The Going Merry cut through a patch of turbulent storms and finally dropped anchor at the legendary Treasure Island.
Just as the rumors suggested, the entire landmass was shrouded in a thick, milky fog. The dense jungle loomed within the mist like a graveyard of twisted trees, silent and eerie.
The crew disembarked, following a weed-choked path into the heart of the island.
Gulp.
Usopp, weighed down by his luggage, hovered at the very back of the group. He gripped his slingshot so hard his knuckles turned white, his eyes darting around like a panicked rabbit's at every rustle of leaves.
Suddenly, from a cluster of bushes by the road, a massive man-eating plant lined with jagged teeth lunged out, snapping its jaws toward the passing Usopp.
SNAP!
"WAAAAAAAGH!!!"
Terrified out of his wits, Usopp leaped three meters into the air, screaming at the top of his lungs. The others came to a halt immediately, hands on their weapons.
"An enemy?!"
Nami reacted first, shrinking her body and skillfully ducking behind Viktor. She peeked out from behind his shoulder, searching for the threat.
However, there was no enemy. Only Usopp remained, his body twisted in a bizarre, jittery pose as cold sweat poured down his face.
"Ah... ahahaha... it's nothing, it's nothing!" Seeing their stares, Usopp stiffly regained his composure and forced a grin. "I just thought the atmosphere was a bit heavy, so... I decided to do a little dance to liven things up! Hahaha, pretty funny, right?"
The others turned back without a word and continued their trek. Nami, trying to hide her own panic, whispered to the group:
"Hey, did you know? They say an incredible treasure sleeps on this island. Many pirates have come here seeking it, but..." She paused for effect. "They were all driven away by overwhelming fear."
"Overwhelming fear?"
Luffy, walking at the front, turned around while casually picking his nose. "Driven away? How scary could it be?"
Nami's voice dropped even lower. She looked at Viktor, trying to catch a hint of fear on the face of the vice-captain who was always so calm.
"They say... one pirate woke up in the middle of the night with the face of a wild boar. Another man's beard grew so long and fast it became like a living snake, strangling him to death in his sleep..."
"Y-You're joking, right...?" Behind them, Usopp turned pale, his teeth chattering as he gripped Zoro's shoulder for dear life.
Viktor watched Nami's dramatic performance and couldn't help but chuckle. He kept his face neutral and replied in a flat, monotone voice:
"Oh, how terrifying. Truly scary. I'm shaking in my boots."
BONK!
A vein popped on Nami's forehead as she punched his arm. "You weren't scared at all!! That was way too half-hearted!"
"Haaa—"
Just then, Zoro—who was still being used as a human shield by Usopp—let out a massive yawn, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.
"Man, I'm hungry. And sleepy. I'm gonna take a nap."
Without further ado, the swordsman tipped over sideways and fell straight onto the grass and unknown insects. Within three seconds, a thunderous snore erupted.
Zzzzz— Snort— Zzzzz—
Usopp stared, jaw hitting the ground. "He... he can sleep in a place this creepy?! How thick is this guy's skull?!"
Nami facepalmed. "How are his nerves even wired... what a freak."
Viktor ignored the comedy and let his red eyes scan the mist. Within his perception, he could feel several presences closing in—wild, animalistic auras.
We really are surrounded... must be those rare beasts, Viktor thought.
Suddenly, Luffy stopped by a tree and shouted with excitement: "Hey! Viktor! Look at this! This snake has long ears like a rabbit!"
Viktor was about to turn his head when—
"GET OUT!!"
An old but powerful voice boomed from above, echoing through the entire forest.
"AH!!" Usopp's frayed nerves finally snapped. His legs turned to jelly, and he collapsed into the dirt. Nami shrieked and reflexively clung to Viktor's arm, refusing to let go.
"W-Who's there?!"
Luffy, completely unfazed, looked up at the canopy. "Oh! Are you up there?"
"How can you still be smiling?! That's a god!" Nami wailed at Viktor, noticing the faint smirk still on his face.
