I'm A Plunderer In The World Of One Piece.

"Shirogai, Usopp, it's snowing!"

"Let's build a snowman! Shirogai, Luffy, let's have a snowman-building competition!"

"Wow! Shirogai, you actually carved a snow dragon… and it's cool!"

…

"It's getting foggy."

"Nami, about one kilometer ahead there are several small icebergs. Adjust course to avoid them early."

"There are icebergs?! Good thing you saw them in advance, Shirogai. We would've crashed for sure!"

"Luffy, Usopp! Quit that snowball fight and take the helm! We're about to hit an iceberg!"

…

"Nami, the wind is shifting. A storm front is approaching fast."

"A gale?! Lower the sails quickly!"

"Good thing we acted early. If we hadn't, the sails would've been torn to shreds."

…

"Nami, did you check the Log Pose? The ship's veering off course."

"The Log Pose direction... you're right! We're drifting!"

"The wind and waves haven't changed, but the Going Merry is misaligned with the Log Pose!"

"Sanji! Turn the rudder 180 degrees! Hurry!"

"Understood, Nami-san~"

…

"Zoro! Wake up! Time to work!"

"Zzzzzz..."

…

"Hey! You two! Come help us!"

"Miss Valentine sure knows how to order people around!"

"Mr. 9, just put up with it for now. Once we return to Whiskey Peak, we can properly deal with them."

"Less talking, more working!"

"Yes, Big Sis!"

…

In just half a day, Nami experienced firsthand how ruthless the Grand Line could be.

Finally, the winds calmed and the sea stilled.

"Hmph, let it come! Gales, blizzards, heavy fog—none of it scares me anymore!"

Standing boldly at the bow of the Going Merry, Nami gazed at the slightly misty horizon.

"The Grand Line isn't easy. All my navigation knowledge from East Blue is practically useless here… This really is the most dangerous sea."

In her quiet moment, she stole a glance at Shirogai beside her. He smiled calmly, unfazed.

She was deeply relieved.

If Shirogai hadn't been here, I would've panicked long ago. The Going Merry would've crashed into an iceberg, or worse. But thanks to him, we made it through safely.

The ship had crossed the chaotic waters without even a scratch.

Shirogai glanced at Nami, whose shoulders still seemed a little tense.

"Nami, relax. We've made it through the first stage."

Her eyes lit up.

"That means… the first island?"

"Yeah. Cactus Island is just ahead."

The Straw Hat crew gathered on deck, their faces full of excitement.

The mist thinned, revealing a jagged island covered in tall, thorny cacti.

"Whoa! Is this our first island on the Grand Line?!"

"Those cacti are huge!"

"Hehehe! Look at all the thorns!"

Vivi and Mr. 9 jumped up onto the railing.

"Thanks for the ride, sweethearts!"

Striking dramatic poses, they grinned in unison.

"Farewell for now. Bye-bye, baby~"

With synchronized grace, they backflipped off the ship and swam toward Whiskey Peak.

On deck:

"Princess Vivi swims so gracefully..." Sanji swooned.

Nami let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Phew… good thing Vivi's acting was convincing.Mr.9 didn't suspect a thing."

"Heh."

Shirogai smiled faintly, keeping his thoughts to himself.

For someone who managed to hide her identity as a princess while infiltrating a criminal organization, her acting is naturally top-tier.

After deciding to support Vivi, the crew and the princess had laid out a plan.

Vivi and Mr. 9 would pretend to be recaptured by Shirogai and the crew. Mr. 9 would discover his Log Pose was gone, and after pleading with them, they'd be 'escorted' to Cactus Island.

Once there, Vivi would carry out the next stage: fake a failed mission and use Whiskey Peak's communications to contact Baroque Works' top brass, gathering more evidence of Crocodile's conspiracy.

At the moment, the clues Vivi had found were insufficient to expose Crocodile's betrayal. The citizens of Alabasta saw him as a hero. More concrete proof was needed.

Once that proof was in hand, Shirogai, Luffy, and the others would accompany Vivi to Alabasta and help her reveal the truth about the Warlord, Crocodile.

Plans never survive contact with reality, Shirogai thought. And something tells me things will start to change… fast.

The Going Merry approached the docks of Whiskey Peak.

"Look, it's the adventurers!"

"Welcome to Whiskey Peak!"

The crowd erupted with cheers, waving and calling out with enthusiasm.

…

Elsewhere—

On an island not far from Cactus Island…

Inside a dark chamber, a Den Den Mushi spoke.

"Mr. 5, Miss Valentine. Abort your current assignment. You have a new mission."

"Understood."

A pause.

"[My identity has been compromised. The traitor is among the executive agents. Head to Whiskey Town immediately. Eliminate all who know the truth. Leave no survivors.]"

Miss Valentine grinned. Mr. 5 lit a match.

"Understood, boss. We'll make sure no one lives to talk."

…

Back in Whiskey Town—

"Cheers! Cheers! Cheers!"

A large group surrounded a long banquet table, drinking and laughing.

"Whoa! That's the tenth cup for the swordsman!"

"And the twelfth for the lady! Impressive!"

A drunken man slumped over.

"I... I give up. These two can seriously drink…"

…

"Hmph! That Marine captain tried to catch me with smoke! I just whoosh—blew him away with one breath!"

Usopp puffed out his chest as he told his 'heroic' tale to a group of amazed listeners.

"Wow! Usopp san is amazing!"

…

"More meat! Keep it coming!"

Luffy was on his fourth table, eating enough to make the local chefs collapse.

The three head chefs fainted from exhaustion in the kitchen.

…

"That guy's proposing to a dozen girls at once!"

"Are these people for real?!"

"No, the craziest one is that chef! His cooking is so good people are crying!"

In the crowded kitchen, residents of Whiskey Town pressed close, watching in awe as Shirogai prepared dish after dish.

"This is... this is divine!"

"I can die happy after tasting this!"

"My mom's smiling at me from heaven! Mama, I'm coming!"

"Someone grab a chili! This guy passed out from joy!"

"He's so handsome!"

A crowd of young women—including nuns—surrounded the kitchen doorway, eyes sparkling.

"Shirogai-san, your food is amazing! Can you teach us?"

"Can you come to my room and show me how to cook?"

"Hold my hand and teach me how to cut vegetables… please?"

---

Thanks for the Powerstones.