Chapter 20: Dawn Training – Haki's Harsh Lessons and Nami's Resolve
Sol's thoughts pulled away from the memories. The sea breeze carried a faint salty tang across his face.
He stood up, casually grabbed a towel to dry off, fished a bottle of rum from a barrel, and leaned against the railing, pouring himself a drink under the moonlight. The silver light stretched his shadow long across the deck.
"Sol—you can't sleep either?"
Nami's voice came from behind. Sol turned his head. She stood there in a thin nightgown, orange hair fluttering lightly in the night wind.
"Yeah. Had a bad dream—woke up startled," he tilted the bottle back, throat working as he swallowed. "You?"
"Same." Nami walked over and naturally took the bottle from his hand, chugging a big gulp. She winced slightly at the burn. "I heard movement on deck, so I came to check."
They stood in silence for a while—only the gentle slap of waves against the hull.
"Sol… do you know about my hometown—Cocoyasi Village?" Nami suddenly spoke, fingers unconsciously rubbing the bottle. "It's been occupied by the Arlong Pirates for years… My foster mother, Bell-mère… she died at their hands."
Her voice was calm, but Sol noticed her knuckles whitening from gripping too hard.
"To save up 100 million Berries and buy back the village, I've been a thief all these years…" Nami gave a bitter smile. "Once I had the money, I planned to sneak away without telling any of you."
She turned to face him, moonlight catching the redness in her eyes. "But I realized… I already think of you all as real crewmates."
Nami took a deep breath and met Sol's gaze directly. "So… can I ask you guys for one thing? Help me… take Cocoyasi Village back from Arlong."
The wind suddenly strengthened, scattering the strands of hair across her forehead. Sol didn't answer right away. He simply took the bottle back and drained the rest of the rum in one go.
The empty glass bottle rolled across the deck with a clear clink.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Sol reached out and ruffled Nami's hair, a familiar grin spreading across his face. "Weren't we already crewmates ages ago?"
He turned toward the sea, voice ringing clear in the night. "Once Luffy drags Sanji aboard, we set sail. We're going to take your hometown—"
"Back from those small-fry scum!"
Nami nodded firmly, wiped her eyes, waved goodbye to Sol, and headed back to catch some more sleep.
Sol stayed on deck, gazing out at the dark ocean, lost in thought as he waited for dawn.
The next morning, as Sol and the crew stepped onto the Baratie's deck, they saw Sanji waiting at the restaurant entrance.
His luggage was simply tied to his back. He suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing deeply until his forehead touched the wooden deck.
"Old man…" His voice trembled slightly. "Thank you… for everything all these years."
Zeff stood on the steps, posture straight. His lips twitched, but he spoke in deliberately gruff tones. "Stop babbling! If you're gonna leave, get out already!"
The sea breeze tousled Sanji's bangs, hiding his reddened eyes. He kowtowed heavily. "Thanks to you, I've survived this long. Now I'm going to chase my dream. This kindness… I'll never forget it."
Luffy pressed down his straw hat and flashed a brilliant grin. "Sanji! Time to set sail!"
Zeff suddenly turned and walked back into the restaurant without looking back. "Stupid brat… don't die out there," his voice drifted on the wind. "And… take care."
"Got it!" Sanji stood, brushed the wood dust from his knees.
As he turned toward the Going Merry, his usual cigarette was already back in his mouth, that carefree expression restored. "Coming, coming~ Beautiful Nami-san, how about a morning coffee?"
While Sanji fawned over Nami, Zeff had his staff refund the previous repair fee to Luffy and fully restock the Going Merry's supplies.
"Goodbye, kind old man!" Luffy stood at the stern, waving vigorously. The Going Merry slowly pulled away from the Baratie, the restaurant's golden silhouette shrinking in the sunrise.
"Oh, beautiful Nami-san—what would you like to drink today?" Sanji dashed over.
"Hm, thanks Sanji. Just a fresh orange juice, please," Nami replied. After drinking last night, her throat was parched.
Soon the kitchen filled with tempting aromas. Sanji, apron tied, flipped pans expertly. Before long he wheeled out a lavish breakfast: golden crispy fried eggs, sizzling bacon, steaming soft bread, and a huge plate of fried noodles.
"Everyone—food's ready" Sanji placed the dishes one by one, cigarette dangling. "And a special fresh orange juice for Nami-san"
At the table, Nami took a deep breath and repeated last night's words to Sol—this time to the whole crew. When she mentioned Bell-mère, her fingers unconsciously gripped the napkin tighter.
Bam! Luffy slammed the table and stood, eyes blazing under his hat. "We're definitely gonna send those bastards flying!"
"To make a lady cry…" Sanji's cigarette flared red. "Unforgivable."
Zoro leaned back, a dangerous smirk on his lips. "Perfect—time to stretch my muscles."
Usopp trembled but puffed out his chest. "M-My 8,000 men are ready anytime!"
Nami's eyes gradually welled up. She quickly lowered her head, pretending to study the chart. "You idiots…"
Sunlight poured through the portholes onto the table. The Going Merry cut through the waves, steadily heading toward Cocoyasi Village.
On the dew-kissed morning deck, Sol cracked his neck with a satisfying "pop-pop." "Zoro—your body's still way too weak right now." He grinned. "Let's start with a warm-up special training!"
"Bring it!" Zoro ripped off his bandana and stabbed his three swords upright into the deck. "How do we start?"
"Hand-to-hand." Before the words finished, Sol's arms were instantly coated in black Armament Haki, gleaming metallically in the dawn light.
Bang! Zoro barely raised his arms to block. The violent impact made his pupils shrink—the pain felt like his entire arm had been smashed by a hammer, bones rattling.
"This is… Haki?" Zoro gritted out, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Don't just stand there gawking!" Sol's figure vanished—then reappeared with a whistling fist slamming into Zoro's stomach.
"Urgh—!" Zoro doubled over, bile rising in his throat.
But he staggered upright, eyes burning hotter. "Again!"
"That's more like it!" Sol laughed, settling into stance. "Remember this pain—it's the threshold you have to surpass!"
"Uwaaah…" Luffy hid behind the cabin, rubbing goosebumps on his arms and shrinking into a ball. "Sol's training is as scary as Grandpa's…"
He tiptoed in the opposite direction, terrified of being spotted and dragged into "special training"—because that wasn't exercise; it was one-sided beatdown!
"Hey, curly-brow—wanna give it a shot?" Zoro wiped his mouth and taunted Sanji.
"Hmph. If even a moss-head like you can take it, how could I not?" Sanji flicked his cigarette and stepped forward confidently.
Three seconds later—
"Urgh—!" Sanji knelt on deck, face green, cigarette falling. "What… what kind of monstrous fist is that…?"
Usopp crept closer nervously. "I-I'll try too…"
Bang!
"Waaaaah—I'm gonna die! I just threw up bile!" The long-nosed sniper flopped on the deck, wailing.
Sol crossed his arms and grinned. "You guys are still way too weak."
Sanji clenched his fists, staring at his trembling legs—then slammed them against the deck. "Damn it…" But the next second he stood, eyes sharp. "Again!"
"Oh?" Sol raised an eyebrow. "Good resolve."
"I can't—I've got a disease that'll kill me if I train," Usopp immediately bolted toward the helm. "No way—one more punch and I'm done for."
And so, every morning on the Going Merry's deck, painful grunts and the thud of fists against flesh echoed across the waves.
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