Moonlight spilled across the small island.
Flickering firelight danced around the edge of the pool, casting intertwining shadows. It wasn't until late into the night that the banquet finally reached its climax.
Their haul this time was unimaginably massive. The news of the staggering 3.4 billion Berries had already spread, completely igniting the pirates' excitement.
Some were chugging booze, others were singing and dancing, and a few were just goofing off and putting on a show.
The surface of the pool reflected the silhouettes of the revelers. Pirates and villagers had their arms around each other's shoulders, the boundaries of their identities completely erased.
"I suddenly feel like setting sail and being a free pirate wouldn't be so bad after all."
Nami sat on a lounge chair with her knees pulled to her chest, the firelight dancing in her eyes as she spoke with a hint of emotion.
Allen lay on the adjacent lounge chair. He couldn't help but turn his head to glance at the young woman. Before he could speak, he heard her continue:
"Because of Arlong, I've hated pirates ever since I was little. Over the years, to save up one hundred million Berries, I took risks and dealt with quite a few of them."
"The facts proved that pirates really aren't good people, until recently..."
As she spoke, Nami suddenly looked back at Allen. With a faint smile, she said,
"Did you know? You actually aren't the first person to invite me to join their crew."
"I didn't know."
Allen's face instantly darkened.
Nami turned back, gazing at the water reflecting the silhouettes, and continued talking to herself:
"A few days ago, I met another group of pirates. They called themselves a pirate crew, but there were actually only three of them, and their captain was a reckless idiot."
"Still, they were a really good bunch. It was because of them that I had a different impression of pirates for the first time."
"If it weren't for the village and Arlong, maybe I really would have gone with them to be a pirate..."
Nami's expression grew quietly lonely. After a moment of silence, she slowly continued,
"And then there's you, Allen."
"To be honest, I still can't believe it even now. It's like I'm afraid this is all just a dream that will vanish the moment I wake up."
"Nami," Allen suddenly called out to her.
"What is it?"
Just as Nami turned her head in confusion, a hand came swinging right at her!
Smack!
Looking at the bewildered Nami, Allen blinked and asked,
"Well, did it hurt?"
"Are you crazy?!"
Nami rolled her eyes and cursed furiously, raising her fist and slamming it down hard on his head.
Thump!!
A large lump slowly rose from the top of his head. The punch left Allen seeing stars. Nami pulled her fist back, crossed her arms over her chest, and said in annoyance,
"Anyway, just like we agreed before, I'll go with you."
"Since you successfully defeated Arlong, I'd accept it even if you were a demon from hell. But! Let me make one thing clear first."
Nami dropped her playful demeanor and spoke in a serious tone,
"Since you chose me to be your navigator, the navigation of this ship will be done my way from now on. You are not allowed to interfere recklessly."
*'If I can't interfere, can I at least interject?'*
Allen hesitated to speak, feeling a headache coming on at the thought of Nami's demand.
*'Why does everyone have such a heavy sense of responsibility? First, I'm not allowed to manage the kitchen, and now I can't manage the navigation either.'*
*'If this keeps up and we recruit a few more people, my position as captain will be completely hollowed out.'*
*'Sigh, starting a business is so hard.'*
"Fine, fine, I promise. I wouldn't know the first thing about navigation even if you let me manage it anyway,"
Allen compromised, waving his hand dismissively.
*'What kind of proper captain gets bossed around by his subordinates? I'll just have to establish a "Captain's Veto Power" rule later.'*
*'What's that? You say you oppose this rule?'*
*'I veto your opposition!'*
After getting Allen's promise, Nami had no further objections.
As for this man who had suddenly barged into the village and led everyone in a rebellion to shatter the island's eight-year dark reign...
Aside from gratitude, if Nami had any other feelings toward him, it was probably the urge to beat him to a pulp.
Inciting a group of villagers—who would struggle just to slaughter a pig—to join a pirate crew and go to war with Fish-Men was, no matter how you looked at it, a bit too monstrous.
However.
It was precisely because they took up arms and became participants in the battle that everyone was able to reclaim some of the things they had lost before the dawn of liberation arrived.
