OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

The stolen goods recovered from dismantling Arlong Park were evenly distributed among the nearby villages that had been exploited over the years.

The only member of the Arlong Pirates to survive intact, the octopus fishman Hachi—along with the corrupt Marine Nezumi and his 20 subordinates—was detained in the brig of a Marine Headquarters warship that had docked late at Cocoyasi Village.

Fullbody was also imprisoned with them.

The misunderstanding with Luffy's crew had been cleared up, and Rengoku received a hero's welcome in Cocoyasi Village for punishing not only the Arlong Pirates, but also the traitorous Marine, Nezumi.

After the overwhelming gratitude of the villagers, Rengoku was invited to Nojiko's house.

When he arrived, Luffy and his crew were already there.

There, Rengoku witnessed a tearful reconciliation between the foster sisters and was treated to a grand meal prepared by the troublesome cook from Baratie.

...

"Is this hygienic?"

"Ah! I scrubbed my hands with soap before cooking! And I didn't smoke at all until after the prep was done!"

Though it stung his pride a little to be questioned about hygiene before taste, Sanji managed to keep his temper in check. Of course, the fact that he was speaking to a Marine Vice Admiral also played a part.

"Mmm! Umai! (Delicious!)"

After his first bite of Sanji's food, Rengoku couldn't help but let out a sincere exclamation.

"Heh. Say what you will—when it comes to flavor, my cooking's second to none."

"Umai! Umai!"

With each spoonful, Rengoku cried out "Umai!" again and again, gradually putting everyone at ease.

People are naturally weak to familiarity. This isn't just about recognizing a friend in an enemy—sometimes, when someone's actions remind you of someone close, it softens your guard.

And in Rengoku's enthusiastic eating style, everyone saw traces of Luffy.

"Woohoo~ Just like I thought! This restaurant cook's the real deal!"

Of course, unlike Rengoku's neat and disciplined eating, Luffy was noisy and wildly messy.

"Sigh… He really is a Monkey D. Luffy, huh. Why does he eat like an actual monkey…"

Nami muttered under her breath as she watched Luffy devour his food.

"Monkey D.?"

Rengoku paused, setting down his spoon at the mention of Luffy's surname.

"Come to think of it, we haven't had a proper introduction. My name is Rengoku. And you are?"

"Roronoa Zoro. Though I think you've heard of me already."

"…Sanji. That's it."

"I'm Usopp!"

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy! The man who'll become King of the Pirates!"

"Hey! You can't just say that in front of a Marine Vice Admiral!"

Nami snapped at Luffy for his reckless declaration.

"Hahaha! It's fine! These days, it's rare—but there are still rookie pirates aiming for the One Piece."

Rengoku had already gotten a rough idea of who Luffy was.

Of all the people Rengoku knew, only two bore the special family name "Monkey D."

Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the Hero of the Marines and Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army.

Though he'd heard stories in his youth about Garp's "good-for-nothing grandson," this was the first time he was actually seeing him in person.

"So this guy really is Garp's biological grandson…"

Looking at the boy, Rengoku found himself comparing the two and letting various thoughts drift through his head. Then, shifting focus, he turned to Nami and asked:

"By the way, miss, what's your name?"

"Nami. I don't have a family name—I'm an orphan."

"An orphan? Could it be that I…"

"N-no! It's nothing like that! Bellmere-san just picked that name for me, that's all!"

Nami quickly cut off the possibility of any misunderstanding.

"Bellmere-san?"

"Yes, she's our mother—mine and Nami's," Nojiko answered as she brought over a tray of tea, noticing Rengoku's interest.

"If it weren't for Bellmere-san, neither of us would be here today."

She continued speaking as she poured the tea into cups.

"Bellmere-san was a Marine too—same as you. Her rank was Lieutenant Commander of a regional branch. And if it weren't for her, Nami and I would've been killed by the Arlong Pirates."

