Chapter 8: Going Merry & Usopp
At the lively feast, with drinks and conversations flowing freely, Luffy and Usopp were fooling around, standing on the table.
With chopsticks stuck up their nostrils and holding dustpans, they performed a strange dance, making Kaya giggle uncontrollably.
"This captain really has no dignity."
Nami sighed helplessly. "Speaking of which, where are we heading next?"
"You’re not going to use *that* method again, are you?" Zoro couldn’t help but glance at Reiner.
He remembered how Reiner had previously made Luffy randomly point at a spot on the map, which led them to target Syrup Village.
"Ahem, I already have an idea for our next stop."
Reiner gave a slight cough, saying to a curious Nami, "Don’t you think our ship is still missing an important crewmate?"
"You mean *that* role, right?"
"Yeah, the ship really needs someone in that position."
Zoro and Nami nodded, rubbing their chins in agreement.
"You guys think so too, right?"
Luffy overheard and joined the conversation, looking around at them with a grin. "Then it’s decided! Let’s go find a musician!"
"It’s a cook! A cook!"
"If you’re not using your brain, you should it!"
"Speaking of cooks..."
Reiner paused, then looked up. "The Baratie sea restaurant. Let’s go there."
"However, that’s already close to the Grand Line. Before that, I was thinking of making a trip to the Conomi Islands to find Arlong."
Compared to the others’ confusion, Nami let out a startled cry.
She hadn’t expected to hear that name from Reiner’s lips.
’Arlong’ – those two words were practically her nightmare, evoking deep-seated fear and disgust every time they were mentioned.
She could never forget the image of Arlong killing Bell-mère with his own hands to protect her and Nojiko.
"Nami, what’s wrong? Do you know this Arlong?"
Luffy asked, noticing Nami’s pale face.
Nami’s face darkened, and she fell silent. The lively atmosphere suddenly quieted down.
Reiner spoke first, breaking the silence.
"Arlong was originally a member of a certain Fish-Man pirate crew in the Grand Line..."
He slowly explained to Luffy and the others how Arlong came to the East Blue and established his brutal tyranny over the Conomi Islands...
"Sounds like a real bastard. Reiner, Nami, do you know him?"
Luffy asked, puzzled. Even Nami looked sideways at Reiner.
She wondered what Reiner wanted with Arlong. Could he be colluding with him?
"What are you thinking?"
Reiner noticed Nami’s suspicious gaze and explained, "Have you forgotten my ability? I’m just... interested in his template, that’s all."
"Oh, so that’s how it is."
Luffy understood, grinning broadly. "Then let’s go beat up Arlong first and help Reiner collect a new monster!"
"It’s undead, not monsters!"
"Hey, wait a minute!"
Nami became anxious. "Do you even know how strong Arlong is? He’s..."
Nami trailed off. Arlong’s power was deeply ingrained in her mind.
Over the years, countless Marines who tried to capture him disappeared, ship and all, before even getting close.
Hearing they planned to pick a fight with Arlong instantly alarmed her.
Nami looked up at the group.
Luffy, Zoro, Reiner’s undead... they had dealt with Kuro, a pirate with a 16 million Beri bounty, so easily.
*"If it’s them, maybe..."* Nami couldn’t help but wonder.
Perhaps they really could defeat Arlong?
If so, the people of Cocoyasi Village could finally be freed from Arlong’s oppressive rule.
No, she couldn’t risk it.
If they failed, knowing Arlong’s cruelty, he would definitely kill them all.
Nami was torn. She had made a deal with Arlong: gather 100 million Beri, and she could buy Cocoyasi Village back from him.
But that was 100 million! So many years had passed, and the goal was still nowhere in sight.
"Hey Nami, what’s wrong with you?"
"You’ve been acting strange since just now."
The others were puzzled; besides Reiner, none of them knew about Nami’s history with Arlong.
Nami finally decided to tell them the truth.
Subsequently, through Nami’s gritted teeth and suppressed anger, the group learned about her past.
Many years ago, after Arlong and his crew came to the East Blue, they used their overwhelming strength to rule the Conomi Islands. Everyone had to pay regular "protection money" to live, and her hometown, Cocoyasi Village, was one of the islands under his control...
"So that’s why you became a thief?"
Zoro guessed the reason Nami went to sea after hearing about her deal with Arlong.
Luffy was even angrier. "That bastard! I’ve decided! Our next stop is to find that Arlong!"
"Wait, didn’t you hear me? Arlong is..."
"No need to persuade us, Nami."
Reiner interrupted her. "No matter what, we already consider you our navigator."
"If our own crewmate has been wronged, and we don’t go settle the score..."
"Can we even call ourselves pirates?"
"Besides, with Arlong still around, you wouldn’t be able to travel with us peacefully anyway, right?"
Reiner stood up and looked down at Nami.
"Luffy doesn’t like him, I want to collect his template, and you’ve suffered under him."
"Any single one of those reasons is enough for us to beat him up. That’s the pirate way of doing things."
Nami covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. She had gotten used to relying only on herself.
She never thought that after Bell-mère died, she would meet people she could depend on again.
"Waaaah... That’s so moving!"
Usopp was crying streams of tears. "Someday, I’ll go to sea too and become pirates just like you guys!"
"What? You’re coming too?"
Hearing Luffy’s words, Usopp looked completely baffled.
"I remember inviting you already."
"Eh? Wait, was that for real? Not a joke?"
"Yeah, it was serious."
Luffy grinned. "I like you."
Usopp looked around at the others in a daze.
"What are you spacing out for?"
Reiner lit another cigarette and teased Usopp.
"Hurry up and go back to pack your things. We’re setting sail after we finish eating. If you miss the boat, there won’t be a next one."
Usopp scrambled to his feet and rushed outside.
Reiner glanced at Kaya and teased, "Sorry for stealing your little boyfriend away. You don’t blame us, right?"
"N-No... not at all."
Kaya blushed faintly and stammered, "I always knew Usopp would go out to sea someday."
Although Kaya said this, a hint of sadness could still be seen in her eyes.
Soon, after finishing their meal, Kaya and Merry led them to the port.
Usopp was already there, waiting next to a single-masted sailing ship.
The ship had a white sheep’s head figurehead, a large main mast on the deck, and a triangular sail at the stern, with a two-story cabin structure sitting atop it.
"This ship might look a bit retro, but I designed it myself."
Merry gestured towards the ship, introducing it to the group. "It’s a fast caravel. I named it the Going Merry."
While Merry was explaining things to Nami, the others had already eagerly boarded the ship.
"Hahaha, this is awesome!"
Luffy was sprawled over the sheep figurehead, arms and legs wrapped around it, looking up with a huge grin. "From now on, this is my special seat!"