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Chapter 37: The Straw Hat Pirates' First Internal Meeting
Time passed slowly, and night gradually enveloped the sky.
On the Going Merry, the cabin was brightly lit as the Straw Hat Pirates held a heated internal meeting.
"What?! Nami's hometown was occupied by a Fish-Man pirate crew?!"
"What a joke! Buying back your own village with your own money? And it costs 100 million Berries? That's ridiculous!"
When Nami tearfully revealed the truth about Cocoa Village and the heavy promise of 100 million Berries.
Luffy instantly jumped up from his seat, his fists clenched so tightly they made cracking sounds.
Zoro also suddenly opened his drowsy eyes, his hand involuntarily resting on the hilt of his sword.
Usopp felt the same way, thinking that if Luffy and his crew hadn't come to Syrup Village, their village would likely have fallen into Kuro's hands in the future.
"Arlong's strength is extraordinary, with a bounty as high as twenty million Berries, and he has a group of powerful Fish-Man subordinates. It's too dangerous to act rashly without preparation!"
Seeing her companions getting emotional, Nami quickly tried to stop them.
"Nami, why think so much? Just watch me beat them all to a pulp!" Luffy rubbed his hands together, his mind filled only with thoughts of beating up these Fish-Men.
He was just about to order Zoro and Usopp to set sail and head straight for Cocoa Village!
Ganyu shook her head, sighing internally. As expected, Luffy couldn't help himself as soon as he found out.
But if we leave now, the Baratie will probably be destroyed by the Krieg Pirates tomorrow.
If nothing unexpected happens, both the Krieg Pirates and Hawk-Eye will be heading there.
Ganyu pondered for a moment and said, "Luffy, we can't be too hasty. We can discuss a plan first, and then take action."
"A plan?"
Hearing this, Luffy frowned, then shook his head violently. "I don't care about that, I'm going to beat the crap out of that guy named Arlong!"
He never made plans for work.
"Alright, you don't have to listen to the plan."
Ganyu, anticipating his reaction, smiled and said, "But, aren't you planning to keep Sanji, the cook you picked out?"
"Uh..." Luffy's movements instantly froze, his face filled with struggle.
He had completely decided that Sanji was the perfect cook for him.
He had spent the entire day trying to convince Sanji to consider joining the Straw Hat Pirates.
It would be a real shame to leave now.
Ganyu sensed his hesitation and continued, "Luffy, we can split into two groups. One group stays here to help you recruit crewmates, and the other group accompanies Nami to Cocoa Village."
Luffy's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he nodded repeatedly. "Great idea!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, but they were all praising Ganyu for managing to rein in their reckless captain every time.
"Then who stays and who goes with Nami?" Zoro suddenly asked, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
This was a rare opportunity to kill Fish-Men, and he definitely couldn't miss it.
Ganyu pointed at him and Luffy. "You and Luffy stay here. The rest of us will accompany Nami to Cocoa Village."
"Huh? Isn't recruiting that Curly-Brows guy enough with just Luffy? What am I doing here?" Zoro said, somewhat annoyed.
"How about I stay behind? I... I actually have a disease where I'll die if I see a Fish-Man." Usopp said weakly, raising his hand.
"Huh?" ×2
After they spoke, they looked at each other in surprise, then looked at Ganyu.
It was obvious they wanted Ganyu to swap them out.
Logically, the two should indeed switch places. Zoro's combat power was far superior to Ganyu's, and it would be safer for Nami to be escorted back to her hometown by him and Ganyu.
But...
To everyone's surprise, Ganyu shook her head and refused directly, leaving no room for negotiation.
"No!"
"What right do you have to make that decision?" Zoro frowned, asking in a questioning tone.
Although Usopp didn't dare to question him directly like Zoro, he nodded secretly in support.
Ganyu tilted her head slightly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, and looked directly at Zoro. "Are you sure you don't want to listen to me? Even if... by listening to my advice, you might lose the chance to meet 'him'?"
"What nonsense are you talking..." Zoro's retort stopped abruptly.
Because right in front of him, Ganyu silently mouthed two clear words to him. "Hawk-Eye."
Hawk-Eye!
"Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, the "World's Strongest Swordsman"!
Does she mean... if she stays here, she'll be able to meet... that man?
Without a doubt, she would never deceive herself about something like this!
Zoro was filled with conflicting emotions. After a while, he suddenly stood up, his gaze fixed tightly on the window.
"I'm going out to practice my swordsmanship."
Leaving a message behind, a man with a sword walked out, drawing confused looks from the crowd.
Soon, the sound of a blade cutting through the air came from the deck.
"Is... he having a relapse?" Luffy pointed at Zoro outside, asking with a worried look.
Even Luffy found this behavior—being in a meeting one second and running off to train the next—abnormal.
"Just ignore him. He's not leaving today anyway, so let him do what he wants."
Ganyu waved her hand lightly, then turned to Usopp, a smile playing on her lips. "As for you, I don't recall you having such a rare disease. If you're just saying that out of fear, I'll have to tell Kaya about it later."
She also had a way to deal with this timid, cowardly, and habitual liar of a companion.
Kaya was Usopp's weak spot. Usopp could accept being looked down upon by anyone, except Kaya.
Coincidentally, Ganyu and Kaya got along very well in Syrup Village, so it was highly likely that Ganyu would go back to visit Kaya after her voyage.
Usopp, of course, knew this too, and his expression changed instantly. He hurriedly corrected himself, "Ahaha... I remembered wrong just now. I actually have... a disease where I'll die if I don't see a Fish-Man! Yes! That's it!"
"What the hell kind of disease is that?!" Nami couldn't help but sigh and complain, feeling exhausted.
These people gave her no sense of reliability at all.
Perhaps the only one who gave her a sense of peace was Ganyu, who remained calm and composed by her side.
But it must be said, it was this atmosphere that made her feel much more relaxed when facing them after being honest.
Nami took a deep breath. "Alright, since Ganyu has made the arrangements, Luffy, let's go our separate ways?"
"Okay." Luffy nodded, slapped the table, and shouted energetically, "Alright! Let's go!"
A few minutes later.
Luffy and Zoro stood in front of the closed doors of the Baratie, watching the Going Merry set sail and gradually disappear into the late night.
After a long time.
"Zoro, I just remembered something."
"What is it?"
"Are Johnny and Yosaku still sleeping on the ship?"
"Uh..." Zoro fell silent upon hearing this, rubbed his forehead, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Anyway, those two are bounty hunters. They should be happy knowing they're going up against a Fish-Man pirate crew with a bounty of twenty million, right?"