Roya watched Arlong with a faint smile, which only fueled Arlong's rage further.
Being looked down upon by a human was something he could never tolerate.
Landing on the ground, Arlong charged at Roya again with bloodshot eyes.
"Shark·ON·Gear!"
This time, he aimed to tear Roya apart with his most confident weapon—his teeth.
Shaking his head slightly, Roya murmured, "Playtime's over."
As soon as he spoke, Roya thrust his drawing pen forward.
In that instant, the air spiraled at the pen's tip, and a slash shot straight toward Arlong's heart with a howling force!
The pinnacle of a master swordsman's skill was displayed flawlessly in this moment.
Yet Arlong no longer felt any fear.
His eyes were locked solely on Roya.
He didn't even attempt to dodge.
As if he wanted to take Roya down with him.
But the slash pierced through Arlong's heart in a flash.
"Thud!"
It was all over too quickly.Arlong felt completely powerless, his entire body shrouded in darkness.
"Fivefold Phantom!"
Roya murmured, and five phantoms appeared out of thin air, tidying up the scene.
At this moment, Cocoyasi Village returned to peace once more.
Just then, the real Kensuke arrived with the villagers.
They had heard the commotion from the marketplace and came together to investigate.
Never did they expect to witness such a scene upon arrival.
They stood frozen in shock, but soon erupted into cheers!
It was the joy of seeing the mountain weighing on their hearts finally shattered.
Though Arlong and Nezumi were weak by the standards of the Grand Line—mere cannon fodder—in the East Blue, their strength was truly formidable!
Faced with such "powerful" foes, these common folk had found themselves utterly helpless, with nowhere to turn for help.
Yet Roya's appearance had rescued them from their dire predicament.
Kensuke stepped forward to represent the villagers, bowing deeply to Roya in gratitude. "Thank you, truly thank you, sir. Without you, we dare not imagine what our lives would have become."
"Don't thank me—thank them."
With that, Roya gently pushed Nami and Nojiko forward from behind him.
Kensuke understood Roya's meaning all too well.
They, the adults, hadn't even mustered the courage these two children had shown.
Had Nami and Nojiko not stepped forward to inform the White Pigeon Admiral of their plight, they might still be suffering under that oppression.
Nami crossed her arms, her pretty face brimming with pride.
At that moment, Kalifa returned to Cocoyasi Village, carrying a large sum of Berries in her hands.
"Everyone, these are the bribes and Berries I found in Nezumi's office. You may reclaim however much was forcibly taken from you!"
While Kalifa distributed the Berries to the villagers...
Roya was dragged by Nami and Nojiko to the small yard behind the house.
The yard was filled with nothing but orange trees.
Suddenly, the system's electronic voice echoed in Roya's mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for checking in at the orange grove. Reward obtained: Encyclopedia of Navigation.]
Seeing this reward, Roya glanced at Nami beside him.
While useless to him, for this sea-yearning girl, it would be an invaluable treasure!
Nami and Nojiko picked plump oranges one by one, placing them in a vine-woven basket before handing it to Roya.
"Roya, this is our small token of gratitude. Please don't think poorly of it," Nami said, blinking playfully.
Nojiko tugged at Nami's sleeve, then addressed Roya more formally, "Sir Roya, we have nothing grand to offer you—only these oranges grown with all our heart and effort. Please accept them without disdain!"
Hearing their words, Roya immediately replied, "How could I possibly disdain them? I couldn't be more delighted!"
As if performing magic, Roya produced the Encyclopedia of Navigation from beneath his cloak and presented it to the sisters.
"I didn't bring much on this voyage, so this is all I have to offer. I hope you'll like it."Nami's eyes lit up when she saw the nautical chart in the book.
"Of course I like it, I really do."
"Glad you liked it. It's getting late, and we should be on our way now."
Roya looked at Nami, who seemed reluctant to part, and said softly, "Nami, Nojiko, remember what I told you. If you want to live freely on this vast ocean, you must strive to become stronger!"
After leaving the orange grove, Kalifa also resolved the issues concerning the villagers of Cocoyasi Village.
Once reunited, the two set sail from Cocoyasi Village aboard their warship.
Nami and Nojiko stood at the harbor, watching as Roya and Kalifa gradually disappeared into the distance.
Nami clenched the navigation book in her hand, vowing silently: I will definitely become Roya's personal navigator one day!
——
Out on the open sea, Roya and Kalifa basked in the sun on the deck.
Spotting a news delivery bird flying overhead, Kalifa took out 100 Berries and bought a newspaper.
"Roya, you're in the papers again this issue."
"Oh? What do they say this time?"
"What else could it be? Just more praise for your brilliance and valor~"
As she spoke, Kalifa glanced at Roya and gave him a flirtatious look.
But Roya ignored her, instead squinting his eyes to enjoy the warm sunlight.
Just then, his Admiral-exclusive Den Den Mushi rang.
A Phantom flickered, and in the next moment, the Den Den Mushi was already in Roya's hand.
As soon as he answered, chaotic sounds erupted from the receiver.
"This is the G-53 Marine fleet near Syrup Village! We request immediate backup!"
"Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans is slaughtering Marines! Anyone with combat capability, please come to our aid at once!"
Hearing the voice from the Den Den Mushi, Roya instantly recalled.
That "Captain" Kuro of a Hundred Plans from the original story, the self-proclaimed creator of the "Shakushi" technique!
In a way, Kuro was indeed a genius, though he yearned for a life of comfort.
"Kalifa, let's hurry over to assist!"
——
Meanwhile, near the waters of Syrup Village.
Kuro surveyed the corpses strewn across the ground, a sinister grin curling his lips.
He turned to Jango beside him and asked, "Jango, is the hypnosis not done yet?"
"Morgan's willpower is stronger than I expected. I estimate another five minutes—I need to deepen the hypnosis!"
"Hurry up. Marine reinforcements will be here any minute now."
As he spoke, Kuro used his ten-bladed cat claws to stab a Marine soldier who had tried to ambush him...