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Cocoyasi Village, Conomi Islands.
"I can't believe there are scoundrels like Morse within the Navy!"
After hearing the gist of the whole incident, Bellemere slammed her fist onto the table, leaving a deep dent in the old wooden surface.
Nami and Nojiko: "..."
"Not everyone is like you, Bellemere, committed to carrying justice to the end," Zyhark lamented.
Considering even the highest rulers, the Celestial Dragons, are deplorable, how could one expect the ranks below to be filled with saints?
"But it's still incredible to think about it, that you actually defeated the terrifying Captain Kuro…"
Village Officer Genzo was visibly shocked, looking at Zyhark with a newfound sense of fear.
In the time Zyhark and his party were away from Cocoyasi Village, he made a point to gather detailed information about the Black Cat Pirate Crew.
Understanding the brutality of these high-bounty pirates, especially with a corrupt Marine officer like Morse in cahoots, made it all the more astonishing that Zyhark's group had managed to defeat them.
"It was a bit of luck, I suppose. These scars on my face were left by that encounter."
Zyhark pointed to the scar lines marking his cheek, suggesting they were but minor remnants of their battle.
Gen and Bellemere pondered over his almost healed scars, deep in thought.
"Zyhark, are you planning on entering the Grand Line next?" Bellemere suddenly asked.
Having served in the Marines, she knew more than the average villager about the world's dangers.
"People with your level of strength aren't likely to stay in the East Blue for long."
"That's always been our intention," Zyhark confirmed, his eyes betraying his anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead in the Grand Line, the true stage of the pirate world.
"The Grand Line!!"
Nami, who had been playing with Aqua in the corner, couldn't contain her excitement and ran over. "Zyhark, are you really going to that legendary sea area? Can I come with you? I want to draw a complete map of that place!" Her eyes sparkled with the ambition of charting the unexplored.
For a young girl dreaming of mapping the entire world, the allure of the Grand Line was irresistible, despite her ignorance of its dangers.
Bellemere, Nojiko, and Gen were startled by her sudden request.
"Drawing a complete world map? That's an ambitious goal," Zyhark commented, gently ruffling Nami's orange hair. "But the Grand Line is far beyond your reach for now."
"That's exactly why I want to see it!" Nami insisted, unfazed by the adult-like gesture of affection, which she found surprisingly not unpleasant coming from Zyhark.
"Have you completed the East Blue map yet?" Zyhark prodded gently.
"I, I..." Nami blushed, admitting without words her dream was still far from reality.
"Then focus on that first. When you're capable, come find me in the Grand Line," Zyhark advised, affirming her resolve with a gentle but firm encouragement.
"I will make it happen!" Nami declared, her determination palpable.
Thus, besides a promise made to Luffy for a future meeting, another quirky pact was formed, marking a total of three, including a debt to Ace and Sabo.
As evening approached, they decided to spend another night in Cocoyasi Village, postponing their departure to load supplies and oranges onto their ship.
The next day, as the sun rose, signifying the time to sail away, the villagers, including Bellemere, Nami, Nojiko, and Gen, came to bid farewell.
"If any troublesome pirates bother the village, just mention my name," Zyhark offered as a parting assurance, hinting at his future renown.
"And Goddess Aqua too!" Aqua chimed in, not to be outdone, while King, more aware of his own mortality, silently made ready the sails, his modest hopes set on surviving in a brutal world.
With the villagers' blessings, the Endless Dream set sail towards new adventures, relying on the wishing pool's enhancements to bolster their strength.
Their immediate goal was to acquire a Devil Fruit encyclopedia to discern the abilities of the fruit obtained from Fuschia Village, with Loguetown, the chaotic nexus near the Grand Line, as their likely source in the pirate-infested East Blue.
Before heading to Loguetown, Zyhark planned to exploit the East Blue further for bounties, aiming to rectify some of the original story's regrets.
After a thorough study of the East Blue map, their next destination was decided: Shimotsuki Village.
(End of Chapter)