In a small room.
"Ten thousand Berries… gone."
Nami sat slumped at a table scattered with nautical charts. Leaning against the wall, she radiated such an aura of despair it was as if she had been cursed by Perona's negative ghosts. Her spiritless eyes stared into nothing, her whole figure wrapped in gloom.
Not far away, Ron reclined on an old sofa, clutching half a loaf of bread. He devoured it quickly, then drained a cup of water. Warmth trickled back into his exhausted body, and for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a spark of life return.
"I survived."
Exhaling deeply, Ron let relief flood him. Strength stirring again, he turned his gaze toward Nami.
In the world of One Piece, she had always been one of his favorites. Especially the Nami of these early years, who silently bore all the burdens of her village, sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of others. Her will and her kindness were enough to move anyone. And now, this girl of only fourteen or fifteen had saved his life. Without her, he would already be a corpse.
"Um…"
Ron attempted to speak, awkwardly. He had never expected to meet her in person, and words failed him. "Thank you… If not for you, I'd already be dead at the hands of those Fishmen."
Nami did not raise her head. She only shifted her eyes toward him for a brief glance before collapsing back against the desk. Her lips moved as if in a trance, mumbling.
"Ten thousand Berries… Berries… Berries…"
Ron scratched the back of his head. He could well imagine how important that money was to her. He understood her despair.
"Sorry for making you pay so much," he said gently. "I'll repay you. Twice as much, if you'll allow it."
Her dull eyes flickered with sudden light. She sat upright, puffed out her cheeks, and stared at him. "No. At least triple… no, five times! Do you have any idea how quickly ten thousand Berries can double in the right trade?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "If it were that easy, everyone would be rich. Fine. Five times it is, fifty thousand Berries. It may take me a little time, though."
"Deal!"
Nami snapped her fingers with a sly smile.
She had resigned herself to losing the ten thousand completely. But now, hearing Ron's promise, even if it was only words, it was enough to brighten her spirits. At worst, she would at least reclaim the original sum.
Ron grinned. "Fifty thousand Berries as repayment for saving me. As for the life debt I owe… how about I help you take down Arlong?"
Nami froze.
Her cheerful smile vanished. Without a word, she seized a blank sheet of paper, scribbled quickly, and thrust it at him. Her face was cold as stone. "Sign this."
Ron glanced at the document. It was a promissory note, clearly stating that he owed her fifty thousand Berries. He sighed inwardly. So in her eyes, his words had dropped him straight to the level of someone as unreliable as Usopp.
But he understood. What sane person would believe a half-dead stranger claiming he could slay Arlong?
Ron pressed his temples and chuckled ruefully. "You may not believe me now… but I'm serious."
Because in that moment of eating bread, something had appeared before his eyes. A faint, translucent screen, hanging in the air where only he could see.
A System.
He had not explored its details yet, but its existence alone filled him with unshakable confidence. Arlong, who had nearly ended him minutes ago, already seemed like nothing more than a speck of dust.
"Idiot!"
Nami's tiny fist slammed against his head with surprising force. "Shut up! Do you want to die? If anyone heard you saying that, you would be killed in an instant!"
Her eyes gleamed with a frightening aura as she thrust the contract at him again. "Sign it now! The door is there. Remember to bring the money back!"
Ron winced, rubbing the sore spot on his head. How strange it was, to be scolded so fiercely by a girl not yet grown. Still, he signed the note with his name.
A wry smile tugged at his lips. It felt less like a loan contract and more like a servant's bond. But if it meant belonging to Nami… perhaps that was not so bad.
"Good. The door is that way."
Nami pointed with a pout, cheeks puffed in mock anger.
Ron raised his hands helplessly. "Could I stay here for now? If you throw me out, I'll likely starve in the streets tomorrow. And then this debt will never be repaid."
Nami snorted. She had never truly intended to cast him out. After all, she had been the one to save him, and his body was still covered in wounds. Her irritation was only from his wild talk about defeating Arlong.
Because Nami knew the truth.
Two years ago, even a Marine Rear Admiral had brought warships against Arlong, only to watch them sink into the sea, torn apart like paper.
Humans could not defeat Fishmen. Not in strength, not in the sea. And Ron, who had nearly been killed moments ago, was in no way capable of challenging a monster like Arlong.
The only hope was money. Only by earning one hundred million Berries could she ransom Cocoyashi Village and free her people.
"If you stay here, it will cost you a thousand Berries per day," she declared.
"Fine."
Ron accepted immediately, secretly amused. At that price, he could happily remain forever.
Nami blinked. She narrowed her eyes, suspicion darkening her gaze. "You agreed too quickly. You're not planning to run out on me, are you? If you dare to owe me"
She cracked her knuckles in mock threat.
Ron laughed inwardly. A fourteen-year-old girl puffing herself up was hardly intimidating. In truth, she looked adorable. Still, he nodded rapidly. "Don't worry. I'll repay everything. I can even sign another note."
Nami eyed him for a long moment. She clearly still doubted him, but had no other choice. With a little huff, she turned and retreated to her room.
Ron watched her disappear. His smile faded into something softer, more solemn.
Like a meteor cutting the night sky, a point had split the course of fate.
A divergence in the world's path.
The moment Nami saved him, that divergence had been set.
Still smiling faintly, Ron summoned the screen only he could see. A translucent panel flickered before his eyes.
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