💖 If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon. I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/DragonOP
--------------------
In Cocoyasi Village, Nami walked directly toward the outskirts to the home she shared with Nojiko, ignoring the cold, indifferent stares of the villagers. Since "joining" the Arlong Pirates, her relationship with the community had turned frostier than the sea in winter. She accepted this as a natural consequence of becoming a subordinate to the murderer who occupied their home. Apart from Nojiko, who knew the truth, Nami was a stranger in her own village.
However, as soon as she vanished from sight, the villagers' facades crumbled into expressions of deep sorrow. They had known for eight years that Nami had sacrificed her reputation and her childhood to save them. They maintained their act of indifference only because they hoped that if Nami ever felt she could no longer bear the burden, she would escape Arlong's control without feeling tied to them by guilt or obligation. To the villagers, watching her risk her life for a decade to earn 100,000,000 Berries was a source of agonizing pain.
The Promise of Liberty
Creak!
Nami pushed open her front door, dropping the bag of treasure onto the floor. "Nojiko," she said, her voice trembling with hidden joy, "I've already earned 100,000,000 Berries.".
Nojiko froze at her loom, turning around in utter disbelief. After Nami forcefully repeated that they could finally redeem the village, a genuine smile bloomed on Nojiko's face for the first time in years. She watched with happiness as Nami began packing her things, preparing to finally leave for the Grand Line with her new companions.
"You've finally found your dawn, haven't you?" Nojiko thought, though a flicker of worry remained. She wondered if Arlong would truly keep his word. Nami, however, was already moving. Most of the treasure was buried in a large chest within their tangerine grove. "I'll have Arlong come and get it himself," Nami declared. "I need to hurry; my companions are still hiding on the ship, and the longer I wait, the easier it is for them to be discovered.".
Chaos at the Docks
While Nami rushed toward Arlong Park, a "thrilling" scene unfolded on the Dream Chaser. Moo-Moo, the gluttonous sea cow and a primary combatant for the Arlong Pirates, had been awakened by the fragrant scent of Sanji's cooking. Driven by hunger and a brutal nature, the beast surfaced and lunged to bite the ship in half, targeting the two humans and their food.
"Satori, watch out!" Sanji yelled, preparing to intercept the beast.
But before Sanji could move, Satori exploded from the cabin, delivering a powerful flying kick to the sea cow's chin.
Boom!!!
The massive beast, whose head alone rivaled the size of the ship, crashed backward into the sea with its eyes swirling in daze. Satori landed back on the deck, huffing with indignation. "You tried to eat my noodles! I won't allow it!". Before Sanji could process the speed of the boy's attack, Satori dove into the water with a shout: "Sanji, let's eat him!".
Sanji checked the dock, relieved to find it empty of the guards Nami had been talking to earlier. However, a fierce voice suddenly erupted behind him: "Who are you? Did you do this to Moo-Moo?!".
Sanji turned to find a soaking-wet Fishman glaring at him. At that same moment, Satori surfaced, dragging a severed tail behind him and grinning. The Fishman's eyes widened, but Sanji moved faster, delivering an upward kick that sent the scout unconscious into the waves.
Suddenly, a second Fishman surfaced, grabbed his fallen comrade, and began swimming rapidly away toward Arlong Park.
Sanji's face paled. If they escaped, their cover was blown. "Satori!" he shouted across the water. "Don't let them escape!".