Chapter 770: Camie

A few days ago, on the Thousand Sunny, Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Nami Sanji, Chopper, Porche, Franky and Brook were staring at a large red rock.

“This is the Red Line,” Porche remarked.

The Red Line loomed over the Thousand Sunny like a gargantuan, blood-soaked tombstone. The rock was weathered and went up.

Usopp’s knees knocked together. "It’s big,” he remarked. He held the railing and his long nose twitched.

Nami looked at the mountain. "We are halfway around the world,” she remarked.

“This is a super milestone for Sunny," Franky said as he slammed his hands together.

“It is amazing,” Chopper added.

"We are sailing in the shadow of the 'Holy Land' Mariejois," Porche noted. She looked up at the mist-shrouded peaks of the Red Line.

“Holy land?” Luffy questioned as he looked up the mountain.

"It is said, The World Nobles live up there,” Sanjo replied as he smoked a cigar.

Porche nodded. “They are looking down on the rest of us. We are currently under the very boots of the World Government,” she remarked.

“Shishishi,” Luffy laughed. “I will be the Pirate King,” Luffy said. “Just wait and watch,” he said with a smirk as he looked up at Mariejois.

Nami looked at her Log Pose. “It is pointing downwards,” she remarked.

“Let's go and see it,” Luffy said.

After an hour, Chopper and Usopp were swimming around the Surprise Pool in the ocean. "Look at me, Zoro! I’m a flying reindeer-fish," Chopper squealed as he sprayed water everywhere.

“Zoro is not there, Chopper,” Usopp said as he did a back flip. He landed in the water and water splashed everywhere.

“This pool is fun,” Chopper said as he was in an inflatable hoop. He floated across the area.

Franky looked down and smiled. “This was something handy I made,” Franky remarked. “Enjoy it,” he added.

At the top of the Thousand Sunny, Zoro was stripped to the waist. He had sweat pouring off his scarred chest as he bench-pressed large dumbbells. He went up and down. “I need to get stronger,” Zoro grunted. His veins bulged as he pressed up and down. He thought of Mihawk, then Ryuma.

Below the hull, a vessel which looked like a shark was humming through the dark water. It had a row of sharp white teeth that framed a transparent cockpit window in the mouth. It had black gill slits and a prominent dorsal fin equipped with a white periscope. A large white numeral "3" was painted on its side above a circular yellow porthole while mechanical thrusters are visible near the tail. The Shark Submerge III pushed through the water.

Luffy had his face pressed so hard against the glass his nose was completely flat. "Shishishi, Look at that weird glowing fish! It looks like Sanji’s eyebrows," Luffy remarked.

"Luffy, that’s a deep-sea angler, and it’s big enough to swallow us whole!" Porche shrieked as her hands were on the wheel.

Brook adjusted his cravat. "My heart is racing. Oh, wait! I don't have a heart! Yohohoho,” he said.

“Nami, we can't see anything here,” Porche said in a microphone.

“Is there a tunnel?” Nami questioned through a speaker.

“No, and it goes much deeper,” Porche replied.

“Careful, Shark Submerge III can only go 5000 metres,” Franky said.

Suddenly, a massive, tentacled horror lunged from a crevasse. They saw a creature with the upper body of a menacing, fluffy white rabbit. It had long ears, whiskers, and sharp, predatory teeth. The scaly, reddish-brown lower body was of a fish. It had small red eyes and a furrowed brow, contrasted sharply with its soft, white fur.

"Pedal, Bone-man,” Porche cried. “Pedal for your afterlife,” she added.

“We are going to die,” Brook said. “But I am already dead,” he added. “Yohohoho,” Brook laughed.

Porche screamed as the sub zipped away in a trail of bubbles. “We are coming up,” Porche said.

“Shishishi,”Luffy laughed.

Meanwhile, on the deck of the Thousand Sunny, the smell of caramelized sugar wafted across the deck as Sanji appeared. He had balanced a tray of delicate fruit tarts. "Refreshements, for my goddesses, Nami-swan,” Sanji remarked. “Your beauty is more radiant than the Red Line’s glow,” he said. “I will give a special one to Porche-chwan, as well,” he said.

Franky, Chopper, and Usopp noses twitched in perfect synchronization as the heavenly aroma of buttery crust and glazed berries hit them like a physical wave.

