Setting Sail

East China Sea, the coast of Foosha Village in the Goa Kingdom.

A small sailboat slowly left the shore and sailed away into the distance.

On the shore, many people stood, and a boy wearing Straw Hat shouted, "Do your best, Ace!"

"Just wait and see, I'll be famous all over the world soon."

On the small boat, a freckled boy wearing a hat had a bright smile on his face.

The boy is seventeen-year-old Ace, and this year he will embark on an adventure and begin his life.

As the small boat moved further away, he slowly disappeared into the distance.

On Jumada Island, in front of the Orange Orchard, a grand ceremony is taking place.

The entire Orange Orchard was newly decorated, with a backdrop of flowers and white gauze curtains, an archway made of flowers, a long white carpet, rows of seats on both sides, and square tables at the back.

In the foreground, a burly young man in a suit stood, looking nervous but expectant.

Not far from the young man stood an elderly man in a suit, who cleared his throat and called out, "Please welcome the bride."

At the end of the white carpet, a figure walked in. She had orange hair and a slender figure that was beginning to develop. She was wearing a white dress and had a smile on her face as she walked towards them.

Upon approaching, she nodded to the young man and stepped aside.

Next to step onto the carpet were a boy and a girl, carrying flower baskets. As they walked, they passed through the carpet and arrived at the front, where they sat down on the first row of chairs.

Then, two more figures walked onto the carpet.

The figure was a woman with short, light purple hair, wearing a white wedding dress, and her face was shy.

The other figure was a middle-aged man with scratches on his face, who looked somewhat uneasy.

The woman took the man's hand, stepped onto the carpet, and walked forward step by step.

Passing through the archway, they arrived in front of the young man. The middle-aged man looked at the young man and couldn't help but say, "Marcel, I'm entrusting Nojiko to you."

"Ken-san, I will take good care of her."

The tall young man smiled and glanced at Nojiko beside him, his eyes full of affection.

The young man was Marcel, and today was his wedding to Nojiko. The two had known each other for a year and a half and had feelings for each other.

So this year, when Nojiko eighteen, Marcel, who was twenty-two, married her.

Genzo, in place of Nojiko's father, brought Nojiko to Marcel and handed him over.

She's getting married.

Genzo's eyes reddened, and he walked to his seat and sat down.

"The wedding ceremony is now beginning."

Nako, the village doctor of Cocoyasi Village, cleared his throat. He was a little nervous as he had been chosen as the officiant at the wedding.

"Marcel,... you're willing..."

"Nojiko... you're willing..."

"I do!"

"I do!"

"Exchange rings."

"I hereby declare that, from this day forward, Marcel and Nojiko are to be husband and wife."

With Nako's trembling voice, Marcel and Nojiko became husband and wife, and Nami, Genzo, and many villagers shed tears of joy.

The cake was cut, the champagne was popped, and the wedding party began.

"Nojiko got married," Nami said, her eyes red-rimmed. "I wish Aunt Bellemere could see it."

"Yes."

Genzo stood to the side and said with some emotion, "She's been gone for five years."

Nami lowered her head and began to sob softly.

"This is a joyous day, Nami, don't cry," Genzo said softly.

But Nami looked at Genzo and said softly, "Ken -Ken-san, you're great."

Genzo tried to hold back, his eyes were red, but tears were already streaming down his face.

For Genzo, Bellemere was the object of her secret love. Although she liked her, she never expressed it until her death.

After Bellemere's death, Nojiko was always taken care of by Genzo, like a daughter.

Genzo was very sad when his daughter got married.

But seeing Nojiko in the crowd, so happy.

Both Nami and Genzo were genuinely happy for her.

"By the way, why didn't that Fish-Man come? Is he at home?" Genzo suddenly asked.

"Fish-Man? What are you talking about, Ken-san?" Nami was slightly startled and looked at Genzo.

They had been hiding Hachi's existence, and they didn't know how Genzo knew.

"It's that executive of the Arlong Pirates, that octopus Fish-Man. You've been living together since the year before last," Genzo said softly.

Nami asked, somewhat surprised, "You... you knew?"

"Of course, I am, after all, the village's sheriff."

Genzo said with a smile, "Not only do I know, but the other villagers know too."

"Then how come you..." Nami asked blankly, knowing that the Fish-Man were here, but had not informed the Navy.

"That Fish-Man did relatively few evil deeds and even stopped Arlong from committing violence, so he wasn't particularly wicked."

Genzo said softly, "More importantly, you accepted him, so we turned a blind eye."

"Yes, Hachi is a good guy. He took care of me when I was in the Arlong Pirates," Nami said softly.

Genzo nodded and said, "You can let him out; none of us will notify the Navy."

"I will."

Nami smiled and said, then thought for a moment and added, "There's one more thing."

"What?" Genzo asked curiously.

Nami said, "Next, I plan to leave the village and go to sea with Hachi."

"Go to sea? Why?" Genzo asked, puzzled.

Nami smiled and said, "I still think this kind of life is too mundane, and I love the sea. My dream is to one day draw a map of the whole world."

"Drawing a map of the entire world? That means you have to go to other oceans and the Grand Line?" Genzo asked with some concern.

Nami nodded and said, "I will go."

Upon hearing this, Genzo frowned and asked, "The Grand Line is so dangerous, and you're only fifteen years old."

Nami smiled and said, "For the time being, I will be drawing up nautical charts in the East China Sea. It will probably take some time, and with Hachi protecting me, nothing will happen."

"Okay, let's go then," Genzo said softly.

Nami asked curiously, "Did Ken-san agree? I thought you were going to stop me."

Would stopping you even help?

Genzo asked a question in return, then took a sip of wine and said, "Nami, you belong to the sea, you are a born adventurer. Since you have a dream, then go and fulfill it."

"Um."

Nami pursed her lips, smiled, and said, "Thank you."

Genzo then asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

Nami smiled and said, "I'm all ready. We'll set off in three days."

"Let's postpone it for a few more days. I still have something I need your help with," Genzo said with a smile.

Nami asked curiously, "What is it?"

You'll find out then.

Genzo gave a mysterious smile.