Everyone who returned to the ship was somewhat silent, looking at the endless ice layer, there was a feeling of despair. Was this an Admiral of Marineford? They were too far behind.
Luffy was fuming. He had prepared for a duel, but was carried back. Although he knew he couldn't beat Aokiji... not even getting to fight... made him feel a bit stifled.
"Orochimaru! Didn't we agree that you wouldn't interfere with my battles unless under special circumstances?!" Luffy's voice was filled with anger.
Orochimaru paused. "That wasn't a duel, it was suicide. And the opponent's target was Robin. I ensured Robin's safety in advance. This was the optimal solution."
"I don't care... You're not allowed to interfere with my battles in the future!" Luffy slammed the table and stood up, his expression serious.
"Didn't you hear me?! You were going to your death!" Orochimaru's expression also seemed off. He grabbed Luffy's clothes and met his gaze.
"I won't die! Orochimaru! I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!! Not a deserter! If I don't even dare to fight! What kind of Pirate King would I be?!" Luffy roared loudly, his voice deafening.
(I might as well not be this madam, I'll wash my hands and be your concubine!!! Bah... wrong channel („ಡωಡ„) Shan Q)
Luffy swatted Orochimaru's hand away and punched the ship's cabin behind him. Luffy's expression was very serious. His face was close to Orochimaru's, staring intently into his eyes, as if to pierce the other's soul with his gaze. "Or are you saying that from the beginning, you thought I couldn't become the Pirate King, that I was a weakling who needed your protection?"
Orochimaru silently turned away. There was no expression on his face, but a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. After a moment's pause, he said, "I understand..."
Upon hearing this, Luffy's face broke into a happy smile. "Besides, I believe that even if I lost, you wouldn't let me die there, because I have a group of trustworthy Companions!" As he spoke, he pressed down on his straw hat, smiling exceptionally brightly.
Sanji took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and slowly said, "That's right... Orochimaru should also try to trust us, shouldn't he, a certain Mosshead?" He then looked provocatively at Zoro.
"Hmm!" Zoro nodded seriously from where he leaned, but quickly reacted, roaring with a shark-like face, "Who are you calling Mosshead?! You perverted kappa!"
As the two argued, Usopp walked over, patted Orochimaru's back, and laughed uproariously, "Orochimaru~ Relax, don't be so tense~ This great me and my eighty million subordinates will cover you, ah ha ha ha."
"Really?! Usopp is so amazing!" Chopper clapped like a seal on the side, looking at Usopp with adoration.
Orochimaru felt the pats on his back, his veins bulging. He abruptly turned to look at Usopp, his eyes full of menace.
"Gomen nasai, Lord Orochimaru... I was too arrogant just now." Usopp immediately bowed, apologizing sincerely.
"Hmph... Boys are really something, Orochimaru's been infected too!" Nami stood with her hands on her hips, huffing at the smelly men in front of her. Her eyes showed a hint of dissatisfaction and helplessness, but also concern for them.
Robin stood quietly to the side, a faint smile on her face as her gaze swept over everyone. However, the smile didn't truly reach her eyes, as if hiding deep worry and unease.
Nami walked over to Robin, gently patted her shoulder, and said softly, "Robin... don't worry, we won't let anyone take you away. We will protect you." Her tone was firm and full of determination.
Robin nodded slightly. She said softly, "Is that so... Thank you, Navigator-san." Although her voice was calm, it contained complex emotions.
The next day, Nami began writing in her logbook.
"Today is the second morning of sailing from the uninhabited island.
The sky is clear, warm like spring.
Occasionally, it feels like summer."
Closing her logbook, Nami stretched out on a beach chair.
"What lovely weather."
Sanji rushed over, his eyes forming hearts, and offered her a plate of pastries.
"Kawaii Nami-swaaan~ Robin-swaaan~ This is my freshly made potato pie."
Nami took a bite, her face showing satisfaction. "Mmm~ Crunchy and delicious."
The group chewed on their potato pie speechlessly, looking at Sanji. Would his particular habit ever be cured in this lifetime?
While grumbling and looking out at the sea, they suddenly noticed a giant frog swimming freestyle towards them.
"!!!!! ♦(•'╻'•)♦ A freestyle-swimming frog!!! Quick, chase it!"
At this moment, Orochimaru, passing by, curiously glanced at the frog, muttering to himself, "Oh... isn't that Jiraiya..." He quietly ate the pie in his hand. Mm, not bad, a novel taste.
Meanwhile, Nami and Robin, who were leisurely drinking tea in the cabin, suddenly felt the ship make a rapid turn. They hurriedly left the cabin to check the situation.
"Hey!! Don't change course without permission!!" Nami shouted angrily.
Luffy, while paddling hard, excitedly shouted to Nami, "Hey! Listen to us, Nami!! We found a severely injured giant frog, we absolutely must catch it to make a whole roasted frog!!!"
"So you wanted to eat it!!" Chopper and Zoro complained in unison.
"Nami!! Quickly tell us where the frog swam!" Luffy asked anxiously.
"No!!" Nami answered resolutely.
Robin elegantly took a sip of black tea and said expressionlessly, "The frog went towards the lighthouse."
Nami instantly froze: "Eh? ꙨᯅꙨ"
Sanji, meanwhile, was lost in culinary fantasy, seriously considering cooking methods: "First, the frog needs to be washed with white wine to remove the slime, then skinned, cut into pieces, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden brown on both sides."
Orochimaru blinked, the corners of his mouth curving slightly into an almost imperceptible smile.
"Even Luffy next door is going to cry from craving," he murmured to himself.
Suddenly, Orochimaru heard a ding-ding-ding sound. He quickly stood up, looking at the flashing red and green lights. Isn't that a train?
"Luffy, stop!! Don't paddle any further!" Orochimaru quickly stopped their actions.
No sooner had Orochimaru finished speaking than a speeding train appeared on the sea. The train sped by, hitting and sending the frog flying. Watching the frog fly away, the group swallowed. What was this thing? How did it smoke... and make noise?
Nami was somewhat shocked, "Orochimaru, you know what this thing is?"
Orochimaru was also very surprised: "This thing is called a train, no, on the sea it should be a sea train. It's used to carry people, like merchant ships. This lighthouse we're docked at should be the station."
As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, a girl who looked like a rabbit pointed at the group. "Granny! It's pirates!"
A drunken old woman staggered out and picked up a den den mushi.
"Moshi moshi... what was I going to say... I forgot... never mind."
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