[Nojiko]: "Nami, are you really going to let him ink that tattoo?"
[Nami]: "Is there a problem, Nojiko?"
[Nojiko]: You must know, if you get that tattoo done, Arton may not be able to hold back.
[Nami]: It's fine. I'm already ntally prepared. In fact, if Carina hadn't always been blocking , I'd already have had Arton in my hands.
[Nojiko]: Nami, do you really like Arton? You don't need to go this far, you know. You and Arton have already saved Cocoyasi Village. From here, you could leave everything to if you like.
[Nami]: I know your intentions— you want to replace in pleasing Arton, right? But there's no need for you to do that. Although Arton is a bit of a flirt, I do quite like him.
[Nojiko]: …Really?
[Nami]: He saved and saved our village, so of course, I'm very grateful to him. Since he's attracted to , I'm willing to respond. Under those conditions, it's hardly surprising that I've gradually co to like him. As for you, you really don't have to butt in. Staying in Cocoyasi Village would've been perfectly fine for you.
[Nojiko]: Sorry— it's too late. With the Mirajane template I've obtained, I'm fated to go to sea with you. Hehe, in fact, I'm rather eager to see more of the outside world.
[Nami]: So that's how it is… so I've gained one more rival?
[Nojiko]: Maybe so.
Nojiko gave a small laugh, just about to suggest to Arton that she get a tattoo herself, when Carina opened the door and walked in. Behind her was Uta, her face red from drinking.
"Sorry—hope we're not disturbing you," Carina said with a bright smile, arms folded across her chest.
"It's you again," Nami muttered, pouting at Carina with a sowhat unfriendly look. She knew that with Carina appearing here, anything that might have happened next could well be ruined.
"Indeed it's ," Carina quipped back, flashing Nami a quick grin before turning to Arton.
"Arton, I've brought you news you may find interesting. Just now, a ssage ca from so other village—soone called Captain Nezumi seems to have arrived. Are you going to see him?"
Hearing this, Arton, Nami, Nojiko, and the others all froze. Captain Nezumi—the very Navy officer who'd once bombarded Arton's boat—was also an enemy of Nami and Nojiko. There was no way they wouldn't care about his presence. And it wasn't just them: the female Marines watching via the Diary Copies also frowned deeply. They knew Captain Nezumi had a Celestial Dragon with him. If Nezumi was on this island, that likely ant the Celestial Dragon had co as well.
anwhile, Smoothie, Cinnamon, and the other pirates acted like they were enjoying a show as the live video continued recording.
"Things are headed in a bad direction," Gion murmured darkly.
"Interesting," Smoothie said under her breath. "Looks like Arton is destined not to beco a Marine ally after all."
"Indeed… I might have to consider leaving the Marines to join Arton's crew," Ain thought, staring at Zephyr's back, her mind shadowed. But in the next mont, her face grew resolute.
"My life belongs to Master Zephyr; he saved . But if joining Arton's ranks could prevent Master Zephyr from eting that horrible fate… what's sacrificing my position in the Marines and becoming Arton's woman in comparison to that?!"
She clenched her teeth, determined.
…
"Captain Nezumi? You're sure, Carina?" Arton asked grimly, eyes flashing coldly.
"I'm certain," Carina replied. "People from another village spotted sothing unusual and ca to see if we could help. They also say there's a Celestial Dragon."
"Huh? A Celestial Dragon!"
This ti, Arton clearly froze, and the Diary Copy holders instantly erupted.
Boa Hancock: "A Celestial Dragon? Really—are they actually here? Will Arton kill him?"
Baccarat: "If Arton does kill a Celestial Dragon and I join his crew, we'll be hunted by the World Governnt, right? Hehe, oh well. Arton's certain to beco King of the World eventually, so even if they chase us for a ti, it doesn't matter."
Viola: "Arton knows this world's past and future, and he has imnse power and potential. Even if it briefly brings risk to Dressrosa, I absolutely must board Arton's ship."
Nico Robin: "I'm already wanted by the governnt, so joining Arton's team changes nothing for ."
Vivi: "If Arton really kills a Celestial Dragon, what will I do? But no, no matter what, I must get Arton's help. If necessary, I'll leave Alabasta behind…"
Smoothie: "Hoho, there's sothing bigger going on. This should be fun."
Madam Shyarly: "A Celestial Dragon, is it? The situation's about to escalate again."
Whitey Bay: "If Arton truly kills a Celestial Dragon, none of those female Marines can dream of recruiting him anymore."
Kalifa: "So at last, the situation's arrived at this point."
Koala: "I feel so excited all of a sudden!"
"A Celestial Dragon… presumably the one who ordered that cannon fire on , yes? Hehe, interesting indeed," Arton said. "I haven't even gone looking for them, yet they've co right to my door. Fantastic! I've been waiting too long for this."
He laughed, brimming with excitent.
"Nami, Nojiko, Uta, Kaya, Carina—get ready. We're leaving," he ordered in a grave tone. "Soon, I'll pay a visit to these Celestial Dragons. Once a Celestial Dragon is dead, the Navy and World Governnt will co after us soon enough. That ans we have to cut this banquet short."
All the won listened, nodding solemnly. Nami sprang upright and changed clothes at almost superhuman speed. As for that succubus tattoo, it could wait—right now, preparing to leave was top priority.
Arton glanced at his system interface and, after shutting off the video recording, took the lead and stepped outside.
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