The Clown Appears
East Blue, near Dawn Island
Where the sea meets the sky, the blue waves ripple.
A small, crooked Pirate boat painted bright red was slowly approaching the shore.
The deck was old and the hull was crooked. The only thing that stood out was a comical flag with a huge Red Nose painted on it, trembling and swaying in the sea breeze.
"Hehehe... this place looks pretty good!"
Buggy, binoculars in hand, stood at the bow of the boat, gesturing excitedly. "The village is peaceful, the seafood is plentiful, and the terrain is low-lying—it's practically a paradise for burglar beginners!"
"My little ones--!"
Buggy stood at the bow of the ship, hands on his hips, his Red Nose twitching in the wind, twirling his binoculars in a fancy circle.
"Look! Ahead lies a barren island with refreshing sea breezes, plump fish and shrimp, and teeming with the elderly, women, and children!"
"This perfect place, with all the right timing, location, and people, is the very hunting ground for me—Captain Buggy!"
Wow!
Mohji jumped up excitedly, and with a crack of his whip, sent an unfortunate seagull flying.
Cabaji spun around on the deck like a whirlwind, sparks flying from his feet;
Even the Richie lion opened one lazy eye and burped.
"Richie!"
He roared at the yawning lion, "Stop playing dead! Get up and get to work!!"
"Prepare to land! I, Buggy, am going to make a fortune Pirate today! I'll plunder this wretched island until even the coconut trees cry!"
Just as everyone was excitedly preparing to land--
"Whoosh!"
Buggy suddenly froze.
His Red Nose twitched reflexively, and the next second, the hairs on his body stood on end, and his face turned deathly pale!
"W-What the hell?!"
A bone-chilling cold seemed to seep into my spine from the seabed, suddenly sweeping through my entire body!
"This... this feeling... is bad..."
His Red Nose flashed wildly like a radar, his mouth began to twitch, his knees went weak, and his belly trembled.
"Captain Buggy?"
Mohji leaned closer, puzzled. "Why are you suddenly sweating so much? It's quite cool today."
"Quiet!!" Buggy roared as he turned around, but his voice cracked, sounding more like a duck on the verge of collapse.
He stared intently at the peaceful and serene Dawn Island ahead, his gaze lingering on the unremarkable mountain forest.
"That island... something's not right!"
Buggy's teeth chattered, and his voice trembled uncontrollably. "My sixth sense tells me that if we dare set foot on that land..."
"It's not just death, it's being utterly destroyed! The kind of death where even Red Nose would explode on the spot!!"
Cabaji: "..."
Mohji: "..."
Richie, lying there with a look of disgust, said, "Pfft?"
Buggy, no longer caring about his image, yelled, "What are you all standing there for! Turn around, you bastards!! I, Buggy, don't want to die a horrible death like a sweet potato exploding!!"
Mohji: "They just said this place was paradise..."
Cabaji looked shocked. "Even Captain Buggy, who dared to bite the side of Whitebeard's ship, is this scared? What is this island...?"
The crew finally realized something was wrong and began frantically turning the rudder. The small boat swished its stern and turned around, then sped away, its tattered sail still Hunting Roar.
"Get further away! Even further away!! At least 500 nautical miles is a safe distance!!"
Buggy clung to the deck, backing away towards the small island behind him, as if he saw death smiling down on him.
"That feeling... it's exactly the same as when Captain Roger was angry back then?!"
"Are you kidding me? This is the East Blue! How could such a monster possibly live on this island?!"
The small boat, its shadow trailing in the wind, seemed to be fleeing Dawn Island.
In the distance, a flock of seagulls took flight, soaring across the boundless horizon where the sea meets the sky.
Dawn Island - Forest Edge
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the entire mountain forest a warm golden-red. The leaves swayed gently in the breeze, and dappled sunlight fell on a solitary rock half-hidden in the forest.
A man wearing sunglasses sat on a rock, dressed in a simple fisherman's coat, his hair fluttering slightly in the sea breeze.
He watched silently as the dilapidated Pirate ship fled in haste, his expression calm yet tinged with a hint of mockery.
"Tsk, this guy has a pretty good nose."
A playful smile appeared on the man's lips as he pulled out Den Den Mushi from his waist and pressed the dial button.
"Dawn Island Group, reporting."
He said calmly, "The Pirates who just wandered into our waters have already gone far away; there's no need to intervene."
The Den Den Mushi answered, "Understood, crisis averted."
He hung up the phone, stood up, and looked back at a quiet house that was faintly visible in the distance.
