The surroundings suddenly fell silent, with only the sea breeze rustling their clothes.
"What are you talking about?"
Nami blinked, frowning at the man before her.
"I want you to be my crewmates and adventure with me to the Grand Line," Ace said with a grin.
"Be your crewmates? Go to the Grand Line?" Nami looked at Ace and asked, "What are you talking about? And why should we be your crewmates?"
"Because you're strong."
Ace smiled and said, "You're an excellent navigator, and Hachi is the Second Strongest Swordsman of Fish-Man Island. If we become crewmates, we can become great pirates."
"How does he know so much?" Nami looked up at Hachi, her eyes filled with a hint of blame.
"M-maybe he guessed," Hachi turned his head away, scratching his cheek, his mouth stretched wide.
"Forget it, forget it."
Nami turned back to Ace and asked, "You said earlier you wanted to go to the Grand Line?"
"Yes, I want to be a pirate, conquer the Grand Line, gain the highest fame, prove myself, and become renowned throughout the world," Ace said with a smile. This was his dream, a dream he'd shouted with Luffy and Sabo by the sea.
Nami waved her hand and said, "Sorry, we don't plan on going to the Grand Line for now."
"As a navigator, don't you want to see the Grand Line?"
Ace said this, then looked at Hachi and asked, "And Hachi, as a swordsman, don't you want to be famous worldwide and challenge the world's strongest swordsman? At least become Fish-Man Island's Strongest Swordsman, right?"
"Hawk Eyes Mihawk? He's too strong, I wouldn't dare challenge him," Hachi said, stroking his chin. "But Fish-Man Island's Strongest Swordsman? Defeating Juzo? That..."
Nami snorted and said, "The dangers of the Grand Line are nothing like the East Blue. Hachi and I were only planning to find an opportunity to go to the Grand Line in two or three years. Your physical condition is good, but you're not qualified enough to enter the Grand Line yet."
"It seems I've been underestimated."
Ace placed his right hand on his hat and said with a smile, "Then how about this, let's make a bet."
"What?" Nami asked curiously.
Ace said, "I'll fight Hachi. If I win, you become my crewmates. If you win, I'll leave immediately. How about it?"
"You want to fight me? My strength in the East Blue rarely finds an opponent. And don't you know the difference between humans and Fish-Men?" Hachi looked at Ace and shook his head.
"So if I defeat you, it will prove I have enough strength to lead you," Ace asked with a smile. "What do you say? Let's bet."
Hearing this, Nami fell into thought.
Her dream was to map the entire world, and she wanted to go to the Grand Line, but with her and Hachi's current strength, it was beyond their reach.
There were only a helmsman and a navigator on the ship, a small crew with insufficient combat power.
But Hachi's strength was undeniable; he had few rivals in the East Blue. If he could defeat Hachi, it would indeed boost their strength.
With more people, they would have the ability to go to the Grand Line.
Even if they waited three years, would they meet more suitable people?
Of course, this was the outcome if they lost, and it wasn't unacceptable.
But in her heart, Nami didn't think he could defeat Hachi. The racial advantage was too great, and Hachi wasn't an ordinary Fish-Man soldier. Especially with his lighter weapons, his attack speed was faster. His current strength was not much inferior to Arlong's.
The possibility of Hachi losing was too low.
Nami looked at Ace and nodded, "I accept this bet, but the condition is that Hachi can use his sword."
"Of course, it would be an unreasonable condition to ask a swordsman to fight without his sword."
Ace said with a smile, walked onto the deck, stood in front of Hachi, and said, "Come on."
"Then let me test your strength. I hope you can give me a good fight."
Hachi slowly drew his six tentacle arms, which held long swords.
"Six swords?" Ace was a little surprised.
"That's right, I am Hachi, the Octopus Fish-Man of the Six-Sword Style. Please guide me," Hachi said seriously, then suddenly attacked, taking a step forward and slashing down with both swords.
"So fast."
Ace saw the sword shadows flash and instantly appear before him, surprised by the speed of the swords.
But the next moment, he dodged left and right, and the long swords grazed his body.
However, instantly, four cold lights flashed around him, and four long swords attacked Ace from the side.
Whoosh.
Ace bent his knees and rapidly retreated, all four swords missing their mark.
"Again."
Hachi charged forward, instantly closing the distance, and swung his swords again.
But Ace moved his feet, retreating quickly to evade his attacks.
Hachi continued to attack, but Ace kept retreating and dodging, always managing to evade his strikes.
"Quick reflexes," Nami murmured from a distance.
Hachi, seeing that he only ran, became annoyed and shouted, "Do you only know how to run?"
