Haku's POV
The next day.
The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting the marine base in the soft orange glow of twilight. The air had a tense stillness, the type that clung to the aftermath of a storm. I stood at the base's entrance, arms folded after udjusting my mask a bit as I waited for Loguetown's marines to arrive. I left Nezumi, now re-frozen, and incapacitated with his men tied up back in the base. Out of the goodness of my heart, I conjured some seats made of hardened snow for them to sit on. If I had to wait, might as well make it as uncomfortable for them as possible. They are my captives, not some tourists waiting for a ride back home.
Chibi fluttered up to my shoulder, her feathers ruffling in the evening breeze. She mimicked the sound of a ticking clock, as if impatient for the inevitable exchange. I couldn't help but smile at her antics. She could always sense my moods.
"They're late," I muttered.
Chibi chirped back, imitating a disappointed groan.
"Yeah, no surprises there," I sighed. "Government dogs, always late when it's convenient for them."
The distant sound of marching feet caught my attention. I straightened up, turning my gaze toward the horizon. A small squad of marines was approaching, their white uniforms stark against the dying light. At the front of the group, a man I recognised immediately: Captain Smoker, the 'White Hunter.'
His cold, calculating gaze met mine as they drew closer. Smoke trailed lazily from the two cigars permanently lodged in his mouth, a dangerous aura radiating from his tall, muscular frame. His jitte, tipped with Sea Prism Stone, was slung casually across his back. Next to him was his right-hand, Tashigi, her glasses glinting in the fading light, looking far more serious than her superior.
I could feel Chibi tensing on my shoulder. Her sharp talons dug into my shirt ever so slightly. "Easy," I whispered to her, "let's play nice."
As Smoker and his crew came to a halt a few meters away from me, he eyed me up and down with that same hard gaze. His expression was unreadable, though the deep frown told me he wasn't pleased.
"You're the one who called in Fleet Admiral Sengoku?" Smoker's gravelly voice carried with it a thinly veiled irritation.
I nodded, keeping my posture calm but ready. "That's right. The evidence is inside. Nezumi and his men are back in the base, packaged and ready for delivery. A bit cold, but still alive. Nothing a bit of ginger tea can't solve. And before you ask, yes, I'll unfreeze that oaf once you've confirmed everything."
Smoker's eyes flicked past me toward the base. "I don't give a damn about Nezumi. He's a disgrace. I'm here to collect him, not play nice." He took a deep drag from one of his cigars. "But if you think that gives you any leverage, kid, think again."
He motioned to Tashigi, who immediately stepped forward, adjusting her glasses as she gave a slight nod to me. "We'll inspect the evidence now," she said in a no-nonsense tone. As Tashigi said that, she took a step towards the base and then suddenly tripped on air, falling face-first onto the ground. All of us couldn't help but stare at her.
Smoker: ...
The marine squad: ...
Me: ...
Chibi: OOOF!!!
She quickly scrambled around,found her dropped-out glasses, and stood up while putting them on. The tense atmosphere changed to an awkward one in a heartbeat.
"... I apologise, Captain Smoker."
In response, he just pinched the bridge between his brows in frustration, before sighing. "Let's just get this over with."
"Be my guests" I said, turning on my heel and leading them into the base. The temperature inside was noticeably colder than the warm dusk air outside, and the marines behind me stiffened as they took in the sight. Nezumi and his officers were still bound in their icy prisons, their eyes wide with fear and humiliation. A couple of lower-ranking marines from Smoker's squad glanced at each other, clearly disturbed by the display.
Tashigi moved swiftly to the desk, flipping through the ledger I had so carefully compiled. Her sharp eyes scanned the pages, and I watched as her expression darkened with every entry she read—bribes, human trafficking, payments to Arlong. Everything was laid out in perfect, damning detail.
Smoker remained silent, only the occasional puff of smoke breaking the tension. Finally, Tashigi closed the ledger with a grim expression and turned to her captain. "It's all here, Captain Smoker. Everything lines up with the accusations."
Smoker's eyes met mine once again, this time with a hint of something colder. "You've done the right thing exposing this, but don't think for a second that you're some kind of hero." He pointed to the frozen marines. "This kind of damage doesn't go unnoticed."
