"Nami! Remember to call me on the Den Den Mushi whenever you reach a new place!"
Nojiko stood at the edge of the pier, her toes almost dipping into the water. The sea breeze blew her hair into a mess. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with all her strength.
"I know!"
Nami stood at the edge of the deck, the sea breeze lifting her short orange hair. One hand held the railing while she raised the other above her head, waving hard toward the pier.
"Maybe we'll be famous across the seas before long!" Her voice bounced across the water, partly scattered by the wind, with the rest reaching the pier. "Don't worry, Mom Mel! I'll make my dream come true!"
Bellemere stood half a step behind Nojiko.
Her hands were tucked into her trouser pockets, her shoulders slightly hunched. She stood there, watching the seven-meter sailboat, watching the waving orange-haired figure on deck, watching the triangular sail at the stern flutter gently in the wind before it was raised.
Then she pulled her hands from her pockets and brushed her palm across her eyelids, wiping away what had not yet had time to spill out.
"You two stay safe! If you run into trouble, use Garp's name! Don't push yourselves!"
Luffy was hauling up the anchor.
He pulled the anchor chain up through his hands, loop after loop. Today, he wore a red sleeveless vest, his straw hat hanging behind his neck, its cord pressing against his Adam's apple as the brim swayed against his back.
At Bellemere's words, he slung the anchor chain over his shoulder and turned around. He raised his left hand above his head and flashed a big V.
"Don't worry, Aunt Mel! Nojiko! I'll protect Nami!"
Bellemere glanced at him.