They've All Arrived

Deep within the shadowy forest, Marines in leafy camouflage moved quickly, chasing after pirates who ran for their lives.

"Are these guys ghosts or what?!" one pirate gasped, his heart pounding.

He'd finally reached this island, his mind filled with dreams of treasure, only to be met by these silent killers.

In a heartbeat, more than half his crew lay dead or injured.

He couldn't understand what was happening, only that he needed to escape. But the rustling behind him told him death was right on his heels.

"Damn it, I'll fight!"

The pirate stopped, spinning around wildly, his hand shaking as he gripped his sword.

"Rustle, rustle..."

The bushes to his left trembled.

The pirate whirled around, terrified, but saw nothing. Before he could even sigh in relief, a soft sound echoed as a sword pierced his chest.

"Cough!"

When...?

The pirate choked, spitting blood. With his last bit of strength, he looked back. A wild man covered in leaves and grass stood behind him, slowly pulling the long sword from his body.

Darkness swallowed him whole.

"Done," Linus chuckled, dragging the pirate's body into the bushes. Another wild man appeared, helping him hide the body.

"Linus, Ensign Roya's tactics are really working."

"You're right." Linus agreed, nodding.

The Marines were working in pairs, hunting the pirates. One would distract the pirate, while the other would sneak up for the kill.

Using the forest and their leafy suits for cover, and moving with silent steps, they were incredibly successful.

Even if the pirate spotted them and ran, they switched roles, the one who had been the distraction becoming the attacker.

It was almost impossible to fail.

They were no longer just Marines, but expert jungle assassins.

It was much easier than a straight fight.

"Let's head back."

The two retraced their steps, arriving at the camp. The main pirate force had been defeated, and the captain, with a bounty of over 8 million Belly, was dead.

"Report, mission accomplished!"

"Return to the squad!"

Soon, the Marines who had been hunting returned one by one, sitting down for a short rest, waiting for the next pirates to arrive.

Including Roya, all forty-plus Marines were disguised as living trees , even smearing green sap on their faces, looking like special ops soldiers.

Three days had passed since the first hunt.

In those three days, they had taken out thirteen pirate crews, big and small, losing only three of their own.

Roya looked at his men.

Compared to three days ago, each Marine seemed fiercer, more confident.

Victory after victory boosted their confidence and morale, and the harsh environment was hardening their spirits.

With his men in such good form, they might even be able to take on the mighty Buggy Pirates!

"Ensign Roya."

Fullbody emerged from the bushes, hurrying to Roya's side. "The lookouts have spotted several pirate crews, including the Buggy Pirates."

"Mm."

Roya's gaze burned like a torch.

They had finally arrived.

News traveled slowly. The first pirates to arrive were mostly from around Orange Town.

But as time passed, more and more pirates would come, especially the powerful ones with their own territories.

The strongest of them, the Buggy Pirates, were his main target, and he had to capture them at all costs.

"Jango, is the treasure ready?"

"It's all set up!"

Kuro's treasure might be a fake, but they needed some treasure to draw the pirates into fighting each other.

They had taken some loot from the pirate crews they had defeated.

The patrol was small. They could handle single pirate crews, but against many, they needed to be patient.

The last to appear would be the winner.

----

The west side of Moon Island.

A pirate ship that looked like a circus slowly pulled into shore. Pirates slid down ropes from the ship, each moving with incredible skill.

They loved acrobatics, and their balance and agility gave them a unique fighting style that caught enemies off guard.

"Gwahahaha!"

Buggy was bursting with energy. The thought of getting Kuro's treasure made his blood rush.

"Men, find the treasure!"

"Ooooh!"

The pirates eagerly rushed onto the island.

Every pirate wanted treasure. Whoever found it first would surely be rewarded by Captain Buggy.

Half an hour later.

The pirates found a clue.

"Captain Buggy, look!"

"What is it?"

Buggy came over and saw a signpost with an arrow pointing toward the center of the island, with a cat claw print on it.

"It's the Black Cat Pirates' symbol!"

The pirates' eyes lit up.

Following the signpost would lead them to the Black Cat Pirates' base, and maybe even the treasure.

The treasure was close!

----

The east side of the island.

Three figures explored the forest.

Suddenly, two of them stopped by a large tree.

There was a cat claw print and an arrow on the trunk.

"Zoro, we found a clue to the treasure!"

Johnny and Joseph were excited. The island was confusing, and pirates often left clues to find their way back.

They turned to tell Zoro the good news, but he was gone. Zoro, who should have been right behind them, had vanished.

"Eh? Zoro?"

They blinked, confused. Then, realizing what had happened, they covered their faces and screamed.

"Zoro is lost!!!"

They were doomed.

Even as close friends, they had no idea where Zoro was. He could get lost walking in a straight line!

Damn it, they had been careless.

They should have tied Zoro up.

The two stood there for a long time, then sat down, looking defeated.

"Johnny, this is bad."

"Really bad, Joseph."

"Let's eat first. We need energy to find Zoro."

"You're right."

Smoke rose from the forest.

----

Time passed, and more and more pirates arrived on Moon Island.

----

The south side of the island, below the cliff.

A girl with short orange hair tied her small boat to a rock, then struggled to climb up the cliff. Her slender body helped her reach the top.

"Clap, clap!"

The girl slapped her cheeks.

"You can do it, Nami!"

"If I get that 100 million Belly, I can buy the village!"

This is hope.