“We’re almost there, Dazai.” Nami stared grimly at the towering structure ahead.
“It’s full of Fish-Men.
They don’t accept humans…
I’m a special exception.” After thinking for a moment, she turned to Dazai.
“When we arrive, hide inside the ship.
Once most of them leave, go to Cocoyasi Village and find a woman named Nojiko.” Dazai didn’t answer.
Instead, with his back turned, he busied himself with something.
Smack!
“Would you listen to me for once?!” Nami glared at him.
Dazai immediately flopped onto the deck, waving a tiny white surrender flag that fluttered in the breeze.
“Honestly…” Nami rubbed her forehead in exhaustion.
“I’m done!” Dazai excitedly spun around.
“Look!” Nami stared at him in confusion.
“…What is that?” “A disguise!” Dazai puffed out his chest proudly.
Nami fell silent.
He had glued green fish scales to his face, attached pointed prosthetic ears, painted his skin bluish-green, and coated his hands with a transparent slime-like substance.
“What on earth were you thinking?” “Doesn’t it look convincing?” Dazai pointed at himself proudly.
“A Fish-Man!” “Hurry up!” The ship had already reached the dock.
Nami shoved him toward the cabin.
“Hide!” Several Fish-Men were waiting at the harbor.
“Hey, Nami!” They waved cheerfully.
“I’m back.” Nami smiled and greeted them.
One of them suddenly noticed Dazai standing behind her.
“Who’s that?” Nami’s heart skipped a beat.
She slowly turned around.
Dazai was happily waving at everyone.
No, no, no, no, no…
She felt her soul trying to leave her body.
“I’m here to join Big Brother Arlong!” Dazai called enthusiastically.
“You know Arlong?” the Fish-Man asked, scratching his head.
Dazai immediately burst into tears.
“I’m the nephew of the cousin of the aunt’s neighbor of Arlong’s mother’s relative!” “I’m half Fish-Man!” “I’ve been looked down on my whole life!” “And I accidentally ate a Devil Fruit, so now I can’t even swim!” “Fish-Man Island rejected me!” “I heard Big Brother Arlong is the hero of all Fish-Men, so I came to follow him!” His performance was so heartfelt that several Fish-Men started crying with him.
“You’ve had it rough!” One patted him sympathetically on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry!” “Big Brother Arlong will take care of you!” Nami could only stare.
…That actually worked?
As they walked deeper inside Arlong Park, she watched the Fish-Men warmly welcoming Dazai.
“They treat their own so well…” “…but humans…” Her fists slowly tightened until her nails dug into her palms.
“Dazai!” He turned around and waved.
“Nami!
Hurry up!” One of the Fish-Men frowned.
“Why are you being so nice to a human?” “Nami saved my life!” Dazai answered without hesitation.
“If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be the first Fish-Man in history to drown!” The Fish-Men were moved to tears all over again.
“You’ve suffered so much…” “It’ll get better now.” Nami quietly loosened her clenched fists and followed them inside.
Meanwhile…
After Zoro’s defeat at the hands of Dracule Mihawk, Johnny arrived carrying news of Nami’s betrayal.
“She…
may not have betrayed us.” Breathing heavily, Zoro pulled a note from Johnny’s belt.
Luffy, I’ve decided to join Nami’s side!
Goodbye!!!
If you don’t like it, come find us at Arlong Park!
P.S.
(●’◡’●) — Dazai “…That idiot.” Zoro snorted.
“Luffy.” “Go after them.” “I’ll handle this guy.” Luffy adjusted his straw hat.
Zoro gave the order.
The Going Merry immediately set sail at full speed.
The Straw Hat Pirates split into three groups.
Near Arlong Park’s entrance, a human child stood trembling, glaring defiantly at the Fish-Men.
Nami’s expression changed.
“Who’re you, brat?” a blue Fish-Man sneered.
“I’m going to avenge my father!” The child shouted.
The Fish-Man sighed impatiently and stepped forward.
Thwack!
