"Alright, let's hear it. Who are these two?" Meiser placed the ingredients on the deck and glanced at Pappag and Camie. "If I'm not mistaken, that girl should be a mermaid, right?"
As he spoke, Meiser studied the two of them. It was obvious that they were covered in blood...
Hmm?
Covered in blood?
Could it be from when I made the Sea Kings spit blood? Did they get vomited out along with it?
Were these two just eaten?
At this thought, Meiser's expression turned peculiar.
"I'm sorry!"
"Huh?!"
Pappag stared at Camie in shock. Why was she apologizing?
Meiser: "..."
Meiser looked at Camie speechlessly. He couldn't help but feel like this girl was an idiot.
"Robin?"
"They just flew out of the sea beast's mouth," Nico Robin explained.
As she spoke, Robin pointed to the carcass of the sea beast nearby, which made Meiser realize where the blood on them had come from.
Just as he thought—they had indeed been spat out along with the sea beast's blood.
"That's right. Thank you so much for saving us," Camie said. "Otherwise, we would've been digested by the sea beast."
"Actually, I get eaten by sea beasts pretty often. This must be about the twentieth time now."
Meiser: ???
This girl really is an idiot, isn't she? Getting eaten over twenty times—what kind of nonsense is that?
How has she even survived until now?
To not get fully digested by the Sea Kings—her luck is seriously something else.
Could it be... that fortune favors fools?
With this in mind, Meiser's gaze toward Camie grew complicated.
"Meat... meat..."
Meiser glanced at Luffy, who was drooling in front of the Sea King meat, and said, "Sanji, I'll leave this meat to you."
"Ah~"
"No problem!"
Sanji, lying on the ground, weakly raised his hand in response.
"What's wrong with him...?"
"Don't mind him. Let him die," Zoro said dismissively.
"What did you say?!"
As if triggered, Sanji sprang up instantly and started brawling with Zoro.
Pappag: ???
"Wh-why are they fighting?!"
"Ah, don't worry about them," Nami said. "More importantly, I want to know what happened with you two. Why did the sea beast swallow you?"
"If I remember correctly, mermaids swim faster than sea beasts in the water, right?"
"How do you know that?" Meiser asked, surprised.
"Kokoro is a mermaid, you know. Back then, she carried Sanji and Zoro out of the water, or else they would've drowned."
"Crack—"
The moment those words were spoken, Sanji and Zoro's bodies stiffened as if struck by lightning.
"Kokoro..."
Zoro's expression darkened as memories from the past surfaced in his mind, though he quickly forced them back down.
"Mmm—yeah, this is my first time seeing a mermaid," Zoro muttered.
Meanwhile, Sanji looked as if he had suffered a devastating blow, his entire body turning gray as he collapsed limply to the ground.
"Why do you have to remind me of such a terrifying thing?" Sanji said with a pained expression. "Compared to that memory, even Thriller Bark seems tame..."
"How rude of you!"
"Thwack!"
"Thwack!"
Nami, looking thoroughly displeased, kicked both Sanji and Zoro simultaneously while scolding, "You two idiots should properly thank Granny Kokoro for saving your lives!"
"Thank you, Granny Kokoro..."
"Hmph."
Nami snorted, too annoyed to bother with the two any longer.
"Granny Kokoro is a mermaid?" Merry asked in confusion.
"Come to think of it, I didn't know either..."
Luffy also looked puzzled. When did the monster granny become a mermaid?
"It's normal you wouldn't know," Usopp explained. "After all... neither of you were present at the time."
One was locked in a life-or-death battle with Rob Lucci, while the other hadn't even arrived at Enies Lobby yet. Naturally, they wouldn't know about Granny Kokoro's situation.
"Oh... I see."
Luffy nodded as if suddenly enlightened, but then his face scrunched up at the thought of Granny Kokoro being a mermaid.
"Thwack!"
"You idiot, why are you acting like them too!"
Nami kicked Luffy aside, her expression dark with irritation.
"Yohohoho, this is my first time meeting a mermaid," Brook chuckled as he crouched before Camie. "Miss Mermaid... could you lend me... lend me some money?"
Meiser: ...
This guy definitely wanted to ask to see her panties but changed his tune since she doesn't have legs.
