29. Conomi Island 2

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Since the battle was over, my Shadowkhans returned to me and brought the villagers, who, feeling safe, began to put out the houses that were still burning. True, there was no sense in this, since by the time I arrived, everything had been blazing for a long time and now only coals remained, but apparently many still had enough to save their homes. It's good that I arrived on time and not a single person had time to suffer, at least physically.

- Thanks for your help, young man. - coming up to me, said an elderly woman, who apparently was the head of the settlement.

- My pleasure. I just couldn't do it any other way. - I said honestly, tying both pirates just in case.

- I don't want to sound ungrateful, but you should leave the island as soon as possible. These fishmen were sent by Arlong, he is a very dangerous pirate and he will be furious when he finds out what happened here. You may be strong, but Arlong has a whole team of fishmen, as well as connections to the Marines. As long as there is time, you can avoid his pursuit. - said the old woman, looking at me seriously.

- You understand that if I leave now, all the wrath of this pirate will be directed at you? - I asked, calling the Shadowkhans away, which pretty much surprised the old woman, although she tried not to show it.

- Our village was already doomed the moment we refused to pay tribute. We knew what the consequences of this decision would be, so it won't change anything. We have already come to terms with the fact that this day will be the last in our lives. But, we would not want someone else to suffer because of our decision. - the old woman said with a sigh.

- Your cup of patience overflowed? - I asked curiously.

- You can say that. The past five years have been horrendous, but unitedly, we managed to cope with the exorbitant demands of the pirates, because we knew that there was practically no chance of getting out from under the yoke of Arlong.

Unfortunately, the day came when the mine, which was our main source of income, was depleted. Without money from the sale of iron, some of us could not pay tribute, and for them it meant one thing - death at the hands of Arlong's gang. - old woman decided to confess.

- I understand that this alignment did not suit you? - I asked.

- Right. To be honest, we just couldn't watch how our compatriots die just because of the impossibility of paying off. We were all ready to help with everything we could, but this is also not a long-term solution, since we understood that sooner or later the end would come to all of us, and there was no place to wait for help from. - The woman said with bitterness in her voice.

- It's sucks… - I said sympathetically, finally fully realizing how dire the situation this island was in because of Arlong.

- Since we simply don't have options from where we can get money in the next month without sacrificing twenty families, we decided that there was no point in waiting and just decided to surrender to fate, after doing the only thing we could. We took care of the safety of our children. - the old lady added.

- Now I understand why I haven't seen anyone under twenty. You have hidden everything. - I guessed.

- Right. We knew it, that if we all hide, the fishmen will definitely not stop and will look for us, but by staying here and sacrificing ourselves, we could at least make sure that our younger generation has at least a chance to continue existing. At least with all the savings we left them. - said the woman with whom we managed to sit on the bench.

- You know, you have a beautiful village. And admirable residents. Not everyone would be willing to do something like that. - I said impressed as I watched all these brave people work together to stop the fire.

- Hehe, thanks, that's good to hear. But, now you understand our situation, so if you can't deal with Arlong today, then you better leave so as not to get hurt. And we will fulfill our parental duty and stay here. - lady said confidently.

- Okay, enough to pity. I've already arrived on the island to capture Arlong, so no more playing on my feelings of justice and compassion. - I said with a smirk, glancing at the two-faced old woman.

- Oh, so you understand everything. What a surprise. - the old woman said without the slightest shame, the aura around which changed from harmless to more confident.

- I already met an old man who tried to manipulate me for his own purposes, so I am always on my guard now. Although, what is strange is that you never lied to me. - I said, having managed to check this elderly lady with the help of telepathy.

- There was no point in that, since the truth is already harsh enough to cause compassion, which is what I wanted to achieve from the very beginning. - said a woman named Umaru, who was a mountain bandit in the past, with a sly smile, as it transpired from her mind.

- And why was all this necessary? - I asked with a sigh. For some reason, two-faced old people began to meet me too often....

