One Piece: I Awakened the Ninja Template System - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Betraying

The road from the ruins of Arlong Park to Cocoyasi Village had never felt so alive.

Villagers crowded around the Straw Hats, cheering loudly enough to frighten birds from the nearby trees. Some carried the injured fighters on wooden stretchers, while others supported them with their shoulders. Luffy refused a stretcher until someone told him there would be meat in the village. After that, he climbed onto one without the slightest shame and began demanding food before they had even started moving.

“Meat! I want enough meat for ten people!”

“You already ate all the oranges from that tree!” Usopp shouted from another stretcher.

“That was fruit. Fruit isn’t meat.”

“That doesn’t make it disappear from your stomach!”

Laughter spread through the villagers.

Zoro walked for less than a minute before his injuries forced him to accept help. His chest remained wrapped over Mihawk’s terrible wound, and the latest battle had stained the bandages red again. Sanji limped beside him with a cigarette between his lips, pretending he was in far better condition than he actually was.

“You should lie down before you collapse, moss-head.”

Zoro gave him a tired glare. “You’re one kick away from falling over.”

“I can still kick you.”

“Try it.”

“Can both of you stop fighting?” Nami snapped. “We just survived Arlong!”

The two men turned away from each other with matching looks of irritation.

Jack followed near the rear of the group. His body had recovered enough for him to walk, but every step reminded him of what Arlong had done. His bones had healed, his damaged muscles were knitting themselves back together, and the pain had faded from unbearable to merely unpleasant.

He could live with unpleasant.

After all, he was alive.

As they entered Cocoyasi Village, more people poured from their houses. News had already travelled ahead of them. Arlong had fallen. His headquarters had collapsed. The Marines had dragged him away in chains.

For the first time in eight years, nobody needed to count their money before the next tax collection.

An older villager climbed onto an overturned barrel and raised both arms.

“Listen, everyone!”

The cheering slowly quietened.

“For eight years, Arlong took our money, our families and our freedom. Today, he lost everything!” The man pointed towards Luffy and his crew. “These pirates fought for us when the Marines wouldn’t. So we’re not having some tiny dinner and sending them away!”

Several villagers raised their cups in agreement.

“This celebration will continue for three days!”

The village erupted.

“Three days?” Usopp repeated, his exhaustion instantly forgotten. “A celebration for three whole days?”

“Three days of meat!” Luffy screamed.

“Three days of beautiful ladies!” Sanji declared, smoke curling from his grin.

“Three days of alcohol,” Zoro murmured approvingly.

Nami folded her arms. “Three days of all of you creating trouble for me.”

Someone pushed a cup into her uninjured hand, and despite her complaint, she smiled.

Jack watched the villagers begin carrying out tables, barrels and cooking pots. A few people were already arguing about which family would provide the first meal. Children ran between the adults, shouting that Arlong was gone as if repeating the words would make them more real.

For several seconds, Jack simply stood there.

Back on Earth, he had watched celebrations like this through a screen. The heroes won, music played, and the story moved towards the next island. He had never thought about how victory might feel to the people who had spent years wondering whether they would survive the next month.

The first strike against the back of his head came without warning.

Smack!

“Ow!”

Jack turned and found Nojiko standing behind him with one hand still raised. She looked relieved, exhausted and deeply unimpressed.

“You don’t have any pirate-hunter team, right?”

Jack rubbed the back of his head and smiled.

Nojiko narrowed her eyes. “That smile is your answer?”

“Well…”

“I knew it.” She placed both hands on her hips. “No real pirate-hunter team was coming after fifteen days. You made up the entire story.”

“It sounded believable at the time.”

“No, it didn’t. Genzo nearly stabbed you with his farming tool.”

“But he didn’t. Which means it worked.”

Nojiko stared at him for several seconds before releasing a long breath. “And what kind of spineless pirate hunter are you? You joined the Straw Hat Pirates instantly.”

“I got bored travelling alone,” Jack said. “And this captain looks interesting, so I joined.”

“Interesting?” Nojiko glanced towards Luffy.

The rubber pirate had somehow climbed onto the table and was attempting to swallow an entire piece of roasted meat without chewing. Usopp was yelling that he would choke, while Sanji was threatening to stop cooking if Luffy touched the unfinished dishes.

Luffy swallowed the meat and raised both arms in victory.

Nojiko looked back at Jack. “That is one word for him.”

“He defeated Arlong.”

“So did you, in a way.”

