“Hey!
Zoro!” Dazai Osamu glared viciously at Zoro through gritted teeth.
Bound tightly with rope and tossed onto the deck, he could only glare as one end of the rope rested firmly in Zoro’s hand.
Zoro lay comfortably on the deck, lazily holding the rope while letting out a sleepy yawn, completely ignoring Dazai’s complaints.
Luffy circled around Dazai worriedly, quietly reaching a hand toward the ropes behind his back.
“Luffy.” Nami’s warning instantly froze him.
Luffy hastily pulled his hand back, whistling awkwardly as he looked everywhere except at Dazai before quickly walking away.
“Dazai…” Dazai called after him pitifully.
Unfortunately, after so many previous incidents, no one trusted him enough to untie him anymore.
“Sorry, Dazai!” With tears in his eyes, Luffy resolutely walked away without looking back.
“Luffyyyy!!” Dazai collapsed dramatically onto the deck, staring at Luffy’s retreating back like he’d just been abandoned by a heartless lover.
“What a bunch of idiots…” Standing below deck, Nami rubbed her forehead helplessly.
“Luffy, look!” Usopp excitedly adjusted one of the ship’s cannons and enthusiastically fired at a rocky outcrop in the distance.
BOOM!
The cannonball exploded against the rocks, sending towering waves crashing into the sea and a powerful gust of wind across the Going Merry.
Luffy grabbed his straw hat before it blew away, his eyes sparkling.
“Wooow!
That’s amazing!” “Of course!” Usopp proudly placed his hands on his hips.
“I, the great Captain Usopp, have fifty years of cannon experience!” “Awesome!” Luffy looked at him with complete admiration.
A grappling hook suddenly caught the railing.
A blue-haired man with the kanji “Marine” tattooed across his face leapt aboard.
“So it was you!” “Enemy attack?” Luffy immediately assumed a fighting stance.
“I can’t forgive this!
I can’t forgive this!” The man clenched his weapon with tears streaming down his face, preparing to charge.
“What’s all the noise…” Zoro groaned as he stood up, dragging Dazai across the deck behind him by the rope.
Dazai was dragged along like dead weight.
Is this punishment…?
“Big Bro Zoro!” The man’s face instantly lit up.
“Johnny!” Zoro looked genuinely surprised.
“You know him?” Nami asked.
“We used to be bounty hunters together.” Johnny suddenly burst into tears.
“Big Bro…
Yosaku…
h-he…” He pointed downward.
“Yosaku’s dying!” Beside the Going Merry floated a tiny boat.
A pale-faced Yosaku lay unconscious inside.
“He suddenly collapsed!
We were resting near those rocks when a cannonball suddenly flew over!” As Johnny spoke, tears poured down his face.
“W-What?!” Luffy and Usopp’s faces turned deathly pale.
Their eyes practically popped out.
“I’m sorry!!” The two immediately bowed deeply in apology.
Lying on the deck, Dazai glanced at the unconscious Yosaku before his eyes shifted thoughtfully.
“Luffy.” “Bring me every piece of fruit we’ve got.” “Huh?
O-Okay!” Moments later, an entire basket of fruit sat before him.
“You two.” “Squeeze the juice.” “Quickly.” “R-Right!” Luffy and Usopp hurriedly squeezed fruit juice into Yosaku’s mouth.
Johnny’s face flushed with anger.
Even though they were Zoro’s friends, he couldn’t tolerate them fooling around with Yosaku.
“Don’t move.” Nami stepped in front of him.
“You don’t want your partner to die, do you?” Johnny froze.
“What do you mean?” “Scurvy.” “It’s common among sailors.” “They haven’t been eating enough fruits and vegetables.
Severe vitamin deficiency.” She looked toward the overflowing basket of fruit.
“This should be enough.
He’ll be fine.” Johnny’s eyes filled with tears.
“Big Sis…” He collapsed to the ground in relief.
Nami glanced at Dazai.
His observation skills are incredible…
I would’ve needed more time to confirm it.
Moments later— “Yosaku!
You’re alive!” The revived Yosaku leaped to his feet and hugged Johnny as the two spun around in circles.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Usopp collapsed backward in exhaustion.
“Nami-saaan~” Dazai smiled innocently.
“Can you untie me now?” “Just this once.” Nami crossed her arms before looking toward Zoro.