Nami struck the child unconscious with her staff before anything could happen.
“Nicely done, Nami!” the Fish-Man laughed.
“Of course.” “I’m an officer of the Arlong Pirates.” Another Fish-Man approached Arlong with Dazai.
“Boss!” “We’ve got someone who wants to join us!” Arlong lounged upon his throne.
His massive saw-like nose, muscular build, and rows of razor-sharp teeth made him an intimidating sight.
“Nami.” “You’re back.” “Arlong.” “You haven’t forgotten our agreement, have you?” she asked expressionlessly.
“Of course not.” Arlong spread his arms confidently.
“Who’s this?” he asked, looking at Dazai.
“He came all the way from Fish-Man Island to join you!” “Oh?” Arlong smiled.
“A new brother.” “So…” “Why have you come?” “Because you’re the hero of all Fish-Men!” Dazai clasped his hands together, his eyes filled with admiration.
“HAHAHAHA!” Arlong roared with laughter.
“Throw a feast!” “We’ve got another brother joining the crew!” Just like that…
Dazai successfully infiltrated the Arlong Pirates.
Standing among the celebrating Fish-Men, Nami remained completely silent.
“Boss!” One of the crew rushed inside dragging a familiar prisoner behind him.
It was Zoro.
Bound hand and foot.
Those idiots…
Nami screamed internally while keeping a perfectly straight face.
“We caught him looking for Nami!” The Fish-Man reported.
Zoro silently cursed Usopp and Yosaku for tying him to a boat before sending him here.
“Yo.” “Nami.” “I’m here to take you back.” “…Where’s Dazai?” He looked around.
Nami glanced toward the disguised “Fish-Man” standing nearby.
Dazai winked.
Mission accomplished.
Nami had no words.
The Fish-Men burst into laughter.
“He came all this way looking for Nami?” “Ridiculous!” “Enough.” Arlong looked toward Nami.
Nami stepped forward.
“I’m the Cat Burglar.” “Betraying people is what I do.” “And yet you idiots still came looking for me.” “I don’t believe you.” Zoro looked directly into her eyes.
“You people are strong…” “But all I wanted was treasure.” “You actually believed in friendship?” “How naïve.” Arlong laughed loudly.
“That’s right!” “Nami’s so cold-hearted she’d watch her own mother die without shedding a tear!” “You’ve chosen the wrong opponent!” Nami’s face turned deathly pale.
Only Zoro noticed.
“I see.” Zoro closed his eyes.
“I never trusted her that much anyway.” “Even if she turned out to be a murderer…” “I wouldn’t be surprised.” “So get lost already.” “You’re in my way.” He smiled at her…
Then suddenly kicked off— Splash!
He jumped into the pool while still tied up.
“What?!” “He jumped in?” “Is he trying to escape?” “How?” “He’s tied up!” “Is he trying to kill himself?!” Without hesitation— Nami threw off her sandals and dove in after him.
“You people are all so impossible!” After dragging him out, she punched him hard in the stomach.
“Lock him up.” “I’ll interrogate him personally.” Arlong ordered.
The Fish-Men carried Zoro away.
Meanwhile…
Dazai watched the entire spectacle with great interest.
“Boss Arlong…” “Nami’s amazing.” Arlong laughed proudly.
“With Nami drawing charts for me…” “The entire world will belong to the Arlong Empire!” Dazai nodded enthusiastically, pretending to admire him.
Another Fish-Man hurried over.
“Boss!” “The swordsman’s other companion escaped to Cocoyasi Village!” “Cocoyasi Village?” “Perfect.” “I’ve got business there anyway.” Towering over Dazai, Arlong grinned.
“Sorry, brother.” “We’ll continue the welcome party later.” “No problem, Boss!” Dazai smiled brightly.
Nami’s thoughts raced.
Usopp…
She forced herself not to reveal a single emotion as Arlong led several Fish-Men toward Cocoyasi Village.
“Hehe…” Dazai happily drew on Zoro’s face with a marker while the swordsman sat tied up in his cell.
