It took three full days to reach the island called Blue Square.
Even before its silhouette appeared on the horizon, the crew sensed something unusual.
Countless ships sailed in the same direction, and by the time the island came into view, more than ten vessels surrounded them.
It was easy to guess that they were all headed for the Treasure Battle.
When Blue Square's town finally came into sight, the crew was greeted by a breathtaking scene: an uncountable number of ships gathered at the port.
Luffy, perched cross-legged on the Merry's sheep figurehead, held down his straw hat against the wind, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "There it is! The Treasure Battle!"
"Jeez, keep it down, Luffy!" Usopp hissed, his knees trembling with fear. "What if those guys out there attack us?!"
Despite their polar opposite reactions, the two shared an odd camaraderie. Kiri, watching from a few steps back, chuckled softly.
Nearby, Chopper sat on the railing, peering at a passing ship. "Kiri, is that a pirate ship?"
"Nope," Kiri said. "If it's not flying a black flag with a skull, it's something else."
"Huh. Then what are they?"
"Looks like a mix—gangs, mafia, nobles, maybe even royalty. A few civilians, too. Heck, there might even be government agents sneaking around."
"But why are non-pirates here? They can't join the tournament, right?"
"Betting, of course. Tournaments like this move big money just by guessing the winner. People love the thrill without the effort."
"Wow," Chopper said, scanning the ships with renewed interest.
He started counting, noting which were pirate ships and which weren't. To his surprise, non-pirate vessels outnumbered the rest. Were they all here to gamble?
Chopper's curiosity bubbled over. "Is betting really that fun?"
"Might be best if you never find out," Kiri said. "It can ruin you."
"Really? Then why do so many people do it? Look at all these ships!"
"They're hooked on the rush. Keep going like that, and they're not far from ruin."
"Ruin, huh? That sounds bad…"
"Some things are better left unknown, Chopper. You're fine just as you are."
"Okay. I'll stay away from betting," Chopper nodded.
Kiri ruffled Chopper's hat, earning a delighted grin from the little reindeer. Amid the chaos at the ship's bow, their moment felt warm and serene.
The island grew closer, revealing its vast size.
The port stretched for kilometers in a straight line, yet it seemed barely enough to accommodate the flood of ships. It was the largest port they'd seen, but what stood out most was the sheer number of vessels—some anchored offshore, their crews rowing to shore in small boats.
Blue Square was more than just a big town. The island itself was a sprawling city, surrounded by four smaller islands, each representing a season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The Merry passed one of these smaller islands on its way to the main port.
With countless ships already docked, the crew gathered on deck, frowning at the crowded harbor.
"No way we're getting close like this," Usopp said. "Guess we're taking the dinghy?"
"Looks like it," Nami agreed. "Alright, everyone, get ready to head to—"
Her words were cut off by a deafening boom. A ship in the port exploded, shattered by a barrage of cannon fire. Angry shouts echoed across the water—pirates fighting among themselves.
Nami and Usopp froze, exchanging nervous glances and forced smiles.
"Uh… what's going on?" Nami stammered.
"Dunno! Probably just a… misfire or something," Usopp said weakly.
"Looks like pirates duking it out," Kiri said calmly.
"Great, a spot opened up," Zoro said. "Let's dock there."
"Are you insane?!" Usopp yelped. "They're fighting right now!"
"No way!" Nami added. "The Merry could get sunk!"
"Not necessarily," Sanji said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
As they watched, mysterious soldiers swarmed the warring pirates, subduing them with overwhelming force. The riot was quelled in moments.
The chaos was gone, but a new unease settled in. Soldiers capable of overpowering rowdy pirates so easily were a force to be reckoned with. Even if they weren't a direct threat, their presence was intimidating.
Nami and Usopp's faces paled.
"Wow, they're strong," Nami said, forcing a laugh.
"Yeah, real reliable," Usopp muttered.
"Might as well dock there since it's clear," Kiri said.
"They'll handle any trouble, right?" Zoro added.
