East Blue – Coco Yaxi Village, 4 p.m.
The sun was setting, painting the sky and land in fiery red hues.
East Blue's Coco Yaxi Village was alive with excitement and joy. The haze that had shrouded the village for seven long years had finally lifted. Today was the best day in the villagers' memories.
The village assembly square was packed, bustling with people. A grand banquet had been prepared to celebrate the village's new life—just waiting for the protagonist to arrive.
Only…
"Haven't they returned yet?""Miss Mirajan, where's the chairman?""Chairman Sugisawa Yuuto hasn't come back yet? We want to thank him in person!"
Fengche Ajian and other villagers voiced their impatience.
"Everyone, please be patient. The chairman should be back any moment now," Mirajan said with a reassuring smile.
Just as her words faded, a distant rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. The villagers instinctively shivered.
"The chairman is back!" Mirajan said, smiling knowingly.
Chi chi! A flash of lightning illuminated the assembly square. Sugisawa Yuuto had arrived.
The villagers froze at the sight of the handsome young man suddenly standing before them. Then, almost simultaneously, they rushed forward, pouring waves of gratitude onto him.
It wasn't until Nami stepped forward that their fervor calmed slightly. In the end, Ajian, Nuo Qigao, and other senior village representatives were left to formally offer their toasts.
"Chairman Sugisawa Yuuto, we cannot thank you enough. There is no way to repay your kindness. I offer you a toast!"
Nuo Qigao, her short blue hair catching the light, stepped forward and raised her glass.
"This was Nami's commission. I simply did what needed to be done," Sugisawa Yuuto said with a small smile, raising his own glass.
"In the future, even if the chairman asks me to scale mountains of swords or dive into seas of fire, I will not hesitate," Mr. Jian, still scarred from past battles, assured him with a thump on his chest.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Jian, the chairman will never ask you to scale mountains of swords or dive into seas of fire!" Nami said, smiling.
"Mr. Jian, everyone…"
At that moment, the village newsstand's elderly uncle, in charge of delivering the daily paper, suddenly screamed, waving today's edition in the air.
"The rats of Marine Branch 166… Colonel Mouse, who colluded with Arlong, has been killed!"
"Nani? The rats… really killed?!""Wonderful!""This is delightful!"
The villagers erupted with cheer. Their disdain for the Marine rats who'd aided Arlong rivaled even their hatred for the Arlong gang itself.
Unlike the common villagers, who celebrated the Arlong gang's downfall, Nami turned sharply toward Sugisawa Yuuto. Her eyes shone with understanding—she now knew where he had gone during the day.
Fengche Ajian and Nuo Qigao reacted similarly. Their suspicions were confirmed in an instant. Sugisawa Yuuto had personally eliminated Colonel Mouse.
A new wave of frenzy swept the assembly square. Excitement and gratitude mingled with guilt—Nami, Ajian, and Nuo Qigao all felt responsible. It was their actions that had pushed Sugisawa Yuuto into becoming a Marine bounty criminal.
"It's just a reward. That doesn't matter. What's important now is celebrating the village's new life, isn't it?" Sugisawa Yuuto said calmly, brushing aside the reward entirely.
"But… Chairman, didn't you say before that we should try to avoid conflicts with the Marines?" Mirajan asked.
"I did—but that was meant for the righteous Marines. Excluded are the corrupt ones. More importantly…" Sugisawa Yuuto's expression grew serious.
"Everyone in the guild is family. Fairy Tail will never allow others to bully family members. Can we allow the rat that tormented Nami to continue freely?"
"Of course not!" Mirajan responded without hesitation.
"Family?" Nami held her wine glass, eyes flickering. Her pretty face curved into a smile as she unconsciously raised the glass.
Three rounds of wine were drunk. Dishes were enjoyed. Night fell, and the banquet concluded.
Now, as an 80 million Berry bounty criminal, Sugisawa Yuuto had no reason to linger in Coco Yaxi Village. His presence could only bring trouble to the villagers. With reluctant farewells, Fairy Tail set sail once again.
"Ah! My wallet!""Mine too!""Could it be Nami?""Where's that girl?""Goodbye, Nami! Be sure to check at home!"
The villagers laughed and cursed, enjoying their own brand of chaos.
"Don't worry. Nami has found the best partner. Let's look forward to her future adventures!" Fengche Ajian said.
Nuo Qigao smiled softly.
Fairy Tail
"Alright, Nami, you're officially a member of Fairy Tail! Welcome!" Mirajan sealed the magic with a flourish.
"It's incredible!" Nami stared at her arm in awe. The space that had once held Arlong's tattoo now bore the symbol of Fairy Tail. The process had been completely painless, a single magical transformation.
"Rest well tonight, Nami. Tomorrow, we start working on paying off your debts," Sugisawa Yuuto said with a smile.
"Really… here we go again, Chairman! Didn't you say everyone in the guild is family? Do family members still argue over money?" Nami blinked, slyly.
"Also, Ms. Mira told me you wanted to sail the Grand Line and serve as Fairy Tail's navigator, Chairman. So that's why you set that outrageous commission!" Nami said, convinced she understood the scheme.
"No, Nami. Even among family, accounts must be settled. The remaining 1.999999999 Berry is still waiting for you," Sugisawa Yuuto said seriously.
"Why~~~" Nami's little money-loving face collapsed in mock despair.
"Hahaha," Sugisawa Yuuto laughed.
That Night
Nami sat at her desk, writing in her sailing journal. Moonlight reflected off the Fairy Tail emblem on her arm, making her smile unconsciously.
"Mom… Bell Mel… my second life is beginning. The world must be full of infinite surprises waiting for me!"
She closed her journal and fell into a peaceful sleep.
In her dreams, stars stretched across the vast sky. Magical light flickered around her. As a member of Fairy Tail, magic was inevitable. Every member accepted by Sugisawa Yuuto had the potential to awaken their own.
And at this very moment, Nami's magic was on the verge of awakening…