Chapter 16: Adventure in the Giant Forest of Dogs

Grand Line, near the West Blue

Majestic trees rise into the sky, letting their crowns mingle with the clouds. The temperature is hot and tropical, but the refreshing, clear-as-pearls water from the large lake in the middle of the island makes that a non-issue for the island's inhabitants. Those inhabitants just so happen to be large, humanoid dogs. On this new island, a tale of nature and learning, of man and beast, is soon to begin.

Completely hidden away from the majestic sights is the main crew of SWORD, stuffed below-deck. Their spirits were low after a tearful goodbye to the G-5.

-You still haven't explained why we needed to leave our men behind! Smoker confronted Drake.

-Excuse me. You see, we have been sent to guard one of the four ruling clans of Doggy Valley, the Golden Retrievers, but the relationship between the government and the valley is extremely shaky. Bringing an entire military squad onto the island would be…ill-advised.

Smoker grumbled but accepted the explanation. Tashigi stretched up her hand like an excited school-girl.

-Why are we supposed to be guarding them? She asked.

-An upcoming summit between the clans. A secret part of our mission is also gathering intel on what exactly that summit is about and react accordingly, Drake explained. After that, the meeting was dismissed.

Koby and Tashigi rushed to the upper deck to perform a sparring match.

-I would like to test out my current abilities on you! I apologize deeply if you get hurt! Koby bowed.

-I'll have to return the favor! Tashigi responded, and the fighting began.

Koby could easily dodge Tashigi's wild swings, even with her lightning-fast speed. Finding an opening , Koby punched her with a Haki-infused fist. She staggered, before continuing her offense.

-Dammit! Without a Finger Pistol, I can't actually defeat someone! Koby bitterly reflected.

-Tashigi! Why didn't you use your Godspeed Parry?! Smoker shouted from the sidelines.

-I refuse to! Tashigi stopped the match.

-Yakuza forced me to use it; it's the signature technique of my old master. It would be a shame against my sword to use it again, Tashigi blushed. Before Smoker could respond, he was interrupted by the ship stopping.

Stepping out onto the pier, Koby looked up at the tree above him; the Navy settlement looked horrifyingly small in front of it. There wasn't a soul in sight.

-That's strange; there should at least be some people here to greet us, Drake stepped into the port and looked around. The rest of the crew watched in abject horror as a monster dashed forward on all four and lunged over him.

The creature rose to twice Koby's size, revealing fur like burnt coal, sharpened diamond-like teeth and intense predator-eyes; a humanoid muscular rottweiler dog.

-Get off this island, humans! The dog's roar made Koby fall to his knees.

-Hahahahaha! Can't deal with our all-natural Roar!? Its bellowing laugh was swiftly interrupted by a much, much smaller creature that appeared out of nowhere and kicked it across its face. The creature landed, revealing itself to be a small poodle dressed in a martial arts gi.

-Get outta' this port, Reicher! You ain't got no business with these humans! It's cute voice made Helmeppo squeal.

-I wouldn't be going around hitting a leader of the clans right before the summit! Tell Cooper that his position is in danger! Koby gasped.

The two dogs began roaring at each other, giving the crew of SWORD a headache. Every roar was higher than the other, promptly knocking out Drake who was standing in-between them.

-Conqueror's Haki! Smoker plugged his ears.

Despite his much smaller size, the poodle managed to knock Reicher back.

-Aurgh, fine! But don't expect this to go on for much longer, pathetic fool! With this upcoming summit, everything is about to change! Leaving the newly arrived crew with an ominous feeling, Reicher dashed off into the forest.

Cooper crouched down next to Drake and prodded him with an outstretched claw. He promptly awakened.

-I've barely been here for five minutes and I've already been knocked out! He shouted into the heavens.

-Yeah, that's usually what happens when you furless folk get caught in a round of Roaring. Ain't much you can do!

Koby rushed up to the dog and kneeled.

-D-do you really know Cooper? I have a letter from his old friend Garp here! The dog took the letter out of Koby's hand and began reading it with a contemplating look on his face.

-Woah! I can't read! I'll have to take you to Cooper! Does the rest of your crew want to come as well? Koby gasped with joy.

