Chapter 242: Nojiko!
Just as the two guards were chatting by the deck rail, a woman with a graceful figure approached them.
"Hey, my handsome guard brothers," she said with a teasing smile, "we're headed to the Kingdom of Alelochi next, right?"
The guards straightened up instinctively, responding almost in unison.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The woman—Nojiko—tilted her head playfully. "And here I thought I was the only one who didn't know where we were going."
"We should arrive in about two days," one of the guards explained earnestly. "If there's anything you need, just let us know. We'll take care of it."
It wasn't just professional courtesy. Guards were still men, after all. And on a merchant ship like this, a beauty like Nochigo who spoke kindly and occasionally flirted was enough to brighten their monotonous days at sea.
Even if they knew nothing would come of it, her presence alone made their journey feel a little more enjoyable.
Not all the guards, however, let their hearts wander. One of them, older and more grounded, kept his thoughts focused. He was already engaged and deeply loved his partner.
"Two days, huh?" Nojiko repeated, then glanced toward the sea.
"You just mentioned the Dragon Hunter Pirates earlier. If I remember right, they were last spotted near the Navy's G5 branch, weren't they?"
The mood changed immediately. The guards' faces stiffened, unease creeping in like a shadow.
"That's true," one of them admitted. "They were reported near G5... but the route we're on should be safe. It leads directly to Alelochi and is rarely targeted by pirates."
Nojiko nodded thoughtfully, placing a finger on her chin as if deep in thought. "I see... well, thank you." She smiled and walked away.
This particular merchant ship belonged to nobles from the Kingdom of Alelochi, transporting valuable goods that warranted their personal escort. Sixteen guards were onboard, along with forty-five experienced sailors.
As for Nojiko, she had boarded the ship by chance. One of the nobles, clearly captivated by her beauty, had invited her aboard. To her credit, he had been respectful so far, putting on his best aristocratic charm and manners.
Still, it was clear that once they reached Alelochi, and if Nojiko hadn't shown any romantic interest by then… the noble's patience might run out.
With only two days remaining, Nojiko was on edge. If nothing disrupted their voyage before reaching the kingdom, she might be forced to act.
Alelochi itself wasn't particularly powerful. It wasn't affiliated with the World Government nor considered an ally. But its royal army was strong enough to defend the nation.
And with no valuable natural resources, the kingdom had managed to live in peace for decades—largely ignored by both pirates and the World Government alike.
This peaceful reputation, however, only made Nojiko more anxious.
If this noble had been some crude brute with the typical arrogance of spoiled aristocrats, she'd have no trouble dealing with him. But he wasn't. And that made things complicated.
For a moment, Nojiko didn't know what to do.
But one thing was clear—she would never submit to this noble.
She still had far too much to do. And if Nami ever heard that she'd become some nobleman's woman just like that... she'd never hear the end of it. Nami would laugh her ass off.
"Look out! A large pirate ship ahead!"
The sudden cry from the crow's nest snapped everyone to attention.
"I can't make out the flag yet—but it's definitely not a small-time crew!"
"Where's the negotiator?" a crewman shouted. "Quick! If we can resolve this with gold, do it. We can't afford a fight!"
Chaos erupted on the deck as the lookout's voice grew more urgent.
Nojiko eyes lit up slightly.
Pirates... finally. Maybe this is the opportunity I need.
She didn't know who was approaching yet, but she was confident in her abilities. She could handle herself.
But the next cry from the lookout froze the blood in her veins.
"It's the Dragon Hunter Pirates!"
A suffocating silence fell over the ship. Then came the cries of despair.
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates?! We're doomed…"
"No… I haven't even said goodbye to my family…"
"I can't die here… not like this… not as food for monsters…"
The deck dissolved into panic. Guards dropped their weapons. Some collapsed where they stood. Others fell to their knees, muttering prayers or whispering apologies to loved ones.
Rumors about the Dragon Hunter Pirates painted them as monsters—demons in human skin. Villains who had waged war on the World Government. A crew of cannibals who feasted on their victims.
Even Nojiko, brave as she was, felt her heart skip a beat. She had thought she could handle any pirate crew. But this wasn't just any crew.
"Come quickly, Nojiko!"
The noble, Kasla, grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the stern. "We have to escape. Now! I heard they like young girls the most. If they catch you—"
"Ah! Wait—" Nojiko stumbled, barely able to respond before being dragged along.
When they reached the stern, they saw the last lifeboat already floating away in the distance. The boatmen had abandoned ship.
Kasla's face went pale. The final hope of survival had vanished.
"This is it," he whispered in despair. "We're going to die here…"
He turned to Nojiko, his voice trembling.
"I know you don't feel the same way about me. But I really do like you. If this is the end… at least I got to spend it with you. I have no regrets."
Nojiko stared at him for a long second before nodding slightly. "Thanks."
Then, she stepped back. "I'm going to check the situation."
Her heart had steadied.
Even if this was the Dragon Hunter Pirates—so what?
She'd sailed with and fought against some of the most dangerous crews in the New World. Rumors were often exaggerated. The media loved to twist the truth. Morgans' news network was notorious for dramatizing events, and the World Government wasn't exactly known for telling the full truth either.
The stories about cannibalism? They might just be fearmongering. After all, hadn't the Dragon Hunter Pirates declared war on the World Government just to protect a small group of innocent workers?
Would such people really be monsters?
There was a chance—however slim—that the rumors were false. If so, this was her chance to prove it. And if they were true…
Then she'd go down fighting.
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