After returning to the snack shop and having a big meal, Nami couldn't help but ask, "Sandy, it's time for you to tell me what that Haki you mentioned earlier is, right?"
"Haki?" Zoro and Usopp looked puzzled.
"Ahem…" Sandy slicked back his hair dramatically, then motioned for everyone to sit. "Alright, listen up. Haki is divided into three main types…"
After Sandy's explanation, everyone except Luffy was left speechless.
"There's really such a power in this world?" Usopp gasped.
Sandy grinned. "If you don't believe me, I'll show you."
He released a wave of Conqueror's Haki, instantly filling the room with overwhelming pressure.
Nami, Usopp, and Zoro stared in shock. That invisible force pressed down on them like a storm.
"This… this is mental suppression?"
Seeing their faces, Sandy smirked. "I just showed you a little. If I turned it up, you'd all be out cold by now."
He sighed dramatically. "Ah, such incredible talent. It's honestly exhausting being this amazing…"
Everyone's expressions darkened.
Zoro scowled. "What's so great about that? I'll learn it too—someday!"
Sandy raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, Three-Sword Style."
"You bastard! You wanna fight?!" Zoro snapped.
"Sure," Sandy said with a grin. "Bring that momentum—and I'll show you what Observation Haki really is."
Luffy clapped his hands excitedly. "Yeah! Let's see it!"
Sandy stood up. "Let's go outside. I don't want to break anything and get stuck paying for it. Some greedy cat around here never hand over a single Belly, even when sitting on a pile of treasure…"
Nami's eyebrow twitched. "What did you just say?"
Sandy darted outside instantly. He knew better than to argue with Nami—he'd end up being the one beaten black and blue.
Moments later, Zoro swung at him furiously, but every strike missed completely.
Usopp gawked. "Sugoi! That's insane!"
Nami folded her arms. "You don't even know the half of it. Earlier, at the coast, Sandy split open an entire cliff!"
Usopp blinked, clearly doubtful. "A cliff? More like a rock, right?"
He hadn't seen it happen—he and Zoro were chasing Jango at the time—so he had no idea what Sandy had actually done.
Zoro was soon drenched in sweat, crushed by the difference in strength.
Ignoring the exhausted swordsman, Sandy walked up to a massive boulder. "Now, let me show you Armament Haki."
With a loud boom, his arm turned jet-black—and the boulder shattered with a single punch.
"Nani?!!" all three shouted.
Luffy pouted. "What's so great? I can do that too."
Zoro, however, was fired up. That man… Hawkeye… he must have this power too, he thought, his ambition burning brighter.
Later, after returning to the snack shop, Kaya arrived.
Her tea-blond hair and refined attire made her look elegant and graceful.
Sandy glanced between the Usopp and Kaya, then muttered to himself, Goddess and loser—what a contrast.
Kaya smiled warmly. "Everyone, thank you for saving me. I heard you're short on a ship. To show my gratitude, I'll gift you one."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Really?! Thank you! You're the best!"
Kaya giggled, while Usopp stood there, clearly lovestruck.
"Kaya…" he began softly, but couldn't find the words.
Kaya smiled knowingly. "You don't need to say anything, Usopp. I understand now. I really… misunderstood you before."
Usopp blushed furiously. "N-No, don't—don't say that…"
Luffy and the others didn't get it, but Sandy grimaced. Ugh, too much dog food. I'm getting diabetes over here.
Kaya eventually left, explaining the ship would take a few days to refit.
Usopp stared dreamily after her until Sandy sighed. "Hey, if you like her, just tell her. Don't just stand there like a closet perv."
Usopp's face turned crimson. "Wha—what did you say?! I'm not a perv! And my name's Usopp!"
"Hahaha!" Everyone burst out laughing.
Sandy clapped him on the shoulder. "If you don't have the guts, fine. But stop standing there daydreaming—it's still daylight."
"Bastard! Next time we eat, you're paying!" Usopp shouted.
After a round of laughter, Nami walked over, looking hesitant.
Sandy noticed. "Nami, what's up? You've been weird since the coast. Stomachache? That time of the month?"
Nami punched him in the head. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
Sandy rubbed his head. "You're not trying to get me to pay you back again, are you? I'm telling you right now—nope, not a single Belly!"
Rolling her eyes, Nami finally asked in a low voice, "If there's a pirate with a bounty of twenty million Belly—or even stronger—can you beat them?"
Sandy froze for a moment, realizing the weight behind her question.
The shadow of Arlong still haunted Nami. To her, that fish-man was an unbeatable monster.
But after seeing Sandy's power today, a spark of hope flickered in her heart.
She didn't want to lead anyone else to their deaths again. Not like before.
Everyone always said, "It'll be fine."
But no one ever came back.
And that's why, this time… Nami had to be sure.