The sun climbed higher over Cocoyashi Village, its light washing the streets clean from last night's blood and fire. In Nami's home, a quiet moment settled as the chaos of the Straw Hats faded into memory.
Rakan stood by the doorway, his massive arms folded, golden eyes fixed on the horizon.
"So… what's the request?" he asked, voice calm, low. "Let's do it quick."
Nami took a breath. "You must always protect me and Nojiko. We're not strong like you. We're… just human."
Rakan gave a low grunt and turned toward her.
"No need to worry," he said. "You're the navigator. She's the cook. As long as you never turn your back on me… I'll never stop protecting you."
Nami blinked, surprised by the vow.
Nojiko smiled. "That's… fair."
Nami sighed in relief, then gave a small smile. "Alright. Give us a second. We'll pack."
She and Nojiko disappeared into their rooms, bags opening and clothes flying as they scrambled to prepare. Meanwhile, Rakan leaned against the wall—
Then suddenly wiped sweat from his brow and sat on the floor with a loud thud.
Nami peeked out. "What's wrong?"
Rakan looked away, embarrassed. "...There's one problem."
"What?"
He looked her dead in the eye.
"I don't have a ship."
Nami froze. "...You what?"
Rakan mimed swimming awkwardly with his arms.
"Usually I just go like this."
Nami's jaw dropped. "You've been swimming across the Grand Line?!"
Nojiko burst out laughing.
Nami sighed, rubbing her temples. "Arlong's ships were all destroyed. It'll take weeks to build a new one."
Rakan exhaled heavily.
Then his eyes narrowed—gold light flickering in them.
He stood and walked to the window.
"Never mind. I have an idea."
Nami joined him and followed his gaze.
Three Navy ships approached the island's harbor. Their sails bore the symbol of the World Government, and their decks bristled with Marines.
"It's Nezumi," Nami whispered, fists clenching. "That rat-bastard. He was working with Arlong."
The ships docked swiftly. Marines poured onto the island. At the front stood the weaselly figure of Colonel Nezumi, puffed up and sneering.
"Who destroyed this place?!" he barked. "Where's Arlong?!"
Then—
BOOM!
A black blur flew through the sky—Rakan grabbed Nami, leapt out the window like a cannonball, and crashed down in front of Nezumi like a thunder god landing from the clouds.
Dust erupted, sending Marines flying backward.
When the fog cleared, Rakan stood tall, golden eyes glowing, cloak fluttering behind him.
"There he is!" a Marine screamed. "Open fire!"
Dozens of rifles raised. Muzzles flashed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bullets struck Rakan's body and… did nothing.
He didn't even blink.
Then, with a growl like thunder, he moved.
One by one, Marines were launched into the sky—ribs shattered, faces slammed, bodies tossed like trash.
Screams echoed. Weapons clattered to the ground.
In minutes, the docks were filled with groaning, broken bodies.
Only Nezumi remained, crawling backward, sweating through his uniform.
"W-Who are you…?!"
Rakan walked forward slowly.
"Doesn't matter."
He clenched a fist.
And with a roar, punched Nezumi directly in the stomach—the impact launched him into the side of his personal warship.
CRASH!
The ship split in half, wood splinters flying everywhere. It sank, dragging the unconscious rat with it.
Rakan turned to the surviving Marines, eyes like molten gold.
"From now on—if any of you lay a shadow on this village, or disturb these people…"
He paused, grabbing the second-in-command by the collar and lifting him off the ground.
"I will erase your entire bloodline."
The man's face turned pale.
Rakan stared into his soul.
"Go confess your crimes to the Navy Court. Lie once, and I'll know. I remember every face here."
The Marine nodded frantically, legs kicking.
Rakan dropped him.
Then patted the hull of the largest surviving ship—the flagship of Colonel Nezumi.
"I'll take this one."
He looked to the last remaining Navy ship, then gave a dead-eyed smile.
"Now leave. Before I change my mind."
The Marines scrambled, dragging their broken comrades toward the final ship.
But just as the vessel began to sail away…
BOOM!
Rakan hurled a massive boulder—a slab of stone from Arlong's destroyed fortress. It smashed into the ship, tearing through the mast and hull like paper.
The vessel tipped, Marines screaming as they plunged into the sea.
"YOU MONSTER!!"
"HELP! PLEASE—!!"
"WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Rakan stood on the docks, laughing without mercy. "No forgiveness for rats."
Nami stared at him, stunned. Then a small smile touched her lips.
"Rakan…"
He turned to her. "Tell the villagers. Remove that Navy flag."
He paused.
"Make a new one."
Nami nodded, eyes bright.
