Little Garden
The vegetation of Little Garden was dense and vibrant, with towering trees that seemed to touch the sky. Distant roars echoed across the island, mingling with the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. The sun shone intensely, but the shade of the trees provided a comforting relief.
Luffy stood at the bow of the Going Merry, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he gazed at the island.
"This is amazing! An island full of dinosaurs!"
Without waiting for anyone, he leaped off the ship, landing softly on the sandy beach. His laughter echoed as he began running toward the forest.
"I'm going to explore all of this! Shishishishi!"
Nami hurried down, stopping at the edge of the gangplank.
"Luffy, come back here! You don't even know what's on this island!"
Zoro leaned against the mast, watching the scene with his arms crossed.
"Let him go. If something goes wrong, he'll yell."
Nami shot an irritated glance at Zoro before turning her attention back to Luffy, who was already disappearing into the trees.
"That's exactly the problem! He never thinks about the consequences!"
Sanji appeared, lighting a cigarette as he looked toward the same spot in the forest, a carefree smile on his face.
"I'll go after him. And I'll hunt something for the journey. Maybe something special for you, Nami-san."
Zoro chuckled softly, pushing off the mast and adjusting his swords.
"You hunt? The only thing you'll find is a bunch of bushes. I'll bring back a real dinosaur, much bigger than anything you can catch."
Sanji took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly before responding.
"Bigger? The only big thing you'll find is your inflated ego. If you don't get lost on the way, of course."
Zoro partially drew one of his swords, a playful glint in his eyes.
"You talk too much, cook. Let's see who really knows how to hunt."
Sanji stubbed out his cigarette on the ship's railing, a provocative smile on his face.
"It's a bet. Whoever brings back the biggest beast wins. I hope you know how to count, because you'll need to record my victory."
Without waiting for further taunts, the two ran off into the island, each heading in a different direction, their voices echoing with insults and jabs.
"What are you going to hunt, Zoro? A giant lizard?"
"Better than you, who'll come back with a scared chicken!"
Nami sighed loudly, placing her hands on her hips as she watched the two disappear into the forest.
"Hey! Don't forget to look for Luffy, you idiots!"
Her voice echoed across the beach, but it was ignored by the two.
Vivi approached Nami, with Karoo close behind, tilting her head slightly as she gazed at the dense forest.
"What do we do now, Nami? Do we stay on the ship or go after them?"
Nami rubbed her temples, clearly frustrated.
"I can't believe I have to babysit three men who act like children. They can't stay together for five minutes without causing trouble."
Karoo let out a low quack, as if trying to comfort her. Vivi placed a hand on Nami's shoulder, smiling softly.
"Maybe we should come up with a plan. If we stay on the ship, they might get lost or end up in danger. But if we go after them, we need to be careful. This island is very dangerous."
Nami took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she looked at the increasingly intimidating forest.
"You're right, Vivi. Let's get ready. If I leave everything in their hands, we'll never get out of here."
Riser, leaning against the railing, watched the interaction with a slight smile. "Why worry so much, Nami? Let them have their fun. A little chaos won't kill anyone... maybe just the dinosaurs."
Nami turned to him, crossing her arms. "Fun? We have to save Alabasta! We don't have time to waste on games."
Vivi and Igaram exchanged surprised glances. Nami's conviction seemed unexpected.
"Are you really willing to risk so much for my kingdom, Nami?" Vivi asked, her voice soft but filled with gratitude.
"Someone has to be the voice of reason around here. If we rely on Luffy and the others, Alabasta will fall before we even set foot there." Nami exhaled, adjusting her hat. "And besides, I don't like seeing people suffer."
"So you care about something other than money." Alvida leaned against the mast, her lips curled in a mocking smile. "What a surprise."
Nami's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Usopp stepped forward, placing himself between her and Alvida. "Hey, she does care! And that's what makes her a great navigator. Unlike you, who only knows how to provoke others."
Alvida raised an eyebrow, taking a threatening step toward Usopp. "Who gave you the courage to talk to me like that, long-nose?"
Panic washed over Usopp, who immediately let out a muffled scream and ran behind Igaram. "I was just trying to help! Don't hit me!"
Riser began to laugh, a low, genuine laugh that drew everyone's attention on the deck.
"What's so funny, Riser?" Vivi asked, confused.
He didn't answer. He simply shook his head slightly, a smile still playing on his lips. With firm steps, he began to descend from the ship, ignoring the gazes that followed him.
"Hey, where are you going now?" Nami frowned, annoyed by his casual attitude.