“Zoro.” “Got it.” A few flashes of steel later— The ropes fell away.
Dazai was finally free.
“You people seriously don’t have any common sense.” Sitting in the cabin, Nami sighed at the group of hopeless men.
“It’s a difficult job.” Dazai nodded solemnly.
“So you have to eat balanced meals…” Luffy frowned while absentmindedly shaking a loaf of bread.
“I’ve decided!” He suddenly jumped onto the table.
“Our next crewmate is going to be…” “A COOK!” “Luffy!
Marines!” Usopp rushed inside.
Everyone hurried onto the deck.
A Marine ship was sailing alongside them.
“Hm?” A middle-aged Marine officer with purple hair calmly swirled a glass of wine while seated beside a beautiful woman.
“I’ve never seen this pirate crew before.” “Who are you people?” “We’re pirates!” Luffy answered honestly.
The officer glanced at Johnny and Yosaku.
“And those two bounty hunters who only catch weak pirates.” “What?!” Johnny and Yosaku exploded.
“We’re excellent bounty hunters!” They immediately pulled out stacks of wanted posters to prove it.
“I see…” The officer casually waved his hand.
Behind him— A cannon was aimed directly at the Going Merry.
Johnny and Yosaku immediately hugged each other in terror.
“AHHHHH!” As wanted posters scattered everywhere, Nami’s eyes landed on one in particular.
Her expression darkened for just a moment.
Dazai silently noticed everything.
“Let’s go.” “Our reservation time is almost here.” The Marine officer politely escorted his companion ashore.
The two entered the floating restaurant.
At that moment— The cannon fired.
“I’ve got it!” Luffy inhaled deeply.
His body inflated like a balloon.
The cannonball bounced harmlessly off him— Only to fly straight into the restaurant.
BOOM!
“…Eh?” Luffy bit his finger as he stared at the enormous hole he’d accidentally created.
“Oh dear.” Dazai smiled mischievously.
“You hurt innocent people.” Luffy immediately panicked and stretched toward the restaurant.
“It’s a restaurant!” Dazai’s eyes lit up.
“Let’s go eat!” Everyone stared speechlessly as Luffy was effortlessly manipulated.
Then they looked at Dazai.
That innocent-looking smile…
Was absolutely terrifying.
“Hello.” “I’ll have this, this, and this.” Dazai leisurely ordered half the menu.
“What about you guys?” “My treat.” No one even hesitated.
Free food was free food.
Soon, an enormous feast covered the table.
“So delicious.” Dazai smiled happily.
“Waiter!” “There’s a bug in my soup!” An annoying voice shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
The same Marine officer was deliberately picking a fight with a blond waiter.
“Don’t waste food!” Without hesitation— The blond young man sent him flying with a powerful kick.
Several chefs rushed over.
“Sanji!
Calm down!” “Idiot!
Don’t waste perfectly good food!” The blond chef named Sanji glared furiously at the Marine officer.
Embarrassed, the man quietly left.
“AAAAAH!” “You guys started eating without me!” Luffy crashed down from the second floor and pointed accusingly at everyone enjoying their meals.
“Took you long enough.” Zoro grinned.
“Hahaha!
You’ll be working here for a whole year!” Everyone burst into laughter.
“Maybe we should redesign the Jolly Roger while you’re at it.” Usopp added while wiping away tears of laughter.
“You jerks!” Luffy angrily dug his finger into his nose before secretly wiping it on Zoro’s drinking glass.
Just as Zoro raised it— “You think I’d drink that?” Zoro shoved the glass back against Luffy’s mouth and forced him to swallow it instead.
Meanwhile— Click.
Click.
Dazai happily recorded everything using his Photo Den Den Mushi.
“My beautiful lady…” Sanji’s attention immediately shifted to Nami.
In one smooth motion he produced a rose and presented it with heart-shaped eyes.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Nami smiled sweetly and gently lifted his chin.
“What a gentleman…” “But I don’t have any money.” “It’s free for you!” He practically floated.
Then he spun around toward the men.
“You guys pay.” “…” Zoro stared blankly.
What an infuriating guy.
A starving pirate staggered into the restaurant.
“Food…” “I haven’t eaten in days…” Patty, one of the chefs, smirked.
“You got money?” “No.” “Then get out.” His expression instantly darkened.
