Chapter 36: Torino Island

After a few weeks of smooth sailing, an island finally appeared on the horizon. Towering above it all was a colossal tree, its trunk wide as mountains and its canopy seemingly reaching for the sky. The entire island was lush, blanketed in thick vegetation that gave it an almost mythical presence.

"I see our destination, everyone," Koa announced, his eyes fixed on the distant island.

Joichiro was in the middle of preparing a selection of fresh dishes, carefully arranged and balanced. It was Koa's idea to bring an offering to the people of the Torino Kingdom—something to show goodwill and, perhaps, in exchange, gain knowledge or even a new crewmate. Joichiro took the request seriously; food, after all, was a language everyone understood.

"Wooaahhh, BOSSS!! That tree is massive! You think I could grow something like that someday?!" Greenbull called out excitedly, his eyes wide with awe as he pointed at the towering tree.

"Always believe that you can," Koa replied without hesitation, turning slightly to meet Greenbull's gaze. "Never doubt yourself, and don't let your will falter. That's the real secret to getting stronger."

Greenbull blinked at him, momentarily stunned. Despite his usual loud and brash attitude, those words struck something deeper. He wanted to be strong—not just for himself, but to be someone Koa could count on. Ever since Kuzan joined the crew, and especially after seeing Kuzan's rapid growth, Greenbull's hunger for strength had only intensified.

With renewed determination, Greenbull clenched his fists and grinned. "Then I'll make it happen. Just you wait, boss!"

The ship steadily approached the island of Torino, the wind pushing them forward toward their next encounter—and perhaps, a new companion.

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After a few minutes of anchoring near the shore, Koa and his pirate crew disembarked. Koa, Kuzan, Joichiro, and Greenbull stepped off the ship and ventured into the dense forest of Torino Island.

"Greenbull," Koa called out, "observe the unfamiliar plant life. Make sure to take mental notes so you can replicate or grow them in the future."

Greenbull nodded eagerly, eyes darting around as he studied the exotic flora. Meanwhile, Koa activated his Observation Haki, guiding them in the direction of the settlement. After a short trek through the vibrant forest, they arrived at the village nestled under the shade of the towering tree. The locals—short, round-bodied, and seemingly unsophisticated at a glance—stood cautiously with weapons in hand.

But Koa knew better. These people were far more than they appeared.

"Greetings," Koa said calmly. "I am Maui D. Koa, a pirate, and this is my crew. We've come in peace, seeking the knowledge your people have cultivated. In exchange, we're more than willing to offer payment or trade. Could you take us to your leader?"

The locals remained silent at first, wary and watchful. Koa gave Joichiro a subtle nod. Understanding, Joichiro stepped forward and placed a large woven basket at the villagers' feet. As the lid opened, the rich aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air.

"This is a token of goodwill," Koa said. "We mean you no harm."

The tension visibly eased. Hunger softened suspicion, and smiles slowly replaced frowns. The villagers welcomed them warmly and escorted the crew deeper into the village, toward the great tree with a hidden door.

Koa knocked politely. It creaked open to reveal an elder, rounder than the others, standing beside a young boy. The elder offered a warm smile.

"Welcome. I am Canba, the leader of this tribe. And this," he gestured to the child beside him, "is my son, Shanba. Welcome to our island."

Koa returned the greeting with a respectful nod. "I'm Maui D. Koa. We've come seeking knowledge, and in return, if there's anything you want from us, just ask."

"You won't need to pay for knowledge," Canba said. "Here, knowledge is free to all who seek it. But if you wish to contribute to our library, that would be most appreciated."

Koa smiled. That aligned with what he had expected—likely the same form of exchange that Chopper once participated in.

"In that case," Koa replied, reaching into his coat, "would you be interested in learning martial arts—specifically the Six Powers and Seimei Kikan?"

Canba and Shanba both tilted their heads in confusion.

Koa then produced a well-preserved manual. "These are combat techniques developed by the World Government, but not limited to them. One of these allows you to literally walk through the air."

He handed the manual over, placing it gently on the table. Shanba eagerly stepped forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity, but Canba held him back for the moment.

"Study it if you like," Koa added. "There are detailed instructions within."

He then glanced around the room and moved toward the library shelves, selecting several books that he believed could be useful in the future: medical studies, herbal indexes, and anatomical diagrams.

Koa felt satisfied. In his world, power and knowledge were two sides of the same coin—and today, both had grown.

While Koa remained inside the tree-shaped library, poring over ancient tomes and medical manuscripts, the rest of his crew mingled with the residents of the Torino Kingdom.

Outside, the atmosphere was lively.

Kuzan, ever the enthusiast for all things alcoholic, was the first to find himself offered a drink by one of the cheerful locals. He gave it a cautious sniff—then his eyes lit up with pleasant surprise.

"Oho? This smells like the good stuff," Kuzan muttered before taking a swig. The moment the liquid touched his tongue, his expression shifted to pure bliss.

"Damn... This is amazing," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Never thought I'd find premium booze on a medical island."

The locals laughed at his reaction, pleased that a visitor appreciated one of their lesser-known traditions: fermenting rare fruits into a potent yet smooth spirit.

Not far from him, Joichiro was in his element, completely absorbed in a conversation with a group of Torino herbalists. They introduced him to a dazzling variety of spices and powders stored in clay jars and dried gourds. One of the elders handed him a pale orange powder, explaining in broken words and hand gestures that it could make even the toughest meat as tender as silk when used properly.

Joichiro tasted a pinch of the powder on his tongue, eyebrows rising in excitement. "This... this will change everything," he whispered to himself. Already, new recipes and flavor pairings began forming in his mind.

Meanwhile, Greenbull was surrounded by a group of curious villagers, who watched as he performed a demonstration. With a smirk and a focused gaze, he placed his hand on the earth. A moment later, green vines shot upward, quickly forming into full-grown orange trees. As the trees blossomed and bore ripe, juicy fruits in mere moments, the villagers gasped in awe.

"Here you go!" Greenbull said, plucking a few oranges and handing them out with pride.

The locals bit into them eagerly. Their faces lit up with joy as the sweet, vibrant flavor burst across their tongues, far richer than any fruit they'd had before.

"This is... amazing!" one of them exclaimed, holding up the orange like it was a treasure.

Greenbull chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Hehe, not bad, right? Just a little trick of mine."

The villagers cheered and clapped, clearly impressed. The crew of Koa was quickly winning the hearts of the Torino people—not with power or fear, but with generosity, curiosity, and respect.

Back inside the tree, Koa could feel their peaceful energy radiating through the walls. He smiled faintly, eyes still scanning over the texts in front of him. This island was a treasure trove, not just of knowledge, but of connections—and his crew was thriving in it.