One Piece: Peace Shattered By Roger (Completed)

Chapter 21: Food Island



Three days later, Kaizen and the others approached a small island. As usual, Moria and his crew saw an opportunity.

"Alright, boys! What's a pirate to do when we find an island?" Moria shouted with a grin.

"Take what's valuable and ditch the rest!" the crew chorused, energized by the thrill of the raid.

"Ehehehe! That's the spirit! Whoever finds treasure can keep it," Moria said, chuckling with delight.

Eager for loot, the pirates jumped overboard and raced toward the shore. Even Kaizen decided to join them, eager to stretch his legs after days at sea.

"Hey, Crocodile-san, coming ashore?" Kaizen asked, pausing on the gangway.

Crocodile glanced up lazily from where he leaned against the hatch. "Nah. Can't be bothered to wander like some stray dog."

Kaizen just chuckled and leapt onto the sand. The island's air was fresh, the sun warm overhead, and for a brief moment, he imagined a peaceful life here—fishing along the shore, away from the chaos of the Grand Line.

As he stood, taking in the sight of waves gently crashing along the beach, a shout came from one of the pirates. "Oi! There's a group of people over there hauling some goods! Looks valuable!"

Curious, everyone turned to follow the shout. In the distance, they saw a ragged procession of people pushing carts and pulling wagons, their movements slow and exhausted.

Even from afar, it was clear that something was terribly wrong. These weren't vibrant islanders or merchants; they were gaunt and lifeless, like the walking dead.

"What's wrong with them?" a pirate muttered. "Why do they look so… lost?"

"What does it matter?" another replied, waving his sword. "They probably have treasure—let's go get it!"

With a wild battle cry, the pirates charged forward. "Hahaha! Hand over the valuables, and we might spare you!"

But to the crew's surprise, the procession merely stopped, their faces blank and uncaring. There was no fear, no surprise—just empty stares that seemed to peer into another world.

"Why aren't they reacting?" asked a bewildered pirate. "Do they even realize we're here?"

"Bah, they're just scared stiff. Let me show them," said another pirate, firing a shot into the sky.

The gunshot startled birds from the trees, scattering in all directions, but the eerie procession didn't flinch. They continued standing still, unfazed, their skinny frames almost breaking under the weight of the goods they bore.

"Are they… ghosts?" one pirate whispered, backing away.

The fearful pirate turned to flee, only to run straight into Moria.

"Ghosts, huh? How interesting!" Moria said, intrigued. He strode toward the procession, inspecting them with a twisted grin. "No, these aren't ghosts. They're just starving to death."

With a casual motion, Moria ripped open one of the crates. Inside wasn't gold or jewels, but food—hot, fragrant food, expertly prepared and bursting with rich aromas.

"Ahhh! This smells fantastic!" Moria exclaimed, grabbing a piece. He waved it at one of the gaunt men. "Hey! Don't you want a taste?"

The man stood still, but the ravenous hunger in his eyes betrayed him.

When he didn't respond, Moria shrugged and took a bite himself, savoring the flavor. "Ehehehe! Delicious!"

His exclamation caught the attention of the group. Their gazes shifted to the food with a hunger that seemed to tear at their souls, but they dared not touch it.

"You're really not going to eat?" Moria asked, eyes glinting with mischief. "I can tell you're starving."

At Moria's words, the starving people exchanged hesitant glances, desire fighting against fear in their eyes. Finally, one man whispered, "If I'm going to die… I'd rather die full."

With that, he lunged forward, the rest following suit, their hunger overtaking caution. Soon, they were tearing into the food alongside the pirates, who quickly joined in.

"Give me a piece!"

"Oi, don't shove! There's enough for everyone!"

"Wow! This is incredible!"

The pirates, notorious for their ruthlessness, were momentarily united by the sheer pleasure of the meal.

"Ahhh! That hit the spot!" groaned one of the pirates, lying back and patting his full stomach.

But unlike the pirates, the islanders looked horrified, as though the simple act of filling their stomachs was a terrible sin.

"What's with you lot?" Moria asked, his curiosity piqued. He noticed the fear in their eyes and grew more intrigued.

Finally, an elderly man from the procession spoke up. "This is your first time here, isn't it?"

Moria nodded. "Yeah. So?"

The old man sighed, seeming to confirm something to himself. "No wonder…"

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Is there a problem with us being here?" Moria asked, a dark edge creeping into his tone.

The old man looked at him solemnly. "You really shouldn't have come."

At that, a pirate minion scoffed, "Oi, are you saying our captain isn't welcome anywhere he pleases?"

Moria swatted the pirate's hat, cutting him off. "Can it. Let the old man speak."

The elderly man nodded, gratitude flickering in his weary eyes. "This island is called Food Island. As the name suggests, it was once a paradise of food, attracting gourmets from around the world. It was a place of feasts and celebration, a haven of culinary artistry."

"Sounds like paradise. So what happened?" Moria asked, intrigued.

The old man's face darkened. "Everything changed with the arrival of a man… or rather, a monster."

At that, a ripple of unease spread through the pirates, who looked at each other nervously.

"A monster?" Moria echoed, now fully interested.

"Yes," the old man continued, his voice hollow. "He claimed this island, using it as his personal playground. He forced us to cook the most exquisite dishes, meals that could make any man weep… but we're forbidden from eating them. Anyone who dares to taste even a morsel pays with their life."

"Is that why you all look like you're starving?" Kaizen asked, a note of compassion breaking through his pirate demeanor.

The old man nodded. "We're forced to make the best food, yet we're condemned to starve beside it. If we eat, we die. If we refuse to cook, we die. We're trapped in this endless hell."

The pirates fell silent, realizing the twisted horror of the island.

But Moria only laughed. "Kishishishi! Well, well! Sounds like this guy thinks he owns the place. How about we show him that he's mistaken?"

Kaizen stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "If he's doing something like this, he's no ordinary man."

The old man looked at them, fear and hope mingling in his gaze. "If you really intend to confront him… then you'd better be prepared. He's powerful, and he shows no mercy."

Crocodile, who had been watching from the shadows, finally stepped forward. "So, we're dealing with someone who enjoys control. I say we shake things up."

Moria grinned, drawing his sword. "Kishishishi! Let's make some chaos!"

Kaizen nodded, determination hardening in his eyes. "Let's liberate this place, for the sake of everyone here."

And so, the pirates braced themselves for the battle to come, knowing that this so-called "monster" would not go down easily.


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