"Bell-mère!"
Just as she stepped out of the fruit market, a familiar yet distant voice suddenly rang out from ahead.
Before she could react—
Several figures rushed forward and surrounded her.
At the front was none other than the middle-aged man from the market office.
"I'm certain you recognized me."
He stepped closer, his voice low and cold. "Which means… you can't leave."
Bell-mère hadn't expected him to act so quickly. The situation caught her off guard, and for a brief moment, she didn't know how to respond.
Because—
She had recognized him back in the office.
Even if she wasn't completely certain at first…
Now she was sure.
Seven years ago—
During that brutal battle between Marines and pirates—
This man had been one of the pirate leaders.
Back then, the Marines were crushed.
Bell-mère herself had been gravely injured. If not for discovering baby Nami and Nojiko, she might not have survived long enough to return to Cocoyasi Village.
And the pirate crew?
Though victorious, they had suffered heavy losses—
Then vanished without a trace.
Yet now—
Seven years later—
They had reappeared in Loguetown… with legal identities.
But Bell-mère didn't believe for a second that they had gone straight.
Their current status was nothing more than a disguise.
Which was why she had planned to find Arashi first—
To discuss what to do next.
But before she could reach him—
They found her first.
"So it really is you."
Surrounded on all sides, Bell-mère slowly turned, her expression calm as she looked at the man.
"I never expected that after disappearing for so many years… you'd been hiding in Loguetown all along."
The man didn't reply immediately.
He stared at her intently.
He, too, was shocked.
In his memory, the Marines from that battle had been wiped out almost entirely.
A few survivors?
Possible.
But Bell-mère—
The fiercest among them—
She should have died.
After all—
He had personally struck her down.
"Who is this woman?"
One of the men beside him stepped forward, killing intent flashing in his eyes. "Why not just kill her?"
"Don't act rashly."
The middle-aged man raised a hand, stopping him.
"She was a Marine who fought alongside her comrades back then. Even if she's no longer one… this is Loguetown. Don't cause trouble."
After a brief pause, he stepped closer to Bell-mère.
"Let's make a deal."
"You're no longer a Marine… and I'm no longer a pirate."
"As long as you keep this a secret…"
"I'll ensure a safe trade route between Cocoyasi Village and Loguetown. Your village's goods will flow freely."
"How about it?"
"A tempting offer."
Bell-mère pulled out a cigarette, placing it between her lips. Her expression remained calm.
"Very tempting indeed."
But the next second—
She moved.
Without warning, she slammed into the man blocking her path—
And bolted forward at full speed!
She didn't believe a single word.
A pirate who once annihilated Marines—
Would suddenly become kind?
Impossible.
This "deal" was nothing more than bait.
Gain her trust—
Then eliminate her quietly.
In fact—
She had already noticed people watching her back in the market.
That's why she hadn't reported them to the Marines immediately.
And why she had separated from the villagers—
Hoping to find Arashi first.
But clearly—
Every move she made had been under surveillance.
If she wanted to escape—
This was her only chance.
"You think you can run?!"
The man's eyes flashed with killing intent as he waved his hand sharply.
"Catch her!"
The moment his voice fell—
Several men shot forward in pursuit.
Bell-mère ran with everything she had.
Her speed was impressive—
Within moments, she had already rushed out of the street.
Just a little further—
And she could reach the harbor.
Reach Arashi.
"Stop!"
"You can't escape, Bell-mère!"
The voices behind her grew closer.
But she didn't slow down.
Didn't hesitate.
Didn't look back.
Right now—
She had only one thought.
Get back to him.
Because at this moment—
In her heart—
Arashi had already become her safest harbor.
Suddenly—
A familiar group of figures appeared in her line of sight…
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