Chapter 41 “Nami, where are you? Nami, I’ve come to take you home!”

"Help! Don't chase me! Ahhh!"

Usopp was running frantically, terrified by the Fishmen who looked incredibly strong. If they caught him, he was sure he'd lose his life.

"Luffy, Moonlight, Sanji, someone save me!" he shouted, quickly firing the flare in his hand as a signal.

"That's… coming from Usopp's direction! He found Nami!"

Sanji saw the flare shoot into the sky, immediately turning and running toward Usopp's location.

"Usopp!"

Luffy was busy eating in the village, gathering some information along the way. Just as he finished his meal, he noticed Usopp's signal flare, and with a satisfied pat on his belly, he sprinted toward Usopp.

"There it is!"

Johnny and Yosaku, carrying Zoro, also rushed toward the flare.

"This is bad! That's Usopp's signal—he must have entered Arlong Park and been discovered!"

Nami watched the flare in the distance, her heart sinking. She already knew that Luffy and the others had split up to search the island for her, and she was deeply worried.

"Moonlight, we have to hurry!"

"No need to rush, and don't underestimate Usopp. He may seem like that, but when it counts, he's anything but useless."

Moonlight waved his hand, unconcerned. Usopp was the type of person who thrived in dire situations, rising up when pushed to his limits. Though timid, he could turn adversity into strength. Moonlight wasn't worried.

"You have such high praise for that long-nosed guy?"

Nami was stunned. She never expected a powerful figure like Moonlight to speak so highly of Usopp.

Moonlight didn't answer, simply continuing toward Arlong Park.

Arlong Park

"They've shown up, huh?"

Arlong smirked as he noticed the flare shooting into the sky. With his men stationed all over the island, he was aware of any incident the moment it happened. Arlong had already noticed Usopp when he first sneaked in, but seeing as he was just an ordinary human, Arlong hadn't bothered to react.

"They've appeared—not just him, but the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates. Our scouts have already spotted them," Chew reported. The area was swarming with Fishmen, and any outsiders who set foot on the island were immediately detected.

"I never expected this. So, these are the comrades Nami talked about. Too bad they're walking into their deaths," Kuroobi said indifferently. In his eyes, there wasn't a pirate crew in the East Blue that could rival the Arlong Pirates. Anyone who came was just looking to die.

"Hehe, my swords have been itching for action," Hatchan chuckled, spinning his swords with his tentacles.

"That's right! The Arlong Pirates are the strongest crew in the East Blue!"

"A few rookie pirates aren't even worth our attention!"

"Kyahahaha!"

The Fishmen around them laughed, completely dismissive of Luffy and his crew.

"Alright, open the gates and let them in. After all, they are fellow pirates," Arlong said with a sly grin, ordering his men to open the gates to welcome Luffy and the others.

"What? The gate is open?"

"Is this a taunt? Are they underestimating us?"

"Nami, I've come to take you home!"

"Luffy, Sanji, you're finally here!"

Within moments, Luffy and Sanji arrived at the entrance simultaneously. Seeing the open gates of Arlong Park, Sanji quickly realized what was happening, his expression darkening. They were being underestimated.

Luffy, however, shouted boldly inside, ignoring the presence of the Fishmen. Hearing the noise, Usopp peeked his head out from a hidden spot in the bushes. He rushed over, elated to see Sanji and Luffy.

"Alright, since they've opened the door for us, let's show them what kind of guests we are," Sanji said, lighting a cigarette. Exhaling a puff of smoke, the three walked inside.

"Nami, where are you? Nami, I've come to take you home!"

Once inside, Luffy ignored all the Fishmen around him and shouted loudly.

"Luffy, keep your voice down! These Fishmen are dangerous!" Usopp's voice trembled as he tried to caution him.

"It doesn't matter now. Things are already out in the open," Sanji said, waving a hand dismissively. He scanned the area, his gaze landing on Arlong, who sat on a throne in the center of the park. It wasn't hard to figure out that this was their captain.

"Heh heh heh, so you're Nami's comrades? Too bad, Nami belongs to me. She's just been using and deceiving you," Arlong sneered at the three of them.

"Lies! Nami is our friend. She's never used us! Who are you? Hand Nami over now! Hey, Usopp, his nose is even longer than yours!"

Luffy stared directly at Arlong and shouted. Then, he glanced at Arlong's nose, then at Usopp's, and commented.

"You idiot! Is this really the time to be saying stuff like that?"

Usopp was furious, smacking Luffy on the head.

"I get it!"

Luffy said, rubbing the bump on his head with a pout.

"Enough talk. The situation is clear—it's four against however many of them. Let's not waste time. Judging by their attitude, they won't hand Nami over willingly," Sanji said, blowing out a cloud of smoke and eyeing the three figures beside Arlong. They had to be the officers of the Arlong Pirates.

"Luffy, leave these three to me. You focus on their captain," Sanji pointed at Hatchan, Chew, and Kuroobi.

"Alright."

Luffy cracked his knuckles, his eyes locked on Arlong.

"Hey, hey, hey, stupid swirly-brow! Don't underestimate us!"

Hatchan couldn't stand it anymore. He was a swordsman, after all, and being looked down upon was unbearable!

"Heh."

Kuroobi smirked without a word, his cold eyes fixed on Sanji with a hint of disdain.

"Let me handle you," Kuroobi scoffed, charging forward. Sanji met his challenge, running up to meet him, launching a flying kick.

"Boom!"

Their attacks collided, neither giving an inch.

"Interesting. No wonder you're so arrogant, human. But that's all you've got."

Feeling the power behind Sanji's kick, Kuroobi smirked. Sanji's strength was impressive—enough to make even his Fishman body feel pain.

"Luffy!"

Sanji shouted, giving Luffy his cue.

"Got it."

Luffy didn't hesitate, dashing straight for Arlong. He was determined to take Arlong down and bring Nami back.

"Do you think we're not here?"

"You're underestimating us way too much!"

Hatchan and Chew sneered. Hatchan's tentacles wielded his swords, slashing toward Luffy, while Chew spat a water arrow, aiming straight at him.

"Clang!"

At that moment, a sword light flashed, blocking Hatchan's attack. A green figure appeared—it was Zoro, arriving at the critical moment.

"Smack!"

Simultaneously, an iron pellet struck Chew's face—Usopp had joined the fray.

"Don't interfere with our captain!"

"Luffy, it's all up to you."

The two of them shouted in unison.