Cocoyasi Village, by the coast.
"Phew... I'm finally back!"
Nami wiped her forehead with her arm, exhaling as she spoke.
Then, he picked up a large bag of packaged treasure, leaped off the going merry, and walked towards the village.
The village roads were dilapidated, the houses on both sides were crooked, and everywhere was patched with wooden boards.
The entire village road was empty, looking desolate, bleak, and very desolate.
Nami walked on the road full of signs of destruction, her teeth clenching tighter and tighter.
"I must buy this village back from Arlong."
Nami's heart was incredibly firm.
At this moment, she noticed the villagers hiding in their houses, secretly observing her, and her mood couldn't help but sink.
"Everyone still hates me, one of Arlong's crew, and they all hide from me."
"But it doesn't matter, I'll be able to buy this village back very soon."
...
On the outskirts of Cocoyasi Village, there was a small, detached house, with thriving orange trees planted outside.
Nami walked through the village, all the way to this spot.
At this moment, a blue-haired woman with slightly tanned skin, who was tending to the orange trees near the house, suddenly heard footsteps.
She emerged from among the orange trees and saw Nami, immediately rushing towards her, crying out in joyful surprise.
"Nami, you're back!"
Nami smiled brightly and hugged the woman tightly.
"Nojiko, I'm back!"
...
Under an orange tree near the wooden house.
Nami squatted on the ground, digging open the earth, revealing a large pile of sparkling gold and silver treasures inside.
Nami opened the package she had brought back and poured its contents in.
"The harvest is quite good this time!"
Nojiko, standing by, looked at the large bag of treasure Nami poured in and said.
Nami replied while re-covering the treasure.
"Mm! About 7 million Berries."
"I still need 7 million Berries, if I go out one more time, I'll have enough to buy the village for 100 million Berries."
Nami's eyes were filled with hope, and a happy smile appeared on her small face, which was smudged with mud.
This scene, however, made Nojiko's heart ache, and her gaze towards Nami was filled with tenderness.
"Let's go back, Nami. I'll cook for you."
Nojiko said, then turned and walked towards the wooden house.
Nami also happily and contentedly followed close behind.
...
Near Cocoyasi Village, there was a territory occupied by Fishmen, the Arlong Empire.
At this moment, within the Arlong Empire.
Under a towering, pagoda-like building.
The Saw-Shark Fishman Arlong was sitting with a cunning-looking, rat-like Navy Captain, Captain Nezumi.
Arlong pulled out a wad of cash and handed it over.
"Here's this month's money, take it!"
Captain Nezumi's gaze flickered to the wad of cash, and he immediately beamed, reaching out to take it while saying.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak... You truly understand the ways of the world, then I won't be polite."
Arlong burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha... Why be polite now? A wonderful world is a world where money flows like water."
"Money is a good thing, the most reliable thing, isn't it?!"
Captain Nezumi also echoed.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak... Exactly!"
At this moment, a Kissing Fishman suddenly approached Arlong and whispered.
"Big Brother Arlong, a Fishman reported that Nami is back and brought a large bag of things. I guess it must be the treasure she collected this time."
Arlong stopped laughing upon hearing this, his eyes thoughtful, and he recalled, saying.
"Speaking of which, Nami has been with our Arlong crew for eight years now."
"In these eight years, she must have accumulated a lot of treasure, right?!"
"It shouldn't be far from the 100 million Berries I promised her!"
Saying this, Arlong suddenly revealed a strange smile and looked at Captain Nezumi, who was counting money across from him.
"Captain Nezumi, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you with one more thing..."
...
On the outskirts of Cocoyasi Village, inside the wooden house.
Nami and Nojiko sat at a wooden table, happily eating their meal.
"Nami, you seem different this time when you came back!"
Nojiko held her bowl, but her gaze was fixed on Nami, who was eating across from her, and she suddenly spoke.
Nami looked up in confusion upon hearing this and asked.
"Hmm? Is there something different?"
Nojiko nodded slightly and spoke of her feelings.
"Before, when you came back, you always seemed very tired, and your mood was very low."
"But this time, you look very relaxed! Did something happy happen?"
Nami was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. Only after Nojiko's reminder did she realize that she was indeed unexpectedly relaxed this time, and her mood was not as heavy as before.
She couldn't help but think of Luffy, and Uta.
Suddenly, the corners of her mouth turned up, and she smiled slightly.
"This time out, I met a group of strange guys!"
Seeing Nami like this, Nojiko's eyes lit up. This was the first time she had seen Nami genuinely happy since Nami joined the Arlong crew.
She put down her chopsticks, propped her chin with her hand, and said.
"Hey! I say, Nami!"
"Tell me about what happened to you this time!"
"I'm very curious! Those strange guys you met..."
Nami thought for a moment, it seemed good to tell Nojiko these interesting stories, so she pondered where to start.
Suddenly remembering something, Nami's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said excitedly.
"Oh right! Let's start with that idiotic Captain!"
"Let me tell you, that idiotic Captain..."
...
"Hahahahaha..."
"Hahahahaha..."
Inside the wooden house, laughter continued, for an unknown duration.
Nojiko's laughter was like silver bells, and she said.
"Hahahahaha... Is that Captain really that idiotic?"
"He knows you're a treasure thief, yet he still invites you to be his navigator."
Nami nodded repeatedly.
"Exactly, exactly! He really is a super big idiot!"
"At that time in Morka's office, I felt like I was about to be exposed, but that idiotic Captain didn't realize I was lying. I was so scared then, my heart was pounding!"
...
"Hahahahaha..."
Joyful laughter once again filled the room.
After a long while.
"Hmph..."
Nojiko let out a long breath, easing the fatigue after laughing so much.
"Nami, you really like them, don't you!"
At this moment, Nojiko suddenly blurted out.
Nami was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then a happy smile appeared on her face, and she nodded heavily.
"I like them very much!"
"When I'm with them, I always seem to be so happy!"
Nami's eyes held memories, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, looking very happy and content.
Nojiko, seeing Nami's yearning and happy expression, felt sadness in her heart and said.
"Nami, you don't actually have to live so tiringly."
"As long as you don't worry about us..."
Bang!
Nami slammed the table, stood up, leaning on the table, and looked at Nojiko angrily, saying seriously.
"Nojiko, I won't allow you to say such things again."
"I will absolutely free you, and this village, from Arlong's grasp!"
"Absolutely!"
Nojiko's heart was incredibly moved, her eyes slightly moist, and she murmured Nami's name.
"Nami..."
Just then, they suddenly heard footsteps outside the door, and at the same time, a somewhat lewd voice sounded.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak... Is anyone here?"