It was noon that day over the Conomi Islands.
The sky was clear, the breeze gentle, and the sun pleasantly warm.
A perfect afternoon for a stroll after lunch.
But on the far horizon, an ominous sight appeared, thirty pirate ships flying black sails, all sailing straight toward Cocoyashi Village.
From afar, they looked like a dark storm cloud swallowing the sea.
Near the docks, beside the small coastal grove, a few villagers were sitting around fishing and chatting lazily.
Then they noticed it, that terrifying mass of black ships.
"Hey… those are pirates."
"Yeah…"
One villager who had been napping stirred, rubbed his eyes, and yawned.
"It's been a while since any pirates dared come here. And this time, there's so many of them?"
"It's that guy, right? The one who's been making waves lately, calling himself the overlord of the East Blue… what's his name again?"
"Krack? Klerk?"
"Something like that. Ah, who cares…"
They shrugged, changed the topic, and went back to fishing, as if this kind of scene was nothing new.
The sun shone bright above the sea, and the salty wind swept across the deck of the flagship.
A towering man, two meters forty-three tall, stood at the bow wearing golden heavy armor, his cape snapping in the wind. His face was cold as steel as he stared toward the small island growing larger in the distance.
"Governor Krieg! Everything is going smoothly! In about twenty minutes, we'll reach Cocoyashi's harbor!"
The report came from the lookout above.
"Is that so?"
Krieg narrowed his eyes.
"Maintain full speed ahead. Once we land, all fighters from ships one through fifteen will come ashore with me! The rest of the fleet, surround the harbor, stand by for bombardment!"
"Yes, Governor!"
A thunderous roar of agreement rolled across the ships.
"Captain."
A low voice spoke up from his right.
"I know I've already said this several times, but since this is our last chance, I want to try to persuade you once more."
"Hm?"
Krieg slowly turned his head, glaring at the man, his chief combat officer, Gin.
"We shouldn't have come to Cocoyashi Village."
Gin lowered his head, ignoring Krieg's darkening expression.
"Your goal is to build the strongest fleet and conquer the Grand Line. Why detour all the way south… just to provoke that man called Shanu?"
"It's not wise. His strength might be far beyond what you think—"
"Hm?"
Krieg suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Gin by the throat. A cruel grin spread across his face.
"What's this? Are you scared, Gin? The so-called 'Demon Man' who's followed me all these years… losing his nerve over an old rumor? Now you want to turn tail and run?"
"That's not what I mean, Captain," Gin choked out.
"My loyalty to you will never change, I'll always fight by your side. But this time, the risk is too great… Everyone knows that man took down an entire crew of Fishmen alone! You even warned me yourself back then, never to provoke—"
"Shut up!"
Krieg flung him to the deck. Gin collapsed, coughing violently.
"The times have changed! Got it?! Back then, I had only five ships! Now I command thirty! The whole East Blue trembles at my name, even the Navy avoids my fleet!"
He spread his arms wide, letting the sea wind fill his cape, laughing madly.
"This time, I'll crush that brat into the dirt! Let every fool in the East Blue know who the real overlord is!"
"Long live Lord Krieg!!!"
A wild cheer erupted across the deck.
Gin stayed silent for a moment, then sighed softly. When he finally stood, his eyes were cold and resolute.
"If that is your will…"
He reached behind his back and drew his twin iron tonfa. His expression blanked as he looked toward the fast-approaching shore.
"Then Gin will be the first to charge."
Boom!
The leading ships slammed into the docks, splintering the newly rebuilt piers into fragments.
Hundreds of pirates, armed with blades and guns, leapt ashore with bloodthirsty roars, flooding the coastline like a tide.
"Smoke! There's a village over there!"
"Only one dirt road? Hah, what a backwater dump!"
"Who cares! Let's move! The Governor said whoever finds that Shanu kid first gets two million Berries!"
Expressionless, Gin followed the first wave of men ashore. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a slender, oddly shaped speedboat docked off to the side.
The flag on its mast bore two characters: "Shimotsuki."
Shimotsuki?
He frowned slightly. That name, or maybe that surname, felt familiar somehow.
Perhaps he'd seen it in a newspaper years ago…
But before he could think further,
Bang!
The front ranks suddenly burst into chaos.
Several pirates were launched skyward, crashing into coconut trees and dropping unconscious.
"Ahh, sorry about that."
A blue-haired girl with a red ribbon stood calmly in the middle of the road, smiling sweetly as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
"A lot of people in the village haven't even finished lunch yet. I can't just let a bunch of rowdy thugs disturb them, can I?"
"Oooohhhh!!!"
None of the pirates cared about their fallen comrades.
Those in front all widened their eyes, some whistled, some drooled, and one even twisted his body like noodles.
"Whoa! What a babe!"
"Didn't think a hick village like this would have someone this gorgeous!"
"Hey, beautiful! Once we're done here, why don't you come aboard with us tonight?"
Dozens of leering eyes crawled over her face and figure.
"Staring at a girl like that… is very rude, you know."
Still smiling, Nojiko slipped on a pair of blue metal gloves.
"Now then… are you guys even—"
Soru!
Before her words even finished, her figure vanished. In the next instant, she was in the middle of the pirates' formation.
"—listening to me!!!"
Her roar was like that of a tyrannosaur. Both fists crossed and swung forward,
The two pirates nearest her had their heads crushed inward instantly.
Before the bodies could even hit the ground, Nojiko's long, powerful right leg swept in a wide arc,
More than a dozen pirates screamed a they were flung through the air like broken kites!