A ship with blood-red sails, emblazoned with the golden words "Moya."
A sailboat with a menacing blood-red dragon's head at its bow slowly appeared at the docks of Marine Branch 153.
It was none other than the Yanhuang, the Moya Adventure Group's ship.
The island's residents stared in alarm at the Yanhuang, which looked a little different from a pirate ship.
Thinking pirates had come to attack, they hurried back into their homes. A few civic-minded young men ran to report it to the Marine Branch.
Inside the Marine Branch.
Two days earlier, a pirate wearing a straw hat had rescued Pirate Hunter Zoro and defeated Colonel Morgan, who had enslaved them all.
So the highest-ranking officer in the branch now was a lieutenant commander.
Just then, a Marine rushed in.
"Reporting to the lieutenant commander! The islanders have raised the alarm! Pirates are attacking! Please go drive them off and capture them immediately!"
The lieutenant commander was startled. The Straw Hat pirate had only left yesterday, and now another pirate attack was underway. Colonel Morgan was already in prison.
But Morgan had also been the strongest fighter at Marine Branch 153.
The lieutenant commander could only hope the attackers were small-time pirates. He had no time to dwell on it and immediately issued an order.
"Attention! Everyone in the branch, assemble! Repel the pirates!"
"Yes, sir!" the Marine replied, saluting.
Watching the panicked islanders, Moya felt rather indifferent. He had no desire to deal with these ignorant people shouting for no reason.
Moya told the crew to disembark and buy the supplies they needed.
Moya had explicitly forbidden robbing or looting innocent civilians, so he had taken all of Alvida's treasure with him.
By then, the lieutenant commander had arrived at the docks with the Marines. They stared at the menacing sailboat, which bore no pirate flag and was unfamiliar to them.
The lieutenant commander was certain he had never seen the ship before. He looked at the handsome young man at its head, whose looks seemed almost unreal.
The lieutenant commander shook his head, banishing the distracting thoughts. He guessed they were a bunch of rookies who had only just set sail as pirates, and his tension eased a little.
"You there, you little pirate! State your name! How dare you attack a Marine branch!"
The lieutenant commander raised a hand and shouted at Moya.
Moya folded his arms, his expression blank.
"Hello, Marine. We're not pirates!"
Then he grew serious.
"My name is Moya! We're adventurers—and part-time merchants. We're only here to restock. Please don't misunderstand!"
The lieutenant commander remained wary despite Moya's answer and began to issue a warning.
"If you're not pirates, then obey the rules and put away your weapons!"
Moya turned to look over the armed crew. It seemed they hadn't yet adjusted to no longer being pirates.
"Put away your weapons. You all look terrifying, and it gives a bad impression!"
At his words, the crew put away their weapons.
"Those of you going shopping, get to it—and remember to pay. We're adventurers and merchants!"
Moya gave the order, making sure to remind them.
"I'm truly sorry, Marine. We didn't mean to alarm you. We ran into pirates yesterday, and we're still a little shaken. The crew's on edge, so please bear with us."
The lieutenant commander relaxed a little at Moya's explanation.
He figured a bunch of rookies wouldn't dare openly attack a Marine branch, and was about to lead his men away.
Just then, Moya called out in a somewhat polite voice.
"Excuse me, Marine. Have you seen a pirate wearing a straw hat around here? Or has Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro been on this island?"
Moya didn't know whether the story's events had changed, so he could only ask.
The lieutenant commander frowned. "Young man, don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong! Mind your own business."
With that, he left. He was afraid that if he looked at Moya any longer, he might turn gay.
Moya's expression changed. It seemed Luffy had already been here. He didn't know how far the story had progressed, and anxiety began to creep in. He couldn't afford to waste any more time.
With the Marines gone and the danger past, people gradually began to return to the streets.
Moya walked over to a woman at a street stall and asked her,
"Ma'am, has a pirate wearing a straw hat been here in the past few days? Has Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro shown up? And what's happened to Colonel Morgan?"
The woman looked at Moya, who seemed to be the leader. Seeing how handsome and polite he was, she relaxed quite a bit.
"Oh my, yes! A couple of days ago, that boy in the straw hat made a huge scene at the Marine branch. He even beat Colonel Morgan and his son, who'd been oppressing us all this time. It was so satisfying!
"They only left yesterday. Were you looking for them? You're a day too late."
Moya's spirits sank. Zoro, in the end, he just wasn't meant to meet him!
Still, the good news was that Luffy and the others had only left a day ago. At their pace, Moya had a good chance of catching up with them in Orange Town.
By then, Nami wouldn't be getting away from him!
Moya immediately gave Dis an order.
"Tell the crew to finish buying everything on the list as quickly as possible, then get back on board and wait for me. We're leaving soon!"
At that, Dis hurried off to notify the others.
Moya walked along by himself, when suddenly he spotted a cute little girl.
Wasn't that the girl who had fed Zoro a rice ball? Rika!
Though Moya's outlook had changed, he was stuck aboard ship every day with a bunch of men.
Moya, a modern-day shut-in, couldn't stand that. When it came to little girls, young women, and mature women, he lived by that famous internet catchphrase:
"Only kids have to choose. I want them all!"
Besides, Rika might become a bridge that would help him get to know Zoro. Forming another bond with Zoro—or even having something to hold over him—wouldn't be bad either.
Moya admitted he was a modern man who looked out for his own interests. But if he could enjoy the view while accomplishing a goal, why not?
Moya's lips curled up. Besides, little girls could be raised right!
He activated his Devil Fruit ability, Instant Slide.
Rika looked at the handsome man who had suddenly appeared before her and couldn't help but look startled.
"Can I get you something to eat, sir?"
"Anything you make yourself would be fine."
A hint of a smile appeared on Moya's face, which had been expressionless for days.
Hearing that, Rika blushed and stammered,
"My mom and I make all the rice balls here. I recommend this one—it's the best rice ball in our shop! I made it myself, too."
Moya tried Rika's special rice ball and found it surprisingly delicious.
Looking at the bashful Rika, his personality from before he'd crossed into this world began to resurface. Before he knew it, his little-girl-loving side had burst out.
But there was no need to rush. He put on a warm, insincere smile.
"My name is Moya. I'm actually Zoro's friend. I came to thank you for saving him."
At the mention of Zoro, Rika's eyes lit up, and she asked,
"Is Master Moya a powerful Pirate Hunter too? Can you beat pirates until they're utterly defeated?
"Oh, right, I'm Rika. My name is Rika."
The little girl waved both hands, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Moya with admiration.
Looking at the adorable Rika, Moya patted her head and said,
"I'm not a Pirate Hunter. I'm an adventurer. But I can beat pirates until they're utterly defeated, too. One day, I'll become a great adventurer and make a name for myself across the world!
"Would you like to go on adventures with me?"
Rika felt admiration, but also a little nervous.
She admired Master Moya's strength and noble ambition, but she was nervous because he had invited her to go on an adventure with him.
Rika was immediately lost in troubled thought.
She was only a little girl. Why had Moya invited her? Was it because she made delicious rice balls?
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