One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

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Arlong Park.

Boom!

Nami stormed in and grabbed Arlong by the collar, her face filled with rage and tears.

"Oh? Nami, you're back?" Arlong grinned cruelly as he looked down at her.

"Why?! Why didn't you keep your promise? Why did you let the Marines steal the money I saved to buy back the village?!" Nami screamed, her voice shaking with emotion.

"Oh? You were robbed? What bad luck. But do you have any proof that I had anything to do with it?" Arlong's contemptuous smile only widened as he casually brushed Nami's hand off.

"…"

Nami glared at him.

"No evidence, huh? Like I said, Nami, as long as you bring me 100 million Beli, you can buy back Cocoyashi Village," Arlong sneered, laughing loudly.

The other Fishmen joined in his laughter.

"…"

Nami clenched her weather staff tightly, the mocking laughter of the Fishmen ringing in her ears.

"Arlong!!!" Nami's voice trembled with rage as she glared at him.

"Huh? What, Nami? Are you planning to fight me? Don't worry, I won't kill you. But the people of Cocoyashi Village…" Arlong taunted, glancing at the strange staff in Nami's hand with a smirk.

"…"

Nami bit down hard on her lip, drawing blood at the corners of her mouth.

"I get it… I'll just find another 100 million Beli, right?" she said coldly, her voice hollow. 

She wanted to fight him—she wanted to fight him even if it meant dying. But if she did that, what would happen to everyone in the village?

"Exactly! As long as you bring me 100 million Beli, I'll sell the village to you. I'm a pirate of my word, after all! Hahaha!" Arlong's cruel laughter echoed again.

Without a word, Nami turned and walked back toward the village.

A pirate's promise? She trusted only Ace's promises.

Sorry, Ace… I messed up. All your money's been taken…

In her mind, images of her recent time with Ace flooded her thoughts as tears welled in her eyes.

——

"Alright! Led by this young man, we're going to rescue Nami from this hell!"

As Nami trudged back to the village, lost in despair, she found herself staring in disbelief at the villagers, who stood excitedly, preparing to fight.

And there, among them, was the person who had been on her mind just moments ago.

"Ace?! Everyone?!" Nami looked around, slowly realizing the truth.

They had known about her deal with Arlong all along. They hadn't told her because they didn't want to burden her with the weight of their hopes.

And now, they were all ready to fight Arlong.

"No… it's alright, everyone! It's just 100 million Beli! I've grown stronger now. I can easily save up another 100 million in no time," Nami forced a smile, trying to reassure them.

But if they fought Arlong, they'd all die!

"Nami, that's enough." Genzo looked at her, his voice gentle but firm.

"!!!"

Nami's heart froze.

"You know as well as we do that it's pointless," he added, his expression heavy with sorrow.

"No! I won't let you! You'll die!" Nami cried, pointing her weather staff at the villagers.

"We know."

Genzo gently pushed down her staff and smiled softly, a look of relief on his face.

"Nami, stop. We've already made up our minds," one of the villagers said, clutching a shovel.

"Nami, you've suffered all these years for our sake. Now it's our turn to fight for you. You still have your dreams!" Nojiko declared, her voice resolute as she looked at her sister.

"Even if we can't win, we'll show those Fishmen our determination! We won't forgive those bastards for playing with Nami's kind heart!" Genzo raised his weapon and roared.

"Fight them!"

The villagers shouted in unison, rushing past Nami toward Arlong Park.

Nami stood frozen, watching in shock. She reached out to stop them, but each person she touched, gently took her hand, gave her an apologetic smile, and continued on.

You've suffered all these years.

That's what Nami saw in their smiles.

"Why… why?!" Nami sobbed as the last of the villagers left. She turned to Ace, her face streaked with tears. 

"Why are you here? Why are you getting involved in this? I'm just a thief… I stole your money… I'm—"

Before Nami could finish, Ace placed his hat firmly on her head.

"!!!"

Nami looked up at him, her pretty face filled with confusion.

"It's been hard, hasn't it? Not relying on anyone all these years," Ace said softly, his smile as warm as the sun.

"I..."

Nami's tears flowed freely, and she collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Nami…" Kaya, standing nearby, also had tears in her eyes as she looked at the broken girl before her.

"Help me… help me, Ace…" Nami begged, her face softening for the first time since Bell-mère's death.

"Anyone who makes you cry… will pay."

Ace rubbed Nami's head, his touch firm, reassuring. It was the kind of touch that made Nami feel at peace for the first time in years.