North Blue, Saint-Léa Island.
This ordinary little island attracted many tourists during certain seasons thanks to its year-round warm climate, abundant sunshine, rich natural resources, and beautiful scenery. After visiting several locations throughout North Blue, the Black Star Pirates had chosen to dock here for routine resupply.
"Let's go! Carrot, hurry up!"
The moment their ship stopped, little Bonney rushed to the railing and called back to Carrot, who was still wandering around the deck taking in their surroundings. Bonney could barely contain her excitement about exploring another new island.
Perhaps influenced by her father Kuma's travels, little Bonney genuinely loved visiting and exploring different islands. Every time they left a place, she would carefully write down everything she'd seen and experienced, hoping to share these adventures with her father someday.
"Okay, but it's really hot here," Carrot replied listlessly, feeling the oppressive heat in the air and letting her tongue hang out slightly.
"Is this better?" Carina asked, fanning Carrot a few times before walking off the ship with Kotatsu padding alongside her.
Cavendish, dressed in his usual elaborate finery, mounted his horse Farul with theatrical flair. Holding a rose between his teeth, he stretched out his arms dramatically and shouted, "Farul! Let's go expand our fan base together!"
Watching Farul carry Cavendish as they leaped gracefully from the ship to the dock, Jerry gathered his belongings, said goodbye to Deuce and the others, and headed toward the town.
"Well then, let's handle the supplies first, then we can explore," Deuce said with a resigned shrug, already mentally preparing for whatever chaos his crewmates might cause.
"No problem," Skull and Brook replied in unison, making matching OK gestures.
Thanks to the island's abundant natural resources, the ports and surrounding town bustled with activity. Merchants hawked their wares while tourists and locals mingled in the busy streets.
Near noon, Carina led the two youngest crew members and Kotatsu into a street-side restaurant. The moment the sweaty Carrot settled into her chair, her eyes suddenly widened with excitement.
"Sister Carina! I see a shop across the street that sells shaved ice!" She pointed eagerly through the window. "I really want to try some!"
Seeing that little Bonney was slumped against her seat looking ready to collapse from hunger and heat, Carina gently stroked Carrot's head. "Go ahead, but don't wander off. Come back right after you finish eating."
"Got it!" Carrot bounded out of the restaurant and quickly crossed to the other side of the street.
The shaved ice shop was a small establishment with open sides facing the street. Carrot rushed inside and appeared at the counter in a flash, calling out excitedly, "Miss! Shaved ice! I want some shaved ice!"
"Of course, little one!" the shopkeeper laughed warmly at the energetic girl wearing rabbit ears. "Though I have to ask—isn't that headpiece making you even hotter in this weather?" She pointed toward a customer sitting in a corner booth. "But you'll have to wait a moment. That customer over there wearing the bear costume has ordered more than a dozen servings."
"Eh?" Carrot turned to look and saw a tall figure sitting quietly in a corner near the street-facing opening.
He wore an orange long-sleeved shirt with what looked like a smiley face symbol on the left chest. Above his collar, instead of a human head, was the furry white head of a polar bear.
"You ordered way too much! Can I cut in line?" Carrot approached the polar bear person like a whirlwind.
Perhaps Carrot's voice was a bit too loud in her eagerness. The sudden outburst made the white bear's head droop instantly as he said in a dejected tone, "Ah, I'm sorry!"
"Why are you apologizing?" Carrot asked in confusion, then tilted her head curiously. "Wait... are you from the Mink Tribe?"
The polar bear raised his head and stared at the little girl with wide, round eyes. "How did you know? No wait—you're a mink too!"
"Hehehe, that's right! I didn't expect to meet a fellow tribesman here," Carrot said with a bright smile, settling into the chair across from the polar bear.
The next moment, as if sharing the same thought, they both slumped forward onto the table and sighed simultaneously, "It's so hot..."
"My name is Bepo," the polar bear said weakly, his tongue hanging out slightly. "What's yours?"
Carrot was too exhausted by the heat to move much. Her mouth barely moved as she spoke softly, "I'm Carrot. Bepo, what brings you to this island?"
"Here we go! Five servings of shaved ice!" the shopkeeper's enthusiastic call interrupted their conversation and instantly revived both minks' spirits.
"Here, Carrot! Share these with me," Bepo said gently, pushing two elaborate servings of shaved ice toward her. The two began chatting leisurely while enjoying the cool, refreshing dessert.
Through their conversation, Carrot gradually learned about Bepo's circumstances, while she shared some of her own experiences on Zou.
When Bepo was young, hoping to follow in his older brother Zepo's footsteps, he had climbed down from Zunesha to explore the ocean. Unfortunately, he'd mistakenly boarded a ship bound for North Blue, causing him to leave his homeland early. His memories of Zou were limited due to his young age at the time.
Determined to return home someday, Bepo had studied navigation with intense dedication. He now served as navigator for the Heart Pirates under Captain Trafalgar Law, who had once saved his life.
"I see," Carrot mused, regaining her energy as the shaved ice cooled her down. "I think I've heard Pedro mention someone named Zepo before..." She tried hard to remember, but eventually shook her head helplessly. "I can't quite recall the details."
Bepo poured another mouthful of shaved ice down his throat and smiled happily. "That's okay. I'm already satisfied just hearing news about my homeland from you."
His eyes lit up with excitement. "Your pirate crew sounds amazing! You've traveled through so many different seas!"
"Hehe, of course we have!" Carrot raised her head proudly. "Big Brother Jerry is incredible and so kind! He can produce carrots anytime, and I can have as many as I want!"
"Really? My captain Law is amazing too!" Bepo praised his captain enthusiastically. "We should be leaving North Blue soon!"
"Are you planning to head for the Grand Line?" Though still young, Carrot had learned about many different places during their travels.
"Yeah, but we still have to handle some business in North Blue first. Something about secretly sabotaging Joker's operations..." Bepo was chatting casually while eating his shaved ice when he suddenly covered his mouth, his eyes going wide. "I mean... anyway, we just have some things to take care of before the Captain decides exactly when we'll leave for the Grand Line."
Carrot was too busy rapidly consuming her shaved ice in small, quick bites to pay much attention. "Delicious! So much cooler! What were you saying?"
She'd been so focused on eating that she'd only vaguely heard Bepo's words without catching the details.
Looking at Carrot's bright, innocent eyes, Bepo grinned. "Nothing important. My captain and his crew are in that restaurant over there—I should head back soon."
Following Bepo's pointing finger, Carrot suddenly remembered that Carina had told her to return quickly. Coincidentally, the restaurant Bepo had indicated was right next door to where she'd left her own crew.
"Oh yeah, I need to get back too!" Carrot quickly stood up alongside Bepo.
Bepo nodded, paid their bill, and walked out of the shop with Carrot. They'd barely taken a few steps toward the street when a man's loud laughter rang out behind them.
"Hahaha! So you're the ones planning to ruin Joker's deals? I can't just pretend I didn't hear that!"
Before he'd even finished speaking, the blonde man's legs suddenly transformed into two massive metal springs. He pressed hard against the ground, and his entire body launched toward Bepo at incredible speed, like a human cannonball aimed directly at the unsuspecting polar bear mink.
The sudden attack sent nearby civilians scattering in panic as the spring-powered assailant hurtled through the air with deadly intent.