East Blue, Baratie Sea Restaurant.
"Sorry, I need to step out for a bit."
Nami held back her tears, quietly walking out of the Baratie restaurant alone.
She had no idea about the part of the story Su Xiaoqi mentioned in the chat group. She had only just caught up to the Alabasta arc today. She didn't even get the chance to explain before he started firing off in the chat like a machine gun, saying all kinds of things, even calling her brain-dead.
**How could she possibly forgive Arlong and his crew?**
She hated them to the core—for killing her mother, for tormenting her village.
She wished she could kill every single one of those beasts herself.
Though Nami kept trying to justify herself inwardly, she knew that what Su Xiaoqi said was probably true.
Her original self in the story must have done exactly what he described—something truly idiotic.
Just then, Kaya's voice came from behind her.
**"Nami, what's wrong? Are you worried about your village?"**
Nami wiped her tears away, forced a smile, and turned around.
**"Kaya, I'm heading back to the village first. After Luffy defeats Krieg, you must wait before telling them anything about me."**
**"There are some things I can't explain to you yet, but please trust me.
I'm doing this for their sake. They're still too weak and need more trials to grow.
So please, I'm counting on you."**
Kaya smiled warmly.
**"I believe in you.
You were the one who warned me about Kuro's plot and brought me aboard.
I may not be able to help with your village directly, but I'll support you in spirit."**
**"But you must be careful. I heard the Arlong Pirates are the fiercest crew in East Blue.
You absolutely can't take them on head-on alone."**
Nami thought of a few familiar faces and smiled.
**"Don't worry. I'll be fine.
This time, I'll free my hometown completely—no loose ends."**
**"The sea breeze is strong here. You haven't fully recovered yet. Go inside and rest.
Once we reach the Grand Line, your illness can be treated properly, and you'll learn the best medical techniques."**
Kaya nodded.
**"Then we'll regroup at your village. Stay safe, okay?"**
Once Kaya was gone, Nami's smile vanished. She clenched her teeth and muttered:
**"Su Xiaoqi... I'll remember what you said today.
You'd better never leave any dirt for me to grab onto. Or else... hmph."**
---
### Group Chat Messages:
**\[Nami]: @Su Xiaoqi, I've thought it through. Tomorrow, I'm going to kill the entire Arlong Pirates.
So... can I ask for everyone's help?**
**\[Lu Linglong]: Count me in.**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: I'll definitely be there.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Do you even have to ask? Gintoki-san's going on a killing spree tomorrow.
Watch my heroic display, everyone.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Glad you figured it out.
I may have been harsh earlier, but it was for your own good.**
**\[Nami]: I know. You're the best, Xiaoqi. I'll repay you properly tomorrow\~**
**\[Zhu Zhuqing]: ???**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Wait... Nami-chan, aren't you confused? He literally insulted you just now!**
**\[Nami]: He did? I didn't see it.**
**\[Lu Linglong]: ???**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Zhuqing! Watch out! Su Xiaoqi's about to be stolen!
Quick—tie him to your waist with a rope!**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Shut up.
@Nami, cut it with the flirting. I'm not Luffy.**
**\[Nami]: What are you talking about? I don't get it.
By the way, I'm alone tonight. Want to video chat with me?**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Yes yes yes!! Gintoki-san is freshly showered and ready to video all night long\~**
**\[Nami]: You can video with me—for 10,000 points per minute.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Like… the no-clothes kind?**
**\[Nami]: Scram. You're banned from tomorrow's mission.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Nooo! That wasn't me, that was Shinpachi and Kagura controlling me—and even Sadaharu joined in!**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: You might as well say you transformed into Katsura. Hahaha.**
**\[Sakuragi Hanamichi]: Bro, what should I do?
I can fight, but I don't know how to kill… and I probably can't win against them either.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Don't worry. Stick with me and earn some easy points.
Just stand on the side and shout "666!" That's enough.**
**\[Sakuragi Hanamichi]: Got it, bro! Thanks!
Bro 666!**
**\[Lu Linglong]: @Su Xiaoqi, I'm curious—why are you so nice to Sakuragi?**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Oh, that?
You'll understand after you watch *Slam Dunk*. Sakuragi is hilarious.**
**\[Sakuragi Hanamichi]: Bro, even if you praise me, my heart still belongs to Haruko.**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: Sakuragi, try to stay away from white-haired guys in the future.
They'll lead you astray.**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: You bastard! If you've got guts, say my name directly! Stop taking side jabs!**
**\[Su Xiaoqi]: I'm off to dinner with Zhuqing. No time for your nonsense. Bye, everyone\~**
**\[Sakata Gintoki]: Tch. Big deal. I'm off to eat the ultra-deluxe parfait with my beloved Kagura-chan!**
---
Su Xiaoqi chuckled at Gintoki's message and shook his head.
He was honestly looking forward to meeting the rest of the group in person tomorrow.
**"Zhuqing, you should talk more in the group. Everyone's pretty fun."**
Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at him.
**"What do you want me to say?
Should I flirt with you like the others? Or snipe at you while you're busy flirting with someone else?"**
"Uh…" Su Xiaoqi's smile froze.
She totally killed the mood with that one.
**Knock knock knock.**
Just then, someone knocked at the door. Ning Rongrong's voice followed:
**"Su Xiaoqi, Zhuqing—are you two done? Time to eat!"**
Su Xiaoqi cursed playfully.
**"This girl never learns. Let's go before she starts yelling nonsense outside."**
On the way to dinner, Ning Rongrong handed a written letter to the manager of a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect shop in Soto City, asking them to make sure it reached her father safely.
---
After dinner, the trio returned to Shrek Academy's training field.
Su Xiaoqi had a hunch that Flandre would, just like in the original story, take them to the Great Spirit Arena soon.
Sure enough, Flandre showed up, gave a brief speech, and told everyone to follow him.
This marked the **first real lesson** for the students after entering the academy.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun followed closely behind.
Su Xiaoqi, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong jogged leisurely at the back.
Noticing their destination was Soto City again, Ning Rongrong complained:
**"That old fart is the worst. He knows we live here and still makes us run back and forth."**
As they reached the front of the Great Spirit Arena, Su Xiaoqi sneered inwardly.
**Tonight, he was going to bleed Flandre dry.**