No one saw it coming: the morning kicked off at one a.m. with blaring sirens shredding the silence.
An alarm clock from hell, jolting pirates awake.
Those still aboard clutched their ears, groggy and pissed, faces twisted in confusion and fury.
The wail dragged on. When it finally cut, speakers crackled to life.
"Morning, pirate scum! The moment's here—Treasure Battle begins!"
Roughnecks barely hiding their rage flipped in an instant.
Shock mixed with raw anticipation—the wait was over. Battle greenlit. Bodies itching since last night could finally unleash.
Eyes locked on Hattari's voice.
"Look outside! Qualifier island's dead ahead!"
Pirates surged: peering from windows, leaning out, bolting for deck—reactions wild.
Dawn's first light barely cracked the horizon.
Sun-glinted waves framed the behemoth Gorgeous Hattari, hugging two vast islands linked by a slender sandbar, jutting twin from the sea.
The ship beelined for one. That's the arena.
Morale spiked—no stopping it.
Deck already buzzed; excitement crackled.
"Qualifier one: Treasure Hunt! Rules incoming!"
Deck-dwellers spotted the shadow overhead, heads snapping up.
Hattari—announcer, commentator, organizer, reporter—hovered impossibly high. Straddling a massive bird rigged with speakers, mic in hand.
Mobile broadcast booth.
Every soul on deck or in cabins heard him crystal clear.
Tournament time. Rules drop.
Island loomed close—strong swimmers could hoof it. But no upside; they waited.
Some competitors clocked it early.
Game's already on.
Qualifiers: that island, confirmed. Wake-up at ass-o'clock? Most still sacked out, prep skipped.
Sharp ones pieced it: first to act wins.
No dawdling on morning routines—others claim prizes first.
The savvy stayed mum, ears perked.
"Simple: find a hidden chest on the island, hold it till prelims end—you win! Prelims end when all chests found! Unfound? They stay open forever—watch it! Steal from others? Fair game!"
Rule sink-in: when and who strikes first.
Deck folks especially tensed.
"300 teams advance from 714 total!"
Perfect fuel for bloodlust.
Faces hardened.
400+ out first round. Cool heads rare.
"Straight talk: this decides survivors! 1,400 pirates for 300 chests! Melee madness incoming! No killing—but dance on death's edge, no penalties. Give it hell!"
Hattari's hype screamed: go time.
"First come, first served! Good luck! And—"
Bodies coiled.
Indoors: stomping chaos—deck dash or boat grabs.
Aura thick with impending war; Hattari roared:
"Treasure Hunt—GO!!"
Fireworks burst from the ship.
Sky-shattering booms: tournament unleashed.
"Where's the damn chest?!"
Luffy and Vivi bolted through the forest.
"Ancient Island"—uninhabited sprawl, ecosystems galore. Needle-in-haystack hunt.
Zero hints provided. Pure instinct, know-how.
Pirate basics: sniff out buried loot.
Fail that? No main-stage worth.
That's the prelim's point.
Luffy and Vivi ran blind—no plan.
Quirky duo: non-pirate princess, direction-dumb captain.
But Kiri deemed it optimal. Vivi reins Luffy—guards her and navigates his lost-puppy ass. Inexperience risky, but her diligence? Clutch.
Still, Kiri's logic aside, Vivi wired tight.
Chasing thoughtless Luffy, face etched confusion.
"Wait, Luffy-san! You know where chests are?"
"Nah."
"Then random sprinting's dumb. Search careful here first."
Luffy halted; Vivi gulped air.
Agent training had limits.
He'd paced for her—still fast. Full tilt? Left behind. Breathing ragged, she noted it.
Lesson one: combat? Luffy's got it.
Rest? Her job to steady.
"But look—everyone's hunting. Dawdle, no chest for us!"
"True, but blind? Bust. Need strategy. This tests treasure sense—patterns exist..."
"Dunno any."
"Me neither... What now?"
Rivals dotted the woods.
Panic natural—rules stoke race. 300 chests vs. hordes. Miss out? Over half DQ'd.
Rush blind? Waste stamina.
Luffy's go-go-go stalled thought; Vivi forced calm, racking brain—nothing.
Chin in hand, eyes down, grim focus bordering pain.