"Run?"
Ace suddenly stopped and said with a smile, "Then I won't run anymore."
"Six-Sword Style—Sheathed Foot Strange Sword."
Hachi's tentacles suddenly raised, twisting slowly. The next moment, six swords slashed towards Ace.
These six swords, some came straight down, some slashed horizontally at the neck, some cut towards the legs, and some thrust directly. Each move was different, blocking all of Ace's escape routes.
Sword shadows filled the air, but Ace showed no tension. The instant he made his move, he took a step forward and suddenly attacked.
His hands blurred into afterimages, striking out instantly and accurately hitting Hachi's wrists.
Bang, bang, bang...
Six sounds rang out, and all of Hachi's swords were blocked by Ace.
"Again."
Hachi felt the impact from his wrists and launched another attack, "Octopus Jar Technique."
Hachi took a step back, the six swords in his hands pointing their tips at Ace's body.
But the moment he retreated, Ace stepped forward, his fists striking out again.
Bang, bang, bang.
Hachi's movements were blocked again before they were even completed.
"Octopus Door Opening."
Hachi couldn't thrust his arms out, so he used Ace's force to bounce his arms away, then swung with all his might.
The six swords sealed Ace's movements, but Ace took another step, his fists flying, blocking Hachi's arms once more.
"You fell for my trap."
Hachi suddenly let go of two swords. The moment Ace's hands came forward, two of his octopus arms grabbed Ace's hands, while the remaining four swords slashed out again.
"Is that so?"
Ace's eyes narrowed, his mouth splitting into a smile. He said, "Then let's end this."
Ace kicked off with his left foot, his body shooting out, and he delivered a kick.
Boom.
The instant the six swords were about to hit Ace, Hachi was kicked flying.
Bang.
Hachi was sent flying backward, crashing into the ship's cabin, then slowly falling to the deck.
"Hachi!" Nami cried out, seeing this, and quickly ran over.
"So strong."
Hachi looked at Ace with some astonishment. His strength was immense, and his speed was incredible.
"Your swordsmanship is good, and your speed is fast, but you have a huge flaw."
Ace looked at Hachi and said.
"Flaw?" Hachi looked up, curiously at the other.
Ace smiled and said, "First, your lower limbs are too weak, weak relative to your arms. The strength of your legs surpasses ordinary people tenfold, but it's still lacking compared to your arms. Second, your body is large, and your legs have to bear more weight, making your movement speed very slow. So, as long as I keep dodging, I can defeat you."
"You're right."
Hachi recalled the battle just now. He couldn't keep up with Ace at all. His legs were a fatal weakness.
"But your advantages are also very obvious."
Ace smiled and said, "Your race determines your strength, and having six arms makes you avoid many shortcomings of swordsmen. The best attack range for a swordsman is medium to short distance. Limited by the sword's length, they are not good at close-range combat. Those who don't use swords will try their best to get close to the opponent. But you are different. First, you have six arms, which can effectively seal the opponent's movements and prevent them from getting close. Second, your arms are long and can bend freely, giving you a large defensive range, making it difficult for the opponent to get close. Then, you can also abandon your swords to block and disrupt the opponent's movements. Your race proves that you are a born swordsman."
Hachi couldn't help but smile wryly, "But you didn't dodge later, and I still couldn't defeat you."
"That's because I'm strong. My physical condition is better than yours, and my reaction speed is faster. I'm on a completely different level, so naturally, I can defeat you."
Ace smiled and said, "Moreover, you have a second flaw, or rather, a goal you haven't reached yet."
"What is it?" Hachi was completely curious.
Ace said, "It's that you can't multitask and control your weapons."
"You have six swords, but you can only focus on controlling two attack methods at most. At most, you can't control any more," Ace said slowly.
"But my Sheathed Foot Strange Sword has six attack methods," Hachi asked, confused.
Ace said, "No, no, it's different from what I'm saying. Your Sheathed Foot Strange Sword uses six different sword techniques, but they are determined before the attack. To use this move, you have to open your arms, get into position, twist your tentacles to change the move, and then use muscle contractions to strike out with the long sword. If the attack fails, you can't immediately change your arms to use six types of attacks. To change moves, you can only use two moves at most simultaneously. To use six, you need to retract your arms again and then attack with the second move. This allows the enemy to judge your sword techniques based on the sword's position and the direction it's swung the moment it leaves your hand and make countermeasures. Against someone with inferior physical condition to you, you can handle it with ease. But against someone with rich combat experience and better physical condition than you, you will be at a disadvantage."
"I see."
Hachi's eyes lit up and he said, "Lord Juzo can do that. With eight arms, different techniques, and free transformation."
