As dusk painted Cocoyasi Village, a stir broke the usual calm. Villagers gathered, drawn by an unusual sight, murmuring among themselves. Genzo, the local sheriff, noticed the commotion and stepped out to the coast. His stern face, oddly adorned with a pinwheel hat, commanded trust. He moved to investigate, and the crowd parted, turning to him.
"What's going on?" Genzo asked.
"Gen-san," a villager said, "some weird guys…"
"Weird guys?" Genzo pressed.
Pushing through, Genzo froze at the scene. Four men had arrived by small boat, but what stunned him lay at their feet: three unconscious fishmen, lackeys of the village's oppressors. The culprits—likely a straw-hatted boy, a green-haired man wrapped in bandages, and a blond in a black suit—stood casually over their foes, unfazed.
"What are these guys?" Luffy asked.
"Fishmen, obviously," Zoro said.
"Not so tough. No arms, and they still attacked," Sanji scoffed.
The sight was unbelievable. Fishmen, with strength ten times that of humans, underwater breathing, and aquatic prowess, were invincible to villagers. Eight years ago, their arrival had crushed all resistance. Yet these young men had felled them without a scratch. The villagers, conditioned to fear fishmen, were dumbfounded. The men seemed indifferent, barely interested in their victory. Luffy's eyes locked onto Genzo's hat. "Whoa, cool old man! A pinwheel hat?!"
"Who are you people?" Genzo asked.
"Never thought of that! Zoro, got a pinwheel? It'd look awesome on my hat!" Luffy said.
"Not cool. Do I look like I carry pinwheels?" Zoro replied.
"Sanji!" Luffy called.
"When have I ever had a pinwheel?" Sanji said.
"Yosaku!" Luffy tried.
"Nope," Yosaku said.
Luffy's enthusiasm sparked a carefree banter, leaving villagers unsure how to react. Hesitant to approach, they watched as Genzo stepped forward, only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Nojiko, whom he'd raised like a daughter, stood there, her expression odd.
"Gen-san," Nojiko said.
"Nojiko, what is it?" Genzo asked.
"Could they be…" she began.
"Yeah, they took down fishmen—not officers, but unscathed. Are they stronger than fishmen?" Genzo said, voice rising.
"No, listen," Nojiko said, her face serious.
Genzo calmed, sensing her urgency. "I didn't tell you, but Nami's back," she said.
"Nami? I didn't know," Genzo said.
"She docked on the island's far side with a girl—says she's a pirate's crewmate. Could these be them?" Nojiko said.
"Pirates? Why are they after Nami?" Genzo growled, anger flaring at the thought of harm.
"Calm down. Nami seems to trust them. She's different with them," Nojiko said.
Genzo, who cherished Nami like a daughter, bristled. Nojiko's explanation—that Nami had sailed with them and might want to stay—curbed his rage. "They sailed together? She wants to be with them? They might help us?" Genzo asked.
"They're pirates, like Arlong's crew," he added skeptically.
"But Nami trusts them, not Arlong," Nojiko said.
Her words silenced him. Nami despised Arlong's crew but trusted these strangers. That distinction left Genzo speechless. Curious if they could help Nami, he shook off Nojiko's hand and approached Luffy, ignoring her protests. The group's eyes turned to him.
"I'm Genzo, the village sheriff," he said.
"Cool hat, old man," Luffy said.
"I heard you're pirates. Why are you here?" Genzo asked.
"To see Nami. She's with our crewmate Silk on the Merry. Know where they are?" Luffy said.
"What do pirates want with her?" Genzo's tone sharpened, protective instincts surging. He didn't want Nami burdened further, questioning their resolve.
Luffy, unfazed by Genzo's intensity, answered calmly. "Got stuff to ask her."
"She's not my blood, but I've watched her grow. She's my daughter," Genzo said.
"Huh?" Luffy tilted his head.
"What do you want with her?" Genzo pressed.
"Can't tell you. I'm here to talk to Nami," Luffy said.
Genzo's anger was deflected, his brow twitching at the unexpected response. Nojiko rushed up, but Genzo, feeling the others' gazes, pressed Luffy coldly. "Gen-san, let it go. Just let them see her," Nojiko said.
"She hates pirates. Despises them," Genzo said.
"I know. She told me," Luffy said.
"And you still came?" Genzo asked.
"Yup," Luffy said.
"Why?" Genzo demanded.
"Lots of reasons. She stole our ship, we need to regroup, and I've got questions. Plus, I want her as our navigator," Luffy said.
