Once they were far enough from any pursuers, Nami and Arlo finally allowed themselves to relax.
Nami's smile was small and satisfied as she brushed a strand of orange hair behind her ear. "We might as well head to the treasure room now," she said, already picturing coin piles and quiet math.
Arlo grinned. "I thought you'd say that."
Together they made their way below deck, their footsteps echoing in the wooden corridor until the door creaked open to reveal chests overflowing with gold and jewels.
Nami's eyes went bright enough to cut.
For a few long heartbeats there was nothing but the clink of metal and the whisper of fabric as each of them filled a bag.
"In total there are 8 million berries here," he announced after checking the information Nami had given him.
"Yes, exactly as I said," she pouted, pretending to be annoyed at his lack of confidence in her. She had also counted the amount of money and came to the same amount.
"Honestly, I expected there would be more," Nami let out a sigh.
"It makes sense, they probably spent most of their money preparing to go to the Grand Line," Arlo murmured after what Nami said. "And 8 million is a lot for the East Blue."
Hearing that number made her stomach do an ugly little flip. In one instant, Nami had gone from heaven to hell.
She needed not much more than 7 million Berries to be able to pay what she owed Arlong. She expected the treasure she just stole would be perfect. Well, it would be perfect if she could keep everything for herself.
"So, should we divide it half and half?" she asked.
"Okay," Arlo agreed with a chuckle. "However, there is at least one treasure we must discuss how to share."
He got up and pointed toward her neckline, more specifically, at the faint outline of something hidden in her generous cleavage.
"Don't think I forgot about the map," he said.
Nami frowned. "I was the one who stole it! And besides, you can't exactly split a map in half."
"Then maybe I should just take it for myself," Arlo teased, stepping closer.
In a blink, he pressed her lightly against the wall, not roughly, but with enough strength to make his point clear. His eyes met hers, steady and confident.
For a heartbeat, neither spoke.
Then he stepped back, his tone softening. "Relax. I'm a fair man," he said. "Just let me copy it."
Nami crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. "You expect me to believe that?"
Instead of arguing, Arlo knelt, grabbed an old piece of parchment lying nearby, and took a pen from his pocket. With surprising precision, he began sketching, tracing coastlines and landmarks from memory. His movements were quick, efficient.
When he finished, he held up the rough drawing. "See? Not perfect, but good enough."
Nami looked at it, a bit stunned. "You actually… did that pretty fast."
"Not my first time," Arlo replied with a smirk. He had really done a little bit of everything as a slave in Mary Geoise. Maybe because he was good at everything.
"Yes, but you still have a lot of room for improvement." Nami pointed out. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she sighed. "Fine. I'll make a proper copy for you."
They worked together in silence for a few minutes, the lantern light flickering over the table as ink spread across the parchment. Before long, two identical maps lay side by side.
Arlo leaned back, genuinely impressed. "You're absurdly skilled, you know that?"
Nami smiled, tying her bag of coins shut. "I know."
And they finished the copies.
〇〇〇
Later that night, the ship was silent. Only the creak of wood and the whisper of waves filled the air.
Arlo had gone to his cabin, saying he needed rest. Nami waited, pretending to sleep in hers.
Hours passed in an instant.
When she was certain he was out cold, she slipped quietly from her hammock. Her heart raced, but her steps were soft, practiced. She gathered her bags, heavy with gold, one by one, stacking them into a small boat she had prepared for her escape.
"Sorry, Arlo," she murmured under her breath. "But I work better alone."
She went back to the treasure room, taking Arlo's bags of money this time around. She could not let the opportunity of finally freeing her village escape like that.
Before leaving, she took a last look around the treasure room, deciding to grab a few final items before leaving. Every coin mattered.
Then, with her fortune in tow, she crept up to the deck. The night was clear, the sea calm, perfect for escape.
She exhaled, smiling. "Almost too easy," she whispered,
Just as she was lowering one of the money bags, her eyes caught the beautiful smile of that man, who she was seeing without a mask for the first time. Arlo's face was unmistakably the most beautiful she had ever seen, but it was also the last thing she would have wished to have seen at that moment.
"Going somewhere?" Arlo's voice sounded calm as always.
The voice froze her in place. Nami's breath hitched in a mix of fear and surprise.
Arlo sat casually in the small boat, elbows resting on his knees, the moonlight catching his eyes in a sharp, unnerving glint. A calm smile curved his lips, but it wasn't warm. It was the kind of smile that made her skin prickle.
"Took you long enough," he said softly. "I was starting to think you'd take the whole night to come meet me."
Nami gritted her teeth, her mind spinning for a way out.
And Arlo just smiled wider. It was time to punish the girl for trying to steal from him.