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Night enveloped the vast ocean, turning the horizon into an obsidian mirror. On the small boat, the firewood crackled rhythmically, and the rising flames dispelled the encroaching darkness, illuminating the two figures on board.
Nami, who no longer held any grudge against Sun Wukong after hearing his explanation about the money, extended a friendly hand and smiled sweetly. "By the way, let me introduce myself. My name is Nami. I still don't know what yours is."
Sun Wukong had been wondering why Nami said the money wasn't hers if she had gone to such lengths to take it, but hearing her, he put that doubt aside. He took her hand and flashed a brilliant smile. "My name is Sun Wukong! You can just call me Sun Wukong."
"Sun Wukong, huh," Nami repeated, testing the name. She noticed the fish was finally done and gestured toward the grill. "Sun Wukong, the fish is ready. Let's eat."
Sun Wukong's eyes lit up like stars. He nodded heavily, his tail—if he still had it—practically wagging. "I couldn't wait any longer!"
Five minutes later, Nami sat in a daze. She was still slowly chewing her first piece of fish, watching in shock as Sun Wukong alone devoured almost an entire two-meter-long sea creature. He casually tossed the gleaming white fish bones into the sea, patted his little belly, and mumbled, "Finally not so hungry anymore, but I'm still a bit from full. Should I go catch another one?"
Nami was bewildered. "Sun Wukong, you... you're still not full?" She recalled the size of the fish, realizing it was large enough to feed her for at least a week. But he had finished it in minutes! "Is your stomach a bottomless pit?!"
Seeing him seriously considering jumping back into the dark water, she offered him her remaining portion. "You can have this too. I ate some dry rations earlier, so I'm not hungry."
"Really? Are you really going to give it to me?" Sun Wukong asked, surprised.
"Mm-hmm! Here!" Nami tossed it, and he caught it deftly, biting into it with joy. "Hehe, you're so nice!" Watching him eat with oil on his lips, Nami couldn't help but smile. He was actually quite cute—just a bit of a glutton.
After a while, she asked, "By the way, Sun Wukong, why did you go to sea?" She avoided asking about his parents, sensing he carried a burden similar to the one she had lived with for years.
"I'm looking for someone," he replied, washing his hands and face in the sea. "I'm looking for Grandpa Master Roshi and Krillin. They suddenly disappeared, so I need to find them." He gestured to describe their appearances, since his portrait had dissolved in the storm.
"No, I don't know them," Nami shook her head. "Are you just searching island by island?"
"Mm-hmm!"
"That's like looking for a needle in a haystack," Nami said, covering her forehead. "There are countless islands. You need a better plan. Don't you have any other clues?"
"I do! They're going to the World Martial Arts Tournament, but I don't know where it's held."
Nami thought for a moment. "Then your focus should be on the tournament. Only ask about that. If you find the venue, you'll find them. Don't waste energy asking for two specific people whom most locals won't recognize."
Sun Wukong nodded thoughtfully, his eyes brightening. "Thank you! I know what to do next."
"What you should do next," Nami added, "is find your own boat. Otherwise, you'll die at sea before you find anyone."
"Um, can I borrow your boat—"
"No!" Nami cut him off firmly. "This is my boat! I need it. You have to find another one."
"Alright." Sun Wukong scratched his head, troubled. He didn't know how to get back to Grandpa Garp, so he decided not to worry about it for now. "Since things have come to this, let's just get some sleep. I'll deal with it tomorrow."
He immediately lay down, clasped his hands behind his head, and fell into a deep sleep within seconds. Nami's mouth twitched. He just... fell asleep? She had wanted to discuss taking turns on watch, but now she was stuck doing the first shift. She sat in a corner, gazing at the pitch-black sea. How much longer until I can finish that task... Belle-Mere, I miss you...
Splash!!
An unusual sound startled her. She snapped out of her thoughts, staring at the dark water. A fish? She exhaled, trying to relax.
GUSH!!
A much louder sound erupted. Her pupils constricted as a giant sea beast suddenly broke the surface not far behind the boat. Its blood-red eyes stared intently at them. The next second, it lunged!