Nami's Training

"What a pity. You made the wrong choice."

Ling Donglai shook his head at the cannonball coming from afar, then picked up another cannonball and hurled it out with his bare hand.

In his mind, the two cannonballs should have collided midair and exploded.

But unfortunately, his aim whenever he threw things had always been rather hit-or-miss.

The two cannonballs brushed past each other.

Lightning Strike!

A bolt of lightning pierced the enemy's cannonball and detonated it prematurely. However, because the two cannonballs were rather close together—

The shockwave caused both cannonballs to explode in midair, and the resulting tremors churned the sea into turmoil.

"Momoo, get closer."

After gauging the distance between the two ships, Ling Donglai gave Momoo the order.

The enormous sea cow raised its head and rammed into the other ship.

"We're finished! That's a giant sea beast—they're using a sea beast to pull their ship..."

Terrified cries rang out from the opposing pirate ship.

Naturally, the outcome was the ship's destruction and everyone aboard perishing.

"Next time we spot another pirate ship, avoid it if we can. This is such a pointless battle."

After destroying the opposing pirate ship, Ling Donglai rubbed his stomach. His hunger was becoming more and more obvious.

The giant sea beast, subdued by force, let out a few low cries in agreement.

"Captain, I need to tell you that we don't have much money left. We still need to buy more ingredients."

At the dining table, little Nami tapped her bowl and chopsticks as she spoke to Ling Donglai.

Ling Donglai had never been particularly interested in money, so Nami was conveniently put in charge of managing their finances.

"Already?" Ling Donglai asked blankly.

"Of course. I originally prepared enough food for a month, but I misjudged your appetite, Captain. We need to stock up on more."

That month's worth of food had been calculated based on the appetites of two people.

But Ling Donglai's stomach had thrown Nami's plans into disarray. On top of that, they had returned all of Arlong's treasure to the villagers without taking a single Beli, leaving them with very little money.

A bird wearing a backpack descended from the sky in the distance. Nami skillfully took out several Beli and tossed them over, then retrieved a newspaper from the bird's backpack.

"Captain, your bounty has risen to thirty million Beli. With a bounty like that, who knows how many hunters will come flocking in? There's nothing but bad news in this paper."

"Mm... I should've looted some treasure before running into that pirate ship. Looks like we need to adjust our strategy."

Ling Donglai nodded. In these chaotic times, there were many ways to acquire wealth. As for the bounty, it was not that big a deal.

"The nearest place to buy supplies is Loguetown. It's also near the entrance to the Grand Line. Do you want to take a look?"

"The town with that famous tourist attraction?"

Ling Donglai instinctively thought of Roger's execution site and Smoker, the first Logia Devil Fruit user to appear.

"Then let's go there and stock up..."

"We can go, of course, but only if we can afford to spend money in Loguetown. In other words, before we go, we need to rob some pirates of their treasure." Nami raised one finger.

"What, are prices there that high?" Ling Donglai asked in confusion.

"They're incredibly high. It's a town-level place, after all, and it has the premium that comes with its fame. I was lucky enough to visit once. Even a single sword costs one hundred thousand Beli there. It's practically extortion."

"Those people are blatantly making money off pirates heading for the Grand Line. And with the Marines stationed directly in Loguetown, armed conflicts are rare. That's what gives them the confidence to charge such high prices."

As a somewhat famous pirate thief in the East Blue, Nami knew Loguetown's situation like the back of her hand.

"What strange prices." Ling Donglai finally understood why Nami said they were short on funds.

The prices of goods in the countryside and in towns were completely different.

By Arlong's standards in Cocoyasi Village, one adult was worth only one hundred thousand Beli. But in Loguetown, that was merely the price of a sword.

"Then it's settled. We'll find some pirates, defeat them, and take their treasure. And while we're at it... Nami, the Marines aren't after you, right?"

"That's right. At the moment, you're the only wanted person on the ship, Captain."

"Then after we defeat the pirates, you can take their heads in for the bounty."

"Indeed. We can earn the pirates' money and make another profit from the Marines." A golden gleam shone in Nami's eyes again.

"But before that, Captain, I want to become a little stronger too."

"Mm. With my ability, even if you still can't learn Current Drive, I can use electric currents to stimulate your body and enhance your physical abilities. Then let's become stronger together!"

Ling Donglai took Nami's hand.

Crackling electric current was guided into Nami's body, slowly strengthening it.

As an ability that could be cultivated, in the world of Sea Tiger, even the lowest of the low could practice Current Drive. Ling Donglai had no doubts that Nami could grow stronger.

After all, as a Human-Human Fruit user, his control over the human body had naturally reached the cellular level.

As long as Ling Donglai guided them, others could certainly develop Current Drive as well.

However, without Ling Donglai to guide them, the only paths available to others were Haki and Devil Fruits.

They would be unable to draw out Current Drive.

The cultivation requirements alone were unimaginable. One also had to make the body withstand the power of electric current without damaging itself.

"Mm..." Fine currents surged through Nami's body, and the crackling electricity left her weak, numb, and tingling all over.

Yet Nami restrained herself and silently endured this method of training through electric shocks.

About an hour later, Ling Donglai finally released her arm.

Only then did Nami, who no longer had a trace of strength left, begin to breathe lightly. She raised her head blankly and opened her misty eyes.

"Is it over?"

"No. We've encountered prey. A pirate ship with little reputation has run into us."

"I'll end the battle quickly."

"Mm..."

"We're finished, Captain! Someone from that Shark Superb has come down to attack us!"

The pirate ship was thrown into chaos.

A large ship naturally created a sense of oppression. As a ship capable of holding a hundred people, the Shark Spab naturally put pressure on a medium-sized vessel that could hold only fifty.

"Don't panic! I wouldn't be afraid even if Arlong were here, much less now that he's dead! What are you afraid of?!"

The captain, barefoot, slid across the deck.

"You're... a Devil Fruit user, aren't you?"

Ling Donglai noticed his incredibly smooth skin. Though he was a man, his skin was more delicate than a woman's. The phrase smooth as if it could be broken by a puff of air was not an exaggeration when applied to him.

This method of nearly transforming a person's skin was most likely the power of a Devil Fruit.

This was yesterday's third update. I fell asleep last night, so I only managed to write it now.

Also, there will be three updates today as well. (Please vote...)