Usopp's face was pressed hard against the cold ground.
Panic exploded in his chest.
"I—I know him! I know that white-haired swordsman!" Usopp shouted desperately.
"He's insanely strong! We're… we're lovers!"
"If I die, he'll slaughter all of you to avenge me! Go on—try touching me!"
High above, where Logan sat with his eyes closed, a vein twitched.
He rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath.
"Damn it, Usopp… just you wait. Once I'm done dealing with Arlong, I'll deal with you."
Arlong looked at Usopp with open contempt, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"Oh?" he said mockingly.
"So if I kill you, that white-haired swordsman will show up to avenge you?"
Usopp froze—then instantly backpedaled.
"No, no, no! Killing me won't work!"
"If I'm dead, he won't come at all! I have to stay alive as a hostage—that's how I'm most useful! Don't you think so?!"
Arlong paused.
"…You're not entirely wrong," he said coldly.
"Then we'll start by cutting off that long nose of yours."
"A human with a nose like that—disgusting to look at."
"Spit."
Usopp, who had just relaxed for half a second, let out another wail, tears streaming down his face.
"No! You can't! My long nose is my life!"
At that moment, another officer hurried over to Arlong.
"Boss Arlong! Zoro escaped. Someone must have freed him!"
"And lately, Nami's movements have been suspicious. Could it be her? She frees Zoro, and then he does this?"
"Maybe that white-haired swordsman is just Zoro in disguise."
"Don't forget—Nami is best at betrayal."
"Bullshit!"
A furious shout came from outside.
Boom!
The courtyard gate was slammed open.
A tall, slender girl strode in.
She wore a casual outfit—a teal short-sleeved top and black shorts. Beneath them were long, straight legs, pale enough to be dazzling.
Her features were delicate, her face perfectly shaped, nose straight, skin fair as snow. Short orange hair fluttered in the wind.
But what drew the most attention—
Was the jagged Arlong tattoo on her right arm, vicious and glaringly out of place.
Her eyes—reddish-brown, shining fiercely—burned with restrained fury.
She walked straight in and snapped coldly at them:
"Watch your mouths. Who are you calling a traitor?"
"I joined you eight years ago."
Then she looked straight at Arlong, her voice icy.
"And besides… we have an agreement. Don't we?"
"Hahahaha!" Arlong burst out laughing.
"Right, right—we do have an agreement."
"Nami, don't worry. I, Arlong, always keep my promises."
Above them, Logan studied Nami closely.
Just like the anime, he thought.
And since I'm here… Arlong, you don't get to break that promise.
Arlong bent down slightly and placed a massive hand on Nami's shoulder.
"This long-nosed guy belongs to the Straw Hats. I'll leave him to you."
Nami bent down and picked up the dagger from the ground.
Holding it in a reverse grip, she walked toward Usopp without hesitation, her voice sharp and resolute.
"In your next life… don't meet me again."
Usopp's face turned ashen. Sweat poured down his cheeks.
"Nami! Don't kill me!" he cried.
"Aren't we partners?!"
"After you stole the ship and left, Luffy still believed in you! He never once doubted you!"
"Don't you feel even a little guilty?!"
Nami's steps paused for a fraction of a second.
Then she continued forward.
"Sorry," she said coldly.
"All I see now is money."
"You're in my way. So I'll deal with you myself."
"Special Move: Smoke Star!"
Usopp instantly pulled out his prepared slingshot and fired at the ground beneath them.
BOOM!
The moment Nami finished speaking, thick white smoke erupted at their feet.
In an instant, the courtyard was engulfed.
Coughing echoed everywhere as vision vanished. Chaos spread.
Usopp seized the chance and bolted forward at full speed.
"Hah! You think you can kill me?!"
Before he could celebrate—
Nami appeared directly in front of him, expressionless.
"You're not getting away," she said calmly.
"I already predicted this."
Usopp's heart sank into the abyss.
Before he could flee again—
Nami stepped forward.
The dagger sliced through the air—
And plunged into Usopp's lower abdomen.
Blood splashed violently, staining their clothes and the ground crimson.
Usopp stared at her in shock, confusion filling his eyes.
"Nami… why…?"
Before he could finish—
Splash!
Nami kicked him straight into the sea, turning away without looking back.
High above, Logan watched the scene and sighed softly.
"Damn it… I really want to wipe out Arlong's crew right now."
"But the timing isn't right."
"Killing Arlong is easy—but then Luffy loses his stepping stone."
Others couldn't see through it.
But Logan could.
That stab hadn't pierced Usopp at all—
It had pierced Nami's own hand.
The blood spilling out had all been hers.
After a moment's thought, Logan decided to help Usopp anyway.
If Usopp ran into a large sea creature down there, even surviving would leave him crippled.
In the next instant—
Logan vanished.
Usopp was desperately holding his breath underwater when he suddenly felt lighter.
It was as if someone had grabbed him from behind.
His body shot forward at high speed.
Only after they were far from Arlong Park, in a place no one could notice, did Logan pull Usopp out of the water.
Using Moonwalk, he stepped through the air.
Usopp coughed violently, but when he realized he was flying, he still couldn't help shouting:
"Hero! You came to save me, didn't you?!"
"Actually, I didn't even need saving! My swimming talent is incredible!"
Logan had a very strong urge to throw him back into the sea.
He held it in.
"Where's Luffy?" Logan asked. "Has he reached the island yet?"
"Huh? You know Luffy?" Usopp's eyes lit up.
"That's great! If I'm not wrong, they should've arrived by now!"
That lined up perfectly with Logan's estimate.
He carried Usopp over land.
When they were two or three meters above the ground, Logan casually released him.
Thud!
Usopp face-planted spectacularly.
He leapt up in rage and spun around—only then clearly seeing his rescuer.
A young man dressed in black.
Tall and lean.
Short silver-white hair fluttering in the air.
A massive greatsword strapped to his back.
And a face so handsome it felt like he existed in a completely different art style.
Usopp swallowed the curse that almost came out.
"…If it weren't for the fact you know Luffy," he said stiffly,
"I definitely wouldn't let this slide!"
Logan's lips curved upward.
His eyes narrowed.
He raised Zhenhai, deliberately slow—
As if he were about to cut Usopp down on the spot.
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