"Chopper! You've got some nerve, stealing my food!"
Sandy stood there holding half a saury in his hand — the other half already bitten into by Chopper, who froze mid-bite, trembling.
"W-Woo woo woo…" Chopper pointed anxiously toward the table, signaling that the rest of the food was vanishing fast.
Realizing what was happening, Sandy immediately lunged at Luffy, pinning him down. "You stupid rubber idiot! Aren't you afraid of getting fat eating that much every day?"
Luffy grinned between mouthfuls. "Thanks for your concern. I'm not afraid."
Usopp blinked. "Concern? That didn't sound like concern at all!"
Across the table, Shojo suddenly let out a fiery scream, "Ahhh! It's so spicy!!"
Usopp doubled over laughing. "Hahaha! How's that? My chili-sauce torpedo!"
"Damn it!!" Shojo roared, eyes blazing. "You long-nosed freak! Stand still!!"
Meanwhile, Cricket, flushed from drinking, patted the seat beside him and said to Nami, "Hey, miss, come sit over here."
Before Nami could respond, Sanji slammed his hand on the table. "You trying to flirt with Nami-swan? Keep dreaming, old man. Maybe in a hundred years."
Cricket just laughed. "Hahaha! If you don't want to sit, don't sit. This sake's really good though."
The atmosphere was warm and loud — until Cricket suddenly straightened up, realization dawning on his face.
"Oh, crap! You guys need to hurry to the southern forest and catch a South Bird, or you won't be able to set sail tomorrow!"
"Huh? Why?"
Luffy tilted his head. "Uncle, what are you talking about?"
Cricket sighed. "This is the Grand Line. Once you're out on the open sea, can you tell directions without help? Stop eating and hurry up."
Nami suddenly gasped. "That's right! Our target isn't an island this time — it's a sea current! The Log Pose won't work!"
Cricket nodded. "Exactly. You're going to ride the southern current. The South Bird's head always points due south — it's your only guide."
Luffy burst out laughing. "So you're saying even Zoro's worse than an animal?"
Sandy clapped his hands, grinning. "That's a brilliant comparison!"
Zoro's eyes twitched, veins popping. "You two bastards have no right to talk about anyone's sense of direction!"
Cricket urged, "Anyway, hurry and catch that South Bird! Otherwise, forget Skypiea — you won't even find the current!"
Usopp groaned. "Why tell us something that important now?"
"I just remembered!" Cricket said, rubbing his head.
Luffy clenched his fist, smiling. "Although I don't get it, that bird sounds super important! Everyone, let's go!"
By the time they finished packing up to search for the South Bird, it was already deep into the night.
Cricket sighed, shaking his head. "Why did you eat for so long? Remember — be back before dawn."
"Don't worry, Uncle. We'll definitely catch it!" Luffy shouted confidently.
As they walked off into the night, Luffy noticed Sandy's serious face and frowned. "What's wrong?"
Sandy stopped. "You guys go ahead and catch the South Bird. We've got company — I'll go greet them."
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Really? Another feast? No way, I'm coming too!"
Zoro sighed. "Idiot. Does he look like he's getting ready for a feast?"
Nami asked cautiously, "You sure you'll be fine alone, Sandy?"
Sandy waved her off. "Relax. Just a few small fry. But Uncle and the others might not be their match, so I'll handle it."
Shojo puffed up his chest. "What? You're underestimating us?"
Sandy smirked. "Fine then, why don't you fight them first? If you can't handle it, I'll step in."
Masira slapped his chest. "Leave it to me! I'm the Salvage King!"
Cricket squinted at the dark sea. "You're sure someone's coming?"
Sandy nodded. "Yeah. A pirate ship's headed this way."
Cricket's face darkened. "So they've come to steal our gold… Let's go meet them."
"Uohhh!" Masira and Shojo yelled together.
Sure enough, a ship soon appeared off the nearby coast. It docked roughly near Cricket's home, and a tall figure leaped down from the prow — Bellamy the Hyena.
Shojo stepped forward first. "Oi, little brother, I'd advise you not to provoke us."
Masira added, "You lot aren't thinking of robbing us under cover of night, are you? Go home, shorties. Don't mess with us. We've got work to do. Uji ji ji…"
Sandy was lying lazily on the grass, watching from a distance. If I move first, they'll think I don't trust them, he thought.
But they've been nothing but kind to us — they're even helping with the ship tomorrow. Still… they can't possibly beat Bellamy's crew.
He groaned inwardly. If I don't step in and they get hurt, that'll delay everything. Damn… it's hard being the responsible one.
So, Sandy decided to just lie back and pretend to nap for now.
Bellamy let out a loud, mocking laugh. "Hahaha! Well, look who it is — the gatekeeper monkeys! Didn't think I'd find you here too, old man Cricket. And who's that lying on the ground?"
Without even looking up, Sandy waved lazily. "You again? What are you, a mad dog? Go chase a stick somewhere else. I'm trying to nap."
Bellamy clicked his tongue. "Tch. I'll make sure you sleep real well later. I still owe you one for last time."
Then he turned toward Cricket with a smirk. "I heard your tragic family story at the bar — real touching stuff. But stealing treasure others risked their lives for?
That's a special kind of thrill. Oh, right, let me introduce myself properly — I'm not a mad dog. I'm a hound. Hahaha!"
Sandy raised an eyebrow. Stealing treasure others risked their lives for…?
He sighed and rubbed his temple. This isn't just arrogance anymore. Is this a distortion of human nature — or just Doflamingo's rotten education at work?
He smirked. A hound, huh? I'll make sure you leave here like a dead dog.
...
Author's Note:
The fanfic One Piece: My Flirtatious System Adventure is now fully completed.
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📚 Category: One Piece (Chapters 1–657)
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