Phoenix Reborn In One Piece

The road from the forest to the town was packed with people.

Everyone had heard the news. The Dream Exploration Team, which had been in the terrifying forest for over half a month, might have finally completed the map for Red Adventure Island!

These past few days, many people had feared something bad happened to the team. After all, no one had ever lasted more than ten days in there.

But not only did the team survive over fifteen days in that forest—they came back safely.

Everyone was shocked.

"They're here!"

No one knew who shouted it first, but it instantly caught everyone's attention.

People stretched their necks and looked eagerly toward the forest's edge, their eyes full of curiosity and excitement.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Dream Exploration Team finally came into view.

Their steps were steady, their faces showed signs of exhaustion but also pride. Every step they took tugged at the crowd's hearts, sparking cheers and gasps of amazement.

————

"No way..."

"All these people came just to welcome us? That's kind of scary..."

Nojiko stared at the crowd in disbelief.

"Did we... do something amazing... and now the whole town knows about it?"

Anya also looked a bit lost as she saw the packed streets.

"I don't know, but I get the feeling... we really *did* do something big, and now everyone's shocked by it."

Ryuen said calmly.

...

Soon, the team made their way onto the street, and the same uncle from last time came out to greet them.

"My lords, fifteen days... fifteen whole days! You've finally come back!"

The uncle kept exclaiming. His warm and familiar tone, mixed with real concern, made the team feel even more puzzled.

"Hahaha~"

"Uncle, I mean, we *are* on an island chain, so it's normal for things to take a bit longer. Isn't that right? But this crowd of yours..."

Robin trailed off and glanced around at the people.

"And you don't think this is strange?"

The uncle's voice got a little sharper.

"This isn't just strange—it's a miracle!

Ever since rumors about treasure on this island started going around, tons of people have entered that forest full of hope.

But none of them ever lasted more than ten days!"

"That ancient forest is full of danger. I'm sure you all felt it during your time in there.

But now you've not only stayed in there for fifteen days, you also came back safe and sound. Isn't that something worth celebrating?"

The uncle's voice grew more and more emotional, and his face was full of admiration.

The team looked at each other.

So *that's* what this was all about...

"But... still, this many people welcoming us back? Uncle, the way the whole street looks right now—it's a bit *too* much..."

Nami felt a little awkward.

"Hahaha~"

"They all came because they were worried about you. When you were in that forest for fifteen days straight, everyone on the island thought you'd ended up like all the other adventurers before."

"But now that you've all come back safely, everyone was really happy when they heard the news. That's why they all came out to the street to welcome you," the uncle explained with a warm chuckle.

"That's right!"

"All of us were so relieved to know the members of the Dream Exploration Team are back safe!"

"Yeah!"

"I knew nothing bad would happen to kind people like you!"

"This whole thing was really scary. If something had happened to you all, those poor kids out at sea might have ended up orphans again…"

"Exactly. We're just glad you made it back safely!"

…

The people gathered in the street spoke excitedly, sharing how worried they had been over the past few days.

Hearing the noisy voices around them, the Dream Team finally understood what was going on—it turned out everyone had been worried something bad had happened to them…

And honestly, what they said wasn't wrong. If the team had really been in trouble, the orphanage in East Blue probably would've fallen apart.

"Sorry for making everyone worry!"

"You're all right, the forest really was dangerous—poisonous creatures everywhere. But we have the best doctor in the world with us, so don't worry! Our whole Dream Exploration Team made it back safe and sound!" Nami shouted happily.

"Thank you all for your concern…" the team said gratefully.

Ryuen felt a little emotional at that moment. It seemed there were still many good people on this sea. The power-hungry ones were only a few compared to these kind-hearted folks.

Robin was writing everything down in her notebook.

To her, what happened today felt meaningful, so she wanted to record it all.

…

"Heh heh heh heh…"

A deep, raspy laugh rang out, as if it came from the depths of the underworld. It sent chills down everyone's spine.

"So you're all safe, huh? Looks like you beat it. No… it must've not been there!

And I'm guessing… you got the treasure too, right?" The voice was full of mockery and pride, like everything was playing out just as he expected.

The sudden voice made the noisy street fall completely silent. People stopped what they were doing and looked around in shock.

Everyone's eyes were now on the Dream Exploration Team because of this strange man and his words.

People were full of questions and curiosity. They all wanted to know if the legendary treasure had really been found.

For a while, the street was dead silent, with only the soft breeze brushing by, bringing a slight chill.

But the silence didn't last long. Soon, people began whispering. The murmurs grew louder and louder, until it turned into a noisy buzz.

Excitement showed on everyone's faces.

In the middle of the noise, the team members exchanged glances.

So… this guy finally showed up.

From what he said, they were already pretty sure who this person was—or at least who he worked for.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, a hunched old man with one arm stepped out, and again, the street filled with gasps and murmurs.

Anyone who lived on this island knew who he was. The old man with one arm was a well-known figure in the town!

"It's you?"

"The one-armed old man?" Even the port manager looked confused when he saw him.

But the old man didn't respond. He just stared at the Dream Exploration Team.

"When we came out of the forest, I felt someone spying on us with bad intentions. Looks like that was you," Kuina said coldly as she stepped forward, drawing her sword, Wado Ichimonji.

"Where's the treasure?!"

The one-armed old man didn't answer Kuina. Instead, a wild, crazed expression spread across his face.

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