He Is the Challenger

However, Nojiko could see that Nami had already made her decision clear.

So she didn't bother trying to offer any useless dissuasion.

Just like when they were kids, when Nami decided to join the Arlong Pirates.

No matter how much she said, it probably wouldn't change the other's choice.

So Nojiko pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"A few days ago, the fish-man Arlong saw that Gosa Town couldn't pay the expensive 'Tribute.'"

"So he led his underling fish-men and a giant Sea Beast, and directly destroyed the entire Gosa Town."

"Now the surviving townsfolk of Gosa Town are hiding all over the island, not daring to show their faces, afraid of being caught by those cruel fish-men."

"And in the past two days, Arlong's gang has been staying in Arlong Park, seems like they're having a banquet to celebrate something."

Saying this.

Nojiko still couldn't help but glance at Will, offering a word of caution:

"I don't know why you're confident enough to challenge the fish-man Arlong."

"But I still hope you'll think it through—fish-man Arlong isn't easy to deal with."

Though he knew Nojiko meant well, Will had no intention of convincing her with words.

A mere fish-man Arlong, not fish-man Jinbe—he couldn't be bothered wasting so much breath.

Finishing the last orange in his hand.

Will turned and walked toward the west.

As he passed by Nojiko, he paused mid-step and suddenly said:

"Actually, you've got one thing wrong."

"Huh?" Nojiko turned her head, looking puzzled.

"Between fish-man Arlong and me, he's the challenger."

After saying that.

Will paid no attention to her reaction and continued walking west on his own.

He had already learned the location of Arlong Park from Nami.

Plus his own perception, so he didn't need anyone to guide him.

"Nami, leave the villagers in the village to you."

"Carina, you stay and help her."

"Once I've dealt with all the fish-men, you two can come over."

With the words trailing off.

Will's figure quickly vanished from the three's sight.

"Will!"

When Nami snapped out of it, she hurriedly tried to chase after him.

At that moment, Carina suddenly reached out and pressed a hand on Nami's shoulder, shaking her head slightly:

"Since you've already made your decision, then choose to trust Will."

"We should do what we need to do, like informing the villagers in the village."

"In case Will really can't defeat fish-man Arlong, you can still lead the villagers to hide."

"But in my opinion, the one who wins in the end will definitely be Will."

Hearing Carina's words.

Nami also recalled the choice she had made on the ship earlier, and her gaze grew more resolute.

"Nojiko, take Carina to the village and explain the situation to everyone."

"As for me, I'll go to Arlong Park, ready to support Will at any time."

She knew deep down that in the eyes of the villagers, her image had never been good.

If she went to notify them, it might actually mess things up.

And Nami absolutely couldn't bring herself to hide away and wait for the result while Will fought Arlong.

"What did you say?!" Nojiko exclaimed in shock.

Carina beside her was equally stunned.

Nami ignored their reactions, pulling three sections of a staff from her lower back and gripping it firmly, speaking in a serious tone:

"Don't worry, I know the terrain of Arlong Park like the back of my hand."

"I'll hide quietly in the shadows and won't show myself to cause Will any trouble."

"The reason I'm going is that I'm worried about Will facing so many fish-men alone—he might end up exhausted."

"At that point, his situation will become very dangerous."

"No matter what, Will is helping me save the village."

"Even if he ultimately fails, I would never choose to abandon him and flee alone."

"Nami..."

Hearing this, Nojiko's expression grew extremely complicated, unsure how to stop her.

Though she trusted Nami's judgment in her heart, she still didn't believe that man named Will could truly take down Arlong.

She had already seen too many people die at Arlong's hands.

But Nami had been independent since childhood—once she made a decision, she never easily changed it.

So Nojiko knew full well that she couldn't stop her, and this left her feeling deeply troubled.

Nearby, Carina's gaze flickered, and she finally let out a helpless sigh: "Sigh, no help for it. I'll go with you too."

"After all, no matter what, Will is my captain now."

"If even you, Little Thief Cat, aren't afraid, what reason do I have to run away?"

"If something unexpected happens, the two of us working together is still better than you fighting alone."

"Carina..." Nami felt deeply grateful, since dealing with Arlong's gang had little to do with her.

She didn't choose to refuse at a time like this, silently accepting the debt.

Nearby, Nojiko couldn't help rubbing her forehead, looking quite helpless:

"Alright, leave the villagers to me. You two go help your captain quickly."

"Mm!"

Nami and Carina nodded in response, then wasted no more time, immediately turning and sprinting west.

At Arlong Park now.

A group of fish-men were swimming leisurely in two large pools in the courtyard.

Beside the pool, in front of a massive tower, a reclining chair sat.

A tall, purple-skinned fish-man who looked like a giant shark was sitting there with a grin.

Beside him stood two equally tall fish-men.

The one on the left was muscular, with gray-white skin, two small braids on his head, and fin-like limbs growing from his elbows.

The one on the right was thinner, with greenish skin, one hand in his pocket, and protruding lips, looking somewhat lazy.

At that moment, a fish-man with a wide body, six arms sprouting from his sides, and a trumpet-like mouth suddenly swam in hurriedly from the south gate near the sea.

He climbed ashore, quickly walked to the reclining chair, and anxiously reported something.

"What did you say? Moo Moo isn't responding to your summons?"

Arlong, the fish-man with a saw-like nose, looked clearly surprised after hearing Hachi's words.

"Yeah, Arlong boss."

"I blew the horn on the shore to call Moo Moo over for food."

"But it's been a while, and Moo Moo still hasn't come back."

Hachi's expression was equally puzzled, obviously not understanding why Moo Moo wouldn't even return for a meal.

"Maybe it's sleeping too soundly in the sea."

Beside him, the muscular fish-man Kuroobi crossed his arms and said coldly.

The other fish-man with protruding lips, Chuu, rubbed his chin and guessed, "Maybe Moo Moo isn't hungry yet, chuu~."

Arlong didn't seem too concerned about it, waving his hand with a loud laugh: "Hahahaha, whether it's sleeping or not hungry, let it be."

That said, he knew well that Hachi had always cared about that Sea Cow.

So Arlong turned to reassure him: "Don't worry too much, Hachi."

"Remember, Moo Moo is a ferocious Sea Beast. In the East Blue, there's probably no one who can hurt it."

"Maybe it got bored and went to wreck some passing human ship. It'll come back when it's tired."

Hachi blinked blankly, figuring the boss was right, and nodded: "Alright, Arlong boss."