Heroic Spirit Template in One Piece

The thousand-meter-long shark was extremely powerful. In just half a day, it towed both the Wind Rider and Gecko Moria's ship to Cocoyasi Village in the Mezoda Islands.

Over 200 meters above the Coconomi Islands, several floating objects hovered ominously in the sky.

"Looks like we made it just in time."

Caelan stepped off the ship, stretching lazily.

Although the island was filled with anxious noise, there were no signs of beasts rampaging through it yet. It was clear that the Golden Lion's attack hadn't begun.

"That was close. We almost didn't make it."

Nami patted her chest in relief.

"Let's go check out the situation."

Caelan laced his fingers behind his head and casually walked toward Cocoyasi Village.

The girls and Moria followed behind him.

The streets were empty, but the village square was full of noise.

Following the commotion, they saw all the villagers gathered together, speaking loudly and nervously.

"The Golden Lion is here! He's the one releasing those wild beasts everywhere. We're doomed!"

"It's our turn now. Why are we so unlucky?!"

"Shouldn't we run? Maybe there's still time to escape somewhere else!"

"Escape where? We don't have enough ships! And this is our home, our life's work. How do we start over elsewhere?"

"I heard he wants to destroy the entire East Blue. Where could we possibly go?"

The villagers were panicking, their eyes fixed on the floating islands above with despair.

The Golden Lion's rampage had shocked the entire East Blue.

Everyone had heard of the terrifying pirate releasing massive, ferocious beasts on island after island. The destruction had been overwhelming.

Ordinary people stood no chance. They could only hope for the Marines to arrive in time.

"Everyone, quiet down! We have no other options. All we can do now is gather our strength and prepare to fight."

Genzo of the village police force raised his voice, trying to calm the people.

"But I heard those beasts are seven or eight meters tall! Each one is ferocious! How are we supposed to stop them?!"

"Exactly!"

"Yeah!"

Voices of doubt immediately followed. Few had confidence in the plan.

"This is the only plan we've got. If we don't try, are you going to just sit here and wait to die?"

"He is right above us. We can't even run anymore!"

"Maybe... just maybe... the Marines will arrive in time?"

Genzo's face was grim and helpless.

He knew the odds were low, but it was the only option left.

The villagers fell silent.

They all knew they had nowhere to escape. Their only hope was to fight with all they had and hope some of them survived.

Quietly, they began picking up their weapons, preparing for the inevitable.

Among the crowd, Nojiko was cleaning her long-barreled flintlock, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

This time, she wasn't confident they'd survive.

What a shame... Nami and the others were still on the Grand Line. They wouldn't even get to say goodbye.

As she thought about it, her mind wandered to the man who had once saved them — the one who had destroyed the Arlong Pirates.

It was Caelan, the hero who descended from the sky and saved Cocoyasi Village from despair.

But now, who could possibly stop this new disaster?

There probably wouldn't be another Caelan. People like him were one in a million.

"Eh?!"

Suddenly, Nojiko's eyes widened. She saw two familiar figures.

It was Nami, full of energy, and that young man, now even more commanding than before.

She almost thought she was hallucinating.

"It's Caelan! And Nami! They're back!"

The villagers quickly noticed Caelan and the others. Cries of shock and joy echoed through the crowd.

Hearing the commotion, Nojiko finally accepted it.

"So... they really came back."

She whispered as if waking from a dream.

"Long time no see, Sis!"

Nami ran up and threw herself into Nojiko's arms, overjoyed.

"Long time no see."

Nojiko hugged her tightly, smiling through her tears.

"Mr. Caelan, weren't you on the Grand Line? Why did you come back so suddenly?"

The villagers surrounded Caelan excitedly, bombarding him with questions.

"I heard someone was trying to destroy the East Blue, so I came back."

Caelan smiled, answering casually.

"You really are… I don't even know what to say!"

The villagers crowded around Caelan, moved to the point of tears.

This was what a hero looked like.

Even after being labeled the World Government's most wanted criminal, he still rushed back to save the East Blue at the first sign of danger. What kind of spirit was that?

This was a thousand times better than the World Government that only exploited and oppressed them.

"Mr. Caelan!"

The villagers burst into tears as they surrounded him, overwhelmed with gratitude.

"He's more popular than I expected."

Gion smirked, clearly amused.

She had never been this well-received, even when she served as a Marine Vice Admiral.

"Of course. If Caelan hadn't acted two months ago, we wouldn't even be alive right now."

"And now that he's back to save us again, how could we not be grateful?"

Nojiko stood next to Gion, smiling warmly.

"He's currently the World Government's most wanted criminal. Aren't you afraid of him?"

Gion asked seriously, frowning.

"When we were suffering under the Arlong Pirates, neither the World Government nor the Marines helped us. If we have to take sides, we'll choose Caelan."

Nojiko's tone was gentle but unwavering.

"…Thank you. I understand."

Gion lowered her head, saying no more.

She had read Caelan's file and knew more than Nojiko did.

Back then, Caelan didn't just take down the Arlong Pirates. He also executed Captain Nezumi, who had been colluding with them.

The World Government had rotted from the inside. It was no wonder people lost faith in them.

Maybe following Caelan really was the better path to justice.

"Look up!"

Gecko Moria, who had been watching the sky, suddenly shouted.

Small black dots began falling from the floating islands above. As they grew closer, their forms became clearer — giant, terrifying beasts of all shapes and sizes.

Each one stood at least seven or eight meters tall, with blood-red eyes and an uncontrollable aura of madness.

Two-headed saber-toothed tigers, mutated giant crocodiles, monstrous brown bears... hundreds of beasts descended, landing smoothly with the power of the Float-Float Fruit.

ROARRRR!

The beasts roared in unison. The sound shook the earth like thunder.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Hundreds of massive beasts, each weighing tens of tons, charged forward. The ground trembled, and clouds of dust filled the air.

"They're terrifying!"

The villagers were paralyzed by the sheer force of the incoming wave, their knees buckling.

Their earlier resolve was nothing in the face of this monstrous army.

Even with all their strength combined, they wouldn't stand a chance.

Genzo frowned as he looked at Caelan with worry.

Huh?! Do you really think that little of me?

Seeing Genzo's gaze, Caelan couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

He could wipe out these beasts with a single move. A thousand of them wouldn't make a difference.

Now what?

As much as he wanted to prove himself, this kind of fodder didn't even get him interested.

(To be continued.)

***

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