On the shore of a lush island, a huge three-masted warship, the size of a hill, lay washed up on the sand. Flocks of seabirds flew out of the forest nearby, circling above the ship's main mast and making shrill cries.
Hundreds of ant-sized sailors scurried up and down the ship's deck, breathing in the sea breeze, laden with the salty scent of the ocean, and carrying supplies from the hold to the shore.
Soon a temporary camp was set up in a clearing near the forest, consisting of several wooden structures and many tents.
Under a giant coconut tree over 30 meters high, Sonic sat cross-legged on a large rock and asked the young navigator standing next to him with a bored expression:
- By the way, do you know where we are?
- We've strayed from the main route. I need to look at the map.
The navigator took a folded map from under his clothes, removed its waterproof wrapping of oiled paper and laid it out on the sand. He lay down on the ground, studied the map carefully for a few seconds, then pointed with his finger and said in surprise:
- We should be here! Fortunately, the deviation is not too great.
- Yes... let me see!
Sonic curiously craned his neck to look at the map. It turned out that the small island they were on was called "Whirlpool Island" and was located not far from "Sentinel", where Alabasta was located.
The young navigator took a metal ruler, measured the distance on the map and said seriously:
– It only takes us about a day and a half to get to the port of Raps in Alabasta.
- I see...
Sonic stroked his chin thoughtfully, then suddenly asked:
- I vaguely remember that there is a marine base near Alabasta, right?
- Yes, there really is a base there... Are you planning to ask them to send a couple of ships for support?
Although the navigator was young, he was not stupid and immediately understood Sonic's hint.
- Our ship not only got a hole in the bottom, but also accidentally ran aground. This is just the right moment for the marines to come to the rescue! We can rest here for a while.
- But...
- No "buts". Just do as I say and contact the nearest Marine base!
- Yes sir!
Upon hearing the order, the navigator did not object and immediately headed towards the camp. Then he folded the map, wrapped it again in oiled paper and ran to carry out the order.
In fact, this group was very unlucky. The ship they were sailing on had barely escaped the storm zone, and they planned to find a suitable place to anchor on this island. However, the underwater currents around the island were too strong, creating tides and whirlpools. As a result, the ship was thrown ashore by a sudden whirlpool and ended up on the sand.
Now Sonic also knew the name of this island – "Whirlpool Island". And, it must be said, it was completely true!
At this moment, Sonic raised his head, about to pick a coconut from the palm tree, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed Who's who walking out of the camp accompanied by a dozen people.
- By the way, where are you heading?
- I saw animals running in the forest and I'm going to hunt. Do you want to join?
Who's who was wearing a white shirt and holding a black jacket in his hands. His voice sounded lazy.
– Don't we have enough food?
Sonic frowned, not understanding the purpose.
Who's who scratched his head and replied with annoyance:
- I know you asked the navigator to call for help from the marines, but the hold was flooded and most of the supplies were spoiled. There is enough food for three days at most.
- Just for three days... That's not enough time!
Sonic frowned, mentally calculating the time frame, and then said:
- Okay, let's do it this way: bring as much game as possible, and save everything you can.
- You don't need to tell me, I know it myself!
Who's who snorted, turned around, and headed into the forest.
After some time, under his leadership, a group of ten people disappeared into the dense forest.
- Ugh...
Sonic grimaced in displeasure, looked at the green coconut above his head and muttered:
- If it weren't for you, damn...
Boom!
Before he could finish his sentence, a muffled shot rang out in the forest, frightening a flock of birds.
- What is this?!
Sonic raised his eyebrows in surprise:
– Did they really find the game so quickly?
However, he didn't pay much attention to it. After all, Who's who mentioned seeing animals in the forest, so they really were nearby.
Bang-bang-bang... bang-bang-bang...
But the next moment the shots continued, becoming more and more frequent.
- What's happening?
Sonic's expression changed slightly and he exclaimed in surprise: "There is some powerful creature on this island?"
- What's happening?
- Has someone strong appeared on the island?
- Is this the enemy? Maybe the pirates landed on the island before us!
- ...
At this point, the marines and agents in the camp and on the beach also became wary. They grabbed the nearest weapons, preparing to defend themselves.
*Whistling-*
*Rumble–Rumble–Rumble–*
But a moment later, a piercing scream rang out, as if it were tearing the sky apart. Many large trees in the forest fell to the ground, raising thick clouds of dust.
- Breath of the beast...
Sonic's expression turned serious. His Observation Haki spread rapidly, allowing him to detect several powerful "voices" in the forest.
However, the next second, his tense face turned into an expression of shock.
A humanoid shadow flew out of the forest with incredible speed, "clearing" a path through the dense undergrowth. The shrill whistle was the result of the strong friction of the creature's body against the air.
Was that... Who's who?!
In the blink of an eye, like a cannonball flying out of a barrel, he crashed with force into the ship washed up on the shore.
*Bolt-*
There was a deafening roar and dust and smoke flew into the air.
The huge vessel, almost a hundred meters long, shook, especially on the starboard side, where the outer steel plating cracked and dented, creating a huge crater.
Who's who lay unconscious, his eyes white and blood pouring from his nose and mouth. His hybrid form, a combination of human and saber-toothed tiger, was "built" into a huge dent. He quickly reverted to his human form, completely unconscious.
- Captain, I didn't expect to meet anyone from the World Government here!
- Perhaps they were also trying to hide from the storm, Yasopp!
- Lucky Rou, you boy, don't wipe your greasy hands on me!
- Enough, Yasopp!
...
The sounds of gunfire, like the crackling of roasting beans, suddenly died down and voices were heard in the forest.
A moment later, three figures of varying sizes appeared on the "cleared" road, moving along the path that had been "paved" by Who's who body, which had knocked down several large trees.