She would never forget the day a man appeared in her world, held her in his arms, and said, "Don't worry. I'm here!"
In that instant, she felt as though this man was the sun, lighting up her dark world.
From that moment on, she decided she would bravely face whatever happened in the future, because... she had him by her side!
The sun... really was a wonderful thing!
Xia Chen walked slowly down the mountain path, tossing the hundred thousand Beli in his hand.
The next moment, a smile curled his lips, and he put the hundred thousand Beli into System Space. Then he turned to glance in Nami's direction.
Then he continued down the mountain, unable to help thinking smugly:
Trying to outact me, are you? Didn't she know that if he went into acting, he'd win so many Oscars his hands would get tired?
That was right. Xia Chen didn't have just a hundred million Beli.
Please, the Arlong Pirates' entire savings over all those years amounted to far more than that.
Besides, when Captain Nezumi came that day, he hadn't merely asked him for a little financial assistance. He had followed him straight back to the Marine base.
He had simply paid the entire Marine Branch a little visit!
Even Xia Chen didn't know exactly how much treasure he had obtained, but it should have been worth around three hundred million Beli.
Because the treasure he had just given Nami was only a third of everything he had.
Thinking of this, Xia Chen couldn't help marveling at how loaded those two fellows really were. They had made him rich in one fell swoop!
But the heartache he had shown in front of Nami earlier had been real too. Although he had only handed over a portion, it was still a third.
It was practically bleeding him dry!
It looked like he absolutely couldn't let Nami find out he had money again, or who knew how she would squeeze him!
Sigh!
Since he was in such a lousy mood, he might as well go have another drink~
Early the next morning, by the shore!
Xia Chen and the others kept carrying supplies aboard the Going Merry, while he also stored plenty of things in his own System Space.
Most were ingredients, with much less ready-to-eat meat.
Now that Sanji was aboard, they could stock up on more ingredients instead of cooked food.
After all, Sanji's cooking tasted far better than what most restaurants served.
After they finished loading all the supplies, Xia Chen lay down at the Going Merry's bow.
With the warm sunshine and gentle sea breeze, Xia Chen fell asleep again without realizing it.
Only when a commotion broke out did he groggily wake up.
Xia Chen slowly sat up and looked toward the source of the noise.
Nami was standing behind the crowd, casting a glance at Xia Chen.
In that instant, Xia Chen immediately understood what she meant and shouted to everyone aboard, "Weigh anchor! Set sail!"
"What? But Nami hasn't..." Usopp asked in confusion, only for Xia Chen to cut him off before he could finish.
"Trust me!"
Seeing Xia Chen like this, everyone aboard began moving out of trust in him, and the ship slowly got underway.
The villagers standing on the shore still had no idea what was happening. They couldn't help asking curiously.
"Why is the ship leaving?"
But after only a moment of curiosity, they turned their attention back to Nami in front of them.
Genzo had told them about Nami leaving the hundred million Beli for them.
They were all deeply moved. After all, that was what she had worked so hard to "steal" over all those years.
"Nami, let us give you a proper goodbye. Don't rush off!"
"That's right! We haven't even properly thanked you yet!"
"..."
Listening to the villagers, Nami's lips curved into a smile, and she said lightly.
"There's no need!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Nami began weaving through the crowd. After passing by every single person, she finally reached the shore.
Then, using the momentum of her sprint, she leaped with all her strength and landed steadily on the Going Merry's railing.
The villagers behind her were still wondering why Nami wouldn't say goodbye before leaving, but when they saw what she did next, they instantly understood.
Standing on the deck, Nami lifted her top slightly, and wallets dropped onto the ship one after another like dumplings into a pot.
"Th-those are...?"
A tremendous shout suddenly erupted from the crowd.
"You've got some nerve, you brat!"
"You little Cat Burglar! Still a thief through and through, even stealing the villagers' wallets!"
"Damn it, Nami! Don't let me ever see you again!"
"Nami, take good care of yourself!"
"Always stay happy!"
The villagers' initial curses gradually turned into blessings for Nami and words of reluctance to part.
Watching this, Nami couldn't help shedding tears too.
"Everyone, goodbye..."
Several days later, somewhere at sea.
A pirate ship flying a skull-and-crossbones flag with a straw hat sailed slowly along.
At that moment, some discordant voices came from aboard.
"What is this supposed to mean? Why have even newspapers gone up in price?" Nami narrowed her eyes at the News Coo before her, her gaze full of displeasure.
Then she pointed at it and said, "If you raise the price again next time, I'm not buying one. Got it?"
"It's just the price of a newspaper. Is this really necessary?" Usopp asked curiously from the side.
"You don't understand. It's one copy a day, so isn't that ten copies in ten days? Little amounts add up, and then it's no small sum."
"When it comes to Beli, the more the better, of course. I don't want to be a beautiful girl who can't afford to dress herself up!"
Usopp: ...
Then Nami sat on a stool and began leafing through the newspaper she had just received, saying:
"The seas haven't been peaceful lately either. There have been more disturbances."
Just as Nami finished that page and turned to the next, two sheets of paper fell out from between the pages.
"Hmm? What's this?"
Nami picked them up curiously and took a look. The next second, her eyes widened, and a terrified expression appeared on her face.
"Wanted posters???"
The sudden shout drew everyone's attention.
When they heard about the wanted posters, everyone looked intrigued.
"Wahahaha! A whole twenty-five million Beli!" Luffy said happily, holding his wanted poster.
Beside him, Usopp also grinned. "Now the whole world can see me in all my glory!"
Hearing this, Sanji immediately grew a little curious and couldn't help asking:
"Isn't that Luffy's wanted poster? Why would you say that?"
"Heh, who says the great me can't appear on Luffy's wanted poster?"
"Here, take a look at yours truly!"
As Usopp spoke, he pointed at a spot on Luffy's wanted poster.
Sanji: ...
"That's clearly just the back of your head..."