Nami leaned against the doorway with folded arms.
Zoro glared murderously at Dazai.
“Nami.” “Who’s this?” “What?” Dazai clutched his chest dramatically.
“Zoro!” “You didn’t recognize me?” “…Dazai?!” “So…” “You really are a Fish-Man?” Nami nearly slipped.
She stared at Zoro in disbelief.
Dazai burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“Oh, honestly…” Nami sighed as she untied Zoro.
“Do you know the plan?” “Yeah.” “We regroup at Arlong Park.” Zoro rolled his shoulders and wiped the marker off his face with a grin.
“Can you still fight?” “I’m in perfect condition.” Nami smiled, though her eyes had grown moist.
The Arlong Pirates still hadn’t returned.
Zoro sat casually in Arlong’s chair, waiting.
“Zoro.” Dazai nudged him.
“Look.” Outside, Hatchan was peacefully fishing.
“Huh?” Hatchan climbed inside.
“Nami?” “Brother?” “Are these guests?” He looked around at the unconscious Fish-Men.
“No.” “They’re enemies.” Dazai cheerfully shook his finger before hiding behind Nami.
“Octopus!” “Help us!” “My name’s Hatchan!” he corrected seriously while scratching his head.
Then he glared at Zoro.
“A swordsman?” “You picked the wrong opponent!” He proudly flexed all six arms.
“Did I?” Despite holding only one sword, Zoro charged straight at him.
“Nami.” “How much money are you still short?” Dazai asked while watching the fight.
“Seven million Berries.” She frowned.
“Why?” “I noticed something.” Dazai unfolded a newspaper.
“Arlong has been running wild for years…” “But the Marines hardly ever show up.” He produced a picture of a Marine captain.
“Do you know him?” “Nezumi.” Dazai frowned.
“I hate rats.” “This village isn’t that far from the Marine base.” “For eight years…” “The lack of Marine action doesn’t make sense.” He glanced at Nami’s increasingly pale face.
“So…” “The Marines are working with the pirates.” “You’re almost at one hundred million Berries.” “If the Marines confiscate your money…” “Arlong technically won’t have broken his promise.” “…Arlong!” Nami’s fingernails dug into her palms until they bled.
Even then…
She desperately wanted to believe it wasn’t true.
“Come on.” Dazai stood.
Nami silently led the way.
“Hatchan.” “See you later!” “Bye!” Hatchan waved back absentmindedly— Only to narrowly avoid Zoro’s blade.
“One sword isn’t enough to beat me!” “Really?” Zoro picked up two more swords scattered nearby.
Three Sword Style.
“Then don’t let your guard down.” “Nami!” The beautiful blue-haired woman before them was Nojiko.
She looked suspiciously at the young “Fish-Man” following behind her sister.
“Nojiko.” “We’re moving the money.” “Alright.” She didn’t ask questions.
If Nami wanted to do something, she would support her.
“So much treasure…” Nojiko looked nervously at Dazai.
Nami simply nodded.
“I trust him.” Without another word, the three quickly moved all the treasure before restoring everything to its original appearance.
“What happened?” Nojiko served them coffee.
“Can I have sugar?” Dazai asked cheerfully.
“…It’s nothing.” Nami’s expression remained gloomy.
Nojiko sighed and quietly left them alone.
Outside— Dazai stopped her.
“Nojiko.” “I need a favor.” “I don’t trust Fish-Men.” “But if Nami trusts you…” “I’ll listen.” She lazily took another drag from her cigarette.
Dazai never bothered explaining that he wasn’t actually a Fish-Man.
Instead, he whispered his request.
Nojiko quietly left.
Back inside— “Why did you send Nojiko away?” Nami asked.
“Secret.” Dazai hummed his “Suicide Song” in an unusually good mood.
At the same time— Luffy and Sanji arrived.
“So…” “Where are we going now?” Sanji asked.
Luffy grinned broadly.
“Arlong Park.” “Time for everyone to regroup.”