Chapter 16: Enter Esmeralda, The Ventriloquist DJ! They're All Sick?!

The music slowed to a stop, and the MC's voice boomed over the speakers. "Alright, folks! Salsa hour has come to a close, but don't go anywhere. We're setting up for our next segment—reggaeton! This set change will take about thirty minutes, so grab a drink, take a breather, and get ready to vibe!"

A collective murmur rose from the crowd as people debated how to pass the time. Back at the Straw Hats' table, the crew exchanged glances.

"What do we do for thirty minutes?" Usopp groaned, slumping against his seat.

"I know what I'm doing," Nami said with a sly grin. She turned to Zoro. "I challenge you to a drinking contest."

Zoro smirked, leaning back confidently. "Game on. Just don't cry when you lose."

Sanji sighed, shaking his head. "What a waste of good drinks."

Ricardo chuckled. "This should be interesting."

Usopp, still curious, turned to Ricardo. "Why does it take so long to set up? It's just music, right?"

"Ah," Ricardo said with a nod, gesturing toward the stage. "Reggaeton doesn't use live instruments like the salsa band does. It's created using tone dials and other tools. The setup takes longer because they have to prepare and fine-tune the equipment."

Brook tilted his head in curiosity. "Tone dials? I understand they can replicate sounds, but how do you create an entire style of music with them?"

Ricardo smiled. "It's an art form. Actually, I know the DJ performing tonight. If you're interested, I'd be happy to introduce you."

Before Brook could reply, a sultry voice cut through the chatter. "Prince Ricardo! No one told me you'd be here tonight. If I'd known, I'd have prepared an especially outstanding set just for you."

The crew turned to see a striking woman approach their table. Her magenta hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her golden eyes gleamed with mischief behind pink heart-shaped sunglasses. She wore a leopard-print leotard under a white fur coat, paired with knee-high black heels. A headset rested on her head, and a lit cigar dangled effortlessly from her fingers.

Ricardo smiled warmly. "Ah, speak of the devil, and the devil shall come. Everyone, this is Esmeralda. She's the best DJ in Puertojoya." He gestured toward the crew. "Esmeralda, these are the Straw Hat Pirates."

Esmeralda smirked, taking a drag of her cigar. "I see that. Pretty hard not to recognize one of the most infamous groups on the Grand Line."

Sanji was immediately spellbound, hearts practically floating out of his eyes. "Mademoiselle Esmeralda! Your beauty rivals even the finest works of art!"

Esmeralda purred, leaning in to stroke his chin teasingly. "Oh, you're quite the charmer, aren't you?" Sanji melted to the floor, a puddle of lovestruck bliss.

Meanwhile, Usopp's gaze shifted to the stage, where men were unpacking crates filled with tone dials. His jaw dropped. "How did you get so many tone dials? I thought you could only find those in Skypeia!"

Esmeralda raised her brows in surprise. "Skypeia? You've been there?"

Luffy laughed. "Sure have!"

Esmeralda chuckled, clearly intrigued. "Well, I'll be. I always thought Skypeia was a myth when I was acquiring these on the black market. Guess I underestimated the world's mysteries. I have a knack for finding unique and rare items, though."

Brook's curiosity got the better of him. "How do you use the tone dials to create music?"

Esmeralda took another drag of her cigar, exhaling a plume of smoke before replying. "The tone dials are just the beginning. I record sounds, mix and layer them, and use my abilities to enhance them further. My powers definitely give me an edge."

Franky perked up. "Powers? You eat a Devil Fruit or something?"

Esmeralda nodded. "Sure did. I ate the Puppet-Puppet Fruit, Model: Ventriloquist. It lets me steal or mimic other people's voices. Comes in handy when I'm creating new sounds or adding unique voices to my tracks. Here, I'll show you."

She turned to Chopper with a sly grin. "Care to help me demonstrate, little one?"

Chopper hesitated. "Me? Uh... okay, I guess."

"Just sing a little something," Esmeralda encouraged.

Reluctantly, Chopper sang a short melody. Esmeralda held out her hand. "Voice Snub."

A golden orb of light rose from Chopper's throat, shimmering like sunlight. The crew gasped in amazement.

"Mimicry!" Esmeralda said with a flourish. The orb split into two, one half returning to Chopper, the other floating into her hand. She brought the orb to her mouth and "ate" it. When she spoke again, her voice was identical to Chopper's. "See? Just like this!"

Chopper, Luffy, Usopp, and Franky lit up with excitement. "So cool!" they exclaimed in unison.

Luffy hopped up from his seat, pointing at himself eagerly. "Ooh, ooh! Do my voice next!"

Esmeralda chuckled, flicking the ash off her cigar. "Your energy is infectious, Straw Hat. Alright, let's do it. But this time, I'll show you something even cooler. Watch closely."

