As Sean and the others slowly approached the port of the island ahead, a group of people suddenly appeared on the dock. Strangely, despite seeing the pirate flag, they didn't flee. Instead, they enthusiastically rushed forward.
"Welcome, dear pirates, to our little island!"
"Pirates, thank you for your hard journey!"
"Do the honored pirates need food or drink?"
…
Seeing the overly enthusiastic townspeople, Sean and his crew were baffled … What was going on? Could it be that civilians on the Grand Line liked pirates?
Confused but cautious, they docked the pirate ship. Under the cheering escort of the villagers, they entered the town, where a feast had already been prepared. Everything was ready, just waiting for them to sit and eat. However, despite the villagers' apparent warmth, Sean and his crew weren't as naïve as Luffy. They had fought their way up from the South Blue—they wouldn't trust so easily.
Just then, Dory suddenly stared in shock at a tall nun in the crowd. "Shile? Is that you? What are you doing here?"
As soon as Dory said this, the entire scene fell into silence. The atmosphere turned strange, and the surrounding villagers suddenly pulled out blades and firearms from who knows where. Sean's crew immediately reacted, preparing for battle.
"Everyone stop! Drop your weapons. This person is my friend."
At that tense moment, the tall nun suddenly shouted. Then she tore off her nun's habit, revealing a heavily muscular, impossibly strong woman.
As she shouted, most people lowered their weapons, clearly showing the high status she held. However, a few still stood defiant, led by a slightly chubby man with a walrus mustache.
Shile's expression turned angry seeing this. "Hmm? Didn't you hear me? I said drop your weapons! Are you trying to die?"
But the mustached man didn't flinch. Instead, he replied calmly, "Oh? Do you think we're the ones who want to die? Sounds like you do. Don't you know what our mission is here? If we let them go, how are we supposed to explain it to the higher-ups? Do you think just because Mr. 8 isn't around you can do whatever you want? Hmph! You're just a woman. Did you think I'd be afraid of you?"
Hearing this, Xie Dao suddenly remembered—Wait a minute, isn't this Whiskey Peak? Sean is heading to Water 7. Damn, what luck! They went the right way without an Eternal Pose.
From Whiskey Peak to Little Garden, then to Drum Island, Alabasta, Jaya, Long Ring Long Land, and finally Water 7—that's the route.
On the surface, Whiskey Peak seems like a pirate-friendly town. But in reality, it's a gathering place for bounty hunters. Situated at the entrance of the Grand Line, it's a trap for ambitious rookie pirates. It's also a subordinate branch of the secret criminal organization, Baroque Works.
Xie Dao recalled that Princess Vivi of Alabasta was here as well. But now, he wasn't sure. After all, this was a year before Luffy set sail. Vivi might not have joined Baroque Works yet, and he couldn't confirm whether the "Mr. 8" they mentioned was Igaram, captain of Alabasta's royal guard.
Baroque Works was founded by Crocodile—one of the Seven Warlords, known as the "Desert King." However, only Mr. 1 (Daz Bones) and Miss All Sunday (Nico Robin) knew his true identity as Mr. 0. Crocodile possessed the Logia-type Suna Suna no Mi (Sand-Sand Fruit), which allowed him to control sand and unleash devastating sandstorms. But he had a major weakness—water. In the original story, Luffy defeated the Crocodile using water and sheer protagonist luck (important!!!).
Even though Crocodile's bounty was only 81 million berries, don't assume he was weak just because he operated in the first half of the Grand Line. Bounty isn't always a measure of strength—sometimes it reflects the degree of crimes committed. The Twisted Pirates, for example, had high bounties because they killed civilians and bullied the weak.
But would someone who dared attack the world's strongest man, Whitebeard, be weak? Would a pirate deemed worthy of becoming a Warlord by the Marines be weak? The Seven Warlords were selected for their ability to suppress most pirates. Even Luffy, with a 300 million bounty, still respected Crocodile's power in Impel Down. Without Haki, Luffy's win was largely due to luck.
Of course, only Xie Dao knew all this, and since he was still… uh, hiding and growing in the shadows, he kept it to himself. Some things are better left unsaid.
Xie Dao remembered Shile too. She wasn't heavily introduced in the original series, but he knew she was Miss Monday, partner of "Mr. 8." A muscular, dark-skinned woman with immense strength who once claimed no man was stronger than her—only to be instantly defeated by Zoro. He didn't expect her to know Dory. She also seemed to look down on men, which made the mustached man's insult all the more provocative. Drama incoming.
Sure enough, after the mustache man sneered at her for being a woman, Shile roared furiously, "So what if I'm a woman?! We women can give birth—(ahem, off-topic ). Do you dare look down on women? Hmph! You're just a high-ranking thug! Dare to challenge me? Die!"
As she spoke, she equipped her weapon—tiger knuckles—and charged at the mustached man. "Diamond Fist!" Caught off guard, the man was sent flying with a single punch. His life or death remained unknown.
She exhaled and turned to the others still holding weapons. "Anyone else unconvinced? Come fight me, huh?"
Under her piercing gaze, the remaining armed people backed down one by one, lowering their weapons and avoiding eye contact.
