We docked on the island's far side, hidden from the watchful eyes of the fishmen. A dense forest covered Merry's Revenge, shielding it from view.
We made our way through the forest, emerging at the outskirts of the village. At first glance, the scene seemed peaceful—lush palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, lining rows of simple, cozy wooden houses. The soothing sound of waves crashing softly against the shore added to the calm. But there was an unsettling tension in the air.
The houses told a different story. Many were in disrepair, with broken roofs and faded, peeling paint. Wooden planks were left unfixed, some structures leaning precariously. Someone or something overturned a house and ransacked another. The villagers were gaunt and weary, their clothes worn and tattered, a stark reflection of their hardship. Even the children ran barefoot and unclothed along the dirt paths, their laughter muted by the weight of their reality.
Kaya's eyes widened in disbelief, and her hands trembled. I gently took her shaky hands in mine to steady her. On my left, Sham slipped her hand into mine and rested her head on my shoulder—not out of sympathy but jealousy.
As we crept through the village, distant shouting reached my ears. My observation haki flared, detecting two hostile presences nearby. I quickly signaled Kaya, Sham, and Carmen to stay quiet.
"Trouble," I whispered.
Up ahead, I spotted two fishmen harassing a young woman with light blue hair, tanned skin, and tattoos. Despite the tension, she exuded a calm demeanor as she shielded a small boy behind her. She was trying to reason with the fishmen. I recognized her instantly—Nojiko, Nami's adoptive sister.
"Please, forgive him. He's just a child," Nojiko said calmly, her voice steady as she stood protectively before the boy.
The fishmen responded with cruel laughter, mocking her plea.
I swiftly loaded my crossbow, aiming for the forest's cover. "Time for a little sniper magic," I whispered to myself. Pressing the stock against my left cheek, just below my eye, I squinted through the sights with my right eye, gauging the wind's intensity with my ears and skin.
"Isn't this distance too far, Capitano?" Carmen asked, her voice tinged with worry and doubt. "I can barely make out those three and have sharp eyes."
"Are you questioning Captain Pinkie?" Sham hissed, baring her sharp fangs in a warning.
"Shh! Watch and learn, ladies," I said with a grin. "I'm about to save the day—but I need you all to stay quiet."
With a swift trigger press, I fired two shots quickly, each hitting its target perfectly. The first Fishman was knocked out cold, my bolt hitting him right between the eyes, an instant kill. The second fishman staggered; he was surprised by the sudden attack that pierced his left shoulder. Before he could react, I fired again, taking him down with a precise hit to the neck. Second Kill.
I could feel Nojiko surprised by the sudden shift in their battle. She looked around, spotting us as we stepped out of the forest. I walked briskly to her. With my weakness for tattooed women, I knew I had to make an impression. I slipped on my ghost mask, ready to step in.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice wary but not unfriendly.
"I am the Ghost, the legendary sniper of East Blue, the most feared bounty hunter. I just saved your life. You're welcome," I declared, lowering my voice with a gravelly growl.
"Usopp, is something wrong with your voice? Do you need me to make an herb to soothe your throat?" Kaya asked, concerned.
"Miss Kaya, you've never heard of the ghost of East Blue? And you've been his childhood friend all this time?!" I replied, feigning disbelief.
"Are you the Ghost, Capitano?" Carmen asked, confusion evident on her delicate face.
Nojiko raised an arched eyebrow, wiping sweat from her brow. "Well, I suppose I should thank you, Ghost, but this isn't a place for jokes. You and your girlfriends should leave before he finds out. He doesn't take kindly to one of his being killed by a human."
Kaya stepped forward, her kind demeanor showing through as she knelt before the scared boy. "Are you okay? Were you hurt?"
The frightened boy hid behind Nojiko's back, his little eyes peering at us.
"He's fine," Nojiko said softly, sadness clouding her eyes as she gently stroked the boy's tiny head. "But his grandmother wasn't. She couldn't afford the monthly tribute the Arlong Pirates demanded." Her voice wavered, heavy with sorrow.
The boy's frail body trembled, a mix of anger and grief radiating from him.
Behind me, I heard Kaya begin to sob quietly.
"Preying on the weak—how despicable," Sham growled, her metal-tipped gloves gleaming as she flexed her fingers. "My claws are itching for their blood." She stood poised in her battle suit, which I had crafted specifically for her—a sleek, black, skin-tight bodysuit, complete with a cat-eared mask and goggles. Essentially, she looked like a fierce, deadly version of Catwoman.
Carmen let out a dramatic sigh. "Such a tragedy. Good people are always caught in one tragedy after another. But sweetheart, I must ask—are there any good ingredients around here? Something fresh, something local?"
Nojiko stared at Carmen, clearly unsure how to respond. "You're asking about ingredients? We barely have any left."
Sensing the tension, I quickly cleared my throat, stepping in before the situation grew more awkward. Carmen's bluntness could be a bit much, but we had learned to overlook it—better to handle a tactless, fire-wielding girl than a depressed, fire-wielding one.
"Uh, well… let's just say we're running low on fresh supplies—aside from fish and birds," I admitted. "But that's not why we're here. I came personally to deal with Arlong. What he's done is unforgivable, and I intend to end his tyranny."
"Oh, Usopp," Kaya whispered, her eyes welling with tears.
Sham purred softly, her gaze filled with admiration.
Even Carmen, with a flicker of flame dancing on her shoulder, seemed moved.
The small boy peeked at me, his eyes wide with hope and curiosity.
Nojiko's eyes narrowed. "You don't understand. Arlong's not someone you can 'deal' with. He's stronger than any human. He'll crush you, like when he crushed a ship full of marines. Ghost, I don't know who you are, but if you've got any sense, you'll leave this island before he finds you."
Kaya, her kind heart always leading the way, shook her head. "We can't just leave. After what we've seen, we have to help. There has to be something we can do."
Nojiko sighed, clearly torn between her desire to protect her village and her instinct to warn us away. "Look, it's not about bravery. It's about survival. Arlong is from the Grand Line. You have no idea what that means, do you?"
I felt a cold knot in my stomach. This was my first time dealing with people I was not sure I could win, but I refused to back down. "I know what it means! But that doesn't matter. I've faced sea monsters, marines, and now fishmen. I'm not scared. Let my bolts and bombs deal with them. You might be afraid of what he will do but don't worry. I will do my best."
I brought out my customized long gun, briefly wondering if Nojiko had any skill with firearms. It didn't matter—this world was different, and everyone needed protection. "This is my custom-made gun. If you'd like, you can have it for your safety," I offered, holding it out to her.
Nojiko hesitated, her eyes lingering on the weapon, her expression a mix of conflict and resolve. After a moment, she sighed and took the gun. "Fine. Do what you want. But don't get any foolish ideas. FightingArlong is not about playing the hero—don't get yourself killed."
I flashed her a confident smile. "Don't worry. I'm not just a hero. I'm the Batman."