Crossing the creaking drawbridge meant truly stepping into the center of Cocoyasi Village.
Low wooden houses were scattered along both sides of the dirt road. In front of a few open shops, people were bent over, tidying goods disturbed by the wind. The air carried a mix of sea salt and orange blossom scents.
Nojiko had just reached the street corner when an auntie carrying a clay pot called out to her, "Nojiko, is today's Orange Marmalade ready yet?"
"It'll be ready this afternoon, Auntie," Nojiko replied with a smile, not breaking her stride. "I need to get this traveler settled first."
The auntie peeked at Ryan, noticing the dark purple cloth wrapped around the scabbard at his waist. She paused for a moment before smiling, "A visitor from outside? Please come in. The village might be poor, but we still have hot tea to offer."
Just a few steps further, they encountered three children with schoolbags on their backs. Seeing Nojiko, they rushed over, "Sister Nojiko!"
"Slow down, don't trip," Nojiko said, bending to pat the head of the smallest child. "This is Mr. Ryan, just passing through and resting in our village."
The children stared wide-eyed at Ryan. A little girl with pigtails pointed at the sword at his waist, "Mister, are you a swordsman? Like in the stories?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow and smiled but didn't answer.
Nojiko patted the children's backs, "Hurry along to school now."
"You're quite popular!" Ryan caught up with her, a hint of teasing in his tone. "Greeted at every turn, more welcomed than the village chief."
Nojiko glanced sideways at Ryan, her blue-gray eyes twinkling with amusement. "The village is small. If anyone's in trouble, a shout brings the neighbors running to help. Besides—" She paused, her gaze sweeping over a man repairing a roof nearby. "Everyone watched me grow up, so naturally, we're close."
As they spoke, a light "ding-a-ling" sound came from the intersection ahead. A tall figure emerged from the direction of the orange grove, wearing a faded blue work shirt with the collar open, revealing a dark, sturdy chest.
Most striking was the wide-brimmed yellow hat on his head, from which a small red pinwheel dangled by a thin hemp rope under the brim. It spun cheerfully in the wind, emitting soft creaking sounds.
It was Constable Genzo.
His face bore wrinkles carved by wind and weather, with stubble on his chin. His eyes weren't particularly sharp but carried a reassuring steadiness. In his hand, he held a bamboo basket full of oranges.
"Mr. Genzo," Nojiko quickened her pace to meet him.
Seeing her, the lines on Genzo's face softened slightly. But when his eyes fell on Ryan, his grip on the bamboo basket tightened unconsciously. The pinwheel on his hat still spun, yet his gaze lingered on the sword at Ryan's waist.
"And this is?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse, as if honed from long years of shouting commands by the sea.
"A traveler passing through, hoping to stay in the village for a couple of days," Nojiko explained. "I'm taking him to the village chief to arrange lodging."
Genzo nodded, handing the bamboo basket to Nojiko. "Freshly picked oranges, sweet ones. Bring some for the village chief to try too."
Then he turned to Ryan, extending a rough hand. "I'm the village Constable. You can call me Genzo."
"Ryan," Ryan shook Genzo's hand, giving his name simply.
"The village hasn't been peaceful lately. I hope you won't wander around." Genzo withdrew his hand, his tone sincere without any unnecessary probing. "It's not that we don't trust you, but we're genuinely worried you might run into danger. This is for your own safety."
Ryan looked at Genzo's earnest profile and couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity and honesty of the village people.
Just then, chaotic footsteps suddenly came from the village entrance, accompanied by the villagers' suppressed gasps. Someone pointed into the distance and shouted, "It's Arlong's gang! Why are they coming now?"
"They're probably here for this month's tribute..." another voice trembled. "They just seized our fishing boats last month. How are we supposed to live like this..."
Genzo's face instantly darkened. The gentleness from moments ago vanished from his sun-tanned face, replaced only by tense gravity. He abruptly turned to Nojiko and said, "Quick, take this gentleman and hide!"
Nojiko's expression also changed. Without another word, she grabbed Ryan's wrist and pulled him into a nearby alley.
Ryan didn't resist—why would anyone refuse when a beautiful young lady takes their hand?
Her palm was slightly cool, carrying a faint scent of orange leaves. Her fingertips were pale from gripping too tightly, clearly terrified.
The two hid in a corner piled with fishing nets, peering through gaps in the wooden planks.
They saw a group of Fish-Men swaggering into the village. Leading them was a cyan-skinned Fish-Man with a serrated dorsal fin on his head. When he grinned, sharp fangs were visible—this was Arlong.
Following behind him were several Fish-Men of various appearances: some had shark-like sharp teeth, some carried heavy shell shields on their backs, and a tall, thin Fish-Man twirled a steel trident in his hand, his eyes scanning the cowering villagers like they were prey.