- I wanted to see your reaction and make sure that you are the one who can help us. We already screwed up once in the past when we turned to the Marines for help, who turned out to be bribed by Arlong and it cost my son's life. - Umaru said with pain in her voice.

- Was there any point in that? I literally just beat up two of Arlong's subordinates. - I asked curiously, trying to find logic in her reasoning.

- It could be a performance for us. We cannot take risks, because the future of our children is at stake. Although, now I am convinced that you are a good guy and helped us out of the kindness of your soul, albeit with greedy motives that do not concern us. For me, the main thing is that you are strong enough, to deal with Arlong without profiting from our plight. - Umaru-san replied.

- What insight, but… - I involuntarily said, and then asked: - And why would anyone put on such a show?

- Because one of our hunters recently found it. - Umaru said cryptically.

- Oh, and what is it? - I asked, interested, having already learned the answer, but you have to play by the rules.

- Answer me honestly first. Are you sure you can defeat Arlong and stop his tyranny over this island? - Umaru asked seriously, looking into my eyes.

- No problem. Otherwise, I did not come to this island. By the end of this day, you will all be free. - I said confidently, looking into the eyes of a woman who had already suffered enough at the hands of the fishmen.

- Okey. I will trust you. I hope so it will be. - Umaru said with a sigh, and then added, taking out a red fruit from his robes: - I think this will serve as an additional motivation and reward for you.

- Devil Fruit, Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Raven. Valuable item. I think Arlong could destroy your village or something worse for this. - I said, taking in my hand a mango with black curls, which allowed me to turn into a crow-man. The description of this fruit was in the Encyclopedia I bought from Gin.

- Yes, I'm afraid if we tried to sell it, Arlong would visit us at the same second. Therefore, we hid it, because we knew that it would only bring one misfortune, and even if one of us ate it, it would be of little use, given the level of Arlong's powers. - said Umaru, who had seen a lot in her life, despite the fact that she was weak even by the standards of this sea.

- Are you sure you want to give it to me? You know he's worth at least 100,000,000 belly. And considering that this is one of the few fruits that gives the ability to fly, its price can skyrocket. When Arlong disappears, you can easily sell it. You didn't even need to show the fruit, I'd have gone broke with the pirates anyway. - To be sure, I asked.

- I know, but I also fully understand that this fruit could attract the attention of someone as dangerous as Arlong. We have already suffered so much and all we want now is peace and quiet. Take this fruit and do your thing. - Umaru-san said sternly.

- Okay, I understand your position. But, thanks for the fruit anyway, it will come in handy for me. - I said as I sent the Tori Tori no Mi into an interdimensional ring towards my other Devil Fruit. Less than a month has passed since the beginning of the journey, and I received another fruit. My luck, as always, is on top.

- Well, that's nice. Go and destroy this bastard's team. And can you fulfill the last request of this old woman? - Umaru asked, with an evil gleam in her eyes.

- What? - I asked, already guessing what a woman who had lost her son might ask.

-Don't kill Arlong. I want him to live but regretted it. Make him suffer. - the old woman asked with a bloodthirsty grin.

- Okay. - I calmly said, as I originally planned to do this.

Faced with the consequences of this little fish's actions, I just can't help it. Bobby may be right that I love playing the hero, but it's hard to hold back when faced with this kind of senseless brutality.

Since I have the ability to stop this, I just can't forgive myself if I don't do something. Most likely, these are the remnants of humanity left over from the old world, but I don't think it's bad. I'd rather be conscientious and kind-hearted than a heartless bastard like the same Arlong.

By becoming like this, I will lose the real me, which I would never want. Maybe it's stupid, but that's just me...

Although, this does not mean that I am a knight in golden armor, ready to forgive my enemies and give them a second chance. I'm not a fool. I perfectly understand the rules of this world, and when the situation calls for it, I will do whatever is necessary. I already proved it by brainwashing Nelson.

