The storm did not follow them inland.
It hovered.
That alone made it unnatural.
Luffy, Sanji, and Yosaku moved through the forest path in silence, leaves crunching beneath their feet, the air heavy with the scent of rain that never quite fell. Thunder rumbled overhead at irregular intervals, not loud enough to terrify, but constant enough to remind the island that something was watching.
Sanji glanced upward more than once.
"…That sky feels angry."
"It is," Luffy replied calmly. "But it's waiting."
Yosaku swallowed.
They walked for several minutes before the forest began to thin. Palm trees gave way to cultivated land, and soon they stepped onto the edge of a village road.
Cocoyasi Village.
At first glance, it looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
The houses were neat. The streets were clean. Flowers bloomed near doorways. Windmills turned lazily in the distance. People walked calmly, chatting quietly, smiling as they passed one another.
Sanji frowned.
"…This doesn't match what I was expecting."
Yosaku stiffened. "It's fake."
Luffy didn't respond immediately.
He closed his eyes.
The world opened.
Through Observation Haki, he felt it — dozens of heartbeats clustered ahead, not relaxed, not free. Fear wrapped tightly around them, pressed down so hard it barely moved. Smiles worn like masks. Calm forced by habit.
"They're all gathered ahead," Luffy said. "Trying very hard not to panic."
They followed the road.
As they walked deeper into the village, the smiles vanished when people noticed them. Conversations died mid-sentence. Doors closed softly. Mothers pulled children inside without a word.
A path opened ahead.
At its center stood a man in a police uniform.
His name was Genzo.
His body told a story before his mouth ever opened — scars crossing his arms, chest, face. Old wounds. Deep ones. The kind earned over years of resisting something stronger than you.
Genzo watched them approach without moving.
"Who are you?" he asked carefully.
Luffy stopped a few steps away.
"Looking for our crew," he said simply.
Genzo's eyes sharpened. "Are you pirates?"
"Yes."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Genzo inhaled slowly. "Then you should leave."
Luffy tilted his head slightly. "Why?"
"Because pirates bring trouble."
Luffy smiled faintly.
"So does silence."
That made Genzo flinch.
Luffy continued, voice even. "I'm looking for a swordsman with green hair. Roronoa Zoro. And a long-nosed man named Usopp."
The villagers reacted instantly.
Fear.
Recognition.
And something close to respect.
"That boy…" Genzo muttered. "The long-nosed one… he stood up to them."
Sanji's jaw tightened.
"They chased him toward the ruins," Genzo continued. "Arlong's men."
Luffy exhaled slowly.
"…Of course they did."
He nodded once. "Thank you."
Genzo hesitated, then extended his hand. "Name's Genzo."
Luffy shook it. "Luffy."
Genzo stiffened.
Before he could respond, Luffy turned back toward the road.
"And Genzo," Luffy added, glancing over his shoulder. "I'm also looking for a woman named Nami."
The village froze.
Every single heartbeat spiked.
Genzo didn't answer.
But a blue-haired woman flinched.
Luffy noticed.
He always noticed.
Before he could say anything more—
"LUFFY!"
Zoro's voice tore through the village.
Luffy turned.
Zoro sprinted down the road, shirt torn, bandages soaked red, sword clenched in his hand. He skidded to a stop in front of Luffy, breathing hard.
"Nami's with Arlong," Zoro said immediately. "She has his mark."
The village erupted into whispers.
Luffy's smile vanished.
"…I see."
Johnny burst through moments later, sobbing, collapsing to his knees.
"BIG BRO LUFFY! USOPP IS DEAD!"
The sky cracked.
Thunder exploded overhead, rattling windows, shaking the ground.
Luffy grabbed Johnny by the collar and hauled him up.
"Say that again," Luffy said quietly.
Johnny trembled. "…Nami killed him."
Silence.
Then—
Luffy laughed.
Low. Cold.
"Wrong."
He released Johnny and turned slowly.
Footsteps approached.
Nami emerged from the road ahead, Bo Staff resting against her shoulder, eyes cold, smile sharp.
"He's with the fish," she said.
Lightning struck behind her.
The village screamed.
Luffy stepped forward.
"Oh," he said softly. "Now I'm really angry."
---
He moved.
Not at lightning speed.
Slower.
Deliberate.
He grabbed Nojiko, pinned her, pressed the barrel of his flintlock against her head.
Nami's breath hitched.
"But I won't kill you," Luffy said calmly. "That'd be mercy."
He smiled.
"I'll kill her instead."
The lie shattered Nami.
"USOPP IS ALIVE!" she screamed.
Luffy laughed again.
"I know."
Usopp peeked out from between buildings, trembling.
Relief crashed through the village like rain.
Luffy helped Nojiko up, apologizing casually, then turned back to Nami.
"You're angry," he said. "Good."
Lightning flickered behind him.
"Run."
Nami ran.
Zoro followed.
The crew gathered.
The storm followed them.
---
They walked.
Toward Arlong Park.
Toward war.
Toward the gate that would soon fall.
And when Luffy finally spoke again, his voice carried no doubt.
"We'll talk after," he said.
"But first—"
The sky darkened.
Thunder rolled.
"And we end this."