Familiar face, familiar voice.
Nami knew she had to get this guy outta here!
Knowing his personality, if he saw the fish-men were oppressing humans, he'd jump right into the freaking mix!
From the first time she met him, she knew he was a good guy.
He might not say it, but he'd always try to help people in trouble.
She'd seen it herself, on countless nights, watching him bite down on something and dig bullets outta his own flesh! Bullets he'd caught while sticking his nose where it didn't belong!
"If it hurts so much, why do you always gotta play the hero?"
"Can't help it! Plus, there's gold and experience to farm! It's a win-win! Doran's Shield heals me up, so it's all good!"
She didn't understand his crazy talk, but she could read him like a book.
He and Luffy were two peas in a pod! Luffy was just a little more of a knucklehead.
Ignis always gave her the feeling that he'd win, that he'd make the right call.
If it was him... Could he beat Arlong?
She didn't dare to gamble on it! Maybe it was 'cause Arlong had scared her shitless as a kid! Maybe it was 'cause the price of failure was too high!
He couldn't die here!
He was gonna be a big freaking deal someday!
His kindness would save a whole lotta people in this messed-up world!
For her, though, 100 million Berries was the safest way to save her village! She was almost there!
"Get outta here! Now!!!" Nami forgot all about her embarrassment from a minute ago.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Nami! I think you need my help."
Ignis was confused by Nami's sudden outburst. Was she just embarrassed?
Crap! He shouldn't have been chatting with her sister about her bed-wetting days! Even if it was kinda weird for a five-year-old!
"I'm with the Arlong Pirates! I got the mighty Arlong backing me up! I don't need your help!"
"Your help would just be a freaking burden! Stop meddling, Ignis!"
"I'm not a Straw Hat Pirate anymore! I don't wanna see your face for another second!"
"Don't make this any harder than it has to be!!!"
Nami shoved Ignis outta the house!
"Now! Get to the beach! Take Luffy and the others and get as far away from here as you can!!!"
Nami slammed the door before Ignis could say a word.
"?"
Ignis tilted his head. Was it that time of the month? This woman was on freaking fire!
Inside the house...
"You okay?" Nojiko watched Nami, who was silent and hanging her head. She could feel the turmoil roiling inside her sister.
"Let's go see Belle-mere-san in a bit." Nami's voice was calm, but her heart was breaking.
Ignis didn't leave right away. He strolled away from Nojiko's place, planning to poke around the village a bit more.
That's when he saw Nami open the door! He ducked into the orange grove.
Nami peeked out, looking around. When she was sure Ignis was gone, she and Nojiko walked off together.
Ignis quietly followed them, wanting to see what was up.
Nami sat cross-legged on a small hill outside the village. A breeze ruffled her hair, the orange strands dancing with her mood.
She'd chased Ignis off, she'd almost saved enough money! Tomorrow, she'd buy back her village! This was gonna be the best day of her life!
"Why'd you treat that guy so rough?" Nojiko was confused. She'd never seen Nami lose it like that, not since she'd joined the Arlong Pirates!
"He didn't seem like a bad guy."
"He's not! He's a really, really good guy!"
Nami shook her head, a small smile touching her lips.
"But that's why..."
"He needs to leave."
Hearing Nami's light tone, Nojiko fell silent. The pressure on her sister's shoulders had been crushing her for years.
"I've almost got 100 million Berries."
"Everyone in the village's gonna have a good life soon."
Nami's voice was calm as she pictured tomorrow.
The kids in Cocoyashi Village could play outside without fear!
The adults wouldn't have to sweat over the tribute money!
Nobody would go hungry to save up cash!
"What about your dream? What about the crew you were with?" Nojiko hadn't forgotten Nami's dream of drawing a map of the whole world.
Yeah, but Luffy and the others would be gone by then.
Would she ever get to chase her dream again?
She shook her head, clearing the thought away.
"Dreams aren't that important."
It still stung, but you couldn't have it all.
Nami stood up and walked away. She had to get ready for tomorrow. It was gonna be the most important day of her life.
"You can come out now."
Nojiko didn't leave. She stared at the bushes.
Leaves rustled, and Ignis stepped out.
"You heard, huh? That's what Nami wants."
Ignis had heard everything. It was the first time he'd seen Nami look like that.
Some things just hit different when you saw 'em up close.
He got it now.
"I hope you respect her wishes. At least, don't interfere right now." Nojiko walked away.
Ignis knew Nami's plan was gonna blow up in her face. Arlong wasn't gonna let her buy her freedom. He'd planned to enslave her for life the second he saw she could draw maps!
Ugh! These guys were a freaking headache!
Ignis lay down in the grass, staring at the sky. He closed his eyes, trying to soak in the peace.
If they both wanted him to stay out of it, he'd stay out of it. For now.
He needed to let Nami try her way.
It'd give Zoro more time to heal, too.
But man, he was itching to punch Arlong's lights out!