Chopper squeaked. His little nose wiggled frantically. "I smell something sweet,” he said.

Franky struck a pose. His massive chin jutted out. "Is that for us too, Brother Sanji?" he asked.

Usopp wiped a bit of sea spray off his goggles. His stomach let out a roar that rivaled the Sea Kings. "If that’s what I think it is, I might actually survive this trip to the Red Line,” he said.

"Over here, you greedy brutes," Sanji remarked. His voice was a mix of smooth charm for the ladies and annoyance for the rest. He lowered the tray, and the three of them dove in.

"Ohhhhhh,” Usopp said, muffled. His cheeks bulged with a strawberry-kiwi tart. "The crust is so flaky it’s like eating a cloud," he added.

Chopper’s eyes turned into sparkling stars as he nibbled on a miniature custard tart. "It’s so creamy,” Choppy said. “Sanji, you’re a genius,” he added.

Franky tossed a whole tart into his mouth. "Mmm, that’s some SUPER fuel right there,” he said.

Sanji overheard the communication between Nami and Porche. He turned to the wall and looked at it. "We have a problem. It’s Skypiea all over again. Fishman Island is ten thousand meters directly below us. We can see the destination on the Pose, but there’s no road to get there,” Sanji said.

Nami bit her lip. She stared at the middle needle of her Log Pose, which was vibrating with a frantic, downward energy. "It’s pointing straight at the seabed. We know exactly where it is, but if we try to dive the Sunny now, the pressure will turn us into a wooden pancake,” she said.

The Shark Submerge shot out of the water. It was closely followed by a Sea King. Its jaws snapped inches from the sub’s propeller.

“What is that?” Chopper questioned.

“We are going to die,” Usopp shouted.

At that moment, Luffy opened the hatch and jumped onto the submarine. “You look tasty,” Luffy said. "Gomu Gomu no Rifle,” Luffy said as he twisted his arm around as he stretched it behind him and launched it forward. His fist impacted the Sea King’s stomach. The monster’s eyes rolled back.Its belly heaved, and with a wet, thunderous "BLUURP," it vomited a streak of lime-green slime across the Sunny’s pristine deck.

“Something came out,” Usopp shouted.

From the pile of slime, a mermaid with vibrant green hair popped up. She was shaking herself clean with a dazzling smile. "Phew,” she said. “I got eaten again,” she added.  “Thank you so much for saving me, I’m Camie," she introduced herself.

Sanji immediately collapsed. He looked at her. "A real mermaid, I can die happy,” Sanji said. “No, wait, I must live to see her swim," he said.

“How many times do you get eaten?” Usopp asked.

"I get eaten a lot," Camie said. “That was the twentieth time this month,” she added.

"Twenty Times?" Usopp asked. His eyes popped out. “That is way too many,” he added.

Camie clapped her hands. "As a reward, I’ll treat you to my special Takoyaki,” she responded. “Normally 5000 Beli, but for you 500 Beli," she added.

Pappag, a pink starfish wearing a 'Criminal' brand shirt, slapped her over the head. "You idiot,” he replied. “They saved your life. Give it to them for free,” he added.

Camie’s jaw dropped. "Oh no,” Camie said. “I messed up the gratitude, I’m a failure as a mermaid,” she said.

“Does Ben not have fish people in his crew?” Usopp remarked.

Luffy leaned in and he squinted at her.  “I think he has,” Luffy replied.”But they don't have tails,” he added.

“They are not mermaids,” Nami responded. “And he has three,” she added.

"You’re the first mermaid with a tail I saw,” Luffy said.

“Is Granny Kokoro not a mermaid as well?” Chopper questioned.

“Thinking of Granny Kokoro as a mermaid seems gross,” Luffy said.

Nami’s fist connected with the back of Luffy’s head. "Have some tact,” she said.

Zoro stepped down from the observation deck. He wiped sweat from his forehead with a loose towel, He walked onto the deck and stopped dead in his tracks.

"A mermaid?" Zoro muttered.

Camie tilted her head. "Hi there, Mr. Scary-Swordsman,” she said.

Zoro didn't let her finish. He blinked once. "This is the first time I've ever seen a mermaid. Ever,” he said.

Chopper’s jaw dropped. "But Zoro,” he said. “What about Granny Kokoro at Enies Lobby?” he asked.

Zoro’s expression became a mask of pure, unadulterated denial. "I don't know who that is,” he responded.

