It was unclear when, but the sky was slowly brightening, and warm sunlight shone upon this land that had finally welcomed a new life.
Exhausted from a night of passion, Xinan and Nami were sound asleep, even though the sun was high in the sky.
Even in sleep, the two were restless. Xinan had one arm wrapped around the sleeping Nami, who was nestled in his armpit, while his other hand fiercely gripped Nami's 'softness.' Nami was no less possessive; her pale small hand tightly clutched the 'mushroom' that Xinan's lower half had raised to breathe fresh air that morning.
Nami's fair face was still flushed, and her lips carried a smile, as if she were having a sweet dream. Xinan was the same. It was evident how crazy the two had been the previous night, instinctively clinging to each other's 'handles' even while asleep.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Outside, a rushing Nojiko ran toward the cottage. She was about to push the door open, but the lack of any movement inside made her stop the impulse to charge in.
She walked to the window and peered inside, where she saw the two, completely naked and locked in a deep sleep, still snoring on the bed. Nojiko couldn't help but blush.
But the matter was urgent, leaving her no time to linger.
"Nami? Nami? Xinan?"
Nojiko called out a few times from outside, but she received no response from the two inside.
Seeing this, Nojiko bit her lip, softened her footsteps, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
After a night of revelry, Nami had initially only intended to give Xinan a small reward.
Although Nami was a bit bold, it didn't mean she wouldn't be embarrassed. If her sister Nojiko found out about this, she would die of shame.
Nami had even timed everything, pulling Xinan back early, but she underestimated how excited her initiative would make Xinan. Combined with Nojiko's sudden return last night, Xinan had become extremely aroused, his fire power unusually fierce.
Nami, who had only planned to give a reward and then kick Xinan out of the room, was reduced to a limp mess under Xinan's intense 'artillery fire.' All her plans went up in smoke.
Nami, who had passed out and woken up several times under Xinan's fierce bombardment, had completely forgotten about her sister Nojiko.
If no one called her now, the utterly exhausted Nami would likely sleep until sunset. It was normal that Nojiko's calls went unanswered.
Gently pushing the door open, the mixed scent of various fluids permeated the air, involuntarily bringing scenes of unrestrained desire to mind.
Smelling this "seafood" aroma, Nojiko's heart rate couldn't help but accelerate.
That was still manageable, but looking at the man and woman embracing on the bed, Nojiko felt her ears burning. Though she dressed like a delinquent and had tattoos, Nojiko was a genuinely pure country girl.
Compared to Nami, who was often out and about and had seen all sorts of filth, Nojiko was like a pure white lotus flower.
But Nojiko bit her lip and walked toward the two.
Xinan's barrage last night was too ferocious, leaving him utterly depleted, almost to the point of exhausting his very brain matter. However, his Devil Fruit-enhanced body was much stronger than Nami's.
He had partially woken up when Nojiko called out.
Now, as Nojiko pushed the door open and walked in, the sound of her footsteps, though light, was enough to startle Xinan awake just as she reached his side.
Xinan opened his eyes, and Nojiko's hand, which she was about to use to gently wake him, froze in the air.
Their eyes met. The air suddenly fell silent.
Nojiko's mind had completely crashed. Xinan was slightly quicker to react, immediately releasing the hand that was gripping Nami's 'softness.'
Feeling an unusual sensation below, Xinan subtly looked down. A thin summer blanket covered Nami's abdomen, but Xinan's entirety was completely exposed to the air.
As Xinan moved, Nojiko followed his gaze downwards. She saw Nami's small hand tightly clutching Xinan's proudly erect large 'mushroom.'
Because Xinan had moved, the sleeping Nami grumbled slightly and shook the 'mushroom.'
In that instant, not only Nojiko, but Xinan himself felt utterly mortified.
Xinan was lying naked on the bed. Nojiko had noticed when she entered, but since Xinan's eyes were closed then, the embarrassment wasn't as severe. Now, however, both of them witnessed the scene simultaneously. Nojiko's face immediately turned crimson, with metaphorical steam rising from her head.
Leaving behind only the words, "Something big has happened, get up quickly!"
Nojiko turned and ran out without hesitation, ignoring whether the noise might wake Nami, leaving Xinan speechless.
Nojiko's footsteps woke Nami up.
Nami let go of the 'mushroom,' which bounced back to tap Xinan's abdomen quite elastically.
Nami rubbed her eyes and asked, "What happened?"
BANG!
Before Xinan could answer, a gunshot suddenly rang out from outside the house.
Hearing the gunshot, Xinan's previously awkward expression immediately turned cold. Nami also sobered up instantly.
Xinan quickly pulled clothes out from under the bed, dressed in a hurry, and was about to rush out.
"Ouch!"
