"So, which island did you call home before?" One of the Marine officers asked, caught off guard by Ryu's response.
"Filly Island. It may not be a famous island, but you should know of it," Ryu said with a smile.
He had a good guess as to why the navy was so cautious. This island was probably inhabited by people who had suffered similar fates as the villagers from his hometown, making them particularly wary of outsiders.
"Filly Island?" The server blinked in surprise, then quickly ran back into the restaurant. A moment later, he returned with a middle-aged man.
"Are you... Ryu?" The man stared at him for a while, hesitant before calling out.
"Uncle Garm! You're still the same as ever!" Ryu said, recognizing the man and greeting him with a grin.
"Ryu! It's really you! How long has it been? How did you find us here?" Uncle Garm laughed heartily as he asked.
This Uncle Garm, the restaurant owner, was the first person Ryu had met when he arrived in this world. He was also the one who always bought the fish Ryu caught.
"I only returned to East Blue recently, so I wanted to visit home. I asked the marines in Loguetown, and they told me you all relocated here," Ryu explained with a smile.
Uncle Garm's expression shifted from joy to a hint of sadness, but he quickly embraced Ryu, saying, "If everyone knew you were back, they'd be thrilled! Come on in. Kuai, go tell everyone Ryu's at my place—get them all over here!"
The server, Kuai, nodded and dashed off toward the center of town, excited. The navy officers, after exchanging glances, prepared to leave.
"Officers, my ship is anchored over by the reefs, and I brought some gifts onboard. Would you mind bringing them here?" Ryu called out as he reached the door.
The lead officer frowned slightly but nodded. "Where are they?"
"It's on my small triangular sailboat, inside the cabin. I'd appreciate it," Ryu replied, showing his identification as a Rear Admiral from Navy Headquarters.
The navy officers were momentarily stunned, then promptly saluted. "Yes, sir!"
"What's this about?" Uncle Garm scratched his head, curious.
"Oh, after leaving the village, I joined the navy. I just completed training at Marine Headquarters, so I came back to check on everyone," Ryu said, shaking his badge before tucking it away—now wasn't the time to flaunt it.
"Come, take a seat. I'll prepare some food. Everyone will be here soon, and then you can tell us all about your past two years!" Uncle Garm said warmly.
"Uncle, sit down, don't trouble yourself. I just ate," Ryu said, holding Uncle Garm back. "By the way, will I be able to see the mayor?"
Ryu noticed Uncle Garm stiffen, and in that instant, he understood—he wouldn't be seeing the old mayor again.
"What really happened back then? Can you tell me?" Ryu asked in a low voice.
"Sigh... It's all in the past now. Why ask about it?" Uncle Garm replied with an awkward smile.
"Why not tell him? He has a right to know, doesn't he?" A woman's voice interrupted coldly as she entered.
Behind her, several familiar faces walked into the room, all people Ryu recognized from his hometown.
"And you are?" Ryu asked, noting the hostility in the young woman's eyes.
"She's the old mayor's granddaughter. She used to live in Loguetown with her parents, but after the tragedy, she's been checking in on us here," Uncle Garm explained.
"I see. It seems that Krieg's raid on the island back then is partially my responsibility," Ryu said, nodding.
"Little Lou…" an older woman whispered softly, unable to hold back her emotions.
"Aunt Anda, I understand… If I hadn't killed the pirate who ruled the island back then, maybe Krieg wouldn't have taken revenge, and our home wouldn't have been destroyed." Ryu lowered his head, feeling deeply regretful.
"Little Lou, don't say that! Even if that hadn't happened, with the way Krieg's pirate crew operates, our town was likely doomed either way." Uncle Garm patted Ryu's shoulder, trying to console him.
"Besides, we all survived thanks to the cave we found near your old cabin. But… the mayor and the elders…" Uncle Garm trailed off, embarrassed, since he, a grown man, had also been among those the mayor insisted on protecting.
Years ago, it wasn't only the elderly who stayed behind—strong men and young adults were all ready to fight to protect the women and children. But the old mayor had refused to let them, saying that the younger generation would be needed to rebuild their hometown. "Leave the dying to us old folks," he had said. Luckily, Krieg didn't search the area thoroughly, and thanks to Ryu killing the only pirate who knew of their hiding place, the villagers managed to survive.
