The sun hung high in the sky as the crew disembarked from their ship, the Sorbet Kingdom stretching out before them with its sandy beaches and bustling marketplace. The air buzzed with the sounds of vendors calling out their wares, and the tantalizing scents of street food wafted through the streets.
"Alright, crew, let's split up for now," Koby announced, looking at each of them. "We need to gather information and supplies, and then we can regroup later."
"Sounds good!" Lila said, already eyeing a nearby stall with vibrant fabrics and trinkets. "I'll go shopping! There's bound to be some awesome stuff here."
Te chuckled, watching as Lila dashed off toward the market. "You're going to spend all our money on useless baubles, aren't you?"
"Shut up! I have a keen eye for treasure!" Lila called back, not bothering to turn around.
"Hey, I'm going to find a hotel," Ronin said, rubbing his eyes. "I need a nap after that duel. All this excitement is exhausting."
"Good luck with that," Te said with a grin. "Just don't get too comfortable. We need you awake for our next adventure."
Ronin shrugged. "I'll be fine. I'll catch up with you guys later." With that, he wandered off toward the nearest hotel, hoping for a quiet room and a comfortable bed.
Koby turned to Te, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's check out that bar over there. I need a drink after all this walking."
"Lead the way, Captain," Te replied, a playful smirk on his face as they made their way through the vibrant streets.
As they approached the bar, they could hear the sounds of laughter and music spilling out into the street. The atmosphere inside was lively, with patrons mingling and clinking their glasses together in celebration. Koby pushed open the door, and they stepped into the warm, inviting space.
"First round's on you," Te teased, nudging Koby as they found a spot at the bar.
"Yeah, right," Koby shot back, rolling his eyes. "I'm not made of money."
Te leaned closer to the barmaid, a cheerful woman with bright eyes and a wide smile. "Two drinks, please! Something strong!"
"Coming right up!" she replied, pouring their drinks with a flourish.
Meanwhile, Lila was weaving her way through the market, excitement bubbling within her. She stopped at a stall filled with colorful fabrics, running her fingers over the silky materials. "This would make a great addition to my outfit," she muttered to herself, picking up a bright blue scarf. The vendor noticed her interest and approached.
"Ah, a keen shopper! This scarf is handmade and one of a kind," the vendor said, puffing out his chest with pride. "How about it?"
Lila grinned, haggling playfully until she settled on a price. "I'll take it!" she declared, tossing the scarf over her shoulder. She continued her exploration, stopping at stalls filled with jewelry, fruits, and even weapons. She paused at one particularly striking item—a silver dagger with intricate engravings.
"How much for this one?" Lila asked, her eyes gleaming with interest.
The vendor raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on his lips. "Ah, a discerning eye! That piece is rare; I'll let it go for a fair price."
Back at the bar, Koby and Te clinked their glasses together and took a sip. Koby winced slightly, the alcohol burning his throat. "Wow, that's stronger than I expected."
Te laughed, enjoying the drink. "You'll get used to it. Besides, we've got a reputation to uphold as pirates!"
The two exchanged stories, laughter ringing out as they reminisced about their adventures. The bar was alive with music, and soon enough, Te was standing up, swaying to the rhythm.
"Let's get a round of shots!" Te shouted, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Shots? You think I'm made of stone?" Koby replied, chuckling as he tried to keep his balance.
"Come on! You're the captain; it's your duty to lead us into battle!" Te insisted, slapping Koby on the back.
"Alright, fine. But if we end up regretting this tomorrow, I'm blaming you," Koby said, shaking his head with a grin.
After downing a few shots, Koby's confidence grew, and he began to loosen up. "You know, maybe being a pirate isn't so bad after all," he admitted, the alcohol making him more open than usual.
Te raised his glass in agreement. "Here's to the Hunter Pirates! May we sail the seas and live freely!"
The brother now in a quiet corner in the bar.
"Hey, Koby," Te said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "There's something important I need to tell you."
Koby straightened up, sensing the change in Te's demeanor. "What's up?"
Te took a deep breath, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "You know about Bartholomew Kuma, right? The warlord?"
"Yeah, what about him?" Koby asked, crossing his arms.
Te lowered his voice. "Well, it turns out he has a daughter. Her name is Bonney."
Koby's brow furrowed in confusion. "Bonney? You mean the Bonney who's a notorious pirate?"
"Yeah, that's the one," Te confirmed, his eyes serious. "But there's more. She's being held captive here by a CP8 agent. From what I've heard, the agent is pretty weak, but Bonney… she's just a little girl."
Koby's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing. "A little girl? Are you serious? We can't just leave her here!"
"I know," Te replied, his voice firm. "We need to rescue her."
Koby's expression hardened with determination. "I'm ready whenever you are. Just tell me what we need to do."
Te nodded, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "Okay, we just need to be careful. I'm not too worried about the CP8 agent, but there are a lot of strong life energies here, especially one near the church where I believe Bonney is being held."
Koby's brow furrowed as he considered this. "Yeah, I sensed it too. Who do you think it could be?"
Te hesitated, his gaze drifting toward the distant silhouette of the church, shrouded in shadows. "The other energies seem to be either marines or CP agents in disguise, but that strongest one… I'm almost certain it's either a Gorosei or our deadbeat father."
Koby's eyes widened slightly. "Okay... I think I have a grasp on how strong Kizaru is, but what about the Gorosei?"
Te grimaced at the thought. "Well, we would definitely lose. I'm certain of that."
Koby let out a low whistle. "That strong, huh?"
"Not only that," Te continued, his voice serious. "They can summon each other. I have no idea how it works, so it's better not to engage them until Ronin and Lila are strong enough."
Koby nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "So, we wait for the right moment, then."
"Exactly. We need to gather more intel first, find out where Bonney is being held and how many guards are around her. We can't just charge in blindly."
"I'll keep my eyes and ears open," Koby said, a determined glint in his eye. "We'll figure this out together."