Two days later, Setsuna's fleet slowly sailed into the port of Cactus Island. The residents of Whisky Peak were already lined up on the shore, ready to welcome them.
They beamed with smiles, holding fine wine and flowers, as if welcoming returning heroes.
"Welcome to Whisky Peak, brave warriors from afar!" The town mayor enthusiastically stepped forward, arms spread wide. "This is the warmest town on the Grand Line! Every passing pirate receives the best hospitality here!"
In a coffee shop at the back, a man and a woman sat elegantly on the second floor, sipping coffee while enjoying the 'drama' below.
"Is it really okay to let them mess around like this? This batch of supplies is important. The Boss personally assigned the two of us to transport it," The woman in a white dress said languidly, propping her cheek on her palm.
The man with a '3'-shaped hair bun smiled. "It's rare to have such a big catch. If we don't let them act, they'll hold a grudge. Besides, with our strength, do we need to worry-"
Before he finished speaking, the pirate ship directly fired cannons at the shore.
The 'villagers' on the shore were stunned, but quickly tore off their disguises, preparing to board by force.
"They attacked directly? Did they see through the act? Or are they truly vicious pirates who attack without hesitation, even 'villagers' welcoming them so warmly?" Mr. 3 remained calm.
His subordinates, the Millions and the Billions, though useless, had at least trained on the Grand Line for years. Dealing with some newcomers just entering the Grand Line shouldn't be a problem.
But the next moment, he was dumbfounded again.
The pirates disembarking from those ships were ferocious beyond belief, shouting slogans he couldn't understand.
"Brothers, charge! Capture the keepers!"
"As long as we catch them, we won't have to be keepers anymore!"
Mr. 3, Galdino, was utterly confused, 'Weren't they pirates? What keepers?'
Of course, he didn't know what pressure these pirates fought under.
These pirates, who were mere thugs in the East Blue, now pounced on the Baroque Works' members on shore like starving wolves.
The Millions and Billions were caught off guard. They thought they could easily handle these newcomers, but the latter were unbelievably fierce.
"What's going on? Are these people insane?"
"Aren't they newcomers just entering the Grand Line? Why so fierce?"
Ace stood at the bow, watching the battle below with admiration. "It seems feeding monsters really is good training. Those who survived have become much stronger."
Ace patted Deuce's shoulder. "Deuce, want to go train too?"
Deuce looked horrified. "No, no! I think I'm perfectly fine as I am."
"Haha, just kidding with you."
The battle was almost a one-sided rout. The Baroque Works' members retreated step by step, most captured in the blink of an eye.
Mr. 3 finally couldn't bear to watch. He pushed his glasses up and snorted coldly. "Useless trash. Looks like I have to step in myself."
Though he disliked direct combat, he was confident against these newcomer thugs.
But after defeating a few pirates, a pirate who stood out from the rest walked forward. "Your opponent is me."
Mr. 3 glanced at him, then showed a faint smile. "[Kuro of a Hundred Plans]? I've heard of you. Bounty 16 million Berry. Mine is 24 million. That's not even in the same league."
Kuro wasted no words, charging directly. The two began a 'fierce' battle.
Ace watched the battle below, yawning boredly. "This is the strength on the Grand Line? Not very impressive."
Setsuna smiled without comment, thinking, 'In another timeline, Galdino's fame far surpasses yours. A strong contender for the title of [Strongest Right-Hand Man]. Dorry and Brogy each have bounties of 1.8 billion. He single-handedly took them on. That should be worth at least 3.624 billion, right?'
Of course, he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he calmly remarked, "His ability is quite good for chores. Putting wax armor on subordinates might make the monsters lose interest, reducing the attrition rate of pirates."
On the battlefield, Kuro was suppressed, sweat beading on his forehead. But he quickly calmed down, whispering, "It seems… I must go all out."
The next moment, his figure suddenly blurred.
"Shakushi!"
Movement speed comparable to Soru caught Galdino off guard. Dozens of cuts instantly appeared on his body.
"Wait! Aren't you an intellect type like me?" Galdino retreated while shouting, "Miss All Sunday, save me!"
Nico Robin, who had been hiding and observing, sighed and reluctantly stepped out.
"Really troublesome…" She crossed her arms, murmuring, "Treinta Fleur!"
Instantly, dozens of arms sprouted from Kuro's limbs, neck, waist, and abdomen, tightly restraining him.
Seeing this, Mr. 3 laughed triumphantly. "So what if you can fight? In this world, you need connections, background."
As if disturbed by his laughter, Titan, who had been hunting underwater, raised its head, curiously looking at the tiny ant before it.
Mr. 3's smile froze instantly. His limbs turned cold. "A Sea King? No, a super Sea King! That fleet can actually control such a monster?!"
Though confident in his Devil Fruit ability, the monster's size was too massive. Even squeezing him dry, he couldn't produce enough wax to trap it.
Robin looked at Kuro, threatening, "Make this giant snake leave, now."
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Kuro's mouth. "You don't actually think I'm the Captain, do you? My strength doesn't even rank in the top hundred on this ship."
Of course, he was counting the monsters.
Hearing his words, Galdino felt his scalp go numb. Kuro, who had defeated him, wasn't even in the top hundred.
'Could this be a massive fleet that temporarily left the Grand Line and was now returning?'
"This farce should end now," Ace descended as flames, shattering their last shred of hope.
In the first half of the Grand Line, Logia was practically synonymous with invincibility.
Kuro struggled briefly, ashamed. "Sorry, vice captain. I didn't think I'd need you to step in."
Galdino and Robin were shocked again.
'A Logia user was only the vice captain? What kind of monster must the captain of this fleet be?'
Both had self-awareness. After Ace appeared, they promptly surrendered.
Just then, a 'puru puru' sound rang out.
Galdino and Robin's expressions changed drastically, but they couldn't stop it.
Ace took the Den Den Mushi from them and handed it to Setsuna, "Captain, answer it?"
"Answer."
The Den Den Mushi very characteristically grew a stitched scar on its nose. A low voice came through. "Mr. 3, Miss All Sunday, have you brought back the Dance Powder?"