31. Canon Characters Appear

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Aero's words hung in the air, heavy.

For many of the new crew, this was their first real exposure to how cruel the world could be. They felt anger but also a strange relief.

"We may be pirates," Aero said, stepping forward, "but we'll never be those kinds of pirates."

His voice was calm, but firm. Then, without waiting for a reply, he led the group deeper into the village.

They didn't know what Arlong's so-called "empire" looked like, but it wouldn't be hard to find. The village wasn't that big.

Suddenly—

"Stop! Who are you people?!"

A voice rang out behind them.

The crew turned as a middle-aged man ran toward them. He wore a brown military-style jacket and cap, with a tiny windmill spinning on top of it. His face was deeply tanned and marked with scars especially the long one across his cheek.

Aero immediately recognized him.

Genzo, the local sheriff of Cocoyashi Village.

"What do you want, old man?" Aero asked politely, though his heart fluttered slightly. Seeing a canon character up close made it feel… surreal.

"You're outsiders, aren't you?" Genzo asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes. "If so, leave. This village doesn't welcome strangers!"

Eddie stepped forward, clearly annoyed. "What's your problem? We're here to—"

Aero raised a hand, silencing him.

"I'm a pirate," Aero said bluntly.

Genzo's eyes widened in shock.

He hadn't expected that. These men didn't look like raiders. No plundering. No shouting. No wild banners.

Still, his face hardened. "Then leave. Now. We don't welcome pirates here. Get out before you bring more suffering to this village!"

"We're not here to hurt anyone," Aero said calmly. "If anything, we're here to help. Tell us—where is Arlong Park?"

Genzo froze.

"What did you say?" he stepped forward, grabbing Aero's collar. "Are you insane?! Who are you people? Why are you really here?!"

Aero didn't resist.

He met Genzo's eyes and smiled.

"We're the Hurricane Pirates," he said. "And we've got a score to settle with Arlong."

Genzo slowly let go of Aero's collar. "You don't understand... Arlong is a monster. He's ruled over this village for eight years. No one has ever beaten him. And I don't want anyone else's blood on our streets."

"Relax," Aero said, raising his voice so that the nearby villagers peeking out from windows and behind doors could hear him. "We're not your enemies. We came here to take Arlong down."

A few doors creaked open. Villagers cautiously stepped out, watching.

They didn't speak, but they didn't go back inside either.

---

"Get back in your homes!" Genzo shouted over his shoulder.

Most did. But the doors and windows stayed open this time. Eyes remained watching.

"You have no idea what you're up against!" Genzo shouted at Aero, his voice shaking. "You'll just bring more pain to our village!"

Before Aero could respond, Eddie walked up to Genzo and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, old man. You've got a nice windmill on your cap. Go play with the kids. We've got business to take care of. Just pretend we're not here."

With a grin, Eddie gently nudged Genzo to the side.

Aero and his crew marched past.

Genzo watched them walk away silent, unmoving. His mind swirled.

Behind him, more villagers emerged, gathering around.

"That group's crazy," one man muttered. "They're heading straight for Arlong."

"They didn't look like bad people," an older woman added, scratching her chin. "But why won't they just listen?"

Genzo was quiet.

"They're not like the other pirates," he muttered.

"What do you mean?" someone asked.

"They said it themselves. They're pirates," a man shouted angrily. "They'll just cause more suffering!"

"Quiet!" Genzo snapped. The crowd hushed.

"They're going after Arlong," he said at last. "To fight him."

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The villagers were stunned.

"Do you think they'll win?" someone asked hesitantly.

"…I don't know."

"Come on, no one's ever beaten Arlong. Not once."

Another voice spoke up, "Should we… follow them?"

"They're pirates," someone objected. "Why would we trust them?"

There was a pause.

Then Genzo said something that surprised even himself:

"Even if they're pirates… at least they're human."

That line struck a chord.

Yes—Arlong was a fish-man.

He didn't just rule them. He looked down on them.

But Aero and his crew? They were still pirates… but they were also people.

And for once, someone was walking toward Arlong not to pay him tribute… but to challenge him.

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