The Grand Line — Jaya Island.
A small, unremarkable island hidden within the turbulent seas of the Grand Line.
Most of the island was covered by dense rainforest, save for a tiny settlement on its northern edge — a town called Mock Town.
The island itself lacked any special features. The islands before it were difficult to reach, the skies above it were home to the fabled Sky Island, and the surrounding seas frequently erupted with strange upward currents. Because of that, Jaya had never prospered.
That changed after Gol D. Roger began the Great Pirate Era. More and more reckless pirates, fleeing the Marines and rival crews, drifted to this island.
Their extravagant, wasteful lifestyles became the unlikely driving force behind the island's economy.
In just twenty short years, this once small and quiet town had grown rapidly — becoming famous among pirates everywhere.
But with great wealth came chaos. The locals, seduced by profit, welcomed the pirates, and soon the town descended into corruption and lawlessness — a place where ordinary people could no longer live.
Half a month ago, however, the town had experienced a rare moment of peace — all because of one particular crew.
That crew was none other than the Bellamy Pirates, newly sworn underlings of the Donquixote Family, and the ones the Straw Hat Pirates were currently seeking.
"Ha ha ha! Now this is the life!!!"
At the edge of Mock Town, inside a luxurious lakeside inn, the Bellamy Pirates were indulging themselves.
The crew's first mate, Sarquis, had one arm wrapped around a scantily clad woman and the other raising an expensive bottle of wine, shouting crudely with delight.
Throughout the inn's grand hall, dozens of pirates mirrored his behavior — a woman in one arm, a drink in the other, drowning in the pleasures bought by stolen wealth.
Bellamy leaned lazily against the bar counter, arms resting on the top, his face twisted into a smug, arrogant grin.
Then, raising his glass, he shouted to his crew:
"Enjoy it, boys!"
"We're the pirates of a new age!"
"One day, this entire sea will bow before my power!!!"
His men roared in response, their voices filling the hall.
"To our great Captain Bellamy!!!"
The atmosphere reached its peak. The room pulsed with hedonistic laughter — pirates living for the moment, basking in the spoils of violence and greed.
But then, a commotion outside abruptly broke the rhythm.
"No! No! You can't come in here! This place has been reserved by Lord Bellamy!"
"You're not allowed inside!"
Bang!
The inn doors were kicked open, and a young man wearing a straw hat stepped through.
"Bellamy? Perfect — that's exactly who we came for."
Luffy glanced casually at the panicked innkeeper and strode forward without hesitation.
Behind him followed Ace and Red.
The innkeeper paled. "L-Lord Bellamy, I'm terribly sorry! They forced their way in! I couldn't stop them!"
Bellamy lifted a hand lazily, signaling the man to leave. His eyes then locked onto Luffy — and his composure faltered.
That straw hat. That face.
No mistake — this was Monkey D. Luffy, the upstart pirate who had caused a huge stir across the seas not long ago, only to vanish soon after…
A pirate with a bounty of 180 million Beli!
"You're… Monkey D. Luffy!?"
Bellamy's nerves tensed. He tried to keep his voice calm, but the bottle in his hand trembled slightly.
"That's me!" Luffy grinned broadly. "Good, then this'll be easy!"
He plopped down on the stool beside Bellamy, his worn sandals clapping softly on the floor.
Despite his lean frame, the energy around him silenced the entire room. Not one pirate dared to laugh or whisper.
"Wh-what do you want with me?" Bellamy asked, swallowing hard as he set his bottle on the counter.
For all his swagger in Mock Town, he was nothing more than a bully — loud when stepping on the weak, silent when facing real power.
Ace chuckled behind him, watching the scene unfold. "Didn't think my little brother's name alone could make a crew like this so obedient."
"Yeah," Red added with a smirk. "Almost feels… normal for once."
He had half-expected Luffy to flex his Conqueror's Haki just to make a point. But apparently, intimidation wasn't necessary today.
How long that civility would last, though, was another question.
Luffy propped his elbows on the counter and gave Bellamy a friendly smile. "Red said you're one of that Tangy-whatever guy's subordinates. We need to talk to your boss."
"Can you contact him for us?"
"And hurry it up — we've got a Sky Island to visit next!"
Luffy's tone was cheerful, his excitement about the legendary island still bubbling ever since Red had told him of it.
But at those words, Bellamy and his men froze in disbelief.
"You… want to contact Lord Doflamingo? And go to Sky Island?"
The fear in Bellamy's eyes vanished, replaced by confusion — and then contempt.
He stared at Luffy like he was an idiot.
"Is this guy really the pirate worth 180 million Beli? He actually believes in that Sky Island nonsense…?"
"Did the Marines overestimate him?"
Bellamy's thoughts spun rapidly.
He remembered vague rumors — something about this kid destroying a fleet of Marine ships back in the East Blue, leading to that absurd bounty.
Wait… East Blue?
The weakest sea of them all!
How strong could pirates or Marines from that ocean really be?
Bellamy's mind raced faster and faster, until he reached a conclusion:
This kid must've racked up that bounty by using ship cannons to blow up defenseless Marines — nothing more!
He forced down a laugh, arrogance creeping back into his grin.
(End of Chapter)