What Truly Reliable Companions

"It doesn't matter."

Zoro said flatly.

"We're pirates to begin with, and pirates are natural enemies of the Marines. Why worry? If they come, we'll just cut them down."

"Well said. They're only Marines, after all."

Sanji took a drag of his cigarette. Smoke curled around him as he nodded.

"Hey, hey, you two, could you not say it like it's nothing? They're the Marines! On the sea, I've never heard of anyone standing up to the Marines head-on!"

Usopp was stunned by their conversation and couldn't help staring at them.

"The Marines aren't anything to fear, but they're still a nuisance. Since we're heading to the Grand Line, we can't afford to waste time here."

Moonlight said flatly.

"You guys..."

Hearing this, Nojiko was moved to tears.

What kind of people are they?

Are they really pirates?

"All right, let's go!"

Luffy waved his hand. They had eaten and drunk their fill, so what reason was there to stay? As Moonlight had said, their destination was the Grand Line. How could they waste time here?

"Huh? Where's Nami?"

However, when the group reached the ship, they suddenly discovered that Nami still hadn't arrived.

"Could Big Sis have heard what we said and decided not to come?"

Yosaku and Johnny immediately realized that it might be because of what they had said to Nojiko.

Any normal person would have rejected them immediately after hearing that.

"No way. I believe in Nami. She'll definitely come."

Luffy shook his head, full of confidence in Nami.

"Miss Nami, you have to come!"

Sanji lit a cigarette, his mood somewhat heavy.

"Nami..."

Usopp murmured.

"Whoosh!"

Moonlight's figure flashed, and he shot toward the village.

"Moonlight, what are you doing?"

"Hey, hey, you..."

Usopp and the others were shocked. They had no idea why Moonlight had suddenly jumped off the ship.

"I'm going to find Nami. If she refuses to come, I'll drag her here by force."

Moonlight said flatly.

His voice reached everyone's ears.

"Huh?"

"Drag her here by force if she won't come?"

Usopp was dumbfounded.

A strange glint flashed through Zoro's eyes.

The cigarette Sanji had just lit fell to the ground.

Yosaku and Johnny stood frozen in place. Lord Moonlight really is domineering!

Only Luffy nodded, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

He had already understood what Moonlight meant.

They were pirates. Why should they worry about so many formalities?

"Mother, and all my other companions, you can rest easy. The village has been reclaimed. A group of wonderful companions of mine helped us, and everyone is happy. Nojiko is happy, and Grandpa Genzo is happy too. You can all rest in peace."

At that moment, in Cocoyasi Village, Nami knelt before a grave and spoke in a low voice.

Behind her, Genzo and the other villagers of Cocoyasi Village bowed their heads in silence.

These were all their fellow villagers who had died at Arlong's hands!

Everyone had known one another for years and was intimately familiar with each other. When they suddenly died, seeing the tombstones before them and thinking of the young lives buried beneath them made everyone burst into tears.

"Nami, are you really going to become a pirate?"

After a long while, everyone finally regained their composure, and Genzo asked Nami.

"That's right. My dream is to chart the seas across the entire world and become the greatest navigator in the world. I've longed for this day since I was little."

Nami wiped away her tears, nodded, and smiled brightly.

"Those people really are companions worthy of your trust. I'll feel at ease letting you go with them."

Seeing this, Genzo nodded.

He held Luffy and the others in extremely high regard.

"That's right, Nami. Those guys really aren't ordinary. They may still be unknown now, but one day, they'll become famous throughout the world. I'll feel at ease with you following them!"

Nojiko nodded as well. Although they had only known them for a short time, she had already seen through the personalities of Luffy and the others. If people like them weren't worth entrusting herself to, then who was?

"Nami, go. We support you this time!"

"We support you too. There's nothing wrong with becoming a pirate. This sea is vast and free to begin with."

"Unrestrained and free. Unfortunately, I'm already old. Otherwise, I'd want to roam this sea too!"

"Go, Nami. Fulfill your dream and become famous throughout the world with them!"

All the villagers looked at Nami with smiles and encouraged her one after another.

"Mm."

Hearing this, Nami nodded firmly, her face full of radiant smiles.

"Don't worry. Now that Nami has boarded our ship, we naturally won't let her suffer any grievances. If anyone dares to mistreat her, they'll have to answer to the sword in my hand first!"

Just then, a cool voice suddenly rang out.

Moonlight had appeared before everyone at some unknown point, yet no one had noticed him beforehand. After their initial shock, they all turned to look at him!

Their faces were filled with reverence!

"It's Lord Moonlight!"

Whether it was Genzo, Nojiko, or anyone else, they all worshipped Moonlight. He had defeated Arlong single-handedly, and even the Marines had been unable to hold their heads high before him. He was an unparalleled powerhouse!

On the sea, nothing earned greater respect than an unparalleled powerhouse!

"Moonlight! Did you come to pick me up?"

Seeing Moonlight, Nami asked in surprise.

She hadn't expected herself to be so important.

"It's not just me. Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp all hope you'll become our companion!"

Moonlight pointed behind him. Luffy and the others had apparently disembarked after him at some point and were now hurrying over.

"Everyone!"

Crystal tears shimmered in Nami's eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, Moonlight, that's not fair! You actually came to find Miss Nami all by yourself. Were you trying to move her so she'd offer herself to you? How devious!"

Sanji glanced at Moonlight, deeply suspicious.

"Hey, hey, the only one thinking that way is probably you!"

Zoro exposed Sanji's true intentions at once!

"Damn you, you moss-head! I'll kick you to death!"

Sanji immediately flew into a rage from embarrassment.

"You curly-browed idiot, believe me, I'll cut you down."

Zoro wasn't one to back down either, and the two began trading insults.

"Those two idiots... Honestly..."

Usopp gently rubbed his forehead, looking helpless.

"Nami, come back. We can't do this journey without you."

Luffy smiled at Nami.

"I..."

Nami's feelings were complicated. She hadn't expected them to actually come. She was just about to speak when she found a jumble of words stuck in her throat, leaving her unable to say anything.

"Luffy, do it!"

At that moment, Moonlight suddenly shouted to Luffy.

"Okay."

Luffy nodded. A smile of triumph appeared on his face. His arm suddenly stretched out and grabbed Nami. Without another word, he turned and ran!

"Let's run! We've got Nami!"

Seeing this, Zoro and Sanji stopped arguing. The two of them took off running!

Moonlight led Usopp aboard the ship, and the group quickly sailed away!

Like the wind!

"They... kidnapped Nami?"

"Hey, hey, what kind of people are they? They're kidnapping someone?"

"Hadn't Nami already decided to leave with them? Why did they have to go this far?"

"Who knows? Maybe they were afraid Nami would change her mind. What truly reliable companions!"

"Hahahaha..."