While Gustave and Po dealt with their unexpectedly heavy deer, let's return to the chaotic adventures of Luffy, Tom, and Jerry's hunting expedition.
After settling on their bold strategy, the unlikely trio had marched confidently into the forest armed with nothing but crude clubs and boundless optimism. Their luck proved decidedly mixed—good in that they encountered no serious dangers, bad in that they'd completely forgotten about hunting in favor of gorging themselves on wild fruit.
As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, all three hunters sported rounded bellies from their impromptu feast. They'd found plenty to eat, but not a single piece of actual prey.
"Tom, Jerry, this isn't working," Luffy groaned, swallowing another yellow fruit of questionable origin before tossing the pit aside with a satisfied burp. "It's getting dark and we haven't caught anything yet!"
Tom struggled to rise from where he'd collapsed under his own stuffed weight, his normally sleek form now comically spherical. He began pacing in tight circles with his paws clasped behind his back, deep in theatrical contemplation about their hunting predicament.
Meanwhile, Jerry spotted one of his local mouse cousins scurrying past in the nearby underbrush. Without bothering to inform his larger companions, the crafty rodent curled into a tight ball and rolled after his newfound friend like a furry marble.
"Tom! Jerry's getting away!" Luffy called out, having turned just in time to witness Jerry's unconventional departure.
Tom spun around at the shout, his eyes widening in alarm as he spotted Jerry disappearing into the tall grass. With a panicked yowl, the cat attempted pursuit—but his overstuffed condition made running virtually impossible. His legs churned uselessly as he managed barely more than a waddle.
Luffy fared no better. His own fruit-bloated belly prevented any serious speed, leaving both him and Tom to watch helplessly as Jerry vanished from sight.
"What do we do now?" Luffy wailed, throwing his hands up in despair. "Not only did we fail to catch any prey, but we lost Jerry too! Maybe we should just give up and ask someone to help find him."
Tom immediately blocked Luffy's path, gesturing emphatically with his paws. His pantomimed message was clear: No way! Surrendering now would prove we're completely useless!
The cat continued his elaborate charade, tapping his nose confidently before pointing in Jerry's direction. Don't worry about Jerry being lost. I have an excellent sense of smell and know his scent perfectly. Finding him won't be a problem.
Luffy studied Tom's confident expression and decided to trust his feline companion's tracking abilities.
"Alright, Tom. Let me grab my club and we'll go find Jerry together."
Tom took point, nose pressed close to the forest floor as he followed Jerry's trail with professional dedication. Luffy followed behind, club at the ready, both of them moving with exaggerated stealth through the undergrowth.
The scent trail led them to a small cave entrance nearly hidden by overgrown vegetation. Tom rose to his full height and pointed dramatically at the earthy opening.
"You're saying Jerry's in there?" Luffy asked.
Tom nodded vigorously.
"But Tom, the entrance is tiny! Even as a regular cat, there's no way either of us can fit through that hole."
They stood before the diminutive cave opening, both sighing simultaneously as they cupped their chins in identical poses of helpless contemplation.
Just then, sounds echoed from within the cave. Tom and Luffy peered closer as Jerry emerged, waving goodbye to several local mice who'd apparently been hosting him. The little rodent's belly was even more distended than before, and his expression radiated smug satisfaction as he swaggered toward his waiting companions.
Tom's eye began twitching with indignation. We spent ages tracking you down, and you have the audacity to look proud of yourself?
The cat snatched Jerry up, raising one paw to deliver a disciplinary swat.
"Wait, wait, Tom!" Luffy quickly grabbed the cat's arm. "Remember what happened with the hammer earlier? We can't risk actually hurting Jerry!"
While Tom was restrained, Jerry squirmed free and dropped to the ground, immediately launching into an animated series of gestures.
"Jerry, are you saying you met some local mice who told you where to find prey?" Luffy interpreted after watching the elaborate pantomime.
Jerry nodded enthusiastically.
"What kind of prey did they tell you about?"
Jerry's performance became even more theatrical. He snorted through his nose, used his tiny paws to mime large tusks, then squealed in perfect imitation of a pig.
"A wild boar?" Luffy's eyes lit up with excitement.
Jerry nodded again before continuing his charade, indicating that according to his mouse informants, an adult wild boar made its home in a cave not far from their current location.
"Incredible!" Luffy leaped up with renewed enthusiasm. "If we can bag a wild boar, we'll definitely win this hunting competition!"
His optimism completely overlooked the practical question of whether three small hunters could actually subdue a full-grown wild boar. Tom and Jerry were equally caught up in visions of victory, their earlier caution forgotten in favor of imagined glory.
Under Jerry's guidance, the man, cat, and mouse set off boldly toward the boar's supposed den.
They found the cave exactly where Jerry's sources had indicated. Inside, a truly massive wild boar was rooting around in the earth, its fierce appearance made even more intimidating by steel-needle bristles and gleaming tusks that could gore a grown man.
All three hunters swallowed nervously as reality crashed down upon their earlier bravado. This boar was enormous—and looked capable of turning them into paste without breaking stride.
"Tom, Jerry," Luffy whispered, his voice cracking slightly, "maybe we should reconsider this. There's nothing wrong with coming in last place, right?"
Both Tom and Jerry nodded emphatically, their survival instincts finally overriding their competitive spirit.
But after taking several steps backward, Tom's pride reasserted itself. He stopped his companions with dramatic gestures, conveying a passionate speech about honor and dignity. If we return empty-handed, we'll be laughed at forever! Do you want to be heroes for one minute, or cowards for the rest of your lives?
His impassioned plea rekindled the fighting spirit in both Luffy and Jerry. After a quick huddle, they committed to their original plan: Luffy would hide in a tree while Tom and Jerry lured the boar into position for an ambush attack.
They selected a sturdy tree with good overhead coverage. Luffy scrambled up with his club while Tom and Jerry approached the cave for their dangerous provocation mission.
Minutes later, Luffy heard the unmistakable sounds of chaos approaching. Looking down, he spotted Tom and Jerry racing toward his position with the enraged wild boar thundering close behind, its eyes blazing with fury.
Luffy gripped his club tightly, his throat dry with nervous anticipation as he waited for the perfect moment.
The boar charged directly beneath his perch.
"RAAAHHHHH!"
Luffy dropped from the sky like a falling meteor, club raised high above his head. The impact against the boar's skull produced a satisfying CRACK as his weapon shattered completely.
Blood flowed from the point of impact, and the massive creature staggered drunkenly. For a brief moment, victory seemed within reach.
Then the wild boar shook its head, blood-red eyes focusing with renewed rage. The injury had only made it angrier. Steam began pouring from its nostrils as primal fury took complete control, transforming an already dangerous animal into something truly terrifying.
"RUN!" Luffy screamed.
The three hunters fled in absolute panic as their "prey" became their worst nightmare—a berserk wild boar with nothing left to lose and a burning desire for revenge.