Preparations for a Party.

We followed Nojiko back to her house in the Cocoyasi village. On the way there, Nojiko and I caught up with each other as we talked a little about the past 8 years. I told Nojiko that I'd just started my pirate journey and Noelle here was my crewmate and sniper. Nojiko on the other hand was a little restraint, giving me just a brief overview on the tyranny of the Arlong pirates.

Soon we arrived at the tangerine farms that was farmed by Bellemere and Nojiko.

"So here we are… This is my home everyone."

Nojiko sighed and led us in and served some tea and tangerine pieces.

"Thanks for saving us back there Nojiko… the Fishman would have definitely attacked us without you."

While I wasn't worried about the fishman being able to harm me, I didn't want to be the one to have a war with Arlong.

"Whew… I'm glad you're smart and understand everything Cross. You don't need to say thanks and just take this as a warning… Arlong pirates can't be messed with!"

Nojiko warned us sternly. While I nodded to her words, Noelle and Chabo didn't seem to take her words too seriously.

"Wow… these tangerines are great! I've never had such good ones before!"

Noelle was more focused into eating the tangerine provided to her.

"Oh, thank you! I'll get you some more now." Nojiko said, her smile genuine from being flattered about her tangerines.

"Don't bother, I have more."

Noelle went on to steal the tangerines kept on my plate. This annoyed me, making me steal them back from her. Then we both forgot about the tangerines and started fighting each other…

Nojiko just giggled at the scene until her expression became stern again when she saw Chabo.

"Well these people may be outsiders… but you're from Gosa village, right? You should understand that pissing off the Fishmen is a one-way ticket towards the afterlife."

"I know, But…! But the killed my dad! I won't forgive them even if I die. The brought a huge cow monster and pillaged and destroyed my entire village, killing many people."

Chabo clenched his jaw from just recounting this tragedy. Then, he continued, "I went to Arlong Pirates too, but some female member stopped me at the door. That Witch! I want to kill her!"

Nojiko's and my eyes blinked when we heard about the female pirate. It was clearly Nami, who'd joined the Arlong pirates to save the Cocoyasi village. I thrusted Noelle, who was biting my arm and growling at me, to the side.

Nojiko got up from her chair before I could interject, and she said, "Then go ahead and die. That will be your sweet revenge if you try stuff like this again… Thanks to me and that female… you've already narrowly survived twice. Get out of the house once you're done with the tea… naïve brat rushing to his death!"

Unlike Nojiko's usual indifferent voice, her voice was loud with emotions in it. She started walking back to her room, away from Chabo.

Chabo pinched his lips in anguish and had tears roll from his eyes.

"Mwah ha ha… Don't take her words the wrong way brat, she just wants you to live. In fact, I'm fan of your revenge plan, but it can use many changes."

I went up to him and put my hands on his shoulder to comfort him.

"Uuu… W-what am I supposed to do then…?"

Chabo asked, his eyes still teary.

'Like hell would I know what advice to give… Straw-hats would solve 90% of his problems anyway. I should just bullshit something and maybe I can score some points with the cute Nojiko,' I sweated a little while making direct eye-contact with Chabo.

"Is your mom alive kid?"

"Yes…"

"Go home and give her a hug…! Also, train your body and one day you may be strong enough to defeat every tyrant like Arlong on your own!"

Later the boy left after hearing my bullshit advice. I was a little worried since I could see some newfound determination in his face. Fortunately, Nojiko seemed satisfied and we continued our conversation.

"Nojiko… you seemed to have gotten way prettier and nicer. Do you think I could take you back as my wife?"

"Ha ha ha… Not happening Cross. And would you like a wife with tattoos anyway?"

"Those tattoos are so pretty! You look so cute with them!" Noelle chimed in and enthusiastically provided her opinion.

I didn't understand people's hatred with tattoos. It probably had something to do with Japanese culture that carried into Oda's One Piece universe.

"Yup, I totally dig the tattoos Nojiko! Also, where is Bellemere-san?"

"Oh, she's with Genzo now and works at the village centre. We've barely been able to keep everyone alive with hard effort and the money you left behind so far."

We conversed for a few more hours before deciding to get a move on. Nojiko was a little surprised how I knew almost everything about Arlong Pirates, but I still returned to the Conomi Islands.

Afterwards, Nojiko dropped us off to Bellemere and Genzo at the village centre.

"I see young man… I'll get some people to help you move in again. It's nice to have you back."

Genzo had a sad smile on his face, believing that I made a terrible mistake by coming back.

It wasn't possible for me to inform him that his village will be free soon, particularly after everyone witnessed the recent destruction of the Gosa village.

'Sigh… It's going to be pretty boring if I stay here for a week and not do anything fun… hmmm let's see whether this village is down to party… and if Nojiko can come'

"Thank you, Sheriff… and one more thing… If I want to host a party with booze and food for everyone in the village, would people even show up with how grim things are."

"Ha ha… Cross, things are hard, but we aren't completely depressed yet. It's just we barely have money to survive, so we can't party."

Bellemere said, her expression a little down because of the village's suffering.

"Yeah, it's just that with the tributes and all the extra costs of trade taxes taken by Arlong, no one's willing to fork out so much money for village-wide celebrations…." Genzo added.

Thudd… I prepared a large bag with at least 1 million Berrys and threw it in front of Genzo.

…

…

Genzo's and Bellemere's eyes widened. They wanted to reject so much money, but I insisted that the village deserved to have fun. I especially informed Bellemere that I would love to see Nojiko there.

After making all the preparations for tonight, we were about to head on to my home when…

"Cross, is this very pretty girl, Noelle, your lover? Nami would be pretty sad you know."

Bellemere teased me with a sly smile. I had to make sure they didn't get the wrong idea for my future chances with the Nami and Nojiko sisters.

"Mwah ha… What a joke! No, Noelle is just a cr-"

Suddenly, Noelle's body started trembling. She put her hands on her cheeks and she said, "Cross is not my lover… b-but he w-would force me every n-night…"

"Whattt!" All 3 of us yelled at Noelle's words.

"H-He would force me to do these h-horrible things. H-He'd tear my clothes…"

What the hell was she talking about?! 'This lying bitch,' I clenched my jaw. I had to explain my innocence before this demon's plot worked.

"Bellemere-san and Sheriff, she's spouting nonsense! Don't list-"

"Shut your mouth…! This is a low even for a bandit like you."

"Don't worry Noelle. You can stay with Nojiko and me at our house tonight… away from this bastard!"

Genzo and Bellemere bared their teeth at me and went to Noelle to comfort her. Just like this, I and Noelle got separated for the day. I took an oath to myself to bring Noelle to justice one day.