Nami: Lord Bane, please let me entertain you properly!

At the back of Cocoyasi Village, where the Arlong Pirates kept their private dock, Bane and Zoro stood waiting.

Only one ship was moored in the harbor; it was massive, spectacular, and menacing, radiating an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

The ship was shaped like a giant shark, and its figurehead was a jagged saw-like protrusion resembling the nose of that fellow Arlong, clearly designed to double as a battering ram.

Zoro examined the ship with curiosity, while Bane's gaze drifted toward an overturned takoyaki cart lying on the pier.

"I suppose he ran off, then?" Bane chuckled, deciding not to dwell on it.

That takoyaki cart likely belonged to Hatchan. During the slaughter back at Arlong Park, Hatchan had been nowhere to be seen; he must have been absent at the time and fled once he realized the situation had turned sour.

Bane had no intention of hunting him down, nor did he have the energy to pursue him.

"According to the manual, this ship can hold six hundred and forty people and is equipped with seventy-two cannons. It requires at least one hundred and fifty crew members to set sail," Zoro said, reading from the ship's documents he had scavenged from Arlong Park. He looked at Bane and asked, "So, where are we supposed to find the remaining one hundred and forty-seven people?"

"What? It takes one hundred and fifty people just to move it? The Arlong Pirates didn't even have that many members in total. How did they manage to sail it?" Bane was dumbfounded.

He had only thought about how big and imposing the ship was—a large three-masted vessel with excellent performance capable of crossing the Grand Line—which was why he wanted to use it.

He had forgotten that the larger the ship, the more sailors it required to operate. Their three-man group couldn't possibly sail a vessel like this; even if he owned it, he couldn't use it!

"How should I know? Maybe the Fish-Men have some special way of sailing?" Zoro shrugged.

Just as Bane and Zoro were discussing how to deal with the ship, they heard movement behind them. Moments later, the orange-haired girl, Nami, walked over with a beaming smile.

"Did you finish talking with Nojiko? Are you really coming to sea with us?" Bane asked, turning to face Nami.

"Although Nojiko was reluctant and the villagers were worried, but—" Nami leaned in playfully toward Bane before continuing, "—my dream is to draw the most accurate and comprehensive map of this world. Besides, I consider myself the most talented navigator in the East Blue. It would be a waste not to put my skills to use, so in the end, everyone supported my dream!"

After saying this, Nami lifted her chin proudly. "So, be proud! The new partner you're about to welcome is the greatest navigator in the East Blue!"

"You're the one who should be proud, because you're about to join a crew that features the future world's greatest swordsman," Zoro added with equal pride.

Bane smiled and said, "Welcome, Miss Nami, the greatest navigator."

After chatting for a bit longer, Nami seemed to remember something. "Oh, right. The Marines have already been here. They said Captain Smoker has taken that scoundrel Nezumi into custody and will see that he is properly judged."

"Oh," Bane replied indifferently. He had no interest in that Nezumi fellow.

However, he soon recalled something else and looked at Nami. "If I remember correctly, Smoker told me that the Marines arriving this time would bring the twenty million Belly bounty for Arlong. So, where is my money?"

Nami's eyes darted around like a beautiful little fox, and she replied with righteous indignation, "Hey, hey, let's not ignore the facts, shall we? I was the one who personally took down that guy Arlong, so his bounty naturally belongs to me!"

"You really have a thick skin, don't you?" Zoro looked at Nami with disdain.

Nami ignored Zoro entirely and even pushed her luck further. "Come to think of it, you might not know this, but I am not only the greatest navigator in the East Blue, but also its most talented financial expert. Bane, you must have three hundred and sixty million Belly in your possession, right? You look like a man who isn't good with money; why don't you let me keep it safe for you?"

"Heh," Bane looked at Nami, who had clearly fallen into a pit of greed, and said, "Sorry, but I donated two hundred million Belly of that to the Marines so they could better contribute to the peace and stability of the East Blue. I only have about one hundred and fifty million left."

"What!?" Nami nearly jumped in shock, looking absolutely heartbroken. "That was two hundred million Belly! How could you just give it away like that? Do you have any idea what that amount of money—"

"Perhaps those two hundred million Belly will reduce the number of poor people who end up like you," Zoro interjected from the side.

His words pierced straight through Nami's defenses. The little thief cat, who had been obsessed with money, fell silent for a moment before shaking her head. "Forget it. The past is the past."

She then perked up again, reached out to Bane, and said, "Then, why don't you let me keep the remaining one hundred and fifty million Belly safe for you?"

"Heh, maybe I'll consider it when you manage to put me in a good mood," Bane refused mercilessly.

The little thief cat immediately adopted the demeanor of a maid, leaning in close to Bane and rubbing his arm. "Master Bane, does this put you in a good mood?"

"It's passable," Bane replied dismissively. He then added, "Now, I have a problem that's bothering me. I've captured such a massive ship, but I have no way to sail it. Do you have any suggestions, my navigator?"

"Of course, I would be more than happy to serve you, Master Bane~" As she spoke, Nami pulled a whistle from her cleavage.

"Arlong's ship isn't operated by sailors; it's operated by..." She blew the whistle sharply.

At the same time, Zoro noticed something massive rising from beneath the dock.

In just ten seconds, the water around the pier became turbulent. Soon, a giant sea beast with the head of a cow poked its head out from beneath the waves.

"Momoo," Nami introduced. "This is Arlong's pet and the source of power for this ship. When there aren't enough hands, it's responsible for towing the vessel. And as it happens, I know exactly how to train it!"

"I see!" Bane looked at the giant sea beast and realized how it worked.

That was fine, too; it meant they had a backup food supply on the road.

Still, they couldn't rely on Momoo to pull the ship forever. Considering his status and the need for a proper entourage, it was indeed time to recruit some underlings so he wouldn't have to handle every trivial task himself.

He would have to find an opportunity to recruit some regular crew members.

With the ship issue resolved, Bane cleared his throat and put on an act. "Alright, since you have a solution for this, I'll leave it to you. Now, this master is feeling a bit hungry. If someone can serve me a sumptuous dinner, I might consider taking a portion of that one hundred and fifty million Belly to reward them!"

"You got it~" Nami's spirits soared at the mention of money. She diligently massaged Bane's lower back, serving the "master" while saying, "Master Bane, follow me. Please, let me treat you properly!"

Zoro, watching from the side, took the opportunity to speak up. "I don't care about the food, but I'd like two bottles of the local specialty liquor."

"Master Zoro, do you have any money?" Nami rubbed her hands together, looking at Zoro with a face that screamed 'I'm happy to serve you for a price.'

"No," Zoro responded instinctively.

"Good, then there's nothing for you here. Drinking more hot water is good for your health," Nami instantly changed her attitude, waving him off with a look of utter disdain.

Zoro: ???

Wait, are you really that mercenary?