Chapter 149: A Man's Free Time
The Going Merry slowly approached the island ahead.
Layers upon layers of primeval forest covered the entire coastline, with towering trees stretching as far as the eye could see.
At the center of the island, several volcanoes stood quietly, their peaks emitting faint white plumes of smoke that rose straight into the sky.
From deep within the island came occasional low roars.
The sound was deep, drawn-out, and carried a certain primitive wildness that sent shivers down one's spine even from this distance.
"W-what was that sound..."
Usopp's face turned pale, his voice trembling,
"It sounds... not very friendly."
Nami lowered her telescope and swallowed hard:
"How is this a 'Little Garden'? It's more like a 'Terror Park'!"
"Little Garden" sounded like a vacation spot filled with blooming flowers and babbling streams.
But the scene before them was clearly the epitome of primitive, untamed danger.
Only Lufia reacted completely differently.
Leaning over the ship's bow, her chin propped in her hands, her large eyes sparkled with excitement:
"Wow—! Amazing!"
She pointed at the dense forest on the island:
"I'm going ashore to embark on a magnificent adventure!"
Lufia had made her decision.
Then a voice spoke up.
"I'll go too."
It was Princess Vivi.
She walked to the bow and gazed at the island, her blue hair flowing in the wind:
"We don't know when the Log Pose will record this island's magnetic field. Rather than just waiting and worrying endlessly, it's better to do something else to distract myself."
Her expression was calm, but her heart was filled with concern for Alabasta.
Fortunately, the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere of the Straw Hat Pirates during the short voyage had helped Vivi unwind a great deal.
More than once, she had thanked fate for allowing her to meet such a powerful and unique pirate crew.
With Vivi joining, Lufia grew even more excited.
She turned to Ralph, her eyes filled with anticipation:
"Ralph, come explore with me!"
This was Lufia's "invitation."
Usually, Ralph wouldn't refuse.
But this time...
"Sorry, Lufia."
Ralph smiled, "I won't be going this time."
"Huh?"
Lufia blinked, "Why?"
"Because I want to have... an adventure alone."
Ralph looked toward the dense forest on the island, his tone carrying a certain depth:
"On this island, I'll hunt."
"Hunt?"
Zoro's ears perked up, "Sounds interesting."
He looked at Ralph, a competitive fire igniting in his eyes:
"Perfect. Let's take this chance to compete—see who can hunt the bigger prey."
He paused, then added:
"Big enough that that damn cook can't handle it."
As soon as the words left his mouth—
"There's no ingredient I can't handle! And who are you calling a damn cook?!"
Sanji rushed out of the kitchen, glaring at Zoro, then turned to Lufia and Princess Vivi, his expression instantly softening:
"Two beautiful ladies, I've prepared bento boxes for three! For me and the two of you, with none left for anyone else!"
Then he confidently thumped his chest, "How could I miss the chance to accompany two beautiful ladies on an adventure in an unknown jungle? Leave the responsibility of protecting you to me!"
And so, the groups were decided.
Lufia, Princess Vivi, and Sanji—forming a three-person exploration team.
Ralph, Zoro – Hunting Competition Team.
As for the rest...
"I-I think I'll stay on the ship!"
Usopp clutched his stomach, his face pale:
"My 'can't-go-ashore disease' is acting up again! This primitive island is too dangerous, I need to rest!"
Nami also chose to stay on the ship. She really couldn't understand—wouldn't it be better if everyone just waited on the ship for the Log Pose to finish recording?
Why did they have to go ashore looking for excitement!
But Lufia was already impatient:
"Alright! Then it's settled! Exploration team, set off!
"Hunting team, set off too!"
Zoro had already jumped off the ship, wading through the shallow water toward the shore.
Ralph waved at Lufia, then also jumped off the ship.
But the direction he headed in was completely different from Zoro's.
Watching the two groups disappear into the jungle, Nami and Usopp exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously.
"I have a feeling... something's not quite right."
Nami said.
"Same here."
Usopp nodded.
Just as they were seeing off their companions, a tiger covered in blood burst out of the jungle and collapsed on the shore, barely alive.
Both of them swallowed hard. The miserable state of the king of beasts deepened the timid duo's fear of this small island.
They sat on the deck, backs turned to the island, hugging their knees, trying to dispel their fear by "not looking."
But what they didn't know was—
In the dense forest not far from the Going Merry, a massive figure was approaching the small sailboat.
Now, to speak of the other side.
...
Ralph walked alone through the dense forest.
The trees around him were unbelievably tall, their canopies blocking out the sky, with only scattered patches of light filtering through the leaves.
Occasionally, the roar of a dinosaur or the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard in the distance.
It was a bit of a shame not to be able to adventure with Lufia.
But not too much.
After all, it wasn't a "two-person world" for just the two of them.
With Princess Vivi and Sanji around, there probably wouldn't be many opportunities for more intimate interactions or deepening affection.
At most, he could show off his dinosaur knowledge to Lufia, or when they met the giant Dorry, share some facts about the Giant Tribe.
Given that Ralph had already established a "knowledgeable" persona in front of Lufia, showing off further likely wouldn't increase her affection much.
Instead, Ralph and Lufia might disagree on certain cultural customs of the Giant Tribe.
For example, "All conflicts are resolved through duels, and they must fight to the death!"
Glossed as "the glory of warriors."
Ralph couldn't understand this kind of "false glory."
But Lufia would love it.
Rather than forcing himself to accept it uncomfortably or arguing with Lufia and risking her displeasure, it was better... to avoid this scenario.
Now, it was time for a man's freedom.
The difference was that Zoro was genuinely off hunting dinosaurs.
What Ralph was going to "hunt" was Baroque Works.
Thinking of this, Ralph stopped walking.
He looked up at the sky.
Through the gaps in the dense forest, he could see a small patch of blue sky.
"Geppo."
Ralph's leg muscles instantly tensed, and then—
"Boom!"
A shockwave exploded beneath his feet, propelling him skyward like a cannonball.
Six Powers: Geppo!
After several consecutive steps in mid-air, Ralph had already risen above the canopy, reaching a height of nearly a hundred meters above the ground.
His field of view suddenly opened up.
The entire outline of Little Garden was laid out before him.
A central volcano, dense forests all around, winding rivers, and in the distance, faintly visible... giants?
But just then—
Whoosh—
A sharp cry came from the side.
Ralph turned his head.
A massive, monstrous bird was swooping toward him.