Chapter Five: Colonel Wolf Rat of the Naval Headquarters (Fifth Update)

Although he used Usopp’s name... how on earth do I look like a fishman??? Morden stared silently at Nochi, who was sitting on the ground. She must have been frightened out of her wits, this woman... Morden glanced down at the shovel in his hand, which had already transformed into a stick with a small iron ball at the end. After some thought, Morden pressed down with both hands—one on the iron ball, the other on the stick’s end. With a little force, like crushing an empty can, as his hands closed together, the entire stick along with the small iron ball was flattened into a little disc.

This was not something brute strength alone could achieve.

Morden released his grip, and the flattened shovel disc fell to the ground, stirring up a slight dust cloud. At that moment, Nochi realized she had spoken nonsense, but looking at the shovel crushed by Morden’s strength, she was genuinely dumbfounded. This young boy was clearly a genuine human, yet how was this kind of power possible?

She had witnessed fishmen uproot entire houses with sheer strength, and had seen them effortlessly sink five warships. No matter how many times the Navy came, in front of those monstrous fishmen, they were as fragile as easily crushed oranges in one’s hand.

Over time, not only Nochi but all the villagers on the island believed that fishmen were beings beyond human resistance and that no human could surpass the power of the fishman race. The Navy’s bloody defeats at their hands were living proof.

So then, who exactly was this boy before her? If human strength could be this formidable, why were those Navy forces sent to suppress the Evil Dragon Pirates so easily defeated?

Morden looked at Nochi’s stunned face. The flattened shovel disc seemed to have further rattled her, but it served his purpose. Demonstrating power was one of the most straightforward ways to persuade.

That was why Morden had done it.

Seeing Nochi’s gaze fixed on the flattened shovel, Morden bent down, picked it up, and caught her eye. “I mean no harm. I just want you to understand one thing—I’m quite strong.”

Holding the flattened shovel, Morden walked past the seated Nochi and headed toward the house. “If you calm down, come find me inside.”

Leaving Nochi seated on the ground, Morden approached the house, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.

The room wasn’t large but was arranged warmly, clearly reflecting the owner’s thoughtful care. Most likely, it was designed so that when Nami returned home to heal, she could immediately feel the comforting atmosphere of home. Just from the surroundings, Morden could easily guess Nochi’s intentions.

After a casual glance, Morden took the seat at the dining table, propping his chin on his hand as he looked toward the slightly ajar door ahead. He was waiting for Nochi to come inside.

A few minutes later, the door slowly opened. Nochi entered, then closed the door behind her. She had calmed down. This unknown boy had shown no hostility. Had he been hostile, the situation wouldn’t be like this now.

Moreover, the image of this boy crushing a shovel with his bare hands was deeply etched in her mind.

Morden gestured to the seat opposite him, inviting Nochi to sit. Nochi bit her lip lightly. This was her home, yet circumstances overpowered her, leaving no time for such thoughts.

She walked over and sat opposite Morden. This compliance pleased Morden greatly.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Nochi.”

“When will Nami return?”

Nochi fell silent upon hearing the question. This boy knew Nami’s name. Could it be because Nami had stolen his money? That was why he came looking for her?

In silence, Nochi pondered this inwardly. Uncertain of Morden’s precise intentions, she would not easily reveal any information about Nami.

“Not saying?” Morden snapped his fingers on the table, the dull sound making Nochi flinch. Still silent.

Morden’s intimidating presence restrained Nochi’s temper, preventing her from acting rashly. But when it came to Nami, Nochi would not yield.

Morden saw her resolve clearly. Obviously, brute force alone couldn’t make Nochi the bridge between him and Nami.

To maximize his gains, he needed detailed information from Nami first. Until then, he must avoid encounters with the Evil Dragon Pirates. If he met them, he’d have to kill them, losing valuable experienced allies. That was unacceptable.

In the East Blue, experienced fighters of significance were few. They could not afford to waste any.

With this in mind, Morden withdrew his hand from the table, straightened up, his posture taking on a military bearing.

“Actually, I’m a Navy officer.”

...Nochi’s face showed surprise.

Before she could speak, Morden continued, “I’m here to take down the Evil Dragon Pirates.”

“Hmm?” Nochi’s eyes brightened briefly but then dimmed again. Each time she saw a warship, hope flickered, but every time it ended in disappointment. She had been let down too many times.

Morden said, “As you can see, I’m quite strong.”

Nochi’s eyes lit up again.

“But you must also know the Evil Dragon Pirates aren’t just strong—they’re formidable.”

Her eyes dimmed once more.

“That said, I’m confident.”

Her eyes brightened again.

Morden sighed, “But even with confidence, I can’t guarantee I’ll wipe out the Evil Dragon Pirates.”

Her eyes dimmed yet again.

Morden smiled at Nochi’s confused expression. “Therefore, to ensure success, I need Nami to provide detailed intelligence on the overall strength of the Evil Dragon Pirates.”

“With that information, I can easily eliminate them. That’s why I came looking for Nami.”

At this, Morden suddenly stood and extended his right hand to Nochi with a serious expression.

“Let’s make a formal introduction. I’m Colonel Wolf Rat of the Navy Headquarters.”

“You really are... Navy!”

“Absolutely.”

Nochi seemed to see hope anew. She slowly rose and reached out to shake Morden’s hand.

Suddenly, Morden noticed something and looked toward the door.

Before, uncertain of when Nami would return, he could only rely on Nochi’s information. Now, that was no longer necessary.

“The main guest has arrived,” he said, pulling back his hand, leaving Nochi grasping air.

Nochi stared at him in confusion, feeling as if she were being toyed with.

Morden glanced at her and smiled. “Forget everything I just said.”

“W-what?” Nochi’s expression changed as she seemed to realize something. At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

It was Nami...

The door creaked open.

Nami, covered in wounds, quickly entered, carrying a dagger and a bulging cloth bag.

Immediately upon entering, Nami noticed Morden’s presence.

“Nochi, who is he?” Nami’s brows knit, her slightly swollen face showing a fierce determination.

Nochi was about to answer when Morden interrupted.

“Nami, let’s make a deal.” Morden sat calmly, propping his face with his right hand, looking steadily at Nami.

“I’ll help you eliminate all the fishmen, including Arlong. In exchange, the money you buried in the orange grove, and the contents of that bag you’re holding...”

“Bang.”

Hearing the mention of the money buried in the orange grove, Nami’s expression changed drastically. As if provoked, she decisively dropped the money, dagger in hand, and lunged at Morden.

She wanted to seize him immediately and find out what was going on.

“Nami, don’t...!” Nochi called out, but it was too late.

Ignoring her injuries, Nami leapt onto the dining table, dagger aimed at Morden’s neck.

However, her vision blurred.

When she recovered, the dagger was already in Morden’s hand.

Nami’s forward motion froze instantly.

Morden held the dagger suspended above the table, flicking its tip with his thumb.

Clang!

The dagger’s tip snapped off, the fragment landing on the table with a soft sound.

Then, under the stunned gazes of Nami and Nochi, Morden continued flicking, breaking the dagger apart inch by inch as if ejecting bullets from a magazine.

The dagger’s fragments fell like fine rain onto the table.

“Ding ding ding...”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want something, you have to pay for it.”

“Ding ding ding...”

“You give me the money and the intelligence, and I’ll kill all the fishmen for you.”

“Ding ding ding...”

“How about that?”

As he spoke the last word, the dagger lay in dozens of scattered pieces on the table.

A drop of sweat slid down Nami’s cheek, gathering at her chin before falling onto the table.

“Who... exactly are you?”

“Colonel Wolf Rat of the Navy Headquarters.”