Through the binoculars, Vivi confirmed the island's silhouette, unmistakable as it drew closer, stirring excitement within her.
Lowering the binoculars, she glanced back at her crewmates. The seasoned pirates went about their routines: Luffy and Usopp played with Karoo, Zoro napped, Nami read comfortably in a chair, and others were below deck.
A calm moment on a clear day. Vivi smiled, now accustomed to this familiar scene.
"Luffy-san, I see the island ahead. Our next stop," she called.
"What!? Really!?" Luffy shouted.
"Wait, Vivi, pirates say it like this," Usopp interjected.
"'Island in sight!'" he bellowed.
"Yell it loud to alert the crew. You're a pirate now, get used to it," Usopp teased.
"Um, I'm a pirate…?" Vivi said, smiling wryly.
The crew emerged onto the deck, another voyage complete. The Grand Line's harsh environment—unpredictable weather, erratic waves, and unique wildlife—made navigation tough. Reaching an island brought relief.
Nami checked her Eternal Pose, nodding. "That's Little Garden, no doubt."
"We've got a letter to deliver, right?" Silk asked.
"Looks deserted. Anyone even live there?" Sanji wondered.
As the island neared, unease crept in. Giant trees dominated, no port in sight, and an eerie atmosphere emanated from the strange shapes. Unlike any island they'd seen, it felt ominous.
Even from a distance, Nami and Usopp, self-proclaimed cowards, sensed danger. The crew's expressions varied—some excited, others unreadable. Kiri, perched on the railing, smiled silently.
Vivi approached him, hesitant. "Kiri-san… are we okay heading forward like this?"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Baroque Works is tracking us. They could be waiting. The last island was fine, but…"
"No ambushes or surprises," Kiri said confidently.
Vivi, Sanji, and Nami tilted their heads. "How can you be sure?" Nami asked.
"I know Baroque Works well. I gathered the Officer Agents for the boss. I know their tactics, abilities. One or two pairs can't touch us," Kiri explained.
"What!?" Vivi gasped.
"The boss knows it too. That's why they won't act," Kiri added.
Vivi's shock was evident, as was Sanji's curiosity. "What's got you rattled, Vivi-chan? Are these agents tough?"
"Yes… Baroque Works' Officer Agents, Mr. 5 to Mr. 1 pairs, are top-tier. Below Mr. 0—the boss, Crocodile—they're the strongest," Vivi said.
"So, executives," Sanji summarized.
"Mr. 6 and below, Frontier Agents, don't handle their missions. They're mysterious. To think Kiri-san recruited them…" Vivi trailed off.
"The boss chose them. I just negotiated. Anyone could," Kiri said casually, gazing at the island.
"That message we got—it means no pursuit, but it's also a declaration of war. They're waiting for us in Alabasta," he continued.
"Waiting in Alubarna…" Vivi whispered.
"All their forces will gather to crush us."
Vivi shivered. Baroque Works' full strength was unknown, but for Vivi and Igaram, who'd gathered intel, Kiri's words carried terrifying weight. The crew couldn't fully grasp it.
Kiri's calm was equally shocking. He likely knew the enemy's scale better than anyone, yet showed no fear—a chilling composure.
"No need to rush. The rebellion won't start until we reach Alabasta. That's when it escalates," Kiri said.
"How can you be so sure?" Vivi asked.
"I'd do the same. And I taught Crocodile to plan like that," Kiri said, shrugging with a smile.
Speechless, the crew exchanged glances, torn between understanding and unease. Kiri, once Crocodile's right hand, gave them insight into the enemy's moves, but something still felt unresolved.
They sensed the reason for his strength, leaving mixed feelings. Kiri, aware, stayed quiet, spotting Luffy and Usopp approaching. His smile faded as he spoke.
"No point rushing—it won't change things. Better to move steadily, prepare. The rebellion's timed for our arrival."
"Weird. We're stopping a rebellion, but it'll start when we show up?" Usopp said.
"Then there's no way to stop it?" Vivi asked.
"There is. We have to stop it," Kiri replied.
Luffy and Usopp joined, curious about the serious faces. "What's up?" Luffy asked.
"Future plans. Gotta step up," Kiri said.
"Hmm," Luffy hummed.
"Look at that island, though. It's creepy…" Usopp said, paling.
Luffy grinned excitedly, contrasting Usopp's fear. "Weird trees, lizard-faced birds, bad vibes. We shouldn't land…" Usopp muttered.
"Sanji, make bentos," Luffy called.
"Bentos?" Sanji asked.
"Pirate bentos!" Luffy laughed.
