Another day of calm seas and gentle breezes found the small pirate ship cutting through the azure waters of the East Blue. Aboard the Going Merry, a familiar routine was underway.
Leo was once again manning the helm, though not without a steady stream of "guidance" from a certain navigator.
"Leo, you moron, a little to the starboard! No, not that much! Ugh, are you even trying?!" Nami's voice, equal parts exasperation and command, echoed across the deck as she directed their course.
Kaya, now free from the shackles of her illness, was dedicating herself to physical training, determined to build up her stamina. She understood that fully utilizing the power of the Heal-Heal Fruit required a strong physical foundation. She refused to be a burden to the crew.
Makino, in her element, was busy preparing meals for the day, the comforting aroma of food wafting from the galley. In her spare time, she had begun experimenting with brewing, a skill that brought her immense satisfaction, especially since both Leo and Nami greatly enjoyed her creations.
Watching his crew—each beautiful in her own way—going about their duties, Leo felt a deep sense of contentment. Life was good. There were pleasant distractions during the day, and long, immersive "navigation lessons" at night. Kaya's addition had upgraded their nightly activities from a simple game of cards to a more involved and enjoyable four-player engagement. Coupled with the Heal-Heal Fruit's ability to erase fatigue, Leo found he could… persevere. Indefinitely. It was a blissful, exhilarating existence.
Stretched out on a lounge chair, Nami was idly monitoring the weather patterns around them. "So, Leo," she began casually, "where to next? I need to plot the course."
Almost without hesitation, Leo responded, "Cocoyasi Village."
The name hit Nami like a physical blow. "Cocoyasi Village? I know that place, I can—" she started to say automatically, her navigator's instincts kicking in before her brain processed the destination. Her words cut off abruptly, her face paling. She stood up, turning to face him, her voice trembling. "Can… can we go somewhere else? There are so many other islands in the East Blue. I can take you to—"
"Nami." Leo's voice was firm, cutting through her panic.
"Leo, please, we really can't go there," she pleaded, her voice cracking, tears welling in her eyes. These past weeks with him had been some of the happiest and most carefree of her entire life. She didn't have to constantly scheme or fear for her life. Sure, his nightly "lessons" were exhausting, but aside from that particular… enthusiasm… he had been nothing but good to her. Having spent years navigating the duplicitous worlds of merchant ships and pirate crews, she could spot genuine care a mile away. Leo was the real deal. And that was precisely why she couldn't lead him to Cocoyasi Village. If Arlong ever laid eyes on him, he would kill him without a second thought. If Leo insisted on going, she would have no choice but to leave him now. The thought made her heart ache. She didn't want to go.
Seeing the raw pain on Nami's face, Leo felt a pang of sympathy. Eight years under Arlong's thumb had truly branded the fish-man as an invincible monster in her mind. Just mentioning her home was enough to unleash a tidal wave of traumatic memories.
Leo looked directly into her eyes, his gaze intense and serious. "Nami, listen to me. You are my woman now. I will make every single person who ever caused you pain pay for it. That includes Arlong."
In his unwavering stare, Nami saw a resolve that was both comforting and terrifying. She was deeply moved, but that only strengthened her resolve to protect him. "Leo, you don't understand!" she cried out, her control snapping. Her body began to shake. "It's Arlong! You can't fight them! Please, don't go there! I'm begging you! You can keep the ten million Berries! I don't care about the money anymore!!"
Her words escalated into a near scream before her strength gave out, and she collapsed onto the deck, helpless sobs wracking her frame, tears streaming down her face. Vivid memories flashed through her mind—villagers who had dared to resist, cut down without mercy. Bell-mère… Her (adoptive mother). Eight years of psychological conditioning had cemented one unshakable truth in her mind: Arlong was unbeatable. The only option was submission. Resistance was suicide.
"Nami! What's wrong?!" Alarmed by the commotion, Kaya and Makino rushed over, helping the distraught navigator to her feet and onto a nearby crate, their faces etched with concern. They had never seen Nami so utterly broken. What could have caused this?
Leo walked over and knelt before her. He gently placed a hand on her forehead, his touch surprisingly soothing. "Nami," he said, his voice soft yet firm. "I know you're afraid of Arlong. But he is not invincible."
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Nami slowly looked up, her sobs subsiding into hiccups.
"You might not know this," Leo continued calmly, "but Arlong is only in the East Blue because he was a failure in the Grand Line. He couldn't cut it there, so he came here to bully those he perceives as weaker. There are countless people stronger than him."
"And yes," he admitted, "fish-men are naturally ten times stronger than the average human. But that's compared to an average human." A confident smirk touched his lips. "Do I look average to you?" He flexed his arm playfully, showing off his well-defined muscle.
Nami let out a wet, choked laugh despite herself. Even now, he was trying to make her smile.
"Nami, you have to believe in Leo," Kaya encouraged, punching the air with a small, determined fist. "He did defeat Kuro, after all!"
"That's right, Nami," Makino added, her voice gentle but sure. "After all this time together, don't you trust the Captain's strength? If he says he can defeat Arlong, then he can."
"R-really?" Their combined reassurance began to chip away at the walls of fear around Nami's heart. She thought about it. Leo was… incredibly capable. His speed alone was probably something Arlong couldn't match.
"Nami," Leo said, capturing her full attention once more. "This trip to Cocoyasi Village isn't just about me removing Arlong. It's about you being the one to defeat him."
Nami stared at him, wondering if she had heard him correctly. Her? Defeat Arlong?
Under her bewildered gaze, Leo turned his hand over. In his palm materialized a strange fruit, its skin swirled with a mesmerizing pattern of multi-colored hues.
Makino recognized it instantly, her hand flying to her mouth. "A Devil Fruit?!" She remembered Luffy eating one and becoming a rubber-man. She hadn't known Leo possessed one too.
Kaya was equally surprised. "Huh?! Leo, you have another one?!"
"This one is different from the one I gave you, Kaya," Leo explained, shaking his head. His focus returned to Nami. "Nami," he said, his voice dropping to a compelling, almost magical tone. "If you eat this Devil Fruit, you will gain the power to defeat Arlong yourself."
Nami's eyes, once clouded with tears and fear, suddenly widened, a new, fragile hope igniting within them.
This story is rewritten version of a famous fanfic so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic