The day after the tragedy, a heavy gloom still hung over the village.
Leo's home was filled with the scent of herbs. Although Rick was wrapped head-to-toe in bandages, he seemed to be in good spirits.
To support her injured husband, Suzanna had brought home a large supply of fresh meat. Rick was struggling to finish the food in front of him.
"Eat slowly. Don't choke."
"Heh, Suzanna, your cooking is still the best! After eating your roast meat, I feel full of strength again."
Rick used his cheerful tone to ease his family's worries. He also knew that ordinary people in this era didn't have the luxury of grieving for long—he had to recover quickly to deal with what was coming next.
Ten days passed. Just when everyone thought things had calmed down, the fishing team was attacked by pirates again, their wounds still far from healed.
After cutting down the last pirate, Suzanna stood among the bodies, leaning on her weapon. The once-beautiful shore was now soaked with blood, corpses of villagers and pirates scattered everywhere.
The few still standing had no time to rest. Instead, they began clearing the battlefield, separating comrades from enemies. Their own were carried back for burial, while the pirates' bodies were thrown into the sea—at least this could feed the fish around the island.
Suzanna took a deep breath and growled angrily, "Are these pirates insane? This is already the Nth time they've attacked! Since when did Sphinx Island become so attractive?"
A nearby hunter reassured her, "Captain, I interrogated one of them. They came looking for treasure."
"Treasure? We've lived here our whole lives and never heard of any treasure. Whoever started this rumor—I'll make sure they regret ever being born."
After venting her anger, Suzanna continued organizing post-battle tasks. As the main fighting force, the female hunters had to recover their strength as fast as possible.
She had already sent word of the Sphinx battle to the Whitebeard Pirates. As long as they held out five more days—until Newgate Prison's blockade lifted—they would survive.
That night, the female hunters rested behind a large boulder. Branches cracked softly in the dark. A faint campfire flickered as if ready to die out at any moment.
Leo wanted to help ease his mother's burden. He quietly approached Suzanna and said, "Mom, maybe we can stop the pirates at sea."
Suzanna was stunned at first, then let out a relieved laugh. "Fighting is for adults. Kids shouldn't get involved."
"Mom, I don't think we should fight them to the death on the beach. We should pull back our line a bit."
Seeing her son talk like a little adult softened her mood. She gestured for him to continue.
"We can expose a weakness to lure them in. After a brief stand on the beach, we retreat into the jungle. Pirates always get scattered in the trees—that's when the hunting teams can take them down one by one."
"And if they don't get scattered?"
"That's even better. We can burn the forest and trap them inside."
Suzanna narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Have you been playing with fire in the forest again?"
Leo looked completely innocent. How could he understand? He was only three at the time, still a confused toddler. He quickly explained, "Mom, I'm serious. The jungle is where the hunters are strongest. Bringing the pirates in there—whether by ambush or fire—will make the fight easier. As long as the people survive, who cares if the jungle burns?"
Suzanna sighed heavily. They had, of course, already considered Leo's idea. Retreating into the forest was their last resort—once the jungle burned, Sphinx Island would have nowhere left to hide.
The next few days were brutal. The people of Sphinx fought together, using their lives to repel wave after wave of pirates. By sheer will, they made it to the fifth day.
Watching the rising sun, Suzanna felt her eyes sting. Only a few comrades remained, but her gaze sharpened. One more day—if they held out one more day, everyone would be safe.
Whether the pirates had learned about the Whitebeard Pirates' upcoming arrival or merely sensed desperation, the final day brought more attackers than ever. Even a pirate with a bounty over 100 million appeared—this was their last chance to claim the rumored treasure of Captain John.
"HAHAHAHA! Kill everyone on this island! John's treasure belongs to the Buffalo Pirates!"
The true threat had arrived: George of the Buffalo Pirates, bounty 100 million, leading a crew of brutal, iron-helmed warriors.
The Sphinx militia couldn't hold them. One exchange was enough to break their lines; bodies littered the ground as survivors fled into the jungle.
