BOOM!!!
A crimson cannonball suddenly tore through the sky, striking the deck of the Black Cat Pirates' ship with pinpoint accuracy—then detonating in a violent explosion!!!
Terrifying flames instantly swallowed up the unfortunate pirates nearby and rapidly spread across the deck.
The pirate ship split apart from the middle.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!!—"
Only now did the Black Cat Pirates belatedly realize what was happening, erupting into panicked shouts.
With the help of several crewmates, Jango crawled out of the wreckage.
"Who did this!?"
Already irritated by his subordinates' disobedience, his fury now burned even hotter as he glared out toward the sea.
Then—
A sight so shocking that his glasses slipped straight off his face appeared before him.
On the vast, tranquil ocean, an enormous wave—over ten meters high—had inexplicably risen, surging straight toward them.
And right at the center of that colossal wave, a ship-shaped silhouette rode the swell like a surfer, rapidly closing in!
"This is the correct way to use Surf!!!"
On the Going Merry, Red controlled the massive wave propelling the ship forward while shouting into the cabin:
"Usopp! Fire another shot! Let them see how strong you and the Merry really are!!!"
"Leave it to me!!!"
Inside the cannon room, Usopp replied instantly, precision goggles already strapped to his head.
Fresh off his previous shot and brimming with confidence, he barely aimed—only adjusting the barrel slightly based on the Merry's speed and the wave's rhythm.
Clatter…
A cannonball painted with a ridiculous clown face dropped into the barrel, the sound almost mocking the enemy's miserable fate.
The fuse hissed, like a final requiem for the doomed.
A few seconds later—
BOOM!!!
Endless fire erupted from the cannon, descending like divine punishment upon the Black Cat Pirates' ship!
With just two cannonballs, their vessel had already become a living hell.
Dozens of pirates wailed in agony as flames devoured them.
Yet their companions were too busy jumping into the sea to save themselves, fleeing the blaze without a thought for the screaming victims.
Lucky enough to avoid the second blast, Jango stood atop the highest platform and roared himself hoarse:
"Damn it! Where are our gunners?!"
"Fire back! Return fire!!!"
"It's no good, Captain Jango!"
A bulky pirate wearing cat ears ran up to him, reporting miserably.
"They're too far away, and with waves this big, we can't aim at all!"
"Then how the hell are they hitting us every time!?" Jango screamed.
The gunner looked like he was about to cry. "I—I have no idea!!!"
Another cat-eared pirate rushed over in panic.
"Captain, we have to run! The lifeboats are ready!"
"If we stay any longer, this ship is going to sink!"
"Damn it!" Jango slammed the railing in impotent rage—but in the end, he listened and fled with his remaining men toward the lifeboats.
On the Going Merry.
Nami peered through her binoculars and immediately reported:
"I see Hypnotist Jango! He's got a bounty of nine million Beli!!!"
"Wait—!"
"The Cat Brothers are there too! They're worth seven million!"
"Usopp, you idiot! You hit their treasure room!"
Seeing the Cat Brothers desperately trying to put out the fire in the treasure room, Nami dropped the binoculars and shouted angrily.
After all—
That was her money!!!
"Red! Hurry! Speed up!"
"Use your waves to put out the fire in the treasure room!"
"I told you—one cannon shot was enough! Leave the rest to me!"
"If any treasure gets destroyed, I'm docking it from your allowance, Usopp!!!"
Unable to kick her money-grubbing habits, Nami leapt down from the crow's nest and rushed to the bow, standing on tiptoe to stare ahead.
She looked ready to fly over herself just to help extinguish the flames.
"Huh!?" Usopp froze as he stepped out of the cabin, immediately turning to the ship's captain and vice-captain for justice.
What he saw instead was Luffy—drained by the deluge of seawater—slumped limply on the chair Red had dubbed the [Void Throne], staring at the sky as if struck by sudden enlightenment.
Meanwhile, Vice-Captain Red was gesturing animatedly at the towering waves with Zoro, apparently discussing something incredibly profound.
Snippets like "Water Breathing" and "water flow patterns" drifted over.
Usopp didn't understand a word—but he understood one thing perfectly:
No one cared if he lost his allowance.
"…Damn it!!!"
Furious, Usopp realized the truth—if you want something done, do it yourself!
He rushed back into the cabin.
