Although the tangerines had sold well, it was clearly impossible to sell dozens of tons in a single day.
So, at Arashi's suggestion, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village checked into a hotel near the Loguetown square.
Loguetown had no shortage of hotels—affordable, comfortable, and well-kept.
Arashi had originally planned to cover everyone's expenses, but the villagers, flush with the joy of a bountiful harvest, beat him to it. Not only did they settle the bill themselves, they even booked him an exceptionally luxurious room.
In the end, they ordered a grand feast—fine food and wine—to see him off.
After a lively night of eating and drinking, Arashi returned to his room, slightly dizzy.
The room was spacious, lavishly decorated, and overlooked the sea. Back in his previous life, a place like this would've easily been classified as a top-tier presidential suite.
After taking a slow look around, Arashi shook his head with a faint smile.
Whether it was the villagers of Foosha Village, Syrup Village, or Cocoyasi Village… they were all the same—simple, kind-hearted people.
And toward them, Arashi couldn't help but feel a trace of sympathy.
This world claimed to be fair to all, yet it was precisely these honest, powerless villagers who were treated the most unfairly.
Not only because of those infamous pirates—but because the very order of this world had already collapsed.
And at the root of it all… were those supernatural existences known as Devil Fruits.
Anyone who obtained a Devil Fruit could gain immense power in an instant. And when such power fell into the hands of the wicked, it was always these defenseless villagers who suffered first.
Of course, if such power ended up with someone just, then perhaps the people under their protection would live better lives.
But in this world… how many truly just people were there?
Arashi had never held much regard for the so-called "strong" of this world.
Because none of them truly cared about ordinary people.
They only cared about how far they themselves could go… how much glory they could obtain.
The world's strongest man, Edward Newgate—Whitebeard—had the power to shake the world, yet he found joy in being called "Father" above all else.
Kaido, known as the strongest creature on land, sea, and air, was even more absurd. He would climb up to Sky Islands just to experience falling from extreme heights—claiming he sought death, when in reality, it was nothing more than a bizarre form of thrill-seeking.
As for Charlotte Linlin… there was no need to even mention her. A woman who could destroy entire nations over sweets—talking about justice with her would be an insult.
Then there was Shanks, drifting between forces, maintaining some fragile balance.
"Give me some face, will you?"
…Yeah. Truly impressive.
And Dracule Mihawk of the Seven Warlords? Even more unfathomable. If you're a pirate, then just be a pirate. Yet he took on the title of Warlord, wandered the seas aimlessly, and cut down anyone who annoyed him.
Utterly incomprehensible.
Even the three Admirals of the Marine Headquarters, who carried the banner of justice, were little more than symbols under the weight of absolute authority.
Even the Straw Hat crew—who, in the original story, never committed evil and fought for what they believed was right—each carried their own personal ambitions.
Sanji dreamed of the All Blue.
Zoro sought to become the world's strongest swordsman.
And Luffy… that idiot turned becoming Pirate King into nothing more than a catchphrase.
In comparison, Arashi found himself more appreciative of Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
Because their ambition was clear—to overthrow the World Government.
And more importantly, they were unwavering in pursuing it.
If the Four Emperors ruling the New World could form an alliance with the Revolutionary Army, then even if they couldn't completely topple the World Government, they could at least divide the world and reshape its balance.
But that was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Pirates were still pirates.
The Revolutionary Army was still the Revolutionary Army.
And the rotten World Government remained high above it all.
"Mr. Arashi… are you asleep?"
Bell-mère's voice suddenly drifted in from outside the door.
Snapped out of his thoughts, Arashi chuckled softly. He hadn't expected himself to get so caught up worrying about the state of this world.
Compared to those figures… he was just a traveler.
"Bell-mère?"
Opening the door, Arashi froze slightly when he saw her standing there, her face flushed red.
"…How much did you drink?"
"Not that much!"
Bell-mère waved her hand with a grin, though her steps were unsteady as she walked past him.
Then, under Arashi's stunned gaze, she dropped straight onto the large bed, her voice slightly slurred.
"Today… was really… such a happy day…"
She turned her head slightly, looking at him.
"Arashi… you're happy too, right?"
Whether it was the alcohol—or something she had long kept buried—Bell-mère had, for once, dropped the "Mr." when addressing him.
Because saying his name like that made her feel… just a little closer.
"…Yeah. Very happy."
Looking at Bell-mère lying on the bed, Arashi—already slightly intoxicated—felt a strange, almost sacred pull stirring within him.
"Want to be even happier?"
Bell-mère suddenly sat up, tilting her head as she looked at him. There was a certain intensity in her gaze—something unspoken, yet impossible to ignore.
Bell-mère was already thirty.
And she had remained single all this time.
Thirty years of solitude… was not something easily endured.
Now, having suddenly met a man who stirred her heart, the emotions she had buried for so long surged forth like a raging river—unstoppable.
At her age, she was far more direct than younger women. Coupled with her bold and straightforward personality, hesitation simply wasn't her style.
More importantly…
During their time together in Cocoyasi Village, she had come to one undeniable conclusion—
She had truly fallen in love with this man.
And now that she knew Arashi was about to leave on his next journey…
She understood something clearly.
If she continued to bury these feelings deep in her heart—
It would become the greatest regret of her life.
She didn't ask to walk beside him forever.
Nor did she dare hope he would stay in Cocoyasi Village for her.
She only wished—
That in this fleeting moment,
At this most dangerous yet beautiful stage of her life—
She could give her very best self to him.
And that alone…
Would leave her with no regrets.
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