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"Hey... don't get too excited! If I'm right, this should be the bounty hunters' lair," Ikki said, his tone cutting through the lively atmosphere.
Sanji was in the middle of blowing kisses to a group of beauties, while Usopp was striking exaggerated poses. Ikki's words made both of them freeze.
"Ikki, are you overthinking this? There are so many people in this town. How could they all be bounty hunters?" Usopp asked, glancing at the townsfolk on either side of the river, who smiled warmly as if they had no ill intentions.
Sanji chimed in, "Exactly! How could a beautiful woman possibly be a bounty hunter?" He grinned dreamily, once again waving to the women who seemed to be admiring him.
Ikki didn't bother to argue further. Instead, he turned to Nami, who had already started to sense that something was off.
Although there were plenty of pirates on the Grand Line, it was rare—if not unheard of—for a town to welcome them so openly. After all, good-hearted pirates like the Straw Hats were the exception, not the rule.
Catching Ikki's look, Nami nodded. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she decided to trust his instincts. Without missing a beat, she landed two solid punches on Sanji and Usopp, snapping them out of their daze.
"Listen up! No matter what, we'd better be cautious and go along with what Ikki says," Nami ordered, her tone sharp.
Zoro smirked as his hand rested on the hilt of the Sandai Kitetsu. "Heh. If these bounty hunters think they're clever for setting up shop near the Grand Line entrance, they're in for a rude awakening. Perfect chance to break in the new blade," he said with a sneer.
He seemed to recall something from his past—a group associated with a codename, "Mr." Baroque Works had once tried to recruit him during his time in the East Blue.
Finally, the Straw Hats disembarked, stepping into a lively town filled with welcoming townsfolk—who, unbeknownst to them, were actually bounty hunters in disguise.
At first glance, the scene seemed to echo a typical Straw Hat encounter: a grand feast complete with music, dancing, and food. The crew relaxed, enjoying the festivities despite Ikki's earlier warning.
Ikki, however, remained alert. He discreetly used magic to test the food and drinks, finding no poison except for traces of a mild anesthetic in the wine. It was clear the bounty hunters weren't making their move just yet.
Sanji was in his element, surrounded by a dozen beautiful women. Luffy devoured food with reckless abandon, exhausting the chefs in record time. Meanwhile, Usopp entertained the crowd with wild tales of his adventures.
"...and then, with my incredible skill, I defeated a giant goldfish the size of an island!" Usopp declared, his voice booming as he puffed out his chest.
The bounty hunters listened with barely concealed skepticism, their admiration clearly feigned. Yet they played along, encouraging him to drink more wine.
Ikki couldn't help but smirk. While they might laugh now, he knew that all of Usopp's boasts would eventually come true.
Because he is Go D.Usopp.
After the bounty hunters' elaborate plans at Whiskey Peak, the Straw Hats appeared to have fallen for the trap. Everyone seemed drunk and defenseless.
At the entrance of the tavern, the bounty hunters gathered, loudly discussing how to split the loot—especially the hefty 30 million beli bounty on Luffy's head. Just as they began dividing their spoils, a voice rang out, sharp and mocking.
"Can't you let them sleep in peace? Everyone's exhausted from today's voyage," Zoro said, standing on the roof with his long sword in hand and a sneer on his face.
The bounty hunters looked up in shock. There, silhouetted against the moonlight, stood Zoro. Before they could react, more figures appeared on the roof—Sanji, Usopp, Nami, Ikki, and Luffy, who was fast asleep after stuffing himself at the feast.
Zoro turned his head, grinning. "Oi, ero-cook, I thought you were really knocked out."
"Shut it, moss-head! Ikki warned me to stay on guard here. Like I'd let my guard down in a place like this," Sanji shot back, his cigarette glowing as he scowled.
The bounty hunters below exchanged uneasy glances. Their carefully laid plan had not only failed but had also cost them a fortune in food and drink.
Mr. 8, the curly-haired leader of Whiskey Peak, finally snapped. "Enough chatter! There's only a handful of them. Take them down, all of you!" he commanded, rallying the bounty hunters.
Zoro stepped forward, his confidence unwavering. "You lot stay back and enjoy the show," he said to his crewmates.
Nobody objected.
Ikki, meanwhile, unsheathed Toyako Bokuto and activated his three-tomoe Sharingan. His intent was clear—he planned to copy Zoro's swordsmanship. With a weapon like Toyako Bokuto at his disposal, mastering some sword techniques seemed only natural.
He watched closely as Zoro moved, making mental notes. "Of course," Ikki mused, "I can't copy his three-sword style. Not unless I figure out how to hold a sword in my mouth and still call out attacks. No yelling out moves? That's just boring."
Zoro began his one-man battle against the bounty hunters. He didn't draw Wado Ichimonji or Kuina. Instead, he wielded the Sandai Kitetsu, eager to test its capabilities after acquiring it in Loguetown.
Zoro's movements were fluid and unpredictable. He darted between the hunters like a shadow, cutting them down effortlessly while keeping his distance. The bounty hunters, unable to match his speed or skill, fell one after another.
From the rooftop, Ikki carefully observed, capturing Zoro's techniques with both his Sharingan and a Den Den Mushi camera. His secondary focus? Recording Princess Vivi's antics.
At that moment, Vivi, standing atop her loyal duck Karoo, was spraying a perfume laced with nerve-anesthetizing agents. Zoro, distracted by the chaotic fight, inhaled the scent without realizing its effect.
By the time Zoro noticed something was wrong, the perfume had taken hold. He stumbled, falling to his knees. Sensing an opportunity, Vivi urged Karoo forward for an attack. However, whether from hesitation or Karoo's clumsiness, the duo miscalculated. Karoo tripped, sending both him and Vivi tumbling off the roof in a comical heap.
Zoro watched the spectacle in silence, utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters...
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at his desk, studying a report. His brows furrowed in thought as he read the latest intelligence.
"Alabasta's rebellion... What a headache," he muttered.
The door burst open, and Vice Admiral Garp strolled in, his usual carefree demeanor on full display. "Yo, Sengoku! What do you need me for?"