Having gotten lost, we arrived at Port Town to find the citizens in predictable chaos.
The higher-ups were desperately trying to calm everyone down and organize an evacuation, but it was proving incredibly difficult. People were evacuating, but it was a disorganized scramble, everyone pushing to be first. Some were struggling to pack their belongings, while others were slowed down by elderly or frail family members who couldn't evacuate on their own.
There were even some stubborn ones shouting things like, "I'd rather die than leave the home I grew up in!" People were desperately trying to persuade them to evacuate, or even dragging them out by force.
...I wondered if they'd ever practiced evacuation drills. Then again, even with drills, panic tends to set in when disaster strikes. I guess it can't be helped.
If pirates had attacked in this chaos, the Self-Defense Corps would have been utterly overwhelmed. No doubt about it.
Looking back, I realized that me getting "lost" and somehow dragging Smoker-san to this town with me was actually the right decision... or maybe just incredibly lucky.
The battle itself wasn't particularly remarkable. We won easily.
I just did my usual thing, spinning my umbrella and sending pirates flying.
Smoker-san was the same. He charged straight into the middle of the pirates and tore through them like a one-man army.
He didn't have that ridiculous giant jitte yet, so he was fighting with his standard saber, but he was still incredibly strong.
Maybe he was overdoing it, because his saber snapped halfway through the fight.
Without even flinching, he just started beating the pirates down with his bare hands, snatching their weapons to keep fighting. He's a terrifyingly strong beast.
This guy's combat ability is way beyond what you'd expect from an Petty Officer. Was he always this much of a monster, even back in his rookie days?
Well, he did take a few minor scrapes and seemed to struggle a bit. Not a desperate struggle, mind you, but it clearly took some time and effort.
As for the pirates we took down, I'd say I got about 70% and Smoker-san got the rest.
While we were fighting, the Marine reinforcements Hina-san had mentioned on the phone finally arrived—a patrol ship. They successfully stormed the pirate ship, sandwiching it between their assault and ours.
From there, things moved quickly. The battle ended with the complete annihilation of the pirates.
Afterward, as expected, Smoker-san got chewed out for disobeying orders, but he had a perfectly good excuse ready.
Smoker-san's original mission today was to escort me. After that, he was supposed to head to the port town where two Marine ships were intercepting a pirate vessel, following direct orders from headquarters.
But instead of returning to my assigned city, I mistakenly ended up in another one—the very port town the remaining pirate ship was heading toward.
The pirates attacked immediately. I instinctively fought back, starting a battle, and Smoker-san, left with no choice but to protect me, reluctantly joined the fray.
We couldn't retreat smoothly, so we ended up fighting to the bitter end. That's how it went down.
...Well, not that I actually expect anyone to believe this story.
In fact, my superior was glaring at Smoker-san and me with an expression that clearly said, "What a flimsy excuse..."
But that cover story should be enough. Smoker-san had simply seen the job through because it "wasn't over yet."
Besides, I overheard that the port on the other side had settled down without any damage. It shouldn't become a major issue.
The superior officer glared at us for a while, his face twisted into a scowl. Finally, he sighed heavily and said, "Just be prepared to write up a report," before walking away.
Smoker-san replied with a completely flat, emotionless "Yup," showing not a shred of remorse. And that was that.
*Okay, smooth. We got away with it. That's the end of that,* I thought. But no sooner had the officer left than another person approached Smoker-san and me.
A young female Marine with striking pink hair and full lips approached us.
"Smoker, you've done it again..."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Hina?"
"Don't play dumb with me. Honestly, you've not only disobeyed orders but dragged civilians into this mess too... Sue-san, was it? I deeply apologize for the trouble he's caused."
"Oh, no, no, no, it's really nothing... In fact, I'm grateful he protected me from danger."
"...I'll accept your kindness and leave it at that. I'll have a stern word with him later." Hina-san bowed deeply.
'Wait a minute... does she think Smoker-san dragged me around and used me as an excuse?'
Actually, it was the other way around—I was the one who suggested using me as his "excuse." But then again, Smoker-san did say something over the Den Den Mushi about being willing to disobey orders, so I guess it's understandable that they might think that way.
