At the back mountain of Cocoyasi Village, where the Arlong Pirates had built their private dock, Light and Zoro stood side by side.
Only one ship remained anchored in the harbor.
It was massive, far larger than anything commonly seen in the East Blue.
Its design was fierce and imposing, shaped like a giant shark.
The figurehead resembled Arlong’s saw-like nose, sharp and menacing, clearly capable of ramming enemy vessels.
Zoro studied the ship with interest, while Light’s gaze drifted toward a toppled takoyaki cart lying abandoned on the dock.
“They probably ran off,” Light said with a faint smile, no longer paying it any mind.
The cart most likely belonged to Hatchan.
Since he had not appeared during the chaos at Arlong Park, he was probably never there to begin with and fled when things started to collapse.
Light had no intention of hunting down every last member of the crew.
It was not worth his time.
“According to this,” Zoro said, holding a sheet of data he had taken from Arlong Park, “the ship can carry six hundred forty people.
It has seventy-two cannons and needs at least one hundred fifty people to operate properly.”
He glanced at Light.
“Where exactly are we supposed to find the remaining one hundred forty-seven people?”
Light frowned slightly.
“One hundred fifty?” he repeated.
“The Arlong Pirates do not even have that many.
How did they sail this thing?”
For a moment, he felt genuinely stuck.
He had chosen the ship because of its size and performance.
A three-masted vessel like this could handle the Grand Line without trouble.
But he had overlooked the most basic issue.
A ship this large needed manpower.
Their current group had only three people.
Even if he took the ship, it would be useless without a crew.
Zoro shrugged.
“Maybe Fishmen have their own way of handling it.”
Before Light could respond, footsteps approached from behind.
Nami walked toward them, her orange hair swaying slightly, a bright smile on her face.
“Have you talked it over with Nojiko?” Light asked.
“So you are coming with us after all?”
Nami leaned in slightly, her tone playful.
“Nojiko was not happy about it, and the villagers were worried,” she said.
“But my dream is to draw the most complete and accurate sea charts in the world.
I am also the best navigator in the East Blue.
It would be a waste to stay here.”
She lifted her chin proudly.
“So you should feel lucky.
You just gained the best navigator around.”
“You are the one who should feel lucky,” Zoro replied without hesitation.
“You are joining the future World’s Greatest Swordsman.”
Light let out a small chuckle.
“Welcome aboard, Nami.”
After a brief exchange, Nami seemed to recall something.
“The Marines already came,” she said.
“Rear Admiral Smoker arrested Captain Nezumi.
Light showed no interest.
“Oh.”
Nezumi’s fate meant nothing to him.
However, something else came to mind.
He looked at Nami again.
“If I remember correctly, Smoker mentioned that the Marines would deliver Arlong’s bounty this time.
Twenty million Berries.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“So, where is my money?”
Nami’s eyes spun as she processed that, a sly look forming instantly.
“Hold on,” she said, pointing at him.
“Let’s be clear here.
I was the one who finished Arlong.
That bounty belongs to me.”
Zoro glanced at her with obvious disdain.
“You really have no shame.”
Nami ignored him completely and continued.
“Besides, I am not just the best navigator in the East Blue.
I am also the best when it comes to handling money.
You still have three hundred sixty million Berries, right?
You clearly cannot manage that properly, so you should let me take care of it.”
Light looked at her, amused.
“Too late,” he said.
“I already gave two hundred million Berries to the Marines.”
Nami froze.
“What?”
Her voice rose instantly.
“You gave away two hundred million Berries?
Just like that?” she said, her expression filled with disbelief.
“Do you even understand what that amount means?”
Light remained unfazed.
Zoro spoke from the side.
“Maybe that money will help prevent others from going through what you did.”
His words struck directly.
Nami fell silent.
After a moment, she shook her head.
“Fine.
What is done is done.”
Then her eyes lit up again as she reached toward Light.
“Then give me the remaining one hundred fifty million Berries.
I will keep it safe for you.”
Light smirked.
“Make me happy first.
Then I might consider it.”
She moved closer, her voice softening as she began massaging his arm.
“Light-san,” she said sweetly, “does this make you happy?”
“Average,” Light replied casually, brushing her off.
Then his expression shifted slightly.
“There is still a problem.
This ship is useless if we cannot sail it.
Do you have a solution, Navigator?”
“Of course,” Nami replied with a confident smile.
She pulled out a small whistle from her pocket.
“This ship does not rely entirely on manpower,” she said, then paused before blowing the whistle sharply.
Zoro’s attention shifted immediately.
Something was moving beneath the water.
Within seconds, the sea near the dock began to churn violently.
A massive figure rose from below, breaking through the surface with a loud splash.
A giant sea creature with the head of a cow appeared.
“Moo Moo,” Nami said.
“Arlong’s pet.
It is also the ship’s power source.
When there are not enough crew members, it tows the ship.
I know how to handle it.”
Light looked at the creature and immediately understood.
So that was how Arlong managed it.
This solved the immediate problem.
At the same time, another thought crossed his mind.
A ship like this could not rely on a sea beast forever.
If he wanted to maintain control and authority, he needed a proper crew.
He would have to recruit people eventually.
After settling that, Light straightened slightly.
“Since you have a solution, I will leave the ship to you,” he said.
“Right now, I am hungry.
If someone prepares a proper meal, I might reward them with a portion of my one hundred fifty million Berries.”
Nami’s eyes sparkled instantly.
“Understood,” she said, stepping closer and placing her hands on his shoulders.
“Light, please follow me.
I will make sure you are well taken care of.”
Zoro seized the opportunity.
“I do not need food,” he said.
“Just bring me two bottles of the local wine.”
Nami turned to him, rubbing her fingers together.
“Do you have money?”
Zoro paused.
“No.”
Her expression changed immediately.
“Then drink water,” she said flatly, waving him off.
Zoro stood there in silence.
Was she really this materialistic?