A fleet is approaching Bluesquare. Over 30 warships gathered to purge the assembled pirates at once. As a Navy unit, this number is unusual; not only were many pirates participating in the Treasure Battle tournament, but billion+ bounty ones were mixed in. Judging no room for carelessness, Navy HQ enlisted the strike force's aid.
Leading is "Black Cage" Hina aboard the lead warship. She stares seriously at the island, unfazed by the gathered ships.
"Hina-chan! Countless pirate ships!"
"Fire?"
"No. Civilian harm affects HQ credibility."
"Right!"
"Quit pirate mood! Dance?"
"Sure!"
"Annoying. Hina annoyed."
Casually brushing off noisy Jango and Fullbody, advancing closer. Intense combat expected ahead. No letting guard down.
"Apapapapa!"
When the fleet sighted, or operators panicked reporting, Apu laughed. Perched on his ship's mainmast, he lightly drops to deck, grinning amused, ordering crew. No fight intent—of course escape.
"Predicted! Fun seen, done! Sail!"
"C-Captain, knew from start...?"
"Told prep departure."
"Dunno, enter tournament? Hurry idiots! Encircled, no escape!"
First leaving island: On Air Pirates led by Apu. Pre-prepped, fled fastest.
Others consider escape too. But many drinking carefree in town—panic inevitable.
This situation grieves, frustrates none more than Hattari. Connections, thorough prep, even Navy deal. But they broke promise, pirate hunt.
He always liked pirates. Mic voice unhidden, ok if Navy hears, to pirates.
"Damn, no heads-up!? Anyway pirates! Stay town, all jailed! Not my wish! Tournament forced interrupt sucks, but flee quick!"
Hattari frantic screams; no leisure hear, people already running. All must avoid Navy sighting.
Town panic: masses wave-run, screams/anger overlap, unprecedented noise.
Port too shaken. Straw Hats and Arlong crew panic board own ships, rush prep.
Amid work, furious Nami directs yelling.
"Hey! Settled match, this timing intrusion what! At least wait bit, prize gettable...!"
"No help, they ignore our convenience."
"Capture over prize. Understand but hurry, Nami-san."
"My money who compensates!"
"Money what!? Prize Alabasta Eternal Pose!"
Nami rage, Usopp scream drown in voices, no second calm. Navy visible from island.
Their summer island exception, oddly unpanicked. Luffy fun views fleet, Kiri hardly hurried calm on Luffy back. Panicking Vivi and Carue only; Ace disinterested watch.
"Whoa~ tons huh."
"Billion+ many, plus Ace."
"Ace amazing. Ace alone draws that?"
"Even that maybe insufficient."
"Hey you two, not calm time!?"
"Quack!?"
"Ah, yeah true."
"Flee then."
Finally they run, jump contestant ship. Waiting staff urge, instant sail. For Bluesquare/perimeter move, sufficient speed. To port many ships starting.
Among, crew at port so Going Merry early offshore. Second ship Takoyaki 8 adds, with Arlong ship approaching, alongside; four + Carue jump.
"You hurry~! Navy coming!"
"Luffy, Kiri show wounds! I treat!"
"Yeah! Thanks Chopper!"
"Ah yeah. Hey Arlong. Act together from now, don't separate."
"That over Kiri! My money!?"
"No your money from start!"
Watching bustling noisy deck, Ace happily smiles. Luffy's crew all good folks. Bit noisy restless, but pirate-like fun mood. Often solo sailing Ace, enjoys rare vibe.
"Glad entrusted ship. This many pirates gather, Navy moves right."
"Ah!? Yeah Ace, Sabo!? Thought meet later!"
"Hm? Yeah true. Somewhere meet."
"Luffy, don't move much. Can't bandage."
Deck seated Luffy wounds Chopper treats, nearby Kiri rolled. Starting fuss so Silk quick scans, spots concerning ship.
"Hey Luffy, front ship, that it?"
"True!? Sabo there!"
"Hey Luffy~!? Treatment not done!"
