If you don't know where you are, this is a fanfic alternative story for the Wano arc. Look for more context at the main post.
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Short summary (Careful! Spoil yourself at your own convenience by removing the cover.)
Zoro gathers his crew and the remaining allies in Amigasa and quickens Luffy's recovery. Libra has an unpleasant meeting with Queen. Kisshoten receives an important call as she's ambushed by a Number. A ship of unknown people arrives to the country.
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第 948 + 58i 話 『The Butterfly Effect』
Day 10, 08:05 (RMT+7), shore of the Waru river, Southern Wakemae mountains, Hakumai
Sitting on the ground, Zoro rests on Onimaru's side. The big beast curled around him, wrapping Zoro in his warm fur. The pirate makes a call through the den den mushi for the upteenth time, but no one's picking up.
Zoro to himself
Something was off with that Marine woman. She didn't say a s ingle word while we buried the old man, nor for a long while afterwards. And then…
The night before, Tashigi's house, Amezaiku village, Ringo
Zoro
Law, Nami, Franky, the cook… Why's no one picking up the den den?? Hiyori, we should go right now. I need to tell my friends about Luffy as soon as possible.
to Tashigi
Are you coming with us?
Tashigi
I'll stay here.
Zoro
Wha…? That Smoker guy and the other marines are with our friends at our camp. Don't you have to go with them?
Tashigi
I need to sort out some things here.
Hiyori
And actually… Roronoa-san, I won't go either. I should also do some other things in the mean time. My brother's not there any way and I'd just have everybody worried about me and distracted of their goal if I go there now. I'll stay here with your friend too. If that's alright with you, Tashigi-san.
Tashigi unbothered while rummaging through the old man's stuff
Sure.
Hiyori & Zoro both unsettled for different reasons and thinking by themselves
(She doesn't deny it⁉)
Hiyori regaining composure
Take Onimaru with you. You'll be faster.
Zoro a bit haunted
Fine. But don't do any stupid things, okay?
And you, I know you want revenge and I won't get in your way. Four days from now, meet us at Port Tokage at night if you want a ride to Onigashima to finish off that piece of shit. Hiyori can tell you how to get there.
Bye. Stay safe.
Hiyori
Only if you come back to make sure I did.
Zoro looked back at her one last time with sorrowful eyes as a soft huff escaped him. And left without saying a word.
Back to the present
Finally someone picks up Zoro's call.
〄 Zoro
Trafalgar?
〄 Law
Yes, it's me. Roronoa? Is that you?
〄 Zoro
Yes, we…
〄 Law interrupting
About time! Why haven't you cont…
〄 Zoro counterinterrupting
I've been calling you nonstop since dawn! Why do none of you pick up the damned den den??
〄 Law
What? They were asleep. We couldn't have kn…
〄 Zoro
Asleep? And the call doesn't wake you, right? None of you. Or what did you think?
with a mocking voice
Oh, it must be my grandma to ask me if I liked the pudding. Shut up, you slug! And let me sleep in peace.
〄 Sanji irked
Hey, marimo! It's the cook here. Are you really that dense? It wasn't us who were asleep. It was the den den mushi. You're aware it's a living being and needs to sleep just like you do, right?
〄 Zoro dumbfounded
What?
short pause
We've made calls at any time before. I've got calls during the night. If this is really a thing, how come has this never been an issue before?
〄 Sanji a bit confused too
Huh…? What do you mean? Er… How should I know? What do you want me to tell you?? It is what it is…
〄 Law
Okay, guys, stop. This is not going anywhere. Zoro, we have a situation here…
〄 Zoro interrupting
I know. And you're right. Let's get back on track. Luffy's in a coma and he's lost his devil fruit powers among many other injuries. Right?
〄 Law puzzled
How do you kno…?
