Chapter 17 — Nightmare, It's Time to End
Looking into those clear, earnest eyes, for a fleeting moment, Nami wanted to take him and leave this place.
But she was already riding a tiger she couldn't dismount. At worst, she'd leave him some money later so he could make it home.
"What would you like to eat?"
Octopus Hachi asked with a cheerful grin.
"Didn't you say the takoyaki here is famous? Let's have that. And bring out your best alcohol as well!"
Jack put on a perfect 'I'm dumb and rich, come fleece me' act, causing the fishmen drinking nearby to snicker secretly.
Although he didn't get a direct response from Nami, he already understood how she was feeling.
The Arlong Pirates—let's erase them today.
Hachi shot him an 'you've got good taste' look and happily got to work making the takoyaki.
"Oh right, I still don't know your name."
After taking a very ladylike small sip of alcohol, Nami immediately and flawlessly acted out the shy, easily-drunken look. A born actress!
"My name's Jack. And you?"
Jack, on the other hand, took a big gulp. The taste was actually pretty good.
"My name is Nami. I'm a villager here. But I've always longed for life outside… Could you tell me your story? I want to know you better~"
As if she'd had a bit too much to drink, Nami suddenly leaned close, her breath like orchids as she whispered into his ear.
What a tormenting little enchantress!
Even though he knew perfectly well this was all an act, the ticklish sensation by his ear still made Jack's heart skip a beat.
So he began to act as well—like a complete fool desperate to prove to a woman just how powerful and rich he was.
"To be honest, everything we brought ashore could've been given to you for free! Our real haul is all still on the ship!"
Jack ordered another huge mug of beer, shouting excitedly.
"At the very least, it's worth over ten million berri!"
"If you want to see the world outside, I can take you with me!"
Oh no!
When Nami heard that there were goods worth over ten million berri still on his ship, she felt a flash of joy—followed immediately by deep regret.
Sure enough, the fishmen who had been watching the show instantly stopped talking and exchanged looks.
Nami also noticed that a fishman near the door pushed it open and left without a word. No need to guess—he was going to inform Arlong.
After all, Arlong's bounty was only twenty million berri. Even though that number didn't truly reflect his real strength, it still showed what ten million berri meant in the East Blue!
Nami forced a stiff smile. "I want to take a look at your ship. Is that okay?"
If Arlong stepped in, there would be nothing left for her. She had to grab the "treasure" before he did!
"Sure. You'll have plenty of time to look at it later."
Without another sip of alcohol or a bite of takoyaki, Jack casually tossed out a piece of gold—as if deliberately provoking the fishmen.
The atmosphere grew even stranger, the silence oppressive and terrifying.
Just as Nami grabbed his arm and prepared to leave, Hachi suddenly blocked their path.
"Where do you think you're going? Pay the bill before you leave."
"Didn't we already pay?!" Nami's face turned ugly.
"That little bit of money covers what, exactly? Two million berri. If you can't pay, then don't even think about leaving."
Several of Hachi's octopus arms waved sharp blades threateningly.
"Don't push it too far! I'm an officer too!"
"Hahaha! Save that talk for Arlong, boss!" Hachi sneered.
Nami's momentum collapsed instantly. Arlong was her nightmare. In front of him, she was nothing more than a tool—one that happened to be useful.
Seeing this, all the fishmen—including Hachi—burst into loud laughter.
That feeling of blatantly bullying someone who dared not resist—it was exhilarating!
Especially when used against the humans they despised the most!
Listening to the piercing laughter, Nami's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Just then, a warm, powerful embrace pulled her tightly into its arms.
"Your nightmare is about to end."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you—I'm a bounty hunter. And I'll claim Arlong's twenty-million-berri head."
"Just wait a moment. I still haven't seen what you look like when you're drunk."
After saying that, ignoring the extreme shock in Nami's eyes, Jack released her, instantly manifested the Infinity Gauntlet, and activated the Honey Badger Devil Fruit's hybrid form.
He wasn't entirely sure if this appearance would hurt his impression score, but to wipe out these suicidal fishmen as quickly as possible, he figured it wouldn't matter much.
What he didn't know was that Nami's focus wasn't on the fur and claws that suddenly grew on him at all.
What she was thinking was:
This guy is really rich! That glove—it's made of pure gold, right?!
Uh...
Completely unaware of Nami's thoughts, Jack launched straight into the attack after transforming!
The fishmen thought they'd caught a fat sheep—only to discover that behind the mask of prey was the scythe of death.
When Arlong arrived with his men, his expression changed instantly.
"Such a strong stench of blood… Something's wrong."
Before he could even go inside to check, a figure smashed through the wall with a loud bang and flew out.
It was Hachi—missing several arms, his body covered in wounds!
"Dev… Devil Fruit… ability user… very strong…"
After barely finishing those words, Hachi swallowed his last breath, unwilling to die.
From the moment he followed Arlong in persecuting humans, he should have known this day would come.
Arlong bared his teeth in rage, those terrifying fangs aimed at Jack and Nami as they walked out.
"Na! Mi! Very! Well!"
He spat out each word through clenched teeth.
"You actually dared to bring help! After I chop this guy into pieces, I'll come have a nice long talk with you!"
Arlong charged forward with his men. As a former member of the Sun Pirates, he knew exactly how troublesome Devil Fruit users were. At sea, fishmen ruled supreme—natural enemies of Devil Fruit users who couldn't swim!
But on land, that advantage wasn't nearly as obvious.
Seeing the hope in Nami's eyes, Jack smiled.
"Get the alcohol ready. After today, you won't have to live in fear anymore."
"Arlong isn't like those ordinary fishmen. He's very strong—be careful!"
No matter whether Jack could actually kill Arlong or not, at this moment, Nami had no choice but to bet on him.
Win—and the nightmare would vanish forever.
Lose… well, how much worse could it really get?