"He erased his memory," Chopper shrieked as he clutched his hat in terror. "He’s using sheer willpower to delete the memory of Granny Kokoro,” he added.

Brook leaned in. His hollow eye sockets stared at Camie’s purse. "Excuse me, lovely mermaid-san, could I perhaps borrow some money?" he asked.

“Scary,” Camie said in horror.

At that moment, Sanji kicked Brook. He sent him flying. “Why would she give you money?” Sanji asked. “And you scared her,” he added.

“Yohohoho,” Brook said. “I can also do this,” Brook added as he sat up and tilted his head. He popped the top of his skull open like a cookie jar.

Camie shrieked with laughter. "You guys are the best,” she said.

Luffy poked her tail curiously. "Hey, can you poop?" he asked.

"Dont you dare answer that,” Sanji screamed as he tried to kick Luffy.

Luffy dodged the attack and then grabbed Pappag and started squeezing him. "This one looks like a snack. Does it squeak?" he questioned.

"I am a designer Starfish, you rubber brute,” Pappag muffled.

“Yes, this is Pappag my Master,” Camie replied.

“Master?” Zoro asked.

“Yes, Camie is my pupil and I will guide her,” Pappag replied.

Yes, Master and Hatchan are the most amazing people ever,” Camie chirped as her hands clasped together.

“Hatchan?” Usopp questioned.

"Yes, he’s the absolute Master of Takoyaki,” Camie responded. “People come from all over the undersea just to taste his secret sauce. He’s kind and he’s strong,” she added.

Luffy perked up. His tongue practically hangs out of his mouth. "Takoyaki Master?” he asked.

"Yes, the very best,” Camie insisted.

Just then, the sharp sound of the Transponder Snail echoed from the satchel at her waist. Camie fumbled with the receiver as she clicked it open.

"Hatchan? Is that you?” she asked.

A Transponder Snail on Camie’s belt began to wail. "Camie! Don't come here, I let my guard down,” Hatchan said. “The Flying Fish Riders, they got me,” he added. “Dont come here,” he said.

At that moment the voice changed on the Transponder Snail. “You know Camie, we were just about to sell this guy,” the voice said. “Octpus fishman are pretty rare, so they will fetch a high price. Feel free to come and save him,” the voice said and then the Transponder Snail cut off.

“I need to go and save Hatchan,” Camie said.

“Takoyaki,” Luffy remarked.

"We’ll save your friend," Nami said, "But in exchange, you guide us to the Sabaody Archipelago and show us how to get this ship to the bottom of the ocean," Nami remarked.

Camie nodded frantically. “Really Nami-chin?” Camie asked.

“Yes,” Nami responded.

“Lets go and save Takoyaki,” Luffy screamed.

“Yes,” Usopp, Brook, Chopper and Franky said together.

“Where do we need to go?” Nami asked as she looked at the map.

Pappag walked towards the map. “Here is Sabaody Archipelago,” Pappag said. “And this is where we are,” he added. “And here is the Flying Fish Riders base,” he remarked. “So if we go north, we should get there,” Pappag explained.

“Lets go,” Luffy said as he jumped on the figurehead of the Thousand Sunny.

Camie nodded. She moved towards the railing. She let out a high pitch sound.

“What was that?” Chopper asked.

At that moment, hundreds of tiny, bioluminescent Scale-Fish began to swarm and appeared.

“Cool,” Luffy said.

“Show us the way,” Camie said.

At that moment, the fish formed a massive arrow and started to move forward.

“We can follow them but they said they are scared of them,” Camie replied.

“That is fine, as long as we get close enough, we will take over,” Luffy said.

“A mermaid’s melody, Camie-chan is truly an angel of the deep! I'll cook a feast for you,” Sanji said.

Zoro stared at the arrow. “Why is the arrow so big?” Zoro asked. “Do they think we will get lost?”  he asked.

“Yes,” the entire shouted.

“Be careful," Pappag warned. "Sabaody is a hellhole for our kind. Human trading is a sport there, and mermaids are the grand prize,” he added. “The boss of the gang that has Hatchan is a monster named Duval and he has been wanting to get us for a while,” he remarked.

Luffy smiled. “Then let's make sure to greet him,” Luffy remarked.

In the distance, three men on flying fish observed the Strawhat`s ship. They were flying way.