On the outskirts of Cocoyasi Village, a simply decorated, somewhat cramped house stood quietly in front of an orange grove.
In the living room, two young women, close in age, sat at the dining table.
The woman with short orange hair and a tattoo on her arm was wolfing down food, while the woman sitting opposite her also had short hair, but blue instead of orange, with a red headband. She rested her chin on one hand, smiling as she watched the orange-haired girl.
The short orange-haired girl was Nami, and the woman sitting opposite her was Nojiko.
For years, they had lived on the outskirts of Cocoyasi Village. Her older sister, Nojiko, stayed home to tend the orange grove in the backyard, while Nami was often away, either occupying Arlong Park, which had been held by the Arlong Pirates for many years, to draw navigation charts for them, or leaving Cocoyasi Village to travel around, engaging in thievery. She was a complete little cat burglar!
"Achoo ~"
Suddenly, Nami, who was still devouring her food, inexplicably sneezed, nearly spraying Nojiko's face.
"I told you to eat slower, but you wouldn't listen!"
Nojiko shook her head and smiled, "Nobody's fighting you for it!"
"Heh ~"
Nami rubbed her nose and said happily, "Nojiko, I have good news for you! I'm almost at 100 million Berries! Once I get 100 million Berries, I can leave Arlong's Gang. Then, I'll leave Cocoyasi Village to fulfill my dream!"
With that, Nami pulled a bag from behind her and placed it on the dining table. The bag was filled with various gold and silver treasures, as well as stacks of Berries.
"Achoo ~"
Just as she put the bag down, Nami couldn't help but sneeze again.
"Nami, are you catching a cold?"
Seeing Nami sneeze twice in a row, Nojiko didn't bother to look at the Berries and jewels in the bag. She asked with concern, "After dinner, I'll take you to the village to buy some medicine. Otherwise, if Arlong knows you're back, he'll definitely call you over."
"I don't have a cold," Nami blinked, then her expression turned fierce, "It must be Arlong again, telling his subordinates to look for me. All he knows is telling me to draw, draw, draw!"
Hearing this, Nojiko secretly sighed.
Years ago, to buy the Foosha Village villagers from Arlong's Gang, Nami chose to join Arlong's Gang, not only drawing navigation charts for them but also having to pay Arlong's Gang 100 million Berries!
However, based on what Arlong's Gang had done in Cocoyasi Village over the years, she was almost certain that Arlong's Gang wouldn't let Nami leave so easily. But even knowing this might be the outcome, she couldn't do anything to stop it.
Because the Arlong Pirates had occupied Cocoyasi Village for many years, incorporating over twenty villages, including Cocoyasi Village, into their territory, and secretly colluding with corrupt individuals in the Marine, it was almost impossible for them to escape Arlong's Gang's control.
After complaining about Arlong for a few sentences, Nami stood up decisively, grabbed the money bag, and left, "I can't stay too long. If Arlong knows I'm back and haven't reported to him, he'll definitely send people over, and then you'll be troubled by them!"
With that, Nami waved to Nojiko, then turned elegantly, "See you next time."
At the same time.
In a tall building built along the coast of Cocoyasi Village, dozens of Fishman pirates gathered in the courtyard.
Some Fishmen were doing various butterfly and breaststrokes in the outdoor swimming pool, while others walked back and forth in front of the courtyard gate to prevent anyone from suddenly entering.
Many more stood near the swimming pool, chatting in groups of three or five.
A Sawshark Fishman with a serrated nose sat steadily on a chair directly above the swimming pool, his eyes fierce, sending chills down one's spine.
Arlong, the Sawshark Fishman, founder of the Arlong Empire, and the pirate with the highest bounty in the East Blue currently.
Suddenly, an Octopus Fishman with six arms scurried over.
Hatchan, an Arlong Pirates executive, an Octopus Fishman, and a Six-Sword Style swordsman.
Hatchan, who had arrived in front of Arlong, pointed sideways to the sea outside the park and spoke to Arlong, who was sitting on the chair, "Arlong, a ship is approaching Cocoyasi Village. Should we sink them?"
Arlong naturally saw the ship approaching Cocoyasi Village on the sea, but he didn't take it to heart. After all, the surrounding waters and dozens of villages were his territory. No matter who they were, he could easily take them down.
"Is Nami back?"
After watching the ship on the sea for a moment, Arlong withdrew his gaze and looked at Hatchan, saying in a deep voice, "She's been out for a while this time. Send someone to check immediately. If she's not back yet, bring her sister Nojiko back!"
"Boss, Nami's back!"
Before Hatchan could react, the park gate suddenly opened, and then two Fishman pirates led Nami inside.
Seeing this, Arlong immediately broke into a wide grin, "Shishishishi, it seems Nami and we are getting more and more in sync. The moment I mentioned her, our navigator appeared!"
