One piece : A Lotus

Chapter 43: If You Can Be Free

Ezekiel smiled as he noticed Nami nearly drooling at the sight of the jewel.

The origin of this gem is not simple. It's a deep-sea treasure, obtained from Fish-Man Island. It was a gift from Her Royal Highness Otohime of Fish-Man Island several decades ago when she signed a friendship treaty with Alabasta during the world summit. Thus, Alabasta acquired the treasure valued at over 100 million Berries.

It was worth... a billion!

What if... Arlong saw this jewel?

As he thought about it, Ezekiel's smile turned a bit sinister.

Nami hesitated but responded with a smile to this wealthy and generous young gentleman.

This jewel... would be enough to buy Cocoyasi back from the wicked Arlong!

As the village representative, Genzo signed a contract with Ezekiel.

"Then I won't keep you any longer," Ezekiel stood up, "I have other matters to attend to."

"Thank you for your hard work and help," Genzo seemed as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart.

Ezekiel believed that his intentions were pure... he simply wanted Nami to see in advance that everything she was doing did not actually matter to Arlong's ruling pirate gang.

It makes no sense.

How can a pirate crew, which collects tens of millions of Berries every month from Cocoyasi Village and has amassed over a billion Berries in six years, leave the village for 100 million Berries?

It's a deceit.

In the original story, it's mentioned that the Fish-Men pirates charge each person 100,000 Berries every month, and 50,000 Berries for a child, or they will be killed. In the end, when Nami bids farewell to the villagers of Cocoyasi, it is evident that the population of the village is at least several hundred people. Even if there are 200 of them, that's at least 10 million Berries, which amounts to more than 100 million a year.

It can be said that Cocoyasi was once a very wealthy village. Ever since Arlong arrived, their resources have been almost depleted over the last few years. This year, Ezekiel gave Genzo 100 million Berries. It's their hope for survival, they will be able to pay Arlong's Pirates. And even if the village doesn't earn a single Berry from mandarins, it will still be enough.

.....................

Nami, with some excitement, carried the Heart of the Sea Depths and burst into the base of Arlong's Pirates.

"Arlong! I did it!" she shouted to the fish-man, who looked at her with interest.

The tall, saw-nosed shark fish-man with blue skin grinned and raised his glass, looking at Nami.

"Let's drink, our navigator."

All the fish-men around also looked at her with grins, and almost no one took her seriously.

Nami pulled out the Heart of the Sea Depths. This enormous gemstone sparkled in the sunlight. In an instant, all the fish-men stopped laughing. They stared at the gem, showing unbelievable disbelief.

"This Heart of the Sea Depths is worth 100 million Berries! I want to buy back Cocoyasi Village. That's what you promised me, Arlong!" Nami said, staring at Arlong and feeling that something was off with the atmosphere.

In the next moment, Arlong appeared in front of her, grabbing her neck with one hand. He easily took the gem from her hand and looked at it for a moment. Finally, he brought his face closer to Nami's, gazing at her with a somewhat terrifying expression. He said to her:

"This gem... where did you get it?"

Nami was slightly breathless as Arlong threw her to the ground.

"Hey! You said I could buy back the village for 100 million Berries, you promised to free Cocoyasi!"

Arlong's face was very grim, this gem reminded him of a rather unpleasant event. He did not respond to Nami's words but coldly said:

"One hundred million Berries? Do you realize what kind of stone this is? It's the secret treasure of my people, the Heart of the Sea Depths, worth a billion Berries, which was shamelessly given to humans decades ago... In other words, this is our stone, and I want to thank you for returning it to my hands, Nami!"

Nami was shocked—one billion Berries?! The secret treasure of the fish-men?!

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" the fish-men around laughed.

"There will be a feast today!"

Nami's eyes reddened in an instant, and tears welled up.

"You... you never intended to free the village!" she finally shouted angrily, voicing what she had never dared to believe. In reality, a perceptive girl like her couldn't ignore the fact that Arlong wouldn't easily free Cocoyasi Village, but there was hope. In the end, there were no other options.

Everyone stopped smiling, and the expression on the malicious Arlong's face became even more terrifying.

"Since you asked directly, I'll tell you straight, Nami. You're a navigator I value. But even if you bring 100 million Berries, I will never keep my promise—I am a pirate. Ah! Why should I keep promises to humans?! Nami, you're too naive!"

Nami was utterly shocked by these words. She slowly got up under the laughter of the fish-men and left the pirate base in despair. Inside her soul, there was nothing but despair. And sadness.

Ezekiel stood before her, and Nami looked up in confusion, remembering what he had told her about the Heart of the Sea Depths, valued at 100 million Berries...

It's not 100 million Berries at all, but one billion Berries!

What should she and the village of Cocoyasi do now, having lost such a sum?

"Do you know about Arlong? I'm sorry, I... lost your precious stone."

She thought that Genzo and Nojiko had told Ezekiel about Arlong; otherwise, why would he be here? Nami didn't dare tell Ezekiel that his precious stone was already in Arlong's hands. Internally, Nami feared he might go to Arlong and end up hurt or even killed. The girl rested her head on Ezekiel 's shoulder. Seeing this, Ezekiel sighed:

"The precious stone is not important at all, Nami. The most important thing is you," Ezekiel said, gently patting her head. "Next... it's my business."

Nami stopped crying, grabbed Ezekiel 's clothes tightly, and said through tears:

"Don't go! I really lost it! I..." I will return it to you!

Even if it takes my entire remaining life!"

Right now, only this person can help the village of Cocoyasi. If something happens to him, then everything is truly over. Ezekiel became the last hope in Nami's eyes.

Even if she had to die, she did not want an accident to happen to Ezekiel .

Under Nami's intense gaze, Ezekiel slowly took off his heavy coat and cloak, carefully placing them in her hands. He raised his fingers, and the tips of his fingers lit up brilliantly. The glow was so bright that Nami couldn't keep her eyes open.

"Nami, if you could be free, what would you want to do the most?" His voice became low.

Whoosh!

A laser pierced the sky, and under Nami's stunned gaze, it illuminated everything around and then exploded with a deafening sound. The tall buildings of the entire pirate base were destroyed, and the largest building was blown up, leaving a deep crater in its place.

Countless maps that Nami had drawn for the Arlong Pirates in the past were scattered into the air like snow in the sky. They were set ablaze by the heat of the laser, burning up and disappearing.

A gust of wind lifted Ezekiel 's clothes and hair, and endless beams of light appeared before his eyes. He seemed like a god on Earth, saving the suffering people. This scene was forever etched in Nami's eyes, and she would never forget it. He stood before her like a man descended from the heavens.

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