"Get out! I am the Guardian God of this island!!" The voice thundered again, filled with majesty. "Leave if you value your lives! Humans are not welcome here!"
"Guardian God?" Luffy tilted his head.
"That's right! You look like pirates! If you're after the treasure, keep dreaming!"
"Ah! I'm Luffy, the man who will become King of the Pirates."
"Luffy! Not the time!!" Usopp cried from the ground. "That's a god! We'll be cursed!"
The voice in the canopy gave a cold huff. "Hmph, arrogant pirates... then accept your divine punishment! See if I— Eh?!"
The majestic voice turned into a startled yelp as the rest of the sentence was choked off. Unnoticed by anyone, Viktor had appeared beside a bush and hoisted the "source" of the voice into the air by its collar.
"Hello there, Mr. Guardian God." Viktor smiled at the little thing in his hand.
The others looked over and screamed in shock. "WHAT IS THAT?!"
Held in Viktor's hand was a strange old man stuck inside a treasure chest. He had an explosion of green hair, tiny limbs, and looked exactly like a box with hands and feet.
"WHOA!! A BOX MAN!!" Luffy's eyes sparkled with worship. "So cool!!"
Gaimon, dangling in the air, kicked his short legs frantically. "Wh-Who are you?! Put me down!!" Realizing struggle was useless, Gaimon roared toward the jungle: "Minions! Come out! Bite them to death!!"
ROAR—!!
At his command, countless eyes lit up in the mist. Bizarre "rare beasts" surged from all directions, surrounding the crew. There was a giraffe that walked on two legs, a sheep with a mouth like a hippo, and a fox with a rooster's comb.
"WAAAH!! WHAT ARE THESE?!" Usopp scrambled backward.
Gaimon laughed triumphantly from Viktor's grip. "Hmph! See that? These are pirates who offended me, and I used my divine power to turn them into this! If you know what's good for you, put me down!"
However, he had threatened the wrong people.
"Whoa! That looks delicious!" Luffy wasn't afraid; he had snatched up a small pig with a lion's head and was staring at its plump body with drool dripping from his chin. "Looks so tasty... all meat!"
Nami also felt a drop of sweat on her brow. "Viktor... maybe put him down for a second..."
"You bastards!!" Gaimon, seeing Viktor distracted, lunged and bit Viktor's wrist with surprising force.
"Tch." Viktor frowned. It didn't break his skin, but the old man's teeth were surprisingly sharp. He let go.
"Oof!" Gaimon hit the ground but reacted instantly, rolling away like a ball before shouting: "Fine! Accept my judgment! Divine Punishment!!"
SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!
From the dense foliage above, a rain of wooden spears and massive stones tumbled down—a pre-set trap.
"Watch out!!" Viktor's eyes sharpened.
Body Flicker!
His silhouette became a blur. First, he appeared beside the stunned Usopp and delivered a sharp kick. "Off you go!"
"AAAAH!!" Usopp screamed as he was sent flying, landing perfectly into the soft, cushiony belly of a giant panda-looking creature, unharmed.
Next, Viktor flickered to Nami's side. He scooped her up in a princess carry and performed a light roll toward a clearing.
THUD-THUD-THUD!
Several sharp spears slammed into the exact spot where Nami had been standing. Viktor knelt on one knee, holding a dazed Nami in his arms, having effortlessly cleared the trap.
On the other side...
BONK!
A massive rock slammed directly onto Luffy's head.
"Ow!" The rock shattered into pieces. Luffy's head flattened for a second before snapping back like rubber. "Close one. Almost hit my meat." He was still clutching the lion-pig.
Gaimon, who had rolled to safety and turned to check the results, stared with his jaw hanging open. "These... these guys... what kind of people are they?!"
One could teleport, and the other had a head harder than a rock!
"AAAAHH! MONSTERS!!" Gaimon shrieked, his little legs moving so fast they became a blur as he fled deeper into the forest.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.