The celebration that swept through Cocoyasi was wild, cathartic, and beautiful. It was stunning to see the transformation on the faces of the villagers. Laughter, real and unburdened, echoed through the streets where only fearful whispers had lived for years. Smiles, once forced or nonexistent, now shone with genuine joy. It was the sound and sight of a people reborn, and for the Straw Hats, it was the greatest reward they could have asked for.
In the relative quiet of Doctor Nako's clinic, the crew was being patched up. The air, however, was far from serene.
"GYAAAAAH! Take it easy, you quack!" Zoro bellowed, his face pale as Doctor Nako carefully re-stitched the horrific wound on his chest.
"Quack?!" Nako snapped, not pausing his meticulous work. "Who the hell stitched you up the first time?! I can't believe you were even standing, let alone fighting in this condition! It's a miracle you didn't bleed out on the spot! Don't you pirates have a doctor on your ship?!"
Mario, sitting on a nearby cot with his ribs tightly bandaged and a mild painkiller easing his aches, managed a weak smile. "A doctor... that's a good idea."
Luffy, who had been curiously poking at a jar of tongue depressors, suddenly perked up, rubbing his chin as if a brilliant thought had just struck him. "A doctor... yeah! But first," he declared with absolute certainty, "we need a musician!"
Sanji, having his own bruised ribs wrapped, let out a sigh that was half-smoke, half-exasperation. "A musician isn't exactly the first priority on the list, you rubber-brained captain."
"But we need one!" Luffy insisted, his eyes sparkling. "To sing and dance! That's what pirates do! How can we have a big party without a musician?"
Mario couldn't help but laugh, a genuine, hearty sound that made his bandaged torso protest. The sheer, unshakeable priority system in Luffy's mind was a wonder to behold. Saving a village? Important. Getting a doctor? A good idea. But a musician for parties? Absolutely essential.
But as he laughed, his mind wandered. It flew past the East Blue, across the Grand Line, to a wintery island called Drum. His smile softened from amusement into something warmer, more hopeful. He pictured a small, terrified reindeer with a blue nose, an outcast who dreamed of being a doctor. He thought of the flag with the crooked skull that would one day fly over that island, a symbol of a promise kept.
We'll get our doctor, Luffy, Mario thought, a quiet certainty settling in his heart. And he'll be the best in the world. You just have to be patient.
He looked at his captain, who was now trying to use two tongue depressors as drumsticks, and his smile returned. Patience, he realized, might be the one thing Luffy had in infinite supply when it came to finding the right crewmates.
****
The celebration went deep into the night, the high spirits of the village burning brighter than the massive bonfire at its center. The flames reached for the stars, casting dancing shadows on the faces of people who had forgotten how to dance. They laughed, sang, and enjoyed themselves as if tomorrow had been promised to them forever.
Usopp held court with a growing crowd, his arms waving dramatically as he recounted his "epic duel" with Chew, the story growing more fantastical with each retelling. Zoro, despite Doctor Nako's warnings, was already deep into a barrel of beer, a contented scowl on his face. Sanji, having gracefully declined any strong drink to keep a clear head, was a whirlwind of charm, offering drinks and canapés to every woman with a flourish, his heart visibly mending with each smile he earned. And Luffy… Luffy was a spectacle of pure joy, his rubbery cheeks stretched to impossible dimensions as he stuffed an entire roast boar leg into his mouth, much to the horrified fascination of the children watching him.
Even Johnny and Yosaku were there, attempting a complex-looking dance that devolved into a stumbling, hilarious mess, their laughter infectious.
Mario sat a little ways from the roaring fire, the warmth on his skin a pleasant contrast to the cool night air. A soft, contented smile was etched on his face. Watching them all—his crew, the villagers—brought a warmth to his chest he had never experienced. It was a feeling of belonging, of a shared victory. He admitted it to himself: this was fun. After the life-or-death tension, this pure, unadulterated celebration was a balm to his soul. The world of One Piece wasn't just about epic battles and grand dreams; it was filled with moments of simple, profound beauty that couldn't be compared to anything else.
As the festivities swirled around him, his mind began to drift forward, charting a course like one of Nami's maps. Next was Loguetown, the legendary "Town of the Beginning and the End," the final stop before the Grand Line. He believed they would pass through it without major incident, thanks to the unforeseen intervention of Monkey D. Dragon. The thought sent a thrill through him.
Maybe I could even meet him.
Dragon was arguably the most pivotal figure in the endgame, a man shrouded in mystery. The urge to talk to him, to warn him, was powerful. He couldn't reveal everything—the fabric of time felt fragile enough—but a carefully worded hint, a small nudge… it could make all the difference in the world when the final war came.
