On this particular noon, in the waters near the Conomi Islands.
The sky was clear, the wind gentle, and the sun warm.
It should have been the perfect weather for a leisurely stroll after a meal.
However, on the distant horizon, a fleet of thirty Pirate ships with black sails had appeared, heading towards Cocoyasi Village.
From afar, they looked like a dark, ominous cloud pressing down on the land.
...
Near the docks, by the small grove along the shore.
Several villagers, who were fishing and chatting, noticed the terrifying sight.
"Hey, those are Pirates."
"Yeah..."
A villager who had been dozing off was startled awake, rubbing his eyes and yawning lazily.
"It's been a long time since any Pirates dared to come here, and now so many at once?"
"Is it that guy? The one who's been making waves recently, claiming to be the Dominator of the East Blue. What's his name again?"
"Krieg? Or was it Clara?"
"Something like that, who cares..."
The villagers shook their heads and changed the subject, continuing to fish.
As if they were already accustomed to such scenes.
...
Under the warm sun, a salty sea breeze swept across the flagship's deck.
A towering figure, standing at 2.43 meters tall and clad in Golden Heavy Armor, stood coldly at the bow, staring at the increasingly close island, his cape fluttering behind him.
"Admiral Krieg! Everything is going smoothly. We should reach Cocoyasi Village's docks in about twenty minutes!"
A report came from the lookout above.
"Is that so?"
Krieg narrowed his eyes, "Continue at full speed. Once we dock, all combat personnel from ships one to fifteen will follow me ashore. The rest of the ships will surround the docks, ready to fire at any moment!"
"Yes, Admiral!"
The Pirates around him responded with a resounding cheer.
"Leader."
A deep voice suddenly came from the right, "Although I've mentioned this several times before, the final opportunity is right in front of us, and I still want to advise you one last time."
Hmm?
Krieg slowly turned around, his expression dark as he looked at his Chief Battle Commander.
"We shouldn't have come to Cocoyasi Village."
Gin, as if oblivious to his leader's expression, lowered his head and said, "Your goal is to build the strongest fleet and conquer the Grand Line, right? Why travel all the way south to provoke that man named Xiano?"
"This is truly unwise. That man's strength might be far greater than you estimated..."
"Hmm?"
Krieg suddenly reached out and grabbed Gin by the throat, grinning widely, "So you're scared, Gin? The so-called Ogre who's followed me for so many years, frightened by a mere rumor from years ago! Now you want to run away at the last moment?"
"That's not what I meant, Captain. My loyalty to you will never change, and I will always be willing to fight by your side."
Gin struggled to speak, "But the risks this time are too great... Isn't it a well-known fact that he single-handedly wiped out that group of Fish-men? Didn't you warn me privately after reading the newspaper not to provoke him..."
"Silence!"
Krieg abruptly released his grip, coldly watching Gin as he knelt on the deck, coughing violently.
"Times have changed! Don't you understand? Back then, I only had five ships. Now? Now I have thirty!!!"
"The entire East Blue is singing praises of my might, even the Marines steer clear of my fleet! What does that country bumpkin brat amount to? If he were truly strong, he would have ventured into the Grand Line long ago. Hiding in the countryside, growing oranges for years, yet still daring to claim the title of the strongest Swordsman in the East Blue?!"
Krieg spread his broad arms wide, letting the sea wind rush in, and laughed maniacally.
"This time, I'm here to beat that brat to a pulp, to make the fools of the East Blue understand who the true strongest in the East Blue is!"
"Long live Lord Krieg!!!"
His speech instantly ignited a wave of fervent cheers across the deck.
"..." Gin was silent for a moment, then suddenly exhaled softly. When he stood up, his eyes were filled with nothing but fierce determination.
"Since you've made up your mind."
He pulled out the Iron Ball Double Crutch from behind, looking up indifferently towards the dock that was now within reach. "Gin is willing to charge at the forefront for you."
Boom!
The leading Pirate ships crashed fiercely into the dock, instantly crushing the wooden pier that had been repaired just a few years ago.
A large number of Pirates, armed with swords and guns, rushed off the ships with excited roars, completely congesting the coastline near the dock.
"There's smoke over there, I see the village!"
"Only this dirt road? What a backwater place!"
"Never mind that, charge together! The Governor said, whoever finds that brat Xiano first gets a reward of two million Berry!"
Gin followed the first wave of men off the ship, expressionless. He inadvertently noticed a strangely shaped, narrow speedboat moored in a secluded spot nearby.
The flag on the mast bore the characters "Shimotsuki."
Shimotsuki?
Gin frowned slightly, feeling as though he had seen this name, or perhaps surname, somewhere before.
Perhaps in a newspaper a few years ago...
Before he could think further.
Thud!
Suddenly, there was a commotion up front. Several Pirates who were charging ahead inexplicably flew up and crashed into the coconut trees on either side, knocked out cold.
"Ara, sorry."
A blue-haired beauty with a red ribbon tied around her head had somehow appeared in the middle of the only road, gently smoothing her hair, smiling sweetly at the Pirates before her.
"There are still many people in the village who haven't finished their lunch. I can't let you rude fellows go and disturb them."
Whoa!!!
No one paid attention to the unlucky ones who had been knocked out.
The Pirates at the front were now wide-eyed, some whistling, some drooling, and some even twisting their bodies into noodle-like shapes.
"Wow, she's a super hot babe!!"
"Such a beautiful girl in this backwater place!"
"Hey! Beautiful lady, after we finish our business, how about coming aboard with us tonight!"
Pairs of greedy, ill-intentioned eyes roamed over the newcomer's face.
"It's very rude to stare at a girl like that."
Nojiko was still smiling gently, but her hands had somehow donned blue Metal Gauntlets. "I said, do you really have to..."
Shave!
Before the words could fade, Nojiko's figure vanished from her spot in an instant, only to reappear right in the midst of the Pirates.
"——Listen to me when I'm talking!!!"
With a roar akin to a mother Tyrannosaurus, she crossed her fists and slammed them down with ferocity. The heads of the two Pirates closest to her caved in instantly.
Before the bodies could even hit the ground, Nojiko's long and powerful right leg swept out in a wide arc. The dozen or so Pirates around her let out agonized screams, flying backward like kites with their strings cut!
(End of Chapter)