Chapter 6 Arlong Park part 3

Nami approached them with a completely serious and emotionless face, only Naruto noticed her approaching. When Nami stopped walking, she was at a close distance, but keeping a reasonable distance.

Nami (Cold, with her arms crossed holding her staff): Why have you come Luffy?

Luffy (happy to see Nami): Hi Nami, the answer is obvious we came for you, after all we are friends, by the way, look, we have a new Nakama and he is a ninja isn't he great (Luffy points to Naruto) He is a real ninja and his name is Nekoto.

Naruto (annoyed at being named horribly wrong): I told you I'd consider it and I'm called Na-ru-to, you idiot!!! You want to fight?!

Luffy (laughs at Naruto's reaction): HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Sorry, your name is a bit weird.

Nami (with the same cold expression): Great, take that feline-faced idiot and get out.

Naruto (annoyed at Nami's comment): As far as I understand it's fox whiskers.

Luffy (confused at Nami's comment): But why?

Nami (Coldly): Because you're a bunch of clowns that I'm just scamming.

Luffy (Confused): But what's gotten into you?

Johnny goes ahead of Luffy and points accusingly at Nami for the action of assassination several minutes ago.

Johnny: How dare you?! You damn witch! You were supposed to be our ally, our friend and I saw how you stabbed Usopp, if it wasn't for Naruto, he would probably be swimming with the fishes.

Nami (confused without losing her serious expression): Yes, I did, I told him he didn't have to meddle in my business, but.... How is this Naruto supposed to save him?

Luffy (pointing smilingly at Naruto): I already told you our new Nakama is a ninja, he replaced Usopp with a replica of himself so what you stabbed was a clone of I don't know what.

Naruto (annoyed with Luffy for wanting to take it for granted that he joined them): I told you I'd consider it, and it's a shadow clone.

Luffy (smiles widely): Yeah, but I assure you that you'll end up going with us HAHAHAHA!!!

Usopp (annoyed that he's been put on the back burner): Hi, remember that the one who got stabbed was me, leaving aside the topic, if we really consider you a nuisance, why did you save me, I mean why did you go to the trouble of pretending to stab me, if you're really indifferent to us why did you do it?

Nami (Cold and completely serious): This way I avoid more trouble than you already caused me, no matter how strong you are you can't measure up to Arlong's strength nor Arlong's intelligence.

I highly doubt that anyone can do it and now that you're all here I want you to get the hell off my island along with your pathetic new Nakama but if you insist you can go and kill yourselves with Arlong after all I was only with you for the money and now that I can't get it, I'm not interested in being surrounded by guys with a lack of brain cells.

Naruto, Luffy and Sanji looked deeper at his words and knew something wasn't right especially Naruto who knew Nami's story.

Sanji (Sanji mode): I love this girl's personality; HELLO NAMI-SAN! REMEMBER ME?! I AM THE COOK, SANJI!!

Zoro (yelling at Sanji): CAN YOU SHUT UP?! THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER!

Sanji (annoyed): I know that, but love is much smarter than your eagerness to fight with your knives.

Zoro (irritated): What's the purpose of saving Usopp and warning us about Arlong if you're not interested in being with us?

Nami (same expression, the last sentence had a feeling of sadness): This way I avoid you to get me in more trouble than you already got me into, look for another navigator to take you to the "grand line", but I don't want to see you ever again so, in 2 hours I'll deliver the boat and continue my business in here, and you lot, straight to the port.

Naruto (serene): Well, Arlong is not very intelligent.

Nami (Confused): What do you mean?

Naruto (cheerful): Well, he controls 1000 fish-men in his 20 ports, but I have already eliminated half of them and he hasn't realized that the fish-men that come from the other 18 ports are my clones disguised as his men while he receives false money. I'm only missing the ones that almost never get out of the water and the ones that are always with him.

Sanji (serene): Well, he's not very smart, really.

Nami (irritated): WHAT DID YOU DO WHAT? WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD DO THAT?!

Naruto (calmly): Your sister.

Nami (confused): My sister?

Naruto (cheerful): Nojiko-chan hired me to get him out of the way thoroughly so that eventually he'll be left alone and I'll finish him off.

Nami (irritated): Arlong loves money almost as much as he loves his men eventually, he will realize that money is fake.

Naruto (yawns): Well, it's been 2 months and he hasn't found out anything so I have the advantage. So, he's not smart at all, he's just an arrogant fish.