After that, their journey would take them to Drum Island. Chopper. The thought of their future doctor brought another smile to his face. And after that… Alabasta.
Crocodile.
A shiver that had nothing to do with the night air ran down his spine. That would be their first true war, a fight against a Warlord of the Sea. It would be a brutal, near-fatal struggle. But as Mario watched Luffy now attempting to teach a group of kids his "Gomu Gomu" dance, his resolve hardened. He would not back down. Even if he had to risk his life, he would do it for this crew.
"What are you doing here all alone?" a voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Nojiko, holding two glasses of fragrant, golden liquid. She handed one to him.
"Nothing," Mario said, accepting the drink and taking a sip. The tangerine beer was sweet and sharp, a taste of the very orchards they had saved. "Just thinking about some stuff."
"You know," Nojiko began, her gaze sweeping over the celebrating village, "I never expected you guys to actually do it. We lived in constant fear for so long that hope wasn't even on our radar. It was a luxury we couldn't afford." She turned to him, her blue eyes serious. "And after all you have done, I wanted to say… thank you. For saving us. For saving our village, and our people."
Mario met her gaze, the weight of her gratitude settling comfortably on his shoulders. He took another sip of the beer, the flavor tasting like victory. "Any time," he said, his voice soft but firm as he looked back at the smiling, dancing people. "Any time."
Mario stayed until the fire burned low, soaking in the joy until exhaustion finally pulled him away. He found a quiet spot and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, his body aching but his heart more satisfied than it had ever been.
***
Morning came, crisp and clear, the sky a brilliant blue that seemed to celebrate their victory. The Going Merry was a hive of activity. The crew was already on board, loading the last of the supplies. Mario, list in hand, oversaw the operation. He had, of course, discreetly doubled the food order, a necessary precaution against their captain's bottomless appetite. Thanks to Genzou, they now had a new refrigerator secured with a heavy-duty lock, a hopeful barrier against midnight raids.
"Is she coming?" Luffy asked, perched on the figurehead, his gaze fixed on the path leading from the village.
"Maybe not. Let's just go," Zoro grunted, though his one good eye kept flicking toward the same path.
"Shut up, stupid marimo! She'll be here!" Sanji snapped, though a hint of worry tinged his voice as he carefully stowed away his kitchen supplies.
"Sanji, you lied about the melon-wrapped meat!" Luffy accused, pointing a dramatic finger. "I looked everywhere last night!"
Usopp was scanning the crowd in look for Nami.
Mario joined them, folding the now-completed checklist. "Everything is ready, Captain. Supplies are secured."
"Good!" Luffy's impatience vanished, replaced by a wide grin. "Now we just wait for our navigator!"
A crowd had gathered at the dock, waving and calling out thanks once more. The air was thick with gratitude and the sadness of farewell.
"SET SAIL!" Nami commanded, her voice ringing behind.
And there she was.
The crowd turned. Nami was standing at the end of the road, a small bag slung over her shoulder. A sea of villagers stood between her and the ship. For a moment, she paused, taking in the scene. Then, with a determined look, she started to run.
"You heard our navigator!" Mario yelled, a grin spreading across his face. "Raise the sails! Lift the anchor!"
The crew sprang into action with practiced efficiency. Zoro and Usopp hauled on the ropes, the sails unfurling to catch the morning breeze. Sanji and Mario worked the winch, the anchor rising from the depths.
"She's trying to run without saying goodbye! Stop her!" Genzou called out, a fond, knowing smile on his face.
"Stop!"
"Wait!"
"At least let us thank you!"
But Nami was too fast. She moved like the wind, a blur of orange hair and determination, cutting a zig-zag path through the well-wishers with nimble grace. She reached the edge of the dock and, without breaking stride, leaped effortlessly through the air, landing perfectly on the Merry's railing. She balanced there for a moment, a triumphant smirk on her face as the ship began to pull away.
Then, slowly, deliberately, she lifted her shirt.
A cascade of wallets, watches, and assorted valuables clattered onto the deck. She had picked the entire crowd clean on her way through.
"YOU ROTTEN LITTLE THIEF!" the villagers screamed in unison. But the accusation was filled with laughter, their faces beaming with affectionate smiles. It was the most Nami-like goodbye possible.
"You got us!" Nojiko laughed, shaking her head.
"TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, BELLEMERE'S DAUGHTER!" Genzou yelled, his voice thick with emotion.
The Going Merry, carried by the wind and the current, slowly pulled away from the dock. The crew lined the railing, waving back at the shrinking figures. Nami stood among them, no longer a thief running from her past, but a navigator charting her future.
The ship turned its head towards the open sea, ready for the next adventure. Cocoyasi finally free, grew smaller on the horizon, a peaceful speck left in their wake, its hope carried safely in their hearts.