"I never said I was a hero," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "I just want justice for the people who suffered. You know, being a good citizen and all that jazz."
There was a brief pause before Smoker grunted, clearly unimpressed but not in the mood to argue. "Start thawing them out. We'll take it from here."
With a wave of my hand, the frost and ice encasing Nezumi and his men began to crack, the thick layers crumbling away, leaving the corrupt captain and his still tied-up officers shivering and gasping for breath.
Nezumi's face, twisted in a mix of pain and sheer terror, was the first to be revealed. His eyes darted around the room, pleading for help, but all he found was Smoker's stony glare. The man's usual arrogance had completely vanished, replaced by raw fear.
"Please… Captain Smoker…" Nezumi whimpered, struggling to move his stiff limbs.
Smoker didn't even spare him a glance. "Tashigi, get him out of my sight. I don't want to hear his voice again until we're handing him over for trial."
Tashigi nodded sharply. "Yes, sir!" She signalled to a few marines, who moved in to grab Nezumi and the others. Their cold, stiff bodies were dragged toward the door with little care, their pitiful pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears.
Smoker watched the whole scene with disdain before signalling to his men. They stepped out for a second, bringing a chest before me. He turning back to me and said, "We've already delivered the village their compensation, and here you got Arlong's bounty. But don't think that puts you above the law."
I shrugged. "I've already made my peace with that. I know you'll be keeping an eye on me."
"Damn right I will," Smoker growled, taking another drag from his cigars. "And if you step out of line, I won't hesitate to bring you in. I don't care what kind of 'deal' you made with the Fleet Admiral."
"In my defence, I wasn't expecting to negotiate with him specifically," I raised my hands before offering a small, almost mocking bow, "But I wouldn't expect any less from you, Captain."
The tension hung in the air for a moment before Smoker turned on his heel, heading for the exit without another word. Tashigi gave me a lingering glance, her brow furrowed, as if trying to figure me out, but she followed her captain soon after. What was that about?
As the last of the marines filed out of the base, I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. Chibi mimicked a long, drawn-out sigh, and I chuckled softly.
"Well," I muttered to her, "that went about as well as it could have, I guess."
Chibi chirped in agreement, the sound resembling a small applause.
The base was quiet now, the remnants of battle still evident in the frozen walls and snow-laden floor. I stood there for a few moments, staring at the door through which Smoker and his crew had left.
"Let's get out of here, Chibi, I'm tired." I finally said, before picking up my 'pay check' and turning to leave.
----
3rd person POV
The sun rose over Cocoyashi Village, casting a warm glow that felt like the first real dawn of freedom in years. The oppressive shadow of Arlong's tyranny had finally lifted, replaced with the vibrant chatter of villagers buzzing about a new future. News of Haku's defeat of Arlong and the deal he had struck with the marines spread through the village like wildfire, and with it came something the villagers had long forgotten—hope.
At first, there had been anxiety when Marine Captain Smoker arrived at the village, his presence sending ripples of fear through the already wary residents. But when they learned the truth—that Haku had negotiated a deal securing Arlong's bounty and 100 million berries in compensation from the marines—their trepidation transformed into disbelief and joy. For the first time in a long while, the people of Cocoyashi Village could breathe freely.
"This Haku…he's done more than just defeat Arlong," marvelled Genzo, the village head, as he held a pouch of coins from the compensation. "He's practically turned our lives around overnight."
In the village tavern, the barkeep poured drinks for the patrons, her laughter echoing through the bustling room. "Tonight, we drink to our freedom—and to Haku!" she declared, lifting her mug high into the air. The room erupted into cheers, mugs clinking together in celebration of their newfound liberty.
Outside, the village square was alive with activity. Children played games in the streets, their laughter free and unburdened by the fear that once stalked their every move. The tower that had once served as Arlong's headquarters stood silent and empty, its dark legacy fading. As the villagers combed through it, they discovered a massive amounts of food, weapons, and, to their astonishment, 500 million berries lying in the courtyard from the hidden stash. The revelation sent shock-waves through the village. No one could comprehend such a sum—it was more money than they had ever imagined.
