The sun burned low over Cocoyashi Village, painting the horizon in hues of orange and crimson. The ocean breeze carried the scent of salt and citrus — a smell Nami hadn't felt in years without her chest tightening.
The Atlas loomed quietly in the shallows, its armor glinting like the shell of some great slumbering beast. Nami turned back once before stepping onto the pier, eyes softening for a brief, unguarded second.
"This is it," she murmured. "One last deal."
Her feet carried her through the familiar dirt paths toward Arlong Park — that monument of suffering and stone. Its gates opened wide like the jaws of a monster welcoming home its prey.
Arlong stood at the balcony, his shark grin gleaming in the sun.
"Ah, Nami…" he drawled. "My favorite little thief. Word is, you've robbed even pirates now."
Nami dropped her bag of treasure, the heavy clink of gold and jewels spilling across the tiles.
"That's everything," she said flatly. "Eighty million berries. Every last coin. Now… honor our deal."
For a long moment, Arlong said nothing. Then, slowly, that cruel grin returned.
"Of course," he said silkily. "I am a man of my word."
She turned away, relief flickering behind her guarded eyes — but Arlong leaned toward his officer and whispered,
"Send word to Captain Nezumi. It's time to collect our little investment."
Out at Sea
The Going Merry cut across the waves, her sails full of wind and purpose.
At the helm stood Tessal, the Beetleforger, helm sealed, voice calm.
Sanji leaned on the railing, cigarette dangling. "That's her home, huh? You can almost smell the tangerines."
"I'll dock us close," Tessal said, eyes glowing faintly beneath the helm. "Once you're ashore, I'll sail the Merry back and secure her to Atlas. Just in case."
Luffy nodded. "Got it."
The ship slid into harbor where Zoro, Johnny, and Yosaku waited. Bandaged but alive, Zoro smirked.
"Took you long enough."
Usopp grinned and pressed a small mechanical insect into Zoro's hand.
"Earwig Radio — new invention! Works like an earpiece. Lets us talk from anywhere."
Zoro eyed it warily. "It's not gonna crawl into my brain, right?"
Through the radio, Tessal's chuckle came softly.
"Only if you start shouting."
The Village
Nojiko's story unfolded like a knife through the heart — Belle-mère's death, Nami's slavery, years of betrayal and theft under Arlong's shadow.
When Nami arrived, trembling, angry, begging them to leave, Luffy didn't move.
She shouted at him, voice cracking under years of grief. "Just go! You don't understand!"
He said nothing.
And then, driven by despair, she grabbed her dagger — her hands shaking — and raised it toward the Arlong tattoo on her shoulder.
But before the blade could cut, a silver blur streaked between her and the mark.
Two familiar shapes stood there — the Iron Cluster, unfolding its segmented shield, and the Iron Shield Beetle, glowing faintly blue. They intercepted the strike, their armor sparking as the blade shattered on contact.
Nami fell to her knees, staring in disbelief.
"Even now… he's still protecting me…" she whispered.
The shattered blade hit the ground with a soft metallic ring. The Iron Beetles gave a low hum — as if bowing — before retreating a few paces, their optics dimming to standby mode.
That final act of protection broke her last bit of resolve. Tears fell.
"Help me…" she whispered, then screamed, "HELP ME!"
The Hat
Luffy stepped forward without a word.
He reached up, took off his straw hat, and gently placed it on her head.
"Of course," he said quietly. "We're friends."
Then he pressed a finger to the Earwig Radio behind his ear.
"Tessal," he said. "Bring Atlas."
A pause — then Tessal's voice came through, calm and resolute.
"Roger that, Captain."
The Swarm Awakens
The sea began to stir.
Far from shore, the Atlas came alive — its hull groaning like thunder, its engines roaring back to life. Metal panels slid open, and light spilled from the cracks.
From within, the Bulwarks rumbled forward — massive beetle mechs with fortress-like shells. Behind them, the Rhino Beetle Units deployed in charging formation, flanked by Dragon Fighters roaring into the sky.
Crawler, the great centipede carrier, unfurled its mandibles, releasing the legions — Iron Shields, Iron Clusters, Ant Legionnaires, and Trapper Spiders — a swarm that blotted out the horizon.
And towering over them all, the General-Class Humanoid Mecha Bugs assembled:
Carabus, the horned beetle knight.
Formicid, the swift ant-lancer.
Stinger, the venom-blade scorpion.
Noctis, the moth phantom.
Brawler, the centipede war monk.
Anubis, the scarab swordsman of the east.
At the center of it all stood Tessal, in full battle armor — the Beetleforger reborn, his glowing helm shaped like a stag beetle's head.
He raised his gauntlet, energy flaring through its runes.
"For the Straw Hats," he declared. "For her freedom."
The army roared in mechanical unison.
Then, with a flash of light and a chorus of metallic wings, the swarm took flight — a storm of steel and vengeance descending upon Arlong Park.
To Be Continued…