One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

Chapter 43: A Race Against Time

Sanji and Gin approached the port, their carriage groaning under the weight of the immense haul of food and booze they had gathered. The streets of Logue Town were bustling, but Sanji's thoughts were preoccupied with their impending departure. He glanced at the stacked crates of supplies and let out a sigh. "If Goku keeps eating like he usually does, this won't last us a week."

Gin, ever composed, pushed the loaded carriage with ease, his expression as focused as always. "Let's just hope the others are ready. We can't afford any delays."

As they arrived at the dock, the sight of the Going Merry greeted them, but something in the air felt off. Goku, Zoro, and Nami were already on the ship, and the looks on their faces weren't as relaxed as he would've hoped. Nami stood near the gangplank, clutching the Log Pose as though her life depended on it, while Goku and Zoro seemed to be in the midst of a heated discussion.

Sanji stopped the carriage and walked over. "What's going on?"

Goku's face was serious as he turned to Sanji. "We've got a problem. Nami managed to steal the Log Pose, but Smoker's after her."

Gin stepped forward, his brow furrowing. "Captain Smoker? The Marine? We need to leave now."

Zoro nodded, tightening the sails as he looked out at the sea. "Smoker's no ordinary Marine. If we wait here, we'll get caught. And we've got another issue. Half a dozen pirate ships are approaching from the horizon."

Sanji frowned, lighting a cigarette. "Pirates? Here?"

Nami nodded, glancing nervously toward the harbor. "We've identified the flags—Buggy the Clown and Alvida are leading the fleet. They've got the town surrounded."

Goku clenched his fists, his expression determined. "We need to leave, but Usopp's still in town gathering supplies. I'm not leaving without him."

Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "Then let's go get him."

Gin, who had remained silent, looked at the ship and then back at Goku. "I'll stay here and help Nami prepare the ship for departure. You, Zoro, and Sanji need to get Usopp quickly."

Goku gave a quick nod. "Right. If Smoker shows up, stall him if you can."

Nami bit her lip, her concern for Usopp and the rest of the crew clearly written on her face. "Be careful. We can't fight both Smoker and Buggy's fleet at the same time."

Zoro, already securing the last of the ropes, gave a determined nod. "We'll get Usopp and be back before they know what hit them."

As Goku, Zoro, and Sanji prepared to head into town, the tension on the Going Merry was palpable. The crew was running out of time, and with every passing second, the danger surrounding them grew closer.

---

In the heart of the Marine base, Tashigi hurried through the corridors, her mind still spinning from her brief encounter with Goku and Zoro. She had been tasked with gathering more information about the thief who had broken into the base, and now her thoughts were divided between her duties and the unsettling realization that the two men she had just met were no ordinary travelers.

Tashigi arrived at Captain Smoker's office, knocking briefly before stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of cigar smoke. Smoker stood behind his desk, puffing on his ever-present cigars, his expression unreadable as he sifted through a stack of reports.

"Captain," Tashigi said, snapping to attention. "I've come to report on the theft."

Smoker glanced up, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. "The thief got away, but we know what they stole."

Tashigi frowned. "What was it, sir?"

Smoker held up a small slip of paper, a report from one of his officers. "They stole a Log Pose."

Tashigi's eyes widened. "A Log Pose? Then that means…"

Smoker nodded grimly. "Whoever the thief was, they're planning to sail into the Grand Line. And that narrows down who they're working for."

Tashigi stepped closer to the desk, her eyes drawn to a wanted poster sitting beside the report. Her breath caught in her throat when she recognized the face on the poster. "Straw Hat Goku?" she whispered. "This is him?"

Smoker nodded, tapping the poster with one thick finger. "That's right. He's the pirate with the highest bounty in the East Blue—50 million berries."

Tashigi's mind raced as she recalled the man she had met just a few minutes ago—the same man who had smiled kindly at her and introduced himself with no hint of malice. He hadn't seemed like a vicious pirate, not in the slightest. In fact, he had been friendly, even charming in a way.

"Captain…" she began, her voice uncertain. "I met him. I met Goku just a few minutes ago in town. He didn't seem like a pirate—he smiled at me. And… he was with another man. Someone who used three swords."

Smoker's eyes darkened as he blew out another cloud of smoke. "Pirate Hunter Zoro."

Tashigi's stomach dropped. "Zoro? He's working for Goku?"

"Seems so," Smoker said, his voice low and dangerous. "The greatest swordsman in the East Blue, now serving under a pirate captain. Disappointing, isn't it?"

Tashigi clenched her fists, anger rising in her chest. She had always admired Zoro's reputation as a swordsman, but knowing that he had aligned himself with a pirate, and this pirate no less, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"I had them both right in front of me," she muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. "I could have arrested them if I had known."

Smoker gave her a hard look. "You can't go soft just because someone smiles at you, Tashigi. Pirates are liars by nature, and Straw Hat Goku is no different. His bounty isn't just for show."

Before Tashigi could respond, there was a knock at the door. Smoker's eyes flicked toward the sound, and he called out in his gravelly voice, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal a Marine lieutenant, who saluted both Smoker and Tashigi before speaking in a hurried tone. "Captain Smoker, Ensign Tashigi, sir! I've come to report that Straw Hat Goku has been spotted in town. He and some of his crew members returned to their ship, and it looks like they're in a hurry to leave."

Smoker's face darkened further. "So the thief was working for him after all," he muttered. "I should have known."

The lieutenant continued, his voice urgent. "That's not all, sir. A pirate fleet has encircled the town, led by Buggy the Clown and Iron Club Alvida. They're preparing to attack."

Smoker's cigar nearly snapped in his mouth as his temper flared. "What? Buggy and Alvida too?" He stood up, his imposing frame casting a long shadow over the desk. His expression was one of pure fury as he strode to the window and looked out over the town.

"This brat thinks he can do as he pleases in my town?" Smoker growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Well, I've got news for him."

He turned back toward the lieutenant and Tashigi, his voice sharp and commanding. "Gather all hands on deck. On my reputation as Captain and leading officer of this base, I will not let them get away. Alert the entire base—prepare to move out. We're taking down Straw Hat Goku and every pirate who dares show their face in my town."

Tashigi snapped to attention, her face a mixture of determination and frustration. "Yes, sir!"

The lieutenant saluted once more and rushed out of the room, leaving Smoker and Tashigi alone in the smoky office. The tension in the air was thick, and as Smoker stared out the window, watching the chaos beginning to unfold, Tashigi could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on them both.

The hunt for Straw Hat Goku had begun.

[A/N: Hey guys. So a few things to get through. First of all shout out to my newest patron on patreon 21/thekylewalker. I appreciate your support. Secondly I need your feedback on the term Straw Hat Goku. I know it feels a bit weird but I am open to suggestions for a name befitting of Goku that has the same feeling as Straw Hat Luffy or Red Haired Shanks. Something with that feeling. Thirdly is my other series Lord of Fire. You can look it up right now and tell me what y'all think of it's conclusion because I have had mixed feelings of should I continue it or not. I am working on my third project and just haven't had the energy for continuing all three. As always thank you for reading. Please dont forget to like, comment and vote with a power stone if you like the story. It really helps. If you like this series you can now also read 15-20 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]