With a barrage of punches, he knocked the pirate unconscious.
“Throw him out.” “No money, no customer.” The pirate was dragged outside.
Sanji silently lit a cigarette and walked upstairs.
Watching him leave, Dazai poked at a piece of broccoli.
“Looks like we’ve found our next crewmate.” Luffy immediately followed after Sanji.
“Oh.” “Our bill goes to him.” Dazai casually pointed at Luffy’s retreating back.
“Da…
Dazai…” Usopp looked at him with awe.
One warning glance from Dazai was enough to make him sit up straight and stay quiet.
A week later…
“Luffy.” “Still working to pay off your debt?” Leaning against the railing, Zoro laughed at Luffy, who had finally come out for some fresh air.
Luffy could only wave his arms furiously in protest.
Nearby, Dazai sat crouched in a corner, completely absorbed in reading The Complete Suicide Manual.
Usopp yawned as he looked at the darkening sky.
“It’s already been a week.” Just then— A massive, heavily damaged pirate ship slowly approached the Baratie.
The moment the diners recognized the pirate flag…
The restaurant erupted into panic.
Inside, every chef grabbed a weapon.
“I’ll take a look.” Zoro jumped aboard the Baratie.
Usopp quickly followed.
“Dazai.” “Johnny.” “Yosaku.” “Watch the Going Merry.” “Yes, Big Bro!” The two former bounty hunters answered energetically.
“Big Bro’s taking forever.” Johnny muttered.
Then he noticed Nami standing silently at the bow.
“What’s wrong, Big Sis?” “…Nothing.” She hurriedly hid a wanted poster behind her back.
Dazai caught a glimpse of the gray corner of the poster before quietly looking away.
“I need to change.” “Would you boys mind turning around?” Johnny and Yosaku immediately blushed and obediently faced away.
Nami promptly shoved both of them overboard.
Splash!
“I am the Cat Burglar, after all.” She winked playfully.
“This ship belongs to me now.” She turned to leave.
“It won’t work.” “You’ll have to knock me unconscious.” Without looking up from his book, Dazai calmly flipped another page.
Nami froze with the hammer raised in her hand.
“So…” “You noticed.” She slowly lowered it.
“I’m sorry.” “I didn’t want this either.” She charged.
“Arlong Pirates?” Dazai effortlessly leaped backward, avoiding the strike.
“A Fish-Man pirate crew…” “What is a human like you doing with them?” Nami said nothing.
She only attacked faster.
“Is it because of your navigation skills?” Another pause.
“So…” “They’re threatening your family?” This time— She finally stopped.
“You don’t know anything!” “I’m an officer of the Arlong Pirates!” “Not someone who belongs with a tiny pirate crew that can’t even fill all its positions!” “An agreement…” Dazai lowered his eyes.
“How naïve.” “If I can save up one hundred million Berries…” “I can buy my village back.” “No one has to die!” Tears filled Nami’s eyes.
“Bonds…” Dazai quietly said, “You can ask us for help.” “Crewmates help each other.” Nami’s staff stopped just inches from him.
Looking at the crew she’d traveled with…
She knew they were good people.
Far kinder than pirates had any right to be.
Except perhaps…
Dazai himself.
“Why didn’t you dodge?” she shouted.
“Because…” “I believe you won’t betray your crewmates.” He shrugged.
Nami slowly lowered her weapon.
“I thought you were the smartest one.” She lay back on the deck and stared at the blue sky.
“…You’re all idiots.” “I left a message for Luffy.” “They already know where you’re going.” Dazai sat down beside her with a faint smile.
“When did you figure it out?” she asked quietly.
“From the beginning.” “When you looked at Arlong’s wanted poster.” “…I couldn’t fool you after all.” Nami rolled up her sleeve, revealing the tattoo of the Arlong Pirates on her arm.
“This is the mark of the Arlong Pirates.” “If you’re smart…” “Leave.” “If you truly meant that…” “You wouldn’t be making that face.” Through the tattoo…
Dazai seemed to see the crying girl beneath it.
“You’ll die.” Nami bit her lip.
“I’d welcome it.” Dazai stood up with his arms spread wide and smiled toward the sea.
Nami lowered her head.
Tears fell silently onto the deck.
“Every single one of you…” “…is impossible.” For the first time in a long while…
She felt she could truly rely on someone.