Pirates Attack

The azure sea rose and fell.

A ship flying the skull-and-crossbones sailed across the waves.

"Beard, how much longer until the next island?" a man in a captain's hat, with a scar across his face, asked the person beside him.

The man called Beard certainly lived up to his nickname. His face was covered in whiskers so thick that even his mouth and nose were hidden within them.

"Captain, soon. At our current speed, we'll arrive this afternoon." As he spoke, he glanced at the chart in his hand.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! I'll let the people on that island experience the terror of the Haribun Pirates!" the captain laughed.

The other pirates who had been busy at work raised their weapons and shouted at the captain's words.

Meanwhile, in Shimotsuki Village, half a year had passed since Kuina's funeral. During that time, Locke and the others had continued to grow, and their swordsmanship had improved greatly.

Every morning, they got up for morning training, then ate breakfast, followed by the challenge Zoro issued to Locke every single day.

But today, before Zoro could issue his challenge, Locke headed straight outside.

"Where are you going? Don't tell me you're trying to sneak off!" Zoro, who had also finished eating, roared as he watched Locke walk out the door before he could challenge him.

Locke turned back and rolled his eyes at Zoro before leaving on his own.

"Damn it!" Zoro chased after Locke.

After leaving the house, Locke headed for the kitchen. He had promised Carmen that he would accompany her to the village today to buy ingredients for her cooking practice.

So he paid no attention to Zoro's provocation. That kid had never been his match before, and ever since Locke had incorporated the Illusion-Illusion Fruit's power into his swordsmanship last month, he could crush him completely.

As they walked toward the village, Locke felt indescribably pleased as he looked at the increasingly beautiful Carmen beside him. It would have been even better if that green-haired brat had not been there.

"Hey, you refused a man's challenge just to accompany this woman to the village to buy ingredients?" Zoro complained beside Locke.

"What did you expect? Why would I ignore a beautiful girl to keep company with a little brat like you?" Locke said speechlessly.

"A man can't run from a challenge..."

"If you're coming with us, then shut up!" Locke cut him off helplessly.

"Hmph!" Hearing Locke's words, Zoro gave an arrogant snort and said nothing more.

Carmen smiled faintly as she watched Zoro and Locke bicker beside her.

After Zoro fell silent, Carmen hugged Locke's arm and coquettishly said, "Locke, I want to hear a song."

"Okay!" A cluster of purple light appeared on Locke's shoulder, and several tiny, fashionably dressed figures emerged from it.

"Ding ding... dong dong..." A melody began to play.

One of the tiny figures picked up an even smaller microphone and began to sing.

"Love is like the blue sky, white clouds, and endless clear air

Then suddenly, a storm rolls in

With nowhere to hide, it always catches people off guard

..."

Looking at Carmen, who was completely absorbed in the music, Locke sighed helplessly.

Ever since Carmen had been so devastated by Kuina's funeral that she shut herself in the kitchen for several days, Locke had gone to comfort her and played a few songs for her.

The girl had treated him like a jukebox ever since.

Whenever she saw that he was free, she would ask him to play a few songs.

Still, whenever he saw the delighted expression on her face after hearing the music, Locke felt that it was worth it.

The three of them listened to music as they slowly made their way down the mountain toward the village.

Before long, they arrived in the village. As they entered, Locke specifically reminded Zoro to stay close to them, or he would get lost again.

Over this period, Locke had thoroughly experienced Zoro's talent for getting lost. The moment he stopped paying attention, Zoro would vanish to who knew where.

It was truly absurdly impressive.

At Locke's reminder, Zoro merely gave another haughty snort, then nodded so slightly that it was nearly imperceptible.

The village was not large, but there were quite a few merchants. Once they entered, Carmen displayed a woman's natural talent for shopping, looking here and touching there.

Fortunately, she had not forgotten their real purpose. After they ate lunch in the village, they had bought everything they needed.

Just as they were preparing to head back, a cannon blast suddenly sounded from the direction of the docks.

They hurriedly looked toward the docks and saw thick smoke billowing in that direction, along with the sounds of crying and screaming.

"Pirates are here!"

"Run!"

"Don't kill me... Aah!"

Hearing those sounds, Locke instinctively tightened his grip on the wooden sword in his hand.

Since they had only come to the village this time, he had never expected something like this to happen, so he had not brought his Tang sword with him.

"Zoro, give me your sword," Locke said to Zoro, the only one of the three carrying a blade.

"No! I'm going too..."

"Shut up. Your task now is to protect Carmen and return to the dojo. Tell Master what happened here." Without giving Zoro time to react, Locke snatched the Wado Ichimonji, the sword that never left Zoro's side.

Then he ran straight toward the docks.

"You bastard, come back!" Seeing his sword get taken, Zoro immediately tried to chase after Locke and take it back.

But Carmen reacted at that moment. She grabbed Zoro by the back of his collar, dropped the ingredients, and ran toward the dojo on the mountain.

"Let me go!"

"Stop making noise. What good would it do for you to go? We need to get back up the mountain and tell Master what happened." Without caring whether Zoro listened, she dragged him away at a run.

As Locke rushed toward the docks, watching the people desperately flee toward the dojo, he felt unbearably anxious.

Soon, Locke reached the docks. The pirates had already come ashore and were attacking those who had not managed to escape, looting every bit of money and valuables they saw.

Seeing this, Locke had no time to think. He drew his sword and charged at the pirates.

As he ran, Locke used his Fruit power.

A flash of purple light passed by, and Locke vanished from where he stood.

At that moment, as one pirate raised his blade toward a mother and child lying on the ground, a sword suddenly pierced through his chest.

After the pirate fell, Locke appeared, pulling his sword from the pirate's body.

"Run," Locke said to the stunned mother and child.

After saying that, he paid them no more attention. He vanished again and rushed toward the pirates nearby.