Moments later, he shoved a crudely assembled giant slingshot onto the deck, cobbled together from training equipment and massive elastic bands.
Along with it came an enormous, round water balloon sloshing with liquid, wobbling heavily like an absurd oversized milk jug.
Mounting the slingshot at the bow, Usopp placed the water balloon into the elastic, gritting his teeth as he pulled it back.
Once it was stretched to its limit, he put his goggles back on, closed one eye, and began calculating:
"Distance correction… wind speed correction… elevation correction…"
"…OK! Calibration complete!"
For the sake of having enough allowance to buy more materials and build even more gear, Usopp shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Nami! I'll put out the fire for you!"
"I don't owe you anything now! My allowance better not be short!!!"
The massive water balloon flew through the air, arcing cleanly toward the Black Cat Pirates' ship and landing squarely in the burning treasure room.
Splash—!
The balloon burst, dumping a torrent of water from above.
The flames were extinguished instantly—along with thoroughly drenching the Cat Brothers.
"…Mm. Not bad," Nami said with satisfaction, nodding. "Since this is your first offense, I'll let you off this time!"
Sure, some things might get wet—but that was far better than being reduced to ashes.
The waves surged violently!
As the wreckage drew ever closer, Nami slowly drew out her three-segment staff, lightning glinting in her eyes.
Spinning it once in midair, she stepped onto the railing and leapt forward.
"Zippy Zap!!!"
Crackle—!
Brilliant arcs of electricity gathered around her legs.
The next instant—
She shot forward, landing lightly on a piece of floating debris.
With the speed granted by Zippy Zap, Nami danced across the water like a nimble sprite.
In moments, she reached a pirate struggling in the sea.
Her gaze hardened.
She already disliked pirates, and knowing these men had planned to rob Kaya—who had given them a ship and supplies—only sealed their fate.
Lightning flared between her hands, channeled through her staff in its combined long-stick form, aimed directly at the pirate's head.
"Buzzy Buzz!"
Zzzzt…!
A tennis-ball-sized sphere of lightning shot from the tip of the staff and struck the pirate square on the head.
"AAAAAH!!!"
He screamed once before his body stiffened—then sank straight into the depths.
And that was only the beginning.
Nami continued forward, generously "rewarding" every drowning pirate she passed with a glowing lightning sphere, sending them off to explore the mysteries of the deep sea.
After barely ten minutes, she reached the steadily sinking remains of the Black Cat Pirates' ship, her eyes locking onto the treasure room.
By now, the Black Cat Pirates were either dead or gone.
The only ones still capable of fighting were the two completely soaked Cat Brothers.
Seeing Nami approach, they snarled fiercely.
"Damn brat! Who are you!? Why are you attacking us?!"
They raised their sharp claws threateningly.
But Nami—hardened by countless battles against Pokémon—felt no fear.
And influenced by Red, she had already developed the habit of striking first.
"Heh~ Since when do pirates need a reason to fight?"
She glanced at the puddles left behind by Usopp and flashed a mischievous smile.
"Just a friendly reminder—water conducts electricity~"
As she spoke, she planted her staff into the water, lightning crackling around her.
"Buzzy Buzz!!!"
CRACK—!!!
Violent electricity surged through the metal staff and scattered water, racing like a feral serpent straight to the Cat Brothers' feet.
"AAAAAA—!!!"
Level 18 Nami—Special Attack already a staggering 72!
The terrifying lightning tore through their bodies, sparks dancing wildly across them.
But it wasn't over yet.
Before they could fully lose the ability to fight, Nami quickly pressed her hands to her forehead.
In an instant!
Enticing golden light flashed.
A massive phantom gold coin flew out and slammed into the Cat Brothers.
It shattered, scattering dozens of 100-Beli coins onto the deck.
"Red wasn't lying!!!"
Nami's eyes were instantly filled with gold.
She'd used this move countless times in the game world to help Red farm money—but this was her first time using it against enemies in the real pirate world.
And it actually worked.
Money… from thin air.
The Pokémon world was truly amazing!
Though one use of Pay Day only dropped about a thousand Beli, every bit added up.
And the amount would increase as her level rose!!!
Her spirits soared, power surging through her body.
"Pay Day!"
"AAAAH—!"
"Pay Day!"
"AAAAH—!"
"…"
"…!"
For a time, the deck echoed with Nami's excited shouts—and the Cat Brothers' miserable screams.
(End of Chapter)