By evening, the entire village gathered for a celebration like none other. Long tables were set up in the square, filled with food, drink, and the sound of joyful music. Even Nojiko, who had long been a pillar of strength for the village, allowed herself to smile as she watched her fellow villagers dance and sing, their spirits lifted for the first time in years. The night sky was dotted with stars, but it was the laughter of the villagers that filled the air, marking the true beginning of a new chapter for Cocoyashi.
Haku, ever the quiet observer, kept to the outskirts of the celebration. Though the villagers had embraced him as their hero, he preferred the peace of watching from afar, content to see the happiness he had helped restore. Chibi, his ever-loyal companion, fluttered beside him, chirping softly in a rhythm that matched the lively music drifting from the square.
------
Haku's POV
The celebration around me blurred into the background as Nojiko approached. There was something about her—her calm confidence, the way she always seemed to know just the right thing to say—that drew me in, even though I tried to keep my distance. It wasn't that I didn't want to be around people... I just wasn't used to it.
"You know," she said with that teasing lilt in her voice, "for a hero, you sure like to hide in the shadows."
I let out a quiet laugh, keeping my gaze on the flickering lights of the village. "I wouldn't call myself a hero," I replied. "Just did what needed to be done."
Her footsteps were light as she closed the distance between us. She stood close enough that I could feel the warmth of her presence. "And modest too. Quite the mystery, aren't you?"
I shrugged, leaning a bit more into the post I was leaning against. It was easier to keep things simple. "Maybe I like it that way."
"Well, if you're going to keep lurking, at least lurk where the drinks are," she said, holding out a mug of sake with a playful smile.
I hesitated for a moment, then took the mug. "Thank you," I said, my voice softer now.
The night settled into a comfortable quiet as we stood there together. The village was alive with laughter, with joy—the very opposite of the despair I'd first felt when I arrived. It was almost surreal. I caught a glimpse of Nojiko watching the villagers, her expression soft.
"It's strange, isn't it?" she said after a beat. "To think we're free. I spent so long imagining what this day would be like… I never thought it would actually happen."
I glanced at her, the flicker of the firelight dancing on her face. "You fought for this longer than anyone. You deserve this peace."
She let out a quiet laugh, one that held a hint of sadness. "Peace... I almost don't know what to do with it now that it's here."
I understood that feeling all too well. "You'll figure it out," I said. "The village needs you now more than ever."
She turned to look at me then, her eyes meeting mine through the mask. "And what about you?" she asked softly. "You've done so much already... What's next for you?"
The question hung in the air for a moment. I hadn't thought that far ahead. It was always one step at a time. "I don't know," I admitted. "I'll probably keep moving. There are still a lot of the world to explore: sites to see, places to visit, maybe save a life or two along the way... Beside, I can't grow stronger if I stay in one place."
There was a pause. I could feel her studying me, weighing my words.
"You don't have to keep moving, you know," she said, her voice quieter, softer. "You could stay. The village... well, we wouldn't mind having you around." Her eyes softened, her voice almost a whisper. "I wouldn't mind."
Her words struck me deeper than I expected. For a moment, I didn't know how to respond. I had always been a loner by nature, never staying in one place too long, as if running from something, even if I wasn't sure what it was. But here, with Nojiko standing so close, her blue eyes filled with quiet sincerity, staying didn't seem like such a bad idea.
My hand instinctively moved to the mask covering my face—a nervous habit. "I'm... not really the staying kind," I murmured.
Nojiko's smile was warm, her confidence never wavering. She stepped just a little closer. "Maybe it's time you tried being that kind," she said, her voice full of understanding. "We all have things we run from, Haku. But... sometimes staying in one place lets you face them."
Her words hung in the air, and for the first time in a long while, I felt something shift in me. She wasn't pushing, wasn't demanding anything. But she was offering... something. And for the first time, I was tempted to take it.
Before I could say anything, she reached up and lightly tapped my mask, her tone playful. "Besides," she teased, "I'm kind of curious about what's under here."
I blinked, caught off guard, my hand instinctively covering the mask again. "It's... not that interesting." I mumbled.
She grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh? Somehow I doubt that. A guy who controls snow and takes down tyrants? There's gotta be more to you than you're letting on."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head to hide my embarrassment. "I don't think you'd be that impressed."
She tilted her head, her smile softer now. "Try me."
The moment hung between us, charged with something I hadn't expected to feel. I was suddenly aware of how close she was standing, the quiet sincerity in her eyes. For the first time in a long time, I considered letting my guard down—just a little.
And then, the moment shattered.
"Bruh..." came a loud, perfectly-timed voice. My head snapped to the side where Chibi had landed on my shoulder, puffed up with pride. She had replicated a meme—a meme of all things—from my old world.
Nojiko blinked, taken aback, before dissolving into laughter. "Did... did your bird just say 'bruh'?"
I groaned inwardly, though I couldn't help but laugh. "I may have taught her a few things," I admitted, shaking my head at Chibi.
Nojiko's laughter was contagious. "Oh my god, that's... that's hilarious."
Chibi, ever the show-off, wasn't done. She tilted her head and added, in a dramatic, perfect tone, "EmOTioNAL dAmAGe!"
I couldn't help it—I laughed, genuinely and fully. Though cringy, the ridiculousness of the moment was just too much. Nojiko was practically doubled over at this point, tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.
"She's... she's a real mood-breaker, isn't she?" Nojiko managed between gasps of laughter.
I looked at Chibi, who was puffing her chest out proudly, and then back to Nojiko, feeling warmth, before calming myself down. "Yeah," I said, smiling softly. "But I think that's just what I needed."
The moment softened, the tension from before melting into something lighthearted and warm. As the sounds of the village celebration picked back up around us, I realised, maybe staying for a few more days wasn't such a bad idea after all.
-----
3rd person POV
The next day, with the celebrations behind them, the village turned its attention to the task of rebuilding. Armed with the funds from Arlong's stash and the compensation from the marines, the villagers threw themselves into repairing their homes and streets with renewed vigour. Buildings that had been reduced to ruins under Arlong's rule were now being rebuilt stronger and more resilient. Windows and doors were fitted anew, walls were painted with fresh coats, and for the first time in years, Cocoyashi Village began to feel like home again.
Haku, despite his reserved nature, lent a hand where he could. Using his Snow-Snow powers, he created scaffolding made of ice, allowing the villagers to work on higher sections of buildings without the need for cumbersome ladders. His ability to shape snow into intricate structures was as impressive as it was practical. The villagers, once wary of his strange powers, now looked upon him with admiration. Even those who found his abilities unsettling couldn't deny how invaluable he had become to their village.
"Did you see how he just made that snow bridge out of thin air?" a young boy whispered excitedly to his friend.
"Yeah! And Chibi, too! I swear she was playing music yesterday," the other replied, pointing at the small sparrow soaring overhead.
Chibi, with her Sound-Sound Fruit powers, added to the atmosphere of the village's recovery. As she flew between buildings, she projected cheerful tunes, her small form carrying surprising weight as her sound manipulation abilities brightened the mood of everyone working below. The villagers chuckled at her antics, charmed by the little bird's personality and the strange, modern-sounding music she produced.
The third day marked the final stage of their recovery—the distribution of the spoils from Arlong's stash. Genzo, Nojiko, and Haku oversaw the process, ensuring that every family received their fair share of the wealth. The weapons that had been found were gathered and stored in a secure place, with the hope that they would never need to be used. Still, it was a comfort to know the village would be prepared should any threat rise against them again.
The stash of food found in Arlong's tower was immense, far more than they could consume in a single season. With careful rationing, it would sustain the village for months. As Genzo handed out supplies to the families, his voice carried the weight of their shared relief. "This will go a long way," he said, his tone soft with gratitude. The village had been starved, in more ways than one, and now, they could finally breathe easy.
But the most significant discovery of all was the money. Between the 500 million berries hidden by Arlong and the 100 million gifted by the marines, Cocoyashi Village was now wealthier than it had ever been. The villagers could hardly believe it. For people who had scraped by under the thumb of a tyrant, the prospect of prosperity felt almost surreal.
"With this, we can start over," Nojiko told the gathered crowd, her voice strong and filled with hope. "We can rebuild, invest in the village, and ensure that no one here has to suffer ever again."
The villagers murmured in agreement, their hearts full of possibility. Plans for new shops, better roads, and improved infrastructure were already being discussed. The money, divided evenly among the families, ensured that no one would be left behind.
