Cocoyasi Village, Nojiko's House
"Wow, sleeping on land really is the best!"
Usopp stretched dramatically and sat up in bed. Through the window, he could see strangely shaped burning clouds painting the sky—beautiful!
"Oh no!"
ヾ(??﹏?)??
Usopp jolted upright, suddenly remembering the time he'd promised to meet Luffy.
"Zoro! Zoro, where are you!?"
Zoro wasn't in the room, which made the already-panicking Usopp panic even more.
Click
The sound of the door unlocking.
Usopp instantly grabbed his slingshot.
The door swung open, and Nojiko walked in.
Sky-blue short hair, refined features, yellow camisole tank top, killer figure, and a pair of long, straight legs. Any grown man would feel his heart race. Usopp was still too young to understand that kind of beauty.
He quickly stashed the slingshot back in his bag. Nojiko had seen the whole thing.
A slingshot!
Disappointment flashed in Nojiko's eyes. Earlier, Usopp had bragged about how amazing he was. She'd actually thought a savior had arrived—turns out he was just a kid who told tall tales.
Usopp didn't notice her expression. He frantically asked where Zoro had gone.
"Your friend left a little while ago. Said he'd be back before dark."
Nojiko's tone was no longer warm—it had turned cold.
"What!?"
Usopp clutched his head and twisted back and forth in despair.
Zoro was a hopeless directionless idiot! Forget before dark—he might not make it back tomorrow!
Whatever. He needed to rendezvous with Luffy first. His mystery illness was about to flare up—he had to get back to the Merry!
Usopp clasped his hands together and bowed dramatically. "Nojiko, please, take me to the shore to meet Luffy!"
"Sorry, no time."
Nojiko rejected him flat out.
Usopp froze for a second, then looked at her seriously. "Trust me—Nojiko, Luffy will definitely beat Arlong and save Cocoyasi Village!"
Before Nojiko could reply, shouts rang out from outside.
"Arlong's here!"
Doors slammed shut all over the village.
Nojiko's face drained of color. She bolted toward the door.
Usopp gritted his teeth and chased after her. "(#`O′) Wait for me!"
"If you don't want to die, stay inside," Nojiko called back.
Terrified, Usopp slipped out the back door instead. He wanted to spy from the shadows—was Arlong really a three-headed, six-armed monster?
…
"Captain Arlong, didn't we just pay this month's money?"
On the street, Genzo—the scar-covered village sheriff—blocked Arlong's path and asked cautiously.
"Get lost if you want to live."
Arlong growled without turning his head, giving Genzo a cold sidelong glare.
"But…"
Genzo's body shook violently, yet he still stood firm.
Arlong raised his hand, ready to send Genzo flying.
A tall, graceful figure appeared. Nojiko shouted, "Don't hurt Gen-san! I'm the one who hid the weapons!"
Genzo's face went pale.
Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
[Ding! Detected a beauty that meets system requirements. Please improve relations with her as soon as possible.]
Seeing his target, Arlong broke into a wide, toothy grin.
"Skwahahaha~"
"Nojiko, you just confessed all by yourself, huh?"
Nojiko ran over, spread her arms to shield Genzo, and stared defiantly at Arlong.
"Nojiko…"
Genzo clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Arlong, the weapons were—"
Genzo tried to speak, but Nojiko cut him off. "Gen-san, Cocoyasi Village still needs you."
Arlong had no interest in their drama. His eyes roamed up and down Nojiko.
Her figure and beauty rivaled Nami's, but being two years older gave her a more mature, womanly charm. She was clearly mixed-race—sharp features, huge eyes.
"Nojiko, perfect timing. I've got something to discuss with you."
Arlong flashed a wicked smile, grabbed her, and pulled her into his arms. "This isn't the place. We'll talk at your house."
Ignoring her protests, he dragged her forward.
Genzo? Completely ignored.
Nojiko: o((⊙﹏⊙))o
Worried Arlong would hurt Genzo, she didn't dare resist. It was her first time being this close to a male—her whole body went stiff.
Genzo lowered his head, hat brim hiding his eyes.
Memories flooded back: happy days with Bellemere, the moment she died right in front of him… He had promised Bellemere he'd look after her two daughters—that's why he'd survived this long.
He already saw Nami and Nojiko as his own children. He'd failed to protect Nami, letting her throw herself to the tiger. The guilt ate at him every day.
Now Nojiko was about to suffer the same fate. Finally, Genzo snapped!
"Arlong, that's ENOUGH!"
Genzo roared and threw a punch at Arlong's waist.
"Iron Body!"
Arlong muttered. His waist instantly turned to steel.
He didn't even need the technique against a normal human—he just wanted to punish the guy.
Crack~
Genzo's full-power punch shattered his own wrist.
Cold sweat poured down his face, but he didn't make a sound. He stared at Arlong in disbelief.
More than anything, he felt despair.
A body like iron—ordinary weapons couldn't scratch him. Eight years of secretly gathering arms… all a joke.
Hiding in the shadows, Usopp was so scared his tongue literally hung out.
(ΩДΩ)
He's terrifying-looking AND made of steel!?
"Got some guts, huh."
Arlong turned, face full of mockery.
He raised his foot to kick Genzo away—when Nojiko suddenly hugged his leg.
"Please don't! Captain Arlong, I beg you—don't hurt Gen-san!"
Nojiko looked up at him, pleading.
"I'll do anything as long as you don't hurt him."
"Anything?" Arlong raised an eyebrow.
Feeling two soft mounds pressed against his thigh, little Arlong started stirring again.
Nojiko turned to Genzo, eyes filled with farewell.
"No…"
Genzo shook his head desperately.
Nojiko looked back, bit her lip, and said, "Anything."
"Perfect!"
"Skwahahaha~"
Arlong was extremely satisfied with her answer.
He pulled her back into his arms and kept walking.
"Let Nojiko go!"
Genzo roared again, sweeping a kick at Arlong's waist.
"Courting death."
Arlong snorted. He struck second but landed first, kicking Genzo square in the right side.
"Gwah!"
Genzo spat a huge mouthful of blood and flew like an arrow, crashing into a wooden house.
BAM!
The house collapsed, burying Genzo completely under rubble.
When the dust settled, only ruins remained—no sign of Genzo.
"Gen-san!"
Nojiko tried to run to him, but Arlong yanked her back.
"He's not dead yet. But if you don't come with me… who knows."
Arlong wasn't lying—it had just been a normal kick.
Nojiko froze, biting her lip so hard it bled, forcing back tears.
Usopp couldn't watch anymore. He pulled out his slingshot and fired.
"Certain-Kill… Gunpowder Star!"