One Piece: The warrior of Justice

Celebration at Conomi Island

The sun rose over Conomi Island, casting a golden glow on the bustling village. Roads were being paved anew, houses freshly painted, and at the heart of the village, two temples were under construction—one dedicated to Ganpati Bappa and the other to Hanuman Ji. The villagers had worked tirelessly to rebuild their home after years of suffering under Arlong's tyranny.

As seagulls soared above, bounty posters fluttered down, carried by the wind. Children raced to grab them, their laughter echoing through the village. Soon, a crowd gathered in the square, examining the image of the masked figure with the bold name Gadgil D. Atharva beneath it.

Instead of worry or fear, a wave of celebration swept through the crowd.

"He's one of us!" a villager shouted, raising the poster high.

"He saved us from Arlong and gave us our lives back!" another chimed in.

"Look at that bounty—100 million berries! Atharva is incredible!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, drums began to beat, and people started dancing in the streets. Posters were pinned to walls, and children waved them like flags. The joy was infectious, spreading from house to house.

Genzo, Nako, and Aron's Thoughts

Nearby, Genzo, Nako, and Aron sat on a wooden bench under the shade of a tree, watching the celebrations. Genzo held a poster, studying it closely.

"So, it's begun," he said, his voice heavy with understanding.

Nako nodded, his weathered face thoughtful. "He's stepped into a dangerous world now. I just hope Nami and Nojiko are safe."

At the mention of the girls, Genzo smiled softly, the memories of their bright faces and unwavering determination warming his heart. "They'll be fine. Those two are strong—they're doing what they've always dreamed of."

Aron, who had been quiet until now, glanced at the poster in Genzo's hand. His eyes lingered on the name Gadgil D. Atharva before he spoke. "So, he was the one who defeated Arlong."

Both men turned to Aron, surprised by his words. Aron's tone wasn't bitter or resentful—it was thoughtful.

Genzo and Nako exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Aron leaned back, observing the villagers celebrating with joy and pride. A faint smile crossed his lips, though he didn't say more.

Aboard Garp's Ship

The scene shifted to the vast expanse of the East Blue, where Vice Admiral Garp's ship sailed steadily toward Loguetown. Garp stood near the railing, holding a bounty poster. The breeze carried the faint scent of the sea, his justice cloak billowing behind him.

Staring at the poster, Garp sighed deeply. "Is it too late…?" he muttered under his breath.

From behind, Gion approached, her boots tapping lightly against the wooden deck. "Vice Admiral Garp," she began, her tone careful, "how do you plan to handle this situation?"

Garp didn't turn, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "We'll do what we can—capture him alive and lock him up in Impel Down. That's the best option we have."

Gion hesitated, her lips parting as if to argue, but she stopped herself. She knew the reality of the situation—the World Government's orders were absolute. Once a bounty was issued, it couldn't be revoked unless the individual became a Warlord, which seemed unlikely.

She turned her gaze to the sea, her mind swirling with thoughts of the boy who had saved lives, yet now faced a world bent on destroying him.

Just then, Bogart approached, his posture as firm as always. "Vice Admiral, we'll be arriving in Loguetown shortly."

Hearing this, a distant memory flashed through Garp's mind—of another pirate, one who had left an indelible mark on history. Unknowingly, a small smile tugged at his lips.

Changes on Atharva Island

Far away, on a newly named Atharva Island, progress was visible everywhere. Roads were being paved, new homes constructed, and schools built for the children. At the heart of the island stood two temples—one for Ganpati Bappa and the other for Hanuman Ji—symbols of hope and protection.

The center of the village was a sacred ground called Heaven, where the graves of the departed rested under the shade of ancient trees. It was a place of quiet reflection, where villagers paid respects to their lost loved ones.

It had been five days since the slaves and Dragon Pirates had arrived on the island. The villagers and the rescued slaves had worked side by side to rebuild their lives, and for a while, peace reigned.

But on the sixth day, that peace was disrupted. Seagulls flew overhead, scattering bounty posters across the village. People rushed to pick them up, and soon, worry rippled through the crowd.

"He's got a bounty of 100 million berries…"

"This is bad. The Navy will come for him now."

"Why would they issue such a high bounty for someone who saved us?"

Fear and uncertainty began to take root. The freed slaves, who had only just started to feel safe, looked visibly shaken.

At the head of the village, a man in his fifties, known as Brock, stood silently. His weathered face bore the lines of a man who had seen much in life, yet his eyes were steady. Holding a poster in his hand, he began walking toward the large house on the hill—Atharva's current residence.

As the villagers watched him go, a hush fell over the crowd. They knew that whatever happened next, their leader would face it with strength and resolve.

To Be Continued…