She reached out her hand toward Luffy. "Voice Snub."

Once again, a golden orb emerged, shimmering as it floated from Luffy's throat. The crew watched in awe, their eyes glued to the display.

"Now, Mimicry." Esmeralda's voice suddenly shifted, perfectly mimicking Luffy's exuberant tone. She placed a hand on her hip and grinned widely. "Gum Gum—! Oh wait, wrong setting for that, huh?"

Luffy burst into laughter. "That's so weird! You sound just like me!"

But Esmeralda wasn't done. With a mischievous smirk, she extended her free hand and spoke again. "Ventriloquist technique: Swap!"

The orb that remained in the air darted toward Usopp. It zipped into his mouth before anyone could react. Usopp's eyes widened as he clutched his throat. "W-what's happening?"

Esmeralda stepped back, raising a hand to her lips and silently mouthing words. To everyone's astonishment, Usopp spoke—but not in his own voice. It was Luffy's.

"Wow, this is so cool!" Usopp said, Luffy's voice coming out of his mouth. He clamped his hands over his lips, startled. "Wait, is that me? Or him? Or—what's going on?!"

The entire table erupted into laughter.

Chopper was practically bouncing in his seat. "Amazing! She gave Usopp Luffy's voice!"

Franky pumped his fists. "Now that's super!"

Luffy, for his part, was doubled over with laughter. "Usopp! You sound just like me! Say something funny!"

Still mouthing silently, Esmeralda waved a hand at Usopp, as if directing him to speak. In Luffy's voice, Usopp said, "Meat is the best thing ever! I could eat it all day!"

Esmeralda finally ceased her mimicry, and the orb of Luffy's voice floated back into his mouth. Usopp's voice returned to normal, and he gasped in relief. "Okay, that was incredible, but also terrifying! Do you know how confusing it is to hear Luffy coming out of me?!"

Esmeralda laughed, a low, husky sound. "You're a good sport, Usopp. This is one of the techniques that makes my performances so unique. Imagine the possibilities when blending voices, layering tones, or swapping them mid-set. It's what makes my music one-of-a-kind."

Brook tipped his hat to her. "Esmeralda, my dear, you're truly an artist. I'd love to see how you incorporate all these techniques into your music."

Esmeralda gave him a sly smile. "Stick around for the reggaeton set, Soul King. You might just get your wish." She took another drag of her cigar, the end glowing brightly in the dim light of the club.

Jinbe leaned forward, his deep voice calm and curious. "Miss Esmeralda, if you don't mind my asking, how do you and Prince Ricardo know each other? You seem quite familiar."

Ricardo smiled at the question, leaning back in his chair. "It's no mystery, really. Her father, Juan, is the royal advisor—someone my family has trusted for generations. And her brother, Hermes, is actually my personal doctor."

Esmeralda grinned, slipping her arm casually over Ricardo's shoulder and giving him a playful shake. "That's right. Me and this dashing little prince practically grew up together. We go way back."

Ricardo chuckled lightly. "She's been causing chaos for as long as I can remember."

Esmeralda smirked, puffing her cigar with mock pride. "What can I say? It's a talent. Someone had to keep life interesting for you, Your Highness."

Franky quirked an eyebrow, swirling his drink. "So you're like childhood friends?"

Esmeralda nodded, tilting her head toward Ricardo. "More like siblings, really. I used to boss him around a lot when we were kids. And he definitely needed it back then—so proper and uptight. I had to teach him how to have fun."

Ricardo raised an eyebrow, but his faint smirk betrayed his amusement. "I wasn't uptight. I was disciplined."

"Same thing, darling," Esmeralda quipped, tapping her ash into a tray. "But hey, look at him now. A prince with impeccable taste in music and an actual sense of humor. You're welcome, by the way."

Sanji chimed in, but his tone was all dreamy as he gazed at Esmeralda. "You're remarkable, my darling Esmeralda."

Esmeralda gave Sanji a sly smile, tracing a finger under his chin. "Flattery will get you everywhere, chef."

Sanji nearly collapsed into a puddle. "She knows I'm a chef…!"

Brook, still fascinated by the conversation, leaned in. "Miss Esmeralda, what led you to pursue music? Was it something you picked up as a child?"

Esmeralda leaned back, her golden eyes gleaming in the club's dim light. "Oh, music's always been in my soul. Growing up, my family wanted me to take a more traditional path, but that wasn't for me. The moment I got my hands on my first tone dial, I was hooked. Creating something entirely new from nothing? There's nothing like it."

Ricardo nodded. "Her determination is unmatched. She built her reputation as the best DJ in Puertojoya from the ground up. And now she's a household name. She's also an excellent singer!"