Sanji and Usopp's expressions shifted—Sanji resigned, Usopp panicked. "Adventure's calling!" Luffy declared.
"Here we go," Sanji sighed.
"Wait! I've got a secret illness—'can't-enter-island disease'!" Usopp pleaded.
"We know. Never died, though," Kiri teased.
"Kiri!" Usopp wailed.
"Too late," Kiri said.
"Nooo!" Usopp cried.
Ignoring him, the Merry neared the island, entering a river leading inland. Dense jungle loomed, radiating danger even to the fearless.
A pristine wilderness—towering trees, green everywhere, animal cries echoing. Nami and Usopp weren't thrilled, fear growing as danger felt imminent.
Luffy, buzzing, leaned over the railing, waiting for Sanji's bentos, ready to explore. Others shared his excitement, though some were scared.
Suddenly, Luffy shouted, startling Nami and Usopp. "Look at that!"
"Enemy!?" Usopp yelped, trembling.
A massive, three-meter tiger appeared, but collapsed by the river, blood-soaked, fatally wounded.
"What a huge tiger! Covered in blood!" Usopp screamed.
"The jungle's king, down? This island's not normal!" Nami cried.
"Big guy. Tasty?" Luffy mused.
"Not the time!" Usopp snapped.
"Luffy, this place is dangerous! Don't underestimate it!" Nami warned.
Luffy ignored them, fixated on the island. Stopping him was impossible. Nami and Usopp's screams grew louder.
They had a mission: deliver a letter from an old woman, received on a pirate island. Danger or not, they had to land.
"Calm down. We need to find the resident and deliver the letter," Silk said.
"True, but…" Usopp hesitated.
"It's risky. Maybe pick a landing team," Silk suggested, glancing at Kiri.
Kiri, usually the strategist, just shrugged with a wry smile. Silk noticed his odd demeanor, ongoing for a while, her expression clouding.
As tension hung, Sanji emerged with bentos for everyone, scanning the crew. "Here's your bentos, boys. Eat up. Special ones for Nami-san, Vivi-chan, and Silk-chan ♡," he said.
"Thanks, Sanji," Silk replied.
"Sanji-san, a drink for Karoo?" Vivi asked.
"Sure thing," Sanji grinned.
His flirtatious smile widened, but Igaram paled, sensing trouble. "Vivi-sama, worrying about Karoo's fine, but don't be reckless. This place is dangerous—"
"Luffy-san, can I come?" Vivi asked.
"Here it comes!" Igaram gasped.
"Sure," Luffy nodded.
Igaram blocked Vivi, pleading. "Wait, Vivi-sama! Luffy-kun, as her guard, I can't let her face danger! Stay on the ship!"
"She wants to go," Luffy said.
"No way!" Igaram protested.
"Igaram, I appreciate your concern, but I'm not a child. I can protect myself. I infiltrated Baroque Works—I'm not just someone to protect," Vivi said, smiling.
"But!" Igaram stammered.
"It's fine. Karoo's with me," Vivi assured.
"Quack!?" Karoo squawked, shocked.
"He looks terrified," Silk noted, smiling wryly.
Igaram hesitated. Karoo, Vivi's loyal partner, was timid but brave at heart, a swift super spot-billed duck. He'd carry her to safety if needed. Still, letting her go was tough.
"Vivi-sama, I understand, but I'm worried!" Igaram groaned.
"Let her go," Kiri said, drawing attention.
Pointing ahead, he looked at Igaram. "If you're worried, protect her yourself. The ship's not safe either."
"What?" Igaram blinked.
"Wait, Kiri! The Merry's not safe!?" Usopp shouted.
As Usopp panicked, trees collapsed, heavy footsteps echoing. A massive creature—a bipedal lizard, dinosaur-like—blocked their path, baring sharp fangs.
Usopp and Nami screamed, Vivi, Igaram, and Silk gasped, but Luffy's eyes sparkled. "A dinosaur!?" Nami cried.
"Awesome!" Luffy grinned.
The extinct creature stunned them, sparking fear in some, adventure in others. It saw them as prey.
Zoro sprang into action, hand on his sword, unfazed by its size. Kicking off the deck, he slashed its tough hide. Blood sprayed, the dinosaur roared, collapsing into the river. Zoro landed on it, sheathing his blade—a swift victory.
"Big lizard. Edible?" Zoro mused.
"Shishi, dinosaur meat sounds good! Sanji, save it for dinner," Luffy said.
"First, we stop the ship. A hole in the hull's trouble," Sanji warned.
"Right! Everyone, anchor the Merry!" Usopp ordered, calming.