Led by the two Fishman pirates, Nami, who had hidden the stolen treasures and Berries in a place only she knew, quickened her steps to Arlong's front, shedding the relaxed and comfortable demeanor she had at home with Nojiko. Facing Arlong, she respectfully said, "Arlong, I'm back. For the next period, I'll peacefully draw navigation charts in the building!"
"Shishishishi, no need to be so hasty!"
Arlong waved his hand, pointing to the ship opposite, which was now clearly visible to the naked eye, and grinned, "See that ship over there? How about we play a game? Let Hatchan take some men to sink it, and we'll guess how long it takes! Whoever guesses the closest time wins, how about it?"
"If you win, I'll allow you to go home for one night, then come back tomorrow to draw navigation charts!"
"A ship?"
Nami turned to look, and her pupils couldn't help but constrict.
If she could, she would never play this game with Arlong! Because regardless of win or loss, no one on that ship would be spared!
But she didn't dare to refuse!
Once she angered Arlong, this tyrant who occupied Cocoyasi Village, not only would the people on that ship not escape this calamity, but the Foosha Village villagers might also be implicated.
Just as Nami didn't know what to do, Hatchan, standing opposite her, suddenly spoke, "Arlong, something's not right! That ship seems... seems to be coming towards us!"
"Shishishishi, they wouldn't be mistaking Arlong Park for a dock, would they?!"
Seeing the ship on the sea heading straight for Arlong Park, Arlong immediately stood up, his eyes fierce, and laughed loudly, "Don't make any rash moves, let the ship come closer."
Under the gaze of everyone in the Arlong Pirates, the ship slowly approached the shore, eventually stopping directly outside Arlong Park, separated from Arlong's Gang inside the park by only a wall.
However, because the courtyard wall was not high, only level with the deck of the ship docked at the shore, Arlong's Gang could clearly see the furnishings on the deck.
On the deck stood four stunning women, each with a different charm but all captivating. After the ship docked, they all looked curiously towards Arlong Park.
Just as Arlong and the others were surprised that only a few women were standing on the deck, two figures immediately emerged from the cabin. It was Ian and Gunko.
"Oh?"
As soon as he stepped out of the cabin onto the deck, Ian's gaze was drawn to Nami, who was standing beside Arlong. "What a coincidence? I just arrived and saw the target! It truly is a case of finding what you seek without effort, even if you search high and low!"
Pausing slightly, Ian stepped to the bow of the ship, his gaze shifting to Arlong. He spoke politely and gentlemanly, "I am Nelona Ian, a collector! That orange-haired woman beside you is This Young Master's type. This Young Master will pay 100 million Berries for her!"
"Hmm?"
Arlong's pupils slightly constricted. He then took a step forward, looked up at Ian standing on the deck, and grinned, his voice bloodthirsty, "Are you a human trafficker? 100 million Berries isn't enough to buy her!"
As soon as Arlong finished speaking, the Fishman pirates, who had long been on high alert, immediately stirred. As soon as Arlong gave the order, they would all rush out and take down Ian, this wealthy uninvited guest.
"100 million Berries isn't enough?"
Ian promptly raised his hand to stop Gunko, who was about to lose her temper beside him, and said with a pleasant smile, "It seems this woman is very valuable. No matter, This Young Master is not short of money. Is 500 million Berries enough? If not, This Young Master can add more!"
"Really?"
Thinking of Ian's surprisingly generous offer, Arlong's greed was completely unconcealed in his eyes, "If you are truly interested in this woman, the price is 1 billion Berries! As long as you can produce 1 billion Berries, you can take this woman away! Shishishishi ~"
"Straightforward!"
Ian gave Arlong a generous thumbs-up and said to Gunko beside him, "Gunko, get the money!"
"Eh?"
Gunko blinked slowly. Didn't they say they were coming to Cocoyasi Village to pick oranges? How come as soon as they docked, her young master started expanding his harem again? And if he was going to expand it, why didn't he just tell her to kidnap any woman he liked, instead of making a deal with a bunch of Fishmen who made her feel sick to her stomach?
Most importantly, although her young master was not short of money in the Holy Land, all the Berries they currently carried with them didn't even add up to 50 million Berries. Where would 1 billion Berries come from?
Thinking that this might be a game her young master was playing on a whim, Gunko suppressed the urge to execute all the Fishmen in front of her and whispered, "Young Master, we currently... don't have that much Berries."
"Kaya has it! Didn't all the inheritance her parents left her get moved onto the ship?"
Hearing this, even Gunko couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. Using his woman's dowry to buy another woman, as expected of her young master, he certainly knew how to have fun.
In the park, Nami, standing beside Arlong, was completely stunned.
Someone was actually offering 1 billion Berries to buy her?
When did she become so valuable?
1 billion Berries!
In that instant, Nami completely forgot about being an item of trade, her eyes filled with Berries flying everywhere.
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