113 Beach.

"So how did you defeat Arlong?" Nojiko asked as soon as we entered the house.

"By beating him?" I replied.

"But he's so big. And you're so short. And fishmen are ten times stronger than humans!" She said, surprised.

"I'm 6 feet 3 inches!" I said, amused.

"Those are two separate measurements!" Clockblocker added.

I snorted before Tattletale smacked him.

"What are you saying in front of kids!" She laughed.

"Don't worry. I don't think they'll understand anything." Paige assured.

"I understood!" Nami said proudly, hands on her hips.

"Oh you do, do you? Then tell me what it means?" I asked amused.

"Your hair is three inches above your head!" She pointed out.

I raised an eyebrow and patted my hair

It was indeed fluffed up and getting a bit long for my taste but nowhere near three inches.

Still that innocence is to be cherished.

I smiled and rubbed her head.

"You're right!"

"Ehehehe!" Nami giggled.

"We're going to the beach to swim. Do you want to come along?" I asked the girls.

"Yes!" Nami said.

"No. We need to tend to the orchard." Nojiko became the voice of reason.

I guess she's right. I won't push them then. They gotta eat too and I won't always be here.

Though I will share our food with them today.

"Alright. Do as you please. But do come around for lunch. I'll treat you kids to some pizza. Growing kids like you, need to eat well." I said, as I lead them out.

As soon as we were out of sight, Tattletale walked up ahead, and matched her pace to mine.

"You knew them didn't you? Like you knew me and Paige." She asked.

Paige, came closer to, her ears perking up at the conversation.

"I thought I took away your powers?" I smiled.

She's adjusting to her new life without powers, it seems.

"I did what you said. Started to use my human brain for once." She smiled cheekily, "And your pills work wonders too."

"That's the real reason isn't it?" I chuckled.

"You didn't answer." Paige pouted.

I looked at her, amused and relented.

"Alright. Yes. I knew them or rather I knew of them. But don't ask anymore questions if you value your sanity. Unless you want to be on pills like Tats here?"

Paige cast Tattletale a glance and just shook her head.

"No thank you. Not again." Paige replied.

I looked at her raising an eyebrow.

"Depression." She answered, looking down.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"At least you're better now."

"So how do you know them?" Clockblocker pestered still.

I shut him up with a stern look.

"Okay. Keep your secrets." Clockblocker smiled, hands raised, "I'm just excited for the beach!"

"Say, there aren't any more sea monsters around here right?" Tattletale asked.

"No, why?" I said, and followed her eyes to the beach where the previously defeated sea king lay beached.

"That's the same one Paige beat. Fweet!"

I whistled to it, and it raised it's beaten mug slightly, before fleeing back into the water in fear.

Now that is just disrespectful.

Bad fish.

He needs to be put in his place.

And I have just the idea for it

"Actually, maybe we can ride it! Star, wanna ride the big Moo Moo?" I asked, throwing him up in the air.

"Can I?" He said, his eyes lighting up like fireworks.

"Of course! Go play for now. I'll get Moo Moo." I said, looking at Paige.

"Hn?" He intoned.

"Let's get one of the fishmen to call it for us. We didn't test your master abilities yet right?"

"Now that you mention it..." Paige replied.

"Isn't that dangerous? It's still a sea monster." Tattletale interjected.

"It can't do anything while I'm here. And we'll have a fishman steer it for us. Besides, haven't you ever wanted to ride a dolphin?" I asked

"That's not a dolphin!" Tattletale rebutted.

"It's not." I nodded in agreement, grinning, "It's even better!"

"You're a madman." Clockblocker smiled, "I like it! Can I ride it too?" He asked.

"Sure. For now could you and Tattletale keep watch over the kids while they play in the water? We'll go and get ourselves a kraken whisperer."

"Am I the only sane person here?" Tattletale muttered looking at Riley.

Riley just shrugged.

"It'll be fine. And if not, I'm here." Riley assured.

"That's.... better?"

.

I returned to Arlong Park with Paige, as we spotted the fishmen try to fiddle with the beacons. Of course nothing happened because I'm not a hack. My beacons are sturdy as hell and work only on human contact.

They were trapped in there hopelessly.

I walked over and scanned through them all, walking across the length of the line ominously.

"Any of you know how to call and ride that sea king pet of yours?" I asked and saw them visibly relax.

"..me. I can do it!" A voice came fr9m the end of the line.

I turned to see who it was and found a six armed fishman.

"Hatchan was it?"

"You know my name?" Hatchan exclaimed.

"Of course. I did my research before coming here. That's the reason the lot of you aren't dead right now. Arlong is worth his bounty and his relation to the hero of the fishmen, and warlord Jinbe. But one wrong move and I'm just as happy to bring them your severed heads." I said.

"Now Hatchan. I'll release you from the cage. But in return you have to behave yourself and give my son a ride on Moo Moo. How's that sound to you?"

"It's Mohmoo. And I'll .... do it." He replied.

"Good." I walked over and pulled him out of the stasis beacon cage.

"Paige, do your thing."

"Sure." Paige replied, and looked at Hatchan.

"Hatchan, FOLLOW ME. AND DON'T HARM THE KIDS. BE NICE TO EVERYONE."

Hatchan's body twitched as Paige nodded.

"It's done. It works."

"That's great. So master powers work on non humans too huh? That opens up some interesting possibilities. I'll look into it later. For now, let's return to the beach and have fun." I said.

We walked back to the beach, and Hatchan pulled out a whistle from his waistband, blowing into it.

The sea bubbled, and the sea king popped it's head out of the sea gingerly.

"There we go!" I said, "Hatchan, bring it closer. Make it accept us as it's new masters too, while you're at it." I said, taking my shirt off.

"What are you doing?" Tattletale asked, blushing.

"We are at the beach aren't we? Do you plan to go swimming in a three piece suit? Come on. Strip. It's already midday!" I said, and brought out the towels from my bag.

"Dude, how are you so cut? Aren't you a tinker? Do you have a serum that gives you abs like that?" Clockblocker asked.

I looked down at myself.

"Hmm? Oh right." I muttered.

"Don't oh right me as if you don't know anything about it!" Clockblocker said, laughing.

"But I don't!" I shrugged.

"You don't look in the mirror when you shower or after a workout?" He asked.

"I invented instant sterilization to avoid taking showers. Deep cleans your body instantly. You should try it once. By the end your skin feels like baby's bottom soft.

And....Uh...I don't work out." I said, awkwardly.

"You have a serum for that don't you?" Paige asked, suspicious.

"I do have a serum, though it also gives you purple skin for some reason so I haven't used it yet." I said.

"Then how did a tinker like you get so jacked?"

"Tinkering is hard work y'know? You have to forge, craft, mill parts and then weld them together and do the wiring and stuff. All the while thinking on your feet. Shit burns calories like anything. Same reason why chess players lose more weight than bodybuilders. The brain consumes a fuck ton of energy from the body when you spend time actually thinking." I explained.

"You somehow manage to sound so condescending even without trying, you know that?" Tattletale giggled.

"Yeah." Paige added, "And he's like that all the time too."

"Did I? I didn't notice." I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well anyways. Let's go. It's beach time!" I said, picking Star up in my arms and ran out, as Hatchan waved at us from Mohmoo.