“I survived Arlong,” Jack corrected. “There’s a difference.”

Nojiko studied him more carefully. “Why didn’t you start your own pirate group? With your strength and those powers, it’s entirely possible.”

Jack blinked.

Starting his own crew had crossed his mind before, but only as one of countless distant possibilities. He had been too busy surviving to seriously consider it.

Then he noticed Nojiko’s challenging expression and decided to tease her.

“If you’re willing to join me, I don’t mind starting my own pirate group.”

Nojiko froze.

Jack laughed and turned towards the tables before she could answer. “Come on. If I wait any longer, Luffy will eat everything.”

He walked away to enjoy the celebration.

He didn’t see the strange emotion that appeared in Nojiko’s eyes.

The first day became a storm of food, music and laughter.

Every family brought whatever they had. Fish sizzled over fires. Pots of soup simmered beside baskets of vegetables. Barrels that had been hidden from the Arlong Pirates were finally opened, and cups passed from hand to hand.

Some villagers were curious about Jack’s powers. Others were cautious around him after seeing what remained of Born Village. That hesitation faded when several children surrounded him and began demanding wooden swords.

Jack created five blunt practice swords, then regretted it when the children immediately started attacking one another.

“Not the face!” Usopp shouted as he took command of their training. “A great warrior always protects the face! Especially one as handsome and heroic as mine!”

One wooden sword struck his chin.

Usopp fell over screaming.

Later, several farmers approached Jack and asked whether he could create orange plants like the tree he had made at Arlong Park.

Jack smiled. “I can, but show me where you want them.”

They led him towards an open area beside an existing orchard. Jack placed his palm against the soil and channelled chakra into the ground.

Roots formed first, spreading beneath the surface. A green shoot pushed upwards, thickened and rapidly grew taller. Branches emerged and divided as leaves unfolded across them. Within moments, a fully grown orange tree stood before the stunned villagers.

Creating a mature tree required one hundred units of CP. If Jack wanted the tree to produce viable seeds as well, the cost increased by another ten units. Once a tree had already matured, growing a fresh crop of fruit required only ten CP.

The cost was high, but his reserves had improved enormously.

After the battle with Arlong, the system had finally calculated the experience he had gained. Fighting someone far stronger than himself, developing chakra armour under pressure and surviving near-fatal injuries had pushed him forward by six levels.

A thought brought up his current status.

—

Template: Ten-Tails

Ability: Sage Body Lv. 10, Sage Spirit Lv. 10, Wood Release Lv10

Level: 34 (196/630)

Status: Genin

…

HP: 340/340 [Recovers 10% per minute]

CP: 380/380 [Recovers 10% per minute]

…

Skill: Chakra Control Lv4(5%), Transformation Lv2(67%), Chakra Enhanced Strength Lv4(1%), Body Flicker Lv2(84%)

Fire Jutsu: Fireball Lv1(75%)

Ability: Sharingan Lv2(15%)

—

380 points of chakra.

It was a massive improvement compared to what he had possessed only a few days earlier. Still, creating mature trees drained him quickly. He could make three before needing to rest for approximately ten minutes. Once his chakra recovered, he could repeat the process.

By sunset, the edge of the village had gained several new orange trees.

When Jack sat down to recover, people placed plates of food and cups of alcohol in front of him. Natural energy might sustain his body while he rested, but it couldn’t replace the pleasure of eating after nearly dying.

As darkness covered the village, lanterns were hung from rooftops and tree branches. Music continued beneath the stars.

…

Away from the loudest part of the celebration, Nojiko sat in front of her house with a bottle of whiskey in her hand.

She had already drunk enough for the world to feel softer around its edges. Yet Jack’s earlier words remained perfectly clear.

‘If you’re willing to join me, I don’t mind starting my own pirate group.’

She looked across the village.

These people were her family. She knew every house, every road and nearly every person celebrating beneath the lanterns. She knew which roofs leaked during heavy rain and which children stole fruit from Bell-mère’s grove.

She loved this place.

Nearby, Nami sat while someone worked on the tattoo covering the mark of the Arlong Pirates. The process hurt, but Nami endured it with clenched teeth. That hated symbol was slowly becoming something else—something chosen rather than forced upon her.

Nojiko was happy to remain here.

At least, that was what she had always told herself.

During Arlong’s occupation, leaving had never been an option. Nami had carried the impossible burden of collecting one hundred million berries, while Nojiko had stayed with the villagers and done whatever little she could.

