After walking through the trees, Miku and Yamato finally stopped in front of a row of shabby little houses.
Smoker narrowed his eyes, looking at a village that seemed dead.
"Is this the village?"
"Yes," Miku answered as she stepped in.
And as they entered the village— Tashigi held her breath.
Villagers lay on the ground—old and young, even children. Some were still breathing weakly; they were all unconscious.
"Hey! Are you okay?" Tashigi knelt quickly, checking a child lying motionless.
Before her panic grew, Miku tapped her shoulder from behind.
"Calm down. The poison in their bodies has been removed. The effect just knocked them out," Miku soothed.
Yamato added while scanning the village,
"Our people have treated them, but the villagers still need care."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps clacking came from the side.
Smoker, Tashigi, and the marines tensed reflexively.
"Yamato, Miku, are they the ones you picked up?"
The voice was calm but deep.
Smoker turned— and saw another group emerging between the houses, led by a hooded figure whose face was hidden; the person's aura was different—noble, but unlike any nobility Smoker had seen before.
"Oh, Captain. They're here!" Yamato ran over to Yuuto.
Smoker studied the hooded figure from head to toe.
"Are you leading this group?" Smoker finally asked.
The figure nodded.
"Yes. Sorry to call you here. We're short-handed to help this village."
Then he extended his hand.
"My name is Yuuto Kido."
Smoker eyed the hand for a moment—then shook it.
"Smoker."
The grip was firm.
"So… can you explain the situation here?" Smoker asked, still wary.
Yuuto glanced briefly toward the largest house in the center of the village.
"If you want full details, ask the village elder. He's awake in the village hall." Yuuto shrugged lightly. "Actually, I haven't asked him yet either."
"All right. I'll come with you," Smoker said.
But before they moved, he looked at his men…
They had frozen, staring at Belfast, Irene, and Lady Avalon who were helping the villagers—looking beautiful, elegant, and utterly out of place in this world.
The marines' faces flushed. Some were awkward, some dazed.
Smoker snorted.
"And you bastards—TAKE CARE OF THEM!" he barked.
"Y-yes!!" The marines scattered, busy aiding villagers while still sneaking glances at the women.
"Tashigi, you come with me."
"Yes, Captain." Tashigi rose and followed.
Yuuto signaled to his group, and they began walking toward the village hall where the elder waited.
---
The village hall was simple: worn pandan mats, wooden walls cracking, and a faint scent of herbal medicine. Yuuto, Smoker, and Tashigi sat cross-legged. Before them, the thin-bodied village elder sat with some young villagers.
The tension hung like a thin smoke.
"So… the island's ruler got angry because his gold was stolen?" Smoker opened the conversation.
The elder nodded slowly.
"Just as I said. The ruler of this island has lived for centuries and he… loves gold."
The youths behind him seemed to be holding back something—anger? fear? unclear.
"Last night, while the ruler slept, a group of thieves broke into the temple. They stole the offering gold. When the ruler noticed the loss… he raged, and his wrath covered the entire island."
Yuuto leaned forward, serious. "Does the ruler have a physical form? If so, what does it look like?"
The elder didn't hesitate. "He takes the form of a huge serpent… very large. Its scales are purple."
Lady Avalon's eyes narrowed slightly; her voice sounded sarcastic. "Heh… so someone's pretending to be a god, huh."
The elder turned a sharp look. "Watch your words, miss. Even though you saved this island… you are not exempt from the ruler's wrath. You… could be cursed."
Kuroneko automatically hid behind Yuuto, grabbing his shirt.
"C-curse…?"
Lady Avalon only smiled calmly, unfazed.
"A curse, huh? I'll be waiting."
Her confident aura made the young villagers exchange confused looks.
---
Irene looked at the elder coldly.
"Has the ruler ever given you anything?"
The elder smiled faintly, like someone worshipping.
"Yes. The ruler has blessed and protected us from the dangers of the sea. Without him… we would be dead long ago."
His tone was full of fanaticism.
Kuroneko muttered from behind Yuuto:
"Oh no… this is heavy… high-level fanaticism…"
But Yuuto noticed something interesting: the youths behind the elder clenched their fists; their faces showed disagreement—hidden anger when the elder praised the "ruler."
