Nojiko's explanations shed light on the true nature of the situation. The culprit of all the troubles was none other than Captain Nezumi, commander of the 16th Marine Squad. Like a rotten fruit, he had corrupted the very essence of the service by conspiring with Arlong and his gang. Their alliance knew no bounds—they shamelessly oppressed the villagers, extorting bribes and hiding behind the shield of the law. Without Nezumi's protection, Arlong would not have been able to terrorize the surrounding settlements so brazenly.
"That vile captain," Rodney whispered, "committed many vile deeds while disguised as a Marine. He even stole the hundred million beli Nami had so painstakingly saved for the village."
Nezumi was the embodiment of shamelessness. He arrived in Cocoyashi, as usual, to collect his share of the spoils, but had no idea Arlong would be completely routed. Upon learning of the incident, he sent his men to investigate. One of the villagers unwittingly let it slip that Rodney was recovering from his injuries.
"Come on," said Rodney, "my body is recovering, and a few Marine officers won't be able to stop me."
"But your body…" Nojiko looked at him with concern, "you've been in bed for several days."
"Actually," Rodney smiled, "it's rather interesting. I don't need to exert all my strength. Miss Nojiko, please help me. Let's go."
"Okay," Nojiko whispered, "but…"
She tried to dissuade him, but Rodney, despite his weakness, decided to go all the way.
Next to Nami's house, in the orange grove that Nojiko and Nami's mother, Bell-mer, had planted to sell the fruit and support the family, stood a marine officer. He looked like an angry mouse, with six tufts of hair sticking out like whiskers. He wore a mouse-like cap, his brows were furrowed, his eyes were angry, and his face was pitiful.
"What are you doing?" he hissed. "Don't you know I'm the captain? I'm here to honor the hero who defeated the notorious pirates. What's all this fuss about? You dare defy the Marines?"
"Hmph!" a rough voice rang out. "Honor a hero? Why didn't you take action when the Arlong pirates were nearby? Are you really a member of the Marines?"
The speaker was Genzo, a middle-aged man in brown clothes with a windmill on his hat. His face was marred with battle scars from defending Nami's mother from Kuroobi's attack. Genzo loved Nami like his own daughter.
Nami, standing next to him, said with a harsh voice: "Hmm, a bunch of pirate accomplices!"
"I seem to recall," Captain Nezumi said with a mocking grin, "you were once a member of the Arlong Pirates, girl. What's your story? I suspect you have ties to the Arlong Pirates. Capture her!"
- How dare you touch Nami?!
- Try it if you dare!
— No one is allowed to harm our baby!
The villagers came to Nami's defense, preventing Captain Nezumi from making a move. They expressed their gratitude to Rodney but were reluctant to engage in direct confrontation with the Marines. However, when it came to Nami, everything changed.
"We can tolerate your skirmishes with the Arlong pirates," came an angry cry, "but you won't lay a finger on our child!"
Captain Nezumi felt a surge of alarm. He realized he'd gone too far. He drew his pistol and pointed it at Genzo.
"How dare you defy the guard?" he growled. "This is a death wish!"
At that moment, Rodney's voice rang out: "I'm Rodney. Who's looking for me?"
The crowd parted voluntarily, letting Rodney through, supported by Nojiko. A slug, transformed into a hand, perched on his shoulder.
"Mr. Rodney?" someone whispered.
"You're still recovering, Mr. Rodney. Why did you go out?"
- Yes, Mr. Rodney, leave it to us. You don't have to worry.
- Mr. Rodney, why did you go out?! Your condition...
— I'm Joestar J. Rodney. How can I help you?
Captain Nezumi put his pistol away with a feeling of relief. Rodney looked weak and couldn't withstand a bullet.
"I'm Captain Nezumi of the 16th Marine Squad." He tried to remain calm. "I heard you defeated Arlong of the Arlong Pirates?"
- Yes, what's the matter?
"Of course!" Nezumi suddenly shouted. "You killed our target, the one we've been meaning to capture for a long time! You've ruined our plans, Joestar J. Rodney. Do you even realize what you've done?"
"Nonsense!" came the angry cries of the villagers. "It's clear you're in cahoots with the Arlong pirates! You're mocking the innocent!"
Rodney was stunned. He'd never met people like this. How could accepting a bribe be part of an undercover operation? Were they planning to wait until they became second in command of the Dragon Pirates before arresting them all?
"If it weren't for Mr. Rodney, who knows how much longer we would have suffered under their tyranny!" someone from the crowd shouted, turning to Captain Nezumi. "And now you're trying to slander him! People like you aren't fit to wear a Marine uniform!"
"That's right!" another voice chimed in. "You don't belong here! Get out of our village!"
"Yes!" the crowd echoed. "Leave our village! Get out!"
Anger swept through the villagers, and Captain Nezumi, feeling the ground slipping from under his feet, fired into the sky, trying to drown out the roar of the crowd.
"Silence!" he barked. "Pirate Hunter Joestar Jay Rodney, I suspect you're in league with the pirates! Come with me to the station!"
"Shameless!" someone from the crowd hissed.
"Master Rodney, this man is truly shameless," Sister Slug said softly.
"This is the first time I've encountered such a shameless person," Rodney nodded, his eyes flashing coldly. "Sister Slug, dissolve the gun in his hand."
"As you say, Master," she replied, and a caustic stream of acid burst from her mouth, hitting Captain Nezumi's weapon right on the weapon.
"Hissing!" came the sound as the acid came into contact with the metal.
Sister Slug's acid attack was one of her few combat techniques. Her sticky acid was incredibly corrosive; even Orochimaru acknowledged its lethal potency. A simple contact was enough to dissolve the weapon, leaving only the hilt.
"This... this..." Captain Nezumi stuttered, staring at Rodney. "You're attacking the patrol! There are witnesses here!"
Rodney looked at him with a mocking grin.
"Why don't you use your brains?" he asked, his voice calm, but with a hint of steel in it. "Everyone's come today to see how I'm recovering. Are there any strangers among them? Can't you see that?"
The villagers were stunned for a moment and then began to disperse.
"You're right," one of them muttered. "It looks like rain is coming. I'm going back for some clothes."
"We will accompany you," another supported him.
"And I'm with you," the woman joined in.
Despite the fact that the day was sunny, everyone, as if on command, started talking about the approaching rain.
Rodney smiled, thinking to himself, "If they can be shameless, so can I."
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