Not long after Nami left, she returned looking dejected and she wasn't alone. Following behind her was a young woman with a cigarette between her lips, wearing a green checkered shirt with the word "MACE" printed across it. Her long brown hair was tied in a ponytail, and in her hands she carried a basket full of brightly colored oranges.
The woman stepped forward and respectfully offered a gold brick with both hands.
"I'm so sorry," she said sincerely. "My child didn't know any better and actually accepted such an expensive gift. Please, take it back."
Eli Winters smiled warmly. "Don't worry about it. That gift's from me. You can keep it I don't want you to feel burdened. You must be Nami's mother, Belle-Mère, right? Nami's a wonderful girl with a big dream."
Belle-Mère hesitated, but seeing Eli's easygoing smile, she finally nodded and accepted the gold brick. "Alright… thank you, truly."
When Nami saw her mother take the gift, her expression brightened instantly. Life hadn't been easy for them. Since Belle-Mère left the Navy, she had no stable income, raising both Nami and Nojiko entirely on her own. If it weren't for Mr. Genzo's occasional help, things would've been even harder. Sometimes, Nami secretly thought that maybe her mother and sister would've lived better without her around.
"Belle-Mère," Nami said excitedly, "this is Sister Filina! She's an amazing navigator, and she promised to teach me how to chart the seas!"
Belle-Mère finally took a closer look at Eli and his group. The more she looked, the more familiar they seemed until her eyes landed on Big Pan. Her face changed instantly.
"You're… the Dream Exploration Expedition Crew! The ones with a combined bounty of over four billion berries!"
Eli chuckled. "Oh? So you recognize me after all."
Belle-Mère immediately pulled her daughters behind her, her face tense. "What are you doing here?"
Nami and Nojiko looked confused, gripping their mother's arm tightly. The shift in mood frightened them.
"Relax," Eli said calmly. "We're not pirates. We came to Cocoyasi Village because it's one of the stops on our travel map. If we had bad intentions, do you really think you could stop us?"
Even after hearing that, Belle-Mère didn't lower her guard. "Who knows? You're the one they call Sky Sovereign Eli Winters, with a bounty of thirty-three billion berries. I'd be a fool not to stay alert."
Eli sighed and smiled helplessly. "If you know who I am, then you should also know why the Navy put a bounty on me. We're not your enemies. If our presence makes you uncomfortable, we can leave."
He turned slightly as if preparing to go, but Nami quickly ran forward.
"Wait! Eli's not a bad guy! He and his friends saved Uncle Laurence from pirates!"
Belle-Mère froze. "What do you mean?"
Nami hurriedly explained how Laurence had been attacked at sea by pirates, only to be rescued by Fiona. As the story unfolded, Belle-Mère's expression slowly softened. The tension in her posture eased as she exhaled deeply. Everyone in the village knew Laurence he was the biggest buyer of tangerines in Cocoyasi, and if something happened to him, many villagers' livelihoods would collapse.
Finally, Belle-Mère bowed slightly. "I'm sorry. I misjudged you. If you really saved Laurence, then you've helped all of Cocoyasi Village. I owe you my gratitude."
Eli laughed heartily. "All good! As long as we cleared the misunderstanding. So, Nami, weren't you going to share some oranges with us?"
Nami grinned and quickly handed out two fresh oranges one to Eli, and one to Filina. Even at her age, she already knew how to win people over. Belle-Mère soon followed, giving the rest of the group their share.
The atmosphere grew warm and easy as everyone sat together eating sweet oranges. Nami couldn't stop pestering Filina with questions about her adventures at sea, and Filina answered every one of them patiently, smiling like a proud older sister.
Before long, Laurence himself arrived to invite Eli and his crew to a dinner feast insisting that Nami's family come too. Over dinner, he presented Eli with a token of thanks: a beautifully crafted sword. Though not one of the famed fifty skillful grade blades, it was still a weapon of remarkable quality perfect for Fiona.
Trust a businessman to know the perfect gift for the occasion.
Since Filina had promised to teach Nami the art of navigation, Eli's group decided to stay in Cocoyasi Village for an entire month. During that time, they also taught Nami and Nojiko a few basic training techniques. Nothing as advanced as Haki, but enough to strengthen their bodies and discipline their minds.
A month passed quickly.
When it was finally time to leave, Eli, Filina, and the others stood at the Cocoyasi harbor alongside Belle-Mère, Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo.
"Little Nami," Filina said with a soft smile, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder, "keep working hard. I hope one day I'll hear your name echoing across the Grand Line."
Eli and the others also exchanged farewells. After a month together, genuine friendship had taken root between them and the family.
"Mr. Winters," Belle-Mère said sincerely, "I wish you all a safe journey. Thank you for everything." She had come to see them not as dangerous outlaws, but as kind travelers people who radiated a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Haha, thank you. Well then, everyone farewell!" Eli waved cheerfully.
