"Will eating this really give me the power to defeat Arlong?!" Nami murmured, half-believing, half-doubting. It wasn't that she distrusted Reno. Having no knowledge of Devil Fruits, she simply couldn't fathom how a small fruit could grant such immense power.
"Absolutely," Reno said with unwavering confidence. Even a slight development of the Weather Fruit would make crushing Arlong as easy as squashing an ant.
"Nami, eat it. Don't let the captain's kindness go to waste," Makino urged. "Once you eat the Devil Fruit, you'll be able to protect everyone."
"Yeah, Nami, I became this strong because I ate the Devil Fruit big brother Reno gave me," Kaya chimed in, offering timely support.
"Protect everyone?" Nami's thoughts drifted to her foster mother, Bellmer, and her gaze hardened with resolve. "I'll eat it."
Nami took the Weather Fruit and, under everyone's expectant gazes, took a big bite.
"So sweet!" Her eyes lit up. Despite its odd appearance, the fruit tasted amazing. Her mood lifted instantly.
"Nami, the captain's so good to you. You shouldn't be so harsh with him anymore," Makino said, stroking Nami's forehead like a big sister. "I hear a single Devil Fruit sells for 100 million Berries out there."
"Hm… how much?!" "A hundred million Berries?!"
Nami, who'd eaten most of the fruit, froze, her voice filled with disbelief. This Devil Fruit was worth 100 million Berries? The same amount as her village's ransom?
"That's just an ordinary Devil Fruit. This one's worth far more than a billion Berries," Reno explained with a smile.
That was a conservative estimate. If the great powers of the New World knew about the Weather Fruit, they'd pay any price to get it. After all, mastering its wind and lightning abilities alone could make someone a top-tier powerhouse. Who wouldn't be tempted?
A billion?! The fruit she just ate was worth over a billion?!
Nami's expression went blank. In an instant, Reno saw her eyes redden, tears threatening to spill like a river.
"You'd rob me over 10 million Berries, and you expect me to believe you?" Forcing back her emotions, Nami wiped her tears and finished the fruit, pretending to be calm. "It's gotta be fake. You're just sweet-talking me again."
But after swallowing the last bite, she couldn't hold it together.
Wahhh!
Reno, you jerk, why are you so good to me?! In eight years, no one had ever touched her heart like this.
Reno's light voice came again. "Nami, it's just a Devil Fruit. In my eyes, you're priceless. You deserve it."
Sobbing, Nami pounded Reno's chest with her fists. "Jerk, stop making me cry!"
Kaya and Makino exchanged smiles.
Reno caught Nami's fists, pulling her into his arms and wiping the tears from her eyes. "Now, focus on the power inside you."
Nami nodded obediently.
"The fruit you ate is called the Weather Fruit. As a navigator, you're no stranger to weather," Reno said. "It has too many elements, so I suggest focusing on wind, lightning, and clouds."
Wind and lightning for offense. Clouds for defense. Two for attack, one for protection.
Yes, Reno planned to train Nami as a combatant. On their future journeys, they'd face powerful enemies, and fighters were essential. In his vision of a beautiful combat crew, Nami was a key member.
"I'll follow your lead," Nami said, nodding sweetly.
The moment she ate the Weather Fruit, she felt a surge of powers within her—wind, rain, lightning, electricity, clouds, snow, frost, mist. She could shift between these elements at will.
"Nami, try the lightning ability," Reno prompted.
"Watch this!" Nami's eyes gleamed, a smirk forming. "Thunderstrike!"
With a soft shout, silver lightning bolts exploded across the sea dozens of meters ahead, sending waves surging.
"Wow, Nami-nee, you're amazing!" Kaya clapped enthusiastically, her face full of awe.
"Storm!"
Nami didn't stop. She flung out a whirlwind from her palm, stirring up waves several meters high.
"Cloud Wall!" "Century Snow!" "Rain Arrows!"
One after another, Nami showcased different elemental abilities. Of course, these were basic moves, innate to the Weather Fruit's user. Take Thunderstrike—it sounded impressive but was just small bolts with limited range. The other moves were similarly basic.
With further development, these abilities would grow far stronger.
After demonstrating all the elements, Nami stood frozen. She was dazed.
In her mind, Arlong was the ultimate force. But only among living beings.
As a genius navigator, Nami knew the terror of natural disasters—forces no creature could withstand, not even Arlong. And now, she wielded those catastrophic powers. All thanks to Reno.
Tears fell again, her "worthless golden beans" spilling over.
"Wahhh… Reno, you're too good to me." Sobbing with joy, she hugged him tightly.
She was now certain this fruit was worth over a billion.
"No more crying, or you won't be pretty anymore," Reno teased with a smile, sensing a subtle shift in Nami's mindset.
"You're such a jerk, making me cry so many times today," Nami said, wiping her tears and glaring at him playfully.
"Nami, I gave you such a precious Devil Fruit. How are you gonna repay me?" Reno grinned, meeting her gaze.
Catching his meaning, Nami opened her arms and closed her eyes. "Come on, tonight I'll let you have your fill!"
…