33. Nojiko
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Aero stood in the middle of the dusty path, dressed in black, watching as the villagers slowly approached with improvised weapons in hand.
The dirt beneath their feet kicked up into clouds as they marched an oddly solemn display of courage from people who looked like they'd long forgotten what rebellion felt like.
At the front of the crowd, Genzo paused. He motioned for the villagers to wait at the roadside and, gripping the green katana Nojiko had given him, walked alone toward Aero.
Unbeknownst to Genzo, someone had slipped in behind him Nojiko.
Aero had already noticed the girl trailing after him. Short violet hair, a red scarf, and a determined look in her eyes. It was surreal.
Aero had seen her before on screen, back when he was just a viewer. Now, she was here. Real.
---
Genzo finally reached Aero, but noticed the pirate wasn't looking at him instead, his gaze lingered past him.
Turning, Genzo caught Nojiko sticking her tongue out playfully.
Startled, he snapped, "What are you doing here?! I told you to stay behind! Go home, now!"
Nojiko didn't flinch. "I'm not leaving you alone for something this dangerous."
Genzo groaned in defeat, turned back to Aero, and cleared his throat loudly.
"I know where Arlong is. I can take you to Arlong Park."
He paused, then added seriously, "But I need to know something first are you more cruel than Arlong?"
His eyes bored into Aero's, unblinking.
Aero didn't reply immediately. Instead, he looked at Nojiko… then past her, toward the villagers still watching from afar. Their weapons were laughable kitchen knives, wooden sticks, and stones.
But in their eyes, he saw something real: courage.
Nojiko stepped up beside Genzo. "You're a pirate, aren't you?"
Aero finally spoke. "Yes. But I have no interest in ruling anyone. I only care about taking down Arlong. And I have the power to do it."
He raised one hand.
A swirling miniature cyclone formed in his palm wind coalescing into a spiraling funnel. He flicked his wrist, and the tornado shot forward.
A section of the field beside them was instantly shredded. Crops scattered. Dust filled the air.
The wind died just as fast as it had come.
"A… Devil Fruit?" Genzo whispered, stunned.
Aero nodded with a smirk. "That's right. I have the strength to beat him."
Genzo's shoulders slumped in relief.
"T-That's… that's amazing. We might actually have a chance."
Then, after a beat, his expression shifted.
"What you said earlier about not wanting to rule over us… did you mean it?"
"I'm human," Aero said. "I have no interest in enslaving others. Why would I waste my power in a place this poor?"
He pointed toward the ruined field.
"That's this village's entire food supply," Nojiko said coldly.
The crew turned toward her, surprised by the sharp tone.
Realizing how direct she'd been, Nojiko looked momentarily flustered. She'd just scolded a pirate.
Genzo pulled her aside and apologized profusely, bowing several times.
But Aero simply waved it off. "It's fine."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small pouch of Berries, tossing it toward her. Genzo hesitated but Nojiko caught it.
Pirates didn't usually apologize, let alone pay damages.
But there are a few exceptions like Aero and Luffy.
---
There wasn't much they had that pirates would want. No treasure. No territory. No leverage. Aero's gesture and restraint told them everything they needed to know.
Genzo turned and walked back toward the villagers.
Nojiko stayed behind.
"I get it now," she said softly. "You're not like other pirates. You're not manipulative. You're not cruel."
Before Aero could respond, she walked ahead of him.
"I'll show you the way."
---
Aero was quiet for a long moment. Her words stayed with him.
"You're not like other pirates."
Was he even a pirate at all?
If he were honest, Aero didn't dream of being a pirate.
He dreamt of being a king, a true ruler, free from the World Government's grip, with sovereignty and dignity.
He chose the pirate's path because it was the only one that allowed freedom the freedom to exist.
And now that he had power, something inside him stirred. Ambition. Pride.
But cruelty? That wasn't in him. Not toward those who didn't deserve it.
He'd destroy his enemies without hesitation.
But to his comrades, to the innocent, to the helpless he couldn't be the pirate the world expected.
He didn't want to become a So-Called cultivation novel's protagonist.
He will always love one woman, and he will always avoid killing innocent people, as they are just individuals trying to live a peaceful life.
Not long ago… he was one of them.
---
The villagers followed behind Genzo, and Nojiko walked at the head of Aero's group.
The road ahead was clear.
Their destination?
Arlong Park.
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