〄 Zoro
That's a talk for another time. You've got to hurry. Luffy's dying. He's poisoned. You need to filter his blood and remove the…
〄 Law
Wait, poisoned? No, I scanned his body for every poison I know and…
〄 Zoro
Not every poison. This one's for devil fruit users only. His body is full of microscopic kairōseki dust diluted in his blood. You should know how to deal with that. Also, tell Franky to finish whatever it is he's doing there so you can all go to Amigasa. We must meet there as soon as possible. See you there.
Zoro ends the call and stands up.
Zoro
Alright, big boy. Time to move. We still have to get to Yamagani village and take every samurai there with us. C'mon!
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Day 10, 23:13 (RMT+7), Right brain tower 2nd underground, Onigashima
A group of pirates are having late supper. They chitchat and share different beverages. Libra is about to leave the room. Queen wants to see him.
Jen
You sure you don't want one? hahaha…
Libra
No, I'm fine. Thank you.
Rabbitman
Hey, lad. Remember: Don't get yourself killed over it, but if you're offered one, make up some excuse and don't take it. There's 90% chance it fails, 10% chance it works and 100% chance it ruins your life. Don't make the same mistake we made.
Libra leaving
Don't worry, mate. I won't.
Rabbitman
So, Jen, congrats on your promotion. Not many pleasures make it that high. But what's with the "Kingsman" part? Is it like a title or something? Or more like your new name? Should we call you that at all times?
Jen
I'm… not sure either. Guess I'll ask my seniors when…
Cluckman
Do all All-Star do this? I never heard of it!
Rabbitman
Nah. Only King does it. He's so full of himself, but some of us still remember how Jamie wiped the floor with him back in the day. He was so lucky to be Kaidō's favourite. He's always been.
Cluckman
What? Who's Jamie??
Rabbit
Forget it. I shouldn't talk about it.
Jen
King-sama is not Kaidō's favourite. Didn't you hear about the argument they had last week? Man, I was with him at 「The Meteor」 and almost shat my pants right there!
Ogórek
I can confirm that. Kaidō was crazy mad and he had King flying around for days. I know becausue I was the…
Rabbitman
Yeah, I heard, but that's nothing. If he weren't his favourite, Kaidō would have killed him on the spot.
As he says that, a higher-ranking pirate enters the room.
Le Barbu
Kaidō's stapler?? Is that even a thing? Man, that must be so humiliating…
Ogórek
Not gonna lie, it is.
pausing for a second before continuing
Had I known what being a pirate would be, I'd have listened more to my mother, studied, found a decent job or at least gone to work with my uncle as a shipwright… This sucks.
Cluckman
I hear you man. I miss mommy too…
Le Barbu
Oh, for fuck's sake! What a bunch of pussies, aren't you?
Rabbitman
Actually, a leveret, if you will.
Cluckman
Chick, here.
Le Barbu approaching Rabbitman in anger
Are you mocking me? Do you want me to grow a thorny lizard up your bum? You son of a bitch!
Rabbitman not even standing up from his seat
To be honest, that isn't the naughtiest proposal I've been made around here. Not the scariest one either. Do you know who you're talking to, pal? We're a bunch of people with heavy depression because we were forced to eat a damn apple that either robbed us of ever showing any emotion other than laughter or messed us for good by growing a random animal's body intersected with our own in the worst possible ways. We're at a point we don't fucking care what goes next no more. If you want a fight, you only need to ask, but your threats have no power here. Got it?
Fine. So, to answer you, we're not pussies, but most of us are just unlucky bastards who laugh like maniacs for no reason.
Le Barbu after pondering for a moment
… My bad. You're right. My brother was a pleasure too. I had to watch him laugh his lungs out as he bled to death during a skirmish with some marines. Looking at me, terrified. And I could do nothing for him. Not even hold him in his last breaths.
Ogórek
Guess mom's scoldings feel like a blessing in comparison, don't they?
Le Barbu
My mother? Fuck that bitch! She sold us to the town's landowner when I was nine. I hope she died alone long ago.
Silence fills the room for a couple of seconds.