Esmeralda gave him a mock pout, her golden eyes glinting with mischief. "Aw, Ricardo, you're making me blush." She turned her gaze toward the stage, where the crew was meticulously setting up the tone dials for her next set. "But enough about me. Once this set starts, you'll see for yourselves why I'm the best."

Ricardo chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Actually, I'm not sure how much longer we'll be staying. We've already been here for the end of bachata hour and all of salsa hour. I imagine everyone's starting to get tired. I don't know if they'll have the energy for reggaeton."

Esmeralda scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Nonsense. Everyone always has energy for reggaeton. They just need a little more fuel in their systems." She gestured toward Nami and Zoro, who were in the middle of their intense drinking competition. A small crowd had gathered around them, cheering enthusiastically—some siding with Zoro, others rooting for Nami.

Esmeralda smirked knowingly. "See? They've got the right idea."

Ricardo laughed again, shaking his head. "I don't know… They just came from the Devil's Diamond. I'm sure all they really want is some rest."

Esmeralda ignored his skepticism and called out to the two contestants. "You two! Feeling tired yet?"

Zoro shot her a confused, slightly irritated look, his words slurring slightly. "Huh? Who's this chick, and why's she askin' if I'm tired?"

Nami giggled, slapping the table. "Because she knows you're gonna lose, dummy!"

Zoro turned to her, glaring. "Am not!"

"Are too!" Nami fired back, grabbing another shot and downing it triumphantly. The crowd around them roared in approval, shouting encouragements as the competition continued.

Esmeralda glanced back at Ricardo, smirking. "See? They're fine. Let them have their fun. They're pirates, after all. Partying is in their blood."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and waved to the rest of the crew, her magenta hair catching the light as she began striding toward the stage. "I'll see you all out on the dancefloor!" she called, her voice brimming with confidence and anticipation.

Jinbe, seated calmly at the table with a drink in hand, watched Esmeralda head to the stage before turning to Ricardo with a curious expression. "Tell me, Prince Ricardo, why do you think reggaeton will be so much more energy-draining than salsa? From what I've seen, salsa dancing requires quite a bit of stamina."

Ricardo chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "That's a fair question, Jinbe. Salsa is definitely a demanding dance, but reggaeton is… different." He gestured toward the stage, where the tone dials were still being adjusted, their reflective surfaces gleaming under the lights. "Reggaeton is more than just music—it's a whole experience. The beats are heavier, the bass is deeper, and the rhythm is designed to get under your skin. It's high-energy, yes, but the style of dancing is where it really changes the game."

"How so?" Jinbe asked, his brow furrowing.

Ricardo leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Well, it's not exactly the most… formal style of dance. It's often very physical, very close. The kind of dancing that's, uh, let's just say it can get pretty scandalous—especially when you factor in how much everyone has been drinking tonight." He glanced over at the nearby table, where Zoro and Nami were still locked in their heated drinking contest, oblivious to the conversation. Nami slammed another shot onto the table triumphantly while Zoro grabbed his own with a stubborn glare.

Jinbe stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I see."

Before the conversation could go any further, Sanji suddenly leapt to his feet with dramatic flair. Throwing his arms around the nearest men—Chopper, Brook, Franky, Ricardo, Jinbe, Luffy, and Usopp—he grinned like a man possessed. "Well, you heard the angel Esmeralda! To the bar! We need more drinks to keep this party alive!"

Chopper squirmed free, waving his arms in alarm. "No! Alcohol is bad for you! And Luffy just recovered from alcohol poisoning! He shouldn't be drinking anything for a while!"

Brook chuckled, patting Chopper gently on the head. "Oh, relax, Chopper. It's just one drink. We'll make sure he doesn't overdo it."

The reindeer glared up at him, clearly unimpressed. "You know that's not how it works! A group of drunk pirates isn't exactly reliable when it comes to moderation!"

Franky let out a booming laugh, slapping Sanji on the back. "Come on, Doc! Live a little! Tonight's about fun, and this is SUPER!"

Luffy frowned, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Will it be sake again? I've decided I really don't like sake."

Usopp leaned in, waving a hand to get Luffy's attention. "They've got way more than just sake, Luffy. My drink was a sweet cocktail. Come on, I'll order you one to try! And I really want to see Esmeralda work her magic with those tone dials."

Luffy's face lit up with excitement. "Sweet drinks? Okay, let's go!"

Chopper groaned, burying his face in his hooves. "This is going to be a disaster…"

…

The next morning was chaos incarnate. The castle, bathed in soft morning light, was filled with groans, confusion, and the clattering of doors as the Straw Hat crew slowly came to their senses.

In one of the lavishly decorated rooms, Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy were all cuddled together on a massive bed, even though Usopp distinctly remembered being assigned his own room. He sat up groggily, rubbing his head. "Why am I not in my room?"

