"Hey, isn't that Nami?"
On the Golden Merry, nearing the coastline, a figure suddenly jumped onto the deck from the sea.
This was a fishman with a mouth like a trumpet, six arms, a simple and honest appearance, and multiple strands of silver-gray hair on his head, looking like a starfish:
"Hey, Hachi,"
Nami nodded at him. This octopus fishman named 'Hachi' was one of the officers of the 'Arlong Pirates', and the only fishman Nami didn't particularly dislike. Because:
"Hachi, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just sent some human guests away and saw your ship."
"By the way, Nami. Since you're back, come to Arlong Park. We have a new 'officer'. We're having a party all day today."
A fishman party... but, a new officer? Might as well check it out.
"Alright, I'll dock the ship and change clothes at home first."
"Sure, I'll use my octopus pot to send you over."
Hachi, this octopus fishman, was quite easy to get along with when not fighting. Simple-minded and straightforward, he was like a big kid. Unfortunately:
He followed that guy!
Nami clenched her fists, her teeth grinding, but eventually relaxed.
"Don't be angry, Nami," the orange-haired girl muttered to herself.
You've saved up a hundred million Berries, soon, very soon, your wish will come true...
———————
"Sister Nojiko, I'm back."
"Welcome home, Nami."
In the orange grove north of Cocoyasi Village, there was a small house. This was Nami's home, the only place where she felt at ease.
"You don't look very happy,"
"Did the 'operation' fail?"
Being sisters, the woman in the room immediately noticed something was wrong with Nami's mood.
Although they were called sisters, Nami's orange hair and the other's light blue hair clearly showed they weren't blood-related.
In fact, they were both war orphans, adopted by their foster mother Bellemere, who brought them into this world. Their mother was killed by Arlong when they were young to protect them!
"No, this time was a big success. I met a group of interesting people."
Nami sat down and picked up an orange from the table, peeling it.
"Oh, tell me about it."
As Nojiko with light blue hair also sat down, Nami began to recount her encounters, starting from meeting Luffy in the small town, then facing the Buggy Pirates, Roman's rescue, the 'acting' in Syrup Village, Usopp joining, and finally arriving at the sea restaurant...
"Luffy is a carefree guy, always shouting about becoming the Pirate King. But at critical moments, he always manages to grasp the key points..."
"Zoro is a three-sword style swordsman whose dream is to become the world's greatest swordsman. But Roman often mocks him for not knowing his limits..."
"Usopp, he loves to brag. He talks about becoming a man, but he's actually a coward..."
As they chatted, Nami's face was full of smiles.
"And then there's Roman, who always has a stern face and even made us a detailed training plan." As the orange in her hand was almost finished, the story came to an end.
"Calling him a pirate, I think he's more like a Marine instructor..."
After the story ended, the room fell into silent stillness.
"Sister Nojiko, I..."
"You've met some great companions, Nami."
Drip, drip,
"Don't cry," Nojiko reached out to wipe Nami's tears and patted her sister's orange hair.
"Girls don't look good when they cry."
"But, but I deceived them..."
Even though she was used to lying as easily as eating and drinking, this time, Nami, known as the 'Cat Burglar,' felt an empty sadness from her successful 'operation.'
A sadness that made her tears fall uncontrollably.
"If those people are as good as you say," Nojiko smiled and comforted her sister as Nami protested, "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... I'll just steal money from other pirate crews to pay him back."
Nami smiled through her tears, "Once I buy back Cocoyasi Village—"
Knock, knock, knock,
"Nami, it's time to go."
The voice of the octopus fish-man Hachi came from outside, making Nami stand up.
"I'm going to see Arlong, see you later, Sister Nojiko."
"See you, Nami."
As Nami, now changed into different clothes, happily ran out of the house, Nojiko's smile faded.
"My poor Nami,"
"Your dream... do you really think Arlong will keep his promise?"