"No clue who those soldiers are, but they're well-trained," Sanji said. "The Merry should be safe with them around."
"Let's just go home!" Usopp wailed. "This is too dangerous—for us and the Merry!"
"Yeah!" Nami agreed. "Why don't we just drop off the tournament folks and wait offshore? Not everyone needs to go to that death trap!"
"No can do," Kiri said. "We need everyone to boost our odds of winning."
"What?!" Usopp and Nami cried in unison.
Despite their protests, the Merry edged closer to the port. Debris from the destroyed ship floated nearby, heightening their fear, but most of the crew seemed unfazed. Their objections faded, ignored.
As the Merry prepared to dock, Luffy leapt onto the port's cobblestone, landing with a comical slap of his sandals.
He pressed his hat down and looked up, awestruck by the sprawling town and the throngs of people. Bathed in sunlight, Blue Square was stunning—nothing like the gritty Pirate Island. Pirates mingled with civilians, and the air lacked the stench of death. The cobblestone streets, the buildings, even the people's appearances exuded a surprising cleanliness.
Above all, the town buzzed with the infectious energy of a festival. Just breathing it in made Luffy's body itch with excitement. He grinned wide.
"Whoa! This is where the Treasure Battle's happening?!"
"Hey, Luffy, keep it down!" Usopp said, scrambling after him. "You don't know who's watching!"
"Who cares?" Luffy shot back.
"You're a wanted man, idiot!" Usopp snapped. "Have some self-awareness!"
"It's so big!" Chopper marveled, joining them. "And so many people! This is a festival?"
The rest of the crew disembarked, catching up to the trio. The vast port opened to a wide street leading into the town, a sight so grand it left them wide-eyed. They paused, taking it all in.
"Welcome, honored guests!" a voice called.
"Huh?" Luffy turned.
A neatly dressed man approached, smiling warmly. He bowed politely to the trio at the front, exuding a friendly yet formal air.
"Who're you, old man?" Luffy asked.
"I'm with Blueberry Times, the organizers, here to guide you," the man said. "I presume you're here for the Treasure Battle?"
"Yup! We came to join the Treasure Battle!" Luffy said.
"Luffy, seriously?" Usopp whispered. "What if it's a trap?"
"A trap?!" Chopper gasped. "The Treasure Battle?"
"No, no, nothing like that," the man said with a chuckle. "We simply want to show the world what pirates are truly about through this tournament. Our founder, Rocky Hattari, is a huge pirate fan, you see."
"Wow, Hattari sounds like a cool guy!" Luffy said, grinning.
Usopp sighed, giving up his protests. Even he was tiring of resisting.
"There's still time before the tournament begins," the man said. "The town's full of stalls. Why not enjoy them in the meantime?"
"Stalls? They got food?" Luffy asked.
"Of course."
"Yahoo! Let's go, guys!" Luffy shouted.
"Wait, hold on!" Usopp interrupted. "Mister, about that ship that got blown up earlier… The Merry's our precious crewmate. If something like that happened to her, we'd be in trouble."
"No need to worry," the man said. "This port is guarded by soldiers from the Tsuyos-Gina Kingdom. That earlier scuffle was pirates bickering, so they let it play out. But unmanned ships? They'll protect those with everything they've got."
"For real?" Usopp asked skeptically. "I don't know if I trust that…"
"It's fine," the man assured him. "Tsuyos-Gina is the strongest nation around, thanks to their rigorously trained soldiers. Even pirates struggle against them."
"They struggle? That's it?" Usopp pressed.
"Well, they're so strong we can't guarantee anything," the man admitted.
"Then that's no good!" Usopp wailed.
The man lowered his voice. "Look, we've pulled every string and called in every favor to make this festival happen. We're doing our best to keep spectators safe, and we handpicked the participating pirates. But somehow, we've got a few billion-berry bounties wandering around…"
"Billion?!" Usopp gasped. "Like who?"
"Well, for example, that famous—"
"Let's go, Chopper!" Luffy interrupted. "The stalls have tons of good food!"