He shuffled to the door and peered out into the hallway, hearing faint noises from the other rooms. Spotting Sanji sprawled on the floor with his head in a bucket, Usopp hurried over, shaking him awake. "Sanji! Are you alive?"

Sanji groaned, lifting his head weakly and clutching it. "What happened last night...?"

Meanwhile, in Zoro and Franky's room, the scene was equally bizarre. Franky, snoring loudly, was sprawled out on the bed wearing Jinbe's robes. His face was a canvas of sharpie doodles and random phrases. Zoro, shirtless and covered in lipstick marks, sat on the floor in nothing but his boxers, glaring at the noise from the hallway. "Will you all shut up? I'm trying to sleep!"

Sanji blinked at him, wide-eyed. "Why are you covered in lipstick marks?"

Zoro frowned, looking down at himself. "What the hell?!"

Sanji ripped open his own shirt to reveal the phrase S & Z written in sharpie inside a heart on his chest. "What is this?!"

In yet another room, Brook stirred awake first. Still wearing only a towel and Esmeralda's DJ headset, he sat up and looked around groggily. "Where… where am I?"

Jinbe, lying on the opposite bed in Franky's iconic speedo, slowly opened his eyes. "Where are my clothes?"

Franky suddenly barged into their room, still in Jinbe's clothes. "Hey! Why were you wearing my speedo?"

Jinbe looked down in shock. "Huh?!" Then he squinted at Franky's face. "What happened to your face?"

Back in the other room, Luffy and Chopper wandered in, both rubbing their eyes. "What happened?" Luffy muttered, scratching his head.

Chopper yawned. "I don't... remember much."

Luffy looked around, confused. "Where's Law and his crew?"

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone looked around, noticing for the first time the absence of the Heart Pirates.

"Maybe they decided not to stay for the banquet after all," Usopp said with a shrug, his voice tinged with a headache-induced grogginess.

"WHAT?!" Luffy shouted. He immediately threw on his shirt and bolted for the door.

"Oi! Luffy! Where are you going?" Zoro called after him.

"I'm going to find Tra-guy!" Luffy shouted back, his voice echoing down the hallway.

Usopp groaned, holding his head. "My head hurts so bad."

Chopper sighed, massaging his temples. "This is… a hangover."

Sanji, lighting a cigarette with shaking hands, muttered, "The last thing I remember was doing that round of shots with Nami, Ricardo, Esmeralda, and all of you." His eyes widened. "Where's Nami? Did she make it back safely? And Robin—how's she feeling?"

Meanwhile, Luffy arrived at the shipwright's deck, scratching his head. The Sunny was parked right next to the Polar Tang. "Weird… Tra-guy's ship is still here, so he didn't leave," Luffy muttered.

Back at the castle, there was a knock on the men's doors. Frederiche, the ever-dutiful butler, stood waiting as the disheveled crew opened up. "Good morning, gentlemen. Breakfast is ready, but please bathe and change into proper attire before joining us."

Franky, now back in his speedo, raised a hand. "Hey, what happened last night?"

Frederiche sighed. "Prince Ricardo will explain everything at breakfast. Now please prepare yourselves." He walked off briskly, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Just as Frederiche disappeared down the hall, Luffy sprinted back into the castle. "Hey, butler guy! Where's Tra-guy and his crew?"

Frederiche stopped, pinching his nose in exasperation. "Your breath is atrocious, sir. Brush your teeth after you bathe. We will discuss the Heart Pirates during breakfast."

Luffy frowned as Frederiche walked away. "Did something happen to them?"

Zoro groaned, leaning against the doorframe. "Guess we'll figure it out soon enough."

Brook nodded, adjusting the headset on his head. "I'm more interested in figuring out what happened last night."

…

The dining hall was a symphony of groans and murmurs as the Straw Hats, minus Nami and Robin, slumped over the table, nursing their pounding headaches. The maids moved swiftly and efficiently, placing tall glasses filled with a murky, unappetizing liquid in front of each pirate.

"Here, drink this," one of the maids said with a reassuring smile. "It will make you feel better."

Luffy sniffed the concoction and immediately recoiled, his face scrunching up in disgust. "No way! This smells gross!"

Usopp followed Luffy's lead, leaning in for a whiff before gagging. "What is this stuff?!"

One of the maids chimed in helpfully, "It's a house remedy—a hangover cure. Ginger, Tabasco, raw eggs, spinach, salt, and pineapple juice."

Franky pushed his glass away with a grimace. "No thanks, I'll take the headache over drinking that."

To everyone's surprise, Sanji grabbed his glass and downed it in one go, his Adam's apple bobbing as he gulped the odd mixture. Zoro followed suit, tipping his glass back without hesitation.