Haku, as always, stood on the sidelines, quietly observing. Seeing the villagers' faces alight with hope and determination filled him with a sense of satisfaction. Cocoyashi Village was no longer just a place trying to survive; it was a place that was thriving, ready to face the future head-on.
-----
Haku's POV
The village had finally settled into its newfound peace, with the sound of hammering and laughter replacing the clamor of fear and tyranny. Arlong's reign was over, and Cocoyashi Village was beginning to thrive again. With the chaos of reconstruction behind them, the villagers were focused on rebuilding their lives. For me and Chibi, though, it was time to start rebuilding ourselves. With Chibi's newfound Devil Fruit powers and my new popularity within the navy, I doubled our training, making sure to maximise any free moment we got.
I stood at the edge of the clearing just outside the village—a place I had claimed as my own. At this point the celebrations already subsided, the village focused on rebuilding any damages the time under Arlong's reign caused. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows across the grass. The air was cool, the perfect atmosphere for what I had planned. In my hand was a small notepad, scribbled with training ideas, both for me and for Chibi. It was time to push ourselves further, to refine our abilities and prepare for whatever was to come. After all, the Grand Line awaited, and I needed to be ready.
Chibi fluttered onto my shoulder, her small body radiating energy. She had been excited for this ever since we first devised our training plan together. "You ready?" I asked, looking down at her. She puffed up proudly, as if the answer were obvious. Her beady eyes sparkled with determination, and I couldn't help but smile. This tiny bird had come a long way, and today would only be the beginning of something bigger.
I tucked the notepad into my belt and began with my own training. Strength and endurance first. My body had been through its fair share of battles, but I needed to push it to the next level. I dropped to the ground and started my push-ups—slow, controlled, with my Snow-Snow powers adding resistance. The air around my hands chilled, the snow thickening beneath me as I created layers of compact ice to make the workout harder.
By the time I reached the 1000th push-up, my muscles were burning, but I felt strong. Next were the squats—1,500 in total. Each movement was deliberate, focusing on control and balance, two things that were essential when wielding the Snow-Snow Fruit. I made sure to tighten the weights strapped to my legs, making each squat feel like I was lifting the weight of a small mountain.
The real test came afterward: a three-hour run through the forest. I made Chibi join me on this one, as I attached some rocks on her body for added resistance. Similarly, I strapped heavier weights to my legs, adjusted my pace, and focused on maintaining my balance while manipulating my Snow powers. The key was to make it second nature, to have my abilities blend seamlessly with my movements. The crunch of snow underfoot was a comforting rhythm as we ran through the forest paths. My breath came in steady puffs of cold air, and the resistance of the snow created a natural obstacle course. It was invigorating, challenging my endurance while honing my precision with the snow.
Chibi, however, was far more entertaining to watch. She would send me death stares throughout the run, clearly unaccustomed to this new routine. But I was happy to see her not complaining much. The added bonus of accompanying music, a mix of some hip-hop and rap classics, was a much needed touch to the monotonous exercise. Although, she would falter at times due to exhaustion, sounding like a broken record.
After I completed the run, I shifted my attention to Chibi's training. Her newfound powers from the Sound-Sound Fruit were unlike anything I had ever seen. We started simple, focusing on her ability to replicate sounds. At first, I went through a series of bird calls with her, and without missing a beat, she chirped them back perfectly. Each sound was exact, down to the subtle nuances of pitch and tone. Her tiny chest puffed with pride after each successful replication.
"Now, let's step it up," I said, tossing a small pebble across the clearing. Chibi cocked her head to the side before mimicking the exact sound of the stone hitting the ground, only this time, the sound appeared to come from the opposite direction. I couldn't help but grin at her cleverness. "You're a natural at this."
She took flight, practising projecting her sounds from different locations. It was a surreal experience—hearing footsteps or whispers in the wind, only to realise it was Chibi creating the auditory illusion. As she improved, I threw more complex sounds at her: human voices, the crackle of fire, even the distant rumble of thunder. Each time, Chibi replicated the sound with precision, throwing it into the air like an invisible weapon. We also tried applying that power onto my own voice. After some trial and errors, we succeeded. Through physical contact, Chibi resting on my head in this case, I could also mimic the voices of different people: Nojiko, Arlong, Smoker, etc. I couldn't help but marvel at the versatility and utility potential this Devil Fruit showed under Chibi's care.