Overhead voice cut in.
Wing-flap; familiar paper bird descended.
"Trouble, Captain?"
"Kiri!"
"Kiri-san?! Why here?"
Bird dissolved; Kiri and Ace landed smooth, grinning.
Surrounding clamor—they paused, scheming cool.
"Gut feel. Saw Igaram freaking—lost you at disembark."
"Yeah... split early."
"Saw. You flew, Luffy?"
"These early birds? Solid crews."
"Key: how find chests."
Kiri scanned trees, piecing aloud.
"No hints? Hell to search random. But Blueberry Times hid 'em—for sport. Factor that over blind luck."
"Like?"
Ace's prod; Kiri's gaze swept—edge-snagged something blurring through dense brush.
"Slapped random, pirate tropes... or island critters hauling 'em—"
"Animals?"
"Just spotted one."
Noise, vibe drew eyes.
Bush-crash, rock-hop, leap—heron bolted.
Vivi gasped.
Familiar breed: Rogue Heron. Alabasta native.
"Rogue Heron?! Here?!"
"Special guest, huh? Alabasta's closer than it seems."
"It's got a chest!"
Sneaky-faced bird clutched one wing-wise. Eye-lock: smug leer, flaunt-back, bolt.
Taunt vibe hit hard.
Target acquired; Luffy charged.
"Hold it, punk! Gimme that loot!"
"Wait—Luffy-san! Don't solo!"
Vivi tailed—can't leave him.
Kiri and Ace strolled after, chatting.
"I'm reckless, but you're soft."
"Hm?"
"On Luffy. First instinct: find him."
Kiri blanked, then chuckled.
Eyes flicked away, smile lingering:
"Promised to back him. Tiny stuff especially."
"Figures. You guys? Worry-free."
Trail chatter halted—shout ahead.
"Got it! Treasure!"
Casual glance: 100m off, lone boulder perch—two dudes crowing over chest. Loudmouths.
Pirates don't find loot and chill.
Kiri's grin deepened, hand dipping pocket; Ace blocked.
"Rules say steal OK."
"My turn. Warm-up."
Ace flowed light.
Bounce-step; body ignited—flame streak.
Controlled blaze—no forest scorch—blurred away, backdoor silent.
Flame ballooned behind; Ace materialized.
Flickering aura, he grinned.
They whirled—fist cocked.
"Sorry. That mine?"
"Gah—Fire Fist—?!"
Arms slammed: fire torrent engulfed, screams echoed.
Pulled punch—alive proved it.
They tumbled off rock, rolling to douse, fleeing yelping.
Ace snagged chest.
"Whoops—can't torch this."
Boot-flick to hand, hoisted high for Kiri:
"Yo, Kiri—secured!"
"Pro. Loving the break."
Quali cleared—hold till end.
Fire Fist chest-guard? Untouchable aura.
Win locked.
Meanwhile, Luffy's crew heron-hunted.
Bird could fly—teasing ground-pace instead.
Luffy fumed, cool gone.
Vivi trailed, grimacing strategy.
Blind chase? No dice—bird no pushover.
"Stop—bird!"
"Luffy-san, brute force might flop! Need a play!"
"Right—stretch arm—"
"First, test this."
Vivi drew weapon.
Ring on pinky—thread uncoiled, tipped peacock-feather blade.
Jewelry vibe—her tool.
Wrist-spin: centrifugal whirl, blade aiding effortless spin. Touch? Shreds.
But Vivi'd tinkered voyages-long.
Stronger. Modded for range.
Perfect trial.
"Peacock Karakuni Slasher..."
Heron strutted cocky.
Vivi whipped—aim legs.
"Shot!"
Spin halted, thread launched blade solo.
Melee base—now ranged killer.
Heron no warn: leg-shot, tumble-screech.
Fragile looks? Trap—foe drops guard.
Not aimed, but battle-ready gear.
Luffy grinned, arm rocket—heron down, now snag!
But intruder—perfect timing.
"Loot's mine!"
"Hey?! Who—? That's ours, me and Vivi's!"
Luffy's fingers grazed; sudden hands swiped.
Trees blocked view—chest gone.
Panic sprint that way.
Ignored bird; spotted thief: red-nose familiar.
