OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

"Vice Admiral! We've received a transmission from Branch 77!"

Tashigi came running toward Rengoku, holding a Den Den Mushi.

"A resident from a village recently attacked by fishmen pirates has filed a report!"

At the news, Rengoku immediately stood up.

"Now that's a welcome report!"

Tashigi handed the Den Den Mushi to him.

"Justice! This is Marine Branch 77! Brigadier Prinprin reporting! It's an honor to assist you, Vice Admiral Rengoku the Flame Pillar!"

"Good work. Let's skip the formalities—what's the name of the village that sent the report?"

"Yes, sir! The report came from Gosa Village! We've already compiled a written report with the village's coordinates and details of the incident and sent it via fax!"

A promising lead.

"Brigadier Prinprin!"

"Yes, Vice Admiral Rengoku!"

"Can you mobilize your unit immediately and investigate the situation in Gosa Village?"

"Yes, sir! We've already completed deployment preparations!"

"Excellent. Proceed directly to the village and make contact with the attacking fishmen pirates. If it turns out to be the Arlong crew, with a bounty of 20 million berries or more—do not provoke them. Stall for time until I arrive!"

"Understood! I will carry out the mission without fail!"

Clack.

"Change course! Destination: Gosa Village! The village is currently under attack by fishmen pirates. We sail at full speed to prevent any further damage! That is all!"

...

What is with these people? Did all of them catch Luffy's idiocy?

Or were they just this stupid to begin with?

Zoro had been captured by Arlong's underlings—

Zoro, of all people, who should never lose to some low-level fishmen grunts.

Is this… the fundamental gap between humans and fishmen?

Even that monster Zoro couldn't react in time?

Out of sentiment for an old comrade, she let him go—

and what did that idiot do? He attacked Arlong's men!

That's going to get you killed, Zoro!

Just when Nami's head was spinning from that, Usopp got caught next.

Damn it! Damn it all!

She never meant for them to get involved in any of this!

Why the hell are you all barging in like idiots?!

"Special Technique! Smoke Star!"

…No, actually—this was better.

Usopp's smoke bomb clouded the vision of the fishmen surrounding him, and Nami used that moment…

…to stab him.

With that, Arlong would have no reason to suspect her any further.

"Sorry about that, Nami. I knew it—you really are one of us."

The fishman Kuroobi, who had insisted on killing Usopp, now extended his hand in apology.

That filthy, bloodstained hand—the same one responsible for spilling the blood of the people of Cocoyashi Village.

Of course, Nami had no intention of accepting his handshake.

"Don't be ridiculous. I only teamed up with you to buy back Cocoyashi Village. 'Comradeship' with you? That's not even worth a speck of dust on an ant's eyelash."

"Tch. How cold."

Now even that blond-haired cook had shown up.

Why were all of them so obsessed with meddling in things that didn't concern them?

"I already told you, Luffy—I only joined you guys for the money. But ever since I started hanging around with you, the 10 million berries I stole from Buggy got cut in half, and the remaining 5 million was completely confiscated by the Marines. Even after taking down Kuro with his 16 million bounty, I only ended up with a little over 2 million. Traveling with you guys… it just feels like I'm the only one losing out. I could've made over 18 million this time too."

Half of it was true.

Half of it was a lie.

To be honest, Nami herself didn't even know what she was saying anymore.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

Why… why aren't they leaving? Even after everything I said?

Are they idiots?

Thump!

"Hey! What the hell are you doing, Luffy?!"

"Oi, Captain, why are you suddenly lying on the ground?"

"I dunno. I think I'll take a nap. I don't know what's going on here, and I don't really care. But I'm not leaving. I don't have anywhere else to go, so I'll just sleep here."

These idiots…

"I don't care! Just go die already!"

Overwhelmed, Nami screamed at Luffy and ran away—without looking back.

...

Meanwhile, aboard Brigadier Prinprin's warship from Marine Branch 77, Arlong Park came into view.

"So that's the 'Arlong Park' the villagers mentioned? What a damn joke."

Looking at the tall, upright structure on the low-lying island, Prinprin bristled with anger.

"I'd love nothing more than to storm in and crush those bastards myself… But Vice Admiral Rengoku gave clear orders…"

And then—there he was.

A hideous fishman with thick lips had suddenly appeared atop the warship.

"Full alert! Prepare to—huh?"

Before they could react, a fishman was already on deck.

"Heh. I don't recognize you guys. The name's chu!"

"Who are you?!"

"Heh heh. I'm an officer of the Arlong Pirates. Name's Chew, chu! Arlong sent me to deliver this, chu!"

Chew held a document briefcase in his hand.

Under normal circumstances, negotiating with pirates would be completely unacceptable—but Prinprin remembered Vice Admiral Rengoku's instructions.

With clenched jaw and forced composure, he approached Chew.

Suppressing his natural temperament, he forced a tight-lipped smile.

"Ahaha! Now this is a fishman who knows how to talk business! Why don't we head inside and have a proper chat?"

"Fufufu, sounds good, chu!"

"Inform the deck crew—halt the ship!"

As Prinprin gave the stop order, he shot a meaningful glance toward his adjutant.

Understanding the signal immediately, the adjutant waited until Prinprin and Chew disappeared into the cabin before quietly activating the Den Den Mushi communicator.

...

Meanwhile, the warship en route to Gosa Village had stopped mid-voyage, causing the villagers waiting anxiously at the shore to grow uneasy.

"Huh? What's going on?"

"Did they get attacked by the fish-men or something?"

"Why did they stop all of a sudden?"

"They must be planning a strategy! Arlong's strong—they probably know they can't just rush in."

They were right.

Though rather than planning an operation…

They were executing one.

The moment the transmission connected, the adjutant tapped on the Den Den Mushi with purpose.

Marine Morse Code.

A specialized code system taught to every officer above Ensign, whether from headquarters or a local branch.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap… tap-tap… tap… tap… tap-tap… tap-tap… tap… tap…

Soon, a Morse-coded reply came from the other end:

Tap-tap-tap… tap… tap.

Got it.

Whish-whish-whish, whish, whish.

The moment the adjutant received Vice Admiral Rengoku's coded response, he signaled the soldiers on deck with swift hand gestures.

The moment the crew saw the signal, a wave of relief washed over them.

And right after that—new tension began to simmer.

Ahh… To think that a lowly branch Marine like me might meet the legendary [Flame Pillar] Vice Admiral Rengoku…!

At this point, the fishmen pirates were no longer their main concern.

All anyone could think about… was the chance that they might be recognized by the famous Rengoku himself—and maybe even be recruited to Marine Headquarters.

Their heads were now full of wild hopes and fantasies.

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