Night fell over Cocoyasi Village.
For the first time in eight long years, the village welcomed its grandest celebration.
Every household opened its doors. Long banquet tables were set up right in the streets, overflowing with food and drink. Genuine smiles filled every face.
Children ran freely through the streets, laughing and chasing one another.
In the past, the adults would never have dared let them play like this.
But now—and from this day forward—there was nothing left to fear.
Somewhere along the road, two kids had picked up a black pirate flag from who-knows-where and were swinging it around excitedly. The symbol of the Arlong Pirates was still clearly printed on it.
Seeing this, Genzo, who had long since quit drinking, couldn't help but raise a cup of alcohol once more and drain it in one go.
Zoro sat alone against a wall, guzzling beer by the mouthful. Grilled meat piled up in front of him—one bite of meat, one gulp of alcohol. Pure bliss.
Sanji, meanwhile, darted from group to group of women, flirting shamelessly. Every now and then, he even twisted his hips dramatically, putting on a ridiculous show.
Logan wasn't interested in any of that.
Ten years.
After ten whole years, he and Luffy had finally reunited.
Yet the two brothers barely spoke.
They simply ate.
Logan ate only meat—he even checked the dishes carefully to see which were meat and which weren't.
Luffy, on the other hand, devoured everything in sight.
Eyes shut, mouth wide open—chicken legs, roast lamb, vegetables, fruit, desserts—whatever he could grab went straight in.
"Meat! Where's the meat?! Bring more! Not enough!"
Luffy shouted through a mouthful of food.
Fortunately, the villagers more or less understood him and hurried to bring out more meat.
Logan glanced around the crowd and didn't see Usopp.
Ah, forget it.
He was probably off somewhere bragging to a bunch of kids—about how terrifying Arlong had been, and how he himself had been even more terrifying.
As for Nami…
Logan figured she was probably saying goodbye to her mother.
The celebration went on late into the night.
Stars glittered overhead.
Summer insects chirped softly.
The village remained brightly lit.
Many drunk villagers had already collapsed on the road, sprawled out fast asleep.
With all the women gone home, Sanji finally wandered over, cigarette in hand, and joined Zoro.
Seeing that Luffy had eaten himself into a food coma, Logan smiled helplessly, lifted his cup, and walked over to the two of them.
"Zoro, Sanji—we need to leave as soon as possible," Logan said seriously.
Zoro thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah. As long as we stay here, the Marines will keep coming back. Once we leave, Cocoyasi Village can truly have peace."
Sanji exhaled a slow puff of smoke.
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning," Logan replied. "Get some proper rest tonight."
He clinked cups with Zoro, and the two downed their drinks in one go.
Sanji suddenly remembered something and immediately switched to a flattering tone.
"Big Brother Logan… when are you teaching me Moon Walk?"
"I used to think I was pretty strong," Sanji continued. "Not amazing, but decent."
"But after meeting you, I feel like I'm just… nothing."
Logan shot him a sideways glance.
"Don't forget—you still owe me a meal. Treat me properly first, then I'll teach you."
Sanji instantly perked up. He crushed his cigarette underfoot and thumped his chest.
"Don't worry, Big Brother Logan! Whatever you want to eat—even if I have to cross刀山火海—"
"Just say the word!"
Logan answered casually, "Spicy hot pot."
"…Huh?"
Sanji froze.
At Nami's house, near the village entrance.
Behind it stretched their familiar orange grove.
After her mother passed away, Nami had pretended to join Arlong's crew and infiltrated Arlong Park. Since then, she rarely came home—maybe only a few days each year.
If not for her sister Nojiko staying behind, the house would've been covered in dust long ago.
Tonight, Nojiko wasn't home. She was probably still at the celebration.
The large house felt empty.
Nami turned on a dim light and sat alone at the table, staring blankly at the familiar furnishings.
"Belle-mère… I'm about to become a pirate," she murmured softly.
"You'd approve… right?"
"…What? You wouldn't?"
She looked at the photo on the table, stuck out her tongue playfully, and smiled.
"I'm not listening. From now on, I'm living for myself."
Starlight reflected in her eyes—full of hope.
"Starting tomorrow… I'll chase my own dream."
She didn't realize it, but tears were already streaming down her face.
Before she knew it, she slumped forward and fell asleep on the table.
Morning.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
The sun hadn't risen yet, and the sea breeze carried a faint chill.
Logan, Luffy, and the others woke quickly—but after a night of heavy drinking, their heads still felt sluggish.
Usopp and Sanji were already hauling supplies onto the Going Merry, all generously donated by the villagers.
Luffy accepted everything without the slightest hesitation.
If the villagers felt gratitude and respect toward the Straw Hat crew—
Then toward Logan, they felt awe.
And fear.
They didn't even know how to repay him.
After much discussion, one child suddenly spoke up:
"That white-haired big brother likes oranges! I saw him sneaking some from Nami's orchard!"
So overnight, the villagers carefully selected a crate of oranges and carried it aboard the Going Merry.
No one dared mention it to Logan.
Soon, everything was loaded.
Luffy raised his fist.
"All done! Then let's get going!"
Sanji scanned the crowd below, frowning.
"Wait—where's Nami? I don't see her."
"Who knows," Zoro muttered. "Maybe she's not coming. Her goal's already been achieved."
Luffy grinned widely.
"She'll come. We don't need to wait. Once we're ready—we set sail."
"It's time, Luffy," Zoro said calmly.
After a brief pause, Luffy nodded.
"Set sail!"
The Going Merry slowly pulled away from shore.
Still, there was no sign of Nami.
The ship drifted farther and farther out.
Just as everyone thought she wouldn't come—
A familiar figure suddenly burst from the village, sprinting at full speed.
Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts.
His vitality surged back in an instant.
"Captain Luffy! I'm coming!"
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