Nami (serious and murderous look): If he finds out, even a little bit, your days are numbered, so do us a favor and go away I'll give you double or triple what my sister gave you just to get them out of here.

Luffy: Nami? (surprised and aware of how he said the last thing)

Luffy drops to the ground and everyone watches what he does.

Jhonny (confused): Luffy-bro, what are you doing?

Luffy (closes his eyes): Falling asleep.

Yosaku (confused and surprised): At this important moment and in the middle of the road?

Luffy (serene): yes, I'm not going to move from this island, I don't care what's going on here I'm sleepy so I'll go to sleep, ok?

Luffy fell asleep, Zoro couldn't keep up with his captain's nonsense and everyone else was perplexed by Luffy's action except for Sanji who watched Nami's pain through his words and Naruto, despite not remembering anything, remembers that he was taught once in a training.

Naruto (remembering the phrase someone taught him): A ninja looks through disappointment.

Naruto knew that Nami's words were not sincere, she really was happy with these guys and don't want them to get hurt since their obligation is to their village.

Nami (out of nowhere makes an angry outburst and runs away): DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, I DON'T CARE!!!

Sanji wanted to say something, but it was too late Nami was already gone.

Usopp (confused and at the same time serene): Well, go away with Nami, she doesn't even want to give us an explanation, there's something fishy going on here.

Zoro (confused): What do you mean Usopp?

Usopp (thoughtful): It's too obvious, what's the point of warning us and warning us about Arlong if he doesn't care about us, it doesn't make any sense.

Sanji (sympathetic): It's like you say, Usopp, she's hiding something since she's crying inside.

Zoro (confused): Crying inside?

Sanji (sympathetic): Her heart was crying, she's hiding something very big that affects her psychologically, but now it's him knowing why.

Jhonny (having an idea): Is it something related to the people and the tyranny of Arlong?

Sanji (Understanding the idea): Most likely.

Naruto (Naruto dusts himself off as he stands up): Well, you are not far from reality.

They all looked at him.

Sanji (confused): What do you mean?

Naruto (serene): I know Nami's story and the reasons why she works for Arlong. Do you want to hear them?

Luffy gets up from the ground.

Luffy (serene and starts to walk): I pass.

Yosaku (surprised and confused): But Luffy-bro, wouldn't you like to know why?

Luffy (serene): I don't care.

Naruto (intrigued): Is he always like that?

Zoro (serene walks to a tree): It's always this weird, but no matter how you talk, we listen to you (falls asleep).

Usopp (annoyed): What weren't you supposed to listen?

Naruto gets a bead of sweat on his head at the contradictory words of Zoro's actions.

Naruto: What's the difference, I'll tell you the story then.

(Elsewhere)

Nojiko was walking straight to her house, when she started to hear noises from her, she wasn't scared such that she knew who was the only person that would do that in her house, her own sister.

She enters her house and looks at her sister, sitting on a chair in the dining room having the map she made as a child when her mother was alive.

Nojiko (sighs as she starts smoking): What a mess you made, tell me what's wrong with you?

Nami (tired and annoyed): Why did you hire an assassin?

Nojiko (a little annoyed): I wouldn't call him an assassin, but if it's someone who will make your burden easier in the future, I'd rather call it plan B.

Nami (raises her voice): Do you know that everything will go down the drain if Arlong finds out?

Nojiko (sighs): Do you take me for a fool? Besides, destroying the house isn't about that, is it?

Nami remains silent.

Nojiko: Does it have to do with those guys you met?

Nami (raises her head from the table in surprise): Do you know them?

Nojiko (sighs while smoking): I met the brown-skinned guy with the long nose who calls himself Usopp (Nami bows her head) Please tell me the truth, he told me that you had a good time with them laughing at whatever stupid things they did... I haven't seen you smile and laugh for years; don't you even trust your sister?

Nami (sighs and on the verge of tears): I really tried to forget about them, I thought that I really succeeded, that I erased them from my mind and my heart.... the more I try, the more I remember, every laugh, every moment, whether good or bad, I achieved something that I didn't think was possible and that was to forget all this Arlong stuff, all the problems........ all the pain....all the suffering. I seriously considered to continue with them.... to join them.... and to sail........far away from here

After a few minutes of crying, Nami fell asleep.

Nojiko (understanding and sad): Now I understand, now I see why she feels so frustrated, these guys came here explicitly for her.

Nojiko (somewhat frustrated by Nami's pain): With that she has friends.... and that word is very strong for her.

(With Naruto and the boys)

Naruto finishing the story with his throat a little dry.

