Nojiko's Feelings: Beginning and End

Early the next morning.

After Nami's relentless pestering, acting cute, and finally resorting to seductive posturing to sell her charms, Daddy finally 'reluctantly' sent Zoro and the others out as manual labor to transplant three orange trees onto the Dreadnaught Sabre.

Beyond the fact that Nami loved them and saw them as a vessel for her memories, the vitamin C in the oranges was indeed effective in preventing scurvy caused by long voyages at sea.

In truth, Daddy had intended to transplant a few orange trees himself, but he hadn't expected Nami to be so impatient to seduce him and offer him such benefits before he could even bring it up.

Daddy had no choice but to be 'forced' into taking advantage of the situation; he even gave Nami ample time to perform her talents and act like an Oscar-winning actress before finally agreeing to the request to plant trees on the ship.

Watching Nami use Daddy's orders to act like the boss, smugly directing Zoro and El Drago, even Nojiko found it a bit hard to watch.

"Captain Daddy, please don't blame Nami. She has liked to tease others since she was a child, but her heart isn't bad!"

Nojiko stood beside Daddy, constantly putting in a good word for Nami, trying to 'whitewash' her reputation.

Moreover, she didn't know why, but even though the man beside her was a ruthless pirate who killed without blinking, standing next to him didn't make her feel afraid at all.

The aura emanating from Daddy made Nojiko feel a sense of security, and she felt a strong urge to rely on him.

"I know her character! You don't need to worry!"

Daddy said indifferently, while in his heart, he was still savoring the benefits Nami had just provided. This sudden turn of events had actually stirred a bit of restlessness in him; honestly, he found himself missing the moist, wild, and compliant Dezaya.

After all, having drifted on the sea for so long, it had been a while since he'd had a taste of that; such things only ever happen zero times or countless times.

I wonder what she is doing right now?

Affection, desire, reason, and ambition—these emotions and thoughts constantly tangled within Daddy's heart.

With his thoughts shifting, Daddy suddenly made a decision: he would return to Loguetown and snatch Dezaya onto his ship!

It didn't matter if the fruit was sweet or not; as long as it could quench his thirst, that was enough!

Affection? I have already abandoned such things!

This foolish woman, daring to make his thoughts feel obstructed—he must thoroughly suppress this inner demon!

Once she becomes his woman, she needn't think about running away!

In this world where he didn't belong, in this Great Pirate Era where order had collapsed, he had abandoned his emotions, but in their place, a demonic obsession had taken root.

[There is no breaking up, only widowhood!]

If I cannot have it, then it is useless to keep it!

"Captain Daddy, what's wrong?"

Nojiko suddenly felt an evil and cold aura radiating from Daddy, which made her feel a little flustered.

"Nothing! Just remembered an old debt! Need to go back and settle it!"

Daddy returned to his indifferent tone, and the evil thoughts stirred up by Nami instantly vanished into thin air.

Desire, in the end, could never conquer ambition!

"Captain Daddy, actually, your heart isn't bad either, is it?"

Nojiko suddenly looked into Daddy's eyes and said earnestly; she couldn't understand why his temperament had changed so drastically from one moment to the next!

"Do not try to guess the human heart! My heart knows no distinction between good and evil!

Also, do not develop curiosity or interest in me, otherwise, you will not be able to bear the consequences!"

The sense of security around Daddy vanished, replaced by a cold indifference that warned strangers to keep their distance. He didn't want to rack up any more emotional debts; women without strength or special abilities were of no use to him.

Unless she was willing to offer affection like a moth to a flame, and eternal loyalty, perhaps Daddy would consider cultivating her!

Nojiko's face turned pale, and her nose stung. She bit her lip, revealing a stiff smile. She didn't say anything about wanting to board the ship, because she couldn't let go of the orange grove that Bell-mère had left behind.

It was just that for the first time, she felt a sense of longing for Daddy—the great hero who had liberated her village—but his coldness and his words made Nojiko feel incredibly uncomfortable, a sensation like she wanted to cry.

Perhaps this was the sorrow of a feeling that had ended before it had even begun!

"Captain Daddy, you're too full of yourself! But, I believe you are a good person!"

The expression on Nojiko's face, a mix of wanting to cry while pretending to smile, was a bit awkward, but she still managed to say that final sentence before 'gracefully' walking away quickly.

Watching Nojiko's retreating figure, Daddy shook his head. A romance with no future should be severed cleanly.

Nojiko couldn't let go of the orange grove, her strength was too weak, and she had no special abilities; this clean break was the best possible outcome.

Nojiko ran back to her room, feeling a tightness in her chest as if she couldn't breathe.

She didn't know why she felt this way, even though she had only known Daddy for a day. She frantically messed up her hair, trying to clear her head.

Once her emotions had settled, she returned to the harbor.

After the orange trees were transplanted, the crew of the Big Daddy Pirates began boarding the ship, while Daddy was busy disciplining and taming the Cow Sea Beast, Momoo.

"Nojiko, take good care of Bell-mère's orange grove! Once I sail around the world and draw a map of the entire sea, I will come back!"

Nami shouted excitedly to her sister Nojiko. Although she had been recruited onto this ship under the condition that Daddy would eliminate the Arlong Pirates, after spending a few days together, she had gained a preliminary understanding of Daddy's code of conduct.

That was why she felt relatively at ease boarding the ship of the Big Daddy Pirates.

"You take care of yourself! I will always be waiting for you to come back!!"

The tears that Nojiko had been suppressing finally broke free for her sister, though she couldn't help but steal a few glances at Daddy, who had already tamed the sea beast.

This man still held an attraction for her, even though he had said such hurtful things!

This pirate had not only wiped out the Arlong Pirates and liberated over twenty villages, but he had also refrained from seizing the massive amount of protection money the fish-men had extorted.

Daddy hadn't even taken the money Nami had saved to buy back her village, leaving every last berry for the villagers of Cocoyasi Village.

How could a person like this possibly be a villain?!

You don't want me to be curious or interested in you? Well, I'm going to be anyway!

You hateful man!

Watching the pirate ship of the Big Daddy Pirates slowly pull out of the harbor, towed by the Cow Sea Beast, Nojiko's tears flowed even more freely.

She couldn't tell if she was crying for Nami or for Daddy.

Because the sea beast Momoo was pulling the ship, the Dreadnaught Sabre had lowered all three of its masts to reduce drag, allowing it to travel much faster than it ever could under sail.

It was finally faster than a navy warship.

However, less than half an hour after the Big Daddy Pirates set sail, a warship appeared directly in their path.

Onboard the warship, a navy officer who looked remarkably like a rat had a sour expression on his face; the protection money that the Arlong Pirates were supposed to deliver every month was a full day late, and their Den Den Mushi wouldn't even connect!

This had infuriated Captain Nezumi of the East Blue 16th Branch, driving him to sail out personally to find Arlong and collect his share of the tribute.

If not for his protection, the Arlong Pirates would have been wiped out by the navy long ago!