This is Twin Cape, in the first half of the Grand Line. It is Monkey D. Luffy's first stop on his journey to the New World, and also the place where Pain descended.
The originally peaceful town welcomed an unexpected guest.
On the Twin Cape coast, a golden light flashed, and a stunning, naked woman appeared on the beach.
Her hair was light blue-purple, and her tightly closed eyes trembled slightly.
On the right side of her head, she wore a light purple paper flower, and purple eye shadow seemed to be natural, with a lip piercing below her lower lip.
The woman slowly opened her eyes, her light orange-yellow pupils surveying herself and her surroundings.
Seeing herself naked, she couldn't help but blush slightly, and quickly tried to use her paper Ninjutsu to wrap her body in paper.
As the Six Paths Sage had said, what was sent here, besides her Soul, was her special Physique from her previous life.
Konan can use the special Ninjutsu 'Dance of the Shikigami' to manipulate paper, which allows her to turn her body into paper, immunizing her to damage from physical attacks.
It is almost impossible for purely physical attacks to harm Konan.
Furthermore, it can be used for attack, Clone, defense, disguise, and flight, which allows Konan's Ninjutsu to be used in various situations such as combat and reconnaissance.
"Is this the world the Six Paths Sage sent Nagato to? ... Where is Nagato? ... How do I find him? ... Is he doing well in this world? ..."
"..."
A series of questions kept surfacing in Konan's mind after she regained consciousness.
Konan transformed her body into paper fragments and flew rapidly towards the center of the island.
Konan had already decided that since this was the starting point where Nagato was sent, there must be traces or news of his battles here.
Where there are people, she would surely be able to inquire about Nagato's whereabouts.
Twin Cape is not large, with two towering lighthouses on the island, and some permanent residents living in the center of the island, with all facilities readily available.
If it were just these things, Twin Cape would not be worth remembering, but when mentioning an old man living in seclusion here, many people would show reverence.
This old man is Crocus, the ship doctor of Pirate King Roger.
Crocus had a very rich early life.
Fifty-two years ago, he met the Rumbar Pirates and promised their Captain, 'Pattern' Yorki, to look after young Laboon.
Twenty-eight years ago, he met the pirate crew led by Gol D. Roger and was invited to join as their ship doctor.
So he temporarily left Laboon and boarded Roger's pirate ship to treat Gol D. Roger's illness, ensuring he could complete his journey on the Grand Line.
Since Crocus also wanted to inquire about the whereabouts of the Rumbar Pirates on the Grand Line, he agreed to join the crew.
After the 'Battle of Edd War' twenty-five years ago and Roger disbanding his pirate crew, Crocus returned to Twin Cape and told Laboon that the Rumbar Pirates were nowhere to be found.
However, Laboon still ignored the advice and continued to ram the Red Line, wanting to see its master.
It was not until Luffy and his crew arrived, protected Laboon, and made a new promise with it, that Laboon finally calmed down.
Crocus usually lives inside Laboon, occasionally coming out to the shore to check the lighthouse, look at the sea, and see if anything unusual is happening.
Crocus happened to see the golden light caused by Pain and Konan arriving in this world from the lighthouse.
He even witnessed Pain and Reno robbing a pirate ship before heading out to sea.
At this moment, Crocus was in the lighthouse, looking through a telescope at a strange woman rapidly flying towards him, transformed into paper fragments.
Crocus is not a meddlesome person; his character had long become calm after experiencing so many hardships.
However, the appearance of suspicious individuals accompanying two flashes of golden light made Crocus realize the commonality and abnormality of the two events.
So Crocus decided to meet this suddenly appearing person.
Crocus waved a red silk cloth in the lighthouse, attracting the attention of the outsider in his eyes.
Konan, while flying rapidly towards the island's center, happened to see this scene.
Konan did not hesitate at all and flew directly to the lighthouse to meet the person waving the cloth.
In Konan's mind, she wondered if this could be a message left by Nagato, trying to guide her to him.
Konan quickly arrived in front of the old man, scrutinizing him, and then asked, "Are you looking for me? ... Did Nagato ask you to convey something to me? ..."
Konan asked the old man in front of her with hopeful eyes.
Crocus looked at Konan and, seeing that the woman was only wrapped in paper and likely had no clothes, he asked Konan to wait a moment, got up, and fetched a set of his own clothes for Konan to wear.
After Konan had changed into the clothes, Crocus spoke, "The Nagato you're asking about is the man who came here about a month ago, just like you, isn't he? ..."
Konan, hearing the old man's reply, could not hide her excitement and answered, "I don't know if it was him, but you said he came here just like me.
Are you saying he came to you? ..."
"Child ... you misunderstood me ... He didn't come to me, but like you, he suddenly appeared on the beach after a flash of golden light ... I saw it then," Crocus replied calmly.
"Is that so? ... Then where did he go? ... Do you know? ..." Konan asked, trying to keep her inner self calm.
"They robbed a pirate ship at the time and headed towards Ancient Island," Crocus said without any concealment.
Konan, having received the news, was about to thank him and fly away immediately, but Crocus stopped her.
"Child ... are you going to fly like this to find your friend? ... I'm afraid it will be very difficult for you ..."
"Why?" Konan asked, puzzled.
"Besides this small island nearby ... the closest is Ancient Island ... and the distance from here to Ancient Island, even by a direct sea route, would take at least five days ... there are no resting places along the way ... you'll be flying in the sky all that time ... can your body handle it? ..." Crocus kindly reminded and showed concern.
"Plus, your friend has been at sea for over a month now ... no one knows where he is ... how will you find him in the vast sea? ..." Crocus told Konan his worries.
Konan felt the old man's kindness and smiled gently, a smile that was truly captivating.
"No matter where he is ... no matter how difficult it is ... I will find him! ... Thank you for your kindness."
Konan said with a firm tone.
Crocus, seeing that he couldn't persuade the girl, asked again, "You are not from this world, are you? ..."
"Uh ... yes ..." Konan also admitted frankly.
"To be able to meet people from other worlds in my lifetime ... I have not lived in vain ... Since you are from the same world ... then do you have a very familiar way of contacting each other? ... Perhaps you can contact him ..." Crocus kindly reminded her again.
Crocus is 73 years old this year.
His original intention in calling Konan over was to confirm his inner suspicions and help this young girl, and the young girl also confirmed his suspicions without any concealment.
To be able to meet people from other worlds in his twilight years and learn of the existence of other worlds made Crocus feel very fortunate.
Konan trembled when she heard the old man's reminder.
"Yes ... how could I forget the Projecting Image Technique? ... Even if this new body of mine doesn't have the Formation for the Projecting Image Technique carved into it ... the thought wave can still be used! ..."
"Once Nagato feels my thought wave ... he will definitely come looking for me or stop somewhere to wait for me ..."
The more Konan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and she couldn't help but cast a grateful look at the old man, "Thank you, old man ... I know how to contact him now ..."
"Is that so? ... That's really great ... Hahahaha ..." Crocus also laughed happily for the young girl.
"Then contact him as soon as possible ... You can stay with me during this time ... Although my place is a bit simple, all living facilities are complete ..." Crocus happily urged her to stay.
Konan also knew that relying solely on flying to search would undoubtedly be like looking for a needle in a haystack, and it would be easy to get separated.
After being reminded by the old man that there was a better way, her heart was no longer as anxious as before.
"Thank you! ... Old man, then I will impose ..."
As Konan finished speaking, a violent surge of thought waves erupted.
Pain, far away on the West Coast of Alabasta, who was in a state of Cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes and excitedly murmured, "Konan ... you're finally here! ..."
To be continued...