Chapter 25: Any objections?
With Nami in his arms, Clover ran all the way to a secluded cave not far from Cocoyasi Village. Despite her struggles, Nami didn't hit Clover with much force. She kicked and punched him along the way, but eventually, when they reached the cave, Clover gently set her down.
"What do you think you're doing?! I told you to leave this place!" Nami shouted, glaring at Clover.
"You keep urging us to leave because you're trying to protect us. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" Clover replied, looking at her calmly.
"Stop acting like you know everything," Nami muttered, lowering her head.
Clover didn't say anything, letting the silence settle between them. After a moment, Nami finally asked, "How do you know Usopp isn't dead?"
"Because I know you're not the type of person to kill him," Clover said simply. He then reached for Nami's left hand, which was covered by a glove. Gently, he removed it, revealing a bandage underneath, stained with fresh blood. "You're hurting yourself."
Nami didn't say anything. She just stared at her injured hand.
As the waves crashed against the rocky shore outside, the two stood in silence. After a few moments, Clover felt something wet on his hand. He looked down and realized Nami was crying, tears falling quietly onto his skin.
"Why are you crying? This isn't the Nami I know," Clover said softly, reaching up to wipe her tears away.
That only made her cry harder. She collapsed into Clover's chest, letting the sobs pour out. It was exactly what she needed. The more she was comforted, the more the dam of her emotions broke.
Clover held her close, gently rubbing her back and head, waiting for her to cry it all out. Her body pressed tightly against his, and though the situation was serious, Clover couldn't help but notice the warmth of her closeness.
After what felt like an eternity, Nami finally calmed down. Her tear-filled eyes gazed up at him. "Help me, Clover," she whispered desperately.
"Of course," Clover replied without hesitation.
At that moment, the old, mysterious computer in Clover's mind suddenly rang out.
Ding ding ding... Mission triggered: Win Nami's trust! Reward: 1x Draw! Current Nami favorability: 60%!
'What the...?' Clover thought, blinking in confusion. Win Nami's trust? Does that mean... falling in love? Or something else entirely?
Before he could fully process, the system provided more information:
Ding ding ding... Winning trust means increasing favorability to 100%. When successful, Nami's obedience mode will activate. Obedience mode at 100% allows complete compliance with your instructions!
Clover nearly gasped. Obedience mode at 100%? Isn't this something out of a game?
He couldn't help but let his mind wander. If obedience is maxed out... maybe maid outfits? Or... His thoughts raced for a moment before he shook his head to clear it.
"What's wrong with you?" Nami asked, noticing him nodding and shaking his head to himself.
"Ah, it's nothing! Just tell me what's been going on," Clover said quickly, brushing off his stray thoughts.
Nami hesitated, but then she nodded and began to tell Clover everything that Arlong had done over the years. As she spoke, Clover listened quietly, though the more he heard, the more his blood boiled. He clenched his fists, his mind filled with anger. He wanted to rush to Arlong right now and tear him apart for imprisoning Nami for so long, forcing her to endure such suffering.
"I think, even if you collect the 100 million beli, Arlong won't let you go," Clover said once she finished.
Nami bit her lip. "No way…"
"You know the kind of person Arlong is. Do you really think he'll just let you and the village walk away?" Clover asked gently. "How much are you short?"
"Seven million…" Nami whispered.
"You've been through so much already. Don't worry, I'll end this today. I'll tear Arlong apart with my own hands," Clover said, his voice full of determination.
"Can you really beat him?" Nami asked, her voice filled with worry. After all, she had seen Arlong's strength firsthand. He could destroy a house with just his bare hands. His power was far beyond that of an ordinary human, and with the training he had undergone, he was even more formidable.
This was why no one had dared to resist him for so many years.
"Don't worry. I can handle a hundred Arlongs," Clover said with confidence.
At the same time, Zoro and the others had reunited with Usopp and Nojiko. Just as Nojiko was about to tell them Nami's story, Luffy walked away, not wanting to hear it. To Luffy, it didn't matter what Nami had gone through—she was already his nakama, and that was all that mattered.
After hearing Nojiko's story, Zoro and the others were even more determined to save Nami, their resolve burning even brighter.
Once Clover finished talking with Nami, he decided to take her home first. But as they approached her house, a group of Marines arrived. Leading them was a man with the appearance of a rat—Captain Nezumi.
"What's Nezumi and the Marines doing here?" Nami asked, a sense of dread creeping over her.
"You're the thief known as Nami," Captain Nezumi sneered. "According to the information we've received, you've been hiding treasure you stole from pirates. We're here to confiscate it all."
Nami stood frozen, her body trembling as Nezumi's words sank in.
"Well? Didn't you hear me? All the stolen goods from pirates must be turned over to the government," Captain Nezumi repeated, holding out his hand expectantly.
"I'll handle this," Clover said, stepping in front of Nami.
"Huh? And who are you supposed to be? Do you have an objection?" Nezumi asked smugly.
"I don't have an objection," Clover said, raising his right fist. "But this does."
Before Nezumi could react, Clover's fist slammed into his face. The blow was so powerful that Nezumi's head flew off, leaving only his body standing for a split second before it crumpled to the ground.
"You're not taking any treasure from here," Clover said, his bloody fist still raised as he turned to the other Marines. "Anyone else have an objection?"