"Yeah!" Chopper cheered.
"Wait, you two!" Usopp shouted. "Have some caution!"
As Luffy and Chopper bolted off, Usopp chased after them, unable to let them wander alone. The rest of the crew followed, each reacting in their own way, blending into the bustling crowd.
The town lived up to the man's words—a true festival atmosphere. At a square near the sea, countless stalls lined the area, far more than ten or twenty, all thriving with customers.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper's eyes gleamed, swept up in the vibrant scene.
"This festival's insane!" Luffy said. "Look at all these stalls!"
"So many people," Usopp said. "Get lost here, and we're done for."
"There's so many!" Chopper said. "Festivals are awesome!"
The rest of the crew caught up, the crowd making it hard to stand still. Luffy turned, spotting Kiri first, and flashed a grin. "Kiri, gimme some money! I wanna buy stuff at the stalls!"
"Sure, but don't get lost," Kiri said. "You're a magnet for trouble, and we'd never find you."
"Got it!" Luffy said.
"Here's some for you and Chopper too, Usopp," Kiri said, handing out coins.
"Thanks!" Usopp said. "Man, festivals really get you pumped. Where do we even start?"
"I-I don't know what to do!" Chopper said. "Luffy, what's the plan?"
"Eat everything, obviously!" Luffy said. "Let's go!"
Luffy charged forward, Usopp, Chopper, and Kiri weaving through the crowd behind him, eyeing the endless stalls. The sheer number of people was overwhelming—lose sight of someone, and they'd be gone.
Spotting a colorful stall with a cute sign, Chopper tugged at Usopp. "Hey, what's cotton candy?"
"You don't know cotton candy?" Usopp said. "It's sweet, fun to make, and tastes awesome."
"Is it good?"
"Oh, yeah. Wanna try some?"
"Yeah!"
Usopp led Chopper to the stall, and Kiri glanced ahead, searching for Luffy. But, as expected, he was already gone—lost in the crowd far too quickly. Kiri sighed, kicking himself for underestimating Luffy's knack for vanishing.
"He's gone," Kiri said. "Thought it'd take longer, but…"
Shaking his head, he joined Usopp and Chopper at the cotton candy stall. Usopp hoisted Chopper up to talk to the vendor.
"Hey, mister, two please," Usopp said.
"Sure thing," the vendor said. "What's that, a stuffed toy?"
"Stuffed toy?!" Chopper huffed. "I'm his crewmate!"
"Yo," Chopper added.
"Oh, a tanuki?" the vendor said.
"I'm not a tanuki! I'm a reindeer!"
"Same thing."
"No, it's not!"
The vendor, unfazed by Chopper's talking, started the cotton candy machine, pouring in sugar and spinning a chopstick. White fluff spiraled out, wrapping around the stick, growing larger by the second.
"Whoa!" Chopper gasped, leaning forward, mesmerized.
The finished cotton candy looked like a fluffy white cocoon. It was unlike anything Chopper had seen.
He took it eagerly, licking it cautiously at first. Sweetness hit his tongue, and his eyes widened. Biting in, the airy texture shocked him—it was divine.
"This is amazing!" Chopper said. "Sweet and fluffy! What is this?"
"That's cotton candy," Usopp said. "Gotta have it at a festival."
"It's so good!" Chopper said. "Sanji's sweets are great, but this is different!"
"Chopper loves his sweets, huh?" Kiri said.
"Oh, that's why he's always scarfing down Sanji's desserts," Usopp said.
Chopper, engrossed in his treat, barely registered their words. The sweetness was a revelation. Kiri and Usopp watched him fondly, momentarily forgetting they'd lost Luffy.
"Oh, right," Kiri said, his tone flat. "We lost Luffy."
"What? Already?" Usopp said. "No wonder it's quiet."
"He's as bad as Zoro with directions," Kiri said.
"And he never listens," Usopp added.
"Well, unlike Zoro, just follow the noise, and we'll find him," Kiri said.