"Gyahahaha! Sucks for you, Straw Hat! Mine now!"
"Buggy, huh."
"'Huh'?! What kinda reaction's that, ya loudmouth idiot?!"
Clown Buggy—stood tall.
Luffy'd crossed him, death-threats galore.
Yet reaction: again?—bored, no hate, no shock.
Used to it.
Buggy steamed at the deadpan.
"Knew you'd show. Tough luck—I win. Post-Navy breakout, crew's stacked—no fears. Even you, hated pest! Gyahahaha!"
"Why you here?"
"Flashy punk! To off you and snag prizes!"
"Nah—we're winning."
"Shut it! That baseless ego pisses me off...!"
Rustle: Iron Mace Alvida sidled Buggy.
Stunning siren—sultry smile, eyes hot on Luffy.
Mace on shoulder: too brutish for her grace—yet amplified allure.
Vivi wary—especially Alvida.
Pirate queen vibe: beauty, power self-assured. Idle poise magnetic.
Luffy? Blunt ignore.
Vivi couldn't dismiss.
Strong, she pegged.
Luffy clocked chest, zero panic.
Ask why? "Buggy."
No underestimate, no slack.
That's the reason.
Foes clear—not allies—but old venom faded.
Knows 'em too well.
Vivi puzzled: odd dynamic.
Mutual beef... but more?
Luffy half-assed; Buggy raged, Alvida soft—Luffy neutral.
New foe flavor.
"Missed you, Luffy. Remember me?"
"Hm? Kinda familiar... who?"
"Sigh—same old. Iron Mace Alvida, duh."
"Oh yeah—Devil Fruit slim-down."
"Luffy-san... you know them?"
Vivi timid; Luffy beamed back:
"Yup. Loguetown—nearly killed me."
"Ehh?! That history? Yet this vibe..."
"Shoulda finished you then—no headaches. But rules—post-tourney's your end."
"Show me another miracle? Can't wait, Luffy."
Weird pair.
Buggy: kill-mode. Alvida: cheerleader?
Vivi brow-furrowed, lost.
As they bolted, Luffy finally called it:
"That's our chest. Hand it."
"Yours? Name tag?"
"Nope."
"Then ain't yours. Finder's keepers—can't pirate asking permission!"
"Fine—I'll take it back."
Left foot forward, arm reared.
Buggy froze—face drained.
"Gum-Gum Pistol!"
"Buoohe?!"
Stretch-punch smashed nose; Buggy chopped—parts scattered, auto-ability.
Chest dropped.
Vivi lunged—Alvida closer, scooped.
"Your fists... nostalgic. Remind me again?"
"You too—"
"Want it? Chase. This ain't just brawl."
"Damn—nice try, rubber shit! Won't bite—run with loot, we win!"
Floating Buggy parts yowled.
Alvida nodded; Vivi clocked:
No fight—pure evade.
"Luffy-san! They're running!"
"Like hell!"
"Chop-Chop Festival!"
Buggy bits zipped tree-dodge.
Luffy-Vivi stunned—halt.
"Gyahahaha! Dense woods—steal if you can! Alvida, chest!"
"Here."
"Wait!"
Hand grabbed; bits floated inward.
Evade-only—no battle will.
Buggy parted ahead; Alvida kicked sandals.
Light hop-land: silky sole glided—obstacles slipped frictionless, zero-grip speed.
Her move.
Smooth-Smooth Fruit perk: unique full-throttle.
"Friction Zero! Smooth-Smooth Slip!"
"Damn—stop! Gimme treasure!"
"Luffy-san! Don't solo—I'm with!"
Chase on.
Bad footing, poor sight—powers exploited smart: path-pick, ability-max.
Vivi tailed Luffy, eyes fierce-thought.
Not if powered—foresight.
Alabasta pre: Luffy-level impossible.
Shift gears. Raw strength? Time crunch.
Need: new style.
Tourney: prime testbed.
Last shot, resolve hardened.
Vivi chased foes and captain, tension etched deeper than ever.
-------------------------
Hey everyone, thanks a ton for following my story till now. If you wanna read ahead, I've already uploaded about 30–40 extra chapters on Patreon. Your support really keeps me going and helps me bring you more cool stories!
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]