Le Barbu
Any way, you're needed in the kitchens. Something about the festival in a couple of days. Go right away if you don't wanna start missing the times you were a stapler for Kaidō.
By the way, who was that guy that left just before I arrived?
Rabbitman
Oh, him? I believe his name is… Louvre? Or… Libre?
Cluckman
Libra.
Rabbitman
Libra. Exactly. That's what I said. He's a rookie. Rather chill guy. Doesn't mess around, does what he's told, knows his place. I don't think he'll get far, but the dude's okay.
Cluckman
Yeah, he's a good lad. I feel bad for him, though. Queen just summoned him and I heard he's in a bad mood after what went down with Kaidō earlier in the canteen.
At another tower inside the skull dome, Libra waits in Queen's laboratory. Vee, Ninety-Nine and some more of Queen's minions are there too looking at Libra as though they all knew what's going to happen to him. Then, Queen comes from the other end of the room.
Queen
At last, you decide to show up…
Libra
I was told to come here just now.
Queen
Yes, yes, but I expected you earlier today. Last I saw you I gave you a task and it is customary here to report the completion of the task when it's done.
Libra
Oh, I guess I'm sorry, then. I was specifically told I didn't need to report back, it had already done. Any way, I'm glad to do it now. We carried all the crates to the capital…
Queen rushing to interrupt
No, no, don't bother. It's alright.
Libra
Please, allow me. I'd like to fix my former mistake. So, as I was saying, from there on I took all the crates myself into the city and…
Queen to himself, not paying attention
(What the hell was that call just now? Based on the den den's face I thought it would be Who's Who calling, but I couldn't make out a single word. It all sounded as though a wild beast were choking on a sharp bone. But a beast couldn't have called. What was the purpose of the call to begin with?)
Libra showing a sheet of paper
I marked here where I put each crate. You'll see there are minor discrepancies with the spots you indicated. It's because your map was a bit outdated but I think I managed just fine.
Queen to himself
(Is he still talking? Is he a talker? Don't be a talker. Who the hell was it that recommended him? I should have left the selection to Wraith as usual…)
Libra
This way, the contents won't be damaged by accident and I think that's pretty neat, if I may say so myself.
Queen
(He did what??)
Wait, wait. What did you just say?
Libra
That the contents won't be dama…
Queen paying the attention he should have paid before
No, no. Before that.
Libra repeating
That you said the crates' contents were delicate and once at the Capital I noticed there were frequent tremors, so I asked and the people there said they had been increasing in frequency and intensity, so I asked a carpenter to…
Queen impatient
No, not that before, after that!
Libra
That I put the crates over a sheet of wood floating on water so that the crates would not receive the impact of the tremors.
Queen enraged
You did fucking WHAT⁉
Libra unfazed by Queen's rage at him
Put the crates into safety?
Queen completely mad
That was the fucking idea!! The vibrations would activate the explosives in the crated and the whole city would have gone KABOOM!! And you went out of your way just to thwart my plan! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU RIGHT NOW!!
As the huge choleric scientist is about to reach a cutlass the size of a regular door with his left arm, in a split second, Libra makes a decision, delves into his memory, reaches his own saber and jumps into action.
Libra to himself
(I think it was something like this. 「Shishi Sonson」)
As soon as Queen's fingers touch the cutlass and before he can even notice, Libra lunges past him, running his saber through Queen's arm at the joint with the shoulder. Blood gushes out like a bursting pipe and instead of picking up the weapon, Queen's arm, big as a log, falls to the floor with a loud thump.
Libra sheathes his saber and silently walks towards the exit. The other pirates in the room are shocked. Terrified of the sudden realization that the rookie they have been bullying and not thinking much of him is strong enough to surprise and mutilate someone like Queen. Even the newly crippled pirate dares not retaliating immediately.
Queen furious and afraid
You… You just made the worst mistake of your life, boy! I'll seize you and I'll torture you for years to come in the worst unimaginable ways!!
Libra still calmly walking out
I don't like being threatened.
