"How many?" Crocodile asked, her tone icy.
"About fifteen," Augur replied with a calm demeanor. "They've executed a perfect encirclement."
Crocodile took one last drag from her cigar before tossing it into the sand. "Listen up, everyone. We're here to request medical assistance and ship repairs. We're not igniting another revolution." She shot a sidelong glance at Jack as she said the last part.
Jack looked genuinely crushed. "Not even a little one? A minor coup? A small scuffle?"
"No."
"Just checking. Can't blame a guy for asking."
Unlike the rest, Jack didn't seem to prepare for a fight at all. He just stood there, hands casually resting on his belt, swaying a bit.
Crocodile hissed, "Aren't you going to draw your sword, Sparrow?"
Jack flashed a grin that revealed his gold tooth. "If they decide to come at us with violence, my best strategy will be to improvise wildly while making a run for it."
"That's not exactly comforting."
Suddenly, the bushes rustled violently.
Out of the pink foliage burst a dozen vibrant figures, striking dramatic, high-fashion poses. They were decked out in extravagant dresses, heavy makeup, feathers, and fishnets, their faces a mix of fierce hostility and theatrical flair.
At the forefront was an enormous individual, sporting a gigantic head topped with a towering purple afro, heavy blue eye shadow, and a fishnet bodysuit that seemed to defy all logic.
The giant struck a grand pose, thrusting his hip forward.
"HEEE-HAW!"
The sheer force of the shout echoed through the forest, sending a shower of pink petals fluttering down.
Jack literally jumped, clutching his chest. "Good heavens! My ears!"
Gibbs stared, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "...I completely forgot they lived here."
"Who's they? And why is it in italics?" Jack asked.
The giant with purple hair pointed a huge, perfectly manicured finger right at them. "I know you! Oh yes, I do!"
A broad, red-lipped grin spread across his face. "You're the chaotic and elusive Captain Jack Sparrow! And..." His finger swung over to Crocodile. "...the ruthless, desert-dwelling Sir Crocodile! Or should I say, Madam Crocodile! Two of the most notorious and troublesome pirates to ever set foot in the Grand Line!"
Jack instantly smoothed down his vest, clearly pleased. "Ah! It's always a pleasure to meet a fan. Tell me, did my bounty poster do justice to the rugged yet sophisticated nature of my jawline?"
"You've got one face, Jack, and it's currently getting on my nerves," Crocodile shot back, stepping forward. "We're not here to fight. Our ship was wrecked by the storm. We need wood, supplies, and a word with your leaders."
The flamboyant giant crossed his arms dramatically, tilting his head. "Pirates? Asking nicely? Without bloodshed or plundering? How suspicious! Incredibly suspicious! Heee-haw!"
The Okama warriors behind him cheered in unison. "Very suspicious, Ivankov-sama!"
Jack leaned over to Gibbs, whispering out of the corner of his mouth. "Is everyone on this island... so colorful?"
"Yes, Captain," Gibbs replied, staring blankly ahead. "Very."
"I see," Jack muttered. "Though I really wish I didn't."
Emporio Ivankov narrowed his heavily lined eyes, studying Jack. "You know... your posters don't do you justice, candy-boy! But the World Government is practically throwing a fit over your existence!"
Before Jack could come up with another clever comeback, a deep, incredibly calm voice echoed from the shadows of the pink trees.
"Stand down, Iva. They're not our enemies."
A tall figure glided through the shower of blossoms, his dark green cloak billowing around him. He pulled back his hood, revealing sharp, calculating eyes and a face adorned with striking red tribal tattoos.
The atmosphere around him felt thick, almost suffocating.
He came to a halt next to Ivankov, his gaze sweeping over the crew. When his eyes landed on Jack, a rare, faint smile flickered across his lips.
Jack's usual swaying came to an abrupt stop. His eyes narrowed as a memory sparked to life. "...That voice. That face, I know I've seen it before."
Gibbs stared at the man for what felt like an eternity. Slowly, color drained from his face, and his jaw dropped so low it almost touched the pink grass. "No... By the powers... it can't be..."
The cloaked man locked eyes with Jack, his green cloak dancing in the gentle breeze.
"It's been a long time, Captain Sparrow."
Jack's trademark mischievous smirk crept back, his eyes twinkling with delight. He tipped his tricorn hat.
"Well, blow me down..." Jack chuckled. "Monkey D. Dragon."
Emporio Ivankov blinked once, then twice, his heavily made-up eyes—framed by thick false eyelashes—slowly darting between Jack Sparrow and Monkey D. Dragon, and then back again.
"...Hee-WHAT?!"
For perhaps the very first time in his flamboyant life, the undisputed ruler of the Kamabakka Kingdom looked genuinely, utterly perplexed.
He threw his hands to his face, gasping in a dramatic flair. "You... you know these pirates, Dragon-boy?!"
Crocodile was equally taken aback. Though she maintained her composure, her eyes narrowed significantly as she scrutinized the cloaked figure.
Monkey D. Dragon.
There were only a handful of names in the Grand Line that could send shivers down the spines of both Marines and pirates alike.
The World Government's most wanted criminal. A ghost spoken of in smoky taverns, among freedom fighters, and in the highest echelons of power. Crocodile had never encountered him during her days as a free pirate, but she understood the stakes: governments trembled at his name, and the Gorosei had a price on his head.
This brought her back to the glaring, baffling riddle standing right next to her. How on earth did a rum-soaked, eccentric pirate like Jack Sparrow know the Leader of the Freedom Fighters?
Dragon broke the silence before anyone else could spiral deeper into confusion. "We have met before," he said, his deep, resonant voice steady and calm.
His sharp gaze landed on Jack, taking in the familiar tricorn hat and the assortment of dangling trinkets. "Your crew has expanded, Captain."
His eyes shifted, methodically assessing Van Augur, then Gibbs, and finally resting on Crocodile. "And your reputation has grown alongside it."
Jack immediately placed both hands on his hips, swaying with an effortless, casual swagger. "Well, I've always said that greatness has a knack for following me around, mate. It's just part of the job, really."
Gibbs cleared his throat and coughed into his fist. "I think it's usually the Marines who take the lead on this."
"Is there really a difference, Gibbs?" Jack shot back, completely unfazed. He turned to Dragon, flashing a grin that showed off his teeth.
"I've also noticed that my bounty has reached a rather impressive and dignified amount. The sketch is quite flattering, too."
Dragon allowed the faintest hint of a smile to grace his lips. "So I've heard."
Ivankov glanced between them one last time before throwing his hands up in the air, striking a grand pose. "HEEE-HAW!" he bellowed, making the forest canopy tremble. "If Dragon-boy trusts you, then the Kamabakka Kingdom trusts you!"
He spun around dramatically on one heel, pointing at his subordinates. "You! Get the finest guest rooms ready! And send our best shipwrights to fix the Black Pearl right away!"
Jack immediately raised a single finger, as if giving instructions. "And rum."
Ivankov blinked in surprise. "...Rum?"
"Yes, darling. A whole lot of rum, if you don't mind. Ideally by the barrel, but I'm more than happy to accept a steady stream of bottles."
Gibbs let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "I knew that would be his first request."
Jack feigned deep offense, placing a hand over his heart. "My first request was technically for ship repairs, Master Gibbs! The rum was just... a vital, life-sustaining necessity."
"You asked for it within three seconds of them offering help, Captain."
"I showed remarkable, agonizing restraint!"
Ivankov erupted into a booming, theatrical laugh, his massive afro bouncing. "Hee-haw! I like this pirate! Bring them the rum!"