I Will Become Hokage in One Piece

Chapter 33: Shameless?

After Nojiko's explanation, Rodney came to understand the situation. The troublemaker turned out to be Captain Nezumi, the commander of the 16th branch of the Marines, who colluded with Arlong and his gang, engaging in shameless acts of oppressing the villagers and accepting bribes. Without him, Arlong wouldn't have been able to tyrannize the villages near Cocoyasi Village so audaciously.

This despicable Captain had committed numerous dirty deeds under the guise of the Marines. In the original plot, he even stole the 100 million bellies that Nami had worked so hard to save for the village.

He was the epitome of shamelessness.

Captain Nezumi had come today to collect his usual bribes from Arlong, but little did he expect that Arlong would be wiped out. As a result, they sent people to investigate the situation, and one villager inadvertently let slip that Rodney was still recovering in bed. 

This malicious information led them to believe that they could extort money from Rodney. However, they had picked the wrong person.

"Let's go. My body is recovering, so a few Marine officers won't bother me," Rodney declared.

Nojiko worriedly interjected, "But your body... You've been lying in bed for several days."

Rodney shook his head and replied, "It's actually quite interesting this way. I don't need to exert my full strength. Hehe, Miss Nojiko, please assist me. Let's go." 

"...Alright."

With Nojiko urging him to persist, Rodney had no choice but to accompany her to confront Captain Nezumi.

There was an orange grove near Nami's home, planted by Nojiko and Nami's mother-in-law, Bell-mère, as a means of selling oranges to support the family. This was also where a strong and outstanding marine officer resided.

Outside the orange grove, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village and the marine officers stood face to face. The leader of the marine team wore a hat resembling a mouse, with wicked brows, mouse-like eyes, a wretched face, and six beard-like tufts.

With a sneer, he taunted, "What do you all think you're doing? Don't you know that I'm a Captain? I'm here to pay respects to the hero who defeated the notorious pirates. What's this commotion? Do you dare to go against the Marine?"

"Hmph! Pay respects to heroes? Why didn't you take action when the Arlong Pirates were around? Are you truly a member of the Marines?" The one who spoke was a middle-aged man in brown clothes, a windmill adorning his hat, and his face marked by interwoven scars.

Genzo, a true gentleman, had suffered severe injuries while protecting Nami's mother from Kuroobi's attack. This was his plight. He regarded Nami as his own daughter. If nothing unexpected happened, he might start a family with Nami's mother, forming a genuinely happy household.

Standing beside him, Nami added, "Hmph, a bunch of collaborators with the pirates!"

Captain Nezumi glanced at her with a sneer and remarked, "I remember you were once a member of the Arlong Pirates, little girl. What's your story? I suspect that you have ties to the Arlong Pirates. Capture her!"

"How dare you lay a finger on Nami?"

"Try it if you dare!"

"No one is allowed to harm our baby!"

Naturally, the villagers had come forth spontaneously to prevent Captain Nezumi from going overboard. They expressed their gratitude to Rodney but didn't wish to engage in direct confrontation with the Marines. However, when it came to capturing Nami, the situation was different.

Who was Nami?

She was their beloved child, someone they had watched grow up. She was like a family member, and Nami had faced countless dangers on the sea, stealing treasures while risking her life. There was always the possibility of losing her life. How could they not feel distressed? How could they not be infuriated?

Captain Nezumi's words were like lighting a powder keg, provoking the villagers' anger.

"We can tolerate your clashes with the Arlong Pirates, but you can't lay a finger on our baby!"

The villagers' momentum shifted, and Captain Nezumi recoiled in fear. He realized that he had made a mistake. Pulling out his pistol, he pointed it at Genzo and exclaimed, "How dare you go against the Marines? This is a death wish!"

Witnessing the drawn weapon, the villagers felt fear but didn't back down. They stared at Captain Nezumi with unwavering determination.

At that moment, a voice rang out, "I am Rodney. Who is looking for me?"

Upon hearing this voice, the crowd voluntarily made way, allowing Rodney, supported by Nojiko, to descend. The slug had transformed into a palm-sized form and perched on his shoulder.

This was a fragment of the slug, and since her original form was too large, she had split into a smaller one to accompany him.

"Mr. Rodney?"

"You're still recovering, Mr. Rodney. Why did you come out?"

"Yes, Mr. Rodney, leave this to us. You needn't worry."

"Mr. Rodney, why did you come out?! Your condition..." Nami exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Rodney. Her eyes signaled her sister to take him back. How could he be here in such a weak state?

Nojiko shook her head, indicating her helplessness.

Rodney stated, "I am Joestar J. Rodney. How can I assist you?"

Captain Nezumi holstered his gun upon seeing Rodney's weakened appearance, feeling relieved. Although Rodney had defeated Arlong that even he couldn't handle, his frail physique likely wouldn't withstand bullets, right?

He naively believed that the feeble Rodney was within his grasp.

Coughing, Captain Nezumi identified himself, "I am Captain Nezumi of the 16th branch of the Marines. I heard that you defeated Arlong of the Arlong Pirates?" 

"Yes, what's the issue?"

"Of course!" Captain Nezumi suddenly shouted, "You've killed our target, someone we had been planning to capture for a long time! You've disrupted our plans, Joestar J. Rodney. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

How shameless!

The villagers seethed with anger. They knew all too well how this marine officer accepted bribes, never performing his duties, and how he oppressed them alongside Arlong. Now, he had been exposed for his crimes and had even been beaten back, attempting to leverage their gratitude against them. How could someone be so shameless?

Rodney blinked, completely flabbergasted. He had never encountered someone like this. How could accepting bribes be part of an undercover operation? Did they plan to wait until they became second-in-command of the Dragon Pirates before arresting them all?

Was this some sort of undercover scheme?

"Nonsense! It's clear that you're in cahoots with the Arlong Pirates! You're bullying the innocent! If it weren't for Mr. Rodney, who knows how long we would have suffered under their tyranny! And now, you're trying to frame Mr. Rodney. People like you don't deserve to be part of the Marines!"

"That's right!"

"People like you have no place in the Marines! Get out of our village!"

"Yes! You don't belong here!"

"Leave our village!"

"Get out!"

The crowd erupted with fury, and Captain Nezumi, feeling overwhelmed, fired a shot into the sky, shouting, "Silence! Pirate hunter Joestar J. Rodney, I suspect that you are colluding with other pirates! Come with me to the Marine Branch."

Talk about shameless! 

Sister Slug softly commented, "Master Rodney, this person is truly shameless."

"Well, this is the first time I've encountered someone so shameless," Rodney nodded. "Sister Slug, dissolve the pistol in his hand."

"Alright." Sister Slug spat out a corrosive acid that accurately landed on Captain Nezumi's pistol.

Sizzle!

Sister Slug's acidic attack was one of her few offensive techniques. Her sticky acid was highly corrosive, and even Orochimaru admitted that it was a technique capable of killing him. Simply coming into contact with the pistol caused it to dissolve, leaving only the handle.

"This... this..." Captain Nezumi gaped at Rodney and stammered, "You're attacking the Marines! There are witnesses here!"

Rodney regarded him with an expression of foolishness and replied, "Why don't you use your brain? Everyone came out today to check on my recovery. Are there any outsiders present? Can't you see that?" The villagers were momentarily stunned but then dispersed.

"You're right. Looks like rain is on its way. I'm heading back to get my clothes." 

"We'll accompany you."

"Count me in."

Even though it was a sunny day, everyone claimed that rain was imminent.

Rodney smiled, thinking to himself, "If they can be shameless, so can I."