The town of Whiskey Peak didn't wake with the sunrise.
It limped.
The buildings stood cracked and hollow, window shutters hanging like broken limbs. The scent of charred wood still clung to the streets, mingling with sea air. Smoke drifted in slow ribbons between empty alleyways. Even the birds kept their distance.
The Straw Hats stood by the weather-worn pier, facing the sea as dawn stretched its fingers over the waves.
Igaram stood beside them.
Wearing a giant pink wig.
It bobbed stiffly in the wind, strands flapping across his face.
Luffy stared.
"...That doesn't look like her."
"Unbelievable!" Igaram snapped, voice shrill. "It's not about resemblance! It's the illusion! The chaos!"
Sanji wiped a tear from one eye. "A man who puts dignity second to duty… what courage."
Zoro leaned toward Usopp. "It's actually worse than I remember."
Usopp whispered back. "The wig might be sentient…"
Nami just crossed her arms, unimpressed.
Vivi stepped forward, lips pressed tightly together.
"Igaram…"
He turned, the wig nearly toppling sideways. "Princess."
Her hand reached for his sleeve but paused midway.
"You'll be alone."
He smiled gently. "That's the point."
"You'll be targeted the moment you set sail."
"All the better. Let them chase me." His voice dropped, serious now. "While you reach Alabasta safely."
"I don't want to lose you too…"
"You won't," he said. "You'll gain a kingdom."
She looked away, blinking rapidly. "I don't know if I can do this without—"
"You're not alone anymore," he said, eyes moving to the Straw Hats. "You've chosen your crew."
The small decoy vessel bobbed against the dock, sails prepped, fog beginning to creep across the surface of the water.
Igaram bowed once, wobbling slightly from the weight of the ridiculous hairpiece.
"For the king."
Then he boarded.
The rope moorings were untied.
The sails unfurled, catching the wind.
Wood creaked. The ship pulled away.
Vivi watched him go, mouth parted but no words coming.
The fog thickened.
His silhouette blurred.
Then vanished.
A long silence followed.
Vivi didn't speak.
Sanji placed a hand on her shoulder.
She didn't move.
Nami exhaled. "We need to move too. Little Garden won't wait."
Usopp nodded rapidly. "Yeah, yeah, log pose is set. We just… need to follow the needle."
Zoro adjusted the wrappings around his wrist. "The longer we wait, the louder our trail gets."
Luffy said nothing.
He stood at the edge of the dock, staring into the white void where Igaram disappeared.
His hand was clenched at his side.
Back aboard the Going Merry, the crew moved like clockwork.
Sanji tightened food barrels. Zoro leaned against the rail, eyes scanning every shadow. Usopp double-checked his rope knots a fourth time.
Nami tapped the log pose on her wrist. The needle was steady.
Vivi stood near the bow, quiet, hands gripping the railing.
The sea was calm.
But in the sky—clouds were gathering.
BOOM.
A blast split the morning air.
Flames rose in the distance—out at sea, where Igaram's ship had gone.
An orange burst. A vertical column of smoke.
The sound reached them a second later.
Waves rippled across the ocean like glass shattering.
Usopp stumbled. "T-that was—!"
"No," Vivi whispered. "No—!"
She ran forward, eyes wide.
Her knees hit the deck.
Her voice cracked.
"Igaram!"
Zoro's jaw locked.
"They were already waiting."
Sanji dropped the sack he was carrying.
"They knew his route."
Nami tightened her grip on the rail.
"Someone was listening. This whole time."
Luffy didn't speak.
He stood frozen.
The system flickered softly in his vision.
[DECOY UNIT: LOST]
[ENEMY SIGNAL CONFIRMED – BAROQUE INTERCEPTORS IN MOTION]
[NEW OBJECTIVE: PROTECT PRINCESS / DESTINATION: LITTLE GARDEN]
He closed his eyes.
Then opened them again.
"Raise the anchor."
The wind hit harder now.
The Going Merry groaned as the sail caught its full breath.
Nami took the helm.
Zoro moved to the front, hand on the hilt of his blade.
Sanji stood by the mast.
Usopp climbed to the crow's nest, knuckles white.
Vivi remained seated on the deck, head bowed.
Luffy looked ahead.
The fog began to lift just enough to see a distant island's silhouette.
Jagged cliffs.
Forests that looked too high.
Shadows that moved.
The log pose needle pointed straight toward it.
Little Garden.
[End of Chapter 110]
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️