With Buggy and his gang defeated, the dust had finally settled. In addition to Rokuro's overwhelming victory, Zoro had also ended his fight in record time.
In the original timeline of One Piece, Zoro dispatched Kabaji with ease—even while heavily wounded. Now, fully uninjured, Kabaji hadn't even been a challenge. His scimitar shattered after a single clash, and the acrobat found himself unconscious in the town square before the townsfolk could blink.
And yet, Zoro wasn't celebrating. His eyes remained fixed on the battle between Luffy and Buggy, brows furrowed deeply. Despite the comedic madness of the scene—Buggy's body parts flying in all directions—Zoro appeared troubled, as though pondering something far more profound than victory.
Rokuro strolled over and stood beside him. He had no intention of interrupting Luffy's fight. Not because he lacked confidence—on the contrary—but because he understood something important: the fights of captains were theirs alone. Even among pirate crews, there was an unspoken rule. A kind of pride.
Zoro's gaze didn't shift as he asked quietly, "Rokuro… is there a way to hit someone who can't be cut?"
Rokuro didn't hesitate. "Haki."
"Haki?" Zoro echoed. "What's that?"
Rokuro took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "It's a kind of… spiritual armor. The user's willpower hardens their body or weapon. Some call it 'Armament Haki.' It's said to let you hit Devil Fruit users as if their powers didn't matter. It's like pouring your spirit into your blade. I don't know the science behind it. But it works."
Zoro's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "So you're saying… Haki could let me cut Buggy?"
Rokuro scratched his head, hesitant. "Well… probably not. Not completely. Buggy's fruit—the Bara Bara no Mi—makes his body immune to slashing attacks, period. I doubt even the world's strongest swordsman could change that."
"Then what? Are swords useless against him?" Zoro grunted, frustrated.
"Not exactly," Rokuro replied. "You'd just need to fight differently. Use blunt force. Or pin his pieces down. Hit him where it counts."
Zoro sighed. "Hmph. So even Haki has limits."
"Every power does," Rokuro replied.
There was a pause.
Zoro turned to him again. "Can you teach me Haki?"
Rokuro laughed awkwardly. "Teach? I don't even fully understand it myself! I'm just a fisherman!"
Zoro gave him a flat stare. "You speak like some master from Wano, then you act like Usopp's cousin."
Rokuro frowned. "Don't give me that look. You want a fight? Swordsman with the worst sense of direction in East Blue?"
Zoro snapped, "Bring it on, seaweed-headed fisherman!"
They squared off for a second, lightning crackling in the background—until Nami's irritated sigh cut through the tension.
She stood nearby, watching both the ongoing battle and the two idiots arguing beside her. She facepalmed and muttered, "These guys… are really pirates?"
Then her eyes widened. "Wait! I was supposed to sneak off while they were distracted!"
Realizing she'd gotten too caught up in the chaos, Nami bolted into the nearest building to recover the stolen treasure.
Rokuro blinked and saw her dash off. Without missing a beat, he used a Substitution Jutsu, replacing himself with a barrel just as Zoro turned to punch him.
"Oi! Where'd that bastard go?" Zoro looked around, annoyed.
Inside the building, Nami's eyes sparkled as she counted a pile of Baileys. "So much money… so close… just a few million more and I can buy back the village…!"
But then—whoosh!
Rokuro's shadow fell over her like a cartoon villain. He reached for the treasure—but Nami flipped backward, dodging with acrobatic grace.
"Huh?! Reflex bonus from carrying treasure?" Rokuro said aloud, stunned.
"What do you think you're doing, pervert!?" Nami barked.
Rokuro froze as he realized where his hand had nearly landed. He raised both hands innocently.
"I swear I wasn't aiming there! Here, take 10 Baileys!"
He handed her the coins solemnly.
Nami blinked. "So… honest?"
Rokuro then looked at the massive bag of treasure and pointed to it. "That belongs to the Straw Hat Pirates. You're not our navigator, so what claim do you have?"
Nami narrowed her eyes. "I stole it. That makes it mine."
Rokuro's jaw dropped. "What pirate logic—! You're worse than Luffy!"
"I never said I wasn't!" Nami snapped, hugging the treasure protectively.
"Then I guess I'll kill you and take it," Rokuro threatened, darkly.
"You won't," Nami said, almost shyly. "Your eyes give you away. Besides… haven't we been through a lot together?"
Rokuro paused. The desperation in her voice wasn't fake.
Nami was panicking on the inside. The money in her hands could finally free her village from Arlong's tyranny. She was so close—she couldn't afford to lose it now.
That's when Rokuro changed tactics.
"Nami," he said seriously. "Why don't you join our crew? Be our navigator. You'll control the money."
"Who wants to join a bunch of brain-dead pirates?" she barked.
"We're not like other pirates," Rokuro said. "Think of us as adventurers. If you have a problem, we'll help you solve it—even if it costs our lives. Then you'll join us. Deal?"
Nami blinked. Her heart leapt.
She immediately thought of Arlong. His monstrous strength. The fear he commanded. They wouldn't stand a chance… would they?
Still… her mind calculated possibilities.
"Fine," she said, smirking. "Then this money is my hiring fee. Got it?"
Rokuro dropped to his knees, tears gushing from his eyes.
"I finally waited for you! I'm free! No more babysitting pirates! I can fish in peace!"
"I won't get lost anymore!"
"Someone will cook!"
"Oh, thank you, merciful sea gods!"
Nami stared, dumbfounded. "What the hell is wrong with this guy?"
Still, she said nothing. She had no intention of sticking around forever. Once they dropped their guard… she'd slip away with the treasure.
"Gomu Gomu no… Rocket!"
Buggy flew screaming through the air, becoming a star in the distance.
Luffy wiped his hands and laughed. "That takes care of Red Nose!"
With Buggy gone, the townsfolk of Orange Town gathered and threw a massive party to celebrate their freedom. For the first time in weeks, music and laughter filled the air.
"There's a party!" Luffy cheered, already wolfing down meat.
"You guys are great!" a villager said. "We'll never forget this!"
Luffy stood on a table. "As thanks, I'll leave half our treasure to help rebuild!"
"WHAT?!" Nami shouted, fangs protruding. "That's my money! Are you crazy?!"
"I'm the captain!" Luffy declared proudly. "My word is law!"
Nami turned to Rokuro, who was happily grilling a fish over a small fire.
"Hey! Idiot fisherman! Stop him!"
Rokuro raised his rod and grinned. "A fisherman never returns empty-handed."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Wow! You caught a dogfish! You're amazing, Rokuro!"
"Luffy!!!" Nami's fist flew forward, glowing with cartoon rage.
BANG!
Luffy and Rokuro crashed to the floor, stars spinning around their heads.
Zoro, half-asleep and totally drunk, turned over in his sleep and mumbled, "Dumbasses…" before dozing off again.
Maybe it was thoughts of her hometown. Maybe it was guilt. Either way, Nami quietly left behind 500 million Baileys.
As the party raged on, her voice echoed faintly over the noise:
"Damn it! Are you guys really pirates or what?!"