"Oh, you can't do that!"
A Jian's calloused hand recoiled as if burned, his cloudy eyes filled with panic: "You're a person in distress, how can I take your money!"
But Yun Lie stubbornly pushed the gold into A Jian's palm, his fingertips touching the rough skin, as if feeling a weathered piece of tree bark.
"One should be grateful. You took me in for the night and even gave me clean clothes. This money is just a small token of my appreciation. If you truly feel uncomfortable, then prepare some warm food for me. I've lived on a deserted island for a year and finally made it to Coco Village. I'm incredibly hungry."
At the end, he deliberately exaggerated and patted his caved-in stomach.
A Jian's hand, holding the gold, trembled slightly, and he let out a long sigh, as if finally giving in: "Since that's the case, then alright. You wait here and don't run around. This village isn't peaceful at night."
As he turned to leave, his patched-up gray robe brushed against the doorway, making a rustling sound.
Yun Lie slumped into the chair, looking around the simple wooden house.
Fishing nets and old nautical charts hung on the wall, and several clay pots were stacked in the corner, emitting a faint smell of the sea.
Outside the window, night had fully fallen, and in the distance, the sound of waves crashing against the reefs could be heard, one after another, like the heartbeat of the ocean.
Not long after, the wooden door creaked open, and a graceful figure appeared in the doorway.
The person held several lunchboxes, and the rising steam blurred her delicate face.
"Hello, I'm Nojiko. Mr. A Jian asked me to bring you some food."
Her voice was clear and pleasant, with the refreshing frankness of the sea breeze.
Only then did Yun Lie clearly see her appearance: neat blue short hair, blue anchor tattoos on her arms and upper chest, and bronze skin with a healthy glow.
"Hello, Miss Nojiko, I'm Yun Lie, a traveler. It's a pleasure to meet you."
He quickly stood up and took the heavy lunchboxes from Nojiko's hands.
"Mr. A Jian is a kind-hearted person. Please forgive any inconvenience."
Nojiko said, opening the lunchboxes for him, and a rich aroma immediately filled the air: "Hurry and try it. This is fish stew I just made, and coconut rice."
Yun Lie's Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed.
When the first bite of fish entered his mouth, the familiar delicious taste instantly impacted his taste buds, making his eyes well up.
"Delicious! So delicious!"
Hot tears suddenly streamed from his eyes, dripping into the bowl, "It's been a whole year since I've had such a proper meal…"
Those days on the deserted island surged into his mind like a tide: fighting hunger and wild beasts every day, barely surviving on wild fruits and rainwater. On countless nights, he would taste the delicacies of his hometown in his dreams.
Now, this hot meal was even more precious than rare delicacies.
Nojiko was flustered by the sudden tears, and in her panic, she wanted to comfort him but didn't know where to start.
Just then, a "squeak" broke the awkwardness—Little Kong appeared from nowhere, deftly jumped onto Yun Lie's shoulder, and extended a small paw to gently wipe his tears.
"Wow, what a cute Monkeys!"
Nojiko's attention was instantly drawn, her eyes sparkling like stars: "Let me hold him!"
Before Little Kong could react, she had already scooped him into her arms, rubbing his fluffy head over and over.
Poor Little Kong trembled with fear from this enthusiastic assault, struggling desperately but unable to escape Nojiko's "clutches."
Seeing this, Yun Lie couldn't help but laugh through his tears: "Miss Nojiko, Little Kong hasn't eaten yet."
"Ah! I lost my composure!"
Nojiko then sheepishly released her grip.
Little Kong, as if granted a great pardon, darted back onto Yun Lie, hiding behind him, not forgetting to peek his head out and vigilantly stare at Nojiko, looking just like a child who had been wronged.
In the time that followed, the two talked more and more congenially. Yun Lie recounted his thrilling survival experiences on the deserted island, while Nojiko spoke of the story of Coco Village, and her clever and stubborn younger sister, Nami.
When Arlong's name was mentioned, a trace of imperceptible hatred flashed in Nojiko's eyes, and the tattoo on her chest subtly rose and fell with her breathing.
Unconsciously, it was already very late. It wasn't until A Jian came over and coughed twice that Nojiko realized how quickly time had passed, reluctantly packing up the lunchboxes and leaving.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to remind Yun Lie: "Rest well, and don't hesitate to say if you need anything."
A Jian watched Nojiko's receding figure, then turned to look at Yun Lie, his gaze so complex that it was unfathomable, as if he were looking at some monstrous flood.
A moment later, he sighed: "You sleep here tonight. I'll make do at a neighbor's house." After speaking, he turned and left without waiting for Yun Lie's reply.
In the dead of night, Yun Lie lay in bed, but he couldn't fall asleep.
The hatred Nojiko unintentionally revealed, and her hesitant expression, filled his heart with rage.
The story he had once read in the manga was now so realistically unfolding before his eyes in reality—Arlong's atrocities, Belle-Mere's sacrifice, Nami's forced suffering…
At the same time, Arlong Park presented a different scene.
Moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, and the sea breeze, laden with a salty smell, blew in.
"Chuu, which village should we go to tomorrow?"
The soft-boned Fishman, Kuroobi, held a bottle of wine, took a big gulp, and asked drunkenly.
"Kuroobi, Boss Arlong said we're going to Coco Village tomorrow!"
The Kissing Fishman named Chuu excitedly waved his arms: "The patrolling brothers saw a stranger enter Coco Village. There's definitely a good show to watch tomorrow, hahahaha!"
In their arrogant laughter, humans were merely playthings to be bullied by them.
In the shadows, Yun Lie clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.
Arlong's evil deeds, the villagers' suffering, Nojiko's suppressed tears… all these images flashed repeatedly in his mind.
If he hadn't come to Arlong Park tonight and discovered this, if he had just left tomorrow, the villagers of Coco Village would have suffered!
The uncontrollable rage erupted like a volcano. His figure flickered, instantly appearing behind Kuroobi.
"Spatial Slash!"
Yun Lie roared coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
A transparent blade of light flashed, and Kuroobi didn't even have time to let out a scream before he was cut in half at the waist, blood gushing out and staining the reefs beneath his feet.
"Kuroobi!"
Chuu was scared out of his wits by this sudden turn of events, his eyes wide with terror: "Human! You're looking for death!"
He was furious, spewing a powerful jet of water from his mouth, shooting towards Yun Lie.
Yun Lie snorted coldly, his figure instantly disappearing from the spot.
The next second, he appeared behind Chuu, his voice as cold as if from hell: "Go repent in hell."
Another spatial blade of light flashed, and Chuu's head fell to the ground with a thud, his body collapsing lifelessly into a pool of blood.
Looking at the two Fishman corpses, Yun Lie's eyes showed no fluctuation.
In his opinion, these Fishman monsters had long lost the right to be called living beings.
"Dark night, strong winds; perfect for killing Fishman and setting fires."
He muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the brightly lit Arlong Park in the distance, a cruel smile playing on his lips. A true massacre had just begun…