I'm A Plunderer In The World Of One Piece.

The Going Merry sailed swiftly across the vast ocean.

Behind it, a black, violent hurricane was furiously chasing.

Usopp stood at the stern of the ship, trembling as he watched the rapidly growing tornado behind them. Lightning cracked around its swirling core.

"Whoa!!! This is bad! That tornado just came out of nowhere!"

Despite the threat, the Going Merry surged forward, the tailwind pushing it even faster.

"This hurricane actually gave us a full wind boost! The Going Merry's speeding up like crazy!"

Realizing this, Usopp looked back into the cabin, admiration in his eyes as he spotted Shirogai grinding medicine.

"No wonder Shirogai insisted we change course... he must've known we'd hit a hurricane! Lucky we still have a reliable navigator after Nami collapsed."

Luffy sat on the sheep's head at the bow, shouting joyfully:

"Going Merry, faster! We need to find an island fast!"

The ship seemed to understand, accelerating even more before gradually slowing once they left the storm's reach.

...

Snowflakes drifted down gently from the gray sky, one melting on the ship's eye figurehead.

After several hours of sailing, the Going Merry had entered a frigid region, snow now falling steadily.

"Hey, Luffy."

Zoro, wearing thick clothes Shirogai had bought in Loguetown, stood in the crow's nest. His nose was red from the cold.

"Can a person stand on the sea?"

"Huh?"

Luffy was shoveling snow off the deck, puzzled by the question.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a violent fluctuation rippled across the ocean ahead.

The sea split open.

A massive iron vessel emerged, roaring to the surface and blocking the Going Merry's path.

"Whoa!" Luffy's eyes widened. "What is that? A transforming watermelon?"

Zoro narrowed his eyes from above. "That's a ship? That thing's enormous..."

Even Usopp was too shocked to speak.

...

Inside Nami's cabin, Sanji gripped her bed tightly, eyes darting toward the sounds outside.

"What are those three idiots doing?! If Nami-san gets hurt, I'll kill them!"

"She's had all her medicine. If she rests, her fever will drop."

Shirogai set down the medicine cup, smiling calmly.

"It's nothing serious. Just a few uninvited guests bringing us a Devil Fruit gift basket."

He turned to Sanji and Vivi.

"Stay here and look after Nami. I'll handle the rest."

[Chop Chop Fruit]

A strange pirate flag fluttered on the massive ship—a crowned skull with its tongue out.

"Before you is the White Iron King!"

The White Iron King extended a ladder to the Going Merry.

Soon, pirates soldiers stormed onto the deck, surrounding Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp with weapons drawn.

"Crunch... crunch..."

A massive, obese man waddled into view, his purple hair slicked back and body wrapped in hippo fur. He chewed loudly as he approached.

"Crunch... crunch..."

His jaw was an iron cylinder.

"Kneel!" one soldier barked. "Wapol-sama, King of Drum Kingdom, is here!"

The trio didn't move.

They simply stared at Wapol, who continued munching.

"That looks... tasty," Luffy muttered, drooling.

But when they saw Wapol chewing actual blades, their eyes widened.

"He's eating... swords?!"

Even Luffy winced.

"Hurts just watching it!"

Wapol sneered. "Hmph. What's so surprising? You ignorant pirates."

He looked around.

"Only three of you? Weak."

Just then, the cabin door opened.

Shirogai stepped onto the deck, scanning the pirates calmly.

"What a crowd. Didn't know we were hosting."

His gaze landed on Wapol, still crunching away.

"Welcome."

[Host observed: Munch-Munch Fruit user. Comprehended ability to devour materials and fuse them into the body or synthesize new constructs.]

The Munch-Munch Fruit ability was acquired.

Shirogai's smile deepened.

"Protect Wapol-sama!"

Pirate soldiers rushed forward, aiming guns at Shirogai.

"Don't move, pirate! One wrong step and we shoot!"

Shirogai looked around with a relaxed expression.

"Let's not shoot—somebody might get hurt."

Thinking him scared, the pirates led him before Wapol.

Wapol examined Shirogai and scoffed.

"Tch. Pretty boy. What are you grinning about? Think I'm funny?"

Shirogai's grin stayed in place.

"A bit."

Wapol rubbed his stomach.

"We're heading to Drum Kingdom. Got a Log Pose or anything useful?"

"Can't help you there," Shirogai replied smoothly. "We haven't been to your kingdom."

"Then you're no use. But your ship and treasure are mine!"

Wapol's mouth stretched unnaturally wide.

"And I'm still hungry. I might just eat you!"

He lunged forward, mouth gaping.

"Such a big mouth," Shirogai mused.

Before Wapol could chomp down, he found his mouth held open by Shirogai's elongated fingers.

"Greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant."

With his other hand, Shirogai formed a massive tennis racket behind his back, coated it in Armament Haki, and smashed Wapol under the chin.

"The Going Merry doesn't welcome guests like you."

Wapol shot into the air, spinning like a tennis ball, vanishing into the sky.

Luffy's eyes sparkled.

"So cool!"

...

A new week has begun

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