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Chapter 10 - CHAPTER 10 - BARATIE: SETTING SAIL FOR ARLONG PARK

CHAPTER 10 - BARATIE: SETTING SAIL FOR ARLONG PARK

The sun beat down on them as they stared out at the empty sea, the Going Merry a rapidly diminishing speck on the horizon. The Baratie chefs, somewhat bewildered by the Straw Hats' antics, had grudgingly provided them with a small, sturdy rowboat.

"So, where exactly is this 'Arlong Park'?" Sanji asked, adjusting his tie. "And why didn't that woman just tell us she was in trouble?"

"Because, Sanji, some people have a deeply ingrained, almost pathological need to shoulder their burdens alone," Adam explained, resting his chin on his hand. "It's a noble, if spectacularly self-destructive, trait. Like trying to carry an entire ocean in a teacup. Eventually, it's going to spill. And then everyone gets wet. And then I have to clean up the mess. It's truly inconvenient."

Luffy, ever the pragmatist, was already trying to figure out how to propel the rowboat faster. "We need to go faster! Nami's waiting!"

Adam pulled out a battered, but still functional, compass. "Well, according to this very official, highly scientific instrument, we need to head... generally that way." He pointed vaguely towards the east. "Arlong Park is in Cocoyasi Village. It's roughly... a few hours sailing, assuming we don't accidentally encounter a giant kraken or a very aggressive school of sea kings who resent being called 'sea-lizards' by a certain rubber individual."

[SYSTEM MESSAGE: NAMI][LIKE METER: 25%][HATE METER: 10%][ACQUIRABLE SKILLS: BASIC NAVIGATION, CARTOGRAPHY (MASTERED), BO STAFF SKILLS (THEORY)]

"Twenty-five percent like, ten percent hate. Her 'Hate' is finally dropping to reasonable levels! Success! And 'Cartography (Mastered)'? She's officially a map wizard. My work here is practically done. I'm practically a life coach for navigators with abandonment issues and a love for money."

"So, what's the plan?" Zoro grunted, already looking bored with rowing. "We just... show up and beat up this fish-man?"

"Essentially, yes," Adam confirmed. "Though, I prefer to think of it as 'strategic intervention to facilitate the emotional liberation of our deeply traumatized navigator.' Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?"

"Arlong. The guy who thought he was hot stuff because he was a fish-man. He's about to learn that racial superiority complex combined with a pathological need to hurt others is a really, really bad combination when a certain rubber man and his incredibly annoying Vice-Captain show up. I'm going to make him hate me. Really, really hate me. I want his Hate meter to go off the charts. Like, literally break the system."

"Our main goal," Adam continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "is to get Nami back. But my personal secondary goal is to absolutely infuriate Arlong. I want him to regret the day he ever thought he could mess with a Straw Hat. And I have a few ideas. Ideas that involve a lot of sarcasm, a little bit of petty theft, and probably some strategically placed banana peels."

Sanji chuckled. "You and your pranks, Adam. You're completely insane."

"It's called 'applied psychological warfare,' my dear chef," Adam corrected. "And it's a highly effective tool for demoralizing the enemy. Also, it's hilarious. Which is a bonus."

He then turned to Zoro, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Speaking of strategy, Zoro, I've been thinking about your training. You know, for when we encounter the next powerful swordsman."

Zoro raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"Well," Adam began, reaching into his satchel and pulling out two very realistic, but clearly blunt, wooden swords. They looked exactly like Zoro's Wado Ichimonji and Shusui, but without the sharpness. "I believe in cross-training. You know, pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. So, for the next leg of our journey, I've acquired some... specialized training equipment for you." He presented the wooden swords with a flourish.

Zoro stared at the wooden swords, then at Adam, a muscle twitching in his jaw. "Are those... wooden?"

"Indeed!" Adam beamed. "Crafted from the finest, most sustainably sourced timber! Guaranteed to improve your technique without the pesky risk of, you know, accidentally slicing your own ear off. Think of it as 'eco-friendly swordsmanship.' Very trendy."

[SYSTEM MESSAGE: RORONOA ZORO][LIKE METER: 20%][HATE METER: 15%][ACQUIRABLE SKILLS: THREE SWORD STYLE (IMPROVED STANCES), A BOTTLE OF FUTURE-FAVORITE BOOZE (PERMANENT COPY AVAILABLE)]

"Fifteen percent hate. Success! I'm still annoying him. And 'Permanent Copy of Future-Favorite Booze'! Yes! Now I have an endless supply of stress relief. This system truly understands my needs. 'Improved Stances' for Zoro. Maybe he'll actually learn to use those wooden swords now. Or just get really, really frustrated."

Zoro snatched the wooden swords, grumbling under his breath. "You're lucky I'm injured, Adam. Otherwise, I'd make you eat these."

"Oh, I wouldn't recommend it," Adam said cheerfully. "They're probably full of splinters. And a faint scent of my hopes and dreams, which I occasionally imbue them with for extra motivational power."

The small rowboat, propelled by Luffy's boundless energy and Sanji's powerful kicks (and Zoro's reluctant, wooden-sword-wielding efforts), cut through the waves. Adam sat back, watching the horizon, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Arlong Park, here we come. Get ready, fish-face. Because the Straw Hat Pirates are about to bring a whole new level of chaos to your little aquatic kingdom. And I, your humble Vice-Captain, am going to make sure you remember my name. Probably because it will be associated with every annoying, infuriating, and utterly brilliant prank that comes your way. This is going to be fun."

He knew the true depth of Nami's pain, the tattoo on her arm, the years of slavery. He would not let Arlong win. He would ensure that Nami's "Like" meter for him soared, not just because he was funny, but because he would help free her. And if he had to make Arlong want to pull his own teeth out in frustration to do it, then so be it. That's what Vice-Captains were for.

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