Naruto: And well, that's the story.

Sanji (completely angry): You damned vermin, how dare you do that to my dear Nami, FUCK YOU!

Usopp (sympathetic tone): Now everything makes sense, and we here, will be able to jeopardize everything we progressed.

Jhonny and Yosaku (both crying): She's had a very hard life.... VERY HARD!

Jhonny (crying): And I called her a witch, what an idiot I was.

Zoro (serious and calm): As we all have a history, but that won't change anything, if Luffy decided to stay, so will we.

Naruto (seriously): Do whatever you want, I already fulfilled my obligation to tell you the story since after all, your companionship with her is noticeable (smiles and starts walking straight to Nojiko's house) Bye, if you want to find your captain, he headed to the village.

Usopp (curious): Where are you going?

Naruto (with a cheerful voice): I'm still working. Don't make my job harder, not going straight for Arlong is a toothache.

Naruto separated from the group and they headed to the village, after a couple of minutes he met Nojiko who was walking in the opposite direction to him.

Naruto (Cheerful): Hello Nojiko-san.

Nojiko says hello and gives him a smack on the head, Naruto complains a little.

Nojiko (serene): What did I tell you about san, you know I hate talking formalities when it's not about business.

Naruto (rubs his head): I'm sorry Nojiko-chan, it's habit.

Nojiko (sighs): That doesn't matter now, have you seen Nami's Friends, by now you must know who they are and their relationship with my sister.

Naruto (nods): That's right, they are currently on their way to the village to meet their captain named Luffy, were you using them for something?

Nojiko (nods): That's right, I need to tell them the reasons for Nami's actions and to leave her alone, she has suffered so much for us and I don't want it to be ruined by one of her stupidities.

Naruto (nods his head and before Nojiko takes the way): Don't bother, I already told them everything.

Nojiko (surprised): Yeah, so you plan to leave, right?

Naruto (shakes his head): That didn't matter to them in the least, not even their captain stayed to listen to me, and the others will stay because their captain decided to stay, so I take for granted that the captain will not give up, I'm sure he realized Nami's suffering, so he is here to help, but he won't do anything until Nami herself asks him to.

Nojiko (sighs): Well, we can take it for granted that they're stubborn as mules, but.... makes me happy to know that there are people out there who are willing to fight for Nami.

Nojiko smiles next to Naruto. Said smile was short lived as she felt a bad omen coming from Nojiko's house, Nojiko noticed this.

Nojiko (confused): What's wrong Naruto?

Naruto (serious): Something bad is about to happen near your house, we must hurry.

Nojiko worried knowing that her sister is there, starts running with Naruto running behind her. They run up to the house and see surrounded by Marines.

Nojiko (serious): Hide and don't let them see you.

Naruto (worried): But.

Nojiko (serious): Just do it, don't interfere.

Naruto reluctantly accepts and runs to talk to that bastard when he realizes the situation.

Nojiko: We are honest people, what you are thirsty for is that we have been fighting to keep our lives since we could never ask for your help after all, if you have no intention of helping us, get out of here right away!

They all turn around and see Nojiko approaching them.

Nezumi (smiles arrogantly): Arlong, I wouldn't worry about him (Nami is confused at the navy captain's words and says to her men) What's taking so long, it should be easy to find 100 million.

Genzo (surprised and angry): How the hell do you know it's 100 million?

Nezumi (seeing that he screwed up by getting too into the subject): There is a reason why they call me the rat captain, after all I have always had a better sense for money than an Arlong.

Genzo when he heard this, he became furious since it was too obvious that it was Arlong who informed on Nami, Nojiko also heard and her anger was not long in coming but she could not act out of conscience.

Nami couldn't believe what she had heard, all the effort she made would go down the drain because of the person who would never betray her word with the money issue, it was the only thing Arlong would give her his word for and she just got stabbed in the back.

Nami (Completely hysterical): THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE, ARLONG WOULD NEVER STAB ME IN THE BACK!!!! (Yeah, right, this is one of Nami's 0 IQ moments.)

Nezumi (arrogant): And what does it matter, the important thing here is that the head office keeps thinking that everything is running to the rules and regulations.

Genzo (hearing this totally furious and hysterical): That's why no Navy Ship has bothered to save us, it's because they haven't told him!

Nojiko (same as Genzo): How much money are you asking Arlong for your silence!

Nami totally furious, from not being able to believe that Arlong would be such a creep that he wouldn't even respect her word with the money issue and what but comes true when she hears.