That name—Bellmere—sparked deeper interest in Rengoku.

"If it's alright with you… could you tell me more about her?"

"Of course. I don't mind at all."

With Arlong and his corrupt Marine accomplices now gone and peace restored to Cocoyasi Village, there was no reason to keep Bellmere's story hidden anymore.

"It was 18 years ago…"

Nojiko began recounting the story—how she and Nami first met Bellmere, how they were taken in as her foster daughters.

How the three of them lived after Bellmere retired from the Marines. How they struggled, laughed, and bonded while tending to their tangerine orchard.

How one day, Nami complained about having to wear hand-me-downs, and what kind of discipline Bellmere gave her in response.

Then came the Arlong Pirates' arrival at Cocoyasi Village. Nojiko explained how things quickly fell apart, how Arlong's crew imposed their brutal form of "taxation," and how the villagers suffered.

How Officer Genzo tried to help her and Nami escape—since they weren't officially registered as residents—and what Bellmere did instead.

And finally, how Bellmere sacrificed herself… and all that came after.

She even went on to explain Nami's reluctant enlistment into Arlong's crew.

Only after finishing the tale did Nojiko take a sip of her tea.

"Phew… I'm going to get some fresh air."

"I'll come with you," said Zoro, standing up.

"Ah—wait, I-I'm coming too!" Usopp chimed in.

Following Sanji's lead, both Zoro and Usopp stepped outside—the heavy atmosphere clearly weighing on them.

Luffy?

That idiot had long since stuffed himself full and passed out, snoring away with a satisfied belly.

"Here you are, Vice Admiral!"

Outside, Tashigi and Prinprin had arrived with hundreds of soldiers from Marine Headquarters and the 77th Branch, having just landed in Cocoyasi Village.

"Perfect timing. Nojiko, would you be willing to guide us to Bellmere-san's grave?"

"…Of course. This way."

"Everyone—fall in. We're heading out together."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

...

Bellmere's grave sat atop a hill with a wide, unobstructed view of the ocean.

And today, that hill was crowded—with her two foster daughters, around 300 Marine soldiers, one Vice Admiral, one Headquarters Lieutenant, and one Branch Brigadier all gathered to pay respects.

The grave itself was humble—nothing more than two wooden sticks bound together in a makeshift cross.

"Vice Admiral, this is…?" Tashigi asked softly.

Rengoku stepped forward and spoke.

"Here lies a Marine."

At those words, every Marine present instinctively straightened their backs.

"She was a foolish Marine."

"Wha…!"

Nami's emotions surged at the sudden insult, but she quickly bit her tongue as Nojiko gently raised her hand.

"She let her emotions override reason and passed up a chance to live. Though she had retired, once a Marine, always a Marine! As long as she lived, she had the means to contact Headquarters at any time!"

Rengoku's voice rang out—not with anger, but with conviction.

"And yet… she was also an exceptional Marine."

"The two children she chose to protect—though they left the sea—were just that. Children. To expect them to escape the clutches of grown, armed fishmen? Impossible. Especially with the local 16th Branch having been completely bought out. Her decision to sacrifice herself, to protect this village alone, was the greatest act of courage."

Then, without a word, Rengoku removed his Marine coat from his shoulders—and gently draped it over Bellmere's small, weather-worn grave.

"All personnel of Marine Headquarters and the 77th Branch—honor the memory of our fallen comrade, Retired Lieutenant Commander Bellmere, who gave her life for the people of Cocoyasi Village. Bow your heads in silence!"

The moment the order was given, all 300 Marines—including Rengoku himself—bowed their heads in solemn silence before the grave.

"At ease!"

Rengoku raised his head, then bowed deeply once more.

"Forgive us… for arriving eight years too late."

"Khh… hngh… sniff… sniffle…"

The only sounds that echoed across the breezy hilltop were the quiet, heartbroken sobs of Nami and Nojiko.

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