East Blue, Orange Town harbor-
A small navy patrol boat painted brown slowly approached the shore. It bore no navy flag or insignia.
Luffy leaped from the foremast onto the pier and surveyed his surroundings with his hands on his hips.
"Huh... it feels awfully quiet here-"
Luffy shaded his eyes with one hand and swayed from side to side as he looked around.
After disembarking, Zoro said nothing. His hand rested on a sword hilt as his gaze swept over the shops' tightly closed doors and windows.
The streets were empty, without a soul in sight.
"Something's wrong. This town doesn't look abandoned."
Helmeppo pushed up his narrow sunglasses and frowned slightly. The buildings weren't dilapidated, and there were signs of everyday life.
Both Zoro and Helmeppo had some experience. They exchanged a glance.
In a situation like this, pirates had probably come through. Whether they were still in town was another matter.
"Did everyone go to the market?"
Luffy tilted his head, then suddenly seemed to "get it." He slapped his left hand into his right palm, his face full of longing.
"Will there be all-you-can-eat meat?!"
"What kind of town goes to the market all at once-?!!"
Helmeppo rolled his eyes, then bared his teeth as he yelled at Luffy.
"Anyway, bringing you to this town is already more than you deserve! Stop pestering us after this!"
The three of them had caused plenty of ridiculous trouble in Shells Town on Four-Leaf Island. They had even drawn the attention of the 153rd Branch.
Luckily, Helmeppo's father, Lieutenant Commander Morgan, had been out on patrol. Otherwise, Helmeppo would have been in for a world of misery.
"Why? Aren't we crewmates?!"
Luffy looked puzzled, as though he couldn't understand a word.
"I'm teaming up with Big Brother Zoro to