Nobita watched the fight like it was a game. He grabbed a cup of wine and sipped it. Nobody noticed him.
Nobita was not from this world. His story was messy but simple. He was a student on Earth. One day, he hugged a Doraemon pillow while watching anime and passed out. He remembered holding Doraemon's hand during the time travel. After a jolt and dizziness, Doraemon was gone.
"Hey, Marine guy, are you Karina's soldier?" Nobita asked a young Marine fighting a pirate, as if chatting about the weather.
"Shut up!" the Marine snapped. His sword shook against the pirate's blade. His eyes burned with anger. * Why am I risking my life while this kid watches? *
Nobita stepped back. He sat on a barrel, lost in thought amid the chaos.
Six months had passed since he arrived in the Grand Line. With no ship, he joined pirate crews to sail and search for Doraemon. He had followed eight crews. All were crushed by Marines. Pirates called him Pirate Killer or Marine Spy. But Nobita was just a pirate, feared in the 173rd jurisdiction.
Krog fell dead at Nobita's feet. Nobita shook his head. The ninth crew he joined was gone.
The pirates lost. Marines cleaned up. Two Marines tied Nobita's hands.
The Marines seized the One-Eyed Pirates' ship.
"Why is it you again, Nobita?" a pink-haired girl asked, stepping forward. Her blue and white sailor suit stood out among the Marine uniforms. She looked pure but dangerous.
Nobita smiled, but his heart sank. * It is her again. *
"Karina, long time no see," Nobita said, kneeling on one knee. "I did not expect to meet so soon."
"Not something to celebrate," Karina said. She crossed her arms. Her white stockings gleamed. Her black high heels tapped the deck. "This is your ninth capture. You are the worst pirate I have seen."
"You know I do not want this," Nobita said. "Without them, how do I find him?"
"I do not care who you seek," Karina said. "Next time, I will find someone to beat you hard."
The Marines behind her stepped back.
"Why are you hiding?" Karina yelled, pointing at them.
"Lieutenant Karina, hitting him hurts us," Sana said, her black hair falling over her shoulders. She frowned.
Karina's face twitched, as if remembering pain. She turned to Nobita. "Did you eat a Devil Fruit? Why do people who hit you hurt?"
Nobita looked away. "No comment."
He would not reveal his secret to Marines.
"Tell me," Karina said. She grabbed his chin with slim fingers, forcing his face toward hers.
"I… I said…" Nobita mumbled, struggling to speak.
Karina leaned closer, her face near his.
"I like how you cannot figure me out or kill me," Nobita said, grinning.
Karina froze. Then she smiled sweetly. "Are you sure?" Her grip tightened.
Nobita's face paled. * I messed up. * He shook his head fast. "No! My mouth slipped. Please, do not toss me in the sea!"
Karina smirked. "You are useless to my Marines."
She let go and glanced at the ship. "Nobita, take this ship. Find your friend. Stop joining pirates."
Nobita sighed, relieved. He looked at the ship. The deck was wrecked. Blood and wine stained the floor. The sails were gone. The masts wobbled. Water leaked from below.
* This ship is junk, * he thought.
"Thanks, but I choose execution," Nobita said.
"Fine. Bring the barrels," Karina ordered.
A Marine brought two barrels tied with rope. One was empty. The other had food and water, split by a wooden board.
"Old rules," Karina said. "More food this time, so you do not starve."
"Thanks," Nobita said, forcing a smile. He remembered her last food barrel. It was filled with cannonballs. He barely survived two days at sea.
Nobita climbed into the empty barrel. Marines lowered it into the water. The barrel bobbed aimlessly.
Nobita paddled fast to escape Karina. She stood on a floating plank, smiling.
"In my jurisdiction, show my wanted poster. Marines will leave you alone," Karina said. She leaned close and whispered, "I look forward to next time."
"Me too," Nobita said, forcing a laugh. * She hates me because I annoyed her before. *
"Good luck," Karina said, her smile eerie. She kicked the barrel. It soared, flying fifty meters over the sea.
"Wah! Help, crazy lady!" Nobita screamed. He fell out mid-air but landed back in the barrel as it hit the water.
"Fire the cannons! Send him off!" Karina waved, strolling back to her warship.
Two cannon shots hit the sea near Nobita. Waves rocked the barrel.
"Karina, you jerk! I will get you!" Nobita shouted, spitting out seawater. He clung to the barrel, cursing..