The going merry had just docked at the port of Oilseed Flower, and the mooring ropes weren't even fully secured when a figure eagerly shot out.
"Meat!!! Restaurant!"
"I smell it!!!"
Luffy's voice still echoed in everyone's ears, but his Mugiwara back had already turned into a small black dot in the distance, quickly disappearing into the town.
On the deck, Nami held her forehead, letting out a helpless sigh: "Seriously... never mind, I just hope he doesn't cause too much trouble."
Zoro crossed his arms, with an expression that showed he already knew what Luffy would do: "That idiot is definitely going to stir up something, so let's not just wait around. Everyone, go find a place to fill your stomachs first, then we'll see what to do."
"Good idea! My stomach is rumbling too!" Usopp rubbed his grumbling belly in agreement, then looked at the silent Tomioka beside him, "Tomioka! Want to come with me!!"
Tomioka's gaze swept over the dry, arid town at the port, not even looking at Usopp, and simply shook his head: "I want to walk around by myself and see this city."
"Oh, okay."
Usopp watched Tomioka gracefully jump off the ship and walk alone towards the town. He squatted down, leaned close to Chopper's ear, and whispered, "See? This guy, always trying to act cool."
Chopper, however, looked up at Tomioka's tall and solitary back, his eyes sparkling with admiration: "So... so cool!!"
Usopp was on the verge of tears. He slapped Chopper's hat: "That's not the point!!! Sigh~ Let's go find something to eat too!"
Tomioka stepped into the bustling district of Oilseed Flower.
The sun beat down even more fiercely on the ground, and the air was mixed with dust and the scent of dryness.
Along the streets, the vendors' cries were weak, and some of the people on the road didn't look well, their eyes lacking luster.
Tomioka raised his hand and glanced at the white bandage wrapped around his left arm.
This was Zoro's idea, from before they disembarked the going merry.
After encountering Mr.2, he had all his companions tie this bandage on their left hand as a mark, to distinguish whether they were true companions.
Just then, a small commotion in the crowd ahead caught his attention. Several people were gathered there, looking towards another street, discussing something they had just heard.
"Did you hear? Just now, a man wearing an orange cowboy hat collapsed while eating in there!"
"No, I heard he died? He's been lying there motionless for a long time!"
"Really? Let's go see!"
Tomioka didn't linger. It wasn't because he didn't intend to check for other information about the city, but almost simultaneously, a feeling of being watched silently crept up his spine.
Someone was following him.
He didn't look back or change his pace, but his gaze paused for a moment at an inconspicuous fork in the road ahead, then he naturally turned into it.
It was a narrow alley, piled high with discarded wooden crates, where the sunlight was cut off by tall walls.
The sound of footsteps hesitated behind him, then followed him in.
The guy following Tomioka was a thin man in ordinary clothes, with shifty eyes. He peered around, only to find that his target, who had just been ahead, was gone.
"Where is he?" he muttered, his face full of confusion. He had clearly seen the guy turn in just now.
There wasn't even a shadow. Was he seeing things?
The next second, a cold blade was gently placed on his shoulder.
Tomioka, who had been followed, had appeared in the shadow beside his pursuer. He held his Blade with one arm, his eyes fixed on the man's every move. Tomioka knew.
Once they landed on this island, they couldn't relax their guard. This was the organization's base, and there were definitely their informants everywhere.
The thin man's body instantly stiffened. He didn't dare to move, and cold sweat immediately broke out, soaking his back.
"Who?" It was just a simple word, but it was exceptionally forceful.
"Don't... don't kill me! Please spare my life, sir samurai!!" The man's voice trembled uncontrollably. He didn't dare to turn around, only speaking to the empty air in front of him: "I was just... just following orders from above!! I have an old mother and young children, please don't kill me, sir!! It was Ms. All Sunday! She specifically instructed me!"
"As soon as the Straw Hat lands, if there's a samurai among them wearing a differently colored haori, give this to him."
As he spoke, he immediately pulled a folded letter from his pants pocket and, with trembling hands, offered it to Tomioka.
The envelope was plain brown paper, without any markings or strange smells.
Tomioka's Blade moved away, returning to its sheath, and he took the letter from the man.
He said nothing.
The man scrambled towards the alley entrance, tripping over a wooden crate halfway, but he didn't care, continuing to rush towards the light, disappearing outside the alley in a sorry state.
Tomioka then lowered his gaze, took out the letter inside, the handwriting elegant:
"Igaram is in the old town of Alubarna. Someone will tell you where he is when you get there."
"Come alone."
"Otherwise, you know."
Just as he was still pondering the other party's intentions, a greater commotion came from the direction of the bustling market he had just passed, mixed with a familiar shout.
"Oh no, oh no! I'm going to get caught!!!"
It was Luffy.
Tomioka's eyes narrowed. He instantly put away the letter, tightened his grip on the hilt of his Blade at his waist, and flashed out of the alley like a gust of wind, looking towards the direction of the noise.
At the end of the street, the Captain, who was only thinking of eating, was running frantically, twisting agilely through the crowd.
Behind him, a silver-haired man in a Marine 'Justice' coat was in hot pursuit, a cigar dangling from his mouth, trailing smoke. It was a familiar opponent, Captain Smoker of Loguetown.
He actually chased them all the way from Loguetown to here... No, Luffy will be caught by that guy.
The Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability is troublesome, but... I have to go now!
Just as Smoker's arm turned into white smoke, rushing towards Luffy, preparing to capture him again with that familiar move.
Boom!
A wall of scorching flames rose from the ground without warning, separating Smoker from Luffy.
Hot air waves rolled and spread, and even Tomioka, standing far away, felt the hot wind on his face, as if the dry air was about to ignite along with it.
Amidst the flickering firelight, a figure slowly materialized.
He wore an orange cowboy hat, his bare upper body had distinct muscle lines, his cheeks were dotted with freckles, and his face held a cheerful and warm smile.
He stood with his back to the raging flames and Smoker, whose face was livid behind the wall of fire, as if the Marine and the fire wall behind him didn't exist.
"Long time no see, Luffy." He spoke, his voice carrying a brotherly gentleness and a hint of helpless amusement.