Chapter 5: Cocoyasi Village
The awakening of Conqueror's Haki had been a spiritual expansion—a king reclaiming his throne. But the second reward from the [Multiverse Summoning System] was entirely visceral.
[Integrating Reward: Rem's Combat Experience (Basic)...]
It didn't come as a headache or a stream of text. It hit Suzaku like a physical shockwave that only he could feel.
Instantly, a tide of phantom memories surged into his neural pathways. It wasn't just knowledge; it was muscle memory forged through a thousand trials of life and death.
He felt the phantom weight of a heavy iron flail in his hands. He felt the centrifugal force of swinging a Morning Star to crush the skull of a Witch Cultist. He felt the spray of blood, the rhythm of dodging a blade by a millimeter, and the cold, predatory instinct of the Oni race.
Step, pivot, crush.
Duck, weave, obliterate.
Suzaku's body twitched involuntarily as his nervous system rewired itself to accommodate these foreign reflexes. He learned how to exert force from his hips to maximize lethality. He learned how to read the subtle contraction of an opponent's shoulder muscle to predict a strike. He learned that hesitation was the only true sin on the battlefield.
He involuntarily closed his eyes, his chest heaving as he digested the influx of violence and discipline.
Ten seconds later.
When Suzaku opened his eyes again, the boyish uncertainty that had lingered in his gaze was gone. In its place was a newfound composure—a sharpness that gleamed like a polished blade.
He looked at his hands. They were the same hands, yet they felt different.
Although his physical attributes—strength, speed, durability—hadn't instantly increased, he clearly felt that his control over his own body had reached a completely new level. The erratic, explosive power of the [Vermilion Bird Bloodline] no longer felt like a wild horse bucking him off; now, he held the reins.
He subconsciously clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him and the newly acquired combat techniques in his mind. An unprecedented sense of security and absolute confidence naturally arose from the depths of his soul.
"Lord Suzaku?"
A soft, concerned voice broke his trance.
Rem was standing a few feet away, her body slightly tense. The moment Suzaku's Conqueror's Haki had faintly erupted and his aura shifted, her demonic instincts had flared, sensing a sudden spike in danger.
But after realizing the pressure originated from her Master and was quickly brought under his control, she relaxed slightly. Now, seeing him open his eyes with that dangerous new light, she couldn't help but tilt her head, her large blue eye filled with inquiry.
"Is something wrong? Your heartbeat accelerated significantly for three seconds."
Suzaku took a deep breath, letting the salty sea air fill his lungs. He suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and turned to her with a brilliant, confident smile.
"Nothing, Rem. I just feel..." He looked at his fist, then at the horizon. "I feel that our adventure is about to become even more exciting. I'm finally ready to fight."
Seeing that Lord Suzaku was fine—and perhaps stronger than a moment ago—Rem's shoulders dropped, and she returned to her perfect maid posture.
"Rem is relieved," she said softly.
She pulled a small notebook from her apron pocket.
"Lord Suzaku, since we have departed the Marine base, Rem has tallied our gains. We seized a total of 120 million Berries from the safe of that corrupt rat, Captain Nezumi."
"120 million?!" Suzaku's eyes widened. "That rat was hoarding a fortune! That's way more than a standard Captain's salary."
"Indeed. It was likely dirty money collected from bribes," Rem noted with a look of disdain. "Additionally, Rem has inventoried the ship. The food and fresh water supplies purchased when we left the island should last the two of us for about half a month, assuming Lord Suzaku does not develop a sudden gluttony."
She paused, closing the notebook with a sharp snap. Her tone shifted from professional to calm but pointed.
"However, Rem believes we have a critical deficiency in our crew."
"Oh? We need a cook?" Suzaku asked.
"No. Rem can cook," she replied instantly. "We need a Navigator."
Rem pointed a slender finger at the endless expanse of blue water surrounding them.
"Rem has observed your actions at the helm for the past four hours. Rem has understood a fundamental truth: Lord Suzaku cannot distinguish directions at all."
"What?!" Suzaku sputtered. "What are you saying, Rem?!"
