OnePiece: Concept Space

Chapter 5: Mysterious Girl

Shells Town.

In a secluded alley not far from the Marine base, a lone silhouette stood—a figure cloaked in a black coat that concealed every characteristic of their body, save for a katana hanging at the waist.

Suddenly, the cloaked figure spoke in a feminine voice, her eyes fixed on someone tied to a wooden post in the Marine base's backyard—someone wearing a green bandana, crucified in the sun.

"This troublesome idiot... It took me months of tracking to find her trail, and now that I've finally caught up, she's about to be executed by the Marines?"

The black silhouette, now clearly revealed to be a girl, spoke through gritted teeth. Her voice, though sharp, trembled with worry and fear.

After taking a long look at the Marine base, guarded by well-armed soldiers, she let out a sigh and turned away. Attacking a Marine base—even if she could easily deal with the soldiers stationed here—would instantly brand her a pirate.

Grumble...

Her stomach growled loudly, and her face turned red beneath her cloak.

"I'm starving... I haven't eaten in three days... Let's eat first and make plans later. Anyway, there are still a few days before that idiot's execution."

With that, she left the alley and blended into the crowd.

Soon, she found a decent-looking tavern and entered without hesitation.

The moment she stepped in, she was startled by a sudden outburst.

"LUFFY! SPIT IT OUT!!"

In front of her was a beautiful orange-haired girl, furiously choking a very, very handsome young man. Her expression was a mix of rage, despair, and resignation.

The young man with the straw hat, however, seemed completely unfazed. He kept eating as if nothing in the world mattered. The number of plates in front of him seemed to grow by the second.

"I told you it's impossible," Luffy said with his mouth full. "And you're paying. I don't have any money. You took all my treasure. Isn't it common sense to pay for your boss's meals?"

"WHAT COMMON SENSE IS THAT?! WHY DON'T I KNOW ABOUT IT?!"

"Now you do! Since I helped expand your knowledge, how about treating me to dinner?"

"In your dreams! I'm not paying!!"

"Well, if you won't pay, I have no choice but to eat like an overlord and become a glorious pirate. But Nami, you must never forget—you're the one who pushed me to the evil path of piracy. I'll never forgive you."

The cloaked girl couldn't help but smile faintly as she watched the two bicker. A nostalgic warmth tugged at the corners of her eyes.

Nami collapsed onto the table in resignation, watching this infuriating guy devour food like a black hole. Despite his scrawny frame, he didn't gain a pound, and her despair only deepened.

This guy just ate 500,000 Beli worth of food in one sitting. At this rate, three months from now, eight years of her hard-earned savings would disappear into this bottomless pit. But the truly maddening part? She actually felt... happy watching him eat.

Nami, Nami—wake up!!

The tavern's female owner looked at Luffy with soft, motherly eyes. She walked up and gently tapped his head.

"Little man, no need to pay. It's on the house."

Luffy looked up at her, eyes gleaming with gratitude.

"Thank you, madam. I really appreciate it."

The woman blushed and sat next to him, gently pushing the gloomy Nami aside. She started serving him more dishes with a smile.

Even her young daughter giggled happily as she sneaked onto Luffy's lap.

Nami stared at the woman with a mixture of horror and incomprehesnion.

"There's no need for this. I'll pay for him."

But the woman smiled.

"No need. You don't look like you're rich either. Supporting this little guy would ruin you."

The cloaked girl, still watching from her seat, was nearly speechless. But she had to admit—even she was tempted to pay for him. His hamster-like munching expression was... oddly cute.

"Owner," she called out lightly.

The tavern owner finally noticed her and reluctantly got up, moving toward the kitchen to prepare her meal—though not before casting a jealous, hateful glance at the cloaked girl, leaving her baffled.

Nami beamed at her in thanks and took the now-vacant seat beside Luffy, watching him eat with a warm smile.

The scene was peaceful and harmonious—until the tavern doors were kicked open.

A man with a butt-chin and blond hair strutted in arrogantly, followed by two Marine soldiers.

Helmeppo.

He walked in like he owned the place. No one dared to meet his gaze, and he clearly relished in their submission.

The cloaked girl narrowed her eyes. She knew exactly why her target had been captured—and this man was the reason. Her grip on the katana tightened, and it took everything in her not to draw it.

Luffy seemed to sense her hostility and looked toward her, curious.

"Someone not in the plot? And stronger than the crucified Zoro?"

The girl felt Luffy's gaze and, when their eyes met, she loosened her grip slightly. She was genuinely shocked he could sense her killing intent—even if it wasn't directed at him.

Helmeppo, being the obnoxious man he was, began loudly bragging about how anyone who dared to cross him would end up like that "idiot" green-haired bounty hunter. He smugly announced Zoro's upcoming execution, claiming it was a lesson to all who defied him.

Nami looked at Helmeppo with disgust and clenched fists. The cloaked girl nearly snapped—ready to cut him down. Even the little girl on Luffy's lap trembled in fear and anger.

The crowd kept their heads down. No one dared provoke this so-called plague god. After all, behind him stood the invincible Captain Axe-Hand Morgan.

Suddenly, Luffy leaned back with a relaxed expression, hundreds of plates behind him, and calmly spoke.

"Butt-chin, you're annoying. Can you shut up?"

The tavern went dead silent.

Helmeppo's face turned pale. Laughter was barely suppressed among the crowd, and all eyes were on him—some mocking, some amused.

His chin was butt-like. But no one had dared say it out loud—until now.

His face turned purple with rage.

"You brat—are you provoking me?! Do you have a death wish?!"

The Marines behind him tightened their grip on their rifles, pitying Luffy but not hesitating. If Helmeppo gave the order, they'd fire without remorse.

Luffy looked at them and scoffed internally. Oda really was a whitewashing master. These guys, clearly close subordinates of Axe-Hand Morgan, had benefitted from corruption, yet here they were—acting like righteous martyrs.

He turned to Nami.

"Nami, I'm about to do something that might get me branded a pirate. You can leave if you want."

Nami went quiet.

The cloaked girl stared at Luffy in stunned disbelief.

Luffy stood up and walked toward Helmeppo. As the holder of the "Freedom" concept, he felt nothing but disgust toward people like this—toward corrupt Marines, his father, and this system.

Maybe it was the concept's influence, or maybe just basic morality—but even without powers, as someone from the modern world, he couldn't ignore such atrocities.

And now, a bug was buzzing in his ear.

Isn't it only natural to squash it?