The sea breeze blew gently, carrying the Golden Hind forward across the ocean.
“Master, there’s an island ahead.” Drake looked toward Zhuyun, who was learning how to use the Pika Pika no Mi from Borsalino.
“There’s also a pirate ship anchored along the shore.”
“Hmm, that’s the Arlong Pirates’ flag.” Zhuyun looked ahead after hearing Drake.
“If the timing is right, then…”
“Borsalino, come with me.
And remember to bring your mask.”
Zhuyun looked toward Borsalino, who had already changed into a black suit.
“All right, everyone.
Borsalino and I will go ashore first.
The rest of you follow afterward.”
With that, Zhuyun transformed into a streak of golden light and shot toward the island, with Borsalino following closely behind.
***
“Hahaha!
One million Berries to buy the lives of two children.
So you’re planning to sacrifice yourself?” Arlong looked down at Bellemere, who was sitting helplessly on the ground.
“How noble.
In that case, I’ll grant your wish.”
“Bellemere!”
“No!
Don’t!”
Seeing Arlong aim his gun at Bellemere’s head, Nami and Nojiko screamed as Kensuke held them back.
“Bang!”
“Huh?!”
Bellemere, who had been unable to pay the required amount for herself and the two children and had already prepared herself for death, froze.
The gunshot had clearly rung out.
So why was she still alive?
Bellemere opened her eyes.
Before her was a bullet caught firmly in a hand.
She looked at the owner of that hand.
A handsome young man with black hair and black eyes stood there, wearing a sunny smile.
“When did he appear?!”
“He caught the bullet?!”
The fish-men and villagers alike stared wide-eyed.
“Thank goodness!
Thank goodness!”
“Bellemere is alive!”
Nami and Nojiko cheered excitedly.
“Who are you?”
Arlong’s expression darkened as he stared warily at Zhuyun.
He had not even seen how Zhuyun had appeared.
All he had seen was a flash of golden light before the bullet was suddenly caught by this man.
“Me?
Perhaps you could call me a passing ally of justice.”
Zhuyun tossed the bullet lightly in his hand before throwing it toward one of the fish-men.
“Pfft!”
Blood sprayed from the fish-man’s forehead as he collapsed heavily to the ground.
“Pisaro!”
“You bastard!
How dare you kill Pisaro!”
“Kill him!
We have to kill him!”
The fish-men gritted their teeth in fury.
“What exactly do you mean by this?” Arlong stared at Zhuyun warily.
He had not even seen the trajectory of the bullet Zhuyun had thrown.
“Me?
I don’t really have any particular purpose.
I just want to beat you to death, or get beaten to death by you.”
Zhuyun pulled his hands apart, and a sword of light appeared in his grasp.
“That’s Kizaru’s ability?!”
Arlong had once been part of the Sun Pirates and had witnessed a Marine Admiral use this technique before.
How could he not be shocked to see Zhuyun using it now?
“Swoosh!”
But Zhuyun had no intention of wasting any more time talking.
The sword of light swept rapidly across Arlong’s body.
In an instant, his body was split in two.
Even at the moment of death, Arlong still wore an expression of disbelief.
“Arlong… Arlong is dead?!”
“That’s impossible!
Arlong was so powerful, and he just died like that?!”
“You killed Arlong!
We’ll avenge him!”
The fish-men stared at Zhuyun with both fury and fear.
“Don’t rush.
You’re next.”
Zhuyun pointed the sword of light toward the remaining fish-men.
“Ah!”
“Don’t!”
“Block it!
Block it!”
Golden light flashed repeatedly as one fish-man after another fell beneath Zhuyun’s sword of light.
Nami and Nojiko stared at Zhuyun in astonishment, an overwhelming sense of security filling their hearts.
“Hmm.
As expected of the Marshal.
I only just explained the Heavenly Cloud Sword to him, and he’s already using it so skillfully.”
Borsalino crouched on the roof of Bellemere’s house and sighed in admiration.
***
The streets of Cocoyasi Village were filled with all kinds of delicious food and wine.
The villagers celebrated at the top of their voices, drinking wine, enjoying the food, and releasing all the happiness and excitement that had built up inside them.
For the people of Cocoyasi Village, today has been a day of incredible highs and lows.
They had thought they were about to be mercilessly ruled and exploited by pirates.
Yet, in a matter of moments, the entire Arlong Pirates had been wiped out by Zhuyun, who had arrived that very same day.
Most of all, there was Nami’s family.
Bellemere had come within a hair’s breadth of death.
To express their gratitude toward Zhuyun and the companions who arrived afterward, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village brought out all their best food and wine and held a grand banquet for them.
“Thank you, sir.
If you hadn’t helped us, I would never have been able to see my children again.”
Bellemere made her way through the crowd and brought Nami and Nojiko before Zhuyun.
“I’m truly grateful to you.”
Bellemere bowed deeply to Zhuyun.
“Thank you, big brother.”
“Thank you, big brother.”
Nami and Nojiko also bowed to him.
“It was nothing.
And I should be thanking you for the banquet.” Zhuyun raised his wine cup.
“Would you like to have a drink?”
“I want one!
I want one!”
“Me too!”
Seeing Zhuyun raise his wine cup, Nami and Nojiko immediately ran over, clamoring for a drink.
“Hahaha, you’re still too young to drink.
Wait until you’re older.”
Zhuyun burst out laughing.