"You'd drag her into your pirate world?" Genzo roared, losing composure. Luffy's casual tone seemed to dismiss Nami's pain, infuriating him. "You don't know what she's been through! Pirates ruined her life, and you think you can pull her in with selfish reasons?"
"Stop, Gen-san! Calm down!" Nojiko pleaded.
"I don't know," Luffy said.
"If you're half-hearted, leave now! I don't care about us, but I won't forgive anyone who hurts her!" Genzo shouted.
"Gen-san, enough," a new voice interrupted.
Not Nojiko's, but familiar—Nami's. Genzo turned to see her with Silk. His anger cooled, and he fell silent, straightening. Nojiko and Genzo stepped aside, letting Luffy's group see them. Luffy's face lit up, while Sanji's turned dreamy, hearts in his eyes, clearly smitten.
"Silk! Nami! You're safe!" Luffy cheered.
"What beauties! You traveled with them? I'm jealous!" Sanji exclaimed, smacking Zoro's back.
"Ow! Stop hitting me!" Zoro snapped.
"Sanji-aniki, Zoro-aniki's injured!" Yosaku said.
Luffy reveled in the reunion, but Sanji's womanizing—restrained earlier—erupted, earning Zoro's ire. Silk smiled, relieved, while Nami's face was serious, almost stern. Speaking was difficult, but she couldn't stay silent. She addressed Genzo first. "It's okay, Gen-san. They're not here to hurt me."
"But I…" Genzo started.
"No need to pretend. I know you care about me," Nami said.
Genzo, caught out, fell silent. His feigned distance had been seen through. Nami stepped forward, facing Luffy, who grinned genuinely. Biting her lip, she clutched her left arm nervously. Silk approached, taking her limp hand, offering a reassuring smile. Nami exhaled, managing a wry grin. "Luffy, sorry about the Merry."
"It's fine. You and the Merry are safe," Luffy said.
"If it's okay… will you hear me out?" Nami asked.
"Of course. That's why I'm here," Luffy said instantly.
His immediate reply, whether from magnanimity or naivety, eased Nami's heart. Her near-tearful expression softened with relief. Silk beamed, sensing a change. Something had shifted in Nami during their separation.
With too many onlookers for a serious talk, Nami turned to move. "Come to my house. I'll explain there."
"Got it. Oh, we got a cook! Sanji, first-class chef," Luffy said.
"Ladies, a pleasure. Forgive me for being dazzled by your beauty," Sanji said, bowing.
"Are you an idiot?" Zoro muttered.
"Who's an idiot? Don't be rude!" Sanji snapped.
Sanji's fawning clashed with the mood, but Zoro's jab sparked tension. Their bickering, evident since the journey, hinted at clashing personalities. Nami and Silk watched, bemused, while Luffy laughed, unfazed. "You're the idiot. Not admiring beauties is ruder. A real man gets it. Right, Yosaku?" Sanji said.
"Don't drag me into this," Yosaku said.
"I'm a man. Don't push your values on me," Zoro said.
"You and Luffy are hopeless. Normal guys feel it in their hearts. Right, Yosaku?" Sanji pressed.
"Yosaku, ignore him. He's the crazy one," Zoro said.
"Say that again!" Sanji growled.
"Wanna go?" Zoro challenged.
"Guys, don't fight around me!" Yosaku pleaded.
Luffy cackled, ignoring the villagers' stunned faces. "They're fun, right? Sanji's food is amazing. Let's talk over a meal!" Luffy said.
"Yeah! Nami-san, Silk-chan, try my cooking!" Sanji said.
"Too loud, idiot," Zoro said.
"Shut up, fool! Don't interrupt my love!" Sanji shot back.
The noisy crew, not yet complete, grew louder. Silk chuckled, and Nami's earlier gloom faded, her shoulders shaking with amusement. "Weird guy. Fits our crew," Silk said.
"Maybe just more trouble," Nami said.
"Doesn't matter. I chose him," Luffy said.
"So lovely when they smile!" Sanji swooned.
"Yosaku, can you slice him?" Zoro asked.
"No, he's our crewmate! Get along!" Yosaku said.
As they prepared to move, the lively chaos drowned out the village's silence, a rare sound after years of oppression. Villagers, Genzo, and Nojiko were bewildered by the shift. Just as they started walking, a shout came from the sea. "Oi!"
"What's that?" Luffy asked.
Turning, they saw Usopp and Johnny waving from a boat, Kiri seated aboard. The crew's reunion came sooner than expected. Luffy leapt with joy, waving with Yosaku. Zoro, usually stoic, smiled. Sanji, noting no women, stayed calm. Silk, grabbing Nami's hand, ran to the shore, waving. "Kiri! Usopp! Johnny!"
