Just like the Doggy Pirates' hollow strength, despite having two ships, their total wealth was pitiful.
After stripping the ships clean of treasure, Berries, and valuables, the total value didn't even exceed 500,000 Berries.
They were practically paupers by Grand Line standards.
"Unbelievably poor," Hans said helplessly, closing the ledger.
"Other than Wena himself, this operation feels like we just wiped out a group of fishermen."
"Doesn't matter," Sami replied calmly.
"With a pirate worth 73 million Berries, the trip wasn't a waste."
He had already contacted the middleman Gillian using a Den Den Mushi, arranging the transaction in Nanohana, the port city of the Kingdom of Alabasta.
Kingdom of Alabasta — Port City of Nanohana
Blazing sunlight poured down mercilessly from the sky, distorting the air with heat.
The moment their feet stepped onto the wooden docks, a wave of scorching air mixed with sand particles rushed toward them—completely different from the moist sea breeze.
"Whoa! This… this is way too hot!"
"And this city is huge! So… lively!"
Unlike the icy castles of Drum Island or the primitive jungles of Little Garden, Nanohana Harbor overflowed with exotic vitality and noise.
Everywhere they looked stood tall buildings made of sandy yellow stone.
To combat the intense heat, massive white sunshades stretched between rooftops and walls along the streets, fluttering slightly in the hot wind.
Under their shade were stalls filled with colorful desert fruits, fragrant grilled flatbreads and roasted meats, as well as handcrafted goods and everyday items rich with local culture.
The streets were packed with people.
Many locals wrapped their heads tightly in cloth and wore loose white or black-striped robes suited to the desert climate.
Some balanced large clay water jars on their heads.
Others led camels or mules loaded with cargo slowly through the crowd.
The shouts of merchants, the ringing of camel bells, and the murmur of conversations blended together into a lively symphony of a desert port.
"Damn… the exotic vibe here is maxed out!"
Sami removed his hat and fanned himself while looking at the scene that seemed straight out of One Thousand and One Nights.
Since arriving in this world, this was the first time he had personally visited such a distinctive desert kingdom.
"This country is ridiculously hot…"
Feiqi wiped sweat constantly dripping down his forehead.
Even the metal parts of his musket felt hot to the touch.
At that moment, one of the usually silent officers, "Mute" Alberto, suddenly acted strangely.
He frowned, waving his hand in front of his nose while making a series of complicated gestures. Urgent muffled sounds escaped his throat.
"…"
"What's wrong with you, Alberto?" Aldo asked, confused. "What are you trying to say? I can't understand anything."
Cahero quickly interpreted Alberto's sign language and translated.
"Boss, Alberto says the air here is extremely dry, and it's mixed with dust, perfume, and livestock smells."
"The scent is irritating his nose and throat. He feels dizzy and wants to return to the ship first. The sea breeze there makes him feel better."
Alberto nodded vigorously, confirming the translation.
"I see… Personally I think the perfume smell is pretty refreshing."
Sami inhaled deeply, taking in the mixture of perfume, leather, and desert dust.
He waved his hand casually.
"Fine. If you're not feeling well, go back to the ship and rest."
"The rest of you follow the plan. Remember to rotate shifts."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Ha—look over there. That tavern looks interesting."
Sami pointed at a shop near the docks decorated with strings of dried chili peppers and colorful clay jars.
"Come on. We've been stuck on the ship long enough. Let's grab a drink and try the local specialties."
Meanwhile — The Swordfish
"Hey, going to deliver food to the short-legged dog?"
A sailor cleaning the deck joked to his companion carrying a tray.
"Be careful. That guy still has a 73 million Berry bounty."
"Relax," the sailor delivering the meal said dismissively.
"He's weak. Couldn't even last three moves against the captain."
"Besides, he's been pretty obedient lately."
"His arms and legs are chained up in the cell. Even if he wanted to attack me, he couldn't."
With that, he carried the tray of bread and vegetable soup down the stairs into the lower hold.
The area had been converted into a row of prison cells separated by thick wooden bars.
The environment wasn't particularly filthy—Sami had people clean it regularly.
After all, the health of the "goods" affected their selling price.
Though the air inevitably felt damp.
"Dinner time, short-legged dog!" the sailor called out, sliding the tray through a narrow gap under the bars.
In the corner of the cell, Wena slowly lifted his head.
Heavy chains bound his arms and legs.
In the dim light, his eyes looked unusually deep.
He didn't touch the food immediately.
Instead, he asked hoarsely:
"…Have we docked yet?"
"Of course," the sailor said with a teasing smile, leaning against the opposite bars with his arms crossed.
"We're in Nanohana Harbor right now."
"Our captain has already arranged everything."
"In a few days someone will come pick you up and send you comfortably to Sabaody Archipelago."
"How about that?"
"You always said you only dared wander around the early islands of the first half of the Grand Line."
"This time our captain is being generous—sending you straight to the most prosperous place in the first half of the Grand Line!"
"No need to thank us! Hahaha!"
"Heh… heh heh…"
Wena lowered his head and let out a low laugh.
"As long as we've docked… that's all that matters…"
The sailor found his reaction strange and was about to mock him again—
When suddenly—
Wena stood up!
CLANG—CLANK!
The heavy chains wrapped around his body rattled loudly.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Behave yourself!" the sailor shouted nervously.
"Hahaha… HAHAHAHA!"
Wena slowly raised his head.
The submissive look he had shown earlier vanished completely.
In its place was a ferocious grin filled with wild joy.
"You idiots really think I'm some soft target you can bully?!"
"Animal Transformation — Dachshund Form!"
Before the sailor could react—
Wena's muscles bulged violently.
His body expanded as if inflated.
His limbs and torso stretched and twisted rapidly.
Within seconds—
He transformed into a monstrous three-meter-long dachshund creature.
"ROAR—!!!"
The dachshund-form Wena released a short, violent roar.
All his strength gathered in his arms.
The shackles binding him groaned under the strain.
CREAK…
Then—
CRACK!!!
The metal rings and joints of the shackles shattered under sheer brute force.
Fragments and sparks flew everywhere, clattering across the walls and floor.
Wena twisted his newly freed neck.
His sharp teeth gleamed in the dim light.
"Now…"
"It's time for me to collect some interest."
"H-Help! Someone—short-legged Wena he—AAARGH—!!!"
The sailor's scream was cut short.
A dull thud echoed as his body slammed into the wooden bars.
Wood chips flew everywhere.
A long clawed paw covered in short fur clamped tightly around the sailor's throat—
Lifting him completely off the ground.
Wena's eyes glowed with savage fury.
"So tell me…"
"Am I still weak now?"
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