The Merry's hull gently entered the ancient river of Little Garden, and the crew began chattering excitedly.
"It's a dense rainforest, like a hidden realm..."
"This place doesn't look like it deserves such a cute name at all. What's so 'little' about it?"
Towering plants and sky-high trees filled the landscape, with the air thick with the scent of damp earth and floral fragrance.
Deep roars of giant beasts echoed from the distance, making everything feel primitive, massive, and overwhelmingly oppressive.
"Wahaha! This is amazing! It smells like adventure!"
Luffy's eyes widened into perfect circles as he bounced around excitedly. The next second, he stretched his arm to grab a branch from a distant tree, preparing to leap from the Merry to the shore.
"I want adventure! I want adventure!!"
"Hey! Can I come with you?" Vivi rushed to Luffy's side and called out.
Nami looked at Vivi in surprise. "Why? I'd expect this from Luffy! But why you too..."
Vivi gazed at the shore and explained, "If I stay here, I'll just keep overthinking things. I want to clear my mind while the Log Pose is calibrating."
"Besides, I have Karoo with me."
Karoo: "...! Quack?"
And so, the first adventure squad set off. With a backpack on his shoulders, Luffy led the way while Vivi rode her duck Karoo, beginning their exploration of Little Garden.
Zoro scanned their surroundings, his hand resting on his sword hilt before jumping ashore and heading in another direction. "Tch, seems there are plenty of big ones around. Maybe I'll take a walk too," he said with a grin.
Sanji stood on the deck and called out to Zoro, "We're running low on supplies. Go hunt some edible beasts."
Hearing this, Zoro waved dismissively. "Got it, got it. I'll bring back some game that'd be too much for you to handle."
"You damn marimo! What was that?!" Sanji snapped, cigarette in mouth as he stepped onto the railing and glared down at Zoro. "Are you saying we should have a hunting competition to see who bags bigger prey?"
Zoro turned back with a smirk. "Exactly."
Sanji snorted contemptuously. "Suits me fine, marimo. Just don't get stomped flat by whatever's in there." Their eyes met, sparks flying instantly before they plunged into the dense jungle in opposite directions.
Thus, the second split adventure squad departed.
Nami and Usopp crouched in a corner, complaining to each other. "Seriously... everyone's running off."
Usopp nervously checked his slingshot and backpack, glancing at Giyu before turning to Nami. "Nami! It's fine! I still have some gunpowder, and! Giyu's still here!"
Just then, Giyu leaped off the Merry. He took a deep breath of the jungle air, savoring the feel of solid ground beneath his feet. He much preferred this to the rocking ship.
"Sorry... I'm still not quite used to being on a ship. I'd like to walk around too. Hm." Watching Giyu leap away, Nami's expression stiffened further. "Giyu... you too! Fine then..."
"Hm..."
And so the third solo adventure squad set out, leaving only the nearly tearful Nami and Usopp to guard the ship.
Giyu glanced in the direction where Zoro had disappeared and began walking that way, silently pondering.
Zoro was somewhat prone to getting lost. In a place like this, he could easily become completely disoriented. Best to head in his direction first and see.
The forest was dimly lit, with colossal trees blocking out the sky. Giyu moved forward quietly, the only sound being the faint crunch of dried twigs beneath his feet.
Suddenly, he paused.
"Who's there?" he asked without turning around, his voice cold.
A faint rustling came from the bushes behind him, followed by the elegant emergence of a familiar, tall figure. She still wore her white cowboy hat.
"I'm merely a vacationer passing by," Robin said with a faint smile, as if she were truly just taking a stroll through the woods. "No need to worry, little samurai. For now... I'm temporarily without work."
Giyu turned to face her, his deep-sea eyes fixed on her, his guard still up.
[Target: Miss All Sunday]
[Status: Leisurely]
[Hobbies: Researching things?]
[Advice: Keep your distance]
"You were following me," he stated.
"Just curious."
Robin walked up beside him, her gaze sweeping over the enormous plants around them. "This island is quite interesting, isn't it? And it's said to have retained its appearance from long ago, which is quite rare. There are even... inhabitants from a bygone era living here."
"Inhabitants?"
"The Giant race," Robin's tone carried a scholar-like interest, tinged with an inexplicable nostalgia. "They are powerful warriors from Elbaf. Their history and culture are ancient. I never expected to see them here as well."
The two continued walking through the primeval forest, maintaining a distance of several meters between them, the atmosphere somewhat delicate. One was taciturn, the other cheerful and talkative.
Just then, the massive thicket beside them shook violently as a giant wild boar with protruding tusks roared and charged straight toward Robin!
Giyu's eyes sharpened, and he moved instantly.
"Water Breathing: First Form - Water Surface Slash!"
A faint blue blade light flashed.
Swish!
With a soft sound, the boar's forward momentum came to an abrupt halt. Its massive body crashed to the ground, a deep gash on the side of its head—a single, fatal strike.
Giyu had already sheathed his sword as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you, and for showing me such impressive swordsmanship."
Robin clapped lightly, the curiosity in her eyes growing stronger. "Clean and efficient, truly. I was curious earlier, Mr. Samurai—your attire is unlike any I've ever seen."
"According to intelligence, the Straw Hat Pirates became active starting from East Blue, then entered the Grand Line, first passing through Twin Capes before landing at Whisky Peak. However, you're not from East Blue, are you?"
Giyu glanced at her. "No."
"Oh? Then where is your hometown?"
Hearing the topic of homeland, even though the woman before him might be an enemy, Giyu still felt the urge to voice the thoughts in his heart.
He fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting into the depths of the forest as if searching for something distant. "A faraway place. I'm still searching for the way back."
He paused, a rare hint of hesitation in his voice. "Perhaps... a place called Wano Country might hold a clue."
"Perhaps?" Robin caught that word and smiled faintly, a hint of self-mockery in her smile.
"It's quite rare to use words like 'perhaps' and 'clues' when describing one's hometown. For someone who's essentially homeless, it's both hopeful and utterly cruel."
Her words made Giyu look at her again. He didn't quite understand this woman's intentions. But he could somewhat sense that she, too, seemed to harbor some kind of obsession with the concept of home.
Just then, the brief conversation was interrupted by the clear sound of clashing metal and a man's angry shout coming from ahead in the forest.
Clang! Clash!
The sounds were intense, full of power.
Robin tilted her head to listen. "It seems some of my colleagues are busy up ahead," she said with a smile as she stepped back, her figure gradually being swallowed by the dense vegetation's shadows.
"I don't want to get involved while on vacation. Well then... farewell, little samurai."