After everyone felt relieved, they started discussing again.
Franky was a bit confused, his gaze turning to the island engulfed in flames.
"But he wasn't talking about Wano Country, he was talking about Punk Hazard, that fiery island, wasn't he?"
When Luffy heard Franky say that, his excitement grew even stronger, his eyes filled with a longing for adventure that no one could stop.
Helpless, the group had no choice but to draw lots to decide who would accompany Luffy.
The final draw resulted in Zoro, Robin, and Usopp drawing the red slips.
Usopp looked up at the sky and shouted, "Is there anyone who can go in my place?!"
As his shout faded, Usopp seemed to suddenly awaken, a thought flashing through his mind.
"No! There's one more person who hasn't drawn lots!"
No sooner had the thought appeared than his gaze fell directly on Orochimaru, who had just walked out of the ship's cabin and was tidying his feathered coat, saying with a hint of expectation and urgency, "Orochimaru... are you going too? If you're going, I'll give you my spot."
Orochimaru glanced at Usopp.
"Rejected. I have my own matters to attend to, so I won't be joining your group... But if you happen to kick the bucket, I'll fish you out, don't worry."
Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Usopp's eyes, and he tightly hugged Orochimaru's leg, crying, "Lord Orochimaru... (TДT)... Please... don't say such terrifying things. You must know something, right?"
Orochimaru spread his hands innocently.
"It's not that I don't want to help, it's that I can't. Don't worry, you'll understand soon."
Then, he slowly pulled his foot free from Usopp's embrace and kicked Usopp towards Luffy.
He then turned his gaze to Luffy, who was sitting on the Mini Merry, chewing his bento, and preparing to head to Punk Hazard.
"Have a safe trip," Orochimaru said softly, a subtle, unreadable meaning in his eyes.
After watching Luffy and the other three leave, Orochimaru stretched lazily, then turned to the others who were drinking, and said, "Luffy and his group have left, and I also have something to go out for. You all can arrange your own activities.
Oh, by the way, remember to wear more clothes when you go to the island."
The others, who were slumped nearby due to the heat, looked at each other in confusion, their gazes all turning to the distant island where flames rose.
This hot island, and he told them to wear more clothes??? Their gazes then focused on Orochimaru's thick feathered coat... Had Orochimaru finally gone mad?
Orochimaru saw their expressions full of doubt, and his facial muscles twitched slightly, a hint of displeasure in his heart.
Without another word, he turned and instantly vanished from their sight, leaving only a cold snort.
"Hmph... If you don't listen, you deserve to freeze," lingered in the air, leaving everyone looking at each other.
"Hmph~???"
"Did Orochimaru just say 'Hmph~'?" Nami asked, still in a daze, her eyes following Orochimaru's retreating figure, muttering to herself.
The group, as if still not having recovered, all nodded blankly at Nami. He really had gone mad.
After saying that, Orochimaru stepped on Chakra threads and descended to the ice island from the other side, entering the laboratory door with familiar steps. Wherever he went, no one tried to stop him.
Instead, a group of people bowed respectfully, saying in unison, "Lord Orochimaru... welcome back to Punk Hazard."
Orochimaru, familiar with the route, arrived at Caesar's laboratory.
However, Orochimaru seemed to have forgotten about the patrol units stationed on this island.
No sooner had he left than the remaining crew on the ship were attacked by a patrol, knocked out by hypnotic gas.
When Orochimaru entered Caesar's laboratory and saw a man, a woman, a deer, and a robot lying on the ground, he couldn't help but slap his forehead.
At this moment, Caesar was staring excitedly at the four people lying on the ground, letting out a strange laugh.
"Shurorororo... This is truly, each one is unique and interesting. I've found some good test subjects."
Just then, Caesar heard the sound of the door opening behind him. His gas body turned, and after seeing who it was, he instantly reverted to human form.
"Shurorororo, this is truly a rare guest, Orochimaru. That Joker fellow actually let you out."
Orochimaru looked at the four people on the ground with a headache, then decided against it. They would be fine without him.
It was a good thing Caesar didn't read newspapers and didn't know he was part of the Straw Hat Pirate Crew. He should hurry up and pack his things.
"Caesar, I'm here to take some experimental equipment. You don't need to mind me, and... if possible... next time you see me, please pretend not to know me, thank you."
Caesar silently formed a (・◇・)? with gas above his head.
He understood him taking equipment, after all, he always took a batch of his equipment every time he came, but what did pretending not to know him mean?
Orochimaru didn't explain and turned to leave immediately. He needed to be fast... lest things change... MMP, why was Caesar so fast?
By the time Orochimaru finished collecting some equipment, he saw Sanji carrying a samurai's head, and Nami and others running around the base with a group of children... and Trafalgar Law blocking Smoker at the doorway.
Hmm... not bad, they were all very energetic indeed. He should continue collecting things, after all, Caesar wouldn't be using the items in this base anymore, so they couldn't be wasted.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru couldn't help but complain in his heart again. Really, he had told Doffy before that giving these things to Caesar was a waste, but he wouldn't listen... If it weren't for him, these things would have fallen into the hands of the Marine.
The result was that he had to take the risk to collect them himself. Sure enough, before reaching Dressrosa, it was better not to let Luffy discover his connection with Doffy.
Fortunately, he had only met Caesar a few times at the very beginning as his lover, helping his subordinates clone some body parts. Although he had been enthusiastically invited, Orochimaru had not participated much in his research.
Outside, a group of people were fighting, while Orochimaru inside had practically emptied the entire Punk Hazard.
And outside on the ice island, amidst the wind and moon, Luffy's group finally gathered, looking at each other.
The four people whose bodies were swapped and Luffy stared at each other. Usopp found it truly uncomfortable to watch, so he put small portrait cards on everyone to make it easier to distinguish who was who.
Brownbeard, who was tied up by Luffy, was now chatting idly with Luffy with a sneering expression.
Zoro looked at Brownbeard's demeanor and couldn't help but feel curious, asking, "What's wrong with you? You were silent before, but now you're suddenly so emotional?"
Brownbeard heard this, let out another sneer, and slowly said, "Don't misunderstand, this has nothing to do with you all. It's purely out of respect for Lord Orochimaru that I'm like this.
I just suddenly remembered that Lord Orochimaru seems to be part of your Pirate Crew. It's such a pity for that Lord, to actually be with people like you."
Luffy looked at Brownbeard in shock, "You know Orochimaru??"
Just then, (Franky) Nami seemed to be suddenly struck by something, letting out a shriek of regret.
"Ah!! I remember now! Orochimaru told us to wear more clothes earlier!
He must be very familiar with this island!!
Ah ah ah ah ah!
That cunning snake!!
Sure enough, he wouldn't just go crazy for no reason!"
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