The ship anchored mid-river, near the fallen dinosaur, undamaged. Usopp sighed in relief.
Danger passed, Luffy, with a bento-filled backpack, rallied the crew. "Time to land! Let's go, Kiri!"
"Go ahead. I'll catch up," Kiri said.
"Why?" Luffy pouted.
"Need the letter. Won't be long," Kiri smiled.
Luffy, briefly annoyed, turned to Vivi on Karoo. "Okay, come later. Vivi, ready?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"Let's go! Adventure!" Luffy cheered.
"Back before dark," Vivi added.
Karoo, carrying Luffy and Vivi, dashed ashore, vanishing into the jungle. Igaram, flustered, leapt after them. "Wait, Vivi-sama! I'll protect you!"
"Hurry, Igaram!" Vivi laughed.
The trio and Karoo disappeared. The remaining crew debated staying or going. Leaving the ship empty was risky, but the island seemed vast, with no visible town. Finding someone required numbers.
Silk glanced at Kiri, but he headed below for the letter, offering no orders.
Zoro jumped from the dinosaur to land, scanning around. "Guess I'll take a walk. Won't be boring."
"Wait, Zoro. I'm coming," Silk said, joining him.
Zoro didn't object, waiting for her. "I'm fine alone," he said.
"Not worried about dinosaurs. Your sense of direction is," Silk teased.
"Again with that?"
"Admit it. Everyone knows," she smirked.
"Shut up," Zoro grumbled.
As they bantered, heading into the jungle, Sanji called out. "Zoro, grab some food while you're at it."
"Meat's right there," Zoro pointed.
"Not just meat, idiot. Find something edible. Silk-chan, keep an eye on him?"
"Sure," Silk agreed.
"Fine, I'll find stuff the lousy cook can't," Zoro jabbed.
"Wait, what!?" Sanji snapped.
Silk sighed as their usual bickering flared. Zoro and Sanji glared, tension rising.
"What can't I do, jerk? You're the dead weight," Zoro shot.
"I got meat," Sanji retorted.
"I'd get double."
"I'd get triple."
"Bring it. Hunting contest."
"Guys…" Silk groaned.
"Serious?" Sanji challenged.
"You're the one making excuses," Zoro taunted.
"My line," Sanji growled.
Silk sighed. Their consistency was almost admirable. Ignoring the island's dangers, they marched off, Silk trailing as their referee, relieved they weren't splitting up.
Usopp and Nami, left on deck, sighed in unison, realizing they were alone—both lacking combat strength. Panic set in.
"So unreliable…" Usopp muttered.
"That's my line!" Nami snapped.
They slumped, despairing. Strange animal cries echoed, not close but unsettling. Silence felt crushing.
Nami frowned, recalling something. "I've heard of Little Garden."
"The island's name?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah. Recently, but where…"
Kiri returned from below, letter in hand. Spotting him, Nami and Usopp rushed over, relieved. "Kiri!"
"You stayed! Thank you!" Nami cried.
"Got the letter. Leaving now," Kiri said, smiling.
"Wait, the letter!?" Usopp gasped.
"You're leaving us!? We're dead if attacked!" Nami protested.
"Come along, then. Dinosaurs won't hit an empty ship. No people live here anyway, so it's probably fine," Kiri said.
"That's…" Usopp hesitated.
"Makes it scarier…" Nami added.
Kiri shrugged. "Your choice. I'm catching Luffy."
"Okay, I'm going! Safer with you!" Usopp decided.
"It's dangerous, but you'll protect me, right?" Nami demanded.
"What about me!?" Usopp cried.
"You're a man. Figure it out," Nami shot back.
"Not all men are strong!" Usopp wailed.
As they bickered, a tremor shook the ground—not like the dinosaur's. Something bigger loomed. Nami and Usopp hid behind Kiri, scanning nervously.
"What was that? Not an earthquake, right?" Usopp asked.
"Not footsteps… no animal's that big—" Nami laughed nervously.
"I've heard of Little Garden. They say don't come here," Kiri said suddenly.
Their eyes locked on him, urging him to continue.
"Most who arrive never return. Thought it was the harsh environment, but I remembered a book by an adventurer after hearing people live here," Kiri said.
"That's it! I read it too!" Nami exclaimed.
"What'd it say?" Usopp pressed.
"The name 'Little Garden' comes from—"
Trees shook, revealing a towering figure—a human face, armored, a warrior of the Giant race.
Nami and Usopp screamed silently; Kiri smiled back. To the giants, this island was a mere garden.
The adventurer, Louis Arnote, named it "Little Garden" after meeting its residents.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
If you want to see it, then why not?