"It's because of the war," Catherine explained. "They can't afford to waste any resources."
"How long has this war been going on?" Shirakawa asked.
"I don't know exactly. It's been going on since before I was born, for decades at least. It started during my great-grandfather's reign, but it was just minor skirmishes back then. It's escalated recently."
"How did you end up here alone, then? Surely you didn't travel this far by yourself."
Catherine gritted her teeth. "There's a traitor in our country. He led me outside the city, where soldiers from the Goa Kingdom ambushed me. I was captured easily. But when they were taking me back, I managed to escape."
"Escape? How? You're not exactly a warrior." Shirakawa was surprised.
"I had some drugs with me. I slipped them into their food while they were cooking. When they passed out, I ran."
"You were lucky. If even one of them hadn't eaten, you wouldn't have escaped. But why were you carrying drugs?"
"They're for pranks," Catherine said sheepishly.
"Pranks with drugs? You're quite the troublemaker," Shirakawa said, shaking his head. "I wonder if your father sent you to the Goa Kingdom to get rid of you."
"No! My father would never do that!" Catherine protested.
"Alright, alright. I believe you."
Shirakawa had learned a lot about Catherine and her country through their conversations. Unlike the country they were currently in, which focused on military power, the Mole Kingdom prioritized domestic affairs. While their military might not be as strong, they had the best internal governance of the three countries, and their people had a strong sense of national identity.
"What about you? Where are you from?" Catherine asked, curious about her companions.
"Buggy and I are from the West Blue," Shanks said, draping his arm around Buggy's shoulders.
"The West Blue? Buggy, you're from the West Blue? I thought you were from the East Blue!" Shirakawa said, surprised. He remembered Buggy being from the East Blue in the original story.
"Of course, I'm from the West Blue! The East Blue is full of strong people. I'd be overshadowed there," Buggy scoffed.
"What do you mean?"
"Look at the Captain and the First Mate. They're both from the East Blue. Even Garp, the Marine hero, is from there. If I were from the East Blue, I'd probably be as strong as the First Mate by now."
Shirakawa rolled his eyes. "With your personality, it wouldn't matter where you were born. If you want to get stronger, you should try finding a powerful Devil Fruit to eat."
"No way! A Devil Fruit worth hundreds of millions of berries? That's a waste! It's better to sell it and get rich."
"You're such a miser. If you're not strong, you can't protect your wealth."
"What about you? Where are you from?" Catherine asked Shirakawa.
"Me? I'm from the sky," Shirakawa said, pointing upwards.
"The sky? Are you serious?" Catherine looked at him skeptically.
"I'm not lying. Ask them. They saw me fall from the sky," Shirakawa insisted.
"It's true. He did fall from the sky. We were all shocked," Shanks confirmed.
'I still don't understand how I ended up on the Oro Jackson,' Shirakawa thought. 'Maybe it was Roger's Conqueror's Haki that drew me here.'
"Wow, that's amazing," Catherine said, but her tone was unconvincing.
"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do," Shirakawa shrugged.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of galloping hooves approaching rapidly.
"What's wrong, Shirakawa?" Shanks asked, noticing his sudden seriousness.
"Someone's coming towards us. It's probably an enemy."
Shirakawa spotted a black-scaled horse charging towards them.
As the horse drew closer, Catherine saw the rider's bulky figure and her face paled.
"Who is that?" Shirakawa asked, sensing her fear.
"That's General Dagmar, the 'Butcher of Bruma.' He's both the governor and the military leader of this city."
"I see. So he's after us."
Dagmar halted his horse, his eyes filled with lust as he looked at Catherine.
"Princess Catherine, why did you leave without saying goodbye? That was very disrespectful."
Catherine shrank behind Shirakawa in fear.
"Oh, you're going to say they kidnapped you? Don't worry. I'll kill them all and personally escort you back to the city."
Catherine trembled at his words.
"Hey, you pig-faced oaf! Stop talking nonsense!" Buggy shouted, disgusted by Dagmar's arrogance.
"Pig? How dare you call me a pig!" Dagmar's face darkened.
"That's right, you fat pig! And you think you can kill us? Try it if you dare!"
Buggy's sudden bravery surprised everyone, including himself.
"I'll start with you, then!" Dagmar charged at Buggy, his machete raised.
Buggy was terrified, not expecting the obese man to be so agile.
Shanks reacted quickly, drawing his sword and blocking Dagmar's attack just in time. Shanks was a man of action. He didn't waste time talking when a fight was brewing.