Early the next morning.
The all-night celebration had only just ended, yet the deck of the Going Merry was already bustling with activity.
Crates filled with smoked meat, fresh water, flour, and daily necessities were being enthusiastically carried aboard by the villagers.
It was their simplest, most heartfelt way of thanking their benefactors.
"Careful! Easy with that!"
Sanji directed a few villagers as if they were handling priceless treasures, carefully transplanting three lush, leafy orange trees onto the rear of the Merry's deck.
They were the healthiest three trees from Belle-mère's old tangerine grove.
The soil was packed down firmly. A fresh citrus fragrance spread across the deck, green leaves swaying gently in the sea breeze.
Those golden fruits shone like tiny suns, adding a warm, lively touch to the Merry.
"Oh? These trees are kinda interesting!"
Luffy hopped over like a monkey, circling the trees several times. His thieving hand instinctively reached toward a plump orange.
"Looks tasty…"
Smack!
Before his fingers could touch it, a shiny black shoe kicked his hand away.
"Don't touch them! These belong to Nami-san!"
Sanji withdrew his leg, a smile so gentle it practically dripped with affection on his face as he brushed dust off the tree trunk.
"These are Nami-san's most precious things—keepsakes from her mother. Luffy, if you dare steal one, I'll turn you into rubber sashimi!"
"You're so stingy, Sanji!"
Luffy clutched his hand, then—when Sanji wasn't looking—snatched an orange with lightning speed and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Mmm! So sweet!!"
Once the supplies were loaded, everyone gathered on deck.
Yet one person was still missing.
The sea breeze stirred Ronan's coat as he stood with his iron spear on his back, quietly gazing toward the village.
He knew this was the final farewell before departure—and that it needed time.
"Why isn't Nami here yet?"
Luffy pushed his straw hat back, sitting cross-legged and tapping the deck impatiently.
"We're all ready to go."
"What if she's not coming?"
Zoro leaned against the mast, Wado Ichimonji in his arms, eyes closed. His voice was calm as ever, with that irritating bluntness.
"Her goal's been achieved. The village is free now. For someone who hated pirates to begin with, staying here might be the best choice."
"Huh?! What nonsense are you spouting, moss-head?!"
Sanji instantly exploded, grabbing Zoro by the collar.
"Did you say something stupid to Nami-san?! It must've been your big mouth that scared her off!"
"Hah?! Why would I do that?! Wanna fight, you damn pervert cook?!"
"Stop it…"
Usopp crouched in a corner, muttering gloomily.
"Zoro kind of has a point… She'd probably be happier here. She's got her sister, the whole village…"
...
Cocoyasi Village, by the shore.
The beach was packed with villagers seeing them off. Genzo and Nojiko stood at the front, watching the Going Merry ready to depart.
"That girl, Nami…"
"She left all the money behind," Nojiko said, eyes teary yet smiling.
"She said it should be used to rebuild the village—not for her adventure."
"What? That's the money she spent her whole life enduring humiliation to save…"
Genzo's eyes reddened as he shook his head.
"That idiot… Now we owe her again."
Just then, hurried footsteps came from the village.
"Hey—!! Everyone—!!"
They turned.
Nami came sprinting toward the shore at full speed, a small pack on her back.
Her short orange hair fluttered wildly in the wind, a bold, mischievous grin on her face.
Luffy's eyes lit up as he jumped onto the bow.
"Nami!!"
"Luffy! Set sail!!"
Nami shouted as she ran, her voice urgent.
"Full speed! Hurry!!"
"Huh? But the villagers are still—" Luffy scratched his head, confused.
"Quit talking and sail!!"
Ronan smiled faintly, having expected this all along.
He signaled Zoro and Sanji.
"Raise anchor! Hoist the sails!"
The Going Merry slowly pulled away from shore.
Nami charged straight into the crowd of villagers.
She didn't slow down—instead, she darted through them like a gust of wind, her hands moving like butterflies.
"Nami?!" Nojiko gasped.
Near the water's edge, Nami kicked off hard.
"Heh!"
She leapt, her body tracing a graceful arc through the air. Her orange hair glittered in the sunlight as she landed cleanly on the Merry's deck like a nimble swallow.
She turned around, facing the villagers, and flashed that signature grin of the "Cat Burglar."
"Clatter—clatter—"
She yanked up the hem of her shirt, and countless bulging wallets spilled out, piling up on deck like a small mountain.
Hands on her hips, Nami shouted toward the stunned villagers on shore:
"Everyone!! Take care!!!"
Dead silence.
Genzo checked his pocket—empty.
Nojiko checked hers—empty.
Everyone checked—their pockets were completely empty!
The next second, roars echoed across the beach—full of noise, but not real anger.
"My wallet's gone!!"
"Nami!! You thief!!"
"You're stealing even as you leave?!"
"You brat—travel safe out there!!"
The scolding slowly turned into laughter, laughter mixed with tears.
They waved with all their strength, watching the ship carrying their most beloved "bad girl" sail farther and farther away.
The Going Merry cut through the waves, heading into the vast blue sea.
On deck, Luffy rolled around laughing.
"Shishishi! Nami, you're amazing!"
Zoro stared at the pile of wallets, his mouth twitching.
"So who said she'd turned over a new leaf? This is her true nature."
"As expected of Nami-san! Even stealing looks enchanting!" Sanji swooned.
Nami ignored the noisy crew.
She stood alone at the stern, gazing at Cocoyasi Village as it faded beyond the horizon, the sea breeze tousling her hair.
She raised her left hand and gently touched the new tattoo on her shoulder.
The mark of the Arlong Pirates had been completely erased, replaced by a pinwheel and an orange.
The pinwheel—for Genzo, like a father to her.
The orange—for Belle-mère, like a mother.
The pinwheel spun. The scent of oranges drifted.
Nami lowered her head and softly kissed the tattoo, her eyes shining brighter than ever before.
"Goodbye… my hometown."
"From today on, I am—"
"—the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates, Nami!"
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