OPTC Chapter 333: The Joy of Crushing Beginners in the Starting Village
"We're out! So this is the East Blue? Great job, Moo Moo!"
Feeling the breeze blowing from the side, signaling they had finally crossed the Calm Belt, Hatchan stood at the bow and praised the giant sea cow pulling their ship.
Even as fishmen, crossing the Calm Belt by ship required great caution. Their advantage was that they could send people underwater to scout safe routes, and with a sea beast pulling the ship, they could pass through quickly.
If danger appeared, everyone could dive into the sea to push the ship, or even abandon it to escape—much easier than for humans.
Either way, safely crossing the Calm Belt was cause for celebration. The fishmen cheered in relief, and Arlong finally exhaled. They were far from that cursed place at last.
After a brief celebration, Hatchan asked, "Brother Arlong, what now?"
"Keep moving forward until we find a ship or an island. We'll seize a sea chart first," said Arlong. "Lookout, stay alert. Everyone else, rest and prepare for battle."
"Ohhh!"
The fishmen shouted together.
Their luck was good. Not long after, they spotted a pirate ship ahead—and it didn't seem to be running away. In fact, the ship steered toward them.
When two pirate ships met, there was rarely any talk before a fight. If the pirate flag was familiar, both sides would think twice, judging each other's strength. But if the flag was unknown, they'd assume the other side was weak—and fight first.
"What luck!" Arlong grinned. "Brothers, this is our first battle in the East Blue. Crush them the fishmen's way—let these humans feel our terror!"
"Ohhh!"
More than half the fishmen immediately dove into the sea.
On the other ship, the lookout reported the situation—though from this distance, he couldn't make out how strange the enemies looked.
"What luck indeed!" their captain laughed. "They're abandoning ship before the fight? Must be rookies just out to sea. Men! Take them down in one strike!"
"Ohhh!"
The pirates roared with excitement, brandishing weapons.
But moments later, the entire ship jolted. The pirates stumbled as the ship began veering off course.
"What's going on?!" the captain barked. "Helmsman! What are you doing?!"
"The rudder's not responding, Captain!" came the panicked reply.
"What?" The captain's face paled. A broken rudder during battle could mean death. "Shipwright! Go check it!"
But before anyone could move, a mocking voice echoed across the deck.
"No need. Your rudder's perfectly fine."
Kuroobi sat casually on the portside railing, then hurled a massive wooden object into the crowd. "Here, take it back!"
"Waaah!" The pirates tumbled over each other.
"Is that… the rudder?! What kind of monster—"
"Monster?" A blue-skinned fishman with puckered lips leapt aboard. "Open your eyes, humans. We're fishmen!"
"Another monster?!" the pirates screamed.
The captain tried to keep his composure. "Fishmen? What are you talking about?"
"You don't even know what fishmen are? Unbelievable. People here really are ignorant," said Chu, brushing back his middle-parted hair. "We're from the Grand Line. We can breathe underwater, and our strength is ten times greater than yours."
"T-Ten times?" the pirates gasped.
"Don't believe his lies!" the captain yelled, desperate to keep his men steady. "Even with ten times the strength, a bullet can still kill them!"
He drew his pistol—but before he could aim, a water bullet slammed into his stomach, launching him into the cabin wall. He didn't get back up.
"Captain!"
"What did you do?!"
"Monster!"
"Foolish humans," Kuroobi sneered. "Chu, if you don't want to fight, I'll do it myself."
"I'll handle this." Chu's cheeks puffed up, and in the next instant, dozens of small water bullets burst from his mouth like a machine gun.
"Hundred-Shot Water Gun!"
The pirates saw it clearly this time. The so-called fishman's mouth fired water bullets faster and harder than rifle fire.
Pirates dropped one after another, screaming as the deck, masts, and cabins filled with holes.
Those who remained conscious were stunned to the core.
Fishmen… what terrifying creatures!
Kuroobi chuckled, walking into the cabin. "Don't forget the sea chart."
A few minutes later, both Kuroobi and Chu dove back into the sea—one holding a chart, the other a small treasure chest.
The pirate captain weakly climbed to his feet. "I-It's over? Monsters… real monsters… We have to leave!"
But the ship began to spin slowly. "What now?" He stumbled to the railing and peered down, only to see a small whirlpool forming beneath the ship, widening rapidly. The ship lost control and was soon swallowed whole.
Not far away, Kuroobi and Chu watched the scene with amusement.
"When fishmen get serious," Chu explained, "we can control the ocean currents."
Beneath the surface, dozens of fishmen swam in a tight circle, generating the whirlpool themselves.
It was a fishmen naval specialty—if paired with a skilled navigator, the move became even more deadly. A top-class navigator like Nami could create a whirlpool just by shifting a reef's position.
Arlong's crew didn't have such talent, but against an ordinary East Blue pirate ship, this was more than enough. And if the whirlpool wasn't strong enough, they could just punch a hole in the hull.
As the pirates screamed and vanished beneath the waves, the fishmen proudly turned back.
Watching from afar as his comrades effortlessly sank a pirate ship, Arlong finally felt assured. Truly, this was the weakest sea—his plan would go perfectly.
Kuroobi handed over the chart. "Brother Arlong, the chart—and some Berries too."
"No one's hurt?" Arlong asked. Once he got a satisfactory answer, he nodded. "Split the money among everyone."
The fishmen cheered and divided the loot, reveling in the joy of crushing weaklings in the starting village.
Arlong and his officers examined the chart.
