“Oh right, I still need to go take care of something.” After finishing her meal, Nami stood and headed toward the door.
“You stay here for now.”
She still needed to make a trip to Arlong Park.
And more importantly, she had to confirm whether those idiots had followed her here or not.
If they really had come after her, she would have to figure out a way to save them before they got themselves killed.
Kai nodded and made no move to follow.
Right now, he had no real means of fighting back.
His top priority was creating some kind of weapon as quickly as possible.
Once Nami left, Nojiko slowly put away the teasing smile she’d been wearing earlier.
She looked at Kai for a moment before speaking carefully.
“You… know what Nami’s been doing all these years, don’t you?”
“I know enough,” Kai replied calmly as he picked up a glass of water from the table.
Nojiko frowned slightly.
Even after learning the truth, this man still chose to stay by Nami’s side?
If that was true, then maybe he really was someone worthy of trusting.
As Nami’s older sister, it was only natural for Nojiko to be cautious.
“I know what you’re trying to ask,” Kai said with a small wave of his hand.
“But don’t worry.
I’m a reliable guy.”
Then his eyes lit up slightly.
“By the way, do you have any tools around here?”
“Stuff like welding equipment, hammers, metalworking tools…”
“What do you need those for?” Nojiko asked curiously.
So this man truly understood Nami’s situation.
And even knowing everything, he still chose to remain here.
That alone spoke volumes about his character.
Kai grinned confidently.
“I’m going to make a few things for self-defense.”
“Oh, and I forgot to mention…”
“I’m a scientist.”
“In every sense of the word.”
A true all-round genius.
“A scientist?” Nojiko blinked in surprise.
“Seriously?”
This was the first time she had ever met one in person.
Before now, scientists were the kind of people she only heard about in stories or books.
Kai rolled his eyes dramatically.
“What’s so shocking about that?
Don’t tell me you don’t even have basic tools here.”
Time was running short.
He needed weapons ready before the fighting started.
Nojiko shook her head apologetically.
“I don’t have any myself… but Uncle Genzo probably does.”
“Wait here.
I’ll go ask him.”
With that, she quickly headed outside.
If Kai truly was a scientist, then maybe…
Just maybe…
He could create something capable of defeating Arlong.
Even if the possibility was tiny, she wanted to believe in it.
They had lived under fear and despair for far too long.
Unlike the still-hopeful Nami, Nojiko understood exactly how greedy Arlong really was.
Would he honestly keep his promise?
No.
Deep down, she already knew the answer.
Stopping outside, Nojiko looked up at the sky as determination slowly filled her eyes.
“Nami… no matter what happens, we’ll fight beside you.”
If Arlong refused to honor the deal, then they would resist together.
Even if it cost them everything.
Inside the house, Kai quietly watched Nojiko’s retreating figure.
The exhaustion and helplessness in her posture were impossible to miss.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured softly.
“As long as I’m here, Arlong won’t be a problem.”
And if Monkey D.
Luffy and the others failed to arrive in time…
Then Kai wouldn’t mind taking Arlong down himself.
“So that’s Arlong Park…” Usopp muttered nervously while staring at the massive structure in the distance.
“Pirates from the Grand Line are stationed there…”
His voice trembled.
Those guys had to be terrifyingly strong.
If a fight broke out, wouldn’t he die instantly?!
“We should search the island for the Going Merry first,” Johnny suggested anxiously.
“If the locals spot us here, we’re dead!”
Usopp nodded rapidly.
“That’s the smartest thing anyone’s said today.”
Meanwhile, Roronoa Zoro completely ignored them.
He casually picked up Wado Ichimonji and stood.
“I’m going in.”
His tone was calm, but absolute.
Sure, Nami’s current actions annoyed him.
But an order from Luffy was an order.
Besides…
He was curious about how strong these so-called fish-men really were.
Maybe there’d even be a swordsman worth fighting.
Usopp nearly lost his mind.
“WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS THE SECOND WE GET HERE?!”
“Are you insane?!”
“We don’t even know what’s going on yet!”
Johnny panicked too.
“Those are fish-men!
We’ll get slaughtered!”
Zoro simply glanced toward Arlong Park with cold eyes.
“I don’t care who they are.”
“Luffy told me to bring that woman back.”
“And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Fish-men?
Then he’d cut through them too.
Usopp and Johnny exchanged a look.
Then, without hesitation…
WHACK!
They smashed a hammer directly onto Zoro’s head.
When Zoro regained consciousness, he discovered he’d been completely tied up.
Veins bulged on his forehead instantly.
“What the hell is wrong with you idiots?!”
“Untie me right now!”
Were they brain-dead?!
If enemies showed up, how were these two cowards supposed to survive without their strongest fighter?!
Zoro was furious enough to explode.
Unfortunately, Usopp and Johnny ignored him completely.
The two were too busy spying on the Going Merry in the distance.
Now that they had found the ship, Nami couldn’t be far away.
Just as they started celebrating their discovery, several guards suddenly appeared nearby.
Usopp nearly screamed.
The moment the guards dove into the water and rushed toward them, Usopp and Johnny instantly abandoned Zoro and ran for their lives.
Watching the two disappear without even looking back, Zoro’s eye twitched violently.
Those bastards…
One day, he was definitely cutting them down.
The guards climbed ashore and stared at the tied-up swordsman in confusion.
“Huh?
Why’s there only one guy here?”
“Probably just some drifter,” another guard shrugged.
“Whatever.
Let’s take him back for Boss Arlong to look at.”
As for whether the human survived afterward…
They couldn’t care less.