most expensive mechanical clock—the Diamond Clock. I'd wanted to catch a glimpse of it.
On top of that, the island was famous for its advanced clockwork technology. I figured I might find some interesting gadgets to buy while I was there.
But when I stopped at this island as a layover, I heard that Clockwork Island had been taken over by a pirate crew called the Trump Pirates.
Apparently, they'd seized control of the island, imposed harsh rule, and were forcing the islanders to work for them like slaves.
All of the island's intricate clockwork devices, weapons, and even the legendary Diamond Clock were said to be in their hands.
Ugh… So I came all this way and I still won't get to see it. I sulked in the bath, feeling completely deflated.
I could just drive the pirates off the island and then go look at it, but… what should I do? Even if it would make for good "experience," I'm not the type to go picking fights for no reason.
Still, I'd come all this way, and I really wanted to see the world's most valuable clockwork masterpiece…
Just as I was thinking that, I heard the bathroom door slide open with a rattle. Another guest must have arrived.
Wait… didn't the innkeeper say I was the only guest today?
"Oh? Someone's already here? I didn't see anything in the changing room, so I thought I had the bath to myself."
I turned—and saw a completely naked blonde beauty standing there.
Well, it is a bathhouse, so being naked is expected. I was in the tub naked myself.
The changing room was empty because I'd stored all my belongings using a certain method. That was how I kept my valuables safe from thieves. I'd unintentionally misled her.
The woman, her shapely nude body on full display, strolled over and, without so much as a rinse, flipped back her wavy hair and stepped straight into the bath. At least wash off first before you get in!
Then, for some reason, she leaned in close and stared at my face. What's with her?
"…Hmm? You're actually pretty cute."
"? Uh… thanks, I guess?"
The blonde beauty slowly ran her tongue across her lips. Combined with her nakedness, it was an oddly seductive gesture.
And… was it my imagination, or did her eyes gleam with a predatory light, like a beast sizing up its prey…?
"Heh, not bad. I came here incognito, but this might be an unexpected treasure. Right, Boojack?"
A massive figure suddenly dropped down from above—a man?!
"H-hey! What do you think you're doing?! This is the women's bath!"
"Did you call for me, Honey Queen?"
"Look at this girl. Isn't she cute? I think Lord Bear King would like her."
"Really? Well, I don't really get that kind of thing, but if you say so, I suppose."
Uh, am I invisible here?
The two of them—the woman soaking in the bath and the round, hulking man who had just barged in—talked as if I weren't even there.
The blonde woman didn't seem embarrassed at all to be naked in front of a man, and the man showed no sign of fluster at seeing two naked women.
Then both of them turned to stare at me without the slightest trace of courtesy.
"Hey, you there. You're coming with us."
"Huh? Why…? What are you even talking about?"
"You're pretty cute, you know. We figured we'd make you a gift for our boss, Lord Bear King."
What? Why am I suddenly being offered as a present to someone I've never even met?
The way they're saying this so casually… these two have to be villains. Pirates or something.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention—we're with the Trump Pirates. You don't want to get hurt, do you? So don't bother resisting or trying to escape. Just be a good girl and do as you're told."
So they really are pirates… And that name sounds familiar.
These must be the ones—the crew that's occupying and controlling Clockwork Island. Just as I heard, they're exactly the sort of stereotypical villains who think nothing of kidnapping people.
The way they referred to themselves as the Trump Pirates made it clear they were pretty confident in their reputation.
Come to think of it, the innkeeper's voice had trembled with fear when he'd told me about them. Around here, just hearing their name was enough to make normal people shudder.
"Resistance is pointless, y'know? Come on. If you cooperate, we'll carry you gently."
"Don't you dare hurt her, Boojack. She's a precious gift, remember?"
The odd man, with his strange habit of saying "y'know" every other sentence, reached out to grab me as I sat in the tub.
"Hands off, please."
CRACK!
"Guh?!"
