One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

Chapter 86: The Unwelcomed

The Going Merry creaked softly as the crew steered toward the foggy, snow-covered island. The once-hectic seas of the Grand Line had become eerily calm near the island's shore, the cold air growing more pronounced with each passing moment. The faint sound of flowing water broke the silence as the ship drifted toward a narrow river that snaked its way into the dense, foggy forest ahead.

Standing at the helm, Vivi surveyed the scene with a mix of caution and wonder. "Each island in the Grand Line has its own unique climate," she explained, breaking the silence. "This one… it's snow. An island of eternal winter."

Goku, standing nearby, glanced at her with curiosity. "That explains why the weather's been so chaotic out at sea. But I noticed something—near each island, the weather stabilizes."

"You're right," Vivi replied with a nod. "Near an island, the weather reflects the climate of that island. It's the only stable point in the chaos."

As they drifted further along the river, the landscape became shrouded in mist. The trees lining the banks were tall and barren, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The snow on the ground glistened faintly under the pale light filtering through the fog.

"This place is… unsettlingly quiet," Zoro muttered, his hand resting on one of his swords as his eyes scanned the surroundings.

"Yeah, like a graveyard," Sanji added, his tone unusually serious. "Not a single bird chirping, no animals moving around… nothing."

"Maybe it's uninhabited," Usopp suggested nervously, his hands clutching his slingshot as he peered into the mist. "No one in their right mind would live in a place like this."

Goku's gaze remained fixed on the fog ahead. "It's not uninhabited," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I can sense them—thousands of people on this island. They're just… hiding."

The crew exchanged uneasy glances. Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the cold air. "Hiding, huh? That's even worse. What could they be hiding from?"

As the Going Merry followed the river deeper into the island, the fog grew thicker, the air colder. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of water against the hull and the occasional creak of the ship's timbers. Gin emerged from below deck, wiping his hands on a cloth. He leaned against the railing, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"This place gives me the creeps," Gin admitted, his voice low. "There's something… off about it."

"You're not the only one feeling that," Zoro said, his tone gruff. "It's too quiet. Like the calm before a storm."

Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette. "Whatever's out there, it's better we find it before it finds us."

Usopp shivered, wrapping his arms around himself. "Why do I always end up on the creepy islands? Can't we just find a nice, normal place for once?"

Despite the tension in the air, Goku remained focused. He stepped toward the bow of the ship, his eyes narrowing as the river curved to reveal a small clearing up ahead. The mist thinned slightly, revealing the end of the river and a rocky shore beyond.

"Everyone, stay alert," Goku said, his voice cutting through the silence. "We're not alone here."

The ship slowed as it approached the shore, the crew preparing to disembark. The eerie stillness of the island weighed heavily on them, each member of the crew steeling themselves for whatever lay ahead.

As the Going Merry drifted closer to the rocky shore, the fog surrounding the island began to lift, revealing shadowy figures that dotted the coastline. At first, only a handful of silhouettes could be made out, their movements slow and deliberate. But as the mist fully cleared, the full scale of the scene became apparent: at least a hundred men and women, armed to the teeth, formed a blockade along the shoreline. Muskets gleamed ominously in the dim light, bows were drawn with taut strings, and crude cannons pointed menacingly at the ship.

The crewmates on board could feel the palpable hostility emanating from the islanders. These weren't the wary eyes of villagers hoping to protect their homes—they were the sharp glares of seasoned defenders, prepared to kill.

From the center of the gathering, a singular figure emerged from the ranks. His heavy boots crunched against the rocky terrain as he walked forward, the crowd parting around him as if making way for a force of nature. The man was tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders encased in heavy golden armor that shimmered in the dim light. His green overcoat, lined with thick fur, swayed with his measured steps. Strapped to his back was a massive sword, its hilt worn from use but no less imposing. His expression was grim—a scowl etched into his features, one that spoke of no tolerance for games or deception.

He stopped at the water's edge, his commanding presence drawing the attention of all, including the Straw Hats. His voice, low and gravelly, carried over the sound of crashing waves. "This island does not welcome pirates," he growled, his piercing eyes scanning the ship and its crew. "You have one chance to turn around and leave. If you don't, we'll fire. And believe me, your ship will be nothing but splinters at the bottom of the ocean."

For a moment, there was only silence. The Straw Hats exchanged glances, each waiting for someone to speak. Then, stepping forward with confidence, Goku placed himself at the forefront of the crew. His tail swayed behind him as he addressed the man without hesitation.

