Chapter 15 : Meeting Nojiko

Villagers began to gather cautiously, their murmurs rising as they tried to make sense of the situation.

An older man with a pinwheel hat and a scarred face stepped forward.

It was Genzo, the village elder, and a man fiercely protective of the people.

"Who are you, and what business do you have in Cocoyashi Village?" Genzo asked, his tone steady but wary.

His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, a clear warning that he was ready to defend his home.

Alex raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Relax, old man. We're not here to harm anyone."

"Then explain why a ship like that has docked here," Genzo said, nodding toward the Black Pearl.

"Pirates don't exactly have a reputation for peaceful visits."

The crowd murmured in agreement, their suspicion palpable.

Mothers pulled their children closer, and a few younger men brandished crude weapons, ready to defend their village.

Alex took a deep breath, glancing at Hancock, who stood beside him with an expression of mild disdain.

She had little patience for the paranoia of weaker people, but Alex had a different plan.

"Fair enough," Alex said calmly. "You don't trust me, and I can't blame you. Pirates have hurt this village before."

He took a step forward, his voice carrying over the murmurs. "But I'm not here to take anything from you. In fact, I'll prove to you that I mean no harm and more than that, I can protect this village better than anyone else ever could."

Without waiting for a response, Alex extended his hand toward a weathered old house on the edge of the village.

The roof sagged, the walls were cracked, and it looked ready to collapse at any moment. Closing his eyes, Alex willed his powers into action.

A shimmering light enveloped the houses, and before the villagers' eyes, it began to transform.

The roof straightened and regained its sturdy shape, the cracks in the walls sealed, and the faded paint became vibrant and fresh.

Within seconds, the houses looked as though they had been newly built.

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

Genzo's hand dropped from his sword, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What… what did you just do?"

"I fixed it," Alex said simply. "And I can do more. This village has been through a lot, hasn't it? Let me help you."

He gestured toward the tangerine grove on the outskirts of the village.

With a thought, the grove became lusher and greener, the tangerine trees bearing ripe, golden fruit that practically glowed in the sunlight.

The villagers stared in stunned silence. A few of them began to murmur again, but this time their voices carried awe instead of fear.

"I don't understand," Genzo said, his voice soft. "Why would you do this for us?"

"Because I'm looking for someone," Alex replied. "Someone who's important to me. Her name is Nojiko."

At the mention of Nojiko's name, the villagers stiffened again.

Genzo's expression grew guarded. "Why are you looking for her?"

"I want her to join my crew," Alex said bluntly.

Before Genzo could respond, Hancock stepped forward, her gaze sharp. "Do you doubt him? After what he's done for your village? Nojiko should consider it an honor to be invited by someone like Alex."

"Enough, Hancock," Alex said gently, placing a hand on her arm. He turned back to Genzo. "I just want to speak with her. That's all."

After a moment of hesitation, Genzo nodded. "Fine. She's at the grove."

Alex and Hancock made their way to the tangerine grove, leaving the astonished villagers behind.

The grove was beautiful, its scent filling the air as they walked between the rows of trees.

They found Nojiko near the edge of the grove, crouched beside a tree as she inspected its fruit.

Her blue hair shone in the sunlight, and her calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the village.

When she noticed them approaching, Nojiko straightened, her expression wary. "You're not from around here," she said, her tone steady but cautious.

"No, we're not," Alex replied. "But I've heard about you, Nojiko. You're strong, resourceful, and loyal. Everything I'm looking for in a crewmate."

Nojiko's eyes narrowed. "A crewmate? What makes you think I'd leave my home and join a pirate crew?"

Alex smiled. "Because you're not meant to stay here. You've done so much for this village, but you deserve more than a quiet life in a small town. I'm building a crew that will change the world, Nojiko. And I want you to be part of it."

Nojiko crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "That's a nice speech, but I'm not interested. My place is here."

Alex nodded, as if he had expected her resistance. He took a step closer, his voice softening. "I understand your hesitation. But let me show you something."

Reaching out with his powers, Alex gently touched Nojiko's mind. He didn't control her thoughts outright but instead planted a subtle sense of connection and trust.

To Nojiko, it felt like a wave of warmth washing over her, as if Alex were someone she had known her whole life someone important.

Nojiko blinked, her resolve faltering. She looked at Alex again, her skepticism melting into curiosity. "Why do I feel like, I can't say no to you?"

"Because you know I'm telling the truth," Alex said, his voice steady. "You know I'll protect this village, just like you have. And you know that if you join me, you'll finally have the chance to make a difference beyond this place."

Nojiko hesitated, glancing back at the grove and the village beyond. She felt torn, but the strange pull she felt toward Alex was undeniable.

"Fine," she said at last. "I'll hear you out. But if you break your promise to protect this village, I'll leave without a second thought."

Alex smiled. "That's all I ask."

Hancock watched the exchange silently, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She could see how Alex's charm and power had swayed Nojiko, just as it had swayed her.

As the three of them returned to the village, Alex paused and extended his powers once more, creating an invisible barrier around Cocoyashi Village.

It was a shield that would protect the village from harm, ensuring that Nojiko could leave without guilt or fear.

The villagers, now filled with gratitude and awe, waved them off as Alex, Hancock, and Nojiko boarded the Black Pearl.

The ship set sail once more, its crew growing stronger with each step of Alex's journey.

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