Posting updates as I can. I'm trying to get it done as fast as I can, but I've been busy. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Chapter 3

"So this is the library." Robin stated to her group. It was a modest building. Almost like a small chapel. Painted white with a steeple topping it. From her search and questioning of the locals, she found the building at the center of the town's market area. It was also noted it acted as the town hall as well.

Several windows were broken, and she noticed the same in a few of the other buildings. The market looked bare. Weird for what seemed to be a successful fishing and farming community.

She had also noted the citizens seemed to be skittish. Not the normal uneasiness people they met would get from seeing a large metal man, and a small talking "tunaki", as Chopper was often called.

This was different. They were afraid of something, but Robin could not get any more answers as to what it was. Then there were the broken windows, and empty shops. Was this place attacked recently? These were questions Robin would have to get answers for later. For now, her focus would be on finding information about the treasure.

Chopper, on the other hand, searched through every medical book he could find. Looking for any hint at local herbs in the area that were useful. Franky not much else besides looking through some books in regards to how the village built their fishing boats.

Neither of the three noticed an elderly man approaching them.

"Ahem. Who are you, and why are you here?" The man asked.

"Yoh." Franky began. "We're pi… Ouch!"

"Travelers" Robin finished. Franky glaring at her and her devilishly sweet smile. Knowing behind that smile was anything but. Her heel still digging into his foot was proof of that.

"Uh huh." Answered the elderly man. He was short. Barely a head taller than Chopper. A ring of grey hair circled his balding head. He looked thin, and frail. War, tattered clothing covered in a light coating of dirt. He was holding himself up with what looked like a cane carved from a tree branch. His body seemed to be trembling just trying to support his weight on the cane.

"Why are you here?" The old man asked.

Robin continued her sweet smile as she answered. "We're traveling the world. Trying to see as much as we can. We stopped for a rest, and would like to see the island's history."

Chopper looked at his companion as finished her explanation. Not a total lie. Robin was one of the best in the world at assessing situations, and molding herself to its needs. She had spent 20 years fleeing from the World Government itself. He could trust her to keep them out of whatever trouble arises.

The man continued to glare at them. Though he seemed to buy her story. "Well, I suggest you make it quick and leave as soon as possible. We don't much like outsiders. They bring nothing but trouble."

Franky cleared his throat. "Old man. May we ask who you are?"

The elderly man seemed annoyed by the cyborg's way of addressing him. But he did answer after a sigh. "I was once the Mayor. But not anymore."

"Who's the mayor now? We have some questions we'd like to ask them." Franky continued.

"No one. None is the mayor here anymore. This town is dead, and we do what we can to survive."

The trio looked questioningly at the man, but asked nothing further.

"Now, if you'll excuse me. I have things to do. I do suggest you leave soon. If you are just travelers as you say, there will be trouble if you stay." The man said as he walked out of the library to the street.

"What was that about?" Muttered Franky.

"I don't know. But it seems something happened to this town. Maybe the entire archipelago." Robin stated.

"Do you think we should tell the others"? Chirped Chopper's cute voice.

"Yes. I'll contact Nami right now. Though I'm not confident it will be much help. Just that they should be careful."

Zoro slept in the mid morning sun against the starboard railing. The sounds of Brook playing his violin were heard in the background, while Jinbei was meditating in the center of the lawn. The day was quiet, with just a light breeze wafting over the ship.

The swordsman soon cracked an eye open, eying the opposite railing. "Hey, Jimbei, Brook. Did you hear that?" Zoro asked, not moving from his spot.

"Yes." The large Fishman's meditation broke upon hearing what sounded like a dull thud on the port side of Sunny's hull.

"Someone has seemed to come join us. Yohoho." Brook laughed quietly.

From their vantage point, they were in the center of the lagoon. The beach, maybe 50 meters away, and the cliff behind it, not far up the narrow beach. The lagoon was shallow. Their navigator had estimated it to be around 15 meters deep. Just barely deep enough for Sunny to sit in at low tide.

They were safe from storms, but vulnerable to attack. Or so it would seem from the outside. To anyone who didn't know who's ship this belongs to.

Zoro quickly reached for a sword, drawing it up over his head to catch a blade. He grabbed the man's arm, pulling him over the rail, and to the deck. He glanced to the center of the deck. Jinbei had disappeared. Only soon to see a column of water shooting up from the port side. Several men landed on Sunny's deck in a pile. Brook had leaped from his seat on the mast, slashing at another man with his cane sword coming up over the railing. A freezing slash wound cut across his chest, and he fell groaning to the deck.

Jinbei had climbed his way back onto the ship. Brook stood tall. Imposing. If he had had eyes, the devil might be reflecting in them. Zoro stood from his spot, and approached the fallen group.

All seemed to be dressed in navy uniforms. But something was off with them. They were tattered. Discolored. The "Marine" wording on the hats were crossed out.

Zoro eyed them coldly. Kicking one of the men in the side to jar him awake.

"Who the fuck are you, and why did you attack us?"

The man he kicked glared at him with pained strain on his face. "Piss off pirate. I ain't gotta halfta answer nothing from you."

The swordsman didn't like his answer. Zoro raised his foot, stomping his large boot on the man's ankle. The man screamed in pain at what seemed to be the sound of his ankle snapping in half.

"It seems that you do have to answer him. I'd suggest you do it quickly before he becomes even angrier." Jinbei said with a calm, but stern expression.

Zoro pressed his boot harder into the man's ankle. Eliciting another sharp scream from him.

"Fine, fine! I'll talk!" He said in deep pain. Zoro removed his boot from the panicked man's leg.

"So. Who the fuck are you, and why did you attack us?"