Departure and Cocoyasi Village
The next morning, I heard someone calling for me outside the door and opened it.
"Jin, you awake?"
"Chief, is that you?"
"Yeah, Jin. I came by because your ship has arrived."
"Oh! It got here earlier than expected? I'll get ready and head over right away."
After the village chief left, I went back into my room and turned on the stream.
> Broadcast starting
-Hey
-Hi!
-So we're finally heading out to sea?
The number of viewers shot up quickly, as usual. Since I didn't have much to pack, I finished preparing and started explaining to the chat.
"Today we're taking the ship out to sea for the first time. I still don't know how to sail, so I'm going to ask the person who delivered the ship if they can steer it for me as far as Cocoyasi Village."
"Not yet. I only heard that it arrived, so I'm about to head out and check it out after I finish getting ready."
Chatting with the viewers, I walked toward where the ship was docked. In the distance, I could already see a caravel with a smaller boat tied to it by ropes. From the looks of it, that caravel was now my ship.
When I got closer and saw it up close, it was much bigger than I'd expected. I broke into a satisfied grin, then paid the delivery guy who'd brought it over.
"Is that smaller boat next to it yours, mister?"
"Sure is. Now that I've delivered your ship, I'll be heading back to Loguetown on mine."
"Then, mister, could you possibly sail this one for me as far as Cocoyasi Village? I'd appreciate it if you could teach me how to steer along the way too. I'm still pretty clumsy at it... I'll pay you extra for your trouble."
"Well, that's not too hard, but that area's controlled by Arlong's crew. It could be dangerous..."
"Don't worry about that. Just show me how to sail until we get close. You can switch back to your own boat near there and head back."
"In that case, you've got a deal. When do you want to leave?"
"I'll just say my goodbyes in the village and come right back. Wait for me a bit."
After that, I returned to the village and said my farewells to the chief and the villagers.
"Jin... you be careful out there. Don't go picking fights for no reason, and definitely don't turn to piracy!"
"Don't worry, Chief. I won't become a pirate."
After saying goodbye to the chief and the villagers who came to see me off, I stopped by the bar to say farewell to Makino. Inside, I found her getting ready to open and Luffy stuffing his face with food.
"Makino, I'm heading out now."
"Huh? This early in the morning?"
"Yeah. When I make up my mind, I like to move right away."
"Alright. Take care of yourself, eat well, keep in touch, and don't forget to visit sometimes."
"I will. You take care too, Makino. I'll come see you often... Luffy! You take care too. Your big bro's heading out first."
"Got it! Jin, have lots of fun adventures. I'll be coming soon too!"
"You've still got two years left, Luffy... Anyway, I should get going. See you later."
After saying my goodbyes to Luffy and Makino, I returned to the ship.
"Mister, let's set sail."
"Let's do it."
I watched the man steer from the side and listened to his explanations. Once we reached the open sea, he handed the wheel over to me. I was still clumsy, but with his guidance I somehow managed to keep us moving forward toward Cocoyasi Village.
Looking at the chat, I suddenly remembered the Sea Kings from the One Piece world that I'd completely forgotten about. Luckily, none appeared... or so I thought.
GROOOOOOAAAAAR!
"Anyone who mentioned Sea Kings is getting banned."
Hiding the shocked deliveryman behind me, I sprinted toward the Sea King that had appeared in front of the ship. As I got closer, I drew my Zanpakuto and released its Shikai.
"All things of this world, turn to ashes. Ryujin Jakka."
The moment I shouted the release command and swung the blade, ferocious flames erupted from the sword and engulfed the Sea King, slicing straight through its body.
"Looks like raising my stats means I don't feel the heat anymore. I probably still couldn't handle Bankai though, right?"
After slicing the Sea King apart, I turned around to see the Loguetown ship merchant staring at me with his mouth hanging wide open.
"You're really strong, kid."
I gave an awkward laugh at the man's admiration, then took back over steering the ship and sailed us to the waters near Cocoyasi Village. Once we arrived, I paid him for the lesson and a little extra, then slowly steered the ship toward the harbor.
As I approached the dock, a man with a scarred face and a pinwheel hat came running over.
"Hello! My name is Jin, and I'm an adventurer."
"Do you even know where you are, kid? Turn that ship around and leave right now... before Arlong's crew shows up."
"I already knew Arlong was around here. I'm looking for someone in this village."
"Looking for someone? I don't know who, but it's dangerous. You should leave."
"Don't worry. I'm stronger than Arlong. By the way, does a girl named Nami live in this village?"
I asked while pretending not to know. Genzo looked at me warily, then asked in a heavy voice.
"What do you want with Nami?"
"I heard there's a skilled navigator named Nami here, so I wanted to invite her to join my crew."