Seeing everyone put their weapons away, Sean and the crew slowly relaxed as well—but remained on high alert in case anything happened.
"Shile, what's going on? Didn't you say you were going to explore the world?" Dory finally asked as the tension eased.
Both Dory and Shile were bounty hunters in the South Blue. After Dory saved her life during an accident, they became close. But Shile found the pirates there too weak and wanted to challenge herself on the Grand Line. She left with a merchant ship and hadn't been seen for nearly a year. During that time, Dory had a mishap and was saved by Sean, eventually joining his crew.
Shile's expression darkened. "Dory, you don't know how dangerous the Grand Line is. In my current agency, I'm only a mid-tier agent. There are high-level agents above me, a vice president, a president—tons of people stronger than me. I almost died just two weeks in. If this group hadn't saved me, I'd be long dead. Dory… why don't you stay here? The outside world is too scary."
Dory looked at the once proud and defiant Shile in shock. She was no longer the same ambitious woman he knew. He was flooded with mixed emotions. Is the Grand Line really that terrifying? Can I make a name for myself here?
Just then, he looked at his captain and recalled their battles and his vow. No—I can't give up! For my captain, and myself, I can't surrender before even trying! I'll grow stronger and help my captain become the best!
Calming his mind, Dory turned to Shile but couldn't find the words. After several attempts, he sighed. "So what's going on here? What is this place even doing?"
She saw the look in Dory's eyes and understood—he still wanted to sail. Knowing his character, she didn't try to stop him. Instead, she explained the situation on the island.
Sean and his crew quickly understood: that the villagers would first act friendly, wait until pirates were drunk and asleep, and then ambush them. The food and drink were safe—for now—but the situation was awkward. They had no appetite, but business still needed to be done.
That was when the captain had to step up. "You're Shile, right? Hello, I'm Sean, Dory's captain."
"Hmm? What do you want?"
"Oh! We just arrived at the Grand Line, and we've been sailing for a while. We'd like to buy some fruit and a Log Pose from you. Don't worry—we'll pay well."
In the Grand Line, regular compasses don't work. The only way to navigate from island to island is by using a Log Pose. Without it, you're as good as lost.
She thought for a moment and replied, "Fruits are fine, but the Log Pose—I need to ask my superiors. I don't have the authority to decide that."
Sean was thrilled. As long as they got a Log Pose, they wouldn't have to worry about getting lost. "No problem. We're happy to pay a fair price."
Shile used a Den Den Mushi to contact someone. Soon, she returned. "Since you're my friend—and I'm a fairly important person—they're willing to compromise. Thirty million berries. That'll get you the fruits and the Log Pose."
Ignoring Vexi pouty expression, Sean agreed instantly.
Everyone was happy in the end. Bounty hunters lived dangerous lives and avoided unnecessary fights when possible. Sean and his crew didn't want to battle Dory's friend either. After stocking up, they returned to their ship. Staying on the island felt uncomfortable, so they all chose to sleep onboard.
With enough fruit, meat, and a Log Pose, this stop had been worthwhile. Fruit was essential to prevent scurvy, a deadly disease in One Piece. Unlike meat, fruit provides vitamin C. Every ship needed it—well, except for certain monstrous exceptions.
After a feast cooked by Rom, the crew resumed training. Shile's words didn't just affect Dory; they struck a chord with the whole crew. Once again, they realized how weak they still were and began training even harder.
That night, after training and just before sleeping, Rom mysteriously called everyone together. He held something round wrapped in black cloth.
Once everyone gathered, Sean asked, confused, "Rom? Why call us so late?"
Vexi complained, "Yeah, don't you know how bad staying up late is for a lady's skin?"
Rom ignored her and grinned, then slowly unwrapped the cloth. "While you were training, I went to inspect the fruits—and I found this."
Seeing the fruit with mysterious spiral patterns, Sean and the others gasped in shock and delight. "A Devil Fruit!"
No matter what kind it is, Devil Fruits can fetch at least 100 million berries on the black market—more than their total current assets. That's how rare and valuable they are.
Devil Fruits are mysterious fruits in One Piece. Eating one grants special abilities, but also makes the user unable to swim.
There are three main types:
Paramecia (Superhuman Type): Grants various superpowers.
Subtypes include:
Superpowers (e.g., Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Operation Fruit)
Superhuman body (e.g., Gum-Gum, Spring-Spring, Diamond)
Creation (e.g., Wax, Biscuit)
Localized powers (e.g., Paw-Paw, Swallow-Swallow)
Domination (e.g., Stone-Stone, Gold-Gold)
Zoan (Animal Type): Allows users to transform into animals.
Three transformation stages:
Human form
Beast form
Hybrid form
Zoans increase physical strength and can even be implanted in inanimate objects. Subtypes:
Normal Zoan
Ancient Zoan
Mythical Zoan (rarest and most powerful—include legendary creatures with unique powers)
Logia (Elemental Type): Considered the strongest. Grants the ability to become and control elements. Makes physical attacks ineffective unless:
You have Haki
You use Seastone
You use another Logia with a counter-element
Now, before them, lay a Devil Fruit of unknown power.