"Eli! Filina! Everyone! I'll definitely sail the seas one day and when I do, I'll meet you out there!" Nami shouted through tears.
Eli smiled from the deck of the Silver Dragon. "We'll be waiting for you, Nami. Don't let us down!"
The others echoed his words, cheering her on. The waves carried their laughter as the Silver Dragon slowly departed from the harbor.
Time, like a vast river, carries countless stories upon its current. Some fade into quiet ripples but others, like this one, leave waves that linger long after.
"System," Eli called in his mind. "Sign in."
[Ding! Sign-in successful at Cocoyasi Village!]
Reward: 965 Prosperity Points
Reward: Ultra-Composite Solar Energy Panel (one piece stronger than six combined)
Reward: Unique Tangerine Tree (exceptionally delicious fruit)
Eli grinned. "Not bad at all. Practical and tasty the best kind of loot."
After a month of rest, the Silver Dragon set sail once more, its next destination clear: Shimotsuki Village, the birthplace of Roronoa Zoro and home to a certain sword master, Koushirou Shimotsuki.
Four days later, they arrived. Shimotsuki Village was peaceful and prosperous, untouched by piracy likely thanks to the presence of the Isshin Dojo. The docks were busy, filled with fishing boats and merchants. The faint smell of the sea hung in the air.
As they walked through the village, Eli spotted a boy with moss-green hair helping load crates onto a fishing boat. Even at a glance, the boy's determined expression made him stand out.
Eli approached with a smile. "Hey, kid could you tell me where the Isshin Dojo is?"
The boy Zoro looked up, wary, but eventually pointed in a direction. Eli thanked him and started that way. But a moment later, something made him pause. He turned to a nearby villager and asked again and sure enough, the direction Zoro gave was completely wrong.
Good thing Eli knew Zoro's reputation. Otherwise, he would've thought the boy was trying to trick him.
Big Pan scratched his head. "Boss, how'd you know that brat was lying?"
Eli chuckled. "Who said he was lying?"
Big Pan frowned. "Then why'd he point the wrong way?"
Eli grinned. "Maybe he's just really bad with directions."
Big Pan and the others exchanged skeptical looks. None of them could believe someone could be that directionally challenged but soon enough, they would understand.
Before long, the group reached the Isshin Dojo, a traditional Japanese-style building surrounded by lush trees. From inside came the rhythmic sound of wooden swords clashing.
Eli pushed open the door. A group of young trainees was practicing swordsmanship in perfect unison. At the far end of the hall stood a calm man in his thirties, wearing glasses and a gentle smile Koushirou Shimotsuki himself.
"May I help you?" Koushirou asked politely, studying the group.
Eli bowed respectfully. "We've heard much of Isshin Dojo's reputation and came to pay our respects. Are you Master Koushirou?"
Koushirou smiled lightly. "I am. Guests from afar are always welcome. Please, come in."
He led them to a tatami-floored room, preparing tea with graceful precision.
"Please, enjoy," he said, offering each of them a cup.
Eli took a sip, savoring the warmth. "Smooth and soothing a taste as gentle as jade. Excellent tea."
Koushirou's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Ah, so you're a man of refined taste?"
Eli laughed. "Hardly. I just like to talk fancy sometimes."
After a moment, Koushirou asked, "May I know your names, honored guests?"
"My apologies," Eli said. "I'm Eli Winters. These are my companions Big Pan, Filina, Fiona, Dorte, Simon, Chiyo, and Reiju."
Recognition flickered in Koushirou's eyes. "So it's true. You're the Dream Exploration Expedition, the travelers making waves across the seas. And you you're the Sky Sovereign himself."
Eli grinned. "Didn't think our reputation spread this far inland."
"With a bounty of thirty-three billion berries, it's hard not to have heard of you," Koushirou joked.
Then Fiona stepped forward. "Master Koushirou, I've heard you're a master swordsman. Would you honor me with a duel?"
Koushirou studied her quietly, then nodded. "Very well. Meet me in the back mountain."
As they walked toward the rear training grounds, a young girl no more than nine years old ran up with a long sword in hand. "Father, please let me watch your battle!"
Koushirou hesitated, ready to refuse. But Eli smiled. "This is your daughter?"
"Yes. Her name is Kuina."
"She can come along," Eli said warmly. "Don't worry I'll keep an eye on her."
"Very well," Koushirou relented. "Kuina, stay beside Mr. Winters and don't wander off."
"Yes, Father!" Kuina beamed, bowing politely to Eli.
When they reached the back mountain, another small figure appeared the same green-haired boy from earlier, Zoro, who had been led back by a villager after getting lost.
Koushirou and Fiona took their positions opposite each other. In that instant, two powerful sword auras erupted, clashing invisibly in the air. Eli's eyes narrowed Koushirou wasn't quite at the level of a true Swordmaster yet, but he was close.
"This," Eli thought, "won't be an easy fight for Fiona."
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