Chapter 45: Conflict Resolution

The Black Pearl made landfall without incident.

Once we did so the entire crew de-boarded her and began exploring the island.

Even Weisz.

Who has been acting like a hermit in his workshop in the ship ever since he obtained his devil fruit powers a couple of weeks ago.

We literally had to drag him out of there and make him bathe, eat, and even sleep. That's the only reason he didn't look like an unwashed bum right now. Though I can understand why he's spending so much time in his workshop.

He's working with his devil fruit powers.

Everyone has heard some doing so at all hours.

As for what he's doing exactly I have no idea, but I do know whatever he's working on will be amazing once he unveils it.

Call it a gut feeling.

Our group continued making our way inland, using the gigantic tree in the middle of the island as our guide point.

But we all came to a stop when several of the islands human natives appeared from the trees directly in our path.

"Who you people?" One of them asked. "We no seen you around here before." He spoke.

"We're visitors to your island." I replied.

"I see." The man from before said.

One of them then pointed at Bepo. "Food." He said.

Getting scared Bepo moved to hide behind Law. But that did nothing to hide him in the slightest given his large body.

My eyes on the natives I moved to stand between them and Bepo. "That bear you see is not food. He is our friend and crewmate and his name is Bepo. Not food, Bepo." I told them.

"No, he food." The one who called Bepo food before retorted. "We hunt food." He said.

He then raised his spear in our direction and then a second later the tip rocketed off and started heading right towards us.

Seeing this I drew Dragon Fang and sent a flying slash to counter the rocket spear tip. As the two of them collided a small explosion occurred.

As the smoke dissipated I saw the other natives point the tips of their spears in our groups direction.

"Fascinating." Robin said. "Although this islands inhabitants appear as a primitive culture as first glance they seem to possess rather advanced technology. The gap between their developments is rather intriguing." She spoke.

The archaeologist in her coming out despite the fact we are a tense situation.

But then again that's Nico Robin for you.

"Is this really a time for such an analysis Robin?" Rean asked. Moving his right hand to handle of Yakou.

Chuckling at my crews antics I saw the natives getting ready to launch a full-on attack. But before they could I released a burst of conqueror's haki. Which sent them all to their knees instantly.

Boy conqueror's haki sure is a amazing. I need to be careful otherwise I might get addicted to it.

Once they managed to get their bearings the natives looked at me, fear evident on their faces.

Looking at them I smirked, then released another burst of conqueror's haki for good measure.

This second burst had them bowing to me.

"Arise." I said.

When I did so the natives raised their heads.

"You all can get up off the ground." I told them.

So they did.

As they did I sheathed Dragon Fang. I then walked up to the leader and extended my left hand. "Listen, we are not here to harm you. We come in peace. The only reason I acted like that just now is because you tried to hunt my friend for a meal. Which I will not allow. But if you do not attack us we will not attack you. So, let's get along."

The leader stared at my hand for several seconds, but eventually he stuck his out and slowly shook mine.

As he did so he looked at me, thinking I was going to harm him. But when I didn't he visibly relaxed. Seeing this his compatriots did so as well.

The two of us broke the handshake after that.

"Thank you." I said. "Now then, take me to your leader."

I've always wanted to say that.

Hearing my request the natives started walking, me and my crew followed right behind them.

On our way to meet their leader.

--------------------------------------------------

Thirty minutes passed before we reached the natives village.

The moment we did so several of them aimed their rocket spears at my crew. But our new friends we met earlier quickly diffused the situation.

Once they did so they began explaining the situation.

Then as soon as they were finished an older male came to greet my group. "Me Mamba. Leader of the village." He told us.

"A pleasure to meet you Mamba. My name is Roberts." I said. I then introduced the rest of my crew, while making sure all the natives knew Bepo was not food but a friend.

I also mentioned that any attempt to hunt and eat him would result in the perpetrators receiving several broken bones.

"We understand." Mamba spoke after I finished.

"I'm glad you do. Since once again we are not here to fight. But we will if we have too." I told Mamba. "So, is there anything good to eat around here?"

"Yes. We have good food." Mamba told me. "Fruits, meat, all very delicious. Since we friends we feed you all."

"Don't mind if we do." I said.

Then just as I did so I heard several screeches throughout the air.

*Kaw! Kaw! Kaw!*

'Looks like the Goayu Birds are here.' I thought.

Perfect.

Now I can enact my plan to resolve the conflict between Mamba's tribe and the Birds sooner rather than later.

Because in doing so the two native species on the island will be able to flourish and co-exist thus strengthening them both. It will also make the inhabitants of Torino Kingdom indebted to my crew.

Two birds, one stone.

Pun very much intended.

As I smiled like a devil on the inside the members of Mamba's tribe prepared themselves for battle.

"Captain, it's those birds from earlier. Should we move to assist Mamba's people?" Rean asked me.

"We are going to do that, but not in the way you think." I said. "Rean you and Alfia come with me, the rest of you stay here in the village."

So with that my group headed out with Mamba and the warriors to meet the Goayu Birds, while the others stay behind in the village.

It didn't take long for my group to meet up with the birds.

The moment we did so they and the members of Mamba's tribe got ready to attack each other, but before they could I released yet another burst of conqueror's haki stopping them all in their tracks.

As soon as I did so both the birds and the Torino humans looked at me.

"Listen I know you guys were about to fight and all, but I was just wondering if you could try talking it out instead. My friends and I are more than happy to act as your mediators." I spoke. "I know we are outsiders and have no clue about what your circumstances might be but I am just saying, do your two groups want to keep fighting until you wipe each other out or would you rather have peace? The choice is yours."

Hearing my little speech the Goayu Birds and Mamba's tribe continued staring at me for several seconds. They then started staring at each other.

Over a minute passed before I got a response to my words.

"We want peace." Mamba spoke. "We try talking." He said.

"Kaw, Kaw." One of the Goayu Birds said.

Which I took as meaning the same thing.

Once I had both sides on the same page I had them sit down and discuss their issues. Making sure no one got too rowdy.

Then in just under two hours all conflicts between the Goayu Birds and Mamba's tribe became a thing of the past.

Bringing the long conflict of Torino Kingdom to a close.

'All according to plan.' I thought.

I truly do love it when they work out.