"Nami is part of Arlong's crew. So give up and leave."
"Hmm... Before I go, could I at least talk to her? It feels like a waste to just turn around..."
Genzo thought for a moment, then reluctantly led me to Nami's house. On a small hill stood a tangerine orchard and a modest little house. That had to be where Nami lived.
When we arrived, Genzo knocked on the door.
"Anyone home?"
The door opened, and a woman with blue hair and a slender figure stepped out with a bright smile.
"Genzo, what brings you here at this hour? Huh? Who's that guy behind you?"
"Nojiko, this young man says he's an adventurer... Jin, was it?"
"Nice to meet you, Nojiko. I'm the adventurer Jin. I came looking for Nami. Is she home right now?"
The moment I said I was looking for Nami, Nojiko's expression turned guarded. Then a beautiful girl with orange hair stepped out of the house after hearing my voice and stared straight at me.
When I saw Nami in person, I shed tears of emotion on the inside, but on the outside I kept my cool and greeted her.
"So you're Nami? I'm the adventurer Jin."
"Yes, I'm Nami... But how do you know me? Why did you come looking for me?"
"I heard rumors in Cocoyasi Village about a navigator named Nami with incredible skills, so I came to offer her a spot on my crew."
The moment she heard my words, Nami's face twisted into a frown. She let out a long sigh before speaking.
"Look, I have no intention of traveling with anyone, and I can't afford to anyway. So I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave."
As expected, she turned me down. I paused for a moment, then spoke to her again.
"I heard that you and the people of Cocoyasi Village have been suffering because of Arlong. Nami... if you could kill Arlong, is there anything you wouldn't do?"
"I don't know what you're thinking by asking that, but yes. That's right! If I could rip Arlong and his crew to shreds, I'd even sell my soul to the devil!! But that's impossible... Jin, stop wasting your time with pointless thoughts and leave quietly. If you clumsily provoke Arlong, the villagers will only suffer more."
Listening to Nami's furious words, I pretended to think for a moment.
"I see. I understand what you're saying. It's a shame, but I'll come back another time if the opportunity arises."
My quick acceptance seemed to leave Nami slightly unsettled, but she couldn't say anything more. She gave me a curt nod, then went back inside the house with Nojiko.
On the way back to the harbor, I said goodbye to Genzo and parted ways. While chatting with the viewers, I started looking for Arlong Park.
"Pfft~ Of course not. In the original story, there's that famous scene where Nami begs for help, but since I haven't gotten close to her yet, I won't get to see it. Gotta take care of business first and report later."
Just then, I heard footsteps running up behind me. When I turned around, a little kid was sprinting toward me.
"Who are you, mister?"
"Me? I'm an adventurer."
I'd been wondering where Arlong Park was anyway, so I figured I could just ask the kid. I spoke to him in a light tone.
"Hey kid, do you know where Arlong lives?"
"Huh? Why do you want to know where Arlong lives? Are you one of his underlings?"
"No, I told you, I'm just an adventurer. I asked because if I'm passing by and happen to run into him, I want to avoid him."
"Tch! You're a coward too, mister! Arlong Park is over that way, so don't go anywhere near it and just leave!"
This kid must have been looking for someone to save his village. But after hearing my answer, the disappointed boy yelled at me and ran back toward the village.
"Alright~ everyone in chat, I'm heading to Arlong Park now to demolish the place and wipe out his crew."
"I'm planning to completely destroy Arlong's entire crew. But if I leave them alive and hand them over to the Marines, they won't be able to come back here, right? It'd feel weird if they started plotting revenge or something."
"If it really bothers me, I can just chop off their arms and legs... Looks like it's coming into view now."
I was a little surprised at how brutal my own words sounded, but I figured that if I ranked up my Mental Resistance skill, I wouldn't take any mental damage. I'd think about that after I destroyed Arlong. Before long, I arrived at the entrance of Arlong Park and walked right in.
I kicked the front gate of Arlong Park with all my strength, smashing it to pieces as I stepped inside. Arlong and his numerous fishmen, who had been laughing and chatting, suddenly stopped talking and stared at me.
"What the hell are you, you inferior land-dweller? Do you not know where you are? Or did a pathetic creature like you come here because you want to die? KWAHAHAHAHA!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Kikikiki!"
Arlong, thinking I'd come to the wrong place, started running his mouth while the other fishmen looked at me and laughed mockingly.
"You half-fish bastards! You stink, so shut your mouths and come at me."
The entire area fell silent as if someone had dumped cold water on them.
"What did that inferior land-dweller just say?! Boys, kill that inferior creature and drag his corpse in front of me!"
Enraged, Arlong shouted for his men to attack. The fishmen immediately charged toward me.