36. Is this what the Navy is? Capable of nothing but striking from the shadows?!

Genzo, equally unable to stomach the shameless actions of Captain Nezumi, pointed at his nose and cursed:
"You are truly a pack of corrupt scoundrels."

Nojiko chimed in loudly: "The Navy is actually colluding with pirates? How can you justify this against the justice you claim to uphold?"

Nami bit her lip hard, her eyes wide as bells, staring fixedly at Captain Nezumi. If she could, she would kill him right now to protect the treasure that could save her fellow villagers.

"We found it! There’s so much money in here!"

One of the marines used a shovel to pry open the wooden chest. Captain Nezumi scooped up handfuls of gold coins and paper Berries with a look of obsession.

"Absolutely marvelous. To think a little girl could scrape together this much money."

One of the sailors remarked with a sigh: "It’s all covered in blood and tattered to pieces."

Captain Nezumi twitched his whiskers, satisfied. "It doesn't matter. Money is money; it can be used anywhere."

Thirty percent of this—a full thirty million Berries—would land in Captain Nezumi’s pocket. That was the agreement he had made with the Fish-Man Arlong.

"Don't touch it... don't touch it... don't touch it..."

Nami, as if possessed, paced toward Captain Nezumi. Fearing for her sister's safety, Nojiko rushed toward Nami’s position. She knew all too well what a tragic end would await Nami if she provoked both the pirates and the Navy at the same time.

Captain Nezumi pulled the flintlock pistol from his waist, his gaze cold as he watched the rapidly approaching Nami. Genzo grabbed Nami’s wrist, and Nojiko stepped in front of her, trying to stop the enraged girl.

*Boom!*

The sound of the gunshot came to an abrupt halt.

A magnificent, imposing figure stood between Nami, Nojiko, and the threat. Sunlight spilled down from above. The bullet, spinning at high speed, roared in frustration, yet it could not advance even a fraction of an inch further.

*Clink.*

That was the sound of the bullet hitting the ground. Chu the Overlord had caught the bullet aimed at Nami and Nojiko with his bare hand!

"Baa-baa..." Nami stared at Chu the Overlord’s silhouette in utter shock.

"Ho... how is this possible? That was a bullet! How could someone catch it with their bare hands?!!!" Captain Nezumi’s face drained of color, a cold sweat beading on his forehead. In this world, there was actually someone who could catch a bullet in their palm?!

What kind of terrifying reflexes and physical conditioning would that require? Even a Navy officer at the rank of Vice Admiral might not be able to pull that off so easily!

"Too slow... is this all the Navy is capable of? Only hiding in the shadows to strike with treacherous arrows?" Chu the Overlord looked at Captain Nezumi with an incredibly calm gaze. The latter’s legs were already shaking like chaff, his eyes filled with terror.

Sanji pulled a lighter from his coat to ignite a cigarette, speaking with gentlemanly elegance: "Miss Nami has been living while bearing burdens many times heavier than an ordinary person. Let me help her set down these burdens. Could there be anything more fortunate in this world?"

Usopp cupped his chin, deep in thought: "You lecherous cook, I know exactly what you’re thinking! Don’t tell me you intend to kill a Navy officer?"

"If you do that, you'll be making a blood feud with the Navy!"

Sanji retorted nonchalantly: "Fighting for a beautiful lady—what could be wrong with that?"

Thunder rumbled in the sky. Zoro, who had been resting in the shade, picked up his Wado Ichimonji and silently stood behind Chu the Overlord. "Usopp, there’s no need to keep babbling. Our companion is being stepped on—is there any reason for us to keep swallowing our pride?! That’s not my style!"

It is worth noting that Zoro was down to only one blade. During his battle with Hawkeye, all his other weapons had been shattered. Sanji stood on the left side of Chu the Overlord without hesitation.

Although Chu the Overlord still wore a calm expression, Captain Nezumi could read a deep, thick murderous intent in his eyes! Was Chu the Overlord some kind of soft-hearted saint? The answer was clearly no. Otherwise, he would not have dealt such lethal blows to Kuro of the Hundred Plans and the hypnotist Jango. Anyone who threatened his family and companions would face only one path: death!

Genzo called out to his friends, and a large crowd of villagers gathered. "Damn Navy, damn pirates! Your atrocities end here! Comrades, let us take up our weapons and start the fight!"

"Yes! Let’s overthrow their rule! Even if it means death, we must seek justice for Nami!!!"

Nami had genuinely tried to save Cocoyasi Village; how could these simple, kind-hearted villagers allow anyone to hurt her? This time, even if it meant death, they would fight Arlong the Fish-Man to the bitter end.

"Everyone..." At this moment, Nami was moved to tears, unable to say a word.

It wasn't just Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp of the Straw Hat crew. Many villagers were roaring at the top of their lungs. Led by Chu the Overlord, they completely surrounded Captain Nezumi and his sailors. Nami held back her emotions, silently wiping away her tears, and said with intense excitement: "Thank you all... thank you all!"

"If... if we truly cannot defeat Arlong, I want to say... even if we can't defeat him, at least I can die together with you all."

The villagers had had enough of this life without freedom. Although they had sworn eight years ago never to sacrifice their lives lightly—believing that no matter how painful or humiliating Arlong’s rule was, as long as Nami could be happy, they would continue this long war—Captain Nezumi’s exploitative actions had given them the answer regarding Arlong!

The breakthrough for liberating the village had been completely sealed off; there was no hope left for Cocoyasi Village. Furthermore, those ugly-hearted Fish-Men had played with Nami’s kindness! This had touched the raw nerve of the villagers. If they wanted to live a happy life, the only choice was to resist!

Take up their weapons and revolt against Arlong’s rule! Moreover, the strength of Chu the Overlord gave them hope that they could actually stand against Arlong. To catch a bullet with one's bare hands—such power and speed could no longer be described by the simple word "monster."

Besides, Nami had her own companions: Rubber-man Luffy, Four-Sword style Zoro, Black-Leg Sanji, the brave sea warrior Usopp... and not to mention that beautiful girl, Xiao Qing. If these people could be companions of Chu the Overlord, how could their strength be anything less than extraordinary?

"You... you bastards, are you planning to go to war with the Navy?" Captain Nezumi, trembling in fear, brandished his flintlock in a futile attempt to threaten the villagers.

Chu the Overlord raised a palm slightly, his expression cold and indifferent. "All villagers, are you prepared to fight at any moment?"

"Are you willing to fight with all your might for this kind-hearted child, even if it means sacrificing your own lives?!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, all the villagers brandished their knives, forks, and clubs, roaring in unison:

"We have been ready for a long time!"

"Charge!"

"We are ready to fight at any time!"