The next day, the sky was clear as the Going Merry sailed across the calm seas.
"The weather's nice today."
Nami gazed at the blue sky and sparkling sea, and for once, a smile lit her face. "I didn't expect the Grand Line to ever have such peaceful weather."
"You all must have suffered a lot when you first entered the Grand Line, right?" Vivi said with a gentle smile.
"After passing Reverse Mountain, because of the seven intersecting routes, that sea area is the most unpredictable of all…"
At the moment, Vivi could only really talk comfortably with Nami on the ship. She clearly wasn't used to the others' rowdy personalities.
In contrast, Karoo had already blended right in, happily playing with the crew.
"Pair of Jacks! I've only got one card left!"
"Pair of Twos! Double call!" Luffy cut in on Liner's play.
"Quack quack!!"
"Quack."
"Well done, Karoo!" Liner grinned at the duck, who just dropped a bomb card to block Luffy. "One Nine—game over."
"Quack!"
Defeating Landlord Luffy, Liner and Karoo slapped a victorious high-five.
As for why a duck could play cards?
Who knows.
"Damn it!"
Luffy shouted in frustration, swapped seats with Usopp, and stormed upstairs. "Sanji! I want juice!"
"Got it. Anyone else want something?"
"Wine for me."
"I want orange juice!"
"Me too!"
"No way!" Nami barked, fists ready. "My orange trees are almost bare thanks to you guys already!"
Her rejection was swift—and painful for anyone who dared to insist.
Watching the rowdy bunch, Vivi couldn't help smiling.
Ever since leaving home, she had been constantly on edge. For years, she had forgotten what this kind of warmth and laughter felt like.
As Liner would put it, this was the feeling of relaxation.
She began trying to join in, tiptoeing behind Karoo to watch how they played.
"Oh, Vivi, do you want to try? It's really fun," Usopp suggested.
"No, no, I don't think I'd understand it…" Vivi waved awkwardly.
"Come here, Little Delinquent," Liner beckoned with a grin. "This deck's good—I'll teach you."
"Thank you… But, um, why do you keep calling me Little Delinquent?" she asked shyly.
"Heh." Liner chuckled, pulling out a photo and sliding it over. "What do you think? Pretty good, huh?"
"Pffft—wahahaha!" Usopp burst out laughing, rolling on the floor and pounding the deck. "When did you even take that, Liner?!"
"Quack quack!!" Even Karoo threw his wings up and cried toward the sky.
The photo showed Vivi standing proudly on Karoo's back, striking a dramatic pose with her hips swaying and hands waving like some rebellious schoolgirl.
Her face turned bright red. "Give that back, now!"
"Nope." Liner held her off with one hand on her forehead as she flailed in vain.
"Ughhh!!"
"Give it up, Little Delinquent."
Sanji emerged from the kitchen carrying juice, and when he saw the scene, flames of fury erupted from his head. "You bastard, Liner! How dare you bully my lovely Princess Vivi!"
Sanji's stance had always been firm: he would always side with a lady.
"Oh-ho, Usopp—catch!"
"Wait, wait, why me?! I can't handle Sanji!"
"Throw it to Luffy, quick!"
"Wahahaha, this looks fun."
"This ship is really something else…" Nami chuckled softly and went back into the cabin.
Even the most troubled hearts couldn't help but lighten here.
Three days later, the Going Merry sailed on as usual. From the crow's nest, Liner shouted:
"Everyone! I see land!"
His eyes locked onto a solitary, lush green island standing tall in the middle of the blue sea.
"An island frozen in the prehistoric age…"
Heat flickered in Liner's eyes. Beyond the obvious allure of two giants, he also had another childhood dream. "Ever since I was little, I wanted to ride a dinosaur. To think I'll actually get to see living prehistoric creatures in this lifetime…"
The island of Little Garden had a river running inland directly from the sea. The Merry drifted slowly along the waterway into the island's heart.
Thick tropical rainforest spread in every direction—towering trees tangled with vines, moss-covered stones along the shore, the air fresh with the scent of earth and greenery, birds singing crisp and sweet above.
"I can smell adventure!" Luffy cried from the figurehead. "Sanji, I want an adventure bento!"
"Adventure bento?" Sanji blinked. "Is that even a dish?"
"It's just meat." Liner laughed, explaining on Luffy's behalf. "A lunchbox filled with nothing but meat, no vegetables. Luffy's favorite."
"No way!" Sanji's face went pale. "As your cook, I have to make sure you eat balanced meals. Luffy, if you dare throw away the veggies, I won't forgive you!"
"Roooaaar!!"
"Wh-what was that?!" Usopp and Nami clung together in terror.
On the riverbank, several massive forest wolves were gnawing at a tiger carcass.
Spotting the Merry approaching, they snarled and bared their teeth, but after a moment's hesitation, they slunk back into the jungle shadows.
"That's terrifying! I'm not setting foot on that island!"
"Oh no—I think I've got a disease! The kind where I'll die the second I go ashore~~"
While Nami and Usopp shook in fear, the others eagerly jumped ashore to explore. Even Vivi decided to join Luffy.
Zoro and Sanji agreed to a hunting contest: whoever brought back the bigger catch would win.
"A hunting contest? That sounds fun! Count me in!"
"Sure, Liner," Sanji tossed him a spare cigarette. "How about a wager—500,000 beli?"
Liner smirked. "Small stakes. Let's raise it. The loser has to wash their hair upside down tonight."
"Now that's interesting. I'm in," Zoro grinned and walked off.
Liner dropped anchor to secure the Merry, then turned to the two still trembling onboard. "You sure you don't want to stretch your legs? Staying on the ship for days is boring."
"No way, I'm not going!"
"But what if… You two staying here is actually more dangerous?" Liner said with a sly smile.
Nami froze, then glanced at Usopp. Their eyes met, and realization dawned.
They were the weakest on the crew—staying behind meant they'd be easy targets!
"Wait, Liner, wait for us!"
"Don't abandon us!"
Clutching his arms, Nami and Usopp followed closely behind.
"Heh, the journey of the Weakling Trio begins."
With a chuckle, Liner left a few undead to guard the Merry and led the two into the jungle.
But they hadn't gone far when—
Shhhk shhhk—
The leaves rustled, and from the depths of the forest, a colossal shadow emerged. Trees snapped aside like grass before it.
Liner tensed, ready to summon his undead.
Suddenly, a massive face burst through the foliage—wild blond hair spilling out from under a helmet, a scruffy yellow beard, and a broad, laughing grin.
"Monsterrr!!"
Nami and Usopp screamed in unison, instantly leaping onto Liner's back and clinging tight.
"A giant…?" Liner muttered in awe. "This is insane."
Even so, he still couldn't believe his eyes.
The giant let out a booming laugh. "Gahaha! I'm Brogy! This island hasn't had visitors in ages!"
"Hey, watch out behind you!"