On the way to Cocoyashi Village, Eli Winters couldn't help but glance in disbelief at Fiona, who was… fishing.
Fishing.
At a time like this?
Wasn't she supposed to be mastering Roger's ultimate technique, Divine Departure? Why was she sitting there with a rod, humming cheerfully as if she didn't have a care in the world?
"Fiona," Eli called out lazily from his deck chair. "You already learned Divine Departure?"
Hearing that, Fiona rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out. "Of course not."
"Huh? Then why are you fishing?" Eli asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Are you pretending to be clueless or are you actually clueless?" she shot back, exasperated. "You can't even use Divine Departure without awakening Conqueror's Haki and you have to master Haki infusion first!"
For a moment, Eli froze, blinking.
Oh. Right. That was written in the manual… somewhere.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Ah… yeah. I think I might've… uh… forgotten that part."
"Forgotten?" Fiona repeated coldly. "You handed me that booklet yourself!"
Eli immediately tried to save face. "It was an accident! I was just too excited back then and didn't read the fine print, haha."
"Hmph." Fiona snorted and turned away, pretending to ignore him.
Eli chuckled weakly and decided not to push his luck. He leaned back again, hands behind his head, enjoying the sea breeze until a burst of shouting shattered the calm.
He sat up, eyes narrowing.
A pirate ship was attacking a merchant vessel nearby.
The terrified screams of civilians echoed across the waves, while the pirates roared with laughter, firing guns and swinging blades.
Eli frowned. Ever since entering the calmer regions of the East Blue, pirate attacks had become rare. It was almost nostalgic in a murderous sort of way.
Before he could react, Fiona was already moving. The Snowdrinker her flying sword soared into the air with a metallic whistle. With one graceful leap, she landed atop it, standing proudly against the wind.
Her sudden appearance froze everyone below pirates and merchants alike.
When she saw the blood and bodies scattered across the merchant ship, fury flashed in Fiona's eyes.
"Damn pirates," she whispered, her voice trembling with rage.
Without hesitation, she flicked her wrist. Five flashes of cold light shot out like falling stars.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Heads rolled before anyone could scream. Blood splattered across the deck, staining the planks crimson. The scent of iron filled the air as the remaining pirates stared in horror, their bravado melting into terror.
Even the rescued sailors were too shocked to move. The scene before them swift, merciless, and drenched in blood looked like something out of a nightmare. They huddled together, trembling, afraid to make a sound lest the goddess of death in the sky turn her blade on them too.
Within moments, every pirate lay dead.
Ever since traveling with Eli, Fiona and the rest of the crew had become far less tolerant of cruelty. When they met villains like these, mercy was no longer part of the discussion.
From the Silver Dragon, Felina and the others had watched the entire display unfold. Their eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Wow," Felina breathed, hands clasped. "You were amazing, Fiona! Just like those righteous heroes Captain Eli told us stories about!"
The others nodded in agreement, showering her with praise.
Fiona's lips curved upward, unable to hide her satisfaction. She gave a small, proud hum before gracefully descending back onto the Silver Dragon.
A few days later, after a peaceful voyage, the Silver Dragon finally reached Cocoyashi Village.
The moment they docked, Fiona spotted a familiar ship moored nearby the very same merchant vessel she'd saved from the pirates. The survivors were busy unloading cargo, their laughter light and grateful.
As Eli and his crew disembarked, they noticed a middle-aged man speaking softly to a little girl no more than five or six who looked on the verge of tears.
Eli slowed his steps, curious.
"Come now, Nami," the man said gently, scratching his head. "Uncle Lawrence didn't lie to you. I did buy you those books about navigation, truly! But when those vile pirates attacked, everything was thrown into chaos they tossed the books into the sea! Next time I go sailing, I'll buy you even better ones, alright?"
But the little girl Nami pouted, eyes misty. "You're lying again, Uncle Lawrence! You promised to bring me books about navigation this time, and now you say they're gone! I don't believe you!"
Her voice cracked at the end, trembling with hurt.
Eli chuckled softly, walking over. "Hey there, little one. Why the tears? Tell me what kind of books you're looking for maybe I can help."
Both turned toward him in surprise. Nami sniffled, clutching the hem of her dress. "Really? You… you have books about navigation?"
Before Eli could answer, Lawrence's eyes went wide in recognition as he spotted Fiona. "You! You're the one who saved us! I never got the chance to thank you properly. Please, tell me your name I, Lawrence, will never forget your kindness!"
Fiona smiled politely. "No need to thank me. I just couldn't stand by and watch. I'm Fiona, and this is our captain, Eli Winters. The rest are my crew."
Lawrence bowed deeply. "Captain Eli, Miss Fiona please, let me repay you. I insist!"
"Haha, no need for that," Eli said with an easy grin. "But if you want to treat us to a meal, I won't say no."
"Of course! I'll have everything prepared at once. Please, feel free to explore the village while I make arrangements," Lawrence said eagerly before hurrying off.
Nami, however, lingered, her eyes still on Eli.
Eli crouched down to her height. "So, you love navigation, huh? You want to be a navigator someday?"
The girl nodded shyly. "Yes! My dream is to draw the most complete map of the entire world!"
Eli smiled warmly. "That's a big dream, kid. I like it."
Her eyes brightened. "Then… do you really have books about navigation?"
Eli leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Nope."
"Eh?!" Nami gasped, betrayed.
He burst out laughing. "But she does," he said, pointing to Felina. "She's the best navigator in the world she might even teach you herself if you ask nicely."
Nami's jaw dropped. "Really?"
Felina chuckled. "I'm not the best, but I can definitely teach you the basics, little Nami."
"Yay! I have to tell Bell-mère and Nojiko!" she cried, bouncing with excitement.
"Bell-mère and Nojiko?" Eli asked, pretending not to know.
"They're my mom and sister! If you teach me, I'll let you eat our oranges!"
The crew burst into laughter.
Guided by Nami, they soon arrived at a small two-story house surrounded by a lush orange grove.
"I'm home!" Nami called out as she opened the door.
"Nami, where have you been for so long? Did Uncle Lawrence bring back your books?" came a voice from inside.
A short-haired girl, about eight or nine, stepped out Nojiko. Her eyes widened at the sight of the unfamiliar guests.
"Hello there," Eli greeted warmly.
"H-hello…" Nojiko stammered, unsure how to respond.
"Don't be shy! They're my guests!" Nami announced proudly.
"Ah, right! Please, come in," Nojiko said quickly, moving aside.
"Sorry for intruding," Eli said with a grin, pulling something from his pocket. "A little gift for our first meeting."
He handed her… a gold brick.
Nojiko froze, eyes wide as dinner plates. "Th-this… this is too much! I can't accept that!"
Meanwhile, Nami's eyes turned into glowing berry symbols.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, I've got plenty more where that came from," Eli said, laughing heartily at their stunned faces.
Big Pan sighed, shaking his head. "Captain's at it again."
Felina smiled and leaned down to Nami. "Now then, about those oranges?"
"Right! I'll go get them!" Nami chirped, snatching the gold bar from her sister's hands before dashing outside.
Eli and the others burst into laughter again.
"That little one's going to be a handful when she grows up," Eli said with a grin.
Nojiko could only blush, embarrassed yet amused by their laughter unaware that her little sister's dream of becoming the world's greatest navigator had just truly begun.
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