One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

CHAPTER 22: HIDDEN TRUTHS (II)

Usopp stared at Nami, his mind racing. "What do you mean it's your money?" he demanded.

Nami's face hardened. "It doesn't matter. Why are you here in the first place?" she retorted, her voice sharp.

Usopp took a step back. "Goku sent us to take you back. He's on his way after defeating Don Krieg," he explained.

Nami visibly shook, her expression betraying her fear. "Is Goku really coming?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Usopp nodded. "He sent us ahead with Zoro."

Nami's eyes widened. "Where is Zoro now?" she demanded.

Johnny stepped forward, a guilty look on his face. "He went to find Arlong," he lied. "We... we abandoned him to be captured by the fishmen."

Nami's face twisted with anger. "You idiots! Scram and leave me alone! I'm never coming back, and you can keep the ship!" she screamed, turning and running towards Arlong Park with the chest of cash still in her hands.

Usopp and Johnny watched her disappear into the forest. Johnny looked at Usopp, confusion and worry etched on his face. "What now?" he asked.

Usopp thought for a moment. "Let's find the Going Merry first and then wait for Goku to arrive. He'll decide our next course of action."

With a nod, they started back towards Cocoyashi Village. Usopp decided he needed to have a conversation with the man who had stood at the front during the confrontation. There seemed to be a connection between him and Nami, given how they interacted.

---

At Arlong Park, the atmosphere was tense. Arlong, the towering sawshark fishman, sat on his throne, surrounded by fishmen of all shapes and sizes. In front of him stood two fishmen holding a tied-up young man with green hair, his body covered in bandages.

Arlong leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What have you brought me?" he asked in a deep, rumbling voice.

One of the fishmen answered, "We found this guy on a small boat. He said he was looking for someone on the island."

Arlong nodded. "Place him down," he ordered.

The fishmen did as instructed, and Arlong looked down at the man ominously. "What exactly are you doing here?" he asked.

The young man, Zoro, lifted his head, his gaze defiant. "I'm looking for a girl with orange hair," he answered.

Immediately, the fishmen around him realized who he was talking about. Arlong's eyes narrowed further. "What exactly does this orange-haired girl have to do with you?" he asked.

Before Zoro could answer, Nami burst into the room, her chest heaving with exertion. "What is going on here?" she demanded.

Arlong turned to her, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Nami, just in time. This man claims to be looking for you."

Nami's eyes flicked to Zoro, then back to Arlong. "He's just a fool who got caught up in something he doesn't understand," she said dismissively.

Zoro struggled against his bonds. "Nami, what are you doing with these bastards? Come back with us!"

Nami's face hardened. "I am part of the Arlong Pirates. Always have been."

Zoro's eyes widened in shock. "What? But..."

Arlong laughed, a deep, menacing sound. "You see, human? She's one of us."

Zoro's anger flared. "I'll never believe that," he spat, managing to jump into the pool despite his bonds.

Nami's eyes widened in panic. "You idiot!" She dove in after him, cutting his bonds and pulling him to the surface.

Arlong watched with a bemused expression. "Nami, perhaps we should tie him up and lock him away. It might lure the rest of his friends here."

Nami nodded, her face impassive. "Fine. Lock him up."

The fishmen did as she said, dragging Zoro away to a cell. Over the next few hours, the Arlong Pirates returned to their usual activities, partying and planning their conquest of the East Blue.

---

The celebration was interrupted by the arrival of one of Arlong's lieutenants. "Arlong, there's an unknown Navy vessel approaching."

Arlong's eyes narrowed. "Bring cash and offer them the same deal we have with Nezumi. If they don't agree..." His words were cut off by the loud blast of a cannon.

A cannonball flew through the sky, heading straight for Arlong. Without hesitation, Arlong opened his mouth and crushed the cannonball with his vicious teeth. "Sink those Navy bastards!" he roared.

The fishmen sprang into action, launching themselves into the water. They reached the Navy vessel quickly, their powerful bodies cutting through the waves. The Navy crew barely had time to react before they were under attack.

One of Arlong's lieutenants, Kuroobi, struck first, his powerful fists smashing through the hull of the ship. Chew followed, using his incredible speed to disarm and incapacitate the sailors. The third lieutenant, Hachi, used his six arms to handle multiple enemies at once, his swordsmanship unparalleled.

The Navy vessel was no match for the ferocity of the fishmen. Within minutes, it was sinking, its crew either captured or dead. The three lieutenants returned to Arlong Park, greeted by cheers from their crewmates.

---

As the hours passed, the fishmen partied to their hearts' content. They drank, danced, and celebrated their victory, confident in their dominance over the East Blue.

