One Piece: Ero Saiyan

Inside a straw hut, Zoro sat cross-legged in a corner, eyes closed in deep meditation.

Given his usual level of concentration, no noise from Perospero—who was in the same room speaking loudly through a Den Den Mushi—should have been able to disturb him or break his focus.

But what Zoro couldn't ignore was the shocking content of the conversation. What Perospero was saying was beyond belief, to the point that Zoro opened his eyes multiple times, glancing toward him with both curiosity and suspicion.

"Hello, Katakuri, I have a problem here... I still haven't caught that boy.

But I did get an unexpected prize... I've captured Hawk-Eye, Mihawk, one of the Shichibukai."

"...Yeah, yeah, what did you say?! No need to capture him? You want me to return?!

Why? Is Mom disappointed in my progress and wants to punish me?"

"...Yeah... what?! You say Hawk-Eye was defeated by that boy?! Are you joking with me?!

...Alright, alright, I get it. I'll stay in the East Blue and gather more intel to confirm it."

"Hello, Umit? You have a fleet in the East Blue, right? Send a ship to pick me up.

Where am I? Not sure exactly, but I'm near the Baratie sea restaurant.

Yeah, yeah, all because of that damned tsunami."

"What? You say the tsunami was man-made?!

Are you kidding? I was there myself! That kind of disaster only happens if Whitebeard himself shows up. Who in the East Blue has that kind of power?!

There is no time to talk; just send someone right away. I'll pay you handsomely."

"Bro bro bro... Hello? Morgans? Yeah, I'm already in the East Blue.

No, I haven't met that person yet.

What?! Was the tsunami his doing? And it caused an earthquake that shook the entire East Blue?!

Is today April Fool's or what? Are you all messing with me?!"

Perospero ended his three calls, his face filled with shock and disbelief.

Zoro, having heard everything from beginning to end, could no longer sit still. He stood and approached him, asking with suspicion:

"Is it possible? That someone defeated Mihawk... and caused a quake that shook the East Blue? Can one person do that alone?"

"...I really... don't know how to explain it," Perospero muttered.

"If it were just a tsunami, then sure, Whitebeard could do that.

But a quake of that magnitude? Even Whitebeard in his prime, at full strength with his Devil Fruit powers, couldn't cover a quarter of the world like that.

And the East Blue... it represents about a quarter of the world's seas! Do you think that's possible?"

Zoro remained silent, staring in confusion at him, and Perospero returned the gaze.

The silence between them lasted a few moments before they both spoke in unison, oddly synchronized:

"A monster... we shouldn't provoke him."

Perospero let out a deep sigh, wiping the sweat from his brow, grateful that he hadn't confronted that person or done anything foolish.

Zoro, meanwhile, kept staring at the white scabbard of his sword, Wado Ichimonji, lost in thought.

He was shocked at himself.

Had he really felt fear? Had the mere mention of someone defeating his ultimate target made him hesitate?

Zoro felt ashamed.

"When did I become this weak? Did my ambition waver just because of a name?!

Do I really have what it takes to become the world's greatest swordsman?!"

Zoro recalled the battle between Mihawk and that person—a battle that ended with Mihawk unconscious to this day.

He sighed inwardly, silently apologizing to Luffy, then raised his head and turned to Perospero with a determined gaze:

"Perospero-san!"

"Hm?" Perospero looked at him, surprised.

He was shocked to see Zoro bowing at a 90-degree angle, speaking seriously:

"Please... take me to the Grand Line! Teach me how to become stronger!"

"Perorororo?!" Perospero exclaimed in disbelief, his trademark laugh slipping out unintentionally. But a moment later, a wide grin spread across his face, and he hurried to help Zoro stand, replying enthusiastically:

"I'll do my best! I won't let you down."

"Uncle..." Zoro muttered emotionally.

"Zoro-kun..." Perospero looked at him warmly, happy that his family had gained such a talented addition.

Thank goodness no one had witnessed this emotional moment, or scandalous rumors would've spread the next day!

Two more days passed...

Conomi Archipelago, the beautiful Cocoyashi Village.

It was morning, and most villagers were still asleep.

Suddenly, a group of Fishmen with varying colors and strange appearances rudely stormed into the village.

One of them knocked over a small table along the road. It was Chew, one of Arlong's pirate officers, known for his prominent lips. He shouted at the table's owner, who fell to the ground in fear:

"You! Who let you put a table here?!

Because I'm in a good mood today, pay an extra fifty thousand Berries, and I'll overlook this mistake!"

The man turned pale and collapsed at his feet, pleading and crying:

"Chew-sama, please, I have no money.

Everything I had went to pay the life tax. There's nothing left!"

"Who cares?!" Chew roared, kicking him hard and sending him flying five meters!

He laughed mockingly, then shouted:

"Steal, borrow, I don't care—but you must pay 150,000 Berries today!

Now go, gather the villagers in the square. Don't you see Arlong-sama is running out of patience?!

You humans are trash who don't understand order!"

As the vendor fled to alert the others, the Fishmen burst into laughter, mocking the weakness of humans.

