One Piece: Getting Stronger by Writing a Diary

[Video (Live Recording): The Duel Between Nami and Dracule Mihawk!]

[Nami has indeed grown significantly. With her current strength, she could easily defeat and even kill a Navy Headquarters captain.]

[In fact, she might even hold her ground against a rear admiral.]

[With this level of power, she should have no trouble subduing the Arlong Pirates occupying Cocoyasi Village.]

Doll: "Cocoyasi Village?! Finally, Arton is willing to reveal the name of Nami's hometown."

Kujaku: "We need to immediately alter our course and head to Cocoyasi Village."

Hibari: "Are we really going to meet Arton in Cocoyasi Village? No, we need to focus on the Arlong Pirates first."

Gion: "At the very least, this pirate crew protected by the Navy must be dealt with by the Navy. But who in the Navy is shielding the Arlong Pirates? Will Arton reveal that?"

Vivi: "Cocoyasi Village, huh? Unfortunately, I'm far too distant from there."

Charlotte Smoothie: "Tch, I envy those in the East Blue. The Navy must be heading to Cocoyasi Village to meddle with Arton again."

Black Maria: "I just hope Arton can push back against those Navy bastards as effectively as before."

Nojiko: "Nami has indeed gained the strength to deal with the Arlong Pirates. Arton is likely on his way to Cocoyasi Village as well."

"It seems I need to speed up my preparations. Although I've acquired much knowledge from my drawings, without proper practice, I probably won't reach the level described in the doujinshis."

"If I really need to do this, the only person who can help is Arton."

"I just hope he doesn't mind my inexperience at the beginning."

Nojiko didn't realize that her current concerns were unnecessary.

If Arton knew her thoughts, he would likely be happy to help her progress from inexperience to mastery.

*

[Speaking of which, the Arlong Pirates' leader, Arlong, used to be under the Seven Warlords member Jinbe, and he's also Shyarly's older brother.]

[Jinbe isn't much of a concern, but Shyarly's attitude is important.]

[If she finds out I've killed Arlong, I wonder if she'll still be willing to sail with me.]

[And then there's Camie. If Shyarly refuses to join me, Camie probably won't either.]

*

Gion: "The Seven Warlords' Jinbe! So Arton does know that Arlong was once Jinbe's subordinate!"

Boa Hancock: "Interesting. Does Arton plan to use Arlong as a reason to pull Jinbe down from his position as a Warlord?"

Doll: "If that's the case, it seems another spot in the Warlords might soon open up."

Whitey Bay: "Jinbe?! This could be trouble!"

*

Meanwhile, on Fish-Man Island, inside the Hard Shell Tower.

Three mermaids of varying sizes, each extraordinarily beautiful, were gathered together.

If Arton were present, he could easily name the three from their distinct features: Shirahoshi, Shyarly, and Camie!

Since they had discovered each other as diary replica holders, the three would often meet.

For Princess Shirahoshi, who had been confined to the Hard Shell Tower due to Vander Decken's abilities, these gatherings were a source of great joy.

Even though Arton often said things in his diary that made Shirahoshi feel extremely shy, and his creations included many scenes that made her blush and her heart race, she cherished the chance to chat with Camie and Shyarly.

Being able to talk to them regularly brought a lot of happiness to Shirahoshi, who was usually alone in the Hard Shell Tower.

Her father, while unsure why Camie and Shyarly had been visiting Shirahoshi so frequently lately, was delighted to see them keeping her company.

Today, the three had gathered once again.

Normally, this would have made Shirahoshi very happy.

However, the information Arton had revealed in his diary today left Shirahoshi unable to feel any joy.

"What?! Arlong is Lady Shyarly's brother?"

"And, and also a subordinate of Boss Jinbe? What… what should we do?!" Shirahoshi exclaimed, covering her cheeks with her hands, her voice filled with worry.

"How can something so coincidental happen?"

"Lady Shyarly, what Arton said must be false, right?" Camie asked anxiously, turning to Shyarly with concern.

"Calm down, Camie, Princess Shirahoshi," Shyarly said, exhaling a puff of smoke and shaking her head with a composed expression.

"Arlong is only my half-brother."

"In the end, we didn't grow up in the same environment."

"If Nami truly kills Arlong, then it's likely a punishment he deserves."

Through Arton's diary replica, Shyarly had long been aware of Arlong's heinous deeds.

She understood Arlong's deep hatred for humans and could imagine the nightmare that a village would endure under his rule for twenty years.

She could also picture the pain and suffering Nami must have endured.

For this reason, Shyarly had already resigned herself to Arlong's fate.

"But, but even so, he's still your brother, Lady Shyarly!"

"And he's also a subordinate of Boss Jinbe!"

"If Nami or Arton end up taking out their anger on Boss Jinbe because of Arlong…"

"What will happen to Fish-Man Island?" Camie cried out, wringing her hands together, almost in tears.

Beside her, Shirahoshi's eyes were already welling up with large, shimmering tears.

"Lady Shyarly, aren't you skilled in divination?"

"Can you try divining Arton's future?" Shirahoshi asked.

"It's useless, Shirahoshi," Shyarly replied, shaking her head again.

She continued, "From the moment I obtained Arton's diary replica, I tried to use it to divine his future."

"However, all I could see was an empty void."

"Perhaps it's because of the diary replica, or perhaps it's because Arton isn't originally from this world."

"I can't see any part of his future."

"Not even Arlong's future is within my sight."

Hearing this, both Shirahoshi and Camie felt a mix of shock and growing concern.

"Don't worry, Shirahoshi, Camie," Shyarly said calmly.

"Arlong's fate may already be sealed, but I won't harbor hatred for Nami or Arton because of it."

"As for Boss Jinbe, knowing him as I do…"

"Once he learns of this, he'll likely feel guilty toward Nami but won't resent her for it."

"As for Arton and Nami… I can't speak for Nami, but Arton shouldn't take his anger out on Fish-Man Island."

"After all, every one of us on Fish-Man Island is a heroine in his story."

As Shyarly spoke, a faint smile appeared on her face.

Seeing her expression, Camie and Shirahoshi felt a small sense of relief, though their feelings about the Arlong Pirates remained complicated.

Shyarly returned her focus to the diary, observing the battle between Nami and Mihawk.

The thought that had lingered in her mind for some time was becoming clearer.

"Perhaps… if I truly became Arton's woman," she mused to herself, "he might lead Fish-Man Island to real freedom."

"Arton's worries about me may be unnecessary. By the time he arrives at Fish-Man Island… I'll probably decide to sail with him."

"However, it'll still take some time before I can grow legs."

"Camie and Princess Shirahoshi will need even longer."

"Would Arton really be interested in us as we are now?"

The thought made Shyarly frown slightly.