On the streets of Yarling Town, Olens, with his wife Ann and ten-year-old son Vik, came out to shop.
The street was filled with the sounds of hawking and bargaining, a truly harmonious and lively scene.
Strolling leisurely down the street, people occasionally greeted them, indicating that Olens and his wife were well-liked and somewhat well-known.
Indeed, Olens was tall, handsome, and the mayor's secretary, handling many town affairs.
He was also very amiable in his dealings with people, and most importantly, he had married Ann, the goddess of all young men in the town.
She was a gentle, kind, and beautiful young woman with a sweet smile; her smile warmed the town's youth like sunshine.
Even a block of solid ice could be melted by her smile!
Their union was truly enviable, and Olens and Ann had a healthy and adorable son the following year.
With a successful career and a happy family, Olens was truly a winner in life, an object of envy for others.
Just then, a voice with a deep, smiling tone came from beside him:
"Mr. Olens, you're personally out shopping today, that's rare."
Olens turned around and said in a gentle tone,
"Ah, Uncle Arno, yes, the mayor is out for a meeting today, so he let me take a day off to spend with my family."
Arno asked in surprise, "Oh, is it because of Pirate King Roger's execution a few days ago?"
Arno was a fishmonger and was well acquainted with the fishermen who went out to sea. He had heard from them about Pirate King Gol D. Roger's public execution in Loguetown a few days prior.
Olens: "It's probably about right. Before he died, Roger admitted that he had obtained the one piece, hidden on some island.
I estimate that many people will go out to sea as pirates to search for that one piece."
Olens paused, then continued gravely,
"In the future, there will be more and more pirates in the world, and even the East Blue, known as the most peaceful sea, will become turbulent!"
Because it was a public execution, the World Government wanted to use the Pirate King's life to deter the world, and they had sent this news to all parts of the world in advance.
Therefore, there were many reporters at the Loguetown execution grounds, and the World Government also set up large photographic den den mushi for live broadcasting. The scale of it was even grander than Ace's later execution.
Don't let the humble scenes depicted in the manga and anime fool you; the importance the World Government and Marine placed on the Pirate King could not be contained by such small-scale events.
Arno asked with fear, "Mr. Olens, what should we do then? The town's armed forces aren't very strong."
Ann's face also showed concern; she looked up at her husband's profile, unconsciously tightening her grip on his hand.
Olens felt his wife's abnormality, withdrew the hand holding his son's, and patted the hand he held with his wife reassuringly.
Then he said to Arno,
"Don't worry, before the mayor left, he mentioned to me that he would propose at the meeting to increase the Marine's troop deployment in the East Blue.
The World Government and Marine also know that the Loguetown execution will definitely fuel a worldwide increase in criminal activity.
The Marine will send more troops to the East Blue; we just have to wait."
Arno breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, his face full of anticipation:
"That's great! If our island also had a Naval Base, our safety would be even more secure."
"Actually, our island had the authority to establish a Marine branch a long time ago.
It's just that the East Blue has been peaceful for a long time, known as the weakest sea. There have always been young people joining the Marine and retired Marines on the island.
Plus, every town has a security team, so the Marine didn't prioritize the construction of a base, and most of their forces were concentrated in the Grand Line," Olens explained.
Arno stopped the topic there and instead said to the child next to the couple,
"Little Vik, you're growing more handsome! You'll definitely be a heartthrob like your father someday, hahaha!"
Little Vik was very shy after hearing this, his small face turning red as he hid behind his parents, which made Arno laugh heartily.
Olens apologized to Arno,
"Uncle Arno, please don't mind. Vik has been shy since he was little. He only plays well with Rebecca.
We're usually busy with work and don't have much time to play with him, so his personality hasn't changed much, sigh!"
Arno laughed heartily,
"It's alright, I know little Vik's personality, and it's good that he plays with Rebecca.
That child lost her parents when she was young, she's also very pitiful. Having little Vik play with her can also alleviate her loneliness."
He paused there and then continued,
"Oh, by the way, a batch of fresh fish just arrived today. Take two home to eat, and take two for Rebecca's family too."
Olens replied, "Fresh fish? I'll pay for them. It's not easy for you to do business.
I'll also buy Aunt Maria's fish. You know that Aunt Maria takes care of Vik when Ann and I are at work. We've always been very grateful to her."
Just as the two were talking, a clamor and shouts of alarm came from the street closer to the sea.
A figure stumbled over from that direction, shouting as he ran:
"Pirates! Pirates! They've killed so many people! Run, run..."
Arno looked at the running man and said anxiously to Olens,
"That's Ah Si, a sailor from the fishing boat. My fish today came from their boat.
Normally, they should be by the sea mending their nets at this time. I see he's injured, so it must really be pirates landing.
You two, hurry and escape! Pirates are ruthless killers!"
Arno finished speaking, his body suddenly trembled, likely scared stiff.
He turned and began to pack up his stall, preparing to close and flee.
Olens was also a little flustered, but years of experience dealing with situations calmed him down. He turned to his wife and said,
"Ann, quickly take Vik home. Pack some clothes, water, and food. Don't take anything else.
Take Vik, Aunt Maria, and Rebecca, and hide in the forest to the south.
Pirates won't stay on the island for long; they'll leave after they've plundered.
As long as we stay in the forest for a few days, we'll be safe. You two, hurry, be quick!"
Ann hesitated and said to her husband,
"What about you? Aren't you coming with me? Vik and I need you."
The increasing clamor, curses, wails, and arrogant laughter grew louder.
Olens said anxiously, "Don't worry, I'll go notify the security team to come and fend off the pirates, and then I'll meet up with you. I'll be fine, you two, hurry!"
Seeing his wife still hesitant, he quickly turned her body and pushed her in the direction they had come from.
However, it was too late. The pirates were fast, already less than two hundred meters away.
"Boss, look at that woman over there. Isn't she a stunner? Good figure, pretty face.
And it looks like the guy next to her is her husband, hahaha! Boss, are you getting excited?" Jianzui, with a monkey-like face, grinned lewdly.
"Haha, you're a talent, kid! You even know the good things about married women. Did you often do this on the island before?"
Derick grinned maliciously:
"Hehe, Boss is truly wise and mighty! I did it a few times before,
but her husband found out and beat me terribly. That's the one I personally finished off last time," Jianzui said resentfully.
Derick said indifferently, "Oh, you mean that woman? She was indeed very 'moist'. To survive under me,
she had quite a few tricks and served me very comfortably. This woman today is even more of a gem. When you catch her, don't touch her. She's mine, understand?"
Derick finished speaking, a glint of lust in his eyes as he glanced at the monkey-faced Jianzui beside him.
Jianzui repeatedly bowed and clasped his hands, stammering,
"Understood, understood! Boss, let's go after that woman quickly, don't let her get away."