Three Hours Later…
At the repaired port, the stolen warship now flew a new flag—a black-and-gold sail marked by a single claw slash across a rising sun.
Villagers gathered to bid farewell.
Nojiko walked up, carrying her bags. "All set."
Nami looked around. "But where's Rakan?"
Suddenly, the sea erupted.
A massive sea beast emerged from the water—huge, horned, and howling.
"MOO MOO!!" someone shouted. "It's the sea beast Arlong used!"
But Moo Moo wasn't attacking.
He carried Rakan on his head like a throne. The beast's body bore cuts and bruises, its eyes misty with tears.
"Not anymore," Rakan said, smirking. "He's mine now."
The villagers gasped.
Rakan patted Moo Moo's head. "Hey, hey. Don't cry. You got to eat some Marines too, didn't you?"
Moo Moo let out a sad, blubbery grunt.
Rakan tied the warship to the sea beast with a heavy iron rope.
Nojiko blinked. "He's towing our ship?!"
Nami laughed, tears in her eyes.
She turned back to the villagers, hugged Genzo, and whispered goodbye.
Then she and Nojiko stepped aboard the ship—Rakan's first ship. Their ship.
As the vessel pulled away, powered by a massive crying sea beast and a monstrous captain with glowing eyes, Cocoyashi Village cheered.
For the first time in years, they were truly free.
And in the shadows of the Grand Line, a new legend had just set sail.
Far across the Grand Line, in the heart of Marineford, a meeting of high-ranking Marines was underway. The atmosphere was tense inside the Fleet Admiral's chamber. Sengoku sat behind his massive desk, fingers steepled, expression grim.
"Garp," he said sharply. "An entire Navy base in the East China Sea has been wiped out. I want you to investigate."
Garp, leaning back in his chair with arms behind his head, grinned.
"Buhahahaha! Good, good. I was getting bored anyway. Maybe I can take my grandson along and toughen him up a bit."
Before Sengoku could protest, Garp was already up and walking out of the room.
"Bogard! Set sail for the East!"
Sengoku watched him go, sighing heavily.
He pulled open a drawer and retrieved a new bounty poster. His eyes narrowed as he studied the name and face.
"Rakan… What are you planning?"
Suddenly, he blinked, then leaned into the drawer.
"GARP, YOU BASTARD! YOU STOLE MY LIMITED EDITION DONUT!!"
His furious yell echoed through the halls.
Far away, aboard his ship, Garp laughed heartily.
"Buhahahahaha! That donut was too good to ignore!"
Meanwhile, in the calm waters of the East Blue, a warship modified with a new black-and-gold flag drifted peacefully. Rakan lounged on the deck under the sun, arms behind his head, golden eyes closed.
Nojiko was preparing juice from Bell-mère's oranges, while Nami leaned over the railing, enjoying the sea breeze.
A seagull swooped down, carrying the daily newspaper bundle. Nami threw a coin at it, and the seagull squawked, dropping the papers.
Three bounty posters fluttered out.
Nami grabbed them, curious.
"Hey! I got a bounty! Burglar Nami… 100 million?! That's more than Arlong!"
Her face went pale. "T-That's bad... but I guess it's also cool."
Nojiko took hers. "Cook Nojiko… 80 million. Seriously?! I just made soup!"
Then they both looked at the third poster, the one Rakan tossed aside lazily.
It read:
"BEAST RAKAN – 800,000,000 BERRIES
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE"
Nami and Nojiko stared at it, then screamed in unison:
"WHAT?! YOU'RE WORTH EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION?!"
Rakan blinked at them, then shrugged.
"There are lots of bigshots in the Grand Line. I'm nothing special."
Nojiko and Nami exchanged a stunned glance. Rakan returned to lounging.
A small shrine had been built on the ship's deck, with flowers and incense in front of a photo of Bell-mère. Rakan had taken time to pay his respects before leaving the island.
"I promised to protect your daughters," he had said.
Nami sat beside the small garden of Bell-mère's transplanted orange trees, chewing thoughtfully.
"So, where to next? Loguetown? To see the Pirate King's execution platform?"
Rakan yawned. "No. That place is boring."
Nami raised a brow. "You're not interested in the man who started it all?"
"He was a loser. A man who couldn't protect the people he loved. Not worth my time."
The ship went quiet.
Nojiko exhaled slowly. "Then… where are we going?"
Rakan stood up and pointed forward, eyes glowing faintly.
"Set sail to the Grand Line."
Nami and Nojiko shouted together:
"THE GRAND LINE?!"
Rakan grinned. "The Beast Pirates are coming."
Their journey into the most dangerous sea in the world had begun.
TO BE CONTINUED...