The Going Merry cut through the waves, its sheepish figurehead pointing toward Nami's island as the sun sank below the horizon. Inside, Sanji set out a feast—grilled fish with flaky, golden skin, creamy mashed potatoes, and a bright mikan salad that filled the cabin with a sweet, tangy scent. "Nutrition for warriors,"he said, giving Nami a dramatic bow. The Straw Hats dug in, forks clinking against plates, savoring every bite. But a strange quiet hung over the table. Nami poked at her food, her eyes far away, while Raja twirled his fork, oddly silent for once. Luffy slurped his fish noisily, then paused, glancing around. "Hey, Raja, what's wrong? You're not eating, and you're staring at Nami all serious-like."
Raja set his fork down with a faint grin. "Hold on, Captain Genius." He flicked his wand—poof!—and the dishes vanished, sparkling clean and neatly stacked in seconds. With another wave—whoosh!—the crew blinked and found themselves standing on the Merry's deck under a sky full of stars. The sea breeze tugged at their clothes as Raja's voice dropped low. "This is a better spot for what I've got to say."
The deck went still, the wind rustling the sails the only sound. Luffy scratched his head. "What's this about?"Zoro, leaning against the railing, sharpened his gaze. Sanji lit a cigarette, his face tightening. Usopp clutched his slingshot, picking up the tension in the air.
Raja's cape fluttered as he paced, his usual flair muted. "We've got a job, Straw Hats. There's a pirate crew we need to wipe off the map."The words hung heavy, silencing the deck. Luffy tilted his head, puzzled. "Huh? Who're we smashing?" Zoro, patched up from Raja's magic potions—his scars fading, his strength roaring back—crossed his arms. "Spit it out, sparkles. Who are they, and why?"
Raja's grin vanished, his eyes flashing with a rare steel. "I've got the dirt on East Blue's worst pirates—what they've done, who they've crushed. Including our own crew." He glanced at Nami, who stared at the wooden planks, fists balled tight. "Luffy picked Nami as our navigator without knowing her story. But me? I'm the genius Vice-Captain. Your troubles are my troubles. I dig them up, and I fix them. To make Nami truly ours, you've got to hear what she's been through—and then we end it."
Raja's voice softened, weaving Nami's past like a storyteller unveiling a dark tale. "Bell-mère was a Marine, tough as nails, sailing the seas. She found Nojiko and a tiny baby Nami during a war—orphans with no one else. She took them in, brought them to Cocoyasi Village, and raised them like her own daughters. Life was hard. Bell-mère grew mikans—oranges—to scrape by, often skipping her own meals so Nami and Nojiko could eat. Nami loved maps, even stole books from the village shop to learn more. She wore Nojiko's old clothes, and it burned her up—hating how poor they were. One day, she got so mad she ran off, hiding out at Genzo's office."
He paused, letting the crew soak it in. Sanji blew out a slow stream of smoke, his jaw clenched. Usopp's eyes grew wide, his grip tightening. Luffy frowned, piecing it together bit by bit.
"Then Arlong came," Raja went on, his tone turning grim. "A fishman pirate, mean as they come. He stormed Cocoyasi Village with his crew, claiming it as his turf. Everyone had to pay a monthly fee—or die. His goons spotted smoke from Bell-mère's house on the edge of town. Nojiko and Nami raced back to warn her, but it was too late. She only had 100,000 bellies—not enough for herself and two kids. The villagers tried hiding the girls so Bell-mère could save herself, but she wouldn't abandon them. She used the money to pay for Nami and Nojiko instead. Arlong shot her dead right there, in front of her daughters."
Nami's shoulders trembled, tears splashing onto the deck. Zoro's hand tightened on Wado Ichimonji, his knuckles white. Sanji crushed his cigarette in his fist, embers scattering.
"Arlong saw Nami's maps,"Raja said, his voice steady but fierce. "He liked her skill, forced her into his crew, and fed her a lie—collect 100 million bellies, and she could buy her village back. Since then, she's been a thief, hitting pirates, hiding cash, chasing that fake promise." He turned to face them, eyes burning. "So, Straw Hats, what's our move? Leave Nami with her money and her mess, find a new navigator like cold-hearted pirates? Or smash every last Arlong thug, fix her life, and take her with us on this adventure?"
The crew's resolve flared like a lit fuse. Zoro smirked, sliding his sword back into its sheath with a soft click. "Fish need slicing—clean and simple." Sanji flicked his lighter, his grin sharp. "I'll turn 'em into fish sticks." Usopp puffed out his chest, voice shaky but bold. "I'll snipe 'em straight to the afterlife!" Luffy jumped up, stomping to the figurehead and planting himself on its sheepish head. "I'M GONNA KICK ARLONG'S ASS!" Smirks spread across the deck—Nami sobbed, her tears now mixed with gratitude.
Luffy spun around, pointing at Raja. "Get us to her village—fast!"
Raja's wicked grin returned, wide and wild. "Aye aye, Captain!"He waved his wand—whoosh!—and a shimmering bubble of air pressure wrapped the ship, softening the wind's roar. Another flick—crackle!—and a weight-reducing rune glowed under the hull, making the Merry feel light as a feather. Then, with a grand twirl, he activated a flying rune he'd cooked up in the Harry Potter world, hoverboard-style. BOOM! The ship blasted forward with a sonic crack, skimming just above the waves, leaving a trail of spray behind.
The crew grabbed the rails, jaws dropping. "WHAT IN THE WORLD?!" Sanji shouted, his hair flapping wildly. "You turned us into a flying fish, you lunatic?!"
Raja laughed, his cape whipping in the wind. "Wizard King magic, twirly-toes! No bumps, just speed—enjoy the VIP ride!"Zoro snorted, bracing himself. "Flashy as hell, but it beats paddling."Usopp whooped, clinging to the mast. "We're gonna slam into Arlong like a cannonball!"
Nami wiped her eyes, staring at Raja. "You're crazy… but thank you."
Raja leaned in, winking. "Crazy? I'm a genius, Nami! Stick with us, and that shark's toast by sunrise." She gave a shaky smile. "Don't get too full of yourself, sparkles."
"Full of myself?!" Raja gasped, hand on his chest. "I'm the soul of modesty! Watch me skewer Arlong with my Divine Trishul—he'll be a fish kebab!" Luffy cackled. "No way, he's mine—I'm kicking his ass first!"
Sanji smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Save some for my boots, cape clown."
"Clown?!"Raja spun, pointing his wand at Sanji. "I'm your co-star in chaos, leggy! Bet I can fry those fishmen faster than you can flirt!"Sanji grinned, flicking his lighter. "You're on."
In less than an hour, Cocoyasi Village appeared—orange groves glowing under the moonlight. The Merry slowed, hovering silently just above the water. The crew geared up: Zoro strapped on his swords, Sanji smoothed his tie, Usopp loaded his slingshot, Luffy cracked his knuckles, and Nami gripped her staff with iron resolve. Raja adjusted his wizard suit, wand sparking at the tip.
Standing beside Luffy, Raja's evil grin spread wide. "This'll be brutal—bloodier than anything we've faced. Arlong's crew won't know what hit 'em. Ready, Straw Hats?"
Luffy smashed his fists together. "Let's smash 'em!"
Zoro nodded, eyes glinting. "Time to cut loose."
Sanji lit a fresh cigarette. "Fish stew's on the menu."
Usopp swallowed hard, then puffed up. "I'm the great Usopp—bring it on!"
Nami's voice steadied, fierce and clear. "For Bell-mère."
Raja twirled his wand, sparks flying, his grin sharp as a blade. "For freedom. Let's make Arlong wish he'd stayed a tadpole."