That was enough for Yuuto to make a mental note.
Tashigi, who had been silent, whispered nervously,
"What do we do, Captain Smoker?"
Smoker sighed and looked at the elder, the village, and Yuuto's crew.
"Let's assess the situation first," he said at last.
Tashigi nodded, tense.
---
Evening fell slowly; orange light split through the trees and the old village rooftops.
Yuuto and Smoker walked out of the village hall; they stepped away from the village.
Smoker lit a new cigarette, white smoke rising.
"What do you think?" he asked without looking back.
Yuuto raised an eyebrow. "Why ask me? You're Navy, right?"
Smoker exhaled a long plume.
"I want your opinion. Will you get involved with this village and its ruler?"
"C-captain! Are you going to involve civilians?" Tashigi cried, alarmed.
Smoker turned—and tapped Tashigi's head. "Idiot."
"What the—!" Tashigi pouted, holding her head.
Yuuto didn't answer. He just looked elsewhere, because from a distance a group of young villagers was hastening toward them.
Irene watched them sharply. "What's their business?"
The youths stopped directly in front of the Tree of Life group and Smoker and Tashigi.
Then without warning—
They all prostrated.
"Please save this village!" their leader cried.
Smoker, Tashigi, Kuroneko, even Miku were surprised to see them bow so low.
Miku hurried forward. "What's wrong with you? Stand up!"
But they shook their heads violently.
"We beg you… kill that monster!"
Tashigi gaped. "M-monster? You mean… the island ruler? Isn't he considered a god by these people?"
"No! He's not a god!" one of them shouted. "He's just a monster the elders worship!"
"That monster has no reason—it's only interested in human flesh and gold," said the youth at the back.
"That monster has eaten our families," another added.
There was anger, fear, and despair in their voices.
Kuroneko tugged Yuuto's sleeve softly. "What do we do, Yuuto…?"
Yuuto stepped forward without hesitation.
He stopped right in front of the young men still kneeling. His voice was low but firm.
"Stand."
They shook their heads.
"We won't stand until you help us!"
Yuuto bowed, grabbed the leader's nape, and lifted his head easily.
"You're men! You must not bow your heads so easily! You are the future leaders of this village! Show some pride!"
Those words echoed, shaking the chests of all who heard them.
The youths lifted their heads—their eyes trembling, but a small flame rekindled. One by one they stood.
Yuuto released their leader and turned.
"As for the monster… relax."
"Y-you'll help us?" the leader asked, voice shaking.
Yuuto didn't answer directly. He took a step and said,
"Heat your stoves. Tonight we feast on serpent meat."
The youths were stunned—then glanced at each other and ran back to the village with hopeful faces.
Irene watched all this; she stayed silent but a small admiration grew inside her.
"Yay—we'll have a big meal tonight," Yamato said.
"But maybe the snake is poisonous?" Miku asked.
"Leave everything to Yuuto for that problem," Kuroneko said.
"I'm curious whether that serpent is an experiment or an evolutionary creature," Lady Avalon mused.
Belfast stayed silent, following along.
Smoker and Tashigi remained silent for a few seconds before Smoker exhaled a harsh plume.
"Looks like the answer's clear."
He started walking after Yuuto.
"Tashigi! Order some men back to the ship; have them stand by there. Make sure all cannons are ready."
"Yes, Captain!" Tashigi ran off.
The group moved forward—Smoker, Yuuto, and behind them the entire Tree of Life crew stepping in silence.
As they walked, Smoker's cloak fluttered with the word JUSTICE on it; he asked,
"Do you need assistance?"
Yuuto smiled faintly. "No. Just make sure no one disturbs my fight."
Smoker raised an eyebrow. "You're confident. You sure about your strength?"
"If I didn't trust my power, someone might be disappointed."
Smoker chuckled. "That serpent must be huge, judging from the temple's external size."
Yuuto looked ahead, eyes full of conviction.
"Don't worry. I've fought foes far larger than that."
Smoker regarded him for a moment. "Oh? You've fought giants?"
Yuuto just smiled.
And they all walked toward the temple of the island's ruler, the evening wind carrying the scent of an approaching fight.