That was the place where Roy's parents lived.
He whispered, "Luckily, Fleet Admiral Sengoku arranged for us to take turns on duty beforehand. If something had really happened, it would have been difficult to handle."
The golden sunset shone behind him, and a vigilant yet covert protective network was silently operating.
Dawn Island Beach
The setting sun bathed the entire beach in a soft gold hue, and the waves rolled in layer upon layer onto the shore, leaving behind shimmering foam and seashells.
Rock walked on the beach with his hands behind his back and a serious expression. Airin took Rock's arm and they walked slowly on the soft sand.
She wore a light-colored cotton dress, her few silver hairs fluttering gently in the evening breeze, and a gentle smile on her face.
"It feels so good... The sea breeze at this time of day doesn't smell fishy at all." She gazed at the horizon where the sea met the sky, her voice so soft it seemed as if it would be carried away by the wind.
Rock, however, maintained a stern face and snorted, "The East Blue has been relatively peaceful lately; it seems the navy hasn't been slacking off on patrols."
"Oh~" Airin blinked, her tone playful, "Are you praising the Navy, or are you bragging about your son?"
"Ahem!" Rock was momentarily speechless, but his ears turned slightly red.
Airin chuckled, leaned closer, and gently tightened her grip on his arm. "Stop pretending. You're always complaining about how naughty your grandson is, but last night you secretly polished Luffy's Bamboo Sword, and you spent the whole night sharpening the scabbard too~"
"I..." Rock's face turned even redder, but he stubbornly insisted, "That's because the humidity by the sea is too high, and the bamboo will easily rot!"
"Heh~" Airin's laughter grew even gentler, and she whispered, "You arrogant old man~"
The two walked side by side, the sand beneath their feet casting long shadows in the afterglow of the setting sun. A gentle evening breeze brushed past their ears, carrying a faint scent of cooking smoke.
Airin gazed at the children running in the distance and said softly, "With Roy protecting them, those two children will grow up safe and healthy."
Rock was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slowly.
"I hope so... but even with Roy, I'll watch them grow up."
Airin looked at him, smiling broadly.
A gentle sea breeze caressed them, and their shadows stretched long in the setting sun, serene and warm.
Grand Line - Marine warship Deck
The sea breeze howls as Warships cut through the waves.
Smoker stood in the middle of the deck, Jitte clasped over his shoulders, the smoke from two Cigars swirling in the wind.
He narrowed his eyes, looking at the two brats in front of him— Kuina held a Wado Ichimonji, the tip of the sword pointing diagonally at the ground;
Zoro drew his twin swords, Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri, crossed in front of him, his fighting spirit blazing.
"Come on, kids," Smoker exhaled a smoke ring, "Let me see what Roy's pick of this 'genius' is really worth."
Kuina made the first move!
"Shimotsuki Style · Moon Shadow!"
Her figure suddenly blurred, and the blade flashed like a cold moon, aimed straight at Smoker's throat!
"Clang!"
Jitte precise parry, sparks flying!
Smoker raised an eyebrow slightly; the speed and angle of that strike far surpassed the skill level of the Marines at Marine Headquarters!
Zoro followed closely behind!
"Two-Sword Style: Eagle Wave!"
The twin blades slashed out in a cross pattern, their sharp sword energy Sky Splitter!
Smoker deflected Kuina's sword, then withdrew his Jitte to block, the clanging of metal echoing loudly!
"Interesting!" He grinned and suddenly exerted his strength!
"Bang!"
The Jitte, imbued with Armament Haki, deflected the Jitte, causing Zoro to stagger backward. Kuina, whose swords had been knocked away, seized the opportunity to spin around and slash again with her blade!
"Shimotsuki Style · Reverse Slash!"
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Within three seconds, the blade clashed with the Jitte more than ten times!
The sailors on deck were dumbfounded. These two kids were actually going to fight Captain Smoker to a standstill?!
After ten moves, Smoker suddenly stopped. As the smoke cleared, he stared at the two who were slightly out of breath, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"To have mastered swordsmanship to this level without even systematically learning Haki techniques..."
He gave a light "humph," "No wonder Roy thinks so highly of you guys."
Kuina sheathed her sword, her expression composed. "Thank you for your guidance."
Zoro grinned, his fighting spirit undiminished. "Again!"
Smoker smiled slightly, "Save your energy, kid."
He turned and walked toward the Bridge, leaving a long trail of smoke behind him.
"Once we get to Marineford, you'll have a taxi."