Queen coping not too well with the humiliation
I'll make the rest of your life a nightmare!! You'll regret what you just did!! You'll regret it for eternity!!
Libra before closing the door as he leaves
I won't, but I bet you're regretting it already.
As soon as Libra is out, Queen turns to the door he came in from.
Queen
Ghoul! Here. Now!
Another pirate comes into the lab and addresses Queen undisturbed by the huge cut-off limb still bleeding on the floor.
Ghoul
Yes, Master Queen.
Queen
The newbie. Make sure supper is his last meal in this world. Go!
Ghoul not too sure
He's probably had supper already.
Queen feeling defied
Don't you dare question my orders again, you maggot! Just do it.
Ghoul
And about the explosives at the capital?
Queen pointing at his missing arm
I… I don't care! I have more pressing matters to attend right now!
Not too far from there in a poorly lit corridor
A couple of pirates glimpse from afar at what seems to be the Tobi Roppō Mus lying on the floor alone.
Munchkin
Hey, Mus! Aren't you a bit too young to be so wasted this early? Moomoomoomoomun!! Boy, you're sleeping it on your own vomit!
Hey! Mus! Boy, wake up! Time to take bath.
Mille Bornes walking towards him
I don't think he's sleeping.
Munchkin
What do you mean?
Mille Bornes
And I don't think that's his vomit.
He's dead.
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Day 11, 11:42 (RMT+7), Amigasa, Kuri
The quiet of the small village is broken by an ensuing argument.
Ashura Dōji
You poisoned his mind, didn't you!?
Kin'emon offended
I would never do such thing! The boy is old enough to make his own choices!
Ashura Dōji
No, he's not! You used him! You used him to get the support of my men and ultimately mine. You used him to put our lives on the line in this suicidal egotistic whim of yours!
Shutenmaru intervening
No one's using me, father! I chose this. I'm tired. Tired of living in hiding. Tired of being a pack of thieves. Tired of constantly escape from our enemies, not having a normal life, not even having a stable home and at the same time never confronting them. This is the first real chance I've had in my entire life of fighting the ones who make our lives miserable every day. And I will take it even if it's the last thing I do.
Ashura Dōji
You are my son! And I won't let you throw your life away just because a bunch of fools will too!
Zoro suddenly appearing next to Kin'emon, staring intently at Ashura
Hi, Kin'emon. Is something the matter?
Ashura looks back at Zoro assessing his defiance.
Shutenmaru just before leaving the scene
Please, father, don't take it out on Kin'emon-san becase you could not convince me.
Ashura Dōji looking at Kin'emon with impotence
You will answer for anything that happens to him.
With that said, he leaves as well while Zoro helps Kin'emon stand up. Behind them, a caravan of people arrives to the village. Nami, Sanji, Chopper and Carrot bring Luffy on a cart. Usopp, Franky Shinobu and Rei carry a bigger one loaded with weapons. A trail of samurai follows led by Nagarekawa Suitōshi Mizuemon.
Near there, Bepo and other Heart pirates witness the squabble when their captain and Penguin appear behind them all of a sudden.
Law
Bepo, com help us.
Bepo jumping and screaming
AAAAAAHH!!! Damnit, Captain!
You promised not to do it again!!
Law
Sorry, Bepo. I won't do it again.
Bepo recovering
No, no! I don't believe you! Those words don't have a meaning any more.
Law
Guys, prepare a room. We have a patient.
Shachi
It's already been prepared, Captain. This way.
The Heart pirates move Luffy to their field hospital. Law and Chopper resume cleaning his blood and healing his wounds. Many approach to ask about his condition. Vice-Admiral Smoker included.
Nami
He was poisoned with kairōseki among other forms of torture, but they're already treating him. He'll be alright by Himatsuri.
By the way, you should go see Franky and the others over there. We brought something for you.
Upon hearing Nami's words, Commodore Mocaccino opens his notebook and starts writing.
Mocaccino as he writes
"Day 11, Vice-Admiral Smoker is in such good terms with the pirates that they craft presents for him."
