First Meeting

The island is not large, with only two small hills of varying heights.

The village was built on the hilltop.

At this moment, a noisy scene was unfolding in the village.

"That's him? That rookie One Piece?!"

"That's right... it's him. I didn't expect him to come here..."

"We need to leave quickly, or we'll be in trouble if the Hell Pirates come looking for us. Knowing their personalities... we might get caught up in it too."

Outside a small tavern, several One Piece passing by looked at the back of the person sitting at the counter eating behind the door and spoke with trepidation.

Then, several more One Piece rushed out of the tavern, as if the men inside were some kind of demon or monster, avoiding them at all costs. Even their slightly drunken eyes instantly cleared, and without even grabbing their personal belongings, they and their companions quickly fled.

"Hey! You're not welcome here! Please leave right now!"

"You don't have to pay for the food and drinks... Get out of here!"

"Damn it... are you trying to kill everyone here?!"

Inside the house, the villagers, led by an old man, each held a simple weapon and aimed it at the man who was still eating with his back to them, ordering him to leave.

The man was wearing a black suit, tie, and hat, with long curly hair draped over his shoulders.

What's particularly noticeable is that there's a pigeon perched on his right shoulder.

She was even wearing a small tie.

Despite the villagers' attempts to drive him away, the man remained unmoved, continuing to twirl his fork and enjoy the noodles on his plate... However, the cold and aloof aura he exuded made those present hesitant to make any rash moves.

"Hey, did you hear me?!"

"If you don't leave, we'll really get rough!"

The village elder was sweating profusely and urged him on.

They didn't know the One Piece at first, but the village had always run a One Piece business, and One Piece passing by would often stop here. This person was recognized by One Piece in other taverns, and then the news spread quickly.

Only then did the villagers learn what kind of 'scourge' had come to the island.

They didn't know the Hadori Pirates, but in the North Blue, who didn't know the 'famous' Hell Pirates? Let alone a small island like theirs, they could destroy an entire country... It was impossible for everyone not to be afraid.

After a moment of silence, the man finally finished eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and placed a few Beli on the table without saying a word. He then stood up from his seat, a movement that made the villagers tremble and involuntarily step back.

Then, the man put his hands in his pockets, turned around, ignored everyone, and walked out of the store.

However, just when everyone thought he would leave as he wished, the One Piece suddenly stopped near the door and looked coldly at the village chief. "Do you have a tailor shop here?" He seemed completely oblivious to the villagers' 'dislike' for him.

"..."

"No, there's nothing there!"

The old man shouted loudly, his face red and his neck thick.

The man glanced at the 'raging' village chief, but wasn't angry. He just looked at the sky outside the door... then walked to the steps outside the tavern and plopped down on the floor.

It seems like they're not planning to leave after all!

This scene left the villagers speechless and dumbfounded.

"Get out of the way!"

Suddenly, a trembling voice came from among the villagers. A sallow-faced, emaciated, and destitute drunkard, clutching an old-fashioned Pistol, pushed his way through the crowd to the front, pointing the gun at the One Piece's back. His expression was incredibly tense, yet it also carried a hint of 'fighting courage'. "I was One Piece too... just a defeated loser who returned in a sorry state. This is my hometown... I won't stand by and watch you destroy it! Everyone else is afraid to lay a hand on you... but I, this One Piece, have no problem."

The drunkard slammed his hand on his chest and shouted with renewed courage, "I'm giving you one last chance... Now, leave this island immediately. You're not welcome here!"

"Otherwise..."

As he spoke, the drunkard's trembling finger was already on the trigger.

"Tangli!"

The villagers were shocked by the drunkard's behavior, but no one stopped him. They knew that someone had to "stand up" to get rid of him, and Tangli was willing to make the "sacrifice," which was very touching.

However, the One Piece continued to ignore them.

I sat steadily by the door.

"Ah!"

Tangli's pupils contracted, he yelled, closed his eyes, and pulled the trigger.

With a bang.

Everyone in the room instinctively closed their eyes.

After a while, when they opened their eyes, they found that there was no blood or corpses on the ground... The One Piece were sitting on the steps unharmed, except for a hole in the ground next to their feet.

Did it miss?

The villagers felt a complex mix of relief and disappointment.

Tangli collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

Firing that one shot was as if it had exhausted all his strength.

"You just said... you're One Piece... right?" Suddenly, the man spoke softly, his head slightly turned, shooting out an extremely sharp gaze at the terrified drunkard.

"You, you, you..."

Tangli was so overwhelmed by the former's captivating gaze that he lost his composure and could barely speak.

But at this moment, even an ordinary person could sense that the One Piece in front of them had murderous intent.

I'm going to die...

When the One Piece bent down and used his fingers to pry open the bullet hole at his feet, pulling the bullet out of the hard soil... a strange thought magically appeared in everyone's mind, as if they had a premonition of what was about to happen.

Tangli... is going to die!

The man gripped the mud-covered bullet, about to fling it at Tangli.

Suddenly, the One Piece's arm, which he was about to raise, stopped moving.

Then, like a spring, its body twisted and turned its head instantly, as if it had been stressed.

The moment his body turned back... the One Piece's expression froze, and his eyes narrowed sharply.

Because a face wrapped in bandages met his eyes, like a ghost that suddenly appeared in front of him, its head lowered so close to his face that they were only three or four centimeters apart... and they could even hear each other breathing clearly.

Beneath the bandages, a pair of sinister eyes scrutinized and examined him.

"It's you... the captain of the Hadori Pirates."

The 'mummy', dressed in black bandages, recited the words one by one.

Whoosh! As soon as he finished speaking, the One Piece instantly flashed out and darted to the side of the road.

He changed from sitting on the steps to standing, ready for battle.

"Hehehe..."

The wind stirred up by the opponent's swift movement sent a cool sensation across Dom's face. He straightened his hunched back, looked at the spot where the One Piece had appeared, and sneered, "Don't be nervous... I haven't planned to kill you yet..."

"Not bad speed... you're really something, no wonder you were able to take down so many of us."

Dom offered a compliment, then with a flick of his finger, he spun the short blade of the Nichirin Sword hanging at his waist into his hand with fluid, effortless movements.

"I don't need to introduce myself, do I..."

The bandages on Dom's face were torn off, revealing a tongue sticking out.

"Hell Pirates, Night Wanderer".

The man stared at Dom and said in a deep voice.

Then, he looked around and changed the subject, "Just you... all alone?"

"What... are you disappointed?"

Dom walked over step by step, opened his arms, and exclaimed in surprise.

"I am a little disappointed... I thought I would meet your captain, but it doesn't matter. After I kill you, he should come looking for me. Then... I can kill him too." The One Piece cracked his knuckles and said calmly.

"Hello..."

Upon hearing this, Dom let out a mocking laugh and paused in his steps. The One Piece thought he was being greeted.

"Wang... this newcomer is a bit too arrogant."

These words were clearly not directed at him.

The man was startled, realizing what was happening, and his muscles tensed instantly.

But then, an arm wrapped around his shoulder, followed by a soft chuckle, "Hello... Nice to meet you. I'm the captain of the Hell Pirates, the guy who'll be dying at your hands soon..."