"Not only that, but if you can divide your attention among six things, you can better adapt to the enemy's reactions and control the rhythm of your attacks."
Ace smiled and said, "If you train your legs and overcome the disadvantage of relatively slow movement speed, your strength will undergo a tremendous change. At that time, I wouldn't stand a chance against you."
"I understand."
Hachi stood up, bowed deeply to Ace, and said, "Thank you for your guidance."
"Don't be like that."
Ace smiled. "Aren't we comrades?"
Hearing this, Hachi thought of their earlier bet, scratched his head, and looked at Nami apologetically. "I'm sorry, Nami, I lost."
Nami looked at Ace, her brow furrowing involuntarily.
He's very strong. He defeated Hachi with his bare hands and seemed to have plenty of energy left. He's much stronger than Arlong.
With him and Hachi, entering the Grand Line won't be a problem.
But am I ready to join the Grand Line? Can I trust this person?
"If you're not willing, then forget it."
Seeing Nami's expression, Ace couldn't help but say, "I won't force you."
"I agree."
Nami suddenly nodded upon hearing this.
"You agree?"
Ace was surprised, then filled with joy. "Do you want to be my comrade?"
"A bet is a bet."
Nami smiled. "Since I lost, I naturally have to honor our agreement."
His final words had convinced Nami.
His strength was immense, far surpassing Hachi's. He could easily subdue both of them and force her to work for him.
Yet, after winning, he had chosen to let them go.
More importantly, his power was overwhelming. She wondered if anyone in the East Blue could defeat him; Arlong certainly couldn't.
Arlong had made a name for himself in the Grand Line with the Arlong Pirates before being invited to the Sun Pirates.
With Ace joining, they would have a solid footing in the Grand Line.
She would then be able to travel the Grand Line and draw its map.
That was her dream.
It might not be possible in three years, but now, a perfect opportunity had presented itself.
If she missed out on this person, when would she find such a capable fighter again?
It wasn't just Ace who wanted Nami as his comrade; Nami was even more interested in Ace.
"Then, from today on, we are comrades." Ace looked at them with burning eyes.
Nami looked at Ace and asked curiously, "But we don't even know your name yet."
"Ace, my name is Ace, Portgas D. Ace," Ace replied with a smile.
"D?"
Hachi's eyes widened.
"What's wrong? Is there something special about that name?" Nami asked curiously.
"No, it's just that the letter 'D' is a bit unusual," Hachi replied. "The Pirate King's name was Gol D. Roger, and he also had a 'D'. Some people say there's a 'D. Clan' in this world, but it's just a rumor."
"I guess he just added the 'D' to worship the Pirate King," Nami said, giving Ace a sideways glance.
"You're right."
Ace grinned, but inwardly he sighed. Sorry, that name is fraught with danger, and I can't tell you about that matter yet.
Nami shrugged. "Alright, let's set sail. To reach the Grand Line, this isn't enough. We still need to make some preparations."
"I'll listen to you."
Ace nodded, adjusted his hat, looked out at the distant sea, and spread his arms. "Let us begin our conquest of the Grand Line."
...
Outside a house in a small town on Silvan Island.
"You'll be gone for at least ten days this time."
Nojiko stood before Marcel, complaining mournfully. "We just got married."
"It's an urgent situation. Captain Calis fainted a while ago and just woke up. He won't be able to sail anymore, so the association asked me to take over as captain."
Marcel kissed Nojiko's forehead. "This is a good thing. Otherwise, it would have taken me at least four or five years to become a captain of a ship."
"Then go ahead."
Nojiko nodded and said with concern, "Be careful."
"I will."
Marcel hugged Nojiko and said, "If you get bored, you can go back to Cocos Village. The merchant association has opened a new route, and now two ships head to Jumada Island every week. There's a merchant ship going back on Wednesday."
After the Arlong Pirates left, the Shining Gold Merchant Association had also rearranged shipping routes for the Zhumeda Archipelago and the surrounding waters, making travel there very safe now.
"I'll think about it then," Nojiko said with a smile.
After hugging his mother, brother, and sister, Marcel slung two large bags over his shoulders and walked towards the sea.
I checked the book reviews. Apart from one friend in the book city who didn't want the Straw Hat Pirates to break up, about seventy percent of the readers supported changing the plot. The remaining friends were worried whether the Straw Hat Pirates could still enter the Grand Line without Nami. There's no need to worry about that. Secondly, I won't be starting a dual storyline. In fact, there will be very little direct description going forward, as the protagonist's perspective will broaden, and I can describe things through his viewpoint.
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