Chapter 29
"An admiral or Sea Kings—which would you pick?"
Arlong looked at Nami with a teasing grin.
"Haha~"
Nami laughed awkwardly. "Big Bro Arlong is the captain. Of course we listen to you."
Inwardly, though: Idiot question. An admiral is way scarier than Sea Kings.
"Nami, want to see a treasure I have?"
Seeing how fun she was to tease, Arlong decided to play a bit.
"What treasure?"
At the word "treasure," Nami's eyes turned into berry symbols.
Her two life dreams: draw a world map and amass endless wealth.
Arlong gave her a wicked smile. "It's hard. Can be long or short."
Only then did Nami realize Arlong's "treasure" wasn't what she thought.
Her face flushed red. "Big Bro Arlong… it's broad daylight, and on deck…"
"What are you thinking!"
Arlong flicked her forehead and flipped his hand—a Log Pose appeared.
"Big Bro Arlong, this compass is your treasure?"
Nami rubbed her forehead, puzzled.
It looked odd but otherwise ordinary.
"This is a Log Pose—Grand Line specialty.
It records magnetic fields for each island. Charging time varies—one day to a year…"
Arlong paused deliberately.
Nami rolled her eyes ?(????ω????)?—she knew he was leading her on.
"Skwahahaha~"
Arlong couldn't hold back his laughter, then continued.
"Some can't wait, so permanent Log Poses exist—but they're far more expensive.
There are also three-needle versions…
Without a Log Pose, you can't navigate to the next island…"
While explaining, Arlong personally fastened the Log Pose onto Nami's wrist.
Watching his serious expression, Nami thought he didn't look so ugly.
He could be harsh, but he treated her and Nojiko well.
Nami Affection +1
Hearing the notification surprised Arlong.
"Navigator, everyone's lives are in your hands now!"
Arlong said gravely.
"Yeah."
Nami nodded firmly.
"No need to stress. Even if the ship sinks, I'll keep you all safe."
Arlong gave her a head pat.
Nami smiled brightly (￣▽￣)~*
"Big Bro Arlong, tell me about Grand Line weather!"
Nami leaned on the railing, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, looking relaxed.
"Seasons don't exist."
Arlong summed it up in four words, then described the Grand Line's brutal weather in detail.
"Sounds even worse than the stories!"
Nami clutched her chest, heart racing.
Suddenly, a massive rumble came from behind.
A huge shadow burst from the sea, sending up towering waves.
"Mommy!" {{|└(＞o＜)┘|}}
Caught off guard, Nami leaped straight into Arlong's arms.
Eyes shut, she screamed, "Don't eat me!"
BOP~
Arlong flicked her forehead. "How many times—I'm the only one who gets to eat you!"
"Mooo~"
A familiar bellow.
Nami opened her eyes—Momoo's enormous head loomed over the deck, eyes bigger than a person.
"Momoo, you dared scare me!"
Nami jumped down and punched Momoo's head.
Momoo: ⊙▃⊙
The commotion drew everyone.
"Mooo~"
The fishmen greeted it warmly.
Carmen's eyes sparkled. "Big Bro Arlong, give him to me—I'll make the world's best steak.
Wagyu wouldn't even compare."
Hearing the woman wanted to eat him, Momoo raged—eyes fierce, jaws wide.
BOP~
Nami punched again—now a lump on its head.
"Carmen-san is Big Bro Arlong's woman—how dare you bare teeth?"
Momoo looked pitifully at Arlong.
"Relax, no one's eating you yet."
Arlong consoled, then scolded Carmen. "We have plenty of food—why eye the reserves?"
Momoo puffed its chest proudly at Arlong's support.
Then the follow-up crushed it (:D)∠).
"Oh!"
Carmen reluctantly looked away from Momoo.
"Carmen, prepare a banquet. Theme: Farewell to the East Blue."
"OHHH!!!"
At the word "banquet," the fishmen cheered.
Even Momoo's eyes lit up—it hadn't eaten tasty food in days.
"Oh!"
Carmen, Nami, and Nojiko joined in.
They had prepared mentally, but leaving home tomorrow still brought a touch of sadness.
Nami watched Hatchan and the others jumping excitedly, face darkening—she gave each a punch.
8(:3」∠)
"Skwahahaha~"
Arlong's laughter echoed across the sky.
…
Banquet over.
Arlong herded the crew below deck and locked the hatch.
He spread a picnic cloth on the bow, laid out fruits, snacks, wine, and drinks.
The three women chatted together, silver-bell laughter ringing out.
Three women make a drama.
Arlong didn't join—he sipped red wine, lounging on a deck chair.
Watching them from the corner of his eye, emotions welled up.
He used to only fantasize about the anime—who'd have thought it would come true!
Dreams are important. What if they happen?
"Big Bro Arlong, come stargaze with us!"
Nojiko waved.
"Women and their fuss!"
Arlong grumbled, set down his glass, and joined them.
He lay flat on the deck, arms spread.
Nami and Nojiko each took an arm. Carmen took the other.
Above them: the brilliant Milky Way.
Nojiko sighed. "So beautiful!"
Carmen agreed. "Mm-hmm."
Nami exclaimed. "So many shooting stars!"
Arlong: "In the ancient East, there's a legend—close your eyes and wish on a shooting star, it'll come true."
The three shut their eyes to wish.
"Nami, what did you wish for?" Nojiko couldn't resist.
"You first." Nami wouldn't spill.
Nojiko turned to Carmen. "Carmen-san, what about you?"
"I…"
Arlong cut in. "Wishes can't be said aloud, or they won't come true."
Topic dropped.
Believe it or not—four people, one night, nothing happened?
Nami Affection +1 Carmen Affection +2
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Carmen's affection reached 90. Reward: 1 Silver Treasure Chest.]
Nojiko Affection +1
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Nojiko's affection reached 95. Reward: 1 Gold Treasure Chest.]
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