They had always depended on somebody else.

First Nami.

Then Luffy and his crew.

Even Jack, who had arrived so weak that Genzo had threatened him with a farming tool, had transformed himself within days. He had trained until he could fight Fish-Men, kill one of Arlong’s officers and stand against Arlong himself.

Nojiko tightened her fingers around the bottle.

She wanted to change too.

Not because she hated the village. Not because she wanted to abandon anyone. She simply didn’t want the borders of Conomi Islands to become the borders of her entire life.

For the first time, the sea beyond the island didn’t look like a prison wall. It looked like a road.

Nami was going with the Straw Hats. Nojiko could already see the decision in her sister’s eyes. If Nojiko asked, Nami would probably convince Luffy to take her as well.

But then she would once again be riding on Nami’s shoulders.

She was Nami’s elder sister. She didn’t want Nami to feel responsible for protecting her. Joining the Straw Hats through Nami would feel like becoming another burden her younger sister had to carry.

Her gaze moved towards Jack.

He sat near the centre of the celebration, laughing as Luffy tried to steal food from Sanji’s cooking pot. He looked nothing like the man who had driven wooden spikes through Fish-Men or stood bleeding before Arlong.

‘If you’re willing to join me…’

Nojiko’s grip tightened around the whiskey bottle.

But could she really do it?

What could she offer someone like Jack?

Would she only become a burden on the person who had helped save her village?

The questions circled inside her mind long after the whiskey bottle became empty.

The night passed slowly.

Luffy continued eating until he fell asleep with a piece of meat in his hand. Zoro drank until even his monstrous endurance surrendered, then passed out beside an empty barrel. Sanji spent most of the night flirting with the village girls, somehow forgetting his injuries whenever one of them smiled at him.

Usopp told increasingly impossible stories about his role in the battle.

By morning, most of the village was asleep.

Only a few people remained awake, already preparing food for the next round of celebration in the evening. Pots were cleaned, fresh ingredients gathered and fires rebuilt.

Whenever something that grew on trees ran out, someone came to find Jack.

“Jack! We need more oranges, apples, lemon, and potatos!”

“Jack! Can you grow another tree over here?”

“Jack, Luffy ate everything again!”

Jack created more trees, rested and repeated the process. He quickly discovered that becoming a pirate with Wood Release could easily turn into becoming the crew’s emergency orchard.

The second celebration began before sunset.

This time, people arrived from other villages throughout the Conomi Islands. Some had walked for hours after hearing that Arlong was defeated. Others came in fishing boats, still refusing to believe the news until they saw the ruins and heard the story directly.

The village became even more crowded than before.

In the evening, Jack sat with Zoro and Sanji near a large fire.

“You call that fighting?” Sanji asked. “You could barely stand.”

“I still defeated my opponent,” Zoro replied, drinking from his cup.

“You reopened your wound.”

“And you got caught by Arlong.”

“I was creating an opening to rescue Luffy.”

“You were getting beaten.”

Sanji’s eyebrow twitched. “Say that again.”

“You were getting beaten.”

Sanji stood despite the pain in his legs. Zoro reached towards his swords, although he looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.

Jack lifted his cup. “Should I create a wooden cage for both of you?”

“Stay out of this,” they answered together.

Before their argument could become a fight, Nojiko appeared beside them.

“Jack, come with me.”

Sanji stopped instantly.

His eyes shifted from Nojiko to Jack, then back again.

“Why does Jack get invited somewhere private by a beautiful woman?”

“Because she doesn’t want you there,” Zoro said.

Sanji spun towards him. “Nobody asked you, moss-head!”

Nojiko caught Jack by the wrist and pulled him away from the fire. Sanji watched them leave with an expression of profound betrayal.

She led Jack past several houses until the noise of the celebration became distant enough for them to speak privately.

Nojiko released his wrist but didn’t look at him.

“Were you serious?”

“About what?”

She took a breath. “Starting your own pirate group if I came with you.”

Jack’s amusement disappeared.

He had expected another joke or perhaps another slap. But Nojiko’s shoulders were tense, and when she finally met his gaze, there was nothing playful in her eyes.

Jack was silent for several seconds.

Then he nodded.

“Yes. I joined the Straw Hats because I felt bored alone. If you come with me, I’ll definitely start my own pirate group.”

Nojiko lowered her head.

“I…” Her voice caught. “I… Can you tell me why you asked me?”

