Originally, Shanu had planned to leave Shimotsuki Village after breakfast, heading for the last stop of his "wool-gathering" journey—the Goa Kingdom.
But no one could bear to see him go. They insisted on keeping him one more night.
That evening, before bed, a crowd gathered in the dojo's tatami-lined hall, chatting around the fire in a lighthearted atmosphere.
At one point, little Zoro and Sanji snuck sips of sake and got thoroughly thrashed by Zeff, adding laughter to the night.
Shanu, pleasantly tipsy, spoke freely, telling them about Cocoyashi Village, about his two adorable sisters, and about his family's orange grove—its fruit fragrant, juicy, and sweet.
He even considered, just for safety, inviting Zeff or Kōshirō to Cocoyashi Village the following spring. With either of them around, the Arlong Pirates wouldn't stand a chance.
But after a moment's thought, he kept silent.
After all, without even getting the Straw Hat yet, he had already passed ten thousand points. With the system's trading market at his disposal, he could choose nearly anything.
If he still couldn't deal with Arlong after a year of training, he might as well slit his own throat with a proper sword rather than dream of setting sail.
…
The next morning came.
Kuina, Zeff, Sanji, Zoro, and even Junichi—who had vanished the whole day before—gathered at the pier to send him off.
Only now did Shanu learn that since returning to Shimotsuki Village, Junichi had trained like a madman: from dawn till nearly midnight, often skipping meals, his intensity far beyond Zoro's.
Shanu couldn't help but take notice.
In his view, Junichi's sword talent was below Zoro's—and far below Kuina's. But talent was never the sole measure of one's ceiling.
Sweat and effort poured in far beyond others often yielded results that defied expectations.
After all, in just two years, even someone once powerless could become a new Navy hero.
"Why are you staring at me, boss?"
Junichi, helping Zoro load supplies onto the boat, glanced back curiously.
"Just worried about you." Shanu half-joked. "I'm afraid in a few months you'll run off to sea, and I'll have to come collect your corpse."
Did he see through that determination?
Junichi pressed his lips together—then grinned. "That's not funny. Don't worry, boss. I'm not some hot-headed fool. I won't do anything stupid unless I'm ready."
"What are you two even talking about? Riddles? My head hurts already."
Zoro looked from one to the other, utterly confused.
"It's not from riddles—it's because your head actually hurts."
Shanu shot him a glare.
The idiot had just been smacked around by Zeff last night, then thrashed by Kuina this morning. His scalp was still covered in lumps. Now he was out here in the sea breeze—of course his head hurt.
Turning back to Junichi, Shanu said seriously:
"As long as you understand. Don't forget, you're not alone. Wherever you go, you'll have comrades to fight beside you."
With that, Shanu waved goodbye to everyone on shore, pressed a button, and his ship glided away.
This little vessel, equipped with hidden high-tech power, was only on loan. From Shimotsuki Village, it would take two days to the nearest large island. Zeff planned to head there tomorrow for provisions, so once Shanu arrived, he could simply dock it at the port and switch to a passenger ship bound for the Goa Kingdom. Zeff would bring it back afterward.
…
Six days later.
Deep in the Korbo Mountains of the Goa Kingdom.
Shanu scrambled up a towering tree, scanning the endless forest around him.
After a long, fruitless gaze, he rubbed his temples in frustration.
"This time, I really messed up…"
Two mornings ago, he'd already crossed into the kingdom. Yet over fifty hours later, he was still wandering this vast mountain range.
It wasn't Zoro's "lost" curse.
The Korbo Mountains were simply far larger than he'd imagined.
Raised on the small island of Cocoyashi, he'd grown used to tiny patches of land. Only here did he remember what it was like to stand high up and still not see the ocean.
"If only Luffy were still in Foosha Village…" Shanu sighed.
A year ago, he had been. But after the Shanks incident, Garp had whisked him away to these very mountains, handing him over to the bandit Dadan.
That had led to Ace, Sabo, the Sapphire Pirates, and the ASL brotherhood…
By now, Sabo had already been taken to the Revolutionary Army. That left only Ace and Luffy in the mountains.
Shanu figured his good luck had already been spent—on the Sea King encounter, on meeting Zeff.
To find those two troublemakers in this vast wilderness alone was… difficult.
But five sleepless days, still nothing? That was strange.
Those brats never sat still. With them running around, there should've been signs.
He leaned back against the trunk, body aching, and pulled out some bread to chew dry. Supplies were running low; if he didn't find them soon, he'd be hunting wild game, with no spices to soften the taste.
When the bread was gone, he pulled a straw hat from his pack and twirled it on his finger.
Ordinary, worn, its brim loose, its red band faded to brown. Up close, it even smelled faintly of scalp oil.
He'd bought it from a farmer outside the mountains for 200 berries—just to swap it for Luffy's real one later.
There had been plenty of new ones for sale in town, but he chose this greasy old second-hand hat for one reason.
Luffy was a fool, yes—but if his beloved hat suddenly looked spotless and new, even he would notice.
This was what they called the devil's in the details.
Shanu smirked.
If all went well, when he finally met Luffy, he might just earn himself another wave of points.
Which meant, for now, it was best to keep the real hat swap secret.