Island of War

The moment they set foot on the island, Roger, Rayleigh, and the others with stronger Observation Haki had their expressions change slightly, their faces turning grave.

"Captain, First Mate, is there something wrong with this island?" someone who had noticed their expressions asked.

"It's nothing. The atmosphere on this island is rather oppressive. In any case, be careful while you're out and about."

"Don't worry, Captain. We'll be careful."

They left several of the stronger crew members behind to guard the ship, while everyone else went ashore to explore freely.

There was a town not far from where they had landed, and the group headed inside. The moment Shirakawa caught sight of it, his expression changed.

The town was simply too dilapidated. The houses were crude, unable to keep out even the rain. The people's clothes were worn and tattered, covered in patches, and their bodies were little more than skin and bones.

When their group entered, some of the townspeople looked timid, while others revealed crazed expressions.

"Captain, I have a bad feeling about staying here."

Buggy walked up to Roger and spoke cautiously. In his eyes, these people looked truly terrifying.

Shirakawa also kept his guard up, watching his surroundings. Just then, someone suddenly pulled out a dagger and lunged at him like a madman.

Watching the man charge toward him, Shirakawa's expression shifted slightly. He grabbed the other man's wrist, then threw him over his shoulder, knocking him unconscious.

"Shirakawa, that was too heavy-handed," Roger reprimanded him.

"Sorry, Captain. I'll be more careful next time."

Shirakawa was somewhat confused. There were so many people here, so why had they singled him out?

That man's actions seemed like a signal to sound the charge. More and more people holding weapons closed in on them, and most of them fixed their eyes on Shirakawa.

"Hey, what are you all looking at me for? I don't think I've done anything to wrong you."

With so many people glaring at him viciously, even Shirakawa began to feel a little unnerved.

"They don't hate you. They probably hate the nobles of this country."

"Nobles? What does that have to do with me? I'm not one of their nobles."

"Maybe it's because you have a similar air about you." Although Shirakawa had blended in with the Roger Pirates, it still could not conceal his natural bearing.

"So having that kind of air is my fault?"

"Just knock them out. Don't hit them too hard."

"Understood, Captain."

Shirakawa stepped out from the group and opened his eyes slightly. A faint burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted. In an instant, everyone surrounding him rolled their eyes back and collapsed unconscious.

That was only because Shirakawa had deliberately held back. Otherwise, his Conqueror's Haki might have killed them.

Their minds were incredibly fragile. They had clearly suffered prolonged mental oppression, and people like that could not withstand even slightly stronger Haki.

"Let's go. We won't get any useful information from a town like this. Let's keep moving."

And so, the group traveled onward for nearly two more days before finally seeing a somewhat more prosperous city.

"Split up before entering. Try not to cause a commotion."

"Yes, Captain."

After a while, Shirakawa, Buggy, and Shanks formed a three-man group and entered the city.

The city's bustling streets made Shirakawa's eyes light up. Or rather, only a place like this could truly be called a city.

Though the people here were not dressed lavishly, they were at least plainly and neatly clothed. All the necessary buildings and facilities were present as well.

"Come on, let's go to a tavern," Shanks suggested. For a drunkard, a tavern was naturally the best place to go.

"Sure!" Buggy immediately agreed.

"Then let's go."

On a very secluded street, the three of them finally found a tavern. To their surprise, they ran into someone they knew there: First Mate Rayleigh.

"First Mate, why are you here? Aren't you with the Captain?"

"What nonsense. I came here to drink, of course. As for Roger, I don't know where he went either."

Shanks and Buggy each ordered a beer, while Shirakawa ordered a fruit wine.

While drinking, they also learned some information about the island from the owner.

The island was enormous, but there were three countries on it. Wars frequently broke out between the three nations, leaving each one depleted in both manpower and resources.

Naturally, the common people suffered the most in war. Not only did they have to hand over their money and goods, but sometimes they were even forced onto the battlefield.

This had bred deep resentment among ordinary people toward the nobles, because nearly all these wars had been started by the nobles, and it was nobles who sent people to collect their wealth.

"I see. First Mate, did you already know about the situation on this island?"

"I knew a little. When we first landed, we sensed that a war was happening somewhere on the island. But we didn't know the details, so we told you all to be careful."

"But it looks like we'll be fine as long as we don't go to the center of the battlefield."

"By the way, First Mate, how long are we staying on this island?"

"Who knew? Once the Log Pose finished recording the magnetic pull of the next island, we could leave. It might take a month, or it might take a year."

"A year? That long?" Shirakawa asked in surprise.

"What did you expect? Of course, if you have an Eternal Pose for the next island, tell the captain. If the captain allows it, we can leave anytime."

"Forget it. How could I have something like that?"

"Then all we can do is wait here." Rayleigh said it casually, unconcerned.

After a few drinks, all of them were a little tipsy and planned to find an inn to rest.

Just as they stepped outside, a figure suddenly crashed into Shirakawa's arms. The impact left him dazed, and the figure stayed sprawled in his embrace without getting up.

"Miss, we haven't even met before. Isn't this a little inappropriate?"

Shirakawa looked down and saw that it was a woman.

"Shut up." A low, muffled voice came from against his chest.

"Shirakawa, you lucky bastard."

Rayleigh, standing in front of Shirakawa, spoke with a sour tone tinged with envy and jealousy. He had seen it clearly just now—the young woman had been heading for him, but when Shirakawa stepped out, she changed direction and threw herself into Shirakawa's arms.

"So being handsome really lets you do whatever you want, huh?"

"First Mate, this isn't my fault. She threw herself at me willingly."

"Shut up." That voice rang out again.

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up."

After they remained locked in that awkward stalemate for a short while, a group of people hurried past them. They looked like warriors from this country, apparently searching for someone.