Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

On the morning of the fourth day, a heavy snow began to fall.

Snowflakes fell softly onto the deck, quickly accumulating into a thin layer of frost. A chilly mist hung over the sea, blurring the boundary between the distant horizon and the snow-covered fog.

Connor exclaimed and ran out of the cabin, reaching out to catch the falling snowflakes. The icy touch made her instinctively pull her hand away, but she still smiled broadly.

Robin, now wearing a thick cloak, stood beside Bai Yu, gazing at the snow-covered sea with a hint of emotion in her eyes.

Bai Yu raised his hand and brushed away the snowflakes that had fallen on Robin's cloak. His fingertips inadvertently brushed against her neck, touching a patch of delicate skin. As he touched her, Robin's body stiffened slightly, and a blush quietly rose to the tips of her ears.

"In just four days, we experienced all four seasons..."

Robin huddled his hands, red from the cold, and gazed at the swirling snowflakes, unable to help but exclaim in amazement.

"The weather on this Grand Line truly lives up to its reputation."

Robin then looked away and glanced at Bai Yu beside her, meeting his smiling gaze. She nodded slightly.

Bai Yu chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on the faint outline of the distant mountains, a playful smile curving his lips.

When the cluster of white buildings appeared on the horizon, the pointer in Bai Yu's hand stopped jumping wildly and the silver pointer stopped steadily in front of him.

Whiskey Peak, the island known as the welcoming station at the entrance to the Grand Line, awaits intruders with feigned enthusiasm.

"It looks like a nice town." Rangiku stretched, twirling her sake gourd between her fingers, her gaze sweeping over the white houses and the crowds of people coming and going on the streets.

The ship slowly entered the harbor, where the dock was already filled with residents dressed in their finest attire. They wore exaggerated smiles, held fruits and drinks in their hands, and shouted in unison, "Welcome to Whisky Hill!"

Their enthusiastic demeanor made it seem as if they were truly welcoming a long-lost friend.

Robin carried Kanna down the gangway and whispered, "Something's not right. I feel like these people are walking with a steady gait, and there's the outline of weapons hidden at their waists, and..."

She looked up at the group: "It's so obvious. I can feel at least fifty malicious gazes fixed on us."

Unohana, holding Kanna, gently swept her gaze across the crowd, her slender white fingers lightly resting on the hilt of her Zanpakuto: "These people's breathing is erratic, and their heartbeats are faster than normal. They're clearly trying to suppress their tension. Shiraha-kun, it seems we've encountered a special welcoming ceremony. Shall I make my move now?"

"No, aren't you curious?"

Bai Yu simply walked slowly at the front, his black eyes like deep pools, taking in all the feigned smiles and hidden killing intent.

"Warriors who have traveled from afar, come with us into the city!"

An elderly man who appeared to be the town mayor stepped forward, bowed, and gestured an invitation: "We have prepared the most sumptuous feast and the finest wine for you all. We are determined to treat you well!"

Bai Yu's lips curled into a smile: "Okay, but this is the first time I've ever seen such a warm and welcoming city."

The residents on both sides of the street were still cheering, but their smiles gradually froze as Bai Yu and his group walked by.

The banquet was set up in the town square, with long wooden tables laden with roasted meat, fruit, and barrels of wine. A roaring bonfire illuminated the seemingly simple faces of the guests. The old man raised his glass and proclaimed, "A toast to all the brave adventurers who have come to the Grand Line!"

"Cheers!" People around them raised their glasses.

The crackling of the bonfire and the boisterous clinking of glasses mingled together, making the atmosphere in the square even more lively.

The meat sizzled on the grill, its fat dripping into the flames and sparking tiny sparks that mingled with the sweet aroma of fruit wine and the smoky scent of grilled meat, filling the cool air.

The mayor, holding a wine bowl, toasted Bai Yu and his group one by one, recounting the history of Whisky Peak with a beaming smile, his words filled with reverence for the adventurers.

"Mr. Bai Yu is clearly an extraordinary person. To be able to break through the Reverse Mountain and come here, his strength must be unfathomable."

The mayor raised his glass and offered it to Bai Yu, the wine rippled in the rough earthenware bowl: "This glass of wine is for you; may your journey ahead be smooth sailing!"

Bai Yu's smile remained unchanged: "Thank you for your kindness, Mayor."

He tilted his head back and drank the wine in the bowl. The wine was rich and mellow, and it was indeed not an ordinary drink. These guys were at least willing to spend some money.

Not far away, Rangiku was drinking with several residents, holding a sake gourd. She had an amazing capacity for alcohol, downing one cup after another, yet her face showed no signs of drunkenness.

Kanna was held in Unohana's arms. The little girl was very interested in the grilled meat on the table, eating with great relish. Occasionally, she would look up and curiously glance at the residents with exaggerated smiles in her clear eyes. Then, she would subconsciously snuggle into Unohana's arms and whisper, "Unohana-neechan, their smiles are so strange."

Unohana gently stroked the top of her head: "Yes, that's right."

Her gaze swept across the crowd. The seemingly noisy residents were breathing deliberately rapidly. Even when they were laughing, their eyes would unconsciously glance at Bai Yu and his group's weapons and luggage. Malice was like fine needles, and even though it was wrapped in a warm facade, it could not escape her keen perception.

Halfway through the banquet, many residents were already showing signs of fatigue, and their forced enthusiasm made their smiles increasingly stiff.

The mayor glanced at the sky, noticing the deepening night, then clapped his hands and announced loudly, "My brave warriors, you must be tired from your journey! We have prepared clean and comfortable rooms for you in the cabins near the square. Please rest well, and we will take you to see the beautiful scenery of Whisky Peak tomorrow!"

The people around immediately echoed this sentiment, standing up to gesture and enthusiastically pointing out the direction.

Bai Yu glanced at the people beside him, saw Robin nod slightly, Unohana's eyes were calm, and Rangiku raised an eyebrow at him, so he chuckled and said, "In that case, thank you for your trouble, Mayor."

Following the directions, the group walked through several quiet streets and arrived at a row of neat wooden cabins. The cabins did indeed look clean and comfortable, with complete bedding and even a fireplace to ward off the chill brought by the night snow. "Please rest well, and call us anytime if you need anything!"

The two men leading the way wore formulaic smiles, bowed, and left. The moment they closed the door, the enthusiasm in their eyes vanished, replaced by cold calculation.

Inside the room, Kanna felt sleepy after finishing her barbecue and quickly fell asleep in Unohana's arms.

Rangiku added a piece of firewood to the stove and said in a low voice, "These guys are pretty good actors, but unfortunately, they have too many flaws."