The ocean stretched endless and blue, sunlight glinting off the waves. The Going Merry—freshly earned after their Baratie chaos—cut through the sea like a proud little ship with big dreams.
Kai leaned against the railing, his snail camera perched nearby, streaming the calm after the storm.
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[Comments: "That cook guy's hot!" / "Kai's reflexes were insane!" / "Nami's smile >>>"]
He chuckled. "You guys never change."
Luffy was at the figurehead, arms spread wide, shouting at the wind. "Adventure!"
Sanji leaned on the railing, puffing smoke. "Idiot's going to fall overboard."
"He'll bounce," Kai said.
The day passed in laughter.
Zoro was asleep on the deck again.
Usopp had joined them recently, telling tall tales about himself fighting sea monsters.
Nami was quietly looking at her map, though her expression seemed… off.
Kai noticed. "Something wrong?"
She looked up, forced a smile. "Just… thinking about home."
Kai leaned closer. "You've been quiet since we left the Baratie."
"It's nothing," she said quickly, folding the map. "Just old memories."
He didn't push. Not yet. But he recognized that look—fear mixed with guilt.
Later that night, the crew gathered around a campfire on deck. Sanji cooked, Luffy ate everything, and Kai read chat messages quietly while sipping juice.
[Tip Received: 100,000 berries]
[Reward: +5 to Observation Skill]
His eyes sharpened for a moment—he could feel the waves, the distant movement of fish, and something much darker far away.
"Something's coming," he muttered.
Zoro opened one eye. "A storm?"
"No. Pirates."
And right on cue, a massive splash echoed nearby.
Everyone jumped as a giant fish-man burst from the water, landing on the deck.
He was tall, muscular, with sharp teeth and blue skin. "You're sailing too close to Arlong's waters, humans."
Nami froze.
Kai's eyes widened slightly, pretending not to recognize the name. "Arlong, huh?"
The fish-man grinned. "That's right. And trespassers pay with their lives."
Luffy stood up instantly. "We're not paying anything!"
Sanji cracked his knuckles. "Bad idea, fish-face."
Kai's system flared to life again.
[Urgent Battle Event — Mini Boss: Arlong Crew Scout]
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He sighed. "Here we go again."
The fish-man swung a harpoon, splitting part of the deck. Zoro caught it mid-swing with his sword.
Kai darted forward, using Momentum Burst to slide under the attack, kicking the fish-man's legs out. "You picked the wrong ship, sushi boy!"
The viewers spammed laughing emotes.
The fish-man roared, lunging at him.
Kai blocked with a wooden staff he pulled from his system inventory, sparks flying. "Luffy, finish this!"
"Gomu Gomu no… Bazooka!"
Luffy's attack sent the fish-man flying straight into the ocean.
Silence followed—except for the splash and Luffy's laughter.
Sanji whistled. "That was easy."
Kai shook his head. "If he was just a scout, the real trouble's coming."
He turned to Nami. She was pale, gripping the railing.
"Nami?"
She forced a smile. "I—I'm fine. Just tired."
But her hands were shaking.
Kai didn't say anything, but the look in her eyes said it all.
He'd seen it before—in the anime. But now, seeing it in real life, it hit differently.
Later that night, Nami sat alone on deck, staring at the sea.
Kai walked over quietly. "You don't have to pretend around me."
She didn't turn. "You don't know anything."
He sat beside her. "Maybe not everything. But I know when someone's fighting alone."
She exhaled shakily. "I have to go back."
Kai blinked. "To Arlong?"
Her voice broke slightly. "I don't have a choice."
She stood up and walked away before he could stop her.
The next morning, Nami was gone.
Her map, her tangerines, her smile—vanished.
Usopp looked confused. "She wouldn't just leave, right?"
Sanji was furious. "I'll find her!"
Zoro frowned. "There's more to this."
Kai leaned against the mast, expression calm but mind racing.
He opened his system interface quietly.
[New Quest Unlocked: "Save Nami."]
[Objective: Defeat Arlong and Free Cocoyashi Village.]
[Rewards: ???]
He smirked. "Guess it's time for another show."
Luffy turned toward him, grinning. "We're going after her, right?"
Kai nodded. "Of course."
Sanji lit his cigarette. "Then let's raise hell."
Zoro cracked his neck. "Finally."
Kai's stream timer started counting again.
[Title: Operation Orange — The Journey to Arlong Park Begins.]
And with that, the Merry turned toward the east.
Toward danger.
Toward Nami's home.
And toward one of the most important fights yet.