Usopp, standing nearby, let out a sigh of relief upon hearing the news, a reassured smile spreading across his face. "Phew, that's great! Finally, I don't have to play the role of temporary navigator anymore."
Heaven knows how excruciating it had been for soone like him, with only a smattering of navigation knowledge, to successfully steer the Going rry to this point.
At that mont, Zoro suddenly spoke up. "Honestly, there's no need for all this hassle. Luffy, just let take the helm again."
"After all, I've been roaming the East Blue on my own for years. Trust , I've got this."
"Uh..." Luffy, who had been shoveling food into his mouth, stopped mid-bite. He looked up, blinking, and flashed a cheeky grin. "Zoro, your fighting skills are way stronger. You should stick to being the ship's combat specialist."
"Besides, aren't you planning to challenge that guy with the big sword? Where're you gonna find the ti to steer the ship?"
"Hm, fair point." Zoro nodded in agreent. "Guess I'll focus on training and getting stronger then."
"Yep, yep!" Luffy nodded enthusiastically, secretly relieved.
Back when they first set out, Luffy had let Zoro navigate. Things had gone decently at first—they'd stumbled upon that weird island full of bizarre animals and even ran into that clown, Buggy. But after leaving that island, the two of them nearly starved to death out at sea.
By so miracle, just as they were on the verge of collapse, they drifted to the island where Usopp lived. After stuffing their faces there, they finally ca back to life.
Later, after defeating that guy with the clawed gloves and acquiring the Going rry, they set sail again. Luffy imdiately handed navigation duties to their newest crewmate, Usopp.
Sure, Usopp wasn't exactly a pro, but at least he didn't get them hopelessly lost at sea. And sohow, they'd made it to this floating restaurant, the Baratie.
Through all this, Luffy had learned one crucial lesson: never let Zoro navigate again. Otherwise, forget about adventuring on the Grand Line—they'd be lucky to make it to the next island alive.
With that worry off his mind, Luffy happily resud scarfing down his food.
Seeing the matter more or less settled, Sanji turned to the group. "So, where are we headed next?"
Luffy, mouth full of food, mumbled, "Dunno. Ask Gin. What's the fastest way to the Grand Line?"
Gin, hearing his na, set down his spoon and thought carefully before responding. "If we're aiming for the Grand Line, it's best to head to Loguetown first to stock up on supplies."
"But going straight to Loguetown from here is a bit far."
"So, we could stop at a port town closer to Loguetown first, then head there afterward."
"If I had to recomnd, I'd say we go to Kosa Town on the south coast of Hobby Island. It's relatively close."
He paused, then added with a grave tone, "But that place... it's apparently been under the control of the Arlong Pirates for a while. Going there might co with so risks."
"The Arlong Pirates?" Luffy's head shot up, curiosity piqued.
"Yep." Gin nodded slightly, continuing, "The Arlong Pirates are a crew made up of fishn, led by their captain, Arlong, a fishman with a 20-million-berry bounty."
"Back when I was with the Krieg Pirates, we mostly avoided that area."
"Those fishn are a real pain to deal with. Plus, the Arlong Pirates never seed interested in expanding their territory."
"So, my old crew never clashed with them."
"Fishn?" Luffy tilted his head, a goofy image popping into his mind: a creature with the upper body of a fish and two human legs waddling around.
"F-Fishn?!" Usopp, on the other hand, shuddered. His imagination conjured up a terrifying purple-skinned monster, all muscle, with a gaping maw full of razor-sharp teeth.
Suddenly, Luffy slamd his hand on the table, grinning ear to ear. "Alright, it's decided! Our next stop is Kosa Town!"
He rubbed his fists together, a glint of excitent in his eyes. "I had no idea there were fishn in the East Blue! Wonder what they look like."
"And that Arlong guy's got a 20-million-berry bounty. Sounds like he's pretty tough!"
"If we take him down, maybe we'll get bounties of our own!"
"Uh... um..." Usopp stamred, trembling. "G-Guys... I think... I might've suddenly co down with a weird disease that prevents from setting foot on islands..."
Sanji chuckled. "Relax, Usopp. When we all head ashore, you can stay behind and guard the ship."
"Th-This..." Usopp's face twisted in conflicted agony before he let out a defeated sigh. "Ugh... fine..."
Gin, hearing his captain's decision, stood up promptly. "Captain Luffy, I'll head to the ship and start preparations so we can set out for our destination as soon as possible."
"Aweso, I'm counting on you!" Luffy grinned, giving Gin a hearty pat on the shoulder.
"Fishn, huh? Never seen one before. Wonder what it'd feel like to cut one down," Zoro muttered to himself. He'd finished eating and was now picking up his swords from beside his chair.
Sanji rubbed his chin, lost in thought. "Wonder how fishn compare to regular fish. Could you cook one?"
"Probably not... but if fishn exist, does that an rmaids do too?!" His lips curled into a sleazy grin.
"Alright, enough daydreaming. Get moving and prep already," Zoro said, passing by and smacking Sanji on the head before strolling off.
"Damn it, you moss-headed idiot! You eat my food and dare hit ?!" Sanji's rosy fantasies shattered, and he shot to his feet, growling in fury.
Zoro ignored the lovesick cook, lazily resting his arms on the hilts of his swords as he sauntered toward the restaurant's exit.
Sanji watched him leave, his expression gradually calming. Ignoring Luffy and Usopp, who were still eating, he lit a cigarette and took a drag, gazing around at the familiar sights of the Baratie. His eyes lingered, uncertain.
"So, we're really leaving this place, huh..."
anwhile, on another part of the sea, Will and his two companions were leisurely sailing toward Loguetown, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing elsewhere.
The news of a Celestial Dragon's death in the Kingdom of the Bridge had already reached the World Governnt with alarming speed—and it had landed in the ears of the Five Elders, the highest authority in the world.
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