"Yo, isn't this Nami?"
On the Golden Merry, which was nearing the coastline, a figure suddenly leaped from the sea onto the deck.
He was a fish-man with a trumpet-like mouth, six arms, an honest-looking face, and several tufts of silver-gray hair that resembled a five-pointed starfish atop his head.
"It's Hachi."
Nami nodded to him. This Octopus Fish-Man named Hachi was one of the Arlong Pirates' officers and probably the only fish-man Nami did not particularly dislike. Because:
"Hachi, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just saw off a group of human guests and spotted your ship."
"Right, Nami. Since you're back, come to Arlong Park. We've got another officer now. We're holding a feast and celebrating all day."
A fish-man feast... But a new officer? It wouldn't hurt to meet him.
"Fine. Once I dock the ship and go home to change, I'll come over."
"Sure. Then I'll take you there in my Octopus Pot."
Hachi, this Octopus Fish-Man, was actually pretty easy to get along with when he was not fighting. He was honest and simple-minded, practically a pure and uncomplicated guy. Unfortunately:
He followed that man!
Nami clenched both fists, her teeth grinding, before finally loosening them helplessly.
"Don't get angry, Nami," the orange-haired girl muttered to herself.
You've already saved up one hundred million Berries. Soon... soon, your wish will come true...
"Nojiko, I'm home."
"Welcome home, Nami."
There was a small house in the Orange Grove north of Cocoyasi Village. This was Nami's home, the only place where she could feel at peace.
"You look a little unhappy."
"Did the operation fail?"
After all, they were sisters. The woman in the room immediately saw that something was wrong with Nami's mood.
Though they called each other sisters, Nami's orange hair and the other woman's pale blue hair made it obvious that they were not blood-related.
In truth, they were both war orphans. They had come to this world only because their adoptive mother, Bellemere, had taken them in. And their mother had been killed by Arlong when they were little, while protecting them!
"No, this time was a huge success. I met a group of interesting people."
Nami sat down and picked up an orange from the table, peeling it.
"Oh? Tell me about them."
As blue-haired Nojiko sat down as well, Nami began with meeting Luffy in town, then facing the Buggy Pirates and Roman coming to their rescue. She went on to their "act" at Syrup Village, Usopp joining them, and then their arrival at the Baratie...
"Luffy is a scatterbrained guy who shouts every day about becoming the King of the Pirates. But when it matters, he always manages to grasp the important part..."
"Zoro is a Three-Sword Style swordsman whose dream is to become the World's Greatest Swordsman. Though Roman mocked him for not knowing his own limits..."
"Usopp loves bragging the most. He says he wants to become a brave man, but he's terribly timid and afraid of death..."
As she talked, Nami's face filled with smiles.
"Then there's Roman. He keeps a straight face all day and even made a detailed training plan for us." As the orange in her hand was nearly finished, her story came to an end as well.
"Calling him a pirate is less fitting than calling him a Marine instructor..."
After the story ended, only silent stillness remained in the room.
"Nojiko, I..."
"You met some wonderful companions, Nami."
Drip. Drip.
"Don't cry." Nojiko reached out to wipe away Nami's tears, then stroked her little sister's orange hair.
"Girls don't look pretty when they cry."
"But... but I deceived them..."
Nami, who treated lying as naturally as eating and drinking and bore the nickname Cat Burglar, felt an empty ache in her heart because of this highly successful operation.
It hurt so much that tears fell from her eyes uncontrollably.
"If those people are as wonderful as you say," Nojiko smiled and comforted her sister despite Nami's protest that they really are like that.
"They'll definitely forgive you, right?"
"Mm, Nojiko, you're right!"
"Luffy has no concept of money at all, Zoro only knows how to practice swordsmanship, and as for Roman... I can always steal money from other pirate crews later and pay him back."
Nami smiled through her tears. "Once I buy Cocoyasi Village—"
Knock, knock, knock.
"Nami, it's time to go."
Hachi the Octopus Fish-Man called from outside, and Nami stood up.
"I'm going to see Arlong. See you later, Nojiko."
"See you, Nami."
As Nami, now changed into different clothes, happily ran out of the house, Nojiko's smile faded.
"My poor Nami."
"Your dream... do you really think Arlong will keep his promise?"
Merriment. A grand feast.
A sea of wine and meat.
But all the participants were half-human, half-fish, making the place seem like a gathering of demons.
"Shahahaha~~~ Nami, you came back at just the right time!"
