As Finn, Tashigi, and Robin reached the top of the waterfall leading into Wanokuni, the scene before them was bleak.
"This place..." Tashigi's face twisted with concern as she took in the devastation. "It doesn't seem fit for people to live here."
Robin's eyes narrowed as she pointed to a distant horizon, thick with rising smoke. "Look, there are so many chimneys spewing smoke. The pollution must be unbearable."
A soft, timid voice suddenly interrupted their observations. "Who are you?"
They turned around to see a young girl in a kimono emerging from the woods, riding on the back of a large, fearsome beast. Tashigi's eyes widened. "How could a little girl be riding such a dangerous creature?"
Finn smiled knowingly and stepped forward. "Because she has the power of a Devil Fruit." He reached into his bag and pulled out some snacks, offering them to the girl. "Here, you must be hungry. Eat something."
He recognized the girl immediately. Her name was Xiaoyu, a villager from Biangasa Village. Her Devil Fruit ability allowed her to tame beasts that consumed her cheek balls. It was a seemingly innocuous power, but in the right hands, it could become terrifyingly potent.
"Could she even control Sea Kings?" Finn mused. If so, she might be as powerful as Poseidon herself.
According to his memory of the original story, Kaido had not yet discovered Xiaoyu's abilities. In two years, Kaido would attempt to capture her and use her powers, but for now, she was safe—though only for the moment. If her powers fell into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster, especially for someone as ruthless as Kaido, who would use her without any regard for her well-being.
The thought made Finn's resolve harden. He couldn't let that happen. This girl needed protection, and he was just the person to provide it.
"Thank you, big brother!" Xiaoyu exclaimed as she took the snack Finn offered. Her small hands trembled with hunger, and she hurriedly stuffed it into her mouth. "It's delicious!"
After eating her fill, Xiaoyu carefully saved two more pieces, tucking them away in her pocket.
"Why don't you eat the rest?" Robin asked with a smile.
"I want to save it for Uncle Feiche," Xiaoyu replied, her eyes full of innocence. "He's hungry too."
"Is your whole village like this?" Finn asked, his face growing more serious.
Xiaoyu nodded. "There are about fifty of us, but we're all starving. The rivers are polluted from the factories Kaido's men built, so even the fish make us sick."
Robin's face darkened with anger. "Pollution like that... How can people survive?"
Xiaoyu's face lit up as she looked at Finn. "Big brother, can you stop Kaido? Will you really defeat him?"
"Of course!" Finn replied with a confident smile. "We're here to capture him and bring peace back to Wanokuni."
Xiaoyu's excitement was palpable. "You're really going to catch him? That would be amazing!"
"Yes, but first let's help your village," Finn said as he walked alongside her. "We have some food to share, enough to last everyone for a while."
When they arrived at Biangasa Village, Finn distributed supplies from his inventory—enough food to feed the entire village for a year. The villagers were in awe, overwhelmed by the generosity of their mysterious visitors.
"Big brother, when will you come back?" Xiaoyu clung to Finn's arm, her eyes full of sadness as he prepared to leave.
"Once Kaido is gone, I have other people to help," Finn said, patting her head. "There are many places in this world suffering because of evil men like him."
Tears welled up in Xiaoyu's eyes, and her voice quivered. "I want to be like you. I want to help others, too. I want to join the Marines."
Laughter echoed around them as the villagers chuckled at what they considered a child's silly dream. But Finn's face remained serious. "You may think it's a naive idea, but I believe in her. With determination, she could be a great Marine someday."
He knelt down, meeting Xiaoyu's wide, hopeful eyes. "I promise, if you truly want to become a Marine, I'll help you."
"Really, big brother?" Xiaoyu's tears of sadness transformed into tears of joy as she hugged Finn tightly.
"Really," Finn said with a soft smile. "But now, I have to go. Kaido's reign must end, and the sooner, the better."
With a final glance back at the villagers, Finn and his companions disappeared into the forest, their mission far from over, but their resolve stronger than ever.