Luffy looks impatient rush bow. Too fast, behind Chopper angry but now unheard. Indeed Merry front, one ship. Luffy eyes see aft standing man, finally hear Chopper angry but no react, big smile big wave.
"O~i! Sabo~!"
"Lu~ffy~! First treatment! You wounded lots!"
Front ship Sabo waves back. Fled earlier foreseeing this. Same ship, bit away Koala aboard visible. Already mask/robe off, cute bare face. But somewhat tense. Her gaze to Arlong crew ship.
Merry tows Ace exclusive small boat, four ships near parallel leave island. Quick action result, escape Bluesquare without Navy fight.
Ignoring Log, leave Bluesquare, judged safe position three ships stop.
Hurried reason, undeniable fatigue, even non-participants slightly worn. More than that worn Kiri so unnoticeable, but deck bit heavier air than usual.
Big reason no time get prize. If no Navy intrusion, surely got prize. Even if no Alabasta Eternal Pose ready, something gettable.
Somewhat down atmosphere. Stairs sat Vivi beside Silk stands, talking her.
"Shame. Finals remaining."
"Yeah... but ok. Learned much, plus fun."
Vivi seems not down much. Soft smile pure emotion show. Homeland worry likely, but not show. Silk smiles, thinks she strengthened. To them Sanji brings coffee politely hands.
"Yeah yeah, sulk no use. Think other way. Coffee please, ladies."
"Thanks, Sanji-san."
"Thanks."
"Your welcome. Now Nami-san too."
"Absolutely not good."
Nami still simmering anger apparently. Honestly take coffee from Sanji, but can't ignore.
"All that effort, no prize infuriating. Should've taken from operators..."
"Hey stop. Exposed big trouble."
Amazed face Usopp nibbles senbei say. Beside Chopper and Carue sit, same nibble senbei, occasionally feed still immobile Kiri too. Escaped Navy now, gradually but usual vibe returning.
"But Eternal Pose not get painful yeah. Now what."
"Search somewhere again."
"Wait Kiri, coming again."
"What?"
"You!"
Sky falling shadow thud land, instant run under Kiri. Arrived Baby 5, sky Buffalo floating.
"Critical time useless sorry! Ok!? Ah, this exhausted! My absence fault!"
"No, this guy always like this."
"Pull together you! Wedding not yet!"
"Kiri wedding... can't imagine."
"Kiri marry?"
"No way. Think this guy serious husband?"
"No."
"You guys know I'm here?"
Right nearby say whatever Usopp and Chopper to Kiri call but soaked fallen no much attention. Supine fallen him Baby 5 worried peer, eyes even tear up.
"Ah totally fine. No worry."
"Really? Uu, wanted useful..."
"That aside, plans now?"
"Of course with you."
"Better return crew huh."
"Ee!?!"
Casual words but her shock, visibly flustered start.
"W-why say that!? Maybe I'm useless!? No need anymore!?"
"No no, not that but."
"Then why!?"
"Hm..."
Kiri, body still no strength but desperately try lift right arm. Baby 5 quick grip that, touch her cheek.
"You have crew right?"
"Yeah."
"Properly meet. What happen unknown, cherish."
Like telling child, gentle tone. Touch hand eye meet Baby 5 of course, nearby hearing crew too speechless, complex feelings at his smile.
Previous crew can't meet anymore. Regret-inducing words, Baby 5 no resist way.
"Right?"
"...Got it. But remember this. Crew same or more, I think you precious person."
"Yeah. Fully conveyed. Thanks."
Baby 5 hug-like grip his hand, next immobile him cover over. Shadows overlap around "ah" voices. Time under second. Baby 5 pop off, now smile stand.
"Go Buffalo! Dressrosa return!"
"Fu~ finally."
"Visit again! You!"
Jump Buffalo back, big wave Baby 5 go. Kiri barely move right hand small wave smile see off. Then, amazingly strong gaze feel. Eyes glare Sanji flinch but her only smile show.
"Kiri... this guy, what enviable..."
"Usopp, crew about kill me."
"Self-inflicted huh. Told me can't help."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"