Chapter 31: Whiskey Peak – Baroque Works Ambush & Mr. 5 & Miss Valentine's Arrival
A few days later, the Going Merry finally reached the first stop in the Grand Line—Whiskey Peak on Cactus Island. From afar, the strangely shaped town looked like a massive cactus forest, gleaming oddly under the sunlight.
"Weird—when did those two disappear?" Usopp belatedly noticed Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 were gone.
Sol stood at the bow, wind tousling his hair. He narrowed his eyes at the approaching port, then suddenly slapped his forehead:
"I remember now! On the surface, this place is a 'welcoming town for pirates'…" Sol turned, expression turning serious. "But in reality, it's a major Baroque Works stronghold. Those 'friendly villagers' are all bounty hunters waiting to collect heads."
Nami immediately pulled out her binoculars and scanned carefully. Sure enough, among the waving crowd at the port, several people had hidden weapons glinting at their waists.
"Eh? So that means…" Luffy tilted his head.
"Exactly," Sol nodded. "They plan to lure us in with a banquet, wait until we're drunk, and then…"
"Awesome! A party!" Luffy completely missed the point, eyes sparkling. "I want meat!"
"Hey—wait—!" Before Nami could stop him, Luffy stretched his rubber arm with a whoosh and rocketed ashore, landing firmly on the dock with arms raised. "Let's go! Party time—!!!"
Sol shrugged helplessly, a doting smile tugging at his lips:
"Whatever. With us here, nothing too bad can happen." He turned to Nami and the others, motioning "follow me." "Let's go—might as well indulge the captain's madness for once. But stay sharp."
Nami sighed, but watching Luffy dance excitedly in the crowd, she couldn't help smiling too:
"Geez, this idiot captain…" She tightened her money pouch and muttered under her breath, "But since we're here, might as well take advantage…"
Sol and the crew were warmly invited to the tavern for the banquet, which stretched from noon straight into midnight. Whiskey Peak's tavern blazed with light, the festive atmosphere reaching its peak.
Plates piled into small mountains in front of Sol and Luffy. The two devoured everything like whirlwinds, leaving the kitchen staff crying in despair.
"Ten more servings of roast meat!" Sol shouted, holding up an empty plate. Beside him, Luffy was already stretching his arm across to steal food from the next table.
Five exhausted cooks slumped on the floor. One trembled:
"Th-These two monsters… we've already made a hundred people's worth…"
Elsewhere, Zoro's stack of empty sake barrels towered high. He downed another full barrel without changing expression. Around him lay ten drunk bounty hunters sprawled in various poses.
"With this level of tolerance, you dare challenge me?" He scoffed, cracking open another barrel.
Nami was surrounded by a crowd of "enthusiastic" townspeople. She smiled charmingly, accepting cup after cup of wine—yet her eyes remained clear. Twenty men and women already lay drunk on the floor around her, while she only had slightly flushed cheeks:
"Another round? I'm still not satisfied~"
Usopp stood on a high spot, surrounded by "admirers" praising his "great feats." Lost in the flattery of "Brave Warrior of the Sea," he boldly downed yet another cup. Sanji, meanwhile, was trapped in a gentle snare of beautiful women, happily drunk amid waves of perfume…
Late at night, Igaram wiped cold sweat from his brow and whispered into the Den Den Mushi:
"Mr. 8 reporting—targets have all lost consciousness. Repeat—targets are all unconscious."
He looked at the sprawled Straw Hats and the dozens of fallen Baroque Works agents, giving a wry smile:
"As expected of a 100-million-Berry crew… just knocking them out used up all our reserves…"
Igaram—also known as Baroque Works' Mr. 8—strode steadily outside. Over a hundred fully armed bounty hunters had already sealed off the streets.
He raised a hand slightly, voice low and commanding:
"Be careful. Tie them up tight and send them to the Marine base." His gaze sharpened. "Anyone who accidentally kills them—the bounty drops by 30%."
At that moment, a mocking voice came from above:
"Heh, no wonder they looked familiar…"
Everyone looked up. Zoro lounged lazily on the rooftop edge, Wado Ichimonji resting casually on his shoulder, blade glinting coldly in the moonlight.
On either side of him stood Sol and Nami, looking down at the crowd. Nami's eyes glinted slyly, while Sol casually sipped from a bottle of red wine.
Mr. 9's face instantly paled, voice turning shrill:
"H-How do you know our company's secret?!"
Zoro's lips curved in a cold smile. His three swords gleamed in the moonlight:
"I used to be a famous pirate hunter in East Blue. Your Baroque Works even tried to recruit me once." He tilted his head mockingly. "Back then I thought you wanted me as boss—turns out you just sent some small fry to negotiate. Really pissed me off."
Mr. 8's expression darkened. Knowing the cover was blown, he stopped pretending and barked:
"Since you know things you shouldn't—don't expect to leave alive! Everyone—kill them!"
"Perfect!" Zoro's battle spirit surged. Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui flashed out together. His body moved like a whirlwind into the enemy crowd:
"Just in time to test how these new swords feel!"
"Three Sword Style: Tornado!"
In an instant, violent sword gusts formed a massive tornado, howling across the entire area! Wherever the gale passed, bounty hunters were flung without time to react. Swords, guns, torn clothes—everything was swept into the sky, then rained down like a storm.
In a single exchange, over a hundred bounty hunters lay scattered across the ground, groaning. Zoro flicked dust from his blades, nodding in satisfaction:
"Hm. These two new swords feel pretty good."
Igaram clenched his teeth, blood trickling from his forehead, yet still forced himself upright. His voice was low and hoarse, filled with unwillingness and rage:
"No way… Princess Vivi is still waiting for me… I can't fall here!"
He suddenly looked up, glaring at Zoro—then his lips twisted into a cold smile:
"You think… this is over?"
Before the words finished, two tall figures slowly emerged from the shadows behind him. Moonlight illuminated their cold faces—
"Mr. 5… Miss Valentine…" Igaram panted, a vicious grin spreading. "Looks like… you'll have to clean up the mess."
Mr. 5, sunglasses on, expressionlessly cracked his knuckles with a click:
"How pathetic, Mr. 8."
Beside him, Miss Valentine spun her umbrella lightly, smiling sweetly:
"Ara ara Looks like we'll have to work overtime"
--------------------------
Support us on patreon (+Gain access to 100 chapters in advance)
patreon.com/inkshield