". . . That's it, huh?"
Arlong paused, then burst into hearty laughter. "Of course, Nami. I'll always welcome you to buy back your village anytime."
"That's good to hear."
Nami stared at Arlong for a long moment before turning away.
She left behind only one quiet sentence—
"It'll be soon, Arlong."
A week's time.
Not long, not short either.
Walking down the road in the fading twilight after leaving Arlong Park, Nami thought about their wager.
Her treasure was gone—everything she had painstakingly gathered over the years since gaining strength. Much of it had been luck, fortunes stumbled upon rather than earned.
Starting over would take time.
But what Keya had said the previous day—that terrifying possibility—still chilled Nami to the bone, even as it stirred doubt.
Would Arlong really allow her to buy back her village?
Or would he use Cocoyasi Village to keep her shackled, forcing her to work for the fishmen forever?
After all, he'd punished the villagers before for her mistakes.
As long as she still had a conscience… as long as she still cared about the people of Cocoyasi…
She could never escape the fishmen's grasp.
That was why she fought so desperately to free the village—because only once she paid off the debt completely would the villagers no longer suffer for her sake.
"This is a test," she murmured. "If Arlong truly means to let me buy the village's freedom, then nothing will happen for this week. I didn't tell him when exactly I'd bring the money—but everything I said hinted it'd be soon.
But if he doesn't intend to honor it…"
She didn't finish the thought—just quickened her steps instinctively.
Up ahead, on the dirt road, she saw someone crouched beside a bloodied figure—the village policeman, Genzo, holding a burlap sack in one hand.
He turned at the sound of her footsteps. His scarred, weathered face caught the fading light.
"Nami? You're out."
"Yeah."
She nodded and hurried closer. When she saw the dead man's face, her breath hitched. "Genzo, this man—? Arlong promised me he wouldn't kill him. How could—"
"He killed himself."
Genzo spoke lowly, lifting a bloodstained dagger. "People from the next village came over. Said his name was Keo. A while ago, he sent his wife and son to his father-in-law's home and vanished.
"They thought he'd run away. The father-in-law couldn't afford the extra protection money, so the wife and their eight-year-old boy jumped into the sea together.
"When Keo heard that… he took his own life. The messenger spat at him and called him 'a man without backbone' before leaving."
"Collateral punishment… that bastard Arlong!"
Nami clenched her fists, then silently knelt beside Genzo to help him lift the corpse into the sack.
Once Genzo slung the bag over his back, Nami folded her arms tightly around herself and muttered, "He did it because he went to report Arlong to the Marines."
"I see." Genzo managed a weary smile. "I'll make sure that's carved onto his tombstone."
He reached out, ruffling Nami's orange hair. "Don't be sad, Nami. This isn't your fault. Sometimes… people are just powerless. But life will get better. You've got all of us behind you."
Nami caught his hand and gripped it firmly, lowering her head. Her voice rasped, but it trembled with conviction. "I'll buy back the village, Genzo. I'll make sure you and everyone else can live without the fishmen's chains."
"I believe you will," Genzo said softly. "Later, come by my place—we gathered some more money for you."
Then he turned away, carrying Keo's body into the fading dusk.
The old cemetery had been leveled by the fishmen, turned into a training ground. In its place stood a barren hill—where now, one more would be buried.
East Blue, 16th Marine Branch — Base Commander's Office
Captain Nezumi hung up the Den Den Mushi, his face alight with confusion and excitement.
His collaborator, Arlong of the Arlong Pirates, had just called—not to cover up a crime, but to report one.
Ha! Report!
The infamous captain of the Arlong Pirates, reporting illegal income in Cocoyasi Village belonging to one of his own officers.
It was the joke of the year.
At first, Nezumi thought he'd misheard, but Arlong's explanation quickly cleared things up.
He wanted justice to make an appearance.
Yes—justice!
Now, Nezumi would act under the proud banner of a Marine officer, to "confiscate" that 100 million Beli of illicit funds in the name of justice.
Of course, Arlong had also emphasized one thing—the owner of that treasure must not be harmed.
As for anyone else… well, they were expendable.
Nezumi didn't mind Arlong's words about "human sacrifices."
After all, what did it matter to him if a few lowly peasants were crushed underfoot?
What mattered was Arlong's monthly payment of 5 million Beli. For that steady stream of income, Nezumi was more than willing to trample a few civilians. After all, wasn't it an honor to die for justice?
"Arlong's a smart pirate," Nezumi chuckled. "Knows how to cooperate properly. If only more pirates were as sensible as him, my job would be so much easier."
He leaned back in his chair, already imagining that perfect world. The pleasant fantasy even dispelled the gloom left by his nephew's death.
Not that there had been much gloom to begin with.
The murderer's trail had been found on Cuckoo Island. Conveniently along the way.
He'd take care of that "Keya" brat himself—rip off his head and let him learn firsthand what Marine justice meant!
The thought filled him with glee. Nezumi slapped his desk and barked, "Prepare the warship! We're heading to Cocoyasi to strike it rich!"
Two Days Later
Captain Nezumi moved fast—though to be precise, it was with the Arlong Pirates' blessing.
The Marine warship sailed smoothly to the waters near Cocoyasi Village, meeting no resistance. From there, Nezumi led a squad of trusted subordinates ashore aboard small assault boats.
The fishmen were already waiting to guide them, leading them straight to the village.
The moment they entered Cocoyasi, a few villagers spotted them—and excitement erupted like wildfire.
"The Marines! The Marines are here! Cocoyasi Village is saved!"
Nezumi frowned. "What are they shouting about?"
One of his men chuckled ingratiatingly. "This is Arlong's territory, sir. They probably think we've come to rescue them."
"Hah! What a joke. I don't have that kind of power."
He wasn't lying. It was precisely because he understood how troublesome Arlong was—and how strong his crew—that he'd accepted the pirate's partnership in the first place.
But fate didn't care about his reasoning.
As soon as the villagers learned the Marines were heading toward the tangerine grove, they crowded around, blocking the path.
"Marine officer! Arlong's base isn't that way!"
"That path only leads to the orange grove!"
"Why are there so few of you? The fishmen are powerful—you should attack in daylight when they're weakest! But you can't go with just a handful!"
"Yeah, that's right!"
Their worried voices echoed through the village—
(End of Chapter)