Arlong laughed as well, sneering:

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I love these humans who bring us money. Why would I get mad over something so trivial?"

Chew scratched his head and chuckled:

"Hahaha, sorry Arlong-sama, but humans... they're just so funny, I can't resist provoking them."

Then the other Fishman officers—Hatchan, Kuroobi, and others—burst into laughter, as if humans existed solely for their amusement.

Then Arlong said seriously:

"Alright, let's enjoy the fruits of our labor! Once we gather the money, we'll throw a party and keep celebrating!"

"Party! Party!" the Fishmen cheered excitedly, surrounding him.

Arlong entered the village square with confident, arrogant strides, as the villagers reluctantly gathered.

Compared to the Fishmen's laughter, the villagers' faces were filled with sorrow and anxiety, whispering among themselves:

"I don't have enough money this month..."

"Me neither. I'm short by ten thousand. Can someone lend me some? I promise to repay in a week."

"Don't look at me, I barely scraped enough for myself. I haven't even dared marry all these years..."

Genzo, one of the villagers, sighed and told the man asking for help:

"I'll lend it to you, Toraeske. Understand this—everyone's going through hard times.

The tsunami and recent quake caused huge damage. Many lost their homes and now live with relatives."

Toraeske's eyes filled with tears as he grabbed Genzo's hand gratefully:

"Thank you... really. My boat sank in the storm, or else I wouldn't be short."

A moment of silence followed... Toraeske was known as one of the hardest-working fishermen in the village.

But the tsunami took everything. The boats were submerged, livelihoods gone. Even if they could pay this month, what about the next?

Suddenly, Arlong entered the square.

"Hey guys! It's been a month, how's it going?

You're my income source, so take care of yourselves—don't go dying on me, heh!"

"Hahahahaha!" The Fishmen laughed loudly.

The villagers watched them in fear, but in some of the younger ones' eyes, a spark of suppressed anger flickered.

"What's wrong? Why so quiet?"

Then he tilted his head like he was listening: "Ah, I get it—you're all excited to pay up, right?!

Such cooperative folks! Well then, I won't dampen your enthusiasm. Line up and pay what you owe!"

He ordered two of his subordinates to bring out a large sack to collect the money. Soon, the villagers began lining up, handing over what little money they had, silently and submissively...

In this suffocating atmosphere, no one dared resist. Even those whose eyes blazed with rage could only suppress their emotions... because the power gap was too great.

"Next!" shouted one of the Fishmen, shaking the large fabric sack that was slowly filling up.

The minutes dragged by, and with each person who stepped forward and handed over their money, the mood grew heavier.

But outside the line, a few people remained who hadn't stepped forward to join the queue. They clenched their teeth in silence, waiting till the end.

After everyone in line had paid, Arlong set aside the sack now containing 20 million Berries, then turned to those who hadn't paid.

"Haha, looks like some of you have issues with my orders."

He immediately stepped forward and dragged the three who hadn't paid out of the crowd.

They were an elderly woman in her sixties, a middle-aged man in his forties, and a young man in his twenties.

After being pulled forward, the old widow leapt toward Arlong with her frail body:

"Lord Arlong, please, please give me more time.

My husband went to another village to sell goods and hasn't returned yet. When he comes back, our family will have the money."

"Selling goods? He should know today is the monthly due date, why hasn't he returned earlier?"

"It was the tsunami that trapped him in the village. If you just give us a few more days, he'll return in time."

As the old woman pleaded, Arlong shook his head in mock sympathy:

"That tsunami sure caused a lot of trouble for you people, but you're just weak humans, and we aren't afraid of that damned wave."

Mocking another villager as usual, Arlong waved his hand and shoved the elderly woman aside:

"Fine, I'll let you go this time for the money. When your husband returns, bring 300,000 Berries to the base."

"300,000? Wasn't it 200,000?"

The elderly woman gasped in surprise, not understanding the extra 100,000.

In a flash, Arlong's eyes turned cold, and he bared his sharp teeth:

"Why? Isn't my time worth money?"

"No, no. 300,000. I'll pay it on time."

"I don't even know if my husband can earn that much this time. If he can't, I won't have many days left." After saying that, the old woman seemed to lose all strength and spirit.

After she returned to the villagers, Arlong turned his gaze to the two men again.

"What about you two? What's your excuse? Is it also the tsunami?"

One of Arlong's officers looked at the man whose legs were trembling in fear and suggested:

"Hmph, Brother Arlong, I think we should just kill them. Humans are full of lies and excuses."

"Heheh, don't say that. Oh, I'm too kind."

Suddenly, under the sinister gazes of the surrounding Fishmen, the villagers' eyes filled with tears from utter despair.

Like Toraeske, these two were fishermen, but their families' situations were even more complicated. They had lost not only their fishing boats but also their homes.

All the children had drowned.

Their surviving family members were still receiving treatment in the village clinic.

Under such continuous assault, they naturally couldn't even pay a single coin.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A compensation chapter for the past days.Don't forget to support us with stones as usual. Thank you!

1900 word~