บท 73: Dog, Lion and Bazooka

The streets of Orange Town deserted. The normally colorful marketplace felt shadowed, despite the bright banners and trinkets that decorated the town center.

In the midst of this tense atmosphere, a rather odd sight stood out: Luffy was trapped in an iron cage, face scrunched up in frustration. He looked more like a wild animal in a zoo than a pirate captain. Just a few paces away, Nami and Zoro kept a watchful eye on him, while Raja quietly observed the desolate scene around them, his gaze calculating.

"Ugh, this is so annoying!" Luffy muttered, shaking the bars with a determined look.

"Hang tight, Captain," Raja called, smirking slightly at Luffy's struggle. "At least Nobody watching you otherwise townsfolk could have a good show."

Nami rolled her eyes, trying to keep her cool. "We're working on getting you out, but could you keep it down?"

Luffy pouted, clearly not enjoying his temporary confinement. But his eyes suddenly lit up as Nami approached, holding up a shiny metal key she'd pilfered from a nearby pirate. "Look what I got!" she said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. She dangled the key in front of him, watching as his expression shifted from frustration to hope.

"Finally! Gimme that!" Luffy's face broke into a wide grin.

But just as Nami extended her hand to insert the key into the lock, a small blur of white fur suddenly bounded out of nowhere. In an instant, the key was snatched away, and a small, scrappy-looking dog named Shu-Shu stood nearby, key firmly clamped in its jaws. The dog looked back at the bewildered group, its eyes glinting mischievously.

"Hey! That's mine!" Luffy yelled, his arms stretching out in Shu-Shu's direction.

Shu-Shu merely tilted his head, as if taunting Luffy, before darting away.

Luffy's eyes grew wide with determination. "I'll get that key back, even if I have to fight a dog!" He began making exaggerated gestures, wiggling his fingers to coax Shu-Shu over. When that didn't work, he switched tactics, mimicking dog sounds and even offering a half-eaten piece of fruit from his pocket.

Meanwhile, Shu-Shu watched Luffy's antics with a look of boredom, turning up his nose as he pranced around in playful circles. His energetic dodge-and-weave routine had the effect of both amusing and frustrating Luffy, who was clearly unused to being outwitted by a small dog.

"Great, now we're all trapped here because of a dog," Zoro grumbled, folding his arms.

Amid the comic chaos, a middle-aged man with an air of authority approached the scene. He wore a slightly worn suit, and his disheveled appearance suggested he had seen better days. He introduced himself with a formal bow, his voice steady despite the worry in his eyes. "I'm Boodle, mayor of Orange Town. And judging by the scene here, you're not ordinary travelers."

"Not even close!" Luffy said, still keeping one eye on Shu-Shu, who now sat smugly on a barrel, the key dangling tauntingly from his mouth.

Boodle looked from Luffy to Zoro, Raja, and Nami. "Well, I can't say we've had a welcome like this before," he chuckled. "Why don't you all come to my place? You look like you could use some rest."

Zoro nodded politely, though his focus remained on Luffy. "Thank you, but we need to get our captain out of that cage first."

Luffy, now more animated than ever, was too busy with Shu-Shu to even acknowledge Boodle's offer. His face was scrunched up as he tried pleading, bargaining, and even dancing to get Shu-Shu to surrender the key, with little success.

While Luffy continued his comic struggle, Boodle began explaining the dog's backstory to the others. "Shu-Shu is more than just a playful pup," he began, his tone softening. "His owner, a kind-hearted man, built a pet shop here. Shu-Shu has guarded it ever since his master left town and never returned."

Nami's expression softened as Boodle went on. "When Buggy's pirates took over, the townspeople had to evacuate, but Shu-Shu refused to leave. He's been here, loyal as ever, keeping watch."

The group listened in silence, moved by the tale of the scrappy little dog who guarded his master's shop, even against fearsome pirates. As Boodle spoke, the town's emptiness took on a new meaning, and an unexpected wave of determination washed over Luffy.

"You know what?" Luffy said, his face lighting up as he finally stopped chasing Shu-Shu. "That dog's loyalty is just like mine! I can't leave this town to those pirates."

