Kuro's Treasure Worth 100 Million Beli!

East Blue, Organ Islands.

Orange Town was located amid these beautiful islands. Famous for producing oranges and orange products, it was a renowned port city in the East Blue.

While sailing the seas, vegetables and fruits were difficult to preserve for long periods, leaving many sailors unable to consume enough vitamin C and causing them to develop scurvy.

Orange juice, canned oranges, and other products rich in vitamin C had therefore become irreplaceable necessities for long voyages, essential for maintaining nutritional balance and saving lives.

The high demand for orange products solidified Orange Town's position at sea, making it increasingly wealthy and prosperous. It had practically become the central city of the surrounding waters.

Even some pirates liked coming to Orange Town to replenish supplies and squander money.

"We're here."

The Warship slowly docked.

Looking at Orange Town ahead, a hundred times more prosperous than Shells Town, Luo Ya suddenly had the urge to buy a house here.

The streets were bustling with people, yet incredibly clean and orderly. The houses on both sides stood in neat rows, making the place look exceptionally comfortable. Compared to the trendy openness of Glass Bead Island, Orange Town was undoubtedly more suitable for settling down.

It was a good place.

According to branch intelligence, the Buggy Pirates had not yet occupied Orange Town, and the town remained peaceful.

Normally, pirates rarely occupied a town for an extended period, because doing so would inevitably attract a Marine campaign.

Not many pirates dared to clash head-on with the Marines.

Of course, nothing was absolute. There was never any shortage of fools among pirates.

Luo Ya looked at his subordinates.

"You all understand what to do, right?"

"Understood!"

The Marines answered loudly. Among them, Jango had changed into his old pirate attire, standing on tiptoe and looking particularly flamboyant.

"Then let's begin!"

"Yes!"

Everyone split up and got to work.

Ten minutes later.

Jango held the brim of his hat as he walked alone down the center of the street. His habit of walking backward drew considerable attention.

"Huh? You say I'm a weirdo?"

Though no one had said anything, Jango was talking to himself.

"I'm not strange at all!"

No one was talking about you!

The surrounding pedestrians were speechless.

Soon, Jango arrived at a tavern and instantly became the focus of the drinkers' attention. Quite a few expressions changed; they had clearly recognized him.

Unlike the residents on the streets, taverns were where information traveled fastest. Their customers knew famous pirates inside and out, especially after the major event that had just taken place.

"It's actually him!"

"Didn't the Black Cat Pirates get wiped out?"

"I can't believe he escaped!"

Hypnotist Jango was a Great Pirate with a bounty of nine million Beli. Though he was not as famous as Captain Kuro, he was still a major figure in the surrounding waters.

Jango backed up to the bar, his manner exceptionally arrogant. "Boss, bring out your best wine and your best food! I'm starving!"

"This customer."

The tavern owner frowned. He had recognized Jango too. When dealing with a defeated stray, he had to consider one very practical question.

"Do you have money?"

"What? Money?"

Jango seemed to have been provoked. He searched through his pockets for quite a while, but in the end only found a few coins, which he slapped angrily onto the counter.

"Damn it, only 500 Beli!"

"Here."

The tavern owner was already used to this. He expertly brought Jango a bottle of the most ordinary ale, then had the kitchen prepare a serving of seafood fried rice.

Exactly 500 Beli.

"Damn it, you're looking down on me!"

Jango grumbled as he picked up the ale and seafood fried rice, heading toward a corner table while muttering under his breath.

"Damn bastard, once I find Captain Kuro's treasure, I'll definitely buy this whole place!"

Treasure?

His voice was not loud, but it happened to reach the drinkers' ears.

The drinkers immediately perked up.

The Black Cat Pirates had run rampant for years. Though they had now been destroyed by the Marines, the treasure they had accumulated could not have simply vanished into thin air.

That was Hundred Plans Kuro's treasure!

And someone knew where it was.

Several drinkers exchanged glances, then rose together and approached Jango. They placed wine on his table, wearing fake smiles.

"Brother, we'll treat you to a drink!"

"Boss, bring more wine!"

"The best wine!"

Meanwhile, in the harbor district.

The Marines split into groups of two or three and spread across the streets, holding Jango's Bounty Poster as they asked passing residents for information.

"We received intelligence that Hypnotist Jango, a remnant of the Black Cat Pirates, is on this island. If you see him, please inform us."