Nami, however, remained on the outskirts of the celebration, her mind racing with thoughts of her friends and the promise she had made to herself. She knew that her time with the Arlong Pirates was drawing to a close, but she couldn't help but wonder what the future held.

As the night wore on, she resolved to see her plan through, no matter the cost. The suffering she had endured, the sacrifices she had made—they all led to this moment. And she would not let it slip away.

As the Arlong Pirates continued to revel into the late hours of the night, Nami sat in a secluded corner, her back against the rough bark of a palm tree. The cacophony of laughter and the smell of rum filled the air, but she was lost in her own thoughts.

'Finally,' she mused, 'I'm so close to being rid of this bunch for good. All my hard work, all the sacrifices—it's about to pay off.' The thought of freedom filled her with a bittersweet sense of hope. Her mind wandered to Goku, his unwavering determination, and the imminent complications his arrival would bring. She knew she needed to convince him to let her go. She had worked too hard and too long for him to ruin things now.

Determined, she made up her mind. She would be the first to intercept him before Arlong and his men had a chance. Quietly, she slipped out of the party, her movements swift and silent. The shadows of the night cloaked her as she ran towards the harbor, her heart pounding with anticipation and fear.

---

Meanwhile, in the tangerine groves of Cocoyashi Village, Usopp and Johnny approached the entrance of a modest house. The moonlight cast long shadows on the ground, and the sweet scent of tangerines lingered in the air. They had barely reached the porch when the door burst open, and a young woman emerged, a shotgun aimed directly at them.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded, her voice firm and unyielding.

Usopp immediately ducked behind Johnny, who looked equally terrified. "Why are you hiding behind me? I'm scared too!" Johnny hissed, trying to maintain his composure.

Their comical display seemed to momentarily defuse the tension. Usopp, still trembling, finally found his voice. "W-We're looking for Nami's sister," he stammered.

The young woman lowered the shotgun slightly, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You're looking at her."

Both Usopp and Johnny were taken aback. "You're Nami's sister?!" they exclaimed in unison. They couldn't help but notice the intricate tattoos on her arms and the way her figure stood out, even in the dim light.

Trying to regain some semblance of calm, Usopp stepped forward. "We wanted some information about Nami and the Arlong Pirates," he said.

The woman's eyes hardened. "What business is that of yours?"

Johnny took a deep breath. "She's the navigator of our crew, but she took our ship and left. Our captain is extremely angry and wants answers. He sent us ahead, but if Nami doesn't show up, there will be hell to pay."

"Our captain is more scary than any fishman," Usopp added, his voice earnest.

The woman hesitated, her grip on the shotgun loosening. "Is this Goku really that scary?" she asked.

Johnny nodded vigorously. "He's fighting Commodore Don Krieg right now. Probably killed him already. Don Krieg has over 50 ships and 5,000 men under his control, and Goku sent the entire crew ahead to take care of him alone."

The woman's eyes widened in shock. She knew Don Krieg's reputation all too well. The thought of a man strong enough to take him on alone was terrifying. "Alright," she said, her voice softer now. "I'll tell you about Nami. I just hope your captain understands her predicament."

The two followed her inside as the stars and moon shone brightly above. The night was still, but the air was thick with tension and the promise of revelations to come.

---

Nami's feet pounded against the dirt path as she ran through the forest, the chest of cash still clutched tightly in her hands. The darkness enveloped her, but her resolve burned bright. She had to reach Goku first. She had to make him understand.

But as the sounds of the forest filled her ears, she couldn't shake the feeling that her past was catching up to her faster than she could outrun it. The memories of all the suffering she had endured, the thefts, the lies, and the endless running from pirates and bandits alike—everything she had done was for this moment.

She couldn't let it slip away. Not now. Not ever.

---

The stars twinkled brightly above as Usopp and Johnny stepped into the house. The woman led them to a small, cozy living room. She lit a lamp, casting a warm glow over the room.

"Sit," she said, gesturing to a worn couch.

They obeyed, still a bit on edge. The woman sighed and set the shotgun aside, taking a seat opposite them. "Nami is my sister, and whatever she's involved in, I'm sure she has her reasons. But I'll tell you what I know."

Usopp and Johnny leaned forward, eager for any information that could help them understand Nami's situation and prepare for Goku's arrival.

And as the night wore on, under the watchful eyes of the stars, the story of Nami and the Arlong Pirates began to unfold, setting the stage for a confrontation that would change everything.

[A/N: Read 10 chapters ahead of this series available on my patreon at patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]