One Piece: My Crew Members Are Legendary 3D Heroines

Since the culinary showdown wouldn't begin until tomorrow, there was nothing planned for today. Not wanting to stay cooped up on the ship all day, Ethan decided they should head into town for a stroll, maybe do some sightseeing and window shopping.

Tifa agreed readily, and 2B, as usual, had no objections. But Mona declined.

"I'll stay on the ship to study. No interest in wandering aimlessly with you all."

Ethan ruffled her hair with dissatisfaction. "Everyone's going out to have fun, and you're here cramming like it's finals season?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Mona batted his hand away. "This is my work, okay? Do you even know what that word means? You're the captain, yet all you do is mess around and distract everyone else. Could you stop being a nuisance for once?"

"She's right," Tifa chimed in seriously. "Interrupting someone while they're working is just rude. Even if you're the captain, that's no excuse."

"Alright, alright, I get it," Ethan surrendered. "If you're staying, then just take it easy. I'll leave the support drone with you. If we're not back by lunchtime, find something to eat yourself. Don't leave the ship alone. Call us if anything happens."

"Yeah, yeah, you nag like a grandma."

"Well, it's because I worry about you."

After giving his usual round of reminders, Ethan left the ship with Tifa and 2B.

Mona watched them leave, then flipped her twin ponytails and returned to her room to read.

...

The streets were the same as yesterday, rich with the aromas of freshly cooked food. In fact, the scent was even more intense today.

But the way passersby looked at the three of them had clearly changed more curious, more cautious, even a little respectful.

After a night of rumors spreading, the story of the Osprey pirates and their crew being taken down leader included and handed over to the Navy had circulated throughout the town and to the ships docked nearby. It was now the talk of the port.

People had started speculating about the trio's identities. But since their ship flew no flag, no one could come to a definitive conclusion.

One thing was certain though: they weren't pirates they were bounty hunters.

Only bounty hunters would beat up a bunch of pirates and hand them over to the Navy for a reward.

In short, the town now knew there was a capable crew of bounty hunters operating nearby.

"They're giving us those looks again," Tifa muttered, inching closer to 2B. "Same as when we marched those pirates through the streets yesterday."

"This town isn't as clean as it looks," Ethan explained. "Especially with a major event going on. Who knows how many pirates are masquerading as chefs or tourists just to make a quick score."

"But aren't there Navy forces on the island? Wouldn't that deter them?"

"Why would it?" Ethan shrugged. "There are more pirates in this world than fish in the sea. You think the Navy can manage all of them?

"If there's no wanted poster to match, and the pirate doesn't out themselves, how would anyone know? Like that old man over there with the braided beard who's to say he's not a pirate?"

He wasn't joking.

That old man was a pirate. If Ethan remembered correctly, that was Red-Leg Zeff, infamous for his brutal kicking technique that left his boots soaked in his enemies' blood. A former pirate who'd lost his ship and his right leg in a storm, Zeff had since retired and opened a floating restaurant. He was pretty well-known back in the East Blue.

So it made sense that he'd show up to a cooking contest. With a big prize pool and free publicity for his restaurant, it was only natural.

"Him?" Tifa glanced over, examining the man only to be met with a glare so fierce she recoiled and looked away. "He does look kind of scary... Don't tell me he is a pirate?"

"Who knows?" Ethan replied lazily. "I'm not broke enough to go around chasing every pirate on a wanted poster. As long as they're not committing crimes in front of me or bragging about their bounty, I couldn't care less."

"Well, I'll admit I didn't expect you to have principles."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ethan said, indignant. "What kind of person do you take me for?"

"At first I thought you were a good guy," Tifa teased. "But then I found out you were actually..."

"Actually what?"

"You know what you are."

"I know what you're thinking pervert, right?" Ethan didn't even flinch. "But being attracted to beauty is human nature. It's not just men women are the same. Totally normal."

"Agreed," 2B added without hesitation. "I'm a pervert too."

Ethan laughed and rubbed her head. "You're even worse than me."

Tifa didn't respond. Maybe they were just from different worlds. Where she came from, this kind of attitude was uncommon.

Well maybe not entirely. The gang boss back on Wall Street liked to hold 'choose-a-bride' contests. Real scum.

As they walked and talked, Tifa accidentally bumped shoulders with a passerby.

"Sorry."

The man glanced at her indifferently and quickly walked away.

"Tifa," Ethan said. "Check your coin pouch."

"What?"

She reached for her pocket and found a tear in the fabric. Her purse, bought just yesterday, was gone.

Her face darkened as she spun on her heel. "Stop right there!"

Naturally, the man didn't stop. He broke into a run, ducking into a nearby alley.

Without hesitation, Tifa gave chase.

Ethan's expression changed immediately. "Let's go watch the rooftops and the walls!"

"Got it," said 2B. She unsheathed her long white blade, Virtuous Contract, and sprinted forward.

When they reached the mouth of the alley, a thick white smoke filled the passage, blocking their vision. It was impossible to tell what lay inside, or whether the smoke was even safe.

But for 2B, a combat android equipped with tactical goggles and detection radar, it was no issue at all.

She dove into the smoke without pause.

Moments later, the sound of screaming echoed from within.

Then, 2B emerged one hand carrying an unconscious Tifa, the other dragging a thief who was wailing in pain.

Ethan rushed over. "Is Tifa alright?"

"She's fine. The smoke had a sleep-inducing agent. She must've inhaled a bit too much and passed out."

"Good." Ethan checked her briefly no injuries, steady breathing. Just asleep.

This was exactly what he had feared: someone walking alone into an ambush, against foes who had come prepared.

Hypnotic gas was especially dangerous. No matter how skilled a fighter you were, if you were just a regular human, it could take you out before you threw a punch.

Unfortunately for the ambushers, they hadn't counted on 2B someone who didn't play by the rules of biology. She could resist toxins entirely, and with internal heat regulation, she didn't even need to breathe under most circumstances. Smoke that would blind and choke any human was useless against her visor and radar systems.

If there was one thing that could take her down outside of a direct fight, it would have to be a virus an electronic one.

And in this world, the only person capable of creating something like that... was probably Dr. Vegapunk.

After checking on Tifa, Ethan turned to the thief, now writhing on the ground with a broken leg courtesy of 2B.

Time for a little interrogation.

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