The village celebration paused in the sudden chill of evening as three Navy ships slipped quietly into the harbor, their hulls dark and resolute against the crimson sky. Wordless soldiers began disembarking under the lamplight, and the villagers held their breath in trepidation.
A burst of smoke erupted from the flagship, showering the quay in pale gray mist—then a lone figure materialized from the haze: Captain Smoker, jitte crackling with residual smoke.
"Raizen!" he bellowed, stomping forward with the authority of a legacy shattered. "Get back on deck! You're under arrest—"
Raizen rose slowly, wiping a drop of drink from his chin. His coat billowed behind him like the crest of a tempest.
"Again?" he drawled, unimpressed. "Here to ruin my party?"
Smoker advanced, fury in his eyes. "Nezumi's branch—you killed them all. You... traitor!"
Storm clouds flashed across Raizen's eyes. "I resigned. I gave up my rank; the Navy signed off."
Smoker's jitte slammed into the ground. "That doesn't give you the right to execute an entire branch!"
Raizen reached inside his coat, withdrew a slim folder, and tossed it at Smoker. "Read it."
Smoker snatched it and scanned the documents. His shoulders dropped, his fury turned to stunned silence.
"Nezumi was working with Arlong—bribing Marines… using naval intel to raid the villagers," Smoker muttered.
Raizen nodded. "I didn't kill a Marine—I stopped a monster."
Smoker closed his eyes in anger. "Still… internal issue, not yours to settle!"
A hush fell. Smoke curled around Smoker's fists, but another voice cut through—a softer one, crystalline and determined.
"Raizen," said Tashigi, stepping forward, tears glistening despite her firm expression. "You said we'd recover all stolen swords. You said justice should shine, not hide behind orders."
Raizen turned to her and placed a finger over her lips. "We can still do that. Join me."
For a brief moment, time stood still. The night was tremulous with possibility.
Smoker roared and struck, but Raizen moved like fluid night—shaft, click, a punch to the ribs, and Smoker staggered back, cracking open crates.
Officers rushed forward—but Smoker raised a hand. "Hold!" He steadied himself. "They'll arrest the Arlong crew. That's enough."
Raizen stepped closer to Tashigi, voice soft. "Think about it. I sail free, I act on justice. You are free too."
She looked to Smoker, loyalty warring with hope. "I... I need time."
Smoker drew a breath. "This isn't over." He nodded sharply down the pier. "Take them away."
His soldiers solemnly bound the broken Arlong survivors and marched them back to the ships.
A new voice – strained and wounded – echoed from the flagship's cell deck.
"Bastard... Nami… help!"
Monkey D. Luffy lay in a small iron cage, bruised and battered. The force of Raizen's earlier hurl had knocked him right into the bowels of the Navy ship.
Raizen laughed quietly as he watched the cage sway. "Nice throw, if I say so myself."
Luffy glared with bloodshot eyes. "My crew... my navigator! You can't take her!"
"Not taking anyone," Raizen replied quietly. "You'll live—because you matter." He turned and walked toward the pier, disappearing into the night.
Smoker staggered aboard his ship; the Navy crews set sail as the flagships slipped away.
On the quay, Raizen addressed the assembly of villagers.
"Under Arlong's dais…" he said. "There's a hidden chamber."
Genzo's eyes lit with urgency. He dashed out, frantic, then reappeared moments later, treasure spilling from broken crates—gold, berries, maps.
"This... this could revive Cocoyashi!" he exclaimed.
Raizen shook his head. "Use it wisely. But whatever was stolen from others? That's your business."
Genzo nodded, conflicted. "Justice for one is not justice for all."
A gentle smile broke Raizen's hardened features. "Exactly."
Night fell again. A bonfire roared, music and laughter replacing fear. Joy rippled through the village like long-forgotten rain.
Nami and Nojiko walked together under stars, bouquets in hand. They approached Bell-mère's grave, silent with respect and grief.
Raizen arrived—silent, watchful. He knelt behind them.
"She'd want you safe," he said softly. "From now on… you're mine to protect."
Nami paused, tears gripping her voice. "You... promise?"
"By the storm," Raizen whispered.
Nojiko stared at Raizen, unsure—but the church's iron bells rang in the distance, affirming new bonds being forged.
Dawn: the rebuilt Sun Pirates ship sat proud in the quay. Raizen stood at the helm, surveying his crew.
"We need a flag."
Tashigi stepped forward, unrolling a canvas. Her fingertips traced the finished design:
A skull, crowned in blue lightning; its eye sockets glowing gold.
"It's... perfect."
Raizen took off his cap, saluted the canvas. "Storm Pirates."
The flag snapped into the breeze as village villagers and the Straw Hats waved from the shore.
Raizen's first mate—Nami—gave him a nod. Captain Arashi gave them all one last glance.
"Set sail," he said. "Let the storm begin."
The anchor lifted. The sails caught the wind. The Storm Pirates sailed forward into a new chapter, a crew unified by blood, purpose—and freedom.