East Blue — Cocoyasi Village.
Once a picturesque and peaceful place in the East Blue, Cocoyasi Village now lay in desolate ruin.
Ever since Arlong and his crew claimed it as their territory, it had become a living hell.
Under Arlong's rule, every human life had a price.
Adults were taxed at 100,000 Berries per head. Children — 50,000.
Couldn't pay? Then the Fish-Men would unleash their Sea Cow, Momoo, and rampage through the village in retaliation.
Nami, her weathered backpack slung over her shoulder and Clima-Tact in hand, walked silently through the forlorn streets.
When the villagers caught sight of her, their expressions twisted in pain. One by one, they closed their doors and shutters, hiding away.
They didn't want Nami to bear their burden any longer. They wanted to distance themselves from her.
But to Nami, their coldness felt like disgust — disgust for what she'd become as part of Arlong's crew.
Her fingers dug into the tattoo on her left arm — the mark of Arlong. Gritting her teeth, she pressed her lips together and continued walking.
Creeaak.
"Hm?!"
A dusky-skinned woman with tribal tattoos turned her head at the sound.
"Nami?!"
Nojiko's eyes widened as she rushed over to shut the door behind her sister.
"You're back! Are you hungry? Want something to eat?" she asked gently, taking Nami's hand. Something was off — she could see it in Nami's eyes.
But Nami only shook her head, gaze burning with determination.
"I'm going to buy the village back from Arlong."
"...!!!"
Nojiko froze in stunned silence.
...
The Arlong Park.
This was the heart of Arlong's operations.
Arlong sat lounging in a chair, flanked by his lieutenants: Kuroobi the stingray Fish-Man, and Chew the smooch-faced smelt-whiting Fish-Man.
Opposite them sat a man in a Marine uniform — Captain Nezumi.
"So, Nami's back, huh? But she went straight home?" Arlong grinned, baring his saw-like teeth. "That must mean she made quite the haul this time."
"With this latest batch, she should be close to one hundred million Berries, right?" he laughed heartily.
"Well then, I'll trouble you to pay her a visit, Captain Nezumi."
His eyes gleamed with menace as he stared down the greedy Marine.
"Money acquired through theft must, of course, be confiscated by the government," Nezumi chuckled, emitting his signature high-pitched, greedy laugh. "Chichi chichi chichi."
...
"I've saved up one hundred million Berries! I can finally buy the village's freedom!"
Nami's voice was filled with emotion as she opened her stash to Nojiko, a smile tugging at her lips for the first time in years.
"Nami..." Nojiko's voice trembled.
A hundred million Berries... Just how much had Nami suffered to earn that?
Thud, thud, thud.
Footsteps. Nami's expression shifted in alarm as she rushed to hide the treasure chest beneath the floorboards.
She looked up. Captain Nezumi and a squad of Marines were approaching.
"Where's the officer in charge of this village?" Nezumi barked.
"I—I am," said a man covered in stitched scars as he stepped forward.
"I received a report that this village harbors thieves and large amounts of dirty money. As such, the government will now confiscate the illicit funds. Chichi chichi chichi."
His laughter echoed as the villagers stared in disbelief.
"Hey! You know who I am, right?! I'm with Arlong's crew! If you mess with me, Arlong won't let you get away with it!" Nami shouted, panic rising in her voice.
"Chichi chichi... That's not for you to decide," Nezumi grinned, signaling his men to search the house.
"Move fast — we're talking about one hundred million Berries here!"
"...!!!"
Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo all froze.
"How... How do you know how much there is?! That's money Nami earned to save this village!" Genzo roared.
"Chichi chichi... Who knows? Just a lucky guess. A hundred million sounds about right."
Nami's lips trembled. Her fists clenched. She understood now.
Arlong had sent them.
He never intended to give her the village back.
"The government... working with pirates... You're all scum!" Nojiko screamed, her voice shaking with fury.
After everything Nami endured... and this was her reward?
"Found it!"
A Marine shouted as they unearthed Nami's treasure chest — stained with the blood of her sacrifices.
"Chichi chichi chichi..."
Nezumi's eyes gleamed with greed. Arlong had promised him thirty percent of the take.
"Put that money down!" Nami yelled, raising her Clima-Tact.
Rumble...
"Thunderstorm Tempo!"
Dark clouds swirled as lightning crackled from the tip of her staff, summoned by Nami's will.
Boom!
A bolt struck, toppling several Marines instantly.
"You—you dare attack the Marines?! Then this village will be designated as a pirate stronghold! The Navy will wipe it out with full force!" Nezumi shrieked in terror.
Nami stood there, head bowed, teeth clenched.
In the end... she said nothing.
She let Nezumi take the money and walk away.
But as the last Marine disappeared, Nami suddenly turned and bolted — toward Arlong Park.
"Nami!" Nojiko called after her, voice breaking.
"I can't take it anymore!!"
Bang!
Moments after Nami left, doors that had long remained shut burst open.
Villagers poured out into the streets, wielding shovels, bats, and makeshift weapons.
"They treated Nami like dirt! We're not letting this go! Even if we die — we won't be a burden on her any longer!"
"She deserves a better life!" Genzo roared, his rallying cry echoed by the entire village.
Nojiko covered her mouth, struggling to hold back tears.
Thud!
Suddenly — several charred Fish-Man corpses dropped from the sky.
"...?!"
The villagers gasped, stunned.
A soft chuckle floated down from above.
"Looks like my idiot navigator's gotten herself into some trouble."
All eyes turned to the rooftop.
A young man in a straw hat crouched lazily on the eaves, his sun-kissed face grinning. Beside him stood a beautiful girl with long golden hair.
"Name's Ace. I'm a pirate. And Nami... she's my navigator."
He smiled down at them.
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TL/N:
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