Chapter 5. An Interesting Place
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"It's all over!" Nami, frightened, grabbed Dante's right hand and clung to him, her face full of panic as she looked at the ship approaching closer and closer. She spoke incoherently, "We've been discovered? Has Mok already been caught by the Marines? What should we do now? Let's run! Let's run right away!"
"Don't be nervous~ If it comes to it, we'll just pretend we don't know Mok."
"What do you mean, don't be nervous? Is it still possible to pretend we don't know him at this point?" Faced with Dante's attempt to calm her down, Nami remained frantic. She snapped back, then looked around nervously as if searching for something. "Where's Robin? Where's Robin? Call Robin, let's dive into the sea!"
"Why dive into the sea? Isn't it nice staying here? I told you to calm down~" Dante pulled his right hand out of the warmth and softness, then knocked Nami lightly on the head and said helplessly, "Robin had other matters to handle, so she went ahead."
Although most people at sea are face-blind, and even if Robin stood here openly, as long as she didn't reveal her identity, Smoker and the others probably wouldn't think that the World Government's wanted Devil Child was hiding here.
But, since Garp also came along, to avoid any surprises, he had Robin hide in advance.
Besides…
It's been so many years, and Admiral Aokiji Kuzan still hasn't shown up—who knows what that guy is up to?
Dante doesn't believe for a second that guy doesn't know Robin is here!
"That really hurts~" Nami pouted, rubbing her head and glaring at Dante, but that knock did help her calm down a bit. Still, she asked nervously and curiously, "You really have a plan?"
"Of course~"
"What plan?"
"Well, that is…" Dante raised his head, looking meaningfully at the pirate ship that had already docked. "Go with the flow~"
…
As the ship docked, Smoker, with his dark expression, Tashigi, and Garp—who had returned to his usual calm with slightly profound eyes—stepped ashore.
Colluding with pirates, defrauding military funds, and capturing slaves—
These charges were enough to arrest the corrupt Marine Captain.
However—
Before they could arrest Dante—
Udo, who had long been waiting on the ship, immediately rushed toward Captain Dante the moment he stepped off and said anxiously, "Captain Dante…"
But before he could finish—
"It's fine, I already know." Dante patted Udo on the shoulder and said, "Since you're here, help arrange the newcomers in Cocoyasi Town."
He had already explained everything to Nojiko and the others, so although everyone was nervous seeing the Marine Inspection Team suddenly appear, they didn't panic or rush up to block them.
Then Dante raised his head, looked at the three before him, and with a warm smile, opened his arms and said enthusiastically, "Welcome, Inspection Team, and thank you for your guidance!"
But—
"…"
Faced with his enthusiasm—
Garp smiled cheerfully, Tashigi puffed her cheeks angrily, and Smoker only glared at him coldly.
Captain Dante Shacher.
In his eyes, there seemed to be a faint trace of disappointment.
A genius of Marine Headquarters.
But he has now fallen to this point.
Is he worthy of the teachings of Zephyr-sensei?
You should know—back then, it was Zephyr-sensei who personally pleaded for him. Otherwise, this guy would've been sent to the military tribunal long ago!
Smoker's voice was cold as he said, "Dante Shacher—"
However—
Before he could finish—
"Come on, come on! Everyone, disembark in order!" Mok, Captain of the Mok Pirates, suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, "Don't be afraid, I already told you—I'm not a human trafficker. Once you're here, you'll be well-fed. You'll definitely thank me later!"
As Mok's words fell, the refugees who had been thought to be captured as slaves and locked in the cabin began to disembark slowly under the confused eyes of Smoker and Tashigi.
Fear and despair still lingered in their eyes, yet they obediently followed the pirates of the Mok crew toward the dock.
And then…
Just as Smoker and Tashigi thought this group of refugees captured as slaves was about to be handed over—
Suddenly.
A group of people from the village walked toward the dock.
They wore brown security caps, brown uniforms, and the leader even had a windmill stuck in his hat.
Is that the island's security team?
What are they doing here too?
Has the 16th Marine Branch already infiltrated this place?
Just as the two were full of doubts—
They saw—
The security team approached the terrified refugees in neat, orderly formation. Then they quickly split into three lines and surrounded the refugees.
What were they trying to do now?
Tashigi and Smoker's expressions changed. They thought the island's security team was going to harm the refugees and no longer paid attention to arresting Dante.
Tashigi gripped the hilt of her blade, ready to strike.
"Don't be rash," Smoker slapped her hand down, pushing her sword Shigure back into its sheath. "This doesn't seem to be what we thought."
