Chapter 192 – Nojiko joins the competition? 

[Tia Harribel's template is undoubtedly extremely powerful. If someone could push it to its limit, they might even be called a "god." Speaking of which, in the game, Tia Harribel also has a Hogyoku mode. Under that form, every aspect of Harribel is enhanced. I wonder if whoever gets the Tia Harribel template in the future might gain the ability to transform into that Hogyoku mode…]

Cinnamon: "Tia Harribel's power can be upgraded even further?"

Gion: "Her power was already like a natural disaster. If it can advance beyond that…a true god, huh?"

Smoothie: "Amazing! Simply amazing! I'm not sure what Hogyoku mode is like, but as long as I can earn enough points from Arton, I'm sure that form could be unlocked."

[Well, enough about Hogyoku mode for now. Since Tia Harribel's template isn't finding a suitable user… Smoothie is unlikely to join my crew; Rebecca's far off in some other sea; Tashigi's still in the East Blue, but unless she quits the Marines, I'm not handing a template to her.]

Tashigi: "…"

[And if Ain were to leave the Marines early alongside Zephyr, that might work. Ain is also a swordswoman, so she could handle this template…]

Gion: "This is bad!"

Sadi: "If Arton brings this up at a time like this, it'll increase the odds Ain leaves the Marines."

Ain: "If it means I could get that power, leaving the Marines doesn't sound so bad…"

Just then, Nami lifted her head and spoke to Arton.

"Arton, we're here."

"We've arrived already?" he replied, shutting his Diary System interface. Glancing ahead, he saw what he'd anticipated: an orange grove, and a cozy little house.

At that moment, the front door opened, and out stepped a lovely young woman with short, sky-blue hair and tanned skin. With just one look, Arton knew who she was.

"Nojiko…" he murmured, a smile forming on his lips. He reactivated his Diary System, and with perfect accuracy, recorded an image of Nojiko's face.

Nojiko instantly noticed. Seeing a photo of herself pop up in her Diary Copy, she flashed a brilliant smile.

[Photo: Our First Meeting—Nojiko!]

Kozuki Hiyori: "So that's Nojiko. She's every bit as pretty as Nami. No wonder Arton picked her as a heroine… So jealous that Nojiko didn't have to go out looking for Arton. She just stayed in her village and still got to meet him."

Viola: "Nojiko's presence alone has drawn the power to liberate Cocoyasi Village. Perhaps I can similarly solve Dressrosa's problems on my own, so that Rebecca doesn't have to shoulder hate…?"

Jewelry Bonney: "Damn that Arton, why couldn't he have shown up in the South Blue?"

Vivi: "If only I could've been Arton's first crewmate…"

At this point, Baccarat, Hiyori, Viola, and several other Diary Copy holders who'd ventured out in search of Arton all gazed upon Nojiko with envy. At the same time, a few others showed serious expressions.

Gion: "So that's Nojiko. Indeed, she has a Diary Copy floating beside her. This woman's also a holder…"

Monet: "I guess Arton's going to invite Nojiko aboard, right? If Nami and Nojiko are together, they could pull off a 'sisters act' for Arton… They'd get tons of points. Kinda like my… situation with a grown-up Sugar in one of Arton's works. Should I take Sugar with me out to sea…? But she's too important in Dressrosa. Sigh."

Smoothie: "I just hope Arton doesn't discover a hidden water-flow trait in Nojiko like he did lightning in Nami. That Arrancar template's mine. It has to be mine!"

Smoothie's worries weren't baseless. Sure enough, Arton was indeed scanning Nojiko with his system to check if she might possess some undiscovered attribute. Unfortunately (or fortunately for Smoothie), the result was that Nojiko truly didn't meet Tia Harribel's requirements.

"Huh… do I spend my remaining 100 points, try my luck, and see if I can draw something that would fit Nojiko? But the chances of getting a character template through a basic draw are so low," Arton thought with a frown.

Just then, Nojiko walked up.

"Nami, looks like you've found some great friends," she said with a smile. "Think you could introduce us?"

Nami smiled back. 'Even if I don't, you already know who they are, don't you?' she quipped inwardly, eyeing the Diary Copy hovering by Nojiko. Aloud, though, she pretended Nojiko didn't know any of them yet, introducing them one by one. Kaya, Carina, and Uta all played along nicely.

"And this is my new captain, Arton," Nami concluded, lightly tapping Arton's chest with the back of her hand.

"Welcome," Nojiko said warmly. "You must all be tired from your journey. Come inside. I just picked some fresh, sweet oranges."

She gripped Arton's arm with both hands, beaming enthusiastically, then guided him quickly into the house.

Before long, Arton disappeared from the sight of Uta, Nami, Carina, Kaya, and the others.

"Hey, Nami, your sister's not planning on joining the competition, is she?" Carina gave Nami a nudge with her elbow, frowning slightly.

"I have no idea," Nami replied, narrowing her eyes in puzzlement.

Given that Nojiko holds a Diary Copy, she should already know Nami possesses the Raiden Shogun's template and can deal with the Arlong Pirates herself. In that case, Nojiko wouldn't need to cozy up to Arton—she could just stay in the village if she wanted. Since Arton didn't draw a suitable character template for Nojiko, Nami assumed her sister wouldn't bother going to sea with them, preferring her own lifestyle.

"Hehe, don't overthink it," Uta said, patting Carina and Nami on the shoulders and gently herding them into the house. Kaya followed right behind.

"Here, Arton, have a taste," Nojiko said the moment everyone reached the door, smiling as she held out a piece of peeled orange to Arton's mouth. Her forearm—even if only slightly—kept brushing up against Arton's. Seeing this, Nami instantly pursed her lips.

"Nojiko, what are you up to?" she asked.

"Why, I'm thanking Arton, of course." Nojiko glanced at Nami, then said with a grin, "You mentioned Arton would help us take care of the Arlong Pirates, right? Then I have to treat him well. Don't you agree, Arton?"

With that, she put an arm around Arton's shoulders in an enthusiastic manner. Subtly, Arton's shoulder bumped up against the ample curves on Nojiko's chest.

"Hahaha, let's hold off on the gratitude until after we've taken care of Arlong's crew," Arton said cheerily. "We actually came here to ask you to witness the downfall of the Arlong Pirates."

"Right, dealing with them is more important," Nojiko agreed. "But I can't be the only one to see it. The whole village has to watch, too."

After all, the Arlong Pirates were a thorn in Nojiko's side—and in Cocoyasi Village's side. She naturally wanted them gone as soon as possible. As for staying on Arton's good side, she'd have time for that later.

Soon enough, Nojiko took Nami and set out to gather the villagers.

…

"What? You're going to settle things with the Arlong Pirates?"

"Nojiko, is this a joke?"

"Hold on—you're saying some Marines colluded with Arlong, meaning Nami's plan to gather 100 million Berries was doomed from the start?"

"Those rotten fish-men… Let's go settle this with them!"

"Wait a second, Nami—where did you get those powers? You can control lightning?!"

The villagers of Cocoyasi Village gathered around, astonished at the sight of Nami. At first, they'd shown her scowls when she and Nojiko assembled them, but after hearing the two sisters' explanation, they stared at Nami in shock.

"Now do you all believe us?"

"Don't worry—it'll all end today," Nami declared. "With this blade in my hands."

She clutched the naginata firmly, crackling lightning revealing her resolve.

"Nami…? Is that you?" Just then, a deep, puzzled voice rang out.

All the villagers turned, frowning, toward the speaker—one of the fish-men.

"…Hachi?"

Nami recognized the Arlong Pirate Officer standing before her, and her brow furrowed in annoyance.

***

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