The usually lively and playful trio were all dejected, their shoulders slumped, exuding an air of gloom.
Kōta noticed their state and walked over, patting each of them on the shoulder. He asked with concern, "Is something wrong? Tell me, and I'll share your burden."
A Tao took a puff of his cigarette and replied dejectedly, "It's nothing major. I just feel so useless, unable to help at all against a powerful pirate crew."
They all knew that facing the Arlong Pirates, they would basically be left on the ship to guard it, as they couldn't defeat any of Arlong's crew members.
This was just the East Blue. Once they reached the Grand Line, they would be even more irrelevant.
"So that's what it is!"
Kōta breathed a sigh of relief, thinking something serious had happened to them.
He looked at Hua and the other two and said earnestly, "You weren't on board to fight in the first place, and a ship isn't just for combat personnel."
He glanced at Hua. "Take Hua, for example. If our ship were without Hua, we'd have to cook our own meals. Just imagine what that would taste like."
Everyone looked at Hua, and the thought of eating their own cooking every day made them all shiver.
They shook their heads in unison.
Hearing Kōta's words and seeing everyone's reaction, Hua's gloomy expression instantly cleared.
He adjusted his glasses, puffed out his ample belly, and held his head high with pride. "So, I'm that indispensable!"
Kōta then turned his gaze to A Tao. "And A Tao, if our ship didn't have you, who would operate and repair this behemoth beneath our feet!"
A Tao's lips curled into a smile, which quickly spread across his entire face. He even became more elegant when he smoked.
"What about me? What about me?" A Luo looked at Kōta with anticipation, calling out in a slightly hurried voice.
"You..." Kōta stroked his chin, contemplating A Luo for a moment.
Seeing Kōta's reaction, A Luo's expectant eyes gradually dimmed. He stared blankly at the sea, as if completely shrouded in shadow, making one feel as though he might jump overboard at any moment.
Seeing A Luo like this, Kōta chuckled and decided not to tease him further. He stared at A Luo and suddenly shouted, "Of course, you're important too!"
Hearing Kōta's shout, A Luo stiffly raised his head and looked at Kōta pitifully. "Really?"
"Really," Kōta replied affirmatively, nodding. "Among us, only you, A Luo, can stay in the cramped crow's nest all day, safeguarding our voyage. You are the eyes of our ship. Without you, our journey would be like being blind."
As Kōta spoke, A Luo's back straightened more and more, until finally, his dramatic hairstyle stood on end.
Seeing the three regain their confidence, Kōta clapped his hands to get their attention. He then said to them, "Therefore, each of you is a unique existence. Don't belittle yourselves. Our ship cannot do without any one of you."
He paused, then added jokingly, "If all of you went to fight, then what would be the point of me and Kuina!"
"Don't you think so?"
"Mm-hmm!!" The three of them nodded repeatedly.
"Besides, strength has its shortcuts."
"Kōta, do you have a way to improve our strength?" Kōta's voice reached their ears, and they eagerly stared at him.
No one wanted to be weak, even though they all knew Kōta wouldn't abandon them even if they were all weak. But if there was a way to quickly improve their strength, no one could remain indifferent.
"Have you heard of Devil Fruits?"
"Devil Fruits?" Hua's face showed confusion.
At that moment, A Luo, who had been pondering, suddenly spoke up as if he had thought of something. "Are they the legendary treasures of the sea that can make people powerful and grant them the strength of a devil?" He had heard about them when he was a gangster.
"Yes! They are sea treasures that grant people special abilities, called 'Devil Fruits'."
"Then is your ability, Kōta, from a Devil Fruit?" A Tao asked curiously, taking a puff of his cigarette.
Kōta lowered his head and thought for a moment. "My abilities are not from a Devil Fruit. You can think of me as a human born with special abilities."
"Oh...!" They all nodded in unison.
Kōta then explained, "Devil Fruit abilities are divided into three categories: Paramecia, Zoan, and Logia. If you get any Devil Fruit, it would be enough to deal with ordinary dangers."
"But I heard that any random Devil Fruit costs at least 100 million Berries on the market!" A Luo said, scratching his head in distress.
"Eh! That expensive?" Hua and A Tao both showed surprised expressions. Don't let the nearly 20 million Berries they scavenged from Krieg's pirate crew fool you. But remember, Krieg's pirate crew was the largest in the East Blue. If they only got 20 million there, how many pirate crews would they have to destroy to gather 100 million?
Kōta smiled at them. "Don't worry. As long as there's news of a Devil Fruit, I'll find it for you." He paused and continued, "And I also know where we can find many Devil Fruits."
He certainly knew. If he couldn't find a Devil Fruit by then, he would have to go ask Doflamingo early.
"Really? Kōta?" Hua and the other two stared nervously at Kōta. They knew Kōta wouldn't lie to them, but they still wanted a definite answer from him.
"Yes, when have I ever lied to you?" Kōta nodded affirmatively.
"Oh yeah!" Getting Kōta's answer, the three of them jumped up and shouted excitedly at the bow of the ship, returning to their usual lively selves.
Kuina watched them quietly from the side. Seeing the three regain their liveliness, a smile appeared on her face. She knew what Devil Fruits were. Kōta had even planned to find a Devil Fruit for her to improve her physical fitness. However, she had refused. She wanted to become a great swordswoman through her own efforts.
Besides, Devil Fruits weren't all benefits. This thing had a fatal weakness for anyone who sailed the seas: a fear of seawater. She was a swordsman with sufficient attack power and didn't need to give herself a Devil Fruit weakness. Therefore, she had never considered eating a Devil Fruit. Of course, if it was an incredible ability, that would be another matter.
...
"Huh!" At this moment, Kōta and Kuina both stiffened. They exchanged glances and looked towards the opposite coastline, silently activating their Observation Haki.
Kuina could only sense many chaotic and panicked presences in the distant village. Kōta, however, was different. A red light flashed in his eyes, and he knew what was happening in the village.
He turned to Hua and the other two and said, "We'll land here! You wait for us here. We'll deal with the Arlong Pirates, and then we'll return."
"Understood." Hua and the other two answered loudly and turned to busy themselves. Kōta then turned to look at the distant village, lost in thought.
It seemed they had to clear out these small fries first, lest they escape and cause further trouble. After all, they were fish-men. Once they dove into the sea, they would be truly hard to find.