Riser didn't stop, nor did he look back. "To explore a bit. Don't worry, I'll be back before anything important happens."
Alvida adjusted her club on her shoulder and followed him without hesitation. "If he's going exploring, so am I. I'm not staying here while the others have fun."
On the deck, silence took over for a moment. Karoo let out a low quack, as if commenting on the tension in the air.
"Those two don't take anything seriously," Nami murmured, rubbing her temples.
"Maybe they know how to handle the chaos of the Grand Line better than we think," Vivi said, placing a hand on Nami's shoulder. "And, in a way, so do you."
Nami averted her gaze, her arms still crossed. "I just want everyone to come back alive. And, of course, to get the promised payment."
"Now that sounds like you," Igaram commented with a discreet smile.
Karoo quacked again, moving closer to Vivi as if also seeking comfort. As the sun shone over the beach, the Going Merry seemed small against the vast wilderness of Little Garden.
.....
The sunlight filtered through the giant trees of Little Garden, casting shadows over the clearing where Miss Goldenweek sat, calmly painting a landscape of the island. The vibrant colors blended perfectly on her makeshift canvas, capturing the wild nature around her. Beside her, Mr. 3 sat in a wax chair, sipping tea nonchalantly.
Miss Valentine emerged from the trees, panting and covered in sweat, as if she had been running for hours. Spotting Goldenweek, her eyes lit up with relief. The little artist looked up and, recognizing her, immediately dropped her brush.
"Miss Valentine! Are you okay?"
Goldenweek ran toward her and hugged her tightly. The impact of the hug nearly made Miss Valentine stumble, but she held her firmly, squeezing her against her chest.
'I have to do something to save her... I can't let Riser or the Straw Hats hurt her. She's just a girl.'
Goldenweek looked up, her eyes filled with concern as she held Valentine's arm. "What happened? I was scared when I heard about Mr. 5... Did he really die?"
Miss Valentine averted her gaze, her lips pressed into a tense line. She didn't want to talk about it, but she knew she couldn't lie to Goldenweek.
"Yes, he's dead. Things got... out of hand."
Mr. 3, who had been watching the scene with disdain, let out an exaggerated sigh and set his teacup aside.
"How touching. Your partner was incompetent enough to fail against a bunch of insignificant pirates and a runaway princess. Yet, you managed to survive. Lucky you. Because now you'll have the privilege of watching a genius at work."
Miss Valentine shot him a cold look but said nothing. She knew arguing would be pointless. Her only goal now was to protect Goldenweek and, somehow, find a way to survive Riser's inevitable arrival.
Goldenweek stepped back slightly from Valentine, her eyes still filled with worry.
"Are you okay? Are you sure you're not hurt?"
Valentine smiled faintly, trying to appear calmer than she felt.
"I'm fine, dear. Don't worry about me. But we need to prepare. Things are going to get worse before they get better."
Mr. 3 scoffed, crossing his legs as he looked at them with a mocking smile.
"Prepare for what? These pirates are nothing more than distractions. While you were busy failing, I, the great Mr. 3, have already devised the perfect plan. I'll take care of all of them alone. I don't need anyone."
Valentine clenched her fists but remained calm.
"You're free to try, Mr. 3. But I hope you know what you're getting into."
"My dear Miss Valentine, I am a genius. I don't need luck, just opportunity. And this island will be my stage of glory."
Valentine's eyes narrowed. "You sound just like Mr. 5 before he died at the hands of the enemy."
Mr. 3 froze for a moment, the teacup trembling in his hands before he set it back on the table with a deliberate motion. His gaze darkened. "Comparing me to that simpleton is an insult. I am an artist, a superior mind. He was a brute with no vision."
"Vision hasn't saved anyone so far," Valentine retorted, her tone sharp. "If you think underestimating the Straw Hats and their allies will lead you to victory, you're as blind as he was."
Goldenweek, silent until now, looked down at her unfinished painting. Her fingers tightened around the brush. "Don't fight... It won't help."
The silence that followed was heavy. Mr. 3 took a deep breath, adjusting his suit as if trying to regain his composure. "Don't worry, Goldenweek. Everything is under control. My art... my genius... will be enough to crush them."
Valentine crossed her arms, a bitter expression on her face. 'Too much confidence... it'll end the same way. Has none of them learned?'
Goldenweek looked at Valentine with concern. "You think he'll fail, don't you?"
Valentine averted her gaze, the weight of her own insecurity reflected in her posture. "I just hope he doesn't drag all of us down with him."
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