The morning sun cast golden light over the calm waters. The sea was peaceful—too peaceful.
Then, out on the horizon, the shadow of a large warship emerged. Its black sails caught the wind as it drifted closer to the shore, the wicked emblem of a saw-nosed shark fluttering above it.
A fisherman sitting near the docks squinted toward the ship. The moment he recognized the flag, his blood ran cold. His fishing rod clattered to the ground as he bolted toward the village, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Arlong Pirates! They're here again!"
The cry echoed through the streets. In seconds, the entire Cocoyasi Village was in chaos. People stumbled out of their homes, eyes wide with panic. Mothers clutched their children, elders grabbed whatever they could. But there was nowhere to run.
This was their home. And there was no escape from monsters at sea.
At Bell-mère's house, the tension arrived like a wave.
Makino and Bell-mère exchanged worried glances as the sound of panicked villagers reached them. Nojiko and little Nami froze where they were, clutching onto Makino's arms.
Moments later, Genzo came running down the path, his police cap askew, sweat beading down his face. "Bell-mère!" he panted. "You were right—they're back. Arlong's crew just landed!"
Bell-mère's jaw tightened. "So, it's come to this after all."
With a sharp click, she loaded her rifle and slung it across her shoulder. "Stay here. Lock the doors," she told Makino and the girls. "If things go bad, hide and don't come out until I say so."
"Bell-mère—" Makino began, but the ex-Marine was already moving, her eyes set with grim resolve.
Genzo followed her out toward the village center, rifle in hand.
Makino knelt down beside Nami and Nojiko. She could feel their small hands trembling.
"Will Mama be okay?" Nami whispered, eyes wide.
"She will," Makino said gently, holding their hands tight. "Your mother's strong. Believe in her."
By the time Bell-mère and Genzo reached the edge of the village, dozens of men had already gathered—farmers, carpenters, fishermen—all armed with makeshift weapons. They stood shoulder to shoulder, hearts pounding as the shadow of the Arlong Pirates loomed closer.
The fish-men marched off the ship in a line of monstrous silhouettes. Towering bodies, fins glistening under the sun, sharp teeth flashing in cruel grins.
At the front, Arlong laughed—deep, booming, and arrogant. "HAHAHAHA! Just look at these weak, trembling humans. You really think you can resist us?"
His crew cackled behind him, their laughter echoing like the sound of death.
Bell-mère raised her rifle, voice steady but low. "We don't welcome you here. Leave now. The Marines have been alerted—they'll be here any moment."
Arlong's grin widened. "Marines? Don't make me laugh." He tilted his head back, his saw-like nose glinting. "Your Marines are just worms crawling under the World Government's boots. They won't save you. They never do."
The words hit like a hammer. Several villagers faltered, their courage wavering.
Arlong lifted his hand lazily. "You all know the rules. Every head pays tribute. Those who can't… die."
His crew roared in response. "A thousand Berries per person!"
"And if they resist?"
"Kill them all!"
The fish-men surged forward, tearing through the line of human defenders. Spears clashed against claws. Villagers screamed. Blood sprayed onto the dirt roads. It was a massacre.
Bell-mère fought hard, firing her rifle again and again, but every bullet seemed useless against the fish-men's thick skin. Genzo was thrown aside, his face bloodied. Within minutes, Cocoyasi Village had fallen.
When the chaos settled, the remaining villagers—mostly the elderly, women, and children—were herded into the square.
Arlong stepped forward, the sea breeze rustling his coat. "Now… the payments," he said coldly. "You, the red-haired woman. Start with you."
One of the fish-men kicked Bell-mère forward. "Pay your tribute!"
Bell-mère wiped blood from her mouth and stood tall, defiant despite her injuries. "I won't pay a single coin," she spat. "And I have two daughters. Kill me if you must—but don't touch them."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Even some of the pirates hesitated.
Arlong, however, sneered. "You're a fool. All humans are." He lifted his rifle, pointing it straight at her chest. "If you can't pay, then you die."
The villagers gasped.
But before the shot rang out, a calm, cutting voice echoed across the square.
"Trash like you… should learn when to shut up."
Arlong paused, lowering the rifle slightly as he turned toward the sound.
A figure approached—slowly, deliberately. A girl with ocean-blue hair tied back neatly, wearing a white shirt and a deep-blue hakama. A sword hung at her waist, its hilt wrapped in dark cloth. Her eyes were cold and sharp as a blade.
Kuina.
Her steps were silent, but her presence pressed against the air like a storm.
Arlong chuckled. "Well, well. A swordswoman in the East Blue? That's rare."
The octopus fish-man, Hachi, perked up instantly. "Arlong-san! Let me handle her! I'm a swordsman too—six-sword style!" He unsheathed six blades in a dizzying flash, each one gripped by a different arm.
"Fine," Arlong said, smirking. "Show her what a real swordsman looks like."
Kuina didn't even flinch. "You talk too much," she said coldly, her hand resting on her sword. "Draw them all. You won't get another chance."
"Cocky human!" Hachi roared, his six arms whirling. "Six-Sword Style—Ink Blast!"
He puffed out his chest and spat a torrent of black ink toward her.
Kuina's eyes narrowed. "How childish."
She vanished.
A single step, and she was gone—her body blurring into motion faster than sight. The ink splattered uselessly against the ground.
A heartbeat later, the sound of steel slicing air filled the square.
Kuina's blade flashed once.
Hachi froze. The six swords slipped from his hands. A clean, precise line of red appeared across his chest before he crumpled to the ground.
Silence fell.
Arlong's grin twisted into a snarl.
Kuina sheathed her sword in a smooth motion, her voice like frost. "Evil is still evil—no matter what form it takes. Fish-man or human, it makes no difference to me."
The villagers stared in awe. Bell-mère, half-conscious on the ground, managed a faint smile.
And far up the hill, inside the forge, Jin paused his hammer mid-swing. A faint tremor of energy rippled through the air, brushing against his senses.
He smiled. "So… Kuina's finally cut loose, huh?"
The blade in his hands gleamed in the firelight, as if it, too, felt her fighting spirit.
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T/N :
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