The Scales on their bodies glinted coldly in the sunlight. Each step carried overwhelming arrogance as they kicked roadside pottery jars to pieces.
"These people..." Nojiko's voice was extremely low, carrying a barely noticeable sob. "They're the Fish-Man Arlong's gang. They've taken over our village and demand 'protection fees' every month—it's essentially ransom money for our lives. Adults and children alike, they won't accept even one coin less."
She paused, her fingertips digging deeply into her palm. "Not long ago in Syrup Village next door, just because one family couldn't gather enough money, the gang destroyed all the boats in the entire village and burned down most of the houses..."
At this point, Nojiko suddenly turned to Ryan. "Whatever you do, don't provoke them. They're not ordinary pirates. Fish-Men are much stronger than us humans, and they're ruthless. They'll kill over the smallest things..."
Her voice dropped even lower, almost whispering in his ear. "You're just a passing traveler. There's no need to get involved. After they leave, I'll take you to the village chief's house. Wait a couple of days for things to calm down, then leave quickly. Don't let them notice you..."
Ryan watched as Arlong kicked over a fruit stall outside and listened to the villagers' suppressed sobs of helpless anger. His mind was perfectly clear.
Humans oppressed Fish-Men, and Fish-Men took out their frustrations on weaker humans. This twisted cycle played out in every corner of the sea—ultimately just another variation of the strong bullying the weak.
Nojiko's profile was hidden in the shadows, her blue-gray eyes swirling with humiliation and anger. She bit her lip hard, refusing to make a single sound.
"How about we make a deal?" Ryan looked at her clenched fist and suddenly spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of casualness.
Nojiko turned her head sharply to look at him, her pupils contracting abruptly, her eyes filled with astonishment as if she hadn't expected this stranger to say such a thing at this moment.
"I'll help you deal with Arlong and his crew," Ryan's gaze slid from her tightly pressed lips to her slightly heaving chest, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth with undisguised appreciation: "You accompany me for a while, whether as a guide or simply as company. How about it?"
Nojiko was completely stunned, her blue-gray eyes filled with shock.
It wasn't the condition itself that shocked her, but that the other party dared to say something like "deal with Arlong and his crew" - that was the Fish-Man tyrant even the Marine branch would avoid confronting, whose hands were stained with the blood and tears of over a dozen villages. What made this sudden traveler think he could do it?
"You... do you know what you're saying?" Her voice trembled, her fingers unconsciously grabbing Ryan's sleeve: "They're Fish-Men, ten times stronger than ordinary people. Arlong's teeth can bite through steel..."
"I know." Ryan interrupted her, his tone calm: "But as I said, when traveling, one must have some skills to rely on."
He tapped the Wind Splitter at his waist with his finger, the cold gleam of the blade faintly visible beneath the dark purple cloth wrapping: "Besides - a beautiful woman like you is worth taking risks for."
That old bastard Golden Lion had said back in the laboratory, "There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want something, you have to offer an equivalent price in exchange."
The words might be crude, but the reasoning wasn't wrong. He was quite interested in Nojiko's outwardly soft but inwardly strong demeanor, and the price of exchange would naturally be herself - not particularly despicable, just an equivalent exchange where both get what they want.
Nothing more than a man's instinctual needs.
He was no longer the fool who would expend effort for empty kindness. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, sympathy was the cheapest thing.
As for those roundabout games... first dealing with Arlong's crew, then playing the hero to gradually get closer, using some step-by-step approach - he never had that kind of patience.
When there's a shortcut available, why take the long way around?
Of course, she could always shake her head and refuse. No one would force her.
Nojiko stared blankly at Ryan. From the moment they met, she had felt this man was unusual - that cloth-wrapped sword, that sharpness hidden beneath his gentle demeanor, and his calmness when mentioning "Cocoyasi Village" all seemed abnormal.
But she never imagined that behind this abnormality lay such astonishing confidence.
Outside came Arlong's arrogant roar: "Where's the money? All hidden away? Believe me, I'll tear your shabby village apart!" followed by the sound of splintering wood mixed with children's wails.
The villagers' cries grew closer, almost right at the alley entrance. Nojiko's nails nearly dug into the flesh of her palms, humiliation and anger burning her throat like fire, making her eyes sting.
She looked into Ryan's utterly calm eyes, which showed no hesitation, only absolute certainty.
Suddenly, she gritted her teeth as if making some resolute decision, her voice carrying the determination of someone burning their bridges: "Fine."
A single word, light as a sigh yet heavy as an oath.
"I promise you," her voice trembled, yet held an unwavering resolve. A desperate glint flashed in her blue-gray eyes. "As long as you can help us escape from Arlong's crew, I'll do anything."