Merry, Usopp

The banquet was filled with lively chatter and clinking glasses. Luffy and Usopp were showing off on top of a table.

With chopsticks stuck in their nostrils and a dustpan in hand, they danced a bizarre jig, making Kaya laugh heartily.

"This captain really has no sense of propriety," Nami sighed helplessly. "Speaking of which, where are we headed next?"

"You're not going to use that trick again, are you?" Zoro couldn't help but glance at Lina.

He still remembered how, before, Lina had Luffy randomly point to a spot on the map, and then they had set Syrup Village as their destination.

"...That trick?"

"Cough, cough, I already have an idea for our next stop."

Lina yawned and said, under Nami's confused gaze, "Don't you think we're missing an important crewmate on our ship?"

"You mean that role?"

"Indeed, it's not quite right for the ship to be without that position," Zoro and Nami agreed, stroking their chins.

"You guys think so too, right?"

Hearing this, Luffy also came closer, grinning as he looked at everyone. "Then it's decided, we're going to find a musician!"

"It's a cook, a cook!"

"If you're not going to use your brain, you should donate it!"

"Speaking of cooks,"

Lina paused, lit a cigarette, and said, "Baratie, the sea restaurant. Let's go there."

"However, that's already close to the Grand Line. Before that, I'm considering going to the Konomi Islands to find Arlong."

"Konomi Islands?"

"Where is that?"

"Arlong!!!"

Compared to the confusion of the others, Nami exclaimed.

She hadn't expected to hear that name from Lina.

'Arlong' – those two words were practically her nightmare. Every mention of them stirred up her inner fear and disgust.

She would never forget the scene of Bellemere being personally killed by Arlong to protect her and Genzo.

"Nami, what's wrong? Do you know this Arlong?" Luffy asked, seeing Nami's pale face.

Nami remained silent, her face grim. The lively atmosphere suddenly quieted down.

Lina was the first to break the silence.

"Arlong was originally a member of a certain Fish-Man pirate crew in the Grand Line..."

He slowly explained to Luffy and the others how Arlong came to the East Blue and his brutal rule in the Konomi Islands...

"Sounds like a real bastard, Lina and Nami, do you know him?" Luffy asked, confused. Even Nami looked at Lina sideways.

She was curious why Lina wanted to find Arlong. Did he have some connection with Arlong?

"What are you thinking?"

Lina noticed Nami's strange look and explained, "Have you forgotten my abilities? I'm just a little greedy for his body."

"So that's how it is," Luffy said, relieved, grinning. "Then let's go beat up Arlong first and help Lina collect new monsters!"

"They're spirits, not monsters!"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Nami became anxious. "Do you know how strong Arlong is? He's..."

Nami suddenly stopped. Arlong's power was deeply etched in her mind.

Over the years, how many Navy officers who wanted to capture him were sunk to the bottom of the sea, ship and all, before they even got a glimpse of him.

Hearing that they were going to cause trouble for Arlong, she was shocked.

But...

Nami looked up at the few of them.

Luffy, Zoro, Lina... and his spirits, had dealt with Kuro, a pirate with a 16 million Belly bounty, so effortlessly.

"If it's them, maybe..." Nami couldn't help but think.

Perhaps they really had a chance to defeat Arlong?

If that were the case, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village could be saved from Arlong's dark rule.

No, that's not possible.

If they failed, with Arlong's cruel nature, he would absolutely kill them all.

Nami's heart was torn. She had made a promise with Arlong: if she could save 100 million Belly, she could buy Cocoyasi Village from him.

But that was 100 million Belly! After so many years, it still seemed impossibly far away.

"Hey Nami, what's wrong with you?"

"You've been acting really strange since a while ago."

The others were confused. Apart from Lina, none of them knew about Nami's history with Arlong.

"I know Arlong..."

Nami decided to tell them the truth.

Afterward, the group learned about her past through Nami's gritted teeth.

It turned out that many years ago, after Arlong and his crew arrived in the East Blue, they had taken control of the Konomi Islands with their overwhelming strength. Everyone had to pay a fee to keep their lives on time. Her hometown, Cocoyasi Village, was one of the islands in the Konomi Islands...

"So that's why you became a thief?"

Hearing about Nami's deal with Arlong, Zoro guessed the reason she went out to sea.

Luffy's face was filled with anger. "That scoundrel! I've decided, our next stop is to find that Arlong!"

"Wait, haven't you understood yet? Arlong, he's..."

"Don't try to persuade us, Nami."

Lina interrupted Nami. "No matter what, we've already accepted you as our Navigator."

"If our own crewmate is bullied, and we don't go back to settle the score..."

"Are we even pirates then?"

"Besides, with Arlong around, you can't truly be at ease to come with us, can you?"

Lina extinguished the cigarette in his hand and stood up, looking down at Nami.

"Luffy dislikes him, I want to collect his template, and you were bullied by him."

"Any one of these reasons is enough for us to beat him up. That's how pirates do things."

Nami covered her mouth. She had grown accustomed to living on her own.

She had never imagined that after Bellemere's death, she would meet someone she could rely on. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"...Thank you."

"Waaah... this is so touching."

Usopp was in tears. "One day, I'll go out to sea too and become a pirate like you!"

"What? You're coming too?"

"Huh?"

Hearing Luffy's words, Usopp looked completely bewildered.

"I remember inviting you."

"Huh? Wait, were you serious? You weren't joking?"

"Ah, I was serious."

Luffy grinned, showing his teeth. "I really like you."

Usopp looked around at the group blankly.

"What are you spacing out for?"

Lina lit another cigarette and teased Usopp.

"Hurry up and go back to pack your things. We're setting sail after dinner, and if you miss the ship, there won't be another one."

"Wait... wait a minute!"

Usopp scrambled to his feet and rushed outside.

Lina glanced at Kaya and said playfully, "Sorry about stealing your boyfriend, you can't blame us, right?"

"N-no... no, that's not it."

Kaya's face flushed, and she stammered, "I knew Usopp would set sail someday."

Although Kaya said that, a hint of disappointment could still be seen in her eyes.

Soon, after they finished eating, they were led to the port by Kaya and Merry.

Usopp was already there, with a sloop docked beside him.

The figurehead was a white sheep's head, with a large mast on the deck and a triangular sail at the stern. Two decks of cabins were situated on it.

"This ship might be a bit retro, but I designed it myself."

Merry gestured to the ship and introduced it to them. "This is a fast sailing ship. I named it the Going Merry..."

While Merry and Nami were introducing the ship, the others had already eagerly boarded.

"Hahaha, this is awesome!"

Luffy lay on the sheep's head, with his limbs spread wide as he hugged it. He looked up and laughed, "This will be my throne from now on!"