**Whiskey Peak, First Island of Paradise – Grand Line**
**The night of their arrival**
The town square of Whiskey Peak looked like it had been built for celebrations that never quite ended.
Lanterns hung from every eave and balcony, casting warm amber light over long wooden tables that groaned under platters of roasted fish, grilled vegetables, fresh bread, and barrels of dark ale. A small band played lively strings and drums in one corner—music that made feet tap even when people were too tired to dance. Women in bright dresses moved between tables, refilling mugs and laughing at every joke. Men in loose shirts clapped newcomers on the back like old friends. The air smelled of salt, smoke, citrus, and something sweeter—honeyed rum, perhaps.
The banner strung across the main street read in bold, hand-painted letters:
**WELCOME HEROES OF NAVY!**
**DRINK! EAT! REST! THE GRAND LINE SALUTES YOU!**
Luffy arrived first—still damp from the ship's deck spray, straw hat crooked, eyes wide as he took in the feast. He didn't wait for permission. He just walked straight to the nearest table, grabbed a whole roasted leg of some large sea beast, and tore into it with both hands.
"Mmmph! This place has GREAT meat!"
The townsfolk cheered louder.
Sanji followed two steps behind.
And froze.
Beautiful women everywhere.
Barmaids with flowing hair and bright smiles. Dancers with long legs and swaying hips. The mayor's daughter—tall, dark-haired, laughing as she poured drinks. Even the older women at the food tables had a graceful charm that made Sanji's cigarette drop from his lips.
His eyes became twin hearts.
He spun once—slow, dramatic—arms wide.
"Mellorineeee~ ♥ Paradise has welcomed us with open arms and radiant beauty! Ladies of Whiskey Peak~! Allow this humble gentleman chef to express my eternal gratitude with a feast worthy of your grace!"
Nosebleed imminent.
He rushed forward—already pulling a small notebook from his jacket to jot down special requests.
"Tell me your favorite dishes, my angels~! Seafood risotto? Tangerine-glazed duck? My heart on a silver platter~?!"
Nami appeared behind him like a storm cloud.
She grabbed his ear.
"We're on a mission. Not a speed-dating event."
Sanji clutched his chest.
"But Nami-swan~! The call of beauty is irresistible!"
Usopp—trailing last—stared at the scene.
"This… this is my life now, isn't it?"
Zoro snorted.
"Get used to it."
Koby adjusted his glasses nervously.
"Everyone's… really friendly."
Nami's eyes narrowed.
"Too friendly."
The mayor—a round, jovial man with a thick mustache—approached with open arms.
"Heroes! Come, come! Eat! Drink! You've earned it after Cocoyasi. The whole island is yours tonight!"
Luffy—mouth full—gave a thumbs-up.
"Thanks! This is awesome!"
Tables were pulled closer. Mugs were pressed into hands. Music swelled.
Sanji recovered enough to start cooking—taking over a corner grill with borrowed ingredients, flirting shamelessly with every woman who came near.
"Beautiful lady~! This skewer is seasoned with love just for you~ ♥"
The women giggled. Sanji spun. Nami facepalmed.
Usopp tried to blend in—raising a mug he didn't drink from, telling a story to a small crowd.
"And then—I swear on my life—I sniped Arlong from a kilometer away! One shot! Right between the eyes!"
The crowd oohed.
Zoro—sitting at the edge of the square with one sword across his knees—muttered:
"Keep exaggerating and I'll cut your nose shorter."
Usopp gulped.
"Right. Uh. Maybe it was… closer."
Koby sat beside Nami, watching the crowd.
"Something feels… off."
Nami nodded.
"Too many scars for fishermen. Too many weapons hidden under cloaks. Same faces reappearing in different outfits."
She glanced at the mayor—still smiling, still pouring drinks.
"They know exactly who we are."
Koby swallowed.
"Bounty hunters?"
"Probably."
Luffy—still eating—was slower now.
He chewed thoughtfully.
Noticed the way people stared a little too long.
Smiles a little too wide.
He didn't say anything yet.
Just kept eating.
Slower.
The banquet stretched into the night.
The squad was eventually herded toward the inn—rooms already prepared, "the best in town," the mayor insisted.
"Rest well, heroes. Tomorrow we'll show you the real Whiskey Peak!"
Luffy grinned.
"Can't wait!"
But as they walked through the lantern-lit streets, Nami whispered:
"Don't drink anything they give you after midnight."
Sanji—still dreamy from the women—sobered instantly.
"A gentleman never dulls his senses around ladies~"
Zoro grunted.
"Something's off."
Usopp clutched his slingshot.
"We're surrounded."
Koby nodded.
"We need to stay together."
They reached the inn—a two-story building with wide balconies and flower boxes.
Rooms were assigned: two per room.
Luffy and Usopp in one.
Zoro and Sanji in another.
Nami and Koby in the last (Nami insisted on separate from the boys).
Doors closed.
But no one slept.
At 1:30 a.m., Nami slipped out—quiet as a shadow.
She moved through back alleys, log pose in hand, mapping escape routes.
Found a hidden shed behind the tavern.
Inside: weapons. Lots of them. Swords, rifles, nets, chains.
And bounty posters—fresh ones.
Their faces on top.
Wanted: Provisional Squad 153-Alpha.
Alive preferred. Dead acceptable.
High reward.
Nami's jaw tightened.
She returned to the inn.
Knocked softly on every door.
The squad gathered in Luffy and Usopp's room—lamps low, voices lower.
Nami laid it out.
"Bounty hunters. The whole town. They get Marines drunk, rob them, sell them to pirates. Or worse."
Usopp's face went white.
"We're surrounded."
Zoro cracked his knuckles.
"Finally some action."
Sanji's eyes narrowed—swooning gone.
"No one ruins a party for beautiful ladies."
(Though he added under his breath: "Even if they're not real angels~")
Koby whispered:
"We can't fight an entire town."
Luffy sat cross-legged on the floor—chewing the last piece of meat he'd smuggled from dinner.
He looked up.
"They lied to us. Pretended to be friends."
His grin faded.
"I don't like liars who hurt people."
He stood.
"We're not running."
Usopp stared.
"What do we do?"
Luffy looked toward the window—the square still lit, music faint now.
"We fix this."
He grinned again—small, dangerous.
"Together."
They stepped out into the moonlit streets—no battle yet.
Just six people walking toward the central square.
Where the "mayor" waited—still smiling.
And a sword hidden behind his back.
The Grand Line's first test had begun.
To be continued…