New World, G-5 Branch, Eden Special Zone.
The morning sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a gigantic desk made entirely of gold and inlaid with countless jewels, large enough to seat ten people.
But this wasn't Renzo's desk.
It belonged to G-5's Chief Financial Officer, Nami.
At this moment, Nami lay sprawled across the desk, holding a newspaper from two years ago.
On it was a photo of Luffy, with "3D2Y" written on his arm.
"Two years already…"
Nami murmured softly as she lifted her head and looked around the office, luxurious to an absurd degree.
Famous paintings adorned the walls. Beneath her feet lay a plush carpet sourced from the deep sea. The air was filled with the scent of high-end incense.
Behind her, inside the massive vault door, lay mountains upon mountains of wealth, assets she had managed for Renzo over the past year , most of which she more or less considered her own.
Here, she was the queen of G-5.
Even the fierce Chief Steward Rehn addressed her politely as "Miss Nami."
Even arrogant Marine Vice Admirals had to watch their tone when applying for funds.
Safe. Wealthy. Powerful.
"…Am I really leaving?"
Her fingers brushed lightly over a golden paperweight, cold to the touch, as hesitation flickered in her eyes.
If she stayed, she would become one of the richest women in the world.
No pursuits. No storms. No idiot captain constantly causing trouble, burning through money, and leaving her to clean up the mess.
"If it were the old me, I wouldn't hesitate to stay…"
Nami let out a bitter smile, but the image of a certain straw-hatted boy with a carefree grin surfaced in her mind.
"Nami! You're my crewmate!"
That moment, when he placed his straw hat on her head at Arlong Park.
"…Idiot."
Her eyes reddened slightly.
"Just a broke idiot who causes trouble…"
She suddenly stood up, folded the newspaper, and tucked it into her chest.
Then she picked up the calculator on the desk and, for the last time, rapidly keyed in a string of numbers.
Click.
The display reset to zero.
"Goodbye… my golden land."
She took a deep breath, her gaze firming.
"This place is great, but… that idiot captain would probably drown the moment he sets sail without me."
She turned, grabbed the bag she had prepared long ago, stuffed, of course, with easily portable high-value jewels and banknotes, and pushed open the gilded door.
Temple of Sloth, Master Bedroom.
It was already late morning, but for Renzo, this was just the start of his second round of sleep.
"Lord Renzo."
Monet's gentle voice came from outside.
"Miss Nami… requests an audience."
"Hm?"
Inside, Renzo lay on a cloud-like bed, a comic book covering his face.
"If she's here to request funds, tell her to see Rehn. If she wants a raise, tell her to get out."
"…No."
Monet hesitated slightly.
"She's here… to say goodbye."
"…."
Renzo removed the comic and slowly sat up.
There was no surprise in his gray eyes, as if he had long expected this day.
"Let her in."
Moments later, Nami stepped into the room.
She had been here countless times over the past year to report accounts (and sneak food), but this time, her steps were heavier.
"Yo, little thief cat."
Renzo leaned against the headboard, yawning as he glanced at her oversized bag.
"Heading out this early with so many 'souvenirs' of mine?"
Nami flushed and instinctively shielded her bag.
"W-What nonsense! This is my salary! And bonuses! Not stolen!"
"Sure, your salary."
Renzo waved dismissively.
"So you've decided? Leaving behind a mountain of gold just to be that boy's navigator?"
"…Yeah."
Nami nodded, serious this time.
"I'll miss the money, uh, I mean, everyone here."
"But I made a promise to that idiot captain."
"I'm the navigator of the Straw Hat crew. He's waiting for me."
Renzo looked at her.
In over a year, this once cunning girl had grown a lot in this place full of monsters.
She had mastered advanced meteorology, and under Rehn's "Spartan training," even picked up some basic Haki for survival.
"If you've decided, then go."
Renzo lay back down and pulled the blanket over his head.
"Don't expect a farewell party. Too noisy. Too troublesome."
Seeing his cold attitude, warmth welled up in Nami's chest.
She knew that despite his complaints, without his protection, she would never have lived so peacefully in the dangerous New World.
"Hey… Renzo."
For the first time, she didn't call him "Lord."