Smoker breathing in and out before speaking
Smocaccino, tell me one thing. Do you dictate everything you write to make sure I know what you're writing or are you just incapable of writing in silence?
Mocaccino turning away
Hm!
After checking on Luffy, Zoro goes to see Shinobu and asks her to speak in private.
Zoro
Shinobu, you wouldn't have a niece working for the Beast pirates by any chance, would you?
Shinobu doesn't respond, startled by a question she never expected and not knowing what to answer.
Zoro
Because I want you to give her a call.
At the clearing, Usopp, Franky and Rei have already given out most of the weapons to the samurai, bandits and minks.
Usopp
Oi! Sanji! Come here a moment.
Sanji coming
What is it?
Usopp
Don't you remember you asked us to make you something? We have something for you.
Sanji enthusiastic
You do?
Franky
We do, baby. (⌐■_■)
Sanji
Thank you so much! I've been in serious need of some knives.
Usopp & Franky puzzled
Knives?
Usopp
Why do you want knives? You always…
Sanji interrupting
No, I don't fillet the fish with my hands, Usopp. I use knives.
Franky
Oh! So, that's why! Well, we were talking about your raid suit. You asked whether we could change the appearance so that it doesn't look like 「Stealth Black」 any more, remember? Turns out we could.
throws Sanji a black can with the number three
Here. Try it! You can now take full advantage of your family's technological upgrades without looking like you're part of them.
Sanji
¬¬
… great. Thank you, guys… So, about the knives… Did you make them?
Usopp & Franky:
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Day 11, 17:26 (RMT+7), Shore of the Waru river, Genmai great forest, Hakumai
After half a day searching for the 「Blue Viper」 without success, Kisshoten wants to gather her men and call it a day, but someting keeps bugging her. Suddenly from under the fallen leaves, a pair of centipede big as her own leg jump at her. Unsurprised, the ninka swiftly swings her big sword and splits each centipede in two.
Kisshoten
「淨化の燄 (Jōka no Honō / Cleansing fire)」
The moment the sword completes the cut the centipedes catch in fire and instantly die. As she walks forward, more and more centipedes appear. All of them meet the same fate. Even one that wasn't attacking and simply climbing up a tree was stabbed and instantly roasted in a strong flame.
Kisshoten
What's wrong with this forest?? Since when are there such giant bugs here?? First the ants, then the centipedes…
A grotesque scene ahead grabs her attention.
Kisshoten
… now locusts?
Among the trees and bushes, she distinguishes what appears to be four locusts bigger than her devouring the corpses of four of her men. She runs towards the insects without thinking and one by one she burns them all. Although she check hoping for the best, her men are already gone for good.
As she's finishing inspecting the dead bodies, her den den mushi rings.
〄 Kisshoten
Moshi Moshi…
〄 Unidentified voice
Kaede-chan. Is it you?
〄 Kisshoten
Aunt Shinobu?
〄 Shinobu
Yes! It's me, sweetie. Liste…
〄 Kisshoten
You shouldn't call. You know that. I'll give you a call when I can. Now's not a good time. Bye…
〄 Shinobu
Wait, WAIT!
〄 Kisshoten
Be quick, I need to take care of something.
〄 Shinobu
You're in danger.
〄 Kisshoten
Hanya?
〄 Shinobu
Queen has ordered to capture you. He wants to torture you as entertainment during the banquet at Onigashima for Himatsuri.
〄 Kisshoten
Aunt, is this some kind of sick joke? Because I'm kind of geki oko punpun maru here!
〄 Shinobu
It's true! They want to punish you because of what happened at Yasuie's execution.
〄 Kisshoten
Pachikoku! Ma-chan would never let that happen!
At that moment, Kisshoten realizes she's been too self-absorbed in the conversation to notice before, but she does now. The ground vibrates rythmically and a deep increasing sound accompanies it. She pays it attention for a few seconds but there's no need any more as Jūki appears in front of her and the vibrations cease.
Jūki
Mumumumumu… Here you are!
〄 Kisshoten not having listened to the den den for a while
Aunt, hold on a second.
to Jūki
What're you doing here?
Jūki crouching to get closer to her
Mumumumu… I was looking for you.
Kisshoten
For me? What for?
Jūki
You're coming with Papa Jūki. Those friends of yours at the port town have been promised to me if I take you to Queen. Mumumumumu! Me and the boys are going to have a really good time. And so will you and me when Queen's done with you.
(suggested 🎧: Tiki Tiki)
Kisshoten
(This can't be. Is he talking about Kagami and the others? Are other Numbers with them now??)
I'm sorry, big guy, but you're not really my type.
Jūki with a faint sinister smile
Yet.
Papa Jūki can be veeery convincing. Mumumumumumu…
The giant tries to catch Kisshoten with his hand, but the moment it gets close, she takes a timely side step to evade the hand and follows it with fast circular motion of her sword.
Kisshoten
「火の指輪 (Hi no Yubiwa / Ring of Fire)」
The Rekka no Maken leaves a trail of flames after it and also a completely sectioned wrist and the giant's hand cut off. Upon finishing the circle, Kisshoten runs her sword through the arm's flesh and shooting a line of flames towards the shoulder when the blade's reach ends.
Kisshoten
「ロリポップ (Lollipop)」❕
Screaming in pain, Jūki leans his body back and takes his bleeding arm in his other hand.
Jūki angry
Now you've done it, bitch! AAaargh!! This hurts! You are a naughty, naughty girl, aren't you? Papa Jūki doesn't like naughty girls. I'll have to teach you lesson.
「Muzu Muzu no Hiru」
The squirts of blood gushing out of Jūki's wrist turn into giant leeches as they fall to the ground and start attacking Kisshoten.
Kisshoten to herself as she cuts through the leeches
(The bugs from before! It was him!)
Damn, is every part of you so disgusting? I wouldn't touch you even if it meant the freedom of this country, you infectious swine!
「蜂刺傷・一の舞 (Hachi Shishō Ichi no Mai / Bee's sting First dance)」
Kisshoten lunges towards the giant mink pointing her demonic sword as though it were a lance, aiming for the heart. The Number swats her with the palm of his only hand protected by a giant wood louse that catches on fire immediately after being stabbed. The kunoichi crashes against a tree not too far.
Jūki
Come here, babydoll. Want Papa Jūki to give you a kiss? Mumumumumu…
Kisshoten
Hell no! I'm often called "The Kiss of Death", but for you, filthy beast, I'll have death get to you from a distance.
(Fucking backstabbers! Our whole lives working for them and they do this now?)
The Beast pirate opens his mouth and, from within, a huge ugly bug midway between a fly and a true bug with side-to-side mandibles starts coming out as though Jūki's throat were its cocoon. Horrified at the grotesque scene, Kisshoten runs towards the giant cutting down more and more centipedes in her way coming out of her foe's toe nails.
Kisshoten
(I need to warn the others! They've gone too far this time and Queen is going to pay for it. With Ma-chan's help or without it.)
「烈火の流星 (Rekka no Ryūsei / Meteor of Raging Fire)」
She, then, throws her heavy sword at high speed like a kunai engulfed in flames. The 「Rekka no Maken」 pierces the head of the humongous insect coming out of Jūki's mouth, completely gets through it, cuts through the boar's palate and reaches his brain. All the flesh touched by the blade catches on fire. The insect burns in Jūki's throat.
Kisshoten
Shit! How am I going to recover my sword now??
「烈女の煽情 (Retsujō no Senjō / Blazing passion of the fiery woman)」❕❕
The female warrior leaps into the air, below her the dead body of the giant purple boar. She makes quick movements with her hands as though she were channeling her energy or conjuring some sorcery. For a moment, her scarlet hair brightens and then fire rains over the giant's body incinerating it.
Down on the ground, Kisshoten picks up her den den mushi.
〄 Kisshoten
Aunt Shinobu? You there?
〄 Shinobu worried
Yes! What happened? Are you alright??
〄 Kisshoten as she ties up her hair
Yes, fine. Just a couple of bugs got pretty annoying. Don't worry.
So… Say I believe you? What do you want from me?
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Day 11, 22:58 (RMT+7), Neighbouring waters of Wano
A small ship arrives at the outer shores of Wano. It doesn't fly a pirate flag nor a governmental or Marine one.
Unidentified sailing master to the rowers
HOLD WATER!!
to his captain
What're your orders, Captain?
Unidentified captain
Macro? Where to?
Macro
They say there's an entrance on the wall if we follow the current that way between those two spikes.
Unidentified captain
You heard it!
Unidentified sailing master to the rowers
HARD ON STARBOARD!!
After a while, the ship arrives to an opening in the thick wall of rock. Just as they enter, the ship crashes with something and it comes to a halt. The captain looks from the bow, but it's too dark to see. A sudden voice shakes him.
Kawamatsu
Who goes there? State your business!
The captain sees the big samurai gyojin standing at a small dock along the right side of the cave. He notices Kawamatsu stopped their ship with his bare palm. He jumps off the ship onto the dock and approaches.
Unidentified captain
Good night, sir. Let me introduce ourselves. My name's Oxid and the others on the ship are my crew, the Sailors of Fortune. We are a professional group of finders and retrievers. Some would call us… Bounty-hunters, if you will. We're looking for some people and we have reasons to believe they're here in Wano.
Kawamatsu suspicious
What reasons?
Oxid
The same ones you had for coming here and welcome us, I believe.
Kawamatsu
I'm afraid I have bad news for you. This country's closed off. No one can get in without prior authorization from the shogun or Emperor Kaidō. And you have not been authorized. So, please go back now. Otherwise I'd be compelled to sunk your vessel.
Oxid faking strangeness
Do you speak for the shogun or Emperor Kaidō? Mmm… That's odd. Aren't you the primary seller of Beast pirates? Bounty-hunter Kawamatsu.
Kawamatsu is caught off guard by his interlocutor's knowledge. He knows nothing about them.
Oxid continues
I told you, we're professionals. We do our homework. And I get it. These are your hunting grounds and you don't want competition. It's fine. We're not here for the Beasts. These are the ones we're looking for.
Oxid hands Kawamatsu a sheaf of wanted posters. The gyojin skims through them.
Kawamatsu reading
「Toya, the highlander」: 2億8000万฿ (280,000,000฿).
「The Santana siblings」: 1億2000万฿ (120,000,000฿) each.
「Tero, at your service」: 7800万฿ (78,000,000฿), Den Den # 4 77 8514.
Oxid embarrased, takes the posters from Kawamatsu and gives him a second sheaf
No, no, sorry. Not these ones. THESE ones.
Kawamatsu reading again
Monkey D… Roronoa… Oh, yes, yes. I heard about them. They might actually be here.
giving the posters back
Sadly, that doesn't change the fact you cannot enter this country uninvited.
Oxid enthusiastically
It's alright, my friend! I'm a businessman. I'm sure we can get to an understanding. How about… we give you an entrance fee plus 10% on every item we acquire in the country?
Kawamatsu after considering
25%. And 10,000,000฿ to enter.
Oxid shakes Kawamatsu's hands with eyes brightened up
Deal!
shouting at the ship
Caustid! Bring the money.
back to Kawamatsu
So, is this passage safe? I carry some very important people and I prefer not risking a shipwreck if possible.
Kawamatsu glad to earn without working
Not much. There's another one, but it takes longer. Want me to show you?
Oxid
Spendid! Yes, I'd appreciate that very much, thank you.
to himself as he goes back to his ship
(Finally… The ones who ruined my life are all here. It's time for retribution.)
つづく
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Source: r/Piratefolk · by /u/The_Real_Katakuri