Water 7, originally recognized by the World Government as a Holy Land for shipbuilding, was a prosperous and orderly city.
But now, the news of the Straw Hat Pirates building the world's strongest pirate ship, accompanied by photos of mountains of gold, has caused a huge stir across the entire world.
In the shadows of this city, a quiet transformation is underway—
Various pirate crews, bounty hunters, underground gangs, and even secret agents of the World Government have quietly infiltrated, eyeing the Straw Hat Pirates with covetous gazes.
Their goals are nothing more than two points—
Seize the Straw Hat Pirates' gold!
Hunt down members of the Straw Hat Pirates and exchange their bounties, totaling 800 million Berries, for a sky-high reward!
They could also greatly boost their reputation with this big news.
Undercurrents surged, and Killing Intent lurked everywhere.
Water 7, this world-famous island, was slowly being engulfed by an unprecedented crisis... Facing such a situation, Lin Ning knew that directly confronting it was the Straw Hat Pirates' style.
But to avoid unnecessary destruction, there had to be a plan!
Otherwise, before the ship was even built, Dock Number One and even the entire Water 7 would become a battlefield.
After a brief thought, Lin Ning came up with a solution that would kill two birds with one stone.
So, after discussing with Luffy and the others, Lin Ning decided:
Members of the Straw Hat Pirates, in addition to their Cultivate,
Must take time to patrol Water 7, ensuring no one dares to approach Dock Number One to cause trouble.
To prevent enemies from gathering and damaging the dock, patrols would adopt a "random patrol" method.
This would prevent enemies lurking in the dark from predicting the Straw Hat Pirates' movements.
The patrol areas were divided into four directions, covering the east, west, south, and north districts of Water 7.
As well as the corresponding four directions of the coastline.
Four main combatants skilled in Observation Haki would be dispatched to patrol in shifts.
Upon discovering enemies, they would either directly kill or warn them, depending on the situation.
The patrol assignments were as follows:
Luffy was responsible for patrolling the East District + East Coast.
Lin Ning was responsible for patrolling the West District + West Coast.
Zoro was responsible for patrolling the South District + South Coast.
Sanji was responsible for patrolling the North District + North Coast.
At the same time, due to the importance of the gold,
Most of the Straw Hat Pirates members needed to remain at Dock Number One to ensure no enemies infiltrated.
At his call, the Straw Hat Pirates officially began their patrol battle in Water 7!
Since the implementation of the patrol system, the dark forces of Water 7 were plunged into unprecedented fear!
The Straw Hat Pirates swept everything with lightning speed, making all enemies coveting their gold completely silent with dread!
Water 7 had become the Straw Hat Pirates' hunting ground!
The dark forces retreated steadily, and a rumor spread throughout Water 7—
"The Straw Hat Pirates are no longer an existence that ordinary forces can provoke!"
"Those monsters of the Straw Hat Pirates are despairingly strong!"
"Want to seize their gold? First, think if you have the life to even touch it!"
The sea vibrated, and darkness brewed... On the west coast of Water 7.
A desolate beach, where the sea wind howled, kicking up scattered dust from the ground.
Today, the coastline welcomed a special visitor—
The swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, Roronoa Zoro.
Zoro was originally responsible for patrolling the North District, but it was clear he had gotten lost again.
Standing on this unfamiliar beach, he frowned.
He scanned his surroundings, a hint of impatience in his eyes.
"Where exactly is the tavern...?"
Zoro muttered softly, one hand resting on the hilt of his wado ichimonji.
His other hand scratched his head, his face full of confusion.
However, just then, his expression suddenly changed, and a cold sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmph..."
Zoro snorted coldly, then shouted loudly:
"Come out, you sneaky fellows."
His voice echoed across the desolate beach, filled with Killing Intent.
No sooner had Zoro finished speaking than a large number of enemies burst out from behind the surrounding buildings and cover!
Bounty hunters, pirates, underground forces, assassins... There were over a hundred people, densely surrounding Zoro, cutting off all escape routes!
These people wore various outfits; some wore Captain's coats.
Leading a large number of pirate underlings, they were clearly leaders of certain pirate crews;
Some wore masks, their eyes cold, looking like professional assassins;
Others held long spears and large swords, exuding a menacing Aura, seemingly bounty hunters greedy for rewards.
It was unclear how these people had gathered together.
Their faces all showed excited and greedy smiles.
Zoro was already used to this kind of situation.
Because he had encountered these small fry who couldn't gauge their own strength more than once.
But for Zoro, who wanted to pass the time and stretch his muscles,
While it wouldn't be completely satisfying, it was better than nothing.
It was just that this time, there were a bit too many people.
"Hehehe... Roronoa Zoro, the swordsman with a bounty of 200 million Berries!"
A burly man wearing a Captain's hat stepped forward and said with a sinister smile.
"Before, we were short-handed, and you got away, but this time you won't be so lucky!"
"Recently, you've been holed up in Dock Number One, not coming out.
We couldn't do anything about you, but now, you're alone..."
Zoro raised an eyebrow, glanced at the confident fellows in front of him, and a hint of disdain appeared on his face.
"I ran away? When was that?"
He pointed to himself with his finger, asking with a half-smile, "Just you bunch of small fry?"
Zoro's tone was full of mockery, causing the faces of the enemies, who had been full of smugness, to instantly darken.
"Bastard, don't be so arrogant!"
Another man, who seemed to be a bounty hunter leader, said in a deep voice, his tone filled with malice.
"To be honest, when we faced your Captain Luffy,
We truly felt unsure... But you're different!"
"All of us together, we can definitely cut you down!"
"Taking you down one by one, we are still confident!"
Another pirate licked his lips, his eyes full of greed:
"That's right, first we kill you, then we deal with the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates.
In the end, won't the gold be ours?"
Their subordinates behind them immediately roared with excitement, their emotions running high.
They seemed to have already envisioned Zoro's head rolling on the ground.
However, facing the clamor of these people,
Zoro merely stretched lightly, yawned, and said lazily:
"So? Are you done with the nonsense?"
His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable confidence and Haki.
The faces of the previously excited enemies stiffened, and anger immediately surged to their heads.
"Stop talking nonsense with him! Attack now!"
The pirate leader suddenly waved his hand and roared loudly:
"Brothers, get him! Take this guy down, and we'll get a bounty of 200 million Berries!"
"After this job, we'll be able to live lavishly for a while!"
With a command, over a hundred enemies erupted simultaneously.
Wielding swords and spears, they surged towards Zoro like a tide!
Flashes of blades and swords, Killing Intent soaring to the sky!
However, in that flash of lightning—
"Hey—! Mosshead!"
A slightly helpless yet somewhat teasing voice suddenly echoed in the sky.
"How did you end up in my area again, you lost idiot!"