Shirogai didn't just punish Luffy for eating all the fishing bait—he was actually training Luffy's resistance to seawater.
While Devil Fruit users typically lose their strength when subrged or restrained by Sea-Prism Stone, so can endure it better than others.
Those with strong bodies or refined technique can still move—still fight—even while weakened. Luffy, unfortunately, lacked that level of discipline.
Once subrged, he beca completely helpless.
"I can't believe Luffy actually lured a fish," Shirogai muttered.
His expression shifted.
In one swift motion, he yanked the soggy, dazed Luffy out of the sea.
"Gurgle... gurgle..."
Luffy hit the deck like a sack of waterlogged at.
POOF!
A massive dolphin—easily five tis the size of the Going rry—burst from the ocean behind him, chasing its "bait" with hungry glee.
"Chirp!"
The dolphin hovered mid-air for a mont, casting a dark shadow over the ship, before plunging downward—straight toward the rry.
"We're dood!" Usopp scread from the helm, practically leaving his body in fear.
"Easy, little guy... don't be so excited."
Shirogai had already anticipated the mont.
He dissolved into black mist, reforming mid-air as a towering smoke giant. With ease, he caught the dolphin and flung it away from the ship with a single sweep of his arms.
"We can't let you eat our Captain. Go find sothing else for lunch!"
The dolphin spun mid-air before splashing into the sea with a mighty crash. It surfaced again for one last glance at Luffy, chirped sadly, then disappeared into the deep.
Luffy shivered, soaking wet, as he pulled himself up from the deck.
"C-Cold... I'm freezing! Shirogai, I'm starving!"
Shirogai sighed.
What was he supposed to do about the captain he chose?
No matter how foolish Luffy could be, he had to be taken care of.
"Hang tight, I'll grill you so fish."
Shirogai walked to the ship's edge. Closing his eyes, he activated his Observation Haki. In a mont, he flung two wind blades into the water with surgical precision.
Monts later, several giant swordfish—cleanly sliced in half—floated to the surface.
"Oh-ho! Shirogai, you're amazing!"
Stars sparkled in Luffy's eyes.
He knew exactly how to get more out of Shirogai: relentless praise.
Luffy had already figured out Shirogai's soft spot. Flattery worked wonders.
Shirogai reached out and lifted the swordfish onto the rry. With a quick switch to his Bomb Fruit power, he launched tiny fla pellets, evenly grilling the fish as they spun mid-air.
(A/N: He isn't using his 'Boogers' to make the explosion, That'd be hella disgusting)
Within seconds, a savory aroma wafted through the ship.
The perfectly roasted swordfish landed in Luffy's arms.
"Hehe! Slls amazing! I'm digging in!"
Ignoring the heat, Luffy chomped down like a starved animal.
"Watch the bones," Shirogai reminded, already leaning back into the armrest, line cast again, eyes closed.
But he wasn't asleep. He was ditating—simulating combat scenarios in his head.
From the bow, Nami suddenly shouted with delight, "Land ahead! The Log Pose stopped shaking! We've reached Small Garden!"
Luffy leapt up, running to the bow and sitting on the rry's figurehead, his eyes wide with excitent.
"Hehe, it's the second island we've reached on the Grand Line!"
Everyone gathered forward, gazing at the misty silhouette of Small Garden rising in the distance.
Sanji lit a cigarette, smiling. "Wonder what kind of prey lives here. Hope it's tasty."
Zoro rested one hand on Yubashiri's hilt, eager. "Hopefully sothing worth fighting."
Usopp struck a pose on the railing. "Heh, I, Usopp the Great Hero, proudly arrive on yet another Grand Line island!"
Shirogai chuckled softly. "Yeah... this island is going to be interesting."
He knew what was waiting—but watching it as a fan and living it firsthand were two different experiences entirely.
---
The rry cruised into the shallow harbor of Small Garden.
"Gaa, gaa..."
Strange animal cries echoed from the dense jungle beyond.
Nami looked around, clearly uneasy. "This place doesn't match the na at all. There's nothing small or cute about it."
Vivi added cautiously, "It looks untouched. Like it's stuck in the ancient past."
Luffy remained ecstatic. "Woohoo! Zoro, find a place to dock! I'm going exploring!"
Overhead, a massive Archaeopteryx swooped down, talons aid at Sanji's shoulders.
But Sanji sidestepped smoothly and glared. "Oi, damn bird! Next ti I'm roasting you!"
Nami, Usopp, and Karoo jumped and huddled together in fear.
ROAR!
From the jungle, a colossal tiger erged, snarling fiercely.
It stared them down... then abruptly collapsed, unconscious.
Usopp dove behind Shirogai.
"T-T-Tiger? No, no, I'm sick—I'll die if I go on that island! I'm not going!"
He trembled violently, already forgetting the bold words he'd spoken minutes ago.
Luffy grinned at the jungle. "Sothing strong is waiting out there! Shirogai, where's my adventure bento?"
"I made it earlier," Shirogai replied, walking out with a full at bento packed in a backpack.
Vivi hesitated, then stepped forward. "Shirogai-san... may I have one too?"
"Of course, Princess," he replied with a small smile, placing her bento inside Karoo's saddle pouch.
He also handed Karoo a hydration bottle filled with a performance drink.
"Gak!"
Luffy, Vivi, and Karoo disembarked, heading off into the jungle.
Sanji leaned against the rail, smoking.
"Feels like Shirogai's taken over my job…"
"Well, I'm free now. Might as well go hunting too."
Zoro leapt off the ship, hands in his pockets.
"Don't forget we need at!" Sanji called after him.
Zoro didn't look back. "Yeah yeah, I'll catch sothing you'd never be able to."
"Huh?" Sanji's cigarette flared.
"You trying to say your prey will be better than mine?!"
Zoro turned and grinned. "Obviously."
Sanji sneered. "Then it's on. A hunting contest. Whoever brings back the bigger, atier prey wins!"
"I'm not losing this one," Zoro shot back.
Shirogai raised a brow. "Mind if I join?"
Both turned to him and said in perfect sync: "No! You're banned from this competition!"
Then, like dueling rivals, they stord off in opposite directions.
Shirogai stretched and stepped forward.
Just as he was about to leave, he felt two weights latch onto his legs.
"Shirogai!"
Nami and Usopp clung to him desperately.
"You can't go! You're our only protection!"
Their eyes glistened with tears.
Shirogai sighed. "Fine. I'll stay."
They breathed in relief, while he scratched his head with a helpless smile.
Truthfully, he wanted to explore too.
---
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