-Well, if it's on the way by the Golden Retriever's base, we'll gladly follow, Drake graciously responded.

-The Golden Retrievers? Those backstabbers? Whatever float's your boat, I guess. Jump on! The name's Francois, by the way!

Francois got down on all paws. His fur suddenly grew at an incredible pace. With perfect control, the dog formed it into five seats stretching out of his back. Using Haki made it perfectly functional and comfortable.

-What are you waiting for? Jump on!

SWORD sat down, and promptly had to hold on for their life as Francois shot away at lightning pace.

-Are you going to go like this the entire road to your dojo? Drake shouted in order to be heard.

-I'm a busy man; we won't be taking any road!

For a moment of relief, Cooper stopped. However, before the sigh could leave his passenger's mouth, he jumped into the air. Helmeppo's scream could be heard across all six seas as Cooper darted in-between the trees.

Eventually, they reached Doggy Valley's sky-high capital; dog's had carved out homes in the tree trunks and woven bridges with fur. Dogs of all shapes and sizes had to dramatically dodge out of the way as Francois rushed by. Eventually he stopped in front of a majestic bridge. Edged with Golden Retrievers dressed in royal garbs, it led to a sturdy, wide tree growing out of a pearly, shimmering lake.

-That right there is the base of the Golden Retrievers, son! Drake, Smoker and Tashigi gave their thanks for the ride and set off over the bridge. Walking through the crowd of dogs was a difficult task; partly because of their large size, partly because of the smell. A paw hit Tashigi, making her drop her glasses.

-Oh, I'm so, so sorry! The dog apologized in a noble but kind of snuffy tone.

-Don't worry, it's fine! Tashigi awkwardly searched the ground for her glasses until she was handed them by a human hand.

Tashigi looked straight into two cold, emotionless eyes; the man was dressed in a white top-hat, clean business attire and a goatee. With a predator's eyes, Rob Lucci scanned her entire body; when he noticed the Navy seal, he smiled.

-Oh, are you the reinforcements? I'm Falsk, the current bodyguard.

Meanwhile, Koby and Helmeppo had arrived at Cooper's dojo; wide stairs edged with lit torches leading up to an entrance carved into a beech tree. From inside, growling could be heard.

-Welcome to the number one Haki dojo this side of Reverse Mountain! Francois gestured with his stubby arms.

They walked through the dojo, observing the sparring matches all around them. A Golden his fur into a drill, which a poodle destroyed with a roar, imbued with the power of Conquerors Haki.

-Impressive! Helmeppo clapped to hide his deep anxiety. Was he seriously going to have to fight these creatures?

Francois opened the door to the main training area, which was completely empty.

-Where is Cooper? Koby looked around.

-Down here, ya dimwit! The voice of an old chainsmoker sounded up from the floor.

Cooper the pug rose to his majestic height of two feet.

-Francois, what are you doing bringing this pink-furred glasses weirdo into my dojo?

-W-well, boss, he's actually been sent here by Garp to train under you! Cooper raised an eyebrow. Koby's anxiety turned to pure confusion as Cooper began sniffing him.

-Your Haki's as weak as Blackbeard's barber! I can't train you! A chill rose up Koby's back.

-W-w-what!? Helmeppo voiced his partner's shock.

-There ain't enough Haki in his body to hurt a fly. While I would kill and die for Garpy-boy, I've got my hands full preparing the guards for the upcoming summit. Especially with certain folks causing trouble…

The door creaked and the floor shook as Reicher walked into the room, a gleeful smile on his face.

-So, you're mingling with furless now!? Trying to make up for your lack of clan?

-Speaking of the devil, Cooper revealed his claws and struck a fighting-pose.

-No, let me try! I'll prove myself a worthy protegé! Koby stepped forward, readying his Haki. Reicher laughed even harder.

-A furless!? Against me!? Let's get this show on the road!

Koby teleported behind Reicher, only to discover that he had already turned around, prepared to attack. One moment he saw Reicher swing his paw; the next he saw the island's trees under his feet as he flew through the sky.

-Huh? Was the only word his shocked mind could get out, before falling to ground.

Now this is one of the few chapter's where I'm 99% sure that the title isn't from an actual One Piece chapter. Also, hope you liked the new cover!