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Chapter 76: Little Garden
After a day of uneventful sailing, the Going Merry finally approached an island covered in unusually dense, vibrant green vegetation.
The island's entrance was peculiar: a straight and narrow natural waterway. On either side, massive plants and dense thickets blotted out the sky. Towering ancient trees stood majestically, their enormous trunks and canopies making the Merry, a ship over ten meters tall, seem as small as a child's toy by comparison.
Even more frightening, enormous dark shadows, accompanied by heavy footsteps, occasionally flashed through the dense forest. Each movement caused the ground to tremble slightly and the trees to sway. Glimpses of their outlines through the leaves revealed prehistoric giants that had long since vanished from the river of history: dinosaurs!
"This is clearly an ancient forest. Why would such a dangerous island be called 'Little Garden'?"
Nami shivered all over, terrified by the deafening roar of an unknown dinosaur. She immediately decided that she was not getting off the ship, no matter what.
But some people were already unable to hold back.
"Haha! I can smell it! The smell of adventure!"
Luffy's eyes were already sparkling as he looked at the scene, wishing he could rush into the forest to explore right away. Before the ship had even come to a complete stop, he had already asked Sanji to prepare him a bento, making plans to explore the island for the entire day.
"Luffy, I'll go with you. Just think of it as relieving some stress."
The princess of Alabasta was surprisingly brave, actually planning to go exploring the island with Luffy. But on second thought, it wasn't that surprising. Two years ago, at only sixteen, she had dared to hide her name and go undercover in the dangerous organization Baroque Works. The princess's courage was indeed far beyond that of ordinary people.
"Okay."
Luffy naturally wouldn't refuse and agreed readily. He had also invited Usopp and Nami, but neither of them wanted to set foot on this island that looked dangerous from every angle.
As for Ganyu, Zoro, and Sanji, Luffy hadn't considered them. All three were too strong. Adventuring with them probably wouldn't feel much like an adventure.
After the Merry was securely docked, the two of them and the duck set off on their exploration.
Watching their backs gradually disappear into the dense forest, Zoro held his arms and thought for a moment. He suddenly turned his head to look at the blue-haired young woman who was sitting on a deck chair, reading a book.
"Hey, want to go check out the island?"
Hearing this, Ganyu slowly raised her head. She closed the Basic Navigation Guide to the Grand Line in her hands, her fine eyebrows furrowing almost imperceptibly. Her gaze, carrying a trace of surprise, quietly rested on him.
She didn't speak.
But her eyes clearly said: Did you take the wrong medicine today, or are you drunk?
It was hard to imagine that an invitation with such subtle implications, "want to go check out the island," would come from the mouth of this swordsman who had nothing but training on his mind.
Zoro clearly understood Ganyu's expression. A vein popped on his forehead. He opened his mouth to curse for a moment but held back.
Finally, he sighed.
"I have something to ask for your help with."
Hearing this, Ganyu grew even more confused.
Ask her for help?
Zoro actually had something he needed her help with, and it was something that had to be discussed privately?
But seeing as he truly seemed to want to be alone with her, it was most likely something very serious, so she nodded.
"Alright."
She bent over, hooked her fingers into her short high heels to stand up, and was just about to follow Zoro onto the island.
A figure radiating resentment and fury suddenly blocked their path.
"Mosshead, where do you think you're luring Miss Ganyu?!"
Sanji's voice was thick with suppressed anger, his face a twisted mask of jealousy, fury, and intense resentment.
That was close.
He had looked away for just a second, and this green-haired bastard was already trying to trick Miss Ganyu onto the island alone.
Damn it. He originally had plans to explore the island with Miss Ganyu, Miss Nami, and Princess Vivi. A wonderful world for the four of them. Just thinking about it made him happy.
But now Vivi and Luffy had left for the island, Miss Ganyu was almost snatched away by this mosshead, and Miss Nami looked like she had no intention of disembarking at all.
In the end, wouldn't he be left all alone?
He would absolutely not tolerate this!
"Hm?"
Hearing the moniker "Mosshead" directed at him for the first time, Zoro was stunned for a moment. Once it registered, his own anger flared.
"Curly Brows, what I'm doing with her is none of your business, is it?"
"None of my business? How can it be none of my business! Are you trying to make me go onto the island all alone?!" Sanji shouted excitedly.
"So what if I am?" Zoro was baffled. If he didn't have real business with Ganyu, he probably would have chosen to go onto the island alone anyway.
"Damn it, you're provoking me, aren't you! You must be provoking me! You're so proud that you successfully invited Miss Ganyu, aren't you?!"
Sanji's eyes were practically ignited by the flames of jealousy. He took a step forward, grabbing Zoro's collar. Their noses were almost touching.
"What stupid nonsense are you rambling about, you idiot pervy cook?" Zoro frowned, completely failing to understand what this guy was saying.
However, the other's actions made one thing clear.
"You're looking for a fight, aren't you?"
"That's right! In any case, I will absolutely not allow a dangerous guy like you to be alone with Miss Ganyu!"
As they spoke, the two moved closer and closer, glaring furiously at each other like two charging bulls, neither willing to back down. It looked like they were about to come to blows at any second.
Usopp and Nami settled in as the audience, watching the scene with great interest. They were just short of pulling up stools and cracking open some snacks.
"You two, stop it!"
Seeing the situation escalate, Ganyu finally couldn't watch anymore.
She flashed into the narrow gap between them, extended her hands, and pressed one against each of their chests. With a slight push, she forcibly separated them.
Her eyes were filled with helplessness. These two weren't even on the same wavelength, yet they still managed to pick a fight.
"You two, do you really want to fight right now?"
"For Miss Ganyu's sake, I'm willing to teach this bastard mosshead a lesson!"
Sanji clutched his chest excitedly. That very spot... it had just been pressed by Miss Ganyu's hand!
"Hmph. I don't mind knocking some sense into this nonsense-spouting Curly Brows either."
Zoro snorted, staring at Sanji unhappily, though he made no move to draw his swords. Getting tangled up with this idiot was a pure waste of time, and he had real business to attend to.
Ganyu thought for a moment, recalling this part of the original story. "Since you both can't stand each other, why not have a competition on this island?"
"Hm?"
Sanji and Zoro were both stunned, looking at Ganyu in surprise. They thought Ganyu would stop them, but they never expected her to actually agree.
"However, we're all crewmates, so you certainly can't fight for real."
Ganyu smiled, reaching out and rapping her knuckles on each of their heads. Then she pointed to the primeval forest before them.
"There are all kinds of prehistoric creatures in there. Many of them could surely be used as ingredients for our journey ahead. Why don't you compete to see who can catch the bigger and better quality prey?"