Finally, the GOING MERRY docked at Cocoa West Village. As they arrived, a fishman patrolled the shoreline, his light blue skin glistening under the sun, gills flaring with each breath. His humanoid body stood tall, a strange hybrid of man and sea creature.
"Is that a fishman?" Lucas muttered, eyeing the creature with a mix of fascination and unease.
"Nothing more than that," Nami replied dismissively.
[Ding! Host's emotional fluctuations detected. Mood value +2.]
Lucas smirked. "Hah, system, my mood's swinging from excitement, right?"
[From fear.]
"Fear? What's scary about Fishmen?" Lucas scoffed. He wasn't afraid of monsters like Zoro or Luffy, who were far stronger than any fishman. 'He had gotten stronger, hadn't he?'
[Reminder: Some people prefer solitude.]
"Tch. Damn system, learning to throw shade now?"
The fishman, recognizing Nami, greeted her warmly. "Nami!"
She responded with a curt nod before motioning for Lucas to follow. "This is my servant. I'm taking him inside."
Fortunately, not all Fishmen were as cruel as Arlong. This one simply waved them through.
"Stay close," Nami warned. "They won't touch you as long as you're with me."
Lucas hesitated, then spoke up. "Nami, you know Fishmen aren't exactly respected in the Grand Line, right?"
She turned sharply, interest flickering in her eyes. "Hm?"
"Most pirates there are strong, really strong. Fishmen might have natural strength, but their limits are low. Only a few ever rise to real power. That's why they need protection."
Seeing her frown, he pressed on. "Ever wonder why Arlong came to the East Blue? Because out there, he's nothing. Here, he can play king."
Nami's grip tightened. "So that justifies what they've done? Passing their pain onto others?"
Realizing his misstep, Lucas shut his mouth. "…Point is, Arlong's going down. We'll make sure of it."
Nami didn't answer. The rest of the walk was silent.
The village was eerily empty, no doubt the aftermath of the fishman's cruelty. But Lucas knew this was the reality of the pirate era. Most who sailed didn't care about dreams or freedom, they just wanted lawless power.
Marines? The World Government? Corruption festered in both. The whole system needed to burn.
Soon, they reached Arlong Park's towering gates. Nami exhaled heavily, until a child suddenly charged past, brandishing a knife.
"I'll kill Arlong! He murdered my father!"
Nami moved fast, disarming the boy with a swift strike from her three-section staff. Then, to Lucas surprise, she tossed a pouch of coins beside him.
"Take this. Survive."
Lucas wasn't shocked. Nami loved money, but some things mattered more.
"You're a good person, Nami."
She didn't answer, pushing the gates open instead.
Inside, dozens of fishman turned to stare. Lucas blood ran cold.
"System, sedatives. Now."
No reply, just the relentless ding of his rising panic levels.
Then, Arlong loomed into view.
The anime hadn't done him justice. Up close, he was monstrous, more like a nightmare from Pirates of the Caribbean than a man. His jagged teeth glinted as he grinned.
"Nami! Took you long enough. How was the haul?" His gaze slid to Lucas. "And who's this?"
Nami stepped forward. "My servant. We wouldn't have done so well without him."
Arlong laughed, sizing up Lucas trembling form. "Pathetic. Humans should cower before us!"
The fishman erupted in laughter. Lucas barely kept his dinner down, the stench of salt and raw fish was overwhelming.
Nami shot him a look. 'So much for bravery.'
Meanwhile Usopp and Zoro lurked nearby, while Luffy and Sanji fresh from defeating Krieg raced toward the island.
"I can't wait to see Miss Nami and Miss Lucas again!" Sanji sighed dreamily.
Luffy blinked. "Lucas is a guy."
"What?!" Sanji recoiled. "No way! That adorable face, those delicate features..."
Luffy shrugged. "Told you the truth. Believe what you want."
Back at Arlong Park…
After the "feast," Nami led Lucas to a room crammed with maps.
"This is what I do," she said quietly.
Lucas whistled. "You've got skill. Ever thought of mapping the whole world?"
Nami's smile was bittersweet. "Maybe once. But that dream's out of reach now."
"Not if we play our cards right."
She didn't answer. Lucas sighed.
'Just hold on. Luffy's coming.'