Chapter 17
The smell of grilled fish and roasted meat filled the air as Cocoyasi Village threw the biggest party it had seen in eight years. Tables overflowed with food. Barrels of sake rolled out from hidden cellars. Music echoed through streets that had been silent far too long.
Luffy was in heaven, stuffing his face with reckless abandon.
"THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!" he shouted through a mouthful of pork.
"More meat! MORE MEAT!"
"Slow down, you rubber idiot," Sanji laughed, lighting a fresh cigarette.
"There's plenty for everyone."
Zoro had claimed an entire barrel of sake and was halfway through it, grinning like the alcohol was washing away every ache in his bandaged chest.
"Not bad for a backwater village."
Usopp was surrounded by kids, spinning wild tales about how he personally defeated Arlong with his "Ultimate Captain Usopp Super Attack!" The children hung on every word. Their parents just smiled and brought more food.
---
But Silas wasn't eating.
He stood apart, red hair catching the firelight, sharp eyes scanning the harbor. Something felt off. Instinct. Experience. Years of dodging trouble had taught him to trust the quiet moments.
"Oi, Zoro," he called, eyes never leaving the water.
Zoro looked up, immediately catching the tone.
"What is it?"
"Company. Three ships. Marine flags. Moving real careful toward the harbor."
Zoro's hand drifted to his sword.
"Marines? Now?"
"Yeah. And they're not here to say thanks."
---
Boots echoed through the village. A squad of Marines marched up the main street, crisp uniforms, smug faces. At the front: a man who looked like a rat had learned to walk upright.
Captain Nezumi. Beady eyes. Twitchy nose. Oily smile.
His men flanked him like they owned the place.
The celebration died. Kids hid. Old villagers backed away.
"Citizens of Cocoyasi Village!" Nezumi announced, voice like nails on chalkboard.
"I am Captain Nezumi of the 16th Branch! We're here to investigate illegal pirate activity and confiscate stolen treasure!"
Luffy looked up from his meat, confused.
"Huh? Pirates? Where?"
But Nami stepped forward, face twisted with rage.
"YOU!" she snarled, pointing.
"You took bribes from Arlong! You let him terrorize us while you got rich!"
The crowd erupted. Genzo's face went dark.
"This bastard turned a blind eye to everything Arlong did."
Nezumi's smile didn't budge.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, miss. We're simply here to do our duty and collect—"
"Your duty?" Silas laughed, stepping forward, cocky grin in place.
"A corrupt Marine talking about duty? That's rich."
Nezumi's eyes narrowed.
"And you are?"
"Someone about to show you what happens to dirty Marines, rat-face."
---
"Now see here, pirate," Nezumi began, but Luffy interrupted, still holding a turkey leg.
"You're Marines, right? Aren't Marines supposed to help people?"
The crowd blinked. Even Nezumi looked confused.
"I mean," Luffy continued, "shouldn't you be thanking us? We saved everyone!"
"Luffy..." Nami said quietly.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
Zoro snorted.
"Captain, you're too pure for this world."
Nezumi saw an opening.
"Exactly! Which is why we need to take these criminals into custody! They're clearly a threat—"
That's when Nami snapped.
"EIGHT YEARS!" she screamed, tears of rage falling.
"Eight years you took his money while children starved! Eight years you ignored us! And now you want to arrest the people who saved us?!"
The villagers roared. A bottle smashed at Nezumi's feet. Marines tensed.
"No need for violence," Nezumi said, smile cracking.
"Just hand over any treasure you found, and we'll—"
"Treasure?" Silas said, voice like ice.
"You mean the hundred million berries Nami spent eight years collecting to buy her village's freedom?"
"All pirate treasure belongs to the World Government!" Nezumi declared.
"Hand it over or—"
He didn't finish.
Sanji's polished shoe slammed into his jaw. Nezumi flew backward, crashing into his men.
"Don't ever," Sanji said, cigarette glowing,
"threaten a lady in front of me."
Marines drew weapons. Zoro stepped forward, hilts gleaming.
"You really want to do this?"
Silas cracked his knuckles.
"I'll take the ugly one in the back. Oh wait—they're all ugly."
Nezumi scrambled up, nose bleeding, composure gone.
"You fools! We're Marines! Attack us and the Navy will hunt you!"
"Good!" Luffy said, finally putting down his food.
"If the Navy's got people like you, I don't like them anyway."
The words hit like thunder. Luffy wasn't confused anymore. He was decided.
---
The fight wasn't a fight. It was a lesson.
Sanji's kicks sent Marines flying. Zoro cracked skulls without drawing steel. Silas didn't even use his weapons—just fists.
"Stop! Stop!" Nezumi squealed.
"This is assault on Marine officers!"
"This is a citizen's arrest," Genzo said, sword drawn.
"For corruption, bribery, and accessory to terrorism."
The villagers closed in. Nezumi ran. His men stumbled after him.
"This isn't over!" he screamed.
"I'll report this! You'll all pay!"
BANG.
A bullet whistled past his ear. He turned. Silas holstered his smoking flintlock.
"Next one goes between your eyes," Silas said coldly.
"And that goes for your bosses too."
Nezumi's face went pale. He ran faster.
"Get lost, rat-face!" Silas called, grin returning.
---
The Marine ships retreated. The village erupted.
"More sake!"
"Bring out the good stuff!"
"These pirates are heroes!"
Luffy looked around—at the joy, the laughter, the crew, and Nami, still wiping tears.
"So," he said, grinning,
"You're really our navigator now, right?"
Nami smiled—honest, radiant.
"Yeah, Captain. I'm really your navigator now."
"YOSH!" Luffy threw his arms up.
"Then let's eat more meat and plan our next adventure!"
---
As the night wore on, sake flowed, stories flew, and laughter filled the air. The newest member of the Straw Hat Pirates finally understood what it meant to have a real family.
The Grand Line was waiting.
But tonight?
They were exactly where they belonged.