Deep within the Orange Grove, the sound of shovels digging through the soil was especially grating.
Clang!
With a crisp metallic impact, the Marine soldiers digging stopped and shouted excitedly:
"Colonel! We found it!!"
Two heavy treasure chests were dragged out of the dirt.
The lids were brutally pried open, and beneath the sunlight, the Beli and jewels piled within reflected a dazzling golden gleam.
It was a full hundred million Beli.
The blood-and-sweat money Nami had risked her life at sea to steal back from piles of corpses over the past eight years.
It was also this village's last hope.
"Ohohoho!!"
Colonel Nezumi stared at the chests of treasure, his narrow little eyes instantly widening as a greedy smile spread across his face.
He rubbed his hands together, his two whiskers twitching excitedly.
"So it was hidden here after all! What an enormous fortune! As Marines who uphold justice, confiscating pirates' illegal loot is only natural!"
"Stop!!"
Nami, who had rushed over, happened to witness the scene.
She charged forward like a madwoman, trying to shove away the Marines carrying the chests.
"Don't touch it!! That's the money I was going to use to buy the village! It's everyone's hope!!"
"That's my money!! Give it back!!"
At that moment, she was no longer the shrewd Cat Burglar, only a helpless girl on the verge of losing everything.
"Tch, how annoying."
Colonel Nezumi looked impatient as he pulled a pistol from his waist and pressed its dark muzzle directly against Nami's forehead.
"Quit your whining, pirate. This is official Marine business!"
Colonel Nezumi's finger rested on the trigger, a cruel glint flashing through his eyes.
"If you resist again, I'll shoot you dead on the spot for obstructing official business!
"Besides... Arlong never said we had to leave anyone alive..."