24: A New Beginning: Nami's Choice
But Arlong had gravely underestimated Tony.
"Bakudō #4: Hainawa (Slithering Ropes)!"
"Bakudō #9: Geki!"
With swift, precise movements, Tony cast two Kidō spells simultaneously. A radiant energy chain wrapped around Arlong's body, binding him in place, while another energy rope tightly restrained his arm.
Arlong let out an enraged roar.
"Curse it! I was so close!"
"Filthy human! I'll haunt you from the grave—I'll wipe out every last person in Cocoyasi Village!"
He was barely a meter away from Nami, but Tony's dual Kidō spells held him immobile. Arlong knew he was defeated; there was no chance now to use Nami as a hostage to escape. His fate was sealed—he would die here.
Nami slowly opened her eyes, gazing at Arlong in front of her. She was drenched in sweat, trembling from the horrible shadow Arlong's words cast over her.
Tony picked up his zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, from the ground and unsheathed it, stepping closer to Arlong.
"'Filthy human'? Heh, that's just your own inferiority talking."
With a single, decisive swing, Tony severed Arlong's head, which fell at his feet. Arlong's eyes remained wide open, locked onto Tony with a look of unwillingness and rage before they closed forever.
"Da…mn…"
Blood sprayed from Arlong's neck, splattering the ground as he collapsed. The tyrant who had ruled Cocoyasi Village for years was gone, his pirate gang obliterated by Tony.
Seeing this, Nami didn't feel fear; rather, a profound sense of relief washed over her. Cocoyasi Village was finally free from the torment of the Arlong Pirates.
The darkness that had plagued her heart was like a distant memory, replaced by Tony's flames that illuminated the village's future. For the first time, she could envision a life without constant fear, without worrying about the villagers' lives under Arlong's ruthless rule.
Nami stood up, her small frame turned to the sky as she shouted, "Belmer-san! Do you see this? Arlong is gone, Cocoyasi Village is saved!"
She released her pent-up emotions, her words reaching up to her mother in the heavens.
Turning, Nami gazed up at Arlong's massive tower, where she'd once been forced to meticulously draw sea charts for him every day. Those long, torturous days were finally over.
Tony, sensing her thoughts, snapped his fingers.
With a crackle, flames ignited at the tower's base, slowly consuming the building. Tony intended to burn away every painful memory Nami had endured here. As a young girl of thirteen or fourteen, she shouldn't be left with these haunting memories from her childhood. He wanted to make sure she'd never have to relive those dark moments.
["Ding!"]
A familiar sound rang in Tony's mind as the system's voice spoke:
["Congratulations, Host! The weakness to water has now been removed."
"Congratulations, host, for advancing the Flame-Flame Fruit by 30%."
"Congratulations, host, for advancing Ryujin Jakka by 12%."
"Double Tomoe Sharingan has reached 100%, advancing to Triple Tomoe Sharingan at 0%."
Advancement reward: None.
"Kido has advanced to 21%, allowing usage of the first fifty Hadō and Bakudō techniques."
"Armament Haki, Beginner Level, 50%."
"Observation Haki, Beginner Level, 60%."]
Tony's expression brightened with satisfaction. He was steadily getting stronger, and his zanpakuto enhancements were accelerating his progress with the Flame-Flame Fruit. However, a hint of disappointment lingered—despite the Sharingan's advancement, there was no reward to show for it.
He guessed that the lack of a reward might be due to the relative ease of unlocking the Double Tomoe Sharingan. After some internal grumbling, his system's "voice" eventually hinted that generous rewards awaited him in the future, alleviating his frustration somewhat.
For now, he consoled himself, having the Flame-Flame Fruit would suffice…
At that moment, Nami looked up at the top of Arlong's tower, watching the pirate flag burning away. Her face blossomed into a warm, joyful smile as she looked at Tony with gratitude and admiration.
Tony awkwardly scratched his head.
"Whoa, I love it, I love it! This is so healing! This little thief can still show such a smile!"
Tony couldn't help but feel grateful that he had come here, allowing this little troublemaker to suffer fewer years of hardship.
In the distance, the residents of Cocoyasi Village looked on at the massive fire erupting at the Arlong Pirates' base. They were curious about what had happened but dared not approach, knowing that the vicious fishmen were on the other side. They simply watched from afar...
Not long after, Tony and Nami arrived at the residents' homes.
Nami recounted everything that had happened, and many people broke down in tears. The village head, the village constable… they grabbed Tony's hands, expressing their immense gratitude.
No family in Cocoyasi Village was untouched by the tyranny of Arlong. Many had died at his hands. Some who couldn't pay had been slaughtered, some who tried to resist were also…
But there was nothing they could do now; the dead couldn't come back. All they could do was look forward and live on.
Now, with Cocoyasi Village restored to its former peace, it was the best possible ending.
Everyone gathered around Nami, chatting cheerfully together.
Tony watched as Nami interacted so well with the villagers, who treated her like their own daughter.
At this moment, Tony didn't feel the need to force Nami to join him on the sea. After all, even without Nami, he would have had to deal with Arlong. Anyone who dared to steal his zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, was a target—there was no way Tony would let them go.
When he met Nami, she had no other choice but to agree. So Tony didn't plan to bind her to him with these past events.
Tony cast one last glance at Nami, then disappeared into the crowd.
He made his way alone toward the Cocoyasi Village harbor, intending to leave. Perhaps there would be a chance to reunite with her on the seas someday…
Though Tony felt a bit of loss in his heart, he considered it a good ending. He had done what he came here to do and there was no need to linger any longer.
When he reached the harbor and was tying the ropes to depart, a familiar voice rang out behind him.
"Li—ar! Tony, you're such an untrustworthy guy! You said we were partners, but now you're sneaking off without telling me?"
Tony was stunned as he turned around. Nami, out of breath and with tears in her eyes, was standing there, glaring at him.
"Was everything you said a lie? You said I was clever, quick-witted, able to sense the weather, a genius navigator."
"Or… am I not worthy of being your partner? Do you dislike me?"
As she spoke, the tears in Nami's eyes began to fall. It was clear she was furious that Tony had chosen to leave her behind.
Faced with the little thief's accusations, Tony felt a headache coming on. He had thought Nami would choose to stay with her family, given her young age.
But judging by her demeanor, she had clearly made up her mind—she was going to follow him.
Tony had underestimated the weight of the word "partner" in Nami's heart.
He rubbed his nose, clearing his throat awkwardly to ease the tension.
"I was just testing you to see if you had the courage to follow me, to see if you were really serious about sailing with me. I didn't expect you to pass the test."
"But let me tell you—adventuring on the seas isn't a joke. You'd better be prepared!"
"Hmph! Liar, you just wanted to sneak away. As for being prepared, I've been ready since the beginning!"
"You're such a wealthy boss, there's no way I'm letting you leave that easily!"
After hearing Tony's explanation of the "test," Nami's mood softened considerably. She then took out the black leather briefcase with the Hundred million Berries that Arlong had collected from her.
She made a playful face at Tony.
Tony was speechless. It seemed this girl was truly obsessed with money!
No matter what, she'd never forget to collect what was hers! Tony knew that no matter what happened in the future, if she lost herself, she'd never lose her money.
Nami then pulled Tony back to Cocoyasi Village, determined to say a proper goodbye before leaving the next morning to set sail with him.
That night, Nami, afraid Tony might escape in the middle of the night, insisted that he sleep on the floor beside her. She even held Tony's prized Ryujin Jakka, making sure he stayed close so she could rest peacefully.
Tony, facing this clever little thief, felt amused and decided to stay with the sly girl.
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T/N:
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