betrayal

Arlong quickly called Nezumi over. "Nezumi, head to Nami's house and begin our plan."

As Nezumi left to carry out the orders, Nami entered Arlong Park, her steps filled with determination. She approached Arlong, who greeted her with a wide, predatory smile.

"Arlong, I've got the money. Release the village, and I'll give it to you," Nami demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Arlong laughed heartily, his amusement echoing through the park. "HAHAHA! Good job, Nami. I didn't expect you to actually make it. Impressive, as I expected from my navigator," he praised mockingly.

"But," he continued, his tone turning sly, "you need to show me the money first. What if you're lying to me? Wasting my time and giving up your village without proof?" His smirk grew wider as he watched Nami's reaction.

Nami clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She took a deep breath to steady herself. "Okay, just...you must start preparing to release the village."

Arlong's smile never wavered as he watched her. "Of course, Nami. Show me the money, and we'll talk." He leaned back, a look of triumph in his eyes, knowing he had the upper hand.

Meanwhile, back at Nami's house, Nezumi and his men began their search, intent on following Arlong's orders. As Nezumi's men started digging at the spot where the money was hidden, Nami was rushing back to her house, her heart pounding with urgency.

Suddenly, the door to Nami's house opened, and a blue-haired girl stepped out. She froze as she saw Nezumi's men digging under a tree. Her eyes widened in shock, and she screamed at them.

"Stop! What are you doing?" Nojiko yelled, running towards the men. Her voice was filled with a mix of anger and desperation.

Nezumi turned to face her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ah, you must be Nojiko. We're just following orders," he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

Nojiko's fists clenched as she glared at Nezumi. "Orders? From who? What gives you the right to dig up our property?"

Nezumi chuckled. "We got a report that there is stolen treasure here. We're just here to secure some... valuables."

Before Nojiko could respond, Nami arrived, her face pale with dread. "Nojiko, get away from them!" she shouted, pushing her sister behind her.

Nezumi's grin widened as he watched the sisters. "Ah, Nami, just in time. We were about to inspect this little treasure of yours."

Nami's eyes burned with fury. "You have no right to touch that money! It's mine!"

Nezumi shrugged nonchalantly. "Orders from Marine Headquarters. We're simply carrying out our duties."

Nami's hands trembled with barely suppressed rage. "This is a personal vendetta, and you know it," she hissed, her voice low but filled with venom.

Nezumi smirked, unfazed. "Personal or not, we're still taking it. Stand aside, Nami."

The villagers, drawn by the commotion, began to gather around, their murmurs growing louder. The tension in the air was palpable. Nami knew she had to think fast.

"If you try anything funny, I will—" Nezumi began, raising his gun and pointing it at Nojiko.

Nami's heart raced as she watched helplessly. The threat against her sister froze her in place. "Nojiko, stay back!" she shouted, trying to keep her voice steady.

Nojiko's eyes widened in fear, but she didn't move, her protective instinct making her stay close to Nami.

Nezumi's men continued digging, unearthing the bags of money Nami had painstakingly gathered. Each bag they pulled out felt like a blow to her heart. The villagers watched in silence, their expressions a mix of sympathy and helplessness.

As the last of the money was taken, Nezumi lowered his gun, a triumphant smile on his face. "Well, that wasn't so hard, was it?" he sneered, turning to his men. "Let's get this back to Arlong."

Nami stood there, her fists clenched and tears welling up in her eyes. She felt the crushing weight of defeat, the years of hard work and sacrifice crumbling before her. The villagers' murmurs grew louder, their anger and frustration bubbling over.

Determined, Nami suddenly started running towards Arlong Park. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she pushed herself to reach her destination. When she arrived, she burst through the gates, her voice echoing with a mixture of rage and desperation.

"ARLONG!" she shouted, her voice carrying her anguish and betrayal. "You had no intention from the start to leave my village alone!"

Arlong, lounging on his throne, looked up with a smirk. His cold, calculating eyes met Nami's furious gaze. "Well, well, if it isn't my favorite little navigator," he drawled, amusement evident in his tone. "What seems to be the problem, Nami?"

Nami's chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. "I did everything you asked! I got the money, all 100 million berries. But you sent Nezumi to steal it from me. You never planned to honor our deal, did you?"