The rest of the crew stared, slack-jawed. "They drank it?!"

Sanji wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, looking completely unfazed. "Of course. All these ingredients are packed with nutrients to replenish anything we lost last night."

Zoro set his empty glass on the table with a dull thud. "Hm. Not as bad as I was expecting."

Jinbe, ever composed, nodded and drank his glass in one smooth motion. Brook followed, though his reaction was unique, as always. "I didn't taste a thing! Wait, that's because I don't have taste buds to taste with! Yohohoho!"

Chopper picked up his glass, staring at it with reluctant determination. "Sanji's right… No matter how gross it seems, it's full of things that will help us feel better." Closing his eyes tight, he pinched his nose and drank it down in a few big gulps. He smacked his lips afterward, his expression uncertain. "Okay… that wasn't as horrible as I thought."

Before anyone else could protest further, the door opened, and Nami entered with Ricardo by her side. She held her head, wincing as though every step made her headache worse. "God, what happened last night?"

A maid approached them with a silver platter, holding another glass of the dreaded remedy. Ricardo thanked her and took one, his royal composure intact despite his own clear exhaustion.

He turned to Nami, holding out the glass with a small smile. "Here, drink this. It'll help."

Nami smirked as she tipped back the glass, her confidence unwavering even as the hangover cure sent a jolt through her system. She shivered, setting the empty glass down with a loud clink before taking a seat at the table. "Well, that was... something," she muttered, running a hand through her hair.

"Hey, prince guy," Zoro grumbled, rubbing his temples as he pointed at Ricardo, "care to explain what happened last night?"

Before Ricardo could respond, the door creaked open, and Juan, Ricardo's trusted advisor, entered with his usual calm demeanor. He held a small device in his hand, its transponder snail antenna wiggling lazily. "Perhaps it would be easier to show you," Juan said with a faint smile. "My daughter dropped off this video and audio recorder transponder snail earlier today. She said she intends to release it as an official advertisement for La Vibe."

"Huh?" The Straw Hats chorused, their heads tilting in confusion.

Ricardo chuckled, his expression already amused. "Just watch. You'll see."

Juan gestured to the maids, who moved quickly to draw the curtains and dim the lights. The room was bathed in darkness as the transponder snail emitted a soft cah-lick, projecting a black screen onto the wall. Then, a familiar voice cut through the silence.

"You ready to rock this house, Soul King?"

Brook's unmistakable voice responded, "You know it, DJ Kitty Kat!"

The black screen gave way to a vibrant scene of La Vibe's packed dance floor, illuminated by colorful lights pulsing in time with a reggaeton beat. A lively remix of Bink's Brew played, blending seamlessly with the modern rhythm. The camera panned to the stage, showing Brook and Esmeralda side by side, masterfully working the tone dials and hyping up the crowd.

Then, the footage shifted, showing various clips of the Straw Hats in action.

The first scene featured Franky and Jinbe, their clothes hilariously swapped. Franky puffed out his chest, trying his best to mimic Jinbe's stoic demeanor. "Look, I'm Jinbe now! First Son of the Sea! Fishman Karate!" he announced, dramatically mimicking a karate punch.

Jinbe, wearing Franky's Hawaiian shirt and signature speedo, swayed slightly with a drink in hand. He giggled, slurring, "SUPER!"

Back at the table, Franky scratched his head, his face a mix of confusion and embarrassment. "Well, that explains why we switched clothes."

Jinbe pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "How mortifying."

The next clip showed Chopper surrounded by a group of adoring women. They cooed over him, ruffling his fur as he blushed furiously.

"You're the cutest doctor in history, Doctor Chopper!" one of them said.

"Totally!" another agreed.

Chopper hiccupped, his little hooves clutching a drink. "D-don't compliment me, you dirty bastards! It won't get you anywhere!" Despite his protests, he raised his glass when they toasted, shouting, "To the best doctor on the Grand Line!"

The footage shifted to Usopp, who was animatedly weaving an elaborate, drunken lie. "And that's when I single-handedly took down Kaido with my conqueror's haki!" he boasted, gesturing grandly. The crowd around him gasped in awe, completely enthralled.

Next, the camera focused on Zoro, shirtless and surrounded by a group of women. The words "Three Sword Style" were written across their chests in marker, and they kissed his cheeks as he posed for a photo.

Sanji stumbled into the frame, clearly drunk, and jabbed a finger at Zoro. "Zoro! Leave these lovely ladies alone!"

Zoro smirked, raising a bottle with bleary eyes. "Still upset I'm more famous than you, dartboard brows?"

"Huh?!" Sanji snapped, pressing his forehead against Zoro's angrily. "You tryna fight, mosshead?"

