Luffy and his companion knew they could still stand up after struggling.
However, it seemed unnecessary.
After all, Tushan was not an enemy.
Wanting to fight again would just be asking for trouble.
...
Makino glanced at Luffy, who had been beaten quite badly, and merely sighed silently.
After all, she had walked the path for more than ten years longer than Luffy and his friends.
She knew that suffering a little now would ultimately benefit Luffy's future development.
The young and reckless Luffy needed such a harsh lesson from reality!
With a smile, she waved at Luffy, greeted him, and then followed Tushan, slowly disappearing from Luffy and his companion's sight.
As for Tushan, although she looked down on Luffy and Zoro at the moment, she was aware that with their talents, they might learn something from their earlier defeat.
Even though it was a one-sided defeat, at the very least, it showed them what true power was!
In their future journey, they would naturally aim to become stronger, with Tushan as their target!
Of course.
That was none of Tushan's concern.
She was not interested in that at all.
Her mind was now entirely focused on that secluded village and the sickly young lady there...
"Let's go!"
"To Syrup Village!"
"Alright~"
As Tushan's words fell, Makino and Nami, who were now completely revolving around Tushan, responded gently.
Then, under Nami's navigational talent, a pirate ship slowly sailed into the depths of the sea...
Hmm—
It was Buggy's ship.
The fishing boat Tushan and Makino brought from Windmill Village was indeed a bit shabby.
Although they were now using someone else's pirate ship, Tushan didn't care about such trivial matters.
Some things must be obtained, and she would use her fists to claim them.
Some unnecessary things could be used as long as they were handy.
Like the ship, to Tushan, it was just a means of transportation.
Perhaps one day, if she encountered a decent navy warship, Tushan would also take it for her own use.
...
The three of them had already left the area of Orange Town.
The night gradually descended.
On the vast ocean, faint sounds of "uh-huh" and "ah-ah" floated in the air from a large ship.
——
On the Orange Town side.
Luffy and Zoro were not seriously injured.
Therefore, as soon as night fell, the two of them were able to move freely.
However, their expressions were somewhat solemn.
It seemed that each of them had made some kind of decision in their hearts...
Not long after.
With no reason to stay in Orange Town, Luffy and his companion also headed towards the sea.
Still on that shabby little boat.
"I say, isn't it time we found a ship?"
"And, what about the navigator you promised? Are you even looking for one?!"
"Uh... I always feel like I've missed something... Maybe it's the navigator meant for us!"
"You are so unreliable!! Stop talking about feelings!"
"Sorry... But speaking of navigators, Zoro, do you want to take on that role?"
"What?? You want me to be the navigator, are you sure?!"
"Huh? Why not?"
"..."
"In any case, we must find a navigator and a ship!!"
"And that's our top priority right now!"
"Yes, yes, yes..."
"You idiot... Who's the captain here, you or me?!"
"..."
Under the moonlight.
The two bickered, riding the small boat, and finally drifted away.
...
Until late at night.
Two figures appeared again in Orange Town.
It was the extremely disheveled Buggy and Mochi.
During the day, one was sent flying by Tushan, the other by Taurus.
Only now could the two barely stand up.
"That damn Tushan..."
"It seems I'm destined to be separated from the great treasure..."
Buggy, who hadn't given up on the treasure Tushan was seeking, looked at the now changed Orange Town and could only sigh helplessly.
Not long after, Buggy finally reunited with his comrade Mochi.
However, neither of them noticed Cabaji's presence.
Just as they were sighing and planning to hastily erect a tombstone for Cabaji, they suddenly saw a lion carrying a wet figure slowly approaching on the moonlit road.
As they got closer, it was Richie and Cabaji!
During the day, Cabaji had been punched into the sky by Makino and then fell into the distant sea. Fortunately, he encountered a floating board on the sea, barely saving his life.
And Cabaji's first words upon seeing Buggy made Buggy's eyes light up instantly.
"I saw the direction Tushan and the others went."
"What?! Then it seems... following them for a chance to grab some treasure is still possible!"
"Well... if you insist on ignoring the gap between us, you could say that."
Cabaji sighed helplessly.
His captain's obsession with treasure was truly abnormal!
However...
As a pirate, this seemed to be the most normal thing!
Like Luffy, who flew the pirate flag but thought about upholding justice every day, that was the real anomaly!
The unyielding Buggy quickly regrouped.
For him, as long as he tried, there was hope!
"Alright! Brothers, full speed ahead to follow Tushan and the others!"
"But remember to keep a good distance afterward, being able to drink the soup is not bad..."
Buggy waved his hand with enthusiasm, but his words were rather cautious.
Clearly, Tushan's slap today had left a shadow.
That shadow even surpassed his desire for treasure...
Saying such words, it was evident that he had no way to deal with someone like Tushan.
Not only was she arrogant, but she had every right to be!
What could you do about it?!
After Buggy finished speaking, Cabaji, Mochi, and Richie, the few remaining members, all nodded.
Although some members were not seriously injured and could be taken along, Buggy now only hoped his team would have a smaller target.
Moreover, time was tight; by the time those guys could move, Tushan's trail would be completely lost.
Thus, the three men and one lion simultaneously headed out of Orange Town.
As they walked, Cabaji suddenly remembered something.
Turning to Buggy, he said, "Oh, by the way, if I saw correctly, Tushan and the others left on our ship."
"What?!!"
Buggy's eyes widened.
He angrily waved his fists in the air to vent, but remembering the 'incredible treasure,' Buggy quickly calmed down.
"Even without a ship, we must go!"
"Even if we have to swim, we must follow them!!"
Hearing this, Cabaji and Mochi exchanged glances, their mouths twitching.
"Swim... are you sure?"
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