As the pirate ship docked at the port of Red Leaf Island, its flag, symbolizing pirates, displayed a skull with two iron-clad skeletal arms.
This was the Iron Arm Pirate Crew, led by a captain named Cook, also known as Iron Arm Cook. Hailing from the strongest of the four seas, the South Blue, he carried a bounty as high as 20 million Berries.
Don't underestimate a 20 million Berries bounty. The Great Pirate Era has only just begun, and many who have taken to the seas are still rookies.
Moreover, this is just the first half of the Grand Line, and Iron Arm Cook is already considered a big shot in these waters.
To put things in perspective, before entering the Grand Line, the weakest of the four seas, the East Blue, had an average pirate bounty of only a mere 3 million Berries—equivalent to just 3,000 Choppers.
So, a 20 million Berries bounty for Iron Arm Cook would make him a well-known figure, even in the South Blue, where bounties are generally higher.
When the crew heard their captain arrange for drinks, food, and women before even setting foot on the island, they erupted into cheers.
Why do so many people flock to the seas in this Great Pirate Era? Besides Roger's forceful advertisement, most are driven by the pursuit of wealth and fame.
Upon arriving at an island, they could effortlessly seize a fortune and indulge in reckless behavior—a life of luxury and lawlessness that was nothing short of paradise for idlers and scoundrels.
Of course, to continue living such a carefree life on the seas, one needs to belong to a powerful pirate crew and have a strong captain to back them up.
In the eyes of most of the Iron Arm Pirates, their captain, Iron Arm Cook, was precisely such a powerful figure.
Since setting sail, their crew had grown stronger in the South Blue, even managing to escape multiple naval pursuits, making them quite the sensation.
Their captain had even sunk a small naval ship with a single punch during one such pursuit, earning him the title "Iron Arm" and his hefty bounty.
As soon as the Iron Arm Pirates' ship docked, Cook heard the island's warning bells ringing and sneered.
"Men, the welcoming bells of this island are ringing. Now, let's announce our arrival to this island in true 'Iron Arm Pirate Crew' style!"
Upon hearing Cook's orders, the pirates of the Iron Arm crew grinned wickedly, drew their weapons, and prepared to storm the town from the port.
However, just as the most eager among them were about to charge into the town, they saw a flash of movement before them. Suddenly, they could see their own bodies still running ahead.
A flash of a blade cut through the air, followed by three spurts of blood as three heads flew into the air.
These pirates, who had been leading the charge, probably didn't understand even in their final moments why they could see their own backs.
"Welcoming bells? Why do I hear funeral bells instead?"
With long black hair flowing in the wind, Wood emerged from the opposite side of the Iron Arm Pirates, holding his sheathed sword in one hand and his bloody blade in the other.
The dripping blood on the blade seemed to speak volumes, signaling that this young man, despite his youthful appearance, was not to be trifled with.
The three pirates who lost their heads instantly chilled the excitement of the rest of the crew.
The Iron Arm Pirates had raided many islands from the South Blue to the Grand Line, and they had faced resistance before.
But unless they were dealing with large islands with established nations, the resistance they encountered was usually weak.
Most of their opponents were just ordinary townsfolk who couldn't even put up a fight.
But this young man, Wood, had just killed three of their comrades with a single stroke. They hadn't even seen him draw his blade.
It was clear that this man was no ordinary opponent. Though they were mere pirate grunts, they weren't brainless. Realizing the difference in strength, they hesitated to rush forward to their deaths.
"Interesting, I didn't expect such a small island to have someone like you.
But the world is vast, and if you think your small bit of strength is enough to talk big, you're sorely mistaken if you think you can ignore me, Iron Arm Cook!"
Wood's feat of taking down three pirates with one strike had indeed shaken many of the Iron Arm Pirates, but their captain, Iron Arm Cook, was not so easily intimidated.
Cutting down three grunts was one thing. If Iron Arm Cook wanted, he could punch ten men flying without breaking a sweat.
"Iron Arm Cook? Never heard of you. If you said you were Iron Arm Astro Boy, I might think more highly of you.
But with that name and your clear nobody's face, you're obviously just a background character."
Wood's words left Cook puzzled. In the South Blue, whenever he announced his name, people usually responded with, "So you're the infamous 20 million Berries Cook!"
But Wood clearly wasn't playing by the usual script. Cook didn't know who this Astro Boy was, but he was sure of one thing: he, Iron Arm Cook, was a feared pirate in the South Blue. How could he let this brat disrespect him?
Initially, Cook had planned to send his officers or first mate to deal with Wood, but Wood's taunts had infuriated him.
With a clang of metal, Cook slammed his armored fists together and then leaped toward Wood.
As the massive figure approached, Wood couldn't help but reflect on the bizarre human heights in this world of pirates. Despite all being regular humans, most people here seemed to stand over two meters tall.
At 1.9 meters, Wood would have stood out in his original world, but now, facing Iron Arm Cook, who was at least 2.5 meters tall, he felt almost small.
Cook's iron-clad fist, backed by enormous strength, came crashing down toward where Wood had been standing, accompanied by the sound of the wind slicing through the air.
"Boom!"
The immense force of the blow, combined with the iron gauntlet, caused rocks to fly, creating a basketball-sized crater where Wood had stood.
The lack of impact told Cook that his punch had missed, which only made him more frustrated.
But before he could vent his anger, Wood had already slashed through the dust and sand with a swift blade strike aimed directly at Cook's throat.