Arlong slammed his fist down, reducing the nearby table to splinters. His fishman subordinate trembled as he delivered the report: "They've vanished, Arlong. We've searched everywhere, no trace of them."
"Whatever trick they're using doesn't matter," Arlong sneered, flexing his massive fingers. "Weaklings like them could never threaten us."
Meanwhile, inside Nojiko's cottage...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sudden knocking made Nojiko, Usopp, and the others tense up. "Who's there?" Nojiko called out cautiously.
"It's me, Lucas."
Usopp immediately brightened at the familiar voice. "That's my crewmate!" He hurried to the door while Nojiko remained wary.
The door creaked open to reveal Lucas supporting a heavily injured Zoro.
"Zoro!" Usopp gasped. "What happened? How did you two end up together?"
Zoro grimaced, blood still seeping through his bandages. "If not for you slowing me down, I'd have slaughtered every last fishman by now, damn it."
Lucas helped Zoro inside, nodding apologetically to Nojiko. "Sorry for barging in like this."
Nojiko shook her head, eyeing Zoro's wounds. "Don't worry about it. But these injuries... Did the fishman do this?"
"No," Lucas said, easing Zoro onto a chair. "This was done by one of the strongest swordsmen in the world."
Zoro shot Lucas a sharp glance, how could he possibly know about the duel with Mihawk?
'System, redeem a Green Healing Card.'
[Ding! Exchange successful.]
A glowing green card materialized in Lucas's palm. He hesitated. "Can this really heal someone else?"
[Ding! System products are guaranteed quality. The Green Healing Card perfectly treats external injuries.]
Relieved, Lucas turned to Zoro. "Sit tight. I've got a way to fix you up."
Nojiko gestured to her room. "Use my bed. He shouldn't be moved too much."
"Thanks, Nojiko."
As they settled Zoro onto the bed, Lucas placed the card over his chest. "Activate!"
A pulse of emerald light enveloped Zoro. Minutes later, the glow faded revealing unblemished skin where deep gashes had been.
"No way..." Usopp gaped.
Zoro sat up, peeling off his bandages in disbelief. The wounds were gone.
"How do you feel?" Lucas asked.
Zoro paused, then deadpanned: "Starved."
Lucas groaned while the others laughed. "Typical. Let's eat first."
He pulled a slab of seaking meat from his inventory and handed it to Nojiko.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Seaking steak. High in protein," Lucas said with a grin.
Nojiko studied him curiously. These strangers, especially the green-haired swordsman clearly weren't ordinary.
Around the dinner table, Nojiko finally voiced her question: "Who exactly are you people?"
Before Lucas could answer, Usopp puffed his chest. "I'm Captain Usopp! We're here to find our navigator, Nami."
"Nami?" Nojiko stiffened.
Lucas cut in: "We already found her. She's at Arlong Park, working as one of Arlong's officers."
"What?! She joined them?!" Usopp yelped.
Nojiko's fists clenched under the table.
"But she's being forced," Lucas continued calmly. "Zoro and I decided, we're tearing down Arlong Park."
Usopp paled. "That's suicide!"
Zoro, now devouring his third steak, grunted in agreement. "We're strong enough. I'm Roronoa Zoro, the Pirate Hunter of the East Blue. Our captain's even stronger. Arlong's nothing special."
Nojiko's eyes widened. "The Roronoa Zoro?"
Lucas nodded. "And our captain, Monkey D. Luffy, will be here soon. Together, we'll free Cocoyasi Village."
Zoro yawned mid-bite. "Wake me when it's time to fight." Seconds later, he was snoring into his plate.
Usopp facepalmed. "Unbelievable..."
Nojiko poured tea for Lucas, her voice low. "How do you know my name? And... you mentioned being a man earlier?"
Lucas sipped his tea, smiling. "Let's call it fate. Or maybe I just understand people quickly." He winked. "Like how I know you're Nami's sister."
Nojiko nearly dropped her cup.
"As for Arlong," Lucas continued, "we'll wait for Luffy. For now, everyone should rest." He glanced at the sleeping Zoro and trembling Usopp. "We've got a battle coming."
Nojiko nodded slowly, but doubt lingered in her eyes. After eight years under Arlong's shadow, hope felt dangerous.
Yet as she watched Lucas calmly finish his tea, something unfamiliar stirred in her chest, the faintest spark of possibility.