Kuina asked Hera curiously, "Why are we going to the East Blue? Are we going home for a visit?"
Hera said, "Going home is only part of the reason. Our main goal is to see if we can find an excellent navigator. I already have someone in mind in Cocoyasi Village; we'll see if fate is on our side. On the other hand, you've been away from home for two years, so we should go and report your safety to Genzo."
Hera continued, "After the East Blue, we'll head to the first half of the Grand Line via Reverse Mountain. On the legendary Sky Island, there's something I want."
Kuina became even more curious upon hearing this. "Does the legendary Sky Island really exist? They say there's countless gold up there."
Hera said with certainty, "It exists, and I already know how to get up there. That's also why we need to find a navigator first."
Kuina said, "Am I not good enough?"
Hera recalled Kuina's performance during training and was somewhat speechless. She felt that Kuina's talent was entirely in swordsmanship; she knew nothing about observing the weather, which had already been apparent back in Zephyr's fleet.
Hera continued, "Besides, didn't you say you wouldn't eat a Devil Fruit? There should be a very strong Logia fruit on Sky Island, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. I'm also choosing a suitable owner for it this time."
Kuina stuck out her tongue. "I think I can only be a pure swordsman. Most of my time is spent honing my swordsmanship and physique. Even if you gave me a powerful devil fruit, I wouldn't know how to use it properly. And since you said it's a Logia, if I really had to eat one, I'd want a Zoan type to strengthen my physique."
Hera thought of how Cocoyasi Village was still suffering under Arlong's persecution and said, "Let's go to Cocoyasi Village first. It's said that the place has been occupied by a group of Fishmen." Ain asked in surprise, "How do you know? Marine Headquarters clearly hasn't received any news."
Hera pointed at her shadow. "Zafkiel tells me things."
On the way to Cocoyasi Village, the argo's radar showed a small boat sailing towards them. Hera looked ahead from the deck; the newcomer was none other than Nami.
Nami stopped them. Seeing only three girls on the ship, she said anxiously, "Are you trying to get yourselves killed? Ahead is Arlong's territory. Many Marines have died at his hands. You should go back quickly."
Nami was a year older than Hera. At fourteen, she had a bit more innocence compared to her later mature self, but it wasn't hard to see that she was a natural beauty.
Kuina poked Hera. "Is this the navigator you're interested in? She looks so young."
Hera nodded. "That's right. Although she's still young, she's very skilled at making sea charts and predicting the weather."
In the blink of an eye with'Soru', Hera appeared behind Nami and carried her onto the ship.
Ain looked at the startled Nami on the deck and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. We are from Marine Headquarters. Tell us about this Arlong you mentioned. What exactly is he? And what about the Marine branch here? Why hasn't Marine Headquarters received any news?"
Nami noticed Hera's strength. At least in terms of movement, she hadn't even noticed before she was brought aboard. This kind of speed was faster than any of those Fishmen. Hope for defeating Arlong was rekindled in her heart.
"Arlong and his crew are a group of Fishmen who call themselves the Arlong Pirates. They've taken over our village and demand we pay them huge protection fees. Everyone who didn't pay was killed."
Hearing Nami's plight, everyone felt pity for this poor child. The older Ain comforted her, "Don't be afraid. We are from the Headquarters, and Hera is a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander. We will drive away all those Fishmen who are oppressing you."
Kuina asked again, "Is there no Marine branch here? Who is the officer in charge? Hasn't he done anything?"
Nami said, "The one here is Captain Nezumi of the 16th Marine Branch. He seems to turn a blind eye to Arlong's atrocities and lets him run wild here."
Ain was furious. "That scum! He must be taking Arlong's money to block the news. Otherwise, Marine Headquarters wouldn't be unaware of this. I'm going to take him back to Marine Headquarters for trial."
Nami suddenly thought of how Nezumi was a Captain while Hera was only a Lieutenant Commander, and she became a bit worried again.
Kuina consoled her, "Don't worry. Marine Headquarters ranks are one level higher than those of the branches. Leave it to us to handle; there won't be any problems."
Hera was also quite angry upon hearing this. "The Marine has no need for corrupt people. Such scum are even more disgusting than pirates. Our ship has no room for prisoners." Her cold words were laced with killing intent.
"Let's deal with the Fishmen first. Nami, lead the way. These Fishmen must be tired of living. They didn't dare show their faces at the Sabaody Archipelago, yet they dared to come here and commit such crimes. Watch me take care of them."
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