One Piece: Honey Badger Speedruns the World

"Carrot, come here." Inuarashi's voice was deep and authoritative.

"Yes, Your Grace!" Carrot immediately jumped to the bedside and saluted.

Duke Inuarashi leaned down and whispered a few words in Carrot's ear.

Upon hearing the contents, Carrot's large eyes widened instantly, somewhat incredulous: "Huh? You're only letting me go alone? But..."

"This is a task only you can complete."

Duke Inuarashi patted her head, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Remember, don't let anyone discover anything amiss."

"...Yes! Carrot guarantees to complete the mission!" Although she was nervous, the little rabbit nodded firmly and quickly disappeared into the shadows.

Just then.

when!when!when!when!

A sharp, piercing alarm bell instantly resounded throughout Zou. It was the alarm sounded by Baliada, the little monkey on lookout duty!

"Something's happened!" Cecilia's expression changed. "To the square!"

……

Zou Residential Area - Central Plaza

Goss, Mia, the Knights, the Musketeers, and ordinary Mink residents were all gathered here, creating a commotion.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!!"

The crowd parted to make way, and a massive, blood-soaked black bear-man stumbled in. He was one of the bodyguard captains that Baal had hired at great expense.

"No...this is terrible!!!"

The black bear bodyguard fell to his knees with a thud, sobbing uncontrollably. His hands trembled as he pulled a blood-stained video Den Den Mushi from his pocket and pressed play.

"Everyone...look at this...this is what that red-nosed devil asked me to bring back..."

*Sizzle*—A huge holographic projection appeared in mid-air.

The background of the scene is the deck of a pirate ship with an exaggerated clown flag.

In the center of the deck, there were countless treasure chests, as well as boxes of goods that originally belonged to Baal.

"Hahaha! What a bumper harvest! A huge harvest!"

A man with a striking red nose and clown makeup occupies the center of the picture.

That was Buggy the Thousand Ryo, a Shichibukai who had just escaped from Impel Down and was now at the height of his fame.

He was toying with two beautifully crafted longswords in his hands—the "Izayoi" and the "Katsuki".

"Look at these two knives! What beautiful patterns! I never expected to steal such exquisite items!"

Bucky laughed wildly as he casually lifted his foot.

boom!

He stomped heavily on the head of a figure who was bound hand and foot and kneeling on the ground.

"Scarlet Civets!!"

Baal, standing in the square, let out a piercing scream and covered his mouth.

In the footage, Scarlett, who was originally responsible for sailing the Narwhal back to sea, is now covered in injuries and her goggles are broken.

She was strapped with a heavy, explosive iron collar, her face slammed against the deck by Bucky's leather boots, unable to move, only her bushy tail hanging limply in the pool of blood.

Behind her were rows of furry crew members, all wearing collars and with despair in their eyes.

"Listen up! Beasts of Zou!" Bucky leaned close to the camera, his face, covered in paint, looking particularly ferocious and arrogant.

"I heard there's a moving island around here? Hahaha! Since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, then I won't be polite!"

"This new ship is nice, it's mine! These knives are mine! As for these hairy beasts..."

Bucky stomped his foot down, grinding it hard against Scarlett's head, causing her to let out a painful groan:

"According to the laws of the World Government, the Mink Tribe is not a member state of the World Government! They are not protected by law!"

"So, in other words... you're just talking animals! Even if you kill or sell them, it's legal!"

Bucky, draped in a huge red robe, opened his palm, revealing a moving Life Card, and announced to the camera:

"Tonight! Right next to Zou!"

"I, the great one, will be hosting a grand 'Rare Beast Slave Auction'! All wealthy patrons are welcome to remotely select new pets via Den Den Mushi!"

Seemingly fearing resistance from Zou, Bucky smiled sinisterly, and the camera shifted to a nearby warship:

"Oh, by the way, to prevent the beasts from going berserk, the brothers from the Navy's G-5 branch will be responsible for 'maintaining order' at this auction!"

"Hahaha! You want to save someone? Then bring the money to ransom them!"

Of course... if you dare to make a move, that would be attacking the Navy, which is tantamount to declaring war on the World Government!

*Sizzle—Snap.* The video cuts out.

The entire square fell into a deathly silence.

Then came overwhelming anger and fear.

"Unforgivable... to call it a pet..."

"That's the G5 branch! Those rogue navy men are notoriously ruthless!"

"Miss Scarlet Raccoon... and Miss Mia's knife..."

Among the crowd, Barr was pale and trembling.

It wasn't just because of bankruptcy, but also because of that profound sense of powerlessness. The other side had the strength of a Shichibukai, hostages, and even the G5 Navy, representing official violence, backing them up.

This is a dead end.

Goss glanced at Bal, who was trembling like a leaf beside him, reached out and placed his hand on Bal's shoulder, his fingertips applying slight pressure to stop his trembling.

Is this the oppressive power of the title of Shichibukai...?

Goss, however, knew exactly what was going on with Baki.

Although the rumors about him were incredibly exaggerated, he knew he was just a blusterer. As long as he avoided those specially made shells, that red-nosed guy wouldn't be difficult to deal with.

What really troubled Goss was the group of Marines standing next to the pirates.

G5 Branch...

The smoker Smoker, known as the "White Hunter," wields the Seastone Jitte, a weapon specifically designed to counter Devil Fruit users; and there's the even more terrifying base commander, Vergo... Doflamingo's Red Heart.

They weren't on deck in the video just now... but that doesn't mean they didn't come.

If Smoker were here, I'd be done for if I got caught in his smoke and he stabbed me with seastone.

I haven't mastered the art of dominance yet, so attacks are ineffective against him, and his defenses are as flimsy as paper.

This was like walking a tightrope. Below was a bottomless abyss, and he had no idea whether those two grim reapers would cut the rope at any moment.

but……

Goss took the video Den Den Mushi and watched it again, looking at the stolen ship and Bucky's twin swords hanging at his waist.

And Scarlett, who was being trampled under Bucky's feet, and the other Mink in shackles.

My ship was stolen, and my knife was taken too. If I were to run away with my tail between my legs out of fear of a "potential" enemy, I would never develop any domineering aura in my lifetime.

Not to mention dealing with the impending drought.

This whole thing started because of me, there's no reason for Baal and Zou to take the blame. As long as I raise the pirate flag here and declare that this was all my personal act of plunder... then all the wanted posters and wrath will come at me.

I'll have to go to sea sooner or later anyway, so it doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or a day later. As long as those two monsters don't show up immediately, I'll have a chance to snatch the stuff back and escape.

"Hey, Baal."

Goss suddenly spoke, his voice still calm, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a hint of desperate tension in his tone:

"The opposing side consists of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Marines... then we have no choice but to gamble with our lives."

……

Deep in the Whale Forest.

The atmosphere was so heavy it seemed like it could drip water.

Duke Cat Viper slammed the wanted poster with Bucky's grin on the table, sparks flying from his pipe.

"This is outrageous! They're auctioning off the Mink tribe as slaves..." But then, he closed his eyes in anguish.

"But... we can't make a big fuss. At least not now."

"So we're just going to watch Scarlett be sold off?" Pedro said unwillingly.