"Ah, all right!"

The residents nodded repeatedly. They were frightened too at the thought of such a dangerous pirate lingering nearby.

Without needing the Marines' reminder, the townspeople began informing one another on their own.

Very quickly, word that the Marines were searching for Black Cat Pirate remnants spread through Orange Town. Many citizens who had seen Jango began eagerly pointing the Marines in his direction.

In an alley, two Bounty hunters who had been sleeping beside a wall heard the commotion outside and climbed to their feet.

The two lit Cigarettes, their expressions grave.

"Our time has come, Johnny."

"You're right, Yosaku."

"As long as they're pirates, they're all our prey!"

"After a month, the feared Johnny and Yosaku duo will finally make their move again."

"This hunt's target is Hypnotist Jango? How tragic. Since he has become our prey, he can only blame the unfairness of fate!"

"Let's go, Johnny. Don't let those useless Marines beat us to it!"

"I understand, Yosaku. The pirate should be over there!"

The two walked out of the alley and confidently headed for the tavern. Taverns were where pirates loved to stay.

Soon, they arrived at the tavern. The moment they pushed open the doors, the drinkers' incredulous roar nearly blew the place apart.

"100 million Beli!!!"

"Ah, shh! Shh!"

At the center of the tavern, Jango had drunk quite a lot. His face was flushed, and he held a finger to his lips in panicked desperation, frantically hushing everyone.

"Shut up already, this is confidential!"

"The fact that Captain Kuro's treasure is buried on Moon Island absolutely cannot get out! That's treasure worth 100 million Beli!"

"Ah, I let it slip again!"

That panicked appearance was definitely not an act.

After a brief silence, the tavern erupted.

"Captain Kuro's treasure is mine!"

"Men, set sail for treasure!"

"Hahaha, we're rich!"

The drinkers scrambled to leave the tavern and search for Kuro's treasure, but at that moment, the tavern doors were kicked open!

More than a dozen gun-wielding Marines surged into the tavern, surrounding Jango with their Rifles raised. The leading Marine officer wore Iron Fist Gauntlets on both hands.

Fullbody the Double Iron Fist!

"Found you, pirate Jango!"

Fullbody held Jango's Bounty Poster, his expression dark. "You're under arrest. Kuro's treasure must never fall into pirate hands!"

"Damn it, they actually followed me here."

Jango cursed furiously, but faced with more than a dozen Rifles, he could only obediently raise his hands and surrender.

The drinkers around them became even more excited.

Even the Marines were searching for Kuro's treasure!

That meant Hundred Plans Kuro's treasure really existed!

The last trace of doubt vanished completely.

"Wait, Marines!"

Just as the Marines prepared to drag Jango away, two figures blocked the tavern entrance.

It was Johnny and Yosaku!

The two stood with their arms folded, blocking the door aggressively. A super treasure worth 100 million Beli was enough to make anyone lose their minds.

"Marines, we got here first. That pirate should be left to us!"

"You two?"

Fullbody was a little confused.

Who were these guys?

Wait, they looked somewhat familiar.

"Now I remember. You're the Bounty hunters who specialize in catching third-rate pirates, right? I think you're called Johnny and Yosaku?"

"That's right, it's us!"

Both their faces darkened at once.

"Johnny, this Marine kid seems to be looking down on us."

"Specializing in third-rate pirates? That sounds truly grating. It seems necessary to teach this clueless Marine a lesson, Yosaku."

As soon as the words fell, the two drew their swords and charged Fullbody together, shouting, "Marine grunt, taste our strength!"

"The treasure is ours!"

One minute later.

"W-We only lost by a little..."

The two lay on the ground with bruised, swollen faces.

"Sergeant, should we arrest them?"

"Forget it. There's no need to waste time on small fry like this."

Fullbody patted his hands together, not taking their provocation to heart.

"Let's go."

"Yes!"

After the Marines left the tavern, Johnny and Yosaku climbed to their feet sheepishly, yet still did not forget to make threats at the air.

"That Marine ran away."

"We were careless this time, but we only lost by a little. Next time we meet, we'll definitely show him what we're made of."

"Let's find big brother Zoro. If big brother Zoro had been there just now, we wouldn't have been outnumbered."

"Okay!"

"Kuro's treasure is ours!"