Novel Chapter
Within minutes, the Marines had torn through the house and unearthed every last berry—over eighty million of them. Eight years of Nami's life, scattered across the floor like trash.
Captain Nezumi picked up a stack of worn, faded bills, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "Ugh. Practically rotting. What terrible storage." He flipped through them with a sneer. "Still usable, though. I'll graciously take them off your hands."
He waved dismissively at his men. "Load it all up!"
The soldiers moved efficiently, gathering the money while Nami sat collapsed on the ground, sobbing quietly, powerlessly.
Nezumi looked down at her with a grin that showed too many teeth. "Shahahaha... remember to hide it better next time!"
Then he swaggered off, boots crunching over scattered coins.
Nami stared after him, eyes hollow and unfocused. Her lips moved, barely forming words. "Belle-mère... what do I... what do I do?"
Her voice cracked. The sobs came harder.
"We're going to fight Arlong!"
"That's right! We can't let Nami suffer like this anymore!"
"We're done with Arlong's tyranny!"
A crowd of villagers surged forward, weapons raised—clubs, hoes, farming tools turned makeshift arms. Leading them was Genzo, the village sheriff, a pinwheel stuck cheerfully in his hat despite the scars covering his weathered face.
Nami's head snapped up, shock flooding her features. "You... you all... how did you know!?"
She'd thought—she'd believed—that the villagers hated her for joining Arlong's crew. That they'd ostracized her. She'd planned to buy back the village first, then tell them the truth.
But they'd known. From the very beginning, they'd known.
They'd just stayed silent so she wouldn't carry even more weight on her shoulders.
Genzo's expression was fierce, resolute. "Nami. You've carried this burden for all of us for eight years. Now it's our turn to stand up." His voice hardened. "We're done living under Arlong's boot. Even if it costs us our lives—we're fighting back!"
"Even if we die!"
"We won't let Nami suffer alone anymore!"
"Let's take Arlong down!"
The villagers roared, brandishing their weapons with desperate courage.
Terror seized Nami's chest. She knew Arlong's strength—really knew it. These people wouldn't stand a chance. They'd be slaughtered.
"No! Everyone, please—don't go!" Her voice pitched high with panic. "It's just one hundred million berries! I can save it again—quickly! Just wait a little longer, please!"
She begged. Pleaded. Anything to keep them from marching to their deaths.
Meanwhile...
On the sea near Cocoyasi Village.
Captain Nezumi stood on the deck of his warship, staring at the mountain of berries with naked greed. "Shahahaha... one hundred million berries, just like that. That girl's a complete fool!" His grin faltered slightly. "Though splitting half with that damn fishman stings..."
"C-Captain!" A Marine's voice cracked with alarm. "There's a warship approaching—heading straight for us!"
Nezumi's good mood evaporated. "What are you panicking about? Tell them this is Captain Nezumi of Branch 16. Make them yield. If they don't—sink them."
"But sir—it's Admiral Hakuryū's warship!"
Every Marine knew that ship. Even those who couldn't identify Fleet Admiral Sengoku's vessel recognized that one.
"So what if it's—" Nezumi froze mid-sentence. His brain caught up. "What!? Ad-Admiral Hakuryū's—!?"
He whipped around toward the sea.
The warship was massive. The white dragon banner flew high above the deck. One ship that size was worth dozens of his Captain-class vessel.
His stomach dropped.
"Why... why the hell is Admiral Hakuryū in the East Blue!?" Panic crept into his voice. He grabbed the nearest soldier. "Can we turn back!? Is there time!?"
The Marine shook his head grimly. "Too late, sir. If we can see them, they've already seen us."
Nezumi's face went pale. "Then... then we go greet him." The words tasted like ash.
He had no choice. Ignoring an Admiral meant demotion—at minimum. For a branch officer like him, it could mean losing his rank entirely.
He couldn't afford that.
Nezumi's warship crawled closer. He boarded Kai's vessel with two adjutants in tow, every step heavy with dread.
Kai sat relaxed in a chair on the deck, the picture of casual authority.
Nezumi's throat tightened. "Ad-Admiral Hakuryū! H-hello, sir!" He forced a smile. "May I ask what brings you to the East Blue?"
Kai's eyebrow arched. "Oh? So I need to report my movements to you now, Captain Nezumi?"
The temperature seemed to drop.
Nezumi's knees hit the deck. "This subordinate deserves death!" His voice pitched high with terror. "I shouldn't have questioned your itinerary, sir! If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave—"
"This is Cocoyasi Village, isn't it?" Kai's tone remained light, conversational. "What brings you here, Captain?"
Kai had been waiting in these waters for hours. Waiting specifically for this rat. There was no way he'd let him scurry off now.
"I... I..." Nezumi stammered, mind racing for an excuse.
"Confiscating illegal funds, right?" Kai supplied helpfully.
Nezumi latched onto it like a lifeline. "Yes! Exactly, sir! This subordinate came to confiscate illegal funds!" Words tumbled out in a rush. "You may not know, Admiral, but there's a notorious pirate swindler operating in Cocoyasi Village—"
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