The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

A clear conclusion flashed through my mind like lightning!

"Damn it! The timelines have clashed!"

Based on this timeline, if Ah Long had already arrived in the East China Sea and begun establishing the so-called "Ah Long Paradise"...

At this moment, Orange Town is probably in dire straits!

Bellemere and those two children...

Gern's eyes suddenly sharpened

He had originally planned to leisurely inquire about the route and walk there slowly, but now it seemed that the situation might be far more urgent than he had imagined.

"Tsk, troublesome," he muttered, no longer hesitating.

The next moment, the air around him vibrated slightly, and high-frequency vibrating particles instantly enveloped his entire body.

"Shockwave!"

"Buzz!" Gern's figure vanished from the deserted fishing port in an instant, leaving only a faint ripple in space that slowly spread.

To save time, he used his ability to move at high speed, heading towards the general direction of Orange Town from his memory, transforming into a streak of light that was difficult to detect with the naked eye.

"Hopefully... it's not too late!"

.........

As for why Gern didn't deal with Arlong directly on Fishman Island, it's precisely because Fisher Tiger had been dead for less than a year, and you were already targeting his sworn brother.

Even Jinbe wanted to become a Shichibukai in order to release Arlong and secure his position and prestige among the fish-men of Fishman Island.

It's easy to imagine how high Tiger's image and reputation are among the fishmen of Fishman Island!

Furthermore, given that Fishman Island serves as a crucial strategic stronghold and source of funding for Gern, maintaining stability and cultivating an enlightened image are far more important than seeking momentary pleasure.

After all, maintaining a good image is the foundation of stable rule.

Besides, there are quite a few fishmen in Fishman Island's Fishman Street who idolize Tiger, so we can't just kill them all, can we?

It's not the major chaos that's scary, but the minor chaos that's hard to prevent!

The real problem is when people's hearts are in turmoil! I can't just keep staring at Fishman Island forever, can I?

Originally, Gern intended to follow Arlong's original destiny and, once Arlong left Fishman Island and began committing evil deeds, to eliminate him in a just cause as soon as possible.

Unexpectedly, their timelines have now collided!

Chapter 375 'Justice' has arrived.

Meanwhile, in Cocosia Village and Orange Town.

The air was thick with the stench of blood, and the entire town was deathly silent.

Gern's figure coalesced in the dim light and appeared at the entrance of the town.

The scene before him confirmed his worst fears.

Because a properly functioning, vibrant village or town should never look like this.

The streets were deserted, and every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, like a dead zone.

Even more shocking was the sight of numerous still-warm corpses lying prostrate at the doorsteps of many homes!

Men, women, young and old—they lay in pools of blood, the yellow earth beneath them stained dark red, bullet holes and wounds from sharp blades clearly visible.

It's the Arlong Pirates.

They are forcibly collecting so-called "protection fees" in an attempt to use the money to build their twisted "fishman paradise" on this land.

The fee is calculated per person!

Villagers who cannot pay will face only one fate—death!

Just as Gern stood there, his gaze cold as he witnessed the horrific scene before him

Hey! Out-of-towner!

Some villagers from Orange Town, who were hiding behind windows or in corners, shivering as they observed the situation outside, noticed this unfamiliar stranger.

Several bolder villagers cautiously approached, their faces filled with fear and anxiety, and urged in low voices, "Outsiders! Go! Get out of here!"

"Those fishmen...those monsters are collecting money. If you don't pay, you'll be killed!"

"You're too conspicuous here as an outsider; they'll spot you and kill you! Run!"

They themselves are barely able to take care of themselves, yet they are still worried about the safety of a stranger.

Gern listened silently to the villagers' advice, without saying a word, and simply took off the inconspicuous little bundle that he always carried with him.

Under the puzzled and anxious gazes of the surrounding villagers, he raised his arm.

"Whoosh—!" A huge cloak, pure white and flawless, made of heavy material, with the powerful characters for "Justice" embroidered on the back.

Like an unfurled flag, it fluttered and waved behind him in the wind!

When that dazzling, pure white, and those two weighty words came into view...

All the villagers in Orange Town who witnessed this scene were frozen in place, as if they had been struck by a spell.

Immediately afterwards, their eyes reddened, and the fear, despair, humiliation and sorrow that had been building up for so long seemed to find an outlet at this moment.

Everyone bit their lips hard to stop themselves from crying out, but hot tears welled up uncontrollably and slid down their dirty cheeks.

navy……

The navy has arrived!

The navy, bearing the banner of "justice," has arrived!!

In that abyss of despair, this ray of white tore through the darkness, bringing a long-awaited yet incredibly real hope!

Gern donned his cloak, his gaze sweeping across the deathly silent streets like a cold blade, fixed on the town center.

There, the arrogant laughter of the fishmen and the wails of the villagers could be faintly heard.

Seeing the villagers weeping in despair at the sight of that white cloth, Gern understood.

He knew all too well the reason behind it.

"Does the nearby East Blue 16th Marine Branch not know that the Arlong Pirates are wreaking havoc here?"

"Didn't Jian, the town police officer of Orange Town, try to contact them for help?"

"Would Bellemere, a retired naval officer, have absolutely no connection to the nearby bases?"

The answer is yes. They must have asked for help, desperately asked for help.

But it didn't work.

This is the East China Sea, jokingly referred to as the "weakest sea".

The average strength of the 16th Marine Division here is far too weak compared to Arlong's crew from the Grand Line.

The navy personnel who came to investigate or even attempt to intervene have likely already been killed by Arlong and his men.

Or perhaps the branch's base leader is already dead.

Especially under the absolute disparity in strength and the bloody suppression, the fragile communication and assistance channels were completely cut off.

This is the real reason why the villagers of Cocosia Village have fallen into despair.

They were completely isolated by violence and fear, unable to even send out their last cry for help.

They could only wait in this blood-soaked town for death to come at any moment, or humiliatingly collect the "head tax" to buy their lives.

As for the later-appointed Colonel Rat, who colluded with Ah Long...

That completely extinguished the last glimmer of hope, turning this land into a corner forgotten by "justice".

It was because I had experienced having nowhere to turn for help, witnessed the brutal murder of the navy personnel who came to my aid, and felt the despair of being completely abandoned by the world...

So at that moment, when Gern put on the pure white cloak embroidered with the word "Justice," he represented more than just a powerful individual to these villagers.

He represents the order and protection symbolized by the vast organization that is the Navy!

He was the most direct and necessary ray of light that suddenly appeared in the boundless darkness!

Don't underestimate the image and influence of the Marines in the hearts of ordinary civilians in the world of One Piece.

There may be scoundrels and parasites within justice, and there may be rotten parts in the system.

But when true despair descends, when homes are destroyed, loved ones are murdered, and there is nowhere to turn for help...

Rather than hoping that Luffy, the Straw Hat Pirate, will happen to pass by your island...

The nearby naval branch, which theoretically exists and should uphold justice, was their most instinctive, realistic, and once only glimmer of hope.

Although this glimmer of hope had been dashed, when it reappeared with such strength and undeniable authority...

The emotional impact it brought was unparalleled by anything else.

Gern could feel the heavy expectations in the eyes of those behind him.

He didn't look back, nor did he look at the weeping villagers. He simply strode forward, steady and resolute, toward the source of bloodshed and evil.

With each step taken, the white "justice" cloak fluttered in the wind, as if silently proclaiming...

Justice has come, and judgment is imminent.

……

[Salted Fish's comment: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone! Wishing you and your families happiness! Also, after Cocoyasi ends, the timeline will jump directly into the main anime storyline, which is Luffy and his crew's storyline!]

Chapter 376 Is this the pride you brought from Fishman Island?

Cocoyasi Village, Orange Orchard, in front of Bellemere's house.

The fishmen of the Arlong Pirates have surrounded this place.

Ah Long, who was in the lead, twitched his jagged nose and wore a mocking expression.

He then bit off the rifle that Bellemere had pressed against his mouth, and with a swift movement, he threw her violently to the ground.

"Ugh!" Bellemere fell heavily onto the muddy ground, before she could even get up.

Ah Long's huge, webbed feet had already stomped hard on her gun-wielding hand, grinding it forcefully!

"Ahhhhh!!!"

The excruciating pain of shattered hand bones caused Bellemere to let out a piercing scream that echoed throughout the village.

Among the crowd, town policeman A-Jian and other villagers closed their eyes in anguish.

How they wished Bellemere would lie, would say "I have no family" just to save their lives!

However, Bellemere's gaze passed over the ferocious Arlong and landed on Nami and Nojiko, who were tightly embracing each other not far away, tears streaming down their faces, trembling with fear.

She couldn't bring herself to say such heartless words.

Despite the excruciating pain, Bellemere used her uninjured hand to prop herself up, trembling as she stood up again, looking directly at Aaron, her voice trembling yet crystal clear.

"That 100,000 Berries... is for my two daughters."

"Bellmeal!!" Ah Jian shouted in disbelief, his eyes filled with despair, "You'll die!!!"

Bellemere looked at A-Jian, forcing an awkward smile, her voice choked with emotion.

"I'm sorry, Jian... I can't bring myself to say... that I have no family."

"Although we are not related by blood, I am their mother!"

Even if it's just talk... I really... really want to be their mother!

As she spoke, Bellemere's gaze softened again as she looked at Nami and Nojiko, tears streaming down her face.

So...they are my children!

At this moment, maternal love transcends blood ties and even life and death.

"Hehehehe!!" Ah Long let out a sinister laugh upon hearing this "foolish" declaration: "What a touching display of motherly love!"

Since you've chosen to be their mother, then pay the price for your choice!

Anyway, I've killed quite a few people along the way, so I'll just use you as a cautionary tale for the ending!