Marine (serious): Captain, we have found the loot.

A couple of seconds Nezumi checks the loot and wonders how a pup could gather such a large sum of money.

Nami completely out of her person starts to approach with every intention of killing Nezumi to protect what she has gotten with pain, tears and blood.

Nezumi senses the girl's murderous intent and proceeds to pull out a flintlock pistol with an English stamping.

Nami runs away completely blinded by anger when suddenly she is grabbed by one arm by Genzo and her sister steps in front of her to stop her when suddenly Nezumi fired.

Genzo could only expect the worst when he heard the shot when suddenly he saw a strange cross-shaped weapon in the air that had collided with the projectile from Nezumi's gun.

Naruto was watching all the events with total despair, Nojiko said not to act because she did not want Naruto to be exposed to anyone else, but seeing that the Marine was going to shoot, he did not wait and acted immediately.

Naruto threw a shuriken directly at the projectile that was dangerously close to Nojiko, hitting and causing the projectile to stop in mid-air. Naruto falls to the ground and stands in front of Nezumi.

The action was so fast that no one noticed when Naruto grabbed Nezumi and took him with him, all except for Nami who upon hearing the shot came to her senses and in a matter of 1 second watched as Nezumi disappeared with a blonde-haired boy she had seen before.

All the marines were stunned to see their captain disappear in the blink of an eye, they all started to look around in search of their captain, but instead the marines started to disappear one by one.

Nami (couldn't believe what she's seeing): What's going on with the marines?

Genzo (knowing who it was): Unbelievable, I already knew it was fast, but I'm just not able to see it.

Nojiko (angry at Naruto for interrupting): Damn it, I told him not to intervene!

Nami (confused at Genzo and Nojiko's actions): Don't intervene? Who?

In a matter of seconds all the marines disappeared and when it calmed down a bit Naruto appears in front of them.

Naruto (a little embarrassed): Sorry Nojiko-chan but that shot was going to hit you and I had no choice but to intervene.

Nami: Weren't you the guy that was with Luffy? (recognizing him from the last time she saw him)

Naruto (serious): that's right.

Nojiko (Serious about the matter): That doesn't matter now, where are the marine with his men?

Naruto points upwards and when they all raise their heads, their eyes widen in surprise as they see the marines start to fall one by one to the ground knocked out.

When the last marine falls Naruto reaches out his right hand and catches Captain Nezumi by one leg who was in bad shape, but conscious, he releases him and with one of his legs he steps on his head.

Naruto (Completely serious and determined): Now speak, did Arlong order you to do this in exchange for a percentage?

Nezumi (Completely angry and injured): Who the hell are you?! Do you know what you get for attacking a marine agent?!

Naruto (Naruto smiles macabrely): Yes, I know, but the point here is that, if no one survives, then no one will know that I attacked you, right?

Nezumi (Completely scared): Arlong has nothing to do with this, I'm just doing my job.

Naruto stomps harder on her head to the point that he breaks a tooth, Nezumi screams from the pain while Nojiko, Genzo and Nami watch Naruto's actions.

Nojiko (trying to stop the situation from getting worse): Leave it Naruto, it's not worth going this far for this sewer rat.

Genzo (Same as Nojiko): That's right Naruto it's not worth it to tarnish your image for us, you saving us is more than enough.

Naruto (completely ignoring Nojiko and company): Captain Nezumi, that was a tooth, if you don't tell me the truth next will be the jaw.

He squeezes harder and Nezumi, unable to stand the pain and out of desperation, confesses.

Nezumi (completely desperate because of the pain): OK, OK, I'll tell you everything! You're right, Arlong asked me to get the money since if I'm the one to take it from him he wouldn't be breaking his word to give you the village if you pay him the sum given and in return, he would give me 25% of all the wealth you accumulated.

Nami (COMPLETELY HISTERICAL): THAT DAMN BASTARD BETRAYED ME!!!

Before Nojiko could say anything, Nami runs directly to Arlong Park.

Naruto stops smashing his head and lifts him off the ground.

Naruto (With a murderous look): Listen to me carefully, you will get out of here with your men to your boat and wait for me there until we bring the bodies of Arlong and his crew so you can take them arrested and if you don't do it and prefer to escape, I will look for you, I will find you and believe me I will, I will kill you, understand?

Nezumi (Completely scared): yes .... yes .... yes .... I will, but spare my life!

Naruto releases him and Nezumi goes directly to each one of his men to wake them up to go to the ship.

