One Piece: Check-in System

[Blue Star Island Port]

"Boom—Rumble!!"

"Bang... Bang... Bang... Bang..."

The sounds of collisions and explosions filled the air, but no figures were visible.

The battle was taking place at a considerable distance from the island, so nothing could be seen from the port.

"What's happening out there?"

"It must be pirates fighting again!"

"Judging by the noise, it's not your average group of pirates. Luckily, they're far from here. Let's hope they don't bring the fight to the island!"

Shanks and Buggy weren't the only ones at the port. Local islanders had also gathered, drawn by the commotion, speculating about the source of the chaos.

Shanks and Buggy crouched in a corner of the port, keeping an eye on the horizon.

"Shanks, do you think Captain Roger and the others can break through the encirclement to rescue us?" Buggy asked, sitting on the ground and looking at his red-haired companion.

Without turning his head, Shanks replied, "Breaking through to get here is one thing; the real challenge will be breaking out afterward."

Buggy looked confused. "But isn't there someone on the ship who can make it fly? Shouldn't escaping be easy?"

Shanks patiently explained, "Sure, someone on the ship can make it fly. But there are plenty of Marines who can fly too. Plus, how fast can you really fly with a whole ship?"

"That's why we need to stay alert. If anything goes wrong, we need to act quickly."

Shanks assumed Reno's ability to fly the ship would slow it down significantly. If he had experienced Reno's psychokinetic ship handling, he might not have been so worried.

Initially, Buggy had been reassured by the thought of a flying escape. But after Shanks' analysis, his face fell again.

Buggy, now with a forlorn expression, asked, "Shanks, are we really going to die here?"

Seeing his companion's reaction, Shanks could only offer some words of comfort. "What I described was just the worst-case scenario. Captain Roger will definitely get us out of here, so don't worry too much."

Privately, Shanks scolded himself: Why did I say all that? I know how easily scared he gets. Now's not the time to mess with him.

Shanks enjoyed teasing Buggy, but he knew this wasn't the time. Fear often leads to poor decisions, and Shanks couldn't let Buggy jeopardize their plans.

Buggy, though still a little anxious, felt somewhat reassured after Shanks' words.

Just then, Shanks spotted a small dot on the horizon. Quickly pulling out a telescope, he confirmed it was the Roger Pirates' ship. Excitedly, he told Buggy, "Captain Roger and the others are here! Get ready—we're leaving!"

"W-where? Where's Captain Roger?" Buggy grabbed the telescope and frantically scanned the horizon.

After a moment, Buggy spotted the ship approaching the port. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "Shanks, I see it! It's the Roger Pirates' ship! They've finally come to rescue us!"

No longer hiding, Shanks and Buggy moved to the water's edge, ready to board the ship as soon as it docked.

Kōzuki Oden and the crew arrived at the port without encountering any resistance along the way.

Leaning over the ship's railing, Reno spotted two boys, roughly ten years old, waiting at the port. Judging by their red hair and clownish red nose, they had to be Shanks and Buggy. Their distinctive appearances made them instantly recognizable.

As the ship neared the dock, Oden called out to the two boys, "Get on board quickly! We still need to turn around and pick up the others!"

Shanks and Buggy wasted no time, leaping aboard without any chatter. There'd be time to talk once they were safely away. For now, the crowded port wasn't the place for explanations.

As the ship pulled away, Shanks asked Oden, "Oden, why isn't Captain Roger on the ship?"

Oden replied, "The captain and the officers are holding off the Marines. We came to get you first, and we'll go back for them afterward."

Buggy, now emboldened by his return to the ship, scoffed, "We weren't captured, so this isn't a 'rescue.' It's more like you came to pick us up!"

Hearing this, Reno smirked and retorted, "You were discovered by the Marines and surrounded. How is that different from being captured?"

In truth, the Marines had sent a secret team ashore to capture Shanks and Buggy, but Shanks had spotted them in advance and hidden with Buggy, narrowly avoiding capture.

If not for Shanks' sharp instincts, they might have already been caught.

Buggy, irritated by Reno's words, crouched down and glared at him. "What does it matter to you, brat? Who even are you?"

Reno frowned and replied, "Don't get so close, red-nose. And for the record, I came here to rescue you. Instead of thanking me, you insult me? No gratitude at all!"

Shanks, watching the exchange, chuckled. He quickly deduced that Reno must be the one with the ship-flying ability, though he hadn't expected him to be such a young boy.

Buggy, however, exploded at Reno's comment. "Who are you calling red-nose?! And why would the great Buggy need rescuing from a little kid like you?!"

Amused, Shanks teased, "Buggy, you should be careful. If he's the one saving us and you make him angry, don't expect me to plead for mercy when he throws you overboard!"

Oden stepped in to formally introduce Reno. "Shanks is right. This is Reno. We'll need his help to get out of here, so take the chance to get to know each other."

Hearing this, Buggy paled. Realizing his life might be in Reno's hands, he immediately shifted his tone. Squatting down, he forced a smile and apologized, "Mister Reno, I was wrong earlier. Please don't hold it against me. Don't leave me behind, okay?"

The crew burst into laughter at Buggy's sudden change in attitude, laughing so hard they could barely stand.

Reno ignored Buggy entirely. Having read the original story, he already knew how cowardly Buggy could be—but seeing it firsthand was something else.

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T/N:

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