"Hey, hey, hey! Could you two maybe tone down the excitement a little?" Jerry interjected with an amused but slightly exasperated expression. "You're acting like you're conducting some kind of shady back-alley deal instead of a perfectly innocent trade!"
He gestured toward Dora, who was watching the exchange with wide, curious eyes. "There's a young lady present, after all."
Even though Jerry understood that the two passionate collectors were simply exchanging items related to their shared hobbies, their over-the-top enthusiasm was creating some rather unfortunate implications.
"Ahem! Right, of course," Skull cleared his throat and straightened up, trying to adopt a more professional demeanor. "Jenny, here's the adventure book series you requested. I trust you have my skull badge and ceremonial dagger ready?"
He carefully removed his backpack and withdrew a neatly wrapped package, handling it with obvious care. Jerry noticed that Skull had gone to considerable lengths to protect the books from moisture damage—a wise precaution given Fishman Island's perpetually humid environment. Paper goods were notoriously difficult to preserve in an underwater kingdom where dampness was a constant concern.
"Wonderful! I have everything ready for you," Jenny replied, her excitement more contained but no less genuine. Despite her slightly plump figure, she practically bounced with enthusiasm as she accepted the package from Skull.
She turned to rummage through what appeared to be a substantial collection of snack wrappers and various comfort items scattered around her living room, eventually producing a small, carefully wrapped bag from beneath the organized chaos.
"Here you go," she said, presenting the bag to Skull with the solemnity of someone handing over a precious artifact.
"Yes! This is so cool!" Skull exclaimed, immediately tearing open the wrapping with the eagerness of a child on his birthday.
Inside the bag were two items that clearly held significant meaning for the eccentric collector: an ornate ceremonial dagger with an extending chain mechanism that would allow it to be used as both a blade and a flexible weapon, and a skull-themed badge of unknown origin. The emblem featured intricate details and a distinctly ominous color scheme that perfectly matched Skull's aesthetic preferences.
Meanwhile, Jenny had opened her own package and was gazing at the first book in the adventure series with an expression of pure bliss, as if she'd just been handed the greatest treasure in the world.
"Oh! I'm sorry, but I really want to start reading right away," Jenny said suddenly, her social awkwardness becoming apparent as she fidgeted with the book's cover. "If you don't have anything else you need, I won't keep you any longer. Dora, you should probably head home soon too—your family will be worried."
"No problem at all. Enjoy your new books," Jerry replied with understanding, recognizing the signs of someone who preferred solitude to extended social interaction.
"Then I won't see you out. Goodbye!" Jenny called, already retreating toward her reading chair.
The moment they stepped outside, the sound of Jenny's door slamming shut was followed by a muffled cheer of pure joy from within the apartment.
Jerry couldn't help but smile at the encounter. Jenny was clearly the textbook definition of a homebody—someone who preferred the comfort of her own space, surrounded by snacks and entertainment, to the complexities of social interaction. But there was something endearing about her passion for her hobbies, and Jerry appreciated that she'd shown genuine concern for Dora's wellbeing despite her social anxiety.
"Brother Jerry," Dora said as they made their way back down the coral apartment's spiraling ramp, "if you don't have any other plans, would you like to come to my house for lunch? I'd love to thank you properly for everything you've done."
Jerry considered the invitation thoughtfully. He didn't have any pressing obligations, and the prospect of experiencing authentic Fishman Island cuisine was certainly appealing. Plus, Kotatsu would probably enjoy sampling some local fish dishes.
"You know what? That sounds wonderful," Jerry replied, earning a delighted smile from the young mermaid.
"Great! This way!" Dora led them through several winding coral passages until they reached a residential area where the architecture seemed to flow more organically with the natural underwater landscape.
Dora's home turned out to be a cozy dwelling carved into a large coral formation, with bioluminescent accents providing warm, natural lighting throughout the living spaces. The moment they entered, they were greeted by a middle-aged mermaid woman who immediately rushed over to envelope Dora in a concerned embrace.
"My dear! Are you all right? We were so worried when we heard what happened!" the woman said, her voice filled with maternal concern as she examined Dora for any signs of injury.
After satisfying herself that her daughter was unharmed, Dora's mother turned to Jerry and his companions with tears of gratitude in her eyes.
"Thank you so much for bringing our daughter home safely," she said, bowing deeply. "Please, let me prepare something special for you. It's the least I can do."
What followed was one of the most memorable meals Jerry had experienced since arriving in the One Piece world. Dora's mother proved to be an exceptional cook, preparing a variety of traditional Fishman Island dishes that showcased the unique flavors and techniques of underwater cuisine.
