Nami Joins the Crew

The next morning.

The all-night celebration had only just ended, yet the Merry's deck was already bustling with activity.

Several crates packed with smoked meat, fresh water, flour, and daily necessities were enthusiastically carried aboard by the villagers.

It was their simplest expression of gratitude toward their benefactors.

"Careful! Be gentle!"

Sanji directed several villagers as they carefully transplanted three lush orange trees onto the rear deck of the Merry, handling them as if they were priceless treasures.

They were the three healthiest trees from Bellemere's orange grove.

The soil was packed down, and the sweet scent of oranges spread across the deck as green leaves swayed in the sea breeze.

The golden fruits looked like tiny suns, bringing a warm touch of life to the Merry.

"Whoa, these trees are pretty interesting!"

Luffy darted over like a monkey and circled the orange trees several times. His thieving hand uncontrollably reached for a plump orange.

"Looks delicious..."

Smack!

Before Luffy's hand could touch the orange, a shiny black leather shoe viciously kicked it away.

"Don't touch them! They belong to Miss Nami!"

Sanji withdrew his foot, a tender smile so gentle it seemed ready to drip from his face as he lightly brushed dust from the tree trunk.

"These are Miss Nami's most treasured possessions, a memento from her mother. Luffy, if you dare steal one, I'll turn you into rubber sashimi!"

"You stingy bastard, Sanji!"

Luffy clutched the back of his hand. The instant Sanji looked away, he snatched an orange with lightning speed and stuffed it into his mouth. "Mmph! So sweet!!"

Once the supplies had been loaded, everyone sat down on the deck.

Yet that one figure still had not appeared.

The sea breeze stirred Ronan's clothes. With the iron spear on his back, he quietly watched the direction of the village entrance, his expression calm.

He knew this was the final farewell before departure. It needed a little time.

"Why hasn't Nami come yet?"

Luffy pushed his Straw Hat back, sat cross-legged on the deck, and impatiently tapped his fingers against the planks. "Everyone's ready."

"Maybe she's not coming?"

Zoro leaned against the mast, Wado Ichimonji in his arms, resting with his eyes closed. His tone was as calm as ever, with its usual irritating edge.

"Her goal has already been achieved, and the village is free. For someone who hated pirates to begin with, staying here might be the best ending for her."

"Huh? What the hell are you talking about, Moss Head?!"

Sanji immediately flew into a rage and grabbed Zoro by the collar. "Did you say something stupid to Miss Nami? It had to be that filthy mouth of yours that pissed her off and drove her away!"

"Hah? Why would I do that? You want to fight, Perverted Cook?"

"Stop arguing..." Usopp crouched in a corner, muttering pessimistically.

"Zoro does have a point. She'd probably be happier staying here. Her sister is here, and so is the whole village..."

Cocoyasi Village, by the shore.

The beach was filled with villagers who had come to see them off. Gen and Nojiko stood at the front, watching the Merry, which was about to set sail.

"That girl Nami..."

"She left all the money behind." Tears filled Nojiko's eyes, but she was smiling.

"She said the money should be used to rebuild the village, not for her adventure."

"What? That was the money she'd painstakingly saved since childhood, enduring all that humiliation..."

Gen's eyes reddened. He helplessly shook his head. "That idiot... We owe her another debt of gratitude."

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from the direction of the village.

"Hey—!! Everyone—!!"

Everyone turned around.

Nami came sprinting toward the shore with a small bag on her back, moving at the speed of a hundred-meter dash.

Her short orange hair flew in the wind, and a wild, sly grin hung on her face.

Luffy's eyes lit up aboard the ship, and he immediately leaped onto the bow. "Nami!!"

"Luffy! Set sail already!!"

Nami shouted as she ran, her voice urgent. "Full speed ahead! Hurry!"

"Huh? But the villagers still—" Luffy scratched his head, confused.

"Quit talking and set sail!!"

Ronan smiled faintly. He had expected this scene.

He signaled to Zoro and Sanji. "Raise the anchor! Hoist the sails!"

The Merry slowly began to pull away from shore.

Nami charged into the crowd seeing her off.

She did not slow down. Instead, she slipped through the villagers like a gust of wind, and wherever she passed, her hands danced like butterflies among flowers.

"Nami?!" Nojiko cried out.

As she neared the shore, Nami forcefully pushed off the ground.

"Hey!"

She leaped high, her body tracing a graceful arc through the air. Her orange hair gleamed beneath the sunlight, and like a nimble swallow, she landed steadily on the Merry's deck.

She turned around, facing the villagers, and wore that signature mischievous grin belonging only to the "Cat Burglar."

Clatter—

She suddenly lifted the hem of her shirt, and countless bulging wallets fell from her clothes, piling up on the deck like a small mountain.

Nami planted her hands on her hips and shouted at the dumbfounded villagers on shore.

"Everyone!! Take care of yourselves!!!"

The shore fell dead silent.

Gen checked his pocket—empty.

Nojiko checked her pocket—empty.

Every villager checked their pockets—they were all empty!

The next second, roars shook the sky, yet none carried any real anger.

"My wallet is gone!!"

"Nami!! You little thief!!"

"You're leaving and you're still stealing our money!!"

"You damn brat! Be careful out there!!"

The curses gradually turned into laughter, and tears mingled with those laughs.

They waved their arms, watching the ship carrying their most beloved "bad girl" sail farther and farther away.

The Merry rode the wind and waves, heading toward the vast blue deep sea.

On deck, Luffy laughed so hard he rolled around on the ground. "Shishishi! Nami, you're amazing!"

Zoro looked at the pile of wallets, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Who was it that said she'd turned over a new leaf? Some habits never change."

"As expected of Miss Nami! Even the way she steals is so enchanting!" Sanji continued swooning.

Nami ignored her noisy companions.

She stood alone against the railing at the stern, watching Cocoyasi Village gradually vanish beyond the horizon as the sea breeze tousled her hair.

She raised her left hand and gently touched the new tattoo on her left shoulder.

The mark that had once belonged to the Arlong Pirates had been completely erased. In its place were a windmill and an orange.

The windmill represented Gen, who was like a father to her.

The orange represented Bellemere, who was like a mother to her.

The windmill turned, and the scent of oranges filled the air.

Nami lowered her head and gently kissed the design, an unprecedented light shining in her eyes.

"Goodbye, my hometown."

"From today onward, I am... Nami, the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates!"