"Always. Bring it on!" Zoro growled, starting to draw his swords.

Before they could escalate, the women intervened, grabbing onto Zoro. "You two should try to get along. Show the love! Feel the love!"

Sanji, immediately charmed, drooled. "Anything for you, ladies!"

One of them unbuttoned his shirt and scribbled "S & Z" inside a heart on his chest with a marker.

Back at the table, Zoro spat out his water, while Sanji ripped open his shirt to inspect the writing. "Gross!" Sanji yelled, bolting up from his chair. "I need to get this washed off!"

The next clip showed Luffy, who was making silly faces at a group of giggling women. They reached out to playfully tug on his stretchy skin, which made him laugh and shout, "Hey, knock it off!" before running away.

"Come back, Luffy! We love you!" the women called, chasing after him.

Finally, the footage turned to Nami, who floated above the crowd on Zeus, dancing to the beat. Ricardo was in the background, frantically trying to get her down. Nami leaned over to a group of men gathered below her, a sly grin on her face. "You all wanna taste of something?"

"Heck yeah!" the men shouted, hearts in their eyes.

She winked. "It'll cost you—100,000 berries each."

The men scrambled to throw money at her as she teased, lifting the hem of her halter top just enough to make them lose their minds. "Happiness Punch!" she shouted, the footage censored just in time.

The screen went black, replaced by the words: Florafesta is coming. Are you ready? Visit La Vibe Lounge (Straw Hat Pirates Approved).

The music then ended along with the video.

As the lights came back on and the curtains were drawn, the Straw Hats sat in stunned silence.

Nami slumped forward dramatically, her forehead almost hitting the table as she groaned, "Please tell me I actually kept all their money?"

Luffy burst into laughter, slapping the table in delight. Usopp, on the other hand, looked utterly mortified. "She can't use that as an advertisement! Please! If people actually think I have conqueror's haki, my bounty will skyrocket even higher than it already is!"

Ricardo chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Relax, I figured you'd feel that way. I told Esmeralda not to release it. She let me keep it purely for the memories."

Chopper sighed, ears drooping as his embarrassment lingered. He glanced toward Ricardo, his voice tinged with concern. "How's Robin today? You said she left early because she wasn't feeling well, right?"

The room fell quiet as Ricardo and Juan exchanged a look, their expressions darkening slightly. Ricardo leaned forward, his voice unusually serious. "That brings us to the next topic of discussion. It seems your friend Robin—and the Heart Pirates—have fallen ill."

"What?" Usopp's eyes widened with alarm. "Robin's sick?"

Juan nodded gravely. "Yes, Hermes is tending to her and your pirate allies as we speak. We've moved them to the infirmary for observation and treatment."

Nami sat up, her brow furrowed with worry. "That's terrible!"

Chopper immediately pushed his chair back, determination written all over his face. "If they're all sick, then let me help! I can assist with treatment and diagnosis!"

Juan raised a hand to gently calm the little doctor. "We've already determined the cause. It's a rare form of food poisoning. Apparently, Lupita didn't realize that some of the guavas served at dessert had gone bad."

"Bad guavas?" Zoro's brow furrowed as the crew exchanged uneasy glances.

Juan continued, his tone clinical. "Yes, it's a specific type of rot unique to this island. If consumed, it causes extreme nausea, high fever, and in the most severe cases, internal damage like a ruptured stomach."

Chopper's fists clenched, his expression furious. "All the more reason to let me help! Robin and the Heart Pirates are our friends!"

Brook tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Wait, if it was food poisoning, why aren't we sick as well?"

Ricardo offered a reassuring smile. "It seems only a small number of guavas were contaminated. The ones you ate were most likely fine. If you'd consumed a bad one, trust me, you'd already feel the effects." He then looked directly at Chopper, his tone gentle but firm. "Don't worry, Doctor. Your friends are in good hands. Hermes and our staff will ensure they receive the care they need."

Juan nodded, though an unsettling glint appeared in his eye. "Yes, my son is a capable healer. And when your friends return, rest assured—they'll feel better. Much, much better."

Zoro's eyes narrowed, and both Jinbe and Luffy exchanged cautious looks, their instincts sensing something off in Juan's tone. But they chose to stay quiet for now.

Ricardo quickly stepped in, his voice brightening in an effort to ease the tension. "But let's not let this minor setback ruin your time on the island! I assure you, everyone will be fully recovered in time for the banquet."

He turned to Nami, his tone softening. "In the meantime, why don't we take the day to explore more of the island? I imagine you'd like to take some measurements for your map? I'd love to help however I can."

Nami's face lit up, her earlier worries momentarily set aside. "Really? That would be great!"