As they dined, Jerry found himself in a state of comfortable relaxation, absently rubbing Kotatsu's belly while the large lynx purred contentedly beside him. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, filled with the kind of genuine hospitality that made traveling worthwhile.
Dora, meanwhile, had become fascinated by Skull's unwavering commitment to his skull mask, even during the meal.
"Brother Skull," she said with innocent curiosity, "do you wear that mask even when you sleep?"
"Oh, you mean this?" Skull perked up immediately, recognizing an opportunity for one of his favorite games. "Would you like to see me without the mask? I could arrange a private viewing for a very reasonable fee!"
He rubbed his hands together with exaggerated merchant-like enthusiasm, clearly delighted by the prospect of turning his face reveal into a commercial transaction.
Dora tilted her head in confusion, poking her cheek thoughtfully. "Why would I need to pay money for that?"
"Because, as the chief intelligence officer of a pirate crew, my true face is classified information of the highest value!" Skull declared dramatically, striking a pose that he clearly thought was impressive. "Tell you what—since you're such a lovely young lady, I'll give you a twenty percent discount!"
Jerry couldn't help but roll his eyes at Skull's theatrical performance. "Oh, come on! I've seen you trying to find excuses to take that mask off for months. You just can't bring yourself to actually do it."
"Ah! Boss Jerry, you're only partially correct," Skull protested quickly. "I simply believe the world deserves occasional glimpses of my magnificent features! But I would never abandon my beloved skull aesthetic permanently!"
"Really?" Jerry said with a knowing smile. "Then why do you keep trying to sell mask-removal opportunities to every new crew member we recruit? Even though you've never actually followed through on a single sale?"
"I just need fresh air sometimes, and besides, I have multiple layers to my mask system..." Skull began speaking rapidly, but stopped abruptly and covered his mouth, realizing he'd revealed more than intended.
"Oh really?" Jerry's grin widened as he sensed a breakthrough in the long-standing mystery of Skull's face.
"Well... um... haha, you know, it's getting pretty late," Skull said, desperately trying to change the subject. "Maybe we should think about heading back to the ship."
Dora, who had been trying to suppress her giggles throughout the entire exchange, looked disappointed at the prospect of their departure.
"Do you really have to leave already?" she asked wistfully.
"I'm afraid so," Jerry replied, though he was genuinely reluctant to end such a pleasant afternoon. "We still need to do some shopping and check in with the rest of our crew."
"I could show you around some more if you'd like," Dora offered hopefully.
"That's very kind of you, but you should stay home and rest," Jerry said gently. "You've been through enough excitement for one week."
After expressing their heartfelt gratitude to Dora's mother for the wonderful meal, Jerry, Skull, and Kotatsu made their way back through Fishman Island's coral-lined streets. They spent the remainder of the afternoon exploring various shops and markets, sampling local delicacies and purchasing small souvenirs and supplies for their journey.
By evening, they had returned to their ship, where they found Teacher Mihar enjoying a quiet dinner in his characteristic solitude. The three travelers joined him at the ship's dining table, sharing stories of their day while enjoying the local treats they'd purchased during their exploration.
The next morning brought the familiar sight of most of their crew still recovering from a night of celebration throughout Fishman Island's entertainment districts. Ace, who had managed to return to the ship sometime during the night, had already disappeared again in search of breakfast, driven by his eternal quest for new and interesting food.
Deuce was busy coordinating the delivery of supplies he'd arranged the previous day, giving Ace quick instructions before positioning himself at the dock to supervise the loading process.
Jerry found himself with some free time and was contemplating whether to try his luck fishing from the edge of Fishman Island's massive protective bubble. The thought of casting his line into the open ocean from within an underwater kingdom held a certain surreal appeal, though he had to admit the experience might feel like fishing in the world's largest aquarium.
His peaceful morning meditation was suddenly shattered by the sound of frantic shouting.
"Boss Jerry! Boss Jerry! Are you the only one here right now?"
Skull came racing across the deck in a state of obvious panic, his usual composure completely abandoned as he gestured wildly with both hands.
"Yeah, pretty much everyone's out," Jerry replied, immediately alert to the urgency in his crewmate's voice. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"It's Wallace!" Skull gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "Jenny just sent word through the collector network—Wallace has been captured by Hody Jones, the gang leader from Fishman Street! She says they're planning a public execution in the Sea Forest at noon!"
"Hody Jones? The brainless villain?"
Jerry had some impression of the gang leader's name, but not much.
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