A night passed since Hachi leapt off the ship.
As expected, he didn't return quickly.
His crewmates, understanding his nature, weren't overly worried but found it a hassle. Could he even find the moving ship?
Though not speeding, the ship kept sailing, except at night.
Could he track it down? They wondered.
Chuu and Kuroobi, arms crossed, gazed at the sea from the deck, grimacing.
"Has Hachi ever done well alone?" Kuroobi asked.
"Chuu! Can't think of a single time," Chuu replied.
"Should've sent someone with him. Wouldn't have taken this long. Why do we worry about him getting lost at his age?"
"Chuu! Exactly."
Both stern-faced, they watched the sea, waiting.
Meanwhile, Arlong had awakened. Still bandaged, he forced himself from bed to a deck chair, his face as stern as ever.
They'd reported Hachi's absence. Was he angry?
That added to their annoyance.
They wished he'd return soon.
Then, a crewmate with binoculars shouted.
"Ship spotted!"
"Tch, now?" Kuroobi muttered.
"Pirates?" Chuu asked.
"No, it's weird… I see our flag. Am I imagining it?"
Only the lookout saw it, on the opposite side from Chuu and Kuroobi. They rushed over, questioning him.
He claimed someone else was flying Arlong's flag.
Impossible. If true, it was disrespectful—mocking, even.
Some glanced at Arlong, who remained expressionless.
A ship with their flag meant a fight. Everyone braced.
But another shout changed that.
Looking closely, someone waved from the ship, signaling not to attack. It was Hachi.
The lookout yelled, relieving the crew, though Arlong stayed stone-faced.
"Hachi's on that ship! That's why it's our flag!"
"Hachi? Where'd he get a ship?" Kuroobi asked.
"No clue. But it's definitely him," the lookout said.
More observations followed.
"There's a mermaid too. And… a starfish?" the lookout added.
"Mermaid and starfish? What's he picking up?" Kuroobi muttered.
"A ship's one thing, but what use are they? Chuu!" Chuu scoffed.
Both sighed.
As childhood friends, they couldn't predict Hachi's actions or their meaning.
The crew buzzed, speculating wildly.
"Mermaid and starfish? He's not eating them, right?"
"No way. That's gross to think about."
"Then what? Pets?"
"Maybe he's getting married…"
"Hachi? Impossible."
As they debated, the ship neared.
Unable to figure it out, they decided to wait.
A strange ship approached, sails reading "Takoyaki 8."
Bearing Arlong's and Straw Hat's marks, it didn't look like a pirate ship. A takoyaki stand adorned the bow, clearly a merchant vessel.
A pirate flag on it seemed absurd.
The crew watched, conflicted.
The ship pulled alongside.
Hachi waved from its deck, flanked by Keimi and Pappag.
They waved back awkwardly as Hachi boarded.
"Nyuu~ I'm back, everyone! Sorry I'm late."
"Where were you?" Kuroobi asked.
"Took long enough. Arlong-san's awake," Chuu said.
"Nyuu~ Arlong-san! Your wounds okay?"
"Yeah…" Arlong grunted.
Hachi beamed at Arlong's presence, but Arlong's sour expression and curt reply suggested anger.
Undeterred, Hachi, grinning, addressed everyone.
"Took a while, but I found something good. Eat up!"
"Takoyaki, right?" Kuroobi guessed.
"Nyuu~ Good guess!"
"It's written all over the ship… Where'd you get it?" Chuu asked.
"Helped some catfish; they gave it as thanks. Took it since they offered."
"Fine. I don't get it, but it's for Arlong-san, right?" Kuroobi said.
"Yup!"
"Do what you want. No guarantees, but I won't stop you," Kuroobi sighed.
Hachi nodded, taking a fresh takoyaki pack from Keimi and approaching Arlong.
"Arlong-san, I found legendary takoyaki. I made it, but the ingredients and sauce are legendary. Try it."
Arlong sat silent, unmoving.
Hachi stood before him, offering the pack. Arlong glanced at it, then up at him.
