https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-5-What-Exactly-Are-Your-Intentions-/13535709/
Chapter 4: We Are Navy, We Won't Be Afraid
Chapter 4: We Are Navy, We Won't Be Afraid
After bluffing Kas, Kuro let out a sigh of relief.
He was a Navy officer stationed at Base 153—the very base ruled by the infamous Ax-Hand Mongar. This was also Luffy's first destination. Zoro's capture signaled the story's beginning. Within days, Luffy would arrive here, defeat Mongar, and liberate Base 153 from its tyrannical rule.
Kuro had no intention of crossing paths with Luffy. Anyone who stirred trouble inevitably ended up on his blacklist. Avoiding them altogether was best. Otherwise, why would he constantly take patrol ships out to sea? Staying safely at the base until retirement sounded far more appealing.
Returning early risked altering the timeline. What if Zoro refused to join Luffy? Then Luffy would have to search the East Blue for a crewmate. If he failed to find one or stayed too long, the consequences could spiral. Given Luffy's reckless nature and strength, chaos in the East Blue would be inevitable, and tracking him down might become Kuro's burden—an endless headache. Worse, if Garp dragged him into the mess or, if his true power was exposed, he might even be summoned to Headquarters to hunt pirates in the New World. That would be a disaster.
No, he wasn't scared. He simply wanted the storyline unchanged. That was all.
---
A day later, the Warship arrived at the location marked on the Treasure Map.
"Sergeant, it's Galmore Island."
At the bow deck, Sergeant Kas, squinting through his spyglass at the volcanic island ahead, reported to Kuro.
Hearing this, Kuro relaxed completely. He'd visited Galmore Island two years ago to purchase supplies. It was just an ordinary town—no treasure, no danger.
"Sergeant, a Pirate Ship!"
Suddenly, Kas shouted.
"What flag?" Kuro asked urgently.
"One with an obscure pirate insignia. Probably low bounty."
Kuro believed him. Kas was meticulous—his memory for Wanted Posters rivaled any Bounty Hunter's. If he said the bounty was low, it was.
"Open fire! Sink it!" Kuro ordered.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cannons roared. Several Cannonballs struck near the Pirate Ship. One hit its hull, exploding violently.
No response.
The ship lay silent, as if abandoned.
Another volley. Still nothing. If pirates were aboard, they should have reacted by now.
But Kuro saw no reason to hold back. Why let it escape?
After a dozen Cannonballs, one struck the ship's Ammunition Store. The explosion lit the sky as the vessel slowly sank.
Through his spyglass, Kuro confirmed—no survivors.
The Warship dispatched a landing party to investigate the wreckage. They returned shortly.
"Sergeant, the ship’s empty. No crew, no cargo. Just a ghost ship."
"Understood. Forget it. Dock and check the town."
Kuro nodded, instructing his men.
The town nestled at the foot of the island's volcanic ridge. As soon as Kuro set foot onshore, he halted.
"Sergeant, what's wrong?"
Kas noticed Kuro's tense expression.
"Send a scouting team ahead. Watch for danger."
Something was off. The silence was oppressive.
Kuro was cautious by nature. He remembered every island he’d visited. This one had changed—drastically. Vegetation had exploded unnaturally. No animal tracks, no signs of life.
The East Blue’s climate was stable. Unlike the Grand Line, it didn’t transform landscapes overnight. The unchecked plant growth suggested a collapsed ecosystem—a barren food chain. Even edible plants were absent. Not a single Wild Vegetable in sight.
Soon, they reached the town.
Years ago, it had been bustling, its houses neat and orderly. Now, vines swallowed the buildings. Fields lay fallow, two-thirds abandoned.
At the crossroads, several gaunt and malnourished children crouched playing. One spotted the Navy and bolted.
"Navy! Navy’s here!"
Doors creaked open. Emaciated townsfolk emerged, gathering around Kuro. An elderly man, skeletal and trembling, dropped to his knees. "Navy officer! Save our town!"
As the elder wept, the others followed, prostrating themselves in silence.
Kuro stared at the old man. "Mayor Mendel?"
---
Inside the mayor’s home, Kuro observed the hollow walls.
Penniless. Years ago, this house had been wealthy.
"Eat slowly. We’ve got supplies left on the ship", Kuro urged gently as Mendel devoured his meal.
"Unnh... unnh..."
Mendel nodded rapidly, scarfing down food without slowing. The townsfolk were starved—naturally, their first plea upon seeing Navy was for food.
Luckily, Kuro had come prepared.
Safety first. A Navy officer with the rank of Sergeant commanded a Warship—a small patrol frigate with an 80-man crew. Fully stocked: ammunition, medicine, and rations sufficient to sustain eighty men for three months—all high-calorie, sustaining provisions.
"Ah..." Mendel patted his full stomach, tears streaming down. "A year... we haven’t had a full meal in a year. Thank you, Navy officer."
"Nonsense. Helping civilians is our duty. Besides, you gave me generous discounts when I bought supplies years ago." Kuro shook his head. "But... why? Why hasn’t your town eaten in a year?"
Mendel’s face contorted in terror. He shook his head violently. "Just being alive is blessing enough! Please, take whatever treasures our wretched town holds—though we’ve nothing left to give..."
Kuro wanted to leave. But looking at Mendel’s hollow, lifeless eyes—the same eyes he’d seen in those starving children—he sighed.
"We are Navy. We won’t be afraid. Speak."
"Navy officer!"
Mendel’s voice cracked, his resolve breaking. "It’s the White Phantom. The demon. The White Phantom!"
"White Phantom?" Kas blurted, stepping forward. "You mean it’s some big-time pirate?"
"It’s not about being pirate or not. It’s... one of those rare ones. Covered in white fur, like a ghost wandering the island. I never saw its face."
Mendel trembled. "A year ago, it arrived. Since then, it devoured every food source on the island. It forbids us from fleeing. Occasionally, ships arrive—pirates, treasure hunters—but all meet the same fate. They lose their strength mysteriously. The demon ordered us to dismantle their ships, trade treasures for scraps. It lets us scrape by, but only because we’re still useful. When that usefulness ends... the White Phantom will come for us. This island is cursed!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
