Five minutes.
That was all it took.
The Marine base island rose from the sea like a clenched fist—bare stone, iron towers, watch posts, and flags snapping in the wind. There were no houses. No docks for trade. No markets.
Only barracks.
Only guns.
Only Marines.
The ship slowed and anchored, ropes thrown out and secured with practiced precision. Nezumi straightened his uniform, wiped sweat from his brow, and forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"This way," he said stiffly.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji followed him off the ship.
As soon as their boots touched land, a group of Marines rushed forward.
"Captain Nezumi!" one of them shouted, snapping into a salute so sharp it echoed. "Welcome back, sir!"
The shout carried.
Too loud.
Too eager.
Luffy's eye twitched.
Nezumi sighed theatrically and returned the salute. "At ease. At ease. You'll burst your lungs."
The Marines laughed nervously.
Nezumi cleared his throat. "I have a task for you."
The Marines immediately leaned in, attentive.
"These gentlemen are… guests," Nezumi said, gesturing vaguely toward Zoro and Sanji. "They require gunpowder and ammunition."
The Marines froze.
"…Sir?" one asked. "Everything?"
Nezumi snapped.
"Did I stammer, soldier!?"
The Marine recoiled. "N-no sir! Of course not! We'll bring everything!"
Sanji raised an eyebrow. Zoro smirked.
The Marine gestured hurriedly. "This way, please!"
Sanji and Zoro followed without comment.
As they disappeared toward the warehouse, Luffy glanced sideways at Nezumi.
"You've got noisy pets," Luffy said mildly.
Nezumi rubbed his temples. "You have no idea."
Then his expression hardened.
"Let's get this over with, pirate."
Luffy nodded.
They entered the base.
Stone corridors swallowed them as they descended stair after stair, deeper underground. Torches flickered. The air grew colder. Heavier.
Luffy summoned a small thundercloud behind him—silent, obedient—ready to carry whatever he took.
At the end of the passage stood the vault.
A steel door the size of the hallway itself.
Nezumi unlocked it with trembling hands. Key. Combination. Lever.
Click.
The door opened.
Gold.
Stacks upon stacks. Crates of coin. Gems glittering faintly in torchlight. Enough wealth to starve an island—or save one.
Luffy stared.
"…How much?"
"Five hundred million," Nezumi muttered.
Luffy whistled softly. "East Blue, huh?"
Nezumi chuckled bitterly. "Five years. We lied. They trusted us."
Luffy laughed once.
"Good. You don't have to anymore."
The thundercloud surged forward, swelling as it swallowed gold, gems, crates, and coins alike. When it shrank again, only a single coin remained on the floor.
Nezumi's face went pale.
Luffy clapped his shoulder.
"Business concluded."
Nezumi growled but stayed silent.
They took a different route out.
Prison level.
Cells lined the corridor. Some empty. Some full.
Prisoners shouted insults. Begged. Cursed.
Luffy lost patience.
Lightning lashed out—controlled, precise—dropping every screaming prisoner into silence.
They reached the stairs.
Then—
"Help me!"
A woman's scream cut through the air.
Luffy turned.
A cell to the right.
Inside—
A woman lay on the floor. Torn clothes. Bruised face. Blood dried along her skin. Eyes wide with terror.
Three Marines stood over her.
Laughing.
"Shut up," one sneered, yanking her hair. "No one's coming."
Another noticed Nezumi and saluted.
Nezumi didn't stop.
He didn't look.
The building shook.
Luffy stood perfectly still.
Lightning crawled over his body.
"You call us trash," he said quietly, "and this is what you do?"
He drew his gun.
Three shots.
No sound.
Only electricity.
Three Marines fell dead.
Nezumi turned to flee.
Lightning snapped around him, dragging him down the stairs. Teeth shattered against stone.
Luffy placed his palm on the wall.
Electricity surged.
Cells unlocked.
Prisoners fled.
Luffy entered the woman's cell.
She turned away, sobbing.
Over her shoulder—
The Hoof of the Flying Dragon.
The slave mark.
Luffy's jaw tightened.
He removed his coat and draped it over her.
"You're safe now."
She broke down again.
He lifted her gently and placed her onto a cloud.
Then he walked up the stairs.
The cloud followed.
Silent..