He immediately straightened his back, gripping the ship's wheel tighter to maintain the dignity of a Captain.
"I am the Captain! I have a map! Although you are indeed very cute, Rem, I will still accuse you of slander if you speak nonsense, okay? We've clearly been moving in a straight line toward the Grand Line!"
Rem stared at him deadpan.
"Master is holding the map sideways again."
"I... I'm looking for hidden currents!"
"Even if Lord Suzaku praises Rem as cute, Rem will not change her mind. We are lost."
Two Days Later.
The sun beat down mercilessly on the deck of the Mad Dog. The ocean was a cruel, beautiful mirror of sapphire, stretching out to infinity in every direction. There were no landmarks. No birds. Just water.
Suzaku slumped over the wheel, defeated.
Facing the boundless blue ocean with no reference points, he had no choice but to sheepishly admit that he had indeed boasted too early.
On this vast and endless sea, his so-called "straight line forward" had apparently been a "large, meandering circle."
"Hey, Rem..." He called out, his voice parched and lacking conviction.
"Rem is here, Lord Suzaku."
The blue-haired maid appeared from the galley, looking as fresh and pristine as a flower, completely unaffected by the humidity. She held a silver tray with a porcelain cup.
"Please have some hot tea to calm your nerves," she said, offering the cup respectfully.
"Thanks," Suzaku groaned, taking it.
"Rem thinks..." She paused, looking at the wake of the ship, which was currently curving in a zig-zag pattern. "Whether Lord Suzaku steers or not, it actually doesn't make much difference to our destination. Perhaps we should let the currents decide."
It was a sharp jab, delivered with a velvet glove.
Suzaku took the teacup, unable to refute the maid's accurate observation. He just buried his head in the tea and drank fiercely, feeling the guilt of a Captain who couldn't lead.
I need a Navigator, he thought desperately. Nami... where are you?
Another half-day passed in aimless drifting. The boredom was becoming palpable. Suzaku was practicing creating small flames on his fingertips just to pass the time.
Suddenly, Rem, who was standing at the bow, spoke up.
"Land ho."
"Huh?" Suzaku scrambled up from his slump.
He squinted against the glare. Finally, faintly, on the horizon, the gray-green outline of a small island emerged from the mist.
"Rem! Rem! Look!"
Suzaku excitedly pointed at the speck of land, jumping up and down like a child.
"I told you I was reliable! Haven't we successfully reached an island? It was all part of the plan! The 'Drift Strategy' worked!"
Rem walked over slowly, her heels clicking on the deck. She glanced at the island, then at her Master's beaming face.
She nodded gently.
"Rem sees it. Lord Suzaku is amazing."
"Wow, your praise is too perfunctory..." Suzaku pouted, crossing his arms. "Whatever. Land is land."
He steered the ship toward the island, his mind racing.
Which island is this? If we drifted south from the 16th Branch... this should be the Conomi Islands.
As the Mad Dog drew closer, the details of the island became clear. It was lush and green, dominated by citrus groves. But as they approached the small civilian port, something felt... off.
There were no other ships in the harbor. No fishermen shouting greetings. No bustling market noises.
The port was deathly silent.
They docked the ship without anyone coming to collect a fee or check their papers. The silence was heavy, like a wet blanket.
"Rem," Suzaku said, his voice dropping low as he sensed the atmosphere. "Be on guard. This isn't a normal village."
"Rem understands." Her eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the empty docks.
They disembarked, walking along the worn stone path leading into the village. The houses were modest, many with tangerine trees growing in the yards. But the windows were shuttered tight. Through the cracks in the wood, Suzaku could feel terrified eyes watching them.
Villagers who were outside quickly averted their eyes, grabbing their children and rushing indoors as soon as they saw strangers. There was no laughter. No joy. Only fear.
"It feels like a prison," Rem whispered, her hand drifting toward the pocket where she kept her flail.
"Yeah." Suzaku nodded grimly. "I think I know where we are."
Just as they reached the edge of the main settlement, a figure stepped out from behind a stone wall, blocking their path.