With a single flick of my finger, backed by a touch of (very restrained) Haki, I sent him flying across the women's bathhouse, where he crashed onto the floor.
The blonde beauty—Honey Queen, was it?—stared in disbelief as his hulking body was hurled away so easily. And there lay Boojack.
He looked just as shocked, but quickly scrambled back to his feet and glared at me. Well, a flick to the forehead, even with a bit of weak Haki, wasn't going to do any lasting damage.
"What the hell did you just do to me?!"
"What do you mean? I flicked you. With my finger."
"Don't mess with me! There's no way a scrawny woman like you could send me flying! Are you some kind of Devil Fruit user?!"
Well, I am an Ability User, but I didn't use my powers just now.
If I had, you'd be lying there covered in blood.
"Huh… so you're the type who does that kind of thing. You're cute and all, but trying to present yourself to Lord Bear King like this? That's a bit cheeky. I'll have to teach you some manners."
Honey Queen rose from the bath and stepped out.
As if on cue, several armed men—pirate underlings, no doubt—burst in through the dressing room door, surrounding me and the open-air bath.
One of them tossed Honey Queen a bundle of women's clothes… Wait, what?!
Right before my eyes, Honey Queen changed into the outfit in an instant.
Eh? What was that just now?! A quick-change act?! Some kind of stage trick?!
Amazing. It really was just a split second. This beauty had some seriously impressive skills.
I nearly applauded her, but the pirate crew pressing in around me—faces twisted in leering grins as they cackled—quickly smothered that urge.
They were closing in to capture me, Boojack included… and some of them were saying they wouldn't mind roughing me up if I resisted.
In that instant, I slammed my fist into the bathwater, sending a spray of water erupting into the air. Splash!
While the pirates were momentarily stunned by the sudden geyser, I slipped several sheets of paper from inside my body.
I slapped them against my wet skin, pressing them into place.
"Well, it's not like I can change clothes on the fly," I muttered. "Guess this'll have to do for now… Shallow Lie: Shocking Texture."
The paper adhered to my body, forming patterns that looked like clothing and covering me.
It was basically body paint, but it worked well enough. As long as it hid me, that was all that mattered.
This would be over quickly anyway.
---
It was over.
As expected, East Blue pirates really were just this pathetic.
I hadn't needed to use Haki at all. Simple punches and kicks were enough to send them flying. I guess my basic physical strength had reached a pretty respectable level.
Boojack had been the only exception. He'd charged at me wearing armor with hidden metal spikes that suddenly sprang out all over his body—that had been a bit surprising.
But he hadn't been particularly fast, so dodging him was easy.
When he slowed down to turn, I caught up and kicked his round body like a soccer ball. I'd been so irritated I'd kicked him hard, even without Haki.
He'd probably passed out mid-flight and just kept sailing through the air—straight off the island and into the sea, most likely.
As for the remaining blonde beauty, Honey Queen, the moment she saw her underlings wiped out and Boojack sent flying, her face went paper white and she bolted.
I was stunned when she transformed her entire body into liquid and slipped away. A Devil Fruit… and a Logia at that? I hadn't expected to see one in the East Blue.
But… she left all her clothes behind. Her clothes didn't transform with her—even with a Logia?
Which meant… she fled completely naked?
Anyway, once the mess was cleaned up, I released Shallow Lie and returned to my actual naked state… then put on the clothes I'd been storing.
After that, I tied up the pirates and asked the innkeeper to contact the Marines. I'd leave the rest to them.
Now… what to do next?
I'd thought it over while I was cleaning up, and I'd already made up my mind.
Check out of the inn, for starters. And after that…
"Shall we go burn them down?"
"Shall we go burn them down?"
These East Blue wannabes swaggering around with their pathetic strength… I'd show them just how terrifying Grand Line pirates can really be.
First, we'd sweep away the trash. Then I could take my time sightseeing around this so-called Clockwork Island.
Alright, time to bully the weaklings!
To be continued...