The arrival of Zenkichi brought enormous financial relief to the Bellre family, quickly elevating them from a struggling household to the wealthiest in Cocoyashi Village.
Afterward, Zenkichi took it upon himself to teach Nami and Nojiko how to train, fulfilling his new role as their godfather. Having already trained Luffy and the others in the past, he was well-versed in guiding new disciples. It didn't take long before Nami and Nojiko began to show noticeable progress.
Around this ti, the Navy finally arrived — long after being summoned by Genzo.
"Is the Navy always this slow?" Zenkichi remarked dryly as he watched the warships approach from the port, glancing sideways at Bellre.
Bellre's face darkened. "The Navy wasn't always this bad. But lately, it's been nothing but disappointnt after disappointnt."
Under the gaze of Zenkichi and Bellre, a naval officer appeared — a man with long, sinister eyebrows and beady eyes. He marched up flanked by his n and declared officiously, "I am Captain Nezumi of the Navy. I understand you've captured the Fish-Man Pirates?"
Bellre t his gaze evenly. "Arlong and his n are here. There should be a hefty bounty on them, right?"
Captain Nezumi's eyes glead. "You've made a grave mistake. Do you realize what you've done, capturing the Fish-Man Pirates? Their captain, Jinbei, has already allied with the World Governnt as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Arlong and his crew were under his protection. By attacking them, you've violated the Governnt's accords."
Zenkichi chuckled coldly. "Nezumi, was it? Do you ever use that head of yours for anything besides scheming? Do you think soone capable of defeating Arlong's entire crew would be intimidated by a coward like you? Don't insult ."
His calm voice carried a deadly undertone, and Nezumi instinctively recoiled a step.
"W-What are you planning? I'm a Navy captain!" Nezumi stamred, sweat beading on his brow.
"A Navy captain? Impressive title," Zenkichi mocked. "But don't fool yourself. In this lawless age of pirates, Navy captains are killed like flies. Especially spineless, corrupt officers like you."
In the original events of this world, Nezumi had been a known collaborator with Arlong. But now, with Arlong dead, Zenkichi saw no reason to spare the man who would have oppressed this village.
By the ti anyone noticed, Nezumi had already ducked behind his soldiers. A few monts later, Zenkichi's figure blurred and reappeared, this ti holding Nezumi's limp, lifeless body.
He turned his gaze toward the remaining naval soldiers still aboard the warship. Raising a hand, invisible pressure radiated from him — an oppressive, formless force. The naval soldiers clutched at their heads, so collapsing on the spot as his imnse spiritual pressure crushed their will to resist.
"You really chose poorly," Zenkichi murmured, his voice like a blade across the deck.
The soldiers, panicking, aid their rifles at him. One desperate soul shouted, "Fire! Kill him!"
Their leader's bravado had emboldened them, but without Nezumi, their morale was brittle. And then, Zenkichi spoke again.
"Your captain's corpse is here. Take him, and tell your superiors exactly what happened — that he tried to steal my rightful bounty, and paid for it with his life. Deliver that ssage, or I promise you'll regret it."
The remaining soldiers, having witnessed the fate of their comrades and realizing this was a foe far beyond their power, wisely chose to comply. Gathering Nezumi's body, they fled aboard their ship, leaving the village behind in shad retreat.
Zenkichi watched them go without a flicker of emotion. Sensing Bellre approaching, he spoke without turning.
"Looks like handing those Fish-Man corpses over to the Navy isn't an option. We'll deal with them ourselves."
Bellre's face was grave. "The Fish-Man Pirates are the least of our problems now. What about the Navy corpses you left behind? Killing their n — even scum like Nezumi — won't go unnoticed. The World Governnt won't let this slide. You should leave while you can. The Navy isn't weak. They have the Admirals, Marshal Sengoku, even the Hero Garp."
She said this, not to frighten him, but out of genuine concern. Her years in the service had taught her to fear the might of the Navy's upper echelons.
Zenkichi smiled faintly. "The Navy, the World Governnt — none of it matters to . But you're right, it's ti I left."
He turned to her, a rare softness in his gaze. "I enjoyed our ti together, Bellre."
With that, Zenkichi vanished, leaving Bellre standing alone.
As the sea breeze stirred her hair, Bellre let out a long sigh. Over these past days, she'd grown attached to this enigmatic young man. Handso, powerful, and kind in his own odd way, Zenkichi was everything she could have wished for. The fact that he was now godfather to Nami and Nojiko only made him all the more irreplaceable.
But he was gone, leaving her with nothing but mories.
---
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
200 Power Stones = 3 Bonus Chapters
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