Saying that, Smoker watched the scene ahead intently.
As expected—
The security team didn't lay a finger on the refugees. In fact, it was completely different from what they imagined.
"That's enough!" One of them, apparently the captain, counted the group and shouted, "We're going to eat first! Move it, follow us!"
Then—
"We're going to take a bath first!"
"Anyone feeling unwell? Come to my row if you're unwell!"
Under the organized division of the security team, all the refugees—though confused—began to scatter in an orderly manner.
"???"
Eat?
Bath?
Tashigi looked on in a daze. "W-What's going on here?"
Gripping the hilt of her sword, she suddenly had no idea what to do. But the next moment, as if realizing something, she turned her head and exclaimed in alarm, "Where's Captain Dante? Did he run away? Did we fall into a trap?"
"Don't panic. That guy's not getting away." Smoker frowned, sweeping his gaze around.
Sure enough, that guy was no longer in sight.
But Smoker wasn't the least bit worried. The 16th Branch was already under control. Could a mere Marine Captain really escape from his hands—and those of a Marine Hero?
Instead—
"Where's Vice Admiral Garp?"
Where had Vice Admiral Garp gone?
Just as he finished speaking—
"I'm right here!"
A familiar voice rang out not far behind them.
Tashigi and Smoker immediately turned around, and sure enough, they saw Vice Admiral Garp standing not too far away.
Only, instead of standing where he was supposed to be, Garp had somehow ended up beside a street vendor. Next to him was the captain of the Mok Pirates—Mok—his face drawn in misery, while Garp happily munched on a meat-stuffed pancake.
"Mmm, not bad. It tastes great!"
"…"
What is this guy doing?
Smoker marched over, his face dark. Watching Garp wolf down the bun with big bites, he asked, "What are you doing? Do you have any idea how important our mission is right now, Vice Admiral Garp?"
"Relax, Smoker boy." Garp waved a hand carefreely, still grinning. "I have to say, this pancake is really delicious. Do you want a piece? Someone else is footing the bill~"
"This uncle really knows how to eat! This is a special pancake from the Goa Kingdom—a secret recipe of the royal family! I paid a heavy price to get it," the vendor said with a grin as he was making another pancake. "You know, even the Marine Hero himself said it was a good pancake~"
Those words had barely fallen when—
"…"
Smoker and Tashigi's faces darkened.
Does the Goa Kingdom sell pancakes?
Stop kidding me!
Besides, the so-called "Marine Hero" was standing right here, and the vendor was blatantly using Vice Admiral Garp's name to sell his food. Didn't he realize Vice Admiral Garp himself might get mad?
Forget it—this was all meaningless nonsense!
"Vice Admiral Garp—"
But before Smoker could say anything further—
Garp furrowed his brows, looking seriously at the vendor and saying in a stern tone, "How could those trashy royals from the Goa Kingdom come up with a recipe this delicious!"
"…"
That's what you're arguing about!?
Smoker's mouth twitched. Seeing Vice Admiral Garp ready to debate the vendor, he quickly cut in with a grim expression, "Vice Admiral Garp, don't forget our mission!"
Even Tashigi said helplessly, "Vice Admiral Garp…"
But—
"I know, I know." Garp still waved it off nonchalantly. He shoved a pancake into Tashigi's hand and chuckled, "I'm not lying to you—it's really good. Don't worry, someone's picking up the tab. That kid Dante said all our expenses in Cocoyasi Village are on him."
Seeing that Smoker still wanted to say something, Garp's cheerful eyes flashed. While eating the pancake, he glanced around.
"Smoker boy, don't be so tense. Take a look around first."
With that—
Smoker took a deep breath at Garp's words and calmed down, though he still curled his lip in disdain.
Around?
What was there to look at in some small village?
He was from Marine Headquarters—what hadn't he seen on the Grand Line?
And yet—
With just a glance, the disdain on his face vanished, replaced by a serious expression, as if he had seen something truly shocking.
The village before them…
It was filled with cleanliness, vitality, and smiling faces.
Scenes like this were common in the wealthy royal capitals and the Sabaody Archipelago—but here, it stunned both him and Tashigi, who was still eating her pancake.
"This place…"
Before he could finish speaking—
"It looks like we've stumbled upon an interesting place," Garp said, grabbing another pancake and taking a big bite. Then, turning to the gloomy-faced Mok beside him, he grinned, "Hey, Mok boy, you'd better give us a proper tour. Otherwise, I might just arrest you~"