Chapter 12: Help me!!!!

The morning sun rose slowly over Cocoyashi Village, the soft glow bathing the small house in warmth. Xander sat at the dining table, casually sipping water while Mari and Nojiko bustled in the kitchen, the sound of clinking dishes and quiet laughter filling the space.

The door creaked open.

"Nami?" Nojiko called out.

Nami stepped into the house, her face tired but her expression immediately shifting to shock as her eyes landed on Xander. A tall, imposing man with long black hair tied in a ponytail sat calmly at the table. His crimson eyes turned toward her, unreadable.

"Who the hell are you?" Nami demanded, her voice sharp, suspicion clear in her tone.

Xander set the cup down and leaned back slightly, unfazed. "A traveler. No need to get worked up."

Nami's brows furrowed, and she glared at Nojiko. "Why is he here? It's dangerous for strangers to stay in this village. He has to leave. Now."

Nojiko frowned and stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Nami, calm down. He's not here to cause trouble. He just needed a place to stay."

"But we can't trust him! You know what happens if Arlong finds out!" Nami shot back angrily.

Xander's calm voice broke the tension. "Do you really believe Arlong will keep his promise to you?"

Nami froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening in shock. "What did you say?"

Xander's gaze was steady as he repeated, "Do you really think that if you save up 100 million beli, Arlong will free your village?"

Nami spun to Nojiko, her expression demanding answers. "How does he know about that? Did you tell him?"

Nojiko looked away, her fists clenching at her sides. "I… I didn't say anything."

Nami's shoulders stiffened, her face pale. "Arlong will keep his promise. I'm sure of it," she said defensively, though her voice wavered.

Xander's expression remained calm, his words deliberate. "He's a pirate, Nami. A pirate who's destroyed lives and taken everything from this village. Pirates don't keep promises."

Silence fell over the room like a heavy blanket. Nami stared at him, her lips parting to respond, but no words came. The weight of his statement seemed to hang in the air.

Finally, Xander broke the silence. "Your sister gave me a place to stay. I offered to help. If you want help… all you need to do is ask."

Nami scoffed bitterly, her arms crossing. "Help? What could you possibly do for me? Do you have 20 million beli lying around?"

Xander's crimson eyes narrowed slightly, and his mouth twitched as if she'd struck a nerve. Without a word, he stood up, reached into his inventory, and pulled out a heavy bag of coins.

The bag hit the table with a loud thud.

Nami stared, stunned, as Xander untied the top, revealing stacks of beli—20 million in cash. "Take it," Xander said flatly, his tone void of emotion.

Nami gaped at the money, her earlier confidence evaporating. At first, she thought he was playing a trick, but the weight of the bag and the sight of the beli were all too real. She couldn't speak. Regret flickered across her face—she had asked for too little.

"I—this… this is enough," Nami stammered, clutching the bag. Her mind raced. This is it. I can save the village!

Without wasting another second, she spun on her heel and bolted out of the house, the sound of her hurried footsteps fading into the distance.

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At Arlong Park

Arlong leaned back in his oversized chair, his sharp teeth gleaming in a wicked grin as Nami before him.

"You already save it, huh? Not bad, Arlong said, his voice dripping with mockery as he kicked back his feet. His crew jeered in the background.

"This is enough, right? You promised! You'll free the village now!"

"Of course, Nami. We'll handle everything… tomorrow. You can leave now" nami was look him suspiciously and walk away Arlong's grin didn't falter, but a sinister glint flashed in his eyes. He reached over to a nearby snail transponder, its receiver in his hand.

The line connected with a click, and Arlong's grin grew wider. "Hello? Captain Nezumi? I have a tip for you about some hidden treasure…"

his laughter echoing across the room as he spoke into the snail. "It seems there's a thief holding a large amount of stolen money. You might want to seize it before it gets away."

---

The next morning, the Marines arrived at the village, led by Captain Nezumi, who stormed into Nami's home and uncovered the hidden money. Nami screamed at them, fought them, but it was no use.

When they left, the once-heavy bag of beli was gone. Everything Nami had worked for—everything—was taken.

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Outside the Village

Nami stumbled toward Arlong Park, her vision blurred by tears. Her cries of frustration echoed as she cursed Arlong's name.

"You promised me!" she sobbed, falling to her knees. "You promised you'd free them!"

What? I never broke my promise. I don't see any money here." Arlong said nonchalantly and walk away and left her crying in middle of the small road.

Behind her, heavy footsteps approached. A firm hand touched her shoulder.

Nami froze.

She turned slowly to see Xander standing there, his crimson eyes blazing with quiet fury. The man she had dismissed as a stranger now loomed like an unshakable pillar.

Tears spilled down Nami's cheeks as she clenched the fabric of his coat, her voice breaking. "Help me. Please… help me."

Xander's gaze softened as he placed a hand atop her trembling head. "I will."

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