One Piece: Starting by Refusing Shanks

In front of Takumi, Enel, and Kaku stood two young, adorable mermaid girls.

The one who had spoken was Cathy, a mermaid with long, wavy blue-purple hair cascading down to her waist.

Cathy was the same mermaid that Takumi had inadvertently saved at the Sabaody Auction House when his Haki advanced, accidentally knocking everyone out. It was Rayleigh who had actually rescued her afterward.

"Camie, this is the kind man I told you about who saved me before! If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be here now." Cathy beamed as she introduced Takumi to her friend, a slightly younger-looking mermaid with short green hair. "I knew he would eventually come to Fish-Man Island! I'm so glad! Camie, we should properly show our gratitude and treat Takumi and his friends!"

"Sure thing!" Camie said with a grin, spreading her arms. "Anyone who is Cathy's savior is also a friend of mine. We'll take good care of you!"

"Today is really lucky!" Cathy chuckled. "To think we'd run into my benefactor while gathering seaweed—today must be a great day. We should buy a scratch-off lottery ticket later—maybe we'll win something big!"

"Yes, yes, it's been a while since we bought scratch-offs! I'm excited!"

The two mermaids giggled happily together, seemingly caught up in their own little world.

Though Takumi had anticipated meeting Cathy again on Fish-Man Island, he didn't expect it to happen so soon—right after stepping ashore.

And the younger mermaid, Camie, Takumi also recognized her at first glance.

In the future, Camie would meet Luffy and his Straw Hat crew, and even save them when they arrived at Fish-Man Island.

Before Takumi could say much, Enel eyed both Cathy and Camie, nodding approvingly, "These two at least look decent."

"You have really high standards," Kaku commented, amused. "But it seems like these young mermaids know our captain." He looked over at Takumi, curiosity piqued. "Captain, I thought you'd never been to Fish-Man Island before. How do you know such cute mermaid girls?"

Takumi replied calmly, "I don't know her."

"Huh?" Cathy was stunned. She quickly moved closer to Takumi, pointing at her face. "It's me, Cathy! Back in Sabaody, you and Uncle Rayleigh saved me from those human traffickers. Benefactor, you didn't really forget, did you?"

"Stop calling me benefactor," Takumi said directly. "Rayleigh saved you, not me."

Cathy scratched her head in confusion and muttered, "Uncle Rayleigh said you're shy and wouldn't admit to saving me. But it doesn't matter! Now that you're here on Fish-Man Island, let me show you around and take care of you. There's no extra room at my place, but I know a local innkeeper who can give you a fifty-percent discount. It's much better than trying to find a place yourselves."

"And, and," Camie added, "we know where to get the best street food. We can help you get the best prices—without local help, you'd probably get overcharged a lot."

"I think they make a good point," Kaku said, nodding thoughtfully. "We don't know our way around Fish-Man Island, and having someone familiar with the place could be very useful."

"Long-nose, you're just stingy," Enel scoffed. "We're rich. Who cares if we get overcharged a little?"

"It doesn't matter how rich you are if you keep spending like that," Kaku insisted. "Even a mountain of gold can be depleted if all you do is spend without earning. Think of it this way: saving a little means more apples for you and an extra bottle of sake for the captain. Doesn't that sound good?"

Just then, the old fish-man caught up with them.

Upon seeing Cathy and Camie—especially recognizing how they seemed to know these three humans—his face lit up with hope. "Camie, Cathy! Please, help me convince them to move their ship back to shore!"

"Mr. Med?" Cathy looked puzzled. "Aren't you usually the one who refuses to let humans dock their ships onshore? What's going on today?"

Med, the old fish-man, began crying. "I was wrong! I underestimated them! I beg you, please help convince them to move their ship to the shore. I'm begging you!"

"This seems pretty serious," Camie observed, though she wasn't entirely sure what had happened. She and Cathy often came to this area to gather seaweed and collect pretty shells, so they were on good terms with Med.

"If Mr. Med says so, there must be a reason," Cathy turned to Takumi's group, gently pleading, "Benefactor, please, help Mr. Med."

"Begging me won't do anything. Ask them," Takumi replied flatly, walking past Cathy without a second glance.

Cathy hesitated, then looked at Enel and Kaku, a little embarrassed. "Um, you two must be his friends, right? Please help us. I'll treat you to dinner!"

"Hmph!" Enel scoffed. "Do you think a meal is enough to sway Thunder God?"

Cathy blinked.

Camie quickly raised three fingers and smiled, "If one meal isn't enough, how about three?"

Kaku chimed in, negotiating, "Make it ten meals, and we have a deal."

"Ten?!" Camie exclaimed, surprised. "You guys drive a hard bargain!"

"Camie," Cathy interjected, smiling, "It's okay. Ten meals, then. I'll take care of it."

"But we're broke… We can't afford that many…"

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out. Right now, we need to help Mr. Med," Cathy reassured her before looking at Kaku and Enel. "Ten meals it is. Please move your ship back to the shore."

"Alright," Kaku said, tossing the remote to control the ship's shield mechanism to Enel. "You go do it."

Enel's eyes twitched. "Long-nose, you've grown bold enough to give me orders now?"

"I wouldn't dare," Kaku waved his hand dismissively. "You're fast—it'll take you seconds to go back and forth. If I go, it'll take much longer. It's not far for you, Thunder God."

Enel grumbled, "..."

"Hahaha, just get on with it," Kaku laughed. "Think of it as earning those ten free meals—maybe Cathy and Camie will introduce us to more pretty mermaids."

"Hmph!" Enel snorted. "You talk too much. Fine, I'll do it."

With that, Enel grabbed the remote and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared from sight.

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