“It’s really nice, Drake.
You even get to be our captain.” Tsunade poked Drake in the waist with her finger, unable to hide her envy.
“Hahaha, then I have to thank my Master for giving me this opportunity.” Drake laughed brightly, holding her waist.
“Tch.
Congratulations, Captain Drake.” Tsunade crossed her arms and clicked her tongue.
“I never thought that one day, I, a Marine Admiral, would become a pirate.” Borsalino spread his hands.
“So, Captain Drake, what position am I supposed to take?
Do you need me to row the ship?”
“My Golden Hind is controlled by magical energy, so there’s no need for anyone to grow it.” Drake glanced at Borsalino.
“But if you really want to contribute, I won’t stop you.
Hahaha.”
“All right, all right.
We have so many new companions joining us today, so let’s hold a banquet.” Zhuyun stepped in to settle them down.
“Shirou, I’ll leave the food to you.”
“Hmph.
Piece of cake.” Shirou waved his hand and headed toward the kitchen.
***
With Shirou busy in the kitchen, plate after plate of exquisite dishes was brought to the table.
“Wow, this is pretty good.
It’s much better than Marine food.” Borsalino blew on a plate of extra-spicy mapo tofu before taking a bite.
“Not bad, Borsalino.” Zhuyun, sweating as he held a plate of the same extra-spicy mapo tofu, looked at him.
“I didn’t expect you to be able to handle food this spicy.”
“I’ve never had it before, but now that I have, I have to say it’s really good.” Borsalino wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Master, come on.
Don’t just eat.
Drink, drink.” Drake raised her wine cup toward Zhuyun.
“That’s right, little Master.
Just eating without drinking isn’t any fun.” Tsunade leaned against Zhuyun, her cheeks flushed.
“Ah, this is great.
Whether it’s the wine or the food, everything is excellent.” Musashi ate one bite of food followed by a sip of wine.
“Hahaha, to our reunion.
Cheers!” Zhuyun raised his wine cup.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
***
In the waters near Cocoyasi Village, a pirate ship with a saw-shaped prow was sailing toward the village.
“Arlong, Cocoyasi Village is just ahead.” The braided fish-man Kuroobi approached Arlong.
“What are we going to do next?”
“Hahahaha!
What else?
We’ll rule this village and make these inferior humans work for us.” Arlong laughed wildly.
“We’ve already paid off that rat Marine officer.
We’ll be perfectly safe ruling this place.”
“Can that rat Marine officer really be trusted?”
“Although he’s an inferior human, I can tell that the bastard is a greedy scumbag.
He won’t give up the chance to work with us.” Arlong looked at Cocoyasi Village, which was getting closer and closer, and bared his shark-like teeth.
“Let’s go, boys.
Let these inferior humans experience the terror of the Fish-Man race.”
***
“Nami, Bellemere told us to come home for dinner.” Nojiko smiled as she looked toward Nami, who was reading a book nearby.
“Okay, I’m coming.” Nami closed the book in her hands and happily skipped toward Nojiko.
“You really love reading books about navigation.” Nojiko looked at the book Nami was holding.
“Of course!
One day, I’m going to draw a map of the entire world.” Nami raised the book in her hand, her smile especially bright.
“Once I finish the map, I can take you sailing, Nojiko.
And Bellemere too, of course.”
“Hehe, then I’ll look forward to the day you finish it.”
“No problem.
Leave it to me.” Nami patted her chest confidently.
“BOOM!”
A tremendous explosion rang out, shaking the ground beneath them.
“The house!
The house was lifted up!”
“How is that possible?
He threw the whole house!”
Nearby villagers stared wide-eyed at the destruction caused by the house Arlong had thrown.
“Hahaha!
Listen up, inferior humans.
From now on, this place belongs to the great Fish-Men!” Arlong glared viciously at the villagers nearby.
“One million Berries for every adult and five hundred thousand Berries for every child, paid once every month.
If you don’t pay, this house will be your fate.”
“How is that possible?
We don’t have that much money!”
“That’s right!
And we have to pay every month!”
“Hm?” Hearing the villagers’ complaints, Arlong’s expression darkened.
He walked over to another house and grabbed hold of it.
The muscles in Arlong’s arms tightened.
With a powerful pull, he quickly tore the house from its foundations and threw it toward the villagers who had been complaining.
“Run!”
“The house is flying toward us!”
“BOOM!”
The ground shook again.
“Do you still have any objections?” Arlong asked coldly.
The other fish-men also approached the villagers one after another, wearing sinister grins.
“Wait!
We agree!
Please, at least spare our lives!” Kensuke, wearing a windmill hat, hurriedly spoke up.
“Then go get the money.” Arlong sat down on a nearby rock.
“And make it quick.”
“Yes, yes.”
The villagers no longer dared to resist.
Not far away, a thin column of smoke was rising from a hillside.
“Hm?
Is there still a house over there?” Seeing the smoke ahead, Arlong stood up and walked in that direction.