No more straw hat

Unlike before, a different type of charm was shown on Nojiko and Nami. 

Previously, they were like buds, but now, they have become blooming flowers, completely captivating those who see them. Yet, unfortunately, those people could only look from afar enviously since those two flowers had an owner already. 

Still, if someone had the most complicated mood, it would be Genzo, the sheriff of the island, and also someone who had taken care of Nami and Nojiko from childhood. It could be said that he had thought of the two as his daughters, so while he felt conflicted, at least when he saw their happy faces, he could only sigh helplessly since he knew well that even if Masa couldn't be single-minded, on this harsh sea, having Masa's support and be his women probably the best way for a woman to live in this world. 

Well, if the woman was strong, they would have more choices, but strength wasn't an advantage for either Nojiko or Nami. 

However, compared to the two, Masa looked at the group of fish-men that he had caught and looked at the two. "You don't want to kill them?" 

"...no." 2x

Even if Nami and Nojiko had understood it previously, when they heard Masa's offer, once again, they realized how one's life could easily be determined as long as one was strong enough. 

Masa, who was strong, could do anything, like those fish-men who enslaved the humans on this island. 

While the group of fish-men sighed in relief, grateful when they heard Nami and Nojiko, Perona snorted and said, "You two are too naive." 

"I agree." Kalifa nodded. 

As long as Masa was on this island, those fish-men wouldn't dare to do anything, but if he left, what would happen to everyone? 

"N-No! We won't do anything!" 

"Y-Yes, we will leave quickly!" 

"I beg you! Please let us go!" 

All of the fish-men no longer had their previous pride, and all of them begged desperately for their lives to be saved, but as they talked, they were beaten by the cats. 

"Who told you that you could talk, nyaa?!" 

"If you talk too much, I will make you into a sashimi, nyaa!" 

"...." Everyone. 

All of those cats were cute, but they were all cruel and vicious. 

Also, sashimi? 

Perona somehow felt a bit curious and asked, "...do you want to eat them?" 

"Of course not, nyaa! They are so ugly, nyaa!"

Even if those cats were carnivores and loved to eat fish, they were still choosy! 

"...." 

While the members of the Arlong Pirates felt insulted, no one said anything and just lowered their heads. 

"Still, they are useful for us." 

Unlike the rest, Carina felt that fish-men were useful, especially when Masa had decided to use East Blue as the food production area for his needs. It was impossible for Masa to stay in this place all the time, and while the cats could swim, an underwater fight wasn't their advantage. 

While the East Blue was the most peaceful sea, it didn't mean it had no pirates, and there were even other criminals within this area, which made it so troublesome, so they needed someone to keep this place smooth so they could get a cheap and abundant food source. 

At the same time, using those members of the Arlong Pirates was more cost-effective, as they didn't need to pay them, but there was one problem. 

"Masa, do you have a way for them to maintain their loyalty to us?" 

"Yes." Masa then put his hand in his pocket and took out a collar-like item. 

"...what is that?" 

When they had an idea, they decided to ask. 

"It's a collar that attaches to a bomb. If you escape or try to fight or pull away the collar, then the bomb inside will explode." 

Frankly, something similar existed in this world, and it was mostly used by the slave traders or masters, so their slaves wouldn't escape, yet unexpectedly, Masa didn't expect that he would use this item himself. 

"....." 

While everyone was startled, the cats had already put those collars on the members of the Arlong Pirates, which made them fall into great despair since they had become Masa's slaves. 

"If you want to die, then just pull those collars if you want to." 

Masa didn't care about the lives of the members of the Arlong Pirates, and if he wished to, he could kill them directly, but as Carina had said before, he felt that there was a better use for them, and using them as his goons in the East Blue was a good option, too. 

Still, if they wanted to die since they didn't want to become slaves, then it was okay, too, since he didn't feel sorry for them, especially when they had done many cruel things to everyone in this place. 

Hell and paradise. 

The religion said that those places existed, and if one did a bad thing, they would enter hell, but somehow, those who did a bad thing lived a better life than those who did a good thing as they lived. 

Masa wondered why, but frankly, while he had done this, he didn't think slavery was a good method, especially when a living being wouldn't have a spirit and be lazy as they had no hope in life, so he said, "Still if you can take down pirates or criminals that try to harm my ship, depending on the quota, I will let you go." 

"R-Really?" 

"Yes." Masa smiled and said, "So, do your best to work, okay?" 

Carrot and whip. 

As expected, this was the best method to force someone to work harder. 

At the same time, instead of being seen as a cruel being, many would think that he was gentle and kind as he had given those members of the pirates the opportunity to repent when the truth is he just wanted them to work harder. 

The art of capitalism, Masa had mastered it! 

Yet, as he thought so, everyone heard the shout from the distance. 

"NAMIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!" 

As expected, when this voice was heard, everyone subconsciously turned their gazes in the distance and saw four men standing brazenly as if they were the group of the protagonist. 

While Masa could ignore them, he decided to look at this group curiously. He had noticed them from the beginning, but he ignored them, yet unexpectedly, no, as expected, he knew the captain of this group never used his head. 

"Luffy?" 

However, Nami was confused when she looked at this group. 

"As expected, you are my only navigator! I can't give up!" 

Still, except for Usopp, who was extremely nervous as he had seen how powerful Masa was, Sanji and Zoro reacted differently, especially when Sanji saw many beautiful women by Masa's side, and Zoro saw someone who was similar to his childhood friend and also a few good swords on the side of Tashigi and Masa. 

Yet, even so, when they appeared, they had noticed Masa, who exuded a special presence, but as the protagonist group, they could even ignore those strong beings, so even if Masa was special, they decided to ignore it. 

"I have told you before, right? I won't become a pirate." 

Nami was speechless and said once again, but Luffy didn't change his opinion. "No, you are my navigator!" 

"Luffy, no normal person will become a pirate if they aren't forced to, and more importantly, I am Masa's woman now." 

Nami looked at Masa shyly, then clung to him tightly. 

"...." Masa. 

"...." Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. 

Only Usopp sighed, but he didn't feel surprised. 

"You bastard!" 

Yet, Luffy was angry, staring at Masa as he dashed toward him. "I won't give Nami away!" His arms suddenly stretched, and then he slammed his fist into Masa under the surprise of everyone. 

"Gomu Gomo no—" 

Luffy hadn't finished his words, but he was slapped by Masa. 

Slap! 

The slap stung, and it blew him away, yet what was even more painful, it humiliated him! 

"Luffy!" 3x

Watching Luffy rotate in the air so many times, he fell on the ground in a shameful manner, as his jaws were crooked and his teeth fell, bleeding; they were startled and quickly helped him. 

However, Luffy, who still had his conscience, forced himself to stand staggered as he looked at Masa, who had taken his straw hat. "You... return that to me!" 

Still, Masa ignored Luffy and tore his straw hat. 

Rip! 

"....." Everyone. 

Throwing away the straw hat that Luffy owned, Masa thought to get Nika Nika no Mi.