George sneered at his savage crew. "Whitebeard? He thinks he's something after tagging along with Rocks? Today, I, Buffalo George, will crush his territory!"
His men roared like beasts and charged into the jungle—only to face fierce resistance.
Suzanna and her hunters fought like ghosts. Using their knowledge of the terrain, they ambushed and struck swiftly. But gradually, the pirates adapted, chopping down trees to limit the hunters' mobility, forcing them into open combat.
Seeing the village so close behind them, Suzanna knew they had to stop the enemy here. She gripped her weapon and led the hunters into the fray.
The fight was bloody. Though highly skilled, the hunters were too few, and many were surrounded and killed.
Just as Suzanna prepared for a hopeless stand, a roar echoed through the forest—Rick and the fishermen had arrived.
Rick rampaged through enemy lines like a monster, clearing a path and rescuing Suzanna and two hunters.
"Suzanna, go back to the village and get the elders and children out!"
Was there no room for a tragic tearful farewell? Suzanna only said one line before running: "Wait for me. I'll be back."
The village was empty. Rick had ordered the elders and children to gather at the far side of the village. When Suzanna found them, they had already split into two groups—the elders choosing to act as decoys to slow the pirates.
Suzanna took the children to the other side of the island, where a tall cliff blocked any pirate landing. Beneath the cliff was a hidden cove with dozens of small boats.
After placing the children aboard, Suzanna crouched in front of Leo and said sternly, "Leo, I'm giving you a record-breaking mission. You'll be back in half a day. I believe you."
"I—"
She didn't let him finish. She ruffled his hair gently. "Don't worry about us. Mama will drive the pirates away. You've always wanted to go to sea—so this time, go have fun."
Before Leo could answer, she pushed every boat into the sea. Watching the waves pull them away, Suzanna's eyes softened with sorrow, then hardened with resolve.
But something unexpected happened. A pirate ship appeared from the opposite side of the cliff—the same ship carrying the children.
BOOM!Cannons fired, landing dangerously close to the boats. Waves rocked them violently. Children's cries echoed faintly across the sea.
Damn it! Why are there pirates here?!
Suzanna didn't hesitate. She grabbed a vine and climbed the cliff.
…
The pirates in this group were different—grinning wildly, they aimed their cannons directly at the small boat.
"Oh! Look, kids! Should we catch them and turn them into slaves?"
"They're just brats. Why not let everyone have a little fun first?"
They kept firing, intentionally missing to scare the children, laughing as they screamed.
Eventually one pirate threw a lasso at a girl.
"Watch out!" Leo shoved her aside, only for her to grab him in panic. The rope tightened—Leo was yanked into the air and slammed onto the pirate ship's deck.
Dazed, he tried to move—but a boot stomped into his stomach.
"Damn brat! You ruined my fun!"
The pirate grabbed Leo by the hair—
—when suddenly the sky darkened above him. A foot came down hard, smashing his face into the deck.
"You bastards—go to hell!"
Suzanna stood there, eyes blazing, planting herself between Leo and the pirates.
A samurai-dressed pirate stepped forward. "Not bad. Want to join us? The man you killed was an officer. You can take his place."
Suzanna drew her dagger and pointed it at him. Her intention was clear.
The samurai sighed. "My mistake. I have no choice but to kill you."
Steel clashed. Exhausted and wounded, Suzanna was no match. But she fought with desperate fury. For Leo's sake, she refused to fall. She shifted to an aggressive strategy, blocking while slowly retreating toward the ship's edge.
Even on the brink of death, a Sphinx hunter remained sharp.
Finally, her chance came. Using the recoil from a parry, she leaped backward to the rail, grabbed Leo, and threw him off the ship.
The samurai's face twisted with rage. Even now, she still managed to save someone.
His blade flashed—slashing into Suzanna's shoulder.
But Suzanna was unharmed. She even smiled.
plz support me if you can
patreon.com/Hussain678
All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "One Piece: Shadows of the Throne" is 30 chapters ahead there