**Marine Branch 153, Goa Kingdom – East Blue**
The patrol boat cut through the morning chop like a dull knife.
It was a small, aging cutter—barely thirty meters stem to stern—with peeling white paint, a single deck gun that looked more decorative than functional, and an engine that coughed every time it hit a larger wave. The five recruits sat along the port railing, duffels at their feet, Marine-issue rifles slung across their backs.
Hina had given them the orders at 04:30 sharp.
"Arlong Pirates," she'd said, sliding the sealed envelope across her desk. "Fish-man supremacist. Former Sun Pirates member. Currently occupying Cocoyasi Village on the Conomi Islands. They've raised their flag, extorted the villagers, burned boats, and begun demolishing homes to force submission. Local detachment is overwhelmed. You are to assess, engage if feasible, or at minimum secure civilian evacuation and hold until reinforcements arrive in forty-eight hours."
She'd looked at them then—really looked.
"No heroics. No stretching arms into enemy lines. No cooking on the enemy's stove. No getting lost. Understood?"
Five heads had nodded.
Now, hours later, the island chain was visible on the horizon: low green hills, white beaches, and the faint smoke of cooking fires.
Luffy sat cross-legged on the deck, hat tipped back, staring at the approaching land with wide eyes.
"First real mission," he said, almost to himself.
Zoro leaned against the rail nearby, eyes half-closed.
"First time they're letting us off the leash."
Nami sat a little apart, arms wrapped around her knees, staring at the water.
She hadn't spoken much since they left port.
Sanji stood at the bow, cigarette between his lips, watching the waves.
Koby clutched the railing, knuckles white.
"I've never… fought real pirates before," he admitted quietly.
Luffy turned to him.
"Me neither. But we trained for this. We're ready."
Koby managed a small smile.
"Yeah… I guess we are."
The boat slowed as they entered the shallow harbor approach.
The village came into view.
It looked wrong.
Roofs were missing tiles. Several houses had black scorch marks on the walls. Fishing boats lay half-sunk at the docks, masts snapped. The streets were empty—no children running, no old men mending nets, no women hanging laundry.
Only silence.
And over the mayor's house—a sturdy two-story building at the center of the village—a blue Jolly Roger snapped in the wind: a grinning shark head with a saw-like nose.
Sanji exhaled smoke slowly.
"That's them."
Nami's hands tightened on her knees.
"I know this place," she said, voice low. "I've been here before. Years ago. When I was charting these waters."
Luffy looked at her.
"You okay?"
She nodded once. Sharp. Like she was convincing herself.
The boat nudged against the pier.
They disembarked in practiced silence—rifles ready, eyes scanning rooftops and alleys.
No one came out to meet them.
Just the creak of wood, the lap of water, and the distant cry of gulls.
Then—
A voice rang out from the treeline behind the village.
"I AM USOPP! CAPTAIN OF THE GREAT USOPP PIRATES! EIGHT THOUSAND MEN FOLLOW ME! LEAVE THIS VILLAGE OR FACE OUR WRATH!"
The words echoed across the empty streets.
Then silence.
Luffy tilted his head.
"Eight thousand?"
Zoro snorted.
"Kid's got lungs."
Nami's eyes narrowed.
"That's… Usopp. The mayor's son. He's always been… dramatic."
They moved toward the sound.
A skinny boy dropped out of a palm tree about twenty meters away—long nose, bandana, slingshot in hand, goggles pushed up on his forehead. He landed in a crouch that was supposed to look cool but mostly looked like he'd twisted his ankle.
He pointed the slingshot at them.
"Marines! This village is under my protection! Turn back or my army will—"
He froze when he got a better look.
"…You're actually Marines?"
Luffy waved cheerfully.
"Yup!"
Usopp's eyes widened.
Then he puffed out his chest.
"I-I mean… the Arlong Pirates are my allies! We have a treaty! You should leave before they get angry!"
Nami stepped forward.
"Usopp. It's me. Nami."
Usopp blinked.
"N-Nami? The map girl?"
She nodded once.
Usopp's shoulders sagged.
The slingshot lowered.
"…You came back."
Nami looked past him toward the village.
"I didn't know it was this bad."
Usopp laughed—a short, brittle sound.
"It's worse than bad. Arlong's been here months. Took over the mayor's house. Taxes everyone to death. Burns boats if they try to leave. Says fish-men are superior. Says humans are just… livestock."
He kicked at the dirt.
"I've been trying to fight back. Warnings. Pranks. Fake ghost stories. But I'm just one guy. My dad… he fought them. Died. I promised I'd protect the village. But all I've got is lies and a slingshot."
Luffy crouched down to Usopp's level.
"You sound brave."
Usopp flinched.
"I'm not. I'm scared all the time."
Luffy grinned.
"Being scared and still doing stuff anyway—that's brave."
Usopp stared at him.
"You… you really think so?"
"Yup."
Sanji stepped up, pulling a wrapped onigiri from his jacket pocket.
"Here. You look like you haven't eaten properly in days."
Usopp took it automatically.
"…Thanks."
Zoro crossed his arms.
"How many are we dealing with?"
Usopp swallowed.
"Arlong. About thirty fish-men. All strong. All armed. They're holed up in the mayor's house and the old tavern. Patrols at night."
Koby adjusted his glasses.
"We're supposed to assess and hold if needed. Reinforcements in two days."
Usopp looked at them—really looked.
"You're really going to fight them?"
Luffy stood up.
"Yup."
Usopp's eyes filled with something that might have been hope.
Then he wiped them quickly.
"I… I can show you the best spots to watch from. Hidden paths. Weak points in their patrols."
Nami nodded.
"Lead the way."
They followed Usopp up a narrow trail behind the village, through dense trees, until they reached a small ridge overlooking the main street.
From here they could see everything: the mayor's house with the Jolly Roger, fish-men lounging on the porch with weapons, villagers hurrying past with bowed heads carrying baskets of fruit and fish.
And then—Arlong.
He stepped out onto the porch.
Tall. Massive. Shark-like skin, saw-nosed grin, silver hair tied back. He laughed at something one of his crew said, the sound carrying across the village like breaking glass.
Luffy stared.
His fists clenched at his sides.
The straw hat shadowed his eyes.
No one spoke for a long moment.
Then Luffy said, very quietly:
"These guys are done hurting people."
Zoro's hand rested on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
Sanji crushed his cigarette under his heel.
Nami's fingers tightened on her log pose.
Koby swallowed hard.
Usopp looked at them—all of them—and something in his expression shifted.
From fear… to something steadier.
"…You're really gonna do this."
Luffy turned to him.
"Yup."
Usopp took a shaky breath.
"Then… I'm coming with you."
Luffy grinned wide.
"Welcome aboard!"
The sun dipped lower, painting the village gold and red.
Night was coming.
And with it—their first real fight.
To be continued…