The Hell Hound Pirates' ship slid in alongside the Going Merry with all the subtlety of a barking mutt demanding attention.
Ropes slapped against wood. Grappling hooks bit into the rail.
A man stepped forward on the enemy deck, chest puffed out, dog-skull scarf tied proudly around his head. Nearly every pirate behind him wore the same thing—snarling hounds stitched in black and red.
"Hand over your treasure," the man bellowed, voice hoarse with bravado, "or face the wrath of the Hell Hound Pirates!"
Luffy looked around lazily, then yawned.
"And you are…?" he asked.
The man froze, visibly offended.
"You don't know me?" he snapped. "I am Jiro Kurosawa, the Devil's Bloodhound!"
Short. Stocky. Late forties. Muscled, but not refined. A dog-skull tattoo marked his arm like a badge he desperately wanted people to respect.
Luffy blinked once.
"…Never heard of you."
The words hit harder than any punch.
Jiro's face flushed red. "You—! I was going to spare you, but now I'll rip you apart!"
Luffy turned his back on him mid-rant and hopped down onto the Merry's deck.
"Not worth my time," he said casually. Then, louder:
"They're all yours. Don't kill everyone."
The Straw Hats grinned.
"Aye aye, Captain!"
They exploded into motion.
Zoro vaulted first, blades already in hand. Sanji followed with a sharp kick off the railing. Nojiko spun her staff mid-air. Vivi, Johnny, Yosaku, Mikita—everyone moved like they'd been waiting for this excuse.
Usopp stayed in the watchtower, already firing.
Thunk.
Splat.
Screams.
Luffy sat back into his cloud-formed throne, poured himself a drink, and watched.
Across the gap, Jiro snarled and transformed—muscles bulging, bones shifting, fur sprouting as he became a massive half-bloodhound monstrosity.
"A Zoan," Luffy muttered. "Bloodhound model, maybe."
Interesting fruit. Mediocre user.
Zoro stepped forward, three swords gleaming.
"When I'm done with you," Jiro growled, saliva dripping, "I'll tear your captain apart!"
Zoro didn't look impressed.
"Big talk for someone I'll finish in one move."
Jiro vanished in a blur—fast, sharp, lethal.
Claws slashed.
Zoro blocked effortlessly with Kitetsu.
"That's it?" Zoro asked, gripping the claws. "Then you really don't stand a chance against my captain."
He shoved Jiro aside.
Fury roared. Jiro lunged to bite.
Zoro sighed.
"Oni… Giri."
Three blades flashed.
Jiro didn't even realize he'd been cut until the click of steel returning to scabbards echoed three times.
Pain exploded.
Blood sprayed.
He collapsed face-first onto the deck.
Alive—but barely.
Jiro twisted his head weakly.
Silence.
No cheers. No orders. No crew backing him up.
The Hell Hound Pirates were already down—scattered, unconscious, broken.
Zoro laughed behind him.
"Grand Line pirates," he scoffed. "What a joke."
From the Merry, Luffy nodded approvingly.
Too easy.
Nojiko's staff cracked again—blackened for a heartbeat—before smashing the last conscious pirate flat.
"Haki," Luffy noted quietly. "She's ahead of the rest."
He sighed.
They needed stronger enemies.
"Captain!" Zoro called. "What do we do with this idiot?"
"Bring him," Luffy replied. "And Chopper."
Moments later, Jiro was thrown at Luffy's feet, bruised and trembling. Chopper stepped forward nervously.
"Treat him," Luffy said.
Everyone froze.
"Pity?" Jiro spat.
Luffy kicked him in the face, flipping him onto his back.
"This isn't pity," Luffy said calmly. "It's an offer."
Chopper worked quickly, careful, professional.
When Jiro could sit again, Luffy spoke.
"You're weak. But you're not useless."
Jiro stiffened.
"Join my fleet."
Shock rippled through both crews.
"My… fleet?" Jiro whispered.
"You'll work for me," Luffy continued. "Black market. Transport. Muscle when needed."
Zoro leaned in. "This isn't a negotiation."
Sanji added, smoke curling, "Accept—or we strip your ship, sink it, and leave you drifting."
Jiro swallowed hard.
Five minutes felt like five years.
"…Fine," he said hoarsely. "I'll join."
Luffy smiled.
"Good."
He stood, pointing at Jiro's ship.
"Set sail for Alabasta."
He turned to Gem, Mikita, and Marianne.
"You three go with him."
A Den Den Mushi landed in Gem's hand.
"Call me when it's done."
As Jiro limped aboard his ship, Luffy added casually:
"Oh—and add a straw hat to your flag."
Jiro froze.
He stared at Luffy's Jolly Roger.
Lightning-blue. Smiling skull. Straw hat.
Terror washed over his face.
"…Thunder Demon," he whispered. Then screamed—
"YOU'RE STRAW HAT LUFFY!?"
His crew went pale.
Luffy raised his glass.
"Welcome to the fleet."