Arlong's grin widened, and he leaned forward slightly. "Oh, Nami, you should know by now that the world doesn't work on promises and deals. It's all about power and control. And I control this village."

Nami felt a surge of anger and despair. "I trusted you! I believed you would keep your word!"

Arlong stood up, towering over her. "Your naivety is almost endearing, Nami. But don't forget, you belong to me. Everything you do, everything you earn, it's all mine."

Nami's eyes burned with tears of frustration, but she refused to back down. "I won't let you get away with this," she vowed, her voice trembling with determination. "I'll find a way to stop you."

Arlong laughed, a deep, mocking sound. "You can try, Nami. But remember, you're just a small fish in a very big ocean. And in this ocean, I'm the one who rules."

With those words ringing in her ears, Nami turned and ran back towards the village, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. She had been knocked down, but she wasn't defeated. She would find a way to free her village from Arlong's grip, no matter the cost.

...............…..

Three days passed by in a blur of anguish and helplessness. Nami sat in her house, tears streaming down her face, her spirit broken. Nojiko, her sister, watched silently, unable to offer comfort or solutions. The weight of their predicament hung heavily in the air.

Nami had thought of every possible way to free their village from Arlong's clutches, but each plan seemed more futile than the last. Frustration and despair gnawed at her, leaving her feeling utterly powerless.

Finally, unable to bear the suffocating atmosphere any longer, Nami stood up and left the house. She walked with heavy steps toward her mother's grave, a small, simple marker located on a hill overlooking the village. She sat down behind the grave, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Mom," Nami began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I tried so hard. I thought I could save us, but it was all for nothing."

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, staring at the grave marker as if seeking answers from the one person who had always believed in her.

"I don't know what to do anymore," she continued, her voice trembling. "Arlong... he's too powerful. I can't fight him on my own. I thought I could buy our freedom, but he betrayed me. He never planned to let us go."

Nami's tears fell freely now, her sobs mingling with the quiet rustle of the wind. "I wish you were here, Mom. You always knew what to do. You always made me feel like everything would be okay."

She reached out and traced the letters on the gravestone, feeling a pang of longing and sadness. "I miss you so much. I miss your strength, your love. I feel so lost without you."

Nami stood up and looked at the sunset with a helpless smile, her thoughts drifting to Toshiro, who, like Arlong, sought to control and enslave her. She laughed bitterly at her misfortune, feeling the weight of her hopeless situation pressing down on her.

As a determined thought came into her head, she smiled again, albeit sadly. "I'm so tired. I don't care anymore. Let me join you, Mom," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

With a resigned sigh, Nami moved to the edge of the hill, looking down at the ground below. Her heart ached with the accumulated pain of years of struggle and betrayal. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let herself fall forward, choosing to end her life and misery.

In that fleeting moment, the world seemed to slow down. The wind whispered through the trees, and the colors of the sunset blurred into a melancholic palette. As she descended, the memories of her loved ones and her village flashed before her eyes. But even as despair sought to consume her, a voice from within seemed to cry out against the darkness.

Whether it was fate or sheer luck, just as Nami began her descent, a strong hand clutched her wrist, stopping her just before she hit the ground. She gasped, her eyes snapping open to see Toshiro standing there, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Did you finally fall for me, Nami?!" Toshiro said, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

Nami started crying heavily and pulled her wrist out of Toshiro's grasp. She sank to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably as she stared at the ground.

"Even if I wanted to die, I cannot," Nami whispered to herself, her voice barely audible amidst her tears. Toshiro watched her silently, his expression unreadable. He knelt beside her, saying nothing, but his presence was a quiet support in her moment of despair.

"I expect you to repay me well for my emotional support services later," Toshiro said with a serious face.

Nami completely ignored what he said and looked at him with eyes that seemed almost lifeless. She spoke with a trembling voice, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Please, Toshiro… Can you help me?" Nami pleaded, her voice filled with desperation and vulnerability.

......................................

Note: ("If you're enjoying my fanfiction, I'd appreciate your support with Power Stones to keep me inspired and motivated!")

(I've started working in my father's shop, so I'll be releasing one chapter every 1 to 3 days, with a minimum of 1500 words.)

i'm sorry