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After hearing what Bai Ye said, the Straw Hats were all super happy.
Luffy laughed out loud, "Bai Ye really is a reliable guy!"
Zoro and Sanji didn't say much, but the look in their eyes said it all: solid.
Nami and Usopp were already hugging Bai Ye, crying their eyes out.
Bai Ye looked totally speechless.
"Usopp! Your snot's all over my robe!!!"
The Marines were gone, and the whole Arlong Pirates and Captain Nezumi situation had been wrapped up perfectly.
Even the plans for using Haki and everything else that came after had been figured out.
So next up—
Of course it was time to party again!!!
Before long, Cocoyasi Village was back in full celebration mode.
During that time, the Straw Hats finally got a chance to really relax.
In one of the rooms, Nami was lying on the bed, looking a little down.
"Is there really no way to get rid of it?" she asked.
"Completely removing it isn't possible. Not only would it hurt a lot, it'd leave a scar,"
the doctor beside her said gently.
She looked at the tattoo on Nami's arm and felt a pang in her heart.
This girl must've gone through pain way worse than anyone could imagine.
At that moment, Nami was feeling a bit low.
She was now part of the Straw Hat Pirates, but still carrying Arlong's mark on her body—it just didn't feel right anymore.
She remembered back when she first got the tattoo, and how Nojiko had gotten even bigger and more tattoos on her own body to cheer her up.
Thinking of that made Nami smile.
The past is the past. It's time to move on. From now on, I'll carry Nojiko's hopes with me—and head off on a brand-new journey.
"Doctor," Nami said softly, handing over a piece of paper.
"Can you use this tattoo design to cover up my old one?"
"This is..." The doctor looked confused at first, but after opening the paper and seeing the design, he gave a small nod.
"Alright, then... you'll need to bear with me for a bit."
As he began prepping his tools, the doctor glanced at the paper again.
The design was simple: a windmill and an orange.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye was standing in the orange grove behind Nami's house, munching on an orange and nodding with approval.
"Not gonna lie, these oranges are seriously delicious."
"Of course, this grove is Nami's most treasured place," Nojiko said, standing nearby as if lost in thought. A faint smile occasionally curved her lips, like she was reminiscing.
Bai Ye noticed but didn't say anything. Instead, he focused back on the oranges in his hands.
In no time, he'd eaten several.
And the more he ate...
The more addicted he got.
Bai Ye had a strong feeling that in the future, Nami would have to put his name on the "watch list" for the orange grove aboard the Merry.
Damn, how can oranges taste this good?!!
Should I sneak a few now... and stash them in my personal storage?
Maybe even grab a few seeds to grow some? That'd be sweet...
Just as he was about to make his move, Nojiko suddenly spoke:
"You guys... you'll always treat Nami as your true crewmate, right?"
"Huh?"
Bai Ye turned to her, catching the emotional undertone in her voice.
And he saw the tears welling in her eyes.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Bai Ye and the others. It was more about her sadness and worry about Nami leaving.
After all, Nami was about to head off into the Grand Line—a place filled with danger.
As her sister, of course Nojiko was anxious.
Bai Ye set down the orange in his hand, his expression turning serious.
"Nami is someone we'd give our lives for."
His voice was firm and resolute.
"That's my answer—and it's the same for the rest of the crew."
Nojiko froze for a second... then smiled warmly through her tears.
"Then I'll leave Nami in your hands, Mr. Bai Ye~"
"Yeah!"
Bai Ye nodded solemnly.
And while Nojiko wiped her eyes, he quietly stuffed a bunch of oranges into his personal storage.
All good things must come to an end.
After three more days of partying, it was finally time for the Straw Hat crew to set sail again.
Ajian led the villagers to see them off.
But—
"Where's Nami-swan?! She's still not here!" Sanji asked, visibly distressed.
The villagers looked confused too.
Just then, someone shouted:
"Oh! There she is! Nami!!!"
Luffy had been staring at the crowd the whole time, and finally spotted Nami approaching.
He happily waved and called out to her.
But something felt... off.
"Why does it look like Nami's running for her life?" Usopp asked, watching her sprint through the villagers at full speed, head down, beelining for the Merry.
"Ah, this is the Cat Burglar's final farewell to her village," Bai Ye chuckled, grinning knowingly like someone who'd seen it coming.
Sure enough, as soon as Nami jumped on board, she yelled at Luffy to set sail right away.
Her urgency threw the villagers into a panic—they wanted to thank her one last time.
But as the ship drifted away...
Nami suddenly lifted her shirt—and out tumbled wallet after wallet.
The villagers were stunned.
Only then did they realize...
Their wallets were gone.
They looked up and saw Nami making a mischievous face and shouting:
"Take care, everyone!!"
In an instant, the villagers erupted:
"You little brat! You've got some nerve!!"
"Get back here!!"
"Give us our wallets back!!"
But in the end, their yelling turned into heartfelt cheers:
"Make sure you're happy, little Nami! You're always welcome back home!!!"
"This is what parting ways is like, huh," Bai Ye sighed, handing a tissue to Luffy, who was bawling like a baby.
Their captain really was just a kid sometimes.
"Hey, Bai Ye. I just realized... you still haven't paid me, have you?"
Nami's voice suddenly cut through the emotional moment, snapping back to her usual sly self.
"Plus, I basically gave up all my savings for this."
"You're not planning to keep my money, are you?"
"You wouldn't... right? Right~?"
Bai Ye: "???"
Where did this sarcastic tone come from? Who taught her this?
"Of course not!" he said, looking like he'd been deeply insulted. He reached into his coat and pulled out a big bag of Berries.
"The deal was 2 million Berries. I gave you 1 million upfront—"
"So I owe you another million. But now—"
He handed the bag to Nami.
"I'm giving you 10 million instead! Consider it a bonus for all your hard work these past few days. What do you think, Miss Nami?"
He grinned brightly as he spoke.
"Hmph, at least you know what's good for you," Nami said, turning her head with mock pride—but her eyes quickly turned into Berry symbols, and she ran off with the money.
Probably going to count it in her room.
Bai Ye couldn't help but reflect. In the original story, Nami was like a Western dragon—hoarding money not to spend, but just to have it.
And unlike the original, this time Nami didn't leave her hard-earned 100 million Berries behind for the village.
She brought it aboard the Merry.
Maybe it was for Bai Ye's sake—especially since he never let even bounty posters go to waste.
That's why Bai Ye didn't hesitate to give her ten million straight.
If it were Luffy... yeah, no way. That guy would blow it all instantly.
And so, the Straw Hat crew's journey began once again!
"....."