For me, there is nothing more important than my own good and the good of people close to me, if necessary, I will easily destroy my opponents without even giving them a chance. Simply, I do not welcome senseless cruelty that will not bring me any profit. I consider myself a good person, but if the strings of my soul are touched, then this is a completely different matter.

I'm really angry right now and soon, Arlong will be in a lot of pain. And maybe it will even bring me some pleasure...

- Thank you. - Umaru said, returning a harmless smile to her face, feeling satisfied that her son would soon be avenged.

- In this case, I have to go. Wait for good news. - I said, putting Kuroobi and Shiyaoki on my shoulder. Don't leave them here.

- Good luck. - finally, the old woman went to her fellow villagers, who tried to pretend that they were diligently busy, after that they finished putting out the fires, although it is clear that they were eavesdropping on us.

'Eh, I hope they really get better once I get rid of Arlong….' - I thought as I looked at the fifty grubby men and women who looked hopefully as I left their village, of which there was almost nothing left but the name. All this is sad...

When I was out of sight, I took out my motorcycle and, attaching two fishmen to it, went to the Cocoyashi village, which is located in the northwest of the island, on the seashore, one hundred and fifty kilometers from here.

Gaining decent speed I took out my pocket den den mushi and called Bobby (unfortunately, can't call those cute snails on my smartphone), who also had to finish her part, given that the second puff of smoke was also out of sight.

- [Are you done with the fishmen too?] - Bobby asked without a greeting.

- Yes, I'm already on my way to Cocoyashi. How did it go for you? & I asked, shouting over the wind.

- [I think our situation is the same. I arrived just in time for the two pirates to finish ravaging the village and were about to take on the villagers, but I intervened just in time. Despite all the ranting, these guys turned out to be rather weak, although due to the fact that there was a lake nearby, it took a lot of work to smoke out one of the fish that tried to hide at the bottom when it realized that it could not defeat me. Fortunately, there are enough missiles on the Quidjet. ] - said Bobby, who seemed to have a more interesting battle than me.

- I hope you did everything secretly? I don't want to spread rumors about our unusual ship. - I asked to be sure.

- [Don't worry, everything was done in the best possible way. I moved the battle aside so that there were no unnecessary witnesses, and the Oracle attacked from the blind zone, under invisibility, so that the inhabitants only heard the explosion and nothing more.] - The robot girl said confidently.

- This is good. So who exactly did you get? - I asked curiously.

- [A fishman with dove skin and stupid lips. He was still spitting all the time. And the second one was with maracas, which I used to beat him up because he got on my nerves.] - Bobby replied nonchalantly.

- Chu and Pisaro, if I'm not mistaken. Okay, that means Arlong himself and Hatchan are left. Only they pose any threat. Two more and a sea cow can be ignored. - I said, turning off the road to close the distance.

- [Can you manage on your own? To be honest, I won't be able to leave, leaving this village to fend for itself. I want to do anything to help them. At the very least help the victims and clear the rubble.] - Bobby asked earnestly.

'Still, I raised her to be a good robot.' - I thought with a little pride, realizing that my T-1000 is much more humane than many ordinary people.

- Ok, I do not mind. I already wanted to deal with Arlong myself, your help is not required. I will ask the people of Cocoyashi to send aid to the villages. I don't think they can refuse their savior. Just don't forget to take the pirates with you when you return. - I said.

- [No problem.] - the girl said happily.

- By the way, I have a surprise for you. I think I found a suitable Devil Fruit for you. Although, it will be necessary to check if you can get his power. - I said with a grin.

- [Truth? Now I'm curious.] - Bobby said with interest.

- Then let's see when it's all over. I'll call when I'm done sacking Arlong Park. - I said as I returned to the road.

- [I think I'll be done with everything here by then. Good luck.] - Bobby said and hung up.

Putting the dormant snail in my pocket, I stepped on the gas and accelerated even more to get to Cocoyashi village before Arlong found out that something had happened to his teammates. I'm afraid in that case, he might do something stupid. And I really don't want that...