The Going Merry cut through rougher waters now. The air was thicker, the waves heavier — like the ocean itself knew where they were heading.
Cocoyasi Village.
Nami's home.
And the heart of Arlong's territory.
Kai stood at the bow, wind slapping his hoodie against his back.
The stream chat was alive with theories and tension.
[Viewers: 1.4M]
[Chat: "NAMI ARC LET'S GOOOO" / "Kai better save her." / "Luffy's gonna wreck Arlong, hype!"]
Kai smiled faintly. "Yeah, me too."
Behind him, Zoro was sharpening his swords, Usopp was trying to act brave, and Sanji was quietly smoking — his eyes colder than usual.
Luffy stood on the railing. "We'll get her back. No matter what."
Kai looked at him. "You really mean that, huh?"
Luffy grinned. "She's our friend."
And that was that. No speeches. No plans. Just conviction.
Hours later, dark clouds started gathering.
The sky dimmed. The wind picked up.
Sanji squinted. "Storm's coming."
Kai's system pinged.
[Weather Event Detected — Tropical Storm Class C]
[Visibility: Low | Danger: Moderate | Viewer Boost ×1.5]
Kai laughed softly. "Even the system's hyped for this."
They fought the waves together, each of them soaked to the bone.
Usopp screamed as lightning struck nearby.
"WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO US?!"
"Because fate loves drama!" Kai shouted back.
By the time they reached the edge of Arlong's territory, the sea had calmed.
But the mood hadn't.
The water here was eerily still.
And in the distance stood a large structure rising out of the shore — spiked gates, shark-tooth banners, and laughter echoing faintly across the waves.
"Arlong Park," Kai muttered. "It's real."
Sanji's jaw tightened. "So that's where she is."
Luffy's eyes were fixed forward. "We're going."
They docked quietly near the village.
Kai turned off his public stream and set it to Private Mode.
[Private Recording Active]
[No public view — No tips — No interference.]
This wasn't for show.
They walked into Cocoyasi Village under the orange glow of the setting sun.
The people stared at them — fearful, broken, and silent.
An old woman whispered, "Strangers shouldn't be here… Arlong's men will come."
Kai knelt beside her. "We're here for Nami."
Her eyes widened. "You… know her?"
He nodded. "Yeah. She's our crewmate."
The woman looked down. "She's with them. She betrayed you."
Luffy's fist clenched. "No. She didn't."
Kai's voice was calm but heavy. "We'll find out ourselves."
As night fell, they followed a dirt path to a cliff overlooking Arlong Park.
That's when they saw her.
Nami stood by the gate, arguing with a tall, blue-skinned man with a saw-like nose — Arlong himself.
Kai zoomed in his snail camera.
[Zoom: 3x | Recording: Active (Private)]
Her voice trembled, but she was standing tall. "I'm doing what I have to do!"
Arlong laughed, deep and cruel. "You've done well, Nami. Keep drawing those maps, and soon, the whole East Blue will be mine."
Kai's hands tightened.
Sanji crushed his cigarette underfoot. "That bastard…"
Zoro growled, "When do we move?"
"Not yet," Kai said softly. "We need to know what's really going on."
They waited until midnight.
The crew hid behind a cluster of trees near the park wall.
Nami walked out alone, clutching her tattooed shoulder, tears streaming down her face.
Luffy stepped forward.
"Nami!"
She froze. "What are you doing here?"
"You left," he said simply. "We came to get you."
Her lip quivered. "I told you not to! I don't want you to die!"
Luffy shook his head. "I don't care. You're our friend."
Kai stepped beside him. "You don't have to fight alone anymore."
She broke. The tears came harder. "You don't understand! I'm doing this to save them—my village, my family—Arlong promised if I bought it back…"
Kai already knew the rest. He just listened.
Nami fell to her knees. "But it's all a lie. He'll never let us go."
The crew stood in silence.
Only the sound of waves and quiet sobs filled the air.
Then Luffy walked forward, placed his straw hat gently on Nami's head, and said,
"Of course I'll help."
Kai's system flashed.
[Quest Updated — "Save Nami" Objective: Defeat Arlong and Liberate Cocoyasi Village]
[Reward Multiplier: ×3 Activated]
[Temporary Buff — Team Unity +20%]
Kai looked up at the looming fortress ahead. "All right," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's break some fish bones."
Zoro drew his swords. "About time."
Sanji's smile turned sharp. "Let's make it count."
Luffy stretched his arms, grinning fiercely. "Let's go!"
The night exploded with motion — four shadows charging through the trees toward Arlong Park.
And as the system counter started ticking again, Kai whispered into his mic, voice steady but electric with emotion.
"Stream on.
Let's free her."