North Blue Fish-Man, Poisonous Scheme Administered

"Yo, isn't that Nami?"

On the Golden Merry, as it neared the coastline, a figure suddenly leaped from the sea onto the deck.

It was a Fish-Man, with a mouth like a trumpet, six arms, a simple and honest appearance, and multiple strands of silver-gray hair that looked like a starfish on his head.

"It's Hachi,"

Nami nodded at him. This Octopus Fish-Man named 'Hachi' was one of the executives of the 'Arlong Pirates', and Nami's only relatively less disliked Fish-Man. This was because:

"Hachi, why are you here?"

"Oh, I just saw your ship after sending off a group of human guests."

"By the way, Nami. Since you're back, head over to Arlong Park. We have a new 'executive'. We're having a feast all day today to celebrate."

A Fish-Man feast… But a new executive? It might be good to see.

"Okay, I'll come after I dock the ship and change at home."

"Sure, I'll take you there using an Octopus Pot."

Hachi, this Octopus Fish-Man, was quite easy to get along with when he wasn't fighting. He was honest, simple-minded, and could be described as a very pure individual. Unfortunately:

He followed that guy!

Nami clenched her fists, her teeth grinding, but finally relaxed them in resignation.

"Don't be angry, Nami," the short orange-haired girl muttered to herself.

You've saved up 100 Million Berries. Soon, very soon, you'll be able to fulfill your wish…

"Sister Nojiko, I'm back."

"Welcome home, Nami."

In the tangerine grove north of Cocoyasi Village, there stood a small hut. This was Nami's home, and the only place where she could feel at ease.

"You seem a little unhappy,"

"Did the 'operation' fail?"

After all, they were sisters. The woman in the room immediately noticed that Nami was in a bad mood.

However, although they were called sisters, Nami's short orange hair and the other woman's light blue hair clearly indicated they weren't true blood relatives.

In fact, they were both war orphans, adopted by their foster mother, Bellemere, which allowed them to come into this world. Their mother was killed by Arlong when they were children, in order to protect them!

"No, this time it was a great success. I met some interesting people."

Nami sat down and picked up a tangerine from the table, peeling it.

"Oh, tell me about it."

As Nojiko, with her light blue hair, also sat down, Nami began to recount her experiences, starting from meeting Luffy in the town, then facing the Buggy Pirates, Roman's intervention, the 'act' in Syrup Village, Usopp joining, and then arriving at the Baratie…

"Luffy is a rough fellow, always shouting about becoming the King of the Pirates. But at crucial moments, he always grasves the main point…"

"Zoro is a Three-Sword Style swordsman, with a dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman. But Roman teased him for being ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth…"

"Usopp, he loves to brag. He talks about wanting to be a man, but he's cowardly and afraid of death…"

As she chatted, Nami's face was filled with smiles.

"And Roman… he always has a stern face and even made a detailed training plan for us." As she finished the tangerine, the story was nearing its end.

"Calling him a pirate, I think he's more like a Marine instructor…"

After the story finished, only silence remained in the room.

"Sister Nojiko, I…"

"You've met some very good comrades, Nami."

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

"Don't cry," the woman named Nojiko said, reaching out to wipe Nami's tears and stroking her sister's orange hair.

"It's not pretty for a girl to cry."

"But, but I deceived them…"

Even though Nami, nicknamed 'Cat Burglar', was accustomed to deceiving people as easily as eating and drinking, this highly successful 'operation' left her feeling hollow and uncomfortable inside.

So uncomfortable that tears involuntarily fell.

"If those people are as good as you say," Nojiko smiled and comforted her, amidst Nami's retort of 'they are like that'.

"They will surely forgive you, right?"

"Yes, Sister Nojiko is right!"

"Luffy has no concept of money, Zoro only cares about practicing his swordsmanship, and as for Roman… at worst, I'll steal money from other pirate crews to pay him back later."

Nami smiled through her tears, "When I buy Cocoyasi Village—"

Knock, knock, knock.

"Nami, we're leaving," Hachi the Octopus Fish-Man's voice came from outside the door, making Nami stand up.

"I'm going to Arlong's. See you later, Sister Nojiko."

"See you, Nami."

As Nami, who had changed her clothes, happily ran out of the house, the woman named Nojiko's smiling expression vanished.

"My poor Nami,"

"Your dream... do you really think Arlong will keep his promise?"

Merriment, feasting, A veritable paradise of wine and women.

Except that the participants were all half-human, half-fish, making the place look like a dance of demons.