Things like dignity...
Nami bent her legs and hugged her knees, a faint smile on her face as she pursed her lips and whispered,
"Allen, thank you."
The corners of Allen's mouth curled up slightly. He lay back with his hands behind his head, silently gazing up at the quiet night sky.
...
Early the next morning, a faint glow appeared on the horizon, signaling the imminent rise of the red sun.
The banquet was drawing to a close. A large number of sleeping pirates and villagers lay scattered across the ground, with only a few drunken individuals still barely able to stand.
Nami's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
Propping herself up, she sat up on the lounge chair. The black coat draped over her slipped down to her lap. She held her forehead and rubbed her temples.
"I actually fell asleep without realizing it, even though I didn't drink that much last night."
Perhaps the annihilation of Arlong's crew had finally dispelled the gloom that had clouded her heart for years. Even amidst the noisy banquet, she had slept exceptionally soundly.
Pulling up the tank top strap that had slipped off her shoulder, Nami stretched vigorously, then looked down at the black overcoat on her lap.
*'If I remember correctly, this should be Allen's.'*
As Nami thought this, she subconsciously turned her head to look to the side.
Allen was sprawled out on his lounge chair, snoring with a snot bubble expanding from his nose. By the looks of it, he was completely dead to the world.
Lifting the overcoat, Nami swung her legs off the chair and stood up. She carefully stepped forward to drape the coat over Allen, then turned and left the park.
...
Before setting sail, she had one more thing to do. Although she had promised to join Allen's crew, Luffy and the others' ship was still docked on the island.
*'I don't know if they'll find their way here, but I should secure the Going Merry first,'*
Nami thought to herself.
A short while later, she arrived at the eastern coast of Cocoyasi Village, where a small white sailboat with a sheep figurehead was quietly docked.
She climbed aboard using the rope ladder. Just as she stepped onto the deck, the cabin door burst open with a loud bang!
Startled, Nami quickly drew her three-section staff and assembled it, only to see a long-nosed figure rushing out!
"You damn ship thief! I've finally caught you!"
Usopp shouted indignantly as he leaped high into the air, lunging down with his arms flailing.
However, what greeted him was a sweeping strike from the long staff.
"Hah!"
Whack!!
The staff slammed heavily into Usopp's face, sending him flying backward to crash against the ship's railing.
Nami looked closely and finally recognized him, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Usopp?! What are you doing here?"
"D-duh... this is our ship..."
Usopp cried tears of grievance, holding up a twitching hand as he spoke half-dead.
At that moment, two more figures walked out of the cabin.
"To think you couldn't even beat a woman with a sneak attack. What a disgrace."
Zoro covered his forehead, unable to bear the sight.
Beside him, Luffy ran forward with a wide, carefree grin.
"Shishishi, long time no see, Nami!"
"Luffy? And Zoro too? How did you guys find this place?"
Nami looked bewildered, clearly not expecting them to arrive so quickly.
Up on the second floor, the dining room door opened, and two more people stepped out. They struck cool poses on the left and right, saying,
"We figured it out through our brilliant analysis, of course."
"Bet you didn't expect that, Big Sis Nami."
"Johnny? Yosaku? So it was you guys."
Seeing the two of them appear, Nami finally realized what was going on. She stood up and put her weapon away, saying,
"Honestly, and here I was wondering what to do with this ship. I didn't expect you all to get here so fast. Perfect, I'll leave the Going Merry in your hands."
"Eh? You're giving the ship back just like that?"
Usopp looked stunned, feeling a bit baffled as he asked,
"Wait a minute, Nami. Why did you sneak off with the ship in the first place?"
"None of that matters, Usopp! As long as Nami is back on the crew, it's all good,"
Luffy said to Usopp with a toothy grin. He then turned to Nami and asked in confusion,
"By the way, Nami, why did you take our ship?"
"That's exactly what I was just asking her, you idiot!"
Usopp screamed furiously, jumping up and slapping Luffy hard on the back of the head.
Nami facepalmed in exasperation. "Yep, still as idiotic as ever."
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