Smiling, Hachi pressed, "Bet you'll love it. Try it?"
"Hmph…"
Arlong snatched the pack, opened it, and stabbed a takoyaki with a toothpick.
He popped it in, chewing. Still hot, it was surprisingly good. Worthy of "legendary."
He ate silently, neither praising nor criticizing, just moving the toothpick.
The crew watched nervously, but Hachi grinned, unworried. Arlong's eating was answer enough.
All eight takoyaki were gone, the empty pack returned.
Arlong exhaled deeply, leaning back.
"Not bad," he muttered.
"Nyuu~ Gotta keep improving!" Hachi laughed, thrilled.
No disaster. The crew exhaled, relieved.
Arlong's recent grumpiness and rare smiles had them worried, but he was still kind to his kin.
Hachi's goal was met.
Now for the crew. Prepared, Hachi turned.
"Got enough for everyone! Dig in!"
"We'll hand them out! 500 Berries each!" Keimi chirped.
"What, a business!?" Chuu exclaimed.
"Eek! My mistake!" Keimi squeaked.
Keimi and Pappag, from Hachi's ship, began distributing packs.
As a mermaid, Keimi couldn't walk. She used coral to create a bubble ring, floating through it, kicking her tail to move on land.
Floating, she handed out packs.
Pappag carried more from their ship.
Hachi, ensuring enough, made more, livening the deck.
Chuu and Kuroobi took packs, eating despite the odd pace.
"Tasty…" Kuroobi said.
"Chuu! Wasn't Hachi's dream to be a takoyaki chef?" Chuu recalled.
"Guess it came true. What was he doing out there?"
"At least nothing bad happened."
Chuu glanced at Arlong, resting with closed eyes, calm.
Hachi's carefree nature could be a hassle, but his kindness softened the mood.
The takoyaki likely eased Arlong's tension.
Silently, the childhood friends praised Hachi.
"Arlong-san can finally rest. Chuu!"
"But we've got two weirdos now," Kuroobi noted.
"Huh? This is a pirate ship!? Hachi's a pirate!?" Keimi gasped.
"Oh! Arlong's that infamous Fishman Island thug!" Pappag realized.
"Nyuu~ Didn't I mention?" Hachi said.
Only after distributing takoyaki did Keimi and Pappag notice the pirate flag.
Who were they? Could their cluelessness handle sticking around?
"Whatever. Hachi's our savior," Keimi said.
"Keimi, is that safe? Feels like trouble…" Pappag worried.
"Really?"
"You two joining us?" Hachi asked.
"Yup! Gotta repay Hachi and help with the shop," Keimi said.
"Nyuu~ Thanks!"
Their casual chat felt off.
Chuu and Kuroobi sighed, gave up thinking, and ate.
Hachi's takoyaki brought unwonted liveliness.
Tense days of fighting, hunting bounties, and stealing flags had dominated.
Today was different—calm, peaceful.
The crew ate, chatted, and smiled more than usual.
Arlong, eyes closed, listened quietly. He didn't join in, but his face softened, resting rare.
Not a bad moment.
His fatigue seemed to melt, breathing steady.
Time passed gently.
Then, Arlong's eyes snapped open.
A News Coo approached.
"A News Coo at this hour…?" he muttered.
"Odd. Not morning or evening," Kuroobi replied, approaching.
"It's not World Economic. Blueberry Times," he noted.
Not the white-feathered World Economic News Coo, but a blue-feathered one, striking against the sky.
Wearing a blue hat, carrying a bag, it lacked newspapers.
Something was off.
Not here for delivery.
It landed on the railing. Chuu approached, not shooing it.
The Coo opened its bag, handing him a letter and an Eternal Pose, then flew off without payment.
"What's this…? Arlong-san, a letter from Blueberry Times," Chuu said.
"Read it," Arlong ordered, staring ahead.
Chuu opened it, reading aloud.
"Dear Pirates, if you're reading this, you're invited to the Pirate Festival—"
The letter's contents were clear.
Not a typical delivery.
It was an invitation to a Pirate Festival.
-------------------------------
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