This pirate crew had prepared well. The map was detailed, even marking nearby Marine bases, their commanders, and troop sizes—especially valuable information.
After studying it, Arlong pointed at one island. "We'll go here."
"Nyuu, Zumida Island? What's special about it?" Hatchan asked curiously.
"It's far from any Marine base. Even if the villagers call for help, the Navy won't arrive until after we're done. Once we have money, we can negotiate with the Marines."
Arlong's confident smile made him look almost wise. "Humans are greedy. For money, they'll sell even their own kind."
"As expected of Brother Arlong!" the officers praised. Arlong understood humans perfectly—it was reassuring.
"Alright, let's move out!" Arlong commanded.
Hatchan ran to the bow, pressed his round mouth, and blew a trumpet-like sound.
Hearing the signal, Moo Moo the sea cow surfaced, blinking its big eyes pitifully, its expression reading clearly: "I don't want to work."
But Hatchan had no sympathy. "Time to go, Moo Moo! Destination—Zumida Island, heading this way!"
Moo Moo obediently turned, not daring to complain. Unlike the fishmen, it wasn't Arlong's comrade. If obedient, it was a sea beast used for pulling ships; if disobedient—it became food. Fishmen weren't mermaids; they ate meat.
---
"There's an opening! I'll eat your wolf!" Perona exclaimed, moving her piece.
"Good move," Zhang Da Ye said cheerfully, taking her elephant with his mouse piece.
Perona froze, then lunged forward to snatch the piece from his hand. "No! That doesn't count! I moved wrong, I didn't see that!"
"A move made is a move done, young lady," Zhang Da Ye said, pressing her head gently with one hand, easily fending her off thanks to his longer reach.
After struggling for a moment, Perona puffed her cheeks and clung to Rui Meng Meng's arm. "Meng Meng, he's bullying me! Let's not play with him—come play with me instead!"
"Well…" Rui Meng Meng smiled awkwardly. This always happened, and she never knew whose side to take.
Zhang Da Ye set a cup of water in front of Perona. "If you're switching players, that means you admit defeat. Drink up."
"I'm not losing!" Perona huffed and sat back down, frowning in deep thought about her next move.
Carla sighed. "Honestly, grown adults taking a children's game this seriously…"
"No, victory is victory. Age doesn't matter," Artoria said firmly, supporting Zhang Da Ye. "When it's a battle, you should take it seriously."
"…There's another one," Carla muttered, rubbing her temple. "That kind of seriousness reminds me of Erza."
She suspected Zhang Da Ye didn't really care about winning—he just enjoyed teasing Perona.
Tom covered his eyes with both paws, leaving a small gap between his fingers. Every time either of them moved the "cat" piece, he quickly closed them.
After all, the piece had his likeness carved on it. Imagining himself darting through a jungle of predators was too much to handle.
That's why Tom usually avoided playing animal chess. Maybe he should replace the cat piece with Carla's image? No, too cruel. Lightning's would be safer.
"My cat eats yours!" Perona announced proudly.
Tom slumped in defeat. He felt spiritually devoured by a dog.
Despite her bravado, Perona lost again. She sulked, drank her forfeit cup of water, then demanded another round—this time, she swore she wouldn't go easy.
Zhang Da Ye glanced at the despondent Tom and chuckled. "Meng Meng, take Tom away for a bit."
It was his first time seeing someone so emotionally invested in a board game—and not just any piece, *his own*. So this was "immersive viewing."
"Got it." Rui Meng Meng picked up Tom and gently refilled Perona's glass. Based on experience, the boss always found ways to make sure Perona stayed hydrated.
A new match began, and poor Perona quickly found herself losing again. She rested her chin on her hands, trying to rope Rui Meng Meng into helping her strategize.
Just then, Shark Chili entered, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Playing chess?"
"Yeah," said Zhang Da Ye. "Everything fine outside? Want to join?"
"Ye Yan and Brook are keeping watch. No problems," said Shark Chili. "Is that animal chess? Looks fun. I'll try it later."
"I'll play with you," said Artoria immediately, pulling out another chess set, her eyes shining.
"…Alright," Shark Chili agreed. As long as it didn't involve dice or luck, playing with Artoria shouldn't be dangerous… probably.
"Good luck," Zhang Da Ye said encouragingly. After all, it was just a game. Artoria's competitiveness wasn't exactly a crime.
Perona blinked, realizing no one was paying attention to her game. Her little hand quietly nudged a piece. "Your turn. Hurry."
"Okay, I'll—wait, where's my lion? When did it move to the river? And your tiger—I just took it! How is it back on the board?"
"W-who knows, maybe you're remembering the last game," Perona said, eyes darting away.
Zhang Da Ye looked to Rui Meng Meng for confirmation, then turned a skeptical stare on Perona.
Rui Meng Meng blushed. She was embarrassed on Perona's behalf. When she played with Perona, there was none of this nonsense. Why did Perona always try to cheat—so clumsily—whenever she played against him?
Under Zhang Da Ye's steady gaze, Perona's confidence faltered. "W-what are you looking at? If you don't know your move, just admit defeat already!"
At that moment, Brook's voice came through the loudspeaker, breaking the tension. "Attention everyone! Two pirate ships spotted at three o'clock!"
"Damn pirates! Interrupting me when I'm about to win! Perona-sama will teach them a lesson!" she shouted, tossing the chess piece aside and running off.
Zhang Da Ye chuckled, shaking his head. "Lately it feels like we're running into more pirates, doesn't it?"
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