"Thank you."
"For everything this past year."
From under the blanket came a muffled reply:
"Quit talking and go. Close the door. Don't let the wind in."
Nami smiled.
She bowed deeply, then turned toward the door.
Just as her hand touched the handle,
Whoosh, thud.
Something flew toward her.
She caught it instinctively.
A golden card.
G-5's highest-level access pass, and a black card with unlimited overdraft privileges at any bank under the World Economic News.
"Travel expenses."
Renzo's lazy voice came from under the blanket.
"Inflation's bad out there. Don't starve and embarrass G-5."
"And if you can't make it out there, or that Straw Hat brat can't afford you…"
"…the G-5 treasury door is heavy, but I haven't changed the lock."
Nami clenched the card tightly, tears welling up.
"Idiot… who'd come back?!"
"I'm going to make Luffy the Pirate King! And find the ultimate treasure!"
She wiped her tears, opened the door, and strode out.
"Goodbye, you lazy admiral!"
Only after her footsteps faded did Renzo peek out.
"…Tch."
"No one to count money for me anymore. That's troublesome…"
"Whatever. I'll let Perona handle it."
He turned over and went back to sleep.
G-5 Harbor.
There was no grand farewell.
Nami had insisted on keeping it low-key.
Still, a few people stood at the dock.
Rehn, in his tailcoat, adjusted his glasses with his abacus in hand.
"Miss Nami, according to my calculations, the assets you're taking amount to approximately 3.56 billion Beli…"
"Yeah, yeah! You're so annoying!"
Nami rolled her eyes, but stepped forward and gave him a light hug.
"Take care of the gold, uh, I mean Renzo."
"Of course."
Rehn puffed his chest proudly.
"I'm a professional."
Ain handed her a package.
"Latest micro weather controller. And some flash and smoke bombs. The New World is dangerous."
"Thank you, Ain."
"And me too!"
Uta jumped out, holding a stack of records.
"These are my latest albums! Listen if you get bored!"
"Definitely!"
After the goodbyes, Nami boarded a high-speed solo boat equipped with Germa tech and Sky Island wind shells.
"Take care, everyone!"
The boat shot out like an arrow.
She looked back.
The massive G-5 fortress gleamed in the sun.
That place of gold, food, and that lazy admiral…
…was the most luxurious dream of her life.
But now, the dream was over.
Navigator Nami, returning to duty!
A few days later.
Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago.
Compared to before, things were more orderly due to the new Fleet Admiral and G-5's influence.
Inside a small bar, "Hey, the Straw Hats are coming back!"
"Heard Luffy got insanely strong!"
In the corner, a hooded orange-haired woman sipped expensive wine.
"…That idiot probably just got stronger. Or dumber."
She left a gold coin and walked out.
Then, "Make way! That's Straw Hat Luffy with a 300 million bounty!"
Nami frowned.
300 million?
That's outdated.
She pushed through the crowd and saw impostors.
A fat man posing as Luffy.
A hideous fake Nami.
Her forehead twitched.
"…Trash like this…"
She pulled out her upgraded Clima-Tact.
"They dare impersonate him…"
"And me?!"
"Hey, you fat idiot!"
The fake Luffy turned.
"Who?!"
Nami removed her hood, revealing her orange hair.
"You? My bride?"
"…You wish."
She swung her weapon.
"Thunder Climate Lightning!!"
BOOM!!
A bolt of black lightning struck instantly.
The fake Luffy collapsed, charred.
"Captain?!"
"And you lot!"
"Wind Speed, Tornado!"
The rest were blown into the air and slammed down.
Nami dusted her hands.
"Remember this!"
"There's only ONE navigator of the Straw Hats!"
"And my appearance fee… is very expensive!"
She turned, "…Nami?!"
She froze.
That voice… She turned.
A long-nosed man stood there.
"Usopp!!"
"NAMI!!"
He ran over, crying.
"You got so strong!!"
"You got buff too!"
Nami smiled brightly.
"These past two years… I trained somewhere incredible."
Then she looked ahead.
"Everyone… we're finally meeting again."
"And that idiot captain…"
"…is probably still the same."
....
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu