The sun was setting. Rhett and the three little ones set foot on an island called Silver Shell Island. The orange-gold sunset spread across the white sandy beach. Waves lapped gently at the shore. It should have been a peaceful, beautiful scene. But the usually lively town was filled with an strange, unsettling silence.
"Huh? This island is really quiet," Ace said as he was the first to jump off the small boat, carrying a sack over his shoulder.
Sabo followed close behind, adjusting his top hat. His sharp instincts picked up that something was wrong. "The fishermen should be back by now with their nets. Why is there no one at the docks?"
Ann followed silently at the rear, her small hand gripping the heavy sword that was almost as tall as she was. "Mm. It's a trap. That's what always happens in the stories."
Rhett waved his hand dismissively. "Looks like my reputation arrived before I did."
"Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun~~"
"Ann, what are you doing?" Rhett looked at her curiously.
"I'm adding sound effects, Uncle. I heard it on a Den Den Mushi broadcast once. When they showed Uncle making an appearance, they always played this music. It's full of intimidation. Cool and evil at the same time. Ann remembers it," Ann said very seriously. Then she nodded to herself, as if confirming that she had remembered correctly.
Just then, rustling sounds came from the bushes in the distance. A few small heads darted past. Ace's sharp eyes caught them immediately. "There are people over there!"
"Stop!" Sabo reacted quickly and dashed toward the bushes. But all he caught was empty air and trampled grass.
Rhett held out his hand to stop Ace and Ann from chasing after them. "Don't bother chasing them. Let's just go straight into the town. We're here to collect bounties. Walking in openly won't be a problem."
The four of them walked along the sandy path leading inland. The coconut trees on either side cast long shadows. As they went deeper, more and more windows slammed shut as they passed by. Occasionally, they could hear muffled gasps from inside the houses.
"They seem really scared of us?" Ace scratched his head in confusion and turned to Rhett. "Uncle, have you been here before?"
Rhett rubbed his chin. "No, this is my first time even hearing the name of this island. Besides, I'm very friendly, aren't I?"
Sabo suddenly stopped walking and pointed into the distance. "Look over there!"
This one actually was related to Rhett. He hadn't bothered to put on a mask this time. He wanted the Navy to see him and not try anything funny. And also to let Garp know — your home is gone!!!
There was nothing he could do about it. He was just that popular. Sengoku, Tsuru, the Five Elders — if they went too long without seeing Rhett, they couldn't eat, they couldn't sleep. If it got really bad, they'd lie awake all night. Just thinking about him kept them up.
Sengoku: No kidding! Wouldn't you be scared if there was a nuclear bomb on the loose? And this nuclear bomb could run all over the ocean!
"All hands, prepare for battle! Evacuate the civilians! Move, move, move!"
On the street, Navy soldiers scrambled to evacuate the villagers. Women and children were quickly led away. The men picked up farming tools and wooden clubs and stood behind the soldiers, looking like they were ready to die.
"Mommy, who is the 'Mist Lord'?" A little girl tugged at her mother's sleeve.
"Shh... don't talk!" The mother's face was pale. She clamped her hand over her child's mouth.
Rhett: See, Navy? This is your fault.
Sabo narrowed his eyes. He noticed the villagers peeking through gaps in their windows. "They seem really scared of us."
Ann silently tightened her grip on her heavy sword and scanned their surroundings warily.
Rhett rubbed his chin. Slapped his left hand against his right palm. A light bulb appeared over his head. "Oh — they don't think I'm here to massacre the village, do they?"
Before the words left his mouth, a roar came from up ahead. "Halt! Rhett, the 'Mist Lord,' you won't commit any more evil today!"
"Huh?"
Rhett looked at this group of Marines. He had expected to be met with resistance. But accusing him of something out of the blue the second they saw him? That was just too much.
"Do you want to die? Trying to cook your books with me as the excuse?"
Branch Chief Mari stood in the middle of the road with a squad of Navy soldiers. Their swords were drawn. Their rifles were aimed directly at Rhett and his group. The soldiers in the front row were trembling, but they gritted their teeth and didn't step back.
"Stop pretending!" Mari shouted. "You kidnapped three children and you're even holding their sister hostage! Today, we will not let you harm anyone else!"
"Kidnapped children?" Rhett blinked and looked at the three little ones.
"Ara, their sister?" Rouge covered her mouth, looking a bit embarrassed.
Ace, Sabo, and Ann all tilted their heads at the same time. Three identical looks of confusion.
Sabo muttered quietly, "Uncle, when did you kidnap us?"
Rhett put a hand to his forehead. "This misunderstanding is huge..."
"All hands, attention! Pirates are attacking! Protect the villagers!"
"???"
"You heartless kidnappers! How dare you abduct innocent children!"
Rhett: "...?"
Seeing Rhett "frozen in place," the major became even more convinced of his own judgment. He spoke with righteous indignation. "Evil! You won't even spare children this young! Even if it costs me my life, I will save them today! Even if you are the 'Mist Lord,' I will live up to the justice I carry on my back, you bastard!!!"
Wait, I haven't even said anything yet. Why are you monologuing on your own??
Rhett finally snapped out of it. His mouth twitched. "Hold on, Major. Don't you think you've got the wrong idea..."
"Shut up!" The major roared. "I've seen through your true nature! These children must be under your coercion! And then you're using them to blackmail their sister into staying on your ship! Disgusting! I despise you!!!!"
Ace couldn't take it anymore. He pointed at his own nose. "Hey! Do we look like we've been kidnapped?!"
Sabo put a hand to his forehead. "...Actually, we kind of do." After all, the three of them were young, and Uncle Rhett was the "Mist Lord." To the Marines, his reputation was already ruined beyond repair. He looked exactly like a suspicious character.
Branch Chief Mari shouted to Sabo and the others, "Don't be afraid, children. I'm here. I'm sorry we're late and you've suffered. We've already contacted Headquarters. Vice Admiral Garp himself is coming to reinforce us as soon as he heard it was the 'Mist Lord.'"
"Even if we die today buying time against the 'Mist Lord,' our children will be able to say with pride that their fathers died saving innocent children. That their fathers were heroes. We know why we're bleeding here. We're bleeding for the lights in every home behind us."
"Don't be afraid, children!!! Vice Admiral Garp will save you!!!"
"Brothers, charge!!! For justice!!!"
The soldiers who had been trembling with fear just moments ago were no longer looking at Rhett with terror. Their eyes now held the look of people ready to die. Ready to sacrifice themselves for justice.
Rhett: There's a political officer leading these men. I'm not joking!!
"OOOOOHHH!!!"
Rhett finally realized what was happening. He looked at this branch major. Weren't those the major's own words?
The author says: I'm confused, dear readers. I'm having trouble figuring out how to handle Vinsmoke Judge.