Morpheus waved off Nami's offer. "No need. Take us to Cocoyasi Village, and we'll buy the oranges ourselves."
Nami frowned. "Aren't you afraid of Arlong in Cocoyasi?"
"Afraid? Why would we be?" Morpheus said. "In the Grand Line, Fish-Men are often sold as slaves. You think we'd fear a bunch of them?"
Nami stared at him, incredulous. Fish-Men as slaves in the Grand Line? That was absurd. Weren't Fish-Men ten times stronger than humans? How could they be enslaved?
Seeing Nami's skepticism, Nico Robin explained the reality of Fish-Man Island's status in the Grand Line, where Fish-Men were often treated as commodities.
After Robin's explanation, Nami grudgingly accepted the harsh truth. Still, it was hard to fathom that the Fish-Men who'd scarred her childhood were slaves elsewhere.
Shocked, she suddenly turned to Morpheus and Robin. "If Fish-Men are slaves, can you handle Arlong and his crew?"
Morpheus shrugged. "Ninety percent chance."
"What does that mean?" Nami asked, confused. "Ninety percent sure you'll win, or just ten percent?"
"I mean," Morpheus said, "if I make a move, they'll die nine times in a second."
Nami blinked. Wasn't that a bit much?
She couldn't help but wonder if he was bluffing. But Robin knew better—Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea, had fallen to Morpheus. Arlong was nothing by comparison. Nine deaths in a second was, if anything, an understatement.
Her boss was just being modest.
Nami hesitated, unwilling to take the risk. "Follow me. I'll sell you some oranges, but you leave right after. Don't let Arlong's crew spot you, got it?"
Robin paused. Arlong ruled Cocoyasi, yet Nami, a villager, wasn't asking them to take him down. Was she in league with him?
She glanced at Morpheus, conveying her suspicion.
Morpheus chuckled silently. In a way, Robin wasn't wrong—Nami was technically part of Arlong's crew.
Under Nami's lead, they reached Cocoyasi Village, landing at a hidden corner and heading toward her orange grove.
Minutes later, they arrived. Rows of lush trees bore golden, ripe oranges—a vibrant, picturesque sight.
Nami turned to them. "This is Cocoyasi's orange grove. How many do you want? I'll pick them, and then you leave."
Morpheus said, "Pick one for me to try first."
Nami nodded, climbing a tree with agility and tossing him a ripe orange.
Morpheus peeled it, popped a segment into his mouth, and bit down. It was tart yet sweet, bursting with juice.
He ate a few more segments, then handed the rest to Robin. She took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "Fresh, juicy, and tasty. Not bad."
But that was all. Such fruit was common in the Grand Line, so it was no surprise they weren't famous.
Nami, perched on the tree, looked down. "How many do you want to buy?"
Morpheus shook his head. "Never mind."
He'd only wanted to taste Cocoyasi's oranges, not buy them in bulk.
Nami's temper flared. She leapt down, storming up to him. "Are you messing with me? Didn't you say you wanted to buy oranges?"
Morpheus nodded, smiling. "I didn't say how many, though, did I?"
Nami was speechless. He hadn't specified a quantity. She'd been played.
Huffing, she said, "Fine, no sale. You can leave now."
She just wanted them gone, as far away as possible.
Morpheus gave her an approving look. Despite her greed, Nami had a good heart.
"Here's the deal, I ate one of your oranges, so I'll take out Arlong's crew for you. Fair trade?"
Nami's eyes widened, studying him. "You sure you can handle them?"
"Guaranteed win."
"I don't believe you," Nami snapped. With his lanky frame, Morpheus didn't look like a fighter. If he failed, he'd not only die but drag Cocoyasi down with him.
She preferred to rely on her own efforts. She was close to saving one hundred million Berries to buy the village back from Arlong. No need for such risks.
Morpheus's eyes flickered, reading her thoughts. He didn't mock her naivety—her hard work deserved respect.
Nami was blameless. The fault lay with Arlong, the treacherous Fish-Man who toyed with her.
He deserved death.
Pointing toward a structure in the distance, Morpheus said, "That's Arlong Park, right? Let's go."
Robin smirked, following him.
Nami panicked, trying to stop them, but Morpheus snapped his fingers. Her body moved against her will, leading them toward Arlong Park.
Nami was stunned. What was happening? Why couldn't she control herself?
She glanced at Morpheus, realizing he was behind it, but had no idea how. She tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn't open.
She could only watch as they approached Arlong Park.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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