Cocoyasi Village?
Buggy?
Blinking in surprise, Orin read the newspaper carefully once more, confirming that the reported location was indeed correct.
But how could these two names possibly be connected?
Looking again at the photograph on the paper, Buggy still had that same red nose as always—though he looked a little more mature now, yet still as arrogant and clownish as ever.
His face was swollen and bruised, his body covered in injuries, and several of his teeth were missing.
But even so, facing the camera, he stuck out his tongue with his usual cocky grin. Behind him, several circus-dressed subordinates were carrying baskets, transporting something.
In the corner of the picture, a group of villagers stood glaring at the pirates, angry but too afraid to speak out as their belongings were plundered.
"This figure..."
Seeing that Buggy looked battered but still full of spirit, Orin frowned slightly, a trace of curiosity flashing in his eyes. In the corner, a woman with two children—looking injured—caught his attention.
Was that Nami's family?
Maybe it's worth checking out when there's time.
The rest of the paper was filled with minor incidents across the East Blue—none of which interested Orin. He folded the newspaper and placed it back into the small pouch of the Seagull King.
"Finished reading—still in good enough condition to sell~"
Continuing his journey across the sea, Orin walked steadily onward across the waters of the East Blue.
...
(Pirate Flashback Sequence)
A few days earlier,
Cocoyasi Village.
"Alright then! While the Marines aren't around, let's get moving and clean this place out, boys!!!"
"Ooohhhhhh!!!!"
"Captain Buggy!!!"
His men roared with excitement.
They were all long-time followers of Captain Buggy. Ever since learning that that man—Buggy-sama's close friend—was supporting him in his quest to claim the One Piece, they had become utterly fanatical in their loyalty.
After all, they were following the man destined to become the next Pirate King!!!
Every order from Captain Buggy was absolute. Capturing a mere village like Cocoyasi? Easy.
They had already done their research. The nearest Marine base was far away—it would take a long time for any reinforcements to arrive.
Plenty of time to plunder!
...
At the same time, at Cocoyasi's port...
A massive shark-toothed fishman ship broke through the waves, slowly docking along the shore.
"Sha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I'll prove that Jinbei's ideals are wrong! Only fishmen are the truly noble race in this world!!!"
Since Orin had set off on his travels, the faction representing Fishman Island and bearing the Black Sun flag—led by Jinbei—had successfully passed the qualification review.
Because Enel had no interest whatsoever in becoming one of the Shichibukai, Jinbei took the opportunity to declare to both the World Government and the other Shichibukai that he would never oppose Orin-sama's will.
Interestingly, that same year, Boa Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily, under pressure from both the Marines and the World Government, was forced to apply for membership among the Shichibukai.
As a former slave of Orin, neither the Marines nor the World Government—nor even the underworld agents—would ever allow Hancock to roam free across the seas.
It wasn't just a blow to the World Government's authority; her very identity made her a priority target.
However, due to Hancock's formidable strength and the strategic inconvenience of Amazon Lily's Calm Belt location, the Government reluctantly accepted her request.
After all, being Orin's former slave practically made her born to be one of the Shichibukai—loyal lineage and all!
As part of the arrangement, they removed Hanafuda from the Shichibukai roster, exchanging his position for Hancock's and securing both her personal safety and that of Amazon Lily.
At the same time, Jinbei's successful entry into the Shichibukai came with another trade-off—the World Government agreed to pardon the captured remnants of the Sun Pirates, including Arlong.
After a brutal falling out, Jinbei and Arlong parted ways.
Knowing he couldn't survive in the Grand Line, after being crushed repeatedly by monsters like Orin and the Marine Admirals, Arlong decided to head for the East Blue instead—to pick on the weak.
He couldn't beat monsters, sure—but ordinary villagers?
"Greetings, you pathetic humans!!!"
"From today onward, this island belongs to us!!!"
Arlong's crew swaggered ashore, making a show of dominance even in this "low-tier zone of the low-tier seas."
Here, they savored the taste of ruling over humans. Arlong looked arrogantly down at the terrified villagers, beginning to dictate his "rules."
"Ten thousand Belly per adult, five thousand per child. Anyone who can't pay… will die."
As they swept through the village collecting tribute, they eventually arrived at Bell-mère's house.
At that time, Bell-mère was still cooking dinner. Hearing the commotion outside, she grabbed her rifle, kicked open the door, and shoved the barrel right into Arlong's mouth—only for him to bite through it effortlessly.
"Ah..."
Her arm was stomped until it cracked. Little Nami and Nojiko rushed out from their hiding place, witnessing everything.
"You fool!!! Bell-mère!!!"
Genzo, one of the villagers, shouted in anguish.
"Some things can be solved with money!!!"
In the end, Arlong took ten thousand Belly from Bell-mère—enough for two children or one adult.
Just as Arlong was about to leave, Bell-mère gritted her teeth, clutching her broken arm.
"Wait! That money's for my daughters!!!"
"I can't… say I don't have a family!"
"Even if it costs my life—even if it's just words—I still want to call myself a mother."
Tears streamed down Bell-mère's face, yet she smiled as she spoke.
Nami and Nojiko were crying uncontrollably, clinging tightly to her as they wept together.
The three of them hugged one another, trembling in grief.
"I'm sorry… I wasn't a good enough mother."
But Arlong didn't care. Human emotion meant nothing to him. He raised his pistol and aimed it at Bell-mère's head.
"Then you can die obediently."
"Your death will serve as the first warning."
Just as he was about to pull the trigger—
A voice suddenly rang out across the scene. Loud, arrogant, and clownish—but to Nami, it sounded like a ray of hope itself.
Because Arlong had stopped.
His attention was drawn away. His gaze turned toward the direction of that voice.
"Hey! Whose orange grove is this?! Get out here right now!!!"
The villagers turned their heads, and there they saw him—
A blue-haired, red-nosed clown in flamboyant circus attire, walking with swagger, followed by a whole group of subordinates.
It was Buggy.
He looked as arrogant as ever, not even putting the villagers—or even the massive fishmen—into his eyes.
But then he noticed Nami standing beside Bell-mère, raising her hand. Only then did his eyes fall upon Arlong, who had been ready to fire.
In an instant, veins bulged across Buggy's face. Rage twisted his features as he roared—
"Who the hell do you think you are—trying to kill my target?!"
"Do you even know…"
"Who these oranges were prepared for?!!!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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