The mood was interrupted, however, by a loud voice that echoed through the streets. "Well, well, well! What do we have here?" A tall, muscular man with a shaggy mane and an arrogant smirk entered the town square, leading an enormous lion on a leash. It was Mohji the Beast Tamer, accompanied by his snarling companion, Richie.

"We're looking for the fools who dared to mess with Buggy the Clown," Mohji declared, his eyes scanning the group. "Especially the 'great' Pirate Hunter Zoro. Killing him would make me famous!"

Zoro met his gaze, unimpressed. "Fame isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Mohji sneered, gesturing toward Luffy's cage. "And look at this! A little captain caught like a rat."

Nami and Boodle quickly ducked behind a stack of crates, watching the scene unfold as Mohji ordered Richie to break the cage. The enormous lion lunged at the bars, splintering the cage with a single swipe of its claws, sending Luffy flying through the air and crashing into a nearby building.

"That's gonna leave a mark," Raja muttered, raising his wand defensively.

Assuming they had incapacitated Luffy, Mohji and Richie turned their attention toward the pet shop, attracted by the scent of food. Richie growled, claws extended, as he began to charge.

But Shu-Shu, undeterred, leapt in front of the shop, barking furiously. Despite the lion's intimidating size, Shu-Shu stood his ground, a fierce look in his eyes.

"Richie, take that little mutt out!" Mohji commanded, watching with glee.

Before Richie could pounce, Raja swiftly stepped in front of Shu-Shu, raising his wand. "Magic-Magic Barrier!" he chanted, forming an invisible wall between Richie and the pet shop. The lion skidded to a halt, unable to break through the barrier. Raja's eyes narrowed as he maintained his focus, ensuring that the lion wouldn't get past him.

Suddenly, Luffy emerged from the debris of the building, unscathed and furious. His eyes were focused, his gaze unwavering as he strode toward Mohji and Richie.

"You messed with Shu-Shu's home," he said, his voice low but intense. "Now I'm gonna mess with you."

Mohji laughed, but his smile quickly faded as Luffy launched himself forward, delivering a powerful Gum-Gum Pistol straight to Richie's jaw. The lion was sent sprawling, unable to comprehend the speed and strength of Luffy's attack.

"Stay away from the shop!" Luffy shouted, his fists clenched.

Mohji, realizing the tables had turned, took a few steps back. But Luffy wasn't finished. With a determined look, he delivered a final Gum-Gum Bazooka, sending Mohji flying down the street. The Beast Tamer crashed into a pile of barrels, thoroughly defeated.

The crowd of townsfolk that had gathered cheered as they saw Mohji and Richie beaten. Nami, watching from behind the crates, was stunned. She hadn't expected a pirate like Luffy to protect a dog's home, let alone fight with such conviction.

Luffy found a small box of dog food from the Pet shop. He knelt down and handed it to Shu-Shu, who looked up at him, tail wagging slightly, gratitude shining in his eyes.

"Here," Luffy said with a grin, "This is yours. Thanks for protecting your home."

Shu-Shu barked softly, nudging his head against Luffy's hand. Nami watched the scene unfold, her heart stirring with admiration.

"Well," she whispered to herself, "maybe not all pirates are as bad as I thought."

Boodle, inspired by Luffy's bravery, clenched his fists. "Enough is enough! I can't let Buggy keep terrorizing us like this!" He started marching toward the town center, determined to confront Buggy himself.

"Hold it!" Luffy called out, hurrying over and grabbing Boodle's arm. "Don't go charging in just yet."

But Boodle shook his head. "I need to protect this town's honor, even if it costs me my life!"

Raja raised his wand, eyes twinkling. "Let's save the heroics for when we have a real plan." With a quick wave, he whispered, "Magic-Magic Sleep," and Boodle slumped over, snoring peacefully.

"Alright, guys," Luffy said, clapping his hands together. "Let's end this Buggy business once and for all!"

With their new resolve, the group set their sights on Buggy the Clown, ready to take back the town, armed with friendship, a scrappy dog, and a spirit that refused to back down.