One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Kalifa's brows furrowed slightly at the old woman's response.

This wasn't the answer she was looking for.

Unwilling to give up, she questioned a few more villagers nearby.

Yet, all the answers were nearly identical.

Kalifa grew more puzzled.

'Could it be... the people of Cocoyasi Village were naturally expressionless?'

Just then, Colonel Nezumi walked over beside her, speaking respectfully,

"My lady, I wasn't lying to you, was I? The villagers on this island have always been like this. At first, I didn't understand either—I thought it was because I was doing something wrong."

As soon as his words fell, the surrounding villagers chimed in:

"No, no, this is just how we are!"

"Colonel Nezumi is the best Marine we've ever had!"

"If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be living so happily right now!"

Nezumi nodded repeatedly, clearly enjoying the flattery.

In his heart, he even thought: Once that 'White Dove' guy leaves, maybe I'll charge the villagers a little less this month.

He grinned smugly, his three whiskers twitching on either cheek—his face a picture of shameless pride.

But right then, two girls stepped out from the crowd.

One had short orange hair, looking adorably cute.

The other had short blue hair, appearing weathered and determined.

They walked straight up to Roman and cried out,

"Sir! He's lying! He colludes with Arlong! They keep exploiting us—if we can't pay, they kill us! Bell-mère died because of them!"

Nami stared at Roman, who looked so gentle. Her watery eyes sparkled with desperation and hope.

Colonel Nezumi instantly panicked. Cold sweat nearly soaked his uniform.

"Sir! Don't listen to them! They're just playing pranks—especially that orange-haired one, Nami. She's lied to me more times than I can count!"

Nezumi forced a smile, walking up to Nami.

"Nami, lying is a bad habit, you know? Just go home. I can pretend none of this ever happened."

Everyone in the market square watched this tense scene unfold.

Among them was a man with a small mustache—Genzo, the village sheriff.

Although his title meant little under Arlong's rule, he still held a sense of duty.

He could see the creeping malice in Nezumi's smile.

Quickly stepping up to Nami and Nojiko, Genzo said, "Colonel Nezumi, forgive them. They're just mischievous girls—I'll take them home."

He shot the girls a meaningful look.

"Do you two want to die?! Get home now! If you make Nezumi angry, you'll…"

He didn't finish his sentence. He couldn't risk losing control of his emotions.

But Nami and Nojiko shared a determined look.

"Uncle Genzo, you're a good man. But this is our only chance!"

Nami turned to Roman and pleaded, "Please save us! Save our village! We beg you, Admiral White Dove!"

Others may not have known what Roman's rank meant.

But Nami did—because not long ago, she'd rescued a wounded News Coo during a storm.

As thanks, the bird gave her a newspaper.

That paper described the current state of the seas and introduced the newly appointed three Admirals.

So when she recognized Roman, she and Nojiko worked up their courage and stepped forward.

Nezumi's forced smile was frozen stiff.

"Sir… you're not really going to believe their nonsense, are you?"

"Nonsense? If anyone's been spouting nonsense, it's you," Nami said, then turned to Roman, "Please don't be fooled! He's working with Arlong's pirates! They even built Arlong Park on the coast! If you don't believe us, just come see for yourself!"

Her voice was rapid, her tone growing more desperate.

Seeing this, Nezumi quickly interjected, "Sir, the sun's too hot right now—how about we go to my office to cool off—"

"Lead the way," Roman interrupted.

Nami and Nojiko lit up with excitement.

"I'll take you right away, Admiral White Dove!"

"Just call me Roman. 'White Dove' is just a title."

"Okay… Roman!"

Cold sweat soaked Nezumi's back. "N-No, I'm fine… it's just… hot…"

Despite his words, all he felt was a bone-deep chill.

It's over. If he really goes to Arlong Park and sees all those pirate fishmen, I'm surely done for…

But what could he do now? There was no way out.

And so, trailing behind Roman, he headed toward Arlong Park.

Before long, they arrived.

Nami and Nojiko hesitated at the gate—they dared not enter.

Kalifa stepped forward and slowly pushed the gate open.

Nezumi squeezed his eyes shut in despair, already imagining what Roman would do once he saw the truth.

But what greeted them inside stunned everyone.

Children laughed and played. Adults watched them fondly.

It looked like… a paradise.

Nami and Nojiko stood frozen.

"This can't be… It's impossible!"

"There are supposed to be… Arlong's pirates!"

Nezumi's smug smile returned. "See, sir? Just like I said—those two girls are habitual liars. This is just an ordinary park. Where's the pirate crew, hmm?"

Nami and Nojiko could only stare in horror.

The air around them was thick with a looming sense of dread...