Conqueror’s Desire

MC and Nami had been sailing for several days, navigating through waves that alternated between calm and fierce. Though their voyage wasn't long in distance, an underlying tension never left their hearts. Nami never truly wished to return to Cocoyasi Village—the place that was once her home and now held so many bitter memories. Yet she knew that to put an end to it all, she must face everything… including confronting Arlong and the past that still shackled her.

MC sat at the bow of the ship, checking the wind's direction to ensure their course remained true. The sea breeze was fresh, but there was an undercurrent of anxiety in the air. Standing at the side of the vessel, Nami gazed at the horizon, her face shadowed by memories. Since deciding to return to her old village, she had grown notably silent. MC sensed the deep emotions hidden within her, but he didn't want to force her to speak.

"Nami, we're almost there," MC said gently, his tone light yet full of care.

Nami nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the fading line of the horizon. "I know," she replied, her voice slightly hoarse. "But... I don't know what comes next. Everything I've done, everything that happened in the village... it still haunts me."

MC moved closer and stood beside her as they both looked out to sea. "You're not alone anymore, Nami. We'll fight this together. No matter what happens, I'm here with you."

Nami looked at him, tears beginning to shimmer in her eyes. "I'm scared. I'm scared of seeing the faces of those I left behind. I'm scared of meeting Arlong again."

"And I'm scared too," MC admitted with conviction. "But I know we're stronger together. We've already survived so much, Nami. This is just one more step toward your freedom."

Taking a deep breath, Nami tried to steady herself. "Freedom…" she whispered. "Yes, that's what I want, but it feels so hard. Arlong rules the village with strength and terror. I once promised myself I'd save that village, yet I'm terrified of failing again."

MC gently squeezed Nami's hand. "We won't fail, Nami. You've fought for so long already. This time, I'll stand by you in the battle. Nothing will stop us."

Feeling the strength of MC's words, Nami's heart lightened just a little, even though her fear still lingered. "Thank you," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Sailing Towards Cocoyasi Village

After several days at sea, MC and Nami finally neared Cocoyasi Village. From a distance, the village looked peaceful—but an undeniable weight pressed upon Nami's heart as they drew closer. Arlong still ruled this place, and that fact was impossible to ignore.

During a pause in their journey, MC and Nami rested on the ship amid the vast ocean. MC sat on the deck, poring over their map while occasionally glancing toward Nami, who stood at the ship's edge, staring far into the distance.

"We're almost there," MC said in a calm tone.

Nami nodded, though worry was clearly etched on her face. "What will happen after this?" she murmured, almost inaudibly. "I don't know if I'm ready."

MC sighed and rose to move closer to her. "We'll face it with courage, Nami. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together."

After a while, Nami slowly nodded, though her eyes still revealed traces of anxiety. "I know, MC. But it's not just about Arlong. It's about all those who have grown up living in fear under his rule. I want to help them, yet I'm terrified of returning to the past I tried so hard to forget."

Standing by her side, MC gazed out at the endless sea. "We must fight that fear. Your freedom means freedom for the village too. You've fought so hard for this."

Nami stared off into the distance, biting her lip. "I'm scared, MC. Scared of losing everything again."