"Stop right there."
The voice was low, carrying an unquestionable, authoritative tone, though laced with deep fatigue.
The man standing before them had a unique appearance that was impossible to mistake. His face was deeply scarred, covered in old wounds that told a story of brutal violence. He wore a slightly worn, dark blue police officer's uniform—old-fashioned but meticulously buttoned. Over it, he wore a casual light brown vest.
But the most striking feature was the hat.
On top of his wide-brimmed felt hat sat a bright yellow pinwheel.
Whirrr... whirrr...
The pinwheel spun slowly in the sea breeze, a childish, whimsical object that created a jarring, tragic contrast with the man's grim, battle-hardened expression.
It was Genzo. The Sheriff of Cocoyasi Village.
His sharp eyes swept over Suzaku and Rem. Upon seeing that they were just two young people—a boy with messy hair and a girl in a maid costume—his serious expression relaxed somewhat, replaced by urgent panic.
He waved his hand frantically, shouting loudly:
"You two! Turn around! Leave quickly! This island does not welcome outsiders!"
Suzaku stood his ground, his gaze fixed on the spinning pinwheel. The memory of the anime flooded back—the reason for that pinwheel, the scars, the suffering of this village under the rule of the Fishmen.
"This..." Suzaku spoke, his voice steady. "Could this be Cocoyasi Village?"
Genzo flinched. His hand instinctively went to the police baton at his waist.
"Since you know where this is, why aren't you turning back?!" Genzo hissed, glancing nervously toward the large tower in the distance—Arlong Park. "Do you have a death wish?"
Rem tilted her head slightly, stepping forward. Her expression was innocent, but her posture was ready for combat.
"Sir, Rem doesn't understand. Why must we leave quickly? Is there a plague?"
"Little girl, are you dense?!" Genzo's voice trembled with suppressed anxiety. He stepped closer, whispering harshly. "Cocoyasi Village is the territory ruled by the Arlong Pirates! The Fishmen! If they see a ship in the harbor... if they see you... they will kill you or demand a tax you cannot pay!"
He grabbed Suzaku's shoulder, trying to shove him back toward the port.
"Before those monsters discover you, run for your lives! Go back to the sea!"
Suzaku didn't budge. He looked at Genzo's hand on his shoulder, then up at the man's scarred face.
"Pirates?"
Suzaku chuckled. He looked at Rem.
"Rem, didn't we just become criminals yesterday? Technically, we should also be considered pirates now."
"Indeed, Lord Suzaku," Rem replied, her tone as casual as if discussing the dinner menu. "We killed a Marine Captain and stole his money. We are definitely pirates."
"So there's nothing to be afraid of, right, Lord Suzaku?"
"Of course!" Suzaku grinned, his eyes gleaming with a fierce, golden confidence that made Genzo take a step back. "We are destined to make a name for ourselves across the entire sea! Why would we run from a few fish?"
Hearing the two casually admit to killing a Marine Captain, Genzo's face drained of color.
He abruptly drew the police baton from his waist, backing away to assume a defensive stance. His gaze hardened, sharp as a blade.
"Stop joking! Who exactly are you two?!"
He looked from the maid to the boy. They didn't look like pirates. They looked... dangerous.
"What do you want here?" Genzo demanded, deliberately raising his voice to emphasize the threat. "Listen up, kids! Even if you are criminals, you don't understand the East Blue!"
He pointed toward the looming tower of Arlong Park in the distance.
"Our village is ruled by the great pirate Arlong, a monster from the Grand Line with a bounty of 20 million Berries! He isn't human! He crushes towns for fun!"
Genzo grit his teeth, tears of frustration welling in the corners of his scarred eyes.
"I'm warning you for the last time. If you don't want to die without a complete corpse... get out of here now!"
Suzaku smiled, but there was no humor in it. He stepped forward, the air around him beginning to hum with faint red static.
"20 million Berries?" Suzaku asked softly. "That sounds like excellent pocket money."
He looked Genzo in the eye.
"Old man, tell me... where can I find this Arlong?"
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