"Yeah, let's wait for—"
"Yummm!" a familiar voice shouted.
"There he is," Kiri said with a wry smile.
"Predictable as ever," Usopp sighed.
Chopper, sprawled across Usopp's shoulder, munched happily, finishing his cotton candy and snagging some of Usopp's. He was hooked. They set off to find Luffy, weaving through the crowd.
Luffy stood transfixed at a takoyaki stall. When they called out, he turned, grinning ear to ear.
"What're you doing, Luffy?" Usopp asked.
"Look, Kiri! Takoyaki!" Luffy said.
"There's something you should've noticed first…" Usopp muttered.
"No use," Kiri said. "He's only got eyes for takoyaki."
"Huh? What?" Luffy said, confused.
He glanced at the stall and finally noticed the vendor—Hatchan, working briskly. Luffy's jaw dropped.
"Hey, it's Hachi! What're you doing here?"
"Nyu! Took you long enough," Hatchan said. "What's with you?"
"Why're you running a takoyaki stall?" Luffy asked. "Quit being a pirate?"
Usopp leaned in curiously. "Yeah, what's the deal?"
"Nah, still a pirate," Hatchan said, packing takoyaki into a container. "Just doing this on the side. Try some!"
"It's safe to eat, right?" Usopp asked.
"Nyu! Of course! I found the legendary sauce," Hatchan boasted.
"Sounds tasty!" Luffy said.
"Might as well try it," Kiri said.
"No charge for you guys," Hatchan said. "You're our boss's crew."
"Really? You're a good guy, Hachi!" Luffy said.
Hatchan grinned, and the crew relaxed, their faces lighting up. He called to the back of the stall. "Keimi, Pappag, gimme a hand!"
"Coming!" a voice replied.
"Welcome, customers!" another said.
Out came Keimi, a mermaid floating in a bubble ring, and Pappag, a talking starfish. Their sudden appearance—and Keimi's mermaid nature—stunned the crew.
Even Kiri, who'd seen plenty on the Grand Line, gaped. A real mermaid? The others' reactions were even bigger.
"Whoa! A mermaid!" Luffy shouted.
"She's real!" Usopp said. "And that's a float ring? She can live on land?"
"The starfish is talking!" Chopper said. "Why?"
"They're my friends," Hatchan said. "Helping out with the stall."
"Customers? Takoyaki's 500 berries a pack!" Pappag said.
"Nyu, they're good, Keimi," Hatchan said. "They're our boss's crew."
"Huh?" Keimi tilted her head.
Pappag stopped calculating on his abacus, and both stared at the crew, shocked. They'd heard stories of their boss's crew but hadn't expected these kids to be pirates.
"You're pirates?!" Keimi exclaimed.
"Don't look the part," Pappag said.
"Says the talking starfish in gloves!" Usopp shot back.
"Gloves? I'm a starfish!" Pappag said.
"Feed 'em some takoyaki," Hatchan said. "They're practically family."
Despite their surprise, Keimi and Pappag got to work. Fresh takoyaki was packed, slathered with sauce and mayo, sprinkled with bonito flakes and seaweed, and topped with toothpicks.
Handed out, the crew dug in. One bite, and they knew—this was no ordinary takoyaki. For Chopper, his first ever, it was a revelation, his eyes nearly tearing up as he sighed in awe. The others were just as impressed.
"So good!" Luffy shouted. "Crazy good!"
"Damn, this is amazing!" Usopp said.
"Mmmph, takoyaki's awesome!" Chopper said.
"Worth the hype," Kiri said. "Business must be booming."
"Yeah, keeps us busy getting ingredients," Hatchan said.
Luffy scarfed his down, undeterred by the heat, while Usopp and Chopper ate eagerly despite the burn. Kiri, eating calmly, glanced at Luffy, who was already demanding more.
"More, Hachi!" Luffy said. "It's so good!"
"Hold on, Luffy," Kiri said. "They're running a business. We can't just eat for free."
"Nyu, it's fine!" Hatchan said. "You're family."