——————
Joyful, feasting,
A banquet of wine and meat.
But the participants were all half-human, half-fish, making it look like a scene of demons dancing wildly.
"Hahaha~~~ Nami, you're back just in time!"
In the seaside building known as 'Arlong Park,' the tall captain of the Arlong Pirates, wearing a checkered shirt, shorts, and slippers, with a leather hat, laughed and waved at Nami as she walked in.
"Come over, meet our new companion!"
A new "officer"?
Are there other fish-men in East Blue...
"This is Captain Cansong," Arlong pointed to a middle-aged fish-man next to him who was focused on drinking. He was a fish-man with bright red skin. If it weren't for the fish-man's distinctive "gills" and "fins," he would look like an old fisherman with unusual skin color.
"This is our 'surveyor' Nami."
Arlong specifically explained to Captain Cansong, "Although I hate humans, Nami is an exception. Thanks to her, we can dominate this sea area."
"A human girl?"
The middle-aged fish-man named Cansong took a sip of his drink and nodded to Nami.
"I have no prejudice against humans. After all, I was the only fish-man on my previous ship." He raised his bottle towards Nami from a distance.
"A toast to you, our future 'companion.'"
"Hmph, I don't want to accept a toast from a fish-man." However, Nami just snorted and turned her head, but then, "Today, I do feel like drinking a lot, bring the wine!!"
"Sha ha ha ha, Captain Cansong, don't mind her. A capable girl must have a big temper."
"No problem,"
The middle-aged fish-man named Cansong shook his head, "Leader Arlong, I am now a lone wolf, no longer the captain of the 'Flame Pirates.' Please don't call me Captain Cansong, just call me Cansong."
"Sha ha ha ha, what are you saying, fellow?"
"As long as you want, I will help you rebuild the 'Flame Pirates' immediately!"
"Although I, Arlong, love money, if a fellow needs it, I won't hesitate to spend any amount!"
"...Thank you,"
This is why Cansong, despite disliking Arlong's way of treating humans, still sought refuge under him:
Although Arlong is a notorious "villain" to humans, he is a caring fellow to fish-men.
"Since I've joined Leader Arlong, there's no need for a pirate crew,"
After taking another gulp of wine, the bright red middle-aged fish-man looked up, his eyes blood-red!
"As long as I can find the 'Silver Pirates' and avenge my brothers! My life will be at Leader Arlong's disposal."
"Good! Your enemies are my enemies, leave it to me."
"Sha ha ha ha~~~ Come, drink!"
Arlong's laughter echoed over the banquet, indicating his very good mood.
This fish-man named Cansong is a super rare "dark-colored cardinalfish" among fish-men. He can absorb phosphorus-containing organic matter from food and store it in his body. When encountering enemies or ships, he can spit fire from his mouth.
Moreover, this fire can even burn underwater, making him a formidable warrior in the sea!
In addition, he is skilled in "Fish-Man Karate" and was once the captain of the famous "Flame Pirates" in the North Sea, with a bounty of 35 million Berries! His strength is on par with Arlong. If his pirate crew hadn't been wiped out by the "Silver Pirates," he wouldn't have sought refuge under Arlong.
Speaking of which, the Silver Pirates seem...
Hmm?
Arlong looked at Nami, who was unusually drinking with the other fish-men at the banquet, his eyes flashing.
So happy, could it be...
"Hatchan,"
The tall sawshark fish-man Arlong waved, signaling the octopus fish-man Hatchan, who was eating takoyaki, to come over.
"You, go find those human 'guests' from earlier."
"Tell them, the kitten is fat."
"Yes, Arlong!"
The simple-minded Hatchan had no objections and immediately turned and jumped into the central pool of the banquet with a splash. This pool was connected to the outside ocean.
And Arlong, sitting grandly in his chair, just stroked his chin.
Heh, did you gather it so quickly?
Nami, I'm growing more and more impressed with your abilities.
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