"You bastard, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
Sanji, now fully recovered, delivered a flying kick that sent Brook sprawling.
"Eek!"
"A talking skeleton!"
"See what you've done? You scared her!"
"Yohohoho~" Brook cheerfully shuffled back over, lifting his skullcap. "Look, my head even opens~ Isn't that interesting?"
To everyone's surprise, Camie wasn't frightened this time. Instead, she clapped excitedly.
"So cool!"
"Her adaptability is seriously impressive..."
"More like airheaded," Meiser muttered.
Otherwise, she wouldn't keep getting swallowed by sea monsters so often. After all... mermaids can swim faster than those creatures.
"Hey, can you—"
"You moron, what kind of question is that?!"
Sanji kicked Luffy mid-sentence, shark teeth bared as he roared, "Show some respect to the lady, you idiot!"
"Ah, I have—"
"Damn it, don't answer that!"
"Hahahaha."
Nami facepalmed at Sanji's antics, utterly speechless.
"More importantly, I'm curious about that talking starfish."
Meiser glanced at Pappag, who was trying to hide in a corner. "No use hiding—your starfish feet are sticking out."
His hiding technique was oddly similar to Chopper's.
Pappag: ...
"Ahaha, hello everyone~"
As Pappag sheepishly returned, Meiser asked, "Wait, are you a mermaid too?"
"How could that be? Only a lady like her is a real mermaid!"
Seeing Sanji's excited face, Meiser broke out in a cold sweat.
Seriously, was there any need to get so worked up...?
"Pappag isn't a mermaid," Camie explained. "He's a starfish—my pet and also my teacher."
"Pet... and teacher?"
How did those two even go together?
"Then why can he talk?"
"Because I grew up thinking I was human, so I learned to speak."
Meiser: ...
What kind of bizarre phenomenon was this? Just because he thought he was human, he could learn to talk?
But then again, considering the existence of something as miraculous as Devil Fruits in these seas, Meiser quickly let it go.
Fair enough. If Devil Fruits existed, a talking starfish was nothing special.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself," Camie said. "I'm Camie, a Kissing Fish Mermaid."
"And this is Pappag~"
"Yo, nice to meet you all~"
Pappag grinned, pulling out a guitar from who-knows-where and immediately started strumming while singing something incomprehensible.
Meiser twitched. "Where did that guitar even come from?"
"Camie!!"
Sanji turned to her eagerly. "Kissing Fish Mermaids... do they like to... kiss...?"
BAM!
"Shut your mouth, you idiot!"
As Sanji leaned in, Nami punched him square in the head, sending him crashing to the ground so hard he nearly blacked out.
"Sc... scary..."
Pappag shuddered, nearly snapping a guitar string.
But no one else batted an eye—after all, aside from Merry and Robin, everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates had been on the receiving end of Nami's fists at some point.
"So, how are you both her teacher and her pet?"
"I made her adopt me," Pappag said, putting away his guitar.
"That's right! Pappag is amazing!" Camie chimed in. "On Fish-Man Island, he's a super famous fashion designer."
As she spoke, she pointed to the T-shirt she was wearing. "This brand was designed by him—it's really popular back home."
"So... you apprenticed under him to become a fashion designer?"
"Yep!" Camie beamed. "One day, I want to become a great fashion designer too!"
"You can do it, Camie! I believe in you!"
Sanji immediately scrambled up, eyes shining with enthusiasm. "You'll definitely become an amazing designer!"
"Really? Thank you!"
"Don't mention it~"
Sanji, now basking in Camie's gratitude, started wiggling around with exaggerated excitement.
"Oh! To thank you for saving us, how about I treat you all to takoyaki?"
"Takoyaki?!" Luffy gasped. "Really?!"
"Mhm!"
"That'll be 500 Berries per person~"
Luffy: ...
Luffy stared at Camie in disbelief. Weren't they supposed to be thanking them? Why were they being charged?
"Idiot!"
Pappag smacked Camie on the head. "You think this is a business deal?!"
"Ah! Sorry, I got mixed up..."
Looking at Camie's flustered face, Meiser covered his own face with his hand.
Definitely confirmed—this girl was a total airhead, and the particularly silly kind at that.
"Sorry everyone, this one's on the house."
"Alright!"
"Let's go eat takoyaki then!" Luffy cheered excitedly.