"Partner! You're safe!" Usopp called.
"Everyone!" Johnny shouted.
"Silk, why drag me—ugh, fine," Nami said, raising her hand, smiling as she waved.
Usopp and Johnny, thrilled, waved back vigorously. The boat reached Cocoyasi, ending their brief separation under the twilight sky. "Luffy! You're all okay!" Usopp yelled, leaping off to hug Luffy, spinning in glee like children.
Johnny docked, helping Kiri ashore. Kiri's state was grim—bandages on his forehead, torso, and heavily wrapped left arm signaling severe injuries. Yet Zoro was similar, his upper body bandaged, shirt open, wounds evident. Luffy, too, bore light bandages but grinned as usual, reassuring everyone.
Releasing Usopp, Luffy approached Kiri, concerned. "You okay, Kiri? Heard you were out cold. All good now?"
"Still alive. Wounds'll heal," Kiri said.
"Thought we'd lose you, but Kiri-aniki's tough. Normal guys wouldn't walk, but he does," Johnny said.
"Johnny's overprotective. I'm fine," Kiri said.
"I owe you my life, aniki. Gotta help," Johnny said.
"Shishishi, no idea what's up, but glad you're okay," Luffy said.
The crew's joy left the villagers behind, their banter unchecked. Luffy pointed to Sanji. "We got a cook at the sea restaurant."
"Sanji. Nice to meet you," Sanji said.
"Quick work, Luffy. Planned to hit the restaurant?" Kiri asked.
"Obviously," Luffy said.
"Aniki, don't lie. You got stranded, and Sanji-aniki saved you," Yosaku said.
"Yeah, with Zoro there," Kiri teased.
"Don't drag me in," Zoro grumbled.
Usopp, eyeing Zoro's bandages, gasped. "Zoro, that's a crazy injury. What happened at the restaurant?"
"Stuff," Zoro said vaguely.
"We're matching, huh? Take off the bandages," Kiri joked.
"You a demon? Don't kill me for that," Zoro said.
"Like a couple's look," Kiri said.
"Bandages aren't a look. Another idiot joins us…" Zoro sighed.
Kiri's teasing drew Zoro's exasperation, the crew slipping into their usual rhythm. No one broke the flow, a hallmark of Luffy's crew. Nami, beside Silk, watched from a distance, a mix of joy and tension in her heart. She'd stolen their ship—Luffy forgave her, but Kiri and Usopp might not.
Kiri's gaze found her, and Usopp approached. "Nami, how you holding up?" Kiri asked.
"Merry's fine, right?" Usopp added.
"Yeah, me and Merry are okay," Nami said.
"It was rough. After we split, Nami was so down. I worked hard to cheer her up," Silk said.
"Silk!" Nami hissed.
"Haha, got it," Kiri said.
"Guess you had reasons. Don't do it again," Usopp said, frowning.
No harsh judgment came. Kiri smiled lightly, Usopp only warned her. Nami, surprised, glanced at Silk, who smiled knowingly. "See? They're all on your side," Silk said.
"Yeah… sorry, everyone," Nami said.
"No worries. Our captain's like that," Kiri said.
"You're no saint, vice-captain," Usopp said, smacking Kiri's head. Kiri played up the pain, making Usopp panic, his mischief clear.
Nami's wry smile grew. Seeing them all together seemed to lift her burdens. Now, she could speak honestly. Shaking her head, her expression softened, kinder than before. "How long are you guys making a scene? Let's move already," she said.
"Yeah, let's go to Nami's house!" Luffy said.
"Nami-san's house? My heart's racing!" Sanji said.
"Then stay," Zoro said.
"Huh?!" Sanji snapped.
As they prepared to move, Nami approached Genzo and Nojiko, smiling warmly, a rare sight that left them speechless. "Gen-san, Nojiko, they're not dangerous. They're just… like that. Can we have some time to talk alone?"
"You trust them?" Genzo asked.
"Yeah, I do," Nami said.
Her hand brushed her bandaged shoulder, a gesture of hope and fear. Genzo and Nojiko, sensing her resolve, felt complex emotions but chose to respect her. They'd relied on her, honoring her choices. Even if she left with pirates, they couldn't stop her.
"If it works, the village might be saved," Nami said, scanning their faces. "I'm betting on them. It's the only way. No guarantee it'll work, though."
She paused, then asked, "If it goes wrong, will you all die with me?"
"Of course!" Genzo, Nojiko, and even the silent villagers roared in unison.
Nami smiled, nodding softly. "Thank you…"
Turning, she walked through the path the villagers opened, calling her crew. Together, they moved forward, ready to face what lay ahead.
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