Zoro, Jinbe, and Luffy exchanged another round of uneasy glances, silently acknowledging that Ricardo's overly polished demeanor was starting to rub them the wrong way. Despite the cheerful exterior, something about him and Juan felt… off. But before any of them could voice their thoughts, Ricardo clapped his hands together, his tone as bright as the morning sun.

"Say, have you all ever gone hang gliding before?" he asked, his grin broad and inviting.

"Hang gliding?" Chopper repeated, tilting his head.

"It's where you attach yourself to a large glider and soar through the air, using the wind to keep you aloft," Ricardo explained enthusiastically. "Here on our island, the cliffs provide perfect updrafts. It's an exhilarating experience! A real thrill!"

Chopper's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Flying through the air like a bird? That does sound pretty cool!"

Franky slammed a fist on the table, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That's SUPER! Count me in!"

Brook chuckled, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It does sound quite adventurous. Though I wonder… would I even need a glider? Being so light, I might just float on my own! Yohohoho!"

Usopp shot him a skeptical look, crossing his arms. "It sounds dangerous. What if you crash? Or worse—what if you just keep floating and never come down?"

Ricardo laughed warmly, effortlessly brushing off the concerns. "I assure you, it's completely safe and absolutely thrilling! There's nothing like soaring above the island, taking in the stunning views. For the first-timers, we even have tandem gliders, so you'll be in expert hands."

He rose from his seat, turning to Nami with a charming smile as he extended his hand. "How about this? While they try hang gliding, you and I can focus on mapping the island. I've been dying to see your navigation skills in action firsthand."

Nami tilted her head thoughtfully before nodding with a small smile. "Sure, that sounds productive."

Zoro stood up next, stretching his arms behind his head. "Fine. We'll give this hang gliding thing a shot, but we're gonna need some time to get ready."

Jinbe followed, his calm demeanor grounding the group. "It won't take long. We'll meet you shortly."

Ricardo nodded graciously. "Of course. How about I meet you all in the garden when you're ready?"

Turning back to Nami, Ricardo offered his arm. "Allow me to escort you to your room again."

Nami waved him off, placing a hand on her hip. "You know, I don't need an escort every time. Unlike Zoro, I actually have a sense of direction."

"Can it, you witch!" Zoro snapped, scowling as the others snickered.

Ricardo chuckled, intertwining his arm with Nami's as they started walking away. "You Straw Hats… always so entertaining!"

Once the pair disappeared, the male Straw Hats exchanged glances before heading back to their rooms. They pushed open the door to Sanji and Usopp's room without hesitation, revealing Sanji buttoning up a fresh shirt.

Sanji quirked a brow, clearly annoyed. "Ever heard of knocking? I could've been naked, you know."

Ignoring him, the group filed inside. Jinbe quietly closed the door behind them.

Luffy stared at Sanji with an uncharacteristic intensity, causing Sanji to pause mid-motion, confused. "What is it?" he asked, voice cautious.

Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We need to talk. All of us."

…

"Bad guavas? That's impossible," Sanji said firmly, his brows furrowed as he processed their explanation. "I was helping Lupita prepare the meals, remember? There's no way I wouldn't have noticed rotting fruit. Trust me, I know my ingredients. I inspected every single piece of fruit before it went into the dishes. Not a single guava looked even remotely contaminated."

"That's what I figured," Jinbe said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Something's definitely off with the people in this castle."

Zoro crossed his arms, nodding. "Yeah, there's no way Robin just suddenly got sick out of nowhere—especially in the middle of a club. It doesn't add up."

Usopp looked between them, his confusion evident. "But why target Robin specifically? And Law's crew? If someone wanted to go after us, wouldn't it make more sense to target Luffy? He's the emperor of the sea. He's the biggest threat here."

The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of suspicion settled over them. Luffy's gaze darkened, his expression unusually serious. "If someone's messing with our crew or the Heart Pirates, they're gonna regret it."

Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he exhaled a thin plume of smoke. "I don't like this. Not one bit."

Franky folded his arms, his mechanical hand tapping his elbow. "So, what's the plan? If they figure out we're onto them, they might call the Marines. Hell, they could've already made the call. And if they are affiliated with the World Government, it makes sense they'd go after Robin. She's the only one left who can read Poneglyphs. That alone makes her as big a threat as Luffy, maybe even bigger."

Brook nodded solemnly, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Indeed. If the Marines catch wind of an emperor being here—along with another pirate worth three billion berries—they'd spare no expense. Fast ships, elite forces… We'd be in deep trouble."

Usopp shook his head, still unconvinced. "I don't know… I mean, think about what happened at the club. If this entire island was plotting against us, wouldn't we have noticed something by now? It's not like Whiskey Peak—they were pretending to party with us back then. These people? They were actually drinking and having fun. They didn't seem fake to me."

