Kawamatsu followed the direction the aroma was coming from, but he had no idea his movements had already attracted someone's attention.
The group who had been roasting fish around the campfire — Buggy and the others — exchanged glances, then all turned their eyes toward the bushes where the noise had come from.
Under Iris's slightly intimidating gaze, Buggy reluctantly separated one of his arms from his body.
They had come to the Guardian Forest to search for bandits, so they were already on high alert. The moment they heard the noise, they had reacted immediately.
They didn't take it too seriously though. After all, there were plenty of wild animals in the forest. If the bandits were that easy to find, then Shutenmaru and the troops from the administrative district wouldn't have come back empty-handed.
"Careful, it's coming out."
Enel warned. Felicity, out of fear, had nearly shrunk entirely behind Iris.
"Is it going to be a wild animal, or a bandit?"
Buggy was actually excited. His right hand was no longer attached to his wrist — using the cover of the forest, it had circled around behind the source of the sound, ready to launch a surprise attack.
To be fair, the Bara Bara no Mi didn't boost Buggy's combat power all that much, but it did give him plenty of room to dodge. The Detach and Transfer technique could evade most attacks.
And since it was an active skill, even Haki had difficulty grabbing hold of his body.
Just as they were watching tensely, a green, duck-webbed hand reached out from the bushes.
Then, a green-skinned creature walked out, eyes half-closed, looking like some kind of monster.
"What is this thing... A turtle? A frog?"
Buggy tilted his head, clearly deep in thought.
"A kappa, maybe?"
Iris had actually heard of such legendary creatures.
"Oh no, people!"
The sound of their voices jolted Kawamatsu out of his grilled-fish-scented daze. He seemed to freeze in place, petrified, not knowing what to do. He was terrified that a group of armed adults might suddenly rush out from somewhere and attack him.
Buggy felt that the creature before him looked pretty dim. The guy had gone straight into a defensive crouch without Buggy even making a move. Too bad a creature like this wasn't cute even when cowering.
So Buggy glanced at Iris. After seeing her nod, he followed the original plan and had his right hand sneak up from behind and knock Kawamatsu out.
"This is my first time seeing a kappa. I didn't know they actually existed."
After Kawamatsu passed out, Iris found a vine and tied him up against a tree.
"I still think it looks more like a turtle."
Buggy reattached his arm, then pinched his chin and started pondering.
"Tell me, do you think this thing tastes like turtle when you cook it?"
"No way, that's disgusting. I'm not eating something that can talk."
Whether it was Enel or Iris, or even Felicity, their faces were all etched with refusal.
"Fine..."
Buggy spread his hands helplessly.
But just as the others thought he had dropped this crazy idea, they watched him walk over to Kawamatsu, ready to toss him into the campfire.
"Then don't blame me for eating it all myself."
"Iris, lend me your sword."
"No way! Don't you have your own knife? And don't eat something like that!"
Iris whacked him on the head with her sword sheath, finally managing to make Buggy abandon his curiosity about the taste.
"Come to think of it, I think I heard that Lord Ren had people looking for a cat, a dog, and a kappa."
Enel suddenly recalled some news he had heard at the training camp recently. Quite a few people had been assigned to the coastline of Kuri.
"Seriously?"
Buggy wore an expression of disbelief.
He couldn't fathom why Lord Ren would want to find a creature like this.
"Ugly, and not even strong..."
"Mind your own business when it comes to Lord Ren's affairs!"
Iris snapped irritably. She wasn't about to indulge Buggy's attitude.
Buggy shrank back. He had forgotten that there was a diehard fan of Lord Ren right here.
Actually, he respected Lord Ren too, but everyone had different personalities.
Buggy was just the type who couldn't help running his mouth. Sometimes he really was a bit obnoxious.
"Ah... where am I... don't kill me!"
"I'm not a bad kappa!"
At that moment, Kawamatsu, who had been knocked unconscious, slowly came to. After discovering he was tied to a tree, he became absolutely terrified.
"Sure enough, a kappa."
Iris nodded happily and continued, "Since Lord Ren is looking for this person, we should take him back with us later."
She was pleased. Clearly, she was delighted that she could be of help. Even Kawamatsu, with his oddly ugly-cute appearance, looked a bit more agreeable to her now.
"If you look at him carefully, he's actually kind of cute."
"Are you crazy? If your eyes are broken, go get them fixed."
On this point, Enel nodded in agreement.
Iris glared at them, but she did have one little follower willing to back her up.
"Actually... I think he's a little cute too..."
Felicity said softly.
"You're hopeless. Donate your eyes already, would you? Right, long-ears?"
Buggy held firm to his position.
"Well... actually, if you look closely... he's, um, probably, maybe, just a tiny bit cute... I think?"
Enel said, his face turning red.
Buggy: ???
So this is what it feels like to be backstabbed by your best friend?
"Um... are you guys not going to kill me...?"
Kawamatsu, still tied up, asked weakly.
"Heh, that depends on your performance."
Buggy immediately started threatening him.
His body reflexively split apart, flying daggers wedged between the fingers of each hand, blades pressed tightly against Kawamatsu's chin.
He nearly scared the already timid kappa into wetting himself.
Truth be told, he never even used throwing knives in actual combat. But sometimes, a little showmanship was good for the soul...
"Don't scare him."
Iris shook her head helplessly.
Since they suspected this kappa was someone Lord Ren was looking for, they certainly wouldn't hurt him.
Besides, the guy didn't look like he had any fighting ability to speak of.
She flicked her blade casually, cleanly severing the vines that bound Kawamatsu.
"We're not going to kill you, but we can't just let you go either. You'll come along with us for now,"
Iris said.
"By the way, do you want some fish? I don't know if kappa eat fish."
"I do!"
At the mention of food, Kawamatsu instantly perked up. He scrambled toward the campfire so fast he nearly dove headfirst into the flames.
[
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