Chapter 385: Is This Really the Straw Hat Crew?

“Is this how you all normally act?”

Vivi started to feel like everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates was just a bunch of overgrown kids. They never seemed all that mature.

Could people like this really help her solve Alabasta’s crisis?

But no one could answer that right now. At this point, she was willing to try anything out of desperation.

They had the strength and could get to Alabasta faster than anyone else. Right now, she couldn’t think of a better hope.

The Navy was out of the question. After all, the Seven Warlords were officially recognized by the Navy as great pirates—weren’t they practically in bed together?

“Don’t worry. They may seem childish, but when it matters, they’re some of the most reliable friends you could ask for.”

Gin, despite being the last to join the crew, had spent enough time with Luffy and the others to form at least a basic impression.

It might look like they just mess around and never take anything seriously.

But the moment trouble shows up, each and every one of them is someone you can trust to watch your back. Real comrades, the kind you’d risk your life with.

Gin had heard Ye Fan say there was no need to leave a guard, but just in case, he quietly stayed behind on the ship anyway.

Vivi, on the other hand, was completely focused on what was happening in Alabasta. She wasn’t in the mood to explore the island. Instead, she silently prayed the others would come back soon so they could set sail for the next island—and after another one or two, they’d finally reach Alabasta.

“Ye Fan, they’re already ashore.”

“So, what’s our move?”

Luffy had barely set foot on the island before Pang Bo, watching from a nearby hill, spotted him right away.

He was easily the most restless of the group, always itching to go dig up the graves of famous pirates—he was basically the crew’s gravedigger.

“No rush. Let him walk around a bit longer. Good things are worth waiting for, after all.”

Ye Fan opened his golden eyes, glancing ahead. He didn’t even need to use his Observation Haki.

Ever since he’d started awakening the Titan bloodline, he’d gained a new ability—he could clearly sense a creature’s strength.

It was kind of like thermal vision, only much more precise. It let him judge how powerful someone was in an instant.

That way he could easily tell Luffy was like a blazing bonfire compared to the rest, though still a bit below Ye Fan himself. Off to the side, a small flicker was running toward the middle of the island—must’ve been Usopp the sniper.

In the end, all he had to do was wait and let the prey come to him. A little patience was the mark of a master.

Nalan Yanran said, “Big Brother Ye Fan, Brother Pang Bo, looks like my opponent is lost. I’ll head out first.”

Zoro, the crew’s worst navigator, had gotten himself totally turned around and was circling the garden. If Nalan Yanran didn’t go now, Zoro might actually end up behind Ye Fan’s group by accident.

The Shrouding Sky Pirates’ ship was parked over there. If Zoro stumbled onto it, whoever was on watch might not be any match for him.

“Go ahead, go ahead. I’ve heard Roronoa Zoro has the worst sense of direction—he could get lost walking ten meters. That’s hilarious!”

Pang Bo remembered what he read and burst out laughing.

He couldn’t believe someone like that existed on the grand seas. This wasn’t just bad direction—this was total navigational chaos! If he sailed off alone, could he ever even find his way back to his hometown?

It was something fans often joked about: after Zoro left Shimotsuki Village, he never returned. Maybe it was just because he couldn’t find the way.

Nalan Yanran stood up, bowed to her two brothers, then made her way toward Zoro, who was still circling the other side of the island. The longsword swaying at her waist left no doubt—she was a swordswoman.

Jeremy sat on another tall tree, lowered his telescope, and turned to Ye Fan. “Captain, is my target really that long-nosed guy?”

He was the sniper of the Shrouding Sky Pirates, and honestly, seeing his opponent was a long-nosed fellow—even though he carried a spear—it still felt like picking on the underdog.

There were nine members in the Shrouding Sky Pirates. Besides Ye Fan, Pang Bo, and Nalan Yanran, the other six had been recruited along the way. Each one was an expert, and just like Roger, Luffy, and Shanks, their crew took the elite route.

“No. Only the three of us will make a move this time. The rest of you just watch.”

Ye Fan wasn’t going to let the others join the battle—that wasn’t the plan. Besides, there would be plenty of chances to fight the Straw Hat Pirates later. No need to go all out here.

Shing!

The crisp sound of a sword being drawn echoed right by Ye Fan’s ear. He smiled. “Looks like it’s started.”

He glanced toward the woods on his left. Flashes of blades and swords shone through the trees, and huge swaths of forest were being cut down.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ye Fan stood and brushed off some fallen leaves.

“Pang Bo, don’t forget your target.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ve already got him in my sights.”

Pang Bo, originally eight meters tall, had forced himself down to just three. You could tell how much self-control that took. He’d been itching to find someone to use as a punching bag—this was his dream come true.

He hefted a coffin lid made of special metal and, with a single leap, slammed it down in Sanji’s direction.

Sanji was busy trading kicks with a triceratops several meters tall.

Suddenly he heard something heavy crashing down from above.

He looked up fast—was that a giant door?

But his muscles acted before his mind caught up. Instantly, his right leg shot up.

Clang!

Time seemed to slow as pain twisted Sanji’s face.

“Damn it!”

Thud! It hurt like hell.

It felt like the bones in his right toes had cracked. The pain was intense.

“Not bad, not bad. If you can take a hit like that, you’ll make a fine training dummy.”

Seeing Sanji block his strike with apparent ease, Pang Bo couldn’t help but respect him a little.

But he didn’t slow down at all. He swung the massive coffin lid in both hands, sweeping it toward Sanji’s face.

“Who the hell are you? Weren’t we told this island was deserted?”

Why did that board look more and more like a coffin lid?

Who even used weapons like this nowadays?

Sanji’s thoughts froze for a second.

He realized that kick hadn’t even left a dent in the mysterious board. No way was he trying that head-on again. Instead, he crouched and leaped high into the air, launching a sideways kick at Pang Bo’s head!

Pang Bo was just as quick. As soon as one attack ended, another began.

He jammed the board in front of him, used it to pivot, and swung his right leg straight at Sanji’s.

When their feet collided, the shockwave blasted through the trees all around.

The two started trading blows, neither giving an inch. Thanks to Ye Fan’s help along the way, they’d actually become strong enough to face Pang Bo, Ye Fan, and Nalan Yanran head-on.