He turned back to see Nami sitting on the floor. One of her feet had managed to pull the small piece of cloth up to her knee, while the other foot was just starting to slip in.
"Nami, are you okay?" Xinan quickly ran over, asking with concern.
"It's all your fault! My legs still have no strength! Hurry up and go see what happened!" Nami complained irritably.
Hearing this, Xinan glanced at Nami's pale thighs. He clearly saw her 'valley.' The area was still red after the night, confirming that Nami had indeed suffered quite a bit yesterday.
"Okay, take your time. I'll go check first!" Saying this, Xinan rushed out.
"Squeak-squeak-squeak... I am Captain Nezumi of Marine Branch 16. I advise you to step aside! Where is that thief named Nami?"
At the entrance to Bellemere's tangerine orchard, Captain Nezumi, wearing a Marine uniform and a hat, and looking slightly sleazy, spoke to Nojiko and the others, surrounded by a group of Marine soldiers.
"Criminal? We don't have any criminals here," Nojiko replied, frowning at the Marines.
"Squeak-squeak-squeak!"
Captain Nezumi laughed again, a sound like a mouse squeaking. He replied, "We received intelligence that a thief named Nami stole a considerable amount of treasure. Though she stole from pirates, a thief is a thief. All that stolen money should be handed over to the government for safekeeping."
"Where were you Marines when Arlong was here to exterminate him? Now that the Arlong Pirates have been wiped out by us, you immediately swarm in like a pack of hyenas, trying to steal the spoils? Hmph! Don't even think about it!"
Nojiko spoke angrily. At that moment, Xinan also walked up.
Hearing this, Captain Nezumi was stunned. Clearly, he hadn't yet received the news that the Arlong Pirates had been eliminated before rushing over.
"Arlong was wiped out?"
Captain Nezumi asked, shocked and doubtful.
"What? You dare cause trouble here without even knowing that Arlong was wiped out?"
Xinan was the one who answered him. Wearing a pair of floral slippers that belonged either to Nami or Nojiko, Xinan approached with his hands tucked into his pockets.
Seeing Xinan, everyone looked at him with a mix of shock and amazement, their hearts all roaring, Why can a man be this handsome?
Only Nojiko, seeing the pair of floral slippers on Xinan's feet, instantly blushed crimson as she recalled the scenes from the cottage.
After a moment of being stunned, Xinan was indeed very handsome, but unlike the Empress, his handsomeness was more appealing to women.
Despite the shocking news of Arlong's defeat, the sleazy Captain Nezumi recovered quickly.
Although he had only been in this world for a few days, Xinan had adapted well. He successfully transformed from a weakling who would vomit at the sight of blood into a villain with blood on his hands. Vicious pirates like the Butcher Bakar, Kuro the Black Cat, and Arlong the Fish-Man had all died by his hands.
Xinan's gaze, when looking at people now, involuntarily carried a terrifying killing intent.
Seeing Xinan's eyes fixed on him, Captain Nezumi's heart trembled. "Was that... was that your doing?"
Xinan's answer to Captain Nezumi's question was simple. With a slight shift in his consciousness, his power activated. A thick, blue-white bolt of lightning burst from Xinan's body and struck the empty ground nearby.
RUMBLE!
A peal of thunder. The lightning carved a massive, charred crater in the ground.
The fear of lightning is an instinct ingrained in the human body. Seeing electric arcs sizzle from Xinan's body, everyone was terrified and backed away.
As the thunder faded, the Marine soldiers pointed their guns at Xinan in fear.
"What, are you trying to test whether your bullets are faster, or my lightning strike is faster?"
As Xinan's words fell, the terrified Captain Nezumi shouted, "Put down your guns!"
He then said fawningly to Xinan, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! We were also deceived by the Arlong crew. Everyone, put your guns down."
The Marines looked at Captain Nezumi but obediently lowered their weapons.
Although Captain Nezumi was a disgusting character who colluded with pirates and oppressed civilians, he had a powerful brother, Vice Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters (A necessary plot point, as their relationship wasn't confirmed in the manga).
The fact that this man could shield the Arlong crew in the East Blue from a thorough Marine investigation was partly due to his brother and partly because he himself was cunning and experienced.
Of course, it was also related to Jinbe being one of the Warlords.
Xinan had simply unleashed a lightning strike. Captain Nezumi recognized him as a Lightning-type Devil Fruit user. He knew that his group was absolutely no match for Xinan, especially since Xinan had single-handedly annihilated the Arlong crew.
"It seems we were tricked by Arlong. I apologize for the disturbance. We'll be leaving now."
Saying this, Captain Nezumi turned and led his men away.
Though despicable, he was very shrewd. Capable of conspiring with the Arlong crew, he was also decisive enough to give up when faced with an enemy like Xinan, whom he couldn't defeat.