One Piece: The sky is azure, I just time-traveled today.

Page 58

Seeing the manatee's conflicted expression, Guina couldn't help but laugh. She broke off a piece of grilled fish and tossed it to the manatee: "Here, have some."

The manatee nimbly caught the grilled fish, let out a joyful cry, and swallowed it in a few bites. After finishing, it was even more reluctant to leave, continuing to stare at the food box with its big, wet eyes.

"No, the rest are all ours." Kuina protected the food box. "Go ask your master for food."

The manatee let out a pitiful cry and gently rubbed its nose against the hull of the boat.

Robin pondered, "Since the Arlong Pirates are nearby, should we avoid them?"

Kuina's eyes lit up: "Why avoid them? It's a good opportunity to meet them."

She looked at Liu Jiu: "Uncle, what do you think?"

Liu Jiu didn't answer, but simply gazed at the distant horizon. He thought of the bag of gold coins he had left behind in Orange Town many years ago, and of the stubborn red-haired woman, Bellemere.

"Take us to Orange Town."

He spoke calmly, his gaze shifting to the manatee still lingering by the boat. An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the sea, causing the manatee to tremble and immediately dive into the water.

But not long after, it cautiously surfaced again, nodding ingratiatingly in one direction.

"It's leading the way," Robin observed the manatee's behavior.

Kuina put away the food box and excitedly gripped the hilt of her sword: "Looks like a fight's in the works."

The small boat slowly turned, following the manatee. The manatee swam very slowly, occasionally looking back to make sure they were keeping up, like a dutiful guide.

Even as the setting sun painted the sea golden, the manatee's silhouette remained faintly visible in the distance.

Kuina stood at the bow of the ship, the sea breeze ruffling her hair: "I wonder if this Arlong Pirates will be able to give me enough fun."

The manatee occasionally makes a "moo" sound, as if to say, "You can't beat me."

Led by a manatee, the small boat slowly sailed into the harbor of Cocoyasi Village.

Liu Jiu chose an abandoned hut near the coast. The roof was drafty and the walls were mottled, but the structure was still relatively intact.

"Are we going to stay here?" Guina looked around the simple house.

Liu Jiu nodded and began repairing the doors and windows. He took tools from the boat and skillfully patched up the damaged parts.

Robin went inside and found some old furniture piled up in the corner. She gently brushed away the dust, revealing a wooden table that was still in relatively good condition.

"It seems no one has lived here for a long time."

As Kuina helped sweep up the debris, she couldn't help but ask again, "Uncle, aren't we going to find the Arlong Pirates?"

"No rush." ​​Liu Jiu nailed the last plank to the wall. "Let's settle in first."

The manatees watched them work curiously from the shore, occasionally letting out a "moo" sound.

A week later, in the afternoon, a commotion was heard outside the cabin.

Three mermen swaggered in, the one in the lead carrying a ledger.

"Newcomers? 20 Berries per month, pay now."

Guina immediately placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, but Liu Jiu stopped her with a look and shook his head.

Seeing this, Robin calmly counted out 60 Berries and handed them over.

"Do you three need to be counted?"

The fish-man snatched the Berries from him and counted them again: "You guys know what's good for you."

As they turned to leave, the leader of the fishmen turned back and threatened, "Remember, pay at this time every month. A day late, double the amount! And... don't even think about running away. Once you're on this island, you're one of us!"

After the fishmen had gone some distance, Kuina looked at Liu Jiu with displeasure: "Why did you stop me? These guys were clearly..."

"The entire island is under their control," Liu Jiu interrupted her. "If you act now, the villagers will suffer."

"Then I'll deal with their leader, is that alright?"

"It still doesn't work!"

"Then when will we have to wait?"

"When it's time to take action, sometimes patience is a form of self-cultivation."

A month has passed, and it's time to pay the money again.

This time it was Xiao Ba who came. He had six arms holding the ledger and a takoyaki in his mouth.

"Hey, I've paid!" he shouted indistinctly.

Guina handed over the money with a cold expression.

Little Eight clumsily tried to count the money with his two hands, but his other four arms were fighting each other.

"Pfft." Kuina couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Little Eight, enraged, retorted, "What are you laughing at! We fishmen are the most superior race!"

He angrily miscounted several times, then finally gave up, shoving the money into his bag: "Next time you laugh, I'll give you more money!"

