“Do you have any more of these?
Give me a few extra!” Nami asked while sticking out her tongue playfully.
“This stuff could seriously save my life.”
Sneaking into pirate crews often meant getting injured sooner or later.
“So you’re still planning to infiltrate pirate ships?” Kai asked.
Nami blinked.
“So Nojiko already told you everything, huh?”
Honestly, that sister of hers worried too much.
Still, she wasn’t surprised Nojiko had figured it out.
The two of them lived under the same roof, after all.
Kai stayed silent, which was answer enough.
Nami didn’t seem bothered by it.
Instead, her expression slowly darkened as she began talking about her past.
Including the day Bell-mère was killed.
“Back then… because of us, Bell-mère couldn’t afford to pay for herself.”
“And Arlong killed her because of it.”
Nami clenched her fists tightly.
“Sometimes I think… if Bell-mère had never picked me up that day, maybe none of this would’ve happened.”
“That’s why I have to earn one hundred million Beli.”
“As long as I buy the village back, everyone can finally be free!”
“I only need one more big score and I’ll have enough!”
“I…”
Before she could continue, Kai stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms.
“It’s okay,” he said softly while patting her back.
“I’ll help you.”
“And stop thinking of yourself as a burden.”
“I’m sure your mother never regretted saving you.
Not even once.”
“You were part of her life.
Part of her family.”
Nami’s body trembled slightly.
Bell-mère…
Was that really true?
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
At that moment, she missed her mother more than ever.
“You…” Nami opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by loud voices outside.
Her brows immediately furrowed.
“What’s going on out there?”
Kai released her gently and helped her to her feet.
“Let’s go take a look.”
The moment they stepped outside, Kai spotted the familiar Marine uniforms and instantly understood what was happening.
So Captain Nezumi had arrived to steal Nami’s treasure.
How pathetic.
Instead of dealing with the pirates terrorizing the island, these Marines had come to rob a girl who had suffered for years trying to save her home.
Disgusting.
“So you’re the thief named Nami?” Nezumi sneered with an ugly laugh.
“We received information that the treasure you stole from pirates is hidden somewhere in this tangerine grove, correct?”
Though phrased like a question, his tone made it clear he already knew the answer.
Nami’s pupils shrank instantly.
Her face went pale.
How did he know?!
Seeing her reaction, Nezumi smirked proudly.
“Since you stole from pirates, I suppose your crimes are somewhat understandable.”
“But stolen goods are still stolen goods.”
“So naturally, the Marines will be confiscating them.”
“Now then.
Hand everything over.”
Easy money.
Sure, he had to split part of it with Arlong, which annoyed him, but maintaining their arrangement was worth it in the long run.
Watching Nezumi’s revolting grin, Kai slowly stepped forward.
At this point, Nami should finally understand the truth.
Arlong had never intended to let her go.
Kai was seriously considering blowing this rat-faced Marine into the sky.
Nami quickly reached out and stopped him, signaling for him not to act rashly.
Then she forced herself to remain calm as she faced Nezumi.
“I’m impressed,” she said coldly.
“You Marines are certainly dedicated to your work.”
“Too scared to challenge pirates directly, so you come harass a thief instead?”
“How admirable.”
Nezumi didn’t care in the slightest.
Why would he?
Money was all that mattered.
Seeing he had no intention of backing down, Nami revealed her connection to Arlong.
“Let me warn you first.”
“I’m an officer of the Arlong Pirates.”
“If you touch me, Arlong won’t ignore it.”
She was certain Nezumi wouldn’t dare attack someone tied to Arlong.
At the same time, confusion filled her mind.
How had these Marines even made it here?
The Marines who investigated this island before had disappeared long ago.
That was why Arlong had ruled this place uncontested for years.
Nezumi looked at her with complete disdain.
“You think that makes us equals?”
“What a naïve little girl.”
Then he waved his hand.
“Search the area.
Find the treasure.”
At his command, the Marines immediately began tearing through the grove.
That was the moment Nami truly panicked.
Especially when they started approaching the exact spot where she had hidden the money.
Without hesitation, she drew her weapon and knocked two Marines to the ground.
“Is THIS what Marines are supposed to do?!” she shouted furiously at Nezumi.
“Arlong’s crew murders innocent people!”
“They destroyed entire towns!”
“You know exactly what they’ve done!”
“They’ve ruled this island for years while innocent people suffer every single day!”
“And instead of stopping them, you’re here stealing money from a girl trying to save her village?!”
Was this really justice?
At that moment, Nami felt utterly betrayed by the Marines.
Nezumi simply scoffed.
He ignored her completely and continued ordering his men to search.
The instant one of them uncovered the treasure’s location, Nami rushed forward desperately and struck him down.
“You can’t take this money!”
“That money is…”
“That money is this girl’s hope for saving Cocoyasi Village!” Genzo roared angrily.
“And you still think you have the right to steal it?!”
Nezumi glanced at him coldly.
“A village sheriff thinks he can lecture a Marine captain?”
Kai suddenly spoke up.
“How much does Arlong pay you?”
“Fifty percent,” Nezumi answered automatically.
Then his expression froze.
A second later, his face twisted with rage.
“You little brat… you tricked me?!”
“Are you tired of living?!”
His eyes swept across Kai, Nami, and Genzo as murderous thoughts surfaced in his mind.
Maybe he should just silence them all.
“That’s why I said you were too trusting, Nami,” Kai sighed.
Then, casually, he pulled a tiny mechanical sphere from his pocket and tossed it forward.
“A pirate like Arlong was never going to let you go.”
Nami collapsed helplessly to the ground.
At that moment, her entire world felt like it was falling apart.
Everything she had sacrificed…
Everything she endured…
It had all been meaningless.
Kai looked up at Nezumi and smiled warmly.
A smile that somehow felt far more terrifying than anger.
“Let’s see if you can still talk so confidently in a minute.”