As they shared memories and reflections with Ryu, the mayor's granddaughter remained silent, standing to the side. She couldn't forgive him, even though she knew deep down that none of this was his fault.
"Reporting, sir! We've brought the people you asked for!" The navy officers returned, bringing Krieg and Captain Nezumi, who were under guard.
Ryu nodded and asked, "Is there a place here to honor the departed?"
"Yes, sir," one of the officers replied, saluting. "The center of town is a commemorative site. Since this island has become a refuge for people who survived pirate attacks, the villagers built a large memorial there."
Ryu nodded approvingly. Smoker had done well in setting this up—it was more meaningful than simply arresting a few pirates.
A crowd gathered as they escorted Ryu to the town's center, where five small huts had been constructed. Each one represented an island that had been raided and devastated by pirates. Uncle Garm led Ryu to the second hut. Inside, small gravestones marked the names of those who had perished, with the old mayor's stone closest to the entrance.
Ryu knelt down slowly and whispered, "Old Mayor… If not for your kindness, I would've starved to death on the island. I never thought my actions would lead to your early passing. If I could go back two years, I wouldn't have left, even if you ordered me to."
Having absorbed the memories of this body, Ryu's respect for the old mayor was sincere and heartfelt, which was why the news of the raid on his home had enraged him so deeply.
"But I've captured the culprit behind all this," he said, rising. "Today, I'll honor you with their blood! Bring them in!" he ordered, motioning to the navy at the door.
The mayor's granddaughter, standing close to Ryu with Uncle Garm, was visibly moved by his tone and emotions. She glanced at the two prisoners being led in with a hint of surprise.
"Kneel!" Ryu commanded, his voice icy.
Captain Nezumi immediately dropped to his knees in front of the gravestones, his legs already trembling from fear.
"M-Mercy, sir! I'm innocent!" Captain Nezumi stammered, barely able to form words through his terror.
"Hmph. Ignorant fool! I am the ruler of East Blue! And you expect me to kneel? Keep dreaming!" Krieg stood tall, defiant, refusing to kneel before the graves.
Thud! Thud!
Ryu's leg shot out, shattering Krieg's legs with two swift kicks. The towering man fell to the ground, writhing in agony.
"So much for your bravery. If you're so tough, then don't scream!" Ryu sneered with disdain.
The villagers watching flinched at the brutality. Although they didn't know who these two were, Ryu's ruthlessness left them in awe.
"That's him… Krieg, the leader of the Krieg Pirates," murmured the mayor's granddaughter, recognizing him from the wanted posters and his own words. She realized that this was the infamous Krieg, with a bounty of 17 million berries.
Ryu nodded to her and then addressed the villagers. "This man is Krieg, the pirate who tormented and destroyed our lives. I've captured him, and Marine Headquarters has approved his execution. I'll personally carry it out!"
With that, Ryu drew his blade and pointed it at Krieg. "Today, I offer your blood as tribute to the old mayor. You should consider yourself lucky—it would've been much harder to die if I'd caught you in the Grand Line."
Krieg laughed bitterly through his pain. "Hahaha! A bunch of insects… You think I—"
Before he could finish, Ryu's blade flashed, severing Krieg's head from his body. His blood splattered across the gravestone at the front, while Captain Nezumi, witnessing this, was so terrified he wet himself.
The villagers, initially uneasy, quickly grew emboldened with fury upon realizing who Krieg was. Their anger, fueled by memories of his atrocities, swelled as they shouted in rage.
"And this man," Ryu continued, pointing his bloodstained sword at Captain Nezumi, "is Captain Nezumi from the 16th Branch, the nearest marine base to Filly Island. When our island was under attack, he fled out of cowardice. So I've brought him here today. Tell me, what should we do with him?"
Amid the villagers' anger, the mayor's granddaughter looked concerned. "He's a marine officer… Are you sure it's alright to punish him like this?" she asked cautiously.
"Yes, Ryu," Uncle Garm added, worry in his voice. "You said you're part of the marines now. Won't this impact you? Maybe… we should let this one go since Krieg's already met his end."
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