On the coast of Windmill Village, in the Goa Kingdom, East Blue.
A small sailboat slowly left the shore, heading into the distance.
And on the shore stood many people. Among them, a boy wearing a straw hat shouted loudly, "Keep it up, Ace!"
"Just you wait, I'll be famous all over the world soon."
On the small boat, the freckled boy wearing a hat revealed a brilliant smile.
This boy was Ace, seventeen years old. This year, he was about to embark on an adventure and start his own life.
As the small boat receded, he slowly disappeared into the distance.
...
On Jumada Island, in front of an orange orchard, a grand ceremony was taking place.
The entire orange orchard had been newly decorated, with flowers and white gauze as a backdrop, an archway made of flowers, a long white carpet, rows of seats on either side, and square tables in the back.
In front of the backdrop stood a burly young man in a suit, looking nervous but full of anticipation.
Not far from the young man stood an elder in a suit. He cleared his throat and called out, "Please welcome the bride."
A figure walked in from the end of the white carpet. She had orange-yellow hair and a developing but still slender figure. She wore a white wedding dress and walked towards them with a smile.
Upon reaching them, she nodded to the young man and stepped aside.
Next to walk onto the carpet were two children, a boy and a girl, carrying flower baskets. They walked along, scattering flowers, and then sat in the front row of chairs after reaching the front.
After that, two more figures walked onto the carpet.
One was a woman with short, light purple hair, wearing a white wedding dress, her face flushed with shyness.
The other was a middle-aged man with a scar on his face, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
The woman, holding the man's arm, stepped onto the carpet and walked forward step by step.
Passing through the archway and arriving in front of the young man, the middle-aged man couldn't help but say, "Marcel, I entrust Nojiko to you."
"Ken-san, I will take good care of her."
The tall young man said with a smile, glancing at Nojiko beside him, his eyes full of love.
This young man was Marcel. Today was his wedding with Nojiko. They had known each other for a year and a half and had developed feelings for each other.
So this year, when Nojiko turned eighteen, Marcel, aged twenty-two, married her.
Ken-san, acting in place of Nojiko's father, brought Nojiko to Marcel and handed her over to him.
She was getting married.
Ken-san's eyes reddened, and he walked to his seat.
"Now, the wedding begins."
The village doctor of Cocos Village cleared his throat. He had been chosen as the officiant and was a bit nervous.
"Marcel, ... do you take..."
"Nojiko, ... do you take..."
"I do!"
"I do!"
"Exchange rings."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, Marcel and Nojiko."
With Naka's trembling voice, Marcel and Nojiko became husband and wife. Whether it was Nami, Ken-san, or many of the villagers, tears of joy streamed down their faces.
Cutting the cake, opening the champagne, the wedding scene erupted in celebration.
"Sister Nojiko is married," Nami said, her eyes red. "I wish Aunt Bellemere could have seen this."
"Yeah."
Ken-san stood aside, sighing with emotion. "She's been gone for five years."
Nami lowered her head and began to sob quietly.
"This is a joyous occasion, Nami, don't cry," Ken-san said softly.
But Nami looked at Ken-san and said gently, "But Ken-san, you..."
Ken-san was holding back tears, his eyes red, but tears were already streaming down his face.
For Ken-san, Bellemere had been the object of his unrequited love. Although he liked her, he had never expressed it until her death.
After Bellemere's death, Ken-san had also been taking care of Nojiko, like a daughter.
His daughter was getting married, and Ken-san felt heartbroken.
However, seeing Nojiko in the crowd, so happy.
Both Nami and Ken-san were genuinely happy for her.
"By the way, why didn't that Fish-Man come? Is he at home?" Ken-san suddenly asked.
"A Fish-Man? What are you talking about, Ken-san?" Nami asked, slightly startled, looking at Genzo.
They had been hiding Hachi's existence, and she had no idea how Genzo knew.
"The cadre from the Arlong Pirates, that Octopus Fish-Man. You've been living together since the year before last," Genzo said softly.
Nami asked with some surprise, "You, you knew?"
"Of course. I'm the constable of this village, after all."
Genzo smiled and continued, "Not only do I know, but the other villagers do too."
"Then why didn't you..." Nami asked blankly. They knew a Fish-Man was here, but they hadn't reported it to the Marines.
"That Octopus Fish-Man committed fewer evil deeds and even stopped Arlong's violence. He hasn't committed any major crimes."
Genzo said softly, "More importantly, you accepted him, so we turned a blind eye."
"Yes, Hachi is very good. When I was with the Arlong Pirates, he always took care of me," Nami said quietly.
Genzo nodded and said, "You can let him come out. None of us will notify the Marines."
"I will," Nami replied with a smile. She paused, then added, "There's one more thing."
"What is it?" Genzo asked curiously.
Nami said, "I'm planning to leave the village next and set sail with Hachi."
"Set sail? Why?" Genzo asked, confused.
Nami smiled, "I still feel this kind of life is too plain, and I love the sea. My dream is to one day draw a map of the entire world."
"Draw a map of the whole world? That means you'll go to other oceans, and the Grand Line?" Genzo asked with some concern.
Nami nodded, "I will."
Hearing this, Genzo frowned and asked, "The Grand Line is so dangerous, and you're only fifteen."
Nami smiled, "For now, I'll be drawing maps in the East Blue. It will take some time, and with Hachi protecting me, I'll be fine."
"Alright, then go," Genzo said softly.
Nami asked curiously, "Ken-san agrees? I thought you would try to stop me."
"Would stopping you be useful?"
Genzo countered, then took a drink of sake. "Nami, you belong to the sea. You're a natural adventurer. Since you have a dream, go and achieve it."
"Mhm," Nami pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you."
Genzo then asked, "When do you plan to leave?"
Nami smiled, "I'm all ready. I'll depart in three days."
"Postpone it for a few more days. I need your help with something," Genzo said with a smile.
Nami asked curiously, "What is it?"
"You'll know when the time comes." Genzo gave a mysterious smile.
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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