Kapitel 17: Chapter 17
Under the radiant sunlight, Seph reclined on a beach chair by the swimming pool aboard the Merry, clad only in black boxers. His well-defined abdominal and striking muscles gleamed under the sun's rays, casting a radiant aura around him.
His face was a canvas of varied expressions, shifting with each passing moment. Nami, donning an orange bikini and colorful sunglasses, approached him and settled down beside him.
"What's with all the different expressions? You're changing moods faster than I can keep up," she remarked, her tone curious.
Seph, slightly bemused, replied, "Are you actually paying so much attention to me?"
Nami blushed slightly at being called out, playfully swatting him with the newspapers in her hand.
"Answer the question," she insisted.
Chuckling, Seph explained, "I'm just observing the moon. Alien pirates seem to be invading, and my ears are tuned into the happenings in the East Blue. There's quite a bit of interesting news..."
Nami rolled her eyes at his response. Observing the moon and monitoring the East Blue?
"Stop showing off!" she retorted, feigning annoyance while stealing glances at his impressive physique.
Seph sighed inwardly, wondering why no one seemed to believe the truth these days.
"I'm not lying... Take, for example, your former captain Arlong. He called the mouse colonel to empty your coffers hidden under the tree in the backyard," he explained casually.
Nami's eyes widened in shock. "What?! How did you know I hid my... Wait, can you really monitor the East Blue?" she asked, a mix of surprise and disbelief evident in her tone.
"Damn Arlong! Damn marines! How dare they steal my hard-earned money!" Nami's voice crackled with anger, her body emanating an aura of intense hostility.
Seph, though not particularly fond of gossip, found himself addicted to the ability he had acquired. For instance, his ninja brigade of thieves had recently attracted attention, with various sections of the CP sending agents in black suits to investigate. The World Government's decision to forbid the Marines from intervening had even angered Smoker.
Later, he learned that some official had sought to gain promotion through this incident, but Seph couldn't help but laugh it off.
What intrigued him more was Dragon's interest in recruiting his ninjas,
He was quite eager to gain such steady source of funds.
In his musing, Seph couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at the thought of Dragon's dreamy ideas.
Despite being Luffy's father, Dragon's intentions didn't sit well with Seph, and he was disinclined to accept his offer. After all, Seph's feelings towards Dragon were lukewarm at best.
The East Blue has become a focal point for visitors and journalists alike, drawn by the far-reaching influence of its enigmatic Thieves' ninja. It's no surprise considering the tumultuous events that have unfolded; a kingdom, strapped for resources, resorted to desperate measures, turning their blades against their own impoverished citizens, igniting chaos in their wake. With pirates setting sail daily and revolutions simmering across the sea, the region is a cauldron of unrest.
In the midst of such turmoil, one might wonder where tranquility can still be found at sea. Even Seph, with his keen insight, couldn't have foreseen the devastating consequences of such actions, because he never thought that those ninjas would be so willful.
It's little wonder that figures like Dragon are eager to harness the power of these ninja, whose influence spans far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
As Seph pondered these thoughts, the air thick with Nami's escalating aura of danger, a familiar voice cut through their musings. Sanji, his legs hilariously lacking shadows, emerged before them, balancing a tray adorned with an array of juices and snacks.
"Nami-chan! Your refreshing juice awaits!" he declared with a touch of flirtatiousness, evoking a chuckle from Seph.
Truly, this guy was incorrigible.
After the fight concluded and Zeff extended an invitation to a feast, Sanji found himself subjected to brutal humiliation and ultimately ejected from the restaurant. This time, Zeff's actions were even harsher. Fortunately, the legendary farewell between them still transpired.
As a result, Sanji successfully joined their crew, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his journey.
Seph reached for a juice and some delicious snacks from the tray as he inquired, "Why are you still so weak? Didn't I administer the serum?"
Sanji's expression turned sheepish. "Um, well, Nami-chan requested some snacks, so I got sidetracked."
Seph rolled his eyes in exasperation. "This guy is utterly hopeless."
Suddenly, an enraged shout erupted from beside him, as she moved towards Merry's place.
"Merry-chan, pick up the pace! How dare you... How dare you consider taking my money!" Nami's voice rang out sharply.
"Roger!" came Merry's cheerful response, sounding both obedient and comfortable.
Seph shook his head in disbelief. "This guy is still fixated on that?"
With Nami's fervent command, the ship surged forward, propelled by newfound determination. The rest of the crew remained immersed in their arduous training, inspired by Zoro's intense battle with Hawkeye.
Just as Sanji was about to rush towards his room to inject the serum, Seph called out to him.
"Sanji, this serum isn't just about physical fitness. It can also enhance your innate talents."
Sanji's face paled in fear, but Seph continued, reassuringly.
"Don't be afraid. This serum will mitigate any dangers within your body and amplify your strengths. You'll gain an exoskeleton and superhuman abilities hidden within your blood, but your emotions will remain intact. Be brave..."
Sanji stared at Seph in astonishment. He hadn't expected Seph to know about his secret. He felt a deep sense of reverence towards Seph and chose to believe in his words.
After all, if he wasn't strong, even he would feel uneasy.
....
Cocoyasi village, Arlong Park.
In the heart of Cocoyasi village, within the imposing Arlong Park, Arlong sat comfortably upon his throne, his gaze piercing as he looked down upon Colonel Mouse.
"What do you mean by demanding an increase in the money tribute?" His voice remained eerily calm, yet Colonel Mouse could sense the underlying threat in his words.
Colonel Mouse's grin turned obscene as he replied, "You know as well as I do, those ninja thieves show no regard for the law. They've brought suffering to everyone in the East Blue."
Arlong's face darkened like ink, a testament to the pain he too had endured. "Damn it! How is it possible that no one has uncovered their identities until now?!" His frustration was palpable.
Colonel Mouse coughed, his tone hesitant yet 'resolute'. "That's precisely why I'm urging for an increase in funds. It'll be increasingly challenging to ensure your protection in the days to come."
Colonel Mouse, too, bore the scars inflicted by the lawless shadow ninjas, leaving him with no choice but to siphon wealth from Arlong for his own.
Though Colonel Mouse didn't elaborate further, the implication hung heavy in the air. Arlong struggled to contain his rage at the audacity of this contemptible human before him.
As Arlong teetered on the brink of unleashing his fury upon Colonel Mouse, hurried footsteps shattered the tense atmosphere.
"Boss Arlong! A pirate ship is approaching us!"
A glint of excitement flickered in Arlong's eyes. Pirates meant money, a resource he eagerly sought.
"Which pirate crew?" His tone was tinged with caution.
Despite his facade of dominance, especially in front of Nami, Arlong harbored a newfound wariness.
The ninja thieves who pilfered his treasures had humbled him, stripping away his arrogance and leaving behind a residue of fear.
The fish-man beside him raised his telescope for further inspection, and suddenly he exclaimed, "Boss, It's Nami!! She actually stole a very luxurious pirate ship and returned!!"
Upon hearing this, Arlong erupted with dominating laughter, momentarily forgetting his near-death struggle with the mouse.
He asked knowingly, "Colonel Mouse, is the deal still on?"
Colonel Mouse, displaying an unusual boldness, wasn't afraid of Arlong at all. He nodded happily, "Of course, our Marine duty is to crack down on all thieves. Nami may be forgiven, but the money should be confiscated," his tone laced with jest.
Even Arlong joined in the laughter, his amusement overshadowing any lingering tension.
Unbeknownst to them, Nami, who had used the wind to eavesdrop on their conversation, was already simmering with rage.
Seph, who was still enjoying his sunbath, suddenly reminded her, "Don't kill that Colonel Mouse... I need him for something. As for others, you can do whatever you want."
Nami was taken aback by Seph's directive, but she nodded in agreement. Even if she didn't kill the mouse, she vowed to administer a harsh lesson.
Seph's mind was filled with sign-in prompts, yet this time, there was no eye-catching reward. Murloc Karate, Breathing underwater, Energy cores, Sea kings' language, Ores, Money, treasures...
Each option held its own allure, but Seph sensed a shift in the winds of fate within the East Blue.
"It seems the luck of the East Blue is about to run out," he mused inwardly. "Perhaps only cumulative rewards can help me advance, but I'm not so eager to grow strong. With my power, journeying to outer space for a while to charge energy is just a matter of seconds. I hope the Grand Line's cumulative rewards will be substantial. I don't mind if the entire first part becomes an accumulative sign-in; the thought fills me with excitement."
As he contemplated the possibilities, Seph remained in anticipation for the next phase of his journey.
As for the gang of fishmen, their fate was undeniably tragic.
As Seph observed, Nami's control over the elements unleashed a thunderous barrage upon the sky, transforming it into a fearsome prison. In the next moment, the air was rent with the anguished cries of the Fishmen, their voices resonating with raw fear and desperation. With each crack of thunder reverberating through the heavens, a chorus of tragic howls echoed in response, painting a haunting tableau of suffering and despair.
"I didn't expect this young girl to harbor such sadistic urges... Torture is something I never anticipated from the adorable Nami," he remarked, his tone tinged with surprise and concern for the depths of darkness lurking within her.
"Hopefully, she can release all those negative emotions and return to her own cheerful self," Seph murmured, his thoughts echoing a sentiment of hope for Nami's eventual peace and happiness. After all, this girl suffered a lot.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein