When they left Water 7, Fang Yi wasn't in high spirits.
Even though they had a brand-new ship, they failed to bring the Iceberg aboard.
Before departing, Fang Yi warned Tom that the World Government might cause trouble for him because he had built a ship for Roger. Tom only smiled, clearly unconcerned.
Fang Yi didn't press further—he knew that the Government's real motive wasn't the Roger ship at all, but the fact that Tom held the blueprints for the ancient weapon, Pluton.
He couldn't say that outright. If he did, Tom might suspect he was also after Pluton. So Fang Yi just kept it in mind: someday, he would return to Water 7 and give any World Government agents causing trouble a lesson they wouldn't forget.
"Captain! Has Buggy made up his mind yet?"
On deck, Shanks looked left and right before quietly asking Fang Yi.
"Mm. That guy is still hesitating," Fang Yi replied with a nod.
After the new ship was completed, the Dragon Wolf Pirates were officially formed—Shanks as vice-captain, Barrett as combat leader. But Buggy had refused the lookout position Fang Yi offered him.
In Buggy's words, he hadn't decided whether to join the Dragon Wolf Pirates yet. For now, he and Brook were just passengers, not real members.
Still, Fang Yi was confident—once they visited Skypiea, Buggy would join without hesitation. After all, Fang Yi knew exactly how much gold was up there.
"Fang Yi… this life is so boring! Where's your bait? Take it out and try it!"
One day, as the Dragon Wolf sailed on, a very bored Buggy shouted over.
"You idiot—do you not realize how dangerous that thing is? If it lures out another monster, nobody will save us!" Fang Yi refused instantly.
Roger had already told them: when the Whitebeard Pirates traded for bait from Fang Yi, it lured an entire troop of Sea Monkeys. If not for Whitebeard's overwhelming strength, they might have been wiped out.
That was what Whitebeard himself had told Roger during their last meeting.
Buggy knew the magical bait was dangerous… but people always believe they won't be the unlucky one.
"Captain, an island spotted ahead!"
From the lookout, Shanks shouted excitedly.
"Oh? Finally, another island. Get ready to land!" Fang Yi brightened immediately.
But as they got closer, everyone's expressions turned strange.
"This… looks like a Navy base, right?" Shanks said uncertainly.
"Drop the 'right.' This is a Navy base." Fang Yi stared at the Navy flag flying high on the island's tallest point.
"What now? Should we escape before they notice us?" Buggy asked nervously.
A newly formed pirate crew boldly walking up to a Marine base? That was pushing it. Most pirates, unless extremely ruthless, avoided provoking the Marines directly.
"Forget it—we're already here. Let's take a look. We're still newcomers; maybe they won't recognize us," Fang Yi decided.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Barrett was the first to move, eager for action. He hadn't fought in a while and was starting to feel rusty.
In recent days, Barrett had practically lived at the back of the ship, where Fang Yi and Tom had built not only a hot spring but also a gym for training. Barrett used it so much that it was his room.
They hid the Dragon Wolf in a seaside cave, then headed straight toward the base.
"See? A Marine base isn't so scary."
Wearing stolen Marine uniforms, they strolled openly inside.
"Buggy, don't get careless. First, find out who's in charge here. If we meet a greedy officer, we might make a little profit," Fang Yi chuckled.
They had spent all their money on the Dragon Wolf. If Tom hadn't waived his fee, they wouldn't have been able to afford it.
"Oh?" Buggy's eyes lit up at the mention of treasure.
"You mean… they might have a treasure vault here?"
"Not necessarily. But a base this big burns through food and ammunition. The HQ must give them a large budget every year. If we're lucky, we could score something," Fang Yi replied.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's head straight to their logistics department!" Buggy grinned.
So they began sneaking around, looking for the base's supply section.
At a corner, they ran into two women in Marine cook uniforms—one older, one younger.
"Big sister Jessica, what are you making today? Is it that new dish from the other day?" the little one asked.
Fang Yi's group lowered their heads, planning to walk away.
"Hey, you lot! Not heading to the mess hall?" the older woman—Jessica—called out, frowning.
"Uh… we still have patrol duty. We'll eat after," Fang Yi replied, forcing a smile.
"Good! Not bad!" Jessica nodded approvingly. Life at this base was usually so relaxed that Marines often slacked off. Soldiers who kept working through mealtime were rare.
"Come to the mess hall later—I'll save some food for you," Jessica said with a smile.
As the G8 Base's head chef and fiancée of Vice Admiral Jonathan (the base's second-in-command), Jessica had considerable influence here.
Fang Yi's crew, unaware of her identity, could only nod.
Meanwhile, the little girl curiously eyed Brook. His unusual height made him stand out, but Brook kept his gaze averted—he knew how suspicious he looked.
"Phew, that was close. That little girl kept staring at me!" Brook said afterward, visibly shaken.
"I almost couldn't hold back!"
"What, you were going to attack her?" Fang Yi asked, surprised.
"No… I was going to ask if she'd let me see her panties!" Brook replied solemnly.
Thud!
All four others collapsed at once. This pervy skeleton was beyond saving.
After failing to find the logistics office, they reluctantly headed to the mess hall instead. They could gather intel there, and Jessica had already promised them food—skipping might make her suspicious.
When they arrived, only a few Marines remained, mostly soldiers and some officers lingering over their meals.
"I heard Head Chef Jessica is cooking personally today. It's been so long since we tasted her food—so good you can't stop eating!"
"Yeah! Normally, this time is just for officers, but plenty of others stayed because of Jessica's cooking today."
The crew exchanged glances as they overheard this chatter.
"That girl we met earlier… could she be the head chef?" Shanks wondered.
"Can't be. She's so young, about our age. How could she be a head chef in the Navy?" Fang Yi shook his head. In his mind, even with talent, the Marines valued seniority—just look at the future admirals Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, still working under big shots at this time.
"Never mind. Let's find a seat. Buggy, come with me to get food. You others stay and listen for news about the base," Fang Yi instructed.
Shanks nodded, taking Brook and Barrett to a table while Fang Yi and Buggy went to the serving counter.
"You two came? Weren't there five of you? Where are the others?" the little girl from before asked as they approached.
"They're sitting over there. I'll bring their food to them," Fang Yi replied with a smile.
She glanced at Brook's table, then handed over several full lunch boxes.
These are made personally by Jessica. You guys are lucky—normally, only the top officers get this treatment!"
Fang Yi's eyes lit up. "Thank Chef Jessica for us, and thank you too."
"That's better," she said, bouncing away happily.
Buggy opened his mouth to speak, but Fang Yi silenced him with a glance. They took the food back to the table.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen behind the wall, Jessica asked the little girl with a smile:
"Well? Did you spot anything suspicious?"
"No. When I told him the food was from you, he thanked you and seemed to know you're the head chef," the girl replied with a pout.
Her suspicion had started when she first saw Brook—someone that tall in a Marine uniform was unusual here at G8, where she'd lived long enough to know most personnel. Bringing them food had been a test.
"I told you—this is a Marine base. Who would sneak in here without a reason?" Jessica chuckled, pinching the girl's cheek.
Most people wouldn't think someone as young as her could be the head chef, so if they knew, they must be insiders… or so she believed.