Next came the enhanced awareness training. This was key for both of us, but especially for her. Chibi's hearing was already extraordinary, but I wanted her to be able to detect threats from even greater distances. I asked some kids from the village to hide in the surrounding forest around the clearing, each playing a faint noise—whether it was the rustling of leaves or the soft crack of a twig. Her task was to locate them, honing her ability to pinpoint even the faintest of sounds.
At first, she struggled with the distant ones, flapping her wings in frustration. But after a few tries, she got the hang of it, her tiny head swivelling as she honed in on each noise with increasing precision. Every time she found one, I could see her confidence growing. Chibi's abilities were evolving rapidly, and it was clear that soon enough, her awareness would be sharp enough to detect enemies long before they even knew we were there. What shocked me the most was, by the fourth day, she could easily pinpoint almost any sound within a quarter mile radius. With such rate of improvement, I already started devising a training routine with the aim of developing her Observation Haki. I wasn't sure about the result, but I felt confident it would turn her into a flying menace.
For the final phase of training, we focused on combat applications. This was the most critical part for both of us. I created different scenarios to test Chibi's reaction time and creativity with her powers. In one, I replicated the sound of cannon fire, and she responded by mimicking the boom, but with an even more deafening noise. It was disorienting, and I could see how useful this would be in battle. An opponent wouldn't know what hit them.
As we continued, I threw in more chaos—explosions, crashing waves, the sound of swords clashing. Chibi reacted to each with speed, throwing sounds across the clearing, confusing the source of danger. She even began mimicking enemy voices—commands barked in my own tone of voice. It was eerie but effective. I could see how this would drive an enemy to madness, unsure of who or where their opponent truly was.
By the end of the day, we were both exhausted. My muscles ached from the intense workout, and Chibi was panting, her wings drooping slightly from the strain. But despite the fatigue, I felt a sense of accomplishment. We had both made significant progress, and I knew this was only the beginning.
I glanced at Chibi, who was perched on a low branch, catching her breath. "You did great today," I said, wiping the sweat from my brow. She chirped softly, her eyes closing as she rested.
As I leaned against a tree, I couldn't help but smile. Days blended into one, and with each passing day, we were getting stronger, more prepared. There was still a long journey ahead, but now, with my training routine in place and Chibi's abilities growing, I felt just ever more confident for whatever lay ahead.
Things did change slightly, when during another one of our daily training routines, a News Coo dropped by and delivered a fresh set of papers. I couldn't help but smirk in anticipation as I muttered, "Well, it was about damn time. I guess it took the Marines a bit longer to cover up their mess. I should start expecting some visitors soon."
-----
Moments later, somewhere in East Blue, on the Floating Ship "Baratie".
The restaurant was bustling with activity, burly sailor-like waiters danced around the floor with precision and flare. The clattering of dishes and the hum of conversations filled the air, while a trio of misfits could be seen sitting in a corner-table indulging in some food.
"How do you think Luffy is holding up in the kitchen?" asked Ussop, while stuffing another piece of fish, smiling in satisfaction as he chewed.
"Not sure, I wouldn't be surprised if he's eaten their entire stock of meat by now. As long as the wine keeps coming, though, I won't complain." said Zorro, downing another glass in the process.
Ussop could only stare at him in a bit of exasperation. "You really treat your liver like it doesn't exist..." Forking other piece of his food, he asked his other companion, "Hey, Nami, what are your thoughts on the matter?"
Not getting a response, he turned to face her, only to see himself completely ignored as she was staring at today's newspaper while whispering, "...No way". Her expression shifting through a mix of emotions in split-seconds. Surprised and curious, Ussop took another bite of fish and leaned in to see what's up. He didn't even get a chance to take a glimpse, when Nami suddenly slammed the paper on the table startling him, making Ussop choke on his food. While Zorru was trying to save the poor sniper, Nami turned towards a nearby waiter.
"Hey, curly-brows! Tell my idiot-captain to hurry up back there! I need to get back to my village as soon as possible!"
"Of couse, Nami-swaaaaaaaaan!!"
At this point, Zorro also got curious and looked at the paper plastered on the table. It's title read:
"Arlong Defeated! 'Prettiest Demon of East Blue' Brings Down Infamous Pirate!"