Suddenly, a massive sea cow, towering over ten meters tall like a small mountain, appeared before everyone's eyes. Its entire body was a shade of white and coffee brown, and its fierce eyes exuded a menacing aura as it glared at Luffy and the others.
"Wow, it's huge!" Luffy exclaimed in surprise.
"What kind of monster is this? A sea cow?" Usopp's eyes widened in shock, and without hesitation, he darted behind Moonlight, the only person on the ship who made him feel safe.
"Oh no, it's a Sea King! This is bad. Big Bro, wake up!" Yosaku and Johnny quickly shouted at Zoro.
"Perfect, fresh ingredients!" Sanji blew out a smoke ring, looking delighted as he prepared to act.
"Come here!" Moonlight suddenly intervened, narrowing his eyes as a wave of invisible killing intent emanated from him. The ferocious sea cow immediately began to tremble, its intimidating presence replaced with one of sheer terror.
Moonlight smiled faintly and beckoned the giant sea cow with a single hand motion. Instantly, the monstrous creature, like a scolded child, obediently lay down before him.
"What the…?"
"No way, Moonlight, what did you do to it?"
"Moonlight, I knew you were the most reliable!"
"Moonlight, wow!" Sanji and the others were left speechless, their jaws dropping. Luffy, particularly excited, jumped onto the sea cow, inspecting it curiously like a new toy.
"We'll use it to pull the ship. As for ingredients…" Moonlight glanced at Sanji, pointing at the sea cow before turning his gaze to the sea. He swung his sword with a swift motion.
"Buzz!"
A crescent-shaped sword wave cut through the air, slicing the ocean in half. The sea split open as if a massive crack had appeared, and countless fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish flew into the air, landing on the boat.
"These should be enough." Moonlight said calmly.
Usopp: "…"
Yosaku, Johnny: "…"
Sanji: "…"
Everyone was stunned. They had never imagined that sword energy could be used this way!
While the group stared in disbelief, Nami had docked the Going Merry on an island. She leaped ashore, greeted two sea beasts roaming by the beach, and headed toward a massive amusement park—the base of the Arlong Pirates: Arlong Park.
"Nami!"
"Nami's back!"
"Haha, our little cat burglar has returned. I wonder which unlucky pirate crew she just robbed!" Along the way, the Arlong Pirates greeted Nami with laughter and cheers.
Nami nodded in acknowledgment and approached Arlong, tossing a bag of gold and a meticulously drawn map at his feet.
"Today's loot," Nami said flatly.
"Hahaha, as expected of our little cat burglar. You never come back empty-handed. And this map, it's so precise. Even as a Fishman, I couldn't draw something like this," Arlong praised, ignoring the gold as he picked up the map.
"That's right! Even though we're Fishmen, none of us could draw maps like this. Nami, you're amazing!" said Hatchan, an octopus Fishman, giving Nami a thumbs-up.
"Hatchan, Kuroobi, you're both spot on. Nami might be human, but she's nothing like those other humans," another Fishman dressed in a deep blue karate gi with fins on his back said seriously.
"Yes, Hatchan and Kuroobi are right. Of all the humans, Nami is the only one worth acknowledging," chimed in Chew, a Fishman with yellow hair and lips like a gun barrel, wearing brown shorts and a blue harness.
"Nami, I'm really going to miss you," Arlong smiled at her.
"Heh…" Nami shivered slightly, then sneered. "One hundred million Berries. I'll have it saved up soon. When the time comes, don't go back on your word." She turned and walked away.
This was the deal she had with Arlong: if she could save up one hundred million Berries, she could buy back her home, Cocoyasi Village, and her freedom. This was why she joined the Arlong Pirates, working tirelessly on the sea.
"Big Brother, looks like Nami's planning to leave soon," Kuroobi said, watching Nami's retreating figure.
"I really don't want to let Nami go!" Hatchan sighed.
"Isn't there any way to make her stay?" Chew frowned, looking at Arlong.
"A talent like hers is one of a kind. Letting her go would be a shame, but I'm a man of my word. Still, maybe…" Arlong smirked sinisterly and whispered his plan to the three of them.
Hearing this, they all exchanged knowing, wicked grins.
…
"So this is where the Arlong Pirates are based, Arlong Park? It's huge! How are we supposed to find Nami in there?" Luffy and his crew, pulled by the sea cow Momoo, finally reached the shore. Spotting the Going Merry docked nearby, they were thrilled and eagerly disembarked, ready to search for Nami.
Having boarded Luffy's ship, getting off would be no easy feat.
As they stepped onto the vast island, they couldn't help but be amazed by the scenery.
"Let's split up," Sanji suggested.
"Alright. If anyone finds anything, send a signal immediately. The Arlong Pirates are dangerous; we shouldn't fight them alone," Usopp agreed, then quickly grabbed Moonlight. "I'll go with Moonlight," he added, clinging to him as if afraid Moonlight might leave him behind.
"Alright, I'll go by myself in this direction." Sanji nodded, pointing toward one side.
"We'll stay close to Big Bro Zoro and keep watch around here," Johnny and Yosaku said, gesturing to the unconscious swordsman.
"Then I'll take this side, Usopp, you handle that direction," Luffy pointed in another direction before looking at Usopp.
"I… actually have a condition that prevents me from going ashore. I'll stay on the Merry and rest," Usopp said, clutching his stomach with a pained expression.
"Huh? You're sick? Are you okay?" Luffy asked, genuinely concerned.
"I'll be fine, I just need to rest on the ship. I can't go with you guys," Usopp said, staggering back toward the Merry.
"Hey, at least pretend to be convincing! Come on, don't waste time. Nami's in the hands of the Arlong Pirates. She could be in serious danger!" Sanji nearly kicked him off the boat in frustration.
"Nami… Fine. Even if I'm terminally ill, I'll do everything I can to find her," Usopp gritted his teeth, determined despite his fear.
"Moonlight!" Luffy called out to Moonlight.
Moonlight nodded.
The four split up, heading in four different directions: north, south, east, and west. They agreed to signal immediately if they found any clues or encountered danger.
Meanwhile, in Cocoyasi Village, Nami stood before her hidden treasure, satisfied. After years of hard work, she was close to gathering one hundred million Berries. Soon, she and everyone else would be free!
The thought brought a bright smile to Nami's face.
"Just as I thought. Cat Burglar Nami, all the treasure you've stolen is now confiscated by the Marines!" a voice sneered.
A group of Marines suddenly surrounded her, their eyes gleaming at the sight of the treasure. Leading them was a man who looked like a rat, laughing wickedly as he stared at Nami.