"Get out here!"
There's still someone alive?!
Nami, who'd just relaxed, snapped back to alertness, lightning surging through her body. "Who?!"
One second. Two seconds. No response.
Reno's lips curled slightly. Casually, he unleashed a bolt of lightning, striking a collapsed building to the east.
"No, no, no—I'm coming out, I'm coming!"
A panicked, pleading voice rang out. Nami watched as Colonel Mouse scrambled out of the rubble, covered in dirt, clutching a large chest of Berries.
"You?!" Nami's face turned icy as she glared at him.
Arlong had been able to terrorize Cocoyasi Village for years because of Colonel Mouse's cover and connections. In Nami's eyes, his crimes were as bad as—if not worse than—Arlong's. Both deserved death.
"Don't kill me! I'm a Navy colonel, please, don't kill me!"
Colonel Mouse crawled to Nami's feet, kneeling without a shred of dignity. Nami had single-handedly wiped out the entire Arlong Pirates—how could he stand a chance? He'd thought he was well-hidden, but somehow, he'd been found.
"Now you know you're wrong?!" "What were you thinking when you shielded Arlong?!"
Reno sneered at Colonel Mouse, noting how he still clung tightly to the chest of Berries even now.
Colonel Mouse kowtowed frantically, begging, "I was misled by that bastard Arlong, that's why I did so many terrible things!" "Let me go, and I swear I'll turn over a new leaf!"
Hah. Only pleading when a blade's at your throat? Where was that resolve before?
For scum like him, killing him was a public service.
Reno glanced at the groveling colonel, too lazy to waste words. He finished him off and pocketed the chest of Berries.
Leading the girls out of Arlong Park, they found a crowd of villagers gathered outside, their faces stunned, still reeling from the spectacle.
…
Shortly after Reno and the girls left, the shaken villagers mustered the courage to enter the ruined Arlong Park. After confirming Arlong and his Fishmen were dead, they spread the news, running through the village.
Soon, Cocoyasi Village erupted in joy.
"Hahaha, Arlong's defeated! We're finally free!" "No more living under his control!" "This is all Nami's doing! You should've seen her—she was like a war goddess!" "The sky's clear at last!"
The villagers cheered, preparing for a grand feast that night. Cocoyasi Village was destined to stay awake.
…
Meanwhile, Reno and the girls followed Nami to her home. As they entered, Reno spotted Nojiko, Nami's sister, a spirited girl with short blue hair.
"Nami?!"
Nojiko's face lit up with joy as she rushed to her sister. It had been so long since they'd seen each other—she'd been worried sick.
"Sis!" Nami choked up, hugging Nojiko tightly.
"What's going on?" Nojiko asked, confused.
"Let's talk inside," Reno said, strolling into the house with an air of familiarity.
Nojiko: Wait… isn't this my house?
"Sis, let's go in," Nami said, releasing Nojiko and taking her hand. Kaya and Makino followed close behind.
…
"What?! You killed Arlong?!" Nojiko stared at Nami, half-believing.
It wasn't that she doubted her sister—the news was just too shocking. She and Nami shared the same view of Arlong's overwhelming power.
"Sis, it's true. I not only killed Arlong but destroyed Arlong Park," Nami said, raising her head proudly. "The village is probably buzzing with the news by now."
"Of course—" Nami's tone shifted as she looped her arm through Reno's, explaining, "It's all thanks to Reno." "I ate the Devil Fruit he gave me, and that's how I got the power to defeat Arlong."
Nojiko blinked, surprised, as she noticed the intimacy between them. Something had felt off since they walked in. Nami glanced at Reno every few words. And the other girls, Kaya and Makino—their gazes never left him, their eyes soft and adoring, enough to melt any man.
Ahem. Nojiko cleared her throat, probing, "Nami, what's your relationship with Reno?"
Nami's face flushed, and she mumbled, "He's my captain. I'm the navigator of the Reno Pirates…"
"Nami's my woman," Reno cut in.
Nami's blush deepened. This was in front of her sister, after all.
"We are too," Kaya said playfully, raising her hand. Under Nojiko's incredulous gaze, Makino nodded with a smile.
Good grief. Three women?! All stunning beauties. What a lucky guy.
Nojiko didn't know Kaya or Makino, but if her sister genuinely trusted Reno, his character was beyond question.
"Thank you for taking care of Nami," Nojiko said politely, expressing her gratitude.
"I told you, she's my woman. Taking care of her is only natural," Reno replied with a casual smile.
Nojiko nodded slightly, then turned to Nami. "Nami, with Arlong gone, are you leaving with Reno?"
Nami nodded without hesitation. "Sis, I'm the navigator of the pirate crew. Reno needs me."
Makino wasn't surprised. She could sense Nami's deep trust in Reno. Only absolute faith could inspire such certainty.
"Nami, you've grown up and found your place. I'm happy for you," Nojiko said earnestly. "Go with Reno. I'll take care of things at home."
Nami took Nojiko's hand, shaking her head. "Sis, I brought Reno here not just to tell you Arlong's dead. I want you to join the Reno Pirates."
Nojiko: ?! Reno: ?!
Reno glanced at Nami, surprised. Recruiting Nojiko was indeed part of his plan, but he hadn't expected Nami to bring it up first.
So thoughtful. She knew he had a thing for sisters.
…