A gentle breeze caressed their faces, and the waves gently lapped against the Going Merry's hull, while the cries of seabirds intertwined with the sound of the ocean, forming a melodious symphony.
The Going Merry sailed against the refreshing sea breeze, cutting through the waves on the calm waters of the East Blue.
On the deck, Kai and a few others gathered around several bulging cloth bags, their eyes gleaming.
The bags were filled with Colonel Nezumi's hidden treasures, and the golden glow spilled through the gaps onto the deck, so dazzling that it was impossible to look away.
Nami squatted nearby, a handful of gold coins clutched in her hand, her eyes almost turning into the symbol for Berries:
"Wow! So much money! This Colonel Nezumi is truly an insatiably greedy fellow!"
Immediately after, she frowned, her voice filled with suppressed anger:
"This money was clearly extorted from ordinary citizens! Arlong is so arrogant, yet the 16th Branch completely ignores it.
All these years, they've been greedily plundering wealth through such despicable means of colluding with pirates!"
Kai sat on the ship's railing, his tone calm, but his eyes held a sharp intensity:
"Such scum in the Marines, to protect their 'source of income,' tacitly allowed Arlong to exploit the villages.
Ultimately, he's just a dog in a Marine uniform."
Zoro snorted, propped his foot on the ship's railing, and half-closed his eyes: "Such a person isn't even worthy of touching a sword. Killing him would only dirty my blade."
"So he died," Kai said indifferently, his eyes fixed on the horizon ahead. "Such people only harm more people by living."
The atmosphere on the ship gradually lightened, but everyone's hearts were filled with contempt for Colonel Nezumi's greed and corruption.
"Nezumi's death was his own doing, but there are definitely more than just one such worm in the Marines."
Kai heard her whisper but said nothing. He looked up at the clouds in the sky, pondering silently:
"Hmm... Perhaps this is part of our journey, to change some people, to do some things."
Sanji and Usopp put the three hundred million Berries into the ship's hold, and everyone stopped discussing Colonel Nezumi.
On the deck, the group sat together, a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere filling the entire space.
Kai leaned against the ship's side, gazing at the endless horizon, swaying gently, a look of leisurely contentment on his face.
Nami sat cross-legged on the deck, a sea chart spread out in her hands, her expression focused. Her slender fingers traced lines on the map, muttering to herself.
Occasionally, she would frown in thought, then nod, as if she had already made up her mind.
Kai leaned against the ship, arms crossed, watching Nami busy herself, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He enjoyed this feeling of peaceful times, but he also knew that this was only a temporary calm.
Nami was intently spreading out the sea chart, her brows slightly furrowed, her fingers tracing the routes, occasionally marking places with a pencil.
"Nami, where to next?" Kai asked.
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp immediately gathered around upon hearing this, all chattering with their opinions.
A rare seriousness showed in her brows.
"To enter the Grand Line, we must pass through 'Reverse Mountain,'" she said without looking up.
"Reverse Mountain?" Zoro leaned lazily against the railing, holding a sake bottle in one hand, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Do we have to go through there? Can't we just charge in from the sea?"
"Idiot! Do you think the ocean is your backyard?" Nami glared at him in annoyance, then explained:
"Reverse Mountain is the only entrance to the Grand Line. There are special currents there; it's not like you can just go wherever you want."
"I say, let's just charge straight through! It doesn't matter where we end up anyway," Luffy said excitedly, waving his fists.
"Is this navigating? This is just blindly stumbling around!" Nami rolled her eyes.
"The Grand Line, isn't it just a route? Can't we just go straight through?" Zoro said indifferently, holding his sword. "We can go through the ocean too, why do we have to take a detour?"
Zoro's suggestion made Nami hold her head in her hands even more.
"What do you guys know!" Sanji lit a cigarette and slowly blew out a smoke ring: "The Grand Line has an entrance; we must pass through Reverse Mountain.
The old man used to tell me that this place is very peculiar, and ships can only enter through there."
"Why?" Usopp's eyes widened, full of curiosity.
Sanji sighed, "I only know that much. Anyway, it's very dangerous, so just don't ask, okay?"
"No!" Usopp shook his head, staring intently at Sanji, determined to get an explanation.
"Usopp, aren't you annoying!" Sanji couldn't help but yell, "I told you I don't know!"
Usopp pouted, clearly not satisfied with the answer: "Tsk, truly unreliable..."
"Alright, stop arguing," Nami put down the sea chart and rubbed her temples, feeling that this group of people was a headache-inducing collective.
"Hahahahaha!" Luffy suddenly burst out laughing, clapping his hands on his knees: "Doesn't that make it even more interesting? Dangerous places are fun! We'll just charge straight through, it'll definitely be super cool!"
Nami was so angry she almost broke her pencil: "Luffy! Do you understand what 'navigation' means?
The Grand Line isn't what you imagine! Charging straight in from the front, are you in a hurry to die?"
"Hehe, don't be angry!" Luffy scratched the back of his head, still looking carefree.
"But now that you mention it, the more dangerous it is, the more I want to see it."
Nami helplessly held her forehead and let out a long sigh: "Talking to people like you can drive one mad."
Nami closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and told herself not to argue with idiots. Calm down, calm down.
Kai watched this amusing scene, a smile playing on his lips:
"You're right, Nami. Since Luffy wants to go, we need to prepare in advance, especially supplies—meat is key."
Kai planned to supervise everyone in more intense training during the time they sailed before entering the Grand Line, and high-energy food was essential.
"Meat! Meat!" Luffy's eyes lit up, and he immediately jumped up.
Nami glanced at him, too lazy to respond, and continued to study the map.
"Are there any suitable supply islands near the Grand Line entrance?" Kai leaned over and asked.
Nami's finger glided across the sea chart, finally landing on a spot. "The closest island is Loguetown, near the entrance of the Grand Line."
"Loguetown?" Luffy tilted his head, looking bewildered. "What kind of place is that? Is it a place that produces meat?"
"Is there anything else in your head besides eating!" Nami was both annoyed and helpless.
"Loguetown?" Kai stroked his chin, also looking puzzled.
Zoro, who had been leaning against the ship's railing with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, a slight curve on his lips:
"Loguetown, ah, the Town of Beginnings and Endings, I remember it being called that."
"Oh?" Nami looked at Zoro, somewhat surprised, "You actually know about that."
"I heard people say before that Loguetown is where the Pirate King Roger was born and executed," Zoro said calmly, as if stating something insignificant.
"Gol D. Roger..." Luffy murmured, his eyes sparkling with excitement:
"So, that's the place where the man who became the 'Pirate King' was born and died?"
Nami nodded: "Yes. Loguetown not only has Roger's execution platform, but also many other relics related to him. It's a place full of legends."
"Let's go! We must go!" Luffy raised his fist, jumping up in excitement: "I want to see the place where the man who obtained One Piece, the man who obtained everything in this world, was born and died!"
Nami looked at Luffy's expression and sighed helplessly, "You're always so excited."
"Then let's go," Kai smiled. "Since we need supplies, this place is a good choice."
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