"But what about this Sea King?" Meiser pointed at the massive sea beast meat on the deck, then gestured toward the enormous Sea King floating in the water nearby.
Wouldn't it be a waste if they didn't eat it?
"We can just eat it tonight," Luffy said with a toothy grin. "That's fine, right Sanji?"
"Yeah, no problem."
Having returned to his normal self, Sanji stood up and lit a cigarette. "Eating it tonight works. Sea Kings are special—they don't lose freshness easily."
After processing the Sea King meat on deck, storing it wouldn't be an issue at all.
As for the one in the water...
Sanji eyed the Sea King and stroked his chin. "Meiser, can your Sealing Scroll store this big guy?"
"It can, but storage-type Sealing Scrolls don't stop time inside. The meat will still spoil if left too long."
"No worries. With Luffy's appetite, it'll be gone in no time."
"Got it." Meiser nodded. "Can you cut it up?"
"Sure, just don't damage the organs—that affects the flavor," Sanji replied. "You might as well drain the blood while you're at it."
Meiser acknowledged this and headed toward the ship's side.
Camie and Pappag watched Meiser's retreating figure in confusion, not understanding what the two men were discussing.
Oh well. Might as well contact Hachi first.
"Dealing with something this huge is such a hassle," Meiser muttered as he stepped onto the water's surface, rubbing his chin.
Shing!
Drawing his Grass Sword, Meiser channeled Wind Attribute Chakra into the blade while circling the sea beast, searching for the best spots to cut.
"Hmm... gotta avoid the organs, or the flavor will be ruined..."
"Gale Slash!"
Shing!
Shing!
Two Flying Slashes shot out, cleanly slicing the enormous sea beast into three sections—perfectly avoiding its internal organs.
"Yep, I'm definitely a genius," Meiser chuckled.
Afterward, he used a Water Release Technique to wash away the beast's organs and excess blood, flushing it all into the ocean.
Finally, he took out a Sealing Scroll and stored the meat inside.
Poof!
A puff of white smoke later, the scroll shrank back to its original size, which Meiser then tucked into his Ninja Tool Pouch.
"Not a good place to linger..."
Standing on the water's surface, Meiser glanced down at the sea below.
The area had turned crimson from the Sea King's blood. It wouldn't be long before more Sea Kings were drawn here.
Though he wasn't afraid of them, slaughtering too many would be pointless and waste Chakra. Best to leave quickly.
With that thought, Meiser sheathed his Grass Sword and returned to the ship.
"Huh?"
"Why do you all look so serious?" Meiser asked, puzzled.
Glancing at his crewmates' expressions, Meiser turned to Camie and noticed the young girl holding a Den Den Mushi... Was this the reason?
"Camie's friend has been captured."
"Dammit, my takoyaki!"
Seeing Luffy still thinking about food, Sanji bared his shark-like teeth and roared: "Is this really the time to worry about takoyaki?!"
Couldn't you at least consider other people's feelings, you bastard?!
"Captured?"
Meiser paused, then his expression darkened.
Nami's words made Meiser consider one possibility - that Camie's friend might have been captured as an ornamental fish.
After all... she's a mermaid!
"I'm sorry, Luffy dear..." Camie said apologetically. "The takoyaki will have to wait until next time. I need to go save my friend first."
"Ah... next time then..."
"Hey!"
Looking at Luffy's disappointed face, Sanji didn't even know what to say anymore.
"You're going to rescue them?" Meiser examined Camie with a complicated expression. "Are you sure?"
A mermaid who's been eaten by sea creatures over twenty times underwater... does she really have the capability to save someone?
Wouldn't she just be delivering herself as another meal?
"This is a trap," Nico Robin stated.
From the current situation, it seemed the perpetrators were specifically trying to lure this mermaid into coming to the rescue.
Going alone... would most likely result in her being captured too.
"Even if it's a trap, I'm still going!!"
Seeing the absolute determination on Camie's face, the crew's expressions shifted, clearly surprised by the young girl's resolve.
"In that case..." Nami stepped forward, looking at Camie. "Camie, as a mermaid, you must know how to get to Fish-Man Island, right?"
"Yes!"
"Good." Nami smiled. "Tell us how to get to Fish-Man Island, and in exchange, we'll help you rescue your friend. How about that?"