Even Robin couldn't help but smile at his comical back view, where his six arms were moving independently.

During this time, they had figured out the Arlong Pirates' daily routine:

Every morning, the dragon would stand atop the tower and look down upon the entire village;

Chicks like to take a nap in the midday sun;

Croobi trains in the sea every afternoon without fail.

Hachi often buys takoyaki at the market, but always pays less than the price.

Many fish people also like to wander around when they have nothing to do;

And Moo Moo... it has become a regular visitor to the cottage, coming every day to freeload.

"This pirate crew is really..." Kuina looked at MooMoo, who was munching on a carrot, "...not very bright from top to bottom."

Robin, organizing the intelligence, said, "Based on observation, their combat strength is indeed very high, but their discipline is lax."

That morning, as Liu Jiu was repairing fishing nets on the shore, his gaze inadvertently swept over the orange grove.

Bellemere was working with two girls. The baby Nami from years ago had grown into a lively little girl, her orange hair tied in a ponytail, nimbly weaving through the bushes. Nojiko, meanwhile, quietly followed Bellemere, carefully learning how to prune the branches.

All three are alive, and although they look exhausted, they are at least healthy.

Guina followed his gaze: "What happened to that mother and daughter?"

"It's nothing." Liu Jiu looked away and continued mending the fishing net.

Robin added softly, "I know that. I've roughly investigated the situation on the island. That red-haired lady is called Bellemere; she used to be a navy officer and now raises her two daughters alone."

Kuina nodded: "What a great mother!"

One afternoon, Nami and Nojiko passed by the cottage.

Nami stared curiously at Kuina, who was practicing her swordplay, her eyes sparkling.

"Sister, your sword is so cool!"

Kuina rarely smiled: "Want to learn?"

Nami nodded vigorously, but Nojiko quickly pulled her away: "Bellmere said we shouldn't bother others."

Watching the two sisters walk away, Guina mused, "That Bellemere taught them very well."

Chapter 64 Nami's Decision

From that day on, Nami would find an excuse to sneak to the vicinity of the cabin almost every day.

At first, he would just hide behind a tree and peek at Kuina practicing her swordplay, but he gradually became bolder and would pretend to pass by and say hello.

"Sister, the sword technique you practiced today is different from yesterday!"

Kuina sheathed her sword and turned around: "You're very observant."

Nami proudly raised her little face: "I have a great memory!"

At that moment, Robin closed his book and waved to her.

"Would you like to come in and have a seat?"

Nami's eyes lit up instantly, and she nimbly darted into the yard like a little squirrel. She curiously looked around at the furnishings inside, her gaze finally settling on the book in Robin's hand.

"This book is so thick! What's written inside?"

"It's about the customs and cultures of islands around the world," Robin said, handing her the book. "Want to take a look?"

Nami carefully took the book and turned the pages. When she saw the beautiful illustrations and detailed sea charts, she exclaimed in surprise, "So there are so many different islands in the outside world!"

She pointed to one of the pages: "This island is actually in the sea?!"

"That's Fishman Island," Robin explained patiently. "It's located 10,000 meters underwater."

"The seabed?" Nami's eyes widened. "How could there be an island underwater?"

Kuina, wiping her sweat, walked over and couldn't help but laugh at the scene: "The bookworm has found a kindred spirit."

Nami was completely absorbed in the world of the book, asking one question after another: "Why is it always winter on this island? Do the island's inhabitants really have wings?"

Robin answered each question, his eyes filled with admiration: "Are you very interested in the outside world?"

"Of course!" Nami nodded vigorously, "I'm going to draw all the sea charts in the world!"

She suddenly lowered her voice: "But Bellemere said it's dangerous outside..."

Liu Jiu came out of the inner room just in time to hear this. He glanced at Nami, said nothing, and simply poured a glass of water and placed it in front of her.

Nami, holding her water glass, suddenly asked, "Uncle, have you been to many places too?"

Liu Jiu nodded slightly.

"Have you ever seen a dragon that breathes fire? Have you ever seen a giant taller than a mountain?"

Seeing Nami's expectant eyes, Liu Jiu remained silent for a moment, then took out an old sea chart from the cabinet.

This is a partial nautical chart of the Grand Line.

Nami was overjoyed, carefully unfolding the sea chart, her face flushed with excitement: "The orientation of these islands is so peculiar! And the currents are all wrong..."

She completely lost track of time until Bellemere called her name from afar.