"Why does this all sound so familiar…?"
Reno tilted his head, his smile sly.
The classic 'I'd rather die than join you'… followed, of course, by the inevitable 'fine, I'll join.'
He'd heard it too many times.
Without warning, Reno vanished—appearing instantly beside Smoker.
"Ahh!!"
Tashigi shrieked, instinctively retreating several steps. Her sword hand trembled as she raised Shigure in front of her.
But Reno ignored her.
His foot slammed down on Smoker's head, pinning him against the cracked stone.
"Y-You…"
Smoker grunted, struggling beneath the weight as he tried to activate his smoke powers—only to find them completely suppressed.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Impossible. I… I can't transform?!
Reno chuckled at the man's panicked expression.
"Don't waste your energy. In this world, ignorance has a price."
Blame Oda for making you debut too early, Reno thought dryly.
After all, in East Blue—a sea that hadn't even heard of Haki—this level of power was beyond comprehension.
"You… what are you trying to do?!"
Tashigi's voice shook as she demanded answers, though her legs trembled under her own fear.
She gripped her blade tightly, but her eyes—frightened and confused—betrayed her hesitation.
Reno's response was another grinding stomp on Smoker's skull.
Blood flowed freely now, painting the stone beneath them red.
"P-Please… don't hurt him anymore!"
Tashigi's voice broke, her tears falling uncontrollably.
She had followed Smoker through every mission, every battle.
He'd protected her time and again, risking his life without hesitation.
Watching him crushed like this... was unbearable.
Reno turned to her, expression impassive.
"I gave you a choice, Tashigi—join my crew, or watch him die."
Tashigi stared up at him through blurry eyes, lips trembling.
"S-Stay away… from her…!"
Smoker croaked out, forcing himself upright.
CRACK!
Reno slammed him down again with brutal force.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the plaza as the ground fractured beneath the impact.
"I'll do it!! Please… just stop!"
Tashigi cried out, her knees buckling. Her katana slipped from her hands and clattered to the ground.
Shigure lay abandoned.
Reno finally released his foot from Smoker's head.
"That's more like it," he said calmly.
He stepped toward her, gently taking her arm to help her up.
Tashigi flinched—but didn't resist.
"He'll be fine," Reno reassured. "Just a few broken bones. Nothing fatal."
He hadn't planned to kill Smoker anyway.
"R-Reno, let her go—!"
"Enough."
Reno's voice dropped cold.
"I'll spare your life for her sake, Smoker. But if you open your mouth again, next time I won't hold back."
Tashigi spun around, placing herself between the two men.
"Please don't say anything more! He means it!"
"T-Tashigi?!"
Smoker's roar echoed through the plaza—but the desperation in it was palpable.
"We should go," she said quickly, tugging on Reno's sleeve.
He raised a brow.
Oh? Eager now?
He allowed her to take his arm and lead him away.
They disappeared into the winding streets of Rogue Town, leaving Smoker broken and breathless behind them.
Tashigi followed quietly, trying to process what had just happened.
He's not killing Smoker… but he's still a pirate. I have to escape... somehow.
"You're plotting something," Reno said suddenly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"A-Ah! N-No, I… I'm not…!"
Caught off guard, Tashigi panicked, her voice cracking.
Reno chuckled.
Adorable. She really is the most clueless Marine I've ever seen.
"But just so we're clear…"
His tone dropped a notch. "If you run, he dies."
Boom.
Her mind exploded.
The tears came back instantly.
This time, she didn't even try to wipe them away.
A few minutes later, they reached the docks.
The Merry Go awaited, anchored peacefully. Most of the girls had already returned from shopping, their bags stacked in neat piles onboard.
"Reno-nii, you're back! Wait—who's that?!"
Kaya was the first to notice them, eyes wide with curiosity.
Magino raised a brow. "Another one?"
"This is Tashigi," Reno explained. "Formerly of the Marines. As of today, she's part of the Reno Pirates."
The crew blinked.
Then rolled their eyes.
"Of course she is," Nami muttered, arms crossed.
"Let me guess—you 'invited' her."
The girls took one look at Tashigi's flushed, tear-streaked face and nodded in unison.
Yep. Definitely kidnapped.
It was becoming a pattern. Wherever Reno went, he returned with a new girl.
"It's okay," Magino said gently, placing a comforting hand on Tashigi's shoulder. "He won't hurt you."
Tashigi trembled but followed Magino onto the ship.
Whatever came next… she'd just have to survive it.
"Wait for me!!"
A voice came from behind.
Nami stumbled toward them, arms loaded with shopping bags.
"Nami, did you… buy the whole town?" Norchiko asked, stunned.
"Hehe... I got carried away," Nami grinned sheepishly.
The clothes were cute! And so were the accessories! How could I resist?
With the entire crew back on board, Reno summoned a cloud and began lifting the Merry Go into the sky.
"Let's set sail."
But before they could fully ascend—an earsplitting roar rolled in from across the harbor.
"RENO! YOU BRAT, STOP RIGHT THERE!!"
A shadow loomed over the docks.
Vice Admiral Garp.
Late, as always.