(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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The next day, the sky was clear.
It was a perfect day to set sail.
Early in the morning, after confirming that the weather was suitable for sailing, Nami quickly prepared the boat.
With a few minor adjustments, she hoisted the sails and set course for the village of Cocoyasi.
The thought of finally being freed from Arlong's grip filled her with excitement.
Yes, along the course of the night, she had somehow started to believe in Colt, mainly due to the weird abilities he showed; she had never seen a fishmen do that…
She could barely sleep the night before, eager to return to her village and end the oppression.
Although, she was still a bit skeptical, now her hope was ignited.
'What if? Just what if he could really do it?'
Colt, on the other hand, leisurely made his way to the deck, dragging a sun lounger behind him.
He casually set it down and sat on it, basking in the sunlight with his eyes closed, looking as relaxed as a retired old man.
Yet, despite his calm appearance, his mind was busy, calculating the next steps.
He knew that the current group was far too small to make a significant impact in this vast world.
Sasuke and the others were merely the beginning.
'Watching an anime, and now experiencing it is altogether different'
In terms of size alone, this world dwarfed the ninja world.
The Grand Line was a completely different league, a far greater ocean compared to the small seas of the ninja world, where a single Tailed Beast Bomb could reach the opposite shore. In the past, a Kage-level shinobi could significantly alter the situation.
But here? Kage-level strength was equivalent to an elite Vice Admiral or a low-tier Shichibukai in terms of attack power.
Colt had observed during his time here that ninjas, despite their powerful abilities, would struggle against the endurance of figures like Vice Admirals or Shichibukai.
Most ninjas lacked the sheer stamina for long battles, and they'd likely be worn down.
However, ninjas had their advantages. If their physical capabilities improved, that gap could close rapidly.
And in terms of energy manipulation, ninjas might even have the upper hand.
He needed to gather more people, quickly and carefully.
While Nami controlled the ship, she stole glances at Colt, curious about him.
He didn't seem like a fighter, and yet, the display of power he showed the previous day was nothing short of brutal.
It wasn't just a fight; it was simply a massacre.
That gave Nami a certain level of confidence in him, but he was still an enigma to her.
The journey was peaceful, with calm seas and no encounters with pirates or Sea Kings.
Thanks to Nami's excellent sailing skills, they reached the waters near Cocoyasi Village in just a few days.
As they neared their destination, Nami's confidence wavered.
'Is this really a good idea?' she couldn't help it, because she was inexperienced in the matters of true strength, and her village was at stake.
"Are you really going to face Arlong? He's a Fishman who returned from the Grand Line. He's incredibly strong," she said, her voice betraying her nerves.
Despite their time together, Nami had realized that Colt wasn't like the pirates she had encountered before.
Aside from making her steer the ship, he hadn't done anything malicious.
In fact, he was almost… pleasant with the way he talked with her.
It was strange to her, but she had mentally decided he was, at least, tolerable.
"You don't want to be my navigator?" Colt asked, stretching as he stood up from the deck chair.
Nami hesitated.
"It's not that..."
"Then what are you hesitating for? Let's take care of that trash already. I've got more important things to do," Colt cut her off, gesturing for her to steer the boat towards shore.
"Fine, but don't blame me if you get killed. I won't take responsibility," Nami muttered, turning the rudder sharply.
At Arlong Park, the Fishman crew was in the middle of a party.
"Boss, Nami hasn't been around for days. You think she ran off?" one of the Fishmen asked Arlong.
"Ran off?" Arlong scoffed, taking a large gulp of his drink.
"That human won't run. I promised her that if she brought me 100 million berries, I'd set Cocoyasi Village free."
The Fishmen around him laughed.
"Don't worry, she's probably out there stealing more treasure as we speak!"
"Really?" an octopus-shaped Fishman asked, sounding unsure.
"Hahahaha!" Arlong roared with laughter, clutching his stomach.
"These pathetic humans… If she ever does bring me that much money, I'll just take it and make her keep working for me!"
The group of Fishmen burst into laughter again, oblivious to any sense of wrong.
To them, humans were an inferior race.
They saw themselves as superior and treated killing the innocent villagers as a sport.
Only the octopus Fishman lowered his head, looking uncomfortable.
Suddenly, a loud crash interrupted the banquet.
The wall of Arlong Park shattered, and two figures emerged through the dust, stepping onto the scene.
"Did you hear that, Nami? They never intended to keep their promise. Your so-called deal was just an illusion," Colt said, his voice calm yet commanding.
"In this world, only strength will give you the right to speak on equal terms with others."
He smiled as he turned to the silent Nami.
Her eyes had tears in the corner, and she glared ahead at Arlong.
"Don't worry, I'll deal with him for you" Colt reassured her.
"Who the hell are you?" Arlong yelled in anger, standing up, with his subordinates rallying around him.
Colt waved his hand, dispersing the dust.
"Ugh, so ugly... ugly in character, and ugly in reality… of course, I'm not talking about all fishmen, just you… there's Shyarly too, she's surprisingly decent-looking."
At the mention of Shyarly, Arlong's eyes widened in shock.
He didn't even care about the insult as he heard that… if this guy had been to Fishmen Island and back then he wasn't to be underestimated.
"How do you know that name? Have you been to Fishman Island?"
"Not yet," Colt shrugged.
"But I plan to go someday. Now, Nami, are you sure all the members of this little gang are here?"
Tears still streaked Nami's face from hearing Arlong's earlier confession.
Her hard work had just been a joke to him…
She really was foolish believing in the words of the killer of her own mother.
"Yes, everyone's here," she confirmed, her voice shaking.
"Including the one you killed earlier, all the members of the Arlong Pirates are accounted for."
"Good. Saves us the trouble of hunting them down," Colt replied casually.
Arlong, now fully enraged, glared at Nami with fury.
"You dare betray me, Nami? Once I'm done with you two, I'll make sure the entire village of Cocoyasi suffers for it!"
"And you lowly human, you actually dared to kill a noble fishman?"