"Hahahaha~~~ Nami, you've come back at just the right time!"

Inside the seaside establishment called 'Arlong Park,' Arlong, the tall captain of the 'Arlong Pirates,' wearing a plaid shirt, five-point shorts, slippers, and a leather hat, waved at Nami, who had just entered.

"Come here, meet our new comrade!"

A new 'executive'?

Are there other Fish-Men in the East Blue...

"This is Captain Canson," Arlong said, pointing to a middle-aged Fish-Man beside him who was only focused on drinking. He was a Fish-Man with red skin. If it weren't for the characteristic 'gills' and 'fins' of Fish-Men, he would look like an old fisherman with strange skin color.

"And this is our 'Navigator,' Nami."

As he spoke, Arlong specifically explained to 'Captain Canson,' "Although I hate humans, Nami is an exception. Thanks to her, we've been able to dominate this sea area."

"A human girl?"

Canson, the middle-aged Fish-Man, took a sip of wine and nodded at Nami.

"I don't have any prejudice against humans. After all, I was the only Fish-Man on my previous ship." He then raised his wine bottle towards Nami.

"A toast to you, future 'nakama'."

"Hmph, I don't want to accept a toast from a Fish-Man." Nami just snorted and turned her head away, but then, "Today, I really want to drink to my heart's content! Bring the wine!!"

"Hahahaha, don't mind him, Captain Canson. Girls with spirit are bound to have a temper."

"It's alright,"

Canson, the middle-aged Fish-Man, shook his head. "Leader Arlong, I'm a lone wolf now, no longer the captain of the 'Flame Pirates.' Please don't call me Captain Canson, just call me Canson."

"Hahahaha, what are you saying, fellow countryman?"

"As long as you wish, I'll help you rebuild the 'Flame Pirates' immediately!"

"Although I, Arlong, love money, if a fellow countryman needs it, I won't hesitate no matter how much it costs!"

"...Thank you,"

This was why Canson disliked Arlong's way of dealing with humans, yet still stayed under his wing:

Although Arlong was an unforgivable 'villain' to humans, he was a caring fellow countryman to Fish-Men.

"Since you've joined Leader Arlong's ranks, you don't need a pirate crew anymore."

After taking another gulp of wine, the red-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! My life is yours, Leader Arlong."

"Good! Your revenge is my revenge, Arlong. Leave it to me."

"Hahahaha~~~ Come, let's drink!"

Arlong's laughter, having gained a 'great general,' echoed through the feast, indicating his excellent mood.

This Fish-Man named 'Canson' was an extremely rare 'Dark Indian Sea Bream' among Fish-Men. He could normally absorb phosphorus-containing organic matter from food and store it in his body. Once he encountered an enemy or a ship, he could spew flames from his mouth.

Moreover, these flames could even burn underwater, making him a formidable force in the sea!

In addition, he was already proficient in 'Fish-Man Karate' and was once the captain of the well-known 'Flame Pirates' in the North Blue, with a bounty of 35 Million Belly! His strength was on par with Arlong. If his pirate crew hadn't been annihilated by the 'Silver Light Pirates,' someone like him wouldn't have defected to Arlong.

Speaking of which, that Silver Light Pirates seemed...

Hmm?

Arlong glanced at Nami, who was uncharacteristically starting to drink with the other Fish-Men at the feast, his eyes flickering.

So happy, could it be...

"Hachi,"

Arlong, the tall Saw Shark Fish-Man, waved, signaling Hachi the Octopus Fish-Man, who was eating takoyaki on the other side, to come over.

"You, go find those human 'guests' from earlier again."

"Tell them, the little cat has gotten fat."

"Yes, Arlong!"

Hachi, simple-minded as he was, had no objections. He immediately turned and plunged into the pool in the center of the feast with a splash. This pool was directly connected to the ocean outside.

Arlong, sitting grandly in his chair, merely stroked his chin.

Heh, they've gathered so quickly already?

Nami, I'm growing more and more impressed with your abilities.

PS: Thank you to the reader 'I'm Only Fit to Be a Supporting Character' for the reward, and to the reader '20180909184443545' from my previous book for the monthly ticket. An extra chapter is added as a thank you.

Also: Thanks to the reader 'Canson-Otaku' for providing the supporting character – the Fire-breathing Fish-Man Captain Canson. Although he'll probably only live for three chapters, I'll still write him well~~

Finally: Next week we'll be on the trial recommendation list. I shamelessly ask for recommendation votes and such... After all, I want to stay on the recommendation spot.

Please and thank you~~~ ()