After a moment of fear, Nami quickly adjusted herself, waving her hand with a smile.
"Where are there so many viruses? Let's just prepare the food and head straight for Alabasta."
Vivi looked at her with clear worry, but Nami only laughed.
"How could something with such a low probability happen to me? You're right, Vivi."
Sandy couldn't help but retort, "This is a primeval jungle! Rare viruses—"
"Will you die if you don't talk?!" Nami snapped.
Sandy immediately ducked behind Zoro. "I won't, but you very likely will!"
Nami's face darkened.
Zoro sighed. "Can you not hide behind me?"
Just then, Dorry said solemnly, "You just saved us, so let us help you."
"Help us?" Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
Brogy explained, "There's a giant creature lurking near this part of the Sea. Passing ships usually get swallowed by it."
Dorry nodded. "But don't worry. With our help, you can just move forward—you won't need to worry about what's ahead."
Sandy rolled his eyes. "No need, I can handle it myself. If it dares to come near our ship, I'll chop it in half!"
Usopp yelped, "Sandy, why are you always chopping things again?! Can you not be so terrifying?"
Zoro smirked. "Honestly, I'd love to see that move."
Nami folded her arms. "Chop what? Every time Sandy messes with the ocean current, we end up in trouble!"
Brogy frowned. "That thing is really dangerous. Are you sure you don't need our help?"
Dorry added, "We just want to repay your kindness."
Luffy grinned widely. "Don't worry about it! Since Sandy said no need, then no need! Shishishi… I wonder what kind of adventure we'll have next!"
Then, Luffy, Usopp, and Sandy threw their arms around each other's shoulders and started shouting together,
"Adventure! Adventure!"
Duang! Duang! Duang!
Nami crossed her arms and barked, "Honestly, why aren't you idiots moving the food onto the ship already?!"
Sandy muttered under his breath, "This stinky woman… sooner or later, I'll make you carry my baby."
Nami's face flushed red. "What was that? Say it louder!"
Like hell I would. She definitely wanted to punch me again.
Before long, the Straw Hat Crew boarded the Going Merry.
After waving goodbye to Dorry and Brogy, the ship had only sailed a short distance before a massive creature resembling a crab surfaced in front of them!
The thing was more than twice the size of the two giants combined!
Back on shore, Dorry frowned. "Are they really going to be okay?"
Brogy crossed his arms. "Let's believe in them. That Luffy kid doesn't seem like a liar, and that guy Sandy… he's strong."
Even though they said that, compared to that monstrous creature, the Straw Hats were like ants. It was hard not to worry.
On the Merry, Nami and Vivi clung to each other, screaming, "Wh-what is that thing?! Help! We're going to be eaten!"
Usopp dove behind Zoro. "Zoro! We're doomed! Do something!"
Zoro groaned. "It's huge! What am I supposed to do about that?"
Luffy shaded his eyes and peered at the monster. "Whoa, that's one big crab!"
Sanji blinked. "If that's food, I wouldn't even know where to start…"
Then realization hit him, and he turned to ask Sandy what they should do—only to see Sandy already acting.
He struck a stance, summoning a gust of high wind around him.
A spatial vortex opened beside him, and from it, a stunning double-edged sword emerged, glowing with power.
Sandy gripped the hilt tightly.
"Room…"
"Armament Haki—Hardening."
Black energy spread across his arm and down to the summoned blade.
Sandy's eyes flared open. "Demacia!!"
Clang—!
The word burst with Haki and magic, and a sharp sword cry split the air.
The sound was deafening—like Pangu splitting the heavens!
The sky seemed to darken. In truth, the slash's light was so blinding that it looked like the world dimmed.
And then—it happened.
The enormous crab, large as several mountains, was split cleanly in half.
Everyone stood frozen in disbelief. Even Luffy's jaw hung open, his forehead dripping cold sweat.
But while the creature was dead, the upper half of its body was now plummeting toward the Sea.
Sandy's eyes widened—he'd miscalculated.
Horizontal slash avoided cutting the ocean, sure—but the falling corpse would still cause massive waves!
He turned to the dazed navigator. "Nami! Wake up and take command! That thing's about to fall—it won't hit us, but it'll cause huge waves!"
Nami instantly snapped into action. "Everyone, stop standing there and move! Secure everything!"
After a long struggle, the Sea finally calmed. Brogy watched from afar, struggling not to laugh.
"Why don't you rest a bit longer before setting sail again?"
Indeed, the fallen half of the crab had crashed into the ocean, sending giant waves rippling out.
The Merry had to turn back and wait near the island until the waters settled.
Everyone was still pale from the shock.
First, they'd watched something the size of a mountain get launched into the air.
Then, they'd seen it fall back down like the end of the world.
Sanji grabbed Sandy by the collar, yelling, "Can you stop being so goddamn scary?! I thought we were all gonna die!"
Nami slammed her fist on his head. "This is what you call not messing around? Tell me, what kind of monster are you?! How the hell did you chop something that big?!"
Sandy rubbed his head, grumbling, "So noisy… who knew it was that easy to slice through? I don't even think I used my full strength…"
That cocky tone sealed his fate.
"YOU'RE ASKING FOR IT!"
And once again, Sandy found himself surrounded and beaten.
"Damn it! We're supposed to be partners! Who's hitting my face?!"
Dorry and Brogy exchanged helpless glances.
Weren't these people supposed to have something urgent to do?
Now they were brawling again.
"Oh my god," Brogy muttered. "Can you people please act your age for once?"