Ch-42 Saying goodbye to the painful memories.

After Nami's feelings settled down, she took Li Fan to a nearby building.

"Nami, do you need to get anything else?" Li Fan asked, carrying a bag of treasures.

"These are all the financial records," Nami said, touching a big pile of papers. "But before we go, I want to visit a place."

Nami turned to another room.

After some hesitation, she opened the door and walked in, with Li Fan following.

"From now on, I can finally say goodbye to this room," Nami said softly, touching the tools on the table. "You know, Li Fan, I used to work here."

"Of course, it was forced labor by those fish-men."

"By the way, Li Fan, I don't think I ever told you my dream."

"In truth, I hope to draw a map of the whole world one day using this pen."

"That's a great dream," Li Fan said with a smile. "If it's you, Nami, you'll definitely make it come true."

"You believe in me too?" Nami smiled. "Actually, Li Fan, I lied when you asked me to sign a contract. I didn't take it seriously."

"I was just thinking that it would be great if you could help if things worked out."

"I see," Li Fan said, scratching his head. "That's very Nami-like. Even as a director, I didn't realize your acting skills."

"Aren't you mad, Li Fan?"

Li Fan shook his head. "I'm not mad. My contract could be canceled at any time."

"Li Fan..." Nami looked at him with mixed emotions.

"Of course, if you break the contract, I get these financial reports," Li Fan grinned. "You remember the rules in the contract, right?"

"You, give back my feelings!" Nami said, grabbing Li Fan's collar and playfully shaking him.

"Alright, alright, I was just joking," Li Fan reassured her, patting her hand. "If you really want to end our contract, we can do it peacefully."

"A peaceful breakup? It's not like I was trying to date you," Nami retorted, turning away from Li Fan.

"Hey, Li Fan, if it's possible, can we make a new contract?" Nami turned around, looking at Li Fan with her beautiful eyes.

"Of course, and you can help write this new contract."

"That's not a problem. The original contract was agreed upon by both of us," Li Fan nodded. "So, Nami, what conditions do you have in mind?"

"Li Fan, as a filmmaker, you'll be traveling all over the world."

"Well... I do plan to make movies that reach every part of the world, so I'll be doing a lot of traveling."

"That's great," Nami said with a slight smile. "I hope the new contract can include an agreement for you to take me to every part of the world so I can map it."

"Sure, if that's your only condition, it's not a problem."

"And, for each stage of filmmaking, my pay will be doubled!"

"Hey, you're really pushing your luck," Li Fan scolded, reaching out to pinch Nami's cheek. "I never said I'd lower your pay because of your conditions, but now you want me to increase it."

"Don't be stingy, Li Fan. You make a lot of money from your films, why not share a bit more with me?"

"Even if I make money from making movies, I can't just give you a lot more. What will other actors think? You're not my family. If other actors find out, it would be unfair to them. What should I do about the high pay?"

"Li Fan, are you saying that if I become your family, you'll pay me more?"

"Huh? Nami, are you in love with me and want to marry me?"

"It's not impossible, as long as you entrust all the money to me." Nami grinned.

"Then the real question is, when's the wedding? We can't be considered married without one."

"Uh!" Nami's expression froze for a moment upon hearing Li Fan's words.

"Tsk, you sly little cat," Li Fan shook his head. "I'll promise to take you around the world, but the rest of the contract remains the same."

"Now, let's get out of here together."

"Don't keep Nojiko waiting too long."

Nami nodded and followed Li Fan out of the Arlong Park.

"Li Fan, why did you take Arlong's body with us?" Nami asked, puzzled, after they left the park.

"Well, he was a pirate with a 20 million berry bounty, so we need to keep his body," Li Fan explained, raising a corner of his mouth, and tossed Arlong's body far away.

Afterward, Li Fan used projection magic to summon the longbow and pseudo-spiral sword.

"Hey, Li Fan, are you going to..." Nami's heart raced as she recalled how Li Fan had used that pseudo-spiral sword against Garp.

"That's exactly what I'm doing," Li Fan said. He placed his hand on Nami's waist and led her to leap more than 20 meters into the air.

"Ah!" Nami clung to Li Fan's waist tightly as they soared into the sky.

"Watch, Nami, from today on, this place that gave you an unhappy childhood will be no more." Li Fan fully drew his longbow.

"Fake Spiral, ready!"

"Caladbolg!

"Rumble..."

A massive explosion and a brilliant red light illuminated Arlong Park.

When the dust settled, everything within the park, including the sea charts that Nami had been forced to create for the Arlong Pirates, had vanished.

.....