Inside the seaside structure known as Arlong Park, the Arlong Pirates' captain, Arlong, laughed as he waved at Nami, who had just entered. He was a tall man wearing a floral shirt, knee-length shorts, slippers, and a leather cap.
"Come over and meet our new companion!"
That new officer?
Were there other fish-men in the East Blue...?
"This is Captain Canson." Arlong pointed at a middle-aged fish-man beside him who was focused only on drinking. His skin was crimson red. Were it not for the fish-man's distinctive gills and fins, he would have looked like an old fisherman with an unusual skin color.
"This is Nami, our surveyor."
As he spoke, Arlong deliberately explained to Captain Canson, "Though I hate humans, Nami is an exception. Thanks to her, we were able to rule this stretch of sea."
"A human girl?"
After taking a drink, the middle-aged fish-man named Canson nodded at Nami.
"I have no prejudice against humans. After all, I used to be the only fish-man on my ship." He raised his bottle toward Nami from afar.
"A toast to you, future companion."
"Hmph, I don't want to accept a fish-man's toast." Nami merely snorted and turned away. But then she said, "Still, I feel like drinking to my heart's content today. Bring me some booze!!"
"Shahahahaha! Don't mind her, Captain Canson. A capable little girl is bound to have a big temper."
"It's fine."
The middle-aged fish-man named Canson shook his head. "Leader Arlong, I'm alone now. I'm no longer the captain of the Flame Pirates. Please don't call me Captain Canson. Just call me Canson."
"Shahahahaha, what are you saying, fellow countryman?"
"If you're willing, I'll help you rebuild the Flame Pirates immediately!"
"I, Arlong, love money, but if a fellow fish-man needs it, no amount of money would make me bat an eye!"
"...Thank you."
That was why Canson still lived under Arlong despite disliking how Arlong treated humans:
To humans, Arlong was an utterly wicked villain, but to fish-men, he was a considerate fellow kindred spirit.
"Since I've joined Leader Arlong's ranks, there's no need for a pirate crew."
After taking another swig of alcohol, the crimson-skinned middle-aged fish-man raised his head, his eyes bloodshot!
"As long as I can find the Silver Light Pirates and avenge my brothers! This life of mine belongs to Leader Arlong."
"Good! Your enemies are my enemies, Arlong's enemies. Leave it to me."
"Shahahahaha~~~ Come, drink!"
Having gained a powerful officer, Arlong's laughter echoed over the feast, showing just how pleased he was.
This fish-man named Canson was an exceptionally rare Dark Indian Sea Bream among fish-men. He could absorb phosphorus-containing organic matter from food and continuously store it inside his body. When he encountered enemies or ships, he could spew flames from his mouth.
Moreover, those flames could even burn underwater. He was unquestionably a fierce warrior of the sea!
On top of that, he was already proficient in Fish-Man Karate. He had once been the captain of the well-known North Blue Flame Pirates, a powerful fighter with a bounty of thirty-five million Berries! His strength was on par with Arlong's. If his pirate crew had not been wiped out by the Silver Light Pirates, someone like him would never have submitted to Arlong.
Speaking of which, that Silver Light Pirates crew seemed to...
Hm?
Arlong looked at Nami, who was acting unusually and competing in drinking with the other fish-men at the feast. His gaze flickered.
She was this happy... could it be...?
"Hachi."
The tall sawshark fish-man Arlong beckoned for Hachi, the Octopus Fish-Man who was eating takoyaki on the other side, to come over.
"You, go find those human guests from earlier."
"Tell them the little cat has gotten fat."
"Yes, Arlong!"
Simple-minded Hachi had no objections. He turned and plunged into the pool at the center of the feast with a splash—the pool was connected directly to the ocean outside.
Meanwhile, Arlong, seated broadly in his chair, merely stroked his chin.
Heh, she gathered it all so quickly?
Nami, I'm appreciating your abilities more and more.
PS: Thank you to reader "I Only Deserve to Be a Supporting Character" for the reward, and to reader "20180909184443545," who followed over from my previous book, for the monthly ticket. Here's an extra chapter.
Also: thank you to reader "Canson-Homebody" for providing the supporting character—Fire-breathing Fish-Man Captain Canson. Though he'll probably only survive three chapters, I'll still write him well~~
Finally: next week, this book will be getting a trial recommendation. I shamelessly ask for recommendation votes and such... After all, I want to stay on the recommendation list too.
Please~~~()
Before you continue