In a rowdy tavern at Mock Town, Jaya Island…
"Hmph."
Bellamy, "the Hyena," captain of the Bellamy Pirates, sat drinking alone. With a bounty of fifty-five million Berries, he was feared by many, yet his face showed nothing but disdain. His sharp gaze swept across the tavern, looking down on the pirates gathered there.
"Hmph, pathetic fools," he scoffed. "All these years at sea and most of you don't even have a wanted poster."
The room grew tense. Any pirate who accidentally met his eyes quickly looked away. None dared provoke him. Seeing their cowardice, Bellamy slammed his glass against the table and sneered.
"Trash. All of you."
In a quiet corner, a pirate whispered, "Bellamy's been in a bad mood lately…"
His companion immediately covered his mouth. "Shut it, idiot! Do you want him to hear? If you want to die, don't drag me with you."
Bang!
Bellamy slammed his cup again. "Bartender!"
The bartender froze, then rushed forward nervously. "Bellamy-sama, what do you need?"
Bellamy glared. "Pour me another. Quickly."
Relieved that it was only a refill, the bartender hurriedly poured with a forced smile before retreating. Back at the bar, he exhaled shakily, muttering under his breath, "Mad dog…"
Mock Town lived on an unspoken rule: pirates never harmed the townsfolk who fed, housed, and served them. Without such people, pirates would have no comfort after looting merchant ships. But Bellamy's crew didn't care for old traditions. They called themselves the "new era," mocking the old ways as foolish. Strength was their law, fists the only rule that mattered.
Bellamy lifted his glass again, bitterness twisting his face. "Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro… a rookie from the weakest sea, the East Blue. And the Marines gave him a starting bounty of a hundred million Berries?"
He slammed the cup down again. "Ridiculous. Just because he beat that smoke-blowing Colonel Smoker, they treat him like some big deal. Stupid Marines."
What infuriated Bellamy most was the rumor that even the Young Master—Donquixote Doflamingo—had taken interest in Shirogai.
"Damn rookie," Bellamy muttered, grinding his teeth. "So flashy, so undeserving."
…
A few days earlier.
In a dark room, the banner of the Donquixote Pirates hung on the wall: a grinning face split by a diagonal line. On the table, a Den Den Mushi wore red glasses, laughing.
"Fufufufufu. Bellamy," the voice of Doflamingo spoke, "in a few days the Straw Hats will reach your island. Find a pirate called the Plunderer, Shirogai, and bring him to me."
Bellamy bowed his head, trembling with respect. "Yes, Young Master."
"Oh, one more thing…" Doflamingo's snail narrowed its eyes, grinning darkly. "When you face him, Bellamy, show some humility. It'll save you pain. Fufufufu."
Bellamy clenched his fists but forced a respectful reply. "Yes, Young Master. I understand."
…
Now, back in the tavern, Bellamy's face darkened. "Hmph. Why should I humble myself to a rookie? Am I supposed to be beneath him?"
Just then, loud laughter echoed from upstairs.
"Hahaha! You fools thought you could beat Rocinante-sama at cards? He's a pirate worth forty-two million Berries. Pathetic!"
Bellamy's eyes gleamed. Finally, a target to vent his rage.
Bang! He rose from his chair, heading for the stairs.
"Bellamy, where are you going?" asked Sarquiss, the Donquixote crew's vice captain, who had a bounty of thirty-eight million Berries. He sat drinking with a woman at his side.
Bellamy grinned darkly. "Someone up there just caught my interest. Time to play."
Sarquiss stood, revealing the Donquixote emblem tattooed across his chest. "Heh. Rare to see you in the mood." With a wave, he motioned to their men. "Come on, let's drink."
The crew members stood, smiling wickedly, and followed Bellamy upstairs.
The tavern fell into a hush.
"Oh no," one pirate muttered. "A fight's about to break out."
The tavern owner nearly wept, already imagining broken tables and walls. "Not again! I just fixed this place…"
…
According to navigators' logs, Jaya Island's western coast housed Mock Town—a lawless den of outlaws. Here, there was no justice, no order. Men and women alike shouted, fought, and indulged themselves without restraint.
And now, into this chaos, another crew approached.
…
On the Going Merry, nearing Mock Town's harbor, the Straw Hats stared at the countless pirate ships docked openly along the coast.
"Whaaaat?! So many pirate ships just sitting there?!" Usopp's jaw dropped.
Nami groaned, waving dismissively. "Oh, Usopp, don't talk nonsense. There's no way pirates would park openly in the harbor."
"Right, right," Usopp laughed nervously, closing his eyes. "I must've been seeing things."
Chopper followed along. "Then we were hallucinating. Good, I'll rest my eyes too."
Zoro stared at the three of them blankly. "Hopeless."
Luffy's grin widened as he looked at the bustling port. "Ahahaha! This place looks fun! So many pirates all in one town!"
"Luffy!" Nami, Usopp, and Chopper shouted in despair, tears streaming down their faces. "Don't ruin our illusions!"
Meanwhile, Sanji poured tea for Robin with a flourish. "Robin chaaan, your black tea."
"Thank you, Sanji." Robin smiled gently, though her eyes drifted to the rowdy port in the distance.
Inwardly, her thoughts turned elsewhere. Shirogai… how are you faring? If you couldn't defeat Admiral Kizaru, I hope at least you escaped safely.
Luckily, the admiral sent that day was not him… but Aokiji.
…
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