Feeling a little awkward, I glanced at Smoker-san. Oh, he doesn't seem to care at all.
Well, he was planning to do this anyway, even if it meant disobeying orders and having no cover story.
Speaking of which, I heard Smoker-san is always like this—constantly causing trouble for Hina-san and his superiors, forcing them to apologize repeatedly.
Apparently, he prioritizes his own stubbornness and sense of justice over following orders as a Marine, which has stalled his promotions.
We joined the Marines at the same time, and I've achieved more than Hina-san, but she's the one getting promoted while I'm still stuck as a Petty Officer. Oh, she's already a Master Chief Petty Officer?
That's how it was in the original work too. He hated being hailed as a hero after the Alabasta incident and didn't hesitate to tell the Marine and Government higher-ups to go to hell.
So he's been like this since way back then... even though the original story is supposed to be set about 20 years later?
When he goes that far, I can't help but admire him.
After parting ways with Hina-san and Smoker-san, I headed straight back to the inn.
Sigh... I came to this resort island for a vacation, and I've already had to fight pirates twice. Well, I kind of threw myself into the second one, so I can't really complain.
Still, I've gained a lot... not just from touring the Fireworks Workshop, but also from the pirate battles and getting to know Smoker-san.
My motivation soared, and suddenly, I had a story I was burning to write.
It wasn't about a Fireworks Artisan, though. An unexpected idea had sprung from my other experiences, and I felt compelled to write it first, while the passion still burned within me.
The Fireworks Festival was still a few days away, and since the words were flowing, I thought I might even finish the story before then.
A few days later...
After thoroughly enjoying the spectacular Fireworks Festival, I returned to my home island on the morning flight.
That afternoon, I met with my editor, Eddie-chan. We'd scheduled the appointment via Den Den Mushi even before I left the Fireworks project.
At the meeting, I handed over the completed manuscript.
I was a little surprised the story had nothing to do with fireworks, but after Eddie-chan finished reading, she said it was so interesting she'd recommend it to her superiors.
Great! I'd written it in a frenzy over just a few days, but it seemed to have caught her eye.
I wonder if it'll get published? I really hope so!
***
Side. Third-Person Perspective
Several months later...
Sue, a rising star among novelists, released her latest work, and it once again became a major topic of conversation.
The protagonist was a young bounty hunter living in a remote island town.
Quiet, unsociable, and with few friends, he possessed a unique moral code and a strong sense of justice, tirelessly battling the pirates who plagued the island day and night.
His strength, reliability, and proven track record in pirate hunting were well-known to the Marines, who repeatedly tried to recruit him. But he showed absolutely no interest in joining their ranks, preferring to stay in his town and hunt pirates.
He had the strength and potential to become a high-ranking Marine officer, but he stubbornly refused to join.
His childhood friend, a young female officer climbing the Marine ranks with remarkable speed, repeatedly tried to persuade him, only to be met with contemptuous indifference, leaving her both exasperated and disappointed.
"With your power, you could eventually become a hero who saves the world!"
"I'm not interested. By the time I saved the world, pirates would have already destroyed towns and islands."
"Hey Smoker, did you read this new novel?"
"I heard you actually met the author before! What was he like?"
"Wait, is it true the main character is based on you, Smoker-san?!"
"Huh? How the hell would I know? I haven't even read the damn thing and I don't give a damn anyway."
"Hina-chan, Hina-chan! Is it true the heroine in this novel is based on you?!"
"No way! Seriously?! Then does that mean Hina-chan is with Smoker-san... Eeeeek!"
"That's ridiculous! I've never even heard of anyone being a model for a character... Ugh, Hina, you're such a pain!"
The novel, 'Pirate Slayer', caused a minor commotion at some Marine Base, but it captivated many readers with its clumsy yet earnest protagonist, determined to uphold his own brand of justice and save as many as he could.
It wasn't just another heroic tale. Rather than glorifying grand achievements like defeating colossal evils, the story emphasized the importance—and difficulty—of cherishing and protecting the small, irreplaceable joys in our lives, refusing to take them for granted.
Title: 'Pirate Slayer'
"I won't save the world. I'll just defeat pirates."
To be continued...