"That's not how it works," Kiri said. "You gotta make this stall a success. Luffy'll eat you out of business otherwise. How about we hit a tavern for some meat? My treat."
"Aww, what about the stalls?" Luffy whined.
"We've got time later," Kiri said.
"Fine, meat it is!" Luffy said.
"Good luck with the stall," Kiri told Hatchan.
"Nyu… thanks," Hatchan said, his expression darkening. "Uh, is Nami here?"
"Of course," Kiri said. "Not sure if she'll come this way—"
"Aaah!" a voice shouted.
The four turned to see Sanji, clutching his chest, legs trembling, staring at Keimi with a lovesick grin.
"A m-m-mermaid?!" Sanji stammered. "A real one?! Such cuteness—no, such divinity! The moment I saw you, it was like being struck by lightning! And that lightning's name is love!"
"Here comes the idiot," Usopp muttered.
"Full-on fool mode today," Kiri said.
"You eating that, Kiri?" Luffy asked, snatching Kiri's takoyaki.
Sanji, oblivious to everything but Keimi, took her hand with a gallant expression, lost in his own world. "This meeting is a miracle… I've fallen in love with you."
"Love?" Keimi said. "Like the fish?"
"Keimi, I think he means a different kind of 'koi,'" Pappag said.
"Business as usual," Usopp said.
"Yup, expected," Kiri added.
Luffy, unfazed, munched on Kiri's takoyaki. The rest of the crew arrived, and Hatchan's face lit up nervously when he saw Nami.
"Hachi?" Nami said. "What're you doing here?"
"Nyu, Nami… want some takoyaki? I made it. It's pretty good."
A tense moment passed. Their history wasn't exactly friendly, and Hatchan's unease was palpable. Nami stood with a hand on her hip, her gaze sharp.
"Nyu…" Hatchan gulped.
"I'll take one," Nami said.
"R-right!" Hatchan hurried to prepare a pack.
Keimi and Pappag noticed his nerves, confused by his sweating. Nami took the takoyaki and ate in silence, chewing thoughtfully as Hatchan watched anxiously.
"How is it?" he asked.
"…Good," Nami said, her frown melting into a smile.
Relief washed over Hatchan, his shoulders relaxing. "G-great! Eat as much as you want. No charge for you guys—you're family."
"Really?" Nami said. "You're running a business, though."
"It's fine," Hatchan insisted. "You're crew."
"Well, I won't say no," Nami said, shrugging with a grin.
The tension eased, and Hatchan beamed. Sanji's antics continued, but with the crew gathered, it felt safe to move on. Kiri grabbed Luffy's hand.
"Let's go," Kiri said. "No more getting lost."
"Meat time!" Luffy said.
Keeping Luffy close to avoid another vanishing act, Kiri led him toward the town's depths, aiming for a tavern. It was partly to sate Luffy's hunger, but also to gather intel—taverns were perfect for that.
But just minutes into their walk, through the crowded streets, a figure appeared.
"You!" a voice cried.
"Huh?" Kiri said.
Arms wrapped around him in a sudden embrace. It was Baby 5, someone he'd met on Pirate Island and inexplicably won over. She rubbed her cheek against his chest, beaming.
"You came! I'm so happy to see you!" she said.
"Uh, why are you here…?" Kiri asked, flustered.
"Kiri, didn't I tell you no marrying without the captain's permission?" Luffy said.
"I'm not marrying anyone!" Kiri protested.
"You're not?!" Baby 5 gasped.
"Why are you shocked?!" Kiri said.
Caught between the two, Kiri sighed, defeated. "Fine, let's just move."
Baby 5 clung tightly, showing no sign of letting go. Shaking her off seemed futile, and Kiri could already picture the chaos ahead. With a weary voice, he led the pair forward.
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Thank you everyone for following my story until now. If you want to read it earlier, you can go to my Patreon, I have posted about 30-40 chapters in advance. Your support really gives me more motivation to continue the service and bring more good stories.
Thank you everyone very much!!!
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