"My name is Monkey D. Goku," he declared, his voice calm yet firm. "I'm the captain of this crew, and we're not here to cause trouble. One of our members is gravely ill, and we need a doctor."

Before the man could respond, the islanders behind him erupted into shouts.

"Do you think we're fools?" a gruff man barked from the left, brandishing his musket. "Pirates don't come here for help—they come to steal, loot, and kill!"

"You expect us to believe this nonsense?" yelled another, a woman with a bow slung over her shoulder. "Take your lies and get the hell out of here before we put holes in your ship!"

"You're just stalling for time!" a younger man added, his voice trembling with both anger and fear. "You're probably waiting for reinforcements to raid us. We're not falling for it!"

Vivi stepped forward, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. Her voice was soft but filled with urgency as she tried to reason with them. "Please, listen to us! We really aren't here to hurt anyone. We just need a doctor—"

"Shut up, you pirate whore!" a sharp voice cut her off, dripping with venom. A chorus of laughter and jeers followed.

"Why don't you and your crew just die at sea?" another woman sneered.

"You think crying will work on us? Get off our island!" someone else shouted, his tone bitter and unrelenting.

The tension reached its breaking point as a musket suddenly discharged. The loud crack echoed across the shoreline, and before anyone could react, the bullet found its mark. Vivi cried out in pain as the shot tore into her shoulder, the force of it sending her staggering back before she collapsed onto her knees. Her hand instinctively went to the wound, blood seeping through her fingers as her face contorted in pain.

"VIVI!" Usopp screamed, rushing to her side, his voice laced with panic.

The atmosphere shifted in an instant. Zoro's hand went to Yubashiri's hilt, the steel singing as he unsheathed the blade. His expression was dark and unreadable, but the deadly intent was clear. Sanji stepped forward, his body already angled into a fighting stance, while Gin spun his tonfa into position, his cold eyes scanning the crowd for a target. Even Usopp, trembling with fear and anger, had his slingshot drawn and ready to fire.

Goku, however, stood frozen. His eyes locked onto Vivi, her blood staining the deck as her quiet groans of pain reached his ears. A storm began to brew inside him, his rage bubbling to the surface. His tail lashed furiously, and then it happened—a sudden eruption of power.

A wave of energy burst forth from him, the sheer force shaking the ground beneath their feet. The islanders staggered as the very air seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly power. The weapons pointed at the crew wavered as a violent wind whipped through the shore. Trees bent and swayed, and the Going Merry creaked under the pressure of Goku's unleashed aura.

His tail snapped back and forth like a whip, and his teeth clenched as his muscles tensed. The islanders took a step back, their confidence visibly shaken. Some looked ready to flee, while others tightened their grips on their weapons, their faces pale.

But then, amidst the chaos, a voice whispered in Goku's mind. It was calm, deliberate, and piercing, cutting through the storm of his emotions. Think of the bigger picture, it said, the familiar tone of Eto Shapan. You're about to lose control. Your naivety put us here, and losing control will only make things worse. Pull yourself together.

Goku's breathing slowed, the words sinking in. The chaos began to subside as his aura dimmed, the violent winds calming. Slowly, the ground stopped trembling, and the oppressive atmosphere began to lift.

He turned to his crewmates, meeting each of their gazes in turn. No words were exchanged, but the message was clear. Zoro lowered his blade, Sanji relaxed his stance, Gin stepped back, and even Usopp lowered his slingshot, though his hands still shook.

Goku turned his attention back to the towering man at the forefront of the islanders. His voice, now calm but laced with unshakable resolve, rang out across the shore. "We won't even drop anchor if that's what it takes. We just need a doctor for our crewmate, nothing more. I'm giving you my word—we're not here to loot or raid. We just want to help her."

The islanders murmured amongst themselves, their hostility still present but tinged with uncertainty. Goku let the silence linger for a moment before continuing, his tone hardening.

"But…" His voice dropped, the weight of the single word settling over the crowd like a stone. "Your next move will decide whether this island stays standing by the time we leave."

His aura reignited, but this time it was controlled, deliberate. The dark energy swirled around him like a living flame, black and red in color. It was no longer the chaotic storm from before—it was quiet, coiled, like a predator lying in wait. The intensity in his eyes was enough to send a shiver through even the bravest of the islanders.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]