"Eh?!"
"Really, Nami dear?!"
Camie stared at Nami in shock, never expecting them to offer help.
After all, they'd only just met for the first time...
"It's okay, right Luffy?"
"Yeah, sure." Luffy grinned widely, showing his teeth.
Not just because he thought Camie was a good person, but more importantly... they'd get directions to Fish-Man Island!
This was extremely important for the Straw Hat Pirates.
"That's wonderful, thank you all!" Camie said excitedly. "After we rescue them, we'll treat you to takoyaki!"
"'We'?"
"Ah, the person we're rescuing is the owner of the takoyaki shop." Camie explained. "I work at his place."
"His takoyaki is the absolute best in the world!"
As she spoke, Camie spread her arms in an exaggerated gesture, as if this could properly convey just how delicious his takoyaki was.
"Then..."
"This is serious business!!" Luffy interrupted Nami excitedly. "Those damn bastards actually dared to steal my takoyaki..."
"Listen up crew! Even if it costs us our lives, we must save that takoyaki!"
"YEAH!"
"Takoyaki!"
"Takoyaki!"
Watching her companions with their arms around each other's shoulders, Nami smiled and then turned to Camie, saying, "Let's go. Tell me where that place is, and we'll set off to help you rescue them."
Camie nodded, then noticed the change in the sea and gasped in shock. "Huh?!"
"Where did that sea beast go just now?"
"I put it away."
"P-Put it away?!"
Camie stared at Meiser in disbelief, her eyes wide with astonishment.
So what they said earlier was true? They really could put away a sea beast?
Th-this... this is amazing!
"That's incredible! How did you do that?"
"Because... I'm a Ninja~"
Camie blinked at Meiser, clearly unfamiliar with the term, but Pappag's expression turned to shock.
"You're actually a Ninja?!"
"Pappag knows about them?"
"They're legendary figures that only exist in picture books..." Pappag gulped. "I never thought I'd meet a real one in person."
"That amazing?!" Camie gasped.
A legendary Ninja?
Anyone bearing the word "legendary" in their title couldn't be ordinary.
At that moment, Meiser's image in Camie's eyes grew taller and more imposing.
"Mr. Ninja!" Pappag exclaimed excitedly. "After we reach Fish-Man Island, you must visit my shop!"
Seeing Pappag's enthusiasm, Meiser chuckled. "Sure, I'll take you up on that offer then."
"You're too kind!"
"Seems Meiser is even more popular than we imagined~" Nami laughed.
"Well, he is a Ninja after all."
Nico Robin and Nami exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
Ninjas... they really did have a devastating effect on men.
"We can talk about visiting later. First, take us to rescue them."
"Right!"
Meanwhile, at the Flying Fish Riders' hideout...
"Damn those Straw Hat Pirates!!"
"Damn that Black Leg Sanji!!"
Seated in his chair, Duval clutched Sanji's Wanted Poster, veins bulging on his arms.
If it weren't for that Black Leg Sanji, would he have been hunted by the Marines and bounty hunters?
Back in the day, he was just a small-time thug in his village!
But because he looked exactly like the man on the Wanted Poster, he was mistaken for Black Leg Sanji and chased halfway across the sea.
If he hadn't thought to cover his face, he might've been killed by now!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
"Bang!"
He smashed his fist through a nearby wooden plank, his face twisted with rage.
Seeing their boss in such a state, the others sighed quietly. What could they do? Their boss was just unlucky.
Just then, Macro approached with Hachi in tow, wearing an ingratiating smile.
"Lord Duval, I bring good news," Macro said, leaning in. "We used this Fish-Man as bait and managed to lure that mermaid."
"It won't be long before she comes to us."
As he spoke, Macro shoved Hachi forward in front of Duval.
"The mermaid..."
Duval glanced at Macro and said, "Speaking of which, you're a fish-man too, aren't you?"
"But that doesn't stop us from doing this kind of thing, right?"
Macro chuckled darkly, seeing nothing wrong with his actions.
After all, they were doing it for money—naturally they'd catch the most valuable goods!
"Hmph." Duval sneered, then waved his hand and said, "You lot, go check out the situation."
"Yes!"
After watching his subordinates leave, Duval once again retreated into his own thoughts.
"That damn Black Leg Sanji!!"
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