Jack waited.

“You know I’m not a genius navigator like my sister,” Nojiko continued. “I’m not a powerful fighter either. In a sense, I’m so useless that even the Arlong Pirates didn’t want me.”

Jack smiled. “Hey, I know nothing about navigation either. Are you telling me I’m useless?”

“No!” Nojiko immediately raised her head. “You’re strong. You can grow trees, move faster than I can see and even breathe fire.”

“Those things aren’t important.”

“How can breathing fire not be important?”

“Everyone has some quality,” Jack said. “For example, I heard you make the best alcohol in the entire village. That’s a talent.”

Nojiko stared at him. “You want to recruit me because I can make alcohol?”

“That alone would probably convince half the pirates in the world.”

Despite herself, she laughed.

Jack’s expression softened. “Strength isn’t only about punching someone. You brought food to me even when helping me could have attracted the Arlong Pirates. You came looking for me when you believed they might kill me. You knew you couldn’t defeat them, but you still came.”

He tapped one finger against her forehead.

“You’re already brave. And I didn’t ask you as a joke or out of pity. I asked because you’re capable.”

Warmth spread across Nojiko’s face. She looked away before he could notice too much of it.

“If you start your own crew, wouldn’t that mean betraying the Straw Hats?” she asked. “Can we really tell them?”

“Hey, we’re going to be pirates.” Jack grinned. “Just run away.”

Nojiko blinked.

“As for telling them, write a letter at most. In the future, we’ll be rivals. That sounds more interesting than simply joining them.”

He imagined Luffy’s reaction when he discovered his newest crewmate had vanished during the celebration. The rubber captain would probably be angry for several minutes, then become excited by the promise of a future fight.

Nami, however, might kill them both.

“And what about the ship?” Nojiko asked.

Jack’s grin froze.

Until that moment, his plan had contained one serious weakness.

He didn’t own a ship.

Wood Release could create trees, vines, weapons and rough structures, but his control was nowhere near precise enough to build a seaworthy vessel. A ship wasn’t simply a large piece of wood. It needed balanced weight, sealed joints, sails, rigging and countless parts he didn’t understand.

Jack scratched his cheek. “About that…”

Smack!

Nojiko slapped the back of his head again.

“You planned to start a pirate crew without a ship?”

“I was getting to that part.”

“No, you weren’t.” Nojiko folded her arms, though excitement had begun to replace her earlier uncertainty. “Don’t worry. I already thought of an idea. The Arlong Pirates still have a ship. We can use that.”

Jack’s eyes widened.

He had been considering how to create a raft without embarrassing himself in front of Luffy. Meanwhile, Nojiko had located an actual pirate ship.

“I’m impressed.”

“You should be.”

“When do we leave?”

“Wait one more day,” Nojiko said. “I’ll arrange everything we need for the journey—maps, food, water, clothes and other supplies. I’ll also check the ship’s condition and tell you whether it can sail.”

As she spoke, she no longer looked like the calm, mature woman who had endured eight years under Arlong’s shadow. Her eyes were bright, and a barely restrained smile kept appearing on her lips.

She looked like an excited girl preparing for her first journey beyond home.

Jack nodded. “One more day.”

They returned separately to the celebration.

Jack found a fresh cup of alcohol, sat near the fire and allowed the surrounding noise to wash over him.

His decisions had changed constantly since arriving in this world.

At first, he had wanted only to survive. Then he had considered becoming a pirate hunter. Later, he decided joining Luffy would give him reliable companions and a known path through the dangerous future.

But after meeting the Straw Hats and hearing their dreams, something had begun bothering him.

If he stayed with them, how much of his life would simply become a repetition of a story he already knew?

Even if the details changed, he would still be following Luffy’s route and standing inside someone else’s adventure.

Seeing the world on his own terms felt more dangerous.

It also felt far more interesting.

He might reach different islands, meet different enemies and create events that had never existed in the story he remembered. He would lose the safety offered by travelling beside Luffy, Zoro and Sanji.

But danger had a strange attraction when it came with freedom.

And Nojiko had helped him when he possessed nothing. She had brought him food, offered him shelter and treated him like a person before she knew whether he could defeat anyone.

They were friends.

If she wanted to see the world, and Jack wanted a journey of his own, there was no reason they couldn’t leave together.

It served both of them.

Across the village, Nojiko reached the same decision.

Before doubt could return, she rushed to arrange the things they needed for their new journey.