Nami's adoptive mother, Bell-mère's grave stood atop a windswept cliff overlooking the vast ocean, with Cocoyasi Village visible in the distance.
A small, solitary figure stood motionless beside the grave, her gaze fixed on the warships gradually disappearing over the horizon.
Nami had lost track of how long she'd been standing there when footsteps broke the silence behind her.
"Nami!" Nojiko called, climbing up the narrow path along the cliff face. "Why are you up here all alone?"
"The village is too noisy," Nami replied softly. "I wanted some quiet time with Bell-mère."
Nojiko approached and wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders. Nami leaned her head gently against Nojiko, finding comfort in the familiar presence.
"I know you must be wondering why they didn't come earlier," Nojiko said, her eyes following the distant warships. "Maybe if they had, Bell-mère might still be—"
"No," Nami interrupted, shaking her head. "That's not what I'm thinking at all."
She turned slightly, glancing over Nojiko's shoulder at Bell-mère's simple grave. "Bell-mère always said that in this world, girls need to be especially strong. I won't waste energy blaming fate or others. I'm just... uncertain about my future. I wanted to talk to Bell-mère about it."
"Bell-mère may be gone, but I'm still here," Nojiko said gently, stroking Nami's tangerine-colored hair. "I'm your sister—your only family now. Whatever's troubling you, you can share it with me."
Nami nestled against Nojiko's shoulder, showing none of the mischievousness that had earned her the nickname "Cat Burglar" among the villagers, nor the stubborn defiance she'd displayed when resisting Arlong's crew. From the corner of her eye, she could see the tattoo on Nojiko's arm—a design her sister had gotten specifically after learning about Nami's forced marking with the Arlong Pirates' symbol, hoping to ease her younger sister's shame and self-consciousness.
"That man, Morgan William," Nami said quietly, "he suggested I attend his school. He told me I could learn navigation systematically there, and even gain skills to protect myself."
At eleven years old, Nami was technically below the enrollment age for Neustria Academy. However, after examining the nautical charts she had drawn for Arlong's crew, William had been astonished that they were the work of such a young girl.
He'd also learned that Nami's knowledge was almost entirely self-taught. Due to her family's financial hardships, many of her books had been "borrowed" without permission from various sources.
William was someone who valued exceptional talent. Nami's extraordinary gift impressed him enough that he was willing to make an exception to the age requirement. He was confident this brilliant young girl would have no trouble keeping pace with the curriculum.
"Do you want to go?" Nojiko asked after a thoughtful pause.
Nami considered the question carefully before nodding slowly. "I do."
Emotionally, the eleven-year-old who had already endured so much wanted nothing more than to remain in her hometown, tending Bell-mère's tangerine grove and living quietly with her sister. But her rational mind recognized that following William's suggestion was the wiser choice. Nami was already more intellectually advanced than her peers, and her experiences with Arlong had forced her to mature far beyond her years. The fishman pirate's reign had shown her that the world extended far beyond Cocoyasi Village—and that it was filled with dangers. Remaining in the village and leaving her future to chance was simply not prudent.
Attending the academy William had mentioned, where she could expand her navigational knowledge and learn self-defense techniques, was clearly the better option in this perilous era.
Harden was born and raised in the East Blue, where he had also begun his career as a pirate.
Like many from this region, he was intimately familiar with the legendary tales of Pirate King Roger. Though his knowledge of geography and notable figures outside the East Blue was limited, he knew well the individuals most closely connected to Roger's legacy.
During the Pirate King's era, Roger hadn't stood alone at the summit. He had encountered numerous formidable adversaries, but three in particular remained widely renowned: the legendary Marine hero Garp; the currently active and infamous pirate "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate; and the man who once drove Roger to the brink of defeat—"Golden Lion" Shiki.
And now, seated before Harden was none other than the infamous Golden Lion Shiki himself.
Shiki was a man who had once cornered the Pirate King, yet his life seemed marked by a succession of tragic turns. During the Battle of Edd War, Shiki, holding the advantage, had confidently attempted to recruit Roger. His moment of triumph was shattered by an unexpected storm that decimated his forces and left him grievously wounded. His legend continued when, upon hearing of Roger's capture, he single-handedly assaulted Marineford, nearly destroying the Marine Headquarters before being defeated by the combined might of Garp and Sengoku. Battered and broken, he was cast into the depths of Impel Down.
Even within the world's most notorious prison, Shiki's extraordinary saga continued. He became the first inmate in the prison's history to escape—though at the terrible cost of severing his own legs.
Shiki's life was characterized by spectacular feats that made headlines across the world, yet his stories invariably concluded in bitter defeat.
Of course, in the original timeline that Harden knew nothing about, Shiki's misfortunes wouldn't end there. After years of meticulous planning, he would ultimately fall to Luffy and his crew—a new generation of pirates young enough to be his grandchildren.
While Harden was unaware of Shiki's future, he knew well the Golden Lion's past exploits. As a fervent admirer of the Pirate King, Harden had once nearly attacked the elderly mayor of Black Reef Town for speaking ill of Roger in William's presence.
Given his naturally rebellious temperament, Harden felt no inclination to show Shiki any particular respect—especially considering they had been brought to this place against their will.
The room where Harden now found himself resembled the architectural style of Isshin Dojo, where William's mentor Koushirou resided. However, unlike the dojo's understated elegance and predominantly neutral colors, this chamber was far more opulent, with elaborate paintings adorning the sliding doors.
Harden, Kuro, Krieg, and the other missing crew members were all seated in this spacious room. Before each of them sat a low table laden with exquisite delicacies, but none had any appetite for the feast.
At the head of the gathering, Shiki raised his cup with a boisterous laugh. "Meeting on this vast ocean is a rare twist of fate! Let's drink to this fortunate encounter!"
He drained his cup in one swift motion, only to realize that no one else had touched their drinks. Harden, barely containing his fury, violently kicked over his table, sending dishes clattering across the floor.
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]