Genzo (nervous at Naruto's attitude): I think you took this too far.

Nojiko (serious at Naruto's actions): You know that, for this, they will put a noose around your neck, right?

Naruto (serious): That doesn't matter, and now what are we going to do, it's quite obvious that Arlong won't respect the deal and will try again.

Genzo (completely determined): Now that we know that Arlong is 100% scum we don't need to hold back anymore, let's go attack Arlong park once and for all.

(30 minutes later)

The straw hats were in the village as they prepared for an obvious fight, Naruto gave the weapons to all the civilians, among rifles, muskets, swords and spears, planning to fight for their freedom.

Naruto approaches Nojiko.

Naruto (calmly and seriously): Very well, everything is ready.

Nojiko (nodding her head looking at Naruto): Very well, before we start, I have to ask you something.

Naruto (confused): What do you need Nojiko-chan?

Nojiko (looking sadly, but with dedication): I know that when I met you and found out what you are capable of, I didn't hesitate to ask for your help to get rid of Arlong. In these two months, I have known you well enough to know that you are willing to help whoever needs it without asking for anything in return.

Naruto begins to fear the worst if his deduction is correct to where Nojiko wants to get.

Nojiko: But I have to ask you to only take care of my sister, she.... has already suffered a lot for us, she has stolen, cheated, swindled and I can even take for granted that she has killed..... everything for us

Being a little melancholic, Naruto wanted to intervene knowing what will follow next, but he is stopped by Nojiko.

Nojiko: I know what you will say Naruto, but this is what we want.... is what we all want, at first it was too obvious that your strength would be very useful to get rid of Arlong forever, but... even if you succeed, it does not mean that you will always be with us since you still have to know who you are and this dilemma could happen again.

If we are not able to save ourselves, we will come back to this same situation again and again and we would always live in fear.

That is why I ask you not to interfere ..... or at least let us try to save ourselves first, I don't know if I could live with the shame of not being able to defend my own freedom.

However, My Sister has already done a lot for us and both you and I know that what happened today could happen again and my sister does not deserve that, she deserves to be happy and above all she deserves to live.

So please take care of her, she knows how to take care of herself, but she will need help to overcome this, consider it as my last favor for saving your life from drowning.

Naruto was totally melancholic but committed to keep her word, in the last sentence he winked at her. Naruto wanted to protest, but said nothing because this was Nojiko's will and that of the whole village so he just nods his head in annoyance.

Nojiko smiles and thanks him for accepting and approaches Genzo.

Genzo (shouting at the top of his lungs to his brothers and sisters for all to hear and fill them with courage and desire for freedom): Brothers and Sisters, today; Arlong will feel all our hatred and courage, the damn bastard used a corrupt Marine to steal all the money he collected and most of all to keep the navy headquarters from knowing about our situation. It happened once and he will try again and we can't allow that anymore!!!!!

We have lived with that fear for our lives so that Nami could free us from them but it is clear that Arlong will never keep his word so today we will seek OUR FREEDOM!!!! 

Everyone shouts frantically what they are willing to do to be free.

Genzo was about to start the march against Arlong when suddenly in the distance someone yells out

Nami (SHOUTING AGITATELY): STOP, EVERYONE STOP THIS INSTANT!

Everyone turned around and saw Nami approaching.

Nami (approaches the crowd and with shortness of breath): Everyone put down your weapons, there is no need to fight, the navy didn't take my money thanks to someone who knows Genzo and my sister, therefore, I still have all the money, only.....we only need 7 million more... 7 million for all of us to be free so we won't.... (optimistic and hopeful that the people she loves will not do something crazy).

Genzo approaches Nami and holds the knife in his hand without realizing that it caused a small cut.

Nami is shocked by Genzo's action. Genzo talks to her while hugging her affectionately.

Genzo (speaks affectionately and pulls away from her, he speaks to the others): Thank you my little Nami, for everything you have done for us, but Arlong is not a man of his word and even with that money he won't let us go free.

We have made our decision and all we want for you is to be happy, get out of here and be happy, it is now our turn to value your freedom and above all your happiness. (RAISING A SWORD THAT HE POSSESSES AND GIVES THE SIGNAL TO GO TO ARLONG PARK) THE DAY OF TODAY WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM, IF WE HAVE TO DIE, LET IT BE WITH HONOR!!!!!

They all shout in agreement and run straight to Arlong park.

[I'll put a link to the clip here since the author didn't elaborated on the scene and I'm too lazy to do it.]