Jinbe sighed, his expression calm but firm. "Regardless, we'll have to stay alert. Something isn't right on this island, and we need to figure out what it is before it's too late."

Zoro grunted in agreement, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "We should keep a close eye on Ricardo and Juan. I don't trust either of them."

Luffy suddenly spoke up, his tone sharp. "We shouldn't let Ricardo stay alone with Nami either. She could be in danger. One of us needs to stick with her while she's mapping the island."

Zoro nodded. "Agreed. I'll handle it if I have to."

Sanji frowned, pointing a finger at Zoro. "Like hell you will, mosshead. You'll probably get her lost."

Zoro glared back, his hand tightening around his sword. "Better me than you, love cook. You'd spend more time drooling over her than actually watching her back."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Sanji snapped, stepping forward.

"Enough!" Jinbe's deep voice rumbled, silencing the argument before it could escalate. "What matters is keeping Nami safe. We'll figure out who goes with her calmly and rationally."

Ussop then suggests, "Franky would be the best choice to go with Nami. It's not unusual for him to tag along—he can ask questions about the architecture and infrastructure of the island. That's a perfectly reasonable excuse for his presence."

Franky adjusted his sunglasses, a grin spreading across his face. "You can count on me! I'll keep Nami safe, and while I'm at it, I'll check out what kind of tech and materials they're working with. You never know, this place might have some inspiration for a SUPER upgrade to the Sunny!"

Zoro shrugged. "Makes sense to me. Franky's not the type to raise suspicion."

Sanji crossed his arms but didn't argue, though he looked far from happy about the decision. "Fine. But if anything happens to her—"

"Relax, curly-brow," Franky interrupted with a laugh. "I've got it covered. Nobody's gonna lay a hand on Nami-sis while I'm around."

Luffy grinned, his confidence in Franky unwavering. "Alright, Franky, it's up to you! Make sure nothing happens to Nami, and keep an eye on Ricardo while you're at it. If anything feels weird, let us know right away."

Franky gave them a thumbs up, his usual energy unshaken. "You got it, captain! I'll make sure everything's SUPER smooth."

Jinbe turned to Luffy, his tone serious. "In the meantime, the rest of us should stick together and stay on guard. If Robin and the Heart Pirates were targeted, we can't assume we're safe just because we're not their focus right now."

Chopper spoke up, his voice tinged with worry. "But what if Ricardo and Juan were telling the truth? What if it really is just food poisoning? I want to check on them, make sure they're okay."

Luffy crouched down, meeting Chopper's concerned gaze. "Chopper, I know you're worried—we all are. But for now, we can't go snooping around just yet. If something's off, I don't want any more of us suddenly getting 'sick.'"

He straightened up, his expression firm. "Robin and Tra-guy are tough. We'll just have to trust that they can hold on until we figure out what's really going on here. Once we know more, you'll get your chance to help them. I promise."

Chopper hesitated for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But if anything changes, you'll let me help them, right?"

"Of course," Luffy replied, offering a small grin. "You're our doctor, after all."

Luffy grinned wide, his hand firmly in the center of the circle. "Alright, Plan 'Franky-Is-The-Unsuspicious-Third-Wheel-Wolf-In-Sheep's-Clothing-While-We-Hang-Glide-Like-Nothing-Is-Wrong-Golden-Tiger-Plan' is a go!"

Usopp scoffed, crossing his arms. "That's the worst plan name I've ever heard!"

Sanji raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, where exactly does the golden tiger come in? And what's with the wolf in sheep's clothing?"

Zoro shrugged, already placing his hand on top of Luffy's. "I like it. It's short and simple."

Usopp and Chopper both shot him incredulous looks, shouting in unison, "It's the opposite of short and simple!"

Brook chuckled, placing his hand in the circle next. "Yohoho, regardless of the name, I'm ready to crash—or not crash, if possible!"

Jinbe placed his hand in, nodding solemnly. "A poor name won't make a poor plan. Let's make it count."

Franky adjusted his sunglasses and gave a thumbs-up. "Super ready to roll! Third wheel wolf, reporting for duty!"

Sanji sighed, reluctantly placing his hand in the pile. "This is ridiculous. But fine, I'm in. I'm not letting mosshead ruin everything while I'm busy watching Nami-swan from afar."

Finally, Usopp groaned, adding his hand. "Let's just call it Plan 'Crash The Date And Not Crash From The Sky' instead. That's way better!"

Chopper grinned, his small hoof joining the stack. "Yeah, that sounds better! I'm ready!"

Luffy's grin grew even wider as he looked around at his crew, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Alright, whatever we call it—let's do this!"

The crew threw their hands up in unison, a resounding cheer echoing through the room. "Straw Hats, let's go!"