Who Got Lost?!

Guided by Cat Claw, pirates from every direction converged on the center of the island. The moment they met, no provocation was needed—the pirates began slaughtering one another of their own accord.

"The Buggy Pirates are fighting the Goa Kingdom fleet!"

"The Bone Pirates have been defeated!"

"Bounty hunter."

On a concealed slope not far from the central peak, Luo Ya and his subordinates lay hidden, constantly monitoring the pirates' movements.

"Isca, attack from Point A."

"Fullbody, from Point B."

Holding a branch, Luo Ya roughly sketched on the ground as he assigned their next moves, arrows pointing toward the "treasure."

Once the pirates decided the victor and seized "Kuro's Treasure," it would be their turn to make an appearance and slap those delighted pirates hard across the face.

Rustle, rustle~~

Suddenly, obvious movement came from the nearby bushes, immediately drawing Luo Ya and the others' attention.

A wild beast?

Under everyone's watchful eyes, a green-haired young man with three long swords at his waist stepped out of the grass.

Seeing Luo Ya and the others crouched together in a meeting, their bodies wrapped in camouflage, the green-haired young man was clearly stunned and somewhat unable to make sense of the situation.

"Wild gorillas?"

"You're the wild gorilla!"

The group's faces darkened.

"So they're people!"

The green-haired young man drew all three swords and pointed them at Luo Ya's group, brimming with confidence. "I get it. You're the Wild Gorilla Pirates, right?"

"..."

Silence.

How had this guy found this place?

Fullbody lowered his voice. "Second Lieutenant Luo Ya, this guy is Roronoa Zoro, a bounty hunter who has been rather active lately!"

"Mm, I know."

Luo Ya's gaze turned distant.

Green moss for hair, three swords, and a rather low IQ—there were too many distinctive traits. It would have been stranger if he failed to recognize him.

About half a year ago, Zoro had begun operating in the nearby seas. After defeating several criminals with bounties in the millions, he had gained a bit of fame.

A bounty hunter was not an enemy.

Luo Ya silently removed his disguise, revealing his Marine uniform. Seeing this, Isca and the others also shed their camouflage.

They did not need to hide too thoroughly for the impending cleanup operation. As Marines, they still needed to arrest pirates with a positive public image at critical moments.

"We're Marines!"

"Hm?"

Zoro's face was full of question marks. After confirming that Luo Ya and the others really were dressed as Marines, he somewhat regretfully sheathed his swords.

"What, you're Marines."

"See you."

"Once I catch some pirates, I'll come find you."

He turned, waved goodbye, and left.

Without the slightest hesitation.

Watching Zoro leave, Isca hesitated. Even if bounty hunters were not enemies of the Marines, if he caused them to be exposed, the consequences could be quite serious.

"Second Lieutenant Luo Ya, shouldn't we keep him here?"

"No need."

Luo Ya slowly withdrew his gaze.

There should be no need to worry about Zoro. Before joining the Straw Hat Pirates, that kid had an extreme hatred for pirates.

Besides, he was currently a law-abiding citizen.

The most pressing matter was still the campaign against the Buggy Pirates. Even if they wanted to make contact with Zoro, it would have to wait until afterward.

"Continue the meeting!"

Ten minutes later.

Rustle, rustle~~

Under the death stares of Luo Ya and the others, the bushes shook again. Then Zoro swaggered out.

The familiar campsite, the familiar Marines, the familiar faces—it felt as though he had seen them before, yet somehow had not.

Zoro frowned, quickly figuring out what had happened.

"Heh, similar Marine camps, huh."

"."

Silence.

Was there something wrong with this guy's brain?

Luo Ya and the other three stared at Zoro, their eyes filled with the pitying concern one reserved for the mentally disabled.

After considering his words, Luo Ya offered a rather tactful reminder. "Hey, buddy, is it possible... that you got lost?"

"Impossible!"

Zoro denied it flatly.

Ridiculous. How could he possibly get lost!

This time, he would go in the opposite direction. That had to work, right?!

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zoro walked past Luo Ya and the others, then plunged into the forest without looking back.

Ten minutes later.

The young man returned to the camp once more.

Looking at the familiar scene before him and the same four Marines, Zoro's head began to steam without another word.

He really had gotten lost!

After a long silence, Zoro passed in front of Luo Ya with his head lowered like an ostrich, pretending nothing had happened.

"Hey."

Luo Ya suddenly called out to stop Zoro, raising a hand toward the central mountain several kilometers away. The meaning was obvious.

Zoro looked up, his spirits lifting.

With such an obvious landmark, there was no way he could get lost again.

Ten minutes later.

The familiar camp.

"Sorry, coming through."

"Ahhh! What the hell is going on with this forest?!"

Inside the camp.

Luo Ya timed it and ended the pre-battle meeting at just the right moment.

"He's coming."

"."

Isca and the other two stood up at once and saluted.

"Rustle, rustle~~"

Exactly ten minutes later, the green-haired young man burst out of the bushes. When he saw the familiar sight before him, his mind went completely blank.

Damn it.

Why couldn't he get out?!

The young man clenched his fists unwillingly.

This world was like a maze, malice lurking everywhere.

Half a year ago, because he wanted to fish, he had taken a small boat out to sea. In the end, he couldn't find his way home and ended up stranded in a foreign land.

Later, he heard that that man was on the Grand Line and planned to find him, but whenever he set sail, he would somehow return to where he started.

He had finally made two friends, but they always got lost. Every reunion took them a long time.

Damn it, why was every place like a maze? Wasn't there anywhere simpler?!

"Don't give up!"

Cheers of encouragement rang out beside his ear.

"If you give up now, then everything will be over!"

"Keep it up, little brother!"

"You can definitely make it out of this forest!"

Zoro looked up blankly and saw several Marines clenching their fists as they cheered him on, their eyes full of sympathy.

Bastards, don't pity me!

The green-haired young man left in humiliation and anger.

Before long, the green-haired young man returned once again.

Thud!

The green-haired young man began to doubt the world.

"Hey!"

Luo Ya rubbed his forehead speechlessly, then handed Zoro a cup of water and some bread. "You're a Bounty hunter. You came here to catch Pirates, didn't you?"

"That's right."

Zoro accepted Luo Ya's kindness.

He had run around the camp more than a dozen times and was both hungry and thirsty.

"We're Marines, and our goal this time is to capture Pirates too." Luo Ya suggested, "Come with us. We'll take you out of this forest and help you find the Pirates."

"Really?"

Zoro's eyes widened.

He felt that with his own strength, he might never make it out of this Labyrinth Forest in his lifetime. If he could get the Marines' help, it would save him a lot of effort.

Besides, he didn't dislike the Marines.

"Of course."

Luo Ya nodded with a smile.

Although Zoro was still young, he had already made a name for himself, so his strength could not be underestimated. Besides, Luo Ya wanted to see the Three-Sword Style for himself.