As the Going Merry approached Whiskey Peak, the crew marveled at the sight of the town. Unlike the usual hostile or abandoned islands they'd come across, Whiskey Peak welcomed them with open arms. The townsfolk lined the shore, waving enthusiastically as the ship docked.
"Welcome, great pirates!" a man with a long mustache and an extravagant feathered hat called out. "Welcome to Whiskey Peak! A paradise for all seafarers!"
Sanji's eyes twinkled as he spotted a group of beautiful women among the welcoming crowd. "This place is heaven!" he declared, nearly drooling.
"They're awfully friendly for a town in the Grand Line," Zoro muttered, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
Luffy, however, didn't share Zoro's skepticism. "Who cares?! Let's eat!" he declared, leaping off the ship with excitement.
The crew was quickly led into the heart of the town, where a grand feast had been prepared in their honor. Tables filled with roasted meats, fresh seafood, and barrels of ale lined the streets. Laughter and music filled the air as the townsfolk celebrated the arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"You guys sure know how to treat guests!" Usopp said, stuffing his mouth with food. "I could get used to this!"
"It's nice to finally visit a place that isn't trying to kill us," Nami commented, sipping a glass of wine.
Zoro, however, wasn't convinced. He sat with his arms crossed, watching the festivities with a wary eye. Something about the situation didn't sit right with him.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the crew, in a darkened alleyway, two figures observed the Straw Hats from the shadows. One of them, a man dressed as a regal noble with a curly mustache and an elaborate robe, turned to his companion—a blue-haired woman wearing a veil over her face.
"Princess Vivi, you're certain about this?" the man, Igarappoi, asked.
Vivi nodded. "Yes, I told you, I believe in them. They can help us save Alabasta."
"But they are pirates! How can we trust them?" Igarappoi insisted. "If they betray us, the kingdom will be doomed."
Vivi took a deep breath. "I understand your concerns, but I've been observing them closely. I believe they are our best hope. We must trust them."
Igarappoi frowned but said nothing further, continuing to observe the Straw Hats as they indulged in the festivities.
As the night wore on, one by one, the crew began to succumb to exhaustion. The food and drinks had been plentiful, and their long journey had left them weary. Luffy, Usopp, and Nami collapsed into deep slumbers, while Sanji fell asleep surrounded by a group of giggling women.
Only Zoro remained awake, leaning against a wooden post, his swords still strapped to his side.
Then, in the dead of night, the mood shifted. The once friendly townsfolk turned silent, their cheerful smiles replaced with cold, calculating expressions. Stealthily, they surrounded the unconscious Straw Hats, brandishing weapons.
Igarappoi stepped forward, his mustache twitching as he raised a hand to signal the ambush. "Now, we take them!"
Before anyone could move, a voice cut through the night. "I'd reconsider if I were you."
The attackers froze as Zoro rose from his spot, cracking his neck lazily. "You guys were way too eager to welcome us," he said, gripping the hilt of his sword. "It was obvious something was off."
Igarappoi's eyes narrowed. "You noticed?"
Zoro smirked. "Of course. You lot are just bad actors."
With a blur of movement, Zoro unsheathed his swords, slicing through the weapons of the closest attackers in an instant. The townsfolk gasped, some stumbling backward in fear.
"He's too fast!"
"He's strong! We underestimated him!"
The battle erupted as Zoro single-handedly fended off wave after wave of attackers. The sound of clashing steel and the cries of the defeated filled the streets. Despite being outnumbered, Zoro showed no signs of fatigue, cutting down enemies left and right.
Igarappoi's expression twisted in frustration. "This man… he's a monster!"
Before Zoro could finish off the last of the ambushers, a new threat emerged. From the rooftops, two figures leaped down, landing gracefully in the town square.
Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.
Mr. 5, a tall man with a confident smirk, dusted off his coat. "Well, well. What do we have here?"
Miss Valentine giggled, twirling an umbrella. "Looks like someone ruined the party."
Igarappoi and the remaining agents stiffened at the sight of the newcomers. "What are you two doing here?" he demanded.
Mr. 5's smirk widened. "Orders from Mr. 0. We're here to eliminate a spy."
Zoro tensed. "A spy?"
Miss Valentine grinned, pointing directly at Vivi. "That would be her."
Vivi's eyes widened as all eyes turned to her.
Zoro's grip on his swords tightened. "Looks like things just got a lot more complicated."
Back on the Going Merry, Luffy suddenly opened his eyes. He sat up, stretching his arms before yawning.
"Something wrong, Captain?" Usopp mumbled, half-asleep.
Luffy grinned. "Nah, I just get the feeling it's time to fight."
With that, he leaped off the ship and headed toward the town, the thrill of battle already coursing through his veins.